第5章

’Oh！shewereverybadtheothernight，sir，indeedshewere，saidMiggs。’Ifyouhadn’tthesweetnessofanangelinyou，mim，I

don’tthinkyoucouldabearit，Iralydon’t。’

’Miggs，’saidMrsVarden，’you’reprofane。’

’Beggingyourpardon，mim，’returnedMiggs，withshrillrapidity，’suchwasnotmyintentions，andsuchIhopeisnotmycharacter，thoughIambutaservant。’

’Answeringme，Miggs，andprovidingyourself，’retortedhermistress，lookingroundwithdignity，’isoneandthesamething。

Howdareyouspeakofangelsinconnectionwithyoursinfulfellow-beings——mere’——saidMrsVarden，glancingatherselfinaneighbouringmirror，andarrangingtheribbonofhercapinamorebecomingfashion——’merewormsandgrovellersasweare！’

’Ididnotintend，mim，ifyouplease，togiveoffence，’saidMiggs，confidentinthestrengthofhercompliment，anddevelopingstronglyinthethroatasusual，’andIdidnotexpectitwouldbetookassuch。IhopeIknowmyownunworthiness，andthatIhateanddespisemyselfandallmyfellow-creaturesaseverypracticableChristianshould。’

’You’llhavethegoodness，ifyouplease，’saidMrsVarden，loftily，’tostepupstairsandseeifDollyhasfinisheddressing，andtotellherthatthechairthatwasorderedforherwillbehereinaminute，andthatifshekeepsitwaiting，Ishallsenditawaythatinstant——I’msorrytoseethatyoudon’ttakeyourtea，Varden，andthatyoudon’ttakeyours，MrJoseph;thoughofcourseitwouldbefoolishofmetoexpectthatanythingthatcanbehadathome，andinthecompanyoffemales，wouldpleaseYOU。’

Thispronounwasunderstoodinthepluralsense，andincludedbothgentlemen，uponbothofwhomitwasratherhardandundeserved，forGabrielhadappliedhimselftothemealwithaverypromisingappetite，untilitwasspoiltbyMrsVardenherself，andJoehadasgreatalikingforthefemalesocietyofthelocksmith’shouse——orforapartofitatallevents——asmancouldwellentertain。

Buthehadnoopportunitytosayanythinginhisowndefence，foratthatmomentDollyherselfappeared，andstruckhimquitedumbwithherbeauty。NeverhadDollylookedsohandsomeasshedidthen，inalltheglowandgraceofyouth，withallhercharmsincreasedahundredfoldbyamostbecomingdress，byathousandlittlecoquettishwayswhichnobodycouldassumewithabettergrace，andallthesparklingexpectationofthataccursedparty。

ItisimpossibletotellhowJoehatedthatpartywhereveritwas，andalltheotherpeoplewhoweregoingtoit，whoevertheywere。

Andshehardlylookedathim——no，hardlylookedathim。Andwhenthechairwasseenthroughtheopendoorcomingblunderingintotheworkshop，sheactuallyclappedherhandsandseemedgladtogo。

ButJoegaveherhisarm——therewassomecomfortinthat——andhandedherintoit。Toseeherseatherselfinside，withherlaughingeyesbrighterthandiamonds，andherhand——surelyshehadtheprettiesthandintheworld——ontheledgeoftheopenwindow，andherlittlefingerprovokinglyandpertlytiltedup，asifitwonderedwhyJoedidn’tsqueezeorkissit！Tothinkhowwelloneortwoofthemodestsnowdropswouldhavebecomethatdelicatebodice，andhowtheywerelyingneglectedoutsidetheparlourwindow！ToseehowMiggslookedonwithafaceexpressiveofknowinghowallthislovelinesswasgotup，andofbeinginthesecretofeverystringandpinandhookandeye，andofsayingitain’thalfasrealasyouthink，andIcouldlookquiteaswellmyselfifItookthepains！Tohearthatprovokingpreciouslittlescreamwhenthechairwashoistedonitspoles，andtocatchthattransientbutnot-to-be-forgottenvisionofthehappyfacewithin——

whattormentsandaggravations，andyetwhatdelightswerethese！

Theverychairmenseemedfavouredrivalsastheyboreherdownthestreet。

Thereneverwassuchanalterationinasmallroominasmalltimeasinthatparlourwhentheywentbacktofinishtea。Sodark，sodeserted，soperfectlydisenchanted。Itseemedsuchsheernonsensetobesittingtamelythere，whenshewasatadancewithmoreloversthanmancouldcalculateflutteringabouther——withthewholepartydotingonandadoringher，andwantingtomarryher。

Miggswashoveringabouttoo;andthefactofherexistence，themerecircumstanceofhereverhavingbeenborn，appeared，afterDolly，suchanunaccountablepracticaljoke。Itwasimpossibletotalk。Itcouldn’tbedone。Hehadnothingleftforitbuttostirhistearound，andround，andround，andruminateonallthefascinationsofthelocksmith’slovelydaughter。

Gabrielwasdulltoo。ItwasapartofthecertainuncertaintyofMrsVarden’stemper，thatwhentheywereinthiscondition，sheshouldbegayandsprightly。

’Ineedhaveacheerfuldisposition，Iamsure，’saidthesmilinghousewife，’topreserveanyspiritsatall;andhowIdoitIcanscarcelytell。’

’Ah，mim，’sighedMiggs，’beggingyourpardonfortheinterruption，therean’tamanylikeyou。’

’Takeaway，Miggs，’saidMrsVarden，rising，’takeaway，pray。I

knowI’marestrainthere，andasIwisheverybodytoenjoythemselvesastheybestcan，IfeelIhadbettergo。’

’No，no，Martha，’criedthelocksmith。’Stophere。I’msureweshallbeverysorrytoloseyou，ehJoe！’Joestarted，andsaid’Certainly。’

’Thankyou，Varden，mydear，’returnedhiswife;’butIknowyourwishesbetter。Tobaccoandbeer，orspirits，havemuchgreaterattractionsthananyIcanboastof，andthereforeIshallgoandsitupstairsandlookoutofwindow，mylove。Goodnight，MrJoseph。I’mverygladtohaveseenyou，andIonlywishIcouldhaveprovidedsomethingmoresuitabletoyourtaste。RemembermeverykindlyifyoupleasetooldMrWillet，andtellhimthatwheneverhecomeshereIhaveacrowtopluckwithhim。Goodnight！’

Havingutteredthesewordswithgreatsweetnessofmanner，thegoodladydroppedacurtseyremarkableforitscondescension，andserenelywithdrew。

AnditwasforthisJoehadlookedforwardtothetwenty-fifthofMarchforweeksandweeks，andhadgatheredtheflowerswithsomuchcare，andhadcockedhishat，andmadehimselfsosmart！Thiswastheendofallhisbolddetermination，resolveduponforthehundredthtime，tospeakouttoDollyandtellherhowhelovedher！Toseeherforaminute——forbutaminute——tofindhergoingouttoapartyandgladtogo;tobelookeduponasacommonpipe-

smoker，beer-bibber，spirit-guzzler，andtosspot！Hebadefarewelltohisfriendthelocksmith，andhastenedtotakehorseattheBlackLion，thinkingasheturnedtowardshome，asmanyanotherJoehasthoughtbeforeandsince，thatherewasanendtoallhishopes——thatthethingwasimpossibleandnevercouldbe——thatshedidn’tcareforhim——thathewaswretchedforlife——andthattheonlycongenialprospectlefthim，wastogoforasoldierorasailor，andgetsomeobligingenemytoknockhisbrainsoutassoonaspossible。

Chapter14

JoeWilletrodeleisurelyalonginhisdespondingmood，picturingthelocksmith’sdaughtergoingdownlongcountry-dances，andpoussettingdreadfullywithboldstrangers——whichwasalmosttoomuchtobear——whenheheardthetrampofahorse’sfeetbehindhim，andlookingback，sawawell-mountedgentlemanadvancingatasmartcanter。Asthisriderpassed，hecheckedhissteed，andcalledhimoftheMaypolebyhisname。Joesetspurstothegreymare，andwasathissidedirectly。

’Ithoughtitwasyou，sir，’hesaid，touchinghishat。’Afairevening，sir。Gladtoseeyououtofdoorsagain。’

Thegentlemansmiledandnodded。’Whatgaydoingshavebeengoingonto-day，Joe？Issheasprettyasever？Nay，don’tblush，man。’

’IfIcolouredatall，MrEdward，’saidJoe，’whichIdidn’tknowI

did，itwastothinkIshouldhavebeensuchafoolasevertohaveanyhopeofher。She’sasfaroutofmyreachas——asHeavenis。’

’Well，Joe，Ihopethat’snotaltogetherbeyondit，’saidEdward，good-humouredly。’Eh？’

’Ah！’sighedJoe。’It’sallveryfinetalking，sir。Proverbsareeasilymadeincoldblood。Butitcan’tbehelped。Areyouboundforourhouse，sir？’

’Yes。AsIamnotquitestrongyet，Ishallstaythereto-night，andridehomecoollyinthemorning。’

’Ifyou’reinnoparticularhurry，’saidJoeafterashortsilence，’andwillbearwiththepaceofthispoorjade，IshallbegladtorideonwithyoutotheWarren，sir，andholdyourhorsewhenyoudismount。It’llsaveyouhavingtowalkfromtheMaypole，thereandbackagain。Icansparethetimewell，sir，forIamtoosoon。’

’AndsoamI，’returnedEdward，’thoughIwasunconsciouslyridingfastjustnow，incomplimentIsupposetothepaceofmythoughts，whichweretravellingpost。Wewillkeeptogether，Joe，willingly，andbeasgoodcompanyasmaybe。Andcheerup，cheerup，thinkofthelocksmith’sdaughterwithastoutheart，andyoushallwinheryet。’

Joeshookhishead;buttherewassomethingsocheeryinthebuoyanthopefulmannerofthisspeech，thathisspiritsroseunderitsinfluence，andcommunicatedasitwouldseemsomenewimpulseeventothegreymare，who，breakingfromhersoberambleintoagentletrot，emulatedthepaceofEdwardChester’shorse，andappearedtoflatterherselfthathewasdoinghisverybest。

Itwasafinedrynight，andthelightofayoungmoon，whichwasthenjustrising，shedaroundthatpeaceandtranquillitywhichgivestoeveningtimeitsmostdeliciouscharm。Thelengthenedshadowsofthetrees，softenedasifreflectedinstillwater，threwtheircarpetonthepaththetravellerspursued，andthelightwindstirredyetmoresoftlythanbefore，asthoughitweresoothingNatureinhersleep。Bylittleandlittletheyceasedtalking，androdeonsidebysideinapleasantsilence。

’TheMaypolelightsarebrilliantto-night，’saidEdward，astheyrodealongthelanefromwhich，whiletheinterveningtreeswerebareofleaves，thathostelrywasvisible。

’Brilliantindeed，sir，’returnedJoe，risinginhisstirrupstogetabetterview。’Lightsinthelargeroom，andafireglimmeringinthebestbedchamber？Why，whatcompanycanthisbefor，Iwonder！’

’SomebenightedhorsemanwendingtowardsLondon，anddeterredfromgoingonto-nightbythemarvelloustalesofmyfriendthehighwayman，Isuppose，’saidEdward。

’Hemustbeahorsemanofgoodqualitytohavesuchaccommodations。

Yourbedtoo，sir——！’

’Nomatter，Joe。Anyotherroomwilldoforme。Butcome——there’sninestriking。Wemaypushon。’

TheycanteredforwardatasbriskapaceasJoe’schargercouldattain，andpresentlystoppedinthelittlecopsewherehehadleftherinthemorning。Edwarddismounted，gavehisbridletohiscompanion，andwalkedwithalightsteptowardsthehouse。

Afemaleservantwaswaitingatasidegateinthegarden-wall，andadmittedhimwithoutdelay。Hehurriedalongtheterrace-walk，anddartedupaflightofbroadstepsleadingintoanoldandgloomyhall，whosewallswereornamentedwithrustysuitsofarmour，antlers，weaponsofthechase，andsuchlikegarniture。Herehepaused，butnotlong;forashelookedround，asifexpectingtheattendanttohavefollowed，andwonderingshehadnotdoneso，alovelygirlappeared，whosedarkhairnextmomentrestedonhisbreast。Almostatthesameinstantaheavyhandwaslaiduponherarm，Edwardfelthimselfthrustaway，andMrHaredalestoodbetweenthem。

Heregardedtheyoungmansternlywithoutremovinghishat;withonehandclaspedhisniece，andwiththeother，inwhichheheldhisriding-whip，motionedhimtowardsthedoor。Theyoungmandrewhimselfup，andreturnedhisgaze。

’Thisiswelldoneofyou，sir，tocorruptmyservants，andentermyhouseunbiddenandinsecret，likeathief！’saidMrHaredale。

’Leaveit，sir，andreturnnomore。’

’MissHaredale’spresence，’returnedtheyoungman，’andyourrelationshiptoher，giveyoualicencewhich，ifyouareabraveman，youwillnotabuse。Youhavecompelledmetothiscourse，andthefaultisyours——notmine。’

’Itisneithergenerous，norhonourable，northeactofatrueman，sir，’retortedtheother，’totamperwiththeaffectionsofaweak，trustinggirl，whileyoushrink，inyourunworthiness，fromherguardianandprotector，anddarenotmeetthelightofday。

MorethanthisIwillnotsaytoyou，savethatIforbidyouthishouse，andrequireyoutobegone。’

’Itisneithergenerous，norhonourable，northeactofatruemantoplaythespy，’saidEdward。’Yourwordsimplydishonour，andI

rejectthemwiththescorntheymerit。’

’Youwillfind，’saidMrHaredale，calmly，’yourtrustygo-betweeninwaitingatthegatebywhichyouentered。Ihaveplayednospy’spart，sir。Ichancedtoseeyoupassthegate，andfollowed。Youmighthaveheardmeknockingforadmission，hadyoubeenlessswiftoffoot，orlingeredinthegarden。Pleasetowithdraw。Yourpresencehereisoffensivetomeanddistressfultomyniece。’Ashesaidthesewords，hepassedhisarmaboutthewaistoftheterrifiedandweepinggirl，anddrewherclosertohim;andthoughthehabitualseverityofhismannerwasscarcelychanged，therewasyetapparentintheactionanairofkindnessandsympathyforherdistress。

’MrHaredale，’saidEdward，’yourarmencirclesheronwhomIhavesetmyeveryhopeandthought，andtopurchaseoneminute’shappinessforwhomIwouldgladlylaydownmylife;thishouseisthecasketthatholdsthepreciousjewelofmyexistence。Yourniecehasplightedherfaithtome，andIhaveplightedminetoher。WhathaveIdonethatyoushouldholdmeinthislightesteem，andgivemethesediscourteouswords？’

’Youhavedonethat，sir，’answeredMrHaredale，’whichmustheundone。Youhavetiedalover’-knotherewhichmustbecutasunder。TakegoodheedofwhatIsay。Must。Icancelthebondbetweenye。Irejectyou，andallofyourkithandkin——allthefalse，hollow，heartlessstock。’

’Highwords，sir，’saidEdward，scornfully。

’Wordsofpurposeandmeaning，asyouwillfind，’repliedtheother。’Laythemtoheart。’

’Layyouthen，these，’saidEdward。’Yourcoldandsullentemper，whichchillseverybreastaboutyou，whichturnsaffectionintofear，andchangesdutyintodread，hasforcedusonthissecretcourse，repugnanttoournatureandourwish，andfarmoreforeign，sir，tousthanyou。Iamnotafalse，ahollow，oraheartlessman;thecharacterisyours，whopoorlyventureontheseinjuriousterms，againstthetruth，andundertheshelterwhereofIremindedyoujustnow。Youshallnotcancelthebondbetweenus。Iwillnotabandonthispursuit。Irelyuponyourniece’struthandhonour，andsetyourinfluenceatnought。Ileaveherwithaconfidenceinherpurefaith，whichyouwillneverweaken，andwithnoconcernbutthatIdonotleaveherinsomegentlercare。’

Withthat，hepressedhercoldhandtohislips，andoncemoreencounteringandreturningMrHaredale’ssteadylook，withdrew。

AfewwordstoJoeashemountedhishorsesufficientlyexplainedwhathadpassed，andrenewedallthatyounggentleman’sdespondencywithtenfoldaggravation。TheyrodebacktotheMaypolewithoutexchangingasyllable，andarrivedatthedoorwithheavyhearts。

OldJohn，whohadpeepedfrombehindtheredcurtainastheyrodeupshoutingforHugh，wasoutdirectly，andsaidwithgreatimportanceasheheldtheyoungman’sstirrup，’He’scomfortableinbed——thebestbed。Athoroughgentleman;thesmilingest，affablestgentlemanIeverhadtodowith。’

’Who，Willet？’saidEdwardcarelessly，ashedismounted。

’Yourworthyfather，sir，’repliedJohn。’Yourhonourable，venerablefather。’

’Whatdoeshemean？’saidEdward，lookingwithamixtureofalarmanddoubt，atJoe。

’WhatDOyoumean？’saidJoe。’Don’tyouseeMrEdwarddoesn’tunderstand，father？’

’Why，didn’tyouknowofit，sir？’saidJohn，openinghiseyeswide。’Howverysingular！Blessyou，he’sbeenhereeversincenoonto-day，andMrHaredalehasbeenhavingalongtalkwithhim，andhasn’tbeengoneanhour。’

’Myfather，Willet！’

’Yes，sir，hetoldmeso——ahandsome，slim，uprightgentleman，ingreen-and-gold。Inyouroldroomupyonder，sir。Nodoubtyoucangoin，sir，’saidJohn，walkingbackwardsintotheroadandlookingupatthewindow。’Hehasn’tputouthiscandlesyet，I

see。’

Edwardglancedatthewindowalso，andhastilymurmuringthathehadchangedhismind——forgottensomething——andmustreturntoLondon，mountedhishorseagainandrodeaway;leavingtheWillets，fatherandson，lookingateachotherinmuteastonishment。

Chapter15

Atnoonnextday，JohnWillet’sguestsatlingeringoverhisbreakfastinhisownhome，surroundedbyavarietyofcomforts，whichlefttheMaypole’shighestflightandutmoststretchofaccommodationataninfinitedistancebehind，andsuggestedcomparisonsverymuchtothedisadvantageanddisfavourofthatvenerabletavern。

Inthebroadold-fashionedwindow-seat——ascapaciousasmanymodernsofas，andcushionedtoservethepurposeofaluxurioussettee——inthebroadold-fashionedwindow-seatofaroomychamber，MrChesterlounged，verymuchathisease，overawell-furnishedbreakfast-

table。Hehadexchangedhisriding-coatforahandsomemorning-

gown，hisbootsforslippers;hadbeenatgreatpainstoatoneforthehavingbeenobligedtomakehistoiletwhenherosewithouttheaidofdressing-caseandtiringequipage;and，havinggraduallyforgottenthroughthesemeansthediscomfortsofanindifferentnightandanearlyride，wasinastateofperfectcomplacency，indolence，andsatisfaction。

Thesituationinwhichhefoundhimself，indeed，wasparticularlyfavourabletothegrowthofthesefeelings;for，nottomentionthelazyinfluenceofalateandlonelybreakfast，withtheadditionalsedativeofanewspaper，therewasanairofreposeabouthisplaceofresidencepeculiartoitself，andwhichhangsaboutit，eveninthesetimes，whenitismorebustlingandbusythanitwasindaysofyore。

Thereare，still，worseplacesthantheTemple，onasultryday，forbaskinginthesun，orrestingidlyintheshade。Thereisyetadrowsinessinitscourts，andadreamydulnessinitstreesandgardens;thosewhopaceitslanesandsquaresmayyetheartheechoesoftheirfootstepsonthesoundingstones，andreaduponitsgates，inpassingfromthetumultoftheStrandorFleetStreet，’Whoentershereleavesnoisebehind。’ThereisstilltheplashoffallingwaterinfairFountainCourt，andthereareyetnooksandcornerswheredun-hauntedstudentsmaylookdownfromtheirdustygarrets，onavagrantrayofsunlightpatchingtheshadeofthetallhouses，andseldomtroubledtoreflectapassingstranger’sform。Thereisyet，intheTemple，somethingofaclerklymonkishatmosphere，whichpublicofficesoflawhavenotdisturbed，andevenlegalfirmshavefailedtoscareaway。Insummertime，itspumpssuggesttothirstyidlers，springscooler，andmoresparkling，anddeeperthanotherwells;andastheytracethespillingsoffullpitchersontheheatedground，theysnuffthefreshness，and，sighing，castsadlookstowardstheThames，andthinkofbathsandboats，andsaunteron，despondent。

ItwasinaroominPaperBuildings——arowofgoodlytenements，shadedinfrontbyancienttrees，andlooking，attheback，upontheTempleGardens——thatthis，ouridler，lounged;nowtakingupagainthepaperhehadlaiddownahundredtimes;nowtriflingwiththefragmentsofhismeal;nowpullingforthhisgoldentoothpick，andglancingleisurelyabouttheroom，oroutatwindowintothetrimgardenwalks，whereafewearlyloitererswerealreadypacingtoandfro。Hereapairofloversmettoquarrelandmakeup;

thereadark-eyednursery-maidhadbettereyesforTemplarsthanhercharge;onthishandanancientspinster，withherlapdoginastring，regardedbothenormitieswithscornfulsidelonglooks;onthataweazenoldgentleman，oglingthenursery-maid，lookedwithlikescornuponthespinster，andwonderedshedidn’tknowshewasnolongeryoung。Apartfromallthese，ontheriver’smargintwoorthreecoupleofbusiness-talkerswalkedslowlyupanddowninearnestconversation;andoneyoungmansatthoughtfullyonabench，alone。

’Nedisamazinglypatient！’saidMrChester，glancingatthislast-

namedpersonashesetdownhisteacupandpliedthegoldentoothpick，’immenselypatient！HewassittingyonderwhenIbegantodress，andhasscarcelychangedhisposturesince。Amosteccentricdog！’

Ashespoke，thefigurerose，andcametowardshimwitharapidpace。

’Really，asifhehadheardme，’saidthefather，resuminghisnewspaperwithayawn。’DearNed！’

Presentlytheroom-dooropened，andtheyoungmanentered;towhomhisfathergentlywavedhishand，andsmiled。

’Areyouatleisureforalittleconversation，sir？’saidEdward。

’Surely，Ned。Iamalwaysatleisure。Youknowmyconstitution——

Haveyoubreakfasted？’

’Threehoursago。’

’Whataveryearlydog！’criedhisfather，contemplatinghimfrombehindthetoothpick，withalanguidsmile。

’Thetruthis，’saidEdward，bringingachairforward，andseatinghimselfnearthetable，’thatIsleptbutilllastnight，andwasgladtorise。Thecauseofmyuneasinesscannotbutbeknowntoyou，sir;anditisuponthatIwishtospeak。’

’Mydearboy，’returnedhisfather，’confideinme，Ibeg。Butyouknowmyconstitution——don’tbeprosy，Ned。’

’Iwillbeplain，andbrief，’saidEdward。

’Don’tsayyouwill，mygoodfellow，’returnedhisfather，crossinghislegs，’oryoucertainlywillnot。Youaregoingtotellme’——

’Plainlythis，then，’saidtheson，withanairofgreatconcern，’thatIknowwhereyouwerelastnight——frombeingonthespot，indeed——andwhomyousaw，andwhatyourpurposewas。’

’Youdon’tsayso！’criedhisfather。’Iamdelightedtohearit。

Itsavesustheworry，andterriblewearandtearofalongexplanation，andisagreatreliefforboth。Attheveryhouse！

Whydidn’tyoucomeup？Ishouldhavebeencharmedtoseeyou。’

’IknewthatwhatIhadtosaywouldbebettersaidafteranight’sreflection，whenbothofuswerecool，’returnedtheson。

’’ForeGad，Ned，’rejoinedthefather，’Iwascoolenoughlastnight。ThatdetestableMaypole！Bysomeinfernalcontrivanceofthebuilder，itholdsthewind，andkeepsitfresh。Yourememberthesharpeastwindthatblewsohardfiveweeksago？Igiveyoumyhonouritwasrampantinthatoldhouselastnight，thoughoutofdoorstherewasadeadcalm。Butyouweresaying’——

’Iwasabouttosay，Heavenknowshowseriouslyandearnestly，thatyouhavemademewretched，sir。Willyouhearmegravelyforamoment？’

’MydearNed，’saidhisfather，’Iwillhearyouwiththepatienceofananchorite。Obligemewiththemilk。’

’IsawMissHaredalelastnight，’Edwardresumed，whenhehadcompliedwiththisrequest;’heruncle，inherpresence，immediatelyafteryourinterview，and，asofcourseIknow，inconsequenceofit，forbademethehouse，and，withcircumstancesofindignitywhichareofyourcreationIamsure，commandedmetoleaveitontheinstant。’

’Forhismannerofdoingso，Igiveyoumyhonour，Ned，Iamnotaccountable，’saidhisfather。’Thatyoumustexcuse。Heisamereboor，alog，abrute，withnoaddressinlife——Positivelyaflyinthejug。ThefirstIhaveseenthisyear。’

Edwardrose，andpacedtheroom。Hisimperturbableparentsippedhistea。

’Father，’saidtheyoungman，stoppingatlengthbeforehim，’wemustnottrifleinthismatter。Wemustnotdeceiveeachother，orourselves。LetmepursuethemanlyopenpartIwishtotake，anddonotrepelmebythisunkindindifference。’

’WhetherIamindifferentorno，’returnedtheother，’Ileaveyou，mydearboy，tojudge。Arideoftwenty-fiveorthirtymiles，throughmiryroads——aMaypoledinner——atete-a-tetewithHaredale，which，vanityapart，wasquiteaValentineandOrsonbusiness——aMaypolebed——aMaypolelandlord，andaMaypoleretinueofidiotsandcentaurs;——whetherthevoluntaryenduranceofthesethingslookslikeindifference，dearNed，orliketheexcessiveanxiety，anddevotion，andallthatsortofthing，ofaparent，youshalldetermineforyourself。’

’Iwishyoutoconsider，sir，’saidEdward，’inwhatacruelsituationIamplaced。LovingMissHaredaleasIdo’——

’Mydearfellow，’interruptedhisfatherwithacompassionatesmile，’youdonothingofthekind。Youdon’tknowanythingaboutit。There’snosuchthing，Iassureyou。Now，dotakemywordforit。Youhavegoodsense，Ned，——greatgoodsense。Iwonderyoushouldbeguiltyofsuchamazingabsurdities。Youreallysurpriseme。’

’Irepeat，’saidhissonfirmly，’thatIloveher。Youhaveinterposedtopartus，andhave，totheextentIhavejustnowtoldyouof，succeeded。MayIinduceyou，sir，intime，tothinkmorefavourablyofourattachment，orisityourintentionandyourfixeddesigntoholdusasunderifyoucan？’

’MydearNed，’returnedhisfather，takingapinchofsnuffandpushinghisboxtowardshim，’thatismypurposemostundoubtedly。’

’Thetimethathaselapsed，’rejoinedhisson，’sinceIbegantoknowherworth，hasflowninsuchadreamthatuntilnowIhavehardlyoncepausedtoreflectuponmytrueposition。Whatisit？

FrommychildhoodIhavebeenaccustomedtoluxuryandidleness，andhavebeenbredasthoughmyfortunewerelarge，andmyexpectationsalmostwithoutalimit。Theideaofwealthhasbeenfamiliarisedtomefrommycradle。Ihavebeentaughttolookuponthosemeans，bywhichmenraisethemselvestorichesanddistinction，asbeingbeyondmyheeding，andbeneathmycare。I

havebeen，asthephraseis，liberallyeducated，andamfitfornothing。Ifindmyselfatlastwhollydependentuponyou，withnoresourcebutinyourfavour。Inthismomentousquestionofmylifewedonot，anditwouldseemwenevercan，agree。Ihaveshrunkinstinctivelyalikefromthosetowhomyouhaveurgedmetopaycourt，andfromthemotivesofinterestandgainwhichhaverenderedtheminyoureyesvisibleobjectsformysuit。Ifthereneverhasbeenthusmuchplain-speakingbetweenusbefore，sir，thefaulthasnotbeenmine，indeed。IfIseemtospeaktooplainlynow，itis，believemefather，inthehopethattheremaybeafrankerspirit，aworthierreliance，andakinderconfidencebetweenusintimetocome。’

’Mygoodfellow，’saidhissmilingfather，’youquiteaffectme。

Goon，mydearEdward，Ibeg。Butrememberyourpromise。Thereisgreatearnestness，vastcandour，amanifestsincerityinallyousay，butIfearIobservethefaintestindicationsofatendencytoprose。’

’Iamverysorry，sir。’

’Iamverysorry，too，Ned，butyouknowthatIcannotfixmymindforanylongperiodupononesubject。Ifyou’llcometothepointatonce，I’llimagineallthatoughttogobefore，andconcludeitsaid。Obligemewiththemilkagain。Listening，invariablymakesmefeverish。’

’WhatIwouldsaythen，tendstothis，’saidEdward。’Icannotbearthisabsolutedependence，sir，evenuponyou。Timehasbeenlostandopportunitythrownaway，butIamyetayoungman，andmayretrieveit。WillyougivemethemeansofdevotingsuchabilitiesandenergiesasIpossess，tosomeworthypursuit？Willyouletmetrytomakeformyselfanhonourablepathinlife？Foranytermyoupleasetoname——sayforfiveyearsifyouwill——Iwillpledgemyselftomovenofurtherinthematterofourdifferencewithoutyourfallconcurrence。Duringthatperiod，Iwillendeavourearnestlyandpatiently，ifevermandid，toopensomeprospectformyself，andfreeyoufromtheburdenyoufearIshouldbecomeifI

marriedonewhoseworthandbeautyareherchiefendowments。Willyoudothis，sir？Attheexpirationofthetermweagreeupon，letusdiscussthissubjectagain。Tillthen，unlessitisrevivedbyyou，letitneverberenewedbetweenus。’

’MydearNed，’returnedhisfather，layingdownthenewspaperatwhichhehadbeenglancingcarelessly，andthrowinghimselfbackinthewindow-seat，’IbelieveyouknowhowverymuchIdislikewhatarecalledfamilyaffairs，whichareonlyfitforplebeianChristmasdays，andhavenomannerofbusinesswithpeopleofourcondition。Butasyouareproceedinguponamistake，Ned——

altogetheruponamistake——Iwillconquermyrepugnancetoenteringonsuchmatters，andgiveyouaperfectlyplainandcandidanswer，ifyouwilldomethefavourtoshutthedoor。’

Edwardhavingobeyedhim，hetookanelegantlittleknifefromhispocket，andparinghisnails，continued:

’Youhavetothankme，Ned，forbeingofgoodfamily;foryourmother，charmingpersonasshewas，andalmostbroken-hearted，andsoforth，assheleftme，whenshewasprematurelycompelledtobecomeimmortal——hadnothingtoboastofinthatrespect。’

’Herfatherwasatleastaneminentlawyer，sir，’saidEdward。

’Quiteright，Ned;perfectlyso。Hestoodhighatthebar，hadagreatnameandgreatwealth，buthavingrisenfromnothing——Ihavealwaysclosedmyeyestothecircumstanceandsteadilyresisteditscontemplation，butIfearhisfatherdealtinpork，andthathisbusinessdidonceinvolvecow-heelandsausages——hewishedtomarryhisdaughterintoagoodfamily。Hehadhisheart’sdesire，Ned。

Iwasayoungerson’syoungerson，andImarriedher。Weeachhadourobject，andgainedit。Shesteppedatonceintothepolitestandbestcircles，andIsteppedintoafortunewhichIassureyouwasverynecessarytomycomfort——quiteindispensable。Now，mygoodfellow，thatfortuneisamongthethingsthathavebeen。Itisgone，Ned，andhasbeengone——howoldareyou？Ialwaysforget。’

’Seven-and-twenty，sir。’

’Areyouindeed？’criedhisfather，raisinghiseyelidsinalanguishingsurprise。’Somuch！ThenIshouldsay，Ned，thatasnearlyasIremember，itsskirtsvanishedfromhumanknowledge，abouteighteenornineteenyearsago。ItwasaboutthattimewhenIcametoliveinthesechambers(onceyourgrandfather’s，andbequeathedbythatextremelyrespectablepersontome)，andcommencedtoliveuponaninconsiderableannuityandmypastreputation。’

’Youarejestingwithme，sir，’saidEdward。

’Notintheslightestdegree，Iassureyou，’returnedhisfatherwithgreatcomposure。’Thesefamilytopicsaresoextremelydry，thatIamsorrytosaytheydon’tadmitofanysuchrelief。Itisforthatreason，andbecausetheyhaveanappearanceofbusiness，thatIdislikethemsoverymuch。Well！Youknowtherest。A

son，Ned，unlessheisoldenoughtobeacompanion——thatistosay，unlessheissometwoorthreeandtwenty——isnotthekindofthingtohaveaboutone。Heisarestraintuponhisfather，hisfatherisarestraintuponhim，andtheymakeeachothermutuallyuncomfortable。Therefore，untilwithinthelastfouryearsorso——

Ihaveapoormemoryfordates，andifImistake，youwillcorrectmeinyourownmind——youpursuedyourstudiesatadistance，andpickedupagreatvarietyofaccomplishments。Occasionallywepassedaweekortwotogetherhere，anddisconcertedeachotherasonlysuchnearrelationscan。Atlastyoucamehome。Icandidlytellyou，mydearboy，thatifyouhadbeenawkwardandovergrown，Ishouldhaveexportedyoutosomedistantpartoftheworld。’

’Iwishwithallmysoulyouhad，sir，’saidEdward。

’Noyoudon’t，Ned，’saidhisfathercoolly;’youaremistaken，I

assureyou。Ifoundyouahandsome，prepossessing，elegantfellow，andIthrewyouintothesocietyIcanstillcommand。

Havingdonethat，mydearfellow，IconsiderthatIhaveprovidedforyouinlife，andrelyuponyourdoingsomethingtoprovideformeinreturn。’

’Idonotunderstandyourmeaning，sir。’

’Mymeaning，Ned，isobvious——Iobserveanotherflyinthecream-

jug，buthavethegoodnessnottotakeitoutasyoudidthefirst，fortheirwalkwhentheirlegsaremilky，isextremelyungracefulanddisagreeable——mymeaningis，thatyoumustdoasIdid;thatyoumustmarrywellandmakethemostofyourself。’

’Amerefortune-hunter！’criedtheson，indignantly。

’Whatinthedevil’sname，Ned，wouldyoube！’returnedthefather。

’Allmenarefortune-hunters，aretheynot？Thelaw，thechurch，thecourt，thecamp——seehowtheyareallcrowdedwithfortune-

hunters，jostlingeachotherinthepursuit。Thestock-exchange，thepulpit，thecounting-house，theroyaldrawing-room，thesenate，——whatbutfortune-huntersaretheyfilledwith？Afortune-

hunter！Yes。YouAREone;andyouwouldbenothingelse，mydearNed，ifyouwerethegreatestcourtier，lawyer，legislator，prelate，ormerchant，inexistence。Ifyouaresqueamishandmoral，Ned，consoleyourselfwiththereflectionthatattheveryworstyourfortune-huntingcanmakebutonepersonmiserableorunhappy。Howmanypeopledoyousupposetheseotherkindsofhuntsmencrushinfollowingtheirsport——hundredsatastep？Orthousands？’

Theyoungmanleanthisheaduponhishand，andmadenoanswer。

’Iamquitecharmed，’saidthefatherrising，andwalkingslowlytoandfro——stoppingnowandthentoglanceathimselfinthemirror，orsurveyapicturethroughhisglass，withtheairofaconnoisseur，’thatwehavehadthisconversation，Ned，unpromisingasitwas。Itestablishesaconfidencebetweenuswhichisquitedelightful，andwascertainlynecessary，thoughhowyoucaneverhavemistakenourpositionsanddesigns，IconfessIcannotunderstand。Iconceived，untilIfoundyourfancyforthisgirl，thatallthesepointsweretacitlyagreeduponbetweenus。’

’Iknewyouwereembarrassed，sir，’returnedtheson，raisinghisheadforamoment，andthenfallingintohisformerattitude，’butIhadnoideawewerethebeggaredwretchesyoudescribe。HowcouldIsupposeit，bredasIhavebeen;witnessingthelifeyouhavealwaysled;andtheappearanceyouhavealwaysmade？’

’Mydearchild，’saidthefather——’foryoureallytalksolikeachildthatImustcallyouone——youwerebreduponacarefulprinciple;theverymannerofyoureducation，Iassureyou，maintainedmycreditsurprisingly。AstothelifeIlead，Imustleadit，Ned。Imusthavetheselittlerefinementsaboutme。I

havealwaysbeenusedtothem，andIcannotexistwithoutthem。

Theymustsurroundme，youobserve，andthereforetheyarehere。

Withregardtoourcircumstances，Ned，youmaysetyourmindatrestuponthatscore。Theyaredesperate。Yourownappearanceisbynomeansdespicable，andourjointpocket-moneyalonedevoursourincome。That’sthetruth。’

’WhyhaveIneverknownthisbefore？Whyhaveyouencouragedme，sir，toanexpenditureandmodeoflifetowhichwehavenorightortitle？’

’Mygoodfellow，’returnedhisfathermorecompassionatelythanever，’ifyoumadenoappearance，howcouldyoupossiblysucceedinthepursuitforwhichIdestinedyou？Astoourmodeoflife，everymanhasarighttoliveinthebestwayhecan;andtomakehimselfascomfortableashecan，orheisanunnaturalscoundrel。

Ourdebts，Igrant，areverygreat，andthereforeitthemorebehovesyou，asayoungmanofprincipleandhonour，topaythemoffasspeedilyaspossible。’

’Thevillain’spart，’mutteredEdward，’thatIhaveunconsciouslyplayed！ItowintheheartofEmmaHaredale！Iwould，forhersake，Ihaddiedfirst！’

’Iamgladyousee，Ned，’returnedhisfather，’howperfectlyself-

evidentitis，thatnothingcanbedoneinthatquarter。Butapartfromthis，andthenecessityofyourspeedilybestowingyourselfonanother(asyouknowyoucouldto-morrow，ifyouchose)，Iwishyou’dlookuponitpleasantly。Inareligiouspointofviewalone，howcouldyoueverthinkofunitingyourselftoaCatholic，unlessshewasamazinglyrich？YououghttobesoveryProtestant，comingofsuchaProtestantfamilyasyoudo。Letusbemoral，Ned，orwearenothing。Evenifonecouldsetthatobjectionaside，whichisimpossible，wecometoanotherwhichisquiteconclusive。Theveryideaofmarryingagirlwhosefatherwaskilled，likemeat！GoodGod，Ned，howdisagreeable！Considertheimpossibilityofhavinganyrespectforyourfather-in-lawundersuchunpleasantcircumstances——thinkofhishavingbeen“viewed“byjurors，and“satupon“bycoroners，andofhisverydoubtfulpositioninthefamilyeverafterwards。ItseemstomesuchanindelicatesortofthingthatIreallythinkthegirloughttohavebeenputtodeathbythestatetopreventitshappening。ButI

teaseyouperhaps。Youwouldratherbealone？MydearNed，mostwillingly。Godblessyou。Ishallbegoingoutpresently，butweshallmeetto-night，orifnotto-night，certainlyto-morrow。

Takecareofyourselfinthemeantime，forbothoursakes。Youareapersonofgreatconsequencetome，Ned——ofvastconsequenceindeed。Godblessyou！’

Withthesewords，thefather，whohadbeenarranginghiscravatintheglass，whileheutteredtheminadisconnectedcarelessmanner，withdrew，hummingatuneashewent。Theson，whohadappearedsolostinthoughtasnottohearorunderstandthem，remainedquitestillandsilent。Afterthelapseofhalfanhourorso，theelderChester，gailydressed，wentout。Theyoungerstillsatwithhisheadrestingonhishands，inwhatappearedtobeakindofstupor。

Chapter16

AseriesofpicturesrepresentingthestreetsofLondoninthenight，evenatthecomparativelyrecentdateofthistale，wouldpresenttotheeyesomethingsoverydifferentincharacterfromtherealitywhichiswitnessedinthesetimes，thatitwouldbedifficultforthebeholdertorecognisehismostfamiliarwalksinthealteredaspectoflittlemorethanhalfacenturyago。

Theywere，oneandall，fromthebroadestandbesttothenarrowestandleastfrequented，verydark。Theoilandcottonlamps，thoughregularlytrimmedtwiceorthriceinthelongwinternights，burntfeeblyatthebest;andatalatehour，whentheywereunassistedbythelampsandcandlesintheshops，castbutanarrowtrackofdoubtfullightuponthefootway，leavingtheprojectingdoorsandhouse-frontsinthedeepestgloom。Manyofthecourtsandlaneswereleftintotaldarkness;thoseofthemeanersort，whereoneglimmeringlighttwinkledforascoreofhouses，beingfavouredinnoslightdegree。Evenintheseplaces，theinhabitantshadoftengoodreasonforextinguishingtheirlampassoonasitwaslighted;

andthewatchbeingutterlyinefficientandpowerlesstopreventthem，theydidsoattheirpleasure。Thus，inthelightestthoroughfares，therewasateveryturnsomeobscureanddangerousspotwhitherathiefmightflyorshelter，andfewwouldcaretofollow;andthecitybeingbeltedroundbyfields，greenlanes，wastegrounds，andlonelyroads，dividingitatthattimefromthesuburbsthathavejoineditsince，escape，evenwherethepursuitwashot，wasrenderedeasy。

Itisnowonderthatwiththesefavouringcircumstancesinfullandconstantoperation，streetrobberies，oftenaccompaniedbycruelwounds，andnotunfrequentlybylossoflife，shouldhavebeenofnightlyoccurrenceintheveryheartofLondon，orthatquietfolksshouldhavehadgreatdreadoftraversingitsstreetsaftertheshopswereclosed。Itwasnotunusualforthosewhowendedhomealoneatmidnight，tokeepthemiddleoftheroad，thebettertoguardagainstsurprisefromlurkingfootpads;fewwouldventuretorepairatalatehourtoKentishTownorHampstead，oreventoKensingtonorChelsea，unarmedandunattended;whilehewhohadbeenloudestandmostvaliantatthesupper-tableorthetavern，andhadbutamileorsotogo，wasgladtofeealink-boytoescorthimhome。

Thereweremanyothercharacteristics——notquitesodisagreeable——

aboutthethoroughfaresofLondonthen，withwhichtheyhadbeenlongfamiliar。Someoftheshops，especiallythosetotheeastwardofTempleBar，stilladheredtotheoldpracticeofhangingoutasign;andthecreakingandswingingoftheseboardsintheirironframesonwindynights，formedastrangeandmournfalconcertfortheearsofthosewholayawakeinbedorhurriedthroughthestreets。Longstandsofhackney-chairsandgroupsofchairmen，comparedwithwhomthecoachmenofourdayaregentleandpolite，obstructedthewayandfilledtheairwithclamour;night-cellars，indicatedbyalittlestreamoflightcrossingthepavement，andstretchingouthalf-wayintotheroad，andbythestifledroarofvoicesfrombelow，yawnedforthereceptionandentertainmentofthemostabandonedofbothsexes;undereveryshedandbulksmallgroupsoflink-boysgamedawaytheearningsoftheday;oronemorewearythantherest，gavewaytosleep，andletthefragmentofhistorchfallhissingonthepuddledground。

Thentherewasthewatchwithstaffandlanterncryingthehour，andthekindofweather;andthosewhowokeupathisvoiceandturnedthemroundinbed，weregladtohearitrained，orsnowed，orblew，orfroze，forverycomfort’ssake。Thesolitarypassengerwasstartledbythechairmen’scryof’Byyourleavethere！’astwocametrottingpasthimwiththeiremptyvehicle——carriedbackwardstoshowitsbeingdisengaged——andhurriedtotheneareststand。

Manyaprivatechair，too，inclosingsomefinelady，monstrouslyhoopedandfurbelowed，andprecededbyrunning-footmenbearingflambeaux——forwhichextinguishersareyetsuspendedbeforethedoorsofafewhousesofthebettersort——madethewaygayandlightasitdancedalong，anddarkerandmoredismalwhenithadpassed。Itwasnotunusualfortheserunninggentry，whocarrieditwithaveryhighhand，toquarrelintheservants’hallwhilewaitingfortheirmastersandmistresses;and，fallingtoblowseitherthereorinthestreetwithout，tostrewtheplaceofskirmishwithhair-powder，fragmentsofbag-wigs，andscatterednosegays。Gaming，thevicewhichransohighamongallclasses(thefashionbeingofcoursesetbytheupper)，wasgenerallythecauseofthesedisputes;forcardsanddicewereasopenlyused，andworkedasmuchmischief，andyieldedasmuchexcitementbelowstairs，asabove。Whileincidentslikethese，arisingoutofdrumsandmasqueradesandpartiesatquadrille，werepassingatthewestendofthetown，heavystagecoachesandscarceheavierwaggonswerelumberingslowlytowardsthecity，thecoachmen，guard，andpassengers，armedtotheteeth，andthecoach——adayorsoperhapsbehinditstime，butthatwasnothing——despoiledbyhighwaymen;whomadenoscrupletoattack，aloneandsingle-handed，awholecaravanofgoodsandmen，andsometimesshotapassengerortwo，andweresometimesshotthemselves，asthecasemightbe。Onthemorrow，rumoursofthisnewactofdaringontheroadyieldedmatterforafewhours’conversationthroughthetown，andaPublicProgressofsomefinegentleman(half-drunk)toTyburn，dressedinthenewestfashion，anddamningtheordinarywithunspeakablegallantryandgrace，furnishedtothepopulace，atonceapleasantexcitementandawholesomeandprofoundexample。

Amongallthedangerouscharacterswho，insuchastateofsociety，prowledandskulkedinthemetropolisatnight，therewasonemanfromwhommanyasuncouthandfierceashe，shrunkwithaninvoluntarydread。Whohewas，orwhencehecame，wasaquestionoftenasked，butwhichnonecouldanswer。Hisnamewasunknown，hehadneverbeenseenuntilwithinabouteightdaysorthereabouts，andwasequallyastrangertotheoldruffians，uponwhosehauntsheventuredfearlessly，astotheyoung。Hecouldbenospy，forheneverremovedhisslouchedhattolookabouthim，enteredintoconversationwithnoman，heedednothingthatpassed，listenedtonodiscourse，regardednobodythatcameorwent。Butsosurelyasthedeadofnightsetin，sosurelythismanwasinthemidstofthelooseconcourseinthenight-cellarwhereoutcastsofeverygraderesorted;andtherehesattillmorning。

Hewasnotonlyaspectreattheirlicentiousfeasts;asomethinginthemidstoftheirrevelryandriotthatchilledandhauntedthem;butoutofdoorshewasthesame。Directlyitwasdark，hewasabroad——neverincompanywithanyone，butalwaysalone;neverlingeringorloitering，butalwayswalkingswiftly;andlooking(sotheysaidwhohadseenhim)overhisshoulderfromtimetotime，andashedidsoquickeninghispace。Inthefields，thelanes，theroads，inallquartersofthetown——east，west，north，andsouth——thatmanwasseenglidingonlikeashadow。Hewasalwayshurryingaway。Thosewhoencounteredhim，sawhimstealpast，caughtsightofthebackwardglance，andsolosthiminthedarkness。

Thisconstantrestlessness，andflittingtoandfro，gaverisetostrangestories。Hewasseeninsuchdistantandremoteplaces，attimessonearlytallyingwitheachother，thatsomedoubtedwhethertherewerenottwoofthem，ormore——some，whetherhehadnotunearthlymeansoftravellingfromspottospot。Thefootpadhidinginaditchhadmarkedhimpassinglikeaghostalongitsbrink;thevagranthadmethimonthedarkhigh-road;thebeggarhadseenhimpauseuponthebridgetolookdownatthewater，andthensweeponagain;theywhodealtinbodieswiththesurgeonscouldswearhesleptinchurchyards，andthattheyhadbeheldhimglideawayamongthetombsontheirapproach。Andastheytoldthesestoriestoeachother，onewhohadlookedabouthimwouldpullhisneighbourbythesleeve，andtherehewouldbeamongthem。

Atlast，oneman——hewasoneofthosewhosecommercelayamongthegraves——resolvedtoquestionthisstrangecompanion。Nextnight，whenhehadeathispoormealvoraciously(hewasaccustomedtodothat，theyhadobserved，asthoughhehadnootherintheday)，thisfellowsatdownathiselbow。

’Ablacknight，master！’

’Itisablacknight。’

’Blackerthanlast，thoughthatwaspitchytoo。Didn’tIpassyouneartheturnpikeintheOxfordRoad？’

’It’slikeyoumay。Idon’tknow。’

’Come，come，master，’criedthefellow，urgedonbythelooksofhiscomrades，andslappinghimontheshoulder;’bemorecompanionableandcommunicative。Bemorethegentlemaninthisgoodcompany。Therearetalesamongusthatyouhavesoldyourselftothedevil，andIknownotwhat。’

’Weallhave，havewenot？’returnedthestranger，lookingup。’Ifwewerefewerinnumber，perhapshewouldgivebetterwages。’

’Itgoesratherhardwithyou，indeed，’saidthefellow，asthestrangerdisclosedhishaggardunwashedface，andtornclothes。

’Whatofthat？Bemerry，master。Astaveofaroaringsongnow’——

’Singyou，ifyoudesiretohearone，’repliedtheother，shakinghimroughlyoff;’anddon’ttouchmeifyou’reaprudentman;I

carryarmswhichgooffeasily——theyhavedoneso，beforenow——andmakeitdangerousforstrangerswhodon’tknowthetrickofthem，tolayhandsuponme。’

’Doyouthreaten？’saidthefellow。

’Yes，’returnedtheother，risingandturninguponhim，andlookingfiercelyroundasifinapprehensionofageneralattack。

Hisvoice，andlook，andbearing——allexpressiveofthewildestrecklessnessanddesperation——dauntedwhiletheyrepelledthebystanders。Althoughinaverydifferentsphereofactionnow，theywerenotwithoutmuchoftheeffecttheyhadwroughtattheMaypoleInn。

’Iamwhatyouallare，andliveasyoualldo，’saidthemansternly，afterashortsilence。’Iaminhidinghereliketherest，andifweweresurprisedwouldperhapsdomypartwiththebestofye。Ifit’smyhumourtobelefttomyself，letmehaveit。Otherwise，’——andherehesworeatremendousoath——’there’llbemischiefdoneinthisplace，thoughthereAREoddsofascoreagainstme。’

Alowmurmur，havingitsoriginperhapsinadreadofthemanandthemysterythatsurroundedhim，orperhapsinasincereopiniononthepartofsomeofthosepresent，thatitwouldbeaninconvenientprecedenttomeddletoocuriouslywithagentleman’sprivateaffairsifhesawreasontoconcealthem，warnedthefellowwhohadoccasionedthisdiscussionthathehadbestpursueitnofurther。Afterashorttimethestrangemanlaydownuponabenchtosleep，andwhentheythoughtofhimagain，theyfoundhewasgone。

Nextnight，assoonasitwasdark，hewasabroadagainandtraversingthestreets;hewasbeforethelocksmith’shousemorethanonce，butthefamilywereout，anditwascloseshut。ThisnighthecrossedLondonBridgeandpassedintoSouthwark。Asheglideddownabyestreet，awomanwithalittlebasketonherarm，turnedintoitattheotherend。Directlyheobservedher，hesoughttheshelterofanarchway，andstoodasideuntilshehadpassed。Thenheemergedcautiouslyfromhishiding-place，andfollowed。

Shewentintoseveralshopstopurchasevariouskindsofhouseholdnecessaries，androundeveryplaceatwhichshestoppedhehoveredlikeherevilspirit;followingherwhenshereappeared。Itwasnigheleveno’clock，andthepassengersinthestreetswerethinningfast，whensheturned，doubtlesstogohome。Thephantomstillfollowedher。

Sheturnedintothesamebyestreetinwhichhehadseenherfirst，which，beingfreefromshops，andnarrow，wasextremelydark。Shequickenedherpacehere，asthoughdistrustfulofbeingstopped，androbbedofsuchtriflingpropertyasshecarriedwithher。Hecreptalongontheothersideoftheroad。Hadshebeengiftedwiththespeedofwind，itseemedasifhisterribleshadowwouldhavetrackedherdown。

Atlengththewidow——forsheitwas——reachedherowndoor，and，pantingforbreath，pausedtotakethekeyfromherbasket。Inaflushandglow，withthehasteshehadmade，andthepleasureofbeingsafeathome，shestoopedtodrawitout，when，raisingherhead，shesawhimstandingsilentlybesideher:theapparitionofadream。

Hishandwasonhermouth，butthatwasneedless，forhertongueclovetoitsroof，andherpowerofutterancewasgone。’Ihavebeenlookingforyoumanynights。Isthehouseempty？Answerme。

Isanyoneinside？’

Shecouldonlyanswerbyarattleinherthroat。

’Makemeasign。’

Sheseemedtoindicatethattherewasnoonethere。Hetookthekey，unlockedthedoor，carriedherin，andsecureditcarefullybehindthem。

Chapter17

Itwasachillynight，andthefireinthewidow’sparlourhadburntlow。Herstrangecompanionplacedherinachair，andstoopingdownbeforethehalf-extinguishedashes，rakedthemtogetherandfannedthemwithhishat。Fromtimetotimeheglancedatheroverhisshoulder，asthoughtoassurehimselfofherremainingquietandmakingnoefforttodepart;andthatdone，busiedhimselfaboutthefireagain。

Itwasnotwithoutreasonthathetookthesepains，forhisdresswasdankanddrenchedwithwet，hisjawsrattledwithcold，andheshiveredfromheadtofoot。Ithadrainedhardduringthepreviousnightandforsomehoursinthemorning，butsincenoonithadbeenfine。Wheresoeverhehadpassedthehoursofdarkness，hisconditionsufficientlybetokenedthatmanyofthemhadbeenspentbeneaththeopensky。Besmearedwithmire;hissaturatedclothesclingingwithadampembraceabouthislimbs;hisbeardunshaven，hisfaceunwashed，hismeagrecheekswornintodeephollows，——amoremiserablewretchcouldhardlybe，thanthismanwhonowcowereddownuponthewidow’shearth，andwatchedthestrugglingflamewithbloodshoteyes。

Shehadcoveredherfacewithherhands，fearing，asitseemed，tolooktowardshim。Sotheyremainedforsomeshorttimeinsilence。

Glancingroundagain，heaskedatlength:

’Isthisyourhouse？’

’Itis。Why，inthenameofHeaven，doyoudarkenit？’

’Givememeatanddrink，’heansweredsullenly，’orIdaredomorethanthat。Theverymarrowinmybonesiscold，withwetandhunger。Imusthavewarmthandfood，andIwillhavethemhere。’

’YouweretherobberontheChigwellroad。’

’Iwas。’

’Andnearlyamurdererthen。’

’Thewillwasnotwanting。Therewasonecameuponmeandraisedthehue-and-cry’，thatitwouldhavegonehardwith，butforhisnimbleness。Imadeathrustathim。’

’YouthrustyourswordatHIM！’criedthewidow，lookingupwards。

’Youhearthisman！youhearandsaw！’

Helookedather，as，withherheadthrownback，andherhandstightclenchedtogether，sheutteredthesewordsinanagonyofappeal。Then，startingtohisfeetasshehaddone，headvancedtowardsher。

’Beware！’shecriedinasuppressedvoice，whosefirmnessstoppedhimmidway。’Donotsomuchastouchmewithafinger，oryouarelost;bodyandsoul，youarelost。’

’Hearme，’hereplied，menacingherwithhishand。’I，thatintheformofamanlivethelifeofahuntedbeast;thatinthebodyamaspirit，aghostupontheearth，athingfromwhichallcreaturesshrink，savethosecurstbeingsofanotherworld，whowillnotleaveme;——Iam，inmydesperationofthisnight，pastallfearbutthatofthehellinwhichIexistfromdaytoday。Givethealarm，cryout，refusetoshelterme。Iwillnothurtyou。ButI

willnotbetakenalive;andsosurelyasyouthreatenmeaboveyourbreath，Ifalladeadmanonthisfloor。ThebloodwithwhichIsprinkleit，beonyouandyours，inthenameoftheEvilSpiritthattemptsmentotheirruin！’

Ashespoke，hetookapistolfromhisbreast，andfirmlyclutcheditinhishand。

’Removethismanfromme，goodHeaven！’criedthewidow。’Inthygraceandmercy，givehimoneminute’spenitence，andstrikehimdead！’

’Ithasnosuchpurpose，’hesaid，confrontingher。’Itisdeaf。

Givemetoeatanddrink，lestIdothatitcannothelpmydoing，andwillnotdoforyou。’

’Willyouleaveme，ifIdothusmuch？Willyouleavemeandreturnnomore？’

’Iwillpromisenothing，’herejoined，seatinghimselfatthetable，’nothingbutthis——Iwillexecutemythreatifyoubetrayme。’

Sheroseatlength，andgoingtoaclosetorpantryintheroom，broughtoutsomefragmentsofcoldmeatandbreadandputthemonthetable。Heaskedforbrandy，andforwater。Thesesheproducedlikewise;andheateanddrankwiththevoracityofafamishedhound。Allthetimehewassoengagedshekeptattheuttermostdistanceofthechamber，andsatthereshuddering，butwithherfacetowardshim。Sheneverturnedherbackuponhimonce;andalthoughwhenshepassedhim(asshewasobligedtodoingoingtoandfromthecupboard)shegatheredtheskirtsofhergarmentabouther，asifevenitstouchinghisbychancewerehorribletothinkof，still，inthemidstofallthisdreadandterror，shekeptherfacetowardshisown，andwatchedhiseverymovement。

Hisrepastended——ifthatcanbecalledone，whichwasamereravenoussatisfyingofthecallsofhunger——hemovedhischairtowardsthefireagain，andwarminghimselfbeforetheblazewhichhadnowsprungbrightlyup，accostedheroncemore。

’Iamanoutcast，towhomaroofabovehisheadisoftenanuncommonluxury，andthefoodabeggarwouldrejectisdelicatefare。Youlivehereatyourease。Doyoulivealone？’

’Idonot，’shemadeanswerwithaneffort。

’Whodwellsherebesides？’

’One——itisnomatterwho。Youhadbestbegone，orhemayfindyouhere。Whydoyoulinger？’

’Forwarmth，’hereplied，spreadingouthishandsbeforethefire。

’Forwarmth。Youarerich，perhaps？’

’Very，’shesaidfaintly。’Veryrich。NodoubtIamveryrich。’

’Atleastyouarenotpenniless。Youhavesomemoney。Youweremakingpurchasesto-night。’

’Ihavealittleleft。Itisbutafewshillings。’

’Givemeyourpurse。Youhaditinyourhandatthedoor。Giveittome。’

Shesteppedtothetableandlaiditdown。Hereachedacross，tookitup，andtoldthecontentsintohishand。Ashewascountingthem，shelistenedforamoment，andsprungtowardshim。

’Takewhatthereis，takeall，takemoreifmorewerethere，butgobeforeitistoolate。Ihaveheardawaywardstepwithout，Iknowfullwell。Itwillreturndirectly。Begone。’

’Whatdoyoumean？’

’Donotstoptoask。Iwillnotanswer。MuchasIdreadtotouchyou，IwoulddragyoutothedoorifIpossessedthestrength，ratherthanyoushouldloseaninstant。Miserablewretch！flyfromthisplace。’

’Iftherearespieswithout，Iamsaferhere，’repliedtheman，standingaghast。’Iwillremainhere，andwillnotflytillthedangerispast。’

’Itistoolate！’criedthewidow，whohadlistenedforthestep，andnottohim。’Harktothatfootupontheground。Doyoutrembletohearit！Itismyson，myidiotson！’

Asshesaidthiswildly，therecameaheavyknockingatthedoor。

Helookedather，andsheathim。

’Lethimcomein，’saidtheman，hoarsely。’Ifearhimlessthanthedark，houselessnight。Heknocksagain。Lethimcomein！’

’Thedreadofthishour，’returnedthewidow，’hasbeenuponmeallmylife，andIwillnot。Evilwillfalluponhim，ifyoustandeyetoeye。Myblightedboy！Oh！allgoodangelswhoknowthetruth——

hearapoormother’sprayer，andsparemyboyfromknowledgeofthisman！’

’Herattlesattheshutters！’criedtheman。’Hecallsyou。Thatvoiceandcry！Itwashewhograppledwithmeintheroad。Wasithe？’

Shehadsunkuponherknees，andsokneltdown，movingherlips，bututteringnosound。Ashegazeduponher，uncertainwhattodoorwheretoturn，theshuttersflewopen。Hehadbarelytimetocatchaknifefromthetable，sheatheitintheloosesleeveofhiscoat，hideinthecloset，anddoallwiththelightning’sspeed，whenBarnabytappedatthebareglass，andraisedthesashexultingly。

’Why，whocankeepoutGripandme！’hecried，thrustinginhishead，andstaringroundtheroom。’Areyouthere，mother？Howlongyoukeepusfromthefireandlight。’

Shestammeredsomeexcuseandtenderedhimherhand。ButBarnabysprunglightlyinwithoutassistance，andputtinghisarmsaboutherneck，kissedherahundredtimes。

’Wehavebeenafield，mother——leapingditches，scramblingthroughhedges，runningdownsteepbanks，upandaway，andhurryingon。

Thewindhasbeenblowing，andtherushesandyoungplantsbowingandbendingtoit，lestitshoulddothemharm，thecowards——andGrip——hahaha！——braveGrip，whocaresfornothing，andwhenthewindrollshimoverinthedust，turnsmanfullytobiteit——Grip，boldGrip，hasquarrelledwitheverylittlebowingtwig——thinking，hetoldme，thatitmockedhim——andhasworrieditlikeabulldog。

Hahaha！’