第8章

ShediscoveredthattherewerenootherlodgersbutMrs。Wraggeandherself。Thelandlady\'shusbandwasawayallday，employedatarailwaystation。Herseconddaughterwaschargedwiththecareofthekitchenintheeldersister\'sabsence。Theyoungerchildrenwereatschool，andwouldbebackatoneo\'clocktodinner。Thelandladyherself“gotupfinelinenforladies，“andexpectedtobeoccupiedoverherworkallthatmorninginalittleroombuiltoutatthebackofthepremises。ThustherewaseveryfacilityforMagdalen\'sleavingthehouseindisguise，andleavingitunobserved，providedshewentoutbeforethechildrencamebacktodinneratoneo\'clock。

Byeleveno\'clocktheapartmentsweresetinorder，andthelandladyhadretiredtopursueherownemployments。Magdalensoftlylockedthedoorofherroom，drewtheblindoverthewindow，andenteredatonceonherpreparationsfortheperilousexperimentoftheday。

ThesamequickperceptionofdangerstobeavoidedanddifficultiestobeovercomewhichhadwarnedhertoleavetheextravagantpartofhercharactercostumeintheboxatBirminghamnowkepthermindfullyalivetothevastdifferencebetweenadisguisewornbygas-lightfortheamusementofanaudienceandadisguiseassumedbydaylighttodeceivethesearchingeyesoftwostrangers。Thefirstarticleofdresswhichsheputonwasanoldgownofherown(madeofthematerialcalled“alpaca“)，ofadark-browncolor，withaneatpatternoflittlestar-shapedspotsinwhite。Adoubleflouncerunningroundthebottomofthisdresswastheonlymilliner\'sornamentwhichitpresented——anornamentnotatalloutofcharacterwiththecostumeappropriatedtoanelderlylady。Thedisguiseofherheadandfacewasthenextobjectofherattention。Shefittedandarrangedthegraywigwiththedexteritywhichconstantpracticehadgivenher；fixedthefalseeyebrows(maderatherlarge，andofhairdarkerthanthewig)carefullyintheirpositionwiththegumshehadwithherforthepurpose，andstainedherfacewiththecustomarystagematerials，soastochangethetransparentfairnessofhercomplexiontothedull，faintlyopaquecolorofawomaninillhealth。Thelinesandmarkingsofagefollowednext；andherethefirstobstaclespresentedthemselves。Theartwhichsucceededbygas-lightfailedbyday:thedifficultyofhidingtheplainlyartificialnatureofthemarkswasalmostinsuperable。Sheturnedtohertrunk；tookfromittwoveils；andputtingonherold-fashionedbonnet，triedtheeffectoftheminsuccession。Oneoftheveils(ofblacklace)wastoothicktobewornoverthefaceatthatsummerseasonwithoutexcitingremark。Theother，ofplainnet，allowedherfeaturestobeseenthroughit，justindistinctlyenoughtopermitthesafeintroductionofcertainlines(manyfewerthanshewasaccustomedtouseinperformingthecharacter)ontheforeheadandatthesidesofthemouth。Buttheobstaclethussetasideonlyopenedthewaytoanewdifficulty——thedifficultyofkeepingherveildownwhileshewasspeakingtootherpersons，withoutanyobviousreasonfordoingso。Aninstant\'sconsideration，andachancelookatherlittlechinapaletteofstagecolors，suggestedtoherreadyinventiontheproductionofavisibleexcuseforwearingherveil。Shedeliberatelydisfiguredherselfbyartificiallyreddeningtheinsidesofhereyelidssoastoproduceanappearanceofinflammationwhichnohumancreaturebutadoctor——andthatdoctoratclosequarters——couldhavedetectedasfalse。Shesprangtoherfeetandlookedtriumphantlyatthehideoustransformationofherselfreflectedintheglass。Whocouldthinkitstrangenowifsheworeherveildown，andifshebeggedMrs。Lecount\'spermissiontositwithherbacktothelight？

HerlastproceedingwastoputonthequietgraycloakwhichshehadbroughtfromBirmingham，andwhichhadbeenpaddedinsidebyCaptainWragge\'sownexperiencedhands，soastohidetheyouthfulgraceandbeautyofherbackandshoulders。Hercostumebeingnowcomplete，shepracticedthewalkwhichhadbeenoriginallytaughtherasappropriatetothecharacter——awalkwithaslightlimp——and，returningtotheglassafteraminute\'strial，exercisedherselfnextinthedisguiseofhervoiceandmanner。Thiswastheonlypartofthecharacterinwhichithadbeenpossible，withherphysicalpeculiarities，toproduceanimitationofMissGarth；andheretheresemblancewasperfect。Theharshvoice，thebluntmanner，thehabitofaccompanyingcertainphrasesbyanemphaticnodofthehead，theNorthumbrianburrexpressingitselfineverywordwhichcontainedtheletter“r“——allthesepersonalpeculiaritiesoftheoldNorth-countrygovernesswerereproducedtothelife。ThepersonaltransformationthuscompletedwasliterallywhatCaptainWraggehaddescribedittobe——atriumphintheartofself-disguise。Exceptingtheonecaseofseeingherfaceclose，withastronglightonit，nobodywhonowlookedatMagdalencouldhavesuspectedforaninstantthatshewasotherthananailing，ill-made，unattractivewomanoffiftyyearsoldatleast。

Beforeunlockingthedoor，shelookedabouthercarefully，tomakesurethatnoneofherstagematerialswereexposedtoviewincasethelandladyenteredtheroominherabsence。TheonlyforgottenobjectbelongingtoherthatshediscoveredwasalittlepacketofNorah\'sletterswhichshehadbeenreadingovernight，andwhichhadbeenaccidentallypushedunderthelooking-glasswhileshewasengagedindressingherself。Asshetookuptheletterstoputthemaway，thethoughtstruckherforthefirsttime，“WouldNorahknowmenowifwemeteachotherinthestreet？“Shelookedintheglass，andsmiledsadly。“No，“shesaid，“notevenNorah。“

Sheunlockedthedoor，afterfirstlookingatherwatch。Itwascloseontwelveo\'clock。Therewasbarelyanhourlefttotryherdesperateexperiment，andtoreturntothelodgingbeforethelandlady\'schildrencamebackfromschool。

Aninstant\'slisteningonthelandingassuredherthatallwasquietinthepassagebelow。Shenoiselesslydescendedthestairsandgainedthestreetwithouthavingmetanylivingcreatureonherwayoutofthehouse。Inanotherminuteshehadcrossedtheroad，andhadknockedatNoelVanstone\'sdoor。

Thedoorwasopenedbythesamewoman-servantwhomshehadfollowedonthepreviouseveningtothestationer\'sshop。Withamomentarytremor，whichrecalledthememorablefirstnightofherappearanceinpublic，Magdaleninquired(inMissGarth\'svoice，andwithMissGarth\'smanner)forMrs。Lecount。

“Mrs。Lecounthasgoneout，ma\'am，“saidtheservant。

“IsMr。Vanstoneathome？“askedMagdalen，herresolutionassertingitselfatonceagainstthefirstobstaclethatopposedit。

“Mymasterisnotupyet，ma\'am。“

Anothercheck！Aweakernaturewouldhaveacceptedthewarning。Magdalen\'snatureroseinrevoltagainstit。

“WhattimewillMrs。Lecountbeback？“sheasked。

“Aboutoneo\'clock，ma\'am。“

“Say，ifyouplease，thatIwillcallagainassoonafteroneo\'clockaspossible。IparticularlywishtoseeMrs。Lecount。MynameisMissGarth。“

Sheturnedandleftthehouse。Goingbacktoherownroomwasoutofthequestion。Theservant(asMagdalenknewbynothearingthedoorclose)waslookingafterher；and，moreover，shewouldexposeherself，ifshewentindoors，totheriskofgoingoutagainexactlyatthetimewhenthelandlady\'schildrenweresuretobeaboutthehouse。Sheturnedmechanicallytotheright，walkedonuntilsherecalledVauxhallBridge，andwaitedthere，lookingoutovertheriver。

Theintervalofunemployedtimenowbeforeherwasnearlyanhour。Howshouldsheoccupyit？

Assheaskedherselfthequestion，thethoughtwhichhadstruckherwhensheputawaythepacketofNorah\'slettersroseinhermindoncemore。Asuddenimpulsetotestthemiserablecompletenessofherdisguisemixedwiththehigherandpurerfeelingatherheart，andstrengthenedhernaturallongingtoseehersister\'sfaceagain，thoughshedarenotdiscoverherselfandspeak。Norah\'slaterlettershaddescribed，inthefullestdetails，herlifeasagoverness——herhoursforteaching，herhoursofleisure，herhoursforwalkingoutwithherpupils。Therewasjusttime，ifshecouldfindavehicleatonce，forMagdalentodrivetothehouseofNorah\'semployer，withthechanceofgettingthereafewminutesbeforethehourwhenhersisterwouldbegoingout。“Onelookatherwilltellmemorethanahundredletters！“Withthatthoughtinherheart，withtheoneobjectoffollowingNorahonherdailywalk，underprotectionofthedisguise，Magdalenhastenedoverthebridge，andmadeforthenorthernbankoftheriver。

So，attheturning-pointofherlife——so，intheintervalbeforeshetooktheirrevocablestep，andpassedthethresholdofNoelVanstone\'sdoor——theforcesofGoodtriumphinginthestrifeforherovertheforcesofEvil，turnedherbackonthesceneofhermeditateddeception，andhurriedhermercifullyfurtherandfurtherawayfromthefatalhouse。

Shestoppedthefirstemptycabthatpassedher；toldthedrivertogotoNewStreet，SpringGardens；andpromisedtodoublehisfareifhereachedhisdestinationbyagiventime。Themanearnedthemoney——morethanearnedit，astheeventproved。MagdalenhadnottakentenstepsinadvancealongNewStreet，walkingtowardSt。James\'sPark，beforethedoorofahousebeyondheropened，andaladyinmourningcameout，accompaniedbytwolittlegirls。TheladyalsotookthedirectionofthePark，withoutturningherheadtowardMagdalenasshedescendedthehousestep。Itmatteredlittle；Magdalen\'sheartlookedthroughhereyes，andtoldherthatshesawNorah。

ShefollowedthemintoSt。James\'sPark，andthence(alongtheMall)intotheGreenPark，venturingcloserandcloserastheyreachedthegrassandascendedtherisinggroundinthedirectionofHydeParkCorner。HereagereyesdevouredeverydetailinNorah\'sdress，anddetectedtheslightestchangethathadtakenplaceinherfigureandherbearing。Shehadbecomethinnersincetheautumn——herheaddroopedalittle；shewalkedwearily。Hermourningdress，wornwiththemodestgraceandneatnesswhichnomisfortunecouldtakefromher，wassuitedtoheralteredstation；herblackgownwasmadeofstuff；herblackshawlandbonnetwereoftheplainestandcheapestkind。Thetwolittlegirls，walkingoneithersideofher，weredressedinsilk。Magdaleninstinctivelyhatedthem。

Shemadeawidecircuitonthegrass，soastoturngraduallyandmeethersisterwithoutexcitingsuspicionthatthemeetingwascontrived。Herheartbeatfast；aburningheatglowedinherasshethoughtofherfalsehair，herfalsecolor，herfalsedress，andsawthedearfamiliarfacecomingnearerandnearer。Theypassedeachotherclose。Norah\'sdarkgentleeyeslookedup，withadeeperlightinthem，withasadderbeautythanofold——rested，allunconsciousofthetruth，onhersister\'sface——andlookedawayfromitagainasfromthefaceofastranger。ThatglanceofaninstantstruckMagdalentotheheart。ShestoodrootedtothegroundafterNorahhadpassedby。Ahorroroftheviledisguisethatconcealedher；ayearningtoburstitstrammelsandhidehershamefulpaintedfaceonNorah\'sbosom，tookpossessionofher，bodyandsoul。Sheturnedandlookedback。

Norahandthetwochildrenhadreachedthehigherground，andwereclosetooneofthegatesintheironrailingwhichfencedtheParkfromthestreet。Drawnbyanirresistiblefascination，Magdalenfollowedthemagain，gainedonthemastheyreachedthegate，andheardthevoicesofthetwochildrenraisedinangrydisputewhichwaytheywantedtowalknext。ShesawNorahtakethemthroughthegate，andthenstoopandspeaktothem，whilewaitingforanopportunitytocrosstheroad。Theyonlygrewthelouderandtheangrierforwhatshesaid。Theyoungest——agirlofeightornineyearsold——flewintoachild\'svehementpassion，cried，screamed，andevenkickedatthegoverness。Thepeopleinthestreetstoppedandlaughed；someofthemjestinglyadvisedalittlewholesomecorrection；onewomanaskedNorahifshewasthechild\'smother；anotherpitiedheraudiblyforbeingthechild\'sgoverness。BeforeMagdalencouldpushherwaythroughthecrowd——beforeherall-masteringanxietytohelphersisterhadblindedhertoeveryotherconsideration，andhadbroughther，self-betrayed，toNorah\'sside——anopencarriagepassedthepavementslowly，hinderedinitsprogressbythepressofvehiclesbeforeit。Anoldladyseatedinsideheardthechild\'scries，recognizedNorah，andcalledtoherimmediately。Thefootmanpartedthecrowd，andthechildrenwereputintothecarriage。“It\'sluckyIhappenedtopassthisway，“saidtheoldlady，beckoningcontemptuouslytoNorahtotakeherplaceonthefrontseat；“younevercouldmanagemydaughter\'schildren，andyouneverwill。“Thefootmanputupthesteps，thecarriagedroveonwiththechildrenandthegoverness，thecrowddispersed，andMagdalenwasaloneagain。

“Sobeit！“shethought，bitterly。“Ishouldonlyhavedistressedher。Weshouldonlyhavehadthemiseryofpartingtosufferagain。“

Shemechanicallyretracedhersteps；shereturned，asinadream，totheopenspaceofthePark。Armingitselftreacherouslywiththestrengthofherloveforhersister，withthevehemenceoftheindignationthatshefeltforhersister\'ssake，theterribletemptationofherlifefasteneditsholdonhermorefirmlythanever。Throughallthepaintanddisfigurementofthedisguise，thefiercedespairofthatstrongandpassionatenaturelowered，haggardandhorrible。Norahmadeanobjectofpubliccuriosityandamusement；Norahreprimandedintheopenstreet；Norah，thehiredvictimofanoldwoman\'sinsolenceandachild\'sill-temper，andthesamemantothankforitwhohadsentFranktoChina！——andthatman\'ssontothankafterhim！Thethoughtofhersister，whichhadturnedherfromthesceneofhermeditateddeception，whichhadmadetheconsciousnessofherowndisguisehatefultoher，wasnowthethoughtwhichsanctionedthatmeans，oranymeans，tocompassherend；thethoughtwhichsetwingstoherfeet，andhurriedherbacknearerandnearertothefatalhouse。

ShelefttheParkagain，andfoundherselfinthestreetswithoutknowingwhere。Oncemoreshehailedthefirstcabthatpassedher，andtoldthemantodrivetoVauxhallWalk。

Thechangefromwalkingtoridingquietedher。Shefeltherattentionreturningtoherselfandherdress。Thenecessityofmakingsurethatnoaccidenthadhappenedtoherdisguiseintheintervalsinceshehadleftherownroomimpresseditselfimmediatelyonhermind。Shestoppedthedriveratthefirstpastry-cook\'sshopwhichhepassed，andthereobtainedthemeansofconsultingalooking-glassbeforesheventuredbacktoVauxhallWalk。

Hergrayhead-dresswasdisordered，andtheold-fashionedbonnetwasalittleononeside。Nothingelsehadsuffered。Shesetrightthefewdefectsinhercostume，andreturnedtothecab。Itwashalf-pastonewhensheapproachedthehouseandknocked，forthesecondtime，atNoelVanstone\'sdoor。Thewoman-servantopeneditasbefore。

“HasMrs。Lecountcomeback？“

“Yes，ma\'am。Stepthisway，ifyouplease。“

TheservantprecededMagdalenalonganemptypassage，and，leadingherpastanuncarpetedstaircase，openedthedoorofaroomatthebackofthehouse。Theroomwaslightedbyonewindowlookingoutonayard；thewallswerebare；theboardedfloorwasuncovered。Twobedroomchairsstoodagainstthewall，andakitchen-tablewasplacedunderthewindow。Onthetablestoodaglasstankfilledwithwater，andornamentedinthemiddlebyaminiaturepyramidofrock-workinterlacedwithweeds。Snailsclungtothesidesofthetank；tadpolesandtinyfishswamswiftlyinthegreenwater，slipperyeftsandslimyfrogstwinedtheirnoiselesswayinandoutoftheweedyrock-work；andontopofthepyramidtheresatsolitary，coldasthestone，brownasthestone，motionlessasthestone，alittlebright-eyedtoad。TheartofkeepingfishandreptilesasdomesticpetshadnotatthattimebeenpopularizedinEngland；andMagdalen，onenteringtheroom，startedback，inirrepressibleastonishmentanddisgust，fromthefirstspecimenofanAquariumthatshehadeverseen。

“Don\'tbealarmed，“saidawoman\'svoicebehindher。“Mypetshurtnobody。“

Magdalenturned，andconfrontedMrs。Lecount。Shehadexpected——foundingheranticipationsontheletterwhichthehousekeeperhadwrittentoher——toseeahard，wily，ill-favored，insolentoldwoman。Shefoundherselfinthepresenceofaladyofmild，ingratiatingmanners，whosedresswastheperfectionofneatness，taste，andmatronlysimplicity，whosepersonalappearancewaslittlelessthanatriumphofphysicalresistancetothedeterioratinginfluenceoftime。IfMrs。Lecounthadstrucksomefifteenorsixteenyearsoffherrealage，andhadassertedherselftobeeight-and-thirty，therewouldnothavebeenonemaninathousand，oronewomaninahundred，whowouldhavehesitatedtobelieveher。Herdarkhairwasjustturningtogray，andnomore。Itwasplainlypartedunderaspotlesslacecap，sparinglyornamentedwithmourningribbons。Notawrinkleappearedonhersmoothwhiteforehead，orherplumpwhitecheeks。Herdoublechinwasdimpled，andherteethweremarvelsofwhitenessandregularity。Herlipsmighthavebeencriticallyconsideredastoothin，iftheyhadnotbeenaccustomedtomakethebestoftheirdefectsbymeansofapleadingandpersuasivesmile。Herlargeblackeyesmighthavelookedfierceiftheyhadbeensetinthefaceofanotherwoman，theyweremildandmeltinginthefaceofMrs。Lecount；theyweretenderlyinterestedineverythingshelookedat——inMagdalen，inthetoadontherock-work，intheback-yardviewfromthewindow；inherownplumpfairhands，——whichsherubbedsoftlyoneovertheotherwhileshespoke；inherownprettycambricchemisette，whichshehadahabitoflookingatcomplacentlywhileshelistenedtoothers。TheelegantblackgowninwhichshemournedthememoryofMichaelVanstonewasnotameredress——itwasawell-madecomplimentpaidtoDeath。Herinnocentwhitemuslinapronwasalittledomesticpoeminitself。HerjetearringsweresomodestintheirpretensionsthataQuakermighthavelookedatthemandcommittednosin。Thecomelyplumpnessofherfacewasmatchedbythecomelyplumpnessofherfigure；itglidedsmoothlyovertheground；itflowedinsedateundulationswhenshewalked。TherearenotmanymenwhocouldhaveobservedMrs。LecountentirelyfromthePlatonicpointofview——ladsintheirteenswouldhavefoundherirresistible——womenonlycouldhavehardenedtheirheartsagainsther，andmercilesslyforcedtheirwayinwardthroughthatfairandsmilingsurface。Magdalen\'sfirstglanceatthisVenusoftheautumnperiodoffemalelifemorethansatisfiedherthatshehaddonewelltofeelhergroundindisguisebeforesheventuredonmatchingherselfagainstMrs。Lecount。

“HaveIthepleasureofaddressingtheladywhocalledthismorning？“inquiredthehousekeeper。“AmIspeakingtoMissGarth？“

Somethingintheexpressionofhereyes，assheaskedthatquestion，warnedMagdalentoturnherfacefurtherinwardfromthewindowthanshehadturnedityet。Thebaredoubtwhetherthehousekeepermightnothaveseenheralreadyundertoostrongalightshookherself-possessionforthemoment。Shegaveherselftimetorecoverit，andmerelyansweredbyabow。

“Acceptmyexcuses，ma\'am，fortheplaceinwhichIamcompelledtoreceiveyou，“proceededMrs。LecountinfluentEnglish，spokenwithaforeignaccent。“Mr。Vanstoneisonlyhereforatemporarypurpose。Weleaveforthesea-sideto-morrowafternoon，andithasnotbeenthoughtworthwhiletosetthehouseinproperorder。Willyoutakeaseat，andobligemebymentioningtheobjectofyourvisit？“

SheglidedimperceptiblyasteportwonearertoMagdalen，andplacedachairforherexactlyoppositethelightfromthewindow。“Praysitdown，“saidMrs。Lecount，lookingwiththetenderestinterestatthevisitor\'sinflamedeyesthroughthevisitor\'snetveil。

“Iamsuffering，asyousee，fromacomplaintintheeyes，“repliedMagdalen，steadilykeepingherprofiletowardthewindow，andcarefullypitchinghervoicetothetoneofMissGarth\'s。“Imustbegyourpermissiontowearmyveildown，andtositawayfromthelight。“Shesaidthosewords，feelingmistressofherselfagain。Withperfectcomposureshedrewthechairbackintothecorneroftheroombeyondthewindowandseatedherself，keepingtheshadowofherbonnetwelloverherface。Mrs。Lecount\'spersuasivelipsmurmuredapoliteexpressionofsympathy；Mrs。Lecount\'samiableblackeyeslookedmoreinterestedinthestrangeladythanever。SheplacedachairforherselfexactlyonalinewithMagdalen\'s，andsatsoclosetothewallastoforcehervisitoreithertoturnherheadalittlefurtherroundtowardthewindow，ortofailinpolitenessbynotlookingatthepersonwhomsheaddressed。“Yes，“saidMrs。Lecount，withaconfidentiallittlecough。“AndtowhatcircumstancesamIindebtedforthehonorofthisvisit？“

“MayIinquire，first，ifmynamehappenstobefamiliartoyou？“saidMagdalen，turningtowardherasamatterofnecessity，butcoollyholdingupherhandkerchiefatthesametimebetweenherfaceandthelight。

“No，“answeredMrs。Lecount，withanotherlittlecough，ratherharsherthanthefirst。“ThenameofMissGarthisnotfamiliartome。“

“Inthatcase，“pursuedMagdalen，“IshallbestexplaintheobjectthatcausesmetointrudeonyoubymentioningwhoIam。IlivedformanyyearsasgovernessinthefamilyofthelateMr。AndrewVanstone，ofCombe-Raven，andIcomehereintheinterestofhisorphandaughters。“

Mrs。Lecount\'shands，whichhadbeensmoothlyslidingoneovertheotheruptothistime，suddenlystopped；andMrs。Lecount\'slips，self-forgetfullyshuttingup，ownedtheyweretoothinattheveryoutsetoftheinterview。

“Iamsurprisedyoucanbearthelightout-of-doorswithoutagreenshade，“shequietlyremarked；leavingthefalseMissGarth\'sannouncementofherselfascompletelyunnoticedasitshehadnotspokenatall。

“Ifindashadeovermyeyeskeepsthemtoohotatthistimeoftheyear，“rejoinedMagdalen，steadilymatchingthehousekeeper\'scomposure。“MayIaskwhetheryouheardwhatIsaidjustnowonthesubjectofmyerrandinthishouse？“

“MayIinquireonmyside，ma\'am，inwhatwaythaterrandcanpossiblyconcernme？“retortedMrs。Lecount。

“Certainly，“saidMagdalen。“IcometoyoubecauseMr。NoelVanstone\'sintentionstowardthetwoyoungladiesweremadeknowntothemintheformofaletterfromyourself。“

Thatplainanswerhaditseffect。ItwarnedMrs。Lecountthatthestrangeladywasbetterinformedthanshehadatfirstsuspected，andthatitmighthardlybewise，underthecircumstances，todismissherunheard。

“Praypardonme，“saidthehousekeeper，“Iscarcelyunderstoodbefore；Iperfectlyunderstandnow。Youaremistaken，ma\'am，insupposingthatIamofanyimportance，orthatIexerciseanyinfluenceinthispainfulmatter。Iamthemouth-pieceofMr。NoelVanstone；thepenheholds，ifyouwillexcusetheexpression——nothingmore。Heisaninvalid，andlikeotherinvalids，hehashisbaddaysandhisgood。Itwashisbaddaywhenthatanswerwaswrittentotheyoungperson——shallIcallherMissVanstone？Iwill，withpleasure，poorgirl；forwhoamItomakedistinctions，andwhatisittomewhetherherparentsweremarriedornot？AsIwassaying，itwasoneofMr。NoelVanstone\'sbaddayswhenthatanswerwassent，andthereforeIhadtowriteit；simplyashissecretary，forwantofabetter。Ifyouwishtospeakonthesubjectoftheseyoungladies——shallIcallthemyoungladies，asyoudidjustnow？no，poorthings，IwillcallthemtheMissesVanstone——IfyouwishtospeakonthesubjectoftheseMissesVanstone，Iwillmentionyourname，andyourobjectinfavoringmewiththiscall，toMr。NoelVanstone。Heisaloneintheparlor，andthisisoneofhisgooddays。Ihavetheinfluenceofanoldservantoverhim，andIwillusethatinfluencewithpleasureinyourbehalf。ShallIgoatonce？“askedMrs。Lecount，rising，withthefriendliestanxietytomakeherselfuseful。

“Ifyouplease，“repliedMagdalen；“andifIamnottakinganyundueadvantageofyourkindness。“

“Onthecontrary，“rejoinedMrs。Lecount，“youarelayingmeunderanobligation——youarepermittingme，inmyverylimitedway，toassisttheperformanceofabenevolentaction。“Shebowed，smiled，andglidedoutoftheroom。

Leftbyherself，MagdalenallowedtheangerwhichshehadsuppressedinMrs。Lecount\'spresencetobreakfreefromher。Forwantofanoblerobjecttoattack，ittookthedirectionofthetoad。Thesightofthehideouslittlereptilesittingplacidonhisrockthrone，withhisbrighteyesstaringimpenetrablyintovacancy，irritatedeverynerveinherbody。Shelookedatthecreaturewithashrinkingintensityofhatred；shewhisperedatitmaliciouslythroughhersetteeth。“Iwonderwhosebloodrunscoldest，“shesaid，“yours，youlittlemonster，orMrs。Lecount\'s？Iwonderwhichistheslimiest，herheartoryourback？Youhatefulwretch，doyouknowwhatyourmistressis？Yourmistressisadevil！“

Thespeckledskinunderthetoad\'smouthmysteriouslywrinkleditself，thenslowlyexpandedagain，asifhehadswallowedthewordsjustaddressedtohim。Magdalenstartedbackindisgustfromthefirstperceptiblemovementinthecreature\'sbody，triflingasitwas，andreturnedtoherchair。Shehadnotseatedherselfagainamomenttoosoon。Thedooropenednoiselessly，andMrs。Lecountappearedoncemore。

“Mr。Vanstonewillseeyou，“shesaid，“ifyouwillkindlywaitafewminutes。Hewillringtheparlorbellwhenhispresentoccupationisatanend，andheisreadytoreceiveyou。Becareful，ma\'am，nottodepresshisspirits，nortoagitatehiminanyway。Hishearthasbeenacauseofseriousanxietytothoseabouthim，fromhisearliestyears。Thereisnopositivedisease；thereisonlyachronicfeebleness——afattydegeneration——awantofvitalpowerintheorganitself。Hisheartwillgoonwellenoughifyoudon\'tgivehishearttoomuchtodo——thatistheadviceofallthemedicalmenwhohaveseenhim。Youwillnotforgetit，andyouwillkeepaguardoveryourconversationaccordingly。Talkingofmedicalmen，haveyouevertriedtheGoldenOintmentforthatsadafflictioninyoureyes？Ithasbeendescribedtomeasanexcellentremedy。“

“Ithasnotsucceededinmycase，“repliedMagdalen，sharply。“BeforeIseeMr。NoelVanstone，“shecontinued，“mayIinquire——“

“Ibegyourpardon，“interposedMrs。Lecount。“Doesyourquestionreferinanywaytothosetwopoorgirls？“

“ItreferstotheMissesVanstone。“

“ThenIcan\'tenterintoit。Excuseme，Ireallycan\'tdiscussthesepoorgirls(IamsogladtohearyoucallthemtheMissesVanstone！)exceptinmymaster\'spresence，andbymymaster\'sexpresspermission。Letustalkofsomethingelsewhilewearewaitinghere。WillyounoticemyglassTank？IhaveeveryreasontobelievethatitisaperfectnoveltyinEngland。“

“Ilookedatthetankwhileyouwereoutoftheroom，“saidMagdalen。

“Didyou？Youtakenointerestinthesubject，Idaresay？Quitenatural。ItooknointeresteitheruntilIwasmarried。Mydearhusband——deadmanyyearssince——formedmytastesandelevatedmetohimself。YouhaveheardofthelateProfessorLecomte，theeminentSwissnaturalist？Iamhiswidow。TheEnglishcircleatZurich(whereIlivedinmylatemaster\'sservice)AnglicizedmynametoLecount。Yourgenerouscountrypeoplewillhavenothingforeignaboutthem——notevenaname，iftheycanhelpit。ButIwasspeakingofmyhusband——mydearhusband，whopermittedmetoassisthiminhispursuits。Ihavehadonlyoneinterestsincehisdeath——aninterestinscience。Eminentinmanythings，theprofessorwasgreatatreptiles。HeleftmehisSubjectsandhisTank。Ihadnootherlegacy。ThereistheTank。AlltheSubjectsdiedbutthisquietlittlefellow——thisnicelittletoad。Areyousurprisedatmylikinghim？Thereisnothingtobesurprisedat。Theprofessorlivedlongenoughtoelevatemeabovethecommonprejudiceagainstthereptilecreation。Properlyunderstood，thereptilecreationisbeautiful。Properlydissected，thereptilecreationisinstructiveinthelastdegree。“Shestretchedoutherlittlefinger，andgentlystrokedthetoad\'sbackwiththetipofit。“Sorefreshingtothetouch，“saidMrs。Lecount——“soniceandcoolthissummerweather！“

Thebellfromtheparlorrang。Mrs。Lecountrose，bentfondlyovertheAquarium，andchirrupedtothetoadatpartingasifithadbeenabird。“Mr。Vanstoneisreadytoreceiveyou。Followme，ifyouplease，MissGarth。“Withthesewordssheopenedthedoor，andledthewayoutoftheroom。

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene3，Chapter3CHAPTERIII。

“MISSGARTH，sir，saidMrs。Lecount，openingtheparlordoor，andannouncingthevisitor\'sappearancewiththetoneandmannerofawell-bredservant。

Magdalenfoundherselfinalong，narrowroom，consistingofabackparlorandafrontparlor，whichhadbeenthrownintoonebyopeningthefolding-doorsbetweenthem。Seatednotfarfromthefrontwindow，withhisbacktothelight，shesawafrail，flaxen-haired，self-satisfiedlittleman，clothedinafairwhitedressing-gownmanysizestoolargeforhim，withanosegayofvioletsdrawnneatlythroughthebutton-holeoverhisbreast。Helookedfromthirtytofive-and-thirtyyearsold。Hiscomplexionwasasdelicateasayounggirl\'s，hiseyeswereofthelightestblue，hisupperlipwasadornedbyaweaklittlewhitemustache，waxedandtwistedateitherendintoathinspiralcurl。Whenanyobjectspeciallyattractedhisattentionhehalfclosedhiseyelidstolookatit。Whenhesmiled，theskinathistemplescrumpleditselfupintoanestofwickedlittlewrinkles。Hehadaplateofstrawberriesonhislap，withanapkinunderthemtopreservethepurityofhiswhitedressing-gown。Athisrighthandstoodalargeroundtable，coveredwithacollectionofforeigncuriosities，whichseemedtohavebeenbroughttogetherfromthefourquartersoftheglobe。StuffedbirdsfromAfrica，porcelainmonstersfromChina，silverornamentsandutensilsfromIndiaandPeru，mosaicworkfromItaly，andbronzesfromFrance，wereallheapedtogetherpell-mellwiththecoarsedealboxesanddingyleathercaseswhichservedtopackthemfortraveling。Thelittlemanapologized，withacheerfulandsimperingconceit，forhislitterofcuriosities，hisdressing-gown，andhisdelicatehealth；and，wavinghishandtowardachair，placedhisattention，withpragmaticalpoliteness，atthevisitor\'sdisposal。MagdalenlookedathimwithamomentarydoubtwhetherMrs。Lecounthadnotdeceivedher。Wasthisthemanwhomercilesslyfollowedthepathonwhichhismercilessfatherhadwalkedbeforehim？Shecouldhardlybelieveit。“Takeaseat，MissGarth，“herepeated，observingherhesitation，andannouncinghisownnameinahigh，thin，fretfully-consequentialvoice:“IamMr。NoelVanstone。Youwishedtoseeme——hereIam！“

“MayIbepermittedtoretire，sir？“inquiredMrs。Lecount。

“Certainlynot！“repliedhermaster。“Stayhere，Lecount，andkeepuscompany。Mrs。Lecounthasmyfullestconfidence，“hecontinued，addressingMagdalen。“Whateveryousaytome，ma\'am，yousaytoher。Sheisadomestictreasure。ThereisnotanotherhouseinEnglandhassuchatreasureasMrs。Lecount。“

Thehousekeeperlistenedtothepraiseofherdomesticvirtueswitheyesimmovablyfixedonherelegantchemisette。ButMagdalen\'squickpenetrationhadpreviouslydetectedalookthatpassedbetweenMrs。Lecountandhermaster，whichsuggestedthatNoelVanstonehadbeeninstructedbeforehandwhattosayanddoinhisvisitor\'spresence。Thesuspicionofthis，andtheobstacleswhichtheroompresentedtoarrangingherpositioninitsoastokeepherfacefromthelight，warnedMagdalentobeonherguard。

Shehadtakenherchairatfirstnearlymidwayintheroom。Aninstant\'safter-reflectioninducedhertomoveherseattowardthelefthand，soastoplaceherselfjustinside，andcloseagainst，theleftpostofthefolding-door。InthispositionshedexterouslybarredtheonlypassagebywhichMrs。LecountcouldhaveskirtedroundthelargetableandcontrivedtofrontMagdalenbytakingachairathermaster\'sside。Ontherighthandofthetabletheemptyspacewaswelloccupiedbythefireplaceandfender，bysometraveling-trunks，andalargepacking-case。TherewasnoalternativeleftforMrs。LecountbuttoplaceherselfonalinewithMagdalenagainsttheoppositepostofthefolding-door，ortopushrudelypastthevisitorwiththeobviousintentionofgettinginfrontofher。Withanexpressivelittlecough，andwithonesteadylookathermaster，thehousekeeperconcededthepoint，andtookherseatagainsttheright-handdoor-post。“Waitalittle，“thoughtMrs。Lecount；“myturnnext！“

“Mindwhatyouareabout，ma\'am！“criedNoelVanstone，asMagdalenaccidentallyapproachedthetableinmovingherchair。“Mindthesleeveofyourcloak！Excuseme，younearlyknockeddownthatsilvercandlestick。Praydon\'tsupposeit\'sacommoncandlestick。It\'snothingofthesort——it\'saPeruviancandlestick。Thereareonlythreeofthatpatternintheworld。OneisinthepossessionofthePresidentofPeru；oneislockedupintheVatican；andoneisonMytable。Itcosttenpounds；it\'sworthfifty。Oneofmyfather\'sbargains，ma\'am。Allthesethingsaremyfather\'sbargains。ThereisnotanotherhouseinEnglandwhichhassuchcuriositiesasthese。Sitdown，Lecount；Ibegyouwillmakeyourselfcomfortable。Mrs。Lecountislikethecuriosities，MissGarth——sheisoneofmyfather\'sbargains。Youareoneofmyfather\'sbargains，areyounot，Lecount？Myfatherwasaremarkableman，ma\'am。Youwillberemindedofhimhereateveryturn。Ihavegothisdressing-gownonatthismoment。Nosuchlinenasthisismadenow——youcan\'tgetitforloveormoney。Wouldyouliketofeelthetexture？Perhapsyou\'renojudgeoftexture？Perhapsyouwouldprefertalkingtomeaboutthesetwopupilsofyours？Theyaretwo，aretheynot？Aretheyfinegirls？Plump，fresh，full-blownEnglishbeauties？“

“Excuseme，sir，“interposedMrs。Lecount，sorrowfully。“Imustreallybegpermissiontoretireifyouspeakofthepoorthingsinthatway。Ican\'tsitby，sir，andhearthemturnedintoridicule。Considertheirposition；considerMissGarth。“

“Yougoodcreature！“saidNoelVanstone，surveyingthehousekeeperthroughhishalf-closedeyelids。“YouexcellentLecount！Iassureyou，ma\'am，Mrs。Lecountisaworthycreature。Youwillobservethatshepitiesthetwogirls。Idon\'tgosofarasthatmyself，butIcanmakeallowancesforthem。Iamalarge-mindedman。Icanmakeallowancesforthemandforyou。“Hesmiledwiththemostcordialpoliteness，andhelpedhimselftoastrawberryfromthedishonhislap。

“YoushockMissGarth；indeed，sir，withoutmeaningit，youshockMissGarth，“remonstratedMrs。Lecount。“SheisnotaccustomedtoyouasIam。ConsiderMissGarth，sir。Asafavortome，considerMissGarth。“

ThusfarMagdalenhadresolutelykeptsilence。Theburninganger，whichwouldhavebetrayedherinaninstantifshehadletitflashitswaytothesurface，throbbedfastandfiercelyatherheart，andwarnedher，whileNoelVanstonewasspeaking，tocloseherlips。ShewouldhaveallowedhimtotalkonuninterruptedlyforsomeminutesmoreifMrs。Lecounthadnotinterferedforthesecondtime。Therefinedinsolenceofthehousekeeper\'spitywasawoman\'sinsolence；anditstungherintoinstantlycontrollingherself。ShehadnevermoreadmirablyimitatedMissGarth\'svoiceandmannerthanwhenshespokehernextwords。

“Youareverygood，“shesaidtoMrs。Lecount。“Imakenoclaimtobetreatedwithanyextraordinaryconsideration。Iamagoverness，andIdon\'texpectit。Ihaveonlyonefavortoask。IbegMr。NoelVanstone，forhisownsake，tohearwhatIhavetosaytohim。“

“Youunderstand，sir？“observedMrs。Lecount。“ItappearsthatMissGarthhassomeseriouswarningtogiveyou。Shesaysyouaretohearher，foryourownsake。“

Mr。NoelVanstone\'sfaircomplexionsuddenlyturnedwhite。Heputawaytheplateofstrawberriesamonghisfather\'sbargains。Hishandshookandhislittlefiguretwisteditselfuneasilyinthechair。Magdalenobservedhimattentively。“Onediscoveryalready，“shethought；“heisacoward！“

“Whatdoyoumean，ma\'am？“askedNoelVanstone，withvisibletrepidationoflookandmanner。“WhatdoyoumeanbytellingmeImustlistentoyouformyownsake？Ifyoucomehertointimidateme，youcometothewrongman。MystrengthofcharacterwasuniversallynoticedinourcircleatZurich——wasn\'tit，Lecount？“

“Universally，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount。“ButletushearMissGarth。PerhapsIhavemisinterpretedhermeaning。“

“Onthecontrary，“repliedMagdalen，“youhaveexactlyexpressedmymeaning。MyobjectincominghereistowarnMr。NoelVanstoneagainstthecoursewhichheisnowtaking。“

“Don\'t！“pleadedMrs。Lecount。“Oh，ifyouwanttohelpthesepoorgirls，don\'ttalkinthatway！Softenhisresolution，ma\'am，byentreaties；don\'tstrengthenitbythreats！“Shealittleoverstrainedthetoneofhumilityinwhichshespokethosewords——alittleoveractedthelookofapprehensionwhichaccompaniedthem。IfMagdalenhadnotseenplainlyenoughalreadythatitwasMrs。Lecount\'shabitualpracticetodecideeverythingforhermasterinthefirstinstance，andthentopersuadehimthathewasnotactingunderhishousekeeper\'sresolutionbutunderhisown，shewouldhaveseenitnow。

“YouhearwhatLecounthasjustsaid？“remarkedNoelVanstone。“Youheartheunsolicitedtestimonyofapersonwhohasknownmefromchildhood？Takecare，MissGarth——takecare！“Hecomplacentlyarrangedthetailsofhiswhitedressing-gownoverhiskneesandtooktheplateofstrawberriesbackonhislap。

“Ihavenowishtooffendyou，“saidMagdalen。“Iamonlyanxioustoopenyoureyestothetruth。Youarenotacquaintedwiththecharactersofthetwosisterswhosefortuneshavefallenintoyourpossession。Ihaveknownthemfromchildhood；andIcometogiveyouthebenefitofmyexperienceintheirinterestsandinyours。Youhavenothingtodreadfromtheelderofthetwo；shepatientlyacceptsthehardlotwhichyou，andyourfatherbeforeyou，haveforcedonher。Theyoungersister\'sconductistheveryoppositeofthis。Shehasalreadydeclinedtosubmittoyourfather\'sdecision，andshenowrefusestobesilencedbyMrs。Lecount\'sletter。Takemywordforit，sheiscapableofgivingyouserioustroubleifyoupersistinmakinganenemyofher。“

NoelVanstonechangedcoloroncemore，andbegantofidgetagaininhischair。“Serioustrouble，“herepeated，withablanklook。“Ifyoumeanwritingletters，ma\'am，shehasgiventroubleenoughalready。Shehaswrittenoncetome，andtwicetomyfather。Oneoftheletterstomyfatherwasathreateningletter——wasn\'tit，Lecount？“

“Sheexpressedherfeelings，poorchild，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Ithoughtithardtosendherbackherletter，butyourdearfatherknewbest。WhatIsaidatthetimewas，Whynotletherexpressherfeelings？Whatareafewthreateningwords，afterall？Inherposition，poorcreature，theyarewords，andnothingmore。“

“Iadviseyounottobetoosureofthat，“saidMagdalen。“Iknowherbetterthanyoudo。“

Shepausedatthosewords——pausedinamomentaryterror。ThestingofMrs。Lecount\'spityhadnearlyirritatedherintoforgettingherassumedcharacter，andspeakinginherownvoice。

“Youhavereferredtotheletterswrittenbymypupil，“sheresumed，addressingNoelVanstoneassoonasshefeltsureofherselfagain。“Wewillsaynothingaboutwhatshehaswrittentoyourfather；wewillonlyspeakofwhatshehaswrittentoyou。Isthereanythingunbecominginherletter，anythingsaidinitthatisfalse？Isitnottruethatthesetwosistershavebeencruellydeprivedoftheprovisionwhichtheirfathermadeforthem？Hiswilltothisdayspeaksforhimandforthem；anditonlyspeakstonopurpose，becausehewasnotawarethathismarriageobligedhimtomakeitagain，andbecausehediedbeforehecouldremedytheerror。Canyoudenythat？“

NoelVanstonesmiled，andhelpedhimselftoastrawberry。“Idon\'tattempttodenyit，“hesaid。“Goon，MissGarth。“

“Isitnottrue，“persistedMagdalen，“thatthelawwhichhastakenthemoneyfromthesesisters，whosefathermadenosecondwill，hasnowgiventhatverymoneytoyou，whosefathermadenowillatall？Surely，explainithowyoumay，thisishardonthoseorphangirls？“

“Veryhard，“repliedNoelVanstone。“Itstrikesyouinthatlight，too——doesn\'tit，Lecount？“

Mrs。Lecountshookherhead，andclosedherhandsomeblackeyes。“Harrowing，“shesaid；Icancharacterizeit，MissGarth，bynootherword——harrowing。Howtheyoungperson——no！howMissVanstone，theyounger——discoveredthatmylaterespectedmastermadenowillIamatalosstounderstand。Perhapsitwasputinthepapers？ButIaminterruptingyou，MissGarth。Dohavesomethingmoretosayaboutyourpupil\'sletter？“Shenoiselesslydrewherchairforward，asshesaidthesewords，afewinchesbeyondthelineofthevisitor\'schair。Theattemptwasneatlymade，butitproveduseless。Magdalenonlykeptherheadmoretotheleft，andthepacking-caseonthefloorpreventedMrs。Lecountfromadvancinganyfurther。

“Ihaveonlyonemorequestiontoput，“saidMagdalen。“Mypupil\'sletteraddressedaproposaltoMr。NoelVanstone。Ibeghimtoinformmewhyhehasrefusedtoconsiderit。“

“Mygoodlady！“criedNoelVanstone，archinghiswhiteeyebrowsinsatiricalastonishment。“Areyoureallyinearnest？Doyouknowwhattheproposalis？Haveyouseentheletter？“

“Iamquiteinearnest，“saidMagdalen，“andIhaveseentheletter。ItentreatsyoutorememberhowMr。AndrewVanstone\'sfortunehascomeintoyourhands；itinformsyouthatone-halfofthatfortune，dividedbetweenhisdaughters，waswhathiswillintendedthemtohave；anditasksofyoursenseofjusticetodoforhischildrenwhathewouldhavedoneforthemhimselfifhehadlived。Inplainerwordsstill，itasksyoutogiveone-halfofthemoneytothedaughters，anditleavesyoufreetokeeptheotherhalfyourself。Thatistheproposal。Whyhaveyourefusedtoconsiderit？“

“Forthesimplestpossiblereason，MissGarth，“saidNoelVanstone，inhighgood-humor。“Allowmetoremindyouofawell-knownproverb:Afoolandhismoneyaresoonparted。WhateverelseImaybe，ma\'am，I\'mnotafool。“

“Don\'tputitinthatway，sir！“remonstratedMrs。Lecount。“Beserious——praybeserious！“

“Quiteimpossible，Lecount，“rejoinedhermaster。“Ican\'tbeserious。Mypoorfather，MissGarth，tookahighmoralpointofviewinthismatter。Lecount，there，takesahighmoralpointofview——don\'tyou，Lecount？Idonothingofthesort。IhavelivedtoolongintheContinentalatmospheretotroublemyselfaboutmoralpointsofview。Mycourseinthisbusinessisasplainastwoandtwomakefour。Ihavegotthemoney，andIshouldbeabornidiotifIpartedwithit。Thereismypointofview！Simpleenough，isn\'tit？Idon\'tstandonmydignity；Idon\'tmeetyouwiththelaw，whichisallonmyside；Idon\'tblameyourcominghere，asatotalstranger，totryandaltermyresolution；Idon\'tblamethetwogirlsforwantingtodiptheirfingersintomypurse。AllIsayis，Iamnotfoolenoughtoopenit。Passibé；te，asweusedtosayintheEnglishcircleatZurich。YouunderstandFrench，MissGarth？Passibé；te！“Hesetasidehisplateofstrawberriesoncemore，anddaintilydriedhisfingersonhisfinewhitenapkin。

Magdalenkepthertemper。Ifshecouldhavestruckhimdeadbyliftingherhandatthatmoment，itisprobableshewouldhaveliftedit。Butshekepthertemper。

“AmItounderstand，“sheasked，“thatthelastwordsyouhavetosayinthismatterarethewordssaidforyouinMrs。Lecount\'sletter！“

“Preciselyso，“repliedNoelVanstone。

“Youhaveinheritedyourownfather\'sfortune，aswellasthefortuneofMr。AndrewVanstone，andyetyoufeelnoobligationtoactfrommotivesofjusticeorgenerositytowardthesetwosisters？Allyouthinkitnecessarytosaytothemis，youhavegotthemoney，andyourefusetopartwithasinglefarthingofit？“

“Mostaccuratelystated！MissGarth，youareawomanofbusiness。Lecount，MissGarthisawomanofbusiness。“

“Don\'tappealtome，sir，“criedMrs。Lecount，gracefullywringingherplumpwhitehands。“Ican\'tbearit！Imustinterfere！Letmesuggest——oh，whatdoyoucallitinEnglish？——acompromise。DearMr。Noel，youareperverselyrefusingtodoyourselfjustice；youhavebetterreasonsthanthereasonyouhavegiventoMissGarth。Youfollowyourhonoredfather\'sexample；youfeelitduetohismemorytoactinthismatterasheactedbeforeyou。Thatishisreason，MissGarth——Iimploreyouonmykneestotakethatashisreason。Hewilldowhathisdearfatherdid；nomore，noless。Hisdearfathermadeaproposal，andhehimselfwillnowmakethatproposaloveragain。Yes，Mr。Noel，youwillrememberwhatthispoorgirlsaysinherlettertoyou。Hersisterhasbeenobligedtogooutasagoverness；andsheherself，inlosingherfortune，haslostthehopeofhermarriageforyearsandyearstocome。Youwillrememberthis——andyouwillgivethehundredpoundstoone，andthehundredpoundstotheother，whichyouradmirablefatherofferedinthepasttime？Ifhedoesthis，MissGarth，willhedoenough？Ifhegivesahundredpoundseachtotheseunfortunatesisters——？“

“Hewillrepenttheinsulttothelasthourofhislife，“saidMagdalen。

Theinstantthatanswerpassedherlipsshewouldhavegivenworldstorecallit。Mrs。Lecounthadplantedherstingintherightplaceatlast。ThoserashwordsofMagdalen\'shadburstfromherpassionately，inherownvoice。

Nothingbutthehabitofpublicperformancesavedherfrommakingtheseriouserrorthatshehadcommittedmorepalpablestill，byattemptingtosetitright。HereherpastpracticeintheEntertainmentcametoherrescue，andurgedhertogooninstantlyinMissGarth\'svoiceasifnothinghadhappened。

“Youmeanwell，Mrs。Lecount，“shecontinued，“butyouaredoingharminsteadofgood。Mypupilswillacceptnosuchcompromiseasyoupropose。Iamsorrytohavespokenviolentlyjustnow；Ibegyouwillexcuseme。“Shelookedhardforinformationinthehousekeeper\'sfacewhileshespokethoseconciliatorywords。Mrs。Lecountbaffledthelookbyputtingherhandkerchieftohereyes。Hadshe，orhadshenot，noticedthemomentarychangeinMagdalen\'svoicefromthetonesthatwereassumedtothetonesthatwerenatural？Impossibletosay。

“WhatmorecanIdo！“murmuredMrs。Lecountbehindherhandkerchief。“Givemetimetothink——givemetimetorecovermyself。MayIretire，sir，foramoment？Mynervesareshakenbythissadscene。Imusthaveaglassofwater，orIthinkIshallfaint。Don\'tgoyet，MissGarth。Ibegyouwillgiveustimetosetthissadmatterright，ifwecan——IbegyouwillremainuntilIcomeback。“

Thereweretwodoorsofentrancetotheroom。One，thedoorintothefrontparlor，closeatMagdalen\'slefthand。Theother，thedoorintothebackparlor，situatedbehindher。Mrs。Lecountpolitelyretired——throughtheopenfolding-doors——bythislattermeansofexit，soasnottodisturbthevisitorbypassinginfrontofher。Magdalenwaiteduntilsheheardthedooropenandcloseagainbehindher，andthenresolvedtomakethemostoftheopportunitywhichleftheralonewithNoelVanstone。Theutterhopelessnessofrousingagenerousimpulseinthatbasenaturehadnowbeenprovedbyherownexperience。Thelastchanceleftwastotreathimlikethecravencreaturehewas，andtoinfluencehimthroughhisfears。

Beforeshecouldspeak，NoelVanstonehimselfbrokethesilence。Cunninglyashestrovetohideit，hewashalfangry，halfalarmedathishousekeeper\'sdesertionofhim。Helookeddoubtinglyathisvisitor；heshowedanervousanxietytoconciliateheruntilMrs。Lecount\'sreturn。

“Prayremember，ma\'am，Ineverdeniedthatthiscasewasahardone，“hebegan。“Yousaidjustnowyouhadnowishtooffendme——andI\'msureIdon\'twanttooffendyou。MayIofferyousomestrawberries？Wouldyouliketolookatmyfather\'sbargains？Iassureyou，ma\'am，Iamnaturallyagallantman；andIfeelforboththesesisters——especiallytheyoungerone。Touchmeonthesubjectofthetenderpassion，andyoutouchmeonaweakplace。NothingwouldpleasememorethantohearthatMissVanstone\'slover(I\'msureIalwayscallherMissVanstone，andsodoesLecount)——Isay，ma\'am，nothingwouldpleasememorethantohearthatMissVanstone\'sloverhadcomebackandmarriedher。Ifaloanofmoneywouldbelikelytobringhimback，andifthesecurityofferedwasgood，andifmylawyerthoughtmejustified——“

“Stop，Mr。Vanstone，“saidMagdalen。“Youareentirelymistakeninyourestimateofthepersonyouhavetodealwith。Youareseriouslywronginsupposingthatthemarriageoftheyoungersister——ifshecouldbemarriedinaweek\'stime——wouldmakeanydifferenceintheconvictionswhichinducedhertowritetoyourfatherandtoyou。Idon\'tdenythatshemayactfromamixtureofmotives。Idon\'tdenythatsheclingstothehopeofhasteninghermarriage，andtothehopeofrescuinghersisterfromalifeofdependence。Butifboththoseobjectswereaccomplishedbyothermeans，nothingwouldinducehertoleaveyouinpossessionoftheinheritancewhichherfathermeanthischildrentohave。Iknowher，Mr。Vanstone！Sheisanameless，homeless，friendlesswretch。Thelawwhichtakescareofyou，thelawwhichtakescareofalllegitimatechildren，castsherlikecarriontothewinds。Itisyourlaw——nothers。Sheonlyknowsitastheinstrumentofavileoppression，aninsufferablewrong。Thesenseofthatwronghauntsherlikeapossessionofthedevil。Theresolutiontorightthatwrongburnsinherlikefire。Ifthatmiserablegirlwasmarriedandrich，withmillionstomorrow，doyouthinkshewouldmoveaninchfromherpurpose？Itellyoushewouldresist，tothelastbreathinherbody，thevileinjusticewhichhasstruckatthehelplesschildren，throughthecalamityoftheirfather\'sdeath！Itellyoushewouldshrinkfromnomeanswhichadesperatewomancanemploytoforcethatclosedhandofyoursopen，ordieintheattempt！“

Shestoppedabruptly。Oncemoreherownindomitableearnestnesshadbetrayedher。Oncemoretheinbornnobilityofthatpervertednaturehadrisensuperiortothedeceptionwhichithadstoopedtopractice。Theschemeofthemomentvanishedfromhermind\'sview；andtheresolutionofherlifeburstitswayoutwardinherownwords，inherowntones，pouringhotlyandmorehotlyfromherheart。Shesawtheabjectmanikinbeforehercowering，silent，inhischair。Hadhisfearslefthimsenseenoughtoperceivethechangeinhervoice？No:hisfacespokethetruth——hisfearshadbewilderedhim。Thistimethechanceofthemomenthadbefriendedher。Thedoorbehindherchairhadnotopenedagainyet。“Noearsbuthishaveheardme，“shethought，withasenseofunutterablerelief。“IhaveescapedMrs。Lecount。“

Shehaddonenothingofthekind。Mrs。Lecounthadneverlefttheroom。

Afteropeningthedoorandclosingitagain，withoutgoingout，thehousekeeperhadnoiselesslykneltdownbehindMagdalen\'schair。Steadyingherselfagainstthepostofthefolding-door，shetookapairofscissorsfromherpocket，waiteduntilNoelVanstone(fromwhoseviewshewasentirelyhidden)hadattractedMagdalen\'sattentionbyspeakingtoher，andthenbentforward，withthescissorsreadyinherhand。TheskirtofthefalseMissGarth\'sgown——thebrownalpacadress，withthewhitespotsonit——touchedthefloor，withinthehousekeeper\'sreach。Mrs。Lecountliftedtheouterofthetwoflounceswhichranroundthebottomofthedressoneovertheother，softlycutawayalittleirregularfragmentofstufffromtheinnerflounce，andneatlysmoothedtheouteroneoveritagain，soastohidethegap。Bythetimeshehadputthescissorsbackinherpocket，andhadrisentoherfeet(shelteringherselfbehindthepostofthefolding-door)，Magdalenhadspokenherlastwords。Mrs。Lecountquietlyrepeatedtheceremonyofopeningandshuttingthebackparlordoor；andreturnedtoherplace。

“Whathashappened，sir，inmyabsence？“sheinquired，addressinghermasterwithalookofalarm。“Youarepale；youareagitated！Oh，MissGarth，haveyouforgottenthecautionIgaveyouintheotherroom？“

“MissGarthhasforgotteneverything，“criedNoelVanstone，recoveringhislostcomposureonthere-appearanceofMrs。Lecount。“MissGarthhasthreatenedmeinthemostoutrageousmanner。Iforbidyoutopityeitherofthosetwogirlsanymore，Lecount——especiallytheyoungerone。SheisthemostdesperatewretchIeverheardof！Ifshecan\'tgetmymoneybyfairmeans，shethreatenstohaveitbyfoul。MissGarthhastoldmethattomyface。Tomyface！“herepeated，foldinghisarms，andlookingmortallyinsulted。

“Composeyourself，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Praycomposeyourself，andleavemetospeaktoMissGarth。Iregrettohear，ma\'am，thatyouhaveforgottenwhatIsaidtoyouinthenextroom。YouhaveagitatedMr。Noel；youhavecompromisedtheinterestsyoucameheretoplead；andyouhaveonlyrepeatedwhatweknewbefore。Thelanguageyouhaveallowedyourselftouseinmyabsenceisthesamelanguagewhichyourpupilwasfoolishenoughtoemploywhenshewroteforthesecondtimetomylatemaster。Howcanaladyofyouryearsandexperienceseriouslyrepeatsuchnonsense？Thisgirlboastsandthreatens。Shewilldothis；shewilldothat。Youhaveherconfidence，ma\'am。Tellme，ifyouplease，inplainwords，whatcanshedo？“

Sharplyasthetauntwaspointed，itglancedoffharmless。Mrs。Lecounthadplantedherstingoncetoooften。Magdalenroseincompletepossessionofherassumedcharacterandcomposedlyterminatedtheinterview。Ignorantasshewasofwhathadhappenedbehindherchair，shesawachangeinMrs。Lecount\'slookandmannerwhichwarnedhertorunnomorerisks，andtotrustherselfnolongerinthehouse。

“Iamnotinmypupil\'sconfidence，“shesaid。“Herownactswillansweryourquestionwhenthetimecomes。Icanonlytellyou，frommyownknowledgeofher，thatsheisnoboaster。WhatshewrotetoMr。MichaelVanstonewaswhatshewaspreparedtodo——what，Ihavereasontothink，shewasactuallyonthepointofdoing，whenherplanswereoverthrownbyhisdeath。Mr。MichaelVanstone\'ssonhasonlytopersistinfollowinghisfather\'scoursetofind，beforelong，thatIamnotmistakeninmypupil，andthatIhavenotcomeheretointimidatehimbyemptythreats。Myerrandisdone。IleaveMr。NoelVanstonewithtwoalternativestochoosefrom。IleavehimtoshareMr。AndrewVanstone\'sfortunewithMr。AndrewVanstone\'sdaughters——ortopersistinhispresentrefusalandfacetheconsequences。“Shebowed，andwalkedtothedoor。

NoelVanstonestartedtohisfeet，withangerandalarmstrugglingwhichshouldexpressitselffirstinhisblankwhiteface。Beforehecouldopenhislips，Mrs。Lecount\'splumphandsdescendedonhisshoulders，puthimsoftlybackinhischair，andrestoredtheplateofstrawberriestoitsformerpositiononhislap。

“Refreshyourself，Mr。Noel，withafewmorestrawberries，“shesaid，“andleaveMissGarthtome。“

ShefollowedMagdalenintothepassage，andclosedthedooroftheroomafterher。

“AreyouresidinginLondon，ma\'am？“askedMrs。Lecount。

“No，“repliedMagdalen。“Iresideinthecountry。“

“IfIwanttowritetoyou，wherecanIaddressmyletter？“

“Tothepost-office，Birmingham，“saidMagdalen，mentioningtheplacewhichshehadlastleft，andatwhichallletterswerestilladdressedtoher。

Mrs。Lecountrepeatedthedirectiontofixitinhermemory，advancedtwostepsinthepassage，andquietlylaidherrighthandonMagdalen\'sarm。

“Awordofadvice，ma\'am，“shesaid；“onewordatparting。Youareaboldwomanandacleverwoman。Don\'tbetoobold；don\'tbetooclever。Youareriskingmorethanyouthinkfor。“ShesuddenlyraisedherselfontiptoeandwhisperedthenextwordsinMagdalen\'sear。“Iholdyouinthehollowofmyhand！“saidMrs。Lecount，withafiercehissingemphasisoneverysyllable。Herlefthandclincheditselfstealthilyasshespoke。ItwasthehandinwhichshehadconcealedthefragmentofstufffromMagdalen\'sgown——thehandwhichhelditfastatthatmoment。

“Whatdoyoumean？“askedMagdalen，pushingherback。

Mrs。Lecountglidedawaypolitelytoopenthehousedoor。

“Imeannothingnow，“shesaid；“waitalittle，andtimemayshow。Onelastquestion，ma\'am，beforeIbidyougood-by。Whenyourpupilwasalittleinnocentchild，didsheeveramuseherselfbybuildingahouseofcards？“

Magdalenimpatientlyansweredbyagestureintheaffirmative。

“Didyoueverseeherbuildupthehousehigherandhigher，“proceededMrs。Lecount，“tillitwasquiteapagodaofcards？Didyoueverseeheropenherlittlechild\'seyeswideandlookatit，andfeelsoproudofwhatshehaddonealreadythatshewantedtodomore？Didyoueverseehersteadyherprettylittlehand，andholdherinnocentbreath，andputoneothercardonthetop，andlaythewholehouse，theinstantafterward，aheapofruinsonthetable？Ah，youhaveseenthat。Giveher，ifyouplease，afriendlymessagefromme。Iventuretosayshehasbuiltthehousehighenoughalready；andIrecommendhertobecarefulbeforesheputsonthatothercard。“

“Sheshallhaveyourmessage，“saidMagdalen，withMissGarth\'sbluntness，andMissGarth\'semphaticnodofthehead。“ButIdoubthermindingit。Herhandisrathersteadierthanyousuppose，andIthinkshewillputontheothercard。“

“Andbringthehousedown，“saidMrs。Lecount。

“Andbuilditupagain，“rejoinedMagdalen。“Iwishyougood-morning。“

“Good-morning，“saidMrs。Lecount，openingthedoor。“Onelastword，MissGarth。DothinkofwhatIsaidinthebackroom！DotrytheGoldenOintmentforthatsadafflictioninyoureyes！“

AsMagdalencrossedthethresholdofthedoorshewasmetbythepostmanascendingthehousestepswithaletterpickedoutfromthebundleinhishand。“NoelVanstone，Esquire？“sheheardthemansay，interrogatively，asshemadeherwaydownthefrontgardentothestreet。

Shepassedthroughthegardengateslittlethinkingfromwhatnewdifficultyandnewdangerhertimelydeparturehadsavedher。Theletterwhichthepostmanhadjustdeliveredintothehousekeeper\'shandswasnootherthantheanonymousletteraddressedtoNoelVanstonebyCaptainWragge。

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene3，Chapter4CHAPTERIV。

MRS。LECOUNTreturnedtotheparlor，withthefragmentofMagdalen\'sdressinonehand，andwithCaptainWragge\'sletterintheother。

“Haveyougotridofher？“askedNoelVanstone。“HaveyoushutthedooratlastonMissGarth？“

“Don\'tcallherMissGarth，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount，smilingcontemptuously。“SheisasmuchMissGarthasyouare。Wehavebeenfavoredbytheperformanceofaclevermasquerade；andifwehadtakenthedisguiseoffourvisitor，IthinkweshouldhavefoundunderitMissVanstoneherself——Hereisaletterforyou，sir，whichthepostmanhasjustleft。“

Sheputtheletteronthetablewithinhermaster\'sreach。NoelVanstone\'samazementatthediscoveryjustcommunicatedtohimkepthiswholeattentionconcentratedonthehousekeeper\'sface。Heneversomuchaslookedattheletterwhensheplaceditbeforehim。

“Takemywordforit，sir，“proceededMrs。Lecount，composedlytakingachair。“Whenourvisitorgetshomeshewillputhergrayhairawayinabox，andwillcurethatsadafflictioninhereyeswithwarmwaterandasponge。Ifshehadpaintedthemarksonherface，aswellasshepaintedtheinflammationinhereyes，thelightwouldhaveshownmenothing，andIshouldcertainlyhavebeendeceived。ButIsawthemarks；Isawayoungwoman\'sskinunderthatdirtycomplexionofhers；Iheardinthisroomatruevoiceinapassion，aswellasafalsevoicetalkingwithanaccent，andIdon\'tbelieveinonemorselofthatlady\'spersonalappearancefromtoptotoe。Thegirlherself，inmyopinion，Mr。Noel——andaboldgirltoo。“

“Whydidn\'tyoulockthedoorandsendforthepolice？“askedMr。Noel。“Myfatherwouldhavesentforthepolice。Youknow，aswellasIdo，Lecount，myfatherwouldhavesentforthepolice。“

“Pardonme，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount，“Ithinkyourfatherwouldhavewaiteduntilhehadgotsomethingmoreforthepolicetodothanwehavegotforthemyet。Weshallseethisladyagain，sir。Perhapsshewillcomeherenexttimewithherownfaceandherownvoice。Iamcurioustoseewhatherownfaceislike。IamcurioustoknowwhetherwhatIhaveheardofhervoiceinapassionisenoughtomakemerecognizehervoicewhensheiscalm。Ipossessalittlememorialofhervisitofwhichsheisnotaware，andshewillnotescapemesoeasilyasshethinks。Ifitturnsoutausefulmemorial，youshallknowwhatitis。Ifnot，Iwillabstainfromtroublingyouonsotriflingasubject——Allowmetoremindyou，sir，oftheletterunderyourhand。Youhavenotlookedatityet。“

NoelVanstoneopenedtheletter。Hestartedashiseyefellonthefirstlines——hesitated——andthenhurriedlyreaditthrough。Thepaperdroppedfromhishand，andhesankbackinhischair。Mrs。Lecountsprangtoherfeetwiththealacrityofayoungwomanandpickeduptheletter。

“Whathashappened，sir？“sheasked。Herfacealteredassheputthequestion，andherlargeblackeyeshardenedfiercely，ingenuineastonishmentandalarm。

“Sendforthepolice，“exclaimedhermaster。“Lecount，Iinsistonbeingprotected。Sendforthepolice！“

“MayIreadtheletter，sir？“

Hefeeblywavedhishand。Mrs。Lecountreadtheletterattentively，andputitasideonthetable，withoutaword，whenshehaddone。

“Haveyounothingtosaytome？“askedNoelVanstone，staringathishousekeeperinblankdismay。“Lecount，I\'mtoberobbed！Thescoundrelwhowrotethatletterknowsallaboutit，andwon\'ttellmeanythingunlessIpayhim。I\'mtoberobbed！Here\'spropertyonthistableworththousandsofpounds——propertythatcanneverbereplaced——propertythatallthecrownedheadsinEuropecouldnotproduceiftheytried。Lockmein，Lecount，andsendforthepolice！“

Insteadofsendingforthepolice，Mrs。Lecounttookalargegreenpaperfanfromthechimney-piece，andseatedherselfoppositehermaster。

“Youareagitated，Mr。Noel，“shesaid，“youareheated。Letmecoolyou。“

Withherfaceashardasever——withlesstendernessoflookandmannerthanmostwomenwouldhaveshowniftheyhadbeenrescuingahalf-drownedflyfromamilk-jug——shesilentlyandpatientlyfannedhimforfiveminutesormore。Nopracticedeyeobservingthepeculiarbluishpallorofhiscomplexion，andthemarkeddifficultywithwhichhedrewhisbreath，couldhavefailedtoperceivethatthegreatorganoflifewasinthisman，whatthehousekeeperhadstatedittobe，tooweakforthefunctionwhichitwascalledontoperform。Theheartlaboredoveritsworkasifithadbeentheheartofaworn-outoldman。

“Areyourelieved，sir？“askedMrs。Lecount。“Canyouthinkalittle？Canyouexerciseyourbetterjudgment？“

Sheroseandputherhandoverhisheartwithasmuchmechanicalattentionandaslittlegenuineinterestasifshehadbeenfeelingtheplatesatdinnertoascertainiftheyhadbeenproperlywarmed。“Yes，“shewenton，seatingherselfagain，andresumingtheexerciseofthefan；“youaregettingbetteralready，Mr。Noel——Don\'taskmeaboutthisanonymousletteruntilyouhavethoughtforyourself，andhavegivenyourownopinionfirst。“Shewentonwiththefanning，andlookedhimhardinthefaceallthetime。Think，“shesaid；“think，sir，withouttroublingyourselftoexpressyourthoughts。Trusttomyintimatesympathywithyoutoreadthem。Yes，Mr。Noel，thisletterisapaltryattempttofrightenyou。Whatdoesitsay？ItsaysyouaretheobjectofaconspiracydirectedbyMissVanstone。Weknowthatalready——theladyoftheinflamedeyeshastoldus。Wesnapourfingersattheconspiracy。Whatdoesthelettersaynext？Itsaysthewriterhasvaluableinformationtogiveyouifyouwillpayforit。Whatdidyoucallthispersonyourselfjustnow，sir？“

“Icalledhimascoundrel，“saidNoelVanstone，recoveringhisself-importance，andraisinghimselfgraduallyinhischair。

“Iagreewithyouinthat，sir，asIagreeineverythingelse，“proceededMrs。Lecount。“Heisascoundrelwhoreallyhasthisinformationandwhomeanswhathesays，orheisamouthpieceofMissVanstone\'s，andshehascausedthislettertobewrittenforthepurposeofpuzzlingusbyanotherformofdisguise。Whethertheletteristrue，orwhethertheletterisfalse——amInotreadingyourownwiserthoughtsnow，Mr。Noel？——youknowbetterthantoputyourenemiesontheirguardbyemployingthepoliceinthismattertoosoon。Iquiteagreewithyou——nopolicejustyet。Youwillallowthisanonymousman，oranonymouswoman，tosupposeyouareeasilyfrightened；youwilllayatrapfortheinformationinreturnforthetraplaidforyourmoney；youwillanswertheletter，andseewhatcomesoftheanswer；andyouwillonlypaytheexpenseofemployingthepolicewhenyouknowtheexpenseisnecessary。Iagreewithyouagain——noexpense，ifwecanhelpit。Ineveryparticular，Mr。Noel，mymindandyourmindinthismatterareone。“

“Itstrikesyouinthatlight，Lecount——doesit？“saidNoelVanstone。“Ithinksomyself；Icertainlythinkso。Iwon\'tpaythepoliceafarthingifIcanpossiblyhelpit。“Hetookuptheletteragain，andbecamefretfullyperplexedoverasecondreadingofit。“Butthemanwantsmoney！“hebrokeout，impatiently。“Youseemtoforget，Lecount，thatthemanwantsmoney。“

“Moneywhichyouofferhim，sir，“rejoinedMrs。Lecount；“but——asyourthoughtshavealreadyanticipated——moneywhichyoudon\'tgivehim。No！no！yousaytothisman:\'Holdoutyourhand，sir；\'andwhenhehasheldit，yougivehimasmackforhispains，andputyourownhandbackinyourpocket——Iamsogladtoseeyoulaughing，Mr。Noel！sogladtoseeyougettingbackyourgoodspirits。Wewillanswertheletterbyadvertisement，asthewriterdirects——advertisementissocheap！Yourpoorhandistremblingalittle——shallIholdthepenforyou？Iamnotfittodomore；butIcanalwayspromisetoholdthepen。“

Withoutwaitingforhisreplyshewentintothebackparlor，andreturnedwithpen，ink，andpaper。Arrangingablotting-bookonherknees，andlookingamodelofcheerfulsubmission，sheplacedherselfoncemoreinfrontofhermaster\'schair。

“ShallIwritefromyourdictation，sir？“sheinquired。“OrshallImakealittlesketch，andwillyoucorrectitafterward？Iwillmakealittlesketch。Letmeseetheletter。WearetoadvertiseintheTimes，andwearetoaddress\'AnUnknownFriend。\'WhatshallIsay，Mr。Noel？Stay；Iwillwriteit，andthenyoucanseeforyourself:\'AnUnknownFriendisrequestedtomention(byadvertisement)anaddressatwhichalettercanreachhim。Thereceiptoftheinformationwhichheofferswillbeacknowledgedbyarewardof——\'Whatsumofmoneydoyouwishmetosetdown，sir？“

“Setdownnothing，“saidNoelVanstone，withasuddenoutbreakofimpatience。“Moneymattersaremybusiness——Isaymoneymattersaremybusiness，Lecount。Leaveittome。“

“Certainly，sir，“repliedMrs。Lecount，handinghermastertheblotting-book。“Youwillnotforgettobeliberalinofferingmoneywhenyouknowbeforehandyoudon\'tmeantopartwithit？“

“Don\'tdictate，Lecount！Iwon\'tsubmittodictation！“saidNoelVanstone，assertinghisownindependencemoreandmoreimpatiently。“Imeantoconductthisbusinessformyself。Iammaster，Lecount！“

“Youaremaster，sir。“

“Myfatherwasmasterbeforeme。AndIammyfather\'sson。Itellyou，Lecount，Iammyfather\'sson！“

Mrs。Lecountbowedsubmissively。

“ImeantosetdownanysumofmoneyIthinkright，“pursuedNoelVanstone，noddinghislittleflaxenheadvehemently。“Imeantosendthisadvertisementmyself。Theservantshalltakeittothestationer\'stobeputintotheTimes。WhenIringthebelltwice，sendtheservant。Youunderstand，Lecount？Sendtheservant。“

Mrs。Lecountbowedagainandwalkedslowlytothedoor。Sheknewtoanicetywhentoleadhermasterandwhentolethimgoalone。Experiencehadtaughthertogovernhiminallessentialpointsbygivingwaytohimafterwardonallpointsofminordetail。Itwasacharacteristicofhisweaknature——asitisofallweaknatures——toassertitselfobstinatelyontrifles。Thefillinginoftheblankintheadvertisementwasthetrifleinthiscase；andMrs。Lecountquietedhermaster\'ssuspicionsthatshewasleadinghimbyinstantlyconcedingit。“Mymulehaskicked，“shethoughttoherself，inherownlanguage，assheopenedthedoor。“Icandonomorewithhimto-day。“

“Lecount！“criedhermaster，asshesteppedintothepassage。“Comeback。“

Mrs。Lecountcameback。

“You\'renotoffendedwithme，areyou？“askedNoelVanstone，uneasily。

“Certainlynot，sir，“repliedMrs。Lecount。“Asyousaidjustnow——youaremaster。“

“Goodcreature！Givemeyourhand。“Hekissedherhand，andsmiledinhighapprovalofhisownaffectionateproceeding。“Lecount，youareaworthycreature！“

“Thankyou，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount。Shecourtesiedandwentout。“Ifhehadanybrainsinthatmonkeyheadofhis，“shesaidtoherselfinthepassage，“whatarascalhewouldbe！“

Leftbyhimself，NoelVanstonebecameabsorbedinanxiousreflectionovertheblankspaceintheadvertisement。Mrs。Lecount\'sapparentlysuperfluoushinttohimtobeliberalinofferingmoneywhenheknewhehadnointentionofpartingwithit，hadbeenfoundedonanintimateknowledgeofhischaracter。Hehadinheritedhisfather\'ssordidloveofmoney，withoutinheritinghisfather\'shard-headedcapacityforseeingtheusestowhichmoneycanbeput。Hisoneideainconnectionwithhiswealthwastheideaofkeepingit。Hewassuchaninbornmiserthatthebareprospectofbeingliberalintheoryonlydauntedhim。Hetookupthepen；laiditdownagain；andreadtheanonymousletterforthethirdtime，shakinghisheadoveritsuspiciously。“IfIofferthismanalargesumofmoney，“hethought，onasudden，“howdoIknowhemaynotfindameansofactuallymakingmepayit？Womenarealwaysinahurry。Lecountisalwaysinahurry。Ihavegottheafternoonbeforeme——I\'lltaketheafternoontoconsiderit。“

Hefretfullyputawaytheblotting-bookandthesketchoftheadvertisementonthechairwhichMrs。Lecounthadjustleft。Ashereturnedtohisownseat，heshookhislittleheadsolemnly，andarrangedhiswhitedressing-gownoverhiskneeswiththeairofamanabsorbedinanxiousthought。Minuteafterminutepassedaway；thequartersandthehalf-hourssucceededeachotheronthedialofMrs。Lecount\'swatch，andstillNoelVanstoneremainedlostindoubt；stillnosummonsfortheservantsdisturbedthetranquillityoftheparlorbell。

*******

Meanwhile，afterpartingwithMrs。Lecount，Magdalenhadcautiouslyabstainedfromcrossingtheroadtoherlodgings，andhadonlyventuredtoreturnaftermakingacircuitintheneighborhood。WhenshefoundherselfoncemoreinVauxhallWalk，thefirstobjectwhichattractedherattentionwasacabdrawnupbeforethedoorofthelodgings。Afewstepsmoreinadvanceshowedherthelandlady\'sdaughterstandingatthecabdoorengagedinadisputewiththedriveronthesubjectofhisfare。Noticingthatthegirl\'sbackwasturnedtowardher，Magdaleninstantlyprofitedbythatcircumstanceandslippedunobservedintothehouse。

Sheglidedalongthepassage，ascendedthestairs，andfoundherself，onthefirstlanding，facetofacewithhertravelingcompanion！TherestoodMrs。Wragge，withapileofsmallparcelshuggedupinherarms，anxiouslywaitingtheissueofthedisputewiththecabmaninthestreet。Toreturnwasimpossible——thesoundoftheangryvoicesbelowwasadvancingintothepassage。Tohesitatewasworsethanuseless。Butonechoicewasleft——thechoiceofgoingon——andMagdalendesperatelytookit。ShepushedbyMrs。Wraggewithoutaword，ranintoherownroom，toreoffhercloak，bonnetandwig，andthrewthemdownoutofsightintheblankspacebetweenthesofa-bedsteadandthewall。

Forthefirstfewmoments，astonishmentbereftMrs。Wraggeofthepowerofspeech，androotedhertothespotwhereshestood。Twooutofthecollectionofparcelsinherarmsfellfromthemonthestairs。Thesightofthatcatastropherousedher。“Thieves！“criedMrs。Wragge，suddenlystruckbyanidea。“Thieves！“

Magdalenheardherthroughtheroomdoor，whichshehadnothadtimetoclosecompletely。“Isthatyou，Mrs。Wragge？“shecalledoutinherownvoice。“Whatisthematter？“Shesnatchedupatowelwhileshespoke，dippeditinwater，andpasseditrapidlyoverthelowerpartofherface。AtthesoundofthefamiliarvoiceMrs。Wraggeturnedround——droppedathirdparcel——and，forgettingitinherastonishment，ascendedthesecondflightofstairs。Magdalensteppedoutonthefirst-floorlanding，withthetowelheldoverherforeheadasifshewassufferingfromheadache。Herfalseeyebrowsrequiredtimefortheirremoval，andaheadacheassumedfortheoccasionsuggestedthemostconvenientpretextshecoulddeviseforhidingthemastheywerehiddennow。

“Whatareyoudisturbingthehousefor？“sheasked。“Praybequiet；Iamhalfblindwiththeheadache。“

“Anythingwrong，ma\'am？“inquiredthelandladyfromthepassage。

“Nothingwhatever，“repliedMagdalen。“Myfriendistimid；andthedisputewiththecabmanhasfrightenedher。Paythemanwhathewants，andlethimgo。“

“WhereisShe？“askedMrs。Wragge，inatremulouswhisper。“Where\'sthewomanwhoscuttledbymeintoyourroom？“

“Pooh！“saidMagdalen。“Nowomanscuttledbyyou——asyoucallit。Lookinandseeforyourself。“

Shethrewopenthedoor。Mrs。Wraggewalkedintotheroom——lookedalloverit——sawnobody——andindicatedherastonishmentattheresultbydroppingafourthparcel，andtremblinghelplesslyfromheadtofoot。

“Isawhergoinhere，“saidMrs。Wragge，inawestruckaccents。“Awomaninagraycloakandapokebonnet。Arudewoman。Shescuttledbymeonthestairs——shedid。Here\'stheroom，andnowomaninit。GiveusaPrayer-book！“criedMrs。Wragge，turningdeadlypale，andlettingherwholeremainingcollectionofparcelsfallaboutherinalittlecascadeofcommodities。“IwanttoreadsomethingGood。Iwanttothinkofmylatterend。I\'veseenaGhost！“

“Nonsense！“saidMagdalen。“You\'redreaming；theshoppinghasbeentoomuchforyou。Gointoyourownroomandtakeyourbonnetoff。“

“I\'veheardtellofghostsinnight-gowns，ghostsinsheets，andghostsinchains，“proceededMrs。Wragge，standingpetrifiedinherownmagiccircleoflinen-drapers\'parcels。“Here\'saworseghostthananyof\'em——aghostinagraycloakandapokebonnet。Iknowwhatitis，“continuedMrs。Wragge，meltingintopenitenttears。“It\'sajudgmentonmeforbeingsohappyawayfromthecaptain。It\'sajudgmentonmeforhavingbeendownatheelinhalftheshopsinLondon，firstwithoneshoeandthenwiththeother，allthetimeI\'vebeenout。I\'masinfulcreature。Don\'tletgoofme——whateveryoudo，mydear，don\'tletgoofme！“ShecaughtMagdalenfastbythearmandfellintoanothertremblingfitatthebareideaofbeingleftbyherself。

Theoneremainingchanceinsuchanemergencyasthiswastosubmittocircumstances。MagdalentookMrs。Wraggetoachair；havingfirstplaceditinsuchapositionasmightenablehertoturnherbackonhertraveling-companion，whilesheremovedthefalseeyebrowsbythehelpofalittlewater。“Waitaminutethere，“shesaid，“andtryifyoucancomposeyourselfwhileIbathemyhead。“

“Composemyself？“repeatedMrs。Wragge。“HowamItocomposemyselfwhenmyheadfeelsoffmyshoulders？TheworstBuzzingIeverhadwiththeCookery-bookwasnothingtotheBuzzingI\'vegotnowwiththeGhost。Here\'samiserableendtoaholiday！Youmaytakemebackagain，mydear，wheneveryoulike——I\'vehadenoughofitalready！“

Havingatlastsucceededinremovingtheeyebrows，Magdalenwasfreetocombattheunfortunateimpressionproducedonhercompanion\'smindbyeveryweaponofpersuasionwhichheringenuitycouldemploy。

Theattemptproveduseless。Mrs。Wraggepersisted——onevidencewhich，itmayberemarkedinparenthesis，wouldhavesatisfiedmanywiserghost-seersthanherself——inbelievingthatshehadbeensupernaturallyfavoredbyavisitorfromtheworldofspirits。AllthatMagdalencoulddowastoascertain，bycautiousinvestigation，thatMrs。WraggehadnotbeenquickenoughtoidentifythesupposedghostwiththecharacteroftheoldNorth-countryladyintheEntertainment。Havingsatisfiedherselfonthispoint，shehadnoresourcebuttoleavetheresttothenaturalincapabilityofretainingimpressions——unlessthoseimpressionswereperpetuallyrenewed——whichwasoneofthecharacteristicinfirmitiesofhercompanion\'sweakmind。AfterfortifyingMrs。Wraggebyreiteratedassurancesthatoneappearance(accordingtoallthelawsandregulationsofghosts)meantnothingunlessitwasimmediatelyfollowedbytwomore——afterpatientlyleadingbackherattentiontotheparcelsdroppedonthefloorandonthestairs——andafterpromisingtokeepthedoorofcommunicationajarbetweenthetworoomsifMrs。Wraggewouldengageonhersidetoretiretoherownchamber，andtosaynomoreontheterriblesubjectoftheghost——Magdalenatlastsecuredtheprivilegeofreflectinguninterruptedlyontheeventsofthatmemorableday。

Twoseriousconsequenceshadfollowedherfirststepforward。Mrs。Lecounthadentrappedherintospeakinginherownvoice，andaccidenthadconfrontedherwithMrs。Wraggeindisguise。