第7章

3。HALF-PASTELEVENTOTWELVEP。M。

AhazardouslengthoftimeelapsedbeforetheinmatesoftheThreeTrantersknewoftheirdanger。Whenatlengththediscoverywasmade，therushwasarushforbarelife。

Aman"svoicecalling，thenscreams，thenloudstampingandshoutswereheard。

Mr。Springroveranoutfirst。Twominuteslaterappearedtheostlerandchambermaid，whoweremanandwife。Theinn，ashasbeenstated，wasaquaintoldbuilding，andasinflammableasabee-hive；

itoverhungthebaseatthelevelofthefirstfloor，andagainoverhungattheeaves，whichwerefinishedwithheavyoakbarge-

boards；everyatominitssubstance，everyfeatureinitsconstruction，favouredthefire。

Theforkedflames，luridandsmoky，becamenearlylosttoview，burstingforthagainwithaboundandloudcrackle，increasedtenfoldinpowerandbrightness。Thecracklinggrewsharper。Longquiveringshadowsbegantobeflungfromthestatelytreesattheendofthehouse；thesquareoutlineofthechurchtower，ontheothersideoftheway，whichhadhithertobeenadarkmassagainstaskycomparativelylight，nowbegantoappearasalightobjectagainstaskyofdarkness；andeventhenarrowsurfaceoftheflag-

staffatthetopcouldbeseeninitsdarksurrounding，broughtoutfromitsobscuritybytheraysfromthedancinglight。

Shoutsandothernoisesincreasedinloudnessandfrequency。Thelapseoftenminutesbroughtmostoftheinhabitantsofthatendofthevillageintothestreet，followedinashorttimebytherector，Mr。Raunham。

Castingahastyglanceupanddown，hebeckonedtooneortwoofthemen，andvanishedagain。Inashorttimewheelswereheard，andMr。

Raunhamandthemenreappeared，withthegardenengine，theonlyoneinthevillage，exceptthatatKnapwaterHouse。Aftersomelittletroublethehosewasconnectedwithatankintheoldstable-yard，andthepunyinstrumentbegantoplay。

Severalseemedparalyzedatfirst，andstoodtransfixed，theirrigidfaceslookinglikered-hotironintheglaringlight。Intheconfusionawomancried，"Ringthebellsbackwards！"andthreeorfouroftheoldandsuperstitiousenteredthebelfryandjangledthemindescribably。Somewereonlyhalfdressed，and，toaddtothehorror，amongthemwasClerkCrickett，runningupanddownwithafacestreamingwithblood，ghastlyandpitifultosee，hisexcitementbeingsogreatthathehadnottheslightestconceptionofhow，when，orwherehecamebythewound。

Thecrowdwasnowbusyatwork，andtriedtosavealittleofthefurnitureoftheinn。Theonlyroomtheycouldenterwastheparlour，fromwhichtheymanagedtobringoutthebureau，afewchairs，someoldsilvercandlesticks，andhalf-a-dozenlightarticles；butthesewereall。

Fierymatsofthatchslidofftheroofandfellintotheroadwithadeadenedthud，whilstwhiteflakesofstrawandwood-ashwereflyinginthewindlikefeathers。Atthesametimetwoofthecottagesadjoining，uponwhichalittlewaterhadbeenbroughttoplayfromtherector"sengine，wereseentobeonfire。Theattenuatedspirtofwaterwasasnothingupontheheatedanddrysurfaceofthethatchedroof；thefireprevailedwithoutaminute"shindrance，anddivedthroughtotherafters。

Suddenlyaroseacry，"Where"sMr。Springrove？"

Hehadvanishedfromthespotbythechurchyardwall，wherehehadbeenstandingafewminutesearlier。

"Ifancyhe"sgoneinside，"saidavoice。

"Madnessandfolly！whatcanhesave？"saidanother。"GoodGod，findhim！Helphere！"

Awildrushwasmadeatthedoor，whichhadfallento，andindefianceofthescorchingflamethatburstforth，threemenforcedthemselvesthroughit。Immediatelyinsidethethresholdtheyfoundtheobjectoftheirsearchlyingsenselessonthefloorofthepassage。

Tobringhimoutandlayhimonabankwastheworkofaninstant；abasinofcoldwaterwasdashedinhisface，andhebegantorecoverconsciousness，butveryslowly。Hehadbeensavedbyamiracle。Nosoonerwerehispreserversoutofthebuildingthanthewindow-

frameslitupasifbymagicwithdeepandwavingfringesofflames。

Simultaneously，thejointsoftheboardsformingthefrontdoorstartedintoviewasglowingbarsoffire：astarofredlightpenetratedthecentre，graduallyincreasinginsizetilltheflamesrushedforth。

Thenthestaircasefell。

"Everybodyisoutsafe，"saidavoice。

"Yes，thankGod！"saidthreeorfourothers。

"O，weforgotthatastrangercame！Ithinksheissafe。"

"Ihopesheis，"saidtheweakvoiceofsomeonecomingupfrombehind。Itwasthechambermaid"s。

Springroveatthatmomentarousedhimself；hestaggeredtohisfeet，andthrewhishandsupwildly。

"Everybody，no！no！Theladywhocamebytrain，Mrs。Manston！I

triedtofetchherout，butIfell。"

Anexclamationofhorrorburstfromthecrowd；itwascausedpartlybythisdisclosureofSpringrove，morebytheaddedperceptionwhichfollowedhiswords。

Anaverageintervalofaboutthreeminuteshadelapsedbetweenoneintenselyfiercegustofwindandthenext，andnowanotherpouredoverthem；theroofswayed，andamomentafterwardsfellinwithacrash，pullingthegableafterit，andthrustingoutwardsthefrontwallofwood-work，whichfellintotheroadwitharumblingecho；acloudofblackdust，myriadsofsparks，andagreatoutburstofflamefollowedtheuproarofthefall。

"Whoisshe？whatisshe？"burstfromeverylipagainandagain，incoherently，andwithoutleavingasufficientpauseforareply，hadareplybeenvolunteered。

Theautumnwind，tameless，andswift，andproud，stillblewuponthedyingoldhouse，whichwasconstructedsoentirelyofcombustiblematerialsthatitburntalmostasfiercelyasacorn-rick。Theheatintheroadincreased，andnowforaninstantattheheightoftheconflagrationallstoodstill，andgazedsilently，awestruckandhelpless，inthepresenceofsoirresistibleanenemy。Then，withmindsfullofthetragedyunfoldedtothem，theyrushedforwardagainwiththeobtusedirectnessofwaves，totheirlabourofsavinggoodsfromthehousesadjoining，whichitwasevidentwerealldoomedtodestruction。

Theminutespassedby。TheThreeTrantersInnsankintoamereheapofred-hotcharcoal：thefirepusheditswaydowntherowasthechurchclockoppositeslowlystruckthehourofmidnight，andthebewilderedchimes，scarcelyheardamidthecracklingoftheflames，wanderedthroughthewaywardairoftheOldHundred-and-ThirteenthPsalm。

4。NINETOELEVENP。M。

ManstonmountedhisgigandsetoutfromChettlewoodthateveninginnoveryenviableframeofmind。ThethoughtofdomesticlifeinKnapwaterOldHouse，withthenoweclipsedwifeofthepast，wasmorethandisagreeable，waspositivelydistastefultohim。

Yetheknewthattheinfluentialposition，which，fromwhateverfortunatecause，heheldonMissAldclyffe"smanor，wouldneveragainfalltohislotonanyother，andhetacitlyassentedtothisdilemma，hopingthatsomeconsolationorotherwouldsoonsuggestitselftohim；marriedashewas，hewasnearCytherea。

Heoccasionallylookedathiswatchashedrovealongthelanes，timingthepaceofhishorsebythehour，thathemightreachCarrifordRoadStationjustsoonenoughtomeetthelastLondontrain。

Hesoonbegantonoticeintheskyaslightyellowhalo，nearthehorizon。Itrapidlyincreased；itchangedcolour，andgrewredder；

thentheglarevisiblybrightenedanddimmedatintervals，showingthatitsoriginwasaffectedbythestrongwindprevailing。

Manstonreinedinhishorseonthesummitofahill，andconsidered。

"Itisarick-yardonfire，"hethought；"nohousecouldproducesucharagingflamesosuddenly。"

Hetrottedonagain，attemptingtoparticularizethelocalfeaturesintheneighbourhoodofthefire；butthisitwastoodarktodo，andtheexcessivewindingoftheroadsmisledhimastoitsdirection，notbeinganoldinhabitantofthedistrict，oracountrymanusedtoformingsuchjudgments；whilstthebrilliancyofthelightshorteneditsrealremotenesstoanapparentdistanceofnotmorethanhalf：itseemedsonearthatheagainstoppedhishorse，thistimetolisten；buthecouldhearnosound。

Enteringnowanarrowvalley，thesidesofwhichobscuredtheskytoanangleofperhapsthirtyorfortydegreesabovethemathematicalhorizon，hewasobligedtosuspendhisjudgmenttillhewasinpossessionoffurtherknowledge，havinghoweverassumedintheinterim，thatthefirewassomewherebetweenCarrifordRoadStationandthevillage。

Theself-sameglarehadjustarrestedtheeyesofanotherman。Hewasatthatminuteglidingalongseveralmilestotheeastofthesteward"sposition，butnearingthesamepointasthattowhichManstontended。TheyoungerEdwardSpringrovewasreturningfromLondontohisfather"shousebytheidenticaltrainwhichthestewardwasexpectingtobringhiswife，thetruthbeingthatEdward"slatenesswasowingtothesimplestofallcauses，histemporarywantofmoney，whichledhimtomakeaslowjourneyforthesakeoftravellingatthird-classfare。

SpringrovehadreceivedCytherea"sbitterandadmonitoryletter，andhewasclearlyawakenedtoaperceptionofthefalsepositioninwhichhehadplacedhimself，bykeepingsilenceatBudmouthonhislongengagement。AnincreasingreluctancetoputanendtothosefewdaysofecstasywithCythereahadoverruledhisconscience，andtiedhistonguetillspeakingwastoolate。

"WhydidIdoit？howcouldIdreamoflovingher？"heaskedhimselfashewalkedbyday，ashetossedonhisbedbynight："miserablefolly！"

Animpressionablehearthadforyears——perhapsasmanyassixorsevenyears——beendistractinghim，byunconsciouslysettingitselftoyearnforsomebodywanting，hescarcelyknewwhom。Echoesofhimself，thoughrarely，henowandthenfound。Sometimestheyweremen，sometimeswomen，hiscousinAdelaidebeingoneofthese；forinspiteofafashionwhichpervadesthewholecommunityatthepresentday——thehabitofexclaimingthatwomanisnotundevelopedman，butdiverse，thefactremainsthat，afterall，womenareMankind，andthatinmanyofthesentimentsoflifethedifferenceofsexisbutadifferenceofdegree。

Buttheindefinablehelpmatetotheremotersidesofhimselfstillcontinuedinvisible。Hegrewolder，andconcludedthattheideas，orratheremotions，whichpossessedhimonthesubject，wereprobablytoounrealevertobefoundembodiedinthefleshofawoman。Thereupon，hedevelopedaplanofsatisfyinghisdreamsbywanderingawaytotheheroinesofpoeticalimagination，andtooknofurtherthoughtontheearthlyrealizationofhisformlessdesire，inmorehomelymatterssatisfyinghimselfwithhiscousin。

Cythereaappearedinthesky：hisheartstartedupandspoke：

"TisShe，andhereLo！IunclotheandclearMywishes"cloudycharacter。"

Somewomenkindleemotionsorapidlyinaman"sheartthatthejudgmentcannotkeeppacewithitsrise，andfinds，oncomprehendingthesituation，thatfaithfulnesstotheoldloveisalreadytreacherytothenew。Suchwomenarenotnecessarilythegreatestoftheirsex，butthereareveryfewofthem。Cythereawasone。

Onreceivingtheletterfromherhehadtakentothinkingoverthesethings，andhadnotanswereditatall。But"hungrygenerations"

soontreaddownthemuserinacity。Atlengthhethoughtofthestrongnecessityofliving。Afteradrearysearch，thenegligenceofwhichwasultimatelyovercomebymereconscientiousness，heobtainedasituationasassistanttoanarchitectintheneighbourhoodofCharingCross：thedutieswouldnotbegintillafterthelapseofamonth。

Hecouldnotatfirstdecidewhitherheshouldgotospendtheinterveningtime；butinthemidstofhisreasoningshefoundhimselfontheroadhomeward，impelledbyasecretandunownedhopeofgettingalastglimpseofCythereathere。

5。MIDNIGHT

ItwasaquartertotwelvewhenManstondroveintothestation-yard。

Thetrainwaspunctual，andthebell，announcingitsarrival，rangashecrossedthebooking-officetogooutupontheplatform。

TheporterwhohadaccompaniedMrs。ManstontoCarriford，andhadreturnedtothestationonhisnightduty，recognizedthestewardasheentered，andimmediatelycametowardshim。

"Mrs。Manstoncamebythenineo"clocktrain，sir，"hesaid。

Thestewardgaveventtoanexpressionofvexation。

"Herluggageishere，sir，"theportersaid。

"Putitupbehindmeinthegigifitisnottoomuch，"saidManston。

"Directlythistrainisinandgone，sir。"

Themanvanishedandcrossedthelinetomeettheenteringtrain。

"Whereisthatfire？"Manstonsaidtothebooking-clerk。

Beforetheclerkcouldspeak，anothermanraninandansweredthequestionwithouthavingheardit。

"HalfCarrifordisburntdown，orwillbe！"heexclaimed。"Youcan"tseetheflamesfromthisstationonaccountofthetrees，butsteponthebridge——"tistremendous！"

Healsocrossedthelinetoassistattheentryofthetrain，whichcameinthenextminute。

Thestewardstoodintheoffice。Onepassengeralighted，gaveuphisticket，andcrossedtheroominfrontofManston：ayoungmanwithablackbagandumbrellainhishand。Hepassedoutofthedoor，downthesteps，andstruckoutintothedarkness。

"Whowasthatyoungman？"saidManston，whentheporterhadreturned。Theyoungman，byakindofmagnetism，haddrawnthesteward"sthoughtsafterhim。

"He"sanarchitect。"

"Myownoldprofession。Icouldhaveswornitbythecutofhim，"

Manstonmurmured。"What"shisname？"hesaidagain。

"Springrove——FarmerSpringrove"sson，Edward。"

"FarmerSpringrove"sson，Edward，"thestewardrepeatedtohimself，andconsideredamattertowhichthewordshadpainfullyrecalledhismind。

ThematterwasMissAldclyffe"smentionoftheyoungmanasCytherea"slover，which，indeed，hadscarcelyeverbeenabsentfromhisthoughts。

"Butfortheexistenceofmywifethatmanmighthavebeenmyrival，"hepondered，followingtheporter，whohadnowcomebacktohim，intotheluggage-room。Andwhilstthemanwascarryingoutandputtinginonebox，whichwassufficientlyportableforthegig，Manstonstillthought，ashiseyeswatchedtheprocess——

"Butformywife，Springrovemighthavebeenmyrival。"

Heexaminedthelampsofhisgig，carefullylaidoutthereins，mountedtheseatanddrovealongtheturnpike-roadtowardsKnapwaterPark。

Theexactlocalityofthefirewasplaintohimashenearedhome。

Hesooncouldheartheshoutofmen，theflappingoftheflames，thecracklingofburningwood，andcouldsmellthesmokefromtheconflagration。

Ofasudden，afewyardsahead，withinthecompassoftheraysfromtheright-handlamp，burstforwardthefigureofaman。Havingbeenwalkingindarknessthenewcomerraisedhishandstohiseyes，onapproachingnearer，toscreenthemfromtheglareofthereflector。

Manstonsawthathewasoneofthevillagers：asmallfarmeroriginally，whohaddrunkhimselfdowntoaday-labourerandreputedpoacher。

"Hoy！"criedManston，aloud，thatthemanmightstepasideoutoftheway。

"IsthatMr。Manston？"saidtheman。

"Yes。"

"Somebodyha"cometoCarriford：andtherestofitmayconcernyou，sir。"

"Well，well。"

"DidyouexpectMrs。Manstonto-night，sir？"

"Yes，unfortunatelyshe"scome，Iknow，andasleeplongbeforethistime，Isuppose。"

Thelabourerleanthiselbowupontheshaftofthegigandturnedhisface，paleandsweatingfromhislateworkatthefire，uptoManston"s。

"Yes，shedidcome，"hesaid……"Ibegpardon，sir，butI

shouldbegladof——of——"

"What？"

"Gladofatrifleforbringenyethenews。"

"Notafarthing！Ididn"twantyournews，Iknewshewascome。"

"Won"tyougivemeashillen，sir？"

"Certainlynot。"

"Thenwillyoulendmeashillen，sir？Ibetiredout，anddon"tknowwhattodo。IfIdon"tpayyoubacksomedayI"llbed——d。"

"Thedevilissocheatedthatperditionisn"tworthapennyasasecurity。"

"Oh！"

"Letmegoon，"saidManston。

"ThywifeisDEAD；that"s"theresto"thenews，"saidthelabourerslowly。Hewaitedforareply；nonecame。

"ShewenttotheThreeTranters，becauseshecouldn"tgetintothyhouse，theburnenrooffellinuponherbeforeshecouldbecalledup，andshe"sacinder，asthou"ltbesomeday。"

"Thatwilldo，letmedriveon，"saidthestewardcalmly。

Expectationofaconcussionmaybesointensethatitsfailurestrikesthebrainwithmoreforcethanitsfulfilment。Thelabourersankbackintotheditch。SuchaCushicouldnotrealizethepossibilityofsuchanunmovedDavidasthis。

Manstondrovehastilytotheturningoftheroad，tiedhishorse，andranonfoottothesiteofthefire。

Thestagnationcausedbytheawfulaccidenthadbeenpassedthrough，andallhandswerehelpingtoremovefromtheremainingcottagewhatfurnituretheycouldlayholdof；thethatchoftheroofsbeingalreadyonfire。TheKnapwaterfire-enginehadarrivedonthespot，butitwassmall，andineffectual。Agroupwascollectedroundtherector，whoinacoatwhichhadbecomebespattered，scorched，andtorninhisexertions，wasdirectingononehandtheproceedingsrelativetotheremovalofgoodsintothechurch，andwiththeotherwaspointingoutthespotonwhichitwasmostdesirablethatthepunyenginesattheirdisposalshouldbemadetoplay。EverytonguewasinstantlysilentatthesightofManston"spaleandclearcountenance，whichcontrastedstrangelywiththegrimyandstreamingfacesofthetoilingvillagers。

"Wassheburnt？"hesaidinafirmthoughhuskyvoice，andsteppingintotheilluminatedarea。Therectorcametohim，andtookhimaside。"Issheburnt？"repeatedManston。

"Sheisdead：butthankGod，shewassparedthehorridagonyofburning，"therectorsaidsolemnly；"theroofandgablefellinuponher，andcrushedher。Instantdeathmusthavefollowed。"

"Whywasshehere？"saidManston。

"Fromwhatwecanhurriedlycollect，itseemsthatshefoundthedoorofyourhouselocked，andconcludedthatyouhadretired，thefactbeingthatyourservant，Mrs。Crickett，hadgoneouttosupper。

Shethencamebacktotheinnandwenttobed。"

"Where"sthelandlord？"saidManston。

Mr。Springrovecameup，walkingfeebly，andwrappedinacloak，andcorroboratedtheevidencegivenbytherector。

"Didshelookill，orannoyed，whenshecame？"saidthesteward。

"Ican"tsay。Ididn"tsee；butIthink——"

"Whatdoyouthink？"

"Shewasmuchputoutaboutsomething。"

"Mynotmeetingher，naturally，"murmuredtheother，lostinreverie。HeturnedhisbackonSpringroveandtherector，andretiredfromtheshininglight。

Everythinghadbeendonethatcouldbedonewiththelimitedmeansattheirdisposal。Thewholerowofhouseswasdestroyed，andeachpresenteditselfasonestageofaseries，progressingfromsmokingruinsattheendwheretheinnhadstood，toapartlyflamingmass——

glowingasnonebutwoodemberswillglow——attheother。

Afeatureinthedeclineoftownfireswasnoticeablyabsenthere——

steam。Therewaspresentwhatisnotobservableintowns——

incandescence。

Theheat，andthesmartingeffectupontheireyesofthestrongsmokefromtheburningoakanddeal，hadatlastdriventhevillagersbackfromtheroadinfrontofthehouses，andtheynowstoodingroupsinthechurchyard，thesurfaceofwhich，raisedbytheintermentsofgenerations，stoodfourorfivefeetabovetheleveloftheroad，andalmostevenwiththetopofthelowwalldividingonefromtheother。Theheadstonesstoodforthwhitelyagainstthedarkgrassandyews，theirbrightnessbeingrepeatedonthewhitesmock-frocksofsomeofthelabourers，andinamellower，ruddierformontheirfacesandhands，onthoseofthegrinninggargoyles，andonothersalientstoneworkoftheweather-beatenchurchinthebackground。

Therectorhaddecidedthat，underthedistressingcircumstancesofthecase，therewouldbenosacrilegeinplacinginthechurch，forthenight，thepiecesoffurnitureandutensilswhichhadbeensavedfromtheseveralhouses。Therewasnootherplaceofsafetyforthem，andtheyaccordinglyweregatheredthere。

6。HALF-PASTTWELVETOONEA。M。

Manston，whenheretiredtomeditate，hadwalkedroundthechurchyard，andnowenteredtheopeneddoorofthebuilding。

Hemechanicallypursuedhiswayroundthepiersintohisownseatinthenorthaisle。Theloweratmosphereofthisspotwasshadedbyitsownwallfromtheshinewhichstreamedinoverthewindow-sillsonthesameside。Theonlylightburninginsidethechurchwasasmalltallowcandle，standinginthefont，intheoppositeaisleofthebuildingtothatinwhichManstonhadsatdown，andnearwherethefurniturewaspiled。Thecandle"smildrayswereoverpoweredbytheruddierlightfromtheruins，makingtheweakflametoappearlikethemoonbyday。

SittingtherehesawFarmerSpringroveenterthedoor，followedbyhissonEdward，stillcarryinghistravelling-baginhishand。TheywerespeakingofthesaddeathofMrs。Manston，butthesubjectwasrelinquishedforthatofthehousesburnt。

Thisrowofhouses，runningfromtheinneastward，hadbeenbuiltunderthefollowingcircumstances：——

Fiftyyearsbeforethisdate，thespotuponwhichthecottagesafterwardsstoodwasablankstrip，alongthesideofthevillagestreet，difficulttocultivate，onaccountoftheoutcropthereonofalargebedofflintscalledlocallya"lanch"or"lanchet。"

TheAldclyffetheninpossessionoftheestateconceivedtheideathatarowofcottageswouldbeanimprovementtothespot，andaccordinglygrantedleasesofportionstoseveralrespectableinhabitants。Eachlesseewastobesubjecttothepaymentofamerelynominalrentforthewholetermoflives，onconditionthathebuilthisowncottage，anddelivereditupintactattheendoftheterm。

Thosewhohadbuilthad，onebyone，relinquishedtheirindentures，eitherbysaleorbarter，toFarmerSpringrove"sfather。Newliveswereaddedinsomecases，bypaymentofasumtothelordofthemanor，etc。，andalltheleaseswerenowheldbythefarmerhimself，asoneofthechiefprovisionsforhisoldage。

Thestewardhadbecomeinterestedinthefollowingconversation：——

"Trynottobesodepressed，father；theyareallinsured。"

ThewordscamefromEdwardinananxioustone。

"Youmistake，Edward；theyarenotinsured，"returnedtheoldmangloomily。

"Not？"thesonasked。

"Notone！"saidthefarmer。

"IntheHelmetFireOffice，surely？"

"Theywereinsuredthereeveryone。Sixmonthsagotheoffice，whichhadbeenraisingthepremiumsonthatchedpremiseshigherforsomeyears，gaveupinsuringthemaltogether，astwoorthreeotherfire-officeshaddonepreviously，onaccount，theysaid，oftheuncertaintyandgreatnessoftheriskofthatchundetached。EversincethenIhavebeencontinuallyintendingtogotoanotheroffice，buthavenevergone。Whoexpectsafire？"

"Doyourememberthetermsoftheleases？"saidEdward，stillmoreuneasily。

"No，notparticularly，"saidhisfatherabsently。

"Wherearethey？"

"Inthebureauthere；that"swhyItriedtosaveitfirst，amongotherthings。"

"Well，wemustseetothatatonce。"

"Whatdoyouwant？"

"Thekey。"

Theywentintothesouthaisle，tookthecandlefromthefont，andthenproceededtoopenthebureau，whichhadbeenplacedinacornerunderthegallery。Bothleantoverupontheflap；Edwardholdingthecandle，whilsthisfathertookthepiecesofparchmentfromoneofthedrawers，andspreadthefirstoutbeforehim。

"Youreadit，Ted。Ican"tseewithoutmyglasses。Thisonewillbesufficient。Thetermsofallarethesame。"

Edwardtooktheparchment，andreadquicklyandindistinctlyforsometime；thenaloudandslowlyasfollows：——

"AndthesaidJohnSpringroveforhimselfhisheirsexecutorsandadministratorsdothcovenantandagreewiththesaidGeraldFellcourtAldclyffehisheirsandassignsthathethesaidJohnSpringrovehisheirsandassignsduringthesaidtermshallpayuntothesaidGeraldFellcourtAldclyffehisheirsandassignstheclearyearlyrentoftenshillingsandsixpence……attheseveraltimeshereinbeforeappointedforthepaymentthereofrespectively。

AndalsoshallandatalltimesduringthesaidtermwellandsufficientlyrepairandkeepthesaidCottageorDwelling-houseandallotherthepremisesandallhousesorbuildingserectedortobeerectedthereuponingoodandproperrepairineveryrespectwithoutexceptionandthesaidpremisesinsuchgoodrepairuponthedeterminationofthisdemiseshallyieldupuntothesaidGeraldFellcourtAldclyffehisheirsandassigns。"

Theyclosedthebureauandturnedtowardsthedoorofthechurchwithoutspeaking。

Manstonalsohadcomeforwardoutofthegloom。Notwithstandingthefarmer"sowntroubles，aninstinctiverespectandgeneroussenseofsympathywiththestewardforhisawfullosscausedtheoldmantostepaside，thatManstonmightpassoutwithoutspeakingtothemifhechosetodoso。

"Whoishe？"whisperedEdwardtohisfather，asManstonapproached。

"Mr。Manston，thesteward。"

Manstoncamenear，andpasseddowntheaisleonthesideoftheyoungerman。Theirfacescamealmostclosetogether：onelargeflame，whichstilllingeredupontheruinsoutside，threwlongdancingshadowsofeachacrossthenavetilltheybentupwardsagainsttheaislewall，andalsoilluminatedtheireyes，aseachmetthoseoftheother。Edwardhadlearnt，byaletterfromhome，ofthesteward"spassionforCytherea，andhismysteriousrepressionofit，afterwardsexplainedbyhismarriage。Thatmarriagewasnownought。Edwardrealizedtheman"snewlyacquiredfreedom，andfeltaninstinctiveenmitytowardshim——hewouldhardlyowntohimselfwhy。Thesteward，too，knewCytherea"sattachmenttoEdward，andlookedkeenlyandinscrutablyathim。

7。ONETOTWOA。M。

Manstonwenthomewardalone，hisheartfullofstrangeemotions。

Enteringthehouse，anddismissingthewomantoherownhome，heatonceproceededupstairstohisbedroom。

Reasoningworldliness，especiallywhenalliedwithsensuousness，cannotrepressonsomeextremeoccasionsthehumaninstincttopouroutthesoultosomeBeingorPersonality，whoinfrigidmomentsisdismissedwiththetitleofChance，oratmostLaw。Manstonwasselfishlyandinhumanly，buthonestlyandunutterably，thankfulfortherecentcatastrophe。Besidehisbed，forthatfirsttimeduringaperiodofnearlytwentyyears，hefelldownuponhiskneesinapassionateoutburstoffeeling。

Manyminutespassedbeforehearose。Hewalkedtothewindow，andthenseemedtorememberforthefirsttimethatsomeactiononhispartwasnecessaryinconnectionwiththesadcircumstanceofthenight。

Leavingthehouseatonce，hewenttothesceneofthefire，arrivingthereintimetoheartherectormakinganarrangementwithacertainnumberofmentowatchthespottillmorning。Theasheswerestillred-hotandflaming。Manstonfoundthatnothingcouldbedonetowardssearchingthematthathourofthenight。Heturnedhomewardagain，inthecompanyoftherector，whohadconsideratelypersuadedhimtoretirefromthesceneforawhile，andpromisedthatassoonasamancouldliveamidtheembersoftheThreeTrantersInn，theyshouldbecarefullysearchedfortheremainsofhisunfortunatewife。

Manstonthenwentindoors，towaitformorning。

XI。THEEVENTSOFFIVEDAYS

1。NOVEMBERTHETWENTY-NINTH

Thesearchbeganatdawn，butaquarterpastnineo"clockcamewithoutbringinganyresult。Manstonatealittlebreakfast，andcrossedthehollowoftheparkwhichintervenedbetweentheoldandmodernmanor-houses，toaskforaninterviewwithMissAldclyffe。

Hemethermidway。Shewasabouttopayhimavisitofcondolence，andtoplaceeverymanontheestateathisdisposal，thatthesearchforanyrelicofhisdeadanddestroyedwifemightnotbedelayedaninstant。

Heaccompaniedherbacktothehouse。Atfirsttheyconversedasifthedeathofthepoorwomanwasaneventwhichthehusbandmustofnecessitydeeplylament；andwhenallunderthisheadthatsocialformseemedtorequirehadbeenuttered，theyspokeofthematerialdamagedone，andofthestepswhichhadbetterbetakentoremedyit。

Itwasnottillbothwereshutinsideherprivateroomthatshespoketohiminherbluntandcynicalmanner。Acertainnewnessofbearinginhim，peculiartothepresentmorning，hadhithertoforbiddenherthistone：thedemeanourofthesubjectofherfavouritismhadaltered，shecouldnottellinwhatway。Hewasentirelyachangedman。

"Areyoureallysorryforyourpoorwife，Mr。Manston？"shesaid。

"Well，Iam，"heansweredshortly。

"Butonlyasforanyhumanbeingwhohasmetwithaviolentdeath？"

Heconfessedit——"Forshewasnotagoodwoman，"headded。

"Ishouldbesorrytosaysuchathingnowthepoorcreatureisdead，"MissAldclyffereturnedreproachfully。

"Why？"heasked。"WhyshouldIpraiseherifshedoesn"tdeserveit？IsayexactlywhatIhaveoftenadmiredSterneforsayinginoneofhisletters——thatneitherreasonnorScriptureasksustospeaknothingbutgoodofthedead。Andnow，madam，"hecontinued，afterashortintervalofthought，"Imay，perhaps，hopethatyouwillassistme，orrathernotthwartme，inendeavouringtowintheloveofayoungladylivingaboutyou，oneinwhomIammuchinterestedalready。"

"Cytherea！"

"Yes，Cytherea。"

"YouhavebeenlovingCythereaallthewhile？"

"Yes。"

Surprisewasaprefacetomuchagitationinher，whichcausedhertorisefromherseat，andpacetothesideoftheroom。Thestewardquietlylookedonandadded，"Ihavebeenlovingandstillloveher。"

Shecamecloseuptohim，wistfullycontemplatinghisface，onehandmovingindecisivelyatherside。

"Andyoursecretmarriagewas，then，thetrueandonlyreasonforthatbackwardnessregardingthecourtshipofCytherea，which，theytellme，hasbeenthetalkofthevillage；notyourindifferencetoherattractions。"Hervoicehadatoneofconvictioninit，aswellasofinquiry；butnoneofjealousy。

"Yes，"hesaid；"andnotadishonourableone。Whatheldmebackwasjustthatonething——asenseofmoralitythatperhaps，madam，youdidnotgivemecreditfor。"Thelatterwordswerespokenwithamienandtoneofpride。

MissAldclyffepreservedsilence。

"Andnow，"hewenton，"Imayaswellsayawordinvindicationofmyconductlately，attherisk，too，ofoffendingyou。MyactualmotiveinsubmittingtoyourorderthatIshouldsendformylatewife，andlivewithher，wasnotthemercenarypolicyofwishingtoretainanofficewhichbringsmegreatercomfortsthananyIhaveenjoyedbefore，butthisunquenchablepassionforCytherea。ThoughIsawtheweakness，folly，andevenwickednessofitcontinually，itstillforcedmetotrytocontinuenearher，evenasthehusbandofanotherwoman。"

Hewaitedforhertospeak：shedidnot。

"There"sagreatobstacletomymakinganywayinwinningMissGraye"slove，"hewenton。

"Yes，EdwardSpringrove，"shesaidquietly。"Iknowit，Ididoncewanttoseethemmarried；theyhavehadaslightquarrel，anditwillsoonbemadeupagain，unless——"shespokeasifshehadonlyhalfattendedtoManston"slaststatement。

"Heisalreadyengagedtobemarriedtosomebodyelse，"saidthesteward。

"Pooh！"saidshe，"youmeantohiscousinatPeakhill；that"snothingtohelpus；he"snowcomehometobreakitoff。"

"Hemustnotbreakitoff，"saidManston，firmlyandcalmly。

Histoneattractedher，startledher。Recoveringherself，shesaidhaughtily，"Well，that"syouraffair，notmine。ThoughmywishhasbeentoseeherYOURwife，Ican"tdoanythingdishonourabletobringaboutsucharesult。"

"ButitmustbeMADEyouraffair，"hesaidinahard，steadyvoice，lookingintohereyes，asifhesawtherethewholepanoramaofherpast。

Oneofthemostdifficultthingstoportraybywrittenwordsisthatpeculiarmixtureofmoodsexpressedinawoman"scountenancewhen，afterhavingbeensedulouslyengagedinestablishinganother"sposition，shesuddenlysuspectshimofunderminingherown。ItwasthusthatMissAldclyffelookedatthesteward。

"You——know——something——ofme？"shefaltered。

"Iknowall，"hesaid。

"Thencursethatwifeofyours！Shewroteandsaidshewouldn"ttellyou！"sheburstout。"Couldn"tshekeepherwordforaday？"

Shereflectedandthensaid，butnomoreastoastranger，"Iwillnotyield。Ihavecommittednocrime。Iyieldedtoherthreatsinamomentofweakness，thoughIfeltinclinedtodefyheratthetime：itwaschieflybecauseIwasmystifiedastohowshegottoknowofit。Pooh！Iwillputupwiththreatsnomore。O，canYOU

threatenme？"sheaddedsoftly，asifshehadforthemomentforgottentowhomshehadbeenspeaking。

"Mylovemustbemadeyouraffair，"herepeated，withouttakinghiseyesfromher。

Anagony，whichwasnottheagonyofbeingdiscoveredinasecret，obstructedherutteranceforatime。"HowcanyouturnuponmesowhenIschemedtogetyouhere——schemedthatyoumightwinhertillIfoundyouweremarried。O，howcanyou！O！……O！"Shewept；

andtheweepingofsuchanaturewasasharrowingastheweepingofaman。

"Yourgettingmeherewasbadpolicyastoyoursecret——themostabsurdthingintheworld，"hesaid，notheedingherdistress。"I

knewall，excepttheidentityoftheindividual，longago。DirectlyIfoundthatmycomingherewasacontrivedthing，andnotamatterofchance，itfixedmyattentionuponyouatonce。Allthatwasrequiredwasthemeresparkoflife，tomakeofabundleofperceptionsanorganicwhole。"

"Policy，howcanyoutalkofpolicy？Think，dothink！Andhowcanyouthreatenmewhenyouknow——youknow——thatIwouldbefriendyoureadilywithoutathreat！"

"Yes，yes，Ithinkyouwould，"hesaidmorekindly；"butyourindifferenceforsomany，manyyearshasmademedoubtit。"

"No，notindifference——"twasenforcedsilence。Myfatherlived。"

Hetookherhand，andhelditgently。

***

"Nowlisten，"hesaid，morequietlyandhumanly，whenshehadbecomecalmer："Springrovemustmarrythewomanhe"sengagedto。Youmaymakehim，butonlyinoneway。"

"Well：butdon"tspeaksternly，AEneas！"

"Doyouknowthathisfatherhasnotbeenparticularlythrivingforthelasttwoorthreeyears？"

"Ihaveheardsomethingofit，onceortwice，thoughhisrentshavebeenpromptlypaid，haven"tthey？"

"Oyes；anddoyouknowthetermsoftheleasesofthehouseswhichareburnt？"hesaid，explainingtoherthatbythosetermsshemightcompelhimeventorebuildeveryhouse。"ThecaseistheclearestcaseoffirebynegligencethatIhaveeverknown，inadditiontothat，"hecontinued。

"Idon"twantthemrebuilt；youknowitwasintendedbymyfather，directlytheyfellin，toclearthesiteforanewentrancetothepark？"

"Yes，butthatdoesn"taffecttheposition，whichisthatFarmerSpringroveisinyourpowertoanextentwhichisveryseriousforhim。"

"Iwon"tdoit——"tisaconspiracy。"

"Won"tyouforme？"hesaideagerly。

MissAldclyffechangedcolour。

"Idon"tthreatennow，Iimplore，"hesaid。

"Becauseyoumightthreatenifyouchose，"shemournfullyanswered。

"Butwhybeso——whenyourmarriagewithherwasmyownpetidealongbeforeitwasyours？WhatmustIdo？"

"Scarcelyanything：simplythis。WhenIhaveseenoldMr。

Springrove，whichIshalldoinadayortwo，andtoldhimthathewillbeexpectedtorebuildthehouses，doyouseetheyoungman。

Seehimyourself，inorderthattheproposalsmademaynotappeartobeanythingmorethananimpulseofyourown。Youorhewillbringupthesubjectofthehouses。Torebuildthemwouldbeamatterofatleastsixhundredpounds，andhewillalmostsurelysaythatwearehardininsistingupontheextremeletteroftheleases。Thentellhimthatscarcelycanyouyourselfthinkofcompellinganoldtenantlikehisfathertoanysuchpainfulextreme——thereshallbenocompulsiontobuild，simplyasurrenderoftheleases。Thenspeakfeelinglyofhiscousin，asawomanwhomyourespectandlove，andwhosesecretyouhavelearnttobethatsheisheart-sickwithhopedeferred。Beghimtomarryher，hisbetrothedandyourfriend，assomereturnforyourconsiderationtowardshisfather。Don"tsuggesttooearlyadayfortheirmarriage，orhewillsuspectyouofsomemotivebeyondwomanlysympathy。Coaxhimtomakeapromisetoherthatsheshallbehiswifeattheendofatwelvemonth，andgethim，onassentingtothis，towritetoCytherea，entirelyrenouncingher。"

"Shehasalreadyaskedhimtodothat。"

"Somuchthebetter——andtellingher，too，thatheisabouttofulfilhislong-standingpromisetomarryhiscousin。Ifyouthinkitworthwhile，youmaysayCythereawasnotindisposedtothinkofmebeforesheknewIwasmarried。IhaveathomeanoteshewrotemethefirsteveningIsawher，whichlooksratherwarm，andwhichI

couldshowyou。Trustme，hewillgiveherup。WhenheismarriedtoAdelaideHinton，Cythereawillbeinducedtomarryme——perhapsbefore；awoman"sprideissoonwounded。"

"Andhadn"tIbetterwritetoMr。Nyttleton，andinquiremoreparticularlywhat"sthelawuponthehouses？"

"Ono，there"snohurryforthat。Weknowwellenoughhowthecasestands——quitewellenoughtotalkingeneraltermsaboutit。AndI

wantthepressuretobeputuponyoungSpringrovebeforehegoesawayfromhomeagain。"

Shelookedathimfurtively，long，andsadly，asafterspeakinghebecamelostinthought，hiseyeslistlesslytracingthepatternofthecarpet。"Yes，yes，shewillbemine，"hewhispered，carelessofCythereaAldclyffe"spresence。Atlastheraisedhiseyesinquiringly。

"Iwilldomybest，AEneas，"sheanswered。

Talibusincusat。Manstonthenleftthehouse，andagainwenttowardstheblackenedruins，wheremenwerestillrakingandprobing。

2。FROMNOVEMBERTHETWENTY-NINTHTODECEMBERTHESECOND

ThesmoulderingremnantsoftheThreeTrantersInnseemedtopromisethat，evenwhenthesearchersshouldlightupontheremainsoftheunfortunateMrs。Manston，verylittlewouldbediscoverable。

Consistingsolargelyofthecharcoalandashesofharddryoakandchestnut，intermingledwiththatch，theinterioroftheheapwasoneglowingmassofembers，which，onbeingstirredabout，emittedsparksandflamelongafteritwasdeadandblackontheoutside。

Itwaspersistentlyhoped，however，thatsometracesofthebodywouldsurvivetheeffectofthehotcoals，andafterasearchpursueduninterruptedlyforthirtyhours，underthedirectionofManstonhimself，enoughwasfoundtosetatrestanydoubtsofherfate。

Themelancholygleaningsconsistedofherwatch，bunchofkeys，afewcoins，andtwocharredandblackenedbones。

TwodayslatertheofficialinquiryintothecauseofherdeathwasheldattheRisingSunInn，beforeMr。Floy，thecoroner，andajuryofthechiefinhabitantsofthedistrict。Thelittletavern——theonlyremainingoneinthevillage——wascrowdedtoexcessbytheneighbouringpeasantryaswellastheirricheremployers：allwhocouldbyanypossibilityobtainanhour"sreleasefromtheirdutiesbeingpresentaslisteners。

Thejuryviewedthesadandinfinitesimalremains，whichwerefoldedinawhitecambriccloth，andlaidinthemiddleofawell-finishedcoffinlinedwithwhitesilk(byManston"sorder)，whichstoodinanadjoiningroom，thebulkofthecoffinbeingcompletelyfilledinwithcarefullyarrangedflowersandevergreens——alsothesteward"sowndoing。

AbrahamBrown，ofHoxton，London——anoldwhite-headedman，withouttheruddinesswhichmakeswhitehairssopleasing——wassworn，anddeposedthathekeptalodging-houseatanaddresshenamed。OnaSaturdayeveninglessthanamonthbeforethefire，aladycametohim，withverylittleluggage，andtookthefrontroomonthesecondfloor。Hedidnotinquirewhereshecamefrom，asshepaidaweekinadvance，butshegavehernameasMrs。Manston，referringhim，ifhewishedforanyguaranteeofherrespectability，toMr。Manston，KnapwaterPark。Hereshelivedforthreeweeks，rarelygoingout。

Shesleptawayfromherlodgingsonenightduringthetime。Attheendofthattime，onthetwenty-eighthofNovember，shelefthishouseinafour-wheeledcab，abouttwelveo"clockintheday，tellingthedrivertotakehertotheWaterlooStation。Shepaidallherlodgingexpenses，andnothavinggivennoticethefullweekprevioustohergoingaway，offeredtopayforthenext，butheonlytookhalf。Sheworeathickblackveil，andgreywaterproofcloak，whenshelefthim，andherluggagewastwoboxes，oneofplaindeal，withblackjapannedclamps，theothersewnupincanvas。

JosephChinney，porterattheCarrifordRoadStation，deposedthathesawMrs。Manston，dressedasthelastwitnesshaddescribed，getoutofasecond-classcarriageonthenightofthetwenty-eighth。

Shestoodbesidehimwhilstherluggagewastakenfromthevan。Theluggage，consistingoftheclampeddealboxandanothercoveredwithcanvas，wasplacedinthecloak-room。Sheseemedatalossatfindingnobodytheretomeether。Sheaskedhimforsomepersontoaccompanyher，andcarryherbagtoMr。Manston"shouse，KnapwaterPark。Hewasjustoffdutyatthattime，andofferedtogohimself。

ThewitnesshererepeatedtheconversationhehadhadwithMrs。

Manstonduringtheirwalk，andtestifiedtohavingleftheratthedooroftheThreeTrantersInn，Mr。Manston"shousebeingclosed。

Next，FarmerSpringrovewascalled。Amurmurofsurpriseandcommiserationpassedroundthecrowdedroomwhenhesteppedforward。

Theeventsofthefewprecedingdayshadsoworkeduponhisnervouslythoughtfulnaturethattheblueorbitsofhiseyes，andthemerespotofscarlettowhichtheruddinessofhischeekshadcontracted，seemedtheresultofaheavysickness。Aperfectsilencepervadedtheassemblywhenhespoke。

HisstatementwasthathereceivedMrs。Manstonatthethreshold，andaskedhertoentertheparlour。Shewouldnotdoso，andstoodinthepassagewhilstthemaidwentupstairstoseethattheroomwasinorder。Themaidcamedowntothemiddlelandingofthestaircase，whenMrs。Manstonfollowedheruptotheroom。Hedidnotspeaktenwordswithheraltogether。

Afterwards，whilsthewasstandingatthedoorlisteningforhissonEdward"sreturn，hesawherlightextinguished，havingfirstcaughtsightofhershadowmovingabouttheroom。

THECORONER："Didhershadowappeartobethatofawomanundressing？"

SPRINGROVE："Icannotsay，asIdidn"ttakeparticularnotice。Itmovedbackwardsandforwards；shemighthavebeenundressingormerelypacingupanddowntheroom。"

Mrs。Fitler，theostler"swifeandchambermaid，saidthatsheprecededMrs。Manstonintotheroom，putdownthecandle，andwentout。Mrs。Manstonscarcelyspoketoher，excepttoaskhertobringalittlebrandy。Witnesswentandfetcheditfromthebar，broughtitup，andputitonthedressing-table。

THECORONER："HadMrs。Manstonbeguntoundress，whenyoucameback？"

"No，sir；shewassittingonthebed，witheverythingon，aswhenshecamein。"

"Didshebegintoundressbeforeyouleft？"

"NotexactlybeforeIhadleft；butwhenIhadclosedthedoor，andwasonthelandingIheardherbootdroponthefloor，asitdoessometimeswhenpulledoff？"

"Hadherfaceappearedwornandsleepy？"

"IcannotsayasherbonnetandveilwerestillonwhenIleft，forsheseemedrathershyandashamedtobeseenattheThreeTrantersatall。"

"Anddidyouhearorseeanymoreofher？"

"Nomore，sir。"

Mrs。Crickett，temporaryservanttoMr。Manston，saidthatinaccordancewithMr。Manston"sorders，everythinghadbeenmadecomfortableinthehouseforMrs。Manston"sexpectedreturnonMondaynight。Mr。ManstontoldherthathimselfandMrs。Manstonwouldbehomelate，nottillbetweenelevenandtwelveo"clock，andthatsupperwastobeready。NotexpectingMrs。Manstonsoearly，shehadgoneoutonaveryimportanterrandtoMrs。Leatthepostmistress。

Mr。ManstondeposedthatinlookingdownthecolumnsofBradshawhehadmistakenthetimeofthetrain"sarrival，andhencewasnotatthestationwhenshecame。Thebrokenwatchproducedwashiswife"s——heknewitbyascratchontheinnerplate，andbyothersigns。Thebunchofkeysbelongedtoher：twoofthemfittedthelocksofhertwoboxes。

Mr。Flooks，agenttoLordClaydonfieldatChettlewood，saidthatMr。

Manstonhadpleadedashisexcuseforleavinghimratherearlyintheeveningaftertheirday"sbusinesshadbeensettled，thathewasgoingtomeethiswifeatCarrifordRoadStation，whereshewascomingbythelasttrainthatnight。

Thesurgeonsaidthattheremainswerethoseofahumanbeing。Thesmallfragmentseemedaportionofoneofthelumbarvertebrae——theothertheheadoftheosfemoris——buttheywerebothsofargonethatitwasimpossibletosaydefinitelywhethertheybelongedtothebodyofamaleorfemale。Therewasnomoraldoubtthattheywereawoman"s。Hedidnotbelievethatdeathresultedfromburningbyfire。Hethoughtshewascrushedbythefallofthewestgable，whichbeingofwood，aswellasthefloor，burntafterithadfallen，andconsumedthebodywithit。

Twoorthreeadditionalwitnessesgaveunimportanttestimony。

Thecoronersummedup，andthejurywithouthesitationfoundthatthedeceasedMrs。ManstoncamebyherdeathaccidentallythroughtheburningoftheThreeTrantersInn。

3。DECEMBERTHESECOND。AFTERNOON

WhenMr。SpringrovecamefromthedooroftheRisingSunattheendoftheinquiry，Manstonwalkedbyhissideasfarasthestiletothepark，adistanceofaboutastone"s-throw。

"Ah，Mr。Springrove，thisisasadaffairforeverybodyconcerned。"

"Everybody，"saidtheoldfarmer，withdeepsadness，""tisquiteamiserytome。IhardlyknowhowIshalllivethrougheachdayasitbreaks。Ithinkofthewords，“Inthemorningthoushaltsay，WouldGoditwereeven！andateventhoushaltsay，WouldGoditweremorning！forthefearofthineheartwherewiththoushaltfear，andforthesightofthineeyeswhichthoushaltsee。“"Hisvoicebecamebroken。

"Ah——true。IreadDeuteronomymyself，"saidManston。

"Butmylossisasnothingtoyours，"thefarmercontinued。

"Nothing；butIcancommiserateyou。IshouldbeworsethanunfeelingifIdidn"t，althoughmyownafflictionisofsosadandsolemnakind。Indeedmyownlossmakesmemorekeenlyalivetoyours，differentinnatureasitis。"

"Whatsumdoyouthinkwouldberequiredofmetoputthehousesinplaceagain？"

"Ihaveroughlythoughtsixorsevenhundredpounds。"

"Iftheletterofthelawistobeactedupto，"saidtheoldman，withmoreagitationinhisvoice。

"Yes，exactly。"

"DoyouknowenoughofMissAldclyffe"smindtogivemeanideaofhowshemeanstotreatme？"

"Well，IamafraidImusttellyouthatthoughIknowverylittleofhermindasarule，inthismatterIbelieveshewillberatherperemptory；shemightsharetotheextentofasixthoraneighthperhaps，inconsiderationofhergettingnewlampsforold，butI

shouldhardlythinkmore。"

Thestewardsteppeduponthestile，andMr。Springrovewentalongtheroadwithabowedheadandheavyfootstepstowardshisniece"scottage，inwhich，ratheragainstthewishofEdward，theyhadtemporarilytakenrefuge。

Theadditionalweightofthisknowledgesoonmadeitselfperceptible。ThoughindoorswithEdwardorAdelaidenearlythewholeoftheafternoon，nothingmorethanmonosyllabicrepliescouldbedrawnfromhim。Edwardcontinuallydiscoveredhimlookingfixedlyatthewallorfloor，quiteunconsciousofanother"spresence。Atsupperheatejustasusual，butquitemechanically，andwiththesameabstraction。

4。DECEMBERTHETHIRD

Thenextmorninghewasinnobetterspirits。Afternooncame：hissonwasalarmed，andmanagedtodrawfromhimanaccountoftheconversationwiththesteward。

"Nonsense；heknowsnothingaboutit，"saidEdwardvehemently。

"I"llseeMissAldclyffemyself。Nowpromiseme，father，thatyou"llnotbelievetillIcomeback，andtellyoutobelieveit，thatMissAldclyffewilldoanysuchunjustthing。"

EdwardstartedatonceforKnapwaterHouse。Hestroderapidlyalongthehigh-road，tillhereachedawicketwhereafootpathallowedofashortcuttothemansion。Hereheleantdownuponthebarsforafewminutes，meditatingastothebestmannerofopeninghisspeech，andsurveyingthescenebeforehiminthatabsentmoodwhichtakescognizanceoflittlethingswithoutbeingconsciousofthematthetime，thoughtheyappearintheeyeafterwardsasvividimpressions。

Itwasayellow，lustrous，lateautumnday，oneofthosedaysofthequarterwhenmorningandeveningseemtomeettogetherwithouttheinterventionofanoon。TheclearyellowsunlighthadtemptedforthMissAldclyffeherself，whowasatthissametimetakingawalkinthedirectionofthevillage。AsSpringrovelingeredheheardbehindtheplantationawoman"sdressbrushingalongamidthepricklyhusksandleaveswhichhadfallenintothepathfromtheboughsofthechestnuttrees。Inanotherminuteshestoodinfrontofhim。

Heansweredhercasualgreetingrespectfully，andwasabouttorequestafewminutes"conversationwithher，whenshedirectlyaddressedhimonthesubjectofthefire。"Itisasadmisfortuneforyourfather"shesaid，"andIhearthathehaslatelylethisinsurancesexpire？"

"Hehas，madam，andyouareprobablyawarethateitherbythegeneraltermsofhisholding，orthesamecoupledwiththeoriginofthefire，thedisastermayinvolvethenecessityofhisrebuildingthewholerowofhouses，orelseofbecomingadebtortotheestate，totheextentofsomehundredsofpounds？"

Sheassented。"Ihavebeenthinkingofit，"shewenton，andthenrepeatedinsubstancethewordsputintohermouthbythesteward。

SomedisturbanceofthoughtmighthavebeenfanciedastakingplaceinSpringrove"smindduringherstatement，butbeforeshehadreachedtheend，hiseyeswereclear，anddirecteduponher。

"Idon"tacceptyourconditionsofrelease，"hesaid。

"Theyarenotconditionsexactly。"

"Well，whatevertheyarenot，theyareveryuncalled-forremarks。"

"Notatall——thehouseshavebeenburntbyyourfamily"snegligence。"

"Idon"trefertothehouses——youhaveofcoursethebestofallrightstospeakofthatmatter；butyou，astrangertomecomparatively，havenorightatalltovolunteeropinionsandwishesuponaverydelicatesubject，whichconcernsnolivingbeingsbutMissGraye，MissHinton，andmyself。"

MissAldclyffe，likeagoodmanyothersinherposition，hadplainlynotrealizedthatasonofhertenantandinferiorcouldhavebecomeaneducatedman，whohadlearnttofeelhisindividuality，toviewsocietyfromaBohemianstandpoint，faroutsidethefarminggradeinCarrifordparish，andthathencehehadalladevelopedman"sunorthodoxopinionaboutthesubordinationofclasses。AndfullyconsciousofthelabyrinthintowhichhehadwanderedbetweenhiswishtobehavehonourablyinthedilemmaofhisengagementtohiscousinAdelaideandtheintensityofhisloveforCytherea，Springrovewasadditionallysensitivetoanyallusiontothecase。

HehadspokentoMissAldclyffewithconsiderablewarmth。

AndMissAldclyffewasnotawomanlikelytobefarbehindanysecondpersoninwarmingtoamoodofdefiance。Itseemedasifshewerepreparedtoputupwithacoldrefusal，butthatherhaughtinessresentedacriticismofherconductendinginarebuke。

Bythis，Manston"sdiscreditableobject，whichhadbeenmadehersbycompulsiononly，wasnowadoptedbychoice。Sheflungherselfintothework。

Afierymaninsuchacasewouldhaverelinquishedpersuasionandtriedpalpableforce。Afierywomanaddedunscrupulousnessandevolveddaringstrategy；andinherobstinacy，andtosustainherselfasmistress，shedescendedtoanactionthemeannessofwhichhauntedherconsciencetoherdyinghour。

"Idon"tquitesee，Mr。Springrove，"shesaid，"thatIamaltogetherwhatyouarepleasedtocallastranger。Ihaveknownyourfamily，atanyrate，foragoodmanyyears，andIknowMissGrayeparticularlywell，andherstateofmindwithregardtothismatter。"

Perplexedlovemakesuscredulousandcuriousasoldwomen。Edwardwaswilling，heownedittohimself，togetatCytherea"sstateofmind，eventhroughsodangerousamedium。

"AletterIreceivedfromher"hesaid，withassumedcoldness，"tellsmeclearlyenoughwhatMissGraye"smindis。"

"Youthinkshestilllovesyou？Oyes，ofcourseyoudo——allmenarelikethat。"

"Ihavereasonto。"Hecouldfeignnofurtherthanthefirstspeech。

"Ishouldbeinterestedinknowingwhatreason？"shesaid，withsarcasticarchness。

Edwardfelthewasallowinghertodo，infractionalparts，whatherebelledagainstwhenregardingitasawhole；butthefactthathisantagonisthadthepresenceofaqueen，andfeaturesonlyintheearlyeveningoftheirbeauty，wasnotwithoutitsinfluenceuponakeenlyconsciousman。Herbearinghadcharmedhimintotoleration，asMaryStuart"scharmedtheindignantPuritanvisitors。Heagainansweredherhonestly。

"Thebestofreasons——thetoneofherletter。"

"Pooh，Mr。Springrove！"

"Notatall，MissAldclyffe！MissGrayedesiredthatweshouldbestrangerstoeachotherforthesimplepracticalreasonthatintimacycouldonlymakewretchedcomplicationsworse，notfromlackoflove——loveisonlysuppressed。"

"Don"tyouknowyet，thatinthusputtingasideaman，awoman"spityforthepainsheinflictsgivesherakindnessoftonewhichisoftenmistakenforsuppressedlove？"saidMissAldclyffe，withsoftinsidiousness。

ThiswasatranslationoftheambiguityofCytherea"stonewhichhehadcertainlyneverthoughtof；andhewastooingenuousnottoownit。

"Ihadneverthoughtofit，"hesaid。

"Anddon"tbelieveit？"

"Notunlesstherewassomeotherevidencetosupporttheview。"

Shepausedaminuteandthenbeganhesitatingly——

"Myintentionwas——whatIdidnotdreamofowningtoyou——myintentionwastotrytoinduceyoutofulfilyourpromisetoMissHintonnotsolelyonheraccountandyours(thoughpartly)。IloveCythereaGrayewithallmysoul，andIwanttoseeherhappyevenmorethanIdoyou。Ididnotmeantodraghernameintotheaffairatall，butIamdriventosaythatshewrotethatletterofdismissaltoyou——foritwasamostpronounceddismissal——notonaccountofyourengagement。Sheisoldenoughtoknowthatengagementscanbebrokenaseasilyastheycanbemade。Shewroteitbecauseshelovedanotherman；verysuddenly，andnotwithanyideaorhopeofmarryinghim，butnonethelessdeeply。"

"Who？"

"Mr。Manston。"

"Good——！Ican"tlistentoyouforaninstant，madam；why，shehadn"tseenhim！"

"Shehad；hecameherethedaybeforeshewrotetoyou；andIcouldprovetoyou，ifitwereworthwhile，thatonthatdayshewentvoluntarilytohishouse，thoughnotartfullyorblamably；stayedfortwohoursplayingandsinging；thatnosoonerdidsheleavehimthanshewentstraighthome，andwrotethelettersayingsheshouldnotseeyouagain，entirelybecauseshehadseenhimandfallendesperatelyinlovewithhim——aperfectlynaturalthingforayounggirltodo，consideringthathe"sthehandsomestmaninthecounty。

Whyelseshouldshenothavewrittentoyoubefore？"

"BecauseIwassucha——becauseshedidnotknowoftheconnectionbetweenmeandmycousinuntilthen。"

"Imustthinkshedid。"

"Onwhatground？"

"Onthestronggroundofmyhavingtoldherso，distinctly，theveryfirstdayshecametolivewithme。"

"Well，whatdoyouseektoimpressuponmeafterall？This——thatthedayMissGrayewrotetome，sayingitwasbetterthatweshouldpart，coincidedwiththedayshehadseenacertainman——"

"Aremarkablyhandsomeandtalentedman。"

"Yes，Iadmitthat。"

"Andthatitcoincidedwiththehourjustsubsequenttoherseeinghim。"

"Yes，justwhenshehadseenhim。"

"Andbeentohishousealonewithhim。"

"Itisnothing。"

"Andstayedthereplayingandsingingwithhim。"

"Admitthat，too，"hesaid；"anaccidentmighthavecausedit。"

"Andatthesameinstantthatshewroteyourdismissalshewrotealetterreferringtoasecretappointmentwithhim。"

"Never，byGod，madam！never！"

"Whatdoyousay，sir？"

"Never。"

Shesneered。

"There"snoaccountingforbeliefs，andthewholehistoryisaverytrivialmatter；butIamresolvedtoprovethatalady"swordistruthful，thoughuponamatterwhichconcernsneitheryounorherself。YoushalllearnthatsheDIDwritehimaletterconcerninganassignation——thatis，ifMr。Manstonstillhasit，andwillbeconsiderateenoughtolenditme。"

"Butbesides，"continuedEdward，"amarriedmantodowhatwouldcauseayounggirltowriteanoteofthekindyoumention！"

Sheflushedalittle。

"ThatIdon"tknowanythingabout，"shestammered。"ButCythereadidn"t，ofcourse，dreamanymorethanIdid，orothersintheparish，thathewasmarried。"

"Ofcourseshedidn"t。"

"AndIhavereasontobelievethathetoldherofthefactdirectlyafterwards，thatshemightnotcompromiseherself，orallowhimto。

Itisnotoriousthathestruggledhonestlyandhardagainstherattractions，andsucceededinhidinghisfeelings，ifnotinquenchingthem。"

"We"llhopethathedid。"

"Butcircumstancesarechangednow。"

"Verygreatlychanged，"hemurmuredabstractedly。

"Youmustremember，"sheaddedmoresuasively，"thatMissGrayehasaperfectrighttodowhatshelikeswithherown——herheart，thatistosay。"

HerdescentfromirritationwascausedbyperceivingthatEdward"sfaithwasreallydisturbedbyherstrongassertions，anditgratifiedher。

Edward"sthoughtsflewtohisfather，andtheobjectofhisinterviewwithher。Tongue-fencingwasutterlydistastefultohim。

"Iwillnottroubleyoubyremaininglonger，madam，"heremarked，gloomily；"ourconversationhasendedsadlyforme。"

"Don"tthinkso，"shesaid，"anddon"tbemistaken。Iamolderthanyouare，manyyearsolder，andIknowmanythings。"

Fullofmiserabledoubt，andbitterlyregrettingthathehadraisedhisfather"sexpectationsbyanticipationsimpossibleoffulfilment，Edwardslowlywenthiswayintothevillage，andapproachedhiscousin"shouse。Thefarmerwasatthedoorlookingeagerlyforhim。

Hehadbeenwaitingthereformorethanhalf-an-hour。Hiseyekindledquickly。

"Well，Ted，whatdoesshesay？"heasked，intheintenselysanguinetoneswhichfallsadlyuponalistener"sear，because，antecedently，theyraisepicturesofinevitabledisappointmentforthespeaker，insomedirectionoranother。

"Nothingforustobealarmedat，"saidEdward，withaforcedcheerfulness。

"Butmustwerebuild？"

"Itseemswemust，father。"