下载辰思小说免费APP
Shewentoutpasttheporter,nowfullyclothed.Hewassorryforherdisappointment,butcouldnothelpsaying,withaslighttoneofexultation:"Well,youseeIwasright,ma\'am!"
Shewalkedasnearlyroundthecastleasevershecould,lookingupatthefewhigh-barredwindowsshecouldsee,andwonderinginwhatpartofthebuildingDixonwasconfined.Thenshewentintotheadjoiningchurchyard,andsittingdownuponatombstone,shegazedidlyattheviewspreadbelowher——aviewwhichwasconsideredasthelionoftheplace,tobeshowntoallstrangersbytheinhabitantsofHellingford.Ellinordidnotseeit,however;sheonlysawtheblacknessofthatfatalnight,thehurriedwork——thelanternsglancingtoandfro.Sheonlyheardthehardbreathingofthosewhoareengageduponunwontedlabour;thefewhoarsemutteredwords;theswayingofthebranchestoandfro.Allatoncethechurchclockaboveherstruckeight,andthenpealedoutfordistantlabourerstoceasetheirworkforatime.Suchwastheoldcustomoftheplace.
Ellinorroseup,andmadeherwaybacktoMr.Johnson\'shouseinHighStreet.TheroomfeltcloseandconfinedinwhichsheawaitedherinterviewwithMr.Johnson,whohadsentdownanapologyforhavingoverslepthimself,andatlastmadehisappearanceinahurriedhalf-
awakenedstate,inconsequenceofhislatehospitalityofthenightbefore.
"IamsosorryIgaveyouallsomuchtroublelastnight,"saidEllinor,apologetically."Iwasovertired,andmuchshockedbythenewsIheard."
"Notrouble,notrouble,Iamsure.NeitherMrs.JohnsonnorIfeltitintheleastatrouble.ManyladiesIknowfeelsuchthingsverytrying,thoughthereareothersthatcanstandajudge\'sputtingontheblackcapbetterthanmostmen.I\'msureIsawsomeascomposedascouldbeunderJudgeCorbet\'sspeech."
"ButaboutDixon?Hemustnotdie,Mr.Johnson."
"Well,Idon\'tknowthathewill,"saidMr.Johnson,insomethingofthetoneofvoicehewouldhaveusedinsoothingachild."JudgeCorbetsaidsomethingaboutthepossibilityofapardon.Thejurydidnotrecommendhimtomercy:yousee,hislookswentsomuchagainsthim,andalltheevidencewassostrong,andnodefence,sotospeak,forhewouldnotfurnishanyinformationonwhichwecouldbasedefence.Butthejudgedidgivesomehope,tomymind,thoughthereareothersthatthinkdifferently."
"Itellyou,Mr.Johnson,hemustnotdie,andheshallnot.TowhommustIgo?"
"Whew!Haveyougotadditionalevidence?"withasuddensharpglanceofprofessionalinquiry.
"Nevermind,"Ellinoranswered."Ibegyourpardononlytellmeintowhosehandsthepoweroflifeanddeathhaspassed."
"IntotheHomeSecretary\'s——SirPhillipHomes;butyoucannotgetaccesstohimonsuchanerrand.Itisthejudgewhotriedthecasethatmusturgeareprieve——JudgeCorbet."
"JudgeCorbet?"
"Yes;andhewasratherinclinedtotakeamercifulviewofthewholecase.Isawitinhischarge.He\'llbethepersonforyoutosee.
Isupposeyoudon\'tliketogivemeyourconfidence,orelseIcouldarrangeanddrawupwhatwillhavetobesaid?"
"No.WhatIhavetosaymustbespokentothearbiter——tonooneelse.IamafraidIansweredyouimpatientlyjustnow.Youmustforgiveme;ifyouknewall,Iamsureyouwould."
"Saynomore,mydearlady.Wewillsupposeyouhavesomeevidencenotadducedatthetrial.Well;youmustgoupandseethejudge,sinceyoudon\'tchoosetoimpartittoanyone,andlayitbeforehim.Hewilldoubtlesscompareitwithhisnotesofthetrial,andseehowfaritagreeswiththem.Ofcourseyoumustbepreparedwithsomekindofproof;forJudgeCorbetwillhavetotestyourevidence."
"Itseemsstrangetothinkofhimasthejudge,"saidEllinor,almosttoherself.
"Why,yes.He\'sbutayoungjudge.YouknewhimatHamley,I
suppose?IrememberhisreadingtherewithMr.Ness."
"Yes,butdonotletustalkmoreaboutthattime.TellmewhencanIseeDixon?Ihavebeentothecastlealready,buttheysaidImusthaveasheriff\'sorder."
"Tobesure.IdesiredMrs.Johnsontotellyousolastnight.OldOrmerodwasdininghere;heisclerktothemagistrates,andItoldhimofyourwish.HesaidhewouldseeSirHenryCroper,andhavetheorderherebeforeten.ButallthistimeMrs.Johnsoniswaitingbreakfastforus.Letmetakeyouintothedining-room."
ItwasveryhardworkforEllinortodoherdutyasaguest,andtoallowherselftobeinterestedandtalkedtoonlocalaffairsbyherhostandhostess.ButshefeltasifshehadspokenshortlyandabruptlytoMr.Johnsonintheirpreviousconversation,andthatshemusttryandmakeamendsforit;sosheattendedtoallthedetailsabouttherestorationofthechurch,andthedifficultyofgettingagoodmusic-masterforthethreelittleMissJohnsons,withallherusualgentlegoodbreedingandpatience,thoughnoonecantellhowherheartandimaginationwerefullofthecominginterviewwithpooroldDixon.
By-and-byMr.JohnsonwascalledoutoftheroomtoseeMr.Ormerod,andreceivetheorderofadmissionfromhim.EllinorclaspedherhandstighttogetherasshelistenedwithapparentcomposuretoMrsJohnson\'snever-endingpraiseoftheHullahsystem.ButwhenMr.
Johnsonreturned,shecouldnothelpinterruptinghereulogy,andsaying-
"ThenImaygonow?"
Yes,theorderwasthere——shemightgo,andMr.Johnsonwouldaccompanyher,toseethatshemetwithnodifficultyorobstacle.
Astheywalkedthither,hetoldherthatsomeone——aturnkey,orsomeone——wouldhavetobepresentattheinterview;thatsuchwasalwaystheruleinthecaseofcondemnedprisoners;butthatifthisthirdpersonwas"obliging,"hewouldkeepoutofearshot.Mr.JohnsonquietlytookcaretoseethattheturnkeywhoaccompaniedEllinorwas"obliging."
Themantookheracrosshigh-walledcourts,alongstonecorridors,andthroughmanylockeddoors,beforetheycametothecondemnedcells.
"I\'vehadthreeatatimeinhere,"saidhe,unlockingthefinaldoor,"afterJudgeMortonhadbeenhere.Wealwayscalledhimthe\'HangingJudge.\'Butitsfiveyearssincehedied,andnowthere\'snevermorethanoneinatatime;thoughonceitwasawomanforpoisoningherhusband.MaryJoneswashername."
Thestonepassageoutofwhichthecellsopenedwaslight,andbare,andscrupulouslyclean.Overeachdoorwasasmallbarredwindow,andanouterwindowofthesamedescriptionwasplacedhighupinthecell,whichtheturnkeynowopened.
OldAbrahamDixonwassittingonthesideofhisbed,doingnothing.
Hisheadwasbent,hisframesunk,andhedidnotseemtocaretoturnroundandseewhoitwasthatentered.
Ellinortriedtokeepdownhersobswhilethemanwentuptohim,andlayinghishandonhisshoulder,andlightlyshakinghim,hesaid:
"Here\'safriendcometoseeyou,Dixon."Then,turningtoEllinor,headded,"There\'ssomeastakesitinthiskindo\'stunnedway,whileothersareasrestlessasawildbeastinacage,afterthey\'resentenced."Andthenhewithdrewintothepassage,leavingthedooropen,sothathecouldseeallthatpassedifhechosetolook,butostentatiouslykeepinghiseyesaverted,andwhistlingtohimself,sothathecouldnothearwhattheysaidtoeachother.
DixonlookedupatEllinor,butthenlethiseyesfallonthegroundagain;theincreasingtremblingofhisshrunkenframewastheonlysignhegavethathehadrecognisedher.
Shesatdownbyhim,andtookhislargehornyhandinhers.Shewantedtoovercomeherinclinationtosobhystericallybeforeshespoke.Shestrokedthebonyshrivelledfingers,onwhichherhotscaldingtearskeptdropping.
"Dunnotdothat,"saidhe,atlength,inahollowvoice."Dunnottakeonaboutit;it\'sbestasitis,missy."
"No,Dixon,it\'snotbest.Itshallnotbe.Youknowitshallnot——
cannotbe."
"I\'mrathertiredofliving.It\'sbeenagreatstrainandlabourforme.IthinkI\'dasliefbewithGodaswithmen.Andyousee,I
werefondonhimeversin\'hewerealittlelad,andtoldmewhathardtimeshehadatschool,hedid,justasifIwerehisbrother!
IlovedhimnexttoMollyGreaves.Dear!andIshallseeheragain,Ireckon,comenextSaturdayweek!They\'llthinkwellonme,upthere,I\'llbebound;thoughIcannotsayasI\'vedoneallasI
shoulddoherebelow."
"But,Dixon,"saidEllinor,"youknowwhodidthis——this——"
"Guiltyo\'murder,"saidhe."That\'swhattheycalledit.Murder!
Andthatitneverwere,choosewhodidit."
"Mypoor,poorfatherdidit.IamgoinguptoLondonthisafternoon;Iamgoingtoseethejudge,andtellhimall."
"Don\'tyoudemeanyourselftothatfellow,missy.It\'shimasleftyouinthelurchassoonassorrowandshamecamenighyou."
Helookedupathernow,forthefirsttime;butshewentonasifshehadnotnoticedthosewistful,wearyeyes.
"Yes!Ishallgotohim.Iknowwhoitis;andIamresolved.
Afterall,hemaybebetterthanastranger,forrealhelp;andI
shallneverrememberany——anythingelse,whenIthinkofyou,goodfaithfulfriend."
"Helooksbutawizenedoldfellowinhisgreywig.Ishouldhardlyha\'knownhim.Igavehimalook,asmuchastosay,\'Icouldtelltaleso\'you,mylordjudge,ifIchose.\'Idon\'tknowifheheededme,though.Isupposeitwereforasignofoldacquaintancethathesaidhe\'drecommendmetomercy.ButI\'dsoonerhavedeathnormercy,bylongodds.YonmanouttheresaysmercymeansBotanyBay.
It\'udbelikekillingmebyinches,thatwould.Itwould.I\'dliefergostraighttoHeaven,thanliveonamongtheblackfolk."
Hebegantoshakeagain:thisideaoftransportation,fromitsverymysteriousness,wasmoreterrifyingtohimthandeath.Hekeptonsayingplaintively,"Missy,you\'llneverlet\'emsendmetoBotanyBay;Icouldn\'tstandthat."
"No,no!"saidshe."Youshallcomeoutofthisprison,andgohomewithmetoEastChester;Ipromiseyouyoushall.Ipromiseyou.I
don\'tyetquiteknowhow,buttrustinmypromise.Don\'tfretaboutBotanyBay.Ifyougothere,Igotoo.Iamsosureyouwillnotgo.Andyouknowifyouhavedoneanythingagainstthelawinconcealingthatfatalnight\'swork,Ididtoo,andifyouaretobepunished,Iwillbepunishedtoo.ButIfeelsureitwillberight;
Imean,asrightasanythingcanbe,withtherecollectionofthattimepresenttous,asitmustalwaysbe."Shealmostspoketheselastwordstoherself.Theysaton,handinhandforafewminutesmoreinsilence.
"Ithoughtyou\'dcometome.Iknowedyouwerefarawayinforeignparts.ButIusedtopraytoGod.\'DearLordGod!\'Iusedtosay,\'letmeseeheragain.\'ItoldthechaplainasI\'dbegintoprayforrepentance,atafterI\'ddoneprayingthatImightseeyouonceagain:foritjustseemedtotakeallmystrengthtosaythosewordsasI\'venamed.AndIthoughtashowGodknewwhatwasinmyheartbetterthanIcouldtellHim:howIwasmainandsorryforallasI\'deverdonewrong;Iallayswere,atafteritwasdone;butI
thoughtasnoonecouldknowhowbitter-keenIwantedtoseeyou."
Againtheysankintosilence.Ellinorfeltasifshewouldfainbeawayandactiveinprocuringhisrelease;butshealsoperceivedhowpreciousherpresencewastohim;andshedidnotliketoleavehimamomentbeforethetimeallowedher.Hisvoicehadchangedtoaweak,pipingoldman\'squaver,andbetweenthetimesofhistalkingheseemedtorelapseintoadreamystate;butthroughitallheheldherhandtight,asthoughafraidthatshewouldleavehim.
Sothehourelapsed,withnomorespokenwordsthanthoseabove.
FromtimetotimeEllinor\'stearsdroppeddownuponherlap;shecouldnotrestrainthem,thoughshescarceknewwhyshecriedjustthen.
Atlengththeturnkeysaidthatthetimeallowedfortheinterviewwasended.Ellinorspokenoword;butrose,andbentdownandkissedtheoldman\'sforehead,saying-
"Ishallcomebackto-morrow.Godkeepandcomfortyou!"
Soalmostwithoutanarticulatewordfromhiminreply(heroseup,andstoodonhisshakinglegs,asshebadehimfarewell,puttinghishandtohisheadwiththeoldhabitualmarkofrespect),shewentherway,swiftlyoutoftheprison,swiftlybackwithMr.Johnsontohishouse,scarcelypatientorstrongenoughinherhurrytoexplaintohimfullyallthatshemeanttodo.Sheonlyaskedhimafewabsolutelyrequisitequestions;andinformedhimofherintentiontogostraighttoLondontoseeJudgeCorbet.
Justbeforetherailwaycarriageinwhichshewasseatedstartedonthejourney,shebentforward,andputoutherhandoncemoretoMr.
Johnson."To-morrowIwillthankyouforall,"shesaid."Icannotnow.
ItwasaboutthesametimethatshehadreachedHellingfordonthepreviousnight,thatshearrivedattheGreatWesternstationonthisevening——pasteighto\'clock.Onthewayshehadrememberedandarrangedmanythings:oneimportantquestionshehadomittedtoaskMr.Johnson;butthatwaseasilyremedied.ShehadnotenquiredwhereshecouldfindJudgeCorbet;ifshehad,Mr.Johnsoncouldprobablyhavegivenherhisprofessionaladdress.Asitwas,sheaskedforaPost-OfficeDirectoryatthehotel,andlookedoutforhisprivatedwelling——128HydeParkGardens.
Sherangforawaiter.
"CanIsendamessengertoHydeParkGardens?"shesaid,hurryingontoherbusiness,tiredandwornoutasshewas."ItisonlytoaskifJudgeCorbetisathomethisevening.Ifheis,Imustgoandseehim."
Thewaiterwasalittlesurprised,andwouldgladlyhavehadhernametoauthorisetheenquirybutshecouldnotbeartosendit:itwouldbebadenoughthatfirstmeeting,withoutthefeelingthathe,too,hadhadtimetorecallallthepastdays.Bettertogoinuponhimunprepared,andplungeintothesubject.
Thewaiterreturnedwiththeanswerwhilesheyetwaspacingupanddowntheroomrestlessly,nervingherselffortheinterview.
"ThemessengerhasbeentoHydeParkGardens,ma\'am.TheJudgeandLadyCorbetaregoneouttodinner."
LadyCorbet!OfcourseEllinorknewthathewasmarried.HadshenotbeenpresentattheweddinginEastChesterCathedral?But,somehow,theserecenteventshadsocarriedherbacktooldtimes,thattheintimateassociationofthenames,"theJudgeandLadyCorbet,"seemedtoawakenheroutofsomedream.
"Oh,verywell,"shesaid,justasifthesethoughtswerenotpassingrapidlythroughhermind."Letmebecalledatsevento-morrowmorning,andletmehaveacabatthedoortoHydeParkGardensateight."
Andsoshewenttobed;butscarcelytosleep.Allnightlongshehadthescenesofthoseoldtimes,thehappy,happydaysofheryouth,theoneterriblenightthatcutallhappinessshort,presentbeforeher.Shecouldalmosthavefanciedthatsheheardthelong-
silentsoundsofherfather\'sstep,herfather\'swayofbreathing,therustleofhisnewspaperashehastilyturneditover,comingthroughthelapseofyears;thesilenceofthenight.Sheknewthatshehadthelittlewriting-caseofhergirlhoodwithher,inherbox.
Thetreasuresofthedeadthatitcontained,themorselofdaintysewing,thelittlesister\'sgoldencurl,thehalf-finishedlettertoMr.Corbet,wereallthere.Shetookthemout,andlookedateachseparately;lookedatthemlong——longandwistfully."Willitbeofanyusetome?"shequestionedofherself,asshewasabouttoputherfather\'sletterbackintoitsreceptacle.Shereadthelastwordsoveragain,oncemore:
"Frommydeath-bedIadjureyoutostandherfriend;Iwillbegpardononmykneesforanything."
"Iwilltakeit,"thoughtshe."Ineednotbringitout;mostlikelytherewillbenoneedforit,afterwhatIshallhavetosay.Allissoaltered,sochangedbetweenus,asutterlyasifitneverhadbeen,thatIthinkIshallhavenoshameinshowingithim,formyownpartofit.While,ifheseespoorpapa\'s,dear,dearpapa\'ssufferinghumility,itmaymakehimthinkmoregentlyofonewholovedhimoncethoughtheypartedinwrathwitheachother,I\'mafraid."
SoshetooktheletterwithherwhenshedrovetoHydeParkGardens.
Everynerveinherbodywasinsuchahighstateoftensionthatshecouldhavescreamedoutatthecabman\'sboisterousknockatthedoor.
Shegotouthastily,beforeanyonewasreadyorwillingtoanswersuchanuntimelysummons;paidthemandoublewhatheoughttohavehad;andstoodthere,sick,trembling,andhumble.
CHAPTERXVIANDLAST.
"IsJudgeCorbetathome?CanIseehim?"sheaskedofthefootman,whoatlengthansweredthedoor.
Helookedathercuriously,andalittlefamiliarly,beforehereplied,"Why,yes!He\'sprettysuretobeathomeatthistimeofday;butwhetherhe\'llseeyouisquiteanotherthing."
"Wouldyoubesogoodastoaskhim?Itisonveryparticularbusiness."
"Canyougivemeacard?yourname,perhaps,willdo,ifyouhavenotacard.Isay,Simmons"(toalady\'s-maidcrossingthehall),"isthejudgeupyet?"
"Oh,yes!he\'sinhisdressing-roomthishalf-hour.Myladyiscomingdowndirectly.Itisjustbreakfast-time."
"Can\'tyouputitoffandcomeagain,alittlelater?"saidhe,turningoncemoretoEllinor——whiteEllinor!tremblingEllinor!
"No!pleaseletmecomein.Iwillwait.IamsureJudgeCorbetwillseeme,ifyouwilltellhimIamhere.MissWilkins.Hewillknowthename."
"Well,then;willyouwaitheretillIhavegotbreakfastin?"saidtheman,lettingherintothehall,andpointingtothebenchthere,hetookher,fromherdress,tobealady\'s-maidorgoverness,oratmostatradesman\'sdaughter;and,besides,hewasbehindhandwithallhispreparations.Shecameinandsatdown.
"YouwilltellhimIamhere,"shesaidfaintly.
"Oh,yes,neverfear:I\'llsendupword,thoughIdon\'tbelievehe\'llcometoyoubeforebreakfast."
Hetoldapage,whoranupstairs,and,knockingatthejudge\'sdoor,saidthataMissJenkinswantedtospeaktohim.
"Who?"askedthejudgefromtheinside.
"MissJenkins.Shesaidyouwouldknowthename,sir."
"NotI.Tellhertowait."
SoEllinorwaited.Presentlydownthestairs,withslowdeliberatedignity,camethehandsomeLadyCorbet,inherrustlingsilksandamplepetticoats,carryingherfineboy,andfollowedbyhermajesticnurse.Shewasill-pleasedthatanyoneshouldcomeandtakeupherhusband\'stimewhenhewasathome,andsupposedtobeenjoyingdomesticleisure;andherimperious,inconsideratenaturedidnotprompthertoanycivilitytowardsthegentlecreaturesittingdown,wearyandheart-sick,inherhouse.Onthecontrary,shelookedheroverassheslowlydescended,tillEllinorshrankabashedfromthesteadygazeofthelargeblackeyes.Thenshe,herbabyandnurse,disappearedintothelargedining-room,intowhichallthepreparationsforbreakfasthadbeencarried.
Thenextpersontocomedownwouldbethejudge.Ellinorinstinctivelyputdownherveil.Sheheardhisquickdecidedstep;
shehadknownitwellofold.
Hegaveoneofhissharp,shrewdglancesatthepersonsittinginthehallandwaitingtospeaktohim,andhispractisedeyerecognisedtheladyatonce,inspiteofhertravel-worndress.
"Willyoujustcomeintothisroom?"saidhe,openingthedoorofhisstudy,tothefrontofthehouse:thedining-roomwastotheback;
theycommunicatedbyfolding-doors.
Theastutelawyerplacedhimselfwithhisbacktothewindow;itwasthenaturalpositionofthemasteroftheapartment;butitalsogavehimtheadvantageofseeinghiscompanion\'sfaceinfulllight.
Ellinorliftedherveil;ithadonlybeenadisliketoarecognitioninthehallwhichhadmadeherputitdown.
JudgeCorbet\'scountenancechangedmorethanhers;shehadbeenpreparedfortheinterview;hewasnot.Butheusuallyhadthefullcommandoftheexpressiononhisface.
"Ellinor!MissWilkins!isityou?"Andhewentforwards,holdingouthishandwithcordialgreeting,underwhichtheembarrassment,ifhefeltany,wascarefullyconcealed.Shecouldnotspeakallatonceinthewayshewished.
"ThatstupidHenrytoldme\'Jenkins!\'Ibegyourpardon.Howcouldtheyputyoudowntositinthehall?Youmustcomeinandhavesomebreakfastwithus;LadyCorbetwillbedelighted,I\'msure."Hissenseoftheawkwardnessofthemeetingwiththewomanwhowasoncetohavebeenhiswife,andoftheprobableintroductionwhichwastofollowtothewomanwhowashisactualwifegrewuponhim,andmadehimspeakalittlehurriedly.Ellinor\'snextwordswereawonderfulrelief;andhersoftgentlewayofspeakingwaslikethetouchofacoolingbalsam.
"Thankyou,youmustexcuseme.Iamcomestrictlyonbusiness,otherwiseIshouldneverhavethoughtofcallingonyouatsuchanhour.ItisaboutpoorDixon."
"Ah!Ithoughtasmuch!"saidthejudge,handingherachair,andsittingdownhimself.Hetriedtocomposehismindtobusiness,butinspiteofhisstrengthofcharacter,andhispresentefforts,theremembranceofoldtimeswouldcomebackatthesoundofhervoice.
Hewonderedifhewasasmuchchangedinappearanceasshestruckhimasbeinginthatfirstlookofrecognition;afterthatfirstglanceheratheravoidedmeetinghereyes.
"Iknewhowmuchyouwouldfeelit.SomeoneatHellingfordtoldmeyouwereabroad,inRome,Ithink.Butyoumustnotdistressyourselfunnecessarily;thesentenceissuretobecommutedtotransportation,orsomethingequivalent.IwastalkingtotheHomeSecretaryaboutitonlylastnight.Lapseoftimeandsubsequentgoodcharacterquiteprecludeanyideaofcapitalpunishment."Allthetimethathesaidthishehadotherthoughtsatthebackofhismind——somecuriosity,alittleregret,atouchofremorse,awonderhowthemeeting(which,ofcourse,wouldhavetobesometime)
betweenLadyCorbetandEllinorwouldgooff;buthespokeclearlyenoughonthesubjectinhand,andnooutwardmarkofdistractionfromitappeared.
Elmeranswered:
"Icametotellyou,whatIsupposemaybetoldtoanyjudge,inconfidenceandfullrelianceonhissecrecy,thatAbrahamDixonwasnotthemurderer."Shestoppedshort,andchokedalittle.
Thejudgelookedsharplyather.
"Thenyouknowwhowas?"saidhe.
"Yes,"shereplied,withalow,steadyvoice,lookinghimfullintheface,withsad,solemneyes.
Thetruthflashedintohismind.Heshadedhisface,anddidnotspeakforaminuteortwo.Thenhesaid,notlookingup,alittlehoarsely,"This,then,wastheshameyoutoldmeoflongago?"
"Yes,"saidshe.
Bothsatquitestill;quitesilentforsometime.Throughthesilenceasharp,clearvoicewasheardspeakingthroughthefolding-
doors.
"Takethekedgereedown,andtellthecooktokeepithotforthejudge.Itissotiresomepeoplecomingonbusinesshere,asifthejudgehadnothisproperhoursforbeingatchambers."
Hegotuphastily,andwentintothedining-room;buthehadaudiblysomedifficultyincurbinghiswife\'sirritation.
Whenhecameback,Ellinorsaid:
"IamafraidIoughtnottohavecomeherenow."
"Oh!it\'sallnonsense!"saidhe,inatoneofannoyance."You\'vedonequiteright."Heseatedhimselfwherehehadbeenbefore;andagainhalfcoveredhisfacewithhishand.
"AndDixonknewofthis.IbelieveImustputthefactplainly——toyou——yourfatherwastheguiltyperson?hemurderedDunster?"
"Yes.Ifyoucallitmurder.Itwasdonebyablow,intheheatofpassion.NoonecanevertellhowDunsteralwaysirritatedpapa,"
saidEllinor,inastupid,heavyway;andthenshesighed.
"Howdoyouknowthis?"Therewasakindoftenderreluctanceinthejudge\'svoice,asheputallthesequestions.Ellinorhadmadeuphermindbeforehandthatsomethinglikethemmustbeasked,andmustalsobeanswered;butshespokelikeasleep-walker.
"Icameintopapa\'sroomjustafterhehadstruckMr.Dunstertheblow.Hewaslyinginsensible,aswethought——dead,ashereallywas."
"WhatwasDixon\'spartinit?Hemusthaveknownagooddealaboutit.Andthehorse-lancetthatwasfoundwithhisnameuponit?"
"PapawenttowakeDixon,andhebroughthisfleam——Isupposetotryandbleedhim.Ihavesaidenough,haveInot?Iseemsoconfused.
ButIwillansweranyquestiontomakeitappearthatDixonisinnocent."
Thejudgehadbeennotingalldown.Hesatstillnowwithoutreplyingtoher.Thenhewroterapidly,referringtohispreviouspaper,fromtimetotime.InfiveminutesorsohereadthefactswhichEllinorhadstated,ashenowarrangedthem,inalegalandconnectedform.Hejustaskedheroneortwotrivialquestionsashedidso.Thenhereaditovertoher,andaskedhertosignit.Shetookupthepen,andheldit,hesitating.
"Thiswillneverbemadepublic?"saidshe.
"No;IshalltakecarethatnoonebuttheHomeSecretaryseesit."
"Thankyou.Icouldnothelpit,nowithascometothis."
"TherearenotmanymenlikeDixon,"saidthejudge,almosttohimself,ashesealedthepaperinanenvelope.
"No,"saidEllinor;"Ineverknewanyonesofaithful."
Andjustatthesamemomentthereflectiononalessfaithfulpersonthatthesewordsmightseemtoimplystruckbothofthem,andeachinstinctivelyglancedattheother.
"Ellinor!"saidthejudge,afteramoment\'spause,"wearefriends,I
hope?"
"Yes;friends,"saidshe,quietlyandsadly.
Hefeltalittlechagrinedatheranswer.Why,hecouldhardlytell.
Tocoveranysignofhisfeelinghewentontalking.
"Whereareyoulivingnow?"
"AtEastChester."
"Butyoucomesometimestotown,don\'tyou?Letusknowalways——
wheneveryoucome;andLadyCorbetshallcallonyou.Indeed,Iwishyou\'dletmebringhertoseeyouto-day."
"Thankyou.IamgoingstraightbacktoHellingford;atleast,assoonasyoucangetmethepardonforDixon."
Hehalfsmiledatherignorance.
"Thepardonmustbesenttothesheriff,whoholdsthewarrantforhisexecution.But,ofcourse,youmayhaveeveryassurancethatitshallbesentassoonaspossible.Itisjustthesameasifhehaditnow."
"Thankyouverymuch,"saidEllinorrising.
"Praydon\'tgowithoutbreakfast.IfyouwouldrathernotseeLadyCorbetjustnow,itshallbesentintoyouinthisroom,unlessyouhavealreadybreakfasted."
"No,thankyou;Iwouldrathernot.Youareverykind,andIamverygladtohaveseenyouonceagain.Thereisjustonethingmore,"
saidshe,colouringalittleandhesitating."Thisnotetoyouwasfoundunderpapa\'spillowafterhisdeath;someofitreferstopastthings;butIshouldbegladifyoucouldthinkaskindlyasyoucanofpoorpapa——andso——ifyouwillreadit——"
Hetookitandreadit,notwithoutemotion.Thenhelaiditdownonhistable,andsaid-
"Poorman!hemusthavesufferedagreatdealforthatnight\'swork.
Andyou,Ellinor,youhavesuffered,too."
Yes,shehadsuffered;andhewhospokehadbeenoneoftheinstrumentsofhersuffering,althoughheseemedforgetfulofit.
Sheshookherheadalittleforreply.Thenshelookedupathim——
theywerebothstandingatthetime——andsaid:
"IthinkIshallbehappiernow.Ialwaysknewitmustbefoundout.
Oncemore,good-by,andthankyou.Imaytakethisletter,I
suppose?"saidshe,castingenviouslovingeyesatherfather\'snote,lyingunregardedonthetable.
"Oh!certainly,certainly,"saidhe;andthenhetookherhand;heheldit,whilehelookedintoherface.Hehadthoughtitchangedwhenhehadfirstseenher,butitwasnowalmostthesametohimasofyore.Thesweetshyeyes,theindicateddimpleinthecheek,andsomethingoffeverhadbroughtafaintpinkflushintoherusuallycolourlesscheeks.Marriedjudgethoughhewas,hewasnotsureifshehadnotmorecharmsforhimstillinhersorrowandhershabbinessthanthehandsomestatelywifeinthenextroom,whoselookshadnotbeenofthepleasantestwhenheleftherafewminutesbefore.HesighedalittleregretfullyasEllinorwentaway.Hehadobtainedthepositionhehadstruggledfor,andsacrificedfor;butnowhecouldnothelpwishingthattheslaughteredcreaturelaidontheshrineofhisambitionwerealiveagain.
Thekedgereewasbroughtupagain,smokinghot,butitremaineduntastedbyhim;andthoughheappearedtobereadingtheTimes,hedidnotseeawordofthedistincttype.Hiswife,meanwhile,continuedhercomplaintsoftheuntimelyvisitor,whosenamehedidnotgivetoherinitscorrectedform,ashewasnotanxiousthatsheshouldhaveitinherpowertoidentifythecallofthismorningwithapossiblefutureacquaintance.
WhenEllinorreachedMr.Johnson\'shouseinHellingfordthatafternoon,shefoundMissMonrowasthere,andthatshehadbeenwithmuchdifficultyrestrainedbyMr.JohnsonfromfollowinghertoLondon.
MissMonrofondledandpurredinarticulatelythroughhertearsoverherrecovereddarling,beforeshecouldspeakintelligiblyenoughtotellherthatCanonLivingstonehadcomestraighttoseeherimmediatelyonhisreturntoEastChester,andhadsuggestedherjourneytoHellingford,inorderthatshemightbeofallthecomfortshecouldtoEllinor.ShedidnotatfirstletoutthathehadaccompaniedhertoHellingford;shewasalittleafraidofEllinor\'sdispleasureathisbeingthere;EllinorhadalwaysobjectedsomuchtoanyadvancetowardsintimacywithhimthatMissMonrohadwishedtomake.ButEllinorwasdifferentnow.
"Howwhiteyouare,Nelly!"saidMissMonro."Youhavebeentravellingtoomuchandtoofast,mychild."
"Myheadaches!"saidEllinor,wearily."ButImustgotothecastle,andtellmypoorDixonthatheisreprieved——Iamsotired!
WillyouaskMr.Johnsontogetmeleavetoseehim?Hewillknowallaboutit."
Shethrewherselfdownonthebedinthespareroom;thebedwiththeheavybluecurtains.Afteranunheededremonstrance,MissMonrowenttodoherbidding.Butitwasnowlateafternoon,andMr.Johnsonsaidthatitwouldbeimpossibleforhimtogetpermissionfromthesheriffthatnight.
"Besides,"saidhe,courteously,"onescarcelyknowswhetherMissWilkinsmaynotgivetheoldmanfalsehopes——whethershehasnotbeenexcitedtohavefalsehopesherself;itmightbeacruelkindnesstoletherseehim,withoutmorelegalcertaintyastowhathissentence,orreprieve,istobe.Byto-morrowmorning,ifIhaveproperlyunderstoodherstory,whichwasalittleconfused——"
"Sheissodreadfullytired,poorcreature,"putinMissMonro,whonevercouldbeartheshadowofasuspicionthatEllinorwasnotwisest,best,inallrelationsandsituationsoflife.
Mr.Johnsonwenton,withadeprecatorybow:"Well,then——itreallyistheonlycourseopentoherbesides——persuadehertorestforthisevening.Byto-morrowmorningIwillhaveobtainedthesheriff\'sleave,andhewillmostlikelyhaveheardfromLondon."
"Thankyou!Ibelievethatwillbebest."
"Itistheonlycourse,"saidhe.
WhenMissMonroreturnedtothebedroom,Ellinorwasinaheavyfeverishslumber;sofeverishandsouneasydidsheappear,that,afterthehesitationofamomentortwo,MissMonrohadnoscrupleinwakeningher.
Butshedidnotappeartounderstandtheanswertoherrequest;shedidnotseemeventorememberthatshehadmadeanyrequest.
ThejourneytoEngland,themisery,thesurprises,hadbeentoomuchforher.Themorrowmorningcame,bringingtheformalfreepardonforAbrahamDixon.Thesheriff\'sorderforheradmissiontoseetheoldmanlayawaitingherwishtouseit;butsheknewnothingofallthis.
Fordays,nayweeks,shehoveredbetweenlifeanddeath,tended,asofold,byMissMonro,whilegoodMrs.Johnsonwaseverwillingtoassist.
OnesummereveninginearlyJuneshewakenedintomemory,MissMonroheardthefaintpipingvoice,asshekeptherwatchbythebedside.
"WhereisDixon?"askedshe.
"Atthecanon\'shouseatBromham."ThiswasthenameofDr.
Livingstone\'scountyparish.
"Why?"
"Wethoughtitbettertogethimintocountryairandfreshscenesatonce."
"Howishe?"
"Muchbetter.Getstrong,andheshallcometoseeyou."
"Youaresureallisright?"saidEllinor.
"Sure,mydear.Allisquiteright."
ThenEllinorwenttosleepagainoutofveryweaknessandweariness.
Fromthattimesherecoveredprettysteadily.HergreatdesirewastoreturntoEastChesterassoonaspossible.Theassociationsofgrief,anxiety,andcomingillness,connectedwithHellingford,madeherwishtobeonceagaininthesolemn,quiet,sunnycloseofEastChester.
CanonLivingstonecameovertoassistMissMonroinmanagingthejourneywithherinvalid.ButhedidnotintrudehimselfuponEllinor,anymorethanhehaddoneincomingfromhome.
Themorningafterherreturn,MissMonrosaid:
"DoyoufeelstrongenoughtoseeDixon?"
"Ishehere?"
"Heisatthecanon\'shouse.HesentforhimfromBromham,inorderthathemightbereadyforyoutoseehimwhenyouwished."
"Pleaselethimcomedirectly,"saidEllinor,flushingandtrembling.
Shewenttothedoortomeetthetotteringoldman;sheledhimtotheeasy-chairthathadbeenplacedandarrangedforherself;shekneltdownbeforehim,andputhishandsonherhead,hetremblingandshakingallthewhile.
"Forgivemealltheshameandmisery,Dixon.Sayyouforgiveme;andgivemeyourblessing.Andthenletneverawordoftheterriblepastbespokenbetweenus."
"It\'snotformetoforgiveyou,asneverdidharmtonoone——"
"Butsayyoudo——itwilleasemyheart."
"Iforgivethee!"saidhe.Andthenheraisedhimselftohisfeetwitheffort,and,standingupaboveher,heblessedhersolemnly.
Afterthathesatdown,shebyhim,gazingathim.
"Yon\'sagoodman,missy,"hesaid,atlength,liftinghissloweyesandlookingather."Betternort\'othereverwas."
"Heisagoodman,"saidEllinor.
Butnomorewasspokenonthesubject.Thenextday,CanonLivingstonemadehisformalcall.EllinorwouldfainhavekeptMissMonrointheroom,butthatworthyladyknewbetterthantostop.
Theywenton,forcingtalkonindifferentsubjects.Atlasthecouldspeaknolongeroneverythingbutthatwhichhehadmostatheart.
"MissWilkins!"(hehadgotup,andwasstandingbythemantelpiece,apparentlyexaminingtheornamentsuponit)——"MissWilkins!isthereanychanceofyourgivingmeafavourableanswernow——youknowwhatI
mean——whatwespokeaboutattheGreatWesternHotel,thatday?"
Ellinorhungherhead.
"YouknowthatIwasonceengagedbefore?"
"Yes!Iknow;toMr.Corbet——hethatisnowthejudge;youcannotsupposethatwouldmakeanydifference,ifthatisall.Ihavelovedyou,andyouonly,eversincewemet,eighteenyearsago.MissWilkins——Ellinor——putmeoutofsuspense."
"Iwill!"saidshe,puttingoutherthinwhitehandforhimtotakeandkiss,almostwithtearsofgratitude,butsheseemedfrightenedathisimpetuosity,andtriedtocheckhim."Wait——youhavenotheardall——mypoor,poorfather,inafitofanger,irritatedbeyondhisbearing,strucktheblowthatkilledMr.Dunster——DixonandI
knewofit,justaftertheblowwasstruck——wehelpedtohideit——wekeptthesecret——mypoorfatherdiedofsorrowandremorse——younowknowall——canyoustillloveme?ItseemstomeasifIhadbeenanaccompliceinsuchaterriblething!"
"Poor,poorEllinor!"saidhe,nowtakingherinhisarmsasashelter."HowIwishIhadknownofallthisyearsandyearsago:I
couldhavestoodbetweenyouandsomuch!"
ThosewhopassthroughthevillageofBromham,andpausetolookoverthelaurel-hedgethatseparatestherectorygardenfromtheroad,mayoftensee,onsummerdays,anold,oldman,sittinginawicker-
chair,outuponthelawn.Heleansuponhisstick,andseldomraiseshisbenthead;butforallthathiseyesareonalevelwiththetwolittlefairychildrenwhocometohiminalltheirsmalljoysandsorrows,andwholearnttolisphisnamealmostassoonastheydidthatoftheirfatherandmother.
NorisMissMonrooftenabsent;andalthoughshepreferstoretaintheoldhouseintheCloseforwinterquarters,shegenerallymakesherwayacrosstoCanonLivingstone\'sresidenceeveryevening.
SOENDS"ADARKNIGHT\'SWORK."
