第6章

"HowlongIlaylisteningtothecreakingsandgroaningsofthericketyoldhouse，Icannotsay，norhowlongIremainedinthedozewhichfinallyseizedmeasIbecameaccustomedtothesoundsaroundandoverme。Enoughthatbeforethestormhadpasseditsheight，I

awokeasifatthetouchofahand，andleapingwithaboundoutofthebed，beheldtomyincredibleamazememt，thealert，nervousformofLuttrastandingbeforeme。Shehadmycoatinherhand，anditwashertouchthathadevidentlyawakenedme。

"\'Iwantyoutoputthison，\'saidsheinalowthrillingtonetotallynewinmyexperience，\'andcomewithme。Thehouseisunsafeforyoutoremainin。Hearhowitcracksandtrembles。Anotherblastlikethatandweshallberoofless。\'

"Shewasmovingtowardthedoor，whichtomyamazementstoodajar，butmyhesitationstoppedher。

"\'Won\'tyoucome?\'shewhispered，turningherfacetowardsmewithalookofsuchpotentdetermination，Ifollowedinspiteofmyself\'I

darenotletyoustayhere，yourbloodwillbeuponmyhead。\'

"\'Youexaggerate，\'Ireplied，shrinkingbackwithalonginglookatthecomfortablebedIhadjustleft。\'Theseoldhousesarealwaysstrong。Itwilltakemanysuchagustasthatyouhear，tooverturnit，Iassureyou。\'

"\'Iexaggerate!\'shereturnedwithalookofscornimpossibletodescribe。\'Hark!\'shesaid，\'hearthat。\'

"Ididhear，andImustacknowledgethatitseemedisifwewereabouttobesweptfromourfoundations。

"\'Yes，\'saidI，\'butitisafearfulnighttobeoutin。\'

"\'Ishallgowithyou，\'saidshe。

"\'Inthatcase——\'Ibeganwithanill-advisedattemptatgallantrywhichshecutshortwithagesture。

"\'Hereisyourhat，\'remarkedshe，\'andhereisyourbag。Thefishing-polemustremain，youcannotcarryit。\'

"\'But，——\'Iexpostulated。

"\'Hush!\'saidshewithherearturnedtowardsthedepthsofthestaircaseatthetopofwhichwestood。\'Myfatherandbrotherwillthinkasyoudothatitisfollytoleavetheshelterofarooffortheuncertaintiesoftheroadonsuchanightasthis，butyoumustnotheedthem。Itellyoushelterthisnightisdanger，andthattheonlysafetytobefoundisonthestormyhighway。\'

"Andwithoutwaitingformyreply，shepassedrapidlydownstairs，pushedopenadooratthebottom，andsteppedatonceintotheroomwehadleftanhourorsobefore。

"Whatwasthereinthatroomthatforthefirsttimestruckanominouschillasofdistinctperilthroughmyveins?Nothingatfirstsight，everythingatthesecond。Thefirewhichhadnotbeenallowedtodieout，stillburnedbrightlyontheruddyhearthstone，butitwasnotthatwhichawakenedmyapprehension。Norwasittheloudtickingclockonthemantlepiecewithitshandpointingsilentlytothehourofeleven。Noryettheheavyquietofthescantily-furnishedroomwithitsonelampburningonthedealtableagainstthesideofthewall。

Itwasthesightofthosetwopowerfulmendrawnupingrimsilence，theoneagainstthedoorleadingtothefronthall，theotheragainstthatopeningintothekitchen。

"AglanceatLuttrastandingsilentandundismayedatmyside，however，instantlyreassuredme。Withthatwillexercisedinmyfavor，Icouldnotbutwinthroughwhateveritwasthatmenacedme。

Slingingmybagovermyshoulder，Imadeamovetowardsthedoorandthesilentfigureofmyhost。Butwithaquickoutreachingofherhand，shedrewmeback。

"\'Standstill!\'saidshe。\'Karl，\'shewenton，turningherfacetowardsthemoresullenbutlessintentcountenanceofherbrother，\'openthedoorandletthisgentlemanpass。Hefindsthehouseunsafeinsuchagaleanddesirestoleaveit。Atonce!\'shecontinuedasherbrothersettledhimselfmoredeterminedlyagainstthelock:\'I

don\'toftenaskfavors。\'

"\'Themanisafoolthatwantstogooutinanightlikethis，\'quoththefellowwithadoggedmove；\'andsoareyoutoencourageit。I

thinktoomuchofyourhealthtoallowit。\'

"Shedidnotseemtohear。\'Willyouopenthedoor?\'shewenton，notadvancingastepfromthefire，beforewhichshehadplacedherselfandme。\'

"\'No，Iwon\'t，\'wasthebrutalreply。\'Itsbeenlockedforthenightanditsnotmenoronelikeme，thatwillopenit。\'

"Withasuddenwhiteningofheralreadypaleface，sheturnedtowardsherfather。Hewasnotevenlookingather。

"\'Someonemustopenthehouse，\'saidshe，glancingbackatherbrother。\'Thisgentlemanpurposestoleaveandhiswhimmustbehumored。WillyouunlockthatdoororshallI?\'

"Anangrysnarlinterruptedher。Herfatherhadboundedfromthedoorwherehestoodandwasstridinghastilytowardsher。InmyapprehensionIputupmyarmforashield，forhelookedreadytomurderher，butIletitdropagainaslcaughtherglancewhichwaslikewhiteflameundisturbedbytheleastbreezeofpersonalterror。

"\'Youwillstopthere，\'saidshe，pointingtoaspotafewfeetfromwhereshestood。\'AnotherstepandIletthatforwhichIhaveheardyoudeclareyouwouldperilyourverysoul，fallintotheheartoftheflames。\'Anddrawingfromherbreastarollofbills，shestretchedthemoutabovethefirebeforewhichshewasstanding。

"\'You——\'brokefromthegray-beardedlipsoftheoldman，buthestoppedwherehewas，eyeingthosebillsasiffascinated。

"\'Iamnotagirlofmanywords，asyouknow，\'continuedsheinaloftytoneinexpressiblycommanding。\'Youmaystrangleme，youmaykillme，itmatterslittle；butthisgentlemanleavesthehousethisnight，orIdestroythemoneywithagesture。\'

"\'You——\'againbrokefromthosequiveringlips，buttheoldmandidnotmove。

"Notsotheyounger。Witharushhelefthispostandinanotherinstantwouldhavehadhispowerfularmsaboutherslenderform，onlythatImethimhalfwaywithablowthatlaidhimontheflooratherfeet。Shesaidnothing，butoneofthebillsimmediatelyleftherhandandflutteredintothefirewhereitinstantlyshrivelledintonothing。

"Withtheyellofamadbeastwoundedinhismostvulnerablespot，theoldmanbeforeusstampedwithhisheeluponthefloor。

"\'Stop!\'criedhe；andgoingrapidlytothefrontdoorheopenedit。

\'There!\'shriekedhe，\'ifyouwillbefools，go!andmaythelightningblastyou。Butfirstgivemethemoney。\'

"\'Comefromthedoor，\'saidshe，reachingoutherlefthandforthelanternhangingatthesideofthefireplace，\'andletKarllightthisandkeephimselfoutoftheway。\'

"Itwasalldone。InlesstimethanIcantellit，theoldmanhadsteppedfromthedoor，theyoungeronehadlitthelanternandwewereinreadinesstodepart。

"\'Nowdoyouproceed，\'saidshetome，\'Iwillfollow。\'

"\'No，\'saidI，\'wewillgotogether。\'

"\'Butthemoney?\'growledtheheavyvoiceofmyhostovermyshoulder。

"\'Iwillgiveittoyouonmyreturn，\'saidthegirl。

CHAPTERXII

AWOMAN\'SLOVE

"ShallIeverforgettheblastofdrivingrainthatstruckourfacesandenvelopedusinacloudofwet，asthedoorswungonitshingesandletusforthintothenight；ortheelectricthrillthatshotthroughmeasthatslendergirlgraspedmyhandanddrewmeawaythroughtheblindingdarkness。ItwasnotthatIwassomuchaffectedbyherbeautyasinfluencedbyherpowerandenergy。Thefuryofthegaleseemedtobendtoherwill，thewindlendwingstoherfeet。Ibegantorealizewhatintellectwas。Arrivedattheroadside，shepausedandlookedback。Thetwoburlyformsofthemenwehadleftbehinduswerestandinginthedooroftheinn；inanothermomenttheyhadplungedforthandtowardsus。WithalowcrytheyounggirlleapedtowardsatreewheretomyunboundedastonishmentIbeheldmyhorsestandingreadysaddled。Draggingthemarefromherfastenings，shehungthelantern，burningasitwas，onthepommelofthesaddle，struckthepantingcreatureasmartblowupontheflank，anddrewbackwithaleaptomyside。

"Thestartledhorsesnorted，gaveaplungeofdismayandstartedawayfromusdowntheroad。

"\'Wewillwait，\'saidLuttra。

"Thewordswerenosooneroutofhermouththanherfatherandbrotherrushedby。

"\'Theywillfollowthelight，\'whisperedshe；andseizingmeagainbythehand，shehurriedmeawayinthedirectionoppositetothatwhichthehorsehadtaken。\'Ifyouwilltrustme，Iwillbringyoutoshelter，\'shemurmured，bendingherslightformtothegustywindbutrelaxingnotawhitofherspeed。

"\'Youaretookind，\'Imurmuredinreturn。\'Whyshouldyouexposeyourselftosuchanextentforastranger?\'

"Herhandtightenedonmine，butshedidnotreply，andwehastenedonasspeedilyasthewindandrainwouldallow。Afterashortbutdeterminedbreastingofthestorm，duringwhichmybreathhadnearlyfailedme，shesuddenlystopped。

"\'Doyouknow，\'sheexclaimedinalowimpressivetone，\'thatweareonthevergeofasteepanddreadfulprecipice?Itrunsalonghereforaquarterofamileanditisnotanuncommonthingforahorseandridertobedashedoveritinanightlikethis。\'

"TherewassomethinginhermannerthatawakenedachillinmyveinsalmostasifshehadpointedoutsomedreadfuldoomwhichIhadunwittinglyescaped。

"\'Thisis，then，adangerousroad，\'Imurmured。

"\'Very，\'washerhurriedandalmostincoherentreply。

"HowfarwetravelledthroughthemudandtangledgrassesofthathorribleroadIdonotknow。Itseemedalongdistance；itwasprobablynotmorethanthreequartersofamile。Atlastshepausedwithashort\'Hereweare；\'andlookingup，Isawthatwewereinfrontofasmallunlightedcottage。

"NorefugeeverappearedmorewelcometoapairofsinkingwanderersI

amsure。Wettotheskin，bedrabbledwithmud，exhaustedwithbreastingthegale，westoodforamomentundertheporchtoregainourbreath，thenwithhercharacteristicenergysheliftedtheknockerandstruckasmartblowonthedoor。

"\'Wewillfindshelterhere，\'saidshe。

"Shewasnotmistaken。Inafewmomentswewerestandingoncemorebeforeacomfortablefirehastilybuiltbytheworthycouplewhoseslumberswehadthusinterrupted。AsIbegantorealizethesweetnessofconscioussafety，allthatthisyoung，heroiccreaturehaddoneformesweptwarmlyacrossmymind。Lookingupfromthefirethatwasbeginingtoinfuseitsheatthroughmygratefulsystem，Isurveyedherassheslowlyundidherlongbraidsandshookthemdryovertheblaze，andalmoststartedtoseehowyoungshewas。NotmorethansixteenIshouldsay，andyetwhataninvinciblewillshonefromherdarkeyesanddignifiedherslenderform；awillgentleasitwasstrong，elevatedasitwasunbending。IbowedmyheadasIwatchedher，ingratefulthankfulnesswhichIpresentlyputintowords。

"Atonceshedrewherselferect。\'Ididbutmyduty，\'saidshequietly。\'IamgladIwasprosperedinit。\'Thenslowly。\'Ifyouaregrateful，sir，willyoupromisetosaynothingof——ofwhattookplaceattheinn?\'

"InstantlyIrememberedasuspicionwhichhadcrossedmymindwhilethere，andmyhandwentinvoluntarilytomyvestpocket。Therollofbillswasgone。

"Shedidnotfalter。\'Iwouldberelievedifyouwould，\'continuedshe。

"Idrewoutmyemptyhand，lookedatit，butsaidnothing。

"\'Haveyoulostanything?\'askedshe。\'Searchinyourovercoatpockets。\'

"Iplungedmyhandintotheonenearestheranddrewitoutwithsatisfaction；therollofbillswasthere。\'Igiveyoumypromise，\'

saidI。

"\'Youwillfindabillmissing，\'shemurmured；\'forwhatamountIdonotknow；thesacrificeofsomethingwasinevitable。\'

"\'Icanonlywonderovertheingenuityyoudisplayed，aswellasexpressmyappreciationforyourbravery，\'returnedIwithenthusiasm。\'Youareanoblegirl。\'

"Sheputoutherhandasifcomplimentshurther。\'Itisthefirsttimetheyhaveeverattemptedanythinglikethat，\'criedsheinaquicklowtonefullofshameandsuffering。\'Theyhaveshownadispositionto——totakemoneysometimes，buttheyneverthreatenedlifebefore。Andtheydidthreatenyours。Theysawyoutakeoutyourmoney，throughaholepiercedinthewalloftheroomyouoccupied，andthesightmadethemmad。Theyweregoingtokillyouandthentumbleyouandyourhorseovertheprecipicebelowthere。ButI

overheardthemtalkingandwhentheywentouttosaddlethehorse，I

hurrieduptoyourroomtowakeyou。Ihadtotakepossessionofthebills；youwerenotsafewhileyouheldthem。ItookthemquietlybecauseIhopedtosaveyouwithoutbetrayingthem。ButIfailedinthat。Youmustremembertheyaremyfatherandmybrother。\'

"\'Iwillnotbetraythem，\'saidI。

"Shesmiled。Itwasawintrygleambutitineffablysoftenedherface。

Ibecameconsciousofamovementofpitytowardsher。

"\'Youhaveahardlot，\'remarkedI。\'Yourlifemustbeasadone。\'

"Sheflasheduponmeoneglanceofherdarkeye。\'Iwasbornforhardship，\'saidshe，\'but——\'andasuddenwildshudderseizedher，\'butnotforcrime。\'

"Thewordfelllikeadropofbloodwrungfromherheart。

"\'Goodheavens!\'criedI，\'andmustyou——\'

"\'No，\'rangfromherlipsinaclarion-likepeal；\'somethingscuttheverybondsofnature。Iamnotcalledupontocleavetowhatwilldragmeintoinfamy。\'Thencalmly，asifspeakingofthemostordinarymatterintheworld，\'Ishallnevergobacktothathousewehaveleftbehindus，sir。\'

"\'But，\'criedI，glancingatherscantygarments，\'wherewillyougo?

Whatwillyoudo?Youareyoung——\'

"\'Andverystrong，\'sheinterrupted。\'Donotfearforme。\'Andhersmilewaslikeaburstofsuddensunshine。

"Isaidnomorethatnight。

"ButwheninthemorningIstumbleduponhersittinginthekitchenreadingabooknotonlyaboveherpositionbutbeyondheryears，asuddenimpulseseizedmeandIaskedherifshewouldliketobeeducated。Theinstantaneousilluminingofherwholefacewassufficientreplywithoutherlowemphaticwords，"\'Iwouldbecontenttostudyonmykneestoknowwhatsomewomendo，whomIhaveseen。\'

"ItisnotnecessaryformetorelatewithwhatpleasureIcaughtattheideathatherewasachancetorepayinsomeslightmeasuretheinestimablefavorshehaddoneme；norbywhatargumentsIfinallywonhertoacceptaneducationatmyhandsassomesortofrecompenseforthelifeshehadsaved。Theadvantagewhichitwouldgiveherinherstrugglewiththeworldsheseemeddulytoappreciate，butthatsogreatafavorcouldbeshownherwithoutcausingmemuchtroubleandanunwarrantableexpense，shecouldnotatoncebebroughttocomprehend，andtillshecould，sheheldoutwiththatgentlebutinflexiblewillofhers。Thebattle，however，waswonatlastandI

leftherinthatlittlecottage，withtheunderstandingthatassoonasthemattercouldbearranged，shewastoenteracertainboarding-schoolinTroywiththemistressofwhichIwasacquainted。

MeanwhileshewastogoouttoserviceatMelvilleandearnenoughmoneytoprovideherselfwithclothes。

"IwasacarelessfellowinthosedaysbutIkeptmypromisetothatgirl。Inotonlyenteredherintothatschoolforacourseofthreeyears，butactingthroughitsmistresswhohadtakenagreatfancytoher，suppliedherwiththenecessitiesherpositionrequired。Itwassoeasy；merelythesigningofacheckfromtimetotime，anditwasdone。IsaythisbecauseIreallythinkifithadinvolvedanypersonalsacrificeonmypart，evenofanhourofmytime，orthelaborofathought，Ishouldnothavedoneit。Forwithmyreturntothecitymyinterestinmycousinrevived，absorbingmetosuchanextentthatanymatterdisconnectedwithhersoonlostallcharmforme。

"Twoyearspassed；IwastheslaveofEvelynBlake，buttherewasnoengagementbetweenus。Myfather\'sdeterminedoppositionwasenoughtopreventthat。ButtherewasanunderstandingwhichIfondlyhopedwouldonedayopenformethewayofhappiness。ButIdidnotknowmyfather。Sickashewas——hewasatthattimelaboringunderthediseasewhichinacoupleofmonthslaterborehimtothetomb——hekeptaneyeuponmymovementsandseemedtoprobemyinmostheart。Atlasthecametoadefinitedecisionandspoke。

"Hiswordsopenedaworldofdismaybeforeme。Iwashisonlychild，asheremarked，andithadbeenandwasthedesireofhishearttoleavemeasrichandindependentamanashimself。ButIseemeddisposedtocommitoneofthoseactsagainstwhichhehadthemostdeterminedprejudice；marriagebetweencousinsbeinginhiseyesanunsanctifiedanddangerousproceeding，liabletoconsequencesthemostunhappy。IfIpersisted，hemustwillhispropertyelsewhere。TheBlakeestateshouldneverdescendwiththesealofhisapprobationtoaraceofprobableimbeciles。

"Norwasthisenough。HenotonlyrobbedmeofthewomanIloved，butwithaclearinsightintothefuture，Ipresume，insisteduponmymarryingsomeoneelseofrespectabilityandworthbeforehedied。

\'Anyonewhoseappearancewilldoyoucreditandwhosevirtueisbeyondreproach，\'saidhe。\'Idon\'taskhertoberichoreventheoffspringofoneofouroldfamilies。Letherbegoodandpureandofnoconnectiontous，andIwillblessherandyouwithmydyingbreath。\'

"Theideahadseizeduponhimwithgreatforce，andIsoonsawhewasnottobeshakenoutofit。Toallmyobjectionshereturnedbuttheoneword，"\'Idon\'trestrictyourchoiceandIgiveyouamonthinwhichtomakeit。Ifattheendofthattimeyoucannotbringyourbridetomybedside，Imustlookaroundforanheirwhowillnotthwartmydyingwishes。\'"

"Amonth!Isurveyedthefashionablebellesthatnightlythrongedtheparlorsofmyfriendsandfeltmyheartsinkwithinme。Takeoneofthemformywife，lovinganotherwoman?Impossible。Womenlikethesedemandedsomethinginreturnforthehonortheyconferreduponamanbymarryinghim。Wealth?theyhadit。Position?thatwastheirsalso。Consideration?ah，whatconsiderationhadItogive?Iturnedfromthemwithdistaste。

"MycousinEvelyngavemenohelp。Shewasaproudwomanandlovedmymoneyandmyexpectationsasmuchasshedidme。

"\'Ifyoumustmarryanotherwomantoretainyourwealth，marry，saidshe，\'butdonotmarryoneofmyassociates。Iwillhavenorivalinmyownempire；yourwifemustbeaplainerandalessaspiringwomanthanEvelynBlake。Yetdonotdiscredityourname，——whichismine，\'

shewouldalwaysadd。

"Meanwhilethedaysflewby。Ifmyownconsciencehadallowedmetoforgetthefact，myfather\'seagerlyinquiring，butsternlyunrelentinggazeasIcameeacheveningtohisbedside，wouldhavekeptitsufficientlyinmymind。Ibegantofeellikeoneinthepowerofsomehugecrushingmachinewhoseslowlydescendingweightheinvainendeavorstoescape。

"HoworwhenthethoughtofLuttrafirstcrossedmymindIcannotsay。

AtfirstIrecoiledatthesuggestionandputitawayfrommeindisdain；butiteverrecurredandwithitsomanyargumentsinherfavorthatbeforelongIfoundmyselfregardingitasarefuge。Tobesureshewasawaifandastray，butthatseemedtobethekindofwifedemandedofme。Shewasalliedtoroguesifnotvillains，I

knew；butthenhadshenotcutallconnectionwiththem，droppedawayfromthem，plantedherfeetonnewgroundwhichtheywouldneverinvade?Icommencedtocherishtheidea。Withthisfriendless，grateful，unassumingprotegeeofmineforawife，Iwouldbeaslittleboundasmightbe。Shewouldasknothing，andIneedgivenothing，beyondahomeandthecommonattentionsrequiredofagentlemanandafriend。Thenshewasnotdisagreeable，norwasherbeautyofatypetosuggestthecharmsofherIhadlost。Noneofthegracesofthehaughtypatricianladywhoselightestgesturewasacommand，wouldappearinthishumblegirl，tomockandconstrainme。

No，Ishouldhaveafairwifeandanobedientone，butnovulgarizedshadowofEvelyn，thankGod，orofanyofherfashionablydressedfriends。

"Advancedthusfartowardstheend，IwenttoseeLuttraIhadnotbeheldhersincethemorningwepartedatthedoorofthatlittlecottageinVermont，andherpresencecausedmeashock。This，thehumblewaifwiththeappealinggratefuleyesIhadexpectedtoencounter?thistallandslendercreaturewithanaureolaofgoldenhairaboutafacethatitwasaneducationtobehold!IfeltahalfmovementofangerasIsurveyedher。Ihadbeencheated；Ihadplantedagrapeseedandapalmtreehadsprungupinitsplace。I

wassotakenaback，mysalutelostsomethingofthebenevolentcondescensionIhadintendedtoinfuseintoit。Sheseemedtofeelmyembarassmentandahalfsmileflutteredtoherlips。Thatsmiledecidedme。Itwassweetbutaboveallelseitwasappealing。

"HowIwonthatwomantomarrymeintendaystimeIcarenottostate。Notbyholdingupmywealthandpositionbeforeher。

Somethingrestrainedmefromthat。Iwasresolved，andperhapsitwastheonlypointoflightinmyconductatthattime，nottobuythisyounggirl。Ineverspokeofmyexpectations，IneveralludedtomypresentadvantagesyetIwonher。

"Weweremarried，there，inTroyinthequietestandmostunpretendingmanner。WhythefacthasnevertranspiredIcannotsay。Icertainlytooknoespecialpainstoconcealitatthetime，thoughI

acknowledgethatafterourseparationIdidresorttosuchmeasuresasIthoughtnecessary，tosuppresswhathadbecomegallandwormwoodtomypride。

"MyfirstmoveaftertheceremonywastobringherimmediatelytoNewYorkandtothishouse。Withperhapsapardonablebitternessofspirit，Ihadrefrainedfromanynotificationofmyintentions，anditwasasstrangersmightenteranunprepareddwelling，thatwesteppedacrossthethresholdofthishouseandpassedimmediatelytomyfather\'sroom。

"\'Icangiveyounoweddingandnohoneymoon，\'Ihadtoldher。\'Myfatherisdyinganddemandsmycare。Fromthealtartoadeath-bedmaybesadforyou，butitisaninevitableconditionofyourmarriagewithme。\'Andshehadacceptedherfatewithadeepunspeakablesmileithastakenmelongmonthsoflonelinessandsufferingtounderstand。

"\'Father，Ibringyoumybride，\'weremyfirstwordstohimasthedoorclosedbehindusshuttingusinwiththedread，invisiblePresencethatforsolongatimehadbeenrelentlesslyadvancinguponourhome。

"Ishallneverforgethowherousedhimselfinhisbed，norwithwhateagereyeshereadheryoungfaceandsurveyedherslightformswayingtowardshiminhersuddenemotionlikeaflameinabreeze。

NorwhileIliveshallIlosesightofthespasmofuncontrollablejoywithwhichheliftedhisagedarmstowardsher，northelookwithwhichshesprangfrommysideandnestled，yesnestled，onthebreastthatnevertomyremembrancehadopeneditselftomeevenintheyearsofmyearliestchildhood。Formyfatherwasasternmanwhobelievedinholdingloveatarm\'slengthandmeasuredaffectionbythedepthofaweitinspired。

"\'Mydaughter!\'brokefromhislips，andheneverinquiredwhoshewasorwhat；no，notevenwhenafteramomentofsilencesheraisedherheadandwithasuddenlowcryofpassionatelonginglookedinhisfaceandmurmured，"\'Ineverhadafather。\'

"Sirs，itisimpossibleformetocontinuewithoutrevealingdepthsofprideandbitternessinmyownnature，fromwhichInowshrinkwithunspeakablepain。Sofarfrombeingtouchedbythisscene，Ifeltmyselfgrowhardunderit。Ifhehadbeendisappointedinmychoice，queriedatitorevenbeensimplypleasedatmyobedience，ImighthaveacceptedthewifeIhadwon，andbeentolerablygrateful。Buttoloveher，admireher，gloryinherwhenEvelynBlakehadneversucceededinwinningaglancefromhiseyesthatwasnotapublicdisapprobation!Icouldnotendureit；mywholebeingrebelled，andamovementlikehatetookpossessionofme。

"Biddingmywifetoleavemewithmyfatheralone，Iscarcelywaitedforthedoortocloseuponthepooryoungthingbeforeallthathadbeenseethinginmybreastforamonth，burstfrommeintheonecry，"\'Ihavebroughtyouadaughterasyoucommandedme。Nowgivemetheblessingyoupromisedandletmego；forIcannotlivewithawomanI

donotlove。\'

"Instantly，andbeforehislipscouldmove，thedooropenedandthewomanIthusrepudiatedinthefirstdawninghourofheryoungbliss，stoodbeforeus。MyGod!whataface!WhenIthinkofitnowinthenightseason——whenfromdreamsthatgloomyastheyare，areoftenelysiantothethoughtswhichbesetmeinmywakinghours，Isuddenlyarousetoseestartinguponmefromthesurroundingshadowsthatyoungfairbrowwithitshaloofgoldentresses，blotted，ayblottedbytheagonythatturnedherthatinstantintostone，IwonderIdidnottakeoutthepistolthatlayinthetablenearwhichIstood，andshootherlifelessonthespotassomesortofacompensationforthemiseryIhadcausedher。IsayIwondernow:thenIonlythoughtofbravingitout。

"Straightasadart，butwiththatlookonherface，shecametowardsus。\'DidIheararight?\'werethewordsthatcamefromherlips。

\'Haveyoumarriedme，awomanbeneathyourstationasInowperceive，becauseyouwerecommandedtodoso?Haveyounotlovedme?givenmethatwhichalonemakesmarriageasacramentorevenapossibility?

andmustyouleavethishousemadesacredbytherecumbentformofyourdyingfatherifIremainwithinit?\'

"Isawmyfather\'sstiffandpallidlipsmovesilentlyasthoughhewouldanswerformeifhecould，andsummoningupwhatcourageI

possessed，ItoldherthatIdeeplyregrettedshehadoverheardmyinconsideratewords。ThatIhadnevermeanttowoundher，whateverbitternesslayinmyhearttowardsonewhohadthwartedmeinmydearestandmostcherishedhopes。ThatIhumblybeggedherpardonandwouldsofaracknowledgeherclaimuponmeastopromisethatIwouldnotleavemyhomeatthistime，ifitdistressedher；mydesirebeingnottoinjureher，onlytoprotectmyself。

"Othescornthatmountedtoherbrowattheseweakwords。Notscornofme，thankGod，worthyasIwasofitthathour，butscornofmyslightopinionofher。

"\'ThenIheardaright，\'shemurmured，andwaitedwithalookthatwouldnotbegainsaid。

"Icouldonlybowmyhead，cursingthedayIwasborn。

"\'Holman!Holman!\'cameinagonizedentreatyfromthebed，\'youwillnotrobmeofmydaughternow?\'

"Startled，Ilookedup。Luttrawashalfwaytothedoor。

"\'Whatareyougoingtodo?\'criedI，boundingtowardsher。

"Shestoppedmewithalook。\'Thesonmustneverforsakethefather，\'

saidshe。\'Ifeitherofusmustleavethehousethisday，letitbeI。\'Theninasoftertone，\'Whenyouaskedmetobeyourwife，Iwhohadworshippedyoufromthemomentyouenteredmyfather\'shouseonthememorablenightIleftit，wassoovercomeatyourcondescensionthatIforgotyoudidnotprefaceitbytheusualpassionate，\'Iloveyou，\'whichmorethanthemarriageringbindstwoheartstogether。Intheglamourandglowofmyjoy，Ididnotseethatthesmilethatwasinmyheart，wasmissingfromyourface。Iwastobeyourwifeandthatwasenough，orsoIthoughtthen，forIlovedyou。Ah，andIdonow，myhusband，loveyousothatIleaveyou。WereitforyourhappinessIwoulddomorethanthat，Iwouldgiveyoubackyourfreedom，butfromwhatIhear，itseemsthatyouneedawifeinnameandIwillbebutfulfillingyourdesireinholdingthatplaceforyou。Iwillneverdisgracethepositionhighasitisabovemypoordeserts。Whenthedaycomes——ifthedaycomes——thatyouneedorfeelyouneedthesustainmentofmypresenceorthedevotionofmyheart，nopoweronearthsavethatofdeathitself，shallkeepmefromyourside。TillthatdayarrivesIremainwhatyouhavemademe，abridewholaysnoclaimtothenameyouthismorningbestoweduponher。\'Andwithagesturethatwaslikeabenediction，sheturned，andnoiselessly，breathlesslyasadreamthatvanishes，lefttheroom。

"Sirs，IbelieveIutteredacryandstumbledtowardsher。Someoneinthatroomutteredacry，butitmaybethatitonlyroseinmyheartandthattheoneIheardcamefrommyfather\'slips。ForwhenatthedoorIturned，startledatthedeathlysilence，Isawhehadfaintedonhispillow。Icouldnotleavehimso。CallingtoMrs。Daniels，whowasneverfarfrommyfatherinthosedays，Ibadeherstopthelady——IbelieveIcalledhermywife——whowasgoingdownthestairs，andthenrushedtohisside。Ittookminutestorevivehim。Whenhecametohimselfitwastoaskforthecreaturewhohadflashedlikeabeaconoflightuponhisdarkeningpath。IroseasiftofetchherbutbeforeIcouldadvanceIheardavoicesay，\'Sheisnothere，\'

andlookingupIsawMrs。Danielsglideintotheroom。

"\'Mrs。Blakehasgone，sir，Icouldnotkeepher。\'

CHAPTERXIII

AMAN\'SHEART

"ThatwasthelasttimemyeyeseverIresteduponmywife。Whithershewentorwhatrefugeshegained，Ineverknew。Myfatherwhohadreceivedinthissceneagreatshock，begantofailsorapidly，hedemandedmyconstantcare；andthoughfromtimetotimeasI

ministeredtohimandnotedwithwhatayearningpersistencyhewouldeyethedoorandthenturnandmeetmygazewithalookIcouldnotunderstand，IcaughtmyselfaskingwhetherIhaddoneadeeddestinedtohangforeveraboutmelikeapall；itwasnottillafterhisdeaththatthedespairingimageofthebrightyoungcreaturetowhomIhadgivenmyname，returnedwithanystartlingdistinctnesstomymind，orthatIallowedmyselftoaskwhethertheheavygloomwhichInowfeltsettlinguponmewasowingtothesenseofshamethatoverpoweredmeattheremembranceofthepast，ortothepossiblelossIhadsustainedinthedepartureofmyyoungunlovedbride。

"TheannouncementatthistimeoftheengagementbetweenEvelynBlakeandtheCountDeMiracmayhavehadsomethingtodowiththis。ThoughIhadneverinthemostpassionatehoursofmyloveforher，lostsightofthatsideofhernaturewhichdemandedasherrighttheluxuryofgreatwealth；andthoughinmytacitabandonmentofherandsecretmarriagewithanotherIhadcertainlylosttherighttocomplainofheractionswhatevertheymightbe，thismanifestsurrenderingofherselftothepowerofwealthandshowatthepriceofallthatwomenarebelievedtoholddear，wasanundoubtedblowtomyprideandtheconfidenceIhadtillnowunconsciouslyreposedinherinherentwomanlinessandaffection。Thatshehadbutmadeonamoreconspicuousscale，thesamesacrificeasmyselftothegodofWealthandPosition，wasinmyeyesatthattime，nopalliationofherconduct。Iwasamannonetoogoodorexaltedatthebest；she，awoman，shouldhavebeensuperiortothetemptationsthatoverpoweredme。Thatshewasnot，seemedtodragallwomanhoodalittlenearerthedust；fashionablewomanhoodIoughttosay，forsomehowevenatthatearlydayherconductdidnotseemtoaffectthevividimageofLuttrastandinguponmythreshold，shornofherjoybutburningwithadevotionIdidnotcomprehend，andsaying，"\'Ilovedyou。Ah，andIdoyet，myhusband，loveyousothatIleaveyou。Whenthedaycomes——ifthedaycomes——youneedorfeelyouneedthesustainmentofmypresenceorthedevotionofmyheart，nopoweronearthsavethatofdeathitself，shallkeepmefromyourside。\'

"Yes，withthefadingawayofotherfacesandotherforms，thatfaceandthatformnowbegantousurpthechiefplaceinmythoughts。Nottomyreliefandpleasure。Thatcouldscarcelybe，rememberingallthathadoccurred；rathertomyincreasingdistressandpassionateresentment。IlongedtoforgetIwasheldbyatie，thatknowntotheworldwouldcausemethebitterestshame。ForbythistimethetruecharacterofherfatherandbrotherhadbeenrevealedandI

foundmyselfboundtothedaughterofaconvictedcriminal。

"ButIcouldnotforgether。Thelookwithwhichshehadleftmewasbrandedintomyconsciousness。Nightanddayitfloatedbeforeme，tilltoescapeitIresolvedtofastenituponcanvas，ifbythatmeansImightsucceedineliminatingitfrommydreams。

"Thepaintingyouhaveseenthisnightistheresult。Bornwithanartist\'stouchandinsightthatunderothercircumstancesmight，perhaps，haveraisedmeintothecolddryatmosphereoffame，theexecutionofthispieceofwork，presentedbutfewdifficultiestomysomewhataccustomedhand。Daybydayherbeautygrewbeneathmybrush，startlingmeoftenwithitsspiritualforceandsignificancetillmymindgrewfeverishoveritswork，andIcouldscarcelyrefrainfromrisingatnighttogiveatouchhereortheretothefloatinggoldenhairorthepiercing，tendereyesturned，ah，everturnedupontheinmostcitadelofmyheartwiththatlookthatslewmyfatherbeforehistimeandmademe，yesme，oldinspiritevenintheardentyearsofmyfirstmanhood。