第11章

V

Itwasearly，andwhenfirstIgottomyroomIfeltlittleinclinedforsleep。Iwanderedtothewindow，anddrawingasidethecurtains，lookedoutuponthestill，starlitsky。AtleastI

shouldrestquietto-night。Theairwasveryclear，andtheskyseemedfullofstars。AsIstoodtherescrapsofschoolroomlearningcamebacktomymind。Thatthestarswereallsuns，surroundedperhapsintheirturnbyworldsaslargeorlargerthanourown。Worldsbeyondworlds，andothersfartherstill，whichnomanmightnumberorevendescry。Andaboutthedistanceofthosewonderfulsunstoo，——thatone，forinstance，atwhichIwaslooking，——whatwasitthatIhadbeentold？Thatourworldwasnotyetpeopled，perhapsnotyetformed，whentheactualspotoflightwhichnowstruckmysightfirststartedfromthestar’ssurface！

Whileitflashedalong，itselftheverysymbolofspeed，thewholeofmankindhadhadtimetobeborn，andlive，anddie！

Mygazedropped，andfelluponthedim，half-seenoutlineoftheDeadStone。Thatwomantoo。Whilethatonerayspeededtowardsmeherlifehadbeenlivedandended，andherbodyhadrottedawayintotheground。Howclosetogetherweallwere！Herlifeandmine；ourjoys，sufferings，deaths——allcrowdedtogetherintothespaceofoneflashoflight！Andyettherewasnothingtherebutahorribleskeletonofdeadbones，whileI——！

Istoppedwithashudder，andturnedbackintotheroom。IwishedthatAlanhadnottoldmewhatlayunderthestone；IwishedthatI

hadneveraskedhim。Itwasaghastlythingtothinkabout，andspoiltallthebeautyofthenighttome。

Igotquicklyintobed，andsoondroppedasleep。IdonotknowhowlongIslept；butwhenIwokeitwaswiththeconsciousnessagainofthathauntingwind。

Itwasworsethanever。Theworldseemedfilledwithitsdin。

Hurlingitselfpassionatelyagainstthehouse，itgatheredstrengthwitheverygust，tillitseemedasiftheoldwallsmustsooncrashinruinsroundme。Gustupongust；blowuponblow；swelling，lessening，neverceasing。Thenoisesurroundedme；itpenetratedmyinmostbeing，asall-pervadingassilenceitself，andwrappingmeinasolitudeevenmorecomplete。TherewasnothingleftintheworldbutthewindandI，andthenaweirdintangibledoubtastomyownidentityseizedme。Thewindwasreal，thewindwithitsechoesofpassionandmiseryfromtheeternalabyss；butwasthereanythingelse？Whatwas，andwhathadbeen，theworldofsenseandofknowledge，myownconsciousness，myveryself，——allseemedgatheredupandsweptawayinthatonesole-existentfuryofsound。

Ipulledmyselftogether，andgettingoutofbed，gropedmywaytothetablewhichstoodbetweenthebedandthefireplace。Thematcheswerethere，andmyhalf-burntcandle，whichIlit。Thewindpenetratingtherattlingcasementcircledroundtheroom，andtheflameofmycandlebentandflaredandshrankbeforeit，throwingstrangemovinglightsandshadowsineverycorner。I

stoodthereshiveringinmythinnightdress，halfstunnedbythecataractofnoisebeatingonthewallsoutside，andpeeredanxiouslyaroundme。Theroomwasnotthesame。Somethingwaschanged。Whatwasit？Howtheshadowsleapedandfell，dancingintimetothewind’smusic。Everythingseemedalive。Iturnedmyheadslowlytotheleft，andthentotheright，andthenround——andstoppedwithasuddengaspoffear。

Thecabinetwasopen！

Ilookedaway，andback，andagain。Therewasnoroomfordoubt。

Thedoorswerethrownback，andwerewavinggentlyinthedraught。

Oneofthelowerdrawerswaspulledout，andinasuddenflareofthecandle-lightIcouldseesomethingglisteningatitsbottom。

Thenthelightdwindledagain，thecandlewasalmostout，andthecabinetshowedadimblackmassinthedarkness。Upanddownwenttheflame，andeachreturningbrightnessflashedbackatmefromthethinginsidethedrawer。Istoodfascinated，myeyesfixeduponthespot，waitingforthefitfulglitterasitcameandwent。

Whatwastherethere？IknewthatImustgoandsee，butIdidnotwantto。IfonlythecabinetwouldcloseagainbeforeIlooked，beforeIknewwhatwasinsideit。Butitstoodopen，andtheglitteringthinglaythere，draggingmetowardsitself。

Slowlyatlast，andwithinfinitereluctance，Iwent。Thedrawerwaslinedwithsoftwhitesatin，anduponthesatinlayalong，slenderknife，hiltedandsheathedinantiquesilver，richlysetwithjewels。Itookitupandturnedbacktothetabletoexamineit。ItwasItalianinworkmanship，andIknewthatthecarvingandchasingofthesilverweremorepreciouseventhanthejewelswhichstuddedit，andwhoseroughsettinggavesofirmagrasptomyhand。Wasthebladeasfairasthecovering，Iwondered？Alittleresistanceatfirst，andthenthelongthinsteelslideasilyout。

Sharp，andbright，andfinelytempereditlookedwithitsdeadly，taperingpoint。Stains，dullandirregular，crossedthefineengravingonitssurfaceanddimmeditspolish。Ibenttoexaminethemmoreclosely，andasIdidsoasuddenstrongergustofwindblewoutthecandle。Ishudderedalittleatthedarknessandlookedup。Butitdidnotmatter:thecurtainwasstilldrawnawayfromthewindowoppositemybedside，andthroughitafloodofmoonlightwaspouringinuponfloorandbed。

Puttingthesheathdownuponthetable，Iwalkedtothewindowtoexaminetheknifemorecloselybythatpalelight。Howgloriouslybrilliantitwas！darkenednowandagainbythequicklypassingshadowsofwind-drivenclouds。AtleastsoIthought，andI

glancedupandoutofthewindowtoseethem。Ablackworldmetmygaze。Neithermoonwastherenormoonlight:thebroadsilverbeaminwhichIstoodstretchednofartherthanthewindow。Icaughtmybreath，andmylimbsstiffenedasIlooked。Nomoon，nocloud，nomovementintheclear，calm，starlitsky；whilestilltheghastlylightstretchedroundme，andthespectralshadowsdriftedacrosstheroom。

Butitwasnotalldarkoutside:onespotcaughtmyeye，brightwithalividunearthlybrightness——theDeadStoneshiningoutintothenightlikeanemberfromhell’sfurnace！Therewasahorridsemblanceoflifeinthelight，——apalpitating，breathingglow，——

andmypulsesbeatintimetoit，tillIseemedtobedrawingitintomyveins。Ithadnowarmth，andasitenteredmybloodmyheartgrewcolder，andmymusclesmorerigid。Myfingersclutchedthedagger-hilttillitsjeweledroughnesspressedpainfullyintomypalm。Allthestrengthofmystrainedpowersseemedgatheredinthatgrasp，andthemoretightlyIheldthemorevividlydidtherockgleamandquiverwithinfernallife。Thedeadwoman！Thedeadwoman！WhathadItodowithher？Letherbonesrestinthefilthoftheirowndecay，——outthereundertheaccursedstone。

Andnowthenoiseofthewindlessensinmyears。Letitgoon，——

yes，louderandwilder，drowningmysensesinitstumult。Whatistherewithmeintheroom——thegreatemptyroombehindme？

Nothing；onlythecabinetwithitswavingdoors。Theyarewavingtoandfro，toandfro——Iknowit。Butthereisnootherlifeintheroombutthat——no，no；nootherlifeintheroombutthat。

Oh！don’tletthewindstop。Ican’thearanythingwhileitgoeson；——butifitstops！Ah！thegustsgrowweaker，struggling，forcedintorest。Now——now——theyhaveceased。

Silence！

Afearfulpause。

WhatisthatthatIhear？There，behindmeintheroom？

DoIhearit？Isthereanything？

Thethrobbingofmyownbloodinmyears。

No，no！Thereissomethingaswell，——somethingoutsidemyself。

Whatisit？

Low；heavy；regular。

God！itis——itisthebreathofalivingcreature！Alivingcreature！here——closetome——alonewithme！

Thenumbnessofterrorconquersme。Icanneitherstirnorspeak。

Onlymywholesoulstrainsatmyearstolisten。

Wheredoesthesoundcomefrom？

Closebehindme——close。

Ah-h！

Itisfromthere——fromthebedwhereIwaslyingamomentago！……

Itrytoshriek，butthesoundgurglesunutteredinmythroat。I

clutchthestonemullionsofthewindow，andpressmyselfagainstthepanes。IfIcouldbutthrowmyselfout！——anywhere，anywhere——

awayfromthatdreadfulsound——fromthatthingclosebehindmeinthebed！ButIcandonothing。Thewindhasbrokenforthagainnow；thestormcrashesroundme。AndstillthroughitallIheartheghastlybreathing——even，low，scarcelyaudible——butIhearit。

IshallhearitaslongasIlive！……

Isthethingmoving？

Isitcomingnearer？

No，no；notthat，——thatwasbutafancytofreezemedead。

Buttostandhere，withthatcreaturebehindme，listening，waitingforthewarmhorrorofitsbreathtotouchmyneck！Ah！Icannot。

Iwilllook。Iwillseeitfacetoface。Betteranyagonythanthisone。

Slowly，withheldbreath，andeyesachingintheirstretchedfixity，Iturn。Thereitis！ClearinthemoonlightIseethemonstrousformwithinthebed，——thedarkcoverletrisesandfallswithitsheavingbreath……Ah！heavenhavemercy！Istherenonetohelp，nonetosavemefromthisawfulpresence？……

Andtheknife-hiltdrawsmyfingersroundit，whilemyfleshquivers，andmysoulgrowssickwithloathing。Thewindhowls，theshadowschasethroughtheroom，huntingwithfearfuldarknessmorefearfullight；andIstandlooking，……listening……

Imustnotstandhereforever；Imustbeupanddoing。Whatanoisethewindmakes，andtherattlingofthewindowsandthedoors。Ifhesleepsthroughthishewillsleepthroughall。

NoiselesslymybarefeettreadthecarpetasIapproachthebed；

noiselesslymyleftarmraisestheheavycurtain。Whatdoesithide？DoInotknow？Thebestialfeatures，half-hiddenincoarse，blackgrowth；themuddy，blotchedskin，oozingfoulnessateverypore。Oh，Iknowthemtoowell！Whatamonsteritis！Howtherankbreathgurglesthroughhisthroatinhisdrunkensleep。Theeyesareclosednow，butIknowthemtoo；theirodiousleer，andthevenomoushatredwithwhichtheycanglareatmefromtheirbloodshotsetting。Butthetimehascomeatlast。Neveragainshalltheirpassioninsultme，ortheirfurydegrademeinslavishterror。Therehelies；thereatmymercy，themanwhoforfifteenyearshasmadeGod’slightashametome，andHisdarknessaterror。Theendhascomeatlast，——theonlyendpossible，theonlyendleftme。Onhisheadbethebloodandthecrime！Godalmighty，Iamnotguilty！Theendhascome；Icanbearmyburdennofarther。”Bearethallthings，endurethallthings。”

WherehaveIheardthosewords？TheyareintheBible；thepreceptofcharity。Whathasthattodowithme？Nothing。Iheardthewordsinmydreamssomewhere。Awhite-facedmansaidthem，awhite-facedmanwithpureeyes。Tome？——no，no，nottome；toagirlitwas——anignorant，innocentgirl，andsheacceptedthemasaneternal，unqualifiedlaw。LetherbearbuthalfthatIhaveborne，letherendurebutone-tenthofwhatIhaveendured，andthenifshedareletherspeakinjudgmentagainstme。

Softlynow；Imustdrawtheheavycoveringsaway，andbarehisbreasttothestroke，——thestrokethatshallfreeme。Iknowwellwheretoplantit；Ihavelearnedthatfromtheoldlady’sItalian。

DidheguesswhyIquestionedhimsocloselyofthesurest，straightestroadtoaman’sheart？Nomatter，hecannothindermenow。Gently！Ah！Ihavedisturbedhim。Hemoves，muttersinhissleep，throwsouthisarm。Down；down；crouchingbehindthecurtain。Heavens！ifhewakesandseesme，hewillkillme。No！

alas！ifonlyhewould。Iwouldkissthehandthathestruckmewith；butheistoocruelforthat。Hewillimaginesomenewandmorehellishtorturetopunishmewith。Buttheknife！Ihavegotthat；heshallnevertouchmelivingagain……Heisquieternow。Ihearhisbreath，hoarseandheavyasawildbeast’spanting。Hedrawsitmoreevenly，moredeeply。Thedangerispast。ThankGod！

God！WhathaveItodowithHim？AGodofJudgment。Ha，ha！

Hellcannotfrightenme；itwillnotbeworsethanearth。Onlyhewillbetheretoo。Notwithhim，notwithhim，——sendmetothelowestcircleoftorment，butnotwithhim。There，hisbreastisbarenow。Istheknifesharp？Yes；andthebladeisstrongenough。Nowletmestrike——myselfafterwardsifneedbe，buthimfirst。Isitthedevilthatpromptsme？Thenthedevilismyfriend，andthefriendoftheworld。No。GodisaGodoflove。

Hecannotwishsuchamantolive。Hemadehim，butthedevilspoilthim；andletthedevilhavehishandiworkbackagain。Ithasservedhimlongenoughhere；anditslastserviceshallbetomakemeamurderess。

Howthemoonlightgleamsfromthebladeasmyarmswingsupandback:withhowcloseagrasptheroughhiltdrawsmyfingersroundit。Now。

Amurderess？

Waitamoment。Amomentmaymakemefree；amomentmaymakeme——

that！

Wait。

Handanddaggerdroopagain。Hislifehasdraggeditsslimeovermysoul；shallhisdeathpoisonitwithafoulercorruptionstill？”Myownsoul’swarden。”

Whatwasthat？Dreammemoriesagain。”Resist，strive，endure。”

Easywords。Whatdotheymeanforme？Tocreepbacknowtobedbyhisside，andtobeginlivingagainto-morrowthelifewhichIhavelivedto-day？No，no；Icannotdoit。Heavencannotaskitofme。

Andthereisnootherway。Thatorthis；thisorthat。Whichshallitbe？Ah！Ihavestriven，Godknows。IhaveenduredsolongthatIhopedeventodosototheend。Butto-day！Oh！thetormentandtheoutrage:bodyandsoulstillbearthestainofit。

Ithoughtthatmyheartandmyprideweredeadtogether，buthehasstungthemagainintoaching，shamefullife。YesterdayImighthavesparedhim，tosavemyowncoldsoulfromsin；butnowitiscoldnolonger。Itburns，itburnsandthefiremustbeslaked。

Ay，Iwillkillhim，andhavedonewithit。WhyshouldIpauseanylonger？Theknifedragsmyhandbackforthestroke。Onlythedreamsurroundsme；thepureman’sfaceisthere，white，beseeching，andGod’svoiceringsinmyheart——”Tohimthatovercometh。”

ButIcannotovercome。Evilhasgovernedmylife，andevilisstrongerthanIam。WhatshallIdo？whatshallIdo？God，ifThouartstrongerthanevil，fightforme。”ThevictoryoftheCrossisours。”

Yes，Iknowit。Itistrue，itistrue。Buttheknife？IcannotloosetheknifeifIwould。Howtowrenchitfrommyownhold？

ThouGodofVictorybewithme！Christhelpme！

Iseizethebladewithmylefthand；thetwo-edgedsteelslidesthroughmygrasp；asharppaininfingersandpalm；andthen——

nothing……

VI

WhenIagainbecameconscious，Ifoundmyselfhalfkneeling，halflyingacrossthebed，myarmsstretchedoutinfrontofme，myfaceburiedintheclothes。Bodyandmindwerealikenumbed。A

smartingpaininmylefthand，adreadfulterrorinmyheart，wereatfirsttheonlysensationsofwhichIwasaware。Slowly，veryslowly，senseandmemoryreturnedtome，andwiththemamorevividintensityofmentalanguish，asdetailbydetailIrecalledtheweirdhorrorofthenight。Haditreallyhappened，——wasthethingstillthere，——orwasitallaghastlynightmare？ItwassomeminutesbeforeIdaredeithertomoveorlookup，andthenfearfullyIraisedmyhead。Beforemestretchedthesmoothwhitecoverlet，faintlybrightwithyellowsunshine。Weakandgiddy，I

struggledtomyfeet，and，steadyingmyselfagainstthefootofthebed，withclenchedteethandburstingheart，forcedmygazeroundtotheotherend。Thepillowlaythere，bareandunmarkedsaveforwhatmightwellhavebeenthepressureofmyownhead。Mybreathcamemorefreely，andIturnedtothewindow。Thesunhadjustrisen，thegoldentree-topsweretouchedwithlight，faintthreadsofmisthunghereandthereacrossthesky，andthetwitteringofbirdssoundedclearlythroughthecrispautumnair。

Itwasnothingbutabaddreamthen，afterall，thishorrorwhichstillhungroundme，leavingmeincapableofeffort，almostofthought。Irememberedthecabinet，andlookedswiftlyinthatdirection。Thereitstood，closedasusual，closedasithadbeentheeveningbefore，asithadbeenforthelastthreehundredyears，exceptinmydreams。

Yes，thatwasit；nothingbutadream，——agruesome，hauntingdream。

Withaninstinctofwipingoutthedreadfulmemory，Iraisedmyhandwearilytomyforehead。AsIdidso，Ibecameconsciousagainofhowithurtme。Ilookedatit。Itwascoveredwithhalf-driedblood，andtwostraightcleancutsappeared，oneacrossthepalmandoneacrosstheinsideofthefingersjustbelowtheknuckles。

Ilookedagaintowardsthebed，and，intheplacewheremyhandhadrestedduringmyfaint，asmallpatchofredbloodwastobeseen。

Thenitwastrue！Thenithadallhappened！WithalowshudderingsobIthrewmyselfdownuponthecouchatthefootofthebed，andlaythereforsomeminutes，mylimbstrembling，andmysoulshrinkingwithinme。Amistofevil，fearfulandloathsome，haddescendeduponmygirlhood’slife，sullyingitsignorantinnocence，saddeningitsbrightness，asIfelt，forever。Ilaytheretillmyteethbegantochatter，andIrealizedthatIwasbitterlycold。

Toreturntothataccursedbedwasimpossible，soIpulledarugwhichhungatoneendofthesofaoverme，and，utterlywornoutinmindandbody，felluneasilyasleep。

Iwasrousedbytheentranceofmymaid。IstoppedherexclamationsandquestionsbyshortlystatingthatIhadhadabadnight，hadbeenunabletorestinbed，andhadhadanaccidentwithmyhand，——withoutfurtherspecifyingofwhatdescription。”Ididn’tknowthatyouhadbeenfeelingunwellwhenyouwenttobedlastnight，miss，”shesaid。”WhenIwenttobedlastnight？Unwell？Whatdoyoumean？””OnlyMr。Alanhasjustaskedmetolethimknowhowyoufindyourselfthismorning，”sheanswered。

Thenheexpectedsomething，dreadedsomething。Ah！whyhadheyieldedandallowedmetosleephere，Iaskedmyselfbitterly，astheincidentsofthedaybeforeflashedthroughmymind。”Tellhim，”Isaid，”whatIhavetoldyou；andsaythatIwishtospeaktohimdirectlyafterbreakfast。”Icouldnotconfidemystorytoanyoneelse，butspeakofitImusttosomeoneorgomad。

Everymomentpassedinthatplacewasanaddedmisery。Muchtomymaid’ssurpriseIsaidthatIwoulddressinherroom——thelittleonewhich，asIhavesaid，wasclosetomyown。Ifeltbetterthere；butmyutterfatigueandmywoundedhandcombinedtomakemytoiletslow，andIfoundthatmostofthepartyhadfinishedbreakfastwhenIreachedthedining-room。Iwasgladofthis，forevenasitwasIfounditdifficultenoughtogivecoherentanswerstothequestionswhichmywhitefaceandbandagedhandcalledforth。Alanhelpedmebygivingaresoluteturntotheconversation。Onceonlyoureyesmetacrossthetable。HelookedashaggardandwornasIdid:Ilearnedafterwardsthathehadpassedmostofthatfearfulnightpacingthepassageoutsidemydoor，thoughhelistenedinvainforanyindicationofwhatwasgoingonwithintheroom。

ThemomentIhadfinishedbreakfasthewasbymyside。”Youwishtospeaktome？now？”heaskedinalowtone。”Yes；now，”Ianswered，breathlessly，andwithoutraisingmyeyesfromtheground。”Whereshallwego？Outside？Itisabrightday，andweshallbefreertherefrominterruption。”

Iassented；andthenlookingupathimappealingly，”Willyoufetchmythingsforme？ICANNOTgouptothatroomagain。”

Heseemedtounderstandme，nodded，andwasgone。Afewminuteslaterweleftthehouse，andmadeourwayinsilencetowardsagrassyspotonthesideoftheravinewherewehadalreadyindulgedinmorethanonefriendlytalk。

Aswewent，theDeadStonecameforamomentintoview。IseizedAlan’sarminanalmostconvulsivegrip。”Tellme，”Iwhispered，——”yourefusedtotellmeyesterday，butyoumustnow，——whoisburiedbeneaththatrock？”

Therewasnowneithertimiditynorembarrassmentinmytone。Thehorrorsofthathousehadbecomepartofmylifeforever，andtheirsecretswereminebyright。Alan，afteramoment’spause，aquestioningglanceatmyface，tacitlyacceptedtheposition。”Itoldyouthetruth，”hereplied，”whenIsaidthatIdidnotknow；butIcantellyouthepopulartraditiononthesubject，ifyoulike。TheysaythatMargaretMervyn，thewomanwhomurderedherhusband，isburiedthere，andthatDameAlicehadtherockplacedoverhergrave，——whethertosaveitfrominsultortomarkitoutforopprobrium，Ineverheard。Thepoorpeopleaboutheredonotcaretogoneartheplaceafterdark，andamongtheolderonestherearestillsome，Ibelieve，whospitatthesuicide’sgraveastheypass。””Poorwoman，poorwoman！”Iexclaimed，inaburstofuncontrollablecompassion。”Whyshouldyoupityher？”demandedhewithsuddensternness；”sheWASasuicideandamurderesstoo。Itwouldbebetterforthepublicconscience，Ibelieve，ifsuchwerestillhunginchains，orburiedatthecross-roadswithastakethroughtheirbodies。””Hush，Alan，hush！”Icriedhysterically，asIclungtohim；”don’tspeakharshlyofher:youdonotknow，youcannottell，howterriblyshewastempted。Howcanyou？”

Helookeddownatmeinbewilderedsurprise。”HowcanI？”herepeated。”YouspeakasifYOUcould。Whatdoyoumean？””Don’taskme，”Ianswered，turningtowardshimmyface，——white，quivering，tear-stained。”Don’taskme。Notnow。Youmustanswermyquestionsfirst，andafterthatIwilltellyou。ButIcannottalkofitnow。Notyet。”

WehadreachedtheplacewewereinsearchofasIspoke。There，wherethespreadingrootsofagreatbeech-treeformedanaturalrestingplaceuponthesteepsideoftheravine，Itookmyseat，andAlanstretchedhimselfuponthegrassbesideme。Thenlookingupatme——”Idonotknowwhatquestionsyouwouldask，”hesaid，quietly；”butIwillanswerthem，whatevertheymaybe。”

ButIdidnotaskthemyet。Isatinsteadwithmyhandsclaspingmyknee，lookingoppositeatthegloryofharmoniouscolor，ordowntheglenatthevistaoffar-off，dream-likeloveliness，onwhichitopenedout。Theyellowautumnsunshinemadeeverythinggolden，thefreshautumnbreezesfilledtheairwithlife；buttomealoathsomeshadowseemedtorestuponall，andtostretchitselfoutfarbeyondwheremyeyescouldreach，befoulingthebeautyofthewholewideworld。AtlastIspoke。”Youhaveknownofitall，I

suppose；ofthiscursethatisintheworld，——sinandsuffering，andwhatsuchwordsmean。””Yes，”hesaid，lookingatmewithwonderingpity，”Iamafraidso。””Buthaveyouknownthemastheyareknowntosome，——agonized，hopelesssuffering，andsinthatisallbutinevitable？Sometimeinyourlifeprobablyyouhaverealizedthatsuchthingsare:ithascomehometoyou，andtoeveryoneelse，nodoubt，exceptafewignorantgirlssuchasIwasyesterday。Buttherearesome，——yes，thousandsandthousands，——whoevennow，atthismoment，arefeelingsorrowlikethat，aresinkingdeep，deeperintothebottomlesspitoftheirsoul’sdegradation。Andyetmenwhoknowthis，whohaveseenit，laugh，talk，arehappy，amusethemselves——howcanthey，howcanthey？”Istoppedwithacatchinmyvoice，andthenstretchingoutmyarmsinfrontofme——”Anditisnotonlymen。

Lookhowbeautifultheearthis，andGodhasmadeit，andletsthesuncrowniteverydaywithanewglory，whilethishorrorofevilbroodsoverandpoisonsitall。Oh，whyisitso？Icannotunderstandit。”

MyarmsdroopedagainasIfinished，andmyeyessoughtAlan’s。

Hiswerefulloftears，buttherewasalmostasmilequiveringatthecornersofhislipsashereplied:”Whenyouhavefoundananswertothatquestion，Evie，comeandtellmeandmankindatlarge:itwillbenewstousall。”Thenhecontinued——”But，afterall，theearthisbeautiful，andthesundoesshine:wehaveourownhappinesstorejoicein，ourownsorrowstobear，thesufferingthatisneartoustograpplewith。Fortherest，forthisblacknessofevilwhichsurroundsus，andwhichwecandonothingtolighten，itwillsoon，thankGod，becomevagueandfarofftoyouasitistoothers:yourfeelingofitwillbedulled，and，exceptatmoments，youtoowillforget。””Butthatishorrible，”Iexclaimed，passionately；”theevilwillbethereallthesame，whetherIfeelitornot。Menandwomenwillbestrugglingintheirmiseryandsin，onlyIshallbetooselfishtocare。””Wecannotgooutsidethelimitsofourownnature，”hereplied；”ourknowledgeisshallowandourspiritualinsightdark，andGodinHismercyhasmadeourheartsshallowtoo，andourimaginationdull。If，knowingandtrustingonlyasmendo，weweretofeelasangelsfeel，earthwouldbehellindeed。”

Itwascoldcomfort，butatthatmomentanythingwarmerorbrighterwouldhavebeenunrealandutterlyrepellenttome。Ihardlytookinthemeaningofhiswords，butitwasasifahandhadbeenstretchedouttome，strugglinginthedeepmire，byonewhohimselffeltsolidgroundbeneathhim。WherehestoodIalsomightsomedaystand，andthatthoughtseemedtomakepatiencepossible。

Itwashewhofirstbrokethesilencewhichfollowed。”Youweresayingthatyouhadquestionstoaskme。Iamimpatienttoputmineinreturn，sopleasegoon。”

Ithadbeenarelieftometoturneventogeneralizationsofdespairfromtheactualhorrorwhichhadinspiredthem，andtowhichmymindwasthusrecalled。WithaneffortIreplied，”Yes，I

wanttoaskyouaboutthatroom——theroominwhichIslept，and——

andthemurderwhichwascommittedthere。”InspiteofallthatI

coulddo，myvoicesankalmosttoawhisperasIconcluded，andI

wastremblingfromheadtofoot。”Whotoldyouthatamurderwascommittedthere？”Somethinginmyfaceasheaskedthequestionmadehimaddquickly，”Nevermind。

Youareright。ThatistheroominwhichHughMervynwasmurderedbyhiswife。Iwassurprisedatyourquestion，forIdidnotknowthatanyonebutmybrothersandmyselfwereawareofthefact。Thesubjectisnevermentioned:itiscloselyconnectedwithoneintenselypainfultoourfamily，andbesides，ifspokenof，therewouldbeinconveniencesarisingfromthesuperstitiousterrorsofservants，andthenaturaldislikeofgueststosleepinaroomwheresuchathinghadhappened。Indeeditwaslargelywiththeviewofwipingoutthelastmemoryofthecrime’slocality，thatmyfatherrenewedtheinterioroftheroomsometwentyyearsago。Theonlytraditionwhichhasbeenadheredtoinconnectionwithitistheonewhichhasnowbeenviolatedinyourperson——theonewhichprecludesanyunmarriedwomanfromsleepingthere。Exceptforthat，theroomhas，asyouknow，lostallsinisterreputation，anditstitleof’haunted’hasbecomepurelyconventional。

Nevertheless，asIsaid，youareright——thatisundoubtedlytheroominwhichthemurderwascommitted。”

Hestoppedandlookedupatme，waitingformore。”Goon；tellmeaboutit，andwhatfollowed。”Mylipsformedthewords；myheartbeattoofaintlyformybreathtoutterthem。”Aboutthemurderitselfthereisnotmuchtotell。Theman，I

believe，wasaninhumanscoundrel，andthewomanfirstkilledhimindesperation，andafterwardsherselfindespair。TheonlydetailconnectedwiththeactualcrimeofwhichIhaveeverheard，wasthegalethatwasblowingthatnight——thefiercestknowntothiscountrysideinthatgeneration；andithasalwaysbeensaidsincethatanymisfortunetotheMervyns——especiallyanymisfortuneconnectedwiththecurse——comeswithastormofwind。ThatwaswhyIsodislikedyourstoryoftheimaginarytempestswhichhavedisturbedyournightssinceyousleptthere。Astowhatfollowed，”——hegaveasigh，——”thatstoryislongenoughandfullofincident。Onthemorningafterthemurder，sorunsthetale，DameAlicecamedowntotheGrangefromthetowertowhichshehadretiredwhenherson’swickednesseshaddrivenherfromhishouse，andthereinthepresenceofthetwocorpsessheforetoldthecursewhichshouldrestupontheirdescendantsforgenerationstocome。

Aclergymanwhowaspresent，horrified，itissaidatherwords，adjuredherbythemercyofHeaventoplacesometermtothedoomwhichshehadpronounced。Sherepliedthatnomortalmightreckonthefruitofaplantwhichdrewitslifefromhell；thatatermthereshouldbe，butasitpassedthewisdomofmantofixit，soitshouldpassthewitofmantodiscoverit。Shethenplacedintheroomthiscabinet，constructedbyherselfandherItalianfollower，andsaidthatthecurseshouldnotdepartfromthefamilyuntilthedaywhenitsdoorswereunlockedanditslegendread。”Suchisthestory。Itellittoyouasitwastoldtome。Onethingonlyiscertain，thatthedoomthustraditionallyforetoldhasbeenonlytooamplyfulfilled。””Andwhatwasthedoom？”

Alanhesitatedalittle，andwhenhespokehisvoicewasalmostawfulinitspassionlesssternness，initsdespairingfinality；itseemedtoechotheirrevocablejudgmentwhichhiswordspronounced:”ThatthecrimesagainstGodandeachotherwhichhaddestroyedtheparents’lifeshouldenterintothechildren’sblood，andthatneverthereaftershouldtherefailaMervyntobringshameordeathupononegenerationofhisfather’shouse。”Thereweretwosonsofthatill-fatedmarriage，”hewentonafterapause，”boysatthetimeoftheirparents’death。Whentheygrewuptheybothfellinlovewiththesamewoman，andonekilledtheotherinaduel。Thestoryofthenextgenerationwasapeculiarlysadone。Twobrotherstookoppositesidesduringtheciviltroubles；butsofearfulweretheyofthecursewhichlayuponthefamily，thattheychieflymadeuseoftheirmutualpositioninordertoprotectandguardeachother。Afterthewarswereover，theyoungerbrother，whiletravelinguponsomeparliamentarycommission，stoppedanightattheGrange。There，throughamistake，heexchangedthereportwhichhewasbringingtoLondonforapacketofpapersimplicatinghisbrotherandseveralbesidesinaroyalistplot。Heonlydiscoveredhiserrorashehandedthepaperstohissuperior，andwasbutjustabletowarnhisbrotherintimeforhimtosavehislifebyflight。Theothermeninvolvedweretakenandexecuted，andasitwasknownbywhatmeansinformationhadreachedtheGovernment，theelderMervynwasuniversallychargedwiththevilesttreachery。ItissaidthatwhenaftertheRestorationhisreturnhomewasrumoredtheneighboringgentryassembled，armedwithridingwhips，tofloghimoutofthecountryifheshoulddaretoshowhisfacethere。Hediedabroad，shame-strickenandbroken-hearted。Itwashisson，broughtupbyhisuncleinthesternesttenetsofPuritanism，who，cominghomeafteralengthenedjourney，foundthatduringhisabsencehissisterhadbeenshamefullyseduced。Heturnedheroutofdoors，thenandthere，inthemidstofabitterJanuarynight，andthenextmorningherdeadbodyandthatofhernew-borninfantwerefoundhalfburiedinthefresh-fallensnowonthetopofthewolds。The’whitelady’isstillsupposedbythevillagerstohauntthatsideoftheglen。Andsoitwenton。Abeautiful，heartlessMervyninQueenAnne’stimeenticedawaytheaffectionsofhersister’sbetrothed，andonthedayofherownweddingwithhim，herforsakensisterwasfounddrownedbyherownactinthepondatthebottomofthegarden。TwobrothersweresoldierstogetherinsomeContinentalwar，andonewasinvoluntarilythemeansofdiscoveringandexposingthetreasonoftheother。Agirlwasbetrayedintoafalsemarriage，andherliferuinedbyamanwhocameintothehouseasherbrother’sfriend，andwhoseinfamousdesignswereforwardedandfinallyaccomplishedbythatsamebrother’sactivethoughunsuspectingassistance。Generationaftergeneration，menorwomen，guiltyorinnocent，throughtheactionoftheirownwillorinspiteofit，thecursehasneveryetfailedofitsvictims。””Neveryet？Butsurelyinourowntime——yourfather？”Ididnotdaretoputthequestionwhichwasburningmylips。”Haveyouneverheardofthetragicendofmypooryounguncles？”

hereplied。”Theywereseveralyearsolderthanmyfather。Whenboysoffourteenandfifteentheyweresentoutwiththekeeperfortheirfirstshootinglesson，andtheeldershothisbrotherthroughtheheart。Hehimselfwasdelicate，andtheysaythatheneverentirelyrecoveredfromtheshock。Hediedbeforehewastwenty，andmyfather，thenachildofsevenyearsold，becametheheir。

Itwaspartly，nodoubt，owingtothiscalamityhavingthusoccurredbeforehewasoldenoughtofeelit，thathiscomparativeskepticismonthewholesubjectwasdue。TothatIsuppose，andtothefactthathegrewupinanageofrailwaysandliberalculture。””Hedidn’tbelieve，then，inthecurse？””Well，rather，hethoughtnothingaboutit。Until，thatis，thetimecamewhenittookeffect，tobreakhisheartandendhislife。””Howdoyoumean？”

Therewassilenceforalittle。Alanhadturnedawayhishead，sothatIcouldnotseehisface。Then——”IsupposeyouhaveneverbeentoldthetruestoryofwhyJackleftthecountry？””No。Washe——ishe——？””Heisonevictimofthecurseinthisgeneration，andI，Godhelpme，amtheother，andperhapsmorewretchedone。”

Hisvoicetrembledandbroke，andforthefirsttimethatdayI

almostforgotthemysterioushorrorofthenightbefore，inmypityfortheactual，tangiblesufferingbeforeme。Istretchedoutmyhandtohis，andhisfingersclosedonminewithasudden，painfulgrip。Thenquietly——”Iwilltellyouthestory，”hesaid，”thoughsincethatmiserabletimeIhavespokenofittonoone。”

Therewasapausebeforehebegan。Helaytherebymyside，hisgazeturnedacrossmeupthesunbright，autumn-tintedglen，buthiseyesshadowedbythememorieswhichhewasstrivingtorecallandarrangeindueorderinhismind。Andwhenhedidspeakitwasnotdirectlytobeginthepromisedrecital。”YouneverknewJack，”hesaid，abruptly。”Hardly，”Iacquiesced。”Irememberthinkinghimveryhandsome。””Therecouldnotbetwoopinionsastothat，”heanswered。”Andamanwhocouldhavedoneanythinghelikedwithlife，hadthingsgonedifferently。Hisabilitieswerefine，buthisstrengthlayaboveallinhischaracter:hewasstrong，——stronginhislikesandinhisdislikes，resolute，fearless，incapableofhalfmeasures——aman，everyinchofhim。Hewasnotgenerallypopular——stiff，hard，unsympathetic，peoplecalledhim。Fromonepointofview，andoneonly，heperhapsdeservedtheepithets。Ifawomanlosthisrespectsheseemedtolosehispitytoo。Likeamediaevalmonk，helookeduponsuchratherasthecausethantheresultofmaledepravity，andhiscontemptforthemmingledwithanger，almost，asIsometimesthought，withhatred。Andthisattitudewas，Ihavenodoubt，resentedbythemenofhisownclassandset，whosharedneitherhisfaultsnorhisvirtues。Butinotherwayshewasnothard。Hecouldlove；I，atleast，havecausetoknowit。Ifyouwouldhearhisstoryrightlyfrommylips，Evie，youmusttryandseehimwithmyeyes。Thefriendwholovedme，andwhomIlovedwiththepassionwhich，ifnotthestrongest，iscertainly，I

believe，themostenduringofwhichmenarecapable，——thatperfectbrother’slove，whichsogrowsintoourbeingthatwhenitisatpeacewearescarcelyconsciousofitsexistence，andwhenitiswoundedourverylife-bloodseemstoflowatthestroke。Brothersdonotalwayslovelikethat:Icanonlywishthatwehadnotdoneso。

VII”Well，aboutfiveyearsago，beforeIhadtakenmydegree，IbecameacquaintedwithawomanwhomIwillcall’Delia，’——itisnearenoughtothenamebywhichshewent。Shewasafewyearsolderthanmyself，verybeautiful，andIbelievedhertobewhatshedescribedherself——theinnocentvictimofcircumstanceandfalseappearance，ahelplesspreytothevilecalumniesofworldlings。

Insoberfact，Iamafraidthat，whateverherlifemayhavebeenactuallyatthetimethatIknewher——asubjectwhichIhavenevercaredtoinvestigate——herpasthadbeennotonlybadenoughirretrievablytofixherpositioninsociety，butbadenoughtoleaveherwithoutanidealintheworld，thoughstillretainingwithinherheartthepossibilitiesofapassionwhich，fromthemomentthatitcametolife，wasstrongenoughtoturnherwholeexistenceintoonedesperaterecklessstrainingafteranobjecthopelesslybeyondherreach。Thatwasthewomanwithwhom，attheageoftwenty，Ifanciedmyselfinlove。Shewantedtogetahusband，andshethoughtme——rightly——assenoughtoacceptthepost。Iwasveryyoungthenevenformyyears，——astudent，anidealist，withanimaginationhighlydeveloped，andnoknowledgewhateveroftheworldasitactuallyis。Anyhow，beforeIhadknownheramonth，Ihaddeterminedtomakehermywife。Myparentswereabroadatthetime，GeorgeandLucyhere，sothatitwastoJackthatIimpartedthenewsofmyresolve。Asyoumayimagine，hedidallthathecouldtoshakeit。ButIwasimmovable。Idisbelievedhisfacts，anddespisedhiscontemptfromthestandpointofmyownsuperiormorality。Thisstateofthingscontinuedforseveralweeks，duringthegreaterpartofwhichtimeIwasatOxford。IonlyknewthatwhileIwasthere，JackhadmadeDelia’sacquaintance，andwasapparentlycultivatingitassiduously。”Oneday，duringtheEastervacation，Igotanotefromheraskingmetosupperatherhouse。Jackwasinvitedtoo:welodgedtogetherwhilemypeoplewereaway。”Thereisnoneedtodwelluponthatsupper。Thereweretwoorthreewomenthereofherownsort，orworse，andadozenmenfromamongthemostprofligateinLondon。Theconversationwas，I

shouldthink，badevenforthatclass；andshe，thegoddessofmyidolatry，outstrippedthemallbythefoul，coarseshamelessnessofherlanguageandbehavior。Beforetheentertainmentwashalfover，Iroseandtookmyleave，accompaniedbyJackandanotherman，——

Legardwashisname，——whoIpresumewasbored。Justaswehadpassedthroughintotheanteroom，whichlaybeyondtheoneinwhichwehadbeeneating，Deliafollowedus，andlayingherhandonJack’sarm，saidthatshemustspeakwithhim。LegardandIwentintotheouterhall，andwehadnotbeentheremorethanaminutewhenthedoorfromtheanteroomopened，andweheardDelia’svoice。

Irememberthewordswell，——thatwasnottheonlyoccasiononwhichIwastohearthem。’Iwillkeeptheringasarecordofmylove，’

shesaid，’andunderstand，thatthoughyoumayforget，Inevershall。’Jackcamethrough，thedoorclosed，andaswewentoutI

glancedtowardshislefthand，andsaw，asIexpectedtosee，theabsenceoftheringwhichheusuallyworethere。ItcontainedagemwhichmymotherhadpickedupintheEast，andIknewthathevalueditquitepeculiarly。WealwayscalleditJack’stalisman。”Amiserabletimefollowed，atimeformeofagonizingwonderanddoubt，duringwhichregretformydeadillusionwasentirelyswallowedupintheterribledreadofmybrother’sdegradation。

ThencametheannouncementofhisengagementtoLadySylviaGrey；

andaweeklater，theverydayafterIhadfinallyreturnedtoLondonfromOxford，IreceivedasummonsfromDeliatocomeandseeher。Curiosity，andthehauntingfearaboutJack，whichstillhungroundme，inducedmetoconsenttowhatotherwisewouldhavebeenintolerablyrepellenttome，andIwent。Ifoundherinamadpassionoffury。Jackhadrefusedtoseeherortoanswerherletters，andshehadsentforme，thatImightgivehimhermessage，——tellhimthathebelongedtoherandheronly，andthathenevershouldmarryanotherwoman。Angryatmyinterference，Jackdisdainedeventorepudiateherclaims，onlysendingbackathreatofappealingtothepoliceifsheventureduponanyfurtherannoyance。Iwroteasshetoldme，andsheemphasizedmysilenceonthesubjectbywritingbacktomeamoredefiniteandexplicitassertionofherrights。Beyondthatforsomeweeksshemadenosign。Ihavenodoubtthatshehadmeansofkeepingwatchuponbothhismovementsandmine；andduringthattime，assherelinquishedgraduallyallhopesofinducinghimtoabandonhispurpose，shewasbeingdriventoherlastdespairingresolve。”Later，whenallwasover，Jacktoldmethestoryofthatspringandsummer。Hetoldmehow，whenhefoundmeimmovableonthesubject，hehadresolvedtostopthemarriagesomehowthroughDeliaherself。Hehadmadeheracquaintance，andsoughthersocietyfrequently。Shehadtakenafancytohim，andheadmittedthathehadavailedhimselfofthisfacttoincreasehisintimacywithher，and，ashehopedultimately，hispoweroverher。Buthewasnotconsciousofeverhavingvariedinhismannertowardsherofcontemptuousindifference。Thiscontradictorybehavior，——hisbeingconstantlynearher，yetalwaysbeyondherreach，——wasprobablytheverythingwhichexcitedherfancyintopassion，theonestrongpassionofthepoorwoman’slife。Thencamehisdeliberatedemandthatsheshouldbyherownactunmaskherselfinmysight。Theunfortunatewomantriedtobargainforsomeproofofaffectioninreturn，andonthisoccasionhadfirstopenlydeclaredherfeelingstowardshim。Hedidnotbelieveher；herefusedherterms；butwhenasherpaymentsheaskedfortheringwhichwassoespeciallyassociatedwithhimself，heagreedtogiveittoher。Otherwisehoping，nodoubtagainsthope，dreadingaboveallthingsaquarrelandfinalseparation，shesubmittedunconditionally。Andfromthetimeofthatevening，whenLegardandIhadoverheardherpartingwords，Jackneversawheragainuntilthelastandfinalcatastrophe。”ItwasinJuly。MyparentshadreturnedtoEngland，buthadcomestraightonhere。JackandIwerediningtogetherwithLadySylviaatherfather’shouse——herbrother，youngGrey，makingthefourthatdinner。Ihadarrangedtogotoapartywithyourmother，andI

toldtheservantsthataladywouldcallformeearlyintheevening。ThehousestoodinParkLane，andafterdinnerweallwentoutontothebroadbalconywhichopenedfromthedrawing-

room。Therewasastrongwindblowingthatnight，andIrememberwellthevague，disquietedfeelingofunrealitythatpossessedme，——

sweepingthroughme，asitwere，witheachgustofwind。Then，suddenly，aservantstoodbehindme，sayingthattheladyhadcomeforme，andwasinthedrawing-room。Shockedthatmyauntshouldhavetroubledherselftocomesofar，Iturnedquickly，steppedbackintotheroom，andfoundmyselffacetofacewithDelia。Shewasfullydressedfortheevening，withalongsilkopera-cloakoverhershoulders，herfaceaswhiteashergown，hersplendideyesstrangelywideopenandshining。Idon’tknowwhatIsaidordid；Itriedtogetheraway，butitwastoolate。Theothershadheardus，andappearedattheopenwindow。Jackcameforwardatonce，speakingrapidly，fiercely；tellinghertoleavethehouseatonce；promisingdesperatelythathewouldseeherinhisownroomsonthemorrow。WellIrememberhowheranswerrangout，——”’Neitherto-morrownoranotherday:IwillneverleaveyouagainwhileIlive。’”Atthesameinstantshedrewsomethingswiftlyfromunderhercloak，therewasthesoundofapistolshotandshelaydeadatourfeet，herbloodsplashinguponJack’sshirtandhandsasshefell。”

Alanpausedinhisrecital。Hewastremblingfromheadtofoot；

buthekepthiseyesturnedsteadilydownwards，andbothfaceandvoicewerecold——almostexpressionless。”Ofcoursetherewasaninquest，”heresumed，”which，asusual，exerciseditsveryill-definedpowersininquiringintoallpossiblemotivesforthesuicide。YoungGrey，whohadsteppedintotheroomjustbeforetheshothadbeenfired，sworetothelastwordsDeliahaduttered；Legardtothosehehadoverheardthenightofthatdreadfulsupper:therewerescoresofmentobearwitnesstotheintimaterelationswhichhadexistedbetweenherandJackduringthewholeofthepreviousspring。Ihadtogiveevidence。

Askillfullawyerhadbeenretainedbyoneofhersisters，andhadbeeninstructedbyheronpointswhichnodoubtshehadoriginallylearntfromDeliaherself。Inhishands，IhadnotonlytocorroborateGreyandLegard，andtogivefulldetailsofthatlastinterview，butalsotosweartothepeculiarvaluewhichJackattachedtothetalismanringwhichhehadgivenDelia；tothelanguageshehadheldwhenIsawheraftermyreturnfromOxford；

tohersubsequentletter，andJack’sfatalsilenceontheoccasion。

ThestorybywhichJackandIstrovetoaccountforthefactswaslaughedatasaclumsyinvention，andmyundisguisedreluctanceingivingevidenceaddedgreatlytoitsweightagainstmybrother’scharacter。”Thejuryreturnedaverdictofsuicidewhileofunsoundmind，theresultofdesertionbyherlover。YoumayimaginehowthatverdictwascommenteduponbyeveryRadicalnewspaperinthekingdom，andforoncesocietymorethancorroboratedtheopinionsofthepress。

Thelargerpublicregardedthestoryasanextremecaseoftheinnocentvictimandthecowardlysocietyvillain。ItwasonlyamongacomparativelysmallsetthatDelia’sreputationwasknown，andthere，inviewofJack’snotoriousandpeculiarintimacy，hisrepudiationofallrelationswithherwasreceivedwithcontemptuousincredulity。ThatheshouldhavefirstentereduponsuchrelationsattheverytimewhenhewasalreadycourtingLadySylviawasregardedeveninthosecirclesasa’strongorder，’andtheylookeduponhispresentattitudewithgreatindignation，asacowardlyattempttosavehisowncharacterbycastinguponthedeadwoman’smemoryalltheodiumofafalseaccusation。Withanentireabsenceoflogic，too，hewasmaderesponsibleforthesuicidehavingtakenplaceinLadySylvia’spresence。Shehadbrokenofftheengagementthedayafterthecatastrophe，andherfamily，aclanpowerfulintheLondonworld，furiousatthemudthroughwhichhernamehadbeendragged，didallthattheycouldtointensifythefeelingalreadyexistingagainstJack。”Notavoicewasraisedinhisdefense。Hewasadvisedtoleavethearmy；hewasrequestedtowithdrawfromsomeofhisclubs，turnedoutofothers，avoidedbyhisfastacquaintances，cutbyhisrespectableones。Itwasenoughtokillaweakerman。”Heshowednoresentmentatthemeasurethusdealtouttohim。

Indeed，atthefirst，exceptforSylvia’sdesertionofhim，heseemeddullyindifferenttoitall。Itwasasifhissoulhadbeenstunned，fromthemomentthatthatwretchedwoman’sbloodhadsplasheduponhisfingers，andherdeadeyeshadlookedupintohisown。”Butitwasnotlongbeforeherealizedthefullextentofthesocialdamnationwhichhadbeeninflicteduponhim，andhethenresolvedtoleavethecountryandgotoAmerica。Thenightbeforehestartedhecamedownheretotakeleave。Iwasherelookingaftermyparents——George，whosemindwasalmostunhingedbythefamilydisgrace，havinggoneabroadwithhiswife。Mymotheratthefirstnewsofwhathadhappenedhadtakentoherbed，nevertoleaveitagain；andthusitwasinmypresencealone，upthereinmyfather’slittlestudy，thatJackgavehimthatnightthewholestory。Hetolditquietlyenough；butwhenhehadfinished，withasuddenoutburstoffeelingheturneduponme。ItwasIwhohadbeenthecauseofitall。Myinsensatefollyhadinducedhimtomaketheunhappywoman’sacquaintance，toallowandevenencourageherfatallove，tocommitalltheblundersandsinswhichhadbroughtabouthermiserableendingandhisfinaloverthrow。Itwasbymeansofmethatshehadobtainedaccesstohimonthatdreadfulnight；myevidencewhichmostutterlydamnedhiminpublicopinion；

throughmehehadlosthisreputation，hisfriends，hiscareer，hiscountry，thewomanheloved，hishopesforthefuture；throughme，aboveall，thattheburdenofthathorribledeathwouldlieforeveronhissoul。Hewaslashinghimselftofurywithhisownwordsashespoke；andIstoodleaningagainstthewalloppositetohim，cold，dumb，unresisting，whensuddenlymyfatherinterrupted。

IthinkthatbothJackandIhadforgottenhispresence；butatthesoundofhisvoice，changedfromwhatwehadeverheardit，weturnedtohim，andIthenforthefirsttimesawinhisfacethedeath-lookwhichneverafterwardsquittedit。”’Stop，Jack，’hesaid；’Alanisnottoblame；andifithadnotbeeninthisway，itwouldhavebeeninsomeother。Ionlyamguilty，whobroughtyoubothintoexistencewithmyownhell-

stainedbloodinyourveins。Ifyouwishtocurseanyone，curseyourfamily，yourname，meifyouwill，andmayGodforgivemethatyouwereeverbornintotheworld！’”

Alanstoppedwithashudder，andthencontinued，dully，”ItwaswhenIheardthosewords，themostterriblethatafathercouldhaveuttered，thatIfirstunderstoodallthatthatoldsixteenth-

centurytalemightmeantomeandmine，——Ihaverealizeditvividlyenoughsince。Earlythenextmorning，whenthedawnwasjustbreaking，Jackcametothedoorofmyroomtobidmegood-by。Allhispassionwasgone。Hislooksandtonesseemedpartandparcelofthedimgraymorninglight。Hefreelywithdrewallthechargeshehadmadeagainstmethenightbefore；forgavemeallthesharethatIhadhadinhismisfortunes；andthenbeggedthatIwouldnevercomenearhim，orlethimhearfrommeagain。’Thecurseisheavyuponusboth，’hesaid，’anditistheonlyfavorwhichyoucandome。’Ihaveneverseenhimsince。””Butyouhaveheardofhim！”Iexclaimed；”whathasbecomeofhim？”

Alanraisedhimselftoasittingposture。”ThelastthatIheard，”

hesaid，withacatchinhisvoice，”wasthatinhismiseryandhopelessnesshewastakingtodrink。Georgewritestohim，anddoeswhathecan；butI——Idarenotsayaword，forfearitshouldturntopoisononmylips，——Idarenotliftahandtohelphim，forfearitshouldhavepowertostrikehimtotheground。Theworstmaybeyettocome；Iamstillliving，stillliving:therearedepthsofshametowhichhehasnotsunk。Andoh，Evie，Evie，heismyown，mybest-lovedbrother！”

Allhiscomposurewasgonenow。Hisvoicerosetoakindofwailwiththelastwords，andfoldinghisarmsonhisraisedknee，helethisheadfalluponthem，whilehisfigurequiveredwithscarcelyrestrainedemotion。Therewasasilenceforsomemomentswhilehesatthus，Ilookingoninwretchedhelplessnessbesidehim。Thenheraisedhishead，and，withoutlookingroundatme，wentoninalowtone:”Andwhatisinthefuture？Ipraythatdeathinsteadofshamemaybetheportionofthenextgeneration，andIlookatGeorge’sboysonlytowonderwhichofthemisthehappyonewhoshallsomedayliedeadathisbrother’sfeet。Areyousurprisedatmyresolutionnevertomarry？Thefatalprophecyisrichinitsfulfillment；noneofournameandbloodaresafe；

andthedaymightcomewhenItooshouldhavetocalluponmychildrentocursemefortheirbirth，——shouldhavetowatchwhiletheburdenwhichIcouldnolongerbearalonepressedthelifefromtheirmother’sheart。”

ThroughthetragedyofthisspeechIwasconsciousofafaintsuggestionofcomfort，afar-offglimmer，asofunseenhome-lightsonamidnightsky。Iwasinnomoodthentounderstand，ortoseektounderstand，whatitwas；butIknownowthathiswordshadremovedtheweightofhelplessbanishmentfrommyspirit——thathisheart，speakingthroughthemtomyown，hadmademeforlifethesharerofhisgrief。

VIII

Presentlyhedrewhisshoulderstogetherwithaslightdeterminedjerk，threwhimselfbackuponthegrass，andturningtome，withthattremulous，haggardsmileuponhislipswhichIknewsowell，butwhichhadneverbeforestruckmewithsuchinfinitepathos，”Luckily，”hesaid，”thereareotherthingstodoinlifebesidesbeinghappy。OnlyperhapsyouunderstandnowwhatImeantlastnightwhenIspokeofthingswhichfleshandbloodcannotbear，andyetwhichmustbeborne。”

Suddenlyandsharplyhiswordsrousedagainintoactivitytheloathsomememorywhichmyinterestinhisstoryhadpartiallydeadened。Henoticedthequickinvoluntarycontractionofmymuscles，andreaditaright。”Thatremindsme，”hewenton；”I

mustclaimyourpromise。Ihavetoldyoumystory。Now，tellmeyours。”

Itoldhim；notasIhavesetitdownhere，thoughperhapseveningreaterdetail，butincoherently，bitbybit，whilehehelpedmeoutwithgentlequestions，quicklycomprehendinggestures，andpatientwaitingduringthepausesofexhaustionwhichperforceinterposedthemselves。Asmystoryapproacheditsclimax，hisagitationgrewalmostequaltomyown，andhelistenedtotheclose，histeethclenched，hisbrowsbent，asifpassingagainwithmethroughthatawfulconflict。WhenIhadfinished，itwassomemomentsbeforeeitherofuscouldspeak；andthenheburstforthintobitterself-reproachforhavingsofaryieldedtohisbrother’sangryobstinacyastoallowmetosleepthethirdnightinthatfatalroom。”Itwascowardice，”hesaid，”sheercowardice！Afterallthathashappened，Idarednothaveaquarrelwithoneofmyownblood。AndyetifIhadnothardenedmyheart，IhadreasontoknowwhatIwasrisking。””Howdoyoumean？”Iasked。”Thoseothertwogirlswhosleptthere，”hesaid，breathlessly；”itwasineachcaseafterthethirdnighttherethattheywerefounddead——dead，Evie，sorunsthestory，withamarkupontheirneckssimilarinshapeandpositiontothedeath-woundwhichMargaretMervyninflicteduponherself。”

Icouldnotspeak，butIclutchedhishandwithanalmostconvulsivegrip。”AndIknewthestory，——Iknewit！”hecried。”Asboyswewerenotallowedtohearmuchofourfamilytraditions，butthisoneIknew。

Whenmyfatherredidtheinterioroftheeastroom，heremovedatthesametimeaboardfromabovethedoorwayoutside，onwhichhadbeenwritten——itissaidbyDameAliceherself——awarninguponthisverysubject。Ihappenedtobepresentwhenouroldhousekeeper，whohadbeenhisnurse，remonstratedwithhimwarmlyuponthisact；

andIaskedherafterwardswhattheboardwas，andwhyshecaredaboutitsomuch。Inherexcitementshetoldmethestoryofthoseunhappygirls，repeatingagainandagainthat，ifthewarningweretakenaway，evilwouldcomeofit。””Andshewasright，”Isaid，dully。”Oh，ifonlyyourfatherhadleftitthere！””Isuppose，”heanswered，speakingmorequietly，”thathewasimpatientoftraditionswhich，asItoldyou，heatthattimemorethanhalfdespised。Indeedhealteredtheshapeofthedoorway，raisingit，andmakingitflatandsquare，sothattheoldinscriptioncouldnothavebeenreplaced，evenhaditbeenwished。

IrememberitwasfittedroundthelowTudorarchwhichwaspreviouslythere。”

Mymind，toowornwithmanyemotionsfordeliberatethought，wanderedonlanguidly，andasitweremechanically，upontheselasttrivialwords。Thedoorwaypresenteditselftomyviewasithadoriginallystood，withthediscardedwarningaboveit；andthen，byaspontaneouscomparisonofmentalvision，IrecalledthepaintedboardwhichIhadnoticedthreedaysbeforeinDameAlice’stower。

IsuggestedtoAlanthatitmighthavebeentheidenticalone——itsshapewasashedescribed。”Verylikely，”heanswered，absently。”Doyourememberwhatthewordswere？””Yes，Ithinkso，”Ireplied。”Letmesee。”AndIrepeatedthemslowly，draggingthemoutasitwereonebyonefrommymemory:”Wherethewomansinnedthemaidshallwin；

ButGodhelpthemaidthatsleepswithin。””Yousee，”Isaid，turningtowardshimslowly，”thelastlineisawarningsuchasyouspokeof。”

ButtomysurpriseAlanhadsprungtohisfeet，andwaslookingdownatme，hiswholebodyquiveringwithexcitement。”Yes，Evie，”

hecried，”andthefirstlineisaprophecy；——wherethewomansinnedthemaidHASwon。”HeseizedthehandwhichIinstinctivelyreachedouttohim。”Wehavenotseentheendofthisyet，”hewenton，speakingrapidly，andasifarticulationhadbecomedifficulttohim。”Come，Evie，wemustgobacktothehouseandlookatthecabinet——now，atonce。”

Ihadrisentomyfeetbythistime，butIshrankawayatthosewords。”Tothatroom？Oh，Alan——no，Icannot。”

Hehadholdofmyhandstill，andhetightenedhisgraspuponit。”Ishallbewithyou；youwillnotbeafraidwithme，”hesaid。”Come。”Hiseyeswereburning，hisfaceflushedandpaledinrapidalternation，andhishandheldminelikeaviceofiron。

Iturnedwithhim，andwewalkedbacktotheGrange，Alanquickeninghispaceashewent，tillIalmosthadtorunbyhisside。Asweapproachedthedreadedroommysenseofrepulsionbecamealmostunbearable；butIwasnowinfectedbyhisexcitement，thoughIbutdimlycomprehendeditscause。Wemetnooneonourway，andinamomenthehadhurriedmeintothehouse，upthestairs，andalongthenarrowpassage，andIwasoncemoreintheeastroom，andinthepresenceofallthememoriesofthataccursednight。ForaninstantIstoodstrengthless，helpless，onthethreshold，mygazefixedpanic-strickenonthespotwhereIhadtakensuchawfulpartinthatphantomtragedyofevil；thenAlanthrewhisarmroundme，anddrewmehastilyoninfrontofthecabinet。Withoutapause，givinghimselftimeneithertospeaknorthink，hestretchedouthislefthandandmovedthebuttonsoneafteranother。HoworinwhatdirectionhemovedthemIknownot；

butasthelastturnedwithaclick，thedoors，whichnomortalhandhadunclosedforthreehundredyears，flewback，andthecabinetstoodopen。Igavealittlegaspoffear。Alanpressedhislipscloselytogether，andturnedtomewitheagerquestioninginhiseyes。IpointedinanswertremblinglyatthedrawerwhichI

hadseenopenthenightbefore。Hedrewitout，andthereonitssatinbedlaythedaggerinitssilversheath。Stillwithoutawordhetookitup，andreachinghisrighthandroundme，forI

couldnotnowhavestoodhadhewithdrawnhissupport，withaswiftstrongjerkheunsheathedtheblade。ThereintheclearautumnsunshineIcouldseethesamedullstainsIhadmarkedintheflickeringcandle-light，andoverthem，stillruddyandmoist，werethedropsofmyownhalf-driedblood。Igraspedthelapelofhiscoatwithbothmyhands，andclungtohimlikeachildinterror，whiletheeyesofbothofusremainedfixedasiffascinatedupontheknife-blade。Then，withasuddenstartofmemory，Alanraisedhistothecorniceofthecabinet，andminefollowed。NochangethatIcoulddetecthadtakenplaceinthattwistedgoldwork；butthere，clearinthesightofusboth，stoodforththewordsofthemagicmotto:”Purebloodshedbytheblood-stainedknifeEndsMervynshame，healsMervynstrife。”

InlowsteadytonesAlanreadoutthelines，andthentherewassilence——onmypartofstunnedbewilderment，thebewildermentofaspiritoverwhelmedbeyondthepowerofcomprehensionbyrushing，conflictingemotions。Alanpressedmeclosertohim，whilethesilenceseemedtothrobwiththebeatingofhisheartandthepantingofhisbreath。Butexceptforthatheremainedmotionless，gazingatthegoldenmessagebeforehim。AtlengthIfeltamovement，andlookingupsawhisfaceturneddowntowardsmine，thelipsquivering，thecheeksflushed，theeyessoftwithpassionatefeeling。”Wearesaved，mydarling，”hewhispered；”saved，andthroughyou。”Thenhebenthisheadlower，andthereinthatroomofhorror，Ireceivedthefirstlonglover’skissfrommyowndearhusband’slips……

Myhusband，yes；butnottillsometimeafterthat。Alan’sfirstact，whenhehadoncefullyrealizedthatthecursewasindeedremoved，was——throwinghisbuddingpracticetothewinds——tosetsailforAmerica。TherehesoughtoutJack，andlaboredhardtoimparttohimsomeofhisownnewfoundhope。Itwasslowwork，buthesucceededatlast；andonlylefthimwhen，twoyearslater，hehadhandedhimovertothechargeofabright-eyedWesterngirl，towhomthewholestoryhadbeentold，andwhoshowedherselfreadyandanxioustohelpinbuildingupagainthebrokenlifeofherEnglishlover。Tojudgefromthelettersthatwehavesincereceived，shehasshownherselfwellfittedforthetask。Amongotherthingsshehasmoney，andJack’sworldlyaffairshavesoprosperedthatGeorgedeclaresthathecanwellaffordnowtowastesomeofhissuperfluouscashuponfarmingafewofhiselderbrother’sacres。TheideaseemstosmileuponJack，andIhaveeveryhopethiswinterofbeingabletoinstituteanactualcomparisonbetweenoursmallboy，hisnamesake，andhisownthree-

year-oldAlan。Thecomparison，bytheway，willhavetobeconditional，forJacket——thenamebywhichmysonandheirisfamiliarlyknown——isbutalittlemorethantwo。

Iturnmyeyesforamoment，andtheyfalluponthenortherncorneroftheEastRoom，whichshowsroundtheedgeofthehouse。Thentheskeletonleapsfromthecupboardofmymemory；theicyhandwhichliesevernearmysoulgripsitsuddenlywithachillshudder。Notfornothingwasthatwretchedwoman’slifeinterwovenwithmyown，ifonlyforanhour；notfornothingdidmyspiritharboraconflictandanagony，which，thankGod，arefarfromitsownstory。ThoughMargaretMervyn’sdaggerfailedtopiercemyflesh，thewoundinmysoulmayneverwhollybehealed。Iknowthatthatisso；andyetasIturntostartthroughthesunshinetothecedarshadeanditslaughingoccupants，Iwhispertomyselfwithferventconviction，”Itwasworthit。”

End