第8章

June17th——Justasmyhandwasonthedoorofmyroom，IheardSirPercival’svoicecallingtomefrombelow。

`Imustbegyoutocomedownstairsagain，’hesaid。`ItisFosco’sfault，MissHalcombe，notmine。Hehasstartedsomenonsensicalobjectiontohiswifebeingoneofthewitnesses，andhasobligedmetoaskyoutojoinusinthelibrary。’

IenteredtheroomimmediatelywithSirPercival。Laurawaswaitingbythewriting-table，twistingandturninghergardenhatuneasilyinherhands。MadameFoscosatnearher，inanarm-chair，imperturbablyadmiringherhusband，whostoodbyhimselfattheotherendofthelibrary，pickingoffthedeadleavesfromtheflowersinthewindow。

ThemomentIappearedtheCountadvancedtomeetme，andtoofferhisexplanations。

`Athousandpardons，MissHalcombe，’hesaid。`YouknowthecharacterwhichisgiventomycountrymenbytheEnglish？WeItaliansareallwilyandsuspiciousbynature，intheestimationofthegoodJohnBull。Setmedown，ifyouplease，asbeingnotbetterthantherestofmyrace。IamawilyItalianandasuspiciousItalian。Youhavethoughtsoyourself，dearlady，haveyounot？Well！itispartofmywilinessandpartofmysuspiciontoobjecttoMadameFoscobeingawitnesstoLadyGlyde’ssignature，whenIamalsoawitnessmyself。’

`Thereisnottheshadowofareasonforhisobjection，’interposedSirPercival。`IhaveexplainedtohimthatthelawofEnglandallowsMadameFoscotowitnessasignatureaswellasherhusband。’

`Iadmitit，’resumedtheCount。`ThelawofEnglandsays，Yes，buttheconscienceofFoscosays，No。’Hespreadouthisfatfingersonthebosomofhisblouse，andbowedsolemnly，asifhewishedtointroducehisconsciencetousall，inthecharacterofanillustriousadditiontothesociety。`WhatthisdocumentwhichLadyGlydeisabouttosignmaybe，’hecontinued，`Ineitherknownordesiretoknow。Ionlysaythis，circumstancesmayhappeninthefuturewhichmayobligePercival，orhisrepresentatives，toappealtothetwowitnesses，inwhichcaseitiscertainlydesirablethatthosewitnessesshouldrepresenttwoopinionswhichareperfectlyindependenttheoneoftheother。Thiscannotbeifmywifesignsaswellasmyself，becausewehavebutoneopinionbetweenus，andthatopinionismine。Iwillnothaveitcastinmyteeth，atsomefutureclay，thatMadameFoscoactedundermycoercin，andwas，inplainfact，nowitnessatall。IspeakinPercival’sinterest，whenIproposethatmynameshallappear(asthenearestfriendofthehusband)，andyourname，MissHalcombe(asthenearestfriendofthewife)。IamaJesuit，ifyoupleasetothinkso——asplitterofstraws——amanoftriflesandcrochetsandscruples——butyouwillhumourme。Ihope，inmercifulconsiderationformysuspiciousItaliancharacter，andmyuneasyItalianconscience。’Hebowedagain，steppedbackafewpaces，andwithdrewhisconsciencefromoursocietyaspolitelyashehadintroducedit。

TheCount’sscruplesmighthavebeenhonourableandreasonableenough，buttherewassomethinginhismannerofexpressingthemwhichincreasedmyunwillingnesstobeconcernedinthebusinessofthesignature。NoconsiderationoflessimportancethanmyconsiderationforLaurawouldhaveinducedmetoconsenttobeawitnessatall。Onelook，however，atheranxiousfacedecidedmetoriskanythingratherthandeserther。

`Iwillreadilyremainintheroom，’Isaid。`AndifIfindnoreasonforstartinganysmallscruplesonmyside，youmayrelyonmeasawitness。’

SirPercivallookedatmesharply，asifhewasabouttosaysomething。Butatthesamemoment，MadameFoscoattractedhisattentionbyrisingfromherchair。Shehadcaughtherhusband’seye，andhadevidentlyreceivedherorderstoleavetheroom。

`Youneedn’tgo，’saidSirPercivaL

MadameFoscolookedforherordersagain，gotthemagain，saidshewouldpreferleavingustoourbusiness，andresolutelywalkedout。TheCountlitacigarette，wentbacktotheflowersinthewindow，andpuffedlittlejetsofsmokeattheleaves，inastateofthedeepestanxietyaboutkillingtheinsects。

MeanwhileSirPercivalunlockedacupboardbeneathoneofthebook-cases，andproducedfromitapieceofparchment，foldedlongwise，manytimesover。Heplaceditonthetable，openedthelastfoldonly，andkepthishandontherest。Thelastfolddisplayedastripofblankparchmentwithlittlewafersstuckonitatcertainplaces。Everylineofthewritingwashiddeninthepartwhichhestillheldfoldedupunderhishand。LauraandIlookedateachother。Herfacewaspale，butitshowednoindecisionandnofear。

SirPercivaldippedapeninink，andhandedittohiswife。

`Signyournamethere，’hesaid，pointingtotheplace。`YouandFoscoaretosignafterwards，MissHalcombe，oppositethosetwowafers。Comehere，Fosco！witnessingasignatureisnottobedonebymooningoutofwindowandsmokingintotheflowers。’

TheCountthrewawayhiscigarette，andjoinedusatthetable，withhishandscarelesslythrustintothescarletbeltofhisblouse，andhiseyessteadilyfixedonSirPercival’sface。Laura，whowasontheothersideofherhusband，withthepeninherhand，lookedathimtoo。Hestoodbetweenthem，holdingthefoldedparchmentdownfirmlyonthetable，andglancingacrossatme，asIsatoppositetohim，withsuchasinistermixtureofsuspicionandembarrassmentonhisface，thathelookedmorelikeaprisoneratthebarthanagentlemaninhisownhouse。

`Signthere，’herepeated，turningsuddenlyonLaura，andpointingoncemoretotheplaceontheparchment。

`WhatisitIamtosign？’sheaskedquietly。

`Ihavenotimetoexplain，’heanswered。`Thedog-cartisatthedoor，andImustgodirectly。Besides，ifIhadtime，youwouldn’tunderstand。Itisapurelyformaldocument，fulloflegaltechnicalities，andallthatsortofthing。Come！comeIsignyourname，andletushavedoneassoonaspossible。’

`IoughtsurelytoknowwhatIamsigning，SirPercival，beforeIwritemyname？’

`Nonsense！Whathavewomentodowithbusiness？Itellyouagain，youcan’tunderstandit。’

`Atanyrate，letmetrytounderstandit。WheneverMrGilmorehadanybusinessformetodo，healwaysexplaineditfirst，andIalwaysunderstoodhim。’

`ldaresayhedid。Hewasyourservant，andwasobligedtoexplain。Iamyourhusband，andamnotobliged。Howmuchlongerdoyoumeantokeepmehere？Itellyouagain，thereisnotimeforreadinganything——thedog-cartiswaitingatthedoor。Onceforall，willyousignorwillyounot？’

Shestillhadthepeninherhand，butshemadenoapproachtosigninghernamewithit。

`Ifmysignaturepledgesmetoanything，’shesaid，`surelyIhavesomeclaimtoknowwhatthatpledgeis？’

Helifteduptheparchment，andstruckitangrilyonthetable。

`Speakout！’hesaid。`Youwerealwaysfamousfortellingthetruth。NevermindMissHalcombe，nevermindFosco——say，inplainterms，youdistrustme。’

TheCounttookoneofhishandsoutofhisbeltandlaiditonSirPercival’sshoulder。SirPercivalshookitoffirritably。TheCountputitonagainwithunruffledcomposure。

`Controlyourunfortunatetemper，Percival，’hesaid。`LadyGlydeisright。’

`Right！’criedSirPercival。`Awiferightindistrustingherhusband！’

`Itisunjustandcrueltoaccusemeofdistrustingyou，’saidLaura。`AskMarianifIamnotjustifiedinwantingtoknowwhatthiswritingrequiresofmebeforeIsignit。’

`lwon’thaveanyappealsmadetoMissHalcombe，’retortedSirPercival。`MissHalcombehasnothingtodowiththematter。’

Ihadnotspokenhitherto，andIwouldmuchrathernothavespokennow。ButtheexpressionofdistressinLaura’sfacewhensheturnedittowardsme，andtheinsolentinjusticeofherhusband’sconduct，leftmenootheralternativethantogivemyopinion，forhersake，assoonasIwasaskedforit。

`Excuseme，SirPercival，’Isaid——`butasoneofthewitnessestothesignature，IventuretothinkthatIhavesomethingtodowiththematter。Laura’sobjectionseemstomeaperfectlyfairone，andspeakingformyselfonly，Icannotassumetheresponsibilityofwitnessinghersignature，unlessshefirstunderstandswhatthewritingiswhichyouwishhertosign。’

`Acooldeclaration，uponmysoul！’criedSirPercival。`Thenexttimeyouinviteyourselftoaman’shouse，MissHalcombe，Irecommendyounottorepayhishospitalitybytakinghiswife’ssideagainsthiminamatterthatdoesn’tconcernyou。’

Istartedtomyfeetassuddenlyasifhehadstruckme。IfIhadbeenaman，Iwouldhaveknockedhimdownonthethresholdofhisowndoor，andhavelefthishouse，neveronanyearthlyconsiderationtoenteritagain。ButIwasonlyawoman——andIlovedhiswifesodearly！

ThankGod，thatfaithfullovehelpedme，andIsatdownagainwithoutsayingaword。SheknewwhatIhadsufferedandwhatIhadsuppressed。Sheranroundtome，withthetearsstreamingfromhereyes。`Oh，Marian！’shewhisperedsoftly。`Ifmymotherhadbeenalive，shecouldhavedonenomoreforme。

`Comebackandsign！’criedSirPercivalfromtheothersideofthetable。

`ShallI？’sheaskedinmyear；`Iwill，ifyoutellme。’

`No，’Ianswered。`Therightandthetrutharewithyou——signnothing，unlessyouhavereaditfirst。’

`Comebackandsign！’hereiterated，inhisloudestandangriesttones。

TheCount，whohadwatchedLauraandmewithacloseandsilentattention，interposedforthesecondtime。

`Percival！’hesaid。`IrememberthatIaminthepresenceofladies。Begoodenough，ifyouplease，torememberittoo。’

SirPercivalturnedonhimspeechlesswithpassion。TheCount’sfirmhandslowlytighteneditsgrasponhisshoulder，andtheCount’ssteadyvoicequietlyrepeated，`Begoodenough，ifyouplease，torememberittoo。’

Theybothlookedateachother。SirPercivalslowlydrewhisshoulderfromundertheCount’shand，slowlyturnedhisfaceawayfromtheCount’seyes，doggedlylookeddownforalittlewhileattheparchmentonthetable，andthenspoke，withthesullensubmissionofatamedanimal，ratherthanthebecomingresignationofaconvincedman。

`Idon’twanttooffendanybody，’hesaid，`butmywife’sobstinacyisenoughtotrythepatienceofasaint。Ihavetoldherthisismerelyaformaldocument——andwhatmorecanshewant？Youmaysaywhatyouplease，butitisnopartofawoman’sdutytosetherhusbandatdefiance。Oncemore，LadyGlyde。andforthelasttime，willyousignorwillyounot？’

Laurareturnedtohissideofthetable，andtookupthepenagain。

`Iwillsignwithpleasure，’shesaid，`ifyouwillonlytreatmeasaresponsiblebeing。Icarelittlewhatsacrificeisrequiredofme，ifitwillaffectnooneelse，andleadtonoillresults——’

`Whotalkedofasacrificebeingrequiredofyou？’hebrokein，withahalf-suppressedreturnofhisformerviolence。

`Ionlymeant，’sheresumed，`thatIwouldrefusenoconcessionwhichIcouldhonourablymake。IfIhaveascrupleaboutsigningmynametoanengagementofwhichIknownothing，whyshouldyouvisititonmesoseverely？Itisratherhard，Ithink，totreatCountFosco’sscruplessomuchmoreindulgentlythanyouhavetreatedmine。’

Thisunfortunate，yetmostnatural，referencetotheCount’sextraordinarypoweroverherhusband，indirectasitwas，setSirPercival’ssmoulderingtemperonfireagaininaninstant。

`Scruples！’herepeated。`Yourscruples！Itisratherlateinthedayforyoutobescrupulous。Ishouldhavethoughtyouhadgotoverallweaknessofthatsort，whenyoumadeavirtueofnecessitybymarryingme。’

Theinstanthespokethosewords，Laurathrewdownthepen——lookedathimwithanexpressioninhereyeswhich，throughoutallmyexperienceofher，Ihadneverseeninthembefore，andturnedherbackonhimindeadsilence。

Thisstrongexpressionofthemostopenandthemostbittercontemptwassoentirelyunlikeherself，soutterlyoutofhercharacter，thatitsilencedusall。Therewassomethinghidden，beyondadoubt，underthemeresurface-brutalityofthewordswhichherhusbandhadjustaddressedtoher。Therewassomelurkinginsultbeneaththem，ofwhichIwaswhollyignorant，butwhichhadleftthemarkofitsprofanationsoplainlyonherfacethatevenastrangermighthaveseenit。

TheCount，whowasnostranger，sawitasdistinctlyasIdid。WhenIleftmychairtojoinLaura，IheardhimwhisperunderhisbreathtoSirPercival，`Youidiot！’

LaurawalkedbeforemetothedoorasIadvanced，andatthesametimeherhusbandspoketoheroncemore。

`Youpositivelyrefuse，then，togivemeyoursignature？’hesaid，inthealteredtoneofamanwhowasconsciousthathehadlethisownlicenceoflanguageseriouslyinjurehim。

`Afterwhatyouhavejustsaidtome，’sherepliedfirmly，`IrefusemysignatureuntilIhavereadeverylineinthatparchmentfromthefirstwordtothelast。Comeaway，Marian，wehaveremainedherelongenough。’

`Onemoment！’interposedtheCountbeforeSirPercivalcouldspeakagain——`onemoment，LadyGlyde，Iimploreyou！’

Laurawouldhavelefttheroomwithoutnoticinghim，butIstoppedher。

`Don’tmakeanenemyoftheCount！’Iwhispered。`Whateveryoudo，don’tmakeanenemyoftheCount！’

Sheyieldedtome。Iclosedthedooragain，andwestoodnearitwaiting。SirPercivalsatdownatthetable，withhiselbowonthefoldedparchment，andhisheadrestingonhisclenchedfist。TheCountstoodbetweenus——masterofthedreadfulpositioninwhichwewereplaced，ashewasmasterofeverythingelse。

`LadyGlyde，’hesaid，withagentlenesswhichseemedtoaddressitselftoourforlornsituationinsteadoftoourselves，`praypardonmeifIventuretoofferonesuggestion，andpraybelievethatIspeakoutofmyprofoundrespectandmyfriendlyregardforthemistressofthishouse。’HeturnedsharplytowardsSirPercival。`Isitabsolutelynecessary，’heasked，`thatthisthinghere，underyourelbow，shouldbesignedtoday？’

`Itisnecessarytomyplansandwishes，’returnedtheothersulkily。`Butthatconsideration，asyoumayhavenoticed，hasnoinfluencewithLadyGlyde。’

`Answermyplainquestionplainly。Canthebusinessofthesignaturebeputofftilltomorrow——YesorNo？’

`Yes，ifyouwillhaveitso。’

`Thenwhatareyouwastingyourtimeforhere？Letthesignaturewaittilltomorrow——letitwaittillyoucomeback。’

SirPercivallookedupwithafrownandanoath。

`YouaretakingatonewithmethatIdon’tlike，’hesaid。`AtoneIwon’tbearfromanyman。’

`Iamadvisingyouforyourgood，’returnedtheCount，withasmileofquietcontempt。`Giveyourselftime——giveLadyGlydetime。Haveyouforgottenthatyourdog-cartiswaitingatthedoor？Mytonesurprisesyou——ha？Idaresayitdoes——itisthetoneofamanwhocankeephistemper。HowmanydosesofgoodadvicehaveIgivenyouinmytime？Morethanyoucancount。HaveIeverbeenwrong？Idefyyoutoquotemeaninstanceofit。Go！takeyourdrive。Thematterofthesignaturecanwaittilltomorrow。Letitwait——andrenewitwhenyoucomeback。’

SirPercivalhesitatedandlookedathiswatch。Hisanxietyaboutthesecretjourneywhichhewastotakethatday，revivedbytheCount’swords，wasnowevidentlydisputingpossessionofhismindwithhisanxietytoobtainLaura’ssignature。Heconsideredforalittlewhile，andthengotupfromhischair。

`Itiseasytoarguemedown，’hesaid，`whenIhavenotimetoansweryou。Iwilltakeyouradvice，Fosco——notbecauseIwantit，orbelieveinit，butbecauseIcan’tstophereanylonger。’Hepaused，andlookedrounddarklyathiswife。`Ifyoudon’tgivemeyoursignaturewhenIcomebacktomorrow——！’Therestwaslostinthenoiseofhisopeningthebook-casecupboardagain，andlockinguptheparchmentoncemore。Hetookhishatandglovesoffthetable，andmadeforthedoor。LauraandIdrewbacktolethimpass。`Remembertomorrow！’hesaidtohiswife，andwentout。

Wewaitedtogivehimtimetocrossthehallanddriveaway。TheCountapproacheduswhilewewerestandingnearthedoor。

`YouhavejustseenPercivalathisworst，MissHalcombe，’hesaid。`Ashisoldfriend，Iamsorryforhimandashamedofhim。Ashisoldfriend，Ipromiseyouthatheshallnotbreakouttomorrowinthesamedisgracefulmannerinwhichhehasbrokenouttoday。’

Laurahadtakenmyarmwhilehewasspeaking，andshepresseditsignificantlywhenhehaddone。Itwouldhavebeenahardtrialtoanywomantostandbyandseetheofficeofapologistforherhusband’smisconductquietlyassumedbyhismalefriendinherownhouse——anditwasatrialtoher。IthankedtheCountcivilly，andledherout。Yes！Ithankedhim:forIfeltalready，withasenseofinexpressiblehelplessnessandhumiliation，thatitwaseitherhisinterestorhiscapricetomakesureofmycontinuingtoresideatBlackwaterPark，andIknewafterSirPercival’sconducttome，thatwithoutthesupportoftheCount’sinfluence，Icouldnothopetoremainthere。Hisinfluence，theinfluenceofallothersthatIdreadedmost，wasactuallytheonetiewhichnowheldmetoLaurainthehourofherutmostneed！

Weheardthewheelsofthedog-cartcrashingonthegravelofthedriveaswecameintothehall。SirPercivalhadstartedonhisjourney。

`Whereishegoingto，Marian？’Laurawhispered。`Everyfreshthinghedoesseemstoterrifymeaboutthefuture。Haveyouanysuspicions？’

Afterwhatshehadundergonethatmorning，Iwasunwillingtotellhermysuspicions。

`HowshouldIknowhissecrets？’Isaidevasively。

`Iwonderifthehousekeeperknows？’shepersisted。

`Certainlynot，’Ireplied。`Shemustbequiteasignorantasweare。’

Laurashookherheaddoubtfully。

`DidyounothearfromthehousekeeperthattherewasareportofAnneCatherickhavingbeenseeninthisneighbourhood？Don’tyouthinkhemayhavegoneawaytolookforher？’

`Iwouldrathercomposemyself，Laura，bynotthinkingaboutitatall，andafterwhathashappened，youhadbetterfollowmyexample。Comeintomyroom，andrestandquietyourselfalittle。’

Wesatdowntogetherclosetothewindow，andletthefragrantsummerairbreatheoverourfaces。

`Iamashamedtolookatyou，Marian，’shesaid，`afterwhatyousubmittedtodownstairs，formysake。Oh，myownlove，IamalmostheartbrokenwhenIthinkofit！ButIwilltrytomakeituptoyou——Iwillindeed！’

`Hush！hush！’Ireplied；`don’ttalkso。Whatisthetriflingmortificationofmypridecomparedtothedreadfulsacrificeofyourhappiness？’

`Youheardwhathesaidtome？’shewentonquicklyandvehemently。`Youheardthewords——butyoudon’tknowwhattheymeant——youdon’tknowwhyIthrewdownthepenandturnedmybackonhim。’Sheroseinsuddenagitation，andwalkedabouttheroom。`Ihavekeptmanythingsfromyourknowledge，Marian，forfearofdistressingyou，andmakingyouunhappyattheoutsetofournewlives。Youdon’tknowhowhehasusedme。Andyetyououghttoknow，foryousawhowheusedmetoday。Youheardhimsneeratmypresumingtobescrupulous——youheardhimsayIhadmadeavirtueofnecessityinmarryinghim。’Shesatdownagain，herfaceflusheddeeply，andherhandstwistedandtwinedtogetherinherlap。`Ican’ttellyouaboutitnow，’shesaid；`IshallburstoutcryingifItellyounow——later，Marian，whenIammoresureofmyself。Mypoorheadaches，darling——aches，aches，aches。Whereisyoursmelling-bottle？Letmetalktoyouaboutyourself。IwishIhadgivenhimmysignature，foryoursake。ShallIgiveittohimtomorrow？Iwouldrathercompromisemyselfthancompromiseyou。Afteryourtakingmypartagainsthim，hewilllayalltheblameonyouifIrefuseagain。Whatshallwedo？Oh，forafriendtohelpusandadviseus！——afriendwecouldreallytrust！’

Shesighedbitterly。IsawinherfacethatshewasthinkingofHartright——sawitthemoreplainlybecauseherlastwordssetmethinkingofhimtoo。Insixmonthsonlyfromhermarriagewewantedthefaithfulservicehehadofferedtousinhisfarewellwords。HowlittleIoncethoughtthatweshouldeverwantitatall！

`Wemustdowhatwecantohelpourselves，’Isaid。`Letustrytotalkitovercalmly，Laura——letusdoallinourpowertodecideforthebest。’

Puttingwhatsheknewofherhusband’sembarrassmentsandwhatIhadheardofhisconversationwiththelawyertogether，wearrivednecessarilyattheconclusionthattheparchmentinthelibraryhadbeendrawnupforthepurposeofborrowingmoney，andthatLaura’ssignaturewasabsolutelynecessarytofititfortheattainmentofSirPercival’sobject。

Thesecondquestion，concerningthenatureofthelegalcontractbywhichthemoneywastobeobtained，andthedegreeofpersonalresponsibilitytowhichLauramightsubjectherselfifshesigneditinthedark，involvedconsiderationswhichlayfarbeyondanyknowledgeandexperiencethateitherofuspossessed。Myownconvictionsledmetobelievethatthehiddencontentsoftheparchmentconcealedatransactionofthemeanestandthemostfraudulentkind。

IhadnotformedthisconclusioninconsequenceofSirPercival’srefusaltoshowthewritingortoexplainit，forthatrefusalmightwellhaveproceededfromhisobstinatedispositionandhisdomineeringtemperalone。MysolemotivefordistrustinghishonestysprangfromthechangewhichIhadobservedinhislanguageandhismannersatBlackwaterpark，achangewhichconvincedmethathehadbeenactingapartthroughoutthewholeperiodofhisprobationatLimmeridgeHouse。Hiselaboratedelicacy，hisceremoniouspoliteness，whichharmonisedsoagreeablywithMrGilmore’sold-fashionednotions，hismodestywithLaura，hiscandourwithme，hismoderationwithMrFairlie——alltheseweretheartificesofamean，cunning，andbrutalman，whohaddroppedhisdisguisewhenhispractisedduplicityhadgaineditsend，andhadopenlyshownhimselfinthelibraryonthatveryday。IsaynothingofthegriefwhichthisdiscoverycausedmeonLaura’saccount，foritisnottobeexpressedbyanywordsofmine。Ionlyrefertoitatall，becauseitdecidedmetoopposehersigningtheparchment，whatevertheconsequencesmightbe，unlessshewasfirstmadeacquaintedwiththecontents。

Underthesecircumstances，theonechanceforuswhentomorrowcamewastobeprovidedwithanobjectiontogivingthesignature，whichmightrestonsufficientlyfirmcommercialorlegalgroundstoshakeSirPercival’sresolution，andtomakehimsuspectthatwetwowomenunderstoodthelawsandobligationsofbusinessaswellashimself。

Aftersomepondering，Ideterminedtowritetotheonlyhonestmanwithinreachwhomwecouldtrusttohelpusdiscreetlyinourforlornsituation。ThatmanwasMrGilmore’spartner，MrKyrle，whoconductedthebusinessnowthatouroldfriendhadbeenobligedtowithdrawfromit，andtoleaveLondononaccountofhishealth。IexplainedtoLaurathatIhadMrGilmore’sownauthorityforplacingimplicitconfidenceinhispartner’sintegrity，discretion，andaccurateknowledgeofallheraffairs，andwithherfullapprovalIsatdownatoncetowritetheletter。

IbeganbystatingourpositiontoMrKyrleexactlyasitwas，andthenaskedforhisadviceinreturn，expressedinplain，downrighttermswhichwecouldcomprehendwithoutanydangerofmisinterpretationsandmistakes。MyletterwasasshortasIcouldpossiblymakeit，andwas，Ihope，unencumberedbyneedlessapologiesandneedlessdetails。

JustasIwasabouttoputtheaddressontheenvelopeanobstaclewasdiscoveredbyLaura，whichintheeffortandpreoccupationofwritinghadescapedmymindaltogether。

`Howarewetogettheanswerintime？’sheasked。`YourletterwillnotbedeliveredinLondonbeforetomorrowmorningandthepostwillnotbringthereplyheretillthemorningafter。’

Theonlywayofovercomingthisdifficultywastohavetheanswerbroughttousfromthelawyer’sofficebyaspecialmessenger。Iwroteapostscripttothateffect，beggingthatthemessengermightbedespatchedwiththereplybytheeleveno’clockmorningtrain，whichwouldbringhimtoourstationattwentyminutespastone，andsoenablehimtoreachBlackwaterParkbytwoo’clockatthelatest。Hewastobedirectedtoaskforme，toanswernoquestionsaddressedtohimbyanyoneelse，andtodeliverhisletterintonohandsbutmine。

`IncaseSirPercivalshouldcomebacktomorrowbeforetwoo’clock，’IsaidtoLaura，`thewisestplanforyoutoadoptistobeoutinthegroundsallthemorningwithyourbookoryourwork，andnottoappearatthehousetillthemessengerhashadtimetoarrivewiththeletter。Iwillwaithereforhimallthemorning，toguardagainstanymisadventuresormistakes。ByfollowingthisarrangementIhopeandbelieveweshallavoidbeingtakenbysurprise。Letusgodowntothedrawing-roomnow。Wemayexcitesuspicionifweremainshutuptogethertoolong。’

`Suspicion？’sherepeated。`Whosesuspicioncanweexcite，nowthatSirPercivalhasleftthehouse？DoyoumeanCountFosco？’

`PerhapsIdo，Laura。’

`YouarebeginningtodislikehimasmuchasIdo，Marian。’

`No，nottodislikehim。Dislikeisalwaysmoreorlessassociatedwithcontempt——IcanseenothingintheCounttodespise。’

`Youarenotafraidofhim，areyou？’

`PerhapsIam——alittle。’

`Afraidofhim，afterhisinterferenceinourfavourtoday！’

`Yes。IammoreafraidofhisinterferencethanIamofSirPercival’sviolence。RememberwhatIsaidtoyouinthelibrary。Whateveryoudo，Laura，don’tmakeanenemyoftheCount！’

Wewentdownstairs。Lauraenteredthedrawing-room，whileIproceededacrossthehall，withmyletterinmyhand，toputitintothepost-bag，17whichhungagainstthewalloppositetome。

Thehousedoorwasopen，andasIcrossedpastit，IsawCountFoscoandhiswifestandingtalkingtogetheronthestepsoutside，withtheirfacesturnedtowardsme。

TheCountesscameintothehallratherhastily，andaskedifIhadleisureenoughforfiveminutes’privateconversation。Feelingalittlesurprisedbysuchanappealfromsuchaperson，Iputmyletterintothebag，andrepliedthatIwasquiteatherdisposal。Shetookmyarmwithunaccustomedfriendlinessandfamiliarity，andinsteadofleadingmeintoanemptyroom，drewmeoutwithhertothebeltofturfwhichsurroundedthelargefish-pond。

AswepassedtheCountonthestepshebowedandsmiled，andthenwentatonceintothehouse，pushingthehalldoortoafterhim，butnotactuallyclosingit。

TheCountesswalkedmegentlyroundthefish-pond。Iexpectedtobemadethedepositaryofsomeextraordinaryconfidence，andIwasastonishedtofindthatMadameFosco’scommunicationformyprivateearwasnothingmorethanapoliteassuranceofhersympathyforme，afterwhathadhappenedinthelibrary。Herhusbandhadtoldherofallthathadpassed，andoftheinsolentmannerinwhichSirPercivalhadspokentome。Thisinformationhadsoshockedanddistressedher，onmyaccountandonLaura’s，thatshehadmadeuphermind，ifanythingofthesorthappenedagain，tomarkhersenseofSirPercival’soutrageousconductbyleavingthehouse。TheCounthadapprovedofheridea，andshenowhopedthatIapprovedofittoo。

IthoughtthisaverystrangeproceedingonthepartofsucharemarkablyreservedwomanasMadameFosco，especiallyaftertheinterchangeofsharpspeecheswhichhadpassedbetweenusduringtheconversationintheboat-houseonthatverymorning。However，itwasmyplaindutytomeetapoliteandfriendlyadvanceonthepartofoneofmyelderswithapoliteandfriendlyreply。IansweredtheCountessaccordinglyinherowntone，andthen，thinkingwehadsaidallthatwasnecessaryoneitherside，madeanattempttogetbacktothehouse。

ButMadameFoscoseemedresolvednottopartwithme，andtomyunspeakableamazement，resolvedalsototalk。Hithertothemostsilentofwomen，shenowpersecutedmewithfluentconventionalitiesonthesubjectofmarriedlife，onthesubjectofSirPercivalandLaura，onthesubjectofherownhappiness，onthesubjectofthelateMrFairlie’sconducttoherinthematterofherlegacy，andonhalfadozenothersubjectsbesides，untilshehaddetainedmewalkingroundandroundthefishpondformorethanhalfanhour，andhadquiteweariedmeout。Whethershediscoveredthisornot，Icannotsay，butshestoppedasabruptlyasshehadbegun——lookedtowardsthehousedoor，resumedhericymannerinamoment，anddroppedmyarmofherownaccordbeforeIcouldthinkofanexcuseforaccomplishingmyownreleasefromher。

AsIpushedopenthedoorandenteredthehall，IfoundmyselfsuddenlyfacetofacewiththeCountagain。Hewasjustputtingaletterintothepost-bag。

Afterhehaddroppeditinandhadclosedthebag，heaskedwhereIhadleftMadameFosco。Itoldhim，andhewentoutatthehalldoorimmediatelytojoinhiswife。HismannerwhenhespoketomewassounusuallyquietandsubduedthatIturnedandlookedafterhim，wonderingifhewereilloroutofspirits。

Whymynextproceedingwastogostraightuptothepost-bagandtakeoutmyownletterandlookatitagain，withavaguedistrustonme，andwhythelookingatitforthesecondtimeinstantlysuggestedtheideatomymindofsealingtheenvelopeforitsgreatersecurity——aremysterieswhichareeithertoodeeportooshallowformetofathom。Women，aseverybodyknows，constantlyactonimpulseswhichtheycannotexplaineventothemselves，andIcanonlysupposethatoneofthoseimpulseswasthehiddencauseofmyunaccountableconductonthisoccasion。

Whateverinfluenceanimatedme，IfoundcausetocongratulatemyselfonhavingobeyeditassoonasIpreparedtosealtheletterinmyownroom。Ihadoriginallyclosedtheenvelopeintheusualwaybymoisteningtheadhesivepointandpressingitonthepaperbeneath，andwhenInowtrieditwithmyfinger，afteralapseoffullthree-quartersofanhour，theenvelopeopenedontheinstant，withoutstickingortearing。PerhapsIhadfasteneditinsufficiently？Perhapstheremighthavebeensomedefectintheadhesivegum？

Or，perhaps——No！itisquiterevoltingenoughtofeelthatthirdconjecturestirringinmymind。Iwouldrathernotseeitconfrontingmeinplainblackandwhite。

Ialmostdreadtomorrow——somuchdependsonmydiscretionandself-control。Therearetwoprecautions，atallevents，whichIamsurenottoforget。ImustbecarefultokeepupfriendlyappearanceswiththeCount，andImustbewellonmyguardwhenthemessengerfromtheofficecomesherewiththeanswertomyletter。

June17th——Whenthedinnerhourbroughtustogetheragain，CountFoscowasinhisusualexcellentspirits。Heexertedhimselftointerestandamuseus，asifhewasdeterminedtoeffacefromourmemoriesallrecollectionofwhathadpassedinthelibrarythatafternoon。Livelydescriptionsofhisadventuresintravelling，amusinganecdotesofremarkablepeoplewhomhehadmetwithabroad，quaintcomparisonsbetweenthesocialcustomsofvariousnations，illustratedbyexamplesdrawnfrommenandwomenindiscriminatelyalloverEurope，humorousconfessionsoftheinnocentfolliesofhisownearlylife，whenheruledthefashionsofasecond-rateItaliantown，andwrotepreposterousromancesontheFrenchmodelforasecond-rateItaliannewspaper——allflowedinsuccessionsoeasilyandsogailyfromhislips，andalladdressedourvariouscuriositiesandvariousinterestssodirectlyandsodelicately，thatLauraandIlistenedtohimwithasmuchattentionand，inconsistentasitmayseem，with，asmuchadmirationalso，asMadameFoscoherself。Womencanresistaman’slove，aman’sfame，amanspersonalappearance，andaman’smoney，buttheycannotresistaman’stonguewhenheknowshowtotalktothem。

Afterdinner，whilethefavourableimpressionwhichhehadproducedonuswasstillvividinourminds，theCountmodestlywithdrewtoreadinthelibrary。

Lauraproposedastrollinthegroundstoenjoythecloseofthelongevening。Itwasnecessaryir。commonpolitenesstoaskMadameFoscotojoinus，butthistimeshehadapparentlyreceivedherordersbeforehand，andshebeggedwewouldkindlyexcuseher。`TheCountwillprobablywantafreshsupplyofcigarettes，’sheremarkedbywayofapology，`andnobodycanmakethemtohissatisfactionbutmyself。’Hercoldblueeyesalmostwarmedasshespokethewords——shelookedactuallyproudofbeingtheofficiatingmediumthroughwhichherlordandmastercomposedhimselfwithtobacco-smoke！

LauraandIwentouttogetheralone。

Itwasamisty，heavyevening。Therewasasenseofblightintheair；theflowersweredroopinginthegarden，andthegroundwasparchedanddewless。Thewesternheaven，aswesawitoverthequiettrees，wasofapaleyellowhue，andthesunwassettingfaintlyinahaze。Comingrainseemednear——itwouldfallprobablywiththefallofnight。

`Whichwayshallwego？’Iasked。

`Towardsthelake，Marian，ifyoulike，’sheanswered。

`Youseemunaccountablyfond，Laura，ofthatdismallake。’

`No，notofthelakebutofthesceneryaboutit。Thesandandheathandthefir-treesaretheonlyobjectsIcandiscover，inallthislargeplace，toremindmeofLimmeridge。Butwewillwalkinsomeotherdirectionifyoupreferit。’

`IhavenofavouritewalksatBlackwaterPark，mylove。Oneisthesameasanothertome。Letusgotothelake——wemayfinditcoolerintheopenspacethanwefindithere。’

Wewalkedthroughtheshadowyplantationinsilence。Theheavinessintheeveningairoppressedusboth，andwhenwereachedtheboat-houseweweregladtositdownandrestinside。

Awhitefoghunglowoverthelake。Thedensebrownlineofthetreesontheoppositebankappearedaboveit，likeadwarfforestfloatinginthesky。Thesandyground，shelvingdownwardfromwherewesat，waslostmysteriouslyintheoutwardlayersofthefog。Thesilencewashorrible。Norustlingoftheleaves——nobird’snoteinthewood——nocryofwater-fowlfromthepoolsofthehiddenlake。Eventhecroakingofthefrogshadceasedtonight

`Itisverydesolateandgloomy，’saidLaura。`Butwecanbemorealoneherethananywhereelse。’

Shespokequietlyandlookedatthewildernessofsandandmistwithsteady，thoughtfuleyes。Icouldseethathermindwastoomuchoccupiedtofeelthedrearyimpressionsfromwithoutwhichhadfastenedthemselvesalreadyonmine。

`Ipromised，Marian，totellyouthetruthaboutmymarriedlife，insteadofleavingyouanylongertoguessitforyourself，’shebegan。`ThatsecretisthefirstIhaveeverhadfromyou，love，andIamdetermineditshallbethelast。Iwassilent，asyouknow，foryoursake——andperhapsalittleformyownsakeaswell。Itisveryhardforawomantoconfessthatthemantowhomshehasgivenherwholelifeisthemanofallotherswhocaresleastforthegift。Ifyouweremarriedyourself，Marian——andespeciallyifyouwerehappilymarried——youwouldfeelformeasnosinglewomancanfeel，howeverkindandtrueshemaybe。’

WhatanswercouldImake？Icouldonlytakeherhandandlookatherwithmywholeheartaswellasmyeyeswouldletme。

`Howoften，’shewenton，`Ihaveheardyoulaughingoverwhatyouusedtocallyour``poverty！’’howoftenyouhavemadememock-speechesofcongratulationonmywealth！Oh，Marian，neverlaughagain。ThankGodforyourpoverty——ithasmadeyouyourownmistress，andhassavedyoufromthelotthathasfallenonme。’

Asadbeginningonthelipsofayoungwife！——sadinitsquiet，plain-spokentruth。ThefewdayswehadallpassedtogetheratBlackwaterParkhadbeenmanyenoughtoshowme——toshowanyone——whatherhusbandhadmarriedherfor。

`Youshallnotbedistressed，’shesaid，`byhearinghowsoonmydisappointmentsandmytrialsbegan——orevenbyknowingwhattheywere。Itisbadenoughtohavethemonmymemory。IfItellyouhowhereceivedthefirstandlastattemptatremonstrancethatIevermade，youwillknowhowhehasalwaystreatedme，aswellasifIhaddescribeditinsomanywords。ItwasonedayatRomewhenwehadriddenouttogethertothetombofCeciliaMetella。Theskywascalmandlovely，andthegrandoldruinlookedbeautiful，andtheremembrancethatahusband’slovehadraiseditintheoldtimetoawife’smemory，mademefeelmoretenderlyandmoreanxiouslytowardsmyhusbandthanIhadeverfeltyet。``Wouldyoubuildsuchatombforme，Percival？’’Iaskedhim。``Yousaidyoulovedmedearlybeforeweweremarried，andyet，sincethattime——’’Icouldgetnofarther。Marian！hewasnotevenlookingatme！Ipulleddownmyveil，thinkingitbestnottolethimseethatthetearswereinmyeyes。Ifanciedhehadnotpaidanyattentiontome，buthehad。Hesaid，``Comeaway，’’andlaughedtohimselfashehelpedmeontomyhorse。Hemountedhisownhorseandlaughedagainaswerodeaway。``IfIdobuildyouatomb，’’hesaid，``itwillbedonewithyourownmoney。IwonderwhetherCeciliaMetellahadafortuneandpaidforhers。’’Imadenoreply——howcouldI，whenIwascryingbehindmyveil？``Ah，youlight-complexionedwomenareallsulky，’’hesaid。``Whatdoyouwant？complimentsandsoftspeeches？Well！I’minagoodhumourthismorning。Considerthecomplimentspaidandthespeechessaid。’’Menlittleknowwhentheysayhardthingstoushowwellwerememberthem，andhowmuchharmtheydous。ItwouldhavebeenbetterformeifIhadgoneoncrying，buthiscontemptdriedupmytearsandhardenedmyheart-Fromthattime，Marian，InevercheckedmyselfagaininthinkingofWalterHartright。Iletthememoryofthosehappydays，whenweweresofondofeachotherinsecret，comebackandcomfortme。WhatelsehadItolooktoforconsolation？Ifwehadbeentogetheryouwouldhavehelpedmetobetterthings。Iknowitwaswrong，darling，buttellmeifIwaswrongwithoutanyexcuse。’

Iwasobligedtoturnmyfacefromher。`Don’taskme！’Isaid。`HaveIsufferedasyouhavesuffered？WhatrighthaveItodecide？’

`Iusedtothinkofhim，’shepursued，droppinghervoiceandmovingclosertome，`IusedtothinkofhimwhenPercivalleftmealoneatnighttogoamongtheOperapeople。IusedtofancywhatImighthavebeenifithadpleasedGodtoblessmewithpoverty，andifIhadbeenhiswife。Iusedtoseemyselfinmyneatcheapgown，sittingathomeandwaitingforhimwhilehewasearningourbread——sittingathomeandworkingforhimandlovinghimallthebetterbecauseIhadtoworkforhim——seeinghimcomeintiredandtakingoffhishatandcoatforhim，and，Marian，pleasinghimwithlittledishesatdinnerthatlhadlearnttomakeforhissake。Oh！IhopeheisneverlonelyenoughandsadenoughtothinkofmeandseemeasIhavethoughtofhimandseehim！’

Asshesaidthosemelancholywords，allthelosttendernessreturnedtohervoice。andallthelostbeautytrembledbackintoherface。Hereyesrestedaslovinglyontheblighted，solitary，ill-omenedviewbeforeus，asiftheysawthefriendlyhillsofCumberlandinthedimandthreateningsky。

`Don’tspeakofWalteranymore，’Isaid，assoonasIcouldcontrolmyself。`Oh，Laura，spareusboththewretchednessoftalkingofhimnow！’

Sherousedherself，andlookedatmetenderly。

`Iwouldratherbesilentabouthimforever，’sheanswered，`thancauseyouamoment’spain。’

`Itisinyourinterests，’Ipleaded；`itisforyoursakethatIspeak。Ifyourhusbandheardyou——’

`Itwouldnotsurprisehimifhedidhearme。’

Shemadethatstrangereplywithawearycalmnessandcoldness-Thechangeinhermanner，whenshegavetheanswer，startledmealmostasmuchastheansweritself。

`Notsurprisehim！’Irepeated。`Laura！rememberwhatyouaresaying——youfrightenme！’

`Itistrue，’shesaid；`itiswhatIwantedtotellyoutoday，whenweweretalkinginyourroom。MyonlysecretwhenIopenedmyhearttohimatLimmeridgewasaharmlesssecret，Marian——yousaidsoyourself。ThenamewasallIkeptfromhim，andhehasdiscoveredit。’

Iheardher，butIcouldsaynothing。Herlastwordshadkilledthelittlehopethatstilllivedinme。

`IthappenedatRome，’shewenton，aswearilycalmandcoldasever。`WewereatalittlepartygiventotheEnglishbysomefriendsofSirPercival’s——MrandMrsMarkland。MrsMarklandhadthereputationofsketchingverybeautifully，andsomeoftheguestsprevailedonhertoshowusherdrawings。Wealladmiredthem，butsomethingIsaidattractedherattentionparticularlytome。``Surelyyoudrawyourself？’’sheasked。``Iusedtodrawalittleonce，’’Ianswered，``butIhavegivenitup。’’``Ifyouhaveoncedrawn，’’shesaid，``youmaytaketoitagainoneofthesedays，andifyoudo，Iwishyouwouldletmerecommendyouamaster。’’Isaidnothing——youknowwhy，Marian——andtriedtochangetheconversation。ButMrsMarklandpersisted。``lhavehadallsortsofteachers，’’shewenton，``butthebestofall，themostintelligentandthemostattentive，waMrHartright。Ifyouevertakeupyourdrawingagain，doyhimasamaster。Heisayoungman——modestandgentlemanlike——Iamsureyouwilllikehim。’’Thinkofthosewordsbeingspokentomepublicly，inthepresenceofstrangers——strangerswhohadbeeninvitedtomeetthebrideandbridegroom！IdidallIcouldtocontrolmyself——Isaidnothing，andlookeddowncloseatthedrawings。WhenIventuredtoraisemyheadagain，myeyesandmyhusband’seyesmet，andIknew，byhislook，thatmyfacehadbetrayedme。``WewillseeaboutMrHartright，’’hesaid，lookingatmeallthetime，``whenwegetbacktoEngland。Iagreewithyou，MrsMarkland——IthinkLadyGlydeissuretolikehim。’’Helaidanemphasisonthelastwordswhichmademycheeksburn，andsetmyheartbeatingasifitwouldstifleme。Nothingmorewassaid。Wecameawayearly。Hewassilentinthecarriagedrivingbacktothehotel。Hehelpedmeout，andfollowedmeupstairsasusual。Butthemomentwewereinthedrawing-room，helockedthedoor，pushedmedownintoachair，andstoodovermewithhishandsonmyshoulders。``EversincethatmorningwhenyoumadeyouraudaciousconfessiontomeatLimmeridge，’’hesaid，``Ihavewantedtofindouttheman，andIfoundhiminyourfacetonight。Yourdrawing-masterwastheman，andhisnameisHartright。Youshallrepentit，andheshallrepentit，tothelasthourofyourlives。Nowgotobedanddreamofhimifyoulike，withthemarksofmyhorsewhiponhisshoulders。’’WheneverheisangrywithmenowhereferstowhatIacknowledgedtohiminyourpresencewithasneerorathreat。IhavenopowertopreventhimfromputtinghisownhorribleconstructionontheconfidenceIplacedinhim。Ihavenoinfluencetomakehimbelieveme，ortokeephimsilent。YoulookedsurprisedtodaywhenyouheardhimtellmethatIhadmadeavirtueofnecessityinmarryinghim。Youwillnotbesurprisedagainwhenyouhearhimrepeatit，thenexttimeheisoutoftemper——OhMarian！don’t！don’t！youhurtme！’

Ihadcaughtherinmyarms，andthestingandtormentofmyremorsehadclosedthemroundherlikeavice。Yes！myremorse。ThewhitedespairofWalter’sface，whenmycruelwordsstruckhimtotheheartinthesummer-houseatLimmeridge，rosebeforemeinmute，unendurablereproach。Myhandhadpointedthewaywhichledthemanmysisterloved，stepbystep，farfromhiscountryandhisfriends。BetweenthosetwoyoungheartsIhadstood，tosunderthemforever，theonefromtheother，andhislifeandherlifelaywastedbeforemealikeinwitnessofthedeed。Ihaddonethis，anddoneitforSirPercivalGlyde。

ForSirPercivalGlyde。

Iheardherspeaking，andIknewbythetoneofhervoicethatshewascomfortingme——I，whodeservednothingbutthereproachofhersilence！HowlongitwasbeforeImasteredtheabsorbingmiseryofmyownthoughts，Icannottell。Iwasfirstconsciousthatshewaskissingme，andthenmyeyesseemedtowakeonasuddentotheirsenseofoutwardthings，andIknewthatIwaslookingmechanicallystraightbeforemeattheprospectofthelake。

`Itislate，’Iheardherwhisper。`Itwillbedarkintheplantation。’Sheshookmyarmandrepeated，`Marian！itwillbedarkintheplantation。’

`Givemeaminutelonger，’Isaid——`aminute，togetbetterin。’

Iwasafraidtotrustmyselftolookatheryet，andIkeptmyeyesfixedontheview。

Itwaslate。Thedensebrownlineoftreesintheskyhadfadedinthegatheringdarknesstothefaintresemblanceofalongwreathofsmoke。Themistoverthelakebelowhadstealthilyenlarged，andadvancedonus。Thesilencewasasbreathlessasever，butthehorrorofithadgone，andthesolemnmysteryofitsstillnesswasallthatremained。

`Wearefarfromthehouse，’shewhispered。`Letusgohack。’

Shestoppedsuddenly，andturnedherfacefrommetowardstheentranceoftheboat-house。

`Marian！’shesaid，tremblingviolently。`Doyouseenothing？took！’

`Where？’

`Downthere，belowus。’

Shepointed。Myeyesfollowedherhand，andIsawittoo。

Alivingfigurewasmovingoverthewasteofheathinthedistance。Itcrossedourrangeofviewfromtheboat-house，andpasseddarklyalongtheouteredgeofthemist。Itstoppedfaroff，infrontofus——waited——andpassedon；movingslowly，withthewhitecloudofmistbehinditandaboveit——slowly，slowly，tillitglidedbytheedgeoftheboat-house，andwesawitnomore。

Wewerebothunnervedbywhathadpassedbetweenusthatevening。SomeminuteselapsedbeforeLaurawouldventureintotheplantation，andbeforeIcouldmakeupmymindtoleadherbacktothehouse。

`Wasitamanorawoman？’sheaskedinawhisper，aswemovedatlastintothedarkdampnessoftheouterair。

`Iamnotcertain。’

`Whichdoyouthink？’

`Itlookedlikeawoman。’

`Iwasafraiditwasamaninalongcloak。’

`Itmaybeaman。Inthisdimlightitisnotpossibletobecertain。’

`Wait，Marian！I’mfrightened——Idon’tseethepath。Supposethefigureshouldfollowus？’

`Notatalllikely，Laura。Thereisreallynothingtobealarmedabout。Theshoresofthelakearenotfarfromthevillage，andtheyarefreetoanyonetowalkonbydayornight。Itisonlywonderfulwehaveseennolivingcreaturetherebefore。’

Wewerenowintheplantation。Itwasverydark——sodark，thatwefoundsomedifficultyinkeepingthepath。IgaveLauramyarm，andwewalkedasfastaswecouldonourwayback。

Beforewewerehalf-waythroughshestopped，andforcedmetostopwithher。Shewaslistening。

`Hush，’shewhispered。`Ihearsomethingbehindus。’

`Deadleaves，’Isaidtocheerher，`oratwigblownoffthetrees。’

`Itissummertime，Marian，andthereisnotabreathofwind。Listen！’

Iheardthesoundtoo——asoundlikealightfootstepfollowingus。

`Nomatterwhoitis，orwhatitis，’Isaid，`letuswalkon。Inanotherminute，ifthereisanythingtoalarmus，weshallbenearenoughtothehousetobeheard。’

Wewentonquickly——soquickly，thatLaurawasbreathlessbythetimewewerenearlythoughtheplantation，andwithinsightofthelightedwindows。

Iwaitedamomenttogiveherbreathing-time。Justaswewereabouttoproceedshestoppedmeagain，andsignedtomewithherhandtolistenoncemore。Webothhearddistinctlyalong，heavysighbehindus，intheblackdepthsofthetrees。

`Who’sthere？’Icalledout。

Therewasnoanswer。

`Who’sthere？’Irepeated。

Aninstantofsilencefollowed，andthenweheardthelightfallofthefootstepsagain，fainterandfainter——sinkingawayintothedarkness——sinking，sinking，sinking——tilltheywerelostinthesilence。

Wehurriedoutfromthetreestotheopenlawnbeyond，crosseditrapidly，andwithoutanotherwordpassingbetweenus，reachedthehouse。

Inthelightofthehall-lampLauralookedatme，withwhitecheeksandstartledeyes。

`Iamhalfdeadwithfear，’shesaid。`Whocouldithavebeen？’

`Wewilltrytoguesstomorrow，’Ireplied。`Inthemeantimesaynothingtoanyoneofwhatwehaveheardandseen。’

`Whynot？’

`Becausesilenceissafe，andwehaveneedofsafetyinthishouse。’

IsentLauraupstairsimmediately，waitedaminutetotakeoffmyhatandputmyhairsmooth，andthenwentatoncetomakemyfirstinvestigationsinthelibrary，onpretenceofsearchingforabook。

TheresattheCount，fillingoutthelargesteasy-chairinthehouse，smokingandreadingcalmly，withhisfeetonanottoman，hiscravatacrosshisknees，andhisshirtcollarwideopen。AndtheresatMadameFosco，likeaquietchild，onastoolbyhisside，makingcigarettes。Neitherhusbandnorwifecould，byanypossibility，havebeenoutlatethatevening，andhavejustgotbacktothehouseinahurry。IfeltthatmyobjectinvisitingthelibrarywasansweredthemomentIseteyesonthem。

CountFoscoroseinpoliteconfusionandtiedhiscravatonwhenIenteredtheroom。

`Praydon’tletmedisturbyou，’Isaid。`Ihaveonlycomeheretogetabook。’

`Allunfortunatemenofmysizesufferfromtheheat，’saidtheCount，refreshinghimselfgravelywithalargegreenfan。`IwishIcouldchangeplaceswithmyexcellentwife。Sheisascoolatthismomentasafishinthepondoutside。’

TheCountessallowedherselftothawundertheinfluenceofherhusband’squaintcomparison。Iamneverwarm，MissHalcombe，’sheremarked，withthemodestairofawomanwhowasconfessingtooneofherownmerits。

`HaveyouandLadyGlydebeenoutthisevening？’askedtheCount，whileIwastakingabookfromtheshelvestopreserveappearances。

`Yes，wewentouttogetalittleair。’

`MayIaskinwhatdirection？’

`Inthedirectionofthelake——asfarastheboat-house。’

`Aha？Asfarastheboat-house？’

UnderothercircumstancesImighthaveresentedhiscuriosity。ButtonightIhaileditasanotherproofthatneitherhenorhiswifewereconnectedwiththemysteriousappearanceatthelake。

`Nomoreadventures，IsupPose，thisevening？’hewenton。`Nomorediscoveries，likeyourdiscoveryofthewoundeddog？’

Hefixedhisunfathomablegreyeyesonme，withthatcold，clear，irresistibleglitterinthemwhichalwaysforcesmetolookathim，andalwaysmakesmeuneasywhileIdolook。Anunutterablesuspicionthathismindispryingintomineovercomesmeatthesetimes，anditovercamemenow。

`No，’Isaidshortly；`noadventures——nodiscoveries。’

Itriedtolookawayfromhimandleavetheroom。Strangeasitseems，IhardlythinkIshouldhavesucceededintheattemptifMadameFoscohadnothelpedmebycausinghimtomoveandlookawayfirst。

`Count，youarekeepingMissHalcombestanding，’shesaid。

Themomentheturnedroundtogetmeachair，Iseizedmyopportunity——thankedhim——mademyexcuses——andslippedout。

Anhourlater，whenLaura’smaidhappenedtobeinhermistress’sroom，Itookoccasiontorefertotheclosenessofthenight，withaviewtoascertainingnexthowtheservantshadbeenpassingtheirtime。

`Haveyoubeensufferingmuchfromtheheatdownstairs？’Iasked。

`No，miss，’saidthegirl，`wehavenotfeltittospeakof。’

`Youhavebeenoutinthewoodsthen，Isuppose？’

`Someofusthoughtofgoing，miss。Butcooksaidsheshouldtakeherchairintothecoolcourt-yard，outsidethekitchendoor，andonsecondthoughts，alltherestofustookourchairsouttheretoo。’

Thehousekeeperwasnowtheonlypersonwhoremainedtobeaccountedfor。

`IsMrsMichelsongonetobedyet？’Iinquired。

`Ishouldthisnot，miss，’saidthegirl，smiling。`MrsMichelsonismorelikelytobegettingupjustnowthangoingtobed。’

`Why？Whatdoyoumean？HasMrsMichelsonbeentakingtoherbedinthedaytime？’

`No，miss，notexactly，butthenextthingtoit。She’sbeenasleepalltheeveningonthesofainherownroom。’

PuttingtogetherwhatIobservedformyselfinthelibrary，andwhatIhavejustheardfromLaura’smaid，oneconclusionseemsinevitable。ThefigurewesawatthelakewasnotthefigureofMadameFosco，ofherhusband，orofanyoftheservants。Thefootstepsweheardbehinduswerenotthefootstepsofanyonebelongingtothehouse。

Whocouldithavebeen？

Itseemsuselesstoinquire。Icannotevendecidewhetherthefigurewasaman’sorawoman’s。IcanonlysaythatIthinkitwasawoman’s。

Chapter17

June18th——Themiseryofself-reproachwhichIsufferedyesterdayevening，onhearingwhatLauratoldmeintheboat-house，returnedinthelonelinessofthenight，andkeptmewakingandwretchedforhours。

Ilightedmycandleatlast，andsearchedthroughmyoldjournalstoseewhatmyshareinthefatalerrorofhermarriagehadreallybeen，andwhatImighthaveoncedonetosaveherfromit。Theresultsoothedmealittle——foritshowedthat，howeverblindlyandignorantlyIacted，Iactedforthebest。Cryinggenerallydoesmeharm；butitwasnotsolastnight——Ithinkitrelievedme。Irosethismorningwithasettledresolutionandaquietmind。NothingSirPercivalcansayordoshalleverirritatemeagain，ormakemeforgetforonemomentthatIamstayinghereindefianceofmortifications，insults，andthreats，forLaura’sserviceandforLaura’ssake。

Thespeculationsinwhichwemighthaveindulgedthismorning，onthesubjectofthefigureatthelakeandthefootstepsintheplantation，havebeenallsuspendedbyatriflingaccidentwhichhascausedLauragreatregret。ShehaslostthelittlebroochIgaveherforakeepsakeonthedaybeforehermarriage。Assheworeitwhenwewentoutyesterdayeveningwecanonlysupposethatitmusthavedroppedfromherdress，eitherintheboat-houseoronourwayback。Theservantshavebeensenttosearch，andhavereturnedunsuccessful。AndnowLauraherselfhasgonetolookforit。Whethershefindsitornotthelosswillhelptoexcuseherabsencefromthehouse，ifSirPercivalreturnsbeforetheletterfromMrGilmore’spartnerisplacedinmyhands。

Oneo’clockhasjuststruck。IamconsideringwhetherIhadbetterwaithereforthearrivalofthemessengerfromLondon，orslipawayquietly，andwatchforhimoutsidethelodgegate。

Mysuspicionofeverybodyandeverythinginthishouseinclinesmetothinkthatthesecondplanmaybethebest。TheCountissafeinthebreakfast-room。Iheardhim，throughthedoor，asIranupstairstenminutessince，exercisinghiscanary-birdsattheirtricks:——`Comeoutonmylittlefinger，mypret-pret-prettiesIComeout，andhopupstairsIOne，two，three——andup！Three，two，one——anddown！One，two，three——twit-twit-twit-tweet！’Thebirdsburstintotheirusualecstasyofsinging，andtheCountchirrupedandwhistledattheminreturn，asifhewasabirdhimself。Myroomdoorisopen，andIcanheartheshrillsingingandwhistlingatthisverymoment。IfIamreallytoslipoutwithoutbeingobserved，nowismytime。

Fouro’clock。ThethreehoursthathavepassedsinceImademylastentryhaveturnedthewholemarchofeventsatBlackwaterParkinanewdirection。Whetherforgoodorforevil，Icannotanddarenotdecide。

LetmegetbackfirsttotheplaceatwhichIleftoff，orIshalllosemyselfintheconfusionofmyownthoughts。

Iwentout，asIhadproposed，tomeetthemessengerwithmyletterfromLondonatthelodgegate。OnthestairsIsawnoone。InthehallIheardtheCountstillexercisinghisbirds。Butoncrossingthequadrangleoutside，IpassedMadameFosco，walkingbyherselfinherfavouritecircle，roundandroundthegreatfish-pond。Iatonceslackenedmypace，soastoavoidallappearanceofbeinginahurry，andevenwentthelength，forcaution’ssake，ofinquiringifshethoughtofgoingoutbeforelunch。Shesmiledatmeinthefriendliestmanner——saidshepreferredremainingnearthehouse，noddedpleasantly，andreenteredthehall。Ilookedback，andsawthatshehadclosedthedoorbeforeIhadopenedthewicketbythesideofthecarriagegates。

InlessthanaquarterofanhourIreachedthelodge。

Thelaneoutsidetookasuddenturntotheleft，ranonstraightforahundredyardsorso，andthentookanothersharpturntotherighttojointhehigh-road。Betweenthesetwoturns，hiddenfromthelodgeononeside，andfromthewaytothestationontheother，Iwaited，walkingbackwardsandforwards。Highhedgeswereoneithersideofme，andfortwentyminutes，bymywatch，Ineithersawnorheardanything。Attheendofthattimethesoundofacarriagecaughtmyear，andIwasmet，asIadvancedtowardsthesecondturning，byaflyfromtherailway。Imadeasigntothedrivertostop。Asheobeyedmearespectable-lookingmanputhisheadoutofthewindowtoseewhatwasthematter。

`Ibegyourpardon，’Isaid，`butamIrightinsupposingthatyouaregoingtoBlackwaterPark？’

`Yes，ma’am。’

`Withaletterforanyone？’

`WithaletterforMissHalcombe，ma’am。’

`Youmaygivemetheletter。IamMissHalcombe。

Themantouchedhishat，gotoutoftheflyimmediately，andgavemetheletter。

Iopeneditatonceandreadtheselines。Icopythemhere，thinkingitbesttodestroytheoriginalforcaution’ssake。

`DEARMADAM，——Yourletterreceivedthismorninghascausedmeverygreatanxiety。Iwillreplytoitasbrieflyandplainlyaspossible。

`Mycarefulconsiderationofthestatementmadebyyourself，andmyknowledgeofLadyGlyde’sposition，asdefinedinthesettlement，leadme，Iregrettosay，totheconclusionthataloanofthetrustmoneytoSirPercival(or，inotherwords，aloanofsomeportionofthetwentythousandpoundsofLadyGlyde’sfortune)isincontemplation，andthatsheismadeapartytothedeed，inordertosecureherapprovalofaflagrantbreachoftrust，andtohavehersignatureproducedagainstherifsheshouldcomplainhereafter。Itisimpossible，onanyothersupposition，toaccount，situatedassheis，forherexecutiontoadeedofanykindbeingwantedatall。

`IntheeventofLadyGlyde’ssigningsuchadocument，asIamcompelledtosupposethedeedinquestiontobe，hertrusteeswouldbeatlibertytoadvancemoneytoSirPercivaloutofhertwentythousandpounds。Iftheamountsolentshouldnotbepaidback，andifLadyGlydeshouldhavechildren，theirfortunewillthenbediminishedbythesum，largeorsmall，soadvanced。lnplainertermsstill，thetransaction，foranythingthatLadyGlydeknowstothecontrary，maybeafrauduponherunbornchildren。

`Undertheseseriouscircumstances，IwouldrecommendLadyGlydetoassignasareasonforwithholdinghersignature，thatshewishesthedeedtobefirstsubmittedtomyself，asherfamilysolicitor(intheabsenceofmypartner，SGilmore)。Noreasonableobjectioncanbemadetotakingthiscourse——for，ifthetransactionisanhonourableone，therewillnecessarilybenodifficultyinmygivingmyapproval。

`Sincerelyassuringyouofmyreadinesstoaffordanyadditionalhelporadvicethatmaybewanted，Ibegtoremain，Madam，yourfaithfulservant，WILLIAMKYRLE。

Ireadthiskindandsensibleletterverythankfully。ItsuppliedLaurawithareasonforobjectingtothesignaturewhichwasunanswerable，andwhichwecouldbothofusunderstand。ThemessengerwaitednearmewhileIwasreadingtoreceivehisdirectionswhenIhaddone。

`WillyoubegoodenoughtosaythatIunderstandtheletter，andthatIamverymuchobliged？’Isaid。`Thereisnootherreplynecessaryatpresent。’

ExactlyatthemomentwhenIwasspeakingthosewords，holdingtheletteropeninmyhand，CountFoscoturnedthecornerofthelanefromthehigh-road，andstoodbeforemeasifhehadsprungupoutoftheearth。

Thesuddennessofhisappearance，intheverylastplaceunderheaveninwhichIshouldhaveexpectedtoseehim，tookmecompletelybysurprise。Themessengerwishedmegoodmorning，andgotintotheflyagain。Icouldnotsayawordtohim——Iwasnotevenabletoreturnhisbow。TheconvictionthatIwasdiscovered——andbythatman，ofallothers——absolutelypetrifiedme。

`Areyougoingbacktothehouse，MissHalcombe？’heinquired，withoutshowingtheleastsurpriseonhisside，andwithoutevenlookingafterthefly，whichdroveoffwhilehewasspeakingtome。

Icollectedmyselfsufficientlytomakeasignintheaffirmative。

`Iamgoingbacktoo，’hesaid。`Prayallowmethepleasureofaccompanyingyou。Willyoutakemyarm？Youlooksurprisedatseeingme！’

Itookhisarm。Thefirstofmyscatteredsensesthatcamebackwasthesensethatwarnedmetosacrificeanythingratherthanmakeanenemyofhim。

`Youlooksurprisedatseeingme！’herepeatedinhisquietlypertinaciousway。

`Ithought，Count，Iheardyouwithyourbirdsinthebreakfast-room，’Ianswered，asquietlyandfirmlyasIcould。

`Surely。Butmylittlefeatheredchildren，dearlady，areonlytoolikeotherchildren。Theyhavetheirdaysofperversity，andthismorningwasoneofthem。MywifecameinasIwasputtingthembackintheircage，andsaidshehadleftyougoingoutaloneforawalk。Youtoldherso，didyounot？’

`Certainly。’

`Well，MissHalcombe，thepleasureofaccompanyingyouwastoogreatatemptationformetoresist。Atmyagethereisnoharminconfessingsomuchasthat，isthere？Iseizedmyhat，andsetofftooffermyselfasyourescort。EvensofatanoldmanasFoscoissurelybetterthannoescortatall？Itookthewrongpath——Icamebackindespair，andhereIam，arrived(mayIsayit？)attheheightofmywishes。’

Hetalkedoninthiscomplimentarystrainwithafluencywhichleftmenoexertiontomakebeyondtheeffortofmaintainingmycomposure。Heneverreferredinthemostdistantmannertowhathehadseeninthelane，ortotheletterwhichlstillhadinmyhand。Thisominousdiscretionhelpedtoconvincemethathemusthavesurprised，bythemostdishonourablemeans，thesecretofmyapplicationinLaura’sinteresttothelawyer；andthat，havingnowassuredhimselfoftheprivatemannerinwhichIhadreceivedtheanswer，hehaddiscoveredenoughtosuithispurposes，andwasonlybentontryingtoquietthesuspicionswhichheknewhemusthavearousedinmymind。Iwaswiseenough，underthesecircumstances，nottoattempttodeceivehimbyplausibleexplanations，andwomanenough，notwithstandingmydreadofhim，tofeelasifmyhandwastaintedbyrestingonhisarm。

Onthedriveinfrontofthehousewemetthedog-cartbeingtakenroundtothestables。SirPercivalhadjustreturned。Hecameouttomeetusatthehouse-door。Whateverotherresultshisjourneymighthavehad，ithadnotendedinsofteninghissavagetemper。

`OhIherearetwoofyoncomeback，’hesaid，withaloweringface。`Whatisthemeaningofthehousebeingdesertedinthisway？WhereisLadyGlyde？’

Itoldhimofthelossofthebrooch，andsaidthatLaurahadgoneintotheplantationtolookforit。

`Broochornobrooch，’hegrowledsulkily，`Irecommendhernottoforgetherappointmentinthelibrarythisafternoon。Ishallexpecttoseeherinhalfanhour。’

ItookmyhandfromtheCount’sarm，andslowlyascendedthesteps。Hehonouredmewithoneofhismagnificentbows，andthenaddressedhimselfgailytothescowlingmasterofthehouse。

`Tellme，Percival，’hesaid，`haveyouhadapleasantdrive？AndhasyourprettyshiningBrownMollycomebackatalltired？’

`BrownMollybehanged——andthedrivetoo！Iwantmylunch。’

`AndIwantfiveminutes’talkwithyou，Percival，first，’returnedtheCount。`Fiveminutes’talk，myfriend，hereonthegrass。’

`Whatabout？’

`Aboutbusinessthatverymuchconcernsyou。’

Ilingeredlongenoughinpassingthroughthehall-doortohearthisquestionandanswer，andtoseeSirPercivalthrusthishandsintohispocketsinsullenhesitation。

`Ifyouwanttobadgermewithanymoreofyourinfernalscruples，’hesaid，`Iforonewon’thearthem。Iwantmylunch。’

`Comeouthereandspeaktome，’repeatedtheCount，stillperfectlyuninfluencedbytherudestspeechthathisfriendcouldmaketohim。

SirPercivaldescendedthesteps。TheCounttookhimbythearm，andwalkedhimawaygently。The`business，’Iwassure，referredtothequestionofthesignature。TheywerespeakingofLauraandofmebeyondadoubt。Ifeltheart-sickandfaintwithanxiety。Itmightbeofthelastimportancetobothofustoknowwhattheyweresayingtoeachotheratthatmoment，andnotonewordofitcouldbyanypossibilityreachmyears。

Iwalkedaboutthehouse，fromroomtoroom，withthelawyer’sletterinmybosom(Iwasafraidbythistimeeventotrustitunderlockandkey)，tilltheoppressionofmysuspensehalfmaddenedme。TherewerenosignsofLaura’sreturn，andIthoughtofgoingouttolookforher。Butmystrengthwassoexhaustedbythetrialsandanxietiesofthemorningthattheheatofthedayquiteoverpoweredme，andafteranattempttogettothedoorIwasobligedtoreturntothedrawing-roomandliedownonthenearestsofatorecover。

IwasjustcomposingmyselfwhenthedooropenedsoftlyandtheCountlookedin。

`Athousandpardons，MissHalcombe，’hesaid:`IonlyventuretodisturbyoubecauseIamthebearerofgoodnews。Percival——whoiscapriciousineverything，asyouknow——hasseenfittoalterhismindatthelastmoment，andthebusinessofthesignatureisputoffforthepresent。Agreatrelieftoallofus，MissHalcombe，asIseewithpleasureinyourface。Praypresentmybestrespectsandfelicitations，whenyoumentionthispleasantchangeofcircumstancestoLadyGlyde。’

HeleftmebeforeIhadrecoveredmyastonishment。Therecouldbenodoubtthatthisextraordinaryalterationofpurposeinthematterofthesignaturewasduetohisinfluence，andthathisdiscoveryofmyapplicationtoLondonyesterday，andofmyhavingreceivedananswertoittoday，hadofferedhimthemeansofinterferingwithcertainsuccess。

Ifelttheseimpressions，butmymindseemedtosharetheexhaustionofmybody，andIwasinnoconditiontodwellonthemwithanyusefulreferencetothedoubtfulpresentorthethreateningfuture。ItriedasecondtimetorunoutandfindLaura，butmyheadwasgiddyandmykneestrembledunderme。Therewasnochoicebuttogiveitupagainandreturntothesofa，sorelyagainstmywill。

Thequietinthehouse，andthelowmurmuringhumofsummerinsectsoutsidetheopenwindow，soothedme。Myeyesclosedofthemselves，andIpassedgraduallyintoastrangecondition，whichwasnotwaking——forIknewnothingofwhatwasgoingonaboutme，andnotsleeping——forIwasconsciousofmyownrepose。Inthisstatemyfeveredmindbrokeloosefromme，whilemywearybodywasatrest，andinatrance，orday-dreamofmyfancy——Iknownotwhattocallit——IsawWalterHartright。IhadnotthoughtofhimsinceIrosethatmorning——Laurahadnotsaidonewordtomeeitherdirectlyorindirectlyreferringtohim——andyetIsawhimnowasplainlyasifthepasttimehadreturned，andwewerebothtogetheragainatLimmeridgeHouse。

Heappearedtomeasoneamongmanyothermen，noneofwhosefacesIcouldplainlydiscern。Theywerealllyingonthestepsofanimmenseruinedtemple。Colossaltropicaltrees——withrankcreeperstwiningendlesslyabouttheirtrunks，andhideousstoneidolsglimmeringandgrinningatintervalsbehindleavesandstalksandbranches——surroundedthetempleandshutoutthesky，andthrewadismalshadowovertheforlornbandofmenonthesteps。Whiteexhalationstwistedandcurledupstealthilyfromtheground，approachedthemeninwreathslikesmoke，touchedthem，andstretchedthemoutdead，onebyone，intheplaceswheretheylay。AnagonyofpityandfearforWalterloosenedmytongue，andIimploredhimtoescape。`Comeback，comeback！’Isaid。`Rememberyourpromisetoherandtome。Comebacktousbeforethepestilencereachesyouandlaysyoudeadliketherest！’

Helookedatmewithanunearthlyquietinhisface。`Wait，’hesaid，`Ishallcomeback。ThenightwhenImetthelostWomanonthehighwaywasthenightwhichsetmylifeaparttobetheinstrumentofaDesignthatisyetunseen。Here，lostinthewilderness，orthere，welcomedbackinthelandofmybirth，Iamstillwalkingonthedarkroadwhichleadsme，andyou，andthesisterofyourloveandmine，totheunknownRetributionandtheinevitableEnd。Waitandlook。Thepestilencewhichtouchestherestwillpassme。’

Isawhimagain。Hewasstillintheforest，andthenumbersofhislostcompanionshaddwindledtoveryfew。Thetemplewasgone，andtheidolsweregone——andintheirplacethefiguresofdark，dwarfishmenlurkedmurderouslyamongthetrees，withbowsintheirhands，andarrowsfittedtothestring。OncemoreIfearedforWalter，andcriedouttowarnhim。Oncemoreheturnedtome，withtheimmovablequietinhisface。

`Anotherstep，’hesaid，`onthedarkroad。Waitandlook。Thearrowsthatstriketherestwillspareme。’

Isawhimforthethirdtimeinawreckedship，strandedonawild，sandyshore。Theoverloadedboatsweremakingawayfromhimfortheland，andhealonewaslefttosinkwiththeship。Icriedtohimtohailthehindmostboat，andtomakealasteffortforhislife。Thequietfacelookedatmeinreturn，andtheunmovedvoicegavemebackthechangelessreply`Anothersteponthejourney。Waitandlook。TheSeawhichdrownstherestwillspareme。’

Isawhimforthelasttime。Hewaskneelingbyatombofwhitemarble，andtheshadowofaveiledwomanroseoutofthegravebeneathandwaitedbyhisside。Theunearthlyquietofhisfacehadchangedtoanunearthlysorrow。Buttheterriblecertaintyofhiswordsremainedthesame。`Darkeranddarker，’hesaid；`fartherandfartheryet。Deathtakesthegood，thebeautiful，andtheyoung——andsparesme。Thepestilencethatwastes，theArrowthatstrikes，theSeathatdrowns，theGravethatclosesoverLoveandHope，arestepsofmyjourney，andtakemenearerandnearertotheEnd。’

Myheartsankunderadreadbeyondwords，underagriefbeyondtears。Thedarknessclosedroundthepilgrimatthemarbletomb——closedroundtheveiledwomanfromthegrave——closedroundthedreamerwholookedonthem。Isawandheardnomore。

Iwasarousedbyahandlaidonmyshoulder。ItwasLaura’s。

Shehaddroppedonherkneesbythesideofthesofa。Herfacewasflushedandagitated，andhereyesmetmineinawildbewilderedmanner。IstartedtheinstantIsawher。

`Whathashappened？’Iasked。`Whathasfrightenedyou？’

Shelookedroundatthehalf-opendoor，putherlipsclosetomyear，andansweredinawhisper——

`Marian！——thefigureatthelake——thefootstepslastnight——I’vejustseenher！I’vejustspokentoher！’

`Who，forHeaven’ssake？’

`AnneCatherick。’

IwassostartledbythedisturbanceinLaura’sfaceandmanner，andsodismayedbythefirstwakingimpressionsofmydream，thatIwasnotfittobeartherevelationwhichburstuponmewhenthatnamepassedherlips。Icouldonlystandrootedtothefloor，lookingatherinbreathlesssilence。

Shewastoomuchabsorbedbywhathadhappenedtonoticetheeffectwhichherreplyhadproducedonme。`IhaveseenAnneCatherick！IhavespokentoAnneCatherick！’sherepeatedasifIhadnotheardher。`Oh，Marian，Ihavesuchthingstotellyou！Comeaway——wemaybeinterruptedhere——comeatonceintomyroom。’

Withthoseeagerwordsshecaughtmebythehand，andledmethroughthelibrary，totheendroomonthegroundfloor，whichhadbeenfittedupforherownespecialuse。Nothirdperson，excepthermaid，couldhaveanyexcuseforsurprisingushere。Shepushedmeinbeforeher，lockedthedoor，anddrewthechintzcurtainsthathungovertheinside。

Thestrange，stunnedfeelingwhichhadtakenpossessionofmestillremained。Butagrowingconvictionthatthecomplicationswhichhadlongthreatenedtogatherabouther，andtogatheraboutme，hadsuddenlyclosedfastroundusboth，wasnowbeginningtopenetratemymind。Icouldnotexpressitinwords——Icouldhardlyevenrealiseitdimlyinmyownthoughts。`AnneCatherick！’Iwhisperedtomyself，withuseless，helplessreiteration——`AnneCatherick！’

Lauradrewmetothenearestseat，anottomaninthemiddleoftheroom。`Look！’shesaid，`lookhere！’——andpointedtothebosomofherdress。

Isaw，forthefirsttime。thatthelostbroochwaspinnedinitsplaceagain。Therewassomethingrealinthesightofit，somethingrealinthetouchingofitafterwards，whichseemedtosteadythewhirlandconfusioninmythoughts，andtohelpmetocomposemyself。

`Wheredidyoufindyourbrooch？’ThefirstwordsIcouldsaytoherwerethewordswhichputthattrivialquestionatthatimportantmoment。

`Shefoundit，Marian。’

`Where？’

`Ontheflooroftheboat-house。Oh，howshallIbegin——howshallItellyouaboutit！Shetalkedtomesostrangely——shelookedsofearfullyill——sheleftmesosuddenly——！’

Hervoiceroseasthetumultofherrecollectionspresseduponhermind。Theinveteratedistrustwhichweighs，nightandday，onmyspiritsinthishouse，instantlyrousedmetowarnher——justasthesightofthebroochhadrousedmetoquestionher，themomentbefore。

`Speaklow，’Isaid。`Thewindowisopen，andthegardenpathrunsbeneathit。Beginatthebeginning，Laura。Tellme，wordforword，whatpassedbetweenthatwomanandyou。’

`ShallIclosethewindow？’

`No，onlyspeaklow——onlyrememberthatAnneCatherickisadangeroussubjectunderyourhusband’sroof。Wheredidyoufirstseeher？’

`Attheboat-house，Marian。Iwentout，asyouknow，tofindmybrooch，andIwalkedalongthepaththroughtheplantation，lookingdownonthegroundcarefullyateverystep。Inthatwaylgoton，afteralongtime，totheboat-house，andassoonasIwasinsideit，Iwentonmykneestohuntoverthefloor。Iwasstillsearchingwithmybacktothedoorway，whenIheardasoft，strangevoicebehindmesay，``MissFairlie。’’’

`MissFairlie！’

`Yes，myoldname——thedear，familiarnamethatIthoughtIhadpartedfromforever。Istartedup——notfrightened，thevoicewastookindandgentletofrightenanybody——butverymuchsurprised。There，lookingatmefromthedoorway，stoodawoman，whosefaceIneverrememberedtohaveseenbefore——’

`Howwasshedressed？’

`Shehadaneat，prettywhitegownon，andoveritapoorwornthindarkshawl。Herbonnetwasofbrownstraw，aspoorandwornastheshawl。Iwasstruckbythedifferencebetweenhergownandtherestofherdress，andshesawthatInoticedit。``Don’tlookatmybonnetandshawl，’’shesaid，speakinginaquick，breathless，suddenway；``ifImustn’twearwhite，Idon’tcarewhatIwear。Lookatmygownasmuchasyouplease——I’mnotashamedofthat。’’Verystrange，wasitnot？BeforeIcouldsayanythingtosootheher，sheheldoutoneofherhands，andIsawmybroochinit。IwassopleasedandsogratefulthatIwentquiteclosetohertosaywhatIreallyfelt。``Areyouthankfulenoughtodomeonelittlekindness？’’sheasked。``Yes，indeed，’’Ianswered，``anykindnessinmypowerIshallbegladtoshowyou。’’``Thenletmepinyourbroochonforyou，nowIhavefoundit。’’Herrequestwassounexpected，Marian，andshemadeitwithsuchextraordinaryeagerness，thatIdrewbackasteportwo，notwellknowingwhattodo。``Ah！’’shesaid，``yourmotherwouldhaveletmepinonthebrooch。’’Therewassomethinginhervoiceandherlook，aswellasinhermentioningmymotherinthatreproachfulmanner，whichmademeashamedofmydistrust。Itookherhandwiththebroochinit，andputitupgentlyonthebosomofmydress。``Youknewmymother？’’Isaid。``Wasitverylongago？haveIeverseenyoubefore？’’Herhandswerebusyfasteningthebrooch:shestoppedandpressedthemagainstmybreast。``Youdon’trememberafinespringdayatLimmeridge，’’shesaid，``andyourmotherwalkingdownthepaththatledtotheschool，withalittlegirloneachsideofher？lhavehadnothingelsetothinkofsince，andIrememberit。Youwereoneofthelittlegirls，andIwastheother。Pretty，cleverMissFairlie，andpoordazedAnneCatherickwerenearertoeachotherthenthantheyarenow！’

`Didyourememberher，Laura，whenshetoldyouhername？’

`Yes，IrememberedyouraskingmeaboutAnneCatherickatLimmeridge，andyoursayingthatshehadoncebeenconsideredlikeme。’

`Whatremindedyouofthat，Laura？’

`Sheremindedme。WhileIwaslookingather，whileshewasveryclosetome，itcameovermymindsuddenlythatwewerelikeeachother！Herfacewaspaleandthinandweary——butthesightofitstartledme，asifithadbeenthesightofmyownfaceintheglassafteralongillness。Thediscovery——Idon’tknowwhy——gavemesuchashock，thatIwasperfectlyincapableofspeakingtoherforthemoment。’

`Didsheseemhurtbyyoursilence？’

`Iamafraidshewashurtbyit。``Youhavenotgotyourmother’sface，’’shesaid，``oryourmother’sheart。Yourmother’sfacewasdark，andyourmother’sheart，MissFairlie，wastheheartofanangel。’’``IamsureIfeelkindlytowardsyou，’’Isaid，``thoughImaynotbeabletoexpressitasIought。WhydoyoucallmeMissFairlie——？’’``BecauseIlovethenameofFairlieandhatethenameofGlyde，——’shebrokeoutviolently。Ihadseennothinglikemadnessinherbeforethis，butIfanciedIsawitnowinhereyes。``lonlythoughtyoumightnotknowIwasmarried，’’Isaid，rememberingthewildlettershewrotetomeatLimmeridge，andtryingtoquiether。Shesighedbitterly，andturnedawayfromme。``Notknowyouweremarried？’’sherepeated。``Iamherebecauseyouaremarried。Iamheretomakeatonementtoyou，beforeImeetyourmotherintheworldbeyondthegrave。’’Shedrewfartherandfartherawayfromme，tillshewasoutoftheboat-house，andthenshewatchedandlistenedforalittlewhile。Whensheturnedroundtospeakagain，insteadofcomingback，shestoppedwhereshewas，lookinginatme，withahandoneachsideoftheentrance。``Didyouseemeatthelakelastnight？’’shesaid。``Didyouhearmefollowingyouinthewood？Ihavebeenwaitingfordaystogethertospeaktoyoualone——IhavelefttheonlyfriendIhaveintheworld，anxiousandfrightenedaboutme——Ihaveriskedbeingshutupagaininthemad-house——andallforyoursake，MissFairlie，allforyoursake。’’Herwordsalarmedme，Marian，andyettherewassomethinginthewayshespokethatmademepityherwithallmyheart。Iamsuremypitymusthavebeensincere，foritmademeboldenoughtoaskthepoorcreaturetocomein，andsitdownintheboat-house，bymyside。’

`Didshedoso？’

`No。Sheshookherhead，andtoldmeshemuststopwhereshewas，towatchandlisten，andseethatnothirdpersonsurprisedus。Andfromfirsttolast，thereshewaitedattheentrance，withahandoneachsideofit，sometimesbendinginsuddenlytospeaktome，sometimesdrawingbacksuddenlytolookabouther。`Iwashereyesterday，’’shesaid，``beforeitcamedark，andIheardyou，andtheladywithyou，talkingtogether。Iheardyoutellheraboutyourhusband。Iheardyousayyouhadnoinfluencetomakehimbelieveyou，andnoinfluencetokeephimsilent。Ah！Iknewwhatthosewordsmeant——myconsciencetoldmewhileIwaslistening。WhydidIeverletyoumarryhim！Oh，myfear——mymad，miserable，wickedfear！——’’Shecoveredupherfaceinherpoorwornshawl，andmoanedandmurmuredtoherselfbehindit。IbegantobeafraidshemightbreakoutintosometerribledespairwhichneithershenorIcouldmaster。``Trytoquietyourself，’’Isaid；``trytotellmehowyoumighthavepreventedmymarriage。’’Shetooktheshawlfromherface，andlookedatmevacantly。``IoughttohavehadheartenoughtostopatLimmeridge，’’sheanswered。``Ioughtnevertohaveletthenewsofhiscomingtherefrightenmeaway。Ioughttohavewarnedyouandsavedyoubeforeitwastoolate。WhydidIonlyhavecourageenoughtowriteyouthatletter？WhydidIonlydoharm，whenIwantedandmeanttodogood？Oh，myfear——mymad，miserable，wickedfear！’’Sherepeatedthosewordsagain，andhidherfaceagainintheendofherpoorwornshawl。Itwasdreadfultoseeher，anddreadfultohearher。’

`Surely，Laura，youaskedwhatthefearwaswhichshedweltonsoearnestly？’

`Yes，Iaskedthat。’

`Andwhatdidshesay？’

`Sheaskedmeinreturn，ifIshouldnotbeafraidofamanwhohadshutmeupinamad-house，andwhowouldshutmeupagain，ifhecould？Isaid，``Areyouafraidstill？Surelyyouwouldnotbehereifyouwereafraidnow？’’``No，’’shesaid，``Iamnotafraidnow。’’IaskedwhynotShesuddenlybentforwardintotheboat-house，andsaid，``Can’tyouguesswhy？’’Ishookmyhead。``Lookatme，’’shewenton。ItoldherIwasgrievedtoseethatshelookedverysorrowfulandveryill。Shesmiledforthefirsttime。``Ill？’’sherepeated；``I’mdying。YouknowwhyI’mnotafraidofhimnow。DoyouthinkIshallmeetyourmotherinheaven？WillsheforgivemeifIdo？’’Iwassoshockedandsostartled，thatIcouldmakenoreply。``Ihavebeenthinkingofit，’’shewenton，``allthetimeIhavebeeninhidingfromyourhusband，allthetimeIlayill。Mythoughtshavedrivenmehere——Iwanttomakeatonement——IwanttoundoallIcanoftheharmIoncedid。’’IbeggedherasearnestlyasIcouldtotellmewhatshemeant。Shestilllookedatmewithfixedvacanteyes。``ShallIundotheharm？’’shesaidtoherselfdoubtfully。``Youhavefriendstotakeyourpart。IfyouknowhisSecret，hewillbeafraidofyou，hewon’tdareuseyouasheusedme。Hemusttreatyoumercifullyfarhisownsake，ifheisafraidofyouandyourfriends。Andifhetreatsyoumercifully，andifIcansayitwasmydoing——’’Ilistenedeagerlyformore，butshestoppedatthosewords。’

`Youtriedtomakehergoon？’

`Itried，butsheonlydrewherselfawayfrommeagain，andleanedherfaceandarmsagainstthesideoftheboat-house。``Oh！’’Iheardhersay，withadreadful，distractedtendernessinhervoice，``oh！ifIcouldonlybeburiedwithyourmother！IfIcouldonlywakeatherside，whentheangel’strumpetsounds，andthegravesgiveuptheirdeadattheresurrection！’’——Marian！Itrembledfromheadtofoot——itwashorribletohearher。``Butthereisnohopeofthat，’’shesaid，movingalittle，soastolookatmeagain，``nohopeforapoorstrangerlikeme。IshallnotrestunderthemarblecrossthatIwashedwithmyownhands，andmadesowhiteandpureforhersake。Ohno！ohno！God’smercy，notman’s，willtakemetoher，wherethewickedceasefromtroublingandthewearyareatrest。’’Shespokethosewordsquietlyandsorrowfully，withaheavy，hopelesssigh，andthenwaitedalittle。Herfacewasconfusedandtroubled，sheseemedtobethinking，ortryingtothink。``WhatwasitIsaidjustnow？’’sheaskedafterawhile。``Whenyourmotherisinmymind，everythingelsegoesoutofit。WhatwasIsaying？whatwasIsaying？’’Iremindedthepoorcreature，askindlyanddelicatelyasIcould。``Ah，yes，yes，’’shesaid，stillinavacant，perplexedmanner。``Youarehelplesswithyourwickedhusband。Yes。AndImustdowhatIhavecometodohere——Imustmakeituptoyouforhavingbeenafraidtospeakoutatabettertime。’’``Whatisityouhavetotellme？’’Iasked。``TheSecretthatyourcruelhusbandisafraidof，’’sheanswered。``IoncethreatenedhimwiththeSecret，andfrightenedhim。YoushallthreatenhimwiththeSecret，andfrightenhimtoo。’’Herfacedarkened，andahard，angrystarefixeditselfinhereyes。Shebeganwavingherhandatmeinavacant，unmeaningmanner。``MymotherknowstheSecret，’’shesaid。``MymotherhaswastedundertheSecrethalfherlifetime。Oneday，whenIwasgrownup，shesaidsomethingtome。Andthenextdayyourhusband——’’’

`Yes！yes！Goon。Whatdidshetellyouaboutyourhusband？’

`Shestoppedagain，Marian，atthatpoint——’

`Andsaidnomore？’

`Andlistenedeagerly。``Hush！’’shewhispered，stillwavingherhandatme。`Hush！’’Shemovedasideoutofthedoorway，movedslowlyandstealthily，stepbystep，tillIlostherpasttheedgeoftheboat-house。’

`Surelyyoufollowedher？’

`Yes，myanxietymademeboldenoughtoriseandfollowher。rustasIreachedtheentrance，sheappearedagainsuddenly，roundthesideoftheboat-house。``TheSecret，’’Iwhisperedtoher——``waitandtellmetheSecret！’’Shecaughtholdofmyarm，andlookedatmewithwildfrightenedeyes。``Notnow，’’shesaid，``wearenotalone——wearewatched。Comeheretomorrowatthistime——byyourself——mind——byyourself。’’ShePushedmeroughlyintotheboat-houseagain，andIsawhernomore。’

`Oh，Laura，Laura，anotherchancelost！IfIhadonlybeennearyousheshouldnothaveescapedus。Onwhichsidedidyoulosesightofher？’

`Ontheleftside，wherethegroundsinksandthewoodisthickest。’

`Didyourunoutagain？didyoucallafterher？’

`HowcouldI？Iwastooterrifiedtomoveorspeak。’

`Butwhenyoudidmove——whenyoucameout——？’

`Iranbackhere，totellyouwhathadhappened。’

`Didyouseeanyone，orhearanyone，intheplantation？’

`No，itseemedtobeallstillandquietwhenIpassedthroughit。’

Iwaitedforamomenttoconsider。Wasthisperson，supposedtohavebeensecretlypresentattheinterview，areality，orthecreatureofAnneCatherick’sexcitedfancy？Itwasimpossibletodetermine。Theonethingcertainwas，thatwehadfailedagainontheverybrinkofdiscovery——failedutterlyandirretrievably，unlessAnneCatherickkeptherappointmentattheboat-houseforthenextday。

`Areyouquitesureyouhavetoldmeeverythingthatpassed？Everywordthatwassaid？’Iinquired。

`Ithinkso，’sheanswered。`Mypowersofmemory，Marian，arenotlikeyours。ButIwassostronglyimpressed，sodeeplyinterested，thatnothingofanyimportancecanpossiblyhaveescapedme。’

`MydearLaura，themeresttriflesareofimportancewhereAnneCatherickisconcerned。Thinkagain。Didnochancereferenceescapeherastotheplaceinwhichsheislivingatthepresenttime？’

`NonethatIcanremember。’

`Didshenotmentionacompanionandfriend——awomannamedMrsClements？’

`Ohyes！yes！Iforgotthat。ShetoldmeMrsClementswantedsadlytogowithhertothelakeandtakecareofher，andbeggedandprayedthatshewouldnotventureintothisneighbourhoodalone。’

`WasthatallshesaidaboutMrsClements？’

`Yes，thatwasall。’

`ShetoldyounothingabouttheplaceinwhichshetookrefugeafterleavingTodd’sCorner？’

`Nothing——Iamquitesure。’

`Norwhereshehaslivedsince？Norwhatherillnesshadbeen？’

`No，Marian，notaword。Tellme，praytellme，whatyouthinkaboutit。Idon’tknowwhattothink，orwhattodonext。’

`Youmustdothis，mylove:Youmustcarefullykeeptheappointmentattheboat-housetomorrow。Itisimpossibletosaywhatinterestsmaynotdependonyourseeingthatwomanagain。Youshallnotbelefttoyourselfasecondtime。Iwillfollowyouatasafedistance。Nobodyshallseeme，butIwillkeepwithinhearingofyourvoice，ifanythinghappens。AnneCatherickhasescapedWalterHartright，andhasescapedyou。Whateverhappens，sheshallnotescapeme。’

Laura’seyesreadmineattentively。

`Youbelieve，’shesaid，`inthissecretthatmyhusbandisafraidof？Suppose，Marian，itshouldonlyexistafterallinAnneCatherick’sfancy？Supposesheonlywantedtoseemeandtospeaktome，forthesakeofoldremembrances？Hermannerwassostrange——Ialmostdoubtedher。Wouldyoutrustherinotherthings？’

`Itrustnothing，Laura，butmyownobservationofyourhusband’sconduct。IjudgeAnneCatherick’swordsbyhisactions，andIbelievethereisasecret。’

Isaidnomore，andgotuptoleavetheroom。ThoughtsweretroublingmewhichImighthavetoldherifwehadspokentogetherlonger，andwhichitmighthavebeendangerousforhertoknow。Theinfluenceoftheterribledreamfromwhichshehadawakenedmehungdarklyandheavilyovereveryfreshimpressionwhichtheprogressofhernarrativeproducedonmymind。Ifelttheominousfuturecomingclose，chillingmewithanunutterableawe，forcingonmetheconvictionofanunseendesigninthelongseriesofcomplicationswhichhadnowfastenedroundus。IthoughtofHartright——asIsawhiminthebodywhenhesaidfarewell；asIsawhiminthespiritinmydream——andItoobegantodoubtnowwhetherwewerenotadvancingblindfoldtoanappointedandaninevitableend。

LeavingLauratogoupstairsalone，Iwentouttolookaboutmeinthewalksnearthehouse。ThecircumstancesunderwhichAnneCatherickhadpartedfromherhadmademesecretlyanxioustoknowhowCountFoscowaspassingtheafternoon，andhadrenderedmesecretlydistrustfuloftheresultsofthatsolitaryjourneyfromwhichSirPercivalhadreturnedbutafewhourssince。

Afterlookingforthemineverydirectionanddiscoveringnothing，Ireturnedtothehouse，andenteredthedifferentroomsonthegroundflooroneafteranother。Theywereallempty。Icaneoutagainintothehall，andwentupstairstoreturntoLaura。MadameFoscoopenedherdoorasIpasseditonmywayalongthepassage，andIstoppedtoseeifshecouldinformmeofthewhereaboutsofherhusbandandSirPercival。Yes，shehadseenthembothfromherwindowmorethananhoursince。TheCounthadlookedupwithhiscustomarykindness，andhadmentionedwithhishabitualattentiontoherinthesmallesttrifles，thatheandhisfriendweregoingouttogetherforalongwalk。

Foralongwalk！Theyhadneveryetbeenineachother’scompanywiththatobjectinmyexperienceofthem。SirPercivalcaredfornoexercisebutriding，andtheCount(exceptwhenhewaspoliteenoughtobemyescort)caredfornoexerciseatall。

WhenIjoinedLauraagain，Ifoundthatshehadcalledtomindinmyabsencetheimpendingquestionofthesignaturetothedeed，which，intheinterestofdiscussingherinterviewwithAnneCatherick，wehadhithertooverlooked。HerfirstwordswhenIsawherexpressedhersurpriseattheabsenceoftheexpectedsummonstoattendSirPercivalinthelibrary。

`Youmaymakeyourmindeasyonthatsubject，’Isaid。`Forthepresent，atleast，neitheryourresolutionnorminewillbeexposedtoanyfurthertrial。SirPercivalhasalteredhisplans——thebusinessofthesignatureisputoff。’

`Putoff？’Laurarepeatedamazedly。`Whotoldyouso？’

`MyauthorityisCountFosco。Ibelieveitistohisinterferencethatweareindebtedforyourhusband’ssuddenchangeofpurpose。’

`Itseemsimpossible，Marian。Iftheobjectofmysigningwas，aswesuppose，toobtainmoneyforSirpercivalthatheurgentlywanted，howcanthematterbeputoff？’

`Ithink，Laura，wehavethemeansathandofsettingthatdoubtatrest。HaveyouforgottentheconversationthatIheardbetweenSirPercivalandthelawyerastheywerecrossingthehall？’

`No，butIdon’tremember——’

`Ido。Thereweretwoalternativesproposed。Onewastoobtainyoursignaturetotheparchment。Theotherwastogaintimebygivingbillsatthreemonths。Thelastresourceisevidentlytheresourcenowadopted，andwemayfairlyhopetoberelievedfromourshareinSirPercival’sembarrassmentsforsometimetocome。’

`Oh，Marian，itsoundstoogoodtobetrue！’

`Doesit，mylove？Youcomplimentedmeonmyreadymemorynotlongsince，butyouseemtodoubtitnow。Iwillgetmyjournal，andyoushallseeifIamrightorwrong。’

Iwentawayandgotthebookatonce。

Onlookingbacktotheentryreferringtothelawyer’svisit，wefoundthatmyrecollectionofthetwoalternativespresentedwasaccuratelycorrect。ItwasalmostasgreatarelieftomymindastoLaura’s，tofindthatmymemoryhadservedme，onthisoccasion，asfaithfullyasusual。Intheperilousuncertaintyofourpresentsituation，itishardtosaywhatfutureinterestsmaynotdependupontheregularityoftheentriesinmyjournal，anduponthereliabilityofmyrecollectionatthetimewhenImakethem。

Laura’sfaceandmannersuggestedtomethatthislastconsiderationhadoccurredtoheraswellastomyself。Anyway，itisonlyatriflingmatter，andIamalmostashamedtoputitdownhereinwriting——itseemstosettheforlornnessofoursituationinsuchamiserablyvividlight。Wemusthavelittleindeedtodependon，whenthediscoverythatmymemorycanstillbetrustedtoserveusishailedasifitwasthediscoveryofanewfriend！

Thefirstbellfordinnerseparatedus。rustasithaddoneringing，SirPercivalandtheCountreturnedfromtheirwalk。Weheardthemasterofthehousestormingattheservantsforbeingfiveminuteslate，andthemaster’sguestinterposing，asusual，intheinterestsofpropriety，patience，andpeace。

Theeveninghascomeandgone。Noextraordinaryeventhashappened。ButIhavenoticedcertainpeculiaritiesintheconductofSirPercivalandtheCount，whichhavesentmetomybedfeelingveryanxiousanduneasyaboutAnneCatherick，andabouttheresultswhichtomorrowmayproduce。

Iknowenoughbythistime，tobesurethattheaspectofSirPercivalwhichisthemostfalse，andwhich，therefore，meanstheworst，ishispoliteaspect。Thatlongwalkwithhisfriendhadendedinimprovinghismanners，especiallytowardshiswife。ToLaura’ssecretsurpriseandtomysecretalarm，hecalledherbyherChristianname，askedifshehadheardlatelyfromheruncle，inquiredwhenMrsVeseywastoreceiveherinvitationtoBlackwater，andshowedhersomanyotherlittleattentionsthathealmostrecalledthedaysofhishatefulcourtshipatLimmeridgeHouse。Thiswasabadsigntobeginwith，andIthoughtitmoreominousstillthatheshouldpretendafterdinnertofallasleepinthedrawing-room，andthathiseyesshouldcunninglyfollowLauraandmewhenhethoughtweneitherofussuspectedhim。IhaveneverhadanydoubtthathissuddenjourneybyhimselftookhimtoWelminghamtoquestionMrsCatherick——buttheexperienceoftonighthasmademefearthattheexpeditionwasnotundertakeninvain，andthathehasgottheinformationwhichheunquestionablyleftustocollect。IfIknewwhereAnneCatherickwastobefound，Iwouldbeuptomorrowwithsunriseandwarnher。

WhiletheaspectunderwhichSirPercivalpresentedhimselftonightwasunhappilybuttoofamiliartome，theaspectunderwhichtheCountappearedwas，ontheotherhand，entirelynewinmyexperienceofhim。Hepermittedme，thisevening，tomakehisacquaintance，forthefirsttime，inthecharacterofaManofSentiment——ofsentiment，asIbelieve，reallyfelt，notassumedfortheoccasion。

Forinstance，hewasquietandsubdued——hiseyesandhisvoiceexpressedarestrainedsensibility。Hewore(asiftherewassomehiddenconnectionbetweenhisshowiestfineryandhisdeepestfeeling)themostmagnificentwaistcoathehasyetappearedin——itwasmadeofpalesea-greensilk，anddelicatelytrimmedwithfinesilverbraid。Hisvoicesankintothetenderestinflections，hissmileexpressedathoughtful，fatherlyadmiration，wheneverhespoketoLauraortome。Hepressedhiswife’shandunderthetablewhenshethankedhimfortriflinglittleattentionsatdinner。Hetookwinewithher。`Yourhealthandhappiness，myangel！’hesaid，withfondglisteningeyes。Heatelittleornothing，andsighed，andsaid`GoodPercival！’whenhisfriendlaughedathim。Afterdinner，hetookLaurabythehand，andaskedherifshewouldbe`sosweetastoplaytohim。’Shecomplied，throughsheerastonishment。Hesatbythepiano，withhiswatch-chainrestinginfolds，likeagoldenserpent，onthesea-greenprotuberanceofhiswaistcoat。Hisimmenseheadlaylanguidlyononeside，andhegentlybeattimewithtwoofhisyellow-whitefingers。Hehighlyapprovedofthemusic，andtenderlyadmiredLaura’smannerofplaying——notaspoorHartrightusedtopraiseit，withaninnocentenjoymentofthesweetsounds，butwithaclear，cultivated，practicalknowledgeofthemeritsofthecomposition，inthefirstplace，andofthemeritsoftheplayer’stouchinthesecond。Astheeveningclosedin，hebeggedthatthelovelydyinglightmightnotbeprofaned，justyet，bytheappearanceofthelamps。Hecame，withhishorriblysilenttread，tothedistantwindowatwhichIwasstanding，tobeoutofhiswayandtoavoidtheverysightofhim——hecametoaskmetosupporthisprotestagainstthelamps。Ifanyoneofthemcouldonlyhaveburnthimupatthatmoment，Iwouldhavegonedowntothekitchen，andfetcheditmyself。

`Surelyyoulikethismodest，tremblingEnglishtwilight？’hesaidsoftly。`Ah！Iloveit。Ifeelmyinbornadmirationofallthatisnoble，andgreat，andgood，purifiedbythebreathofheavenonaneveninglikethis。Naturehassuchimperishablecharms，suchinextinguishabletendernessforme！——Iamanold，fatman——talkwhichwouldbecomeyourlips，MissHalcombe，soundslikeaderisionandamockeryonmine。Itishardtobelaughedatinmymomentofsentiment，asifmysoulwaslikemyself，oldandovergrown。Observe，dearlady，whatalightisdyingonthetrees！Doesitpenetrateyourheart，asitpenetratesmine？’

Hepaused，lookedatme，andrepeatedthefamouslinesofDanteontheEvening-time，withamelodyandtendernesswhichaddedacharmoftheirowntothematchlessbeautyofthepoetryitself。

`Bah！’hecriedsuddenly，asthelastcadenceofthosenobleItalianwordsdiedawayonhislips；`Imakeanoldfoolofmyself，andonlywearyyouall！Letusshutupthewindowinourbosonsandgetbacktothematter-of-factworld。Percival！Isanctiontheadmissionofthelamps。LadyGlyde——MissHalcombe——Eleanor，mygoodwife——whichofyouwillindulgemewithagameatdominoes？’

Headdressedusall，buthelookedespeciallyatLaura。

Shehadlearnttofeelmydreadofoffendinghim，andsheacceptedhisproposal。ItwasmorethanIcouldhavedoneatthatmoment。Icouldnothavesatdownatthesametablewithhimforanyconsideration。Hiseyesseemedtoreachmyinmostsoulthroughthethickeningobscurityofthetwilight。Hisvoicetrembledalongeverynerveinmybody，andturnedmehotandcoldalternately。Themysteryandterrorofmydream，whichhadhauntedmeatintervalsallthroughtheevening，nowoppressedmymindwithanunendurableforebodingandanunutterableawe。Isawthewhitetombagain，andtheveiledwomanrisingoutofitbyHartright’sside。ThethoughtofLaurawelleduplikeaspringinthedepthsofmyheart，andfilleditwithwatersofbitterness，never，neverknowntoitbefore。Icaughtherbythehandasshepassedmeonherwaytothetable，andkissedherasifthatnightwastopartusforever。Whiletheywereallgazingatmeinastonishment，Iranoutthroughthelowwindowwhichwasopenbeforemetotheground——ranouttohidefromtheminthedarkness，tohideevenfrommyself。

Weseparatedthateveninglaterthanusual。Towardsmidnightthesummersilencewasbrokenbytheshudderingofalow，melancholywindamongthetrees。Weallfeltthesuddenchillintheatmosphere，buttheCountwasthefirsttonoticethestealthyrisingofthewind。Hestoppedwhilehewaslightingmycandleforme，andhelduphishandwarningly——

`Listen！’hesaid。`Therewillbeachangetomorrow。’