第13章
Itwasthemostunlikelythingonearththatawomanwhohadforsakenherhusbandshouldcountenancehisschemetopersonifyher——
whethershewereinAmerica，inLondon，orintheneighbourhoodofKnapwater。
Thencametheoldandharassingquestion，whatwasManston"srealmotiveinriskinghisnameonthedeceptionhewaspractisingasregardedAnne。Itcouldnotbe，ashehadalwayspretended，merepassion。HerthoughtshadrevertedtoMr。Raunham"sletter，askingforproofsofheridentitywiththeoriginalMrs。Manston。Shecouldseenoloopholeofescapeforthemanwhosupportedher。
True，inherownestimation，hisworstalternativewasnotsoverybadafterall——thegettingthenameoflibertine，apossibleappearanceinthedivorceorsomeothercourtoflaw，andaquestionofdamages。Suchanexposuremighthinderhisworldlyprogressforsometime。Yettohimthisalternativewas，apparently，terribleasdeathitself。
Sherestoredtheletterstotheirhiding-place，scannedanewtheotherlettersandmemoranda，fromwhichshecouldgainnofreshinformation，fastenedupthecabinet，andlefteverythinginitsformercondition。
Hermindwasillatease。MorethanevershewishedthatshehadneverseenManston。Wherethepersonsuspectedofmysteriousmoralobliquityisthepossessorofgreatphysicalandintellectualattractions，themeresenseofincongruityaddsanextrashuddertodread。Theman"sstrangebearingterrifiedAnneasithadterrifiedCytherea；forwithallthewomanAnne"sfaults，shehadnotdescendedtosuchdepthsofdepravityastowillinglyparticipateincrime。ShehadnotevenknownthatalivingwifewasbeingdisplacedtillherarrivalatKnapwaterputretreatoutofthequestion，andhadlookeduponpersonationsimplyasamodeofsubsistenceadegreebetterthantoilinginpovertyandalone，afterabustlingandsomewhatpamperedlifeashousekeeperinagaymansion。
"NonillacolocalathisveMinervaeFoemineasassuetamanus。"
2。AFTERNOON
Mr。RaunhamandEdwardSpringrovehadbythistimesetinmotionamachinerywhichtheyhopedtofindworkingoutimportantresults。
Therectorwasrestlessandfullofmeditationallthefollowingmorning。Itwasplain，eventotheservantsabouthim，thatSpringrove"scommunicationworeadeepercomplexionthananythathadbeenmadetotheoldmagistrateformanymonthsoryearspast。
Thefactwasthat，havingarrivedatthestageofexistenceinwhichthedifficultintellectualfeatofsuspendingone"sjudgmentbecomespossible，hewasnowputtingitinpractice，thoughnotwithoutthepenaltyofwatchfuleffort。
Itwasnottilltheafternoonthathedeterminedtocallonhisrelative，MissAldclyffe，andcautiouslyprobeherknowledgeofthesubjectoccupyinghimsothoroughly。Cytherea，heknew，wasstillbelovedbythissolitarywoman。MissAldclyffehadmadeseveralprivateinquiriesconcerningherformercompanion，andtherewaseverasadnessinhertonewhentheyounglady"snamewasmentioned，whichshowedthatfromwhatevercausetheelderCytherea"srenunciationofherfavouriteandnamesakeproceeded，itwasnotfromindifferencetoherfate。
"Haveyoueverhadanyreasonforsupposingyourstewardanythingbutanuprightman？"hesaidtothelady。
"Nevertheslightest。Haveyou？"saidshereservedly。
"Well——Ihave。"
"Whatisit？"
"Icansaynothingplainly，becausenothingisproved。Butmysuspicionsareverystrong。"
"Doyoumeanthathewasrathercooltowardshiswifewhentheywerefirstmarried，andthatitwasunfairinhimtoleaveher？Iknowhewas；butIthinkhisrecentconducttowardsherhasamplyatonedfortheneglect。"
HelookedMissAldclyffefullintheface。Itwasplainthatshespokehonestly。ShehadnottheslightestnotionthatthewomanwholivedwiththestewardmightbeotherthanMrs。Manston——muchlessthatagreatermattermightbebehind。
"That"snotit——Iwishitwasnomore。Mysuspicionis，first，thatthewomanlivingattheOldHouseisnotMr。Manston"swife。"
"Not——Mr。Manston"swife？"
"Thatisit。"
MissAldclyffelookedblanklyattherector。"NotMr。Manston"swife——whoelsecanshebe？"shesaidsimply。
"AnimproperwomanofthenameofAnneSeaway。"
Mr。Raunhamhad，incommonwithotherpeople，noticedtheextraordinaryinterestofMissAldclyffeinthewell-beingofhersteward，andhadendeavouredtoaccountforitinvariousways。Theextenttowhichshewasshakenbyhisinformation，whilstitprovedthattheunderstandingbetweenherselfandManstondidnotmakeherasharerofhissecrets，alsoshowedthatthetiewhichboundhertohimwasstillunbroken。Mr。Raunhamhadlatelybeguntodoubtthelatterfact，andnow，onfindinghimselfmistaken，regrettedthathehadnotkepthisowncounselinthematter。Thisitwastoolatetodo，andhepushedonwithhisproofs。HegaveMissAldclyffeindetailthegroundsofhisbelief。
Beforehehaddone，sherecoveredthecloakofreservethatshehadadoptedonhisopeningthesubject。
"Imightpossiblybeconvincedthatyouwereintheright，aftersuchanelaborateargument，"shereplied，"wereitnotforonefact，whichbearsinthecontrarydirectionsopointedly，thatnothingbutabsoluteproofcanturnit。Itisthatthereisnoconceivablemotivewhichcouldinduceanysaneman——leavingaloneamanofMr。
Manston"sclear-headednessandintegrity——toventureuponsuchanextraordinarycourseofconduct——nomotiveonearth。"
"Thatwasmyownopiniontillafterthevisitofafriendlastnight——afriendofmineandpoorlittleCytherea"s。"
"Ah——andCytherea，"saidMissAldclyffe，catchingattheidearaisedbythename。"ThathelovedCytherea——yesandloveshernow，wildlyanddevotedly，IamaspositiveasthatIbreathe。CythereaisyearsyoungerthanMrs。Manston——asIshallcallher——twiceassweetindisposition，threetimesasbeautiful。Wouldhehavegivenherupquietlyandsuddenlyforacommon——Mr。Raunham，yourstoryismonstrous，andIdon"tbelieveit！"Sheglowedinherearnestness。
Therectormightnowhaveadvancedhissecondproposition——thepossiblemotive——butforreasonsofhisownhedidnot。
"Verywell，madam。Ionlyhopethatfactswillsustainyouinyourbelief。Askhimthequestiontohisface，whetherthewomanishiswifeorno，andseehowhereceivesit。"
"Iwillto-morrow，mostcertainly，"shesaid。"Ialwaysletthesethingsdieofwholesomeventilation，aseveryfungusdoes。"
Butnosoonerhadtherectorleftherpresence，thanthegrainofmustard-seedhehadsowngrewtoatree。Herimpatiencetosethermindatrestcouldnotbrookanight"sdelay。Itwaswiththeutmostdifficultythatshecouldwaittilleveningarrivedtoscreenhermovements。Immediatelythesunhaddroppedbehindthehorizon，andbeforeitwasquitedark，shewrappedhercloakaroundher，softlyleftthehouse，andwalkederectthroughthegloomyparkinthedirectionoftheoldmanor-house。
Thesameminutesawtwopersonssitdownintherectory-housetosharetherector"susuallysolitarydinner。Onewasamanofofficialappearance，commonplaceinallexcepthiseyes。TheotherwasEdwardSpringrove。
Thediscoveryofthecarefully-concealedlettersrankledinthemindofAnneSeaway。Herwoman"snatureinsistedthatManstonhadnorighttokeepallmattersconnectedwithhislostwifeasecretfromherself。Perplexityhadbredvexation；vexation，resentment；
curiosityhadbeencontinuous。Thewholemorningthisresentmentandcuriosityincreased。
Thestewardsaidverylittletohiscompanionduringtheirluncheonatmid-day。Heseemedrecklessofappearances——almostindifferenttowhateverfateawaitedhim。Allhisactionsbetrayedthatsomethingportentouswasimpending，andstillheexplainednothing。
Bycarefullyobservingeverytriflingaction，asonlyawomancanobservethem，thethoughtatlengthdawneduponherthathewasgoingtorunawaysecretly。Shefearedforherself；herknowledgeoflawandjusticewasvague，andshefanciedshemightinsomewaybemaderesponsibleforhim。
Intheafternoonhewentoutofthehouseagain，andshewatchedhimdriveawayinthedirectionofthecounty-town。Shefeltadesiretogothereherself，and，afteranintervalofhalf-an-hour，followedhimonfootnotwithstandingthedistance——ostensiblytodosomeshopping。
Oneamongherseveraltrivialerrandswastomakeasmallpurchaseatthedruggist"s。Nearthedruggist"sstoodtheCountyBank。
Lookingoutoftheshopwindow，betweenthecolouredbottles，shesawManstoncomedownthestepsofthebank，intheactofwithdrawinghishandfromhispocket，andpullinghiscoatcloseoveritsmouth。
Itisanalmostuniversalhabitwithpeople，whenleavingabank，tobecarefullyadjustingtheirpocketsiftheyhavebeenreceivingmoney；iftheyhavebeenpayingitin，theirhandsswinglaxly。Thestewardhadinalllikelihoodbeentakingmoney——possiblyonMissAldclyffe"saccount——thatwascontinualwithhim。Andhemighthavebeenremovinghisown，asamanwoulddowhowasintendingtoleavethecountry。
3。FROMFIVETOEIGHTO"CLOCKP。M。
Annereachedhomeagainintimetopresideoverpreparationsfordinner。Manstoncameinhalf-an-hourlater。Thelampwaslighted，theshutterswereclosed，andtheysatdowntogether。Hewaspaleandworn——almosthaggard。
Themealpassedoffinalmostunbrokensilence。Whenpreoccupationwithstandstheinfluenceofasocialmealwithonepleasantcompanion，thementalscenemustbesurpassinglyvivid。Justasshewasrisingatapcametothedoor。
Beforeamaidcouldattendtotheknock，Manstoncrossedtheroomandansweredithimself。ThevisitorwasMissAldclyffe。
ManstoninstantlycamebackandspoketoAnneinanundertone。"I
shouldbegladifyoucouldretiretoyourroomforashorttime。"
"Itisadry，starlightevening，"shereplied。"IwillgoforalittlewalkifyourobjectismerelyaprivateconversationwithMissAldclyffe。"
"Verywell，do；there"snoaccountingfortastes，"hesaid。AfewcommonplacesthenpassedbetweenherandMissAldclyffe，andAnnewentupstairstobonnetandcloakherself。Shecamedown，openedthefrontdoor，andwentout。
Shelookedaroundtorealizethenight。Itwasdark，mournful，andquiet。Thenshestoodstill。FromthemomentthatManstonhadrequestedherabsence，astrongandburningdesirehadprevailedinhertoknowthesubjectofMissAldclyffe"sconversationwithhim。
Simplecuriositywasnotentirelywhatinspiredher。Hersuspicionshadbeenthoroughlyarousedbythediscoveryofthemorning。A
convictionthatherfuturedependedonherpowertocombatamanwho，indesperatecircumstances，wouldbefarfromafriendtoher，promptedastrategicmovementtoacquiretheimportantsecretthatwasinhandlingnow。Thewomanthoughtandthought，andregardedthedulldarktrees，anxiouslydebatinghowthethingcouldbedone。
Stealthilyre-openingthefrontdoorsheenteredthehall，andadvancingandpausingalternately，cameclosetothedooroftheroominwhichMissAldclyffeandManstonconversed。Nothingcouldbeheardthroughthekeyholeorpanels。Atagreatriskshesoftlyturnedtheknobandopenedthedoortoawidthofabouthalf-an-
inch，performingtheactsodelicatelythatthreeminutes，atleast，wereoccupiedincompletingit。AtthatinstantMissAldclyffesaid——
"There"sadraughtsomewhere。Thedoorisajar，Ithink。"
Anneglidedbackunderthestaircase。Manstoncameforwardandclosedthedoor。Thischancewasnowcutoff，andsheconsideredagain。Theparlour，orsitting-room，inwhichtheconferencetookplace，hadthewindow-shuttersfixedontheoutsideofthewindow，asisusualinthebackportionsofoldcountry-houses。Theshutterswerehingedoneoneachsideoftheopening，andmetinthemiddle，wheretheywerefastenedbyaboltpassingcontinuouslythroughthemandthewoodmullionwithin，theboltbeingsecuredontheinsidebyapin，whichwasseldominsertedtillManstonandherselfwereabouttoretireforthenight；sometimesnotatall。
Ifshereturnedtothedooroftheroomshemightbediscoveredatanymoment，butcouldshelistenatthewindow，whichoverlookedapartofthegardennevervisitedafternightfall，shewouldbesafefromdisturbance。Theideawasworthatrial。
Sheglidedroundtothewindow，tooktheheadoftheboltbetweenherfingerandthumb，andsoftlyscreweditrounduntilitwasentirelywithdrawnfromitsposition。Theshuttersremainedasbefore，whilst，wherethebolthadcomeout，wasnowashiningholethree-quartersofaninchindiameter，throughwhichonemightseeintothemiddleoftheroom。Sheappliedhereyetotheorifice。
MissAldclyffeandManstonwerebothstanding；Manstonwithhisbacktothewindow，hiscompanionfacingit。Thelady"sdemeanourwassevere，condemnatory，andhaughty。Nomorewastobeseen；Annethenturnedsideways，leantwithhershoulderagainsttheshuttersandplacedherearuponthehole。
"Youknowwhere，"saidMissAldclyffe。"Andhowcouldyou，aman，actadoubledeceitlikethis？"
"Mendostrangethingssometimes。"
"Whatwasyourreason——come？"
"Amerewhim。"
"Imightevenbelievethat，ifthewomanwerehandsomerthanCytherea，orifyouhadbeenmarriedsometimetoCythereaandhadgrowntiredofher。"
"Andcan"tyoubelieveit，too，undertheseconditions；thatI
marriedCytherea，gaveherupbecauseIheardthatmywifewasalive，foundthatmywifewouldnotcometolivewithme，andthen，nottoletanywomanIlovesowellasCytherearunanyriskofbeingdisplacedandruinedinreputation，shouldmywifeeverthinkfittoreturn，inducedthiswomantocometome，asbeingbetterthannocompanionatall？"
"Icannotbelieveit。YourloveforCythereawasnotofsuchakindasthatexcusewouldimply。ItwasCythereaornobodywithyou。Asanobjectofpassion，youdidnotdesirethecompanyofthisAnneSeawayatall，andcertainlynotsomuchastomadlyriskyourreputationbybringingherhereinthewayyouhavedone。Iamsureyoudidn"t，AEneas。"
"SoamI，"hesaidbluntly。
MissAldclyffeutteredanexclamationofastonishment；theconfessionwaslikeablowinitssuddenness。Shebegantoreproachhimbitterly，andwithtears。
"Howcouldyouoverthrowmyplans，disgracetheonlygirlIeverhadanyrespectfor，bysuchinexplicabledoings！……Thatwomanmustleavethisplace——thecountryperhaps。Heavens！thetruthwillleakoutinadayortwo！"
"Shemustdonosuchthing，andthetruthmustbestifledsomehow——
nobodyknowshow。IfIstayhere，oronanyspotofthecivilizedglobe，asAEneasManston，thiswomanmustlivewithmeasmywife，orIamdamnedpastredemption！"
"Iwillnotcountenanceyourkeepingher，whateveryourmotivemaybe。"
"Youmustdosomething，"hemurmured。"Youmust。Yes，youmust。"
"Ineverwill，"shesaid。"Itisacriminalact。"
Helookedatherearnestly。"Willyounotsupportmethroughthisdeceptionifmyverylifedependsuponit？Willyounot？"
"Nonsense！Life！Itwillbeascandaltoyou，butshemustleavethisplace。Itwilloutsoonerorlater，andtheexposurehadbettercomenow。"
Manstonrepeatedgloomilythesamewords。"Mylifedependsuponyoursupportingme——myverylife。"
Hethencameclosetoher，andspokeintoherear。Whilsthespokeheheldherheadtohismouthwithbothhishands。Strangeexpressionscameoverherface；theworkingsofhermouthwerepainfultoobserve。Stillheheldherandwhisperedon。
TheonlywordsthatcouldbecaughtbyAnneSeaway，confusedasherhearingfrequentlywasbythemoanofthewindandthewaterfallinherouterear，weretheseofMissAldclyffe，intoneswhichabsolutelyquivered："Theyhavenomoney。Whatcantheyprove？"
Thelistenertaskedherselftotheutmosttocatchhisanswer，butitwasinvain。OftheremainderofthecolloquyonefactalonewasplaintoAnne，andthatonlyinductively——thatMissAldclyffe，fromwhathehadrevealedtoher，wasgoingtoschemebodyandsoulonManston"sbehalf。
MissAldclyffeseemednowtohavenofurtherreasonforremaining，yetshelingeredawhileasiflothtoleavehim。When，finally，thecrestfallenandagitatedladymadepreparationsfordeparture，Annequicklyinsertedthebolt，ranroundtotheentrancearchway，anddownthestepsintothepark。Hereshestoodclosetothetrunkofahugelime-tree，whichabsorbedherdarkoutlineintoitsown。
InafewminutesshesawManston，withMissAldclyffeleaningonhisarm，crossthegladebeforeherandproceedinthedirectionofthehouse。Shewatchedthemascendtheriseandadvance，astwoblackspots，towardsthemansion。Theappearanceofanoblongspaceoflightinthedarkmassofwallsdenotedthatthedoorwasopened。
MissAldclyffe"soutlinebecamevisibleuponit；thedoorshutherin，andallwasdarknessagain。TheformofManstonreturningalonearosefromthegloom，andpassedbyAnneinherhiding-place。
Waitingoutsideaquarterofanhourlonger，thatnosuspicionofanykindmightbeexcited，Annereturnedtotheoldmanor-house。
4。FROMEIGHTTOELEVENO"CLOCKP。M。
Manstonwasveryfriendlythatevening。Itwasevidenttoher，nowthatshewasbehindthescenes，thathewasmakingdesperateeffortstodisguisetherealstateofhismind。
Herterrorofhimdidnotdecrease。Theysatdowntosupper，Manstonstilltalkingcheerfully。Butwhatiskeenerthantheeyeofamistrustfulwoman？Aman"scunningistoitaswasthearmourofSiseratothethintent-nail。Shefound，inspiteofhisadroitness，thathewasattemptingsomethingmorethanadisguiseofhisfeeling。Hewastryingtodistractherattention，thathemightbeunobservedinsomespecialmovementofhishands。
Whatamomentitwasforherthen！Thewholesurfaceofherbodybecameattentive。Sheallowedhimnochancewhatever。Weknowtheduplicatedconditionatsuchtimes——whentheexistencedividesitselfintotwo，andtheostensiblyinnocentchattererstandsinfront，likeanotherperson，tohidethetimorousspy。
Manstonplayedthesamegame，butmorepalpably。Themealwasnearlyoverwhenheseemedpossessedofanewideaofhowhisobjectmightbeaccomplished。Hetiltedbackhischairwithareflectiveair，andlookedsteadilyattheclockstandingagainstthewalloppositetohim。Hesaidsententiously，"Fewfacesarecapableofexpressingmorebydumbshowthanthefaceofaclock。Youmayseeiniteveryvarietyofincentive——fromthesoftestseductionstonegligencetothestrongesthintsforaction。"
"Well，inwhatway？"sheinquired。Hisdriftwas，asyet，quiteunintelligibletoher。
"Why，forinstance：lookatthecold，methodical，unromantic，business-likeairofalltheright-angledpositionsofthehands。
Theymakeamansetaboutworkinspiteofhimself。Thenlookatthepiquantshynessofitsfacewhenthetwohandsareovereachother。Severalattitudesimply“Makeready。“The“makeready“oftenminutestoonediffersfromthe“makeready“oftenminutestotwelve，asyouthdiffersfromage。“Upwardandonward“saystwenty-
fiveminutestoeleven。Mid-dayormidnightexpressesdistinctly“Itisdone。“Yousurelyhavenoticedthat？"
"Yes，Ihave。"
Hecontinuedwithaffectedquaintness：——
"Theeasydashoftenminutespastseven，therakishrecklessnessofaquarterpast，thedroopingwearinessoftwenty-fiveminutespast，musthavebeenobservedbyeverybody。"
"Whateveramountoftruththeremaybe，thereisagooddealofimaginationinyourfancy，"shesaid。
Hestillcontemplatedtheclock。
"Then，again，thegeneralfinishofthefacehasagreateffectupontheeye。Thisold-fashionedbrass-facedonewehavehere，withitsarchedtop，half-moonslitforthedayofthemonth，andshiprockingattheupperpart，impressesmewiththenotionofitsbeinganoldcynic，elevatinghisbrows，whosethoughtscanbeseenwaveringbetweengoodandevil。"
Athoughtnowenlightenedher：theclockwasbehindher，andhewantedtogetherbackturned。Shedreadedturning，yet，nottoexcitehissuspicion，shewasonherguard；shequicklylookedbehindherattheclockashespoke，recoveringheroldpositionagaininstantly。Thetimehadnotbeenlongenoughforanyactionwhateveronhispart。
"Ah，"hecasuallyremarked，andatthesameminutebegantopourheroutaglassofwine。"Speakingoftheclockhasremindedmethatitmustnearlywantwindingup。Rememberthatitiswoundto-night。
Supposeyoudoitatonce，mydear。"
Therewasnopossiblewayofevadingtheact。Sheresolutelyturnedtoperformtheoperation：anythingwasbetterthanthatheshouldsuspecther。Itwasanold-fashionedeight-dayclock，ofworkmanshipsuitedtotherestoftheantiquefurniturethatManstonhadcollectedthere，andgroundheavilyduringwinding。
Annehadgivenupallideaofbeingabletowatchhimduringtheinterval，andthenoiseofthewheelspreventedherlearninganythingbyherears。But，asshewound，shecaughtsightofhisshadowonthewallatherrighthand。
Whatwashedoing？Hewasintheveryactofpouringsomethingintoherglassofwine。
Hehadcompletedthemanoeuvrebeforeshehaddonewinding。Shemethodicallyclosedtheclock-caseandturnedroundagain。Whenshefacedhimhewassittinginhischairasbeforeshehadrisen。
Inafamiliarscenewhichhashithertobeenpleasantitisdifficulttorealizethatanaddedcondition，whichdoesnotalteritsaspect，canhavemadeitterrible。Thewomanthoughtthathisactionmusthavebeenpromptedbynootherintentthanthatofpoisoningher，andyetshecouldnotinstantlyputonafearofherposition。
Andbeforeshehadgraspedtheseconsequences，anothersuppositionservedtomakeherregardthefirstasunlikely，ifnotabsurd。Itwastheactofamadmantotakeherlifeinamannersoeasyofdiscovery，unlesstherewerefarmorereasonforthecrimethananythatManstoncouldpossiblyhave。
Wasitnotmerelyhisintention，intamperingwithherwine，tomakehersleepsoundlythatnight？Thiswasinharmonywithheroriginalsuspicion，thatheintendedsecretlytoabscond。Atanyrate，hewasgoingtosetaboutsomestealthyproceeding，astowhichshewastobekeptinutterdarkness。Thedifficultynowwastoavoiddrinkingthewine。
Bymeansofonepretextandanothersheputofftakingherglassfornearlyfiveminutes，butheeyedhertoofrequentlytoallowhertothrowthepotionunderthegrate。Itbecamenecessarytotakeonesip。Thisshedid，andfoundanopportunityofabsorbingitinherhandkerchief。
Plainlyhehadnoideaofhercountermoves。Theschemeseemedtohiminpropertrain，andheturnedtopokeoutthefire。Sheinstantlyseizedtheglass，andpoureditscontentsdownherbosom。
Whenhefacedroundagainshewasholdingtheglasstoherlips，empty。
Induecoursehelockedthedoorsandsawthattheshutterswerefastened。Sheattendedtoafewclosingdetailsofhousewifery，andafewminuteslatertheyretiredforthenight。
5。FROMELEVENO"CLOCKTOMIDNIGHT
WhenManstonwaspersuaded，bythefeignedheavinessofherbreathing，thatAnneSeawaywasasleep，hesoftlyarose，anddressedhimselfinthegloom。Withearsstrainedtotheirutmostsheheardhimcompletethisoperation；thenhetooksomethingfromhispocket，putitinthedrawerofthedressing-table，wenttothedoor，anddownthestairs。Sheglidedoutofbedandlookedinthedrawer。
Hehadonlyrestoredtoitsplaceasmallphialshehadseentherebefore。Itwaslabelled"Battley"sSolutionofOpium。"Shefeltrelievedthatherlifehadnotbeenattempted。Thatwastohavebeenhersleeping-draught。Notimewastobelostifshemeanttobeamatchforhim。Shefollowedhiminhernightdress。Whenshereachedthefootofthestaircasehewasintheofficeandhadclosedthedoor，underwhichafaintgleamshowedthathehadobtainedalight。Shecrepttothedoor，butcouldnotventuretoopenit，howeverslightly。Placinghereartothepanel，shecouldhearhimtearinguppapersofsomesort，andabrighterandquiveringrayoflightcomingfromthethresholdaninstantlater，impliedthathewasburningthem。Bytheslightnoiseofhisfootstepsontheuncarpetedfloor，sheatlengthimaginedthathewasapproachingthedoor。Sheflittedupstairsagainandcreptintobed。
Manstonreturnedtothebedroomcloseuponherheels，andenteredit——againwithoutalight。Standingmotionlessforaninstanttoassurehimselfthatshestillslept，hewenttothedrawerinwhichtheirready-moneywaskept，andremovedthecasketthatcontainedit。Anne"seardistinctlycaughttherustleofnotes，andthechinkofthegoldashehandledit。Someheplacedinhispocket，somehereturnedtoitsplace。Hestoodthinking，asitwereweighingapossibility。Whilelingeringthus，henoticedthereflectedimageofhisownfaceintheglass——paleandspectre-likeinitsindistinctness。Thesightseemedtobethefeatherwhichturnedthebalanceofindecision：hedrewaheavybreath，retiredfromtheroom，andpasseddownstairs。Sheheardhimunbartheback-door，andgooutintotheyard。
Feelingsafeinaconclusionthathedidnotintendtoreturntothebedroomagain，shearose，andhastilydressedherself。Ongoingtothedooroftheapartmentshefoundthathehadlockeditbehindhim。"Aprecaution——itcanbenomore，"shemuttered。Yetshewasallthemoreperplexedandexcitedonthisaccount。Hadhebeengoingtoleavehomeimmediately，hewouldscarcelyhavetakenthetroubletolockherin，holdingthebeliefthatshewasinadruggedsleep。Thelockshotintoamortice，sothattherewasnopossibilityofherpushingbackthebolt。Howshouldshefollowhim？Easily。Aninnerclosetopenedfromthebedroom：itwaslarge，andhadsometimeheretoforebeenusedasadressingorbathroom，buthadbeenfoundinconvenientfromhavingnootheroutlettothelanding。Thewindowofthislittleroomlookedoutupontheroofoftheporch，whichwasflatandcoveredwithlead。Annetookapillowfromthebed，gentlyopenedthecasementoftheinnerroomandsteppedforthontheflat。There，leaningovertheedgeofthesmallparapetthatornamentedtheporch，shedroppedthepillowuponthegravelpath，andletherselfdownovertheparapetbyherhandstillhertoesswungabouttwofeetfromtheground。Fromthispositionsheadroitlyalighteduponthepillow，andstoodinthepath。
Sinceshehadcomeindoorsfromherwalkintheearlypartoftheeveningthemoonhadrisen。Butthethickcloudsoverspreadingthewholelandscaperenderedthedimlightpervasiveandgrey：itappearedasanattributeoftheair。Annecreptroundtothebackofthehouse，listeningintently。Thestewardhadhadatleasttenminutes"startofher。Shehadwaitedherewhilstonemightcountfifty，whensheheardamovementintheouthouse——afragmentonceattachedtothemainbuilding。Thisouthousewaspartitionedintoanouterandaninnerroom，whichhadbeenakitchenandascullerybeforetheconnectingerectionswerepulleddown，buttheywerenowusedrespectivelyasabrewhouseandworkshop，theonlymeansofaccesstothelatterbeingthroughthebrewhouse。Theouterdoorofthisfirstapartmentwasusuallyfastenedbyapadlockontheexterior。Itwasnowclosed，butnotfastened。Manstonwasevidentlyintheouthouse。
Sheslightlymovedthedoor。Theinteriorofthebrewhousewaswrappedingloom，butastreakoflightfelltowardsherinalineacrossthefloorfromtheinnerorworkshopdoor，whichwasnotquiteclosed。Thislightwasunexpected，nonehavingbeenvisiblethroughholeorcrevice。Glancingin，thewomanfoundthathehadplacedclothsandmatsatthevariousapertures，andhungasackatthewindowtopreventtheegressofasingleray。Shecouldalsoperceivefromwhereshestoodthatthebaroflightfellacrossthebrewing-copperjustoutsidetheinnerdoor，andthatuponitlaythekeyofherbedroom。Theilluminatedinterioroftheworkshopwasalsopartlyvisiblefromherpositionthroughthetwohalf-opendoors。Manstonwasengagedinemptyingalargecupboardofthetools，gallipots，andoldironitcontained。Whenitwasquiteclearedhetookachisel，andwithitbegantowithdrawthehooksandshoulder-nailsholdingthecupboardtothewall。Allthesebeingloosened，heextendedhisarms，liftedthecupboardbodilyfromthebracketsunderit，anddepositeditonthefloorbesidehim。
Thatportionofthewallwhichhadbeenscreenedbythecupboardwasnowlaidbare。This，itappeared，hadbeenplasteredmorerecentlythanthebulkoftheouthouse。Manstonloosenedtheplasterwithsomekindoftool，flingingthepiecesintoabasketastheyfell。
Havingnowstrippedclearabouttwofeetareaofwall，heinsertedacrowbarbetweenthejointsofthebricksbeneath，softlywrigglingituntilseveralwereloosened。Therewasnowdisclosedthemouthofanoldoven，whichwasapparentlycontrivedinthethicknessofthewall，andhavingfallenintodisuse，hadbeenclosedupwithbricksinthismanner。Itwasformedafterthesimpleold-fashionedplanofoven-building——amereoblatecavitywithoutaflue。
Manstonnowstretchedhisarmintotheoven，draggedforthaheavyweightofgreatbulk，andletitslidetotheground。Thewomanwhowatchedhimcouldseetheobjectplainly。Itwasacommoncorn-
sack，nearlyfull，andwastiedatthemouthintheusualway。
Thestewardhadonceortwicestartedup，asifhehadheardsounds，andhismotionsnowbecamemorecat-likestill。Onasuddenheputoutthelight。Annehadmadenonoise，yetaforeignnoiseofsomekindhadcertainlybeenmadeintheinterveningportionofthehouse。Sheheardit。"Oneoftherats，"shethought。
Heseemedsoontorecoverfromhisalarm，butchangedhistacticscompletely。Hedidnotlighthiscandle——goingonwithhisworkinthedark。Shehadonlysoundstogobynow，and，judgingaswellasshecouldfromthese，hewaspilingupthebrickswhichclosedtheoven"smouthastheyhadbeenbeforehedisturbedthem。Thequerythathadnotleftherbrainalltheintervalofherinspection——howshouldshegetbackintoherbedroomagain？——nowreceivedasolution。Whilsthewasreplacingthecupboard，shewouldglideacrossthebrewhouse，takethekeyfromthetopofthecopper，runupstairs，unlockthedoor，andbringbackthekeyagain：ifhereturnedtobed，whichwasunlikely，hewouldthinkthelockhadfailedtocatchinthestaple。Thisthoughtandintention，occupyingsuchlengthofwords，flasheduponherinaninstant，andhardlydisturbedherstrongcuriositytostayandlearnthemeaningofhisactionsintheworkshop。
Slippingsidewaysthroughthefirstdoorandclosingitbehindher，sheadvancedintothedarknesstowardsthesecond，makingeveryindividualfootfallwiththegreatestcare，lestthefragmentsofrubbishonthefloorshouldcracklebeneathhertread。Shesoonstoodclosebythecopper，andnotmorethanafootfromthedooroftheroomoccupiedbyManstonhimself，fromwhichpositionshecoulddistinctlyhearhimbreathebetweeneachexertion，althoughitwasfartoodarktodiscernanythingofhim。
Tosecurethekeyofherchamberwasherfirstanxiety，andaccordinglyshecautiouslyreachedoutwithherhandtowhereitlay。Insteadoftouchingit，herfingerscameincontactwiththebootofahumanbeing。
Shedroopedfaintinacoldsweat。Itwasthefooteitherofamanorwoman，standingonthebrewing-copperwherethekeyhadlain。A
warmfoot，coveredwithapolishedboot。
Thestartlingdiscoverysoterrifiedherthatshecouldhardlyrepressasound。Shewithdrewherhandwithamotionliketheflightofanarrow。Hertouchwassolightthattheleatherseemedtohavebeenthickenoughtokeeptheownerofthefootinentireignoranceofit，andthenoiseofManston"sscrapingmighthavebeenquitesufficienttodrowntheslightrustleofherdress。
Thepersonwasobviouslynotthesteward：hewasstillbusy。Itwassomebodywho，sincethelighthadbeenextinguished，hadtakenadvantageofthegloom，tocomefromsomedarkrecessinthebrewhouseandstanduponthebrickworkofthecopper。Thefearwhichhadatfirstparalyzedherlessenedwiththebirthofasensethatfearnowwasutterfailure：shewasinadesperatepositionandmustabidebytheconsequences。Themotionlesspersononthecopperwas，equallywithManston，quiteunconsciousofherproximity，andsheventuredtoadvanceherhandagain，feelingbehindthefeet，tillshefoundthekey。Onitsreturntoherside，herfinger-tipskimmedthelowervergeofatrousers-leg。
Itwasaman，then，whostoodthere。Togotothedoorjustatthistimewasimpolitic，andsheshrankbackintoaninnercornertowait。Thecomparativesecurityfromdiscoverythathernewpositionensuredresuscitatedreasonalittle，andempoweredhertoformsomelogicalinferences：——
1。Themanwhostoodonthecopperhadtakenadvantageofthedarknesstogetthere，asshehadtoenter。
2。Themanmusthavebeenhiddenintheouthousebeforeshehadreachedthedoor。
3。HemustbewatchingManstonwithmuchcalculationandsystem，andforpurposesofhisown。
ShecouldnowtellbythenoisesthatManstonhadcompletedhisre-
erectionofthecupboard。Sheheardhimreplacingthearticlesithadcontained——bottlebybottle，toolbytool——afterwhichhecameintothebrewhouse，wenttothewindow，andpulleddowntheclothscoveringit；butthewindowbeingrathersmall，thisunveilingscarcelyrelievedthedarknessoftheinterior。Hereturnedtotheworkshop，hoistedsomethingtohisbackbyajerk，andfeltabouttheroomforsomeotherarticle。Havingfoundit，heemergedfromtheinnerdoor，crossedthebrewhouse，andwentintotheyard。
Directlyhesteppedoutshecouldseehisoutlinebythelightofthecloudedandweaklymoon。Thesackwasslungathisback，andinhishandhecarriedaspade。
Annenowwaitedinhercornerinbreathlesssuspensefortheproceedingsoftheotherman。Inabouthalf-a-minutesheheardhimdescendfromthecopper，andthenthesquareopeningofthedoorwayshowedtheoutlineofthisotherwatcherpassingthroughitlikewise。Theformwasthatofabroad-shoulderedmanenvelopedinalongcoat。Hevanishedafterthesteward。
Thewomanventedasighofrelief，andmovedforwardtofollow。
Simultaneously，shediscoveredthatthewatcherwhosefootshehadtouchedwas，inhisturn，watchedandfollowedalso。
Itwasbyoneofherownsex。AnneSeawayshrankbackwardagain。
Theunknownwomancameforwardfromthefurthersideoftheyard，andponderedawhileinhesitation。Tall，dark，andcloselywrapped，shestoodupfromtheearthlikeacypress。Shemoved，crossedtheyardwithoutproducingtheslightestdisturbancebyherfootsteps，andwentinthedirectiontheothershadtaken。
Annewaitedyetanotherminute——theninherturnnoiselesslyfollowedthelastwoman。
Butsoimpressedwasshewiththesensationofpeopleinhiding，thatincomingoutoftheyardsheturnedherheadtoseeifanypersonwerefollowingher，inthesameway。Nobodywasvisible，butshediscerned，standingbehindtheangleofthestable，Manston"shorseandgig，readyharnessed。
Hedidintendtoflyafterall，then，shethought。Hemusthaveplacedthehorseinreadiness，intheintervalbetweenhisleavingthehouseandherexitbythewindow。However，therewasnottimetoweighthisbranchofthenight"sevents。Sheturnedaboutagain，andcontinuedonthetrailoftheotherthree。
6。FROMMIDNIGHTTOHALF-PASTONEA。M。
Intentnesspervadedeverything；Nightherselfseemedtohavebecomeawatcher。
Thefourpersonsproceededacrosstheglade，andintotheparkplantation，atequi-distancesofaboutseventyyards。Heretheground，completelyoverhungbythefoliage，wascoatedwithathickmosswhichwasassoftasvelvetbeneaththeirfeet。Thefirstwatcher，thatis，themanwalkingimmediatelybehindManston，nowfellback，whenManston"shousekeeper，knowingthegroundprettywell，divedcircuitouslyamongthetreesandgotdirectlybehindthesteward，who，encumberedwithhisload，hadproceededbutslowly。
TheotherwomanseemednowtobeaboutoppositetoAnne，oralittleinadvance，butonManston"sotherhand。
Hereachedapit，midwaybetweenthewaterfallandtheengine-house。
Therehestopped，wipedhisface，andlistened。
Intothispithaddrifteduncountedgenerationsofwitheredleaves，halffillingit。Oak，beech，andchestnut，rottenandbrownalike，mingledthemselvesinonefibrousmass。Manstondescendedintothemidstofthem，placedhissackontheground，andrakingtheleavesasideintoalargeheap，begandigging。Annesoftlydrewnearer，creptintoabush，andturningherheadtosurveytherest，missedthemanwhohaddroppedbehind，andwhomwehavecalledthefirstwatcher。Concludingthathe，too，hadhiddenhimself，sheturnedherattentiontothesecondwatcher，theotherwoman，whohadmeanwhileadvancedneartowhereAnnelayinhiding，andnowseatedherselfbehindatree，stillclosertothestewardthanwasAnneSeaway。
HereandthusAnneremainedconcealed。Thecrunchofthesteward"sspade，asitcutintothesoftvegetablemould，wasplainlyperceptibletoherearswhentheperiodiccessationsbetweenthecreaksoftheengineconcurredwithalullinthebreeze，whichotherwisebroughtthesubduedroarofthecascadefromthefurthersideofthebankthatscreenedit。Alargehole——somefourorfivefeetdeep——hadbeenexcavatedbyManstoninabouttwentyminutes。
Intothisheimmediatelyplacedthesack，andthenbeganfillingintheearth，andtreadingitdown。Lastlyhecarefullyrakedthewholemassofdeadanddryleavesintothemiddleofthepit，buryingthegroundwiththemastheyhadburieditbefore。
Forahiding-placethespotwasunequalled。Thethickaccumulationofleaves，whichhadnotbeendisturbedforcenturies，mightnotbedisturbedagainforcenturiestocome，whilsttheirlowerlayersstilldecayedandaddedtothemouldbeneath。
Bythetimethisworkwasendedtheskyhadgrownclearer，andAnnecouldnowseedistinctlythefaceoftheotherwoman，stretchingfrombehindthetree，seeminglyforgetfulofherpositioninherintensecontemplationoftheactionsofthesteward。Hercountenancewaswhiteandmotionless。
ItwasimpossiblethatManstonshouldnotsoonnoticeher。Atthecompletionofhislabourheturned，anddidso。
"Ho——youhere！"heexclaimed。
"Don"tthinkIamaspyuponyou，"shesaid，inanimploringwhisper。AnnerecognizedthevoiceasMissAldclyffe"s。
Thetremblingladyaddedhastilyanotherremark，whichwasdrownedintherecurringcreakoftheenginecloseathandThefirstwatcher，ifhehadcomenonearerthanhisoriginalposition，wastoofarofftohearanypartofthisdialogue，onaccountoftheroarofthefallingwater，whichcouldreachhimunimpededbythebank。
TheremarkofMissAldclyffetoManstonhadplainlybeenconcerningthefirstwatcher，forManston，withhisspadeinhishand，instantlyrushedtowherethemanwasconcealed，and，beforethelattercoulddisengagehimselffromtheboughs，thestewardstruckhimontheheadwiththebladeoftheinstrument。Themanfelltotheground。
"Fly！"saidMissAldclyffetoManston。Manstonvanishedamidstthetrees。MissAldclyffewentoffinacontrarydirection。
AnneSeawaywasabouttorunawaylikewise，whensheturnedandlookedatthefallenman。Helayonhisface，motionless。
Manyofthesewomenwhoowntonomoralcodeshowconsiderablemagnanimitywhentheyseepeopleintrouble。Toactrightsimplybecauseitisone"sdutyisproper；butagoodactionwhichistheresultofnolawofreflectionshinesmorethanany。Shewentuptohimandgentlyturnedhimover，uponwhichhebegantoshowsignsoflife。Byherassistancehewassoonabletostandupright。
Helookedabouthimwithabewilderedair，endeavouringtocollecthisideas。"Whoareyou？"hesaidtothewoman，mechanically。
Itwasbadpolicynowtoattemptdisguise。"IamthesupposedMrs。
Manston，"shesaid。"Whoareyou？"
"IamtheofficeremployedbyMr。Raunhamtosiftthismystery——
whichmaybecriminal。"Hestretchedhislimbs，pressedhishead，andseemedgraduallytoawaketoasenseofhavingbeenincautiousinhisutterance。"NeveryoumindwhoIam，"hecontinued。"Well，itdoesn"tmatternow，either——itwillnolongerbeasecret。"
Hestoopedforhishatandraninthedirectionthestewardhadtaken——comingbackagainafterthelapseofaminute。
"It"sonlyanaggravatedassault，afterall，"hesaidhastily，"untilwehavefoundoutforcertainwhat"sburiedhere。Itmaybeonlyabagofbuildingrubbish；butitmaybemore。Comeandhelpmedig。"Heseizedthespadewiththeawkwardnessofatownman，andwentintothepit，continuingamuttereddiscourse。"It"snousemyrunningafterhimsingle-handed，"hesaid。"He"seversofaroffbythistime。Thebeststepistoseewhatishere。"
Itwasfareasierforthedetectivetore-opentheholethanithadbeenforManstontoformit。Theleaveswererakedaway，theloamthrownout，andthesackdraggedforth。
"Holdthis，"hesaidtoAnne，whosecuriositystillkeptherstandingnear。Heturnedonthelightofadarklanternhehadbrought，andgaveitintoherhand。
Thestringwhichboundthemouthofthesackwasnowcut。Theofficerlaidthebagonitsside，seizeditbythebottom，andjerkedforththecontents。Alargepackagewasdisclosed，carefullywrappedupinimpervioustarpaulin，alsowelltied。Hewasonthepointofpullingopenthefoldsatoneend，whenalightcolouredthreadofsomething，hangingontheoutside，arrestedhiseye。Heputhishanduponit；itfeltstringy，andadheredtohisfingers。
"Holdthelightclose，"hesaid。
Shehelditclose。Heraisedhishandtotheglass，andtheybothpeeredatanalmostintangiblefilamentheheldbetweenhisfingerandthumb。Itwasalonghair；thehairofawoman。
"God！Icouldn"tbelieveit——no，Icouldn"tbelieveit！"thedetectivewhispered，horror-struck。"AndIhavelostthemanforthepresentthroughmyunbelief。Let"sgetintoashelteredplace……NowwaitaminutewhilstIproveit。"
Hethrusthishandintohiswaistcoatpocket，andwithdrewthenceaminutepacketofbrownpaper。Spreadingitouthedisclosed，coiledinthemiddle，anotherlonghair。Itwasthehairtheclerk"swifehadfoundonManston"spillowninedaysbeforetheCarrifordfire。
Heheldthetwohairstothelight：theywerebothofapale-brownhue。Helaidthemparallelandstretchedouthisarms：theywereofthesamelengthtoanicety。ThedetectiveturnedtoAnne。
"Itisthebodyofhisfirstwife，"hesaidquietly。"Hemurderedher，asMr。Springroveandtherectorsuspected——buthowandwhen，Godonlyknows。"
"AndI！"exclaimedAnneSeaway，aprobableandnaturalsequenceofeventsandmotivesexplanatoryofthewholecrime——eventsandmotivesshadowedforthbytheletter，Manston"spossessionofit，hisrenunciationofCytherea，andinstalmentofherself——flashinguponhermindwiththerapidityoflightning。
"Ah——Isee，"saidthedetective，standingunusuallyclosetoher：
andahandcuffwasonherwrist。"Youmustcomewithme，madam。
KnowingasmuchaboutasecretmurderasGodknowsisaverysuspiciousthing：itdoesn"tmakeyouagoddess——farfromit。"Hedirectedthebull"s-eyeintoherface。
"Pooh——leadon，"shesaidscornfully，"anddon"tloseyourprincipalactorforthesakeoftorturingapoorsubordinatelikeme。"
Heloosenedherhand，gaveherhisarm，anddraggedheroutofthegrove——makingherrunbesidehimtilltheyhadreachedtherectory。
Alightwasburninghere，andanauxiliaryofthedetective"sawaitinghim：ahorsereadyharnessedtoaspring-cartwasstandingoutside。
"Youhavecome——IwishIhadknownthat，"thedetectivesaidtohisassistant，hurriedlyandangrily。"Well，we"veblundered——he"sgone——youshouldhavebeenhere，asIsaid！Iwassoldbythatwoman，MissAldclyffe——shewatchedme。"Hehastilygavedirectionsinanundertonetothisman。Theconcludingwordswere，"Gointotherector——he"sup。DetainMissAldclyffe。I，inthemeantime，amdrivingtoCasterbridgewiththisone，andforhelp。Weshallbesuretohavehimwhenitgetslight。"
HeassistedAnneintothevehicle，anddroveoffwithher。Astheywent，theclear，dryroadshowedbeforethem，betweenthegrassyquartersateachside，likeawhiteriband，andmadetheirprogresseasy。Theycametoaspotwherethehighwaywasoverhungbydensefirsforsomedistanceonbothsides。Itwastotallydarkhere。
Therewasasmash；andarudeshock。Intheverymidstofitslength，atthepointwheretheroadbegantodropdownahill，thedetectivedroveagainstsomethingwithajerkwhichnearlyflungthembothtotheground。
Themanrecoveredhimself，placedAnneontheseat，andreachedouthishand。Hefoundthattheoff-wheelofhisgigwaslockedinthatofanotherconveyanceofsomekind。
"Hoy！"saidtheofficer。
Nobodyanswered。
"Hoy，youmanasleepthere！"hesaidagain。
Noreply。
"Well，that"sodd——thiscomesofthefollyoftravellingwithoutgig-lampsbecauseyouexpectthedawn。"Hejumpedtothegroundandturnedonhislantern。
Therewasthegigwhichhadobstructedhim，standinginthemiddleoftheroad；ajadedhorseharnessedtoit，butnohumanbeinginornearthevehicle。
"Doyouknowwhosegigthisis？"hesaidtothewoman。
"No，"shesaidsullenly。Butshedidrecognizeitasthesteward"s。
"I"llswearit"sManston"s！Come，Icanhearitbyyourtone。
However，youneedn"tsayanythingwhichmaycriminateyou。Whatforethoughtthemanmusthavehad——howcarefullyhemusthaveconsideredpossiblecontingencies！Why，hemusthavegotthehorseandgigreadybeforehebeganshiftingthebody。"
Helistenedforasoundamongthetrees。Nonewastobeheardbuttheoccasionalscamperofarabbitoverthewitheredleaves。Hethrewthelightofhislanternthroughagapinthehedge，butcouldseenothingbeyondanimpenetrablethicket。ItwasclearthatManstonwasnotmanyyardsoff，butthequestionwashowtofindhim。Nothingcouldbedonebythedetectivejustthen，encumberedashewasbythehorseandAnne。Ifhehadenteredthethicketonasearchunaided，Manstonmighthavesteppedunobservedfrombehindabushandmurderedhimwiththegreatestease。Indeed，thereweresuchstrongreasonsfortheexploitinManston"scircumstancesatthatmomentthatwithoutshowingcowardice，hispursuerfeltithazardoustoremainanylongerwherehestood。
HehastilytiedtheheadofManston"shorsetothebackofhisownvehicle，thatthestewardmightbedeprivedoftheuseofanymeansofescapeotherthanhisownlegs，anddroveonthuswithhisprisonertothecounty-town。Arrivedthere，helodgedherinthepolice-station，andthentookimmediatestepsforthecaptureofManston。
XX。THEEVENTSOFTHREEHOURS
1。MARCHTHETWENTY-THIRD。MIDDAY
Thirty-sixhourshadelapsedsinceManston"sescape。
Itwasmarket-dayatthecounty-town。Thefarmersoutsideandinsidethecorn-exchangelookedattheirsamplesofwheat，andpouredthemcriticallyasusualfromonepalmtoanother，buttheythoughtandspokeofManston。Grocersservingbehindtheircounters，insteadofusingtheirconstantphrase，"Thenextarticle，please？"substituted，"Haveyouheardifhe"scaught？"Dairymenanddroversstandingbesidethesheepandcattlepens，spreadtheirlegsfirmly，readjustedtheirhats，thrusttheirhandsintothelowestdepthsoftheirpockets，regardedtheanimalswiththeutmostkeennessofwhichtheeyewascapable，andsaid，"Ay，ay，so"s：
they"llhavehimavorenight。"
LaterinthedayEdwardSpringrovepassedalongthestreethurriedlyandanxiously。"Well，haveyouheardanymore？"hesaidtoanacquaintancewhoaccostedhim。
"Theytrackedhiminthisway，"saidtheotheryoungman。"A
vagrantfirsttoldthemthatManstonhadpassedarickatdaybreak，underwhichthismanwaslying。Theyfollowedthetrackhepointedoutandultimatelycametoastile。Ontheothersidewasaheapofhalf-hardenedmud，scrapedfromtheroad。Onthesurfaceoftheheap，whereithadbeensmoothedbytheshovel，wasdistinctlyimprintedtheformofaman"shand，thebuttonsofhiswaistcoat，andhiswatch-chain，showingthathehadstumbledinhurryingoverthestile，andfallenthere。ThepatternofthechainprovedthemantohavebeenManston。Theyfollowedontilltheyreachedafordcrossedbystepping-stones——onthefurtherbankwerethesamefootmarksthathadshownthemselvesbesidethestile。ThewholeofthiscoursehadbeeninthedirectionofBudmouth。Ontheywent，andthenextcluewasfurnishedthembyashepherd。Hesaidthatwhereveraclearspacethreeorfouryardswideraninalinethroughaflockofsheeplyingaboutaewe-lease，itwasaproofthatsomebodyhadpassedtherenotmorethanhalf-an-hourearlier。
Attwelveo"clockthatdayhehadnoticedsuchafeatureinhisflock。Nothingmorecouldbeheardofhim，andtheygotintoBudmouth。Thesteam-packettotheChannelIslandswastostartatelevenlastnight，andtheyatonceconcludedthathishopewastogettoFrancebywayofJerseyandSt。Malo——hisonlychance，alltherailway-stationsbeingwatched。
"Well，theywenttotheboat：hewasnotonboardthen。Theywentagainathalf-pastten：hehadnotcome。Twomennowplacedthemselvesunderthelampimmediatelybesidethegangway。Anotherstayedbytheofficedoor，andoneortwomoreupMaryStreet——thestraightcuttothequay。Ataquartertoeleventhemail-bagswereputonboard。Whilsttheattentionoftheidlerswasdirectedtothemails，downMaryStreetcameamanasboldlyaspossible。ThegaitwasManston"s，butnottheclothes。Hepassedovertotheshadedpartofthestreet：headswereturned。Isupposethiswarnedhim，forheneveremergedfromtheshadow。Theywatchedandwaited，butthestewarddidnotreappear。Thealarmwasraised——
theysearchedthetownhighandlow——noManston。Allthismorningtheyhavebeensearching，butthere"snotasignofhimanywhere。
However，hehaslosthislastchanceofgettingacrosstheChannel。
Itisreportedthathehassincechangedclotheswithalabourer。"
Duringthisnarration，Edward，lostinthought，hadlethiseyesfollowashabbymaninasmock-frock，butwearinglightboots——whowasstalkingdownthestreetunderabundleofstrawwhichoverhungandconcealedhishead。Itwasaveryordinarycircumstanceforamanwithabundleofstrawonhisshouldersandoverhanginghishead，togodowntheHighStreet。Edwardsawhimcrossthebridgewhichdividedthetownfromthecountry，placehisshaggyencumbrancebythesideoftheroad，andleaveitthere。
Springrovenowpartedfromhisacquaintance，andwentalsointhedirectionofthebridge，andsomewaybeyondit。Asfarashecouldseestretchedtheturnpikeroad，and，whilehewaslooking，henoticedamantoleapfromthehedgeatapointtwohundred，ortwohundredandfiftyyardsahead，crosstheroad，andgothroughawicketontheotherside。Thisfigureseemedlikethatofthemanwhohadbeencarryingthebundleofstraw。Helookedatthestraw：
itstillstoodalone。
Thesubjoinedfactssprang，asitwere，intojuxtapositioninhisbrain：——
Manstonhadbeenseenwearingtheclothesofalabouringman——abrownsmock-frock。Sohadthisman，whoseemedotherthanalabourer，onsecondthoughts：andhehadconcealedhisfacebyhisbundleofstrawwiththegreatesteaseandnaturalness。
Thepaththemanhadtakenled，amongotherplaces，toTolchurch，whereCythereawasliving。
IfMrs。Manstonwasmurdered，assomesaid，onthenightofthefire，Cythereawasthesteward"slawfulwife。Manstonatbay，andrecklessofresults，mightrushtohiswifeandharmher。
ItwasahorriblesuppositionforamanwholovedCythereatoentertain；butSpringrovecouldnotresistitsinfluence。HestartedoffforTolchurch。
2。ONETOTWOO"CLOCKP。M。
Onthatself-samemid-day，whilstEdwardwasproceedingtoTolchurchbythefootpathacrossthefields，OwenGrayehadleftthevillageandwasridingalongtheturnpikeroadtothecounty-town，thathemightascertaintheexacttruthofthestrangerumourwhichhadreachedhimconcerningManston。Nottodisquiethissister，hehadsaidnothingtoherofthematter。
Shesatbythewindowreading。Fromherpositionshecouldseeupthelaneforadistanceofatleastahundredyards。Passers-byweresorareinthisretirednook，thattheeyesofthosewhodweltbythewaysidewereinvariablyliftedtoeveryoneontheroad，greatandsmall，astoanovelty。
Amaninabrownsmock-frockturnedthecornerandcametowardsthehouse。Itbeingmarket-dayatCasterbridge，thevillagewasnearlydeserted，andmorethanthis，theoldfarm-houseinwhichOwenandhissisterwerestaying，stood，ashasbeenstated，apartfromthebodyofcottages。Themandidnotlookrespectable；Cythereaaroseandboltedthedoor。
Unfortunatelyhewasnearenoughtoseehercrosstheroom。Headvancedtothedoor，knocked，and，receivingnoanswer，cametothewindow；henextpressedhisfaceagainsttheglass，peeringin。
Cytherea"sexperienceatthatmomentwasprobablyastryingaoneaseverfelltothelotofagentlewomantoendure。Sherecognizedinthepeeringfacethatofthemanshehadmarried。
Butnotamovementwasmadebyher，notasoundescapedher。Herfearwasgreat；buthadsheknownthetruth——thatthemanoutside，feelinghehadnothingonearthtolosebyanyact，wasinthelaststageofrecklessness，terrifiednaturemusthavegivenway。
"Cytherea，"hesaid，"letmecomein：Iamyourhusband。"
"No，"shereplied，stillnotrealizingthemagnitudeofherperil。
"Ifyouwanttospeaktous，waittillmybrothercomes。"
"O，he"snotathome？Cytherea，Ican"tlivewithoutyou！AllmysinhasbeenbecauseIloveyouso！Willyouflywithme？Ihavemoneyenoughforusboth——onlycomewithme。"
"Notnow——notnow。"
"Iamyourhusband，Itellyou，andImustcomein。"
"Youcannot，"shesaidfaintly。Hiswordsbegantoterrifyher。
"Iwill，Isay！"heexclaimed。"Willyouletmein，Iaskoncemore？"
"No——Iwillnot，"saidCytherea。
"ThenIwillletmyselfin！"heansweredresolutely。"Iwill，ifI
dieforit！"
Thewindowswereglazedinlatticepanesofleadwork，hungincasements。Hebrokeoneofthepaneswithastone，thrusthishandthroughthehole，unfastenedthelatchwhichheldthecasementclose，andbeganopeningthewindow。
Instantlytheshuttersflewtogetherwithaslam，andwerebarredwithdesperatequicknessbyCythereaontheinside。
"Damnyou！"heexclaimed。
Heranroundtothebackofthehouse。Hisimpatiencewasgreaternow：hethrusthisfistthroughthepantrywindowatoneblow，andopeneditinthesamewayastheformeronehadbeenopened，beforetheterror-strickengirlwasawarethathehadgoneround。Inaninstanthestoodinthepantry，advancedtothefrontroomwhereshewas，flungbacktheshutters，andheldouthisarmstoembraceher。
Inextremelytryingmomentsofbodilyormentalpain，Cythereaeitherflushedhotorfadedpale，accordingtothestateofherconstitutionatthemoment。Nowsheburnedlikefirefromheadtofoot，andthispreservedherconsciousness。
Neverbeforehadthepoorchild"snaturalagilityservedherinsuchgoodsteadasnow。Aheavyoblongtablestoodinthemiddleoftheroom。Roundthistablesheflew，keepingitbetweenherselfandManston，herlargeeyeswideopenwithterror，theirdilatedpupilsconstantlyfixeduponManston"s，toreadbyhisexpressionwhetherhisnextintentionwastodarttotherightortheleft。
Evenhe，atthatheatedmoment，couldnotenduretheexpressionofunutterableagonywhichshonefromthatextraordinarygazeofhers。
IthadsurelybeengivenherbyGodasameansofdefence。Manstoncontinuedhispursuitwithaloweredeye。
Thepantingandmaddeneddesperado——blindtoeverythingbutthecaptureofhiswife——wentwitharushunderthetable：shewentoveritlikeabird。Hewentheavilyoverit：sheflewunderit，andwasoutattheotherside。
"Oneonheryouthandpliantlimbsrelies，Oneonhissinewsandhisgiantsize。"
Buthissuperiorstrengthwassuretotireherdowninthelong-run。
Shefeltherweaknessincreasingwiththequicknessofherbreath；
sheutteredawildscream，whichinitsheartrendingintensityseemedtoechoformiles。
Atthesamejunctureherhairbecameunfastened，androlleddownabouthershoulders。Theleastaccidentatsuchcriticalperiodsissufficienttoconfusetheoverwroughtintelligence。Shelostsightofhisintendeddirectionforoneinstant，andheimmediatelyoutmanoeuvredher。
"Atlast！myCytherea！"hecried，overturningthetable，springingoverit，seizingoneofthelongbrowntresses，pullinghertowardshim，andclaspingherround。Shewritheddownwardsbetweenhisarmsandbreast，andfellfaintingonthefloor。Forthefirsttimehisactionwasleisurely。Heliftedheruponthesofa，exclaiming，"Restthereforawhile，myfrightenedlittlebird！"
Andthentherewasanendofhistriumph。Hefelthimselfclutchedbythecollar，andwhizzedbackwardswiththeforceofabattering-
ramagainstthefireplace。Springrove，wild，red，andbreathless，hadsprunginattheopenwindow，andstoodoncemorebetweenmanandwife。
Manstonwasonhislegsagaininaninstant。Afieryglanceontheoneside，aglanceofpitilessjusticeontheother，passedbetweenthem。ItwasagainthemeetinginthevineyardofNaboththeJezreelite："Hastthoufoundme，Omineenemy？Andheanswered，I
havefoundthee：becausethouhastsoldthyselftoworkevilinthesightoftheLord。"
Adesperatewrestlenowbeganbetweenthetwomen。Manstonwasthetaller，buttherewasinEdwardmuchhardtoughmusclewhichthedelicatefleshofthestewardlacked。Theyflewtogetherlikethejawsofagin。Inaminutetheywerebothonthefloor，rollingoverandover，lockedineachother"sgraspastightlyasiftheyhadbeenoneorganicbeingatwarwithitself——EdwardtryingtosecureManston"sarmswithasmallthonghehaddrawnfromhispocket，Manstontryingtoreachhisknife。
Twocharacteristicnoisespervadedtheapartmentthroughthismomentousspaceoftime。Onewasthesharppantingofthetwocombatants，sosimilarineachastobeundistinguishable；theotherwasthestrokeoftheirheelsandtoes，astheysmotethefloorateverycontortionofbodyorlimbs。
Cythereahadnotlostconsciousnessformorethanhalf-a-minute。
ShehadthenleaptupwithoutrecognizingthatEdwardwasherdeliverer，unfastenedthedoor，andrushedout，screamingwildly，"Come！Help！O，help！"
Threemenstoodnottwentyyardsoff，lookingperplexed。Theydashedforwardatherwords。"Haveyouseenashabbymanwithasmock-frockonlately？"theyinquired。Shepointedtothedoor，andranonthesameasbefore。
Manston，whohadjustloosenedhimselffromEdward"sgrasp，seemedatthismomenttorenouncehisintentionofpushingtheconflicttoadesperateend。"Igiveitallupforlife——dearlife！"hecried，withahoarselaugh。"Arecklessmanhasadozenlives——seehowI"llbaffleyouallyet！"
Herushedoutofthehouse，butnofurther。Theboastwashislast。
Inonehalf-minutemorehewashelplessinthehandsofhispursuers。
Edwardstaggeredtohisfeet，andpausedtorecoverbreath。HisthoughtshadneverforsakenCytherea，andhisfirstactnowwastohastenupthelaneafterher。Shehadnotgonefar。Hefoundherleaninguponabankbytheroadside，whereshehadflungherselfdowninsheerexhaustion。Heranupandliftedherinhisarms，andthusaidedshewasenabledtostandupright——clingingtohim。WhatwouldSpringrovehavegiventoimprintakissuponherlipsthen！
Theywalkedslowlytowardsthehouse。Thedistressingsensationofwhosewifeshewascouldnotentirelyquenchtheresuscitatedpleasurehefeltathergratefulrecognitionofhim，andherconfidingseizureofhisarmforsupport。Heconveyedhercarefullyintothehouse。
Aquarterofanhourlater，whilstshewassittinginapartiallyrecovered，half-dozingstateinanarm-chair，EdwardbesideherwaitinganxiouslytillGrayeshouldarrive，theysawaspring-cartpassthedoor。Oldanddrymud-splashesfromlong-forgottenrainsdisfigureditswheelsandsides；thevarnishandpainthadbeenscratchedanddimmed；ornamenthadlongbeenforgotteninarestlesscontemplationofuse。Threemensatontheseat，themiddleonebeingManston。Hishandswereboundinfrontofhim，hiseyesweresetdirectlyforward，hiscountenancepallid，hard，andfixed。
SpringrovehadtoldCythereaofManston"scrimeinafewshortwords。Henowsaidsolemnly，"Heistodie。"
"AndIcannotmournforhim，"sherepliedwithashudder，leaningbackandcoveringherfacewithherhands。
Inthesilencethatfollowedthetwoshortremarks，Springrovewatchedthecartroundthecorner，andheardtherattleofitswheelsgraduallydyingawayasitrolledinthedirectionofthecounty-town。