\"Now——now！\"thesamevoicesaidexcitedly;andCharity，graspingthehatonherknee，crushedittightintheefforttorestrainherrapture。
Foramomentthenightseemedtogrowmoreimpenetrablyblack;thenagreatpicturestoodoutagainstitlikeaconstellation。Itwassurmountedbyagoldenscrollbearingtheinscription，\"WashingtoncrossingtheDelaware，\"andacrossafloodofmotionlessgoldenripplestheNationalHeropassed，erect，solemnandgigantic，standingwithfoldedarmsinthesternofaslowlymovinggoldenboat。
Along\"Oh—h—h\"burstfromthespectators：thestandcreakedandshookwiththeirblissfultrepidations。
\"Oh—h—h，\"Charitygasped：shehadforgottenwhereshewas，hadatlastforgottenevenHarney’snearness。Sheseemedtohavebeencaughtupintothestars……
Thepicturevanishedanddarknesscamedown。Intheobscurityshefeltherheadclaspedbytwohands：herfacewasdrawnbackward，andHarney’slipswerepressedonhers。Withsuddenvehemencehewoundhisarmsabouther，holdingherheadagainsthisbreastwhileshegavehimbackhiskisses。AnunknownHarneyhadrevealedhimself，aHarneywhodominatedherandyetoverwhomshefeltherselfpossessedofanewmysteriouspower。
Butthecrowdwasbeginningtomove，andhehadtoreleaseher。\"Come，\"hesaidinaconfusedvoice。Hescrambledoverthesideofthestand，andholdinguphisarmcaughtherasshesprangtotheground。Hepassedhisarmaboutherwaist，steadyingheragainstthedescendingrushofpeople;andsheclungtohim，speechless，exultant，asifallthecrowdingandconfusionaboutthemwereamerevainstirringoftheair。
\"Come，\"herepeated，\"wemusttrytomakethetrolley。\"
Hedrewheralong，andshefollowed，stillinherdream。Theywalkedasiftheywereone，soisolatedinecstasythatthepeoplejostlingthemoneverysideseemedimpalpable。Butwhentheyreachedtheterminustheilluminatedtrolleywasalreadyclangingonitsway，itsplatformsblackwithpassengers。Thecarswaitingbehinditwereasthicklypacked;andthethrongabouttheterminuswassodensethatitseemedhopelesstostruggleforaplace。
\"LasttripuptheLake，\"amegaphonebellowedfromthewharf;andthelightsofthelittlesteam—boatcamedancingoutofthedarkness。
\"Nousewaitinghere;shallwerunuptheLake？\"Harneysuggested。
Theypushedtheirwaybacktotheedgeofthewaterjustasthegang—plankloweredfromthewhitesideoftheboat。Theelectriclightattheendofthewharfflashedfullonthedescendingpassengers，andamongthemCharitycaughtsightofJuliaHawes，herwhitefeatheraskew，andthefaceunderitflushedwithcoarselaughter。Asshesteppedfromthegang—plankshestoppedshort，herdark—ringedeyesdartingmalice。
\"Hullo，CharityRoyall！\"shecalledout;andthen，lookingbackoverhershoulder：\"Didn’tItellyouitwasafamilyparty？Here’sgrandpa’slittledaughtercometotakehimhome！\"
Asniggerranthroughthegroup;andthen，toweringabovethem，andsteadyinghimselfbythehand—railinadesperateeffortaterectness，Mr。Royallsteppedstifflyashore。Liketheyoungmenoftheparty，heworeasecretsocietyembleminthebuttonholeofhisblackfrock—coat。HisheadwascoveredbyanewPanamahat，andhisnarrowblacktie，halfundone，dangleddownonhisrumpledshirt—front。Hisface，alividbrown，withredblotchesofangerandlipssunkeninlikeanoldman’s，wasalamentableruininthesearchingglare。
HewasjustbehindJuliaHawes，andhadonehandonherarm;butasheleftthegang—plankhefreedhimself，andmovedasteportwoawayfromhiscompanions。HehadseenCharityatonce，andhisglancepassedslowlyfromhertoHarney，whosearmwasstillabouther。Hestoodstaringatthem，andtryingtomasterthesenilequiverofhislips;thenhedrewhimselfupwiththetremulousmajestyofdrunkenness，andstretchedouthisarm。
\"Youwhore——youdamn——bare—headedwhore，you！\"heenunciatedslowly。
Therewasascreamoftipsylaughterfromtheparty，andCharityinvoluntarilyputherhandstoherhead。
Sherememberedthatherhathadfallenfromherlapwhenshejumpeduptoleavethestand;andsuddenlyshehadavisionofherself，hatless，dishevelled，withaman’sarmabouther，confrontingthatdrunkencrew，headedbyherguardian’spitiablefigure。Thepicturefilledherwithshame。ShehadknownsincechildhoodaboutMr。Royall’s\"habits\"：hadseenhim，asshewentuptobed，sittingmoroselyinhisoffice，abottleathiselbow;orcominghome，heavyandquarrelsome，fromhisbusinessexpeditionstoHepburnorSpringfield;buttheideaofhisassociatinghimselfpubliclywithabandofdisreputablegirlsandbar—roomloaferswasnewanddreadfultoher。
\"Oh————\"shesaidinagaspofmisery;andreleasingherselffromHarney’sarmshewentstraightuptoMr。
Royall。
\"Youcomehomewithme——youcomerighthomewithme，\"
shesaidinalowsternvoice，asifshehadnotheardhisapostrophe;andoneofthegirlscalledout：\"Say，howmanyfellersdoesshewant？\"
Therewasanotherlaugh，followedbyapauseofcuriosity，duringwhichMr。RoyallcontinuedtoglareatCharity。Atlengthhistwitchinglipsparted。\"I
said，’You——damn——whore！’\"herepeatedwithprecision，steadyinghimselfonJulia’sshoulder。
Laughsandjeerswerebeginningtospringupfromthecircleofpeoplebeyondtheirgroup;andavoicecalledoutfromthegangway：\"Now，then，steplivelythere——allABOARD！\"Thepressureofapproachinganddepartingpassengersforcedtheactorsintherapidsceneapart，andpushedthembackintothethrong。
CharityfoundherselfclingingtoHarney’sarmandsobbingdesperately。Mr。Royallhaddisappeared，andinthedistancesheheardtherecedingsoundofJulia’slaugh。
Theboat，ladentothetaffrail，waspuffingawayonherlasttrip。
XI
ATtwoo’clockinthemorningthefreckledboyfromCrestonstoppedhissleepyhorseatthedooroftheredhouse，andCharitygotout。HarneyhadtakenleaveofheratCrestonRiver，chargingtheboytodriveherhome。Hermindwasstillinafogofmisery，andshedidnotrememberveryclearlywhathadhappened，orwhattheysaidtoeachother，duringtheinterminableintervalsincetheirdeparturefromNettleton;butthesecretiveinstinctoftheanimalinpainwassostronginherthatshehadasenseofreliefwhenHarneygotoutandshedroveonalone。
ThefullmoonhungoverNorthDormer，whiteningthemistthatfilledthehollowsbetweenthehillsandfloatedtransparentlyabovethefields。Charitystoodamomentatthegate，lookingoutintothewaningnight。Shewatchedtheboydriveoff，hishorse’sheadwaggingheavilytoandfro;thenshewentaroundtothekitchendoorandfeltunderthematforthekey。Shefoundit，unlockedthedoorandwentin。Thekitchenwasdark，butshediscoveredaboxofmatches，litacandleandwentupstairs。Mr。Royall’sdoor，oppositehers，stoodopenonhisunlitroom;evidentlyhehadnotcomeback。Shewentintoherroom，boltedherdoorandbeganslowlytountietheribbonaboutherwaist，andtotakeoffherdress。Underthebedshesawthepaperbaginwhichshehadhiddenhernewhatfrominquisitiveeyes……
Shelayforalongtimesleeplessonherbed，staringupatthemoonlightonthelowceiling;dawnwasintheskywhenshefellasleep，andwhenshewokethesunwasonherface。
Shedressedandwentdowntothekitchen。Verenawastherealone：sheglancedatCharitytranquilly，withherolddeaf—lookingeyes。TherewasnosignofMr。
Royallaboutthehouseandthehourspassedwithouthisreappearing。Charityhadgoneuptoherroom，andsattherelistlessly，herhandsonherlap。Puffsofsultryairfannedherdimitywindowcurtainsandfliesbuzzedstiflinglyagainstthebluishpanes。
Atoneo’clockVerenahobbleduptoseeifshewerenotcomingdowntodinner;butsheshookherhead，andtheoldwomanwentaway，saying：\"I’llcoverup，then。\"
Thesunturnedandleftherroom，andCharityseatedherselfinthewindow，gazingdownthevillagestreetthroughthehalf—openedshutters。Notathoughtwasinhermind;itwasjustadarkwhirlpoolofcrowdingimages;andshewatchedthepeoplepassingalongthestreet，DanTargatt’steamhaulingaloadofpine—
trunksdowntoHepburn，thesexton’soldwhitehorsegrazingonthebankacrosstheway，asifshelookedatthesefamiliarsightsfromtheothersideofthegrave。
ShewasrousedfromherapathybyseeingAllyHawescomeoutoftheFrys’gateandwalkslowlytowardtheredhousewithherunevenlimpingstep。AtthesightCharityrecoveredherseveredcontactwithreality。ShedivinedthatAllywascomingtohearaboutherday：nooneelsewasinthesecretofthetriptoNettleton，andithadflatteredAllyprofoundlytobeallowedtoknowofit。
Atthethoughtofhavingtoseeher，ofhavingtomeethereyesandanswerorevadeherquestions，thewholehorrorofthepreviousnight’sadventurerushedbackuponCharity。Whathadbeenafeverishnightmarebecameacoldandunescapablefact。PoorAlly，atthatmoment，representedNorthDormer，withallitsmeancuriosities，itsfurtivemalice，itsshamunconsciousnessofevil。Charityknewthat，althoughallrelationswithJuliaweresupposedtobesevered，thetender—heartedAllystillsecretlycommunicatedwithher;andnodoubtJuliawouldexultinthechanceofretailingthescandalofthewharf。Thestory，exaggeratedanddistorted，wasprobablyalreadyonitswaytoNorthDormer。
Ally’sdraggingpacehadnotcarriedherfarfromtheFrys’gatewhenshewasstoppedbyoldMrs。Sollas，whowasagreattalker，andspokeveryslowlybecauseshehadneverbeenabletogetusedtohernewteethfromHepburn。Still，eventhisrespitewouldnotlastlong;
inanothertenminutesAllywouldbeatthedoor，andCharitywouldhearhergreetingVerenainthekitchen，andthencallingupfromthefootofthestairs。
Suddenlyitbecameclearthatflight，andinstantflight，wastheonlythingconceivable。Thelongingtoescape，togetawayfromfamiliarfaces，fromplaceswhereshewasknown，hadalwaysbeenstronginherinmomentsofdistress。Shehadachildishbeliefinthemiraculouspowerofstrangescenesandnewfacestotransformherlifeandwipeoutbittermemories。Butsuchimpulsesweremerefleetingwhimscomparedtothecoldresolvewhichnowpossessedher。Shefeltshecouldnotremainanhourlongerundertheroofofthemanwhohadpubliclydishonouredher，andfacetofacewiththepeoplewhowouldpresentlybegloatingoverallthedetailsofherhumiliation。
HerpassingpityforMr。Royallhadbeenswallowedupinloathing：everythinginherrecoiledfromthedisgracefulspectacleofthedrunkenoldmanapostrophizingherinthepresenceofabandofloafersandstreet—walkers。Suddenly，vividly，sherelivedagainthehorriblemomentwhenhehadtriedtoforcehimselfintoherroom，andwhatshehadbeforesupposedtobeamadaberrationnowappearedtoherasavulgarincidentinadebauchedanddegradedlife。
Whilethesethoughtswerehurryingthroughhershehaddraggedoutheroldcanvasschool—bag，andwasthrustingintoitafewarticlesofclothingandthelittlepacketoflettersshehadreceivedfromHarney。
Fromunderherpincushionshetookthelibrarykey，andlaiditinfullview;thenshefeltatthebackofadrawerforthebluebroochthatHarneyhadgivenher。
ShewouldnothavedaredtowearitopenlyatNorthDormer，butnowshefasteneditonherbosomasifitwereatalismantoprotectherinherflight。Thesepreparationshadtakenbutafewminutes，andwhentheywerefinishedAllyHaweswasstillattheFrys’cornertalkingtooldMrs。Sollas……
Shehadsaidtoherself，asshealwayssaidinmomentsofrevolt：\"I’llgototheMountain——I’llgobacktomyownfolks。\"Shehadneverreallymeantitbefore;butnow，assheconsideredhercase，noothercourseseemedopen。Shehadneverlearnedanytradethatwouldhavegivenherindependenceinastrangeplace，andsheknewnooneinthebigtownsofthevalley，whereshemighthavehopedtofindemployment。MissHatchardwasstillaway;butevenhadshebeenatNorthDormershewasthelastpersontowhomCharitywouldhaveturned，sinceoneofthemotivesurginghertoflightwasthewishnottoseeLuciusHarney。TravellingbackfromNettleton，inthecrowdedbrightly—littrain，allexchangeofconfidencebetweenthemhadbeenimpossible;butduringtheirdrivefromHepburntoCrestonRivershehadgatheredfromHarney’ssnatchesofconsolatorytalk——againhamperedbythefreckledboy’spresence——thatheintendedtoseeherthenextday。Atthemomentshehadfoundavaguecomfortintheassurance;butinthedesolatelucidityofthehoursthatfollowedshehadcometoseetheimpossibilityofmeetinghimagain。Herdreamofcomradeshipwasover;andthesceneonthewharf——vileanddisgracefulasithadbeen——hadafterallshedthelightoftruthonherminuteofmadness。Itwasasifherguardian’swordshadstrippedherbareinthefaceofthegrinningcrowdandproclaimedtotheworldthesecretadmonitionsofherconscience。
Shedidnotthinkthesethingsoutclearly;shesimplyfollowedtheblindpropulsionofherwretchedness。Shedidnotwant，everagain，toseeanyoneshehadknown;
aboveall，shedidnotwanttoseeHarney……
Sheclimbedthehill—pathbehindthehouseandstruckthroughthewoodsbyashort—cutleadingtotheCrestonroad。Alead—colouredskyhungheavilyoverthefields，andintheforestthemotionlessairwasstifling;butshepushedon，impatienttoreachtheroadwhichwastheshortestwaytotheMountain。
Todoso，shehadtofollowtheCrestonroadforamileortwo，andgowithinhalfamileofthevillage;andshewalkedquickly，fearingtomeetHarney。Buttherewasnosignofhim，andshehadalmostreachedthebranchroadwhenshesawtheflanksofalargewhitetentprojectingthroughthetreesbytheroadside。ShesupposedthatitshelteredatravellingcircuswhichhadcometherefortheFourth;butasshedrewnearershesaw，overthefolded—backflap，alargesignbearingtheinscription，\"GospelTent。\"Theinteriorseemedtobeempty;butayoungmaninablackalpacacoat，hislankhairpartedoveraroundwhiteface，steppedfromundertheflapandadvancedtowardherwithasmile。
\"Sister，yourSaviourknowseverything。Won’tyoucomeinandlayyourguiltbeforeHim？\"heaskedinsinuatingly，puttinghishandonherarm。
Charitystartedbackandflushed。ForamomentshethoughttheevangelistmusthaveheardareportofthesceneatNettleton;thenshesawtheabsurdityofthesupposition。
\"Ion’ywish’tIhadanytolay！\"sheretorted，withoneofherfierceflashesofself—derision;
andtheyoungmanmurmured，aghast：\"Oh，Sister，don’tspeakblasphemy……\"
Butshehadjerkedherarmoutofhishold，andwasrunningupthebranchroad，tremblingwiththefearofmeetingafamiliarface。Presentlyshewasoutofsightofthevillage，andclimbingintotheheartoftheforest。ShecouldnothopetodothefifteenmilestotheMountainthatafternoon;butsheknewofaplacehalf—waytoHamblinwhereshecouldsleep，andwherenoonewouldthinkoflookingforher。Itwasalittledesertedhouseonaslopeinoneofthelonelyriftsofthehills。Shehadseenitonce，yearsbefore，whenshehadgoneonanuttingexpeditiontothegroveofwalnutsbelowit。Thepartyhadtakenrefugeinthehousefromasuddenmountainstorm，andsherememberedthatBenSollas，wholikedfrighteninggirls，hadtoldthemthatitwassaidtobehaunted。
Shewasgrowingfaintandtired，forshehadeatennothingsincemorning，andwasnotusedtowalkingsofar。Herheadfeltlightandshesatdownforamomentbytheroadside。Asshesattheresheheardtheclickofabicycle—bell，andstarteduptoplungebackintotheforest;butbeforeshecouldmovethebicyclehadsweptaroundthecurveoftheroad，andHarney，jumpingoff，wasapproachingherwithoutstretchedarms。
\"Charity！Whatonearthareyoudoinghere？\"
Shestaredasifhewereavision，sostartledbytheunexpectednessofhisbeingtherethatnowordscametoher。
\"Wherewereyougoing？HadyouforgottenthatIwascoming？\"hecontinued，tryingtodrawhertohim;butsheshrankfromhisembrace。
\"Iwasgoingaway——Idon’twanttoseeyou——Iwantyoushouldleavemealone，\"shebrokeoutwildly。
Helookedatherandhisfacegrewgrave，asthoughtheshadowofapremonitionbrushedit。
\"Goingaway——fromme，Charity？\"
\"Fromeverybody。Iwantyoushouldleaveme。\"
Hestoodglancingdoubtfullyupanddownthelonelyforestroadthatstretchedawayintosun—fleckeddistances。
\"Wherewereyougoing？’
\"Home。\"
\"Home——thisway？\"
Shethrewherheadbackdefiantly。\"Tomyhome——upyonder：totheMountain。\"
Asshespokeshebecameawareofachangeinhisface。Hewasnolongerlisteningtoher，hewasonlylookingather，withthepassionateabsorbedexpressionshehadseeninhiseyesaftertheyhadkissedonthestandatNettleton。HewasthenewHarneyagain，theHarneyabruptlyrevealedinthatembrace，whoseemedsopenetratedwiththejoyofherpresencethathewasutterlycarelessofwhatshewasthinkingorfeeling。
Hecaughtherhandswithalaugh。\"HowdoyousupposeIfoundyou？\"hesaidgaily。Hedrewoutthelittlepacketofhislettersandflourishedthembeforeherbewilderedeyes。
\"Youdroppedthem，youimprudentyoungperson——droppedtheminthemiddleoftheroad，notfarfromhere;andtheyoungmanwhoisrunningtheGospeltentpickedthemupjustasIwasridingby。\"Hedrewback，holdingheratarm’slength，andscrutinizinghertroubledfacewiththeminutesearchinggazeofhisshort—sightedeyes。
\"Didyoureallythinkyoucouldrunawayfromme？Youseeyouweren’tmeantto，\"hesaid;andbeforeshecouldanswerhehadkissedheragain，notvehemently，buttenderly，almostfraternally，asifhehadguessedherconfusedpain，andwantedhertoknowheunderstoodit。Hewoundhisfingersthroughhers。
\"Comelet’swalkalittle。Iwanttotalktoyou。
There’ssomuchtosay。\"
Hespokewithaboy’sgaiety，carelesslyandconfidently，asifnothinghadhappenedthatcouldshameorembarrassthem;andforamoment，inthesuddenreliefofherreleasefromlonelypain，shefeltherselfyieldingtohismood。Buthehadturned，andwasdrawingherbackalongtheroadbywhichshehadcome。Shestiffenedherselfandstoppedshort。
\"Iwon’tgoback，\"shesaid。
Theylookedateachotheramomentinsilence;thenheansweredgently：\"Verywell：let’sgotheotherway，then。\"
Sheremainedmotionless，gazingsilentlyattheground，andhewenton：\"Isn’tthereahouseupheresomewhere——
alittleabandonedhouse——youmeanttoshowmesomeday？\"Stillshemadenoanswer，andhecontinued，inthesametoneoftenderreassurance：\"Letusgotherenowandsitdownandtalkquietly。\"Hetookoneofthehandsthathungbyhersideandpressedhislipstothepalm。\"DoyousupposeI’mgoingtoletyousendmeaway？DoyousupposeIdon’tunderstand？\"
Thelittleoldhouse——itswoodenwallssun—bleachedtoaghostlygray——stoodinanorchardabovetheroad。
Thegardenpalingshadfallen，butthebrokengatedangledbetweenitsposts，andthepathtothehousewasmarkedbyrose—bushesrunwildandhangingtheirsmallpaleblossomsabovethecrowdinggrasses。
Slenderpilastersandanintricatefan—lightframedtheopeningwherethedoorhadhung;andthedooritselflayrottinginthegrass，withanoldapple—treefallenacrossit。
Inside，also，windandweatherhadblanchedeverythingtothesamewansilverytint;thehousewasasdryandpureastheinteriorofalong—emptyshell。Butitmusthavebeenexceptionallywellbuilt，forthelittleroomshadkeptsomethingoftheirhumanaspect：thewoodenmantelswiththeirneatclassicornamentswereinplace，andthecornersofoneceilingretainedalightfilmofplastertracery。
Harneyhadfoundanoldbenchatthebackdooranddraggeditintothehouse。Charitysatonit，leaningherheadagainstthewallinastateofdrowsylassitude。Hehadguessedthatshewashungryandthirsty，andhadbroughthersometabletsofchocolatefromhisbicycle—bag，andfilledhisdrinking—cupfromaspringintheorchard;andnowhesatatherfeet，smokingacigarette，andlookingupatherwithoutspeaking。Outside，theafternoonshadowswerelengtheningacrossthegrass，andthroughtheemptywindow—framethatfacedhershesawtheMountainthrustingitsdarkmassagainstasultrysunset。Itwastimetogo。
Shestoodup，andhesprangtohisfeetalso，andpassedhisarmthroughherswithanairofauthority。
\"Now，Charity，you’recomingbackwithme。\"
Shelookedathimandshookherhead。\"Iain’tevergoingback。Youdon’tknow。\"
\"Whatdon’tIknow？\"Shewassilent，andhecontinued：
\"Whathappenedonthewharfwashorrible——it’snaturalyoushouldfeelasyoudo。Butitdoesn’tmakeanyrealdifference：youcan’tbehurtbysuchthings。Youmusttrytoforget。Andyoumusttrytounderstandthatmen……mensometimes……\"
\"Iknowaboutmen。That’swhy。\"
Hecolouredalittleattheretort，asthoughithadtouchedhiminawayshedidnotsuspect。
\"Well，then……youmustknowonehastomakeallowances……He’dbeendrinking……\"
\"Iknowallthat，too。I’veseenhimsobefore。Buthewouldn’thavedaredspeaktomethatwayifhehadn’t……\"
\"Hadn’twhat？Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Hadn’twantedmetobelikethoseothergirls……\"Sheloweredhervoiceandlookedawayfromhim。\"So’s’thewouldn’thavetogoout……\"
Harneystaredather。Foramomenthedidnotseemtoseizehermeaning;thenhisfacegrewdark。\"Thedamnedhound！Thevillainouslowhound！\"Hiswrathblazedup，crimsoninghimtothetemples。\"Ineverdreamed——goodGod，it’stoovile，\"hebrokeoff，asifhisthoughtsrecoiledfromthediscovery。
\"Iwon’tnevergobackthere，\"sherepeateddoggedly。
\"No————\"heassented。
Therewasalongintervalofsilence，duringwhichsheimaginedthathewassearchingherfaceformorelightonwhatshehadrevealedtohim;andaflushofshamesweptoverher。
\"Iknowthewayyoumustfeelaboutme，\"shebrokeout，\"……tellingyousuchthings……\"
Butoncemore，asshespoke，shebecameawarethathewasnolongerlistening。Hecamecloseandcaughthertohimasifheweresnatchingherfromsomeimminentperil：hisimpetuouseyeswereinhers，andshecouldfeelthehardbeatofhisheartasheheldheragainstit。
\"Kissmeagain——likelastnight，\"hesaid，pushingherhairbackasiftodrawherwholefaceupintohiskiss。
XII
ONEafternoontowardtheendofAugustagroupofgirlssatinaroomatMissHatchard’sinagayconfusionofflags，turkey—red，blueandwhitepapermuslin，harvestsheavesandilluminatedscrolls。
NorthDormerwaspreparingforitsOldHomeWeek。Thatformofsentimentaldecentralizationwasstillinitsearlystages，and，precedentsbeingfew，andthedesiretosetanexamplecontagious，thematterhadbecomeasubjectofprolongedandpassionatediscussionunderMissHatchard’sroof。TheincentivetothecelebrationhadcomeratherfromthosewhohadleftNorthDormerthanfromthosewhohadbeenobligedtostaythere，andtherewassomedifficultyinrousingthevillagetotheproperstateofenthusiasm。ButMissHatchard’spaleprimdrawing—roomwasthecentreofconstantcomingsandgoingsfromHepburn，Nettleton，Springfieldandevenmoredistantcities;andwheneveravisitorarrivedhewasledacrossthehall，andtreatedtoaglimpseofthegroupofgirlsdeepintheirprettypreparations。
\"Alltheoldnames……alltheoldnames……\"MissHatchardwouldbeheard，tappingacrossthehallonhercrutches。\"Targatt……Sollas……Fry：thisisMissOrmaFrysewingthestarsonthedraperyfortheorgan—loft。
Don’tmove，girls……andthisisMissAllyHawes，ourcleverestneedle—woman……andMissCharityRoyallmakingourgarlandsofevergreen……Iliketheideaofitsallbeinghomemade，don’tyou？Wehaven’thadtocallinanyforeigntalent：myyoungcousinLuciusHarney，thearchitect——youknowhe’supherepreparingabookonColonialhouses——he’stakenthewholethinginhandsocleverly;butyoumustcomeandseehissketchforthestagewe’regoingtoputupintheTownHall。\"
OneofthefirstresultsoftheOldHomeWeekagitationhad，infact，beenthereappearanceofLuciusHarneyinthevillagestreet。Hehadbeenvaguelyspokenofasbeingnotfaroff，butforsomeweekspastnoonehadseenhimatNorthDormer，andtherewasarecentreportofhishavingleftCrestonRiver，wherehewassaidtohavebeenstaying，andgoneawayfromtheneighbourhoodforgood。SoonafterMissHatchard’sreturn，however，hecamebacktohisoldquartersinherhouse，andbegantotakealeadingpartintheplanningofthefestivities。Hethrewhimselfintotheideawithextraordinarygood—humour，andwassoprodigalofsketches，andsoinexhaustibleindevices，thathegaveanimmediateimpetustotheratherlanguidmovement，andinfectedthewholevillagewithhisenthusiasm。
\"Luciushassuchafeelingforthepastthathehasrousedusalltoasenseofourprivileges，\"MissHatchardwouldsay，lingeringonthelastword，whichwasafavouriteone。Andbeforeleadinghervisitorbacktothedrawing—roomshewouldrepeat，forthehundredthtime，thatshesupposedhethoughtitveryboldoflittleNorthDormertostartupandhaveaHomeWeekofitsown，whensomanybiggerplaceshadn’tthoughtofityet;butthat，afterall，Associationscountedmorethanthesizeofthepopulation，didn’tthey？AndofcourseNorthDormerwassofullofAssociations……historic，literary（hereafilialsighforHonorius）andecclesiastical……heknewabouttheoldpewtercommunionserviceimportedfromEnglandin1769，shesupposed？Anditwassoimportant，inawealthymaterialisticage，tosettheexampleofrevertingtotheoldideals，thefamilyandthehomestead，andsoon。Thisperorationusuallycarriedherhalf—waybackacrossthehall，leavingthegirlstoreturntotheirinterruptedactivities。
ThedayonwhichCharityRoyallwasweavinghemlockgarlandsfortheprocessionwasthelastbeforethecelebration。WhenMissHatchardcalledupontheNorthDormermaidenhoodtocollaborateinthefestalpreparationsCharityhadatfirstheldaloof;butithadbeenmadecleartoherthathernon—appearancemightexciteconjecture，and，reluctantly，shehadjoinedtheotherworkers。Thegirls，atfirstshyandembarrassed，andpuzzledastotheexactnatureoftheprojectedcommemoration，hadsoonbecomeinterestedintheamusingdetailsoftheirtask，andexcitedbythenoticetheyreceived。TheywouldnotfortheworldhavemissedtheirafternoonsatMissHatchard’s，and，whiletheycutoutandsewedanddrapedandpasted，theirtongueskeptupsuchanaccompanimenttothesewing—machinethatCharity’ssilencesheltereditselfunperceivedundertheirchatter。
Inspiritshewasstillalmostunconsciousofthepleasantstirabouther。Sinceherreturntotheredhouse，ontheeveningofthedaywhenHarneyhadovertakenheronherwaytotheMountain，shehadlivedatNorthDormerasifsheweresuspendedinthevoid。
ShehadcomebacktherebecauseHarney，afterappearingtoagreetotheimpossibilityofherdoingso，hadendedbypersuadingherthatanyothercoursewouldbemadness。ShehadnothingfurthertofearfromMr。
Royall。Ofthisshehaddeclaredherselfsure，thoughshehadfailedtoadd，inhisexoneration，thathehadtwiceofferedtomakeherhiswife。Herhatredofhimmadeitimpossible，atthemoment，forhertosayanythingthatmightpartlyexcusehiminHarney’seyes。
Harney，however，oncesatisfiedofhersecurity，hadfoundplentyofreasonsforurginghertoreturn。Thefirst，andthemostunanswerable，wasthatshehadnowhereelsetogo。Buttheoneonwhichhelaidthegreateststresswasthatflightwouldbeequivalenttoavowal。If——aswasalmostinevitable——rumoursofthescandaloussceneatNettletonshouldreachNorthDormer，howelsewouldherdisappearancebeinterpreted？Herguardianhadpubliclytakenawayhercharacter，andsheimmediatelyvanishedfromhishouse。Seekersaftermotivescouldhardlyfailtodrawanunkindconclusion。Butifshecamebackatonce，andwasseenleadingherusuallife，theincidentwasreducedtoitstrueproportions，astheoutbreakofadrunkenoldmanfuriousatbeingsurprisedindisreputablecompany。PeoplewouldsaythatMr。Royallhadinsultedhiswardtojustifyhimself，andthesordidtalewouldfallintoitsplaceinthechronicleofhisobscuredebaucheries。
Charitysawtheforceoftheargument;butifsheacquiesceditwasnotsomuchbecauseofthatasbecauseitwasHarney’swish。SincethateveninginthedesertedhouseshecouldimaginenoreasonfordoingornotdoinganythingexceptthefactthatHarneywishedordidnotwishit。Allhertossingcontradictoryimpulsesweremergedinafatalisticacceptanceofhiswill。Itwasnotthatshefeltinhimanyascendancyofcharacter——thereweremomentsalreadywhensheknewshewasthestronger——butthatalltherestoflifehadbecomeamerecloudyrimaboutthecentralgloryoftheirpassion。Whenevershestoppedthinkingaboutthatforamomentshefeltasshesometimesdidafterlyingonthegrassandstaringuptoolongatthesky;hereyesweresofulloflightthateverythingaboutherwasablur。
EachtimethatMissHatchard，inthecourseofherperiodicalincursionsintothework—room，droppedanallusiontoheryoungcousin，thearchitect，theeffectwasthesameonCharity。Thehemlockgarlandshewaswearingfelltoherkneesandshesatinakindoftrance。ItwassomanifestlyabsurdthatMissHatchardshouldtalkofHarneyinthatfamiliarpossessiveway，asifshehadanyclaimonhim，orknewanythingabouthim。She，CharityRoyall，wastheonlybeingonearthwhoreallyknewhim，knewhimfromthesolesofhisfeettotherumpledcrestofhishair，knewtheshiftinglightsinhiseyes，andtheinflexionsofhisvoice，andthethingshelikedanddisliked，andeverythingtherewastoknowabouthim，asminutelyandyetunconsciouslyasachildknowsthewallsoftheroomitwakesupineverymorning。Itwasthisfact，whichnobodyaboutherguessed，orwouldhaveunderstood，thatmadeherlifesomethingapartandinviolable，asifnothinghadanypowertohurtordisturbheraslongashersecretwassafe。
TheroominwhichthegirlssatwastheonewhichhadbeenHarney’sbedroom。Hehadbeensentupstairs，tomakeroomfortheHomeWeekworkers;butthefurniturehadnotbeenmoved，andasCharitysatthereshehadperpetuallybeforeherthevisionshehadlookedinonfromthemidnightgarden。ThetableatwhichHarneyhadsatwastheoneaboutwhichthegirlsweregathered;andherownseatwasnearthebedonwhichshehadseenhimlying。Sometimes，whentheotherswerenotlooking，shebentoverasiftopickupsomething，andlaidhercheekforamomentagainstthepillow。
Towardsunsetthegirlsdisbanded。Theirworkwasdone，andthenextmorningatdaylightthedraperiesandgarlandsweretobenailedup，andtheilluminatedscrollsputinplaceintheTownHall。ThefirstguestsweretodriveoverfromHepburnintimeforthemiddaybanquetunderatentinMissHatchard’sfield;
andafterthattheceremoniesweretobegin。MissHatchard，palewithfatigueandexcitement，thankedheryoungassistants，andstoodintheporch，leaningonhercrutchesandwavingafarewellasshewatchedthemtroopawaydownthestreet。
Charityhadslippedoffamongthefirst;butatthegatesheheardAllyHawescallingafterher，andreluctantlyturned。
\"Willyoucomeovernowandtryonyourdress？\"
Allyasked，lookingatherwithwistfuladmiration。\"I
wanttobesurethesleevesdon’truckupthesameastheydidyesterday。\"
Charitygazedatherwithdazzledeyes。\"Oh，it’slovely，\"shesaid，andhastenedawaywithoutlisteningtoAlly’sprotest。Shewantedherdresstobeasprettyastheothergirls’——wantedit，infact，tooutshinetherest，sinceshewastotakepartinthe\"exercises\"——butshehadnotimejustthentofixhermindonsuchmatters……
Shespedupthestreettothelibrary，ofwhichshehadthekeyaboutherneck。Fromthepassageatthebackshedraggedforthabicycle，andguidedittotheedgeofthestreet。Shelookedabouttoseeifanyofthegirlswereapproaching;buttheyhaddriftedawaytogethertowardtheTownHall，andshesprangintothesaddleandturnedtowardtheCrestonroad。TherewasanalmostcontinualdescenttoCreston，andwithherfeetagainstthepedalsshefloatedthroughthestilleveningairlikeoneofthehawksshehadoftenwatchedslantingdownwardonmotionlesswings。TwentyminutesfromthetimewhenshehadleftMissHatchard’sdoorshewasturningupthewood—roadonwhichHarneyhadovertakenheronthedayofherflight;andafewminutesafterwardshehadjumpedfromherbicycleatthegateofthedesertedhouse。
Inthegold—powderedsunsetitlookedmorethaneverlikesomefrailshelldriedandwashedbymanyseasons;
butattheback，whitherCharityadvanced，drawingherbicycleafterher，thereweresignsofrecenthabitation。Aroughdoormadeofboardshunginthekitchendoorway，andpushingitopensheenteredaroomfurnishedinprimitivecampingfashion。Inthewindowwasatable，alsomadeofboards，withanearthenwarejarholdingabigbunchofwildasters，twocanvaschairsstoodnearby，andinonecornerwasamattresswithaMexicanblanketoverit。
Theroomwasempty，andleaningherbicycleagainstthehouseCharityclambereduptheslopeandsatdownonarockunderanoldapple—tree。Theairwasperfectlystill，andfromwhereshesatshewouldbeabletohearthetinkleofabicycle—bellalongwaydowntheroad……
ShewasalwaysgladwhenshegottothelittlehousebeforeHarney。Shelikedtohavetimetotakeineverydetailofitssecretsweetness——theshadowsoftheapple—treesswayingonthegrass，theoldwalnutsroundingtheirdomesbelowtheroad，themeadowsslopingwestwardintheafternoonlight——beforehisfirstkissblotteditallout。Everythingunrelatedtothehoursspentinthattranquilplacewasasfaintastheremembranceofadream。Theonlyrealitywasthewondrousunfoldingofhernewself，thereachingouttothelightofallhercontractedtendrils。Shehadlivedallherlifeamongpeoplewhosesensibilitiesseemedtohavewitheredforlackofuse;andmorewonderful，atfirst，thanHarney’sendearmentswerethewordsthatwereapartofthem。Shehadalwaysthoughtofloveassomethingconfusedandfurtive，andhemadeitasbrightandopenasthesummerair。
OnthemorrowofthedaywhenshehadshownhimthewaytothedesertedhousehehadpackedupandleftCrestonRiverforBoston;butatthefirststationhehadjumpedonthetrainwithahand—bagandscrambledupintothehills。FortwogoldenrainlessAugustweekshehadcampedinthehouse，gettingeggsandmilkfromthesolitaryfarminthevalley，wherenooneknewhim，anddoinghiscookingoveraspirit—lamp。Hegotupeverydaywiththesun，tookaplungeinabrownpoolheknewof，andspentlonghourslyinginthescentedhemlock—woodsabovethehouse，orwanderingalongtheyokeoftheEagleRidge，farabovethemistybluevalleysthatsweptawayeastandwestbetweentheendlesshills。AndintheafternoonCharitycametohim。
Withpartofwhatwasleftofhersavingsshehadhiredabicycleforamonth，andeverydayafterdinner，assoonasherguardianstartedtohisoffice，shehurriedtothelibrary，gotoutherbicycle，andflewdowntheCrestonroad。SheknewthatMr。Royall，likeeveryoneelseinNorthDormer，wasperfectlyawareofheracquisition：possiblyhe，aswellastherestofthevillage，knewwhatuseshemadeofit。Shedidnotcare：shefelthimtobesopowerlessthatifhehadquestionedhershewouldprobablyhavetoldhimthetruth。ButtheyhadneverspokentoeachothersincethenightonthewharfatNettleton。HehadreturnedtoNorthDormeronlyonthethirddayafterthatencounter，arrivingjustasCharityandVerenaweresittingdowntosupper。Hehaddrawnuphischair，takenhisnapkinfromtheside—boarddrawer，pulleditoutofitsring，andseatedhimselfasunconcernedlyasifhehadcomeinfromhisusualafternoonsessionatCarrickFry’s;andthelonghabitofthehouseholdmadeitseemalmostnaturalthatCharityshouldnotsomuchasraisehereyeswhenheentered。Shehadsimplylethimunderstandthathersilencewasnotaccidentalbyleavingthetablewhilehewasstilleating，andgoingupwithoutawordtoshutherselfintoherroom。
AfterthatheformedthehabitoftalkingloudlyandgeniallytoVerenawheneverCharitywasintheroom;
butotherwisetherewasnoapparentchangeintheirrelations。
ShedidnotthinkconnectedlyofthesethingswhileshesatwaitingforHarney，buttheyremainedinhermindasasullenbackgroundagainstwhichhershorthourswithhimflamedoutlikeforestfires。Nothingelsemattered，neitherthegoodnorthebad，orwhatmighthaveseemedsobeforesheknewhim。Hehadcaughtherupandcarriedherawayintoanewworld，fromwhich，atstatedhours，theghostofhercamebacktoperformcertaincustomaryacts，butallsothinlyandinsubstantiallythatshesometimeswonderedthatthepeopleshewentaboutamongcouldseeher……
BehindtheswarthyMountainthesunhadgonedowninwavelessgold。Fromapastureuptheslopeatinkleofcow—bellssounded;apuffofsmokehungoverthefarminthevalley，trailedonthepureairandwasgone。Forafewminutes，intheclearlightthatisallshadow，fieldsandwoodswereoutlinedwithanunrealprecision;thenthetwilightblottedthemout，andthelittlehouseturnedgrayandspectralunderitswizenedapple—branches。
Charity’sheartcontracted。Thefirstfallofnightafteradayofradianceoftengaveherasenseofhiddenmenace：itwaslikelookingoutovertheworldasitwouldbewhenlovehadgonefromit。Shewonderedifsomedayshewouldsitinthatsameplaceandwatchinvainforherlover……
Hisbicycle—bellsoundeddownthelane，andinaminuteshewasatthegateandhiseyeswerelaughinginhers。
Theywalkedbackthroughthelonggrass，andpushedopenthedoorbehindthehouse。Theroomatfirstseemedquitedarkandtheyhadtogropetheirwayinhandinhand。Throughthewindow—frametheskylookedlightbycontrast，andabovetheblackmassofastersintheearthenjaronewhitestarglimmeredlikeamoth。
\"Therewassuchalottodoatthelastminute，\"Harneywasexplaining，\"andIhadtodrivedowntoCrestontomeetsomeonewhohascometostaywithmycousinfortheshow。\"
Hehadhisarmsabouther，andhiskisseswereinherhairandonherlips。Underhistouchthingsdeepdowninherstruggledtothelightandspranguplikeflowersinsunshine。Shetwistedherfingersintohis，andtheysatdownsidebysideontheimprovisedcouch。
Shehardlyheardhisexcusesforbeinglate：inhisabsenceathousanddoubtstormentedher，butassoonasheappearedsheceasedtowonderwherehehadcomefrom，whathaddelayedhim，whohadkepthimfromher。