’Itisonlythroughdeepsympathythatamancanbecomeagreatartist。’——Lewes’sLifeofGoethe。
’Sympathyisfeelingrelatedtoanobject，whilstsentimentisthesamefeelingseekingitselfalone。’——ArnoldToynbee。
ChapterI。
’Nothingfillsachild’smindlikealargeoldmansion；betterifun—orpartiallyoccupied；peopledwiththespiritsofdeceasedmembersofthecountyandJusticesoftheQuorum。WouldIwereburiedinthepeopledsolitudeofone，withmyfeelingsatsevenyearsold!’——FromLettersofCharlesLamb。
ToattemptaformalbiographyofDerrickVaughanwouldbeoutofthequestion，eventhoughheandIhavebeenmoreorlessthrowntogethersincewewerebothinthenursery。ButIhaveanoddsortofwishtonotedownroughlyjustafewofmyrecollectionsofhim，andtoshowhowhisfortunesgraduallydeveloped，beingperhapsstimulatedtomaketheattemptbycertainirritatingremarkswhichoneoverhearsnowoftenenoughatclubsorindrawing—rooms，orindeedwhereveronegoes。\"DerrickVaughan，\"saytheseauthoritiesoftheworldofsmall—talk，withthatdelightfulairofomnisciencewhichinvariablycharacterisesthem，\"why，hesimplyleaptintofame。Heisoneofthefavouritesoffortune。LikeByron，hewokeonemorningandfoundhimselffamous。\"
Nowthissoundswellenough，butitisalongwayfromthetruth，andI——SydneyWharncliffe，oftheInnerTemple，Barrister—at—law——
desire，whilethepastfewyearsarefreshinmymind，towriteatrueversionofmyfriend’scareer。
Everyoneknowshisface。Hasitnotappearedin’NotedMen，’and——
graduallydeterioratingaccordingtothepriceofthepaperandthequalityoftheengraving——inmanyanotherillustratedjournal？Yetsomehowtheseworksofartdon’tsatisfyme，and，asIwrite，IseebeforemesomethingverydifferentfromthelatestphotographbyMessrs。PaulandReynard。
Iseealarge—featured，broad—browedEnglishface，atrifleheavy—
lookingwheninrepose，yetathorough，honest，manlyface，withacomplexionneitherdarknorfair，withbrownhairandmoustache，andwithlighthazeleyesthatlookoutontheworldquietlyenough。
Youmighttalktohimforlonginanordinarywayandneversuspectthathewasagenius；butwhenyouhavehimtoyourself，whensomeconsciousnessofsympathyrouseshim，heallatoncebecomesadifferentbeing。Hisquieteyeskindle，hisfacebecomesfulloflife——youwonderthatyoueverthoughtitheavyorcommonplace。
Thentheworldinterruptsinsomeway，and，justasahermit—crabdrawsdownitsshellwithacomicallyrapidmovement，soDerricksuddenlyretiresintohimself。
Thusmuchforhisouterman。
Fortherest，thereareofcoursetheneatlittleaccountsofhisbirthplace，hisparentage，hiseducation，etc。，etc。，publishedwiththelistofhisworksindueorder，withtheengravingsintheillustratedpapers。Butthesetelluslittleofthereallifeoftheman。
Carlyle，inoneofhisfinestpassages，saysthat’Atruedelineationofthesmallestmanandhissceneofpilgrimagethroughlifeiscapableofinterestingthegreatestmen；thatallmenaretoanunspeakabledegreebrothers，eachman’slifeastrangeemblemofeveryman’s；andthathumanportraitsfaithfullydrawnareofallpicturesthewelcomestonhumanwalls。’AndthoughIdon’tprofesstogiveaportrait，butmerelyasketch，Iwillendeavourtosketchfaithfully，andpossiblyinthefuturemyworkmayfallintothehandsofsomeofthoseworthypeoplewhoimaginethatmyfriendleaptintofameatabound，orofthosecomfortablemortalswhoseemtothinkthatanovelisturnedoutaseasilyaswaterfromatap。
Thereis，however，onethingIcanneverdo：——Iamquiteunabletoputintowordsmyfriend’sintenselystrongfeelingwithregardtothesacrednessofhisprofession。ItseemedtomenotunlikethefeelingofIsaiahwhen，inthevision，hismouthhadbeentouchedwiththecelestialfire。AndIcanonlyhopethatsomethingofthismaybereadbetweenmyveryinadequatelines。
Lookingback，IfancyDerrickmusthavebeenacleverchild。Buthewasnotprecocious，andinsomerespectswasevendecidedlybackward。Icanseehimnow——itismyfirstclearrecollectionofhim——leaningbackinthecornerofmyfather’scarriageaswedrovefromtheNewmarketstationtooursummerhomeatMondisfield。HeandIweresmallboysofeight，andDerrickhadbeeninvitedfortheholidays，whilehistwinbrother——ifIrememberright——indulgedintyphoidfeveratKensington。Hewasshyandsilent，andtheicewasnotbrokenuntilwepassedSilverySteeple。
\"That，\"saidmyfather，\"isaruinedchurch；itwasdestroyedbyCromwellintheCivilWars。\"
Inaninstantthesmallquietboysittingbesidemewastransformed。
Hiseyesshone；hesprangforwardandthrusthisheadfaroutofthewindow，gazingattheoldivy—coveredtoweraslongasitremainedinsight。
\"WasCromwellreallyoncethere？\"heaskedwithbreathlessinterest。
\"Sotheysay，\"repliedmyfather，lookingwithanamusedsmileatthefaceofthequestioner，inwhicheagerness，delight，andreverenceweremingled。\"AreyouanadmireroftheLordProtector？\"
\"Heismygreatestheroofall，\"saidDerrickfervently。\"Doyouthink——oh，doyouthinkhepossiblycaneverhavecometoMondisfield？\"
Myfatherthoughtnot，butsaidtherewasanoldtraditionthattheHallhadbeenattackedbytheRoyalists，andthebridgeoverthemoatdefendedbytheownerofthehouse；buthehadnogreatbeliefinthestory，forwhich，indeed，thereseemednoevidence。
Derrick’seyesduringthisconversationweresomethingwonderfultosee，andlongafter，whenwewerenotactuallyplayingatanything，Iusedoftentonoticethesameexpressionstealingoverhim，andwouldcryout，\"Thereisthemandefendingthebridgeagain；Icanseehiminyoureyes!Tellmewhathappenedtohimnext!\"
Then，generallypacingtoandfrointheapplewalk，orsittingastridethebridgeitself，Derrickwouldtellmeoftheadventuresofmyancestor，PaulWharncliffe，whoperformedincrediblefeatsofvalour，andwhowastobothofusamostrealperson。Onwetdayshewrotehisstoryinacopy—book，andwouldhaveworkedatitforhourshadmymotherallowedhim，thoughofthemanualpartoftheworkhehad，andhasalwaysretained，thegreatestdislike。I
rememberwellthecomicalendingofthisfirststoryofhis。Heskippedoveranintervaloftenyears，representedonthepagebytenlaboriouslymadestars，anddidforhisherointhefollowinglines：
\"Andnow，reader，letuscomeintoMondisfieldchurchyard。Therearethreetombstones。Ononeiswritten，’Mr。PaulWharncliffe。’\"
Thestorywasnobetterthantheproductionsofmosteight—year—oldchildren，thewrittenstoryatleast。But，curiouslyenough，itprovedtobethegermofthecelebratedromance，’AtStrife，’whichDerrickwroteinafteryears；andhehimselfmaintainsthathispictureoflifeduringtheCivilWarwouldhavebeenmuchlessgraphichadhenotlivedsomuchinthepastduringhisvariousvisitstoMondisfield。
Itwasathissecondvisit，whenwewerenine，thatIrememberhisannouncinghisintentionofbeinganauthorwhenhewasgrownup。
Mymotherstilldelightsintellingthestory。Shewassittingatworkinthesouthparlouroneday，whenIdashedintotheroomcallingout：
\"Derrick’sheadisstuckbetweenthebanistersinthegallery；comequick，mother，comequick!\"
Sheranupthelittlewindingstaircase，andthere，sureenough，inthemusician’sgallery，waspoorDerrick，hismanuscriptandpenonthefloorandhisheadindurancevile。
\"Yousillyboy!\"saidmymother，alittlefrightenedwhenshefoundthattogettheheadbackwasnoeasymatter，\"Whatmadeyouputitthrough？\"
\"YoulooklikeKingCharlesatCarisbrooke，\"Icried，forgettinghowmuchDerrickwouldresentthespeech。
Andbeingreleasedatthatmomenthetookmebytheshouldersandgavemeanangryshakeortwo，ashesaidvehemently，\"I’mnotlikeKingCharles!KingCharleswasaliar。\"
Isawmymothersmilealittleassheseparatedus。
\"Come，boys，don’tquarrel，\"shesaid。\"AndDerrickwilltellmethetruth，forindeedIamcurioustoknowwhyhethrusthisheadinsuchaplace。\"
\"Iwantedtomakesure，\"saidDerrick，\"whetherPaulWharncliffecouldseeLadyLettice，whenshetookthefalcononherwristbelowinthepassage。Imustn’tsayhesawherifit’simpossible，youknow。Authorshavetobequitetrueinlittlethings，andImeantobeanauthor。\"
\"But，\"saidmymother，laughingatthegreatearnestnessofthehazeleyes，\"couldnotyourherolookoverthetopoftherail？\"
\"Well，yes，\"saidDerrick。\"Hewouldhavedonethat，butyouseeit’ssodreadfullyhighandIcouldn’tgetup。ButItellyouwhat，Mrs。Wharncliffe，ifitwouldn’tbegivingyouagreatdealoftrouble——I’msorryyouweretroubledtogetmyheadbackagain——butifyouwouldjustlookover，sinceyouaresotall，andI’llrundownandactLadyLettice。\"
\"Whycouldn’tPaulgodownstairsandlookattheladyincomfort？\"
askedmymother。
Derrickmusedalittle。
\"Hemightlookatherthroughacrackinthedooratthefootofthestairs，perhaps，butthatwouldseemmean，somehow。Itwouldbeapity，too，nottousethegallery；galleriesareuncommon，yousee，andyoucangetcrackeddoorsanywhere。And，youknow，hewasobligedtolookatherwhenshecouldn’tseehim，becausetheirfatherswereondifferentsidesinthewar，anddreadfulenemies。\"
Whenschool—dayscame，matterswentonmuchinthesameway；therewasalwaysanabominablyscribbledtalestowedawayinDerrick’sdesk，andheworkedinfinitelyharderthanIdid，becausetherewasalwaysbeforehimthisdeterminationtobeanauthorandtopreparehimselfforthelife。Buthewrotemerelyfromloveofit，andwithnoideaofpublicationuntilthebeginningofourlastyearatOxford，when，havingreachedtheripeageofone—and—twenty，hedeterminedtodelaynolonger，buttoplungeboldlyintohisfirstnovel。
Hewasseldomabletogetmorethansixoreighthoursaweekforit，becausehewasreadingratherhard，sothatthenovelprogressedbutslowly。Finally，tomyastonishment，itcametoadeadstand—
still。
IhavenevermadeoutexactlywhatwaswrongwithDerrickthen，thoughIknowthathepassedthroughaterribletimeofdoubtanddespair。IspentpartoftheLongwithhimdownatVentnor，wherehismotherhadbeenorderedforherhealth。ShewasdevotedtoDerrick，andasfarasIcanunderstand，hewasherchiefcomfortinlife。MajorVaughan，thehusband，hadbeenoutinIndiaforyears；
theonlydaughterwasmarriedtoarichmanufactureratBirmingham，whohadaconstitutionaldisliketomothers—in—law，andasfaraspossibleeschewedtheircompany；whileLawrence，Derrick’stwinbrother，wasforevergettingintoscrapes，andwasintothebargainthemostunblushinglyselfishfellowIeverhadthepleasureofmeeting。
\"Sydney，\"saidMrs。Vaughantomeoneafternoonwhenwewereinthegarden，\"Derrickseemstomeunlikehimself，thereisadivisionbetweenuswhichIneverfeltbefore。Canyoutellmewhatistroublinghim？\"
Shewasnotatallagood—lookingwoman，butshehadaverysweet，wistfulface，andIneverlookedathersadeyeswithoutfeelingreadytogothroughfireandwaterforher。ItriednowtomakelightofDerrick’sdepression。
\"Heisonlygoingthroughwhatweallofusgothrough，\"Isaid，assumingacheerfultone。\"Hehassuddenlydiscoveredthatlifeisagreatriddle，andthatthethingshehasacceptedinblindfaithare，afterall，notsosure。\"
Shesighed。
\"Doallgothroughit？\"shesaidthoughtfully。\"Andhowmany，I
wonder，getbeyond？\"
\"Fewenough，\"Irepliedmoodily。Then，rememberingmyrole，——\"ButDerrickwillgetthrough；hehasathousandthingstohelphimwhichothershavenot，——you，forinstance。AndthenIfancyhehasasortofinsightwhichmostofusarewithout。\"
\"Possibly，\"shesaid。\"Asforme，itislittlethatIcandoforhim。Perhapsyouareright，anditistruethatonceinalifeatanyrateweallhavetogointothewildernessalone。\"
ThatwasthelastsummerIeversawDerrick’smother；shetookachillthefollowingChristmasanddiedafterafewdays’illness。
ButIhavealwaysthoughtherdeathhelpedDerrickinawaythatherlifemighthavefailedtodo。Foralthoughhenever，Ifancy，quiterecoveredfromtheblow，andtothisdaycannotspeakofherwithouttearsinhiseyes，yetwhenhecamebacktoOxfordheseemedtohavefoundtheanswertotheriddle，andthougholder，sadderandgraverthanbefore，hadquitelosttherestlessdissatisfactionthatforsometimehadcloudedhislife。Inafewmonths，moreover，I
noticedafreshsignthathewasoutofthewood。ComingintohisroomsonedayIfoundhimsittinginthecushionedwindow—seat，readingoverandcorrectingsomesheetsofbluefoolscap。
\"Atitagain？\"Iasked。
Henodded。
\"Imeantofinishthefirstvolumehere。FortherestImustbeinLondon。\"
\"Why？\"Iasked，alittlecuriousastothisunknownartofnovel—
making。
\"Because，\"hereplied，\"onemustbeintheheartofthingstounderstandhowLynwoodwasaffectedbythem。\"
\"Lynwood!Ibelieveyouarealwaysthinkingofhim!\"（Lynwoodwastheheroofhisnovel。）
\"Well，soIamnearly——soImustbe，ifthebookistobeanygood。\"
\"Readmewhatyouhavewritten，\"Isaid，throwingmyselfbackinaricketybuttolerablycomfortablearm—chairwhichDerrickhadinheritedwiththerooms。
Hehesitatedamoment，beingalwaysverydiffidentabouthisownwork；butpresently，havingprovidedmewithacigarandmadeagooddealofunnecessaryworkinarrangingthesheetsofthemanuscript，hebegantoreadaloud，rathernervously，theopeningchaptersofthebooknowsowellknownunderthetitleof’Lynwood’sHeritage。’
Ihadheardnothingofhisforthelastfouryears，andwasamazedatthegiganticstridehehadmadeintheinterval。For，spiteofacertaincrudeness，itseemedtomeamostpowerfulstory；itrushedstraighttothepointwithnowavering，nobeatingaboutthebush；
itflungitselfintotheproblemsofthedaywithasortofsublimeaudacity；ittookholdofone；itwhirledonealongwithitsowninherentforce，anddrewforthbothlaughterandtears，forDerrick’spowerofpathoshadalwaysbeenhisstrongestpoint。
Allatoncehestoppedreading。
\"Goon!\"Icriedimpatiently。
\"Thatisall，\"hesaid，gatheringthesheetstogether。
\"Youstoppedinthemiddleofasentence!\"Icriedinexasperation。
\"Yes，\"hesaidquietly，\"forsixmonths。\"
\"Youprovokingfellow!why，Iwonder？\"
\"BecauseIdidn’tknowtheend。\"
\"Goodheavens!Anddoyouknowitnow？\"
Helookedmefullintheface，andtherewasanexpressioninhiseyeswhichpuzzledme。
\"IbelieveIdo，\"hesaid；and，gettingup，hecrossedtheroom，putthemanuscriptawayinadrawer，andreturning，satdowninthewindow—seatagain，lookingoutonthenarrow，pavedstreetbelow，andatthegreybuildingsopposite。
IknewverywellthathewouldneveraskmewhatIthoughtofthestory——thatwasnothisway。
\"Derrick!\"Iexclaimed，watchinghisimpassiveface，\"Ibelieveafterallyouareagenius。\"
IhardlyknowwhyIsaid\"afterall，\"buttillthatmomentithadneverstruckmethatDerrickwasparticularlygifted。HehadsofargotthroughhisOxfordcareercreditably，butthenhehadworkedhard；histalentswerenotofashowyorder。IhadneverexpectedthathewouldsettheThamesonfire。Evennowitseemedtomethathewastoodreamy，tooquiet，toodevoidofthepushingfacultytosucceedintheworld。
Myremarkmadehimlaughincredulously。
\"Defineagenius，\"hesaid。
ForanswerIpulleddownhisbelovedImperialDictionaryandreadhimthefollowingquotationfromDeQuincey：’Geniusisthatmodeofintellectualpowerwhichmovesinalliancewiththegenialnature，i。e。，withthecapacitiesofpleasureandpain；whereastalenthasnovestigeofsuchanalliance，andisperfectlyindependentofallhumansensibilities。’
\"Letmethink!YoucancertainlyenjoythingsahundredtimesmorethanIcan——andasforsuffering，whyyouwerealwaysagreathandatthat。NowlistentothegreatDr。Johnsonandseeifthecapfits，’Thetruegeniusisamindoflargegeneralpowersaccidentallydeterminedinsomeparticulardirection。’
\"’Largegeneralpowers’!——yes，Ibelieveafterallyouhavethemwith，alas，poorDerrick!onenotableexception——themathematicalfaculty。Youwerealwaysbadatfigures。WewillsticktoDeQuincey’sdefinition，andforheaven’ssake，mydearfellow，dogetLynwoodoutofthatawfulplight!Nowonderyouweredepressedwhenyoulivedallthisagewithsuchasentenceunfinished!\"
\"Forthematterofthat，\"saidDerrick，\"hecan’tgetouttilltheendofthebook；butIcanbegintogoonwithhimnow。\"
\"AndwhenyouleaveOxford？\"
\"ThenImeantosettledowninLondon——towriteleisurely——andpossiblytoreadfortheBar。\"
\"Wemightbetogether，\"Isuggested。AndDerricktooktothisidea，beingamanwhodetestedsolitudeandcrowdsaboutequally。Sincehismother’sdeathhehadbeenverymuchaloneintheworld。ToLawrencehewasalwaysloyal，butthetwohadnothingincommon，andthoughfondofhissisterhecouldnotgetonatallwiththemanufacturer，hisbrother—in—law。ButthisprospectoflifetogetherinLondonpleasedhimamazingly；hebegantorecoverhisspiritstoagreatextentandtolookmuchmorelikehimself。
ItmusthavebeenjustashehadtakenhisdegreethathereceivedatelegramtoannouncethatMajorVaughanhadbeeninvalidedhome，andwouldarriveatSouthamptoninthreeweeks’time。Derrickknewverylittleofhisfather，butapparentlyMrs。VaughanhaddoneherbesttokeepupasortofmemoryofhischildishdaysatAldershot，andinthesethepartthathisfatherplayedwasalwayspleasant。Sohelookedforwardtothemeetingnotalittle，whileI，fromthefirst，hadmydoubtsastothefelicityitwaslikelytobringhim。
However，itwasordainedthatbeforetheMajor’sshiparrived，hisson’swholelifeshouldchange。EvenLynwoodwasthrustintothebackground。Asforme，Iwasnowhere。ForDerrick，thequiet，theself—contained，hadfallenpassionatelyinlovewithacertainFredaMerrifield。
ChapterII。
’Infancy？Whatiftherose—streakofmorningPaleanddepartinapassionoftears？
Oncetohavehopedisnomatterforscorning：
Loveonce：e’enlove’sdisappointmentendears；
Amoment’ssuccesspaysthefailureofyears。’
R。Browning。
Thewonderwouldhavebeenifhehadnotfalleninlovewithher，foramorefascinatinggirlIneversaw。ShehadonlyjustreturnedfromschoolatCompiegne，andwasnotyetout；hercharmingfreshnesswasunsullied；shehadallthesimplicityandstraightforwardnessofunspoilt，unsophisticatedgirlhood。Iwellrememberourfirstsightofher。Wehadbeeninvitedforafortnight’syachtingbyCalverleyofExeter。Hisfather，SirJohnCalverley，hadasailingyacht，andsomeguestshavingdisappointedhimatthelastminute，hegavehissoncarteblancheastowhoheshouldbringtofillthevacantberths。
SowethreetravelleddowntoSouthamptontogetheronehotsummerday，andwererowedouttotheAurora，anuncommonlyneatlittleschoonerwhichlayinthatover—ratedandfrequentlyodoriferousroadstead，SouthamptonWater。However，Iadmitthatonthatevening——thetidebeinghigh——theplacelookedremarkablypretty；
thelevelraysofthesettingsunturnedthewatertogold；asoftluminoushazehungoverthetownandtheshipping，andbyastretchofimaginationonemighthavethoughttheviewalmostVenetian。
Derrick’sperfectcontentwasonlymarredbyhisshyness。IknewthathedreadedreachingtheAurora；andsureenough，aswesteppedontotheexquisitelywhitedeckandcaughtsightofthelittlegroupofguests，Isawhimretreatintohiscrab—shellofsilentreserve。SirJohn，whomadeaverypleasanthost，introducedustotheothervisitors——LordProbynandhiswifeandtheirniece，MissFredaMerrifield。LadyProbynwasSirJohn’ssister，andalsothesisterofMissMerrifield’smother；sothatitwasalmostafamilyparty，andbynomeansaformidablegathering。LadyProbynplayedthepartofhostessandchaperonedherprettyniece；butshewasnotintheleastliketheauntoffiction——onthecontrary，shewascomparativelyyounginyearsandalmostcomicallyyounginmind；herniecewasdevotedtoher，andthemomentIsawherIknewthatourcruisecouldnotpossiblybedull。
AstoMissFreda，whenwefirstcaughtsightofhershewasstandingnearthecompanion，dressedinadaintilymadeyachtingcostumeofbluesergeandwhitebraid，androundherwhitesailorhatsheworethenameoftheyachtstampedonawhiteribbon；inherwaist—bandshehadfastenedtwodeepcrimsonroses，andshelookedatuswithfrank，girlishcuriosity，nodoubtwonderingwhetherweshouldaddtoordetractfromtheenjoymentoftheexpedition。Shewasrathertall，andtherewasanairofstrengthandenergyaboutherwhichwasmostrefreshing。Herskinwassingularlywhite，buttherewasahealthyglowofcolourinhercheeks；whileherlarge，greyeyes，shadedbylonglashes，werefulloflifeandbrightness。Astoherfeatures，theywereperhapsatrifleirregular，andhereldersistersweresupposedtoeclipseheraltogether；buttomymindshewasfarthemosttakingofthethree。
IwasnotintheleastsurprisedthatDerrickshouldfallheadoverearsinlovewithher；shewasexactlythesortofgirlthatwouldinfalliblyattracthim。Herabsenceofshyness；herstraightforward，easywayoftalking；hergenuinegoodheartedness；
herdevotiontoanimals——oneofhisownpethobbies——andfinallyherexquisiteplaying，madetheresultaforegoneconclusion。Andthen，moreover，theywereperpetuallytogether。Hewouldhangoverthepianointhesaloonforhourswhilesheplayed，therestofuslazilyenjoyingtheeasychairsandthefreshairondeck；andwheneverwelanded，thesetwoweresureintheendtobejustalittleapartfromtherestofus。
Itwasaneminentlysuccessfulcruise。Wealllikedeachother；theseawascalm，thesunshineconstant，thewindasarulefavourable，andIthinkIneverinasinglefortnightheardsomanygoodstories，orhadsuchagoodtime。Weseemedtogetrightoutoftheworldanditsnarrowrestrictions，awayfromallthatwashollowandbaseanddepressing，onlylandingnowandthenatquaintlittlequietplacesforsomemerryexcursiononshore。Fredawasinthehighestspirits；andastoDerrick，hewasadifferentcreature。
Sheseemedtohavethepowerofdrawinghimoutinamarvellousdegree，andshetookthegreatestinterestinhiswork——asurewaytoeveryauthor’sheart。
Butitwasnottilloneday，whenwelandedatTresco，thatIfeltcertainshegenuinelylovedhim——thereinoneglancethetruthflasheduponme。Iwaswalkingwithoneofthegardenersdownoneofthelongshadypathsofthatlovelylittleisland，withitscuriouslyforeignlook，whenwesuddenlycamefacetofacewithDerrickandFreda。Theyweretalkingearnestly，andIcouldseehergreatgreyeyesastheywereliftedtohis——perhapstheyweremoreexpressivethansheknew——Icannotsay。Theybothstartedalittleasweconfrontedthem，andthecolourdeepenedinFreda’sface。Thegardener，withwhatphotographersusuallyaskfor——’justthefaintbeginningofasmile，’——turnedandgatheredabitofwhiteheathergrowingnear。
\"Theysayitbringsgoodluck，miss，\"heremarked，handingittoFreda。
\"Thankyou，\"shesaid，laughing，\"Ihopeitwillbringittome。Atanyrateitwillremindmeofthisbeautifulisland。Isn’titjustlikeParadise，Mr。Wharncliffe？\"
\"FormeitislikeParadisebeforeEvewascreated，\"Ireplied，ratherwickedly。\"Bythebye，areyougoingtokeepallthegoodlucktoyourself？\"
\"Idon’tknow，\"shesaidlaughing。\"PerhapsIshall；butyouhaveonlytoaskthegardener，hewillgatheryouanotherpiecedirectly。\"
Itookgoodcaretodropbehind，havingnotasteforthethird—
fiddlebusiness；butInoticedwhenwewereinthegigoncemore，rowingbacktotheyacht，thatthewhiteheatherhadbeenequallydivided——onehalfwasinthewaist—bandofthebluesergedress，theotherhalfinthebutton—holeofDerrick’sblazer。
Sothefortnightslippedby，andatlengthoneafternoonwefoundourselvesoncemoreinSouthamptonWater；thencamethebustleofpackingandthehurryofdeparture，andthemerrypartydispersed。
DerrickandIsawthemalloffatthestation，for，ashisfather’sshipdidnotarrivetillthefollowingday，ImadeupmymindtostayonwithhimatSouthampton。
\"Youwillcomeandseeusintown，\"saidLadyProbyn，kindly。AndLordProbyninvitedusbothfortheshootingatBlachingtoninSeptember。\"Wewillhavethesamepartyonshore，andseeifwecan’tenjoyourselvesalmostaswell，\"hesaidinhisheartyway；
\"thenovelwillgoallthebetterforit，eh，Vaughan？\"
Derrickbrightenedvisiblyatthesuggestion。IheardhimtalkingtoFredaallthetimethatSirJohnstoodlaughingandjokingastothecomparativepleasuresofyachtingandshooting。
\"Youwillbetheretoo？\"Derrickasked。
\"Ican’ttell，\"saidFreda，andtherewasashadeofsadnessinhertone。Hervoicewasdeeperthanmostwomen’svoices——arichcontraltowithsomethingstrikingandindividualaboutit。Icouldhearherquiteplainly；butDerrickspokelessdistinctly——healwayshadabadtrickofmumbling。
\"YouseeIamtheyoungest，\"shesaid，\"andIamnotreally’out。’
Perhapsmymotherwillwishoneoftheelderonestogo；butIhalfthinktheyarealreadyengagedforSeptember，soafterallImayhaveachance。\"
Inaudibleremarkfrommyfriend。
\"Yes，IcameherebecausemysistersdidnotcaretoleaveLondontilltheendoftheseason，\"repliedtheclearcontralto。\"Ithasbeenaperfectcruise。Ishallrememberitallmylife。\"
Afterthat，nothingmorewasaudible；butIimagineDerrickmusthavehazardedamorepersonalquestion，andthatFredahadadmittedthatitwasnotonlytheactualsailingsheshouldremember。AtanyrateherfacewhenIcaughtsightofitagainmademethinkofthegirldescribedinthe’BiglowPapers’：
\"’’Twaskin’o’kingdomcometolookOnsechablessedcreatur。
Adogroseblushin’toabrookAin’tmodesternorsweeter。’\"
Sothetrainwentoff，andDerrickandIwerelefttoidleaboutSouthamptonandkilltimeasbestwemight。Derrickseemedtowalkthestreetsinasortofdream——hewasperfectlywellawarethathehadmethisfate，andatthattimenothoughtofdifficultiesinthewayhadariseneitherinhismindorinmyown。Wewerebothofusyoungandinexperienced；wewerebothofusinlove，andwehadtheusuallover’snotionthateverythinginheavenandearthispreparedtofavourthecourseofhisparticularpassion。
Irememberthatwesoonfoundthetownintolerable，and，crossingbytheferry，walkedovertoNetleyAbbey，andlaydownidlyintheshadeoftheoldgreywalls。Notabreathofwindstirredthegreatmassesofivywhichwerewreathedabouttheruinedchurch，andtheplacelookedsolovelyinitsdecay，thatwefeltdisposedtojudgethedissolutemonksverylenientlyforhavingbehavedsobadlythattheirchurchandmonasteryhadtobeopenedtothefourwindsofheaven。Afterall，whenisachurchsobeautifulaswhenithasthegreengrassforitsfloorandtheskyforitsroof？
IcouldshowyoutheveryspotneartheEastwindowwhereDerricktoldmethewholetruth，andwherewetalkedoverFreda’sperfectionsandtheprobabilityoffrequentmeetingsinLondon。Hehadlistenedsooftenandsopatientlytomyaffairs，thatitseemedanoddreversaltohavetoplaytheconfidant；andifnowandthenmythoughtswanderedofftothecomingmonthatMondisfield，andpicturedvioleteyeswhilehetalkedofgrey，itwasnotfromanylackofsympathywithmyfriend。
Derrickwasnotofaself—tormentingnature，andthoughIknewhewasamazedatthethoughtthatsuchagirlasFredacouldpossiblycareforhim，yethebelievedmostimplicitlythatthiswonderfulthinghadcometopass；and，rememberingherfaceaswehadlastseenit，andthelookinhereyesatTresco，I，too，hadnotashadowofadoubtthatshereallylovedhim。Shewasnottheleastbitofaflirt，andsocietyhadnothadachanceyetofmouldingherintotheordinarygirlofthenineteenthcentury。
PerhapsitwasthesuddenandunexpectedchangeofthenextdaythatmakesmerememberDerrick’sfacesodistinctlyashelaybackonthesmoothturfthatafternooninNetleyAbbey。Asitlookedthen，fullofyouthandhope，fullofthatdreamofcloudlesslove，Ineversawitagain。
ChapterIII。
\"Religioninhimneverdied，butbecameahabit——ahabitofenduringhardness，andcleavingtothesteadfastperformanceofdutyinthefaceofthestrongestallurementstothepleasanterandeasiercourse。\"
LifeofCharlesLamb，byA。Ainger。
Derrickwasingoodspiritsthenextday。HetalkedmuchofMajorVaughan，wonderedwhetherthevoyagehomehadrestoredhishealth，discussedtheprobablelengthofhisleave，andspeculatedastothenatureofhisillness；thetelegramhadofcoursegivennodetails。
\"Therehasnotbeenevenaphotographforthelastfiveyears，\"heremarked，aswewalkeddowntothequaytogether。\"YetIthinkI
shouldknowhimanywhere，ifitisonlybyhisheight。Heusedtolooksowellonhorseback。IrememberasachildseeinghiminashamfightchargingupCaesar’sCamp。\"
\"Howoldwereyouwhenhewentout？\"
\"Oh，quiteasmallboy，\"repliedDerrick。\"ItwasjustbeforeI
firststayedwithyou。However，hehashadaregularsuccessionofphotographssentouttohim，andwillknowmeeasilyenough。\"
PoorDerrick!Ican’tthinkofthatdayevennowwithoutakindofmentalshiver。Wewatchedthegreatsteamerasitglideduptothequay，andDerrickscannedthecrowdeddeckwitheagereyes，butcouldnowhereseethetall，soldierlyfigurethathadlingeredsolonginhismemory。Hestoodwithhishandrestingontherailofthegangway，andwhenpresentlyitwasraisedtothesideofthesteamer，hestillkepthisposition，sothathecouldinstantlycatchsightofhisfatherashepasseddown。Istoodclosebehindhim，andwatchedthemotleyprocessionofpassengers；mostofthemhadthedullcolourlessskinwhichbespeakslongresidenceinIndia，andaparticularlyyellowandpeevish—lookingoldmanwasgrumblingloudlyasheslowlymadehiswaydownthegangway。
\"Themostdisgracefulscene!\"heremarked。\"Thefellowwasasdrunkashecouldbe。\"
\"Whowasit？\"askedhiscompanion。
\"Why，MajorVaughan，tobesure。Theonlywonderisthathehasn’tdrunkhimselftodeathbythistime——beenatityearsenough!\"
Derrickturned，asthoughtoshelterhimselffromthecuriouseyesofthetravellers；buteverywherethequaywascrowded。Itseemedtomenotunlikethelifethatlaybeforehim，withthisnewshamewhichcouldnotbehid，andIshallneverforgetthelookofmiseryinhisface。
\"Mostlikelyagreatexaggerationofthatspitefuloldfogey’s，\"I
said。\"Neverbelieveanythingthatyouhear，isasoundaxiom。Hadyounotbettertrytogetonboard？\"
\"Yes；andforheaven’ssakecomewithme，Wharncliffe!\"hesaid。
\"Itcan’tbetrue!Itis，asyousay，thatman’sspite，orelsethereissomeoneelseofthenameonboard。Thatmustbeit——
someoneelseofthename。\"
Idon’tknowwhetherhemanagedtodeceivehimself。Wemadeourwayonboard，andhespoketooneofthestewards，whoconductedustothesaloon。Iknewfromtheexpressionoftheman’sfacethatthewordswehadoverheardwerebuttootrue；itwasamereglancethathegaveus，yetifhehadsaidaloud，\"Theybelongtothatolddrunkard!ThankheavenI’mnotintheirshoes!\"Icouldnothavebetterunderstoodwhatwasinhismind。
Therewerethreepersonsonlyinthegreatsaloon：anofficer’sservant，whoseappearancedidnotpleaseme；afinelookingoldmanwithgreyhairandwhiskers，andarough—hewnhonestface，apparentlytheship’sdoctor；andatallgrizzledmaninwhomIatoncesawasortofhorriblelikenesstoDerrick——horriblebecausethisfacewaswickedanddegraded，andbecauseitsownerwasdrunk——
noisilydrunk。Derrickpausedforaminute，lookingathisfather；
then，deadlypale，heturnedtotheolddoctor。\"IamMajorVaughan’sson，\"hesaid。
Thedoctorgraspedhishand，andtherewassomethingintheoldman’skindly，chivalrousmannerwhichbroughtasortoflightintothegloom。
\"Iamverygladtoseeyou!\"heexclaimed。\"IstheMajor’sluggageready？\"heinquiredturningtotheservant。Then，asthemanrepliedintheaffirmative，\"Howwoulditbe，Mr。Vaughan，ifyourfather’smanjustsawthethingsintoacab？andthenI’llcomeonshorewithyouandseemypatientsafelysettledin。\"
Derrickacquiesced，andthedoctorturnedtotheMajor，whowasleaningupagainstoneofthepillarsofthesaloonandshoutingout\"’TwasinTrafalgarBay，\"inawaywhich，underothercircumstances，wouldhavebeenhighlycomic。Thedoctorinterruptedhim，aswithmuchfeelinghesanghow：
\"EnglanddeclaredthateverymanThatdayhaddonehisduty。\"
\"Look，Major，\"hesaid；\"hereisyoursoncometomeetyou。\"
\"Gladtoseeyou，myboy，\"saidtheMajor，reelingforwardandrunningallhiswordstogether。\"How’syourmother？IsthisLawrence？Gladtoseebothofyou!Why，you’r’slike’stwopeas!
NotLawrence，doyousay？Confoundit，doctor，howtheshiprollsto—day!\"
Andtheoldwretchstaggeredandwouldhavefallen，hadnotDerricksupportedhimandlandedhimsafelyononeofthefixedottomans。
\"Yes，yes，you’rethesonforme，\"hewenton，withablandsmile，whichmadehisfaceallthemorehideous。\"You’renotsoroughandclumsyasthatconfoundedJohnThomas，whosehandsarelikebrickbats。I’mamerewreck，asyousee；it’stheaccursedclimate!
Butyourmotherwillsoonnursemeintohealthagain；shewasalwaysagoodnurse，poorsoul!itwasherbestpoint。Whatwithyouandyourmother，Ishallsoonbemyselfagain。\"
Herethedoctorinterposed，andDerrickmadedesperatelyforaportholeandgulpeddownmouthfulsoffreshair：buthewasnotallowedmuchofarespite，fortheservantreturnedtosaythathehadprocuredacab，andtheMajorcalledloudlyforhisson’sarm。
\"I’llnothaveyou，\"hesaid，pushingtheservantviolentlyaway。
\"Come，Derrick，helpme!youareworthtwoofthatblockhead。\"
AndDerrickcamequicklyforward，hisfacestillverypale，butwithadignityaboutitwhichIhadneverbeforeseen；and，givinghisarmtohisdrunkenfather，hepilotedhimacrossthesaloon，throughthestaringranksofstewards，officials，andtardypassengersoutside，downthegangway，andoverthecrowdedquaytothecab。I
knewthateachderisiveglanceofthespectatorswastohimlikeasword—thrust，andlongedtothrottletheMajor，whoseemedtoenjoyhimselfamazinglyonterrafirma，andsangatthetopofhisvoiceaswedrovethroughthestreetsofSouthampton。Theolddoctorkeptupacheeryflowofsmall—talkwithme，thinking，nodoubt，thatthiswouldbeakindnesstoDerrick：andatlastthatpurgatorialdriveended，andsomehowDerrickandthedoctorbetweenthemgottheMajorsafelyintohisroomatRadley’sHotel。
Wehadorderedlunchinaprivatesitting—room，thinkingthattheMajorwouldpreferittothecoffee—room；but，asitturnedout，hewasinnostatetoappear。Theylefthimasleep，andtheship’sdoctorsatintheseatthathadbeenpreparedforhispatient，andmadethemealastolerabletousbothasitcouldbe。Hewasanodd，old—fashionedfellow，butastrueagentlemanaseverbreathed。
\"Now，\"hesaid，whenlunchwasover，\"youandImusthaveatalktogether，Mr。Vaughan，andIwillhelpyoutounderstandyourfather’scase。\"
Imadeamovementtogo，butsatdownagainatDerrick’srequest。I
think，pooroldfellow，hedreadedbeingalone，andknowingthatI
hadseenhisfatherattheworst，thoughtImightaswellhearallparticulars。
\"MajorVaughan，\"continuedthedoctor，\"hasnowbeenundermycareforsomeweeks，andIhadsomecommunicationwiththeregimentalsurgeonabouthiscasebeforehesailed。Heissufferingfromanenlargedliver，andthediseasehasbeenbroughtonbyhisunfortunatehabitofover—indulgenceinstimulants。\"Icouldalmosthavesmiled，soverygentlyandconsideratelydidthegoodoldmanveilinlongwordstheshamefulfact。\"Itisahabitsadlyprevalentamongourfellow—countrymeninIndia；theclimateaggravatesthemischief，andverymanylivesareinthiswayruined。
Thenyourfatherwasalsounfortunateenoughtocontractrheumatismwhenhewascampingoutinthejunglelastyear，andthisisincreasingonhimverymuch，sothathislifeisalmostintolerabletohim，andhenaturallyfliesforrelieftohisgreatestenemy，drink。Atallcosts，however，youmustkeephimfromstimulants；
theywillonlyintensifythediseaseandthesufferings，infacttheyarepoisontoamaninsuchastate。Don’tthinkIamabigotinthesematters；butIsaythatforamaninsuchaconditionasthis，thereisnothingforitbuttotalabstinence，andatallcostsyourfathermustbeguardedfromthepossibilityofprocuringanysortofintoxicatingdrink。ThroughoutthevoyageIhavedonemybesttoshieldhim，butitwasadifficultmatter。Hisservant，too，isnottrustworthy，andshouldbedismissedifpossible。\"
\"Hadhespokenatallofhisplans？\"askedDerrick，andhisvoicesoundedstrangelyunlikeitself。
\"HeaskedmewhatplaceinEnglandhehadbettersettledownin，\"
saidthedoctor，\"andIstronglyrecommendedhimtotryBath。Thisseemedtopleasehim，andifheiswellenoughhehadbettergothereto—morrow。Hementionedyourmotherthismorning；nodoubtshewillknowhowtomanagehim。\"
\"Mymotherdiedsixmonthsago，\"saidDerrick，pushingbackhischairandbeginningtopacetheroom。Thedoctormadekindlyapologies。
\"Perhapsyouhaveasister，whocouldgotohim？\"
\"No，\"repliedDerrick。\"Myonlysisterismarried，andherhusbandwouldneverallowit。\"
\"Oracousinoranaunt？\"suggestedtheoldman，naivelyunconsciousthatthewordssoundedlikeaquotation。
IsawtheghostofasmileflitoverDerrick’sharassedfaceasheshookhishead。
\"IsuggestedthatheshouldgointosomeHomefor——casesofthekind，\"resumedthedoctor，\"orplacehimselfunderthechargeofsomemedicalman；however，hewon’thearofsuchathing。Butifheislefttohimself——well，itisallupwithhim。Hewilldrinkhimselftodeathinafewmonths。\"
\"Heshallnotbeleftalone，\"saidDerrick；\"Iwilllivewithhim。
DoyouthinkIshoulddo？ItseemstobeHobson’schoice。\"
Ilookedupinamazement——forherewasDerrickcalmlygivinghimselfuptoalifethatmustcrusheveryplanforthefuturehehadmade。
Didmenmakesuchachoiceasthatwhiletheytooktwoorthreeturnsinaroom？Didtheyspeaksocomposedlyafterastrugglethatmusthavebeensobitter？Thinkingitovernow，Ifeelsureitwashisextraordinarygiftofinsightandhisclearjudgmentwhichmadehimbehaveinthisway。Heinstantlyperceivedandpromptlyacted；
theworstofthesufferingcamelongafter。
\"Why，ofcourseyouaretheverybestpersonintheworldforhim，\"
saidthedoctor。\"Hehastakenafancytoyou，andevidentlyyouhaveacertaininfluencewithhim。Ifanyonecansavehimitwillbeyou。\"
ButthethoughtofallowingDerricktobesacrificedtothatoldbruteofaMajorwasmorethanIcouldbearcalmly。
\"Amoremadschemewasneverproposed，\"Icried。\"Why，doctor，itwillbeutterruintomyfriend’scareer；hewillloseyearsthatnoonecanevermakeup。Andbesides，heisunfitforsuchastrain，hewillneverstandit。\"
MyheartfelthotasIthoughtofDerrick，withhishighly—strung，sensitivenature，hisrefinement，hisgentleness，inconstantcompanionshipwithsuchamanasMajorVaughan。
\"Mydearsir，\"saidtheolddoctor，withagleaminhiseye，\"I
understandyourfeelingwellenough。Butdependuponit，yourfriendhasmadetherightchoice，andthereisnodoubtthathe’llbestrongenoughtodohisduty。\"
ThewordremindedmeoftheMajor’ssong，andmyvoicewasabominablysarcasticintoneasIsaidtoDerrick，\"Younolongerconsiderwritingyourdutythen？\"
\"Yes，\"hesaid，\"butitmuststandsecondtothis。Don’tbevexed，Sydney；ourplansareknockedonthehead，butitisnotsobadasyoumakeout。Ihaveatanyrateenoughtoliveon，andcanaffordtowait。\"
Therewasnomoretobesaid，andthenextdayIsawthatstrangetriosetoutontheirroadtoBath。TheMajorlookingmorewickedwhensoberthanhehaddonewhendrunk；theolddoctorkindlyandconsiderateasever；andDerrick，withanairofresolutionaboutthatEnglishfaceofhisandadauntlessexpressioninhiseyeswhichimpressedmecuriously。
Thesequiet，reservedfellowsarealwaysgivingoneoddsurprises。
Hehadastonishedmebythevigouranddepthofthefirstvolumeof’Lynwood’sHeritage。’Heastonishedmenowbyanewphaseinhisowncharacter。ApparentlyhewhohadalwaysbeencontenttofollowwhereIled，andtowatchliferatherthantotakeanactiveshareinit，nowintendedtostrikeoutaverydecidedlineofhisown。
ChapterIV。
\"BothGoetheandSchillerwereprofoundlyconvincedthatArtwasnoluxuryofleisure，nomereamusementtocharmtheidle，orrelaxthecareworn；butamightyinfluence，seriousinitsaimsalthoughpleasureableinitsmeans；asisterofReligion，bywhoseaidthegreatworld—schemewaswroughtintoreality。\"
Lewes’sLifeofGoethe。
Manisaselfishbeing，andIamaparticularlyfinespecimenoftheraceasfarasthatcharacteristicgoes。IfIhadhadadozendrunkenparentsIshouldneverhavedancedattendanceononeofthem；yetinmysecretsoulIadmiredDerrickforthelinehehadtaken，forwemostlydoadmirewhatisunlikeourselvesandreallynoble，thoughitisthefashiontoseemtotallyindifferenttoeverythinginheavenandearth。ButallthesameIfeltannoyedaboutthewholebusiness，andwasgladtoforgetitinmyownaffairsatMondisfield。
Weekspassedby。Ilivedthroughamidsummerdreamofhappiness，andahardawaking。That，however，hasnothingtodowithDerrick’sstory，andmaybepassedover。InOctoberIsettleddowninMontagueStreet，Bloomsbury，andbegantoreadfortheBar，inaboutasdisagreeableaframeofmindascanbeconceived。OnemorningI
foundonmybreakfasttablealetterinDerrick’shandwriting。Likemostmen，wehardlyevercorresponded——whatwomensayintheeternalletterstheysendtoeachotherIcan’tconceive——butitstruckmethatunderthecircumstancesIoughttohavesenthimalinetoaskhowhewasgettingon，andmyconscienceprickedmeasIrememberedthatIhadhardlythoughtofhimsinceweparted，beingabsorbedinmyownmatters。Theletterwasnotverylong，butwhenonereadbetweenthelinesitsomehowtoldagooddeal。Ihaveitlyingbyme，andthisisacopyofit：
\"DearSydney，——DolikeagoodfellowgotoNorthAudleyStreetforme，tothehousewhichIdescribedtoyouastheonewhereLynwoodlodged，andtellmewhathewouldseebesidesthechurchfromhiswindow——ifshops，whatkind？AlsoifanyglimpseofOxfordStreetwouldbevisible。Thenifyou’lladdtoyourfavoursbygettingmeasecond—handcopyofLaveleye’s’SocialismeContemporain，’Ishouldbeforevergrateful。Wearesettledinhereallright。Bathisempty，butIpeopleitasfarasIcanwiththefolkoutof’Evelina’and’Persuasion。’HowdidyougetonatBlachington？andwhichoftheMissesMerrifieldwentintheend？Don’tbotheraboutthecommissions。Anytimewilldo。
\"Everyours，\"DerrickVaughan。\"
Pooroldfellow!allthespiritseemedknockedoutofhim。TherewasnotonewordabouttheMajor，andwhocouldsaywhatwretchednesswasveiledinthatcurtphrase，\"wearesettledinallright\"？Allright!itwasallaswrongasitcouldbe!MybloodbegantoboilatthethoughtofDerrick，withhisgreatpowers——hiswonderfulgift——coopedupinaplacewherethestudyoflifewassolimitedandsodull。ThentherewashishungerfornewsofFreda，andhissilenceastowhathadkepthimawayfromBlachington，andaboutallasortofproudhumilitywhichpreventedhimfromsayingmuchthatIshouldhaveexpectedhimtosayunderthecircumstances。
ItwasSaturday，andmytimewasmyown。Iwentout，gothisbookforhim；interviewedNorthAudleyStreet；spentabadfiveminutesincompanywiththatvillain’Bradshaw，’whoisresponsibleforsomuchofthebrainandeyediseaseofthenineteenthcentury，andfinallyleftPaddingtonintheFlyingDutchman，whichlandedmeatBathearlyintheafternoon。Ileftmyportmanteauatthestation，andwalkedthroughthecitytillIreachedGayStreet。LikemostofthestreetsofBath，itwasbroad，andhadoneitherhanddull，well—built，darkgrey，eminentlyrespectable，unutterablydreary—
lookinghouses。Irang，andthedoorwasopenedtomebyamostquaintoldwoman，evidentlythelandlady。Anodourofcurrypervadedthepassage，andbecamemoreoppressiveasthedoorofthesitting—roomwasopened，andIwasusheredinupontheMajorandhisson，whohadjustfinishedlunch。
\"Hullo!\"criedDerrick，springingup，hisfacefullofdelightwhichtouchedme，whileatthesametimeitfilledmewithenvy。
EventheMajorthoughtfittogivemeaheartywelcome。
\"Gladtoseeyouagain，\"hesaidpleasantlyenough。\"It’sarelieftohaveafreshfacetolookat。Wehavearoomwhichisquiteatyourdisposal，andIhopeyou’llstaywithus。Broughtyourportmanteau，eh？\"
\"Itisatthestation，\"Ireplied。
\"Seethatitissentfor，\"hesaidtoDerrick；\"andshowMr。
Wharncliffeallthatistobeseeninthiscursedholeofaplace。\"
Then，turningagaintome，\"Haveyoulunched？Verywell，then，don’twastethisfineafternooninaninvalid’sroom，butbeoffandenjoyyourself。\"
Socordialwastheoldman，thatIshouldhavethoughthimalreadyareformedcharacter，hadInotfoundthathekepttheroughsideofhistongueforhomeuse。Derrickplacedanovelandasmallhandbellwithinhisreach，andwewerejustgoing，whenwewerecheckedbyavolleyofoathsfromtheMajor；thenabookcameflyingacrosstheroom，wellaimedatDerrick’shead。Hesteppedaside，andletitfallwithacrashonthesideboard。
\"WhatdoyoumeanbygivingmethesecondvolumewhenyouknowIaminthethird？\"fumedtheinvalid。
Heapologisedquietly，fetchedthethirdvolume，straightenedthedisorderedleavesofthediscardedsecond，andwiththeairofonewellaccustomedtosuchlittledomesticscenes，tookuphishatandcameoutwithme。
\"HowlongdoyouintendtogoonplayingDavidtotheMajor’sSaul？\"
Iasked，marvellingatthewayinwhichheenduredthehumoursofhisfather。
\"AslongasIhavethechance，\"hereplied。\"Isay，areyousureyouwon’tmindstayingwithus？Itcan’tbeaverycomfortablehouseholdforanoutsider。\"
\"Muchbetterthanforaninsider，toallappearance，\"Ireplied。
\"I’monlytoodelightedtostay。Andnow，oldfellow，tellmethehonesttruth——youdidn’t，youknow，inyourletter——howhaveyoubeengettingon？\"
Derricklaunchedintoanaccountofhisfather’sailments。
\"Oh，hangtheMajor!Idon’tcareabouthim，Iwanttoknowaboutyou，\"Icried。
\"Aboutme？\"saidDerrickdoubtfully。\"Oh，I’mrightenough。\"
\"Whatdoyoudowithyourself？Howonearthdoyoukilltime？\"I
asked。\"Come，givemeafull，true，andparticularaccountofitall。\"
\"Wehavetriedthreeotherservants，\"saidDerrick；\"buttheplandoesn’tanswer。Theyeitherwon’tstandit，orelsetheyarebribedintosmugglingbrandyintothehouse。IfindIcandomostthingsformyfather，andinthemorninghehasanattendantfromthehospitalwhoistrustworthy，andwhodoeswhatisnecessaryforhim。
Attenwebreakfasttogether，thentherearethemorningpapers，whichhelikestohavereadtohim。AfterthatIgoroundtothePumpRoomwithhim——oddcontrastnowtowhatitmusthavebeenwhenBathwastherage。Thenwehavelunch。Intheafternoon，ifheiswellenough，wedrive；ifnothesleeps，andIgetawalk。LateronanoldIndianfriendofhiswillsometimesdropin；ifnothelikestobereadtountildinner。Afterdinnerweplaychess——heisafirst—rateplayer。AttenIhelphimtobed；fromeleventotwelveIsmokeandstudySocialismandalltherestofitthatLynwoodisatpresentflounderingin。\"
\"Whydon’tyouwrite，then？\"
\"Itriedit，butitdidn’tanswer。Icouldn’tsleepafterit，andwas，infact，tootired；seemsabsurdtobetiredaftersuchadayasthat，butsomehowittakesitoutofonemorethanthehardestreading；Idon’tknowwhy。\"
\"Why，\"Isaidangrily，\"it’sbecauseitisworktowhichyouarequiteunsuited——workforathick—skinned，hard—hearted，uncultivatedandwell—paidattendant，notforthenovelistwhoistobethechieflightofourgeneration。\"
Helaughedatthisestimateofhispowers。
\"Novelists，likeothercattle，havetoobeytheirowner，\"hesaidlightly。
IthoughtforamomentthathemeanttheMajor，andwasbreakingintoanangryremonstrance，whenIsawthathemeantsomethingquitedifferent。Itwasalwayshisstrongestpoint，thisextraordinaryconsciousnessofright，thisunwaveringbeliefthathehadtodoandthereforecoulddocertainthings。Withoutthis，Iknowthatheneverwrotealine，andinmyheartIbelievethiswasthecauseofhissuccess。
\"Thenyouarenotwritingatall？\"Iasked。
\"Yes，Iwritegenerallyforacoupleofhoursbeforebreakfast，\"hesaid。
Andthateveningwesatbyhisgasstoveandhereadmethenextfourchaptersof’Lynwood。’Hehadratheradismallodging—housebedroom，withfadedwall—paperandaprosaicsnuff—colouredcarpet。
Onaricketytableinthewindowwashisdesk，andaportfoliofullofbluefoolscap，buthehaddonewhathecouldtomaketheplacehabitable；hisOxfordpictureswereonthewalls——Hoffman’s’ChristspeakingtotheWomantakeninAdultery，’hangingoverthemantelpiece——ithadalwaysbeenafavouriteofhis。Irememberthat，ashereadthedescriptionofLynwoodandhiswife，IkeptlookingfromhimtotheChristinthepicturetillIcouldalmosthavefanciedthateachfaceborethesameexpression。HadthisstrangemonotonouslifewiththatoldbruteofaMajorbroughthimsomenewperceptionofthosewords，\"NeitherdoIcondemnthee\"？
Butwhenhestoppedreading，I，truetomycharacter，forgothisaffairsinmyown，aswesattalkingfarintothenight——talkingofthatlucklessmonthatMondisfield，ofalltheproblemsithadopenedup，andofmywretchedness。
\"YouwereintownallSeptember？\"heasked；\"yougaveupBlachington？\"
\"Yes，\"Ireplied。\"WhatdidIcareforcountryhousesinsuchamoodasthat。\"
Heacquiesced，andIwentontalkingofmygrievances，anditwasnottillIwasinthetrainonmywaybacktoLondonthatI
rememberedhowalookofdisappointmenthadpassedoverhisfacejustatthemoment。EvidentlyhehadcountedonlearningsomethingaboutFredafromme，andI——well，Ihadcleanforgottenbothherexistenceandhispassionatelove。
Something，probablyself—interest，thedesireformyfriend’scompany，andsoforth，tookmedowntoBathprettyfrequentlyinthosedays；luckilytheMajorhadasortoflikingforme，andwasalwayspoliteenough；anddearoldDerrick——well，Ibelievemyvisitsreallyhelpedtobrightenhimup。Atanyratehesaidhecouldn’thavebornehislifewithoutthem，andforasceptical，dismal，cynicalfellowlikemetohearthatwassomehowflattering。
Themereforceofcontrastdidmegood。IusedtocomebackontheMondaywonderingthatDerrickdidn’tcuthisthroat，andrealisingthat，afterall，itwassomethingtobeafreeagent，andtohavecomfortableroomsinMontagueStreet，withnooldbearofadrunkardtodisturbmypeace。Andthenasortofadmirationsprangupinmyheart，andthecynicismbredofmelancholybroodingsoversolitarypipeswaslessrampantthanusual。
Itwas，Ithink，earlyinthenewyearthatImetLawrenceVaughaninBath。HewasnotstayingatGayStreet，soIcouldstillhavethevacantroomnexttoDerrick’s。LawrenceputupattheYorkHouseHotel。
\"Foryouknow，\"heinformedme，\"Ireallycan’tstandthegovernorformorethananhourortwoatatime。\"
\"Derrickmanagestodoit，\"Isaid。
\"Oh，Derrick，yes，\"hereplied，\"it’shismetier，andheiswellaccustomedtothelife。Besides，youknow，heissuchadreamy，quietsortoffellow；helivesallthetimeinaworldofhisowncreation，andbearsthediscomfortsofthisworldwithgreatphilosophy。Actuallyhehasturnedteetotaller!Itwouldkillmeinaweek。\"
Imakeapointofneverarguingwithafellowlikethat，butIthinkIhadavindictivelonging，asIlookedathim，toshuthimupwiththeMajorforamonth，andseewhatwouldhappen。
Thesetwinbrotherswerecuriouslyalikeinfaceandcuriouslyunlikeinnature。Somuchforthegreatscienceofphysiognomy!Itoftenseemedtomethattheywerethecomplementofeachother。Forinstance，Derrickinsocietywasextremelysilent，Lawrencewasarattlingtalker；Derrick，whenalonewithyou，wouldnowandthenrevealunsuspecteddepthsofthoughtandexpression；Lawrence，whenalonewithyou，veryfrequentlyshowedhimselftobeacad。Theeldertwinwasmodestanddiffident，theyoungerinclinedtobrag；
theonehadastrongtendencytomelancholy，theotherwasblestorcursedwiththesortoftemperamentwhichhasbeensaidtoaccompany\"ahardheartandagooddigestion。\"
Iwasnotsurprisedtofindthatthesonwhocouldnottoleratethegovernor’spresenceformorethananhourortwo，wasaprimefavouritewiththeoldman；thatwasjustthewayoftheworld。Ofcourse，theMajorwasaspoliteaspossibletohim；DerrickgotthekicksandLawrencethehalf—pence。
Intheeveningsweplayedwhist，Lawrencecominginafterdinner，\"For，youknow，\"heexplainedtome，\"Ireallycouldn’tgetthroughamealwithnothingbutthoseinfernalmineralwaterstowashitdown。\"
AndhereImustownthatatmyfirstvisitIhadsailedratherclosetothewind；forwhentheMajor，liketheHatterin’Alice，’pressedmetotakewine，I——notseeingany——hadansweredthatIdidnottakeit；mentallyaddingthewords，\"inyourhouse，youbrute!\"
Thetwobrotherswerefondofeachotherafterafashion。ButDerrickwashuman，andhadhisfaultsliketherestofus；andIamprettysurehedidnotmuchenjoythesightofhisfather’sfoolishandunreasonabledevotiontoLawrence。Ifyoucometothinkofit，hewouldhavebeenafull—fledgedangelifnojealouspang，noreflectionthatitwasratherroughonhim，hadcrossedhismind，whenhesawhisyoungerbrothertreatedwitheverymarkofrespectandliking，andknewthatLawrencewouldneverstirafingerreallytohelpthepoorfractiousinvalid。Unluckilytheyhappenedonenighttogetonthesubjectofprofessions。