第17章

Fourmonthselapsed。Aprilcame——themonthofspring——themonthofchange。

Thecourseoftimehadflowedthroughtheintervalsincethewinterpeacefullyandhappilyinournewhome。Ihadturnedmylongleisuretogoodaccount，hadlargelyincreasedmysourcesofemployment，andhadplacedourmeansofsubsistenceonsurergrounds。Freedfromthesuspenseandtheanxietywhichhadtriedhersosorelyandhungoverhersolong，Marian’sspiritsrallied，andhernaturalenergyofcharacterbegantoassertitselfagain，withsomething，ifnotall，ofthefreedomandthevigourofformertimes。

Morepliableunderchangethanhersister，Laurashowedmoreplainlytheprogressmadebythehealinginfluencesofhernewlife。Thewornandwastedlookwhichhadprematurelyagedherfacewasfastleavingit，andtheexpressionwhichhadbeenthefirstofitscharmsinpastdayswasthefirstofitsbeautiesthatnowreturned。Myclosestobservationsofherdetectedbutoneseriousresultoftheconspiracywhichhadoncethreatenedherreasonandherlife。Hermemoryofevents，fromtheperiodofherleavingBlackwaterParktotheperiodofourmeetingintheburial-groundofLimmeridgeChurch，waslostbeyondallhopeofrecovery。Attheslightestreferencetothattimeshechangedandtrembledstill，herwordsbecameconfused，hermemorywanderedandlostitselfashelplesslyasever。Here，andhereonly，thetracesofthepastlaydeep——toodeeptobeeffaced。

Inallelseshewasnowsofaronthewaytorecoverythat。onherbestandbrightestdays，shesometimeslookedandspokeliketheLauraofoldtimes。Thehappychangewroughtitsnaturalresultinusboth。Fromthelongslumber，onhersideandonmine，thoseimperishablememoriesofourpastlifeinCumberlandnowawoke，whichwereoneandallalike，thememoriesofourlove。

Graduallyandinsensiblyourdailyrelationstowardseachotherbecameconstrained。ThefondwordswhichIhadspokentohersonaturally，inthedaysofhersorrowandhersuffering，falteredstrangelyonmylips。Inthetimewhenmydreadoflosingherwasmostpresenttomymind，Ihadalwayskissedherwhensheleftmeatnightandwhenshemetmeinthemorning。Thekissseemednowtohavedroppedbetweenus——tobelostoutofourlives。Ourhandsbegantotrembleagainwhentheymet。WehardlyeverlookedlongatoneanotheroutofMarian’spresence。Thetalkoftenflaggedbetweenuswhenwewerealone。WhenItouchedherbyaccidentIfeltmyheartbeatingfast，asitusedtobeatatLimmeridgeHouse——Isawthelovelyansweringflushglowingagaininhercheeks，asifwewerebackamongtheCumberlandHillsinourpastcharactersofmasterandpupiloncemore。Shehadlongintervalsofsilenceandthoughtfulness，anddeniedshehadbeenthinkingwhenMarianaskedherthequestion。Isurprisedmyselfonedayneglectingmyworktodreamoverthelittlewater-colourportraitofherwhichIhadtakeninthesummer-housewherewefirstmet——justasIusedtoneglectMrFairlie’sdrawingstodreamoverthesamelikenesswhenitwasnewlyfinishedinthebygonetime。Changedasallthecircumstancesnowwere，ourpositiontowardseachotherinthegoldendaysofourfirstcompanionshipseemedtoberevivedwiththerevivalofourlove。ItwasasifTimehaddriftedusbackonthewreckofourearlyhopestotheoldfamiliarshore！

ToanyotherwomanIcouldhavespokenthedecisivewordswhichIstillhesitatedtospeaktoher。Theutterhelplessnessofherposition——herfriendlessdependenceonalltheforbearinggentlenessthatIcouldshowher——myfearoftouchingtoosoonsomesecretsensitivenessinherwhichmyinstinctasamanmightnothavebeenfineenoughtodiscover——theseconsiderations，andotherslikethem，keptmeself-distrustfullysilent。AndyetIknewthattherestraintonbothridesmustbeended，thattherelationsinwhichwestoodtowardsoneanothermustbealteredinsomesettledmannerforthefuture，andthatitrestedwithme，inthefirstinstance，torecognisethenecessityforachange。

ThemoreIthoughtofourposition，thehardertheattempttoalteritappeared，whilethedomesticconditionsinwhichwethreehadbeenlivingtogethersincethewinterremainedundisturbed。Icannotaccountforthecapriciousstateofmindinwhichthisfeelingoriginated，buttheideaneverthelesspossessedmethatsomepreviouschangeofplaceandcircumstances，somesuddenbreakinthequietmonotonyofourlives，somanagedastovarythehomeaspectunderwhichwehadbeenaccustomedtoseeeachother，mightpreparethewayformetospeak，andmightmakeiteasierandlessembarrassingforLauraandMariantohear。

Withthispurposeinview，Isaid，onemorning，thatIthoughtwehadallearnedalittleholidayandachangeofscene。Aftersomeconsideration，itwasdecidedthatweshouldgoforafortnighttotheseaside。

OnthenextdayweleftFulhamforaquiettownonthesouthcoast。Atthatearlyseasonoftheyearweweretheonlyvisitorsintheplace。Thecliffs，thebeach，andthewalksinlandwereallinthesolitaryconditionwhichwasmostwelcometous。Theairwasmild——theprospectsoverhillandwoodanddownwerebeautifullyvariedbytheshiftingAprillightandshade，andtherestlesssealeaptunderourwindows，asifitfelt，liketheland，theglowandfreshnessofspring。

IowedittoMariantoconsultherbeforeIspoketoLaura，andtobeguidedafterwardsbyheradvice。

OnthethirddayfromourarrivalIfoundafitopportunityofspeakingtoheralone。Themomentwelookedatoneanother，herquickinstinctdetectedthethoughtinmymindbeforeIcouldgiveitexpression。Withhercustomaryenergyanddirectnessshespokeatonce，andspokefirst。

`YouarethinkingofthatsubjectwhichwasmentionedbetweenusontheeveningofyourreturnfromHampshire，’shesaid。`Ihavebeenexpectingyoutoalludetoitforsometimepast。Theremustbeachangeinourlittlehousehold，Walter，wecannotgoonmuchlongeraswearenow。Iseeitasplainlyasyoudo——asplainlyasLauraseesit，thoughshesaysnothing。HowstrangelytheoldtimesinCumberlandseemtohavecomeback！YouandIaretogetheragain，andtheonesubjectofinterestbetweenusisLauraoncemore。Icouldalmostfancythatthisroomisthesummer-houseatLimmeridge，andthatthosewavesbeyondusarebeatingonourseashore。’

`Iwasguidedbyyouradviceinthosepastdays，’Isaid，`andnow，Marian，withreliancetenfoldgreaterIwillbeguidedbyitagain。’

Sheansweredbypressingmyhand。Isawthatshewasdeeplytouchedbymyreferencetothepast。Wesattogethernearthewindow，andwhileIspokeandshelistened，welookedatthegloryofthesunlightshiningonthemajestyofthesea。

`Whateverconiesofthisconfidencebetweenus，’Isaid，`whetheritendshappilyorsorrowfullyforme，Laura’sinterestswillstillbetheinterestsofmylife。Whenweleavethisplace，onwhatevertermsweleaveit，mydeterminationtowrestfromCountFoscotheconfessionwhichIfailedtoobtainfromhisaccomPlice，goesbackwithmetoLondon，ascertainlyasIgobackmyself。NeitheryounorIcantellhowthatmanmayturnonme，ifIbringhimtobay；weonlyknow，byhisownwordsandactions，thatheiscapableofstrikingatmethroughLaura，withoutamoment’shesitation，oramoment’sremorse。InourpresentpositionIhavenoclaimonherwhichsocietysanctions，whichthelawallows，tostrengthenmeinresistinghim，andinprotectingher。Thisplacesmeataseriousdisadvantage。IfIamtofightourcausewiththeCount，strongintheconsciousnessofLaura’ssafety，ImustfightitformyWife。Doyouagreetothat，Marian，sofar？’

`Toeverywordofit，’sheanswered。

`Iwillnotpleadoutofmyownheart，’Iwenton；`Iwillnotappealtothelovewhichhassurvivedallchangesandallshocks——Iwillrestmyonlyvindicationofmyselfforthinkingofher，andspeakingofherasmywife，onwhatIhavejustsaid。IfthechanceofforcingaconfessionfromtheCountis，asIbelieveittobe，thelastchanceleftofpubliclyestablishingthefactofLaura’sexistence，theleastselfishreasonthatIcanadvanceforourmarriageisrecognisedbyusboth。ButImaybewronginmyconviction——othermeansofachievingourpurposemaybeinourpower，whicharelessuncertainandlessdangerous。Ihavesearchedanxiously，inmyownmind，forthosemeans，andIhavenotfoundthem。Haveyou？’

`No。Ihavethoughtaboutittoo，andthoughtinvain。’

`Inalllikelihood，’Icontinued，`thesamequestionshaveoccurredtoyou，inconsideringthisdifficultsubject，whichhaveoccurredtome。OughtwetoreturnwithhertoLimmeridge，nowthatsheislikeherselfagain，andtrusttotherecognitionofherbythepeopleofthevillage，orbythechildrenattheschool？Oughtwetoappealtothepracticaltestofherhandwriting？Supposewedidso。Supposetherecognitionofherobtained，andtheidentityofthehandwritingestablished。Wouldsuccessinboththosecasesdomorethansupplyanexcellentfoundationforatrialinacourtoflaw？WouldtherecognitionandthehandwritingproveheridentitytoMrFairlieandtakeherbacktoLimmeridgeHouse，againsttheevidenceofheraunt，againsttheevidenceofthemedicalcertificate，againstthefactofthefuneralandthefactoftheinscriptiononthetomb？No！Wecouldonlyhopetosucceedinthrowingaseriousdoubtontheassertionofherdeath，adoubtwhichnothingshortofalegalinquirycansettle。Iwillassumethatwepossess(whatwehavecertainlynotgot)moneyenoughtocarrythisinquiryonthroughallitsstages。IwillassumethatMrFairlie’sprejudicesmightbereasonedaway——thatthefalsetestimonyoftheCountandhiswife，andalltherestofthefalsetestimony，mightbeconfuted——thattherecognitioncouldnotpossiblybeascribedtoamistakebetweenLauraandAnneCatherick，orthehandwritingbedeclaredbyourenemiestobeacleverfraud——alltheseareassumptionswhich，moreorless，setplainprobabilitiesatdefiance；butletthempass——andletusaskourselveswhatwouldbethefirstconsequenceorthefirstquestionsputtoLauraherselfonthesubjectoftheconspiracy。Weknowonlytoowellwhattheconsequencewouldbe，forweknowthatshehasneverrecoveredhermemoryofwhathappenedtoherinLondon。Examineherprivately，orexamineherpublicly，sheisutterlyincapableofassistingtheassertionofherowncase。Ifyoudon’tseethis，Marian，asplainlyasIseeit，wewillgotoLimmeridgeandtrytheexperimenttomorrow。’

`Idoseeit，Walter。Evenifwehadthemeansofpayingallthelawexpenses，evenifwesucceededintheend，thedelayswouldbeunendurable，theperpetualsuspense，afterwhatwehavesufferedalready，wouldbeheartbreaking。YouarerightaboutthehopelessnessofgoingtoLimmeridge。IwishIcouldfeelsurethatyouarerightalsoindeterminingtotrythatlastchancewiththeCount。Isitachanceatall？’

`Beyondadoubt，Yes。ItisthechanceofrecoveringthelostdateofLaura’sjourneytoLondon。WithoutreturningtothereasonsIgaveyousometimesince，Iamstillasfirmlypersuadedaseverthatthereisadiscrepancybetweenthedateofthatjourneyandthedateonthecertificateofdeath。Thereliestheweakpointofthewholeconspiracy——itcrumblestopiecesifweattackitinthatway，andthemeansofattackingitareinpossessionoftheCount。IfIsucceedinwrestingthemfromhim，theobjectofyourlifeandmineisfulfilled。IfIfail，thewrongthatLaurahassufferedwill，inthisworld，neverberedressed。’

`Doyoufearfailureyourself，Walter？’

`Idarenotanticipatesuccess，andforthatveryreason，Marian，IspeakopenlyandplainlyasIhavespokennow。InmyheartandmyconscienceIcansayit，Laura’shopesforthefutureareattheirlowestebb。Iknowthatherfortuneisgone——Iknowthatthelastchanceofrestoringhertoherplaceintheworldliesatthemercyofherworstenemy，ofamanwhoisnowabsolutelyunassailable，andwhomayremainunassailabletotheend。Witheveryworldlyadvantagegonefromher，withallprospectofrecoveringherrankandstationmorethandoubtful，withnoclearerfuturebeforeherthanthefuturewhichherhusbandcanprovide，thepoordrawing-mastermayharmlesslyopenhisheartatlast。Inthedaysofherprosperity，Marian，Iwasonlytheteacherwhoguidedherhand——Iaskforit，inheradversity，asthehandofmywife！’

Marian’seyesmetmineaffectionately——Icouldsaynomore。Myheartwasfull，mylipsweretrembling。InspiteofmyselfIwasindangerofappealingtoherpity。Igotuptoleavetheroom。Sheroseatthesamemoment，laidherhandgentlyonmyshoulder，andstoppedme。

`Walter！’shesaid，`Ioncepartedyouboth，foryourgoodandforhers。Waithere，mybrother！——wait，mydearest，bestfriend，tillLauracomes，andtellsyouwhatIhavedonenow！’

ForthefirsttimesincethefarewellmorningatLimmeridgeshetouchedmyforeheadwithherlips。Ateardroppedonmyfaceasshekissedme。Sheturnedquickly，PointedtothechairfromwhichIhadrisen，andlefttheroom。

Isatdownaloneatthewindowtowaitthroughthecrisisofmylife。Mymindinthatbreathlessintervalfeltlikeatotalblank。Iwasconsciousofnothingbutapainfulintensityofallfamiliarperceptions。Thesungrewblindingbright，thewhiteseabirdschasingeachotherfarbeyondmeseemedtobeflittingbeforemyface，themellowmurmurofthewavesonthebeachwaslikethunderinmyears。

Thedooropened，andLauracameinalone。Soshehadenteredthebreakfast-roomatLimmeridgeHouseonthemorningwhenweparted。Slowlyandfalteringly，insorrowandinhesitation，shehadonceapproachedme。Nowshecamewiththehasteofhappinessinherfeet，withthelightofhappinessradiantinherface。Oftheirownaccordthosedeararmsclaspedthemselvesroundme，oftheirownaccordthesweetlipscametomeetmine。`Mydarling！’shewhispered，`wemayownweloveeachothernow？’Herheadnestledwithatendercontentednessonmybosom。`Oh，’shesaidinnocently，`Iamsohappyatlast！’

Tendayslaterwewerehappierstill。Weweremarried。

II

Thecourseofthisnarrative，steadilyflowingon，bearsmeawayfromthemorning-timeofourmarriedlife，andcarriesmeforwardtotheend。

InafortnightmorewethreewerebackinLondon，andtheshadowwasstealingoverusofthestruggletocome。

MarianandIwerecarefultokeepLaurainignoranceofthecausethathadhurriedusback——thenecessityofmakingsureoftheCount。ItwasnowthebeginningofMay，andhistermofoccupationatthehouseinforestRoadexpiredinJune。Ifherenewedit(andIhadreasons，shortlytobementioned，foranticipatingthathewould)，Imightbecertainofhisnotescapingme。Butifbyanychancehedisappointedmyexpectationsandleftthecountry，thenIhadnotimetoloseinarmingmyselftomeethimasIbestmight。

Inthefirstfullnessofmynewhappiness，therehadbeenmomentswhenmyresolutionfaltered——momentswhenIwastemptedtobesafelycontent，nowthatthedearestaspirationofmylifewasfulfilledinthepossessionofLaura’slove。ForthefirsttimeIthoughtfaint-heartedlyofthegreatnessoftherisk，oftheadversechancesarrayedagainstme，ofthefairpromiseofournewlife，andoftheperilinwhichImightplacethehappinesswhichwehadsohardlyearned。Yes！letmeownithonestly。ForabrieftimeIwandered，inthesweetguidingoflove，farfromthepurposetowhichIhadbeentrueundersternerdisciplineandindarkerdays。InnocentlyLaurahadtemptedmeasidefromthehardpath——innocentlyshewasdestinedtoleadmebackagain。

Attimes，dreamsoftheterriblepaststilldisconnectedlyrecalledtoher，inthemysteryofsleep，theeventsofwhichherwakingmemoryhadlostalltrace。Onenight(barelytwoweeksafterourmarriage)，whenIwaswatchingheratrest，Isawthetearscomeslowlythroughherclosedeyelids，IheardthefaintmurmuringwordsescapeherwhichtoldmethatherspiritwasbackagainonthefataljourneyfromBlackwaterPark。Thatunconsciousappeal，sotouchingandsoawfulinthesacrednessofhersleep，ranthroughmelikefire。ThenextdaywasthedaywecamebacktoLondon——thedaywhenmyresolutionreturnedtomewithtenfoldstrength。

Thefirstnecessitywastoknowsomethingoftheman。Thusfar，thetruestoryofhislifewasanimpenetrablemysterytome。

Ibeganwithsuchscantysourcesofinformationaswereatmyowndisposal。TheimportantnarrativewrittenbyMrFrederickFairlie(whichMarianhadobtainedbyfollowingthedirectionsIhadgiventoherinthewinter)provedtobeofnoservicetothespecialobjectwithwhichInowlookedatit。WhilereadingitIreconsideredthedisclosurerevealedtomebyMrsClementsoftheseriesofdeceptionswhichhadbroughtAnneCathericktoLondon，andwhichhadtheredevotedhertotheinterestsoftheconspiracy。Here，again，theCounthadnotopenlycommittedhimself——here，again，hewas，toallpracticalpurposes，outofmyreach。

InextreturnedtoMarian’sjournalatBlackwaterPark。AtmyrequestshereadtomeagainapassagewhichreferredtoherpastcuriosityabouttheCount，andtothefewparticularswhichshehaddiscoveredrelatingtohim。

ThepassagetowhichIalludeoccursinthatpartofherjournalwhichdelineateshischaracterandhispersonalappearance。Shedescribeshimas`nothavingcrossedthefrontiersofhisnativecountryforyearspast’——as`anxioustoknowifanyItaliangentlemenweresettledinthenearesttowntoBlackwaterPark’——as`receivingletterswithallsortsofoddstampsonthem，andonewithalargeofficial-lookingsealonit。’Sheisinclinedtoconsiderthathislongabsencefromhisnativecountrymaybeaccountedforbyassumingthatheisapoliticalexile。Butsheis，ontheotherhand，unabletoreconcilethisideawiththereceptionoftheletterfromabroadbearing`thelargeofficial-lookingseal’——lettersfromtheContinentaddressedtopoliticalexilesbeingusuallythelasttocourtattentionfromforeignpost-officesinthatway。

Theconsiderationsthuspresentedtomeinthediary，joinedtocertainsurmisesofmyownthatgrewoutofthem，suggestedaconclusionwhichIwonderedIhadnotarrivedatbefore。Inowsaidtomyself——whatLaurahadoncesaidtoMarianatBlackwaterPark，whatMadameFoscohadoverheardbylisteningatthedoor——theCountisaspy！

Laurahadappliedthewordtohimathazard，innaturalangerathisproceedingstowardsherself。Iappliedittohimwiththedeliberateconvictionthathisvocationinlifewasthevocationofaspy。Onthisassumption，thereasonforhisextraordinarystayinEnglandsolongaftertheobjectsoftheconspiracyhadbeengained，became，tomymind，quiteintelligible。

TheyearofwhichIamnowwritingwastheyearofthefamousCrystalPalaceExhibitioninHydePark。Foreignersinunusuallylargenumbershadarrivedalready，andwerestillarrivinginEngland。Menwereamongusbyhundredswhomtheceaselessdistrustfulnessoftheirgovernmentshadfollowedprivately，bymeansofappointedagents，toourshores。MysurmisesdidnotforamomentclassamanoftheCount’sabilitiesandsocialpositionwiththeordinaryrankandfileofforeignspies。Isuspectedhimofholdingapositionofauthority，ofbeingentrustedbythegovernmentwhichhesecretlyservedwiththeorganisationandmanagementofagentsspeciallyemployedinthiscountry，bothmenandwomen，andIbelievedMrsRubelle，whohadbeensoopportunelyfoundtoactasnurseatBlackwaterPark，tobe，inallprobability，oneofthenumber。

Assumingthatthisideaofminehadafoundationintruth，thepositionoftheCountmightprovetobemoreassailablethanIhadhithertoventuredtohope。TowhomcouldIapplytoknowsomethingmoreoftheman’shistoryandofthemanhimselfthanIknewnow？

Inthisemergencyitnaturallyoccurredtomymindthatacountrymanofhisown，onwhomIcouldrely，mightbethefittestpersontohelpme。ThefirstmanwhomIthoughtofunderthesecircumstanceswasalsotheonlyItalianwithwhomIwasintimatelyacquainted——myquaintlittlefriend，ProfessorPesca。

Theprofessorhasbeensolongabsentfromthesepagesthathehasrunsomeriskofbeingforgottenaltogether。

Itisthenecessarylawofsuchastoryasminethatthepersonsconcernedinitonlyappearwhenthecourseofeventstakesthemup——theycomeandgo，notbyfavourofmypersonalpartiality，butbyrightoftheirdirectconnectionwiththecircumstancestobedetailed。Forthisreason，notPescaalone，butmymotherandsisteraswell，havebeenleftfarinthebackgroundofthenarrative。MyvisitstotheHampsteadcottage，mymother’sbeliefinthedenialofLaura’sidentitywhichtheconspiracyhadaccomplished，myvaineffortstoovercometheprejudiceonherpartandonmysister’stowhich，intheirjealousaffectionforme，theybothcontinuedtoadhere，thepainfulnecessitywhichthatprejudiceimposedonmeofconcealingmymarriagefromthemtilltheyhadlearnttodojusticetomywife——alltheselittledomesticoccurrenceshavebeenleftunrecordedbecausetheywerenotessentialtothemaininterestofthestory。Itisnothingthattheyaddedtomyanxietiesandembitteredmydisappointments——thesteadymarchofeventshasinexorablypassedthemby。

ForthesamereasonIhavesaidnothinghereoftheconsolationhimagainafterthesuddencessationofmyresidenceatLimmeridgeHouse。IhavenotrecordedthefidelitywithwhichmywarmheartedlittlefriendfollowedmetotheplaceofembarkationwhenIsailedforCentralAmerica，orthenoisytransportofjoywithwhichhereceivedmewhenwenextmetinLondon。IfIhadfeltjustifiedinacceptingtheoffersofservicewhichhemadetomeonmyreturn，hewouldhaveappearedagainlongerethis。But，thoughIknewthathishonourandhiscourageweretobeimplicitlyreliedon，Iwasnotsosurethathisdiscretionwastobetrusted，and，forthatreasononly，Ifollowedthecourseofallmyinquiriesalone。ItwillnowbesufficientlyunderstoodthatPescawasnotseparatedfromallconnectionwithmeandmyinterests，althoughhehashithertobeenseparatedfromallconnectionwiththeprogressofthisnarrative。Hewasastrueandasreadyafriendofminestillaseverhehadbeeninhislife。

BeforeIsummonedPescatomyassistanceitwasnecessarytoseeformyselfwhatsortofmanIhadtodealwith。UptothistimeIhadneveronceseteyesonCountFosco。

ThreedaysaftermyreturnwithLauraandMariantoLondon，IsetforthaloneforForestRoad，StJohn’sWood，betweentenandeleveno’clockinthemorning。Itwasafineday——Ihadsomehourstospare——andIthoughtitlikely，ifIwaitedalittleforhim，thattheCountmightbetemptedout。Ihadnogreatreasontofearthechanceofhisrecognisingmeinthedaytime，fortheonlyoccasionwhenIhadbeenseenbyhimwastheoccasiononwhichhehadfollowedmehomeatnight。

Nooneappearedatthewindowsinthefrontofthehouse。Iwalkeddownaturningwhichranpastthesideofit，andlookedoverthelowgardenwall。Oneofthebackwindowsonthelowerfloorwasthrownupandanetwasstretchedacrosstheopening。Isawnobody，butIheard，intheroom，fistashrillwhistlingandsingingofbirds，thenthedeepringingvoicewhichMarian’sdescriptionhadmadefamiliartome。`Comeoutonmylittlefinger，mypret-pret-pretties！’criedthevoice。`Comeoutandhopupstairs！One，two，three——andup！Three，two，one——anddownIOne，two，three——twit-twit-twit-tweet！’TheCountwasexercisinghiscanariesasheusedtoexercisetheminMarian’stimeatBlackwaterPark。

Iwaitedalittlewhile，andthesingingandthewhistlingceased。`Come，kissme，mypretties！’saidthedeepvoice。Therewasaresponsivetwitteringandchirping——alow，oilylaugh——asilenceofaminuteorso，andthenIheardtheopeningofthehousedoor。Iturnedandretracedmysteps。ThemagnificentmelodyofthePrayerinRossini’sMoses，sunginasonorousbassvoice，rosegrandlythroughthesuburbansilenceoftheplace。Thefrontgardengateopenedandclosed。TheCounthadcomeout。

HecrossedtheroadandwalkedtowardsthewesternboundaryoftheRegent’sPark。Ikeptonmyownsideoftheway，alittlebehindhim，andwalkedinthatdirectionalso。

Marianhadpreparedmeforhishighstature，hismonstrouscorpulence，andhisostentatiousmourninggarments，butnotforthehorriblefreshnessandcheerfulnessandvitalityoftheman。Hecarriedhissixtyyearsasiftheyhadbeenfewerthanforty。Hesaunteredalong，wearinghishatalittleononeside，withalightjauntystep，swinginghisbigstick，hummingtohimself，lookingupfromtimetotimeatthehousesandgardensoneithersideofhimwithsuperb，smilingpatronage。Ifastrangerhadbeentoldthatthewholeneighbourhoodbelongedtohim，thatstrangerwouldnothavebeensurprisedtohearit。Heneverlookedback，hepaidnoapparentattentiontome，noapparentattentiontoanyonewhopassedhimonhisownsideoftheroad，exceptnowandthen，whenhesmiledandsmirked，withaneasypaternalgoodhumour，atthenursery-maidsandthechildrenwhomhemet。Inthiswayheledmeon，tillwereachedacolonyofshopsoutsidethewesternterracesofthePark。

Herehestoppedatapastrycook’s，wentin(probablytogiveanorder)，andcameoutagainimmediatelywithatartinhishand。AnItalianwasgrindinganorganbeforetheshop，andamiserablelittleshrivelledmonkeywassittingontheinstrument。TheCountstopped，bitapieceforhimselfoutofthetart，andgravelyhandedtheresttothemonkey。`Mypoorlittleman！’hesaid，withgrotesquetenderness，`youlookhungry。Inthesacrednameofhumanity，Iofferyousomelunch！’Theorgan-grinderpiteouslyputinhisclaimtoapennyfromthebenevolentstranger。TheCountshruggedhisshoulderscontemptuously，andpassedon。

WereachedthestreetsandthebetterclassofshopsbetweentheNewRoadandOxfordStreet。TheCountstoppedagainandenteredasmalloptician’sshop，withaninscriptioninthewindowannouncingthatrepairswereneatlyexecutedinside。Hecameoutagainwithanopera-glassinhishand，walkedafewpaceson，andstoppedtolookatabilloftheoperaplacedoutsideamusic-seller’sshop。Hereadthebillattentively，consideredamoment，andthenhailedanemptycabasitpassedhim。`OperaBox-office，’hesaidtotheman，andwasdrivenaway。

Icrossedtheroad，andlookedatthebillinmyturn。TheperformanceannouncedwasLucreziaBorgia，anditwastotakeplacethatevening。Theopera-glassintheCount’shand，hiscarefulreadingofthebill，andhisdirectiontothecabman，allsuggestedthatheproposedmakingoneoftheaudience。Ihadthemeansofgettinganadmissionformyselfandafriendtothepitbyapplyingtooneofthescene-paintersattachedtothetheatre，withwhomIhadbeenwellacquaintedinpasttimes。TherewasachanceatleastthattheCountmightbeeasilyvisibleamongtheaudiencetomeandtoanyonewithme，andinthiscaseIhadthemeansofascertainingwhetherPescaknewhiscountrymanornotthatverynight。

Thisconsiderationatoncedecidedthedisposalofmyevening。Iprocuredthetickets，leavinganoteattheProfessor’slodgingsontheway。AtaquartertoeightIcalledtotakehimwithmetothetheatre。Mylittlefriendwasinastateofthehighestexcitement，withafestiveflowerinhisbutton-hole，andthelargestopera-glassIeversawhuggedupunderhisarm。

`Areyouready？’Iasked。

`Right-all-right，’saidPesca。

Westartedforthetheatre。

Thelastnotesoftheintroductiontotheoperawerebeingplayed，andtheseatsinthepitwereallfilled，whenPescaandIreachedthetheatre。

Therewasplentyofroom，however，inthepassagethatranroundthepit——preciselythepositionbestcalculatedtoanswerthepurposeforwhichIwasattendingtheperformance。Iwentfirsttothebarrierseparatingusfromthestalls，andlookedfortheCountinthatpartofthetheatre。Hewasnotthere。Returningalongthepassage，ontheleft-handsidefromthestage，andlookingaboutmeattentively，Idiscoveredhiminthepit。Heoccupiedanexcellentplace，sometwelveorfourteenseatsfromtheendofabench，withinthreerowsofthestalls。Iplacedmyselfexactlyonalinewithhim，Pescastandingbymyside。TheProfessorwasnotyetawareofthepurposeforwhichIhadbroughthimtothetheatre，andhewasrathersurprisedthatwedidnotmovenearertothestage。

Thecurtainrose，andtheoperabegan。

Throughoutthewholeofthefirstactweremainedinourposition——theCount，absorbedbytheorchestraandthestage，nevercastingsomuchasachanceglanceatus。NotanoteofDonizetti’sdeliciousmusicwaslostonhim。Therehesat，highabovehisneighbours，smiling，andnoddinghisgreatheadenjoyinglyfromtimetotime。Whenthepeoplenearhimapplaudedthecloseofanair(asanEnglishaudienceinsuchcircumstancesalwayswillapplaud)，withouttheleastconsiderationfortheorchestralmovementwhichimmediatelyfollowedit，helookedroundatthemwithanexpressionofcompassionateremonstrance，andhelduponehandwithagestureofpoliteentreaty。Atthemorerefinedpassagesofthesingingatthemoredelicatephasesofthemusic，whichpassedunapplaudedbyothers，hisfathands，adornedwithperfectly-fittingblackkidgloves，softlypattedeachother，intokenofthecultivatedappreciationofamusicalman。Atsuchtimes，hisoilymurmurofapproval，`Bravo！Bra-a-a-a！’hummedthroughthesilence，likethepurringofagreatcat。Hisimmediateneighboursoneitherside——hearty，ruddy-facedpeoplefromthecountry，baskingamazedlyinthesunshineoffashionableLondon——seeingandhearinghim，begantofollowhislead。Manyaburstofapplausefromthepitthatnightstartedfromthesoft，comfortablepattingoftheblack-glovedhands。Theman’svoraciousvanitydevouredthisimpliedtributetohislocalandcriticalsupremacywithanappearanceofthehighestrelish。Smilesrippledcontinuouslyoverhisfatface。Helookedabouthim，atthepausesinthemusic，serenelysatisfiedwithhimselfandhisfellow-creatures。`Yes！yes！thesebarbarousEnglishpeoplearelearningsomethingfromME。Here，there，andeverywhere，I——Fosco——amaninfluencethatisfelt，amanwhositssupreme！’Ifeverfacespoke，hisfacespokethen，andthatwasitslanguage。

Thecurtainfellonthefirstact，andtheaudiencerosetolookaboutthem。ThiswasthetimeIhadwaitedfor——thetimetotryifPescaknewhim。

Herosewiththerest，andsurveyedtheoccupantsoftheboxesgrandlywithhisopera-glass。Atfirsthisbackwastowardsus，butheturnedroundintime，tooursideofthetheatre，andlookedattheboxesaboveus，usinghisglassforafewminutes——thenremovingit，butstillcontinuingtolookup。ThiswasthemomentIchose，whenhisfullfacewasinview，fordirectingPesca’sattentiontohim。

`Doyouknowthatman？’Iasked。

`Whichman，myfriend？’

`Thetall，fatman，standingthere，withhisfacetowardsus。’

Pescaraisedhimselfontiptoe，andlookedattheCount。

`No，’saidtheProfessor。`Thebigfatmanisastrangertome。Ishefamous？Whydoyoupointhimout？’

`BecauseIhaveparticularreasonsforwishingtoknowsomethingofhim。Heisacountrymanofyours——hisnameisCountFosco。Doyouknowthatname？’

`NotI，Walter。Neitherthenamenorthemanisknowntome。

`Areyouquitesureyoudon’trecognisehim？Lookagain——lookcarefully。IwilltellyouwhyIamsoanxiousaboutitwhenweleavethetheatre。Stop！letmehelpyouuphere，whereyoucanseehimbetter。’

Ihelpedthelittlemantoperchhimselfontheedgeoftheraiseddaisuponwhichthepit-seatswereallplaced。Hissmallstaturewasnohindrancetohim——herehecouldseeovertheheadsoftheladieswhowereseatedneartheoutermostpartofthebench。

Aslim，light-hairedmanstandingbyus，whomIhadnotnoticedbefore——amanwithascaronhisleftcheek——lookedattentivelyatPescaasIhelpedhimup，andthenlookedstillmoreattentively，followingthedirectionofPesca’seyes，attheCount。Ourconversationmighthavereachedhisears，andmight，asitstruckme，haverousedhiscuriosity。

Meanwhile，Pescafixedhiseyesearnestlyonthebroad，full，smilingfaceturnedalittleupward，exactlyoppositetohim。

`No，’hesaid，`Ihaveneversetmytwoeyesonthatbigfatmanbeforeinallmylife。’

AshespoketheCountlookeddownwardstowardstheboxesbehindusonthepittier。

TheeyesofthetwoItaliansmet。

TheinstantbeforeIhadbeenperfectlysatisfied，fromhisownreiteratedassertion，thatPescadidnotknowtheCount。TheinstantafterwardsIwasequallycertainthattheCountknewPesca！

Knewhim，and——moresurprisingstill——fearedhimaswell！Therewasnomistakingthechangethatpassedoverthevillain’sface。Theleadenhuethatalteredhisyellowcomplexioninamoment，thesuddenrigidityofallhisfeatures，thefurtivescrutinyofhiscoldgreyeyes，themotionlessstillnessofhimfromheadtofoottoldtheirowntale。Amortaldreadhadmasteredhimbodyandsoul——andhisownrecognitionofPescawasthecauseofit！

Theslimmanwiththescaronhischeekwasstillclosebyus。HehadapparentlydrawnhisinferencefromtheeffectproducedontheCountbythesightofPescaasIhaddrawnmime。Hewasamild，gentlemanlikeman，lookinglikeaforeigner，andhisinterestinourproceedingswasnotexpressedinanythingapproachingtoanoffensivemanner。

FormyownpartIwassostartledbythechangeintheCount’sface，soastoundedattheentirelyunexpectedturnwhicheventshadtaken，thatIknewneitherwhattosayordonext。Pescarousedmebysteppingbacktohisformerplaceatmysideandspeakingfirst。

`Howthefatmanstares！’heexclaimed。`Isitatme？AmIfamous？HowcanheknowmewhenIdon’tknowhim？’

IkeptmyeyestillontheCount。IsawhimmoveforthefirsttimewhenPescamoved，soasnottolosesightofthelittlemaninthelowerpositioninwhichhenowstood。IwascurioustoseewhatwouldhappenifPesca’sattentionunderthesecircumstanceswaswithdrawnfromhim，andIaccordinglyaskedtheProfessorifherecognisedanyofhispupilsthateveningamongtheladiesintheboxes。Pescaimmediatelyraisedthelargeopera-glasstohiseyes，andmoveditslowlyallroundtheupperpartofthetheatre，searchingforhispupilswiththemostconscientiousscrutiny。

ThemomentheshowedhimselftobethusengagedtheCountturnedround，slippedpastthepersonswhooccupiedseatsonthefarthersideofhimfromwherehestood，anddisappearedinthemiddlepassagedownthecentreofthepit。IcaughtPescabythearm，andtohisinexpressibleastonishment，hurriedhimroundwithmetothebackofthepittointercepttheCountbeforehecouldgettothedoor。Somewhattomysurprise，theslimmanhastenedoutbeforeus，avoidingastoppagecausedbysomepeopleonoursideofthepitleavingtheirplaces，bywhichPescaandmyselfweredelayed。WhenwereachedthelobbytheCounthaddisappeared，andtheforeignerwiththescarwasgonetoo。

`Comehome，’Isaid；`comehome，Pesca，toyourlodgings。Imustspeaktoyouinprivate——Imustspeakdirectly。’

`My-soul-bless-my-soul！’criedtheProfessor，inastateoftheextremestbewilderment。`Whatonearthisthematter？’

Iwalkedonrapidlywithoutanswering。ThecircumstancesunderwhichtheCounthadleftthetheatresuggestedtomethathisextraordinaryanxietytoescapePescamightcarryhimtofurtherextremitiesstill。Hemightescapeme，too，byleavingLondon。IdoubtedthefutureifIallowedhimsomuchasaday’sfreedomtoactashepleased。AndIdoubtedthatforeignstranger，whohadgotthestartofus，andwhomIsuspectedofintentionallyfollowinghimout。

Withthisdoubledistrustinmymind，IwasnotlonginmakingPescaunderstandwhatIwanted。Assoonaswetwowerealoneinhisroom，IincreasedhisconfusionandamazementahundredfoldbytellinghimwhatmypurposewasasplainlyandunreservedlyasIhaveacknowledgedithere。

`Myfriend，whatcanIdo？’criedtheProfessor，piteouslyappealingtomewithbothhands。`Deuce-what-the-deuce！howcanIhelpyou，Walter，whenIdon’tknowtheman？’

`Heknowsyou——heisafraidofyou——hehasleftthetheatretoescapeyou。Pesca！theremustbeareasonforthis。LookbackintoyourownlifebeforeyoucametoEngland。YouleftItaly，asyouhavetoldmeyourself，forpoliticalreasons。Youhavenevermentionedthosereasonstome，andIdon’tinquireintothemnow。Ionlyaskyoutoconsultyourownrecollections，andtosayiftheysuggestnopastcausefortheterrorwhichthefirstsightofyouproducedinthatman。’

Tomyunutterablesurprise，thesewords，harmlessastheyappearedtome，producedthesameastoundingeffectonPescawhichthesightofPescahadproducedontheCount。Therosyfaceofmylittlefriendwhitenedinaninstant，andhedrewbackfrommeslowly，tremblingfromheadtofoot。

`WalterI’hesaid。`Youdon’tknowwhatyouask。’

Hespokeinawhisper——helookedatmeasifIhadsuddenlyrevealedtohimsomehiddendangertobothofus。Inlessthanoneminuteoftimehewassoalteredfromtheeasy，lively，quaintlittlemanofallmypastexperience，thatifIhadmethiminthestreet，changedasIsawhimnow，Ishouldmostcertainlynothaveknownhimagain。

`Forgiveme，ifIhaveunintentionallypainedandshockedyou，’Ireplied。`RememberthecruelwrongmywifehassufferedatCountFosco’shands。Rememberthatthewrongcanneverberedressed，unlessthemeansareinmypowerofforcinghimtodoherjustice。Ispokeinherinterests，Pesca——Iaskyouagaintoforgiveme——Icansaynomore。’

Irosetogo。HestoppedmebeforeIreachedthedoor。

`Wait，’hesaid。`YouhaveshakenmefromheadtofootYoudon’tknowhowIleftmycountry，andwhyIleftmycountry。Letmecomposemyself，letmethink，ifIcan。’

Ireturnedtomychair。Hewalkedupanddowntheroom，talkingtohimselfincoherentlyinhisownlanguage。Afterseveralturnsbackwardsandforwards，hesuddenlycameuptome，andlaidhislittlehandswithastrangetendernessandsolemnityonmybreast。

`Onyourheartandsoul，Walter，’hesaid，`istherenootherwaytogettothatmanbutthechance-waythroughme？’

`Thereisnootherway，’Ianswered。

Heleftmeagain，openedthedooroftheroomandlookedoutcautiouslyintothepassage，closeditoncemore，andcameback。

`Youwonyourrightoverme，Walter，’hesaid，`onthedaywhenyousavedmylife。Itwasyoursfromthatmoment，whenyoupleasedtotakeit。Takeitnow。Yes！ImeanwhatIsay。Mynextwords，astrueasthegoodGodisaboveus，willputmylifeintoyourhands。’

Thetremblingearnestnesswithwhichheutteredthisextraordinarywarning，carriedwithit，tomymind，theconvictionthathespokethetruth。

`Mindthis！’hewenton，shakinghishandsatmeinthevehemenceofhisagitation。`Iholdnothread，inmyownmind，betweenthatmanFosco，andthepacttimewhichIcallbacktomeforyoursake。Ifyoufindthethread，keepittoyourself——tellmenothing——onmykneesIbegandpray，letmebeignorant，letmebeinnocent，letmebeblindtoallthefutureasIamnow！’

Hesaidafewwordsmore，hesitatinglyanddisconnectedly，thenstoppedagain。

IsawthattheeffortofexpressinghimselfinEnglish，onanoccasiontonserioustopermithimtheuseofthequaintturnsandphrasesofhisordinaryvocabulary，waspainfullyincreasingthedifficultyhehadfeltfromthefirstinspeakingtomeatall。Havinglearnttoreadandunderstandhisnativelanguage(thoughnottospeakit)，intheearlierdaysofourintimatecompanionship，InowsuggestedtohimthatheshouldexpresshimselfinItalian，whileIusedEnglishinputtinganyquestionswhichmightbenecessarytomyenlightenment。Heacceptedtheproposal。Inhissmooth-flowinglanguage，spokenwithavehementagitationwhichbetrayeditselfintheperpetualworkingofhisfeatures，inthewildnessandthesuddennessofhisforeigngesticulations，butneverintheraisingofhisvoice，Inowheardthewordswhicharmedmetomeetthelaststruggle，thatisleftforthisstorytorecord。*

`YouknownothingofmymotiveforleavingItaly，’hebegan，`exceptthatitwasforpoliticalreasons。IfIhadbeendriventothiscountrybythepersecutionofmygovernment，Ishouldnothavekeptthosereasonsasecretfromyouorfromanyone。I

*Itisonlyrighttomentionhere，thatIrepeatPesca’sstatementtome，withthecarefulsuppressionsandalterationswhichtheseriousnatureofthesubjectandmyownsenseofdutytomyfrienddemand。Myfirstandlastconcealmentsfromthereaderarethosewhichcautionrendersabsolutelynecessaryinthisportionofthenarrative。haveconcealedthembecausenogovernmentauthorityhaspronouncedthesentenceofmyexile。Youhaveheard，Walter，ofthepoliticalsocietiesthatarehiddenineverygreatcityonthecontinentofEurope？TooneofthosesocietiesIbelongedinItaly——andbelongstillinEngland。WhenIcametothiscountry，Icamebythedirectionofmychief。Iwasover-zealousinmyyoungertime——Irantheriskofcompromisingmyselfandothers。ForthosereasonsIwasorderedtoemigratetoEnglandandtowait。Iemigrated——Ihavewaited——Iwaitstill。TomorrowImaybecalledaway——tenyearshenceImaybecalledaway。Itisallonetome——Iamhere，Isupportmyselfbyteaching，andIwait。Iviolatenooath(youshallhearwhypresently)inmakingmyconfidencecompletebytellingyouthenameofthesocietytowhichIbelong。AllIdoistoputmylifeinyourhands。IfwhatIsaytoyounowiseverknownbyotherstohavepassedmylips，ascertainlyaswetwosithere，Iamadeadman。’

Hewhisperedthenextwordsinmyear。Ikeepthesecretwhichhethuscommunicated。Thesocietytowhichhebelongedwillbesufficientlyindividualisedforthepurposeofthesepages，ifIcallit`TheBrotherhood’，onthefewoccasionswhenanyreferencetothesubjectwillbeneededinthisplace。

`TheobjectoftheBrotherhood，’pescawenton，`is，briefly，theobjectofotherpoliticalsocietiesofthesamesort——thedestructionoftyrannyandtheassertionoftherightsofthepeople。TheprinciplesoftheBrotherhoodaretwo。Solongasaman’slifeisuseful，orevenharmlessonly，hehastherighttoenjoyit。But，ifhislifeinflictsinjuryonthewell-beingofhisfellow-men，fromthatmomentheforfeitstheright，anditisnotonlynocrime，butapositivemerit，todeprivehimofit。Itisnotformetosayinwhatfrightfulcircumstancesofoppressionandsufferingthissocietytookitsrise。Itisnotforyoutosay——youEnglishmen，whohaveconqueredyourfreedomsolongago，thatyouhaveconvenientlyforgottenwhatbloodyoushed，andwhatextremitiesyouproceededtointheconquering——itisnotforyoutosayhowfartheworstofallexasperationsmay，ormaynot，carrythemaddenedmenofanenslavednation。Theironthathasenteredintooursoulshasgonetoodeepforyoutofindit。Leavetherefugeealone！Laughathim，distrusthim，openyoureyesinwonderatthatsecretselfwhichsmouldersinhim，sometimesundertheevery-dayrespectabilityandtranquillityofamanlikeme——sometimesunderthegrindingpoverty，thefiercesqualor，ofmenlesslucky，lesspliable，lesspatientthanIam——butjudgeusnot！InthetimeofyourfirstCharlesyoumighthavedoneusjustice——thelongluxuryofyourownfreedomhasmadeyouincapableofdoingusjusticenow。’

Allthedeepestfeelingsofhisnatureseemedtoforcethemselvestothesurfaceinthosewords——allhisheartwaspouredouttomeforthefirsttimeinourlives——butstillhisvoiceneverrose，stillhisdreadoftheterriblerevelationhewasmakingtomeneverlefthim。

`Sofar，’heresumed，`youthinkthesocietylikeothersocieties。Itsobject(inyourEnglishopinion)isanarchyandrevolution。Ittakesthelifeofabadkingorabadminister，asiftheoneandtheotherweredangerouswildbeaststobeshotatthefirstopportunity。Igrantyouthis。ButthelawsoftheBrotherhoodarethelawsofnootherpoliticalsocietyonthefaceoftheearth。Themembersarenotknowntooneanother。ThereisapresidentinItaly；therearepresidentsabroad。Eachofthesehashissecretary。Thepresidentsandthesecretariesknowthemembers，butthemembers，amongthemselves，areallstrangers，untiltheirchiefsseefit，inthepoliticalnecessityofthetime，orintheprivatenecessityofthesociety，tomakethemknowntoeachother。Withsuchasafeguardasthisthereisnooathamongusonadmittance。WeareidentifiedwiththeBrotherhoodbyasecretmark，whichweallbear，whichlastswhileourliveslast。Wearetoldtogoaboutourordinarybusiness，andtoreportourselvestothepresident，orthesecretary，fourtimesayear，intheeventofourservicesbeingrequired。Wearewarned，ifwebetraytheBrotherhood，orifweinjureitbyservingotherinterests，thatwediebytheprinciplesoftheBrotherhood——diebythehandofastrangerwhomaybesentfromtheotherendoftheworldtostriketheblow——orbythehandofourownbosom-friend，whomayhavebeenamemberunknowntousthroughalltheyearsofourintimacy。Sometimesthedeathisdelayed——sometimesitfollowscloseonthetreachery。Itisourfirstbusinesstoknowhowtowait——oursecondbusinesstoknowhowtoobeywhenthewordisspoken。Someofusmaywaitourlivesthrough，andmaynotbewanted。Someofusmaybecalledtothework，ortothepreparationforthework，theverydayofouradmission。Imyself——thelittle，easy，cheerfulmanyouknow，who，ofhisownaccord，wouldhardlyliftuphishandkerchieftostrikedowntheflythatbuzzesabouthisface——I。inmyyoungertime，underprovocationsodreadfulthatIwillnottellyouofit，enteredtheBrotherhoodbyanimpulse，asImighthavekilledmyselfbyanimpulse。Imustremaininitnow——ithasgotme，whateverImaythinkofitinmybettercircumstancesandmycoolermanhood，tomydyingday。WhileIwasstillinItalyIwaschosensecretary，andallthemembersofthattime，whowerebroughtfacetofacewithmypresident，werebroughtfacetofacealsowithme。

Ibegantounderstandhim——Isawtheendtowardswhichhisextraordinarydisclosurewasnowtending。Hewaitedamoment，watchingmeearnestly——watchingtillhehadevidentlyguessedwhatwaspassinginmymindbeforeheresumed。

`Youhavedrawnyourownconclusionalready，’hesaid。`Iseeitinyourface。Tellmenothing——keepmeoutofthesecretofyourthoughts。Letmemakemyonelastsacrificeofmyself，foryoursake，andthenhavedonewiththissubject，nevertoreturntoitagain。’

Hesignedtomenottoanswerhim——rose——removedhiscoat——androlleduptheshirt-sleeveonhisleftarm。

`Ipromisedyouthatthisconfidenceshouldbecomplete，’hewhispered，speakingcloseatmyear，withhiseyeslookingwatchfullyatthedoor。`Whatevercomesofityoushallnotreproachmewithhawinghiddenanythingfromyouwhichitwasnecessarytoyourintereststoknow。IhavesaidthattheBrotherhoodidentifiesitsmembersbyamarkthatlastsforlife。Seetheplace，andthemarkonitforyourself。’

Heraisedhisbarearm，andshowedme，highontheupperpartofitandintheinnerside，abranddeeplyburntinthefleshandstainedofabrightblood-redcolour。Iabstainfromdescribingthedevicewhichthebrandrepresented。Itwillbesufficienttosaythatitwascircularinform，andsosmallthatitwouldhavebeencompletelycoveredbyashillingcoin。

`Amanwhohasthismark，brandedinthisplace，’hesaid，coveringhisarmagain，`isamemberoftheBrotherhood。AmanwhohasbeenfalsetotheBrotherhoodisdiscoveredsoonerorlaterbythechiefswhoknowhim——presidentsorsecretaries，asthecasemaybe。Andamandiscoveredbythechiefsisdead。Nohumanlawscanprotecthim。Rememberwhatyouhaveseenandheard——drawwhatconclusionsyoulike——actasyouplease。But，inthenameofGod，whateveryoudiscover，whateveryoudo，tellmenothing！Letmeremainfreefromaresponsibilitywhichithorrifiesmetothinkof——whichIknow，inmyconscience，isnotmyresponsibilitynow。ForthelasttimeIsayit——onmyhonourasagentleman，onmyoathasaChristian，ifthemanyoupointedoutattheOperaknowsme，heissoaltered，orsodisguised，thatIdonotknowhim。IamignorantofhisproceedingsorhispurposesinEngland。Ineversawhim，Ineverheardthenamehegoesby，tomyknowledge，beforetonight。Isaynomore。Leavemealittle，Walter。Iamoverpoweredbywhathashappened——IamshakenbywhatIhavesaid。Letmetrytobelikemyselfagainwhenwemeetnext。’

Hedroppedintoachair，andturningawayfromme，hidhisfaceinhishands。Igentlyopenedthedoorsoasnottodisturbhim，andspokemyfewpartingwordsinlowtones，whichhemighthearornot，ashepleased。

`Iwillkeepthememoryoftonightinmyheartofhearts，’Isaid。`Youshallneverrepentthetrustyouhavereposedinme。MayIcometoyoutomorrow？MayIcomeasearlyasnineo’clock？’

`Yes，Walter，’hereplied，lookingupatmekindly，andspeakinginEnglishoncemore，asifhisoneanxietynowwastogetbacktoourformerrelationstowardseachother。`CometomylittlebitofbreakfastbeforeIgomywaysamongthepupilsthatIteach。’

`Goodnight，Pesca。’

`Goodnight，myfriend。’

MyfirstconvictionassoonasIfoundmyselfoutsidethehouse，wasthatnoalternativewasleftmebuttoactatonceontheinformationIhadreceived——tomakesureoftheCountthatnight，ortorisktheloss，ifIonlydelayedtillthemorning，ofLaura’slastchance。Ilookedatmywatch——itwasteno’clock。

NottheshadowofadoubtcrossedmymindofthepurposeforwhichtheCounthadleftthetheatre。Hisescapefromus，thatevening，wasbeyondallquestionthepreliminaryonlytohisescapefromLondon。ThemarkoftheBrotherhoodwasonhisarm——Ifeltascertainofitasifhehadshownmethebrand；andthebetrayaloftheBrotherhoodwasonhisconscience——IhadseenitinhisrecognitionofPesca。

Itwaseasytounderstandwhythatrecognitionhadnotbeenmutual。AmanoftheCount’scharacterwouldneverrisktheterribleconsequencesofturningspywithoutlookingtohispersonalsecurityquiteascarefullyashelookedtohisgoldenreward。Theshavenface，whichIhadpointedoutattheOpera，mighthavebeencoveredbyabeardinPesca’stime——hisdarkbrownhairmightbeawig——hisnamewasevidentlyafalseone。Theaccidentoftimemighthavehelpedhimaswell——hisimmensecorpulencemighthavecomewithhislateryears。TherewaseveryreasonwhyPescashouldnothaveknownhimagain——everyreasonalsowhyheshouldhaveknownPesca，whosesingularpersonalappearancemadeamarkedmanofhim，gowherehemight。

IhavesaidthatIfeltcertainofthepurposeintheCount’smindwhenheescapedusatthetheatre。HowcouldIdoubtit，whenIsaw，withmyowneyes，thathebelievedhimself，inspiteofthechangeinhisappearance，tohavebeenrecognisedbyPesca，andtobethereforeindangerofhislife？IfIcouldgetspeechofhimthatnight，ifIcouldshowhimthatI，too，knewofthemortalperilinwhichhestood，whatresultwouldfollow？Plainlythis。Oneofusmustbemasterofthesituation——oneofusmustinevitablybeatthemercyoftheother。

IowedittomyselftoconsiderthechancesagainstmebeforeIconfrontedthem。Iowedittomywifetodoallthatlayinmypowertolessentherisk。

Thechancesagainstmewantednoreckoningup——theywereallmergedinone-IftheCountdiscovered，bymyownavowal，thatthedirectwaytohissafetylaythroughmylife，hewasprobablythelastmaninexistencewhowouldshrinkfromthrowingmeoffmyguardandtakingthatway，whenhehadmealonewithinhisreach。TheonlymeansofdefenceagainsthimonwhichIcouldatallrelytolessentherisk，presentedthemselves，afteralittlecarefulthinking，clearlyenough。BeforeImadeanypersonalacknowledgmentofmydiscoveryinhispresence，Imustplacethediscoveryitselfwhereitwouldbereadyforinstantuseagainsthim，andsafefromanyattemptatsuppressiononhispart。IfIlaidthemineunderhisfeetbeforeIapproachedhim，andifIleftinstructionswithathirdpersontofireitontheexpirationofacertaintime，unlessdirectionstothecontrarywerepreviouslyreceivedundermyownhand，orfrommyownlips——inthateventtheCount’ssecuritywasabsolutelydependentuponmine，andImightholdthevantagegroundoverhimsecurely，eveninhisownhouse。

ThisideaoccurredtomewhenIwasclosetothenewlodgingswhichwehadtakenonreturningfromthesea-side。Iwentinwithoutdisturbinganyone，bythehelpofmykey。Alightwasinthehall，andIstoleupwithittomyworkroomtomakemypreparations，andabsolutelytocommitmyselftoaninterviewwiththeCount，beforeeitherLauraorMariancouldhavetheslightestsuspicionofwhatIintendedtodo。

AletteraddressedtoPescarepresentedthesurestmeasureofprecautionwhichitwasnowpossibleformetotake。Iwroteasfollows——

`ThemanwhomIpointedouttoyouattheOperaisamemberoftheBrotherhood，andhasbeenfalsetohisLustputboththeseassertionstothetestinstantly。YouknowthenamehegoesbyinEngland。HisaddressisNo。5ForestRoad，StJohn’sWood。Ontheloveyouonceboreme，usethepowerentrustedtoyouwithoutmercyandwithoutdelayagainstthatman。Ihaveriskedallandlostall——andtheforfeitofmyfailurehasbeenpaidwithmylife。’

Isignedanddatedtheselines，enclosedtheminanenvelope，andsealeditup。OntheoutsideIwrotethisdirection:`Keeptheenclosureunopeneduntilnineo’clocktomorrowmorning。Ifyoudonothearfromme，orseeme，beforethattime，breakthesealwhentheclockstrikes，andreadthecontents。’Iaddedmyinitials，andprotectedthewholebyenclosingitinasecondsealedenvelope，addressedtoPescaathislodgings。

Nothingremainedtobedoneafterthisbuttofindthemeansofsendingmylettertoitsdestinationimmediately。Ishouldthenhaveaccomplishedallthatlayinmypower。&anythinghappenedtomeintheCount’shouse，Ihadnowprovidedforhisansweringitwithhislife。

Thatthemeansofpreventinghisescape，underanycircumstanceswhatever，wereatPesca’sdisposal，ifhechosetoexertthem，Ididnotforaninstantdoubt。TheextraordinaryanxietywhichhehadexpressedtoremainunenlightenedastotheCount’sidentity——or，inotherwords，tobeleftuncertainenoughaboutfactstojustifyhimtohisownconscienceinremainingpassive——betrayedplainlythatthemeansofexercisingtheterriblejusticeoftheBrotherhoodwerereadytohishand，although，asanaturallyhumaneman，hehadshrunkfromplainlysayingasmuchinmypresence。Thedeadlycertaintywithwhichthevengeanceofforeignpoliticalsocietiescanhuntdownatraitortothecause，hidehimselfwherehemay，hadbeentoooftenexemplified，eveninmysuperficialexperience，toallowofanydoubt。Consideringthesubjectonlyasareaderofnewspapers，casesrecurredtomymemory，bothinLondonandinParis，offoreignersfoundstabbedinthestreets，whoseassassinscouldneverbetraced——ofbodiesandpartsofbodiesthrownintotheThamesandtheSeine，byhandsthatcouldneverbediscovered——ofdeathsbysecretviolencewhichcouldonlybeaccountedforinoneway。Ihavedisguisednothingrelatingtomyselfinthesepages，andIdonotdisguiseherethatIbelievedIhadwrittenCountFosco’sdeath-warrant，ifthefatalemergencyhappenedwhichauthorisedPescatoopenmyenclosure。

Ileftmyroomtogodowntothegroundfloorofthehouse，andspeaktothelandlordaboutfindingmeamessenger。Hehappenedtobeascendingthestairsatthetime，andwemetonthelanding。Hisson，aquicklad，wasthemessengerheproposedtomeonhearingwhatIwanted。Wehadtheboyupstairs，andIgavehimhisdirections。Hewastotaketheletterinacab，toputitintoProfessorPesca’sownhands，andtobringmebackalineofacknowledgmentfromthatgentleman——returninginthecab，andkeepingitatthedoorformyuse。Itwasthennearlyhalf-pastten。Icalculatedthattheboymightbebackintwentyminutes，andthatImightdrivetoStJohn’sWood，onhisreturn，intwentyminutesmore。

WhentheladhaddepartedonhiserrandIreturnedtomyownroomforalittlewhile，toputcertainpapersinorder，sothattheymightbeeasilyfoundincaseoftheworst。Thekeyoftheold-fashionedbureauinwhichthepaperswerekeptIsealedup，andleftitonmytable，withMarian’snamewrittenontheoutsideofthelittlepacket。Thisdone，Iwentdownstairstothesitting-room，inwhichIexpectedtofindLauraandMarianawaitingmyreturnfromtheOpera。IfeltmyhandtremblingforthefirsttimewhenIlaiditonthelockofthedoor。

NoonewasintheroombutMarian。Shewasreading，andshelookedatherwatch，insurprise，whenIcamein。

`Howearlyyouareback！’’shesaid。`YoumusthavecomeawaybeforetheOperawasover。’

`Yes，’Ireplied，`neitherPescanorIwaitedfortheend。WhereisLaura？’

`Shehadoneofherbadheadachesthisevening，andIadvisedhertogotobedwhenwehaddonetea。’

IlefttheroomagainonthepretextofwishingtoseewhetherLaurawasasleep。Marian’squickeyeswerebeginningtolookinquiringlyatmyface——Marian’squickinstinctwasbeginningtodiscoverthatIhadsomethingweighingonmymind。

WhenIenteredthebedchamber，andsoftlyapproachedthebedsidebythedimflickerofthenight-lamp，mywifewasasleep。

Wehadnotbeenmarriedquiteamonthyet。Ifmyheartwasheavy，ifmyresolutionforamomentfalteredagain，whenIlookedatherfaceturnedfaithfullytomypillowinhersleep——whenIsawherhandrestingopenonthecoverlid，asifitwaswaitingunconsciouslyformine——surelytherewassomeexcuseforme？Ionlyallowedmyselfafewminutestokneeldownatthebedside，andtolookcloseather——soclosethatherbreath，asitcameandwent，flutteredonmyface。Ionlytouchedherhandandhercheekwithmylipsatparting。Shestirredinhersleepandmurmuredmyname，butwithoutwaking。Ilingeredforaninstantatthedoortolookatheragain。`Godblessandkeepyou，mydarling！’Iwhispered，andlefther。

Marianwasatthestairheadwaitingforme。Shehadafoldedslipofpaperinherhand。

`Thelandlord’ssonhasbroughtthisforyou，’shesaid。`Hehasgotacabatthedoor——hesaysyouorderedhimtokeepitatyourdisposal。’

`Quiteright，Marian。Iwantthecab——Iamgoingoutagain。’

IdescendedthestairsasIspoke，andlookedintothesitting-roomtoreadtheslipofpaperbythelightonthetable。ItcontainedthesetwosentencesinPesca’shandwriting——

`Yourletterisreceived。IfIdon’tseeyoubeforethetimeyoumention，Iwillbreakthesealwhentheclockstrikes。’

Iplacedthepaperinmypocket-book，andmadeforthedoor。Marianmetmeonthethreshold，andpushedmehackintotheroom，wherethecandle-lightfellfullonmyface。Sheheldmebybothhands，andhereyesfastenedsearchinglyonmine。

`Isee！’shesaid，inaloweagerwhisper。`Youaretryingthelastchancetonight。’

`Yes，thelastchanceandthebest，’Iwhisperedback。

`Notalone！Oh，Walter，forGod’ssake，notalone！Letmegowithyou。Don’trefusemebecauseI’monlyawoman。Imustgo！Iwillgo！I’llwaitoutsideinthecab！’

Itwasmyturnnowtoholdher。Shetriedtobreakawayfrommeandgetdownfirsttothedoor。

`Ifyouwanttohelpme，’Isaid，`stophereandsleepinmywife’sroomtonight。OnlyletmegoawaywithmymindeasyaboutLaura，andIanswerforeverythingelse。Come，Marian，givemeakiss，andshowthatyouhavethecouragetowaittillIcomeback。’

Idarednotallowhertimetosayawordmore。Shetriedtoholdmeagain。Iunclaspedherhands，andwasoutoftheroominamoment。Theboybelowheardmeonthestairs，andopenedthehall-door。Ijumpedintothecabbeforethedrivercouldgetoffthebox。`ForestRoad，StJohn’sWood，’Icalledtohimthroughthefrontwindow。`Doublefareifyougetthereinaquarterofanhour。’`I’lldoit，sir。’Ilookedatmywatch。Eleveno’clock。Notaminutetolose。

Therapidmotionofthecab，thesensethateveryinstantnowwasbringingmenearertotheCount，theconvictionthatIwasembarkedatlast，withoutletorhindrance，onmyhazardousenterprise，heatedmeintosuchafeverofexcitementthatIshoutedtothemantogofasterandfaster。Asweleftthestreets，andcrossedStJohn’sWoodRoad，myimpatiencesocompletelyoverpoweredmethatIstoodupinthecabandstretchedmyheadoutofthewindow，toseetheendofthejourneybeforewereachedit。Justasachurchclockinthedistancestruckthequarterpast，weturnedintotheForestRoad。IstoppedthedriveralittleawayfromtheCount’shouse，paidanddismissedhim，andwalkedontothedoor。

AsIapproachedthegardengate，Isawanotherpersonadvancingtowardsitalsofromthedirectionoppositetomine。Wemetunderthegaslampintheroad，andlookedateachother。Iinstantlyrecognisedthelight-hairedforeignerwiththescaronhischeek，andithoughtherecognisedme。Hesaidnothing，andinsteadofstoppingatthehouse，asIdid，heslowlywalkedon。WasheintheForestRoadbyaccident？OrhadhefollowedtheCounthomefromtheOpera？

Ididnotpursuethosequestions。Afterwaitingalittletilltheforeignerhadslowlypassedoutofsight，Irangthegatebell。Itwasthentwentyminutespasteleven——lateenoughtomakeitquiteeasyfortheCounttogetridofmebytheexcusethathewasinbed。

Theonlywayofprovidingagainstthiscontingencywastosendinmynamewithoutaskinganypreliminaryquestions，andtolethimknow，atthesametime，thatIhadaseriousmotiveforwishingtoseehimatthatlatehour。Accordingly，whileIwaswaiting，Itookoutmycardandwroteundermyname`Onimportantbusiness。’Themaid-servantansweredthedoorwhileIwaswritingthelastwordinpencil，andaskedmedistrustfullywhatI`pleasedtowant。’

`Besogoodastotakethattoyourmaster，’Ireplied，givingherthecard。

Isaw，bythegirl’shesitationofmanner，thatifIhadaskedfortheCountinthefirstinstanceshewouldonlyhavefollowedherinstructionsbytellingmehewasnotathome。ShewasstaggeredbytheconfidencewithwhichIgaveherthecard。Afterstaringatme，ingreatperturbation，shewentbackintothehousewithmymessage，closingthedoor，andleavingmetowaitinthegarden。

Inaminuteorsoshereappeared。`Hermaster’scompliments，andwouldIbesoobligingastosaywhatmybusinesswas？’`Takemycomplimentshack，’Ireplied，`andsaythatthebusinesscannotbementionedtoanyonebutyourmaster。’Sheleftmeagain，againreturned，andthistimeaskedmetowalkin。

Ifollowedheratonce。InanothermomentIwasinsidetheCount’shouse。

Therewasnolampinthehall，butbythedimlightofthekitchencandle，whichthegirlhadbroughtupstairswithher，Isawanelderlyladystealnoiselesslyoutofabackroomonthegroundfloor。ShecastoneviperishlookatmeasIenteredthehall，butsaidnothing，andwentslowlyupstairswithoutreturningmybow。MyfamiliaritywithMarian’sjournalsufficientlyassuredmethattheelderlyladywasMadameFosco。

TheservantledmetotheroomwhichtheCountesshadjustleft。Ienteredit，andfoundmyselffacetofacewiththeCount。

Hewasstillinhiseveningdress，excepthiscoat，whichhehadthrownacrossachair。Hisshirt-sleeveswereturnedupatthewrists，butnohigher。Acarpet-bagwasononesideofhim，andaboxontheother。Books，papers，andarticlesofwearingapparelwerescatteredabouttheroom。Onatable，atonesideofthedoor，stoodthecage，sowellknowntomebydescription，whichcontainedhiswhitemice。Thecanariesandthecockatoowereprobablyinsomeotherroom。Hewasseatedbeforethebox，packingit，whenIwentin，androsewithsomepapersinhishandtoreceiveme。HisfacestillbetrayedplaintracesoftheshockthathadoverwhelmedhimattheOpera。Hisfatcheekshungloose，hiscoldgreyeyeswerefurtivelyvigilant，hisvoice，look，andmannerwereallsharPlysuspiciousalike，asheadvancedasteptomeetme，andrequested，withdistantcivility，thatIwouldtakeachair。

`Youcomehereonbusiness，sir？’hesaid。`Iamatalosstoknowwhatthatbusinesscanpossiblybe。’

Theunconcealedcuriosity，withwhichhelookedhardinmyfacewhilehespoke，convincedmethatIhadpassedunnoticedbyhimattheOpera。HehadseenPescafirst，andfromthatmomenttillheleftthetheatrehehadevidentlyseennothingelse。MynamewouldnecessarilysuggesttohimthatIhadnotcomeintohishousewithotherthanahostilepurposetowardshimself，butheappearedtobeutterlyignorantthusfaroftherealnatureofmyerrand。

`Iamfortunateinfindingyouheretonight，’Isaid。`Youseemtobeonthepointoftakingajourney？’

`Isyourbusinessconnectedwithmyjourney？’

`Insomedegree。’

`Inwhatdegree？DoyouknowwhereIamgoingto？’

`No。IonlyknowwhyyouareleavingLondon。’

Heslippedbymewiththequicknessofthought，lockedthedoor，andputthekeyinhispocket。

`YouandI，MrHartright，areexcellentlywellacquaintedwithoneanotherbyreputation，’hesaid。`Didit，byanychance，occurtoyouwhenyoucametothishousethatIwasnotthesortofmanyoucouldtriflewith？’

`Itdidoccurtome，’Ireplied。`AndIhavenotcometotriflewithyou。Iamhereonamatteroflifeanddeath，andifthatdoorwhichyouhavelockedwasopenatthismoment，nothingyoucouldsayordowouldinducemetopassthroughit。’

Iwalkedfartherintotheroom，andstoodoppositetohimontherugbeforethefireplace。Hedrewachairinfrontofthedoor，andsatdownonit，withhisleftarmrestingonthetable。Thecagewiththewhitemicewasclosetohim，andthelittlecreaturesscamperedoutoftheirsleeping-placeashisheavyarmshookthetable，andpeeredathimthroughthegapsinthesmartlypaintedwires。

`Onamatterof-lifeanddeath，’herepeatedtohimself。`Thosewordsaremoreserious，perhaps，thanyouthink。Whatdoyoumean？’

`WhatIsay。’

Theperspirationbrokeoutthicklyonhisbroadforehead。Hislefthandstoleovertheedgeofthetable。Therewasadrawerinit，withalock，andthekeywasinthelock。Hisfingerandthumbclosedoverthekey，butdidnotturnit。

`SoyouknowwhyIamleavingLondon？’hewenton。`Tellmethereason，ifyouplease。’Heturnedthekey，andunlockedthedrawerashespoke。

`Icandobetterthanthat，’Ireplied。`Icanshowyouthereason，ifyoulike。’

`Howcanyoushowit？’

`Youhavegotyourcoatoff，’Isaid。`Rolluptheshirtsleeveonyourleftarm，andyouwillseeitthere。’

ThesamelividleadenchangepassedoverhisfacewhichIhadseenpassoveritatthetheatre。Thedeadlyglitterinhiseyesshonesteadyandstraightintomine。Hesaidnothing。Buthislefthandslowlyopenedthetable-drawer，andsoftlyslippedintoit。Theharshgratingnoiseofsomethingheavythathewasmovingunseentomesoundedforamoment，thenceased。ThesilencethatfollowedwassointensethatthefainttickingnibbleofthewhitemiceattheirwireswasdistinctlyaudiblewhereIstood。

Mylifehungbyathread，andIknewit。AtthatfinalmomentIthoughtwithhismind，Ifeltwithhisfingers——IwasascertainasifIhadseentoitwhathekepthiddenfrommeinthedrawer。

`Waitalittle，’Isaid。`Youhavegotthedoorlocked——youseeIdon’tmove——youseemyhandsareempty。Waitalittle。Ihavesomethingmoretosay。’

`Youhavesaidenough，’hereplied，withasuddencomposuresounnaturalandsoghastlythatittriedmynervesasnooutbreakofviolencecouldhavetriedthem。`Iwantonemomentformyownthoughts，ifyouplease。DoyouguesswhatIamthinkingabout？’

`PerhapsIdo。’

`Iamthinking，’heremarkedquietly，`whetherIshalladdtothedisorderinthisroombyscatteringyourbrainsaboutthefireplace。’

IfIhadmovedatthatmoment，Isawinhisfacethathewouldhavedoneit。

`IadviseyoutoreadtwolinesofwritingwhichIhaveaboutme，’Irejoined，`beforeyoufinallydecidethatquestion。’

Theproposalappearedtoexcitehiscuriosity。Henoddedhishead。ItookPesca’sacknowledgmentofthereceiptofmyletteroutofmypocket-book，handedittohimatarm’slength，andreturnedtomyformerpositioninfrontofthefireplace。

Hereadthelinesaloud:Yourletterisreceived。IfIdon’thearfromyoubeforethetimeyoumention，Iwillbreakthesealwhentheclockstrikes。’

Anothermaninhispositionwouldhaveneededsomeexplanationofthosewords——theCountfeltnosuchnecessity。OnereadingofthenoteshowedhimtheprecautionthatIhadtakenasplainlyasifhehadbeenpresentatthetimewhenIadoptedit。Theexpressionofhisfacechangedontheinstant，andhishandcameoutofthedrawerempty。

`Idon’tlockupmydrawer，MrHartright，’hesaid，`andIdon’tsaythatImaynotscatteryourbrainsaboutthefireplaceyet。ButIamajustmaneventomyenemy，andIwillacknowledgebeforehandthattheyareclevererbrainsthanIthoughtthem。Cometothepoint，sir！Youwantsomethingofme？’

`Ido，andImeantohaveit。’

`Onconditions？’

`Onnoconditions。’

Hishanddroppedintothedraweragain。

`Bah！wearetravellinginacircle，’hesaid，`andthosecleverbrainsofyoursareindangeragain。Yourtoneisdeplorablyimprudent，sir——moderateitonthespot！Theriskofshootingyouontheplacewhereyoustandislesstomethantheriskoflettingyououtofthishouse，exceptonconditionsthatIdictateandapprove。Youhavenotgotmylamentedfriendtodealwithnow——youarefacetofacewithFosco！IfthelivesoftwentyMrHartrights’werethestepping-stonestomysafety，overallthosestonesIwouldgo，sustainedbymysublimeindifference，self-balancedbymyimpenetrablecalm。Respectme，ifyouloveyourownlife！Isummonyoutoanswerthreequestionsbeforeyouopenyourlipsagain。Hearthem——theyarenecessarytothisinterview。Answerthem——theyarenecessarytoME。’Hehelduponefingerofhisrighthand。`Firstquestion！’hesaid。`Youcomeherepossessedofinformationwhichmaybetrueormaybefalse——wheredidyougetit？’

`Ideclinetotellyou。’

`Nomatter——Ishallfindout。Ifthatinformationistrue——mindIsay，withthewholeforceofmyresolution，if——youaremakingyourmarketofitherebytreacheryofyourownorbytreacheryofsomeotherman。Inotethatcircumstanceforfutureuseinmymemory，whichforgetsnothing，andproceed。’Heheldupanotherfinger。`Secondquestion！Thoselinesyouinvitedmetoreadarewithoutsignature。Whowrotethem？’

`AmanwhomIhaveeveryreasontodependon，andwhomyouhaveeveryreasontofear。’

Myanswerreachedhimtosomepurpose。Hislefthandtrembledaudiblyinthedrawer。`Howlongdoyougiveme，’heasked，puttinghisthirdquestioninaquietertone，`beforetheclockstrikesandthesealisbroken？’

`Timeenoughforyoutocometomyterms，’Ireplied。

`Givemeaplaineranswer，MrHartright。Whathouristheclocktostrike？’

`Nine，tomorrowmorning。’

`Nine，tomorrowmorning？Yes，yes——yourtrapislaidformebeforeIcangetmypassportregulatedandleaveLondon。Itisnotearlier，Isuppose？Wewillseeaboutthatpresently——Icankeepyouhostagehere，andbargainwithyoutosendforyourletterbeforeIletyougo。Inthemeantime，besogoodnextastomentionyourterms。’

`Youshallhearthem。Theyaresimple，andsoonstated。YouknowwhoseinterestsIrepresentincominghere？’

Hesmiledwiththemostsupremecomposure，andcarelesslywavedhisrighthand。

`Iconsenttohazardaguess，’hesaidjeeringly。`Alady’sinterests，ofcourse！’

`MyWife’sinterests。’

Helookedatmewiththefirsthonestexpressionthathadcrossedhisfaceinmypresence——anexpressionofblankamazement。IcouldseethatIsankinhisestimationasadangerousmanfromthatmoment。Heshutupthedraweratonce，foldedhisarmsoverhisbreast，andlistenedtomewithasmileofsatiricalattention。

`Youarewellenoughaware，’Iwenton，`ofthecoursewhichmyinquirieshavetakenformanymonthspast，toknowthatanyattempteddenialofplainfactswillbequiteuselessinmypresence。YouareguiltyofaninfamousconspiracyIAndthegainofafortuneoftenthousandpoundswasyourmotiveforit。’

Hesaidnothing。Buthisfacebecameovercloudedsuddenlybyaloweringanxiety。

`Keepyourgain，’Isaid。(Hisfacelightenedagainimmediately，andhiseyesopenedonmeinwiderandwiderastonishment。)`Iamnotheretodisgracemyselfbybargainingformoneywhichhaspassedthroughyourhands，andwhichhasbeenthepriceofavilecrime。’

`Gently，MrHartright。Yourmoralclap-trapshaveanexcellenteffectinEngland——keepthemforyourselfandyourowncountrymen，ifyouplease。ThetenthousandpoundswasalegacylefttomyexcellentwifebythelateMrFairlie。Placetheaffaironthosegrounds，andIwilldiscussitifyoulike。Toamanofmysentiments，however，thesubjectisdeplorablysordid。Iprefertopassitover。Iinviteyoutoresumethediscussionofyourterms。Whatdoyoudemand？’

`Inthefirstplace，Idemandafullconfessionoftheconspiracy，writtenandsignedinmypresencebyyourself。’

Heraisedhisfingeragain。`One！’hesaid，checkingmeoffwiththesteadyattentionofapracticalman。

`Inthesecondplace，Idemandaplainproof，whichdoesnotdependonyourpersonalasseveration，ofthedateatwhichmywifeleftBlackwaterParkandtravelledtoLondon。’

`So！so！youcanlayyourfinger，Isee，ontheweakplace，’heremarkedcomposedly。`Anymore？’

`Atpresent，nomore。’

`Good！youhavementionedyourterms，nowlistentomine。Theresponsibilitytomyselfofadmittingwhatyouarepleasedtocallthe``conspiracy’’isless，perhaps，uponthewhole，thantheresponsibilityoflayingyoudeadonthathearthrug。LetussaythatImeetyourproposal——onmyownconditions。Thestatementyoudemandofmeshallbewritten，andtheplainproofshallbeproduced。Youcallaletterfrommylatelamentedfriendinformingmeofthedayandhourofhiswife’sarrivalinLondon，written，signed，anddatedbyhimself，aproof，Isuppose？Icangiveyouthis。IcanalsosendyoutothemanofwhomIhiredthecarriagetofetchmyvisitorfromtherailway，onthedaywhenshearrived——hisorder-bookmayhelpyoutoyourdate，evenifhiscoachmanwhodrovemeprovestobeofnouse。ThesethingsIcando，andwilldo，onconditions。Irecitethem。Firstcondition！MadameFoscoandIleavethishousewhenandhowweplease，withoutinterferenceofanykindonyourpart。SecondconditionIYouwaithere，incompanywithme，toseemyagent，whoiscomingatseveno’clockinthemorningtoregulatemyaffairs。Yougivemyagentawrittenordertothemanwhohasgotyoursealedlettertoresignhispossessionofit。Youwaitheretillmyagentplacesthatletterunopenedinmyhands，andyouthenallowmeoneclearhalf-hourtoleavethehouse——afterwhichyouresumeyourownfreedomofactionandgowhereyouplease。Thirdcondition！Yougivemethesatisfactionofagentlemanforyourintrusionintomyprivateaffairs，andforthelanguageyouhaveallowedyourselftousetomeatthisconference。Thetimeandplace，abroad，tobefixedinaletterfrommyhandwhenIamsafeontheContinent，andthatlettertocontainastripofpapermeasuringaccuratelythelengthofmysword。Thosearemyterms。Informmeifyouacceptthem——YesorNo。’

Theextraordinarymixtureofpromptdecision，far-sightedcunning，andmountebankbravadointhisspeech，staggeredmeforamoment——andonlyforamoment。Theonequestiontoconsiderwas，whetherIwasjustifiedornotinpossessingmyselfofthemeansofestablishingLaura’sidentityatthecostofallowingthescoundrelwhohadrobbedherofittoescapemewithimpunity。Iknewthatthemotiveofsecuringthejustrecognitionofmywifeinthebirthplacefromwhichshehadbeendrivenoutasanimposter，andofpubliclyerasingtheliethatstillprofanedhermother’stombstone，wasfarpurer，initsfreedomfromalltaintofevilpassion，thanthevindictivemotivewhichhadmingleditselfwithmypurposefromthefirst。AndyetIcannothonestlysaythatmyownmoralconvictionswerestrongenoughtodecidethestruggleinmebythemselves。TheywerehelpedbymyremembranceofSirPercival’sdeath。Howawfully，atthelastmoment，hadtheworkingoftheretributiontherebeensnatchedfrommyfeeblehandsIWhatrighthadItodecide，inmypoormortalignoranceofthefuture，thatthisman，too，mustescapewithimpunitybecauseheescapedme？Ithoughtofthesethings——perhapswiththesuperstitioninherentinmynature，perhapswithasenseworthierofmethansuperstition。Itwashard，whenIhadfastenedmyholdonhimatlast，toloosenitagainofmyownaccord——butIforcedmyselftomakethesacrifice。Inplainerwords，IdeterminedtobeguidedbytheonehighermotiveofwhichIwascertain，themotiveofservingthecauseofLauraandthecauseofTruth。

`Iacceptyourconditions，’Isaid。`Withonereservationonmypart。’

`Whatreservationmaythatbe？’heasked。

`Itreferstothesealedletter，’Ianswered。`Irequireyoutodestroyitunopenedinmypresenceassoonasitisplacedinyourhands。’

MyobjectinmakingthisstipulationwassimPlytopreventhimfromcarryingawaywrittenevidenceofthenatureofmycommunicationwithPesca。Thefactofmycommunicationhewouldnecessarilydiscover，whenIgavetheaddresstohisagentinthemorning。Buthecouldmakenouseofitonhisownunsupportedtestimony——evenifhereallyventuredtotrytheexperiment——whichneedexciteinmetheslightestapprehensiononPesca’saccount。

`Igrantyourreservation，’hereplied，afterconsideringthequestiongravelyforaminuteortwo。`Itisnotworthdispute——thelettershallbedestroyedwhenitcomesintomyhands。’

Herose，ashespoke，fromthechairinwhichhehadbeensittingoppositetomeuptothistime。Withoneeffortheappearedtofreehismindfromthewholepressureonitoftheinterviewbetweenusthusfar。`Ouf！’hecried，stretchinghisarmsluxuriously，`theskirmishwashotwhileitlasted。Takeaseat，MrHartright。Wemeetasmortalenemieshereafter——letus，likegallantgentlemen，exchangepoliteattentionsinthemeantime。Permitmetotakethelibertyofcallingformywife。’

Heunlockedandopenedthedoor。`Eleanor！’hecalledoutinhisdeepvoice。Theladyoftheviperishfacecamein。`MadameFosco——MrHartright，’saidtheCount，introducinguswitheasydignity。`Myangel，’hewenton，addressinghiswife，`willyourlaboursofpackingupallowyoutimetomakemesomenicestrongcoffee？IhavewritingbusinesstotransactwithMrHartright——andIrequirethefullpossessionofmyintelligencetodojusticetomyself。’

MadameFoscobowedherheadtwice——oncesternlytome，oncesubmissivelytoherhusband——andglidedoutoftheroom。

TheCountwalkedtoawriting-tablenearthewindow，openedhisdesk，andtookfromitseveralquiresofpaperandabundleofquillpens。Hescatteredthepensaboutthetable，sothattheymightliereadyinalldirectionstobetakenupwhenwanted，andthencutthepaperintoaheapofnarrowslips，oftheformusedbyprofessionalwritersforthepress。`Ishallmakethisaremarkabledocument，’hesaid，lookingatmeoverhisshoulder。`Habitsofliterarycompositionareperfectlyfamiliartome。Oneoftherarestofalltheintellectualaccomplishmentsthatamancanpossessisthegrandfacultyofarranginghisideas。Immenseprivilege！Ipossessit。Doyou？’

Hemarchedbackwardsandforwardsintheroom，untilthecoffeeappeared，hummingtohimself，andmarkingtheplacesatwhichobstaclesoccurredinthearrangementofhisideas，bystrikinghisforeheadfromtimetotimewiththepalmofhishand。TheenormousaudacitywithwhichheseizedonthesituationinwhichIplacedhim，andmadeitthepedestalonwhichhisvanitymountedfortheonecherishedpurposeofself-display，masteredmyastonishmentbymainforce。SincerelyasIloathedtheman，theprodigiousstrengthofhischaracter，eveninitsmosttrivialaspects，impressedmeinspiteofmyself。

ThecoffeewasbroughtinbyMadameFosco。Hekissedherhandingratefulacknowledgment，andescortedhertothedoor；returned，pouredoutacupofcoffeeforhimself，andtookittothewriting-table。

`MayIofferyousomecoffee，MrHartright？’hesaid，beforehesatdown。

Ideclined。

`What！youthinkIshallpoisonyou？’hesaidgaily。`TheEnglishintellectissound，sofarasitgoes，’hecontinued，seatinghimselfatthetable:`butithasonegravedefect——itisalwayscautiousinthewrongplace。’

Hedippedhispenintheink，placedthefistslipofpaperbeforehimwithathumpofhishandonthedesk，clearedhisthroat，andbegan。Hewrotewithgreatnoiseandrapidity，insolargeandboldahand，andwithsuchwidespacesbetweenthelines，thathereachedthebottomoftheslipinnotmorethantwominutescertainlyfromthetimewhenhestartedatthetop。Eachslipashefinisheditwaspaged，andtossedoverhisshoulderoutofhiswayonthefloor。Whenhisfirstpenwaswornout，thatwentoverhisshouldertoo，andhepouncedonasecondfromthesupplyscatteredaboutthetable。Slipafterslip，bydozens，byfifties，byhundreds，flewoverhisshouldersoneithersideofhimtillhehadsnowedhimselfupinpaperallroundhischair。Hourafterhourpassed——andthereIsatwatching，therehesatwriting。Heneverstopped，excepttosiphiscoffee，andwhenthatwasexhausted，tosmackhisforeheadfromtimetotime。Oneo’clockstruck，two，three，four——andstilltheslipsflewaboutallroundhim；stilltheuntiringpenscrapeditswayceaselesslyfromtoptobottomofthepage，stillthewhitechaosofpaperrosehigherandhigherallroundhischair。Atfouro’clockIheardasuddensplutterofthepen，indicativeoftheflourishwithwhichhesignedhisname。`Bravo！’hecried，springingtohisfeetwiththeactivityofayoungman，andlookingmestraightinthefacewithasmileofsuperbtriumph。

`Done，MrHartright！’heannouncedwithaself-renovatingthumpofhisfistonhisbroadchest。`Done，tomyownprofoundsatisfaction——toyourprofoundastonishment，whenyoureadwhatIhavewritten。Thesubjectisexhausted:theman——Fosco——isnot。Iproceedtothearrangementofmyslips——totherevisionofmyslips——tothereadingofmyslips——addressedemphaticallytoyourprivateear。Fouro’clockhasjuststruck。Good！Arrangement，revision，reading，fromfourtofive。Shortsnoozeofrestorationformyselffromfivetosix。Finalpreparationsfromsixtoseven。Affairofagentandsealedletterfromseventoeight。Ateight，enroute。Beholdtheprogramme！’

Hesatdowncross-leggedontheflooramonghispapers，strungthemtogetherwithabodkinandapieceofstring——revisedthem，wroteallthetitlesandhonoursbywhichhewaspersonallydistinguishedattheheadofthefirstpage，andthenreadthemanuscripttomewithloudtheatricalemphasisandprofusetheatricalgesticulation。Thereaderwillhaveanopportunity，erelong，offorminghisownopinionofthedocument。Itwillbesufficienttomentionherethatitansweredmypurpose。

Henextwrotemetheaddressofthepersonfromwhomhehadhiredthefly，andhandedmeSirPercival’sletter。ItwasdatedfromHampshireonthe25thofJuly，anditannouncedthejourneyof`LadyGlyde’toLondononthe26th。Thus，ontheveryday(the25th)whenthedoctor’scertificatedeclaredthatshehaddiedinStJohn’sWood，shewasalive，bySirPercival’sownshowing，atBlackwater——and，onthedayafter，shewastotakeajourney！Whentheproofofthatjourneywasobtainedfromtheflyman，theevidencewouldbecomplete。

`Aquarter-pastfive，’saidtheCount，lookingathiswatch。`Timeformyrestorativesnooze。IpersonallyresembleNapoleontheGreat，asyoumayhaveremarked，MrHartright——Ialsoresemblethatimmortalmaninmypowerofcommandingsleepatwill。Excusemeonemoment。IwillsummonMadameFosco，tokeepyoufromfeelingdull。’

Knowingaswellashedid，thathewassummoningMadameFoscotoensuremynotleavingthehousewhilehewasasleep，Imadenoreply，andoccupiedmyselfintyingupthepaperswhichhehadplacedinmypossession。

Theladycamein，cool，pale，andvenomousasever。`AmuseMrHartright，myangel，’saidtheCount。Heplacedachairforher，kissedherhandforthesecondtime，withdrewtoasofa，and，inthreeminutes，wasaspeacefulandhappilyasleepasthemostvirtuousmaninexistence。

MadameFoscotookabookfromthetable，satdown，andlookedatme，withthesteadyvindictivemaliceofawomanwhoneverforgotandneverforgave。

`Ihavebeenlisteningtoyourconversationwithmyhusband，’shesaid。`IfIhadbeeninhisplace——Iwouldhavelaidyoudeadonthehearthrug。’

Withthosewordssheopenedherbook，andneverlookedatmeorspoketomefromthattimetillthetimewhenherhusbandwoke。

Heopenedhiseyesandrosefromthesofa，accuratelytoanhourfromthetimewhenhehadgonetosleep。

`Ifeelinfinitelyrefreshed，’heremarked。`Eleanor，mygoodwife，areyouallreadyupstairs？Thatiswell。Mylittlepackingherecanbecompletedintenminutes——mytravelling-dressassumedintenminutesmore。Whatremainsbeforetheagentcomes？’Helookedabouttheroom，andnoticedthecagewithhiswhitemiceinit。`Ah！’hecriedpiteously，`alastlacerationofmysympathiesstillremains。Myinnocentpets！mylittlecherishedchildren！whatamItodowiththem？Forthepresentwearesettlednowhere；forthepresentwetravelincessantly——thelessbaggagewecarrythebetterforourselves。Mycockatoo，mycanaries，andmylittlemice——whowillcherishthemwhentheirgoodPapaisgone？’

Hewalkedabouttheroomdeepinthought。Hehadnotbeenatalltroubledaboutwritinghisconfession，buthewasvisiblyperplexedanddistressedaboutthefarmoreimportantquestionofthedisposalofhispets。Afterlongconsiderationhesuddenlysatdownagainatthewriting-table。

`Anidea！’heexclaimed。`IwilloffermycanariesandmycockatootothisvastMetropolis——myagentshallpresenttheminmynametotheZoologicalGardensofLondon。TheDocumentthatdescribesthemshallbedrawnoutonthespot。’

Hebegantowrite，repeatingthewordsastheyflowedfromhispen。

`Numberone。Cockatoooftranscendentplumage:attraction，ofhimself，toallvisitorsoftaste。Numbertwo。Canariesofunrivalledvivacityandintelligence:worthyofthegardenofEden，worthyalsoofthegardenintheRegent’sPark。HomagetoBritishZoology。OfferedbyFosco。’

Thepensplutteredagain，andtheflourishwasattachedtohissignature。

`Count！youhavenotincludedthemice，’saidMadameFosco。

Heleftthetable，tookherhand，andplaceditonhisheart。

`Allhumanresolution，Eleanor，’hesaidsolemnly，`hasitslimits。MylimitsareinscribedinthatDocument。Icannotpartwithmywhitemice。Bearwithme，myangel，andremovethemtotheirtravellingcageupstairs。’

`Admirabletenderness！’saidMadameFosco，admiringherhusband，withalastviperishlookinmydirection。Shetookupthecagecarefully，andlefttheroom。

TheCountlookedathiswatch。Inspiteofhisresoluteassumptionofcomposure，hewasgettinganxiousfortheagent’sarrival。Thecandleshadlongsincebeenextinguished，andthesunlightofthenewmorningpouredintotheroom。Itwasnottillfiveminutespastseventhatthegatebellrang，andtheagentmadehisappearance。Hewasaforeignerwithadarkbeard。

`MrHartright——MonsieurRubelle，’saidtheCount，introducingus。Hetooktheagent(aforeignspy，ineverylineofhisface，ifevertherewasoneyet)intoacorneroftheroom，whisperedsomedirectionstohim，andthenleftustogether。`MonsieurRubelle，’assoonaswewerealone，suggestedwithgreatpolitenessthatIshouldfavourhimwithhisinstructions。IwrotetwolinestoPesca，authorisinghimtodelivermysealedletter`tothebearer，’directedthenote，andhandedittoMonsieurRubelle。

Theagentwaitedwithmetillhisemployerreturned，equippedintravellingcostume。TheCountexaminedtheaddressofmyletterbeforehedismissedtheagent。`Ithoughtso！’hesaid，turningonmewithadarklook，andalteringagaininhismannerfromthatmoment。

Hecompletedhispacking，andthensatconsultingatravellingmap，makingentriesinhispocket-book，andlookingeverynowandthenimpatientlyathiswatch。Notanotherword，addressedtomyself，passedhislips。Thenearapproachofthehourforhisdeparture，andtheproofhehadseenofthecommunicationestablishedbetweenPescaandmyself，hadplainlyrecalledhiswholeattentiontothemeasuresthatwerenecessaryforsecuringhisescape。

Alittlebeforeeighto’clock，MonsieurRubellecamebackwithmyunopenedletterinhishand。TheCountlookedcarefullyatthesuperscriptionandtheseal，litacandle，andburnttheletter。`Iperformmypromise，’hesaid，`butthismatter，MrHartright，shallnotendhere。’

Theagenthadkeptatthedoorthecabinwhichhehadreturned。Heandthemaid-servantnowbusiedthemselvesinremovingtheluggage。MadameFoscocamedownstairs，thicklyveiled，withthetravellingcageofthewhitemiceinherhand。Sheneitherspoketomenorlookedtowardsme。Herhusbandescortedhertothecab。`Followmeasfarasthepassage，’hewhisperedinmyear；`Imaywanttospeaktoyouatthelastmoment。’

Iwentouttothedoor，theagentstandingbelowmeinthefrontgarden。TheCountcamebackalone，anddrewmeafewstepsinsidethepassage。

`RemembertheThirdcondition！’hewhispered。`Youshallhearfromme，MrHartright——Imayclaimfromyouthesatisfactionofagentlemansoonerthanyouthinkfor。’HecaughtmyhandbeforeIwasawareofhim，andwrungIthard——thenturnedtothedoor，stopped，andcamebacktomeagain。

`Onewordmore，’hesaidconfidentially。`WhenIlastsawMissHalcombe，shelookedthinandill。Iamanxiousaboutthatadmirablewoman。Takecareofher，sir！Withmyhandonmyheart，Isolemnlyimploreyou，takecareofMissHalcombe！’

Thosewerethelastwordshesaidtomebeforehesqueezedhishugebodyintothecabanddroveoff。

TheagentandIwaitedatthedoorafewmomentslookingafterhim。Whilewewerestandingtogether，asecondcabappearedfromaturningalittlewaydowntheroad。ItfollowedthedirectionpreviouslytakenbytheCount’scab，andasitpassedthehouseandtheopengardengate，apersoninsidelookedatusoutofthewindow。ThestrangerattheOperaagain！——theforeignerwithascaronhisleftcheek。

`Youwaitherewithme，sir，forhalfanhourmore！’saidMonsieurRubelle。

`Ido。’

Wereturnedtothesitting-room。Iwasinnohumourtospeaktotheagent，ortoallowhimtospeaktome。ItookoutthepaperswhichtheCounthadplacedinmyhands，andreadtheterriblestoryoftheconspiracytoldbythemanwhohadplannedandperpetratedit。