Comingintodressfordinner，Ifoundatelegram：\"Mrs。Stormerdying；canyougiveushalfacolumnforto—morrowevening？Letheroffeasy，butnottooeasy。\"Iwaslate；Iwasinahurry；Ihadverylittletimetothink，butataventureIdispatchedareply：
\"WilldowhatIcan。\"ItwasnottillIhaddressedandwasrollingawaytodinnerthat，inthehansom，Ibethoughtmyselfofthedifficultyoftheconditionattached。Thedifficultywasnotofcourseinlettingheroffeasybutinqualifyingthatindulgence。\"I
simplywon’tqualifyit，\"Isaidtomyself。Ididn’tadmireher，butIlikedher，andIhadknownhersolongthatIalmostfeltheartlessinsittingdownatsuchanhourtoafeastofindifference。Imusthaveseemedabstracted，fortheearlyyearsofmyacquaintancewithhercamebacktome。IspokeofhertotheladyIhadtakendown，huttheladyIhadtakendownhadneverheardofGrevilleFane。I
triedmyotherneighbour，whopronouncedherbooks\"toovile。\"Ihadneverthoughtthemverygood，butIshouldletheroffeasierthanthat。
Icameawayearly，fortheexpresspurposeofdrivingtoaskabouther。Thejourneytooktime，forshelivedinthenorth—westdistrict，intheneighbourhoodofPrimroseHill。MyapprehensionthatIshouldbetoolatewasjustifiedinafullersensethanIhadattachedtoit——Ihadonlyfearedthatthehousewouldbeshutup。
Therewerelightsinthewindows，andthetemperatetinkleofmybellbroughtaservantimmediatelytothedoor，butpoorMrs。Stormerhadpassedintoastateinwhichtheresonanceofnoearthlyknockerwastobefeared。Alady，inthehall，hoveringbehindtheservant，cameforwardwhensheheardmyvoice。IrecognisedLadyLuard，butshehadmistakenmeforthedoctor。
\"Excusemyappearingatsuchanhour，\"Isaid；\"itwasthefirstpossiblemomentafterIheard。\"
\"It’sallover，\"LadyLuardreplied。\"Dearestmamma！\"
Shestoodthereunderthelampwithhereyesonme；shewasverytall，verystiff，verycold，andalwayslookedasifthesethings，andsomeothersbeside，inherdress，hermannerandevenhername，wereanimplicationthatshewasveryadmirable。Ihadneverbeenabletofollowtheargument，butthatisadetail。IexpressedbrieflyandfranklywhatIfelt，whilethelittlemottledmaidservantflattenedherselfagainstthewallofthenarrowpassageandtriedtolookdetachedwithoutlookingindifferent。Itwasnotamomenttomakeavisit，andIwasonthepointofretreatingwhenLadyLuardarrestedmewithaqueer，casual，drawling\"Wouldyou——a——wouldyou，perhaps，beWRITINGsomething？\"Ifeltfortheinstantlikeaninterviewer，whichIwasnot。ButIpleadedguiltytothisintention，onwhichsherejoined：\"I’msoveryglad——butIthinkmybrotherwouldliketoseeyou。\"Idetestedherbrother，butitwasn’tanoccasiontoactthisout；soIsufferedmyselftobeinducted，tomysurprise，intoasmallbackroomwhichIimmediatelyrecognisedasthescene，duringthelateryears，ofMrs。Stormer’simperturbableindustry。Hertablewasthere，thebatteredandblottedaccessorytoinnumerableliterarylapses，withitscontractedspaceforthearms（shewroteonlyfromtheelbowdown）andtheconfusionofscrappy，scribbledsheetswhichhadalreadybecomeliteraryremains。Leolinwasalsothere，smokingacigarettebeforethefireandlookingimpudenteveninhisgrief，sincereasitwellmighthavebeen。
Tomeethim，togreethim，Ihadtomakeasharpeffort；fortheairthatheworetomeashestoodbeforemewasquitethatofhismother’smurderer。Shelaysilentforeverupstairs——asdeadasanunsuccessfulbook，andhisswaggeringerectnesswasakindofsymbolofhishavingkilledher。Iwonderedifhehadalready，withhissister，beencalculatingwhattheycouldgetforthepoorpapersonthetable；butIhadnotlongtowaittolearn，forinreplytothescantywordsofsympathyIaddressedhimhepuffedout：\"It’smiserable，miserable，yes；butshehasleftthreebookscomplete。\"
Hiswordshadtheoddesteffect；theyconvertedthecrampedlittleroomintoaseatoftradeandmadethe\"book\"wonderfullyfeasible。
Hewouldcertainlygetallthatcouldbegotforthethree。LadyLuardexplainedtomethatherhusbandhadbeenwiththembuthadhadtogodowntotheHouse。ToherbrothersheexplainedthatIwasgoingtowritesomething，andtomeagainshemadeitclearthatshehopedIwould\"domammajustice。\"Sheaddedthatshedidn’tthinkthishadeverbeendone。Shesaidtoherbrother：\"Don’tyouthinktherearesomethingsheoughtthoroughlytounderstand？\"andonhisinstantlyexclaiming\"Oh，thoroughly——thoroughly！\"shewenton，ratherausterely：\"Imeanaboutmamma’sbirth。\"
\"Yes，andherconnections，\"Leolinadded。
Iprofessedeverywillingness，andforfiveminutesIlistened，butitwouldbetoomuchtosaythatIunderstood。Idon’tevennow，butitisnotimportant。Myvisionwasofothermattersthanthosetheyputbeforeme，andwhiletheydesiredthereshouldbenomistakeabouttheirancestorsIbecamemoreandmorelucidaboutthemselves。
Igotawayassoonaspossible，andwalkedhomethroughthegreatdusky，emptyLondon——thebestofallconditionsforthought。BythetimeIreachedmydoormylittlearticlewaspracticallycomposed——
readytobetransferredonthemorrowfromthepolishedplateoffancy。Ibelieveitattractedsomenotice，wasthought\"graceful\"
andwassaidtobebysomeoneelse。Ihadtobepointedwithoutbeinglively，andittooksometact。ButwhatIsaidwasmuchlessinterestingthanwhatIthought——especiallyduringthehalf—hourI
spentinmyarmchairbythefire，smokingthecigarIalwayslightbeforegoingtobed。Iwenttosleepthere，Ibelieve；butI
continuedtomoraliseaboutGrevilleFane。Iamreluctanttolosethatretrospectaltogether，andthisisadimlittlememoryofit，adocumentnotto\"serve。\"Thedearwomanhadwrittenahundredstories，butnonesocuriousasherown。
WhenfirstIknewhershehadpublishedhalf—a—dozenfictions，andI
believeIhadalsoperpetratedanovel。ShewasmorethanadozenyearsolderthanI，butshewasapersonwhoalwaysacknowledgedherrelativity。Itwasnotsoverylongago，butinLondon，amidthebigwavesofthepresent，evenanearhorizongetshidden。Imetheratsomedinnerandtookherdown，ratherflatteredatofferingmyarmtoacelebrity。Shedidn’tlooklikeone，withhermatronly，mild，inanimateface，butIsupposedhergreatnesswouldcomeoutinherconversation。IgaveitalltheopportunitiesIcould，butIwasnotdisappointedwhenIfoundheronlyadull，kindwoman。ThiswaswhyIlikedher——sherestedmesofromliterature。Tomyselfliteraturewasanirritation，atorment；butGrevilleFaneslumberedintheintellectualpartofitlikeaCreoleinahammock。Shewasnotawomanofgenius，butherfacultywassospecial，somuchagiftoutofhand，thatIhaveoftenwonderedwhyshefellbelowthatdistinction。Thiswasdoubtlessbecausethetransaction，inhercase，hadremainedincomplete；geniusalwayspaysforthegift，feelsthedebt，andshewasplacidlyunconsciousofobligation。Shecouldinventstoriesbytheyard，butshecouldn’twriteapageofEnglish。
Shewentdowntohergravewithoutsuspectingthatthoughshehadcontributedvolumestothediversionofhercontemporariesshehadnotcontributedasentencetothelanguage。Thishadnotpreventedbushelsofcriticismfrombeingheapeduponherhead；shewasworthacoupleofcolumnsanydaytotheweeklypapers，inwhichitwasshownthatherpicturesoflifeweredreadfulbutherstylereallycharming。Sheaskedmetocomeandseeher，andIwent。ShelivedtheninMontpellierSquare；whichhelpedmetoseehowdissociatedherimaginationwasfromhercharacter。
Anindustriouswidow，devotedtoherdailystint，tomeetingthebutcherandbakerandmakingahomeforhersonanddaughter，fromthemomentshetookherpeninherhandshebecameacreatureofpassion。ShethoughttheEnglishnoveldeplorablywantinginthatelement，andthetaskshehadcutoutforherselfwastosupplythedeficiency。Passioninhighlifewasthegeneralformulaofthiswork，forherimaginationwasathomeonlyinthemostexaltedcircles。Sheadored，intruth，thearistocracy，andtheyconstitutedforhertheromanceoftheworldor，whatismoretothepoint，theprimematerialoffiction。Theirbeautyandluxury，theirlovesandrevenges，theirtemptationsandsurrenders，theirimmoralitiesanddiamondswereasfamiliartoherastheblotsonherwriting—table。
Shewasnotabelatedproduceroftheoldfashionablenovel，shehadaclevernessandamodernnessofherown，shehadfreshenedupthefly—blowntinsel。Sheturnedoffplotsbythehundredand——sofarasherflyingquillcouldconveyher——wasperpetuallygoingabroad。Hertypes，herillustrations，hertonewerenothingifnotcosmopolitan。
SherecognisednothinglessprovincialthanEuropeansociety，andherfinefolkkneweachotherandmadelovetoeachotherfromDoncastertoBucharest。ShehadanideathatsheresembledBalzac，andherfavouritehistoricalcharacterswereLuciendeRubempreandtheVidamedePamiers。ImustaddthatwhenIonceaskedherwhothelatterpersonagewasshewasunabletotellme。Shewasverybraveandhealthyandcheerful，veryabundantandinnocentandwicked。Shewascleverandvulgarandsnobbish，andneversointenselyBritishaswhenshewasparticularlyforeign。
Thiscombinationofqualitieshadbroughtherearlysuccess，andI
rememberhavingheardwithwonderandenvyofwhatshe\"got，\"inthosedays，foranovel。Therevelationgavemeapang：itwassuchaproofthat，practisingatotallydifferentstyle，Ishouldnevermakemyfortune。Andyetwhen，asIknewherbettershetoldmeherrealtariffandIsawhowrumourhadquadrupledit，Ilikedherenoughtobesorry。AfterawhileIdiscoveredtoothatifshegotlessitwasnotthat_I_wastogetanymore。MyfailureneverhadwhatMrs。Stormerwouldhavecalledthebanalityofbeingrelative——
itwasalwaysadmirablyabsolute。Shelivedateasehoweverinthosedays——easeisexactlytheword，thoughsheproducedthreenovelsayear。ShescornedmewhenIspokeofdifficulty——itwastheonlythingthatmadeherangry。IfIhintedthataworkofartrequiredatremendouslickingintoshapeshethoughtitapretensionandapose。
Sheneverrecognisedthe\"tormentofform\"；thefurthestshewentwastointroduceintooneofherbooks（insatireherhandwasheavy）ayoungpoetwhowasalwaystalkingaboutit。Icouldn’tquiteunderstandherirritationonthisscore，forshehadnothingatstakeinthematter。Shehadashrewdperceptionthatform，inproseatleast，neverrecommendedanyonetothepublicwewerecondemnedtoaddress，andthereforeshelostnothing（puttingherprivatehumiliationaside）bynothavingany。Shemadenopretenceofproducingworksofart，buthadcomfortabletea—drinkinghoursinwhichshefreelyconfessedherselfacommonpastrycook，dealinginsuchtartsandpuddingsaswouldbringcustomerstotheshop。Sheputinplentyofsugarandofcochineal，orwhateveritisthatgivesthesearticlesarichandattractivecolour。Shehadaserenesuperioritytoobservationandopportunitywhichconstitutedaninexpugnablestrengthandwouldenablehertogoonindefinitely。Itisonlyrealsuccessthatwanes，itisonlysolidthingsthatmelt。
GrevilleFane’signoranceoflifewasaresourcestillmoreunfailingthanthemostapprovedreceipt。OnhersayingoncethatthedaywouldcomewhensheshouldhavewrittenherselfoutIanswered：\"Ah，youlookintofairyland，andthefairiesloveyou，andTHEYneverchange。Fairylandisalwaysthere；italwayswasfromthebeginningoftime，anditalwayswillbetotheend。They’vegivenyouthekeyandyoucanalwaysopenthedoor。Withmeit’sdifferent；Itry，inmyclumsyway，tobeinsomedirectrelationtolife。\"\"Oh，botheryourdirectrelationtolife！\"sheusedtoreply，forshewasalwaysannoyedbythephrase——whichwouldnotintheleastpreventherfromusingitwhenshewishedtotryforstyle。Withnomoreprejudicesthananoldsausage—mill，shewouldgiveforthagainwithpatientpunctualityanypoorverbalscrapthathadbeendroppedintoher。I
cheeredherwithsayingthatthedarkday，attheend，wouldbeforthelikeofME；inasmuchas，goinginoursmallwaybyexperienceandobservation，wedependednotonarevelation，butonalittletiresomeprocess。Observationdependedonopportunity，andwhereshouldwebewhenopportunityfailed？
Onedayshetoldmethatasthenovelist’slifewassodelightfulandduringthegoodyearsatleastsuchacomfortablesupport（shehadthesestaggeringoptimisms）shemeanttotrainupherboytofollowit。Shetooktheingeniousviewthatitwasaprofessionlikeanotherandthatthereforeeverythingwastobegainedbybeginningyoungandservinganapprenticeship。Moreovertheeducationwouldbelessexpensivethananyotherspecialcourse，inasmuchasshecouldadministeritherself。Shedidn’tprofesstokeepaschool，butshecouldatleastteachherownchild。Itwasnotthatshewassoveryclever，but（sheconfessedtomeasifshewereafraidIwouldlaughather）thatHEwas。Ididn’tlaughatherforthat，forIthoughttheboysharp——Ihadseenhimatsundrytimes。Hewaswellgrownandgood—lookingandunabashed，andbothheandhissistermademewonderabouttheirdefunctpapa，concerningwhomthelittleIknewwasthathehadbeenaclergyman。Iexplainedthemtomyselfbysuppositionsandimputationspossiblyunjusttothedeparted；solittlewerethey—
—superficiallyatleast——thechildrenoftheirmother。Thereusedtobe，onaneaselinherdrawing—room，anenlargedphotographofherhusband，donebysomehorribleposthumous\"process\"anddraped，astoitsfloridframe，withasilkenscarf，whichtestifiedtothecandourofGrevilleFane’sbadtaste。Itmadehimlooklikeanunsuccessfultragedian；butitwasnotathingtotrust。Hemayhavebeenasuccessfulcomedian。Ofthetwochildrenthegirlwastheelder，andstruckmeinallheryoungeryearsassingularlycolourless。Shewasonlyverylong，likeanundecipherableletter。ItwasnottillMrs。
StormercamebackfromaprotractedresidenceabroadthatEthel（whichwasthisyounglady’sname）begantoproducetheeffect，whichwasafterwardsremarkableinher，ofacertainkindofhighresolution。Shemadeoneapprehendthatshemeanttodosomethingforherself。Shewaslong—neckedandnear—sightedandstriking，andIthoughtIhadneverseensweetseventeeninaformsohardandhighanddry。Shewascoldandaffectedandambitious，andshecarriedaneyeglasswithalonghandle，whichsheputupwhenevershewantednottosee。Shehadcomeout，asthephraseis，immensely；andyetI
feltasifsheweresurroundedwithaspikedironrailing。Whatshemeanttodoforherselfwastomarry，anditwastheonlything，I
think，thatshemeanttodoforanyoneelse；yetwhowouldbeinspiredtoclamberoverthatbristlingbarrier？Whatfloweroftendernessorofintimacywouldsuchanadventurerconceiveashisreward？
ThiswasforSirBaldwinLuardtosay；buthenaturallyneverconfidedtomethesecret。Hewasajoyless，jokelessyoungman，withtheairofhavingothersecretsaswell，andadeterminationtogetonpoliticallythatwasindicatedbyhisneverhavingbeenknowntocommithimself——asregardsanypropositionwhatever——beyondanexclamatory\"Oh！\"Hiswifeandhemusthaveconversedmainlyinprimejaculations，buttheyunderstoodsufficientlythattheywerekindredspirits。IrememberbeingangrywithGrevilleFanewhensheannouncedthesenuptialstomeasmagnificent；Irememberaskingherwhatsplendourtherewasintheunionofthedaughterofawomanofgeniuswithanirredeemablemediocrity。\"Oh！he’sawfullyclever，\"
shesaid；butsheblushedforthematernalfib。WhatshemeantwasthatthoughSirBaldwin’sestateswerenotvast（hehadadrearyhouseinSouthKensingtonandastilldrearier\"Hall\"somewhereinEssex，whichwaslet），theconnectionwasa\"smarter\"onethanachildofherscouldhaveaspiredtoform。Inspiteofthesocialbraveryofhernovelsshetookaveryhumbleanddingyviewofherself，sothatofallherproductions\"mydaughterLadyLuard\"wasquitetheoneshewasproudestof。Thatpersonagethoughthermotherveryvulgarandwasdistressedandperplexedbytheoccasionallicenseofherpen，buthadacomplicatedattitudeinregardtothisindirectconnectionwithliterature。Sofarasitwaslucrativeherladyshipapprovedofit，andcouldcompoundwiththeinferiorityofthepursuitbydoingpracticaljusticetosomeofitsadvantages。I
hadreasontoknow（myreasonwassimplythatpoorMrs。Stormertoldme）thatshesufferedtheinkyfingerstopressanoccasionalbank—
noteintoherpalm。Ontheotherhandshedeploredthe\"peculiarstyle\"towhichGrevilleFanehaddevotedherself，andwonderedwhereanauthorwhohadtheconvenienceofsolady—likeadaughtercouldhavepickedupsuchviewsaboutthebestsociety。\"Shemightknowbetter，withLeolinandme，\"LadyLuardhadbeenknowntoremark；butitappearedthatsomeofGrevilleFane’ssuperstitionswereincurable。Shedidn’tliveinLadyLuard’ssociety，andthebestwasnotgoodenoughforher——shemustmakeitstillbetter。
Icouldseethatthisnecessitygrewuponherduringtheyearsshespentabroad，whenIhadglimpsesofherintheshiftingsojournsthatlayinthepathofmyannualramble。ShebetookherselffromGermanytoSwitzerlandandfromSwitzerlandtoItaly；shefavouredcheapplacesandsetupherdeskinthesmallercapitals。ItookalookatherwheneverIcould，andIalwaysaskedhowLeolinwasgettingon。Shegavemebeautifulaccountsofhim，andwheneveritwaspossibletheboywasproducedformyedification。Ihadenteredfromthefirstintothejokeofhiscareer——Ipretendedtoregardhimasaconsecratedchild。IthadbeenajokeforMrs。Stormeratfirst，buttheboyhimselfhadbeenshrewdenoughtomakethematterserious。Ifhismotheracceptedtheprinciplethattheintendingnovelistcannotbegintooearlytoseelife，Leolinwasnotinterestedinhangingbackfromtheapplicationofit。Hewaseagertoqualifyhimself，andtooktocigarettesatten，onthehighestliterarygrounds。Hispoormothergazedathimwithextravagantenvyand，likeDesdemona，wishedheavenhadmadeHERsuchaman。Sheexplainedtomemorethanoncethatinherprofessionshehadfoundhersexadreadfuldrawback。ShelovedthestoryofMadameGeorgeSand’searlyrebellionagainstthishindrance，andbelievedthatifshehadworntrousersshecouldhavewrittenaswellasthatlady。
Leolinhadforthecareeratleastthequalificationoftrousers，andashegrewolderherecogniseditsimportancebylayinginanimmenseassortment。Hegrewupingorgeousapparel，whichwashiswayofinterpretinghismother’ssystem。WheneverImetherIfoundherstillundertheimpressionthatshewascarryingthissystemoutandthatLeolin’strainingwasbearingfruit。Shewasgivinghimexperience，shewasgivinghimimpressions，shewasputtingagagnepainintohishand。Itwasanothernameforspoilinghimwiththebestconscienceintheworld。Thequeerestpicturescomebacktomeofthisperiodofthegoodlady’slifeandoftheextraordinarilyvirtuous，muddled，bewilderingtenorofit。Shehadanideathatshewasseeingforeignmannersaswellasherpetticoatswouldallow；
but，inrealityshewasnotseeinganything，leastofallfortunatelyhowmuchshewaslaughedat。ShedroveherwhimsicalpenatDresdenandatFlorence，andproducedinallplacesandatalltimesthesameromanticandridiculousfictions。Shecarriedaboutherboxofpropertiesandfishedoutpromptlythefamiliar，tarnishedoldpuppets。Shebelievedinthemwhenotherscouldn’t，andastheywerelikenothingthatwastobeseenunderthesunitwasimpossibletoprovebycomparisonthattheywerewrong。Youcan’tcomparebirdsandfishes；youcouldonlyfeelthat，asGrevilleFane’scharactershadthefineplumageoftheformerspecies，humanbeingsmustbeofthelatter。
Itwouldhavebeendrollifithadnotbeensoexemplarytoseehertracingthelovesoftheduchessesbesidetheinnocentcribsofherchildren。Theimmoralandthematernallivedtogetherinherdiligentdaysonthemostcomfortableterms，andshestoppedcurlingthemustachesofherGuardsmentopattheheadsofherbabes。Shewashauntedbysolemnspinsterswhocametoteafromcontinentalpensions，andbyunsophisticatedAmericanswhotoldhershewasjustlovedinTHEIRcountry。\"Ihadratherbejustpaidthere，\"sheusuallyreplied；forthistributeoftransatlanticopinionwastheonlythingthatgalledher。TheAmericanswentawaythinkinghercoarse；thoughastheauthorofsomanybeautifullove—storiesshewasdisappointingtomostofthesepilgrims，whohadnotexpectedtofindashy，stout，ruddyladyinacaplikeacrumbledpyramid。Shewroteabouttheaffectionsandtheimpossibilityofcontrollingthem，butshetalkedofthepriceofpensionandtheconvenienceofanEnglishchemist。Shedevotedmuchthoughtandmanythousandsoffrancstotheeducationofherdaughter，whospentthreeyearsataverysuperiorschoolatDresden，receivingwonderfulinstructioninsciences，artsandtongues，andwho，takingadifferentlinefromLeolin，wastobebroughtupwhollyasafemmedumonde。Thegirlwasmusicalandphilological；shemadeaspecialtyoflanguagesandlearnedenoughaboutthemtobeinspiredwithagreatcontemptforhermother’sartlessaccents。GrevilleFane’sFrenchandItalianweredroll；theimitativefacultyhadbeendeniedher，andshehadanunequalledgift，especiallypeninhand，ofsqueezingbigmistakesintosmallopportunities。Sheknewit，butshedidn’tcare；
correctnesswasthevirtueintheworldthat，likeherheroesandheroines，shevaluedleast。Ethel，whohadperceivedinherpagessomeremarkablelapses，undertookatonetimetoreviseherproofs；
butIrememberhertellingmeayearafterthegirlhadleftschoolthatthisfunctionhadbeenverybrieflyexercised。\"Shecan’treadme，\"saidMrs。Stormer；\"Ioffendhertaste。ShetellsmethatatDresden——atschool——Iwasneverallowed。\"Thegoodladyseemedsurprisedatthis，havingthebestconscienceintheworldaboutherlucubrations。Shehadnevermeanttoflyinthefaceofanything，andconsideredthatshegrovelledbeforetheRhadamanthusoftheEnglishliterarytribunal，thecelebratedandawfulYoungPerson。I
assuredher，asajoke，thatshewasfrightfullyindecent（shehadn’tinfactthatrealityanymorethananyother）mypurposebeingsolelytopreventherfromguessingthatherdaughterhaddroppedhernotbecauseshewasimmoralbutbecauseshewasvulgar。Iusedtofigureherchildrenclosetedtogetherandaskingeachotherwhiletheyexchangedagazeofdismay：\"WhyshouldsheBEso——andsoFEARFULLY
so——whenshehastheadvantageofoursociety？Shouldn’tWEhavetaughtherbetter？\"ThenIimaginedtheirrecognisingwithablushandashrugthatshewasunteachable，irreformable。Indeedshewas，poorlady；butitisneverfairtoreadbythelightoftastethingsthatwerenotwrittenbyit。GrevilleFanehad，inthetopsy—turvy，aserenegoodfaiththatoughttohavebeensafefromallusion，likeastutterorafauxpas。
Shedidn’tmakehersonashamedoftheprofessiontowhichhewasdestined，however；sheonlymadehimashamedofthewaysheherselfexercisedit。Butheborehishumiliationmuchbetterthanhissister，forhewasreadytotakeforgrantedthatheshouldonedayrestorethebalance。Hewasacannyandfar—seeingyouth，withappetitesandaspirations，andhehadnotascrupleinhiscomposition。Hismother’stheoryofthehappyknackhecouldpickupdeprivedhimofthewholesomedisciplinerequiredtopreventyoungidlersfrombecomingcads。Hehad，abroad，acasualtutorandasnatchortwoofaSwissschool，butnoconsecutivestudy，noprospectofauniversityoradegree。Itmaybeimaginedwithwhatzeal，astheyearswenton，heenteredintothepleasantryoftherebeingnomanualsoimportanttohimasthemassivebookoflife。Itwasanexpensivevolumetoperuse，butMrs。Stormerwaswillingtolayoutasuminwhatshewouldhavecalledherpremiersfrais。
Etheldisapproved——shethoughtthiseducationfartoounconventionalforanEnglishgentleman。HervoicewasforEtonandOxford，orforanypublicschool（shewouldhaveresignedherself）withthearmytofollow。ButLeolinneverwasafraidofhissister，andtheyvisiblydisliked，thoughtheysometimesagreedtoassist，eachother。Theycouldcombinetoworktheoracle——tokeeptheirmotheratherdesk。
WhenshecamebacktoEngland，tellingmeshehadgotallthecontinentcouldgiveher，Leolinwasabroad—shouldered，red—facedyoungman，withanimmensewardrobeandanextraordinaryassuranceofmanner。Shewasfondlyobstinateaboutherhavingtakentherightcoursewithhim，andproudofallthatheknewandhadseen。Hewasnowquitereadytobegin，andalittlewhilelatershetoldmeheHAD
begun。Hehadwrittensomethingtremendouslyclever，anditwascomingoutintheCheapside。Ibelieveitcameout；Ihadnotimetolookforit；Ineverheardanythingaboutit。Itookforgrantedthatifthiscontributionhadpassedthroughhismother’shandsithadpracticallybecomeaspecimenofherowngenius，anditwasinterestingtoconsiderMrs。Stormer’sfutureinthelightofherhavingtowriteherson’snovelsaswellasherown。Thiswasnotthewayshelookedatitherself；shetookthecharminggroundthathewouldhelphertowritehers。Sheusedtotellmethathesuppliedpassagesofthegreatestvaluetoherownwork——allsortsoftechnicalthings，abouthuntingandyachtingandwine——thatshecouldn’tbeexpectedtogetverystraight。Itwasallsomuchpracticeforhimandsomuchalleviationforher。Iwasunabletoidentifythesepages，forIhadlongsinceceasedto\"keepup\"withGrevilleFane；butIwasquiteabletobelievethatthewine—questionhadbeenput，byLeolin’sgoodoffices，onabetterfooting，forthedearladyusedtomixherdrinks（shewasperpetuallyservingthemostsplendidsuppers）inthequeerestfashion。Icouldseethathewaswillingenoughtoacceptacommissiontolookafterthatdepartment。Itoccurredtomeindeed，whenMrs。StormersettledinEnglandagain，thatbymakingashrewduseofbothherchildrenshemightbeabletorejuvenateherstyle。Ethelhadcomebacktogratifyheryoungambition，andifshecouldn’ttakehermotherintosocietyshewouldatleastgointoitherself。Silently，stiffly，almostgrimly，thisyoungladyheldupherhead，clenchedherlongteeth，squaredherleanelbowsandmadeherwayupthestaircasesshehadelected。Theonlycommunicationsheevermadetome，theonlyeffusionofconfidencewithwhichsheeverhonouredme，waswhenshesaid：\"Idon’twanttoknowthepeoplemammaknows；Imeantoknowothers。\"Itookduenoteoftheremark，forIwasnotoneofthe\"others。\"Icouldn’ttracethereforethestepsofherprocess；I
couldonlyadmireitatadistanceandcongratulatehermotherontheresults。TheresultswerethatEthelwentto\"big\"partiesandgotpeopletotakeher。Someofthemwerepeopleshehadmetabroad，andotherswerepeoplewhomthepeopleshehadmetabroadhadmet。TheyministeredaliketoMissEthel’sconvenience，andIwonderedhowsheextractedsomanyfavourswithouttheexpenditureofasmile。Hersmilewasthedimmestthingintheworld，dilutedlemonade，withoutsugar，andshehadarrivedprecociouslyatsocialwisdom，recognisingthatifshewasneitherprettyenoughnorrichenoughnorcleverenough，shecouldatleastinhermuscularyouthberudeenough。
Thereforeifshewasabletotellhermotherwhatreallytookplaceinthemansionsofthegreat，givehernotestoworkfrom，thequillcouldbedrivenathometobetterpurposeandpreciselyatamomentwhenitwouldhavetobemoreactivethanever。Butifshedidtell，itwouldappearthatpoorMrs。Stormerdidn’tbelieve。Asregardsmanypointsthiswasnotawonder；atanyrateIheardnothingofGrevilleFane’shavingdevelopedanewmanner。Shehadonlyonemannerfromstarttofinish，asLeolinwouldhavesaid。
Shewastiredatlast，butshementionedtomethatshecouldn’taffordtopause。ShecontinuedtospeakofLeolin’sworkasthegreathopeoftheirfuture（shehadsavednomoney）thoughtheyoungmanworetomysenseanaspectmoreandmoreprofessionalifyoulike，butlessandlessliterary。Attheendofacoupleofyearstherewassomethingmonstrousintheimpudencewithwhichheplayedhispartinthecomedy。WhenIwonderedhowshecouldplayHERpartIhadtoperceivethathergoodfaithwascompleteandthatwhatkeptitsowassimplyherextravagantfondness。Shelovedtheyoungimpostorwithasimple，blind，benightedlove，andofalltheheroesofromancewhohadpassedbeforehereyeshewasbyfarthemostbrilliant。
Hewasatanyratethemostreal——shecouldtouchhim，payforhim，sufferforhim，worshiphim。Hemadeherthinkofherprincesanddukes，andwhenshewishedtofixthesefiguresinhermind’seyeshethoughtofherboy。Shehadoftentoldmeshewascarriedawaybyherowncreations，andshewascertainlycarriedawaybyLeolin。Hevivified，bypotentialitiesatleast，thewholequestionofyouthandpassion。Sheheld，notunjustly，thatthesincerenovelistshouldfeelthewholefloodoflife；sheacknowledgedwithregretthatshehadnothadtimetofeelitherself，anditwasajoytoherthatthedeficiencymightbesuppliedbythesightofthewayitwasrushingthroughthismagnificentyoungman。Sheexhortedhim，Isuppose，toletitrush；shewrungherownflaccidlittlespongeintothetorrent。Iknewnotwhatpassedbetweentheminherhoursoftuition，butIgatheredthatshemainlyimpressedonhimthatthegreatthingwastolive，becausethatgaveyoumaterial。Heaskednothingbetter；hecollectedmaterial，andtheformulaservedasauniversalpretext。Youhadonlytolookathimtoseethat，withhisringsandbreastpins，hiscross—barredjackets，hisearlyembonpoint，hiseyesthatlookedlikeimitationjewels，hisvariousindicationsofadense，full—blowntemperament，hisideaoflifewassingularlyvulgar；buthewasnotsofarwrongasthathisresponsetohismother’sexpectationswasnotinahighdegreepractical。Ifshehadimposedaprofessiononhimfromhistenderestyearsitwasexactlyaprofessionthathefollowed。Thetwowerenotquitethesame，inasmuchasHISwassimplytoliveatherexpense；butatleastshecouldn’tsaythathehadn’ttakenaline。Ifsheinsistedonbelievinginhimheofferedhimselftothesacrifice。Myimpressionisthathersecretdreamwasthatheshouldhavealiaisonwithacountess，andhepersuadedherwithoutdifficultythathehadone。I
don’tknowwhatcountessesarecapableof，butIhaveaclearnotionofwhatLeolinwas。
Hedidn’tpersuadehissister，whodespisedhim——shewishedtoworkhermotherinherownway，andIaskedmyselfwhythegirl’sjudgmentofhimdidn’tmakemelikeherbetter。Itwasbecauseitdidn’tsaveherafterallfromamuteagreementwithhimtogohalves。ThereweremomentswhenIcouldn’thelplookinghardintohisatrociousyoungeyes，challenginghimtoconfesshisfantasticfraudandgiveitup。Notalittletacitconversationpassedbetweenusinthisway，buthehadalwaysthebestofit。IfIsaid：\"Oh，comenow，withMEyouneedn’tkeepitup；pleadguilty，andI’llletyouoff，\"
heworethemostingenuous，themostcandidexpression，inthedepthsofwhichIcouldread：\"Oh，yes，Iknowitexasperatesyou——that’sjustwhyIdoit。\"Hetookthelineofearnestinquiry，talkedaboutBalzacandFlaubert，askedmeifIthoughtDickensDIDexaggerateandThackerayOUGHTtobecalledapessimist。Oncehecametoseeme，athismother’ssuggestionhedeclared，onpurposetoaskmehowfar，inmyopinion，intheEnglishnovel，onereallymightventureto\"go。\"
Hewasnotresignedtotheusualpruderies——hesufferedunderthemalready。Hestruckoutthebrilliantideathatnobodyknewhowfarwemightgo，fornobodyhadevertried。DidIthinkHEmightsafelytry——woulditinjurehismotherifhedid？Hewouldratherdisgracehimselfbyhistimiditiesthaninjurehismother，butcertainlysomeoneoughttotry。Wouldn’t_I_try——couldn’tIbeprevailedupontolookatitasaduty？Surelytheultimatepointoughttobefixed——
hewasworried，hauntedbythequestion。Hepatronisedmeunblushingly，mademefeellikeafoolishamateur，ahelplessnovice，inquiredintomyhabitsofworkandconveyedtomethatIwasutterlyvieuxjeuandhadnothadtheadvantageofanearlytraining。Ihadnotbeenbroughtupfromthegerm，Iknewnothingoflife——didn’tgoatitonHISsystem。HehaddippedintoFrenchfeuilletonsandpickedupplentyofphrases，andhemadeamuchbettershowintalkthanhispoormother，whoneverhadtimetoreadanythingandcouldonlybevividwithherpen。IfIdidn’tkickhimdownstairsitwasbecausehewouldhavealightedonheratthebottom。
WhenshewenttoliveatPrimroseHillIcalleduponherandfoundherwearyandwasted。Ithadwanedagooddeal，theelationcausedtheyearbeforebyEthel’smarriage；thefoamonthecuphadsubsidedandtherewasabitternessinthedraught。
Shehadhadtotakeacheaperhouseandshehadtoworkstillhardertopayevenforthat。SirBaldwinwasobligedtobeclose；hischargeswerefearful，andthedreamofherlivingwithherdaughter（avisionshehadnevermentionedtome）mustberenounced。\"Iwouldhavehelpedwiththings，andIcouldhavelivedperfectlyinoneroom，\"shesaid；\"Iwouldhavepaidforeverything，and——afterall——
I’msomeone，ain’tI？ButIdon’tfitin，andEtheltellsmetherearetiresomepeoplesheMUSTreceive。Icanhelpthemfromhere，nodoubt，betterthanfromthere。Shetoldmeonce，youknow，whatshethinksofmypictureoflife。’Mamma，yourpictureoflifeispreposterous！’Nodoubtitis，butshe’svexedwithmeforlettingmypricesgodown；andIhadtowritethreenovelstopayforallhermarriagecostme。Ididitverywell——Imeantheoutfitandthewedding；butthat’swhyI’mhere。Atanyrateshedoesn’twantadingyoldwomaninherhouse。Ishouldgiveitanatmosphereofliteraryglory，butliterarygloryisonlytheeminenceofnobodies。
Besides，shedoubtsmyglory——sheknowsI’mgloriousonlyatPeckhamandHackney。Shedoesn’twantherfriendstoaskifI’veneverknownnicepeople。Shecan’ttellthemI’veneverbeeninsociety。Shetriedtoteachmebetteronce，butIcouldn’tlearn。ItwouldseemtooasifPeckhamandHackneyhadhadenoughofme；for（don’ttellanyone！）I’vehadtotakelessformylastthanIevertookforanything。\"Iaskedherhowlittlethishadbeen，notfromcuriosity，butinordertoupbraidher，moredisinterestedlythanLadyLuardhaddone，forsuchconcessions。Sheanswered\"I’mashamedtotellyou，\"
andthenshebegantocry。
Ihadneverseenherbreakdown，andIwasproportionatelymoved；shesobbed，likeafrightenedchild，overtheextinctionofhervogueandtheexhaustionofhervein。Herlittleworkroomseemedindeedabarrenplacetogrowflowers，andIwondered，intheafteryears（forshecontinuedtoproduceandpublish）bywhatdesperateandheroicprocessshedraggedthemoutofthesoil。IrememberaskingheronthatoccasionwhathadbecomeofLeolin，andhowmuchlongersheintendedtoallowhimtoamusehimselfathercost。Sherejoinedwithspirit，wipinghereyes，thathewasdownatBrightonhardatwork——hewasinthemidstofanovel——andthatheFELTlifeso，inallitsmiseryandmystery，thatitwascrueltospeakofsuchexperiencesasapleasure。\"Hegoesbeneaththesurface，\"shesaid，\"andheFORCEShimselftolookatthingsfromwhichhewouldratherturnaway。Doyoucallthatamusingyourself？Youshouldseehisfacesometimes！Andhedoesitformeasmuchasforhimself。Hetellsmeeverything——hecomeshometomewithhistrouvailles。Weareartiststogether，andtotheartistallthingsarepure。I’veoftenheardyousaysoyourself。\"ThenovelthatLeolinwasengagedinatBrightonwasneverpublished，butafriendofmineandofMrs。
Stormer’swhowasstayingtherehappenedtomentiontomelaterthathehadseentheyoungapprenticetofictiondriving，inadogcart，ayoungladywithaverypinkface。WhenIsuggestedthatshewasperhapsawomanoftitlewithwhomhewasconscientiouslyflirtingmyinformantreplied：\"Sheisindeed，butdoyouknowwhathertitleis？\"Hepronouncedit——itwasfamiliaranddescriptive——butIwon’treproduceithere。Idon’tknowwhetherLeolinmentionedittohismother：shewouldhaveneededallthepurityoftheartisttoforgivehim。IhatedsotocomeacrosshimthatintheverylastyearsIwentrarelytoseeher，thoughIknewthatshehadcomeprettywelltotheendofherrope。Ididn’twanthertotellmethatshehadfairlytogiveherbooksaway——Ididn’twanttoseehercry。Shekeptitupamazingly，andeveryfewmonths，atmyclub，I
sawthreenewvolumes，ingreen，incrimson，inblue，onthebook—
tablethatgroanedwithlightliterature。OnceImetherattheAcademysoiree，whereyoumeetpeopleyouthoughtweredead，andshevouchsafedtheinformation，asifsheowedittomeincandour，thatLeolinhadbeenobligedtorecogniseinsuperabledifficultiesinthequestionofFORM，hewassofastidious；sothatshehadnowarrivedatadefiniteunderstandingwithhim（itwassuchacomfort）thatSHE
woulddotheformifhewouldbringhomethesubstance。Thatwasnowhisposition——heforagedforherinthegreatworldatasalary。
\"He’smy’devil，’don’tyousee？asifIwereagreatlawyer：hegetsupthecaseandIargueit。\"Shementionedfurtherthatinadditiontohissalaryhewaspaidbythepiece：hegotsomuchforastrikingcharacter，somuchforaprettyname，somuchforaplot，somuchforanincident，andhadsomuchpromisedhimifhewouldinventanewcrime。
\"HeHASinventedone，\"Isaid，\"andhe’spaideverydayofhislife。\"
\"Whatisit？\"sheasked，lookinghardatthepictureoftheyear；
\"Baby’sTub，\"nearwhichwehappenedtobestanding。
Ihesitatedamoment。\"Imyselfwillwritealittlestoryaboutit，andthenyou’llsee。\"
Butsheneversaw；shehadneverseenanything，andshepassedawaywithherfineblindnessunimpaired。Hersonpublishedeveryscrapofscribbledpaperthatcouldbeextractedfromhertable—drawers，andhissisterquarrelledwithhimmortallyabouttheproceeds，whichshowedthatsheonlywantedapretext，fortheycannothavebeengreat。Idon’tknowwhatLeolinlivesupon，unlessitbeonaqueerladymanyyearsolderthanhimself，whomhelatelymarried。ThelasttimeImethimhesaidtomewithhisinfuriatingsmile：\"Don’tyouthinkwecangoalittlefurtherstill——justalittle？\"HEreallygoestoofar。