第11章

Hekissedheronce，twice，threetimes，andarosetohisfeet，slowlywithdrawinghimselffromhersidetowardsthedoor。Cytherearemainedwithhergazefixedonthefire。Edwardwentoutgrieving，buthopewasnotextinguishedevennow。

Hesmeltthefragranceofacigar，andimmediatelyafterwardssawasmallredstaroffireagainstthedarknessofthehedge。Grayewaspacingupanddownthelane，smokingashewalked。Springrovetoldhimtheresultoftheinterview。

"Youareagoodfellow，Edward，"hesaid；"butIthinkmysisterisright。"

"IwishyouwouldbelieveManstonavillain，asIdo，"saidSpringrove。

"ItwouldbeabsurdofmetosaythatIlikehimnow——familyfeelingpreventsit，butIcannotinhonestysaydeliberatelythatheisabadman。"

EdwardcouldkeepthesecretofManston"scoercionofMissAldclyffeinthematterofthehousesasecretnolonger。HetoldOwenthewholestory。

"That"sonething，"hecontinued，"butnotall。Whatdoyouthinkofthis——IhavediscoveredthathewenttoBudmouthpost-officeforaletterthedaybeforethefirstadvertisementforhiswifeappearedinthepapers。Onewasthereforhim，anditwasdirectedinhiswife"shandwriting，asIcanprove。ThiswasnottillafterthemarriagewithCytherea，itistrue，butif(asitseemstoshow)

theadvertisingwasafarce，thereisastrongpresumptionthattherestofthepiecewas。"

Owenwastooastoundedtospeak。Hedroppedhiscigar，andfixedhiseyesuponhiscompanion。

"Collusion！"

"Yes。"

"Withhisfirstwife？"

"Yes——withhiswife。Iamfirmlypersuadedofit。"

"Whatdidyoudiscover？"

"Thathefetchedfromthepost-officeatBudmouthaletterfromherthedayBEFOREthefirstadvertisementappeared。"

Grayewaslostinalongconsideration。"Ah！"hesaid，"itwouldbedifficulttoproveanythingofthatsortnow。Thewritingcouldnotbeswornto，andifheisguiltytheletterisdestroyed。"

"Ihaveothersuspicions——"

"Yes——asyousaid"interruptedOwen，whohadnottillnowbeenabletoformthecomplicatedsetofideasnecessaryforpicturingtheposition。"Yes，thereisthistoberemembered——Cythereahadbeentakenfromhimbeforethatlettercame——andhisknowledgeofhiswife"sexistencecouldnothaveoriginatedtillafterthewedding。

Icouldhaveswornhebelievedherdeadthen。Hismannerwasunmistakable。"

"Well，Ihaveothersuspicions，"repeatedEdward；"andifIonlyhadtheright——ifIwereherhusbandorbrother，heshouldbeconvictedofbigamyyet。"

"Thereproofwasnotneeded，"saidOwen，withalittlebitterness。

"WhatcanIdo——amanwithneithermoneynorfriends——whilstManstonhasMissAldclyffeandallherfortunetobackhimup？Godonlyknowswhatliesbetweenthemistressandhersteward，butsincethishastranspired——ifitistrue——Icanbelievetheconnectiontobeevenanunworthyone——athingIcertainlyneversomuchasownedtomyselfbefore。"

3。THEFIFTHOFMARCH

Edward"sdisclosurehadtheeffectofdirectingOwenGraye"sthoughtsintoanentirelynewanduncommonchannel。

OntheMondayafterSpringrove"svisit，OwenhadwalkedtothetopofahillintheneighbourhoodofTolchurch——awildhillthathadnoname，besideabarrendownwhereitneverlookedlikesummer。Intheintensityofhismeditationsontheever-presentsubject，hesatdownonaweather-beatenboundary-stonegazingtowardsthedistantvalleys——seeingonlyManston"simaginedform。

Hadhisdefencelesssisterbeentrifledwith？thatwasthequestionwhichaffectedhim。HerrefusalofEdwardasahusbandwas，heknew，dictatedsolelybyahumiliatedsenseofinadequacytohiminrepute，andhadnotbeenformedtillsincetheslanderoustaleaccountingforherseclusionhadbeencirculated。Wasitnottrue，asEdwardhadhinted，thathe，herbrother，wasneglectinghisdutytowardsherinallowingManstontothriveunquestioned，whilstshewashidingherheadfornofaultatall？

WasitpossiblethatManstonwassensuousvillainenoughtohavecontemplated，atanymomentbeforethemarriagewithCytherea，thereturnofhisfirstwife，whenheshouldhavegrownwearyofhisnewtoy？Hadhebelievedthat，byaskilfulmanipulationofsuchcircumstancesaschancewouldthrowinhisway，hecouldescapeallsuspicionofhavingknownthatshelived？Onlyonefactwithinhisowndirectknowledgeaffordedtheleastgroundforsuchasupposition。Itwasthat，possessedbyawomanonlyinthehumbleandunprotectedstationofalady"shiredcompanion，hissister"sbeautymightscarcelyhavebeensufficienttoinduceaselfishmanlikeManstontomakeherhiswife，unlesshehadforeseenthepossibilityofgettingridofheragain。

"ButforthatstratagemofManston"sinrelationtotheSpringroves，"Owenthought，"CythiemightnowhavebeenthehappywifeofEdward。True，thatheinfluencedMissAldclyffeonlyrestsonEdward"ssuspicions，butthegroundsaregood——theprobabilityisstrong。"

HewentindoorsandquestionedCytherea。

"Onthenightofthefire，whofirstsaidthatMrs。Manstonwasburnt？"heasked。

"Idon"tknowwhostartedthereport。"

"WasitManston？"

"Itwascertainlynothe。Alldoubtonthesubjectwasremovedbeforehecametothespot——thatIamcertainof。EverybodyknewthatshedidnotescapeAFTERthehousewasonfire，andthusalloverlookedthefactthatshemighthaveleftbefore——ofcoursethatwouldhaveseemedsuchanimprobablethingforanybodytodo。"

"Yes，untiltheporter"sstoryofherirritationanddoubtastohercoursemadeitnatural。"

"Whatsettledthematterattheinquest，"saidCytherea，"wasMr。

Manston"sevidencethatthewatchwashiswife"s。"

"Hewassureofthat，wasn"the？"

"Ibelievehesaidhewascertainofit。"

"Itmighthavebeenhers——leftbehindinherperturbation，astheysayitwas——impossibleasthatseemsatfirstsight。Yes——onthewhole，hemighthavebelievedinherdeath。"

"Iknowbyseveralproofsthatthen，andatleastforsometimeafter，hehadnootherthoughtthanthatshewasdead。Inowthinkthatbeforetheporter"sconfessionheknewsomethingabouther——

thoughnotthatshelived。"

"Whydoyou？"

"Fromwhathesaidtomeontheeveningofthewedding-day，whenI

hadfastenedmyselfintheroomatthehotel，afterEdward"svisit。

HemusthavesuspectedthatIknewsomething，forhewasirritated，andinapassionofuneasydoubt。Hesaid，“Youdon"tsupposemyfirstwifeiscometolightagain，madam，surely？”Directlyhehadlettheremarkslipout，heseemedanxioustowithdrawit。"

"That"sodd，"saidOwen。

"Ithoughtitveryodd。"

"Stillwemustrememberhemightonlyhavehituponthethoughtbyaccident，indoubtastoyourmotive。Yes，thegreatpointtodiscoverremainsthesameasever——didhedoubthisfirstimpressionofherdeathBEFOREhemarriedyou。Ican"thelpthinkinghedid，althoughhewassoastoundedatournewsthatnight。Edwardswearshedid。"

"Itwasperhapsonlyashorttimebefore，"saidCytherea；"whenhecouldhardlyrecedefromhavingme。

"Seasoningjusticewithmercyasusual，Cytherea。"Tisunfairtoyourselftotalklikethat。IfIcouldonlybringhimtoruinasabigamist——supposinghimtobeone——Ishoulddiehappy。That"swhatwemustfindoutbyfairmeansorfoul——washeawilfulbigamist？"

"Itisnousetrying，Owen。Youwouldhavetoemployasolicitor，andhowcanyoudothat？"

"Ican"tatall——Iknowthatverywell。ButneitherdoIaltogetherwishtoatpresent——alawyermusthaveacase——factstogoupon，thatmeans。Nowtheyarescarceatpresent——asscarceasmoneyiswithus，andtillwehavefoundmoremoneythereisnohurryforalawyer。Perhapsbythetimewehavethefactsweshallhavethemoney。Theonlythingweloseinworkingaloneinthisway，istime——nottheissue：forthefruitthatonemindmaturesinatwelvemonthformsamoreperfectlyorganizedwholethanthatoftwelvemindsinonemonth，especiallyiftheinterestsofthesingleonearevitallyconcerned，andthoseofthetwelveareonlyhired。

Butthereisnotonlymymindavailable——youareashrewdwoman，Cythie，andEdwardisanearnestally。Then，ifwereallygetasurefootingforacriminalprosecution，theCrownwilltakeupthecase。"

"Idon"tmuchcaretopressoninthematter，"shemurmured。"Whatgoodcanitdous，Owen，afterall？"

"Selfishlyspeaking，itwilldothisgood——thatallthefactsofyourjourneytoSouthamptonwillbecomeknown，andthescandalwilldie。Besides，Manstonwillhavetosuffer——it"sanactofjusticetoyouandtootherwomen，andtoEdwardSpringrove。"

HenowthoughtitnecessarytotellheroftherealnatureoftheSpringroves"obligationtoMissAldclyffe——andtheirnearlycertainknowledgethatManstonwastheprimemoverineffectingtheirembarrassment。Herfaceflushedasshelistened。

"Andnow，"hesaid，"ourfirstundertakingistofindoutwhereMrs。

Manstonlivedduringtheseparation；next，whenthefirstcommunicationspassedbetweenthemafterthefire。"

"IfweonlyhadMissAldclyffe"scountenanceandassistanceasI

usedtohavethem，"Cythereareturned，"howstrongweshouldbe！O，whatpowerisitthatheexercisesoverher，swayingherjustashewishes！Shelovesmenow。Mrs。MorrisinherlettersaidthatMissAldclyffeprayedforme——yes，sheheardherprayingforme，andcrying。MissAldclyffedidnotmindanoldfriendlikeMrs。Morrisknowingit，either。Yetinoppositiontothis，noticeherdeadsilenceandinactionthroughoutthisproceeding。"

"Itisamystery；butnevermindthatnow，"saidOwenimpressively。

"AboutwhereMrs。Manstonhasbeenliving。Wemustgetthispartofitfirst——learntheplaceofherstayintheearlystageoftheirseparation，duringtheperiodofManston"sarrivalhere，andsoon，forthatwaswhereshewasfirstcommunicatedwithonthesubjectofcomingtoKnapwater，beforethefire；andthataddress，too，washerpointofdeparturewhenshecametoherhusbandbystealthinthenight——youknow——thetimeIvisitedyouintheeveningandwenthomeearlyinthemorning，anditwasfoundthathehadbeenvisitedtoo。

Ah！couldn"tweinquireofMrs。Leat，whokeepsthepost-officeatCarriford，ifsherememberswheretheletterstoMrs。Manstonweredirected？"

"Heneverpostedhisletterstoherintheparish——itwasremarkedatthetime。IwasthinkingifsomethingrelatingtoheraddressmightnotbefoundinthereportoftheinquestintheCasterbridgeChronicleofthedate。Somefactsabouttheinquestweregiveninthepaperstoacertainty。"

Herbrothercaughteagerlyatthesuggestion。"WhohasafileoftheChronicles？"hesaid。

"Mr。Raunhamusedtofilethem，"saidCytherea。"Hewasratherfriendly-disposedtowardsme，too。"

Owencouldnot，onanyconsideration，escapefromhisattendanceatthechurch-buildingtillSaturdayevening；andthusitbecamenecessary，unlesstheyactuallywastedtime，thatCythereaherselfshouldassist。"Iactunderyourorders，Owen，"shesaid。

XVI。THEEVENTSOFONEWEEK

1。MARCHTHESIXTH

Thenextmorningtheopeningmoveofthegamewasmade。Cytherea，undercoverofathickveil，hiredaconveyanceanddrovetowithinamileorsoofCarriford。ItwaswitharenewedsenseofdepressionthatshesawagaintheobjectswhichhadbecomefamiliartohereyeduringhersojournunderMissAldclyffe"sroof——theoutlineofthehills，themeadowstreams，theoldparktrees。Shehastenedbyalonelypathtotherectory-house，andaskedifMr。

Raunhamwasathome。

Nowtherector，thoughasolitarybachelor，wasasgallantandcourteoustowomankindasanancientIberian；and，moreover，hewasCytherea"sfriendinparticular，toanextentfargreaterthanshehadeversurmised。Rarelyvisitinghisrelative，MissAldclyffe，exceptonparishmatters，morerarelystillbeingcalleduponbyMissAldclyffe，CythereahadlearntverylittleofhimwhilstshelivedatKnapwater。Therelationshipwasontheimpecuniouspaternalside，andforthisbranchofherfamilytheladyoftheestatehadneverevincedmuchsympathy。Inlookingbackuponourlineofdescentitisaninstinctwithustofeelthatallourvitalitywasdrawnfromthericherpartytoanyunequalmarriageinthechain。

Sincethedeathoftheoldcaptain，therector"sbearinginKnapwaterHousehadbeenalmostthatofastranger，acircumstancewhichhehimselfwasthelastmanintheworldtoregret。Thispoliteindifferencewassofrigidonbothsidesthattherectordidnotconcernhimselftopreachather，whichwasagreatdealinarector；andshedidnottakethetroubletothinkhissermonspoorstuff，whichinacynicalwomanwasagreatdealmore。

Thoughbarelyfiftyyearsofage，hishairwasaswhiteassnow，contrastingstrangelywiththerednessofhisskin，whichwasasfreshandhealthyasalad"s。Cytherea"sbrighteyes，mutelyanddemurelyglancingupathimSundayafterSunday，hadbeenthemeansofdrivingawaymanyofthesaturninehumoursthatcreepintoanemptyheartduringthehoursofasolitarylife；inthiscase，however，tosupplantthem，whenshelefthisparish，bythoseothersofamoreachingnaturewhichaccompanyanover-fullone。Inshort，hehadbeenonthevergeoffeelingtowardsherthatpassiontowhichhisdignifiedself-respectwouldnotgiveitstruename，evenintheprivacyofhisownthought。

Hereceivedherkindly；butshewasnotdisposedtobefrankwithhim。Hesawherwishtobereserved，andwithgenuinegoodtasteandgoodnaturemadenocommentwhateveruponherrequesttobeallowedtoseetheChroniclefortheyearbeforethelast。Heplacedthepapersbeforeheronhisstudytable，withatimidityasgreatasherown，andthenleftherentirelytoherself。

Sheturnedthemovertillshecametothefirstheadingconnectedwiththesubjectofhersearch——"DisastrousFireandLossofLifeatCarriford。"

Thesight，anditscalamitousbearinguponherownlife，madehersodizzythatshecould，forawhile，hardlydeciphertheletters。

Stiflingrecollectionbyaneffortshenervedherselftoherwork，andcarefullyreadthecolumn。Theaccountremindedherofnootherfactthanwasrememberedalready。

Sheturnedontothefollowingweek"sreportoftheinquest。AfteramiserableperusalshecouldfindnomorepertainingtoMrs。

Manston"saddressthanthis：——

"ABRAHAMBROWN，ofHoxton，London，atwhosehousethedeceasedwomanhadbeenliving，deposed，"etc。

NobodyelsefromLondonhadattendedtheinquest。Shearosetodepart，firstsendingamessageofthankstoMr。Raunham，whowasoutofdoorsgardening。

Hestuckhisspadeintotheground，andaccompaniedhertothegate。

"CanIhelpyouinanything，Cytherea？"hesaid，usingherChristiannamebyanintuitionthatunpleasantmemoriesmightberevivedifhecalledherMissGrayeafterwishinghergood-byeasMrs。Manstonatthewedding。Cythereasawthemotiveandappreciatedit，neverthelessreplyingevasively——

"Ionlyguessandfear。"

Heearnestlylookedatheragain。

"Promisemethatifyouwantassistance，andyouthinkIcangiveit，youwillcometome。"

"Iwill，"shesaid。

Thegateclosedbetweenthem。

"Youdon"twantmetohelpyouinanythingnow，Cytherea？"herepeated。

Ifhehadspokenwhathefelt，"Iwantverymuchtohelpyou，Cytherea，andhavebeenwatchingManstononyouraccount，"shewouldgladlyhaveacceptedhisoffer。Asitwas，shewasperplexed，andraisedhereyestohis，notsofearlesslyasbeforehertrouble，butasmodestly，andwithstillenoughbrightnessinthemtodofearfulexecutionasshesaidoverthegate——

"No，thankyou。"

ShereturnedtoTolchurchwearywithherday"swork。Owen"sgreetingwasanxious——

"Well，Cytherea？"

Shegavehimthewordsfromthereportoftheinquest，pencilledonaslipofpaper。

"Nowtofindoutthenameofthestreetandnumber，"Owenremarked。

"Owen，"shesaid，"willyouforgivemeforwhatIamgoingtosay？

Idon"tthinkIcan——indeedIdon"tthinkIcan——takeanyfurtherstepstowardsdisentanglingthemystery。Istillthinkitauselesstask，anditdoesnotseemanydutyofminetoberevengeduponMr。

Manstoninanyway。"Sheaddedmoregravely，"Itisbeneathmydignityasawomantolabourforthis；Ihavefeltitsoallday。"

"Verywell，"hesaid，somewhatshortly；"Ishallworkwithoutyouthen。There"sdignityinjustice。"Hecaughtsightofherpaletiredface，andthedilatedeyewhichalwaysappearedinherwithweariness。"Darling，"hecontinuedwarmly，andkissingher，"youshallnotworksohardagain——youarewornoutquite。ButyoumustletmedoasIlike。"

2。MARCHTHETENTH

OnSaturdayeveningGrayehurriedofftoCasterbridge，andcalledatthehouseofthereportertotheChronicle。Thereporterwasathome，andcameouttoGrayeinthepassage。Owenexplainedwhoandwhathewas，andaskedthemanifhewouldobligehimbyturningtohisnotesoftheinquestatCarrifordintheDecemberoftheyearprecedingthelast——justaddingthatafamilyentanglement，ofwhichthereporterprobablyknewsomething，madehimanxioustoascertainsomeadditionaldetailsoftheevent，ifanyexisted。

"Certainly，"saidtheother，withouthesitation；"thoughIamafraidIhaven"tmuchbeyondwhatweprintedatthetime。Letmesee——myoldnote-booksareinmydrawerattheofficeofthepaper：ifyouwillcomewithmeIcanrefertothemthere。"Hiswifeandfamilywereatteainsidetheroom，andwiththetimidityofdecentpovertyeverywhereheseemedgladtogetastrangeroutofhisdomesticgroove。

Theycrossedthestreet，enteredtheoffice，andwentthencetoaninnerroom。Here，afterashortsearch，wasfoundthebookrequired。Thepreciseaddress，notgiveninthecondensedreportthatwasprinted，butwrittendownbythereporter，wasasfollows：——

"ABRAHAMBROWN，LODGING-HOUSEKEEPER，41CHARLESSQUARE，HOXTON。"

Owencopiedit，andgavethereporterasmallfee。"Iwanttokeepthisinquiryprivateforthepresent，"hesaidhesitatingly。"Youwillperhapsunderstandwhy，andobligeme。"

Thereporterpromised。"Newsisshopwithme，"hesaid，"andtoescapefromhandlingitismygreatestsocialenjoyment。"

Itwasevening，andtheouterroomofthepublishing-officewaslightedupwithflaringjetsofgas。Aftermakingtheaboveremark，thereportercameoutfromtheinnerapartmentinGraye"scompany，answeringanexpressionofobligationfromOwenwiththewordsthatitwasnotrouble。Atthemomentofhisspeech，heclosedbehindhimthedoorbetweenthetworooms，stillholdinghisnote-bookinhishand。

Beforethecounterofthefrontroomstoodatallman，whowasalsospeaking，whentheyemerged。Hesaidtotheyouthinattendance，"I

willtakemypaperforthisweeknowIamhere，sothatyouneedn"tpostittome。"

Thestrangerthenslightlyturnedhishead，sawOwen，andrecognizedhim。OwenpassedoutwithoutrecognizingtheotherasManston。

Manstonthenlookedatthereporter，who，afterwalkingtothedoorwithOwen，hadcomebackagaintolockuphisbooks。Manstondidnotneedtobetoldthattheshabbymarble-coveredbookwhichheheldinhishand，openingendwaysandinterleavedwithblotting-

paper，wasanoldreporting-book。Heraisedhiseyestothereporter"sface，whoseexperiencehadnotsoschooledhisfeaturesbutthattheybetrayedaconsciousness，toonehalfinitiatedastheotherwas，thathislateproceedinghadbeenconnectedwitheventsinthelifeofthesteward。Manstonsaidnomore，but，takinghisnewspaper，followedOwenfromtheoffice，anddisappearedinthegloomofthestreet。

EdwardSpringrovewasnowinLondonagain，andonthissameevening，beforeleavingCasterbridge，Owenwroteacarefullettertohim，statingthereinallthefactsthathadcometohisknowledge，andbegginghim，ashevaluedCytherea，tomakecautiousinquiries。A

tallmanwasstandingunderthelamp-post，abouthalf-a-dozenyardsabovethepost-office，whenhedroppedtheletterintothebox。

Thatsamenight，too，forareasonconnectedwiththerencounterwithOwenGraye，thestewardentertainedtheideaofrushingoffsuddenlytoLondonbythemail-train，whichleftCasterbridgeatteno"clock。ButrememberingthatletterspostedafterthehouratwhichOwenhadobtainedhisinformation——whateverthatwas——couldnotbedeliveredinLondontillMondaymorning，hechangedhismindandwenthometoKnapwater。Makingaconfidentialexplanationtohiswife，arrangementsweresetonfootforhisdeparturebythemailonSundaynight。

3。MARCHTHEELEVENTH

Startingforchurchthenextmorningseveralminutesearlierthanwasusualwithhim，thestewardintentionallyloiteredalongtheroadfromthevillagetilloldMr。Springroveovertookhim。Manstonspokeverycivillyofthemorning，andoftheweather，askinghowthefarmer"sbarometerstood，andwhenitwasprobablethatthewindmightchange。ItwasnotinMr。Springrove"snature——goingtochurchashewas，too——toreturnanythingbutacivilanswertosuchcivilquestions，howeverhisfeelingsmighthavebeenbiassedbylateevents。Theconversationwascontinuedontermsofgreaterfriendliness。

"Youmustbefeelingsettledagainbythistime，Mr。Springrove，aftertheroughturn-outyouhadonthatterriblenightinNovember。"

"Ay，butIdon"tknowaboutfeelingsettled，either，Mr。Manston。

Theoldwindowinthechimney-corneroftheoldhouseIshallneverforget。Nowindowinthechimney-cornerwhereIamnow，andIhadbeenusedtoitformorethanfiftyyears。Tedsays"tisagreatlosstome，andheknowsexactlywhatIfeel。"

"Yoursonisagaininagoodsituation，Ibelieve？"saidManston，imitatingthatinquisitivenessintotheprivateaffairsofthenativeswhichpassesforhighbreedingincountryvillages。

"Yes，sir。Ihopehe"llkeepit，ordosomethingelseandsticktoit。"

""Tistobehopedhe"llbesteadynow。"

"He"salwaysbeenthat，Iassure"ee，"saidtheoldmantartly。

"Yes——yes——Imeanintellectuallysteady。Intellectualwildoatswillthriveinasoilofthestrictestmorality。"

"Intellectualgingerbread！Ted"ssteadyenough——that"sallIknowaboutit。"

"Ofcourse——ofcourse。Hasherespectablelodgings？Myownexperiencehasshownmethatthat"sagreatthingtoayoungmanlivingaloneinLondon。"

"WarwickStreet，CharingCross——that"swhereheis。"

"Well，tobesure——strange！Averydearfriendofmineusedtoliveatnumberfifty-twointhatverysamestreet。"

"Edwardlivesatnumberforty-nine——howverynearbeingthesamehouse！"saidtheoldfarmer，pleasedinspiteofhimself。

"Very，"saidManston。"Well，Isupposewehadbetterstepalongalittlequicker，Mr。Springrove；theparson"sbellhasjustbegun。"

"Numberforty-nine，"hemurmured。

4。MARCHTHETWELFTH

EdwardreceivedOwen"sletterinduetime，butonaccountofhisdailyengagementshecouldnotattendtoanyrequesttilltheclockhadstruckfiveintheafternoon。RushingthenfromhisofficeinWestminster，hecalledahansomandproceededtoHoxton。Afewminuteslaterheknockedatthedoorofnumberforty-one，CharlesSquare，theoldlodgingofMrs。Manston。

Atallmanwhowouldhavelookedextremelyhandsomehadhenotbeenclumsilyandcloselywrappedupingarmentsthatweremuchtooelderlyinstyleforhisyears，stoodatthecornerofthequietsquareatthesameinstant，having，too，alightedfromacab，thathadbeendrivenalongOldStreetinEdward"srear。HesmiledconfidentlywhenSpringroveknocked。

Nobodycametothedoor。Springroveknockedagain。

Thisbroughtouttwopeople——oneatthedoorhehadbeenknockingupon，theotherfromthenextontheright。

"IsMr。Brownathome？"saidSpringrove。

"No，sir。"

"Whenwillhebein？"

"Quiteuncertain。"

"CanyoutellmewhereImayfindhim？"

"No。O，hereheiscoming，sir。That"sMr。Brown。"

Edwardlookeddownthepavementinthedirectionpointedoutbythewoman，andsawamanapproaching。Heproceededafewstepstomeethim。

Edwardwasimpatient，andtoacertainextentstillacountryman，whohadnot，afterthemannerofcitymen，subduedthenaturalimpulsetospeakouttherulingthoughtwithoutpreface。Hesaidinaquiettonetothestranger，"Onewordwithyou——doyourememberaladylodgerofyoursofthenameofMrs。Manston？"

Mr。BrownhalfclosedhiseyesatSpringrove，somewhatasifhewerelookingintoatelescopeatthewrongend。

"Ihaveneverletlodgingsinmylife，"hesaid，afterhissurvey。

"Didn"tyouattendaninquestayearandahalfago，atCarriford？"

"Neverknewtherewassuchaplaceintheworld，sir；andastolodgings，Ihavetakenacresfirstandlastduringthelastthirtyyears，butIhaveneverletaninch。"

"Isupposethereissomemistake，"Edwardmurmured，andturnedaway。

HeandMr。Brownwerenowoppositethedoornexttotheonehehadknockedat。Thewomanwhowasstillstandingtherehadheardtheinquiryandtheresultofit。

"IexpectitistheotherMr。Brown，whousedtolivethere，thatyouwant，sir，"shesaid。"TheMr。Brownthatwasinquiredfortheotherday？"

"Verylikelythatistheman，"saidEdward，hisinterestreawakening。

"Hecouldn"tmakeadooflodging-lettinghere，andatlasthewenttoCornwall，wherehecamefrom，andwherehisbrotherstilllived，whohadoftenaskedhimtocomehomeagain。Buttherewaslittleluckinthechange；forafterLondontheysayhecouldn"tstandtherainywestwindstheygetthere，andhediedintheDecemberfollowing。Willyoustepintothepassage？"

"That"sunfortunate，"saidEdward，goingin。"ButperhapsyourememberaMrs。Manstonlivingnextdoortoyou？"

"Oyes，"saidthelandlady，closingthedoor。"Theladywhowassupposedtohavemetwithsuchahorriblefate，andwasaliveallthetime。Isawhertheotherday。"

"SincethefireatCarriford？"

"Yes。HerhusbandcametoaskifMr。Brownwasstilllivinghere——

justasyoumight。Heseemedanxiousaboutit；andthenoneevening，aweekorfortnightafterwards，whenhecameagaintomakefurtherinquiries，shewaswithhim。ButIdidnotspeaktoher——

shestoodback，asifshewereshy。Iwasinterested，however，foroldMr。Brownhadtoldmeallaboutherwhenhecamebackfromtheinquest。"

"DidyouknowMrs。Manstonbeforeshecalledtheotherday？"

"No。YouseeshewasonlyMr。Brown"slodgerfortwoorthreeweeks，andIdidn"tknowshewaslivingtheretillshewasnearuponleavingagain——wedon"tnoticenext-doorpeoplemuchhereinLondon。

ImuchregrettedIhadnotknownherwhenIheardwhathadhappened。

ItledmeandMr。Browntotalkaboutheragreatdealafterwards。

IlittlethoughtIshouldseeheraliveafterall。"

"Andwhendoyousaytheycameheretogether？"

"Idon"texactlyremembertheday——thoughIrememberaverybeautifuldreamIhadthatsamenight——ah，Ishallneverforgetit！

Shoalsoflodgerscomingalongthesquarewithangels"wingsandbrightgoldensovereignsintheirhandswantingapartmentsatWestEndprices。Theywouldnotgiveanyless；no，notifyou——"

"Yes。DidMrs。Manstonleaveanything，suchaspapers，whenshelefttheselodgingsoriginally？"saidEdward，thoughhisheartsankasheasked。Hefeltthathewasoutwitted。Manstonandhiswifehadbeentherebeforehim，clearingthegroundofalltraces。

"Ihavealwayssaid“No“hitherto，"repliedthewoman，"consideringIcouldsaynomoreifputuponmyoath，asIexpectedtobe。Butspeakinginacommoneverydaywaynowtheoccurrenceispast，I

believeafewthingsofsomekind(thoughIdoubtiftheywerepapers)wereleftinaworkboxshehad，becauseshetalkedaboutittoMr。Brown，andwasratherangryatwhatoccurred——yousee，shehadatemperbyallaccount，andsoIdidn"tliketoremindtheladyofthisworkboxwhenshecametheotherdaywithherhusband。"

"Andabouttheworkbox？"

"Well，fromwhatwascasuallydropped，IthinkMrs。Manstonhadafewarticlesoffurnitureshedidn"twant，andwhenshewasleavingtheywereputinasalejustby。Amongstherthingsweretwoworkboxesverymuchalike。Oneofthesesheintendedtosell，theothershedidn"t，andMr。Brown，whocollectedthethingstogether，tookthewrongonetothesale。"

"Whatwasinit？"

"O，nothinginparticular，orofanyvalue——someaccounts，andherusualsewingmaterialsIthink——nothingmore。Shedidn"ttakemuchtroubletogetitback——shesaidthebillswereworthnothingtoheroranybodyelse，butthatsheshouldhavelikedtokeeptheboxbecauseherhusbandgaveitherwhentheywerefirstmarried，andifhefoundshehadpartedwithit，hewouldbevexed。"

"DidMrs。Manston，whenshecalledrecentlywithherhusband，alludetothis，orinquireforit，ordidMr。Manston？"

"No——andIratherwonderedatit。Butsheseemedtohaveforgottenit——indeed，shedidn"tmakeanyinquiryatall，onlystandingbehindhim，listeningtohis；andheprobablyhadneverbeentoldanythingaboutit。"

"Whosesalewerethesearticlesofherstakento？"

"Whowastheauctioneer？Mr。Halway。Hisplaceisthethirdturningfromtheendofthatstreetyouseethere。Anybodywilltellyoutheshop——hisnameiswrittenup。"

Edwardwentofftofollowuphiscluewithapromptnesswhichwasdictatedmorebyadoggedwilltodohisutmostthanbyahopeofdoingmuch。Whenhewasoutofsight，thetallandcloakedman，whohadwatchedhim，cameuptothewoman"sdoor，withanappearanceofbeinginbreathlesshaste。

"HasagentlemanbeenhereinquiringaboutMrs。Manston？"

"Yes；he"sjustgone。"

"Dearme！Iwanthim。"

"He"sgonetoMr。Halway"s。"

"IthinkIcangivehimsomeinformationuponthesubject。Doeshepayprettyliberally？"

"Hegavemehalf-a-crown。"

"Thatscalewilldo。I"mapoorman，andwillseewhatmylittlecontributiontohisknowledgewillfetch。But，bytheway，perhapsyoutoldhimallIknow——whereshelivedbeforecomingtolivehere？"

"Ididn"tknowwhereshelivedbeforecominghere。Ono——IonlysaidwhatMr。Brownhadtoldme。Heseemedanice，gentleyoungman，orIshouldn"thavebeensoopenasIwas。"

"IshallnowaboutcatchhimatMr。Halway"s，"saidtheman，andwentawayashastilyashehadcome。

Edwardinthemeantimehadreachedtheauction-room。Hefoundsomedifficulty，onaccountoftheinertnessofthosewhoseonlyinducementtoanactionisamerewishfromanother，ingettingtheinformationhestoodinneedof，butitwasatlastaccordedhim。

Theauctioneer"sbookgavethenameofMrs。Higgins，3CanleyPassage，asthepurchaserofthelotwhichhadincludedMrs。

Manston"sworkbox。

ThitherEdwardwent，followedbytheman。Fourbellpulls，oneabovetheotherlikewaistcoat-buttons，appearedonthedoor-post。

Edwardseizedthefirsthecameto。

"Whodidyouwoant？"saidathinvoicefromsomewhere。

Edwardlookedaboveandaroundhim；nobodywasvisible。

"Whodidyouwoant？"saidthethinvoiceagain。

Hefoundnowthatthesoundproceededfrombelowthegratingcoveringthebasementwindow。Hedroppedhisglancethroughthebars，andsawachild"swhiteface。

"Whodidyouwoant？"saidthevoicethethirdtime，withpreciselythesamelanguidinflection。

"Mrs。Higgins，"saidEdward。

"Thirdbellup，"saidtheface，anddisappeared。

Hepulledthethirdbellfromthebottom，andwasadmittedbyanotherchild，thedaughterofthewomanhewasinsearchof。Hegavethelittlethingsixpence，andaskedforhermamma。Thechildledhimupstairs。

Mrs。Higginswasthewifeofacarpenterwhofromwantofemploymentonewinterhaddecidedtomarry。Afterwardstheybothtooktodrink，andsankintodesperatecircumstances。Afewchairsandatablewerethechiefarticlesoffurnitureinthethird-floorbackroomwhichtheyoccupied。Arollofbaby-linenlayonthefloor；

besideitapap-cloggedspoonandanoverturnedtinpap-cup。

AgainstthewallaDutchclockwasfixedoutoflevel，andtickedwildlyinlongsandshorts，itsentrailshangingdownbeneathitswhitefaceandwiryhands，likethefaecesofaHarpy("foedissimaventrisproluvies，uncaequemanus，etpallidasemperora")。Ababywascryingagainsteverychair-leg，thewholefamilyofsixorsevenbeingsmallenoughtobecoveredbyawashing-tub。Mrs。Higginssathelpless，clothedinadresswhichhadhooksandeyesinplenty，butneveroneoppositetheother，therebyrenderingthedressalmostuselessasascreentothebosom。Noworkboxwasvisibleanywhere。

Itwasadepressingpictureofmarriedlifeamongtheverypoorofacity。Onlyforoneshorthourinthewholetwenty-fourdidhusbandandwifetastegenuinehappiness。Itwasintheevening，when，afterthesaleofsomenecessaryarticleoffurniture，theywereundertheinfluenceofaquarternofgin。

Ofalltheingeniousandcruelsatiresthatfromthebeginningtillnowhavebeenstucklikeknivesintowomankind，surelythereisnotonesolaceratingtothem，andtouswholovethem，asthetriteoldfact，thatthemostwretchedofmencan，inthetwinklingofaneye，findawifereadytobemorewretchedstillforthesakeofhiscompany。

Edwardhastenedtodespatchhiserrand。

Mrs。Higginshadlatelypawnedtheworkboxwithotheruselessarticlesoflumber，shesaid。Edwardboughttheduplicateofher，andwentdownstairstothepawnbroker"s。

Inthebackdivisionofamustyshop，amidtheheterogeneouscollectionofarticlesandodoursinvariablycrowdingsuchplaces，heproducedhisticket，andwithasenseofsatisfactionoutofallproportiontotheprobableworthofhisacquisition，tooktheboxandcarrieditoffunderhisarm。Heattemptedtoliftthecoverashewalked，butfounditlocked。

ItwasduskwhenSpringrovereachedhislodging。Enteringhissmallsitting-room，thefrontapartmentonthegroundfloor，hestruckalight，andproceededtolearnifanyscrapormarkwithinoruponhispurchaserendereditofmomenttothebusinessinhand。

Breakingopenthecoverwithasmallchisel，andliftingthetray，heglancedeagerlybeneath，andfound——nothing。

Henextdiscoveredthatapocketorportfoliowasformedontheundersideofthecover。Thisheunfastened，andslippinghishandwithin，foundthatitreallycontainedsomesubstance。Firsthepulledoutaboutadozentangledsilkandcottonthreads。Underthemwereashorthouseholdaccount，adrymoss-rosebud，andanoldpairofcarte-de-visitephotographs。OneofthesewasalikenessofMrs。Manston——"Eunice"beingwrittenunderitinink——theotherofManstonhimself。

Hesatdowndispirited。Thiswasallthefruitofhistask——notasingleletter，date，oraddressofanykindtohelphim——andwasitlikelytherewouldbe？

However，thinkinghewouldsendthefragments，suchastheywere，toGraye，inordertosatisfyhimthathehaddonehisbestsofar，hescribbledaline，andputallexceptthesilkandcottonintoanenvelope。Lookingathiswatch，hefounditwasthentwentyminutestoseven；byaffixinganextrastamphewouldbeenabledtodespatchthembythatevening"spost。Hehastilydirectedthepacket，andranwithitatoncetothepost-officeatCharingCross。

Onhisreturnhetookuptheworkboxagaintoexamineitmoreleisurely。Hethenfoundtherewasalsoasmallcavityinthetrayunderthepincushion，whichwasmovablebyabitofribbon。Liftingthisheuncoveredaflattenedsprigofmyrtle，andasmallscrapofcrumpledpaper。Thepapercontainedaverseortwoinaman"shandwriting。HerecognizeditasManston"s，havingseennotesandbillsfromhimathisfather"shouse。Thestanzawasofacomplimentarycharacter，descriptiveoftheladywhowasnowManston"swife。

"EUNICE。

"WhosoforhoursorlengthydaysShallcatchheraspect"schangefulrays，Thenturnaway，cannonerecallBeyondagalaxyofallInhazyportraiture；

LitbythelightofazureeyesLikesummerdaysbysummerskies：

HersweettransitionsseemtobeAkindofpicturedmelody，Andnotasetcontour。

"AE。M。"

Toshake，pull，andransacktheboxtillhehadalmostdestroyeditwasnowhisnaturalaction。Butitcontainedabsolutelynothingmore。

"Disappointedagain，"hesaid，flingingdownthebox，thebitofpaper，andthewitheredtwigthathadlainwithit。

Yetvaluelessasthenewacquisitionwas，onsecondthoughtsheconsideredthatitwouldbeworthwhiletomakegoodthestatementinhislatenotetoGraye——thathehadsenteverythingtheboxcontainedexceptthesewing-thread。Thereuponheenclosedtheverseandmyrtle-twiginanotherenvelope，witharemarkthathehadoverlookedtheminhisfirstsearch，andputitonthetableforthenextday"spost。

Inhishurryandconcentrationuponthematterthatoccupiedhim，Springrove，onenteringhislodgingandobtainingalight，hadnotwaitedtopulldowntheblindorclosetheshutters。Consequentlyallthathehaddonehadbeenvisiblefromthestreet。Butasonanaveragenotonepersonaminutepassedalongthequietpavementatthistimeoftheevening，thediscoveryoftheomissiondidnotmuchconcernhismind。

Buttherealstateofthecasewasthatatallmanhadstoodagainsttheoppositewallandwatchedthewholeofhisproceeding。WhenEdwardcameoutandwenttotheCharingCrosspost-office，themanfollowedhimandsawhimdroptheletterintothebox。ThestrangerdidnotfurthertroublehimselftofollowSpringrovebacktohislodgingagain。

Manstonnowknewthattherehadbeenphotographsofsomekindinhiswife"sworkbox，andthoughhehadnotbeennearenoughtoseethem，heguessedwhosetheywere。Theleastreflectiontoldhimtowhomtheyhadbeensent。

Hepausedaminuteundertheporticoofthepost-office，lookingatthetwoorthreeomnibusesstoppingandstartinginfrontofhim。

ThenherushedalongtheStrand，throughHolywellStreet，andontoOldBoswellCourt。Kickingasidetheshoeblackswhobegantoimportunehimashepassedunderthecolonnade，heturnedupthenarrowpassagetothepublishing-officeofthePost-OfficeDirectory。HebeggedtobeallowedtoseetheDirectoryofthesouth-westcountiesofEnglandforamoment。

Theshopmanimmediatelyhandeddownthevolumefromashelf，andManstonretiredwithittothewindow-bench。Heturnedtothecounty，andthentotheparishofTolchurch。Attheendofthehistoricalandtopographicaldescriptionofthevillageheread：——

"Postmistress——Mrs。Hurston。Lettersreceivedat6。3OA。M。byfoot-

postfromAnglebury。"

Returninghisthanks，hehandedbackthebookandquittedtheoffice，thencepursuinghiswaytoanobscurecoffee-housebytheStrand，wherehenowpartookofalightdinner。Butrestseemedimpossiblewithhim。Someabsorbingintentionkepthisbodycontinuallyonthemove。Hepaidhisbill，tookhisbaginhishand，andwentouttoidleaboutthestreetsandovertherivertillthetimeshouldhavearrivedatwhichthenight-maillefttheWaterlooStation，bywhichtrainheintendedtoreturnhomeward。

Thereexists，asitwere，anouterchambertothemind，inwhich，whenamanisoccupiedcentrallywiththemostmomentousquestionofhislife，casualandtriflingthoughtsarejustallowedtowandersoftlyforaninterval，beforebeingbanishedaltogether。Thus，amidhisconcentrationdidManstonreceiveperceptionsoftheindividualsabouthiminthelivelythoroughfareoftheStrand；tallmenlookinginsignificant；littlemenlookinggreatandprofound；

lostwomenofmiserablereputelookingashappyasthedaysarelong；wives，happybyassumption，lookingcarewornandmiserable。

Eachandallwerealikeinthisonerespect，thattheyfollowedasolitarytrailliketheinwoventhreadswhichformabanner，andallwereequallyunconsciousofthesignificantwholetheycollectivelyshowedforth。

Atteno"clockheturnedintoLancasterPlace，crossedtheriver，andenteredtherailway-station，wherehetookhisseatinthedownmail-train，whichborehim，andEdwardSpringrove"slettertoGraye，farawayfromLondon。

XVII。THEEVENTSOFONEDAY

1。MARCHTHETHIRTEENTH。THREETOSIXO"CLOCKA。M。

TheyenteredAngleburyStationinthedead，stilltimeofearlymorning，theclockoverthebooking-officepointingtotwenty-fiveminutestothree。Manstonlingeredontheplatformandsawthemail-bagsbroughtout，noticing，asapertinentpastime，themanyshabbyblotchesofwaxfrominnumerablesealsthathadbeensetupontheirmouths。Theguardtookthemintoafly，andwasdrivendowntheroadtothepost-office。

Itwasaraw，damp，uncomfortablemorning，though，asyet，littlerainwasfalling。Manstondrankamouthfulfromhisflaskandwalkedatonceawayfromthestation，pursuinghiswaythroughthegloomtillhestoodonthesideofthetownadjoining，atadistancefromthelasthouseinthestreetofabouttwohundredyards。

Thestationroadwasalsotheturnpike-roadintothecountry，thefirstpartofitscoursebeingacrossaheath。Havingsurveyedthehighwayupanddowntomakesureofitsbearing，Manstonmethodicallysethimselftowalkbackwardsandforwardsastone"sthrowineachdirection。Althoughthespringwastemperate，thetimeofday，andtheconditionofsuspenseinwhichthestewardfoundhimself，causedasensationofchillinesstopervadehisframeinspiteoftheovercoathewore。Thedrizzlingrainincreased，anddropsfromthetreesatthewaysidefellnoisilyuponthehardroadbeneaththem，whichreflectedfromitsglassysurfacethefainthalooflighthangingoverthelampsoftheadjacenttown。

Herehewalkedandlingeredfortwohours，withoutseeingorhearingalivingsoul。Thenheheardthemarket-houseclockstrikefive，andsoonafterwards，quickhardfootstepssmoteuponthepavementofthestreetleadingtowardshim。TheywerethoseofthepostmanfortheTolchurchbeat。Hereachedthebottomofthestreet，gavehisbagsafinalhitch-up，steppedoffthepavement，andstruckoutforthecountrywithabriskshuffle。

Manstonthenturnedhisbackuponthetown，andwalkedslowlyon。

Intwominutesaflickeringlightshoneuponhisform，andthepostmanovertookhim。

Thenew-comerwasashort，stoopingindividualofabovefive-and-

forty，ladenonbothsideswithleatherbagslargeandsmall，andcarryingalittlelanternstrappedtohisbreast，whichcastatinypatchoflightupontheroadahead。

"Atryenmornenfortravellers！"thepostmancried，inacheerfulvoice，withoutturninghisheadorslackeninghistrot。

"Itis，indeed，"saidManston，steppingoutabreastofhim。"Youhavealongwalkeveryday。"

"Yes——alongwalk——forthoughthedistanceisonlysixteenmilesonthestraight——thatis，eighttothefurthestplaceandeightback，whatwiththeinsandoutstothegentlemen"shouses，itmakestwo-

and-twentyformylegs。Two-and-twentymilesaday，howmanyayear？Iusedtoreckonit，butIneverdonow。Idon"tcaretothinko"mywearandtear，nowitdobegintotelluponme。"

Thustheconversationwasbegun，andthepostmanproceededtonarratethedifferentstrangeeventsthatmarkedhisexperience。

Manstongrewveryfriendly。

"Postman，Idon"tknowwhatyourcustomis，"hesaid，afterawhile；

"butbetweenyouandme，IalwayscarryadropofsomethingwarminmypocketwhenIamoutonsuchamorningasthis。Tryit。"Hehandedthebottleofbrandy。

"Ifyou"llexcuseme，please。Ihaven"ttooknostimmilentsthesefiveyears。"

""Tisnevertoolatetomend。"

"Againsttheregulations，Ibeafraid。"

"Who"llknowit？"

"That"strue——nobodywillknowit。Still，honesty"sthebestpolicy。"

"Ah——itiscertainly。But，thankGod，I"vebeenabletogetonwithoutityet。You"llsurelydrinkwithme？"

"Really，"tisa"mosttooearlyforthatsorto"thing——however，toobligeafriend，Idon"tobjecttothefaintestshadderofadrop。"

Thepostmandrank，andManstondidthesametoaveryslightdegree。

Fiveminuteslater，whentheycametoagate，theflaskwaspulledoutagain。

"Welldone！"saidthepostman，beginningtofeelitseffect；"butguidemysoul，Ibeafraid"twillhardlydo！"

"Notunless"tiswellfollowed，likeanyotherlineyoutakeup，"

saidManston。"Besides，there"sawayoflikingadropofliquor，andofbeinggood——evenreligious——atthesametime。"

"Ay，forsomethimble-and-buttonin-an-outfellers；butIcouldnevergetintotheknacko"it；notI。"

"Well，youneedn"tbetroubled；itisn"tnecessaryforthehigherclassofmindtobereligious——theyhavesomuchcommon-sensethattheycanriskplayingwithfire。"

"Thathitsmeexactly。"

"Infact，amanIknow，whoalwayshadnoothergodbut“Me；“anddevoutlylovedhisneighbour"swife，saysnowthatbelievingisamistake。"

"Well，tobesure！However，believinginGodisamistakemadebyveryfewpeople，afterall。"

"Atrueremark。"

"NotoneChristianinourparishwouldwalkhalfamileinarainlikethistoknowwhethertheScripturehadconcludedhimundersinorgrace。"

"Norinmine。"

"Ah，youmaydependuponitthey"lldoawaywi"Goddymityaltogetheraforelong，althoughwe"vehadhimoverussomanyyears。"

"There"snoknowing。"

"AndIsupposetheQueen"illbedoneawaywi"then。Aprettyconcernthat"llbe！Nobody"sheadtoputonyourletters；andthenyourhonestmanwhodopayhispennywillneverbeknownfromyourscampwhodon"t。O，"tisanation！"

"Warmthecocklesofyourheart，however。Here"sthebottlewaiting。"

"I"llobligeyou，myfriend。"

Thedrinkingwasrepeated。Thepostmangrewlivelierashewenton，andatlengthfavouredthestewardwithasong，Manstonhimselfjoininginthechorus。

"Heflunghismalletagainstthewall，Said，“TheLordmakechurchesandchapelstofall，Andthere"llbeworkfortradesmenall！”

WhenJoan"salewasnew，Myboys，WhenJoan"salewasnew。"

"Youunderstand，friend，"thepostmanadded，"Iwasoriginallyamasonbytrade：nooffencetoyouifyoubeaparson？"

"Noneatall，"saidManston。

Therainnowcamedownheavily，buttheypursuedtheirpathwithalacrity，theproduceoftheseveralfieldsbetweenwhichthelanewounditswaybeingindicatedbythepeculiarcharacterofthesoundemittedbythefallingdrops。Sometimesasoakinghissproclaimedthattheywerepassingbyapasture，thenapatterwouldshowthattherainfelluponsomelarge-leafedrootcrop，thenapaddlingplashannouncedthenakedarable，thelowsoundofthewindintheirearsrisingandfallingwitheachpacetheytook。

Besidesthesmallprivatebagsofthecountyfamilies，whichwerealllocked，thepostmanborethelargegeneralbudgetfortheremaininginhabitantsalonghisbeat。Ateachvillageorhamlettheycameto，thepostmansearchedforthepacketoflettersdestinedforthatplace，andthrustitintoanordinaryletter-holecutinthedoorofthereceiver"scottage——thevillagepost-officesbeingmostlykeptbyoldwomenwhohadnotyetrisen，thoughlightsmovinginothercottagewindowsshowedthatsuchpeopleascarters，woodmen，andstablemenhadlongbeenstirring。

Thepostmanhadbythistimebecomemarkedlyunsteady，buthestillcontinuedtobetooconsciousofhisdutiestosufferthestewardtosearchthebag。Manstonwasperplexed，andatlonelypointsintheroadcasthiseyeskeenlyupontheshortbowedfigureofthemantrottingthroughthemudbyhisside，asifhewerehalfinclinedtorunaverygreatriskindeed。

Itfrequentlyhappenedthatthehousesoffarmers，clergymen，etc。，layashortdistanceupordownalaneorpathbranchingfromthedirecttrackofthepostman"sjourney。Tosavetimeanddistance，atthepointofjunctionofsomeofthesepathswiththemainroad，thegate-postwashollowedouttoformaletter-box，inwhichthepostmandepositedhismissivesinthemorning，lookingintheboxagainintheeveningtocollectthoseplacedthereforthereturnpost。TolchurchVicarageandFarmstead，lyingbackfromthevillagestreet，wereservedonthisprinciple。Thisfactthestewardnowlearntbyconversingwiththepostman，andthediscoveryrelievedManstongreatly，makinghisintentionsmuchclearertohimselfthantheyhadbeenintheearlierstagesofhisjourney。

Theyhadreachedtheoutskirtsofthevillage。Manstoninsistedupontheflaskbeingemptiedbeforetheyproceededfurther。Thiswasdone，andtheyapproachedthechurch，thevicarage，andthefarmhouseinwhichOwenandCythereawereliving。

Thepostmanpaused，fumbledinhisbag，tookoutbythelightofhislanternsomehalf-dozenletters，andtriedtosortthem。Hecouldnotperformthetask。

"Webecrippleddisciplesab"lieve，"hesaid，withasighandastagger。

"Notdrunk，butmarket-merry，"saidManstoncheerfully。

"Welldone！IfIbaintsoweakthatIcan"tseetheclouds——muchlessletters。Guidemysoul，ifsobeanybodyshouldtelltheQueen"spostmaster-generalofme！ThewholestorywillhavetogothroughParliamentHouse，andIshallbehigh-treasoned——assafeashouses——andbefined，andwho"llpayforapoormartel！O，"tisaworld！"

"TrustintheLord——he"llpay。"

"Hepayab"lieve！whyshouldhewhenhedidn"tdrinkthedrink？Hepayab"lieve！D"yethinktheman"safool？"

"Well，well，Ihadnointentionofhurtingyourfeelings——buthowwasItoknowyouweresosensitive？"

"True——youwerenottoknowIwassosensitive。Here"sacaddlewi"

theseletters！Guidemysoul，whatwillBillydo！"

Manstonofferedhisservices。

"Theyaretobedivided，"themansaid。

"How？"saidManston。

"These，forthevillage，tobecarriedonintoit：anyforthevicarageorvicaragefarmmustbeleftintheboxofthegate-postjusthere。There"snoneforthevicarage-housethismornen，butI

sawwhenIstartedtherewasonefortheclerko"worksatthenewchurch。Thisisit，isn"tit？"

Heheldupalargeenvelope，directedinEdwardSpringrove"shandwriting：——

"MR。O。GRAYE，CLERKOFWORKS，TOLCHURCH，NEARANGLEBURY。"

Theletter-boxwasscoopedinanoakgate-postaboutafootsquare。

Therewasnoslitforinsertingtheletters，byreasonoftheopportunitysuchalonelyspotwouldhaveaffordedmischievouspeasant-boysofdoingdamagehadsuchbeenthecase；butatthesidewasasmallirondoor，keptclosebyanironreversiblestraplockedacrossit。Onesideofthisstrapwaspaintedblack，theotherwhite，andwhiteorblackoutwardsimpliedrespectivelythattherewerelettersinside，ornone。

Thepostmanhadtakenthekeyfromhispocketandwasattemptingtoinsertitinthekeyholeofthebox。Hetouchedoneside，theother，above，below，butnevermadeastraighthit。

"Letmeunlockit，"saidManston，takingthekeyfromthepostman。

HeopenedtheboxandreachedoutwithhisotherhandforOwen"sletter。

"No，no。Ono——no，"thepostmansaid。"Asoneof——Majesty"sservants——care——Majesty"smails——duty——putletters——ownhands。"Heslowlyandsolemnlyplacedtheletterinthesmallcavity。

"Nowlockit，"hesaid，closingthedoor。

Thestewardplacedthebaracross，withtheblacksideoutwards，signifying"empty，"andturnedthekey。

"You"veputthewrongsideoutwards！"saidthepostman。""Tisn"tempty。"

"Anddroppedthekeyinthemud，sothatIcan"talterit，"saidthesteward，lettingsomethingfall。

"Whatanawkwardthing！"

"Itisanawkwardthing。"

Theybothwentsearchinginthemud，whichtheirowntramplinghadreducedtotheconsistencyofpap，thepostmanunstrappinghislittlelanternfromhisbreast，andthrustingitabout，closetotheground，therainstilldrizzlingdown，andthedawnsotardyonaccountoftheheavycloudsthatdaylightseemeddelayedindefinitely。Theraysofthelanternwererenderedindividuallyvisibleuponthethickmist，andseemedalmosttangibleastheypassedoffintoit，afterilluminatingthefacesandkneesofthetwostoopingfiguresdrippingwithwet；thepostman"scapeandprivatebags，andthesteward"svalise，glisteningasiftheyhadbeenvarnished。

"Itfellonthegrass，"saidthepostman。

"No；itfellinthemud，"saidManston。Theysearchedagain。

"I"mafraidweshan"tfinditbythislight，"saidthestewardatlength，washinghismuddyfingersinthewetgrassofthebank。

"I"mafraidweshan"t，"saidtheother，standingup。

"I"lltellyouwhatwehadbetterdo，"saidManston。"Ishallbebackthiswayinanhourorso，andsinceitwasallmyfault，I"lllookagain，andshallbesuretofinditinthedaylight。AndI"llhidethekeyhereforyou。"Hepointedtoaspotbehindthepost。

"Itwillbetoolatetoturntheindexthen，asthepeoplewillhavebeenhere，sothattheboxhadbetterstayasitis。Theletterwillonlybedelayedaday，andthatwillnotbenoticed；ifitis，youcansayyouplacedtheironthewrongwaywithoutknowingit，andallwillbewell。"

Thiswasagreedtobythepostmanasthebestthingtobedoneunderthecircumstances，andthepairwenton。Theyhadpassedthevillageandcometoacrossroad，whenthesteward，tellinghiscompanionthattheirpathsnowdiverged，turnedofftothelefttowardsCarriford。

NosoonerwasthepostmanoutofsightandhearingthanManstonstalkedbacktothevicarageletter-boxbykeepinginsideafence，andthusavoidingthevillage；arrivedhere，hetookthekeyfromhispocket，whereithadbeenconcealedallthetime，andabstractedOwen"sletter。Thisdone，heturnedtowardshome，bythehelpofwhathecarriedinhisvaliseadjustinghimselftohisordinaryappearanceashenearedthequarterinwhichhewasknown。

Anhourandhalf"ssharpwalkingbroughthimtohisowndoorinKnapwaterPark。