第10章

Iremainedleaningonthewindow-sillfornearlyaquarterofanhour，lookingoutabsentlyintotheblackdarkness，andhearingnothing，exceptnowandthenthevoicesoftheservants，orthedistantsoundofaclosingdoor，inthelowerpartofthehouse。

JustasIwasturningawaywearilyfromthewindowtogobacktothebedroomandmakeasecondattempttocompletetheunfinishedentryinmyjournal，Ismelttheodouroftobacco-smokestealingtowardsmeontheheavynightair。ThenextmomentIsawatinyredsparkadvancingfromthefartherendofthehouseinthepitchdarkness。Iheardnofootsteps，andIcouldseenothingbutthespark。Ittravelledalonginthenight，passedthewindowatwhichIwasstanding，andstoppedoppositemybedroomwindow，insidewhichIhadleftthelightburningonthedressing-table。

Thesparkremainedstationaryforamoment，thenmovedbackagaininthedirectionfromwhichithadadvanced。AsIfolloweditsprogressIsawasecondredspark，largerthanthefirst，approachingfromthedistance。Thetwomettogetherinthedarkness。Rememberingwhosmokedcigarettesandwhosmokedcigars，IinferredimmediatelythattheCounthadcomeoutfirsttolookandlistenundermywindow，andthatSirPercivalhadafterwardsjoinedhim。Theymustbothhavebeenwalkingonthelawn——orIshouldcertainlyhaveheardSirPercival’sheavyfootfall，thoughtheCount’ssoftstepmighthaveescapedme，evenonthegravelwalk。

Iwaitedquietlyatthewindow，certainthattheycouldneitherofthemseemeinthedarknessoftheroom。

`What’sthematter？’IheardSirPercivalsayinalowvoice。`Whydon’tyoucomeinandsitdown？’

`Iwanttoseethelightoutofthatwindow，’repliedtheCountsoftly。

`Whatharmdoesthelightdo？’

`Itshowssheisnotinbedyet。Sheissharpenoughtosuspectsomething，andboldenoughtocomedownstairsandlisten，ifshecangetthechance。Patience，Percival——patience。’

`Humbug！You’realwaystalkingofpatience。’

`Ishalltalkofsomethingelsepresently。Mygoodfriend，youareontheedgeofyourdomesticprecipice，andifIletyougivethewomenoneotherchance，onmysacredwordofhonourtheywillpushyouoverit！’

`Whatthedevildoyoumean？’

`Wewillcometoourexplanations，Percival，whenthelightisoutofthatwindow，andwhenIhavehadonelittlelookattheroomsoneachsideofthelibrary，andapeepatthestaircaseaswell。’

Theyslowlymovedaway，andtherestoftheconversationbetweenthem(whichhadbeenconductedthroughoutinthesamelowtones)ceasedtobeaudible。Itwasnomatter。IhadheardenoughtodeterminemeonjustifyingtheCount’sopinionofmysharpnessandmycourage。BeforetheredsparkswereoutofsightinthedarknessIhadmadeupmymindthatthereshouldbealistenerwhenthosetwomensatdowntotheirtalk——andthatthelistener，inspiteofalltheCount’sprecautionstothecontrary，shouldbemyself。Iwantedbutonemotivetosanctiontheacttomyownconscience，andtogivemecourageenoughforperformingit——andthatmotiveIhad。Laura’shonour，Laura’shappiness——Laura’slifeitself——mightdependonmyquickearsandmyfaithfulmemorytonight。

IhadheardtheCountsaythathemeanttoexaminetheroomsoneachsideofthelibrary，andthestaircaseaswell，beforeheenteredonanyexplanationwithSirPercival。Thisexpressionofhisintentionswasnecessarilysufficienttoinformmethatthelibrarywastheroominwhichheproposedthattheconversationshouldtakeplace。TheonemomentoftimewhichwaslongenoughtobringmetothatconclusionwasalsothemomentwhichshowedmeameansofbafflinghisPrecautions——or，inotherwords，ofhearingwhatheandSirPercivalsaidtoeachother，withouttheriskofdescendingatallintothelowerregionsofthehouse。

InspeakingoftheroomsonthegroundfloorIhavementionedincidentallytheverandahoutsidethem，onwhichtheyallopenedbymeansofFrenchwindows，extendingfromthecornicetothefloor。Thetopofthisverandahwasflat，therain-waterbeingcarriedofffromitbypipesintotankswhichhelpedtosupplythehouse。Onthenarrowleadenroof，whichranalongpastthebedrooms，andwhichwasratherless，Ishouldthink，thanthreefeetbelowthesillsofthewindow，arowofflowerpotswasranged，withwideintervalsbetweeneachpot——thewholebeingprotectedfromfallinginhighwindsbyanornamentalironrailingalongtheedgeoftheroof。

Theplanwhichhadnowoccurredtomewastogetoutatmysitting-roomwindowontothisroof，tocreepalongnoiselesslytillIreachedthatpartofitwhichwasimmediatelyoverthelibrarywindow，andtocrouchdownbetweentheflower-pots，withmyearagainsttheouterrailing。IfSirPercivalandtheCountsatandsmokedtonight，asIhadseenthemsittingandsmokingmanynightsbefore，withtheirchairscloseattheopenwindow，andtheirfeetstretchedonthezincgardenseatswhichwereplacedundertheverandah，everywordtheysaidtoeachotheraboveawhisper(andnolongconversation，asweallknowbyexperience，canbecarriedoninawhisper)mustinevitablyreachmyears。If，ontheotherhand，theychosetonighttositfarbackinsidetheroom，thenthechanceswerethatIshouldhearlittleornothing——andinthatcase，Imustrunthefarmoreseriousriskoftryingtooutwitthemdownstairs。

StronglyasIwasfortifiedinmyresolutionbythedesperatenatureofoursituation，IhopedmostferventlythatImightescapethislastemergency。Mycouragewasonlyawoman’scourageafterall，anditwasveryneartofailingmewhenIthoughtoftrustingmyselfonthegroundfloor，atthedeadofnight，withinreachofSirPercivalandtheCount。

Iwentsoftlybacktomybedroomtotrythesaferexperimentoftheverandahrooffirst。

Acompletechangeinmydresswasimperativelynecessaryformanyreasons。Itookoffmysilkgowntobeginwith，becausetheslightestnoisefromitonthatstillnightmighthavebetrayedme。Inextremovedthewhiteandcumbersomepartsofmyunderclothing，andreplacedthembyapetticoatofdarkflannel。OverthisIputmyblacktravellingcloak，andpulledthehoodontomyhead。InmyordinaryeveningcostumeItookuptheroomofthreemenatleast。Inmypresentdress，whenitwasheldcloseaboutme，nomancouldhavepassedthroughthenarrowestspacesmoreeasilythanI。Thelittlebreadthleftontheroofoftheverandah，betweentheflower-potsononesideandthewallandthewindowsofthehouseontheother，madethisaseriousconsideration。IfIknockedanythingdown，ifImadetheleastnoise，whocouldsaywhattheconsequencesmightbe？

IonlywaitedtoputthematchesnearthecandlebeforeIextinguishedit，andgropedmywaybackintothesitting-room。Ilockedthedoor，asIhadlockedmybedroomdoor——thenquietlygotoutofthewindow，andcautiouslysetmyfeetontheleadenroofoftheverandah。

Mytworoomswereattheinnerextremityofthenewwingofthehouseinwhichwealllived，andIhadfivewindowstopassbeforeIcouldreachthepositionitwasnecessarytotakeupimmediatelyoverthelibrary。Thefirstwindowbelongedtoaspareroomwhichwasempty。ThesecondandthirdwindowsbelongedtoLaura’sroom。ThefourthwindowbelongedtoSirPercival’sroom。ThefifthbelongedtotheCountess’sroom。Theothers，bywhichitwasnotnecessaryformetopass，werethewindowsoftheCount’sdressing-room，ofthebathroom，andofthesecondemptyspareroom。

Nosoundreachedmyears——theblackblindingdarknessofthenightwasallroundmewhenIfirststoodontheverandah，exceptatthatpartofitwhichMadameFosco’swindowoverlooked。There，attheveryplaceabovethelibrarytowhichmycoursewasdirected——thereIsawagleamoflightITheCountesswasnotyetinbed。

Itwastoolatetodrawback——itwasnotimetowait。Ideterminedtogoonatallhazards，andtrustforsecuritytomyowncautionandtothedarknessofthenight。`ForLaura’ssake！’Ithoughttomyself，asItookthefirststepforwardontheroof，withonehandholdingmycloakcloseroundme，andtheothergropingagainstthewallofthehouse。Itwasbettertobrushclosebythewallthantoriskstrikingmyfeetagainsttheflowerpotswithinafewinchesofme，ontheotherside。

Ipassedthedarkwindowofthespareroom，tryingtheleadenroofateachstepwithmyfootbeforeIriskedrestingmyweightonit。IpassedthedarkwindowsofLaura’sroom(`Godblessherandkeephertonight！’)。IpassedthedarkwindowofSirPercival’sroom。ThenIwaitedamoment，kneltdownwithmyhandstosupportme，andsocrepttomyposition，undertheprotectionofthelowwallbetweenthebottomofthelightedwindowandtheverandahroof。

WhenIventuredtolookupatthewindowitselfIfoundthatthetopofitonlywasopen，andthattheblindinsidewasdrawndown。WhileIwaslookingIsawtheshadowofMadameFoscopassacrossthewhitefieldoftheblind——thenpassslowlybackagain。Thusfarshecouldnothaveheardme，ortheshadowwouldsurelyhavestoppedattheblind，evenifshehadwantedcourageenoughtoopentheWindowandlookout？

Iplacedmyselfsidewaysagainsttherailingoftheverandah——firstascertaining，bytouchingthem，thepositionoftheflowerpotsoneithersideofme。Therewasroomenoughformetositbetweenthemandnomore。Thesweet-scentedleavesofthefloweronmylefthandjustbrushedmycheekasIlightlyrestedmyheadagainsttherailing。

Thefirstsoundsthatreachedmefrombelowwerecausedbytheopeningorclosing(mostprobablythelatter)ofthreedoorsinsuccession——thedoors，nodoubt，leadingintothehallandintotheroomsoneachsideofthelibrary，whichtheCounthadpledgedhimselftoexamine。ThefirstobjectthatIsawwastheredsparkagaintravellingoutintothenightfromundertheverandah，movingawaytowardsmywindow，waitingamoment，andthenreturningtotheplacefromwhichithadsetout。

`Thedeviltakeyourrestlessness！Whendoyoumeantositdown？’growledSirPercival’svoicebeneathme。

`Ouf！howhotitis！’saidtheCount，sighingandpuffingwearily。

Hisexclamationwasfollowedbythescrapingofthegardenchairsonthetiledpavementundertheverandah——thewelcomesoundwhichtoldmetheyweregoingtositcloseatthewindowasusual。Sofarthechancewasmine。Theclockintheturretstruckthequartertotwelveastheysettledthemselvesintheirchairs。IheardMadameFoscothroughtheopenwindowyawning，andsawhershadowpassoncemoreacrossthewhitefieldoftheblind。

Meanwhile，SirPercivalandtheCountbegantalkingtogetherbelow，nowandthendroppingtheirvoicesalittlelowerthanusual，butneversinkingthemtoawhisper。Thestrangenessandperilofmysituation，thedread，whichIcouldnotmaster，ofMadameFosco’slightedwindow，madeitdifficult，almostimpossible，forme，atfirst，tokeepmypresenceofmind，andtofixmyattentionsolelyontheconversationbeneath。ForsomeminutesIcouldonlysucceedingatheringthegeneralsubstanceofit。IunderstoodtheCounttosaythattheonewindowalightwashiswife’s，thatthegroundfloorofthehousewasquiteclear，andthattheymightnowspeaktoeachotherwithoutfearofaccidents。Sirpercivalmerelyansweredbyupbraidinghisfriendwithhavingunjustifiably-slightedhiswishesandneglectedhisinterestsallthroughtheday。TheCountthereupondefendedhimselfbydeclaringthathehadbeenbesetbycertaintroublesandanxietieswhichhadabsorbedallhisattention，andthattheonlysafetimetocometoanexplanationwasatimewhentheycouldfeelcertainofbeingneitherinterruptednoroverheard。`Weareataseriouscrisisinouraffairs，Percival，’hesaid，`andifwearetodecideonthefutureatall，wemustdecidesecretlytonight’

ThatsentenceoftheCount’swasthefirstwhichmyattentionwasreadyenoughtomasterexactlyasitwasspoken。Fromthispoint，withcertainbreaksandinterruptions，mywholeinterestfixedbreathlesslyontheconversation，andIfolloweditwordforword。

`Crisis？’repeatedSirPercival。`It’saworsecrisisthanyouthinkfor，Icantellyou。’

`SoIshouldsuppose，fromyourbehaviourforthelastdayortwo，’returnedtheothercoolly。`Butwaitalittle。BeforeweadvancetowhatIdonotknow，letusbequitecertainofwhatIdoknow。LetusfirstseeifIamrightaboutthetimethatispast，beforeImakeanyproposaltoyouforthetimethatistocome。’

`StoptillIgetthebrandyandwater。Havesomeyourself。’

`Thankyou，Percival。Thecoldwaterwithpleasure，aspoon，andthebasinofsugar。Eausucrée，myfriend——nothingmore。’

`Sugar-and-waterforamanofyourage！——There！mixyoursicklymess。Youforeignersareallalike。’

`Nowlisten，Percival。Iwillputourpositionplainlybeforeyou，asIunderstandit，andyoushallsayifIamrightorwrong。YouandIbothcamebacktothishousefromtheContinentwithouraffairsveryseriouslyembarrassed——’

`Cutitshort！Iwantedsomethousandsandyousomehundreds，andwithoutthemoneywewerebothinafairwaytogotothedogstogether。There’sthesituation。Makewhatyoucanofit。Goon。’

`Well，Percival，inyourownsolidEnglishwords，youwantedsomethousandsandIwantedsomehundreds，andtheonlywayofgettingthemwasforyoutoraisethemoneyforyourownnecessity(withasmallmarginbeyondformypoorlittlehundreds)bythehelpofyourwife。WhatdidItellyouaboutyourwifeonourwaytoEngland？——andwhatdidItellyouagainwhenwehadcomehere，andwhenIhadseenformyselfthesortofwomanMissHalcombewas？’

`HowshouldIknow？Youtalkednineteentothedozen，Isuppose，justasusual。’

`Isaidthis:Humaningenuity，myfriend，hashithertoonlydiscoveredtwowaysinwhichamancanmanageawoman。Onewayistoknockherdown——amethodlargelyadoptedbythebrutallowerordersofthepeople，bututterlyabhorrenttotherefinedandeducatedclassesabovethem。Theotherway(muchlonger，muchmoredifficult，butintheendnotlesscertain)isnevertoacceptaprovocationatawoman’shands。Itholdswith

animals，itholdswithchildren，anditholdswithwomen，who

arenothingbutchildrengrownup。Quietresolutionistheone

qualitytheanimals，thechildren，andthewomenallfailin。Iftheycanonceshakethissuperiorqualityintheirmaster，theygetthebetterofhim。Iftheycanneversucceedindisturbingit，hegetsthebetterofthem。Isaidtoyou，Rememberthatplaintruthwhenyouwantyourwifetohelpyoutothemoney。Isaid，Rememberitdoublyandtreblyinthepresenceofyourwife’ssister，MissHalcombe。Haveyourememberedit？Notonceinallthecomplicationsthathavetwistedthemselvesaboutusinthishouse。Everyprovocationthatyourwifeandhersistercouldoffertoyou，youinstantlyacceptedfromthem。Yourmadtemperlostthesignaturetothedeed，lostthereadymoney，setMissHalcombewritingtothelawyerforthefirsttime——’

`Firsttime！Hasshewrittenagain？’

`Yes，shehaswrittenagaintoday。’

Achairfellonthepavementoftheverandah——fellwithacrash，asifithadbeenkickeddown。

ItwaswellformethattheCount’srevelationrousedSirPercival’sangerasitdid。OnhearingthatIhadbeenoncemorediscoveredIstartedsothattherailingagainstwhichIleanedcrackedagain。Hadhefollowedmetotheinn？DidheinferthatImusthavegivenmyletterstoFannywhenItoldhimIhadnoneforthepost-bag。Evenifitwasso，howcouldhehaveexaminedtheletterswhentheyhadgonestraightfrommyhandtothebosomofthegirl’sdress？

`Thankyourluckystar，’IheardtheCountsaynext，`thatyouhavemeinthehousetoundotheharmasfastasyoudoit。ThankyourluckystarthatIsaidNowhenyouweremadenoughtotalkofturningthekeytodayonMissHalcombe，asyouturneditinyourmischievousfollyonyourwife。Whereareyoureyes？CanyoulookatMissHalcombeandnotseethatshehastheforesightandtheresolutionofaman？WiththatwomanformyfriendIwouldsnapthesefingersofmineattheworld。Withthatwomanformyenemy，I，withallmybrainsandexperience——I，Fosco，cunningasthedevilhimself，asyouhavetoldmeahundredtimes——Iwalk，inyourEnglishphrase，uponegg-shells！Andthisgrandcreature——Idrinkherhealthinmysugar-and-water——thisgrandcreature，whostandsinthestrengthofherloveandhercourage，firmasarock，betweenustwoandthatpoor，flimsy，prettyblondewifeofyours——thismagnificentwoman，whomIadmirewithallmysoul，thoughIopposeherinyourinterestsandinmine，youdrivetoextremitiesasifshewasnosharperandnobolderthantherestofhersex。Percival！Percival！youdeservetofail，andyouhavefailed。’

Therewasapause。Iwritethevillain’swordsaboutmyselfbecauseIMeantorememberthem——becauseIhopeyetforthedaywhenImayspeakoutonceforallinhispresence，andcastthembackonebyoneinhisteeth。

SirPercivalwasthefirsttobreakthesilenceagain。

`Yes，yes，bullyandblusterasmuchasyoulike，’hesaidsulkily；`thedifficultyaboutthemoneyisnottheonlydifficulty。Youwouldbefortakingstrongmeasureswiththewomenyourself——ifyouknewasmuchasIdo。’

`Wewillcometothatseconddifficultyallingoodtime，’rejoinedtheCount。`Youmayconfuseyourself，Percival，asmuchasyouplease，butyoushallnotconfuseme。Letthequestionofthemoneybesettledfirst。HaveIconvincedyourobstinacy？haveIshownyouthatyourtemperwillnotletyouhelpyourself？——OrmustIgoback，and(asyouputitinyourdearstraightforwardEnglish)bullyandblusteralittlemore？’

`Pooh！It’seasyEnoughtogrumbleatme。Saywhatistobedone——that’salittleharder。’

`Isit？Bah！Thisiswhatistobedone:Yougiveupalldirectioninthebusinessfromtonight——youleaveitforthefutureinmyhandsonly。IamtalkingtoaPracticalBritishman——ha？Well，Practical，willthatdoforyou？’

`WhatdoyouproposeifIleaveitalltoyou？’

`Answermefirst。Isittoainmyhandsornot？’

`Sayitisinyourhands——whatthen？’

`Afewquestions，Percival，tobeginwith。Imustwaitalittleyet，toletcircumstancesguideme，andImustknow，ineverypossibleway，whatthosecircumstancesarelikelytobe。Thereisnotimetolose。IhavetoldyoualreadythatMissHalcombehaswrittentothelawyertodayforthesecondtime。’

`Howdidyoufinditout？Whatdidshesay？’

`IfItoldyou，Percival，weshouldonlycomebackattheendtowherewearenow。EnoughthatIhavefounditout——andthefindinghascausedthattroubleandanxietywhichmademesoinaccessibletoyouallthroughtoday。Now，torefreshmymemoryaboutyouraffairs——itissometimesinceItalkedthemoverwithyou。Themoneyhasbeenraised，intheabsenceofyourwife’ssignature，bymeansofbillsatthreemonths——raisedatacostthatmakesmypoverty-strickenforeignhairstandonendtothinkofit！Whenthebillsaredue，istherereallyandtrulynoearthlywayofpayingthembutbythehelpofyourwife？’

`None。’

`What！Youhavenomoneyatthebankers？’

`Afewhundreds，whenIwantasmanythousands。’

`Haveyounoothersecuritytoborrowupon？’

`Notashred。’

`Whathaveyouactuallygotwithyourwifeatthepresentmoment？’

`Nothingbuttheinterestofhertwentythousandpounds——barelyenoughtopayourdailyexpenses。’

`Whatdoyouexpectfromyourwife？’

`Threethousandayearwhenheruncledies。’

`Afinefortune，Percival。Whatsortofamanisthisuncle？Old？’

`No——neitheroldnoryoung。’

`Agood-tempered，freely-livingman？Married？No——Ithinkmywifetoldme，notmarried。’

`Ofcoursenot。Ifhewasmarried，andhadason，LadyGlydewouldnotbenextheirtotheproperty。I’lltellyouwhatheis。He’samaudlin，twaddling，selfishfool，andboreseverybodywhocomesnearhimaboutthestateofhishealth。’

`Menofthatsort，Percival，livelong，andmarrymalevolentlywhenyouleastexpectit。Idon’tgiveyoumuch，myfriend，foryourchanceofthethreethousandayear。Istherenothingmorethatcomestoyoufromyourwife？’

`Nothing。’

`Absolutelynothing？’

`Absolutelynothing——exceptincaseofherdeath。’

`Aha！inthecaseofherdeath。’

Therewasanotherpause。TheCountmovedfromtheverandahtothegravelwalkoutside。Iknewthathehadmovedbyhisvoice。`Therainhascomeatlast，’Iheardhimsay。Ithadcome。Thestateofmycloakshowedthatithadbeenfallingthicklyforsomelittletime。

TheCountwentbackundertheverandah——Iheardthechaircreakbeneathhisweightashesatdowninitagain，

`Well，Percival，’hesaid，`andinthecaseofLadyGlyde’sdeath，whatdoyougetthen？’

`Ifsheleavesnochildren——’

`Whichsheislikelytodo？’

`Whichsheisnotintheleastlikelytodo——’

`Yes？’

`Why，thenIgethertwentythousandpounds。’

`Paiddown？’

`Paiddown。’

Theyweresilentoncemore。AstheirvoicesceasedMadameFosco’sshadowdarkenedtheblindagain。Insteadofpassingthistime，itremained，foramoment，quitestill。Isawherfingersstealroundthecorneroftheblind，anddrawitononeside。Thedimwhiteoutlineofherface，lookingoutstraightoverme，appearedbehindthewindow。Ikeptstill，shroudedfromheadtofootinmyblackcloak。Therain，whichwasfastwettingme，drippedovertheglass，blurredit，andpreventedherfromseeinganything。`Morerain！’Iheardhersaytoherself。Shedroppedtheblind，andIbreathedagainfreely。

Thetalkwentonbelowme，theCountresumingitthistime。

`Percival！doyoucareaboutyourwife？’

`Fosco！that’sratheradownrightquestion。’

`IamadownrightmanandIrepeatit。’

`Whythedevildoyoulookatmeinthatway？’

`Youwon’tanswerme？Well，then，letussayyourwifediesbeforethesummerisout——’

`Dropit，Fosco！’

`Letussayyourwifedies——’

`Dropit，Itellyou！’

`Inthatcase，youwouldgaintwentythousandpounds，andyouwouldlose——’

`Ishouldlosethechanceofthreethousandayear。’

`Theremotechance，Percival——theremotechanceonly。Andyouwantmoney，atonce。Inyourpositionthegainiscertain——thelossdoubtful。’

`Speakforyourselfaswellasforme。SomeofthemoneyIwanthasbeenborrowedforyou。Andifyoucometogain，mywife’sdeathwouldbetenthousandpoundsinyourwife’spocket。Sharpasyouare，youseemtohaveconvenientlyforgottenMadameFosco’slegacy。Don’tlookatmeinthatway！Iwon’thaveit！Whatwithyourlooksandyourquestions，uponmysoul，youmakemyfleshcreep！’

`Yourflesh？DoesfleshmeanconscienceinEnglish？Ispeakofyourwife’sdeathasIspeakofapossibility。Whynot？Therespectablelawyerswhoscribble-scrabbleyourdeedsandyourwillslookthedeathsoflivingpeopleintheface。Dolawyersmakeyourfleshcreep？Whyshouldl？Itismybusinesstonighttoclearupyourpositionbeyondthepossibilityofamistake，andIhavenowdoneit。Hereisyourposition。Ifyourwifelives，youpaythosebillswithhersignaturetotheparchment。Ifyourwifedies，youpaythemwithherdeath。’

AshespokethelightinMadameFosco’sroomwasextinguished，andthewholesecondfloorofthehousewasnowsunkindarkness。

`Talk！talk！’grumbledSirPercival。`Onewouldthink，tohearyou，thatmywife’ssignaturetothedeedwasgotalready。’

`Youhaveleftthematterinmyhands，’retortedtheCount，`andIhavemorethantwomonthsbeforemetoturnroundin。Saynomoreaboutit，ifyouplease，forthepresent。Whenthebillsaredue，youwillseeforyourselfifmy``talk！talk！’’isworthsomething，orifitisnot。Andnow，Percival，havingdonewiththemoneymattersfortonight，Icanplacemyattentionatyourdisposal，ifyouwishtoconsultmeonthatseconddifficultywhichhasmixeditselfupwithourlittleembarrassments，andwhichhassoalteredyoufortheworse，thatIhardlyknowyouagain。Speak，myfriend——andpardonmeifIshockyourfierynationaltastesbymixingmyselfasecondglassofsugar-and-water。’

`It’sverywelltosayspeak，’repliedSirPercival，inafarmorequietandmorepolitetonethanhehadyetadopted，`butit’snotsoeasytoknowhowtobegin。’

`ShallIhelpyou？’suggestedtheCount。`ShallIgivethisprivatedifficultyofyoursaname？WhatifIcallit——AnneCatherick？’

`Lookhere，Fosco，youandIhaveknowneachotherforalongtime，andifyouhavehelpedmeoutofoneortwoscrapesbeforethis，IhavedonethebestIcouldtohelpyouinreturn，asfarasmoneywouldgo。Wehavemadeasmanyfriendlysacrifices，onbothsides，asmencould，butwehavehadoursecretsfromeachother，ofcourse——haven’twe？’

`Youhavehadasecretfromme，Percival。ThereisaskeletoninyourcupboardhereatBlackwaterParkthathaspeepedoutintheselastfewdaysatotherpeoplebesidesyourself。’

`Well，supposeithas。Ifitdoesn’tconcernyou，youneedn’tbecuriousaboutit，needyou？’

`DoIlookcuriousaboutit？’

Yes，youdo。’

`So！so！myfacespeaksthetruth，then？Whatanimmensefoundationofgoodtheremustbeinthenatureofamanwhoarrivesatmyage，andwhosefacehasnotyetlostthehabitofspeakingthetruth！——Come，Glyde！letusbecandidonewiththeother。Thissecretofyourshassoughtme:Ihavenotsoughtit。LetussayIamcurious——doyouaskme，asyouroldfriend，torespectyoursecret，andtoleaveit，onceforall，inyourownkeeping？’

`Yes——that’sjustwhatIdoask。’

`Thenmycuriosityisatanend。Itdiesinmefromthismoment。’

`Doyoureallymeanthat？’

`Whatmakesyoudoubtme？’

`Ihavehadsomeexperience，Fosco，ofyourroundaboutways，andIamnotsosurethatyouwon’twormitoutofmeafterall。’

Thechairbelowsuddenlycreakedagain——Ifeltthetrellisworkpillarundermeshakefromtoptobottom。TheCounthadstartedtohisfeet，andhadstruckitwithhishandinindignation。

`Percival！Percival！’hecriedpassionately，`doyouknowmenobetterthanthat？Hasallyourexperienceshownyounothingofmycharacteryet？Iamamanoftheantiquetype！Iamcapableofthemostexaltedactsofvirtue——whenIhavethechanceofperformingthem。IthasbeenthemisfortuneofmylifethatIhavehadfewchances。MyconceptionoffriendshipissublimeIIsitmyfaultthatyourskeletonhaspeepedoutatme？WhydoIconfessmycuriosity？YoupoorsuperficialEnglishman，itistomagnifymyownself-control。Icoulddrawyoursecretoutofyou，ifIliked，asIdrawthisfingeroutofthepalmofmyhand——youknowIcould！Butyouhaveappealedtomyfriendship，andthedutiesoffriendshiparesacredtome。See！Itramplemybasecuriosityundermyfeet。Myexaltedsentimentsliftmeaboveit。Recognisethem，Percival！imitatethem，Percival！Shakehands——Iforgiveyou。’

Hisvoicefalteredoverthelastwords——faltered，asifhewereactuallysheddingtears！

SirPercivalconfusedlyattemptedtoexcusehimself，buttheCountwastoomagnanimoustolistentohim。

`No！’hesaid。`Whenmyfriendhaswoundedme，Icanpardonhimwithoutapologies。Tellme，inplainwords，doyouwantmyhelp？’

`Yes，badlyenough。’

`Andyoucanaskforitwithoutcompromisingyourself？’

`Icantry，atanyrate。’

`Try，then。’

`Well，thisishowitstands:——ItoldyoutodaythatIhaddonemybesttofindAnneCatherick，andfailed。’

`Yes，youdid。’

`Fosco！I’malostmanifIdon’tfindher。’

`Ha！Isitsoseriousasthat？’

Alittlestreamoflighttravelledoutundertheverandah，andfelloverthegravel-walk。TheCounthadtakenthelampfromtheinnerpartoftheroomtoseehisfriendclearlybythelightofit。

`Yes！’hesaid。`Yourfacespeaksthetruththistime。Serious，indeed——asseriousasthemoneymattersthemselves。’

`Moreserious。AstrueasIsithere，moreserious！’

Thelightdisappearedagainandthetalkwenton。

`IshowedyouthelettertomywifethatAnneCatherickhidinthesand，’SirPercivalcontinued。`There’snoboastinginthatletter，Fosco——shedoesknowtheSecret。’

`Sayaslittleaspossible，Percival，inmypresence，oftheSecret。Doessheknowitfromyou？’

`No，fromhermother。’

`Twowomeninpossessionofyourprivatemind——bad，bad，bad，myfriendIOnequestionhere，beforewegoanyfarther。Themotiveofyourshuttingupthedaughterintheasylumisnowplainenoughtome，butthemannerofherescapeisnotquitesoclear。Doyoususpectthepeopleinchargeofherofclosingtheireyespurposely，attheinstanceofsomeenemywhocouldaffordtomakeitworththeirwhile？’

`No，shewasthebest-behavedpatienttheyhad——and，likefools，theytrustedher。She’sjustmadenoughtobeshutup，andjustsaneenoughtoruinmewhenshe’satlarge——ifyouunderstandthat？’

`Idounderstandit。Now，Percival，comeatoncetothepoint，andthenIshallknowwhattodo。Whereisthedangerofyourpositionatthepresentmoment？’

`AnneCatherickisinthisneighbourhood，andincommunicationwithLadyGlyde——there’sthedanger，plainenough。Whocanreadthelettershehidinthesand，andnotseethatmywifeisinpossessionoftheSecret，denyitasshemay？’

`Onemoment，Percival。IfLadyGlydedoesknowtheSecret，shemustknowalsothatitisacompromisingsecretforyou。Asyourwife，surelyitisinherinteresttokeepit？’

`Isit？I’mcomingtothat。Itmightbeherinterestifshecaredtwostrawsaboutme。ButIhappentobeanencumbranceinthewayofanotherman。Shewasinlovewithhimbeforeshemarriedme——she’sinlovewithhimnow——aninfernalvagabondofadrawing-master，namedHartright。’

`Mydearfriend！whatisthereextraordinaryinthat？Theyareallinlovewithsomeotherman。Whogetsthefirstofawoman’sheart？InallmyexperienceIhaveneveryetmetwiththemanwhowasNumberOne。NumberTwo，sometimes。NumberThree，Four，Five，often。NumberOne，never！Heexists，ofcourse——butIhavenotmetwithhun。’

`Wait！Ihaven’tdoneyet。WhodoyouthinkhelpedAnneCathericktogetthestart，whenthepeoplefromthemad-housewereafterher？Hartright。WhodoyouthinksawheragaininCumberland？HartrightBothtimeshespoketoheralone。Stop！don’tinterruptme。Thescoundrel’sassweetonmywifeassheisonhim。HeknowstheSecret，andsheknowstheSecret。Onceletthembothgettogetheragain，andit’sherinterestandhisinteresttoturntheirinformationagainstme。’

`Gently，Percival——gentlyIAreyouinsensibletothevirtueofLadyGlyde？’

`ThatforthevirtueofLadyGlyde！Ibelieveinnothingaboutherbuthermoney。Don’tyouseehowthecasestands？Shemightbeharmlessenoughbyherself；butifshehadthatvagabondHartright——’

`Yes，yes，Isee。WhereisMrHartright？’

`Outofthecountry。Ifhemeanstokeepawholeskinonhisbones，Irecommendhimnottocomebackinahurry。’

`Areyousureheisoutofthecountry？’

`Certain。IhadhimwatchedfromthetimeheleftCumberlandtothetimehesailed。Oh，I’vebeencareful，Icantellyou！AnneCathericklivedwithsomepeopleatafarm-housenearLimmeridge。Iwenttheremyself，aftershehadgivenmetheslip，andmadesurethattheyknewnothing。IgavehermotheraformoflettertowritetoMissHalcombe，exoneratingmefromanybadmotiveinputtingherunderrestraint。I’vespent，I’mafraidtosayhowmuch，intryingtotraceher，andinspiteofitall，sheturnsuphereandescapesmeonmyownproperty！HowdoIknowwhoelsemayseeher，whoelsemayspeaktoher？Thatpryingscoundrel，Hartright，maycomebackwithoutmyknowingit，andmaymakeuseofhertomorrow——’

`Nothe，Percival！WhileIamonthespot，andwhilethatwomanisintheneighbourhood，IwillanswerforourlayinghandsonherbeforeMrHartright——evenifhedoescomeback。Isee！yes，yes，Isee！ThefindingofAnneCatherickisthefirstnecessity——makeyourmindeasyabouttherest。Yourwifeishere，underyourthumb——MissHalcombeisinseparablefromher，andis，therefore，underyourthumbalso——andMrHartrightisoutofthecountry。ThisinvisibleAnneofyoursisallwehavetothinkofforthepresent。Youhavemadeyourinquiries？’

`Yes。Ihavebeentohermother，Ihaveransackedthevillage——andalltonopurpose。’

`Ishermothertobedependedon？’

`Yes，’

`Shehastoldyoursecretonce。’

`Shewon’ttellitagain。’

`Whynot？Areherowninterestsconcernedinkeepingit，aswellasyours？’

`Yes——deeplyconcerned。’

`Iamgladtohearit，Percival，foryoursake。Don’tbediscouraged，myfriend。Ourmoneymatters，asItoldyou，leavemeplentyoftimetoturnroundin，andImaysearchforAnneCathericktomorrowtobetterpurposethanyou。Onelastquestionbeforewegotobed。’

`Whatisit？’

`Itisthis。WhenIwenttotheboat-housetotellLadyGlydethatthelittledifficultyofhersignaturewasputoff，accidenttookmethereintimetoseeastrangewomanpartinginaverysuspiciousmannerfromyourwife。Butaccidentdidnotbringmenearenoughtoseethissamewoman’sfaceplainly。ImustknowhowtorecogniseourinvisibleAnne。Whatisshelike？’

`Like？Come！I’lltellyouintwowords。She’sasicklylikenessofmywife。’

Thechaircreaked，andthepillarshookoncemore。TheCountwasonhisfeetagain——thistimeinastonishment。

`What！！！’heexclaimedeagerly。

`Fancymywife，afterabadillness，withatouchofsomethingwronginherhead——andthereisAnneCatherickforyou，’answeredSirPercival。

`Aretheyrelatedtoeachother？’

`Notabitofit。’

`Andyetsolike？’

`Yes，solike。Whatareyoulaughingabout？’

Therewasnoanswerandnosoundofanykind。TheCountwaslaughinginhissmoothsilentinternalway。

`Whatareyoulaughingabout？’reiteratedSirPercival。

`Perhapsatmyownfancies，mygoodfriend。AllowmemyItalianhumour——doInotcomeoftheillustriousnationwhichinventedtheexhibitionofPunch？Well，well，well，IshallknowAnneCatherickwhenIseeher——andsoenoughfortonight。Makeyourmindeasy，Percival。Sleep，myson，thesleepofthejust，andseewhatIwilldoforyouwhendaylightcomestohelpusboth。Ihavemyprojectsandmyplanshereinmybighead。YoushallpaythosebillsandfindAnneCatherick——mysacredwordofhonouronit，butyoushall！AmIafriendtobetreasuredinthebestcornerofyourheart，oramInot？AmIworththoseloansofmoneywhichyousodelicatelyremindedmeofalittlewhilesince？Whateveryoudo，neverwoundmeinmysentimentsanymore。Recognisethem，Percival！imitatethem，Percival！Iforgiveyouagain——Ishakehandsagain。Goodnight！’

Notanotherwordwasspoken。IheardtheCountclosethelibrarydoor。IheardSirPercivalbarringupthewindow-shutters。Ithadbeenraining，rainingallthetime。Iwascrampedbymypositionandchilledtothebones。WhenIfirsttriedtomove，theeffortwassopainfultomethatIwasobligedtodesist。Itriedasecondtime，andsucceededinrisingtomykneesonthewetroof。

AsIcrepttothewall，andraisedmyselfagainstit，Ilookedback，andsawthewindowoftheCount’sdressing-roomgleamintolight。Mysinkingcourageflickeredupinmeagain，andkeptmyeyesfixedonhiswindow，asIstolemywayback，stepbystep，pastthewallofthehouse。

Theclockstruckthequarterafterone，whenIlaidmyhandsonthewindow-sillofmyownroom。Ihadseennothingandheardnothingwhichcouldleadmetosupposethatmyretreathadbeendiscovered。

June20th——Eighto’clock。Thesunisshininginaclearsky。Ihavenotbeennearmybed——Ihavenotonceclosedmywearywakefuleyes。FromthesamewindowatwhichIlookedoutintothedarknessoflastnight，Ilookoutnowatthebrightstillnessofthemorning。

IcountthehoursthathavepassedsinceIescapedtotheshelterofthisroombymyownsensations——andthosehoursseemlikeweeks。

Howshortatime，andyethowlongtome——sinceIsankdowninthedarkness，here，onthefloor——drenchedtotheskin，crampedineverylimb，coldtothebones，auseless，helpless，panic-strickencreature。

IhardlyknowwhenIrousedmyself。IhardlyknowwhenIgropedmywaybacktothebedroom，andlightedthecandle，andsearched(withastrangeignorance，atfirst，ofwheretolookforthem)fordryclothestowarmme。Thedoingofthesethingsisinmymind，butnotthetimewhentheyweredone。

CanIevenrememberwhenthechilled，crampedfeelingleftme，andthethrobbingheatcameinitsplace？

Surelyitwasbeforethesunrose？Yes，Iheardtheclockstrikethree。Irememberthetimebythesuddenbrightnessandclearness，thefeverishstrainandexcitementofallmyfacultieswhichcamewithit。Iremembermyresolutiontocontrolmyself，towaitpatientlyhourafterhour，tillthechanceofferedofremovingLaurafromthishorribleplace，withoutthedangerofimmediatediscoveryandpursuit。Irememberthepersuasionsettlingitselfinmymindthatthewordsthosetwomenhadsaidtoeachotherwouldfurnishus，notonlywithourjustificationforleavingthehouse，butwithourweaponsofdefenceagainstthemaswell。Irecalltheimpulsethatawakenedinmetopreservethosewordsinwriting，exactlyastheywerespoken，whilethetimewasmyown，andwhilemymemoryvividlyretainedthem。AllthisIrememberplainly:thereisnoconfusioninmyheadyet。Thecominginherefromthebedroom，withmypenandinkandpaper，beforesunrise——thesittingdownatthewidely-openedwindowtogetalltheairIcouldtocoolme——theceaselesswriting，fasterandfaster，hotterandhotter，drivingonmoreandmorewakefully，allthroughthedreadfulintervalbeforethehousewasastiragain——howclearlyIrecallit，fromthebeginningbycandle-light，totheendonthepagebeforethis，inthesunshineofthenewday！

WhydoIsitherestill？WhydoIwearymyhoteyesandmyburningheadbywritingmore？Whynotliedownandrestmyself，andtrytoquenchthefeverthatconsumesme，insleep？

Idarenotattemptit。Afearbeyondallotherfearshasgotpossessionofme。Iamafraidofthisheatthatparchesmyskin。IamafraidofthecreepingandthrobbingthatIfeelinmyhead。IfIliedownnow，howdoIknowthatImayhavethesenseandthestrengthtoriseagain？

Oh，therain，therain——thecruelrainthatchilledmelastnight！

Nineo’clock。Wasitninestruck，oreight？Nine，surely？Iamshiveringagain——shivering，fromheadtofoot，inthesummerair。HaveIbeensittinghereasleep？Idon’tknowwhatIhavebeendoing。

Oh，myGod！amIgoingtobeill？

Ill，atsuchatimeasthis！

Myhead——Iamsadlyafraidofmyhead。Icanwrite，butthelinesallruntogether。Iseethewords。Laura——IcanwriteLaura，andseeIwriteit。Eightornine——whichwasit？

Socold，socold——oh，thatrainlastnight！——andthestrokesoftheclock，thestrokesIcan’tcount，keepstrikinginmyhead——

NOTE

AtthisplacetheentryintheDiaryceasestobelegible。Thetwoorthreelineswhichfollowcontainfragmentsofwordsonly，mingledwithblotsandscratchesofthepen。Thelastmarksonthepaperbearsomeresemblancetothefirsttwoletters(LandA)ofthenameofLadyGlyde。

OnthenextpageoftheDiary，anotherentryappears。Itisinaman’shandwriting，large，bold，andfirmlyregular，andthedateis`Junethe21st。’Itcontainstheselines]

POSTSCRIPTBYASINCEREFRIEND

TheillnessofourexcellentMissHalcombehasaffordedmetheopportunityofenjoyinganunexpectedintellectualpleasure。

Irefertotheperusal(whichIhavejustcompleted)ofthisinterestingDiary。

Therearemanyhundredpageshere。Icanlaymyhandonmyheart，anddeclarethateverypagehascharmed，refreshed，delightedme。

Toamanofmysentimentsitisunspeakablygratifyingtobeabletosaythis。

Admirablewoman！

IalludetoMissHalcombe。

Stupendouseffort！

IrefertotheDiary。

Yes！thesepagesareamazing。ThetactwhichIfindhere，thediscretion，therarecourage，thewonderfulpowerofmemory，theaccurateobservationofcharacter，theeasygraceofstyle，thecharmingoutburstsofwomanlyfeeling，haveallinexpressiblyincreasedmyadmirationofthissublimecreature，ofthismagnificentMarian。Thepresentationofmyowncharacterismasterlyintheextreme。Icertify，withmywholeheart，tothefidelityoftheportrait。IfeelhowvividanimpressionImusthaveproducedtohavebeenpaintedinsuchstrong，suchrich，suchmassivecoloursasthese。Ilamentafreshthecruelnecessitywhichsetsourinterestsatvariance，andopposesustoeachother。UnderhappiercircumstanceshowworthyIshouldhavebeenofMissHalcombe——howworthyMissHalcombewouldhavebeenofME。

ThesentimentswhichanimatemyheartassuremethatthelinesIhavejustwrittenexpressaProfoundTruth。

Thosesentimentsexaltmeaboveallmerelypersonalconsiderations。Ibearwitness，inthemostdisinterestedmanner，totheexcellenceofthestratagembywhichthisunparalleledwomansurprisedtheprivateinterviewbetweenPercivalandmyself——alsotothemarvellousaccuracyofherreportofthewholeconversationfromitsbeginningtoitsend。

Thosesentimentshaveinducedmetooffertotheunimpressionabledoctorwhoattendsonhermyvastknowledgeofchemistry，andmyluminousexperienceofthemoresubtleresourceswhichmedicalandmagneticsciencehaveplacedatthedisposalofmankind。Hehashithertodeclinedtoavailhimselfofmyassistance。Miserableman！

Finally，thosesentimentsdictatethelines——grateful，sympathetic，paternallines——whichappearinthisplace。Iclosethehook。Mystrictsenseofproprietyrestoresit(bythehandsofmywife)toitsplaceonthewriter’stable。Eventsarehurryingmeaway。Circumstancesareguidingmetoseriousissues。Vastperspectivesofsuccessunrollthemselvesbeforemyeyes。Iaccomplishmydestinywithacalmnesswhichisterribletomyself。Nothingbutthehomageofmyadmirationismyown。IdeposititwithrespectfultendernessatthefeetofMissHalcombe。

Ibreathemywishesforherrecovery。

Icondolewithherontheinevitablefailureofeveryplanthatshehasformedforhersister’sbenefit。Atthesametime，IentreathertobelievethattheinformationwhichIhavederivedfromherDiarywillinnorespecthelpmetocontributetothatfailure。ItsimplyconfirmstheplanofconductwhichIhadpreviouslyarranged。Ihavetothankthesepagesforawakeningthefinestsensibilitiesinmynature——nothingmore。

Toapersonofsimilarsensibilitythissimpleassertionwillexplainandexcuseeverything。

MissHalcombeisapersonofsimilarsensibility。

InthatpersuasionIsignmyself，FOSCO。

THESTORYCONTINUEDBYFREDERICKFAIRLIE，ESQ。，OFLIMMERIDGEHOUSE*

*(note)1。ThemannerinwhichMrFairlie’sNarrative，andotherNarrativesthatareshortlytofollowit，wereoriginallyobtained，formsthesubjectofanexplanationwhichwillappearatalaterperiod。

ITisthegrandmisfortuneofmylifethatnobodywillletmealone。

Why——Iaskeverybody——whyworryme？Nobodyanswersthatquestion，andnobodyletsmealone。Relatives，friends，andstrangersallcombinetoannoyme。WhathaveIdone？Iaskmyself，Iaskmyservant，Louis，fiftytimesaday——whathaveIdone？Neitherofuscantell。Mostextraordinary！

ThelastannoyancethathasassailedmeistheannoyanceofbeingcalledupontowritethisNarrative。Isamaninmystateofnervouswretchednesscapableofwritingnarratives？WhenIputthisextremelyreasonableobjection，Iamtoldthatcertainveryseriouseventsrelatingtomyniecehavehappenedwithinmyexperience，andthatIamthefitpersontodescribethemonthataccount。IamthreatenedifIfailtoexertmyselfinthemannerrequired，withconsequenceswhichIcannotsomuchasthinkofwithoutperfectprostration。Thereisreallynoneedtothreatenme。Shatteredbymymiserablehealthandmyfamilytroubles，Iamincapableofresistance。Ifyouinsist，youtakeyourunjustadvantageofme，andIgivewayimmediately。IwillendeavourtorememberwhatIcan(underprotest)，andtowritewhatIcan(alsounderprotest)，andwhatIcan’trememberandcan’twrite，Louismustrememberandwriteforme。Heisanass，andIamaninvalid，andwearelikelytomakeallsortsofmistakesbetweenus。Howhumiliating！

Iamtoldtorememberdates。Goodheavens！Ineverdidsuchathinginmylife——howamItobeginnow？

IhaveaskedLouis。HeisnotquitesuchanassasIhavehithertosupposed。Heremembersthedateoftheevent。withinaweekortwo——andIrememberthenameoftheperson。ThedatewastowardstheendofJune，orthebeginningofJuly，andthename(inmyopinionaremarkablyvulgarone)wasFanny。

AttheendofJune，orthebeginningofJuly，then，Iwasreclininginmycustomarystate，surroundedbythevariousobjectsofArtwhichIhavecollectedaboutmetoimprovethetasteofthebarbarouspeopleinmyneighbourhood。Thatistosay，Ihadthephotographsofmypictures，andprints，andcoins，andsoforth，allaboutme，whichIintend，oneofthesedays，topresent(thephotographs，Imean，iftheclumsyEnglishlanguagewillletmemeananything)——topresenttotheinstitutionatCarlisle(horridplace！)，withaviewtoimprovingthetastesofthemembers(GothsandVandalstoaman)。Itmightbesupposedthatagentlemanwhowasincourseofconferringagreatnationalbenefitonhiscountrymenwasthelastgentlemanintheworldtobeunfeelinglyworriedaboutprivatedifficultiesandfamilyaffairs。Quiteamistake，Iassureyou，inmycase。

However，thereIwas，reclining，withmyart-treasuresaboutme，andwantingaquietmorning。BecauseIwantedaquietmorning，ofcourseLouiscamein。ItwasperfectlynaturalthatIshouldinquirewhatthedeucehemeantbymakinghisappearancewhenIhadnotrungmybell。Iseldomswear——itissuchanungentlemanlikehabit——butwhenLouisansweredbyagrin，IthinkitwasalsoperfectlynaturalthatIshoulddamnhimforgrinning。Atanyrate，Idid。

Thisrigorousmodeoftreatment，Ihaveobserved，invariablybringspersonsinthelowerclassoflifetotheirsenses。ItbroughtLouistohissenses。Hewassoobligingastoleaveoffgrinning，andinformmethataYoungPersonwasoutsidewantingtoseeme。Headded(withtheodioustalkativenessofservants)，thathernamewasFanny。

`WhoisFanny？’

`LadyGlyde’smaid，sir？’

`WhatdoesLadyGlyde’smaidwantwithme？’

`Aletter，sir-’

`Takeit。’

`Sherefusestogiveittoanybodybutyou，sir。’

`Whosendstheletter？’

`MissHalcombe，sir。’

ThemomentIheardMissHalcombe’snameIgaveup。ItisahabitofminealwaystogiveuptoMissHalcombe。Ifind，byexperience，thatitsavesnoise。Igaveuponthisoccasion。DearMarian！

`LetLadyGlyde’smaidcomein。Louis。Stop！Dohershoescreak？’

Iwasobligedtoaskthequestion。Creakingshoesinvariablyupsetmefortheday。IwasresignedtoseetheYoungPerson，butIwasnotresignedtolettheYoungPerson’sshoesupsetme。Thereisalimiteventomyendurance。

Louisaffirmeddistinctlythathershoesweretobedependedupon。Iwavedmyhand。Heintroducedher。Isitnecessarytosaythatsheexpressedhersenseofembarrassmentbyshuttinguphermouthandbreathingthroughhernose？Tothestudentoffemalehumannatureinthelowerorders，surelynot。

Letmedothegirljustice。Hershoesdidnotcreak。ButwhydoYoungPersonsinserviceallperspireatthehands？Whyhavetheyallgotfatnosesandhardcheeks？Andwhyaretheirfacessosadlyunfinished，especiallyaboutthecornersoftheeyelids？Iamnotstrongenoughtothinkdeeplymyselfonanysubject，butIappealtoprofessionalmen，whoare。WhyhavewenovarietyinourbreedofYoungPersons？

`Youhavealetterforme，fromMissHalcombe？Putitdownonthetable，please，anddon’tupsetanything。HowisMissHalcombe？’

`Verywell，thankyou，sir。’

`AndLadyGlyde？’

Ireceivednoanswer。TheYoungPerson’sfacebecamemoreunfinishedthanever，andIthinkshebegantocry。Icertainlysawsomethingmoistabouthereyes。Tearsorperspiration？Louis(whomIhavejustconsulted)isinclinedtothink，tears。Heisinherclassoflife，andheoughttoknowbest。Letussay，tears。

ExceptwhentherefiningprocessofArtjudiciouslyremovesfromthemallresemblancetoNature，Idistinctlyobjecttotears。TearsarescientificallydescribedasaSecretion。Icanunderstandthatasecretionmaybehealthyorunhealthy，butIcannotseetheinterestofasecretionfromasentimentalpointofview。Perhapsmyownsecretionsbeingallwrongtogether，Iamalittleprejudicedonthesubject。Nomatter。Ibehaved，onthisoccasion，withallpossibleproprietyandfeeling。IclosedmyeyesandsaidtoLouis——

`Endeavourtoascertainwhatshemeans。’

Louisendeavoured，andtheYoungPersonendeavoured。TheysucceededinconfusingeachothertosuchanextentthatIamboundincommongratitudetosaytheyreallyamusedme。IthinkIshallsendforthemagainwhenIaminlowspirits。IhavejustmentionedthisideatoLouis。Strangetosay，itseemstomakehimuncomfortable。Poordevil！

SurelyIamnotexpectedtorepeatmyniece’smaid’sexplanationofhertears，interpretedintheEnglishofmySwissvalet？Thethingismanifestlyimpossible。Icangivemyownimpressionsandfeelingsperhaps。Willthatdoaswell？Pleasesay，Yes。

Myideaisthatshebeganbytellingme(throughLouis)thathermasterhaddismissedherfromhermistress’sservice。(Observe，throughout，thestrangeirrelevancyoftheYoungPerson。Wasitmyfaultthatshehadlostherplace？)Onherdismissal，shehadgonetotheinntosleep。(Idon’tkeeptheinn——whymentionittome？)Betweensiro’clockandsevenMissHalcombehadcometosaygood-bye，andhadgivenhertwoletters，oneforme，andoneforagentlemaninLondon。(IamnotagentlemaninLondon——hangthegentlemaninLondon！)Shehadcarefullyputthetwolettersintoherbosom(whathaveItodowithherbosom？)；shehadbeenveryunhappy，whenMissHalcombehadgoneawayagain；shehadnothadthehearttoputbitordropbetweenherlipstillitwasnearbedtime，andthen，whenitwascloseonnineo’clock，shehadthoughtsheshouldlikeacupoftea。(AmIresponsibleforanyofthesevulgarfluctuations，whichbeginwithunhappinessandendwithtea？)rustasshewaswarmingthepot(IgivethewordsontheauthorityofLouis，whosaysheknowswhattheymean，andwishestoexplain，butIsnubhimonprinciple)——justasshewaswarmingthepotthedooropened，andshewasstruckofaheap(herownwordsagain，andperfectlyunintelligiblethistimetoLouis，aswellastomyself)bytheappearanceintheinnparlourofherladyshiptheCountess。Igivemyniece’smaid’sdescriptionofmysister’stitlewithasenseofthehighestrelish。Mypoordearsisterisatiresomewomanwhomarriedaforeigner。Toresume:thedooropened，herladyshiptheCountessappearedintheparlour，andtheYoungPersonwasstruckofaheap。Mostremarkable！

ImustreallyrestalittlebeforeIcangetonanyfarther。WhenIhavereclinedforafewminutes，withmyeyesclosed，andwhenLouishasrefreshedmypoorachingtempleswithalittleeau-de-Cologne，Imaybeabletoproceed。

HerladyshiptheCountess——

No。Iamabletoproceed，butnottositup。Iwillreclineanddictate。Louishasahorridaccent，butheknowsthelanguage，andcanwrite。Howveryconvenient！

Herladyship，theCountess，explainedherunexpectedappearanceattheinnbytellingFannythatshehadcometobringoneortwolittlemessageswhichMissHalcombeinherhurryhadforgotten。TheYoungPersonthereuponwaitedanxiouslytohearwhatthemessageswere，buttheCountessseemeddisinclinedtomentionthem(solikemysister’stiresomeway！)untilFannyhadhadhertea。Herladyshipwassurprisinglykindandthoughtfulaboutit(extremelyunlikemysister)，andsaid，`Iamsure，mypoorgirl，youmustwantyourtea。Wecanletthemessageswaittillafterwards。Come，come，ifnothingelsewillputyouatyourease，I’llmaketheteaandhaveacupwithyou。’Ithinkthosewerethewords，asreportedexcitably，inmypresence，bytheYoungPerson。Atanyrate，theCountessinsistedonmakingthetea，andcarriedherridiculousostentationofhumilitysofarastotakeonecupherself，andtoinsistonthegirl’stakingtheother。Thegirldrankthetea，andaccordingtoherownaccount，solemnisedtheextraordinaryoccasionfiveminutesafterwardsbyfaintingdeadawayforthefirsttimeinherlife。HereagainIuseherownwords。Louisthinkstheywereaccompaniedbyanincreasedsecretionoftears。Ican’tsaymyself。TheeffortoflisteningbeingquiteasmuchasIcouldmanage，myeyeswereclosed。

WheredidIleaveoff？Ah，yes——shefaintedafterdrinkingacupofteawiththeCountess——aproceedingwhichmighthaveinterestedmeifIhadbeenhermedicalman，butbeingnothingofthesortIfeltboredbyhearingofit，nothingmore。Whenshecametoherselfinhalfanhourstimeshewasonthesofa，andnobodywaswithherbutthelandlady。TheCountess，findingittoolatetoremainanylongerattheinn，hadgoneawayassoonasthegirlshowedsignsofrecovering，andthelandladyhadbeengoodenoughtohelpherupstairstobed。

Leftbyherself，shehadfeltinherbosom(Iregretthenecessityofreferringtothispartofthesubjectasecondtime)，andhadfoundthetwoletterstherequitesafe，butstrangelycrumpled。Shehadbeengiddyinthenight，buthadgotupwellenoughtotravelinthemorning。Shehadputtheletteraddressedtothatobtrusivestranger，thegentlemaninLondon，intothepost，andhadnowdeliveredtheotherletterintomyhandsasshewastold。Thiswastheplaintruth，andthoughshecouldnotblameherselfforanyintentionalneglect，shewassadlytroubledinhermind，andsadlyinwantofawordofadvice。AtthispointLouisthinksthesecretionsappearedagain。Perhapstheydid，butitisofinfinitelygreaterimportancetomentionthatatthispointalsoIlostmypatience，openedmyeyes，andinterfered。

`Whatisthepurportofallthis？’Iinquired。

Myniece’sirrelevantmaidstared，andstoodspeechless。

`Endeavourtoexplain，’Isaidtomyservant。`Translateme，Louis。’

Louisendeavouredandtranslated。Inotherwords，hedescendedimmediatelyintoabottomlesspitofconfusion，andtheYoungPersonfollowedhimdown。Ireallydon’tknowwhenIhavebeensoamused。Ileftthematthebottomofthepitaslongastheydivertedme。Whentheyceasedtodivertme，Iexertedmyintelligence，andpulledthemupagain。

Itisunnecessarytosaythatmyinterferenceenabledme，induecourseoftime，toascertainthepurportoftheYoungPerson’sremarks。

Idiscoveredthatshewasuneasyinhermind，becausethetrainofeventsthatshehadjustdescribedtomehadpreventedherfromreceivingthosesupplementarymessageswhichMissHalcombehadintrustedtotheCountesstodeliver。Shewasafraidthemessagesmighthavebeenofgreatimportancetohermistress’sinterests。HerdreadofSirPercivalhaddeterredherfromgoingtoBlackwaterParklateatnighttoinquireaboutthem，andMissHalcombe’sowndirectionstoher，onnoaccounttomissthetraininthemorning，hadpreventedherfromwaitingattheinnthenextday。Shewasmostanxiousthatthemisfortuneofherfainting-fitshouldnotleadtothesecondmisfortuneofmakinghermistressthinkherneglectful，andshewouldhumblybegtoaskmewhetherIwouldadvisehertowriteherexplanationsandexcusestoMissHalcombe，requestingtoreceivethemessagesbyletter，ifitwasnottoolate。Imakenoapologiesforthisextremelyprosyparagraph。Ihavebeenorderedtowriteit。Therearepeople，unaccountableasitmayappear，whoactuallytakemoreinterestinwhatmyniece’smaidsaidtomeonthisoccasionthaninwhatIsaidtomyniece’smaid。Amusingperversity！

`Ishouldfeelverymuchobligedtoyou，sir，ifyouwouldkindlytellmewhatIhadbetterdo，remarkedtheYoungPerson。

`Letthingsstopastheyare，’Isaid，adaptingmylanguagetomylistener。`Iinvariablyletthingsstopastheyare。Yes。Isthatall？’

`Ifyouthinkitwouldbealibertyinme，sir，towrite，ofcourseIwouldn’tventuretodoso。ButIamsoveryanxioustodoallIcantoservemymistressfaithfully——’

Peopleinthelowerclassoflifeneverknowwhenorhowtogooutofaroom。Theyinvariablyrequiretobehelpedoutbytheirbetters。IthoughtithightimetohelptheYoungPersonout。Ididitwithtwojudiciouswords——

`Goodmorning。’

Somethingoutsideorinsidethissingulargirlsuddenlycreaked。Louis，whowaslookingather(whichIwasnot)，saysshecreakedwhenshecurtseyed。Curious。Wasithershoes，herstays，orherbones？Louisthinksitwasherstays。Mostextraordinary！

AssoonasIwasleftbymyselfIhadalittlenap——Ireallywantedit。WhenIawokeagainInoticeddearMarian’sletter。IfIhadhadthelastideaofwhatitcontainedIshouldcertainlynothaveattemptedtoopenit。Being，unfortunatelyformyself，quiteinnocentofallsuspicion，Ireadtheletter。Itimmediatelyupsetmefortheday。

Iam，bynature，oneofthemosteasy-temperedcreaturesthateverlived——Imakeallowancesforeverybody，andItakeoffenceatnothing。ButasIhavebeforeremarked，therearelimitstomyendurance。IlaiddownMarian’sletter，andfeltmyself——justlyfeltmyself——aninjuredman。

Iamabouttomakearemark。Itis，ofcourse，applicabletotheveryseriousmatternowundernotice，orIshouldnotallowittoappearinthisplace。

Nothing，inmyopinion，setstheodiousselfishnessofmankindinsucharepulsivelyvividlightasthetreatment，inallclassesofsociety，whichtheSinglepeoplereceiveatthehandsoftheMarriedpeople。Whenyouhaveonceshownyourselftooconsiderateandself-denyingtoaddafamilyofyourowntoanalreadyovercrowdedpopulation，youarevindictivelymarkedoutbyyourmarriedfriends，whohavenosimilarconsiderationandnosimilarself-denial，astherecipientofhalftheirconjugaltroubles，andthebornfriendofalltheirchildren。Husbandsandwivestalkofthecaresofmatrimony，andbachelorsandspinstersbearthem。Takemyowncase。Iconsideratelyremainsingle，andmypoordearbrotherPhilipinconsideratelymarries。Whatdoeshedowhenhedies？Heleaveshisdaughtertome。Sheisasweetgirl——sheisalsoadreadfulresponsibility。Whylayheronmyshoulders？BecauseIambound，intheharmlesscharacterofasingleman，torelievemymarriedconnectionsofalltheirowntroubles。Idomybestwithmybrother’sresponsibility——Imarrymyniece，withinfinitefussanddifficulty，tothemanherfatherwantedhertomarry-Sheandherhusbanddisagree，andunpleasantconsequencesfollow。Whatdoesshedowiththoseconsequences？Shetransfersthemtome。Whytransferthemtome？BecauseIambound，intheharmlesscharacterofasingleman，torelievemymarriedconnectionsofalltheirowntroubles。Poorsinglepeople！Poorhumannature！

ItisquiteunnecessarytosaythatMarian’sletterthreatenedme。Everybodythreatensme。AllsortsofhorrorsweretofallonmydevotedheadifIhesitatedtoturnLimmeridgeHouseintoan

asylumformynieceandhermisfortunes。Ididhesitate，nevertheless。

Ihavementionedthatmyusualcourse，hitherto，hadbeentosubmittodearMarian，andsavenoise。Butonthisoccasion，theconsequencesinvolvedinherextremelyinconsiderateproposalwereofanaturetomakemepause。IfIopenedLimmeridgeHouseasanasylumtoLadyGlyde，whatsecurityhadIagainstSirPercivalGlyde’sfollowingherhereinastateofviolentresentmentagainstmeforharbouringhiswife？IsawsuchaperfectlabyrinthoftroublesinvolvedinthisproceedingthatIdeterminedtofeelmyground，asitwere。Iwrote，therefore，todearMariantobeg(asshehadnohusbandtolayclaimtoher)thatshewouldcomeherebyherself，first，andtalkthematteroverwithme。Ifshecouldanswermyobjectionstomyownperfectsatisfaction，thenIassuredherthatIwouldreceiveoursweetLaurawiththegreatestpleasure，butnototherwise。

Ifelt，ofcourse，atthetime，thatthistemporisingonmypartwouldprobablyendinbringingMarianhereinastateofvirtuousindignation，bangingdoors。Butthen，theothercourseofproceedingmightendinbringingSirPercivalhereinastateofvirtuousindignation，bangingdoorsalso，andofthetwoindignationsandbangingsIpreferredMarian’s，becauseIwasusedtoher。AccordinglyIdespatchedtheletterbyreturnofpost。Itgainedmetime，atallevents——and，ohdearme！whatapointthatwastobeginwith。

WhenIamtotallyprostrated(didImentionthatIwastotallyprostratedbyMarian’sletter？)italwaystakesmethreedaystogetupagain。Iwasveryunreasonable——Iexpectedthreedaysofquiet。OfcourseIdidn’tgetthem。

Thethirdday’spostbroughtmeamostimpertinentletterfromapersonwithwhomIwastotallyunacquainted。Hedescribedhimselfastheactingpartnerofourmanofbusiness——our

dear，pig-headedoldGilmore——andheinformedmethathehadlatelyreceived，bythepost，aletteraddressedtohiminMissHalcombe’shandwriting。Onopeningtheenvelope，hehaddiscovered，tohisastonishment，thatitcontainednothingbutablanksheetofnotepaper。Thiscircumstanceappearedtohimsosuspicious(assuggestingtohisrestlesslegalmindthattheletterhadbeentamperedwith)thathehadatoncewrittentoMissHalcombe，andhadreceivednoanswerbyreturnofpost。Inthis

difficulty，insteadofactinglikeasensiblemanandlettingthingstaketheirpropercourse，hisnextabsurdproceeding，onhisownshowing，wastopestermebywritingtoinquireifIknewanythingaboutit。WhatthedeuceshouldIknowaboutit？Whyalarmmraswellashimself？Iwrotebacktothateffect。Itwasoneofmykeenestletters。IhaveproducednothingwithasharperepistolaryedgetoitsinceItenderedhisdismissalinwritingtothatextremelytroublesomeperson，MrWalterHartright。

Myletterproduceditseffect。Iheardnothingmorefromthelawyer。

Thisperhapswasnotaltogethersurprising。ButitwascertainlyaremarkablecircumstancethatnosecondletterreachedmefromMarian，andthatnowarningsignsappearedofherarrival。Herunexpectedabsencedidmeamazinggood。Itwassoverysoothingandpleasanttoinfer(asIdidofcourse)thatmymarriedconnectionshadmadeitupagain。Fivedaysofundisturbedtranquillity，ofdelicioussingleblessedness，quiterestoredme。OnthesixthdayIfeltstrongenoughtosendformyphotographer，andtosethimatworkagainonthepresentationcopiesofmyart-treasures，withaview，asIhavealreadymentioned，totheimprovementoftasteinthisbarbarousneighbourhood。Ihadjustdismissedhimtohisworkshop，andhadjustbeguncoquettingwithmycoins，whenLouissuddenlymadehisappearancewithacardinhishand。

`AnotherYoungPerson？’Isaid。`Iwon’tseeher。InmystateofhealthYoungpersonsdisagreewithme。Notathome。’

`Itisagentlemanthistime，sir。’

Agentlemanofcoursemadeadifference。Ilookedatthecard。

GraciousHeaven！mytiresomesister’sforeignhusband，CountFosco。