VII
AfterthiswhirlwindMr。Hoopdriverpaidhisreckoningand——beingnowalittlerestedaboutthemusclesoftheknees——resumedhissaddleandrodeoninthedirectionofRipley，alonganexcellentbutundulatingroad。Hewaspleasedtofindhiscommandoverhismachinealreadysensiblyincreased。Hesethimselflittleexercisesashewentalongandperformedthemwithvariablesuccess。Therewas，forinstance，steeringinbetweenacoupleofstones，sayafootapart，adeedoflittledifficultyasfarasthefrontwheelisconcerned。Butthebackwheel，notbeingundertheswayofthehumaneye，isapttotakeaviciousjumpovertheobstacle，whichsendsaviolentconcussionallalongthespinetotheskull，andwillevenjerkalooselyfastenedhatovertheeyes，andsoleadtomuchconfusion。Andagain，therewastakingthehandorhandsoffthehandlebar，athingsimpleinitself，butcomplexinitsconsequences。ThisparticularlywasafeatMr。
Hoopdriverdesiredtodo，forseveraldivergentreasons;butatpresentitsimplyledtoconvulsivebalancingsandnovelandinelegantmodesofdismounting。
Thehumannoseis，atitsbest，aneedlessexcrescence。Therearethosewhoconsideritornamental，andwouldregardafacedeprivedofitsassistancewithpityorderision;butitisdoubtfulwhetherouresteemisdictatedsomuchbyasenseofitsabsolutebeautyasbythevitiatingeffectofauniversallyprevalentfashion。Inthecaseofbicyclestudents，asintheyoungofbothsexes，itsinutilityisaggravatedbyitspersistentannoyance——itrequiresconstantattention。Untilonecanridewithonehand，andsearchfor，secure，anduseapockethandkerchiefwiththeother，cyclingisnecessarilyaconstantseriesofdescents。Nothingcanbefurtherfromtheauthor’sambitionthanawantonrealism，butMr。Hoopdriver’snoseisaplainandsalientfact，andfaceitwemust。And，inadditiontothisinconvenience，thereareflies。Untilthecyclistcansteerwithonehand，hisfaceisgivenovertoBeelzebub。Contemplativefliesstrolloverit，andtrifleabsentlywithitsmostsensitivesurfaces。Theonlywaytodislodgethemistoshaketheheadforciblyandtowritheone’sfeaturesviolently。Thisisnotonlyalengthyandfrequentlyineffectualmethod，butoneexceedinglyterrifyingtofootpassengers。Andagain，sometimesthebeginnerridesforaspacewithoneeyeclosedbyperspiration，givinghimawaggishairforeigntohismoodandillcalculatedtooverawetheimpertinent。However，youwillappreciatenowthemotiveofMr。Hoopdriver’sexperiments。Hepresentlyattainedsufficientdexteritytoslaphimselfsmartlyandviolentlyinthefacewithhisrighthand，withoutcertainlyoverturningthemachine;buthispockethandkerchiefmighthavebeeninCaliforniaforanygooditwastohimwhilehewasinthesaddle。
YetyoumustnotthinkthatbecauseMr。Hoopdriverwasalittleuncomfortable，hewasunhappyintheslightestdegree。InthebackgroundofhisconsciousnesswasthesensethataboutthistimeBriggswouldbehalf—waythroughhiswindowdressing，andGosling，theapprentice，busy，withachairturneddownoverthecounterandhisearsveryred，tryingtorollapieceofhuckaback——onlythosewhohaverolledpiecesofhuckabackknowquitehowdetestablehuckabackistoroll——andtheshopwouldbedustyand，perhaps，thegovernoraboutandsnappy。Andherewasquietandgreenery，andonemuckedaboutasthedesiretookone，withoutasoultosee，andherewasnowailingof\"Sayn，\"nofoldingofremnants，novoicetoshout，\"Hoopdriver，forward！\"
Andoncehealmostranoversomethingwonderful，alittle，low，redbeastwithayellowishtail，thatwentrushingacrosstheroadbeforehim。Itwasthefirstweaselhehadeverseeninhiscockneylife。Thereweremilesofthis，scoresofmilesofthisbeforehim，pinewoodandoakforest，purple，heatherymoorlandandgrassydown，lushmeadows，whereshiningriverswoundtheirlazyway，villageswithsquare—towered，flintchurches，andrambling，cheap，andheartyinns，clean，white，countrytowns，longdownhillstretches，whereonemightrideatone’sease（overlookingajoltorso），andfaraway，attheendofitall，——thesea。
Whatmatteredaflyorsointhedawnofthesedelights？PerhapshehadbeendashedaminutebytheshamefulepisodeoftheYoungLadyinGrey，andperhapsthememoryofitwasmakingitselfalittlelairinacornerofhisbrainfromwhichitcoulddistresshimintheretrospectbysuggestingthathelookedlikeafool;
butforthepresentthattroublewasaltogetherinabeyance。Themanindrab——evidentlyaswell——hadspokentohimashisequal，andthekneesofhisbrownsuitandthechequeredstockingswereeverbeforehiseyes。（Or，rather，youcouldseethestockingsbycarryingtheheadalittletooneside。）Andtofeel，littlebylittle，hismasteryoverthisdelightful，treacherousmachine，growingandgrowing！Everyhalf—mileorsohiskneesreassertedthemselves，andhedismountedandsatawhilebytheroadside。
ItwasatacharminglittleplacebetweenEsherandCobham，whereabridgecrossesastream，thatMr。Hoopdrivercameacrosstheothercyclistinbrown。Itiswelltonoticethefacthere，althoughtheinterviewwasoftheslightest，becauseithappenedthatsubsequentlyHoopdriversawagreatdealmoreofthisothermaninbrown。Theothercyclistinbrownhadamachineofdazzlingnewness，andapuncturedpneumaticlayacrosshisknees。
Hewasamanofthirtyormore，withawhitishface，anaquilinenose，alank，flaxenmoustache，andveryfairhair，andhescowledatthejobbeforehim。AtthesightofhimMr。Hoopdriverpulledhimselftogether，androdebywiththeairofoneborntothewheel。\"Asplendidmorning，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，\"andafinesurface。\"
\"Themorningandyouandthesurfacebeeverlastinglydamned！\"
saidtheothermaninbrownasHoopdriverreceded。Hoopdriverheardthemumbleanddidnotdistinguishthewords，andhefeltapleasingsenseofhavingdulyassertedthewidesympathythatbindsallcycliststogether，ofhavingbehavedhimselfasbecomesoneofthebrotherhoodofthewheel。Theothermaninbrownwatchedhisrecedingaspect。\"Greasyproletarian，\"saidtheothermaninbrown，feelingapropheticdislike。\"Gotasuitofbrown，theverypictureofthis。Onewouldthinkhissoleaiminlifehadbeentocaricatureme。It’sFortune’swaywithme。Lookathisinstepsonthetreadles！WhydoesHeavenmakesuchmen？\"
Andhavinglitacigarette，theothermaninbrownreturnedtothebusinessinhand。
Mr。HoopdriverworkedupthehilltowardsCobhamtoapointthathefeltsurewasoutofsightoftheothermaninbrown，andthenhedismountedandpushedhismachine;untiltheproximityofthevillageandaproperpridedrovehimintothesaddleagain。
VIII
BeyondCobhamcameadelightfulincident，delightful，thatis，initsbeginningifatrifleindeterminateintheretrospect。Itwasperhapshalf—waybetweenCobhamandRipley。Mr。Hoopdriverdroppeddownalittlehill，where，unfencedfromtheroad，finemossytreesandbrackenlayoneitherside;andlookinguphesawanopencountrybeforehim，coveredwithheatherandsetwithpines，andayellowroadruningacrossit，andhalfamileawayperhaps，alittlegreyfigurebythewaysidewavingsomethingwhite。\"Never！\"saidMr。Hoopdriverwithhishandstighteningonthehandles。
Heresumedthetreadles，staringawaybeforehim，joltedoverastone，wabbled，recovered，andbeganridingfasteratonce，withhiseyesahead。\"Itcan’tbe，\"saidHoopdriver。
Herodehisstraightest，andkepthispedalsspinning，albeitalimpnumbnesshadresumedpossessionofhislegs。\"ItCAN’Tbe，\"
herepeated，feelingeverymomentmoreassuredthatitWAS。
\"Lord！Idon’tknowevennow，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver（legsawhirling），andthen，\"Blowmylegs！\"
Buthekeptonanddrewnearerandnearer，breathinghardandgatheringflieslikeaflypaper。Inthevalleyhewashidden。
Thentheroadbegantorise，andtheresistanceofthepedalsgrew。Ashecrestedthehillhesawher，notahundredyardsawayfromhim。\"It’sher！\"hesaid。\"It’sher——rightenough。It’sthesuit’sdoneit，\"——whichwastruereventhanMr。Hoopdriverthought。Butnowshewasnotwavingherhandkerchief，shewasnotevenlookingathim。Shewaswheelinghermachineslowlyalongtheroadtowardshim，andadmiringtheprettywoodedhillstowardsWeybridge。Shemighthavebeenunawareofhisexistenceforalltherecognitionhegot。
ForamomenthorribledoubtstroubledMr。Hoopdriver。Hadthathandkerchiefbeenadream？Besideswhichhewasdeliquescentandscarlet，andfeltso。Itmustbehercoquetry——thehandkerchiefwasindisputable。Shouldherideuptoherandgetoff，orgetoffandrideuptoher？Itwasaswellshedidn’tlook，becausehewouldcertainlycapsizeifheliftedhiscap。Perhapsthatwasherconsideration。Evenashehesitatedhewasuponher。Shemusthaveheardhisbreathing。Hegrippedthebrake。Steady！Hisrightlegwavedintheair，andhecamedownheavilyandstaggering，buterect。Sheturnedhereyesuponhimwithadmirablesurprise。
Mr。Hoopdrivertriedtosmilepleasantly，holduphismachine，raisehiscap，andbowgracefully。Indeed，hefeltthathedidasmuch。Hewasamansingularlydevoidoftheminutiaeofself—consciousness，andhewasquiteunawareofatailofdamphairlyingacrosshisforehead，andjustclearinghiseyes，andofthegeneraldisorderofhiscoiffure。Therewasaninterrogativepause。
\"WhatcanIhavethepleasure——\"beganMr。Haopdriver，insinuatingly。\"Imean\"（rememberinghisemancipationandabruptlyassuminghismostaristocraticintonation），\"canIbeofanyassistancetoyou？\"
TheYoungLadyinGreybitherlowerlipandsaidveryprettily，\"None，thankyou。\"Sheglancedawayfromhimandmadeasifshewouldproceed。
\"Oh！\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，takenabackandsuddenlycrestfallenagain。Itwassounexpected。Hetriedtograspthesituation。Wasshecoquetting？Orhadhe——？
\"Excuseme，oneminute，\"hesaid，asshebegantowheelhermachineagain。
\"Yes？\"shesaid，stoppingandstaringalittle，withthecolourinhercheeksdeepening。
\"IshouldnothavealightedifIhadnot——imaginedthatyou——er，wavedsomethingwhite——\"Hepaused。
Shelookedathimdoubtfully。HeHADseenit！Shedecidedthathewasnotanunredeemedroughtakingadvantageofamistake，butaninnocentsoulmeaningwellwhileseekinghappiness。\"IDID
wavemyhandkerchief，\"shesaid。\"I’mverysorry。Iamexpecting——afriend，agentleman，\"——sheseemedtoflushpinkforaminute。\"Heisridingabicycleanddressedin——inbrown;andatadistance，youknow——\"
\"Oh，quite！\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，bearingupinmanlyfashionagainsthisbitterdisappointment。\"Certainly。\"
\"I’mawfullysorry，youknow。Troublingyoutodismount，andallthat。\"
\"Notrouble。’Ssureyou，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，mechanicallyandbowingoverhissaddleasifitwasacounter。Somehowhecouldnotfinditinhishearttotellherthatthemanwasbeyondtherewithapuncturedpneumatic。Helookedbackalongtheroadandtriedtothinkofsomethingelsetosay。Butthegulfintheconversationwidenedrapidlyandhopelessly。\"There’snothingfurther，\"beganMr。Hoopdriverdesperately，recurringtohisstockofcliches。
\"Nothing，thankyou，\"shesaiddecisively。Andimmediately，\"ThisIStheRipleyroad？\"
\"Certainly，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。\"Ripleyisabouttwomilesfromhere。Accordingtothemile—stones。\"
\"Thankyou，\"shesaidwarmly。\"Thankyousomuch。Ifeltsuretherewasnomistake。AndIreallyamawfullysorry——\"
\"Don’tmentionit，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。\"Don’tmentionit。\"Hehesitatedandgrippedhishandlestomount。\"It’sme，\"hesaid，\"oughttobesorry。\"Shouldhesayit？Wasitanimpertinence？
Anyhow！——\"Notbeingtheothergentleman，youknow。\"
Hetriedaquietlyinsinuatingsmilethatheknewforagrinevenashesmiledit;feltshedisapproved——thatshedespisedhim，wasovercomewithshameatherexpression，turnedhisbackuponher，andbegan（veryclumsily）tomount。Hedidsowithahorribleswerve，andwentpedallingoff，ridingverybadly，ashewasonlytoopainfullyaware。Nevertheless，thankHeavenforthemounting！
Hecouldnotseeherbecauseitwassodangerousforhimtolookround，buthecouldimagineherindignantandpitiless。Hefeltanunspeakableidiot。OnehadtobesocarefulwhatonesaidtoYoungLadies，andhe’dgoneandtreatedherjustasthoughshewasonlyaLarkyGirl。Itwasunforgivable。HealwaysWASafool。
Youcouldtellfromhermannershedidn’tthinkhimagentleman。
Oneglance，andsheseemedtolookclearthroughhimandallhispresence。Whatrotitwasventuringtospeaktoagirllikethat！
Withhereducationshewasboundtoseethroughhimatonce。
Hownicelyshespoketoo！niceclear—cutwords！Shemadehimfeelwhatslushhisownaccentwas。Andthatlastsillyremark。Whatwasit？’Notbeingtheothergentleman，youknow！’Nopointinit。And’GENTLEMAN！’WhatCOULDshebethinkingofhim？
ButreallytheYoungLadyinGreyhaddismissedHoopdriverfromherthoughtsalmostbeforehehadvanishedroundthecorner。Shehadthoughtnoillofhim。Hismanifestaweandadmirationofherhadgivenhernotanatomofoffence。Butforherjustnowtherewereweightierthingstothinkabout，thingsthatwouldaffectalltherestofherlife。ShecontinuedslowlywalkinghermachineLondonward。Presentlyshestopped。\"Oh！WhyDOESN’Thecome？\"shesaid，andstampedherfootpetulantly。Then，asifinanswer，comingdownthehillamongthetrees，appearedtheothermaninbrown，dismountedandwheelinghismachine。
HOWMR。HOOPDRIVERWASHAUNTED
IX
AsMr。HoopdriverrodeswaggeringalongtheRipleyroad，itcametohim，withanunwarrantablesenseofcomfort，thathehadseenthelastoftheYoungLadyinGrey。Buttheill—concealedbladeryofthemachine，thepresentmachineryofFate，thedeusexmachina，sotospeak，wasagainsthim。Thebicycle，tornfromthisattractiveyoungwoman，grewheavierandheavier，andcontinuallymoreunsteady。ItseemedachoicebetweenstoppingatRipleyordyingintheflowerofhisdays。HewentintotheUnicorn，afterproppinghismachineoutsidethedoor，and，ashecooleddownandsmokedhisRedHerringcigarettewhilethecoldmeatwasgettingready，hesawfromthewindowtheYoungLadyinGreyandtheothermaninbrown，enteringRipley。
Theyfilledhimwithapprehensionbylookingatthehousewhichshelteredhim，butthesightofhisbicycle，proppedinadrunkandincapableattitudeagainstthedoorway，humpingitsracketymud—guardandleeringatthemwithitsdarkenedlanterneye，drovethemaway——soitseemedtoMr。Hoopdriver——tothespaciousswallowoftheGoldenDragon。Theyoungladywasridingveryslowly，buttheothermaninbrownhadabadpunctureandwaswheelinghismachine。Mr。Hoopdrivernotedhisflaxenmoustache，hisaquilinenose，hisratherbentshoulders，withasudden，vividdislike。
ThemaidattheUnicornisnaturallyapleasantgirl，butsheisjadedbytheincessantincidenceofcyclists，andHoopdriver’smind，evenasheconversedwithherinthatcultivatedvoiceofhis——oftheweather，ofthedistancefromLondon，andoftheexcellenceoftheRipleyroad——wanderedtotheincomparablefreshnessandbrillianceoftheYoungLadyinGrey。Ashesatatmeathekeptturninghisheadtothewindowtoseewhatsignstherewereofthatperson，butthefaceoftheGoldenDragondisplayednoappreciationofthedelightfulmorselithadswallowed。Asanincidentalconsequenceofthisdistraction，Mr。
Hoopdriverwasforaminutegreatlyinconveniencedbyamouthfulofmustard。Afterhehadcalledforhisreckoninghewent，hiscouragebeinghighwithmeatandmustard，tothedoor，intendingtostand，withhislegswideapartandhishandsdeepinhispockets，andstareboldlyacrosstheroad。ButjustthentheothermaninbrownappearedinthegatewayoftheGoldenDragonyard——itisoneofthosedelightfulinnsthatdatefromthecoachingdays——wheelinghispuncturedmachine。HewastakingittoFlambeau’s，therepairer’s。HelookedupandsawHoopdriver，staredforaminute，andthenscowleddarkly。
ButHoopdriverremainedstoutlyinthedoorwayuntiltheothermaninbrownhaddisappearedintoFlambeau’s。ThenheglancedmomentarilyattheGoldenDragon，puckeredhismouthintoawhistleofunconcern，andproceededtowheelhismachineintotheroaduntilasufficientmarginformountingwassecured。
Now，atthattime，Isay，HoopdriverwasratherdesirousthannotofseeingnomoreoftheYoungLadyinGrey。Theothermaninbrownheguessedwasherbrother，albeitthatpersonwasofapallidfairness，differingessentiallyfromherrichcolouring;
and，besides，hefelthehadmadeahopelessfoolofhimself。Buttheafternoonwasagainsthim，intolerablyhot，especiallyonthetopofhishead，andthevirtuehadgoneoutofhislegstodigesthiscoldmeat，andaltogetherhisridetoGuildfordwasexceedinglyintermittent。Attimeshewouldwalk，attimesloungebythewayside，andeverypublichouse，inspiteofBriggsandasentimentofeconomy，meantalemonadeandadashofbitter。（Forthatistheexperienceofallthosewhogoonwheels，thatdrinkingbegetsthirst，evenmorethanthirstbegetsdrinking，untilatlastthemanwhoyieldsbecomesahelluntohimself，ahellinwhichthefirediethnot，andthethirstisnotquenched。）Untilapennyworthofacridgreenapplesturnedthecurrentthatthreatenedtocarryhimaway。Everandagainacycle，orapartyofcyclists，wouldgoby，withglitteringwheelsandsoftlyrunningchains，andoneachoccasion，tosavehisself—respect，Mr。Hoopdriverdescendedandfeignedsometroublewithhissaddle。Eachtimehedescendedwithlesstrepidation。
HedidnotreachGuildforduntilnearlyfouro’clock，andthenhewassomuchexhaustedthathedecidedtoputupthereforthenight，attheYellowHammerCoffeeTavern。Andafterhehadcooledaspaceandrefreshedhimselfwithteaandbreadandbutterandjam，——theteahedranknoisilyoutofthesaucer，——hewentouttoloiterawaytherestoftheafternoon。Guildfordisanaltogethercharmingoldtown，famous，sohelearntfromaGuideBook，asthesceneofMasterTupper’sgreathistoricalnovelofStephenLangton，andithasadelightfulcastle，allsetaboutwithgeraniumsandbrassplatescommemoratingthegentlemenwhoputthemup，anditsGuildhallisaTudorbuilding，verypleasanttosee，andintheafternoontheshopsarebusyandthepeoplegoingtoandfromakethepavementslookbrightandprosperous。Itwasnicetopeepinthewindowsandseetheheadsofthemenandgirlsinthedrapers’shops，busyasbusy，servingaway。TheHighStreetrunsdownatanangleofseventydegreestothehorizon（soitseemedtoMr。Hoopdriver，whosefeelingforgradientswasunnaturallyexalted），anditbroughthisheartintohismouthtoseeacyclistridedownit，likeaflycrawlingdownawindowpane。Themanhadn’tevenabrake。HevisitedthecastleearlyintheeveningandpaidhistwopencetoascendtheKeep。
Atthetop，fromthecage，helookeddownovertheclusteringredroofsofthetownandthetowerofthechurch，andthengoingtothesouthernsidesatdownandlitaRedHerringcigarette，andstaredawaysouthovertheoldbramble—bearing，fern—besetruin，atthewavesofblueuplandthatrose，onebehindanother，acrosstheWeald，tothelazyaltitudesofHindheadandButser。Hispalegreyeyeswerefullofcomplacencyandpleasurableanticipation。
Tomorrowhewouldgoridingacrossthatwidevalley。
HedidnotnoticeanyoneelsehadcomeuptheKeepafterhimuntilheheardasoftvoicebehindhimsaying：\"Well，MISS
BEAUMONT，here’stheview。\"Somethingintheaccentpointedtoajestinthename。
\"It’sadearoldtown，brotherGeorge，\"answeredanothervoicethatsoundedfamiliarenough，andturninghishead，Mr。
HoopdriversawtheothermaninbrownandtheYoungLadyinGrey，withtheirbackstowardshim。SheturnedhersmilingprofiletowardsHoopdriver。\"Only，youknow，brothersdon’tcalltheirsisters——\"
SheglancedoverhershoulderandsawHoopdriver。\"Damn！\"saidtheothermaninbrown，quiteaudibly，startingashefollowedherglance。
Mr。Hoopdriver，withafineairofindifference，resumedtheWeald。\"Beautifuloldtown，isn’tit？\"saidtheothermaninbrown，afteraquiteperceptiblepause。
\"Isn’tit？\"saidtheYoungLadyinGrey。
Anotherpausebegan。
\"Can’tgetaloneanywhere，\"saidtheothermaninbrown，lookinground。
ThenMr。Hoopdriverperceivedclearlythathewasintheway，anddecidedtoretreat。Itwasjusthisluckofcoursethatheshouldstumbleattheheadofthestepsandvanishwithindignity。Thiswasthethirdtimethathe’dseenHIM，andthefourthtimeher。
Andofcoursehewastoobigafat—headtoraisehiscaptoHER！
HethoughtofthatatthefootoftheKeep。ApparentlytheyaimedattheSouthCoastjustashedid，He’dgetupbetimesthenextdayandhurryofftoavoidher——them，thatis。ItneveroccurredtoMr。HoopdriverthatMissBeaumontandherbrothermightdoexactlythesamething，andthatevening，atleast，thepeculiarityofabrothercallinghissister\"MissBeaumont\"didnotrecurtohim。Hewasmuchtoopreoccupiedwithananalysisofhisownshareoftheseencounters。Hefoundithardtobealtogethersatisfiedaboutthefigurehehadcut，revisehismemoriesashewould。
Oncemorequiteunintentionallyhestumbleduponthesetwopeople。Itwasaboutseveno’clock。Hestoppedoutsidealinendraper’sandpeeredoverthegoodsinthewindowattheassistantsintorment。Hecouldhavespentawholedayhappilyatthat。Hetoldhimselfthathewastryingtoseehowtheydressedoutthebrasslinesovertheircounters，inapurelyprofessionalspirit，butdownattheverybottomofhisheartheknewbetter。
Thecustomerswereasecondaryconsideration，anditwasonlyafterthelapseofperhapsaminutethatheperceivedthatamongthemwas——theYoungLadyinGrey！Heturnedawayfromthewindowatonce，andsawtheothermaninbrownstandingattheedgeofthepavementandregardinghimwithaverycuriousexpressionofface。
TherecameintoMr。Hoopdriver’sheadthecuriousproblemwhetherhewastoberegardedasanuisancehauntingthesepeople，orwhethertheyweretoberegardedasanuisancehauntinghim。Heabandonedthesolutionatlastindespair，quiteunabletodecideuponthecourseheshouldtakeatthenextencounter，whetherheshouldscowlsavagelyatthecoupleorassumeanattitudeeloquentofapologyandpropitiation。
THEIMAGININGSOFMR。HOOPDRIVER’SHEART
X
Mr。Hoopdriverwas（inthedaysofthisstory）apoet，thoughhehadneverwrittenalineofverse。Orperhapsromancerwilldescribehimbetter。LikeIknownothowmanyofthosewhodothefetchingandcarryingoflife，——agreatnumberofthemcertainly，——hisreallifewasabsolutelyuninteresting，andifhehadfaceditasrealisticallyassuchpeopledoinMr。Gissing’snovels，hewouldprobablyhavecomebywayofdrinktosuicideinthecourseofayear。Butthatwasjustwhathehadthenaturalwisdomnottodo。Onthecontrary，hewasalwaysdecoratinghisexistencewithimaginativetags，hopes，andposes，deliberateandyetquiteeffectualself—deceptions;hisexperiencesweremerematerialforaromanticsuperstructure。IfsomepowerhadgivenHoopdriverthe’giftie’Burnsinvoked，’toseeourselsasithersseeus，’hewouldprobablyhavegivenitawaytosomeoneelseattheveryearliestopportunity。Hisentirelife，youmustunderstand，wasnotacontinuousromance，butaseriesofshortstorieslinkedonlybythegeneralresemblanceoftheirhero，abrown—hairedyoungfellowcommonly，withblueeyesandafairmoustache，gracefulratherthanstrong，sharpandresoluteratherthanclever（cp。，asthescientificbookssay，p。2）。Invariablythispersonpossessedanironwill。Thestoriesfluctuatedindefinitely。ThesmokingofacigaretteconvertedHoopdriver’sherointosomethingentirelyworldly，subtlyrakish，withahumoroustwinkleintheeyeandsomegallantsinninginthebackground。YoushouldhaveseenMr。HoopdriverpromenadingthebrilliantgardensatEarl’sCourtonanearly—closingnight。Hismeaningglances！（Idarenotgivethemeaning。）Suchaninfluenceastheeloquenceofarevivalistpreacherwouldsufficetodivertthestoryintoabsolutelydifferentchannels，makehimawhite—souredhero，amanstillpure，walkinguntaintedandbraveandhelpfulthroughmiryways。Theappearanceofsomedaintilyglovedfrockcoatedgentlemanwithbuttonholeandeyeglasscomplete，gallantlyattendantintherearofcustomers，servedagaintostartvisionsofasimplicityessentiallyCromwell—like，ofsturdyplainness，ofastrong，silentmangoingrighteouslythroughtheworld。Thisdaytherehadpredominatedafineleisurelypersonimmaculatelyclothed，andridingonanunexceptionalmachine，amysteriousperson——quiteunostentatious，butwithaccidentalself—revelationofsomethingoverthecommon，evena\"bloomin’Dook，\"itmightbeincognito，onthetouroftheSouthCoast。
YoumustnotthinkthattherewasanyTELLINGofthesestoriesofthislife—longseriesbyMr。Hoopdriver。Heneverdreamtthattheywereknowntoasoul。Ifitwerenotforthetrouble，I
would，Ithink，gobackandrewritethissectionfromthebeginning，expungingthestatementsthatHoopdriverwasapoetandaromancer，andsayinginsteadthathewasaplaywrightandactedhisownplays。Hewasnotonlythesoleperformer，buttheentireaudience，andtheentertainmentkepthimalmostcontinuouslyhappy。Yeteventhatplaywrightcomparisonscarcelyexpressesallthefactsofthecase。Afterall，verymanyofhisdreamsnevergotactedatall，possiblyindeed，mostofthem，thedreamsofasolitarywalkforinstance，orofatramcarride，thedreamsdreamtbehindthecounterwhiletradewasslackandmechanicalfoldingsandrollingsoccupiedhismuscles。Mostofthemwerelittledramaticsituations，crucialdialogues，thereturnofMr。Hoopdrivertohisnativevillage，forinstance，inawell—cutholidaysuitandnattygloves，theunheardasidesoftherivalneighbours，thedelightoftheold’mater，’theintelligence——\"Aten—poundriseallatoncefromAntrobus，mater。Whadd’yerthinkofthat？\"oragain，thefirstwhisperingoflove，daintyandwittyandtender，tothegirlheservedafewdaysagowithsateen，oragallantrescueofgeneralisedbeautyindistressfromtruculentinsultorraveningdog。
Somanypeopledothis——andyouneversuspectit。Youseeatatteredladsellingmatchesinthestreet，andyouthinkthereisnothingbetweenhimandthebleaknessofimmensity，betweenhimandutterabasement，butafewtatteredragsandafeeblemusculature。Andallunseenbyyouahostofheaven—sentfatuitiesswatheshimabout，even，maybe，astheyswatheyouabout。Manymenhaveneverseentheirownprofilesorthebacksoftheirheads，andforthebackofyourownmindnomirrorhasbeeninvented。Theyswathehimaboutsothicklythatthepricksoffatescarcepenetratetohim，orbecomebutapleasanttitillation。Andso，indeed，itiswithallofuswhogoonliving。Self—deceptionistheanaestheticoflife，whileGodiscarvingoutourbeings。
ButtoreturnfromthisgeneralvivisectiontoMr。Hoopdriver’simaginings。Youseenowhowexternalourviewhasbeen;wehavehadbuttheslightesttransitoryglimpsesofthedramawithin，ofhowthethingslookedinthemagicmirrorofMr。Hoopdriver’smind。OntheroadtoGuildfordandduringhisencounterswithhishauntingfellow—cycliststhedramahadpresentedchieflythequietgentlemantowhomwehavealluded，butatGuildford，undermorevariedstimuli，heburgeonedoutmorevariously。Therewasthehouseagent’swindow，forinstance，sethimuponacharminglittlecomedy。Hewouldgoin，makeinquiresaboutthatthirty—poundhouse，getthekeypossiblyandgooverit——thethingwouldstimulatetheclerk’scuriosityimmensely。Hesearchedhismindforareasonforthisproceedinganddiscoveredthathewasadynamiterneedingprivacy。Uponthattheoryheprocuredthekey，exploredthehousecarefully，saiddarklythatitmightsuithisspecialneeds，butthattherewereOTHERStoconsult。Theclerk，however，didnotunderstandtheallusion，andmerelypitiedhimasonewhohadmarriedyoungandpairedhimselftoastrongermindthanhisown。
Thisproceedinginsomeoccultwayledtothepurchaseofanote—bookandpencil，andthatstartedtheconceptionofanartisttakingnotes。ThatwasalittlegameMr。Hoopdriverhad，incongenialcompany，playedinhisstillyoungerdays——totheinfiniteannoyanceofquiteanumberofrespectableexcursionistsatHastings。InearlydaysMr。Hoopdriverhadbeen，ashismotherproudlyboasted，a’bitofadrawer，’butaconscientiousandnormallystupidschoolmasterperceivedtheincipienttalentandhadnippeditinthebudbyaseriesoflessonsinart。However，ourprincipalcharacterfiguredaboutquitehappilyinoldcornersofGuildford，andoncetheothermaninbrown，lookingoutofthebaywindowoftheEarlofKent，sawhimstandinginacornerbyagateway，note—bookinhand，busilysketchingtheEarl’simposingfeatures。Atwhichsighttheothermaninbrownstartedbackfromthecentreofthewindow，soastobehiddenfromhim，andcrouchingslightly，watchedhimintentlythroughtheintersticesofthelacecurtains。
OMISSIONS
XI
NowtherestoftheactsofMr。HoopdriverinGuildford，onthegreatopeningdayofhisholidays，arenottobedetailedhere。
Howhewanderedabouttheoldtowninthedusk，anduptotheHogsbacktoseethelittlelampsbelowandthelittlestarsabovecomeoutoneafteranother;howhereturnedthroughtheyellow—litstreetstotheYellowHammerCoffeeTavernandsuppedbravelyinthecommercialroom——aManamongMen;howhejoinedinthetalkaboutflying—machinesandthepossibilitiesofelectricity，witnessingthatfiying—machineswere\"deadcertaintocome，\"andthatelectricitywas\"wonderful，wonderful\";howhewentandwatchedthebilliardplayingandsaid，\"Left’em\"
severaltimeswithanoracularair;howhefella—yawning;andhowhegotouthiscyclingmapandstudieditintently，——arethingsthatfindnomentionhere。NorwillIenlargeuponhisgoingintothewriting—room，andmarkingtheroadfromLondontoGuildfordwithafine，brightlineofthereddestofredink。Inhislittlecyclisthand—bookthereisadiary，andinthediarythereisanentryofthesethings——itistheretothisday，andI
cannotdobetterthanreproduceitheretowitnessthatthisbookisindeedatrueone，andnolyingfablewrittentowhileawayanhour。
Atlasthefella—yawningsomuchthatveryreluctantlyindeedhesetaboutfinishingthisgreatandsplendidday。（Alas！thatalldaysmustendatlast！）Hegothiscandleinthehallfromafriendlywaiting—maid，andpassedupward——whitheramodestnovelist，whowritesforthefamilycircle，darenotfollow。YetImaytellyouthathekneltdownathisbedside，happyanddrowsy，andsaid，\"OurFather’chartin’heaven，\"evenashehadlearntitbyrotefromhismothernearlytwentyyearsago。Andanonwhenhisbreathinghadbecomedeepandregular，wemaycreepintohisbedroomandcatchhimathisdreams。Heislyinguponhisleftside，withhisarmunderthepillow。Itisdark，andheishidden;butifyoucouldhaveseenhisface，sleepingthereinthedarkness，Ithinkyouwouldhaveperceived，inspiteofthattreasured，thin，andstragglingmoustache，inspiteofyourmemoryofthecoarsewordshehadusedthatday，thatthemanbeforeyouwas，afterall，onlyalittlechildasleep。
THEDREAMSOFMR。HOOPDRIVER
XII
Inspiteofthedrawnblindsandthedarkness，youhavejustseenMr。Hoopdriver’sfacepeacefulinitsbeautysleepinthelittle，plainbedroomattheverytopoftheYellowHammerCoffeeTavernatGuildford。Thatwasbeforemidnight。Asthenightprogressedhewasdisturbedbydreams。
Afteryourfirstdayofcyclingonedreamisinevitable。Amemoryofmotionlingersinthemusclesofyourlegs，androundandroundtheyseemtogo。YouridethroughDreamlandonwonderfuldreambicyclesthatchangeandgrow;youridedownsteeplesandstaircasesandoverprecipices;youhoverinhorriblesuspenseoverinhabitedtowns，vainlyseekingforabrakeyourhandcannotfind，tosaveyoufromaheadlongfall;youplungeintowelteringrivers，andrushhelplesslyatmonstrousobstacles。AnonMr。
Hoopdriverfoundhimselfridingoutofthedarknessofnon—existence，pedallingEzekiel’sWheelsacrosstheWealdofSurrey，joltingoverthehillsandsmashingvillagesinhiscourse，whiletheothermaninbrowncursedandsworeathimandshoutedtostophiscareer。TherewasthePutneyheath—keeper，too，andthemanindrabragingathim。Hefeltanawfulfool，a—
—whatwasit？——ajuggins，ah！——aJuggernaut。Thevillageswentoffoneafteranotherwithasoft，squashingnoise。HedidnotseetheYoungLadyinGrey，butheknewshewaslookingathisback。Hedarednotlookround。Wherethedevilwasthebrake？Itmusthavefallenoff。Andthebell？RightinfrontofhimwasGuildford。Hetriedtoshoutandwarnthetowntogetoutoftheway，buthisvoicewasgoneaswell。Nearer，nearer！itwasfearful！andinanothermomentthehouseswerecrackinglikenutsandthebloodoftheinhabitantssquirtingthiswayandthat。Thestreetswereblackwithpeoplerunning。RightunderhiswheelshesawtheYoungLadyinGrey。AfeelingofhorrorcameuponMr。
Hoopdriver;heflunghimselfsidewaystodescend，forgettinghowhighhewas，andforthwithhebeganfalling;falling，falling。
Hewokeup，turnedover，sawthenewmoononthewindow，wonderedalittle，andwenttosleepagain。
Thisseconddreamwentbackintothefirstsomehow，andtheothermaninbrowncamethreateningandshoutingtowardshim。Hegrewuglieranduglierasheapproached，andhisexpressionwasintolerablyevil。HecameandlookedcloseintoMr。Hoopdriver’seyesandthenrecededtoanincredibledistance。Hisfaceseemedtobeluminous。\"MISSBEAUMONT，\"hesaid，andsplashedupasprayofsuspicion。Someonebeganlettingofffireworks，chieflyCatherinewheels，downtheshop，thoughMr。Hoopdriverknewitwasagainsttherules。Foritseemedthattheplacetheywereinwasavastshop，andthenMr。Hoopdriverperceivedthattheothermaninbrownwastheshop—walker，differingfrommostshop—walkersinthefactthathewaslitfromwithinasaChineselanternmightbe。AndthecustomerMr。HoopdriverwasgoingtoservewastheYoungLadyinGrey。Curioushehadn’tnoticeditbefore。Shewasingreyasusual，——rationals，——andshehadherbicycleleaningagainstthecounter。Shesmiledquitefranklyathim，justasshehaddonewhenshehadapologisedforstoppinghim。Andherform，assheleanttowardshim，wasfullofasinuousgracehehadnevernoticedbefore。\"WhatcanIhavethepleasure？\"saidMr。Hoopdriveratonce，andshesaid，\"TheRipleyroad。\"SohegotouttheRipleyroadandunrolleditandshowedittoher，andshesaidthatwoulddoverynicely，andkeptonlookingathimandsmiling，andhebeganmeasuringoffeightmilesbymeansoftheyardmeasureonthecounter，eightmilesbeingadresslength，arationaldresslength，thatis;andthentheothermaninbrowncameupandwantedtointerfere，andsaidMr。Hoopdriverwasacad，besidesmeasuringitofftooslowly。
AndasMr。Hoopdriverbegantomeasurefaster，theothermaninbrownsaidtheYoungLadyinGreyhadbeentherelongenough，andthatheWASherbrother，orelseshewouldnotbetravellingwithhim，andhesuddenlywhippedhisarmaboutherwaistandmadeoffwithher。ItoccurredtoMr。Hoopdriverevenatthemomentthatthiswasscarcelybrotherlybehaviour。Ofcourseitwasn’t！Thesightoftheothermangrippinghersofamiliarlyenragedhimfrightfully;heleaptoverthecounterforthwithandgavechase。
TheyranroundtheshopandupanironstaircaseintotheKeep，andsooutupontheRipleyroad。Forsometimetheykeptdodginginandoutofawaysidehotelwithtwofrontdoorsandaninnyard。TheothermancouldnotrunveryfastbecausehehadholdoftheYoungLadyinGrey，butMr。Hoopdriverwashamperedbytheabsurdbehaviourofhislegs。Theywouldnotstretchout;theywouldkeepgoingroundandroundasiftheywereonthetreadlesofawheel，sothathemadethesmalleststepsconceivable。Thisdreamcametonocrisis。Thechaseseemedtolastaninterminabletime，andallkindsofpeople，heathkeepers，shopmen，policemen，theoldmanintheKeep，theangrymanindrab，thebarmaidattheUnicorn，menwithflying—machines，peopleplayingbilliardsinthedoorways，silly，headlessfigures，stupidcocksandhensencumberedwithparcelsandumbrellasandwaterproofs，peoplecarryingbedroomcandles，andsuch—likeriffraff，keptgettinginhiswayandannoyinghim，althoughhesoundedhiselectricbell，andsaid，\"Wonderful，wonderful！\"ateverycorner……
HOWMR。HOOPDRIVERWENTTOHASLEMERE
XIII
TherewassomelittledelayingettingMr。Hoopdriver’sbreakfast，sothatafterallhewasnotfreetostartoutofGuildforduntiljustuponthestrokeofnine。HewheeledhismachinefromtheHighStreetinsomeperplexity。Hedidnotknowwhetherthisyounglady，whohadseizedholdofhisimaginationsostrongly，andherunfriendlyandpossiblymenacingbrother，wereaheadofhimorevennowbreakfastingsomewhereinGuildford。Intheformercasehemightloiterashechose;inthelatterhemusthurry，andpossiblytakerefugeinbranchroads。
Itoccurredtohimasbeinginsomeobscurewaystrategic，thathewouldleaveGuildfordnotbytheobviousPortsmouthroad，butbytheroadrunningthroughShalford。Alongthispleasantshadywayhefeltsuffficientlysecuretoresumehisexercisesinridingwithonehandoffthehandles，andinstaringoverhisshoulder。Hecameoveronceortwice，butfellonhisfooteachtime，andperceivedthathewasimproving。BeforehegottoBramleyaspeciousbywaysnappedhimup，ranwithhimforhalfamileormore，anddroppedhimasaterrierdropsawalkingstick，uponthePortsmouthagain，acoupleofmilesfromGodalming。HeenteredGodalmingonhisfeet，fortheroadthroughthatdelightfultownisbeyonddisputethevilestintheworld，ameretumultofroadmetal，awayofpeaksandprecipices，and，afterasuccessfulexperimentwithciderattheWoolpack，hepushedontoMilford。
AllthistimehewasacutelyawareoftheexistenceoftheYoungLadyinGreyandhercompanioninbrown，asachildinthedarkisofBogies。Sometimeshecouldheartheirpneumaticsstealinguponhimfrombehind，andlookingroundsawalongstretchofvacantroad。Oncehesawfaraheadofhimaglitteringwheel，butitprovedtobeaworkingmanridingtodestructiononaverytallordinary。Andhefeltacurious，vagueuneasinessaboutthatYoungLadyinGrey，forwhichhewasaltogetherunabletoaccount。Nowthathewasawakehehadforgottenthataccentuated\"MissBeaumontthathadbeenquiteclearinhisdream。Butthecuriousdreamconviction，thatthegirlwasnotreallytheman’ssister，wouldnotletitselfbeforgotten。Why，forinstance，shouldamanwanttobealonewithhissisteronthetopofatower？AtMilfordhisbicyclemade，sotospeak，anassofitself。Afinger—postsuddenlyjumpedoutathim，vainlyindicatinganabruptturntotheright，andMr。Hoopdriverwouldhaveslowedupandreadtheinscription，butno！——thebicyclewouldnotlethim。TheroaddroppedalittleintoMilford，andthethingshied，putdownitsheadandbolted，andMr。Hoopdriveronlythoughtofthebrakewhenthefingerpostwaspassed。Thentohaverecoveredthepointofintersectionwouldhavemeantdismounting。ForasyettherewasnoroadwideenoughforMr。
Hoopdrivertoturnin。Sohewentonhisway——ortobeprecise，hedidexactlytheoppositething。TheroadtotherightwasthePortsmouthroad，andthishewasonwenttoHaslemereandMidhurst。Bythaterroritcameaboutthatheoncemorecameuponhisfellowtravellersofyesterday，comingonthemsuddenly，withouttheslightestpreliminaryannouncementandwhentheyleastexpectedit，undertheSouthwesternRailwayarch。\"It’shorrible，\"saidagirlishvoice;\"it’sbrutal——cowardly——\"Andstopped。
Hisexpression，asheshotoutfromthearchwayatthem，mayhavebeensomethingbetweenagrinofrecognitionandascowlofannoyanceathimselffortheunintentionalintrusion。Butdisconcertedashewaas，hewasyetabletoappreciatesomethingofthepeculiarityoftheirmutualattitudes。ThebicycleswereIyingbytheroadside，andthetworidersstoodfacetoface。Theothermaninbrown’sattitude，asitflasheduponHoopdriver，wasadeliberatepose;hetwirledhismoustacheandsmiledfaintly，andhewasconscientiouslylookingamused。Andthegirlstoodrigid，herarmsstraightbyherside，herhandkerchiefclenchedinherhand，andherfacewasflushed，withthefaintesttouchofreduponhereyelids。SheseemedtoMr。Hoopdriver’ssensetobeindignant。Butthatwastheimpressionofasecond。Amaskofsurprisedrecognitionfellacrossthisrevelationofemotionassheturnedherheadtowardshim，andtheposeoftheothermaninbrownvanishedtooinamomentaryastonishment。Andthenhehadpassedthem，andwasridingontowardsHaslemeretomakewhathecouldoftheswiftpicturethathadphotographeditselfonhisbrain。
\"Rum，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。\"It’sDASHEDrum！\"
\"Theywerehavingarow。\"
\"Smirking——\"Whathecalledtheothermaninbrownneednottroubleus。
\"Annoyingher！\"Thatanyhumanbeingshoulddothat！
\"WHY？\"
TheimpulsetointerfereleaptsuddenlyintoMr。Hoopdriver’smind。Hegraspedhisbrake，descended，andstoodlookinghesitatinglyback。Theystillstoodbytherailwaybridge，anditseemedtoMr。Hoopdriver’sfancythatshewasstampingherfoot。
Hehesitated，thenturnedhisbicycleround，mounted，androdebacktowardsthem，grippinghiscouragefirmlylestitshouldslipawayandleavehimridiculous。\"I’lloffer’imascrew’ammer，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。Then，withawaveoffierceemotion，hesawthatthegirlwascrying。Inanothermomenttheyheardhimandturnedinsurprise。Certainlyshehadbeencrying;
hereyeswereswimmingintears，andtheothermaninbrownlookedexceedinglydisconcerted。Mr。Hoopdriverdescendedandstoodoverhismachine。
\"Nothingwrong，Ihope？\"hesaid，lookingtheothermaninbrownsquarelyintheface。\"Noaccident？\"
\"Nothing，\"saidtheothermaninbrownshortly。\"Nothingatall，thanks。\"
\"But，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，withagreateffort，\"theyoungladyiscrying。Ithoughtperhaps——\"
TheYoungLadyinGreystarted，gaveHoopdriveroneswiftglance，andcoveredoneeyewithherhandkerchief。\"It’sthisspeck，\"shesaid。\"Thisspeckofdustinmyeye。\"
\"Thislady，\"saidtheothermaninbrown，explaining，\"hasagnatinhereye。\"
Therewasapause。Theyoungladybusiedherselfwithhereye。\"I
believeit’sout，\"shesaid。Theothermaninbrownmademovementsindicatingcommiseratingcuriosityconcerningtheallegedfly。Mr。Hoopdriver——thewordishisown——stoodflabber—gastered。Hehadalltheintuitionofthesimple—minded。