第1章

THISisthestoryofwhataWoman’spatiencecanendure，andwhataMan’sresolutioncanachieve。

IfthemachineryoftheLawcouldbedependedontofathomeverycaseofsuspicion，andtoconducteveryprocessofinquiry，withmoderateassistanceonlyfromthelubricatinginfluencesofoilofgold，theeventswhichfillthesepagesmighthaveclaimedtheirshareofthepublicattentioninaCourtofJustice。

ButtheLawisstill，incertaininevitablecases，thepre-engagedservantofthelongpurse；andthestoryislefttobetold，forthefirsttime，inthisplace。AstheJudgemightoncehaveheardit，sotheReadershallhearitnow。Nocircumstanceofimportance，fromthebeginningtotheendofthedisclosure，shallberelatedonhearsayevidence。Whenthewriteroftheseintroductorylines(WalterHartrightbyname)happenstobemorecloselyconnectedthanotherswiththeincidentstoberecorded，hewillbethenarrator。Whennot，hewillretirefromthepositionofnarrator；andhistaskwillbecontinued，fromthepointatwhichhehasleftitoff，byotherpersonswhocanspeaktothecircumstancesundernoticefromtheirownknowledge，justasclearlyandpositivelyashehasspokenbeforethem。

Thus，thestoryherepresentedwillbetoldbymorethanonepen，asthestoryofanoffenceagainstthelawsistoldinCourtbymorethanonewitness——withthesameobjectinbothcases，topresentthetruthalwaysinitsmostdirectandmostintelligibleaspect；andtotracethecourseofonecompleteseriesofevents，bymakingthepersonswhohavebeenmostcloselyconnectedwiththem，ateachsuccessivestage，relatetheirownexperience，wordforword。

LetWalterHartright，teacherofdrawing，agedtwenty-eightyears，beheardfirst。

THESTORYBEGUNBYWALTERHARTRIGHT(ofClement’sinn，TeacherofDrawing)

ItwasthelastdayofJuly。Thelonghotsummerwasdrawingtoaclose；andwe，thewearypilgrimsoftheLondonpavement，werebeginningtothinkofthecloud-shadowsonthecorn-fields，andtheautumnbreezesonthesea-shore。

Formyownpoorpart，thefadingsummerleftmeoutofhealth，outofspirits，and，ifthetruthmustbetold，outofmoneyaswell。DuringthepastyearIhadnotmanagedmyprofessionalresourcesascarefullyasusual；andmyextravagancenowlimitedmetotheprospectofspendingtheautumneconomicallybetweenmymother’scottageatHampsteadandmyownchambersintown。

Theevening，Iremember，wasstillandcloudy；theLondonairwasatitsheaviest；thedistanthumofthestreet-trafficwasatitsfaintest；thesmallpulseofthelifewithinme，andthegreatheartofthecityaroundme，seemedtobesinkinginunison，languidlyandmorelanguidly，withthesinkingsun。IrousedmyselffromthebookwhichIwasdreamingoverratherthanreading，andleftmychamberstomeetthecoolnightairinthesuburbs。ItwasoneofthetwoeveningsineveryweekWhichIwasaccustomedtospendwithmymotherandmysister。SoIturnedmystepsnorthwardinthedirectionofHampstead。

EventswhichIhaveyettorelatemakeitnecessarytomentioninthisplacethatmyfatherhadbeendeadsomeyearsattheperiodofwhichIamnowwriting；andthatmysisterSarahandIwerethesolesurvivorsofafamilyoffivechildren。Myfatherwasadrawing-masterbeforeme。Hisexertionshadmadehimhighlysuccessfulinhisprofession；andhisaffectionateanxietytoprovideforthefutureofthosewhoweredependentonhislabourshadimpelledhim，fromthetimeofhismarriage，todevotetotheinsuringofhislifeamuchlargerportionofhisincomethanmostmenconsideritnecessarytosetasideforthatpurpose。Thankstohisadmirableprudenceandself-denialmymotherandsisterwereleft，afterhisdeath，asindependentoftheworldastheyhadbeenduringhislifetime。Isucceededtohisconnection，andhadeveryreasontofeelgratefulfortheprospectthatawaitedmeatmystartinginlife。

Thequiettwilightwasstilltremblingonthetopmostridgesoftheheath；andtheviewofLondonbelowmehadsunkintoablackgulfintheshadowofthecloudynight，whenIstoodbeforethegateofmymother’scottage。Ihadhardlyrungthebellbeforethehousedoorwasopenedviolently；myworthyItalianfriend，ProfessorPesca，appearedintheservant’splace；anddartedoutjoyouslytoreceiveme，withashrillforeignparodyonanEnglishcheer。

Onhisownaccount，and，Imustbeallowedtoadd，onminealso，theProfessormeritsthehonourofaformalintroduction。Accidenthasmadehimthestarting-pointofthestrangefamilystorywhichitisthepurposeofthesepagestounfold。

IhadfirstbecomeacquaintedwithmyItalianfriendbymeetinghimatcertaingreathouseswherehetaughthisownlanguageandItaughtdrawing。AllIthenknewofthehistoryofhislifewas，thathehadonceheldasituationintheUniversityofPadua；thathehadleftItalyforpoliticalreasons(thenatureofwhichheuniformlydeclinedtomentiontoanyone)；andthathehadbeenformanyyearsrespectablyestablishedinLondonasateacheroflanguages。

Withoutbeingactuallyadwarf——forhewasperfectlywellproportionedfromheadtofoot——Pescawas，Ithink，thesmallesthumanbeingIeversawoutofashow-room。Remarkableanywhere，byhispersonalappearance，hewasstillfurtherdistinguishedamongtherankandfileofmankindbytheharmlesseccentricityofhischaracter。Therulingideaofhislifeappearedtobe，thathewasboundtoshowhisgratitudetothecountrywhichhadaffordedhimanasylumandameansofsubsistencebydoinghisutmosttoturnhimselfintoanEnglishman。Notcontentwithpayingthenationingeneralthecomplimentofinvariablycarryinganumbrella，andinvariablywearinggaitersandawhitehat，theProfessorfurtheraspiredtobecomeanEnglishmaninhishabitsandamusements，aswellasinhispersonalappearance。Findingusdistinguished，asanation，byourloveofathleticexercises，thelittleman，intheinnocenceofhisheart，devotedhimselfimpromptutoallourEnglishsportsandpastimeswheneverhehadtheopportunityofjoiningthem；firmlypersuadedthathecouldadoptournationalamusementsofthefieldbyaneffortofwillpreciselyashehadadoptedournationalgaitersandournationalwhitehat。

Ihadseenhimriskhislimbsblindlyatafox-huntandinacricket-field；andsoonafterwardsIsawhimriskhislife，justasblindly，intheseaatBrighton。

Wehadmetthereaccidentally，andwerebathingtogether。Ifwehadbeenengagedinanyexercisepeculiartomyownnationlshould，ofcourse，havelookedafterPescacarefully；butasforeignersaregenerallyquiteaswellabletotakecareofthemselvesinthewaterasEnglishmen，itneveroccurredtomethattheartofswimmingmightmerelyaddonemoretothelistofmanlyexerciseswhichtheprofessorbelievedthathecouldlearnimpromptu。Soonafterwehadbothstruckoutfromshore，Istopped，findingmyfrienddidnotgainonme，andturnedroundtolookforhim。Tomyhorrorandamazement，Isawnothingbetweenmeandthebeachbuttwolittlewhitearmswhichstruggledforaninstantabovethesurfaceofthewater，andthendisappearedfromview。WhenIdivedforhim，thepoorlittlemanwaslyingquietlycoiledupatthebottom，inahollowofshingle，lookingbymanydegreessmallerthanIhadeverseenhimlookbefore。DuringthefewminutesthatelapsedwhileIwastakinghimin，theairrevivedhim，andheascendedthestepsofthemachinewithmyassistance。Withthepartialrecoveryofhisanimationcamethereturnofhiswonderfuldelusiononthesubjectofswimming。Assoonashischatteringteethwouldlethimspeak，hesmiledvacantly，andsaidhethoughtitmusthavebeentheCramp。

Whenhehadthoroughlyrecoveredhimself，andhadjoinedmeonthebeach，hiswarmSouthernnaturebrokethroughallartificialEnglishrestraintsinamoment。Heoverwhelmedmewiththewildestexpressionsofaffection——exclaimedpassionately，inhisexaggeratedItalianway，thathewouldholdhislifehenceforthatmydisposal——anddeclaredthatheshouldneverbehappyagainuntilhehadfoundanopportunityofprovinghisgratitudebyrenderingmesomeservicewhichImightremember，onmyside，totheendofmydays。

Ididmybesttostopthetorrentofhistearsandprotestationsbypersistingintreatingthewholeadventureasagoodsubjectforajoke；andsucceededatlast，asIimagined，inlesseningPesca’soverwhelmingsenseofobligationtome。LittledidIthinkthen——littledidIthinkafterwardswhenourpleasantholidayhaddrawntoanend——thattheopportunityofservingmeforwhichmygratefulcompanionsoardentlylongedwassoontocome；thathewaseagerlytoseizeitontheinstant；andthatbysodoinghewastoturnthewholecurrentofmyexistenceintoanewchannel，andtoaltermetomyselfalmostpastrecognition。

Yetsoitwas。IfIhadnotdivedforProfessorPescawhenhelayunderwateronhisshinglebed，Ishouldinallhumanprobabilityneverhavebeenconnectedwiththestorywhichthesepageswillrelate——Ishouldnever，perhaps，haveheardeventhenameofthewomanwhohaslivedinallmythoughts，whohaspossessedherselfofallmyenergies，whohasbecometheoneguidinginfluencethatnowdirectsthepurposeofmylife。

Pesca’sfaceandmanner，ontheeveningwhenweconfrontedeachotheratmymother’sgate，weremorethansufficienttoinformmethatsomethingextraordinaryhadhappened。Itwasquiteuseless，however，toaskhimforanimmediateexplanation。Icouldonlyconjecture，whilehewasdraggingmeinbybothhands，that(knowingmyhabits)hehadcometothecottagetomakesureofmeetingmethatnight，andthathehadsomenewstotellofanunusuallyagreeablekind。

Webothbouncedintotheparlourinahighlyabruptandundignifiedmanner。Mymothersatbytheopenwindowlaughingandfanningherself。Pescawasoneofherespecialfavourites，andhiswildesteccentricitieswerealwayspardonableinhereyes。Poordearsoul！fromthefirstmomentwhenshefoundoutthatthelittleProfessorwasdeeplyandgratefullyattachedtoherson，sheopenedherhearttohimunreservedly，andtookallhispuzzlingforeignpeculiaritiesforgranted，withoutsomuchasattemptingtounderstandanyoneofthem。

MysisterSarah，withalltheadvantagesofyouth，was，strangelyenough，lesspliable。ShedidfulljusticetoPesca’sexcellentqualitiesofheart；butshecouldnotaccepthimimplicitly，asmymotheracceptedhimformysake。HerinsularnotionsofproprietyroseinperpetualrevoltagainstPesca’sconstitutionalcontemptforappearances；andshewasalwaysmoreorlessundisguisedlyastonishedathermother’sfamiliaritywiththeeccentriclittleforeigner。Ihaveobserved，notonlyinmysister’scase，butintheinstancesofothers，thatweoftheyounggenerationarenothinglikesoheartyandsoimpulsiveassomeofourelders。lconstantlyseeoldpeopleflushedandexcitedbytheprospectofsomeanticipatedpleasurewhichaltogetherfailstorufflethetranquillityoftheirserenegrandchildren。Arewe，Iwonder，quitesuchgenuineboysandgirlsnowasourseniorswereintheirtime？Hasthegreatadvanceineducationtakenrathertoolongastride；andarewe，inthesemoderndays，justtheleasttrifleintheworldtoowellbroughtup？

Withoutattemptingtoanswerthosequestionsdecisively，ImayatleastrecordthatIneversawmymotherandmysistertogetherinPesca’ssociety，withoutfindingmymothermuchtheyoungerwomanofthetwo。Onthisoccasion，forexample，whiletheoldladywaslaughingheartilyovertheboyishmannerinwhichwetumbledintotheparlour，Sarahwasperturbedlypickingupthebrokenpiecesofateacup，whichtheProfessorhadknockedoffthetableinhisprecipitateadvancetomeetmeatthedoor。

`Idon’tknowwhatwouldhavehappened，Walter，’saidmymother，`ifyouhaddelayedmuchlonger。Pescahasbeenhalfmadwithimpatience，andIhavebeenhalfmadwithcuriosity。TheProfessorhasbroughtsomewonderfulnewswithhim，inwhichhesaysyouareconcerned；andhehascruellyrefusedtogiveusthesmallesthintofittillhisfriendWalterappeared。’

’Veryprovoking:itspoilstheSet，’murmuredSarahtoherself，mournfullyabsorbedovertheruinsofthebrokencup。

Whilethesewordswerebeingspoken，Pesca，happilyandfussilyunconsciousoftheirreparablewrongwhichthecrockeryhadsufferedathishands，wasdraggingalargearmchairtotheoppositeendoftheroom，soastocommandusallthree，inthecharacterofapublicspeakeraddressinganaudience。Havingturnedthechairwithitsbacktowardsus，hejumpedintoitonhisknees，andexcitedlyaddressedhissmallcongregationofthreefromanimpromptupulpit。

`Now，mygooddears，’beganPesca(whoalwayssaid`gooddears’whenhemeant`worthyfriends’)，`listentome。Thetimehascome——Irecitemygoodnews——Ispeakatlast。’

`Hear，hear！’saidmymother，humouringthejoke。

`Thenextthinghewillbreak，mamma，’whisperedSarah，`willbethebackofthebestarmchair。’

`Igobackintomylife，andIaddressmyselftothenoblestofcreatedbeings，’continuedPesca，vehementlyapostrophisingmyunworthyselfoverthetoprailofthechair。`Whofoundmedeadatthebottomofthesea(throughCramp)；andwhopulledmeuptothetop；andwhatdidIsaywhenIgotintomyownlifeandmyownclothesagain？’

`Muchmorethanwasatallnecessary，’Iansweredasdoggedlyaspossible；fortheleastencouragementinconnectionwiththissubjectinvariablyletloosetheProfessor’semotionsinafloodoftears。

`lsaid，’persistedPesca，`thatmylifebelongedtomydearfriend，Walter，fortherestofmydays——andsoitdoes。IsaidthatIshouldneverbehappyagaintillIhadfoundtheopportunityofdoingagoodSomethingforWalter——andIhaveneverbeencontentedwithmyselftillthismostblessedday。Now，’criedtheenthusiasticlittlemanatthetopofhisvoice，`theoverflowinghappinessburstsoutofmeateveryporeofmyskin，likeaperspiration；foronmyfaith，andsoul，andhonour，thesomethingisdoneatlast，andtheonlywordtosaynowis——Right-all-right！’

ItmaybenecessarytoexplainherethatPescapridedhimselfonbeingaperfectEnglishmaninhislanguage，aswellasinhisdress，manners，andamusements。Havingpickedupafewofourmostfamiliarcolloquialexpressions，hescatteredthemaboutoverhisconversationwhenevertheyhappenedtooccurtohim，turningthem，inhishighrelishfortheirsoundandhisgeneralignoranceoftheirsense，intocompoundwordsandrepetitionsofhisown，andalwaysrunningthemintoeachother，asiftheyconsistedofonelongsyllable。

`AmongthefineLondonHouseswhereIteachthelanguageofmynativecountry，’saidtheProfessor，rushingintohislong-deferredexplanationwithoutanotherwordofpreface，`thereisone，mightyfine，inthebigplacecalledPortland。Youallknowwherethatis？Yes，yes——course-of-course。Thefinehouse，mygooddears，hasgotinsideitafinefamily。AMamma，fairandfat；threeyoungMisses，fairandfat；twoyoungMisters，fairandfat；andaPapa，thefairestandthefattestofall，whoisamightymerchant，uptohiseyesingold——afinemanonce，butseeingthathehasgotanakedheadandtwochins，finenolongeratthepresenttime。Nowmind！IteachthesublimeDantetotheyoungMisses，andah！——my-soul-bless-my-soul！——itisnotinhumanlanguagetosayhowthesublimeDantepuzzledtheprettyheadsofallthree！Nomatter——allingoodtime——andthemorelessonsthebetterforme。Nowmind！ImaginetoyourselvesthatIamteachingtheyoungMissestoday，asusual。WeareallfourofusdowntogetherintheHellofDante。AttheSeventhCircle——butnomatterforthat:alltheCirclesarealiketothethreeyoungMisses，fairandfat，——attheSeventhCircle，nevertheless，mypupilsarestickingfast；andI，tosetthemgoingagain，recite，explain，andblowmyselfupred-hotwithuselessenthusiasm，when——acreakofbootsinthepassageoutside，andincomesthegoldenPapa，themightymerchantwiththenakedheadandthetwochins——Ha！mygooddears，Iamcloserthanyouthinkfortothebusiness，now。Haveyoubeenpatientsofar？orhaveyousaidtoyourselves，``Deuce-what-the-deuce！Pescaislong-windedtonight？’’’

Wedeclaredthatweweredeeplyinterested。TheProfessorwenton:

`Inhishand，thegoldenPapahasaletter；andafterhehasmadehisexcusefordisturbingusinourInfernalRegionwiththecommonmortalBusinessofthehouse，headdresseshimselftothethreeyoungMisses，andbegins，asyouEnglishbegineverythinginthisblessedworldthatyouhavetosay，withagreatO。``O，mydears，’’saysthemightymerchant，``Ihavegotherealetterfrommyfriend，Mr——’’(thenamehasslippedoutofmymind；butnomatter；weshallcomebacktothat；yes，yes——right-all-right)。SothePapasays，``Ihavegotaletterfrommyfriend，theMister；andhewantsarecommendfromme，ofadrawing-master，togodowntohishouseinthecountry。’’My-soul-bless-my-soul！whenIheardthegoldenPapasaythosewords，ifIhadbeenbigenoughtoreachuptohim，Ishouldhaveputmyarmsroundhisneck，andpressedhimtomybosominalongandgratefulhug！Asitwas，Ionlybounceduponmychair。Myseatwasonthorns，andmysoulwasonfiretospeak；butIheldmytongue，andletPapagoon。``Perhapsyouknow，’’saysthisgoodmanofmoney，twiddlinghisfriend’sletterthiswayandthat，inhisgoldenfingersandthumbs，``perhapsyouknow，mydears，ofadrawing-masterthatIcanrecommend？’’ThethreeyoungMissesalllookateachother，andthensay(withtheindispensablegreatOtobegin)``O，dearno，Papa！ButhereisMrPesca——’’AtthementionofmyselfIcanholdnolonger——thethoughtofyou，mygooddears，mountslikebloodtomyhead——Istartfrommyseat，asifaspikehadgrownupfromthegroundthroughthebottomofmychair——Iaddressmyselftothemightymerchant，andIsay(Englishphrase)，``Dearsir，Ihavetheman！Thefirstandforemostdrawing-masteroftheworld！Recommendhimbytheposttonight，andsendhimoff，bagandbaggage(Englishphraseagain——ha！)，sendhimoff，bagandbaggage，bythetraintomorrow！’’``Stop，stop，’’saysPapa；``isheaforeigner，oranEnglishman？’’``Englishtotheboneofhishack，’’Ianswer。``Respectable？’’saysPapa。``Sir，’’Isay(forthislastquestionofhisoutragesme，andIhavedonebeingfamiliarwithhim)——``Sir！theimmortalfireofgeniusburnsinthisEnglishman’sbosom，and，whatismore，hisfatherhaditbeforehim！’’``Nevermind，’’saysthegoldenbarbarianofaPapa，``nevermindabouthisgenius，Mr。Pesca。Wedon’twantgeniusinthiscountry，unlessitisaccompaniedbyrespectability——andthenweareverygladtohaveit，verygladindeed。Canyourfriendproducetestimonials——lettersthatspeaktohischaracter？’’Iwavemyhandnegligently。``Letters？’’Isay。``Ha！my-soul-bless-my-soul！Ishouldthinkso，indeed！Volumesoflettersandportfoliosoftestimonials，ifyoulike！’’``Oneortwowilldo，’’saysthismanofphlegmandmoney。``Lethimsendthemtome，withhisnameandaddress。And——stop，stop，MrPesca——beforeyougotoyourfriend，youhadbettertakeanote。’’``Bank-note！’’Isay，indignantly。``Nobank-note，ifyouplease，tillmybraveEnglishmanhasearneditfirst。’’``Bank-note！’’saysPapa，inagreatsurprise，``whotalkedofbank-note？Imeananoteoftheterms——amemorandumofwhatheisexpectedtodo。Goonwithyourlesson，MrPesca，andIwillgiveyouthenecessaryextractfrommyfriend’sletter。’’Downsitsthemanofmerchandiseandmoneytohispen，ink，andpaper；anddownIgoonceagainintotheHellofDante，withmythreeyoungMissesafterme。Intenminutes’timethenoteiswritten，andthebootsofPapaarecreakingthemselvesawayinthepassageoutside。Fromthatmoment，onmyfaith，andsoul，andhonour，Iknownothingmore！ThegloriousthoughtthatIhavecaughtmyopportunityatlast，andthatmygratefulserviceformydearestfriendintheworldisasgoodasdonealready，fliesupintomyheadandmakesmedrunk。HowIpullmyyoungMissesandmyselfoutofourInfernalRegionagain，howmyotherbusinessisdoneafterwards，howmylittlebitofdinnerslidesitselfdownmythroat，Iknownomorethanamaninthemoon。Enoughforme，thathereIam，withthemightymerchant’snoteinmyhand，aslargeaslife，ashotasfire，andashappyasaking！Ha！ha！ha！right-right-right-all-right！’HeretheProfessorwavedthememorandumoftermsoverhishead，andendedhislongandvolublenarrativewithhisshrillItalianparodyonanEnglishcheer。

Mymotherrosethemomenthehaddone，withflushedcheeksandbrightenedeyes。Shecaughtthelittlemanwarmlybybothhands。

`Mydear，goodPesca，’shesaid，`IneverdoubtedyourtrueaffectionforWalter——butIammorethaneverpersuadedofitnow！’

`IamsureweareverymuchobligedtoProfessorPesca，forWalter’ssake，’addedSarah。Shehalfrose，whileshespoke，asiftoapproachthearmchair，inherturn；but，observingthatPescawasrapturouslykissingmymother’shands，lookedserious，andresumedherseat。`Ifthefamiliarlittlemantreatsmymotherinthatway，howwillhetreatme？’Facessometimestelltruth；andthatwasunquestionablythethoughtinSarah’smind，asshesatdownagain。

AlthoughImyselfwasgratefullysensibleofthekindnessofPesca’smotives，myspiritswerehardlysomuchelevatedastheyoughttohavebeenbytheprospectoffutureemploymentnowplacedbeforeme。WhentheProfessorhadquitedonewithmymother’shand，andwhenIhadwarmlythankedhimforhisinterferenceonmybehalf，Iaskedtobeallowedtolookatthenoteoftermswhichhisrespectablepatronhaddrawnupformyinspection。

Pescahandedmethepaper，withatriumphantflourishofthehand。

`Read！’saidthelittlemanmajestically。`Ipromiseyou，myfriend，thewritingofthegoldenPapaspeakswithatongueoftrumpetsforitself。’

Thenoteoftermswasplain，straightforward，andcomprehensive，atanyrate。Itinformedme，

First，ThatFrederickFairlie，Esquire，ofLimmeridgeHouse，Cumberland，wantedtoengagetheservicesofathoroughlycompetentdrawing-master，foraperiodoffourmonthscertain。

Secondly，Thatthedutieswhichthemasterwasexpectedtoperformwouldbeofatwofoldkind。Hewastosuperintendtheinstructionoftwoyoungladiesintheartofpaintinginwatercolours；andhewastodevotehisleisuretime，afterwards，tothebusinessofrepairingandmountingavaluablecollectionofdrawings，whichhadbeensufferedtofallintoaconditionoftotalneglect。

Thirdly，Thatthetermsofferedtothepersonwhoshouldundertakeandproperlyperformthesedutieswerefourguineasaweek；thathewastoresideatLimmeridgeHouse；andthathewastobetreatedthereonthefootingofagentleman。

Fourthly，andlastly，Thatnopersonneedthinkofapplyingforthissituationunlesshecouldfurnishthemostunexceptionablereferencestocharacterandabilities。ThereferencesweretobesenttoMrFairlie’sfriendinLondon，whowasempoweredtoconcludeallnecessaryarrangements。TheseinstructionswerefollowedbythenameandaddressofPesca’semployerinPortlandPlace——andtherethenote，ormemorandum，ended。

Theprospectwhichthisofferofanengagementheldoutwascertainlyanattractiveone。Theemploymentwaslikelytobebotheasyandagreeable；itwasproposedtomeattheautumntimeoftheyearwhenIwasleastoccupied；andtheterms，judgingbymypersonalexperienceinmyprofession，weresurprisinglyliberal。Iknewthis；IknewthatIoughttoconsidermyselfveryfortunateifIsucceededinsecuringtheofferedemployment——andyet，nosoonerhadIreadthememorandumthanIfeltaninexplicableunwillingnesswithinmetostirinthematter。IhadneverinthewholeofmypreviousexperiencefoundmydutyandmyinclinationsopainfullyandsounaccountablyatvarianceasIfoundthemnow。

`Oh，Walter，yourfatherneverhadsuchachanceasthis！’saidmymother，whenshehadreadthenoteoftermsandhadhandeditbacktome。

`Suchdistinguishedpeopletoknow，’remarkedSarah，straighteningherselfinthechair；`andonsuchgratifyingtermsofequalitytoo！’

`Yes，yes；theterms，ineverysense，aretemptingenough，’Irepliedimpatiently。`ButbeforeIsendinmytestimonials，Ishouldlikealittletimetoconsider——’

`Consider！’exclaimedmymother。`Why，Walter，whatisthematterwithyou？’

`Consider！’echoedmysister。`Whataveryextraordinarythingtosay，underthecircumstances！’

`Consider！’chimedintheProfessor。`Whatistheretoconsiderabout？Answermethis！Haveyounotbeencomplainingofyourhealth，andhaveyounotbeenlongingforwhatyoucallasmackofthecountrybreeze？Well！thereinyourhandisthepaperthatoffersyouperpetualchokingmouthfulsofcountrybreezeforfourmonths’time。Isitnotso？Ha！Again——youwantmoney。Well！Isfourgoldenguineasaweeknothing？My-soul-bless-my-soul！onlygiveittome——andmybootsshallcreaklikethegoldenPapa’s，withasenseoftheoverpoweringrichnessofthemanwhowalksinthem！Fourguineasaweek，and，morethanthat，thecharmingsocietyoftwoyoungmisses！and，morethanthat，yourbed，yourbreakfast，yourdinner，yourgorgingEnglishteasandlunchesanddrinksoffoamingbeer，allfornothing——why，Walter，mydeargoodfriend——deuce-what-the-deuce！——forthefirsttimeinmylifeIhavenoteyesenoughinmyheadtolook，andwonderatyou！’

Neithermymother’sevidentastonishmentatmybehaviour，norPesca’sfervidenumerationoftheadvantagesofferedtomebythenewemployment，hadanyeffectinshakingmyunreasonabledisinclinationtogotoLimmeridgeHouse。AfterstartingallthepettyobjectionsthatIcouldthinkoftogoingtoCumberland，andafterhearingthemanswered，oneafteranother，tomyowncompletediscomfiture，ItriedtosetupalastobstaclebyaskingwhatwastobecomeofmypupilsinLondonwhileIwasteachingMrFairlie’syoungladiestosketchfromnature。Theobviousanswertothiswas，thatthegreaterpartofthemwouldbeawayontheirautumntravels，andthatthefewwhoremainedathomemightbeconfidedtothecareofoneofmybrotherdrawing-masters，whosepupilsIhadoncetakenoffhishandsundersimilarcircumstances。Mysisterremindedmethatthisgentlemanhadexpresslyplacedhisservicesatmydisposal，duringthepresentseason，incaseIwishedtoleavetom；mymotherseriouslyappealedtomenottoletanidlecapricestandinthewayofmyowninterestsandmyownhealth；andPescapiteouslyentreatedthatIwouldnotwoundhimtotheheartbyrejectingthefirstgratefulofferofservicethathehadbeenabletomaketothefriendwhohadsavedhislife。

Theevidentsincerityandaffectionwhichinspiredtheseremonstranceswouldhaveinfluencedanymanwithanatomofgoodfeelinginhiscomposition。ThoughIcouldnotconquermyownunaccountableperversity，Ihadatleastvirtueenoughtobeheartilyashamedofit，andtoendthediscussionpleasantlybygivingway，andpromisingtodoallthatwaswantedofme。

TherestoftheeveningpassedmerrilyenoughinhumorousanticipationsofmycominglifewiththetwoyoungladiesinCumberland。Pesca，inspiredbyournationalgrog，whichappearedtogetintohishead，inthemostmarvellousmanner，fiveminutesafterithadgonedownhisthroat，assertedhisclaimstobeconsideredacompleteEnglishmanbymakingaseriesofspeechesinrapidsuccession，proposingmymother’shealth，mysister’shealth，myhealth，andthehealths，inmass，ofMrFairlieandthetwoyoungMisses，patheticallyreturningthankshimself，immediatelyafterwards，forthewholeparty。`Asecret，Walter，’saidmylittlefriendconfidentially，aswewalkedhometogether。`Iamflushedbytherecollectionofmyowneloquence。Mysoulburstsitselfwithambition。OneofthesedaysIgointoyournobleParliament。ItisthedreamofmywholelifetobeHonourablePesca，M。P。！’

ThenextmorningIsentmytestimonialstotheprofessor’semployerinPortlandPlace。Threedayspassed，andIconcluded，withsecretsatisfaction，thatmypapershadnotbeenfoundsufficientlyexplicit。Onthefourthday，however，ananswercame。ItannouncedthatMrFairlieacceptedmyservices，andrequestedmetostartforCumberlandimmediately。Allthenecessaryinstructionsformyjourneywerecarefullyandclearlyaddedinapostscript。

Imademyarrangements，unwillinglyenough，forleavingLondonearlythenextday。TowardseveningPescalookedin，onhiswaytoadinner-party，tobidmegood-bye。

`Ishalldrymytearsinyourabsence，’saidtheProfessorgaily，`withthisgloriousthought。Itismyauspicioushandthathasgiventhefirstpushtoyourfortuneintheworld。Go，myfriend！WhenyoursunshinesinCumberland(Englishproverb)，inthenameofheavenmakeyourhay。MarryoneofthetwoyoungMisses；becomeHonourableHartright，M。P。；andwhenyouareonthetopoftheladderrememberthatPesca，atthebottom，hasdoneitall！’

Itriedtolaughwithmylittlefriendoverhispartingjest，butmyspiritswerenottobecommanded。Somethingjarredinmealmostpainfullywhilehewasspeakinghislightfarewellwords。

WhenIwasleftaloneagainnothingremainedtobedonebuttowalktotheHampsteadcottageandbidmymotherandSarahgood-bye。

Theheathadbeenpainfullyoppressiveallday，anditwasnowacloseandsultrynight。

Mymotherandsisterhadspokensomanylastwords，andhadbeggedmetowaitanotherfiveminutessomanytimes，thatitwasnearlymidnightwhentheservantlockedthegarden-gatebehindme。IwalkedforwardafewpacesontheshortestwaybacktoLondon，thenstoppedandhesitated。

Themoonwasfullandbroadinthedarkbluestarlesssky，andthebrokengroundoftheheathlookedwildenoughinthemysteriouslighttobehundredsofmilesawayfromthegreatcitythatlaybeneathit。TheideaofdescendinganysoonerthanIcouldhelpintotheheatandgloomofLondonrepelledme。Theprospectofgoingtobedinmyairlesschambers，andtheprospectofgradualsuffocation，seemed，inmypresentrestlessframeofmindandbody，tobeoneandthesamething。IdeterminedtostrollhomeinthepurerairbythemostroundaboutwayIcouldtake；tofollowthewhitewindingpathsacrossthelonelyheath；andtoapproachLondonthroughitsmostopensuburbbystrikingintotheFinchleyRoad，andsogettingback，inthecoolofthenewmorning，bythewesternsideoftheRegent’sPark。

Iwoundmywaydownslowlyovertheheath，enjoyingthedivinestillnessofthescene，andadmiringthesoftalternationsoflightandshadeastheyfollowedeachotheroverthebrokengroundoneverysideofme。SolongasIwasproceedingthroughthisfistandprettiestpartofmynightwalkmymindremainedpassivelyopentotheimpressionsproducedbytheview；andIthoughtbutlittleonanysubject——indeed，sofarasmyownsensationswereconcerned，IcanhardlysaythatIthoughtatall。

ButwhenIhadlefttheheathandhadturnedintotheby-road，wheretherewaslesstosee，theideasnaturallyengenderedbytheapproachingchangeinmyhabitsandoccupationsgraduallydrewmoreandmoreofmyattentionexclusivelytothemselves。BythetimeIhadarrivedattheendoftheroadIhadbecomecompletelyabsorbedinmyownfancifulvisionsofLimmeridgeHouse，ofMrFairlie，andofthetwoladieswhosepracticeintheartofwater-colourpaintingIwassosoontosuperintend。

Ihadnowarrivedatthatparticularpointofmywalkwherefourroadsmet——theroadtoHampstead，alongwhichIhadreturned，theroadtoFinchley，theroadtoWestEnd，andtheroadbacktoLondon。Ihadmechanicallyturnedinthislatterdirection，andwasstrollingalongthelonelyhigh-road——idlywondering，Iremember，whattheCumberlandyoungladieswouldlooklike——when，inonemoment，everydropofbloodinmybodywasbroughttoastopbythetouchofahandlaidlightlyandsuddenlyonmyshoulderfrombehindme。

Iturnedontheinstant，withmyfingerstighteningroundthehandleofmystick。

There，inthemiddleofthebroad，brighthigh-road——there，asIfithadthatmomentsprungoutoftheearthordroppedfromtheheaven——stoodthefigureofasolitaryWoman，dressedfromheadtofootinwhitegarments，herfacebentingraveinquiryonmine，herhandpointingtothedarkcloudoverLondon，asIfacedher。

Iwasfartooseriouslystartledbythesuddennesswithwhichthisextraordinaryapparitionstoodbeforeme，inthedeadofnightandinthatlonelyplace，toaskwhatshewanted。Thestrangewomanspokefirst。

`IsthattheroadtoLondon？’shesaid。

Ilookedattentivelyather，assheputthatsingularquestiontome。Itwasthennearlyoneo’clock。AllIcoulddiscerndistinctlybythemoonlightwasacolourless，youthfulface，meagreandsharptolookataboutthecheeksandchin；large，grave，wistfullyattentiveeyes；nervous，uncertainlips；andlighthairofapale，brownish-yellowhue。Therewasnothingwild，nothingimmodestinhermanner:itwasquietandself-controlled，alittlemelancholyandalittletouchedbysuspicion；notexactlythemannerofalady，and，atthesametime，notthemannerofawomaninthehumblestrankoflife。Thevoice，littleasIhadyetheardofit，hadsomethingcuriouslystillandmechanicalinitstones，andtheutterancewasremarkablyrapid。Sheheldasmallbaginherhand:andherdress——bonnet，shawl，andgownallofwhite——was，sofarasIcouldguess，certainlynotcomposedofverydelicateorveryexpensivematerials。Herfigurewasslight，andratherabovetheaverageheight——hergaitandactionsfreefromtheslightestapproachtoextravagance。ThiswasallthatIcouldobserveofherinthedimlightandundertheperplexinglystrangecircumstancesofourmeeting。Whatsortofawomanshewas，andhowshecametobeoutaloneinthehigh-road，anhouraftermidnight，Ialtogetherfailedtoguess。TheonethingofwhichIfeltcertainwas，thatthegrossestofmankindcouldnothavemisconstruedhermotiveinspeaking，evenatthatsuspiciouslylatehourandinthatsuspiciouslylonelyplace。

`Didyouhearme？’shesaid，stillquietlyandrapidly，andwithouttheleastfretfulnessorimpatience。`IaskedifthatwasthewaytoLondon。’

`Yes，’Ireplied，`thatistheway:itleadstoStJohn’sWoodandtheRegent’sPark。Youmustexcusemynotansweringyoubefore。Iwasratherstartledbyyoursuddenappearanceintheroad；andIam，evennow，quiteunabletoaccountforit。’

`Youdon’tsuspectmeofdoinganythingwrong，doyou？Ihavedonenothingwrong。Ihavemetwithanaccident——Iamveryunfortunateinbeingherealonesolate。Whydoyoususpectmeofdoingwrong？’

Shespokewithunnecessaryearnestnessandagitation，andshrankbackfrommeseveralplaces。Ididmybesttoreassureher。

`Praydon’tsupposethatIhaveanyideaofsuspectingyou，’Isaid，`oranyotherwishthantobeofassistancetoyou，ifIcan。Ionlywonderedatyourappearanceintheroad，becauseitseemedtometobeemptytheinstantbeforeIsawyou。’

Sheturned，andpointedbacktoaplaceatthejunctionoftheroadtoLondonandtheroadtoHampstead，wheretherewasagapinthehedge。

`Iheardyoucoming，’shesaid，`andhidtheretoseewhatsortofmanyouwere，beforeIriskedspeaking。Idoubtedandfearedaboutittillyoupassed；andthenIwasobligedtostealafteryou，andtouchyou。’

Stealaftermeandtouchme？Whynotcalltome？Strange，tosaytheleastofit

`MayItrustyou？’sheasked。`Youdon’tthinktheworseofmebecauseIhavemetwithanaccident？’Shestoppedinconfusion；shiftedherbagfromonehandtotheother；andsighedbitterly。

Thelonelinessandhelplessnessofthewomantouchedme。Thenaturalimpulsetoassistherandtosparehergotthebetterofthejudgment，thecaution，theworldlytact，whichanolder，wiser，andcoldermanmighthavesummonedtohelphiminthisstrangeemergency。

`Youmaytrustmeforanyharmlesspurposes，’Isaid。`Ifittroublesyoutoexplainyourstrangesituationtome，don’tthinkofreturningtothesubjectagain。Ihavenorighttoaskyouforanyexplanations。TellmehowIcanhelpyou；andifIcan，Iwill。’

`Youareverykind，andIamvery，verythankfulltohavemetyou。’ThefirsttouchofwomanlytendernessthatIhadheardfromhertrembledinhervoiceasshesaidthewords:butnotearsglistenedinthoselarge，wistfullyattentiveeyesofhers，whichwerestillfixedonme，`IhaveonlybeeninLondononcebefore，’shewenton，moreandmorerapidly，`andIknownothingaboutthatsideofit，yonder。CanISetafly，oracarriageofanykind？Isittoolate？Idon’tknow。Ifyoucouldshowmewheretogetafly——andifyouwillonlypromisenottointerferewithme，andtoletmeleaveyou，whenandhowIplease——IhaveafriendinLondonwhowillbegladtoreceiveme——Iwantnothingelse——willyoupromise？’

Shelookedanxiouslyupanddowntheroad；shiftedherbagagainfromonehandtotheother；repeatedthewords，`Willyoupromise？’andlookedhardinmyface，withapleadingfearandconfusionthatittroubledmetosee。

WhatcouldIdo？Herewasastrangerutterlyandhelplesslyatmymercy——andthatstrangeraforlornwoman。Nohousewasnear；noonewaspassingwhomIcouldconsult；andnoearthlyrightexistedonmyparttogivemeapowerofcontroloverher，evenifIhadknownhowtoexerciseit。Itracetheselines，self-distrustfully，withtheshadowsofaftereventsdarkeningtheverypaperIwriteon；andstillIsay，whatcouldIdo？

WhatIdiddo，wastotryandgaintimebyquestioningher。

`AreyousurethatyourfriendinLondonwillreceiveyouatsuchalatehourasthis？’Isaid。

`Quitesure。OnlysayyouwillletmeleaveyouwhenandhowIplease——onlysayyouwon’tinterferewithme。Willyoupromise？’

Assherepeatedthewordsforthethirdtime，shecarneclosetomeandlaidherhand，withasuddengentlestealthiness，onmybosom——athinhand；acoldhand(whenIremoveditwithmine)evenonthatsultrynight。RememberthatIwasyoung；rememberthatthehandwhichtouchedmewasawoman’s。

`Willyoupromise？’

`Yes。’

Oneword！Thelittlefamiliarwordthatisoneverybody’slips，everyhourintheday。Ohme！andItremble，now，whenIwriteit。

WesetourfacestowardsLondon，andwalkedontogetherinthefirststillhourofthenewday——I，andthiswoman，whosename，whosecharacter，whosestory，whoseobjectsinlife，whoseverypresencebymyside，atthatmoment，werefathomlessmysteriestome。Itwaslikeadream。WasIWalterHartright？Wasthisthewell-known，uneventfulroad，whereholidaypeoplestrolledonSundays？HadIreallyleft，littlemorethananhoursince，thequiet，decent，conventionallydomesticatmosphereofmymother’scottage？Iwastoobewildered——tooconsciousalsoofavaguesenseofsomethinglikeself-reproach——tospeaktomystrangecompanionforsomeminutes。Itwashervoiceagainthatfirstbrokethesilencebetweenus。

`Iwanttoaskyousomething，’shesaidsuddenly。`DoyouknowmanypeopleinLondon？’

`Yes，agreatmany。’

`Manymenofrankandtitle？’Therewasanunmistakabletoneofsuspicioninthestrangequestion。Ihesitatedaboutansweringit。

`Some，’Isaid，afteramoment’ssilence。

`Many’——shecametoafullstop，andlookedmesearchinglyintheface——`manymenoftherankofBaronet？’

Toomuchastonishedtoreply，Iquestionedherinmyturn。

`Whydoyouask？’

`BecauseIhope，formyownsake，thereisoneBaronetthatyoudon’tknow。’

`Willyoutellmehisname？’

`Ican’t——Idaren’t——IforgetmyselfwhenImentionit。’Shespokeloudlyandalmostfiercely，raisedherclenchedhandintheair，andshookitpassionately；then，onasudden，controlledherselfagain，andadded，intonesloweredtoawhisper，`Tellmewhichofthemyouknow。’

Icouldhardlyrefusetohumourherinsuchatrifle，andImentionedthreenames。Two，thenamesoffathersoffamilieswhosedaughtersItaught；one，thenameofabachelorwhohadoncetakenmeacruiseinhisyacht，tomakesketchesforhim。

`Ah！youdon’tknowhim，’shesaid，withasighofrelief。`Areyouamanofrankandtitleyourself？’

`Farfromit。Iamonlyadrawing-master。’

Asthereplypassedmylips——alittlebitterly，perhaps——shetookmyarmwiththeabruptnesswhichcharacterisedallheractions。

`Notamanofrankandtitle，’sherepeatedtoherself。`ThankGod！Imaytrusthim。’

Ihadhithertocontrivedtomastermycuriosityoutofconsiderationformycompanion；butitgotthebetterofmenow。

`Iamafraidyouhaveseriousreasontocomplainofsomemanofrankandtitle？’Isaid。`Iamafraidthebaronet，whosenameyouareunwillingtomentiontome，hasdoneyousomegrievouswrong？Ishethecauseofyourbeingouthereatthisstrangetimeofnight？’

`Don’taskme:don’tmakemetalkofit，’sheanswered。`I’mnotfitnow。Ihavebeencruellyusedandcruellywronged。Youwillbekinderthanever，ifyouwillwalkonfast，andnotspeaktome。Isadlywanttoquietmyself，ifIcan。’

Wemovedforwardagainataquickpace；andforhalfanhour，atleast，notawordpassedoneitherside。Fromtimetotime，beingforbiddentomakeanymoreinquiries，Istolealookatherface。Itwasalwaysthesame；thelipscloseshut，thebrowfrowning，theeyeslookingstraightforward，eagerlyandyetabsently。Wehadreachedthefirsthouses，andwerecloseonthenewWesleyancollege，beforehersetfeaturesrelaxed，andshespokeoncemore。

`DoyouliveinLondon？’shesaid。

`Yes。’AsIanswered，itstruckmethatshemighthaveformedsomeintentionofappealingtomeforassistanceoradvice，andthatIoughttospareherapossibledisappointmentbywarmingherofmyapproachingabsencefromhome。SoIadded，`ButtomorrowIshallbeawayfromLondonforsometime。Iamgoingintothecountry。’

`Where？’sheasked。`Northorsouth？’

`North——toCumberland。’

`Cumberland！’sherepeatedthewordtenderly。`Ah！IwishIwasgoingtheretoo。IwasoncehappyinCumberland。’

Itriedagaintolifttheveilthathungbetweenthiswomanandme。

`Perhapsyouwereborn，’Isaid，`inthebeautifulLakecountry。’

`No，’sheanswered。`IwasborninHampshire；butIoncewenttoschoolforalittlewhileinCumberland。Lakes？Idon’trememberanylakes。It’sLimmeridgevillage，andLimmeridgeHouse，Ishouldliketoseeagain。’

Itwasmyturnnowtostopsuddenly。Intheexcitedstateofmycuriosity，atthatmoment，thechancereferencetoMrFairlie’splaceofresidence，onthelipsofmystrangecompanion，staggeredmewithastonishment。

`Didyouhearanybodycallingafterus？’sheasked，lookingupanddowntheroadaffrightedly，theinstantIstopped。

`No，no。IwasonlystruckbythenameofLimmeridgeHouse。IhearditmentionedbysomeCumberlandpeopleafewdayssince。’

`Ah！notmypeople。MrsFairlieisdead；andherhusbandisdead；andtheirlittlegirlmaybemarriedandgoneawaybythistime。Ican’tsaywholivesatLimmeridgenow。Ifanymoreareleftthereofthatname，IonlyknowIlovethemforMrsFairlie’ssake。’

Sheseemedabouttosaymore；butwhileshewasspeaking，wecamewithinviewoftheturnpike，atthetopoftheAvenueRoad。Herhandtightenedroundmyarm，andshelookedanxiouslyatthegatebeforeus。

`Istheturnpikemanlookingout？’sheasked。

Hewasnotlookingout；nooneelsewasneartheplacewhenwepassedthroughthegate。Thesightofthegas-lampsandhousesseemedtoagitateher，andtomakeherimpatient。

`ThisisLondon，’shesaid。`DoyouseeanycarriageIcanget？Iamtiredandfrightened。Iwanttoshutmyselfinandbedrivenaway。’

Iexplainedtoherthatwemustwalkalittlefurthertogettoacab-stand，unlesswewerefortunateenoughtomeetwithanemptyvehicle；andthentriedtoresumethesubjectofCumberland。Itwasuseless。Thatideaofshuttingherselfin，andbeingdrivenaway，hadnowgotfullpossessionofhermind。Shecouldthinkandtalkofnothingelse。

WehadhardlyproceededathirdofthewaydowntheAvenueRoadwhenIsawacabdrawupatahouseafewdoorsbelowus，ontheoppositesideoftheway。Agentlemangotoutandlethimselfinatthegardendoor。Ihailedthecab，asthedrivermountedtheboxagain。Whenwecrossedtheroad，mycompanion’simpatienceincreasedtosuchanextentthatshealmostforcedmetorun。

`It’ssolate，’shesaid。`Iamonlyinahurrybecauseit’ssolate。’

`Ican’ttakeyou，sir，ifyou’renotgoingtowardsTottenhamCourtRoad，’saidthedrivercivilly，whenIopenedthecabdoor。`Myhorseisdeadbeat，andIcan’tgethimnofurtherthanthestable。’

`Yes，yes。Thatwilldoforme。I’mgoingthatway——I’mgoingthatway。’Shespokewithbreathlesseagerness，andpressedbymeintothecab。

IhadassuredmyselfthatthemanwassoberaswellascivilbeforeIletherenterthevehicle。Andnow，whenshewasseatedinside，Ientreatedhertoletmeseehersetdownsafelyatherdestination。

`No，no，no，’shesaidvehemently。`I’mquitesafe，andquitehappynow。Ifyouareagentleman，rememberyourpromise。LethimdriveontillIstophim。Thankyou——oh！thankyou，thankyou！’

Myhandwasonthecabdoor。Shecaughtitinhers，kissedit，andpusheditaway。Thecabdroveoffatthesamemoment——Istartedintotheroad，withsomevagueideaofstoppingitagain，Ihardlyknewwhy——hesitatedfromdreadoffrighteninganddistressingher——called，atlast，butnotloudlyenoughtoattractthedriver’sattention。Thesoundofthewheelsgrewfainterinthedistance——thecabmeltedintotheblackshadowsontheroad——thewomaninwhitewasgone。

Tenminutesormorehadpassed。Iwasstillonthesamesideoftheway；nowmechanicallywalkingforwardafewpaces；nowstoppingagainabsently。AtonemomentIfoundmyselfdoubtingtherealityofmyownadventure；atanotherIwasperplexedanddistressedbyanuneasysenseofhavingdonewrong，whichyetleftmeconfusedlyignorantofhowIcouldhavedoneright。IhardlyknewwhereIwasgoing，orwhatImeanttodonext；Iwasconsciousofnothingbuttheconfusionofmyownthoughts，whenIwasabruptlyrecalledtomyself——awakened，Imightalmostsay——bythesoundofrapidlyapproachingwheelsclosebehindme。

Iwasonthedarksideoftheroad，inthethickshadowofsomegardentrees，whenIstoppedtolookround。Ontheoppositeandlightersideoftheway，ashortdistancebelowme，apolicemanwasstrollingalonginthedirectionoftheRegent’sPark。

Thecarriagepassedme——anopenchaisedrivenbytwomen。

`Stop！’criedone。`There’sapoliceman。Let’saskhim-’

Thehorsewasinstantlypulledup，afewyardsbeyondthedarkplacewhereIstood。

`Policeman！’criedthefirstspeaker。`Haveyouseenawomanpassthisway？’

`Whatsortofwoman，sir？’

`Awomaninalavender-colouredgown——’

`No，no，’interposedthesecondman。`Theclotheswegaveherwerefoundonherbed。Shemusthavegoneawayintheclothessheworewhenshecametous。Inwhite，policeman。Awomaninwhite。’

`Ihaven’tseenher，sir。’

`Ifyouoranyofyourmenmeetwiththewoman，stopher，andsendherincarefulkeepingtothataddress。I’llpayallexpenses，andafairrewardintothebargain。’

Thepolicemanlookedatthecardthatwashandeddowntohim。

`Whyarewetostopher，sir？Whathasshedone？’

`Done！ShehasescapedfrommyAsylum。Don’tforget；awomaninwhite。Driveon。’

`ShehasescapedfrommyAsylum！’

Icannotsaywithtruththattheterribleinferencewhichthesewordssuggestedflasheduponmelikeanewrevelation。Someofthestrangequestionsputtomebythewomaninwhite，aftermyill-consideredpromisetoleaveherfreetoactasshepleased，hadsuggestedtheconclusioneitherthatshewasnaturallyflightyandunsettled，orthatsomerecentshockofterrorhaddisturbedthebalanceofherfaculties。ButtheideaofabsoluteinsanitywhichweallassociatewiththeverynameofanAsylum，had，Icanhonestlydeclare，neveroccurredtome，inconnectionwithher。Ihadseennothing，inherlanguageorheractions，tojustifyitatthetime；andevenwiththenewlightthrownonherbythewordswhichthestrangerhadaddressedtothepoliceman，Icouldseenothingtojustifyitnow。

WhathadIdone？Assistedthevictimofthemosthorribleofallfalseimprisonmentstoescape；orcastlooseonthewideworldofLondonanunfortunatecreature，whoseactionsitwasmyduty，andeveryman’sduty，mercifullytocontrol？Iturnedsickatheartwhenthequestionoccurredtome，andwhenIfeltself-reproachfullythatitwasaskedtoolate。

Inthedisturbedstateofmymind，itwasuselesstothinkofgoingtobed，whenIatlastgotbacktomychambersinClement’sInn。BeforemanyhourselapseditwouldbenecessarytostartonmyjourneytoCumberland。Isatdownandtried，firsttosketch，thentoread——butthewomaninwhitegotbetweenmeandmypencil，betweenmeandmybook。Hadtheforlorncreaturecometoanyharm？Thatwasmyfirstthought，thoughIshrankselfishlyfromconfrontingit。Otherthoughtsfollowed，onwhichitwaslessharrowingtodwell。Wherehadshestoppedthecab？Whathadbecomeofhernow？Hadshebeentracedandcapturedbythemeninthechaise？Orwasshestillcapableofcontrollingherownactions；andwerewetwofollowingourwidelypartedroadstowardsonepointinthemysteriousfuture，atwhichweweretomeetoncemore？

Itwasareliefwhenthehourcametolockmydoor，tohidfarewelltoLondonpursuits，Londonpupils，andLondonfriends，andtobeinmovementagaintowardsnewinterestsandanewlife。Eventhehustleandconfusionattherailwayterminus，sowearisomeandbewilderingatothertimes，rousedmeanddidmegood。

MytravellinginstructionsdirectedmetogotoCarlisle，andthentodivergebyabranchrailwaywhichraninthedirectionofthecoast。Asamisfortunetobeginwith，ourenginebrokedownbetweenLancasterandCarlisle。Thedelayoccasionedbythisaccidentcausedmetobetoolateforthebranchtrain，bywhichIwastohavegoneonimmediately。Ihadtowaitsomehours；andwhenalatertrainfinallydepositedmeattheneareststationtoLimmeridgeHouse，itwaspastten，andthenightwassodarkthatIcouldhardlyseemywaytothepony-chaisewhichMrFairliehadorderedtobeinwaitingforme。

Thedriverwasevidentlydiscomposedbythelatenessofmyarrival。HewasinthatstateofhighlyrespectfulsulkinesswhichispeculiartoEnglishservants。Wedroveawayslowlythroughthedarknessinperfectsilence-Theroadswerehad，andthedenseobscurityofthenightincreasedthedifficultyofgettingoverthegroundquickly。Itwas，bymywatch，nearlyanhourandahalffromthetimeofourleavingthestationbeforeIheardthesoundoftheseainthedistance，andthecrunchofourwheelsonasmoothgraveldrive。Wehadpassedonegatebeforeenteringthedrive，andwepassedanotherbeforewedrewupatthehouse。Iwasreceivedbyasolemnman-servantoutoflivery，wasinformedthatthefamilyhadretiredforthenight，andwasthenledintoalargeandloftyroomwheremysupperwasawaitingme，inaforlornmanner，atoneextremityofalonesomemahoganywildernessofdining-table。

Iwastootiredandoutofspiritstoeatordrinkmuch，especiallywiththesolemnservantwaitingonmeaselaboratelyasifasmalldinnerpartyhadarrivedatthehouseinsteadofasolitaryman。InaquarterofanhourIwasreadytobetakenuptomybedchamber。Thesolemnservantconductedmeintoaprettilyfurnishedroom——said，`Breakfastatnineo’clock，sir’——lookedallroundhimtoseethateverythingwasinitsproperplace，andnoiselesslywithdrew。

`WhatshallIseeinmydreamstonight？’Ithoughttomyself，asIputoutthecandle；`thewomaninwhite？ortheunknowninhabitantsofthisCumberlandmansion？’Itwasastrangesensationtobesleepinginthehouse，likeafriendofthefamily，andyetnottoknowoneoftheinmates，evenbysight！

WhenIrosethenextmorninganddrewupmyblind，theseaopenedbeforemejoyouslyunderthebroadAugustsunlight，andthedistantcoastofScotlandfringedthehorizonwithitslinesofmeltingblue。

Theviewwassuchasurprise，andsuchachangetome，aftermywearyLondonexperienceofbrickandmortarlandscape，thatIseemedtoburstintoanewlifeandanewsetofthoughtsthemomentIlookedatit。Aconfusedsensationofhavingsuddenlylostmyfamiliaritywiththepast，withoutacquiringanyadditionalclearnessofideainreferencetothepresentorthefuture，tookpossessionofmymind。Circumstancesthatwerebutafewdaysoldfadedbackinmymemory，asiftheyhadhappenedmonthsandmonthssince。Pesca’squaintannouncementofthemeansbywhichhehadprocuredmemypresentemployment；thefarewelleveningIhadpassedwithmymotherandsister；evenmymysteriousadventureonthewayhomefromHampstead——hadallbecomelikeeventswhichmighthaveoccurredatsomeformerepochofmyexistence。Althoughthewomaninwhitewasstillinmymind，theimageofherseemedtohavegrowndullandfaintalready。

Alittlebeforenineo’clock，Idescendedtotheground-floorofthehouse。Thesolemnman-servantofthenightbeforemetmewanderingamongthepassages，andcompassionatelyshowedmethewaytothebreakfast-room。

Myfirstglanceroundme，asthemanopenedthedoor，disclosedawell-furnishedbreakfast-table，standinginthemiddleofalongroom，withmanywindowsinit。Ilookedfromthetabletothewindowfarthestfromme，andsawaladystandingatit，withherbackturnedtowardsme。Theinstantmyeyesrestedonher，Iwasstruckbytherarebeautyofherform，andbytheunaffectedgraceofherattitude。Herfigurewastall，yetnottootall；comelyandwell-developed，yetnotfat；herheadsetonhershoulderswithaneasy，pliantfirmness；herwaist，perfectionintheeyesofaman，foritoccupieditsnaturalplace，itfilledoutitsnaturalcircle，itwasvisiblyanddelightfullyundeformedbystays。Shehadnotheardmyentranceintotheroom；andIallowedmyselftheluxuryofadmiringherforafewmoments，beforeImovedoneofthechairsnearme，astheleastembarrassingmeansofattractingherattention。Sheturnedtowardsmeimmediately。Theeasyeleganceofeverymovementofherlimbsandbodyassoonasshebegantoadvancefromthefarendoftheroom，setmeinaflutterofexpectationtoseeherfaceclearly。Sheleftthewindow——andIsaidtomyself，Theladyisdark。Shemovedforwardafewsteps——andIsaidtomyself，Theladyisyoung。Sheapproachednearer——andIsaidtomyself(withasenseofsurprisewhichwordsfailmetoexpress)，Theladyisugly！

Neverwastheoldconventionalmaxim，thatNaturecannoterr，moreflatlycontradicted——neverwasthefairpromiseofalovelyfiguremorestrangelyandstartlinglybeliedbythefaceandheadthatcrownedit。Thelady’scomplexionwasalmostswarthy，andthedarkdownonherupperlipwasalmostamoustache。Shehadalarge，firm，masculinemouthandjaw；prominent，piercing，resolutebrowneyes；andthick，coal-blackhair，growingunusuallylowdownonherforehead。Herexpression——brightfrank，andintelligent——appeared，whileshewassilent，tobealtogetherwantinginthosefeminineattractionsofgentlenessandpliability，withoutwhichthebeautyofthehandsomestwomanaliveisbeautyincomplete。Toseesuchafaceasthissetonshouldersthatasculptorwouldhavelongedtomodel——tobecharmedbythemodestgracesofactionthroughwhichthesymmetricallimbsbetrayedtheirbeautywhentheymoved，andthentobealmostrepelledbythemasculineformandmasculinelookofthefeaturesinwhichtheperfectlyshapedfigureended——wastofeelasensationoddlyakintothehelplessdiscomfortfamiliartousallinsleep，whenwerecogniseyetcannotreconciletheanomaliesandcontradictionsofadream。

`MrHartright？’saidtheladyinterrogatively，herdarkfacelightingupwithasmile，andsofteningandgrowingwomanlythemomentshebegantospeak。`Weresignedallhopeofyoulastnight，andwenttobedasusual。Acceptmyapologiesforourapparentwantofattention；andallowmetointroducemyselfasoneofyourpupils。Shallweshakehands？Isupposewemustcometoitsoonerorlater——andwhynotsooner？’

Theseoddwordsofwelcomewerespokeninaclear，ringing，pleasantvoice。Theofferedhand——ratherlarge，butbeautifullyformed——wasgiventomewiththeeasy，unaffectedself-relianceofahighly-bredwoman。Wesatdowntogetheratthebreakfast-tableinascordialandcustomaryamannerasifwehadknowneachotherforyears，andhadmetatLimmeridgeHousetotalkoveroldtimesbypreviousappointment。

`Ihopeyoucomeheregood-humouredlydeterminedtomakethehistofyourposition，’continuedthelady。`Youwillhavetobeginthismorningbyputtingupwithnoothercompanyatbreakfastthanmine。Mysisterisinherownroom，nursingthatessentiallyfemininemalady，aslightheadache；andheroldgoverness，MrsVesey，ischaritablyattendingonherwithrestorativetea。Myuncle，MrFairlie，neverjoinsusatanyofourmeals:heisaninvalid，andkeepsbachelorstateinhisownapartments。Thereisnobodyelseinthehousebutme。Twoyoungladieshavebeenstayinghere，buttheywentawayyesterday，indespair；andnowonder。Allthroughtheirvisit(inconsequenceofMrfairlie’sinvalidcondition)weproducednosuchconvenienceinthehouseasaflirtable，danceable，small-talkablecreatureofthemalesex；andtheconsequencewas，wedidnothingbutquarrel，especiallyatdinner-time。Howcanyouexpectfourwomentodinetogetheraloneeveryday，andnotquarrel？Wearesuchfools，wecan’tentertaineachotherattable。YouseeIdon’tthinkmuchofmyownsex，MrHartright——whichwillyouhave，teaorcoffee？——nowomandoesthinkmuchofherownsex，althoughfewofthemconfessitasfreelyasIdo。Dearme，youlookpuzzled。Why？Areyouwonderingwhatyouwillhaveforbreakfast？orareyousurprisedatmycarelesswayoftalking？lnthefirstcase，Iadviseyou，asafriend，tohavenothingtodowiththatcoldhamatyourelbow，andtowaittilltheomelettecomesin。Inthesecondcase，Iwillgiveyousometeatocomposeyourspirits，anddoallawomancan(whichisverylittle，by-the-bye)toholdmytongue。’

Shehandedmemycupoftea，laughinggaily。Herlightflowoftalk，andherlivelyfamiliarityofmannerwithatotalstranger，wereaccompaniedbyanunaffectednaturalnessandaneasyinbornconfidenceinherselfandherposition，whichwouldhavesecuredhertherespectofthemostaudaciousmanbreathing。Whileitwasimpossibletobeformalandreservedinhercompany，itwasmorethanimpossibletotakethefaintestvestigeofalibertywithher，eveninthought。Ifeltthisinstinctively，evenwhileIcaughttheinfectionofherownbrightgaietyofspirits——evenwhileIdidmybesttoanswerherinherownfrank，livelyway。

`Yes，yes，’shesaid，whenIhadsuggestedtheonlyexplanationIcouldoffer，toaccountformyperplexedlooks，`Iunderstand。Youaresuchaperfectstrangerinthehouse，thatyouarepuzzledbymyfamiliarreferencestotheworthyinhabitants。Naturalenough:Ioughttohavethoughtofitbefore。Atanyrate，Icansetitrightnow。SupposeIbeginwithmyself，soastogetdonewiththatpartofthesubjectassoonaspossible？MynameisMarianHalcombe；andIamasinaccurateaswomenusuallyare，incallingMrfairliemyuncle，andMissFairliemysister。Mymotherwastwicemarried:thefirsttimetoMrHalcombe，myfather；thesecondtimetoMrFairlie，myhalf-sister’sfather。Exceptthatwearebothorphans，weareineveryrespectasunlikeeachotheraspossible。Myfatherwasapoorman，andMissFairlie’sfatherwasarichman。Ihavegotnothing，andshehasafortune。Iamdarkandugly，andsheisfairandpretty。Everybodythinksmecrabbedandodd(withperfectjustice)；andeverybodythinkshersweet-temperedandcharming(withmorejusticestill)。Inshort，sheisanangel；andIam——Trysomeofthatmarmalade，MrHartright，andfinishthesentence，inthenameoffemalepropriety，foryourself。WhatamItotellyouaboutMrFairlie？Uponmyhonour，Ihardlyknow。Heissuretosendforyouafterbreakfast，andyoucanstudyhimforyourself。Inthemeantime，Imayinformyou，first，thatheisthelateMrFairlie’syoungerbrother；secondly，thatheisasingleman；andthirdly，thatheisMissFairlie’sguardian。Iwon’tlivewithouther，andshecan’tlivewithoutme；andthatishowIcometobeatLimmeridgeHouse。MysisterandIarehonestlyfondofeachother；which，youwillsay，isperfectlyunaccountable，underthecircumstances，andIquiteagreewithyou——butsoitis。Youmustpleasebothofus，MrHartright，orpleaseneitherofus:and，whatisstillmoretrying，youwillbethrownentirelyuponoursociety。MrsVeseyisanexcellentperson，whopossessesallthecardinalvirtues，andcountsfornothing；andMrFairlieistoogreataninvalidtobeacompanionforanybody。Idon’tknowwhatisthematterwithhim，andthedoctorsdon’tknowwhatisthematterwithhim，andhedoesn’tknowhimselfwhatisthematterwithhim。Weallsayit’sonthenerves，andwenoneofusknowwhatwemeanwhenwesayit。However，Iadviseyoutohumourhislittlepeculiarities，whenyouseehimtoday。Admirehiscollectionofcoins，prints，andwater-colourdrawings，andyouwillwinhisheart。Uponmyword，ifyoucanbecontentedwithaquietcountrylife，Idon’tseewhyyoushouldnotgetonverywellhere。frombreakfasttolunch，Mrfairlie’sdrawingswilloccupyyou。Afterlunch，MissFairlieandIshoulderoursketch-books，andgoouttomisrepresentNature，underyourdirections。Drawingisherfavouritewhim，mind，notmine。Womencan’tdraw——theirmindsaretooflighty，andtheireyesaretooinattentive。Nomatter——mysisterlikesit；soIwastepaintandspoilTaper，forhersake，ascomposedlyasanywomaninEngland。Asfortheevenings，Ithinkwecanhelpyouthroughthem。MissFairlieplaysdelightfully。Formyownpoorpart，Idon’tknowonenoteofmusicfromtheother；butIcanmatchyouatchess，backgammon，écarté，and(withtheinevitablefemaledrawbacks)evenatbilliardsaswell。Whatdoyouthinkoftheprogramme？Canyoureconcileyourselftoourquiet，regularlife？ordoyoumeantoberestless，andsecretlythirstforchangeandadventure，inthehumdrumatmosphereofLimmeridgeHouse？’

Shehadrunonthusfar，inhergracefullybanteringway，withnootherinterruptionsonmypartthantheunimportantreplieswhichpolitenessrequiredofme。Theturnoftheexpression，however，inherlastquestion，orrathertheonechanceword，`adventure，’lightlyasitfellfromherlips，recalledmythoughtstomymeetingwiththewomaninwhite，andurgedmetodiscovertheconnectionwhichthestranger’sownreferencetoMrsFairlieinformedmemustoncehaveexistedbetweenthenamelessfugitivefromtheAsylum，andtheformermistressofLunmeridgeHouse。

`EvenifIwerethemostrestlessofmankind，’Isaid，`Ishouldbeinnodangerofthirstingafteradventuresforsometimetocome。TheverynightbeforeIarrivedatthishouse，Imetwithanadventure；andthewonderandexcitementofit，Icanassureyou，MissHalcombe，willlastmeforthewholetermofmystayinCumberland，ifnotforamuchlongerperiod。’

`Youdon’tsayso，MrHartright！MayIhearit？’

`Youhaveaclaimtohearit。Thechiefpersonintheadventurewasatotalstrangertome，andmayperhapsbeatotalstrangertoyou；butshecertainlymentionedthenameofthelateMrsFairlieintermsofthesincerestgratitudeandregard。’

`Mentionedmymother’sname！Youinterestmeindescribably。Praygoon。’

IatoncerelatedthecircumstancesunderwhichIhadmetthewomaninwhite，exactlyastheyhadoccurred；andIrepeatedwhatshehadsaidtomeaboutMrsFairlieandLimmeridgeHouse，wordforword。

MissHalcombe’sbrightresoluteeyeslookedeagerlyintomine，fromthebeginningofthenarrativetotheend。Herfaceexpressedvividinterestandastonishment，butnothingmore。ShewasevidentlyasfarfromknowingofanycluetothemysteryasIwasmyself。

`Areyouquitesureofthosewordsreferringtomymother？’sheasked。

`Quitesure，’Ireplied。`Whoevershemaybe，thewomanwasonceatschoolinthevillageofLimmeridge，wastreatedwithespecialkindnessbyMrsFairlie，and，ingratefulremembranceofthatkindness，feelsanaffectionateinterestinallsurvivingmembersofthefamily。SheknewthatMrsFairlieandherhusbandwerebothdead；andshespokeofMissFairlieasiftheyhadknowneachotherwhentheywerechildren。’

`Yousaid，Ithink，thatshedeniedbelongingtothisplace？’

`Yes，shetoldmeshecamefromHampshire。’

`Andyouentirelyfailedtofindouthername？’

`Entirely。’

`Verystrange。Ithinkyouwerequitejustified，MrHartright，ingivingthepoorcreatureherliberty，forsheseemstohavedonenothinginyourpresencetoshowherselfunfittoenjoyit。ButIwishyouhadbeenalittlemoreresoluteaboutfindingouthername。Wemustreallyclearupthismystery，insomeway。YouhadbetternotspeakofityettoMrFairlie，ortomysister。Theyarebothofthem，Iamcertain，quiteasignorantofwhothewomanis，andofwhatherpasthistoryinconnectionwithuscanbe，asIammyself。Buttheyarealso，inwidelydifferentways，rathernervousandsensitive；andyouwouldonlyfidgetoneandalarmtheothertonopurpose。Asformyself，Iamallaflamewithcuriosity，andIdevotemywholeenergiestothebusinessofdiscoveryfromthismoment。Whenmymothercamehere，afterhersecondmarriage，shecertainlyestablishedthevillageschooljustasitexistsatthepresenttime。Buttheoldteachersarealldead，orgoneelsewhere:andnoenlightenmentistobehopedforfromthatquarter。TheonlyotheralternativeIcanthinkof——’

Atthispointwewereinterruptedbytheentranceoftheservant，withamessagefromMrFairlie，intimatingthathewouldbegladtoseeme，assoonasIhaddonebreakfast。

`Waitinthehall，’saidMissHalcombe，answeringtheservantforme，inherquick，readyway。`MrHartrightwillcomeoutdirectly。Iwasabouttosay，’shewenton，addressingmeagain，`thatmysisterandIhavealargecollectionofmymother’sletters，addressedtomyfatherandtohers。Intheabsenceofanyothermeansofgettinginformation，Iwillpassthemorninginlookingovermymother’scorrespondencewithMrFairlie。HewasfondofLondon，andwasconstantlyawayfromhiscountryhome；andshewasaccustomed，atsuchtimes，towriteandreporttohimhowthingswentonatLimmeridge。Herlettersarefullofreferencestotheschoolinwhichshetooksostronganinterest；andIthinkitmorethanlikelythatImayhavediscoveredsomethingwhenwemeetagain。Theluncheonhouristwo，MrHartright。Ishallhavethepleasureofintroducingyoutomysisterbythattime，andwewilloccupytheafternoonindrivingroundtheneighbourhoodandshowingyouallourpetpointsofview。Tilltwoo’clock，then，farewell。’

Shenoddedtomewiththelivelygrace，thedelightfulrefinementoffamiliarity，whichcharacterisedallthatShedidandallthatshesaid；anddisappearedbyadooratthelowerendoftheroom。Assoonasshehadleftme，Iturnedmystepstowardsthehall，andfollowedtheservant，onmyway，forthefirsttime，tothepresenceofMrFairlie。