第10章

Hewaited，andlistenedanxiously。Thetimepassed，andnosoundreachedhim。Hestilllistened，withagrowingdistrustofthedarkness。Anothermoment，andtherecameasoundfromtheinvisibleshore。Farandfaintfromthebeachbelow，alongcrymoanedthroughthesilence。Thenallwasstilloncemore。

Insuddenalarm，hesteppedforwardtodescendtothebeach，andtocalltoher。Beforehecouldcrossthepath，footstepsrapidlyadvancingcaughthisear。Hewaitedaninstant，andthefigureofamanpassedquicklyalongthewalkbetweenhimandthesea。Itwastoodarktodiscernanythingofthestranger\'sface；itwasonlypossibletoseethathewasatallman——astallasthatofficerinthemerchant-servicewhosenamewasKirke。

Thefigurepassedonnorthward，andwasinstantlylosttoview。CaptainWraggecrossedthepath，and，advancingafewstepsdownthebeach，stoppedandlistenedagain。Thecrashoffootstepsontheshinglecaughthisearoncemore。Slowly，asthesoundhadlefthim，thatsoundnowcameback。Hecalled，toguidehertohim。Shecameontillhecouldjustseeher——ashadowascendingtheshinglyslope，andgrowingoutoftheblacknessofthenight。

“Youalarmedme，“hewhispered，nervously。“Iwasafraidsomethinghadhappened。Iheardyoucryoutasifyouwereinpain。“

“Didyou？“shesaid，carelessly。“Iwasinpain。Itdoesn\'tmatter——it\'sovernow。“

Herhandmechanicallyswungsomethingtoandfroassheansweredhim。Itwasthelittlewhitesilkbagwhichshehadalwayskepthiddeninherbosomuptothistime。Oneoftherelicswhichitheld——oneoftherelicswhichshehadnothadthehearttopartwithbefore——wasgonefromitskeepingforever。Alone，onastrangeshore，shehadtornfromherthefondestofhervirginmemories，thedearestofhervirginhopes。Alone，onastrangeshore，shehadtakenthelockofFrank\'shairfromitsonce-treasuredplace，andhadcastitawayfromhertotheseaandthenight。

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene4，Chapter2CHAPTERII。

THEtallmanwhohadpassedCaptainWraggeinthedarkproceededrapidlyalongthepublicwalk，struckoffacrossalittlewastepatchofground，andenteredtheopendooroftheAldboroughHotel。Thelightinthepassage，fallingfullonhisfaceashepassedit，provedthetruthofCaptainWragge\'ssurmise，andshowedthestrangertobeMr。Kirke，ofthemerchantservice。

Meetingthelandlordinthepassage，Mr。Kirkenoddedtohimwiththefamiliarityofanoldcustomer。“Haveyougotthepaper？“heasked；“Iwanttolookatthevisitors\'list。“

“Ihavegotitinmyroom，sir，“saidthelandlord，leadingthewayintoaparloratthebackofthehouse。“Arethereanyfriendsofyoursstayinghere，doyouthink？“

Withoutreplying，theseamanturnedtothelistassoonasthenewspaperwasplacedinhishand，andranhisfingerdownit，namebyname。Thefingersuddenlystoppedatthisline:“Sea-viewCottage；Mr。NoelVanstone。“Kirkeofthemerchant-servicerepeatedthenametohimself，andputdownthepaperthoughtfully。

“Haveyoufoundanybodyyouknow，captain？“askedthelandlord。

“IhavefoundanameIknow——anamemyfatherusedoftentospeakofinhistime。IsthisMr。Vanstoneafamilyman？Doyouknowifthereisayoungladyinthehouse？“

“Ican\'tsay，captain。Mywifewillbeheredirectly；sheissuretoknow。Itmusthavebeensometimeago，ifyourfatherknewthisMr。Vanstone？“

“Itwassometimeago。MyfatherknewasubalternofficerofthatnamewhenhewaswithhisregimentinCanada。Itwouldbecuriousifthepersonhereturnedouttobethesameman，andifthatyoungladywashisdaughter。“

“Excuseme，captain——buttheyoungladyseemstohangalittleonyourmind，“saidthelandlord，withapleasantsmile。

Mr。Kirkelookedasiftheformwhichhishost\'sgood-humorhadjusttakenwasnotquitetohismind。HereturnedabruptlytothesubalternofficerandtheregimentinCanada。“Thatpoorfellow\'sstorywasasmiserableaoneaseverIheard，“hesaid，lookingbackagainabsentlyatthevisitors\'list。

“Wouldtherebeanyharmintellingit，sir？“askedthelandlord。“Miserableornot，astory\'sastory，whenyouknowittobetrue。“

Mr。Kirkehesitated。“IhardlythinkIshouldbedoingrighttotellit，“hesaid。“Ifthisman，oranyrelationsofhis，arestillalive，itisnotastorytheymightlikestrangerstoknow。AllIcantellyouis，thatmyfatherwasthesalvationofthatyoungofficerunderverydreadfulcircumstances。TheypartedinCanada。Myfatherremainedwithhisregiment；theyoungofficersoldoutandreturnedtoEngland，andfromthatmomenttheylostsightofeachother。ItwouldbecuriousifthisVanstoneherewasthesameman。Itwouldbecurious——“

Hesuddenlycheckedhimselfjustasanotherreferenceto“theyounglady“wasonthepointofpassinghislips。Atthesamemomentthelandlord\'swifecamein，andMr。Kirkeatoncetransferredhisinquiriestothehigherauthorityinthehouse。

“DoyouknowanythingofthisMr。Vanstonewhoisdownhereonthevisitors\'list？“askedthesailor。“Isheanoldman？“

“He\'samiserablelittlecreaturetolookat，“repliedthelandlady；“buthe\'snotold，captain。“

“Thenhe\'snotthemanImean。Perhapsheistheman\'sson？Hashegotanyladieswithhim？“

Thelandladytossedherhead，andpursedupherlipsdisparagingly。

“Hehasahousekeeperwithhim，“shesaid。“Amiddle-agedperson——notoneofmysort。IdaresayI\'mwrong——butIdon\'tlikeadressywomaninherstationoflife。“

Mr。Kirkebegantolookpuzzled。“Imusthavemadesomemistakeaboutthehouse，“hesaid。“Surelythere\'salawncutoctagon-shapeatSea-viewCottage，andawhiteflag-staffinthemiddleofthegravel-walk？“

“That\'snotSea-view，sir！It\'sNorthShinglesyou\'retalkingof。Mr。Bygrave\'s。Hiswifeandhisniececameherebythecoachto-day。Hiswife\'stallenoughtobeputinashow，andtheworst-dressedwomanIeverseteyeson。ButMissBygraveisworthlookingat，ifImayventuretosayso。She\'sthefinestgirl，tomymind，we\'vehadatAldboroughformanyalongday。Iwonderwhotheyare！Doyouknowthename，captain？“

“No，“saidMr。Kirke，withashadeofdisappointmentonhisdark，weather-beatenface；“Ineverheardthenamebefore。“

Afterreplyinginthosewords，herosetotakehisleave。Thelandlordvainlyinvitedhimtodrinkapartingglass；thelandladyvainlypressedhimtostayanothertenminutesandtryacupoftea。Heonlyrepliedthathissisterexpectedhim，andthathemustreturntotheparsonageimmediately。

OnleavingthehotelMr。Kirkesethisfacewestward，andwalkedinlandalongthehighroadasfastasthedarknesswouldlethim。

“Bygrave？“hethoughttohimself。“NowIknowhername，howmuchamIthewiserforit！IfithadbeenVanstone，myfather\'ssonmighthavehadachanceofmakingacquaintancewithher。“Hestopped，andlookedbackinthedirectionofAldborough。“WhatafoolIam！“heburstoutsuddenly，strikinghisstickontheground。“Iwasfortylastbirthday。“Heturnedandwentonagainfasterthanever——hisheaddown；hisresoluteblackeyessearchingthedarknessonthelandastheyhadsearcheditmanyatimeontheseafromthedeckofhisship。

Aftermorethananhour\'swalkinghereachedavillage，withaprimitivelittlechurchandparsonagenestledtogetherinahollow。Heenteredthehousebythebackway，andfoundhissister，theclergyman\'swife，sittingaloneoverherworkintheparlor。

“Whereisyourhusband，Lizzie？“heasked，takingachairinacorner。

“Williamhasgoneouttoseeasickperson。Hehadjusttimeenoughbeforehewent，“sheadded，withasmile，“totellmeabouttheyounglady；andhedeclareshewillnevertrusthimselfatAldboroughwithyouagainuntilyouareasteady，marriedman。“Shestopped，andlookedatherbrothermoreattentivelythanshehadlookedathimyet。“Robert！“shesaid，layingasideherwork，andsuddenlycrossingtheroomtohim。“Youlookanxious，youlookdistressed。Williamonlylaughedaboutyourmeetingwiththeyounglady。Isitserious？Tellme；whatisshelike？“

Heturnedhisheadawayatthequestion。

Shetookastoolathisfeet，andpersistedinlookingupathim。“Isitserious，Robert？“sherepeated，softly。

Kirke\'sweather-beatenfacewasaccustomedtonoconcealments——itansweredforhimbeforehespokeaword。“Don\'ttellyourhusbandtillIamgone，“hesaid，witharoughnessquitenewinhissister\'sexperienceofhim。“IknowIonlydeservetobelaughedat；butithurtsme，forallthat。“

“Hurtsyou？“sherepeated，inastonishment。

“Youcan\'tthinkmehalfsuchafool，Lizzie，asIthinkmyself，“pursuedKirke，bitterly。“Amanatmyageoughttoknowbetter。Ididn\'tseteyesonherforasmuchasaminutealtogether；andthereIhavebeenhangingabouttheplacetillafternightfallonthechanceofseeingheragain——skulking，Ishouldhavecalledit，ifIhadfoundoneofmymendoingwhatIhavebeendoingmyself。IbelieveI\'mbewitched。She\'sameregirl，Lizzie——Idoubtifshe\'soutofherteens——I\'moldenoughtobeherfather。It\'sallone；shestopsinmymindinspiteofme。I\'vehadherfacelookingatme，throughthepitchdarkness，everystepofthewaytothishouse；andit\'slookingatmenow——asplainasIseeyours，andplainer。“

Heroseimpatiently，andbegantowalkbackwardandforwardintheroom。Hissisterlookedafterhim，withsurpriseaswellassympathyexpressedinherface。Fromhisboyhoodupwardshehadalwaysbeenaccustomedtoseehimmasterofhimself。Yearssince，inthefailingfortunesofthefamily，hehadbeentheirexampleandtheirsupport。Shehadheardofhiminthedesperateemergenciesofalifeatsea，whenhundredsofhisfellow-creatureshadlookedtohissteadyself-possessionforrescuefromclose-threateningdeath——andhadnotlookedinvain。Never，inallherlifebefore，hadhissisterseenthebalanceofthatcalmandequalmindlostasshesawitlostnow。

“Howcanyoutalksounreasonablyaboutyourageandyourself？“shesaid。“Thereisnotawomanalive，Robert，whoisgoodenoughforyou。Whatishername？“

“Bygrave。Doyouknowit？“

“No。ButImightsoonmakeacquaintancewithher。Ifweonlyhadalittletimebeforeus；ifIcouldonlygettoAldboroughandseeher——butyouaregoingawayto-morrow；yourshipsailsattheendoftheweek。“

“ThankGodforthat！“saidKirke，fervently。

“Areyougladtobegoingaway？“sheasked，moreandmoreamazedathim。

“Rightglad，Lizzie，formyownsake。IfIevergettomysensesagain，Ishallfindmywaybacktothemonthedeckofmyship。Thisgirlhasgotbetweenmeandmythoughtsalready:sheshan\'tgoastepfurther，andgetbetweenmeandmyduty。I\'mdeterminedonthat。FoolasIam，IhavesenseenoughleftnottotrustmyselfwithineasyhailofAldboroughto-morrowmorning。I\'mgoodforanothertwentymilesofwalking，andI\'llbeginmyjourneybacktonight。“

Hissisterstartedup，andcaughthimfastbythearm。“Robert！“sheexclaimed；“you\'renotserious？Youdon\'tmeantoleaveusonfoot，aloneinthedark？“

“It\'sonlysayinggood-by，mydear，thelastthingatnightinsteadofthefirstthinginthemorning，“heanswered，withasmile。“Tryandmakeallowancesforme，Lizzie。Mylifehasbeenpassedatsea；andI\'mnotusedtohavingmymindupsetinthisway。Menashoreareusedtoit；menashorecantakeiteasy。Ican\'t。IfIstoppedhereIshouldn\'trest。IfIwaitedtillto-morrow，Ishouldonlybegoingbacktohaveanotherlookather。Idon\'twanttofeelmoreashamedofmyselfthanIdoalready。Iwanttofightmywaybacktomydutyandmyself，withoutstoppingtothinktwiceaboutit。Darknessisnothingtome——I\'musedtodarkness。Ihavegotthehigh-roadtowalkon，andIcan\'tlosemyway。Letmego，Lizzie！TheonlysweetheartIhaveanybusinesswithatmyageismyship。Letmegetbacktoher！“

Hissisterstillkeptherholdofhisarm，andstillpleadedwithhimtostaytillthemorning。Helistenedtoherwithperfectpatienceandkindness，butshenevershookhisdeterminationforaninstant。

“WhatamItosaytoWilliam？“shepleaded。“Whatwillhethinkwhenhecomesbackandfindsyougone？“

“TellhimIhavetakentheadvicehegaveusinhissermonlastSunday。SayIhaveturnedmybackontheworld，theflesh，andthedevil。“

“Howcanyoutalkso，Robert！Andtheboys，too——youpromisednottogowithoutbiddingtheboysgood-by。“

“That\'strue。Imademylittlenephewsapromise，andI\'llkeepit。“Hekickedoffhisshoesashespoke，onthematoutsidethedoor。“Lightmeupstairs，Lizzie；I\'llbidthetwoboysgood-bywithoutwakingthem。“

Shesawtheuselessnessofresistinghimanylonger；and，takingthecandle，wentbeforehimupstairs。

Theboys——bothyoungchildren——weresleepingtogetherinthesamebed。Theyoungestwashisuncle\'sfavorite，andwascalledbyhisuncle\'sname。Helaypeacefullyasleep，witharoughlittletoyshiphuggedfastinhisarms。Kirke\'seyessoftenedashestoleontiptoetothechild\'sside，andkissedhimwiththegentlenessofawoman。“Poorlittleman！“saidthesailor，tenderly。“HeisasfondofhisshipasIwasathisage。I\'llcuthimoutabetteronewhenIcomeback。Willyougivememynephewoneofthesedays，Lizzie，andwillyouletmemakeasailorofhim？“

“Oh，Robert，ifyouwereonlymarriedandhappy，asIam！“

“Thetimehasgoneby，mydear。ImustmakethebestofitasIam，withmylittlenephewtheretohelpme。“

Helefttheroom。Hissister\'stearsfellfastasshefollowedhimintotheparlor。“Thereissomethingsoforlornanddreadfulinyourleavinguslikethis，“shesaid。“ShallIgotoAldboroughto-morrow，Robert，andtryifIcangetacquaintedwithherforyoursake？“

“No！“hereplied。“Letherbe。Ifit\'sorderedthatIamtoseethatgirlagain，Ishallseeher。Leaveittothefuture，andyouleaveitright。“Heputonhisshoes，andtookuphishatandstick。“Iwon\'toverwalkmyself，“hesaid，cheerfully。“Ifthecoachdoesn\'tovertakemeontheroad，IcanwaitforitwhereIstoptobreakfast。Dryyoureyes，mydear，andgivemeakiss。“

Shewaslikeherbrotherinfeaturesandcomplexion，andshehadatouchofherbrother\'sspirit；shedashedawaythetears，andtookherleaveofhimbravely。

“Ishallbebackinayear\'stime，“saidKirke，fallingintohisoldsailor-likewayatthedoor。“I\'llbringyouaChinashawl，Lizzie，andachestofteaforyourstore-room。Don\'tlettheboysforgetme，anddon\'tthinkI\'mdoingwrongtoleaveyouinthisway。IknowIamdoingright。Godblessyouandkeepyou，mydear——andyourhusband，andyourchildren！Good-by！“

Hestoopedandkissedher。Sherantothedoortolookafterhim。Apuffofairextinguishedthecandle，andtheblacknightshuthimoutfromherinaninstant。

Threedaysafterwardthefirst-classmerchantmanDeliverance，Kirke，commander，sailedfromLondonfortheChinaSea。

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene4，Chapter3CHAPTERIII。

THEthreateningofstormandchangepassedawaywiththenight。WhenmorningroseoverAldborough，thesunwasmasterintheblueheaven，andthewaveswereripplinggaylyunderthesummerbreeze。

Atanhourwhennoothervisitorstothewatering-placewereyetastir，theindefatigableWraggeappearedatthedoorofNorthShinglesVilla，anddirectedhisstepsnorthward，withaneatly-boundcopyof“Joyce\'sScientificDialogues“inhishand。Arrivingatthewastegroundbeyondthehouses，hedescendedtothebeachandopenedhisbook。Theinterviewofthepastnighthadsharpenedhisperceptionofthedifficultiestobeencounteredinthecomingenterprise。HewasnowdoublydeterminedtotrythecharacteristicexperimentatwhichhehadhintedinhislettertoMagdalen，andtoconcentrateonhimself——inthecharacterofaremarkablywell-informedman——theentireinterestandattentionoftheformidableMrs。Lecount。

Havingtakenhisdoseofready-madescience(tousehisownexpression)thefirstthinginthemorningonanemptystomach，CaptainWraggejoinedhissmallfamilycircleatbreakfast-time，inflatedwithinformationfortheday。HeobservedthatMagdalen\'sfaceshowedplainsignsofasleeplessnight。Shemadenocomplaint:hermannerwascomposed，andhertemperperfectlyundercontrol。Mrs。Wragge——refreshedbysomethirteenconsecutivehoursofuninterruptedrepose——wasinexcellentspirits，andupatheel(forawonder)withbothshoes。Shebroughtwithherintotheroomseverallargesheetsoftissue-paper，cutcrisplyintomysteriousandmany-varyingforms，whichimmediatelyprovokedfromherhusbandtheshortandsharpquestion，“Whathaveyougotthere？“

“Patterns，captain，“saidMrs。Wragge，intimidlyconciliatingtones。“IwentshoppinginLondon，andboughtanOrientalCashmereRobe。Itcostadealofmoney；andI\'mgoingtotryandsave，bymakingitmyself。I\'vegotmypatterns，andmydress-makingdirectionswrittenoutasplainasprint。I\'llbeverytidy，captain；I\'llkeepinmyowncorner，ifyou\'llpleasetogivemeone；andwhethermyheadBuzzes，orwhetheritdon\'t，I\'llsitstraightatmyworkallthesame。“

“Youwilldoyourwork，“saidthecaptain，sternly，“whenyouknowwhoyouare，whoIam，andwhothatyoungladyis——notbefore。Showmeyourshoes！Good。Showmeyoucap！Good。Makethebreakfast。“

Whenbreakfastwasover，Mrs。Wraggereceivedherorderstoretireintoanadjoiningroom，andtowaitthereuntilherhusbandcametoreleaseher。Assoonasherbackwasturned，CaptainWraggeatonceresumedtheconversationwhichhadbeensuspended，byMagdalen\'sowndesire，ontheprecedingnight。ThequestionshenowputtoherallrelatedtothesubjectofhervisitindisguisetoNoelVanstone\'shouse。Theywerethequestionsofathoroughlyclear-headedman——short，searching，andstraighttothepoint。Inlessthanhalfanhour\'stimehehadmadehimselfacquaintedwitheveryincidentthathadhappenedinVauxhallWalk。

Theconclusionswhichthecaptaindrew，aftergaininghisinformation，wereclearandeasilystated。

Ontheadversesideofthequestion，heexpressedhisconvictionthatMrs。Lecounthadcertainlydetectedhervisitortobedisguised；thatshehadneverreallylefttheroom，thoughshemighthaveopenedandshutthedoor；andthatonboththeoccasions，therefore，whenMagdalenhadbeenbetrayedintospeakinginherownvoice，Mrs。Lecounthadheardher。Onthefavorablesideofthequestion，hewasperfectlysatisfiedthatthepaintedfaceandeyelids，thewig，andthepaddedcloakhadsoeffectuallyconcealedMagdalen\'sidentity，thatshemightinherownpersondefythehousekeeper\'sclosestscrutiny，sofarasthematterofappearancewasconcerned。ThedifficultyofdeceivingMrs。Lecount\'sears，aswellashereyes，was，hereadilyadmitted，notsoeasilytobedisposedof。ButlookingtothefactthatMagdalen，onboththeoccasionswhenshehadforgottenherself，hadspokenintheheatofanger，hewasofopinionthathervoicehadeveryreasonablechanceofescapingdetection，ifshecarefullyavoidedalloutburstsoftemperforthefuture，andspokeinthosemorecomposedandordinarytoneswhichMrs。Lecounthadnotyetheard。Uponthewhole，thecaptainwasinclinedtopronouncetheprospecthopeful，ifoneseriousobstaclewereclearedawayattheoutset——thatobstaclebeingnothinglessthanthepresenceonthesceneofactionofMrs。Wragge。

ToMagdalen\'ssurprise，whenthecourseofhernarrativebroughthertothestoryoftheghost，CaptainWraggelistenedwiththeairofamanwhowasmoreannoyedthanamusedbywhatheheard。Whenshehaddone，heplainlytoldherthatherunluckymeetingonthestairsofthelodging-housewithMrs。Wraggewas，inhisopinion，themostseriousofalltheaccidentsthathadhappenedinVauxhallWalk。

“Icandealwiththedifficultyofmywife\'sstupidity，“hesaid，“asIhaveoftendealtwithitbefore。Icanhammerhernewidentityintoherhead，butIcan\'thammertheghostoutofit。Wehavenosecuritythatthewomaninthegraycloakandpokebonnetmaynotcomebacktoherrecollectionatthemostcriticaltime，andunderthemostawkwardcircumstances。InplainEnglish，mydeargirl，Mrs。Wraggeisapitfallunderourfeetateverystepwetake。“

“Ifweareawareofthepitfall，“saidMagdalen，“wecantakeourmeasuresforavoidingit。Whatdoyoupropose？“

“Ipropose，“repliedthecaptain，“thetemporaryremovalofMrs。Wragge。Speakingpurelyinapecuniarypointofview，Ican\'taffordatotalseparationfromher。Youhaveoftenreadofverypoorpeoplebeingsuddenlyenrichedbylegaciesreachingthemfromremoteandunexpectedquarters？Mrs。Wragge\'scase，whenImarriedher，wasoneofthese。Anelderlyfemalerelativesharedthefavorsoffortuneonthatoccasionwithmywife；andifIonlykeepupdomesticappearances，IhappentoknowthatMrs。Wraggewillproveasecondtimeprofitabletomeonthatelderlyrelative\'sdeath。Butforthiscircumstance，Ishouldprobablylongsincehavetransferredmywifetothecareofsocietyatlarge——intheagreeableconvictionthatifIdidn\'tsupporther，somebodyelsewould。AlthoughIcan\'taffordtotakethiscourse，Iseenoobjectiontohavinghercomfortablyboardedandlodgedoutofourwayforthetimebeing——say，ataretiredfarm-house，inthecharacterofaladyininfirmmentalhealth。Youwouldfindtheexpensetrifling；Ishouldfindthereliefunutterable。Whatdoyousay？ShallIpackherupatonce，andtakeherawaybythenextcoach？“

“No！“repliedMagdalen，firmly。“Thepoorcreature\'slifeishardenoughalready；Iwon\'thelptomakeitharder。ShewasaffectionatelyandtrulykindtomewhenIwasill，andIwon\'tallowhertobeshutupamongstrangerswhileIcanhelpit。Theriskofkeepingherhereisonlyoneriskmore。Iwillfaceit，CaptainWragge，ifyouwon\'t。“

“Thinktwice，“saidthecaptain，gravely，“beforeyoudecideonkeepingMrs。Wragge。“

“Onceisenough，“rejoinedMagdalen。“Iwon\'thavehersentaway。“

“Verygood，“saidthecaptain，resignedly。“Ineverinterferewithquestionsofsentiment。ButIhaveawordtosayonmyownbehalf。Ifmyservicesaretobeofanyusetoyou，Ican\'thavemyhandstiedatstarting。Thisisserious。Iwon\'ttrustmywifeandMrs。Lecounttogether。I\'mafraid，ifyou\'renot，andImakeitaconditionthat，ifMrs。Wraggestopshere，shekeepsherroom。Ifyouthinkherhealthrequiresit，youcantakeherforawalkearlyinthemorning，orlateintheevening；butyoumustnevertrustheroutwiththeservant，andnevertrustheroutbyherself。Iputthematterplainly，itistooimportanttobetrifledwith。Whatdoyousay——yesorno？“

“Isayyes，“repliedMagdalen，afteramoment\'sconsideration。“OntheunderstandingthatIamtotakeheroutwalking，asyoupropose。“

CaptainWraggebowed，andrecoveredhissuavityofmanner。“Whatareourplans？“heinquired。“Shallwestartourenterprisethisafternoon？AreyoureadyforyourintroductiontoMrs。Lecountandhermaster？“

“Quiteready。“

“Goodagain。WewillmeetthemontheParade，attheirusualhourforgoingout——twoo\'clock。Itisnottwelveyet。Ihavetwohoursbeforeme——justtimeenoughtofitmywifeintohernewSkin。Theprocessisabsolutelynecessary，topreventhercompromisinguswiththeservant。Don\'tbeafraidabouttheresults；Mrs。Wraggehashadacopiousselectionofassumednameshammeredintoherheadinthecourseofhermatrimonialcareer。Itismerelyaquestionofhammeringhardenough——nothingmore。Ithinkwehavesettledeverythingnow。IsthereanythingIcandobeforetwoo\'clock？Haveyouanyemploymentforthemorning？“

“No，“saidMagdalen。“Ishallgobacktomyownroom，andtrytorest。“

“Youhadadisturbednight，Iamafraid？“saidthecaptain，politelyopeningthedoorforher。

“Ifellasleeponceortwice，“sheanswered，carelessly。“Isupposemynervesarealittleshaken。Theboldblackeyesofthatmanwhostaredsorudelyatmeyesterdayeveningseemedtobelookingatmeagaininmydreams。Ifweseehimto-day，andifheannoysmeanymore，Imusttroubleyoutospeaktohim。Wewillmeethereagainattwoo\'clock。Don\'tbehardwithMrs。Wragge；teachherwhatshemustlearnastenderlyasyoucan。“

Withthosewordsshelefthim，andwentupstairs。

Shelaydownonherbedwithaheavysigh，andtriedtosleep。Itwasuseless。Thedullwearinessofherselfwhichnowpossessedherwasnotthewearinesswhichfindsitsremedyinrepose。Sheroseagainandsatbythewindow，lookingoutlistlesslyoverthesea。

AweakernaturethanherswouldnothavefelttheshockofFrank\'sdesertionasshehadfeltit——asshewasfeelingitstill。Aweakernaturewouldhavefoundrefugeinindignationandcomfortintears。ThepassionatestrengthofMagdalen\'sloveclungdesperatelytothesinkingwreckofitsowndelusion——clung，untilshetoreherselffromit，byplainforceofwill。Allthathernativepride，herkeensenseofwrongcoulddo，wastoshameherfromdwellingonthethoughtswhichstillcaughttheirbreathoflifefromtheundyingdevotionofthepast；whichstillperverselyascribedFrank\'sheartlessfarewelltoanycausebuttheinbornbasenessofthemanwhohadwrittenit。Thewomanneverlivedyetwhocouldcastatrue-loveoutofherheartbecausetheobjectofthatlovewasunworthyofher。Allshecandoistostruggleagainstitinsecret——tosinkinthecontestifsheisweak；towinherwaythroughitifsheisstrong，byaprocessofself-lacerationwhichis，ofallmoralremediesappliedtoawoman\'snature，themostdangerousandthemostdesperate；ofallmoralchanges，thechangethatissuresttomarkherforlife。Magdalen\'sstrongnaturehadsustainedherthroughthestruggle；andtheissueofithadleftherwhatshenowwas。

Aftersittingbythewindowfornearlyanhour，hereyeslookingmechanicallyattheview，hermindemptyofallimpressions，andconsciousofnothoughts，sheshookoffthestrangewakingstuporthatpossessedher，androsetoprepareherselffortheseriousbusinessoftheday。

Shewenttothewardrobeandtookdownfromthepegstwobright，delicatemuslindresses，whichhadbeenmadeforsummerwearatCombe-Ravenayearsince，andwhichhadbeenoftoolittlevaluetobeworthsellingwhenshepartedwithherotherpossessions。Afterplacingthesedressessidebysideonthebed，shelookedintothewardrobeoncemore。Itonlycontainedoneothersummerdress——theplainalpacagownwhichshehadwornduringhermemorableinterviewwithNoelVanstoneandMrs。Lecount。Thissheleftinitsplace，resolvingnottowearit——lessfromanydreadthatthehousekeepermightrecognizeapatterntooquiettobenoticed，andtoocommontoberemembered，thanfromtheconvictionthatitwasneithergayenoughnorbecomingenoughforherpurpose。Aftertakingaplainwhitemuslinscarf，apairoflightgraykidgloves，andagarden-hatofTuscanstraw，fromthedrawersofthewardrobe，shelockedit，andputthekeycarefullyinherpocket。

Insteadofatonceproceedingtodressherself，shesatidlylookingatthetwomuslingowns；carelesswhichshewore，andyetinconsistentlyhesitatingwhichtochoose。“Whatdoesitmatter！“shesaidtoherself，witharecklesslaugh；“Iamequallyworthlessinmyownestimation，whicheverIputon。“Sheshuddered，asifthesoundofherownlaughterhadstartledher，andabruptlycaughtupthedresswhichlaynearesttoherhand。Itscolorswereblueandwhite——theshadeofbluewhichbestsuitedherfaircomplexion。Shehurriedlyputonthegown，withoutgoingnearherlooking-glass。Forthefirsttimeinherlifesheshrankfrommeetingthereflectionofherself——exceptforamoment，whenshearrangedherhairunderhergarden-hat，leavingtheglassagainimmediately。Shedrewherscarfoverhershouldersandfittedonhergloves，withherbacktothetoilet-table。“ShallIpaint？“sheaskedherself，feelinginstinctivelythatshewasturningpale。“Therougeisstillleftinmybox。Itcan\'tmakemyfacemorefalsethanitisalready。“Shelookedroundtowardtheglass，andagainturnedawayfromit。“No！“shesaid。“IhaveMrs。Lecounttofaceaswellashermaster。Nopaint。“Afterconsultingherwatch，shelefttheroomandwentdownstairsagain。Itwantedtenminutesonlyoftwoo\'clock。

CaptainWraggewaswaitingforherintheparlor——respectable，inafrock-coat，astiffsummercravat，andahighwhitehat；specklesslyandcheerfullyrural，inabuffwaistcoat，graytrousers，andgaiterstomatch。Hiscollarswerehigherthanever，andhecarriedabrand-newcamp-stoolinhishand。AnytradesmaninEnglandwhohadseenhimatthatmomentwouldhavetrustedhimonthespot。

“Charming！“saidthecaptain，paternallysurveyingMagdalenwhensheenteredtheroom。“Sofreshandcool！Alittletoopale，mydear，andagreatdealtooserious。Otherwiseperfect。Tryifyoucansmile。“

“Whenthetimecomesforsmiling，“saidMagdalen，bitterly，“trustmydramatictrainingforanychangeoffacethatmaybenecessary。WhereisMrs。Wragge？“

“Mrs。Wraggehaslearnedherlesson，“repliedthecaptain，“andisrewardedbymypermissiontositatworkinherownroom。Isanctionhernewfancyfordressmaking，becauseitissuretoabsorballherattention，andtokeepherathome。ThereisnofearofherfinishingtheOrientalRobeinahurry，forthereisnomistakeintheprocessofmakingitwhichsheisnotcertaintocommit。Shewillsitincubatinghergown——pardontheexpression——likeahenoveranaddledegg。Iassureyou，hernewwhimrelievesme。Nothingcouldbemoreconvenient，underexistingcircumstances。“

Hestruttedawaytothewindow，lookedout，andbeckonedtoMagdalentojoinhim。“Theretheyare！“hesaid，andpointedtotheParade。

NoelVanstoneslowlywalkedby，asshelooked，dressedinacompletesuitofold-fashionednankeen。Itwasapparentlyoneofthedayswhenthestateofhishealthwasattheworst。HeleanedonMrs。Lecount\'sarm，andwasprotectedfromthesunbyalightumbrellawhichsheheldoverhim。Thehousekeeper——dressedtoperfection，asusual，inaquiet，lavender-coloredsummergown，ablackmantilla，anunassumingstrawbonnet，andacrispblueveil——escortedherinvalidmasterwiththetenderestattention；sometimesdirectinghisnoticerespectfullytothevariousobjectsoftheseaview；sometimesbendingherheadingracefulacknowledgmentofthecourtesyofpassingstrangersontheParade，whosteppedasidetolettheinvalidpassby。Sheproducedavisibleeffectamongtheidlersonthebeach。Theylookedafterherwithunanimousinterest，andexchangedconfidentialnodsofapprovalwhichsaid，asplainlyaswordscouldhaveexpressedit，“Averydomesticperson！atrulysuperiorwoman！“

CaptainWragge\'sparty-coloredeyesfollowedMrs。Lecountwithasteady，distrustfulattention。“Toughworkforusthere，“hewhisperedinMagdalen\'sear；“tougherworkthanyouthink，beforeweturnthatwomanoutofherplace。“

“Wait，“saidMagdalen，quietly。“Waitandsee。“

Shewalkedtothedoor。Thecaptainfollowedherwithoutmakinganyfurtherremark。“I\'llwaittillyou\'remarried，“hethoughttohimself——“notamomentlonger，offermewhatyoumay。“

AtthehousedoorMagdalenaddressedhimagain。

“Wewillgothatway，“shesaid，pointingsouthward，“thenturn，andmeetthemastheycomeback。“

CaptainWraggesignifiedhisapprovalofthearrangement，andfollowedMagdalentothegardengate。Assheopenedittopassthrough，herattentionwasattractedbyalady，withanursery-maidandtwolittleboysbehindher，loiteringonthepathoutsidethegardenwall。Theladystarted，lookedeagerly，andsmiledtoherselfasMagdalencameout。CuriosityhadgotthebetterofKirke\'ssister，andshehadcometoAldboroughfortheexpresspurposeofseeingMissBygrave。

Somethingintheshapeofthelady\'sface，somethingintheexpressionofherdarkeyes，remindedMagdalenofthemerchant-captainwhoseuncontrolledadmirationhadannoyedheronthepreviousevening。Sheinstantlyreturnedthestranger\'sscrutinybyafrowning，ungraciouslook。Theladycolored，paidthelookbackwithinterest，andslowlywalkedon。

“Ahard，bold，badgirl，“thoughtKirke\'ssister。“WhatcouldRobertbethinkingoftoadmireher？Iamalmostgladheisgone。IhopeandtrusthewillneverseteyesonMissBygraveagain。“

“Whatboorsthepeoplearehere！“saidMagdalentoCaptainWragge。“Thatwomanwasevenruderthanthemanlastnight。Sheislikehimintheface。Iwonderwhosheis？“

“I\'llfindoutdirectly，“saidthecaptain。“Wecan\'tbetoocautiousaboutstrangers。“Heatonceappealedtohisfriends，theboatmen。Theywerecloseathand，andMagdalenheardthequestionsandanswersplainly。

“Howareyouallthismorning？“saidCaptainWragge，inhiseasyjocularway。“Andhow\'sthewind？Nor\'-westandbywest，isit？Verygood。Whoisthatlady？“

“That\'sMrs。Strickland，sir。“

“Ay！ay！Theclergyman\'swifeandthecaptain\'ssister。Where\'sthecaptainto-day？“

“OnhiswaytoLondon，Ishouldthink，sir。HisshipsailsforChinaattheendoftheweek。“

China！Asthatonewordpassedtheman\'slips，apangoftheoldsorrowstruckMagdalentotheheart。Strangerashewas，shebegantohatethebarementionofthemerchant-captain\'sname。Hehadtroubledherdreamsofthepastnight；andnow，whenshewasmostdesperatelyandrecklesslybentonforgettingheroldhome-existence，hehadbeenindirectlythecauseofrecallinghermindtoFrank。

“Come！“shesaid，angrily，tohercompanion。“Whatdowecareaboutthemanorhisship？Comeaway。“

“Byallmeans，“saidCaptainWragge。“Aslongaswedon\'tfindfriendsoftheBygraves，whatdowecareaboutanybody？“

Theywalkedonsouthwardfortenminutesormore，thenturnedandwalkedbackagaintomeetNoelVanstoneandMrs。Lecount。

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene4，Chapter4

CHAPTERIV。

CAPTAINWRAGGEandMagdalenretracedtheirstepsuntiltheywereagainwithinviewofNorthShinglesVillabeforeanysignsappearedofMrs。Lecountandhermaster。Atthatpointthehousekeeper\'slavender-coloreddress，theumbrella，andthefeeblelittlefigureinnankeenwalkingunderit，becamevisibleinthedistance。Thecaptainslackenedhispaceimmediately，andissuedhisdirectionstoMagdalenforherconductatthecominginterviewinthesewords:

“Don\'tforgetyoursmile，“hesaid。“Inallotherrespectsyouwilldo。Thewalkhasimprovedyourcomplexion，andthehatbecomesyou。LookMrs。Lecountsteadilyintheface；shownoembarrassmentwhenyouspeak；andifMr。NoelVanstonepaysyoupointedattention，don\'ttaketoomuchnoticeofhimwhilehishousekeeper\'seyeisonyou。Mindonething！IhavebeenatJoyce\'sScientificDialoguesallthemorning；andIamquiteseriousinmeaningtogiveMrs。Lecountthefullbenefitofmystudies。IfIcan\'tcontrivetodivertherattentionfromyouandhermaster，Iwon\'tgivesixpenceforourchanceofsuccess。Small-talkwon\'tsucceedwiththatwoman；complimentswon\'tsucceed；jokeswon\'tsucceed——ready-madesciencemayrecallthedeceasedprofessor，andready-madesciencemaydo。WemustestablishacodeofsignalstoletyouknowwhatIamabout。Observethiscamp-stool。WhenIshiftitfrommylefthandtomyright，IamtalkingJoyce。WhenIshiftitfrommyrighthandtomyleft，IamtalkingWragge。Inthefirstcase，don\'tinterruptme——Iamleadinguptomypoint。Inthesecondcase，sayanythingyoulike；myremarksarenotoftheslightestconsequence。Wouldyoulikearehearsal？Areyousureyouunderstand？Verygood——takemyarm，andlookhappy。Steady！heretheyare。“

ThemeetingtookplacenearlymidwaybetweenSea-viewCottageandNorthShingles。CaptainWraggetookoffhistallwhitehatandopenedtheinterviewimmediatelyonthefriendliestterms。

“Good-morning，Mrs。Lecount，“hesaid，withthefrankandcheerfulpolitenessofanaturallysociableman。“Good-morning，Mr。Vanstone；Iamsorrytoseeyousufferingto-day。Mrs。Lecount，permitmetointroducemyniece——myniece，MissBygrave。Mydeargirl，thisisMr。NoelVanstone，ourneighboratSea-viewCottage。WemustpositivelybesociableatAldborough，Mrs。Lecount。Thereisonlyonewalkintheplace(asmynieceremarkedtomejustnow，Mr。Vanstone)；andonthatwalkwemustallmeeteverytimewegoout。Andwhynot？Areweformalpeopleoneitherside？Nothingofthesort；wearejustthereverse。YoupossesstheContinentalfacilityofmanner，Mr。Vanstone——Imatchyouwiththebluntcordialityofanold-fashionedEnglishman——theladiesmingletogetherinharmoniousvariety，likeflowersonthesamebed——andtheresultisamutualinterestinmakingoursojournatthesea-sideagreeabletoeachother。Pardonmyflowofspirits；pardonmyfeelingsocheerfulandsoyoung。TheIodineinthesea-air，Mrs。Lecount——thenotoriouseffectoftheIodineinthesea-air！“

“Youarrivedyesterday，MissBygrave，didyounot？“saidthehousekeeper，assoonasthecaptain\'sdelugeoflanguagehadcometoanend。

SheaddressedthosewordstoMagdalenwithagentlemotherlyinterestinheryouthandbeauty，chastenedbythedeferentialamiabilitywhichbecamehersituationinNoelVanstone\'shousehold。Notthefaintesttokenofsuspicionorsurprisebetrayeditselfinherface，hervoice，orhermanner，whilesheandMagdalennowlookedateachother。ItwasplainattheoutsetthatthetruefaceandfigurewhichshenowsawrecallednothingtohermindofthefalsefaceandfigurewhichshehadseeninVauxhallWalk。ThedisguisehadevidentlybeencompleteenougheventobafflethepenetrationofMrs。Lecount。

“MyauntandIcamehereyesterdayevening，“saidMagdalen。“Wefoundthelatterpartofthejourneyveryfatiguing。Idaresayyoufounditso，too？“

Shedesignedlymadeheranswerlongerthanwasnecessaryforthepurposeofdiscovering，attheearliestopportunity，theeffectwhichthesoundofhervoiceproducedonMrs。Lecount。

Thehousekeeper\'sthinlipsmaintainedtheirmotherlysmile；thehousekeeper\'samiablemannerlostnoneofitsmodestdeference，buttheexpressionofhereyessuddenlychangedfromalookofattentiontoalookofinquiry。Magdalenquietlysaidafewwordsmore，andthenwaitedagainforresults。ThechangespreadgraduallyalloverMrs。Lecount\'sface，themotherlysmilediedaway，andtheamiablemannerbetrayedaslighttouchofrestraint。Stillnosignsofpositiverecognitionappeared；thehousekeeper\'sexpressionremainedwhatithadbeenfromthefirst——anexpressionofinquiry，andnothingmore。

“Youcomplainedoffatigue，sir，afewminutessince，“shesaid，droppingallfurtherconversationwithMagdalenandaddressinghermaster。“Willyougoindoorsandrest？“

TheproprietorofSea-viewCottagehadhithertoconfinedhimselftobowing，simperingandadmiringMagdalenthroughhishalf-closedeyelids。Therewasnomistakingthesuddenflutterandagitationinhismanner，andtheheightenedcolorinhiswizenlittleface。EventhereptiletemperamentofNoelVanstonewarmedundertheinfluenceofthesex:hehadanundeniablyappreciativeeyeforahandsomewoman，andMagdalen\'sgraceandbeautywerenotthrownawayonhim。

“Willyougoindoors，sir，andrest？“askedthehousekeeper，repeatingherquestion。

“Notyet，Lecount，“saidhermaster。“IfancyIfeelstronger；IfancyIcangoonalittle。“HeturnedsimperingtoMagdalen，andadded，inalowertone:“Ihavefoundanewinterestinmywalk，MissBygrave。Don\'tdesertus，oryouwilltaketheinterestawaywithyou。“

Hesmiledandsmirkedinthehighestapprovaloftheingenuityofhisowncompliment——fromwhichCaptainWraggedexterouslydivertedthehousekeeper\'sattentionbyranginghimselfonhersideofthepathandspeakingtoheratthesamemoment。Theyallfourwalkedonslowly。Mrs。Lecountsaidnothingmore。Shekeptfastholdofhermaster\'sarm，andlookedacrosshimatMagdalenwiththedangerousexpressionofinquirymoremarkedthaneverinherhandsomeblackeyes。ThatlookwasnotlostonthewaryWragge。Heshiftedhisindicativecamp-stoolfromthelefthandtotheright，andopenedhisscientificbatteriesonthespot。

“Abusyscene，Mrs。Lecount，“saidthecaptain，politelywavinghiscamp-stoolovertheseaandthepassingships。“ThegreatnessofEngland，ma\'am——thetruegreatnessofEngland。Prayobservehowheavilysomeofthosevesselsareladen！IamofteninclinedtowonderwhethertheBritishsailorisatallaware，whenhehasgothiscargoonboard，oftheHydrostaticimportanceoftheoperationthathehasperformed。IfIweresuddenlytransportedtothedeckofoneofthoseships(whichHeavenforbid，forIsufferatsea)；andifIsaidtoamemberofthecrew:\'Jack！youhavedonewonders；youhavegraspedtheTheoryofFloatingVessels\'——howthegallantfellowwouldstare！AndyetonthattheoryJack\'slifedepends。Ifheloadshisvesselone-thirtiethpartmorethanheought，whathappens？HesailspastAldborough，Igrantyou，insafety。HeenterstheThames，Igrantyouagain，insafety。Hegetsonintothefreshwaterasfar，letussay，asGreenwich；and——downhegoes！Down，ma\'am，tothebottomoftheriver，asamatterofscientificcertainty！“

Herehepaused，andleftMrs。Lecountnopolitealternativebuttorequestanexplanation。

“Withinfinitepleasure，ma\'am，“saidthecaptain，drowninginthedeepestnotesofhisvoicethefeebletrebleinwhichNoelVanstonepaidhiscomplimentstoMagdalen。“Wewillstart，ifyouplease，withafirstprinciple。Allbodieswhateverthatfloatonthesurfaceofthewaterdisplaceasmuchfluidasisequalinweighttotheweightofthebodies。Good。Wehavegotourfirstprinciple。Whatdowededucefromit？Manifestlythis:That，inordertokeepavesselabovewater，itisnecessarytotakecarethatthevesselanditscargoshallbeoflessweightthantheweightofaquantityofwater——prayfollowmehere！——ofaquantityofwaterequalinbulktothatpartofthevesselwhichitwillbesafetoimmerseinthewater。Now，ma\'am，salt-waterisspecificallythirtytimesheavierthanfreshorriverwater，andavesselintheGermanOceanwillnotsinksodeepasavesselintheThames。Consequently，whenweloadourshipwithaviewtotheLondonmarket，wehave(Hydrostaticallyspeaking)threealternatives。Eitherweloadwithone-thirtiethpartlessthanwecancarryatsea；orwetakeone-thirtiethpartoutatthemouthoftheriver；orwedoneithertheonenortheother，and，asIhavealreadyhadthehonorofremarking——downwego！Such，“saidthecaptain，shiftingthecamp-stoolbackagainfromhisrighthandtohisleft，intokenthatJoycewasdonewithforthetimebeing；“such，mydearmadam，istheTheoryofFloatingVessels。Permitmetoadd，inconclusion，youareheartilywelcometoit。“

“Thankyou，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Youhaveunintentionallysaddenedme；buttheinformationIhavereceivedisnotthelesspreciousonthataccount。Itislong，longago，Mr。Bygrave，sinceIhaveheardmyselfaddressedinthelanguageofscience。Mydearhusbandmademehiscompanion——mydearhusbandimprovedmymindasyouhavebeentryingtoimproveit。Nobodyhastakenpainswithmyintellectsince。Manythanks，sir。Yourkindconsiderationformeisnotthrownaway。“

Shesighedwithaplaintivehumility，andprivatelyopenedherearstotheconversationontheothersideofher。

AminuteearliershewouldhaveheardhermasterexpressinghimselfinthemostflatteringtermsonthesubjectofMissBygrave\'sappearanceinhersea-sidecostume。ButMagdalenhadseenCaptainWragge\'ssignalwiththecamp-stool，andhadatoncedivertedNoelVanstonetothetopicofhimselfandhispossessionsbyaneatly-timedquestionabouthishouseatAldborough。

“Idon\'twishtoalarmyou，MissBygrave，“werethefirstwordsofNoelVanstone\'swhichcaughtMrs。Lecount\'sattention，“butthereisonlyonesafehouseinAldborough，andthathouseismine。Theseamaydestroyalltheotherhouses——itcan\'tdestroyMine。Myfathertookcareofthat；myfatherwasaremarkableman。HehadMyhousebuiltonpiles。IhavereasontobelievetheyarethestrongestpilesinEngland。Nothingcanpossiblyknockthemdown——Idon\'tcarewhattheseadoes——nothingcanpossiblyknockthemdown。“

“Then，iftheseainvadesus，“saidMagdalen，“wemustallrunforrefugetoyou。“

NoelVanstonesawhiswaytoanothercompliment；and，atthesamemoment，thewarycaptainsawhiswaytoanotherburstofscience。

“Icouldalmostwishtheinvasionmighthappen，“murmuredoneofthegentlemen，“togivemethehappinessofofferingtherefuge。“

“Icouldalmostswearthewindhadshiftedagain！“exclaimedtheother。“WhereisamanIcanask？Oh，thereheis。Boatman！How\'sthewindnow？Nor\'westandbyweststill——hey？Andsoutheastandbysouthyesterdayevening——ha？Isthereanythingmoreremarkable，Mrs。Lecount，thanthevariablenessofthewindinthisclimate？“proceededthecaptain，shiftingthecamp-stooltothescientificsideofhim。“Isthereanynaturalphenomenonmorebewilderingtothescientificinquirer？Youwilltellmethattheelectricfluidwhichaboundsintheairistheprincipalcauseofthisvariableness。Youwillremindmeoftheexperimentofthatillustriousphilosopherwhomeasuredthevelocityofagreatstormbyaflightofsmallfeathers。Mydearmadam，Igrantallyourpropositions——“

“Ibegyourpardon，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount；“youkindlyattributetomeaknowledgethatIdon\'tpossess。Propositions，Iregrettosay，arequitebeyondme。“

“Don\'tmisunderstandme，ma\'am，“continuedthecaptain，politelyunconsciousoftheinterruption。“Myremarksapplytothetemperatezoneonly。Placemeonthecoastsbeyondthetropics——placemewherethewindblowstowardtheshoreintheday-time，andtowardtheseabynight——andIinstantlyadvancetowardconclusiveexperiments。Forexample，Iknowthattheheatofthesunduringthedayrarefiestheairovertheland，andsocausesthewind。Youchallengemetoproveit。Iescortyoudownthekitchenstairs(withyourkindpermission)；takemylargestpie-dishoutofthecook\'shands；Ifillitwithcoldwater。Good！thatdishofcoldwaterrepresentstheocean。Inextprovidemyselfwithoneofourmostpreciousdomesticconveniences，ahot-waterplate；IfillitwithhotwaterandIputitinthemiddleofthepie-dish。Goodagain！thehot-waterplaterepresentsthelandrarefyingtheairoverit。Bearthatinmind，andgivemealightedcandle。Iholdmylightedcandleoverthecoldwater，andblowitout。Thesmokeimmediatelymovesfromthedishtotheplate。Beforeyouhavetimetoexpressyoursatisfaction，Ilightthecandleoncemore，andreversethewholeproceeding。Ifillthepie-dishwithhot-water，andtheplatewithcold；Iblowthecandleoutagain，andthesmokemovesthistimefromtheplatetothedish。Thesmellisdisagreeable——buttheexperimentisconclusive。“

Heshiftedthecamp-stoolbackagain，andlookedatMrs。Lecountwithhisingratiatingsmile。“Youdon\'tfindmelong-winded，ma\'am——doyou？“hesaid，inhiseasy，cheerfulway，justasthehousekeeperwasprivatelyopeningherearsoncemoretotheconversationontheothersideofher。

“Iamamazed，sir，bytherangeofyourinformation，“repliedMrs。Lecount，observingthecaptainwithsomeperplexity——butthusfarwithnodistrust。Shethoughthimeccentric，evenforanEnglishman，andpossiblyalittlevainofhisknowledge。Buthehadatleastpaidhertheimpliedcomplimentofaddressingthatknowledgetoherself；andshefeltitthemoresensibly，fromhavinghithertofoundherscientificsympathieswithherdeceasedhusbandtreatedwithnogreatrespectbythepeoplewithwhomshecameincontact。“Haveyouextendedyourinquiries，sir，“sheproceeded，afteramomentaryhesitation，“tomylatehusband\'sbranchofscience？Imerelyask，Mr。Bygrave，because(thoughIamonlyawoman)IthinkImightexchangeideaswithyouonthesubjectofthereptilecreation。“

CaptainWraggewasfartoosharptoriskhisready-madescienceontheenemy\'sground。Theoldmilitia-manshookhiswaryhead。

“Toovastasubject，ma\'am，“hesaid，“forasmattererlikeme。Thelifeandlaborsofsuchaphilosopherasyourhusband，Mrs。Lecount，warnmenofmyintellectualcalibernottomeasurethemselveswithagiant。MayIinquire，“proceededthecaptain，softlysmoothingthewayforfutureintercoursewithSea-viewCottage，“whetheryoupossessanyscientificmemorialsofthelateProfessor？“

“IpossesshisTank，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount，modestlycastinghereyesontheground，“andoneofhisSubjects——alittleforeignToad。“

“HisTank！“exclaimedthecaptain，intonesofmournfulinterest；“andhisToad！Pardonmybluntwayofspeakingmymind，ma\'am。Youpossessanobjectofpublicinterest；and，asoneofthepublic，Iacknowledgemycuriositytoseeit。“

Mrs。Lecount\'ssmoothcheekscoloredwithpleasure。TheoneassailableplaceinthatcoldandsecretnaturewastheplaceoccupiedbythememoryoftheProfessor。Herprideinhisscientificachievements，andhermortificationatfindingthembutlittleknownoutofhisowncountry，weregenuinefeelings。NeverhadCaptainWraggeburnedhisadulteratedincenseontheflimsyaltarofhumanvanitytobetterpurposethanhewasburningitnow。

“Youareverygood，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Inhonoringmyhusband\'smemory，youhonorme。Butthoughyoukindlytreatmeonafootingofequality，ImustnotforgetthatIfilladomesticsituation。Ishallfeelitaprivilegetoshowyoumyrelics，ifyouwillallowmetoaskmymaster\'spermissionfirst。“

SheturnedtoNoelVanstone；herperfectlysincereintentionofmakingtheproposedrequest，mingling——inthatstrangecomplexityofmotiveswhichisfoundsomuchoftenerinawoman\'smindthaninaman\'s——withherjealousdistrustoftheimpressionwhichMagdalenhadproducedonhermaster。

“MayImakearequest，sir？“askedMrs。Lecount，afterwaitingamomenttocatchanyfragmentsoftenderly-personaltalkthatmightreachher，andafterbeingagainneatlybaffledbyMagdalen——thankstothecamp-stool。“Mr。BygraveisoneofthefewpersonsinEnglandwhoappreciatemyhusband\'sscientificlabors。Hehonorsmebywishingtoseemylittleworldofreptiles。MayIshowittohim？“

“Byallmeans，Lecount，“saidNoelVanstone，graciously。“Youareanexcellentcreature，andIliketoobligeyou。Lecount\'sTank，Mr。Bygrave，istheonlyTankinEngland——Lecount\'sToadistheoldestToadintheworld。Willyoucomeanddrinkteaatseveno\'clockto-night？AndwillyouprevailonMissBygravetoaccompanyyou？Iwanthertoseemyhouse。Idon\'tthinkshehasanyideawhatastronghouseitis。Comeandsurveymypremises，MissBygrave。Youshallhaveastickandraponthewalls；youshallgoupstairsandstamponthefloors，andthenyoushallhearwhatitallcost。“Hiseyeswrinkledupcunninglyatthecorners，andheslippedanothertenderspeechintoMagdalen\'sear，undercoveroftheall-predominatingvoiceinwhichCaptainWraggethankedhimfortheinvitation。“Comepunctuallyatseven，“hewhispered，“andpraywearthatcharminghat！“

Mrs。Lecount\'slipsclosedominously。Shesetdownthecaptain\'snieceasaveryseriousdrawbacktotheintellectualluxuryofthecaptain\'ssociety。

“Youarefatiguingyourself，sir，“shesaidtohermaster。“Thisisoneofyourbaddays。Letmerecommendyoutobecareful；letmebegyoutowalkback。“

Havingcarriedhispointbyinvitingthenewacquaintancestotea，NoelVanstoneprovedtobeunexpectedlydocile。Heacknowledgedthathewasalittlefatigued，andturnedbackatonceinobediencetothehousekeeper\'sadvice。

“Takemyarm，sir——takemyarmontheotherside，“saidCaptainWragge，astheyturnedtoretracetheirsteps。Hisparty-coloredeyeslookedsignificantlyatMagdalenwhilehespoke，andwarnedhernottostretchMrs。Lecount\'sendurancetoofaratstarting。Sheinstantlyunderstoodhim；and，inspiteofNoelVanstone\'sreiteratedassertionsthathestoodinnoneedofthecaptain\'sarm，placedherselfatoncebythehousekeeper\'sside。Mrs。Lecountrecoveredhergood-humor，andopenedanotherconversationwithMagdalenbymakingtheoneinquiryofallotherswhich，underexistingcircumstances，wasthehardesttoanswer。

“IpresumeMrs。Bygraveistootired，afterherjourney，tocomeoutto-day？“saidMrs。Lecount。“Shallwehavethepleasureofseeinghertomorrow？“

“Probablynot，“repliedMagdalen。“Myauntisindelicatehealth。“

“Acomplicatedcase，mydearmadam，“addedthecaptain；consciousthatMrs。Wragge\'spersonalappearance(ifshehappenedtobeseenbyaccident)wouldoffertheflattestofallpossiblecontradictionstowhatMagdalenhadjustsaidofher。“Thereissomeremotenervousmischiefwhichdoesn\'texpressitselfexternally。Youwouldthinkmywifethepictureofhealthifyoulookedather，andyet，sodelusiveareappearances，Iamobligedtoforbidherallexcitement。Sheseesnosociety——ourmedicalattendant，Iregrettosay，absolutelyprohibitsit。“

“Verysad，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Thepoorladymustoftenfeellonely，sir，whenyouandyournieceareawayfromher？“

“No，“repliedthecaptain。“Mrs。Bygraveisanaturallydomesticwoman。Whensheisabletoemployherself，shefindsunlimitedresourcesinherneedleandthread。“Havingreachedthisstageoftheexplanation，andhavingpurposelyskirted，asitwere，roundtheconfinesoftruth，intheeventofthehousekeeper\'scuriosityleadinghertomakeanyprivateinquiriesonthesubjectofMrs。Wragge，thecaptainwiselycheckedhisfluenttonguefromcarryinghimintoanyfurtherdetails。“Ihavegreathopefromtheairofthisplace，“heremarked，inconclusion。“TheIodine，asIhavealreadyobserved，doeswonders。“

Mrs。LecountacknowledgedthevirtuesofIodine，inthebriefestpossibleformofwords，andwithdrewintotheinnermostsanctuaryofherownthoughts。“Somemysteryhere，“saidthehousekeepertoherself。“Aladywholooksthepictureofhealth；aladywhosuffersfromacomplicatednervousmalady；andaladywhosehandissteadyenoughtouseherneedleandthread——isalivingmassofcontradictionsIdon\'tquiteunderstand。DoyoumakealongstayatAldborough，sir？“sheaddedaloud，hereyesrestingforamoment，insteadyscrutiny，onthecaptain\'sface。

“Italldepends，mydearmadam，onMrs。Bygrave。Itrustweshallstaythroughtheautumn。YouaresettledatSea-viewCottage，Ipresume，fortheseason？“

“Youmustaskmymaster，sir。Itisforhimtodecide，notforme。“

Theanswerwasanunfortunateone。NoelVanstonehadbeensecretlyannoyedbythechangeinthewalkingarrangements，whichhadseparatedhimfromMagdalen。HeattributedthatchangetothemeddlinginfluenceofMrs。Lecount，andhenowtooktheearliestopportunityofresentingitonthespot。

“IhavenothingtodowithourstayatAldborough，“hebrokeout，peevishly。“YouknowaswellasIdo，Lecount，italldependsonyou。Mrs。LecounthasabrotherinSwitzerland，“hewenton，addressinghimselftothecaptain——“abrotherwhoisseriouslyill。Ifhegetsworse，shewillhavetogotheretoseehim。Ican\'taccompanyher，andIcan\'tbeleftinthehousebymyself。IshallhavetobreakupmyestablishmentatAldborough，andstaywithsomefriends。Italldependsonyou，Lecount——oronyourbrother，whichcomestothesamething。Ifitdependedonme，“continuedMr。NoelVanstone，lookingpointedlyatMagdalenacrossthehousekeeper，“IshouldstayatAldboroughallthroughtheautumnwiththegreatestpleasure。Withthegreatestpleasure，“hereiterated，repeatingthewordswithatenderlookforMagdalen，andaspitefulaccentforMrs。Lecount。

ThusfarCaptainWraggehadremainedsilent；carefullynotinginhismindthepromisingpossibilitiesofaseparationbetweenMrs。LecountandhermasterwhichNoelVanstone\'slittlefretfuloutbreakhadjustdisclosedtohim。Anominoustremblinginthehousekeeper\'sthinlips，ashermasteropenlyexposedherfamilyaffairsbeforestrangers，andopenlysetherjealouslyatdefiance，nowwarnedhimtointerfere。Ifthemisunderstandingwerepermittedtoproceedtoextremities，therewasachancethattheinvitationforthateveningtoSea-viewCottagemightbeputoff。Now，asever，equaltotheoccasion，CaptainWraggecalledhisusefulinformationoncemoretotherescue。UnderthelearnedauspicesofJoyce，heplunged，forthethirdtime，intotheoceanofscience，andbroughtupanotherpearl。Hewasstillharanguing(onPneumaticsthistime)，stillimprovingMrs。Lecount\'smindwithhispolitestperseveranceandhissmoothestflowoflanguage——whenthewalkingpartystoppedatNoelVanstone\'sdoor。

“Blessmysoul，hereweareatyourhouse，sir！“saidthecaptain，interruptinghimselfinthemiddleofoneofhisgraphicsentences。“Iwon\'tkeepyoustandingamoment。Notawordofapology，Mrs。Lecount，Ibegandpray！IwillputthatcuriouspointinPneumaticsmoreclearlybeforeyouonafutureoccasion。InthemeantimeIneedonlyrepeatthatyoucanperformtheexperimentIhavejustmentionedtoyourownentiresatisfactionwithabladder，anexhaustedreceiver，andasquarebox。Atseveno\'clockthisevening，sir——atseveno\'clock，Mrs。Lecount。Wehavehadaremarkablypleasantwalk，andamostinstructiveinterchangeofideas。Now，mydeargirl，yourauntiswaitingforus。“

WhileMrs。Lecountsteppedasidetoopenthegardengate，NoelVanstoneseizedhisopportunityandshotalasttenderglanceatMagdalen，undershelteroftheumbrella，whichhehadtakenintohisownhandsforthatexpresspurpose。“Don\'tforget，“hesaid，withthesweetestsmile；“don\'tforget，whenyoucomethisevening，towearthatcharminghat！“Beforehecouldaddanylastwords，Mrs。Lecountglidedbacktoherplace，andtheshelteringumbrellachangedhandsagainimmediately。

“Anexcellentmorning\'swork！“saidCaptainWragge，asheandMagdalenwalkedontogethertoNorthShingles。“YouandIandJoycehaveallthreedonewonders。Wehavesecuredafriendlyinvitationatthefirstday\'sfishingforit。“

Hepausedforananswer；and，receivingnone，observedMagdalenmoreattentivelythanhehadobservedheryet。Herfacehadturneddeadlypaleagain；hereyeslookedoutmechanicallystraightbeforeherinheedless，recklessdespair。

“Whatisthematter？“heasked，withthegreatestsurprise。“Areyouill？“

Shemadenoreply；shehardlyseemedtohearhim。

“AreyougettingalarmedaboutMrs。Lecount？“heinquirednext。“Thereisnottheleastreasonforalarm。Shemayfancyshehasheardsomethinglikeyourvoicebefore，butyourfaceevidentlybewildersher。Keepyourtemper，andyoukeepherinthedark。Keepherinthedark，andyouwillputthattwohundredpoundsintomyhandsbeforetheautumnisover。“

Hewaitedagainforananswer，andagainsheremainedsilent。Thecaptaintriedforthethirdtimeinanotherdirection。

“Didyougetanylettersthismorning？“hewenton。“Istherebadnewsagainfromhome？Anyfreshdifficultieswithyoursister？“

“Saynothingaboutmysister！“shebrokeoutpassionately。“NeitheryounorIarefittospeakofher。“

Shesaidthosewordsatthegarden-gate，andhurriedintothehousebyherself。Hefollowedher，andheardthedoorofherownroomviolentlyshutto，violentlylockedanddouble-locked。Solacinghisindignationbyanoath，CaptainWraggesullenlywentintooneoftheparlorsontheground-floortolookafterhiswife。Theroomcommunicatedwithasmalleranddarkerroomatthebackofthehousebymeansofaquaintlittledoorwithawindowintheupperhalfofit。Softlyapproachingthisdoor，thecaptainliftedthewhitemuslincurtainwhichhungoverthewindow，andlookedintotheinnerroom。

TherewasMrs。Wragge，withhercapononeside，andhershoesdownatheel；witharowofpinsbetweenherteeth；withtheOrientalCashmereRobeslowlyslippingoffthetable；withherscissorssuspendeduncertaininonehand，andherwrittendirectionsfordressmakinghelddoubtfullyintheother——soabsorbedovertheinvincibledifficultiesofheremploymentastobeperfectlyunconsciousthatshewasatthatmomenttheobjectofherhusband\'ssuperintendingeye。Underothercircumstancesshewouldhavebeensoonbroughttoasenseofhersituationbythesoundofhisvoice。ButCaptainWraggewastooanxiousaboutMagdalentowasteanytimeonhiswife，aftersatisfyinghimselfthatshewassafeinherseclusion，andthatshemightbetrustedtoremainthere。

Helefttheparlor，and，afteralittlehesitationinthepassage，stoleupstairsandlistenedanxiouslyoutsideMagdalen\'sdoor。Adullsoundofsobbing——asoundstifledinherhandkerchief，orstifledinthebed-clothes——wasallthatcaughthisear。Hereturnedatoncetotheground-floor，withsomefaintsuspicionofthetruthdawningonhismindatlast。

“Thedeviltakethatsweetheartofhers！“thoughtthecaptain。“Mr。NoelVanstonehasraisedtheghostofhimatstarting。“

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene4，Chapter5CHAPTERV。

WHENMagdalenappearedintheparlorshortlybeforeseveno\'clock，notatraceofdiscomposurewasvisibleinhermanner。Shelookedandspokeasquietlyandunconcernedlyasusual。

TheloweringdistrustonCaptainWragge\'sfaceclearedawayatthesightofher。TherehadbeenmomentsduringtheafternoonwhenhehadseriouslydoubtedwhetherthepleasureofsatisfyingthegrudgeheowedtoNoelVanstone，andtheprospectofearningthesumoftwohundredpounds，wouldnotbedearlypurchasedbyrunningtheriskofdiscoverytowhichMagdalen\'suncertaintempermightexposehimatanyhouroftheday。Theplainproofnowbeforehimofherpowersofself-controlrelievedhismindofaseriousanxiety。Itmatteredlittletothecaptainwhatshesufferedintheprivacyofherownchamber，aslongasshecameoutofitwithafacethatwouldbearinspection，andavoicethatbetrayednothing。

OnthewaytoSea-viewCottage，CaptainWraggeexpressedhisintentionofaskingthehousekeeperafewsympathizingquestionsonthesubjectofherinvalidbrotherinSwitzerland。Hewasofopinionthatthecriticalconditionofthisgentleman\'shealthmightexerciseanimportantinfluenceonthefutureprogressoftheconspiracy。Anychanceofaseparation，heremarked，betweenthehousekeeperandhermasterwas，underexistingcircumstances，achancewhichmeritedtheclosestinvestigation。“IfwecanonlygetMrs。Lecountoutofthewayattherighttime，“whisperedthecaptain，asheopenedhishost\'sgardengate，“ourmaniscaught！“

InaminutemoreMagdalenwasagainunderNoelVanstone\'sroof；thistimeinthecharacterofhisowninvitedguest。

Theproceedingsoftheeveningwereforthemostpartarepetitionoftheproceedingsduringthemorningwalk。NoelVanstonevibratedbetweenhisadmirationofMagdalen\'sbeautyandhisglorificationofhisownpossessions。CaptainWragge\'sinexhaustibleoutburstsofinformation——relievedbydelicately-indirectinquiriesrelatingtoMrs。Lecount\'sbrother——perpetuallydivertedthehousekeeper\'sjealousvigilancefromdwellingonthelooksandlanguageofhermaster。Sotheeveningpasseduntilteno\'clock。Bythattimethecaptain\'sready-madesciencewasexhausted，andthehousekeeper\'stemperwasforcingitswaytothesurface。OncemoreCaptainWraggewarnedMagdalenbyalook，and，inspiteofNoelVanstone\'shospitableprotest，wiselyrosetosaygood-night。

“Ihavegotmyinformation，“remarkedthecaptainonthewayback。“Mrs。Lecount\'sbrotherlivesatZurich。Heisabachelor；hepossessesalittlemoney，andhissisterishisnearestrelation。Ifhewillonlybesoobligingastobreakupaltogether，hewillsaveusaworldoftroublewithMrs。Lecount。“

Itwasafinemoonlightnight。HelookedroundatMagdalen，ashesaidthosewords，toseeifherintractabledepressionofspiritshadseizedonheragain。

No！hervariablehumorhadchangedoncemore。Shelookedaboutherwithaflaunting，feverishgayety；shescoffedatthebareideaofanyseriousdifficultywithMrs。Lecount；shemimickedNoelVanstone\'shigh-pitchedvoice，andrepeatedNoelVanstone\'shigh-flowncompliments，withabitterenjoymentofturninghimintoridicule。Insteadofrunningintothehouseasbefore，shesaunteredcarelesslybyhercompanion\'sside，humminglittlesnatchesofsong，andkickingtheloosepebblesrightandleftonthegarden-walk。CaptainWraggehailedthechangeinherasthebestofgoodomens。Hethoughthesawplainsignsthatthefamilyspiritwasatlastcomingbackagain。

“Well，“hesaid，ashelitherbedroomcandleforher，“whenweallmeetontheParadetomorrow，weshallsee，asournauticalfriendssay，howthelandlies。OnethingIcantellyou，mydeargirl——IhaveusedmyeyestoverylittlepurposeifthereisnotastormbrewingtonightinMr。NoelVanstone\'sdomesticatmosphere。“

Thecaptain\'shabitualpenetrationhadnotmisledhim。AssoonasthedoorofSea-viewCottagewasclosedonthepartingguests，Mrs。LecountmadeanefforttoasserttheauthoritywhichMagdalen\'sinfluencewasthreateningalready。

SheemployedeveryartificeofwhichshewasmistresstoascertainMagdalen\'struepositioninNoelVanstone\'sestimation。ShetriedagainandagaintolurehimintoanunconsciousconfessionofthepleasurewhichhefeltalreadyinthesocietyofthebeautifulMissBygrave；shetwinedherselfinandoutofeveryweaknessinhischaracter，asthefrogsandeftstwinedthemselvesinandoutoftherock-workofherAquarium。Butshemadeoneseriousmistakewhichverycleverpeopleintheirintercoursewiththeirintellectualinferiorsarealmostuniversallyapttocommit——shetrustedimplicitlytothefollyofafool。Sheforgotthatoneofthelowestofhumanqualities——cunning——isexactlythecapacitywhichisoftenmostlargelydevelopedinthelowestofintellectualnatures。Ifshehadbeenhonestlyangrywithhermaster，shewouldprobablyhavefrightenedhim。Ifshehadopenedhermindplainlytohisview，shewouldhaveastonishedhimbypresentingachainofideastohislimitedperceptionswhichtheywerenotstrongenoughtograsp；hiscuriositywouldhaveledhimtoaskforanexplanation；andbypracticingonthatcuriosity，shemighthavehadhimathermercy。Asitwas，shesethercunningagainsthis，andthefoolprovedamatchforher。NoelVanstone，towhomalllarge-mindedmotivesunderheavenwereinscrutablemysteries，sawthesmall-mindedmotiveatthebottomofhishousekeeper\'sconductwithasinstantaneousapenetrationasifhehadbeenamanofthehighestability。Mrs。Lecountlefthimforthenight，foiled，andknowingshewasfoiled——lefthim，withthetigerishsideofheruppermost，andalow-livedlonginginherelegantfinger-nailstosettheminhermaster\'sface。

Shewasnotawomantobebeatenbyonedefeatorbyahundred。Shewaspositivelydeterminedtothink，andthinkagain，untilshehadfoundameansofcheckingthegrowingintimacywiththeBygravesatonceandforever。Inthesolitudeofherownroomsherecoveredhercomposure，andsetherselfforthefirsttimetoreviewtheconclusionswhichshehadgatheredfromtheeventsoftheday。

TherewassomethingvaguelyfamiliartoherinthevoiceofthisMissBygrave，and，atthesametime，inunaccountablecontradiction，somethingstrangetoheraswell。Thefaceandfigureoftheyoungladywereentirelynewtoher。Itwasastrikingface，andastrikingfigure；andifshehadseeneitheratanyformerperiod，shewouldcertainlyhaverememberedit。MissBygravewasunquestionablyastranger；andyet——

Shehadgotnofurtherthanthisduringtheday；shecouldgetnofurthernow:thechainofthoughtbroke。Hermindtookupthefragments，andformedanotherchainwhichattacheditselftotheladywhowaskeptinseclusion——totheaunt，wholookedwell，andyetwasnervous；whowasnervous，andyetabletoplyherneedleandthread。Anincomprehensibleresemblancetosomeunrememberedvoiceintheniece；anunintelligiblemaladywhichkepttheauntsecludedfrompublicview；anextraordinaryrangeofscientificcultivationintheuncle，associatedwithacoarsenessandaudacityofmannerwhichbynomeanssuggestedtheideaofamanengagedinstudiouspursuits——werethemembersofthissmallfamilyofthreewhattheyseemedonthesurfaceofthem？

Withthatquestiononhermind，shewenttobed。

Assoonasthecandlewasout，thedarknessseemedtocommunicatesomeinexplicableperversitytoherthoughts。Theywanderedbackfrompresentthingstopast，inspiteofher。Theybroughtheroldmasterbacktolifeagain；theyrevivedforgottensayingsanddoingsintheEnglishcircleatZurich；theyveeredawaytotheoldman\'sdeath-bedatBrighton；theymovedfromBrightontoLondon；theyenteredthebare，comfortlessroomatVauxhallWalk；theysettheAquariumbackinitsplaceonthekitchentable，andputthefalseMissGarthinthechairbythesideofit，shadingherinflamedeyesfromthelight；theyplacedtheanonymousletter，theletterwhichglanceddarklyataconspiracy，inherhandagain，andbroughtherwithitintohermaster\'spresence；theyrecalledthediscussionaboutfillingintheblankspaceintheadvertisement，andthequarrelthatfollowedwhenshetoldNoelVanstonethatthesumhehadofferedwaspreposterouslysmall；theyrevivedanolddoubtwhichhadnottroubledherforweekspast——adoubtwhetherthethreatenedconspiracyhadevaporatedinmerewords，orwhethersheandhermasterwerelikelytohearofitagain。Atthispointherthoughtsbrokeoffoncemore，andtherewasamomentaryblank。Thenextinstantshestartedupinbed；herheartbeatingviolently，herheadwhirlingasifshehadlosthersenses。Withelectricsuddennesshermindpiecedtogetheritsscatteredmultitudeofthoughts，andputthembeforeherplainlyunderoneintelligibleform。Intheall-masteringagitationofthemoment，sheclappedherhandstogether，andcriedoutsuddenlyinthedarkness:

“MissVanstoneagain！！！“

Shegotoutofbedandkindledthelightoncemore。Steadyashernerveswere，theshockofherownsuspicionhadshakenthem。Herfirmhandtrembledassheopenedherdressing-caseandtookfromitalittlebottleofsal-volatile。Inspiteofhersmoothcheeksandherwell-preservedhair，shelookedeveryyearofherageasshemixedthespiritwithwater，greedilydrankit，and，wrappingherdressing-gownroundher，satdownonthebedsidetogetpossessionagainofhercalmerself。

Shewasquiteincapableoftracingthementalprocesswhichhadledhertodiscovery。Shecouldnotgetsufficientlyfarfromherselftoseethatherhalf-formedconclusionsonthesubjectoftheBygraveshadendedinmakingthatfamilyobjectsofsuspiciontoher；thattheassociationofideashadthereuponcarriedhermindbacktothatotherobjectofsuspicionwhichwasrepresentedbytheconspiracyagainsthermaster；andthatthetwoideasofthosetwoseparatesubjectsofdistrust，comingsuddenlyincontact，hadstruckthelight。Shewasnotabletoreasonbackinthiswayfromtheeffecttothecause。Shecouldonlyfeelthatthesuspicionhadbecomemorethanasuspicionalready:convictionitselfcouldnothavebeenmorefirmlyrootedinhermind。

LookingbackatMagdalenbythenewlightnowthrownonher，Mrs。LecountwouldfainhavepersuadedherselfthatsherecognizedsometracesleftofthefalseMissGarth\'sfaceandfigureinthegracefulandbeautifulgirlwhohadsatathermaster\'stablehardlyanhoursince——thatshefoundresemblancesnow，whichshehadneverthoughtofbefore，betweentheangryvoiceshehadheardinVauxhallWalkandthesmooth，well-bredtoneswhichstillhungonherearsaftertheevening\'sexperiencedownstairs。Shewouldfainhavepersuadedherselfthatshehadreachedtheseresultswithnounduestrainingofthetruthasshereallyknewit，buttheeffortwasinvain。

Mrs。Lecountwasnotawomantowastetimeandthoughtintryingtoimposeonherself。Sheacceptedtheinevitableconclusionthattheguessworkofamomenthadledhertodiscovery。And，morethanthat，sherecognizedtheplaintruth——unwelcomeasitwas——thattheconvictionnowfixedinherownmindwasthusfarunsupportedbyasinglefragmentofproducibleevidencetojustifyittothemindsofothers。

Underthesecircumstances，whatwasthesafecoursetotakewithhermaster？

Ifshecandidlytoldhim，whentheymetthenextmorning，whathadpassedthroughhermindthatnight，herknowledgeofNoelVanstonewarnedherthatoneoftworesultswouldcertainlyhappen。Eitherhewouldbeangryanddisputatious；wouldaskforproofs；and，findingnoneforthcoming，wouldaccuseherofalarminghimwithoutacause，toserveherownjealousendofkeepingMagdalenoutofthehouse；orhewouldbeseriouslystartled，wouldclamorfortheprotectionofthelaw，andwouldwarntheBygravestostandontheirdefenseattheoutset。IfMagdalenonlyhadbeenconcernedintheplotthislatterconsequencewouldhaveassumednogreatimportanceinthehousekeeper\'smind。Butseeingthedeceptionasshenowsawit，shewasfartoocleverawomantofailinestimatingthecaptain\'sinexhaustiblefertilityofresourceatitstruevalue。“IfIcan\'tmeetthisimpudentvillainwithplainproofstohelpme，“thoughtMrs。Lecount，“Imayopenmymasterseyesto-morrowmorning，andMr。Bygravewillshutthemupagainbeforenight。Therascalisplayingwithallhisowncardsunderthetable，andhewillwinthegametoacertainty，ifheseesmyhandatstarting。“

Thispolicyofwaitingwassomanifestlythewisepolicy——thewilyMr。Bygravewassosuretohaveprovidedhimself，incaseofemergency，withevidencetoprovetheidentitywhichheandhisniecehadassumedfortheirpurpose——thatMrs。Lecountatoncedecidedtokeepherowncounselthenextmorning，andtopausebeforeattackingtheconspiracyuntilshecouldproduceunanswerablefactstohelpher。Hermaster\'sacquaintancewiththeBygraveswasonlyanacquaintanceofoneday\'sstanding。Therewasnofearofitsdevelopingintoadangerousintimacyifshemerelyallowedittocontinueforafewdaysmore，andifshepermanentlycheckedit，atthelatest，inaweek\'stime。

Inthatperiodwhatmeasurescouldshetaketoremovetheobstacleswhichnowstoodinherway，andtoprovideherselfwiththeweaponswhichshenowwanted？

Reflectionshowedherthreedifferentchancesinherfavor——threedifferentwaysofarrivingatthenecessarydiscovery。

ThefirstchancewastocultivatefriendlytermswithMagdalen，andthen，takingherunawares，toentrapherintobetrayingherselfinNoelVanstone\'spresence。ThesecondchancewastowritetotheelderMissVanstone，andtoask(withsomealarmingreasonforputtingthequestion)forinformationonthesubjectofheryoungersister\'swhereabouts，andofanypeculiaritiesinherpersonalappearancewhichmightenableastrangertoidentifyher。ThethirdchancewastopenetratethemysteryofMrs。Bygrave\'sseclusion，andtoascertainatapersonalinterviewwhethertheinvalidlady\'srealcomplaintmightnotpossiblybeadefectivecapacityforkeepingherhusband\'ssecrets。Resolvingtotryallthreechances，intheorderinwhichtheyarehereenumerated，andtosethersnaresforMagdalenonthedaythatwasnowalreadyathand，Mrs。Lecountatlasttookoffherdressing-gownandallowedherweakernaturetopleadwithherforalittlesleep。

Thedawnwasbreakingoverthecoldgrayseaasshelaydowninherbedagain。Thelastideainhermindbeforeshefellasleepwascharacteristicofthewoman——itwasanideathatthreatenedthecaptain。“Hehastrifledwiththesacredmemoryofmyhusband，“thoughttheProfessor\'swidow。“Onmylifeandhonor，Iwillmakehimpayforit。“

EarlythenextmorningMagdalenbegantheday，accordingtoheragreementwiththecaptain，bytakingMrs。Wraggeoutforalittleexerciseatanhourwhentherewasnofearofherattractingthepublicattention。Shepleadedhardtobeleftathome；havingtheOrientalCashmereRobestillonhermind，andfeelingitnecessarytoreadherdirectionsfordressmaking，forthehundredthtimeatleast，before(touseherownexpression)shecould“screwuphercouragetoputthescissorsintothestuff。“Buthercompanionwouldtakenodenial，andshewasforcedtogoout。TheoneguilelesspurposeofthelifewhichMagdalennowledwastheresolutionthatpoorMrs。Wraggeshouldnotbemadeaprisoneronheraccount；andtothatresolutionshemechanicallyclung，asthelasttokenleftherbywhichsheknewherbetter-self。