第13章

Estimatingtheeventsofthelastthreedaysfromherownexperienceofthem；knowing(asshecertainlyknew)thatthefirstideaofgoingtoSt。Cruxhadbeenstartedbyherself，andthathermasterhadfoundnoopportunityandshownnoinclinationtoinformthefamilyatNorthShinglesthathehadacceptedherproposal，Mrs。Lecountwasfairlycompelledtoacknowledgethatnotafragmentoffoundationremainedtojustifythecontinuedsuspicionoftreacheryinherownmind。Lookingatthesuccessionofcircumstancesunderthenewlightthrownonthembyresults，shecouldseenothingunaccountable，nothingcontradictoryanywhere。TheattempttopassofftheforgedpicturesasoriginalswasinperfectharmonywiththecharacterofsuchamanasMr。Bygrave。Hermaster\'sindignationattheattempttoimposeonhim；hisplainly-expressedsuspicionthatMissBygravewasprivytoit；hisdisappointmentintheniece；hiscontemptuoustreatmentoftheuncleontheParade；hiswearinessoftheplacewhichhadbeenthesceneofhisrashintimacywithstrangers，andhisreadinesstoquititthatmorning，allcommendedthemselvesasgenuinerealitiestothehousekeeper\'smind，foronesufficientreason。HerowneyeshadseenNoelVanstonetakehisdeparturefromAldboroughwithoutleaving，orattemptingtoleave，asingletracebehindhimfortheBygravestofollow。

Thusfarthehousekeeper\'sconclusionsledher，butnofurther。Shewastooshrewdawomantotrustthefuturetochanceandfortune。Hermaster\'svariabletempermightrelent。AccidentmightatanytimegiveMr。Bygraveanopportunityofrepairingtheerrorthathehadcommitted，andofartfullyregaininghislostplaceinNoelVanstone\'sestimation。Admittingthatcircumstanceshadatlastdeclaredthemselvesunmistakablyinherfavor，Mrs。Lecountwasnotthelessconvincedthatnothingwouldpermanentlyassurehermaster\'ssecurityforthefuturebuttheplainexposureoftheconspiracywhichshehadstriventoaccomplishfromthefirst——whichshewasresolvedtoaccomplishstill。

“IalwaysenjoymyselfatSt。Crux，“thoughtMrs。Lecount，openingheraccount-books，andsortingthetradesmen\'sbills。“Theadmiralisagentleman，thehouseisnoble，thetableisexcellent。Nomatter！HereatSeaViewIstaybymyselftillIhaveseentheinsideofMissBygrave\'swardrobe。“

Shepackedhermaster\'scollectionofcuriositiesintheirvariouscases，settledtheclaimsofthetrades-people，andsuperintendedthecoveringofthefurnitureinthecourseoftheday。Towardnightfallshewentout，bentoninvestigation，andventuredintothegardenatNorthShinglesundercoverofthedarkness。Shesawthelightintheparlorwindow，andthelightsinthewindowsoftheroomsupstairs，asusual。Afteraninstant\'shesitationshestoletothehousedoor，andnoiselesslytriedthehandlefromtheoutside。Itturnedthelockasshehadexpected，fromherexperienceofhousesatAldboroughandatotherwatering-places，butthedoorresistedher；thedoorwasdistrustfullyboltedontheinside。Aftermakingthatdiscovery，shewentroundtothebackofthehouse，andascertainedthatthedooronthatsidewassecuredinthesamemanner。“Boltyourdoors，Mr。Bygrave，asfastasyoulike，“saidthehousekeeper，stealingbackagaintotheParade。“Youcan\'tbolttheentrancetoyourservant\'spocket。Thebestlockyouhavemaybeopenedbyagoldenkey。“

Shewentbacktobed。Theceaselesswatching，theunrelaxingexcitementofthelasttwodays，hadwornherout。

Thenextmorningsheroseatseveno\'clock。InhalfanhourmoreshesawthepunctualMr。Bygrave——asshehadseenhimonmanypreviousmorningsatthesametime——issuefromthegateofNorthShingles，withhistowelsunderhisarm，andmakehiswaytoaboatthatwaswaitingforhimonthebeach。Swimmingwasoneamongthemanypersonalaccomplishmentsofwhichthecaptainwasmaster。Hewasrowedouttoseaeverymorning，andtookhisbathluxuriouslyinthedeepbluewater。Mrs。Lecounthadalreadycomputedthetimeconsumedinthisrecreationbyherwatch，andhaddiscoveredthatafullhourusuallyelapsedfromthemomentwhenheembarkedonthebeachtothemomentwhenhereturned。

DuringthatperiodshehadneverseenanyotherinhabitantofNorthShinglesleavethehouse。Theservantwasnodoubtatherworkinthekitchen；Mrs。Bygravewasprobablystillinherbed；andMissBygrave(ifshewasupatthatearlyhour)hadperhapsreceiveddirectionsnottoventureoutinheruncle\'sabsence。ThedifficultyofmeetingtheobstacleofMagdalen\'spresenceinthehousehadbeen，forsomedayspast，theonedifficultywhichallMrs。Lecount\'singenuityhadthusfarprovedunabletoovercome。

Shesatatthewindowforaquarterofanhourafterthecaptain\'sboathadleftthebeachwithhermindhardatwork，andhereyesfixedmechanicallyonNorthShingles——shesatconsideringwhatwrittenexcuseshecouldsendtohermasterfordelayingherdeparturefromAldboroughforsomedaystocome——whenthedoorofthehouseshewaswatchingsuddenlyopened，andMagdalenherselfappearedinthegarden。Therewasnomistakingherfigureandherdress。Shetookafewstepshastilytowardthegate，stoppedandpulleddowntheveilofhergardenhatasifshefelttheclearmorninglighttoomuchforher，thenhurriedoutontheParadeandwalkedawaynorthward，insuchhaste，orinsuchpre-occupationofmind，thatshewentthroughthegardengatewithoutclosingitafterher。

Mrs。Lecountstartedupfromherchairwithamoment\'sdoubtoftheevidenceofherowneyes。Hadtheopportunitywhichshehadbeenvainlyplottingtoproduceactuallyoffereditselftoherofitsownaccord？Hadthechancesdeclaredthemselvesatlastinherfavor，aftersteadilyactingagainstherforsolong？Therewasnodoubtofit:inthepopularphrase，“herluckhadturned。“Shesnatchedupherbonnetandmantilla，andmadeforNorthShingleswithoutaninstant\'shesitation。Mr。Bygraveoutatsea；MissBygraveawayforawalk；Mrs。Bygraveandtheservantbothathome，andbotheasilydealtwith——theopportunitywasnottobelost；theriskwaswellworthrunning！

Thistimethehousedoorwaseasilyopened:noonehadbolteditagainafterMagdalen\'sdeparture。Mrs。Lecountclosedthedoorsoftly，listenedforamomentinthepassage，andheardtheservantnoisilyoccupiedinthekitchenwithherpotsandpans。“IfmyluckystarleadsmestraightintoMissBygrave\'sroom，“thoughtthehousekeeper，stealingnoiselesslyupthestairs，“Imayfindmywaytoherwardrobewithoutdisturbinganybody。“

Shetriedthedoornearesttothefrontofthehouseontheright-handsideofthelanding。Capriciouschancehaddesertedheralready。Thelockwasturned。Shetriedthedooropposite，onherlefthand。Thebootsrangedsymmetricallyinarow，andtherazorsonthedressing-table，toldheratoncethatshehadnotfoundtherightroomyet。Shereturnedtotheright-handsideofthelanding，walkeddownalittlepassageleadingtothebackofthehouse，andtriedathirddoor。Thedooropened，andthetwooppositeextremesoffemalehumanity，Mrs。WraggeandMrs。Lecount，stoodfacetofaceinaninstant！

“Ibegtenthousandpardons！“saidMrs。Lecount，withthemostconsummateself-possession。

“Lordblessusandsaveus！“criedMrs。Wragge，withthemosthelplessamazement。

Thetwoexclamationswereutteredinamoment，andinthatmomentMrs。Lecounttookthemeasureofhervictim。Nothingoftheleastimportanceescapedher。ShenoticedtheOrientalCashmereRobelyinghalfmade，andhalfunpickedagain，onthetable；shenoticedtheimbecilefootofMrs。Wraggesearchingblindlyintheneighborhoodofherchairforalostshoe；shenoticedthattherewasaseconddoorintheroombesidesthedoorbywhichshehadentered，andasecondchairwithineasyreach，onwhichshemightdowelltoseatherselfinafriendlyandconfidentialway。“Praydon\'tresentmyintrusion，“pleadedMrs。Lecount，takingthechair。“Prayallowmetoexplainmyself！“

Speakinginhersoftestvoice，surveyingMrs。Wraggewithasweetsmileonherinsinuatinglips，andameltinginterestinherhandsomeblackeyes，thehousekeepertoldherlittleintroductoryseriesoffalsehoodswithanartlesstruthfulnessofmannerwhichtheFatherofLieshimselfmighthaveenvied。ShehadheardfromMr。BygravethatMrs。Bygravewasagreatinvalid；shehadconstantlyreproachedherself，inheridlehalf-hoursatSeaView(whereshefilledthesituationofMr。NoelVanstone\'shousekeeper)，fornothavingofferedherfriendlyservicestoMrs。Bygrave；shehadbeendirectedbyhermaster(doubtlesswellknowntoMrs。Bygrave，asoneofherhusband\'sfriends，and，naturally，oneofhercharmingniece\'sadmirers)，tojoinhimthatdayattheresidencetowhichhehadremovedfromAldborough；shewasobligedtoleaveearly，butshecouldnotreconcileittoherconsciencetogowithoutcallingtoapologizeforherapparentwantofneighborlyconsideration；shehadfoundnobodyinthehouse；shehadnotbeenabletomaketheservanthear；shehadpresumed(notdiscoveringthatapartmentdownstairs)thatMrs。Bygrave\'sboudoirmightbeontheupperstory；shehadthoughtlesslycommittedanintrusionofwhichshewassincerelyashamed，andshecouldnowonlytrusttoMrs。Bygrave\'sindulgencetoexcuseandforgiveher。

AlesselaborateapologymighthaveservedMrs。Lecount\'spurpose。AssoonasMrs。Wragge\'sstrugglingperceptionshadgraspedthefactthatherunexpectedvisitorwasaneighborwellknowntoherbyrepute，herwholebeingbecameabsorbedinadmirationofMrs。Lecount\'slady-likemanners，andMrs。Lecount\'sperfectly-fittinggown！“Whatanoblewayshehasoftalking！“thoughtpoorMrs。Wragge，asthehousekeeperreachedherclosingsentence。“And，ohmyheartalive，hownicelyshe\'sdressed！“

“IseeIdisturbyou，“pursuedMrs。Lecount，artfullyavailingherselfoftheOrientalCashmereRobeasameansreadyathandofreachingtheendshehadinview——“IseeIdisturbyou，ma\'am，overanoccupationwhich，Iknowbyexperience，requirestheclosestattention。Dear，dearme，youareunpickingthedressagain，Isee，afterithasbeenmade！Thisismyownexperienceagain，Mrs。Bygrave。Somedressesaresoobstinate！Somedressesseemtosaytoone，insomanywords，\'No！youmaydowhatyoulikewithme；Iwon\'tfit！\'“

Mrs。Wraggewasgreatlystruckbythishappyremark。Sheburstoutlaughing，andclappedhergreathandsinheartyapproval。

“That\'swhatthisgownhasbeensayingtomeeversinceIfirstputthescissorsintoit，“sheexclaimed，cheerfully。“IknowI\'vegotanawfulbigback，butthat\'snoreason。Whyshouldagownbeweeksonhand，andthennotmeetbehindyouafterall？IthangsovermyBoasomlikeasack——itdoes。Lookhere，ma\'am，attheskirt。Itwon\'tcomeright。Itdragglesinfront，andcocksupbehind。Itshowsmyheels——and，Lordknows，Igetintoscrapesenoughaboutmyheels，withoutshowingthemintothebargain！“

“MayIaskafavor？“inquiredMrs。Lecount，confidentially。“MayItry，Mrs。Bygrave，ifIcanmakemyexperienceofanyusetoyou？Ithinkourbosoms，ma\'am，areourgreatdifficulty。Now，thisbosomofyours？——ShallIsayinplainwordswhatIthink？ThisbosomofyoursisanEnormousMistake！“

“Don\'tsaythat！“criedMrs。Wragge，imploringly。“Don\'tplease，there\'sagoodsoul！It\'sanawfulbigone，Iknow；butit\'smodeled，forallthat，fromoneofMagdalen\'sown。“

Shewasfartoodeeplyinterestedonthesubjectofthedresstonoticethatshehadforgottenherselfalready，andthatshehadreferredtoMagdalenbyherownname。Mrs。Lecount\'ssharpearsdetectedthemistaketheinstantitwascommitted。“So！so！“shethought。“Onediscoveryalready。IfIhadeverdoubtedmyownsuspicions，hereisanestimableladywhowouldnowhavesetmeright——Ibegyourpardon，“sheproceeded，aloud，“didyousaythiswasmodeledfromoneofyourniece\'sdresses？“

“Yes，“saidMrs。Wragge。“It\'saslikeastwopeas。“

“Then，“repliedMrs。Lecount，adroitly，“theremustbesomeseriousmistakeinthemakingofyourniece\'sdress。Canyoushowittome？“

“Blessyourheart——yes！“criedMrs。Wragge。“Stepthisway，ma\'am；andbringthegownalongwithyou，please。Itkeepsslidingoff，outofpureaggravation，ifyoulayitoutonthetable。There\'slotsofroomonthebedinhere。“

SheopenedthedoorofcommunicationandledthewayeagerlyintoMagdalen\'sroom。AsMrs。Lecountfollowed，shestolealookatherwatch。Neverbeforehadtimeflownasitflewthatmorning！IntwentyminutesmoreMr。Bygravewouldbebackfromhisbath。

“There！“saidMrs。Wragge，throwingopenthewardrobe，andtakingadressdownfromoneofthepegs。“Lookthere！There\'splaitsonherBoasom，andplaitsonmine。Sixofoneandhalfadozenoftheother；andminearethebiggest——that\'sall！“

Mrs。Lecountshookherheadgravely，andenteredforthwithintosubtletiesofdisquisitionontheartofdressmakingwhichhadthedesiredeffectofutterlybewilderingtheproprietoroftheOrientalCashmereRobeinlessthanthreeminutes。

“Don\'t！“criedMrs。Wragge，imploringly。“Don\'tgoonlikethat！I\'mmilesbehindyou；andmyhead\'sBuzzingalready。Tellus，likeagoodsoul，what\'stobedone。Yousaidsomethingaboutthepatternjustnow。PerhapsI\'mtoobigforthepattern？Ican\'thelpitifIam。Many\'sthegoodcryIhad，whenIwasagrowinggirl，overmyownsize！There\'shalftoomuchofme，ma\'am——measuremealongormeasuremeacross，Idon\'tdenyit——there\'shalftoomuchofme，anyway。“

“Mydearmadam，“protestedMrs。Lecount，“youdoyourselfawrong！Permitmetoassureyouthatyoupossessacommandingfigure——afigureofMinerva。Amajesticsimplicityintheformofawomanimperativelydemandsamajesticsimplicityintheformofthatwoman\'sdress。Thelawsofcostumeareclassical；thelawsofcostumemustnotbetrifledwith！PlaitsforVenus，puffsforJuno，foldsforMinerva。Iventuretosuggestatotalchangeofpattern。Yourniecehasotherdressesinhercollection。WhymaywenotfindaMinervapatternamongthem？“

Asshesaidthosewords，sheledthewaybacktothewardrobe。

Mrs。Wraggefollowed，andtookthedressesoutonebyone，shakingherheaddespondently。Silkdressesappeared，muslindressesappeared。TheonedresswhichremainedinvisiblewasthedressofwhichMrs。Lecountwasinsearch。

“There\'sthelotof\'em，“saidMrs。Wragge。“TheymaydoforVenusandthetwootherOnes(I\'veseen\'eminpicterswithoutamorselofdecentlinenamongthethree)，buttheywon\'tdoforMe。“

“Surelythereisanotherdressleft？“saidMrs。Lecount，pointingtothewardrobe，buttouchingnothinginit。“SurelyIseesomethinghanginginthecornerbehindthatdarkshawl？“

Mrs。Wraggeremovedtheshawl；Mrs。Lecountopenedthedoorofthewardrobealittlewider。There——hitchedcarelesslyontheinnermostpeg——there，withitswhitespots，anditsdoubleflounce，wasthebrownAlpacadress！

Thesuddennessandcompletenessofthediscoverythrewthehousekeeper，practiceddissemblerasshewas，completelyoffherguard。Shestartedatthesightofthedress。TheinstantafterwardhereyesturneduneasilytowardMrs。Wragge。Hadthestartbeenobserved？Ithadpassedentirelyunnoticed。Mrs。Wragge\'swholeattentionwasfixedontheAlpacadress:shewasstaringatitincomprehensibly，withanexpressionoftheutmostdismay。

“Youseemalarmed，ma\'am，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Whatisthereinthewardrobetofrightenyou？“

“I\'dhavegivenacrownpieceoutofmypocket，“saidMrs。Wragge，“nottohavesetmyeyesonthatgown。Ithadgonecleanoutofmyhead，andnowit\'scomebackagain。Coveritup！“criedMrs。Wragge，throwingtheshawloverthedressinasuddenfitofdesperation。“IfIlookatitmuchlonger，IshallthinkI\'mbackagaininVauxhallWalk！“

VauxhallWalk！ThosetwowordstoldMrs。Lecountshewasonthebrinkofanotherdiscovery。Shestoleasecondlookatherwatch。TherewasbarelytenminutestosparebeforethetimewhenMr。Bygravemightreturn；therewasnotoneofthosetenminuteswhichmightnotbringhisniecebacktothehouse。CautioncounseledMrs。Lecounttogo，withoutrunninganymorerisks。Curiosityrootedhertothespot，andgavethecouragetostayatallhazardsuntilthetimewasup。HeramiablesmilebegantohardenalittleassheprobedherwaytenderlyintoMrs。Wragge\'sfeeblemind。

“YouhavesomeunpleasantremembrancesofVauxhallWalk？“shesaid，withthegentlestpossibletoneofinquiryinhervoice。“OrperhapsIshouldsay，unpleasantremembrancesofthatdressbelongingtoyourniece？“

“ThelasttimeIsawherwiththatgownon，“saidMrs。Wragge，droppingintoachairandbeginningtotremble，“wasthetimewhenIcamebackfromshoppingandsawtheGhost。“

“TheGhost？“repeatedMrs。Lecount，claspingherhandsingracefulastonishment。“Dearmadam，pardonme！Istheresuchathingintheworld？Wheredidyouseeit？InVauxhallWalk？Tellme——youarethefirstladyIevermetwithwhohasseenaghost——praytellme！“

Flatteredbythepositionofimportancewhichshehadsuddenlyassumedinthehousekeeper\'seyes，Mrs。Wraggeenteredatfulllengthintothenarrativeofhersupernaturaladventure。ThebreathlesseagernesswithwhichMrs。Lecountlistenedtoherdescriptionofthespecter\'scostume，thespecter\'shurryonthestairs，andthespecter\'sdisappearanceinthebedroom；theextraordinaryinterestwhichMrs。LecountdisplayedonhearingthatthedressinthewardrobewastheverydressinwhichMagdalenhappenedtobeattiredattheawfulmomentwhentheghostvanished，encouragedMrs。Wraggetowadedeeperanddeeperintodetails，andtoinvolveherselfinaconfusionofcollateralcircumstancesoutofwhichthereseemedtobenoprospectofheremergingforhourstocome。Fasterandfastertheinexorableminutesflewby；nearerandnearercamethefatalmomentofMr。Bygrave\'sreturn。Mrs。Lecountlookedatherwatchforthethirdtime，withoutanattemptonthisoccasiontoconcealtheactionfromhercompanion\'snotice。TherewereliterallytwominutesleftforhertogetclearofNorthShingles。Twominuteswouldbeenough，ifnoaccidenthappened。ShehaddiscoveredtheAlpacadress；shehadheardthewholestoryoftheadventureinVauxhallWalk；and，morethanthat，shehadeveninformedherselfofthenumberofthehouse——whichMrs。Wraggehappenedtoremember，becauseitansweredtothenumberofyearsinherownage。Allthatwasnecessarytohermaster\'scompleteenlightenmentshehadnowaccomplished。Eveniftherehadbeentimetostaylonger，therewasnothingworthstayingfor。“I\'llstrikethisworthyidiotdumbwithacoupd\'é；tat，“thoughtthehousekeeper，“andvanishbeforesherecoversherself。“

“Horrible！“criedMrs。Lecount，interruptingtheghostlynarrativebyashrilllittlescreamandmakingforthedoor，toMrs。Wragge\'sunutterableastonishment，withouttheleastceremony。“Youfreezetheverymarrowofmybones。Good-morning！“ShecoollytossedtheOrientalCashmereRobeintoMrs。Wragge\'sexpansivelapandlefttheroominaninstant。

Assheswiftlydescendedthestairs，sheheardthedoorofthebedroomopen。

“Whereareyourmanners？“criedavoicefromabove，hailingherfeeblyoverthebanisters。“Whatdoyoumeanbypitchingmygownatmeinthatway？Yououghttobeashamedofyourself！“pursuedMrs。Wragge，turningfromalambtoalioness，asshegraduallyrealizedtheindignityofferedtotheCashmereRobe。“Younastyforeigner，yououghttobeashamedofyourself！“

Pursuedbythisvaledictoryaddress，Mrs。Lecountreachedthehousedoor，andopeneditwithoutinterruption。Sheglidedrapidlyalongthegardenpath，passedthroughthegate，andfindingherselfsafeontheParade，stopped，andlookedtowardthesea。

ThefirstobjectwhichhereyesencounteredwasthefigureofMr。Bygravestandingmotionlessonthebeach——apetrifiedbather，withhistowelsinhishand！Oneglanceathimwasenoughtoshowthathehadseenthehousekeeperpassingoutthroughhisgardengate。

RightlyconjecturingthatMr。Bygrave\'sfirstimpulsewouldleadhimtomakeinstantinquiriesinhisownhouse，Mrs。LecountpursuedherwaybacktoSeaViewascomposedlyasifnothinghadhappened。Whensheenteredtheparlorwherehersolitarybreakfastwaswaitingforher，shewassurprisedtoseealetterlyingonthetable。Sheapproachedtotakeitupwithanexpressionofimpatience，thinkingitmightbesometradesman\'sbillwhichshehadforgotten。

ItwastheforgedletterfromZurich。

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene4，Chapter11CHAPTERXI。

THEpostmarkandthehandwritingontheaddress(admirablyimitatedfromtheoriginal)warnedMrs。Lecountofthecontentsoftheletterbeforesheopenedit。

Afterwaitingamomenttocomposeherself，shereadtheannouncementofherbrother\'srelapse。

Therewasnothinginthehandwriting，therewasnoexpressioninanypartoftheletterwhichcouldsuggesttohermindthefaintestsuspicionoffoulplay。Nottheshadowofadoubtoccurredtoherthatthesummonstoherbrother\'sbedsidewasgenuine。Thehandthatheldtheletterdroppedheavilyintoherlap；shebecamepale，andold，andhaggardinamoment。Thoughts，farremovedfromherpresentaimsandinterests；remembrancesthatcarriedherbacktootherlandsthanEngland，toothertimesthanthetimeofherlifeinservice，prolongedtheirinnershadowstothesurface，andshowedthetracesoftheirmysteriouspassagedarklyonherface。Theminutesfollowedeachother，andstilltheservantbelowstairswaitedvainlyfortheparlorbell。Theminutesfollowedeachother，andstillshesat，tearlessandquiet，deadtothepresentandthefuture，livinginthepast。

Theentranceoftheservant，uncalled，rousedher。Withaheavysigh，thecoldandsecretwomanfoldedtheletterupagainandaddressedherselftotheinterestsandthedutiesofthepassingtime。

ShedecidedthequestionofgoingornotgoingtoZurich，afteraverybriefconsiderationofit。Beforeshehaddrawnherchairtothebreakfast-tableshehadresolvedtogo。

AdmirablyasCaptainWragge\'sstratagemhadworked，itmighthavefailed——unassistedbytheoccurrenceofthemorning——toachievethisresult。Theveryaccidentagainstwhichithadbeenthecaptain\'schiefanxietytoguard——theaccidentwhichhadjusttakenplaceinspiteofhim——was，ofalltheeventsthatcouldhavehappened，theoneeventwhichfalsifiedeverypreviouscalculation，bydirectlyforwardingthemainpurposeoftheconspiracy！IfMrs。LecounthadnotobtainedtheinformationofwhichshewasinsearchbeforethereceiptoftheletterfromZurich，thelettermighthaveaddressedherinvain。ShewouldhavehesitatedbeforedecidingtoleaveEngland，andthathesitationmighthaveprovedfataltothecaptain\'sscheme。

Asitwas，withtheplainproofsinherpossession，withthegowndiscoveredinMagdalen\'swardrobe，withthepiececutoutofitinherownpocketbook，andwiththeknowledge，obtainedfromMrs。Wragge，oftheveryhouseinwhichthedisguisehadbeenputon，Mrs。LecounthadnowathercommandthemeansofwarningNoelVanstoneasshehadneverbeenabletowarnhimyet，or，inotherwords，themeansofguardingagainstanydangeroustendenciestowardreconciliationwiththeBygraveswhichmightotherwisehaveenteredhismindduringherabsenceatZurich。Theonlydifficultywhichnowperplexedherwasthedifficultyofdecidingwhethersheshouldcommunicatewithhermasterpersonallyorbywriting，beforeherdeparturefromEngland。

Shelookedagainatthedoctor\'sletter。Theword“instantly，“inthesentencewhichsummonedhertoherdyingbrother，wastwiceunderlined。AdmiralBartram\'shousewasatsomedistancefromtherailway；thetimeconsumedindrivingtoSt。Crux，anddrivingbackagain，mightbetimefatallylostonthejourneytoZurich。AlthoughshewouldinfinitelyhavepreferredapersonalinterviewwithNoelVanstone，therewasnochoiceonamatteroflifeanddeathbuttosavetheprecioushoursbywritingtohim。

Aftersendingtosecureaplaceatonceintheearlycoach，shesatdowntowritetohermaster。

HerfirstthoughtwastotellhimallthathadhappenedatNorthShinglesthatmorning。Onreflection，however，sherejectedtheidea。Oncealready(incopyingthepersonaldescriptionfromMissGarth\'sletter)shehadtrustedherweaponsinhermaster\'shands，andMr。Bygravehadcontrivedtoturnthemagainsther。Sheresolvedthistimetokeepthemstrictlyinherownpossession。ThesecretofthemissingfragmentoftheAlpacadresswasknowntonolivingcreaturebutherself；and，untilherreturntoEngland，shedeterminedtokeepittoherself。ThenecessaryimpressionmightbeproducedonNoelVanstone\'smindwithoutventuringintodetails。Sheknewbyexperiencetheformofletterwhichmightbetrustedtoproduceaneffectonhim，andshenowwroteitinthesewords:

“DEARMR。NOEL——SadnewshasreachedmefromSwitzerland。MybelovedbrotherisdyingandhismedicalattendantsummonsmeinstantlytoZurich。TheseriousnecessityofavailingmyselfoftheearliestmeansofconveyancetotheContinentleavesmebutonealternative。ImustprofitbythepermissiontoleaveEngland，ifnecessary，whichyoukindlygrantedtomeatthebeginningofmybrother\'sillness，andImustavoidalldelaybygoingstraighttoLondon，insteadofturningaside，asIshouldhaveliked，toseeyoufirstatSt。Crux。

“PainfullyasIamaffectedbythefamilycalamitywhichhasfallenonme，Icannotletthisopportunitypasswithoutadvertingtoanothersubjectwhichseriouslyconcernsyourwelfare，andinwhich(onthataccount)youroldhousekeeperfeelsthedeepestinterest。

“Iamgoingtosurpriseandshockyou，Mr。Noel。Praydon\'tbeagitated！praycomposeyourself！

“Theimpudentattempttocheatyou，whichhashappilyopenedyoureyestothetruecharacterofourneighborsatNorthShingles，wasnottheonlyobjectwhichMr。Bygravehadinforcinghimselfonyouracquaintance。TheinfamousconspiracywithwhichyouwerethreatenedinLondonhasbeeninfullprogressagainstyouunderMr。Bygrave\'sdirection，atAldborough。Accident——Iwilltellyouwhataccidentwhenwemeet——hasputmeinpossessionofinformationprecioustoyourfuturesecurity。Ihavediscovered，toanabsolutecertainty，thatthepersoncallingherselfMissBygraveisnootherthanthewomanwhovisitedusindisguiseatVauxhallWalk。

“Isuspectedthisfromthefirst，butIhadnoevidencetosupportmysuspicions；Ihadnomeansofcombatingthefalseimpressionproducedonyou。Myhands，IthankHeaven，aretiednolonger。IpossessabsoluteproofoftheassertionthatIhavejustmade——proofthatyourowneyescansee——proofthatwouldsatisfyyou，ifyouwerejudgeinaCourtofJustice。

“Perhapsevenyet，Mr。Noel，youwillrefusetobelieveme？Beitso。Believemeornot，Ihaveonelastfavortoask，whichyourEnglishsenseoffairplaywillnotdenyme。

“ThismelancholyjourneyofminewillkeepmeawayfromEnglandforafortnight，or，atmost，forthreeweeks。Youwillobligeme——andyouwillcertainlynotsacrificeyourownconvenienceandpleasure——bystayingthroughthatintervalwithyourfriendsatSt。Crux。If，beforemyreturn，someunexpectedcircumstancethrowsyouoncemoreintothecompanyoftheBygraves，andifyournaturalkindnessofheartinclinesyoutoreceivetheexcuseswhichtheywill，inthatcase，certainlyaddresstoyou，placeonetriflingrestraintonyourself，foryourownsake，ifnotformine。Suspendyourflirtationwiththeyounglady(Ibegpardonofallotheryoungladiesforcallingherso！)untilmyreturn。If，whenIcomeback，IfailtoprovetoyouthatMissBygraveisthewomanwhoworethatdisguise，andusedthosethreateningwords，inVauxhallWall，Iwillengagetoleaveyourserviceataday\'snotice；andIwillatoneforthesinofbearingfalsewitnessagainstmyneighborbyresigningeveryclaimIhavetoyourgratefulremembrance，onyourfather\'saccountaswellasonyourown。Imakethisengagementwithoutreservesofanykind；andIpromisetoabidebyit——ifmyproofsfail——onthefaithofagoodCatholic，andthewordofanhonestwoman。Yourfaithfulservant，“VIRGINIELECOUNT。“

Theclosingsentencesofthisletter——asthehousekeeperwellknewwhenshewrotethem——embodiedtheoneappealtoNoelVanstonewhichcouldbecertainlytrustedtoproduceadeepandlastingeffect。Shemighthavestakedheroath，herlife，orherreputation，onprovingtheassertionwhichshehadmade，andhavefailedtoleaveapermanentimpressiononhismind。Butwhenshestakednotonlyherpositioninhisservice，butherpecuniaryclaimsonhimaswell，sheatonceabsorbedtherulingpassionofhislifeinexpectationoftheresult。Therewasnotadoubtofit，inthestrongestofallhisinterests——theinterestofsavinghismoney——hewouldwait。

“CheckmateforMr。Bygrave！“thoughtMrs。Lecount，asshesealedanddirectedtheletter。Thebattleisover——thegameisplayedout。“

WhileMrs。Lecountwasprovidingforhermaster\'sfuturesecurityatSeaView，eventswereinfullprogressatNorthShingles。

AssoonasCaptainWraggerecoveredhisastonishmentatthehousekeeper\'sappearanceonhisownpremises，hehurriedintothehouse，and，guidedbyhisownforebodingsofthedisasterthathadhappened，madestraightforhiswife\'sroom。

Never，inallherformerexperience，hadpoorMrs。Wraggefeltthefullweightofthecaptain\'sindignationasshefeltitnow。Allthelittleintelligenceshenaturallypossessedvanishedatonceinthewhirlwindofherhusband\'srage。Theonlyplainfactswhichhecouldextractfromherweretwoinnumber。Inthefirstplace，Magdalen\'srashdesertionofherpostprovedtohavenobetterreasontoexcuseitthanMagdalen\'sincorrigibleimpatience:shehadpassedasleeplessnight；shehadrisenfeverishandwretched；andshehadgoneout，recklessofallconsequences，tocoolherburningheadinthefreshair。Inthesecondplace，Mrs。Wraggehad，onherownconfession，seenMrs。Lecount，hadtalkedwithMrs。Lecount，andhadendedbytellingMrs。Lecountthestoryoftheghost。Havingmadethesediscoveries，CaptainWraggewastednotimeincontendingwithhiswife\'sterrorandconfusion。HewithdrewatoncetoawindowwhichcommandedanuninterruptedprospectofNoelVanstone\'shouse，andthereestablishedhimselfonthewatchforeventsatSeaView，preciselyasMrs。LecounthadestablishedherselfonthewatchforeventsatNorthShingles。

NotawordofcommentonthedisasterofthemorningescapedhimwhenMagdalenreturnedandfoundhimathispost。Hisflowoflanguageseemedatlasttohaverundry。“ItoldyouwhatMrs。Wraggewoulddo，“hesaid，“andMrs。Wraggehasdoneit。“HesatunflinchinglyatthewindowwithapatiencewhichMrs。Lecountherselfcouldnothavesurpassed。Theoneactiveproceedinginwhichheseemedtothinkitnecessarytoengagewasperformedbydeputy。Hesenttheservanttotheinntohireachaiseandafasthorse，andtosaythathewouldcallhimselfbeforenoonthatdayandtellthehostlerwhenthevehiclewouldbewanted。Notasignofimpatienceescapedhimuntilthetimedrewnearforthedepartureoftheearlycoach。Thenthecaptain\'scurlylipsbegantotwitchwithanxiety，andthecaptain\'srestlessfingersbeatthedevil\'stattoounremittinglyonthewindow-pane。

Thecoachappearedatlast，anddrewupatSeaView。Inaminutemore，CaptainWragge\'sownobservationinformedhimthatoneamongthepassengerswholeftAldboroughthatmorningwas——Mrs。Lecount。

Themainuncertaintydisposedof，aseriousquestion——suggestedbytheeventsofthemorning——stillremainedtobesolved。WhichwasthedestinedendofMrs。Lecount\'sjourney——ZurichorSt。Crux？ThatshewouldcertainlyinformhermasterofMrs。Wragge\'sghoststory，andofeveryotherdisclosureinrelationtonamesandplaceswhichmighthaveescapedMrs。Wragge\'slips，wasbeyondalldoubt。Butofthetwowaysatherdisposalofdoingthemischief——eitherpersonallyorbyletter——itwasvitallyimportanttothecaptaintoknowwhichshehadchosen。Ifshehadgonetotheadmiral\'s，nochoicewouldbelefthimbuttofollowthecoach，tocatchthetrainbywhichshetraveled，andtooutstripherafterwardonthedrivefromthestationinEssextoSt。Crux。If，onthecontrary，shehadbeencontentedwithwritingtohermaster，itwouldonlybenecessarytodevisemeasuresforinterceptingtheletter。Thecaptaindecidedongoingtothepost-office，inthefirstplace。Assumingthatthehousekeeperhadwritten，shewouldnothavelefttheletteratthemercyoftheservant——shewouldhaveseenitsafelyintheletter-boxbeforeleavingAldborough。

“Good-morning，“saidthecaptain，cheerfullyaddressingthepostmaster。“IamMr。BygraveofNorthShingles。Ithinkyouhavealetterinthebox，addressedtoMr——？“

Thepostmasterwasashortman，andconsequentlyamanwithaproperideaofhisownimportance。HesolemnlycheckedCaptainWraggeinfullcareer。

“Whenaletterisonceposted，sir，“hesaid，“nobodyoutoftheofficehasanybusinesswithituntilitreachesitsaddress。“

Thecaptainwasnotamantobedaunted，evenbyapostmaster。Abrightideastruckhim。Hetookouthispocketbook，inwhichAdmiralBartram\'saddresswaswritten，andreturnedtothecharge。

“Supposealetterhasbeenwronglydirectedbymistake？“hebegan。“Andsupposethewriterwantstocorrecttheerroraftertheletterisputintothebox？“

“Whenaletterisonceposted，sir，“reiteratedtheimpenetrablelocalauthority，“nobodyoutoftheofficetouchesitonanypretensewhatever。“

“Granted，withallmyheart，“persistedthecaptain。“Idon\'twanttotouchit——Ionlywanttoexplainmyself。Aladyhaspostedaletterhere，addressedto\'NoelVanstone，Esq。，AdmiralBartram\'s，St。Crux-in-the-Marsh，Essex。\'Shewroteinagreathurry，andsheisnotquitecertainwhethersheaddedthenameofthepost-town，\'Ossory。\'Itisofthelastimportancethatthedeliveryofthelettershouldnotbedelayed。Whatistohinderyourfacilitatingthepost-officework，andobligingalady，byaddingthenameofthepost-town(ifithappenstobeleftout)，withyourownhand？Iputittoyouasazealousofficer，whatpossibleobjectioncantherebetograntingmyrequest？“

Thepostmasterwascompelledtoacknowledgethattherecouldbenoobjection，providednothingbutanecessarylinewasaddedtotheaddress，providednobodytouchedtheletterbuthimself，andprovidedtheprecioustimeofthepost-officewasnotsufferedtoruntowaste。Astherehappenedtobenothingparticulartodoatthatmoment，hewouldreadilyobligetheladyatMr。Bygrave\'srequest。

CaptainWraggewatchedthepostmaster\'shands，astheysortedthelettersinthebox，withbreathlesseagerness。Wastheletterthere？Wouldthehandsofthezealouspublicservantsuddenlystop？Yes！Theystopped，andpickedoutaletterfromtherest。

“\'NoelVanstone，Esquire，\'didyousay？“askedthepostmaster，keepingtheletterinhisownhand。

“\'NoelVanstone，Esquire，\'“repliedthecaptain，“\'AdmiralBartram\'s，St。Crux-in-the-Marsh。\'“

“Ossory，Essex，“chimedinthepostmaster，throwingtheletterbackintothebox。“Theladyhasmadenomistake，sir。Theaddressisquiteright。“

NothingbutatimelyconsiderationoftheheavydebtheowedtoappearancespreventedCaptainWraggefromthrowinghistallwhitehatupintheairassoonashefoundthestreetoncemore。Allfurtherdoubtwasnowatanend。Mrs。Lecounthadwrittentohermaster——thereforeMrs。LecountwasonherwaytoZurich！

Withhisheadhigherthanever，withthetailsofhisrespectablefrock-coatfloatingbehindhiminthebreeze，withhisbosom\'snativeimpudencesittinglightlyonitsthrone，thecaptainstruttedtotheinnandcalledfortherailwaytime-table。Aftermakingcertaincalculations(inblackandwhite，asamatterofcourse)，heorderedhischaisetobereadyinanhour——soastoreachtherailwayintimeforthesecondtrainrunningtoLondon——withwhichtherehappenedtobenocommunicationfromAldboroughbycoach。

Hisnextproceedingwasofafarmoreseriouskind；hisnextproceedingimpliedaterriblecertaintyofsuccess。ThedayoftheweekwasThursday。Fromtheinnhewenttothechurch，sawtheclerk，andgavethenecessarynoticeforamarriagebylicenseonthefollowingMonday。

Boldashewas，hisnerveswerealittleshakenbythislastachievement；hishandtrembledasitliftedthelatchofthegardengate。HedoctoredhisnerveswithbrandyandwaterbeforehesentforMagdalentoinformheroftheproceedingsofthemorning。Anotheroutbreakmightreasonablybeexpectedwhensheheardthatthelastirrevocablestephadbeentaken，andthatnoticehadbeengivenofthewedding-day。

Thecaptain\'swatchwarnedhimtolosenotimeinemptyinghisglass。Inafewminuteshesentthenecessarymessageupstairs。WhilewaitingforMagdalen\'sappearance，heprovidedhimselfwithcertainmaterialswhichwerenownecessarytocarrytheenterprisetoitscrowningpoint。Inthefirstplace，hewrotehisassumedname(bynomeansinsofineahandasusual)onablankvisiting-card，andaddedunderneaththesewords:“Notamomentistobelost。Iamwaitingforyouatthedoor——comedowntomedirectly。“Hisnextproceedingwastotakesomehalf-dozenenvelopesoutofthecase，andtodirectthemallaliketothefollowingaddress:“ThomasBygrave，Esq。，Mussared\'sHotel，SalisburyStreet，Strand，London。“Aftercarefullyplacingtheenvelopesandthecardinhisbreast-pocket，heshutupthedesk。Asherosefromthewriting-table，Magdalencameintotheroom。

Thecaptaintookamomenttodecideonthebestmethodofopeningtheinterview，anddetermined，inhisownphrase，todashatit。IntwowordshetoldMagdalenwhathadhappened，andinformedherthatMondaywastobeherwedding-day。

Hewaspreparedtoquiether，ifsheburstintoafrenzyofpassion；toreasonwithher，ifshebeggedfortime；tosympathizewithher，ifshemeltedintotears。Tohisinexpressiblesurprise，resultsfalsifiedallhiscalculations。Sheheardhimwithoututteringaword，withoutsheddingatear。Whenhehaddone，shedroppedintoachair。Herlargegrayeyesstaredathimvacantly。Inonemysteriousinstantallherbeautylefther；herfacestiffenedawfully，likethefaceofacorpse。Forthefirsttimeinthecaptain\'sexperienceofher，fear——all-masteringfear——hadtakenpossessionofher，bodyandsoul。

“Youarenotflinching，“hesaid，tryingtorouseher。“Surelyyouarenotflinchingatthelastmoment？“

Nolightofintelligencecameintohereyes，nochangepassedoverherface。Butsheheardhim——forshemovedalittleinthechair，andslowlyshookherhead。

“Youplannedthismarriageofyourownfreewill，“pursuedthecaptain，withthefurtivelookandthefalteringvoiceofamanillatease。“Itwasyourownidea——notmine。Iwon\'thavetheresponsibilitylaidonmyshoulders——no！notfortwicetwohundredpounds。Ifyourresolutionfailsyou；ifyouthinkbetterofit——？“

Hestopped。Herfacewaschanging；herlipsweremovingatlast。Sheslowlyraisedherlefthand，withthefingersoutspread；shelookedatitasifitwasahandthatwasstrangetoher；shecountedthedaysonit，thedaysbeforethemarriage。

“Friday，one，“shewhisperedtoherself；“Saturday，two；Sunday，three；Monday——“Herhandsdroppedintoherlap，herfacestiffenedagain；thedeadlyfearfasteneditsparalyzingholdonheroncemore，andthenextwordsdiedawayonherlips。

CaptainWraggetookouthishandkerchiefandwipedhisforehead。

“Damnthetwohundredpounds！“hesaid。“Twothousandwouldn\'tpaymeforthis！“

Heputthehandkerchiefback，tooktheenvelopeswhichhehadaddressedtohimselfoutofhispocket，and，approachinghercloselyforthefirsttime，laidhishandonherarm。

“Rouseyourself，“hesaid，“Ihavealastwordtosaytoyou。Canyoulisten？“

Shestruggled，androusedherself——afainttingeofcolorstoleoverherwhitecheeks——shebowedherhead。

“Lookatthese，“pursuedCaptainWragge，holdinguptheenvelopes。“IfIturnthesetotheuseforwhichtheyhavebeenwritten，Mrs。Lecount\'smasterwillneverreceiveMrs。Lecount\'sletter。IfItearthemup，hewillknowbyto-morrow\'spostthatyouarethewomanwhovisitedhiminVauxhallWalk。Saytheword！ShallIteartheenvelopesup，orshallIputthembackinmypocket？“

Therewasapauseofdeadsilence。ThemurmurofthesummerwavesontheshingleofthebeachandthevoicesofthesummeridlersontheParadefloatedthroughtheopenwindow，andfilledtheemptystillnessoftheroom。

Sheraisedherhead；sheliftedherhandandpointedsteadilytotheenvelopes。

“Putthemback，“shesaid。

“Doyoumeanit？“heasked。

“Imeanit。“

Asshegavethatanswer，therewasasoundofwheelsontheroadoutside。

“Youhearthosewheels？“saidCaptainWragge。

“Ihearthem。“

“Youseethechaise？“saidthecaptain，pointingthroughthewindowasthechaisewhichhadbeenorderedfromtheinnmadeitsappearanceatthegardengate。

“Iseeit。“

“And，ofyourownfree-will，youtellmetogo？“

“Yes。Go！“

Withoutanotherwordhelefther。Theservantwaswaitingatthedoorwithhistravelingbag。“MissBygraveisnotwell，“hesaid。“Tellyourmistresstogotoherintheparlor。“

Hesteppedintothechaise，andstartedonthefirststageofthejourneytoSt。Crux。

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene4，Chapter12CHAPTERXII。

TOWARDthreeo\'clockintheafternoonCaptainWraggestoppedattheneareststationtoOssorywhichtherailwaypassedinitscoursethroughEssex。InquiriesmadeonthespotinformedhimthathemightdrivetoSt。Crux，remainthereforaquarterofanhour，andreturntothestationintimeforaneveningtraintoLondon。Intenminutesmorethecaptainwasontheroadagain，drivingrapidlyinthedirectionofthecoast。

Afterproceedingsomemilesonthehighway，thecarriageturnedoff，andthecoachmaninvolvedhimselfinanintricatenetworkofcross-roads。

“ArewefarfromSt。Crux？“askedthecaptain，growingimpatient，aftermileonmilehadbeenpassedwithoutasignofreachingthejourney\'send。

“You\'llseethehouse，sir，atthenextturnintheroad，“saidtheman。

Thenextturnintheroadbroughtthemwithinviewoftheopencountryagain。Aheadofthecarriage，CaptainWraggesawalongdarklineagainstthesky——thelineofthesea-wallwhichprotectsthelowcoastofEssexfrominundation。Theflatintermediatecountrywasintersectedbyalabyrinthoftidalstreams，windingupfromtheinvisibleseainstrangefantasticcurves——riversathighwater，andchannelsofmudatlow。Onhisrighthandwasaquaintlittlevillage，mostlycomposedofwoodenhouses，stragglingdowntothebrinkofoneofthetidalstreams。Onhislefthand，furtheraway，rosethegloomyruinsofanabbey，withadesolatepileofbuildings，whichcoveredtwosidesofasquareattachedtoit。Oneofthestreamsfromthesea(called，inEssex，“backwaters“)curledalmostentirelyroundthehouse。Another，fromanoppositequarter，appearedtorunstraightthroughthegrounds，andtoseparateonesideoftheshapelessmassofbuildings，whichwasinmoderaterepair，fromanother，whichwaslittlebetterthanaruin。Bridgesofwoodandbridgesofbrickcrossedthestream，andgaveaccesstothehousefromallpointsofthecompass。Nohumancreatureappearedintheneighborhood，andnosoundwasheardbutthehoarsebarkingofahouse-dogfromaninvisiblecourtyard。

“WhichdoorshallIdriveto，sir？“askedthecoachman。“Thefrontortheback？“

“Theback，“saidCaptainWragge，feelingthatthelessnoticeheattractedinhispresentposition，thesaferthatpositionmightbe。

Thecarriagetwicecrossedthestreambeforethecoachmanmadehiswaythroughthegroundsintoadrearyinclosureofstone。Atanopendoorontheinhabitedsideoftheplacesataweather-beatenoldman，busilyatworkonahalf-finishedmodelofaship。Heroseandcametothecarriagedoor，liftinguphisspectaclesonhisforehead，andlookingdisconcertedattheappearanceofastranger。

“IsMr。NoelVanstonestayinghere？“askedCaptainWragge。

“Yes，sir，“repliedtheoldman。“Mr。Noelcameyesterday。“

“TakethatcardtoMr。Vanstone，ifyouplease，“saidthecaptain，“andsayIamwaitingheretoseehim。“

InafewminutesNoelVanstonemadehisappearance，breathlessandeager——absorbedinanxietyfornewsfromAldborough。CaptainWraggeopenedthecarriagedoor，seizedhisoutstretchedhand，andpulledhiminwithoutceremony。

“Yourhousekeeperhasgone，“whisperedthecaptain，“andyouaretobemarriedonMonday。Don\'tagitateyourself，anddon\'texpressyourfeelings——thereisn\'ttimeforit。Getthefirstactiveservantyoucanfindinthehousetopackyourbagintenminutes，takeleaveoftheadmiral，andcomebackatoncewithmetotheLondontrain。“

NoelVanstonefaintlyattemptedtoaskaquestion。Thecaptaindeclinedtohearit。

“Asmuchtalkasyoulikeontheroad，“hesaid。“Timeistoopreciousfortalkinghere。HowdoweknowLecountmaynotthinkbetterofit？HowdoweknowshemaynotturnbackbeforeshegetstoZurich？“

ThatstartlingconsiderationterrifiedNoelVanstoneintoinstantsubmission。

“WhatshallIsaytotheadmiral？“heasked，helplessly。

“Tellhimyouaregoingtobemarried，tobesure！Whatdoesitmatter，nowLecount\'sbackisturned？Ifhewondersyoudidn\'ttellhimbefore，sayit\'sarunawaymatch，andthebrideiswaitingforyou。Stop！Anylettersaddressedtoyouinyourabsencewillbesenttothisplace，ofcourse？Givetheadmiraltheseenvelopes，andtellhimtoforwardyourlettersundercovertome。Iamanoldcustomeratthehotelwearegoingto；andifwefindtheplacefull，thelandlordmaybedependedontotakecareofanyletterswithmynameonthem。AsafeaddressinLondonforyourcorrespondencemaybeofthegreatestimportance。HowdoweknowLecountmaynotwritetoyouonherwaytoZurich？“

“Whataheadyouhavegot！“criedNoelVanstone，eagerlytakingtheenvelopes。“Youthinkofeverything。“

Heleftthecarriageinhighexcitement，andranbackintothehouse。IntenminutesmoreCaptainWraggehadhiminsafecustody，andthehorsesstartedontheirreturnjourney。

ThetravelersreachedLondoningoodtimethatevening，andfoundaccommodationatthehotel。

Knowingtherestless，inquisitivenatureofthemanhehadtodealwith，CaptainWraggehadanticipatedsomelittledifficultyandembarrassmentinmeetingthequestionswhichNoelVanstonemightputtohimonthewaytoLondon。Tohisgreatrelief，astartlingdomesticdiscoveryabsorbedhistravelingcompanion\'swholeattentionattheoutsetofthejourney。Bysomeextraordinaryoversight，MissBygravehadbeenleft，ontheeveofhermarriage，unprovidedwithamaid。NoelVanstonedeclaredthathewouldtakethewholeresponsibilityofcorrectingthisdeficiencyinthearrangements，onhisownshoulders；hewouldnottroubleMr。Bygravetogivehimanyassistance；hewouldconfer，whentheygottotheirjourney\'send，withthelandladyofthehotel，andwouldexaminethecandidatesforthevacantofficehimself。AllthewaytoLondon，hereturnedagainandagaintothesamesubject；alltheevening，atthehotel，hewasinandoutofthelandlady\'ssitting-room，untilhefairlyobligedhertolockthedoor。Ineveryotherproceedingwhichrelatedtohismarriage，hehadbeenkeptinthebackground；hehadbeencompelledtofollowinthefootstepsofhisingeniousfriend。Inthematterofthelady\'smaidheclaimedhisfittingpositionatlast——hefollowednobody；hetookthelead！

Theforenoonofthenextdaywasdevotedtoobtainingthelicense——thepersonaldistinctionofmakingthedeclarationonoathbeingeagerlyacceptedbyNoelVanstone，whoswore，inperfectgoodfaith(oninformationpreviouslyobtainedfromthecaptain)thattheladywasofage。Thedocumentprocured，thebridegroomreturnedtoexaminethecharactersandqualificationsofthewomen-servantsoutoftheplacewhomthelandladyhadengagedtosummontothehotel，whileCaptainWraggeturnedhissteps，“onbusinesspersonaltohimself，“towardtheresidenceofafriendinadistantquarterofLondon。

Thecaptain\'sfriendwasconnectedwiththelaw，andthecaptain\'sbusinesswasofatwofoldnature。Hisfirstobjectwastoinformhimselfofthelegalbearingsoftheapproachingmarriageonthefutureofthehusbandandthewife。HissecondobjectwastoprovidebeforehandfordestroyingalltracesofthedestinationtowhichhemightbetakehimselfwhenheleftAldboroughonthewedding-day。Havingreachedhisendsuccessfullyinboththesecases，hereturnedtothehotel，andfoundNoelVanstonenursinghisoffendeddignityinthelandlady\'ssitting-room。Threeladies\'maidshadappearedtopasstheirexamination，andhadall，oncomingtothequestionofwages，impudentlydeclinedacceptingtheplace。Afourthcandidatewasexpectedtopresentherselfonthenextday；and，untilshemadeherappearance，NoelVanstonepositivelydeclinedremovingfromthemetropolis。CaptainWraggeshowedhisannoyanceopenlyattheunnecessarydelaythusoccasionedinthereturntoAldborough，butwithoutproducinganyeffect。NoelVanstoneshookhisobstinatelittlehead，andsolemnlyrefusedtotriflewithhisresponsibilities。

ThefirsteventwhichoccurredonSaturdaymorningwasthearrivalofMrs。Lecount\'slettertohermaster，inclosedinoneoftheenvelopeswhichthecaptainhadaddressedtohimself。Hereceivedit(bypreviousarrangementwiththewaiter)inhisbedroom——readitwiththeclosestattention——andputitawaycarefullyinhispocketbook。TheletterwasominousofseriouseventstocomewhenthehousekeeperreturnedtoEngland；anditwasduetoMagdalen——whowasthepersonthreatened——toplacethewarningofdangerinherownpossession。

Laterinthedaythefourthcandidateappearedforthemaid\'ssituation——ayoungwomanofsmallexpectationsandsubduedmanners，wholooked(asthelandladyremarked)likeapersonovertakenbymisfortune。Shepassedtheordealofexaminationsuccessfully，andacceptedthewagesofferedwithoutamurmur。Theengagementhavingbeenratifiedonbothsides，freshdelaysensued，ofwhichNoelVanstonewasoncemorethecause。Hehadnotyetmadeuphismindwhetherhewould，orwouldnot，givemorethanaguineaforthewedding-ring；andhewastedtherestofthedaytosuchdisastrouspurposeinonejeweler\'sshopafteranother，thatheandthecaptain，andthenewlady\'smaid(whotraveledwiththem)，werebarelyintimetocatchthelasttrainfromLondonthatevening。ItwaslateatnightwhentheylefttherailwayattheneareststationtoAldborough。CaptainWraggehadbeenstrangelysilentallthroughthejourney。Hismindwasillatease。HehadleftMagdalen，underverycriticalcircumstances，withnofitpersontocontrolher，andhewaswhollyignorantoftheprogressofeventsinhisabsenceatNorthShingles。

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene4，Chapter13CHAPTERXIII。

WHAThadhappenedatAldboroughinCaptainWragge\'sabsence？Eventshadoccurredwhichthecaptain\'sutmostdexteritymighthavefoundithardtoremedy。

AssoonasthechaisehadleftNorthShingles，Mrs。Wraggereceivedthemessagewhichherhusbandhadchargedtheservanttodeliver。Shehastenedintotheparlor，bewilderedbyherstormyinterviewwiththecaptain，andpenitentlyconsciousthatshehaddonewrong，withoutknowingwhatthewrongwas。IfMagdalen\'smindhadbeenunoccupiedbytheoneideaofthemarriagewhichnowfilledit——ifshehadpossessedcomposureenoughtolistentoMrs。Wragge\'sramblingnarrativeofwhathadhappenedduringherinterviewwiththehousekeeper——Mrs。Lecount\'svisittothewardrobemust，soonerorlater，haveformedpartofthedisclosure；andMagdalen，althoughshemightneverhaveguessedthetruth，mustatleasthavebeenwarnedthattherewassomeelementofdangerlurkingtreacherouslyintheAlpacadress。Asitwas，nosuchconsequenceasthisfollowedMrs。Wragge\'sappearanceintheparlor；fornosuchconsequencewasnowpossible。

Eventswhichhadhappenedearlierinthemorning，eventswhichhadhappenedfordaysandweekspast，hadvanishedascompletelyfromMagdalen\'smindasiftheyhadnevertakenplace。ThehorrorofthecomingMonday——themercilesscertaintyimpliedintheappointmentofthedayandhour——petrifiedallfeelinginher，andannihilatedallthought。Mrs。Wraggemadethreeseparateattemptstoenteronthesubjectofthehousekeeper\'svisit。Thefirsttimeshemightaswellhaveaddressedherselftothewind，ortothesea。Thesecondattemptseemedlikelytobemoresuccessful。Magdalensighed，listenedforamomentindifferently，andthendismissedthesubject。“Itdoesn\'tmatter，“shesaid。“Theendhascomeallthesame。I\'mnotangrywithyou。Saynomore。“Laterintheday，fromnotknowingwhatelsetotalkabout，Mrs。Wraggetriedagain。ThistimeMagdalenturnedonherimpatiently。“ForGod\'ssake，don\'tworrymeabouttrifles！Ican\'tbearit。“Mrs。Wraggeclosedherlipsonthespot，andreturnedtothesubjectnomore。Magdalen，whohadbeenkindtoheratallothertimes，hadangrilyforbiddenit。Thecaptain——utterlyignorantofMrs。Lecount\'sinterestinthesecretsofthewardrobe——hadneversomuchasapproachedit。Alltheinformationthathehadextractedfromhiswife\'smentalconfusion，hehadextractedbyputtingdirectquestions，derivedpurelyfromtheresourcesofhisownknowledge。Hehadinsistedonplainanswers，withoutexcusesofanykind；hehadcarriedhispointasusual；andhisdeparturethesamemorninghadlefthimnochanceofre-openingthequestion，evenifhisirritationagainsthiswifehadpermittedhimtodoso。TheretheAlpacadresshung，neglectedinthedark——theunnoticed，unsuspectedcenterofdangersthatwerestilltocome。

TowardtheafternoonMrs。Wraggetookcouragetostartasuggestionofherown——shepleadedforalittleturninthefreshair。

Magdalenpassivelyputonherhat；passivelyaccompaniedhercompanionalongthepublicwalk，untiltheyreacheditsnorthwardextremity。Herethebeachwasleftsolitary，andheretheysatdown，sidebyside，ontheshingle。Itwasabright，exhilaratingday；pleasure-boatsweresailingonthecalmbluewater；Aldboroughwasidlinghappilyafloatandashore。Mrs。Wraggerecoveredherspiritsinthegayetyoftheprospect——sheamusedherselflikeachild，bytossingpebblesintothesea。FromtimetotimeshestoleaquestioningglanceatMagdalen，andsawnoencouragementinhermanner，nochangetocordialityinherface。Shesatsilentontheslopeoftheshingle，withherelbowonherknee，andherheadrestingonherhand，lookingoutoverthesea——lookingwithraptattention，andyetwitheyesthatseemedtonoticenothing。Mrs。Wraggeweariedofthepebbles，andlostherinterestinlookingatthepleasure-boats。Hergreatheadbegantonodheavily，andshedozedinthewarm，drowsyair。Whenshewoke，thepleasure-boatswerefaroff；theirsailswerewhitespecksinthedistance。Theidlersonthebeachwerethinnedinnumber；thesunwaslowintheheaven；theblueseawasdarker，andrippledbyabreeze。Changesonskyandearthandoceantoldofthewaningday；changewaseverywhere——exceptcloseatherside。ThereMagdalensat，inthesameposition，withwearyeyesthatstilllookedoverthesea，andstillsawnothing。

“Oh，dospeaktome！“saidMrs。Wragge。

Magdalenstarted，andlookedabouthervacantly。

“It\'slate，“shesaid，shiveringunderthefirstsensationthatreachedheroftherisingbreeze。“Comehome；youwantyourtea。“Theywalkedhomeinsilence。

“Don\'tbeangrywithmeforasking，“saidMrs。Wragge，astheysattogetheratthetea-table。“Areyoutroubled，mydear，inyourmind？“

“Yes，“repliedMagdalen。“Don\'tnoticeme。Mytroublewillsoonbeover。“

ShewaitedpatientlyuntilMrs。Wraggehadmadeanendofthemeal，andthenwentupstairstoherownroom。

“Monday！“shesaid，asshesatdownathertoilet-table。“SomethingmayhappenbeforeMondaycomes！“

Herfingerswanderedmechanicallyamongthebrushesandcombs，thetinybottlesandcasesplacedonthetable。Shesettheminorder，nowinoneway，andnowinanother——thenonasuddenpushedthemawayfromherinaheap。Foraminuteortwoherhandsremainedidle。Thatintervalpassed，theygrewrestlessagain，andpulledthetwolittledrawersbackwardandforwardintheirgrooves。AmongtheobjectslaidinoneofthemwasaPrayer-bookwhichhadbelongedtoheratCombe-Raven，andwhichshehadsavedwithherotherrelicsofthepast，whensheandhersisterhadtakentheirfarewellofhome。SheopenedthePrayer-book，afteralonghesitation，attheMarriageService，shutitagainbeforeshehadreadaline，andputitbackhurriedlyinoneofthedrawers。Afterturningthekeyinthelocks，sheroseandwalkedtothewindow。“Thehorriblesea！“shesaid，turningfromitwithashudderofdisgust——“thelonely，dreary，horriblesea！“

Shewentbacktothedrawer，andtookthePrayer-bookoutforthesecondtime，halfopeneditagainattheMarriageService，andimpatientlythrewitbackintothedrawer。Thistime，afterturningthelock，shetookthekeyaway，walkedwithitinherhandtotheopenwindow，andthrewitviolentlyfromherintothegarden。Itfellonabedthicklyplantedwithflowers。Itwasinvisible；itwaslost。Thesenseofitslossseemedtorelieveher。

“SomethingmayhappenonFriday；somethingmayhappenonSaturday；somethingmayhappenonSunday。Threedaysstill！“

Sheclosedthegreenshuttersoutsidethewindowanddrewthecurtainstodarkentheroomstillmore。Herheadfeltheavy；hereyeswereburninghot。Shethrewherselfonherbed，withasullenimpulsetosleepawaythetime。Thequietofthehousehelpedher；thedarknessoftheroomhelpedher；thestuporofmindintowhichshehadfallenhaditseffectonhersenses；shedroppedintoabrokensleep。Herrestlesshandsmovedincessantly，herheadtossedfromsidetosideofthepillow，butstillsheslept。Erelongwordsfellbyonesandtwosfromherlips；wordswhisperedinhersleep，growingmoreandmorecontinuous，moreandmorearticulate，thelongerthesleeplasted——wordswhichseemedtocalmherrestlessnessandtohushherintodeeperrepose。Shesmiled；shewasinthehappylandofdreams；Frank\'snameescapedher。“Doyouloveme，Frank？“shewhispered。“Oh，mydarling，sayitagain！sayitagain！“

Thetimepassed，theroomgrewdarker；andstillsheslumberedanddreamed。Towardsunset——withoutanynoiseinsidethehouseorouttoaccountforit——shestarteduponthebed，awakeagaininaninstant。Thedrowsyobscurityoftheroomstruckherwithterror。Sherantothewindow，pushedopentheshutters，andleanedfaroutintotheeveningairandtheeveninglight。Hereyesdevouredthetrivialsightsonthebeach；herearsdrankinthewelcomemurmurofthesea。Anythingtodeliverherfromthewakingimpressionwhichherdreamshadleft！Nomoredarkness，nomorerepose。Sleepthatcamemercifullytootherscametreacherouslytoher。Sleephadonlyclosedhereyesonthefuture，toopenthemonthepast。

Shewentdownagainintotheparlor，eagertotalk——nomatterhowidly，nomatteronwhattrifles。Theroomwasempty。PerhapsMrs。Wraggehadgonetoherwork——perhapsshewastootiredtotalk。Magdalentookherhatfromthetableandwentout。Theseathatshehadshrunkfrom，afewhourssince，lookedfriendlynow。Howlovelyitwasinitscooleveningblue！Whatagod-likejoyinthehappymultitudeofwavesleapinguptothelightofheaven！

Shestayedoutuntilthenightfellandthestarsappeared。Thenightsteadiedher。

Byslowdegreeshermindrecovereditsbalanceandshelookedherpositionunflinchinglyintheface。Thevainhopethataccidentmightdefeattheveryendforwhich，ofherownfree-will，shehadceaselesslyplottedandtoiled，vanishedandlefther；self-dissipatedinitsownweakness。Sheknewthetruealternative，andfacedit。Ononesidewastherevoltingordealofthemarriage；ontheother，theabandonmentofherpurpose。Wasittoolatetochoosebetweenthesacrificeofthepurposeandthesacrificeofherself？Yes！toolate。Thebackwardpathhadclosedbehindher。Timethatnowishcouldchange，Timethatnoprayerscouldrecall，hadmadeherpurposeapartofherself:onceshehadgovernedit；nowitgovernedher。Themoresheshrank，thehardershestruggled，themoremercilesslyitdroveheron。Nootherfeelinginherwasstrongenoughtomasterit——noteventhehorrorthatwasmaddeningher——thehorrorofhermarriage。

Towardnineo\'clockshewentbacktothehouse。

“Walkingagain！“saidMrs。Wragge，meetingheratthedoor。“Comeinandsitdown，mydear。Howtiredyoumustbe！“

Magdalensmiled，andpattedMrs。Wraggekindlyontheshoulder。

“YouforgethowstrongIam，“shesaid。“Nothinghurtsme。“

Shelithercandleandwentupstairsagainintoherroom。Asshereturnedtotheoldplacebyhertoilet-table，thevainhopeinthethreedaysofdelay，thevainhopeofdeliverancebyaccident，camebacktoher——thistimeinaformmoretangiblethantheformwhichithadhithertoworn。

“Friday，Saturday，Sunday。Somethingmayhappentohim；somethingmayhappentome。Somethingserious；somethingfatal。Oneofusmaydie。“

Asuddenchangecameoverherface。Sheshivered，thoughtherewasnocoldintheair。Shestarted，thoughtherewasnonoisetoalarmher。

“Oneofusmaydie。Imaybetheone。“

Shefellintodeepthought，rousedherselfafterawhile，and，openingthedoor，calledtoMrs。Wraggetocomeandspeaktoher。

“YouwererightinthinkingIshouldfatiguemyself，“shesaid。“Mywalkhasbeenalittletoomuchforme。Ifeeltired，andIamgoingtobed。Good-night。“ShekissedMrs。Wraggeandsoftlyclosedthedooragain。

Afterafewturnsbackwardandforwardintheroom，sheabruptlyopenedherwriting-caseandbeganalettertohersister。Thelettergrewandgrewunderherhands；shefilledsheetaftersheetofnote-paper。Herheartwasfullofhersubject:itwasherownstoryaddressedtoNorah。Sheshednotears；shewascomposedtoaquietsadness。Herpenransmoothlyon。Afterwritingformorethantwohours，sheleftoffwhiletheletterwasstillunfinished。Therewasnosignatureattachedtoit——therewasablankspacereserved，tobefilledupatsomeothertime。Afterputtingawaythecase，withthesheetsofwritingsecuredinsideit，shewalkedtothewindowforair，andstoodtherelookingout。

Themoonwaswaningoverthesea。Thebreezeoftheearlierhourshaddiedout。Onearthandocean，thespiritoftheNightbroodedinadeepandawfulcalm。

Herheaddroopedlowonherbosom，andalltheviewwanedbeforehereyeswiththewaningmoon。Shesawnosea，nosky。Death，theTempter，wasbusyatherheart。Death，theTempter，pointedhomeward，tothegraveofherdeadparentsinCombe-Ravenchurchyard。

“Nineteenlastbirthday，“shethought。“Onlynineteen！“Shemovedawayfromthewindow，hesitated，andthenlookedoutagainattheview。“Thebeautifulnight！“shesaid，gratefully。“Oh，thebeautifulnight！“

Sheleftthewindowandlaydownonherbed。Sleep，thathadcometreacherouslybefore，camemercifullynow；camedeepanddreamless，theimageofherlastwakingthought——theimageofDeath。

EarlythenextmorningMrs。WraggewentintoMagdalen\'sroom，andfoundthatshehadrisenbetimes。Shewassittingbeforetheglass，drawingthecombslowlythroughandthroughherhair——thoughtfulandquiet。

“Howdoyoufeelthismorning，mydear？“askedMrs。Wragge。“Quitewellagain？“

“Yes。“

Afterreplyingintheaffirmative，shestopped，consideredforamoment，andsuddenlycontradictedherself。

“No，“shesaid，“notquitewell。Iamsufferingalittlefromtoothache。“

Asshealteredherfirstanswerinthosewordsshegaveatwisttoherhairwiththecomb，sothatitfellforwardandhidherface。

Atbreakfastshewasverysilent，andshetooknothingbutacupoftea。

“Letmegotothechemist\'sandgetsomething，“saidMrs。Wragge。

“No，thankyou。“

“Doletme！“

“No！“

Sherefusedforthesecondtime，sharplyandangrily。Asusual，Mrs。Wraggesubmitted，andletherhaveherownway。Whenbreakfastwasover，sherose，withoutawordofexplanation，andwentout。Mrs。Wraggewatchedherfromthewindowandsawthatshetookthedirectionofthechemist\'sshop。

Onreachingthechemist\'sdoorshestopped——pausedbeforeenteringtheshop，andlookedinatthewindow——hesitated，andwalkedawayalittle——hesitatedagain，andtookthefirstturningwhichledbacktothebeach。

Withoutlookingabouther，withoutcaringwhatplaceshechose，sheseatedherselfontheshingle。Theonlypersonswhowereneartoher，inthepositionshenowoccupied，wereanursemaidandtwolittleboys。Theyoungestofthetwohadatinytoy-shipinhishand。AfterlookingatMagdalenforalittlewhilewiththequaintestgravityandattention，theboysuddenlyapproachedher，andopenedthewaytoanacquaintancebyputtinghistoycomposedlyonherlap。

“Lookatmyship，“saidthechild，crossinghishandsonMagdalen\'sknee。

Shewasnotusuallypatientwithchildren。Inhappierdaysshewouldnothavemettheboy\'sadvancetowardherasshemetitnow。Theharddespairinhereyesleftthemsuddenly；herfast-closedlipspartedandtrembled。Sheputtheshipbackintothechild\'shandsandliftedhimonherlap。

“Willyougivemeakiss？“shesaid，faintly。Theboylookedathisshipasifhewouldratherhavekissedtheship。

Sherepeatedthequestion——repeateditalmosthumbly。Thechildputhishanduptoherneckandkissedher。

“IfIwasyoursister，wouldyouloveme？“Allthemiseryofherfriendlessposition，allthewastedtendernessofherheart，pouredfromherinthosewords。

“Wouldyouloveme？“sherepeated，hidingherfaceonthebosomofthechild\'sfrock。

“Yes，“saidtheboy。“Lookatmyship。“

Shelookedattheshipthroughhergatheringtears。

“Whatdoyoucallit？“sheasked，tryinghardtofindherwayeventotheinterestofachild。

“IcallitUncleKirke\'sship，“saidtheboy。“UncleKirkehasgoneaway。“

Thenamerecallednothingtohermemory。Noremembrancesbutoldremembranceslivedinhernow。“Gone？“sherepeatedabsently，thinkingwhatsheshouldsaytoherlittlefriendnext。

“Yes，“saidtheboy。“GonetoChina。“

Evenfromthelipsofachildthatwordstruckhertotheheart。SheputKirke\'slittlenephewoffherlap，andinstantlyleftthebeach。

Assheturnedbacktothehouse，thestruggleofthepastnightreneweditselfinhermind。Butthesenseofreliefwhichthechildhadbroughttoher，therevivingtendernesswhichshehadfeltwhilehesatonherknee，influencedherstill。Shewasconsciousofadawninghope，openingfreshlyonherthoughts，astheboy\'sinnocenteyeshadopenedonherfacewhenhecametoheronthebeach。Wasittoolatetoturnback？Oncemoresheaskedherselfthatquestion，andnow，forthefirsttime，sheaskeditindoubt。

Sheranuptoherownroomwithalurkingdistrustinherchangedselfwhichwarnedhertoact，andnottothink。Withoutwaitingtoremovehershawlortotakeoffherhat，sheopenedherwriting-caseandaddressedtheselinestoCaptainWraggeasfastasherpencouldtracethem:

“YouwillfindthemoneyIpromisedyouinclosedinthis。Myresolutionhasfailedme。ThehorrorofmarryinghimismorethanIcanface。IhaveleftAldborough。Pitymyweakness，andforgetme。Letusnevermeetagain。“

Withthrobbingheart，witheager，tremblingfingers，shedrewherlittlewhitesilkbagfromherbosomandtookoutthebanknotestoinclosethemintheletter。Herhandsearchedimpetuously；herhandhadlostitsdiscriminationoftouch。Shegraspedthewholecontentsofthebaginonehandfulofpapers，anddrewthemoutviolently，tearingsomeanddisarrangingthefoldsofothers。Asshethrewthemdownbeforeheronthetable，thefirstobjectthatmethereyewasherownhandwriting，fadedalreadywithtime。Shelookedcloser，andsawthewordsshehadcopiedfromherdeadfather\'sletter——sawthelawyer\'sbriefandterriblecommentaryonthemconfrontingheratthebottomofthepage:

Mr。Vanstone\'sdaughtersareNobody\'sChildren，andthelawleavesthemhelplessattheiruncle\'smercy。

Herthrobbingheartstopped；hertremblinghandsgrewicilyquiet。AllthePastrosebeforeherinmute，overwhelmingreproach。Shetookupthelineswhichherownhandhadwrittenhardlyaminutesince，andlookedattheink，stillwetontheletters，withavacantincredulity。

Thecolorthathadrisenonhercheeksfadedfromthemoncemore。Theharddespairlookedoutagain，coldandglittering，inhertearlesseyes。Shefoldedthebanknotescarefully，andputthembackinherbag。Shepressedthecopyofherfather\'slettertoherlips，andreturnedittoitsplacewiththebanknotes。Whenthebagwasinherbosomagain，shewaitedalittle，withherfacehiddeninherhands，thendeliberatelytoreupthelinesaddressedtoCaptainWragge。Beforetheinkwasdry，theletterlayinfragmentsonthefloor。

“No！“shesaid，asthelastmorselofthetornpaperdroppedfromherhand。“OnthewayIgothereisnoturningback。“

Sherosecomposedlyandlefttheroom。Whiledescendingthestairs，shemetMrs。Wraggecomingup。“Goingoutagain，mydear？“askedMrs。Wragge。“MayIgowithyou？“

Magdalen\'sattentionwandered。Insteadofansweringthequestion，sheabsentlyansweredherownthoughts。

“Thousandsofwomenmarryformoney，“shesaid。“Whyshouldn\'tI？“

ThehelplessperplexityofMrs。Wragge\'sfaceasshespokethosewordsrousedhertoasenseofpresentthings。“Mypoordear！“shesaid；“Ipuzzleyou，don\'tI？NevermindwhatIsay——allgirlstalknonsense，andI\'mnobetterthantherestofthem。Come！I\'llgiveyouatreat。Youshallenjoyyourselfwhilethecaptainisaway。Wewillhavealongdrivebyourselves。Putonyoursmartbonnet，andcomewithmetothehotel。I\'lltellthelandladytoputanicecolddinnerintoabasket。Youshallhaveallthethingsyoulike，andI\'llwaitonyou。Whenyouareanold，oldwoman，youwillremembermekindly，won\'tyou？Youwillsay:\'Shewasn\'tabadgirl；hundredsworsethanshewasliveandprosper，andnobodyblamesthem。\'There！there！goandputyourbonneton。Oh，myGod，whatismyheartmadeof！Howitlivesandlives，whenothergirls\'heartswouldhavediedinthemlongago！“

InhalfanhourmoresheandMrs。Wraggewereseatedtogetherinthecarriage。Oneofthehorseswasrestiveatstarting。“Floghim，“shecriedangrilytothedriver。“Whatareyoufrightenedabout？Floghim！Supposethecarriagewasupset，“shesaid，turningsuddenlytohercompanion；“andsupposeIwasthrownoutandkilledonthespot？Nonsense！don\'tlookatmeinthatway。I\'mlikeyourhusband；Ihaveadashofhumor，andI\'monlyjoking。“

Theywereoutthewholeday。Whentheyreachedhomeagain，itwasafterdark。Thelongsuccessionofhourspassedinthefreshairleftthembothwiththesamesenseoffatigue。AgainthatnightMagdalensleptthedeepdreamlesssleepofthenightbefore。AndsotheFridayclosed。

Herlastthoughtatnighthadbeenthethoughtwhichhadsustainedherthroughouttheday。ShehadlaidherheadonthepillowwiththesamerecklessresolutiontosubmittothecomingtrialwhichhadalreadyexpresseditselfinwordswhensheandMrs。Wraggemetbyaccidentonthestairs。WhenshewokeonthemorningofSaturday，theresolutionwasgone。TheFriday\'sthoughts——theFriday\'seventseven——wereblottedoutofhermind。Onceagain，creepingchillthroughtheflowofheryoungblood，shefelttheslowanddeadlypromptingofdespairwhichhadcometoherinthewaningmoonlight，whichhadwhisperedtoherintheawfulcalm。

“Isawtheendastheendmustbe，“shesaidtoherself，“onThursdaynight。Ihavebeenwrongeversince。“

Whensheandhercompanionmetthatmorning，shereiteratedhercomplaintofsufferingfromthetoothache；sherepeatedherrefusaltoallowMrs。Wraggetoprocurearemedy；sheleftthehouseafterbreakfast，inthedirectionofthechemist\'sshop，exactlyasshehadleftitonthemorningbefore。

Thistimesheenteredtheshopwithoutaninstant\'shesitation。

“Ihavegotanattackoftoothache，“shesaid，abruptly，toanelderlymanwhostoodbehindthecounter。

“MayIlookatthetooth，miss？“

“Thereisnonecessitytolook。Itisahollowtooth。IthinkIhavecaughtcoldinit。“

Thechemistrecommendedvariousremedieswhichwereinvoguefifteenyearssince。Shedeclinedpurchasinganyofthem。

“IhavealwaysfoundLaudanumrelievethepainbetterthananythingelse，“shesaid，triflingwiththebottlesonthecounter，andlookingatthemwhileshespoke，insteadoflookingatthechemist。“LetmehavesomeLaudanum。“

“Certainly，miss。Excusemyaskingthequestion——itisonlyamatterofform。YouarestayingatAldborough，Ithink？“

“Yes。IamMissBygrave，ofNorthShingles。“

Thechemistbowed；and，turningtohisshelves，filledanordinaryhalf-ouncebottlewithlaudanumimmediately。Inascertaininghiscustomer\'snameandaddressbeforehand，theowneroftheshophadtakenaprecautionwhichwasnaturaltoacarefulman，butwhichwasbynomeansuniversal，undersimilarcircumstances，inthestateofthelawatthattime。

“ShallIputyouupalittlecottonwoolwiththelaudanum？“heasked，afterhehadplacedalabelonthebottle，andhadwrittenawordonitinlargeletters。

“Ifyouplease。Whathaveyoujustwrittenonthebottle？“Sheputthequestionsharply，withsomethingofdistrustaswellascuriosityinhermanner。

Thechemistansweredthequestionbyturningthelabeltowardher。Shesawwrittenonit，inlargeletters——POISON。

“Iliketobeonthesafeside，miss，“saidtheoldman，smiling。“Veryworthypeopleinotherrespectsareoftensadlycarelesswherepoisonsareconcerned。“

Shebegantriflingagainwiththebottlesonthecounter，andputanotherquestion，withanill-concealedanxietytoheartheanswer。

“Istheredanger，“sheasked，“insuchalittledropofLaudanumasthat？“

“ThereisDeathinit，miss，“repliedthechemist，quietly。

“Deathtoachild，ortoapersonindelicatehealth？“

“DeathtothestrongestmaninEngland，lethimbewhohemay。“

Withthatanswer，thechemistsealedupthebottleinitswrappingofwhitepaperandhandedthelaudanumtoMagdalenacrossthecounter。Shelaughedasshetookitfromhim，andpaidforit。

“TherewillbenofearofaccidentsatNorthShingles，“shesaid。“Ishallkeepthebottlelockedupinmydressing-case。Ifitdoesn\'trelievethepain，Imustcometoyouagain，andtrysomeotherremedy。Good-morning。“

“Good-morning，miss。“

Shewentstraightbacktothehousewithoutoncelookingup，withoutnoticinganyonewhopassedher。ShebrushedbyMrs。Wraggeinthepassageasshemighthavebrushedbyapieceoffurniture。Sheascendedthestairs，andcaughtherfoottwiceinherdress，fromsheerinattentiontothecommonprecautionofholdingitup。Thetrivialdailyinterestsoflifehadlosttheirholdonheralready。

Intheprivacyofherownroom，shetookthebottlefromitswrapping，andthrewthepaperandthecottonwoolintothefire-place。Atthemomentwhenshedidthistherewasaknockatthedoor。Shehidthelittlebottle，andlookedupimpatiently。Mrs。Wraggecameintotheroom。