第3章

BecauseIhadafancyforlookingoutovertheplain，Iwishedtogodownthere-whereIcouldn’tlookoutoveritanylonger。Wasnotthatfinereasoning？Dear，dear，iftheyonlythoughtofit，alltheworldwoulddolikeme。andyouwouldletyourflowersalone，justasIstayuphereinthemountains。’Suddenlyhebrokeoffsharp。’BytheLord！’hecried。Andwhensheaskedhimwhatwaswrong，heturnedthequestionoffandwalkedawayintothehousewithratherahumorousexpressionofface。

Hewassilentattable。andafterthenighthidfallenandthestarshadcomeoutoverhead，hewalkedupanddownforhoursinthecourtyardandgardenwithanunevenpace。TherewasstillalightinthewindowofMarjory’sroom：onelittleoblongpatchoforangeinaworldofdarkbluehillsandsilverstarlight。Will’smindranagreatdealonthewindow。buthisthoughtswerenotverylover-like。’Theresheisinherroom，’hethought，’andtherearethestarsoverhead：-ablessinguponboth！’Bothweregoodinfluencesinhislife。bothsoothedandbracedhiminhisprofoundcontentmentwiththeworld。Andwhatmoreshouldhedesirewitheither？Thefatyoungmanandhiscouncilsweresopresenttohismind，thathethrewbackhishead，and，puttinghishandsbeforehismouth，shoutedaloudtothepopulousheavens。Whetherfromthepositionofhisheadorthesuddenstrainoftheexertion，heseemedtoseeamomentaryshockamongthestars，andadiffusionoffrostylightpassfromonetoanotheralongthesky。Atthesameinstant，acorneroftheblindwasliftedandloweredagainatonce。Helaughedaloudho-ho！’Oneandanother！’thoughtWill。

’Thestarstremble，andtheblindgoesup。Why，beforeHeaven，whatagreatmagicianImustbe！NowifIwereonlyafool，shouldnotIbeinaprettyway？’Andhewentofftobed，chucklingtohimself：’IfIwereonlyafool！’

Thenextmorning，prettyearly，hesawheroncemoreinthegarden，andsoughtherout。

’Ihavebeenthinkingaboutgettingmarried，’hebeganabruptly。

’andafterhavingturneditallover，Ihavemadeupmymindit’snotworthwhile。’

Sheturneduponhimforasinglemoment。buthisradiant，kindlyappearancewould，underthecircumstances，havedisconcertedanangel，andshelookeddownagainuponthegroundinsilence。Hecouldseehertremble。

’Ihopeyoudon’tmind，’hewenton，alittletakenaback。’Yououghtnot。Ihaveturneditallover，anduponmysoulthere’snothinginit。Weshouldneverbeonewhitnearerthanwearejustnow，and，ifIamawiseman，nothinglikesohappy。’

’Itisunnecessarytogoroundaboutwithme，’shesaid。’Iverywellrememberthatyourefusedtocommityourself。andnowthatI

seeyouweremistaken，andinrealityhavenevercaredforme，I

canonlyfeelsadthatIhavebeensofarmisled。’

’Iaskyourpardon，’saidWillstoutly。’youdonotunderstandmymeaning。AstowhetherIhaveeverlovedyouornot，Imustleavethattoothers。Butforonething，myfeelingisnotchanged。andforanother，youmaymakeityourboastthatyouhavemademywholelifeandcharactersomethingdifferentfromwhattheywere。ImeanwhatIsay。noless。Idonotthinkgettingmarriedisworthwhile。Iwouldratheryouwentonlivingwithyourfather，sothatIcouldwalkoverandseeyouonce，ormaybetwiceaweek，aspeoplegotochurch，andthenweshouldbothbeallthehappierbetweenwhiles。That’smynotion。ButI’llmarryyouifyouwill，’headded。

’Doyouknowthatyouareinsultingme？’shebrokeout。

’NotI，Marjory，’saidhe。’ifthereisanythinginaclearconscience，notI。Iofferallmyheart’sbestaffection。youcantakeitorwantit，thoughIsuspectit’sbeyondeitheryourpowerorminetochangewhathasoncebeendone，andsetmefancy-free。

I’llmarryyou，ifyoulike。butItellyouagainandagain，it’snotworthwhile，andwehadbeststayfriends。ThoughIamaquietmanIhavenoticedaheapofthingsinmylife。Trustinme，andtakethingsasIpropose。or，ifyoudon’tlikethat，saytheword，andI’llmarryyououtofhand。’

Therewasaconsiderablepause，andWill，whobegantofeeluneasy，begantogrowangryinconsequence。

’Itseemsyouaretooproudtosayyourmind，’hesaid。’Believemethat’sapity。Acleanshriftmakessimpleliving。Canamanbemoredownrightorhonourable，toawomanthanIhavebeen？I

havesaidmysay，andgivenyouyourchoice。Doyouwantmetomarryyou？orwillyoutakemyfriendship，asIthinkbest？orhaveyouhadenoughofmeforgood？SpeakoutforthedearGod’ssake！

Youknowyourfathertoldyouagirlshouldspeakhermindintheseaffairs。’

Sheseemedtorecoverherselfatthat，turnedwithoutaword，walkedrapidlythroughthegarden，anddisappearedintothehouse，leavingWillinsomeconfusionastotheresult。Hewalkedupanddownthegarden，whistlingsoftlytohimself。Sometimeshestoppedandcontemplatedtheskyandhill-tops。sometimeshewentdowntothetailoftheweirandsatthere，lookingfoolishlyinthewater。

Allthisdubietyandperturbationwassoforeigntohisnatureandthelifewhichhehadresolutelychosenforhimself，thathebegantoregretMarjory’sarrival。’Afterall，’hethought，’Iwasashappyasamanneedbe。IcouldcomedownhereandwatchmyfishesalldaylongifIwanted：Iwasassettledandcontentedasmyoldmill。’

Marjorycamedowntodinner，lookingverytrimandquiet。andnosoonerwereallthreeattablethanshemadeherfatheraspeech，withhereyesfixeduponherplate，butshowingnoothersignofembarrassmentordistress。

’Father，’shebegan，’Mr。WillandIhavebeentalkingthingsover。

Weseethatwehaveeachmadeamistakeaboutourfeelings，andhehasagreed，atmyrequest，togiveupallideaofmarriage，andbenomorethanmyverygoodfriend，asinthepast。Yousee，thereisnoshadowofaquarrel，andindeedIhopeweshallseeagreatdealofhiminthefuture，forhisvisitswillalwaysbewelcomeinourhouse。Ofcourse，father，youwillknowbest，butperhapsweshoulddobettertoleaveMr。Will’shouseforthepresent。I

believe，afterwhathaspassed，weshouldhardlybeagreeableinmatesforsomedays。’

Will，whohadcommandedhimselfwithdifficultyfromthefirst，brokeoutuponthisintoaninarticulatenoise，andraisedonehandwithanappearanceofrealdismay，asifhewereabouttointerfereandcontradict。Butshecheckedhimatoncelookingupathimwithaswiftglanceandanangryflushuponhercheek。

’Youwillperhapshavethegoodgrace，’shesaid，’toletmeexplainthesemattersformyself。’

Willwasputentirelyoutofcountenancebyherexpressionandtheringofhervoice。Heheldhispeace，concludingthatthereweresomethingsaboutthisgirlbeyondhiscomprehension，inwhichhewasexactlyright。

Thepoorparsonwasquitecrestfallen。Hetriedtoprovethatthiswasnomorethanatruelovers’tiff，whichwouldpassoffbeforenight。andwhenhewasdislodgedfromthatposition，hewentontoarguethatwheretherewasnoquarreltherecouldbenocallforaseparation。forthegoodmanlikedbothhisentertainmentandhishost。Itwascurioustoseehowthegirlmanagedthem，sayinglittleallthetime，andthatveryquietly，andyettwistingthemroundherfingerandinsensiblyleadingthemwherevershewouldbyfemininetactandgeneralship。Itscarcelyseemedtohavebeenherdoing-itseemedasifthingshadmerelysofallenout-thatsheandherfathertooktheirdeparturethatsameafternooninafarm-

cart，andwentfartherdownthevalley，towait，untiltheirownhousewasreadyforthem，inanotherhamlet。ButWillhadbeenobservingclosely，andwaswellawareofherdexterityandresolution。Whenhefoundhimselfalonehehadagreatmanycuriousmatterstoturnoverinhismind。Hewasverysadandsolitary，tobeginwith。Alltheinteresthadgoneoutofhislife，andhemightlookupatthestarsaslongashepleased，hesomehowfailedtofindsupportorconsolation。AndthenhewasinsuchaturmoilofspiritaboutMarjory。Hehadbeenpuzzledandirritatedatherbehaviour，andyethecouldnotkeephimselffromadmiringit。Hethoughtherecognisedafine，perverseangelinthatstillsoulwhichhehadneverhithertosuspected。andthoughhesawitwasaninfluencethatwouldfitbutillwithhisownlifeofartificialcalm，hecouldnotkeephimselffromardentlydesiringtopossessit。Likeamanwhohaslivedamongshadowsandnowmeetsthesun，hewasbothpainedanddelighted。

Asthedayswentforwardhepassedfromoneextremetoanother。nowpluminghimselfonthestrengthofhisdetermination，nowdespisinghistimidandsillycaution。Theformerwas，perhaps，thetruethoughtofhisheart，andrepresentedtheregulartenoroftheman’sreflections。butthelatterburstforthfromtimetotimewithanunrulyviolence，andthenhewouldforgetallconsideration，andgoupanddownhishouseandgardenorwalkamongthefir-woodslikeonewhoisbesidehimselfwithremorse。

Toequable，steady-mindedWillthisstateofmatterswasintolerable。andhedetermined，atwhatevercost，tobringittoanend。So，onewarmsummerafternoonheputonhisbestclothes，tookathornswitchinhishand，andsetoutdownthevalleybytheriver。Assoonashehadtakenhisdetermination，hehadregainedataboundhiscustomarypeaceofheart，andheenjoyedthebrightweatherandthevarietyofthescenewithoutanyadmixtureofalarmorunpleasanteagerness。Itwasnearlythesametohimhowthematterturnedout。Ifsheacceptedhimhewouldhavetomarryherthistime，whichperhapswas，allforthebest。Ifsherefusedhim，hewouldhavedonehisutmost，andmightfollowhisownwayinthefuturewithanuntroubledconscience。Hehoped，onthewhole，shewouldrefusehim。andthen，again，ashesawthebrownroofwhichshelteredher，peepingthroughsomewillowsatanangleofthestream，hewashalfinclinedtoreversethewish，andmorethanhalfashamedofhimselfforthisinfirmityofpurpose。

Marjoryseemedgladtoseehim，andgavehimherhandwithoutaffectationordelay。

’Ihavebeenthinkingaboutthismarriage，’hebegan。

’SohaveI，’sheanswered。’AndIrespectyoumoreandmoreforaverywiseman。YouunderstoodmebetterthanIunderstoodmyself。

andIamnowquitecertainthatthingsareallforthebestastheyare。’

’Atthesametime-，’venturedWill。

’Youmustbetired，’sheinterrupted。’Takeaseatandletmefetchyouaglassofwine。Theafternoonissowarm。andIwishyounottobedispleasedwithyourvisit。Youmustcomequiteoften。onceaweek，ifyoucansparethetime。Iamalwayssogladtoseemyfriends。’

’O，verywell，’thoughtWilltohimself。’ItappearsIwasrightafterall。’Andhepaidaveryagreeablevisit，walkedhomeagainincapitalspirits，andgavehimselfnofurtherconcernaboutthematter。

FornearlythreeyearsWillandMarjorycontinuedontheseterms，seeingeachotheronceortwiceaweekwithoutanywordoflovebetweenthem。andforallthattimeIbelieveWillwasnearlyashappyasamancanbe。Heratherstintedhimselfthepleasureofseeingher。andhewouldoftenwalkhalf-wayovertotheparsonage，andthenbackagain，asiftowhethisappetite。Indeedtherewasonecorneroftheroad，whencehecouldseethechurch-spirewedgedintoacreviceofthevalleybetweenslopingfirwoods，withatriangularsnatchofplainbywayofbackground，whichhegreatlyaffectedasaplacetositandmoraliseinbeforereturninghomewards。andthepeasantsgotsomuchintothehabitoffindinghimthereinthetwilightthattheygaveitthenameof’Willo’

theMill’sCorner。’

AttheendofthethreeyearsMarjoryplayedhimasadtrickbysuddenlymarryingsomebodyelse。Willkepthiscountenancebravely，andmerelyremarkedthat，foraslittleasheknewofwomen，hehadactedveryprudentlyinnotmarryingherhimselfthreeyearsbefore。Sheplainlyknewverylittleofherownmind，and，inspiteofadeceptivemanner，wasasfickleandflightyastherestofthem。Hehadtocongratulatehimselfonanescape，hesaid，andwouldtakeahigheropinionofhisownwisdominconsequence。Butatheart，hewasreasonablydispleased，mopedagooddealforamonthortwo，andfellawayinflesh，totheastonishmentofhisserving-lads。

ItwasperhapsayearafterthismarriagethatWillwasawakenedlateonenightbythesoundofahorsegallopingontheroad，followedbyprecipitateknockingattheinn-door。Heopenedhiswindowandsawafarmservant，mountedandholdingaledhorsebythebridle，whotoldhimtomakewhathastehecouldandgoalongwithhim。forMarjorywasdying，andhadsenturgentlytofetchhimtoherbedside。Willwasnohorseman，andmadesolittlespeeduponthewaythatthepooryoungwifewasverynearherendbeforehearrived。Buttheyhadsomeminutes’talkinprivate，andhewaspresentandweptverybitterlywhileshebreathedherlast。

CHAPTERIII。DEATH

Yearafteryearwentawayintonothing，withgreatexplosionsandoutcriesinthecitiesontheplain：redrevoltspringingupandbeingsuppressedinblood，battleswayinghitherandthither，patientastronomersinobservatorytowerspickingoutandchristeningnewstars，playsbeingperformedinlightedtheatres，peoplebeingcarriedintohospitalonstretchers，andalltheusualturmoilandagitationofmen’slivesincrowdedcentres。UpinWill’svalleyonlythewindsandseasonsmadeanepoch。thefishhungintheswiftstream，thebirdscircledoverhead，thepine-topsrustledunderneaththestars，thetallhillsstoodoverall。andWillwenttoandfro，mindinghiswaysideinn，untilthesnowbegantothickenonhishead。Hisheartwasyoungandvigorous。andifhispulseskeptasobertime，theystillbeatstrongandsteadyinhiswrists。Hecarriedaruddystainoneithercheek，likearipeapple。hestoopedalittle，buthisstepwasstillfirm。andhissinewyhandswerereachedouttoallmenwithafriendlypressure。

Hisfacewascoveredwiththosewrinkleswhicharegotinopenair，andwhichrightlylookedat，arenomorethanasortofpermanentsunburning。suchwrinklesheightenthestupidityofstupidfaces。

buttoapersonlikeWill，withhiscleareyesandsmilingmouth，onlygiveanothercharmbytestifyingtoasimpleandeasylife。

Histalkwasfullofwisesayings。Hehadatasteforotherpeople。andotherpeoplehadatasteforhim。Whenthevalleywasfulloftouristsintheseason，thereweremerrynightsinWill’sarbour。andhisviews，whichseemedwhimsicaltohisneighbours，wereoftenenoughadmiredbylearnedpeopleoutoftownsandcolleges。Indeed，hehadaverynobleoldage，andgrewdailybetterknown。sothathisfamewasheardofinthecitiesoftheplain。andyoungmenwhohadbeensummertravellersspoketogetherinCAFESofWillo’theMillandhisroughphilosophy。Manyandmanyaninvitation，youmaybesure，hehad。butnothingcouldtempthimfromhisuplandvalley。Hewouldshakehisheadandsmileoverhistobacco-pipewithadealofmeaning。’Youcometoolate，’hewouldanswer。’Iamadeadmannow：Ihavelivedanddiedalready。Fiftyyearsagoyouwouldhavebroughtmyheartintomymouth。andnowyoudonoteventemptme。Butthatistheobjectoflongliving，thatmanshouldceasetocareaboutlife。’Andagain：’Thereisonlyonedifferencebetweenalonglifeandagooddinner：that，inthedinner，thesweetscomelast。’Oroncemore：

’WhenIwasaboy，Iwasabitpuzzled，andhardlyknewwhetheritwasmyselfortheworldthatwascuriousandworthlookinginto。

Now，Iknowitismyself，andsticktothat。’

Henevershowedanysymptomoffrailty，butkeptstalwartandfirmtothelast。buttheysayhegrewlesstalkativetowardstheend，andwouldlistentootherpeoplebythehourinanamusedandsympatheticsilence。Only，whenhedidspeak，itwasmoretothepointandmorechargedwitholdexperience。Hedrankabottleofwinegladly。aboveall，atsunsetonthehill-toporquitelateatnightunderthestarsinthearbour。Thesightofsomethingattractiveandunatttainableseasonedhisenjoyment，hewouldsay。

andheprofessedhehadlivedlongenoughtoadmireacandleallthemorewhenhecouldcompareitwithaplanet。

Onenight，inhisseventy-secondyear，heawokeinbedinsuchuneasinessofbodyandmindthathearoseanddressedhimselfandwentouttomeditateinthearbour。Itwaspitchdark，withoutastar。theriverwasswollen，andthewetwoodsandmeadowsloadedtheairwithperfume。Ithadthunderedduringtheday，anditpromisedmorethunderforthemorrow。Amurky，stiflingnightforamanofseventy-two！Whetheritwastheweatherorthewakefulness，orsomelittletouchoffeverinhisoldlimbs，Will’smindwasbesiegedbytumultuousandcryingmemories。Hisboyhood，thenightwiththefatyoungman，thedeathofhisadoptedparents，thesummerdayswithMarjory，andmanyofthosesmallcircumstances，whichseemnothingtoanother，andareyettheverygistofaman’sownlifetohimself-thingsseen，wordsheard，looksmisconstrued-arosefromtheirforgottencornersandusurpedhisattention。Thedeadthemselveswerewithhim，notmerelytakingpartinthisthinshowofmemorythatdefiledbeforehisbrain，butrevisitinghisbodilysensesastheydoinprofoundandvividdreams。Thefatyoungmanleanedhiselbowsonthetableopposite。Marjorycameandwentwithanapronfulofflowersbetweenthegardenandthearbour。hecouldheartheoldparsonknockingouthispipeorblowinghisresonantnose。Thetideofhisconsciousnessebbedandflowed：hewassometimeshalf-asleepanddrownedinhisrecollectionsofthepast。andsometimeshewasbroadawake，wonderingathimself。Butaboutthemiddleofthenighthewasstartledbythevoiceofthedeadmillercallingtohimoutofthehouseasheusedtodoonthearrivalofcustom。

ThehallucinationwassoperfectthatWillsprangfromhisseatandstoodlisteningforthesummonstoberepeated。andashelistenedhebecameconsciousofanothernoisebesidesthebrawlingoftheriverandtheringinginhisfeverishears。Itwaslikethestirofhorsesandthecreakingofharness，asthoughacarriagewithanimpatientteamhadbeenbroughtupupontheroadbeforethecourtyardgate。Atsuchanhour，uponthisroughanddangerouspass，thesuppositionwasnobetterthanabsurd。andWilldismisseditfromhismind，andresumedhisseatuponthearbourchair。andsleepclosedoverhimagainlikerunningwater。Hewasonceagainawakenedbythedeadmiller’scall，thinnerandmorespectralthanbefore。andonceagainheheardthenoiseofanequipageupontheroad。Andsothriceandfourtimes，thesamedream，orthesamefancy，presenteditselftohissenses：untilatlength，smilingtohimselfaswhenonehumoursanervouschild，heproceededtowardsthegatetosethisuncertaintyatrest。

Fromthearbourtothegatewasnogreatdistance，andyetittookWillsometime。itseemedasifthedeadthickenedaroundhiminthecourt，andcrossedhispathateverystep。For，first，hewassuddenlysurprisedbyanoverpoweringsweetnessofheliotropes。itwasasifhisgardenhadbeenplantedwiththisflowerfromendtoend，andthehot，dampnighthaddrawnforthalltheirperfumesinabreath。NowtheheliotropehadbeenMarjory’sfavouriteflower，andsinceherdeathnotoneofthemhadeverbeenplantedinWill’sground。

’Imustbegoingcrazy，’hethought。’PoorMarjoryandherheliotropes！’

Andwiththatheraisedhiseyestowardsthewindowthathadoncebeenhers。Ifhehadbeenbewilderedbefore，hewasnowalmostterrified。fortherewasalightintheroom。thewindowwasanorangeoblongasofyore。andthecorneroftheblindwasliftedandletfallasonthenightwhenhestoodandshoutedtothestarsinhisperplexity。Theillusiononlyenduredaninstant。butitlefthimsomewhatunmanned，rubbinghiseyesandstaringattheoutlineofthehouseandtheblacknightbehindit。Whilehethusstood，anditseemedasifhemusthavestoodtherequitealongtime，therecamearenewalofthenoisesontheroad：andheturnedintimetomeetastranger，whowasadvancingtomeethimacrossthecourt。Therewassomethingliketheoutlineofagreatcarriagediscernibleontheroadbehindthestranger，and，abovethat，afewblackpine-tops，likesomanyplumes。

’MasterWill？’askedthenew-comer，inbriefmilitaryfashion。

’Thatsame，sir，’answeredWill。’CanIdoanythingtoserveyou？’

’Ihaveheardyoumuchspokenof，MasterWill，’returnedtheother。

’muchspokenof，andwell。AndthoughIhavebothhandsfullofbusiness，Iwishtodrinkabottleofwinewithyouinyourarbour。

BeforeIgo，Ishallintroducemyself。’

Willledthewaytothetrellis，andgotalamplightedandabottleuncorked。Hewasnotaltogetherunusedtosuchcomplimentaryinterviews，andhopedlittleenoughfromthisone，beingschooledbymanydisappointments。Asortofcloudhadsettledonhiswitsandpreventedhimfromrememberingthestrangenessofthehour。Hemovedlikeapersoninhissleep。anditseemedasifthelampcaughtfireandthebottlecameuncorkedwiththefacilityofthought。Still，hehadsomecuriosityabouttheappearanceofhisvisitor，andtriedinvaintoturnthelightintohisface。eitherhehandledthelampclumsily，ortherewasadimnessoverhiseyes。buthecouldmakeoutlittlemorethanashadowattablewithhim。Hestaredandstaredatthisshadow，ashewipedouttheglasses，andbegantofeelcoldandstrangeabouttheheart。Thesilenceweigheduponhim，forhecouldhearnothingnow，noteventheriver，butthedrummingofhisownarteriesinhisears。

’Here’stoyou，’saidthestranger，roughly。

’Hereismyservice，sir，’repliedWill，sippinghiswine，whichsomehowtastedoddly。

’Iunderstandyouareaverypositivefellow，’pursuedthestranger。

Willmadeanswerwithasmileofsomesatisfactionandalittlenod。

’SoamI，’continuedtheother。’anditisthedelightofmyhearttotramponpeople’scorns。Iwillhavenobodypositivebutmyself。notone。Ihavecrossedthewhims，inmytime，ofkingsandgeneralsandgreatartists。Andwhatwouldyousay，’hewenton，’ifIhadcomeuphereonpurposetocrossyours？’

Willhaditonhistonguetomakeasharprejoinder。butthepolitenessofanoldinnkeeperprevailed。andheheldhispeaceandmadeanswerwithacivilgestureofthehand。

’Ihave，’saidthestranger。’AndifIdidnotholdyouinaparticularesteem，Ishouldmakenowordsaboutthematter。Itappearsyouprideyourselfonstayingwhereyouare。Youmeantostickbyyourinn。NowImeanyoushallcomeforaturnwithmeinmybarouche。andbeforethisbottle’sempty，soyoushall。’

’Thatwouldbeanoddthing，tobesure，’repliedWill，withachuckle。’Why，sir，Ihavegrownherelikeanoldoak-tree。theDevilhimselfcouldhardlyrootmeup：andforallIperceiveyouareaveryentertainingoldgentleman，Iwouldwageryouanotherbottleyouloseyourpainswithme。’

ThedimnessofWill’seyesighthadbeenincreasingallthiswhile。

buthewassomehowconsciousofasharpandchillingscrutinywhichirritatedandyetovermasteredhim。

’Youneednotthink，’hebrokeoutsuddenly，inanexplosive，febrilemannerthatstartledandalarmedhimself，’thatIamastay-at-home，becauseIfearanythingunderGod。GodknowsIamtiredenoughofitall。andwhenthetimecomesforalongerjourneythaneveryoudreamof，IreckonIshallfindmyselfprepared。’

Thestrangeremptiedhisglassandpusheditawayfromhim。Helookeddownforalittle，andthen，leaningoverthetable，tappedWillthreetimesupontheforearmwithasinglefinger。’Thetimehascome！’hesaidsolemnly。

Anuglythrillspreadfromthespothetouched。Thetonesofhisvoiceweredullandstartling，andechoedstrangelyinWill’sheart。

’Ibegyourpardon，’hesaid，withsomediscomposure。’Whatdoyoumean？’

’Lookatme，andyouwillfindyoureyesightswim。Raiseyourhand。itisdead-heavy。Thisisyourlastbottleofwine，MasterWill，andyourlastnightupontheearth。’

’Youareadoctor？’quaveredWill。

’Thebestthateverwas，’repliedtheother。’forIcurebothmindandbodywiththesameprescription。ItakeawayallplainandI

forgiveallsins。andwheremypatientshavegonewronginlife，I

smoothoutallcomplicationsandsetthemfreeagainupontheirfeet。’

’Ihavenoneedofyou，’saidWill。

’Atimecomesforallmen，MasterWill，’repliedthedoctor，’whenthehelmistakenoutoftheirhands。Foryou，becauseyouwereprudentandquiet，ithasbeenlongofcoming，andyouhavehadlongtodisciplineyourselfforitsreception。Youhaveseenwhatistobeseenaboutyourmill。youhavesatcloseallyourdayslikeahareinitsform。butnowthatisatanend。and，’addedthedoctor，gettingonhisfeet，’youmustariseandcomewithme。’

’Youareastrangephysician，’saidWill，lookingsteadfastlyuponhisguest。

’Iamanaturallaw，’hereplied，’andpeoplecallmeDeath。’

’Whydidyounottellmesoatfirst？’criedWill。’Ihavebeenwaitingforyouthesemanyyears。Givemeyourhand，andwelcome。’

’Leanuponmyarm，’saidthestranger，’foralreadyyourstrengthabates。Leanonmeasheavilyasyouneed。forthoughIamold，I

amverystrong。Itisbutthreestepstomycarriage，andthereallyourtroubleends。Why，Will，’headded，’Ihavebeenyearningforyouasifyouweremyownson。andofallthementhateverI

cameforinmylongdays，Ihavecomeforyoumostgladly。Iamcaustic，andsometimesoffendpeopleatfirstsight。butIamagoodfriendathearttosuchasyou。’

’SinceMarjorywastaken，’returnedWill，’IdeclarebeforeGodyouweretheonlyfriendIhadtolookfor。’Sothepairwentarm-in-

armacrossthecourtyard。

Oneoftheservantsawokeaboutthistimeandheardthenoiseofhorsespawingbeforehedroppedasleepagain。alldownthevalleythatnighttherewasarushingasofasmoothandsteadywinddescendingtowardstheplain。andwhentheworldrosenextmorning，sureenoughWillo’theMillhadgoneatlastuponhistravels。

MARKHEIM

’YES，’saidthedealer，’ourwindfallsareofvariouskinds。Somecustomersareignorant，andthenItouchadividendonmysuperiorknowledge。Somearedishonest，’andhereheheldupthecandle，sothatthelightfellstronglyonhisvisitor，’andinthatcase，’hecontinued，’Iprofitbymyvirtue。’

Markheimhadbutjustenteredfromthedaylightstreets，andhiseyeshadnotyetgrownfamiliarwiththemingledshineanddarknessintheshop。Atthesepointedwords，andbeforethenearpresenceoftheflame，heblinkedpainfullyandlookedaside。

Thedealerchuckled。’YoucometomeonChristmasDay，’heresumed，’whenyouknowthatIamaloneinmyhouse，putupmyshutters，andmakeapointofrefusingbusiness。Well，youwillhavetopayforthat。youwillhavetopayformylossoftime，whenIshouldbebalancingmybooks。youwillhavetopay，besides，forakindofmannerthatIremarkinyouto-dayverystrongly。I

amtheessenceofdiscretion，andasknoawkwardquestions。butwhenacustomercannotlookmeintheeye，hehastopayforit。’

Thedealeroncemorechuckled。andthen，changingtohisusualbusinessvoice，thoughstillwithanoteofirony，’Youcangive，asusual，aclearaccountofhowyoucameintothepossessionoftheobject？’hecontinued。’Stillyouruncle’scabinet？A

remarkablecollector，sir！’

Andthelittlepale，round-shouldereddealerstoodalmostontip-

toe，lookingoverthetopofhisgoldspectacles，andnoddinghisheadwitheverymarkofdisbelief。Markheimreturnedhisgazewithoneofinfinitepity，andatouchofhorror。

’Thistime，’saidhe，’youareinerror。Ihavenotcometosell，buttobuy。Ihavenocuriostodisposeof。myuncle’scabinetisbaretothewainscot。evenwereitstillintact，IhavedonewellontheStockExchange，andshouldmorelikelyaddtoitthanotherwise，andmyerrandto-dayissimplicityitself。IseekaChristmaspresentforalady，’hecontinued，waxingmorefluentashestruckintothespeechhehadprepared。’andcertainlyIoweyoueveryexcuseforthusdisturbingyouuponsosmallamatter。Butthethingwasneglectedyesterday。Imustproducemylittlecomplimentatdinner。and，asyouverywellknow，arichmarriageisnotathingtobeneglected。’

Therefollowedapause，duringwhichthedealerseemedtoweighthisstatementincredulously。Thetickingofmanyclocksamongthecuriouslumberoftheshop，andthefaintrushingofthecabsinanearthoroughfare，filleduptheintervalofsilence。

’Well，sir，’saidthedealer，’beitso。Youareanoldcustomerafterall。andif，asyousay，youhavethechanceofagoodmarriage，farbeitfrommetobeanobstacle。Hereisanicethingforaladynow，’hewenton，’thishandglass-fifteenthcentury，warranted。comesfromagoodcollection，too。butI

reservethename，intheinterestsofmycustomer，whowasjustlikeyourself，mydearsir，thenephewandsoleheirofaremarkablecollector。’

Thedealer，whilehethusranoninhisdryandbitingvoice，hadstoopedtotaketheobjectfromitsplace。and，ashehaddoneso，ashockhadpassedthroughMarkheim，astartbothofhandandfoot，asuddenleapofmanytumultuouspassionstotheface。Itpassedasswiftlyasitcame，andleftnotracebeyondacertaintremblingofthehandthatnowreceivedtheglass。

’Aglass，’hesaidhoarsely，andthenpaused，andrepeateditmoreclearly。’Aglass？ForChristmas？Surelynot？’

’Andwhynot？’criedthedealer。’Whynotaglass？’

Markheimwaslookinguponhimwithanindefinableexpression。’Youaskmewhynot？’hesaid。’Why，lookhere-lookinit-lookatyourself！Doyouliketoseeit？No！norI-noranyman。’

ThelittlemanhadjumpedbackwhenMarkheimhadsosuddenlyconfrontedhimwiththemirror。butnow，perceivingtherewasnothingworseonhand，hechuckled。’Yourfuturelady，sir，mustbeprettyhardfavoured，’saidhe。

’Iaskyou，’saidMarkheim，’foraChristmaspresent，andyougivemethis-thisdamnedreminderofyears，andsinsandfollies-

thishand-conscience！Didyoumeanit？Hadyouathoughtinyourmind？Tellme。Itwillbebetterforyouifyoudo。Come，tellmeaboutyourself。Ihazardaguessnow，thatyouareinsecretaverycharitableman？’

Thedealerlookedcloselyathiscompanion。Itwasveryodd，Markheimdidnotappeartobelaughing。therewassomethinginhisfacelikeaneagersparkleofhope，butnothingofmirth。

’Whatareyoudrivingat？’thedealerasked。

’Notcharitable？’returnedtheother，gloomily。Notcharitable。

notpious。notscrupulous。unloving，unbeloved。ahandtogetmoney，asafetokeepit。Isthatall？DearGod，man，isthatall？’

’Iwilltellyouwhatitis，’beganthedealer，withsomesharpness，andthenbrokeoffagainintoachuckle。’ButIseethisisalovematchofyours，andyouhavebeendrinkingthelady’shealth。’

’Ah！’criedMarkheim，withastrangecuriosity。’Ah，haveyoubeeninlove？Tellmeaboutthat。’

’I，’criedthedealer。’Iinlove！Ineverhadthetime，norhaveIthetimeto-dayforallthisnonsense。Willyoutaketheglass？’

’Whereisthehurry？’returnedMarkheim。’Itisverypleasanttostandheretalking。andlifeissoshortandinsecurethatIwouldnothurryawayfromanypleasure-no，notevenfromsomildaoneasthis。Weshouldrathercling，clingtowhatlittlewecanget，likeamanatacliff’sedge。Everysecondisacliff，ifyouthinkuponit-acliffamilehigh-highenough，ifwefall，todashusoutofeveryfeatureofhumanity。Henceitisbesttotalkpleasantly。Letustalkofeachother：whyshouldwewearthismask？Letusbeconfidential。Whoknows，wemightbecomefriends？’

’Ihavejustonewordtosaytoyou，’saidthedealer。’Eithermakeyourpurchase，orwalkoutofmyshop！’

’Truetrue，’saidMarkheim。’Enough，fooling。Tobusiness。Showmesomethingelse。’

Thedealerstoopedoncemore，thistimetoreplacetheglassupontheshelf，histhinblondhairfallingoverhiseyesashedidso。

Markheimmovedalittlenearer，withonehandinthepocketofhisgreatcoat。hedrewhimselfupandfilledhislungs。atthesametimemanydifferentemotionsweredepictedtogetheronhisface-

terror，horror，andresolve，fascinationandaphysicalrepulsion。

andthroughahaggardliftofhisupperlip，histeethlookedout。

’This，perhaps，maysuit，’observedthedealer：andthen，ashebegantore-arise，Markheimboundedfrombehinduponhisvictim。

Thelong，skewerlikedaggerflashedandfell。Thedealerstruggledlikeahen，strikinghistempleontheshelf，andthentumbledonthefloorinaheap。

Timehadsomescoreofsmallvoicesinthatshop，somestatelyandslowaswasbecomingtotheirgreatage。othersgarrulousandhurried。Allthesetoldoutthesecondsinanintricate，chorusoftickings。Thenthepassageofalad’sfeet，heavilyrunningonthepavement，brokeinuponthesesmallervoicesandstartledMarkheimintotheconsciousnessofhissurroundings。Helookedabouthimawfully。Thecandlestoodonthecounter，itsflamesolemnlywagginginadraught。andbythatinconsiderablemovement，thewholeroomwasfilledwithnoiselessbustleandkeptheavinglikeasea：thetallshadowsnodding，thegrossblotsofdarknessswellinganddwindlingaswithrespiration，thefacesoftheportraitsandthechinagodschangingandwaveringlikeimagesinwater。Theinnerdoorstoodajar，andpeeredintothatleaguerofshadowswithalongslitofdaylightlikeapointingfinger。

Fromthesefear-strickenrovings，Markheim’seyesreturnedtothebodyofhisvictim，whereitlaybothhumpedandsprawling，incrediblysmallandstrangelymeanerthaninlife。Inthesepoor，miserlyclothes，inthatungainlyattitude，thedealerlaylikesomuchsawdust。Markheimhadfearedtoseeit，and，lo！itwasnothing。Andyet，ashegazed，thisbundleofoldclothesandpoolofbloodbegantofindeloquentvoices。Thereitmustlie。therewasnonetoworkthecunninghingesordirectthemiracleoflocomotion-thereitmustlietillitwasfound。Found！ay，andthen？ThenwouldthisdeadfleshliftupacrythatwouldringoverEngland，andfilltheworldwiththeechoesofpursuit。Ay，deadornot，thiswasstilltheenemy。’Timewasthatwhenthebrainswereout，’hethought。andthefirstwordstruckintohismind。Time，nowthatthedeedwasaccomplished-time，whichhadclosedforthevictim，hadbecomeinstantandmomentousfortheslayer。

Thethoughtwasyetinhismind，when，firstoneandthenanother，witheveryvarietyofpaceandvoice-onedeepasthebellfromacathedralturret，anotherringingonitstreblenotesthepreludeofawaltz-theclocksbegantostrikethehourofthreeintheafternoon。

Thesuddenoutbreakofsomanytonguesinthatdumbchamberstaggeredhim。Hebegantobestirhimself，goingtoandfrowiththecandle，beleagueredbymovingshadows，andstartledtothesoulbychancereflections。Inmanyrichmirrors，someofhomedesign，somefromVeniceorAmsterdam，hesawhisfacerepeatedandrepeated，asitwereanarmyofspies。hisowneyesmetanddetectedhim。andthesoundofhisownsteps，lightlyastheyfell，vexedthesurroundingquiet。Andstill，ashecontinuedtofillhispockets，hismindaccusedhimwithasickeningiteration，ofthethousandfaultsofhisdesign。Heshouldhavechosenamorequiethour。heshouldhavepreparedanalibi。heshouldnothaveusedaknife。heshouldhavebeenmorecautious，andonlyboundandgaggedthedealer，andnotkilledhim。heshouldhavebeenmorebold，andkilledtheservantalso。heshouldhavedoneallthingsotherwise：poignantregrets，weary，incessanttoilingofthemindtochangewhatwasunchangeable，toplanwhatwasnowuseless，tobethearchitectoftheirrevocablepast。Meanwhile，andbehindallthisactivity，bruteterrors，likethescurryingofratsinadesertedattic，filledthemoreremotechambersofhisbrainwithriot。thehandoftheconstablewouldfallheavyonhisshoulder，andhisnerveswouldjerklikeahookedfish。orhebeheld，ingallopingdefile，thedock，theprison，thegallows，andtheblackcoffin。

Terrorofthepeopleinthestreetsatdownbeforehismindlikeabesiegingarmy。Itwasimpossible，hethought，butthatsomerumourofthestrugglemusthavereachedtheirearsandsetonedgetheircuriosity。andnow，inalltheneighbouringhouses，hedivinedthemsittingmotionlessandwithupliftedear-solitarypeople，condemnedtospendChristmasdwellingaloneonmemoriesofthepast，andnowstartinglyrecalledfromthattenderexercise。

happyfamilypartiesstruckintosilenceroundthetable，themotherstillwithraisedfinger：everydegreeandageandhumour，butall，bytheirownhearths，pryingandhearkeningandweavingtheropethatwastohanghim。Sometimesitseemedtohimhecouldnotmovetoosoftly。theclinkofthetallBohemiangobletsrangoutloudlylikeabell。andalarmedbythebignessoftheticking，hewastemptedtostoptheclocks。Andthen，again，withaswifttransitionofhisterrors，theverysilenceoftheplaceappearedasourceofperil，andathingtostrikeandfreezethepasser-by。

andhewouldstepmoreboldly，andbustlealoudamongthecontentsoftheshop，andimitate，withelaboratebravado，themovementsofabusymanateaseinhisownhouse。

Buthewasnowsopulledaboutbydifferentalarmsthat，whileoneportionofhismindwasstillalertandcunning，anothertrembledonthebrinkoflunacy。Onehallucinationinparticulartookastrongholdonhiscredulity。Theneighbourhearkeningwithwhitefacebesidehiswindow，thepasser-byarrestedbyahorriblesurmiseonthepavement-thesecouldatworstsuspect，theycouldnotknow。throughthebrickwallsandshutteredwindowsonlysoundscouldpenetrate。Buthere，withinthehouse，washealone？Heknewhewas。hehadwatchedtheservantsetforthsweet-hearting，inherpoorbest，’outfortheday’writtenineveryribbonandsmile。Yes，hewasalone，ofcourse。andyet，inthebulkofemptyhouseabovehim，hecouldsurelyhearastirofdelicatefooting-

hewassurelyconscious，inexplicablyconsciousofsomepresence。

Ay，surely。toeveryroomandcornerofthehousehisimaginationfollowedit。andnowitwasafacelessthing，andyethadeyestoseewith。andagainitwasashadowofhimself。andyetagainbeholdtheimageofthedeaddealer，reinspiredwithcunningandhatred。

Attimes，withastrongeffort，hewouldglanceattheopendoorwhichstillseemedtorepelhiseyes。Thehousewastall，theskylightsmallanddirty，thedayblindwithfog。andthelightthatfiltereddowntothegroundstorywasexceedinglyfaint，andshoweddimlyonthethresholdoftheshop。Andyet，inthatstripofdoubtfulbrightness，didtherenothangwaveringashadow？

Suddenly，fromthestreetoutside，averyjovialgentlemanbegantobeatwithastaffontheshop-door，accompanyinghisblowswithshoutsandrailleriesinwhichthedealerwascontinuallycalleduponbyname。Markheim，smittenintoice，glancedatthedeadman。

Butno！helayquitestill。hewasfledawayfarbeyondearshotoftheseblowsandshoutings。hewassunkbeneathseasofsilence。andhisname，whichwouldoncehavecaughthisnoticeabovethehowlingofastorm，hadbecomeanemptysound。Andpresentlythejovialgentlemandesistedfromhisknocking，anddeparted。

Herewasabroadhinttohurrywhatremainedtobedone，togetforthfromthisaccusingneighbourhood，toplungeintoabathofLondonmultitudes，andtoreach，ontheothersideofday，thathavenofsafetyandapparentinnocence-hisbed。Onevisitorhadcome：atanymomentanothermightfollowandbemoreobstinate。Tohavedonethedeed，andyetnottoreaptheprofit，wouldbetooabhorrentafailure。Themoney，thatwasnowMarkheim’sconcern。

andasameanstothat，thekeys。

Heglancedoverhisshoulderattheopendoor，wheretheshadowwasstilllingeringandshivering。andwithnoconsciousrepugnanceofthemind，yetwithatremorofthebelly，hedrewnearthebodyofhisvictim。Thehumancharacterhadquitedeparted。Likeasuithalf-stuffedwithbran，thelimbslayscattered，thetrunkdoubled，onthefloor。andyetthethingrepelledhim。Althoughsodingyandinconsiderabletotheeye，hefeareditmighthavemoresignificancetothetouch。Hetookthebodybytheshoulders，andturneditonitsback。Itwasstrangelylightandsupple，andthelimbs，asiftheyhadbeenbroken，fellintotheoddestpostures。

Thefacewasrobbedofallexpression。butitwasaspaleaswax，andshockinglysmearedwithbloodaboutonetemple。Thatwas，forMarkheim，theonedispleasingcircumstance。Itcarriedhimback，upontheinstant，toacertainfair-dayinafishers’village：agrayday，apipingwind，acrowduponthestreet，theblareofbrasses，theboomingofdrums，thenasalvoiceofaballadsinger。

andaboygoingtoandfro，buriedoverheadinthecrowdanddividedbetweeninterestandfear，until，comingoutuponthechiefplaceofconcourse，hebeheldaboothandagreatscreenwithpictures，dismallydesigned，garishlycoloured：Brown-riggwithherapprentice。theManningswiththeirmurderedguest。Weareinthedeath-gripofThurtell。andascorebesidesoffamouscrimes。Thethingwasasclearasanillusion。hewasonceagainthatlittleboy。hewaslookingonceagain，andwiththesamesenseofphysicalrevolt，atthesevilepictures。hewasstillstunnedbythethumpingofthedrums。Abarofthatday’smusicreturneduponhismemory。andatthat，forthefirsttime，aqualmcameoverhim，abreathofnausea，asuddenweaknessofthejoints，whichhemustinstantlyresistandconquer。

Hejudgeditmoreprudenttoconfrontthantofleefromtheseconsiderations。lookingthemorehardilyinthedeadface，bendinghismindtorealisethenatureandgreatnessofhiscrime。Solittleawhileagothatfacehadmovedwitheverychangeofsentiment，thatpalemouthhadspoken，thatbodyhadbeenallonfirewithgovernableenergies。andnow，andbyhisact，thatpieceoflifehadbeenarrested，asthehorologist，withinterjectedfinger，arreststhebeatingoftheclock。Sohereasonedinvain。

hecouldrisetonomoreremorsefulconsciousness。thesameheartwhichhadshudderedbeforethepaintedeffigiesofcrime，lookedonitsrealityunmoved。Atbest，hefeltagleamofpityforonewhohadbeenendowedinvainwithallthosefacultiesthatcanmaketheworldagardenofenchantment，onewhohadneverlivedandwhowasnowdead。Butofpenitence，no，notatremor。

Withthat，shakinghimselfclearoftheseconsiderations，hefoundthekeysandadvancedtowardstheopendooroftheshop。Outside，ithadbeguntorainsmartly。andthesoundoftheshowerupontheroofhadbanishedsilence。Likesomedrippingcavern，thechambersofthehousewerehauntedbyanincessantechoing，whichfilledtheearandmingledwiththetickingoftheclocks。And，asMarkheimapproachedthedoor，heseemedtohear，inanswertohisowncautioustread，thestepsofanotherfootwithdrawingupthestair。

Theshadowstillpalpitatedlooselyonthethreshold。Hethrewaton’sweightofresolveuponhismuscles，anddrewbackthedoor。

Thefaint，foggydaylightglimmereddimlyonthebarefloorandstairs。onthebrightsuitofarmourposted，halbertinhand，uponthelanding。andonthedarkwood-carvings，andframedpicturesthathungagainsttheyellowpanelsofthewainscot。Soloudwasthebeatingoftherainthroughallthehousethat，inMarkheim’sears，itbegantobedistinguishedintomanydifferentsounds。

Footstepsandsighs，thetreadofregimentsmarchinginthedistance，thechinkofmoneyinthecounting，andthecreakingofdoorsheldstealthilyajar，appearedtominglewiththepatterofthedropsuponthecupolaandthegushingofthewaterinthepipes。Thesensethathewasnotalonegrewuponhimtothevergeofmadness。Oneverysidehewashauntedandbegirtbypresences。

Heheardthemmovingintheupperchambers。fromtheshop，heheardthedeadmangettingtohislegs。andashebeganwithagreatefforttomountthestairs，feetfledquietlybeforehimandfollowedstealthilybehind。Ifhewerebutdeaf，hethought，howtranquillyhewouldpossesshissoul！Andthenagain，andhearkeningwitheverfreshattention，heblessedhimselfforthatunrestingsensewhichheldtheoutpostsandstoodatrustysentineluponhislife。Hisheadturnedcontinuallyonhisneck。hiseyes，whichseemedstartingfromtheirorbits，scoutedoneveryside，andoneverysidewerehalf-rewardedaswiththetailofsomethingnamelessvanishing。Thefour-and-twentystepstothefirstfloorwerefour-and-twentyagonies。

Onthatfirststorey，thedoorsstoodajar，threeofthemlikethreeambushes，shakinghisnerveslikethethroatsofcannon。Hecouldneveragain，hefelt，besufficientlyimmuredandfortifiedfrommen’sobservingeyes，helongedtobehome，girtinbywalls，buriedamongbedclothes，andinvisibletoallbutGod。Andatthatthoughthewonderedalittle，recollectingtalesofothermurderersandthefeartheyweresaidtoentertainofheavenlyavengers。Itwasnotso，atleast，withhim。Hefearedthelawsofnature，lest，intheircallousandimmutableprocedure，theyshouldpreservesomedamningevidenceofhiscrime。Hefearedtenfoldmore，withaslavish，superstitionsterror，somescissioninthecontinuityofman’sexperience，somewilfulillegalityofnature。

Heplayedagameofskill，dependingontherules，calculatingconsequencefromcause。andwhatifnature，asthedefeatedtyrantoverthrewthechess-board，shouldbreakthemouldoftheirsuccession？ThelikehadbefallenNapoleon(sowriterssaid)whenthewinterchangedthetimeofitsappearance。ThelikemightbefallMarkheim：thesolidwallsmightbecometransparentandrevealhisdoingslikethoseofbeesinaglasshive。thestoutplanksmightyieldunderhisfootlikequicksandsanddetainhimintheirclutch。ay，andthereweresobereraccidentsthatmightdestroyhim：if，forinstance，thehouseshouldfallandimprisonhimbesidethebodyofhisvictim。orthehousenextdoorshouldflyonfire，andthefiremeninvadehimfromallsides。Thesethingshefeared。and，inasense，thesethingsmightbecalledthehandsofGodreachedforthagainstsin。ButaboutGodhimselfhewasatease。hisactwasdoubtlessexceptional，butsowerehisexcuses，whichGodknew。itwasthere，andnotamongmen，thathefeltsureofjustice。

Whenhehadgotsafeintothedrawing-room，andshutthedoorbehindhim，hewasawareofarespitefromalarms。Theroomwasquitedismantled，uncarpetedbesides，andstrewnwithpackingcasesandincongruousfurniture。severalgreatpier-glasses，inwhichhebeheldhimselfatvariousangles，likeanactoronastage。manypictures，framedandunframed，standing，withtheirfacestothewall。afineSheratonsideboard，acabinetofmarquetry，andagreatoldbed，withtapestryhangings。Thewindowsopenedtothefloor。butbygreatgoodfortunethelowerpartoftheshuttershadbeenclosed，andthisconcealedhimfromtheneighbours。Here，then，Markheimdrewinapackingcasebeforethecabinet，andbegantosearchamongthekeys。Itwasalongbusiness，forthereweremany。anditwasirksome，besides。for，afterall，theremightbenothinginthecabinet，andtimewasonthewing。Buttheclosenessoftheoccupationsoberedhim。Withthetailofhiseyehesawthedoor-evenglancedatitfromtimetotimedirectly，likeabesiegedcommanderpleasedtoverifythegoodestateofhisdefences。Butintruthhewasatpeace。Therainfallinginthestreetsoundednaturalandpleasant。Presently，ontheotherside，thenotesofapianowerewakenedtothemusicofahymn，andthevoicesofmanychildrentookuptheairandwords。Howstately，howcomfortablewasthemelody！Howfreshtheyouthfulvoices！

Markheimgaveeartoitsmilingly，ashesortedoutthekeys。andhismindwasthrongedwithanswerableideasandimages。church-

goingchildrenandthepealingofthehighorgan。childrenafield，bathersbythebrookside，ramblersonthebramblycommon，kite-

flyersinthewindyandcloud-navigatedsky。andthen，atanothercadenceofthehymn，backagaintochurch，andthesomnolenceofsummerSundays，andthehighgenteelvoiceoftheparson(whichhesmiledalittletorecall)andthepaintedJacobeantombs，andthedimletteringoftheTenCommandmentsinthechancel。

Andashesatthus，atoncebusyandabsent，hewasstartledtohisfeet。Aflashofice，aflashoffire，aburstinggushofblood，wentoverhim，andthenhestoodtransfixedandthrilling。Astepmountedthestairslowlyandsteadily，andpresentlyahandwaslaidupontheknob，andthelockclicked，andthedooropened。

FearheldMarkheiminavice。Whattoexpectheknewnot，whetherthedeadmanwalking，ortheofficialministersofhumanjustice，orsomechancewitnessblindlystumblingintoconsignhimtothegallows。Butwhenafacewasthrustintotheaperture，glancedroundtheroom，lookedathim，noddedandsmiledasifinfriendlyrecognition，andthenwithdrewagain，andthedoorclosedbehindit，hisfearbrokeloosefromhiscontrolinahoarsecry。Atthesoundofthisthevisitantreturned。

’Didyoucallme？’heasked，pleasantly，andwiththatheenteredtheroomandclosedthedoorbehindhim。

Markheimstoodandgazedathimwithallhiseyes。Perhapstherewasafilmuponhissight，buttheoutlinesofthenewcomerseemedtochangeandwaverlikethoseoftheidolsinthewaveringcandle-

lightoftheshop。andattimeshethoughtheknewhim。andattimeshethoughtheborealikenesstohimself。andalways，likealumpoflivingterror，therelayinhisbosomtheconvictionthatthisthingwasnotoftheearthandnotofGod。

Andyetthecreaturehadastrangeairofthecommonplace，ashestoodlookingonMarkheimwithasmile。andwhenheadded：’Youarelookingforthemoney，Ibelieve？’itwasinthetonesofeverydaypoliteness。

Markheimmadenoanswer。

’Ishouldwarnyou，’resumedtheother，’thatthemaidhaslefthersweetheartearlierthanusualandwillsoonbehere。IfMr。

Markheimbefoundinthishouse，Ineednotdescribetohimtheconsequences。’

’Youknowme？’criedthemurderer。

Thevisitorsmiled。’Youhavelongbeenafavouriteofmine，’hesaid。’andIhavelongobservedandoftensoughttohelpyou。’

’Whatareyou？’criedMarkheim：’thedevil？’

’WhatImaybe，’returnedtheother，’cannotaffecttheserviceI

proposetorenderyou。’

’Itcan，’criedMarkheim。’itdoes！Behelpedbyyou？No，never。

notbyyou！Youdonotknowmeyet。thankGod，youdonotknowme！’

’Iknowyou，’repliedthevisitant，withasortofkindseverityorratherfirmness。’Iknowyoutothesoul。’

’Knowme！’criedMarkheim。’Whocandoso？Mylifeisbutatravestyandslanderonmyself。Ihavelivedtobeliemynature。

Allmendo。allmenarebetterthanthisdisguisethatgrowsaboutandstiflesthem。Youseeeachdraggedawaybylife，likeonewhombravoshaveseizedandmuffledinacloak。Iftheyhadtheirowncontrol-ifyoucouldseetheirfaces，theywouldbealtogetherdifferent，theywouldshineoutforheroesandsaints！Iamworsethanmost。myselfismoreoverlaid。myexcuseisknowntomeandGod。But，hadIthetime，Icoulddisclosemyself。’

’Tome？’inquiredthevisitant。

’Toyoubeforeall，’returnedthemurderer。’Isupposedyouwereintelligent。Ithought-sinceyouexist-youwouldproveareaderoftheheart。Andyetyouwouldproposetojudgemebymyacts！Thinkofit。myacts！IwasbornandIhavelivedinalandofgiants。giantshavedraggedmebythewristssinceIwasbornoutofmymother-thegiantsofcircumstance。Andyouwouldjudgemebymyacts！Butcanyounotlookwithin？Canyounotunderstandthatevilishatefultome？Canyounotseewithinmetheclearwritingofconscience，neverblurredbyanywilfulsophistry，althoughtoooftendisregarded？Canyounotreadmeforathingthatsurelymustbecommonashumanity-theunwillingsinner？’

’Allthisisveryfeelinglyexpressed，’wasthereply，’butitregardsmenot。Thesepointsofconsistencyarebeyondmyprovince，andIcarenotintheleastbywhatcompulsionyoumayhavebeendraggedaway，soasyouarebutcarriedintherightdirection。Buttimeflies。theservantdelays，lookinginthefacesofthecrowdandatthepicturesonthehoardings，butstillshekeepsmovingnearer。andremember，itisasifthegallowsitselfwasstridingtowardsyouthroughtheChristmasstreets！

ShallIhelpyou。I，whoknowall？ShallItellyouwheretofindthemoney？’

’Forwhatprice？’askedMarkheim。

’IofferyoutheserviceforaChristmasgift，’returnedtheother。

Markheimcouldnotrefrainfromsmilingwithakindofbittertriumph。’No，’saidhe，’Iwilltakenothingatyourhands。ifI

weredyingofthirst，anditwasyourhandthatputthepitchertomylips，Ishouldfindthecouragetorefuse。Itmaybecredulous，butIwilldonothingtocommitmyselftoevil。’

’Ihavenoobjectiontoadeath-bedrepentance，’observedthevisitant。

’Becauseyoudisbelievetheirefficacy！’Markheimcried。

’Idonotsayso，’returnedtheother。’butIlookonthesethingsfromadifferentside，andwhenthelifeisdonemyinterestfalls。

Themanhaslivedtoserveme，tospreadblacklooksundercolourofreligion，ortosowtaresinthewheat-field，asyoudo，inacourseofweakcompliancewithdesire。Nowthathedrawssoneartohisdeliverance，hecanaddbutoneactofservice-torepent，todiesmiling，andthustobuildupinconfidenceandhopethemoretimorousofmysurvivingfollowers。Iamnotsohardamaster。Tryme。Acceptmyhelp。Pleaseyourselfinlifeasyouhavedonehitherto。pleaseyourselfmoreamply，spreadyourelbowsattheboard。andwhenthenightbeginstofallandthecurtainstobedrawn，Itellyou，foryourgreatercomfort，thatyouwillfinditeveneasytocompoundyourquarrelwithyourconscience，andtomakeatrucklingpeacewithGod。Icamebutnowfromsuchadeathbed，andtheroomwasfullofsinceremourners，listeningtotheman’slastwords：andwhenIlookedintothatface，whichhadbeensetasaflintagainstmercy，Ifounditsmilingwithhope。’

’Anddoyou，then，supposemesuchacreature？’askedMarkheim。

’DoyouthinkIhavenomoregenerousaspirationsthantosin，andsin，andsin，and，atthelast，sneakintoheaven？Myheartrisesatthethought。Isthis，then，yourexperienceofmankind？orisitbecauseyoufindmewithredhandsthatyoupresumesuchbaseness？andisthiscrimeofmurderindeedsoimpiousastodryuptheveryspringsofgood？’

’Murderistomenospecialcategory，’repliedtheother。’Allsinsaremurder，evenasalllifeiswar。Ibeholdyourrace，likestarvingmarinersonaraft，pluckingcrustsoutofthehandsoffamineandfeedingoneachother’slives。Ifollowsinsbeyondthemomentoftheiracting。Ifindinallthatthelastconsequenceisdeath。andtomyeyes，theprettymaidwhothwartshermotherwithsuchtakinggracesonaquestionofaball，dripsnolessvisiblywithhumangorethansuchamurdererasyourself。DoIsaythatI

followsins？Ifollowvirtuesalso。theydiffernotbythethicknessofanail，theyarebothscythesforthereapingangelofDeath。Evil，forwhichIlive，consistsnotinactionbutincharacter。Thebadmanisdeartome。notthebadact，whosefruits，ifwecouldfollowthemfarenoughdownthehurtlingcataractoftheages，mightyetbefoundmoreblessedthanthoseoftherarestvirtues。Anditisnotbecauseyouhavekilledadealer，butbecauseyouareMarkheim，thatIoffertoforwardyourescape。’

’Iwilllaymyheartopentoyou，’answeredMarkheim。’Thiscrimeonwhichyoufindmeismylast。OnmywaytoitIhavelearnedmanylessons。itselfisalesson，amomentouslesson。HithertoI

havebeendrivenwithrevolttowhatIwouldnot。Iwasabond-

slavetopoverty，drivenandscourged。Therearerobustvirtuesthatcanstandinthesetemptations。minewasnotso：Ihadathirstofpleasure。Butto-day，andoutofthisdeed，Ipluckbothwarningandriches-boththepowerandafreshresolvetobemyself。Ibecomeinallthingsafreeactorintheworld。Ibegintoseemyselfallchanged，thesehandstheagentsofgood，thisheartatpeace。Somethingcomesovermeoutofthepast。somethingofwhatIhavedreamedonSabbatheveningstothesoundofthechurchorgan，ofwhatIforecastwhenIshedtearsovernoblebooks，ortalked，aninnocentchild，withmymother。Thereliesmylife。Ihavewanderedafewyears，butnowIseeoncemoremycityofdestination。’

’YouaretousethismoneyontheStockExchange，Ithink？’

remarkedthevisitor。’andthere，ifImistakenot，youhavealreadylostsomethousands？’

’Ah，’saidMarkheim，’butthistimeIhaveasurething。’

’Thistime，again，youwilllose，’repliedthevisitorquietly。

’Ah，butIkeepbackthehalf！’criedMarkheim。

’Thatalsoyouwilllose，’saidtheother。

ThesweatstarteduponMarkheim’sbrow。’Well，then，whatmatter？’

heexclaimed。’Sayitbelost，sayIamplungedagaininpoverty，shallonepartofme，andthattheworse，continueuntiltheendtooverridethebetter？Evilandgoodrunstronginme，halingmebothways。Idonotlovetheonething，Iloveall。Icanconceivegreatdeeds，renunciations，martyrdoms。andthoughIbefallentosuchacrimeasmurder，pityisnostrangertomythoughts。Ipitythepoor。whoknowstheirtrialsbetterthanmyself？Ipityandhelpthem。Iprizelove，Ilovehonestlaughter。thereisnogoodthingnortruethingonearthbutIloveitfrommyheart。Andaremyvicesonlytodirectmylife，andmyvirtuestoliewithouteffect，likesomepassivelumberofthemind？Notso。good，also，isaspringofacts。’

Butthevisitantraisedhisfinger。’Forsix-and-thirtyyearsthatyouhavebeeninthisworld，’saidbe，’throughmanychangesoffortuneandvarietiesofhumour，Ihavewatchedyousteadilyfall。

Fifteenyearsagoyouwouldhavestartedatatheft。Threeyearsbackyouwouldhaveblenchedatthenameofmurder。Isthereanycrime，isthereanycrueltyormeanness，fromwhichyoustillrecoil？-fiveyearsfromnowIshalldetectyouinthefact！

Downward，downward，liesyourway。norcananythingbutdeathavailtostopyou。’

’Itistrue，’Markheimsaidhuskily，’Ihaveinsomedegreecompliedwithevil。Butitissowithall：theverysaints，inthemereexerciseofliving，growlessdainty，andtakeonthetoneoftheirsurroundings。’

’Iwillpropoundtoyouonesimplequestion，’saidtheother。’andasyouanswer，Ishallreadtoyouyourmoralhoroscope。Youhavegrowninmanythingsmorelax。possiblyyoudorighttobeso-andatanyaccount，itisthesamewithallmen。Butgrantingthat，areyouinanyoneparticular，howevertrifling，moredifficulttopleasewithyourownconduct，ordoyougoinallthingswithalooserrein？’

’Inanyone？’repeatedMarkheim，withananguishofconsideration。

’No，’headded，withdespair，’innone！Ihavegonedowninall。’

’Then，’saidthevisitor，’contentyourselfwithwhatyouare，foryouwillneverchange。andthewordsofyourpartonthisstageareirrevocablywrittendown。’

Markheimstoodforalongwhilesilent，andindeeditwasthevisitorwhofirstbrokethesilence。’Thatbeingso，’hesaid，’shallIshowyouthemoney？’

’Andgrace？’criedMarkheim。

’Haveyounottriedit？’returnedtheother。’Twoorthreeyearsago，didInotseeyouontheplatformofrevivalmeetings，andwasnotyourvoicetheloudestinthehymn？’

’Itistrue，’saidMarkheim。’andIseeclearlywhatremainsformebywayofduty。Ithankyoufortheselessonsfrommysoul。myeyesareopened，andIbeholdmyselfatlastforwhatIam。’

Atthismoment，thesharpnoteofthedoor-bellrangthroughthehouse。andthevisitant，asthoughthisweresomeconcertedsignalforwhichhehadbeenwaiting，changedatonceinhisdemeanour。

’Themaid！’hecried。’Shehasreturned，asIforewarnedyou，andthereisnowbeforeyouonemoredifficultpassage。Hermaster，youmustsay，isill。youmustletherin，withanassuredbutratherseriouscountenance-nosmiles，nooveracting，andI

promiseyousuccess！Oncethegirlwithin，andthedoorclosed，thesamedexteritythathasalreadyridyouofthedealerwillrelieveyouofthislastdangerinyourpath。Thenceforwardyouhavethewholeevening-thewholenight，ifneedful-toransackthetreasuresofthehouseandtomakegoodyoursafety。Thisishelpthatcomestoyouwiththemaskofdanger。Up！’hecried。

’up，friend。yourlifehangstremblinginthescales：up，andact！’

Markheimsteadilyregardedhiscounsellor。’IfIbecondemnedtoevilacts，’hesaid，’thereisstillonedooroffreedomopen-I

canceasefromaction。Ifmylifebeanillthing，Icanlayitdown。ThoughIbe，asyousaytruly，atthebeckofeverysmalltemptation，Icanyet，byonedecisivegesture，placemyselfbeyondthereachofall。Myloveofgoodisdamnedtobarrenness。itmay，andletitbe！ButIhavestillmyhatredofevil。andfromthat，toyourgallingdisappointment，youshallseethatIcandrawbothenergyandcourage。’

Thefeaturesofthevisitorbegantoundergoawonderfulandlovelychange：theybrightenedandsoftenedwithatendertriumph，and，evenastheybrightened，fadedanddislimned。ButMarkheimdidnotpausetowatchorunderstandthetransformation。Heopenedthedoorandwentdownstairsveryslowly，thinkingtohimself。Hispastwentsoberlybeforehim。hebehelditasitwas，uglyandstrenuouslikeadream，randomaschance-medley-asceneofdefeat。Life，ashethusreviewedit，temptedhimnolonger。butonthefurthersideheperceivedaquiethavenforhisbark。Hepausedinthepassage，andlookedintotheshop，wherethecandlestillburnedbythedeadbody。Itwasstrangelysilent。Thoughtsofthedealerswarmedintohismind，ashestoodgazing。Andthenthebelloncemorebrokeoutintoimpatientclamour。

Heconfrontedthemaiduponthethresholdwithsomethinglikeasmile。

’Youhadbettergoforthepolice，’saidhe：’Ihavekilledyourmaster。’

THRAWNJANET

THEReverendMurdochSouliswaslongministerofthemoorlandparishofBalweary，inthevaleofDule。Asevere，bleak-facedoldman，dreadfultohishearers，hedweltinthelastyearsofhislife，withoutrelativeorservantoranyhumancompany，inthesmallandlonelymanseundertheHangingShaw。Inspiteoftheironcomposureofhisfeatures，hiseyewaswild，scared，anduncertain。andwhenhedwelt，inprivateadmonitions，onthefutureoftheimpenitent，itseemedasifhiseyepiercedthroughthestormsoftimetotheterrorsofeternity。Manyyoungpersons，comingtopreparethemselvesagainsttheseasonoftheHolyCommunion，weredreadfullyaffectedbyhistalk。HehadasermononlstPeter，v。and8th，’Thedevilasaroaringlion，’ontheSundayaftereveryseventeenthofAugust，andhewasaccustomedtosurpasshimselfuponthattextbothbytheappallingnatureofthematterandtheterrorofhisbearinginthepulpit。Thechildrenwerefrightenedintofits，andtheoldlookedmorethanusuallyoracular，andwere，allthatday，fullofthosehintsthatHamletdeprecated。Themanseitself，whereitstoodbythewaterofDuleamongsomethicktrees，withtheShawoverhangingitontheoneside，andontheothermanycold，moorishhilltopsrisingtowardsthesky，hadbegun，ataveryearlyperiodofMr。Soulis’sministry，tobeavoidedintheduskhoursbyallwhovaluedthemselvesupontheirprudence。andguidmensittingattheclachanalehouseshooktheirheadstogetheratthethoughtofpassinglatebythatuncannyneighbourhood。Therewasonespot，tobemoreparticular，whichwasregardedwithespecialawe。ThemansestoodbetweenthehighroadandthewaterofDule，withagabletoeach。

itsbackwastowardsthekirk-townofBalweary，nearlyhalfamileaway。infrontofit，abaregarden，hedgedwiththorn，occupiedthelandbetweentheriverandtheroad。Thehousewastwostorieshigh，withtwolargeroomsoneach。Itopenednotdirectlyonthegarden，butonacausewayedpath，orpassage，givingontheroadontheonehand，andclosedontheotherbythetallwillowsandeldersthatborderedonthestream。AnditwasthisstripofcausewaythatenjoyedamongtheyoungparishionersofBalwearysoinfamousareputation。Theministerwalkedthereoftenafterdark，sometimesgroaningaloudintheinstancyofhisunspokenprayers。

andwhenhewasfromhome，andthemansedoorwaslocked，themoredaringschoolboysventured，withbeatinghearts，to’followmyleader’acrossthatlegendaryspot。

Thisatmosphereofterror，surrounding，asitdid，amanofGodofspotlesscharacterandorthodoxy，wasacommoncauseofwonderandsubjectofinquiryamongthefewstrangerswhowereledbychanceorbusinessintothatunknown，outlyingcountry。ButmanyevenofthepeopleoftheparishwereignorantofthestrangeeventswhichhadmarkedthefirstyearofMr。Soulis’sministrations。andamongthosewhowerebetterinformed，somewerenaturallyreticent，andothersshyofthatparticulartopic。Nowandagain，only，oneoftheolderfolkwouldwarmintocourageoverhisthirdtumbler，andrecountthecauseoftheminister’sstrangelooksandsolitarylife。

Fiftyyearssyne，whenMr。SouliscamfirstintoBa’weary，hewasstillayoungman-acallant，thefolksaid-fu’o’booklearnin’

andgrandattheexposition，but，aswasnaturalinsaeyoungaman，wi’naeleevin’experienceinreligion。Theyoungersortweregreatlytakenwi’hisgiftsandhisgab。butauld，concerned，seriousmenandwomenweremovedeventoprayerfortheyoungman，whomtheytooktobeaself-deceiver，andtheparishthatwasliketobesaeill-supplied。Itwasbeforethedayso’themoderates-

wearyfa’them。butillthingsarelikeguid-theybaithcomebitbybit，apickleatatime。andtherewerefolkeventhenthatsaidtheLordhadleftthecollegeprofessorstotheiraindevices，an’

theladsthatwenttostudywi’themwadhaedonemairandbettersittin’inapeat-bog，liketheirforbearsofthepersecution，wi’

aBibleundertheiroxterandaspeerito’prayerintheirheart。

Therewasnaedoubt，onyway，butthatMr。Soulishadbeenowerlangatthecollege。Hewascarefulandtroubledformonythingsbesidestheaethingneedful。Hehadafecko’bookswi’him-

mairthanhadeverbeenseenbeforeina’thatpresbytery。andasairwarkthecarrierhadwi’them，fortheywerea’liketohavesmooredintheDeil’sHagbetweenthisandKilmackerlie。Theywerebookso’divinity，tobesure，orsotheyca’dthem。buttheseriouswereo’opiniontherewaslittleserviceforsaemony，whenthehailo’God’sWordwouldgangintheneukofaplaid。Thenhewadsithalfthedayandhalfthenichtforbye，whichwasscantdecent-writin’，naeless。andfirst，theywerefearedhewadreadhissermons。andsyneitprovedhewaswritin’abookhimsel’，whichwassurelynofittin’foraneofhisyearsan’sma’

experience。