第5章

Notasoulintheparentalmansionguessed，whenLadyCarolinecamecoollyintothehallonedayafteravisittoheraunt，that，duringthatvisit，herloverandherselfhadfoundanopportunityofunitingthemselvestilldeathshouldpartthem。Yetsuchwasthefact；theyoungwomanwhorodefinehorses，anddroveinpony-

chaises，andwassaluteddeferentiallybyeveryone，andtheyoungmanwhotrudgedabout，anddirectedthetree-felling，andthelayingoutoffish-pondsinthepark，werehusbandandwife。

Astheyhadplanned，sotheyactedtotheletterforthespaceofamonthandmore，clandestinelymeetingwhenandwheretheybestcoulddoso；bothbeingsupremelyhappyandcontent。Tobesure，towardsthelatterpartofthatmonth，whenthefirstwildwarmthofherlovehadgoneoff，theLadyCarolinesometimeswonderedwithinherselfhowshe，whomighthavechosenapeeroftherealm，baronet，knight；or，ifserious-minded，abishoporjudgeofthemoregallantsortwhopreferyoungwives，couldhavebroughtherselftodoathingsorashastomakethismarriage；particularlywhen，intheirprivatemeetings，sheperceivedthatthoughheryounghusbandwasfullofideas，andfairlywellread，theyhadnotasinglesocialexperienceincommon。Itwashiscustomtovisitherafternightfall，inherownhouse，whenhecouldfindnoopportunityforaninterviewelsewhere；andtofurtherthiscourseshewouldcontrivetoleaveunfastenedawindowontheground-flooroverlookingthelawn，byenteringwhichabackstair-casewasaccessible；sothathecouldclimbuptoherapartments，andgainaudienceofhisladywhenthehousewasstill。

Onedarkmidnight，whenhehadnotbeenabletoseeherduringtheday，hemadeuseofthissecretmethod，ashehaddonemanytimesbefore；andwhentheyhadremainedincompanyaboutanhourhedeclaredthatitwastimeforhimtodescend。

Hewouldhavestayedlonger，butthattheinterviewhadbeenasomewhatpainfulone。Whatshehadsaidtohimthatnighthadmuchexcitedandangeredhim，forithadrevealedachangeinher；coldreasonhadcometohisloftywife；shewasbeginningtohavemoreanxietyaboutherownpositionandprospectsthanardourforhim。

Whetherfromtheagitationofthisperceptionornot，hewasseizedwithaspasm；hegasped，rose，andinmovingtowardsthewindowforairheutteredinashortthickwhisper，\'Oh，myheart!\'

Withhishanduponhischesthesankdowntothefloorbeforehehadgoneanotherstep。Bythetimethatshehadrelightedthecandle，whichhadbeenextinguishedincaseanyeyeintheoppositegroundsshouldwitnesshisegress，shefoundthathispoorhearthadceasedtobeat；andthererusheduponhermindwhathiscottage-friendshadoncetoldher，thathewasliabletoattacksofheart-disease，oneofwhich，thedoctorhadinformedthem，mightsomedaycarryhimoff。

Accustomedasshewastodoctoringtheotherparishioners，nothingthatshecouldeffectuponhiminthatkindmadeanydifferencewhatever；andhisstillness，andtheincreasingcoldnessofhisfeetandhands，disclosedtoosurelytotheaffrightedyoungwomanthatherhusbandwasdeadindeed。Formorethananhour，however，shedidnotabandonhereffortstorestorehim；whenshefullyrealizedthefactthathewasacorpseshebentoverhisbody，distractedandbewilderedastowhatstepshenextshouldtake。

Herfirstfeelingshadundoubtedlybeenthoseofpassionategriefatthelossofhim；hersecondthoughtswereconcernatherownpositionasthedaughterofanearl。\'Oh，why，why，myunfortunatehusband，didyoudieinmychamberatthishour!\'shesaidpiteouslytothecorpse。\'Whynothavediedinyourowncottageifyouwoulddie!Thennobodywouldeverhaveknownofourimprudentunion，andnosyllablewouldhavebeenbreathedofhowImismatedmyselfforloveofyou!\'

TheclockinthecourtyardstrikingthehourofonearousedLadyCarolinefromthestuporintowhichshehadfallen，andshestoodup，andwenttowardsthedoor。Toawakenandtellhermotherseemedheronlywayoutofthisterriblesituation；yetwhensheputherhandonthekeytounlockitshewithdrewherselfagain。Itwouldbeimpossibletocallevenhermother\'sassistancewithoutriskingarevelationtoalltheworldthroughtheservants；whileifshecouldremovethebodyunassistedtoadistanceshemightavertsuspicionoftheirunionevennow。Thisthoughtofimmunityfromthesocialconsequencesofherrashact，ofrenewedfreedom，wasindubitablyarelieftoher，for，ashasbeensaid，theconstraintandriskinessofherpositionhadbeguntotellupontheLadyCaroline\'snerves。

Shebracedherselffortheeffort，andhastilydressedherself；andthendressedhim。Tyinghisdeadhandstogetherwithahandkerchief；shelaidhisarmsroundhershoulders，andborehimtothelandinganddownthenarrowstairs。Reachingthebottombythewindow，shelethisbodyslideslowlyoverthesilltillitlayonthegroundwithout。Shethenclimbedoverthewindow-sillherself，and，leavingthesashopen，draggedhimontothelawnwitharustlenotlouderthantherustleofabroom。Thereshetookasecurerhold，andplungedwithhimunderthetrees。

Awayfromtheprecinctsofthehouseshecouldapplyherselfmorevigorouslytohertask，whichwasaheavyoneenoughforher，robustasshewas；andtheexertionandfrightshehadalreadyundergonebegantotelluponherbythetimeshereachedthecornerofabeech-plantationwhichintervenedbetweenthemanor-houseandthevillage。Hereshewassonearlyexhaustedthatshefearedshemighthavetoleavehimonthespot。Butsheploddedonafterawhile，andkeepinguponthegrassateveryopportunityshestoodatlastoppositethepooryoungman\'sgarden-gate，wherehelivedwithhisfather，theparish-clerk。HowsheaccomplishedtheendofhertaskLadyCarolineneverquiteknew；but，toavoidleavingtracesintheroad，shecarriedhimbodilyacrossthegravel，andlaidhimdownatthedoor。Perfectlyawareofhiswaysofcomingandgoing，shesearchedbehindtheshutterforthecottagedoor-key，whichsheplacedinhiscoldhand。Thenshekissedhisfaceforthelasttime，andwithsilentlittlesobsbadehimfarewell。

LadyCarolineretracedhersteps，andreachedthemansionwithouthindrance；andtohergreatrelieffoundthewindowopenjustasshehadleftit。Whenshehadclimbedinshelistenedattentively，fastenedthewindowbehindher，andascendingthestairsnoiselesslytoherroom，seteverythinginorder，andreturnedtobed。

Thenextmorningitwasspeedilyechoedaroundthattheamiableandgentleyoungvillagerhadbeenfounddeadoutsidehisfather\'sdoor，whichhehadapparentlybeenintheactofunlockingwhenhefell。

Thecircumstancesweresufficientlyexceptionaltojustifyaninquest，atwhichsyncopefromheart-diseasewasascertainedtobebeyonddoubttheexplanationofhisdeath，andnomorewassaidaboutthematterthen。But，afterthefuneral，itwasrumouredthatsomemanwhohadbeenreturninglatefromadistanthorse-fairhadseeninthegloomofnightaperson，apparentlyawoman，draggingaheavybodyofsomesorttowardsthecottage-gate，which，bythelightofafterevents，wouldseemtohavebeenthecorpseoftheyoungfellow。Hisclotheswerethereuponexaminedmoreparticularlythanatfirst，withtheresultthatmarksoffrictionwerevisibleuponthemhereandthere，preciselyresemblingsuchaswouldbeleftbydraggingontheground。

OurbeautifulandingeniousLadyCarolinewasnowingreatconsternation；andbegantothinkthat，afterall，itmighthavebeenbettertohonestlyconfessthetruth。Buthavingreachedthisstagewithoutdiscoveryorsuspicion，shedeterminedtomakeanotherefforttowardsconcealment；andabrightideastruckherasameansofsecuringit。IthinkImentionedthat，beforeshecasteyesontheunfortunatesteward\'sclerk，hehadbeenthebelovedofacertainvillagedamsel，thewoodman\'sdaughter，hisneighbour，towhomhehadpaidsomeattentions；andpossiblyhewasbelovedofherstill。Atanyrate，theLadyCaroline\'sinfluenceontheestatesofherfatherbeingconsiderable，sheresolvedtoseekaninterviewwiththeyounggirlinfurtheranceofherplantosaveherreputation，aboutwhichshewasnowexceedinglyanxious；forbythistime，thefitbeingover，shebegantobeashamedofhermadpassionforherlatehusband，andalmostwishedshehadneverseenhim。

Inthecourseofherparish-visitingshelightedontheyounggirlwithoutmuchdifficulty，andfoundherlookingpaleandsad，andwearingasimpleblackgown，whichshehadputonoutofrespectfortheyoungman\'smemory，whomshehadtenderlyloved，thoughhehadnotlovedher。

\'Ah，youhavelostyourlover，Milly，\'saidLadyCaroline。

Theyoungwomancouldnotrepresshertears。\'Mylady，hewasnotquitemylover，\'shesaid。\'ButIwashis——andnowheisdeadI

don\'tcaretoliveanymore!\'

\'Canyoukeepasecretabouthim?\'asksthelady；\'oneinwhichhishonourisinvolved——whichisknowntomealone，butshouldbeknowntoyou?\'

Thegirlreadilypromised，and，indeed，couldbesafelytrustedonsuchasubject，sodeepwasheraffectionfortheyouthshemourned。

\'Thenmeetmeathisgraveto-night，half-an-houraftersunset，andIwilltellittoyou，\'saystheother。

Intheduskofthatspringeveningthetwoshadowyfiguresoftheyoungwomenconvergedupontheassistant-steward\'snewly-turfedmound；andatthatsolemnplaceandhour，theoneofbirthandbeautyunfoldedhertale:howshehadlovedhimandmarriedhimsecretly；howhehaddiedinherchamber；andhow，tokeephersecret，shehaddraggedhimtohisowndoor。

\'Marriedhim，mylady!\'saidtherusticmaiden，startingback。

\'Ihavesaidso，\'repliedLadyCaroline。\'Butitwasamadthing，andamistakencourse。Heoughttohavemarriedyou。You，Milly，werepeculiarlyhis。Butyoulosthim。\'

\'Yes，\'saidthepoorgirl；\'andforthattheylaughedatme。"Ha——

ha，youmidlovehim，Milly，"theysaid；"buthewillnotloveyou!"\'

\'Victoryoversuchunkindjeererswouldbesweet，\'saidLadyCaroline。\'Youlosthiminlife；butyoumayhavehimindeathAS

IFyouhadhadhiminlife；andsoturnthetablesuponthem。\'

\'How?\'saidthebreathlessgirl。

Theyoungladythenunfoldedherplan，whichwasthatMillyshouldgoforwardanddeclarethattheyoungmanhadcontractedasecretmarriage(ashetrulyhaddone)；thatitwaswithher，Milly，hissweetheart；thathehadbeenvisitingherinhercottageontheeveningofhisdeath；when，onfindinghewasacorpse，shehadcarriedhimtohishousetopreventdiscoverybyherparents，andthatshehadmeanttokeepthewholematterasecrettilltherumoursafloathadforceditfromher。

\'AndhowshallIprovethis?\'saidthewoodman\'sdaughter，amazedattheboldnessoftheproposal。

\'Quitesufficiently。Youcansay，ifnecessary，thatyouweremarriedtohimatthechurchofSt。Michael，inBathCity，inmyname，asthefirstthatoccurredtoyou，toescapedetection。Thatwaswherehemarriedme。Iwillsupportyouinthis。\'

\'Oh——Idon\'tquitelike——\'

\'Ifyouwilldoso，\'saidtheladyperemptorily，\'Iwillalwaysbeyourfather\'sfriendandyours；ifnot，itwillbeotherwise。AndI

willgiveyoumywedding-ring，whichyoushallwearasyours。\'

\'Haveyouwornit，mylady?\'

\'Onlyatnight。\'

Therewasnotmuchchoiceinthematter，andMillyconsented。Thenthisnobleladytookfromherbosomtheringshehadneverbeenableopenlytoexhibit，and，graspingtheyounggirl\'shand，slippedituponherfingerasshestooduponherlover\'sgrave。

Millyshivered，andbowedherhead，saying，\'IfeelasifIhadbecomeacorpse\'sbride!\'

Butfromthatmomentthemaidenwasheartandsoulinthesubstitution。Ablissfulreposecameoverherspirit。Itseemedtoherthatshehadsecuredindeathhimwhominlifeshehadvainlyidolized；andshewasalmostcontent。Afterthattheladyhandedovertotheyoungman\'snewwifeallthelittlemementoesandtrinketshehadgivenherself；eventoalocketcontaininghishair。

Thenextdaythegirlmadeherso-calledconfession，whichthesimplemourningshehadalreadyworn，withoutstatingforwhom，seemedtobearout；andsoonthestoryofthelittleromancespreadthroughthevillageandcountry-side，almostasfarasMelchester。

Itwasacuriouspsychologicalfactthat，havingoncemadetheavowal，Millyseemedpossessedwithaspiritofecstasyatherposition。WiththeliberalsumofmoneysuppliedtoherbyLadyCarolineshenowpurchasedthegarbofawidow，anddulyappearedatchurchinherweeds，hersimplefacelookingsosweetagainstitsmarginofcrapethatshewasalmostenviedherstatebytheothervillage-girlsofherage。Andwhenawoman\'ssorrowforherbelovedcanmaimheryounglifesoobviouslyasithaddoneMilly\'stherewas，intruth，littlesubterfugeinthecase。Herexplanationtalliedsowellwiththedetailsofherlover\'slattermovements——

thosestrangeabsencesandsuddenreturnings，whichhadoccasionallypuzzledhisfriends——thatnobodysupposedforamomentthatthesecondactorinthesesecretnuptialswasotherthanshe。Theactualandwholetruthwouldindeedhaveseemedapreposterousassertionbesidethisplausibleone，byreasonoftheloftydemeanouroftheLadyCarolineandtheunassuminghabitsofthelatevillager。Therebeingnoinheritanceinquestion，notasoultookthetroubletogotothecitychurch，fortymilesoff，andsearchtheregistersformarriagesignaturesbearingoutsohumblearomance。

InashorttimeMillycausedadecenttombstonetobeerectedoverhernominalhusband\'sgrave，whereonappearedthestatementthatitwasplacedtherebyhisheartbrokenwidow，which，consideringthatthepaymentforitcamefromLadyCarolineandthegrieffromMilly，wasastruthfulassuchinscriptionsusuallyare，andonlyrequiredpluralizingtorenderityetmorenearlyso。

TheimpressionableandcomplaisantMilly，inhercharacterofwidow，tookdelightingoingtohisgraveeveryday，andindulginginsorrowwhichwasapositiveluxurytoher。Sheplacedfreshflowersonhisgrave，andsokeenwasheremotionalimaginativenessthatshealmostbelievedherselftohavebeenhiswifeindeedasshewalkedtoandfroinhergarbofwoe。Oneafternoon，Millybeingbusilyengagedinthislabourofloveatthegrave，LadyCarolinepassedoutsidethechurchyardwallwithsomeofhervisitingfriends，who，seeingMillythere，watchedheractionswithinterest，remarkeduponthepathosofthescene，andupontheintenseaffectiontheyoungmanmusthavefeltforsuchatendercreatureasMilly。Astrangelight，asofpain，shotfromtheLadyCaroline\'seye，asifforthefirsttimeshebegrudgedtotheyounggirlthepositionshehadbeenatsuchpainstotransfertoher；itshowedthataslumberingaffectionforherhusbandstillhadlifeinLadyCaroline，obscuredandstifledasitwasbysocialconsiderations。

AnendwasputtothissmootharrangementbythesuddenappearanceinthechurchyardonedayoftheLadyCaroline，whenMillyhadcomethereonherusualerrandoflayingflowers。LadyCarolinehadbeenanxiouslyawaitingherbehindthechancel，andhercountenancewaspaleandagitated。

\'Milly!\'shesaid，\'comehere!Idon\'tknowhowtosaytoyouwhatIamgoingtosay。Iamhalfdead!\'

\'Iamsorryforyourladyship，\'saysMilly，wondering。

\'Givemethatring!\'saysthelady，snatchingatthegirl\'slefthand。

Millydrewitquicklyaway。

\'Itellyougiveittome!\'repeatedCaroline，almostfiercely。

\'Oh——butyoudon\'tknowwhy?IaminagriefandatroubleIdidnotexpect!\'AndLadyCarolinewhisperedafewwordstothegirl。

\'Omylady!\'saidthethunderstruckMilly。\'WhatWILLyoudo?\'

\'Youmustsaythatyourstatementwasawickedlie，aninvention，ascandal，adeadlysin——thatItoldyoutomakeittoscreenme!

ThatitwasIwhomhemarriedatBath。Inshort，wemusttellthetruth，orIamruined——body，mind，andreputation——forever!\'

Butthereisalimittotheflexibilityofgentle-souledwomen。

Millybythistimehadsogrowntotheideaofbeingonefleshwiththisyoungman，ofhavingtherighttobearhisnameassheboreit；

hadsothoroughlycometoregardhimasherhusband，todreamofhimasherhusband，tospeakofhimasherhusband，thatshecouldnotrelinquishhimatamoment\'speremptorynotice。

\'No，no，\'shesaiddesperately，\'Icannot，Iwillnotgivehimup!

Yourladyshiptookhimawayfrommealive，andgavehimbacktomeonlywhenhewasdead。NowIwillkeephim!Iamtrulyhiswidow。

Moretrulythanyou，mylady!forIlovehimandmournforhim，andcallmyselfbyhisdearname，andyourladyshipdoesneither!\'

\'IDOlovehim!\'criesLadyCarolinewithflashingeyes，\'andI

clingtohim，andwon\'tlethimgotosuchasyou!HowcanI，whenheisthefatherofthispoorbabethat\'scomingtome?Imusthavehimbackagain!Milly，Milly，can\'tyoupityandunderstandme，perversegirlthatyouare，andthemiserableplightthatIamin?

Oh，thisprecipitancy——itistheruinofwomen!WhydidInotconsider，andwait!Come，givemebackallthatIhavegivenyou，andassuremeyouwillsupportmeinconfessingthetruth!\'

\'Never，never!\'persistedMilly，withwoe-begonepassionateness。

\'Lookatthisheadstone!Lookatmygownandbonnetofcrape——thisring:listentothenametheycallmeby!Mycharacterisworthasmuchtomeasyoursistoyou!AfterdeclaringmyLovemine，myselfhis，takinghisname，makinghisdeathmyownparticularsorrow，howcanIsayitwasnotso?Nosuchdishonourforme!Iwilloutswearyou，mylady；andIshallbebelieved。Mystoryissomuchthemorelikelythatyourswillbethoughtfalse。But，Oplease，mylady，donotdrivemetothis!Inpityletmekeephim!\'

Thepoornominalwidowexhibitedsuchanguishataproposalwhichwouldhavebeentrulyabitterhumiliationtoher，thatLadyCarolinewaswarmedtopityinspiteofherowncondition。

\'Yes，Iseeyourposition，\'sheanswered。\'Butthinkofmine!WhatcanIdo?Withoutyoursupportitwouldseemaninventiontosavemefromdisgrace；evenifIproducedtheregister，theloveofscandalintheworldissuchthatthemultitudewouldsluroverthefact，sayitwasafabrication，andbelieveyourstory。Idonotknowwhowerethewitnesses，oranything!\'

Inafewminutesthesetwopooryoungwomenfelt，assomanyinastraithavefeltbefore，thatunionwastheirgreateststrength，evennow；andtheyconsultedcalmlytogether。TheresultoftheirdeliberationswasthatMillywenthomeasusual，andLadyCarolinealso，thelatterconfessingthatverynighttotheCountesshermotherofthemarriage，andtonobodyelseintheworld。And，sometimeafter，LadyCarolineandhermotherwentawaytoLondon，wherealittlewhilelaterstilltheywerejoinedbyMilly，whowassupposedtohaveleftthevillagetoproceedtoawatering-placeintheNorthforthebenefitofherhealth，attheexpenseoftheladiesoftheManor，whohadbeenmuchinterestedinherstateoflonelyanddefencelesswidowhood。

EarlythenextyearthewidowMillycamehomewithaninfantinherarms，thefamilyattheManorHousehavingmeanwhilegoneabroad。

Theydidnotreturnfromtheirtourtilltheautumnensuing，bywhichtimeMillyandthechildhadagaindepartedfromthecottageofherfatherthewoodman，Millyhavingattainedtothedignityofdwellinginacottageofherown，manymilestotheeastwardofhernativevillage；acomfortablelittleallowancehadmoreoverbeensettledonherandthechildforlife，throughtheinstrumentalityofLadyCarolineandhermother。

Twoorthreeyearspassedaway，andtheLadyCarolinemarriedanobleman——theMarquisofStonehenge——considerablyhersenior，whohadwooedherlongandphlegmatically。Hewasnotrich，butsheledaplacidlifewithhimformanyyears，thoughtherewasnochildofthemarriage。MeanwhileMilly\'sboy，astheyoungsterwascalled，andasMillyherselfconsideredhim，grewup，andthrovewonderfully，andlovedherasshedeservedtobelovedforherdevotiontohim，inwhomsheeverydaytracedmoredistinctlythelineamentsofthemanwhohadwonhergirlishheart，andkeptiteveninthetomb。

Sheeducatedhimaswellasshecouldwiththelimitedmeansatherdisposal，fortheallowancehadneverbeenincreased，LadyCaroline，ortheMarchionessofStonehengeasshenowwas，seemingbydegreestocarelittlewhathadbecomeofthem。Millybecameextremelyambitiousontheboy\'saccount；shepinchedherselfalmostofnecessariestosendhimtotheGrammarSchoolinthetowntowhichtheyretired，andattwentyheenlistedinacavalryregiment，joiningitwithadeliberateintentofmakingtheArmyhisprofession，andnotinafreakofidleness。Hisexceptionalattainments，hismanlybearing，hissteadyconduct，speedilywonhimpromotion，whichwasfurtheredbytheseriouswarinwhichthiscountrywasatthattimeengaged。OnhisreturntoEnglandafterthepeacehehadrisentotherankofriding-master，andwassoonafteradvancedanotherstage，andmadequartermaster，thoughstillayoungman。

Hismother——hiscorporealmother，thatis，theMarchionessofStonehenge——heardtidingsofthisunaidedprogress；itreawakenedhermaternalinstincts，andfilledherwithpride。Shebecamekeenlyinterestedinhersuccessfulsoldier-son；andasshegrewoldermuchwishedtoseehimagain，particularlywhen，theMarquisdying，shewasleftasolitaryandchildlesswidow。WhetherornotshewouldhavegonetohimofherownimpulseIcannotsay；butoneday，whenshewasdrivinginanopencarriageintheoutskirtsofaneighbouringtown，thetroopslyingatthebarrackshardbypassedherinmarchingorder。Sheeyedthemnarrowly，andinthefinestofthehorsemenrecognizedhersonfromhislikenesstoherfirsthusband。

Thissightofhimdoublyintensifiedthemotherlyemotionswhichhadlaindormantinherforsomanyyears，andshewildlyaskedherselfhowshecouldsohaveneglectedhim?Hadshepossessedthetruecourageofaffectionshewouldhaveownedtoherfirstmarriage，andhaverearedhimasherson!Whatwouldithavematteredifshehadneverobtainedthispreciouscoronetofpearlsandgoldleaves，bycomparisonwiththegainofhavingtheloveandprotectionofsuchanobleandworthyson?Theseandothersadreflectionscutthegloomyandsolitaryladytotheheart；andsherepentedofherprideindisclaimingherfirsthusbandmorebitterlythanshehadeverrepentedofherinfatuationinmarryinghim。

Heryearningwassostrong，thatatlengthitseemedtoherthatshecouldnotlivewithoutannouncingherselftohimashismother。

Comewhatmight，shewoulddoit:lateasitwas，shewouldhavehimawayfromthatwomanwhomshebegantohatewiththefiercenessofadesertedheart，forhavingtakenherplaceasthemotherofheronlychild。Shefeltconfidentlyenoughthathersonwouldonlytoogladlyexchangeacottage-motherforonewhowasapeeressoftherealm。Beingnow，inherwidowhood，freetocomeandgoasshechose，withoutquestionfromanybody，LadyStonehengestartednextdayforthelittletownwhereMillyyetlived，stillinherrobesofsableforthelostloverofheryouth。

\'HeisMYson，\'saidtheMarchioness，assoonasshewasaloneinthecottagewithMilly。\'Youmustgivehimbacktome，nowthatI

aminapositioninwhichIcandefytheworld\'sopinion。Isupposehecomestoseeyoucontinually?\'

\'Everymonthsincehereturnedfromthewar，mylady。Andsometimeshestaystwoorthreedays，andtakesmeaboutseeingsightseverywhere!\'Shespokewithquiettriumph。

\'Well，youwillhavetogivehimup，\'saidtheMarchionesscalmly。

\'Itshallnotbetheworseforyou——youmayseehimwhenyouchoose。

Iamgoingtoavowmyfirstmarriage，andhavehimwithme。\'

\'Youforgetthattherearetwotobereckonedwith，mylady。Notonlyme，buthimself。\'

\'Thatcanbearranged。Youdon\'tsupposethathewouldn\'t——\'ButnotwishingtoinsultMillybycomparingtheirpositions，shesaid，\'Heismyownfleshandblood，notyours。\'

\'Fleshandblood\'snothing!\'saidMilly，flashingwithasmuchscornasacottagercouldshowtoapeeress，which，inthiscase，wasnotsolittleasmaybesupposed。\'ButIwillagreetoputittohim，andlethimsettleitforhimself。\'

\'That\'sallIrequire，\'saidLadyStonehenge。\'Youmustaskhimtocome，andIwillmeethimhere。\'

Thesoldierwaswrittento，andthemeetingtookplace。HewasnotsomuchastonishedatthedisclosureofhisparentageasLadyStonehengehadbeenledtoexpect，havingknownforyearsthattherewasalittlemysteryabouthisbirth。HismannertowardstheMarchioness，thoughrespectful，waslesswarmthanshecouldhavehoped。Thealternativesastohischoiceofamotherwereputbeforehim。Hisansweramazedandstupefiedher。

\'No，mylady，\'hesaid。\'Thankyoumuch，butIprefertoletthingsbeastheyhavebeen。Myfather\'snameismineinanycase。Yousee，mylady，youcaredlittleformewhenIwasweakandhelpless；

whyshouldIcometoyounowIamstrong?She，deardevotedsoul[pointingtoMilly]，tendedmefrommybirth，watchedoverme，nursedmewhenIwasill，anddeprivedherselfofmanyalittlecomforttopushmeon。IcannotloveanothermotherasIloveher。

SheISmymother，andIwillalwaysbeherson!\'AshespokeheputhismanlyarmroundMilly\'sneck，andkissedherwiththetenderestaffection。

TheagonyofthepoorMarchionesswaspitiable。\'Youkillme!\'shesaid，betweenhershakingsobs。\'Cannotyou——love——me——too?\'

\'No，mylady。IfImustsayit，youwereashamedofmypoorfather，whowasasincereandhonestman；therefore，Iamashamedofyou。\'

Nothingwouldmovehim；andthesufferingwomanatlastgasped，\'Cannot——oh，cannotyougiveonekisstome——asyoudidtoher?Itisnotmuch——itisallIask——all!\'

\'Certainly，\'hereplied。

Hekissedhercoldly，andthepainfulscenecametoanend。ThatdaywasthebeginningofdeathtotheunfortunateMarchionessofStonehenge。Itwasintheperversenessofherhumanheartthathisdenialofhershouldaddfueltothefireofhercravingforhislove。HowlongafterwardsshelivedIdonotknowwithanyexactness，butitwasnogreatlengthoftime。Thatanguishthatissharperthanaserpent\'stoothworeheroutsoon。Utterlyrecklessoftheworld，itsways，anditsopinions，sheallowedherstorytobecomeknown；andwhenthewelcomeendsupervened(which，Igrievetosay，sherefusedtolightenbytheconsolationsofreligion)，abrokenheartwasthetruestphraseinwhichtosumupitscause。

Theruraldeanhavingconcluded，someobservationsuponhistaleweremadeinduecourse。ThesentimentalmembersaidthatLadyCaroline\'shistoryaffordedasadinstanceofhowanhonesthumanaffectionwillbecomeshamefacedandmeanunderthefrostofclass-

divisionandsocialprejudices。Sheprobablydeservedsomepity；

thoughheroffspring，beforehegrewuptoman\'sestate，haddeservedmore。Therewasnopathoslikethepathosofchildhood，whenachildfounditselfinaworldwhereitwasnotwanted，andcouldnotunderstandthereasonwhy。Atalebythespeaker，furtherillustratingthesamesubject，thoughwithdifferentresultsfromthelast，naturallyfollowed。

DAMETHEFOURTH:LADYMOTTISFONT

BytheSentimentalMemberOfalltheromantictownsinWessex，Wintoncesterisprobablythemostconvenientformeditativepeopletolivein；sincethereyouhaveacathedralwithanavesolongthatitaffordsspaceinwhichtowalkandsummonyourremotermoodswithoutcontinuallyturningonyourheel，orseemingtodomorethantakeanafternoonstrollundercoverfromtherainorsun。Inanuninterruptedcourseofnearlythreehundredstepseastward，andagainnearlythreehundredstepswestwardamidthosemagnificenttombs，youcan，forinstance，compareinthemostleisurelywaythedrydustinesswhichultimatelypervadesthepersonsofkingsandbishopswiththedamperdustinessthatisusuallythefinalshapeofcommoners，curates，andotherswhotaketheirlastrestoutofdoors。Then，ifyouareinlove，youcan，bysaunteringinthechapelsandbehindtheepiscopalchantrieswiththebright-eyedone，sosteepandmellowyourecstasyinthesolemnitiesaround，thatitwillassumeararerandfinertincture，evenmoregratefultotheunderstanding，ifnottothesenses，thanthatformoftheemotionwhicharisesfromsuchcompanionshipinspotswhereallislife，andgrowth，andfecundity。

Itwasinthissolemnplace，whithertheyhadwithdrawnfromthesightofrelativesononecolddayinMarch，thatSirAshleyMottisfontaskedinmarriage，ashissecondwife，Philippa，thegentledaughterofplainSquireOkehall。Herlifehadbeenanobscureonethusfar；whileSirAshley，thoughnotarichman，hadacertaindistinctionabouthim；sothateverybodythoughtwhataconvenient，elevating，and，inaword，blessedmatchitwouldbeforsuchasupernumeraryasshe。Nobodythoughtsomorethantheamiablegirlherself。Shehadbeensmittenwithsuchaffectionforhimthat，whenshewalkedthecathedralaislesathissideonthebefore-mentionedday，shedidnotknowthatherfeettouchedhardpavement；itseemedtoherratherthatshewasfloatinginspace。

Philippawasanecstatic，heart-thumpingmaiden，andcouldnotunderstandhowshehaddeservedtohavesenttohersuchanillustriouslover，suchatravelledpersonage，suchahandsomeman。

Whenheputthequestion，itwasinnoclumsylanguage，suchastheordinarybucoliccountylandlordswerewonttouseonlikequiveringoccasions，butaselegantlyasifhehadbeentaughtitinEnfield\'sSpeaker。Yethehesitatedalittle——forhehadsomethingtoadd。

\'MyprettyPhilippa，\'hesaid(shewasnotveryprettybytheway)，\'Ihave，youmustknow，alittlegirldependentuponme:alittlewaifIfoundonedayinapatchofwildoats[suchwasthisworthybaronet\'shumour]whenIwasridinghome:alittlenamelesscreature，whomIwishtotakecareoftillsheisoldenoughtotakecareofherself；andtoeducateinaplainway。Sheisonlyfifteenmonthsold，andisatpresentinthehandsofakindvillager\'swifeinmyparish。Willyouobjecttogivesomeattentiontothelittlethinginherhelplessness?\'

Itneedhardlybesaidthatourinnocentyounglady，lovinghimsodeeplyandjoyfullyasshedid，repliedthatshewoulddoallshecouldforthenamelesschild；and，shortlyafterwards，thepairweremarriedinthesamecathedralthathadechoedthewhispersofhisdeclaration，theofficiatingministerbeingtheBishophimself；avenerableandexperiencedman，sowellaccomplishedinunitingpeoplewhohadamindforthatsortofexperiment，thatthecouple，withsomesenseofsurprise，foundthemselvesonewhiletheywerestillvaguelygazingateachotherastwoindependentbeings。

AfterthisoperationtheywenthometoDeansleighPark，andmadeabeginningoflivinghappilyeverafter。LadyMottisfont，truetoherpromise，wasalwaysrunningdowntothevillageduringthefollowingweekstoseethebabywhomherhusbandhadsomysteriouslylightedonduringhisridehome——concerningwhichinterestingdiscoveryshehadherownopinion；butbeingsoextremelyamiableandaffectionatethatshecouldhavelovedstocksandstonesiftherehadbeennolivingcreaturestolove，sheutterednoneofherthoughts。Thelittlething，whohadbeenchristenedDorothy，tooktoLadyMottisfontasifthebaronet\'syoungwifehadbeenhermother；andatlengthPhilippagrewsofondofthechildthatsheventuredtoaskherhusbandifshemighthaveDorothyinherownhome，andbringherupcarefully，justasifshewereherown。Tothisheansweredthat，thoughremarksmightbemadethereon，hehadnoobjection；afactwhichwasobvious，SirAshleyseemingratherpleasedthanotherwisewiththeproposal。

AfterthistheylivedquietlyanduneventfullyfortwoorthreeyearsatSirAshleyMottisfont\'sresidenceinthatpartofEngland，withasnearanapproachtoblissastheclimateofthiscountryallows。ThechildhadbeenagodsendtoPhilippa，forthereseemednogreatprobabilityofherhavingoneofherown:andshewiselyregardedthepossessionofDorothyasaspecialkindnessofProvidence，anddidnotworryhermindatallastoDorothy\'spossibleorigin。Beingatenderandimpulsivecreature，shelovedherhusbandwithoutcriticism，exhaustivelyandreligiously，andthechildnotmuchotherwise。Shewatchedthelittlefoundlingasifshehadbeenherownbynature，andDorothybecameagreatsolacetoherwhenherhusbandwasabsentonpleasureorbusiness；andwhenhecamehomehelookedpleasedtoseehowthetwohadwoneachother\'shearts。SirAshleywouldkisshiswife，andhiswifewouldkisslittleDorothy，andlittleDorothywouldkissSirAshley，andafterthistriangularburstofaffectionLadyMottisfontwouldsay，\'Dearme——Iforgetsheisnotmine!\'

\'Whatdoesitmatter?\'herhusbandwouldreply。\'Providenceisfore-knowing。Hehassentusthisonebecauseheisnotintendingtosendusonebyanyotherchannel。\'

Theirlifewasofthesimplest。Sincehistravelsthebaronethadtakentosportingandfarming；whilePhilippawasapatternofdomesticity。Theirpleasureswerealllocal。Theyretiredearlytorest，androsewiththecart-horsesandwhistlingwaggoners。Theyknewthenamesofeverybirdandtreenotexceptionallyuncommon，andcouldforetelltheweatheralmostaswellasanxiousfarmersandoldpeoplewithcorns。

OnedaySirAshleyMottisfontreceivedaletter，whichheread，andmusinglylaiddownonthetablewithoutremark。

\'Whatisit，dearest?\'askedhiswife，glancingatthesheet。

\'Oh，itisfromanoldlawyeratBathwhomIusedtoknow。HeremindsmeofsomethingIsaidtohimfourorfiveyearsago——somelittletimebeforeweweremarried——aboutDorothy。\'

\'Whatabouther?\'

\'ItwasacasualremarkImadetohim，whenIthoughtyoumightnottakekindlytoher，thatifheknewaladywhowasanxioustoadoptachild，andcouldinsureagoodhometoDorothy，hewastoletmeknow。\'

\'Butthatwaswhenyouhadnobodytotakecareofher，\'shesaidquickly。\'Howabsurdofhimtowritenow!Doesheknowyouaremarried?Hemust，surely。\'

\'Ohyes!\'

Hehandedhertheletter。Thesolicitorstatedthatawidow-ladyofposition，whodidnotatpresentwishhernametobedisclosed，hadlatelybecomeaclientofhiswhiletakingthewaters，andhadmentionedtohimthatshewouldlikealittlegirltobringupasherown，ifshecouldbecertainoffindingoneofgoodandpleasingdisposition；and，thebettertoinsurethis，shewouldnotwishthechildtobetooyoungforjudgingherqualities。HehadrememberedSirAshley\'sobservationtohimalongwhileago，andthereforebroughtthematterbeforehim。Itwouldbeanexcellenthomeforthelittlegirl——ofthathewaspositive——ifshehadnotalreadyfoundsuchahome。

\'Butitisabsurdofthemantowritesolongafter!\'saidLadyMottisfont，withalumpinessaboutthebackofherthroatasshethoughthowmuchDorothyhadbecometoher。\'Isupposeitwaswhenyoufirst——foundher——thatyoutoldhimthis?\'

\'Exactly——itwasthen。\'

Hefellintothought，andneitherSirAshleynorLadyMottisfonttookthetroubletoanswerthelawyer\'sletter；andsothematterendedforthetime。

Onedayatdinner，ontheirreturnfromashortabsenceintown，whithertheyhadgonetoseewhattheworldwasdoing，hearwhatitwassaying，andtomakethemselvesgenerallyfashionableafterrusticatingforsolong——onthisoccasion，Isay，theylearntfromsomefriendwhohadjoinedthematdinnerthatFernellHall——themanorialhouseoftheestatenexttheirown，whichhadbeenofferedonleasebyreasonoftheimpecuniosityofitsowner——hadbeentakenforatermbyawidowlady，anItalianContessa，whosenameIwillnotmentionforcertainreasonswhichmaybyandbyappear。LadyMottisfontexpressedhersurpriseandinterestattheprobabilityofhavingsuchaneighbour。\'Though，ifIhadbeenborninItaly，I

thinkIshouldhavelikedtoremainthere，\'shesaid。

\'SheisnotItalian，thoughherhusbandwas，\'saidSirAshley。

\'Oh，youhaveheardaboutherbeforenow?\'

\'Yes；theyweretalkingofheratGrey\'stheotherevening。SheisEnglish。\'Andthen，asherhusbandsaidnomoreaboutthelady，thefriendwhowasdiningwiththemtoldLadyMottisfontthattheCountess\'sfatherhadspeculatedlargelyinEast-IndiaStock，inwhichimmensefortuneswerebeingmadeatthattime；throughthishisdaughterhadfoundherselfenormouslywealthyathisdeath，whichhadoccurredonlyafewweeksafterthedeathofherhusband。

ItwassupposedthatthemarriageofanenterprisingEnglishspeculator\'sdaughtertoapoorforeignnoblemanhadbeenmatterofarrangementmerely。AssoonastheCountess\'swidowhoodwasalittlefurtheradvancedshewould，nodoubt，bethemarkofalltheschemerswhocamenearher，forshewasstillquiteyoung。Butatpresentsheseemedtodesirequiet，andavoidedsocietyandtown。

SomeweeksafterthistimeSirAshleyMottisfontsatlookingfixedlyathisladyformanymoments。Hesaid:

\'ItmighthavebeenbetterforDorothyiftheCountesshadtakenher。Sheissowealthyincomparisonwithourselves，andcouldhaveusheredthegirlintothegreatworldmoreeffectuallythanweevershallbeabletodo。\'

\'TheContessatakeDorothy?\'saidLadyMottisfontwithastart。

\'What——wasshetheladywhowishedtoadopther?\'

\'Yes；shewasstayingatBathwhenLawyerGaytonwrotetome。\'

\'Buthowdoyouknowallthis，Ashley?\'

Heshowedalittlehesitation。\'Oh，I\'veseenher，\'hesays。\'Youknow，shedrivestothemeetsometimes，thoughshedoesnotride；

andshehasinformedmethatshewastheladywhoinquiredofGayton。\'

\'Youhavetalkedtoheraswellasseenher，then?\'

\'Ohyes，severaltimes；everybodyhas。\'

\'Whydidn\'tyoutellme?\'sayshislady。\'Ihadquiteforgottentocalluponher。I\'llgoto-morrow，orsoon……ButIcan\'tthink，Ashley，howyoucansaythatitmighthavebeenbetterforDorothytohavegonetoher；sheissomuchourownnowthatIcannotadmitanysuchconjecturesasthose，eveninjest。\'HereyesreproachedhimsoeloquentlythatSirAshleyMottisfontdidnotanswer。

LadyMottisfontdidnothuntanymorethantheAnglo-ItalianCountessdid；indeed，shehadbecomesoabsorbedinhouseholdmattersandinDorothy\'swellbeingthatshehadnomindtowasteaminuteonmereenjoyments。Asshehadsaid，totalkcoollyofwhatmighthavebeenthebestdestinationindayspastforachildtowhomtheyhadbecomesoattachedseemedquitebarbarous，andshecouldnotunderstandhowherhusbandshouldconsiderthepointsoabstractedly；for，aswillprobablyhavebeenguessed，LadyMottisfontlongbeforethistime，ifshehadnotdonesoattheverybeginning，divinedSirAshley\'struerelationtoDorothy。Butthebaronet\'swifewassodiscreetlymeekandmildthatshenevertoldhimofhersurmise，andtookwhatHeavenhadsentherwithoutcavil，hergenerosityinthisrespecthavingbeenbountifullyrewardedbythenewlifeshefoundinherloveforthelittlegirl。

Herhusbandrecurredtothesameuncomfortablesubjectwhen，afewdayslater，theywerespeakingoftravellingabroad。Hesaidthatitwasalmostapity，iftheythoughtofgoing，thattheyhadnotfalleninwiththeCountess\'swish。ThatladyhadtoldhimthatshehadmetDorothywalkingwithhernurse，andthatshehadneverseenachildshelikedsowell。

\'What——shecovetsherstill?Howimpertinentofthewoman!\'saidLadyMottisfont。

\'Sheseemstodoso……Yousee，dearestPhilippa，theadvantagetoDorothywouldhavebeenthattheCountesswouldhaveadoptedherlegally，andhavemadeherasherowndaughter；whilewehavenotdonethat——weareonlybringingupandeducatingapoorchildincharity。\'

\'ButI\'lladoptherfully——makeherminelegally!\'criedhiswifeinananxiousvoice。\'Howisittobedone?\'

\'H\'m。\'Hedidnotinformher，butfellintothought；and，forreasonsofherown，hisladywasrestlessanduneasy。

TheverynextdayLadyMottisfontdrovetoFernellHalltopaytheneglectedcalluponherneighbour。TheCountesswasathome，andreceivedhergraciously。ButpoorLadyMottisfont\'sheartdiedwithinherassoonassheseteyesonhernewacquaintance。Suchwonderfulbeauty，ofthefully-developedkind，hadneverconfrontedherbeforeinsidethelinesofahumanface。Sheseemedtoshinewitheverylightandgracethatwomancanpossess。HerfinishedContinentalmanners，herexpandedmind，herreadywit，composedastudythatmadetheotherpoorladysick；forshe，andlatterlySirAshleyhimself，wereratherruralinmanners，andshefeltabashedbynewsoundsandideasfromwithout。Shehardlyknewthreewordsinanylanguagebutherown，whilethisdivinecreature，thoughtrulyEnglish，had，apparently，whatevershewantedintheItalianandFrenchtonguestosuiteveryimpression；whichwasconsideredagreatimprovementtospeechinthosedays，and，indeed，isbymanyconsideredassuchinthese。

\'Howverystrangeitwasaboutthelittlegirl!\'theContessasaidtoLadyMottisfont，inhergaytones。\'Imean，thatthechildthelawyerrecommendedshould，justbeforethen，havebeenadoptedbyyou，whoarenowmyneighbour。Howisshegettingon?Imustcomeandseeher。\'

\'Doyoustillwanther?\'asksLadyMottisfontsuspiciously。

\'Oh，Ishouldliketohaveher!\'

\'Butyoucan\'t!She\'smine!\'saidtheothergreedily。

AdroopingmarinerappearedintheCountessfromthatmoment。

LadyMottisfont，too，wasinawretchedmoodallthewayhomethatday。TheCountesswassocharmingineverywaythatshehadcharmedhergentleladyship；howshoulditbepossiblethatshehadfailedtocharmSirAshley?Moreover，shehadawakenedastrangethoughtinPhilippa\'smind。Assoonasshereachedhomesherushedtothenursery，andthere，seizingDorothy，franticallykissedher；then，holdingheratarm\'slength，shegazedwithapiercinginquisitivenessintothegirl\'slineaments。Shesigheddeeply，abandonedthewonderingDorothy，andhastenedaway。

Shehadseentherenotonlyherhusband\'straits，whichshehadoftenbeheldbefore，butothers，oftheshade，shape，andexpressionwhichcharacterizedthoseofhernewneighbour。

Thenthispoorladyperceivedthewholeperturbingsequenceofthings，andaskedherselfhowshecouldhavebeensuchawalkingpieceofsimplicityasnottohavethoughtofthisbefore。Butshedidnotstaylongupbraidingherselfforhershortsightedness，sooverwhelmedwasshewithmiseryatthespectacleofherselfasanintruderbetweenthese。Tobesureshecouldnothaveforeseensuchaconjuncture；butthatdidnotlessenhergrief。Thewomanwhohadbeenbothherhusband\'sblissandhisbackslidinghadreappearedfreewhenhewasnolongerso，andsheevidentlywasdyingtoclaimherowninthepersonofDorothy，whohadmeanwhilegrowntobe，toLadyMottisfont，almosttheonlysourceofeachday\'shappiness，supplyingherwithsomethingtowatchover，inspiringherwiththesenseofmaternity，andsolargelyreflectingherhusband\'snatureasalmosttodeceiveherintothepleasantbeliefthatshereflectedherownalso。

Iftherewasasingledirectioninwhichthisdevotedandvirtuousladyerred，itwasinthedirectionofover-submissiveness。Whenallissaidanddone，andthetruthtold，menseldomshowmuchself-

sacrificeintheirconductaslordsandmasterstohelplesswomenboundtothemforlife，andperhaps(thoughIsayitwithalluncertainty)ifshehadblazedupinhisfacelikeafurze-faggot，directlyhecamehome，shemighthavehelpedherselfalittle。ButGodknowswhetherthisisatruesupposition；atanyrateshedidnosuchthing；andwaitedandprayedthatshemightneverdodespitetohimwho，shewasboundtoadmit，hadalwaysbeentenderandcourteoustowardsher；andhopedthatlittleDorothymightneverbetakenaway。

Bydegreesthetwohouseholdsbecamefriendly，andveryseldomdidaweekpasswithouttheirseeingsomethingofeachother。Tryasshemight，anddangerousassheassumedtheacquaintanceshiptobe，LadyMottisfontcoulddetectnofaultorflawinhernewfriend。ItwasobviousthatDorothyhadbeenthemagnetwhichhaddrawntheContessahither，andnotSirAshley。

Suchbeauty，unitedwithsuchunderstandingandbrightness，Philippahadneverbeforeknowninoneofherownsex，andshetriedtothink(whethershesucceededIdonotknow)thatshedidnotmindthepropinquity；sinceawomansorich，sofair，andwithsuchacommandofsuitors，couldnotdesiretowreckthehappinessofsoinoffensiveapersonasherself。

TheseasondrewonwhenitwasthecustomforfamiliesofdistinctiontogoofftoTheBath，andSirAshleyMottisfontpersuadedhiswifetoaccompanyhimthitherwithDorothy。Everybodyofanynotewastherethisyear。FromtheirownpartofEnglandcamemanythattheyknew；amongtherest，LordandLadyPurbeck，theEarlandCountessofWessex，SirJohnGrebe，theDrenkhards，LadyStourvale，theoldDukeofHamptonshire，theBishopofMelchester，theDeanofExonbury，andotherlesserlightsofCourt，pulpit，andfield。ThitheralsocamethefairContessa，whom，assoonasPhilippasawhowmuchshewassoughtafterbyyoungermen，shecouldnotconscientiouslysuspectofreneweddesignsuponSirAshley。

ButtheCountesshadfineropportunitiesthaneverwithDorothy；forLadyMottisfontwasoftenindisposed，andevenatothertimescouldnothonestlyhinderanintercoursewhichgavebrightideastothechild。Dorothywelcomedhernewacquaintancewithastrangeandinstinctivereadinessthatintimatedthewonderfulsubtletyofthethreadswhichbindfleshandfleshtogether。

Atlastthecrisiscame:itwasprecipitatedbyanaccident。

Dorothyandhernursehadgoneoutonedayforanairing，leavingLadyMottisfontaloneindoors。WhileshesatgloomilythinkingthatinalllikelihoodtheCountesswouldcontrivetomeetthechildsomewhere，andexchangeafewtenderwordswithher，SirAshleyMottisfontrushedinandinformedherthatDorothyhadjusthadthenarrowestpossibleescapefromdeath。Someworkmenwereunderminingahousetopullitdownforrebuilding，when，withoutwarning，thefrontwallinclinedslowlyoutwardsforitsfall，thenurseandchildpassingbeneathitatthesamemoment。Thefallwastemporarilyarrestedbythescaffolding，whileinthemeantimetheCountesshadwitnessedtheirimminentdangerfromtheothersideofthestreet。Springingacross，shesnatchedDorothyfromunderthewall，andpulledthenurseafterher，themiddleofthewaybeingbarelyreachedbeforetheywereenvelopedinthedensedustofthedescendingmass，thoughnotastonetouchedthem。

\'WhereisDorothy?\'saystheexcitedLadyMottisfont。

\'Shehasher——shewon\'tlethergoforatime——\'

\'Hasher?Butshe\'sMINE——she\'smine!\'criesLadyMottisfont。

ThenherquickandtendereyesperceivedthatherhusbandhadalmostforgottenherintrusiveexistenceincontemplatingtheonenessofDorothy\'s，theCountess\'s，andhisown:hewasinadreamofexaltationwhichrecognizednothingnecessarytohiswell-beingoutsidethatweldedcircleofthreelives。

Dorothywasatlengthbroughthome；shewasmuchfascinatedbytheCountess，andsawnothingtragic，butratherallthatwastrulydelightful，inwhathadhappened。Intheevening，whentheexcitementwasover，andDorothywasputtobed，SirAshleysaid，\'ShehassavedDorothy；andIhavebeenaskingmyselfwhatIcandoforherasaslightacknowledgmentofherheroism。SurelyweoughttoletherhaveDorothytobringup，sinceshestilldesirestodoit?ItwouldbesomuchtoDorothy\'sadvantage。Weoughttolookatitinthatlight，andnotselfishly。\'

Philippaseizedhishand。\'Ashley，Ashley!Youdon\'tmeanit——thatImustlosemyprettydarling——theonlyoneIhave?\'Shemethisgazewithherpiteousmouthandweteyessopainfullystrained，thatheturnedawayhisface。

Thenextmorning，beforeDorothywasawake，LadyMottisfontstoletothegirl\'sbedside，andsatregardingher。WhenDorothyopenedhereyes，shefixedthemforalongtimeuponPhilippa\'sfeatures。

\'Mamma——youarenotsoprettyastheContessa，areyou?\'shesaidatlength。

\'Iamnot，Dorothy。\'

\'Whyareyounot，mamma?\'