第9章

Whatadvantagehadshegainedtosetagainstthesedisasters？TheadvantageofknowingmoreofNoelVanstoneandofMrs。Lecountthanshemighthavediscoveredinmonthsifshehadtrustedtoinquiriesmadeforherbyothers。Oneuncertaintywhichhadhithertoperplexedherwassetatrestalready。TheschemeshehadprivatelydevisedagainstMichaelVanstone——whichCaptainWragge\'ssharpinsighthadpartiallypenetratedwhenshefirstwarnedhimthattheirpartnershipmustbedissolved——wasaschemewhichshecouldnowplainlyseemustbeabandonedashopeless，inthecaseofMichaelVanstone\'sson。Thefather\'shabitsofspeculationhadbeenthepivotonwhichthewholemachineryofhermeditatedconspiracyhadbeenconstructedtoturn。Nosuchvantage-groundwasdiscoverableinthedoublysordidcharacteroftheson。NoelVanstonewasinvulnerableontheverypointwhichhadpresenteditselfinhisfatherasopentoattack。

Havingreachedthisconclusion，howwasshetoshapeherfuturecourse？Whatnewmeanscouldshediscoverwhichwouldleadhersecretlytoherend，indefianceofMrs。Lecount\'smaliciousvigilanceandNoelVanstone\'smiserlydistrust？

Shewasseatedbeforethelooking-glass，mechanicallycombingoutherhair，whilethatall-importantconsiderationoccupiedhermind。Theagitationofthemomenthadraisedafeverishcolorinhercheeks，andhadbrightenedthelightinherlargegrayeyes。Shewasconsciousoflookingherbest；conscioushowherbeautygainedbycontrast，aftertheremovalofthedisguise。Herlovelylightbrownhairlookedthickerandsofterthanever，nowthatithadescapedfromitsimprisonmentunderthegraywig。Shetwisteditthiswayandthat，withquick，dexterousfingers；shelaiditinmassesonhershoulders；shethrewitbackfromtheminaheapandturnedsidewisetoseehowitfell——toseeherbackandshouldersfreedfromtheartificialdeformitiesofthepaddedcloak。Afteramomentshefacedthelooking-glassoncemore；plungedbothhandsdeepinherhair；and，restingherelbowsonthetable，lookedcloserandcloseratthereflectionofherself，untilherbreathbegantodimtheglass。“Icantwistanymanaliveroundmyfinger，“shethought，withasmileofsuperbtriumph，“aslongasIkeepmylooks！Ifthatcontemptiblewretchsawmenow——“Sheshrankfromfollowingthatthoughttoitsend，withasuddenhorrorofherself:shedrewbackfromtheglass，shuddering，andputherhandsoverherface。“Oh，Frank！“shemurmured，“butforyou，whatawretchImightbe！“Hereagerfingerssnatchedthelittlewhitesilkbagfromitshiding-placeinherbosom；herlipsdevoureditwithsilentkisses。“Mydarling！myangel！Oh，Frank，howIloveyou！“Thetearsgushedintohereyes。Shepassionatelydriedthem，restoredthebagtoitsplace，andturnedherbackonthelooking-glass。“Nomoreofmyself，“shethought；“nomoreofmymad，miserableselfforto-day！“

Shrinkingfromallfurthercontemplationofhernextstepinadvance——shrinkingfromthefast-darkeningfuture，withwhichNoelVanstonewasnowassociatedinherinmostthoughts——shelookedimpatientlyabouttheroomforsomehomelyoccupationwhichmighttakeheroutofherself。Thedisguisewhichshehadflungdownbetweenthewallandthebedrecurredtohermemory。Itwasimpossibletoleaveitthere。Mrs。Wragge(nowoccupiedinsortingherparcels)mightwearyofheremployment，mightcomeinagainatamoment\'snotice，mightpassnearthebed，andseethegraycloak。Whatwastobedone？

Herfirstthoughtwastoputthedisguisebackinhertrunk。Butafterwhathadhappened，therewasdangerintrustingitsoneartoherselfwhilesheandMrs。Wraggeweretogetherunderthesameroof。Sheresolvedtoberidofitthatevening，andboldlydeterminedonsendingitbacktoBirmingham。Herbonnet-boxfittedintohertrunk。Shetooktheboxout，thrustinthewigandcloak，andremorselesslyflatteneddownthebonnetatthetop。Thegown(whichshehadnotyettakenoff)washerown；Mrs。Wraggehadbeenaccustomedtoseeherinit——therewasnoneedtosendthegownback。Beforeclosingthebox，shehastilytracedtheselinesonasheetofpaper:“Itooktheinclosedthingsawaybymistake。Pleasekeepthemforme，withtherestofmyluggageinyourpossession，untilyouhearfrommeagain。“Puttingthepaperonthetopofthebonnet，shedirectedtheboxtoCaptainWraggeatBirmingham，tookitdownstairsimmediately，andsentthelandlady\'sdaughterawaywithittothenearestReceiving-house。“Thatdifficultyisdisposedof，“shethought，asshewentbacktoherownroomagain。

Mrs。Wraggewasstilloccupiedinsortingherparcelsonhernarrowlittlebed。SheturnedroundwithafaintscreamwhenMagdalenlookedinather。“Ithoughtitwastheghostagain，“saidMrs。Wragge。“I\'mtryingtotakewarning，mydear，bywhat\'shappenedtome。I\'veputallmyparcelsstraight，justasthecaptainwouldliketosee\'em。I\'mupatheelwithbothshoes。IfIclosemyeyesto-night——whichIdon\'tthinkIshall——I\'llgotosleepasstraightasmylegswillletme。AndI\'llneverhaveanotherholidayaslongasIlive。IhopeIshallbeforgiven，“saidMrs。Wragge，mournfullyshakingherhead。“IhumblyhopeIshallbeforgiven。“

“Forgiven！“repeatedMagdalen。“Ifotherwomenwantedaslittleforgivingasyoudo——Well！well！Supposeyouopensomeoftheseparcels。Come！Iwanttoseewhatyouhavebeenbuyingto-day。“

Mrs。Wraggehesitated，sighedpenitently，consideredalittle，stretchedoutherhandtimidlytowardoneoftheparcels，thoughtofthesupernaturalwarning，andshrankbackfromherownpurchaseswithadesperateexertionofself-control。

“Openthisone。“saidMagdalen，toencourageher:“whatisit？“

Mrs。Wragge\'sfadedblueeyesbegantobrightendimly，inspiteofherremorse；butsheself-denyinglyshookherhead。Themaster-passionofshoppingmightclaimhisownagain——buttheghostwasnotlaidyet。

“Didyougetitatabargain？“askedMagdalen，confidentially。

“Dirtcheap！“criedpoorMrs。Wragge，fallingheadlongintothesnare，anddartingattheparcelaseagerlyasifnothinghadhappened。

Magdalenkepthergossipingoverherpurchasesforanhourormore，andthenwiselydeterminedtodistractherattentionfromallghostlyrecollectionsinanotherwaybytakingheroutforawalk。

Astheyleftthelodgings，thedoorofNoelVanstone\'shouseopened，andthewoman-servantappeared，bentonanothererrand。Shewasapparentlychargedwithaletteronthisoccasionwhichshecarriedcarefullyinherhand。Consciousofhavingformednoplanyeteitherforattackordefense，Magdalenwondered，withamomentarydread，whetherMrs。Lecounthaddecidedalreadyonopeningfreshcommunications，andwhethertheletterwasdirectedto“MissGarth。“

Theletterborenosuchaddress。NoelVanstonehadsolvedhispecuniaryproblematlast。Theblankspaceintheadvertisementwasfilledup，andMrs。Lecount\'sacknowledgmentofthecaptain\'sanonymouswarningwasnowonitswaytoinsertionintheTimes。

THEENDOFTHETHIRDSCENE。

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，BetweentheScenesBETWEENTHESCENES。PROGRESSOFTHESTORYTHROUGHTHEPOST。I。ExtractfromtheAdvertisingColumnsof“TheTimes。“

“ANUNKNOWNFRIENDisrequestedtomention(byadvertisement)anaddressatwhichalettercanreachhim。ThereceiptoftheinformationwhichheofferswillbeacknowledgedbyarewardofFivePounds。“

II。FromCaptainWraggetoMagdalen。“Birmingham，July2d，1847。“MYDEARGIRL——Theboxcontainingthearticlesofcostumeswhichyoutookawaybymistakehascomesafelytohand。ConsideritundermyspecialprotectionuntilIhearfromyouagain。

“Iembracethisopportunitytoassureyouoncemoreofmyunalterablefidelitytoyourinterests。Withoutattemptingtointrudemyselfintoyourconfidence，mayIinquirewhetherMr。NoelVanstonehasconsentedtodoyoujustice？Igreatlyfearhehasdeclined——inwhichcaseIcanlaymyhandonmyheart，andsolemnlydeclarethathismeannessrevoltsme。WhydoIfeelaforebodingthatyouhaveappealedtohiminvain？WhydoI

findmyselfviewingthisfellowinthelightofanoxiousinsect？Wearetotalstrangerstoeachother；Ihavenosortofknowledgeofhim，excepttheknowledgeIpickedupinmakingyourinquiries。Hasmyintensesympathywithyourinterestsmademyperceptionsprophetic？or，toputitfancifully，istherereallysuchathingasaformerstateofexistence？andhasMr。

NoelVanstonemortallyinsultedme——say，insomeotherplanet？

“Iwrite，mydearMagdalen，asyousee，withmycustomarydashofhumor。

ButIamseriousinplacingmyservicesatyourdisposal。Don\'tletthequestionoftermscauseyouaninstant\'shesitation。Iacceptbeforehandanytermsyouliketomention。Ifyourpresentplanspointthatway，I

amreadytosqueezeMr。NoelVanstone，inyourinterests，tillthegoldoozesoutofhimateverypore。Pardonthecoarsenessofthismetaphor。

Myanxietytobeofservicetoyourushesintowords；laysmymeaning，intherough，atyourfeet；andleavesyourtastetopolishitwiththechoicestornamentsoftheEnglishlanguage。

“Howismyunfortunatewife？Iamafraidyoufinditquiteimpossibletokeepherupatheel，ortomoldherpersonalappearanceintoharmonywiththeeternallawsofsymmetryandorder。Doessheattempttobetoofamiliarwithyou？Ihavealwaysbeenaccustomedtocheckher，inthisrespect。ShehasneverbeenpermittedtocallmeanythingbutCaptain；

andontherareoccasionssinceourunion，whencircumstancesmayhaveobligedhertoaddressmebyletter，heropeningformofsalutationhasbeenrigidlyrestrictedto\'DearSir。\'AcceptthesetriflingdomesticparticularsassuggestinghintswhichmaybeusefultoyouinmanagingMrs。Wragge；

andbelieveme，inanxiousexpectationofhearingfromyouagain，Devotedlyyours，“HORATIOWRAGGE。“

III。FromNorahtoMagdalen。[Forwarded，withtheTwoLettersthatfollowit，fromthePost-office，Birmingham。]

“WestmorelandHouse，Kensington，July1st。

“MYDEARESTMAGDALEN——Whenyouwritenext(andpraywritesoon！)addressyourlettertomeatMissGarth\'s。Ihaveleftmysituation；andsomelittletimemayelapsebeforeIfindanother。

“NowitisalloverImayacknowledgetoyou，mydarling，thatIwasnothappy。ItriedhardtowintheaffectionofthetwolittlegirlsI

hadtoteach；buttheyseemed，IamsureIcan\'ttellwhy，todislikemefromthefirst。TheirmotherIhavenoreasontocomplainof。Buttheirgrandmother，whowasreallytherulingpowerinthehouse，mademylifeveryhardtome。Myinexperienceinteachingwasaconstantsubjectofremarkwithher；andmydifficultieswiththechildrenwerealwaysvisitedonmeasiftheyhadbeenentirelyofmyownmaking。Itellyouthis，sothatyoumaynotsupposeIregrethavingleftmysituation。Farfromit，mylove——Iamgladtobeoutofthehouse。

“Ihavesavedalittlemoney，Magdalen；andIshouldsoliketospenditinstayingafewdayswithyou。Myheartachesforasightofmysister；

myearsarewearyforthesoundofhervoice。Awordfromyoutellingmewherewecanmeet，isallIwant。Thinkofit——praythinkofit。

“Don\'tsupposeIamdiscouragedbythisfirstcheck。Therearemanykindpeopleintheworld；andsomeofthemmayemploymenexttime。Thewaytohappinessisoftenveryhardtofind；harder，Ialmostthink，forwomenthanformen。Butifweonlytrypatiently，andtrylongenough，wereachitatlast——inheaven，ifnotonearth。Ithinkmywaynowisthewaywhichleadstoseeingyouagain。Don\'tforgetthat，mylove，thenexttimeyouthinkofNORAH。“

IV。FromMissGarthtoMagdalen。

“WestmorelandHouse，July1st。

“MYDEARMAGDALEN——Youhavenouselessremonstrancestoapprehendatthesightofmyhandwriting。MyonlyobjectinthisletteristotellyousomethingwhichIknowyoursisterwillnottellyouofherownaccord。

SheisentirelyignorantthatIamwritingtoyou。Keepherinignorance，ifyouwishtospareherunnecessaryanxiety，andmeunnecessarydistress。

“Norah\'sletter，nodoubt，tellsyouthatshehaslefthersituation。

Ifeelitmypainfuldutytoaddthatshehasleftitonyouraccount。

“Thematteroccurredinthismanner。Messrs。Wyatt，Pendril，andGwiltarethesolicitorsofthegentlemaninwhosefamilyNorahwasemployed。

ThelifewhichyouhavechosenforyourselfwasknownaslongagoasDecemberlasttoallthepartners。YouwerediscoveredperforminginpublicatDerbybythepersonwhohadbeenemployedtotraceyouatYork；andthatdiscoverywascommunicatedbyMr。WyatttoNorah\'semployerafewdayssince，inreplytodirectinquiriesaboutyouonthatgentleman\'spart。Hiswifeandhismother(wholiveswithhim)hadexpresslydesiredthathewouldmakethoseinquiries；theirdoubtshavingbeenarousedbyNorah\'sevasiveanswerswhentheyquestionedherabouthersister。YouknowNorahtoowelltoblameherforthis。Evasionwastheonlyescapeyourpresentlifehadlefther，fromtellingadownrightfalsehood。

“Thatsameday，thetwoladiesofthefamily，theelderandtheyounger，sentforyoursister，andtoldhertheyhaddiscoveredthatyouwereapublicperformer，roamingfromplacetoplaceinthecountryunderanassumedname。TheywerejustenoughnottoblameNorahforthis；theywerejustenoughtoacknowledgethatherconducthadbeenasirreproachableasI

hadguaranteeditshouldbewhenIgotherthesituation。But，atthesametime，theymadeitapositiveconditionofhercontinuingintheiremploymentthatsheshouldneverpermityoutovisitherattheirhouse，ortomeetherandwalkoutwithherwhenshewasinattendanceonthechildren。Yoursister——whohaspatientlyborneallhardshipsthatfellonherself——instantlyresentedtheslurcastonyou。Shegaveheremployerswarningonthespot。Highwordsfollowed，andsheleftthehousethatevening。

“Ihavenowishtodistressyoubyrepresentingthelossofthissituationinthelightofadisaster。NorahwasnotsohappyinitasIhadhopedandbelievedshewouldbe。Itwasimpossibleformetoknowbeforehandthatthechildrenweresullenandintractable，orthatthehusband\'smotherwasaccustomedtomakeherdomineeringdispositionfeltbyeveryoneinthehouse。IwillreadilyadmitthatNorahiswelloutofthissituation。

Buttheharmdoesnotstophere。ForallyouandIknowtothecontrary，theharmmaygoon。Whathashappenedinthissituationmayhappeninanother。

Yourwayoflife，howeverpureyourconductmaybe——andIwilldoyouthejusticetobelieveitpure——isasuspiciouswayoflifetoallrespectablepeople。IhavelivedlongenoughinthisworldtoknowthatthesenseofPropriety，innineEnglishwomenoutoften，makesnoallowancesandfeelsnopity。Norah\'snextemployersmaydiscoveryou；andNorahmaythrowupasituationnexttimewhichwemayneverbeabletofindforheragain。

“Ileaveyoutoconsiderthis。Mychild，don\'tthinkIamhardonyou。

Iamjealousforyoursister\'stranquillity。Ifyouwillforgetthepast，Magdalen，andcomeback，trusttoyouroldgovernesstoforgetittoo，andtogiveyouthehomewhichyourfatherandmotheroncegaveher。Yourfriend，mydear，always，“HARRIETGARTH。“

V。FromFrancisClare，Jun。，toMagdalen。

“Shanghai，China，April23d，1847。

“MYDEARMAGDALEN——Ihavedeferredansweringyourletter，inconsequenceofthedistractedstateofmymind，whichmademeunfittowritetoyou。

Iamstillunfit，butIfeelIoughttodelaynolonger。Mysenseofhonorfortifiesme，andIundergothepainofwritingthisletter。

“MyprospectsinChinaareallatanend。TheFirmtowhichIwasbrutallyconsigned，asifIwasabaleofmerchandise，haswornoutmypatiencebyaseriesofpettyinsults；andIhavefeltcompelled，frommotivesofself-respect，towithdrawmyservices，whichwereundervaluedfromthefirst。MyreturningtoEnglandunderthesecircumstancesisoutofthequestion。Ihavebeentoocruellyusedinmyowncountrytowishtogobacktoit，evenifIcould。Iproposeembarkingonboardaprivatetrading-vesselintheseseasinamercantilecapacity，tomakemyway，ifIcan，formyself。

Howitwillend，orwhatwillhappentomenext，ismorethanIcansay。

Itmatterslittlewhatbecomesofme。Iamawandererandanexile，entirelythroughthefaultofothers。Theunfeelingdesireathometogetridofmehasaccomplisheditsobject。Iamgotridofforgood。

“Thereisonlyonemoresacrificeleftformetomake——thesacrificeofmyheart\'sdearestfeelings。Withnoprospectsbeforeme，withnochanceofcominghome，whathopecanIfeelofperformingmyengagementtoyourself？

None！AmoreselfishmanthanIammightholdyoutothatengagement；alessconsideratemanthanIammightkeepyouwaitingforyears——andtonopurposeafterall。Cruellyastheyhavebeentrampledon，myfeelingsaretoosensitivetoallowmetodothis。Iwriteitwiththetearsinmyeyes——youshallnotlinkyourfatetoanoutcast。Accepttheseheart-brokenlinesasreleasingyoufromyourpromise。Ourengagementisatanend。

“Theoneconsolationwhichsupportsmeinbiddingyoufarewellis，thatneitherofusistoblame。Youmayhaveactedweakly，undermyfather\'sinfluence，butIamsureyouactedforthebest。NobodyknewwhatthefatalconsequencesofdrivingmeoutofEnglandwouldbebutmyself——andIwasnotlistenedto。Iyieldedtomyfather，Iyieldedtoyou；andthisistheendofit！

“Iamsufferingtooacutelytowritemore。Mayyouneverknowwhatmywithdrawalfromourengagementhascostme！Ibegyouwillnotblameyourself。

ItisnotyourfaultthatIhavehadallmyenergiesmisdirectedbyothers——itisnotyourfaultthatIhaveneverhadafairchanceofgettingoninlife。Forgetthedesertedwretchwhobreatheshisheartfeltprayersforyourhappiness，andwhowilleverremainyourfriendandwell-wisher。

“FRANCISCLARE，Jun。“

VI。FromFrancisClare，Sen。，toMagdalen。[InclosingtheprecedingLetter。]

“IalwaystoldyourpoorfathermysonwasaFool，butIneverknewhewasaScoundreluntilthemailcameinfromChina。Ihaveeveryreasontobelievethathehaslefthisemployersunderthemostdisgracefulcircumstances。

Forgethimfromthistimeforth，asIdo。WhenyouandIlastseteyesoneachother，youbehavedwelltomeinthisbusiness。AllIcannowsayinreturn，Idosay。Mygirl，Iamsorryforyou，F。C。“

VII。FromMrs。WraggetoherHusband。

“Dearsirformercy\'ssakecomehereandhelpusShehadadreadfulletterIdon\'tknowwhatyesterdaybutshereaditinbedandwhenIwentinwithherbreakfastIfoundherdeadandifthedoctorhadnotbeentwodoorsoffnobodyelsecouldhavebroughthertolifeagainandshesitsandlooksdreadfulandwon\'tspeakawordhereyesfrightenmesoIshakefromheadtofootohpleasedocomeIkeepthingsastidyasIcanandIdolikehersoandsheusedtobesokindtomeandthelandlordsayshe\'safraidshe\'lldestroyherselfIwishIcouldwritestraightbutI

doshakesoyourdutifulwifematildawraggeexcusefaultsandbegyouonmykneescomeandhelpustheDoctorgoodmanwillputsomeofhisownwritingintothisforfearyoucan\'tmakeoutmineandremainoncemoreyourdutifulwifematildawragge。“AddedbytheDoctor。

“SIR——IbegtoinformyouthatIwasyesterdaycalledintoaneighbor\'sinVauxhallWalktoattendayoungladywhohadbeensuddenlytakenill。

Irecoveredherwithgreatdifficultyfromoneofthemostobstinatefainting-fitsIeverremembertohavemetwith。Sincethattimeshehashadnorelapse，butthereisapparentlysomeheavydistressweighingonhermindwhichithashithertobeenfoundimpossibletoremove。Shesits，asIaminformed，perfectlysilent，andperfectlyunconsciousofwhatgoesonabouther，forhourstogether，withaletterinherhandwhichshewillallownobodytotakefromher。Ifthisstateofdepressioncontinues，verydistressingmentalconsequencesmayfollow；andIonlydomydutyinsuggestingthatsomerelativeorfriendshouldinterferewhohasinfluenceenoughtorouseher。Yourobedientservant，“RICHARDJARVIS，M。R。C。S。“

VIII。FromNorahtoMagdalen。

“July5th。

“ForGod\'ssake，writemeonelinetosayifyouarestillatBirmingham，andwhereIcanfindyouthere！IhavejustheardfromoldMr。Clare。Oh，Magdalen，ifyouhavenopityonyourself，havesomepityonme！Thethoughtofyoualoneamongstrangers，thethoughtofyouheart-brokenunderthisdreadfulblow，neverleavesmeforaninstant。NowordscantellhowI

feelforyou！Myownlove，rememberthebetterdaysathomebeforethatcowardlyvillainstolehiswayintoyourheart；rememberthehappytimeatCombe-Ravenwhenwewerealwaystogether。Oh，don\'t，don\'ttreatmelikeastranger！Wearealoneintheworldnow——letmecomeandcomfortyou，letmebemorethanasistertoyou，ifIcan。Oneline——onlyonelinetotellmewhereIcanfindyou！“

IX。FromMagdalentoNorah。

“July7th。

“MYDEARESTNORAH——Allthatyourloveformecanwishyourletterhasdone。You，andyoualone，havefoundyourwaytomyheart。Icouldthinkagain，Icouldfeelagain，afterreadingwhatyouhavewrittentome。Letthisassurancequietyouranxieties。Mymindlivesandbreathesoncemore——itwasdeaduntilIgotyourletter。

“TheshockIhavesufferedhasleftastrangequietnessinme。IfeelasifIhadpartedfrommyformerself——asifthehopesoncesodeartomehadallgonebacktosomepasttimefromwhichIamnowfarremoved。

Icanlookatthewreckofmylifemorecalmly，Norah，thanyoucouldlookatitifwewerebothtogetheragain。IcantrustmyselfalreadytowritetoFrank。

“Mydarling，Ithinknowomaneverknowshowutterlyshehasgivenherselfuptothemansheloves——untilthatmanhasill-treatedher。CanyoupitymyweaknessifIconfesstohavingfeltapangatmyheartwhenIreadthatpartofyourletterwhichcallsFrankacowardandavillain？NobodycandespisemeforthisasIdespisemyself。Iamlikeadogwhocrawlsbackandlicksthemaster\'shandthathasbeatenhim。Butitisso——Iwouldconfessittonobodybutyou——indeed，indeeditisso。Hehasdeceivedanddesertedme；hehaswrittenmeacruelfarewell——butdon\'tcallhimavillain！Ifherepentedandcamebacktome，Iwoulddieratherthanmarryhimnow——butitgratesonmetoseethatwordcowardwrittenagainsthiminyourhand！Ifheisweakofpurpose，whotriedhisweaknessbeyondwhatitcouldbear？DoyouthinkthiswouldhavehappenedifMichaelVanstonehadnotrobbedusofourown，andforcedFrankawayfrommetoChina？Inaweekfromto-daytheyearofwaitingwouldhavecometoanend，andI

shouldhavebeenFrank\'swife，ifmymarriageportionhadnotbeentakenfromme。

“Youwillsay，afterwhathashappened，itiswellthatIhaveescaped。

Mylove！thereissomethingperverseinmyheartwhichanswers，No！BetterhavebeenFrank\'swretchedwifethanthefreewomanIamnow。

“Ihavenotwrittentohim。HesendsmenoaddressatwhichIcouldwrite，evenifIwould。ButIhavenotthewish。IwillwaitbeforeIsendhimmyfarewell。IfadayevercomeswhenIhavethefortunewhichmyfatheroncepromisedIshouldbringtohim，doyouknowwhatIwoulddowithit？IwouldsenditalltoFrank，asmyrevengeonhimforhisletter；asthelastfarewellwordonmysidetothemanwhohasdesertedme。Letmeliveforthatday！Letmelive，Norah，inthehopeofbettertimesforyou，whichisallthehopeIhaveleft。WhenIthinkofyourhardlife，Icanalmostfeelthetearsoncemoreinmywearyeyes。

IcanalmostthinkIhavecomebackagaintomyformerself。

“Youwillnotthinkmehard-heartedandungratefulifIsaythatwemustwaitalittleyetbeforewemeet。IwanttobemorefittoseeyouthanIamnow。IwanttoputFrankfurtherawayfromme，andtobringyounearerstill。Arethesegoodreasons？Idon\'tknow——don\'taskmeforreasons。

TakethekissIhaveputforyouhere，wherethelittlecircleisdrawnonthepaper；andletthatbringustogetherforthepresenttillIwriteagain。Good-by，mylove。Myheartistruetoyou，Norah，butIdarenotseeyouyet。

MAGDALEN。“

X。FromMagdalentoMissGarth。

“MYDEARMISSGARTH——Ihavebeenlonginansweringyourletter；butyouknowwhathashappened，andyouwillforgiveme。

“AllthatIhavetosaymaybesaidinafewwords。YoumaydependonmynevermakingthegeneralSenseofProprietymyenemyagain:Iamgettingknowledgeenoughoftheworldtomakeitmyaccomplicenexttime。Norahwillneverleaveanothersituationonmyaccount——mylifeasapublicperformerisatanend。Itwasharmlessenough，Godknows——Imaylive，andsomayyou，tomournthedaywhenIpartedfromit——butIshallneverreturntoitagain。Ithasleftme，asFrankhasleftme，asallmybetterthoughtshaveleftmeexceptmythoughtsofNorah。

“Enoughofmyself！ShallItellyousomenewstobrightenthisdullletter？Mr。MichaelVanstoneisdead，andMr。NoelVanstonehassucceededtothepossessionofmyfortuneandNorah\'s。Heisquiteworthyofhisinheritance。Inhisfather\'splace，hewouldhaveruinedusashisfatherdid。

“Ihavenomoretosaythatyouwouldcaretoknow。Don\'tbedistressedaboutme。Iamtryingtorecovermyspirits——IamtryingtoforgetthepoordeludedgirlwhowasfoolishenoughtobefondofFrankintheolddaysatCombe-Raven。Sometimesapangcomeswhichtellsmethegirlwon\'tbeforgotten——butnotoften。

“Itwasverykindofyou，whenyouwrotetosuchalostcreatureasIam，tosignyourself——alwaysmyfriend。\'Always\'isaboldword，mydearoldgoverness！Iwonderwhetheryouwilleverwanttorecallit？

Itwillmakenodifferenceifyoudo，inthegratitudeIshallalwaysfeelforthetroubleyoutookwithmewhenIwasalittlegirl。Ihaveillrepaidthattrouble——illrepaidyourkindnesstomeinafterlife。Iaskyourpardonandyourpity。Thebestthingyoucandoforbothofusistoforgetme。Affectionatelyyours，MAGDALEN。“

“P。S——Iopentheenvelopetoaddoneline。ForGod\'ssake，don\'tshowthislettertoNorah！“

XI。FromMagdalentoCaptainWragge。

“VauxhallWalk，July17th。

“IfIamnotmistaken，itwasarrangedthatIshouldwritetoyouatBirminghamassoonasIfeltmyselfcomposedenoughtothinkofthefuture。

Mymindissettledatlast，andIamnowabletoaccepttheserviceswhichyouhavesounreservedlyofferedtome。

“IbegyouwillforgivethemannerinwhichIreceivedyouonyourarrivalinthishouse，afterhearingthenewsofmysuddenillness。Iwasquiteincapableofcontrollingmyself——Iwassufferinganagonyofmindwhichforthetimedeprivedmeofmysenses。ItisonlyyourduethatIshouldnowthankyoufortreatingmewithgreatforbearanceatatimewhenforbearancewasmercy。

“IwillmentionwhatIwishyoutodoasplainlyandbrieflyasIcan。

“Inthefirstplace，Irequestyoutodispose(asprivatelyaspossible)

ofeveryarticleofcostumeusedinthedramaticEntertainment。Ihavedonewithourperformancesforever；andIwishtobesetfreefromeverythingwhichmightaccidentallyconnectmewiththeminthefuture。Thekeyofmyboxisinclosedinthisletter。

“Theotherbox，whichcontainsmyowndresses，youwillbekindenoughtoforwardtothishouse。Idonotaskyoutobringityourself，becauseIhaveafarmoreimportantcommissiontointrusttoyou。

“Referringtothenotewhichyouleftformeatyourdeparture，IconcludethatyouhavebythistimetracedMr。NoelVanstonefromVauxhallWalktotheresidencewhichheisnowoccupying。Ifyouhavemadethediscovery——andifyouarequitesureofnothavingdrawntheattentioneitherofMrs。

Lecountorhermastertoyourself——Iwishyoutoarrangeimmediatelyformyresiding(withyouandMrs。Wragge)inthesametownorvillageinwhichMr。NoelVanstonehastakenuphisabode。Iwritethis，itishardlynecessarytosay，undertheimpressionthat，whereverhemaynowbeliving，heissettledintheplaceforsomelittletime。

“Ifyoucanfindasmallfurnishedhouseformeontheseconditionswhichistobeletbythemonth，takeitforamonthcertaintobeginwith。

Saythatitisforyourwife，yourniece，andyourself，anduseanyassumednameyouplease，aslongasitisanamethatcanbetrustedtodefeatthemostsuspiciousinquiries。Ileavethistoyourexperienceinsuchmatters。Thesecretofwhowereallyaremustbekeptasstrictlyasifitwasasecretonwhichourlivesdepend。

“AnyexpensestowhichyoumaybeputincarryingoutmywishesIwillimmediatelyrepay。IfyoueasilyfindthesortofhouseIwant，thereisnoneedforyourreturningtoLondontofetchus。Wecanjoinyouassoonasweknowwheretogo。Thehousemustbeperfectlyrespectable，andmustbereasonablyneartoMr。NoelVanstone\'spresentresidence，whereverthatis。

“YoumustallowmetobesilentinthisletterastotheobjectwhichIhavenowinview。Iamunwillingtoriskanexplanationinwriting。Whenallourpreparationsaremade，youshallhearwhatIproposetodofrommyownlips；andIshallexpectyoutotellmeplainly，inreturn，whetheryouwillorwillnotgivemethehelpIwantonthebesttermswhichI

amabletoofferyou。

“OnewordmorebeforeIsealupthisletter。

“Ifanyopportunityfallsinyourwayafteryouhavetakenthehouse，andbeforewejoinyou，ofexchangingafewcivilwordseitherwithMr。

NoelVanstoneorMrs。Lecount，takeadvantageofit。Itisveryimportanttomypresentobjectthatweshouldbecomeacquaintedwitheachother——asthepurelyaccidentalresultofourbeingnearneighbors。Iwantyoutosmooththewaytowardthisendifyoucan，beforeMrs。WraggeandIcometoyou。PraythrowawaynochanceofobservingMrs。Lecount，inparticular，verycarefully。Whateverhelpyoucangivemeattheoutsetinblindfoldingthatwoman\'ssharpeyeswillbethemostprecioushelpIhaveeverreceivedatyourhands。

“Thereisnoneedtoanswerthisletterimmediately——unlessIhavewrittenitunderamistakenimpressionofwhatyouhaveaccomplishedsinceleavingLondon。Ihavetakenourlodgingsonforanotherweek；andIcanwaittohearfromyouuntilyouareabletosendmesuchnewsasIwishtoreceive。

Youmaybequitesureofmypatienceforthefuture，underallpossiblecircumstances。Mycapricesareatanend，andmyviolenttemperhastriedyourforbearanceforthelasttime。

MAGDALEN。“

XII。FromCaptainWraggetoMagdalen。

“NorthShinglesVilla，Aldborough，Suffolk，July22d。

“MYDEARGIRL——Yourletterhascharmedandtouchedme。Yourexcuseshavegonestraighttomyheart；andyourconfidenceinmyhumbleabilitieshasfollowedinthesamedirection。Thepulseoftheoldmilitia-manthrobswithprideashethinksofthetrustyouhaveplacedinhim，andvowstodeserveit。Don\'tbesurprisedatthisgenialoutburst。Allenthusiasticnaturesmustexplodeoccasionally；andmyformofexplosionis——Words。

“Everythingyouwantedmetodoisdone。Thehouseistaken；thenameisfound；andIampersonallyacquaintedwithMrs。Lecount。Afterreadingthisgeneralstatement，youwillnaturallybeinterestedinpossessingyourmindnextoftheaccompanyingdetails。Heretheyare，atyourservice:

“ThedayafterleavingyouinLondon，ItracedMr。NoelVanstonetothiscuriouslittleseasidesnuggery。Oneofhisfather\'sinnumerablebargainswasahouseatAldborough——arisingwatering-place，orMr。MichaelVanstonewouldnothaveinvestedafarthinginit。Inthishousethedespicablelittlemiser，wholivedrentfreeinLondon，nowlives，rentfreeagain，onthecoastofSuffolk。Heissettledinhispresentabodeforthesummerandautumn；andyouandMrs。Wraggehaveonlytojoinmehere，tobeestablishedfivedoorsawayfromhiminthiselegantvilla。Ihavegotthewholehouseforthreeguineasaweek，withtheoptionofremainingthroughtheautumnatthesameprice。Inafashionablewatering-place，sucharesidencewouldhavebeencheapatdoublethemoney。

“Ournewnamehasbeenchosenwithawaryeyetoyoursuggestions。Mybooks——IhopeyouhavenotforgottenmyBooks？——contain，undertheheadingofSkinsToJumpInto，alistofindividualsretiredfromthismortalscene，withwhosenames，families，andcircumstancesIamwellacquainted。

IntosomeofthoseSkinsIhavebeencompelledtoJump，intheexerciseofmyprofession，atformerperiodsofmycareer。Othersarestillintheconditionofnewdressesandremaintobetriedon。TheSkinwhichwillexactlyfitusoriginallyclothedthebodiesofafamilynamedBygrave。

IaminMr。Bygrave\'sskinatthismoment——anditfitswithoutawrinkle。

IfyouwillobligemebyslippingintoMissBygrave(Christianname，Susan)；

andifyouwillafterwardpushMrs。Wragge——anyhow；headforemostifyoulike——intoMrs。Bygrave(Christianname，Julia)，thetransformationwillbecomplete。PermitmetoinformyouthatIamyourpaternaluncle。MyworthybrotherwasestablishedtwentyyearsagointhemahoganyandlogwoodtradeatBelize，Honduras。Hediedinthatplace；andisburiedonthesouth-westsideofthelocalcemetery，withaneatmonumentofnativewoodcarvedbyaself-taughtnegroartist。Nineteenmonthsafterwardhiswidowdiedofapoplexyataboarding-houseinCheltenham。ShewassupposedtobethemostcorpulentwomaninEngland，andwasaccommodatedontheground-floorofthehouseinconsequenceofthedifficultyofgettingherupanddownstairs。Youareheronlychild；youhavebeenundermycaresincethesadeventatCheltenham；youaretwenty-oneyearsoldonthesecondofAugustnext；and，corpulenceexcepted，youarethelivingimageofyourmother。

ItroubleyouwiththesespecimensofmyintimateknowledgeofournewfamilySkin，toquietyourmindonthesubjectoffutureinquiries。Trusttomeandmybookstosatisfyanyamountofinquiry。Inthemeantimewritedownournewnameandaddress，andseehowtheystrikeyou:\'Mr。Bygrave，Mrs。Bygrave，MissBygrave；NorthShinglesVilla，Aldborough。\'Uponmylife，itreadsremarkablywell！

“ThelastdetailIhavetocommunicatereferstomyacquaintancewithMrs。Lecount。

“Wemetyesterday，inthegrocer\'sshophere。Keepingmyearsopen，IfoundthatMrs。Lecountwantedaparticularkindofteawhichthemanhadnotgot，andwhichhebelievedcouldnotbeprocuredanynearerthanIpswich。Iinstantlysawmywaytobeginninganacquaintance，atthetriflingexpenseofajourneytothatflourishingcity。\'Ihavebusinessto-dayinIpswich，\'Isaid，\'andIproposereturningtoAldborough(ifIcangetbackintime)thisevening。Prayallowmetotakeyourorderforthetea，andtobringitbackwithmyownparcels。\'Mrs。Lecountpolitelydeclinedgivingmethetrouble——Ipolitelyinsistedontakingit。Wefellintoconversation。

Thereisnoneedtotroubleyouwithourtalk。Theresultofitonmymindis——thatMrs。Lecount\'soneweakpoint，ifshehassuchathingatall，isatasteforscience，implantedbyherdeceasedhusband，theprofessor。

IthinkIseeachancehereofworkingmywayintohergoodgraces，andcastingalittleneedfuldustintothosehandsomeblackeyesofhers。ActingonthisideawhenIpurchasedthelady\'steaatIpswich，Ialsoboughtonmyownaccountthatfar-famedpocket-manualofknowledge，\'Joyce\'sScientificDialogues。\'Possessing，asIdo，aquickmemoryandboundlessconfidenceinmyself，Iproposeprivatelyinflatingmynewskinwithasmuchready-madescienceasitwillhold，andpresentingMr。BygravetoMrs。Lecount\'snoticeinthecharacterofthemosthighlyinformedmanshehasmetwithsincetheprofessor\'sdeath。Thenecessityofblindfoldingthatwoman(touseyourownadmirableexpression)isascleartomeastoyou。IfitistobedoneinthewayIpropose，makeyourmindeasy——Wragge，inflatedbyJoyce，isthemantodoit。

“Younowhavemywholebudgetofnews。AmI，oramInot，worthyofyourconfidenceinme？Isaynothingofmydevouringanxietytoknowwhatyourobjectsreallyare——thatanxietywillbesatisfiedwhenwemeet。Neveryet，mydeargirl，didIlongtoadministeraproductivepecuniarySqueezetoanyhumancreature，asIlongtoadministerittoMr。NoelVanstone。

Isaynomore。Verbumsap。PardonthepedantryofaLatinquotation，andbelieveme，“Entirelyyours，“HORATIOWRAGGE。

“P。S——Iawaitmyinstructions，asyourequested。YouhaveonlytosaywhetherIshallreturntoLondonforthepurposeofescortingyoutothisplace，orwhetherIshallwaitheretoreceiveyou。Thehouseisinperfectorder，theweatherischarming，andtheseaisassmoothasMrs。Lecount\'sapron。Shehasjustpassedthewindow，andwehaveexchangedbows。Asharpwoman，mydearMagdalen；butJoyceandItogethermayproveatrifletoomuchforher。“

XIII。Extractfromthe“EastSuffolkArgus。“

“ALDBOROUGH——Wenoticewithpleasurethearrivalofvisitorstothishealthfulandfar-famedwatering-placeearlierintheseasonthanusualduringthepresentyear。EstoPerpetuaisallwehavetosay。

“VISITORS\'LIST——Arrivalssinceourlast。NorthShinglesVilla——Mrs。

Bygrave；MissBygrave。“

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene4，Chapter1THEFOURTHSCENE。

ALDBOROUGH，SUFFOLK。

CHAPTERI。

THEmoststrikingspectaclepresentedtoastrangerbytheshoresofSuffolkistheextraordinarydefenselessnessofthelandagainsttheencroachmentsofthesea。

AtAldborough，aselsewhereonthiscoast，localtraditionsare，forthemostpart，traditionswhichhavebeenliterallydrowned。Thesiteoftheoldtown，onceapopulousandthrivingport，hasalmostentirelydisappearedinthesea。TheGermanOceanhasswallowedupstreets，market-places，jetties，andpublicwalks；andthemercilesswaters，consummatingtheirworkofdevastation，closed，nolongerthaneightyyearssince，overthesalt-master\'scottageatAldborough，nowfamousinmemoryonlyasthebirthplaceofthepoetCRABBE。

Thrustbackyearafteryearbytheadvancingwaves，theinhabitantshavereceded，inthepresentcentury，tothelastmorseloflandwhichisfirmenoughtobebuilton——astripofgroundhemmedinbetweenamarshononesideandtheseaontheother。Here，trustingfortheirfuturesecuritytocertainsand-hillswhichthecapriciouswaveshavethrownuptoencouragethem，thepeopleofAldboroughhaveboldlyestablishedtheirquaintlittlewatering-place。Thefirstfragmentoftheirearthlypossessionsisalownaturaldikeofshingle，surmountedbyapublicpathwhichrunsparallelwiththesea。Borderingthispath，inabroken，unevenline，arethevillaresidencesofmodernAldborough——fancifullittlehouses，standingmostlyintheirowngardens，andpossessinghereandthere，ashorticulturalornaments，staringfigure-headsofshipsdoingdutyforstatuesamongtheflowers。Viewedfromthelowlevelonwhichthesevillasstand，thesea，incertainconditionsoftheatmosphere，appearstobehigherthantheland:coasting-vesselsglidingbyassumegiganticproportions，andlookalarminglynearthewindows。Intermixedwiththehousesofthebettersortarebuildingsofotherformsandperiods。InonedirectionthetinyGothictown-hallofoldAldborough——oncethecenterofthevanishedportandborough——nowstands，frontingthemodernvillascloseonthemarginofthesea。Atanotherpoint，awoodentowerofobservation，crownedbythefigure-headofawreckedRussianvessel，riseshighabovetheneighboringhouses，anddisclosesthroughitsscuttle-windowgravemenindarkclothingseatedonthetopmoststory，perpetuallyonthewatch——thepilotsofAldboroughlookingoutfromtheirtowerforshipsinwantofhelp。Behindtherowofbuildingsthuscuriouslyintermingledrunstheonestragglingstreetofthetown，withitssturdypilots\'cottages，itsmoulderingmarinestore-houses，anditscompositeshops。Towardthenorthernendthisstreetisboundedbytheoneeminencevisibleoverallthemarshyflat——alowwoodedhill，onwhichthechurchisbuilt。Atitsoppositeextremitythestreetleadstoadesertedmartellotower，andtotheforlornoutlyingsuburbofSlaughden，betweentheriverAldeandthesea。SucharethemaincharacteristicsofthiscuriouslittleoutpostontheshoresofEnglandasitappearsatthepresenttime。

OnahotandcloudyJulyafternoon，andontheseconddaywhichhadelapsedsincehehadwrittentoMagdalen，CaptainWraggesaunteredthroughthegateofNorthShinglesVillatomeetthearrivalofthecoach，whichthenconnectedAldboroughwiththeEasternCountiesRailway。Hereachedtheprincipalinnasthecoachdroveup，andwasreadyatthedoortoreceiveMagdalenandMrs。Wragge，ontheirleavingthevehicle。

Thecaptain\'sreceptionofhiswifewasnotcharacterizedbyaninstant\'sunnecessarywasteoftime。Helookeddistrustfullyathershoes——raisedhimselfontiptoe——setherbonnetstraightforherwithasharptug——said，inaloudwhisper，“holdyourtongue“——andlefther，forthetimebeing，withoutfurthernotice。HiswelcometoMagdalen，beginningwiththeusualflowofwords，stoppedsuddenlyinthemiddleofthefirstsentence。CaptainWragge\'seyewasasharpone，anditinstantlyshowedhimsomethinginthelookandmannerofhisoldpupilwhichdenotedaseriouschange。

Therewasasettledcomposureonherfacewhich，exceptwhenshespoke，madeitlookasstillandcoldasmarble。Hervoicewassofterandmoreequable，hereyesweresteadier，herstepwasslowerthanofold。Whenshesmiled，thesmilecameandwentsuddenly，andshowedalittlenervouscontractionononesideofhermouthnevervisibletherebefore。ShewasperfectlypatientwithMrs。Wragge；shetreatedthecaptainwithacourtesyandconsiderationentirelynewinhisexperienceofher——butshewasinterestedinnothing。Thecuriouslittleshopsinthebackstreet；thehighimpendingsea；theoldtown-hallonthebeach；thepilots，thefishermen，thepassingships——shenoticedalltheseobjectsasindifferentlyasifAldboroughhadbeenfamiliartoherfromherinfancy。Evenwhenthecaptaindrewupatthegarden-gateofNorthShingles，andintroducedhertriumphantlytothenewhouse，shehardlylookedatit。Thefirstquestionsheaskedrelatednottoherownresidence，buttoNoelVanstone\'s。

“Howneartousdoeshelive？“sheinquired，withtheonlybetrayalofemotionwhichhadescapedheryet。

CaptainWraggeansweredbypointingtothefifthvillafromNorthShingles，ontheSlaughdensideofAldborough。Magdalensuddenlydrewbackfromthegarden-gateasheindicatedthesituation，andwalkedawaybyherselftoobtainanearerviewofthehouse。CaptainWraggelookedafterher，andshookhishead，discontentedly。

“MayIspeaknow？“inquiredameekvoicebehindhim，articulatingrespectfullyteninchesabovethetopofhisstrawhat。

Thecaptainturnedround，andconfrontedhiswife。ThemorethanordinarybewildermentvisibleinherfaceatoncesuggestedtohimthatMagdalenhadfailedtocarryoutthedirectionsinhisletter；andthatMrs。WraggehadarrivedatAldboroughwithoutbeingproperlyawareofthetotaltransformationtobeaccomplishedinheridentityandhername。Thenecessityofsettingthisdoubtatrestwastooserioustobetrifledwith；andCaptainWraggeinstitutedthenecessaryinquirieswithoutamoment\'sdelay。

“Standstraight，andlistentome，“hebegan。“Ihaveaquestiontoaskyou。DoyouknowwhoseSkinyouareinatthismoment？DoyouknowthatyouaredeadandburiedinLondon；andthatyouhaverisenlikeaphoenixfromtheashesofMrs。Wragge？No！youevidentlydon\'tknowit。Thisisperfectlydisgraceful。Whatisyourname？“

“Matilda，“answeredMrs。Wragge，inastateofthedensestbewilderment。

“Nothingofthesort！“criedthecaptain，fiercely。“Howdareyoutellmeyourname\'sMatilda？YournameisJulia。WhoamI？——Holdthatbasketofsandwichesstraight，orI\'llpitchitintothesea！——WhoamI？“

“Idon\'tknow，“saidMrs。Wragge，meeklytakingrefugeinthenegativesideofthequestionthistime。

“Sitdown！“saidherhusband，pointingtothelowgardenwallofNorthShinglesVilla。“Moretotheright！Morestill！Thatwilldo。Youdon\'tknow？“repeatedthecaptain，sternlyconfrontinghiswifeassoonashehadcontrived，byseatingher，toplaceherfaceonalevelwithhisown。“Don\'tletmehearyousaythatasecondtime。Don\'tletmehaveawomanwhodoesn\'tknowwhoIamtooperateonmybeardto-morrowmorning。Lookatme！Moretotheleft——morestill——thatwilldo。WhoamI？I\'mMr。Bygrave——Christianname，Thomas。Whoareyou？You\'reMrs。Bygrave——Christianname，Julia。WhoisthatyoungladywhotraveledwithyoufromLondon？ThatyoungladyisMissBygrave——Christianname，Susan。I\'mhercleveruncleTom；andyou\'reheraddle-headedauntJulia。Sayitallovertomeinstantly，liketheCatechism！Whatisyourname？“

“Sparemypoorhead！“pleadedMrs。Wragge。“Oh，pleasesparemypoorheadtillI\'vegotthestage-coachoutofit！“

“Don\'tdistressher，“saidMagdalen，joiningthematthatmoment。“Shewilllearnitintime。Comeintothehouse。“

CaptainWraggeshookhiswaryheadoncemore。“Wearebeginningbadly，“hesaid，withlesspolitenessthanusual。“Mywife\'sstupiditystandsinourwayalready。“

Theywentintothehouse。Magdalenwasperfectlysatisfiedwithallthecaptain\'sarrangements；sheacceptedtheroomwhichhehadsetapartforher；approvedofthewomanservantwhomhehadengaged；presentedherselfattea-timethemomentshewassummonedbutstillshowednointerestwhateverinthenewscenearoundher。Soonafterthetablewascleared，althoughthedaylighthadnotyetfadedout，Mrs。Wragge\'scustomarydrowsinessafterfatigueofanykindovercameher，andshereceivedherhusbandsorderstoleavetheroom(takingcarethatsheleftit“upatheel“)，andtobetakeherself(strictlyinthecharacterofMrs。Bygrave)tobed。Assoonastheywereleftalone，thecaptainlookedhardatMagdalen，andwaitedtobespokento。Shesaidnothing。Heventurednextonopeningtheconversationbyapoliteinquiryafterthestateofherhealth。“Youlookfatigued，“heremarked，inhismostinsinuatingmanner。“Iamafraidthejourneyhasbeentoomuchforyou。“

“No，“shesaid，lookingoutlistlesslythroughthewindow；“Iamnotmoretiredthanusual。Iamalwayswearynow；wearyatgoingtobed，wearyatgettingup。IfyouwouldliketohearwhatIhavetosaytoyouto-night，Iamwillingandreadytosayit。Can\'twegoout？Itisveryhothere；andthedroningofthosemen\'svoicesisbeyondallendurance。“Shepointedthroughthewindowtoagroupofboatmenidling，asonlynauticalmencanidle，againstthegardenwall。“Istherenoquietwalkinthiswretchedplace？“sheasked，impatiently。“Can\'twebreathealittlefreshair，andescapebeingannoyedbystrangers？“

“Thereisperfectsolitudewithinhalfanhour\'swalkofthehouse，“repliedthereadycaptain。

“Verywell。Comeout，then。“

Withawearysighshetookupherstrawbonnetandherlightmuslinscarffromtheside-tableuponwhichshehadthrownthemoncomingin，andcarelesslyledthewaytothedoor。CaptainWraggefollowedhertothegardengate，thenstopped，struckbyanewidea。

“Excuseme，“hewhispered，confidentially。“Inmywife\'sexistingstateofignoranceastowhosheis，wehadbetternottrustheraloneinthehousewithanewservant。I\'llprivatelyturnthekeyonher，incaseshewakesbeforewecomeback。Safebind，safefind——youknowtheproverb！——Iwillbewithyouagaininamoment。“

Hehastenedbacktothehouse，andMagdalenseatedherselfonthegardenwalltoawaithisreturn。

Shehadhardlysettledherselfinthatpositionwhentwogentlemenwalkingtogether，whoseapproachalongthepublicpathshehadnotpreviouslynoticed，passedclosebyher。

Thedressofoneofthetwostrangersshowedhimtobeaclergyman。Hiscompanion\'sstationinlifewaslesseasilydiscernibletoordinaryobservation。Practicedeyeswouldprobablyhaveseenenoughinhislook，hismanner，andhiswalktoshowthathewasasailor。Hewasamanintheprimeoflife；tall，spare，andmuscular；hisfacesun-burnedtoadeepbrown；hisblackhairjustturninggray；hiseyesdark，deepandfirm——theeyesofamanwithanironresolutionandahabitofcommand。HewasthenearestofthetwotoMagdalen，asheandhisfriendpassedtheplacewhereshewassitting；andhelookedatherwithasuddensurpriseatherbeauty，withanopen，hearty，undisguisedadmiration，whichwastooevidentlysincere，tooevidentlybeyondhisowncontrol，tobejustlyresentedasinsolent；andyet，inherhumoratthatmoment，Magdalendidresentit。Shefelttheman\'sresoluteblackeyesstrikethroughherwithanelectricsuddenness；andfrowningathimimpatiently，sheturnedawayherheadandlookedbackatthehouse。

Thenextmomentsheglancedroundagaintoseeifhehadgoneon。Hehadadvancedafewyards——hadthenevidentlystopped——andwasnowintheveryactofturningtolookatheroncemore。Hiscompanion，theclergyman，noticingthatMagdalenappearedtobeannoyed，tookhimfamiliarlybythearm，and，halfinjest，halfinearnest，forcedhimtowalkon。Thetwodisappearedroundthecornerofthenexthouse。Astheyturnedit，thesun-burnedsailortwicestoppedhiscompanionagain，andtwicelookedback。

“Afriendofyours？“inquiredCaptainWragge，joiningMagdalenatthatmoment。

“Certainlynot，“shereplied；“aperfectstranger。Hestaredatmeinthemostimpertinentmanner。Doeshebelongtothisplace？“

“I\'llfindoutinamoment，“saidthecompliantcaptain，joiningthegroupofboatmen，andputtinghisquestionsrightandleft，withtheeasyfamiliaritywhichdistinguishedhim。Hereturnedinafewminuteswithacompletebudgetofinformation。Theclergymanwaswellknownastherectorofaplacesituatedsomefewmilesinland。Thedarkmanwithhimwashiswife\'sbrother，commanderofashipinthemerchant-service。Hewassupposedtobestayingwithhisrelatives，astheirguestforashorttimeonly，preparatorytosailingonanothervoyage。Theclergyman\'snamewasStrickland，andthemerchant-captain\'snamewasKirke；andthatwasalltheboatmenknewabouteitherofthem。

“Itisofnoconsequencewhotheyare，“saidMagdalen，carelessly。“Theman\'srudenessmerelyannoyedmeforthemoment。Letushavedonewithhim。Ihavesomethingelsetothinkof，andsohaveyou。Whereisthesolitarywalkyoumentionedjustnow？Whichwaydowego？“

ThecaptainpointedsouthwardtowardSlaughden，andofferedhisarm。

Magdalenhesitatedbeforeshetookit。HereyeswanderedawayinquiringlytoNoelVanstone\'shouse。Hewasoutinthegarden，pacingbackwardandforwardoverthelittlelawn，withhisheadhighintheair，andwithMrs。Lecountdemurelyinattendanceonhim，carryinghermaster\'sgreenfan。Seeingthis，MagdalenatoncetookCaptainWragge\'srightarm，soastoplaceherselfnearesttothegardenwhentheypasseditontheirwalk。

“Theeyesofourneighborsareonus；andtheleastyourniececandoistotakeyourarm，“shesaid，withabitterlaugh。“Come！letusgoon。“

“Theyarelookingthisway，“whisperedthecaptain。“ShallIintroduceyoutoMrs。Lecount？“

“Notto-night，“sheanswered。“Wait，andhearwhatIhavetosaytoyoufirst。“

Theypassedthegardenwall。CaptainWraggetookoffhishatwithasmartflourish，andreceivedagraciousbowfromMrs。Lecountinreturn。Magdalensawthehousekeepersurveyherface，herfigure，andherdress，withthatreluctantinterest，thatdistrustfulcuriosity，whichwomenfeelinobservingeachother。Asshewalkedonbeyondthehouse，thesharpvoiceofNoelVanstonereachedherthroughtheeveningstillness。“Afinegirl，Lecount，“sheheardhimsay。“YouknowIamajudgeofthatsortofthing——afinegirl！“

Asthosewordswerespoken，CaptainWraggelookedroundathiscompanioninsuddensurprise。Herhandwastremblingviolentlyonhisarm，andherlipswerefastclosedwithanexpressionofspeechlesspain。

Slowlyandinsilencethetwowalkedonuntiltheyreachedthesouthernlimitofthehouses，andenteredonalittlewildernessofshingleandwitheredgrass——thedesolateendofAldborough，thelonelybeginningofSlaughden。

Itwasadull，airlessevening。Eastward，wasthegraymajestyofthesea，hushedinbreathlesscalm；thehorizonlineinvisiblymeltingintothemonotonous，mistysky；theidleshipsshadowyandstillontheidlewater。Southward，thehighridgeoftheseadike，andthegrim，massivecircleofamartellotowerrearedhighonitsmoundofgrass，closedtheviewdarklyonallthatlaybeyond。Westward，aluridstreakofsunsetglowedredinthedrearyheaven，blackenedthefringingtreesonthefarbordersofthegreatinlandmarsh，andturneditslittlegleamingwater-poolstopoolsofblood。Nearertotheeye，thesullenflowofthetidalriverAldeebbednoiselesslyfromthemuddybanks；andnearerstill，lonelyandunprosperousbythebleakwater-side，laythelostlittleportofSlaughden，withitsforlornwharfsandwarehousesofdecayingwood，anditsfewscatteredcoasting-vesselsdesertedontheoozyriver-shore。Nofallofwaveswasheardonthebeach，notricklingofwatersbubbledaudiblyfromtheidlestream。Nowandthenthecryofasea-birdrosefromtheregionofthemarsh；andatintervals，fromfarmhousesfarintheinlandwaste，thefaintwindingofhornstocallthecattlehometraveledmournfullythroughtheeveningcalm。

Magdalendrewherhandfromthecaptain\'sarm，andledthewaytothemoundofthemartellotower。“Iamwearyofwalking，“shesaid。“Letusstopandresthere。“

Sheseatedherselfontheslope，andrestingonherelbow，mechanicallypulledupandscatteredfromherintotheairthetuftsofgrassgrowingunderherhand。Aftersilentlyoccupyingherselfinthiswayforsomeminutes，sheturnedsuddenlyonCaptainWragge。“DoIsurpriseyou？“sheasked，withastartlingabruptness。“Doyoufindmechanged？“

Thecaptain\'sreadytactwarnedhimthatthetimehadcometobeplainwithher，andtoreservehisflowersofspeechforamoreappropriateoccasion。

“Ifyouaskthequestion，Imustanswerit，“hereplied。“Yes，Idofindyouchanged。“

Shepulledupanothertuftofgrass。“Isupposeyoucanguessthereason？“shesaid。

Thecaptainwaswiselysilent。Heonlyansweredbyabow。

“Ihavelostallcareformyself，“shewenton，tearingfasterandfasteratthetuftsofgrass。“Sayingthatisnotsayingmuch，perhaps，butitmayhelpyoutounderstandme。TherearethingsIwouldhavediedsoonerthandoatonetime——thingsitwouldhaveturnedmecoldtothinkof。Idon\'tcarenowwhetherIdothemornot。Iamnothingtomyself；IamnomoreinterestedinmyselfthanIaminthesehandfulsofgrass。IsupposeIhavelostsomething。Whatisit？Heart？Conscience？Idon\'tknow。Doyou？WhatnonsenseIamtalking！WhocareswhatIhavelost？Ithasgone；andthere\'sanendofit。Isupposemyoutsideisthebestsideofme——andthat\'sleft，atanyrate。Ihavenotlostmygoodlooks，haveI？There！there！nevermindanswering；don\'ttroubleyourselftopaymecompliments。Ihavebeenadmiredenoughto-day。Firstthesailor，andthenMr。NoelVanstone——enoughforanywoman\'svanity，surely！HaveIanyrighttocallmyselfawoman？Perhapsnot:Iamonlyagirlinmyteens。Oh，me，IfeelasifIwasforty！“Shescatteredthelastfragmentsofgrasstothewinds；andturningherbackonthecaptain，letherheaddrooptillhercheektouchedtheturfbank。“Itfeelssoftandfriendly，“shesaid，nestlingtoitwithahopelesstendernesshorribletosee。“Itdoesn\'tcastmeoff。MotherEarth！TheonlymotherIhaveleft！“

CaptainWraggelookedatherinsilentsurprise。Suchexperienceofhumanityashepossessedwaspowerlesstosoundtoitsdepthstheterribleself-abandonmentwhichhadburstitswaytothesurfaceinherrecklesswords——whichwasnowfasthurryinghertoactionsmorerecklessstill。“Devilishodd！“hethoughttohimself，uneasily。“Hasthelossofherloverturnedherbrain？“Heconsideredforaminutelongerandthenspoketoher。“Leaveittillto-morrow，“suggestedthecaptainconfidentially。“Youarealittletiredto-night。Nohurry，mydeargirl——nohurry。“

Sheraisedherheadinstantly，andlookedroundathimwiththesameangryresolution，withthesamedesperatedefianceofherself，whichhehadseeninherfaceonthememorabledayatYorkwhenshehadactedbeforehimforthefirsttime。“Icameheretotellyouwhatisinmymind，“shesaid；“andIwilltellit！“Sheseatedherselfuprightontheslope；andclaspingherhandsroundherknees，lookedoutsteadily，straightbeforeher，attheslowlydarkeningview。Inthatstrangeposition，shewaiteduntilshehadcomposedherself，andthenaddressedthecaptain，withoutturningherheadtolookroundathim，inthesewords:

“WhenyouandIfirstmet，“shebegan，abruptly，“Itriedhardtokeepmythoughtstomyself。IknowenoughbythistimetoknowthatIfailed。WhenIfirsttoldyouatYorkthatMichaelVanstonehadruinedus，IbelieveyouguessedforyourselfthatI，forone，wasdeterminednottosubmittoit。Whetheryouguessedornot，itisso。Ileftmyfriendswiththatdeterminationinmymind；andIfeelitinmenowstronger，tentimesstronger，thanever。“

“Tentimesstrongerthanever，“echoedthecaptain。“Exactlyso——thenaturalresultoffirmnessofcharacter。“

“No——thenaturalresultofhavingnothingelsetothinkof。IhadsomethingelsetothinkofbeforeyoufoundmeillinVauxhallWalk。Ihavenothingelsetothinkofnow。Rememberthat，ifyoufindmeforthefuturealwaysharpingonthesamestring。Onequestionfirst。DidyouguesswhatImeanttodoonthatmorningwhenyoushowedmethenewspaper，andwhenIreadtheaccountofMichaelVanstone\'sdeath？“

“Generally，“repliedCaptainWragge——“Iguessed，generally，thatyouproposeddippingyourhandintohispurseandtakingfromit(mostproperly)whatwasyourown。Ifeltdeeplyhurtatthetimebyyournotpermittingmetoassistyou。Whyisshesoreservedwithme？(Iremarkedtomyself)——whyisshesounreasonablyreserved？“

“Youshallhavenoreservetocomplainofnow，“pursuedMagdalen。“Itellyouplainly，ifeventshadnothappenedastheydid，youwouldhaveassistedme。IfMichaelVanstonehadnotdied，IshouldhavegonetoBrighton，andhavefoundmywaysafelytohisacquaintanceunderanassumedname。Ihadmoneyenoughwithmetoliveonrespectablyformanymonthstogether。Iwouldhaveemployedthattime——Iwouldhavewaitedawholeyear，ifnecessary，todestroyMrs。Lecount\'sinfluenceoverhim——andIwouldhaveendedbygettingthatinfluence，onmyownterms，intomyownhands。Ihadtheadvantageofyears，theadvantageofnovelty，theadvantageofdownrightdesperation，allonmyside，andIshouldhavesucceeded。Beforetheyearwasout——beforehalftheyearwasout——youshouldhaveseenMrs。Lecountdismissedbyhermaster，andyoushouldhaveseenmetakenintothehouseinherplace，asMichaelVanstone\'sadopteddaughter——asthefaithfulfriend——whohadsavedhimfromanadventuressinhisoldage。GirlsnoolderthanIamhavetrieddeceptionsashopelessinappearanceasmine，andhavecarriedthemthroughtotheend。Ihadmystoryready；Ihadmyplansallconsidered；Ihadtheweakpointinthatoldmantoattackinmyway，whichMrs。Lecounthadfoundoutbeforemetoattackinhers，andItellyouagainIshouldhavesucceeded。“

“Ithinkyouwould，“saidthecaptain。“Andwhatnext？“

“Mr。MichaelVanstonewouldhavechangedhismanofbusinessnext。Youwouldhavesucceededtotheplace；andthosecleverspeculationsonwhichhewassofondofventuringwouldhavecosthimthefortunesofwhichhehadrobbedmysisterandmyself。Tothelastfarthing，CaptainWragge，ascertainlyasyousitthere，tothelastfarthing！Aboldconspiracy，ashockingdeception——wasn\'tit？Idon\'tcare！Anyconspiracy，anydeception，isjustifiedtomyconsciencebythevilelawwhichhasleftushelpless。Youtalkedofmyreservejustnow。HaveIdroppeditatlast？HaveIspokenoutattheeleventhhour？“

Thecaptainlaidhishandsolemnlyonhisheart，andlaunchedhimselfoncemoreonhisbroadestflowoflanguage。

“Youfillmewithunavailingregret，“hesaid。“Ifthatoldmanhadlived，whatacropImighthavereapedfromhim！Whatenormoustransactionsinmoralagricultureitmighthavebeenmyprivilegetocarryon！Arslonga，“saidCaptainWragge，patheticallydriftingintoLatin——“vitabrevis！Letusdropatearonthelostopportunitiesofthepast，andtrywhatthepresentcandotoconsoleus。Oneconclusioniscleartomymind——theexperimentyouproposedtotrywithMr。MichaelVanstoneistotallyhopeless，mydeargirl，inthecaseofhisson。Hissonisimpervioustoallcommonformsofpecuniarytemptation。Youmaytrustmysolemnassurance，“continuedthecaptain，speakingwithanindignantrecollectionoftheanswertohisadvertisementintheTimes，“whenIinformyouthatMr。NoelVanstoneisemphaticallythemeanestofmankind。“

“Icantrustmyownexperienceaswell，“saidMagdalen。“Ihaveseenhim，andspokentohim——Iknowhimbetterthanyoudo。Anotherdisclosure，CaptainWragge，foryourprivateear！IsentyoubackcertainarticlesofcostumewhentheyhadservedthepurposeforwhichItookthemtoLondon。ThatpurposewastofindmywaytoNoelVanstoneindisguise，andtojudgeformyselfofMrs。Lecountandhermaster。Igainedmyobject；andItellyouagain，Iknowthetwopeopleinthathouseyonderwhomwehavenowtodealwithbetterthanyoudo。“

CaptainWraggeexpressedtheprofoundastonishment，andaskedtheinnocentquestionsappropriatetothementalconditionofapersontakencompletelybysurprise。

“Well，“heresumed，whenMagdalenhadbrieflyansweredhim，“andwhatistheresultonyourownmind？Theremustbearesult，orweshouldnotbehere。Youseeyourway？Ofcourse，mydeargirl，youseeyourway？“

“Yes，“shesaid，quickly。“Iseemyway。“

Thecaptaindrewalittlenearertoher，witheagercuriosityexpressedineverylineofhisvagabondface。

“Goon，“hesaid，inananxiouswhisper；“praygoon。“

Shelookedoutthoughtfullyintothegatheringdarkness，withoutanswering，withoutappearingtohaveheardhim。Herlipsclosed，andherclaspedhandstightenedmechanicallyroundherknees。

“Thereisnodisguisingthefact，“saidCaptainWragge，warilyrousingherintospeakingtohim。“Thesonishardertodealwiththanthefather——“

“Notinmyway，“sheinterposed，suddenly。

“Indeed！“saidthecaptain。“Well！theysaythereisashortcuttoeverything，ifweonlylooklongenoughtofindit。Youhavelookedlongenough，Isuppose，andthenaturalresulthasfollowed——youhavefoundit。“

“Ihavenottroubledmyselftolook；Ihavefounditwithoutlooking。“

“Thedeuceyouhave！“criedCaptainWragge，ingreatperplexity。“Mydeargirl，ismyviewofyourpresentpositionleadingmealtogetherastray？AsIunderstandit，hereisMr。NoelVanstoneinpossessionofyourfortuneandyoursister\'s，ashisfatherwas，anddeterminedtokeepit，ashisfatherwas？“

“Yes。“

“Andhereareyou——quitehelplesstogetitbypersuasion——quitehelplesstogetitbylaw——justasresoluteinhiseaseasyouwereinhisfather\'s，totakeitbystratageminspiteofhim？“

“Justasresolute。Notforthesakeofthefortune——mindthat！Forthesakeoftheright。“

“Justso。Andthemeansofcomingatthatrightwhichwerehardwiththefather——whowasnotamiser——areeasywiththeson，whois？“

“Perfectlyeasy。“

“WritemedownanAssforthefirsttimeinmylife！“criedthecaptain，attheendofhispatience。“HangmeifIknowwhatyoumean！“

Shelookedroundathimforthefirsttime——lookedhimstraightandsteadilyintheface。

“IwilltellyouwhatImean，“shesaid。“Imeantomarryhim。“

CaptainWraggestarteduponhisknees，andstoppedonthem，petrifiedbyastonishment。

“RememberwhatItoldyou，“saidMagdalen，lookingawayfromhimagain。“Ihavelostallcareformyself。Ihaveonlyoneendinlifenow，andthesoonerIreachit——anddie——thebetter。If——“Shestopped，alteredherpositionalittle，andpointedwithonehandtothefast-ebbingstreambeneathher，gleamingdiminthedarkeningtwilight——“ifIhadbeenwhatIoncewas，IwouldhavethrownmyselfintothatriversoonerthandowhatIamgoingtodonow。Asitis，Itroublemyselfnolonger；Iwearymymindwithnomoreschemes。Theshortwayandthevilewayliesbeforeme。Itakeit，CaptainWragge，andmarryhim。“

“Keepinghimintotalignoranceofwhoyouare？“saidthecaptain，slowlyrisingtohisfeet，andslowlymovinground，soastoseeherface。“Marryinghimasmyniece，MissBygrave？“

“Asyourniece，MissBygrave。“

“Andafterthemarriage——？“Hisvoicefaltered，ashebeganthequestion，andheleftitunfinished。

“Afterthemarriage，“shesaid，“Ishallstandinnofurtherneedofyourassistance。“

Thecaptainstoopedasshegavehimthatanswer，lookedcloseather，andsuddenlydrewback，withoututteringaword。Hewalkedawaysomepaces，andsatdownagaindoggedlyonthegrass。IfMagdalencouldhaveseenhisfaceinthedyinglight，hisfacewouldhavestartledher。Forthefirsttime，probably，sincehisboyhood，CaptainWraggehadchangedcolor。Hewasdeadlypale。

“Haveyounothingtosaytome？“sheasked。“PerhapsyouarewaitingtohearwhattermsIhavetooffer？Thesearemyterms；Ipayallourexpenseshere；andwhenwepart，onthedayofthemarriage，youtakeafarewellgiftawaywithyouoftwohundredpounds。Doyoupromisemeyourassistanceonthoseconditions？“

“WhatamIexpectedtodo？“heasked，withafurtiveglanceather，andasuddendistrustinhisvoice。

“Youareexpectedtopreservemyassumedcharacterandyourown，“sheanswered，“andyouaretopreventanyinquiriesofMrs。Lecount\'sfromdiscoveringwhoIreallyam。Iasknomore。Therestismyresponsibility——notyours。“

“Ihavenothingtodowithwhathappens——atanytime，orinanyplace——afterthemarriage？“

“Nothingwhatever。“

“ImayleaveyouatthechurchdoorifIplease？“

“Atthechurchdoor，withyourfeeinyourpocket。“

“Paidfromthemoneyinyourownpossession？“

“Certainly！HowelseshouldIpayit？“

CaptainWraggetookoffhishat，andpassedhishandkerchiefoverhisfacewithanairofrelief。

“Givemeaminutetoconsiderit，“hesaid。

“Asmanyminutesasyoulike，“sherejoined，recliningonthebankinherformerposition，andreturningtoherformeroccupationoftearingupthetuftsofgrassandflingingthemoutintotheair。

Thecaptain\'sreflectionswerenotcomplicatedbyanyunnecessarydivergencesfromthecontemplationofhisownpositiontothecontemplationofMagdalen\'s。UtterlyincapableofappreciatingtheinjurydoneherbyFrank\'sinfamoustreacherytohisengagement——aninjurywhichhadseveredher，atonecruelblow，fromtheaspirationwhich，delusionthoughitwas，hadbeenthesavingaspirationofherlife——CaptainWraggeacceptedthesimplefactofherdespairjustashefoundit，andthenlookedstraighttotheconsequencesoftheproposalwhichshehadmadetohim。

Intheprospectbeforethemarriagehesawnothingmoreseriousinvolvedthanthepracticeofadeception，innoimportantdegreedifferent——exceptintheendtobeattainedbyit——fromthedeceptionswhichhisvagabondlifehadlongsinceaccustomedhimtocontemplateandtocarryout。Intheprospectafterthemarriagehedimlydiscerned，throughtheominousdarknessofthefuture，thelurkingphantomsofTerrorandCrime，andtheblackgulfsbehindthemofRuinandDeath。Amanofboundlessaudacityandresource，withinhisownmeanlimits；beyondthoselimits，thecaptainwasasdeferentiallysubmissivetothemajestyofthelawasthemostharmlessmaninexistence；ascautiousinlookingafterhisownpersonalsafetyastheveriestcowardthateverwalkedtheearth。Butoneseriousquestionnowfilledhismind。Couldhe，onthetermsproposedtohim，jointheconspiracyagainstNoelVanstoneuptothepointofthemarriage，andthenwithdrawfromit，withoutriskofinvolvinghimselfintheconsequenceswhichhisexperiencetoldhimmustcertainlyensue？

Strangeasitmayseem，hisdecisioninthisemergencywasmainlyinfluencedbynolessapersonthanNoelVanstonehimself。Thecaptainmighthaveresistedthemoney-offerwhichMagdalenhadmadetohim——fortheprofitsoftheEntertainmenthadfilledhispocketswithmorethanthreetimestwohundredpounds。Buttheprospectofdealingablowinthedarkatthemanwhohadestimatedhisinformationandhimselfatthevalueofafivepoundnoteprovedtoomuchforhiscautionandhisself-control。Onthesmallneutralgroundofself-importance，thebestmenandtheworstmeetonthesameterms。CaptainWragge\'sindignation，whenhesawtheanswertohisadvertisement，stoopedtonoretrospectiveestimateofhisownconduct；hewasasdeeplyoffended，assincerelyangryasifhehadmadeaperfectlyhonorableproposal，andhadbeenrewardedforitbyapersonalinsult。HehadbeentoofullofhisowngrievancetokeepitoutofhisfirstlettertoMagdalen。HehadmoreorlessforgottenhimselfoneverysubsequentoccasionwhenNoelVanstone\'snamewasmentioned。Andinnowfinallydecidingthecourseheshouldtake，itisnottoomuchtosaythatthemotiveofmoneyreceded，forthefirsttimeinhislife，intothesecondplace，andthemotiveofmalicecarriedtheday。

“Iaccepttheterms，“saidCaptainWragge，gettingbrisklyonhislegsagain。“Subject，ofcourse，totheconditionsagreedonbetweenus。Wepartonthewedding-day。Idon\'taskwhereyougo:youdon\'taskwhereIgo。Fromthattimeforthwearestrangerstoeachother。“

Magdalenroseslowlyfromthemound。Ahopelessdepression，asullendespair，showeditselfinherlookandmanner。Sherefusedthecaptain\'sofferedhand；andhertones，whensheansweredhim，weresolowthathecouldhardlyhearher。

“Weunderstandeachother，“shesaid；“andwecannowgoback。YoumayintroducemetoMrs。Lecountto-morrow。“

“Imustaskafewquestionsfirst，“saidthecaptain，gravely。“Therearemoreriskstoberuninthismatter，andmorepitfallsinourway，thanyouseemtosuppose。ImustknowthewholehistoryofyourmorningcallonMrs。LecountbeforeIputyouandthatwomanonspeakingtermswitheachother。“

“Waittillto-morrow，“shebrokeoutimpatiently。“Don\'tmaddenmebytalkingaboutitto-night。“

Thecaptainsaidnomore。TheyturnedtheirfacestowardAldborough，andwalkedslowlyback。

Bythetimetheyreachedthehousesnighthadovertakenthem。Neithermoonnorstarswerevisible。Afaintnoiselessbreezeblowingfromthelandhadcomewiththedarkness。Magdalenpausedonthelonelypublicwalktobreathetheairmorefreely。Afterawhilesheturnedherfacefromthebreezeandlookedouttowardthesea。Theimmeasurablesilenceofthecalmwaters，lostintheblackvoidofnight，wasawful。Shestoodlookingintothedarkness，asifitsmysteryhadnosecretsforher——sheadvancedtowarditslowly，asifitdrewherbysomehiddenattractionintoitself。

“Iamgoingdowntothesea，“shesaidtohercompanion。“Waithere，andIwillcomeback。“

Helostsightofherinaninstant；itwasasifthenighthadswallowedherup。Helistened，andcountedherfootstepsbythecrashingofthemontheshingleinthedeepstillness。Theyretreatedslowly，furtherandfurtherawayintothenight。Suddenlythesoundofthemceased。Hadshepausedonhercourseorhadshereachedoneofthestripsofsandleftbarebytheebbingtide？