Itworriedhimthatpostscript.Hecouldnotmakeoutforalongtimewhyitworriedhim.Suddenly，inawasteofendlesssnows，theexplanationflashedacrosshim.Sylviaoftheletterswasalivingwoman！Shecouldtravel——withabox，hesupposed，possiblywithtwoorthree，andparcels.Couldtaketickets，walkupagangway，staggeraboutadeckfeeling，maybe，alittleseasick.Alltheseyearshehadbeenlivingwithherindreamlandshehadbeen，ifhehadonlyknownit，aMissSomebody—or—other，whomusthavestoodeverymorninginfrontofalooking—glasswithhairpinsinhermouth.Hehadneverthoughtofherdoingthesethings;itshockedhim.Hecouldnothelpfeelingitwasindelicateofher——comingtolifeinthissudden，uncalled—formanner.
Hestruggledwiththisnewconceptionofher，andhadalmostforgivenher，whenafurtherandstillmorestartlingsuggestionarrivedtoplaguehim.Ifshereallylivedwhyshouldhenotseeher，speaktoher？Solongasshehadremainedinherhiddentemple，situateinthevaguerecessesofLondon，S.E.，herlettershadcontentedhim.Butnowthatshehadmoved，nowthatshewasnolongeravoicebutawoman！Well，itwouldbeinterestingtoseewhatshewaslike.Heimaginedtheintroduction：\"MissSomebody—
or—other，allowmetopresentyoutoMr.MatthewPole.\"ShewouldhavenoideahewasAstonRowant.Ifshehappenedtobeyoung，beautiful，inallwayssatisfactory，hewouldannouncehimself.Howastonished，howdelightedshewouldbe.
Butifnot！Ifshewereelderly，plain？Thewisest，wittiestofwomenhavebeenknowntohaveanincipientmoustache.Abeautifulspiritcan，andsometimesdoes，lookoutofgoggleeyes.Supposeshesufferedfromindigestionandhadashinynose！Wouldherletterseveragainhavethesamecharmforhim？Absurdthattheyshouldnot.Butwouldthey？
Theriskwastoogreat.Givingthematterlongandcarefulconsideration，hedecidedtosendherbackintodreamland.
Butsomehowshewouldnotgobackintodreamland，wouldpersistinremaininginNewYork，aliving，breathingwoman.
Yetevenso，howcouldhefindher？Hemight，say，inapoemconveytoherhisdesireforameeting.Wouldshecomply？Andifshedid，whatwouldbehisposition，supposingtheinspectiontoresultunfavourablyforher？Couldhe，ineffect，saytoher：\"Thankyouforlettingmehavealookatyou;thatisallIwanted.Good—bye\"？
Shemust，sheshouldremainindreamland.Hewouldforgetherpostscript;infuturethrowherenvelopesunglancedatintothewastepaperbasket.HavingbythissimpleexerciseofhiswillreplacedherinLondon，hehimselfstartedforNewYork——onhiswaybacktoEurope，sohetoldhimself.Still，beinginNewYork，therewasnoreasonfornotlingeringthereawhile，ifmerelytorenewoldmemories.
Ofcourse，ifhehadreallywantedtofindSylviaitwouldhavebeeneasyfromthedateupontheenvelopetohavediscoveredtheship\"sailingthefollowingSaturday.\"Passengerswerecompelledtoregistertheirnamesinfull，andtostatetheirintendedmovementsafterarrivalinAmerica.SylviawasnotacommonChristianname.
Bythehelpofafive—dollarbillortwo——.Theideahadnotoccurredtohimbefore.Hedismisseditfromhismindandsoughtaquiethoteluptown.
NewYorkwaschangedlessthanhehadanticipated.WestTwentiethStreetinparticularwaspreciselyas，leaningoutofthecabwindow，hehadlookedbackuponittenyearsago.Businesshadmoreandmoretakenpossessionofit，buthadnotasyetaltereditsappearance.HisconsciencesmotehimasheturnedthecornerthathehadneveroncewrittentoAnn.Hehadmeantto，itgoeswithoutsaying，butduringthosefirstyearsofstruggleandfailurehispridehadheldhimback.Shehadalwaysthoughthimafool;hehadfeltshedid.Hewouldwaittillhecouldwritetoherofsuccess，ofvictory.Andthenwhenithadslowly，almostimperceptibly，arrived——！Hewonderedwhyheneverhad.Quiteanicelittlegirl，insomerespects.Ifonlyshehadbeenlessconceited，lessself—willed.Alsoratheraprettygirlshehadshownsignsofbecoming.Thereweretimes——Herememberedaneveningbeforethelampswerelighted.ShehadfallenasleepcurledupinAbner’seasychair，onesmallhandrestinguponthearm.Shehadalwayshadquiteattractivehands——alittletoothin.Somethinghadmovedhimtostealacrosssoftlywithoutwakingher.Hesmiledatthememory.
Andthenhereyes，beneaththelevelbrows！ItwassurprisinghowAnnwascomingbacktohim.Perhapstheywouldbeabletotellhim，thepeopleofthehouse，whathadbecomeofher.Iftheyweredecentpeopletheywouldlethimwanderroundawhile.HewouldexplainthathehadlivedthereinAbnerHerrick’stime.TheroomwheretheyhadsometimesbeenagreeabletooneanotherwhileAbner，pretendingtoread，hadsatwatchingthemoutofthecornerofaneye.Hewouldliketositthereforafewmoments，byhimself.
Heforgotthathehadrungthebell.Averyyoungservanthadansweredthedoorandwasstaringathim.Hewouldhavewalkedinifthesmallservanthadnotplantedherselfdeliberatelyinhisway.Itrecalledhimtohimself.
\"Ibegpardon，\"saidMatthew，\"butwouldyoupleasetellmewholiveshere？\"
Thesmallservantlookedhimupanddownwithgrowingsuspicion.
\"MissKavanaghliveshere，\"shesaid.\"Whatdoyouwant？\"
Thesurprisewassogreatitrenderedhimspeechless.Inanothermomentthesmallservantwouldhaveslammedthedoor.
\"MissAnnKavanagh？\"heinquired，justintime.
\"That’shername，\"admittedthesmallservant，lesssuspicious.
\"WillyoupleasetellherMr.Pole——Mr.MatthewPole，\"herequested.
\"I’llseefirstifsheisin，\"saidthesmallservant，andshutthedoor.
ItgaveMatthewafewminutestorecoverhimself，forwhichhewasglad.Thenthedooropenedagainsuddenly.
\"Youaretocomeupstairs，\"saidthesmallservant.
ItsoundedsolikeAnnthatitquiteputhimathisease.Hefollowedthesmallservantupthestairs.
\"Mr.MatthewPole，\"sheannouncedseverely，andclosedthedoorbehindhim.
Annwasstandingbythewindowandcametomeethim.ItwasinfrontofAbner’semptychairthattheyshookhands.
\"Soyouhavecomebacktotheoldhouse，\"saidMatthew.
\"Yes，\"sheanswered.\"Itneverletwell.ThelastpeoplewhohaditgaveitupatChristmas.Itseemedthebestthingtodo，evenfromapurelyeconomicalpointofview.
\"Whathaveyoubeendoingalltheseyears？\"sheaskedhim.
\"Oh，knockingabout，\"heanswered.\"Earningmyliving.\"HewascurioustodiscoverwhatshethoughtofMatthew，firstofall.
\"Itseemstohaveagreedwithyou，\"shecommented，withaglancethattookhimingenerally，includinghisclothes.
\"Yes，\"heanswered.\"IhavehadmoreluckthanperhapsIdeserved.\"
\"Iamgladofthat，\"saidAnn.
Helaughed.\"Soyouhaven’tchangedsoverymuch，\"hesaid.
\"Exceptinappearance.
\"Isn’tthatthemostimportantpartofawoman？\"suggestedAnn.
\"Yes，\"heanswered，thinking.\"Isupposeitis.\"
Shewascertainlyverybeautiful.
\"HowlongareyoustoppinginNewYork？\"sheaskedhim.
\"Oh，notlong，\"heexplained.
\"Don’tleaveitforanothertenyears，\"shesaid，\"beforelettingmeknowwhatishappeningtoyou.Wedidn’tgetonverywelltogetheraschildren;butwemustn’tlethimthinkwe’renotfriends.Itwouldhurthim.\"
Shespokequiteseriously，asifshewereexpectinghimanymomenttoopenthedoorandjointhem.InvoluntarilyMatthewglancedroundtheroom.Nothingseemedaltered.Theworncarpet，thefadedcurtains，Abner’seasychair，hispipeuponthecornerofthemantelpiecebesidethevaseofspills.
\"Itiscurious，\"hesaid，\"findingthisveinoffancy，oftendernessinyou.Ialwaysregardedyouassuchapractical，unsentimentalyoungperson.\"
\"Perhapsweneitherofuskneweachothertoowell，inthosedays，\"
sheanswered.
Thesmallservantenteredwiththetea.
\"Whathaveyoubeendoingwithyourself？\"heasked，drawinghischairuptothetable.
Shewaitedtillthesmallservanthadwithdrawn.
\"Oh，knockingabout，\"sheanswered.\"Earningmyliving.\"
\"Itseemstohaveagreedwithyou，\"herepeated，smiling.
\"It’sallrightnow，\"sheanswered.\"Itwasabitofastruggleatfirst.\"
\"Yes，\"heagreed.\"Lifedoesn’ttemperthewindtothehumanlamb.
Butwasthereanyneedinyourcase？\"heasked.\"Ithought——\"
\"Oh，thatallwent，\"sheexplained.\"Exceptthehouse.\"
\"I’msorry，\"saidMatthew.\"Ididn’tknow.\"
\"Oh，wehavebeenacoupleofpigs，\"shelaughed，replyingtohisthoughts.\"Ididsometimesthinkofwritingyou.Ikepttheaddressyougaveme.Notforanyassistance;Iwantedtofightitoutformyself.ButIwasabitlonely.\"
\"Whydidn’tyou？\"heasked.
Shehesitatedforamoment.
\"It’srathersoontomakeupone’smind，\"shesaid，\"butyouseemtometohavechanged.Yourvoicesoundssodifferent.Butasaboy——
well，youwereabitofaprig，weren’tyou？Iimaginedyouwritingmegoodadviceandexcellentshortsermons.Anditwasn’tthatthatIwaswanting.\"
\"IthinkIunderstand，\"hesaid.\"I’mgladyougotthrough.
\"Whatisyourline？\"heasked.\"Journalism？\"
\"No，\"sheanswered.\"Tooself—opinionated.\"
Sheopenedabureauthathadalwaysbeenherownandhandedhimaprogramme.\"MissAnnKavanagh，Contralto，\"wasannouncedonitasoneofthechiefattractions.
\"Ididn’tknowyouhadavoice，\"saidMatthew.
\"Youusedtocomplainofit，\"sheremindedhim.
\"Yourspeakingvoice，\"hecorrectedher.\"Anditwasn’tthequalityofthatIobjectedto.Itwasthequantity.\"
Shelaughed.
\"Yes，wekeptourselvesprettybusybringingoneanotherup，\"sheadmitted.
Theytalkedawhilelonger：ofAbnerandhiskind，quaintways;ofoldfriends.Annhadlosttouchwithmostofthem.ShehadstudiedsinginginBrussels，andafterwardshermasterhadmovedtoLondonandshehadfollowedhim.ShehadonlyjustlatelyreturnedtoNewYork.
Thesmallservantenteredtoclearawaytheteathings.ShesaidshethoughtthatAnnhadrung.Hertoneimpliedthatanyhowitwastimeshehad.MatthewroseandAnnheldoutherhand.
\"Ishallbeattheconcert，\"hesaid.
\"Itisn’ttillnextweek，\"Annremindedhim.
\"Oh，I’mnotinanyparticularhurry，\"saidMatthew.\"Areyougenerallyinofanafternoon？\"
\"Sometimes，\"saidAnn.
Hethoughtashesatwatchingherfromhisstallthatshewasoneofthemostbeautifulwomenhehadeverseen.Hervoicewasnotgreat.
Shehadwarnedhimnottoexpecttoomuch.
\"ItwillneversettheThamesonfire，\"shehadsaid.\"Ithoughtatfirstthatitwould.ButsuchasitisIthankGodforit.\"
Itwasworththat.Itwassweetandclearandhadatenderquality.
Matthewwaitedforherattheend.Shewasfeelingwelldisposedtowardsallcreaturesandacceptedhissuggestionofsupperwithgraciouscondescension.
Hehadcalledonheronceortwiceduringtheprecedingdays.Itwasduetoherafterhislongneglectofher，hetoldhimself，andhadfoundimprovementinher.Butto—nightsheseemedtotakeafreakishpleasureinlettinghimseethattherewasmuchoftheoldAnnstillleftinher：thefrankconceitofher;theamazingself—opinionatednessofher;thewaywardness，thewilfulness，theunreasonablenessofher;thegeneraluppishnessanddictatorialnessofher;thecontradictorinessandflatimpertinenceofher;theswifttemperandexasperatingtongueofher.
Itwasalmostasifshewerewarninghim.\"Yousee，Iamnotchanged，except，asyousay，inappearance.IamstillAnnwithalltheoldfaultsandfailingsthatoncemadelifeinthesamehousewithmeaconstanttrialtoyou.Justnowmyveryimperfectionsappearcharms.Youhavebeenlookingatthesun——atthegloryofmyface，atthewonderofmyarmsandhands.Youreyesareblinded.
Butthatwillpass.AndunderneathIamstillAnn.JustAnn.\"
Theyhadquarrelledinthecabonthewayhome.Heforgotwhatitwasabout，butAnnhadsaidsomequiterudethings，andherfacenotbeingthereinthedarknesstoexcuseher，ithadmadehimveryangry.Shehadlaughedagainonthesteps，andtheyhadshakenhands.ButwalkinghomethroughthestillstreetsSylviahadpluckedathiselbow.
Whatfoolswemortalsbe——especiallymen！Herewasanoblewoman——arestful，understanding，tenderlylovingwoman;awomanasnearlyapproachingperfectionasitwassafeforawomantogo！Thismarvellouswomanwaswaitingforhimwithoutstretchedarms（whyshouldhedoubtit？）——andjustbecauseNaturehadatlastsucceededinmakingatemporarysuccessofAnn’sskinandhadfashionedaroundedlineabovehershoulder—blade！Itmadehimquitecrosswithhimself.Tenyearsagoshehadbeengawkyandsallow—complexioned.
Tenyearshenceshemightcatchtheyellowjaundiceandloseitall.
PassagesinSylvia’slettersreturnedtohim.Herememberedthatfar—offeveninginhisParisatticwhenshehadknockedathisdoorwithhergreatgiftofthanks.Recalledhowhersoftshadowhandhadstilledhispain.HespentthenexttwodayswithSylvia.Here—readallherletters，livedagainthescenesandmoodsinwhichhehadrepliedtothem.
Herpersonalitystilldefiedtheeffortsofhisimagination，butheendedbyconvincinghimselfthathewouldknowherwhenhesawher.
ButcountingupthewomenonFifthAvenuetowardswhomhehadfeltinstinctivelydrawn，andfindingthatthenumberhadalreadyreachedeleven，begantodoubthisintuition.OnthemorningofthethirddayhemetAnnbychanceinabookseller’sshop.Herbackwastowardshim.ShewasglancingthroughAstonRowant’slatestvolume.
\"WhatI，\"saidthecheerfulyoungladywhowasattendingtoher，\"likeabouthimisthatheunderstandswomensowell.\"
\"WhatIlikeabouthim，\"saidAnn，\"isthathedoesn’tpretendto.\"
\"There’ssomethinginthat，\"agreedthecheerfulyounglady.\"Theysayhe’shereinNewYork.\"
Annlookedup.
\"SoI’vebeentold，\"saidthecheerfulyounglady.
\"Iwonderwhathe’slike？\"saidAnn.
\"Hewroteforalongtimeunderanothername，\"volunteeredthecheerfulyounglady.\"He’squiteanelderlyman.\"
ItirritatedMatthew.Hespokewithoutthinking.
\"No，heisn’t，\"hesaid.\"He’squiteyoung.\"
Theladiesturnedandlookedathim.
\"Youknowhim？\"queriedAnn.Shewasmostastonished，andappeareddisbelieving.Thatirritatedhimfurther.
\"Ifyoucareaboutit，\"hesaid.\"Iwillintroduceyoutohim.\"
Annmadenoanswer.Heboughtacopyofthebookforhimself，andtheywentouttogether.Theyturnedtowardsthepark.
Annseemedthoughtful.\"WhatishedoinghereinNewYork？\"shewondered.
\"LookingforaladynamedSylvia，\"answeredMatthew.
Hethoughtthetimewascometobreakittoherthathewasagreatandfamousman.Thenperhapsshewouldbesorryshehadsaidwhatshehadsaidinthecab.Seeinghehadmadeuphismindthathisrelationshiptoherinthefuturewouldbethatofanaffectionatebrother，therewouldbenoharminalsolettingherknowaboutSylvia.Thatalsomightbegoodforher.
TheywalkedtwoblocksbeforeAnnspoke.Matthew，anticipatingapleasurableconversation，feltnodesiretohastenmatters.
\"Howintimateareyouwithhim？\"shedemanded.\"Idon’tthinkhewouldhavesaidthattoamereacquaintance.\"
\"I’mnotamereacquaintance，\"saidMatthew.\"I’veknownhimalongtime.\"
\"Younevertoldme，\"complainedAnn.
\"Didn’tknowitwouldinterestyou，\"repliedMatthew.
Hewaitedforfurtherquestions，buttheydidnotcome.AtThirty—
fourthStreethesavedherfrombeingrunoverandkilled，andagainatForty—secondStreet.Justinsidetheparkshestoppedabruptlyandheldoutherhand.
\"Tellhim，\"shereplied，\"thatifheisreallyseriousaboutfindingSylvia，Imay——Idon’tsayIcan——butImaybeabletohelphim.\"
Hedidnottakeherhand，butstoodstockstillinthemiddleofthepathandstaredather.
\"You！\"hesaid.\"Youknowher？\"
Shewaspreparedforhissurprise.Shewasalsoprepared——notwithalie，thatimpliesevilintention.Heronlyobjectwastohaveatalkwiththegentlemanandseewhathewaslikebeforedecidingonherfutureproceedings——letussay，withaplausiblestory.
\"Wecrossedonthesameboat，\"shesaid.\"Wefoundtherewasagooddealincommonbetweenus.She——shetoldmethings.\"Whenyoucametothinkitoutitwasalmostthetruth.
\"Whatisshelike？\"demandedMatthew.
\"Oh，just——well，notexactly——\"Itwasanawkwardquestion.Therecametoherreliefthereflectionthattherewasreallynoneedforhertoanswerit.
\"What’sitgottodowithyou？\"shesaid.
\"IamAstonRowant，\"saidMatthew.
TheCentralPark，togetherwiththeuniverseingeneral，fellawayanddisappeared.Somewhereoutofchaoswassoundingaplaintivevoice：\"Whatisshelike？Can’tyoutellme？Issheyoungorold？\"
Itseemedtohavebeengoingonforages.Shemadeonesupremegiganticeffort，causingtheCentralParktoreappear，dimly，faintly，butitwasthereagain.Shewassittingonaseat.
Matthew——AstonRowant，whateveritwas——wasseatedbesideher.
\"You’veseenher？Whatisshelike？\"
\"Ican’ttellyou.\"
Hewasevidentlyverycrosswithher.Itseemedsounkindofhim.
\"Whycan’tyoutellme——or，whywon’tyoutellme？Doyoumeanshe’stooawfulforwords？\"
\"No，certainlynot——asamatteroffact——\"
\"Well，what？\"
Shefeltshemustgetawayortherewouldbehystericssomewhere.
Shesprangupandbegantowalkrapidlytowardsthegate.Hefollowedher.
\"I’llwriteyou，\"saidAnn.
\"Butwhy——？\"
\"Ican’t，\"saidAnn.\"I’vegotarehearsal.\"
Acarwaspassing.Shemadeadashforitandclamberedon.Beforehecouldmakeuphismindithadgatheredspeed.
Annletherselfinwithherkey.Shecalleddownstairstothesmallservantthatshewasn’ttobedisturbedforanything.Shelockedthedoor.
SoitwastoMatthewthatforsixyearsshehadbeenpouringoutherinmostthoughtsandfeelings！ItwastoMatthewthatshehadlaidbarehertenderest，mostsacreddreams！ItwasatMatthew’sfeetthatforsixyearsshehadbeensitting，gazingupwithrespectfuladmiration，withreverentialdevotion！Sherecalledherletters，almostpassageforpassage，tillshehadtoholdherhandstoherfacetocoolit.Herindignation，onemightalmostsayfury，lastedtilltea—time.
Intheevening——itwasintheeveningtimethatshehadalwayswrittentohim——amorereasonableframeofmindasserteditself.
Afterall，itwashardlyhisfault.Hecouldn’thaveknownwhoshewas.Hedidn’tknownow.Shehadwantedtowrite.Withoutdoubthehadhelpedher，comfortedherloneliness;hadgivenheracharmingfriendship，adelightfulcomradeship.Muchofhisworkhadbeenwrittenforher，toher.Itwasfinework.Shehadbeenproudofhershareinit.Evenallowingtherewerefaults——irritability，shortnessoftemper，atendencytobossiness！——underneathitallwasaman.Thegallantstruggle，thedifficultiesovercome，thelongsuffering，thehighcourage——allthatshe，readingbetweenthelines，haddivinedofhislife’sbattle！Yes，itwasamanshehadworshipped.Awomanneednotbeashamedofthat.AsMatthewhehadseemedtoherconceited，priggish.AsAstonRowantshewonderedathismodesty，hispatience.
Andalltheseyearshehadbeendreamingofher;hadfollowedhertoNewYork;had——
Therecameasuddenmoodsoludicrous，soabsurdlyunreasonablethatAnnherselfstoppedtolaughatit.Yetitwasreal，andithurt.
HehadcometoNewYorkthinkingofSylvia，yearningforSylvia.HehadcometoNewYorkwithonedesire：tofindSylvia.AndthefirstprettywomanthathadcomeacrosshispathhadsentSylviacleanoutofhishead.Therecouldbenoquestionofthat.WhenAnnKavanaghstretchedoutherhandtohiminthatveryroomafortnightagohehadstoodbeforeherdazzled，captured.FromthatmomentSylviahadbeentossedasideandforgotten.AnnKavanaghcouldhavedonewhatshelikedwithhim.Shehadquarrelledwithhimthateveningoftheconcert.Shehadmeanttoquarrelwithhim.
AndthenforthefirsttimehehadrememberedSylvia.Thatwasherreward——Sylvia’s：itwasSylviashewasthinkingof——forsixyears’
devotedfriendship;forthehelp，theinspirationshehadgivenhim.
AsSylvia，shesufferedfromaverygenuineandexplainablewaveofindignantjealousy.AsAnn，sheadmittedheoughtnottohavedoneit，butfelttherewasexcuseforhim.Betweenthetwoshefearedhermindwouldeventuallygiveway.OnthemorningoftheseconddayshesentMatthewanoteaskinghimtocallintheafternoon.
Sylviamightbethere，orshemightnot.Shewouldmentionittoher.
Shedressedherselfinaquiet，dark—colouredfrock.Itseemeduncommittalandsuitabletotheoccasion.Italsohappenedtobethecolourthatbestsuitedher.Shewouldnothavethelampslighted.
Matthewarrivedinadarksergesuitandabluenecktie，sothatthegeneraleffectwasquiet.Anngreetedhimwithkindlinessandputhimwithhisfacetowhatlittlelighttherewas.Shechoseforherselfthewindow—seat.Sylviahadnotarrived.Shemightbealittlelate——thatis，ifshecameatall.
Theytalkedabouttheweatherforawhile.Matthewwasofopiniontheyweregoingtohavesomerain.Ann，whowasinoneofhercontradictorymoods，thoughttherewasfrostintheair.
\"Whatdidyousaytoher？\"heasked.
\"Sylvia？Oh，whatyoutoldme，\"repliedAnn.\"ThatyouhadcometoNewYorkto——tolookforher.\"
\"Whatdidshesay？\"heasked.
\"Saidyou’dtakenyourtimeaboutit，\"retortedAnn.
Matthewlookedupwithaninjuredexpression.
\"Itwasherownideathatweshouldnevermeet，\"heexplained.
\"Um！\"Anngrunted.
\"Whatdoyouthinkyourselfshewillbelike？\"shecontinued.\"Haveyouformedanynotion？\"
\"Itiscurious，\"hereplied.\"Ihaveneverbeenabletoconjureupanypictureofheruntiljustnow.\"
\"Why’justnow’？\"demandedAnn.
\"IhadanideaIshouldfindherherewhenIopenedthedoor，\"heanswered.\"Youwerestandingintheshadow.ItseemedtobejustwhatIhadexpected.\"
\"Youwouldhavebeensatisfied？\"sheasked.
\"Yes，\"hesaid.
Therewassilenceforamoment.
\"UncleAbmadeamistake，\"hecontinued.\"Heoughttohavesentmeaway.Letmecomehomenowandthen.\"
\"Youmean，\"saidAnn，\"thatifyouhadseenlessofmeyoumighthavelikedmebetter？\"
\"Quiteright，\"headmitted.\"Weneverseethethingsthatarealwaysthere.\"
\"Athin，gawkygirlwithabadcomplexion，\"shesuggested.\"Wouldithavebeenofanyuse？\"
\"Youmustalwayshavebeenwonderfulwiththoseeyes，\"heanswered.
\"Andyourhandswerebeautifuleventhen.\"
\"IusedtocrysometimeswhenIlookedatmyselfintheglassasachild，\"sheconfessed.\"Myhandsweretheonlythingthatconsoledme.\"
\"Ikissedthemonce，\"hetoldher.\"Youwereasleep，curledupinUncleAb’schair.\"
\"Iwasn’tasleep，\"saidAnn.
Shewasseatedwithonefoottuckedunderneathher.Shedidn’tlookabitgrownup.
\"Youalwaysthoughtmeafool，\"hesaid.
\"Itusedtomakemesoangrywithyou，\"saidAnn，\"thatyouseemedtohavenogo，noambitioninyou.Iwantedyoutowakeup——dosomething.IfIhadknownyouwereabuddinggenius——\"
\"Ididhintittoyou，\"saidhe.
\"Oh，ofcourseitwasallmyfault，\"saidAnn.
Herose.\"Youthinkshemeanstocome？\"heasked.Annalsohadrisen.
\"Isshesoverywonderful？\"sheasked.
\"Imaybeexaggeratingtomyself，\"heanswered.\"ButIamnotsurethatIcouldgoonwithmyworkwithouther——notnow.\"
\"Youforgother，\"flashedAnn，\"tillwehappenedtoquarrelinthecab.\"
\"Ioftendo，\"heconfessed.\"Tillsomethinggoeswrong.Thenshecomestome.Asshedidonthatfirstevening，sixyearsago.Yousee，Ihavebeenmoreorlesslivingwithhersincethen，\"headdedwithasmile.
\"Indreamland，\"Anncorrected.
\"Yes，butinmycase，\"heanswered，\"thebestpartofmylifeispassedindreamland.\"
\"Andwhenyouarenotindreamland？\"shedemanded.\"Whenyou’rejustirritable，short—tempered，crankyMatthewPole.What’sshegoingtodoaboutyouthen？\"
\"She’llputupwithme，\"saidMatthew.
\"Noshewon’t，\"saidAnn.\"She’llsnapyourheadoff.Mostofthe’puttingupwith’you’llhavetodo.\"
Hetriedtogetbetweenherandthewindow，butshekeptherfaceclosetothepane.
\"YoumakemetiredwithSylvia，\"shesaid.\"It’sabouttimeyoudidknowwhatshe’slike.She’sjustthecommonplace，short—tempered，disagreeable—if—she—doesn’t—get—her—own—way，unreasonablewoman.
Onlymoreso.\"
Hedrewherawayfromthewindowbybruteforce.
\"Soyou’reSylvia，\"hesaid.
\"Ithoughtthatwouldgetitintoyourhead，\"saidAnn.
Itwasnotatallthewayshehadmeanttobreakittohim.ShehadmeanttheconversationtobechieflyaboutSylvia.ShehadahighopinionofSylvia，amuchhigheropinionthanshehadofAnnKavanagh.Ifheprovedtobeworthyofher——ofSylvia，thatis，then，withthewhimsicalsmilethatshefeltbelongedtoSylvia，shewouldremarkquitesimply，\"Well，whathaveyougottosaytoher？\"
WhathadhappenedtointerferewiththeprogrammewasAnnKavanagh.
ItseemedthatAnnKavanaghhaddislikedMatthewPolelessthanshehadthoughtshedid.ItwasafterhehadsailedawaythatlittleAnnKavanaghhaddiscoveredthis.Ifonlyhehadshownalittlemoreinterestin，alittlemoreappreciationof，AnnKavanagh！Hecouldbekindandthoughtfulinapatronisingsortofway.Eventhatwouldnothavematterediftherehadbeenanyjustificationforhisairsofsuperiority.
AnnKavanagh，whooughttohavetakenabackseatonthisoccasion，hadpersistedincomingtothefront.Itwassolikeher.
\"Well，\"shesaid，\"whatareyougoingtosaytoher？\"Shedidgetitin，afterall.
\"Iwasgoing，\"saidMatthew，\"totalktoheraboutArtandLiterature，touching，maybe，uponafewothersubjects.Also，I
mighthavesuggestedourseeingeachotheragainonceortwice，justtogetbetteracquainted.AndthenIwasgoingaway.\"
\"Whygoingaway？\"askedAnn.
\"ToseeifIcouldforgetyou.\"
Sheturnedtohim.Thefadinglightwasfulluponherface.
\"Idon’tbelieveyoucould——again，\"shesaid.
\"No，\"heagreed.\"I’mafraidIcouldn’t.\"
\"You’resurethere’snobodyelse，\"saidAnn，\"thatyou’reinlovewith.Onlyustwo？\"
\"Onlyyoutwo，\"hesaid.
ShewasstandingwithherhandonoldAbner’semptychair.\"You’vegottochoose，\"shesaid.Shewastrembling.Hervoicesoundedjustalittlehard.
Hecameandstoodbesideher.\"IwantAnn，\"hesaid.
Sheheldoutherhandtohim.
\"I’msogladyousaidAnn，\"shelaughed.
THEFAWNGLOVES.
Alwaysherememberedherashesawherfirst：thelittlespiritualface，thelittlebrownshoespointeddownwards，theirtoesjusttouchingtheground;thelittlefawnglovesfoldeduponherlap.Hewasnotconsciousofhavingnoticedherwithanyparticularattention：aplainlydressed，childish—lookingfigurealoneonaseatbetweenhimandthesettingsun.Evenhadhefeltcurioushisshynesswouldhavepreventedhisdeliberatelyrunningtheriskofmeetinghereyes.Yetimmediatelyhehadpassedherhesawheragain，quiteclearly：thepaleovalface，thebrownshoes，and，betweenthem，thelittlefawnglovesfoldedoneovertheother.AlldowntheBroadWalkandacrossPrimroseHill，hesawhersilhouettedagainstthesinkingsun.Atleastthatmuchofher：thewistfulfaceandthetrimbrownshoesandthelittlefoldedhands;untilthesunwentdownbehindthehighchimneysofthebrewerybeyondSwissCottage，andthenshefaded.
Shewasthereagainthenextevening，preciselyinthesameplace.
UsuallyhewalkedhomebytheHampsteadRoad.Onlyoccasionally，whenthebeautyoftheeveningtemptedhim，wouldhetakethelongerwaybyRegentStreetandthroughthePark.Butsooftenitmadehimfeelsad，thequietPark，forcinguponhimthesenseofhisownloneliness.
HewouldwalkdownmerelyasfarastheGreatVase，sohearrangedwithhimself.Ifshewerenotthere——itwasnotlikelythatshewouldbe——hewouldturnbackintoAlbanyStreet.Thenewsvendors’
shopswiththeirdisplayofthecheaperillustratedpapers，thesecond—handfurnituredealerswiththeirfadedengravingsandoldprints，wouldgivehimsomethingtolookat，totakeawayhisthoughtsfromhimself.Butseeingherinthedistance，almostthemomenthehadenteredthegate，itcametohimhowdisappointedhewouldhavebeenhadtheseatinfrontoftheredtulipbedbeenvacant.Alittleawayfromherhepaused，turningtolookattheflowers.Hethoughtthat，waitinghisopportunity，hemightbeabletostealaglanceatherundetected.Onceforamomenthedidso，butventuringasecondtimetheireyesmet，orhefanciedtheydid，andblushingfuriouslyhehurriedpast.Butagainshecamewithhim，or，rather，precededhim.Oneachemptyseatbetweenhimandthesinkingsunhesawherquiteplainly：thepaleovalfaceandthebrownshoes，and，betweenthem，thefawnglovesfoldedoneupontheother.
Onlythisevening，aboutthesmall，sensitivemouththereseemedtobehoveringjustthefaintestsuggestionofatimidsmile.AndthistimeshelingeredwithhimpastQueen’sCrescentandtheMaldenRoad，tillheturnedintoCarltonStreet.Itwasdarkinthepassage，andhehadtogropehiswayupthestairs，butwithhishandonthedoorofthebed—sittingroomonthethirdfloorhefeltlessafraidofthesolitudethatwouldrisetomeethim.
AlldaylonginthedingybackofficeinAbingdonStreet，Westminster，wherefromtentosixeachdayhesatcopyingbriefsandpetitions，hethoughtoverwhathewouldsaytoher;tactfulbeginningsbymeansofwhichhewouldslideintoconversationwithher.UpPortlandPlacehewouldrehearsethemtohimself.ButatCambridgeGate，whenthelittlefawnglovescameinview，thewordswouldrunaway，tojoinhimagainmaybeatthegateintotheChesterRoad，leavinghimmeanwhiletopassherwithstiff，hurriedstepsandeyesfixedstraightinfrontofhim.Andsoitmighthavecontinued，butthatoneeveningshewasnolongeratherusualseat.
Acrowdofnoisychildrenswarmedoverit，andsuddenlyitseemedtohimasifthetreesandflowershadallturneddrab.Aterrorgnawedathisheart，andhehurriedon，morefortheneedofmovementthanwithanydefiniteobject.Andjustbeyondabedofgeraniumsthathadhiddenhisviewshewasseatedonachair，andstoppingwithajerkabsolutelyinfrontofher，hesaid，quiteangrily：
\"Oh！thereyouare！\"
Whichwasnotabitthespeechwithwhichhehadintendedtointroducehimself，butservedhispurposejustaswell——perhapsbetter.
Shedidnotresenthiswordsorthetone.
\"Itwasthechildren，\"sheexplained.\"Theywantedtoplay;soI
thoughtIwouldcomeonalittlefarther.\"
Uponwhich，asamatterofcourse，hetookthechairbesideher，anditdidnotoccurtoeitherofthemthattheyhadnotknownoneanothersincethebeginning，whenbetweenSt.John’sWoodandAlbanyStreetGodplantedagarden.
Eacheveningtheywouldlingerthere，listeningtothepleadingpassionoftheblackbird’snote，thethrush’scalltojoyandhope.
Helovedhergentleways.Fromtheboldchallenges，theslyglancesofinvitationflasheduponhiminthestreetorfromsomeneighbouringtableinthecheapluncheonroomhehadalwaysshrunkconfusedandawkward.Hershynessgavehimconfidence.Itwasshewhowashalfafraid，whoseeyeswouldfallbeneathhisgaze，whowouldtrembleathistouch，givinghimthedelightsofmanlydominion，oftenderauthority.Itwashewhoinsistedonthearistocraticseclusionaffordedbytheprivatechair;who，withthecarelessindifferenceofamantowhompennieswereunimportant，wouldpayforthemboth.OnceonhiswaythroughPiccadillyCircushehadpausedbythefountaintoglanceatagreatbasketofliliesofthevalley，strucksuddenlybythethoughthowstrangelytheirlittlepalepetalsseemedsuggestiveofher.
\"’Erey’are，honey.Herfavouriteflower！\"criedthegirl，withagrin，holdingabunchtowardshim.
\"Howmuch？\"hehadasked，vainlytryingtokeepthebloodfromrushingtohisface.
Thegirlpausedamoment，acoarse，kindlycreature.
\"Sixpence，\"shedemanded;andheboughtthem.Shehadmeanttoaskhimashilling，andknewhewouldhavepaidit.\"Sameassillyfool！\"shecalledherselfasshepocketedthemoney.
Hegavethemtoherwithafinelordlyair，andwatchedherwhileshepinnedthemtoherblouse，andasquirrelhaltinginthemiddleofthewalkwatchedheralsowithhisheadononeside，wonderingwhatwasthegoodofthemthatsheshouldstorethemwithsomuchcare.Shedidnotthankhiminwords，butthereweretearsinhereyeswhensheturnedherfacetohis，andoneofthelittlefawnglovesstoleoutandsoughthishand.Hetookitinbothhis，andwouldhaveheldit，butshewithdrewitalmosthurriedly.
Theyappealedtohim，hergloves，inspiteoftheirbeingoldandmuchmended;andhewasgladtheywereofkid.Hadtheybeenofcotton，suchasgirlsofherclassusuallywore，thethoughtofpressinghislipstothemwouldhaveputhisteethonedge.Helovedthelittlebrownshoes，thatmusthavebeenexpensivewhennew，fortheystillkepttheirshape.Andthefringeofdaintypetticoat，alwayssospotlessandwithneveratear，andtheneat，plainstockingsthatshowedbelowthecloselyfittingfrock.Sooftenhehadnoticedgirls，showily，extravagantlydressed，butwithredbarehandsandsloppyshoes.Handsomegirls，someofthem，attractiveenoughifyouwerenotofafinickingnature，towhomthelittleaccessoriesarealmostofmoreimportancethanthewhole.
Helovedhervoice，sodifferentfromthestridenttonesthateverynowandthen，assomecouple，laughingandtalking，passedthem，wouldfalluponhimalmostlikeablow;herquick，gracefulmovementsthatalwaysbroughtbacktohismemorythevisionofhillandstream.Inherlittlebrownshoesandglovesandthefrockwhichwasalsoofashadeofbrownthoughdarker，shewasstrangelysuggestivetohimofafawn.Thegentlelook，theswift，softmovementsthathavetakenplacebeforetheyareseen;thehauntingsuggestionoffearneverquiteconquered，asifthelittlenervouslimbswerealwaysreadyforsuddenflight.Hecalledherthatoneday.Neitherofthemhadeverthoughttoaskoneanother’snames;
itdidnotseemtomatter.
\"Mylittlebrownfawn，\"hehadwhispered，\"Iamalwaysexpectingyoutosuddenlydigyourlittleheelsintothegroundandspringaway\";
andshehadlaughedanddrawnalittleclosertohim.Andeventhatwasjustthemovementofafawn.Hehadknownthem，creepingneartothemuponthehill—sideswhenhewasachild.
Therewasmuchincommonbetweenthem，sotheyfound.ThoughhecouldclaimafewdistantrelativesscatteredabouttheNorth，theywereboth，forallpracticalpurposes，aloneintheworld.Toher，also，homemeantabed—sittingroom——\"overthere，\"assheindicatedwithawaveofthelittlefawngloveembracingthenorth—westdistrictgenerally;andhedidnotpressherforanymorepreciseaddress.
Itwaseasyenoughforhimtopictureit：themean，close—smellingstreetsomewhereintheneighbourhoodofLissonGrove，orfartherontowardstheHarrowRoad.Alwayshepreferredtosaygood—byetoheratsomepointintheOuterCircle，withitspeacefulvistaoffinetreesandstatelyhouses，watchingherlittlefawn—likefigurefadingawayintothetwilight.
Nofriendorrelativehadsheeverknown，exceptthepale，girlish—lookingmotherwhohaddiedsoonaftertheyhadcometoLondon.Theelderlylandladyhadletherstayon，helpingintheworkofthehouse;andwheneventhislastrefugehadfailedher，well—meaningfolkhadinterestedthemselvesandsecuredheremployment.Itwaslightandfairlywellpaid，buttherewereobjectionstoit，sohegathered，morefromherhaltingsilencesthanfromwhatshesaid.Shehadtriedforatimetofindsomethingelse，butitwassodifficultwithouthelporresources.Therewasnothingreallytocomplainaboutit，except——Andthenshepausedwithasuddenclaspoftheglovedhands，and，seeingthetroubledlookinhereyes，hehadchangedtheconversation.
Itdidnotmatter;hewouldtakeherawayfromit.Itwasverysweettohim，thethoughtofputtingaprotectivearmaboutthislittlefragilecreaturewhoseweaknessgavehimstrength.Hewasnotalwaysgoingtobeaclerkinanoffice.Hewasgoingtowritepoetry，books，plays.Alreadyhehadearnedalittle.Hetoldherofhishopes，andhergreatfaithinhimgavehimnewcourage.Oneevening，findingaseatwherefewpeopleeverpassed，hereadtoher.Andshehadunderstood.Allunconsciouslyshelaughedintherightplaces，andwhenhisownvoicetrembled，andhefounditdifficulttocontinueforthelumpinhisownthroat，glancingatherhesawthetearswereinhereyes.Itwasthefirsttimehehadtastedsympathy.
Andsospringgrewtosummer.Andthenoneeveningagreatthinghappened.Hecouldnotmakeoutatfirstwhatitwasabouther：
somelittleaddedfragrancethatmadeitselfoddlyfelt，whilesheherselfseemedtobeconsciousofincreaseddignity.Itwasnotuntilhetookherhandtosaygood—byethathediscoveredit.Therewassomethingdifferentaboutthefeelofher，and，lookingdownatthelittlehandthatlayinhis，hefoundthereason.Shehadonapairofnewgloves.Theywerestillofthesamefawncolour，butsosmoothandsoftandcool.Theyfittedcloselywithoutawrinkle，displayingtheslightnessandthegracefulnessofthehandsbeneath.
Thetwilighthadalmostfaded，and，saveforthebroadbackofadisappearingpoliceman，theyhadtheOuterCircletothemselves;
and，thesuddenimpulsecomingtohim，hedroppedononeknee，astheydoinplaysandstorybooksandsometimeselsewhere，andpressedthelittlefawnglovestohislipsinalong，passionatekiss.Thesoundofapproachingfootstepsmadehimrisehurriedly.
Shedidnotmove，butherwholebodywastrembling，andinhereyeswasalookthatwasalmostoffear.Theapproachingfootstepscamenearer，butabendoftheroadstillscreenedthem.Swiftlyandinsilencesheputherarmsabouthisneckandkissedhim.Itwasastrange，coldkiss，butalmostfierce，andthenwithoutawordsheturnedandwalkedaway;andhewatchedhertothecornerofHanoverGate，butshedidnotlookback.
Itwasalmostasifithadraisedabarrierbetweenthem，thatkiss.
Thenexteveningshecametomeethimwithasmileasusual，butinhereyeswasstillthatoddsuggestionoflurkingfear;andwhen，seatedbesideher，heputhishandonhersitseemedtohimsheshrankawayfromhim.Itwasanunconsciousmovement.Itbroughtbacktohimthathauntingmemoryofhillandstreamwhensomesoft—
eyedfawn，strayedfromherfellows，wouldlethimapproachquiteclosetoher，andthen，whenheputouthishandtocaressher，wouldstartawaywithaswift，quiveringmovement.
\"Doyoualwaysweargloves？\"heaskedheroneeveningalittlelater.
\"Yes，\"sheanswered，speakinglow;\"whenI’moutofdoors.\"
\"Butthisisnotoutofdoors，\"hehadpleaded.\"Wehavecomeintothegarden.Won’tyoutakethemoff？\"
Shehadlookedathimfromunderbentbrows，asiftryingtoreadhim.Shedidnotanswerhimthen.Butonthewayout，onthelastseatclosetothegate，shehadsatdown，motioninghimtositbesideher.Quietlysheunbuttonedthefawngloves;dreweachoneoffandlaidthemaside.Andthen，forthefirsttime，hesawherhands.
Hadhelookedather，seenthefainthopedieout，themuteagonyinthequieteyeswatchinghim，hewouldhavetriedtohidethedisgust，thephysicalrepulsionthatshoweditselfsoplainlyinhisface，intheinvoluntarymovementwithwhichhedrewawayfromher.
Theyweresmallandshapelywithroundedcurves，butrawandsearedaswithhotirons，withagrowthofred，angry—colouredwarts，andthenailsallwornaway.
\"Ioughttohaveshownthemtoyoubefore，\"shesaidsimplyasshedrewtheglovesonagain.\"Itwassillyofme.Ioughttohaveknown.\"
Hetriedtocomforther，buthisphrasescamemeaninglessandhalting.
Itwasthework，sheexplainedastheywalkedon.Itmadeyourhandslikethatafteratime.Ifonlyshecouldhavegotoutofitearlier！Butnow！Itwasnogoodworryingaboutitnow.
TheypartedneartotheHanoverGate，butto—nighthedidnotstandwatchingherashehadalwaysdonetillshewavedalastgood—byetohimjustbeforedisappearing;sowhethersheturnedornotheneverknew.
Hedidnotgotomeetherthenextevening.Adozentimeshisfootstepsledhimunconsciouslyalmosttothegate.Thenhewouldhurryawayagain，pacethemeanstreets，jostlingstupidlyagainstthepassers—by.Thepale，sweetface，thelittlenymph—likefigure，thelittlebrownshoeskeptcallingtohim.Ifonlytherewouldpassawaythehorrorofthosehands！Alltheartistinhimshudderedatthememoryofthem.Alwayshehadimaginedthemundertheneat，smoothglovesasfittinginwithalltherestofher，dreamingofthetimewhenhewouldholdtheminhisown，caressingthem，kissingthem.Woulditbepossibletoforgetthem，toreconcileoneselftothem？Hemustthink——mustgetawayfromthesecrowdedstreetswherefacesseemedtogrinathim.HerememberedthatParliamenthadjustrisen，thatworkwasslackintheoffice.
Hewouldaskthathemighttakehisholidaynow——thenextday.Andtheyhadagreed.
Hepackedafewthingsintoaknapsack.Fromthevoicesofthehillsandstreamshewouldfindcounsel.
Hetooknocountofhiswanderings.Oneeveningatalonelyinnhemetayoungdoctor.Theinnkeeper’swifewasexpectingtobetakenwithchildthatnight，andthedoctorwaswaitingdownstairstillsummoned.Whiletheyweretalking，theideacametohim.Whyhadhenotthoughtofit？Overcominghisshyness，heputhisquestions.
Whatworkwoulditbethatwouldcausesuchinjuries？Hedescribedthem，seeingthembeforehimintheshadowsofthedimlylightedroom，thosepoor，pitifullittlehands.
Oh！adozenthingsmightaccountforit——thedoctor’svoicesoundedcallous——thehandlingofflax，evenoflinenundercertainconditions.Chemicalsenteredsomuchnowadaysintoallsortsofprocessesandpreparations.Allthisnewphotography，cheapcolourprinting，dyeingandcleaning，metalwork.Mightallbeavoidedbyprovidingrubbergloves.Itoughttobemadecompulsory.Thedoctorseemedinclinedtoholdforth.Heinterruptedhim.
Butcoulditbecured？Wasthereanyhope？
Cured？Hope？Ofcourseitcouldbecured.Itwasonlylocal——theeffectbeingconfinedtothehandsprovedthat.Apoisonedconditionoftheskinaggravatedbygeneralpovertyofblood.Takeherawayfromit;letherhaveplentyoffreshairandcarefuldiet，usingsomesuchsimpleointmentoranotherasanylocalman，seeingthem，wouldprescribe;andinthreeorfourmonthstheywouldrecover.
Hecouldhardlystaytothanktheyoungdoctor.Hewantedtogetawaybyhimself，toshout，towavehisarms，toleap.Haditbeenpossiblehewouldhavereturnedthatverynight.Hecursedhimselfforthefancifulnessthathadpreventedhisinquiringheraddress.
Hecouldhavesentatelegram.Risingatdawn，forhehadnotattemptedtosleep，hewalkedthetenmilestothenearestrailwaystation，andwaitedforthetrain.Alldaylongitseemedtocreepwithhimthroughtheendlesscountry.ButLondoncameatlast.
Itwasstilltheafternoon，buthedidnotcaretogotohisroom.
Leavinghisknapsackatthestation，hemadehiswaytoWestminster.
Hewantedallthingstobeunchanged，sothatbetweenthiseveningandtheirpartingitmightseemasiftherehadmerelypassedanuglydream;andtiminghimself，hereachedtheparkjustattheirusualhour.
Hewaitedtillthegateswereclosed，butshedidnotcome.Alldaylongatthebackofhismindhadbeenthatfear，buthehaddrivenitaway.Shewasill，justaheadache，ormerelytired.
Andthenexteveninghetoldhimselfthesame.Hedarednotwhispertohimselfanythingelse.Andeachsucceedingeveningagain.Heneverrememberedhowmany.Foratimehewouldsitwatchingthepathbywhichshehadalwayscome;andwhenthehourwaslongpasthewouldriseandwalktowardsthegate，lookeastandwest，andthenreturn.Oneeveninghestoppedoneofthepark—keepersandquestionedhim.Yes，themanrememberedherquitewell：theyoungladywiththefawngloves.Shehadcomeonceortwice——maybeoftener，thepark—keepercouldnotbesure——andhadwaited.No，therehadbeennothingtoshowthatshewasinanywayupset.Shehadjustsatthereforatime，nowandthenwalkingalittlewayandthencomingbackagain，untiltheclosinghour，andthenshehadgone.Helefthisaddresswiththepark—keeper.Themanpromisedtolethimknowifheeversawherthereagain.
Sometimes，insteadofthepark，hewouldhauntthemeanstreetsaboutLissonGroveandfarbeyondtheothersideoftheEdgwareRoad，pacingthemtillnightfell.Butheneverfoundher.
Hewondered，beatingagainstthebarsofhispoverty，ifmoneywouldhavehelpedhim.Butthegrim，endlesscity，hidingitsmillionsecrets，seemedtomockthethought.Afewpoundshehadscrapedtogetherhespentinadvertisements;butheexpectednoresponse，andnonecame.Itwasnotlikelyshewouldseethem.
Andsoafteratimethepark，andeventhestreetsroundaboutit，becamehatefultohim;andhemovedawaytoanotherpartofLondon，hopingtoforget.Butheneverquitesucceeded.Alwaysitwouldcomebacktohimwhenhewasnotthinking：thebroad，quietwalkwithitsprimtreesandgaybedsofflowers.Andalwayshewouldseeherseatedthere，framedbythefadinglight.Atleast，thatmuchofher：thelittlespiritualface，andthebrownshoespointingdownwards，andbetweenthemthelittlefawnglovesfoldeduponherlap.