第16章

“Yes，“hesaid，reluctantly，“IsupposeGeorgemusthaveit——IsupposeGeorgehastheprincipalclaimonme。“Hehesitated:helookedatthedoor，helookedatthewindow，asifhelongedtomakehisescapebyonewayortheother。“Oh，Lecount，“hecried，piteously，“it\'ssuchalargefortune！LetmewaitalittlebeforeIleaveittoanybody。“

Tohissurprise；Mrs。Lecountatoncecompliedwiththischaracteristicrequest。

“Iwishyoutowait，sir，“shereplied。“Ihavesomethingimportanttosay，beforeyouaddanotherlinetoyourwill。Alittlewhilesince，Itoldyoutherewasasecondnecessityconnectedwithyourpresentsituation，whichhadnotbeenprovidedforyet，butwhichmustbeprovidedfor，whenthetimecame。Thetimehascomenow。YouhaveaseriousdifficultytomeetandconquerbeforeyoucanleaveyourfortunetoyourcousinGeorge。“

“Whatdifficulty？“heasked。

Mrs。Lecountrosefromherchairwithoutanswering，stoletothedoor，andsuddenlythrewitopen。Noonewaslisteningoutside；thepassagewasasolitude，fromoneendtotheother。

“Idistrustallservants，“shesaid，returningtoherplace——“yourservantsparticularly。Sitcloser，Mr。Noel。WhatIhavenowtosaytoyoumustbeheardbynolivingcreaturebutourselves。“

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene5，Chapter3CHAPTERIII。

THEREwasapauseofafewminuteswhileMrs。Lecountopenedthesecondofthetwopaperswhichlaybeforeheronthetable，andrefreshedhermemorybylookingitrapidlythrough。Thisdone，sheoncemoreaddressedherselftoNoelVanstone，carefullyloweringhervoice，soastorenderitinaudibletoanyonewhomightbelisteninginthepassageoutside。

“Imustbegyourpermission，sir，“shebegan，“toreturntothesubjectofyourwife。Idosomostunwillingly；andIpromiseyouthatwhatIhavenowtosayabouthershallbesaid，foryoursakeandformine，inthefewestwords。Whatdoweknowofthiswoman，Mr。Noel——judgingherbyherownconfessionwhenshecametousinthecharacterofMissGarth，andbyherownactsafterwardatAldborough？Weknowthat，ifdeathhadnotsnatchedyourfatheroutofherreach，shewasreadywithherplottorobhimoftheCombe-Ravenmoney。Weknowthat，whenyouinheritedthemoneyinyourturn，shewasreadywithherplottorobyou。Weknowhowshecarriedthatplotthroughtotheend；andweknowthatnothingbutyourdeathiswanted，atthismoment，tocrownherrapacityandherdeceptionwithsuccess。Wearesureofthesethings。Wearesurethatsheisyoung，bold，andclever——thatshehasneitherdoubts，scruples，norpity——andthatshepossessesthepersonalqualitieswhichmeningeneral(quiteincomprehensiblytome！)areweakenoughtoadmire。Thesearenotfancies，Mr。Noel，butfacts；youknowthemaswellasIdo。“

Hemadeasignintheaffirmative，andMrs。Lecountwenton:

“KeepinyourmindwhatIhavesaidofthepast，sir，andnowlookwithmetothefuture。Ihopeandtrustyouhavealonglifestillbeforeyou；butletus，forthemomentonly，supposethecaseofyourdeath——yourdeathleavingthiswillbehindyou，whichgivesyourfortunetoyourcousinGeorge。IamtoldthereisanofficeinLondoninwhichcopiesofallwillsmustbekept。Anycuriousstrangerwhochoosestopayashillingfortheprivilegemayenterthatoffice，andmayreadanywillintheplaceathisorherdiscretion。DoyouseewhatIamcomingto，Mr。Noel？Yourdisinheritedwidowpayshershilling，andreadsyourwill。YourdisinheritedwidowseesthattheCombe-Ravenmoney，whichhasgonefromyourfathertoyou，goesnextfromyoutoMr。GeorgeBartram。Whatisthecertainendofthatdiscovery？Theendis，thatyouleavetoyourcousinandyourfriendthelegacyofthiswoman\'svengeanceandthiswoman\'sdeceit——vengeancemademoreresolute，deceitmademoredevilishthanever，byherexasperationatherownfailure。WhatisyourcousinGeorge？Heisagenerous，unsuspiciousman；incapableofdeceithimself，andfearingnodeceptioninothers。Leavehimatthemercyofyourwife\'sunscrupulousfascinationsandyourwife\'sunfathomabledeceit，andIseetheendascertainlyasIseeyousittingthere！Shewillblindhiseyes，assheblindedyours；and，inspiteofyou，inspiteofme，shewillhavethemoney！“

Shestopped，andleftherlastwordstimetogaintheirholdonhismind。Thecircumstanceshadbeenstatedsoclearly，theconclusionfromthemhadbeensoplainlydrawn，thatheseizedhermeaningwithoutaneffort，andseizeditatonce。

“Isee！“hesaid，vindictivelyclinchinghishands。“Iunderstand，Lecount！Sheshan\'thaveafarthing。WhatshallIdo？ShallIleavethemoneytotheadmiral？“Hepaused，andconsideredalittle。“No，“heresumed；“there\'sthesamedangerinleavingittotheadmiralthatthereisinleavingittoGeorge。“

“Thereisnodanger，Mr。Noel，ifyoutakemyadvice。“

“Whatisyouradvice？“

“Followyourownidea，sir。Takethepeninhandagain，andleavethemoneytoAdmiralBartram。“

Hemechanicallydippedthepenintheink，andthenhesitated。

“YoushallknowwhereIamleadingyou，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount，“beforeyousignyourwill。Inthemeantime，letusgaineveryinchofgroundwecan，aswegoon。Iwantthewilltobeallwrittenoutbeforeweadvanceasinglestepbeyondit。Beginyourthirdparagraph，Mr。Noel，underthelineswhichleavememylegacyoffivethousandpounds。“

Shedictatedthelastmomentoussentenceofthewill(fromtheroughdraftinherownpossession)inthesewords:

“Thewholeresidueofmyestate，afterpaymentofmyburialexpensesandmylawfuldebts，IgiveandbequeathtoRear-AdmiralArthurEverardBartram，myExecutoraforesaid；tobebyhimappliedtosuchusesashemaythinkfit。

“Signed，sealed，anddelivered，thisthirddayofNovember，eighteenhundredandforty-seven，byNoelVanstone，thewithin-namedtestator，asandforhislastWillandTestament，inthepresenceofus——“

“Isthatall？“askedNoelVanstone，inastonishment。

“Thatisenough，sir，tobequeathyourfortunetotheadmiral；andthereforethatisall。Nowletusgobacktothecasewhichwehavesupposedalready。Yourwidowpayshershilling，andseesthiswill。ThereistheCombe-RavenmoneylefttoAdmiralBartram，withadeclarationinplainwordsthatitishis，touseashelikes。Whensheseesthis，whatdoesshedo？Shesetshertrapfortheadmiral。Heisabachelor，andheisanoldman。Whoistoprotecthimagainsttheartsofthisdesperatewoman？Protecthimyourself，sir，withafewmorestrokesofthatpenwhichhasdonesuchwondersalready。Youhavelefthimthislegacyinyourwill——whichyourwifesees。Takethelegacyawayagain，inaletter——whichisadeadsecretbetweentheadmiralandyou。Putthewillandtheletterunderonecover，andplacethemintheadmiral\'spossession，withyourwrittendirectionstohimtobreakthesealonthedayofyourdeath。Letthewillsaywhatitsaysnow；andlettheletter(whichisyoursecretandhis)tellhimthetruth。Saythat，inleavinghimyourfortune，youleaveitwiththerequestthathewilltakehislegacywithonehandfromyou，andgiveitwiththeothertohisnephewGeorge。Tellhimthatyourtrustinthismatterrestssolelyonyourconfidenceinhishonor，andonyourbeliefinhisaffectionateremembranceofyourfatherandyourself。Youhaveknowntheadmiralsinceyouwereaboy。Hehashislittlewhimsandoddities；butheisagentlemanfromthecrownofhisheadtothesoleofhisfoot；andheisutterlyincapableofprovingfalsetoatrustinhishonor，reposedbyhisdeadfriend。Meetthedifficultyboldly，bysuchastratagemasthis；andyousavethesetwohelplessmenfromyourwife\'ssnare，onebymeansoftheother。Here，ononeside，isyourwill，whichgivesthefortunetotheadmiral，andsetsherplottingaccordingly。Andthere，ontheotherside，isyourletter，whichprivatelyputsthemoneyintothenephew\'shands！“

ThemaliciousdexterityofthiscombinationwasexactlythedexteritywhichNoelVanstonewasmostfittoappreciate。Hetriedtoexpresshisapprovalandadmirationinwords。Mrs。Lecountheldupherhandwarninglyandclosedhislips。

“Wait，sir，beforeyouexpressyouropinion，“shewenton。“Halfthedifficultyisallthatwehaveconqueredyet。Letussay，theadmiralhasmadetheuseofyourlegacywhichyouhaveprivatelyrequestedhimtomakeofit。Soonerorlater，howeverwellthesecretmaybekept，yourwifewilldiscoverthetruth。Whatfollowsthatdiscovery！ShelayssiegetoMr。George。Allyouhavedoneistoleavehimthemoneybyaroundaboutway。Thereheis，afteranintervaloftime，asmuchathermercyasifyouhadopenlymentionedhiminyourwill。Whatistheremedyforthis？Theremedyistomisleadher，ifwecan，forthesecondtime——tosetupanobstaclebetweenherandthemoney，fortheprotectionofyourcousinGeorge。Canyouguessforyourself，Mr。Noel，whatisthemostpromisingobstaclewecanputinherway？“

Heshookhishead。Mrs。Lecountsmiled，andstartledhimintocloseattentionbylayingherhandonhisarm。

“PutaWomaninherway，sir！“shewhisperedinherwiliesttones。“Wedon\'tbelieveinthatfascinatingbeautyofhers——whateveryoumaydo。Ourlipsdon\'tburntokissthosesmoothcheeks。Ourarmsdon\'tlongtoberoundthatsupplewaist。Weseethroughhersmilesandhergraces，andherstaysandherpadding——shecan\'tfascinateus！Putawomaninherway，Mr。Noel！Notawomaninmyhelplesssituation，whoisonlyaservant，butawomanwiththeauthorityandthejealousyofaWife。Makeitacondition，inyourlettertotheadmiral，thatifMr。Georgeisabacheloratthetimeofyourdeath，heshallmarrywithinacertaintimeafterward，orheshallnothavethelegacy。Supposeheremainssingleinspiteofyourcondition，whoistohavethemoneythen？Putawomaninyourwife\'sway，sir，oncemore——andleavethefortune，inthatcase，tothemarriedsisterofyourcousinGeorge。“

Shepaused。NoelVanstoneagainattemptedtoexpresshisopinion，andagainMrs。Lecount\'shandextinguishedhiminsilence。

“Ifyouapprove，Mr。Noel，“shesaid，“Iwilltakeyourapprovalforgranted。Ifyouobject，Iwillmeetyourobjectionbeforeitisoutofyourmouth。Youmaysay:Supposethisconditionissufficienttoanswerthepurpose，whyhideitinaprivatelettertotheadmiral？Whynotopenlywriteitdown，withmycousin\'sname，inthewill？Onlyforonereason，sir。Onlybecausethesecretwayisthesureway，withsuchawomanasyourwife。Themoresecretyoucankeepyourintentions，themoretimeyouforcehertowasteinfindingthemoutforherself。Thattimewhichshelosesistimegainedfromhertreacherybytheadmiral——timegainedbyMr。George(ifheisstillabachelor)forhisundisturbedchoiceofalady——timegained，forherownsecurity，bytheobjectofhischoice，whomightotherwisebethefirstobjectofyourwife\'ssuspicionandyourwife\'shostility。Rememberthebottlewehavediscoveredupstairs；andkeepthisdesperatewomanignorant，andthereforeharmless，aslongasyoucan。Thereismyadvice，Mr。Noel，inthefewestandplainestwords。Whatdoyousay，sir？AmIalmostascleverinmywayasyourfriendMr。Bygrave？CanI，too，conspirealittle，whentheobjectofmyconspiracyistoassistyourwishesandtoprotectyourfriends？“

Permittedtheuseofhistongueatlast，NoelVanstone\'sadmirationofMrs。Lecountexpresseditselfintermspreciselysimilartothosewhichhehadusedonaformeroccasion，inpayinghiscomplimentstoCaptainWragge。“Whataheadyouhavegot！“werethegratefulwordswhichhehadoncespokentoMrs。Lecount\'sbitterestenemy。“Whataheadyouhavegot！“werethegratefulwordswhichhenowspokeagaintoMrs。Lecountherself。Sodoextremesmeet；andsuchissometimestheall-embracingcapacityoftheapprovalofafool！

“Allowmyhead，sir，todeservethecomplimentwhichyouhavepaidtoit，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Thelettertotheadmiralisnotwrittenyet。Yourwillthereisabodywithoutasoul——anAdamwithoutanEve——untiltheletteriscompletedandlaidbyitsside。Alittlemoredictationonmypart，alittlemorewritingonyours，andourworkisdone。Pardonme。Theletterwillbelongerthanthewill；wemusthavelargerpaperthanthenote-paperthistime。“

Thewriting-casewassearched，andsomeletterpaperwasfoundinitofthesizerequired。Mrs。Lecountresumedherdictation；andNoelVanstoneresumedhispen。

“BaliolCottage，Dumfries，“November3d，1847。

“Private。

“DEARADMIRALBARTRAM——WhenyouopenmyWill(inwhichyouarenamedmysoleexecutor)，youwillfindthatIhavebequeathedthewholeresidueofmyestate——afterpaymentofonelegacyoffivethousandpounds——toyourself。ItisthepurposeofmylettertotellyouprivatelywhattheobjectisforwhichIhaveleftyouthefortunewhichisnowplacedinyourhands。

“Ibegyoutoconsiderthislargelegacyasintended，undercertainconditions，tobegivenbyyoutoyournephewGeorge。Ifyournephewismarriedatthetimeofmydeath，andifhiswifeisliving，Irequestyoutoputhimatonceinpossessionofyourlegacy；accompanyingitbytheexpressionofmydesire(whichIamsurehewillconsiderasacredandbindingobligationonhim)thathewillsettlethemoneyonhiswife——andonhischildren，ifhehasany。If，ontheotherhand，heisunmarriedatthetimeofmydeath，orifheisawidower——ineitherofthosecases，Imakeitaconditionofhisreceivingthelegacy，thatheshallbemarriedwithintheperiodof——“

Mrs。LecountlaiddowntheDraftletterfromwhichshehadbeendictatingthusfar，andinformedNoelVanstonebyasignthathispenmightrest。

“Wehavecometothequestionoftime，sir，“sheobserved。“Howlongwillyougiveyourcousintomarry，ifheissingle，orawidower，atthetimeofyourdeath？“

“ShallIgivehimayear？“inquiredNoelVanstone。

“IfwehadnothingtoconsiderbuttheinterestsofPropriety，“saidMrs。Lecount，“Ishouldsayayeartoo，sir——especiallyifMr。Georgeshouldhappentobeawidower。Butwehaveyourwifetoconsider，aswellastheinterestsofPropriety。Ayearofdelay，betweenyourdeathandyourcousin\'smarriage，isadangerouslylongtimetoleavethedisposalofyourfortuneinsuspense。Giveadeterminedwomanayeartoplotandcontrivein，andthereisnosayingwhatshemaynotdo。“

“Sixmonths？“suggestedNoelVanstone。

“Sixmonths，sir，“rejoinedMrs。Lecount，“isthepreferabletimeofthetwo。Asixmonths\'intervalfromthedayofyourdeathisenoughforMr。George。Youlookdiscomposed，sir；whatisthematter？“

“Iwishyouwouldn\'ttalksomuchaboutmydeath，“hebrokeout，petulantly。“Idon\'tlikeit！Ihatetheverysoundoftheword！“

Mrs。Lecountsmiledresignedly，andreferredtoherDraft。

“Iseetheword\'decease\'writtenhere，“sheremarked。“Perhaps，Mr。Noel，youwouldpreferit？“

“Yes，“hesaid；“Iprefer\'Decease。\'Itdoesn\'tsoundsodreadfulas\'Death。\'“

“Letusgoonwiththeletter，sir。“

Sheresumedherdictation，asfollows:

“……ineitherofthosecases，ImakeitaconditionofhisreceivingthelegacythatheshallbemarriedwithintheperiodofSixcalendarmonthsfromthedayofmydecease；thatthewomanhemarriesshallnotbeawidow；andthathismarriageshallbeamarriagebyBanns，publiclycelebratedintheparishchurchofOssory——wherehehasbeenknownfromhischildhood，andwherethefamilyandcircumstancesofhisfuturewifearelikelytobethesubjectofpublicinterestandinquiry。“

“This，“saidMrs。Lecount，quietlylookingupfromtheDraft，“istoprotectMr。George，sir，incasethesametrapissetforhimwhichwassuccessfullysetforyou。Shewillnotfindherfalsecharacterandherfalsenamefitquitesoeasilynexttime——no，notevenwithMr。Bygravetohelpher！Anotherdipofink，Mr。Noel；letuswritethenextparagraph。Areyouready？“

“Yes。“

Mrs。Lecountwenton。

“Ifyournephewfailstocomplywiththeseconditions——thatistosay，ifbeingeitherabachelororawidoweratthetimeofmydecease，hefailstomarryinallrespectsasIhavehereinstructedhimtomarry，withinSixcalendarmonthsfromthattime——itismydesirethatheshallnotreceivethelegacy，oranypartofit。Irequestyou，inthecaseheresupposed，topasshimoveraltogether；andtogivethefortuneleftyouinmywilltohismarriedsister，Mrs。Girdlestone。

“Havingnowputyouinpossessionofmymotivesandintentions，Icometothenextquestionwhichitisnecessarytoconsider。If，whenyouopenthisletter，yournephewisanunmarriedman，itisclearlyindispensablethatheshouldknowoftheconditionshereimposedonhim，assoon，ifpossible，asyouknowofthemyourself。Areyou，underthesecircumstances，freelytocommunicatetohimwhatIhaveherewrittentoyou？Orareyoutoleavehimundertheimpressionthatnosuchprivateexpressionofmywishesasthisisinexistence；andareyoutostatealltheconditionsrelatingtohismarriage，asiftheyemanatedentirelyfromyourself？

“Ifyouwilladoptthislatteralternative，youwilladdonemoretothemanyobligationsunderwhichyourfriendshiphasplacedme。

“Ihaveseriousreasontobelievethatthepossessionofmymoney，andthediscoveryofanypeculiararrangementsrelatingtothedisposalofit，willbeobjects(aftermydecease)ofthefraudandconspiracyofanunscrupulousperson。Iamthereforeanxious——foryoursake，inthefirstplace——thatnosuspicionoftheexistenceofthislettershouldbeconveyedtothemindofthepersontowhomIallude。AndIamequallydesirous——forMrs。Girdlestone\'ssake，inthesecondplace——thatthissamepersonshouldbeentirelyignorantthatthelegacywillpassintoMrs。Girdlestone\'spossession，ifyournephewisnotmarriedinthegiventime。IknowGeorge\'seasy，pliabledisposition；Idreadtheattemptsthatwillbemadetopracticeonit；andIfeelsurethattheprudentcoursewillbe，toabstainfromtrustinghimwithsecrets，therashrevelationofwhichmightbefollowedbyserious，andevendangerousresults。

“Statetheconditions，therefore，toyournephew，asiftheywereyourown。Lethimthinktheyhavebeensuggestedtoyourmindbythenewresponsibilitiesimposedonyouasamanofproperty，byyourpositioninmywill，andbyyourconsequentanxietytoprovidefortheperpetuationofthefamilyname。Ifthesereasonsarenotsufficienttosatisfyhim，therecanbenoobjectiontoyourreferringhim，foranyfurtherexplanationswhichhemaydesire，tohiswedding-day。

“Ihavedone。Mylastwishesarenowconfidedtoyou，inimplicitrelianceonyourhonor，andonyourtenderregardforthememoryofyourfriend。OfthemiserablecircumstanceswhichcompelmetowriteasIhavewrittenhere，Isaynothing。Youwillhearofthem，ifmylifeisspared，frommyownlips——foryouwillbethefirstfriendwhomIshallconsultinmydifficultyanddistress。Keepthisletterstrictlysecret，andstrictlyinyourownpossession，untilmyrequestsarecompliedwith。Letnohumanbeingbutyourselfknowwhereitis，onanypretensewhatever。

“Believeme，dearAdmiralBartram，affectionatelyyours，NOELVANSTONE。“

“Haveyousigned，sir？“askedMrs。Lecount。“Letmelooktheletterover，ifyouplease，beforewesealitup。“

Shereadthelettercarefully。InNoelVanstone\'sclose，crampedhandwriting，itfilledtwopagesofletter-paper，andendedatthetopofthethirdpage。Insteadofusinganenvelope，Mrs。Lecountfoldedit，neatlyandsecurely，intheold-fashionedway。Shelitthetaperintheink-stand，andreturnedthelettertothewriter。

“Sealit，Mr。Noel，“shesaid，“withyourownhand，andyourownseal。“Sheextinguishedthetaper，andhandedhimthepenagain。“Addresstheletter，sir，“sheproceeded，“toAdmiralBartram，St。Crux-in-the-Marsh，Essex。Now，addthesewords，andsignthem，abovetheaddress:Tobekeptinyourownpossession，andtobeopenedbyyourselfonly，onthedayofmydeath——or\'Decease，\'ifyoupreferit——NoelVanstone。Haveyoudone？Letmelookatitagain。Quiterightineveryparticular。Acceptmycongratulations，sir。IfyourwifehasnotplottedherlastplotfortheCombe-Ravenmoney，itisnotyourfault，Mr。Noel——andnotmine！“

Findinghisattentionreleasedbythecompletionoftheletter，NoelVanstonerevertedatoncetopurelypersonalconsiderations。“Thereismypacking-uptobethoughtofnow，“hesaid。“Ican\'tgoawaywithoutmywarmthings。“

“Excuseme，sir，“rejoinedMrs。Lecount，“thereistheWilltobesignedfirst；andtheremustbetwopersonsfoundtowitnessyoursignature。“Shelookedoutofthefrontwindow，andsawthecarriagewaitingatthedoor。“Thecoachmanwilldoforoneofthewitnesses，“shesaid。“HeisinrespectableserviceatDumfries，andhecanbefoundifhehappenstobewanted。Wemusthaveoneofyourownservants，Isuppose，fortheotherwitness。Theyarealldetestablewomen；butthecookistheleastill-lookingofthethree。Sendforthecook，sir；whileIgooutandcallthecoachman。Whenwehavegotourwitnesseshere，youhaveonlytospeaktotheminthesewords:\'Ihaveadocumentheretosign，andIwishyoutowriteyournamesonit，aswitnessesofmysignature。\'Nothingmore，Mr。Noel！Saythosefewwordsinyourusualmanner——and，whenthesigningisover，Iwillseemyselftoyourpacking-up，andyourwarmthings。“

Shewenttothefrontdoor，andsummonedthecoachmantotheparlor。Onherreturn，shefoundthecookalreadyintheroom。Thecooklookedmysteriouslyoffended，andstaredwithoutintermissionatMrs。Lecount。Inaminutemorethecoachman——anelderlyman——camein。Hewasprecededbyarelishingodorofwhisky；buthisheadwasScotch；andnothingbuthisodorbetrayedhim。

“Ihaveadocumentheretosign，“saidNoelVanstone，repeatinghislesson；“andIwishyoutowriteyournamesonit，aswitnessesofmysignature。“

Thecoachmanlookedatthewill。ThecookneverremovedhereyesfromMrs。Lecount。

“Ye\'llnoobject，sir，“saidthecoachman，withthenationalcautionshowingitselfineverywrinkleonhisface——“ye\'llnoobject，sir，totellme，first，whattheDoecumentmaybe？“

Mrs。LecountinterposedbeforeNoelVanstone\'sindignationcouldexpressitselfinwords。

“Youmusttelltheman，sir，thatthisisyourWill，“shesaid。“Whenhewitnessesyoursignature，hecanseeasmuchforhimselfifhelooksatthetopofthepage。“

“Ay，ay，“saidthecoachman，lookingatthetopofthepageimmediately。“HislastWillandTestament。Hech，sirs！there\'sasairconfrontingofDeathinaDoecumentlikeyon！A\'fleshisgrass，“continuedthecoachman，exhalinganadditionalpuffofwhisky，andlookingupdevoutlyattheceiling。“Tak\'thosewordsinconnectionwiththatotherScreepture:Manyareca\'ad，butfewarechosen。Tak\'thatagain，inconnectionwithRev\'lations，ChaptertheFirst，versesOnetoFefteen。Laythewholetoheart；andwhat\'syourWalth，then？Dross，sirs！Andyourbody？(Screeptureagain。)Clayforthepotter！Andyourlife？(Screeptureoncemore。)TheBreetho\'yourNostrils！“

Thecooklistenedasifthecookwasatchurch:butsheneverremovedhereyesfromMrs。Lecount。

“Youhadbettersign，sir。ThisisapparentlysomecustomprevalentinDumfriesduringthetransactionofbusiness，“saidMrs。Lecount，resignedly。“Themanmeanswell，Idaresay。“

Sheaddedthoselastwordsinasoothingtone，forshesawthatNoelVanstone\'sindignationwasfastmergingintoalarm。Thecoachman\'soutburstofexhortationseemedtohaveinspiredhimwithfear，aswellasdisgust。

Hedippedthepenintheink，andsignedtheWillwithoututteringaword。Thecoachman(descendinginstantlyfromTheologytoBusiness)watchedthesignaturewiththemostscrupulousattention；andsignedhisownnameaswitness，withanimpliedcommentaryontheproceeding，intheformofanotherpuffofwhisky，exhaledthroughthemediumofaheavysigh。ThecooklookedawayfromMrs。Lecountwithaneffort——signedhernameinaviolenthurry——andlookedbackagainwithastart，asifsheexpectedtoseealoadedpistol(producedintheinterval)inthehousekeeper\'shands。“Thankyou，“saidMrs。Lecount，inherfriendliestmanner。Thecookshutupherlipsaggressivelyandlookedathermaster。“Youmaygo！“saidhermaster。Thecookcoughedcontemptuously，andwent。

“Weshan\'tkeepyoulong，“saidMrs。Lecount，dismissingthecoachman。“Inhalfanhour，orless，weshallbereadyforthejourneyback。“

Thecoachman\'sausterecountenancerelaxedforthefirsttime。Hesmiledmysteriously，andapproachedMrs。Lecountontiptoe。

“Ye\'llnoforgetonething，myleddy，“hesaid，withthemostingratiatingpoliteness。“Ye\'llnoforgetthewitnessingasweelasthedriving，whenyepaymeformyday\'swark！“Helaughedwithgutturalgravity；and，leavinghisatmospherebehindhim，stalkedoutoftheroom。

“Lecount，“saidNoelVanstone，assoonasthecoachmanclosedthedoor，“didIhearyoutellthatmanweshouldbereadyinhalfanhour？“

“Yes，sir。“

“Areyoublind？“

Heaskedthequestionwithanangrystampofhisfoot。Mrs。Lecountlookedathiminastonishment。

“Can\'tyouseethebruteisdrunk？“hewenton，moreandmoreirritably。“Ismylifenothing？AmItobeleftatthemercyofadrunkencoachman？Iwon\'ttrustthatmantodriveme，foranyconsiderationunderheaven！I\'msurprisedyoucouldthinkofit，Lecount。“

“Themanhasbeendrinking，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Itiseasytoseeandtosmellthat。Butheisevidentlyusedtodrinking。Ifheissoberenoughtowalkquitestraight——whichhecertainlydoes——andtosignhisnameinanexcellenthandwriting——whichyoumayseeforyourselfontheWill——IventuretothinkheissoberenoughtodriveustoDumfries。“

“Nothingofthesort！You\'reaforeigner，Lecount；youdon\'tunderstandthesepeople。Theydrinkwhiskyfrommorningtonight。Whiskyisthestrongestspiritthat\'smade；whiskyisnotoriousforitseffectonthebrain。Itellyou，Iwon\'truntherisk。Ineverwasdriven，andIneverwillbedriven，byanybodybutasoberman。“

“MustIgobacktoDumfriesbymyself，sir？“

“Andleavemehere？Leavemealoneinthishouseafterwhathashappened？HowdoIknowmywifemaynotcomebackto-night？HowdoIknowherjourneyisnotablindtomisleadme？Haveyounofeeling，Lecount？Canyouleavemeinmymiserablesituation——？“Hesankintoachairandburstoutcryingoverhisownidea，beforehehadcompletedtheexpressionofitinwords。“Toobad！“hesaid，withhishandkerchiefoverhisface——“toobad！“

Itwasimpossiblenottopityhim。Ifevermortalwaspitiable，hewastheman。Hehadbrokendownatlast，undertheconflictofviolentemotionswhichhadbeenrousedinhimsincethemorning。TheefforttofollowMrs。Lecountalongthemazesofintricatecombinationthroughwhichshehadsteadilyledtheway，hadupheldhimwhilethateffortlasted:themomentitwasatanend，hedropped。Thecoachmanhadhastenedaresult——ofwhichthecoachmanwasfarfrombeingthecause。

“Yousurpriseme——youdistressme，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Ientreatyoutocomposeyourself。Iwillstayhere，ifyouwishit，withpleasure——Iwillstayhereto-night，foryoursake。Youwantrestandquietafterthisdreadfulday。Thecoachmanshallbeinstantlysentaway，Mr。Noel。Iwillgivehimanotetothelandlordofthehotel，andthecarriageshallcomebackforusto-morrowmorning，withanothermantodriveit。“

Theprospectwhichthosewordspresentedcheeredhim。Hewipedhiseyes，andkissedMrs。Lecount\'shand。“Yes！“hesaid，faintly；“sendthecoachmanaway——andyoustophere。Yougoodcreature！YouexcellentLecount！Sendthedrunkenbruteaway，andcomebackdirectly。Wewillbecomfortablebythefire，Lecount——andhaveanicelittledinner——andtrytomakeitlikeoldtimes。“Hisweakvoicefaltered；hereturnedtothefireside，andmeltedintotearsagainunderthepatheticinfluenceofhisownidea。

Mrs。Lecountlefthimforaminutetodismissthecoachman。Whenshereturnedtotheparlorshefoundhimwithhishandonthebell。

“Whatdoyouwant，sir？“sheasked。

“Iwanttotelltheservantstogetyourroomready，“heanswered。“Iwishtoshowyoueveryattention，Lecount。“

“Youareallkindness，Mr。Noel；butwaitonemoment。Itmaybewelltohavethesepapersputoutofthewaybeforetheservantcomesinagain。IfyouwillplacetheWillandtheSealedLettertogetherinoneenvelope——andifyouwilldirectittotheadmiral——Iwilltakecarethattheinclosuresoaddressedissafelyplacedinhisownhands。Willyoucometothetable，Mr。Noel，onlyforoneminutemore？“

No！Hewasobstinate；herefusedtomovefromthefire；hewassickandtiredofwriting:hewishedhehadneverbeenborn，andheloathedthesightofpenandink。AllMrs。Lecount\'spatienceandallMrs。Lecount\'spersuasionwererequiredtoinducehimtowritetheadmiral\'saddressforthesecondtime。Sheonlysucceededbybringingtheblankenvelopetohimuponthepaper-case，andputtingitcoaxinglyonhislap。Hegrumbled，heevenswore，buthedirectedtheenvelopeatlast，intheseterms:“ToAdmiralBartram，St。Crux-in-the-Marsh。FavoredbyMrs。Lecount。“Withthatfinalactofcompliancehisdocilitycametoanend。Herefused，inthefiercestterms，tosealtheenvelope。Therewasnoneedtopressthisproceedingonhim。Hisseallayreadyonthetable，anditmatterednothingwhetherheusedit，orwhetherapersoninhisconfidenceuseditforhim。Mrs。Lecountsealedtheenvelope，withitstwoimportantinclosuresplacedsafelyinside。

Sheopenedhertraveling-bagforthelasttime，andpausingforamomentbeforesheputthesealedpacketaway，lookedatitwithatriumphtoodeepforwords。Shesmiledasshedroppeditintothebag。NottheshadowofasuspicionthattheWillmightcontainsuperfluousphrasesandexpressionswhichnopracticallawyerwouldhaveused；notthevestigeofadoubtwhethertheLetterwasquiteascompleteadocumentasapracticallawyermighthavemadeit，troubledhermind。Inblindreliance——bornofherhatredforMagdalenandherhungerforrevenge——inblindrelianceonherownabilitiesandonherfriend\'slaw，shetrustedthefutureimplicitlytothepromiseofthemorning\'swork。

Asshelockedhertraveling-bagNoelVanstonerangthebell。Onthisoccasion，thesummonswasansweredbyLouisa。

“Getthespareroomready，“saidhermaster；“thisladywillsleephereto-night。Andairmywarmthings；thisladyandIaregoingawayto-morrowmorning。“

ThecivilandsubmissiveLouisareceivedherordersinsullensilence——dartedanangrylookathermaster\'simpenetrableguest——andlefttheroom。Theservantswereevidentlyallattachedtotheirmistress\'sinterests，andwereallofoneopiniononthesubjectofMrs。Lecount。

“That\'sdone！“saidNoelVanstone，withasighofinfiniterelief。“Comeandsitdown，Lecount。Let\'sbecomfortable——let\'sgossipoverthefire。“

Mrs。Lecountacceptedtheinvitationanddrewaneasy-chairtohisside。Hetookherhandwithaconfidentialtenderness，andhelditinhiswhilethetalkwenton。Astranger，lookinginthroughthewindow，wouldhavetakenthemformotherandson，andwouldhavethoughttohimself:“Whatahappyhome！“

Thegossip，ledbyNoelVanstone，consistedasusualofanendlessstringofquestions，andwasdevotedentirelytothesubjectofhimselfandhisfutureprospects。WherewouldLecounttakehimtowhentheywentawaythenextmorning？WhytoLondon？WhyshouldhebeleftinLondon，whileLecountwentontoSt。CruxtogivetheadmiraltheLetterandtheWill？Becausehiswifemightfollowhim，ifhewenttotheadmiral\'s？Well，therewassomethinginthat。Andbecauseheoughttobesafelyconcealedfromher，insomecomfortablelodging，nearMr。Loscombe？WhynearMr。Loscombe？Ah，yes，tobesure——toknowwhatthelawwoulddotohelphim。WouldthelawsethimfreefromtheWretchwhohaddeceivedhim？HowtiresomeofLecountnottoknow！Wouldthelawsayhehadgoneandmarriedhimselfasecondtime，becausehehadbeenlivingwiththeWretch，likehusbandandwife，inScotland？Anythingthatpubliclyassumedtobeamarriagewasamarriage(hehadheard)inScotland。HowexcessivelytiresomeofLecounttositthereandsaysheknewnothingaboutit！WashetostaylonginLondonbyhimself，withnobodybutMr。Loscombetospeakto？WouldLecountcomebacktohimassoonasshehadputthoseimportantpapersintheadmiral\'sownhands？WouldLecountconsiderherselfstillinhisservice？ThegoodLecount！theexcellentLecount！Andafterallthelaw-businesswasover——whatthen？WhynotleavethishorridEnglandandgoabroadagain？WhynotgotoFrance，tosomecheapplacenearParis？SayVersailles？saySt。Germain？InanicelittleFrenchhouse——cheap？WithaniceFrenchbonnetocook——whowouldn\'twastehissubstanceinthegrease-pot？Withanicelittlegarden——wherehecouldworkhimself，andgethealth，andsavetheexpenseofkeepingagardener？Itwasn\'tabadidea。Anditseemedtopromisewellforthefuture——didn\'tit，Lecount？

Soheranon——thepoorweakcreature！theabject，miserablelittleman！

AsthedarknessgatheredatthecloseoftheshortNovemberdayhebegantogrowdrowsy——hisceaselessquestionscametoanendatlast——hefellasleep。Thewindoutsidesangitsmournfulwinter-song；thetrampofpassingfootsteps，therollofpassingwheelsontheroadceasedindrearysilence。Hesleptonquietly。Thefirelightroseandfellonhiswizenlittlefaceandhisnervous，droopinghands。Mrs。Lecounthadnotpitiedhimyet。Shebegantopityhimnow。Herpointwasgained；herinterestinhiswillwassecured；hehadputhisfuturelife，ofhisownaccord，underherfosteringcare——thefirewascomfortable；thecircumstanceswerefavorabletothegrowthofChristianfeeling。“Poorwretch！“saidMrs。Lecount，lookingathimwithagravecompassion——“poorwretch！“

Thedinner-hourrousedhim。Hewascheerfulatdinner；herevertedtotheideaofthecheaplittlehouseinFrance；hesmirkedandsimpered；andtalkedFrenchtoMrs。Lecount，whilethehouse-maidandLouisawaited，turnandturnabout，underprotest。Whendinnerwasover，hereturnedtohiscomfortablechairbeforethefire，andMrs。Lecountfollowedhim。Heresumedtheconversation——whichmeant，inhiscase，repeatinghisquestions。Buthewasnotsoquickandreadywiththemashehadbeenearlierintheday。Theybegantoflag——theycontinued，atlongerandlongerintervals——theyceasedaltogether。Towardnineo\'clockhefellasleepagain。

Itwasnotaquietsleepthistime。Hemuttered，andgroundhisteeth，androlledhisheadfromsidetosideofthechair。Mrs。Lecountpurposelymadenoiseenoughtorousehim。Hewoke，withavacanteyeandaflushedcheek。Hewalkedabouttheroomrestlessly，withanewideainhismind——theideaofwritingaterribleletter；aletterofeternalfarewelltohiswife。Howwasittobewritten？Inwhatlanguageshouldheexpresshisfeelings？ThepowersofShakespearehimselfwouldbeunequaltotheemergency！Hehadbeenthevictimofanoutrageentirelywithoutparallel。Awretchhadcreptintohisbosom！Aviperhadhiddenherselfathisfireside！Wherecouldwordsbefoundtobrandherwiththeinfamyshedeserved？Hestopped，withasuffocatingsenseinhimofhisownimpotentrage——hestopped，andshookhisfisttremulouslyintheemptyair。

Mrs。Lecountinterferedwithanenergyandaresolutioninspiredbyseriousalarm。Aftertheheavystrainthathadbeenlaidonhisweaknessalready，suchanoutbreakofpassionateagitationaswasnowburstingfromhimmightbethedestructionofhisrestthatnightandofhisstrengthtotravelthenextday。Withinfinitedifficulty，withendlesspromisestoreturntothesubject，andtoadvisehimaboutitinthemorning，sheprevailedonhim，atlast，togoupstairsandcomposehimselfforthenight。Shegavehimherarmtoassisthim。Onthewayupstairshisattention，tohergreatrelief，becamesuddenlyabsorbedbyanewfancy。Herememberedacertainwarmandcomfortablemixtureofwine，eggs，sugar，andspices，whichshehadoftenbeenaccustomedtomakeforhiminformertimes，andwhichhethoughtheshouldrelishexceedinglybeforehewenttobed。Mrs。Lecounthelpedhimonwithhisdressing-gown——thenwentdown-stairsagaintomakehiswarmdrinkforhimattheparlorfire。

Sherangthebellandorderedthenecessaryingredientsforthemixture，inNoelVanstone\'sname。Theservants，withthesmallingeniousmaliceoftheirrace，broughtupthematerialsonebyone，andkeptherwaitingforeachofthemaslongaspossible。Shehadgotthesaucepan，andthespoon，andthetumbler，andthenutmeg-grater，andthewine——butnottheegg，thesugar，orthespices——whensheheardhimabove，walkingbackwardandforwardnoisilyinhisroom；excitinghimselfontheoldsubjectagain，beyondalldoubt。

Shewentupstairsoncemore；buthewastooquickforher——heheardheroutsidethedoor；andwhensheopenedit，shefoundhiminhischair，withhisbackcunninglyturnedtowardher。Knowinghimtoowelltoattemptanyremonstrance，shemerelyannouncedthespeedyarrivalofthewarmdrinkandturnedtoleavetheroom。Onherwayout，shenoticedatableinacorner，withaninkstandandapaper-caseonit，andtried，withoutattractinghisattention，totakethewritingmaterialsaway。Hewastooquickforheragain。Heasked，angrily，ifshedoubtedhispromise。Sheputthewritingmaterialsbackonthetable，forfearofoffendinghim，andlefttheroom。

Inhalfanhourmorethemixturewasready。Shecarriedituptohim，foamingandfragrant，inalargetumbler。“Hewillsleepafterthis，“shethoughttoherself，assheopenedthedoor；“Ihavemadeitstrongerthanusualonpurpose。“

Hehadchangedhisplace。Hewassittingatthetableinthecorner——stillwithhisbacktoher，writing。Thistimehisquickearshadnotservedhim；thistimeshecaughthiminthefact。

“Oh，Mr。Noel！Mr。Noel！“shesaid，reproachfully，“whatisyourpromiseworth？“

Hemadenoanswer。Hewassittingwithhisleftelbowonthetable，andwithhisheadrestingonhislefthand。Hisrighthandlaybackonthepaper，withthepenlyinglooseinit。“Yourdrink，Mr。Noel，“shesaid，inakindertone，feelingunwillingtooffendhim。Hetooknonoticeofher。Shewenttothetabletorousehim。Washedeepinthought？

Hewasdead！

THEENDOFTHEFIFTHSCENE。

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，BetweentheScenesBETWEENTHESCENES。PROGRESSOFTHESTORYTHROUGHTHEPOST。I。FromMrs。NoelVanstonetoMr。Loscombe。

“ParkTerrace，St。John\'sWood，November5th。

“DEARSIR——IcametoLondonyesterdayforthepurposeofseeingarelative，leavingMr。VanstoneatBaliolCottage，andproposingtoreturntohiminthecourseoftheweek。IreachedLondonlatelastnight，anddrovetotheselodgings，havingwrittentosecureaccommodationbeforehand。

“Thismorning\'sposthasbroughtmealetterfrommyownmaid，whomIleftatBaliolCottage，withinstructionstowritetomeifanythingextraordinarytookplaceinmyabsence。Youwillfindthegirl\'sletterinclosedinthis。Ihavehadsomeexperienceofher；andIbelievesheistobestrictlydependedontotellthetruth。

“Ipurposelyabstainfromtroublingyoubyanyuselessallusionstomyself。Whenyouhavereadmymaid\'sletter，youwillunderstandtheshockwhichthenewscontainedinithascausedme。IcanonlyrepeatthatI

placeimplicitbeliefinherstatement。Iamfirmlypersuadedthatmyhusband\'sformerhousekeeperhasfoundhimout，haspracticedonhisweaknessinmyabsence，andhasprevailedonhimtomakeanotherWill。FromwhatI

knowofthiswoman，IfeelnodoubtthatshehasusedherinfluenceoverMr。Vanstonetodepriveme，ifpossible，ofallfutureinterestsinmyhusband\'sfortune。

“Undersuchcircumstancesasthese，itisinthelastdegreeimportant——formorereasonsthanIneedmentionhere——thatIshouldseeMr。Vanstone，andcometoanexplanationwithhim，attheearliestpossibleopportunity。

Youwillfindthatmymaidthoughtfullykeptherletteropenuntilthelastmomentbeforepost-time——without，however，havinganylaternewstogivemethanthatMrs。LecountwastosleepatthecottagelastnightandthatsheandMr。Vanstoneweretoleavetogetherthismorning。Butforthatlastpieceofintelligence，IshouldhavebeenonmywaybacktoScotlandbeforenow。Asitis，IcannotdecideformyselfwhatIoughttodonext。

MygoingbacktoDumfries，afterMr。Vanstonehasleftit，seemsliketakingajourneyfornothing——andmystayinginLondonappearstobealmostequallyuseless。

“Willyoukindlyadvisemeinthisdifficulty？IwillcometoyouatLincoln\'sInnatanytimethisafternoonorto-morrowwhichyoumayappoint。

Mynextfewhoursareengaged。Assoonasthisletterisdispatched，I

amgoingtoKensington，withtheobjectofascertainingwhethercertaindoubtsIfeelaboutthemeansbywhichMrs。Lecountmayhaveaccomplishedherdiscoveryarewellfoundedornot。Ifyouwillletmehaveyouranswerbyreturnofpost，IwillnotfailtogetbacktoSt。John\'sWoodintimetoreceiveit。Believeme，dearsir，yourssincerely，MAGDALENVANSTONE。“

II。FromMr。LoscombetoMrs。NoelVanstone。

“Lincoln\'sInn，November5th。

“DEARMADAM——Yourletteranditsinclosurehavecausedmegreatconcernandsurprise。Pressureofbusinessallowsmenohopeofbeingabletoseeyoueitherto-dayorto-morrowmorning。Butifthreeo\'clockto-morrowafternoonwillsuityou，atthathouryouwillfindmeatyourservice。

“IcannotpretendtoofferapositiveopinionuntilIknowmoreoftheparticularsconnectedwiththisextraordinarybusinessthanIfindcommunicatedeitherinyourletterorinyourmaid\'s。Butwiththisreserve，IventuretosuggestthatyourremaininginLondonuntilto-morrowmaypossiblyleadtootherresultsbesidesyourconsultationatmychambers。ThereisatleastachancethatyouorImayhearsomethingfurtherinthisstrangematterbythemorning\'spost。Iremain，dearmadam，faithfullyyours，JOHNLOSCOMBE。“

III。FromMrs。NoelVanstonetoMissGarth。

“November5th，Twoo\'Clock。

“IhavejustreturnedfromWestmorelandHouse——afterpurposelyleavingitinsecret，andpurposelyavoidingyouunderyourownroof。YoushallknowwhyIcame，andwhyIwentaway。Itisduetomyremembranceofoldtimesnottotreatyoulikeastranger，althoughIcanneveragaintreatyoulikeafriend。

“IsetforthonthethirdfromtheNorthtoLondon。MyonlyobjectintakingthislongjourneywastoseeNorah。Ihadbeensufferingformanywearyweekspastsuchremorseasonlymiserablewomenlikemecanfeel。

Perhapsthesufferingweakenedme；perhapsitrousedsomeoldforgottentenderness——Godknows！——Ican\'texplainit；IcanonlytellyouthatI

begantothinkofNorahbyday，andtodreamofNorahbynight，tillI

wasalmostheartbroken。IhavenobetterreasonthanthistogiveforrunningalltheriskswhichIran，andcomingtoLondontoseeher。Idon\'twishtoclaimmoreformyselfthanIdeserve；Idon\'twishtotellyouIwasthereformedandrepentingcreaturewhomyoumighthaveapproved。

IhadonlyonefeelinginmethatIknowof。IwantedtoputmyarmsroundNorah\'sneck，andcrymyheartoutonNorah\'sbosom。Childishenough，I

daresay。Somethingmighthavecomeofit；nothingmighthavecomeofit——whoknows？

“IhadnomeansoffindingNorahwithoutyourassistance。HoweveryoumightdisapproveofwhatIhaddone，Ithoughtyouwouldnotrefusetohelpmetofindmysister。WhenIlaydownlastnightinmystrangebed，Isaidtomyself，\'IwillaskMissGarth，formyfather\'ssakeandmymother\'ssake，totellme。\'Youdon\'tknowwhatacomfortIfeltinthatthought。

Howshouldyou？Whatdogoodwomenlikeyouknowofmiserablesinnerslikeme？Allyouknowisthatyouprayforusatchurch。

“Well，Ifellasleephappilythatnight——forthefirsttimesincemymarriage。Whenthemorningcame，Ipaidthepenaltyofdaringtobehappyonlyforonenight。Whenthemorningcame，alettercamewithit，whichtoldmethatmybitterestenemyonearth(youhavemeddledsufficientlywithmyaffairstoknowwhatenemyImean)hadrevengedherselfonmeinmyabsence。Infollowingtheimpulsewhichledmetomysister，Ihadgonetomyruin。

“Themischiefwasbeyondallpresentremedy，whenIreceivedthenewsofit。Whateverhadhappened，whatevermighthappen，ImadeupmymindtopersistinmyresolutionofseeingNorahbeforeIdidanythingelse。

Isuspectedyouofbeingconcernedinthedisasterwhichhadovertakenme——becauseIfeltpositivelycertainatAldboroughthatyouandMrs。Lecounthadwrittentoeachother。ButIneversuspectedNorah。IfIlayonmydeath-bedatthismomentIcouldsaywithasafeconscienceIneversuspectedNorah。

“SoIwentthismorningtoWestmorelandHousetoaskyouformysister\'saddress，andtoacknowledgeplainlythatIsuspectedyouofbeingagainincorrespondencewithMrs。Lecount。

“WhenIinquiredforyouatthedoor，theytoldmeyouhadgoneout，butthatyouwereexpectedbackbeforelong。TheyaskedmeifIwouldseeyoursister，whowasthenintheschool-room。Idesiredthatyoursistershouldonnoaccountbedisturbed:mybusinesswasnotwithher，butwithyou。Ibeggedtobeallowedtowaitinaroombymyselfuntilyoureturned。

“Theyshowedmeintothedoubleroomontheground-floor，dividedbycurtains——asitwaswhenIlastrememberit。Therewasafireintheouterdivisionoftheroom，butnoneintheinner；andforthatreason，Isuppose，thecurtainsweredrawn。Theservantwasverycivilandattentivetome。

Ihavelearnedtobethankfulforcivilityandattention，andIspoketoherascheerfullyasIcould。Isaidtoher，\'IshallseeMissGarthhere，asshecomesuptothedoor，andIcanbeckonherinthroughthelongwindow。\'

TheservantsaidIcoulddoso，ifyoucamethatway，butthatyouletyourselfinsometimeswithyourownkeybytheback-gardengate；andifyoudidthis，shewouldtakecaretoletyouknowofmyvisit。Imentionthesetrifles，toshowyouthattherewasnopre-meditateddeceitinmymindwhenIcametothehouse。

“Iwaitedawearytime，andyounevercame:Idon\'tknowwhethermyimpatiencemademethinkso，orwhetherthelargefireburningmadetheroomreallyashotasIfeltittobe——Ionlyknowthat，afterawhile，Ipassedthroughthecurtainsintotheinnerroom，totrythecooleratmosphere。

“Iwalkedtothelongwindowwhichleadsintothebackgarden，tolookout，andalmostatthesametimeIheardthedooropened——thedooroftheroomIhadjustleft，andyourvoiceandthevoiceofsomeotherwoman，astrangertome，talking。Thestrangerwasoneoftheparlor-boarders，Idaresay。Igatheredfromthefirstwordsyouexchangedtogether，thatyouhadmetinthepassage——sheonherwaydownstairs，andyouonyourwayinfromthebackgarden。Hernextquestionandyournextanswerinformedmethatthispersonwasafriendofmysister\'s，whofeltastronginterestinher，andwhoknewthatyouhadjustreturnedfromavisittoNorah。

Sofar，Ionlyhesitatedtoshowmyself，becauseIshrank，inmypainfulsituation，fromfacingastranger。ButwhenIheardmyownnameimmediatelyafterwardonyourlipsandonhers，thenIpurposelycamenearertothecurtainbetweenus，andpurposelylistened。

“Ameanaction，youwillsay？Callitmean，ifyoulike。WhatbettercanyouexpectfromsuchawomanasIam？

“Youwerealwaysfamousforyourmemory。Thereisnonecessityformyrepeatingthewordsyouspoketoyourfriend，andthewordsyourfriendspoketoyou，hardlyanhoursince。Whenyoureadtheselines，youwillknow，aswellasIknow，whatthosewordstoldme。Iaskfornoparticulars；

Iwilltakeallyourreasonsandallyourexcusesforgranted。ItisenoughformetoknowthatyouandMr。Pendrilhavebeensearchingformeagain，andthatNorahisintheconspiracythistime，toreclaimmeinspiteofmyself。Itisenoughformetoknowthatmylettertomysisterhasbeenturnedintoatraptocatchme，andthatMrs。Lecount\'srevengehasaccomplisheditsobjectbymeansofinformationreceivedfromNorah\'slips。

“ShallItellyouwhatIsufferedwhenIheardthesethings？No；itwouldonlybeawasteoftimetotellyou。WhateverIsuffer，Ideserveit——don\'tI？

“Iwaitedinthatinnerroom——knowingmyownviolenttemper，andnottrustingmyselftoseeyou，afterwhatIhadheard——Iwaitedinthatinnerroom，tremblinglesttheservantshouldtellyouofmyvisitbeforeIcouldfindanopportunityofleavingthehouse。Nosuchmisfortunehappened。

Theservant，nodoubt，heardthevoicesupstairs，andsupposedthatwehadmeteachotherinthepassage。Idon\'tknowhowlongorhowshortatimeitwasbeforeyoulefttheroomtogoandtakeoffyourbonnet——youwent，andyourfriendwentwithyou。Iraisedthelongwindowsoftly，andsteppedintothebackgarden。ThewaybywhichyoureturnedtothehousewasthewaybywhichIleftit。Noblameattachestotheservant。Asusual，whereIamconcerned，nobodyistoblamebutme。

“Timeenoughhaspassednowtoquietmymindalittle。YouknowhowstrongIam？YourememberhowIusedtofightagainstallmyillnesseswhenIwasachild？NowIamawoman，Ifightagainstmymiseriesinthesameway。Don\'tpityme，MissGarth！Don\'tpityme！

“IhavenoharshfeelingagainstNorah。ThehopeIhadofseeingherisahopetakenfromme；theconsolationIhadinwritingtoherisaconsolationdeniedmeforthefuture。Iamcuttotheheart；butIhavenoangryfeelingtowardmysister。Shemeanswell，poorsoul——Idaresayshemeanswell。

Itwoulddistressher，ifsheknewwhathashappened。Don\'ttellher。Concealmyvisit，andburnmyletter。

“AlastwordtoyourselfandIhavedone:

“IfIrightlyunderstandmypresentsituation，yourspiesarestillsearchingformetojustaslittlepurposeastheysearchedatYork。Dismissthem——youarewastingyourmoneytonopurpose。Ifyoudiscoveredmeto-morrow，whatcouldyoudo？Mypositionhasaltered。Iamnolongerthepooroutcastgirl，thevagabondpublicperformer，whomyouoncehuntedafter。IhavedonewhatItoldyouIwoulddo——Ihavemadethegeneralsenseofproprietymyaccomplicethistime。DoyouknowwhoIam？Iamarespectablemarriedwoman，accountableformyactionstonobodyunderheavenbutmyhusband。

Ihavegotaplaceintheworld，andanameintheworld，atlast。Eventhelaw，whichisthefriendofallyourespectablepeople，hasrecognizedmyexistence，andhasbecomemyfriendtoo！TheArchbishopofCanterburygavemehislicensetobemarried，andthevicarofAldboroughperformedtheservice。IfIfoundyourspiesfollowingmeinthestreet，andifI

chosetoclaimprotectionfromthem，thelawwouldacknowledgemyclaim。

Youforgetwhatwondersmywickednesshasdoneforme。IthasmadeNobody\'sChildSomebody\'sWife。

“Ifyouwillgivetheseconsiderationstheirdueweight；ifyouwillexertyourexcellentcommonsense，Ihavenofearofbeingobligedtoappealtomynewly-foundfriendandprotector——thelaw。Youwillfeel，bythistime，thatyouhavemeddledwithmeatlasttosomepurpose。IamestrangedfromNorah——Iamdiscoveredbymyhusband——IamdefeatedbyMrs。Lecount。

Youhavedrivenmetothelastextremity；youhavestrengthenedmetofightthebattleofmylifewiththeresolutionwhichonlyalostandfriendlesswomancanfeel。Badlyasyourschemeshaveprospered，theyhavenotprovedtotallyuselessafterall！

“Ihavenomoretosay。IfyoueverspeakaboutmetoNorah，tellherthatadaymaycomewhenshewillseemeagain——thedaywhenwetwosistershaverecoveredournaturalrights；thedaywhenIputNorah\'sfortuneintoNorah\'shand。

“Thosearemylastwords。Rememberthemthenexttimeyoufeeltemptedtomeddlewithmeagain。

MAGDALENVANSTONE。“

IV。FromMr。LoscombetoMrs。NoelVanstone。

“Lincoln\'sInn，November6th。

“DEARMADAM——Thismorning\'sposthasdoubtlessbroughtyouthesameshockingnewswhichithasbroughttome。Youmustknowbythistimethataterribleafflictionhasbefallenyou——theafflictionofyourhusband\'ssuddendeath。

“IamonthepointofstartingfortheNorth，tomakeallneedfulinquiries，andtoperformwhateverdutiesImaywithproprietyundertake，assolicitortothedeceasedgentleman。LetmeearnestlyrecommendyounottofollowmetoBaliolCottage，untilIhavehadtimetowritetoyoufirst，andtogiveyousuchadviceasIcannot，throughignoranceofallthecircumstances，pretendtooffernow。Youmayrelyonmywriting，aftermyarrivalinScot-land，bythefirstpost。Iremain，dearmadam，faithfullyyours，JOHNLOSCOMBE。“

V。FromMr。PendriltoMissGarth。

“SerleStreet，November6th。

“DEARMISSGARTH——IreturnyouMrs。NoelVanstone\'sletter。Icanunderstandyourmortificationatthetoneinwhichitiswritten，andyourdistressatthemannerinwhichthisunhappywomanhasinterpretedtheconversationthatsheoverheardatyourhouse。IcannothonestlyaddthatIlamentwhathashappened。MyopinionhasneveralteredsincetheCombe-Raventime。

IbelieveMrs。NoelVanstonetobeoneofthemostreckless，desperate，andpervertedwomenliving；andanycircumstancesthatestrangeherfromhersisterarecircumstanceswhichIwelcome，forhersister\'ssake。

“Therecannotbeamoment\'sdoubtonthecourseyououghttofollowinthismatter。EvenMrs。NoelVanstoneherselfacknowledgestheproprietyofsparinghersisteradditionalandunnecessarydistress。Byallmeans，keepMissVanstoneinignoranceofthevisittoKensington，andoftheletterwhichhasfollowedit。Itwouldbenotonlyunwise，butabsolutelycruel，toenlightenher。Ifwehadanyremedytoapply，orevenanyhopetooffer，wemightfeelsomehesitationinkeepingoursecret。Butthereisnoremedy，andnohope。Mrs。NoelVanstoneisperfectlyjustifiedintheviewshetakesofherownposition。NeitheryounorIcanassertthesmallestrighttocontrolher。

“Ihavealreadytakenthenecessarymeasuresforputtinganendtoouruselessinquiries。InafewdaysIwillwritetoMissVanstone，andwilldomybesttotranquilizehermindonthesubjectofhersister。IfIcanfindnosufficientexcusetosatisfyher，itwillbebettersheshouldthinkwehavediscoverednothingthanthatsheshouldknowthetruth。Believememosttrulyyours，WILLIAMPENDRIL。“

VI。FromMr。LoscombetoMrs。NoelVanstone。

“Lincoln\'sInn，November15th。

“Private。

“DEARMADAM——Incompliancewithyourrequest，Inowproceedtocommunicatetoyouinwritingwhat(butforthecalamitywhichhassorecentlybefallenyou)Ishouldhavepreferredcommunicatingbywordofmouth。Bepleasedtoconsiderthisletterasstrictlyconfidentialbetweenyourselfandme。

“Iinclose，asyoudesire，acopyoftheWillexecutedbyyourlatehusbandonthethirdofthismonth。Therecanbenoquestionofthegenuinenessoftheoriginaldocument。Iprotested，asamatterofform，againstAdmiralBartram\'ssolicitorassumingapositionofauthorityatBaliolCottage。

Buthetooktheposition，nevertheless；actingaslegalrepresentativeofthesoleExecutorunderthesecondWill。IamboundtosayIshouldhavedonethesamemyselfinhisplace。

“Theseriousquestionfollows，Whatcanwedoforthebestinyourinterests？

TheWillexecutedundermyprofessionalsuperintendence，onthethirtiethofSeptemberlast，isatpresentsupersededandrevokedbythesecondandlaterWill，executedonthethirdofNovember。Canwedisputethisdocument？

“IdoubtthepossibilityofdisputingthenewWillonthefaceofit。

Itisnodoubtirregularlyexpressed；butitisdated，signed，andwitnessedasthelawdirects；andtheperfectlysimpleandstraightforwardprovisionsthatitcontainsareinnorespect，thatIcansee，technicallyopentoattack。

“Thisbeingthecase，canwedisputetheWillonthegroundthatithasbeenexecutedwhentheTestatorwasnotinafitstatetodisposeofhisownproperty？orwhentheTestatorwassubjectedtoundueandimproperinfluence？

“Inthefirstofthesecases，themedicalevidencewouldputanobstacleinourway。WecannotassertthatpreviousillnesshadweakenedtheTestator\'smind。Itisclearthathediedsuddenly，asthedoctorshadallalongdeclaredhewoulddie，ofdiseaseoftheheart。Hewasoutwalkinginhisgarden，asusual，onthedayofhisdeath；heateaheartydinner；noneofthepersonsinhisservicenoticedanychangeinhim；hewasalittlemoreirritablewiththemthanusual，butthatwasall。Itisimpossibletoattackthestateofhisfaculties:thereisnocasetogointocourtwith，sofar。

“Canwedeclarethatheactedunderundueinfluence；or，inplainerterms，undertheinfluenceofMrs。Lecount？

“Thereareseriousdifficulties，again，inthewayoftakingthiscourse。

Wecannotassert，forexample，thatMrs。Lecounthasassumedaplaceinthewillwhichshehasnofairclaimtooccupy。Shehascunninglylimitedherownlegacy，notonlytowhatisfairlydueher，buttowhatthelateMr。MichaelVanstonehimselfhadtheintentionofleavingher。IfIwereexaminedonthesubject，IshouldbecompelledtoacknowledgethatIhadheardhimexpressthisintentionmyself。ItisonlythetruthtosaythatIhaveheardhimexpressitmorethanonce。ThereisnopointofattackinMrs。Lecount\'slegacy，andthereisnopointofattackinyourlatehusband\'schoiceofanexecutor。Hehasmadethewisechoice，andthenaturalchoice，oftheoldestandtrustiestfriendhehadintheworld。

“Onemoreconsiderationremains——themostimportantwhichIhaveyetapproached，andthereforetheconsiderationwhichIhavereservedtothelast。OnthethirtiethofSeptember，theTestatorexecutesawill，leavinghiswidowsoleexecutrix，withalegacyofeightythousandpounds。OnthethirdofNovemberfollowing，heexpresslyrevokesthiswill，andleavesanotherinitsstead，inwhichhiswidowisneveroncementioned，andinwhichthewholeresidueofhisestate，afterpaymentofonecomparativelytriflinglegacy，islefttoafriend。

“Itrestsentirelywithyoutosaywhetheranyvalidreasoncanorcannotbeproducedtoexplainsuchanextraordinaryproceedingasthis。Ifnoreasoncanbeassigned——andIknowofnonemyself——Ithinkwehaveapointherewhichdeservesourcarefulconsideration；foritmaybeapointwhichisopentoattack。PrayunderstandthatIamnowappealingtoyousolelyasalawyer，whoisobligedtolookallpossibleeventualitiesintheface。Ihavenowishtointrudeonyourprivateaffairs；Ihavenowishtowriteawordwhichcouldbeconstruedintoanyindirectreflectiononyourself。

“Ifyoutellmethat，sofarasyouknow，yourhusbandcapriciouslystruckyououtofhiswill，withoutassignablereasonormotivefordoingso，andwithoutotherobviousexplanationofhisconductthanthatheactedinthismatterentirelyundertheinfluenceofMrs。Lecount，IwillimmediatelytakeCounsel\'sopiniontouchingtheproprietyofdisputingthewillonthisground。If，ontheotherhand，youtellmethattherearereasons(knowntoyourself，thoughunknowntome)fornottakingthecourseIpropose，Iwillacceptthatintimationwithouttroublingyou，unlessyouwishit，toexplainyourselffurther。Inthislatterevent，Iwillwritetoyouagain；forIshallthenhavesomethingmoretosay，whichmaygreatlysurpriseyou，onthesubjectoftheWill。

“Faithfullyyours，“JOHNLOSCOMBE。“

VII。FromMrs。NoelVanstonetoMr。Loscombe。

“November16th。

“DEARSIR——Acceptmybestthanksforthekindnessandconsiderationwithwhichyouhavetreatedme；andlettheanxietiesunderwhichIamnowsufferingpleadmyexcuse，ifIreplytoyourletterwithoutceremony，inthefewestpossiblewords。

“Ihavemyownreasonsfornothesitatingtoansweryourquestioninthenegative。Itisimpossibleforustogotolaw，asyoupropose，onthesubjectoftheWill。

“Believeme，dearsir，yoursgratefully，“MAGDALENVANSTONE。“

VIII。FromMr。LoscombetoMrs。NoelVanstone。

“Lincoln\'sInn。November17th。

“DEARMADAM——Ibegtoacknowledgethereceiptofyourletter，answeringmyproposalinthenegative，forreasonsofyourown。Underthesecircumstances——onwhichIoffernocomment——Ibegtoperformmypromiseofagaincommunicatingwithyouonthesubjectofyourlatehusband\'sWill。

“Besokindastolookatyourcopyofthedocument。Youwillfindthattheclausewhichdevisesthewholeresidueofyourhusband\'sestatetoAdmiralBartramendsintheseterms:tobebyhimappliedtosuchusesashemaythinkfit。

“Simpleastheymayseemtoyou，theseareveryremarkablewords。Inthefirstplace，nopracticallawyerwouldhaveusedthemindrawingyourhusband\'swill。Inthesecondplace，theyareutterlyuselesstoserveanyplainstraightforwardpurpose。Thelegacyisleftunconditionallytotheadmiral；andinthesamebreathheistoldthathemaydowhathelikeswithit！Thephrasepointsclearlytooneoftwoconclusions。Ithaseitherdroppedfromthewriter\'speninpureignorance，orithasbeencarefullysetwhereitappearstoservethepurposeofasnare。Iamfirmlypersuadedthatthelatterexplanationistherightone。Thewordsareexpresslyintendedtomisleadsomeperson——yourselfinallprobability——andthecunningwhichhasputthemtothatuseisacunningwhich(asconstantlyhappenswhenuninstructedpersonsmeddlewithlaw)hasoverreacheditself。Mythirtyyears\'experiencereadsthosewordsinasenseexactlyoppositetothesensewhichtheyareintendedtoconvey。IsaythatAdmiralBartramisnotfreetoapplyhislegacytosuchpurposesashemaythinkfit；

IbelieveheisprivatelycontrolledbyasupplementarydocumentintheshapeofaSecretTrust。

“IcaneasilyexplaintoyouwhatImeanbyaSecretTrust。ItisusuallycontainedintheformofaletterfromaTestatortohisExecutors，privatelyinformingthemoftestamentaryintentionsonhispartwhichhehasnotthoughtproperopenlytoacknowledgeinhiswill。Ileaveyouahundredpounds；andIwriteaprivateletterenjoiningyou，ontakingthelegacy，nottodevoteittoyourownpurposes，buttogiveittosomethirdperson，whosenameIhavemyownreasonsfornotmentioninginmywill。ThatisaSecretTrust。

“IfIamrightinmyownpersuasionthatsuchadocumentasIheredescribeisatthismomentinAdmiralBartram\'spossession——apersuasionbased，inthefirstinstance，ontheextraordinarywordsthatIhavequotedtoyou；and，inthesecondinstance，onpurelylegalconsiderationswithwhichitisneedlesstoincumbermyletter——ifIamrightinthisopinion，thediscoveryoftheSecretTrustwouldbe，inallprobability，amostimportantdiscoverytoyourinterests。Iwillnottroubleyouwithtechnicalreasons，orwithreferencestomyexperienceinthesematters，whichonlyaprofessionalmancouldunderstand。IwillmerelysaythatIdon\'tgiveupyourcauseasutterlylost，untiltheconvictionnowimpressedonmyownmindisprovedtobewrong。

“Icanaddnomore，whilethisimportantquestionstillremainsinvolvedindoubt；neithercanIsuggestanymeansofsolvingthatdoubt。IftheexistenceoftheTrustwasproved，andifthenatureofthestipulationscontainedinitwasmadeknowntome，IcouldthensaypositivelywhatthelegalchanceswereofyourbeingabletosetupaCaseonthestrengthofit:andIcouldalsotellyouwhetherIshouldorshouldnotfeeljustifiedinpersonallyundertakingthatCaseunderaprivatearrangementwithyourself。

“Asthingsare，Icanmakenoarrangement，andoffernoadvice。Icanonlyputyouconfidentiallyinpossessionofmyprivateopinion，leavingyouentirelyfreetodrawyourowninferencesfromit，andregrettingthatIcannotwritemoreconfidentlyandmoredefinitelythanIhavewrittenhere。AllthatIcouldconscientiouslysayonthisverydifficultanddelicatesubject，Ihavesaid。

“Believeme，dearmadam，faithfullyyours，“JOHNLOSCOMBE。

“P。S——Iomittedoneconsiderationinmylastletter，whichImaymentionhere，inordertoshowyouthatnopointinconnectionwiththecasehasescapedme。IfithadbeenpossibletoshowthatMr。VanstonewasdomiciledinScotlandatthetimeofhisdeath，wemighthaveassertedyourinterestsbymeansoftheScotchlaw，whichdoesnotallowahusbandthepowerofabsolutelydisinheritinghiswife。ButitisimpossibletoassertthatMr。VanstonewaslegallydomiciledinScotland。Hecamethereasavisitoronly；heoccupiedafurnishedhousefortheseason；andheneverexpressed，eitherbywordordeed，theslightestintentionofsettlingpermanentlyintheNorth。“

IX。FromMrs。NoelVanstonetoMr。Loscombe。

“DEARSIR——Ihavereadyourlettermorethanonce，withthedeepestinterestandattention；andtheoftenerIreadit，themorefirmlyIbelievethatthereisreallysuchaLetterasyoumentioninAdmiralBartram\'shands。

“Itismyinterestthatthediscoveryshouldbemade，andIatonceacknowledgetoyouthatIamdeterminedtofindthemeansofsecretlyandcertainlymakingit。Myresolutionrestsonothermotivesthanthemotiveswhichyoumightnaturallysupposewouldinfluenceme。Ionlytellyouthis，incaseyoufeelinclinedtoremonstrate。ThereisgoodreasonforwhatIsay，whenIassureyouthatremonstrancewillbeuseless。

“Iaskfornoassistanceinthismatter；Iwilltroublenobodyforadvice。

Youshallnotbeinvolvedinanyrashproceedingsonmypart。Whateverdangertheremaybe，Iwillriskit。Whateverdelaysmayhappen，Iwillbearthempatiently。Iamlonelyandfriendless，andsurelytroubledinmind，butIamstrongenoughtowinmywaythroughworsetrialsthanthese。

Myspiritswillriseagain，andmytimewillcome。IfthatSecretTrustisinAdmiralBartram\'spossession——whenyounextseeme，youshallseemewithitinmyownhands。Yoursgratefully，MAGDALENVANSTONE。“

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene6，Chapter1THESIXTHSCENE。

ST。JOHN\'SWOOD。

CHAPTERI。

ITwantedlittlemorethanafortnighttoChristmas；buttheweathershowednosignsyetofthefrostandsnow，conventionallyassociatedwiththecomingseason。Theatmospherewasunnaturallywarm，andtheoldyearwasdyingfeeblyinsappingrainandenervatingmist。

TowardthecloseoftheDecemberafternoon，MagdalensataloneinthelodgingwhichshehadoccupiedsinceherarrivalinLondon。Thefireburnedsluggishlyinthenarrowlittlegrate；theviewofthewethousesandsoakinggardensoppositewasdarkeningfast；andthebellofthesuburbanmuffin-boytinkledinthedistancedrearily。Sittingcloseoverthefire，withalittlemoneylyinglooseinherlap，Magdalenabsentlyshiftedthecoinstoandfroonthesmoothsurfaceofherdress，incessantlyalteringtheirpositionstowardeachother，asiftheywerepiecesofa“child\'spuzzle“whichshewastryingtoputtogether。Thedimfire-lightflaminguponherfaintlyfromtimetotimeshowedchangeswhichwouldhavetoldtheirowntalesadlytofriendsofformerdays。Herdresshadbecomeloosethroughthewastingofherfigure；butshehadnotcaredtoalterit。Theoldrestlessnessinhermovements，theoldmobilityinherexpression，appearednomore。Herfacepassivelymaintaineditshaggardcomposure，itschangelessunnaturalcalm。Mr。Pendrilmighthavesoftenedhishardsentenceonher，ifhehadseenhernow；andMrs。Lecount，intheplenitudeofhertriumph，mighthavepitiedherfallenenemyatlast。

Hardlyfourmonthshadpassedsincethewedding-dayatAldborough，andthepenaltyforthatdaywaspaidalready——paidinunavailingremorse，inhopelessisolation，inirremediabledefeat！Letthisbesaidforher；letthetruthwhichhasbeentoldofthefaultbetoldoftheexpiationaswell。Letitberecordedofherthatsheenjoyednosecrettriumphonthedayofhersuccess。Thehorrorofherselfwithwhichherownacthadinspiredher，hadrisentoitsclimaxwhenthedesignofhermarriagewasachieved。ShehadneversufferedinsecretasshesufferedwhentheCombe-Ravenmoneywaslefttoherinherhusband\'swill。Shehadneverfeltthemeanstakentoaccomplishherendsounutterablydegradingtoherself，asshefeltthemonthedaywhentheendwasreached。Outofthatfeelinghadgrowntheremorsewhichhadhurriedhertoseekpardonandconsolationinhersister\'slove。Neversinceithadfirstenteredherheart，neversinceshehadfirstfeltitsacredtoheratherfather\'sgrave，hadthePurposetowhichshehadvowedherself，sonearlylostitsholdonherasatthistime。NevermightNorah\'sinfluencehaveachievedsuchgoodasonthedaywhenthatinfluencewaslost——thedaywhenthefatalwordswereoverheardatMissGarth\'s——thedaywhenthefatalletterfromScotlandtoldofMrs。Lecount\'srevenge。

Theharmwasdone；thechancewasgone。TimeandHopealikehadbothpassedherby。

Faintlyandmorefaintlytheinnervoicesnowpleadedwithhertopauseonthedownwardway。Thediscoverywhichhadpoisonedherheartwithitsfirstdistrustofhersister；thetidingswhichhadfolloweditofherhusband\'sdeath；thestingofMrs。Lecount\'striumph，feltthroughall，haddonetheirwork。Theremorsewhichhadembitteredhermarriedlifewasdeadenednowtoadulldespair。Itwastoolatetomaketheatonementofconfession——toolatetolaybaretothemiserablehusbandthedeepersecretsthathadoncelurkedintheheartofthemiserablewife。InnocentofallthoughtofthehideoustreacherywhichMrs。Lecounthadimputedtoher——shewasguiltyofknowinghowhishealthwasbrokenwhenshemarriedhim；guiltyofknowing，whenhelefthertheCombe-Ravenmoney，thattheaccidentofamoment，harmlesstoothermen，mightplacehislifeinjeopardy，andeffectherrelease。Hisdeathhadtoldherthis——hadtoldherplainlywhatshehadshrunk，inhislifetime，fromopenlyacknowledgingtoherself。Fromthedulltormentofthatreproach；fromthedrearywretchednessofdoubtingeverybody，eventoNorahherself；fromthebittersenseofherdefeatedschemes；fromtheblanksolitudeofherfriendlesslife——whatrefugewasleft？Butonerefugenow。SheturnedtotherelentlessPurposewhichwashurryinghertoherruin，andcriedtoitwiththedaringofherdespair——Drivemeon！

Fordaysanddaystogethershehadbenthermindontheoneobjectwhichoccupieditsinceshehadreceivedthelawyer\'sletter。Fordaysanddaystogethershehadtoiledtomeetthefirstnecessityofherposition——tofindameansofdiscoveringtheSecretTrust。Therewasnohope，thistime，ofassistancefromCaptainWragge。Longpracticehadmadetheoldmilitia-mananadeptintheartofvanishing。Theplowofthemoralagriculturistleftnofurrows——notatraceofhimwastobefound！Mr。Loscombewastoocautioustocommithimselftoanactivecourseofanykind；hepassivelymaintainedhisopinionsandlefttheresttohisclient——hedesiredtoknownothinguntiltheTrustwasplacedinhishands。Magdalen\'sinterestswerenowinMagdalen\'sownsolecare。Riskornorisk，whatshedidnextshemustdobyherself。

Theprospecthadnotdauntedher。Aloneshehadcalculatedthechancesthatmightbetried。Aloneshewasnowdeterminedtomaketheattempt。

“Thetimehascome，“shesaidtoherself，asshesatoverthefire。“ImustsoundLouisafirst。“

Shecollectedthescatteredcoinsinherlap，andplacedtheminalittleheaponthetable，thenroseandrangthebell。Thelandladyansweredit。

“Ismyservantdownstairs？“inquiredMagdalen。

“Yes，ma\'am。Sheishavinghertea。“

“Whenshehasdone，sayIwantheruphere。Waitamoment。Youwillfindyourmoneyonthetable——themoneyIoweyouforlastweek。Canyoufindit？orwouldyouliketohaveacandle？“

“It\'sratherdark，ma\'am。“

Magdalenlitacandle。“WhatnoticemustIgiveyou，“sheasked，assheputthecandleonthetable，“beforeIleave？“

“Aweekistheusualnotice，ma\'am。Ihopeyouhavenoobjectiontomaketothehouse？“

“Nonewhatever。Ionlyaskthequestion，becauseImaybeobligedtoleavetheselodgingsrathersoonerthanIanticipated。Isthemoneyright？“

“Quiteright，ma\'am。Hereisyourreceipt。“

“Thankyou。Don\'tforgettosendLouisatomeassoonasshehasdonehertea。“

Thelandladywithdrew。Assoonasshewasaloneagain，Magdalenextinguishedthecandle，anddrewanemptychairclosetoherownchaironthehearth。Thisdone，sheresumedherformerplace，andwaiteduntilLouisaappeared。Therewasdoubtinherfaceasshesatlookingmechanicallyintothefire。“Apoorchance，“shethoughttoherself；“but，poorasitis，achancethatImusttry。“