第6章

Ascirclesinapondgrowwiderandwider，thenextfact，whichatfirsthadbeenpatentonlytoCythereaherself，induetimespreadtoherneighbours，andthey，too，wonderedthathemadenoovertadvances。BythemiddleofNovember，atheorymadeupofacombinationoftheothertwowasreceivedwithgeneralfavour：itssubstancebeingthataguiltyintriguehadbeencommencedbetweenManstonandMissAldclyffe，someyearsbefore，whenhewasaveryyoungman，andshestillintheenjoymentofsomewomanlybeauty，butnowthathersenioritybegantogrowemphaticshewasbecomingdistastefultohim。Hisfearoftheeffectofthelady"sjealousywould，theysaid，thusleadhimtoconcealfromherhisnewattachmenttoCytherea。AlmosttheonlywomanwhodidnotbelievethiswasCythereaherself，onunmistakablegrounds，whichwerehiddenfromallbesides。Itwasnotonlyinpublic，butevenmoremarkedlyinsecludedplaces，onoccasionswhengallantrywouldhavebeensafefromalldiscovery，thatthisguardedcourseofactionwaspursued，allthestrengthofaconsumingpassionburninginhiseyesthewhile。

2。NOVEMBERTHEEIGHTEENTH

ItwasonaFridayinthismonthofNovemberthatOwenGrayepaidavisittohissister。

HiszealousintegritystillretainedforhimthesituationatBudmouth，andinorderthatthereshouldbeaslittleinterruptionaspossibletohisdutiesthere，hehaddecidednottocometoKnapwatertilllateintheafternoon，andtoreturntoBudmouthbythefirsttrainthenextmorning，MissAldclyffehavingmadeapointoffrequentlyofferinghimlodgingforanunlimitedperiod，tothegreatpleasureofCytherea。

Hereachedthehouseaboutfouro"clock，andringingthebell，askedofthepagewhoanswereditforMissGraye。

WhenGrayespokethenameofhissister，Manston，whowasjustcomingoutfromaninterviewwithMissAldclyffe，passedhiminthevestibuleandheardthequestion。Thesteward"sfacegrewhot，andhesecretlyclenchedhishands。Hehalfcrossedthecourt，thenturnedhisheadandsawthattheladstillstoodatthedoor，thoughOwenhadbeenshownintothehouse。Manstonwentbacktohim。

"Whowasthatman？"hesaid。

"Idon"tknow，sir。"

"Hasheeverbeenherebefore？"

"Yes，sir。"

"Howmanytimes？"

"Three。"

"Youaresureyoudon"tknowhim？"

"IthinkheisMissGraye"sbrother，sir。"

"Then，whythedevildidn"tyousaysobefore！"Manstonexclaimed，andagainwentonhisway。

"Ofcourse，thatwasnotthemanofmydreams——ofcourse，itcouldn"tbe！"hesaidtohimself。"ThatIshouldbesuchafool——

suchanutterfool。GoodGod！toallowagirltoinfluencemelikethis，dayafterday，tillIamjealousofherverybrother。A

lady"sdependent，awaif，ahelplessthingentirelyatthemercyoftheworld；yes，curseit；thatisjustwhyitis；thatfactofherbeingsohelplessagainsttheblowsofcircumstanceswhichrendershersodeliciouslysweet！"

Hepausedoppositehishouse。Shouldhegethishorsesaddled？No。

Hewentdownthedriveandoutofthepark，havingstartedtoproceedtoanoutlyingspotontheestateconcerningsomedraining，andtocallatthepotter"syardtomakeanarrangementforthesupplyofpipes。ButaremarkwhichMissAldclyffehaddroppedinrelationtoCythereawaswhatstilloccupiedhismind，andhadbeentheimmediatecauseofhisexcitementatthesightofherbrother。

MissAldclyffehadmeaninglyremarkedduringtheirintercourse，thatCythereawaswildlyinlovewithEdwardSpringrove，inspiteofhisengagementtohiscousinAdelaide。

"HowIamharassed！"hesaidaloud，afterdeepthoughtforhalf-an-

hour，whilestillcontinuinghiswalkwiththegreatestvehemence。

"HowIamharassedbytheseemotionsofmine！"Hecalmedhimselfbyaneffort。"Well，dutyafterallitshallbe，asnearlyasIcaneffectit。“Honestyisthebestpolicy；“"withwhichvigorouslyutteredresolveheoncemoreattemptedtoturnhisattentiontotheprosyobjectofhisjourney。

Theeveninghadclosedintoadarkanddrearynightwhenthestewardcamefromthepotter"sdoortoproceedhomewardsagain。Thegloomdidnottendtoraisehisspirits，andinthetotallackofobjectstoattracthiseye，hesoonfelltointrospectionasbefore。

Itwasalongthemarginofturnipfieldsthathispathlay，andthelargeleavesofthecropstruckflatlyagainsthisfeetateverystep，pouringuponthemtherollingdropsofmoisturegatheredupontheirbroadsurfaces；buttheannoyancewasunheeded。Nextreachingafirplantation，hemountedthestileandfollowedthepathintothemidstofthedarknessproducedbytheoverhangingtrees。

Afterwalkingunderthedenseshadeoftheinkyboughsforafewminutes，hefanciedhehadmistakenthepath，whichasyetwasscarcelyfamiliartohim。Thiswasproveddirectlyafterwardsbyhiscomingatrightanglesuponsomeobstruction，whichcarefulfeelingwithoutstretchedhandssoontoldhimtobearailfence。

However，asthewoodwasnotlarge，heexperiencednoalarmaboutfindingthepathagain，andwithsomesenseofpleasurehaltedawhileagainsttherails，tolistentotheintenselymelancholyyetmusicalwailofthefir-tops，andasthewindpassedon，thepromptmoanofanadjacentplantationinreply。Hecouldjustdimlydiscerntheairysummitsofthetwoorthreetreesnearesthimwavingrestlesslybackwardsandforwards，andstretchingouttheirboughslikehairyarmsintothedullsky。Thescene，fromitsstrikingandemphaticloneliness，begantogrowcongenialtohismood；allofhumankindseemedattheantipodes。

Asuddenrattleonhisrighthandcausedhimtostartfromhisreverie，andturninthatdirection。There，beforehim，hesawriseupfromamongthetreesafountainofsparksandsmoke，thenaredglareoflightcomingforwardtowardshim；thenaflashingpanoramaofilluminatedoblongpictures；thentheolddarkness，moreimpressivethanever。

Thesurprise，whichhadoweditsorigintohisimperfectacquaintancewiththetopographicalfeaturesofthatendoftheestate，hadbeenbutmomentary；thedisturbance，awell-knownonetodwellersbyarailway，beingcausedbythe6。50down-trainpassingalongashallowcuttinginthemidstofthewoodimmediatelybelowwherehestood，thedriverhavingthefire-dooroftheengineopenattheminuteofgoingby。Thetrainhad，whenpassinghim，alreadyconsiderablyslackenedspeed，andnowawhistlewasheard，announcingthatCarrifordRoadStationwasnotfarinitsvan。

Butcontrarytothenaturalorderofthings，thediscoverythatitwasonlyacommonplacetrainhadnotcausedManstontostirfromhispositionoffacingtherailway。

Ifthe6。50down-trainhadbeenaflashofforkedlightningtransfixinghimtotheearth，hecouldscarcelyhaveremainedinamoretrance-likestate。Hestillleantagainsttherailings，hisrighthandstillcontinuedpressingonhiswalking-stick，hisweightononefoot，hisotherheelraised，hiseyeswideopentowardstheblacknessofthecutting。Theonlymovementinhimwasaslightdroppingofthelowerjaw，separatinghispreviouslyclosedlipsalittleway，aswhenastrangeconvictionrusheshomesuddenlyuponaman。Anewsurprise，notnearlysotrivialasthefirst，hadtakenpossessionofhim。

Itwasonthisaccount。Atoneoftheilluminatedwindowsofasecond-classcarriageintheseriesgoneby，hehadseenapaleface，recliningupononehand，thelightfromthelampfallingfulluponit。Thefacewasawoman"s。

AtlastManstonmoved；gaveawhisperingkindofwhistle，adjustedhishat，andwalkedonagain，cross-questioninghimselfineverydirectionastohowapieceofknowledgehehadcarefullyconcealedhadfounditswaytoanotherperson"sintelligence。"Howcanmyaddresshavebecomeknown？"hesaidatlength，audibly。"Well，itisablessingIhavebeencircumspectandhonourable，inrelationtothat——yes，Iwillsayit，foronce，evenifthewordschokeme，thatdarlingofmine，Cytherea，nevertobemyown，never。Isupposeallwillcomeoutnow。All！"Thegreatsadnessofhisutteranceprovedthatnomeanforcehadbeenexerciseduponhimselftosustainthecircumspectionhehadjustclaimed。

Hewheeledtotheleft，pursuedtheditchbesidetherailwayfence，andpresentlyemergedfromthewood，steppingintoaroadwhichcrossedtherailwaybyabridge。

Ashenearedhome，theanxietylatelywritteninhisface，mergedbydegreesintoagrimlyhumoroussmile，whichhunglonguponhislips，andhequotedaloudalinefromthebookofJeremiah——

"Awomanshallcompassaman。"

3。NOVEMBERTHENINETEENTH。DAYBREAK

Beforeitwaslightthenextmorning，twolittlenakedfeetpatteredalongthepassageinKnapwaterHouse，fromwhichOwenGraye"sbedroomopened，andatapwasgivenuponhisdoor。

"Owen，Owen，areyouawake？"saidCythereainawhisperthroughthekeyhole。"Youmustgetupdirectly，oryou"llmissthetrain。"

Whenhedescendedtohissister"slittleroom，hefoundhertherealreadywaitingwithacupofcocoaandagrilledrasheronthetableforhim。Ahastymealwasdespatchedintheintervalsofputtingonhisovercoatandfindinghishat，andtheythenwentsoftlythroughthelongdesertedpassages，thekitchen-maidwhohadpreparedtheirbreakfastwalkingbeforethemwithalampheldhighaboveherhead，whichcastlongwheelingshadowsdowncorridorsintersectingtheonetheyfollowed，theirremoterendsbeinglostindarkness。Thedoorwasunboltedandtheysteppedout。

Owenhadpreferredwalkingtothestationtoacceptingthepony-

carriagewhichMissAldclyffehadplacedathisdisposal，havingamorbidhorrorofgivingtroubletopeoplericherthanhimself，andespeciallytotheirmen-servants，wholookeddownuponhimasahybridmonsterinsocialposition。Cythereaproposedtowalkalittlewaywithhim。

"IwanttotalktoyouaslongasIcan，"shesaidtenderly。

Brotherandsisterthenemergedbytheheavydoorintothedrive。

Thefeelingandaspectofthehourwerepreciselysimilartothoseunderwhichthestewardhadleftthehousetheeveningprevious，exceptingthatapparentlyunearthlyreversalofnaturalsequence，whichiscausedbytheworldgettinglighterinsteadofdarker。

"Thetearfulglimmerofthelanguiddawn"wasjustsufficienttorevealtothemthemelancholyredleaves，lyingthicklyinthechannelsbytheroadside，everandanonloudlytappedonbyheavydropsofwater，whichtheboughsabovehadcollectedfromthefoggyair。

TheypassedtheOldHouse，engagedinadeepconversation，andhadproceededabouttwentyyardsbyacrossroute，inthedirectionoftheturnpikeroad，whentheformofawomanemergedfromtheporchofthebuilding。

Shewaswrappedinagreywaterproofcloak，thehoodofwhichwasdrawnoverherheadandcloselyroundherface——socloselythathereyeswerethesolefeaturesuncovered。

Withthisoneexceptionofherappearancethere，themostperfectstillnessandsilencepervadedthesteward"sresidencefrombasementtochimney。Notashutterwasopen；notatwineofsmokecameforth。

Underneaththeivy-coveredgatewayshestoodstillandlistenedfortwo，orpossiblythreeminutes，tillshebecameconsciousofothersinthepark。Seeingthepairshesteppedback，withtheapparentintentionoflettingthempassoutofsight，andevidentlywishingtoavoidobservation。Butlookingatherwatch，andreturningitrapidlytoherpocket，asifsurprisedatthelatenessofthehour，shehurriedoutagain，andacrosstheparkbyastillmoreobliquelinethanthattracedbyOwenandhissister。

Theseinthemeantimehadgotintotheroad，andwerewalkingalongitasthewomancameupontheothersideoftheboundaryhedge，lookingforagateorstile，bywhichshe，too，mightgetoffthegrassuponthehardground。

Theirconversation，ofwhicheverywordwasclearanddistinct，inthestillairofthedawn，tothedistanceofaquarterofamile，reachedherears，andwithdrewherattentionfromallothermattersandsightswhatsoever。ThusarrestedshestoodforaninstantaspreciselyintheattitudeofImogenbythecaveofBelarius，asifshehadstudiedthepositionfromtheplay。Whentheyhadadvancedafewsteps，shefollowedtheminsomedoubt，stillscreenedbythehedge。

"Doyoubelieveinsuchoddcoincidences？"saidCytherea。

"Howdoyoumean，believeinthem？Theyoccursometimes。"

"Yes，onewilloccuroftenenough——thatis，twodisconnectedeventswillfallstrangelytogetherbychance，andpeoplescarcelynoticethefactbeyondsaying，“Oddlyenoughithappenedthatsoandsowerethesame，“andsoon。Butwhenthreesucheventscoincidewithoutanyapparentreasonforthecoincidence，itseemsasiftheremustbeinvisiblemeansatwork。Yousee，threethingsfallingtogetherinthatmanneraretentimesassingularastwocasesofcoincidencewhicharedistinct。"

"Well，ofcourse：whatamathematicalheadyouhave，Cytherea！ButIdon"tseesomuchtomarvelatinourcase。Thatthemanwhokeptthepublic-houseinwhichMissAldclyffefainted，andwhofoundouthernameandposition，livesinthisneighbourhood，isaccountedforbythefactthatshegothimtheberthtostophistongue。ThatyoucameherewassimplyowingtoSpringrove。"

"Ah，butlookatthis。MissAldclyffeisthewomanourfatherfirstloved，andIhavecometoMissAldclyffe"s；youcan"tgetoverthat。"

Fromthesepremises，sheproceededtoarguelikeanelderlydivineonthedesignsofProvidencewhichwereapparentinsuchconjunctures，andwentintoavarietyofdetailsconnectedwithMissAldclyffe"shistory。

"HadIbettertellMissAldclyffethatIknowallthis？"sheinquiredatlast。

"What"stheuse？"hesaid。"Yourpossessingtheknowledgedoesnoharm；youareatanyratecomfortablehere，andaconfessiontoMissAldclyffemightonlyirritateher。No，holdyourtongue，Cytherea。"

"IfancyIshouldhavebeentemptedtotellhertoo，"Cythereawenton，"hadInotfoundoutthatthereexistsaveryodd，almostimperceptible，andyetrealconnectionofsomekindbetweenherandMr。Manston，whichismorethanthatofamutualinterestintheestate。"

"Sheisinlovewithhim！"exclaimedOwen；"fancythat！"

"Ah——that"swhateverybodysayswhohasbeenkeenenoughtonoticeanything。Isaidsoatfirst。AndyetnowIcannotpersuademyselfthatsheisinlovewithhimatall。"

"Whycan"tyou？"

"Shedoesn"tactasifshewere。Sheisn"t——youwillknowIdon"tsayitfromanyvanity，Owen——sheisn"ttheleastjealousofme。"

"Perhapssheisinsomewayinhispower。"

"No——sheisnot。Hewasopenlyadvertisedfor，andchosenfromfortyorfiftywhoansweredtheadvertisement，withoutknowingwhoseitwas。Andsincehehasbeenhere，shehascertainlydonenothingtocompromiseherselfinanyway。Besides，whyshouldshehavebroughtanenemyhereatall？"

"Thenshemusthavefalleninlovewithhim。YouknowaswellasI

do，Cyth，thatwithwomenthere"snothingbetweenthetwopolesofemotiontowardsaninterestingmaleacquaintance。"Tiseitherloveoraversion。"

Theywalkedforafewminutesinsilence，whenCytherea"seyesaccidentallyfelluponherbrother"sfeet。

"Owen，"shesaid，"doyouknowthatthereissomethingunusualinyourmannerofwalking？"

"Whatisitlike？"heasked。

"Ican"tquitesay，exceptthatyoudon"twalksoregularlyasyouusedto。"

Thewomanbehindthehedge，whohadstillcontinuedtodogtheirfootsteps，madeanimpatientmovementatthischangeintheirconversation，andlookedatherwatchagain。Yetsheseemedreluctanttogiveoverlisteningtothem。

"Yes，"Owenreturnedwithassumedcarelessness，"Idoknowit。I

thinkthecauseofitisthatmysteriouspainwhichcomesjustabovemyanklesometimes。YourememberthefirsttimeIhadit？Thatdaywewentbysteam-packettoLulsteadCove，whenithinderedmefromcomingbacktoyou，andcompelledmetosleepwiththegatemanwehavebeentalkingabout。"

"Butisitanythingserious，dearOwen？"Cythereaexclaimed，withsomealarm。

"O，nothingatall。Itissuretogooffagain。IneverfindasignofitwhenIsitintheoffice。"

Againtheirunperceivedcompanionmadeagestureofvexation，andlookedatherwatchasiftimewereprecious。Butthedialoguestillflowedonuponthisnewsubject，andshowednosignofreturningtoitsoldchannel。

Gatheringupherskirtdecisivelysherenouncedallfurtherhope，andhurriedalongtheditchtillshehaddroppedintoavalley，andcametoagatewhichwasbeyondtheviewofthosecomingbehind。

Thisshesoftlyopened，andcameoutupontheroad，followingitinthedirectionoftherailwaystation。

PresentlysheheardOwenGraye"sfootstepsinherrear，hisquickenedpaceimplyingthathehadpartedfromhissister。Thewomanthereuponincreasedherrapidwalktoarun，andinafewminutessafelydistancedherfellow-traveller。

TherailwayatCarrifordRoadconsistedonlyofasinglelineofrails；andtheshortlocaldown-trainbywhichOwenwasgoingtoBudmouthwasshuntedontoasidingwhilstthefirstup-trainpassed。Grayeenteredthewaiting-room，andthedoorbeingopenhelistlesslyobservedthemovementsofawomanwearingalonggreycloak，andcloselyhooded，whohadaskedforaticketforLondon。

Hefollowedherwithhiseyesontotheplatform，sawherwaitingthereandafterwardssteppingintothetrain：hisrecollectionofherceasingwiththeperception。

4。EIGHTTOTENO"CLOCKA。M。

Mrs。Crickett，twiceawidow，andnowtheparishclerk"swife，afine-framed，scandal-lovingwoman，withapeculiarcornertohereyebywhich，withoutturningherhead，shecouldseewhatpeopleweredoingalmostbehindher，livedinacottagestandingnearertotheoldmanor-housethananyotherinthevillageofCarriford，andshehadonthataccountbeentemporarilyengagedbythesteward，asarespectablekindofcharwomanandgeneralservant，untilasettledarrangementcouldbemadewithsomepersonaspermanentdomestic。

Everymorning，therefore，Mrs。Crickett，immediatelyshehadlightedthefireinherowncottage，andpreparedthebreakfastforherselfandhusband，pacedherwaytotheOldHousetodothesameforMr。

Manston。Thenshewenthometobreakfast；andwhenthestewardhadeatenhis，andhadgoneoutonhisrounds，shereturnedagaintoclearaway，makehisbed，andputthehouseinorderfortheday。

OnthemorningofOwenGraye"sdeparture，shewentthroughtheoperationsofherfirstvisitasusual——proceededhometobreakfast，andwentbackagain，toperformthoseofthesecond。

EnteringManston"semptybedroom，withherhandsonherhips，sheindifferentlycasthereyesuponthebed，previouslytodismantlingit。

Whilstshelooked，shethoughtinaninattentivemanner，"WhataremarkablyquietsleeperMr。Manstonmustbe！"Theupperbed-

clotheswereflungback，certainly，butthebedwasscarcelydisarranged。"Anybodywouldalmostfancy，"shethought，"thathehadmadeithimselfafterrising。"

Buttheseevanescentthoughtsvanishedastheyhadcome，andMrs。

Crickettsettowork；shedraggedoffthecounterpane，blanketsandsheets，andstoopedtoliftthepillows。Thusstooping，somethingarrestedherattention；shelookedclosely——moreclosely——veryclosely。"Well，tobesure！"wasallshecouldsay。Theclerk"swifestoodasiftheairhadsuddenlysettoamber，andheldherfixedlikeaflyinit。

Theobjectofherwonderwasatrailingbrownhair，verylittlelessthanayardlong，whichproveditclearlytobeahairfromsomewoman"shead。Shedrewitoffthepillow，andtookittothewindow；thereholdingitoutshelookedfixedlyatit，andbecameutterlylostinmeditation：hergaze，whichhadatfirstactivelysettledonthehair，involuntarilydroppedpastitsobjectbydegreesandwaslostonthefloor，astheinnervisionobscuredtheouterone。

Sheatlengthmoistenedherlips，returnedhereyestothehair，wounditroundherfingers，putitinsomepaper，andsecretedthewholeinherpocket。Mrs。Crickett"sthoughtswerewithherworknomorethatmorning。

Shesearchedthehousefromroof-treetocellar，forsomeothertraceoffeminineexistenceorappurtenance；butnonewastobefound。

Shewentoutintotheyard，coal-hole，stable，hay-loft，green-

house，fowl-house，andpiggery，andstilltherewasnosign。Cominginagain，shesawabonnet，eagerlypounceduponit；andfoundittobeherown。

Hastilycompletingherarrangementsintheotherrooms，sheenteredthevillageagain，andcalledatonceonthepostmistress，ElizabethLeat，anintimatefriendofhers，andafemalewhosportedseveraluniquediseasesandafflictions。

Mrs。Crickettunfoldedthepaper，tookoutthehair，andwaveditonhighbeforetheperplexedeyesofElizabeth，whichimmediatelymoonedandwanderedafteritlikeacat"s。

"Whatisit？"saidMrs。Leat，contractinghereyelids，andstretchingouttowardstheinvisibleobjectanarrowbonyhandthatwouldhavebeenanunmitigateddelighttothepencilofCarloCrivelli。

"Youshallhear，"saidMrs。Crickett，complacentlygatheringupthetreasureintoherownfathand；andthesecretwasthensolemnlyimparted，togetherwiththeaccidentofitsdiscovery。

Ashaving-glasswastakendownfromanail，laidonitsbackinthemiddleofatablebythewindow，andthehairspreadcarefullyoutuponit。Thepairthenbentoverthetablefromoppositesides，theirelbowsontheedge，theirhandssupportingtheirheads，theirforeheadsnearlytouching，andtheireyesuponthehair。

"Heha"beenmada"termyladyCytherea，"saidMrs。Crickett，"and"tismyverybeliefthehairis——"

"No"tidn"。Hersidn"sodarkasthat，"saidElizabeth。

"Elizabeth，youknowthatasthefaithfulwifeofaservantoftheChurch，Ishouldbegladtothinkasyoudoaboutthegirl。MindI

don"twishtosayanythingagainstMissGraye，butthisIdosay，thatIbelievehertobeanamelessthing，andshe"snorighttostickamoralclockinherface，anddeceivethecountryinsuchaway。Ifshewasn"tofabadstockattheoutsetshewasbadintheplanten，andifshewasn"tbadintheplanten，shewasbadinthegrowen，andifnotinthegrowen，she"smadebadbywhatshe"sgonethroughsince。"

"ButIhaveanotherreasonforknowingitidn"hers，"saidMrs。

Leat。

"Ah！Iknowwhoseitisthen——MissAldclyffe"s，uponmysong！"

""Tisthecolourofhers，butIdon"tbelieveittobeherseither。"

"Don"tyoubelievewhattheyd"sayaboutherandhim？"

"Isaynothenaboutthat；butyoudon"tknowwhatIknowabouthisletters。"

"Whatabout"em？"

"Hed"postallhislettershereexceptthoseforoneperson，andtheyhed"taketoBudmouth。MysonisinBudmouthPostOffice，asyouknow，andashed"sitatdeskhecanseeovertheblindofthewindowallthepeoplewhod"postletters。Mr。Manstond"

unvariablygotherewi"lettersforthatperson；myboyd"know"embysightwellenoughnow。"

"Isitashe？"

""Tisashe。"

"What"shername？"

"Thelittlestunpollofafellowcouldn"tcalltomindmorethanthat"tisMissSomebody，ofLondon。However，that"sthewomanwhoha"beenhere，dependupon"t——awickedone——somepoorstreet-wenchescapedfromSodom，Iwarrantye。"

"OnlytofindherselfinGomorrah，seemingly。"

"Thatmaybe。"

"No，no，Mrs。Leat，thisiscleartome。"Tisnomisswhocameheretoseeourstewardlastnight——whenevershecameorwherevershevanished。Doyouthinkhewouldha"letamissgetherehowshecould，goawayhowshewould，withoutbreakfastorhelpofanykind？"

Elizabethshookherhead——Mrs。Crickettlookedathersolemnly。

"IsayIknowshehadnohelpofanykind；Iknowitwasso，forthegratewasquitecoldwhenItoucheditthismorningwiththesefingers，andhewasstillinbed。No，hewouldn"ttakethetroubletowriteletterstoagirlandthentreathersooff-handasthat。

There"satiebetween"emstrongerthanfeelen。She"shiswife。"

"Hemarried！TheLordso"s，whatshallwehearnext？Dohelookmarriednow？Hisarenottheabashedeyesandlipsofamarriedman。"

"Perhapsshe"satameone——butshe"shiswifestill。"

"No，no：he"snotamarriedman。"

"Yes，yes，heis。I"vehadthree，andIoughttoknow。"

"Well，well，"saidMrs。Leat，givingway。"Whatevermaybethetruthon"tItrustProvidencewillsettleitallforthebest，asHealwaysdo。"

"Ay，ay，Elizabeth，"rejoinedMrs。Crickettwithasatiricalsigh，assheturnedonherfoottogohome，"goodpeoplelikeyoumaysayso，butIhavealwaysfoundProvidenceadifferentsortoffeller。"

5。NOVEMBERTHETWENTIETH

ItwasMissAldclyffe"scustom，acustomoriginatedbyherfather，andnourishedbyherownexclusiveness，tounlockthepost-bagherselfeverymorning，insteadofallowingthedutytodevolveonthebutler，aswasthecaseinmostoftheneighbouringcountyfamilies。Thebagwasbroughtupstairseachmorningtoherdressing-room，whereshetookoutthecontents，mostlyinthepresenceofhermaidandCytherea，whohadtheentreeofthechamberatallhours，andattendedthereinthemorningatakindofreceptiononasmallscale，whichwasheldbyMissAldclyffeofhernamesakeonly。

Hereshereadherlettersbeforetheglass，whilstundergoingtheoperationofbeingbrushedanddressed。

"Whatwomancanthisbe，Iwonder？"shesaidonthemorningsucceedingthatofthelastsection。"“London，N。！”ItisthefirsttimeinmylifeIeverhadaletterfromthatoutlandishplace，theNorthsideofLondon。"

Cythereahadjustcomeintoherpresencetolearniftherewasanythingforherself；andonbeingthusaddressed，walkeduptoMissAldclyffe"scorneroftheroomtolookatthecuriositywhichhadraisedsuchanexclamation。Butthelady，havingopenedtheenvelopeandreadafewlines，putitquicklyinherpocket，beforeCythereacouldreachherside。

"O，"tisnothing，"shesaid。Sheproceededtomakegeneralremarksinanoticeablyforcedtoneofsang-froid，fromwhichshesoonlapsedintosilence。Notanotherwordwassaidabouttheletter：

sheseemedveryanxioustogetherdressingdone，andtheroomcleared。ThereuponCythereawentawaytotheotherwindow，andafewminuteslaterlefttheroomtofollowherownpursuits。

ItwaslatewhenMissAldclyffedescendedtothebreakfast-tableandthensheseemedtheretonopurpose；tea，coffee，eggs，cutlets，andalltheiraccessories，wereleftabsolutelyuntasted。Thenextthatwasseenofherwaswhenwalkingupanddownthesouthterrace，androundtheflower-beds；herfacewaspale，andhertreadwasfitful，andshecrumpledaletterinherhand。

Dinner-timecameroundasusual；shedidnotspeaktenwords，orindeedseemconsciousofthemeal；forallthatMissAldclyffedidinthewayofeating，dinnermighthavebeentakenoutasintactasitwastakenin。

InherownprivateapartmentMissAldclyffeagainpulledouttheletterofthemorning。Onepassageinitranthus：——

"Ofcourse，beinghiswife，Icouldpublishthefact，andcompelhimtoacknowledgemeatanymoment，notwithstandinghisthreats，andreasoningsthatitwillbebettertowait。Ihavewaited，andwaitedagain，andthetimeforsuchacknowledgmentseemsnonearerthanatfirst。ToshowyouhowpatientlyIhavewaitedIcantellyouthatnottillafortnightago，whenbystressofcircumstancesI

hadbeendriventonewlodgings，haveIeverassumedmymarriedname，solelyonaccountofitshavingbeenhisrequestallalongthatIshouldnotdoit。Thiswritingtoyou，madam，ismyfirstdisobedience，andIamjustifiedinit。Awomanwhoisdriventovisitherhusbandlikeathiefinthenightandthensentawaylikeastreetdog——lefttogetup，unbolt，unbar，andfindherwayoutofthehouseasshebestmay——isjustifiedindoinganything。

"ButshouldIdemandofhimarestitutionofrights，therewouldbeinvolvedapublicitywhichIcouldnotendure，andanoisyscandalflingingmynamethelengthandbreadthofthecountry。

"WhatIstillprefertoanysuchviolentmeansisthatyoureasonwithhimprivately，andcompelhimtobringmehometoyourparishinadecentandcarefulmanner，inthewaythatwouldbeadoptedbyanyrespectableman，whosewifehadbeenlivingawayfromhimforsometime，byreason，say，ofpeculiarfamilycircumstanceswhichhadcauseddisunion，butnotenmity，andwhoatlengthwasenabledtoreinstateherinhishouse。

"Youwill，Iknow，obligemeinthis，especiallyasknowledgeofapeculiartransactionofyourown，whichtookplacesomeyearsago，haslatelycometomeinasingularway。Iwillnotatpresenttroubleyoubydescribinghow。Itisenough，thatIalone，ofallpeopleliving，knowALLTHESIDESOFTHESTORY，thosefromwhomI

collectedithavingeachonlyapartialknowledgewhichconfusesthemandpointstonothing。Onepersonknowsofyourearlyengagementanditssuddentermination；another，ofthereasonofthosestrangemeetingsatinnsandcoffee-houses；another，ofwhatwassufficienttocauseallthis，andsoon。Iknowwhatfitsoneandallthecircumstanceslikeakey，andshowsthemtobethenaturaloutcropofarational(thoughratherrash)lineofconductforayounglady。Youwillatonceperceivehowitwasthatsomeatleastofthesethingswererevealedtome。

"Thisknowledgethen，commonto，andsecretlytreasuredbyusboth，isthegrounduponwhichIbegforyourfriendshipandhelp，withafeelingthatyouwillbetoogeneroustorefuseittome。

"Imayaddthat，asyet，myhusbandknowsnothingofthis，neitherneedheifyouremembermyrequest。"

"Athreat——aflatstingingthreat！asdelicatelywrappedupinwordsasthewomancoulddoit；athreatfromamiserableunknowncreaturetoanAldclyffe，andnottheleastproudmemberofthefamilyeither！Athreatonhisaccount——O，O！shallitbe？"

Presentlythishumourofdefiancevanished，andthemembersofherbodybecamesuppleagain，herproceedingsprovingthatitwasabsolutelynecessarytogiveway，Aldclyffeasshewas。ShewroteashortanswertoMrs。Manston，sayingcivillythatMr。Manston"spossessionofsuchanearrelationwasafactquitenewtoherself，andthatshewouldseewhatcouldbedoneinsuchanunfortunateaffair。

6。NOVEMBERTHETWENTY-FIRST

ManstonreceivedamessagethenextdayrequestinghisattendanceattheHousepunctuallyateighto"clocktheensuingevening。MissAldclyffewasbraveandimperious，butwiththepurposeshehadinviewshecouldnotlookhiminthefacewhilstdaylightshoneuponher。

Thestewardwasshownintothelibrary。Onenteringit，hewasimmediatelystruckwiththeunusualgloomwhichpervadedtheapartment。Thefirewasdeadanddull，onelamp，andthatacomparativelysmallone，wasburningattheextremeend，leavingthemainproportionoftheloftyandsombreroominanartificialtwilight，scarcelypowerfulenoughtorendervisiblethetitlesofthefolioandquartovolumeswhichwerejammedintothelowertiersofthebookshelves。

Afterkeepinghimwaitingformorethantwentyminutes(MissAldclyffeknewthatexcellentrecipefortakingthestiffnessoutofhumanflesh，andforextractingallpre-arrangementfromhumanspeech)sheenteredtheroom。

Manstonsoughthereyedirectly。Thehueofherfeatureswasnotdiscernible，butthecalmglancesheflungathim，fromwhichallattemptatreturninghisscrutinywasabsent，awokehimtotheperceptionthatprobablyhissecretwasbysomemeansorotherknowntoher；howithadbecomeknownhecouldnottell。

Shedrewforththeletter，unfoldedit，andheldituptohim，lettingithangbyonecornerfrombetweenherfingerandthumb，sothatthelightfromthelamp，thoughremote，felldirectlyuponitssurface。

"Youknowwhosewritingthisis？"shesaid。

Hesawthestrokesplainly，instantlyresolvingtoburnhisshipsandhazardallonanadvance。

"Mywife"s，"hesaidcalmly。

Hisquietanswerthrewheroffherbalance。Shehadnomoreexpectedananswerthandoesapreacherwhenheexclaimsfromthepulpit，"Doyoufeelyoursin？"Shehadclearlyexpectedasuddenalarm。

"Andwhyallthisconcealment？"shesaidagain，hervoicerising，asshevainlyendeavouredtocontrolherfeelings，whatevertheywere。

"Itdoesn"tfollowthat，becauseamanismarried，hemusttelleverystrangerofit，madam，"heanswered，justascalmlyasbefore。

"Stranger！well，perhapsnot；but，Mr。Manston，whydidyouchoosetoconcealit，Iaskagain？Ihaveaperfectrighttoaskthisquestion，asyouwillperceive，ifyouconsiderthetermsofmyadvertisement。"

"Iwilltellyou。Thereweretwosimplereasons。Thefirstwasthispracticalone；youadvertisedforanunmarriedman，ifyouremember？"

"OfcourseIremember。"

"Well，anincidentsuggestedtomethatIshouldtryforthesituation。Iwasmarried；but，knowingthatingettinganofficewherethereisarestrictionofthiskind，leavingone"swifebehindisalwaysacceptedasafulfilmentofthecondition，Ileftherbehindforawhile。Theotherreasonis，thatthesetermsofyoursaffordedmeaplausibleexcuseforescaping(forashorttime)thecompanyofawomanIhadbeenmistakeninmarrying。"

"Mistaken！whatwasshe？"theladyinquired。

"Athird-rateactress，whomImetwithduringmystayinLiverpoollastsummer，whereIhadgonetofulfilashortengagementwithanarchitect。"

"Wheredidshecomefrom？"

"SheisanAmericanbybirth，andIgrewtodislikeherwhenwehadbeenmarriedaweek。"

"Shewasugly，Iimagine？"

"Sheisnotanuglywomanbyanymeans。"

"Uptotheordinarystandard？"

"Quiteuptotheordinarystandard——indeed，handsome。Afterawhilewequarrelledandseparated。"

"Youdidnotill-useher，ofcourse？"saidMissAldclyffe，withalittlesarcasm。

"Ididnot。"

"Butatanyrate，yougotthoroughlytiredofher。"

Manstonlookedasifhebegantothinkherquestionsputofplace；

however，hesaidquietly，"Ididgettiredofher。Inevertoldherso，butweseparated；Itocomehere，bringingherwithmeasfarasLondonandleavingherthereinperfectlycomfortablequarters；andthoughyouradvertisementexpressedasingleman，Ihavealwaysintendedtotellyouthewholetruth；andthiswaswhenIwasgoingtotellit，whenyoursatisfactionwithmycarefulmanagementofyouraffairsshouldhaveprovedtherisktobeasafeonetorun。"

Shebowed。

"ThenIsawthatyouweregoodenoughtobeinterestedinmywelfaretoagreaterextentthanIcouldhaveanticipatedorhoped，judgingyoubythefrigidityofotheremployers，andthiscausedmetohesitate。Iwasvexedatthecomplicationofaffairs。Somattersstoodtillthreenightsago；Iwasthenwalkinghomefromthepottery，andcameuptotherailway。Thedown-traincamealongclosetome，andthere，sittingatacarriagewindow，Isawmywife：

shehadfoundoutmyaddress，andhadthereupondeterminedtofollowmehere。Ihadnotbeenhomemanyminutesbeforeshecamein，nextmorningearlysheleftagain——"

"Becauseyoutreatedhersocavalierly？"

"AndasIsuppose，wrotetoyoudirectly。That"sthewholestoryofher，madam。"WhateverwereManston"srealfeelingstowardstheladywhohadreceivedhisexplanationinthesesupercilioustones，theyremainedlockedwithinhimaswithinacasketofsteel。

"Didyourfriendsknowofyourmarriage，MrManston？"shecontinued。

"Nobodyatall；wekeptitasecretforvariousreasons。"

"Itistruethenthat，asyourwifetellsmeinthisletter，shehasnotpassedasMrs。Manstontillwithintheselastfewdays？"

"Itisquitetrue；Iwasinreceiptofaverysmallanduncertainincomewhenwemarried；andsoshecontinuedplayingatthetheatreasbeforeourmarriage，andinhermaidenname。"

"Hassheanyfriends？"

"IhaveneverheardthatshehasanyinEngland。Shecameoverhereonsometheatricalspeculation，asoneofacompanywhoweregoingtodomuch，butwhoneverdidanything；andhereshehasremained。"

Apauseensued，whichwasterminatedbyMissAldclyffe。

"Iunderstand，"shesaid。"Now，thoughIhavenodirectrighttoconcernmyselfwithyourprivateaffairs(beyondthosewhicharisefromyourmisleadingmeandgettingtheofficeyouhold)——"

"Astothat，madam，"heinterrupted，ratherhotly，"astocominghere，Iamvexedasmuchasyou。Somebody，amemberoftheInstituteofArchitects——who，Icouldnevertell——senttomyoldaddressinLondonyouradvertisementcutfromthepaper；itwasforwardedtome；IwantedtogetawayfromLiverpool，anditseemedasifthiswasputinmywayonpurpose，bysomeoldfriendorother。Iansweredtheadvertisementcertainly，butIwasnotparticularlyanxioustocomehere，noramIanxioustostay。"

MissAldclyffedescendedfromhaughtysuperioritytowomanlypersuasionwithahastewhichwasalmostludicrous。Indeed，theQuosegoofthewholelecturehadbeenlessthegenuinemenaceoftheimperiousrulerofKnapwaterthananartificialutterancetohideafailingheart。

"Now，now，Mr。Manston，youwrongme；don"tsupposeIwishtobeoverbearing，oranythingofthekind；andyouwillallowmetosaythismuch，atanyrate，thatIhavebecomeinterestedinyourwife，aswellasinyourself。"

"Certainly，madam，"hesaid，slowly，likeamanfeelinghiswayinthedark。Manstonwasutterlyatfaultnow。Hispreviousexperienceoftheeffectofhisformandfeaturesuponwomankindenmasse，hadtaughthimtoflatterhimselfthathecouldaccountbythesamelawofnaturalselectionfortheextraordinaryinterestMissAldclyffehadhithertotakeninhim，asanunmarriedman；aninteresthedidnotatallobjectto，seeingthatitkepthimnearCytherea，andenabledhim，amanofnowealth，toruleontheestateasifhewereitslawfulowner。LikeCuriusathisSabinefarm，hehadcountedithisglorynottopossessgoldhimself，buttohavepoweroverherwhodid。Butatthishintofthelady"swishtotakehiswifeunderherwingalso，hewasperplexed：couldshehaveanysinistermotiveindoingso？Buthedidnotallowhimselftobetroubledwiththesedoubts，whichonlyconcernedhiswife"shappiness。

"Shetellsme，"continuedMissAldclyffe，"howutterlyaloneintheworldshestands，andthatisanadditionalreasonwhyIshouldsympathizewithher。Instead，then，ofrequestingthefavourofyourretirementfromthepost，anddismissingyourinterestsaltogether，Iwillretainyouasmystewardstill，onconditionthatyoubringhomeyourwife，andlivewithherrespectably，inshort，asifyoulovedher；youunderstand。IWISHyoutostayhereifyougrantthateverythingshallflowsmoothlybetweenyourselfandher。"

Thebreastandshouldersofthestewardrose，asifanexpressionofdefiancewasabouttobepouredforth；beforeittookform，hecontrolledhimselfandsaid，inhisnaturalvoice——

"Mypartoftheperformanceshallbecarriedout，madam。"

"Andheranxietytoobtainastandingintheworldensuresthatherswill，"repliedMissAldclyffe。"Thatwillbesatisfactory，then。"

Afterafewadditionalremarks，shegentlysignifiedthatshewishedtoputanendtotheinterview。Thestewardtookthehintandretired。

Hefeltvexedandmortified；yetinwalkinghomewardhewasconvincedthattellingthewholetruthashehaddone，withthesingleexceptionofhisloveforCytherea(whichhetriedtohideevenfromhimself)，hadneverservedhiminbettersteadthanithaddonethatnight。

ManstonwenttohisdeskandthoughtofCytherea"sbeautywiththebitterest，wildestregret。Afterthelapseofafewminuteshecalmedhimselfbyastoicaleffort，andwrotethesubjoinedlettertohiswife：——

"KNAPWATER，November21，1864。

"DEAREUNICE，——IhopeyoureachedLondonsafelyafteryourflightyvisittome。

"AsIpromised，Ihavethoughtoverourconversationthatnight，andyourwishthatyourcominghereshouldbenolongerdelayed。Afterall，itwasperfectlynaturalthatyoushouldhavespokenunkindlyasyoudid，ignorantasyouwereofthecircumstanceswhichboundme。

"SoIhavemadearrangementstofetchyouhomeatonce。Itishardlyworthwhileforyoutoattempttobringwithyouanyluggageyoumayhavegatheredaboutyou(beyondmereclothing)。Disposeofsuperfluousthingsatabroker"s；yourbringingthemwouldonlymakeatalkinthisparish，andleadpeopletobelievewehadlongbeenkeepinghouseseparately。

"WillnextMondaysuityouforcoming？Youhavenothingtodothatcanoccupyyouformorethanadayortwo，asfarasIcansee，andtheremainderofthisweekwillaffordampletime。IcanbeinLondonthenightbefore，andwewillcomedowntogetherbythemid-

daytrain——Yourveryaffectionatehusband，"AENEASMANSTON。

"Now，ofcourse，IshallnolongerwritetoyouasMrs。Rondley。"

Theaddressontheenvelopewas——

MRS。MANSTON，41CHARLESSQUARE，HOXTON，LONDON，N。

Hetookthelettertothehouse，anditbeingtoolateforthecountrypost，sentoneofthestablemenwithittoCasterbridge，insteadoftroublingtogotoBudmouthwithithimselfasheretofore。Hehadnolongeranynecessitytokeephisconditionasecret。

7。FROMTHETWENTY-SECONDTOTHETWENTY-SEVENTHOFNOVEMBER

ButthenextmorningManstonfoundthathehadbeenforgetfulofanothermatter，innamingthefollowingMondaytohiswifeforthejourney。

Thefactwasthis。Aletterhadjustcome，remindinghimthathehadleftthewholeofthesucceedingweekopenforanimportantbusinessengagementwithaneighbouringland-agent，atthatgentleman"sresidencethirteenmilesoff。Theparticulardayhehadsuggestedtohiswife，had，intheinterim，beenappropriatedbyhiscorrespondent。Themeetingcouldnotnowbeputoff。

Sohewroteagaintohiswife，statingthatbusiness，whichcouldnotbepostponed，calledhimawayfromhomeonMonday，andwouldentirelypreventhimcomingallthewaytofetchheronSundaynightashehadintended，butthathewouldmeetherattheCarrifordRoadStationwithaconveyancewhenshearrivedthereintheevening。

Thenextdaycamehiswife"sanswertohisfirstletter，inwhichshesaidthatshewouldbereadytobefetchedatthetimenamed。

Havingalreadywrittenhissecondletter，whichwasbythattimeinherhands，hemadenofurtherreply。

Theweekpassedaway。Thestewardhad，inthemeantime，letitbecomegenerallyknowninthevillagethathewasamarriedman，andbyalittlejudiciousmanagement，soundfamilyreasonsforhispastsecrecyuponthesubject，whichwerefloatedasadjunctstothestory，wereplacidlyreceived；theyseemedsonaturalandjustifiabletotheunsophisticatedmindsofnine-tenthsofhisneighbours，thatcuriosityinthematter，beyondastrongcuriositytoseethelady"sface，waswell-nighextinguished。

X。THEEVENTSOFADAYANDNIGHT

1。NOVEMBERTHETWENTY-EIGHTH。UNTILTENP。M。

Mondaycame，thedaynamedforMrs。Manston"sjourneyfromLondontoherhusband"shouse；adayofsingularandgreatevents，influencingthepresentandfutureofnearlyallthepersonageswhoseactionsinacomplexdramaformthesubjectofthisrecord。

Theproceedingsofthestewarddemandthefirstnotice。Whilsttakinghisbreakfastonthisparticularmorning，theclockpointingtoeight，thehorse-and-gigthatwastotakehimtoChettlewoodwaitingreadyatthedoor，ManstonhurriedlycasthiseyesdownthecolumnofBradshawwhichshowedthedetailsanddurationoftheselectedtrain"sjourney。

Theinspectionwascarelesslymade，theleafbeingkeptopenbytheaidofonehand，whilsttheotherstillheldhiscupofcoffee；muchmorecarelesslythanwouldhavebeenthecasehadtheexpectednew-

comerbeenCythereaGraye，insteadofhislawfulwife。

Hedidnotperceive，branchingfromthecolumndownwhichhisfingerran，asmalltwist，calledashunting-line，insertedataparticularplace，toimplythatatthatpointthetrainwasdividedintotwo。

BythisoversightheunderstoodthatthearrivalofhiswifeatCarrifordRoadStationwouldnotbetilllateintheevening：bythesecondhalfofthetrain，containingthethird-classpassengers，andpassingtwohoursandthree-quarterslaterthanthepreviousone，bywhichthelady，asasecond-classpassenger，wouldreallybebrought。

Hethenconsideredthattherewouldbeplentyoftimeforhimtoreturnfromhisday"sengagementtomeetthistrain。Hefinishedhisbreakfast，gaveproperandprecisedirectionstohisservantonthepreparationsthatweretobemadeforthelady"sreception，jumpedintohisgig，anddroveofftoLordClaydonfield"s，atChettlewood。

HewentalongbythefrontofKnapwaterHouse。HecouldnothelpturningtolookatwhatheknewtobethewindowofCytherea"sroom。

Whilsthelooked，ahopelessexpressionofpassionateloveandsensuousanguishcameuponhisfaceandlingeredthereforafewseconds；then，asonpreviousoccasions，itwasresolutelyrepressed，andhetrottedalongthesmoothwhiteroad，againendeavouringtobanishallthoughtoftheyounggirlwhosebeautyandgracehadsoenslavedhim。

Thusitwasthatwhen，intheeveningofthesameday，Mrs。ManstonreachedCarrifordRoadStation，herhusbandwasstillatChettlewood，ignorantofherarrival，andonlookingupanddowntheplatform，drearywithautumngloomandwind，shecouldseenosignthatanypreparationwhateverhadbeenmadeforherreceptionandconducthome。

Thetrainwenton。Shewaited，fidgetedwiththehandleofherumbrella，walkedabout，strainedhereyesintothegloomofthechillynight，listenedforwheels，tappedwithherfoot，andshowedalltheusualsignsofannoyanceandirritation：shewasthemoreirritatedinthatthisseemedasecondandculminatinginstanceofherhusband"sneglect——thefirsthavingbeenshowninhisnotfetchingher。

Reflectingawhileuponthecourseitwouldbebesttotake，inordertosecureapassagetoKnapwater，shedecidedtoleaveallherluggage，exceptadressing-bag，inthecloak-room，andwalktoherhusband"shouse，asshehaddoneonherfirstvisit。Sheaskedoneoftheportersifhecouldfindaladtogowithherandcarryherbag：heofferedtodoithimself。

Theporterwasagood-tempered，shallow-minded，ignorantman。Mrs。

Manston，beingapparentlyinverygloomyspirits，wouldprobablyhavepreferredwalkingbesidehimwithoutsayingaword：buthercompanionwouldnotallowsilencetocontinuebetweenthemforalongerperiodthantwoorthreeminutestogether。

Hehadvolunteeredseveralremarksuponherarrival，chieflytotheeffectthatitwasveryunfortunateMr。Manstonhadnotcometothestationforher，whenshesuddenlyaskedhimconcerningtheinhabitantsoftheparish。

Hetoldhercategoricallythenamesofthechief——firstthechiefpossessorsofproperty；thenofbrains；thenofgoodlooks。AsfirstamongthelatterhementionedMissCythereaGraye。

Aftergettinghimtodescribeherappearanceascompletelyaslayinhispower，shewormedoutofhimthestatementthateverybodyhadbeensaying——beforeMrs。Manston"sexistencewasheardof——howwellthehandsomeMr。ManstonandthebeautifulMissGrayeweresuitedforeachotherasmanandwife，andthatMissAldclyffewastheonlyoneintheparishwhotooknointerestinbringingaboutthematch。

"Heratherlikedheryouthink？"

Theporterbegantothinkhehadbeentooexplicit，andhastenedtocorrecttheerror。

"Ono，hedon"tcareabitabouther，ma"am，"hesaidsolemnly。

"Notmorethanhedoesaboutme？"

"Notabit。"

"Thenthatmustbelittleindeed，"Mrs。Manstonmurmured。Shestoodstill，asifreflectinguponthepainfulneglectherwordshadrecalledtohermind；then，withasuddenimpulse，turnedround，andwalkedpetulantlyafewstepsbackagaininthedirectionofthestation。

Theporterstoodstillandlookedsurprised。

"I"llgobackagain；yes，indeed，I"llgobackagain！"shesaidplaintively。Thenshepausedandlookedanxiouslyupanddownthedesertedroad。

"No，Imustn"tgobacknow，"shecontinued，inatoneofresignation。Seeingthattheporterwaswatchingher，sheturnedaboutandcameonasbefore，givingventtoaslightlaugh。

Itwasalaughfullofcharacter；thelowforcedlaughwhichseekstohidethepainfulperceptionofahumiliatingpositionunderthemaskofindifference。

Altogetherherconducthadshownhertobewhatinfactshewas，aweak，thoughacalculatingwoman，oneclevertoconceive，weaktoexecute：onewhosebest-laidschemeswereforeverliabletobefrustratedbytheineradicableblightofvacillationatthecriticalhourofaction。

"O，ifIhadonlyknownthatallthiswasgoingtohappen！"shemurmuredagain，astheypacedalongupontherustlingleaves。

"Whatdidyousay，ma"am？"saidtheporter。

"O，nothingparticular；wearegettingneartheoldmanor-housebythistime，Iimagine？"

"Verynearnow，ma"am。"

TheysoonreachedManston"sresidence，roundwhichthewindblewmournfullyandchill。

Passingunderthedetachedgateway，theyenteredtheporch。Theportersteppedforward，knockedheavilyandwaited。

Nobodycame。

Mrs。Manstonthenadvancedtothedoorandgaveadifferentseriesofrappings——lessforcible，butmoresustained。

Therewasnotamovementofanykindinside，notarayoflightvisible；nothingbuttheechoofherownknocksthroughthepassages，andthedryscratchingofthewitheredleavesblownaboutherfeetupontheflooroftheporch。

Thesteward，ofcourse，wasnotathome。Mrs。Crickett，notexpectingthatanybodywouldarrivetillthetimeofthelatertrain，hadsettheplaceinorder，laidthesupper-table，andthenlockedthedoor，togointothevillageandconversewithherfriends。

"Isthereaninninthevillage？"saidMrs。Manston，afterthefourthandloudestrappingupontheiron-studdedolddoorhadresultedonlyinthefourthandloudestechofromthepassagesinside。

"Yes，ma"am。"

"Whokeepsit？"

"FarmerSpringrove。"

"Iwillgothereto-night，"shesaiddecisively。"Itistoocold，andaltogethertoobad，forawomantowaitintheopenroadonanybody"saccount，gentleorsimple。"

Theywentdowntheparkandthroughthegate，intothevillageofCarriford。BythetimetheyreachedtheThreeTranters，itwasverginguponteno"clock。There，onthespotwheretwomonthsearlierintheseasonthesunnyandlivelygroupofvillagersmakingciderunderthetreeshadgreetedCytherea"seyes，wasnothingnowintelligiblebutavastcloakofdarkness，fromwhichcamethelowsoughoftheelms，andtheoccasionalcreakoftheswingingsign。

Theywenttothedoor，Mrs。Manstonshivering；butlessfromthecold，thanfromthedrearinessofheremotions。Neglectisthecoldestofwinterwinds。

ItsohappenedthatEdwardSpringrovewasexpectedtoarrivefromLondoneitheronthateveningorthenext，andatthesoundofvoiceshisfathercametothedoorfullyexpectingtoseehim。A

pictureofdisappointmentseldomwitnessedinaman"sfacewasvisibleinoldMr。Springrove"s，whenhesawthatthecomerwasastranger。

Mrs。Manstonaskedforaroom，andonethathadbeenpreparedforEdwardwasimmediatelynamedasbeingreadyforher，anotherbeingadaptableforEdward，shouldhecomein。

Withouttakinganyrefreshment，orenteringanyroomdownstairs，orevenliftingherveil，shewalkedstraightalongthepassageanduptoherapartment，thechambermaidprecedingher。

"IfMr。Manstoncomesto-night，"shesaid，sittingonthebedasshehadcomein，andaddressingthewoman，"tellhimIcannotseehim。"

"Yes，ma"am。"

Thewomanlefttheroom，andMrs。Manstonlockedthedoor。Beforetheservanthadgonedownmorethantwoorthreestairs，Mrs。

Manstonunfastenedthedooragain，andhelditajar。

"Bringmesomebrandy，"shesaid。

Thechambermaidwentdowntothebarandbroughtupthespiritinatumbler。Whenshecameintotheroom，Mrs。Manstonhadnotremovedasinglearticleofapparel，andwaswalkingupanddown，asifstillquiteundecideduponthecourseitwasbesttoadopt。

Outsidethedoor，whenitwascloseduponher，themaidpausedtolistenforaninstant。SheheardMrs。Manstontalkingtoherself。

"Thisiswelcomehome！"shesaid。

2。FROMTENTOHALF-PASTELEVENP。M。

Astrangeconcurrenceofphenomenanowconfrontsus。

Duringtheautumninwhichthepastsceneswereenacted，Mr。

Springrovehadploughed，harrowed，andcleanedanarrowandshadedpieceofground，lyingatthebackofhishouse，whichformanyyearshadbeenlookeduponasirreclaimablewaste。

Thecouch-grassextractedfromthesoilhadbeenlefttowitherinthesun；afterwardsitwasrakedtogether，lightedinthecustomaryway，andnowlaysmoulderinginalargeheapinthemiddleoftheplot。

IthadbeenkindledthreedaysprevioustoMrs。Manston"sarrival，andoneortwovillagers，ofamorecautiousandlesssanguinetemperamentthanSpringrove，hadsuggestedthatthefirewasalmosttoonearthebackofthehouseforitscontinuancetobeunattendedwithrisk；forthoughnodangercouldbeapprehendedwhilsttheairremainedmoderatelystill，abriskbreezeblowingtowardsthehousemightpossiblycarryasparkacross。

"Ay，that"strueenough，"saidSpringrove。"Imustlookroundbeforegoingtobedandseethateverything"ssafe；buttotellthetruthIamanxioustogettherubbishburntupbeforetheraincomestowashitintogroundagain。Astocarryingthecouchintothebackfieldtoburn，andbringingitbackagain，why，"tismorethantheasheswouldbeworth。"

"Well，that"sverytrue，"saidtheneighbours，andpassedon。

Twoorthreetimesduringthefirsteveningaftertheheapwaslit，hewenttothebackdoortotakeasurvey。Beforeboltingandbarringupforthenight，hemadeafinalandmorecarefulexamination。Theslowly-smokingpileshowednottheslightestsignsofactivity。Springrove"sperfectlysoundconclusionwas，thataslongastheheapwasnotstirred，andthewindcontinuedinthequarteritblewfromthen，thecouchwouldnotflame，andthattherecouldbenoshadowofdangertoanything，evenacombustiblesubstance，thoughitwerenomorethanayardoff。

Thenextmorningtheburningcouchwasdiscoveredinpreciselythesamestateaswhenhehadgonetobedtheprecedingnight。Theheapsmokedinthesamemannerthewholeofthatday：atbed-timethefarmerlookedtowardsit，butlesscarefullythanonthefirstnight。

Themorningandthewholeofthethirddaystillsawtheheapinitsoldsmoulderingcondition；indeed，thesmokewasless，andthereseemedaprobabilitythatitmighthavetobere-kindledonthemorrow。

AfteradmittingMrs。Manstontohishouseintheevening，andhearingherretire，Mr。Springrovereturntothefrontdoortolistenforasoundofhisson，andinquiredconcerninghimoftherailway-porter，whosatforawhileinthekitchen。TheporterhadnotnoticedyoungMr。Springrovegetoutofthetrain，atwhichintelligencetheoldmanconcludedthathewouldprobablynotseehissontillthenextday，asEdwardhadhithertomadeapointofcomingbythetrainwhichhadbroughtMrs。Manston。

Half-an-hourlatertheporterlefttheinn，Springroveatthesametimegoingtothedoortolistenagainaninstant，thenhewalkedroundandinatthebackofthehouse。

Thefarmerglancedattheheapcasuallyandindifferentlyinpassing；twonightsofsafetyseemedtoensurethethird；andhewasabouttoboltandbarasusual，whentheideastruckhimthattherewasjustapossibilityofhisson"sreturnbythelatesttrain，unlikelyasitwasthathewouldbesodelayed。Theoldmanthereuponleftthedoorunfastened，lookedtohisusualmattersindoors，andwenttobed，itbeingthenhalf-pastteno"clock。

Farmersandhorticulturistswellknowthatitisinthenatureofaheapofcouch-grass，whenkindledincalmweather，tosmoulderformanydays，andevenweeks，untilthewholemassisreducedtoapowderycharcoalash，displayingthewhilescarcelyasignofcombustionbeyondthevolcano-likesmokefromitssummit；butthecontinuanceofthisquietprocessisthroughoutitslengthatthemercyofoneparticularwhimofNature：thatis，asuddenbreeze，bywhichtheheapisliabletobefannedintoaflamesobriskastoconsumethewholeinanhourortwo。

Hadthefarmernarrowlywatchedthepilewhenhewenttoclosethedoor，hewouldhaveseen，besidesthefamiliartwineofsmokefromitssummit，aquiveringoftheairaroundthemass，showingthataconsiderableheathadariseninside。

Astherailway-porterturnedthecorneroftherowofhousesadjoiningtheThreeTranters，abrisknewwindgreetedhisface，andspreadpasthimintothevillage。Hewalkedalongthehigh-roadtillhecametoagate，aboutthreehundredyardsfromtheinn。

Overthegatecouldbediscernedthesituationofthebuildinghehadjustquitted。Hecarelesslyturnedhisheadinpassing，andsawbehindhimaclearredglowindicatingthepositionofthecouch-

heap：aglowwithoutaflame，increasinganddiminishinginbrightnessasthebreezequickenedorfell，likethecoalofanewlylightedcigar。Ifthosecottageshadbeenhis，hethought，heshouldnotcaretohaveafiresonearthemasthat——andthewindrising。Butthecottagesnotbeinghis，hewentonhiswaytothestation，wherehewasabouttoresumedutyforthenight。Theroadwasnowquitedeserted：tillfouro"clockthenextmorning，whenthecarterswouldgobytothestablestherewaslittleprobabilityofanyhumanbeingpassingtheThreeTrantersInn。

Byeleven，everybodyinthehousewasasleep。Ittrulyseemedasifthetreacherouselementknewtherehadarisenagrandopportunityfordevastation。

Ataquarterpastelevenaslightstealthycracklemadeitselfheardamidtheincreasingmoansofthenightwind；theheapglowedbrighterstill，andburstintoaflame；theflamesank，anotherbreezeenteredit，sustainedit，anditgrewtobefirstcontinuousandweak，thencontinuousandstrong。

Attwentyminutespastelevenablastofwindcarriedanairybitofignitedfernseveralyardsforward，inadirectionparalleltothehousesandinn，andtheredepositeditontheground。

Fiveminuteslateranotherpuffofwindcarriedasimilarpiecetoadistanceoffive-and-twentyyards，whereitalsowasdroppedsoftlyontheground。

Stillthewinddidnotblowinthedirectionofthehouses，andevennowtoacasualobservertheywouldhaveappearedsafe。ButNaturedoesfewthingsdirectly。Aminutelateryet，anignitedfragmentfelluponthestrawcoveringofalongthatchedheapor"grave"ofmangel-wurzel，lyinginadirectionatrightanglestothehouse，anddowntowardthehedge。Therethefragmentfadedtodarkness。

Ashorttimesubsequenttothis，aftermanyintermediatedepositsandseeminglybaffledattempts，anotherfragmentfellonthemangel-

wurzelgrave，andcontinuedtoglow；theglowwasincreasedbythewind；thestrawcaughtfireandburstintoflame。Itwasinevitablethattheflameshouldrunalongtheridgeofthethatchtowardsapiggeryattheend。Yethadthepiggerybeentiled，thetime-

honouredhostelwouldevennowatthislastmomenthavebeensafe；

butitwasconstructedaspiggeriesaremostlyconstructed，ofwoodandthatch。Thehurdlesandstrawroofofthefrailerectionbecameignitedintheirturn，andabuttingasthesheddidonthebackoftheinn，flameduptotheeavesofthemainroofinlessthanthirtyseconds。