\"Iwonder，\"musedtheProfessor，\"ifanyoneinthevillage——\"Thelittleservingmaidflitteringamongthegooseberrybushes——shewaspretendingtobegatheringgoose—berries——caughttheProfessor’seye.
\"Wewillconsultmychatelaine，Mrs.Muldoon，\"suggestedtheProfessor.\"Ithinkweshallbeabletomanage.\"
TheProfessortenderedMalvinahisarm.WithherotherhandshegathereduptheskirtsoftheCommander’scoat.
\"Ithink，\"saidtheProfessorwithasuddeninspirationastheypassedthroughthegarden，\"IthinkIshallexplaintoMrs.Muldoonthatyouhavejustcomestraightfromafancy—dressball.\"
TheyfoundMrs.Muldooninthekitchen.AlessconvincingstorythanthatbywhichtheProfessorsoughttoaccounttoMrs.MuldoonforthehowandthewhyofMalvinaitwouldbeimpossibletoimagine.Mrs.Muldoonoutofsheerkindnessappearstohavecuthimshort.
\"I’llnotbeaskingyeanyquestions，\"saidMrs.Muldoon，\"sothere’llbenoneedforyetoimperilyourimmortalsoul.Ifye’lljustgiveathoughttoyourownappearanceandleavethecolleentomeandDrusilla，we’llmakehermaybeabitdacent.
ThereferencetohisownappearancedisconcertedtheProfessor.Hehadnotanticipated，whenhasteningintohisdressinggownandslippersandnotbotheringabouthissocks，thathewasonhiswaytomeetthechieflady—in—waitingofQueenHarbundia.Demandingthatshavingwatershouldbeimmediatelysentuptohim，heappearstohaveretiredintothebathroom.
ItwaswhilehewasshavingthatMrs.Muldoon，knockingatthedoor，demandedtospeaktohim.FromhertonetheProfessorcametotheconclusionthatthehousewasonfire.Heopenedthedoor，andMrs.
Muldoon，seeinghewasrespectable，slippedinandcloseditbehindher.
\"Wheredidyefindher？Howdidshegethere？\"demandedMrs.
Muldoon.NeverbeforehadtheProfessorseenMrs.Muldoonotherthanaplacid，good—humouredbody.Shewastremblingfromheadtofoot.
\"Itoldyou，\"explainedtheProfessor.\"YoungArthur——\"
\"I’mnotaskingyewhatyetoldme，\"interruptedMrs.Muldoon.\"I’maskingyeforthetruth，ifyeknowit.\"
TheProfessorputachairforMrs.Muldoon，andMrs.Muldoondroppeddownuponit.
\"What’sthematter？\"questionedtheProfessor.\"What’shappened？\"
Mrs.Muldoonglancedroundher，andhervoicewasanhystericalwhisper.
\"It’snomortalwomanye’vebroughtintothehouse，\"saidMrs.
Muldoon.\"It’safairy.\"
WhetheruptothatmomenttheProfessorhadreallybelievedMalvina’sstory，orwhetherlurkingatthebackofhismindtherehadallalongbeenaninnateconvictionthatthethingwasabsurd，theProfessorhimselfisnowunabletosay.TothefrontoftheProfessorlayOxford——politicaleconomy，thehighercriticism，theriseandprogressofrationalism.Behindhim，fadingawayintothedimhorizonofhumanity，layanunmappedlandwhereforfortyyearshehadlovedtowander;aspirit—hauntedlandofburiedmysteries，lostpathways，leadinguntohiddengatesofknowledge.
AndnowuponthetremblingbalancedescendedMrs.Muldoonplump.
\"Howdoyouknow？\"demandedtheProfessor.
\"Shure，don’tIknowthemark？\"repliedMrs.Muldoonalmostcontemptuously.\"Wasn’tmyownsister’schildstolenawaytheverydayofitsbirthandinitsplace——\"
Thelittleservingmaidtappedatthedoor.
Mademoisellewas\"finished.\"Whatwastobedonewithher？
\"Don’taskme，\"protestedMrs.Muldoon，stillinaterrifiedwhisper.\"Icouldn’tdoit.Notifallthesaintsweretogodownupontheirkneesandpraytome.\"
Common—senseargumentwouldnothaveprevailedwithMrs.Muldoon.
TheProfessorfeltthat;addedtowhichhehadnotanyhandy.Hedirected，throughthedoor，that\"Mademoiselle\"shouldbeshownintothedining—room，andlistenedtillDrusilla’sfootstepshaddiedaway.
\"HaveyoueverheardoftheWhiteLadies？\"whisperedtheProfessortoMrs.Muldoon.
Therewasnotmuchinthefairyline，onetakesit，thatMrs.
Muldoonhadnotheardofandbelieved.WastheProfessorsure？
TheProfessorgaveMrs.Muldoonhiswordofhonourasagentleman.
The\"WhiteLadies，\"asMrs.Muldoonwasofcourseaware，belongedtothe\"goodpeople.\"Providednobodyoffendedhertherewasnothingtofear.
\"Shure，itwon’tbemeselfthat’llcrossher，\"saidMrs.Muldoon.
\"Shewon’tbestayingverylong，\"addedtheProfessor.\"Wewilljustbenicetoher.\"
\"She’sgotakindface，\"admittedMrs.Muldoon，\"andapleasantwaywithher.\"Thegoodbody’sspiritswereperceptiblyrising.Thefavourofa\"WhiteLady\"mightbeworthcultivating.
\"Wemustmakeafriendofher，\"urgedtheProfessor，seizinghisopportunity.
\"Andmind，\"whisperedtheProfessorasheopenedthedoorforMrs.
Muldoontoslipout，\"notaword.Shedoesn’twantitknown.\"
OneisconvincedthatMrs.Muldoonleftthebathroomresolvedthat，sofarasshecouldhelpit，nobreathofsuspicionthatMalvinawasotherthanwhatinDrusilla’sholidayfrockshewouldappeartobeshouldescapeintothevillage.Itwasquiteapleasantlittlefrockofasummerycharacter，withshortsleevesandlooseabouttheneck，andfittedMalvina，ineverysense，muchbetterthanthemostelaborateconfectionwouldhavedone.Thebootswerenotsosuccessful.Malvinasolvedtheproblembyleavingthembehindher，togetherwiththestockings，whenevershewentout.Thatsheknewthiswaswrongisprovedbythefactthatinvariablyshetriedtohidethem.Theywouldbefoundinthemostunlikelyplaces;hiddenbehindbooksintheProfessor’sstudy，crammedintoemptyteacanistersinMrs.Muldoon’sstoreroom.Mrs.Muldoonwasnottobepersuadedeventoabstractthem.ThecanisterwithitscontentswouldbeplacedinsilenceupontheProfessor’stable.Malvinaonreturningwouldbeconfrontedbyapairofstern，unsympatheticboots.Thecornersofthefairymouthwoulddroopinlinessuggestiveofpenitenceandcontrition.
HadtheProfessorbeenfirmshewouldhaveyielded.ButfromtheblackaccusingbootstheProfessorcouldnotkeephiseyesfromwanderingtotheguiltywhitefeet，andatonceinhisheartbecoming\"counselforthedefence.\"MustgetapairofsandalsnexttimehewenttoOxford.Anyhow，somethingmoredaintythanthosegrim，uncompromisingboots.
Besides，itwasnotoftenthatMalvinaventuredbeyondtheorchard.
Atleastnotduringthedaytime——perhapsoneoughttosaynotduringthatpartofthedaytimewhenthevillagewasastir.ForMalvinaappearstohavebeenanearlyriser.Somewhereaboutthemiddleofthenight，asanyChristianbodywouldhavetimedit，Mrs.
Muldoon——wakingandsleepingduringthisperiodinastateofhighnervoustension——wouldhearthesoundofasoftlyopeneddoor;
peepingfromaraisedcorneroftheblind，wouldcatchaglimpseofflutteringgarmentsthatseemedtomeltintothedawn;wouldhearcomingfainterandfainterfromtheuplandsanunknownsong，minglingwiththeansweringvoicesofthebirds.
ItwasontheuplandsbetweendawnandsunrisethatMalvinamadetheacquaintanceoftheArlingtontwins.
Theyought，ofcourse，tohavebeeninbed——allthreeofthem，forthematterofthat.TheexcuseforthetwinswastheirUncleGeorge.HehadbeentellingthemallabouttheUffingtonspectreandWaylandSmith’scave，andhadgiventhem\"Puck\"asabirthdaypresent.Theywerealwaysgiventheirbirthdaypresentsbetweenthem，becauseotherwisetheydidnotcareforthem.Theyhadretiredtotheirrespectivebedroomsatteno’clockandtakenitinturnstolieawake.AtthefirststreakofdawnVictoria，whohadbeenwatchingbyherwindow，wokeVictor，asarranged.Victorwasforgivingitupandgoingtosleepagain，butVictoriaremindinghimofthe\"oath，\"theydressedthemselvesquitesimply，andletthemselvesdownbytheivy.
TheycameacrossMalvinaclosetothetailoftheWhiteHorse.Theyknewshewasafairythemomenttheysawher.Buttheywerenotfrightened——atleastnotverymuch.ItwasVictorwhospokefirst.
Takingoffhishatandgoingdownononeknee，hewishedMalvinagoodmorningandhopedshewasquitewell.Malvina，whoseemedpleasedtoseethem，madeanswer，andhereitwasthatVictoriatookchargeoftheaffair.TheArlingtontwinsuntiltheywereninehadsharedaFrenchnursebetweenthem;andthenVictor，goingtoschool，hadgraduallyforgotten;whileVictoria，remainingathome，hadcontinuedherconversationswith\"madame.\"
\"Oh！\"saidVictoria.\"ThenyoumustbeaFrenchfairy.\"
NowtheProfessorhadimpresseduponMalvinathatforreasonsneedlesstobeexplained——anyhow，heneverhadexplainedthem——shewasnottomentionthatshewasafairy.Buthehadnottoldhertodenyit.Indeedhowcouldshe？Themostthatcouldbeexpectedfromherwasthatsheshouldmaintainsilenceonthepoint.SoinanswertoVictoriasheexplainedthathernamewasMalvina，andthatshehadflownacrossfromBrittanyincompanywith\"SirArthur，\"
addingthatshehadoftenheardofEnglandandhadwishedtoseeit.
\"Howdoyoulikeit？\"demandedVictoria.
Malvinaconfessedherselfcharmedwithit.Nowherehadsheevermetsomanybirds.Malvinaraisedherhandandtheyallthreestoodinsilence，listening.Theskywasablazeandtheairseemedfilledwiththeirmusic.Thetwinsweresurethatthereweremillionsofthem.Theymusthavecomefrommilesandmilesandmiles，tosingtoMalvina.
Alsothepeople.Theyweresogoodandkindandround.Malvinaforthepresentwasstayingwith——acceptingtheprotection，washowsheputit，ofthewiseandlearnedChristopher.The\"habitation\"couldbeseenfromwheretheystood，itschimneyspeepingfromamongthetrees.Thetwinsexchangedameaningglance.HadtheynotallalongsuspectedtheProfessor！Hisblackskullcap，andhisbighookednose，andtheyellow—leaved，worm—eatenbooks——ofmagic：alldoubtswerenowremoved——thatforhourshewouldsitporingoverthroughowlishgold—rimmedspectacles！
Victor’sFrenchwascomingbacktohim.HewasanxioustoknowifMalvinahadevermetSirLauncelot——\"totalkto.\"
AlittlecloudgathereduponMalvina’sface.Yes，shehadknownthemall：KingUthurandIgraineandSirUlfiasoftheIsles.
Talkedwiththem，walkedwiththeminthefairlandsofFrance.（ItoughttohavebeenEngland，butMalvinashookherhead.Maybetheyhadtravelled.）ItwasshewhohadsavedSirTristramfromthewilesofMorganleFay.\"Thoughthat，ofcourse，\"explainedMalvina，\"wasneverknown.\"
Thetwinswerecuriouswhyitshouldhavebeen\"ofcourse，\"butdidnotliketointerruptagain.Therewereothersbeforeandafter.
MostofthemthetwinshadneverheardofuntiltheycametoCharlemagne，beyondwhichMalvina’sreminiscencesappearedtofade.
Theyhadallofthembeenverycourteoustoher，andsomeofthemindeedquitecharming.But
OnegatherstheyhadneverbeentoMalvinamorethanmereacquaintances，suchasonepassesthetimewithwhilewaiting——andlonging.
\"ButyoulikedSirLauncelot，\"urgedVictor.HewaswishfulthatMalvinashouldadmireSirLauncelot，feelinghowmuchtherewasincommonbetweenthatearlylamentedknightandhimself.ThatlittleaffairwithSirBedivere.Itwasjusthowhewouldhavebehavedhimself.
Ah！yes，admittedMalvina.Shehad\"liked\"him.Hewasalwaysso——
so\"excellent.\"
\"Buthewasnot——noneofthemweremyownpeople，myowndearcompanions.\"Thelittlecloudhadsettleddownagain.
ItwasBrunowhorecalledthethreeofthemtotheperiodofcontemporaryhistory.
Polleythecowman’sfirstdutyinthemorningwastoletBrunolooseforarun.Hearrivedpantingandbreathless，andevidentlyoffendedatnothavingbeenincludedintheescapade.Hecouldhavegiventhembothawayquiteeasilyifhehadnotbeenthemostforgivingofblack—and—tancollies.Asitwas，hehadbeenworryinghimselfcrazyforthelasthalf—hour，feelingsuretheyhadforgottenthetime.\"Don’tyouknowit’snearlysixo’clock？ThatinlessthanhalfanhourJanewillbeknockingatyourdoorswithglassesofhotmilk，andwillprobablydropthemandscreamwhenshefindsyourbedsemptyandthewindowwideopen.\"Thatiswhathehadintendedshouldbehisfirstwords，butonscentingMalvinatheywentfromhimentirely.Hegaveheronelookandfloppeddownflat，wrigglingtowardsher，whiningandwagginghistailatthesametime.Malvinaacknowledgedhishomagebylaughingandpattinghisheadwithherfoot，andthatsenthimintotheseventhheavenofdelight.Theyallfourdescendedthehilltogetherandpartedattheorchardgate.ThetwinsexpressedapolitebutquitesincerehopethattheywouldhavethepleasureofseeingMalvinaagain;butMalvina，seizedmaybewithsuddendoubtsastowhethershehadbehavedwithdiscretion，appearstohaverepliedevasively.Tenminuteslatershewaslyingasleep，thegoldenheadpillowedontheroundwhitearm;asMrs.Muldoononherwaydowntothekitchensawforherself.Andthetwins，fortunateenoughtofindasidedooropen，slippedintothehouseunnoticedandscrambledbackintotheirbeds.
ItwasquarterpastninewhenMrs.Arlingtoncameinherselfandwokethemup.Shewasshort—temperedwiththembothandhadevidentlybeencrying.Theyhadtheirbreakfastinthekitchen.
Duringlunchhardlyawordwasspoken.Andtherewasnopudding.
Mr.Arlington，astout，floridgentleman，hadnotimeforpudding.
Therestmightsitandenjoyitattheirleisure，butnotsoMr.
Arlington.Somebodyhadtoseetothings——thatis，iftheywerenottobeallowedtogotorackandruin.Ifotherpeoplecouldnotbereliedupontodotheirduty，sothateverythinginsidethehouseandoutofitwasthrownupononepairofshoulders，thenitfollowedasanaturalconsequencethatthatpairofshoulderscouldnotsparethenecessarytimetoproperlyfinishitsmeals.ThisitwasthatwasattherootofthedecayofEnglishfarming.Whenfarmers’wives，tosaynothingofsonsanddaughtersoldenoughonemightimaginetobeanxioustodosomethinginrepaymentforthemoneyandcarelavisheduponthem，hadallputtheirshoulderstothewheel，thenEnglishfarminghadprospered.When，ontheotherhand，otherpeopleshirkedtheirfairshareoflabourandresponsibility，leavingtoonepairofhands
ItwastheeldestArlingtongirl’squiteaudibleremarkthatpacouldhaveeatentwohelpingsofpuddingwhilehehadbeentalking，thatcausedMr.Arlingtontolosethethreadofhisdiscourse.Toputitquitebluntly，whatMr.Arlingtonmeanttosaywasthis：Hehadneverwantedtobeafarmer——atleastnotinthebeginning.
Othermeninhisposition，havingacquiredcompetencybyyearsofself—sacrificinglabour，wouldhaveretiredtoawell—earnedleisure.Havingyieldedtopersuasionandtakenonthejob，hewasgoingtoseeitthrough;andeverybodyelsewasgoingtodotheirshareortherewouldbetrouble.
Mr.Arlington，swallowingtheremainsofhisglassinasinglegulp，spoiltadignifiedexitbyviolentlyhiccoughing，andMrs.Arlingtonrangthebellfuriouslyfortheparlourmaidtoclearaway.Thepuddingpasseduntouchedfrombeforetheveryeyesofthetwins.Itwasablack—currantpuddingwithbrownsugar.
ThatnightMrs.Arlingtonappearstohaveconfidedinthetwins，partlyforherownreliefandpartlyfortheirmoralbenefit.IfMrs.Arlingtonhadenjoyedtheblessingindisguiseofalessindulgentmother，allmighthavebeenwell.BynatureMrs.
Arlingtonhadbeenendowedwithanactiveandenergetictemperament.
\"MissCan’t—sit—still—a—minute，\"hernursehadalwayscalledher.
Unfortunatelyithadbeenallowedtosinkintodisuse;wasnowinallprobabilitybeyondhopeofrecovery.Theirfatherwasquiteright.WhentheyhadlivedinBayswaterandthebusinesswasinMincingLaneitdidnotmatter.Nowitwasdifferent.Afarmer’swifeoughttobeupatsix;sheoughttoseethateverybodyelsewasupatsix;servantslookedafter，keptuptothemark;childrenencouragedbytheirmother’sexample.Organisation.Thatwaswhatwaswanted.Thedaymappedout;toeveryhouritsappointedtask.
Then，insteadofthemorningbeinggonebeforeyoucouldturnyourselfround，andconfusionmadeworseconfoundedbyyourleavingoffwhatyouweredoingandtryingtodosixthingsatoncethatyoucouldn’trememberwhetheryouhaddoneorwhetheryouhadn’t
HereMrs.Arlingtonappearstohavedissolvedintotears.Generallyspeaking，shewasaplacid，smiling，mostamiablelady，quitedelightfultohaveaboutthehouseprovidedallyoudemandedofherwerepleasantlooksandasunnydisposition.Thetwinsappeartohavejoinedtheirtearstohers.Tuckedinandlefttothemselves，oneimaginestheproblembeingdiscussedwithgraveseriousness，muchwhisperedconversation，thensleptupon，themorningbringingwithitideas.Theresultbeingthatthenextevening，betweenhighteaandsupper，Mrs.Muldoon，answeringherselftheknockatthedoor，foundtwinfiguresstandinghandinhandontheProfessor’sstep.
Theyaskedherif\"theFairy\"wasin.
V.HOWITWASTOLDTOMRS.MARIGOLD.
Therewasnoneedoftheproverbialfeather.Mrs.Muldoonmadeagrabatthesettlebutmissedit.Shecaughtatachair，butthatgaveway.Itwasthefloorthatfinallystoppedher.
\"We’resosorry，\"apologisedVictor.\"Wethoughtyouknew.WeoughttohavesaidMademoiselleMalvina.\"
Mrs.Muldoonregainedherfeet，andwithoutansweringwalkedstraightintothestudy.
\"Theywanttoknow，\"saidMrs.Muldoon，\"iftheFairy’sin.\"TheProfessor，withhisbacktothewindow，wasreading.Thelightintheroomwassomewhatfaint.
\"Whowantstoknow？\"demandedtheProfessor.
\"ThetwinsfromtheManorHouse，\"explainedMrs.Muldoon.
\"Butwhat？——butwho？\"begantheProfessor.
\"ShallIsay’notathome’？\"suggestedMrs.Muldoon.\"Orhadn’tyoubetterseethemyourself.\"
\"Showthemin，\"directedtheProfessor.
Theycamein，lookingalittlescaredandstillholdingoneanotherbythehand.TheywishedtheProfessorgoodevening，andwhenherosetheybackedawayfromhim.TheProfessorshookhandswiththem，buttheydidnotletgo，sothatVictoriagavehimherrighthandandVictorhisleft，andthenattheProfessor’sinvitationtheysatthemselvesdownontheextremeedgeofthesofa.
\"Ihopewedonotdisturbyou，\"saidVictor.\"WewantedtoseeMademoiselleMalvina.\"
\"WhydoyouwanttoseeMademoiselleMalvina？\"inquiredtheProfessor.
\"Itissomethingveryprivate，\"saidVictor.
\"Wewantedtoaskheragreatfavour，\"saidVictoria.
\"I’msorry，\"saidtheProfessor，\"butsheisn’tin.Atleast，I
don’tthinkso.\"（TheProfessorneverwasquitesure.\"Sheslipsinandoutmakingnomorenoisethanawind—drivenroseleaf，\"wasMrs.Muldoon’sexplanation.）\"Hadn’tyoubettertellme？Leavemetoputittoher.\"
Theylookedatoneanother.ItwouldneverdotooffendthewiseandlearnedChristopher.Besides，amagician，itistobeassumed，hasmorewaysthanoneoflearningwhatpeoplearethinking.
\"Itisaboutmamma，\"explainedVictoria.\"WewonderedifMalvinawouldmindchangingher.\"
TheProfessorhadbeenreadingupMalvina.Itflashedacrosshimthatthishadalwaysbeenherspeciality：Changingpeople.HowhadtheArlingtontwinsdiscoveredit？Andwhydidtheywanttheirmotherchanged？Andwhatdidtheywantherchangedinto？Itwasshockingwhenyoucometothinkofit！TheProfessorbecamesuddenlysostern，thatifthetwinscouldhaveseenhisexpression——which，owingtothefadinglight，theycouldn’t——theywouldhavebeentoofrightenedtoanswer.
\"Whydoyouwantyourmotherchanged？\"demandedtheProfessor.Evenasitwashisvoicealarmedthem.
\"It’sforherowngood，\"falteredVictoria.
\"Ofcoursewedon’tmeanintoanything，\"explainedVictor.
\"Onlyherinside，\"addedVictoria.
\"WethoughtthatMalvinamightbeabletoimproveher，\"completedVictor.
Itwasstillverydisgraceful.Whatwerewecomingtowhenchildrenwentaboutclamouringfortheirmotherstobe\"improved\"！Theatmospherewaschargedwithindignation.Thetwinsfeltit.
\"Shewantstobe，\"persistedVictoria.\"Shewantstobeenergeticandtogetupearlyinthemorninganddothings.\"
\"Yousee，\"addedVictor，\"shewasneverproperlybroughtup.\"
TheProfessormaintainsstoutlythathisonlyintentionwasajoke.
Itwasnotevenasifanythingobjectionablehadbeensuggested.
TheProfessorhimselfhadonoccasionsbeenmadetheconfidantofboth.
\"Bestwomanthateverlived，ifonlyonecouldgraftalittleenergyuponher.Nosenseoftime.Tooeasy—going.Noideaofkeepingpeopleuptothemark.\"SoMr.Arlington，overthenutsandwine.
\"It’spurelaziness.Oh，yes，itis.MyfriendssayI’mso’restful’;butthat’stheproperexplanationofit——bornlaziness.
AndyetItry.Youhavenoidea，ProfessorLittlecherry，howmuchI
try.\"SoMrs.Arlington，laughingly，whileadmiringtheProfessor’sroses.
Besides，howabsurdtobelievethatMalvinacouldpossiblychangeanybody！Wayback，whenthehumanbrainwasyetinprocessofevolution，suchthingsmayhavebeenpossible.Hypnoticsuggestion，mesmericinfluence，dormantbraincellsquickenedintoactivitybymagneticvibration.Allthathadbeenlost.ThesewerethedaysofGeorgetheFifth，notofKingHeremon.WhattheProfessorwasreallyafterwas：HowwouldMalvinareceivetheproposal？Ofcourseshewouldtrytogetoutofit.Adearlittlething.Butcouldanysaneman，professorofmathematics
Malvinawasstandingbesidehim.Noonehadremarkedherentrance.
TheeyesofthetwinshadbeenglueduponthewiseandlearnedChristopher.TheProfessor，whenhewasthinking，neversawanything.Still，itwasratherstartling.
\"WeshouldneverchangewhatthegoodGodhasoncefashioned，\"saidMalvina.Shespokeverygravely.Thechildishnessseemedtohavefallenfromher.
\"Youdidn’talwaysthinkso，\"saidtheProfessor.ItnettledtheProfessorthatallideaofthisbeingagoodjokehaddepartedwiththesoundofMalvina’svoice.Shehadthatwaywithher.
Shemadealittlegesture.ItconveyedtotheProfessorthathisremarkhadnotbeenaltogetheringoodtaste.
\"Ispeakasonewhohaslearned，\"saidMalvina.
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"saidtheProfessor.\"Ioughtnottohavesaidthat.\"
MalvinaacceptedtheProfessor’sapologywithabow.
\"Butthisissomethingverydifferent，\"continuedtheProfessor.
QuiteanotherinteresthadtakenholdoftheProfessor.ItwaseasyenoughtosummonDameCommonsensetoone’saidwhenMalvinawasnotpresent.Beforethosestrangeeyesthegoodladyhadahabitofsneakingaway.Suppose——ofcoursetheideawasridiculous，butsuppose——somethingdidhappen！Asapsychologicalexperimentwasnotonejustified？Whatwasthebeginningofallsciencebutappliedcuriosity？Malvinamightbeable——andwilling——toexplainhowitwasdone.Thatis，ifanythingdidhappen，which，ofcourse，itwouldn’t，andsomuchthebetter.Thisthinghadgottobeended.
\"Itwouldbeusingagiftnotforone’sownpurposes，buttohelpothers，\"urgedtheProfessor.
\"Yousee，\"urgedVictor，\"mammareallywantstobechanged.\"
\"Andpapawantsittoo，\"urgedVictoria.
\"Itseemstome，ifImaysoexpressit，\"addedtheProfessor，\"thatreallyitwouldbeinthenatureofmakingamendsfor——well，for—
—forouryouthfulfollies，\"concludedtheProfessoralittlenervously.
Malvina’seyeswerefixedontheProfessor.Inthedimlightofthelow—ceilingedroom，thoseeyesseemedallofherthatwasvisible.
\"Youwishit？\"saidMalvina.
Itwasnotatallfair，astheProfessortoldhimselfafterwards，herlayingtheresponsibilityonhim.IfshereallywastheoriginalMalvina，lady—in—waitingtoQueenHarbundia，thenshewasquiteoldenoughtohavedecidedforherself.FromtheProfessor’scalculationsshemustnowbeaboutthreethousandeighthundred.
TheProfessorhimselfwasnotyetsixty;incomparisonamerebabe！
ButMalvina’seyeswerecompelling.
\"Well，itcan’tdoanyharm，\"saidtheProfessor.AndMalvinaseemstohaveacceptedthatasherauthority.
\"LethercometotheCrossStonesatsundown，\"directedMalvina.
TheProfessorsawthetwinstothedoor.ForsomereasontheProfessorcouldnothaveexplained，theyallthreewalkedoutontiptoe.OldMr.Brent，thepostman，waspassing，andthetwinsranafterhimandeachtookahand.MalvinawasstillstandingwheretheProfessorhadlefther.Itwasveryabsurd，buttheProfessorfeltfrightened.Hewentintothekitchen，whereitwaslightandcheerful，andstartedMrs.MuldoononHomeRule.WhenhereturnedtotheparlourMalvinawasgone.
Thetwinsdidnottalkthatnight，anddecidednextmorningnottosayaword，butjusttoasktheirmothertocomeforaneveningwalkwiththem.Thefearwasthatshemightdemandreasons.But，quiteoddly，sheconsentedwithoutquestion.ItseemedtothetwinsthatitwasMrs.Arlingtonherselfwhotookthepathwayleadingpastthecave，andwhentheyreachedtheCrossStonesshesatdownandapparentlyhadforgottentheirexistence.Theystoleawaywithouthernoticingthem，butdidnotquiteknowwhattodowiththemselves.Theyranforhalfamiletilltheycametothewood;
theretheyremainedawhile，carefulnottoventurewithin;andthentheycreptback.Theyfoundtheirmothersittingjustastheyhadlefther.Theythoughtshewasasleep，buthereyeswerewideopen.
Theyweretremendouslyrelieved，thoughwhattheyhadfearedtheyneverknew.Theysatdown，oneoneachsideofher，andeachtookahand，butinspiteofhereyesbeingopen，itwasquiteatimebeforesheseemedconsciousoftheirreturn.Sheroseandslowlylookedabouther，andasshedidsothechurchclockstrucknine.
Shecouldnotatfirstbelieveitwassolate.Convincedbylookingatherwatch——therewasjustlightenoughforhertoseeit——shebecameallatoncemoreangrythanthetwinshadeverknownher，andforthefirsttimeintheirlivestheybothexperiencedthesensationofhavingtheirearsboxed.Nineo’clockwasthepropertimeforsupperandtheywerehalfanhourfromhome，anditwasalltheirfault.Itdidnottakethemhalfanhour.Ittookthemtwentyminutes，Mrs.Arlingtonstridingaheadandthetwinspantingbreathlessbehindher.Mr.Arlingtonhadnotyetreturned.Hecameinfiveminutesafterwards，andMrs.Arlingtontoldhimwhatshethoughtofhim.Itwastheshortestsupperwithinthetwins’
recollection.Theyfoundthemselvesinbedtenminutesinadvanceoftherecord.Theycouldheartheirmother’svoicefromthekitchen.Ajugofmilkhadbeenoverlookedandhadgonesour.ShehadgivenJaneaweek’snoticebeforetheclockstruckten.
ItwasfromMr.ArlingtonthattheProfessorheardthenews.Mr.
Arlingtoncouldnotstopaninstant，dinnerbeingattwelvesharpanditwantingbuttenminutesto;butseemstohaveyieldedtotemptation.ThebreakfasthourattheManorFarmwasnowsixa.m.，hadbeensosinceThursday;thewholefamilyfullydressedandMrs.
Arlingtonpresiding.IftheProfessordidnotbelieveithecouldcomeroundanymorningandseeforhimself.TheProfessorappearstohavetakenMr.Arlington’swordforit.Bysix—thirtyeverybodyattheirjobandMrs.Arlingtonathers，consistingchieflyofseeingtoitfortherestofthedaythateverybodywas.Lightsoutattenandeverybodyinbed;mostofthemonlytoogladtobethere.
\"Quiteright;keepsusalluptothemark，\"wasMr.Arlington’sopinion（thiswasonSaturday）.Justwhatwaswanted.Notperhapsforapermanency;and，ofcourse，thereweredrawbacks.Thestrenuouslife——seeingtoitthateverybodyelseleadsthestrenuouslife;itdoesnotgowithunmixedamiability.Particularlyinthebeginning.New—bornzeal：mustexpectittooutrundiscretion.
Doesnotdotodiscourageit.Modificationstobesuggestedlater.
Takenallround，Mr.Arlington’sviewwasthatthethingmustberegardedalmostastheanswertoaprayer.Mr.Arlington’seyesontheirwaytohigherlevels，appeartohavebeenarrestedbythechurchclock.ItdecidedMr.Arlingtontoresumehishomewardwaywithoutfurtherlossoftime.AtthebendofthelanetheProfessor，lookingback，observedthatMr.Arlingtonhadbrokenintoatrot.
ThisseemstohavebeentheendoftheProfessor，regardedasasaneandintelligentmemberofmodernsociety.Hehadnotbeensureatthetime，butitwasnowrevealedtohimthatwhenhehadurgedMalvinatotestherstrength，sotoexpressit，ontheunfortunateMrs.Arlington，itwaswiththeconvictionthattheresultwouldrestorehimtohismentalequilibrium.ThatMalvinawithawaveofherwand——orwhateverthehocus—pocusmayhavebeen——wouldbeabletotransformthehithertoincorrigiblyindolentandeasy—goingMrs.
ArlingtonintoasortoffeminineLloydGeorge，hadnotreallyenteredintohiscalculations.
Forgettinghislunch，hemusthavewanderedaimlesslyabout，notreturninghomeuntillateintheafternoon.Duringdinnerheappearstohavebeenratherrestlessandnervous——\"jumpy，\"accordingtotheevidenceofthelittleservingmaid.Oncehesprangoutofhischairasifshotwhenthelittleservingmaidaccidentallyletfallatable—spoon;andtwiceheupsetthesalt.Itwasatmealtimethat，asarule，theProfessorfoundhisattitudetowardsMalvinamostsceptical.Afairywhocouldputawayquitearespectablecutfromthejoint，followedbytwohelpingsofpie，doestakeabitofbelievingin.To—nighttheProfessorfoundnodifficulty.TheWhiteLadieshadneverbeenaversetoacceptingmortalhospitality.
Theremustalwayshavebeenacertainadaptability.Malvina，sincethatfatefulnightofherbanishment，had，onesupposes，passedthroughvariedexperiences.Forpresentpurposesshehadassumedtheformofajeunefilleofthetwentiethcentury（annoDomini）.
AnappreciationofMrs.Muldoon’sexcellentcooking，togetherwithaglassoflightsoundclaret，wouldnaturallygowithit.
OnetakesitthathecouldnotforamomentgetMrs.Arlingtonoutofhismind.Morethanonce，stealingacovertglanceacrossthetable，itseemedtohimthatMalvinawasregardinghimwithamockingsmile.Someimpishspirititmusthavebeenthathadpromptedhim.ForthousandsofyearsMalvinahadled——atalleventssofaraswasknown——areformedandblamelessexistence;hadsubduedandputbehindherthatfatalpassionofhersforchange：inotherpeople.Whatmadnesstohaverevivedit！AndnoQueenHarbundiahandynowtokeepherincheck.TheProfessorhadadistinctsensation，whilepeelingapear，thathewasbeingturnedintoaguinea—pig——acuriousfeelingofshrinkingaboutthelegs.Sovividwastheimpression，thatinvoluntarilytheProfessorjumpedoffhischairandrantolookathimselfinthemirroroverthesideboard.
Hewasnotfullyrelievedeventhen.Itmayhavebeenthemirror.
Itwasveryold;oneofthosethingswithlittlegiltballsallroundit;anditlookedtotheProfessorasifhisnosewasgrowingstraightoutofhisface.Malvina，trustinghehadnotbeentakensuddenlyill，askediftherewasanythingshecoulddoforhim.Heseemstohaveearnestlybeggedhernottothinkofit.
TheProfessorhadtaughtMalvinacribbage，andusuallyofaneveningtheyplayedahandortwo.Butto—nighttheProfessorwasnotinthemood，andMalvinahadcontentedherselfwithabook.Shewasparticularlyfondoftheoldchroniclers.TheProfessorhadanentireshelfofthem，manyintheoriginalFrench.Makingbelievetobereadinghimself，heheardMalvinabreakintoacheerfullaugh，andwentandlookedoverhershoulder.Shewasreadingthehistoryofherownencounterwiththeproprietoroftinmines，anelderlygentlemandislikinglatehours，whomshehadturnedintoanightingale.ItoccurredtotheProfessorthatpriortotheArlingtoncasetherecallingofthisincidentwouldhavebroughttohershameandremorse.Nowsheseemedtothinkitfunny.
\"Asillytrick，\"commentedtheProfessor.Hespokequiteheatedly.
\"Noonehasanyrighttogoaboutchangingpeople.Muddlingupthingstheydon’tunderstand.Norightwhatever.\"
Malvinalookedup.Shegavealittlesigh.
\"Notforone’sownpleasureorrevenge，\"shemadeanswer.Hertonewasfilledwithmeekness.Ithadatouchofself—reproach.\"Thatisverywrong，ofcourse.Butchangingthemfortheirowngood——atleast，notchanging，improving.\"
\"Littlehypocrite！\"mutteredtheProfessortohimself.\"She’sgotbackatasteforheroldtricks，andLordknowsnowwhereshe’llstop.\"
TheProfessorspenttherestoftheeveningamonghisindexesinsearchofthelatestinformationregardingQueenHarbundia.
MeanwhiletheArlingtonaffairhadgotaboutthevillage.Thetwinsinallprobabilityhadbeenunabletokeeptheirsecret.Jane，thedismissed，hadlookedintogiveMrs.MuldoonherversionofThursdaynight’ssceneintheArlingtonkitchen，andMrs.Muldoon，withasenseofthingsimpending，mayunconsciouslyhavedroppedhints.
TheMarigoldsmettheArlingtonsonSunday，aftermorningservice，andheardallaboutit.Thatistosay，theymetMr.Arlingtonandtheotherchildren;Mrs.Arlington，withthetwoeldergirls，havingalreadyattendedearlycommunionatseven.Mrs.Marigoldwasapretty，fluffy，engaginglittlewoman，tenyearsyoungerthanherhusband.Shecouldnothavebeenaltogetherafool，orshewouldnothaveknownit.Marigold，risingpolitician，ought，ofcourse，tohavemarriedawomanabletohelphim;butseemstohavefalleninlovewithherafewmilesoutofBrussels，overaconventwall.
Mr.Arlingtonwasnotaregularchurch—goer，butfeltonthisoccasionthatheowedittohisMaker.Hewasstillinlovewithhisnewwife.Butnotblindly.Lateronaguidinghandmightbenecessary.Butfirstletthenewseedgetfirmlyrooted.
Marigold’sengagementsnecessitatedhisreturningtotownonSundayafternoon，andMrs.Marigoldwalkedpartofthewaywithhimtothestation.OnherwaybackacrossthefieldsshepickeduptheArlingtontwins.Later，sheseemstohavecalledinatthecottageandspokentoMrs.MuldoonaboutJane，who，shehadheard，wasinwantofaplace.AlittlebeforesunsetshewasseenbytheDoctorclimbingthepathtotheWarren.Malvinathateveningwasmissingfordinner.Whenshereturnedsheseemedpleasedwithherself.
VI.ANDHOWITWASFINISHEDTOOSOON.
Somedayslater——itmayhavebeenthenextweek;theexactdateappearstohavegotmislaid——Marigold，M.P.，lookedinontheProfessor.TheytalkedaboutTariffReform，andthenMarigoldgotupandmadesureforhimselfthatthedoorwastightclosed.
\"Youknowmywife，\"hesaid.\"We’vebeenmarriedsixyears，andthere’sneverbeenacloudbetweenusexceptone.Ofcourse，she’snotbrainy.Thatis，atleast\"
TheProfessorjumpedoutofhischair.
\"Ifyoutakemyadvice，\"hesaid，\"you’llleaveheralone.\"Hespokewithpassionandconviction.
Marigoldlookedup.
\"It’sjustwhatIwishtogoodnessIhaddone，\"heanswered.\"I
blamemyselfentirely.\"
\"Solongasweseeourownmistakes，\"saidtheProfessor，\"thereishopeforusall.Yougostraighthome，youngman，andtellheryou’vechangedyourmind.Tellheryoudon’twantherwithbrains.
Tellheryoulikeherbestwithout.Yougetthatintoherheadbeforeanythingelsehappens.\"
\"I’vetriedto，\"saidMarigold.\"Shesaysit’stoolate.Thatthelighthascometoherandshecan’thelpit.\"
ItwastheProfessor’sturntostare.HehadnotheardanythingofSunday’stransactions.HehadbeenhopingagainsthopethattheArlingtonaffairwouldremainalockedsecretbetweenhimselfandthetwins，andhaddonehisbesttothinkabouteverythingelse.
\"She’sjoinedtheFabianSociety，\"continuedMarigoldgloomily.
\"They’veputherinthenursery.AndtheW.S.P.U.IfitgetsaboutbeforethenextelectionI’llhavetolookoutforanotherconstituency——that’sall.\"
\"Howdidyouhearabouther？\"askedtheProfessor.
\"Ididn’thearabouther，\"answeredMarigold.\"IfIhadImightn’thavegoneuptotown.Youthinkitright，\"headded，\"to——toencouragesuchpeople？\"
\"Who’sencouragingher？\"demandedtheprofessor.\"Iffoolsdidn’tgoaboutthinkingtheycouldimproveeveryotherfoolbutthemselves，thissortofthingwouldn’thappen.Arlingtonhadanamiable，sweet—temperedwife，andinsteadofthankingGodandkeepingquietaboutit，heworriesheroutofherlifebecausesheisnotthemanagingwoman.Well，nowhe’sgotthemanagingwoman.
ImethimonWednesdaywithabumponhisforeheadasbigasanegg.
Sayshefelloverthemat.Itcan’tbedone.Youcan’thaveapersonchangedjustasfarasyouwantthemchangedandtherestop.
Youlet’emaloneoryouchangethemaltogether，andthentheydon’tknowthemselveswhatthey’regoingtoturnout.Asensiblemaninyourpositionwouldhavebeenonlytoothankfulforawifewhodidn’tpokehernoseintohisaffairs，andwithwhomhecouldgetawayfromhisconfoundedpolitics.You’vebeenhintingtoheraboutonceamonth，Iexpect，whatatragedyitwasthatyouhadn’tmarriedawomanwithbrains.Well，nowshe’sfoundherbrainsandisusingthem.Whyshouldn’tshebelongtotheFabianSocietyandtheW.S.P.U？Showsindependenceofcharacter.Bestthingforyoutodoistojointhemyourself.Thenyou’llbeabletoworktogether.\"
\"I’msorry，\"saidMarigoldrising.\"Ididn’tknowyouagreedwithher.\"
\"WhosaidIagreedwithher？\"snappedtheProfessor.\"I’minaveryawkwardposition.\"
\"Isuppose，\"saidMarigold——hewashesitatingwiththedoorinhishand——\"itwouldn’tbeofanyusemyseeinghermyself？\"
\"Ibelieve，\"saidtheProfessor，\"thatsheisfondoftheneighbourhoodoftheCrossStonestowardssundown.Youcanchooseforyourself，butifIwereyouIshouldthinktwiceaboutit.\"
\"Iwaswondering，\"saidMarigold，\"whether，ifIputittoherasapersonalfavour，shemightnotbewillingtoseeEdithagainandpersuadeherthatshewasonlyjoking？\"
AlightbegantobreakupontheProfessor.
\"Whatdoyouthinkhashappened？\"heasked.
\"Well，\"explainedMarigold，\"Itakeitthatyouryoungforeignfriendhasmetmywifeandtalkedpoliticstoher，andthatwhathashappenedistheresult.Shemustbeayoungpersonofextraordinaryability;butitwouldbeonlylosingoneconvert，andIcouldmakeituptoherin——inotherways.\"Hespokewithunconsciouspathos.
ItrathertouchedtheProfessor.
\"Itmightmean，\"saidtheProfessor——\"thatis，assumingthatitcanbedoneatall——Mrs.Marigold’sreturningtoherformerselfentirely，takingnofurtherinterestinpoliticswhatever.\"
\"Ishouldbesoverygrateful，\"answeredMarigold.
TheProfessorhadmislaidhisspectacles，butthinkstherewasatearinMarigold’seye.
\"I’lldowhatIcan，\"saidtheProfessor.\"Ofcourse，youmustn’tcountonit.Itmaybeeasiertostartawomanthinkingthantostopher，evenfora——\"TheProfessorcheckedhimselfjustintime.
\"I’lltalktoher，\"hesaid;andMarigoldgrippedhishandanddeparted.
Itwasabouttimehedid.ThefullextentofMalvina’sactivitiesduringthosefewmidsummerweeks，tillthereturnofFlightCommanderRaffleton，willneverperhapsbefullyrevealed.
AccordingtotheDoctor，thewholebusinesshasbeengrosslyexaggerated.Therearethosewhotalkasifhalfthevillagehadbeentakentopieces，alteredandimprovedandsentbackhomeagaininamentalstateunrecognisablebytheirownmothers.CertainitisthatDawson，R.A.，generallydescribedbyeverybodyexcepthiswifeas\"alovablelittleman，\"andwhoseonlyfaultwasanincurablehabitofpunning，bothinseason——ifsuchaperiodtherebe——andmoreoftenout，suddenlyonemorningsmashedaDutchinterior，fifteeninchesbynine，overtheastonishedheadofMrs.
Dawson.Itclungroundherneck，recallingbiblicalpicturesoftheheadofJohntheBaptist，andtheframe—workhadtobesawnthroughbeforeshecouldgetitoff.AstothestoryabouthishavingbeencaughtbyMrs.Dawson’sauntkissingthehousemaidbehindthewaterbutt，that，astheDoctoradmits，isabitofbadluckthatmighthavehappenedtoanyone.ButwhethertherewasreallyanyevidenceconnectinghimwithDollyCalthorpe’sunaccountablemissingofthelasttrainhome，isofcourse，amoreseriousmatter.Mrs.
Dawson，ahandsome，high—spiritedwomanherself，mayhavefoundDawson，asoriginallyfashioned，tryingtothenerves;thougheventhenthequestionarises：Whyhavemarriedhim？Butthereisadifference，asMrs.Dawsonhaspointedout，betweenahusbandwhohasn’tenoughofthenaturalmaninhimandahusbandwhohasadealtoomuch.Itisdifficulttoregulatethesematters.
Altogether，andtakinganoutsideestimate，theDoctor’sopinionisthattheremayhavebeenhalfadozen，who，withMalvina’sassistance，succeededinhypnotisingthemselvesintotemporaryinsanity.WhenMalvina，alittledisappointed，butyieldingquitesweetlyherownjudgmenttothatofthewiseandlearnedChristopher，consentedto\"restore\"them，theexplanationwasthat，havingspenttheirburstofill—acquiredenergy，theyfellbackatthefirstsuggestiontotheirformerselves.
Mrs.ArlingtondoesnotagreewiththeDoctor.Shehadbeentryingtoreformherselfforquitealongtimeandhadmiserablyfailed.
Therewassomethingaboutthem——itmightalmostbedescribedasanaroma——thatpromptedherthateveningtotakethetwinsintoherconfidence;asortofintuitionthatinsomewaytheycouldhelpher.Itremainedwithherallthenextday;andwhenthetwinsreturnedintheevening，incompanywiththepostman，sheknewinstinctivelythattheyhadbeenaboutherbusiness.ItwasthissameintuitivedesirethatdrewhertotheDowns.SheisconfidentshewouldhavetakenthatwalktotheCrossStonesevenifthetwinshadnotproposedit.Indeed，accordingtoherownaccount，shewasnotawarethatthetwinshadaccompaniedher.Therewassomethingaboutthestones;asenseasofapresence.Sheknewwhenshereachedthemthatshehadarrivedattheappointedplace;andwhenthereappearedtoher——comingfromwhereshecouldnottell——adiminutivefigurethatseemedinsomemysteriouswayasifitwereclothedmerelyinthefadinglight，sheremembereddistinctlythatshewasneithersurprisednoralarmed.ThediminutiveladysatdownbesideherandtookMrs.Arlington’shandsinbothherown.Shespokeinastrangelanguage，butMrs.Arlingtonatthetimeunderstoodit，thoughnowthemeaningofithadpassedfromher.
Mrs.Arlingtonfeltasifherbodywerebeingtakenawayfromher.
Shehadasenseoffalling，afeelingthatshemustmakesomedesperateefforttoriseagain.Thestrangelittleladywashelpingher，assistinghertomakethissupremeeffort.Itwasasifageswerepassing.Shewaswrestlingwithunknownpowers.Suddenlysheseemedtoslipfromthem.Thelittleladywasholdingherup.
Claspingeachother，theyroseandroseandrose.Mrs.Arlingtonhadafirmconvictionthatshemustalwaysbestrugglingupward，ortheywouldovertakeheranddragherdownagain.Whensheawokethelittleladyhadgone，butthatfeelingremainedwithher;thatpassionateacceptanceofceaselessstruggle，activity，contention，asnowtheendandaimofherexistence.Atfirstshedidnotrecollectwhereshewas.Astrangecolourlesslightwasaroundher，andastrangesingingasofmyriadsofbirds.Andthentheclockstrucknineandlifecamebacktoherwitharush.Butwithitstillthatconvictionthatshemustseizeholdofherselfandeverybodyelseandgetthingsdone.Itsimmediateexpression，asalreadyhasbeenmentioned，wasexperiencedbythetwins.
When，afteratalkwiththeProfessor，aidedandabettedbyMr.
ArlingtonandtheeldestArlingtongirl，sheconsentedtopaythatsecondvisittothestones，itwaswithverydifferentsensationsthatsheclimbedthegrass—grownpath.Thelittleladyhadmetherasbefore，butthecuriousdeepeyeslookedsadly，andMrs.
Arlingtonhadtheimpression，generallyspeaking，thatshewasabouttoassistatherownfuneral.Againthelittleladytookherbythehands，andagainsheexperiencedthatterroroffalling.Butinsteadofendingwithcontestandeffortsheseemedtopassintoasleep，andwhensheopenedhereyesshewasagainalone.Feelingalittlechillyandunreasonablytired，shewalkedslowlyhome，andnotbeinghungry，retiredsupperlesstobed.Quiteunabletoexplainwhy，sheseemstohavecriedherselftosleep.
Onesupposesthatsomethingofasimilarnaturemayhaveoccurredtotheothers——withtheexceptionofMrs.Marigold.ItwasthecaseofMrs.Marigoldthat，astheDoctorgrudginglyadmits，wentfartoweakenhishypothesis.Mrs.Marigold，havingemerged，wasspreadingherself，muchtoherownsatisfaction.Shehaddiscardedherweddingringasarelicofbarbarism——ofthedayswhenwomenweremeregoodsandchattels，andhadmadeherfirstspeechatameetinginfavourofmarriagereform.Subterfuge，inhercase，hadtoberesortedto.Malvinahadtearfullyconsented，andMarigold，M.P.，wastobringMrs.MarigoldtotheCrossStonesthatsameeveningandthereleaveher，explainingtoherthatMalvinahadexpressedawishtoseeheragain——\"justforachat.\"
AllmighthaveendedwellifonlyCommanderRaffletonhadnotappearedframedintheparlourdoorjustasMalvinawasstarting.
HisCousinChristopherhadwrittentotheCommander.Indeed，aftertheArlingtonaffair，quitepressingly，andonceortwicehadthoughtheheardthesoundofFlightCommanderRaffleton’spropeller，butoneachoccasionhadbeendisappointed.\"AffairsofState，\"CousinChristopherhadexplainedtoMalvina，who，familiaronetakesitwiththecallsuponknightsandwarriorsthroughalltheages，hadapproved.
Hestoodtherewithhishelmetinhishand.
\"OnlyarrivedthisafternoonfromFrance，\"heexplained.\"Haven’tamomenttospare.\"
ButhehadjusttimetogostraighttoMalvina.Helaughedashetookherinhisarmsandkissedherfulluponthelips.
Whenlasthehadkissedher——ithadbeenintheorchard;theProfessorhadbeenwitnesstoit——Malvinahadremainedquitepassive，onlythatcuriouslittlesmileaboutherlips.Butnowanoddthinghappened.Aquiveringseemedtopassthroughallherbody，sothatitswayedandtrembled.TheProfessorfearedshewasgoingtofall;and，maybetosaveherself，sheputupherarmsaboutCommanderRaffleton’sneck，andwithastrangelowcry——itsoundedtotheProfessorlikethecryonesometimeshearsatnightfromsomelittledyingcreatureofthewoods——sheclungtohimsobbing.
ItmusthavebeenawhilelaterwhenthechimingoftheclockrecalledtotheProfessortheappointmentwithMrs.Marigold.
\"Youwillonlyjusthavetime，\"hesaid，gentlyseekingtoreleaseher.\"I’llpromisetokeephimtillyoucomeback.\"AndasMalvinadidnotseemtounderstand，heremindedher.
Butstillshemadenomovement，saveforalittlegestureofthehandsasifshewereseekingtolayholdofsomethingunseen.Andthenshedroppedherarmsandlookedfromoneofthemtotheother.
TheProfessordidnotthinkofitatthetime，butrememberedafterwards;thatstrangealoofnessofhers，asifshewerelookingatyoufromanotherworld.Onenolongerfeltit.
\"Iamsosorry，\"shesaid.\"Itistoolate.Iamonlyawoman.\"
AndMrs.Marigoldisstillthinking.
THEPROLOGUE.
AndherefollowsthePrologue.Itought，ofcourse，tohavebeenwrittenfirst，butnobodyknewofituntilquitetheendentirely.