\"Doyouthenregardyourselfasimmortal？\"
\"No，myboy。Iamnotimmortal。Butthevoiceofthepressgoesonforever……Anditwillsaythatthiswasthesecretofyourgreatsuccessinataskwherebettermenthanyou-meaningnooffence-didfailrepeatedly。\"
\"Success，\"mutteredRenouard，pulling-totheofficedoorafterhimwithconsiderableenergy。AndthelettersofthewordPRIVATElikearowofwhiteeyesseemedtostareafterhisbacksinkingdownthestaircaseofthattempleofpublicity。
Renouardhadnodoubtthatallthemeansofpublicitywouldbeputattheserviceofloveandusedforthediscoveryofthelovedman。
Hedidnotwishhimdead。Hedidnotwishhimanyharm。Weareallequippedwithafundofhumanitywhichisnotexhaustedwithoutmanyandrepeatedprovocations-andthismanhaddonehimnoevil。
ButbeforeRenouardhadleftoldDunster\'shouse，attheconclusionofthecallhemadetherethatveryafternoon，hehaddiscoveredinhimselfthedesirethatthesearchmightlastlong。Heneverreallyflatteredhimselfthatitmightfail。Itseemedtohimthattherewasnoothercourseinthisworldforhimself，forallmankind，butresignation。AndhecouldnothelpthinkingthatProfessorMoorsomhadarrivedatthesameconclusiontoo。
ProfessorMoorsom，slightframeofmiddleheight，athoughtfulkeenheadunderthethickwavyhair，veileddarkeyesunderstraighteyebrows，andwithaninwardgazewhichwhendisengagedandarrivingatoneseemedtoissuefromanobscuredreamofbooks，fromthelimboofmeditation，showedhimselfextremelygracioustohim。Renouardguessedinhimamanwhomanincurablehabitofinvestigationandanalysishadmadegentleandindulgent；inaptforaction，andmoresensitivetothethoughtsthantotheeventsofexistence。Withalnotcrushed，sub-ironicwithoutatraceofacidity，andwithasimplemannerwhichputpeopleateasequickly。
Theyhadalongconversationontheterracecommandinganextendedviewofthetownandtheharbour。
Thesplendidimmobilityofthebayrestingunderhisgaze，withitsgreyspursandshiningindentations，helpedRenouardtoregainhisself-possession，whichhehadfeltshaken，incomingoutontheterrace，intothesettingofthemostpowerfulemotionofhislife，whenhehadsatwithinafootofMissMoorsomwithfireinhisbreast，ahumminginhisears，andinacompletedisorderofhismind。Therewastheverygardenseatonwhichhehadbeenenvelopedintheradiantspell。Andpresentlyhewassittingonitagainwiththeprofessortalkingofher。NearbythepatriarchalDunsterleanedforwardinawickerarm-chair，benignandalittledeaf，hisbighandtohisearwiththeinnocenteagernessofhisadvancedagerememberingthefiresoflife。
ItwaswithasortofapprehensionthatRenouardlookedforwardtoseeingMissMoorsom。Andstrangelyenoughitresembledthestateofmindofamanwhofearsdisenchantmentmorethansortilege。Butheneednothavebeenafraid。Directlyhesawherinadistanceattheotherendoftheterraceheshudderedtotherootsofhishair。
Withherapproachthepowerofspeechlefthimforatime。Mrs。
Dunsterandherauntwereaccompanyingher。Allthesepeoplesatdown；itwasanintimatecircleintowhichRenouardfelthimselfcordiallyadmitted；andthetalkwasofthegreatsearchwhichoccupiedalltheirminds。Discretionwasexpectedbythesepeople，butofreticenceastotheobjectofthejourneytherecouldbenoquestion。Nothingbutwaysandmeansandarrangementscouldbetalkedabout。
Byfixinghiseyesobstinatelyontheground，whichgavehimanairofreflectivesadness，Renouardmanagedtorecoverhisself-
possession。Heusedittokeephisvoiceinalowkeyandtomeasurehiswordsonthegreatsubject。Andhetookcarewithagreatinwardefforttomakethemreasonablewithoutgivingthemadiscouragingcomplexion。Forhedidnotwantthequesttobegivenup，sinceitwouldmeanhergoingawaywithhertwoattendantgrey-
headstotheothersideoftheworld。
Hewasaskedtocomeagain，tocomeoftenandtakepartinthecounselsofallthesepeoplecaptivatedbythesentimentalenterpriseofadeclaredlove。OntakingMissMoorsom\'shandhelookedup，wouldhavelikedtosaysomething，butfoundhimselfvoiceless，withhislipssuddenlysealed。Shereturnedthepressureofhisfingers，andheleftherwithhereyesvaguelystaringbeyondhim，anairoflisteningforanexpectedsound，andthefaintestpossiblesmileonherlips。Asmilenotforhim，evidently，butthereflectionofsomedeepandinscrutablethought。
CHAPTERIV
Hewentonboardhisschooner。Shelaywhite，andasifsuspended，inthecrepuscularatmosphereofsunsetminglingwiththeashygleamofthevastanchorage。Hetriedtokeephisthoughtsassober，asreasonable，asmeasuredashiswordshadbeen，lesttheyshouldgetawayfromhimandcausesomesortofmoraldisaster。
Whathewasafraidofinthecomingnightwassleeplessnessandtheendlessstrainofthatwearisometask。Ithadtobefacedhowever。
Helayonhisback，sighingprofoundlyinthedark，andsuddenlybeheldhisveryownself，carryingasmallbizarrelamp，reflectedinalongmirrorinsidearoominanemptyandunfurnishedpalace。
Inthisstartlingimageofhimselfherecognisedsomebodyhehadtofollow-thefrightenedguideofhisdream。Hetraversedendlessgalleries，noendofloftyhalls，innumerabledoors。Helosthimselfutterly-hefoundhiswayagain。Roomsucceededroom。Atlastthelampwentout，andhestumbledagainstsomeobjectwhich，whenhestoopedforit，hefoundtobeverycoldandheavytolift。
Thesicklywhitelightofdawnshowedhimtheheadofastatue。
Itsmarblehairwasdoneintheboldlinesofahelmet，onitslipsthechiselhadleftafaintsmile，anditresembledMissMoorsom。
Whilehewasstaringatitfixedly，theheadbegantogrowlightinhisfingers，todiminishandcrumbletopieces，andatlastturnedintoahandfulofdust，whichwasblownawaybyapuffofwindsochillythathewokeupwithadesperateshiverandleapedheadlongoutofhisbed-place。Thedayhadreallycome。Hesatdownbythecabintable，andtakinghisheadbetweenhishands，didnotstirforaverylongtime。
Veryquiet，hesethimselftoreviewthisdream。Thelamp，ofcourse，heconnectedwiththesearchforaman。ButoncloserexaminationheperceivedthatthereflectionofhimselfinthemirrorwasnotreallythetrueRenouard，butsomebodyelsewhosefacehecouldnotremember。Inthedesertedpalaceherecognisedasinisteradaptationbyhisbrainofthelongcorridorswithmanydoors，inthegreatbuildinginwhichhisfriend\'snewspaperwaslodgedonthefirstfloor。ThemarbleheadwithMissMoorsom\'sface!Well!Whatotherfacecouldhehavedreamedof？AndhercomplexionwasfairerthanParianmarble，thantheheadsofangels。
Thewindattheendwasthemorningbreezeenteringthroughtheopenportholeandtouchinghisfacebeforetheschoonercouldswingtothechillygust。
Yes!Andallthisrationalexplanationofthefantasticmadeitonlymoremysteriousandweird。Therewassomethingdaemonicinthatdream。Itwasoneofthoseexperienceswhichthrowamanoutofconformitywiththeestablishedorderofhiskindandmakehimacreatureofobscuresuggestions。
Henceforth，withoutevertryingtoresist，hewenteveryafternoontothehousewhereshelived。Hewentthereaspassivelyasifinadream。HecouldnevermakeouthowhehadattainedthefootingofintimacyintheDunstermansionabovethebay-whetheronthegroundofpersonalmeritorasthepioneerofthevegetablesilkindustry。Itmusthavebeenthelast，becauseheremembereddistinctly，asdistinctlyasinadream，hearingoldDunsteroncetellinghimthathisnextpublictaskwouldbeacarefulsurveyoftheNorthernDistrictstodiscovertractssuitableforthecultivationofthesilkplant。Theoldmanwaggedhisbeardathimsagely。Itwasindeedasabsurdasadream。
Willieofcoursewouldbethereintheevening。Buthewasmoreofafigureoutofanightmare，hoveringaboutthecircleofchairsinhisdress-clotheslikeagigantic，repulsive，andsentimentalbat。
\"Doawaywiththebeastlycocoonsallovertheworld，\"hebuzzedinhisblurred，water-loggedvoice。Heaffectedagreathorrorofinsectsofallkinds。Oneeveningheappearedwitharedflowerinhisbutton-hole。Nothingcouldhavebeenmoredisgustinglyfantastic。AndhewouldalsosaytoRenouard:\"Youmayyetchangethehistoryofourcountry。Foreconomicconditionsdoshapethehistoryofnations。Eh？What？\"AndhewouldturntoMissMoorsomforapproval，loweringprotectinglyhisspatulousnoseandlookingupwithfeelingfromunderhisabsurdeyebrows，whichgrewthin，inthemannerofcanebrakes，outofhisspongyskin。Forthislarge，biliouscreaturewasaneconomistandasentimentalist，faciletotears，andamemberoftheCobdenClub。
InordertoseeaslittleofhimaspossibleRenouardbegancomingearliersoastogetawaybeforehisarrival，withoutcurtailingtoomuchthehoursofsecretcontemplationforwhichhelived。Hehadgivenuptryingtodeceivehimself。Hisresignationwaswithoutbounds。Heacceptedtheimmensemisfortuneofbeinginlovewithawomanwhowasinsearchofanothermanonlytothrowherselfintohisarms。Withsuchdesperateprecisionhedefinedinhisthoughtsthesituation，theconsciousnessofwhichtraversedlikeasharparrowthesuddensilencesofgeneralconversation。
Theonlythoughtbeforewhichhequailedwasthethoughtthatthiscouldnotlast；thatitmustcometoanend。Hefeareditinstinctivelyasasickmanmayfeardeath。Foritseemedtohimthatitmustbethedeathofhimfollowedbyalightless，bottomlesspit。Buthisresignationwasnotsparedthetormentsofjealousy:thecruel，insensate，poignant，andimbecilejealousy，whenitseemsthatawomanbetraysussimplybythisthatsheexists，thatshebreathes-andwhenthedeepmovementsofhernervesorhersoulbecomeamatterofdistractingsuspicion，ofkillingdoubt，ofmortalanxiety。
InthepeculiarconditionoftheirsojournMissMoorsomwentoutverylittle。SheacceptedthisseclusionattheDunsters\'mansionasinahermitage，andlivedthere，watchedoverbyagroupofoldpeople，withtheloftyenduranceofacondescendingandstrong-
headedgoddess。Itwasimpossibletosayifshesufferedfromanythingintheworld，andwhetherthiswastheinsensibilityofagreatpassionconcentratedonitself，oraperfectrestraintofmanner，ortheindifferenceofsuperioritysocompleteastobesufficienttoitself。ButitwasvisibletoRenouardthatshetooksomepleasureintalkingtohimattimes。Wasitbecausehewastheonlypersonnearherage？Wasthis，then，thesecretofhisadmissiontothecircle？
Headmiredhervoiceaswellpoisedashermovements，asherattitudes。Hehimselfhadalwaysbeenamanoftranquiltones。
Butthepoweroffascinationhadtornhimoutofhisverynaturesocompletelythattopreservehishabitualcalmnessfromgoingtopieceshadbecomeaterribleeffort。
Heusedtogofromheronboardtheschoonerexhausted，broken，shakenup，asthoughhehadbeenputtothemostexquisitetorture。
Whenhesawherapproachinghealwayshadamomentofhallucination。Shewasamistyandfaircreature，fittedforinvisiblemusic，fortheshadowsoflove，forthemurmursofwaters。Afteratime(hecouldnotbealwaysstaringattheground)hewouldsummonupallhisresolutionandlookather。
Therewasasparkleintheclearobscurityofhereyes；andwhensheturnedthemonhimtheyseemedtogiveanewmeaningtolife。
Hewouldsaytohimselfthatanothermanwouldhavefoundlongbeforethehappyreleaseofmadness，hiswitsburnttocindersinthatradiance。Butnosuchluckforhim。Hiswitshadcomeunscathedthroughthefurnacesofhotsuns，ofblazingdeserts，offlamingangersagainsttheweaknessesofmenandtheobstinatecrueltiesofhostilenature。
Beingsanehehadtobeconstantlyonhisguardagainstfallingintoadoringsilencesorbreakingoutintowildspeeches。Hehadtokeepwatchonhiseyes，hislimbs，onthemusclesofhisface。
Theirconversationsweresuchastheycouldbebetweenthesetwopeople:sheayoungladyfreshfromthethicktwilightoffourmillionpeopleandtheartificialityofseveralLondonseasons；hethemanofdefiniteconqueringtasks，thefamiliarofwidehorizons，andinhisveryreposeholdingalooffromtheseagglomerationsofunitsinwhichonelosesone\'simportanceeventooneself。Theyhadnocommonconversationalsmallchange。Theyhadtousethegreatpiecesofgeneralideas，buttheyexchangedthemtrivially。Itwasnoseriouscommerce。Perhapsshehadnotmuchofthatcoin。Nothingsignificantcamefromher。Itcouldnotbesaidthatshehadreceivedfromthecontactsoftheexternalworldimpressionsofapersonalkind，differentfromotherwomen。Whatwasravishinginherwasherquietnessand，inhergraveattitudes，theunfailingbrillianceofherfemininity。Hedidnotknowwhattherewasunderthativoryforeheadsosplendidlyshaped，sogloriouslycrowned。Hecouldnottellwhatwereherthoughts，herfeelings。Herreplieswerereflective，alwaysprecededbyashortsilence，whilehehungonherlipsanxiously。Hefelthimselfinthepresenceofamysteriousbeinginwhomspokeanunknownvoice，likethevoiceoforacles，bringingeverlastingunresttotheheart。
Hewasthankfulenoughtositinsilencewithsecretlyclenchedteeth，devouredbyjealousy-andnobodycouldhaveguessedthathisquietdeferentialbearingtoallthesegrey-headswasthesupremeeffortofstoicism，thatthemanwasengagedinkeepingasinisterwatchonhistortureslesthisstrengthshouldfailhim。
Asbefore，whengrapplingwithotherforcesofnature，hecouldfindinhimselfallsortsofcourageexceptthecouragetorunaway。
ItwasperhapsfromthelackofsubjectstheycouldhaveincommonthatMissMoorsommadehimsooftenspeakofhisownlife。Hedidnotshrinkfromtalkingabouthimself，forhewasfreefromthatexacerbated，timidvanitywhichsealssomanyvain-gloriouslips。
Hetalkedtoherinhisrestrainedvoice，gazingatthetipofhershoe，andthinkingthatthetimewasboundtocomesoonwhenherveryinattentionwouldgetwearyofhim。Andindeedonstealingaglancehewouldseeherdazzlingandperfect，hereyesvague，staringinmournfulimmobility，withadroopingheadthatmadehimthinkofatragicVenusarisingbeforehim，notfromthefoamofthesea，butfromadistant，stillmoreformless，mysterious，andpotentimmensityofmankind。
CHAPTERV
OneafternoonRenouardsteppingoutontheterracefoundnobodythere。Itwasforhim，atthesametime，amelancholydisappointmentandapoignantrelief。
Theheatwasgreat，theairwasstill，allthelongwindowsofthehousestoodwideopen。Atthefurtherend，groupedroundalady\'swork-table，severalchairsdisposedsociablysuggestedinvisibleoccupants，acompanyofconversingshades。Renouardlookedtowardsthemwithasortofdread。Amostelusive，faintsoundofghostlytalkissuingfromoneoftheroomsaddedtotheillusionandstoppedhisalreadyhesitatingfootsteps。Heleanedoverthebalustradeofstonenearasquatvaseholdingatropicalplantofabizarreshape。ProfessorMoorsomcomingupfromthegardenwithabookunderhisarmandawhiteparasolheldoverhisbarehead，foundhimthereand，closingtheparasol，leanedoverbyhissidewitharemarkontheincreasingheatoftheseason。Renouardassentedandchangedhispositionalittle；theother，afterashortsilence，administeredunexpectedlyaquestionwhich，liketheblowofaclubonthehead，deprivedRenouardofthepowerofspeechandeventhought，but，morecruel，lefthimquiveringwithapprehension，notofdeathbutofeverlastingtorment。Yetthewordswereextremelysimple。
\"Somethingwillhavetobedonesoon。Wecan\'tremaininastateofsuspendedexpectationforever。Tellmewhatdoyouthinkofourchances？\"
Renouard，speechless，producedafaintsmile。Theprofessorconfessedinajoculartonehisimpatiencetocompletethecircuitoftheglobeandbedonewithit。ItwasimpossibletoremainquarteredonthedearexcellentDunstersforanindefinitetime。
AndthentherewerethelectureshehadarrangedtodeliverinParis。Aseriousmatter。
ThatlecturesbyProfessorMoorsomwereaEuropeaneventandthatbrilliantaudienceswouldgathertohearthemRenouarddidnotknow。Allhewasawareofwastheshockofthishintofdeparture。
Themenaceofseparationfellonhisheadlikeathunderbolt。Andhesawtheabsurdityofhisemotion，forhadn\'thelivedallthesedaysundertheverycloud？Theprofessor，hiselbowsspreadout，lookeddownintothegardenandwentonunburdeninghismind。Yes。
Thedepartmentofsentimentwasdirectedbyhisdaughter，andshehadplentyofvolunteeredmoralsupport；buthehadtolookafterthepracticalsideoflifewithoutassistance。
\"Ihavethelesshesitationinspeakingtoyouaboutmyanxiety，becauseIfeelyouarefriendlytousandatthesametimeyouaredetachedfromallthesesublimities-confoundthem。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"murmuredRenouard。
\"Imeanthatyouarecapableofcalmjudgment。Heretheatmosphereissimplydetestable。Everybodyhasknuckledundertosentiment。
Perhapsyourdeliberateopinioncouldinfluence……\"
\"YouwantMissMoorsomtogiveitup？\"Theprofessorturnedtotheyoungmandismally。
\"HeavenonlyknowswhatIwant。\"
Renouardleaninghisbackagainstthebalustradefoldedhisarmsonhisbreast，appearedtomeditateprofoundly。Hisface，shadedsoftlybythebroadbrimofaplanter\'sPanamahat，withthestraightlineofthenoselevelwiththeforehead，theeyeslostinthedepthofthesetting，andthechinwellforward，hadsuchaprofileasmaybeseenamongstthebronzesofclassicalmuseums，pureunderacrestedhelmet-recalledvaguelyaMinerva\'shead。
\"ThisisthemosttroublesometimeIeverhadinmylife，\"
exclaimedtheprofessortestily。
\"Surelythemanmustbeworthit，\"mutteredRenouardwithapangofjealousytraversinghisbreastlikeaself-inflictedstab。
Whetherenervatedbytheheatorgivingwaytopentupirritationtheprofessorsurrenderedhimselftothemoodofsincerity。
\"Hebeganbybeingapleasantlydullboy。Hedevelopedintoapointlesslycleveryoungman，without，Isuspect，evertryingtounderstandanything。Mydaughterknewhimfromchildhood。Iamabusyman，andIconfessthattheirengagementwasacompletesurprisetome。Iwishtheirreasonsforthatstephadbeenmorenaive。Butsimplicitywasoutoffashionintheirset。Fromaworldlypointofviewheseemstohavebeenamerebaby。Ofcourse，now，Iamassuredthatheisthevictimofhisnobleconfidenceintherectitudeofhiskind。Butthat\'smereidealisingofasadreality。FormypartIwilltellyouthatfromtheverybeginningIhadthegravestdoubtsofhisdishonesty。
Unfortunatelymycleverdaughterhadn\'t。Andnowwebeholdthereaction。No。Tobeearnestlydishonestonemustbereallypoor。
Thiswasonlyamanifestationofhisextremelyrefinedcleverness。
Thecomplicatedsimpleton。Hehadanawfulawakeningthough。\"
InsuchwordsdidProfessorMoorsomgivehis\"youngfriend\"tounderstandthestateofhisfeelingstowardthelostman。ItwasevidentthatthefatherofMissMoorsomwishedhimtoremainlost。
PerhapstheunprecedentedheatoftheseasonmadehimlongforthecoolspacesofthePacific，thesweepoftheocean\'sfreewindalongthepromenadedecks，cumberedwithlongchairs，ofashipsteamingtowardstheCaliforniancoast。ToRenouardthephilosopherappearedsimplythemosttreacherousoffathers。Hewasamazed。Buthewasnotattheendofhisdiscoveries。
\"Hemaybedead，\"theprofessormurmured。
\"Why？Peopledon\'tdieheresoonerthaninEurope。IfhehadgonetohideinItaly，forinstance，youwouldn\'tthinkofsayingthat。\"
\"Well!Andsupposehehasbecomemorallydisintegrated。Youknowhewasnotastrongpersonality，\"theprofessorsuggestedmoodily。
\"Mydaughter\'sfutureisinquestionhere。\"
Renouardthoughtthattheloveofsuchawomanwasenoughtopullanybrokenmantogether-todragamanoutofhisgrave。Andhethoughtthiswithinwarddespair，whichkepthimsilentasmuchalmostashisastonishment。Atlasthemanagedtostammeroutagenerous-
\"Oh!Don\'tletusevensuppose……\"
Theprofessorstruckinwithasadderaccentthanbefore-
\"It\'sgoodtobeyoung。Andthenyouhavebeenamanofaction，andnecessarilyabelieverinsuccess。ButIhavebeenlookingtoolongatlifenottodistrustitssurprises。Age!Age!HereI
standbeforeyouamanfullofdoubtsandhesitation-SPELENTUS，TIMIDUSFUTURI。\"
HemadeasigntoRenouardnottointerrupt，andinaloweredvoice，asifafraidofbeingoverheard，eventhere，inthesolitudeoftheterrace-
\"AndtheworstisthatIamnotevensurehowfarthissentimentalpilgrimageisgenuine。Yes。Idoubtmyownchild。It\'struethatshe\'sawoman……\"
Renouarddetectedwithhorroratoneofresentment，asiftheprofessorhadneverforgivenhisdaughterfornotdyinginsteadofhisson。Thelatternoticedtheyoungman\'sstonystare。
\"Ah!youdon\'tunderstand。Yes，she\'sclever，open-minded，popular，and-well，charming。Butyoudon\'tknowwhatitistohavemoved，breathed，existed，andeventriumphedinthemeresmotherandfrothoflife-thebrilliantfroth。Therethoughts，sentiments，opinions，feelings，actionstoo，arenothingbutagitationinemptyspace-toamuselife-asortofsuperiordebauchery，excitingandfatiguing，meaningnothing，leadingnowhere。Sheisthecreatureofthatcircle。AndIaskmyselfifsheisobeyingtheuneasinessofaninstinctseekingitssatisfaction，orisitarevulsionoffeeling，orisshemerelydeceivingherownheartbythisdangeroustriflingwithromanticimages。Andeverythingispossible-exceptsincerity，suchasonlystark，strugglinghumanitycanknow。Nowomancanstandthatmodeoflifeinwhichwomenrule，andremainaperfectlygenuine，simplehumanbeing。Ah!There\'ssomepeoplecomingout。\"
Hemovedoffapace，thenturninghishead:\"Uponmyword!I
wouldbeinfinitelyobligedtoyouifyoucouldthrowalittlecoldwater……\"andatavaguelydismayedgestureofRenouard，headded:\"Don\'tbeafraid。Youwouldn\'tbeputtingoutasacredfire。\"
Renouardcouldhardlyfindwordsforaprotest:\"IassureyouthatInevertalkwithMissMoorsom-on-on-that。Andifyou，herfather……\"
\"Ienvyyouyourinnocence，\"sighedtheprofessor。\"Afatherisonlyaneverydayperson。Flat。Stale。Moreover，mychildwouldnaturallymistrustme。Webelongtothesameset。Whereasyoucarrywithyoutheprestigeoftheunknown。Youhaveprovedyourselftobeaforce。\"
ThereupontheprofessorfollowedbyRenouardjoinedthecircleofalltheinmatesofthehouseassembledattheotherendoftheterraceaboutatea-table；threewhiteheadsandthatresplendentvisionofwoman\'sglory，thesightofwhichhadthepowertoflutterhisheartlikeareminderofthemortalityofhisframe。
HeavoidedtheseatbythesideofMissMoorsom。Theothersweretalkingtogetherlanguidly。Unnoticedhelookedatthatwomansomarvellousthatcenturiesseemedtoliebetweenthem。Hewasoppressedandovercomeatthethoughtofwhatshecouldgivetosomemanwhoreallywouldbeaforce!Whatagloriousstrugglewiththisamazon。Whatnobleburdenforthevictoriousstrength。
DearoldMrs。Dunsterwasdispensingtea，lookingfromtimetotimewithinteresttowardsMissMoorsom。Theagedstatesmanhavingeatenarawtomatoanddrunkaglassofmilk(ahabitofhisearlyfarmingdays，longbeforepolitics，when，pioneerofwheat-growing，hedemonstratedthepossibilityofraisingcropsongroundlookingbarrenenoughtodiscourageamagician)，smoothedhiswhitebeard，andstrucklightlyRenouard\'skneewithhisbigwrinkledhand。
\"Youhadbettercomebackto-nightanddinewithusquietly。\"
Helikedthisyoungman，apioneer，too，inmorethanonedirection。Mrs。Dunsteradded:\"Do。Itwillbeveryquiet。I
don\'tevenknowifWilliewillbehomefordinner。\"Renouardmurmuredhisthanks，andlefttheterracetogoonboardtheschooner。Whilelingeringinthedrawing-roomdoorwayheheardtheresonantvoiceofoldDunsterutteringoracularly-
\"……theleadingmanheresomeday……Likeme。\"
Renouardletthethinsummerportiereofthedoorwayfallbehindhim。ThevoiceofProfessorMoorsomsaid-
\"Iamtoldthathehasmadeanenemyofalmosteverymanwhohadtoworkwithhim。\"
\"That\'snothing。Hedidhiswork……Likeme。\"
\"Henevercountedthecosttheysay。Notevenoflives。\"
Renouardunderstoodthattheyweretalkingofhim。Beforehecouldmoveaway，Mrs。Dunsterstruckinplacidly-
\"Don\'tletyourselfbeshockedbythetalesyoumayhearofhim，mydear。Mostofitisenvy。\"
ThenheheardMissMoorsom\'svoicereplyingtotheoldlady-
\"Oh!Iamnoteasilydeceived。IthinkImaysayIhaveaninstinctfortruth。\"
Hehastenedawayfromthathousewithhisheartfullofdread。
CHAPTERVI
Onboardtheschooner，lyingonthesetteeonhisbackwiththeknucklesofhishandspressedoverhiseyes，hemadeuphismindthathewouldnotreturntothathousefordinner-thathewouldnevergobackthereanymore。Hemadeuphismindsometwentytimes。Theknowledgethathehadonlytogouponthequarterdeck，utterquietlythewords:\"Manthewindlass，\"andthattheschoonerspringingintolifewouldrunahundredmilesouttoseabeforesunrise，deceivedhisstrugglingwill。Nothingeasier!
Yet，intheend，thisyoungman，almostill-famedforhisruthlessdaring，theinflexibleleaderoftwotragicallysuccessfulexpeditions，shrankfromthatactofsavageenergy，andbegan，instead，tohuntforexcuses。
No!Itwasnotforhimtorunawaylikeanincurablewhocutshisthroat。Hefinisheddressingandlookedathisownimpassivefaceinthesaloonmirrorscornfully。Whilebeingpulledonshoreinthegig，herememberedsuddenlythewildbeautyofawaterfallseenwhenhardlymorethanaboy，yearsago，inMenado。Therewasalegendofagovernor-generaloftheDutchEastIndies，onofficialtour，committingsuicideonthatspotbyleapingintothechasm。
Itwassupposedthatapainfuldiseasehadmadehimwearyoflife。
Butwasthereeveravisitationlikehisown，atthesametimebindingonetolifeandsocruellymortal!
Thedinnerwasindeedquiet。Willie，givenhalfanhour\'sgrace，failedtoturnup，andhischairremainedvacantbythesideofMissMoorsom。Renouardhadtheprofessor\'ssisteronhisleft，dressedinanexpensivegownbecomingherage。ThatmaidenladyinherwonderfulpreservationremindedRenouardsomehowofawaxflowerunderglass。Therewerenotracesofthedustoflife\'sbattlesonheranywhere。Shedidnotlikehimverymuchintheafternoons，inhiswhitedrillsuitandplanter\'shat，whichseemedtoheranundulyBohemiancostumeforcallinginahousewheretherewereladies。Butintheevening，litheandelegantinhisdressclothesandwithhispleasant，slightlyveiledvoice，healwaysmadeherconquestafresh。Hemighthavebeenanybodydistinguished-thesonofaduke。Fallingunderthatcharmprobably(andalsobecauseherbrotherhadgivenherahint)，sheattemptedtoopenherhearttoRenouard，whowaswatchingwithallthepowerofhissoulhernieceacrossthetable。Shespoketohimasfranklyasthoughthatmiserablemortalenvelope，emptiedofeverythingbuthopelesspassion，wereindeedthesonofaduke。
Inattentive，heheardheronlyinsnatches，tillthefinalconfidentialburst:\"……gladifyouwouldexpressanopinion。
Lookather，socharming，suchagreatfavourite，sogenerallyadmired!Itwouldbetoosad。Weallhopedshewouldmakeabrilliantmarriagewithsomebodyveryrichandofhighposition，haveahouseinLondonandinthecountry，andentertainusallsplendidly。She\'ssoeminentlyfittedforit。Shehassuchhostsofdistinguishedfriends!Andthen-thisinstead!……Myheartreallyaches。\"
Herwell-bredifanxiouswhisperwascoveredbythevoiceofprofessorMoorsomdiscoursingsubtlydowntheshortlengthofthedinnertableontheImpermanencyoftheMeasurabletohisvenerabledisciple。ItmighthavebeenachapterinanewandpopularbookofMoorsonianphilosophy。Patriarchalanddelighted，oldDunsterleanedforwardalittle，hiseyesshiningyouthfully，twospotsofcolourattherootsofhiswhitebeard；andRenouard，glancingatthesenileexcitement，recalledthewordsheardonthosesubtlelips，adoptedtheirscornforhisown，sawtheirtruthbeforethismanreadytobeamusedbythesideofthegrave。Yes!
Intellectualdebaucheryinthefrothofexistence!Frothandfraud!
OnthesamesideofthetableMissMoorsomneveroncelookedtowardsherfather，allhergraceasiffrozen，herredlipscompressed，thefaintestrosinessunderherdazzlingcomplexion，herblackeyesburningmotionless，andtheverycopperygleamsoflightlyingstillonthewavesandundulationofherhair。
Renouardfanciedhimselfoverturningthetable，smashingcrystalandchina，treadingfruitandflowersunderfoot，seizingherinhisarms，carryingheroffinatumultofshrieksfromallthesepeople，asilentfrightenedmortal，intosomeprofoundretreatasintheageofCavernmen。Suddenlyeverybodygotup，andhehastenedtorisetoo，findinghimselfoutofbreathandquiteunsteadyonhisfeet。
Ontheterracethephilosopher，afterlightingacigar，slippedhishandcondescendinglyunderhis\"dearyoungfriend\'s\"arm。Renouardregardedhimnowwiththeprofoundestmistrust。Butthegreatmanseemedreallytohavealikingforhisyoungfriend-oneofthosemysterioussympathies，disregardingthedifferencesofageandposition，whichinthiscasemighthavebeenexplainedbythefailureofphilosophytomeetaveryrealworryofapracticalkind。
Afteraturnortwoandsomecasualtalktheprofessorsaidsuddenly:\"Mylatesonwasinyourschool-doyouknow？Icanimaginethathadhelivedandyouhadevermetyouwouldhaveunderstoodeachother。Hetoowasinclinedtoaction。\"
Hesighed，then，shakingoffthemournfulthoughtandwithanodattheduskypartoftheterracewherethedressofhisdaughtermadealuminousstain:\"Ireallywishyouwoulddropinthatquarterafewsensible，discouragingwords。\"
Renouarddisengagedhimselffromthatmostperfidiousofmenunderthepretenceofastonishment，andsteppingbackapace-
\"Surelyyouaremakingfunofme，ProfessorMoorsom，\"hesaidwithalowlaugh，whichwasreallyasoundofrage。
\"Mydearyoungfriend!It\'snosubjectforjokes，tome……Youdon\'tseemtohaveanynotionofyourprestige，\"headded，walkingawaytowardsthechairs。
\"Humbug!\"thoughtRenouard，standingstillandlookingafterhim。
\"Andyet!Andyet!Whatifitweretrue？\"
HeadvancedthentowardsMissMoorsom。Posedontheseatonwhichtheyhadfirstspokentoeachother，itwasherturntowatchhimcomingon。Butmanyofthewindowswerenotlightedthatevening。
Itwasdarkoverthere。Sheappearedtohimluminousinhercleardress，afigurewithoutshape，afacewithoutfeatures，awaitinghisapproach，tillhegotquiteneartoher，satdown，andtheyhadexchangedafewinsignificantwords。Graduallyshecameoutlikeamagicpaintingofcharm，fascination，anddesire，glowingmysteriouslyonthedarkbackground。Somethingimperceptibleinthelinesofherattitude，inthemodulationsofhervoice，seemedtosoftenthatsuggestionofcalmunconsciouspridewhichenvelopedheralwayslikeamantle。He，sensitivelikeabondslavetothemoodsofthemaster，wasmovedbythesubtlerelentingofhergracetoaninfinitetenderness。Hefoughtdowntheimpulsetoseizeherbythehand，leadherdownintothegardenawayunderthebigtrees，andthrowhimselfatherfeetutteringwordsoflove。Hisemotionwassostrongthathehadtocoughslightly，andnotknowingwhattotalktoherabouthebegantotellherofhismotherandsisters。AllthefamilywerecomingtoLondontolivethere，forsomelittletimeatleast。
\"Ihopeyouwillgoandtellthemsomethingofme。Somethingseen，\"hesaidpressingly。
Bythismiserablesubterfuge，likeamanabouttopartwithhislife，hehopedtomakeherrememberhimalittlelonger。
\"Certainly，\"shesaid。\"I\'llbegladtocallwhenIgetback。Butthat\'when\'maybealongtime。\"
Heheardalightsigh。Acrueljealouscuriositymadehimask-
\"Areyougrowingweary，MissMoorsom？\"
Asilencefellonhislowspokenquestion。
\"Doyoumeanheart-weary？\"soundedMissMoorsom\'svoice。\"Youdon\'tknowme，Isee。\"
\"Ah!Neverdespair，\"hemuttered。
\"This，Mr。Renouard，isaworkofreparation。Istandfortruthhere。Ican\'tthinkofmyself。\"
Hecouldhavetakenherbythethroatforeverywordseemedaninsulttohispassion；butheonlysaid-
\"Ineverdoubtedthe-the-nobilityofyourpurpose。\"
\"Andtohearthewordwearinesspronouncedinthisconnectionsurprisesme。Andfromamantoowho，Iunderstand，hasnevercountedthecost。\"
\"Youarepleasedtoteaseme，\"hesaid，directlyhehadrecoveredhisvoiceandhadmasteredhisanger。ItwasasifProfessorMoorsomhaddroppedpoisoninhisearwhichwasspreadingnowandtaintinghispassion，hisveryjealousy。Hemistrustedeverywordthatcamefromthoselipsonwhichhislifehung。\"Howcanyouknowanythingofmenwhodonotcountthecost？\"heaskedinhisgentlesttones。
\"Fromhearsay-alittle。\"
\"Well，Iassureyoutheyareliketheothers，subjecttosuffering，victimsofspells……\"
\"Oneofthem，atleast，speaksverystrangely。\"
Shedismissedthesubjectafterashortsilence。\"Mr。Renouard，I
hadadisappointmentthismorning。Thismailbroughtmealetterfromthewidowoftheoldbutler-youknow。Iexpectedtolearnthatshehadheardfrom-fromhere。Butno。Noletterarrivedhomesinceweleft。\"
Hervoicewascalm。Hisjealousycouldn\'tstandmuchmoreofthissortoftalk；buthewasgladthatnothinghadturneduptohelpthesearch；gladblindly，unreasonably-onlybecauseitwouldkeepherlongerinhissight-sinceshewouldn\'tgiveup。
\"Iamtoonearher，\"hethought，movingalittlefurtherontheseat。Hewasafraidintherevulsionoffeelingofflinginghimselfonherhands，whichwerelyingonherlap，andcoveringthemwithkisses。Hewasafraid。Nothing，nothingcouldshakethatspell-notifshewereeversofalse，stupid，ordegraded。
Shewasfateitself。Theextentofhismisfortuneplungedhiminsuchastuporthathefailedatfirsttohearthesoundofvoicesandfootstepsinsidethedrawing-room。Williehadcomehome-andtheEditorwaswithhim。
Theyburstoutontheterracebabblingnoisily，andthenpullingthemselvestogetherstoodstill，surprising-andasifthemselvessurprised。
CHAPTERVII
Theyhadbeenfeastingapoetfromthebush，thelatestdiscoveryoftheEditor。Suchdiscoverieswerethebusiness，thevocation，theprideanddelightoftheonlyapostleoflettersinthehemisphere，thesolitarypatronofculture，theSlaveoftheLamp-
ashesubscribedhimselfatthebottomoftheweeklyliterarypageofhispaper。HehadhadnodifficultyinpersuadingthevirtuousWillie(whohadfestiveinstincts)tohelpinthegoodwork，andnowtheyhadleftthepoetlyingasleeponthehearthrugoftheeditorialroomandhadrushedtotheDunstermansionwildly。TheEditorhadanotherdiscoverytoannounce。Swayingalittlewherehestoodheopenedhismouthverywidetoshouttheoneword\"Found!\"BehindhimWillieflungbothhishandsabovehisheadandletthemfalldramatically。Renouardsawthefourwhite-headedpeopleattheendoftheterracerisealltogetherfromtheirchairswithaneffectofsuddenpanic。
\"Itellyou-he-is-found，\"thepatronoflettersshoutedemphatically。
\"Whatisthis!\"exclaimedRenouardinachokedvoice。MissMoorsomseizedhiswristsuddenly，andatthatcontactfireranthroughallhisveins，ahotstillnessdescendeduponhiminwhichheheardtheblood-orthefire-beatinginhisears。Hemadeamovementasiftorise，butwasrestrainedbytheconvulsivepressureonhiswrist。
\"No，no。\"MissMoorsom\'seyesstaredblackasnight，searchingthespacebeforeher。FarawaytheEditorstruttedforward，Williefollowingwithhisostentatiousmannerofcarryinghisbulkyandoppressivecarcasswhich，however，didnotremainexactlyperpendicularfortwosecondstogether。
\"TheinnocentArthur……Yes。We\'vegothim，\"theEditorbecameverybusiness-like。\"Yes，thisletterhasdoneit。\"
Heplungedintoaninsidepocketforit，slappedthescrapofpaperwithhisopenpalm。\"Fromthatoldwoman。WilliamhaditinhispocketsincethismorningwhenMissMoorsomgaveittohimtoshowme。Forgotallaboutittillanhourago。Thoughtitwasofnoimportance。Well，no!Nottillitwasproperlyread。\"
RenouardandMissMoorsomemergedfromtheshadowssidebyside，awell-matchedcouple，animatedyetstatuesqueintheircalmnessandintheirpallor。Shehadletgohiswrist。OncatchingsightofRenouardtheEditorexclaimed:
\"What-youhere!\"inaquiteshrillvoice。
Therecameadeadpause。Allthefaceshadinthemsomethingdismayedandcruel。
\"He\'stheverymanwewant，\"continuedtheEditor。\"Excusemyexcitement。Youaretheveryman，Renouard。Didn\'tyoutellmethatyourassistantcalledhimselfWalter？Yes？Thoughtso。Buthere\'sthatoldwoman-thebutler\'swife-listentothis。Shewrites:AllIcantellyou，Miss，isthatmypoorhusbanddirectedhisletterstothenameofH。Walter。\"
Renouard\'sviolentbutrepressedexclamationwaslostinageneralmurmurandshuffleoffeet。TheEditormadeastepforward，bowedwithcreditablesteadiness。
\"MissMoorsom，allowmetocongratulateyoufromthebottomofmyheartonthehappy-er-issue……\"
\"Wait，\"mutteredRenouardirresolutely。
TheEditorjumpedonhiminthemanneroftheiroldfriendship。
\"Ah，you!Youareafinefellowtoo。Withyoursolitarywaysoflifeyouwillendbyhavingnomorediscriminationthanasavage。
Fancylivingwithagentlemanformonthsandneverguessing。A
man，Iamcertain，accomplished，remarkable，outofthecommon，sincehehadbeendistinguished\"(hebowedagain)\"byMissMoorsom，whomwealladmire。\"
Sheturnedherbackonhim。
\"Ihopetogoodnessyouhaven\'tbeenleadinghimadog\'slife，Geoffrey，\"theEditoraddressedhisfriendinawhisperedaside。
Renouardseizedachairviolently，satdown，andproppinghiselbowonhiskneeleanedhisheadonhishand。Behindhimthesisteroftheprofessorlookeduptoheavenandwrungherhandsstealthily。
Mrs。Dunster\'shandswereclaspedforciblyunderherchin，butshe，dearsoul，waslookingsorrowfullyatWillie。Themodelnephew!
Inthisstrangestate!Soverymuchflushed!ThecarefuldispositionofthethinhairsacrossWillie\'sbaldspotwasdeplorablydisarranged，andthespotitselfwasredand，asitwere，steaming。
\"What\'sthematter，Geoffrey？\"TheEditorseemeddisconcertedbythesilentattitudesroundhim，asthoughhehadexpectedallthesepeopletoshoutanddance。\"Youhavehimontheisland-haven\'tyou？\"
\"Oh，yes:Ihavehimthere，\"saidRenouard，withoutlookingup。
\"Well，then!\"TheEditorlookedhelplesslyaroundasifbeggingforresponseofsomesort。Buttheonlyresponsethatcamewasveryunexpected。Annoyedatbeingleftinthebackground，andalsobecauseverylittledrinkmadehimnasty，theemotionalWillieturnedmalignantallatonce，andinabibuloustonesurprisinginamanabletokeephisbalancesowell-
\"Aha!Butyouhaven\'tgothimhere-notyet!\"hesneered。\"No!
Youhaven\'tgothimyet。\"
ThisoutrageousexhibitionwastotheEditorlikethelashtoajadedhorse。Hepositivelyjumped。
\"Whatofthat？Whatdoyoumean？We-haven\'t-got-him-here。
Ofcourseheisn\'there!ButGeoffrey\'sschoonerishere。Shecanbesentatoncetofetchhimhere。No!Stay!There\'sabetterplan。Whyshouldn\'tyouallsailovertoMalata，professor？Savetime!IamsureMissMoorsomwouldprefer……\"
WithagallantflourishofhisarmhelookedforMissMoorsom。Shehaddisappeared。Hewastakenabacksomewhat。
\"Ah!H\'m。Yes……Whynot。Apleasurecruise，delightfulship，delightfulseason，delightfulerrand，del……No!Therearenoobjections。Geoffrey，Iunderstand，hasindulgedinabungalowthreesizestoolargeforhim。Hecanputyouallup。Itwillbeapleasureforhim。Itwillbethegreatestprivilege。
Anymanwouldbeproudofbeinganagentofthishappyreunion。I
amproudofthelittlepartI\'veplayed。Hewillconsideritthegreatesthonour。Geoff，myboy，youhadbetterbestirringto-
morrowbrightandearlyaboutthepreparationsforthetrip。Itwouldbecriminaltoloseasingleday。\"
HewasasflushedasWillie，theexcitementkeepinguptheeffectofthefestivedinner。ForatimeRenouard，silent，asifhehadnotheardawordofallthatbabble，didnotstir。ButwhenhegotupitwastoadvancetowardstheEditorandgivehimsuchaheartyslaponthebackthattheplumplittlemanreeledinhistracksandlookedquitefrightenedforamoment。
\"Youareaheaven-borndiscovererandafirst-ratemanager……
He\'sright。It\'stheonlyway。Youcan\'tresisttheclaimofsentiment，andyoumustevenriskthevoyagetoMalata……\"
Renouard\'svoicesank。\"Alonelyspot，\"headded，andfellintothoughtunderalltheseeyesconvergingonhiminthesuddensilence。Hisslowglancepassedoverallthefacesinsuccession，remainingarrestedonProfessorMoorsom，stonyeyed，asmoulderingcigarinhisfingers，andwithhissisterstandingbyhisside。
\"Ishallbeinfinitelygratifiedifyouconsenttocome。But，ofcourse，youwill。Weshallsailto-morroweveningthen。Andnowletmeleaveyoutoyourhappiness。\"
Hebowed，verygrave，pointedsuddenlyhisfingeratWilliewhowasswayingaboutwithasleepyfrown……\"Lookathim。He\'sovercomewithhappiness。Youhadbetterputhimtobed……\"anddisappearedwhileeveryheadontheterracewasturnedtoWilliewithvariedexpressions。
Renouardranthroughthehouse。Avoidingthecarriageroadhefleddownthesteepshortcuttotheshore，wherehisgigwaswaiting。
AthisloudshoutthesleepingKanakasjumpedup。Heleapedin。
\"Shoveoff。Giveway!\"andthegigdartedthroughthewater。
\"Giveway!Giveway!\"Sheflewpastthewool-clipperssleepingattheiranchorseachwiththeopenunwinkingeyeofthelampintherigging；sheflewpasttheflagshipofthePacificsquadron，agreatmassalldarkandsilent，heavywiththeslumbersoffivehundredmen，andwheretheinvisiblesentriesheardhisurgent\"Giveway!Giveway!\"inthenight。TheKanakas，panting，roseoffthethwartsateverystroke。Nothingcouldbefastenoughforhim!Andheranupthesideofhisschoonershakingtheladdernoisilywithhisrush。
Ondeckhestumbledandstoodstill。
Whereforethishaste？Towhatend，sinceheknewwellbeforehestartedthathehadapursuerfromwhomtherewasnoescape。
Ashisfoottouchedthedeckhiswill，hispurposehehadbeenhurryingtosave，diedoutwithin。Ithadbeennothinglessthangettingtheschoonerunder-way，lettinghervanishsilentlyinthenightfromamongstthesesleepingships。Andnowhewascertainhecouldnotdoit。Itwasimpossible!Andhereflectedthatwhetherhelivedordiedsuchanactwouldlayhimunderadarksuspicionfromwhichheshrank。No，therewasnothingtobedone。
Hewentdownintothecabinand，beforeevenunbuttoninghisovercoat，tookoutofthedrawertheletteraddressedtohisassistant；thatletterwhichhehadfoundinthepigeon-holelabelled\"Malata\"inyoungDunster\'souteroffice，whereithadbeenwaitingforthreemonthssomeoccasionforbeingforwarded。
Fromthemomentofdroppingitinthedrawerhehadutterlyforgottenitsexistence-tillnow，whentheman\'snamehadcomeoutsoclamorously。Heglancedatthecommonenvelope，notedtheshakyandlaborioushandwriting:H。Walter，Esqre。Undoubtedlytheverylastlettertheoldbutlerhadpostedbeforehisillness，andinanswerclearlytoonefrom\"MasterArthur\"instructinghimtoaddressinthefuture:\"CareofMessrs。W。DunsterandCo。\"
Renouardmadeasiftoopentheenvelope，butpaused，and，instead，toretheletterdeliberatelyintwo，infour，ineight。Withhishandfullofpiecesofpaperhereturnedondeckandscatteredthemoverboardonthedarkwater，inwhichtheyvanishedinstantly。
Hediditslowly，withouthesitationorremorse。H。Walter，Esqre，inMalata。TheinnocentArthur-Whatwashisname？Themansoughtforbythatwomanwhoasshewentbyseemedtodrawallthepassionoftheearthtoher，withouteffort，notdeigningtonotice，naturally，asotherwomenbreathedtheair。ButRenouardwasnolongerjealousofherveryexistence。Whateveritsmeaningitwasnotforthatmanhehadpickedupcasuallyonobscureimpulse，togetridofthetiresomeexpostulationsofaso-calledfriend；amanofwhomhereallyknewnothing-andnowadeadman。
InMalata。Oh，yes!Hewastheresecureenough，untroubledinhisgrave。InMalata。ToburyhimwasthelastserviceRenouardhadrenderedtohisassistantbeforeleavingtheislandonthistriptotown。
LikemanymenreadyenoughforarduousenterprisesRenouardwasinclinedtoevadethesmallcomplicationsofexistence。Thistraitofhischaracterwascomposedofalittleindolence，somedisdain，andashrinkingfromcontestswithcertainformsofvulgarity-
likeamanwhowouldfacealionandgooutofhiswaytoavoidatoad。Hisintercoursewiththemeddlesomejournalistwasthatmerelyoutwardintimacywithoutsympathysomeyoungmengetdrawnintoeasily。Ithadamusedhimrathertokeepthat\"friend\"inthedarkaboutthefateofhisassistant。Renouardhadneverneededothercompanythanhisown，fortherewasinhimsomethingofthesensitivenessofadreamerwhoiseasilyjarred。Hehadsaidtohimselfthattheall-knowingonewouldonlypreachagainabouttheevilsofsolitudeandworryhisheadoffinfavourofsomeforlornlyuselessprotegeofhis。AlsotheinquisitivenessoftheEditorhadirritatedhimandhadclosedhislipsinsheerdisgust。
Andnowhecontemplatedthenooseofconsequencesdrawingtightaroundhim。
Itwasthememoryofthatdiplomaticreticencewhichontheterracehadstiffledhisfirstcrywhichwouldhavetoldthemallthatthemansoughtforwasnottobemetonearthanymore。Heshrankfromtheabsurdityofhearingtheall-knowingone，andnotverysoberatthat，turningonhimwithrighteousreproaches-
\"Younevertoldme。Yougavemetounderstandthatyourassistantwasalive，andnowyousayhe\'sdead。Whichisit？Wereyoulyingthenorareyoulyingnow？\"No!thethoughtofsuchascenewasnottobeborne。Hehadsatdownappalled，thinking:\"WhatshallIdonow？\"
Hiscouragehadoozedoutofhim。SpeakingthetruthmeanttheMoorsomsgoingawayatonce-whileitseemedtohimthathewouldgivethelastshredofhisrectitudetosecureadaymoreofhercompany。Hesaton-silent。Slowly，fromconfusedsensations，fromhistalkwiththeprofessor，themannerofthegirlherself，theintoxicatingfamiliarityofhersuddenhand-clasp，therehadcometohimahalfglimmerofhope。Theothermanwasdead。Then!……Madness，ofcourse-buthecouldnotgiveitup。Hehadlistenedtothatconfoundedbusybodyarrangingeverything-whileallthesepeoplestoodaroundassenting，underthespellofthatdeadromance。Hehadlistenedscornfulandsilent。Theglimmersofhope，ofopportunity，passedbeforehiseyes。Hehadonlytositstillandsaynothing。Thatandnomore。Andwhatwastruthtohiminthefaceofthatgreatpassionwhichhadflunghimprostrateinspiritatheradoredfeet!
Andnowitwasdone!Fatalityhadwilledit!Withtheeyesofamortalstruckbythemaddeningthunderboltofthegods，Renouardlookeduptothesky，animmenseblackpalldustedoverwithgold，onwhichgreatshuddersseemedtopassfromthebreathoflifeaffirmingitssway。