第12章

Anxiouslyashetriedtohideit，thechangeproducedinhislookandmannerbythenewfeelingawakenedinhimwasnotachangewhichcouldbeconcealedfromMrs。Lecount。OntheseconddayshepointedlyaskedhimwhetherhehadnotmadeanarrangementtocallontheBygraves。Hedenieditasbefore。“Perhapsyouaregoingto-morrow，Mr。Noel？“persistedthehousekeeper。Hewasattheendofhisresources；hewasimpatienttoberidofherinquiries；hetrustedtohisfriendatNorthShinglestohelphim；andthistimeheansweredYes。“Ifyouseetheyounglady，“proceededMrs。Lecount，“don\'tforgetthatnoteofmine，sir，whichyouhaveinyourwaistcoat-pocket。“Nomorewassaidoneitherside，butbythatnight\'spostthehousekeeperwrotetoMissGarth。Thelettermerelyacknowledged，withthanks，thereceiptofMissGarth\'scommunication，andinformedherthatinafewdaysMrs。LecounthopedtobeinapositiontowriteagainandsummonMr。PendriltoAldborough。

Lateintheevening，whentheparloratNorthShinglesbegantogetdark，andwhenthecaptainrangthebellforcandlesasusual，hewassurprisedbyhearingMagdalen\'svoiceinthepassagetellingtheservanttotakethelightsdownstairsagain。Sheknockedatthedoorimmediatelyafterward，andglidedintotheobscurityoftheroomlikeaghost。

“Ihaveaquestiontoaskyouaboutyourplansforto-morrow，“shesaid。“Myeyesareveryweakthisevening，andIhopeyouwillnotobjecttodispensewiththecandlesforafewminutes。“

Shespokeinlow，stifledtones，andfeltherwaynoiselesslytoachairfarremovedfromthecaptaininthedarkestpartoftheroom。Sittingnearthewindow，hecouldjustdiscernthedimoutlineofherdress，hecouldjusthearthefaintaccentsofhervoice。Forthelasttwodayshehadseennothingofherexceptduringtheirmorningwalk。Onthatafternoonhehadfoundhiswifecryinginthelittlebackroomdown-stairs。ShecouldonlytellhimthatMagdalenhadfrightenedher——thatMagdalenwasgoingthewayagainwhichshehadgonewhenthelettercamefromChinaintheterriblepasttimeatVauxhallWalk。

“Iwassorrytoherthatyouwereillto-day，fromMrs。Wragge，“saidthecaptain，unconsciouslydroppinghisvoicealmosttoawhisperashespoke。

“Itdoesn\'tmatter，“sheansweredquietly，outofthedarkness。“Iamstrongenoughtosuffer，andlive。Othergirlsinmyplacewouldhavebeenhappier——theywouldhavesuffered，anddied。Itdoesn\'tmatter；itwillbeallthesameahundredyearshence。Ishecomingagaintomorrowmorningatseveno\'clock？“

“Heiscoming，ifyoufeelnoobjectiontoit。“

“Ihavenoobjectiontomake；Ihavedonewithobjecting。ButIshouldliketohavethetimealtered。Idon\'tlookmybestintheearlymorning——Ihavebadnights，andIrisehaggardandworn。Writehimanotethisevening，andtellhimtocomeattwelveo\'clock。“

“Twelveisratherlate，underthecircumstances，foryoutobeseenoutwalking。“

“Ihavenointentionofwalking。Lethimbeshownintotheparlor——“

Hervoicediedawayinsilencebeforesheendedthesentence。

“Yes？“saidCaptainWragge。

“Andleavemealoneintheparlortoreceivehim。“

“Iunderstand，“saidthecaptain。“Anadmirableidea。I\'llbeoutofthewayinthedining-roomwhileheishere，andyoucancomeandtellmeaboutitwhenhehasgone。“

Therewasanothermomentofsilence。

“Istherenowaybuttellingyou？“sheasked，suddenly。“Icancontrolmyselfwhileheiswithme，butIcan\'tanswerforwhatImaysayordoafterward。Istherenootherway？“

“Plentyofways，“saidthecaptain。“Hereisthefirstthatoccurstome。Leavetheblinddownoverthewindowofyourroomupstairsbeforehecomes。Iwillgooutonthebeach，andwaittherewithinsightofthehouse。WhenIseehimcomeoutagain，Iwilllookatthewindow。Ifhehassaidnothing，leavetheblinddown。Ifhehasmadeyouanoffer，drawtheblindup。Thesignalissimplicityitself；wecan\'tmisunderstandeachother。Lookyourbestto-morrow！Makesureofhim，mydeargirl——makesureofhim，ifyoupossiblycan。“

Hehadspokenloudenoughtofeelcertainthatshehadheardhim，butnoansweringwordcamefromher。Thedeadsilencewasonlydisturbedbytherustlingofherdress，whichtoldhimshehadrisenfromherchair。Hershadowypresencecrossedtheroomagain；thedoorshutsoftly；shewasgone。Herangthebellhurriedlyforthelights。Theservantfoundhimstandingcloseatthewindow，lookinglessself-possessedthanusual。Hetoldherhefeltalittlepoorly，andsenthertothecupboardforthebrandy。

AtafewminutesbeforetwelvethenextdayCaptainWraggewithdrewtohispostofobservation，concealinghimselfbehindafishing-boatdrawnuponthebeach。Punctuallyasthehourstruck，hesawNoelVanstoneapproachNorthShinglesandopenthegardengate。Whenthehousedoorhadclosedonthevisitor，CaptainWraggesettledhimselfcomfortablyagainstthesideoftheboatandlithiscigar。

Hesmokedforhalfauhour——fortenminutesoverthehalf-hour，byhiswatch。Hefinishedthecigardowntothelastmorselofitthathecouldholdinhislips。Justashehadthrownawaytheend，thedooropenedagainandNoelVanstonecameout。

ThecaptainlookedupinstantlyatMagdalen\'swindow。Intheabsorbingexcitementofthemoment，hecountedtheseconds。Shemightgetfromtheparlortoherownroominlessthanaminute。Hecountedtothirty，andnothinghappened。Hecountedtofifty，andnothinghappened。Hegaveupcounting，andlefttheboatimpatiently，toreturntothehouse。

Ashetookhisfirststepforwardhesawthesignal。

Theblindwasdrawnup。

Cautiouslyascendingtheeminenceofthebeach，CaptainWraggelookedtowardSea-viewCottagebeforeheshowedhimselfontheParade。NoelVanstonehadreachedhomeagain；hewasjustenteringhisowndoor。

“Ifallyourmoneywasofferedmetostandinyourshoes，“saidthecaptain，lookingafterhim——“richasyouare，Iwouldn\'ttakeit！“

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene4，Chapter8CHAPTERVIII。

ONreturningtothehouse，CaptainWraggereceivedasignificantmessagefromtheservant。“Mr。NoelVanstonewouldcallagainattwoo\'clockthatafternoon，whenhehopedtohavethepleasureoffindingMr。Bygraveathome。“

Thecaptain\'sfirstinquiryafterhearingthismessagereferredtoMagdalen。“WherewasMissBygrave？““Inherownroom。““WherewasMrs。Bygrave？““Inthebackparlor。“CaptainWraggeturnedhisstepsatonceinthelatterdirection，andfoundhiswife，forthesecondtime，intears。ShehadbeensentoutofMagdalen\'sroomforthewholeday，andshewasatherwits\'endtoknowwhatshehaddonetodeserveit。Shorteningherlamentationswithoutceremony，herhusbandsentherupstairsonthespot，withinstructionstoknockatthedoor，andtoinquirewhetherMagdalencouldgivefiveminutes\'attentiontoaquestionofimportancewhichmustbesettledbeforetwoo\'clock。

Theanswerreturnedwasinthenegative。Magdalenrequestedthatthesubjectonwhichshewasaskedtodecidemightbementionedtoherinwriting。Sheengagedtoreplyinthesameway，ontheunderstandingthatMrs。Wragge，andnottheservant，shouldbeemployedtodeliverthenoteandtotakebacktheanswer。

CaptainWraggeforthwithopenedhispaper-caseandwrotetheselines:“AcceptmywarmestcongratulationsontheresultofyourinterviewwithMr。N。V。Heiscomingagainattwoo\'clock——nodoubttomakehisproposalsindueform。Thequestiontodecideis，whetherIshallpresshimornotonthesubjectofsettlements。Theconsiderationsforyourownmindaretwoinnumber。First，whetherthesaidpressure(withoutatallunderratingyourinfluenceoverhim)maynotsqueezeforalongtimebeforeitsqueezesmoneyoutofMr。N。V。Secondly，whetherwearealtogetherjustified——consideringourpresentpositiontowardacertainsharppractitionerinpetticoats——inrunningtheriskofdelay。Considerthesepoints，andletmehaveyourdecisionassoonasconvenient。“

Theanswerreturnedtothisnotewaswrittenincrooked，blottedcharacters，strangelyunlikeMagdalen\'susuallyfirmandclearhandwriting。Itonlycontainedthesewords:“Giveyourselfnotroubleaboutsettlements。Leavetheusetowhichheistoputhismoneyforthefutureinmyhands。“

“Didyouseeher？“askedthecaptain，whenhiswifehaddeliveredtheanswer。

“Itried，“saidMrs。Wragge，withafreshburstoftears——“butsheonlyopenedthedoorfarenoughtoputoutherhand。Itookandgaveitalittlesqueeze——and，ohpoorsoul，itfeltsocoldinmine！“

WhenMrs。Lecount\'smastermadehisappearanceattwoo\'clock，hestoodalarminglyinneedofananodyneapplicationfromMrs。Lecount\'sgreenfan。TheagitationofmakinghisavowaltoMagdalen；theterroroffindinghimselfdiscoveredbythehousekeeper；thetormentingsuspicionofthehardpecuniaryconditionswhichMagdalen\'srelativeandguardianmightimposeonhim——alltheseemotions，stirringinconflicttogether，hadoverpoweredhisfeebly-workingheartwithatrialthatstraineditsorely。HegaspedforbreathashesatdownintheparloratNorthShingles，andthatominousbluishpallorwhichalwaysoverspreadhisfaceinmomentsofagitationnowmadeitswarningappearanceagain。CaptainWraggeseizedthebrandybottleingenuinealarm，andforcedhisvisitortodrinkawine-glassfulofthespiritbeforeawordwassaidbetweenthemoneitherside。

Restoredbythestimulant，andencouragedbythereadinesswithwhichthecaptainanticipatedeverythingthathehadtosay，NoelVanstonecontrivedtostatetheseriousobjectofhisvisitintolerablyplainterms。Alltheconventionalpreliminariespropertotheoccasionwereeasilydisposedof。Thesuitor\'sfamilywasrespectable；hispositioninlifewasundeniablysatisfactory；hisattachment，thoughhasty，wasevidentlydisinterestedandsincere。AllthatCaptainWraggehadtodowastorefertothesevariousconsiderationswithahappychoiceoflanguageinavoicethattrembledwithmanlyemotion，andthishedidtoperfection。Forthefirsthalf-houroftheinterview，noallusionwhateverwasmadetothedelicateanddangerouspartofthesubject。Thecaptainwaiteduntilhehadcomposedhisvisitor，andwhenthatresultwasachievedcamesmoothlytothepointintheseterms:

“Thereisonelittledifficulty，Mr。Vanstone，whichIthinkwehavebothoverlooked。Yourhousekeeper\'srecentconductinclinesmetofearthatshewillviewtheapproachingchangeinyourlifewithanythingbutafriendlyeye。Probablyyouhavenotthoughtitnecessaryyettoinformherofthenewtiewhichyouproposetoform？“

NoelVanstoneturnedpaleatthebareideaofexplaininghimselftoMrs。Lecount。

“Ican\'ttellwhatI\'mtodo，“hesaid，glancingasidenervouslyatthewindow，asifheexpectedtoseethehousekeeperpeepingin。“Ihateallawkwardpositions，andthisisthemostunpleasantpositionIeverwasplacedin。Youdon\'tknowwhataterriblewomanLecountis。I\'mnotafraidofher；praydon\'tsupposeI\'mafraidofher——“

Atthosewordshisfearsroseinhisthroat，andgavehimtheliedirectbystoppinghisutterance。

“Praydon\'ttroubleyourselftoexplain，“saidCaptainWragge，comingtotherescue。“Thisisthecommonstory，Mr。Vanstone。Hereisawomanwhohasgrownoldinyourservice，andinyourfather\'sservicebeforeyou；awomanwhohascontrived，inallsortsofsmall，underhandways，topresumesystematicallyonherpositionforyearsandyearspast；awoman，inshort，whomyourinconsideratebutperfectlynaturalkindnesshasallowedtoclaimarightofpropertyinyou——“

“Property！“criedNoelVanstone，mistakingthecaptain，andlettingthetruthescapehimthroughsheerinabilitytoconcealhisfearsanylonger。“Idon\'tknowwhatamountofpropertyshewon\'tclaim。She\'llmakemepayformyfatheraswellasformyself。Thousands，Mr。Bygrave——thousandsofpoundssterlingoutofmypocket！！！“Heclaspedhishandsindespairatthepictureofpecuniarycompulsionwhichhisfancyhadconjuredup——hisowngoldenlife-bloodspoutingfromhimingreatjetsofprodigality，underthelancetofMrs。Lecount。

“Gently，Mr。Vanstone——gently！Thewomanknowsnothingsofar，andthemoneyisnotgoneyet。“

“No，no；themoneyisnotgone，asyousay。I\'monlynervousaboutit；Ican\'thelpbeingnervous。Youweresayingsomethingjustnow；youweregoingtogivemeadvice。Ivalueyouradvice；youdon\'tknowhowhighlyIvalueyouradvice。“Hesaidthosewordswithaconciliatorysmilewhichwasmorethanhelpless；itwasabsolutelyservileinitsdependenceonhisjudiciousfriend。

“Iwasonlyassuringyou，mydearsir，thatIunderstoodyourposition，“saidthecaptain。“Iseeyourdifficultyasplainlyasyoucanseeityourself。TellawomanlikeMrs。Lecountthatshemustcomeoffherdomesticthrone，tomakewayforayoungandbeautifulsuccessor，armedwiththeauthorityofawife，andanunpleasantscenemustbetheinevitableresult。Anunpleasantscene，Mr。Vanstone，ifyouropinionofyourhousekeeper\'ssanityiswellfounded。Somethingfarmoreserious，ifmyopinionthatherintellectisunsettledhappenstoturnouttherightone。“

“Idon\'tsayitisn\'tmyopinion，too，“rejoinedNoelVanstone。“Especiallyafterwhathashappenedto-day。“

CaptainWraggeimmediatelybeggedtoknowwhattheeventalludedtomightbe。

NoelVanstonethereuponexplained——withaninfinitenumberofparenthesesallreferringtohimself——thatMrs。Lecounthadputthedreadedquestionrelatingtothelittlenoteinhermaster\'spocketbarelyanhoursince。HehadansweredherinquiryasMr。Bygravehadadvisedhim。Onhearingthattheaccuracyofthepersonaldescriptionhadbeenfairlyputtothetest，andhadfailedintheoneimportantparticularofthemolesontheneck，Mrs。Lecounthadconsideredalittle，andhadthenaskedhimwhetherhehadshownhernotetoMr。Bygravebeforetheexperimentwastried。Hehadansweredinthenegative，astheonlysafeformofreplythathecouldthinkofonthespurofthemoment，andthehousekeeperhadthenaddressedhiminthesestrangeandstartlingwords:“Youarekeepingthetruthfromme，Mr。Noel。Youaretrustingstrangers，anddoubtingyouroldservantandyouroldfriend。EverytimeyougotoMr。Bygrave\'shouse，everytimeyouseeMissBygrave，youaredrawingnearerandnearertoyourdestruction。Theyhavegotthebandageoveryoureyesinspiteofme；butItellthem，andtellyou，beforemanydaysareoverIwilltakeitoff！“Tothisextraordinaryoutbreak——accompaniedasitwasbyanexpressioninMrs。Lecount\'sfacewhichhehadneverseentherebefore——NoelVanstonehadmadenoreply。Mr。Bygrave\'sconvictionthattherewasalurkingtaintofinsanityinthehousekeeper\'sbloodhadrecurredtohismemory，andhehadlefttheroomatthefirstopportunity。

CaptainWraggelistenedwiththeclosestattentiontothenarrativethuspresentedtohim。Butoneconclusioncouldbedrawnfromit——itwasaplainwarningtohimtohastentheend。

“Iamnotsurprised，“hesaid，gravely，“tohearthatyouareincliningmorefavorablytomyopinion。Afterwhatyouhavejusttoldme，Mr。Vanstone，nosensiblemancoulddootherwise。Thisisbecomingserious。IhardlyknowwhatresultsmaynotbeexpectedtofollowthecommunicationofyourapproachingchangeinlifetoMrs。Lecount。Myniecemaybeinvolvedinthoseresults。Sheisnervous；sheissensitiveinthehighestdegree；sheistheinnocentobjectofthiswoman\'sunreasoninghatredanddistrust。Youalarmme，sir！Iamnoteasilythrownoffmybalance，butIacknowledgeyoualarmmeforthefuture。“Hefrowned，shookhishead，andlookedathisvisitordespondently。

NoelVanstonebegantofeeluneasy。ThechangeinMr。Bygrave\'smannerseemedominousofareconsiderationofhisproposalsfromanewandunfavorablepointofview。Hetookcounselofhisinborncowardiceandhisinborncunning，andproposedasolutionofthedifficultydiscoveredbyhimself。

“WhyshouldwetellLecountatall？“heasked。“WhatrighthasLecounttoknow？Can\'twebemarriedwithoutlettingherintothesecret？Andcan\'tsomebodytellherafterwardwhenwearebothoutofherreach？“

CaptainWraggereceivedthisproposalwithanexpressionofsurprisewhichdidinfinitecredittohispowerofcontroloverhisowncountenance。Hisforemostobjectthroughouttheinterviewhadbeentoconductittothispoint，or，inotherwords，tomakethefirstideaofkeepingthemarriageasecretfromMrs。LecountemanatefromNoelVanstoneinsteadoffromhimself。Nooneknewbetterthanthecaptainthattheonlyresponsibilitieswhichaweakmaneveracceptsareresponsibilitieswhichcanbeperpetuallypointedouttohimasrestingexclusivelyonhisownshoulders。

“Iamaccustomedtosetmyfaceagainstclandestineproceedingsofallkinds，“saidCaptainWragge。“Butthereareexceptionstothestrictestrules；andIamboundtoadmit，Mr。Vanstone，thatyourpositioninthismatterisanexceptionalposition，ifevertherewasoneyet。Thecourseyouhavejustproposed——howeverunbecomingImaythinkit，howeverdistastefulitmaybetomyself——wouldnotonlyspareyouaveryseriousembarrassment(tosaytheleastofit)，butwouldalsoprotectyoufromthepersonalassertionofthosepecuniaryclaimsonthepartofyourhousekeepertowhichyouhavealreadyadverted。Thesearebothdesirableresultstoachieve——tosaynothingoftheremoval，onmyside，ofallapprehensionofannoyancetomyniece。Ontheotherhand，however，amarriagesolemnizedwithsuchprivacyasyouproposemustbeahastymarriage；for，aswearesituated，thelongerthedelaythegreaterwillbetheriskthatoursecretmayescapeourkeeping。Iamnotagainsthastymarriageswhereamutualflameisfannedbyanadequateincome。Myownwasalove-matchcontractedinahurry。Thereareplentyofinstancesintheexperienceofeveryone，ofshortcourtshipsandspeedymarriages，whichhaveturneduptrumps——Ibegyourpardon——whichhaveturnedoutwellafterall。Butifyouandmyniece，Mr。Vanstone，aretoaddonetothenumberoftheseeases，theusualpreliminariesofmarriageamongthehigherclassesmustbehastenedbysomemeans。Youdoubtlessunderstandmeasnowreferringtothesubjectofsettlements。“

“I\'lltakeanotherteaspoonfulofbrandy，“saidNoelVanstone，holdingouthisglasswithatremblinghandastheword“settlements“passedCaptainWragge\'slips。

“I\'lltakeateaspoonfulwithyou，“saidthecaptain，nimblydismountingfromthepedestalofhisrespectability，andsippinghisbrandywiththehighestrelish。NoelVanstone，afternervouslyfollowinghishost\'sexample，composedhimselftomeetthecomingordeal，withrecliningheadandgraspinghands，inthepositionfamiliarlyassociatedtoallcivilizedhumanitywithaseatinadentist\'schair。

Thecaptainputdownhisemptyglassandgotupagainonhispedestal。

“Weweretalkingofsettlements，“heresumed。“Ihavealreadymentioned，Mr。Vanstone，atanearlyperiodofourconversation，thatmyniecepresentsthemanofherchoicewithnootherdowrythanthemostinestimableofallgifts——thegiftofherself。Thiscircumstance，however(asyouarenodoubtaware)，doesnotdisentitlemetomakethecustomarystipulationswithherfuturehusband。Accordingtotheusualcourseinthismatter，mylawyerwouldseeyours——consultationswouldtakeplace——delayswouldoccur——strangerswouldbeinpossessionofyourintentions——andMrs。Lecountwould，soonerorlater，arriveatthatknowledgeofthetruthwhichyouareanxioustokeepfromher。Doyouagreewithmesofar？“

UnutterableapprehensionclosedNoelVanstone\'slips。Hecouldonlyreplybyaninclinationofthehead。

“Verygood，“saidthecaptain。“Now，sir，youmaypossiblyhaveobservedthatIamamanofaveryoriginalturnofmind。IfIhavenothithertostruckyouinthatlight，itmaythenbenecessarytomentionthattherearesomesubjectsonwhichIpersistinthinkingformyself。Thesubjectofmarriagesettlementsisoneofthem。What，letmeaskyou，doesaparentorguardianinmypresentconditionusuallydo？Afterhavingtrustedthemanwhomhehaschosenforhisson-in-lawwiththesacreddepositofawoman\'shappiness，heturnsroundonthatman，anddeclinestotrusthimwiththeinfinitelyinferiorresponsibilityofprovidingforherpecuniaryfuture。Hefettershisson-in-lawwiththemostbindingdocumentthelawcanproduce，andemployswiththehusbandofhisownchildthesameprecautionswhichhewoulduseifheweredealingwithastrangerandarogue。Icallsuchconductasthisinconsistentandunbecominginthelastdegree。Youwillnotfinditmycourseofconduct，Mr。Vanstone——youwillnotfindmepreachingwhatIdon\'tpractice。IfItrustyouwithmyniece，Itrustyouwitheveryinferiorresponsibilitytowardherandtowardme。Givemeyourhand，sir；tellme，onyourwordofhonor，thatyouwillprovideforyourwifeasbecomesherpositionandyourmeans，andthequestionofsettlementsisdecidedbetweenusfromthismomentatonceandforever！“HavingcarriedoutMagdalen\'sinstructionsinthisloftytone，hethrewopenhisrespectablefrockcoat，andsatwithheaderectandhandextended，themodelofparentalfeelingandthepictureofhumanintegrity。

ForonemomentNoelVanstoneremainedliterallypetrifiedbyastonishment。The，next，hestartedfromhischairandwrungthehandofhismagnanimousfriendinaperfecttransportofadmiration。Neveryet，throughouthislongandvariedcareer，hadCaptainWraggefeltsuchdifficultyinkeepinghiscountenanceashefeltnow。Contemptfortheoutburstofmiserlygratitudeofwhichhewastheobject；triumphinthesenseofsuccessfulconspiracyagainstamanwhohadratedtheofferofhisprotectionatfivepounds；regretatthelostopportunityofeffectingafinestrokeofmoralagriculture，whichhisdreadofinvolvinghimselfincomingconsequenceshadforcedhimtoletslip——allthesevariedemotionsagitatedthecaptain\'smind；allstrovetogethertofindtheirwaytothesurfacethroughtheoutletsofhisfaceorhistongue。HeallowedNoelVanstonetokeeppossessionofhishand，andtoheaponeseriesofshrillprotestationsandpromisesonanother，untilhehadregainedhisusualmasteryoverhimself。Thatresultachieved，heputthelittlemanbackinhischair，andreturnedforthwithtothesubjectofMrs。Lecount。

“Supposewenowreverttothedifficultywhichwehavenotconqueredyet，“saidthecaptain。“LetussaythatIdoviolencetomyownhabitsandfeelings；thatIallowtheconsiderationsIhavealreadymentionedtoweighwithme；andthatIsanctionyourwishtobeunitedtomyniecewithouttheknowledgeofMrs。Lecount。Allowmetoinquireinthatcasewhatmeansyoucansuggestfortheaccomplishmentofyourend？“

“Ican\'tsuggestanything，“repliedNoelVanstone，helplessly。“Wouldyouobjecttosuggestforme？“

“Youaremakingabolderrequestthanyouthink，Mr。Vanstone。Ineverdothingsbyhalves。WhenIamactingwithmycustomarycandor，Iamfrank(asyouknowalready)totheutmostvergeofimprudence。Whenexceptionalcircumstancescompelmetotakeanoppositecourse，thereisn\'taslyerfoxalivethanIam。If，atyourexpressrequest，ItakeoffmyhonestEnglishcoathereandputonaJesuit\'sgown——if，purelyoutofsympathyforyourawkwardposition，IconsenttokeepyoursecretforyoufromMrs。Lecount——Imusthavenounseasonablescruplestocontendwithonyourpart。Ifitisneckornothingonmyside，sir，itmustbeneckornothingonyoursalso。“

“Neckornothing，byallmeans，“saidNoelVanstone，briskly——“ontheunderstandingthatyougofirst。IhavenoscruplesaboutkeepingLecountinthedark。Butsheisdevilishcunning，Mr。Bygrave。Howisittobedone？“

“Youshallheardirectly，“repliedthecaptain。“BeforeIdevelopmyviews，Ishouldliketohaveyouropiniononanabstractquestionofmorality。Whatdoyouthink，mydearsir，ofpiousfraudsingeneral？“

NoelVanstonelookedalittleembarrassedbythequestion。

“ShallIputitmoreplainly？“continuedCaptainWragge。“Whatdoyousaytotheuniversally-acceptedmaximthat\'allstratagemsarefairinloveandwar\'？——YesorNo？“

“Yes！“answeredNoelVanstone，withtheutmostreadiness。

“OnemorequestionandIhavedone，“saidthecaptain。“DoyouseeanyparticularobjectiontopracticingapiousfraudonMrs。Lecount？“

NoelVanstone\'sresolutionbegantofalteralittle。

“IsLecountlikelytofinditout？“heaskedcautiously。

“Shecan\'tpossiblydiscoverituntilyouaremarriedandoutofherreach。“

“Youaresureofthat？“

“Quitesure。“

“PlayanytrickyoulikeonLecount，“saidNoelVanstone，withanairofunutterablerelief。“Ihavehadmysuspicionslatelythatsheistryingtodomineeroverme；IambeginningtofeelthatIhavebornewithLecountlongenough。IwishIwaswellridofher。“

“Youshallhaveyourwish，“saidCaptainWragge。“Youshallberidofherinaweekortendays。“

NoelVanstoneroseeagerlyandapproachedthecaptain\'schair。

“Youdon\'tsayso！“heexclaimed。“Howdoyoumeantosendheraway？“

“Imeantosendheronajourney，“repliedCaptainWragge。

“Where？“

“FromyourhouseatAldboroughtoherbrother\'sbedsideatZurich。“

NoelVanstonestartedbackattheanswer，andreturnedsuddenlytohischair。

“Howcanyoudothat？“heinquired，inthegreatestperplexity。“Herbrother(hanghim！)ismuchbetter。ShehadanotherletterfromZurichtosayso，thismorning。“

“Didyouseetheletter？“

“Yes。Shealwaysworriesaboutherbrother——shewouldshowittome。“

“Whowasitfrom？andwhatdiditsay？“

“Itwasfromthedoctor——healwayswritestoher。Idon\'tcaretwostrawsaboutherbrother，andIdon\'tremembermuchoftheletter，exceptthatitwasashortone。Thefellowwasmuchbetter；andifthedoctordidn\'twriteagain，shemighttakeitforgrantedthathewasgettingwell。Thatwasthesubstanceofit。“

“Didyounoticewheresheputtheletterwhenyougaveitherbackagain？“

“Yes。Sheputitinthedrawerwhereshekeepsheraccount-books。“

“Canyougetatthatdrawer？“

“OfcourseIcan。Ihavegotaduplicatekey——Ialwaysinsistonaduplicatekeyoftheplacewhereshekeepsheraccountbooks。Ineverallowtheaccount-bookstobelockedupfrommyinspection:it\'saruleofthehouse。“

“Besogoodastogetthatletterto-day，Mr。Vanstone，withoutyourhousekeeper\'sknowledge，andaddtothefavorbylettingmehaveithereprivatelyforanhourortwo。“

“Whatdoyouwantitfor？“

“IhavesomemorequestionstoaskbeforeItellyou。HaveyouanyintimatefriendatZurichwhomyoucouldtrusttohelpyouinplayingatrickonMrs。Lecount？“

“Whatsortofhelpdoyoumean？“askedNoelVanstone。

“Suppose，“saidthecaptain，“youweretosendaletteraddressedtoMrs。LecountatAldborough，inclosedinanotherletteraddressedtooneofyourfriendsabroad？AndsupposeyouweretoinstructthatfriendtohelpaharmlesspracticaljokebypostingMrs。Lecount\'sletteratZurich？Doyouknowanyonewhocouldbetrustedtodothat？“

“Iknowtwopeoplewhocouldbetrusted！“criedNoelVanstone。“Bothladies——bothspinsters——bothbitterenemiesofLecount\'s。Butwhatisyourdrift，Mr。Bygrave？ThoughIamnotusuallywantinginpenetration，Idon\'taltogetherseeyourdrift。“

“Youshallseeitdirectly，Mr。Vanstone。“

Withthosewordsherose，withdrewtohisdeskinthecorneroftheroom，andwroteafewlinesonasheetofnote-paper。Afterfirstreadingthemcarefullytohimself，hebeckonedtoNoelVanstonetocomeandreadthemtoo。

“Afewminutessince，“saidthecaptain，pointingcomplacentlytohisowncompositionwiththefeatherendofhispen，“IhadthehonorofsuggestingapiousfraudonMrs。Lecount。Thereitis！“

Heresignedhischairatthewriting-tabletohisvisitor。NoelVanstonesatdown，andreadtheselines:

MYDEARMADAM——SinceIlastwrote，Ideeplyregrettoinformyouthatyourbrotherhassufferedarelapse。Thesymptomsaresoserious，thatitismypainfuldutytosummonyouinstantlytohisbedside。Iammakingeveryefforttoresisttherenewedprogressofthemalady，andIhavenotyetlostallhopeofsuccess。ButIcannotreconcileittomyconsciencetoleaveyouinignoranceofaseriouschangeinmypatientfortheworse，whichmaybeattendedbyfatalresults。Withmuchsympathy，Iremain，etc。etc。“

CaptainWraggewaitedwithsomeanxietyfortheeffectwhichthislettermightproduce。Mean，selfish，andcowardlyashewas，evenNoelVanstonemightfeelsomecompunctionatpracticingsuchadeceptionaswasheresuggestedonawomanwhostoodtowardhiminthepositionofMrs。Lecount。Shehadservedhimfaithfully，howeverinterestedhermotivesmightbe——shehadlivedsincehewasaladinthefullpossessionofhisfather\'sconfidence——shewaslivingnowundertheprotectionofhisownroof。Couldbefailtorememberthis；and，rememberingit，couldhelendhisaidwithouthesitationtotheschemewhichwasnowproposedtohim？CaptainWraggeunconsciouslyretainedbeliefenoughinhumannaturetodoubtit。Tohissurprise，and，itmustbeadded，tohisrelief，also，hisapprehensionsprovedtobegroundless。TheonlyemotionsarousedinNoelVanstone\'smindbyaperusaloftheletterwereaheartyadmirationofhisfriend\'sidea，andavaingloriousanxietytoclaimthecredittohimselfofbeingthepersonwhocarrieditout。Examplesmaybefoundeverydayofafoolwhoisnocoward；examplesmaybefoundoccasionallyofafoolwhoisnotcunning；butitmayreasonablybedoubtedwhetherthereisaproducibleinstanceanywhereofafoolwhoisnotcruel。

“Perfect！“criedNoelVanstone，clappinghishands。“Mr。Bygrave，youareasgoodasFigarointheFrenchcomedy。TalkingofFrench，thereisoneseriousmistakeinthiscleverletterofyours——itiswritteninthewronglanguage。WhenthedoctorwritestoLecount，hewritesinFrench。Perhapsyoumeantmetotranslateit？Youcan\'tmanagewithoutmyhelp，canyou？IwriteFrenchasfluentlyasIwriteEnglish。Justlookatme！I\'lltranslateit，whileIsithere，intwostrokesofthepen。“

HecompletedthetranslationalmostasrapidlyasCaptainWraggehadproducedtheoriginal。“Waitaminute！“hecried，inhighcriticaltriumphatdiscoveringanotherdefectinthecompositionofhisingeniousfriend。“Thedoctoralwaysdateshisletters。Hereisnodatetoyours。“

“Ileavethedatetoyou，“saidthecaptain，withasardonicsmile。“Youhavediscoveredthefault，mydearsir——praycorrectit！“

NoelVanstonementallylookedintothegreatgulfwhichseparatesthefacultythatcandiscoveradefect，fromthefacultythatcanapplyaremedy，and，followingtheexampleofmanyawiserman，declinedtocrossoverit。

“Icouldn\'tthinkoftakingtheliberty，“hesaid，politely。“Perhapsyouhadamotiveforleavingthedateout？“

“PerhapsIhad，“repliedCaptainWragge，withhiseasiestgood-humor。“ThedatemustdependonthetimealettertakestogettoZurich。Ihavehadnoexperienceonthatpoint——youmusthavehadplentyofexperienceinyourfather\'stime。Givemethebenefitofyourinformation，andwewilladdthedatebeforeyouleavethewriting-table。“

NoelVanstone\'sexperiencewas，asCaptainWraggehadanticipated，perfectlycompetenttosettlethequestionoftime。TherailwayresourcesoftheContinent(intheyeareighteenhundredandforty-seven)werebutscanty；andalettersentatthatperiodfromEnglandtoZurich，andfromZurichbackagaintoEngland，occupiedtendaysinmakingthedoublejourneybypost。

“DatetheletterinFrenchfivedaysonfromto-morrow，“saidthecaptain，whenhehadgothisinformation。“Verygood。Thenextthingistoletmehavethedoctor\'snoteassoonasyoucan。ImaybeobligedtopracticesomehoursbeforeIcancopyyourtranslationinanexactimitationofthedoctor\'shandwriting。Haveyougotanyforeignnote-paper？Letmehaveafewsheets，andsend，atthesametime，anenvelopeaddressedtooneofthoselady-friendsofyoursatZurich，accompaniedbythenecessaryrequesttoposttheinclosure。ThisisallIneedtroubleyoutodo，Mr。Vanstone。Don\'tletmeseeminhospitable；butthesooneryoucansupplymewithmymaterials，thebetterIshallbepleased。Weentirelyunderstandeachother，Isuppose？Havingacceptedyourproposalformyniece\'shand，Isanctionaprivatemarriageinconsiderationofthecircumstancesonyourside。Alittleharmlessstratagemisnecessarytoforwardyourviews。Iinventthestratagematyourrequest，andyoumakeuseofitwithouttheleasthesitation。Theresultis，thatintendaysfromto-morrowMrs。LecountwillbeonherwaytoSwitzerland；infifteendaysfromto-morrowMrs。LecountwillreachZurich，anddiscoverthetrickwehaveplayedher；intwentydaysfromto-morrowMrs。LecountwillbebackatAldborough，andwillfindhermaster\'swedding-cardsonthetable，andhermasterhimselfawayonhishoney-moontrip。Iputitarithmetically，forthesakeofputtingitplain。Godblessyou。Good-morning！“

“IsupposeImayhavethehappinessofseeingMissBygraveto-morrow？“saidNoelVanstone，turningroundatthedoor。

“Wemustbecareful，“repliedCaptainWragge。“Idon\'tforbidto-morrow，butImakenopromisebeyondthat。PermitmetoremindyouthatwehavegotMrs。Lecounttomanageforthenexttendays。“

“IwishLecountwasatthebottomoftheGermanOcean！“exclaimedNoelVanstone，fervently。“It\'sallverywellforyoutomanageher——youdon\'tliveinthehouse。WhatamItodo？“

“I\'lltellyouto-morrow，“saidthecaptain。“Gooutforyourwalkalone，anddropinhere，asyoudroppedinto-day，attwoo\'clock。Inthemeantime，don\'tforgetthosethingsIwantyoutosendme。Sealthemuptogetherinalargeenvelope。Whenyouhavedonethat，askMrs。Lecounttowalkoutwithyouasusual；andwhilesheisupstairsputtingherbonneton，sendtheservantacrosstome。Youunderstand？Good-morning。

“Anhourafterward，thesealedenvelope，withitsinclosures，reachedCaptainWraggeinperfectsafety。Thedoubletaskofexactlyimitatingastrangehandwriting，andaccuratelycopyingwordswritteninalanguagewithwhichhewasbutslightlyacquainted，presentedmoredifficultiestobeovercomethanthecaptainhadanticipated。Itwaseleveno\'clockbeforetheemploymentwhichhehadundertakenwassuccessfullycompleted，andthelettertoZurichreadyforthepost。

Beforegoingtobed，hewalkedoutonthedesertedParadetobreathethecoolnightair。AllthelightswereextinguishedinSea-viewCottage，whenhelookedthatway，exceptthelightinthehousekeeper\'swindow。CaptainWraggeshookhisheadsuspiciously。HehadgainedexperienceenoughbythistimetodistrustthewakefulnessofMrs。Lecount。

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene4，Chapter9CHAPTERIX。

IFCaptainWraggecouldhavelookedintoMrs。Lecount\'sroomwhilehestoodontheParadewatchingthelightinherwindow，hewouldhaveseenthehousekeepersittingabsorbedinmeditationoveraworthlesslittlemorselofbrownstuffwhichlayonhertoilet-table。

Howeverexasperatingtoherselftheconclusionmightbe，Mrs。Lecountcouldnotfailtoseethatshehadbeenthusfarmetandbaffledsuccessfullyateverypoint。Whatwasshetodonext？IfshesentforMr。PendrilwhenhecametoAldborough(withonlyafewhourssparedfromhisbusinessatherdisposal)，whatdefinitecoursewouldtherebeforhimtofollow？IfsheshowedNoelVanstonetheoriginalletterfromwhichhernotehadbeencopied，hewouldapplyinstantlytothewriterforanexplanation:wouldexposethefabricatedstorybywhichMrs。LecounthadsucceededinimposingonMissGarth；andwould，inanyevent，stilldeclare，ontheevidenceofhisowneyes，thatthetestbythemarksontheneckhadutterlyfailed。MissVanstone，theelder，whoseunexpectedpresenceatAldboroughmighthavedonewonders——whosevoiceinthehallatNorthShingles，evenifshehadbeenadmittednofurther，mighthavereachedhersister\'searsandledtoinstantresults——MissVanstone，theelder，wasoutofthecountry，andwasnotlikelytoreturnforamonthatleast。LookasanxiouslyasMrs。Lecountmightalongthecoursewhichshehadhithertofollowed，shefailedtoseeherwaythroughtheaccumulatedobstacleswhichnowbarredheradvance。

Otherwomeninthispositionmighthavewaiteduntilcircumstancesaltered，andhelpedthem。Mrs。Lecountboldlyretracedhersteps，anddeterminedtofindherwaytoherendinanewdirection。ResigningforthepresentallfurtherattempttoprovethatthefalseMissBygravewasthetrueMagdalenVanstone，sheresolvedtonarrowtherangeofhernextefforts；toleavetheactualquestionofMagdalen\'sidentityuntouched；andtorestsatisfiedwithconvincinghermasterofthissimplefact——thattheyoungladywhowascharminghimatNorthShingles，andthedisguisedwomanwhohadterrifiedhiminVauxhallWalk，wereoneandthesameperson。

Themeansofeffectingthisnewobjectwere，toallappearance，farlesseasyofattainmentthanthemeansofeffectingtheobjectwhichMrs。Lecounthadjustresigned。Herenohelpwastobeexpectedfromothers，noostensiblybenevolentmotivescouldbeputforwardasablind——noappealcouldbemadetoMr。PendrilortoMissGarth。Herethehousekeeper\'sonlychanceofsuccessdepended，inthefirstplace，onherbeingabletoeffectastolenentranceintoMr。Bygrave\'shouse，and，inthesecondplace，onherabilitytodiscoverwhetherthatmemorablealpacadressfromwhichshehadsecretlycutthefragmentofstuffhappenedtoformpartofMissBygrave\'swardrobe。

Takingthedifficultiesnowbeforeherintheirorderastheyoccurred，Mrs。LecountfirstresolvedtodevotethenextfewdaystowatchingthehabitsoftheinmatesofNorthShingles，fromearlyinthemorningtolateatnight，andtotestingthecapacityoftheoneservantinthehousetoresistthetemptationofabribe。Assumingthatresultsprovedsuccessful，andthat，eitherbymoneyorbystratagem，shegainedadmissiontoNorthShingles(withouttheknowledgeofMr。Bygraveorhisniece)，sheturnednexttotheseconddifficultyofthetwo——thedifficultyofobtainingaccesstoMissBygrave\'swardrobe。

Iftheservantprovedcorruptible，allobstaclesinthisdirectionmightbeconsideredasremovedbeforehand。Butiftheservantprovedhonest，thenewproblemwasnoeasyonetosolve。

Longandcarefulconsiderationofthequestionledthehousekeeperatlasttotheboldresolutionofobtaininganinterview——iftheservantfailedher——withMrs。Bygraveherself。Whatwasthetruecauseofthislady\'smysteriousseclusion？Wassheapersonofthestrictestandthemostinconvenientintegrity？orapersonwhocouldnotbedependedontopreserveasecret？orapersonwhowasasartfulasMr。Bygravehimself，andwhowaskeptinreservetoforwardtheobjectofsomenewdeceptionwhichwasyettocome？Inthefirsttwocases，Mrs。Lecountcouldtrustinherownpowersofdissimulation，andintheresultswhichtheymightachieve。Inthelastcase(ifnootherendwasgained)，itmightbeofvitalimportancetohertodiscoveranenemyhiddeninthedark。Inanyevent，shedeterminedtoruntherisk。Ofthethreechancesinherfavoronwhichshehadreckonedattheoutsetofthestruggle——thechanceofentrappingMagdalenbywordofmouth，thechanceofentrappingherbythehelpofherfriends，andthechanceofentrappingherbymeansofMrs。Bygrave——twohadbeentried，andtwohadfailed。Thethirdremainedtobetestedyet；andthethirdmightsucceed。

So，thecaptain\'senemyplottedagainsthimintheprivacyofherownchamber，whilethecaptainwatchedthelightinherwindowfromthebeachoutside。

Beforebreakfastthenextmorning，CaptainWraggepostedtheforgedlettertoZurichwithhisownhand。HewentbacktoNorthShingleswithhismindnotquitedecidedonthecoursetotakewithMrs。Lecountduringtheall-importantintervalofthenexttendays。

Greatlytohissurprise，hisdoubtsonthispointwereabruptlydecidedbyMagdalenherself。

Hefoundherwaitingforhimintheroomwherethebreakfastwaslaid。Shewaswalkingrestlesslytoandfro，withherheaddroopingonherbosomandherhairhangingdisorderedoverhershoulders。Themomentshelookeduponhisentrance，thecaptainfeltthefearwhichMrs。Wraggehadfeltbeforehim——thefearthathermindwouldbestruckprostrateagain，asithadbeenstruckoncealready，whenFrank\'sletterreachedherinVauxhallWalk。

“Ishecomingagainto-day？“sheasked，pushingawayfromherthechairwhichCaptainWraggeoffered，withsuchviolencethatshethrewitonthefloor。

“Yes，“saidthecaptain，wiselyansweringherinthefewestwords。“Heiscomingattwoo\'clock。“

“Takemeaway！“sheexclaimed，tossingherhairbackwildlyfromherface。“Takemeawaybeforehecomes。Ican\'tgetoverthehorrorofmarryinghimwhileIaminthishatefulplace；takemesomewherewhereIcanforgetit，orIshallgomad！Givemetwodays\'rest——twodaysoutofsightofthathorriblesea——twodaysoutofprisoninthishorriblehouse——twodaysanywhereinthewideworldawayfromAldborough。I\'llcomebackwithyou！I\'llgothroughwithittotheend！Onlygivemetwodays\'escapefromthatmanandeverythingbelongingtohim！Doyouhear，youvillain？“shecried，seizinghisarmandshakingitinafrenzyofpassion；“Ihavebeentorturedenough——Icanbearitnolonger！“

Therewasbutonewayofquietingher，andthecaptaininstantlytookit。

“Ifyouwilltrytocontrolyourself，“hesaid，“youshallleaveAldboroughinanhour\'stime。“

Shedroppedhisarm，andleanedbackheavilyagainstthewallbehindher。

“I\'lltry，“sheanswered，strugglingforbreath，butlookingathimlesswildly。“Youshan\'tcomplainofme，ifIcanhelpit。“Sheattemptedconfusedlytotakeherhandkerchieffromherapronpocket，andfailedtofindit。Thecaptaintookitoutforher。Hereyessoftened，andshedrewherbreathmorefreelyasshereceivedthehandkerchieffromhim。“YouareakindermanthanIthoughtyouwere，“shesaid；“IamsorryIspokesopassionatelytoyoujustnow——Iamvery，verysorry。“Thetearsstoleintohereyes，andsheofferedhimherhandwiththenativegraceandgentlenessofhappierdays。“Befriendswithmeagain，“shesaid，pleadingly。“I\'monlyagirl，CaptainWragge——I\'monlyagirl！“

Hetookherhandinsilence，patteditforamoment，andthenopenedthedoorforhertogobacktoherownroomagain。Therewasgenuineregretinhisfaceasheshowedherthattriflingattention。Hewasavagabondandacheat；hehadlivedamean，shuffling，degradedlife，buthewashuman；andshehadfoundherwaytothelostsympathiesinhimwhichnoteventheself-profanationofaswindler\'sexistencecouldwhollydestroy。“Damnthebreakfast！“hesaid，whentheservantcameinforherorders。“Gototheinndirectly，andsayIwantacarriageandpairatthedoorinanhour\'stime。“Hewentoutintothepassage，stillchafingunderasenseofmentaldisturbancewhichwasnewtohim，andshoutedtohiswifemorefiercelythanever——“Packupwhatwewantforaweek\'sabsence，andbereadyinhalfanhour！“Havingissuedthosedirections，hereturnedtothebreakfast-room，andlookedatthehalf-spreadtablewithanimpatientwonderathisdisinclinationtodojusticetohisownmeal。“Shehasrubbedofftheedgeofmyappetite，“hesaidtohimself，withaforcedlaugh。“I\'lltryacigar，andaturninthefreshair。“

Ifhehadbeentwentyyearsyounger，thoseremediesmighthavefailedhim。Butwhereisthemantobefoundwhoseinternalpolicysuccumbstorevolutionwhenthatmanisonthewrongsideoffifty？Exerciseandchangeofplacegavethecaptainbackintothepossessionofhimself。Herecoveredthelostsenseoftheflavorofhiscigar，andrecalledhiswanderingattentiontothequestionofhisapproachingabsencefromAldborough。Afewminutes\'considerationsatisfiedhismindthatMagdalen\'soutbreakhadforcedhimtotakethecourseofallotherswhich，onafairreviewofexistingemergencies，itwasnowmostdesirabletoadopt。

CaptainWragge\'sinquiriesontheeveningwhenheandMagdalenhaddrunkteaatSeaViewhadcertainlyinformedhimthatthehousekeeper\'sbrotherpossessedamodestcompetence；thathissisterwashisnearestlivingrelative；andthatthereweresomeunscrupulouscousinsonthespotwhowereanxioustousurptheplaceinhiswillwhichproperlybelongedtoMrs。Lecount。HerewerestrongmotivestotakethehousekeepertoZurichwhenthefalsereportofherbrother\'srelapsereachedEngland。ButifanyideaofNoelVanstone\'struepositiondawnedonherinthemeantime，whocouldsaywhethershemightnot，attheeleventhhour，preferassertingherlargepecuniaryinterestinhermaster，todefendinghersmallpecuniaryinterestatherbrother\'sbedside？Whilethatquestionremainedundecided，theplainnecessityofcheckingthegrowthofNoelVanstone\'sintimacywiththefamilyatNorthShinglesdidnotadmitofadoubt；andofallmeansofeffectingthatobject，nonecouldbelessopentosuspicionthanthetemporaryremovalofthehouseholdfromtheirresidenceatAldborough。Thoroughlysatisfiedwiththesoundnessofthisconclusion，CaptainWraggemadestraightforSea-viewCottage，toapologizeandexplainbeforethecarriagecameandthedeparturetookplace。

NoelVanstonewaseasilyaccessibletovisitors；hewaswalkinginthegardenbeforebreakfast。Hisdisappointmentandvexationwerefreelyexpressedwhenheheardthenewswhichhisfriendhadtocommunicate。Thecaptain\'sfluenttongue，however，soonimpressedonhimthenecessityofresignationtopresentcircumstances。Thebarehintthatthe“piousfraud“mightfailafterall，ifanythinghappenedinthetendays\'intervaltoenlightenMrs。Lecount，hadaninstanteffectinmakingNoelVanstoneaspatientandassubmissiveascouldbewished。

“Iwon\'ttellyouwherewearegoing，fortwogoodreasons，“saidCaptainWragge，whenhispreliminaryexplanationswerecompleted。“Inthefirstplace，Ihaven\'tmadeupmymindyet；and，inthesecondplace，ifyoudon\'tknowwhereourdestinationis，Mrs。Lecountcan\'twormitoutofyou。Ihavenottheleastdoubtsheiswatchingusatthismomentfrombehindherwindow-curtain。WhensheaskswhatIwantedwithyouthismorning，tellherIcametosaygood-byforafewdays，findingmyniecenotsowellagain，andwishingtotakeheronashortvisittosomefriendstotrychangeofair。IfyoucouldproduceanimpressiononMrs。Lecount\'smind(withoutoverdoingit)，thatyouarealittledisappointedinme，andthatyouareratherinclinedtodoubtmyheartinessincultivatingyouracquaintance，youwillgreatlyhelpourpresentobject。YoumaydependonourreturntoNorthShinglesinfourorfivedaysatfurthest。Ifanythingstrikesmeinthemeanwhile，thepostisalwaysatourservice，andIwon\'tfailtowritetoyou。“

“Won\'tMissBygravewritetome？“inquiredNoelVanstone，piteously。“Didsheknowyouwerecominghere？Didshesendmenomessage？“

“Unpardonableonmyparttohaveforgottenit！“criedthecaptain。“Shesentyouherlove。“

NoelVanstoneclosedhiseyesinsilentecstasy。

WhenheopenedthemagainCaptainWraggehadpassedthroughthegardengateandwasonhiswaybacktoNorthShingles。Assoonashisowndoorhadclosedonhim，Mrs。Lecountdescendedfromthepostofobservationwhichthecaptainhadrightlysuspectedherofoccupying，andaddressedtheinquirytohermasterwhichthecaptainhadrightlyforeseenwouldfollowhisdeparture。Thereplyshereceivedproducedbutoneimpressiononhermind。Sheatoncesetitdownasafalsehood，andreturnedtoherownwindowtokeepwatchoverNorthShinglesmorevigilantlythanever。

Toherutterastonishment，afteralapseoflessthanhalfanhourshesawanemptycarriagedrawupatMr。Bygrave\'sdoor。Luggagewasbroughtoutandpackedonthevehicle。MissBygraveappeared，andtookherseatinit。Shewasfollowedintothecarriagebyaladyofgreatsizeandstature，whomthehousekeeperconjecturedtobeMrs。Bygrave。Theservantcamenext，andstoodwaitingonthepath。ThelastpersontoappearwasMr。Bygrave。Helockedthehousedoor，andtookthekeyawaywithhimtoacottagenearathand，whichwastheresidenceofthelandlordofNorthShingles。Onhisreturn，henoddedtotheservant，whowalkedawaybyherselftowardthehumblerquarterofthelittletown，andjoinedtheladiesinthecarriage。Thecoachmanmountedthebox，andthevehicledisappeared。

Mrs。Lecountlaiddowntheopera-glass，throughwhichshehadbeencloselyinvestigatingtheseproceedings，withafeelingofhelplessperplexitywhichshewasalmostashamedtoacknowledgetoherself。ThesecretofMr。Bygrave\'sobjectinsuddenlyemptyinghishouseatAldboroughofeverylivingcreatureinitwasanimpenetrablemysterytoher。

SubmittingherselftocircumstanceswithareadyresignationwhichCaptainWraggehadnotshown，onhisside，inasimilarsituation，Mrs。Lecountwastedneithertimenortemperinunprofitableguess-work。Sheleftthemysterytothickenortoclear，asthefuturemightdecide，andlookedexclusivelyattheusestowhichshemightputthemorning\'seventinherowninterests。WhatevermighthavebecomeofthefamilyatNorthShingles，theservantwasleftbehind，andtheservantwasexactlythepersonwhoseassistancemightnowbeofvitalimportancetothehousekeeper\'sprojects。Mrs。Lecountputonherbonnet，inspectedthecollectionofloosesilverinherpurse，andsetforthonthespottomaketheservant\'sacquaintance。

ShewentfirsttothecottageatwhichMr。BygravehadleftthekeyofNorthShingles，todiscovertheservant\'spresentaddressfromthelandlord。Sofarasthisobjectwasconcerned，hererrandprovedsuccessful。Thelandlordknewthatthegirlhadbeenallowedtogohomeforafewdaystoherfriends，andknewinwhatpartofAldboroughherfriendslived。Butherehissourcesofinformationsuddenlydriedup。HeknewnothingofthedestinationtowhichMr。Bygraveandhisfamilyhadbetakenthemselves，andhewasperfectlyignorantofthenumberofdaysoverwhichtheirabsencemightbeexpectedtoextend。Allhecouldsaywas，thathehadnotreceivedanoticetoquitfromhistenant，andthathehadbeenrequestedtokeepthekeyofthehouseinhispossessionuntilMr。Bygravereturnedtoclaimitinhisownperson。

Baffled，butnotdiscouraged，Mrs。LecountturnedherstepsnexttowardthebackstreetofAldborough，andastonishedtheservant\'srelativesbyconferringonthemthehonorofamorningcall。

EasilyimposedonatstartingbyMrs。Lecount\'spretenseofcallingtoengageher，undertheimpressionthatshehadleftMr。Bygrave\'sservice，theservantdidherbesttoanswerthequestionsputtoher。Butsheknewaslittleasthelandlordofhermaster\'splans。Allshecouldsayaboutthemwas，thatshehadnotbeendismissed，andthatshewastoawaitthereceiptofanoterecallingherwhennecessarytohersituationatNorthShingles。Nothavingexpectedtofindherbetterinformedonthispartofthesubject，Mrs。Lecountsmoothlyshiftedherground，andledthewomanintotalkinggenerallyoftheadvantagesanddefectsofhersituationinMr。Bygrave\'sfamily。

Profitingbytheknowledgegained，inthisindirectmanner，ofthelittlesecretsofthehousehold，Mrs。Lecountmadetwodiscoveries。Shefoundout，inthefirstplace，thattheservant(havingenoughtodoinattendingtothecoarserpartofthedomesticwork)wasinnopositiontodisclosethesecretsofMissBygrave\'swardrobe，whichwereknownonlytotheyoungladyherselfandtoheraunt。Inthesecondplace，thehousekeeperascertainedthatthetruereasonofMrs。Bygrave\'srigidseclusionwastobefoundinthesimplefactthatshewaslittlebetterthananidiot，andthatherhusbandwasprobablyashamedofallowinghertobeseeninpublic。TheseapparentlytrivialdiscoveriesenlightenedMrs。Lecountonaveryimportantpointwhichhadbeenpreviouslyinvolvedindoubt。ShewasnowsatisfiedthatthelikeliestwaytoobtainingaprivateinvestigationofMagdalen\'swardrobelaythroughdeludingtheimbecilelady，andnotthroughbribingtheignorantservant。

Havingreachedthatconclusion——pregnantwithcomingassaultsontheweakly-fortifieddiscretionofpoorMrs。Wragge——thehousekeepercautiouslyabstainedfromexhibitingherselfanylongerunderaninquisitiveaspect。Shechangedtheconversationtolocaltopics，waiteduntilshewassureofleavinganexcellentimpressionbehindher，andthentookherleave。

Threedayspassed；andMrs。Lecountandhermaster——eachwiththeirwidely-differentendsinview——watchedwithequalanxietyforthefirstsignsofreturninglifeinthedirectionofNorthShingles。Inthatinterval，nolettereitherfromtheuncleortheniecearrivedforNoelVanstone。Hissincerefeelingofirritationunderthisneglectfultreatmentgreatlyassistedtheeffectofthosefeigneddoubtsonthesubjectofhisabsentfriendswhichthecaptainhadrecommendedhimtoexpressinthehousekeeper\'spresence。Heconfessedhisapprehensionsofhavingbeenmistaken，notinMr。Bygraveonly，buteveninhisnieceaswell，withsuchagenuineairofannoyancethatheactuallycontributedanewelementofconfusiontotheexistingperplexitiesofMrs。Lecount。

OnthemorningofthefourthdayNoelVanstonemetthepostmaninthegarden；and，tohisgreatrelief，discoveredamongthelettersdeliveredtohimanotefromMr。Bygrave。

Thedateofthenotewas“Woodbridge，“anditcontainedafewlinesonly。Mr。Bygravementionedthathisniecewasbetter，andthatshesentherloveasbefore。HeproposedreturningtoAldboroughonthenextday，whenhewouldhavesomenewconsiderationsofastrictlyprivatenaturetopresenttoMr。NoelVanstone\'smind。InthemeantimehewouldbegMr。VanstonenottocallatNorthShinglesuntilhereceivedaspecialinvitationtodoso——whichinvitationshouldcertainlybegivenonthedaywhenthefamilyreturned。ThemotiveofthisapparentlystrangerequestshouldbeexplainedtoMr。Vanstone\'sperfectsatisfactionwhenhewasoncemoreunitedtohisfriends。Untilthatperiodarrived，thestrictestcautionwasenjoinedonhiminallhiscommunicationswithMrs。Lecount；andtheinstantdestructionofMr。Bygrave\'sletter，afterdueperusalofit，was(iftheclassicalphrasemightbepardoned)asinequanon。

Thefifthdaycame。NoelVanstone(aftersubmittinghimselftothesinequanon，anddestroyingtheletter)waitedanxiouslyforresults；whileMrs。Lecount，onherside，watchedpatientlyforevents。Towardthreeo\'clockintheafternoonthecarriageappearedagainatthegateofNorthShingles。Mr。Bygravegotoutandtrippedawaybrisklytothelandlord\'scottageforthekey。Hereturnedwiththeservantathisheels。MissBygraveleftthecarriage；hergiantrelativefollowedherexample；thehousedoorwasopened；thetrunksweretakenoff；thecarriagedisappeared，andtheBygraveswereathomeagain！

Fouro\'clockstruck，fiveo\'clock，sixo\'clock，andnothinghappened。Inhalfanhourmore，Mr。Bygrave——spruce，speckless，andrespectableasever——appearedontheParade，saunteringcomposedlyinthedirectionofSeaView。

Insteadofatonceenteringthehouse，hepassedit；stopped，asifstruckbyasuddenrecollection；and，retracinghissteps，askedforMr。Vanstoneatthedoor。Mr。Vanstonecameouthospitablyintothepassage。Pitchinghisvoicetoatonewhichcouldbeeasilyheardbyanylisteningindividualthroughanyopendoorinthebedroomregions，Mr。Bygraveannouncedtheobjectofhisvisitonthedoor-matinthefewestpossiblewords。Hehadbeenstayingwithadistantrelative。Thedistantrelativepossessedtwopictures——GemsbytheOldMasters——whichhewaswillingtodisposeof，andwhichhehadintrustedforthatpurposetoMr。Bygrave\'scare。IfMr。NoelVanstone，asanamateurinsuchmatters，wishedtoseetheGems，theywouldbevisibleinhalfanhour\'stime，whenMr。BygravewouldhavereturnedtoNorthShingles。

Havingdeliveredhimselfofthisincomprehensibleannouncement，thearch-conspiratorlaidhissignificantforefingeralongthesideofhisshortRomannose，said，“Fineweather，isn\'tit？Good-afternoon！“andsaunteredoutinscrutablytocontinuehiswalkontheParade。

Ontheexpirationofthehalf-hourNoelVanstonepresentedhimselfatNorthShingles，withtheardorofaloverburninginextinguishablyinhisbosom，throughthesuperincumbentmentalfogofathoroughlybewilderedman。Tohisinexpressiblehappiness，hefoundMagdalenaloneintheparlor。Neveryethadshelookedsobeautifulinhiseyes。Therestandreliefofherfourdays\'absencefromAldboroughhadnotfailedtoproducetheirresults；shehadmorethanrecoveredhercomposure。Vibratingperpetuallyfromoneviolentextremetoanother，shehadnowpassedfromthepassionatedespairoffivedayssincetoafeverishexaltationofspiritswhichdefiedallremorseandconfrontedallconsequences。Hereyessparkled；hercheekswerebrightwithcolor；shetalkedincessantly，withaforlornmockeryofthegirlishgayetyofpastdays；shelaughedwithadeplorablepersistencyinlaughing；sheimitatedMrs。Lecount\'ssmoothvoice，andMrs。Lecount\'sinsinuatinggracesofmannerwithanoverchargedresemblancetotheoriginal，whichwasbutthecoarsereflectionofthedelicately-accuratemimicryofformertimes。NoelVanstone，whohadneveryetseenherashesawhernow，wasenchanted；hisweakheadwhirledwithanintoxicationofenjoyment；hiswizencheeksflushedasiftheyhadcaughttheinfectionfromhers。Thehalf-hourduringwhichhewasalonewithherpassedlikefiveminutestohim。Whenthattimehadelapsed，andwhenshesuddenlylefthim——toobeyapreviously-arrangedsummonstoheraunt\'spresence——miserashewas，hewouldhavepaidatthatmomentfivegoldensovereignsoutofhispocketforfivegoldenminutesmorepassedinhersociety。

ThedoorhadhardlyclosedonMagdalenbeforeitopenedagain，andthecaptainwalkedin。Heenteredontheexplanationswhichhisvisitornaturallyexpectedfromhimwiththeunceremoniousabruptnessofamanhardpressedfortime，anddeterminedtomakethemostofeverymomentathisdisposal。

“Sincewelastsaweachother，“hebegan，“Ihavebeenreckoningupthechancesforandagainstusaswestandatpresent。Theresultonmyownmindisthis:IfyouarestillatAldboroughwhenthatletterfromZurichreachesMrs。Lecount，allthepainswehavetakenwillhavebeenpainsthrownaway。Ifyourhousekeeperhadfiftybrothersalldyingtogether，shewouldthrowthewholefiftyoversoonerthanleaveyoualoneatSeaViewwhileweareyourneighborsatNorthShingles。“

NoelVanstone\'sflushedcheekturnedpalewithdismay。HisownknowledgeofMrs。Lecounttoldhimthatthisviewofthecasewastherightone。

“Ifwegoawayagain，“proceededthecaptain，“nothingwillbegained，fornothingwouldpersuadeyourhousekeeper，inthatcase，thatwehavenotleftyouthemeansoffollowingus。YoumustleaveAldboroughthistime；and，whatismore，youmustgowithoutleavingasinglevisibletracebehindyouforustofollow。Ifweaccomplishthisobjectinthecourseofthenextfivedays，Mrs。LecountwilltakethejourneytoZurich。Ifwefail，shewillbeafixtureatSeaView，toadeadcertainty。Don\'taskquestions！Ihavegotyourinstructionsreadyforyou，andIwantyourclosestattentiontothem。YourmarriagewithmyniecedependsonyournotforgettingawordofwhatIamnowgoingtotellyou——Onequestionfirst。Haveyoufollowedmyadvice？HaveyoutoldMrs。Lecountyouarebeginningtothinkyourselfmistakeninme？“

“Ididworsethanthat，“repliedNoelVanstonepenitently。“Icommittedanoutrageonmyownfeelings。IdisgracedmyselfbysayingthatIdoubtedMissBygrave！“

“Goondisgracingyourself，mydearsir！Doubtusbothwithallyourmight，andI\'llhelpyou。Onequestionmore。DidIspeakloudenoughthisafternoon？DidMrs。Lecounthearme？“

“Yes。Lecountopenedherdoor；Lecountheardyou。Whatmadeyougivemethatmessage？Iseenopictureshere。Isthisanotherpiousfraud，Mr。Bygrave？“

“Admirablyguessed，Mr。Vanstone！Youwillseetheobjectofmyimaginarypicture-dealingintheverynextwordswhichIamnowabouttoaddresstoyou。WhenyougetbacktoSeaView，thisiswhatyouaretosaytoMrs。Lecount。Tellherthatmyrelative\'sworksofArtaretwoworthlesspictures——copiesfromtheOldMasters，whichIhavetriedtosellyouasoriginalsatanexorbitantprice。Sayyoususpectmeofbeinglittlebetterthanaplausibleimpostor，andpitymyunfortunatenieceforbeingassociatedwithsucharascalasIam。Thereisyourtexttospeakfrom。SayinmanywordswhatIhavejustsaidinafew。Youcandothat，can\'tyou？“

“OfcourseIcandoit，“saidNoelVanstone。“ButIcantellyouonething——Lecountwon\'tbelieveme。“

“Waitalittle，Mr。Vanstone；Ihavenotdonewithmyinstructionsyet。YouunderstandwhatIhavejusttoldyou？Verygood。Wemaygetonfromto-daytoto-morrow。Gooutto-morrowwithMrs。Lecountatyourusualtime。IwillmeetyouontheParade，andbowtoyou。Insteadofreturningmybow，looktheotherway。InplainEnglish，cutme！Thatiseasyenoughtodo，isn\'tit？“

“Shewon\'tbelieveme，Mr。Bygrave——shewon\'tbelieveme！“

“Waitalittleagain，Mr。Vanstone。Therearemoreinstructionstocome。Youhavegotyourdirectionsforto-day，andyouhavegotyourdirectionsforto-morrow。Nowforthedayafter。ThedayafteristheseventhdaysincewesentthelettertoZurich。Ontheseventhdaydeclinetogooutwalkingasbefore，fromdreadoftheannoyanceofmeetingmeagain。Grumbleaboutthesmallnessoftheplace；complainofyourhealth；wishyouhadnevercometoAldborough，andnevermadeacquaintanceswiththeBygraves；andwhenyouhavewellworriedMrs。Lecountwithyourdiscontent，askheronasuddenifshecan\'tsuggestachangeforthebetter。Ifyouputthatquestiontohernaturally，doyouthinkshecanbedependedontoanswerit？“

“Shewon\'twanttobequestionedatall，“repliedNoelVanstone，irritably。“IhaveonlygottosayIamtiredofAldborough；and，ifshebelievesme——whichshewon\'t；I\'mquitepositive，Mr。Bygrave，shewon\'t！——shewillhavehersuggestionreadybeforeIcanaskforit。“

“Ay！ay！“saidthecaptaineagerly。“Thereissomeplace，then，thatMrs。Lecountwantstogotothisautumn？“

“Shewantstogothere(hangher！)everyautumn。“

“Togowhere？“

“ToAdmiralBartram\'s——youdon\'tknowhim，doyou？——atSt。Crux-in-the-Marsh。“

“Don\'tloseyourpatience，Mr。Vanstone！Whatyouarenowtellingmeisofthemostvitalimportancetotheobjectwehaveinview。WhoisAdmiralBartram？“

“Anoldfriendofmyfather\'s。Myfatherlaidhimunderobligations——myfatherlenthimmoneywhentheywerebothyoungmen。IamlikeoneofthefamilyatSt。Crux；myroomisalwayskeptreadyforme。Notthatthere\'sanyfamilyattheadmiral\'sexcepthisnephew，GeorgeBartram。Georgeismycousin；I\'masintimatewithGeorgeasmyfatherwaswiththeadmiral；andI\'vebeensharperthanmyfather，forIhaven\'tlentmyfriendanymoney。LecountalwaysmakesashowoflikingGeorge——Ibelievetoannoyme。Shelikestheadmiral，too；heflattershervanity。HealwaysinviteshertocomewithmetoSt。Crux。Heletsherhaveoneofthebestbedrooms，andtreatsherasifshewasalady。SheisasproudasLucifer——shelikesbeingtreatedlikealady——andshepestersmeeveryautumntogotoSt。Crux。What\'sthematter？Whatareyoutakingoutyourpocketbookfor？“

“Iwanttheadmiral\'saddress，Mr。Vanstone，forapurposewhichIwillexplainimmediately。“

Withthosewords，CaptainWraggeopenedhispocketbookandwrotedowntheaddressfromNoelVanstone\'sdictation，asfollows:“AdmiralBartram，St。Crux-in-the-Marsh，nearOssory，Essex。“

“Good！“criedthecaptain，closinghispocketbookagain。“Theonlydifficultythatstoodinourwayisnowclearedoutofit。Patience，Mr。Vanstone——patience！Letustakeupmyinstructionsagainatthepointwherewedroppedthem。Givemefiveminutes\'moreattention，andyouwillseeyourwaytoyourmarriageasplainlyasIseeit。Onthedayafterto-morrowyoudeclareyouaretiredofAldborough，andMrs。LecountsuggestsSt。Crux。Youdon\'tsayyesornoonthespot；youtakethenextdaytoconsiderit，andyoumakeupyourmindthelastthingatnighttogotoSt。Cruxthefirstthinginthemorning。Areyouinthehabitofsuperintendingyourownpackingup，ordoyouusuallyshiftallthetroubleofitonMrs。Lecount\'sshoulders？“

“Lecounthasallthetrouble，ofcourse；Lecountispaidforit！ButIdon\'treallygo，doI？“

“Yougoasfastashorsescantakeyoutotherailwaywithouthavingheldanypreviouscommunicationwiththishouse，eitherpersonallyorbyletter。YouleaveMrs。Lecountbehindtopackupyourcuriosities，tosettlewiththetradespeople，andtofollowyoutoSt。Cruxthenextmorning。Thenextmorningisthetenthmorning。OnthetenthmorningshereceivestheletterfromZurich；andifyouonlycarryoutmyinstructions，Mr。Vanstone，assureasyousitthere，toZurichshegoes。“

NoelVanstone\'scolorbegantoriseagain，asthecaptain\'sstratagemdawnedonhimatlastinitstruelight。

“AndwhatamItodoatSt。Crux？“heinquired。

“WaittheretillIcallforyou，“repliedthecaptain。“AssoonasMrs。Lecount\'sbackisturned，Iwillgotothechurchhereandgivethenecessarynoticeofthemarriage。Thesamedayorthenext，Iwilltraveltotheaddresswrittendowninmypocketbook，pickyouupattheadmiral\'s，andtakeyouontoLondonwithmetogetthelicense。Withthatdocumentinourpossession，weshallbeonourwaybacktoAldboroughwhileMrs。LecountisonherwayouttoZurich；andbeforeshestartsonherreturnjourney，youandmyniecewillbemanandwife！Thereareyourfutureprospectsforyou。Whatdoyouthinkofthem？“

“Whataheadyouhavegot！“criedNoelVanstone，inasuddenoutburstofenthusiasm。“You\'rethemostextraordinarymanIevermetwith。Onewouldthinkyouhaddonenothingallyourlifebuttakepeoplein。“

CaptainWraggereceivedthatunconscioustributetohisnativegeniuswiththecomplacencyofamanwhofeltthathethoroughlydeservedit。

“Ihavetoldyoualready，mydearsir，“hesaid，modestly，“thatIneverdothingsbyhalves。Pardonmeforremindingyouthatwehavenotimeforexchangingmutualcivilities。Areyouquitesureaboutyourinstructions？Idarenotwritethemdownforfearofaccidents。Trythesystemofartificialmemory；countyourinstructionsoffafterme，onyourthumbandyourfourfingers。To-dayyoutellMrs。LecountIhavetriedtotakeyouinwithmyrelative\'sworksofArt。To-morrowyoucutmeontheParade。Thedayafteryourefusetogoout，yougettiredofAldborough，andyouallowMrs。Lecounttomakehersuggestion。Thenextdayyouacceptthesuggestion。AndthenextdaytothatyougotoSt。Crux。Oncemore，mydearsir！Thumb——worksofArt。Forefinger——cutmeontheParade。Middlefinger——tiredofAldborough。Thirdfinger——takeLecount\'sadvice。Littlefinger——offtoSt。Crux。Nothingcanbeclearer——nothingcanbeeasiertodo。Isthereanythingyoudon\'tunderstand？AnythingthatIcanexplainoveragainbeforeyougo？“

“Onlyonething，“saidNoelVanstone。“IsitsettledthatIamnottocomehereagainbeforeIgotoSt。Crux？“

“Mostdecidedly！“answeredthecaptain。“Thewholesuccessoftheenterprisedependsonyourkeepingaway。Mrs。Lecountwilltrythecredibilityofeverythingyousaytoherbyonetest——thetestofyourcommunicating，ornot，withthishouse。Shewillwatchyounightandday！Don\'tcallhere，don\'tsendmessages，don\'twriteletters；don\'tevengooutbyyourself。LetherseeyoustartforSt。Cruxonhersuggestion，withtheabsolutecertaintyinherownmindthatyouhavefollowedheradvicewithoutcommunicatingitinanyformwhatevertomeortomyniece。Dothat，andshemustbelieveyou，onthebestofallevidenceforourinterests，andtheworstforhers——theevidenceofherownsenses。“

Withthoselastwordsofcaution，heshookthelittlemanwarmlybythehandandsenthimhomeonthespot。

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene4，Chapter10CHAPTERX。

ONreturningtoSeaView，NoelVanstoneexecutedtheinstructionswhichprescribedhislineofconductforthefirstofthefivedayswithunimpeachableaccuracy。AfaintsmileofcontempthoveredaboutMrs。Lecount\'slipswhilethestoryofMr。Bygrave\'sattempttopassoffhisspuriouspicturesasoriginalswasinprogress，butshedidnottroubleherselftoutterasinglewordofremarkwhenithadcometoanend。“JustwhatIsaid！“thoughtNoelVanstone，cunninglywatchingherface；“shedoesn\'tbelieveawordofit！“

ThenextdaythemeetingoccurredontheParade。Mr。Bygravetookoffhishat，andNoelVanstonelookedtheotherway。Thecaptain\'sstartofsurpriseandscowlofindignationwereexecutedtoperfection，buttheyplainlyfailedtoimposeonMrs。Lecount。“Iamafraid，sir，youhaveoffendedMr。Bygraveto-day，“sheironicallyremarked。“Happilyforyou，heisanexcellentChristian！andIventuretopredictthathewillforgiveyouto-morrow。“

NoelVanstonewiselyrefrainedfromcommittinghimselftoananswer。Oncemoreheprivatelyapplaudedhisownpenetration；oncemorehetriumphedoverhisingeniousfriend。

Thusfarthecaptain\'sinstructionshadbeentooclearandsimpletobemistakenbyanyone。Buttheyadvancedincomplicationwiththeadvanceoftime，andonthethirddayNoelVanstonefellconfusedlyintothecommissionofaslighterror。AfterexpressingthenecessarywearinessofAldborough，andtheconsequentanxietyforchangeofscene，hewasmet(ashehadanticipated)byanimmediatesuggestionfromthehousekeeper，recommendingavisittoSt。Crux。Ingivinghisanswertotheadvicethustendered，hemadehisfirstmistake。Insteadofdeferringhisdecisionuntilthenextday，heacceptedMrs。Lecount\'ssuggestiononthedaywhenitwasofferedtohim。

Theconsequencesofthiserrorwereofnogreatimportance。Thehousekeepermerelysetherselftowatchhermasteronedayearlierthanhadbeencalculatedon——aresultwhichhadbeenalreadyprovidedforbythewiseprecautionarymeasureofforbiddingNoelVanstoneallcommunicationwithNorthShingles。Doubting，asCaptainWraggehadforeseen，thesincerityofhermaster\'sdesiretobreakoffhisconnectionwiththeBygravesbygoingtoSt。Crux，Mrs。Lecounttestedthetruthorfalsehoodoftheimpressionproducedonherownmindbyvigilantlywatchingforsignsofsecretcommunicationononesideorontheother。Thecloseattentionwithwhichshehadhithertoobservedtheout-goingsandin-comingsatNorthShingleswasnowentirelytransferredtohermaster。Fortherestofthatthirddaysheneverlethimoutofhersight；sheneverallowedanythirdpersonwhocametothehouse，onanypretensewhatever，aminute\'schanceofprivatecommunicationwithhim。Atintervalsthroughthenightshestoletothedoorofhisroom，tolistenandassureherselfthathewasinbed；andbeforesunrisethenextmorning，thecoast-guardsmangoinghisroundswassurprisedtoseealadywhohadrisenasearlyashimselfengagedoverherworkatoneoftheupperwindowsofSeaView。

OnthefourthmorningNoelVanstonecamedowntobreakfastconsciousofthemistakethathehadcommittedonthepreviousday。Theobviouscoursetotake，forthepurposeofgainingtime，wastodeclarethathismindwasstillundecided。Hemadetheassertionboldlywhenthehousekeeperaskedhimifhemeanttomovethatday。AgainMrs。Lecountofferednoremark，andagainthesignsandtokensofincredulityshowedthemselvesinherface。Vacillationofpurposewasnotatallunusualinherexperienceofhermaster。ButonthisoccasionshebelievedthathiscapriceofconductwasassumedforthepurposeofgainingtimetocommunicatewithNorthShingles，andsheaccordinglysetherwatchonhimoncemorewithdoubledandtrebledvigilance。

Noletterscamethatmorning。Towardnoontheweatherchangedfortheworse，andallideaofwalkingoutasusualwasabandoned。Hourafterhour，whilehermastersatinoneoftheparlors，Mrs。Lecountkeptwatchintheother，withthedoorintothepassageopen，andwithafullviewofNorthShinglesthroughtheconvenientside-windowatwhichshehadestablishedherself。Notasignthatwassuspiciousappeared，notasoundthatwassuspiciouscaughtherear。Astheeveningclosedin，hermaster\'shesitationcametoanend。Hewasdisgustedwiththeweather；hehatedtheplace；heforesawtheannoyanceofmoremeetingswithMr。Bygrave，andhewasdeterminedtogotoSt。Cruxthefirstthingthenextmorning。Lecountcouldstaybehindtopackupthecuriositiesandsettlewiththetrades-people，andcouldfollowhimtotheadmiral\'sonthenextday。Thehousekeeperwasalittlestaggeredbythetoneandmannerinwhichhegavetheseorders。Hehad，toherowncertainknowledge，effectednocommunicationofanysortwithNorthShingles，andyetheseemeddeterminedtoleaveAldboroughattheearliestpossibleopportunity。Forthefirsttimeshehesitatedinheradherencetoherownconclusions。SherememberedthathermasterhadcomplainedoftheBygravesbeforetheyreturnedtoAldborough；andshewasconsciousthatherownincredulityhadoncealreadymisledherwhentheappearanceofthetraveling-carriageatthedoorhadprovedevenMr。Bygravehimselftobeasgoodashisword。

StillMrs。Lecountdeterminedtoactwithunrelentingcautiontothelast。Thatnight，whenthedoorswereclosed，sheprivatelyremovedthekeysfromthedoorinfrontandthedoorattheback。Shethensoftlyopenedherbedroomwindowandsatdownbyit，withherbonnetandcloakon，topreventhertakingcold。NoelVanstone\'swindowwasonthesamesideofthehouseasherown。Ifanyonecameinthedarktospeaktohimfromthegardenbeneath，theywouldspeaktohishousekeeperaswell。Preparedatallpointstointercepteveryformofclandestinecommunicationwhichstratagemcouldinvent，Mrs。Lecountwatchedthroughthequietnight。Whenmorningcame，shestoledownstairsbeforetheservantwasup，restoredthekeystotheirplaces，andre-occupiedherpositionintheparloruntilNoelVanstonemadehisappearanceatthebreakfast-table。Hadhealteredhismind？No。Hedeclinedpostingtotherailwayonaccountoftheexpense，buthewasasfirmaseverinhisresolutiontogotoSt。Crux。Hedesiredthataninsideplacemightbesecuredforhimintheearlycoach。Suspicioustothelast，Mrs。Lecountsentthebaker\'smantotaketheplace。Hewasapublicservant，andMr。Bygravewouldnotsuspecthimofperformingaprivateerrand。

ThecoachcalledatSeaView。Mrs。Lecountsawhermasterestablishedinhisplace，andascertainedthattheotherthreeinsideseatswerealreadyoccupiedbystrangers。Sheinquiredofthecoachmaniftheoutsideplaces(allofwhichwerenotyetfilledup)hadtheirfullcomplementofpassengersalso。Themanrepliedintheaffirmative。Hehadtwogentlementocallforinthetown，andtheotherswouldtaketheirplacesattheinn。Mrs。Lecountforthwithturnedherstepstowardtheinn，andtookupherpositionontheParadeoppositefromapointofviewwhichwouldenablehertoseethelastofthecoachonitsdeparture。Intenminutesmoreitrattledaway，fulloutsideandin；andthehousekeeper\'sowneyesassuredherthatneitherMr。Bygravehimself，noranyonebelongingtoNorthShingles，wasamongthepassengers。

Therewasonlyonemoreprecautiontotake，andMrs。Lecountdidnotneglectit。Mr。BygravehaddoubtlessseenthecoachcallatSeaView。Hemighthireacarriageandfollowittotherailwayonpurespeculation。Mrs。Lecountremainedwithinviewoftheinn(theonlyplaceatwhichacarriagecouldbeobtained)fornearlyanhourlonger，waitingforevents。Nothinghappened；nocarriagemadeitsappearance；nopursuitofNoelVanstonewasnowwithintherangeofhumanpossibility。ThelongstrainonMrs。Lecount\'smindrelaxedatlast。SheleftherseatontheParade，andreturnedinhigherspiritsthanusual，toperformtheclosinghouseholdceremoniesatSeaView。

Shesatdownaloneintheparloranddrewalongbreathofrelief。CaptainWragge\'scalculationshadnotdeceivedhim。Theevidenceofherownsenseshadatlastconqueredthehousekeeper\'sincredulity，andhadliterallyforcedherintotheoppositeextremeofbelief。