第10章

Dollyinthemeanwhile，turnedtothecornersofherapron，andmeasuredthesides，andsmoothedoutthewrinkles，andwasassilentashe。Atlastafteralongpause，Joesaidgood-bye。

’Good-bye’——saidDolly——withaspleasantasmileasifheweregoingintothenextstreet，andwerecomingbacktosupper;’good-

bye。’

’Come，’saidJoe，puttingoutbothhands，’Dolly，dearDolly，don’tletuspartlikethis。Iloveyoudearly，withallmyheartandsoul;withasmuchtruthandearnestnessasevermanlovedwomaninthisworld，Idobelieve。Iamapoorfellow，asyouknow——poorernowthanever，forIhavefledfromhome，notbeingabletobearitanylonger，andmustfightmyownwaywithouthelp。Youarebeautiful，admired，arelovedbyeverybody，arewelloffandhappy;

andmayyoueverbeso！HeavenforbidIshouldevermakeyouotherwise;butgivemeawordofcomfort。Saysomethingkindtome。Ihavenorighttoexpectitofyou，Iknow，butIaskitbecauseIloveyou，andshalltreasuretheslightestwordfromyouallthroughmylife。Dolly，dearest，haveyounothingtosaytome？’

No。Nothing。Dollywasacoquettebynature，andaspoiltchild。

Shehadnonotionofbeingcarriedbystorminthisway。Thecoachmakerwouldhavebeendissolvedintears，andwouldhavekneltdown，andcalledhimselfnames，andclaspedhishands，andbeathisbreast，andtuggedwildlyathiscravat，anddoneallkindsofpoetry。Joehadnobusinesstobegoingabroad。Hehadnorighttobeabletodoit。Ifhewasinadamantinechains，hecouldn’t。

’Ihavesaidgood-bye，’saidDolly，’twice。Takeyourarmawaydirectly，MrJoseph，orI’llcallMiggs。’

’I’llnotreproachyou，’answeredJoe，’it’smyfault，nodoubt。I

havethoughtsometimesthatyoudidn’tquitedespiseme，butIwasafooltothinkso。Everyonemust，whohasseenthelifeIhaveled——youmostofall。Godblessyou！’

Hewasgone，actuallygone。Dollywaitedalittlewhile，thinkinghewouldreturn，peepedoutatthedoor，lookedupthestreetanddownaswellastheincreasingdarknesswouldallow，cameinagain，waitedalittlelonger，wentupstairshummingatune，boltedherselfin，laidherheaddownonherbed，andcriedasifherheartwouldbreak。Andyetsuchnaturesaremadeupofsomanycontradictions，thatifJoeWillethadcomebackthatnight，nextday，nextweek，nextmonth，theoddsareahundredtooneshewouldhavetreatedhimintheverysamemanner，andhaveweptforitafterwardswiththeverysamedistress。

Shehadnosoonerlefttheworkshopthantherecautiouslypeeredoutfrombehindthechimneyoftheforge，afacewhichhadalreadyemergedfromthesameconcealmenttwiceorthrice，unseen，andwhich，aftersatisfyingitselfthatitwasnowalone，wasfollowedbyaleg，ashoulder，andsoonbydegrees，untiltheformofMrTappertitstoodconfessed，withabrown-papercapstucknegligentlyononesideofitshead，anditsarmsverymucha-kimbo。

’Havemyearsdeceivedme，’saidthe’prentice，’ordoIdream！amItothankthee，Fortun’，ortocusthee——which？’

Hegravelydescendedfromhiselevation，tookdownhispieceoflooking-glass，planteditagainstthewallupontheusualbench，twistedhisheadround，andlookedcloselyathislegs。

’Ifthey’readream，’saidSim，’letsculptureshavesuchwisions，andchisel’emoutwhentheywake。Thisisreality。Sleephasnosuchlimbsasthem。Tremble，Willet，anddespair。She’smine！

She’smine！’

Withthesetriumphantexpressions，heseizedahammeranddealtaheavyblowatavice，whichinhismind’seyerepresentedthesconceorheadofJosephWillet。Thatdone，heburstintoapealoflaughterwhichstartledMissMiggseveninherdistantkitchen，anddippinghisheadintoabowlofwater，hadrecoursetoajack-

towelinsidetheclosetdoor，whichservedthedoublepurposeofsmotheringhisfeelingsanddryinghisface。

Joe，disconsolateanddown-hearted，butfullofcouragetoo，onleavingthelocksmith’shousemadethebestofhiswaytotheCrookedBillet，andthereinquiredforhisfriendtheserjeant，who，expectingnomanless，receivedhimwithopenarms。Inthecourseoffiveminutesafterhisarrivalatthathouseofentertainment，hewasenrolledamongthegallantdefendersofhisnativeland;andwithinhalfanhour，wasregaledwithasteamingsupperofboiledtripeandonions，prepared，ashisfriendassuredhimmorethanonce，attheexpresscommandofhismostSacredMajestytheKing。Tothismeal，whichtastedverysavouryafterhislongfasting，hedidamplejustice;andwhenhehadfolloweditup，ordown，withavarietyofloyalandpatriotictoasts，hewasconductedtoastrawmattressinaloftoverthestable，andlockedinthereforthenight。

Thenextmorning，hefoundthattheobligingcareofhismartialfriendhaddecoratedhishatwithsundryparticolouredstreamers，whichmadeaverylivelyappearance;andincompanywiththatofficer，andthreeothermilitarygentlemennewlyenrolled，whowereunderacloudsodensethatitonlyleftthreeshoes，aboot，andacoatandahalfvisibleamongthem，repairedtotheriverside。Heretheywerejoinedbyacorporalandfourmoreheroes，ofwhomtwoweredrunkanddaring，andtwosoberandpenitent，buteachofwhom，likeJoe，hadhisdustystickandbundle。Thepartyembarkedinapassage-boatboundforGravesend，whencetheyweretoproceedonfoottoChatham;thewindwasintheirfavour，andtheysoonleftLondonbehindthem，ameredarkmist——agiantphantomintheair。

Chapter32

Misfortunes，saiththeadage，nevercomesingly。Thereislittledoubtthattroublesareexceedinglygregariousintheirnature，andflyinginflocks，areapttoperchcapriciously;crowdingontheheadsofsomepoorwightsuntilthereisnotaninchofroomleftontheirunluckycrowns，andtakingnomorenoticeofotherswhoofferasgoodresting-placesforthesolesoftheirfeet，thaniftheyhadnoexistence。ItmayhavehappenedthataflightoftroublesbroodingoverLondon，andlookingoutforJosephWillet，whomtheycouldn’tfind，darteddownhaphazardonthefirstyoungmanthatcaughttheirfancy，andsettledonhiminstead。Howeverthismaybe，certainitisthatontheverydayofJoe’sdeparturetheyswarmedabouttheearsofEdwardChester，anddidsobuzzandflaptheirwings，andpersecutehim，thathewasmostprofoundlywretched。

Itwasevening，andjusteighto’clock，whenheandhisfather，havingwineanddessertsetbeforethem，werelefttothemselvesforthefirsttimethatday。Theyhaddinedtogether，butathirdpersonhadbeenpresentduringthemeal，anduntiltheymetattabletheyhadnotseeneachothersincethepreviousnight。

Edwardwasreservedandsilent。MrChesterwasmorethanusuallygay;butnotcaring，asitseemed，toopenaconversationwithonewhosehumourwassodifferent，heventedthelightnessofhisspiritinsmilesandsparklinglooks，andmadenoefforttoawakenhisattention。Sotheyremainedforsometime:thefatherlyingonasofawithhisaccustomedairofgracefulnegligence;thesonseatedoppositetohimwithdowncasteyes，busied，itwasplain，withpainfulanduneasythoughts。

’MydearEdward，’saidMrChesteratlength，withamostengaginglaugh，’donotextendyourdrowsyinfluencetothedecanter。

SufferTHATtocirculate，letyourspiritsbeneversostagnant。’

Edwardbeggedhispardon，passedit，andrelapsedintohisformerstate。

’Youdowrongnottofillyourglass，’saidMrChester，holdinguphisownbeforethelight。’Wineinmoderation——notinexcess，forthatmakesmenugly——hasathousandpleasantinfluences。Itbrightenstheeye，improvesthevoice，impartsanewvivacitytoone’sthoughtsandconversation:youshouldtryit，Ned。’

’Ahfather！’criedhisson，’if——’

’Mygoodfellow，’interposedtheparenthastily，ashesetdownhisglass，andraisedhiseyebrowswithastartledandhorrifiedexpression，’forHeaven’ssakedon’tcallmebythatobsoleteandancientname。Havesomeregardfordelicacy。AmIgrey，orwrinkled，doIgooncrutches，haveIlostmyteeth，thatyouadoptsuchamodeofaddress？GoodGod，howverycoarse！’

’Iwasabouttospeaktoyoufrommyheart，sir，’returnedEdward，’intheconfidencewhichshouldsubsistbetweenus;andyoucheckmeintheoutset。’

’NowDO，Ned，DOnot，’saidMrChester，raisinghisdelicatehandimploringly，’talkinthatmonstrousmanner。Abouttospeakfromyourheart。Don’tyouknowthattheheartisaningeniouspartofourformation——thecentreoftheblood-vesselsandallthatsortofthing——whichhasnomoretodowithwhatyousayorthink，thanyourkneeshave？Howcanyoubesoveryvulgarandabsurd？Theseanatomicalallusionsshouldbelefttogentlemenofthemedicalprofession。Theyarereallynotagreeableinsociety。Youquitesurpriseme，Ned。’

’Well！therearenosuchthingstowound，orheal，orhaveregardfor。Iknowyourcreed，sir，andwillsaynomore，’returnedhisson。

’Thereagain，’saidMrChester，sippinghiswine，’youarewrong。

Idistinctlysaytherearesuchthings。Weknowthereare。Theheartsofanimals——ofbullocks，sheep，andsoforth——arecookedanddevoured，asIamtold，bythelowerclasses，withavastdealofrelish。Menaresometimesstabbedtotheheart，shottotheheart;

butastospeakingfromtheheart，ortotheheart，orbeingwarm-

hearted，orcold-hearted，orbroken-hearted，orbeingallheart，orhavingnoheart——pah！thesethingsarenonsense，Ned。’

’Nodoubt，sir，’returnedhisson，seeingthathepausedforhimtospeak。’Nodoubt。’

’There’sHaredale’sniece，yourlateflame，’saidMrChester，asacarelessillustrationofhismeaning。’Nodoubtinyourmindshewasallheartonce。Nowshehasnoneatall。Yetsheisthesameperson，Ned，exactly。’

’Sheisachangedperson，sir，’criedEdward，reddening;’andchangedbyvilemeans，Ibelieve。’

’Youhavehadacooldismissal，haveyou？’saidhisfather。’PoorNed！Itoldyoulastnightwhatwouldhappen——MayIaskyouforthenutcrackers？’

’Shehasbeentamperedwith，andmosttreacherouslydeceived，’

criedEdward，risingfromhisseat。’Ineverwillbelievethattheknowledgeofmyrealposition，givenherbymyself，hasworkedthischange。Iknowsheisbesetandtortured。Butthoughourcontractisatanend，andbrokenpastallredemption;thoughIchargeuponherwantoffirmnessandwantoftruth，bothtoherselfandme;I

donotnow，andneverwillbelieve，thatanysordidmotive，orherownunbiassedwill，hasledhertothiscourse——never！’

’Youmakemeblush，’returnedhisfathergaily，’forthefollyofyournature，inwhich——butweneverknowourselves——Idevoutlyhopethereisnoreflectionofmyown。Withregardtotheyoungladyherself，shehasdonewhatisverynaturalandproper，mydearfellow;whatyouyourselfproposed，asIlearnfromHaredale;andwhatIpredicted——withnogreatexerciseofsagacity——shewoulddo。

Shesupposedyoutoberich，oratleastquiterichenough;andfoundyoupoor。Marriageisacivilcontract;peoplemarrytobettertheirworldlyconditionandimproveappearances;itisanaffairofhouseandfurniture，ofliveries，servants，equipage，andsoforth。Theladybeingpoorandyoupooralso，thereisanendofthematter。Youcannotenterupontheseconsiderations，andhavenomannerofbusinesswiththeceremony。Idrinkherhealthinthisglass，andrespectandhonourherforherextremegoodsense。Itisalessontoyou。Fillyours，Ned。’

’Itisalesson，’returnedhisson，’bywhichIhopeImayneverprofit，andifyearsandexperienceimpressiton——’

’Don’tsayontheheart，’interposedhisfather。

’Onmenwhomtheworldanditshypocrisyhavespoiled，’saidEdwardwarmly，’Heavenkeepmefromitsknowledge。’

’Come，sir，’returnedhisfather，raisinghimselfalittleonthesofa，andlookingstraighttowardshim;’wehavehadenoughofthis。Remember，ifyouplease，yourinterest，yourduty，yourmoralobligations，yourfilialaffections，andallthatsortofthing，whichitissoverydelightfulandcharmingtoreflectupon;

oryouwillrepentit。’

’Ishallneverrepentthepreservationofmyself-respect，sir，’

saidEdward。’ForgivemeifIsaythatIwillnotsacrificeitatyourbidding，andthatIwillnotpursuethetrackwhichyouwouldhavemetake，andtowhichthesecretshareyouhavehadinthislateseparationtends。’

Hisfatherrosealittlehigherstill，andlookingathimasthoughcurioustoknowifhewerequiteresolvedandearnest，droppedgentlydownagain，andsaidinthecalmestvoice——eatinghisnutsmeanwhile，’Edward，myfatherhadason，whobeingafoollikeyou，and，likeyou，entertaininglowanddisobedientsentiments，hedisinheritedandcursedonemorningafterbreakfast。Thecircumstanceoccurstomewithasingularclearnessofrecollectionthisevening。I

remembereatingmuffinsatthetime，withmarmalade。Heledamiserablelife(theson，Imean)anddiedearly;itwasahappyreleaseonallaccounts;hedegradedthefamilyverymuch。Itisasadcircumstance，Edward，whenafatherfindsitnecessarytoresorttosuchstrongmeasures。

’Itis，’repliedEdward，’anditissadwhenason，profferinghimhisloveanddutyintheirbestandtruestsense，findshimselfrepelledateveryturn，andforcedtodisobey。Dearfather，’headded，moreearnestlythoughinagentlertone，’Ihavereflectedmanytimesonwhatoccurredbetweenuswhenwefirstdiscussedthissubject。Lettherebeaconfidencebetweenus;notinterms，buttruth。HearwhatIhavetosay。’

’AsIanticipatewhatitis，andcannotfailtodoso，Edward，’

returnedhisfathercoldly，’Idecline。Icouldn’tpossibly。Iamsureitwouldputmeoutoftemper，whichisastateofmindI

can’tendure。Ifyouintendtomarmyplansforyourestablishmentinlife，andthepreservationofthatgentilityandbecomingpride，whichourfamilyhavesolongsustained——if，inshort，youareresolvedtotakeyourowncourse，youmusttakeit，andmycursewithit。Iamverysorry，butthere’sreallynoalternative。’

’Thecursemaypassyourlips，’saidEdward，’butitwillbebutemptybreath。Idonotbelievethatanymanonearthhasgreaterpowertocallonedownuponhisfellow——leastofall，uponhisownchild——thanhehastomakeonedropofrainorflakeofsnowfallfromthecloudsaboveusathisimpiousbidding。Beware，sir，whatyoudo。’

’Youaresoveryirreligious，soexceedinglyundutiful，sohorriblyprofane，’rejoinedhisfather，turninghisfacelazilytowardshim，andcrackinganothernut，’thatIpositivelymustinterruptyouhere。Itisquiteimpossiblewecancontinuetogoon，uponsuchtermsasthese。Ifyouwilldomethefavourtoringthebell，theservantwillshowyoutothedoor。Returntothisroofnomore，Ibegyou。Go，sir，sinceyouhavenomoralsenseremaining;andgototheDevil，atmyexpressdesire。Goodday。’

Edwardlefttheroomwithoutanotherwordorlook，andturnedhisbackuponthehouseforever。

Thefather’sfacewasslightlyflushedandheated，buthismannerwasquiteunchanged，asherangthebellagain，andaddressedtheservantonhisentrance。

’Peak——ifthatgentlemanwhohasjustgoneout——’

’Ibegyourpardon，sir，MrEdward？’

’Weretheremorethanone，dolt，thatyouaskthequestion？——Ifthatgentlemanshouldsendhereforhiswardrobe，lethimhaveit，doyouhear？Ifheshouldcallhimselfatanytime，I’mnotathome。You’lltellhimso，andshutthedoor。’

So，itsoongotwhisperedabout，thatMrChesterwasveryunfortunateinhisson，whohadoccasionedhimgreatgriefandsorrow。Andthegoodpeoplewhoheardthisandtolditagain，marvelledthemoreathisequanimityandeventemper，andsaidwhatanamiablenaturethatmanmusthave，who，havingundergonesomuch，couldbesoplacidandsocalm。AndwhenEdward’snamewasspoken，Societyshookitshead，andlaiditsfingeronitslip，andsighed，andlookedverygrave;andthosewhohadsonsabouthisage，waxedwrathfulandindignant，andhoped，forVirtue’ssake，thathewasdead。Andtheworldwentonturninground，asusual，forfiveyears，concerningwhichthisNarrativeissilent。

Chapter33

Onewintryevening，earlyintheyearofourLordonethousandsevenhundredandeighty，akeennorthwindaroseasitgrewdark，andnightcameonwithblackanddismallooks。Abitterstormofsleet，sharp，dense，andicy-cold，sweptthewetstreets，andrattledonthetremblingwindows。Signboards，shakenpastenduranceintheircreakingframes，fellcrashingonthepavement;

oldtotteringchimneysreeledandstaggeredintheblast;andmanyasteeplerockedagainthatnight，asthoughtheearthweretroubled。

Itwasnotatimeforthosewhocouldbyanymeansgetlightandwarmth，tobravethefuryoftheweather。Incoffee-housesofthebettersort，guestscrowdedroundthefire，forgottobepolitical，andtoldeachotherwithasecretgladnessthattheblastgrewfiercereveryminute。Eachhumbletavernbythewater-side，haditsgroupofuncouthfiguresroundthehearth，whotalkedofvesselsfounderingatsea，andallhandslost;relatedmanyadismaltaleofshipwreckanddrownedmen，andhopedthatsometheyknewweresafe，andshooktheirheadsindoubt。Inprivatedwellings，childrenclusteredneartheblaze;listeningwithtimidpleasuretotalesofghostsandgoblins，andtallfigurescladinwhitestandingbybed-sides，andpeoplewhohadgonetosleepinoldchurchesandbeingoverlookedhadfoundthemselvesalonethereatthedeadhourofthenight:untiltheyshudderedatthethoughtofthedarkroomsupstairs，yetlovedtohearthewindmoantoo，andhopeditwouldcontinuebravely。Fromtimetotimethesehappyindoorpeoplestoppedtolisten，oronehelduphisfingerandcried’Hark！’andthen，abovetherumblinginthechimney，andthefastpatteringontheglass，washeardawailing，rushingsound，whichshookthewallsasthoughagiant’shandwereonthem;thenahoarseroarasiftheseahadrisen;thensuchawhirlandtumultthattheairseemedmad;andthen，withalengthenedhowl，thewavesofwindswepton，andleftamoment’sintervalofrest。

Cheerily，thoughtherewerenoneabroadtoseeit，shonetheMaypolelightthatevening。Blessingsonthered——deep，ruby，glowingred——oldcurtainofthewindow;blendingintoonerichstreamofbrightness，fireandcandle，meat，drink，andcompany，andgleaminglikeajovialeyeuponthebleakwasteoutofdoors！

Within，whatcarpetlikeitscrunchingsand，whatmusicmerryasitscracklinglogs，whatperfumelikeitskitchen’sdaintybreath，whatweathergenialasitsheartywarmth！Blessingsontheoldhouse，howsturdilyitstood！Howdidthevexedwindchafeandroaraboutitsstalwartroof;howdiditpantandstrivewithitswidechimneys，whichstillpouredforthfromtheirhospitablethroats，greatcloudsofsmoke，andpuffeddefianceinitsface;

how，aboveall，diditdriveandrattleatthecasement，emuloustoextinguishthatcheerfulglow，whichwouldnotbeputdownandseemedthebrighterfortheconflict！

Theprofusiontoo，therichandlavishbounty，ofthatgoodlytavern！Itwasnotenoughthatonefireroaredandsparkledonitsspacioushearth;inthetileswhichpavedandcompassedit，fivehundredflickeringfiresburntbrightlyalso。Itwasnotenoughthatoneredcurtainshutthewildnightout，andsheditscheerfulinfluenceontheroom。Ineverysaucepanlid，andcandlestick，andvesselofcopper，brass，ortinthathunguponthewalls，werecountlessruddyhangings，flashingandgleamingwitheverymotionoftheblaze，andoffering，lettheeyewanderwhereitmight，interminablevistasofthesamerichcolour。Theoldoakwainscoting，thebeams，thechairs，theseats，reflecteditinadeep，dullglimmer。Therewerefiresandredcurtainsintheveryeyesofthedrinkers，intheirbuttons，intheirliquor，inthepipestheysmoked。

MrWilletsatinwhathadbeenhisaccustomedplacefiveyearsbefore，withhiseyesontheeternalboiler;andhadsattheresincetheclockstruckeight，givingnoothersignsoflifethanbreathingwithaloudandconstantsnore(thoughhewaswideawake)，andfromtimetotimeputtinghisglasstohislips，orknockingtheashesoutofhispipe，andfillingitanew。Itwasnowhalf-pastten。MrCobbandlongPhilParkeswerehiscompanions，asofold，andfortwomortalhoursandahalf，noneofthecompanyhadpronouncedoneword。

Whetherpeople，bydintofsittingtogetherinthesameplaceandthesamerelativepositions，anddoingexactlythesamethingsforagreatmanyyears，acquireasixthsense，orsomeunknownpowerofinfluencingeachotherwhichservestheminitsstead，isaquestionforphilosophytosettle。ButcertainitisthatoldJohnWillet，MrParkes，andMrCobb，wereoneandallfirmlyofopinionthattheywereveryjollycompanions——ratherchoicespiritsthanotherwise;thattheylookedateachothereverynowandthenasiftherewereaperpetualinterchangeofideasgoingonamongthem;thatnomanconsideredhimselforhisneighbourbyanymeanssilent;andthateachofthemnoddedoccasionallywhenhecaughttheeyeofanother，asifhewouldsay，’Youhaveexpressedyourselfextremelywell，sir，inrelationtothatsentiment，andI

quiteagreewithyou。’

Theroomwassoverywarm，thetobaccosoverygood，andthefiresoverysoothing，thatMrWilletbydegreesbegantodoze;butashehadperfectlyacquired，bydintoflonghabit，theartofsmokinginhissleep，andashisbreathingwasprettymuchthesame，awakeorasleep，savingthatinthelattercasehesometimesexperiencedaslightdifficultyinrespiration(suchasacarpentermeetswithwhenheisplaningandcomestoaknot)，neitherofhiscompanionswasawareofthecircumstance，untilhemetwithoneoftheseimpedimentsandwasobligedtotryagain。

’Johnny’sdroppedoff，’saidMrParkesinawhisper。

’Fastasatop，’saidMrCobb。

NeitherofthemsaidanymoreuntilMrWilletcametoanotherknot——

oneofsurpassingobduracy——whichbadefairtothrowhimintoconvulsions，butwhichhegotoveratlastwithoutwaking，byaneffortquitesuperhuman。

’Hesleepsuncommonhard，’saidMrCobb。

MrParkes，whowaspossiblyahard-sleeperhimself，repliedwithsomedisdain，’Notabitonit;’anddirectedhiseyestowardsahandbillpastedoverthechimney-piece，whichwasdecoratedatthetopwithawoodcutrepresentingayouthoftenderyearsrunningawayveryfast，withabundleoverhisshoulderattheendofastick，and——tocarryouttheidea——afinger-postandamilestonebesidehim。MrCobblikewiseturnedhiseyesinthesamedirection，andsurveyedtheplacardasifthatwerethefirsttimehehadeverbeheldit。Now，thiswasadocumentwhichMrWillethadhimselfinditedonthedisappearanceofhissonJoseph，acquaintingthenobilityandgentryandthepublicingeneralwiththecircumstancesofhishavinglefthishome;describinghisdressandappearance;andofferingarewardoffivepoundstoanypersonorpersonswhowouldpackhimupandreturnhimsafelytotheMaypoleatChigwell，orlodgehiminanyofhisMajesty’sjailsuntilsuchtimeashisfathershouldcomeandclaimhim。InthisadvertisementMrWillethadobstinatelypersisted，despitetheadviceandentreatiesofhisfriends，indescribinghissonasa’youngboy;’andfurthermoreasbeingfromeighteeninchestoacoupleoffeetshorterthanhereallywas;twocircumstanceswhichperhapsaccounted，insomedegree，foritsneverhavingbeenproductiveofanyothereffectthanthetransmissiontoChigwellatvarioustimesandatavastexpense，ofsomefive-and-fortyrunawaysvaryingfromsixyearsoldtotwelve。

MrCobbandMrParkeslookedmysteriouslyatthiscomposition，ateachother，andatoldJohn。Fromthetimehehadpasteditupwithhisownhands，MrWillethadneverbywordorsignalludedtothesubject，orencouragedanyoneelsetodoso。Nobodyhadtheleastnotionwhathisthoughtsoropinionswere，connectedwithit;

whetherheremembereditorforgotit;whetherhehadanyideathatsuchaneventhadevertakenplace。Therefore，evenwhileheslept，nooneventuredtorefertoitinhispresence;andforsuchsufficientreasons，thesehischosenfriendsweresilentnow。

MrWillethadgotbythistimeintosuchacomplicationofknots，thatitwasperfectlyclearhemustwakeordie。Hechosetheformeralternative，andopenedhiseyes。

’Ifhedon’tcomeinfiveminutes，’saidJohn，’Ishallhavesupperwithouthim。’

Theantecedentofthispronounhadbeenmentionedforthelasttimeateighto’clock。MessrsParkesandCobbbeingusedtothisstyleofconversation，repliedwithoutdifficultythattobesureSolomonwasverylate，andtheywonderedwhathadhappenedtodetainhim。

’Hean’tblownaway，Isuppose，’saidParkes。’It’senoughtocarryamanofhisfigureoffhislegs，andeasytoo。Doyouhearit？Itblowsgreatguns，indeed。There’llbemanyacrashintheForestto-night，Ireckon，andmanyabrokenbranchuponthegroundto-morrow。’

’Itwon’tbreakanythingintheMaypole，Itakeit，sir，’returnedoldJohn。’Letittry。Igiveitleave——what’sthat？’

’Thewind，’criedParkes。’It’showlinglikeaChristian，andhasbeenallnightlong。’

’Didyouever，sir，’askedJohn，afteraminute’scontemplation，’hearthewindsay“Maypole“？’

’Why，whatmaneverdid？’saidParkes。

’Nor“ahoy。”perhaps？’addedJohn。

’No。Northatneither。’

’Verygood，sir，’saidMrWillet，perfectlyunmoved;’thenifthatwasthewindjustnow，andyou’llwaitalittletimewithoutspeaking，you’llhearitsaybothwordsveryplain。’

MrWilletwasright。Afterlisteningforafewmoments，theycouldclearlyhear，abovetheroarandtumultoutofdoors，thisshoutrepeated;andthatwithashrillnessandenergy，whichdenotedthatitcamefromsomepersoningreatdistressorterror。Theylookedateachother，turnedpale，andheldtheirbreath。Nomanstirred。

ItwasinthisemergencythatMrWilletdisplayedsomethingofthatstrengthofmindandplenitudeofmentalresource，whichrenderedhimtheadmirationofallhisfriendsandneighbours。AfterlookingatMessrsParkesandCobbforsometimeinsilence，heclappedhistwohandstohischeeks，andsentfortharoarwhichmadetheglassesdanceandraftersring——along-sustained，discordantbellow，thatrolledonwardwiththewind，andstartlingeveryecho，madethenightahundredtimesmoreboisterous——adeep，loud，dismalbray，thatsoundedlikeahumangong。Then，witheveryveininhisheadandfaceswollenwiththegreatexertion，andhiscountenancesuffusedwithalivelypurple，hedrewalittlenearertothefire，andturninghisbackuponit，saidwithdignity:

’Ifthat’sanycomforttoanybody，they’rewelcometoit。Ifitan’t，I’msorryfor’em。Ifeitherofyoutwogentlemenlikestogooutandseewhat’sthematter，youcan。I’mnotcurious，myself。’

Whilehespokethecrydrewnearerandnearer，footstepspassedthewindow，thelatchofthedoorwasraised，itopened，wasviolentlyshutagain，andSolomonDaisy，withalightedlanterninhishand，andtherainstreamingfromhisdisordereddress，dashedintotheroom。

Amorecompletepictureofterrorthanthelittlemanpresented，itwouldbedifficulttoimagine。Theperspirationstoodinbeadsuponhisface，hiskneesknockedtogether，hiseverylimbtrembled，thepowerofarticulationwasquitegone;andtherehestood，pantingforbreath，gazingonthemwithsuchlividashylooks，thattheywereinfectedwithhisfear，thoughignorantofitsoccasion，and，reflectinghisdismayedandhorror-strickenvisage，staredbackagainwithoutventuringtoquestionhim;untiloldJohnWillet，inafitoftemporaryinsanity，madeadiveathiscravat，and，seizinghimbythatportionofhisdress，shookhimtoandfrountilhisveryteethappearedtorattleinhishead。

’Telluswhat’sthematter，sir，’saidJohn，’orI’llkillyou。

Telluswhat’sthematter，sir，orinanothersecondI’llhaveyourheadunderthebiler。Howdareyoulooklikethat？Isanybodya-

followingofyou？Whatdoyoumean？Saysomething，orI’llbethedeathofyou，Iwill。’

MrWillet，inhisfrenzy，wassonearkeepinghiswordtotheveryletter(SolomonDaisy’seyesalreadybeginningtorollinanalarmingmanner，andcertaingutturalsounds，asofachokingman，toissuefromhisthroat)，thatthetwobystanders，recoveringinsomedegree，pluckedhimoffhisvictimbymainforce，andplacedthelittleclerkofChigwellinachair。Directingafearfulgazeallroundtheroom，heimploredtheminafaintvoicetogivehimsomedrink;andabovealltolockthehouse-doorandcloseandbartheshuttersoftheroom，withoutamoment’slossoftime。Thelatterrequestdidnottendtoreassurehishearers，ortofillthemwiththemostcomfortablesensations;theycompliedwithit，however，withthegreatestexpedition;andhavinghandedhimabumperofbrandy-and-water，nearlyboilinghot，waitedtohearwhathemighthavetotellthem。

’Oh，Johnny，’saidSolomon，shakinghimbythehand。’Oh，Parkes。

Oh，TommyCobb。WhydidIleavethishouseto-night！OnthenineteenthofMarch——ofallnightsintheyear，onthenineteenthofMarch！’

Theyalldrewclosertothefire。Parkes，whowasnearesttothedoor，startedandlookedoverhisshoulder。MrWillet，withgreatindignation，inquiredwhatthedevilhemeantbythat——andthensaid，’Godforgiveme，’andglancedoverhisownshoulder，andcamealittlenearer。

’WhenIlefthereto-night，’saidSolomonDaisy，’Ilittlethoughtwhatdayofthemonthitwas。Ihavenevergonealoneintothechurchafterdarkonthisday，forseven-and-twentyyears。Ihavehearditsaidthataswekeepourbirthdayswhenwearealive，sotheghostsofdeadpeople，whoarenoteasyintheirgraves，keepthedaytheydiedupon——Howthewindroars！’

Nobodyspoke。AlleyeswerefastenedonSolomon。

’Imighthaveknown，’hesaid，’whatnightitwas，bythefoulweather。There’snosuchnightinthewholeyearroundasthisis，always。IneversleepquietlyinmybedonthenineteenthofMarch。’

’Goon，’saidTomCobb，inalowvoice。’NorIneither。’

SolomonDaisyraisedhisglasstohislips;putitdownuponthefloorwithsuchatremblinghandthatthespoontinkledinitlikealittlebell;andcontinuedthus:

’HaveIeversaidthatwearealwaysbroughtbacktothissubjectinsomestrangeway，whenthenineteenthofthismonthcomesround？

Doyousupposeitwasbyaccident，Iforgottowindupthechurch-

clock？Ineverforgotitatanyothertime，thoughit’ssuchaclumsythingthatithastobewoundupeveryday。Whyshoulditescapemymemoryonthisdayofallothers？

’ImadeasmuchhastedownthereasIcouldwhenIwentfromhere，butIhadtogohomefirstforthekeys;andthewindandrainbeingdeadagainstmealltheway，itwasprettywellasmuchasI

coulddoattimestokeepmylegs。Igotthereatlast，openedthechurch-door，andwentin。Ihadnotmetasoulalltheway，andyoumayjudgewhetheritwasdullornot。Neitherofyouwouldbearmecompany。Ifyoucouldhaveknownwhatwastocome，you’dhavebeenintheright。

’Thewindwassostrong，thatitwasasmuchasIcoulddotoshutthechurch-doorbyputtingmywholeweightagainstit;andevenasitwas，itburstwideopentwice，withsuchstrengththatanyofyouwouldhavesworn，ifyouhadbeenleaningagainstit，asIwas，thatsomebodywaspushingontheotherside。However，Igotthekeyturned，wentintothebelfry，andwounduptheclock——whichwasverynearrundown，andwouldhavestoodstock-stillinhalfanhour。

’AsItookupmylanternagaintoleavethechurch，itcameuponmeallatoncethatthiswasthenineteenthofMarch。Itcameuponmewithakindofshock，asifahandhadstruckthethoughtuponmyforehead;attheverysamemoment，Iheardavoiceoutsidethetower——risingfromamongthegraves。’

HereoldJohnprecipitatelyinterruptedthespeaker，andbeggedthatifMrParkes(whowasseatedoppositetohimandwasstaringdirectlyoverhishead)sawanything，hewouldhavethegoodnesstomentionit。MrParkesapologised，andremarkedthathewasonlylistening;towhichMrWilletangrilyretorted，thathislisteningwiththatkindofexpressioninhisfacewasnotagreeable，andthatifhecouldn’tlooklikeotherpeople，hehadbetterputhispocket-handkerchiefoverhishead。MrParkeswithgreatsubmissionpledgedhimselftodoso，ifagainrequired，andJohnWilletturningtoSolomondesiredhimtoproceed。Afterwaitinguntilaviolentgustofwindandrain，whichseemedtoshakeeventhatsturdyhousetoitsfoundation，hadpassedaway，thelittlemancomplied:

’Nevertellmethatitwasmyfancy，orthatitwasanyothersoundwhichImistookforthatItellyouof。Iheardthewindwhistlethroughthearchesofthechurch。Iheardthesteeplestrainandcreak。Iheardtherainasitcamedrivingagainstthewalls。I

feltthebellsshake。Isawtheropesswaytoandfro。AndI

heardthatvoice。’

’Whatdiditsay？’askedTomCobb。

’Idon’tknowwhat;Idon’tknowthatitspoke。Itgaveakindofcry，asanyoneofusmightdo，ifsomethingdreadfulfollowedusinadream，andcameuponusunawares;andthenitdiedoff:

seemingtopassquiteroundthechurch。’

’Idon’tseemuchinthat，’saidJohn，drawingalongbreath，andlookingroundhimlikeamanwhofeltrelieved。

’Perhapsnot，’returnedhisfriend，’butthat’snotall。’

’Whatmoredoyoumeantosay，sir，istocome？’askedJohn，pausingintheactofwipinghisfaceuponhisapron。’Whatareyoua-goingtotellusofnext？’

’WhatIsaw。’

’Saw！’echoedallthree，bendingforward。

’WhenIopenedthechurch-doortocomeout，’saidthelittleman，withanexpressionoffacewhichboreampletestimonytothesincerityofhisconviction，’whenIopenedthechurch-doortocomeout，whichIdidsuddenly，forIwantedtogetitshutagainbeforeanothergustofwindcameup，therecrossedme——soclose，thatbystretchingoutmyfingerIcouldhavetouchedit——somethinginthelikenessofaman。Itwasbare-headedtothestorm。Itturneditsfacewithoutstopping，andfixeditseyesonmine。Itwasaghost——

aspirit。’

’Whose？’theyallthreecriedtogether。

Intheexcessofhisemotion(forhefellbacktremblinginhischair，andwavedhishandasifentreatingthemtoquestionhimnofurther)，hisanswerwaslostonallbutoldJohnWillet，whohappenedtobeseatedclosebesidehim。

’Who！’criedParkesandTomCobb，lookingeagerlybyturnsatSolomonDaisyandatMrWillet。’Whowasit？’

’Gentlemen，’saidMrWilletafteralongpause，’youneedn’task。

Thelikenessofamurderedman。ThisisthenineteenthofMarch。’

Aprofoundsilenceensued。

’Ifyou’lltakemyadvice，’saidJohn，’wehadbetter，oneandall，keepthisasecret。SuchtaleswouldnotbelikedattheWarren。

Letuskeepittoourselvesforthepresenttimeatallevents，orwemaygetintotrouble，andSolomonmaylosehisplace。Whetheritwasreallyashesays，orwhetheritwasn’t，isnomatter。

Rightorwrong，nobodywouldbelievehim。Astotheprobabilities，Idon’tmyselfthink，’saidMrWillet，eyeingthecornersoftheroominamannerwhichshowedthat，likesomeotherphilosophers，hewasnotquiteeasyinhistheory，’thataghostashadbeenamanofsenseinhislifetime，wouldbeouta-walkinginsuchweather——IonlyknowthatIwouldn’t，ifIwasone。’

Butthishereticaldoctrinewasstronglyopposedbytheotherthree，whoquotedagreatmanyprecedentstoshowthatbadweatherwastheverytimeforsuchappearances;andMrParkes(whohadhadaghostinhisfamily，bythemother’sside)arguedthematterwithsomuchingenuityandforceofillustration，thatJohnwasonlysavedfromhavingtoretracthisopinionbytheopportuneappearanceofsupper，towhichtheyappliedthemselveswithadreadfulrelish。EvenSolomonDaisyhimself，bydintoftheelevatinginfluencesoffire，lights，brandy，andgoodcompany，sofarrecoveredastohandlehisknifeandforkinahighlycreditablemanner，andtodisplayacapacitybothofeatinganddrinking，suchasbanishedallfearofhishavingsustainedanylastinginjuryfromhisfright。

Supperdone，theycrowdedroundthefireagain，and，asiscommononsuchoccasions，propoundedallmannerofleadingquestionscalculatedtosurroundthestorywithnewhorrorsandsurprises。

ButSolomonDaisy，notwithstandingthesetemptations，adheredsosteadilytohisoriginalaccount，andrepeateditsooften，withsuchslightvariations，andwithsuchsolemnasseverationsofitstruthandreality，thathishearerswere(withgoodreason)moreastonishedthanatfirst。AshetookJohnWillet’sviewofthematterinregardtotheproprietyofnotbruitingthetaleabroad，unlessthespiritshouldappeartohimagain，inwhichcaseitwouldbenecessarytotakeimmediatecounselwiththeclergyman，itwassolemnlyresolvedthatitshouldbehushedupandkeptquiet。

Andasmostmenliketohaveasecrettotellwhichmayexalttheirownimportance，theyarrivedatthisconclusionwithperfectunanimity。

Asitwasbythistimegrowinglate，andwaslongpasttheirusualhourofseparating，thecroniespartedforthenight。SolomonDaisy，withafreshcandleinhislantern，repairedhomewardsundertheescortoflongPhilParkesandMrCobb，whowererathermorenervousthanhimself。MrWillet，afterseeingthemtothedoor，returnedtocollecthisthoughtswiththeassistanceoftheboiler，andtolistentothestormofwindandrain，whichhadnotyetabatedonejotofitsfury。

Chapter34

BeforeoldJohnhadlookedattheboilerquitetwentyminutes，hegothisideasintoafocus，andbroughtthemtobearuponSolomonDaisy’sstory。Themorehethoughtofit，themoreimpressedhebecamewithasenseofhisownwisdom，andadesirethatMrHaredaleshouldbeimpressedwithitlikewise。Atlength，totheendthathemightsustainaprincipalandimportantcharacterintheaffair;andmighthavethestartofSolomonandhistwofriends，throughwhosemeansheknewtheadventure，withavarietyofexaggerations，wouldbeknowntoatleastascoreofpeople，andmostlikelytoMrHaredalehimself，bybreakfast-timeto-morrow;hedeterminedtorepairtotheWarrenbeforegoingtobed。

’He’smylandlord，’thoughtJohn，ashetookacandleinhishand，andsettingitdowninacorneroutofthewind’sway，openedacasementintherearofthehouse，lookingtowardsthestables。

’Wehaven’tmetoflateyearssooftenasweusedtodo——changesaretakingplaceinthefamily——it’sdesirablethatIshouldstandaswellwiththem，inpointofdignity，aspossible——thewhisperingaboutofthisheretalewillangerhim——it’sgoodtohaveconfidenceswithagentlemanofhisnatur’，andsetone’s-selfrightbesides。Halloathere！Hugh——Hugh。Hal-loa！’

Whenhehadrepeatedthisshoutadozentimes，andstartledeverypigeonfromitsslumbers，adoorinoneoftheruinousoldbuildingsopened，andaroughvoicedemandedwhatwasamissnow，thatamancouldn’tevenhavehissleepinquiet。

’What！Haven’tyousleepenough，growler，thatyou’renottobeknockedupforonce？’saidJohn。

’No，’repliedthevoice，asthespeakeryawnedandshookhimself。

’Nothalfenough。’

’Idon’tknowhowyouCANsleep，withthewindabellowsingandroaringaboutyou，makingthetilesflylikeapackofcards，’saidJohn;’butnomatterforthat。Wrapyourselfupinsomethingoranother，andcomehere，foryoumustgoasfarastheWarrenwithme。Andlooksharpaboutit。’

Hugh，withmuchlowgrowlingandmuttering，wentbackintohislair;andpresentlyreappeared，carryingalanternandacudgel，andenvelopedfromheadtofootinanold，frowzy，slouchinghorse-

cloth。MrWilletreceivedthisfigureattheback-door，andusheredhimintothebar，whilehewrappedhimselfinsundrygreatcoatsandcapes，andsotiedandknottedhisfaceinshawlsandhandkerchiefs，thathowhebreathedwasamystery。

’Youdon’ttakeamanoutofdoorsatnearmidnightinsuchweather，withoutputtingsomeheartintohim，doyou，master？’saidHugh。

’YesIdo，sir，’returnedMrWillet。’Iputtheheart(asyoucallit)intohimwhenhehasbroughtmesafehomeagain，andhisstandingsteadyonhislegsan’tofsomuchconsequence。Soholdthatlightup，ifyouplease，andgoonasteportwobefore，toshowtheway。’

Hughobeyedwithaveryindifferentgrace，andalongingglanceatthebottles。OldJohn，layingstrictinjunctionsonhiscooktokeepthedoorslockedinhisabsence，andtoopentonobodybuthimselfonpainofdismissal，followedhimintotheblusteringdarknessoutofdoors。

Thewaywaswetanddismal，andthenightsoblack，thatifMrWillethadbeenhisownpilot，hewouldhavewalkedintoadeephorsepondwithinafewhundredyardsofhisownhouse，andwouldcertainlyhaveterminatedhiscareerinthatignoblesphereofaction。ButHugh，whohadasightaskeenasanyhawk’s，and，apartfromthatendowment，couldhavefoundhiswayblindfoldtoanyplacewithinadozenmiles，draggedoldJohnalong，quitedeaftohisremonstrances，andtookhisowncoursewithouttheslightestreferenceto，ornoticeof，hismaster。Sotheymadeheadagainstthewindastheybestcould;Hughcrushingthewetgrassbeneathhisheavytread，andstalkingonafterhisordinarysavagefashion;JohnWilletfollowingatarm’slength，pickinghissteps，andlookingabouthim，nowforbogsandditches，andnowforsuchstrayghostsasmightbewanderingabroad，withlooksofasmuchdismayanduneasinessashisimmovablefacewascapableofexpressing。

Atlengththeystooduponthebroadgravel-walkbeforetheWarren-

house。Thebuildingwasprofoundlydark，andnoneweremovingnearitsavethemselves。Fromonesolitaryturret-chamber，however，thereshonearayoflight;andtowardsthisspeckofcomfortinthecold，cheerless，silentscene，MrWilletbadehispilotleadhim。

’Theoldroom，’saidJohn，lookingtimidlyupward;’MrReuben’sownapartment，Godbewithus！Iwonderhisbrotherlikestositthere，solateatnight——onthisnighttoo。’

’Why，whereelseshouldhesit？’askedHugh，holdingthelanterntohisbreast，tokeepthecandlefromthewind，whilehetrimmeditwithhisfingers。’It’ssnugenough，an’tit？’

’Snug！’saidJohnindignantly。’Youhaveacomfortableideaofsnugness，youhave，sir。Doyouknowwhatwasdoneinthatroom，youruffian？’

’Why，whatisittheworseforthat！’criedHugh，lookingintoJohn’sfatface。’Doesitkeepouttherain，andsnow，andwind，thelessforthat？Isitlesswarmordry，becauseamanwaskilledthere？Ha，ha，ha！Neverbelieveit，master。Oneman’snosuchmatterasthatcomesto。’

MrWilletfixedhisdulleyesonhisfollower，andbegan——byaspeciesofinspiration——tothinkitjustbarelypossiblethathewassomethingofadangerouscharacter，andthatitmightbeadvisabletogetridofhimoneofthesedays。Hewastooprudenttosayanything，withthejourneyhomebeforehim;andthereforeturnedtotheirongatebeforewhichthisbriefdialoguehadpassed，andpulledthehandleofthebellthathungbesideit。Theturretinwhichthelightappearedbeingatonecornerofthebuilding，andonlydividedfromthepathbyoneofthegarden-

walks，uponwhichthisgateopened，MrHaredalethrewupthewindowdirectly，anddemandedwhowasthere。

’Beggingpardon，sir，’saidJohn，’Iknewyousatuplate，andmadeboldtocomeround，havingawordtosaytoyou。’

’Willet——isitnot？’

’OftheMaypole——atyourservice，sir。’

MrHaredaleclosedthewindow，andwithdrew。Hepresentlyappearedatadoorinthebottomoftheturret，andcomingacrossthegarden-walk，unlockedthegateandletthemin。

’Youarealatevisitor，Willet。Whatisthematter？’

’Nothingtospeakof，sir，’saidJohn;’anidletale，Ithoughtyououghttoknowof;nothingmore。’

’Letyourmangoforwardwiththelantern，andgivemeyourhand。

Thestairsarecrookedandnarrow。Gentlywithyourlight，friend。

Youswingitlikeacenser。’

Hugh，whohadalreadyreachedtheturret，helditmoresteadily，andascendedfirst，turningroundfromtimetotimetoshedhislightdownwardonthesteps。MrHaredalefollowingnext，eyedhisloweringfacewithnogreatfavour;andHugh，lookingdownonhim，returnedhisglanceswithinterest，astheyclimbedthewindingstairs。

Itterminatedinalittleante-roomadjoiningthatfromwhichtheyhadseenthelight。MrHaredaleenteredfirst，andledthewaythroughitintothelatterchamber，whereheseatedhimselfatawriting-tablefromwhichhehadrisenwhentheyhadrungthebell。

’Comein，’hesaid，beckoningtooldJohn，whoremainedbowingatthedoor。’Notyou，friend，’headdedhastilytoHugh，whoenteredalso。’Willet，whydoyoubringthatfellowhere？’

’Why，sir，’returnedJohn，elevatinghiseyebrows，andloweringhisvoicetothetoneinwhichthequestionhadbeenaskedhim，’he’sagoodguard，yousee。’

’Don’tbetoosureofthat，’saidMrHaredale，lookingtowardshimashespoke。’Idoubtit。Hehasanevileye。’

’There’snoimaginationinhiseye，’returnedMrWillet，glancingoverhisshoulderattheorganinquestion，’certainly。’

’Thereisnogoodthere，beassured，’saidMrHaredale。’Waitinthatlittleroom，friend，andclosethedoorbetweenus。’

Hughshruggedhisshoulders，andwithadisdainfullook，whichshowed，eitherthathehadoverheard，orthatheguessedthepurportoftheirwhispering，didashewastold。Whenhewasshutout，MrHaredaleturnedtoJohn，andbadehimgoonwithwhathehadtosay，butnottospeaktooloud，fortherewerequickearsyonder。

Thuscautioned，MrWillet，inanoilywhisper，recitedallthathehadheardandsaidthatnight;layingparticularstressuponhisownsagacity，uponhisgreatregardforthefamily，anduponhissolicitudefortheirpeaceofmindandhappiness。Thestorymovedhisauditormuchmorethanhehadexpected。MrHaredaleoftenchangedhisattitude，roseandpacedtheroom，returnedagain，desiredhimtorepeat，asnearlyashecould，theverywordsthatSolomonhadused，andgavesomanyothersignsofbeingdisturbedandillatease，thatevenMrWilletwassurprised。

’Youdidquiteright，’hesaid，attheendofalongconversation，’tobidthemkeepthisstorysecret。Itisafoolishfancyonthepartofthisweak-brainedman，bredinhisfearsandsuperstition。

ButMissHaredale，thoughshewouldknowittobeso，wouldbedisturbedbyitifitreachedherears;itistoonearlyconnectedwithasubjectverypainfultousall，tobeheardwithindifference。Youweremostprudent，andhavelaidmeunderagreatobligation。Ithankyouverymuch。’

ThiswasequaltoJohn’smostsanguineexpectations;buthewouldhavepreferredMrHaredale’slookingathimwhenhespoke，asifhereallydidthankhim，tohiswalkingupanddown，speakingbyfitsandstarts，oftenstoppingwithhiseyesfixedontheground，movinghurriedlyonagain，likeonedistracted，andseemingalmostunconsciousofwhathesaidordid。

This，however，washismanner;anditwassoembarrassingtoJohnthathesatquitepassiveforalongtime，notknowingwhattodo。Atlengthherose。MrHaredalestaredathimforamomentasthoughhehadquiteforgottenhisbeingpresent，thenshookhandswithhim，andopenedthedoor。Hugh，whowas，orfeignedtobe，fastasleepontheante-chamberfloor，sprangupontheirentrance，andthrowinghiscloakabouthim，graspedhisstickandlantern，andpreparedtodescendthestairs。

’Stay，’saidMrHaredale。’Willthismandrink？’

’Drink！He’ddrinktheThamesup，ifitwasstrongenough，sir，repliedJohnWillet。’He’llhavesomethingwhenhegetshome。

He’sbetterwithoutit，now，sir。’

’Nay。Halfthedistanceisdone，’saidHugh。’Whatahardmasteryouare！Ishallgohomethebetterforoneglassful，halfway。

Come！’

AsJohnmadenoreply，MrHaredalebroughtoutaglassofliquor，andgaveittoHugh，who，ashetookitinhishand，threwpartofituponthefloor。

’Whatdoyoumeanbysplashingyourdrinkaboutagentleman’shouse，sir？’saidJohn。

’I’mdrinkingatoast，’Hughrejoined，holdingtheglassabovehishead，andfixinghiseyesonMrHaredale’sface;’atoasttothishouseanditsmaster。’Withthathemutteredsomethingtohimself，anddranktherest，andsettingdowntheglass，precededthemwithoutanotherword。

Johnwasagooddealscandalisedbythisobservance，butseeingthatMrHaredaletooklittleheedofwhatHughsaidordid，andthathisthoughtswereotherwiseemployed，heofferednoapology，andwentinsilencedownthestairs，acrossthewalk，andthroughthegarden-gate。TheystoppedupontheoutersideforHughtoholdthelightwhileMrHaredalelockeditontheinner;andthenJohnsawwithwonder(asheoftenafterwardsrelated)，thathewasverypale，andthathisfacehadchangedsomuchandgrownsohaggardsincetheirentrance，thathealmostseemedanotherman。

Theywereintheopenroadagain，andJohnWilletwaswalkingonbehindhisescort，ashehadcome，thinkingverysteadilyofwhatbehadjustnowseen，whenHughdrewhimsuddenlyaside，andalmostatthesameinstantthreehorsemensweptpast——thenearestbrushedhisshouldereventhen——who，checkingtheirsteedsassuddenlyastheycould，stoodstill，andwaitedfortheircomingup。

Chapter35

WhenJohnWilletsawthatthehorsemenwheeledsmartlyround，anddrewupthreeabreastinthenarrowroad，waitingforhimandhismantojointhem，itoccurredtohimwithunusualprecipitationthattheymustbehighwaymen;andhadHughbeenarmedwithablunderbuss，inplaceofhisstoutcudgel，hewouldcertainlyhaveorderedhimtofireitoffataventure，andwould，whilethewordofcommandwasobeyed，haveconsultedhisownpersonalsafetyinimmediateflight。Underthecircumstancesofdisadvantage，however，inwhichheandhisguardwereplaced，hedeemeditprudenttoadoptadifferentstyleofgeneralship，andthereforewhisperedhisattendanttoaddresstheminthemostpeaceableandcourteousterms。Bywayofactinguptothespiritandletterofthisinstruction，Hughsteppedforward，andflourishinghisstaffbeforetheveryeyesoftheridernearesttohim，demandedroughlywhatheandhisfellowsmeantbysonearlygallopingoverthem，andwhytheyscouredtheking’shighwayatthatlatehourofnight。

Themanwhombeaddressedwasbeginninganangryreplyinthesamestrain，whenbewascheckedbythehorsemaninthecentre，who，interposingwithanairofauthority，inquiredinasomewhatloudbutnotharshorunpleasantvoice:

’Pray，isthistheLondonroad？’

’Ifyoufollowitright，itis，’repliedHughroughly。

’Nay，brother，’saidthesameperson，’you’rebutachurlishEnglishman，ifEnglishmanyoube——whichIshouldmuchdoubtbutforyourtongue。Yourcompanion，Iamsure，willanswermemorecivilly。Howsayyou，friend？’

’IsayitIStheLondonroad，sir，’answeredJohn。’AndIwish，’

headdedinasubduedvoice，asheturnedtoHugh，’thatyouwasinanyotherroad，youvagabond。Areyoutiredofyourlife，sir，thatyougoa-tryingtoprovokethreegreatneck-or-nothingchaps，thatcouldkeeponrunningoverus，back’ardsandfor’ards，tillwewasdead，andthentakeourbodiesupbehind’em，anddrownustenmilesoff？’

’HowfarisittoLondon？’inquiredthesamespeaker。

’Why，fromhere，sir，’answeredJohn，persuasively，’it’sthirteenveryeasymile。’

Theadjectivewasthrownin，asaninducementtothetravellerstorideawaywithallspeed;butinsteadofhavingthedesiredeffect，itelicitedfromthesameperson，theremark，’Thirteenmiles！

That’salongdistance！’whichwasfollowedbyashortpauseofindecision。

’Pray，’saidthegentleman，’arethereanyinnshereabouts？’Attheword’inns，’Johnpluckeduphisspiritinasurprisingmanner;

hisfearsrolledofflikesmoke;allthelandlordstirredwithinhim。

’Therearenoinns，’rejoinedMrWillet，withastrongemphasisonthepluralnumber;’butthere’saInn——oneInn——theMaypoleInn。

That’saInnindeed。Youwon’tseethelikeofthatInnoften。’

’Youkeepit，perhaps？’saidthehorseman，smiling。

’Ido，sir，’repliedJohn，greatlywonderinghowhehadfoundthisout。

’AndhowfaristheMaypolefromhere？’

’Aboutamile’——Johnwasgoingtoaddthatitwastheeasiestmileinalltheworld，whenthethirdrider，whohadhithertokeptalittleintherear，suddenlyinterposed:

’Andhaveyouoneexcellentbed，landlord？Hem！Abedthatyoucanrecommend——abedthatyouaresureiswellaired——abedthathasbeensleptinbysomeperfectlyrespectableandunexceptionableperson？’

’Wedon’ttakeinnotagragandbobtailatourhouse，sir，’

answeredJohn。’Andastothebeditself——’

’Say，astothreebeds，’interposedthegentlemanwhohadspokenbefore;’forweshallwantthreeifwestay，thoughmyfriendonlyspeaksofone。’

’No，no，mylord;youaretoogood，youaretookind;butyourlifeisoffartoomuchimportancetothenationintheseportentoustimes，tobeplaceduponalevelwithonesouselessandsopoorasmine。Agreatcause，mylord，amightycause，dependsonyou。Youareitsleaderanditschampion，itsadvancedguardanditsvan。

Itisthecauseofouraltarsandourhomes，ourcountryandourfaith。LetMEsleeponachair——thecarpet——anywhere。NoonewillrepineifItakecoldorfever。LetJohnGruebypassthenightbeneaththeopensky——noonewillrepineforHIM。Butfortythousandmenofthisourislandinthewave(exclusiveofwomenandchildren)rivettheireyesandthoughtsonLordGeorgeGordon;andeveryday，fromtherisingupofthesuntothegoingdownofthesame，prayforhishealthandvigour。Mylord，’saidthespeaker，risinginhisstirrups，’itisagloriouscause，andmustnotbeforgotten。Mylord，itisamightycause，andmustnotbeendangered。Mylord，itisaholycause，andmustnotbedeserted。’

’ItISaholycause，’exclaimedhislordship，liftinguphishatwithgreatsolemnity。’Amen。’

’JohnGrueby，’saidthelong-windedgentleman，inatoneofmildreproof，’hislordshipsaidAmen。’

’Iheardmylord，sir，’saidtheman，sittinglikeastatueonhishorse。

’AnddonotYOUsayAmen，likewise？’

TowhichJohnGruebymadenoreplyatall，butsatlookingstraightbeforehim。

’Yousurpriseme，Grueby，’saidthegentleman。’Atacrisislikethepresent，whenQueenElizabeth，thatmaidenmonarch，weepswithinhertomb，andBloodyMary，withabrowofgloomandshadow，stalkstriumphant——’

’Oh，sir，’ciedtheman，gruffly，’where’stheuseoftalkingofBloodyMary，undersuchcircumstancesasthepresent，whenmylord’swetthrough，andtiredwithhardriding？Let’seithergoontoLondon，sir，orputupatonce;orthatunfort’nateBloodyMarywillhavemoretoanswerfor——andshe’sdoneadealmoreharminhergravethansheeverdidinherlifetime，Ibelieve。’

BythistimeMrWillet，whohadneverbeardsomanywordsspokentogetheratonetime，ordeliveredwithsuchvolubilityandemphasisasbythelong-windedgentleman;andwhosebrain，beingwhollyunabletosustainorcompassthem，hadquitegivenitselfupforlost;recoveredsofarastoobservethattherewasampleaccommodationattheMaypoleforalltheparty:goodbeds;neatwines;excellententertainmentformanandbeast;privateroomsforlargeandsmallparties;dinnersdressedupontheshortestnotice;

choicestabling，andalock-upcoach-house;and，inshort，torunoversuchrecommendatoryscrapsoflanguageaswerepainteduponvariousportionsofthebuilding，andwhichinthecourseofsomefortyyearshehadlearnttorepeatwithtolerablecorrectness。Hewasconsideringwhetheritwasatallpossibletoinsertanynovelsentencestothesamepurpose，whenthegentlemanwhohadspokenfirst，turningtohimofthelongwind，exclaimed，’Whatsayyou，Gashford？Shallwetarryatthishousehespeaksof，orpressforward？Youshalldecide。’

’Iwouldsubmit，mylord，then，’returnedthepersonheappealedto，inasilkytone，’thatyourhealthandspirits——soimportant，underProvidence，toourgreatcause，ourpureandtruthfulcause’——

herehislordshippulledoffhishatagain，thoughitwasraininghard——’requirerefreshmentandrepose。’

’Goonbefore，landlord，andshowtheway，’saidLordGeorgeGordon;’wewillfollowatafootpace。’

’Ifyou’llgivemeleave，mylord，’saidJohnGrueby，inalowvoice，’I’llchangemyproperplace，andridebeforeyou。Thelooksofthelandlord’sfriendarenotoverhonest，anditmaybeaswelltobecautiouswithhim。’

’JohnGruebyisquiteright，’interposedMrGashford，fallingbackhastily。’Mylord，alifesopreciousasyoursmustnotbeputinperil。Goforward，John，byallmeans。Ifyouhaveanyreasontosuspectthefellow，blowhisbrainsout。’

Johnmadenoanswer，butlookingstraightbeforehim，ashiscustomseemedtobewhenthesecretaryspoke，badeHughpushon，andfollowedclosebehindhim。Thencamehislordship，withMrWilletathisbridlerein;and，lastofall，hislordship’ssecretary——forthat，itseemed，wasGashford’soffice。

Hughstrodebrisklyon，oftenlookingbackattheservant，whosehorsewascloseuponhisheels，andglancingwithaleerathisbolstercaseofpistols，bywhichheseemedtosetgreatstore。Hewasasquare-built，strong-made，bull-neckedfellow，ofthetrueEnglishbreed;andasHughmeasuredhimwithhiseye，hemeasuredHugh，regardinghimmeanwhilewithalookofbluffdisdain。HewasmucholderthantheMaypoleman，beingtoallappearancefive-and-

forty;butwasoneofthoseself-possessed，hard-headed，imperturbablefellows，who，iftheyareeverbeatenatfisticuffs，orotherkindofwarfare，neverknowit，andgooncoollytilltheywin。

’IfIledyouwrongnow，’saidHugh，tauntingly，’you’d——hahaha！——

you’dshootmethroughthehead，Isuppose。’

JohnGruebytooknomorenoticeofthisremarkthanifhehadbeendeafandHughdumb;butkeptridingonquitecomfortably，withhiseyesfixedonthehorizon。

’Didyouevertryafallwithamanwhenyouwereyoung，master？’

saidHugh。’Canyoumakeanyplayatsingle-stick？’

JohnGruebylookedathimsidewayswiththesamecontentedair，butdeignednotawordinanswer。

’——Likethis？’saidHugh，givinghiscudgeloneofthoseskilfulflourishes，inwhichtherusticofthattimedelighted。’Whoop！’

’——Orthat，’returnedJohnGrueby，beatingdownhisguardwithhiswhip，andstrikinghimontheheadwithitsbuttend。’Yes，I

playedalittleonce。Youwearyourhairtoolong;Ishouldhavecrackedyourcrownifithadbeenalittleshorter。’

Itwasaprettysmart，loud-soundingrap，asitwas，andevidentlyastonishedHugh;who，forthemoment，seemeddisposedtodraghisnewacquaintancefromhissaddle。Buthisfacebetokeningneithermalice，triumph，rage，noranylingeringideathathehadgivenhimoffence;hiseyesgazingsteadilyintheolddirection，andhismannerbeingascarelessandcomposedasifhehadmerelybrushedawayafly;Hughwassopuzzled，andsodisposedtolookuponhimasacustomerofalmostsupernaturaltoughness，thathemerelylaughed，andcried’Welldone！’then，sheeringoffalittle，ledthewayinsilence。

BeforethelapseofmanyminutesthepartyhaltedattheMaypoledoor。LordGeorgeandhissecretaryquicklydismounting，gavetheirhorsestotheirservant，who，undertheguidanceofHugh，repairedtothestables。Rightgladtoescapefromtheinclemencyofthenight，theyfollowedMrWilletintothecommonroom，andstoodwarmingthemselvesanddryingtheirclothesbeforethecheerfulfire，whilehebusiedhimselfwithsuchordersandpreparationsashisguest’shighqualityrequired。

Ashebustledinandoutoftheroom，intentonthesearrangements，hehadanopportunityofobservingthetwotravellers，ofwhom，asyet，heknewnothingbutthevoice。Thelord，thegreatpersonagewhodidtheMaypolesomuchhonour，wasaboutthemiddleheight，ofaslendermake，andsallowcomplexion，withanaquilinenose，andlonghairofareddishbrown，combedperfectlystraightandsmoothabouthisears，andslightlypowdered，butwithoutthefaintestvestigeofacurl。Hewasattired，underhisgreatcoat，inafullsuitofblack，quitefreefromanyornament，andofthemostpreciseandsobercut。Thegravityofhisdress，togetherwithacertainlanknessofcheekandstiffnessofdeportment，addednearlytenyearstohisage，buthisfigurewasthatofonenotyetpastthirty。Ashestoodmusingintheredglowofthefire，itwasstrikingtoobservehisverybrightlargeeye，whichbetrayedarestlessnessofthoughtandpurpose，singularlyatvariancewiththestudiedcomposureandsobrietyofhismien，andwithhisquaintandsadapparel。Ithadnothingharshorcruelinitsexpression;neitherhadhisface，whichwasthinandmild，andworeanairofmelancholy;butitwassuggestiveofanindefinableuneasiness;whichinfectedthosewholookeduponhim，andfilledthemwithakindofpityfortheman:

thoughwhyitdidso，theywouldhavehadsometroubletoexplain。

Gashford，thesecretary，wastaller，angularlymade，high-

shouldered，bony，andungraceful。Hisdress，inimitationofhissuperior，wasdemureandstaidintheextreme;hismanner，formalandconstrained。Thisgentlemanhadanoverhangingbrow，greathandsandfeetandears，andapairofeyesthatseemedtohavemadeanunnaturalretreatintohishead，andtohavedugthemselvesacavetohidein。Hismannerwassmoothandhumble，butveryslyandslinking。HeworetheaspectofamanwhowasalwayslyinginwaitforsomethingthatWOULDN’Tcometopass;buthelookedpatient——verypatient——andfawnedlikeaspanieldog。Evennow，whilehewarmedandrubbedhishandsbeforetheblaze，hehadtheairofonewhoonlypresumedtoenjoyitinhisdegreeasacommoner;andthoughheknewhislordwasnotregardinghim，helookedintohisfacefromtimetotime，andwithameekanddeferentialmanner，smiledasifforpractice。