第3章

Notawordmorewassaid，oneitherside，aswewalkedbacktothehouse。MissHalcombehastenedimmediatelytohersister’sroom，andIwithdrewtomystudiotosetinorderallofMrFairlie’sdrawingsthatIhadnotyetmountedandrestoredbeforeIresignedthemtothecareofotherhands。ThoughtsthatIhadhithertorestrained，thoughtsthatmademypositionharderthanevertoendure，crowdedonmenowthatIwasalone。

Shewasengagedtobemarried，andherfuturehusbandwasSirPercivalGlyde。AmanoftherankofBaronet，andtheownerofpropertyinHampshire。

TherewerehundredsofbaronetsinEngland，anddozensoflandownersinHampshire。Judgingbytheordinaryrulesofevidence，Ihadnottheshadowofareason，thusfar，forconnectingSirPercivalGlydewiththesuspiciouswordsofinquirythathadbeenspokentomebythewomaninwhite。Andyet，Ididconnecthimwiththem。WasitbecausehehadnowbecomeassociatedinmymindwithMissFairlie，MissFairliebeing，inherturn，associatedwithAnneCatherick，sincethenightwhenIhaddiscoveredtheominouslikenessbetweenthem？HadtheeventsofthemorningsounnervedmealreadythatIwasatthemercyofanydelusionwhichcommonchancesandcommoncoincidencesmightsuggesttomyimagination？Impossibletosay。IcouldonlyfeelthatwhathadpassedbetweenMissHalcombeandmyself，onourwayfromthesummer-house，hadaffectedmeverystrangely。Theforebodingofsomeundiscoverabledangerlyinghidfromusallinthedarknessofthefuturewasstrongonme。ThedoubtwhetherIwasnotlinkedalreadytoachainofeventswhichevenmyapproachingdeparturefromCumberlandwouldbePowerlesstosnapasunder——thedoubtwhetherweanyofussawtheendastheendwouldreallybe——gatheredmoreandmoredarklyovermymind。Poignantasitwas，thesenseofsufferingcausedbythemiserableendofmybrief，presumptuousloveseemedtobebluntedanddeadenedbythestillstrongersenseofsomethingobscurelyimpending，somethinginvisiblythreatening，thatTimewasholdingoverourheads。

Ihadbeenengagedwiththedrawingslittlemorethanhalfanhour，whentherewasaknockatthedoor。Itopened，onmyanswering；and，tomysurprise，MissHalcombeenteredtheroom。

Hermannerwasangryandagitated。ShecaughtupachairforherselfbeforeIcouldgiveherone，andsatdowninit，closeatmyside。

`MrHartright，’shesaid，`Ihadhopedthatallpainfulsubjectsofconversationwereexhaustedbetweenus，fortodayatleast。Butitisnottobeso。Thereissomeunderhandvillainyatworktofrightenmysisteraboutherapproachingmarriage。Yousawmesendthegardenerontothehouse，withaletteraddressed，inastrangehandwriting，toMissFairlie？’

`Certainly。’

`Theletterisananonymousletter——avileattempttoinjureSirPercivalGlydeinmysister’sestimation。IthassoagitatedandalarmedherthatIhavehadthegreatestpossibledifficultyincomposingherspiritssufficientlytoallowmetoleaveherroomandcomehere。IknowthisisafamilymatteronwhichIoughtnottoconsultyou，andinwhichyoucanfeelnoconcernorinterest——’

`Ibegyourpardon，MissHalcombe。IfeelthestrongestpossibleconcernandinterestinanythingthataffectsMissFairlie’shappinessoryours。’

`Iamgladtohearyousayso。Youaretheonlypersoninthehouse，oroutofit，whocanadviseme。MrFairlie，inhisstateofhealthandwithhishorrorofdifficultiesandmysteriesofallkinds，isnottobethoughtof。Theclergymanisagood，weakman，whoknowsnothingoutoftheroutineofhisduties；andourneighboursarejustthesortofcomfortable，jog-trotacquaintanceswhomonecannotdisturbintimesoftroubleanddanger。WhatIwanttoknowisthis:oughtIatoncetotakesuchstepsasIcantodiscoverthewriteroftheletter？oroughtItowait，andapplytoMrFairlie’slegaladvisertomorrow？Itisaquestion——perhapsaveryimportantone——ofgainingorlosingaday。Tellmewhatyouthink，MrHartright。Ifnecessityhadnotalreadyobligedmetotakeyouintomyconfidenceunderverydelicatecircumstances，evenmyhelplesssituationwould，perhaps，benoexcuseforme。ButasthingsareIcannotsurelybewrong，afterallthathaspassedbetweenus，inforgettingthatyouareafriendofonlythreemonths’standing。’

Shegavemetheletter。Itbeganabruptly，withoutanypreliminaryformofaddress，asfollows——

`Doyoubelieveindreams？Ihope，foryourownsake，thatyoudo。SeewhatScripturesaysaboutdreamsandtheirfulfilment(Genesisxl。8，xli。25；Danieliv。18-25)，andtakethewarningIsendyoubeforeitistoolate。

`nightIdreamedaboutyou，MissFairlie。IdreamedthatIwasstandinginsidethecommunionrailsofachurch——Iononesideofthealtar-table，andtheclergyman，withhissurpliceandhisprayer-book，ontheother。

`Afteratimetherewalkedtowardsus，downtheaisleofthechurch，amanandawoman，comingtobemarried。Youwerethewoman。Youlookedsoprettyandinnocentinyourbeautifulwhitesilkdress，andyourlongwhitelaceveil，thatmyheartfeltforyou，andthetearscameintomyeyes。

`Theyweretearsofpity，younglady，thatheavenblesses；andinsteadoffallingfrommyeyesliketheeverydaytearsthatweallofusshed，theyturnedintotworaysoflightwhichslantednearerandnearertothemanstandingatthealtarwithyou，tilltheytouchedhisbreast。Thetworaysspranginarchesliketworainbowsbetweenmeandhim。Ilookedalongthem，andIsawdownintohisinmostheart。

`Theoutsideofthemanyouweremarryingwasfairenoughtosee。Hewasneithertallnorshort——hewasalittlebelowthemiddlesize。Alight，active，high-spiritedman——aboutfive-and-fortyyearsold，tolookat。Hehadapaleface，andwasbaldovertheforehead，buthaddarkhairontherestofhishead。Hisbeardwasshavenonhischin，butwaslettogrow，ofafinerichbrown，onhischeeksandhisupperlip。Hiseyeswerebrowntoo，andverybright；hisnosestraightandhandsome，anddelicateenoughtohavedoneforawoman’s。Hishandsthesame。Hewastroubledfromtimetotimewithadryhackingcough，andwhenheputuphiswhiterighthandtohismouth，heshowedtheredscarofanoldwoundacrossthebackofit。HaveIdreamtoftherightman？Youknowbest，MissFairlie，andyoucansayifIwasdeceivedornot。Readnext，whatIsawbeneaththeoutside——Ientreatyou，read，andprofit。

`Ilookedalongthetworaysoflight，andIsawdownintohisinmostheart。Itwasblackasnight，andonitwerewritten，intheredflamingletterswhicharethehandwritingofthefallenangel，``Withoutpityandwithoutremorse。Hehasstrewnwithmiserythepathsofothers，andhewilllivetostrewwithmiserythepathofthiswomanbyhisside。’’Ireadthat，andthentheraysoflightshiftedandpointedoverhisshoulder；andthere，behindhim，stoodafiendlaughing。Andtheraysoflightshiftedoncemore，andpointedoveryourshoulder；andthere，behindyou，stoodanangelweeping。Andtheraysoflightshiftedforthethirdtime，andpointedstraightbetweenyouandthatman。Theywidenedandwidened，thrustingyoubothasunder，onefromtheother。Andtheclergymanlookedforthemarriage-serviceinvain；itwasgoneoutofthebook，andheshutuptheleaves，andputitfromhimindespair。AndIwokewithmyeyesfulloftearsandmyheartbeating——forIbelieveindreams。

`Believetoo，MissFairlie——Ibegofyou，foryourownsake，believeasIdo。JosephandDaniel，andothersintheScripture，believedindreams。Inquireintothepastlifeofthatmanwiththescaronhishand，beforeyousaythewordsthatmakeyouhismiserablewife。Idon’tgiveyouthiswarningonmyaccount，butonyours。Ihaveaninterestinyourwell-beingthatwillliveaslongasIdrawbreath。Yourmother’sdaughterhasatenderplaceinmyheart——foryourmotherwasmyfirst，mybest，myonlyfriend。’

Theretheextraordinaryletterended，withoutasignatureofanysort。

Thehandwritingaffordednoprospectofaclue。Itwastracedonruledlines，inthecramped，conventionalcopy-bookcharactertechnicallytermed`mallhand。’Itwasfeebleandfaint，anddefacedbyblots，buthadotherwisenothingtodistinguishit。

`Thatisnotanilliterateletter，’saidMissHalcombe，`andatthesametime，itissurelytooincoherenttobetheletterofaneducatedpersoninthehigherranksoflife。Thereferencetothebridaldressandveil，andotherlittleexpressions，seemtopointtoitastheproductionofsomewoman。Whatdoyouthink，MrHartright？’

`Ithinksotoo。Itseemstometobenotonlytheletterofawoman，butofawomanwhosemindmustbe——’

`Deranged？’suggestedMissHalcombe。`Itstruckmeinthatlighttoo。’

Ididnotanswer。WhileIwasspeaking，myeyesrestedonthelastsentenceoftheletter:`Yourmother’sdaughterhasatenderplaceinmyheart——foryourmotherwasmyfirst，mybest，myonlyfriend。’Thosewordsandthedoubtwhichhadjustescapedmeastothesanityofthewriteroftheletter，actingtogetheronmymind，suggestedanidea，whichIwasliterallyafraidtoexpressopenly，oreventoencouragesecretly。Ibegantodoubtwhethermyownfacultieswerenotindangeroflosingtheirbalance。Itseemedalmostlikeamonomaniatobetracingbackeverythingstrangethathappened，everythingunexpectedthatwassaid，alwaystothesamehiddensourceandthesamesinisterinfluence。Iresolved，thistime，indefenceofmyowncourageandmyownsense，tocometonodecisionthatplainfactdidnotwarrant，andtoturnmybackresolutelyoneverythingthattemptedmeintheshapeofsurmise。

`Ifwehaveanychanceoftracingthepersonwhohaswrittenthis，’Isaid，returningthelettertoMissHalcombe，`therecanbenoharminseizingouropportunitythemomentitoffers。Ithinkweoughttospeaktothegardeneragainabouttheelderlywomanwhogavehimtheletter，andthentocontinueourinquiriesinthevillage。Butfirstletmeaskaquestion。YoumentionedjustnowthealternativeofconsultingMrFairlie’slegaladvisertomorrow。Istherenopossibilityofcommunicatingwithhimearlier？Whynottoday？’

`Icanonlyexplain，’repliedMissHalcombe，`byenteringintocertainparticulars，connectedwithmysister’smarriage-engagement，whichIdidnotthinkitnecessaryordesirabletomentiontoyouthismorning。OneofSirPercivalGlyde’sobjectsincominghereonMonday，istofixtheperiodofhismarriage，whichhashithertobeenleftquiteunsettled。Heisanxiousthattheeventshouldtakeplacebeforetheendoftheyear。’

`DoesMissFairlieknowofthatwish？’Iaskedeagerly。

`Shehasnosuspicionofit，andafterwhathashappened，Ishallnottaketheresponsibilityuponmyselfofenlighteningher。SirPercivalhasonlymentionedhisviewstoMrFairlie，whohastoldmehimselfthatheisreadyandanxious，asLaura’sguardian，toforwardthem。HehaswrittentoLondon，tothefamilysolicitor，MrGilmore。MrGilmorehappenstobeawayinGlasgowonbusiness，andhehasrepliedbyproposingtostopatLimmeridgeHouseonhiswaybacktotown。Hewillarrivetomorrow，andwillstaywithusafewdays，soastoallowSirPercivaltimetopleadhisowncause。Ifhesucceeds，MrGilmorewillthenreturntoLondon，takingwithhimhisinstructionsformysister’smarriage-settlement。Youunderstandnow，MrHartright，whyIspeakofwaitingtotakelegaladviceuntiltomorrow？MrGilmoreistheoldandtriedfriendoftwogenerationsofFairlies，andwecantrusthim，aswecouldtrustnooneelse。’

Themarriage-settlement！Themerehearingofthosetwowordsstungmewithajealousdespairthatwaspoisontomyhigherandbetterinstincts。Ibegantothink——itishardtoconfessthis，butImustsuppressnothingfrombeginningtoendoftheterriblestorythatInowstandcommittedtoreveal——Ibegantothink，withahatefuleagernessofhope，ofthevaguechargesagainstSirPercivalGlydewhichtheanonymouslettercontained。Whatifthosewildaccusationsrestedonafoundationoftruth？Whatiftheirtruthcouldbeprovedbeforethefatalwordsofconsentwerespoken，andthemarriage-settlementwasdrawn？Ihavetriedtothinksince，thatthefeelingwhichthenanimatedmebeganandendedinpuredevotiontoMissFairlie’sinterests，butIhaveneversucceededindeceivingmyselfintobelievingit，andImustnotnowattempttodeceiveothers。Thefeelingbeganandendedinreckless，vindictive，hopelesshatredofthemanwhowastomarryher。

`Ifwearetofindoutanything，’Isaid，speakingunderthenewinfluencewhichwasnowdirectingme，`wehadbetternotletanotherminuteslipbyusunemployed。Icanonlysuggest，oncemore，theproprietyofquestioningthegardenerasecondtime，andofinquiringinthevillageimmediatelyafterwards。’

`IthinkImaybeofhelptoyouinbothcases，’saidMissHalcombe，rising。`Letusgo，MrHartright，atonce，anddothebestwecantogether。’

Ihadthedoorinmyhandtoopenitforher——butIstopped，onasudden，toaskanimportantquestionbeforewesetforth。

`Oneoftheparagraphsoftheanonymousletter，’Isaid。`containssomesentencesofminutepersonaldescription。SirPercivalGlyde’snameisnotmentioned，Iknow——butdoesthatdescriptionatallresemblehim？’

`Accurately——eveninstatinghisagetobeforty-five——’

Forty-five；andshewasnotyettwenty-one！Menofhisagemarriedwivesofherageeveryday——andexperiencehadshownthosemarriagestobeoftenthehappiestones。Iknewthat——andyeteventhementionofhisage，whenIcontrasteditwithhers，addedtomyblindhatredanddistrustofhim。

`Accurately，’MissHalcombecontinued，`eventothescaronhisrighthand，whichisthescarofawoundthathereceivedyearssincewhenhewastravellinginItaly。Therecanbenodoubtthateverypeculiarityofhispersonalappearanceisthoroughlywellknowntothewriteroftheletter。’

`Evenacoughthatheistroubledwithismentioned，ifIrememberright？’

`Yes，andmentionedcorrectly。Hetreatsitlightlyhimself，thoughitsometimesmakeshisfriendsanxiousabouthim。’

`Isupposenowhispershaveeverbeenheardagainsthischaracter？’

`MrHartright！Ihopeyouarenotunjustenoughtoletthatinfamousletterinfluenceyou？’

Ifeltthebloodrushintomycheeks；forIknewthatithadinfluencedme。

`Ihopenot，’Iansweredconfusedly。`PerhapsIhadnorighttoaskthequestion。’

`Iamnotsorryyouaskedit，’shesaid，`foritenablesmetodojusticetoSirPercival’sreputation。Notawhisper，MrHartright，haseverreachedme，ormyfamily，againsthim。Hehasfoughtsuccessfullytwocontestedelections，andhascomeoutoftheordealunscathed。Amanwhocandothat，inEngland，isamanwhosecharacterisestablished。’

Iopenedthedoorforherinsilence，andfollowedherout。Shehadnotconvincedme。Iftherecordingangelhadcomedownfromheaventoconfirmher，andhadopenedhisbooktomymortaleyes，therecordingangelwouldnothaveconvincedme。

Wefoundthegardeneratworkasusual。Noamountofquestioningcouldextractasingleanswerofanyimportancefromthelad’simpenetrablestupidity。Thewomanwhohadgivenhimtheletterwasanelderlywoman；shehadnotspokenawordtohim，andshehadgoneawaytowardsthesouthinagreathurry。Thatwasallthegardenercouldtellus。

Thevillagelaysouthwardofthehouse。Sotothevillagewewentnext。

OurinquiriesatLimmeridgewerepatientlypursuedinalldirections，andamongallsortsandconditionsofpeople。Butnothingcameofthem。Threeofthevillagersdidcertainlyassureusthattheyhadseenthewoman，butastheywerequiteunabletodescribeher，andquiteincapableofagreeingabouttheexactdirectioninwhichshewasproceedingwhentheylastsawher，thesethreebrightexceptionstothegeneralrudeoftotalignoranceaffordednomorerealassistancetousthanthemassoftheirunhelpfulandunobservantneighbours。

Thecourseofouruselessinvestigationsbroughtus，intime，totheendofthevillageatwhichtheschoolsestablishedbyMrsFairlieweresituated。Aswepassedthesideofthebuildingappropriatedtotheuseoftheboys，Isuggestedtheproprietyofmakingalastinquiryoftheschoolmaster，whomwemightpresumetobe，invirtueofhisoffice，themostintelligentmanintheplace。

`Iamafraidtheschoolmastermusthavebeenoccupiedwithhisscholars，’saidMissHalcombe，`justatthetimewhenthewomanpassedthroughthevillageandreturnedagain。However，wecanbuttry。’

Weenteredtheplaygroundenclosure，andwalkedbytheschoolroomwindowtogetroundtothedoor，whichwassituatedatthebackofthebuilding。Istoppedforamomentatthewindowandlookedin。

Theschoolmasterwassittingathishighdesk，withhisbacktome，apparentlyharanguingthepupils，whowereallgatheredtogetherinfrontofhim，withoneexception。Theoneexceptionwasasturdywhite-headedboy，standingapartfromalltherestonastoolinacomer——aforlornlittleCrusoe，isolatedinhisowndesertislandofsolitarypenaldisgrace。

Thedoor，whenwegotroundtoit，wasajar，andtheschoolmaster’svoicereachedusplainly，aswebothstoppedforaminuteundertheporch。

`Now，boys，’saidthevoice，`mindwhatItellyou。IfIhearanotherwordspokenaboutghostsinthisschool，itwillbetheworseforallofyou。Therearenosuchthingsasghosts，andthereforeanyboywhobelievesinghostsbelievesinwhatcan’tpossiblybe；andaboywhobelongstoLimmeridgeSchool，andbelievesinwhatcan’tpossiblybe，setsuphisbackagainstreasonanddiscipline，andmustbepunishedaccordingly。YouallseeJacobPostlethwaitestandinguponthestoolthereindisgrace。Hehasbeenpunished，notbecausehesaidhesawaghostlastnight，butbecauseheistooimpudentandtooobstinatetolistentoreason，andbecausehepersistsinsayinghesawtheghostafterIhavetoldhimthatnosuchthingcanpossiblybe。Ifnothingelsewilldo，ImeantocanetheghostoutofJacobPostlethwaite，andifthethingspreadsamonganyoftherestofyou，Imeantogoastepfarther，andcanetheghostoutofthewholeschool。’

`Weseemtohavechosenanawkwardmomentforourvisit，’saidMissHalcombe，pushingopenthedoorattheendoftheschoolmaster’saddress，andleadingthewayin。

Ourappearanceproducedastrongsensationamongtheboys。TheyappearedtothinkthatwehadarrivedfortheexpresspurposeofseeingJacobPostlethwaitecaned。

`Gohomeallofyoutodinner，’saidtheschoolmaster，`exceptJacob。Jacobmuststopwhereheis；andtheghostmaybringhimhisdinner，iftheghostpleases。’

Jacob’sfortitudedesertedhimatthedoubledisappearanceofhisschoolfellowsandhisprospectofdinner。Hetookhishandsoutofhispockets，lookedhardathisknuckles，raisedthemwithgreatdeliberationtohiseyes，andwhentheygotthere，groundthemroundandroundslowly，accompanyingtheactionbyshortspasmsofsniffing，whichfollowedeachotheratregularintervals——thenasalminutegunsofjuveniledistress。

`Wecameheretoaskyouaquestion，MrDempster。’saidMissHalcombe，addressingtheschoolmaster；`andwelittleexpectedtofindyouoccupiedinexorcisingaghost。Whatdoesitallmean？Whathasreallyhappened？’

`Thatwickedboyhasbeenfrighteningthewholeschool，MissHalcombe，bydeclaringthathesawaghostyesterdayevening，’answeredthemaster；`andhestillpersistsinhisabsurdstory，inspiteofallthatIcansaytohim。’

`Mostextraordinary，’saidMissHalcombe。`Ishouldnothavethoughtitpossiblethatanyoftheboyshadimaginationenoughtoseeaghost。ThisisanewaccessionindeedtothehardlabourofformingtheyouthfulmindatLimmeridge，andIheartilywishyouwellthroughit，MrDempster。Inthemeantime，letmeexplainwhyyouseemehere，andwhatitisIwant。’

Shethenputthesamequestiontotheschoolmasterwhichwehadaskedalreadyofalmosteveryoneelseinthevillage。Itwasmetbythesamediscouraginganswer。MrDempsterhadnotseteyesonthestrangerofwhomwewereinsearch。

`Wemayaswellreturntothehouse，MrHartright，’saidMissHalcombe；`theinformationwewantisevidentlynottobefound。’

ShehadbowedtoMrDempster，andwasabouttoleavetheschoolroom，whentheforlornpositionofJacobPostlethwaite，piteouslysniffingonthestoolofpenitence，attractedherattentionasshepassedhim，andmadeherstopgood-humouredlytospeakawordtothelittleprisonerbeforesheopenedthedoor。

`Youfoolishboy，’shesaid，`whydon’tyoubegMrDempster’spardon，andholdyourtongueabouttheghost？’

`Eh！——butIsawt’ghaist，’persistedJacobPostlethwaite，withastareofterrorandaburstoftears。

`Stuffandnonsense！Yousawnothingofthekind。Ghostindeed！Whatghost——’

`Ibegyourpardon，MissHalcombe，’interposedtheschoolmasteralittleuneasily——`butIthinkyouhadbetternotquestiontheboy。Theobstinatefollyofhisstoryisbeyondallbelief；andyoumightleadhimintoignorantly。’

`Ignorantlywhat？’inquiredMissHalcombesharply。

`Ignorantlyshockingyourfeelings，’saidMrDempster，lookingverymuchdiscomposed。

`Uponmyword，MrDempster，youpaymyfeelingsagreatcomplimentinthinkingthemweakenoughtobeshockedbysuchanurchinasthat！’SheturnedwithanairofsatiricaldefiancetolittleJacob，andbegantoquestionhimdirectly。`Come！’shesaid，`Imeantoknowallaboutthis。Younaughtyboy，whendidyouseetheghost？’

`Yestere’en，atthegloaming，’repliedJacob。

`Oh！yousawityesterdayevening，inthetwilight？Andwhatwasitlike？’

`Arlinwhite——asaghaistshouldbe，’answeredtheghostseer，withaconfidencebeyondhisyears。

`Andwherewasit？’

`Awayyander，int’kirkyard——whereaghaistoughttobe。’

`Asa``ghaist’’shouldbe——wherea``ghaist’’oughttobe——why，youlittlefool，youtalkasifthemannersandcustomsofghostshadbeenfamiliartoyoufromyourinfancy！Youhavegotyourstoryatyourfingers’ends，atanyrate。IsupposeIshallhearnextthatyoucanactuallytellmewhoseghostitwas？’

`Eh！butIjustcan，’repliedJacob，noddinghisheadwithanairofgloomytriumph。

MrDempsterhadalreadytriedseveraltimestospeakwhileMissHalcombewasexamininghispupil，andhenowinterposedresolutelyenoughtomakehimselfheard。

`Excuseme，MissHalcombe，’hesaid，`ifIventuretosaythatyouareonlyencouragingtheboybyaskinghimthesequestions。’

`Iwillmerelyaskonemore，MrDempster，andthenIshallbequitesatisfied。Well，’shecontinued，turningtotheboy，`andwhoseghostwasit？’

`T’ghaistofMistressFairlie，’answeredJacobinawhisper。

TheeffectwhichthisextraordinaryreplyproducedonMissHalcombefullyjustifiedtheanxietywhichtheschoolmasterhadshowntopreventherfromhearingit。Herfacecrimsonedwithindignation——sheturneduponlittleJacobwithanangrysuddennesswhichterrifiedhimintoafreshburstoftears——openedherlipstospeaktohim——thencontrolledherself，andaddressedthemasterinsteadoftheboy。

`Itisuseless，’shesaid，`toholdsuchachildasthatresponsibleforwhathesays。Ihavelittledoubtthattheideahasbeenputintohisheadbyothers。Iftherearepeopleinthisvillage，MrDempster，whohaveforgottentherespectandgratitudeduefromeverysoulinittomymother’smemory，Iwillfindthemout，andifIhaveanyinfluencewithMrFairlie，theyshallsufferforit。’

`Ihope——indeed。Iamsure，MissHalcombe——thatyouaremistaken。’saidtheschoolmaster。`Thematterbeginsandendswiththeboy’sownperversityandfolly。Hesaw，orthoughthesaw，awomaninwhite，yesterdayevening，ashewaspassingthechurchyard；andthefigure。realorfancied，wasstandingbythemarblecross，whichheandeveryoneelseinLimmeridgeknowstohethemonumentoverMrsFairlie’sgrave。Thesetwocircumstancesaresurelysufficienttohavesuggestedtotheboyhimselftheanswerwhichhassonaturallyshockedyou？’

AlthoughMissHalcombedidnotseemtobeconvinced，sheevidentlyfeltthattheschoolmaster’sstatementofthecasewastoosensibletobeopenlycombated。Shemerelyrepliedbythankinghimforhisattention，andbypromisingtoseehimagainwhenherdoubtsweresatisfied。Thissaid，shebowed，andledthewayoutoftheschoolroom。

ThroughoutthewholeofthisstrangesceneIhadstoodapart，listeningattentively，anddrawingmyownconclusions。Assoonaswewerealoneagain，MissHalcombeaskedmeifIhadformedanyopiniononwhatIhadheard。

`Averystrongopinion，’Ianswered；`theboy’sstory，asIbelieve，hasafoundationinfact。IconfessIamanxioustoseethemonumentoverMrsFairlie’sgrave，andtoexaminethegroundaboutit。’

`Youshallseethegrave。’

Shepausedaftermakingthatreply，andreflectedalittleaswewalkedon。`Whathashappenedintheschoolroom，’sheresumed，`hassocompletelydistractedmyattentionfromthesubjectoftheletter，thatIfeelalittlebewilderedwhenItrytoreturntoit。Mustwegiveupallideaofmakinganyfurtherinquiries，andwaittoplacethethinginMrGilmore’shandstomorrow？’

`Bynomeans，MissHalcombe。Whathashappenedintheschoolroomencouragesmetopersevereintheinvestigation。’

`Whydoesitencourageyou？’

`BecauseitstrengthensasuspicionIfeltwhenyougavemethelettertoread。’

`Isupposeyouhadyourreasons，MrHartright，forconcealingthatsuspicionfrommetillthismoment？’

`Iwasafraidtoencourageitinmyself。Ithoughtitwasutterlypreposterous——Idistrusteditastheresultofsomeperversityinmyownimagination。ButIcandosonolonger。Notonlytheboy’sownanswerstoyourquestions，butevenachanceexpressionthatdroppedfromtheschoolmaster’slipsinexplaininghisstory，haveforcedtheideahackintomymind。Eventsmayyetprovethatideatobeadelusion，MissHalcombe；butthebeliefisstronginme，atthismoment，thatthefanciedghostinthechurchyard，andthewriteroftheanonymousletter，areoneandthesameperson。’

Shestopped，turnedpale，andlookedmeeagerlyintheface，

`Whatperson？’

`Theschoolmasterunconsciouslytoldyou。Whenhespokeofthefigurethattheboysawinthechurchyardhecalledit``awomaninwhite。’’’

`NotAnneCatherick？’

`Yes，AnneCatherick。’

Sheputherhandthroughmyarmandleanedonitheavily。

`Idon’tknowwhy，’shesaidinlowtones，`butthereissomethinginthissuspicionofyoursthatseemstostartleandunnerveme。Ifeel——’Shestopped，andtriedtolaughitoff。`MrHartright，’shewenton，`Iwillshowyouthegrave，andthengobackatoncetothehouse。IhadbetternotleaveLauratoolongalone。Ihadbettergobackandsitwithher。’

Wewereclosetothechurchyardwhenshespoke。Thechurch，adrearybuildingofgreystone，wassituatedinalittlevalley，soastobeshelteredfromthebleakwindsblowingoverthemoorlandallroundit。Theburial-groundadvanced，fromthesideofthechurch，alittlewayuptheslopeofthehill。Itwassurroundedbyarough，lowstonewall。andwasbareandopentothesky，exceptatoneextremity，whereabrooktrickleddownthestonyhillside，andaclumpofdwarftreesthrewtheirnarrowshadowsovertheshort，meagregrass。Justbeyondthebrookandthetrees，andnotfarfromoneofthethreestonestileswhichaffordedentrance，atvariouspoints，tothechurchyard，rosethewhitemarblecrossthatdistinguishedMrsFairlie’sgravefromthehumblermonumentsscatteredaboutit。

`Ineedgonofartherwithyou，’saidMissHalcombe，pointingtothegrave。`Youwillletmeknowifyoufindanythingtoconfirmtheideayouhavejustmentionedtome。Letusmeetagainatthehouse。’

Sheleftme。Idescendedatoncetothechurchyard，andcrossedthestilewhichleddirectlytoMrsFairlie’sgrave。

Thegrassaboutitwastooshort，andthegroundtoohard，toshowanymarksoffootsteps。Disappointedthusfar，Inextlookedattentivelyatthecross，andatthesquareblockofmarblebelowit，onwhichtheinscriptionwascut。

Thenaturalwhitenessofthecrosswasalittleclouded，hereandthere，byweatherstains，andrathermorethanonehalfofthesquareblockbeneathit。onthesidewhichboretheinscription，wasinthesamecondition。Theotherhalf，however，attractedmyattentionatoncebyitssingularfreedomfromstainorimpurityofanykind。Ilookedcloser，andsawthatithadbeencleaned——recentlycleaned，inadownwarddirectionfromtoptobottom。Theboundarylinebetweenthepartthathadbeencleanedandthepartthathadnotwastraceablewherevertheinscriptionleftablankspaceofmarble——sharplytraceableasalinethathadbeenproducedbyartificialmeans。Whohadbegunthecleansingofthemarble，andwhohadleftitunfinished？

Ilookedaboutme，wonderinghowthequestionwastobesolved。NosignofahabitationcouldbediscernedfromthepointatwhichIwasstanding——theburial-groundwasleftinthelonelypossessionofthedead。Ireturnedtothechurch，andwalkedroundittillIcametothebackofthebuilding；thencrossedtheboundarywallbeyond，byanotherofthestonestiles，andfoundmyselfattheheadofapathleadingdownintoadesertedstonequarry。Againstonesideofthequarryalittletwo-roomcottagewasbuilt，andjustoutsidethedooranoldwomanwasengagedinwashing。

Iwalkeduptoher，andenteredintoconversationaboutthechurchandburial-ground。Shewasreadyenoughtotalk，andalmostthefirstwordsshesaidinformedmethatherhusbandfilledthetwoofficesofclerkandsexton。IsaidafewwordsnextinpraiseofMrsFairlie’smonument。Theoldwomanshookherhead，andtoldmeIhadnotseenitatitsbest。Itwasherhusband’sbusinesstolookafterit，buthehadbeensoailingandweakformonthsandmonthspast，thathehadhardlybeenabletocrawlintochurchonSundaystodohisduty，andthemonumenthadbeenneglectedinconsequence。Hewasgettingalittlebetternow，andinaweekortendays’timehehopedtobestrongenoughtosettoworkandcleanit。

Thisinformation——extractedfromalongramblinganswerinthebroadestCumberlanddialect——toldmeallthatImostwantedtoknow。Igavethepoorwomanatrifle，andreturnedatoncetoLimmeridgeHouse。

Thepartialcleansingofthemonumenthadevidentlybeenaccomplishedbyastrangehand。ConnectingwhatIhaddiscovered，thusfar，withwhatIhadsuspectedafterhearingthestoryoftheghostseenattwilight，IwantednothingmoretoconfirmmyresolutiontowatchMrsFairlie’sgrave，insecret，thatevening，returningtoitatsunset，andwaitingwithinsightofittillthenightfell。Theworkofcleansingthemonumenthadbeenleftunfinished，andthepersonbywhomithadbeenbegunmightreturntocompleteit。

OngettingbacktothehouseIinformedMissHalcombeofwhatIintendedtodo。ShelookedsurPrisedanduneasywhileIwasexplainingmypurpose，butshemadenopositiveobjectiontotheexecutionofit。Sheonlysaid，`Ihopeitmayendwell。’Justasshewasleavingmeagain，Istoppedhertoinquire，ascalmlyasIcould，afterMissFairlie’shealth。Shewasinbetterspirits，andMissHalcombehopedshemightbeinducedtotakealittlewalkingexercisewhiletheafternoonsunlasted。

Ireturnedtomyownroomtoresumesettingthedrawingsinorder。Itwasnecessarytodothis，anddoublynecessarytokeepmymindemployedonanythingthatwouldhelptodistractmyattentionfrommyself，andfromthehopelessfuturethatlaybeforeme。FromtimetotimeIpausedinmyworktolookoutofwindowandwatchtheskyasthesunsanknearerandnearertothehorizon。OnoneofthoseoccasionsIsawafigureonthebroadgravelwalkundermywindow。ItwasMissFairlie。

Ihadnotseenhersincethemorning，andIhadhardlyspokentoherthen。AnotherdayatLimmeridgewasallthatremainedtome，andafterthatdaymyeyesmightneverlookonheragain。Thisthoughtwasenoughtoholdmeatthewindow。Ihadsufficientconsiderationforhertoarrangetheblindsothatshemightnotseemeifshelookedup，butIhadnostrengthtoresistthetemptationoflettingmyeyes，atleast，followherasfarastheycouldonherwalk。

Shewasdressedinabrowncloak，withaPlainblacksilkgownunderit。Onherheadwasthesamesimplestrawhatwhichshehadwornonthemorningwhenwefirstmet。Aveilwasattachedtoitnowwhichhidherfacefromme。ByhersidetrottedalittleItaliangreyhound，thepetcompanionofallherwalks，smartlydressedinascarletclothwrapper，tokeepthesharpairfromhisdelicateskin。Shedidnotseemtonoticethedog。Shewalkedstraightforward，withherheaddroopingalittle，andherarmsfoldedinhercloak。Thedeadleaves，whichhadwhirledinthewindbeforemewhenIhadheardofhermarriageengagementinthemorning，whirledinthewindbeforeher，androseandfellandscatteredthemselvesatherfeetasshewalkedoninthepalewaningsunlight-Thedogshiveredandtrembled，andpressedagainstherdressimpatientlyfornoticeandencouragement。Butsheneverheededhim。Shewalkedon，fartherandfartherawayfromme，withthedeadleaveswhirlingaboutheronthepath——walkedon，tillmyachingeyescouldseehernomore，andIwasleftaloneagainwithmyownheavyheart。

Inanotherhour’stimeIhaddonemywork，andthesunsetwasathand。Igotmyhatandcoatinthehall，andslippedoutofthehousewithoutmeetinganyone。

Thecloudswerewildinthewesternheaven，andthewindblewchillfromthesea。farastheshorewas，thesoundofthesurfsweptovertheinterveningmoorland，andbeatdrearilyinmyearswhenIenteredthechurchyard。Notalivingcreaturewasinsight。TheplacelookedlonelierthaneverasIchosemyposition，andwaitedandwatched，withmyeyesonthewhitecrossthatroseoverMrsFairlie’sgrave。

TheexposedsituationofthechurchyardhadobligedmetobecautiousinchoosingthepositionthatIwastooccupy。

Themainentrancetothechurchwasonthesidenexttotheburial-ground，andthedoorwasscreenedbyaporchwalledinoneitherside。Aftersomelittlehesitation，causedbynaturalreluctancetoconcealmyself，indispensableasthatconcealmentwastotheobjectinview，Ihadresolvedonenteringtheporch。Aloopholewindowwaspiercedineachofitssidewalls。ThroughoneofthesewindowsIcouldseeMrsFairlie’sgrave。Theotherlookedtowardsthestonequarryinwhichthesexton’scottagewasbuilt。Beforeme，frontingtheporchentrance，wasapatchofbareburial-ground，alineoflowstonewall，andastripoflonelybrownhill，withthesunsetcloudssailingheavilyoveritbeforethestrong，steadywind。Nolivingcreaturewasvisibleoraudible——nobirdflewbyme，nodogbarkedfromthesexton’scottage。Thepausesinthedullheatingofthesurfwerefilledupbythedrearyrustlingofthedwarftreesnearthegrave，andthecoldfaintbubbleofthebrookoveritsstonybed。Adrearysceneandadrearyhour。MyspiritssankfastasIcountedouttheminutesoftheeveninginmyhiding-placeunderthechurchporch。

Itwasnottwilightyet——thelightofthesettingsunstilllingeredintheheavens，andlittlemorethanthefirsthalf-hourofmysolitarywatchhadelapsed——whenIheardfootstepsandavoice。Thefootstepswereapproachingfromtheothersideofthechurch，andthevoicewasawoman’s。

`Don’tyoufret，mydear，abouttheletter，’saidthevoice。`Igaveittotheladquitesafe，andtheladhetookitfrommewithoutaword。HewenthiswayandIwentmine，andnotalivingsoulfollowedmeafterwards——thatI’llwarrant。’

Thesewordsstrungupmyattentiontoapitchofexpectationthatwasalmostpainful。Therewasapauseofsilence，butthefootstepsstilladvanced。Inanothermomenttwopersons，bothwomen，passedwithinmyrangeofviewfromtheporchwindow。Theywerewalkingstraighttowardsthegrave；andthereforetheyhadtheirbacksturnedtowardsme。

Oneofthewomenwasdressedinabonnetandshawl。Theotherworealongtravelling-cloakofadark-bluecolour，withthehooddrawnoverherhead。Afewinchesofhergownwerevisiblebelowthecloak。MyheartbeatfastasInotedthecolour——itwaswhite。

Afteradvancingabouthalf-waybetweenthechurchandthegravetheystopped，andthewomaninthecloakturnedherheadtowardshercompanion。Buthersideface，whichabonnetmightnowhaveallowedmetosee，washiddenbytheheavy，projectingedgeofthehood。

`Mindyoukeepthatcomfortablewarmcloakon，’saidthesamevoicewhichIhadalreadyheard——thevoiceofthewomanintheshawl。`MrsToddisrightaboutyourlookingtooparticular，yesterday，allinwhite。I’llwalkaboutalittlewhileyou’rehere，churchyardsbeingnotatallinmyway，whatevertheymaybeinyours。FinishwhatyouwanttodobeforeIcomeback，andletusbesureandgethomeagainbeforenight。’

Withthosewordssheturnedabout，andretracinghersteps，advancedwithherfacetowardsme。Itwasthefaceofanelderlywoman，brown，rugged，andhealthy，withnothingdishonestorsuspiciousinthelookofit。Closetothechurchshestoppedtopullhershawlcloserroundher。

`Queer，’shesaidtoherself，`alwaysqueer，withherwhimsandherways，eversinceIcanrememberher。Harmless，though——asharmless，poorsoul，asalittlechild。’

Shesighed——lookedabouttheburial-groundnervously——shookherhead，asifthedrearyprospectbynomeanspleasedher，anddisappearedroundthecornerofthechurch。

IdoubtedforamomentwhetherIoughttofollowandspeaktoherornot。Myintenseanxietytofindmyselffacetofacewithhercompanionhelpedmetodecideinthenegative。Icouldensureseeingthewomanintheshawlbywaitingnearthechurchyarduntilshecameback——althoughitseemedmorethandoubtfulwhethershecouldgivemetheinformationofwhichIwasinsearch。Thepersonwhohaddeliveredtheletterwasoflittleconsequence。Thepersonwhohadwrittenitwastheonecentreofinterest，andtheonesourceofinformation，andthatpersonInowfeltconvincedwasbeforemeinthechurchyard。

WhiletheseideaswerepassingthroughmymindIsawthewomaninthecloakapproachclosetothegrave，andstandlookingatitforalittlewhile。Shethenglancedallroundher，andtakingawhitelinenclothorhandkerchieffromunderhercloak，turnedasidetowardsthebrook。Thelittlestreamranintothechurchyardunderatinyarchwayinthebottomofthewall，andranoutagain，afterawindingcourseofafewdozenyards，underasimilaropening。Shedippedtheclothinthewater，andreturnedtothegrave。Isawherkissthewhitecross，thenkneeldownbeforetheinscription，andapplyherwetclothtothecleansingofit。

AfterconsideringhowIcouldshowmyselfwiththeleastpossiblechanceoffrighteningher，Iresolvedtocrossthewallbeforeme，toskirtrounditoutside，andtoenterthechurchyardagainbythestilenearthegrave，inorderthatshemightseemeasIapproached。ShewassoabsorbedoverheremploymentthatshedidnothearmecominguntilIhadsteppedoverthestile。Thenshelookedup，startedtoherfeetwithafaintcry，andstoodfacingmeinspeechlessandmotionlessterror。

`Don’tbefrightened，’Isaid。`Surelyyourememberme？’

IstoppedwhileIspoke——thenadvancedafewstepsgently——thenstoppedagain——andsoapproachedbylittleandlittletillIwasclosetoher。Iftherehadbeenanydoubtstillleftinmymind，itmusthavebeennowsetatrest。There，speakingaffrightedlyforitself——therewasthesamefaceconfrontingmeoverMrsFairlie’sgravewhichhadfirstlookedintomineonthehigh-roadbynight。

`Yourememberme？’Isaid。`Wemetverylate，andIhelpedyoutofindthewaytoLondon。Surelyyouhavenotforgottenthat？’

Herfeaturesrelaxed，andshedrewaheavybreathofrelief。Isawthenewlifeofrecognitionstirringslowlyunderthedeathlikestillnesswhichfearhadsetonherface。

`Don’tattempttospeaktomejustyet，’Iwenton。`Taketimetorecoveryourself——taketimetofeelquitecertainthatIamafriend。’

`Youareverykindtome，’shemurmured。`Askindnowasyouwerethen。’

Shestopped，andIkeptsilenceonmyside。Iwasnotgrantingtimeforcomposuretoheronly，Iwasgainingtimealsoformyself。Underthewanwildeveninglight，thatwomanandIweremettogetheragain，agravebetweenus，thedeadaboutus，thelonesomehillsclosingusroundoneveryside。Thetime，theplace，thecircumstancesunderwhichwenowstoodfacetofaceintheeveningstillnessofthatdrearyvalley——thelifelonginterestswhichmighthangsuspendedonthenextchancewordsthatpassedbetweenus——thesensethat，foraughtIknewtothecontrary，thewholefutureofLauraFairlie’slifemightbedetermined，forgoodorforevil，bymywinningorlosingtheconfidenceoftheforlorncreaturewhostoodtremblingbyhermother’sgrave——allthreatenedtoshakethesteadinessandtheself-controlonwhicheveryinchoftheprogressImightyetmakenowdepended。Itriedhard，asIfeltthis，topossessmyselfofallmyresources；Ididmyutmosttoturnthefewmomentsforreflectiontothebestaccount。

`Areyoucalmernow？’Isaid，assoonasIthoughtittimetospeakagain。`Canyoutalktomewithoutfeelingfrightened，andwithoutforgettingthatIamafriend？’

`Howdidyoucomehere？’sheasked，withoutnoticingwhatIhadjustsaidtoher。

`Don’tyouremembermytellingyou，whenwelastmet，thatIwasgoingtoCumberland？IhavebeeninCumberlandeversince——IhavebeenstayingallthetimeatLimmeridgeHouse。’

`AtLimmeridgeHouse！’Herpalefacebrightenedassherepeatedthewords，herwanderingeyesfixedonmewithasuddeninterest。`Ah，howhappyyoumusthavebeen！’shesaid，lookingatmeeagerly，withoutashadowofitsformerdistrustleftinherexpression。

Itookadvantageofhernewly-arousedconfidenceinmetoobserveherface，withanattentionandacuriositywhichIhadhithertorestrainedmyselffromshowing，forcaution’ssake。Ilookedather，withmymindfullofthatotherlovelyfacewhichhadsoominouslyrecalledhertomymemoryontheterracebymoonlight。IhadseenAnneCatherick’slikenessinMissFairlie。InowsawMissFairlie’slikenessinAnneCatherick——sawitallthemoreclearlybecausethepointsofdissimilaritybetweenthetwowerepresentedtomeaswellasthepointsofresemblance。Inthegeneraloutlineofthecountenanceandgeneralproportionofthefeatures——inthecolourofthehairandinthelittlenervousuncertaintyaboutthelips——intheheightandsizeofthefigure，andthecarriageoftheheadandbody，thelikenessappearedevenmorestartlingthanIhadeverfeltittobeyet。Buttheretheresemblanceended，andthedissimilarity，indetails，began。ThedelicatebeautyofMissFairlie’scomplexion，thetransparentclearnessofhereyes，thesmoothpurityofherskin，thetenderbloomofcolouronherlips，wereallmissingfromthewornwearyfacethatwasnowturnedtowardsmine。AlthoughIhatedmyselfevenforthinkingsuchathing，still，whileIlookedatthewomanbeforeme，theideawouldforceitselfintomymindthatonesadchange，inthefuture，wasallthatwaswantingtomakethelikenesscomplete，whichInowsawtobesoimperfectindetail。IfeversorrowandsufferingsettheirprofaningmarksontheyouthandbeautyofMissFairlie’sface，then，andthenonly，AnneCatherickandshewouldbethetwin-sistersofchanceresemblance，thelivingreflectionsofoneanother。

Ishudderedatthethought。Merewassomethinghorribleintheblindunreasoningdistrustofthefuturewhichthemerepassageofitthroughmymindseemedtoimply。ItwasawelcomeinterruptiontoberousedbyfeelingAnneCatherick’shandlaidonmyshoulder。Thetouchwasasstealthyandassuddenasthatothertouchwhichhadpetrifiedmefromheadtofootonthenightwhenwefirstmet。

`Youarelookingatme，andyouarethinkingofsomething，’shesaid，withherstrangebreathlessrapidityofutterance。`Whatisit？’

`Nothingextraordinary，’Ianswered。`Iwasonlywonderinghowyoucamehere。’

`Icamewithafriendwhoisverygoodtome。Ihaveonlybeenheretwodays。’

`Andyoufoundyourwaytothisplaceyesterday？’

`Howdoyouknowthat？’

`Ionlyguessedit。’

Sheturnedfromme，andkneltdownbeforetheinscriptiononcemore。

`WhereshouldIgoifnothere？’shesaid。`ThefriendwhowasbetterthanamothertomeistheonlyfriendIhavetovisitatLimmeridge。Oh，itmakesmyheartachetoseeastainonhertomb！Itoughttobekeptwhiteassnow，forhersake。Iwastemptedtobegincleaningityesterday，andIcan’thelpcomingbacktogoonwithittoday。Isthereanythingwronginthat？Ihopenot。SurelynothingcanbewrongthatIdoforMrsFairlie’ssake？’

Theoldgratefulsenseofherbenefactress’skindnesswasevidentlytherulingideastillinthePoorcreature’smind——thenarrowmindwhichhadbuttooplainlyopenedtonootherlastingimpressionsincethatfirstimpressionofheryoungerandhappierdays。Isawthatmybestchanceofwinningherconfidencelayinencouraginghertoproceedwiththeartlessemploymentwhichshehadcomeintotheburial-groundtopursue。Sheresumeditatonce，onmytellinghershemightdoso，touchingthehardmarbleastenderlyasifithadbeenasentientthing，andwhisperingthewordsoftheinscriptiontoherself，overandoveragain，asifthelostdaysofhergirlhoodhadreturnedandshewaspatientlylearningherlessononcemoreatMrsFairlie’sknees。

`Shouldyouwonderverymuch，’Isaid，preparingthewayascautiouslyasIcouldforthequestionsthatweretocome，`ifIownedthatitisasatisfactiontome，aswellasasurprise，toseeyouhere？Ifeltveryuneasyaboutyouafteryouleftmeinthecab。’

Shelookedupquicklyandsuspiciously。

`Uneasy，’sherepeated。`Why？’

`Astrangethinghappenedafterwepartedthatnight。Twomenovertookmeinachaise。TheydidnotseewhereIwasstanding，buttheystoppednearme，andspoketoapolicemanontheothersideoftheway。’

Sheinstantlysuspendedheremployment。Thehandholdingthedampclothwithwhichshehadbeencleaningtheinscriptiondroppedtoherside。Theotherhandgraspedthemarblecrossattheheadofthegrave。Herfaceturnedtowardsmeslowly，withtheblanklookofterrorsetrigidlyonitoncemore。Iwentonatallhazards——itwastoolatenowtodrawback。

`Thetwomenspoketothepoliceman，’Isaid，`andaskedhimifhehadseenyou。Hehadnotseenyou；andthenoneofthemenspokeagain，andsaidyouhadescapedfromhisAsylum。’

Shesprangtoherfeetasifmylastwordshadsetthepursuersonhertrack。

`Stop！andheartheend，’Icried。`Stop！andyoushallknowhowIbefriendedyou。Awordfrommewouldhavetoldthemenwhichwayyouhadgone——andIneverspokethatword。Ihelpedyourescape——Imadeitsafeandcertain。Think，trytothink。TrytounderstandwhatItellyou。’

Mymannerseemedtoinfluencehermorethanmywords。Shemadeanefforttograspthenewidea。Herhandsshiftedthedampclothhesitatinglyfromonetotheother，exactlyastheyhadshiftedthelittletravelling-bagonthenightwhenIfirstsawher。Slowlythepurposeofmywordsseemedtoforceitswaythroughtheconfusionandagitationofhermind。Slowlyherfeaturesrelaxed，andhereyeslookedatmewiththeirexpressiongainingincuriositywhatitwasfastlosinginfear。

`Youdon’tthinkIoughttobebackintheAsylum，doyou？’shesaid。

`Certainlynot。Iamgladyouescapedfromit——IamgladIhelpedyou。’

`Yes，yes，youdidhelpmeindeed；youhelpedmeatthehardpart，’shewentonalittlevacantly。`Itwaseasytoescape，orlshouldnothavegotaway。Theyneversuspectedmeastheysuspectedtheothers。Iwassoquiet，andsoobedient，andsoeasilyfrightened。ThefindingLondonwasthehardpart，andthereyouhelpedme。DidIthankyouatthetime？Ithankyounowverykindly。’

`WastheAsylumfarfromwhereyoumetme？Come！showthatyoubelievemetobeyourfriend，andtellmewhereitwas。’

Shementionedtheplace——aprivateAsylum，asitssituationinformedme；aprivateAsylumnotveryfarfromthespotwhereIhadseenher——andthen，withevidentsuspicionoftheusetowhichImightputheranswer，anxiouslyrepeatedherformerinquiry，`Youdon’tthinkIoughttobetakenback，doyou？’

`Onceagain，Iamgladyouescaped——Iamgladyouprosperedwellafteryouleftme，’Ianswered。`YousaidyouhadafriendinLondontogoto。ridyoufindthefriend？’

`Yes。Itwasverylate，buttherewasagirlupatneedleworkinthehouse，andshehelpedmetorouseMrsClements。MrsClementsismyfriend。Agood，kindwoman，butnotlikeMrsFairlie。Ahno，nobodyislikeMrsFairlie！’

`IsMrsClementsanoldfriendofyours？Haveyouknownheralongtime？’

`Yes，shewasaneighbourofoursonce，athome，inHampshire，andlikedme，andtookcareofmewhenIwasalittlegirl。Yearsago。whenshewentawayfromus，shewrotedowninmyPrayer-hookformewhereshewasgoingtoliveinLondon，andshesaid，``Ifyouareeverintrouble，Anne，cometome。Ihavenohusbandalivetosaymenay，andnochildrentolookafter，andIwilltakecareofyou。’’Kindwords，weretheynot？IsupposeIrememberthembecausetheywerekind。It’slittleenoughIrememberbesides——littleenough，littleenough！’

`Hadyounofatherormothertotakecareofyou？’

`Father？——Ineversawhim——Ineverheardmotherspeakofhim。father？Ah，dear！heisdead，Isuppose。’

`Andyourmother？’

`Idon’tgetonwellwithher。Weareatroubleandafeartoeachother。’

Atroubleandafeartoeachother！Atthosewordsthesuspicioncrossedmymind，forthefirsttime，thathermothermightbethepersonwhohadplacedherunderrestraint。

`Don’taskmeaboutmother，’shewenton。`I’drathertalkofMrsClements。MrsClementsislikeyou，shedoesn’tthinkthatIoughttobebackintheAsylum，andsheisasgladasyouarethatIescapedfromit。Shecriedovermymisfortune，andsaiditmustbekeptsecretfromeverybody。’

Her`misfortune。’Inwhatsensewassheusingthatword？Inasensewhichmightexplainhermotiveinwritingtheanonymousletter？Inasensewhichmightshowittobethetoocommonandtoocustomarymotivethathasledmanyawomantointerposeanonymoushindrancestothemarriageofthemanwhohasruinedher？Iresolvedtoattempttheclearingupofthisdoubtbeforemorewordspassedbetweenusoneitherside。

`Whatmisfortune？’Iasked。

`Themisfortuneofmybeingshutup，’sheanswered，witheveryappearanceoffeelingsurprisedatmyquestion。`Whatothermisfortunecouldtherebe？’

Ideterminedtopersist，asdelicatelyandforbearinglyaspossible。ItwasofverygreatimportancethatIshouldbeabsolutelysureofeverystepintheinvestigationwhichInowgainedinadvance。

`Thereisanothermisfortune，’Isaid，`towhichawomanmaybeliable，andbywhichshemaysufferlifelongsorrowandshame。’

`Whatisit？’sheaskedeagerly。

`Themisfortuneofbelievingtooinnocentlyinherownvirtue，andinthefaithandhonourofthemansheloves，’Ianswered。

Shelookedupatmewiththeartlessbewildermentofachild。Nottheslightestconfusionorchangeofcolour——notthefaintesttraceofanysecretconsciousnessofshamestrugglingtothesurfaceappearedinherface——thatfacewhichbetrayedeveryotheremotionwithsuchtransparentclearness。Nowordsthateverwerespokencouldhaveassuredme，asherlookandmannernowassuredme，thatthemotivewhichIhadassignedforherwritingtheletterandsendingittoMissFairliewasplainlyanddistinctlythewrongone。Thatdoubt，atanyrate，wasnowsetatrest；buttheveryremovalofitopenedanewprospectofuncertainty。Theletter，asIknewfrompositivetestimony，pointedatSirPercivalGlyde，thoughitdidnotnamehim。Shemusthavehadsomestrongmotive，originatinginsomedeepsenseofinjury，forsecretlydenouncinghimtoMissFairlieinsuchtermsasshehademployed，andthatmotivewasunquestionablynottobetracedtothelossofherinnocenceandhercharacter。Whateverwronghemighthaveinflictedonherwasnotofthatnature。Ofwhatnaturecoulditbe？

`Idon’tunderstandyou，’shesaid，afterevidentlytryinghard，andtryinginvain，todiscoverthemeaningofthewordsIhadlastsaidtoher。

`Nevermind，’Ianswered。`Letusgoonwithwhatweweretalkingabout。TellmehowlongyoustayedwithMrsClementsinLondon，andhowyoucamehere。’

`Howlong？’sherepeated。`IstayedwithMrsClementstillwebothcametothisplace，twodaysago。’

`Youarelivinginthevillage，then？’Isaid。`ItisstrangeIshouldnothaveheardofyou，thoughyouhaveonlybeenheretwodays。’

`No，no，notinthevillage。Threemilesawayatafarm。Doyouknowthefarm？TheycallitTodd’sCorner。’

Irememberedtheplaceperfectly——wehadoftenpassedbyitinourdrives。Itwasoneoftheoldestfarmsintheneighbourhood，situatedinasolitary，shelteredspot，inlandatthejunctionoftwohills。

`TheyarerelationsofMrsClementsatTodd’sCorner，’shewenton，`andtheyhadoftenaskedhertogoandseethem。Shesaidshewouldgo，andtakemewithher，forthequietandthefreshair。Itwasverykind，wasitnot？Iwouldhavegoneanywheretobequiet，andsafe，andoutoftheway。ButwhenIheardthatTodd’sComerwasnearLimmeridge——ohIIwassohappyIwouldhavewalkedallthewaybarefoottogetthere，andseetheschoolsandthevillageandLimmeridgeHouseagain。TheyareverygoodpeopleatTodd’sCorner。IhopeIshallstaytherealongtime。ThereisonlyonethingIdon’tlikeaboutthem，anddon’tlikeaboutMrsClements——’

`Whatisit？’

`Theywillteasemeaboutdressingallinwhite——theysayitlookssoparticular。Howdotheyknow？MrsFairlieknewbest。MrsFairliewouldneverhavemademewearthisuglybluecloakIAhIshewasfondofwhiteinherlifetime，andhereiswhitestoneabouthergrave——andIammakingitwhiterforhersake。Sheoftenworewhiteherself，andshealwaysdressedherlittledaughterinwhite。IsMissFairliewellandhappy？Doesshewearwhitenow，assheusedwhenshewasagirl？’

HervoicesankwhenshePutthequestionsaboutMissFairlie，andsheturnedherheadfartherandfartherawayfromme。IthoughtIdetected，inthealterationofhermanner，anuneasyconsciousnessoftheriskshehadruninsendingtheanonymousletter，andIinstantlydeterminedsotoframemyanswerastosurpriseherintoowningit。

`MissFairliewasnotverywellorveryhappythismorning，’Isaid。

Shemurmuredafewwords，buttheywerespokensoconfusedly，andinsuchalowtone，thatIcouldnotevenguessatwhattheymeant。

`DidyouaskmewhyMissFairliewasneitherwellnorhappythismorning？’Icontinued。

`No，’shesaidquicklyandeagerly——`ohno，Ineveraskedthat。’

`Iwilltellyouwithoutyourasking，’Iwenton。`MissFairliehasreceivedyourletter。’

Shehadbeendownonherkneesforsomelittletimepast，carefullyremovingthelastweather-stainsleftabouttheinscriptionwhilewewerespeakingtogether。ThefistsentenceofthewordsIhadjustaddressedtohermadeherpauseinheroccupation，andturnslowlywithoutrisingfromherknees，soastofaceme。Thesecondsentenceliterallypetrifiedher。Theclothshehadbeenholdingdroppedfromherhands——herlipsfellapart——allthelittlecolourthattherewasnaturallyinherfaceleftitinaninstant。

`Howdoyouknow？shesaidfaintly。`Whoshowedittoyou？’Thebloodrushedbackintoherface——rushedoverwhelmingly，asthesenserusheduponhermindthatherownwordshadbetrayedher。Shestruckherhandstogetherindespair。`Ineverwroteit，’shegaspedaffrightedly；`Iknownothingaboutit！’

`Yes，’Isaid，`youwroteit，andyouknowaboutit。Itwaswrongtosendsuchaletter，itwaswrongtofrightenMissFairlie。Ifyouhadanythingtosaythatitwasrightandnecessaryforhertohear，youshouldhavegoneyourselftoLimmeridgeHouse——youshouldhavespokentotheyoungladywithyourownlips。’

Shecroucheddownovertheflatstoneofthegave，tillherfacewashiddenonit，andmadenoreply。

`MissFairliewillbeasgoodandkindtoyouashermotherwas，ifyoumeanwell，’Iwenton。`MissFairliewillkeepyoursecret，andnotletyoucometoanyharm。Willyouseehertomorrowatthefarm？WillyoumeetherinthegardenatLimmeridgeHouse？’

`Oh，ifIcoulddie，andbehiddenandatrestwithyou！’Herlipsmurmuredthewordscloseonthegrave-stone，murmuredthemintonesofpassionateendearment，tothedeadremainsbeneath。`YouknowhowIloveyourchild，foryoursake！Oh，MrsFairlie！MrsFairlie！tellmehowtosaveher。Bemydarlingandmymotheroncemore，andtellmewhattodoforthebest。’

Iheardherlipskissingthestone——Isawherhandsbeatingonitpassionately。Thesoundandthesightdeeplyaffectedme。Istoopeddown，andtookthepoorhelplesshandstenderlyinmine，andtriedtosootheher。

Itwasuseless。Shesnatchedherhandsfromme，andnevermovedherfacefromthestone。Seeingtheurgentnecessityofquietingheratanyhazardandbyanymeans，Iappealedtotheonlyanxietythatsheappearedtofeel，inconnectionwithmeandwithmyopinionofher——theanxietytoconvincemeofherfitnesstobemistressofherownactions。

`Come，come，’Isaidgently。`Trytocomposeyourself，oryouwillmakemealtermyopinionofyou。Don’tletmethinkthatthepersonwhoputyouintheAsylummighthavehadsomeexcuse——’

Thenextwordsdiedawayonmylips。TheinstantIriskedthatchancereferencetothepersonwhohadputherintheAsylumshespranguponherknees。Amostextraordinaryandstartlingchangepassedoverher。Herface，atallordinarytimessotouchingtolookat，initsnervoussensitiveness，weakness，anduncertainty，becamesuddenlydarkenedbyanexpressionofmaniacallyintensehatredandfear，whichcommunicatedawild，unnaturalforcetoeveryfeature。Hereyesdilatedinthedimeveninglight，liketheeyesofawildanimal。Shecaughtupthecloththathadfallenatherside，asifithadbeenalivingcreaturethatshecouldkill，andcrusheditinbothherhandswithsuchconvulsivestrength，thatthefewdropsofmoistureleftinittrickleddownonthestonebeneathher。

`Talkofsomethingelse，’shesaid，whisperingthroughherteeth。`Ishalllosemyselfifyoutalkofthat。’

EveryvestigeofthegentlerthoughtswhichhadWedhermindhardlyaminutesinceseemedtobesweptfromitnow。ItwasevidentthattheimpressionleftbyMrsFairlie’skindnesswasnot，asIhadsupposed，theonlystrongimpressiononhermemory。Withthegratefulremembranceofherschool-daysatLimmeridge，thereexistedthevindictiveremembranceofthewronginflictedonherbyherconfinementintheAsylum。Whohaddonethatwrong？Coulditreallybehermother？

Itwashardtogiveuppursuingtheinquirytothatfinalpoint，butIforcedmyselftoabandonallideaofcontinuingit。SeeingherasIsawhernow，itwouldhavebeencrueltothinkofanythingbutthenecessityandthehumanityofrestoringhercomposure。

`Iwilltalkofnothingtodistressyou，’Isaidsoothingly。

`Youwantsomething，’sheansweredsharplyandsuspiciously。`Don’tlookatmelikethat。Speaktome——tellmewhatyouwant。’

`Ionlywantyoutoquietyourself，adwhenyouarecalmer，tothinkoverwhatIhavesaid。’

`Said？’Shepaused——twistedtheclothinherhands，backwardsandforwards，andwhisperedtoherself，`Whatisithesaid？’Sheturnedagaintowardsme，andshookherheadimpatiently，`Whydon’tyouhelpme？’sheasked，withangrysuddenness。

`Yes，yes，’Isaid，`Iwillhelpyou，andyouwillsoonremember。IaskedyoutoseeMissFairlietomorrow，andtotellherthetruthabouttheletter。’

`Ah！MissFairlie——Fairlie——Fairlie——’

Themereutteranceofthelovedfamiliarnameseemedtoquiether。Herfacesoftenedandgrewlikeitselfagain。

`YouneedhavenofearofMissFairlie，’Icontinued，`andnofearofgettingintotroublethroughtheletter。Sheknowssomuchaboutitalready，thatyouwillhavenodifficultintellingherall。Therecanbelittlenecessityforconcealmentwherethereishardlyanythinglefttoconceal。Youmentionnonamesintheletter；butMissFairlieknowsthatthepersonyouwriteofisSirPercivalGlyde——’

TheinstantIpronouncedthatnameshestartedtoherfeet，andascreamburstfromherthatrangthroughthechurchyard，andmademyheartleapinmewiththeterrorofit。Thedarkdeformityoftheexpressionwhichhadjustleftherfaceloweredonitoncemore，withdoubledandtrebledintensity。Theshriekatthename，thereiteratedlookofhatredandfearthatinstantlyfollowed，toldall。Notevenalastdoubtnowremained。HermotherwasguiltlessofimprisoningherintheAsylum。Amanhadshutherup——andthatmanwasSirPercivalGlyde。

Thescreamhadreachedotherearsthanmine。OnonesideIheardthedoorofthesexton’scottageopen；ontheotherIheardthevoiceofhercompanion，thewomanintheshawl，thewomanwhomshehadspokenofasMrsClements。

`I’mcoming！I’mcoming！’criedthevoicefrombehindtheclumpofdwarftrees。

InamomentmoreMrsClementshurriedintoview。

`Whoareyou？’shecried，facingmeresolutelyasshesetherfootonthestile。`Howdareyoufrightenapoorhelplesswomanlikethat？’

ShewasatAnneCatherick’sside，andhadputonearmaroundher，beforeIcouldanswer。`Whatisit，mydear？’shesaid。`Whathashedonetoyou？’

`Nothing，’thepoorcreatureanswered。`Nothing。I’monlyfrightened。’

MrsClementsturnedonmewithafearlessindignation，forwhichIrespectedher。

`IshouldbeheartilyashamedofmyselfifIdeservedthatangrylook，’Isaid。`ButIdonotdeserveit。Ihaveunfortunatelystartledherwithoutintendingit。Thisisnotthefirsttimeshehasseenme。Askheryourself，andshewilltellyouthatIamincapableofwillinglyharmingheroranywoman。’

Ispokedistinctly，sothatAnneCatherickmighthearandunderstandme，andIsawthatthewordsandtheirmeaninghadreachedher。

`Yes，yes，’shesaid——`hewasgoodtomeonce——hehelpedme——’Shewhisperedtherestintoherfriend’sear。

`Strange，indeed！’saidMrsClements，withalookofperplexity。`Itmakesallthedifference，though。I’msorryIspokesoroughtoyou，sir；butyoumustownthatappearanceslookedsuspicioustoastranger。It’smoremyfaultthanyours，forhumouringherwhims，andlettingherbealoneinsuchaplaceasthis。Come，mydear——comehomenow。’

Ithoughtthegoodwomanlookedalittleuneasyattheprospectofthewalkback，andIofferedtogowiththemuntiltheywerebothwithinsightofhome。MrsClementsthankedmecivilly，anddeclined。Shesaidtheyweresuretomeetsomeofthefarm-labourersassoonastheygottothemoor。

`Trytoforgiveme，’Isaid，whenAnneCathericktookherfriend’sarmtogoaway。InnocentasIhadbeenofanyintentiontoterrifyandagitateher，myheartsmotemeasIlookedatthepoor，pale，frightenedface。

`Iwilltry，’sheanswered。`Butyouknowtoomuch——I’mafraidyou’llalwaysfrightenmenow。’

MrsClementsglancedatme，andshookherheadpityingly。

`Good-night，sir，’shesaid。`Youcouldn’thelpit，Iknow；butIwishitwasmeyouhadfrightened，andnother。’

Theymovedawayafewsteps。Ithoughttheyhadleftme，butAnnesuddenlystopped，andseparatedherselffromherfriend。

`Waitalittle，’shesaid。`Imustsaygood-bye。’

Shereturnedtothegrave，restedbothhandstenderlyonthemarblecross，andkissedit。

`I’mbetternow，’shesighed，lookingupatmequietly。`Iforgiveyou。’

Shejoinedhercompanionagain，andtheylefttheburial-ground。Isawthemstopnearthechurchandspeaktothesexton’swife，whohadcomefromthecottage，andhadwaited，watchingusfromadistance。Thentheywentonagainupthepaththatledtothemoor。IlookedafterAnneCatherickasshedisappeared，tillalltraceofherhadfadedinthetwilight——lookedasanxiouslyandsorrowfullyasifthatwasthelastIwastoseeinthiswearyworldofthewomaninwhite。