Hoopdriverdrewhiswatchhastily。\"Isay，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，showingittoher，\"don’tyouthinkweoughttobegettingon？\"
Hisfacewasflushed，hisearsbrightred。Sheascribedhisconfusiontomodesty。Herosewithalionaddedtotheburthensofhisconscience，andheldouthishandtoassisther。TheywalkeddownintoCoshamagain，resumedtheirmachines，andwentonataleisurelypacealongthenorthernshoreofthebigharbour。ButMr。Hoopdriverwasnolongerhappy。Thishorrible，thisfulsomelie，stuckinhismemory。WhyHADhedoneit？ShedidnotaskforanymoreSouthAfricanstories，happily——atleastuntilPorchesterwasreached——buttalkedinsteadofLivingOne’sOwnLife，andhowcustomhungonpeoplelikechains。Shetalkedwonderfully，andsetHoopdriver’smindfermenting。BytheCastle，Mr。Hoopdrivercaughtseveralcrabsinlittleshorepools。AtFarehamtheystoppedforasecondtea，andlefttheplacetowardsthehourofsunset，undersuchinvigoratingcircumstancesasyoushallinduecoursehear。
THERESCUEEXPEDITION
XXX
Andnowtotellofthoseenergeticchevaliers，Widgery，Dangle，andPhipps，andofthatdistressedbeauty，’ThomasPlantagenet，’
wellknowninsociety，sotheparagraphssaid，asMrs。Milton。WeleftthematMidhurststation，ifIrememberrightly，waiting，inastateoffineemotion，fortheChichestertrain。ItwasclearlyunderstoodbytheentireRescuePartythatMrs。Miltonwasbearingupbravelyagainstalmostoverwhelminggrief。Thethreegentlemenoutdidoneanotherinsympatheticexpedients;theywatchedhergravelyalmosttenderly。ThesubstantialWidgerytuggedathismoustache，andlookedhisunspeakablefeelingsatherwiththosedog—like，browneyesofhis;theslenderDangletuggedatHISmoustache，anddidwhathecouldwithunsympatheticgreyones。Phipps，unhappily，hadnomoustachetorunanyriskswith，sohefoldedhisarmsandtalkedinabrave，indifferent，bearing—uptoneabouttheLondon，Brighton，andSouthCoastRailway，justtocheerthepoorwomanupalittle。AndevenMrs。
Miltonreallyfeltthatexaltedmelancholytotheverybottomofherheart，andtriedtoshowitinadozenlittle，delicate，feminineways。
\"ThereisnothingtodountilwegettoChichester，\"saidDangle。
\"Nothing。\"
\"Nothing，\"saidWidgery，andasideinherear：\"Youreallyatescarcelyanything，youknow。\"
\"Theirtrainsarealwayslate，\"saidPhipps，withhisfingersalongtheedgeofhiscollar。Dangle，youmustunderstand，wasasub—editorandreviewer，andhispridewastobeThomasPlantagenet’sintellectualcompanion。Widgery，thebigman，wasmanagerofabankandamightygolfer，andhisconceptionofhisrelationstohernevercameintohismindwithoutthosecharmingoldlines，\"Douglas，Douglas，tenderandtrue，\"fallingharduponitsheels。HisnamewasDouglas—DouglasWidgery。AndPhipps，Phippswasamedicalstudentstill，andhefeltthathelaidhisheartatherfeet，theheartofamanoftheworld。Shewaskindtothemallinherway，andinsistedontheirbeingfriendstogether，inspiteofadispositiontoreciprocalcriticismtheydisplayed。DanglethoughtWidgeryaPhilistine，appreciatingbutcoarselythemeritsof\"ASoulUntrammelled，\"andWidgerythoughtDanglelacked，humanity——wouldtalkinsincerelytosayacleverthing。BothDangleandWidgerythoughtPhippsabitofacub，andPhippsthoughtbothDangleandWidgeryacoupleofThunderingBounders。
\"TheywouldhavegottoChichesterintimeforlunch，\"saidDangle，inthetrain。\"After，perhaps。Andthere’snosufficientplaceintheroad。Sosoonaswegetthere，Phippsmustinquireatthechiefhotelstoseeifanyoneansweringtoherdescriptionhaslunchedthere。\"
\"Oh，I’LLinquire，\"saidPhipps。\"Willingly。IsupposeyouandWidgerywilljusthangabout——\"
HesawanexpressionofpainonMrs。Milton’sgentleface，andstoppedabruptly。
\"No，\"saidDangle，\"weshan’tHANGABOUT，asyouputit。TherearetwoplacesinChichesterwheretouristsmightgo——thecathedralandaremarkablyfinemuseum。Ishallgotothecathedralandmakeaninquiryorso，whileWidgery——\"
\"Themuseum。Verywell。Andafterthatthere’salittlethingortwoI’vethoughtofmyself，\"saidWidgery。
TobeginwiththeytookMrs。MiltoninakindofprocessiontotheRedHotelandestablishedhertherewithsometea。\"Youaresokindtome，\"shesaid。\"Allofyou。\"Theysignifiedthatitwasnothing，anddispersedtotheirinquiries。Bysixtheyreturned，theirzealalittledamped，withoutnews。WidgerycamebackwithDangle。Phippswasthelasttoreturn。\"You’requitesure，\"saidWidgery，thatthereisn’tanyflawinthatinferenceofyours？\"
\"Quite，\"saidDangle，rathershortly。
\"Ofcourse，\"saidWidgery，\"theirstartingfromMidhurstontheChichesterroaddoesn’tabsolutelybindthemnottochangetheirminds。\"
\"Mydearfellow！——Itdoes。Reallyitdoes。Youmustallowmetohaveenoughintelligencetothinkofcross—roads。Reallyyoumust。Therearen’tanycross—roadstotemptthem。Wouldtheyturnasidehere？No。Wouldtheyturnthere？Manymorethingsareinevitablethanyoufancy。\"
\"Weshallseeatonce，\"saidWidgery，atthewindow。\"HerecomesPhipps。Formyownpart——\"
\"Phipps！\"saidMrs。Milton。\"Ishehurrying？Doeshelook——\"Sheroseinhereagerness，bitinghertremblinglip，andwenttowardsthewindow。
\"Nonews，\"saidPhipps，entering。
\"Ah！\"saidWidgery。
\"None？\"saidDangle。
\"Well，\"saidPhipps。\"Onefellowhadgotholdofaqueerstoryofamaninbicyclingclothes，whowasaskingthesamequestionaboutthistimeyesterday。\"
\"Whatquestion？\"saidMrs。Milton，intheshadowofthewindow。
Shespokeinalowvoice，almostawhisper。
\"Why——Haveyouseenayoungladyinagreybicyclingcostume？\"
Danglecaughtathislowerlip。\"What’sthat？\"hesaid。
\"Yesterday！Amanaskingafterherthen！WhatcanTHATmean？\"
\"Heavenknows，\"saidPhipps，sittingdownwearily。\"You’dbetterinfer。\"
\"Whatkindofman？\"saidDangle。
\"HowshouldIknow？——inbicyclingcostume，thefellowsaid。\"
\"Butwhatheight？——Whatcomplexion？\"
\"Didn’task，\"saidPhipps。\"DIDN’TASK！Nonsense，\"saidDangle。
\"Askhimyourself，\"saidPhipps。\"He’sanostlerchapintheWhiteHart，——short，thick—setfellow，witharedfaceandacrustymanner。Leaningupagainstthestabledoor。Smellsofwhiskey。Goandaskhim。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidDangle，takinghisstrawhatfromtheshadeoverthestuffedbirdonthechiffonierandturningtowardsthedoor。\"Imighthaveknown。\"
Phipps’mouthopenedandshut。
\"You’retired，I’msure，Mr。Phipps，\"saidthelady，soothingly。
\"Letmeringforsometeaforyou。\"ItsuddenlyoccurredtoPhippsthathehadlapsedalittlefromhischivalry。\"Iwasalittleannoyedatthewayherushedmetodoallthisbusiness，\"
hesaid。\"ButI’ddoahundredtimesasmuchifitwouldbringyouanynearertoher。\"Pause。\"IWOULDlikealittletea。\"
\"Idon’twanttoraiseanyfalsehopes，\"saidWidgery。\"ButIdoNOTbelievetheyevencametoChichester。Dangle’saverycleverfellow，ofcourse，butsometimestheseInferencesofhis——\"
\"Tchak！\"saidPhipps，suddenly。
\"Whatisit？\"saidMrs。Milton。
\"SomethingI’veforgotten。Iwentrightoutfromhere，wenttoeveryotherhotelintheplace，andneverthought——Butnevermind。I’llaskwhenthewaitercomes。\"
\"Youdon’tmean——\"Atap，andthedooropened。\"Tea，m’m？yes，m’m，\"saidthewaiter。
\"Oneminute，\"saidPhipps。\"Wasaladyingrey，acyclinglady——\"
\"Stoppedhereyesterday？Yessir。Stoppedthenight。Withherbrother，sir——ayounggent。\"
\"Brother！\"saidMrs。Milton，inalowtone。\"ThankGod！\"
Thewaiterglancedatherandunderstoodeverything。\"Ayounggent，sir，\"hesaid，\"veryfreewithhismoney。GivethenameofBeaumont。\"Heproceededtosomeramblingparticulars，andwascross—examinedbyWidgeryontheplansoftheyoungcouple。
\"Havant！Where’sHavant？\"saidPhipps。\"Iseemtorememberitsomewhere。\"
\"Wasthemantall？\"saidMrs。Milton，intently，\"distinguishedlooking？withalong，flaxenmoustache？andspokewithadrawl？\"
\"Well，\"saidthewaiter，andthought。\"Hismoustache，m’m，wasscarcelylong——scrubbymore，andyounglooking。\"
\"Aboutthirty—five，hewas？\"
\"No，m’m。Morelikefiveandtwenty。Notthat。\"
\"Dearme！\"saidMrs。Milton，speakinginacurious，hollowvoice，fumblingforhersalts，andshowingthefinestself—control。\"ItmusthavebeenherYOUNGERbrother——musthavebeen。\"
\"Thatwilldo，thankyou，\"saidWidgery，officiously，feelingthatshewouldbeeasierunderthisnewsurpriseifthemanweredismissed。Thewaiterturnedtogo，andalmostcollidedwithDangle，whowasenteringtheroom，pantingexcitedlyandwithapockethandkerchiefheldtohisrighteye。\"Hullo！\"saiddangle。
\"What’sup？\"
\"What’supwithYOU？\"saidPhipps。
\"Nothing——analtercationmerelywiththatdrunkenostlerofyours。Hethoughtitwasaplottoannoyhim——thattheYoungLadyinGreywasmythical。Judgedfromyourmanner。I’vegotapieceofrawmeattokeepoverit。Youhavesomenews，Isee？\"
\"Didthemanhityou？\"askedWidgery。
Mrs。MiltonroseandapproachedDangle。\"CannotIdoanything？\"
Danglewasheroic。\"Onlytellmeyournews，\"hesaid，roundthecornerofthehandkerchief。
\"Itwasinthisway，\"saidPhipps，andexplainedrathersheepishly。Whilehewasdoingso，witharunningfireofcommentaryfromWidgery，thewaiterbroughtinatrayoftea。\"A
timetable，\"saidDangle，promptly，\"forHavant。\"Mrs。Miltonpouredtwocups，andPhippsandDanglepartookinpassoverform。
Theycaughtthetrainbyahair’sbreadth。SotoHavantandinquiries。
DanglewaspuffeduptofindthathisguessofHavantwasright。
InviewofthefactthatbeyondHavanttheSouthamptonroadhasasteephillcontinuouslyontheright—handside，andtheseaontheleft，hehituponamagnificentschemeforheadingtheyoungfolksoff。HeandMrs。MiltonwouldgotoFareham，WidgeryandPhippsshouldalightoneeachattheintermediatestationsofCoshamandPorchester，andcomeonbythenexttrainiftheyhadnonews。Iftheydidnotcomeon，awiretotheFarehampostofficewastoexplainwhy。ItwasNapoleonic，andmorethanconsoledDanglefortheopenderisionoftheHavantstreetboysatthehandkerchiefwhichstillprotectedhisdamagedeye。
Moreover，theschemeansweredtoperfection。Thefugitivesescapedbyahair’sbreadth。TheywereoutsidetheGoldenAnchoratFareham，andpreparingtomount，asMrs。MiltonandDanglecameroundthecornerfromthestation。\"It’sher！\"saidMrs。
Milton，andwouldhavescreamed。\"Hist！\"saidDangle，grippingthelady’sarm，removinghishandkerchiefinhisexcitement，andleavingthepieceofmeatoverhiseye，anextraordinaryappearancewhichseemedunexpectedlytocalmher。\"Becool！\"saidDangle，glaringunderthemeat。\"Theymustnotseeus。Theywillgetawayelse。Werethereflysatthestation？\"TheyoungcouplemountedandvanishedroundthecorneroftheWinchesterroad。Haditnotbeenforthepublicityofthebusiness，Mrs。Miltonwouldhavefainted。\"SAVEHER！\"shesaid。
\"Ah！Aconveyance，\"saidDangle。\"Oneminute。\"
Heleftherinamostpatheticattitude，withherhandpressedtoherheart，andrushedintotheGoldenAnchor。Dogcartintenminutes。Emerged。Themeathadgonenow，andonesawthecoolingpuffinessoverhiseye。\"Iwillconductyoubacktothestation，\"
saidDangle;\"hurrybackhere，andpursuethem。YouwillmeetWidgeryandPhippsandtellthemIaminpursuit。\"
Shewaswhirledbacktotherailwaystationandleftthere，onahard，blistered，woodenseatinthesun。Shefelttiredanddreadfullyruffledandagitatedanddusty。Danglewas，nodoubt，mostenergeticanddevoted;butforakindly，helpfulmannercommendhertoDouglasWidgery。
MeanwhileDangle，hisfacegoldenintheeveningsun，wasdriving（aswellashecould）alarge，blackhorseharnessedintoathingcalledagig，northwestwardtowardsWinchester。Dangle，barringhisswolleneye，wasarefined—lookinglittleman，andbeworeadeerstalkercapandwasdressedindarkgrey。Hisneckwaslongandslender。Perhapsyouknowwhatgigsare，——huge，big，woodenthingsandveryhighandthehorse，too，washugeandbigandhigh，withknobbylegs，alongface，ahardmouth，andawhackingtrickofpacing。Smack，smack，smack，smackitwentalongtheroad，andhardbythechurchitshiedvigorouslyatahoodedperambulator。
ThehistoryoftheRescueExpeditionnowbecomesconfused。ItappearsthatWidgerywasextremelyindignanttofindMrs。MiltonleftaboutupontheFarehamplatform。Thedayhadirritatedhimsomehow，thoughhehadstartedwiththenoblestintentions，andheseemedgladtofindanoutletforjustifiableindignation。
\"He’ssuchaspasmodiccreature，\"saidWidgery。\"Rushingoff！AndIsupposewe’retowaithereuntilhecomesback！It’slikely。
He’ssoegotistical，isDangle。Alwayswantstomismanageeverythinghimself。\"
\"Hemeanstohelpme，\"saidMrs。Milton，alittlereproachfully，touchinghisarm。Widgerywashardlyinthemoodtobemollifiedallatonce。\"HeneednotpreventME，\"hesaid，andstopped。
\"It’snogoodtalking，youknow，andyouaretired。\"
\"Icangoon，\"shesaidbrightly，\"ifonlywefindher。\"\"WhileIwascoolingmyheelsinCoshamIboughtacountymap。\"Heproducedandopenedit。\"Here，yousee，istheroadoutofFareham。\"HeproceededwiththecalmdeliberationofabusinessmantodevelopaproposaloftakingtrainforthwithtoWinchester。\"TheyMUSTbegoingtoWinchester，\"heexplained。Itwasinevitable。To—morrowSunday，Winchesteracathedraltown，roadgoingnowhereelseoftheslightestimportance，\"ButMr。Dangle？\"
\"Hewillsimplygoonuntilhehastopasssomething，andthenhewillbreakhisneck。IhaveseenDangledrivebefore。It’sscarcelylikelyadog—cart，especiallyahireddog—cart，willovertakebicyclesinthecooloftheevening。Relyuponme，Mrs。
Milton——\"
\"Iaminyourhands，\"shesaid，withpatheticlittleness，lookingupathim，andforthemomentheforgottheexasperationoftheday。
Phipps，duringthisconversation，hadstoodinasomewhatdepressedattitude，leaningonhisstick，feelinghiscollar，andlookingfromonespeakertotheother。TheideaofleavingDanglebehindseemedtohimanexcellentone。\"Wemightleaveamessageattheplacewherehegotthedog—cart，\"hesuggested，whenhesawtheireyesmeeting。Therewasacheerfulalacrityaboutallthreeattheproposal。
ButtheynevergotbeyondBotley。Forevenastheirtrainranintothestation，amightyrumblingwasheard，therewasashoutingoverhead，theguardstoodastonishedontheplatform，andPhipps，thrustinghisheadoutofthewindow，cried，\"Therehegoes！\"andsprangoutofthecarriage。Mrs。Milton，followinginalarm，justsawit。FromWidgeryitwashidden。Botleystationliesinacutting，overheadwastheroadway，andacrossthelemonyellowsandflushedpinksofthesunset，therewhirledagreatblackmass，ahorselikealong—nosedchessknight，theupperworksofagig，andDangleintransitfromfronttoback。A
monstrousshadowapedhimacrossthecutting。Itwastheeventofasecond。Dangleseemedtojump，hangintheairmomentarily，andvanish，andafteramoment’spausecameaheart—rendingsmash。
Thentwoblackheadsrunningswiftly。
\"Bettergetout，\"saidPhippstoMrs。Milton，whostoodfascinatedinthedoorway。
Inanothermomentallthreewerehurryingupthesteps。TheyfoundDangle，hatless，standingupwithcuthandsextended，havinghishandsbrushedbyanofficioussmallboy。Abroad，uglyroadrandownhillinalongvista，andinthedistancewasalittlegroupofBotleyinhabitantsholdingthebig，blackhorse。
Evenatthatdistancetheycouldseetheexpressionofconsciousprideonthemonster’svisage。Itwasaswooden—facedahorseasyoucanimagine。ThebeastsintheTowerofLondon，onwhichthemeninarmourareperched，aretheonlyhorsesIhaveeverseenatalllikeit。However，wearenotconcernednowwiththehorse，butwithDangle。\"Hurt？\"askedPhipps，eagerly，leading。
\"Mr。Dangle！\"criedMrs。Milton，claspingherhands。
\"Hullo！\"saidDangle，notsurprisedintheslightest。\"Gladyou’vecome。Imaywantyou。BitofamessI’min——eigh？ButI’vecaught’em。AttheveryplaceIexpected，too。\"
\"Caughtthem！\"saidWidgery。Wherearethey？\"
\"Upthere，\"hesaid，withabackwardmotionofhishead。\"Aboutamileupthehill。Ileft’em。IHADto。\"
\"Idon’tunderstand，\"saidMrs。Milton，withthatrapt，painfullookagain。\"HaveyoufoundJessie？\"
\"Ihave。IwishIcouldwashthegraveloutofmyhandssomewhere。Itwaslikethis，youknow。Cameonthemsuddenlyroundacorner。Horseshiedatthebicycles。Theyweresittingbytheroadsidebotanisingflowers。Ijusthadtimetoshout，’JessieMilton，we’vebeenlookingforyou，’andthenthatconfoundedbrutebolted。Ididn’tdareturnround。Ihadallmyworktodotosavemyselfbeingturnedover，asitwas——solongasIdid，Imean。Ijustshouted，’Returntoyourfriends。Allwillbeforgiven。’AndoffIcame，clatter，clatter。Whethertheyheard——\"
\"TAKEMETOHER，\"saidMrs。Milton，withintensity，turningtowardsWidgery。
\"Certainly，\"saidWidgery，suddenlybecomingactive。\"Howfarisit，Dangle？\"
\"Mileandahalfortwomiles。Iwasdeterminedtofindthem，youknow。Isaythough——Lookatmyhands！ButIbegyourpardon，Mrs。
Milton。\"HeturnedtoPhipps。\"Phipps，Isay，whereshallIwashthegravelout？Andhavealookatmyknee？\"
\"There’sthestation，\"saidPhipps，becominghelpful。Danglemadeastep，andadamagedkneebecameevident。\"Takemyarm，\"saidPhipps。
\"Wherecanwegetaconveyance？\"askedWidgeryoftwosmallboys。
Thetwosmallboysfailedtounderstand。Theylookedatoneanother。
\"There’snotacab，notago—cart，insight，\"saidWidgery。\"It’sacaseofahorse，ahorse，mykingdomforahorse。\"
\"There’saharseallright，\"saidoneofthesmallboyswithamovementofthehead。
\"Don’tyouknowwherewecanhiretraps？askedWidgery。\"Oracartor——anything？\"askedMrs。Milton。
\"JohnOoker’sgartacart，butnoonecan’t’ire’n，\"saidthelargerofthesmallboys，partiallyavertinghisfaceandstaringdowntheroadandmakingasongofit。\"Andso’smyfeyther，for’slegusbroke。\"
\"Notacarteven！Evidently。Whatshallwedo？\"
ItoccurredtoMrs。MiltonthatifWidgerywasthemanforcourtlydevotion，Danglewasinfinitelyreadierofresource。\"I
suppose——\"shesaid，timidly。\"PerhapsifyouweretoaskMr。
Dangle——\"
AndthenallthegiltcameoffWidgery。Heansweredquiterudely。
\"ConfoundDangle！Hasn’themessedusupenough？Hemustneedsdriveaftertheminatraptotellthemwe’recoming，andnowyouwantmetoaskhim——\"
Herbeautifulblueeyeswerefilledwithtears。Hestoppedabruptly。\"I’llgoandaskDangle，\"hesaid，shortly。\"Ifyouwishit。\"Andwentstridingintothestationanddownthesteps，leavingherintheroadunderthequietinspectionofthetwolittleboys，andwithakindofballadrefrainrunningthroughherhead，\"WherearetheKnightsoftheOldenTime？\"andfeelingtiredtodeathandhungryanddustyandoutofcurl，and，inshort，amartyrwoman。
XXXI
Itgoestomyhearttotelloftheendofthatday，howthefugitivesvanishedintoImmensity;howtherewerenomoretrainshowBotleystaredunsympatheticallywithapalpabledispositiontoderision，denyingconveyanceshowthelandlordoftheHeronwassuspicious，howthenextdaywasSunday，andthehotsummer’sdayhadcrumpledthecollarofPhippsandstainedtheskirtsofMrs。Milton，anddimmedtheradiantemotionsofthewholeparty。
Dangle，withsticking—plasterandablackeye，felttheabsurdityoftheposeoftheWoundedKnight，andabandoneditafterthefaintestefforts。Recriminationsnever，perhaps，heldtheforegroundofthetalk，buttheyplayedlikesummerlightningontheedgeoftheconversation。Anddeepintheheartsofallwasagallingsenseoftheridiculous。Jessie，theythought，wasmosttoblame。Apparently，too，theworst，whichwouldhavemadethewholebusinesstragic，wasnothappening。Herewasayoungwoman——youngwomandoIsay？ameregirl！——hadchosentoleaveacomfortablehomeinSurbiton，andallthedelightsofarefinedandintellectualcircle，andhadrushedoff，trailingusafterher，posinghard，mutuallyjealous，andnowtiredandweather—worn，toflickusoffatlast，meremudfromherwheel，intothisdetestablevillagebeer—houseonaSaturdaynight！Andshehaddoneit，notforLoveandPassion，whichareseriousexcusesonemayrecogniseevenifonemustreprobate，butjustforaFreak，justforafantasticIdea;fornothing，infact，buttheoutragingofCommonSense。Yetwithal，suchwasourrestraint，thatwetalkedofherstillasonemuchmisguided，asonewhoburtheneduswithanxiety，asalambastray，andMrs。
Miltonhavingeaten，continuedtoshowthefinestfeelingsonthematter。
Shesat，Imaymention，inthecushionedbasket—chair，theonlycomfortablechairintheroom，andwesatonincrediblyhard，horsehairthingshavingantimacassarstiedtotheirbacksbymeansoflemon—colouredbows。ItwasdifferentfromthosedearoldtalksatSurbiton，somehow。Shesatfacingthewindow，whichwasopen（thenightwassotranquilandwarm），andthedimlight—
—forwedidnotusethelamp——suitedheradmirably。Shetalkedinavoicethattoldyoushewastired，andsheseemedinclinedtostateacaseagainstherselfinthematterof\"ASoulUntrammelled。\"Itwassuchaneveningasmightliveinasympatheticmemoir，butitwasalittledullwhileitlasted。
\"Ifeel，\"shesaid，\"thatIamtoblame。IhaveDeveloped。Thatfirstbookofmine——Idonotgobackuponawordofit，mind，butithasbeenmisunderstood，misapplied。\"
\"Ithas，\"saidWidgery，tryingtolooksodeeplysympatheticastobevisibleinthedark。\"Deliberatelymisunderstood。\"
\"Don’tsaythat，\"saidthelady。\"Notdeliberately。Itryandthinkthatcriticsarehonest。Aftertheirlights。Iwasnotthinkingofcritics。Butshe——Imean——\"Shepaused，aninterrogation。
\"Itispossible，\"saidDangle，scrutinisinghissticking—plaster。
\"Iwriteabookandstateacase。IwantpeopletoTHINKasI
recommend，nottoDOasIrecommend。ItisjustTeaching。OnlyI
makeitintoastory。IwanttoTeachnewIdeas，newLessons，topromulgateIdeas。ThenwhentheIdeashavebeenspreadabroad——Thingswillcomeabout。Onlynowitismadnesstoflyinthefaceoftheestablishedorder。BernardShaw，youknow，hasexplainedthatwithregardtoSocialism。Weallknowthattoearnallyouconsumeisright，andthatlivingoninvestedcapitaliswrong。Onlywecannotbeginwhilewearesofew。ItisThoseOthers。\"
\"Precisely，\"saidWidgery。\"ItisThoseOthers。Theymustbeginfirst。\"
\"Andmeanwhileyougoonbanking——\"
\"IfIdidn’t，someoneelsewould。\"
\"AndIliveonMr。Milton’sLotionwhileItrytogainafootinginLiterature。\"
\"TRY！\"saidPhipps。\"YouHAVEdoneso。\"And，\"That’sdifferent，\"
saidDangle，atthesametime。
\"Youaresokindtome。Butinthismatter。OfcourseGeorginaGriffithsinmybooklivedaloneinaflatinParisandwenttolifeclassesandhadmenvisitors，butthenshewasovertwenty—one。\"
\"Jessicaisonlyseventeen，andgirlishforthat，\"saidDangle。
\"Italterseverything。Thatchild！Itisdifferentwithawoman。
AndGeorginaGriffithsneverflauntedherfreedom——onabicycle，incountryplaces。Inthiscountry。Whereeveryoneissoparticular。Fancy，SLEEPINGawayfromhome。It’sdreadful——Ifitgetsaboutitspellsruinforher。\"
\"Ruin，\"saidWidgery。
\"Nomanwouldmarryagirllikethat，\"saidPhipps。
\"Itmustbehushedup，\"saidDangle。
\"Italwaysseemstomethatlifeismadeupofindividuals，ofindividualcases。Wemustweigheachpersonagainsthisorhercircumstances。Generalrulesdon’tapply——\"
\"Ioftenfeeltheforceofthat，\"saidWidgery。\"Thosearemyrules。Ofcoursemybooks——\"
\"It’sdifferent，altogetherdifferent，\"saidDangle。\"Anoveldealswithtypicalcases。\"
\"Andlifeisnottypical，\"saidWidgery，withimmenseprofundity。
Thensuddenly，unintentionally，beinghimselfmostsurprisedandshockedofanyintheroom，Phippsyawned。Thefailingwasinfectious，andthegatheringhaving，asyoucaneasilyunderstand，talkeditselfweary，dispersedontrivialpretences。
Butnottosleepimmediately。DirectlyDanglewasalonehebegan，withinfinitedisgust，toscrutinisehisdarklingeye，forhewasaneat—mindedlittlemaninspiteofhisenergy。Thewholebusiness——sonearacapture——washorriblyvexatious。Phippssatonhisbedforsometimeexamining，withequaldisgust，acollarhewouldhavethoughtincredibleforSundaytwenty—fourhoursbefore。Mrs。Miltonfella—musingonthemortalityofevenbig，fatmenwithdog—likeeyes，andWidgerywasunhappybecausehehadbeensocrosstoheratthestation，andbecausesofarhedidnotfeelthathehadscoredoverDangle。AlsohewasangrywithDangle。Andallfourofthem，beingsoulslivingverymuchupontheappearancesofthings，hadapainful，mentalmiddledistanceofBotleyderisiveandsuspicious，andaremoterbackgroundofLondonhumorous，andSurbitonspeculative。Weretheyreally，afterall，behavingabsurdly？
MR。HOOPDRIVER，KNIGHTERRANT
XXXII
AsMr。Danglebadwitnessed，thefugitiveshadbeenleftbyhimbythesideoftheroadabouttwomilesfromBotley。BeforeMr。
Dangle’sappearance，Mr。Hoopdriverhadbeenlearningwithgreatinterestthatmereroadsideflowershadnames，——star—flowers，wind—stars，St。John’swort，willowherb，lordsandladies，bachelor’sbuttons，——mostcuriousnames，someofthem。\"TheflowersarealldifferentinSouthAfrica，y’know，\"hewasexplainingwithahappyflukeofhisimaginationtoaccountforhisignorance。Thensuddenly，heraldedbyclatteringsoundsandagrideofwheels，Danglehadflaredandthunderedacrossthetranquillityofthesummerevening;Dangle，swayingandgesticulatingbehindacorybanticblackhorse，hadhailedJessiebyhername，hadbackedtowardsthehedgefornoostensiblereason，andvanishedtotheaccomplishmentoftheFatethathadbeenwrittendownforhimfromtheverybeginningofthings。
JessieandHoopdriverhadscarcelytimetostandupandseizetheirmachines，beforethistumultuous，thisswiftandwonderfulpassingofDanglewasachieved。Hewentfromsidetosideoftheroad，——worseeventhantheridingforthofMr。Hoopdriveritwas，——andvanishedroundthecorner。
\"Heknewmyname，\"saidJessie。\"Yes——itwasMr。Dangle。\"
\"Thatwasourbicyclesdidthat，\"saidMr。Hoopdriversimultaneously，andspeakingwithacertaincomplacentconcern。
\"Ihopehewon’tgethurt。\"
\"ThatwasMr。Dangle，\"repeatedJessie，andMr。Hoopdriverheardthistime，withaviolentstart。Hiseyebrowswentupspasmodically。
\"What！someoneyouknow？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Lord！\"
\"Hewaslookingforme，\"saidJessie。\"Icouldsee。Hebegantocalltomebeforethehorseshied。Mystepmotherhassenthim。\"
Mr。Hoopdriverwishedhehadreturnedthebicycleafterall，forhisideaswerestillalittlehazyaboutBechamelandMrs。
Milton。HonestyISthebestpolicy——often，hethought。Heturnedhisheadthiswayandthat。Hebecameactive。\"Afterus，eigh？
Thenhe’llcomeback。He’sgonedownthathill，andhewon’tbeabletopullupforabit，I’mcertain。\"
Jessie，hesaw，hadwheeledhermachineintotheroadandwasmounting。StillstaringatthecornerthathadswallowedupDangle，Hoopdriverfollowedsuit。Andso，justasthesunwassetting，theybegananotherflighttogether，——ridingnowtowardsBishopsWaltham，withMr。Hoopdriverinthepostofdanger——therear——everandagainlookingoverhisshoulderandswervingdangerouslyashedidso。OccasionallyJessiehadtoslackenherpace。Hebreathedheavily，andhatedhimselfbecausehismouthfellopen，Afternearlyanhour’shardriding，theyfoundthemselvesuncaughtatWinchester。NotatraceofDanglenoranyotherdangerwasvisibleastheyrodeintothedusky，yellow—litstreet。ThoughthebatshadbeenflutteringbehindthehedgesandtheeveningstarwasbrightwhiletheywerestilltwomilesfromWinchester，Mr。Hoopdriverpointedoutthedangersofstoppinginsuchanobviousabiding—place，andgentlybutfirmlyinsisteduponreplenishingthelampsandridingontowardsSalisbury。FromWinchester，roadsbranchineverydirection，andtoturnabruptlywestwardwasclearlythewaytothrowoffthechase。AsHoopdriversawthemoonrisingbroadandyellowthroughthetwilight，hethoughtheshouldrevivetheeffectofthatrideoutofBognor;butsomehow，albeitthemoonandalltheatmosphericeffectswerethesame，theemotionsweredifferent。Theyrodeinabsolutesilence，andslowlyaftertheyhadclearedtheoutskirtsofWinchester。Bothofthemwerenownearlytiredout，——thelevelwastedious，andevenalittlehillaburden;andsoitcameaboutthatinthehamletofWallenstocktheywerebeguiledtostopandaskforaccommodationinanexceptionallyprosperouslookingvillageinn。Aplausiblelandladyrosetotheoccasion。
Now，astheypassedintotheroomwheretheirsupperswereprepared，Mr。Hoopdrivercaughtaglimpsethroughadoorajarandfloatinginareekofsmoke，ofthreeandahalffaces——fortheedgeofthedoorcutonedown——andanAmericancloth—coveredtablewithseveralglassesandatankard。Andhealsoheardaremark。Inthesecondbeforeheheardthatremark，Mr。Hoopdriverhadbeenaproudandhappyman，toparticularize，abaronet’sheirincognito。Hehadsurrenderedtheirbicyclestotheoddmanoftheplacewithinfiniteeasydignity，andhadbowinglyopenedthedoorforJessie。\"Who’sthat，then？\"heimaginedpeoplesaying;andthen，\"Some’nprettywellorf——judgebythebicycles。\"Thentheimaginaryspectatorswouldfalla—talkingofthefashionablenessofbicycling，——howjudgesAndstockbrokersandactressesand，infact，allthebestpeoplerode，andhowthatitwasoftenthefancyofsuchgreatfolktoshunthebighotels，theadulationofurbancrowds，andseek，incognito，thecosyquaintnessesofvillagelife。Then，maybe，theywouldthinkofacertainnamelessairofdistinctionabouttheladywhohadsteppedacrossthedoorway，andaboutthehandsome，flaxen—moustached，blue—eyedCavalierwhohadfollowedherin，andtheywouldlookonetoanother。\"Tellyouwhatitis，\"oneofthevillageelderswouldsay——justastheydoinnovels——voicingthethoughtofall，inalow，impressivetone：\"There’ssuchathinasentertainingbarranetsunawares—nottomentionnohigherthings——\"
Such，Isay，hadbeenthefilmy，delightfulstuffinMr。
Hoopdriver’sheadthemomentbeforeheheardthatremark。Buttheremarktoppledhimheadlong。Whatthepreciseremarkwasneednotconcernus。ItwasacasualpieceofsuchsatireasStrephondelightsin。Shouldyoubecurious，dearlady，astoitsnature，youhavemerelytodressyourselfinareallymoderncyclingcostume，getoneofthefeeblest—lookingofyourmentoescortyou，andrideout，nextSaturdayevening，toanypublichousewherehealthy，homelypeoplegathertogether。ThenyouwillhearquitealotofthekindofthingMr。Hoopdriverheard。More，possibly，thanyouwilldesire。
Theremark，Imustadd，implicatedMr。Hoopdriver。Itindicatedanentiredisbeliefinhissocialstanding。Atablow，itshatteredallthegorgeousimaginativefabrichismindhadbeenrejoicingin。Allthatfoolishhappinessvanishedlikeadream。
Andtherewasnothingtoshowforit，asthereisnothingtoshowforanyspitefulremarkthathaseverbeenmade。Perhapsthemanwhosaidthethinghadagleamofsatisfactionattheideaoftakingacomplacent—lookingfooldownapeg，butitisjustaspossiblehedidnotknowatthetimethathisstrayshothadhit。
Hehadthrownitasaboythrowsastoneatabird。Anditnotonlydemolishedafoolish，happyconceit，butitwounded。IttouchedJessiegrossly。
Shedidnothearit，heconcludedfromhersubsequentbearing;
butduringthesuppertheyhadinthelittleprivatedining—room，thoughshetalkedcheerfully，hewaspreoccupied。Whiffsofindistinctconversation，andnowandthenlaughter，cameinfromtheinnparloiirthroughthepelargoniumsintheopenwindow。
Hoopdriverfeltitmustallbeinthesamestrain，——atherexpenseandhis。Heansweredherabstractedly。Shewastired，shesaid，andpresentlywenttoherroom。Mr。Hoopdriver，inhiscourtlyway，openedthedoorforherandbowedherout。Hestoodlisteningandfearingsomenewoffenceasshewentupstairs，androundthebendwherethebarometerhungbeneaththestuffedbirds。Thenhewentbacktotheroom，andstoodonthehearthrugbeforethe。paperfireplaceornament。\"Cads！\"hesaidinascathingundertone，asafreshburstoflaughtercamefloatingin。Allthroughsupperhehadbeencomposingstingingrepartee，ablisteringspeechofdenunciationtobepresentlydelivered。Hewouldratethemasanoblemanshould：\"CallthemselvesEnglishmen，indeed，andinsultawoman！\"hewouldsay;takethenamesandaddressesperhaps，threatentospeaktotheLordoftheManor，promisetoletthemhearfromhimagain，andsooutwithconsternationinhiswake。Itreallyoughttobedone。
\"Teach’embetter，\"hesaidfiercely，andtweakedhismoustachepainfully。Whatwasit？Herevivedtheobjectionableremarkforhisownexasperation，andthenwentovertheheadsofhisspeechagain。
Hecoughed，madethreestepstowardsthedoor，thenstoppedandwentbacktothehearthrug。Hewouldn’t——afterall。YetwashenotaKnightErrant？Shouldsuchmengounreproved，unchecked，bywanderingbaronetsincognito？Magnanimity？Lookatitinthatway？Churlsbeneathone’snotice？No;merelyacowardlysubterfuge。HeWOULDafterall。
Somethingwithinhimprotestedthathewasahot—headedassevenashewenttowardsthedooragain。Butheonlywentonthemoreresolutely。Hecrossedthehall，bythebar，andenteredtheroomfromwhichtheremarkhadproceeded。Heopenedthedoorabruptlyandstoodscowlingontheminthedoorway。\"You’llonlymakeamessofit，\"remarkedtheinternalsceptic。Therewerefivemenintheroomaltogether：afatperson，withalongpipeandagreatnumberofchins，inanarmchairbythefireplace，whowishedMr。Hoopdriveragoodeveningveryaffably;ayoungfellowsmokingacuttyanddisplayingcrossedlegswithgaiters;alittle，beardedmanwithatoothlesslaugh;amiddle—aged，comfortablemanwithbrighteyes，whoworeavelveteenjacket;
andafairyoungman，verygenteelinayellowish—brownready—madesuitandawhitetie。
\"H’m，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，lookingverysternandharsh。Andtheninaforbiddingtone，asonewhoconsentedtonoliberties，\"Goodevening。\"
\"Verypleasantdaywe’vebeen’aving，\"saidthefairyoungmanwiththewhitetie。
\"Very，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，slowly;andtakingabrownarmchair，heplanteditwithgreatdeliberationwherehefacedthefireplace，andsatdown。Let’ssee——howdidthatspeechbegin？
\"Verypleasantroadsabouthere，\"saidthefairyoungmanwiththewhitetie。
\"Very，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，eyeinghimdarkly。Havetobeginsomehow。\"Theroadsabouthereareallright，andtheweatherabouthereisallright，butwhatI’vecomeinheretosayis——there’ssomedamnedunpleasantpeople——damnedunpleasantpeople！\"
\"Oh！\"saidtheyoungmanwiththegaiters，apparentlymakingamentalinventoryofhispearlbuttonsashespoke。\"How’sthat？\"
Mr。Hoopdriverputhishandsonhiskneesandstuckouthiselbowswithextremeangularity。Inhishearthewasravingathisidioticfollyatthusbeardingtheselions，——indisputablytheyWERElions，——buthehadtogothroughwithitnow。Heavensend，hisbreath，whichwasalreadygettingatriflespasmodic，didnotsuddenlygiveout。Hefixedhiseyeonthefaceofthefatmanwiththechins，andspokeinalow，impressivevoice。\"Icamehere，sir，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，andpausedtoinflatehischeeks，\"withalady。\"
\"Verynicelady，\"saidthemanwiththegaiters，puttinghisheadononesidetoadmireapearlbuttonthathadbeenhidingbehindthecurvatureofhiscalf。\"Veryniceladyindeed。\"
\"Icamehere，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，\"withalady。\"
\"Wesawyoudid，blessyou，\"saidthefatmanwiththechins，inacuriouswheezyvoice。\"Idon’tseethere’sanythingsoveryextraordinaryinthat。One’udthinkwehadn’teyes。\"
Mr。Hoopdrivercoughed。\"Icame，here，sir——\"
\"We’ve’eardthat，\"saidthelittlemanwiththebeard，sharplyandwentoffintoanamiablechuckle。\"Weknowitby’art，\"saidthelittleman，elaboratingthepoint。
Mr。Hoopdrivertemporarilylosthisthread。Heglaredmalignantlyatthelittlemanwiththebeard，andtriedtorecoverhisdiscourse。Apause。
\"Youweresaying，\"saidthefairyoungmanwiththewhitetie，speakingverypolitely，\"thatyoucameherewithalady。\"
\"Alady，\"meditatedthegaitergazer。
Themaninvelveteen，whowaslookingfromonespeakertoanotherwithkeen，brighteyes，nowlaughedasthoughapointhadbeenscored，andstimulatedMr。Hoopdrivertospeak，byfixinghimwithanexpectantregard。
\"Somedirtycad，\"saidMr。Hoopdriver，proceedingwithhisdiscourse，andsuddenlygrowingextremelyfierce，\"madearemarkaswewentbythisdoor。\"
\"Steadyon！\"saidtheoldgentlemanwithmanychins。，Steadyon！
Don’tyougoa—callingusnames，please。\"
\"Oneminute！\"saidMr。Hoopdriver。\"Itwasn’tIbegancallingnames。\"（\"Whodid？saidthemanwiththechins。）\"I’mnotcallinganyofyoudirtycads。Don’trunawaywiththatimpression。Onlysomepersoninthisroommadearemarkthatshowedhewasn’tfittowipebootson，and，withallduedeferencetosuchgentlemenasAREgentlemen\"（Mr。Hoopdriverlookedroundformoralsupport），\"Iwanttoknowwhichitwas。\"
\"Meanin’？\"saidthefairyoungmaninthewhitetie。
\"ThatI’mgoingtowipemybootson’imstraightaway，\"saidMr。