第12章
’Why，yes;hewasverywell-verywellindeed。He’sadevilish，goodfellow。ImethimintheCity，andhadalongchatwithhim。
Indeed，I’mratherintimatewithhim。Icouldn’tstoptotalkto，himaslongasIcouldwish，though，becauseIwasonmywaytoa，banker’s，averyrichman，andamemberofParliament，withwhomI
amalsorather，indeedImaysayvery，intimate。’
’Iknowwhomyoumean，’returnedthehost，consequentially-in，realityknowingasmuchaboutthematterasFlamwellhimself-’He，hasacapitalbusiness。’
Thiswastouchingonadangeroustopic。
’Talkingofbusiness，’interposedMr。Barton，fromthecentreof，thetable。’Agentlemanwhomyouknewverywell，Malderton，before，youmadethatfirstluckyspecofyours，calledatourshopthe，otherday，and-’
’Barton，mayItroubleyouforapotato？’interruptedthewretched，masterofthehouse，hopingtonipthestoryinthebud。
’Certainly，’returnedthegrocer，quiteinsensibleofhisbrother-
in-law’sobject-’andhesaidinaveryplainmanner-’
’FLOURY，ifyouplease，’interruptedMaldertonagain;dreadingthe，terminationoftheanecdote，andfearingarepetitionoftheword，’shop。’
’Hesaid，sayshe，’continuedtheculprit，afterdespatchingthe，potato;’sayshe，howgoesonyourbusiness？，SoIsaid，jokingly-
youknowmyway-saysI，I’mneverabovemybusiness，andIhope，mybusinesswillneverbeaboveme。Ha，ha！’
’Mr。Sparkins，’saidthehost，vainlyendeavouringtoconcealhis，dismay，’aglassofwine？’
’Withtheutmostpleasure，sir。’
’Happytoseeyou。’
’Thankyou。’
’Weweretalkingtheotherevening，’resumedthehost，addressing，Horatio，partlywiththeviewofdisplayingtheconversational，powersofhisnewacquaintance，andpartlyinthehopeofdrowning，thegrocer’sstories-’weweretalkingtheothernightaboutthe，natureofman。Yourargumentstruckmeveryforcibly。’
’Andme，’saidMr。Frederick。Horatiomadeagracefulinclination，ofthehead。
’Pray，whatisyouropinionofwoman，Mr。Sparkins？’inquiredMrs。
Malderton。Theyoungladiessimpered。
’Man，’repliedHoratio，’man，whetherherangedthebright，gay，floweryplainsofasecondEden，orthemoresterile，barren，andI
maysay，commonplaceregions，towhichwearecompelledtoaccustom，ourselves，intimessuchasthese;man，underanycircumstances，or，inanyplace-whetherhewerebendingbeneaththewitheringblasts，ofthefrigidzone，orscorchingundertheraysofaverticalsun-
man，withoutwoman，wouldbe-alone。’
’Iamveryhappytofindyouentertainsuchhonourableopinions，Mr。Sparkins，’saidMrs。Malderton。
’AndI，’addedMissTeresa。Horatiolookedhisdelight，andthe，youngladyblushed。
’Now，it’smyopinion-’saidMr。Barton。
’Iknowwhatyou’regoingtosay，’interposedMalderton，determined，nottogivehisrelationanotheropportunity，’andIdon’tagree，withyou。’
’What！’inquiredtheastonishedgrocer。
’Iamsorrytodifferfromyou，Barton，’saidthehost，inas，positiveamannerasifhereallywerecontradictingaposition，whichtheotherhadlaiddown，’butIcannotgivemyassenttowhat，Iconsideraverymonstrousproposition。’
’ButImeanttosay-’
’Younevercanconvinceme，’saidMalderton，withanairof，obstinatedetermination。’Never。’
’AndI，’saidMr。Frederick，followinguphisfather’sattack，’cannotentirelyagreeinMr。Sparkins’sargument。’
’What！’saidHoratio，whobecamemoremetaphysical，andmore，argumentative，ashesawthefemalepartofthefamilylisteningin，wonderingdelight-’what！，Iseffecttheconsequenceofcause？，Is，causetheprecursorofeffect？’
’That’sthepoint，’saidFlamwell。
’Tobesure，’saidMr。Malderton。
’Because，ifeffectistheconsequenceofcause，andifcausedoes，precedeeffect，Iapprehendyouarewrong，’addedHoratio。
’Decidedly，’saidthetoad-eatingFlamwell。
’Atleast，Iapprehendthattobethejustandlogicaldeduction？’
saidSparkins，inatoneofinterrogation。
’Nodoubtofit，’chimedinFlamwellagain。’Itsettlesthe，point。’
’Well，perhapsitdoes，’saidMr。Frederick;’Ididn’tseeit，before。’
’Idon’texactlyseeitnow，’thoughtthegrocer;’butIsuppose，it’sallright。’
’Howwonderfullycleverheis！’whisperedMrs。Maldertontoher，daughters，astheyretiredtothedrawing-room。
’Oh，he’squitealove！’saidboththeyoungladiestogether;’he，talkslikeanoracle。Hemusthaveseenagreatdealoflife。’
Thegentlemenbeinglefttothemselves，apauseensued，during，whicheverybodylookedverygrave，asiftheywerequiteovercome，bytheprofoundnatureofthepreviousdiscussion。Flamwell，who，hadmadeuphismindtofindoutwhoandwhatMr。HoratioSparkins，reallywas，firstbrokesilence。
’Excuseme，sir，’saidthatdistinguishedpersonage，’Ipresumeyou，havestudiedforthebar？，Ithoughtofenteringonce，myself-
indeed，I’mratherintimatewithsomeofthehighestornamentsof，thatdistinguishedprofession。’
’N-no！’saidHoratio，withalittlehesitation;’notexactly。’
’Butyouhavebeenmuchamongthesilkgowns，orImistake？’
inquiredFlamwell，deferentially。
’Nearlyallmylife，’returnedSparkins。
ThequestionwasthusprettywellsettledinthemindofMr。
Flamwell。Hewasayounggentleman’abouttobecalled。’
’Ishouldn’tliketobeabarrister，’saidTom，speakingforthe，firsttime，andlookingroundthetabletofindsomebodywhowould，noticetheremark。
Noonemadeanyreply。
’Ishouldn’tliketowearawig，’saidTom，hazardinganother，observation。
’Tom，Ibegyouwillnotmakeyourselfridiculous，’saidhis，father。’Praylisten，andimproveyourselfbytheconversationyou，hear，anddon’tbeconstantlymakingtheseabsurdremarks。’
’Verywell，father，’repliedtheunfortunateTom，whohadnot，spokenawordsincehehadaskedforanothersliceofbeefata，quarter-pastfiveo’clock，P。M。anditwastheneight。
’Well，Tom，’observedhisgood-natureduncle，’nevermind！，Ithink，withyou。Ishouldn’tliketowearawig。I’dratherwearan，apron。’
Mr。Maldertoncoughedviolently。Mr。Bartonresumed-’Forifa，man’sabovehisbusiness-’
Thecoughreturnedwithtenfoldviolence，anddidnotceaseuntil，theunfortunatecauseofit，inhisalarm，hadquiteforgottenwhat，heintendedtosay。
’Mr。Sparkins，’saidFlamwell，returningtothecharge，’doyou，happentoknowMr。Delafontaine，ofBedford-square？’
’Ihaveexchangedcardswithhim;sincewhich，indeed，Ihavehad，anopportunityofservinghimconsiderably，’repliedHoratio，slightlycolouring;nodoubt，athavingbeenbetrayedintomaking，theacknowledgment。
’Youareverylucky，ifyouhavehadanopportunityofobliging，thatgreatman，’observedFlamwell，withanairofprofound，respect。
’Idon’tknowwhoheis，’hewhisperedtoMr。Malderton，confidentially，astheyfollowedHoratiouptothedrawing-room。
’It’squiteclear，however，thathebelongstothelaw，andthathe，issomebodyofgreatimportance，andveryhighlyconnected。’
’Nodoubt，nodoubt，’returnedhiscompanion。
Theremainderoftheeveningpassedawaymostdelightfully。Mr。
Malderton，relievedfromhisapprehensionsbythecircumstanceof，Mr。Barton’sfallingintoaprofoundsleep，wasasaffableand，graciousaspossible。MissTeresaplayedthe’FallofParis，’as，Mr。Sparkinsdeclared，inamostmasterlymanner，andbothofthem，assistedbyMr。Frederick，triedovergleesandtrioswithout，number;theyhavingmadethepleasingdiscoverythattheirvoices，harmonisedbeautifully。Tobesure，theyallsangthefirstpart;
andHoratio，inadditiontotheslightdrawbackofhavingnoear，wasperfectlyinnocentofknowinganoteofmusic;still，they，passedthetimeveryagreeably，anditwaspasttwelveo’clock，beforeMr。Sparkinsorderedthemourning-coach-lookingsteedtobe，broughtout-anorderwhichwasonlycompliedwith，onthe，distinctunderstandingthathewastorepeathisvisitonthe，followingSunday。
’But，perhaps，Mr。Sparkinswillformoneofourpartyto-morrow，evening？’suggestedMrs。M。’Mr。Maldertonintendstakingthe，girlstoseethepantomime。’，Mr。Sparkinsbowed，andpromisedto，jointhepartyinbox48，inthecourseoftheevening。
’Wewillnottaxyouforthemorning，’saidMissTeresa，bewitchingly;’formaisgoingtotakeustoallsortsofplaces，shopping。Iknowthatgentlemenhaveagreathorrorofthat，employment。’，Mr。Sparkinsbowedagain，anddeclaredthatheshould，bedelighted，butbusinessofimportanceoccupiedhiminthe，morning。FlamwelllookedatMaldertonsignificantly-’It’sterm，time！’hewhispered。
Attwelveo’clockonthefollowingmorning，the’fly’wasatthe，doorofOakLodge，toconveyMrs。Maldertonandherdaughterson，theirexpeditionfortheday。Theyweretodineanddressforthe，playatafriend’shouse。First，drivingthitherwiththeirband-
boxes，theydepartedontheirfirsterrandtomakesomepurchases，atMessrs。Jones，Spruggins，andSmith’s，ofTottenham-court-road;
afterwhich，theyweretogotoRedmayne’sinBond-street;thence，toinnumerableplacesthatnooneeverheardof。Theyoungladies，beguiledthetediousnessoftheridebyeulogisingMr。Horatio，Sparkins，scoldingtheirmammafortakingthemsofartosavea，shilling，andwonderingwhethertheyshouldeverreachtheir，destination。Atlength，thevehiclestoppedbeforeadirty-looking，ticketedlinen-draper’sshop，withgoodsofallkinds，andlabels，ofallsortsandsizes，inthewindow。Thereweredropsical，figuresofsevenwithalittlethree-farthingsinthecorner;
’perfectlyinvisibletothenakedeye;’threehundredandfifty，thousandladies’boas，FROMoneshillingandapennyhalfpenny;
realFrenchkidshoes，attwoandninepenceperpair;green，parasols，atanequallycheaprate;and’everydescriptionof，goods，’astheproprietorssaid-andtheymustknowbest-’fifty，percent。undercostprice。’
’Lor！ma，whataplaceyouhavebroughtusto！’saidMissTeresa;
’whatWOULDMr。Sparkinssayifhecouldseeus！’
’Ah！what，indeed！’saidMissMarianne，horrifiedattheidea。
’Praybeseated，ladies。Whatisthefirstarticle？’inquiredthe，obsequiousmasteroftheceremoniesoftheestablishment，who，in，hislargewhiteneckclothandformaltie，lookedlikeabad，’portraitofagentleman’intheSomerset-houseexhibition。
’Iwanttoseesomesilks，’answeredMrs。Malderton。
’Directly，ma’am-Mr。Smith！，WhereISMr。Smith？’
’Here，sir，’criedavoiceatthebackoftheshop。
’Praymakehaste，Mr。Smith，’saidtheM。C。’Youneveraretobe，foundwhenyou’rewanted，sir。’
Mr。Smith，thusenjoinedtouseallpossibledespatch，leapedover，thecounterwithgreatagility，andplacedhimselfbeforethe，newly-arrivedcustomers。Mrs。Maldertonutteredafaintscream;
MissTeresa，whohadbeenstoopingdowntotalktohersister，raisedherhead，andbeheld-HoratioSparkins！
’Wewilldrawaveil，’asnovel-writerssay，overthescenethat，ensued。Themysterious，philosophical，romantic，metaphysical，Sparkins-hewho，totheinterestingTeresa，seemedlikethe，embodiedideaoftheyoungdukesandpoeticalexquisitesinblue，silkdressing-gowns，anddittodittoslippers，ofwhomshehadread，anddreamed，buthadneverexpectedtobehold，wassuddenly，convertedintoMr。SamuelSmith，theassistantata’cheapshop;’
thejuniorpartnerinaslipperyfirmofsomethreeweeks’
existence。ThedignifiedevanishmentoftheheroofOakLodge，on，thisunexpectedrecognition，couldonlybeequalledbythatofa，furtivedogwithaconsiderablekettleathistail。Allthehopes，oftheMaldertonsweredestinedatoncetomeltaway，likethe，lemonicesataCompany’sdinner;Almack’swasstilltothemas，distantastheNorthPole;andMissTeresahadasmuchchanceofa，husbandasCaptainRosshadofthenorth-westpassage。
Yearshaveelapsedsincetheoccurrenceofthisdreadfulmorning。
ThedaisieshavethricebloomedonCamberwell-green;thesparrows，havethricerepeatedtheirvernalchirpsinCamberwell-grove;but，theMissMaldertonsarestillunmated。MissTeresa’scaseismore，desperatethanever;butFlamwellisyetinthezenithofhis，reputation;andthefamilyhavethesamepredilectionfor，aristocraticpersonages，withanincreasedaversiontoanything，LOW。
CHAPTERVI-THEBLACKVEIL
Onewinter’sevening，towardsthecloseoftheyear1800，orwithin，ayearortwoofthattime，ayoungmedicalpractitioner，recently，establishedinbusiness，wasseatedbyacheerfulfireinhis，littleparlour，listeningtothewindwhichwasbeatingtherainin，patteringdropsagainstthewindow，orrumblingdismallyinthe，chimney。Thenightwaswetandcold;hehadbeenwalkingthrough，mudandwaterthewholeday，andwasnowcomfortablyreposingin，hisdressing-gownandslippers，morethanhalfasleepandlessthan，halfawake，revolvingathousandmattersinhiswandering，imagination。First，hethoughthowhardthewindwasblowing，and，howthecold，sharprainwouldbeatthatmomentbeatinginhis，face，ifhewerenotcomfortablyhousedathome。Then，hismind，revertedtohisannualChristmasvisittohisnativeplaceand，dearestfriends;hethoughthowgladtheywouldallbetoseehim，andhowhappyitwouldmakeRoseifhecouldonlytellherthathe，hadfoundapatientatlast，andhopedtohavemore，andtocome，downagain，inafewmonths’time，andmarryher，andtakeherhome，togladdenhislonelyfireside，andstimulatehimtofresh，exertions。Then，hebegantowonderwhenhisfirstpatientwould，appear，orwhetherhewasdestined，byaspecialdispensationof，Providence，nevertohaveanypatientsatall;andthen，hethought，aboutRoseagain，anddroppedtosleepanddreamedabouther，till，thetonesofhersweetmerryvoicesoundedinhisears，andher，softtinyhandrestedonhisshoulder。
ThereWASahanduponhisshoulder，butitwasneithersoftnor，tiny;itsownerbeingacorpulentround-headedboy，who，in，considerationofthesumofoneshillingperweekandhisfood，was，letoutbytheparishtocarrymedicineandmessages。Astherewas，nodemandforthemedicine，however，andnonecessityforthe，messages，heusuallyoccupiedhisunemployedhours-averaging，fourteenaday-inabstractingpeppermintdrops，takinganimal，nourishment，andgoingtosleep。
’Alady，sir-alady！’whisperedtheboy，rousinghismasterwith，ashake。
’Whatlady？’criedourfriend，startingup，notquitecertainthat，hisdreamwasanillusion，andhalfexpectingthatitmightbeRose，herself-’Whatlady？，Where？’
’THERE，sir！’repliedtheboy，pointingtotheglassdoorleading，intothesurgery，withanexpressionofalarmwhichthevery，unusualapparitionofacustomermighthavetendedtoexcite。
Thesurgeonlookedtowardsthedoor，andstartedhimself，foran，instant，onbeholdingtheappearanceofhisunlooked-forvisitor。
Itwasasingularlytallwoman，dressedindeepmourning，and，standingsoclosetothedoorthatherfacealmosttouchedthe，glass。Theupperpartofherfigurewascarefullymuffledina，blackshawl，asifforthepurposeofconcealment;andherfacewas，shroudedbyathickblackveil。Shestoodperfectlyerect，her，figurewasdrawnuptoitsfullheight，andthoughthesurgeonfelt，thattheeyesbeneaththeveilwerefixedonhim，shestood，perfectlymotionless，andevinced，bynogesturewhatever，the，slightestconsciousnessofhishavingturnedtowardsher。
’Doyouwishtoconsultme？’heinquired，withsomehesitation，holdingopenthedoor。Itopenedinwards，andthereforetheaction，didnotalterthepositionofthefigure，whichstillremained，motionlessonthesamespot。
Sheslightlyinclinedherhead，intokenofacquiescence。
’Praywalkin，’saidthesurgeon。
Thefiguremovedastepforward;andthen，turningitsheadinthe，directionoftheboy-tohisinfinitehorror-appearedto，hesitate。
’Leavetheroom，Tom，’saidtheyoungman，addressingtheboy，whoselargeroundeyeshadbeenextendedtotheirutmostwidth，duringthisbriefinterview。’Drawthecurtain，andshutthe，door。’
Theboydrewagreencurtainacrosstheglasspartofthedoor，retiredintothesurgery，closedthedoorafterhim，and，immediatelyappliedoneofhislargeeyestothekeyholeonthe，otherside。
Thesurgeondrewachairtothefire，andmotionedthevisitortoa，seat。Themysteriousfigureslowlymovedtowardsit。Astheblaze，shoneupontheblackdress，thesurgeonobservedthatthebottomof，itwassaturatedwithmudandrain。
’Youareverywet，’besaid。
’Iam，’saidthestranger，inalowdeepvoice。
’Andyouareill？’addedthesurgeon，compassionately，forthetone，wasthatofapersoninpain。
’Iam，’wasthereply-’veryill;notbodily，butmentally。Itis，notformyself，oronmyownbehalf，’continuedthestranger，’that，Icometoyou。IfIlabouredunderbodilydisease，Ishouldnotbe，out，alone，atsuchanhour，oronsuchanightasthis;andifI
wereafflictedwithit，twenty-fourhourshence，Godknowshow，gladlyIwouldliedownandpraytodie。ItisforanotherthatI
beseechyouraid，sir。Imaybemadtoaskitforhim-IthinkI
am;but，nightafternight，throughthelongdrearyhoursof，watchingandweeping，thethoughthasbeeneverpresenttomymind;
andthoughevenIseethehopelessnessofhumanassistanceavailing，him，thebarethoughtoflayinghiminhisgravewithoutitmakes，mybloodruncold！’，Andashudder，suchasthesurgeonwellknew，artcouldnotproduce，trembledthroughthespeaker’sframe。
Therewasadesperateearnestnessinthiswoman’smanner，thatwent，totheyoungman’sheart。Hewasyounginhisprofession，andhad，notyetwitnessedenoughofthemiserieswhicharedailypresented，beforetheeyesofitsmembers，tohavegrowncomparativelycallous，tohumansuffering。
’If，’hesaid，risinghastily，’thepersonofwhomyouspeak，bein，sohopelessaconditionasyoudescribe，notamomentistobe，lost。Iwillgowithyouinstantly。Whydidyounotobtain，medicaladvicebefore？’
’Becauseitwouldhavebeenuselessbefore-becauseitisuseless，evennow，’repliedthewoman，claspingherhandspassionately。
Thesurgeongazed，foramoment，ontheblackveil，asifto，ascertaintheexpressionofthefeaturesbeneathit：，its，thickness，however，renderedsucharesultimpossible。
’YouAREill，’hesaid，gently，’althoughyoudonotknowit。The，feverwhichhasenabledyoutobear，withoutfeelingit，the，fatigueyouhaveevidentlyundergone，isburningwithinyounow。
Putthattoyourlips，’hecontinued，pouringoutaglassofwater，-’composeyourselfforafewmoments，andthentellme，ascalmly，asyoucan，whatthediseaseofthepatientis，andhowlonghehas，beenill。WhenIknowwhatitisnecessaryIshouldknow，to，rendermyvisitserviceabletohim，Iamreadytoaccompanyyou。’
Thestrangerliftedtheglassofwatertohermouth，without，raisingtheveil;putitdownagainuntasted;andburstintotears。
’Iknow，’shesaid，sobbingaloud，’thatwhatIsaytoyounow，seemsliketheravingsoffever。Ihavebeentoldsobefore，less，kindlythanbyyou。Iamnotayoungwoman;andtheydosay，that，aslifestealsontowardsitsfinalclose，thelastshortremnant，worthlessasitmayseemtoallbeside，isdearertoitspossessor，thanalltheyearsthathavegonebefore，connectedthoughtheybe，withtherecollectionofoldfriendslongsincedead，andyoung，ones-childrenperhaps-whohavefallenofffrom，andforgotten，oneascompletelyasiftheyhaddiedtoo。Mynaturaltermoflife，cannotbemanyyearslonger，andshouldbedearonthataccount;
butIwouldlayitdownwithoutasigh-withcheerfulness-with，joy-ifwhatItellyounow，wereonlyfalse，orimaginary。To-
morrowmorningheofwhomIspeakwillbe，IKNOW，thoughIwould，fainthinkotherwise，beyondthereachofhumanaid;andyet，to-
night，thoughheisindeadlyperil，youmustnotsee，andcould，notserve，him。’
’Iamunwillingtoincreaseyourdistress，’saidthesurgeon，after，ashortpause，’bymakinganycommentonwhatyouhavejustsaid，orappearingdesiroustoinvestigateasubjectyouaresoanxious，toconceal;butthereisaninconsistencyinyourstatementwhichI
cannotreconcilewithprobability。Thispersonisdyingto-night，andIcannotseehimwhenmyassistancemightpossiblyavail;you，apprehenditwillbeuselessto-morrow，andyetyouwouldhaveme，seehimthen！，Ifhebe，indeed，asdeartoyou，asyourwordsand，mannerwouldimply，whynottrytosavehislifebeforedelayand，theprogressofhisdiseaserenderitimpracticable？’
’Godhelpme！’exclaimedthewoman，weepingbitterly，’howcanI
hopestrangerswillbelievewhatappearsincredible，evento，myself？，YouwillNOTseehimthen，sir？’sheadded，rising，suddenly。
’IdidnotsaythatIdeclinedtoseehim，’repliedthesurgeon;
’butIwarnyou，thatifyoupersistinthisextraordinary，procrastination，andtheindividualdies，afearfulresponsibility，restswithyou。’
’Theresponsibilitywillrestheavilysomewhere，’repliedthe，strangerbitterly。’Whateverresponsibilityrestswithme，Iam，contenttobear，andreadytoanswer。’
’AsIincurnone，’continuedthesurgeon，’byaccedingtoyour，request，Iwillseehiminthemorning，ifyouleavemethe，address。Atwhathourcanhebeseen？’
’NINE，’repliedthestranger。
’Youmustexcusemypressingtheseinquiries，’saidthesurgeon。
’Butisheinyourchargenow？’
’Heisnot，’wastherejoinder。
’Then，ifIgaveyouinstructionsforhistreatmentthroughthe，night，youcouldnotassisthim？’
Thewomanweptbitterly，asshereplied，’Icouldnot。’
Findingthattherewasbutlittleprospectofobtainingmore，informationbyprolongingtheinterview;andanxioustosparethe，woman’sfeelings，which，subduedatfirstbyaviolenteffort，were，nowirrepressibleandmostpainfultowitness;thesurgeonrepeated，hispromiseofcallinginthemorningattheappointedhour。His，visitor，aftergivinghimadirectiontoanobscurepartof，Walworth，leftthehouseinthesamemysteriousmannerinwhichshe，hadenteredit。
Itwillbereadilybelievedthatsoextraordinaryavisitproduced，aconsiderableimpressiononthemindoftheyoungsurgeon;and，thathespeculatedagreatdealandtoverylittlepurposeonthe，possiblecircumstancesofthecase。Incommonwiththegenerality，ofpeople，hehadoftenheardandreadofsingularinstances，in，whichapresentimentofdeath，ataparticularday，orevenminute，hadbeenentertainedandrealised。Atonemomenthewasinclined，tothinkthatthepresentmightbesuchacase;but，then，it，occurredtohimthatalltheanecdotesofthekindhehadever，heard，wereofpersonswhohadbeentroubledwithaforebodingof，theirowndeath。Thiswoman，however，spokeofanotherperson-a，man;anditwasimpossibletosupposethatameredreamordelusion，offancywouldinducehertospeakofhisapproachingdissolution，withsuchterriblecertaintyasshehadspoken。Itcouldnotbe，thatthemanwastobemurderedinthemorning，andthatthewoman，originallyaconsentingparty，andboundtosecrecybyanoath，had，relented，and，thoughunabletopreventthecommissionofsome，outrageonthevictim，haddeterminedtopreventhisdeathif，possible，bythetimelyinterpositionofmedicalaid？，Theideaof，suchthingshappeningwithintwomilesofthemetropolisappeared，toowildandpreposteroustobeentertainedbeyondtheinstant。
Then，hisoriginalimpressionthatthewoman’sintellectswere，disordered，recurred;and，asitwastheonlymodeofsolvingthe，difficultywithanydegreeofsatisfaction，heobstinatelymadeup，hismindtobelievethatshewasmad。Certainmisgivingsuponthis，point，however，stoleuponhisthoughtsatthetime，andpresented，themselvesagainandagainthroughthelongdullcourseofa，sleeplessnight;duringwhich，inspiteofallhiseffortstothe，contrary，hewasunabletobanishtheblackveilfromhisdisturbed，imagination。
ThebackpartofWalworth，atitsgreatestdistancefromtown，isa，stragglingmiserableplaceenough，eveninthesedays;but，five-
and-thirtyyearsago，thegreaterportionofitwaslittlebetter，thanadrearywaste，inhabitedbyafewscatteredpeopleof，questionablecharacter，whosepovertypreventedtheirlivinginany，betterneighbourhood，orwhosepursuitsandmodeofliferendered，itssolitudedesirable。Verymanyofthehouseswhichhavesince，sprunguponallsides，werenotbuiltuntilsomeyearsafterwards;
andthegreatmajorityevenofthosewhichweresprinkledabout，at，irregularintervals，wereoftherudestandmostmiserable，description。
Theappearanceoftheplacethroughwhichhewalkedinthemorning，wasnotcalculatedtoraisethespiritsoftheyoungsurgeon，orto，dispelanyfeelingofanxietyordepressionwhichthesingularkind，ofvisithewasabouttomake，hadawakened。Strikingofffromthe，highroad，hiswaylayacrossamarshycommon，throughirregular，lanes，withhereandtherearuinousanddismantledcottagefast，fallingtopieceswithdecayandneglect。Astuntedtree，orpool，ofstagnantwater，rousedintoasluggishactionbytheheavyrain，oftheprecedingnight，skirtedthepathoccasionally;and，nowand，then，amiserablepatchofgarden-ground，withafewoldboards，knockedtogetherforasummer-house，andoldpalingsimperfectly，mendedwithstakespilferedfromtheneighbouringhedges，bore，testimony，atoncetothepovertyoftheinhabitants，andthe，littlescrupletheyentertainedinappropriatingthepropertyof，otherpeopletotheirownuse。Occasionally，afilthy-looking，womanwouldmakeherappearancefromthedoorofadirtyhouse，to，emptythecontentsofsomecookingutensilintothegutterin，front，ortoscreamafteralittleslip-shodgirl，whohad，contrivedtostaggerafewyardsfromthedoorundertheweightof，asallowinfantalmostasbigasherself;but，scarcelyanything，wasstirringaround：，andsomuchoftheprospectascouldbe，faintlytracedthroughthecolddampmistwhichhungheavilyover，it，presentedalonelyanddrearyappearanceperfectlyinkeeping，withtheobjectswehavedescribed。
Afterploddingwearilythroughthemudandmire;makingmany，inquiriesfortheplacetowhichhehadbeendirected;and，receivingasmanycontradictoryandunsatisfactoryrepliesin，return;theyoungmanatlengtharrivedbeforethehousewhichhad，beenpointedouttohimastheobjectofhisdestination。Itwasa，smalllowbuilding，onestoryabovetheground，withevenamore，desolateandunpromisingexteriorthananyhehadyetpassed。An，oldyellowcurtainwascloselydrawnacrossthewindowup-stairs，andtheparlourshutterswereclosed，butnotfastened。Thehouse，wasdetachedfromanyother，and，asitstoodatanangleofa，narrowlane，therewasnootherhabitationinsight。
Whenwesaythatthesurgeonhesitated，andwalkedafewpaces，beyondthehouse，beforehecouldprevailuponhimselftoliftthe，knocker，wesaynothingthatneedraiseasmileuponthefaceof，theboldestreader。ThepoliceofLondonwereaverydifferent，bodyinthatday;theisolatedpositionofthesuburbs，whenthe，rageforbuildingandtheprogressofimprovementhadnotyetbegun，toconnectthemwiththemainbodyofthecityanditsenvirons，renderedmanyofthem(andthisinparticular)aplaceofresort，fortheworstandmostdepravedcharacters。Eventhestreetsin，thegayestpartsofLondonwereimperfectlylighted，atthattime;
andsuchplacesasthese，wereleftentirelytothemercyofthe，moonandstars。Thechancesofdetectingdesperatecharacters，or，oftracingthemtotheirhaunts，werethusrenderedveryfew，and，theiroffencesnaturallyincreasedinboldness，asthe，consciousnessofcomparativesecuritybecamethemoreimpressed，uponthembydailyexperience。Addedtotheseconsiderations，it，mustberememberedthattheyoungmanhadspentsometimeinthe，publichospitalsofthemetropolis;and，althoughneitherBurkenor，Bishophadthengainedahorriblenotoriety，hisownobservation，mighthavesuggestedtohimhoweasilytheatrocitiestowhichthe，formerhassincegivenhisname，mightbecommitted。Bethisasit，may，whateverreflectionmadehimhesitate，heDIDhesitate：，but，beingayoungmanofstrongmindandgreatpersonalcourage，itwas，onlyforaninstant;-hesteppedbrisklybackandknockedgently，atthedoor。
Alowwhisperingwasaudible，immediatelyafterwards，asifsome，personattheendofthepassagewereconversingstealthilywith，anotheronthelandingabove。Itwassucceededbythenoiseofa，pairofheavybootsuponthebarefloor。Thedoor-chainwassoftly，unfastened;thedooropened;andatall，ill-favouredman，with，blackhair，andaface，asthesurgeonoftendeclaredafterwards，aspaleandhaggard，asthecountenanceofanydeadmanheever，saw，presentedhimself。
’Walkin，sir，’hesaidinalowtone。
Thesurgeondidso，andthemanhavingsecuredthedooragain，by，thechain，ledthewaytoasmallbackparlourattheextremityof，thepassage。
’AmIintime？’
’Toosoon！’repliedtheman。Thesurgeonturnedhastilyround，withagestureofastonishmentnotunmixedwithalarm，whichhe，founditimpossibletorepress。
’Ifyou’llstepinhere，sir，’saidtheman，whohadevidently，noticedtheaction-’ifyou’llstepinhere，sir，youwon’tbe，detainedfiveminutes，Iassureyou。’
Thesurgeonatoncewalkedintotheroom。Themanclosedthedoor，andlefthimalone。
Itwasalittlecoldroom，withnootherfurniturethantwodeal，chairs，andatableofthesamematerial。Ahandfuloffire，unguardedbyanyfender，wasburninginthegrate，whichbrought，outthedampifitservednomorecomfortablepurpose，forthe，unwholesomemoisturewasstealingdownthewalls，inlongslug-like，tracks。Thewindow，whichwasbrokenandpatchedinmanyplaces，lookedintoasmallenclosedpieceofground，almostcoveredwith，water。Notasoundwastobeheard，eitherwithinthehouse，or，without。Theyoungsurgeonsatdownbythefireplace，toawaitthe，resultofhisfirstprofessionalvisit。
Hehadnotremainedinthispositionmanyminutes，whenthenoise，ofsomeapproachingvehiclestruckhisear。Itstopped;the，street-doorwasopened;alowtalkingsucceeded，accompaniedwitha，shufflingnoiseoffootsteps，alongthepassageandonthestairs，asiftwoorthreemenwereengagedincarryingsomeheavybodyto，theroomabove。Thecreakingofthestairs，afewseconds，afterwards，announcedthatthenew-comershavingcompletedtheir，task，whateveritwas，wereleavingthehouse。Thedoorwasagain，closed，andtheformersilencewasrestored。
Anotherfiveminuteshadelapsed，andthesurgeonhadresolvedto，explorethehouse，insearchofsomeonetowhomhemightmakehis，errandknown，whentheroom-dooropened，andhislastnight’s，visitor，dressedinexactlythesamemanner，withtheveillowered，asbefore，motionedhimtoadvance。Thesingularheightofher，form，coupledwiththecircumstanceofhernotspeaking，causedthe，ideatopassacrosshisbrainforaninstant，thatitmightbea，mandisguisedinwoman’sattire。Thehystericsobswhichissued，frombeneaththeveil，andtheconvulsiveattitudeofgriefofthe，wholefigure，however，atonceexposedtheabsurdityofthe，suspicion;andhehastilyfollowed。
Thewomanledthewayup-stairstothefrontroom，andpausedat，thedoor，tolethimenterfirst。Itwasscantilyfurnishedwith，anolddealbox，afewchairs，andatentbedstead，without，hangingsorcross-rails，whichwascoveredwithapatchwork，counterpane。Thedimlightadmittedthroughthecurtainwhichhe，hadnoticedfromtheoutside，renderedtheobjectsintheroomso，indistinct，andcommunicatedtoallofthemsouniformahue，that，hedidnot，atfirst，perceivetheobjectonwhichhiseyeatonce，restedwhenthewomanrushedfranticallypasthim，andflung，herselfonherkneesbythebedside。
Stretcheduponthebed，closelyenvelopedinalinenwrapper，and，coveredwithblankets，layahumanform，stiffandmotionless。The，headandface，whichwerethoseofaman，wereuncovered，savebya，bandagewhichpassedovertheheadandunderthechin。Theeyes，wereclosed。Theleftarmlayheavilyacrossthebed，andthe，womanheldthepassivehand。
Thesurgeongentlypushedthewomanaside，andtookthehandin，his。
’MyGod！’heexclaimed，lettingitfallinvoluntarily-’themanis，dead！’
Thewomanstartedtoherfeetandbeatherhandstogether。
’Oh！don’tsayso，sir，’sheexclaimed，withaburstofpassion，amountingalmosttofrenzy。’Oh！don’tsayso，sir！，Ican’tbear，it！，Menhavebeenbroughttolife，before，whenunskilfulpeople，havegiventhemupforlost;andmenhavedied，whomighthavebeen，restored，ifpropermeanshadbeenresortedto。Don’tlethimlie，here，sir，withoutoneefforttosavehim！，Thisverymomentlife，maybepassingaway。Dotry，sir，-do，forHeaven’ssake！’-And，whilespeaking，shehurriedlychafed，firsttheforehead，andthen，thebreast，ofthesenselessformbeforeher;andthen，wildlybeat，thecoldhands，which，whensheceasedtoholdthem，fell，listlesslyandheavilybackonthecoverlet。
’Itisofnouse，mygoodwoman，’saidthesurgeon，soothingly，as，hewithdrewhishandfromtheman’sbreast。’Stay-undrawthat，curtain！’
’Why？’saidthewoman，startingup。
’Undrawthatcurtain！’repeatedthesurgeoninanagitatedtone。
’Idarkenedtheroomonpurpose，’saidthewoman，throwingherself，beforehimasherosetoundrawit-’Oh！sir，havepityonme！
Ifitcanbeofnouse，andheisreallydead，donotexposethat，formtoothereyesthanmine！’
’Thismandiednonaturaloreasydeath，’saidthesurgeon。’I
MUSTseethebody！’，Withamotionsosudden，thatthewomanhardly，knewthathehadslippedfrombesideher，hetoreopenthecurtain，admittedthefulllightofday，andreturnedtothebedside。
’Therehasbeenviolencehere，’hesaid，pointingtowardsthebody，andgazingintentlyontheface，fromwhichtheblackveilwasnow，forthefirsttime，removed。Intheexcitementofaminutebefore，thefemalehadthrownoffthebonnetandveil，andnowstoodwith，hereyesfixeduponhim。Herfeatureswerethoseofawomanabout，fifty，whohadoncebeenhandsome。Sorrowandweepinghadleft，tracesuponthemwhichnottimeitselfwouldeverhaveproduced，withouttheiraid;herfacewasdeadlypale;andtherewasa，nervouscontortionofthelip，andanunnaturalfireinhereye，whichshowedtooplainlythatherbodilyandmentalpowershad，nearlysunk，beneathanaccumulationofmisery。
’Therehasbeenviolencehere，’saidthesurgeon，preservinghis，searchingglance。
’Therehas！’repliedthewoman。
’Thismanhasbeenmurdered。’
’ThatIcallGodtowitnesshehas，’saidthewoman，passionately;
’pitilessly，inhumanlymurdered！’
’Bywhom？’saidthesurgeon，seizingthewomanbythearm。
’Lookatthebutchers’marks，andthenaskme！’shereplied。
Thesurgeonturnedhisfacetowardsthebed，andbentoverthebody，whichnowlayfullinthelightofthewindow。Thethroatwas，swollen，andalividmarkencircledit。Thetruthflashedsuddenly，uponhim。
’Thisisoneofthemenwhowerehangedthismorning！’he，exclaimed，turningawaywithashudder。
’Itis，’repliedthewoman，withacold，unmeaningstare。
’Whowashe？’inquiredthesurgeon。
’MYSON，’rejoinedthewoman;andfellsenselessathisfeet。
Itwastrue。Acompanion，equallyguiltywithhimself，hadbeen，acquittedforwantofevidence;andthismanhadbeenleftfor，death，andexecuted。Torecountthecircumstancesofthecase，at，thisdistantperiod，mustbeunnecessary，andmightgivepainto，somepersonsstillalive。Thehistorywasanevery-dayone。The，motherwasawidowwithoutfriendsormoney，andhaddeniedherself，necessariestobestowthemonherorphanboy。Thatboy，unmindful，ofherprayers，andforgetfulofthesufferingsshehadenduredfor，him-incessantanxietyofmind，andvoluntarystarvationofbody-
hadplungedintoacareerofdissipationandcrime。Andthiswas，theresult;hisowndeathbythehangman’shands，andhismother’s，shame，andincurableinsanity。
Formanyyearsafterthisoccurrence，andwhenprofitableand，arduousavocationswouldhaveledmanymentoforgetthatsucha，miserablebeingexisted，theyoungsurgeonwasadailyvisitorat，thesideoftheharmlessmadwoman;notonlysoothingherbyhis，presenceandkindness，butalleviatingtherigourofhercondition，bypecuniarydonationsforhercomfortandsupport，bestowedwith，nosparinghand。Inthetransientgleamofrecollectionand，consciousnesswhichprecededherdeath，aprayerforhiswelfare，andprotection，asferventasmortaleverbreathed，rosefromthe，lipsofthispoorfriendlesscreature。ThatprayerflewtoHeaven，andwasheard。Theblessingshewasinstrumentalinconferring，havebeenrepaidtohimathousand-fold;but，amidallthehonours，ofrankandstationwhichhavesincebeenheapeduponhim，and，whichhehassowellearned，hecanhavenoreminiscencemore，gratifyingtohisheartthanthatconnectedwithTheBlackVeil。
CHAPTERVII-THESTEAMEXCURSION
Mr。PercyNoakeswasalawstudent，inhabitingasetofchamberson，thefourthfloor，inoneofthosehousesinGray’s-inn-squarewhich，commandanextensiveviewofthegardens，andtheirusualadjuncts，-flauntingnursery-maids，andtown-madechildren，with，parentheticallegs。Mr。PercyNoakeswaswhatisgenerallytermed，-’adevilishgoodfellow。’，Hehadalargecircleofacquaintance，andseldomdinedathisownexpense。Heusedtotalkpoliticsto，papas，flatterthevanityofmammas，dotheamiabletotheir，daughters，makepleasureengagementswiththeirsons，andrompwith，theyoungerbranches。Likethoseparagonsofperfection，advertisingfootmenoutofplace，hewasalways’willingtomake，himselfgenerallyuseful。’，Ifanyoldlady，whosesonwasin，India，gaveaball，Mr。PercyNoakeswasmasteroftheceremonies;
ifanyyoungladymadeastolenmatch，Mr。PercyNoakesgaveher，away;ifajuvenilewifepresentedherhusbandwithablooming，cherub，Mr。PercyNoakeswaseithergodfather，ordeputy-godfather;
andifanymemberofafriend’sfamilydied，Mr。PercyNoakeswas，invariablytobeseeninthesecondmourningcoach，withawhite，handkerchieftohiseyes，sobbing-tousehisownappropriateand，expressivedescription-’likewinkin’！’
Itmayreadilybeimaginedthatthesenumerousavocationswere，rathercalculatedtointerferewithMr。PercyNoakes’sprofessional，studies。Mr。PercyNoakeswasperfectlyawareofthefact，and，had，therefore，aftermaturereflection，madeuphismindnotto，studyatall-alaudabledetermination，towhichheadheredinthe，mostpraiseworthymanner。Hissitting-roompresentedastrange，chaosofdress-gloves，boxing-gloves，caricatures，albums，invitation-cards，foils，cricket-bats，cardboarddrawings，paste，gum，andfiftyothermiscellaneousarticles，heapedtogetherinthe，strangestconfusion。Hewasalwaysmakingsomethingforsomebody，orplanningsomepartyofpleasure，whichwashisgreatFORTE。He，invariablyspokewithastonishingrapidity;wassmart，spoffish，andeight-and-twenty。
’Splendididea，’ponmylife！’soliloquisedMr。PercyNoakes，over，hismorningcoffee，ashismindrevertedtoasuggestionwhichhad，beenthrownoutonthepreviousnight，byaladyatwhosehousehe，hadspenttheevening。’Gloriousidea！-Mrs。Stubbs。’
’Yes，sir，’repliedadirtyoldwomanwithaninflamedcountenance，emergingfromthebedroom，withabarrelofdirtandcinders-
Thiswasthelaundress。’Didyoucall，sir？’
’Oh！，Mrs。Stubbs，I’mgoingout。Ifthattailorshouldcall，again，you’dbettersay-you’dbettersayI’moutoftown，and，shan’tbebackforafortnight;andifthatbootmakershouldcome，tellhimI’velosthisaddress，orI’dhavesenthimthatlittle，amount。Mindhewritesitdown;andifMr。Hardyshouldcall-you，knowMr。Hardy？’
’Thefunnygentleman，sir？’
’Ah！thefunnygentleman。IfMr。Hardyshouldcall，sayI’vegone，toMrs。Taunton’saboutthatwater-party。’
’Yes，sir。’
’Andifanyfellowcalls，andsayshe’scomeaboutasteamer，tell，himtobehereatfiveo’clockthisafternoon，Mrs。Stubbs。’
’Verywell，sir。’
Mr。PercyNoakesbrushedhishat，whiskedthecrumbsoffhis，inexpressibleswithasilkhandkerchief，gavetheendsofhishair，apersuasiverollroundhisforefinger，andsalliedforthforMrs。
Taunton’sdomicileinGreatMarlborough-street，wheresheandher，daughtersoccupiedtheupperpartofahouse。Shewasagood-
lookingwidowoffifty，withtheformofagiantessandthemindof，achild。Thepursuitofpleasure，andsomemeansofkillingtime，werethesoleendofherexistence。Shedotedonherdaughters，whowereasfrivolousasherself。
AgeneralexclamationofsatisfactionhailedthearrivalofMr。
PercyNoakes，whowentthroughtheordinarysalutations，andthrew，himselfintoaneasychairneartheladies’work-table，withthe，easeofaregularlyestablishedfriendofthefamily。Mrs。Taunton，wasbusilyengagedinplantingimmensebrightbowsoneverypartof，asmartcaponwhichitwaspossibletostickone;MissEmily，Tauntonwasmakingawatch-guard;MissSophiawasatthepiano，practisinganewsong-poetrybytheyoungofficer，orthepolice-
officer，orthecustom-houseofficer，orsomeotherinteresting，amateur。
’Yougoodcreature！’saidMrs。Taunton，addressingthegallant，Percy。’Youreallyareagoodsoul！，You’vecomeaboutthewater-
party，Iknow。’
’IshouldrathersuspectIhad，’repliedMr。Noakes，triumphantly。
’Now，comehere，girls，andI’lltellyouallaboutit。’，Miss，EmilyandMissSophiaadvancedtothetable。
’Now，’continuedMr。PercyNoakes，’itseemstomethatthebest，waywillbe，tohaveacommitteeoften，tomakeallthe，arrangements，andmanagethewholeset-out。Then，Iproposethat，theexpensesshallbepaidbythesetenfellowsjointly。’
’Excellent，indeed！’saidMrs。Taunton，whohighlyapprovedofthis，partofthearrangements。
’Then，myplanis，thateachofthesetenfellowsshallhavethe，powerofaskingfivepeople。Theremustbeameetingofthe，committee，atmychambers，tomakeallthearrangements，andthese，peopleshallbethennamed;everymemberofthecommitteeshall，havethepowerofblack-ballinganyonewhoisproposed;andone，blackballshallexcludethatperson。Thiswillensureourhaving，apleasantparty，youknow。’
’Whatamanageryouare！’interruptedMrs。Tauntonagain。
’Charming！’saidthelovelyEmily。
’Ineverdid！’ejaculatedSophia。
’Yes，Ithinkit’lldo，’repliedMr。PercyNoakes，whowasnow，quiteinhiselement。’Ithinkit’lldo。Thenyouknowweshall，godowntotheNore，andback，andhavearegularcapitalcold，dinnerlaidoutinthecabinbeforewestart，sothateverything，maybereadywithoutanyconfusion;andweshallhavethelunch，laidout，ondeck，inthoselittletea-garden-lookingconcernsby，thepaddle-boxes-Idon’tknowwhatyoucall’em。Then，weshall，hireasteamerexpresslyforourparty，andaband，andhavethe，deckchalked，andweshallbeabletodancequadrillesallday;and，then，whoeverweknowthat’smusical，youknow，whythey’llmake，themselvesusefulandagreeable;and-and-uponthewhole，I
reallyhopeweshallhaveagloriousday，youknow！’
Theannouncementofthesearrangementswasreceivedwiththeutmost，enthusiasm。Mrs。Taunton，Emily，andSophia，wereloudintheir，praises。
’Well，buttellme，Percy，’saidMrs。Taunton，’whoaretheten，gentlementobe？’
’Oh！，Iknowplentyoffellowswho’llbedelightedwiththe，scheme，’repliedMr。PercyNoakes;’ofcourseweshallhave-’
’Mr。Hardy！’interruptedtheservant，announcingavisitor。Miss，SophiaandMissEmilyhastilyassumedthemostinteresting，attitudesthatcouldbeadoptedonsoshortanotice。
’Howareyou？’saidastoutgentlemanofaboutforty，pausingat，thedoorintheattitudeofanawkwardharlequin。ThiswasMr。
Hardy，whomwehavebeforedescribed，ontheauthorityofMrs。
Stubbs，as’thefunnygentleman。’，HewasanAstley-CooperishJoe，Miller-apracticaljoker，immenselypopularwithmarriedladies，andageneralfavouritewithyoungmen。Hewasalwaysengagedin，somepleasureexcursionorother，anddelightedingettingsomebody，intoascrapeonsuchoccasions。Hecouldsingcomicsongs，imitatehackney-coachmenandfowls，playairsonhischin，and，executeconcertosontheJews’-harp。Healwayseatanddrankmost，immoderately，andwasthebosomfriendofMr。PercyNoakes。Hehad，aredface，asomewhathuskyvoice，andatremendouslaugh。
’HowAREyou？’saidthisworthy，laughing，asifitwerethefinest，jokeintheworldtomakeamorningcall，andshakinghandswith，theladieswithasmuchvehemenceasiftheirarmshadbeensomany，pump-handles。
’You’rejusttheverymanIwanted，’saidMr。PercyNoakes，who，proceededtoexplainthecauseofhisbeinginrequisition。
’Ha！ha！ha！’shoutedHardy，afterhearingthestatement，and，receivingadetailedaccountoftheproposedexcursion。’Oh，capital！glorious！，Whatadayitwillbe！whatfun！-But，Isay，whenareyougoingtobeginmakingthearrangements？’
’Notimelikethepresent-atonce，ifyouplease。’
’Oh，charming！’criedtheladies。’Pray，do！’
WritingmaterialswerelaidbeforeMr。PercyNoakes，andthenames，ofthedifferentmembersofthecommitteewereagreedon，afteras，muchdiscussionbetweenhimandMr。Hardyasifthefateofnations，haddependedontheirappointment。Itwasthenagreedthata，meetingshouldtakeplaceatMr。PercyNoakes’schambersonthe，ensuingWednesdayeveningateighto’clock，andthevisitors，departed。
Wednesdayeveningarrived;eighto’clockcame，andeightmembersof，thecommitteewerepunctualintheirattendance。Mr。Loggins，the，solicitor，ofBoswell-court，sentanexcuse，andMr。SamuelBriggs，thedittoofFurnival’sInn，senthisbrother：，muchtohis(the，brother’s)satisfaction，andgreatlytothediscomfitureofMr。
PercyNoakes。BetweentheBriggsesandtheTauntonsthereexisted，adegreeofimplacablehatred，quiteunprecedented。Theanimosity，betweentheMontaguesandCapulets，wasnothingtothatwhich，prevailedbetweenthesetwoillustrioushouses。Mrs。Briggswasa，widow，withthreedaughtersandtwosons;Mr。Samuel，theeldest，wasanattorney，andMr。Alexander，theyoungest，wasunder，articlestohisbrother。TheyresidedinPortland-street，Oxford-
street，andmovedinthesameorbitastheTauntons-hencetheir，mutualdislike。IftheMissBriggsesappearedinsmartbonnets，theMissTauntonseclipsedthemwithsmarter。IfMrs。Taunton，appearedinacapofallthehuesoftherainbow，Mrs。Briggs，forthwithmountedatoque，withallthepatternsofthe，kaleidoscope。IfMissSophiaTauntonlearntanewsong，twoofthe，MissBriggsescameoutwithanewduet。TheTauntonshadonce，gainedatemporarytriumphwiththeassistanceofaharp，butthe，Briggsesbroughtthreeguitarsintothefield，andeffectually，routedtheenemy。Therewasnoendtotherivalrybetweenthem。
Now，asMr。SamuelBriggswasameremachine，asortofself-acting，legalwalking-stick;andasthepartywasknowntohaveoriginated，howeverremotely，withMrs。Taunton，thefemalebranchesofthe，BriggsfamilyhadarrangedthatMr。Alexandershouldattend，insteadofhisbrother;andasthesaidMr。Alexanderwas，deservedlycelebratedforpossessingallthepertinacityofa，bankruptcy-courtattorney，combinedwiththeobstinacyofthat，usefulanimalwhichbrowsesonthethistle，herequiredbutlittle，tuition。Hewasespeciallyenjoinedtomakehimselfas，disagreeableaspossible;and，aboveall，toblack-ballthe，Tauntonsateveryhazard。
TheproceedingsoftheeveningwereopenedbyMr。PercyNoakes。
Aftersuccessfullyurgingonthegentlemenpresenttheproprietyof，theirmixingsomebrandy-and-water，hebrieflystatedtheobjectof，themeeting，andconcludedbyobservingthatthefirststepmustbe，theselectionofachairman，necessarilypossessingsomearbitrary，-hetrustednotunconstitutional-powers，towhomthepersonal，directionofthewholeofthearrangements(subjecttotheapproval，ofthecommittee)shouldbeconfided。Apaleyounggentleman，ina，greenstockandspectaclesofthesame，amemberofthehonourable，societyoftheInnerTemple，immediatelyroseforthepurposeof，proposingMr。PercyNoakes。Hehadknownhimlong，andthishe，wouldsay，thatamorehonourable，amoreexcellent，orabetter-
heartedfellow，neverexisted-(Hear，hear！)，Theyoung，gentleman，whowasamemberofadebatingsociety，tookthis，opportunityofenteringintoanexaminationofthestateofthe，Englishlaw，fromthedaysofWilliamtheConquerordowntothe，presentperiod;hebrieflyadvertedtothecodeestablishedbythe，ancientDruids;slightlyglancedattheprincipleslaiddownbythe，Athenianlaw-givers;andconcludedwithamostglowingeulogiumon，pic-nicsandconstitutionalrights。
Mr。AlexanderBriggsopposedthemotion。Hehadthehighestesteem，forMr。PercyNoakesasanindividual，buthedidconsiderthathe，oughtnottobeintrustedwiththeseimmensepowers-(oh，oh！)-
HebelievedthatintheproposedcapacityMr。PercyNoakeswould，notactfairly，impartially，orhonourably;buthebeggedittobe，distinctlyunderstood，thathesaidthis，withouttheslightest，personaldisrespect。Mr。Hardydefendedhishonourablefriend，in，avoicerenderedpartiallyunintelligiblebyemotionandbrandy-
and-water。Thepropositionwasputtothevote，andthere，appearingtobeonlyonedissentientvoice，Mr。PercyNoakeswas，declareddulyelected，andtookthechairaccordingly。
Thebusinessofthemeetingnowproceededwithrapidity。The，chairmandeliveredinhisestimateoftheprobableexpenseofthe，excursion，andeveryonepresentsubscribedhisportionthereof。
Thequestionwasputthat’TheEndeavour’behiredforthe，occasion;Mr。AlexanderBriggsmovedasanamendment，thattheword，’Fly’besubstitutedfortheword’Endeavour’;butaftersome，debateconsentedtowithdrawhisopposition。Theimportant，ceremonyofballotingthencommenced。Atea-caddywasplacedona，tableinadarkcorneroftheapartment，andeveryonewasprovided，withtwobackgammonmen，oneblackandonewhite。
Thechairmanwithgreatsolemnitythenreadthefollowinglistof，theguestswhomheproposedtointroduce：-Mrs。Tauntonandtwo，daughters，Mr。Wizzle，Mr。Simson。Thenameswererespectively，ballotedfor，andMrs。Tauntonandherdaughtersweredeclaredto，beblack-balled。Mr。PercyNoakesandMr。Hardyexchangedglances。
’Isyourlistprepared，Mr。Briggs？’inquiredthechairman。
’Itis，’repliedAlexander，deliveringinthefollowing：-’Mrs。
Briggsandthreedaughters，Mr。SamuelBriggs。’，Theprevious，ceremonywasrepeated，andMrs。Briggsandthreedaughterswere，declaredtobeblack-balled。Mr。AlexanderBriggslookedrather，foolish，andtheremainderofthecompanyappearedsomewhat，overawedbythemysteriousnatureoftheproceedings。
Theballotingproceeded;but，onelittlecircumstancewhichMr。
PercyNoakeshadnotoriginallyforeseen，preventedthesystemfrom，workingquiteaswellashehadanticipated。Everybodywasblack-
balled。Mr。AlexanderBriggs，bywayofretaliation，exercisedhis，powerofexclusionineveryinstance，andtheresultwas，that，afterthreehourshadbeenconsumedinhardballoting，thenamesof，onlythreegentlemenwerefoundtohavebeenagreedto。Inthis，dilemmawhatwastobedone？eitherthewholeplanmustfalltothe，ground，oracompromisemustbeeffected。Thelatteralternative，waspreferable;andMr。PercyNoakesthereforeproposedthatthe，formofballotingshouldbedispensedwith，andthatevery，gentlemanshouldmerelyberequiredtostatewhomheintendedto，bring。Theproposalwasaccededto;theTauntonsandtheBriggses，werereinstated;andthepartywasformed。
ThenextWednesdaywasfixedfortheeventfulday，anditwas，unanimouslyresolvedthateverymemberofthecommitteeshouldwear，apieceofbluesarsenetribbonroundhisleftarm。Itappeared，fromthestatementofMr。PercyNoakes，thattheboatbelongedto，theGeneralSteamNavigationCompany，andwasthenlyingoffthe，Custom-house;and，asheproposedthatthedinnerandwinesshould，beprovidedbyaneminentcitypurveyor，itwasarrangedthatMr。
PercyNoakesshouldbeonboardbyseveno’clocktosuperintendthe，arrangements，andthattheremainingmembersofthecommittee，togetherwiththecompanygenerally，shouldbeexpectedtojoinher，bynineo’clock。Morebrandy-and-waterwasdespatched;several，speechesweremadebythedifferentlawstudentspresent;thanks，werevotedtothechairman;andthemeetingseparated。
Theweatherhadbeenbeautifuluptothisperiod，andbeautifulit，continuedtobe。Sundaypassedover，andMr。PercyNoakesbecame，unusuallyfidgety-rushing，constantly，toandfromtheSteam，PacketWharf，totheastonishmentoftheclerks，andthegreat，emolumentoftheHolborncabmen。Tuesdayarrived，andtheanxiety，ofMr。PercyNoakesknewnobounds。Hewaseveryinstantrunning，tothewindow，tolookoutforclouds;andMr。Hardyastonishedthe，wholesquarebypractisinganewcomicsongfortheoccasion，in，thechairman’schambers。
UneasyweretheslumbersofMr。PercyNoakesthatnight;hetossed，andtumbledabout，andhadconfuseddreamsofsteamersstarting，off，andgiganticclockswiththehandspointingtoaquarter-past，nine，andtheuglyfaceofMr。AlexanderBriggslookingoverthe，boat’sside，andgrinning，asifinderisionofhisfruitless，attemptstomove。Hemadeaviolentefforttogetonboard，and，awoke。Thebrightsunwasshiningcheerfullyintothebedroom，and，Mr。PercyNoakesstartedupforhiswatch，inthedreadful，expectationoffindinghisworstdreamsrealised。
Itwasjustfiveo’clock。Hecalculatedthetime-heshouldbea，goodhalf-hourdressinghimself;andasitwasalovelymorning，andthetidewouldbethenrunningdown，hewouldwalkleisurelyto，Strand-lane，andhaveaboattotheCustom-house。
Hedressedhimself，tookahastyapologyforabreakfast，and，salliedforth。Thestreetslookedaslonelyanddesertedasif，theyhadbeencrowded，overnight，forthelasttime。Hereand，there，anearlyapprentice，withquenched-lookingsleepyeyes，was，takingdowntheshuttersofashop;andapolicemanormilkwoman，mightoccasionallybeseenpacingslowlyalong;buttheservants，hadnotyetbeguntocleanthedoors，orlightthekitchenfires，andLondonlookedthepictureofdesolation。Atthecornerofa，by-street，nearTemple-bar，wasstationeda’street-breakfast。’
Thecoffeewasboilingoveracharcoalfire，andlargeslicesof，breadandbutterwerepiledoneupontheother，likedealsina，timber-yard。Thecompanywereseatedonaform，which，withaview，bothtosecurityandcomfort，wasplacedagainstaneighbouring，wall。Twoyoungmen，whoseuproariousmirthanddisordereddress，bespoketheconvivialityoftheprecedingevening，weretreating，three’ladies’andanIrishlabourer。Alittlesweepwasstanding，atashortdistance，castingalongingeyeatthetempting，delicacies;andapolicemanwaswatchingthegroupfromthe，oppositesideofthestreet。Thewanlooksandgaudyfineryofthe，thinly-cladwomencontrastedasstrangelywiththegaysunlight，as，didtheirforcedmerrimentwiththeboisteroushilarityofthetwo，youngmen，who，nowandthen，variedtheiramusementsby，’bonneting’theproprietorofthisitinerantcoffee-house。
Mr。PercyNoakeswalkedbrisklyby，andwhenheturneddownStrand-
lane，andcaughtaglimpseoftheglisteningwater，hethoughthe，hadneverfeltsoimportantorsohappyinhislife。
’Boat，sir？’criedoneofthethreewatermenwhoweremoppingout，theirboats，andallwhistling。’Boat，sir？’
’No，’repliedMr。PercyNoakes，rathersharply;fortheinquirywas，notmadeinamanneratallsuitabletohisdignity。
’Wouldyoupreferawessel，sir？’inquiredanother，totheinfinite，delightofthe’Jack-in-the-water。’
Mr。PercyNoakesrepliedwithalookofsupremecontempt。
’Didyouwanttobeputonboardasteamer，sir？’inquiredanold，fireman-waterman，veryconfidentially。Hewasdressedinafaded，redsuit，justthecolourofthecoverofaveryoldCourt-guide。
’Yes，makehaste-theEndeavour-offtheCustom-house。’
’Endeavour！’criedthemanwhohadconvulsedthe’Jack’before。
’Vy，IseetheEndeavourgouphalfanhourago。’
’SodidI，’saidanother;’andIshouldthinkshe’dgonedownby，thistime，forshe’saprecioussighttoofullofladiesand，gen’lemen。’
Mr。PercyNoakesaffectedtodisregardtheserepresentations，and，steppedintotheboat，whichtheoldman，bydintofscrambling，andshoving，andgrating，hadbroughtuptothecauseway。’Shove，heroff！’criedMr。PercyNoakes，andawaytheboatglideddownthe，river;Mr。PercyNoakesseatedontherecentlymoppedseat，andthe，watermenatthestairsofferingtobethimanyreasonablesumthat，he’dneverreachthe’Custum-us。’
’Heresheis，byJove！’saidthedelightedPercy，astheyran，alongsidetheEndeavour。
’Holdhard！’criedthestewardovertheside，andMr。PercyNoakes，jumpedonboard。
’Hopeyouwillfindeverythingasyouwished，sir。Shelooks，uncommonwellthismorning。’
’Shedoes，indeed，’repliedthemanager，inastateofecstasy，whichitisimpossibletodescribe。Thedeckwasscrubbed，andthe，seatswerescrubbed，andtherewasabenchfortheband，anda，placefordancing，andapileofcamp-stools，andanawning;and，thenMr。PercyNoakesbustleddownbelow，andtherewerethe，pastrycook’smen，andthesteward’swife，layingoutthedinneron，twotablesthewholelengthofthecabin;andthenMr。PercyNoakes，tookoffhiscoatandrushedbackwardsandforwards，doingnothing，butquiteconvincedhewasassistingeverybody;andthesteward’s，wifelaughedtillshecried，andMr。PercyNoakespantedwiththe，violenceofhisexertions。AndthenthebellatLondon-bridge，wharfrang;andaMargateboatwasjuststarting;andaGravesend，boatwasjuststarting，andpeopleshouted，andportersrandown，thestepswithluggagethatwouldcrushanymenbutporters;and，slopingboards，withbitsofwoodnailedonthem，wereplaced，betweentheoutsideboatandtheinsideboat;andthepassengers，ranalongthem，andlookedlikesomanyfowlscomingoutofan，area;andthen，thebellceased，andtheboardsweretakenaway，andtheboatsstarted，andthewholescenewasoneofthemost，delightfulbustleandconfusion。
Thetimeworeon;half-pasteighto’clockarrived;thepastry-
cook’smenwentashore;thedinnerwascompletelylaidout;andMr。
PercyNoakeslockedtheprincipalcabin，andputthekeyinhis，pocket，inorderthatitmightbesuddenlydisclosed，inallits，magnificence，totheeyesoftheastonishedcompany。Thebandcame，onboard，andsodidthewine。
Tenminutestonine，andthecommitteeembarkedinabody。There，wasMr。Hardy，inabluejacketandwaistcoat，whitetrousers，silk，stockings，andpumps-infullaquaticcostume，withastrawhaton，hishead，andanimmensetelescopeunderhisarm;andtherewasthe，younggentlemanwiththegreenspectacles，innankeen，inexplicables，withadittowaistcoatandbrightbuttons，likethe，picturesofPaul-notthesaint，butheofVirginianotoriety。
Theremainderofthecommittee，dressedinwhitehats，light，jackets，waistcoats，andtrousers，lookedsomethingbetweenwaiters，andWestIndiaplanters。
Nineo’clockstruck，andthecompanyarrivedinshoals。Mr。Samuel，Briggs，Mrs。Briggs，andtheMissesBriggs，madetheirappearance，inasmartprivatewherry。Thethreeguitars，intheirrespective，darkgreencases，werecarefullystowedawayinthebottomofthe，boat，accompaniedbytwoimmenseportfoliosofmusic，whichit，wouldtakeatleastaweek’sincessantplayingtogetthrough。The，Tauntonsarrivedatthesamemomentwithmoremusic，andalion-a，gentlemanwithabassvoiceandanincipientredmoustache。The，coloursoftheTauntonpartywerepink;thoseoftheBriggsesa，lightblue。TheTauntonshadartificialflowersintheirbonnets;
heretheBriggsesgainedadecidedadvantage-theyworefeathers。
’Howd’yedo，dear？’saidtheMissesBriggstotheMissesTaunton。
(Theword’dear’amonggirlsisfrequentlysynonymouswith，’wretch。’)
’Quitewell，thankyou，dear，’repliedtheMissesTauntontothe，MissesBriggs;andthen，therewassuchakissing，and，congratulating，andshakingofhands，asmighthaveinducedoneto，supposethatthetwofamilieswerethebestfriendsintheworld，insteadofeachwishingtheotheroverboard，astheymostsincerely，did。
Mr。PercyNoakesreceivedthevisitors，andbowedtothestrange，gentleman，asifheshouldliketoknowwhohewas。Thiswasjust，whatMrs。Tauntonwanted。Herewasanopportunitytoastonishthe，Briggses。
’Oh！，Ibegyourpardon，’saidthegeneraloftheTauntonparty，withacarelessair-’CaptainHelves-Mr。PercyNoakes-Mrs。
Briggs-CaptainHelves。’
Mr。PercyNoakesbowedverylow;thegallantcaptaindidthesame，withalldueferocity，andtheBriggseswereclearlyovercome。
’Ourfriend，Mr。Wizzle，beingunfortunatelypreventedfrom，coming，’resumedMrs。Taunton，’Ididmyselfthepleasureof，bringingthecaptain，whosemusicaltalentsIknewwouldbeagreat，acquisition。’
’InthenameofthecommitteeIhavetothankyoufordoingso，and，toofferyouwelcome，sir，’repliedPercy。(Herethescrapingwas，renewed。)，’Butpraybeseated-won’tyouwalkaft？，Captain，will，youconductMissTaunton？-MissBriggs，willyouallowme？’
’Wherecouldtheyhavepickedupthatmilitaryman？’inquiredMrs。
BriggsofMissKateBriggs，astheyfollowedthelittleparty。
’Ican’timagine，’repliedMissKate，burstingwithvexation;for，theveryfierceairwithwhichthegallantcaptainregardedthe，company，hadimpressedherwithahighsenseofhisimportance。
Boatafterboatcamealongside，andguestafterguestarrived。The，inviteshadbeenexcellentlyarranged：，Mr。PercyNoakeshaving，considereditasimportantthatthenumberofyoungmenshould，exactlytallywiththatoftheyoungladies，asthatthequantity，ofknivesonboardshouldbeinpreciseproportiontotheforks。
’Now，iseveryoneonboard？’inquiredMr。PercyNoakes。The，committee(who，withtheirbitsofblueribbon，lookedasifthey，wereallgoingtobebled)bustledabouttoascertainthefact，and，reportedthattheymightsafelystart。
’Goon！’criedthemasteroftheboatfromthetopofoneofthe，paddle-boxes。
’Goon！’echoedtheboy，whowasstationedoverthehatchwayto，passthedirectionsdowntotheengineer;andawaywentthevessel，withthatagreeablenoisewhichispeculiartosteamers，andwhich，iscomposedofamixtureofcreaking，gushing，clanging，and，snorting。
’Hoi-oi-oi-oi-oi-oi-o-i-i-i！’shoutedhalf-a-dozenvoicesfroma，boat，aquarterofamileastern。
’Easeher！’criedthecaptain：，’dothesepeoplebelongtous，sir？’
’Noakes，’exclaimedHardy，whohadbeenlookingateveryobjectfar，andnear，throughthelargetelescope，’it’stheFleetwoodsandthe，Wakefields-andtwochildrenwiththem，byJove！’
’Whatashametobringchildren！’saideverybody;’howvery，inconsiderate！’
’Isay，itwouldbeagoodjoketopretendnottosee’em，wouldn’t，it？’suggestedHardy，totheimmensedelightofthecompany，generally。Acouncilofwarwashastilyheld，anditwasresolved，thatthenewcomersshouldbetakenonboard，onMr。Hardysolemnly，pledginghimselftoteasethechildrenduringthewholeoftheday。
’Stopher！’criedthecaptain。
’Stopher！’repeatedtheboy;whizzwentthesteam，andallthe，youngladies，asindutybound，screamedinconcert。Theywere，onlyappeasedbytheassuranceofthemartialHelves，thatthe，escapeofsteamconsequentonstoppingavesselwasseldomattended，withanygreatlossofhumanlife。
Twomenrantotheside;andaftersomeshouting，andswearing，and，anglingforthewherrywithaboat-hook，Mr。Fleetwood，andMrs。
Fleetwood，andMasterFleetwood，andMr。Wakefield，andMrs。
Wakefield，andMissWakefield，weresafelydepositedonthedeck。
Thegirlwasaboutsixyearsold，theboyaboutfour;theformer，wasdressedinawhitefrockwithapinksashanddog’s-eared-
lookinglittlespencer：，astrawbonnetandgreenveil，sixinches，bythreeandahalf;thelatter，wasattiredfortheoccasionina，nankeenfrock，betweenthebottomofwhich，andthetopofhis，plaidsocks，aconsiderableportionoftwosmallmottledlegswas，discernible。Hehadalightbluecapwithagoldbandandtassel，onhishead，andadamppieceofgingerbreadinhishand，with，whichhehadslightlyembossedhiscountenance。
Theboatoncemorestartedoff;thebandplayed’Offshegoes：’the，majorpartofthecompanyconversedcheerfullyingroups;andthe，oldgentlemenwalkedupanddownthedeckinpairs，as，perseveringlyandgravelyasiftheyweredoingamatchagainst，timeforanimmensestake。TheyranbrisklydownthePool;the，gentlemenpointedouttheDocks，theThamesPolice-office，and，otherelegantpublicedifices;andtheyoungladiesexhibiteda，properdisplayofhorrorattheappearanceofthecoal-whippersand，ballast-heavers。Mr。Hardytoldstoriestothemarriedladies，at，whichtheylaughedverymuchintheirpocket-handkerchiefs，andhit，himontheknuckleswiththeirfans，declaringhimtobe’anaughty，man-ashockingcreature’-andsoforth;andCaptainHelvesgave，slightdescriptionsofbattlesandduels，withamostbloodthirsty，air，whichmadehimtheadmirationofthewomen，andtheenvyof，themen。Quadrillingcommenced;CaptainHelvesdancedonesetwith，MissEmilyTaunton，andanothersetwithMissSophiaTaunton。Mrs。
Tauntonwasinecstasies。Thevictoryappearedtobecomplete;but，alas！theinconstancyofman！，Havingperformedthisnecessary，duty，heattachedhimselfsolelytoMissJuliaBriggs，withwhomhe，dancednolessthanthreesetsconsecutively，andfromwhoseside，heevincednointentionofstirringfortheremainderoftheday。
Mr。Hardy，havingplayedoneortwoverybrilliantfantasiasonthe，Jews’-harp，andhavingfrequentlyrepeatedtheexquisitelyamusing，jokeofslilychalkingalargecrossonthebackofsomememberof，thecommittee，Mr。PercyNoakesexpressedhishopethatsomeof，theirmusicalfriendswouldobligethecompanybyadisplayof，theirabilities。
’Perhaps，’hesaidinaveryinsinuatingmanner，’CaptainHelves，willobligeus？’，Mrs。Taunton’scountenancelightedup，forthe，captainonlysangduets，andcouldn’tsingthemwithanybodybut，oneofherdaughters。