第5章

“Iunderstandthatmylatebrotherhaslefttwoillegitimatechildren；bothofthemyoungwomen，whoareofanagetoearntheirownlivelihood。Variousconsiderations，allequallyirregular，havebeenurgedinrespecttothesepersonsbythesolicitorrepresentingthem。BesogoodastotellhimthatneitheryounorIhaveanythingtodowithquestionsofmeresentiment；andthenstateplainly，forhisbetterinformation，whatthemotivesarewhichregulatemyconduct，andwhattheprovisioniswhichIfeelmyselfjustifiedinmakingforthetwoyoungwomen。Yourinstructionsonboththesepointsyouwillfinddetailedinthenextparagraph。

“Iwishthepersonsconcernedtoknow，onceforall，howIregardthecircumstanceswhichhaveplacedmylatebrother\'spropertyatmydisposal。LetthemunderstandthatIconsiderthosecircumstancestobeaProvidentialinterpositionwhichhasrestoredtometheinheritancethatoughtalwaystohavebeenmine。Ireceivethemoney，notonlyasmyright，butalsoasapropercompensationfortheinjusticewhichIsufferedfrommyfather，andaproperpenaltypaidbymyyoungerbrotherforthevileintriguebywhichhesucceededindisinheritingme。Hisconduct，whenayoungman，wasuniformlydiscreditableinalltherelationsoflife；andwhatitthenwasitcontinuedtobe(ontheshowingofhisownlegalrepresentative)afterthetimewhenIceasedtoholdanycommunicationwithhim。HeappearstohavesystematicallyimposedawomanonSocietyashiswifewhowasnothiswife，andtohavecompletedtheoutrageonmoralitybyafterwardmarryingher。SuchconductasthishascalleddownaJudgmentonhimselfandhischildren。Iwillnotinviteretributiononmyownheadbyassistingthosechildrentocontinuetheimpositionwhichtheirparentspracticed，andbyhelpingthemtotakeaplaceintheworldtowhichtheyarenotentitled。Letthem，asbecomestheirbirth，gaintheirbreadinsituations。IftheyshowthemselvesdisposedtoaccepttheirproperpositionIwillassistthemtostartvirtuouslyinlifebyapresentofonehundredpoundseach。ThissumIauthorizeyoutopaythem，ontheirpersonalapplication，withthenecessaryacknowledgmentofreceipt；andontheexpressunderstandingthatthetransaction，socompleted，istobethebeginningandtheendofmyconnectionwiththem。ThearrangementsunderwhichtheyquitthehouseIleavetoyourdiscretion；andIhaveonlytoaddthatmydecisiononthismatter，asonallothermatters，ispositiveandfinal。“

Linebyline——withoutoncelookingupfromthepagesbeforeher——Magdalenreadthoseatrocioussentencesthrough，frombeginningtoend。Theotherpersonsassembledintheroom，alleagerlylookingathertogether，sawthedressrisingandfallingfasterandfasteroverherbosom——sawthehandinwhichshelightlyheldthemanuscriptattheoutsetcloseunconsciouslyonthepaperandcrushit，assheadvancednearerandnearertotheend——butdetectednootheroutwardsignsofwhatwaspassingwithinher。Assoonasshehaddone，shesilentlypushedthemanuscriptaway，andputherhandsonasuddenoverherface。Whenshewithdrewthem，allthefourpersonsintheroomnoticedachangeinher。Somethinginherexpressionhadaltered，subtlyandsilently；somethingwhichmadethefamiliarfeaturessuddenlylookstrange，eventohersisterandMissGarth；something，throughallafteryears，nevertobeforgotteninconnectionwiththatday——andnevertobedescribed。

ThefirstwordsshespokewereaddressedtoMr。Pendril。

“MayIaskonemorefavor，“shesaid，“beforeyouenteronyourbusinessarrangements？“

Mr。Pendrilrepliedceremoniouslybyagestureofassent。Magdalen\'sresolutiontopossessherselfoftheInstructionsdidnotappeartohaveproducedafavorableimpressiononthelawyer\'smind。

“Youmentionedwhatyouweresokindastodo，inourinterests，whenyoufirstwrotetoMr。MichaelVanstone，“shecontinued。“Yousaidyouhadtoldhimallthecircumstances。Iwant——ifyouwillallowme——tobemadequitesureofwhathereallyknewaboutus——whenhesenttheseorderstohislawyer。Didheknowthatmyfatherhadmadeawill，andthathehadleftourfortunestomysisterandmyself？“

“Hedidknowit，“saidMr。Pendril。

“Didyoutellhimhowithappenedthatweareleftinthishelplessposition？“

“Itoldhimthatyourfatherwasentirelyunaware，whenhemarried，ofthenecessityformakinganotherwill。“

“Andthatanotherwillwouldhavebeenmade，afterhesawMr。Clare，butforthedreadfulmisfortuneofhisdeath？“

“Heknewthatalso。“

“Didheknowthatmyfather\'suntiringgoodnessandkindnesstobothofus——“

Hervoicefalteredforthefirsttime:shesighed，andputherhandtoherheadwearily。Norahspokeentreatinglytoher；MissGarthspokeentreatinglytoher；Mr。Claresatsilent，watchinghermoreandmoreearnestly。Sheansweredhersister\'sremonstrancewithafaintsmile。“Iwillkeepmypromise，“shesaid；“Iwilldistressnobody。“Withthatreply，sheturnedagaintoMr。Pendril；andsteadilyreiteratedthequestion——butinanotherformofwords。

“DidMr。MichaelVanstoneknowthatmyfather\'sgreatanxietywastomakesureofprovidingformysisterandmyself？“

“Heknewitinyourfather\'sownwords。Isenthimanextractfromyourfather\'slastlettertome。“

“TheletterwhichaskedyoutocomeforGod\'ssake，andrelievehimfromthedreadfulthoughtthathisdaughterswereunprovidedfor？Theletterwhichsaidheshouldnotrestinhisgraveifheleftusdisinherited？“

“Thatletterandthosewords。“

Shepaused，stillkeepinghereyessteadilyfixedonthelawyer\'sface。

“Iwanttofastenitallinmymind，“shesaid“beforeIgoon。Mr。MichaelVanstoneknewofthefirstwill；heknewwhatpreventedthemakingofthesecondwill；heknewoftheletterandhereadthewords。Whatdidheknowofbesides？Didyoutellhimofmymother\'slastillness？Didyousaythathershareinthemoneywouldhavebeenlefttous，ifshecouldhaveliftedherdyinghandinyourpresence？DidyoutrytomakehimashamedofthecruellawwhichcallsgirlsinoursituationNobody\'sChildren，andwhichallowshimtouseusasheisusingusnow？“

“Iputallthoseconsiderationstohim。Ileftnoneofthemdoubtful；Ileftnoneofthemout。“

SheslowlyreachedherhandtothecopyoftheInstructions，andslowlyfoldeditupagain，intheshapeinwhichithadbeenpresentedtoher。“Iammuchobligedtoyou，Mr。Pendril。“Withthosewords，shebowed，andgentlypushedthemanuscriptbackacrossthetable；thenturnedtohersister。

“Norah，“shesaid，“ifwebothofuslivetogrowold，andifyoueverforgetallthatweowetoMichaelVanstone——cometome，andIwillremindyou。“

Sheroseandwalkedacrosstheroombyherselftothewindow。AsshepassedMr。Clare，theoldmanstretchedouthisclaw-likefingersandcaughtherfastbythearmbeforeshewasawareofhim。

“Whatisthismaskofyourshiding？“heasked，forcinghertobendtohim，andlookingcloseintoherface。“Whichoftheextremesofhumantemperaturedoesyourcouragestartfrom——thedeadcoldorthewhitehot？“

Sheshrankbackfromhimandturnedawayherheadinsilence。ShewouldhaveresentedthatunscrupulousintrusiononherownthoughtsfromanymanalivebutFrank\'sfather。Hedroppedherarmassuddenlyashehadtakenit，andlethergoontothewindow。“No，“hesaidtohimself，“notthecoldextreme，whateverelseitmaybe。Somuchtheworseforher，andforallbelongingtoher。“

Therewasamomentarypause。Oncemorethedrippingrustleoftherainandthesteadytickingoftheclockfilledupthegapofsilence。Mr。PendrilputtheInstructionsbackinhispocket，consideredalittle，and，turningtowardNorahandMissGarth，recalledtheirattentiontothepresentandpressingnecessitiesofthetime。

“Ourconsultationhasbeenneedlesslyprolonged，“hesail，“bypainfulreferencestothepast。Weshallbebetteremployedinsettlingourarrangementsforthefuture。Iamobligedtoreturntotownthisevening。PrayletmehearhowIcanbestassistyou；praytellmewhattroubleandwhatresponsibilityIcantakeoffyourhands。“

Forthemoment，neitherNorahnorMissGarthseemedtobecapableofansweringhim。Magdalen\'sreceptionofthenewswhichannihilatedthemarriageprospectthatherfather\'sownlipshadplacedbeforehernotamonthsince，hadbewilderedanddismayedthemalike。Theyhadsummonedtheircouragetomeettheshockofherpassionategrief，ortofacethehardertrialofwitnessingherspeechlessdespair。ButtheywerenotpreparedforherinvincibleresolutiontoreadtheInstructions；fortheterriblequestionswhichshehadputtothelawyer；forherimmovabledeterminationtofixallthecircumstancesinhermind，underwhichMichaelVanstone\'sdecisionhadbeenpronounced。Thereshestoodatthewindow，anunfathomablemysterytothesisterwhohadneverbeenpartedfromher，tothegovernesswhohadtrainedherfromachild。MissGarthrememberedthedarkdoubtswhichhadcrossedhermindonthedaywhensheandMagdalenhadmetinthegarden。Norahlookedforwardtothecomingtime，withthefirstseriousdreadofitonhersister\'saccountwhichshehadfeltyet。Bothhadhithertoremainedpassive，indespairofknowingwhattodo。Bothwerenowsilent，indespairofknowingwhattosay。

Mr。Pendrilpatientlyandkindlyhelpedthem，byreturningtothesubjectoftheirfutureplansforthesecondtime。

“Iamsorrytopressanybusinessmattersonyourattention，“hesaid，“whenyouarenecessarilyunfittedtodealwiththem。ButImusttakemyinstructionsbacktoLondonwithmetonight。Withreference，inthefirstplace，tothedisgracefulpecuniaryoffer，towhichIhavealreadyalluded。TheyoungerMissVanstonehavingreadtheInstructions，needsnofurtherinformationfrommylips。Theelderwill，Ihope，excusemeifItellher(whatIshouldbeashamedtotellher，butthatitisamatterofnecessity)，thatMr。MichaelVanstone\'sprovisionforhisbrother\'schildrenbeginsandendswithanoffertoeachofthemofonehundredpounds。“

Norah\'sfacecrimsonedwithindignation。Shestartedtoherfeet，asifMichaelVanstonehadbeenpresentintheroom，andhadpersonallyinsultedher。

“Isee，“saidthelawyer，wishingtospareher；“ImaytellMr。MichaelVanstoneyourefusethemoney。“

“Tellhim，“shebrokeoutpassionately，“ifIwasstarvingbytheroadside，Iwouldn\'ttouchafarthingofit！“

“ShallInotifyyourrefusalalso？“askedMr。Pendril，speakingtoMagdalennext。

Sheturnedroundfromthewindow——butkeptherfaceinshadow，bystandingcloseagainstitwithherbacktothelight。

“Tellhim，onmypart，“shesaid，“tothinkagainbeforehestartsmeinlifewithahundredpounds。Iwillgivehimtimetothink。“Shespokethosestrangewordswithamarkedemphasis；andturningbackquicklytothewindow，hidherfacefromtheobservationofeveryoneintheroom。

“Youbothrefusetheoffer，“saidMr。Pendril，takingouthispencil，andmakinghisprofessionalnoteofthedecision。Asheshutuphispocketbook，heglancedtowardMagdalendoubtfully。Shehadrousedinhimthelatentdistrustwhichisalawyer\'ssecondnature:hehadhissuspicionsofherlooks；hehadhissuspicionsofherlanguage。HersisterseemedtohavemereinfluenceoverherthanMissGarth。Heresolvedtospeakprivatelytohersisterbeforehewentaway。

Whiletheideawaspassingthroughhismind，hisattentionwasclaimedbyanotherquestionfromMagdalen。

“Isheanoldman？“sheasked，suddenly，withoutturningroundfromthewindow。

“IfyoumeanMr。MichaelVanstone，heisseventy-fiveorseventy-sixyearsofage。“

“Youspokeofhissonalittlewhilesince。Hasheanyothersons——ordaughters？“

“None。“

“Doyouknowanythingofhiswife？“

“Shehasbeendeadformanyyears。“

Therewasapause。“Whydoyouaskthesequestions？“saidNorah。

“Ibegyourpardon，“repliedMagdalen，quietly；“Iwon\'taskanymore。“

Forthethirdtime，Mr。Pendrilreturnedtothebusinessoftheinterview。

“Theservantsmustnotheforgotten，“hesaid。“Theymustbesettledwithanddischarged:IwillgivethemthenecessaryexplanationbeforeIleave。Asforthehouse，noquestionsconnectedwithitneedtroubleyou。Thecarriagesandhorses，thefurnitureandplate，andsoon，mustsimplybeleftonthepremisestoawaitMr。MichaelVanstone\'sfurtherorders。Butanypossessions，MissVanstone，personallybelongingtoyouortoyoursister——jewelryanddresses，andanylittlepresentswhichmayhavebeenmadetoyou——areentirelyatyourdisposal。Withregardtothetimeofyourdeparture，IunderstandthatamonthormorewillelapsebeforeMr。MichaelVanstonecanleaveZurich；andIamsureIonlydohissolicitorjusticeinsaying——“

“Excuseme，Mr。Pendril，“interposedNorah；“IthinkIunderstand，fromwhatyouhavejustsaid，thatourhouseandeverythinginitbelongsto——？“Shestopped，asifthemereutteranceoftheman\'snamewasabhorrenttoher。

“ToMichaelVanstone，“saidMr。Pendril。“Thehousegoestohimwiththerestoftheproperty。“

“ThenI，forone，amreadytoleaveittomorrow！“

Magdalenstartedatthewindow，ashersisterspoke，andlookedatMr。Clare，withthefirstopensignsofanxietyandalarmwhichshehadshownyet。

“Don\'tbeangrywithme，“shewhispered，stoopingovertheoldmanwithasuddenhumilityoflook，andasuddennervousnessofmanner。“Ican\'tgowithoutseeingFrankfirst！“

“Youshallseehim，“repliedMr。Clare。“Iamheretospeaktoyouaboutit，whenthebusinessisdone。“

“Itisquiteunnecessarytohurryyourdeparture，asyoupropose，“continuedMr。Pendril，addressingNorah。“Icansafelyassureyouthataweekhencewillbetimeenough。“

“IfthisisMr。MichaelVanstone\'shouse，“repeatedNorah；“Iamreadytoleaveittomorrow。“

Sheimpatientlyquittedherchairandseatedherselffurtherawayonthesofa。Asshelaidherhandonthebackofit，herfacechanged。There，attheheadofthesofa，werethecushionswhichhadsupportedhermotherwhenshelaydownforthelasttimetorepose。There，atthefootofthesofa，wastheclumsy，old-fashionedarm-chair，whichhadbeenherfather\'sfavoriteseatonrainydays，whensheandhersisterusedtoamusehimatthepianoopposite，byplayinghisfavoritetunes。Aheavysigh，whichshetriedvainlytorepress，burstfromherlips。“Oh，“shethought，“Ihadforgottentheseoldfriends！Howshallwepartfromthemwhenthetimecomes！“

“MayIinquire，MissVanstone，whetheryouandyoursisterhaveformedanydefiniteplansforthefuture？“askedMr。Pendril。“Haveyouthoughtofanyplaceofresidence？“

“Imaytakeitonmyself，sir，“saidMissGarth，“toansweryourquestionforthem。Whentheyleavethishouse，theyleaveitwithme。Myhomeistheirhome，andmybreadistheirbread。Theirparentshonoredme，trustedme，andlovedme。FortwelvehappyyearstheyneverletmerememberthatIwastheirgoverness；theyonlyletmeknowmyselfastheircompanionandtheirfriend。Mymemoryofthemisthememoryofunvaryinggentlenessandgenerosity；andmylifeshallpaythedebtofmygratitudetotheirorphanchildren。“

Norahrosehastilyfromthesofa；Magdalenimpetuouslyleftthewindow。Foronce，therewasnocontrastintheconductofthesisters。Foronce，thesameimpulsemovedtheirhearts，thesameearnestfeelinginspiredtheirwords。MissGarthwaiteduntilthefirstoutburstofemotionhadpassedaway；thenrose，and，takingNorahandMagdaleneachbythehand，addressedherselftoMr。PendrilandMr。Clare。Shespokewithperfectself-possession；stronginherartlessunconsciousnessofherowngoodaction。

“Evensuchatrifleasmyownstory，“shesaid，“isofsomeimportanceatsuchamomentasthis。Iwishyouboth，gentlemen，tounderstandthatIamnotpromisingmoretothedaughtersofyouroldfriendthanIcanperform。WhenIfirstcametothishouse，Ientereditundersuchindependentcircumstancesasarenotcommoninthelivesofgovernesses。Inmyyoungerdays，Iwasassociatedinteachingwithmyeldersister:weestablishedaschoolinLondon，whichgrewtobealargeandprosperousone。Ionlyleftit，andbecameaprivategoverness，becausetheheavyresponsibilityoftheschoolwasmorethanmystrengthcouldbear。Ileftmyshareintheprofitsuntouched，andIpossessapecuniaryinterestinourestablishmenttothisday。Thatismystory，infewwords。Whenweleavethishouse，IproposethatweshallgobacktotheschoolinLondon，whichisstillprosperouslydirectedbymyeldersister。Wecanlivethereasquietlyasweplease，untiltimehashelpedustobearourafflictionbetterthanwecanbearitnow。IfNorah\'sandMagdalen\'salteredprospectsobligethemtoearntheirownindependence，Icanhelpthemtoearnit，asagentleman\'sdaughtersshould。Thebestfamiliesinthislandaregladtoaskmysister\'sadvicewheretheinterestsoftheirchildren\'shome-trainingareconcerned；andIanswer，beforehand，forherheartydesiretoserveMr。Vanstone\'sdaughters，asIanswerformyown。Thatisthefuturewhichmygratitudetotheirfatherandmother，andmyloveforthemselves，nowofferstothem。Ifyouthinkmyproposal，gentlemen，afitandfairproposal——andIseeinyourfacesthatyoudo——letusnotmakethehardnecessitiesofourpositionharderstill，byanyuselessdelayinmeetingthematonce。Letusdowhatwemustdo；letusactonNorah\'sdecision，andleavethishouseto-morrow。Youmentionedtheservantsjustnow，Mr。Pendril:Iamreadytocallthemtogetherinthenextroom，andtoassistyouinthesettlementoftheirclaims，wheneveryouplease。“

Withoutwaitingforthelawyer\'sanswer，withoutleavingthesisterstimetorealizetheirownterriblesituation，shemovedatoncetowardthedoor。Itwasherwiseresolutiontomeetthecomingtrialbydoingmuchandsayinglittle。Beforeshecouldleavetheroom，Mr。Clarefollowed，andstoppedheronthethreshold。

“Ineverenviedawoman\'sfeelingsbefore，“saidtheoldman。“Itmaysurpriseyoutohearit；butIenvyyours。Wait！Ihavesomethingmoretosay。Thereisanobstaclestillleft——theeverlastingobstacleofFrank。Helpmetosweephimoff。Taketheeldersisteralongwithyouandthelawyer，andleavemeheretohaveitoutwiththeyounger。Iwanttoseewhatmetalshe\'sreallymadeof。“

WhileMr。ClarewasaddressingthesewordstoMissGarth，Mr。PendrilhadtakentheopportunityofspeakingtoNorah。“BeforeIgobacktotown，“hesaid，“Ishouldliketohaveawordwithyouinprivate。Fromwhathaspassedtoday，MissVanstone，Ihaveformedaveryhighopinionofyourdiscretion；and，asanoldfriendofyourfather\'s，Iwanttotakethefreedomofspeakingtoyouaboutyoursister。“

BeforeNorahcouldanswer，shewassummoned，incompliancewithMr。Clare\'srequest，totheconferencewiththeservants。Mr。PendrilfollowedMissGarth，asamatterofcourse。Whenthethreewereoutinthehall，Mr。Clarere-enteredtheroom，closedthedoor，andsignedperemptorilytoMagdalentotakeachair。

Sheobeyedhiminsilence。Hetookaturnupanddowntheroom，withhishandsintheside-pocketsofthelong，loose，shapelesscoatwhichhehabituallywore。

“Howoldareyou？“hesaid，stoppingsuddenly，andspeakingtoherwiththewholebreadthoftheroombetweenthem。

“Iwaseighteenlastbirthday，“sheanswered，humbly，withoutlookingupathim。

“Youhaveshownextraordinarycourageforagirlofeighteen。Haveyougotanyofthatcourageleft？“

Sheclaspedherhandstogether，andwrungthemhard。Afewtearsgatheredinhereyes，androlledslowlyoverhercheeks。

“Ican\'tgiveFrankup，“shesaid，faintly。“Youdon\'tcareforme，Iknow；butyouusedtocareformyfather。Willyoutrytobekindtomeformyfather\'ssake？“

Thelastwordsdiedawayinawhisper；shecouldsaynomore。Neverhadshefelttheillimitablepowerwhichawoman\'slovepossessesofabsorbingintoitselfeveryotherevent，everyotherjoyorsorrowofherlife，asshefeltitthen。NeverhadshesotenderlyassociatedFrankwiththememoryofherlostparents，asatthatmoment。Neverhadtheimpenetrableatmosphereofillusionthroughwhichwomenbeholdthemanoftheirchoice——theatmospherewhichhadblindedhertoallthatwasweak，selfish，andmeaninFrank\'snature——surroundedhimwithabrighterhalothannow，whenshewaspleadingwiththefatherforthepossessionoftheson。“Oh，don\'taskmetogivehimup！“shesaid，tryingtotakecourage，andshudderingfromheadtofoot。Inthenextinstant，sheflewtotheoppositeextreme，withthesuddennessofaflashoflightning。“Iwon\'tgivehimup！“sheburstoutviolently。“No！notifathousandfathersaskme！“

“Iamonefather，“saidMr。Clare。“AndIdon\'taskyou。“

Inthefirstastonishmentanddelightofhearingthoseunexpectedwords，shestartedtoherfeet，crossedtheroom，andtriedtothrowherarmsroundhisneck。Shemightaswellhaveattemptedtomovethehousefromitsfoundations。Hetookherbytheshouldersandputherbackinherchair。Hisinexorableeyeslookedherintosubmission；andhisleanforefingershookatherwarningly，asifhewasquietingafractiouschild。

“HugFrank，“hesaid；“don\'thugme。Ihaven\'tdonewithyouyet；whenIhave，youmayshakehandswithme，ifyoulike。Wait，andcomposeyourself。“

Helefther。Hishandswentbackintohispockets，andhismonotonousmarchupanddowntheroombeganagain。

“Ready？“heasked，stoppingshortafterawhile。Shetriedtoanswer。“Taketwominutesmore，“hesaid，andresumedhiswalkwiththeregularityofclock-work。“Thesearethecreatures，“hethoughttohimself，“intowhosekeepingmenotherwisesensiblegivethehappinessoftheirlives。Isthereanyotherobjectincreation，Iwonder，whichanswersitsendasbadlyasawomandoes？“

Hestoppedbeforeheroncemore。Herbreathingwaseasier；thedarkflushonherfacewasdyingoutagain。

“Ready？“herepeated。“Yes；readyatlast。Listentome；andlet\'sgetitover。Idon\'taskyoutogiveFrankup。Iaskyoutowait。“

“Iwillwait，“shesaid。“Patiently，willingly。“

“WillyoumakeFrankwait？“

“Yes。“

“WillyousendhimtoChina？“

Herheaddroopeduponherbosom，andsheclaspedherhandsagain，insilence。Mr。Claresawwherethedifficultylay，andmarchedstraightuptoitonthespot。

“Idon\'tpretendtoenterintoyourfeelingsforFrank，orFrank\'sforyou，“hesaid。“Thesubjectdoesn\'tinterestme。ButIdopretendtostatetwoplaintruths。Itisoneplaintruththatyoucan\'tbemarriedtillyouhavemoneyenoughtopayfortheroofthatsheltersyou，theclothesthatcoveryou，andthevictualsyoueat。Itisanotherplaintruththatyoucan\'tfindthemoney；thatIcan\'tfindthemoney；andthatFrank\'sonlychanceoffindingit，isgoingtoChina。IfItellhimtogo，he\'llsitinacornerandcry。IfIinsist，he\'llsayYes，anddeceiveme。IfIgoastepfurther，andseehimonboardshipwithmyowneyes，he\'llslipoffinthepilot\'sboat，andsneakbacksecretlytoyou。That\'shisdisposition。“

“No！“saidMagdalen。“It\'snothisdisposition；it\'shisloveforMe。“

“Callitwhatyoulike，“retortedMr。Clare。“SneakorSweetheart——he\'stooslippery，ineithercapacity，formyfingerstoholdhim。Myshuttingthedoorwon\'tkeephimfromcomingback。Yourshuttingthedoorwill。Haveyouthecouragetoshutit？Areyoufondenoughofhimnottostandinhislight？“

“Fond！Iwoulddieforhim！“

“WillyousendhimtoChina？“

Shesighedbitterly。

“Havealittlepityforme，“shesaid。“Ihavelostmyfather；Ihavelostmymother；Ihavelostmyfortune——andnowIamtoloseFrank。Youdon\'tlikewomen，Iknow；buttrytohelpmewithalittlepity。Idon\'tsayit\'snotforhisownintereststosendhimtoChina；Ionlysayit\'shard——very，veryhardonme。“

Mr。Clarehadbeendeaftoherviolence，insensibletohercaresses，blindtohertears；butunderthetoughintegumentofhisphilosophyhehadaheart——anditansweredthathopelessappeal；itfeltthosetouchingwords。

“Idon\'tdenythatyourcaseisahardone，“hesaid。“Idon\'twanttomakeitharder。IonlyaskyoutodoinFrank\'sinterestswhatFrankistooweaktodoforhimself。It\'snofaultofyours；it\'snofaultofmine——butit\'snotthelesstruethatthefortuneyouweretohavebroughthimhaschangedowners。“

Shesuddenlylookedup，withafurtivelightinhereyes，withathreateningsmileonherlips。

“Itmaychangeownersagain，“shesaid。

Mr。Claresawthealterationinherexpression，andheardthetonesofhervoice。Butthewordswerespokenlow；spokenasiftoherself——theyfailedtoreachhimacrossthebreadthoftheroom。Hestoppedinstantlyinhiswalkandaskedwhatshehadsaid。

“Nothing，“sheanswered，turningherheadawaytowardthewindow，andlookingoutmechanicallyatthefallingrain。“Onlymyownthoughts。“

Mr。Clareresumedhiswalk，andreturnedtohissubject。

“It\'syourinterest，“hewenton，“aswellasFrank\'sinterest，thatheshouldgo。HemaymakemoneyenoughtomarryyouinChina；hecan\'tmakeithere。Ifhestopsathome，he\'llbetheruinofbothofyou。He\'llshuthiseyestoeveryconsiderationofprudence，andpesteryoutomarryhim；andwhenhehascarriedhispoint，hewillbethefirsttoturnroundafterwardandcomplainthatyou\'reaburdenonhim。Hearmeout！You\'reinlovewithFrank——I\'mnot，andIknowhim。Putyoutwotogetheroftenenough；givehimtimeenoughtohug，cry，pester，andplead；andI\'lltellyouwhattheendwillbe——you\'llmarryhim。“

Hehadtouchedtherightstringatlast。Itrungbackinanswerbeforehecouldaddanotherword。

“Youdon\'tknowme，“shesaid，firmly。“Youdon\'tknowwhatIcansufferforFrank\'ssake。HeshallnevermarrymetillIcanbewhatmyfathersaidIshouldbe——themakingofhisfortune。Heshalltakenoburden，whenhetakesme；Ipromiseyouthat！I\'llbethegoodangelofFrank\'slife；I\'llnotgoapennilessgirltohim，anddraghimdown。“Sheabruptlyleftherseat，advancedafewstepstowardMr。Clare，andstoppedinthemiddleoftheroom。Herarmsfellhelplessoneithersideofher，andsheburstintotears。“Heshallgo，“shesaid。“Ifmyheartbreaksindoingit，I\'lltellhimto-morrowthatwemustsayGood-by！“

Mr。Clareatonceadvancedtomeether，andheldouthishand。

“I\'llhelpyou，“hesaid。“Frankshallheareverywordthathaspassedbetweenus。Whenhecomesto-morrowheshallknow，beforehand，thathecomestosayGood-by。“

Shetookhishandinbothherown——hesitated——lookedathim——andpressedittoherbosom。“MayIaskafavorofyou，beforeyougo？“shesaid，timidly。Hetriedtotakehishandfromher；butsheknewheradvantage，andhelditfast。“Supposethereshouldbesomechangeforthebetter？“shewenton。“SupposeIcouldcometoFrank，asmyfathersaidIshouldcometohim——？“

Beforeshecouldcompletethequestion，Mr。Claremadeasecondeffortandwithdrewhishand。“Asyourfathersaidyoushouldcometohim？“herepeated，lookingatherattentively。

“Yes，“shereplied。“Strangethingshappensometimes。IfstrangethingshappentomewillyouletFrankcomebackbeforethefiveyearsareout？“

Whatdidshemean？WassheclingingdesperatelytothehopeofmeltingMichaelVanstone\'sheart？Mr。Clarecoulddrawnootherconclusionfromwhatshehadjustsaidtohim。Atthebeginningoftheinterviewhewouldhaveroughlydispelledherdelusion。Attheendoftheinterviewhelefthercompassionatelyinpossessionofit。

“Youarehopingagainstallhope，“hesaid；“butifitgivesyoucourage，hopeon。Ifthisimpossiblegoodfortuneofyourseverhappens，tellme，andFrankshallcomeback。Inthemeantime——“

“Inthemeantime，“sheinterposedsadly，“youhavemypromise。“

OncemoreMr。Clare\'ssharpeyessearchedherfaceattentively。

“Iwilltrustyourpromise，“hesaid。“YoushallseeFrankto-morrow。“

Shewentbackthoughtfullytoherchair，andsatdownagaininsilence。Mr。Claremadeforthedoorbeforeanyformalleave-takingcouldpassbetweenthem。“Deep！“hethoughttohimself，ashelookedbackatherbeforehewentout；“onlyeighteen；andtoodeepformysounding！“

InthehallhefoundNorah，waitinganxiouslytohearwhathadhappened。

“Isitallover？“sheasked。“DoesFrankgotoChina？“

“Becarefulhowyoumanagethatsisterofyours，“saidMr。Clare，withoutnoticingthequestion。“Shehasonegreatmisfortunetocontendwith:she\'snotmadefortheordinaryjog-trotofawoman\'slife。Idon\'tsayIcanseestraighttotheendofthegoodorevilinher——Ionlywarnyou，herfuturewillbenocommonone。“

Anhourlater，Mr。Pendrilleftthehouse；and，bythatnight\'spost，MissGarthdispatchedalettertohersisterinLondon。

THEENDOFTHEFIRSTSCENE。

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，BetweentheScenesBETWEENTHESCENES。PROGRESSOFTHESTORYTHROUGHTHEPOST。I。FromNorahVanstonetoMr。Pendril。

“WestmorelandHouse，Kensington，“August14th，1846。

“DEARMR。PENDRIL——Thedateofthisletterwillshowyouthatthelastofmanyhardpartingsisover。WehaveleftCombe-Raven；wehavesaidfarewelltohome。

“IhavebeenthinkingseriouslyofwhatyousaidtomeonWednesday，beforeyouwentbacktotown。IentirelyagreewithyouthatMissGarthismoreshakenbyallshehasgonethroughforoursakesthansheisherselfwillingtoadmit；andthatitismyduty，forthefuture，tospareheralltheanxietythatIcanonthesubjectofmysisterandmyself。Thisisverylittletodoforourdearestfriend，foroursecondmother。Suchasitis，Iwilldoitwithallmyheart。

“But，forgivemeforsayingthatIamasfaraseverfromagreeingwithyouaboutMagdalen。Iamsosensible，inourhelplessposition，oftheimportanceofyourassistance；soanxioustobeworthyoftheinterestofmyfather\'strustedadviserandoldestfriend，thatIfeelreallyandtrulydisappointedwithmyselffordifferingwithyou——andyetIdodiffer。

Magdalenisverystrange，veryunaccountable，tothosewhodon\'tknowherintimately。Icanunderstandthatshehasinnocentlymisledyou；andthatshehaspresentedherself，perhaps，underherleastfavorableaspect。ButthattheclewtoherlanguageandherconductonWednesdaylastistobefoundinsuchafeelingtowardthemanwhohasruinedus，asthefeelingatwhichyouhinted，iswhatIcannotandwillnotbelieveofmysister。

Ifyouknew，asIdo，whatanoblenatureshehas，youwouldnotbesurprisedatthisobstinateresistanceofminetoyouropinion。Willyoutrytoalterit？Idon\'tmindwhatMr。Claresays；hebelievesinnothing。ButIattachaveryseriousimportancetowhatyousay；and，kindasIknowyourmotivestobe，itdistressesmetothinkyouaredoingMagdalenaninjustice。

“Havingrelievedmymindofthisconfession，Imaynowcometotheproperobjectofmyletter。Ipromised，ifyoucouldnotfindleisuretimetovisitusto-day，towriteandtellyouallthathappenedafteryouleftus。Thedayhaspassedwithoutourseeingyou。SoIopenmywriting-caseandperformmypromise。

“Iamsorrytosaythatthreeofthewomen-servants——thehouse-maid，thekitchen-maid，andevenourownmaid(towhomIamsurewehavealwaysbeenkind)——tookadvantageofyourhavingpaidthemtheirwagestopackupandgoassoonasyourbackwasturned。Theycametosaygood-bywithasmuchceremonyandaslittlefeelingasiftheywereleavingthehouseunderordinarycircumstances。Thecook，forallherviolenttemper，behavedverydifferently:shesentupamessagetosaythatshewouldstopandhelpustothelast。AndThomas(whohasneveryetbeeninanyotherplacethanours)spokesogratefullyofmydearfather\'sunvaryingkindnesstohim，andaskedsoanxiouslytobeallowedtogoonservinguswhilehislittlesavingslasted，thatMagdalenandIforgotallformalconsiderationsandbothshookhandswithhim。Thepoorladwentoutoftheroomcrying。

Iwishhimwell；Ihopehewillfindakindmasterandagoodplace。

“Thelong，quiet，rainyeveningout-of-doors——ourlasteveningatCombe-Raven——wasasadtrialtous。Ithinkwinter-timewouldhaveweighedlessonourspirits；

thedrawncurtainsandthebrightlamps，andthecompanionablefireswouldhavehelpedus。Wewereonlyfiveinthehousealtogether——afterhavingoncebeensomany！Ican\'ttellyouhowdrearythegraydaylightlooked，towardseveno\'clock，inthelonelyrooms，andonthenoiselessstaircase。

Surely，theprejudiceinfavoroflongsummereveningsistheprejudiceofhappypeople？Wedidourbest。Wekeptourselvesemployed，andMissGarthhelpedus。Theprospectofpreparingforourdeparture，whichhadseemedsodreadfulearlierintheday，alteredintotheprospectofarefugefromourselvesastheeveningcameon。Weeachtriedatfirsttopackupinourownrooms——butthelonelinesswasmorethanwecouldbear。Wecarriedallourpossessionsdownstairs，andheapedthemonthelargedining-table，andsomadeourpreparationstogetherinthesameroom。Iamsurewehavetakennothingawaywhichdoesnotproperlybelongtous。

“HavingalreadymentionedtoyoumyownconvictionthatMagdalenwasnotherselfwhenyousawheronWednesday，IfeeltemptedtostophereandgiveyouaninstanceinproofofwhatIsay。ThelittlecircumstancehappenedonWednesdaynight，justbeforewewentuptoourrooms。

“Afterwehadpackedourdressesandourbirthdaypresents，ourbooksandourmusic，webegantosortourletters，whichhadgotconfusedfrombeingplacedonthetabletogether。SomeofmylettersweremixedwithMagdalen\'s，andsomeofherswithmine。AmongtheselastIfoundacard，whichhadbeengiventomysisterearlyintheyearbyanactorwhomanagedanamateurtheatricalperformanceinwhichshetookapart。Themanhadgivenherthecard，containinghisnameandaddress，inthebeliefthatshewouldbeinvitedtomanymoreamusementsofthesamekind，andinthehopethatshewouldrecommendhimasasuperintendentonfutureoccasions。

Ionlyrelatethesetriflingparticularstoshowyouhowlittleworthkeepingsuchacardcouldbe，insuchcircumstancesasours。Naturallyenough，Ithrewitawayfrommeacrossthetable，meaningtothrowitonthefloor。

Itfellshort，closetotheplaceinwhichMagdalenwassitting。Shetookitup，lookedatit，andimmediatelydeclaredthatshewouldnothavehadthisperfectlyworthlessthingdestroyedfortheworld。Shewasalmostangrywithmeforhavingthrownitaway；almostangrywithMissGarthforaskingwhatshecouldpossiblywantwithit！Couldtherebeanyplainerproofthanthisthatourmisfortunes——fallingsomuchmoreheavilyonherthanonme——havequiteunhingedher，andwornherout？Surelyherwordsandlooksarenottobeinterpretedagainsther，whensheisnotsufficientlymistressofherselftoexerthernaturaljudgment——whensheshowstheunreasonablepetulanceofachildonaquestionwhichisnotoftheslightestimportance。

“Alittleafterelevenwewentupstairstotryifwecouldgetsomerest。

“Idrewasidethecurtainofmywindowandlookedout。Oh，whatacruellastnightitwas:nomoon，nostars；suchdeepdarknessthatnotoneofthedearfamiliarobjectsinthegardenwasvisiblewhenIlookedforthem；

suchdeepstillnessthatevenmyownmovementsabouttheroomalmostfrightenedme！Itriedtoliedownandsleep，butthesenseoflonelinesscameagainandquiteoverpoweredme。YouwillsayIamoldenough，atsix-and-twenty，tohaveexertedmorecontrolovermyself。Ihardlyknowhowithappened，butIstoleintoMagdalen\'sroom，justasIusedtostealintoityearsandyearsago，whenwewerechildren。Shewasnotinbed；shewassittingwithherwritingmaterialsbeforeher，thinking。IsaidIwantedtobewithherthelastnight；andshekissedme，andtoldmetoliedown，andpromisedsoontofollowme。MymindwasalittlequietedandIfellasleep。

ItwasdaylightwhenIwoke——andthefirstsightIsawwasMagdalen，stillsittinginthechair，andstillthinking。Shehadneverbeentobed；shehadnotsleptallthroughthenight。

“\'IshallsleepwhenwehaveleftCombe-Raven，\'shesaid。\'Ishallbebetterwhenitisallover，andIhavebidFrankgood-by。\'Shehadinherhandourfather\'swill，andtheletterhewrotetoyou；andwhenshehaddonespeaking，shegavethemintomypossession。Iwastheeldest(shesaid)，andthoselastpreciousrelicsoughttobeinmykeeping。Itriedtoproposetoherthatweshoulddividethem；butsheshookherhead。\'I

havecopiedformyself，\'washeranswer，\'allthathesaysofusinthewill，andallthathesaysintheletter。\'Shetoldmethis，andtookfromherbosomatinywhitesilkbag，whichshehadmadeinthenight，andinwhichshehadputtheextracts，soastokeepthemalwaysabouther。\'Thistellsmeinhisownwordswhathislastwisheswereforbothofus，\'shesaid；\'andthisisallIwantforthefuture。\'“Thesearetriflestodwellon；andIamalmostsurprisedatmyselffornotfeelingashamedtotroubleyouwiththem。But，sinceIhaveknownwhatyourearlyconnectionwaswithmyfatherandmother，Ihavelearnedtothinkofyou(and，Isuppose，towritetoyou)asanoldfriend。And，besides，IhaveitsomuchathearttochangeyouropinionofMagdalen，thatIcan\'thelptellingyouthesmallestthingsaboutherwhichmay，inmyjudgment，endinmakingyouthinkofherasIdo。

“Whenbreakfast-timecame(onThursdaymorning)，weweresurprisedtofindastrangeletteronthetable。PerhapsIoughttomentionittoyou，incaseofanyfuturenecessityforyourinterference。ItwasaddressedtoMissGarth，onpaperwiththedeepestmourning-borderroundit；andthewriterwasthesamemanwhofollowedusonourwayhomefromawalkonedaylastspring——CaptainWragge。Hisobjectappearstobetoassertoncemorehisaudaciousclaimtoafamilyconnectionwithmypoormother，undercoverofaletterofcondolence；whichitisaninsolenceinsuchapersontohavewrittenatall。Heexpressesasmuchsympathy——onhisdiscoveryofourafflictioninthenewspaper——asifhehadbeenreallyintimatewithus；andhebegstoknow，inapostscript(beingevidentlyintotalignoranceofallthathasreallyhappened)，whetheritisthoughtdesirablethatheshouldbepresent，amongtheotherrelatives，atthereadingofthewill！Theaddresshegives，atwhichletterswillreachhimforthenextfortnight，is，\'Post-office，Birmingham。\'ThisisallIhavetotellyouonthesubject。Boththeletterandthewriterseemtometobeequallyunworthyoftheslightestnotice，onourpartoronyours。

“AfterbreakfastMagdalenleftus，andwentbyherselfintothemorning-room。

Theweatherbeingstillshowery，wehadarrangedthatFrancisClareshouldseeherinthatroom，whenhepresentedhimselftotakehisleave。Iwasupstairswhenhecame；andIremainedupstairsformorethanhalfanhourafterward，sadlyanxious，asyoumaywellbelieve，onMagdalen\'saccount。

“Attheendofthehalf-hourormore，Icamedownstairs。AsIreachedthelandingIsuddenlyheardhervoice，raisedentreatingly，andcallingonhimbyhisname——thenloudsobs——thenafrightfullaughingandscreaming，bothtogether，thatrangthroughthehouse。Iinstantlyranintotheroom，andfoundMagdalenonthesofainviolenthysterics，andFrankstandingstaringather，withalowering，angryface，bitinghisnails。

“Ifeltsoindignant——withoutknowingplainlywhy，forIwasignorant，ofcourse，ofwhathadpassedattheinterview——thatItookMr。FrancisClarebytheshouldersandpushedhimoutoftheroom。IamcarefultotellyouhowIactedtowardhim，andwhatledtoit；becauseIunderstandthatheisexcessivelyoffendedwithme，andthatheislikelytomentionelsewherewhathecallsmyunladylikeviolencetowardhim。Ifheshouldmentionittoyou，Iamanxioustoacknowledge，ofmyownaccord，thatIforgotmyself——not，Ihopeyouwillthink，withoutsomeprovocation。

“Ipushedhimintothehall，leavingMagdalen，forthemoment，toMissGarth\'scare。Insteadofgoingaway，hesatdownsulkilyononeofthehallchairs。\'MayIaskthereasonofthisextraordinaryviolence？\'heinquired，withaninjuredlook。\'No，\'Isaid。\'Youwillbegoodenoughtoimaginethereasonforyourself，andtoleaveusimmediately，ifyouplease。\'Hesatdoggedlyinthechair，bitinghisnailsandconsidering。

\'WhathaveIdonetobetreatedinthisunfeelingmanner？\'heasked，afterawhile。\'Icanenterintonodiscussionwithyou，\'Ianswered；\'Icanonlyrequestyoutoleaveus。Ifyoupersistinwaitingtoseemysisteragain，Iwillgotothecottagemyselfandappealtoyourfather。\'Hegotupinagreathurryatthosewords。\'Ihavebeeninfamouslyusedinthisbusiness，\'hesaid。\'Allthehardshipsandthesacrificeshavefallentomyshare。I\'mtheonlyoneamongyouwhohasanyheart:alltherestareashardasstones——Magdalenincluded。Inonebreathshesaysshelovesme，andinanothershetellsmetogotoChina。WhathaveIdonetobetreatedwiththisheartlessinconsistency？Iamconsistentmyself——Ionlywanttostopathome——and(what\'stheconsequence？)you\'reallagainstme！\'Inthatmannerhegrumbledhiswaydownthesteps，andsoIsawthelastofhim。Thiswasallthatpassedbetweenus。Ifhegivesyouanyotheraccountofit，whathesayswillbefalse。Hemadenoattempttoreturn。

Anhourafterwardhisfathercamealonetosaygood-by。HesawMissGarthandme，butnotMagdalen；andhetoldushewouldtakethenecessarymeasures，withyourassistance，forhavinghissonproperlylookedafterinLondon，andseensafelyonboardthevesselwhenthetimecame。Itwasashortvisit，andasadleave-taking。EvenMr。Clarewassorry，thoughhetriedhardtohideit。

“Wehadbarelytwohours，afterMr。Clarehadleftus，beforeitwouldbetimetogo。IwentbacktoMagdalen，andfoundherquieterandbetter，thoughterriblypaleandexhausted，andoppressed，asIfancied，bythoughtswhichshecouldnotprevailonherselftocommunicate。Shewouldtellmenothingthen——shehastoldmenothingsince——ofwhatpassedbetweenherselfandFrancisClare。WhenIspokeofhimangrily(feelingasIdidthathehaddistressedandtorturedher，whensheoughttohavehadalltheencouragementandcomfortfromhimthatmancouldgive)，sherefusedtohearme:shemadethekindestallowancesandthesweetestexcusesforhim，andlaidalltheblameofthedreadfulstateinwhichIhadfoundherentirelyonherself。WasIwrongintellingyouthatshehadanoblenature？Andwon\'tyoualteryouropinionwhenyoureadtheselines？

“Wehadnofriendstocomeandbidusgood-by；andourfewacquaintancesweretoofarfromus——perhapstooindifferentaboutus——tocall。Weemployedthelittleleisureleftingoingoverthehousetogetherforthelasttime。

Wetookleaveofouroldschoolroom，ourbedrooms，theroomwhereourmotherdied，thelittlestudywhereourfatherusedtosettlehisaccountsandwritehisletters——feelingtowardthem，inourforlorncondition，asothergirlsmighthavefeltatpartingwitholdfriends。Fromthehouse，inagleamoffineweather，wewentintothegarden，andgatheredourlastnosegay；

withthepurposeofdryingtheflowerswhentheybegintowither，andkeepingtheminremembranceofthehappydaysthataregone。Whenwehadsaidgood-bytothegarden，therewasonlyhalfanhourleft。Wewenttogethertothegrave；wekneltdown，sidebyside，insilence，andkissedthesacredground。

Ithoughtmyheartwouldhavebroken。Augustwasthemonthofmymother\'sbirthday；and，thistimelastyear，myfatherandMagdalenandIwereallconsultinginsecretwhatpresentwecouldmaketosurpriseherwithonthebirthdaymorning。

“IfyouhadseenhowMagdalensuffered，youwouldneverdoubtheragain。

Ihadtotakeherfromthelastresting-placeofourfatherandmotheralmostbyforce。Beforewewereoutofthechurchyardshebrokefrommeandranback。Shedroppedonherkneesatthegrave；toreupfromitpassionatelyahandfulofgrass；andsaidsomethingtoherself，atthesamemoment，which，thoughIfollowedherinstantly，Ididnotgetnearenoughtohear。

Sheturnedonmeinsuchafrenziedmanner，whenItriedtoraiseherfromtheground——shelookedatmewithsuchafearfulwildnessinhereyes——thatIfeltabsolutelyterrifiedatthesightofher。Tomyrelief，theparoxysmleftherassuddenlyasithadcome。Shethrustawaythetuftofgrassintothebosomofherdress，andtookmyarmandhurriedwithmeoutofthechurchyard。Iaskedherwhyshehadgoneback——Iaskedwhatthosewordswerewhichshehadspokenatthegrave。\'Apromisetoourdeadfather，\'

sheanswered，withamomentaryreturnofthewildlookandthefrenziedmannerwhichhadstartledmealready。Iwasafraidtoagitateherbysayingmore；Ileftallotherquestionstobeaskedatafitterandaquietertime。Youwillunderstandfromthishowterriblyshesuffers，howwildlyandstrangelysheactsunderviolentagitation；andyouwillnotinterpretagainstherwhatshesaidordidwhenyousawheronWednesdaylast。

“Weonlyreturnedtothehouseintimetohastenawayfromittothetrain。Perhapsitwasbetterforusso——betterthatwehadonlyamomentlefttolookbackbeforetheturnintheroadhidthelastofCombe-Ravenfromourview。Therewasnotasoulweknewatthestation；nobodytostareatus，nobodytowishusgood-by。Theraincameonagainaswetookourseatsinthetrain。Whatwefeltatthesightoftherailway——whathorribleremembrancesitforcedonourmindsofthecalamitywhichhasmadeusfatherless——I

cannot，anddarenot，tellyou。Ihavetriedanxiouslynottowritethisletterinagloomytone；nottoreturnallyourkindnesstousbydistressingyouwithourgrief。PerhapsIhavedwelttoolongalreadyonthelittlestoryofourpartingfromhome？Icanonlysay，inexcuse，thatmyheartisfullofit；andwhatisnotinmyheartmypenwon\'twrite。

“WehavebeensoshortatimeinournewabodethatIhavenothingmoretotellyou——exceptthatMissGarth\'ssisterhasreceiveduswiththeheartiestkindness。Sheconsideratelyleavesustoourselves，untilwearefitterthanwearenowtothinkofourfutureplans，andtoarrangeaswebestcanforearningourownliving。Thehouseissolarge，andthepositionofourroomshasbeensothoughtfullychosen，thatIshouldhardlyknow——exceptwhenIhearthelaughingoftheyoungergirlsinthegarden——thatwewerelivinginaschool。

“WithkindestandbestwishesfromMissGarthandmysister，believeme，dearMr。Pendril，gratefullyyours，“NORAHVANSTONE。“

II。FromMissGarthtoMr。Pendril。

“WestmorelandHouse，Kensington，“September23d，1846。

“MYDEARSIR——Iwritetheselinesinsuchmiseryofmindasnowordscandescribe。Magdalenhasdesertedus。Atanearlyhourthismorningshesecretlyleftthehouse，andshehasnotbeenheardofsince。

“Iwouldcomeandspeaktoyoupersonally；butIdarenotleaveNorah。

Imusttrytocontrolmyself；Imusttrytowrite。

“NothinghappenedyesterdaytopreparemeortoprepareNorahforthislast——Ihadalmostsaid，thisworst——ofallourafflictions。Theonlyalterationweeitherofusnoticedintheunhappygirlwasanalterationforthebetterwhenwepartedforthenight。Shekissedme，whichshehasnotdonelatterly；

andsheburstoutcryingwhensheembracedhersisternext。Wehadsolittlesuspicionofthetruththatwethoughtthesesignsofrenewedtendernessandaffectionapromiseofbetterthingsforthefuture。

“Thismorning，whenhersisterwentintoherroom，itwasempty，andanoteinherhandwriting，addressedtoNorah，waslyingonthedressing-table。

IcannotprevailonNorahtopartwiththenote；Icanonlysendyoutheinclosedcopyofit。Youwillseethatitaffordsnoclewtothedirectionshehastaken。

“Knowingthevalueoftime，inthisdreadfulemergency，Iexaminedherroom，and(withmysister\'shelp)questionedtheservantsimmediatelyonthenewsofherabsencereachingme。Herwardrobewasempty；andallherboxesbutone，whichshehasevidentlytakenawaywithher，areempty，too。Weareofopinionthatshehasprivatelyturnedherdressesandjewelryintomoney；thatshehadtheonetrunkshetookwithherremovedfromthehouseyesterday；andthatsheleftusthismorningonfoot。Theanswersgivenbyoneoftheservantsaresounsatisfactorythatwebelievethewomanhasbeenbribedtoassisther；andhasmanagedallthosearrangementsforherflightwhichshecouldnothavesafelyundertakenbyherself。

“Oftheimmediateobjectwithwhichshehasleftus，Ientertainnodoubt。

“Ihavereasons(whichIcantellyouatafittertime)forfeelingassuredthatshehasgoneawaywiththeintentionoftryingherfortuneonthestage。Shehasinherpossessionthecardofanactorbyprofession，whosuperintendedanamateurtheatricalperformanceatClifton，inwhichshetookpart；andtohimshehasgonetohelpher。Isawthecardatthetime，andIknowtheactor\'snametobeHuxtable。TheaddressIcannotcalltomindquitesocorrectly；butIamalmostsureitwasatsometheatricalplaceinBowStreet，CoventGarden。Letmeentreatyounottoloseamomentinsendingtomakethenecessaryinquiries；thefirsttraceofherwill，Ifirmlybelieve，befoundatthataddress。

“Ifwehadnothingworsetodreadthanherattemptingtogoonthestage，Ishouldnotfeelthedistressanddismaywhichnowoverpowerme。Hundredsofothergirlshaveactedasrecklesslyasshehasacted，andhavenotendedillafterall。ButmyfearsforMagdalendonotbeginandendwiththerisksheisrunningatpresent。

“TherehasbeensomethingweighingonhermindeversinceweleftCombe-Raven——weighingfarmoreheavilyforthelastsixweeksthanatfirst。UntiltheperiodwhenFrancisClareleftEngland，Iampersuadedshewassecretlysustainedbythehopethathewouldcontrivetoseeheragain。Fromthedaywhensheknewthatthemeasuresyouhadtakenforpreventingthishadsucceeded；

fromthedaywhenshewasassuredthattheshiphadreallytakenhimaway，nothinghasroused，nothinghasinterestedher。Shehasgivenherselfup，moreandmorehopelessly，toherownbroodingthoughts；thoughtswhichIbelievefirstenteredhermindonthedaywhentheutterruinoftheprospectsonwhichhermarriagedependedwasmadeknowntoher。Shehasformedsomedesperateprojectofcontestingthepossessionofherfather\'sfortunewithMichaelVanstone；andthestagecareerwhichshehasgoneawaytotryisnothingmorethanameansoffreeingherselffromallhomedependence，andofenablinghertorunwhatmadrisksshepleases，inperfectsecurityfromallhomecontrol。Whatitcostsmetowriteofherintheseterms，Imustleaveyoutoimagine。Thetimehasgonebywhenanyconsiderationofdistresstomyownfeelingscanweighwithme。WhateverIcansaywhichwillopenyoureyestotherealdanger，andstrengthenyourconvictionoftheinstantnecessityofavertingit，Isayindespiteofmyself，withouthesitationandwithoutreserve。

“Onewordmore，andIhavedone。

“Thelasttimeyouweresogoodastocometothishouse，doyourememberhowMagdalenembarrassedanddistressedusbyquestioningyouaboutherrighttobearherfather\'sname？Doyourememberherpersistinginherinquiries，untilshehadforcedyoutoacknowledgethat，legallyspeaking，sheandhersisterhadNoName？Iventuretoremindyouofthis，becauseyouhavetheaffairsofhundredsofclientstothinkof，andyoumightwellhaveforgottenthecircumstance。Whatevernaturalreluctanceshemightotherwisehavehadtodeceivingus，anddegradingherself，bytheuseofanassumedname，thatconversationwithyouiscertaintohaveremoved。

Wemustdiscoverherbypersonaldescription——wecantraceherinnootherway。

“Icanthinkofnothingmoretoguideyourdecisioninourdeplorableemergency。ForGod\'ssake，letnoexpenseandnoeffortsbespared。Myletteroughttoreachyoubyteno\'clockthismorning，atthelatest。Letmehaveonelineinanswer，tosayyouwillactinstantlyforthebest。

MyonlyhopeofquietingNorahistoshowherawordofencouragementfromyourpen。Believeme，dearsir，yourssincerelyandobliged，HARRIETGARTH。“

III。FromMagdalentoNorah(inclosedintheprecedingLetter)。

“MYDARLING——Trytoforgiveme。IhavestruggledagainstmyselftillIamwornoutintheeffort。Iamthewretchedestoflivingcreatures。

Ourquietlifeheremaddensme；Icanbearitnolonger；Imustgo。Ifyouknewwhatmythoughtsare；ifyouknewhowhardIhavefoughtagainstthem，andhowhorriblytheyhavegoneonhauntingmeinthelonelyquietofthishouse，youwouldpityandforgiveme。Oh，mylove，don\'tfeelhurtatmynotopeningmyhearttoyouasIought！Idarenotopenit。IdarenotshowmyselftoyouasIreallyam。

“Praydon\'tsendandseekafterme；Iwillwriteandrelieveallyouranxieties。Youknow，Norah，wemustgetourlivingforourselves；Ihaveonlygonetogetmineinthemannerwhichisfittestforme。WhetherI

succeed，orwhetherIfail，Icandomyselfnoharmeitherway。Ihavenopositiontolose，andnonametodegrade。Don\'tdoubtIloveyou——don\'tletMissGarthdoubtmygratitude。Igoawaymiserableatleavingyou；

butImustgo。IfIhadlovedyoulessdearly，Imighthavehadthecouragetosaythisinyourpresence——buthowcouldItrustmyselftoresistyourpersuasions，andtobearthesightofyourdistress？Farewell，mydarling！

Takeathousandkissesfromme，myownbest，dearestlove，tillwemeetagain。

MAGDALEN。“

IV。FromSergeantBulmer(oftheDetectivePolice)toMr。Pendril。

“ScotlandYard，September29th，1846。

“SIR——Yourclerkinformsmethatthepartiesinterestedinourinquiryafterthemissingyoungladyareanxiousfornewsofthesame。Iwenttoyourofficetospeaktoyouaboutthematterto-day。Nothavingfoundyou，andnotbeingabletoreturnandtryagainto-morrow，Iwritetheselinestosavedelay，andtotellyouhowwestandthusfar。

“Iamsorrytosay，noadvancehasbeenmadesincemyformerreport。

Thetraceoftheyoungladywhichwefoundnearlyaweeksince，stillremainsthelasttracediscoveredofher。Thiscaseseemsamightysimpleonelookedatfromadistance。Lookedatclose，italtersveryconsiderablyfortheworse，andbecomes，tospeaktheplaintruth——aPoser。

“Thisishowwenowstand:

“Wehavetracedtheyoungladytothetheatricalagent\'sinBowStreet。

Weknowthatatanearlyhouronthemorningofthetwenty-thirdtheagentwascalleddownstairs，whilehewasdressing，tospeaktoayoungladyinacabatthedoor。Weknowthat，onherproductionofMr。Huxtable\'scard，hewroteonitMr。Huxtable\'saddressinthecountry，andheardherorderthecabmantodrivetotheGreatNorthernterminus。Webelievesheleftbythenineo\'clocktrain。Wefollowedherbythetwelveo\'clocktrain。

Wehaveascertainedthatshecalledathalf-pasttwoatMr。Huxtable\'slodgings；thatshefoundhewasaway，andnotexpectedbacktilleightintheevening；thatsheleftwordshewouldcallagainateight；andthatsheneverreturned。Mr。Huxtable\'sstatementis——heandtheyoungladyhaveneverseteyesoneachother。Thefirstconsiderationwhichfollows，isthis:ArewetobelieveMr。Huxtable？Ihavecarefullyinquiredintohischaracter；Iknowasmuch，ormore，abouthimthanheknowsabouthimself；

andmyopinionis，thatwearetobelievehim。Tothebestofmyknowledge，heisaperfectlyhonestman。

“Here，then，isthehitchinthecase。Theyoungladysetsoutwithacertainobjectbeforeher。Insteadofgoingontotheaccomplishmentofthatobject，shestopsshortofit。Whyhasshestopped？andwhere？

Thoseare，unfortunately，justthequestionswhichwecan\'tansweryet。

“Myownopinionofthematteris，briefly，asfollows:Idon\'tthinkshehasmetwithanyseriousaccident。Seriousaccidents，inninecasesoutoften，discoverthemselves。Myownnotionis，thatshehasfallenintothehandsofsomepersonorpersonsinterestedinhidingheraway，andsharpenoughtoknowhowtosetaboutit。Whethersheisintheircharge，withorwithoutherownconsent，ismorethanIcanundertaketosayatpresent。Idon\'twishtoraisefalsehopesorfalsefears；IwishtostopshortattheopinionIhavegivenalready。

“Inregardtothefuture，ImaytellyouthatIhaveleftoneofmymenindailycommunicationwiththeauthorities。Ihavealsotakencaretohavethehandbillsofferingarewardforthediscoveryofherwidelycirculated。Lastly，Ihavecompletedthenecessaryarrangementsforseeingtheplay-billsofallcountrytheaters，andforhavingthedramaticcompanieswelllookedafter。Someyearssince，thiswouldhavecostaseriousexpenditureoftimeandmoney。Luckilyforourpurpose，thecountrytheatersareinabadway。Exceptingthelargecities，hardlyoneofthemisopen，andwecankeepoureyeonthem，withlittleexpenseandlessdifficulty。

“ThesearethestepswhichIthinkitneedfultotakeatpresent。Ifyouareofanotheropinion，youhaveonlytogivemeyourdirections，andIwillcarefullyattendtothesame。Idon\'tbyanymeansdespairofourfindingtheyoungladyandbringingherbacktoherfriendssafeandwell。

Pleasetotellthemso；andallowmetosubscribemyself，yoursrespectfully，“ABRAHAMBULMER。“

V。AnonymousLetteraddressedtoMr。Pendril。

“SIR——Awordtothewise。Thefriendsofacertainyoungladyarewastingtimeandmoneytonopurpose。Yourconfidentialclerkandyourdetectivepolicemanarelookingforaneedleinabottleofhay。ThisistheninthofOctober，andtheyhavenotfoundheryet:theywillassoonfindtheNorthwestPassage。Callyourdogsoff；andyoumayhearoftheyounglady\'ssafetyunderherownhand。Thelongeryoulookforher，thelongershewillremain，whatsheisnow——lost。“

[Theprecedingletteristhusindorsed，inMr。Pendril\'shandwriting:

“Noapparentmeansoftracingtheinclosedtoitssource。Post-mark，\'CharingCross。\'Stationer\'sstampcutofftheinsideoftheenvelope。Handwriting，probablyaman\'s，indisguise。Writer，whoeverheis，correctlyinformed。

NofurthertraceoftheyoungerMissVanstonediscoveredyet。“]

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene2，Chapter1THESECONDSCENE。

SKELDERGATE，YORK。

CHAPTERI。

INthatpartofthecityofYorkwhichissituatedonthewesternbankoftheOusethereisanarrowstreet，calledSkeldergate，runningnearlynorthandsouth，parallelwiththecourseoftheriver。TheposternbywhichSkeldergatewasformerlyapproachednolongerexists；andthefewoldhousesleftinthestreetaredisguisedinmelancholymoderncostumeofwhitewashandcement。Shopsofthesmallerandpoorerorder，intermixedhereandtherewithdingywarehousesandjoylessprivateresidencesofredbrick，composethepresentaspectofSkeldergate。Ontheriver-sidethehousesareseparatedatintervalsbylanesrunningdowntothewater，anddisclosinglonelylittleplotsofopenground，withthemastsofsailing-bargesrisingbeyond。Atitssouthwardextremitythestreetceasesonasudden，andthebroadflowoftheOuse，thetrees，themeadows，thepublic-walkononebankandthetowing-pathontheother，opentoview。

Here，wherethestreetends，andonthesideofitfurthestfromtheriver，anarrowlittlelaneleadsuptothepavedfootwaysurmountingtheancientWallsofYork。Theonesmallrowofbuildings，whichisallthatthelanepossesses，iscomposedofcheaplodging-houses，withanoppositeview，atthedistanceofafewfeet，ofaportionofthemassivecitywall。ThisplaceiscalledRosemaryLane。Verylittlelightentersit；veryfewpeopleliveinit；thefloatingpopulationofSkeldergatepassesitby；andvisitorstotheWalkontheWalls，whouseitasthewayuporthewaydown，getoutofthedrearylittlepassageasfastastheycan。

ThedoorofoneofthehousesinthislostcornerofYorkopenedsoftlyontheeveningofthetwenty-thirdofSeptember，eighteenhundredandforty-six；andasolitaryindividualofthemalesexsaunteredintoSkeldergatefromtheseclusionofRosemaryLane。

Turningnorthward，thispersondirectedhisstepstowardthebridgeovertheOuseandthebusycenterofthecity。Heboretheexternalappearanceofrespectablepoverty；hecarriedaginghamumbrella，preservedinanoilskincase；hepickedhissteps，withtheneatestavoidanceofalldirtyplacesonthepavement；andhesurveyedthescenearoundhimwitheyesoftwodifferentcolors——abiliousbrowneyeonthelookoutforemployment，andabiliousgreeneyeinasimilarpredicament。Inplainerterms，thestrangerfromRosemaryLanewasnootherthan——CaptainWragge。

Outwardlyspeaking，thecaptainhadnotalteredforthebettersincethememorablespringdaywhenhehadpresentedhimselftoMissGarthatthelodge-gateatCombe-Raven。TherailwaymaniaofthatfamousyearhadattackedeventhewaryWragge；hadwithdrawnhimfromhiscustomarypursuits；andhadlefthimprostrateintheend，likemanyabetterman。Hehadlosthisclericalappearance——hehadfadedwiththeautumnleaves。Hiscrapehat-bandhadputitselfinbrownmourningforitsownbereavementofblack。Hisdingywhitecollarandcravathaddiedthedeathofoldlinen，andhadgonetotheirlonghomeatthepaper-maker\'s，toliveagainonedayinquiresatastationer\'sshop。Agrayshooting-jacketinthelaststageofwoolenatrophyreplacedtheblackfrockcoatofformertimes，and，likeafaithfulservant，keptthedarksecretofitsmaster\'slinenfromtheeyesofapryingworld。Fromtoptotoeeverysquareinchofthecaptain\'sclothingwasalteredfortheworse；butthemanhimselfremainedunchanged——superiortoallformsofmoralmildew，impervioustotheactionofsocialrust。Hewasascourteous，aspersuasive，asblandlydignifiedasever。Hecarriedhisheadashighwithoutashirt-collaraseverhehadcarrieditwithone。Thethreadbareblackhandkerchiefroundhisneckwasperfectlytied；hisrottenoldshoeswereneatlyblacked；hemighthavecomparedchins，inthematterofsmoothshaving，withthehighestchurchdignitaryinYork。Time，change，andpovertyhadallattackedthecaptaintogether，andhadallfailedaliketogethimdownontheground。HepacedthestreetsofYork，amansuperiortoclothesandcircumstances——hisvagabondvarnishasbrightonhimasever。

Arrivedatthebridge，CaptainWraggestoppedandlookedidlyovertheparapetatthebargesintheriver。Itwasplainlyevidentthathehadnoparticulardestinationtoreachandnothingwhatevertodo。Whilehewasstillloitering，theclockofYorkMinsterchimedthehalf-hourpastfive。CabsrattledbyhimoverthebridgeontheirwaytomeetthetrainfromLondon，attwentyminutestosix。Afteramoment\'shesitation，thecaptainsaunteredafterthecabs。Whenitisoneofaman\'sregularhabitstoliveuponhisfellow-creatures，thatmanisalwaysmoreorlessfondofhauntinglargerailwaystations。CaptainWraggegleanedthehumanfield，andonthatunoccupiedafternoontheYorkterminuswasaslikelyacornertolookaboutinasanyother。

Hereachedtheplatformafewminutesafterthetrainhadarrived。Thatentireincapabilityofdevisingadministrativemeasuresforthemanagementoflargecrowds，whichisoneofthecharacteristicsofEnglishmeninauthority，isnowheremorestrikinglyexemplifiedthanatYork。Threedifferentlinesofrailwayassemblethreepassengermobs，frommorningtonight，underoneroof；andleavethemtoraiseatraveler\'sriot，withalltheassistancewhichthebewilderedservantsofthecompanycanrendertoincreasetheconfusion。ThecustomarydisturbancewasrisingtoitsclimaxasCaptainWraggeapproachedtheplatform。Dozensofdifferentpeopleweretryingtoattaindozensofdifferentobjects，indozensofdifferentdirections，allstartingfromthesamecommonpointandallequallydeprivedofthemeansofinformation。Asuddenpartingofthecrowd，nearthesecond-classcarriages，attractedthecaptain\'scuriosity。Hepushedhiswayin；andfoundadecently-dressedman——assistedbyaporterandapoliceman——attemptingtopickupsomeprintedbillsscatteredfromapaperparcel，whichhisfrenziedfellow-passengershadknockedoutofhishand。

Offeringhisassistanceinthisemergency，withthepolitealacritywhichmarkedhischaracter，CaptainWraggeobservedthethreestartlingwords，“FiftyPoundsReward，“printedincapitallettersonthebillswhichheassistedinrecovering；andinstantlysecretedoneofthem，tobemorecloselyexaminedatthefirstconvenientopportunity。Ashecrumpledupthebillinthepalmofhishand，hisparty-coloredeyesfixedwithhungryinterestontheproprietoroftheunluckyparcel。Whenamanhappensnottobepossessedoffiftypenceinhisownpocket，ifhisheartisintherightplace，itbounds；ifhismouthisproperlyconstituted，itwaters，atthesightofanothermanwhocarriesaboutwithhimaprintedofferoffiftypoundssterling，addressedtohisfellow-creatures。

Theunfortunatetravelerwrappeduphisparcelashebestmight，andmadehiswayofftheplatform，afteraddressinganinquirytothefirstofficialvictimoftheday\'spassenger-traffic，whowassufficientlyinpossessionofhissensestolistentoit。Leavingthestationfortheriver-side，whichwascloseathand，thestrangerenteredtheferryboatattheNorthStreetPostern。Thecaptain，whohadcarefullydoggedhisstepsthusfar，enteredtheboatalso；andemployedtheshortintervaloftransittotheoppositebankinaperusalofthehandbillwhichhehadkeptforhisownprivateenlightenment。Withhisbackcarefullyturnedonthetraveler，CaptainWraggenowpossessedhismindofthefollowinglines:

“FIFTYPOUNDSREWARD。

“Leftherhome，inLondon，earlyonthemorningofSeptember23d，1846，AYOUNGLADY。Age——eighteen。Dress——deepmourning。Personalappearance——hairofaverylightbrown；eyebrowsandeyelashesdarker；eyeslightgray；complexionstrikinglypale；lowerpartofherfacelargeandfull；talluprightfigure；walkswithremarkablegraceandease；speakswithopennessandresolution；hasthemannersandhabitsofarefined，cultivatedlady。Personalmarks——twolittlemoles，closetogether，ontheleftsideoftheneck。Markontheunder-clothing——\'MagdalenVanstone。\'Issupposedtohavejoined，orattemptedtojoin，underanassumedname，atheatricalcompanynowperformingatYork。Had，whensheleftLondon，oneblackbox，andnootherluggage。WhoeverwillgivesuchinformationaswillrestorehertoherfriendsshallreceivetheaboveReward。ApplyattheofficeofMr。Harkness，solicitor，ConeyStreet，York。OrtoMessrs。Wyatt，Pendril，andGwilt，SerleStreet，Lincoln\'sInn，London。“

AccustomedasCaptainWraggewastokeepthecompletestpossessionofhimselfinallhumanemergencies，hisownprofoundastonishment，whenthecourseofhisreadingbroughthimtothemarkonthelinenofthemissingyounglady，betrayedhimintoanexclamationofsurprisewhichevenstartledtheferryman。Thetravelerwaslessobservant；hiswholeattentionwasfixedontheoppositebankoftheriver，andhelefttheboathastilythemomentittouchedthelanding-place。CaptainWraggerecoveredhimself，pocketedthehandbill，andfollowedhisleaderforthesecondtime。

Thestrangerdirectedhisstepstotheneareststreetwhichrandowntotheriver，comparedanoteinhispocketbookwiththenumbersofthehousesontheleft-handside，stoppedatoneofthem，andrangthebell。Thecaptainwentontothenexthouse；affectedtoringthebell，inhisturn，andstoodwithhisbacktothetraveler——inappearance，waitingtobeletin；inreality，listeningwithallhismightforanyscrapsofdialoguewhichmightreachhisearsontheopeningofthedoorbehindhim。

Thedoorwasansweredwithallduealacrity，andasufficientlyinstructiveinterchangeofquestionandansweronthethresholdrewardedthedexterityofCaptainWragge。

“DoesMr。Huxtablelivehere？“askedthetraveler。

“Yes，sir，“wastheanswer，inawoman\'svoice。

“Isheathome？“

“Notathomenow，sir；buthewillbeinagainateightto-night。“

“Ithinkayoungladycalledhereearlyintheday，didshenot？“

“Yes；ayoungladycamethisafternoon。“

“Exactly；Icomeonthesamebusiness。DidsheseeMr。Huxtable？“

“No，sir；hehasbeenawayallday。Theyoungladytoldmeshewouldcomebackateighto\'clock。“

“Justso。IwillcallandseeMr。Huxtableatthesametime。“

“Anyname，sir？“

“No；sayagentlemancalledontheatricalbusiness——thatwillbeenough。Waitoneminute，ifyouplease。IamastrangerinYork；willyoukindlytellmewhichisthewaytoConeyStreet？“

Thewomangavetherequiredinformation，thedoorclosed，andthestrangerhastenedawayinthedirectionofConeyStreet。

OnthisoccasionCaptainWraggemadenoattempttofollowhim。Thehandbillrevealedplainlyenoughthattheman\'snextobjectwastocompletethenecessaryarrangementswiththelocalsolicitoronthesubjectofthepromisedreward。

Havingseenandheardenoughforhisimmediatepurpose，thecaptainretracedhisstepsdownthestreet，turnedtotheright，andenteredontheEsplanade，which，inthatquarterofthecity，borderstheriver-sidebetweentheswimming-bathsandLendalTower。“Thisisafamilymatter，“saidCaptainWraggetohimself，persisting，fromsheerforceofhabit，intheoldassertionofhisrelationshiptoMagdalen\'smother；“Imustconsideritinallitsbearings。“Hetuckedtheumbrellaunderhisarm，crossedhishandsbehindhim，andloweredhimselfgentlyintotheabyssofhisownreflections。Theorderandproprietyobservableinthecaptain\'sshabbygarmentsaccuratelytypifiedtheorderandproprietywhichdistinguishedtheoperationsofthecaptain\'smind。Itwashishabitalwaystoseehiswaybeforehimthroughaneatsuccessionofalternatives——andsohesawitnow。

Threecourseswereopentohiminconnectionwiththeremarkablediscoverywhichhehadjustmade。Thefirstcoursewastodonothinginthematteratall。Inadmissible，onfamilygrounds:equallyinadmissibleonpecuniarygrounds:rejectedaccordingly。Thesecondcoursewastodeservethegratitudeoftheyounglady\'sfriends，ratedatfiftypounds。Thethirdcoursewas，byatimelywarningtodeservethegratitudeoftheyoungladyherself，rated——atanunknownfigure。BetweenthesetwolastalternativesthewaryWraggehesitated；notfromdoubtofMagdalen\'specuniaryresources——forhewastotallyignorantofthecircumstanceswhichhaddeprivedthesistersoftheirinheritance——butfromdoubtwhetheranobstacleintheshapeofanundiscoveredgentlemanmightnotbeprivatelyconnectedwithherdisappearancefromhome。Aftermaturereflection，hedeterminedtopause，andbeguidedbycircumstances。Inthemeantime，thefirstconsiderationwastobebeforehandwiththemessengerfromLondon，andtolayhandssecurelyontheyoungladyherself。

“Ifeelforthismisguidedgirl，“musedthecaptain，solemnlystruttingbackwardandforwardbythelonelyriver-side。“Ialwayshavelookeduponher——Ialwaysshalllookuponher——inthelightofaniece。“

Wherewastheadoptedrelativeatthatmoment？Inotherwords，howwasayoungladyinMagdalen\'scriticalpositionlikelytowhileawaythehoursuntilMr。Huxtable\'sreturn？Iftherewasanobstructivegentlemaninthebackground，itwouldbemerewasteoftimetopursuethequestion。Butiftheinferencewhichthehandbillsuggestedwascorrect——ifshewasreallyaloneatthatmomentinthecityofYork——wherewasshelikelytobe？

Notinthecrowdedthoroughfares，tobeginwith。NotviewingtheobjectsofinterestintheMinster，foritwasnowpastthehouratwhichthecathedralcouldbeseen。Wassheinthewaiting-roomattherailway？Shewouldhardlyrunthatrisk。Wassheinoneofthehotels？Doubtful，consideringthatshewasentirelybyherself。Inapastry-cook\'sshop？Farmorelikely。Drivingaboutinacab？Possible，certainly；butnomore。Loiteringawaythetimeinsomequietlocality，out-of-doors？Likelyenough，again，onthatfineautumnevening。Thecaptainpaused，weighedtherelativeclaimsonhisattentionofthequietlocalityandthepastry-cook\'sshop；anddecidedforthefirstofthetwo。Therewastimeenoughtofindheratthepastry-cook\'s，toinquireafterherattheprincipalhotels，or，finally，tointerceptherinMr。Huxtable\'simmediateneighborhoodfromseventoeight。Whilethelightlasted，thewisecoursewastouseitinlookingforherout-of-doors。Where？TheEsplanadewasaquietlocality；butshewasnotthere——notonthelonelyroadbeyond，whichranbackbytheAbbeyWall。Wherenext？Thecaptainstopped，lookedacrosstheriver，brightenedundertheinfluenceofanewidea，andsuddenlyhastenedbacktotheferry。