第12章

2。EIGHTO"CLOCKA。M。

Seatedinhisprivateofficehewettedtheflapofthestolenletter，andwaitedpatientlytilltheadhesivegumcouldbeloosened。HetookoutEdward"snote，theaccounts，therosebud，andthephotographs，regardingthemwiththekeenestinterestandanxiety。

Thenote，theaccounts，therosebud，andhisownphotograph，herestoredtotheirplacesagain。Theotherphotographhetookbetweenhisfingerandthumb，andheldittowardsthebarsofthegrate。Therehehelditforhalf-a-minuteormore，meditating。

"Itisagreatrisktorun，evenforsuchanend，"hemuttered。

Suddenly，impregnatedwithabrightidea，hejumpedupandlefttheofficeforthefrontparlour。Takingupanalbumofportraits，whichlayonthetable，hesearchedforthreeorfourlikenessesoftheladywhohadsolatelydisplacedCytherea，whichwereinterspersedamongtherestofthecollection，andcarefullyregardedthem。Theyweretakenindifferentattitudesandstyles，andhecomparedeachsinglywiththatheheldinhishand。Oneofthem，theonemostresemblingthatabstractedfromtheletteringeneraltone，size，andattitude，heselectedfromtherest，andreturnedwithittohisoffice。

Pouringsomewaterintoaplate，hesetthetwoportraitsafloatuponit，andsittingdowntriedtoread。

Attheendofaquarterofanhour，afterseveralineffectualattempts，hefoundthateachphotographwouldpeelfromthecardonwhichitwasmounted。Thisdone，hethrewintothefiretheoriginallikenessandtherecentcard，stuckupontheoriginalcardtherecentlikenessfromthealbum，drieditbeforethefire，andplaceditintheenvelopewiththeotherscraps。

Theresulthehadobtained，then，wasthis：intheenvelopewerenowtwophotographs，bothhavingthesamephotographer"snameonthebackandconsecutivenumbersattached。Atthebottomoftheonewhichshowedhisownlikeness，hisownnamewaswrittendown；ontheotherhiswife"snamewaswritten；whilstthecentralfeature，andwholemattertowhichthislattercardandwritingreferred，thelikenessofaladymounteduponit，hadbeenchanged。

Mrs。Manstonenteredtheroom，andbeggedhimtocometobreakfast。

Hefollowedherandtheysatdown。Duringthemealhetoldherwhathehaddone，withscrupulousregardtoeverydetail，andshowedhertheresult。

"Itisindeedagreatrisktorun，"shesaid，sippinghertea。

"Butitwouldbeagreaternottodoit。"

"Yes。"

Theenvelopewasagainfastenedupasbefore，andManstonputitinhispocketandwentout。Shortlyafterwardshewasseen，onhorseback，ridinginadirectiontowardsTolchurch。Keepingtothefields，aswellashecould，forthegreaterpartoftheway，hedroppedintotheroadbythevicarageletter-box，andlookingcarefullyabout，toascertainthatnopersonwasnear，herestoredthelettertoitsnook，placedthekeyinitshiding-place，ashehadpromisedthepostman，andagainrodehomewardsbyaroundaboutway，3。AFTERNOON

TheletterwasbroughttoOwenGraye，thesameafternoon，byoneofthevicar"sservantswhohadbeentotheboxwithaduplicatekey，asusual，toleavelettersfortheeveningpost。Themanfoundthattheindexhadtoldfalselythatmorningforthefirsttimewithinhisrecollection；butnoparticularattentionwaspaidtothemistake，asitwasconsidered。ThecontentsoftheenvelopewerescrutinizedbyOwenandflungasideasuseless。

ThenextmorningbroughtSpringrove"ssecondletter，theexistenceofwhichwasunknowntoManston。ThesightofEdward"shandwritingagainraisedtheexpectationsofbrotherandsister，tillOwenhadopenedtheenvelopeandpulledoutthetwigandverse。

"Nothingthat"softheslightestuse，afterall，"hesaidtoher；

"weareasfaraseverfromthemerestshadowoflegalproofthatwouldconvicthimofwhatIammorallycertainhedid，marryyou，suspecting，ifnotknowing，hertobealiveallthetime。"

"WhathasEdwardsent？"saidCytherea。

"AnoldamatoryverseinManston"swriting。Fancy，"hesaidbitterly，"thisisthestrainheaddressedherinwhentheywerecourting——ashedidyou，Isuppose。"

Hehandedhertheverseandsheread——

"EUNICE。

"WhosoforhoursorlengthydaysShallcatchheraspect"schangefulrays，Thenturnaway，cannonerecallBeyondagalaxyofallInhazyportraiture；

LitbythelightofazureeyesLikesummerdaysbysummerskies：

HersweettransitionsseemtobeAkindofpicturedmelody，Andnotasetcontour。

"AE。M。"

AstrangeexpressionhadoverspreadCytherea"scountenance。Itrapidlyincreasedtothemostdeath-likeanguish。Sheflungdownthepaper，seizedOwen"shandtremblingly，andcoveredherface。

"Cytherea！Whatisit，forHeaven"ssake？"

"Owen——suppose——O，youdon"tknowwhatIthink。"

"What？"

"“THELIGHTOFAZUREEYES，“"sherepeatedwithashylips。

"Well，“thelightofazureeyes“？"hesaid，astoundedathermanner。

"Mrs。MorrissaidinherlettertomethathereyesareBLACK！"

"H"m。Mrs。Morrismusthavemadeamistake——nothinglikelier。"

"Shedidn"t。"

"Theymightbeeitherinthisphotograph，"saidOwen，lookingatthecardbearingMrs。Manston"sname。

"Blueeyeswouldscarcelyphotographsodeepintoneasthat，"saidCytherea。"No，theyseemblackhere，certainly。"

"Well，then，Manstonmusthaveblunderedinwritinghisverses。"

"Butcouldhe？Sayamaninlovemayforgethisownname，butnotthatheforgetsthecolourofhismistress"seyes。Besidesshewouldhaveseenthemistakewhenshereadthem，andhavehaditcorrected。"

"That"strue，shewould，"musedOwen。"Then，Cytherea，itcomestothis——youmusthavebeenmisinformedbyMrs。Morris，sincethereisnootheralternative。"

"IsupposeImust。"

Herlooksbeliedherwords。

"Whatmakesyousostrange——ill？"saidOwenagain。

"Ican"tbelieveMrs。Morriswrong。"

"Butlookatthis，Cytherea。Ifitiscleartousthatthewomanhadblueeyestwoyearsago，sheMUSThaveblueeyesnow，whateverMrs。Morrisoranybodyelsemayfancy。AnyonewouldthinkthatManstoncouldchangethecolourofawoman"seyestohearyou。"

"Yes，"shesaid，andpaused。

"Yousayyes，asifhecould，"saidOwenimpatiently。

"Bychangingthewomanherself，"sheexclaimed。"Owen，don"tyouseethehorrid——whatIdread？——thatthewomanheliveswithisnotMrs。Manston——thatshewasburntafterall——andthatIamHISWIFE！"

Shetriedtosupportastoicismundertheweightofthisnewtrouble，butno！Theunexpectedrevulsionofideaswassooverwhelmingthatshecrepttohimandleantagainsthisbreast。

BeforereflectinganyfurtheruponthesubjectGrayeledherupstairsandgothertoliedown。Thenhewenttothewindowandstaredoutofitupthelane，vainlyendeavouringtocometosomeconclusionuponthefantasticenigmathatconfrontedhim。

Cytherea"snewviewseemedincredible，yetithadsuchaholduponherthatitwouldbenecessarytoclearitawaybypositiveproofbeforecontemplationofherfearshouldhavepreyedtoodeeplyuponher。

"Cytherea，"hesaid，"thiswillnotdo。YoumuststayherealonealltheafternoonwhilstIgotoCarriford。IshallknowallwhenI

return。"

"No，no，don"tgo！"sheimplored。

"Soon，then，notdirectly。"Hesawhersubtlereasoning——thatitwasfollytobewise。

Reflectionstillconvincedhimthatgoodwouldcomeofperseveringinhisintentionanddispellinghissister"sidlefears。Anythingwasbetterthanthisabsurddoubtinhermind。ButheresolvedtowaittillSunday，thefirstdayonwhichhemightreckonuponseeingMrs。Manstonwithoutsuspicion。InthemeantimehewrotetoEdwardSpringrove，requestinghimtogoagaintoMrs。Manston"sformerlodgings。

XVIII。THEEVENTSOFTHREEDAYS

1。MARCHTHEEIGHTEENTH

Sundaymorninghadcome，andOwenwastrudgingoverthesixmilesofhillanddalethatlaybetweenTolchurchandCarriford。

EdwardSpringrove"sanswertothelastletter，afterexpressinghisamazementatthestrangecontradictionbetweentheversesandMrs。

Morris"sletter，hadbeentotheeffectthathehadagainvisitedtheneighbourofthedeadMr。Brown，andhadreceivedasnearadescriptionofMrs。Manstonasitwaspossibletogetatsecond-

hand，andbyhearsay。Shewasatallwoman，wideattheshoulders，andfull-chested，andshehadastraightandratherlargenose。Thecolourofhereyestheinformantdidnotknow，forshehadonlyseentheladyinthestreetasshewentinorout。Thisconfusingremarkwasadded。ThewomanhadalmostrecognizedMrs。Manstonwhenshehadcalledwithherhusbandlately，butshehadkeptherveildown。

Herresidence，beforeshecametoHoxton，wasquiteunknowntothisnext-doorneighbour，andEdwardcouldgetnomannerofcluetoitfromanyothersource。

Owenreachedthechurch-doorafewminutesbeforethebellsbeganchiming。Nobodywasyetinthechurch，andhewalkedroundtheaisles。FromCytherea"sfrequentdescriptionofhowandwhereherselfandothersusedtosit，heknewwheretolookforManston"sseat；andaftertwoorthreeerrorsofexaminationhetookupaprayer-bookinwhichwaswritten"EuniceManston。"Thebookwasnearlynew，andthedateofthewritingaboutamonthearlier。Onepointwasatanyrateestablished：thatthewomanlivingwithManstonwaspresentedtotheworldasnootherthanhislawfulwife。

ThequietvillagersofCarrifordrequirednopew-openerintheirplaceofworship：nativesandin-dwellershadtheirownseats，andstrangerssatwheretheycould。Grayetookaseatinthenave，onthenorthside，closebehindapillardividingitfromthenorthaisle，whichwascompletelyallottedtoMissAldclyffe，herfarmers，andherretainers，Manston"spewbeinginthemidstofthem。Owen"spositionontheothersideofthepassagewasalittleinadvanceofManston"sseat，andsosituatedthatbyleaningforwardhecouldlookdirectlyintothefaceofanypersonsittingthere，though，ifhesatupright，hewaswhollyhiddenfromsuchaonebytheinterveningpillar。

AimingtokeephispresenceunknowntoManstonifpossible，Owensat，withoutonceturninghishead，duringtheentranceofthecongregation。ArustlingofsilkroundbythenorthpassageandintoManston"sseat，toldhimthatsomewomanhadenteredthere，andasitseemedfromtheaccompanimentofheavierfootsteps，Manstonwaswithher。

Immediatelyuponrisingup，helookedintentlyinthatdirection，andsawaladystandingattheendoftheseatnearesthimself。

PortionsofManston"sfigureappearedontheothersideofher。IntwoglancesGrayereadthusmanyofhercharacteristics，andinthefollowingorder：——

Shewasatallwoman。

Shewasbroadattheshoulders。

Shewasfull-bosomed。

Shewaseasilyrecognizablefromthephotographbutnothingcouldbediscernedofthecolourofhereyes。

Withapreoccupiedmindhewithdrewintohisnook，andheardtheservicecontinued——onlyconsciousofthefactthatinoppositiontothesuspicionwhichoneoddcircumstancehadbredinhissisterconcerningthiswoman，allostensibleandordinaryproofsandprobabilitiestendedtotheoppositeconclusion。Theresatthegenuineoriginaloftheportrait——couldhewishformore？Cythereawishedformore。EuniceManston"seyeswereblue，anditwasnecessarythatthiswoman"seyesshouldbebluealso。

Unskilledlabourwastesinbeatingagainstthebarstentimestheenergyexertedbythepractisedhandintheeffectivedirection。

OwenfeltthistobethecaseinhisownandEdward"sattemptstofollowuptheclueaffordedthem。Thinkashemight，hecouldnotthinkofacrucialtestinthematterabsorbinghim，whichshouldpossesstheindispensableattribute——acapabilityofbeingappliedprivately；thatintheeventofitsprovingtheladytobetherightfulownerofthenamesheused，hemightrecedewithoutobloquyfromanuntenableposition。

ButtoseeMrs。Manston"seyesfromwherehesatwasimpossible，andhecoulddonothingintheshapeofadirectexaminationatpresent。

MissAldclyffehadpossiblyrecognizedhim，butManstonhadnot，andfeelingthatitwasindispensabletokeepthepurportofhisvisitasecretfromthesteward，hethoughtitwouldbeaswell，too，tokeephispresenceinthevillageasecretfromhim；atanyrate，tillthedaywasover。

Atthefirstopeningofthedoors，Grayeleftthechurchandwanderedawayintothefieldstoponderonanotherscheme。HecouldnotcallonFarmerSpringrove，ashehadintended，untilthismatterwassetatrest。Twohoursintervenedbetweenthemorningandafternoonservices。

ThistimehadnearlyexpiredbeforeOwenhadstruckoutanymethodofproceeding，orcoulddecidetoruntheriskofcallingattheOldHouseandaskingtoseeMrs。Manstonpoint-blank。Buthehaddrawnneartheplace，andwasstandingstillinthepublicpath，fromwhichapartialviewofthefrontofthebuildingcouldbeobtained，whenthebellsbeganchimingforafternoonservice。WhilstGrayepaused，twopersonscamefromthefrontdoorofthehalf-hiddendwellingwhomhepresentlysawtobeManstonandhiswife。Manstonwaswearinghisoldgarden-hat，andcarriedoneofthemonthlymagazinesunderhisarm。Immediatelytheyhadpassedthegatewayhebranchedoffandwentoverthehillinadirectionawayfromthechurch，evidentlyintendingtoramblealong，andreadasthehumourmovedhim。Theladymeanwhileturnedintheotherdirection，andwentintothechurchpath。

Owenresolvedtomakesomethingofthisopportunity。Hehurriedalongtowardsthechurch，doubledroundasharpangle，andcamebackupontheotherpath，bywhichMrs。Manstonmustarrive。

Inaboutthreeminutessheappearedinsightwithoutaveil。Hediscovered，asshedrewnearer，adifficultywhichhadnotstruckhimatfirst——thatitisnotaneasymattertoparticularizethecolourofastranger"seyesinamerelycasualencounteronapathoutofdoors。ThatMrs。Manstonmustbebroughtclosetohim，andnotonlyso，buttolookcloselyathim，ifhispurposeweretobeaccomplished。

Heshapedaplan。Itmightbychancebeeffectual；ifotherwise，itwouldnotrevealhisintentiontoher。WhenMrs。Manstonwaswithinspeakingdistance，hewentuptoherandsaid——

"WillyoukindlytellmewhichturningwilltakemetoCasterbridge？"

"Thesecondontheright，"saidMrs。Manston。

Owenputonablanklook：heheldhishandtohisear——conveyingtotheladytheideathathewasdeaf。

Shecamecloserandsaidmoredistinctly——

"Thesecondturningontheright。"

Owenflushedalittle。Hefanciedhehadbeheldtherevelationhewasinsearchof。Buthadhiseyesdeceivedhim？

Oncemoreheusedtheruse，stilldrawingnearerandintimatingbyaglancethatthetroublehegaveherwasverydistressingtohim。

"Howverydeaf！"shemurmured。Sheexclaimedloudly——

"THESECONDTURNINGTOTHERIGHT。"

Shehadadvancedherfacetowithinafootofhisown，andinspeakingmouthedveryemphatically，fixinghereyesintentlyuponhis。Andnowhisfirstsuspicionwasindubitablyconfirmed。Hereyeswereasblackasmidnight。

AllthisfeigningwasmostdistastefultoGraye。Theriddlehavingbeensolved，heunconsciouslyassumedhisnaturallookbeforeshehadwithdrawnherface。Shefoundhimtobepeeringatherasifhewouldreadherverysoul——expressingwithhiseyesthenotificationofwhich，apartfromemotion，theeyesaremorecapablethananyother——inquiry。

Herfacechangeditsexpression——thenitscolour。Thenaturaltintofthelighterportionssanktoanashygray；thepinkofhercheeksgrewpurpler。Itwasthepreciseresultwhichwouldremainafterbloodhadleftthefaceofonewhoseskinwasdark，andartificiallycoatedwithpearl-powderandcarmine。

Sheturnedherheadandmovedaway，murmuringahastyreplytoOwen"sfarewellremarkof"Good-day，"andwithakindofnervoustwitchliftingherhandandsmoothingherhair，whichwasofalight-browncolour。

"Shewearsfalsehair，"hethought，"orhaschangeditscolourartificially。Hertruehairmatchedhereyes。"

Andnow，inspiteofwhatMr。Brown"sneighbourshadsaidaboutnearlyrecognizingMrs。Manstononherrecentvisit——whichmighthavemeantanythingornothing；inspiteofthephotograph，andinspiteofhispreviousincredulity；inconsequenceoftheverse，ofhersilenceandbackwardnessatthevisittoHoxtonwithManston，andofherappearanceanddistressatthepresentmoment，Grayehadaconvictionthatthewomanwasanimpostor。

WhatcouldbeManston"sreasonforsuchanastoundingtrickhecouldbynostretchofimaginationdivine。

Hechangedhisdirectionassoonasthewomanwasoutofsight，andploddedalongthelaneshomewardtoTolchurch。

OnenewideawassuggestedtohimbyhisdesiretoallayCytherea"sdreadofbeingclaimed，andbythedifficultyofbelievingthatthefirstMrs。Manstonlostherlifeassupposed，notwithstandingtheinquestandverdict。WasitpossiblethattherealMrs。Manston，whowasknowntobeaPhiladelphianbybirth，hadreturnedbythetraintoLondon，astheporterhadsaid，andthenleftthecountryunderanassumedname，toescapethatworstkindofwidowhood——themiseryofbeingweddedtoafickle，faithless，andtruanthusband？

Inhercomplicateddistressatthenewsbroughtbyherbrother，Cytherea"sthoughtsatlengthrevertedtoherfriend，theRectorofCarriford。ShetoldOwenofMr。Raunham"swarm-heartedbehaviourtowardsherself，andofhisstronglyexpressedwishtoaidher。

"Heisnotonlyagood，butasensibleman。Weseemtowantanoldheadonourside。"

"Andheisamagistrate，"saidOweninatoneofconcurrence。Hethought，too，thatnoharmcouldcomeofconfidingintherector，buttherewasadifficultyinbringingabouttheconfidence。HewishedthathissisterandhimselfmightbothbepresentataninterviewwithMr。Raunham，yetitwouldbeunwiseforthemtocallonhimtogether，inthesightofalltheservantsandparishofCarriford。

Therecouldbenoobjectiontotheirwritinghimaletter。

Nosoonerwasthethoughtbornthanitwascarriedout。Theywrotetohimatonce，askinghimtohavethegoodnesstogivethemsomeadvicetheysadlyneeded，andbeggingthathewouldaccepttheirassurancethattherewasarealjustificationfortheadditionalrequesttheymade——thatinsteadoftheircallinguponhim，hewouldanyeveningoftheweekcometotheircottageatTolchurch。

2。MARCHTHETWENTIETH。SIXTONINEO"CLOCKP。M。

Twoeveningslater，tothetotaldisarrangementofhisdinner-hour，Mr。RaunhamappearedatOwen"sdoor。Hisarrivalwashailedwithgenuinegratitude。Thehorsewastiedtothepalings，andtherectorusheredindoorsandputintotheeasy-chair。

ThenGrayetoldhimthewholestory，remindinghimthattheirfirstsuspicionshadbeenofatotallydifferentnature，andthatinendeavouringtoobtainproofoftheirtruththeyhadstumbleduponmarkswhichhadsurprisedthemintothesenewuncertainties，thriceasmarvellousasthefirst，yetmoreprominent。

Cytherea"sheartwassofullofanxietythatitsuperinducedamannerofconfidencewhichwasadeath-blowtoallformality。Mr。

Raunhamtookherhandpityingly。

"Itisaseriouscharge，"hesaid，asasortoforiginaltwigonwhichhisthoughtsmightprecipitatethemselves。

"Assumingforamomentthatsuchasubstitutionwasrenderedaneasymatterbyfortuitousevents，"hecontinued，"thereisthisconsiderationtobeplacedbesideit——whatearthlymotivecanMr。

Manstonhavehadwhichwouldbesufficientlypowerfultoleadhimtorunsuchaverygreatrisk？Themostabandonedrouecouldnot，atthatparticularcrisis，havetakensucharecklessstepforthemerepleasureofanewcompanion。"

Owenhadseenthatdifficultyaboutthemotive；Cythereahadnot。

"Unfortunatelyforus，"therectorresumed，"nomoreevidenceistobeobtainedfromtheporter，Chinney。Isupposeyouknowwhatbecameofhim？HegottoLiverpoolandembarked，intendingtoworkhiswaytoAmerica，butonthepassagehefelloverboardandwasdrowned。Butthereisnodoubtofthetruthofhisconfession——infact，hisconducttendstoproveittrue——andnomoraldoubtofthefactthattherealMrs。Manstonleftheretogobackbythatmorning"strain。Thisbeingthecase，then，why，ifthiswomanisnotshe，didshetakenonoticeoftheadvertisement——Imeannotnecessarilyafriendlynotice，butfromtheinformationitaffordedherhaverendereditimpossiblethatsheshouldbepersonifiedwithoutherownconnivance？"

"Ithinkthatargumentisoverthrown，"Grayesaid，"bymyearliestassumptionofherhatredofhim，wearinessofthechainwhichboundhertohim，andaresolvetobegintheworldanew。Let"ssupposeshehasmarriedanotherman——somewhereabroad，say；shewouldbesilentforherownsake。"

"You"vehittheonlygenuinepossibility，"saidMr。Raunham，tappinghisfingeruponhisknee。"Thatwoulddecidedlydisposeoftheseconddifficulty。Buthismotivewouldbeasmysteriousasever。"

Cytherea"spictureddreadswouldnotallowhermindtofollowtheirconversation。"She"sburnt，"shesaid。"Oyes；Ifear——Ifearsheis！"

"Idon"tthinkwecanseriouslybelievethatnow，afterwhathashappened，"saidtherector。

Stillstrainingherthoughttowardstheworst，"Then，perhaps，thefirstMrs。Manstonwasnothiswife，"shereturned；"andthenI

shouldbehiswifejustthesame，shouldn"tI？"

"Theyweremarriedsafelyenough，"saidOwen。"Thereisabundanceofcircumstantialevidencetoprovethat。"

"Uponthewhole，"saidMr。Raunham，"Ishouldadviseyouraskinginastraightforwardwayforlegalprooffromthestewardthatthepresentwomanisreallyhisoriginalwife——athingwhich，tomymind，youshouldhavedoneattheoutset。"HeturnedtoCythereakindly，andaskedherwhatmadehergiveupherhusbandsounceremoniously。

ShecouldnottelltherectorofheraversiontoManston，andofherunquenchedloveforEdward。

"Yourterrifiedstatenodoubt，"hesaid，answeringforher，inthemannerofthoseaccustomedtothepulpit。"Butintosuchasolemncompactasmarriage，all-importantconsiderations，bothlegallyandmorally，enter；itwasyourdutytohaveseeneverythingclearlyproved。DoubtlessMr。Manstonispreparedwithproofs，butasitconcernsnobodybutyourselfthatheridentityshouldbepubliclyestablished(andbyyourabsenteeismyouactasifyouweresatisfied)hehasnottroubledtoexhibitthem。Nobodyelsehastakenthetroubletoprovewhatdoesnotaffectthemintheleast——

that"sthewayoftheworldalways。You，whoshouldhaverequiredallthingstobemadeclear，ranaway。"

"Thatwaspartlymydoing，"saidOwen。

Thesameexplanation——herwantofloveforManston——appliedheretoo，butsheshunnedtherevelation。

"Butnevermind，"addedtherector，"itwasallthegreatercredittoyourwomanhood，perhaps。Isay，then，getyourbrothertowritealinetoMr。Manston，sayingyouwishtobesatisfiedthatallislegallyclear(incaseyoushouldwanttomarryagain，forinstance)，andIhavenodoubtthatyouwillbe。Or，ifyouwouldrather，I"llwritemyself？"

"Ono，sir，no，"pleadedCytherea，beginningtoblanch，andbreathingquickly。"Pleasedon"tsayanything。LetmeliveherewithOwen。IamsoafraiditwillturnoutthatIshallhavetogotoKnapwaterandbehiswife，andIdon"twanttogo。Doconcealwhatwehavetoldyou。Lethimcontinuehisdeception——itismuchthebestforme。"

Mr。RaunhamatlengthdivinedthatherloveforManston，ifithadeverexisted，hadtransmuteditselfintoaverydifferentfeelingnow。

"Atanyrate，"hesaid，ashetookhisleaveandmountedhismare，"Iwillseeaboutit。Restcontent，MissGraye，anddependuponitthatIwillnotleadyouintodifficulty。"

"Concealit，"shestillpleaded。

"We"llsee——butofcourseImustdomyduty。"

"No——don"tdoyourduty！"Shelookedupathimthroughthegloom，illuminatingherownfaceandeyeswiththecandlesheheld。

"Iwillconsider，then，"saidMr。Raunham，sensiblymoved。Heturnedhishorse"shead，badethemawarmadieu，andleftthedoor。

TherectorofCarrifordtrottedhomewardsunderthecoldandclearMarchsky，itscountlessstarsflutteringlikebrightbirds。Hewasunconsciousofthescene。RecoveringfromtheeffectofCytherea"svoiceandglanceofentreaty，helaidthesubjectoftheinterviewclearlybeforehimself。

ThesuspicionsofCythereaandOwenwerehonest，andhadfoundation——

thathemustown。Washe——aclergyman，magistrate，andconscientiousman——justifiedinyieldingtoCytherea"simportunitiestokeepsilence，becauseshedreadedthepossibilityofareturntoManston？Wasshewiseinherrequest？Holdingherpresentbelief，andwithnodefiniteevidenceeitherway，shecould，foronething，neverconscientiouslymarryanyoneelse。SupposethatCythereawereManston"swife——i。e。，thatthefirstwifewasreallyburnt？

TheadulteryofManstonwouldbeproved，and，Mr。Raunhamthought，crueltysufficienttobringthecasewithinthemeaningofthestatute。Supposethenewwomanwas，asstated，Mr。Manston"srestoredwife？Cythereawasperfectlysafeasasinglewomanwhosemarriagehadbeenvoid。Andifitturnedoutthat，thoughthiswomanwasnotManston"swife，hiswifewasstillliving，asOwenhadsuggested，inAmericaorelsewhere，Cythereawassafe。

Thefirstsuppositionopeneduptheworstcontingency。WasshereallysafeasManston"swife？Doubtful。But，howeverthatmightbe，thegentle，defencelessgirl，whomitseemednobody"sbusinesstohelpordefend，shouldbeputinatracktoproceedagainstthisman。Shehadbutonelife，andthesuperciliousnesswithwhichalltheworldnowregardedhershouldbecompensatedinsomemeasurebythemanwhosecarelessness——tosethiminthebestlight——hadcausedit。

Mr。Raunhamfeltmoreandmorepositivelythathisdutymustbedone。Aninquirymustbemadeintothematter。Immediatelyonreachinghome，hesatdownandwroteaplainandfriendlylettertoMr。Manston，anddespatcheditatoncetohimbyhand。Thenheflunghimselfbackinhischair，andwentonwithhismeditation。

Wasthereanythinginthesuspicion？Therecouldbenothing，surely。Nothingisdonebyaclevermanwithoutamotive，andwhatconceivablemotivecouldManstonhaveforsuchabnormalconduct？

Corinthianthathemightbe，whohadpreyedonvirginitylikeSt。

George"sdragon，hewouldneverhavebeenabsurdenoughtoventureonsuchacourseforthepossessionaloneofthewoman——therewasnoreasonforit——shewasinferiortoCythereaineveryrespect，physicalandmental。

Ontheotherhand，itseemedratherodd，whenheanalyzedtheaction，thatawomanwhodeliberatelyhidherselffromherhusbandformorethanatwelvemonthshouldbebroughtbackbyamereadvertisement。Infact，thewholebusinesshadworkedalmosttoosmoothlyandeffectuallyforunpremeditatedsequence。Itwastoomuchliketheindiscriminaterightingofeverythingattheendofanoldplay。Andtherewasthatcuriousbusinessofthekeysandwatch。Herwayofaccountingfortheirbeingleftbehindbyforgetfulnesshadalwaysseemedtohimratherforced。Theonlyunforcedexplanationwasthatsuggestedbythenewspaperwriters——

thatsheleftthembehindonpurposetoblindpeopleastoherescape，amotivewhichwouldhaveclashedwiththepossibilityofherbeingfishedbackbyanadvertisement，asthepresentwomanhadbeen。Again，therewerethetwocharredbones。Heshuffledthebooksandpapersinhisstudy，andwalkedabouttheroom，restlesslymusingonthesamesubject。Theparlour-maidentered。

"CanyoungMr。SpringrovefromLondonseeyouto-night，sir？"

"YoungMr。Springrove？"saidtherector，surprised。

"Yes，sir。"

"Yes，ofcoursehecanseeme。Tellhimtocomein。"

Edwardcamesoimpatientlyintotheroom，astoshowthatthefewshortmomentshisannouncementhadoccupiedhadbeenirksometohim。

Hestoodinthedoorwaywiththesameblackbaginhishand，andthesameoldgraycloakonhisshoulders，thathehadwornfifteenmonthsearlierwhenreturningonthenightofthefire。Thisappearanceofhisconveyedatrueimpression；hehadbecomeastagnantman。Buthewasexcitednow。

"IhavethismomentcomefromLondon，"hesaid，asthedoorwasclosedbehindhim。

Thepropheticinsight，whichsostrangelyaccompaniescriticalexperiences，promptedMr。Raunham"sreply。

"AbouttheGrayesandManston？"

"Yes。ThatwomanisnotMrs。Manston。"

"Proveit。"

"Icanprovethatsheissomebodyelse——thathernameisAnneSeaway。"

"Andaretheirsuspicionstrueindeed！"

"AndIcandowhat"smoretothepurposeatpresent。"

"SuggestManston"smotive？"

"Onlysuggestit，remember。Butmyassumptionfitssoperfectlywiththefactsthathavebeensecretlyunearthedandconveyedtome，thatIcanhardlyconceiveofanother。"

TherewasinEdward"sbearingthatentireunconsciousnessofhimselfwhich，naturaltowildanimals，onlyprevailsinasensitivemanatmomentsofextremeintentness。Therectorsawthathehadnotrivialstorytocommunicate，whateverthestorywas。

"Sitdown，"saidMr。Raunham。"Mymindhasbeenonthestretchalltheeveningtoformtheslightestguessatsuchanobject，andalltonopurpose——entirelytonopurpose。HaveyousaidanythingtoOwenGraye？"

"Nothing——nortoanybody。Icouldnottrusttotheeffectalettermighthaveuponyourself，either；theintricacyofthecasebringsmetothisinterview。"

WhilstSpringrovehadbeenspeakingthetwohadsatdowntogether。

Theconversation，hithertodistincttoeverycorneroftheroom，wascarriedonnowintonessolowastobescarcelyaudibletotheinterlocutors，andinphraseswhichhesitatedtocompletethemselves。Three-quartersofanhourpassed。ThenEdwardarose，cameoutoftherector"sstudyandagainflunghiscloakaroundhim。

Insteadofgoingthencehomeward，hewentfirsttotheCarrifordRoadStationwithatelegram，havingdespatchedwhichheproceededtohisfather"shouseforthefirsttimesincehisarrivalinthevillage。

3。FROMNINETOTENO"CLOCKP。M。

ThenextpresentationistheinterioroftheOldHouseontheeveningoftheprecedingsection。Thestewardwassittingbyhisparlourfire，andhadbeenreadingtheletterarrivedfromtherectory。OppositetohimsatthewomanknowntothevillageandneighbourhoodasMrs。Manston。

"Thingsarelookingdesperatewithus，"hesaidgloomily。Hisgloomwasnotthatofthehypochondriac，butthelegitimategloomwhichhasitsorigininasyllogism。Asheutteredthewordshehandedthelettertoher。

"Ialmostexpectedsomesuchnewsasthis，"shereplied，inatoneofmuchgreaterindifference。"Iknewsuspicionlurkedintheeyesofthatyoungmanwhostaredatmesointhechurchpath：Icouldhaveswornit。"

Manstondidnotanswerforsometime。Hisfacewaswornandhaggard；latterlyhisheadhadnotbeencarriedsouprightlyasofold。"Iftheyproveyoutobe——whoyouare……Yes，iftheydo，"hemurmured。

"Theymustnotfindthatout，"shesaid，inapositivevoice，andlookingathim。"Butsupposingtheydo，thetrickdoesnotseemtometobesoseriousastojustifythatwretched，miserable，horriblelookofyours。Itmakesmyfleshcreep；itisperfectlydeathlike。"

Hedidnotreply，andshecontinued，"IftheysayandprovethatEuniceisindeedliving——anddear，youknowsheis——sheissuretocomeback。"

Thisremarkseemedtoawakenandirritatehimtospeech。Again，ashehaddoneahundredtimesduringtheirresidencetogether，hecategorizedtheeventsconnectedwiththefireattheThreeTranters。Hedweltoneveryincidentofthatnight"shistory，andendeavoured，withananxietywhichwasextraordinaryintheapparentcircumstances，toprovethathiswifemust，bytheverynatureofthings，haveperishedintheflames。Shearosefromherseat，crossedthehearthrug，andsetherselftosoothehim；thenshewhisperedthatshewasstillasunbelievingasever。"Come，supposingsheescaped——justsupposingsheescaped——whereisshe？"

coaxedthelady。

"Whyareyousocuriouscontinually？"saidManston。

"BecauseIamawomanandwanttoknow。Nowwhereisshe？"

"IntheFlyingIsleofSanBorandan。"

"Wittycrueltyisthecruellestofany。Ah，well——ifsheisinEngland，shewillcomeback。"

"SheisnotinEngland。"

"Butshewillcomeback？"

"No，shewon"t……Come，madam，"hesaid，arousinghimself，"I

shallnotansweranymorequestions。"

"Ah——ah——ah——sheisnotdead，"thewomanmurmuredagainpoutingly。

"Sheis，Itellyou。"

"Idon"tthinkso，love。"

"Shewasburnt，Itellyou！"heexclaimed。

"Nowtopleaseme，admitthebarepossibilityofherbeingalive——

justthepossibility。"

"Oyes——topleaseyouIwilladmitthat，"hesaidquickly。"Yes，I

admitthepossibilityofherbeingalive，topleaseyou。"

Shelookedathiminutterperplexity。Thewordscouldonlyhavebeensaidinjest，andyettheyseemedtosavourofatonethefurthestremovefromjesting。Therewashisfaceplaintohereyes，butnoinformationofanykindwastobereadthere。

"ItisonlynaturalthatIshouldbecurious，"shemurmuredpettishly，"ifIresembleherasmuchasyousayIdo。"

"Youarehandsomer，"hesaid，"thoughyouareaboutherownheightandsize。Butdon"tworryyourself。Youmustknowthatyouarebodyandsoulunitedwithme，thoughyouarebutmyhousekeeper。"

Shebridledalittleattheremark。"Wife，"shesaid，"mostcertainlywife，sinceyoucannotdismissmewithoutlosingyourcharacterandposition，andincurringheavypenalties。"

"Iownit——itwaswellsaid，thoughmistakenly——verymistakenly。"

"Don"triddletomeaboutmistakenlyandsuchdarkthings。Nowwhatwasyourmotive，dearest，inrunningtheriskofhavingmehere？"

"Yourbeauty，"hesaid。

"Shethanksyoumuchforthecompliment，butwillnottakeit。

Come，whatwasyourmotive？"

"Yourwit。"

"No，no；notmywit。WitwouldhavemadeawifeofmebythistimeinsteadofwhatIam。"

"Yourvirtue。"

"Orvirtueeither。"

"Itellyouitwasyourbeauty——really。"

"ButIcannothelpseeingandhearing，andifwhatpeoplesayistrue，Iamnotnearlysogood-lookingasCytherea，andseveralyearsolder。"

TheaspectofManston"sfaceatthesewordsfromherwassoconfirmatoryofherhint，thathisforcedreplyof"Ono，"tendedtodevelopherchagrin。

"Merelikingorloveforme，"sheresumed，"wouldnothavesprungupallofasudden，asyourpretendedpassiondid。YouhadbeentoLondonseveraltimesbetweenthetimeofthefireandyourmarriagewithCytherea——youhadnevervisitedmeorthoughtofmyexistenceorcaredthatIwasoutofasituationandpoor。Buttheweekafteryoumarriedherandwereseparatedfromher，offyourushtomakelovetome——notfirsttomeeither，foryouwenttoseveralplaces——

"

"No，notseveralplaces。"

"Yes，youtoldmesoyourself——thatyouwentfirsttotheonlylodginginwhichyourwifehadbeenknownasMrs。Manston，andwhenyoufoundthatthelodging-house-keeperhadgoneawayanddied，andthatnobodyelseinthestreethadanydefiniteideasastoyourwife"spersonalappearance，andcameandproposedthearrangementwecarriedout——thatIshouldpersonateher。Yourtakingallthistroubleshowsthatsomethingmoreseriousthanlovehadtodowiththematter。"

"Humbug——whattroubleafteralldidItake？WhenIfoundCythereawouldnotstaywithmeaftertheweddingIwasmuchputoutatbeingleftaloneagain。Wasthatunnatural？"

"No。"

"Andthosefavouringaccidentsyoumention——thatnobodyknewmyfirstwife——seemedanarrangementofProvidenceforourmutualbenefit，andmerelyperfectedahalf-formedimpulse——thatIshouldcallyoumyfirstwifetoescapethescandalthatwouldhavearisenifyouhadcomehereasanythingelse。"

"Mylove，thatstorywon"tdo。IfMrs。Manstonwasburnt，Cytherea，whomyoulovebetterthanme，couldhavebeencompelledtolivewithyouasyourlawfulwife。Ifshewasnotburnt，whyshouldyouruntheriskofherturningupagainatanymomentandexposingyoursubstitutionofme，andruiningyournameandprospects？"

"Why——becauseImighthavelovedyouwellenoughtoruntherisk(assuminghernottobeburnt，whichIdeny)。"

"No——youwouldhaveruntherisktheotherway。YouwouldratherhaveriskedherfindingyouwithCythereaasasecondwife，thanwithmeasapersonatorofherself——thefirstone。"

"Youcameeasiesttohand——rememberthat。"

"Notsoveryeasyeither，consideringthelabouryoutooktoteachmeyourfirstwife"shistory。AllabouthowshewasanativeofPhiladelphia。Thenmakingmereaduptheguide-booktoPhiladelphia，anddetailsofAmericanlifeandmanners，incasethebirthplaceandhistoryofyourwife，Eunice，shouldeverbecomeknowninthisneighbourhood——unlikelyasitwas。Ah！andthenaboutthehandwritingofhersthatIhadtoimitate，andthedyingmyhair，androuging，tomakethetransformationcomplete？YoumeantosaythatthatwastakinglesstroublethantherewouldhavebeeninarrangingeventstomakeCythereabelieveherselfyourwife，andlivewithyou？"

"Youwereaneedyadventuress，whowoulddareanythingforanewpleasureandaneasylife——andIwasfoolenoughtogiveintoyou——

"

"Goodheavensabove！——didIaskyoutoinsertthoseadvertisementsforyouroldwife，andtomakemeansweritasifIwasshe？DidI

askyoutosendmetheletterformetocopyandsendbacktoyouwhenthethirdadvertisementappeared——purportingtocomefromthelong-lostwife，andgivingadetailedhistoryofherescapeandsubsequentlife——allwhichyouhadinventedyourself？Youdeludedmeintolovingyou，andthenenticedmehere！Ah，andthisisanotherthing。Howdidyouknowtherealwifewouldn"tanswerit，andupsetallyourplans？"

"BecauseIknewshewasburnt。"

"Whydidn"tyouforceCythereatocomeback，then？Now，mylove，I

havecaughtyou，andyoumayjustaswelltellfirstaslast，WHAT

WASYOURMOTIVEINHAVINGMEHEREASYOURFIRSTWIFE？"

"Silence！"heexclaimed。

Shewassilentforthespaceoftwominutes，andthenpersistedingoingontomutter，"AndwhywasitthatMissAldclyffeallowedherfavouriteyounglady，Cythie，tobeoverthrownandsupplantedwithoutanexpostulationoranyshowofsympathy？DoyouknowI

oftenthinkyouexerciseasecretpoweroverMissAldclyffe。AndshealwaysshunsmeasifIsharedthepower。Apoor，ill-usedcreaturelikemesharingpower，indeed！"

"ShethinksyouareMrs。Manston。"

"Thatwouldn"tmakeheravoidme。"

"Yesitwould，"heexclaimedimpatiently。"IwishIwasdead——

dead！"Hehadjumpedupfromhisseatinutteringthewords，andnowwalkedwearilytotheendoftheroom。Comingbackmoredecisively，helookedinherface。

"WemustleavethisplaceifRaunhamsuspectswhatIthinkhedoes，"

hesaid。"TherequestofCythereaandherbrothermaysimplybeforasatisfactoryproof，tomakeherfeellegallyfree——butitmaymeanmore。"

"Whatmayitmean？"

"HowshouldIknow？"

"Well，well，nevermind，oldboy，"shesaid，approachinghimtomakeupthequarrel。"Don"tbesoalarmed——anybodywouldthinkthatyouwerethewomanandItheman。SupposetheydofindoutwhatIam——

wecangoawayfromhereandkeephouseasusual。Peoplewillsayofyou，“Hisfirstwifewasburnttodeath“(or“ranawaytotheColonies，“asthecasemaybe)；“Hemarriedasecond，anddesertedherforAnneSeaway。“Averyeverydaycase——nothingsohorrible，afterall。"

Hemadeanimpatientmovement。"Whicheverwaywedoit，NOBODYMUST

KNOWTHATYOUARENOTMYWIFEEUNICE。AndnowImustthinkaboutarrangingmatters。"

Manstonthenretiredtohisoffice，andshuthimselfupfortheremainderoftheevening。

XIX。THEEVENTSOFADAYANDNIGHT

1。MARCHTHETWENTY-FIRST。MORNING

Nextmorningthestewardwentoutasusual。Heshortlytoldhiscompanion，Anne，thathehadalmostmaturedtheirscheme，andthattheywouldenteruponthedetailsofitwhenhecamehomeatnight。

Thefortunatefactthattherector"sletterdidnotrequireanimmediateanswerwouldgivehimtimetoconsider。

AnneSeawaythenbeganherdutiesinthehouse。Besidesdailysuperintendingthecookandhousemaidoneofthesedutieswas，atrareintervals，todustManston"sofficewithherownhands，aservantbeingsupposedtodisturbthebooksandpapersunnecessarily。Shesoftlywanderedfromtabletoshelfwiththedusterinherhand，afterwardsstandinginthemiddleoftheroom，andglancingaroundtodiscoverifanynoteworthycollectionofdusthadstillescapedher。

Hereyefelluponafaintlayerwhichrestedupontheledgeofanold-fashionedchestnutcabinetofFrenchRenaissanceworkmanship，placedinarecessbythefireplace。Ataheightofaboutfourfeetfromthefloortheupperportionofthefrontreceded，formingtheledgealludedto，onwhichopenedateachendtwosmalldoors，thecentrespacebetweenthembeingfilledoutbyapanelofsimilarsize，makingthethirdofthreesquares。Thedustontheledgewasnearlyonalevelwiththewoman"seye，and，thoughinsignificantinquantity，showeditselfdistinctlyonaccountofthisobliquityofvision。Nowoppositethecentralpanel，concentricquarter-circlesweretracedinthedepositedfilm，expressingtoherthatthispanel，too，wasadoorliketheothers；thatithadlatelybeenopened，andhadskimmedthedustwithitsloweredge。

Atlast，then，hercuriositywasslightlyrewarded。FortherightofthematterwasthatAnnehadbeenincitedtothisexplorationofManston"sofficeratherbyawishtoknowthereasonofhislongseclusionhere，afterthearrivaloftherector"sletter，andtheirsubsequentdiscourse，thanbyanyimmediatedesireforcleanliness。

Still，therewouldhavebeennothingremarkabletoAnneinthissightbutforonerecollection。Manstonhadoncecasuallytoldherthateachofthetwoside-lockersincludedhalfthemiddlespace，thepanelofwhichdidnotopen，andwasonlyputinforsymmetry。

Itwaspossiblethathehadopenedthiscompartmentbycandlelighttheprecedingnight，orhewouldhaveseenthemarksinthedust，andeffacedthem，thathemightnotbeprovedguiltyoftellingheranuntruth。Shebalancedherselfononefootandstoodpondering。

Sheconsideredthatitwasveryvexingandunfairinhimtorefuseherallknowledgeofhisremainingsecrets，underthepeculiarcircumstancesofherconnectionwithhim。Shewentclosetothecabinet。Astherewasnokeyhole，thedoormustbecapableofbeingopenedbytheunassistedhand。Thecirclesinthedusttoldheratwhichedgetoapplyherforce。Hereshepulledwiththetipsofherfingers，butthepanelwouldnotcomeforward。Shefetchedachairandlookedoverthetopofthecabinet，butnobolt，knob，orspringwastobeseen。

"O，nevermind，"shesaid，withindifference；"I"llaskhimaboutit，andhewilltellme。"Downshecameandturnedaway。Thenlookingbackagainshethoughtitwasabsurdsuchatrifleshouldpuzzleher。Sheretracedhersteps，andopenedadrawerbeneaththeledgeofthecabinet，pushinginherhandandfeelingaboutontheundersideoftheboard。

Hereshefoundasmallroundsinking，andpressedherfingerintoit。Nothingcameofthepressure。Shewithdrewherhandandlookedatthetipofherfinger：itwasmarkedwiththeimpressofthecircle，and，inaddition，alineranacrossitdiametrically。

"Howstupidofme；itistheheadofascrew。"Whatevermysteriouscontrivancehadoriginallyexistedforopeningthepunycupboardofthecabinet，ithadatsometimebeenbroken，andthisroughsubstituteprovided。Stimulatedcuriositywouldnotallowhertorecedenow。Shefetchedascrewdriver，withdrewthescrew，pulledthedooropenwithapenknife，andfoundinsideacavityaboutteninchessquare。Thecavitycontained——

Lettersfromdifferentwomen，withunknownsignatures，Christiannamesonly(surnamesbeingdespisedinPaphos)。LettersfromhiswifeEunice。LettersfromAnneherself，includingthatshewroteinanswertohisadvertisement。Asmallpocket-book。Sundryscrapsofpaper。

Thelettersfromthestrangewomenwithpetnamessheglancedcarelesslythrough，andthenputthemaside。Theyweretoosimilartoherownregretteddelusion，andcuriosityrequirescontrasttoexciteit。

Thelettersfromhiswifewerenextexamined。TheyweredatedbackasfarasEunice"sfirstmeetingwithManston，andtheearlyonesbeforetheirmarriagecontainedtheusualprettyeffusionsofwomenatsuchaperiodoftheirexistence。Somelittletimeafterhehadmadeherhiswife，andwhenhehadcometoKnapwater，theseriesbeganagain，andnowtheircontentsarrestedherattentionmoreforcibly。Sheclosedthecabinet，carriedthelettersintotheparlour，reclinedherselfonthesofa，andcarefullyperusedthemintheorderoftheirdates。

"JOHNSTREET，October17，1864。

"MYDEARESTHUSBAND，——Ireceivedyourhurriedlineofyesterday，andwasofcoursecontentwithit。Butwhydon"tyoutellmeyourexactaddressinsteadofthat“Post-Office，Budmouth？”Thismatterisallamysterytome，andIoughttobetoldeverydetail。Icannotfancyitisthesamekindofoccupationyouhavebeenusedtohitherto。YourcommandthatIamtostayhereawhileuntilyoucan“seehowthingslook“andcanarrangetosendforme，Imustnecessarilyabideby。Butif，asyousay，amarriedmanwouldhavebeenrejectedbythepersonwhoengagedyou，andthathencemyexistencemustbekeptasecretuntilyouhavesecuredyourposition，whydidyouthinkofgoingatall？

"Thetruthis，thiskeepingourmarriageasecretistroublesome，vexing，andwearisometome。Iseethepoorestwomaninthestreetbearingherhusband"snameopenly——livingwithhiminthemostmatter-of-factease，andwhyshouldn"tI？IwishIwasbackagaininLiverpool。

"To-dayIboughtagreywaterproofcloak。Ithinkitisalittletoolongforme，butitwascheapforoneofsuchaquality。Theweatherisgustyanddreary，andtillthismorningIhadhardlysetfootoutsidethedoorsinceyouleft。PleasedotellmewhenIamtocome——Veryaffectionatelyyours，EUNICE。"

"JOHNSTREET，October25，1864。

"MYDEARHUSBAND，——Whydon"tyouwrite？Doyouhateme？Ihavenothadthehearttodoanythingthislastweek。ThatI，yourwife，shouldbeinthisstrait，andmyhusbandwelltodo！Ihavebeenobligedtoleavemyfirstlodgingfordebt——amongotherthings，theychargedmeforalotofbrandywhichIamquitesureIdidnottaste。ThenIwenttoCamberwellandwasfoundoutbythem。Iwentawayprivatelyfromthence，andchangedmynamethesecondtime。I

amnowMrs。Rondley。ButthenewlodgingwasthewretchedestanddearestIeversetfootin，andIleftitafterbeingthereonlyaday。IamnowatNo。2Ointhesamestreetthatyouleftmeinoriginally。AlllastnightthesashofmywindowrattledsodreadfullythatIcouldnotsleep，butIhadnotenergyenoughtogetoutofbedtostopit。ThismorningIhavebeenwalking——I

don"tknowhowfar——butfarenoughtomakemyfeetache。Ihavebeenlookingattheoutsideoftwoorthreeofthetheatres，buttheyseemforbiddingifIregardthemwiththeeyeofanactressinsearchofanengagement。ThoughyousaidIwastothinknomoreofthestage，Ibelieveyouwouldnotcareifyoufoundmethere。ButIamnotanactressbynature，andartwillnevermakemeone。Iamtootimidandretiring；Iwasintendedforacottager"swife。I

certainlyshallnottrytogoontheboardsagainwhilstIaminthisstrangeplace。TheideaofbeingbroughtonasfarasLondonandthenleftherealone！Whydidn"tyouleavemeinLiverpool？

PerhapsyouthoughtImighthavetoldsomebodythatmyrealnamewasMrs。Manston。AsifIhadalivingfriendtowhomIcouldimpartit——nosuchgoodfortune！Infact，mynearestfriendisnonearerthanwhatmostpeoplewouldcallastranger。ButperhapsIoughttotellyouthataweekbeforeIwrotemylastlettertoyou，afterwishingthatmyuncleandauntinPhiladelphia(theonlynearrelativesIhad)werestillalive，IsuddenlyresolvedtosendalinetomycousinJames，who，Ibelieve，isstilllivinginthatneighbourhood。Hehasneverseenmesincewewerebabiestogether。

Ididnottellhimofmymarriage，becauseIthoughtyoumightnotlikeit，andIgavemyrealmaidenname，andanaddressatthepost-

officehere。ButGodknowsiftheletterwilleverreachhim。

"Dowritemeananswer，andsendsomething——Youraffectionatewife，EUNICE。"

"FRIDAY，October28。

"MYDEARHUSBAND，——Theorderfortenpoundshasjustcome，andIamtrulygladtogetit。Butwhywillyouwritesobitterly？Ah——

well，ifIhadonlyhadthemoneyIshouldhavebeenonmywaytoAmericabythistime，sodon"tthinkIwanttoboreyouofmyownfree-will。Whocanyouhavemetwithatthatnewplace？RememberI

saythisinnomalignanttone，butcertainlythefactsgotoprovethatyouhavedesertedme！Youareinconstant——Iknowit。O，whyareyouso？NowIhavelostyou，Iloveyouinspiteofyourneglect。Iamweaklyfond——that"smynature。Ifearthatuponthewholemylifehasbeenwasted。Iknowthereisanotherwomansupplantingmeinyourheart——yes，Iknowit。Cometome——docome。

EUNICE。"

"41CHARLESSQUARE，HOXTON，November19。

"DEARAENEAS，——HereIambackagainaftermyvisit。Whyshouldyouhavebeensoenragedatmyfindingyourexactaddress？Anywomanwouldhavetriedtodoit——youknowshewouldhave。AndnowomanwouldhavelivedunderassumednamessolongasIdid。IrepeatthatIdidnotcallmyselfMrs。ManstonuntilIcametothislodgingatthebeginningofthismonth——whatcouldyouexpect？

"AhelplesscreatureI，hadnotfortunefavouredmeunexpectedly。

BanishedasIwasfromyourhouseatdawn，Ididnotsupposetheindignitywasabouttoleadtoimportantresults。ButincrossingtheparkIoverheardtheconversationofayoungmanandwomanwhohadalsorisenearly。Ibelievehertobethegirlwhohaswonyouawayfromme。Well，theirconversationconcernedyouandMissAldclyffe，VERYPECULIARLY。Theremarkablethingisthatyouyourself，withoutknowingit，toldmeofwhat，addedtotheirconversation，completelyrevealsasecrettomethatneitherofyouunderstand。Twonegativesnevermadesuchatellingpositivebefore。Onecluemore，andyouwouldseeit。Asingleconsiderationpreventsmyrevealingit——justonedoubtastowhetheryourignorancewasreal，andwasnotfeignedtodeceiveme。

Civilitynow，please。

EUNICE。"

"41CHARLESSQUARE，Tuesday，November22。

"MYDARLINGHUSBAND，——Mondaywillsuitmeexcellentlyforcoming。I

haveactedexactlyuptoyourinstructions，andhavesoldmyrubbishatthebroker"sinthenextstreet。AllthismovementandbustleisdelightfultomeaftertheweeksofmonotonyIhaveendured。Itisarelieftowishtheplacegood-bye——LondonalwayshasseemedsomuchmoreforeigntomethanLiverpoolThemid-daytrainonMondaywilldonicelyforme。IshallbeanxiouslylookingoutforyouonSundaynight。

"IhopesomuchthatyouarenotangrywithmeforwritingtoMissAldclyffe。Youarenot，dear，areyou？Forgiveme——Yourlovingwife，EUNICE。"

Thiswasthelastofthelettersfromthewifetothehusband。Oneother，inMrs。Manston"shandwriting，andinthesamepacket，wasdifferentlyaddressed。

"THREETRANTERSINN，CARRIFORD，November28，1864。

"DEARCOUSINJAMES，——Thankyouindeedforansweringmylettersopromptly。WhenIcalledatthepost-officeyesterdayIdidnotintheleastthinktherewouldbeone。ButImustleavethissubject。

Iwriteagainatonceunderthestrangestandsaddestconditionsitispossibletoconceive。

"IdidnottellyouinmylastthatIwasamarriedwoman。Don"tblameme——itwasmyhusband"sinfluence。Ihardlyknowwheretobeginmystory。Ihadbeenlivingapartfromhimforatime——thenhesentforme(thiswaslastweek)andIwasgladtogotohim。

Thenthisiswhathedid。Hepromisedtofetchme，anddidnot——

leavingmetodothejourneyalone。Hepromisedtomeetmeatthestationhere——hedidnot。Iwentonthroughthedarknesstohishouse，andfoundhisdoorlockedandhimselfawayfromhome。Ihavebeenobligedtocomehere，andIwritetoyouinastrangeroominastrangevillageinn！Ichoosethepresentmomenttowritetodriveawaymymisery。Sorrowseemsasortofpleasurewhenyoudetailitonpaper——poorpleasurethough。

"ButthisiswhatIwanttoknow——andIamashamedtotellit。I

wouldgladlydoasyousay，andcometoyouasahousekeeper，butI

havenotthemoneyevenforasteeragepassage。James，doyouwantmebadlyenough——doyoupitymeenoughtosendit？IcouldmanagetosubsistinLondonupontheproceedsofmysaleforanothermonthorsixweeks。Willyousendittothesameaddressatthepost-

office？ButhowdoIknowthatyou……"

Thustheletterended。Fromcreasesinthepaperitwasplainthatthewriter，havinggotsofar，hadbecomedissatisfiedwithherproduction，andhadcrumpleditinherhand。Wasittowriteanother，ornottowriteatall？

ThenextthingAnneSeawayperceivedwasthatthefragmentarystoryshehadcoaxedoutofManston，totheeffectthathiswifehadleftEnglandforAmerica，mightbetruthful，accordingtotwooftheseletters，corroboratedbytheevidenceoftherailway-porter。Andyet，atfirst，hehadsworninapassionthathiswifewasmostcertainlyconsumedinthefire。

Ifshehadbeenburnt，thisletter，writteninherbedroom，andprobablythrustintoherpocketwhensherelinquishedit，wouldhavebeenburntwithher。Nothingwassurerthanthat。Why，then，didhesayshewasburnt，andnevershowAnneherselfthisletter？

Thequestionsuddenlyraisedanewandmuchstrangerone——kindlingaburstofamazementinher。HowdidManstonbecomepossessedofthisletter？

Thatfactofpossessionwascertainlythemostremarkablerevelationofallinconnectionwiththisepistle，andperhapshadsomethingtodowithhisreasonfornevershowingittoher。

Sheknewbyseveralproofs，thatbeforehismarriagewithCytherea，anduptothetimeoftheporter"sconfession，Manstonbelieved——

honestlybelieved——thatCythereawouldbehislawfulwife，andhence，ofcourse，thathiswifeEunicewasdead。Sothatnocommunicationcouldpossiblyhavepassedbetweenhiswifeandhimselffromthefirstmomentthathebelievedherdeadonthenightofthefire，tothedayofhiswedding。Andyethehadthatletter。

Howsoonafterwardscouldtheyhavecommunicatedwitheachother？

Theexistenceoftheletter——asmuchas，ormorethanitscontents——

implyingthatMrsManstonwasnotburnt，hisbeliefinthatcalamitymusthaveterminatedatthemomentheobtainedpossessionoftheletter，ifnoearlier。Was，then，theonlysolutiontotheriddlethatAnnecoulddiscern，thetrueone？——thathehadcommunicatedwithhiswifesomewhereaboutthecommencementofAnne"sresidencewithhim，oratanytimesince？