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long run avoid being interested in a man whom she knows to be
devoted to her？ If human solicitation could ever effect anything；
there should be no going to India for Lucy now。 All the papers
previously chosen seemed wrong in their shades； and he began from
the beginning to choose again。
While entering on the task he heard a forced 'Ahem！' from without
the porch； evidently uttered to attract his attention； and footsteps
again advancing to the door。 His man； whom he had quite forgotten
in his mental turmoil； was still waiting there。
'I beg your pardon； sir；' the man said from round the doorway； 'but
here's the note from Mr。 Downe that you didn't take。 He called just
after you went out； and as he couldn't wait； he wrote this on your
study…table。'
He handed in the letterno black…bordered one now； but a practical…
looking note in the well…known writing of the solicitor。
'DEAR BARNET'it ran'Perhaps you will be prepared for the
information I am about to givethat Lucy Savile and myself are
going to be married this morning。 I have hitherto said nothing as
to my intention to any of my friends； for reasons which I am sure
you will fully appreciate。 The crisis has been brought about by her
expressing her intention to join her brother in India。 I then
discovered that I could not do without her。
'It is to be quite a private wedding； but it is my particular wish
that you come down here quietly at ten； and go to church with us； it
will add greatly to the pleasure I shall experience in the ceremony；
and； I believe； to Lucy's also。 I have called on you very early to
make the request； in the belief that I should find you at home； but
you are beforehand with me in your early rising。Yours sincerely；
C。 Downe。'
'Need I wait； sir？' said the servant after a dead silence。
'That will do； William。 No answer；' said Barnet calmly。
When the man had gone Barnet re…read the letter。 Turning eventually
to the wall…papers； which he had been at such pains to select； he
deliberately tore them into halves and quarters； and threw them into
the empty fireplace。 Then he went out of the house； locked the
door； and stood in the front awhile。 Instead of returning into the
town； he went down the harbour…road and thoughtfully lingered about
by the sea； near the spot where the body of Downe's late wife had
been found and brought ashore。
Barnet was a man with a rich capacity for misery； and there is no
doubt that he exercised it to its fullest extent now。 The events
that had； as it were； dashed themselves together into one half…hour
of this day showed that curious refinement of cruelty in their
arrangement which often proceeds from the bosom of the whimsical god
at other times known as blind Circumstance。 That his few minutes of
hope； between the reading of the first and second letters； had
carried him to extraordinary heights of rapture was proved by the
immensity of his suffering now。 The sun blazing into his face would
have shown a close watcher that a horizontal line； which he had
never noticed before； but which was never to be gone thereafter； was
somehow gradually forming itself in the smooth of his forehead。 His
eyes； of a light hazel； had a curious look which can only be
described by the word bruised； the sorrow that looked from them
being largely mixed with the surprise of a man taken unawares。
The secondary particulars of his present position； too； were odd
enough； though for some time they appeared to engage little of his
attention。 Not a soul in the town knew； as yet； of his wife's
death； and he almost owed Downe the kindness of not publishing it
till the day was over： the conjuncture； taken with that which had
accompanied the death of Mrs。 Downe； being so singular as to be
quite sufficient to darken the pleasure of the impressionable
solicitor to a cruel extent； if made known to him。 But as Barnet
could not set out on his journey to London； where his wife lay； for
some hours （there being at this date no railway within a distance of
many miles）； no great reason existed why he should leave the town。
Impulse in all its forms characterized Barnet； and when he heard the
distant clock strike the hour of ten his feet began to carry him up
the harbour…road with the manner of a man who must do something to
bring himself to life。 He passed Lucy Savile's old house； his own
new one； and came in view of the church。 Now he gave a perceptible
start； and his mechanical condition went away。 Before the church…
gate were a couple of carriages； and Barnet then could perceive that
the marriage between Downe and Lucy was at that moment being
solemnized within。 A feeling of sudden； proud self…confidence； an
indocile wish to walk unmoved in spite of grim environments； plainly
possessed him； and when he reached the wicket…gate he turned in
without apparent effort。 Pacing up the paved footway he entered the
church and stood for a while in the nave passage。 A group of people
was standing round the vestry door； Barnet advanced through these
and stepped into the vestry。
There they were； busily signing their names。 Seeing Downe about to
look round； Barnet averted his somewhat disturbed face for a second
or two； when he turned again front to front he was calm and quite
smiling； it was a creditable triumph over himself； and deserved to
be remembered in his native town。 He greeted Downe heartily；
offering his congratulations。
It seemed as if Barnet expected a half…guilty look upon Lucy's face；
but no； save the natural flush and flurry engendered by the service
just performed； there was nothing whatever in her bearing which
showed a disturbed mind： her gray…brown eyes carried in them now as
at other times the well…known expression of common…sensed rectitude
which never went so far as to touch on hardness。 She shook hands
with him； and Downe said warmly； 'I wish you could have come sooner：
I called on purpose to ask you。 You'll drive back with us now？'
'No； no；' said Barnet； 'I am not at all prepared； but I thought I
would look in upon you for a moment； even though I had not time to
go home and dress。 I'll stand back and see you pass out； and
observe the effect of the spectacle upon myself as one of the
public。'
Then Lucy and her husband laughed； and Barnet laughed and retired；
and the quiet little party went gliding down the nave and towards
the porch； Lucy's new silk dress sweeping with a smart rustle round
the base…mouldings of the ancient font； and Downe's little daughters
following in a state of round…eyed interest in their position； and
that of Lucy； their teacher and friend。
So Downe was comforted after his Emily's death； which had taken
place twelve months； two weeks； and three days before that time。
When the two flys had driven off and the spectators had vanished；
Barnet followed to the door； and went out into the sun。 He took no
more trouble to preserve a spruce exterior； his step was unequal；
hesitating； almost convulsive； and the slight changes of colour
which went on in his face seemed refracted from some inward flame。
In the churchyard he became pale as a summer cloud； and finding it
not easy to proceed he