第3章

Mr。Clare\'sreceptionofthisextraordinarynewswasstartlingintheextreme。Thegloriousprospectofhisson\'sbanishmenttoChinaappearedtoturnhisbrain。Thefirmpedestalofhisphilosophysankunderhim；theprejudicesofsocietyrecoveredtheirholdonhismind。HeseizedFrankbythearm，andactuallyaccompaniedhimtoCombe-Raven，intheamazingcharacterofvisitortothehouse！

“HereIamwithmylout，“saidMr。Clare，beforeawordcouldbeutteredbytheastonishedfamily。“Hearhisstory，allofyou。Ithasreconciledme，forthefirsttimeinmylife，totheanomalyofhisexistence。“FrankruefullynarratedtheChineseproposalforthesecondtime，andattemptedtoattachtoithisownsupplementarystatementofobjectionsanddifficulties。Hisfatherstoppedhimatthefirstword，pointedperemptorilysoutheastward(fromSomersetshiretoChina)；andsaid，withoutaninstant\'shesitation:“Go！“Mr。Vanstone，baskingingoldenvisionsofhisyoungfriend\'sfuture，echoedthatmonosyllabicdecisionwithallhisheart。Mrs。Vanstone，MissGarth，evenNorahherself，spoketothesamepurpose。Frankwaspetrifiedbyanabsoluteunanimityofopinionwhichhehadnotanticipated；andMagdalenwascaught，foronceinherlife，attheendofallherresources。

Sofaraspracticalresultswereconcerned，thesittingofthefamilycouncilbeganandendedwiththegeneralopinionthatFrankmustgo。Mr。Vanstone\'sfacultiesweresobewilderedbytheson\'ssuddenarrival，thefather\'sunexpectedvisit，andthenewstheybothbroughtwiththem，thathepetitionedforanadjournmentbeforethenecessaryarrangementsconnectedwithhisyoungfriend\'sdeparturewereconsideredindetail。“Supposeweallsleepuponit？“hesaid。“Tomorrowourheadswillfeelalittlesteadier；andto-morrowwillbetimeenoughtodecidealluncertainties。“Thissuggestionwasreadilyadopted；andallfurtherproceedingsstoodadjourneduntilthenextday。

ThatnextdaywasdestinedtodecidemoreuncertaintiesthanMr。Vanstonedreamedof。

Earlyinthemorning，aftermakingteabyherselfasusual，MissGarthtookherparasolandstrolledintothegarden。Shehadsleptill；andtenminutesintheopenairbeforethefamilyassembledatbreakfastmighthelptocompensateher，asshethought，forthelossofhernight\'srest。

Shewanderedtotheoutermostboundaryoftheflower-garden，andthenreturnedbyanotherpath，whichledback，pastthesideofanornamentalsummer-housecommandingaviewoverthefieldsfromacornerofthelawn。Aslightnoise——like，andyetnotlike，thechirrupingofabird——caughtherearassheapproachedthesummer-house。Shesteppedroundtotheentrance；lookedin；anddiscoveredMagdalenandFrankseatedclosetogether。ToMissGarth\'shorror，Magdalen\'sarmwasunmistakablyroundFrank\'sneck；and，worsestill，thepositionofherface，atthemomentofdiscovery，showedbeyondalldoubtthatshehadjustbeenofferingtothevictimofChinesecommercethefirstandforemostofalltheconsolationswhichawomancanbestowonaman。Inplainerwords，shehadjustgivenFrankakiss。

Inthepresenceofsuchanemergencyasnowconfrontedher，MissGarthfeltinstinctivelythatallordinaryphrasesofreproofwouldbephrasesthrownaway。

“Ipresume，“sheremarked，addressingMagdalenwiththemercilessself-possessionofamiddle-agedlady，unprovidedfortheoccasionwithanykissingremembrancesofherown——“Ipresume(whateverexcusesyoureffronterymaysuggest)youwillnotdenythatmydutycompelsmetomentionwhatIhavejustseentoyourfather？“

“Iwillsaveyouthetrouble，“repliedMagdalen，composedly。“Iwillmentionittohimmyself。“

Withthosewords，shelookedroundatFrank，standingtreblyhelplessinacornerofthesummer-house。“Youshallhearwhathappens，“shesaid，withherbrightsmile。“Andsoshallyou，“sheaddedforMissGarth\'sespecialbenefit，asshesaunteredpastthegovernessonherwaybacktothebreakfast-table。TheeyesofMissGarthfollowedherindignantly；andFrankslippedoutonhissideatthatfavorableopportunity。

Underthesecircumstances，therewasbutonecoursethatanyrespectablewomancouldtake——shecouldonlyshudder。MissGarthregisteredherprotestinthatform，andreturnedtothehouse。

Whenbreakfastwasover，andwhenMr。Vanstone\'shanddescendedtohispocketinsearchofhiscigar-case，Magdalenrose；lookedsignificantlyatMissGarth；andfollowedherfatherintothehall。

“Papa，“shesaid，“Iwanttospeaktoyouthismorning——inprivate。“

“Ay！ay！“returnedMr。Vanstone。“Whatabout，mydear！“

“About——“Magdalenhesitated，searchingforasatisfactoryformofexpression，andfoundit。“Aboutbusiness，papa，“shesaid。

Mr。Vanstonetookhisgardenhatfromthehalltable——openedhiseyesinmuteperplexity——attemptedtoassociateinhismindthetwoextravagantlydissimilarideasofMagdalenand“business“——failed——andledthewayresignedlyintothegarden。

Hisdaughtertookhisarm，andwalkedwithhimtoashadyseatataconvenientdistancefromthehouse。Shedustedtheseatwithhersmartsilkapronbeforeherfatheroccupiedit。Mr。Vanstonewasnotaccustomedtosuchanextraordinaryactofattentionasthis。Hesatdown，lookingmorepuzzledthanever。Magdalenimmediatelyplacedherselfonhisknee，andrestedherheadcomfortablyonhisshoulder。

“AmIheavy，papa？“sheasked。

“Yes，mydear，youare，“saidMr。Vanstone——“butnottooheavyforme。Stoponyourperch，ifyoulikeit。Well？Andwhatmaythisbusinesshappentobe？“

“Itbeginswithaquestion。“

“Ah，indeed？Thatdoesn\'tsurpriseme。Businesswithyoursex，mydear，alwaysbeginswithquestions。Goon。“

“Papa！doyoueverintendallowingmetobemarried？“

Mr。Vanstone\'seyesopenedwiderandwider。Thequestion，tousehisownphrase，completelystaggeredhim。

“Thisisbusinesswithavengeance！“hesaid。“Why，Magdalen！whathaveyougotinthatharum-scarumheadofyoursnow？“

“Idon\'texactlyknow，papa。Willyouanswermyquestion？“

“IwillifIcan，mydear；youratherstaggerme。Well，Idon\'tknow。Yes；IsupposeImustletyoubemarriedoneofthesedays——ifwecanfindagoodhusbandforyou。Howhotyourfaceis！Liftitup，andlettheairblowoverit。Youwon\'t？Well——haveyourownway。IftalkingofbusinessmeansticklingyourcheekagainstmywhiskerI\'venothingtosayagainstit。Goon，mydear。What\'sthenextquestion？Cometothepoint。“

Shewasfartoogenuineawomantodoanythingofthesort。Sheskirtedroundthepointandcalculatedherdistancetothenicetyofahair-breadth。

“Wewereallverymuchsurprisedyesterday——werewenot，papa？Frankiswonderfullylucky，isn\'the？“

“He\'stheluckiestdogIevercameacross，“saidMr。Vanstone“Butwhathasthatgottodowiththisbusinessofyours？Idaresayyouseeyourway，Magdalen。HangmeifIcanseemine！“

Sheskirtedalittlenearer。

“IsupposehewillmakehisfortuneinChina？“shesaid。“It\'salongwayoff，isn\'tit？Didyouobserve，papa，thatFranklookedsadlyoutofspiritsyesterday？“

“Iwassosurprisedbythenews，“saidMr。Vanstone，“andsostaggeredbythesightofoldClare\'ssharpnoseinmyhouse，thatIdidn\'tmuchnotice。Nowyouremindmeofit——yes。Idon\'tthinkFranktookkindlytohisowngoodluck；notkindlyatall。“

“Doyouwonderatthat，papa？“

“Yes，mydear；Ido，rather。“

“Don\'tyouthinkit\'shardtobesentawayforfiveyears，tomakeyourfortuneamonghatefulsavages，andlosesightofyourfriendsathomeforallthatlongtime？Don\'tyouthinkFrankwillmissussadly？Don\'tyou，papa？——don\'tyou？“

“Gently，Magdalen！I\'malittletoooldforthoselongarmsofyourstothrottlemeinfun——You\'reright，mylove。Nothinginthisworldwithoutadrawback。FrankwillmisshisfriendsinEngland:there\'snodenyingthat。“

“YoualwayslikedFrank。AndFrankalwayslikedyou。“

“Yes，yes——agoodfellow；aquiet，goodfellow。FrankandIhavealwaysgotonsmoothlytogether。“

“Youhavegotonlikefatherandson，haven\'tyou？“

“Certainly，mydear。“

“Perhapsyouwillthinkitharderonhimwhenhehasgonethanyouthinkitnow？“

“Likelyenough，Magdalen；Idon\'tsayno。“

“PerhapsyouwillwishhehadstoppedinEngland？Whyshouldn\'thestopinEngland，anddoaswellasifhewenttoChina？“

“Mydear！hehasnoprospectsinEngland。Iwishhehad，forhisownsake。Iwishtheladwell，withallmyheart。“

“MayIwishhimwelltoo，papa——withallmyheart？“

“Certainly，mylove——youroldplayfellow——whynot？What\'sthematter？Godblessmysoul，whatisthegirlcryingabout？OnewouldthinkFrankwastransportedforlife。Yougoose！Youknow，aswellasIdo，heisgoingtoChinatomakehisfortune。“

“Hedoesn\'twanttomakehisfortune——hemightdomuchbetter。“

“Thedeucehemight！How，Ishouldliketoknow？“

“I\'mafraidtotellyou。I\'mafraidyou\'lllaughatme。Willyoupromisenottolaughatme？“

“Anythingtopleaseyou，mydear。Yes:Ipromise。Now，then，outwithit！HowmightFrankdobetter？“

“HemightmarryMe。“

IfthesummerscenewhichthenspreadbeforeMr。Vanstone\'seyeshadsuddenlychangedtoadrearywinterview——ifthetreeshadlostalltheirleaves，andthegreenfieldshadturnedwhitewithsnowinaninstant——hisfacecouldhardlyhaveexpressedgreateramazementthanitdisplayedwhenhisdaughter\'sfalteringvoicespokethosefourlastwords。Hetriedtolookather——butshesteadilyrefusedhimtheopportunity:shekeptherfacehiddenoverhisshoulder。Wassheinearnest？Hischeek，stillwetwithhertears，answeredforher。Therewasalongpauseofsilence；shewaited——withunaccustomedpatience，shewaitedforhimtospeak。Herousedhimself，andspokethesewordsonly:“Yousurpriseme，Magdalen；yousurprisememorethanIcansay。“

Atthealteredtoneofhisvoice——alteredtoaquiet，fatherlyseriousness——Magdalen\'sarmsclungroundhimcloserthanbefore。

“HaveIdisappointedyou，papa？“sheasked，faintly。“Don\'tsayIhavedisappointedyou！WhoamItotellmysecretto，ifnottoyou？Don\'tlethimgo——don\'t！don\'t！Youwillbreakhisheart。Heisafraidtotellhisfather；heisevenafraidyoumightbeangrywithhim。Thereisnobodytospeakforus，except——exceptme。Oh，don\'tlethimgo！Don\'tforhissake——“shewhisperedthenextwordsinakiss——“Don\'tforMine！“

Herfather\'skindfacesaddened；hesighed，andpattedherfairheadtenderly。“Hush，mylove，“hesaid，almostinawhisper；“hush！“Shelittleknewwhatarevelationeveryword，everyactionthatescapedher，nowopenedbeforehim。Shehadmadehimhergrown-upplayfellow，fromherchildhoodtothatday。Shehadrompedwithhiminherfrocks，shehadgoneonrompingwithhiminhergowns。Hehadneverbeenlongenoughseparatedfromhertohavetheexternalchangesinhisdaughterforcedonhisattention。Hisartless，fatherlyexperienceofherhadtaughthimthatshewasatallerchildinlateryears——andhadtaughthimlittlemore。Andnow，inonebreathlessinstant，theconvictionthatshewasawomanrushedoverhismind。Hefeltitinthetroubleofherbosompressedagainsthis；inthenervousthrillofherarmsclaspedaroundhisneck。TheMagdalenofhisinnocentexperience，awoman——withthemaster-passionofhersexinpossessionofherheartalready！

“Haveyouthoughtlongofthis，mydear？“heasked，assoonashecouldspeakcomposedly。“Areyousure——？“

Sheansweredthequestionbeforehecouldfinishit。

“SureIlovehim？“shesaid。“Oh，whatwordscansayYesforme，asIwanttosayit？Ilovehim——！“Hervoicefalteredsoftly；andheranswerendedinasigh。

“Youareveryyoung。YouandFrank，mylove，arebothveryyoung。“

Sheraisedherheadfromhisshoulderforthefirsttime。Thethoughtanditsexpressionflashedfromheratthesamemoment。

“Arewemuchyoungerthanyouandmammawere？“sheasked，smilingthroughhertears。

Shetriedtolayherheadbackinitsoldposition；butasshespokethosewords，herfathercaughtherroundthewaist，forcedher，beforeshewasawareofit，tolookhimintheface——andkissedher，withasuddenoutburstoftendernesswhichbroughtthetearsthrongingbackthicklyintohereyes。“Notmuchyounger，mychild，“hesaid，inlow，brokentones——“notmuchyoungerthanyourmotherandIwere。“Heputherawayfromhim，androsefromtheseat，andturnedhisheadasidequickly。“Waithere，andcomposeyourself；Iwillgoindoorsandspeaktoyourmother。“Hisvoicetrembledoverthosepartingwords；andheleftherwithoutoncelookingroundagain。

Shewaited——waitedawearytime；andhenevercameback。Atlasthergrowinganxietyurgedhertofollowhimintothehouse。Anewtimiditythrobbedinherheartasshedoubtinglyapproachedthedoor。Neverhadsheseenthedepthsofherfather\'ssimplenaturestirredastheyhadbeenstirredbyherconfession。Shealmostdreadedhernextmeetingwithhim。Shewanderedsoftlytoandfrointhehall，withashynessunaccountabletoherself；withaterrorofbeingdiscoveredandspokentobyhersisterorMissGarth，whichmadehernervouslysusceptibletotheslightestnoisesinthehouse。Thedoorofthemorning-roomopenedwhileherbackwasturnedtowardit。Shestartedviolently，asshelookedroundandsawherfatherinthehall:herheartbeatfasterandfaster，andshefeltherselfturningpale。Asecondlookathim，ashecamenearer，re-assuredher。Hewascomposedagain，thoughnotsocheerfulasusual。Shenoticedthatheadvancedandspoketoherwithaforbearinggentleness，whichwasmorelikehismannertohermotherthanhisordinarymannertoherself。

“Goin，mylove，“hesaid，openingthedoorforherwhichhehadjustclosed。“Tellyourmotherallyouhavetoldme——andmore，ifyouhavemoretosay。SheisbetterpreparedforyouthanIwas。Wewilltaketo-daytothinkofit，Magdalen；andto-morrowyoushallknow，andFrankshallknow，whatwedecide。“

Hereyesbrightened，astheylookedintohisfaceandsawthedecisiontherealready，withthedoublepenetrationofherwomanhoodandherlove。Happy，andbeautifulinherhappiness，sheputhishandtoherlips，andwent，withouthesitation，intothemorning-room。There，herfather\'swordshadsmoothedthewayforher；there，thefirstshockofthesurprisewaspastandover，andonlythepleasureofitremained。Hermotherhadbeenherageonce；hermotherwouldknowhowfondshewasofFrank。Sothecominginterviewwasanticipatedinherthoughts；and——exceptthattherewasanunaccountableappearanceofrestraintinMrs。Vanstone\'sfirstreceptionofher——wasanticipatedaright。Afteralittle，themother\'squestionscamemoreandmoreunreservedlyfromthesweet，unforgottenexperienceofthemother\'sheart。ShelivedagainthroughherownyoungdaysofhopeandloveinMagdalen\'sreplies。

Thenextmorningtheall-importantdecisionwasannouncedinwords。Mr。Vanstonetookhisdaughterupstairsintohermother\'sroom，andthereplacedbeforehertheresultoftheyesterday\'sconsultation，andofthenight\'sreflectionwhichhadfollowedit。Hespokewithperfectkindnessandself-possessionofmanner——butinfewerandmoreseriouswordsthanusual；andheheldhiswife\'shandtenderlyinhisownallthroughtheinterview。

HeinformedMagdalenthatneitherhenorhermotherfeltthemselvesjustifiedinblamingherattachmenttoFrank。Ithadbeeninpart，perhaps，thenaturalconsequenceofherchildishfamiliaritywithhim；inpart，also，theresultofthecloserintimacybetweenthemwhichthetheatricalentertainmenthadnecessarilyproduced。Atthesametime，itwasnowthedutyofherparentstoputthatattachment，onbothsides，toapropertest——forhersake，becauseherhappyfuturewastheirdearestcare；forFrank\'ssake，becausetheywereboundtogivehimtheopportunityofshowinghimselfworthyofthetrustconfidedinhim。TheywerebothconsciousofbeingstronglyprejudicedinFrank\'sfavor。Hisfather\'seccentricconducthadmadetheladtheobjectoftheircompassionandtheircarefromhisearliestyears。He(andhisyoungerbrothers)hadalmostfilledtheplacestothemofthoseotherchildrenoftheirownwhomtheyhadlost。AlthoughtheyfirmlybelievedtheirgoodopinionofFranktobewellfounded——still，intheinterestoftheirdaughter\'shappiness，itwasnecessarytoputthatopinionfirmlytotheproof，byfixingcertainconditions，andbyinterposingayearofdelaybetweenthecontemplatedmarriageandthepresenttime。

Duringthatyear，FrankwastoremainattheofficeinLondon；hisemployersbeinginformedbeforehandthatfamilycircumstancespreventedhisacceptingtheirofferofemploymentinChina。HewastoconsiderthisconcessionasarecognitionoftheattachmentbetweenMagdalenandhimself，oncertaintermsonly。If，duringtheyearofprobation，hefailedtojustifytheconfidenceplacedinhim——aconfidencewhichhadledMr。VanstonetotakeunreservedlyuponhimselfthewholeresponsibilityofFrank\'sfutureprospects——themarriageschemewastobeconsidered，fromthatmoment，asatanend。If，ontheotherhand，theresulttowhichMr。Vanstoneconfidentlylookedforwardreallyoccurred——ifFrank\'sprobationaryyearprovedhisclaimtothemostprecioustrustthatcouldbeplacedinhishands——thenMagdalenherselfshouldrewardhimwithallthatawomancanbestow；andthefuture，whichhispresentemployershadplacedbeforehimastheresultofafiveyears\'residenceinChina，shouldberealizedinoneyear\'stime，bythedowryofhisyoungwife。

Asherfatherdrewthatpictureofthefuture，theoutburstofMagdalen\'sgratitudecouldnolongerberestrained。Shewasdeeplytouched——shespokefromherinmostheart。Mr。Vanstonewaiteduntilhisdaughterandhiswifewerecomposedagain；andthenaddedthelastwordsofexplanationwhichwerenowleftforhimtospeak。

“Youunderstand，mylove，“hesaid，“thatIamnotanticipatingFrank\'slivinginidlenessonhiswife\'smeans？Myplanforhimisthatheshouldstillprofitbytheinterestwhichhispresentemployerstakeinhim。TheirknowledgeofaffairsintheCitywillsoonplaceagoodpartnershipathisdisposal，andyouwillgivehimthemoneytobuyitoutofhand。Ishalllimitthesum，mydear，tohalfyourfortune；andtheotherhalfIshallhavesettleduponyourself。Weshallallbealiveandhearty，Ihope“——helookedtenderlyathiswifeashesaidthosewords——“allaliveandheartyattheyear\'send。ButifIamgone，Magdalen，itwillmakenodifference。Mywill——madelongbeforeIeverthoughtofhavingason-in-lawdividesmyfortuneintotwoequalparts。Onepartgoestoyourmother；andtheotherpartisfairlydividedbetweenmychildren。Youwillhaveyourshareonyourwedding-day(andNorahwillhaveherswhenshemarries)frommyownhand，ifIlive；andundermywillifIdie。There！there！nogloomyfaces，“hesaid，withamomentaryreturnofhisevery-daygoodspirits。“YourmotherandImeantoliveandseeFrankagreatmerchant。Ishallleaveyou，mydear，toenlightenthesononournewprojects，whileIwalkovertothecottage——“

Hestopped；hiseyebrowscontractedalittle；andhelookedasidehesitatinglyatMrs。Vanstone。

“Whatmustyoudoatthecottage，papa？“askedMagdalen，afterhavingvainlywaitedforhimtofinishthesentenceofhisownaccord。

“ImustconsultFrank\'sfather，“hereplied。“WemustnotforgetthatMr。Clare\'sconsentisstillwantingtosettlethismatter。Andastimepresses，andwedon\'tknowwhatdifficultieshemaynotraise，thesoonerIseehimthebetter。“

Hegavethatanswerinlow，alteredtones；androsefromhischairinahalf-reluctant，half-resignedmanner，whichMagdalenobservedwithsecretalarm。

Sheglancedinquiringlyathermother。Toallappearance，Mrs。Vanstonehadbeenalarmedbythechangeinhimalso。Shelookedanxiousanduneasy；sheturnedherfaceawayonthesofapillow——turneditsuddenly，asifshewasinpain。

“Areyounotwell，mamma？“askedMagdalen。

“Quitewell，mylove，“saidMrs。Vanstone，shortlyandsharply，withoutturninground。“Leavemealittle——Ionlywantrest。“

Magdalenwentoutwithherfather。

“Papa！“shewhisperedanxiously，astheydescendedthestairs；“youdon\'tthinkMr。ClarewillsayNo？“

“Ican\'ttellbeforehand，“answeredMr。Vanstone。“IhopehewillsayYes。“

“Thereisnoreasonwhyheshouldsayanythingelse——isthere？“

Sheputthequestionfaintly，whilehewasgettinghishatandstick；andhedidnotappeartohearher。Doubtingwhethersheshouldrepeatitornot，sheaccompaniedhimasfarasthegarden，onhiswaytoMr。Clare\'scottage。Hestoppedheronthelawn，andsentherbacktothehouse“Youhavenothingonyourhead，mydear，“hesaid。“Ifyouwanttobeinthegarden，don\'tforgethowhotthesunis——don\'tcomeoutwithoutyourhat。“

Hewalkedontowardthecottage。

Shewaitedamoment，andlookedafterhim。Shemissedthecustomaryflourishofhisstick；shesawhislittleScotchterrier，whohadrunoutathisheels，barkingandcaperingabouthimunnoticed。Hewasoutofspirits:hewasstrangelyoutofspirits。Whatdiditmean？

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene1，Chapter10CHAPTERX。

ONreturningtothehouse，Magdalenfelthershouldersuddenlytouchedfrombehindasshecrossedthehall。Sheturnedandconfrontedhersister。Beforeshecouldaskanyquestions，Norahconfusedlyaddressedher，inthesewords:“Ibegyourpardon；Ibegyoutoforgiveme。“

Magdalenlookedathersisterinastonishment。Allmemory，onherside，ofthesharpwordswhichhadpassedbetweenthemintheshrubberywaslostinthenewintereststhatnowabsorbedher；lostascompletelyasiftheangryinterviewhadnevertakenplace。“Forgiveyou！“sherepeated，amazedly。“Whatfor？“

“Ihaveheardofyournewprospects，“pursuedNorah，speakingwithamechanicalsubmissivenessofmannerwhichseemedalmostungracious；“Iwishedtosetthingsrightbetweenus；IwishedtosayIwassorryforwhathappened。Willyouforgetit？Willyouforgetandforgivewhathappenedintheshrubbery？“Shetriedtoproceed；butherinveteratereserve——or，perhaps，herobstinaterelianceonherownopinions——silencedheratthoselastwords。Herfacecloudedoveronasudden。Beforehersistercouldanswerher，sheturnedawayabruptlyandranupstairs。

Thedoorofthelibraryopened，beforeMagdalencouldfollowher；andMissGarthadvancedtoexpressthesentimentspropertotheoccasion。

Theywerenotthemechanically-submissivesentimentswhichMagdalenhadjustheard。NorahhadstruggledagainstherrooteddistrustofFrank，indeferencetotheunanswerabledecisionofbothherparentsinhisfavor；andhadsuppressedtheopenexpressionofherantipathy，thoughthefeelingitselfremainedunconquered。MissGarthhadmadenosuchconcessiontothemasterandmistressofthehouse。Shehadhithertoheldthepositionofahighauthorityonalldomesticquestions；andsheflatlydeclinedtogetoffherpedestalindeferencetoanychangeinthefamilycircumstances，nomatterhowamazingorhowunexpectedthatchangemightbe。

“Prayacceptmycongratulations，“saidMissGarth，bristlingalloverwithimpliedobjectionstoFrank——“mycongratulations，andmyapologies。WhenIcaughtyoukissingMr。FrancisClareinthesummer-house，Ihadnoideayouwereengagedincarryingouttheintentionsofyourparents。Ioffernoopiniononthesubject。ImerelyregretmyownaccidentalappearanceinthecharacterofanObstacletothecourseoftrue-love——whichappearstorunsmoothinsummer-houses，whateverShakespearemaysaytothecontrary。Considermeforthefuture，ifyouplease，asanObstacleremoved。Mayyoubehappy！“MissGarth\'slipsclosedonthatlastsentencelikeatrap，andMissGarth\'seyeslookedominouslypropheticintothematrimonialfuture。

IfMagdalen\'sanxietieshadnotbeenfartooserioustoallowherthecustomaryfreeuseofhertongue，shewouldhavebeenreadyontheinstantwithanappropriatelysatiricalanswer。Asitwas，MissGarthsimplyirritatedher。“Pooh！“shesaid——andranupstairstohersister\'sroom。

Sheknockedatthedoor，andtherewasnoanswer。Shetriedthedoor，anditresistedherfromtheinside。Thesullen，unmanageableNorahwaslockedin。

Underothercircumstances，Magdalenwouldnothavebeensatisfiedwithknocking——shewouldhavecalledthroughthedoorloudlyandmoreloudly，tillthehousewasdisturbedandshehadcarriedherpoint。Butthedoubtsandfearsofthemorninghadunnervedheralready。Shewentdownstairsagainsoftly，andtookherhatfromthestandinthehall。“Hetoldmetoputmyhaton，“shesaidtoherself，withameekfilialdocilitywhichwastotallyoutofhercharacter。

Shewentintothegarden，ontheshrubberyside；andwaitedtheretocatchthefirstsightofherfatheronhisreturn。Halfanhourpassed；fortyminutespassed——andthenhisvoicereachedherfromamongthedistanttrees。“Comeintoheel！“sheheardhimcalloutloudlytothedog。Herfaceturnedpale。“He\'sangrywithSnap！“sheexclaimedtoherselfinawhisper。Thenextminuteheappearedinview；walkingrapidly，withhisheaddownandSnapathisheelsindisgrace。Thesuddenexcessofheralarmassheobservedthoseominoussignsofsomethingwrongralliedhernaturalenergy，anddeterminedherdesperatelyonknowingtheworst。Shewalkedstraightforwardtomeetherfather。

“Yourfacetellsyournews，“shesaidfaintly。“Mr。Clarehasbeenasheartlessasusual——Mr。ClarehassaidNo？“

Herfatherturnedonherwithasuddenseverity，soentirelyunparalleledinherexperienceofhimthatshestartedbackindownrightterror。

“Magdalen！“hesaid；“wheneveryouspeakofmyoldfriendandneighboragain，bearthisinmind:Mr。ClarehasjustlaidmeunderanobligationwhichIshallremembergratefullytotheendofmylife。“

Hestoppedsuddenlyaftersayingthoseremarkablewords。Seeingthathehadstartledher，hisnaturalkindnesspromptedhiminstantlytosoftenthereproof，andtoendthesuspensefromwhichshewasplainlysuffering。“Givemeakiss，mylove，“heresumed；“andI\'lltellyouinreturnthatMr。Clarehassaid——YES。“

Sheattemptedtothankhim；butthesuddenluxuryofreliefwastoomuchforher。Shecouldonlyclingroundhisneckinsilence。Hefelthertremblingfromheadtofoot，andsaidafewwordstocalmher。Atthealteredtonesofhismaster\'svoice，Snap\'smeektailre-appearedfiercelyfrombetweenhislegs；andSnap\'slungsmodestlytestedhispositionwithabrief，experimentalbark。Thedog\'squaintlyappropriateassertionofhimselfonhisoldfootingwastheinterruptionofallotherswhichwasbestfittedtorestoreMagdalentoherself。Shecaughttheshaggylittleterrierupinherarmsandkissedhimnext。“Youdarling，“sheexclaimed，“you\'realmostasgladasIam！“Sheturnedagaintoherfather，withalookoftenderreproach。“Youfrightenedme，papa，“shesaid。“Youweresounlikeyourself。“

“Ishallberightagainto-morrow，mydear。Iamalittleupsetto-day。“

“Notbyme？“

“No，no。“

“BysomethingyouhaveheardatMr。Clare\'s？“

“Yes——nothingyouneedalarmyourselfabout；nothingthatwon\'twearoffbyto-morrow。Letmegonow，mydear；Ihavealettertowrite；andIwanttospeaktoyourmother。“

Heleftherandwentontothehouse。Magdalenlingeredalittleonthelawn，tofeelallthehappinessofhernewsensations——thenturnedawaytowardtheshrubberytoenjoythehigherluxuryofcommunicatingthem。Thedogfollowedher。Shewhistled，andclappedherhands。“Findhim！“shesaid，withbeamingeyes。“FindFrank！“Snapscamperedintotheshrubbery，withabloodthirstysnarlatstarting。Perhapshehadmistakenhisyoungmistressandconsideredhimselfheremissaryinsearchofarat？

Meanwhile，Mr。Vanstoneenteredthehouse。Hemethiswifeslowlydescendingthestairs，andadvancedtogiveherhisarm。“Howhasitended？“sheasked，anxiously，asheledhertothesofa。

“Happily——aswehopeditwould，“answeredherhusband。“Myoldfriendhasjustifiedmyopinionofhim。“

“ThankGod！“saidMrs。Vanstone，fervently。“Didyoufeelit，love？“sheasked，asherhusbandarrangedthesofapillows——“didyoufeelitaspainfullyasIfearedyouwould？“

“Ihadadutytodo，mydear——andIdidit。“

Afterreplyinginthoseterms，hehesitated。Apparently，hehadsomethingmoretosay——something，perhaps，onthesubjectofthatpassinguneasinessofmindwhichhadbeenproducedbyhisinterviewwithMr。Clare，andwhichMagdalen\'squestionshadobligedhimtoacknowledge。Alookathiswifedecidedhisdoubtsinthenegative。Heonlyaskedifshefeltcomfortable；andthenturnedawaytoleavetheroom。

“Mustyougo？“sheasked。

“Ihavealettertowrite，mydear。“

“AnythingaboutFrank？“

“No:to-morrowwilldoforthat。AlettertoMr。Pendril。Iwanthimhereimmediately。“

“Business，Isuppose？“

“Yes，mydear——business。“

Hewentout，andshuthimselfintothelittlefrontroom，closetothehalldoor，whichwascalledhisstudy。Bynatureandhabitthemostprocrastinatingofletter-writers，henowinconsistentlyopenedhisdeskandtookupthepenwithoutamoment\'sdelay。Hisletterwaslongenoughtooccupythreepagesofnote-paper；itwaswrittenwithareadinessofexpressionandarapidityofhandwhichseldomcharacterizedhisproceedingswhenengagedoverhisordinarycorrespondence。Hewrotetheaddressasfollows:“Immediate——WilliamPendril，Esq。，SerleStreet，Lincoln\'sInn，London“——thenpushedtheletterawayfromhim，andsatatthetable，drawinglinesontheblotting-paperwithhispen，lostinthought。“No，“hesaidtohimself；“IcandonothingmoretillPendrilcomes。“Herose；hisfacebrightenedasheputthestampontheenvelope。Thewritingoftheletterhadsensiblyrelievedhim，andhiswholebearingshoweditashelefttheroom。

OnthedoorstephefoundNorahandMissGarth，settingforthtogetherforawalk。

“Whichwayareyougoing？“heasked。“Anywherenearthepost-office？Iwishyouwouldpostthisletterforme，Norah。Itisveryimportant——soimportantthatIhardlyliketotrustittoThomas，asusual。“

Norahatoncetookchargeoftheletter。

“Ifyoulook，mydear，“continuedherfather，“youwillseethatIamwritingtoMr。Pendril。Iexpecthimhereto-morrowafternoon。Willyougivethenecessarydirections，MissGarth？Mr。Pendrilwillsleephereto-morrownight，andstayoverSunday——Waitaminute！TodayisFriday。SurelyIhadanengagementforSaturdayafternoon？“Heconsultedhispocketbookandreadoveroneoftheentries，withalookofannoyance。“GrailseaMill，threeo\'clock，Saturday。JustthetimewhenPendrilwillbehere；andImustbeathometoseehim。HowcanImanageit？MondaywillbetoolateformybusinessatGrailsea。I\'llgoto-day，instead；andtakemychanceofcatchingthemillerathisdinner-time。“Helookedathiswatch。“Notimefordriving；Imustdoitbyrailway。IfIgoatonce，Ishallcatchthedowntrainatourstation，andgetontoGrailsea。Takecareoftheletter，Norah。Iwon\'tkeepdinnerwaiting；ifthereturntraindoesn\'tsuit，I\'llborrowagigandgetbackinthatway。“

Ashetookuphishat，Magdalenappearedatthedoor，returningfromherinterviewwithFrank。Thehurryofherfather\'smovementsattractedherattention；andsheaskedhimwherehewasgoing。

“ToGrailsea，“repliedMr。Vanstone。“Yourbusiness，MissMagdalen，hasgotinthewayofmine——andminemustgivewaytoit。“

Hespokethosepartingwordsinhisoldheartymanner；andleftthem，withtheoldcharacteristicflourishofhistrustystick。

“Mybusiness！“saidMagdalen。“Ithoughtmybusinesswasdone。“

MissGarthpointedsignificantlytotheletterinNorah\'shand。“Yourbusiness，beyondalldoubt，“shesaid。“Mr。Pendriliscomingtomorrow；andMr。Vanstoneseemsremarkablyanxiousaboutit。Law，anditsattendanttroublesalready！Governesseswholookinatsummer-housedoorsarenottheonlyobstaclestothecourseoftrue-love。Parchmentissometimesanobstacle。IhopeyoumayfindParchmentaspliableasIam——Iwishyouwellthroughit。Now，Norah！“

MissGarth\'ssecondshaftstruckasharmlessasthefirst。Magdalenhadreturnedtothehouse，alittlevexed；herinterviewwithFrankhavingbeeninterruptedbyamessengerfromMr。Clare，senttosummonthesonintothefather\'spresence。AlthoughithadbeenagreedattheprivateinterviewbetweenMr。VanstoneandMr。Clarethatthequestionsdiscussedthatmorningshouldnotbecommunicatedtothechildrenuntiltheyearofprobationwasatanend——andalthoughunderthesecircumstancesMr。ClarehadnothingtotellFrankwhichMagdalencouldnotcommunicatetohimmuchmoreagreeably——thephilosopherwasnotthelessresolvedonpersonallyinforminghissonoftheparentalconcessionwhichrescuedhimfromChineseexile。Theresultwasasuddensummonstothecottage，whichstartledMagdalen，butwhichdidnotappeartotakeFrankbysurprise。HisfilialexperiencepenetratedthemysteryofMr。Clare\'smotiveseasilyenough。“Whenmyfather\'sinspirits，“hesaid，sulkily，“helikestobullymeaboutmygoodluck。Thismessagemeansthathe\'sgoingtobullymenow。“

“Don\'tgo，“suggestedMagdalen。

“Imust，“rejoinedFrank。“IshallneverhearthelastofitifIdon\'t。He\'sprimedandloaded，andhemeanstogooff。Hewentoff，once，whentheengineertookme；hewentoff，twice，whentheofficeintheCitytookme；andhe\'sgoingoff，thrice，nowyou\'vetakenme。Ifitwasn\'tforyou，IshouldwishIhadneverbeenborn。Yes；yourfather\'sbeenkindtome，Iknow——andIshouldhavegonetoChina，ifithadn\'tbeenforhim。I\'msureI\'mverymuchobliged。Ofcourse，wehavenorighttoexpectanythingelse——stillit\'sdiscouragingtokeepuswaitingayear，isn\'tit？“

Magdalenstoppedhismouthbyasummaryprocess，towhichevenFranksubmittedgratefully。Atthesametime，shedidnotforgettosetdownhisdiscontenttotherightside。“Howfondheisofme！“shethought。“Ayear\'swaitingisquiteahardshiptohim。“Shereturnedtothehouse，secretlyregrettingthatshehadnotheardmoreofFrank\'scomplimentarycomplaints。MissGarth\'selaboratesatire，addressedtoherwhileshewasinthisframeofmind，wasapurelygratuitouswasteofMissGarth\'sbreath。WhatdidMagdalencareforsatire？WhatdoYouthandLoveevercareforexceptthemselves？Sheneverevensaidasmuchas“Pooh！“thistime。Shelaidasideherhatinserenesilence，andsaunteredlanguidlyintothemorning-roomtokeephermothercompany。ShelunchedondireforebodingsofaquarrelbetweenFrankandhisfather，withaccidentalinterruptionsintheshapeofcoldchickenandcheese-cakes。Shetrifledawayhalfanhouratthepiano；andplayed，inthattime，selectionsfromtheSongsofMendelssohn，theMazurkasofChopin，theOperasofVerdi，andtheSonatasofMozart——allofwhomhadcombinedtogetheronthisoccasionandproducedoneimmortalwork，entitled“Frank。“Sheclosedthepianoandwentuptoherroom，todreamawaythehoursluxuriouslyinvisionsofhermarriedfuture。Thegreenshutterswereclosed，theeasy-chairwaspushedinfrontoftheglass，themaidwassummonedasusual；andthecombassistedthemistress\'sreflections，throughthemediumofthemistress\'shair，tillheatandidlenessassertedtheirnarcoticinfluencestogether，andMagdalenfellasleep。

Itwaspastthreeo\'clockwhenshewoke。Ongoingdownstairsagainshefoundhermother，NorahandMissGarthallsittingtogetherenjoyingtheshadeandthecoolnessundertheopenporticoinfrontofthehouse。

Norahhadtherailwaytime-tableinherhand。TheyhadbeendiscussingthechancesofMr。Vanstone\'scatchingthereturntrainandgettingbackingoodtime。Thattopichadledthem，next，tohisbusinesserrandatGrailsea——anerrandofkindness，asusual；undertakenforthebenefitofthemiller，whohadbeenhisoldfarm-servant，andwhowasnowhardpressedbyseriouspecuniarydifficulties。Fromthistheyhadglidedinsensiblyintoasubjectoftenrepeatedamongthem，andneverexhaustedbyrepetition——thepraiseofMr。Vanstonehimself。Eachoneofthethreehadsomeexperienceofherowntorelateofhissimple，generousnature。Theconversationseemedtobealmostpainfullyinterestingtohiswife。Shewastoonearthetimeofhertrialnownottofeelnervouslysensitivetotheonesubjectwhichalwaysheldtheforemostplaceinherheart。HereyesoverflowedasMagdalenjoinedthelittlegroupundertheportico；herfrailhandtrembledasitsignedtoheryoungestdaughtertotakethevacantchairbyherside。“Weweretalkingofyourfather，“shesaid，softly。“Oh，mylove，ifyourmarriedlifeisonlyashappy——“Hervoicefailedher；sheputherhandkerchiefhurriedlyoverherfaceandrestedherheadonMagdalen\'sshoulder。NorahlookedappealinglytoMissGarth，whoatonceledtheconversationbacktothemoretrivialsubjectofMr。Vanstone\'sreturn。“Wehaveallbeenwondering，“shesaid，withasignificantlookatMagdalen，“whetheryourfatherwillleaveGrailseaintimetocatchthetrain——orwhetherhewillmissitandbeobligedtodriveback。Whatdoyousay？“

“Isay，papawillmissthetrain，“repliedMagdalen，takingMissGarth\'shintwithhercustomaryquickness。“ThelastthingheattendstoatGrailseawillbethebusinessthatbringshimthere。Wheneverhehasbusinesstodo，healwaysputsitofftothelastmoment，doesn\'the，mamma？“

ThequestionrousedhermotherexactlyasMagdalenhadintendeditshould。“Notwhenhiserrandisanerrandofkindness，“saidMrs。Vanstone。“Hehasgonetohelpthemillerinaverypressingdifficulty——“

“Anddon\'tyouknowwhathe\'lldo？“persistedMagdalen。“He\'llrompwiththemiller\'schildren，andgossipwiththemother，andhob-and-nobwiththefather。Atthelastmomentwhenhehasgotfiveminuteslefttocatchthetrain，he\'llsay:\'Let\'sgointothecounting-houseandlookatthebooks。\'He\'llfindthebooksdreadfullycomplicated；he\'llsuggestsendingforanaccountant；he\'llsettlethebusinessoffhand，bylendingthemoneyinthemeantime；he\'lljogbackcomfortablyinthemiller\'sgig；andhe\'lltellusallhowpleasantthelaneswereinthecooloftheevening。“

Thelittlecharacter-sketchwhichthesewordsdrewwastoofaithfulalikenessnottoberecognized。Mrs。Vanstoneshowedherappreciationofitbyasmile。“Whenyourfatherreturns，“shesaid，“wewillputyouraccountofhisproceedingstothetest。Ithink，“shecontinued，risinglanguidlyfromherchair，“Ihadbettergoindoorsagainnowandrestonthesofatillhecomesback。“

Thelittlegroupundertheporticobrokeup。MagdalenslippedawayintothegardentohearFrank\'saccountoftheinterviewwithhisfather。Theotherthreeladiesenteredthehousetogether。WhenMrs。Vanstonewascomfortablyestablishedonthesofa，NorahandMissGarthlefthertorepose，andwithdrewtothelibrarytolookoverthelastparcelofbooksfromLondon。

Itwasaquiet，cloudlesssummer\'sday。Theheatwastemperedbyalightwesternbreeze；thevoicesoflaborersatworkinafieldnearreachedthehousecheerfully；theclock-bellofthevillagechurchasitstruckthequartersfloateddownthewindwithaclearerring，aloudermelodythanusual。Sweetodorsfromfieldandflower-garden，stealinginattheopenwindows，filledthehousewiththeirfragrance；andthebirdsinNorah\'saviaryupstairssangthesongoftheirhappinessexultinglyinthesun。

Asthechurchclockstruckthequarterpastfour，themorning-roomdooropened；andMrs。Vanstonecrossedthehallalone。Shehadtriedvainlytocomposeherself。Shewastoorestlesstoliestillandsleep。Foramomentshedirectedherstepstowardtheportico——thenturned，andlookedabouther，doubtfulwheretogo，orwhattodonext。Whileshewasstillhesitating，thehalf-opendoorofherhusband\'sstudyattractedherattention。Theroomseemedtobeinsadconfusion。Drawerswereleftopen；coatsandhats，account-booksandpapers，pipesandfishing-rodswereallscatteredabouttogether。Shewentin，andpushedthedoorto——butsogentlythatshestillleftitajar。“Itwillamusemetoputhisroomtorights，“shethoughttoherself。“IshouldliketodosomethingforhimbeforeIamdownonmybed，helpless。“Shebegantoarrangehisdrawers，andfoundhisbanker\'sbooklyingopeninoneofthem。“Mypoordear，howcarelessheis！Theservantsmighthaveseenallhisaffairs，ifIhadnothappenedtohavelookedin。“Shesetthedrawersright；andthenturnedtothemultifariouslitteronaside-table。Alittleold-fashionedmusic-bookappearedamongthescatteredpapers，withhernamewritteninit，infadedink。Sheblushedlikeayounggirlinthefirsthappinessofthediscovery。“Howgoodheistome！Heremembersmypooroldmusic-book，andkeepsitformysake。“Asshesatdownbythetableandopenedthebook，thebygonetimecamebacktoherinallitstenderness。Theclockstruckthehalf-hour，struckthethree-quarters——andstillshesatthere，withthemusic-bookonherlap，dreaminghappilyovertheoldsongs；thinkinggratefullyofthegoldendayswhenhishandhadturnedthepagesforher，whenhisvoicehadwhisperedthewordswhichnowoman\'smemoryeverforgets。

Norahrousedherselffromthevolumeshewasreading，andglancedattheclockonthelibrarymantel-piece。

“Ifpapacomesbackbytherailway，“shesaid，“hewillbehereintenminutes。“

MissGarthstarted，andlookedupdrowsilyfromthebookwhichwasjustdroppingoutofherhand。

“Idon\'tthinkhewillcomebytrain，“shereplied。“Hewilljogback——asMagdalenflippantlyexpressedit——inthemiller\'sgig。“

Asshesaidthewords，therewasaknockatthelibrarydoor。Thefootmanappeared，andaddressedhimselftoMissGarth。

“Apersonwishestoseeyou，ma\'am。“

“Whoisit？“

“Idon\'tknow，ma\'am。Astrangertome——arespectable-lookingman——andhesaidheparticularlywishedtoseeyou。“

MissGarthwentoutintothehall。Thefootmanclosedthelibrarydoorafterher，andwithdrewdownthekitchenstairs。

Themanstoodjustinsidethedoor，onthemat。Hiseyeswandered，hisfacewaspale——helookedill；helookedfrightened。Hetriflednervouslywithhiscap，andshifteditbackwardandforward，fromonehandtotheother。

“Youwantedtoseeme？“saidMissGarth。

“Ibegyourpardon，ma\'am——YouarenotMrs。Vanstone，areyou？“

“Certainlynot。IamMissGarth。Whydoyouaskthequestion？“

“Iamemployedintheclerk\'sofficeatGrailseaStation——“

“Yes？“

“Iamsenthere——“

Hestoppedagain。Hiswanderingeyeslookeddownatthemat，andhisrestlesshandswrunghiscapharderandharder。Hemoistenedhisdrylips，andtriedoncemore。

“Iamsenthereonaveryseriouserrand。“

“Serioustome？“

“Serioustoallinthishouse。“

MissGarthtookonestepnearertohim——tookonesteadylookathisface。Sheturnedcoldinthesummerheat。“Stop！“shesaid，withasuddendistrust，andglancedasideanxiouslyatthedoorofthemorning-room。Itwassafelyclosed。“Tellmetheworst；anddon\'tspeakloud。Therehasbeenanaccident。Where？“

“Ontherailway。ClosetoGrailseaStation。“

“Theup-traintoLondon？“

“No:thedown-trainatone-fifty——“

“GodAlmightyhelpus！ThetrainMr。VanstonetraveledbytoGrailsea？“

“Thesame。Iwassentherebytheup-train；thelinewasjustclearedintimeforit。Theywouldn\'twrite——theysaidImustsee\'MissGarth，\'andtellher。Therearesevenpassengersbadlyhurt；andtwo——“

Thenextwordfailedonhislips；heraisedhishandinthedeadsilence。Witheyesthatopenedwideinhorror，heraisedhishandandpointedoverMissGarth\'sshoulder。

Sheturnedalittle，andlookedback。

Facetofacewithher，onthethresholdofthestudydoor，stoodthemistressofthehouse。Sheheldheroldmusic-bookclutchedfastmechanicallyinbothhands。Shestood，thespecterofherself。Withadreadfulvacancyinhereyes，withadreadfulstillnessinhervoice，sherepeatedtheman\'slastwords:

“Sevenpassengersbadlyhurt；andtwo——“

Hertorturedfingersrelaxedtheirhold；thebookdroppedfromthem；shesankforwardheavily。MissGarthcaughtherbeforeshefell——caughther，andturnedupontheman，withthewife\'sswooningbodyinherarms，tohearthehusband\'sfate。

“Theharmisdone，“shesaid；“youmayspeakout。Ishewounded，ordead？“

“Dead。“

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene1，Chapter11CHAPTERXI。

THEsunsanklower；thewesternbreezefloatedcoolandfreshintothehouse。Astheeveningadvanced，thecheerfulringofthevillageclockcamenearerandnearer。Fieldandflower-gardenfelttheinfluenceofthehour，andshedtheirsweetestfragrance。ThebirdsinNorah\'saviarysunnedthemselvesintheeveningstillness，andsangtheirfarewellgratitudetothedyingday。

Staggeredinitsprogressforatimeonly，thepitilessroutineofthehousewenthorriblyonitsdailyway。Thepanic-strickenservantstooktheirblindrefugeinthedutiespropertothehour。Thefootmansoftlylaidthetablefordinner。Themaidsatwaitinginsenselessdoubt，withthehot-waterjugsforthebedroomsrangednearherintheircustomaryrow。Thegardener，whohadbeenorderedtocometohismaster，withvouchersformoneythathehadpaidinexcessofhisinstructions，saidhischaracterwasdeartohim，andleftthevouchersathisappointedtime。Customthatneveryields，andDeaththatneverspares，metonthewreckofhumanhappiness——andDeathgaveway。

Heavilythethunder-cloudsofAfflictionhadgatheredoverthehouse——heavily，butnotattheirdarkestyet。Atfive，thatevening，theshockofthecalamityhadstruckitsblow。Beforeanotherhourhadpassed，thedisclosureofthehusband\'ssuddendeathwasfollowedbythesuspenseofthewife\'smortalperil。Shelayhelplessonherwidowedbed；herownlife，andthelifeofherunbornchild，tremblinginthebalance。

Butonemindstillheldpossessionofitsresources——butoneguidingspiritnowmovedhelpfullyinthehouseofmourning。

IfMissGarth\'searlydayshadbeenpassedascalmlyandashappilyasherlaterlifeatCombe-Raven，shemighthavesunkunderthecruelnecessitiesofthetime。Butthegoverness\'syouthhadbeentriedintheordealoffamilyaffliction；andshemetherterribledutieswiththesteadycourageofawomanwhohadlearnedtosuffer。Alone，shehadfacedthetrialoftellingthedaughtersthattheywerefatherless。Alone，shenowstruggledtosustainthem，whenthedreadfulcertaintyoftheirbereavementwasatlastimpressedontheirminds。

Herleastanxietywasfortheeldersister。TheagonyofNorah\'sgriefhadforceditswayoutwardtothenaturalreliefoftears。ItwasnotsowithMagdalen。Tearlessandspeechless，shesatintheroomwheretherevelationofherfather\'sdeathhadfirstreachedher；herface，unnaturallypetrifiedbythesterilesorrowofoldage——awhite，changelessblank，fearfultolookat。Nothingroused，nothingmeltedher。Sheonlysaid，“Don\'tspeaktome；don\'ttouchme。Letmebearitbymyself“——andfellsilentagain。Thefirstgreatgriefwhichhaddarkenedthesisters\'liveshad，asitseemed，changedtheireverydaycharactersalready。

Thetwilightfell，andfaded；andthesummernightcamebrightly。Asthefirstcarefullyshadedlightwaskindledinthesick-room，thephysician，whohadbeensummonedfromBristol，arrivedtoconsultwiththemedicalattendantofthefamily。Hecouldgivenocomfort:hecouldonlysay，“Wemusttry，andhope。Theshockwhichstruckher，whensheoverheardthenewsofherhusband\'sdeath，hasprostratedherstrengthatthetimewhensheneededitmost。Noefforttopreservehershallbeneglected。Iwillstayhereforthenight。“

Heopenedoneofthewindowstoadmitmoreairashespoke。Theviewoverlookedthedriveinfrontofthehouseandtheroadoutside。Littlegroupsofpeoplewerestandingbeforethelodge-gates，lookingin。“Ifthosepersonsmakeanynoise，“saidthedoctor，“theymustbewarnedaway。“Therewasnoneedtowarnthem:theywereonlythelaborerswhohadworkedonthedeadman\'sproperty，andhereandtheresomewomenandchildrenfromthevillage。Theywereallthinkingofhim——sometalkingofhim——anditquickenedtheirsluggishmindstolookathishouse。Thegentlefolksthereaboutsweremostlykindtothem(themensaid)，butnonelikehim。Thewomenwhisperedtoeachotherofhiscomfortingwayswhenhecameintotheircottages。“Hewasacheerfulman，poorsoul；andthoughtfulofus，too:henevercameinandstaredatmeal-times；therestof\'emhelpus，andscoldus——allheeversaidwas，betterlucknexttime。“Sotheystoodandtalkedofhim，andlookedathishouseandgroundsandmovedoffclumsilybytwosandthrees，withthedimsensethatthesightofhispleasantfacewouldnevercomfortthemagain。Thedullestheadamongthemknew，thatnight，thatthehardwaysofpovertywouldbeallthehardertowalkon，nowhewasgone。

Alittlelater，newswasbroughttothebed-chamberdoorthatoldMr。Clarehadcomealonetothehouse，andwaswaitinginthehallbelow，tohearwhatthephysiciansaid。MissGarthwasnotabletogodowntohimherself:shesentamessage。Hesaidtotheservant，“I\'llcomeandaskagain，intwohours\'time“——andwentoutslowly。Unlikeothermeninallthingselse，thesuddendeathofhisoldfriendhadproducednodiscerniblechangeinhim。Thefeelingimpliedintheerrandofinquirythathadbroughthimtothehousewastheonebetrayalofhumansympathywhichescapedtherugged，impenetrableoldman。

Hecameagain，whenthetwohourshadexpired；andthistimeMissGarthsawhim。

Theyshookhandsinsilence。Shewaited；shenervedherselftohearhimspeakofhislostfriend。No:henevermentionedthedreadfulaccident，heneveralludedtothedreadfuldeath。Hesaidthesewords，“Isshebetter，orworse？“andsaidnomore。Wasthetributeofhisgriefforthehusbandsternlysuppressedundertheexpressionofhisanxietyforthewife？Thenatureoftheman，unpliablyantagonistictotheworldandtheworld\'scustoms，mightjustifysomesuchinterpretationofhisconductasthis。Herepeatedhisquestion，“Isshebetter，orworse？“

MissGarthansweredhim:

“Nobetter；ifthereisanychange，itisachangefortheworse。“

Theyspokethosewordsatthewindowofthemorning-roomwhichopenedonthegarden。Mr。Clarepaused，afterhearingthereplytohisinquiry，steppedoutontothewalk，thenturnedonasudden，andspokeagain:

“Hasthedoctorgivenherup？“heasked。

“Hehasnotconcealedfromusthatsheisindanger。Wecanonlyprayforher。“

TheoldmanlaidhishandonMissGarth\'sarmassheansweredhim，andlookedherattentivelyintheface。

“Youbelieveinprayer？“hesaid。

MissGarthdrewsorrowfullybackfromhim。

“Youmighthavesparedmethatquestionsir，atsuchatimeasthis。“

Hetooknonoticeofheranswer；hiseyeswerestillfastenedonherface。

“Pray！“hesaid。“Prayasyouneverprayedbefore，forthepreservationofMrs。Vanstone\'slife。“

Helefther。Hisvoiceandmannerimpliedsomeunutterabledreadofthefuture，whichhiswordshadnotconfessed。MissGarthfollowedhimintothegarden，andcalledtohim。Heheardher，butheneverturnedback:hequickenedhispace，asifhedesiredtoavoidher。Shewatchedhimacrossthelawninthewarmsummermoonlight。Shesawhiswhite，witheredhands，sawthemsuddenlyagainsttheblackbackgroundoftheshrubbery，raisedandwrungabovehishead。Theydropped——thetreesshroudedhimindarkness——hewasgone。

MissGarthwentbacktothesufferingwoman，withtheburdenonhermindofoneanxietymore。

Itwasthenpasteleveno\'clock。Somelittletimehadelapsedsinceshehadseenthesistersandspokentothem。Theinquiriessheaddressedtooneofthefemaleservantsonlyelicitedtheinformationthattheywerebothintheirrooms。Shedelayedherreturntothemother\'sbedsidetosayherpartingwordsofcomforttothedaughters，beforesheleftthemforthenight。Norah\'sroomwasthenearest。Shesoftlyopenedthedoorandlookedin。ThekneelingfigurebythebedsidetoldherthatGod\'shelphadfoundthefatherlessdaughterinheraffliction。Gratefultearsgatheredinhereyesasshelooked:shesoftlyclosedthedoor，andwentontoMagdalen\'sroom。Theredoubtstayedherfeetatthethreshold，andshewaitedforamomentbeforegoingin。

Asoundintheroomcaughtherear——themonotonousrustlingofawoman\'sdress，nowdistant，nownear；passingwithoutcessationfromendtoendoverthefloor——asoundwhichtoldherthatMagdalenwaspacingtoandfrointhesecrecyofherownchamber。MissGarthknocked。Therustlingceased；thedoorwasopened，andthesadyoungfaceconfrontedher，lockedinitscolddespair；thelargelighteyeslookedmechanicallyintohers，asvacantandastearlessasever。

Thatlookwrungtheheartofthefaithfulwoman，whohadtrainedherandlovedherfromachild。ShetookMagdalentenderlyinherarms。

“Oh，mylove“shesaid，“notearsyet！Oh，ifIcouldseeyouasIhaveseenNorah！Speaktome，Magdalen——tryifyoucanspeaktome。“

Shetried，andspoke:

“Norah，“shesaid，“feelsnoremorse。HewasnotservingNorah\'sinterestswhenhewenttohisdeath:hewasservingmine。“

Withthatterribleanswer，sheputhercoldlipstoMissGarth\'scheek。

“Letmebearitbymyself，“shesaid，andgentlyclosedthedoor。

AgainMissGarthwaitedatthethreshold，andagainthesoundoftherustlingdresspassedtoandfro——nowfar，nownear——toandfrowithacruel，mechanicalregularity，thatchilledthewarmestsympathy，anddauntedtheboldesthope。

Thenightpassed。Ithadbeenagreed，ifnochangeforthebettershoweditselfbythemorning，thattheLondonphysicianwhomMrs。Vanstonehadconsultedsomemonthssinceshouldbesummonedtothehouseonthenextday。Nochangeforthebetterappeared，andthephysicianwassentfor。

Asthemorningadvanced，Frankcametomakeinquiriesfromthecottage。HadMr。ClareintrustedtohissonthedutywhichhehadpersonallyperformedonthepreviousdaythroughreluctancetomeetMissGarthagainafterwhathehadsaidtoher？Itmightbeso。Frankcouldthrownolightonthesubject；hewasnotinhisfather\'sconfidence。Helookedpaleandbewildered。HisfirstinquiriesafterMagdalenshowedhowhisweaknaturehadbeenshakenbythecatastrophe。Hewasnotcapableofframinghisownquestions:thewordsfalteredonhislips，andthereadytearscameintohiseyes。MissGarth\'sheartwarmedtohimforthefirsttime。Griefhasthisthatisnobleinit——itacceptsallsympathy，comewhenceitmay。Sheencouragedtheladbyafewkindwords，andtookhishandatparting。

BeforenoonFrankreturnedwithasecondmessage。HisfatherdesiredtoknowwhetherMr。PendrilwasnotexpectedatCombe-Ravenonthatday。Ifthelawyer\'sarrivalwaslookedfor，Frankwasdirectedtobeinattendanceatthestation，andtotakehimtothecottage，whereabedwouldbeplacedathisdisposal。ThismessagetookMissGarthbysurprise。ItshowedthatMr。Clarehadbeenmadeacquaintedwithhisdeadfriend\'spurposeofsendingforMr。Pendril。Wastheoldman\'sthoughtfulofferofhospitalityanotherindirectexpressionofthenaturalhumandistresswhichheperverselyconcealed？orwasheawareofsomesecretnecessityforMr。Pendril\'spresence，ofwhichthebereavedfamilyhadbeenkeptintotalignorance？MissGarthwastooheart-sickandhopelesstodwelloneitherquestion。ShetoldFrankthatMr。Pendrilhadbeenexpectedatthreeo\'clock，andsenthimbackwithherthanks。

Shortlyafterhisdeparture，suchanxietiesonMagdalen\'saccountashermindwasnowabletofeelwererelievedbybetternewsthanherlastnight\'sexperiencehadinclinedhertohopefor。Norah\'sinfluencehadbeenexertedtorousehersister；andNorah\'spatientsympathyhadsettheprisonedgrieffree。Magdalenhadsufferedseverely——sufferedinevitably，withsuchanatureashers——intheeffortthatrelievedher。Thehealingtearshadnotcomegently；theyhadburstfromherwithatorturing，passionatevehemence——butNorahhadneverlefthertillthestrugglewasover，andthecalmhadcome。ThesebettertidingsencouragedMissGarthtowithdrawtoherownroom，andtotaketherestwhichsheneededsorely。Wornoutinbodyandmind，shesleptfromsheerexhaustion——sleptheavilyanddreamlessforsomehours。Itwasbetweenthreeandfourintheafternoonwhenshewasrousedbyoneofthefemaleservants。Thewomanhadanoteinherhand——anoteleftbyMr。Claretheyounger，withamessagedesiringthatitmightbedeliveredtoMissGarthimmediately。Thenamewritteninthelowercorneroftheenvelopewas“WilliamPendril。“Thelawyerhadarrived。

MissGarthopenedthenote。Afterafewfirstsentencesofsympathyandcondolence，thewriterannouncedhisarrivalatMr。Clare\'s；andthenproceeded，apparentlyinhisprofessionalcapacity，tomakeaverystartlingrequest。

“If，“hewrote，“anychangeforthebetterinMrs。Vanstoneshouldtakeplace——whetheritisonlyanimprovementforthetime，orwhetheritisthepermanentimprovementforwhichweallhope——ineithercaseIentreatyoutoletmeknowofitimmediately。ItisofthelastimportancethatIshouldseeher，intheeventofhergainingstrengthenoughtogivemeherattentionforfiveminutes，andofherbeingableattheexpirationofthattimetosignhername。MayIbegthatyouwillcommunicatemyrequest，inthestrictestconfidence，tothemedicalmeninattendance？Theywillunderstand，andyouwillunderstand，thevitalimportanceIattachtothisinterviewwhenItellyouthatIhavearrangedtodefertoitallotherbusinessclaimsonme；andthatIholdmyselfinreadinesstoobeyyoursummonsatanyhourofthedayornight。“

Inthosetermstheletterended。MissGarthreadittwiceover。Atthesecondreadingtherequestwhichthelawyernowaddressedtoher，andthefarewellwordswhichhadescapedMr。Clare\'slipsthedaybefore，connectedthemselvesvaguelyinhermind。Therewassomeotherseriousinterestinsuspense，knowntoMr。PendrilandknowntoMr。Clare，besidesthefirstandforemostinterestofMrs。Vanstone\'srecovery。Whomdiditaffect？Thechildren？Weretheythreatenedbysomenewcalamitywhichtheirmother\'ssignaturemightavert？Whatdiditmean？DiditmeanthatMr。Vanstonehaddiedwithoutleavingawill？

InherdistressandconfusionofmindMissGarthwasincapableofreasoningwithherself，asshemighthavereasonedatahappiertime。ShehastenedtotheantechamberofMrs。Vanstone\'sroom；and，afterexplainingMr。Pendril\'spositiontowardthefamily，placedhisletterinthehandsofthemedicalmen。Theybothanswered，withouthesitation，tothesamepurpose。Mrs。Vanstone\'sconditionrenderedanysuchinterviewasthelawyerdesiredatotalimpossibility。Ifsheralliedfromherpresentprostration，MissGarthshouldbeatonceinformedoftheimprovement。Inthemeantime，theanswertoMr。Pendrilmightbeconveyedinoneword——Impossible。

“YouseewhatimportanceMr。Pendrilattachestotheinterview？“saidMissGarth。

Yes:boththedoctorssawit。

“Mymindislostandconfused，gentlemen，inthisdreadfulsuspense。Canyoueitherofyouguesswhythesignatureiswanted？orwhattheobjectoftheinterviewmaybe？IhaveonlyseenMr。Pendrilwhenhehascomehereonformervisits:Ihavenoclaimtojustifymeinquestioninghim。Willyoulookattheletteragain？DoyouthinkitimpliesthatMr。Vanstonehasnevermadeawill？“

“Ithinkitcanhardlyimplythat，“saidoneofthedoctors。“But，evensupposingMr。Vanstonetohavediedintestate，thelawtakesduecareoftheinterestsofhiswidowandhischildren——“

“Woulditdoso，“interposedtheothermedicalman，“ifthepropertyhappenedtobeinland？“

“Iamnotsureinthatcase。Doyouhappentoknow，MissGarth，whetherMr。Vanstone\'spropertywasinmoneyorinland？“

“Inmoney，“repliedMissGarth。“Ihaveheardhimsaysoonmorethanoneoccasion。“

“ThenIcanrelieveyourmindbyspeakingfrommyownexperience。Thelaw，ifhehasdiedintestate，givesathirdofhispropertytohiswidow，anddividestherestequallyamonghischildren。“

“ButifMrs。Vanstone——“

“IfMrs。Vanstoneshoulddie，“pursuedthedoctor，completingthequestionwhichMissGarthhadnotthehearttoconcludeforherself，“IbelieveIamrightintellingyouthatthepropertywould，asamatteroflegalcourse，gotothechildren。WhatevernecessitytheremaybefortheinterviewwhichMr。Pendrilrequests，IcanseenoreasonforconnectingitwiththequestionofMr。Vanstone\'spresumedintestacy。But，byallmeans，putthequestion，forthesatisfactionofyourownmind，toMr。Pendrilhimself。“

MissGarthwithdrewtotakethecoursewhichthedoctoradvised。AftercommunicatingtoMr。Pendrilthemedicaldecisionwhich，thusfar，refusedhimtheinterviewthathesought，sheaddedabriefstatementofthelegalquestionshehadputtothedoctors；andhinteddelicatelyathernaturalanxietytobeinformedofthemotiveswhichhadledthelawyertomakehisrequest。Theanswershereceivedwasguardedintheextreme:itdidnotimpressherwithafavorableopinionofMr。Pendril。Heconfirmedthedoctors\'interpretationofthelawingeneraltermsonly；expressedhisintentionofwaitingatthecottageinthehopethatachangeforthebettermightyetenableMrs。Vanstonetoseehim；andclosedhisletterwithouttheslightestexplanationofhismotives，andwithoutawordofreferencetothequestionoftheexistence，orthenon-existence，ofMr。Vanstone\'swill。

Themarkedcautionofthelawyer\'sreplydweltuneasilyonMissGarth\'smind，untilthelong-expectedeventofthedayrecalledallherthoughtstoheroneabsorbinganxietyonMrs。Vanstone\'saccount。

EarlyintheeveningthephysicianfromLondonarrived。Hewatchedlongbythebedsideofthesufferingwoman；heremainedlongerstillinconsultationwithhismedicalbrethren；hewentbackagaintothesick-room，beforeMissGarthcouldprevailonhimtocommunicatetohertheopinionatwhichhehadarrived。

Whenhecalledoutintotheantechamberforthesecondtime，hesilentlytookachairbyherside。Shelookedinhisface；andthelastfainthopediedinherbeforeheopenedhislips。

“Imustspeakthehardtruth，“hesaid，gently。“Allthatcanbedonehasbeendone。Thenextfour-and-twentyhours，atmost，willendyoursuspense。IfNaturemakesnoeffortinthattime——Igrievetosayit——youmustprepareyourselffortheworst。“

Thosewordssaidall:theywerepropheticoftheend。

Thenightpassed；andshelivedthroughit。Thenextdaycame；andshelingeredontilltheclockpointedtofive。Atthathourthetidingsofherhusband\'sdeathhaddealtthemortalblow。Whenthehourcameroundagain，themercyofGodlethergotohiminthebetterworld。Herdaughterswerekneelingatthebedsideasherspiritpassedaway。Sheleftthemunconsciousoftheirpresence；mercifullyandhappilyinsensibletothepangofthelastfarewell。

Herchildsurvivedhertilltheeveningwasonthewaneandthesunsetwasdiminthequietwesternheaven。Asthedarknesscame，thelightofthefraillittlelife——faintandfeeblefromthefirst——flickeredandwentout。Allthatwasearthlyofmotherandchildlay，thatnight，onthesamebed。TheAngelofDeathhaddonehisawfulbidding；andthetwoSisterswereleftaloneintheworld。

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene1，Chapter12CHAPTERXII。

EARLIERthanusualonthemorningofThursday，thetwenty-thirdofJuly，Mr。Clareappearedatthedoorofhiscottage，andsteppedoutintothelittlestripofgardenattachedtohisresidence。

Afterhehadtakenafewturnsbackwardandforward，alone，hewasjoinedbyaspare，quiet，gray-hairedman，whosepersonalappearancewastotallydevoidofmarkedcharacterofanykind；whoseinexpressivefaceandconventionally-quietmannerpresentednothingthatattractedapprovalandnothingthatinspireddislike。ThiswasMr。Pendril——thiswasthemanonwhoselipshungthefutureoftheorphansatCombe-Raven。

“Thetimeisgettingon，“hesaid，lookingtowardtheshrubbery，ashejoinedMr。Clare。

“MyappointmentwithMissGarthisforeleveno\'clock:itonlywantstenminutesofthehour。“

“Areyoutoseeheralone？“askedMr。Clare。

“IleftMissGarthtodecide——afterwarningher，firstofall，thatthecircumstancesIamcompelledtodiscloseareofaveryseriousnature。“

“Andhasshedecided？“

“Shewritesmewordthatshementionedmyappointment，andrepeatedthewarningIhadgivenhertoboththedaughters。Theelderofthetwoshrinks——andwhocanwonderatit？——fromanydiscussionconnectedwiththefuturewhichrequiresherpresencesosoonasthedayafterthefuneral。Theyoungeroneappearstohaveexpressednoopiniononthesubject。AsIunderstandit，shesuffersherselftobepassivelyguidedbyhersister\'sexample。Myinterview，therefore，willtakeplacewithMissGarthalone——anditisaverygreatrelieftometoknowit。“

Hespokethelastwordswithmoreemphasisandenergythanseemedhabitualtohim。Mr。Clarestopped，andlookedathisguestattentively。

“YouarealmostasoldasIam，sir，“hesaid。“Hasallyourlongexperienceasalawyernothardenedyouyet？“

“Ineverknewhowlittleithadhardenedme，“repliedMr。Pendril，quietly，“untilIreturnedfromLondonyesterdaytoattendthefuneral。Iwasnotwarnedthatthedaughtershadresolvedonfollowingtheirparentstothegrave。Ithinktheirpresencemadetheclosingsceneofthisdreadfulcalamitydoublypainful，anddoublytouching。Yousawhowthegreatconcourseofpeopleweremovedbyit——andtheywereinignoranceofthetruth；theyknewnothingofthecruelnecessitywhichtakesmetothehousethismorning。Thesenseofthatnecessity——andthesightofthosepoorgirlsatthetimewhenIfeltmyharddutytowardthemmostpainfully——shookme，asamanofmyyearsandmywayoflifeisnotoftenshakenbyanydistressinthepresentoranysuspenseinthefuture。Ihavenotrecovereditthismorning:Ihardlyfeelsureofmyselfyet。“

“Aman\'scomposure——whenheisamanlikeyou——comeswiththenecessityforit，“saidMr。Clare。“Youmusthavehaddutiestoperformastryingintheirwayasthedutythatliesbeforeyouthismorning。“

Mr。Pendrilshookhishead。“Manydutiesasserious；manystoriesmoreromantic。Nodutysotrying，nostorysohopeless，asthis。“

Withthosewordstheyparted。Mr。PendrilleftthegardenfortheshrubberypathwhichledtoCombe-Raven。Mr。Clarereturnedtothecottage。

Onreachingthepassage，helookedthroughtheopendoorofhislittleparlorandsawFranksittingthereinidlewretchedness，withhisheadrestingwearilyonhishand。

“IhavehadananswerfromyouremployersinLondon，“saidMr。Clare。“Inconsiderationofwhathashappened，theywillallowtheoffertheymadeyoutostandoverforanothermonth。“

Frankchangedcolor，androsenervouslyfromhischair。

“Aremyprospectsaltered？“heasked。“AreMr。Vanstone\'splansformenottobecarriedout？HetoldMagdalenhiswillhadprovidedforher。Sherepeatedhiswordstome；shesaidIoughttoknowallthathisgoodnessandgenerosityhaddoneforbothofus。Howcanhisdeathmakeachange？Hasanythinghappened？“

“WaittillMr。PendrilcomesbackfromCombe-Raven，“saidhisfather。“Questionhim——don\'tquestionme。“

ThereadytearsroseinFrank\'seyes。

“Youwon\'tbehardonme？“hepleaded，faintly。“Youwon\'texpectmetogobacktoLondonwithoutseeingMagdalenfirst？“

Mr。Clarelookedthoughtfullyathisson，andconsideredalittlebeforehereplied。

“Youmaydryyoureyes，“hesaid。“YoushallseeMagdalenbeforeyougoback。“

Helefttheroom，aftermakingthatreply，andwithdrewtohisstudy。Thebookslayreadytohishandasusual。Heopenedoneofthemandsethimselftoreadinthecustomarymanner。Buthisattentionwandered；andhiseyesstrayedaway，fromtimetotime，totheemptychairopposite——thechairinwhichhisoldfriendandgossiphadsatandwrangledwithhimgood-humoredlyformanyandmanyayearpast。Afterastrugglewithhimselfheclosedthebook。“D——nthechair！“hesaid:“itwilltalkofhim；andImustlisten。“Hereacheddownhispipefromthewallandmechanicallyfilleditwithtobacco。Hishandshook，hiseyeswanderedbacktotheoldplace；andaheavysighcamefromhimunwillingly。Thatemptychairwastheonlyearthlyargumentforwhichhehadnoanswer:hisheartowneditsdefeatandmoistenedhiseyesinspiteofhim。“Hehasgotthebetterofmeatlast，“saidtheruggedoldman。“Thereisoneweakplaceleftinmestill——andhehasfoundit。“

Meanwhile，Mr。Pendrilenteredtheshrubbery，andfollowedthepathwhichledtothelonelygardenandthedesolatehouse。Hewasmetatthedoorbytheman-servant，whowasapparentlywaitinginexpectationofhisarrival。