第13章

somuchso，indeed，thathefeltashamedofhismomentarysuspicion，anddroopedhisownwhenMrHaredalelookedtowardshim，asifhefearedtheywouldbetrayhisthoughts。

’Willyouwalkthroughthehouse？’saidMrHaredale，withaglancetowardsthewindow，thecrazyshuttersofwhichwereclosedandfastened。’Speaklow。’

Therewasakindofaweabouttheplace，whichwouldhaverendereditdifficulttospeakinanyothermanner。Gabrielwhispered’Yes，’andfollowedhimupstairs。

Everythingwasjustastheyhadseenitlast。Therewasasenseofclosenessfromtheexclusionoffreshair，andagloomandheavinessaround，asthoughlongimprisonmenthadmadetheverysilencesad。Thehomelyhangingsofthebedsandwindowshadbeguntodroop;thedustlaythickupontheirdwindlingfolds;anddampshadmadetheirwaythroughceiling，wall，andfloor。Theboardscreakedbeneaththeirtread，asifresentingtheunaccustomedintrusion;nimblespiders，paralysedbythetaper’sglare，checkedthemotionoftheirhundredlegsuponthewall，ordroppedlikelifelessthingsupontheground;thedeath-watchticked;andthescamperingfeetofratsandmicerattledbehindthewainscot。

Astheylookedaboutthemonthedecayingfurniture，itwasstrangetofindhowvividlyitpresentedthosetowhomithadbelonged，andwithwhomitwasoncefamiliar。Gripseemedtoperchagainuponhishigh-backedchair;Barnabytocrouchinhisoldfavouritecornerbythefire;themothertoresumeherusualseat，andwatchhimasofold。Evenwhentheycouldseparatetheseobjectsfromthephantomsofthemindwhichtheyinvoked，thelatteronlyglidedoutofsight，butlingerednearthemstill;forthentheyseemedtolurkinclosetsandbehindthedoors，readytostartoutandsuddenlyaccosttheminwell-rememberedtones。

Theywentdownstairs，andagainintotheroomtheyhadjustnowleft。MrHaredaleunbuckledhisswordandlaiditonthetable，withapairofpocketpistols;thentoldthelocksmithhewouldlighthimtothedoor。

’Butthisisadullplace，sir，’saidGabriellingering;’maynooneshareyourwatch？’

Heshookhishead，andsoplainlyevincedhiswishtobealone，thatGabrielcouldsaynomore。Inanothermomentthelocksmithwasstandinginthestreet，whencehecouldseethatthelightoncemoretravelledupstairs，andsoonreturningtotheroombelow，shonebrightlythroughthechinksoftheshutters。

Ifevermanweresorelypuzzledandperplexed，thelocksmithwas，thatnight。Evenwhensnuglyseatedbyhisownfireside，withMrsVardenoppositeinanightcapandnight-jacket，andDollybesidehim(inamostdistractingdishabille)curlingherhair，andsmilingasifshehadnevercriedinallherlifeandnevercould——

eventhen，withTobyathiselbowandhispipeinhismouth，andMiggs(butthatperhapswasnotmuch)fallingasleepinthebackground，hecouldnotquitediscardhiswonderanduneasiness。

Soinhisdreams——stilltherewasMrHaredale，haggardandcareworn，listeninginthesolitaryhousetoeverysoundthatstirred，withthetapershiningthroughthechinksuntilthedayshouldturnitpaleandendhislonelywatching。

Chapter43

Nextmorningbroughtnosatisfactiontothelocksmith’sthoughts，nornextday，northenext，normanyothers。Oftenafternightfallheenteredthestreet，andturnedhiseyestowardsthewell-knownhouse;andassurelyashedidso，therewasthesolitarylight，stillgleamingthroughthecrevicesofthewindow-shutter，whileallwithinwasmotionless，noiseless，cheerless，asagrave。

UnwillingtohazardMrHaredale’sfavourbydisobeyinghisstrictinjunction，heneverventuredtoknockatthedoorortomakehispresenceknowninanyway。Butwheneverstronginterestandcuriosityattractedhimtothespot——whichwasnotseldom——thelightwasalwaysthere。

Ifhecouldhaveknownwhatpassedwithin，theknowledgewouldhaveyieldedhimnocluetothismysteriousvigil。Attwilight，MrHaredaleshuthimselfup，andatdaybreakhecameforth。Henevermissedanight，alwayscameandwentalone，andnevervariedhisproceedingsintheleastdegree。

Themannerofhiswatchwasthis。Atdusk，heenteredthehouseinthesamewayaswhenthelocksmithborehimcompany，kindledalight，wentthroughtherooms，andnarrowlyexaminedthem。Thatdone，hereturnedtothechamberontheground-floor，andlayinghisswordandpistolsonthetable，satbyituntilmorning。

Heusuallyhadabookwithhim，andoftentriedtoread，butneverfixedhiseyesorthoughtsuponitforfiveminutestogether。Theslightestnoisewithoutdoors，caughthisear;astepuponthepavementseemedtomakehisheartleap。

Hewasnotwithoutsomerefreshmentduringthelonglonelyhours;

generallycarryinginhispocketasandwichofbreadandmeat，andasmallflaskofwine。Thelatterdilutedwithlargequantitiesofwater，hedrankinaheated，feverishway，asthoughhisthroatweredried;buthescarcelyeverbrokehisfast，bysomuchasacrumbofbread。

Ifthisvoluntarysacrificeofsleepandcomforthaditsorigin，asthelocksmithonconsiderationwasdisposedtothink，inanysuperstitiousexpectationofthefulfilmentofadreamorvisionconnectedwiththeeventonwhichhehadbroodedforsomanyyears，andifhewaitedforsomeghostlyvisitorwhowalkedabroadwhenmenlaysleepingintheirbeds，heshowednotraceoffearorwavering。Hissternfeaturesexpressedinflexibleresolution;hisbrowswerepuckered，andhislipscompressed，withdeepandsettledpurpose;andwhenhestartedatanoiseandlistened，itwasnotwiththestartoffearbuthope，andcatchinguphisswordasthoughthehourhadcomeatlast，hewouldclutchitinhistight-

clenchedhand，andlistenwithsparklingeyesandeagerlooks，untilitdiedaway。

Thesedisappointmentswerenumerous，fortheyensuedonalmosteverysound，buthisconstancywasnotshaken。Still，everynighthewasathispost，thesamestern，sleepless，sentinel;andstillnightpassed，andmorningdawned，andhemustwatchagain。

Thiswentonforweeks;hehadtakenalodgingatVauxhallinwhichtopassthedayandresthimself;andfromthisplace，whenthetideserved，heusuallycametoLondonBridgefromWestminsterbywater，inorderthathemightavoidthebusystreets。

Oneevening，shortlybeforetwilight，hecamehisaccustomedroadupontheriver’sbank，intendingtopassthroughWestminsterHallintoPalaceYard，andtheretakeboattoLondonBridgeasusual。

TherewasaprettylargeconcourseofpeopleassembledroundtheHousesofParliament，lookingatthemembersastheyenteredanddeparted，andgivingventtorathernoisydemonstrationsofapprovalordislike，accordingtotheirknownopinions。Ashemadehiswayamongthethrong，heheardonceortwicetheNo-Poperycry，whichwasthenbecomingprettyfamiliartotheearsofmostmen;

butholdingitinveryslightregard，andobservingthattheidlerswereofthelowestgrade，heneitherthoughtnorcaredaboutit，butmadehiswayalong，withperfectindifference。

ThereweremanylittleknotsandgroupsofpersonsinWestminsterHall:somefewlookingupwardatitsnobleceiling，andattheraysofeveninglight，tintedbythesettingsun，whichstreamedinaslantthroughitssmallwindows，andgrowingdimmerbydegrees，werequenchedinthegatheringgloombelow;some，noisypassengers，mechanicsgoinghomefromwork，andotherwise，whohurriedquicklythrough，wakingtheechoeswiththeirvoices，andsoondarkeningthesmalldoorinthedistance，astheypassedintothestreetbeyond;some，inbusyconferencetogetheronpoliticalorprivatematters，pacingslowlyupanddownwitheyesthatsoughttheground，andseeming，bytheirattitudes，tolistenearnestlyfromheadtofoot。Here，adozensquabblingurchinsmadeaveryBabelintheair;there，asolitaryman，halfclerk，halfmendicant，pacedupanddownwithhungrydejectioninhislookandgait;athiselbowpassedanerrand-lad，swinginghisbasketroundandround，andwithhisshrillwhistlerivingtheverytimbersoftheroof;whileamoreobservantschoolboy，half-waythrough，pocketedhisball，andeyedthedistantbeadleashecameloomingon。Itwasthattimeofeveningwhen，ifyoushutyoureyesandopenthemagain，thedarknessofanhourappearstohavegatheredinasecond。Thesmooth-wornpavement，dustywithfootsteps，stillcalledupontheloftywallstoreiteratetheshuffleandthetreadoffeetunceasingly，savewhentheclosingofsomeheavydoorresoundedthroughthebuildinglikeaclapofthunder，anddrownedallothernoisesinitsrollingsound。

MrHaredale，glancingonlyatsuchofthesegroupsashepassednearestto，andtheninamannerbetokeningthathisthoughtswereelsewhere，hadnearlytraversedtheHall，whentwopersonsbeforehimcaughthisattention。Oneofthese，agentlemaninelegantattire，carriedinhishandacane，whichhetwirledinajauntymannerasheloiteredon;theother，anobsequious，crouching，fawningfigure，listenedtowhathesaid——attimesthrowinginahumblewordhimself——and，withhisshouldersshruggeduptohisears，rubbedhishandssubmissively，oransweredatintervalsbyaninclinationofthehead，half-waybetweenanodofacquiescence，andabowofmostprofoundrespect。

Intheabstracttherewasnothingveryremarkableinthispair，forservilitywaitingonahandsomesuitofclothesandacane——nottospeakofgoldandsilversticks，orwandsofoffice——iscommonenough。Buttherewasthataboutthewell-dressedman，yes，andabouttheotherlikewise，whichstruckMrHaredalewithnopleasantfeeling。Hehesitated，stopped，andwouldhavesteppedasideandturnedoutofhispath，butatthemoment，theothertwofacedaboutquickly，andstumbleduponhimbeforehecouldavoidthem。

Thegentlemanwiththecaneliftedhishatandhadbeguntotenderanapology，whichMrHaredalehadbegunashastilytoacknowledgeandwalkaway，whenhestoppedshortandcried，’Haredale！Gadblessme，thisisstrangeindeed！’

’Itis，’hereturnedimpatiently;’yes——a——’

’Mydearfriend，’criedtheother，detaininghim，’whysuchgreatspeed？Oneminute，Haredale，forthesakeofoldacquaintance。’

’Iaminhaste，’hesaid。’Neitherofushassoughtthismeeting。

Letitbeabriefone。Goodnight！’

’Fie，fie！’repliedSirJohn(foritwashe)，’howverychurlish！

Wewerespeakingofyou。Yournamewasonmylips——perhapsyouheardmementionit？No？Iamsorryforthat。Iamreallysorry——Youknowourfriendhere，Haredale？Thisisreallyamostremarkablemeeting！’

Thefriend，plainlyveryillatease，hadmadeboldtopressSirJohn’sarm，andtogivehimothersignificanthintsthathewasdesirousofavoidingthisintroduction。AsitdidnotsuitSirJohn’spurpose，however，thatitshouldbeevaded，heappearedquiteunconsciousofthesesilentremonstrances，andinclinedhishandtowardshim，ashespoke，tocallattentiontohimmoreparticularly。

Thefriend，therefore，hadnothingforit，buttomusterupthepleasantestsmilehecould，andtomakeaconciliatorybow，asMrHaredaleturnedhiseyesuponhim。Seeingthathewasrecognised，heputouthishandinanawkwardandembarrassedmanner，whichwasnotmendedbyitscontemptuousrejection。

’MrGashford！’saidHaredale，coldly。’ItisasIhaveheardthen。

Youhaveleftthedarknessforthelight，sir，andhatethosewhoseopinionsyouformerlyheld，withallthebitternessofarenegade。

Youareanhonour，sir，toanycause。Iwishtheoneyouespouseatpresent，muchjoyoftheacquisitionithasmade。’

Thesecretaryrubbedhishandsandbowed，asthoughhewoulddisarmhisadversarybyhumblinghimselfbeforehim。SirJohnChesteragainexclaimed，withanairofgreatgaiety，’Now，really，thisisamostremarkablemeeting！’andtookapinchofsnuffwithhisusualself-possession。

’MrHaredale，’saidGashford，stealthilyraisinghiseyes，andlettingthemdropagainwhentheymettheother’ssteadygaze，istooconscientious，toohonourable，toomanly，Iamsure，toattachunworthymotivestoanhonestchangeofopinions，eventhoughitimpliesadoubtofthoseheholdshimself。MrHaredaleistoojust，toogenerous，tooclear-sightedinhismoralvision，to——’

’Yes，sir？’herejoinedwithasarcasticsmile，findingthesecretarystopped。’Youweresaying’——

Gashfordmeeklyshruggedhisshoulders，andlookingonthegroundagain，wassilent。

’No，butletusreally，’interposedSirJohnatthisjuncture，’letusreally，foramoment，contemplatetheveryremarkablecharacterofthismeeting。Haredale，mydearfriend，pardonmeifIthinkyouarenotsufficientlyimpressedwithitssingularity。Herewestand，bynopreviousappointmentorarrangement，threeoldschoolfellows，inWestminsterHall;threeoldboardersinaremarkablydullandshadyseminaryatSaintOmer’s，whereyou，beingCatholicsandofnecessityeducatedoutofEngland，werebroughtup;andwhereI，beingapromisingyoungProtestantatthattime，wassenttolearntheFrenchtonguefromanativeofParis！’

’Addtothesingularity，SirJohn，’saidMrHaredale，’thatsomeofyouProtestantsofpromiseareatthismomentleaguedinyonderbuilding，topreventourhavingthesurpassingandunheard-ofprivilegeofteachingourchildrentoreadandwrite——here——inthisland，wherethousandsofusenteryourserviceeveryyear，andtopreservethefreedomofwhich，wedieinbloodybattlesabroad，inheaps:andthatothersofyou，tothenumberofsomethousandsasIlearn，areledontolookonallmenofmycreedaswolvesandbeastsofprey，bythismanGashford。Addtoitbesidesthebarefactthatthismanlivesinsociety，walksthestreetsinbroadday——Iwasabouttosay，holdsuphishead，butthathedoesnot——

anditwillbestrange，andverystrange，Igrantyou。’

’Oh！youareharduponourfriend，’repliedSirJohn，withanengagingsmile。’Youarereallyveryharduponourfriend！’

’Lethimgoon，SirJohn，’saidGashford，fumblingwithhisgloves。

’Lethimgoon。Icanmakeallowances，SirJohn。Iamhonouredwithyourgoodopinion，andIcandispensewithMrHaredale’s。MrHaredaleisasuffererfromthepenallaws，andIcan’texpecthisfavour。’

’Youhavesomuchofmyfavour，sir，’retortedMrHaredale，withabitterglanceatthethirdpartyintheirconversation，’thatIamgladtoseeyouinsuchgoodcompany。YouaretheessenceofyourgreatAssociation，inyourselves。’

’Now，thereyoumistake，’saidSirJohn，inhismostbenignantway。

’There——whichisamostremarkablecircumstanceforamanofyourpunctualityandexactness，Haredale——youfallintoerror。Idon’tbelongtothebody;Ihaveanimmenserespectforitsmembers，butIdon’tbelongtoit;althoughIam，itiscertainlytrue，theconscientiousopponentofyourbeingrelieved。Ifeelitmydutytobeso;itisamostunfortunatenecessity;andcostmeabitterstruggle——Willyoutrythisbox？Ifyoudon’tobjecttoatriflinginfusionofaverychastescent，you’llfinditsflavourexquisite。’

’Iaskyourpardon，SirJohn，’saidMrHaredale，decliningtheprofferwithamotionofhishand，’forhavingrankedyouamongthehumbleinstrumentswhoareobviousandinallmen’ssight。I

shouldhavedonemorejusticetoyourgenius。Menofyourcapacityplotinsecrecyandsafety，andleaveexposedpoststothedullerwits。’

’Don’tapologise，fortheworld，’repliedSirJohnsweetly;’oldfriendslikeyouandI，maybeallowedsomefreedoms，orthedeuceisinit。’

Gashford，whohadbeenveryrestlessallthistime，buthadnotoncelookedup，nowturnedtoSirJohn，andventuredtomuttersomethingtotheeffectthathemustgo，ormylordwouldperhapsbewaiting。

’Don’tdistressyourself，goodsir，’saidMrHaredale，’I’lltakemyleave，andputyouatyourease——’whichhewasabouttodowithoutceremony，whenhewasstayedbyabuzzandmurmurattheupperendofthehall，and，lookinginthatdirection，sawLordGeorgeGordoncomingin，withacrowdofpeopleroundhim。

Therewasalurkinglookoftriumph，thoughverydifferentlyexpressed，inthefacesofhistwocompanions，whichmadeitanaturalimpulseonMrHaredale’spartnottogivewaybeforethisleader，buttostandtherewhilehepassed。Hedrewhimselfupand，claspinghishandsbehindhim，lookedonwithaproudandscornfulaspect，whileLordGeorgeslowlyadvanced(forthepresswasgreatabouthim)towardsthespotwheretheywerestanding。

HehadlefttheHouseofCommonsbutthatmoment，andhadcomestraightdownintotheHall，bringingwithhim，ashiscustomwas，intelligenceofwhathadbeensaidthatnightinreferencetothePapists，andwhatpetitionshadbeenpresentedintheirfavour，andwhohadsupportedthem，andwhenthebillwastobebroughtin，andwhenitwouldbeadvisabletopresenttheirownGreatProtestantpetition。Allthishetoldthepersonsabouthiminaloudvoice，andwithgreatabundanceofungainlygesture。Thosewhowerenearesthimmadecommentstoeachother，andventedthreatsandmurmurings;thosewhowereoutsidethecrowdcried，’Silence，’andStandback，’orclosedinupontherest，endeavouringtomakeaforcibleexchangeofplaces:andsotheycamedrivingoninaverydisorderlyandirregularway，asitisthemannerofacrowdtodo。

Whentheywereveryneartowherethesecretary，SirJohn，andMrHaredalestood，LordGeorgeturnedroundand，makingafewremarksofasuflicientlyviolentandincoherentkind，concludedwiththeusualsentiment，andcalledforthreecheerstobackit。Whilethesewereintheactofbeinggivenwithgreatenergy，heextricatedhimselffromthepress，andsteppeduptoGashford’sside。BothheandSirJohnbeingwellknowntothepopulace，theyfellbackalittle，andleftthefourstandingtogether。

’MrHaredale，LordGeorge，’saidSirJohnChester，seeingthatthenoblemanregardedhimwithaninquisitivelook。’ACatholicgentlemanunfortunately——mostunhappilyaCatholic——butanesteemedacquaintanceofmine，andonceofMrGashford’s。MydearHaredale，thisisLordGeorgeGordon。’

’Ishouldhaveknownthat，hadIbeenignorantofhislordship’sperson，’saidMrHaredale。’IhopethereisbutonegentlemaninEnglandwho，addressinganignorantandexcitedthrong，wouldspeakofalargebodyofhisfellow-subjectsinsuchinjuriouslanguageasIheardthismoment。Forshame，mylord，forshame！’

’Icannottalktoyou，sir，’repliedLordGeorgeinaloudvoice，andwavinghishandinadisturbedandagitatedmanner;’wehavenothingincommon。’

’Wehavemuchincommon——manythings——allthattheAlmightygaveus，’saidMrHaredale;’andcommoncharity，nottosaycommonsenseandcommondecency，shouldteachyoutorefrainfromtheseproceedings。Ifeveryoneofthosemenhadarmsintheirhandsatthismoment，astheyhavethemintheirheads，Iwouldnotleavethisplacewithouttellingyouthatyoudisgraceyourstation。’

’Idon’thearyou，sir，’herepliedinthesamemannerasbefore;

’Ican’thearyou。Itisindifferenttomewhatyousay。Don’tretort，Gashford，’forthesecretaryhadmadeashowofwishingtodoso;’Icanholdnocommunionwiththeworshippersofidols。’

Ashesaidthis，heglancedatSirJohn，wholiftedhishandsandeyebrows，asifdeploringtheintemperateconductofMrHaredale，andsmiledinadmirationofthecrowdandoftheirleader。

’HEretort！’criedHaredale。’Lookyouhere，mylord。Doyouknowthisman？’

LordGeorgerepliedbylayinghishandupontheshoulderofhiscringingsecretary，andviewinghimwithasmileofconfidence。

’Thisman，’saidMrHaredale，eyeinghimfromtoptotoe，’whoinhisboyhoodwasathief，andhasbeenfromthattimetothis，aservile，false，andtrucklingknave:thisman，whohascrawledandcreptthroughlife，woundingthehandshelicked，andbitingthosehefawnedupon:thissycophant，whoneverknewwhathonour，truth，orcouragemeant;whorobbedhisbenefactor’sdaughterofhervirtue，andmarriedhertobreakherheart，anddidit，withstripesandcruelty:thiscreature，whohaswhinedatkitchenwindowsforthebrokenfood，andbeggedforhalfpenceatourchapeldoors:thisapostleofthefaith，whosetenderconsciencecannotbearthealtarswherehisviciouslifewaspubliclydenounced——Doyouknowthisman？’

’Oh，really——youarevery，veryharduponourfriend！’exclaimedSirJohn。

’LetMrHaredalegoon，’saidGashford，uponwhoseunwholesomefacetheperspirationhadbrokenoutduringthisspeech，inblotchesofwet;’Idon’tmindhim，SirJohn;it’squiteasindifferenttomewhathesays，asitistomylord。Ifherevilesmylord，asyouhaveheard，SirJohn，howcanIhopetoescape？’

’Isitnotenough，mylord，’MrHaredalecontinued，’thatI，asgoodagentlemanasyou，mustholdmyproperty，suchasitis，byatrickatwhichthestateconnivesbecauseofthesehardlaws;andthatwemaynotteachouryouthinschoolsthecommonprinciplesofrightandwrong;butmustwebedenouncedandriddenbysuchmenasthis！HereisamantoheadyourNo-Poperycry！Forshame。Forshame！’

TheinfatuatednoblemanhadglancedmorethanonceatSirJohnChester，asiftoinquirewhethertherewasanytruthinthesestatementsconcerningGashford，andSirJohnhadasoftenplainlyansweredbyashrugorlook，’Ohdearme！no。’Henowsaid，inthesameloudkey，andinthesamestrangemannerasbefore:

’Ihavenothingtosay，sir，inreply，andnodesiretohearanythingmore。Ibegyouwon’tobtrudeyourconversation，orthesepersonalattacks，uponme。Ishallnotbedeterredfromdoingmydutytomycountryandmycountrymen，byanysuchattempts，whethertheyproceedfromemissariesofthePopeornot，Iassureyou。

Come，Gashford！’

Theyhadwalkedonafewpaceswhilespeaking，andwerenowattheHall-door，throughwhichtheypassedtogether。MrHaredale，withoutanyleave-taking，turnedawaytotheriverstairs，whichwerecloseathand，andhailedtheonlyboatmanwhoremainedthere。

Butthethrongofpeople——theforemostofwhomhadheardeverywordthatLordGeorgeGordonsaid，andamongallofwhomtherumourhadbeenrapidlydispersedthatthestrangerwasaPapistwhowasbeardinghimforhisadvocacyofthepopularcause——camepouringoutpell-mell，and，forcingthenobleman，hissecretary，andSirJohnChesteronbeforethem，sothattheyappearedtobeattheirhead，crowdedtothetopofthestairswhereMrHaredalewaiteduntiltheboatwasready，andtherestoodstill，leavinghimonalittleclearspacebyhimself。

Theywerenotsilent，however，thoughinactive。Atfirstsomeindistinctmutteringsaroseamongthem，whichwerefollowedbyahissortwo，andtheseswelledbydegreesintoaperfectstorm。

Thenonevoicesaid，’DownwiththePapists！’andtherewasaprettygeneralcheer，butnothingmore。Afteralullofafewmoments，onemancriedout，’Stonehim;’another，’Duckhim;’

another，inastentorianvoice，’NoPopery！’Thisfavouritecrytherestre-echoed，andthemob，whichmighthavebeentwohundredstrong，joinedinageneralshout。

MrHaredalehadstoodcalmlyonthebrinkofthesteps，untiltheymadethisdemonstration，whenhelookedroundcontemptuously，andwalkedataslowpacedownthestairs。Hewasprettyneartheboat，whenGashford，asifwithoutintention，turnedabout，anddirectlyafterwardsagreatstonewasthrownbysomehand，inthecrowd，whichstruckhimonthehead，andmadehimstaggerlikeadrunkenman。

Thebloodsprungfreelyfromthewound，andtrickleddownhiscoat。

Heturneddirectly，andrushingupthestepswithaboldnessandpassionwhichmadethemallfallback，demanded:

’Whodidthat？Showmethemanwhohitme。’

Notasoulmoved;exceptsomeintherearwhoslunkoff，and，escapingtotheothersideoftheway，lookedonlikeindifferentspectators。

’Whodidthat？’herepeated。’Showmethemanwhodidit。Dog，wasityou？Itwasyourdeed，ifnotyourhand——Iknowyou。’

HethrewhimselfonGashfordashesaidthewords，andhurledhimtotheground。Therewasasuddenmotioninthecrowd，andsomelaidhandsuponhim，buthisswordwasout，andtheyfelloffagain。

’Mylord——SirJohn，’——hecried，’draw，oneofyou——youareresponsibleforthisoutrage，andIlooktoyou。Draw，ifyouaregentlemen。’WiththathestruckSirJohnuponthebreastwiththeflatofhisweapon，andwithaburningfaceandflashingeyesstooduponhisguard;alone，beforethemall。

Foraninstant，forthebriefestspaceoftimethemindcanreadilyconceive，therewasachangeinSirJohn’ssmoothface，suchasnomaneversawthere。Thenextmoment，hesteppedforward，andlaidonehandonMrHaredale’sarm，whilewiththeotherheendeavouredtoappeasethecrowd。

’Mydearfriend，mygoodHaredale，youareblindedwithpassion——

it’sverynatural，extremelynatural——butyoudon’tknowfriendsfromfoes。’

’Iknowthemall，sir，Icandistinguishwell——’heretorted，almostmadwithrage。’SirJohn，LordGeorge——doyouhearme？Areyoucowards？’

’Nevermind，sir，’saidaman，forcinghiswaybetweenandpushinghimtowardsthestairswithfriendlyviolence，’nevermindaskingthat。ForGod’ssake，getaway。WhatCANyoudoagainstthisnumber？Andthereareasmanymoreinthenextstreet，who’llberounddfrectly，’——indeedtheybegantopourinashesaidthewords——’you’dbegiddyfromthatcut，inthefirstheatofascuffle。Nowdoretire，sir，ortakemywordforityou’llbeworseusedthanyouwouldbeifeverymaninthecrowdwasawoman，andthatwomanBloodyMary。Come，sir，makehaste——asquickasyoucan。’

MrHaredale，whobegantoturnfaintandsick，felthowsensiblethisadvicewas，anddescendedthestepswithhisunknownfriend’sassistance。JohnGrueby(forJohnitwas)helpedhimintotheboat，andgivingherashoveoff，whichsentherthirtyfeetintothetide，badethewatermanpullawaylikeaBriton;andwalkedupagainascomposedlyasifhehadjustlanded。

Therewasatfirstaslightdispositiononthepartofthemobtoresentthisinterference;butJohnlookingparticularlystrongandcool，andwearingbesidesLordGeorge’slivery，theythoughtbetterofit，andcontentedthemselveswithsendingashowerofsmallmissilesaftertheboat，whichplashedharmlesslyinthewater;

forshehadbythistimeclearedthebridge，andwasdartingswiftlydownthecentreofthestream。

Fromthisamusement，theyproceededtogivingProtestantknocksatthedoorsofprivatehouses，breakingafewlamps，andassaultingsomestrayconstables。But，itbeingwhisperedthatadetachmentofLifeGuardshadbeensentfor，theytooktotheirheelswithgreatexpedition，andleftthestreetquiteclear。

Chapter44

Whentheconcourseseparated，and，dividingintochanceclusters，drewoffinvariousdirections，therestillremaineduponthesceneofthelatedisturbance，oneman。ThismanwasGashford，who，bruisedbyhislatefall，andhurtinamuchgreaterdegreebytheindignityhehadundergone，andtheexposureofwhichhehadbeenthevictim，limpedupanddown，breathingcursesandthreatsofvengeance。

Itwasnotthesecretary’snaturetowastehiswrathinwords。

Whileheventedthefrothofhismalevolenceinthoseeffusions，hekeptasteadyeyeontwomen，who，havingdisappearedwiththerestwhenthealarmwasspread，hadsincereturned，andwerenowvisibleinthemoonlight，atnogreatdistance，astheywalkedtoandfro，andtalkedtogether。

Hemadenomovetowardsthem，butwaitedpatientlyonthedarksideofthestreet，untiltheyweretiredofstrollingbackwardsandforwardsandwalkedawayincompany。Thenhefollowed，butatsomedistance:keepingtheminview，withoutappearingtohavethatobject，orbeingseenbythem。

TheywentupParliamentStreet，pastSaintMartin’schurch，andawaybySaintGiles’stoTottenhamCourtRoad，atthebackofwhich，uponthewesternside，wasthenaplacecalledtheGreenLanes。Thiswasaretiredspot，notofthechoicestkind，leadingintothefields。Greatheapsofashes;stagnantpools，overgrownwithrankgrassandduckweed;brokenturnstiles;andtheuprightpostsofpalingslongsincecarriedoffforfirewood，whichmenacedallheedlesswalkerswiththeirjaggedandrustynails;weretheleadingfeaturesofthelandscape:whilehereandthereadonkey，oraraggedhorse，tetheredtoastake，andcroppingoffawretchedmealfromthecoarsestuntedturf，werequiteinkeepingwiththescene，andwouldhavesuggested(ifthehouseshadnotdoneso，sufficiently，ofthemselves)howverypoorthepeoplewerewholivedinthecrazyhutsadjacent，andhowfoolhardyitmightproveforonewhocarriedmoney，orworedecentclothes，towalkthatwayalone，unlessbydaylight。

Povertyhasitswhimsandshowsoftaste，aswealthhas。Someofthesecabinswereturreted，somehadfalsewindowspaintedontheirrottenwalls;onehadamimicclock，uponacrazytoweroffourfeethigh，whichscreenedthechimney;eachinitslittlepatchofgroundhadarudeseatorarbour。Thepopulationdealtinbones，inrags，inbrokenglass，inoldwheels，inbirds，anddogs。

These，intheirseveralwaysofstowage，filledthegardens;andsheddingaperfume，notofthemostdeliciousnature，intheair，filleditbesideswithyelps，andscreams，andhowling。

Intothisretreat，thesecretaryfollowedthetwomenwhomhehadheldinsight;andherehesawthemsafelylodged，inoneofthemeanesthouses，whichwasbutaroom，andthatofsmalldimensions。

Hewaitedwithout，untilthesoundoftheirvoices，joinedinadiscordantsong，assuredhimtheyweremakingmerry;andthenapproachingthedoor，bymeansofatotteringplankwhichcrossedtheditchinfront，knockedatitwithhishand。

’MusterGashfordl’saidthemanwhoopenedit，takinghispipefromhismouth，inevidentsurprise。’Why，who’dhavethoughtofthisherehonour！Walkin，MusterGashford——walkin，sir。’

Gashfordrequirednosecondinvitation，andenteredwithagraciousair。Therewasafireintherustygrate(forthoughthespringwasprettyfaradvanced，thenightswerecold)，andonastoolbesideitHughsatsmoking。Dennisplacedachair，hisonlyone，forthesecretary，infrontofthehearth;andtookhisseatagainuponthestoolhehadleftwhenherosetogivethevisitoradmission。

’What’sinthewindnow，MusterGashford？’hesaid，asheresumedhispipe，andlookedathimaskew。’Anyordersfromhead-quarters？

Arewegoingtobegin？Whatisit，MusterGashford？’

’Oh，nothing，nothing，’rejoinedthesecretary，withafriendlynodtoHugh。’Wehavebrokentheice，though。Wehadalittlespurtto-day——eh，Dennis？’

’Averylittleone，’growledthehangman。’Nothalfenoughforme。’

’Normeneither！’criedHugh。’Giveussomethingtodowithlifeinit——withlifeinit，master。Ha，ha！’

’Why，youwouldn’t，’saidthesecretary，withhisworstexpressionofface，andinhismildesttones，’haveanythingtodo，with——withdeathinit？’

’Idon’tknowthat，’repliedHugh。’I’mopentoorders。Idon’tcare;notI。’

’NorI！’vociferatedDennis。

’Bravefellows！’saidthesecretary，inaspastor-likeavoiceasifhewerecommendingthemforsomeuncommonactofvalourandgenerosity。’Bythebye’——andherehestoppedandwarmedhishands:thensuddenlylookedup——’whothrewthatstoneto-day？’

MrDenniscoughedandshookhishead，aswhoshouldsay，’Amysteryindeed！’Hughsatandsmokedinsilence。

’Itwaswelldone！’saidthesecretary，warminghishandsagain。

’Ishouldliketoknowthatman。’

’Wouldyou？’saidDennis，afterlookingathisfacetoassurehimselfthathewasserious。’Wouldyouliketoknowthatman，MusterGashford？’

’Ishouldindeed，’repliedthesecretary。

’Whythen，Lordloveyou，’saidthehangman，inhishoarestchuckle，ashepointedwithhispipetoHugh，’therehesits。

That’stheman。Mystarsandhalters，MusterGashford，’headdedinawhisper，ashedrewhisstoolclosetohimandjoggedhimwithhiselbow，’whatainterestingbladeheis！Hewantsasmuchholdinginasathorough-bredbulldog。Ifithadn’tbeenformeto-day，he’dhavehadthat’ereRomandown，andmadeariotofit，inanotherminute。’

’Andwhynot？’criedHughinasurlyvoice，asheoverheardthislastremark。’Where’sthegoodofputtingthingsoff？Strikewhiletheiron’shot;that’swhatIsay。’

’Ah！’retortedDennis，shakinghishead，withakindofpityforhisfriend’singenuousyouth;’butsupposetheironan’thot，brother！Youmustgetpeople’sbloodupaforeyoustrike，andhave’eminthehumour。Therewasn’tquiteenoughtoprovoke’emto-

day，Itellyou。Ifyou’dhadyourway，you’dhavespoiltthefuntocome，andruinedus。’

’Dennisisquiteright，’saidGashford，smoothly。’Heisperfectlycorrect。Dennishasgreatknowledgeoftheworld。’

’Ioughttohave，MusterGashford，seeingwhatamanypeopleI’vehelpedoutofit，eh？’grinnedthehangman，whisperingthewordsbehindhishand。

ThesecretarylaughedatthisjestasmuchasDenniscoulddesire，andwhenhehaddone，said，turningtoHugh:

’Dennis’spolicywasmine，asyoumayhaveobserved。Yousaw，forinstance，howIfellwhenIwassetupon。Imadenoresistance。I

didnothingtoprovokeanoutbreak。Ohdearno！’

’No，bytheLordHarry！’criedDenniswithanoisylaugh，’youwentdownveryquiet，MusterGashford——andveryflatbesides。Ithinkstomyselfatthetime“it’sallupwithMusterGashford！“Ineverseeamanlayflatternormorestill——withthelifeinhim——thanyoudidto-day。He’sarough’untoplaywith，isthat’erePapist，andthat’sthefact。’

Thesecretary’sface，asDennisroaredwithlaughter，andturnedhiswrinkledeyesonHughwhodidthelike，mighthavefurnishedastudyforthedevil’spicture。Hesatquitesilentuntiltheywereseriousagain，andthensaid，lookinground:

’Weareverypleasanthere;soverypleasant，Dennis，thatbutformylord’sparticulardesirethatIshouldsupwithhim，andthetimebeingverynearathand，Ishouldheinclinedtostay，untilitwouldbehardlysafetogohomeward。Icomeuponalittlebusiness——yes，Ido——asyousupposed。It’sveryflatteringtoyou;

beingthis。Ifweevershouldbeobliged——andwecan’ttell，youknow——thisisaveryuncertainworld’——

’Ibelieveyou，MusterGashford，’interposedthehangmanwithagravenod。’TheuncertaintiesasI’veseeninreferencetothisherestateofexistence，theunexpectedcontingenciesashavecomeabout！——Ohmyeye！’Feelingthesubjectmuchtoovastforexpression，hepuffedathispipeagain，andlookedtherest。

’Isay，’resumedthesecretary，inaslow，impressiveway;’wecan’ttellwhatmaycometopass;andifweshouldbeobliged，againstourwills，tohaverecoursetoviolence，mylord(whohassufferedterriblyto-day，asfaraswordscango)consignstoyoutwo——bearinginmindmyrecommendationofyouboth，asgoodstaunchmen，beyondalldoubtandsuspicion——thepleasanttaskofpunishingthisHaredale。Youmaydoasyoupleasewithhim，orhis，providedthatyoushownomercy，andnoquarter，andleavenotwobeamsofhishousestandingwherethebuilderplacedthem。Youmaysackit，burnit，dowithitasyoulike，butitmustcomedown;itmustberazedtotheground;andhe，andallbelongingtohim，leftasshelterlessasnew-borninfantswhomtheirmothershaveexposed。Doyouunderstandme？’saidGashford，pausing，andpressinghishandstogethergently。

’Understandyou，master！’criedHugh。’Youspeakplainnow。Why，thisishearty！’

’Iknewyouwouldlikeit，’saidGashford，shakinghimbythehand;

’Ithoughtyouwould。Goodnight！Don’trise，Dennis:Iwouldratherfindmywayalone。Imayhavetomakeothervisitshere，andit’spleasanttocomeandgowithoutdisturbingyou。Icanfindmywayperfectlywell。Goodnight！’

Hewasgone，andhadshutthedoorbehindhim。Theylookedateachother，andnoddedapprovingly:Dennisstirredupthefire。

’Thislooksalittlemorelikebusiness！’hesaid。

’Ay，indeed！’criedHugh;’thissuitsme！’

’I’veheerditsaidofMusterGashford，’saidthehangman，’thathe’dasurprisingmemoryandwonderfulfirmness——thatheneverforgot，andneverforgave——Let’sdrinkhishealth！’

Hughreadilycomplied——pouringnoliquoronthefloorwhenhedrankthistoast——andtheypledgedthesecretaryasamanaftertheirownhearts，inabumper。

Chapter45

Whiletheworstpassionsoftheworstmenwerethusworkinginthedark，andthemantleofreligion，assumedtocovertheugliestdeformities，threatenedtobecometheshroudofallthatwasgoodandpeacefulinsociety，acircumstanceoccurredwhichoncemorealteredthepositionoftwopersonsfromwhomthishistoryhaslongbeenseparated，andtowhomitmustnowreturn。

InasmallEnglishcountrytown，theinhabitantsofwhichsupportedthemselvesbythelabouroftheirhandsinplaitingandpreparingstrawforthosewhomadebonnetsandotherarticlesofdressandornamentfromthatmaterial，——concealedunderanassumedname，andlivinginaquietpovertywhichknewnochange，nopleasures，andfewcaresbutthatofstrugglingonfromdaytodayinonegreattoilforbread，——dweltBarnabyandhismother。Theirpoorcottagehadknownnostranger’sfootsincetheysoughttheshelterofitsrooffiveyearsbefore;norhadtheyinallthattimeheldanycommerceorcommunicationwiththeoldworldfromwhichtheyhadfled。Tolabourinpeace，anddevoteherlabourandherlifetoherpoorson，wasallthewidowsought。Ifhappinesscanbesaidatanytimetobethelotofoneonwhomasecretsorrowpreys，shewashappynow。Tranquillity，resignation，andherstrongloveofhimwhoneededitsomuch，formedthesmallcircleofherquietjoys;andwhilethatremainedunbroken，shewascontented。

ForBarnabyhimself，thetimewhichhadflownby，hadpassedhimlikethewind。Thedailysunsofyearshadshednobrightergleamofreasononhismind;nodawnhadbrokenonhislong，darknight。

Hewouldsitsometimes——oftenfordaystogetheronalowseatbythefireorbythecottagedoor，busyatwork(forhehadlearntthearthismotherplied)，andlistening，Godhelphim，tothetalesshewouldrepeat，asaluretokeephiminhersight。Hehadnorecollectionoftheselittlenarratives;thetaleofyesterdaywasnewtohimuponthemorrow;buthelikedthematthemoment;

andwhenthehumourheldhim，wouldremainpatientlywithindoors，hearingherstorieslikealittlechild，andworkingcheerfullyfromsunriseuntilitwastoodarktosee。

Atothertimes，——andthentheirscantyearningswerebarelysufficienttofurnishthemwithfood，thoughofthecoarsestsort，——

hewouldwanderabroadfromdawnofdayuntilthetwilightdeepenedintonight。Fewinthatplace，evenofthechildren，couldbeidle，andhehadnocompanionsofhisownkind。Indeedtherewerenotmanywhocouldhavekeptupwithhiminhisrambles，hadtherebeenalegion。Buttherewereascoreofvagabonddogsbelongingtotheneighbours，whoservedhispurposequiteaswell。

Withtwoorthreeofthese，orsometimeswithafullhalf-dozenbarkingathisheels，hewouldsallyforthonsomelongexpeditionthatconsumedtheday;andthough，ontheirreturnatnightfall，thedogswouldcomehomelimpingandsore-footed，andalmostspentwiththeirfatigue，Barnabywasupandoffagainatsunrisewithsomenewattendantsofthesameclass，withwhomhewouldreturninlikemanner。Onallthesetravels，Grip，inhislittlebasketathismaster’sback，wasaconstantmemberoftheparty，andwhentheysetoffinfineweatherandinhighspirits，nodogbarkedlouderthantheraven。

Theirpleasuresontheseexcursionsweresimpleenough。Acrustofbreadandscrapofmeat，withwaterfromthebrookorspring，sufficedfortheirrepast。Barnaby’senjoymentswere，towalk，andrun，andleap，tillhewastired;thentoliedowninthelonggrass，orbythegrowingcorn，orintheshadeofsometalltree，lookingupwardatthelightcloudsastheyfloatedoverthebluesurfaceofthesky，andlisteningtothelarkasshepouredoutherbrilliantsong。Therewerewild-flowerstopluck——thebrightredpoppy，thegentleharebell，thecowslip，andtherose。Therewerebirdstowatch;fish;ants;worms;haresorrabbits，astheydartedacrossthedistantpathwayinthewoodandsoweregone:millionsoflivingthingstohaveaninterestin，andlieinwaitfor，andclaphandsandshoutinmemoryof，whentheyhaddisappeared。Indefaultofthese，orwhentheywearied，therewasthemerrysunlighttohuntout，asitcreptinaslantthroughleavesandboughsoftrees，andhidfardown——deep，deep，inhollowplaces——

likeasilverpool，wherenoddingbranchesseemedtobatheandsport;sweetscentsofsummerairbreathingoverfieldsofbeansorclover;theperfumeofwetleavesormoss;thelifeofwavingtrees，andshadowsalwayschanging。Whentheseoranyofthemtired，orinexcessofpleasingtemptedhimtoshuthiseyes，therewasslumberinthemidstofallthesesoftdelights，withthegentlewindmurmuringlikemusicinhisears，andeverythingaroundmeltingintoonedeliciousdream。

Theirhut——foritwaslittlemore——stoodontheoutskirtsofthetown，atashortdistancefromthehighroad，butinasecludedplace，wherefewchancepassengersstrayedatanyseasonoftheyear。Ithadaplotofgarden-groundattached，whichBarnaby，infitsandstartsofworking，trimmed，andkeptinorder。Withindoorsandwithout，hismotherlabouredfortheircommongood;andhail，rain，snow，orsunshine，foundnodifferenceinher。

Thoughsofarremovedfromthescenesofherpastlife，andwithsolittlethoughtorhopeofevervisitingthemagain，sheseemedtohaveastrangedesiretoknowwhathappenedinthebusyworld。Anyoldnewspaper，orscrapofintelligencefromLondon，shecaughtatwithavidity。Theexcitementitproducedwasnotofapleasurablekind，forhermanneratsuchtimesexpressedthekeenestanxietyanddread;butitneverfadedintheleastdegree。Then，andinstormywinternights，whenthewindblewloudandstrong，theoldexpressioncameintoherface，andshewouldbeseizedwithafitoftrembling，likeonewhohadanague。ButBarnabynotedlittleofthis;andputtingagreatconstraintuponherself，sheusuallyrecoveredheraccustomedmannerbeforethechangehadcaughthisobservation。

Gripwasbynomeansanidleorunprofitablememberofthehumblehousehold。PartlybydintofBarnaby’stuition，andpartlybypursuingaspeciesofself-instructioncommontohistribe，andexertinghispowersofobservationtotheutmost，hehadacquiredadegreeofsagacitywhichrenderedhimfamousformilesround。Hisconversationalpowersandsurprisingperformancesweretheuniversaltheme:andasmanypersonscametoseethewonderfulraven，andnonelefthisexertionsunrewarded——whenhecondescendedtoexhibit，whichwasnotalways，forgeniusiscapricious——hisearningsformedanimportantiteminthecommonstock。Indeed，thebirdhimselfappearedtoknowhisvaluewell;forthoughhewasperfectlyfreeandunrestrainedinthepresenceofBarnabyandhismother，hemaintainedinpublicanamazinggravity，andneverstoopedtoanyothergratuitousperformancesthanbitingtheanklesofvagabondboys(anexerciseinwhichhemuchdelighted)，killingafowlortwooccasionally，andswallowingthedinnersofvariousneighbouringdogs，ofwhomtheboldestheldhimingreataweanddread。

Timehadglidedoninthisway，andnothinghadhappenedtodisturborchangetheirmodeoflife，when，onesummer’snightinJune，theywereintheirlittlegarden，restingfromthelaboursoftheday。Thewidow’sworkwasyetuponherknee，andstrewnuponthegroundabouther;andBarnabystoodleaningonhisspade，gazingatthebrightnessinthewest，andsingingsoftlytohimself。

’Abraveevening，mother！Ifwehad，chinkinginourpockets，butafewspecksofthatgoldwhichispiledupyonderinthesky，weshouldberichforlife。’

’Wearebetterasweare，’returnedthewidowwithaquietsmile。

’Letusbecontented，andwedonotwantandneednotcaretohaveit，thoughitlayshiningatourfeet。’

’Ay！’saidBarnaby，restingwithcrossedarmsonhisspade，andlookingwistfullyatthesunset，that’swellenough，mother;butgold’sagoodthingtohave。IwishthatIknewwheretofindit。

GripandIcoulddomuchwithgold，besureofthat。’

’Whatwouldyoudo？’sheasked。

’What！Aworldofthings。We’ddressfinely——youandI，Imean;

notGrip——keephorses，dogs，wearbrightcoloursandfeathers，donomorework，livedelicatelyandatourease。Oh，we’dfindusesforit，mother，andusesthatwoulddousgood。IwouldIknewwheregoldwasburied。HowhardI’dworktodigitup！’

’Youdonotknow，’saidhismother，risingfromherseatandlayingherhanduponhisshoulder，’whatmenhavedonetowinit，andhowtheyhavefound，toolate，thatitglittersbrightestatadistance，andturnsquitedimanddullwhenhandled。’

’Ay，ay;soyousay;soyouthink，’heanswered，stilllookingeagerlyinthesamedirection。’Forallthat，mother，Ishouldliketotry。’

’Doyounotsee，’shesaid，’howreditis？Nothingbearssomanystainsofblood，asgold。Avoidit。Nonehavesuchcausetohateitsnameaswehave。Donotsomuchasthinkofit，dearlove。Ithasbroughtsuchmiseryandsufferingonyourheadandmineasfewhaveknown，andGodgrantfewmayhavetoundergo。Iwouldratherweweredeadandlaiddowninourgraves，thanyoushouldevercometoloveit。’

ForamomentBarnabywithdrewhiseyesandlookedatherwithwonder。Then，glancingfromtherednessintheskytothemarkuponhiswristasifhewouldcomparethetwo，heseemedabouttoquestionherwithearnestness，whenanewobjectcaughthiswanderingattention，andmadehimquiteforgetfulofhispurpose。

Thiswasamanwithdustyfeetandgarments，whostood，bare-

headed，behindthehedgethatdividedtheirpatchofgardenfromthepathway，andleantmeeklyforwardasifhesoughttominglewiththeirconversation，andwaitedforhistimetospeak。Hisfacewasturnedtowardsthebrightness，too，butthelightthatfelluponitshowedthathewasblind，andsawitnot。

’Ablessingonthosevoices！’saidthewayfarer。’Ifeelthebeautyofthenightmorekeenly，whenIhearthem。Theyarelikeeyestome。Willtheyspeakagain，andcheertheheartofapoortraveller？’

’Haveyounoguide？’askedthewidow，afteramoment’spause。

’Nonebutthat，’heanswered，pointingwithhisstafftowardsthesun;’andsometimesamilderoneatnight，butsheisidlenow。’

’Haveyoutravelledfar？’

’Awearywayandlong，’rejoinedthetravellerasheshookhishead。’Aweary，weary，way。Istruckmystickjustnowuponthebucketofyourwell——bepleasedtoletmehaveadraughtofwater，lady。’

’Whydoyoucallmelady？’shereturned。’Iamaspoorasyou。’

’Yourspeechissoftandgentle，andIjudgebythat，’repliedtheman。’Thecoarseststuffsandfinestsilks，are——apartfromthesenseoftouch——aliketome。Icannotjudgeyoubyyourdress。’

’Comeroundthisway，’saidBarnaby，whohadpassedoutatthegarden-gateandnowstoodclosebesidehim。’Putyourhandinmine。You’reblindandalwaysinthedark，eh？Areyoufrightenedinthedark？Doyouseegreatcrowdsoffaces，now？Dotheygrinandchatter？’

’Alas！’returnedtheother，’Iseenothing。Wakingorsleeping，nothing。’

Barnabylookedcuriouslyathiseyes，andtouchingthemwithhisfingers，asaninquisitivechildmight，ledhimtowardsthehouse。

’Youhavecomealongdistance，’saidthewidow，meetinghimatthedoor。’Howhaveyoufoundyourwaysofar？’

’Useandnecessityaregoodteachers，asIhaveheard——thebestofany，’saidtheblindman，sittingdownuponthechairtowhichBarnabyhadledhim，andputtinghishatandstickuponthered-

tiledfloor。’Mayneitheryounoryoursoneverlearnunderthem。

Theyareroughmasters。’

’Youhavewanderedfromtheroad，too，’saidthewidow，inatoneofpity。

’Maybe，maybe，’returnedtheblindmanwithasigh，andyetwithsomethingofasmileuponhisface，’that’slikely。Handpostsandmilestonesaredumb，indeed，tome。Thankyouthemoreforthisrest，andthisrefreshingdrink！’

Ashespoke，heraisedthemugofwatertohismouth。Itwasclear，andcold，andsparkling，butnottohistastenevertheless，orhisthirstwasnotverygreat，forheonlywettedhislipsandputitdownagain。

Hewore，hangingwithalongstraproundhisneck，akindofscriporwallet，inwhichtocarryfood。Thewidowsetsomebreadandcheesebeforehim，buthethankedher，andsaidthatthroughthekindnessofthecharitablehehadbrokenhisfastoncesincemorning，andwasnothungry。Whenhehadmadeherthisreply，heopenedhiswallet，andtookoutafewpence，whichwasallitappearedtocontain。

’MightImakeboldtoask，’hesaid，turningtowardswhereBarnabystoodlookingon，’thatonewhohasthegiftofsight，wouldlaythisoutformeinbreadtokeepmeonmyway？Heaven’sblessingontheyoungfeetthatwillbestirthemselvesinaidofonesohelplessasasightlessman！’

Barnabylookedathismother，whonoddedassent;inanothermomenthewasgoneuponhischaritableerrand。Theblindmansatlisteningwithanattentiveface，untillongafterthesoundofhisretreatingfootstepswasinaudibletothewidow，andthensaid，suddenly，andinaveryalteredtone:

’Therearevariousdegreesandkindsofblindness，widow。Thereistheconnubialblindness，ma’am，whichperhapsyoumayhaveobservedinthecourseofyourownexperience，andwhichisakindofwilfulandself-bandagingblindness。Thereistheblindnessofparty，ma’am，andpublicmen，whichistheblindnessofamadbullinthemidstofaregimentofsoldiersclothedinred。Thereistheblindconfidenceofyouth，whichistheblindnessofyoungkittens，whoseeyeshavenotyetopenedontheworld;andthereisthatphysicalblindness，ma’am，ofwhichIam，contrairytomyowndesire，amostillustriousexample。Addedtothese，ma’am，isthatblindnessoftheintellect，ofwhichwehaveaspecimeninyourinterestingson，andwhich，havingsometimesglimmeringsanddawningsofthelight，isscarcelytobetrustedasatotaldarkness。Therefore，ma’am，Ihavetakenthelibertytogethimoutofthewayforashorttime，whileyouandIconfertogether，andthisprecautionarisingoutofthedelicacyofmysentimentstowardsyourself，youwillexcuseme，ma’am，Iknow。’

Havingdeliveredhimselfofthisspeechwithmanyflourishesofmanner，hedrewfrombeneathhiscoataflatstonebottle，andholdingthecorkbetweenhisteeth，qualifiedhismugofwaterwithaplentifulinfusionoftheliquoritcontained。Hepolitelydrainedthebumpertoherhealth，andtheladies，andsettingitdownempty，smackedhislipswithinfiniterelish。

’Iamacitizenoftheworld，ma’am，’saidtheblindman，corkinghisbottle，’andifIseemtoconductmyselfwithfreedom，itistherefore。YouwonderwhoIam，ma’am，andwhathasbroughtmehere。SuchexperienceofhumannatureasIhave，leadsmetothatconclusion，withouttheaidofeyesbywhichtoreadthemovementsofyoursoulasdepictedinyourfemininefeatures。Iwillsatisfyyourcuriosityimmediately，ma’am;immediately。’Withthatheslappedhisbottleonitsbroadback，andhavingputitunderhisgarmentasbefore，crossedhislegsandfoldedhishands，andsettledhimselfinhischair，previoustoproceedinganyfurther。

Thechangeinhismannerwassounexpected，thecraftandwickednessofhisdeportmentweresomuchaggravatedbyhiscondition——forweareaccustomedtoseeinthosewhohavelostahumansense，somethinginitsplacealmostdivine——andthisalterationbredsomanyfearsinherwhomheaddressed，thatshecouldnotpronounceoneword。Afterwaiting，asitseemed，forsomeremarkoranswer，andwaitinginvain，thevisitorresumed:

’Madam，mynameisStagg。Afriendofminewhohasdesiredthehonourofmeetingwithyouanytimethesefiveyearspast，hascommissionedmetocalluponyou。Ishouldbegladtowhisperthatgentleman’snameinyourear——Zounds，ma’am，areyoudeaf？DoyouhearmesaythatIshouldbegladtowhispermyfriend’snameinyourear？’

’Youneednotrepeatit，’saidthewidow，withastifledgroan;’I

seetoowellfromwhomyoucome。’

’Butasamanofhonour，ma’am，’saidtheblindman，strikinghimselfonthebreast，’whosecredentialsmustnotbedisputed，I

takeleavetosaythatIWILLmentionthatgentleman’sname。Ay，ay，’headded，seemingtocatchwithhisquickeartheverymotionofherhand，’butnotaloud。Withyourleave，ma’am，Idesirethefavourofawhisper。’

Shemovedtowardshim，andstoopeddown。Hemutteredawordinherear;and，wringingherhands，shepacedupanddowntheroomlikeonedistracted。Theblindman，withperfectcomposure，producedhisbottleagain，mixedanotherglassful;putitupasbefore;and，drinkingfromtimetotime，followedherwithhisfaceinsilence。

’Youareslowinconversation，widow，’hesaidafteratime，pausinginhisdraught。’Weshallhavetotalkbeforeyourson。’

’Whatwouldyouhavemedo？’sheanswered。’Whatdoyouwant？’

’Wearepoor，widow，wearepoor，’heretorted，stretchingouthisrighthand，andrubbinghisthumbuponitspalm。

’Poor！’shecried。’AndwhatamI？’

’Comparisonsareodious，’saidtheblindman。’Idon’tknow，I

don’tcare。Isaythatwearepoor。Myfriend’scircumstancesareindifferent，andsoaremine。Wemusthaveourrights，widow，orwemustbeboughtoff。Butyouknowthat，aswellasI，sowhereistheuseoftalking？’

Shestillwalkedwildlytoandfro。Atlength，stoppingabruptlybeforehim，shesaid:

’Ishenearhere？’

’Heis。Closeathand。’

’ThenIamlost！’

’Notlost，widow，’saidtheblindman，calmly;’onlyfound。ShallIcallhim？’

’Notfortheworld，’sheanswered，withashudder。

’Verygood，’hereplied，crossinghislegsagain，forhehadmadeasthoughhewouldriseandwalktothedoor。’Asyouplease，widow。HispresenceisnotnecessarythatIknowof。ButbothheandImustlive;tolive，wemusteatanddrink;toeatanddrink，wemusthavemoney:——Isaynomore。’

’DoyouknowhowpinchedanddestituteIam？’sheretorted。’Idonotthinkyoudo，orcan。Ifyouhadeyes，andcouldlookaroundyouonthispoorplace，youwouldhavepityonme。Oh！letyourheartbesoftenedbyyourownaffliction，friend，andhavesomesympathywithmine。’

Theblindmansnappedhisfingersasheanswered:

’——Besidethequestion，ma’am，besidethequestion。Ihavethesoftestheartintheworld，butIcan’tliveuponit。Manyagentlemanliveswelluponasofthead，whowouldfindaheartofthesamequalityaverygreatdrawback。Listentome。Thisisamatterofbusiness，withwhichsympathiesandsentimentshavenothingtodo。Asamutualfriend，Iwishtoarrangeitinasatisfactorymanner，ifpossible;andthusthecasestands——Ifyouareverypoornow，it’syourownchoice。Youhavefriendswho，incaseofneed，arealwaysreadytohelpyou。Myfriendisinamoredestituteanddesolatesituationthanmostmen，and，youandhebeinglinkedtogetherinacommoncause，henaturallylookstoyoutoassisthim。Hehasboardedandlodgedwithmealongtime(forasIsaidjustnow，Iamverysoft-hearted)，andIquiteapproveofhisentertainingthisopinion。Youhavealwayshadaroofoveryourhead;hehasalwaysbeenanoutcast。Youhaveyoursontocomfortandassistyou;hehasnobodyatall。Theadvantagesmustnotbealloneside。Youareinthesameboat，andwemustdividetheballastalittlemoreequally。’

Shewasabouttospeak，buthecheckedher，andwenton。

’Theonlywayofdoingthis，isbymakingupalittlepursenowandthenformyfriend;andthat’swhatIadvise。HebearsyounomalicethatIknowof，ma’am:solittle，thatalthoughyouhavetreatedhimharshlymorethanonce，anddrivenhim，Imaysay，outofdoors，hehasthatregardforyouthatIbelieveevenifyoudisappointedhimnow，hewouldconsenttotakechargeofyourson，andtomakeamanofhim。’

Helaidagreatstressontheselatterwords，andpausedasiftofindoutwhateffecttheyhadproduced。Sheonlyansweredbyhertears。

’Heisalikelylad，’saidtheblindman，thoughtfully，’formanypurposes，andnotill-disposedtotryhisfortuneinalittlechangeandbustle，ifImayjudgefromwhatIheardofhistalkwithyouto-night——Come。Inaword，myfriendhaspressingnecessityfortwentypounds。You，whocangiveupanannuity，cangetthatsumforhim。It’sapityyoushouldbetroubled。Youseemverycomfortablehere，andit’sworththatmuchtoremainso。

Twentypounds，widow，isamoderatedemand。Youknowwheretoapplyforit;apostwillbringityou——Twentypounds！’

Shewasabouttoanswerhimagain，butagainhestoppedher。

’Don’tsayanythinghastily;youmightbesorryforit。Thinkofitalittlewhile。Twentypounds——ofotherpeople’smoney——howeasy！Turnitoverinyourmind。I’minnohurry。Night’scomingon，andifIdon’tsleephere，Ishallnotgofar。Twentypounds！

Considerofit，ma’am，fortwentyminutes;giveeachpoundaminute;that’safairallowance。I’llenjoytheairthewhile，whichisverymildandpleasantintheseparts。’

Withthesewordshegropedhiswaytothedoor，carryinghischairwithhim。Thenseatinghimself，underaspreadinghoneysuckle，andstretchinghislegsacrossthethresholdsothatnopersoncouldpassinoroutwithouthisknowledge，hetookfromhispocketapipe，flint，steelandtinder-box，andbegantosmoke。Itwasalovelyevening，ofthatgentlekind，andatthattimeofyear，whenthetwilightismostbeautiful。Pausingnowandthentolethissmokecurlslowlyoff，andtosniffthegratefulfragranceoftheflowers，hesatthereathisease——asthoughthecottagewerehisproperdwelling，andhehadheldundisputedpossessionofitallhislife——waitingforthewidow’sanswerandforBarnaby’sreturn。

Chapter46

WhenBarnabyreturnedwiththebread，thesightofthepiousoldpilgrimsmokinghispipeandmakinghimselfsothoroughlyathome，appearedtosurpriseevenhim;themoreso，asthatworthyperson，insteadofputtinguptheloafinhiswalletasascarceandpreciousarticle，tosseditcarelesslyonthetable，andproducinghisbottle，badehimsitdownanddrink。

’ForIcarrysomecomfort，yousee，’hesaid。’Tastethat。Isitgood？’

ThewaterstoodinBarnaby’seyesashecoughedfromthestrengthofthedraught，andansweredintheaffirmative。

’Drinksomemore，’saidtheblindman;’don’tbeafraidofit。

Youdon’ttasteanythinglikethat，often，eh？’

’Often！’criedBarnaby。’Never！’

’Toopoor？’returnedtheblindmanwithasigh。’Ay。That’sbad。

Yourmother，poorsoul，wouldbehappierifshewasricher，Barnaby。’

’Why，soItellher——theverythingItoldherjustbeforeyoucameto-night，whenallthatgoldwasinthesky，’saidBarnaby，drawinghischairnearertohim，andlookingeagerlyinhisface。’Tellme。Isthereanywayofbeingrich，thatIcouldfindout？’

’Anyway！Ahundredways。’

’Ay，ay？’hereturned。’Doyousayso？Whatarethey？——Nay，mother，it’sforyoursakeIask;notmine;——foryours，indeed。

Whatarethey？’

Theblindmanturnedhisface，onwhichtherewasasmileoftriumph，towherethewidowstoodingreatdistress;andanswered，’Why，theyarenottobefoundoutbystay-at-homes，mygoodfriend。’

’Bystay-at-homes！’criedBarnaby，pluckingathissleeve。’ButI

amnotone。Now，thereyoumistake。Iamoftenoutbeforethesun，andtravelhomewhenhehasgonetorest。Iamawayinthewoodsbeforethedayhasreachedtheshadyplaces，andamoftentherewhenthebrightmoonispeepingthroughtheboughs，andlookingdownupontheothermoonthatlivesinthewater。AsI

walkalong，Itrytofind，amongthegrassandmoss，someofthatsmallmoneyforwhichsheworkssohardandusedtoshedsomanytears。AsIlieasleepintheshade，Idreamofit——dreamofdiggingitupinheaps;andspyingitout，hiddenunderbushes;andseeingitsparkle，asthedew-dropsdo，amongtheleaves。ButI

neverfindit。Tellmewhereitis。I’dgothere，ifthejourneywereawholeyearlong，becauseIknowshewouldbehappierwhenI

camehomeandbroughtsomewithme。Speakagain。I’lllistentoyouifyoutalkallnight。’