第18章

Itwashishabit，inthesecasesofBacchanalianemergency，tostaggerobstinatelyintohisroomontheground-floor，totakethemodel-shipoutofthecupboard，andtotryifhecouldproceedwiththenever-to-be-completedemploymentofsettinguptherigging。Whenhehadsmashedthetinyspars，andsnappedasunderthedelicateropes——then，andnottillthen，theveteranadmittedfactsastheywere，ontheauthorityofpracticalevidence。“Ay！ay！“heusedtosayconfidentiallytohimself，“thewomenareright。Drunkagain，Mazey——drunkagain！“Havingreachedthisdiscovery，itwashishabittowaitcunninglyinthelowerregionsuntiltheadmiralwassafeinhisroom，andthentoascendindiscreetlistslipperstohispost。Toowarytoattemptgettingintothetruckle-bed(whichwouldhavebeenonlyinvitingthecatastropheofafallagainsthismaster\'sdoor)，healwayswalkedhimselfsoberupanddownthepassage。MorethanonceMagdalenhadpeepedroundthescreen，andhadseentheoldsailorunsteadilykeepinghiswatch，andfancyinghimselfoncemoreathisdutyonboardship。“Thisisanuncommonlylivelyvesselinasea-way，“heusedtomutterunderhisbreath，whenhislegstookhimdownthepassageinzigzagdirections，orlefthimforthemomentstudyingthe“PintsoftheCompass“onhisownsystem，withhisbackagainstthewall。“Anastynight，mindyou，“hewouldmaunderon，takinganotherturn。“Asdarkasyourpocket，andthewindheadingusagainfromtheoldquarter。“OnthenextdayoldMazey，likethedogs，waskeptdownstairsindisgrace。Onthedayafter，likethedogsagain，hewasreinstatedinhisprivileges；andanotherchangewasintroducedintheafter-dinnerformula。Onenteringtheroom，theoldsailorstoppedshortandmadehisexcusesinthisbriefyetcomprehensiveformofwords，withhisbackagainstthedoor:“Pleaseyourhonor，I\'mashamedofmyself。“Sotheapologybeganandended。“Thismustn\'thappenagain，Mazey，“theadmiralusedtoanswer。“Itshan\'thappenagain，yourhonor。““Verygood。Comehere，anddrinkyourglassofwine。GodblesstheQueen，Mazey。“Theveterantossedoffhisport，andthedialogueendedasusual。

Sothedayspassed，withnoincidentsmoreimportantthanthesetorelievetheirmonotony，untiltheendofthefourthweekwasathand。

Onthelastday，aneventhappened；onthelastday，thelongdeferredpromiseofthefutureunexpectedlybegantodawn。WhileMagdalenwasspreadingtheclothinthedining-room，asusual，Mrs。Drakelookedin，andinstructedheronthisoccasion，forthefirsttime，tolaythetablefortwopersons。Theadmiralhadreceivedaletterfromhisnephew。EarlythateveningMr。GeorgeBartramwasexpectedtoreturntoSt。Crux。

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene7，Chapter3CHAPTERIII

AFTERplacingthesecondcover，Magdalenawaitedtheringingofthedinner-bell，withaninterestandimpatiencewhichshefounditnoeasytasktoconceal。ThereturnofMr。Bartramwould，inallprobability，produceachangeinthelifeofthehouse；andfromchangeofanykind，nomatterhowtrifling，somethingmightbehoped。Thenephewmightbeaccessibletoinfluenceswhichhadfailedtoreachtheuncle。Inanycase，thetwowouldtalkoftheiraffairsovertheirdinner；andthroughthattalk——proceedingdayafterdayinherpresence——thewaytodiscovery，nowabsolutelyinvisible，might，soonerorlater，showitself。

Atlastthebellrang，thedooropened，andthetwogentlemenenteredtheroomtogether。

Magdalenwasstruck，ashersisterhadbeenstruck，byGeorgeBartram\'sresemblancetoherfather——judgingbytheportraitatCombe-Raven，whichpresentedthelikenessofAndrewVanstoneinhisyoungerdays。Thelighthairandfloridcomplexion，thebrightblueeyesandhardyuprightfigure，familiartoherinthepicture，wereallrecalledtohermemory，asthenephewfollowedtheuncleacrosstheroomandtookhisplaceattable。Shewasnotpreparedforthissuddenrevivalofthelostassociationsofhome。Herattentionwanderedasshetriedtoconcealitseffectonher；andshemadeablunderinwaitingattable，forthefirsttimesinceshehadenteredthehouse。

Aquaintreprimandfromtheadmiral，halfinjest，halfinearnest，gavehertimetorecoverherself。SheventuredanotherlookatGeorgeBartram。Theimpressionwhichheproducedonherthistimerousedhercuriosityimmediately。Hisfaceandmannerplainlyexpressedanxietyandpreoccupationofmind。Helookedoftenerathisplatethanathisuncle，andatMagdalenherself(exceptonepassinginspectionofthenewparlor-maid，whentheadmiralspoketoher)heneverlookedatall。Someuncertaintywasevidentlytroublinghisthoughts；someoppressionwasweighingonhisnaturalfreedomofmanner。Whatuncertainty？whatoppression？Wouldanypersonalrevelationscomeout，littlebylittle，inthecourseofconversationatthedinner-table？

No。Onesetofdishesfollowedanothersetofdishes，andnothingintheshapeofapersonalrevelationtookplace。Theconversationhaltedonirregularly，betweenpublicaffairsononesideandtriflingprivatetopicsontheother。Politics，homeandforeign，tooktheirturnwiththesmallhouseholdhistoryofSt。Crux；theleadersoftherevolutionwhichexpelledLouisPhilippefromthethroneofFrancemarchedsidebyside，inthedinner-tablereview，witholdMazeyandthedogs。Thedessertwasputonthetable，theoldsailorcamein，drankhisloyaltoast，paidhisrespectsto“MasterGeorge，“andwentoutagain。Magdalenfollowedhim，onherwaybacktotheservants\'offices，havingheardnothingintheconversationoftheslightestimportancetothefurtheranceofherowndesign，fromthefirstwordofittothelast。Shestruggledhardnottoloseheartandhopeonthefirstday。Theycouldhardlytalkagainto-morrow，theycouldhardlytalkagainthenextday，oftheFrenchRevolutionandthedogs。Timemightdowondersyet；andtimewasallherown。

Lefttogetherovertheirwine，theuncleandnephewdrewtheireasy-chairsoneithersideofthefire；and，inMagdalen\'sabsence，begantheveryconversationwhichitwasMagdalen\'sinteresttohear。

“Claret，George？“saidtheadmiral，pushingthebottleacrossthetable。“Youlookoutofspirits。“

“Iamalittleanxious，sir，“repliedGeorge，leavinghisglassempty，andlookingstraightintothefire。

“Iamgladtohearit，“rejoinedtheadmiral。“Iammorethanalittleanxiousmyself，Icantellyou。HereweareatthelastdaysofMarch——andnothingdone！YourtimecomestoanendonthethirdofMay；andthereyousit，asifyouhadyearsstillbeforeyou，toturnroundin。“

Georgesmiled，andresignedlyhelpedhimselftosomewine。

“AmIreallytounderstand，sir，“heasked，“thatyouareseriousinwhatyousaidtomelastNovember？Areyouactuallyresolvedtobindmetothatincomprehensiblecondition？“

“Idon\'tcallitincomprehensible，“saidtheadmiral，irritably。

“Don\'tyou，sir？Iamtoinherityourestate，unconditionally——asyouhavegenerouslysettleditfromthefirst。ButIamnottotouchafarthingofthefortunepoorNoelleftyouunlessIammarriedwithinacertaintime。Thehouseandlandsaretobemine(thankstoyourkindness)underanycircumstances。ButthemoneywithwhichImightimprovethembothistobearbitrarilytakenawayfromme，ifIamnotamarriedmanonthethirdofMay。Iamsadlywantinginintelligence，Idaresay，butamoreincomprehensibleproceedingIneverheardof！“

“Nosnappingandsnarling，George！Sayyoursayout。Wedon\'tunderstandsneeringinHerMajesty\'sNavy！“

“Imeannooffense，sir。ButIthinkit\'salittlehardtoastonishmebyachangeofproceedingonyourpart，entirelyforeigntomyexperienceofyourcharacter——andthen，whenInaturallyaskforanexplanation，toturnroundcoollyandleavemeinthedark。IfyouandNoelcametosomeprivatearrangementtogetherbeforehemadehiswill，whynottellme？Whysetupamysterybetweenus，wherenomysteryneedbe？“

“Iwon\'thaveit，George！“criedtheadmiral，angrilydrummingonthetablewiththenutcrackers。“Youaretryingtodrawmelikeabadger，butIwon\'tbedrawn！I\'llmakeanyconditionsIplease；andI\'llbeaccountabletonobodyforthemunlessIlike。It\'squitebadenoughtohaveworriesandresponsibilitieslaidonmyunluckyshouldersthatIneverbargainedfor——nevermindwhatworries:they\'renotyours，they\'remine——withoutbeingquestionedandcross-questionedasifIwasawitnessinabox。Here\'saprettyfellow！“continuedtheadmiral，apostrophizinghisnephewinred-hotirritation，andaddressinghimselftothedogsonthehearth-rugforwantofabetteraudience。“Here\'saprettyfellow？Heisaskedtohelphimselftotwouncommonlycomfortablethingsintheirway——afortuneandawife；heisallowedsixmonthstogetthewifein(weshouldhavegother，intheNavy，bagandbaggage，insixdays)；hehasarounddozenofnicegirls，tomycertainknowledge，inonepartofthecountryandanother，allathisdisposaltochoosefrom，andwhatdoeshedo？Hesitsmonthaftermonth，withhislazylegscrossedbeforehim；heleavesthegirlstopineonthestem，andhebothershisuncletoknowthereasonwhy！Ipitythepoorunfortunatewomen。Menweremadeoffleshandblood，andplentyofit，too，inmytime。They\'remadeofmachinerynow。“

“Icanonlyrepeat，sir，Iamsorrytohaveoffendedyou，“saidGeorge。

“Pooh！pooh！youneedn\'tlookatmeinthatlanguishingwayifyouare，“retortedtheadmiral。“Sticktoyourwine，andI\'llforgiveyou。Yourgoodhealth，George。I\'mgladtoseeyouagainatSt。Crux。Lookatthatplatefulofsponge-cakes！Thecookhassentthemupinhonorofyourreturn。Wecan\'thurtherfeelings，andwecan\'tspoilourwine。Here！“——Theadmiraltossedfoursponge-cakesinquicksuccessiondowntheaccommodatingthroatsofthedogs。“Iamsorry，George，“theoldgentlemangravelyproceeded；“Iamreallysorryyouhaven\'tgotyoureyeononeofthosenicegirls。Youdon\'tknowwhatalossyou\'reinflictingonyourself；youdon\'tknowwhattroubleandmortificationyou\'recausingmebythisshilly-shallyconductofyours。“

“Ifyouwouldonlyallowmetoexplainmyself，sir，youwouldviewmyconductinatotallydifferentlight。Iamreadytomarryto-morrow，iftheladywillhaveme。“

“Thedevilyouare！Soyouhavegotaladyinyoureye，afterall？WhyinHeaven\'snamecouldn\'tyoutellmesobefore？Nevermind，I\'llforgiveyoueverything，nowIknowyouhavelaidyourhandonawife。Fillyourglassagain。Here\'sherhealthinabumper。By-the-by，whoisshe？“

“I\'lltellyoudirectly，admiral。Whenwebeganthisconversation，ImentionedthatIwasalittleanxious——“

“She\'snotoneofmyrounddozenofnicegirls——aha，MasterGeorge，Iseethatinyourfacealready！Whyareyouanxious？“

“Iamafraidyouwilldisapproveofmychoice，sir。“

“Don\'tbeataboutthebush！HowthedeucecanIsaywhetherIdisapproveornot，ifyouwon\'ttellmewhosheis？“

“SheistheeldestdaughterofAndrewVanstone，ofCombe-Raven。“

“Who！！！“

“MissVanstone，sir。“

Theadmiralputdownhisglassofwineuntasted。

“You\'reright，George，“hesaid。“Idodisapproveofyourchoice——stronglydisapproveofit。“

“Isitthemisfortuneofherbirth，sir，thatyouobjectto？“

“Godforbid！themisfortuneofherbirthisnotherfault，poorthing。YouknowaswellasIdo，George，whatIobjectto。“

“Youobjecttohersister？“

“Certainly！Themostliberalmanalivemightobjecttohersister，Ithink。“

“It\'shard，sir，tomakeMissVanstonesufferforhersister\'sfaults。“

“Faults，doyoucallthem？Youhaveamightyconvenientmemory，George，whenyourowninterestsareconcerned。“

“Callthemcrimesifyoulike，sir——Isayagain，it\'shardonMissVanstone。MissVanstone\'slifeispureofallreproach。Fromfirsttolastshehasborneherhardlotwithsuchpatience，andsweetness，andcourageasnotonewomaninathousandwouldhaveshowninherplace。AskMissGarth，whohasknownherfromchildhood。AskMrs。Tyrrel，whoblessesthedaywhenshecameintothehouse——“

“Askafiddlestick\'send！Ibegyourpardon，George，butyouareenoughtotrythepatienceofasaint。Mygoodfellow，Idon\'tdenyMissVanstone\'svirtues。I\'lladmit，ifyoulike，she\'sthebestwomanthateverputonapetticoat。Thatisnotthequestion——“

“Excuseme，admiral——itisthequestion，ifsheistobemywife。“

“Hearmeout，George；lookatitfrommypointofview，aswellasyourown。WhatdidyourcousinNoeldo？YourcousinNoelfellavictim，poorfellow，tooneofthevilestconspiraciesIeverheardof，andtheprimemoverofthatconspiracywasMissVanstone\'sdamnablesister。Shedeceivedhiminthemostinfamousmanner；andassoonasshewasdownforahandsomelegacyinhiswill，shehadthepoisonreadytotakehislife。Thisisthetruth；weknowitfromMrs。Lecount，whofoundthebottlelockedupinherownroom。IfyoumarryMissVanstone，youmakethiswretchyoursister-in-law。Shebecomesamemberofourfamily。Allthedisgraceofwhatshehasdone；allthedisgraceofwhatshemaydo——andtheDevil，whopossessesher，onlyknowswhatlengthsshemaygotonext——becomesourdisgrace。Goodheavens，George，considerwhatapositionthatis！Considerwhatpitchyoutouch，ifyoumakethiswomanyoursister-in-law。“

“Youhaveputyoursideofthequestion，admiral，“saidGeorgeresolutely；“nowletmeputmine。AcertainimpressionisproducedonmebyayoungladywhomImeetwithunderveryinterestingcircumstances。Idon\'tactheadlongonthatimpression，asImighthavedoneifIhadbeensomeyearsyounger；Iwait，andputittothetrial。EverytimeIseethisyoungladytheimpressionstrengthens；herbeautygrowsonme，hercharactergrowsonme；whenIamawayfromher，Iamrestlessanddissatisfied；whenIamwithher，Iamthehappiestmanalive。AllIhearofherconductfromthosewhoknowherbestmorethanconfirmsthehighopinionIhaveformedofher。TheonedrawbackIcandiscoveriscausedbyamisfortuneforwhichsheisnotresponsible——themisfortuneofhavingasisterwhoisutterlyunworthyofher。Doesthisdiscovery——anunpleasantdiscovery，Igrantyou——destroyallthosegoodqualitiesinMissVanstoneforwhichIloveandadmireher？Nothingofthesort——itonlymakeshergoodqualitiesallthemoreprecioustomebycontrast。IfIamtohaveadrawbacktocontendwith——andwhoexpectsanythingelseinthisworld？——Iwouldinfinitelyratherhavethedrawbackattachedtomywife\'ssisterthantomywife。Mywife\'ssisterisnotessentialtomyhappiness，butmywifeis。Inmyopinion，sir，Mrs。NoelVanstonehasdonemischiefenoughalready。Idon\'tseethenecessityoflettingherdomoremischief，bydeprivingmeofagoodwife。Rightorwrong，thatismypointofview。Idon\'twishtotroubleyouwithanyquestionsofsentiment。AllIwishtosayisthatIamoldenoughbythistimetoknowmyownmind，andthatmymindismadeup。Ifmymarriageisessentialtotheexecutionofyourintentionsonmybehalf，thereisonlyonewomanintheworldwhomIcanmarry，andthatwomanisMissVanstone。“

Therewasnoresistingthisplaindeclaration。AdmiralBartramrosefromhischairwithoutmakinganyreply，andwalkedperturbedlyupanddowntheroom。

Thesituationwasemphaticallyaseriousone。Mrs。Girdlestone\'sdeathhadalreadyproducedthefailureofoneofthetwoobjectscontemplatedbytheSecretTrust。IfthethirdofMayarrivedandfoundGeorgeasingleman，thesecond(andlast)oftheobjectswouldthenhavefailedinitsturn。Inlittlemorethanafortnight，attheverylatest，theBannsmustbepublishedinOssorychurch，orthetimewouldfailforcompliancewithoneofthestipulationsinsistedonintheTrust。Obstinateastheadmiralwasbynature，stronglyashefelttheobjectionswhichattachedtohisnephew\'scontemplatedalliance，herecoiledinspiteofhimself，ashepacedtheroomandsawthefactsoneithersideimmovablystaringhimintheface。

“AreyouengagedtoMissVanstone？“heasked，suddenly。

“No，sir，“repliedGeorge。“Ithoughtitduetoyouruniformkindnesstometospeaktoyouonthesubjectfirst。“

“Muchobliged，I\'msure。Andyouhaveputoffspeakingtometothelastmoment，justasyouputoffeverythingelse。DoyouthinkMissVanstonewillsayyeswhenyouaskher？“

Georgehesitated。

“Thedeviltakeyourmodesty！“shoutedtheadmiral。“Thisisnotatimeformodesty；thisisatimeforspeakingout。Willsheorwon\'tshe？“

“Ithinkshewill，sir。“

Theadmirallaughedsardonically，andtookanotherturnintheroom。Hesuddenlystopped，puthishandsinhispockets，andstoodstillinacorner，deepinthought。Afteranintervalofafewminutes，hisfaceclearedalittle；itbrightenedwiththedawningofanewidea。HewalkedroundbrisklytoGeorge\'ssideofthefire，andlaidhishandkindlyonhisnephew\'sshoulder。

“You\'rewrong，George，“hesaid；“butitistoolatenowtosetyouright。OnthesixteenthofnextmonththeBannsmustbeputupinOssorychurch，oryouwilllosethemoney。HaveyoutoldMissVanstonethepositionyoustandin？Orhaveyouputthatofftotheeleventhhour，likeeverythingelse？“

“Thepositionissoextraordinary，sir，anditmightleadtosomuchmisapprehensionofmymotives，thatIhavefeltunwillingtoalludetoit。IhardlyknowhowIcantellherofitatall。“

“Trytheexperimentoftellingherfriends。Letthemknowit\'saquestionofmoney，andtheywillovercomeherscruples，ifyoucan\'t。ButthatisnotwhatIhadtosaytoyou。Howlongdoyouproposestoppingherethistime？“

“Ithoughtofstayingafewdays，andthen——“

“AndthenofgoingbacktoLondonandmakingyouroffer，Isuppose？WillaweekgiveyoutimeenoughtopickyouropportunitywithMissVanstone——aweekoutofthefortnightorsothatyouhavetospare？“

“Iwillstayhereaweek，admiral，withpleasure，ifyouwishit。“

“Idon\'twishit。Iwantyoutopackupyourtrapsandbeoffto-morrow。“

Georgelookedathisuncleinsilentastonishment。

“Youfoundsomeletterswaitingforyouwhenyougothere，“proceededtheadmiral。“Wasoneofthoselettersfrommyoldfriend，SirFranklinBrock？“

“Yes，sir。“

“WasitaninvitationtoyoutogoandstayattheGrange？“

“Yes，sir。“

“Togoatonce？“

“Atonce，ifIcouldmanageit。“

“Verygood。Iwantyoutomanageit；IwantyoutostartfortheGrangeto-morrow。“

Georgelookedbackatthefire，andsighedimpatiently。

“Iunderstandyounow，admiral，“hesaid。“Youareentirelymistakeninme。MyattachmenttoMissVanstoneisnottobeshakeninthatmanner。“

AdmiralBartramtookhisquarter-deckwalkagain，upanddowntheroom。

“Onegoodturndeservesanother，George，“saidtheoldgentleman。“IfIamwillingtomakeconcessionsonmyside，theleastyoucandoistomeetmehalf-way，andmakeconcessionsonyours。“

“Idon\'tdenyit，sir。“

“Verywell。Nowlistentomyproposal。Givemeafairhearing，George——afairhearingiseveryman\'sprivilege。Iwillbeperfectlyjusttobeginwith。Iwon\'tattempttodenythatyouhonestlybelieveMissVanstoneistheonlywomanintheworldwhocanmakeyouhappy。Idon\'tquestionthat。WhatIdoquestionis，whetheryoureallyknowyourownmindinthismatterquitesowellasyouthinkyouknowityourself。Youcan\'tdeny，George，thatyouhavebeeninlovewithagoodmanywomeninyourtime？Amongtherestofthem，youhavebeeninlovewithMissBrock。Nolongeragothanthistimelastyeartherewasasneakingkindnessbetweenyouandthatyounglady，tosaytheleastofit。Andquiteright，too！MissBrockisoneofthatrounddozenofdarlingsImentionedoverourfirstglassofwine。“

“Youareconfusinganidleflirtation，sir，withaseriousattachment，“saidGeorge。“Youarealtogethermistaken——youare，indeed。“

“Likelyenough；Idon\'tpretendtobeinfallible——Ileavethattomyjuniors。ButIhappentohaveknownyou，George，sinceyouweretheheightofmyoldtelescope；andIwanttohavethisseriousattachmentofyoursputtothetest。IfyoucansatisfymethatyourwholeheartandsoulareasstronglysetonMissVanstoneasyousupposethemtobe，Imustknockundertonecessity，andkeepmyobjectionstomyself。ButImustbesatisfiedfirst。GototheGrangeto-morrow，andstaythereaweekinMissBrock\'ssociety。Givethatcharminggirlafairchanceoflightinguptheoldflameagainifshecan，andthencomebacktoSt。Crux，andletmeheartheresult。Ifyoutellme，asanhonestman，thatyourattachmenttoMissVanstonestillremainsunshaken，youwillhaveheardthelastofmyobjectionsfromthatmoment。WhatevermisgivingsImayfeelinmyownmind，Iwillsaynothing，anddonothing，adversetoyourwishes。Thereismyproposal。Idaresayitlookslikeanoldman\'sfolly，inyoureyes。Buttheoldmanwon\'ttroubleyoumuchlonger，George；anditmaybeapleasantreflection，whenyouhavegotsonsofyourown，torememberthatyouhumoredhiminhislastdays。“

Hecamebacktothefire-placeashesaidthosewords，andlaidhishandoncemoreonhisnephew\'sshoulder。Georgetookthehandandpresseditaffectionately。Inthetenderestandbestsenseoftheword，hisunclehadbeenafathertohim。

“Iwilldowhatyouaskme，sir，“hereplied，“ifyouseriouslywishit。Butitisonlyrighttotellyouthattheexperimentwillbeperfectlyuseless。However，ifyouprefermypassingaweekattheGrangetomypassingithere，totheGrangeIwillgo。“

“Thankyou，George，“saidtheadmiral，bluntly。“Iexpectedasmuchfromyou，andyouhavenotdisappointedme——IfMissBrockdoesn\'tgetusoutofthismess，“thoughtthewilyoldgentleman，asheresumedhisplaceatthetable，“mynephew\'sweather-cockofaheadhasturnedsteadywithavengeance！——We\'llconsiderthequestionsettledforto-night，George，“hecontinued，aloud，“andcallanothersubject。Thesefamilyanxietiesdon\'timprovetheflavorofmyoldclaret。Thebottlestandswithyou。WhataretheydoingatthetheatersinLondon？Wealwayspatronizedthetheaters，inmytime，intheNavy。Weusedtolikeagoodtragedytobeginwith，andahornpipetocheerusupattheendoftheentertainment。“

Fortherestoftheevening，thetalkflowedintheordinarychannels。AdmiralBartramonlyreturnedtotheforbiddensubjectwhenheandhisnephewpartedforthenight。

“Youwon\'tforgetto-morrow，George？“

“Certainlynot，sir。I\'lltakethedog-cart，anddrivemyselfoverafterbreakfast。“

BeforenoonthenextdayMr。GeorgeBartramhadleftthehouse，andthelastchanceinMagdalen\'sfavorhadleftitwithhim。

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，Scene7，Chapter4CHAPTERIV。

WHENtheservants\'dinner-bellatSt。CruxrangasusualonthedayofGeorgeBartram\'sdeparture，itwasremarkedthatthenewparlor-maid\'splaceattableremainedempty。Oneoftheinferiorservantswassenttoherroomtomakeinquiries，andreturnedwiththeinformationthat“Louisa“feltalittlefaint，andbeggedthatherattendanceattablemightbeexcusedforthatday。Uponthis，thesuperiorauthorityofthehousekeeperwasinvoked，andMrs。Drakewentupstairsimmediatelytoascertainthetruthforherself。Herfirstlookofinquirysatisfiedherthattheparlor-maid\'sindisposition，whateverthecauseofitmightbe，wascertainlynotassumedtoserveanyidleorsullenpurposeofherown。Sherespectfullydeclinedtakinganyoftheremedieswhichthehousekeeperoffered，andmerelyrequestedpermissiontotrytheefficacyofawalkinthefreshair。

“Ihavebeenaccustomedtomoreexercise，ma\'am，thanItakehere，“shesaid。“MightIgointothegarden，andtrywhattheairwilldoforme？“

“Certainly。Canyouwalkbyyourself，orshallIsendsomeonewithyou？“

“Iwillgobymyself，ifyouplease，ma\'am。“

“Verywell。Putonyourbonnetandshawl，and，whenyougetout，keepintheeastgarden。Theadmiralsometimeswalksinthenorthgarden，andhemightfeelsurprisedatseeingyouthere。Cometomyroom，whenyouhavehadairandexerciseenough，andletmeseehowyouare。“

InafewminutesmoreMagdalenwasoutintheeastgarden。Theskywasclearandsunny；butthecoldshadowofthehouserestedonthegardenwalkandchilledthemiddayair。Shewalkedtowardtheruinsoftheoldmonastery，situatedonthesouthsideofthemoremodernrangeofbuildings。Heretherewerelonelyopenspacestobreatheinfreely；herethepaleMarchsunshinestolethroughthegapsofdesolationanddecay，andmetherinvitinglywiththegenialpromiseofspring。

Sheascendedthreeorfourrivenstonesteps，andseatedherselfonsomeruinedfragmentsbeyondthem，fullinthesunshine。Theplaceshehadchosenhadoncebeentheentrancetothechurch。Incenturieslonggoneby，thestreamofhumansinandhumansufferinghadflowed，dayafterday，totheconfessional，overtheplacewhereshenowsat。Ofallthemiserablewomenwhohadtroddenthoseoldstonesinthebygonetime，nomoremiserablecreaturehadtouchedthemthanthewomanwhosefeetrestedonthemnow。

Herhandstrembledassheplacedthemoneithersideofher，tosupportherselfonthestoneseat。Shelaidthemonherlap；theytrembledthere。Sheheldthemout，andlookedatthemwonderingly；theytrembledasshelooked。“Likeanoldwoman！“shesaid，faintly，andletthemdropagainatherside。

Forthefirsttime，thatmorning，thecrueldiscoveryhadforceditselfonhermind——thediscoverythatherstrengthwasfailingher，atthetimewhenshehadmostconfidentlytrustedtoit，atthetimewhenshewanteditmost。ShehadfeltthesurpriseofMr。Bartram\'sunexpecteddeparture，asifithadbeentheshockoftheseverestcalamitythatcouldhavebefallenher。Thatonechecktoherhopes——acheckwhichatothertimeswouldonlyhaverousedtheresistingpowerinhertonewefforts——hadstruckherwithassuffocatingaterror，hadprostratedherwithasall-masteringadespair，asifshehadbeenoverwhelmedbythecrowningdisasterofexpulsionfromSt。Crux。Butonewarningcouldbereadinsuchachangeasthis。Intothespaceoflittlemorethanayearshehadcrowdedthewearingandwastingemotionsofalife。Thebountifulgiftsofhealthandstrength，soprodigallyheapedonherbyNature，solongabusedwithimpunity，werefailingheratlast。

Shelookedupatthefarfaintblueofthesky。Sheheardthejoyoussingingofbirdsamongtheivythatclothedtheruins。Ohthecolddistanceoftheheavens！Ohthepitilesshappinessofthebirds！Ohthelonelyhorrorofsittingthere，andfeelingoldandweakandworn，intheheydayofheryouth！Sherosewithalasteffortofresolution，andtriedtokeepbackthehystericalpassionswellingatherheartbymovingandlookingabouther。Rapidlyandmorerapidlyshewalkedtoandfrointhesunshine。Theexercisehelpedher，throughtheveryfatiguethatshefeltfromit。Sheforcedtherisingtearsdesperatelybacktotheirsources；shefoughtwiththeclingingpain，andwrencheditfromitshold。Littlebylittlehermindbegantoclearagain:thedespairingfearofherselfgrewlessvividlypresenttoherthoughts。Therewerereservesofyouthandstrengthinherstilltobewasted；therewasaspiritsorelywounded，butnotyetsubdued。

Shegraduallyextendedthelimitsofherwalk；shegraduallyrecoveredtheexerciseofherobservation。

Atthewesternextremitytheremainsofthemonasterywereinalessruinousconditionthanattheeastern。Incertainplaces，wherethestoutoldwallsstillstood，repairshadbeenmadeatsomeformertime。Roofsofredtilehadbeenlaidroughlyoverfouroftheancientcells；woodendoorshadbeenadded；andtheoldmonasticchambershadbeenusedasshedstoholdthemultifariouslumberofSt。Crux。Nopadlocksguardedanyofthedoors。Magdalenhadonlytopushthemtoletthedaylightinonthelitterinside。Sheresolvedtoinvestigatetheshedsoneaftertheother——notfromcuriosity，notwiththeideaofmakingdiscoveriesofanysort。Heronlyobjectwastofillupthevacanttime，andtokeepthethoughtsthatunnervedherfromreturningtohermind。

Thefirstshedsheopenedcontainedthegardener\'sutensils，largeandsmall。Thesecondwaslitteredwithfragmentsofbrokenfurniture，emptypicture-framesofworm-eatenwood，shatteredvases，boxeswithoutcovers，andbookstornfromtheirbindings。AsMagdalenturnedtoleavetheshed，afteronecarelessglanceroundheratthelumberthatitcontained，herfootstrucksomethingonthegroundwhichtinkledagainstafragmentofchinalyingnearit。Shestooped，anddiscoveredthatthetinklingsubstancewasarustykey。

Shepickedupthekeyandlookedatit。Shewalkedoutintotheair，andconsideredalittle。Moreoldforgottenkeyswereprobablylyingaboutamongthelumberinthesheds。Whatifshecollectedallshecouldfind，andtriedthem，oneafteranother，inthelocksofthecabinetsandcupboardsnowclosedagainsther？Wastherechanceenoughthatanyoneofthemmightfittojustifyherinventuringontheexperiment？IfthelocksatSt。Cruxwereasold-fashionedasthefurniture——iftherewerenoprotectivenicetiesofmoderninventiontocontendagainst——therewaschanceenoughbeyondallquestion。Whocouldsaywhethertheverykeyinherhandmightnotbethelostduplicateofoneofthekeysontheadmiral\'sbunch？Inthedearthofallothermeansoffindingthewaytoherend，theriskwasworthrunning。Aflashoftheoldspiritsparkledinherwearyeyesassheturnedandre-enteredtheshed。

Halfanhourmorebroughthertothelimitsofthetimewhichshecouldventuretoallowherselfintheopenair。Inthatintervalshehadsearchedtheshedsfromfirsttolast，andhadfoundfivemorekeys。“Fivemorechances！“shethoughttoherself，asshehidthekeys，andhastilyreturnedtothehouse。

Afterfirstreportingherselfinthehousekeeper\'sroom，shewentupstairstoremoveherbonnetandshawl；takingthatopportunitytohidethekeysinherbed-chamberuntilnightcame。Theywerecrustedthickwithrustanddirt；butshedarednotattempttocleanthemuntilbed-timesecludedherfromthepryingeyesoftheservantsinthesolitudeofherroom。

Whenthedinnerhourbroughther，asusual，intopersonalcontactwiththeadmiral，shewasatoncestruckbyachangeinhim。Forthefirsttimeinherexperiencetheoldgentlemanwassilentanddepressed。Heatelessthanusual，andhehardlysaidfivewordstoherfromthebeginningofthemealtotheend。Someunwelcomesubjectofreflectionhadevidentlyfixeditselfonhismind，andremainedtherepersistently，inspiteofhiseffortstoshakeitoff。Atintervalsthroughtheevening，shewonderedwithanever-growingperplexitywhatthesubjectcouldbe。

Atlastthelagginghoursreachedtheirend，andbed-timecame。BeforeshesleptthatnightMagdalenhadcleanedthekeysfromallimpurities，andhadoiledthewards，tohelpthemsmoothlyintothelocks。Thelastdifficultythatremainedwasthedifficultyofchoosingthetimewhentheexperimentmightbetriedwiththeleastriskofinterruptionanddiscovery。Aftercarefullyconsideringthequestionovernight，Magdalencouldonlyresolvetowaitandbeguidedbytheeventsofthenextday。

Themorningcame，andforthefirsttimeatSt。Cruxeventsjustifiedthetrustshehadplacedinthem。Themorningcame，andtheoneremainingdifficultythatperplexedherwasunexpectedlysmoothedawaybynolessapersonthantheadmiralhimself！Tothesurpriseofeveryoneinthehouse，heannouncedatbreakfastthathehadarrangedtostartforLondoninanhour；thatheshouldpassthenightintown；andthathemightbeexpectedtoreturntoSt。Cruxintimefordinneronthenextday。Hevolunteerednofurtherexplanationstothehousekeeperortoanyoneelse，butitwaseasytoseethathiserrandtoLondonwasofnoordinaryimportanceinhisownestimation。Heswallowedhisbreakfastinaviolenthurry，andhewasimpatientlyreadyforthecarriagebeforeitcametothedoor。

ExperiencehadtaughtMagdalentobecautious。Shewaitedalittle，afterAdmiralBartram\'sdeparture，beforesheventuredontryingherexperimentwiththekeys。Itwaswellshedidso。Mrs。Draketookadvantageoftheadmiral\'sabsencetoreviewtheconditionoftheapartmentsonthefirstfloor。Theresultsoftheinvestigationbynomeanssatisfiedher；broomsanddustersweresettowork；andthehouse-maidswereinandoutoftheroomsperpetually，aslongasthedaylightlasted。

Theeveningpassed，andstillthesafeopportunityforwhichMagdalenwasonthewatchneverpresenteditself。Bed-timecameagain，andfoundherplacedbetweenthetwoalternativesoftrustingtothedoubtfulchancesofthenextmorning，oroftryingthekeysboldlyinthedeadofnight。Informertimesshewouldhavemadeherchoicewithouthesitation。Shehesitatednow；butthewreckofheroldcouragestillsustainedher，andshedeterminedtomaketheventureatnight。

TheykeptearlyhoursatSt。Crux。Ifshewaitedinherroomuntilhalf-pasteleven，shewouldwaitlongenough。Atthattimeshestoleoutontothestaircase，withthekeysinherpocket，andthecandleinherhand。

Onpassingtheentrancetothecorridoronthebedroomfloor，shestoppedandlistened。Nosoundofsnoring，noshufflingofinfirmfootstepswastobeheardontheothersideofthescreen。Shelookedrounditdistrustfully。Thestonepassagewasasolitude，andthetruckle-bedwasempty。HerowneyeshadshownheroldMazeyonhiswaytotheupperregions，morethananhoursince，withacandleinhishand。Hadhetakenadvantageofhismaster\'sabsencetoenjoytheunaccustomedluxuryofsleepinginaroom？Asthethoughtoccurredtoher，asoundfromthefurtherendofthecorridorjustcaughtherear。Shesoftlyadvancedtowardit，andheardthroughthedoorofthelastandremotestofthesparebed-chamberstheveteran\'slustysnoringintheroominside。Thediscoverywasstartling，inmoresensesthanone。Itdeepenedtheimpenetrablemysteryofthetruckle-bed；foritshowedplainlythatoldMazeyhadnobarbarouspreferenceofhisownforpassinghisnightsinthecorridor；heoccupiedthatstrangeandcomfortlesssleeping-placepurelyandentirelyonhismaster\'saccount。

Itwasnotimefordwellingonthereflectionswhichthisconclusionmightsuggest。Magdalenretracedherstepsalongthepassage，anddescendedtothefirstfloor。Passingthedoorsnearesttoher，shetriedthelibraryfirst。Onthestaircaseandinthecorridorsshehadfeltherheartthrobbingfastwithanunutterablefear；butasenseofsecurityreturnedtoherwhenshefoundherselfwithinthefourwallsoftheroom，andwhenshehadclosedthedoorontheghostlyquietoutside。

Thefirstlockshetriedwasthelockofthetable-drawer。Noneofthekeysfittedit。Hernextexperimentwasmadeonthecabinet。Wouldthesecondattemptfail，likethefirst？

No！Oneofthekeysfitted；oneofthekeys，withalittlepatientmanagement，turnedthelock。Shelookedineagerly。Therewereopenshelvesabove，andonelongdrawerunderthem。Theshelvesweredevotedtospecimensofcuriousminerals，neatlylabeledandarranged。Thedrawerwasdividedintocompartments。Twoofthecompartmentscontainedpapers。Inthefirst，shediscoverednothingbutacollectionofreceiptedbills。Inthesecond，shefoundaheapofbusinessdocuments；butthewriting，yellowwithage，wasenoughofitselftowarnherthattheTrustwasnotthere。Sheshutthedoorsofthecabinet，and，afterlockingthemagainwithsomelittledifficulty，proceededtotrythekeysinthebookcasecupboardsnext，beforeshecontinuedherinvestigationsintheotherrooms。

Thebookcasecupboardswereunassailable，thedrawersandcupboardsinalltheotherroomswereunassailable。Oneafteranothershetriedthempatientlyinregularsuccession。Itwasuseless。Thechancewhichthecabinetinthelibraryhadofferedinherfavorwasthefirstchanceandthelast。

Shewentbacktoherroom，seeingnothingbutherownglidingshadow，hearingnothingbutherownstealthyfootfallinthemidnightstillnessofthehouse。Aftermechanicallyputtingthekeysawayintheirformerhiding-place，shelookedtowardherbed，andturnedawayfromit，shuddering。Thewarningremembranceofwhatshehadsufferedthatmorninginthegardenwasvividlypresenttohermind。“Anotherchancetried，“shethoughttoherself，“andanotherchancelost！IshallbreakdownagainifIthinkofit；andIshallthinkofitifIlieawakeinthedark。“Shehadbroughtawork-boxwithhertoSt。Crux，asoneofthemanylittlethingswhichinhercharacterofaservantitwasdesirabletopossess；andshenowopenedtheboxandappliedherselfresolutelytowork。Herwantofdexteritywithherneedleassistedtheobjectshehadinview；itobligedhertopaytheclosestattentiontoheremployment；itforcedherthoughtsawayfromthetwosubjectsofallotherswhichshenowdreadedmost——herselfandthefuture。

Thenextday，ashehadarranged，theadmiralreturned。HisvisittoLondonhadnotimprovedhisspirits。Theshadowofsomeunconquerabledoubtstillcloudedhisface；hisrestlesstonguewasstrangelyquiet，whileMagdalenwaitedonhimathissolitarymeal。Thatnightthesnoringresoundedoncemoreontheinnersideofthescreen，andoldMazeywasbackagaininthecomfortlesstruckle-bed。

Threemoredayspassed——Aprilcame。Onthesecondofthemonth——returningasunexpectedlyashehaddepartedaweekbefore——Mr。GeorgeBartramre-appearedatSt。Crux。

Hecamebackearlyintheafternoon，andhadaninterviewwithhisuncleinthelibrary。Theinterviewover，heleftthehouseagain，andwasdriventotherailwaybythegroomintimetocatchthelasttraintoLondonthatnight。Thegroomnoticed，ontheroad，that“Mr。GeorgeseemedtoberatherpleasedthanotherwiseatleavingSt。Crux。“Healsoremarked，onhisreturn，thattheadmiralsworeathimforoverdrivingthehorses——anindicationofill-temper，onthepartofhismaster，whichhedescribedasbeingentirelywithoutprecedentinallhisformerexperience。Magdalen，inherdepartmentofservice，hadsufferedinlikemannerundertheoldman\'sirritablehumor:hehadbeendissatisfiedwitheverythingshedidinthedining-room；andhehadfoundfaultwithallthedishes，oneafteranother，fromthemutton-brothtothetoastedcheese。

Thenexttwodayspassedasusual。Onthethirddayaneventhappened。Inappearance，itwasnothingmoreimportantthanaringatthedrawing-roombell。Inreality，itwastheforerunnerofapproachingcatastrophe——theformidableheraldoftheend。

ItwasMagdalen\'sbusinesstoanswerthebell。Onreachingthedrawing-roomdoor，sheknockedasusual。Therewasnoreply。Afteragainknocking，andagainreceivingnoanswer，sheventuredintotheroom，andwasinstantlymetbyacurrentofcoldairflowingfullonherface。Theheavyslidingdoorintheoppositewallwaspushedback，andtheArcticatmosphereofFreeze-your-Boneswaspouringunhinderedintotheemptyroom。

Shewaitednearthedoor，doubtfulwhattodonext；itwascertainlythedrawing-roombellthathadrung，andnoother。Shewaited，lookingthroughtheopendoorwayopposite，downthewildernessofthedismantledHall。

Alittleconsiderationsatisfiedherthatitwouldbebesttogodownstairsagain，andwaitthereforasecondsummonsfromthebell。Onturningtoleavetheroom，shehappenedtolookbackoncemore，andexactlyatthatmomentshesawthedooropenattheoppositeextremityoftheBanqueting-Hall——thedoorleadingintothefirstoftheapartmentsintheeastwing。Atallmancameout，wearinghisgreatcoatandhishat，andrapidlyapproachedthedrawing-room。Hisgaitbetrayedhim，whilehewasstilltoofaroffforhisfeaturestobeseen。Beforehewasquitehalf-wayacrosstheHall，Magdalenhadrecognized——theadmiral。

Helooked，notirritatedonly，butsurprisedaswell，atfindinghisparlor-maidwaitingforhiminthedrawing-room，andinquired，sharplyandsuspiciously，whatshewantedthere？Magdalenrepliedthatshehadcometheretoanswerthebell。Hisfaceclearedalittlewhenheheardtheexplanation。“Yes，yes；tobesure，“hesaid。“Ididring，andthenIforgotit。“Hepulledtheslidingdoorbackintoitsplaceashespoke。“Coals，“heresumed，impatiently，pointingtotheemptyscuttle。“Irangforcoals。“

Magdalenwentbacktothekitchenregions。Aftercommunicatingtheadmiral\'sordertotheservantwhosespecialdutyitwastoattendtothefires，shereturnedtothepantry，and，gentlyclosingthedoor，satdownalonetothink。

Ithadbeenherimpressioninthedrawing-room——anditwasherimpressionstill——thatshehadaccidentallysurprisedAdmiralBartramonavisittotheeastrooms，which，forsomeurgentreasonofhisown，hewishedtokeepasecret。Haunteddayandnightbytheonedominantideathatnowpossessedher，sheleapedalllogicaldifficultiesatabound，andatonceassociatedthesuspicionofasecretproceedingontheadmiral\'spartwiththekindredsuspicionwhichpointedtohimasthedepositaryoftheSecretTrust。Uptothistimeithadbeenhersettledbeliefthathekeptallhisimportantdocumentsinoneorotherofthesuiteofroomswhichhehappenedtobeoccupyingforthetimebeing。Why——shenowaskedherself，withasuddendistrustoftheconclusionwhichhadhithertosatisfiedhermind——whymighthenotlocksomeofthemupintheotherroomsaswell？Theremembranceofthekeysstillconcealedintheirhiding-placeinherroomsharpenedhersenseofthereasonablenessofthisnewview。Withoneunimportantexception，thosekeyshadallfailedwhenshetriedthemintheroomsonthenorthsideofthehouse。Mighttheynotsucceedwiththecabinetsandcupboardsintheeastrooms，onwhichshehadnevertriedthem，orthoughtoftryingthem，yet？Iftherewasachance，howeversmall，ofturningthemtobetteraccountthanshehadturnedthemthusfar，itwasachancetobetried。Iftherewasapossibility，howeverremote，thattheTrustmightbehiddeninanyoneofthelockedrepositoriesintheeastwing，itwasapossibilitytobeputtothetest。When？Herownexperienceansweredthequestion。Atthetimewhennopryingeyeswereopen，andnoaccidentsweretobefeared——whenthehousewasquiet——inthedeadofnight。

Sheknewenoughofherchangedselftodreadtheenervatinginfluenceofdelay。Shedeterminedtoruntheriskheadlongthatnight。

Moreblundersescapedherwhendinner-timecame；theadmiral\'scriticismsonherwaitingattableweresharperthanever。Hishardestwordsinflictednopainonher；shescarcelyheardhim——hermindwasdulltoeverysensebutthesenseofthecomingtrial。Theeveningwhichhadpassedslowlytoheronthenightofherfirstexperimentwiththekeyspassedquicklynow。Whenbed-timecame，bed-timetookherbysurprise。

Shewaitedlongeronthisoccasionthanshehadwaitedbefore。Theadmiralwasathome；hemightalterhismindandgodownstairsagain，afterhehadgoneuptohisroom；hemighthaveforgottensomethinginthelibraryandmightreturntofetchit。Midnightstruckfromtheclockintheservants\'hallbeforesheventuredoutofherroom，withthekeysagaininherpocket，withthecandleagaininherhand。

Atthefirstofthestairsonwhichshesetherfoottodescend，anall-masteringhesitation，anunintelligibleshrinkingfromsomeperilunknown，seizedheronasudden。Shewaited，andreasonedwithherself。Shehadrecoiledfromnosacrifices，shehadyieldedtonofears，incarryingoutthestratagembywhichshehadgainedadmissiontoSt。Crux；andnow，whenthelongarrayofdifficultiesattheoutsethadbeenpatientlyconquered，now，whenbysheerforceofresolutionthestarting-pointwasgained，shehesitatedtoadvance。“Ishrankfromnothingtogethere，“shesaidtoherself。“WhatmadnesspossessesmethatIshrinknow？“

Everypulseinherquickenedatthethought，withananimatingshamethatnervedhertogoon。Shedescendedthestairs，fromthethirdfloortothesecond，fromthesecondtothefirst，withouttrustingherselftopauseagainwithineasyreachofherownroom。Inanotherminute，shehadreachedtheendofthecorridor，hadcrossedthevestibule，andhadenteredthedrawing-room。Itwasonlywhenhergraspwasontheheavybrasshandleoftheslidingdoor——itwasonlyatthemomentbeforeshepushedthedoorback——thatshewaitedtotakebreath。TheBanqueting-Hallwascloseontheothersideofthewoodenpartitionagainstwhichshestood；herexcitedimaginationfeltthedeath-likechillofitflowingoverheralready。

Shepushedbacktheslidingdoorafewinches——andstoppedinmomentaryalarm。Whentheadmiralhadcloseditinherpresencethatday，shehadheardnonoise。WhenoldMazeyhadopenedittoshowhertheroomsintheeastwing，shehadheardnonoise。Now，inthenightsilence，shenoticedforthefirsttimethatthedoormadeasound——adull，rushingsound，likethewind。

Sherousedherself，andpusheditfurtherback——pushedithalfwayintothehollowchamberinthewallconstructedtoreceiveit。Sheadvancedboldlyintothegap，andmetthenightviewoftheBanqueting-Hallfacetoface。

Themoonwasroundingthesouthernsideofthehouse。Herpalingbeamsstreamedthroughthenearerwindows，andlayinlongstripsofslantinglightonthemarblepavementoftheHall。Theblackshadowsofthepedimentsbetweeneachwindow，alternatingwiththestripsoflight，heightenedthewanglareofthemoonshineonthefloor。Towarditslowerend，theHallmeltedmysteriouslyintodarkness。Theceilingwaslosttoview；theyawningfire-place，theoverhangingmantel-piece，thelongrowofbattlepicturesabove，wereallswallowedupinnight。Butonevisibleobjectwasdiscernible，besidesthegleamingwindowsandthemoon-stripedfloor。Midwayinthelastandfurthestofthestripsoflight，thetripodroseerectonitsgauntblacklegs，likeamonstercalledtolifebythemoon——amonsterrisingthroughthelight，andmeltinginvisiblyintotheuppershadowsoftheHall。Farandnear，allsoundlaydead，drownedinthestagnantcold。Thesoothinghushofnightwasawfulhere。Thedeepabyssesofdarknesshidabyssesofsilencemoreimmeasurablestill。

Shestoodmotionlessinthedoor-way，withstrainingeyes，withstrainingears。Shelookedforsomemovingthing，shelistenedforsomerisingsound，andlookedandlistenedinvain。Aquickceaselessshiveringranthroughherfromheadtofoot。Theshiveringoffear，ortheshiveringofcold？Thebaredoubtrousedherresolutewill。“Now，“shethought，advancingastepthroughthedoor-way，“ornever！I\'llcountthestripsofmoonlightthreetimesover，andcrosstheHall。“

“One，two，three，four，five。One，two，three，four，five。One，two，three，four，five。“

Asthefinalnumberpassedherlipsatthethirdtimeofcounting，shecrossedtheHall。Lookingfornothing，listeningfornothing，onehandholdingthecandle，theothermechanicallygraspingthefoldsofherdress，shesped，ghost-like，downthelengthoftheghostlyplace。Shereachedthedoorofthefirstoftheeasternrooms，openedit，andranin。Thesuddenreliefofattainingarefuge，thesuddenentranceintoanewatmosphere，overpoweredherforthemoment。Shehadjusttimetoputthecandlesafelyonatablebeforeshedroppedgiddyandbreathlessintothenearestchair。

Littlebylittleshefelttherestquietingher。Inafewminutesshebecameconsciousofthetriumphofhavingwonherwaytotheeastrooms。Inafewminutesshewasstrongenoughtorisefromthechair，totakethekeysfromherpocket，andtolookroundher。

Thefirstobjectsoffurnitureintheroomwhichattractedherattentionwereanoldbureauofcarvedoak，andaheavybuhltablewithacabinetattached。Shetriedthebureaufirst；itlookedthelikeliestreceptacleforpapersofthetwo。Threeofthekeysprovedtobeofasizetoenterthelock，butnoneofthemwouldturnit。Thebureauwasunassailable。Sheleftit，andpausedtotrimthewickofthecandlebeforeshetriedthebuhlcabinetnext。

Atthemomentwhensheraisedherhandtothecandle，sheheardthestillnessoftheBanqueting-Hallshudderwiththeterrorofasound——asoundfaintandmomentary，likethedistantrushingofthewind。

Theslidingdoorinthedrawing-roomhadmoved。

Whichwayhaditmoved？Hadanunknownhandpusheditbackinitssocketfurtherthanshehadpushedit，orpulledittoagain，andclosedit？Thehorrorofbeingshutoutallnight，bysomeundiscoverableagency，fromthelifeofthehouse，wasstrongerinherthanthehorroroflookingacrosstheBanqueting-Hall。Shemadedesperatelyforthedooroftheroom。

Ithadfallentosilentlyafterherwhenshehadcomein，butitwasnotclosed。Shepulleditopen，andlooked。

Thesightthatmethereyesrootedher，panic-stricken，tothespot。

Closetothefirstoftherowofwindows，countingfromthedrawing-room，andfullinthegleamofit，shesawasolitaryfigure。Itstoodmotionless，risingoutofthefurtheststripofmoonlightonthefloor。Asshelooked，itsuddenlydisappeared。Inanotherinstantshesawitagain，inthesecondstripofmoonlight——lostitagain——sawitinthethirdstrip——lostitoncemore——andsawitinthefourth。Momentbymomentitadvanced，nowmysteriouslylostintheshadow，nowsuddenlyvisibleagaininthelight，untilitreachedthefifthandneareststripofmoonlight。Thereitpaused，andstrayedasideslowlytothemiddleoftheHall。Itstoppedatthetripod，andstood，shiveringaudiblyinthesilence，withitshandsraisedoverthedeadashes，intheactionofwarmingthematafire。Itturnedbackagain，movingdownthepathofthemoonlight，stoppedatthefifthwindow，turnedoncemore，andcameonsoftlythroughtheshadowstraighttotheplacewhereMagdalenstood。

Hervoicewasdumb，herwillwashelpless。Everysenseinherbuttheseeingsensewasparalyzed。Theseeingsense——heldfastinthefettersofitsownterror——lookedunchangeablystraightforward，asithadlookedfromthefirst。Thereshestoodinthedoor-way，fullinthepathofthefigureadvancingonherthroughtheshadow，nearerandnearer，stepbystep。

Itcameclose。

Thebondsofhorrorthatheldherburstasunderwhenitwaswithinarm\'s-length。Shestartedback。Thelightofthecandleonthetablefellfullonitsface，andshowedher——AdmiralBartram。

Along，graydressing-gownwaswrappedroundhim。Hisheadwasuncovered；hisfeetwerebare。Inhislefthandhecarriedhislittlebasketofkeys。HepassedMagdalenslowly，hislipswhisperingwithoutintermission，hisopeneyesstaringstraightbeforehimwiththeglassystareofdeath。Hiseyesrevealedtohertheterrifyingtruth。Hewaswalkinginhissleep。

Theterrorofseeinghimasshesawhimnowwasnottheterrorshehadfeltwhenhereyesfirstlightedonhim——anapparitioninthemoon-light，aspecterintheghostlyHall。Thistimeshecouldstruggleagainsttheshock；shecouldfeelthedepthofherownfear。

Hepassedher，andstoppedinthemiddleoftheroom。Magdalenventurednearenoughtohimtobewithinreachofhisvoiceashemutteredtohimself。Sheventurednearerstill，andheardthenameofherdeadhusbandfalldistinctlyfromthesleep-walker\'slips。

“Noel！“hesaid，inthelowmonotonoustonesofadreamertalkinginhissleep，“mygoodfellow，Noel，takeitbackagain！Itworriesmedayandnight。Idon\'tknowwhereit\'ssafe；Idon\'tknowwheretoputit。Takeitback，Noel——takeitback！“

Asthosewordsescapedhim，hewalkedtothebuhlcabinet。Hesatdowninthechairplacedbeforeit，andsearchedinthebasketamonghiskeys。Magdalensoftlyfollowedhim，andstoodbehindhischair，waitingwiththecandleinherhand。Hefoundthekey，andunlockedthecabinet。Withoutaninstant\'shesitation，hedrewoutadrawer，thesecondofarow。Theonethinginthedrawerwasafoldedletter。Heremovedit，andputitdownbeforehimonthetable。“Takeitback，Noel！“herepeated，mechanically；“takeitback！“

Magdalenlookedoverhisshoulderandreadtheselines，tracedinherhusband\'shandwriting，atthetopoftheletter:Tobekeptinyourownpossession，andtobeopenedbyyourselfonlyonthedayofmydecease。NoelVanstone。Shesawthewordsplainly，withtheadmiral\'snameandtheadmiral\'saddresswrittenunderthem。

TheTrustwithinreachofherhand！TheTrusttracedtoitshiding-placeatlast！

Shetookonestepforward，tostealroundhischairandtosnatchtheletterfromthetable。Attheinstantwhenshemoved，hetookituponcemore，lockedthecabinet，and，rising，turnedandfacedher。

Intheimpulseofthemoment，shestretchedoutherhandtowardthehandinwhichheheldtheletter。Theyellowcandle-lightfellfullonhim。Theawfuldeath-in-lifeofhisface——themysteryofthesleepingbody，movinginunconsciousobediencetothedreamingmind——dauntedher。Herhandtrembled，anddroppedagainatherside。

Heputthekeyofthecabinetbackinthebasket，andcrossedtheroomtothebureau，withthebasketinonehandandtheletterintheother。Magdalensetthecandleonthetableagain，andwatchedhim。Ashehadopenedthecabinet，sohenowopenedthebureau。OncemoreMagdalenstretchedoutherhand，andoncemoresherecoiledbeforethemysteryandtheterrorofhissleep。Heputtheletterinadraweratthebackofthebureau，andclosedtheheavyoakenlidagain。“Yes，“hesaid。“Saferthere，asyousay，Noel——saferthere。“Sohespoke。So，timeaftertime，thewordsthatbetrayedhimrevealedthedeadmanlivingandspeakingagaininthedream。

Hadhelockedthebureau？Magdalenhadnotheardthelockturn。Asheslowlymovedaway，walkingbackoncemoretowardthemiddleoftheroom，shetriedthelid。Itwaslocked。Thatdiscoverymade，shelookedtoseewhathewasdoingnext。Hewasleavingtheroomagain，withthebasketofkeysinhishand。Whenherfirstglanceovertookhim，hewascrossingthethresholdofthedoor。

Someinscrutablefascinationpossessedher，somemysteriousattractiondrewherafterhim，inspiteofherself。Shetookupthecandleandfollowedhimmechanically，asifshetoowerewalkinginhersleep。Onebehindtheother，inslowandnoiselessprogress，theycrossedtheBanqueting-Hall。Onebehindtheother，theypassedthroughthedrawing-room，andalongthecorridor，andupthestairs。Shefollowedhimtohisowndoor。Hewentin，andshutitbehindhimsoftly。Shestopped，andlookedtowardthetruckle-bed。Itwaspushedasideatthefoot，somelittledistanceawayfromthebedroomdoor。Whohadmovedit？Sheheldthecandlecloseandlookedtowardthepillow，withasuddencuriosityandasuddendoubt。

Thetruckle-bedwasempty。

Thediscoverystartledherforthemoment，andforthemomentonly。Plainastheinferencesweretobedrawnfromit，sheneverdrewthem。Hermind，slowlyrecoveringtheexerciseofitsfaculties，wasstillundertheinfluenceoftheearlierandthedeeperimpressionsproducedonit。Hermindfollowedtheadmiralintohisroom，asherbodyhadfollowedhimacrosstheBanqueting-Hall。

Hadhelaindownagaininhisbed？Washestillasleep？Shelistenedatthedoor。Notasoundwasaudibleintheroom。Shetriedthedoor，and，findingitnotlocked，softlyopeneditafewinchesandlistenedagain。Theriseandfallofhislow，regularbreathinginstantlycaughtherear。Hewasstillasleep。

Shewentintotheroom，and，shadingthecandle-lightwithherhand，approachedthebedsidetolookathim。Thedreamwaspast；theoldman\'ssleepwasdeepandpeaceful；hislipswerestill；hisquiethandwaslaidoverthecoverletinmotionlessrepose。Helaywithhisfaceturnedtowardtheright-handsideofthebed。Alittletablestoodtherewithinreachofhishand。Fourobjectswereplacedonit；hiscandle，hismatches，hiscustomarynightdrinkoflemonade，andhisbasketofkeys。

Theideaofpossessingherselfofhiskeysthatnight(ifanopportunityofferedwhenthebasketwasnotinhishand)hadfirstcrossedhermindwhenshesawhimgointohisroom。Shehadlostitagainforthemoment，inthesurpriseofdiscoveringtheemptytruckle-bed。Shenowrecoveredittheinstantthetableattractedherattention。Itwasuselesstowastetimeintryingtochoosetheonekeywantedfromtherest——theonekeywasnotwellenoughknowntohertobereadilyidentified。Shetookallthekeysfromthetable，inthebasketastheylay，andnoiselesslyclosedthedoorbehindheronleavingtheroom。

Thetruckle-bed，asshepassedit，obtrudeditselfagainonherattention，andforcedhertothinkofit。Afteramoment\'sconsideration，shemovedthefootofthebedbacktoitscustomarypositionacrossthedoor。Whetherhewasinthehouseoroutofit，theveteranmightreturntohisdesertedpostatanymoment。Ifhesawthebedmovedfromitsusualplace，hemightsuspectsomethingwrong，hemightrousehismaster，andthelossofthekeysmightbediscovered。

Nothinghappenedasshedescendedthestairs，nothinghappenedasshepassedalongthecorridor；thehousewasassilentandassolitaryasever。ShecrossedtheBanqueting-Hallthistimewithouthesitation；theeventsofthenighthadhardenedhermindagainstallimaginaryterrors。“Now，Ihavegotit！“shewhisperedtoherself，inanirrepressibleoutburstofexaltation，assheenteredthefirstoftheeastroomsandputhercandleonthetopoftheoldbureau。

Evenyettherewasatrialinstoreforherpatience。Someminuteselapsed——minutesthatseemedhours——beforeshefoundtherightkeyandraisedthelidofthebureau。Atlastshedrewouttheinnerdrawer！Atlastshehadtheletterinherhand！

Ithadbeensealed，butthesealwasbroken。Sheopeneditonthespot，tomakesurethatshehadactuallypossessedherselfoftheTrustbeforeleavingtheroom。Theendoftheletterwasthefirstpartofitsheturnedto。Itcametoitsconclusionhighonthethirdpage，anditwassignedbyNoelVanstone。Belowthenametheselineswereaddedintheadmiral\'shandwriting:

“Thisletterwasreceivedbymeatthesametimewiththewillofmyfriend，NoelVanstone。Intheeventofmydeath，withoutleavinganyotherdirectionsrespectingit，IbegmynephewandmyexecutorstounderstandthatIconsidertherequestsmadeinthisdocumentasabsolutelybindingonme。

“ARTHUREVERARDBARTRAM。“

Sheleftthoselinesunread。ShejustnoticedthattheywerenotinNoelVanstone\'shandwriting；and，passingovertheminstantly，asimmaterialtotheobjectinview，turnedtheleavesoftheletter，andtransferredherattentiontotheopeningsentencesonthefirstpage。Shereadthesewords:

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

“Ibegyoutoconsiderthislargelegacyasintended——“

Shehadproceededthusfarwithbreathlesscuriosityandinterest，whenherattentionsuddenlyfailedher。Something——shewastoodeeplyabsorbedtoknowwhat——hadgotbetweenherandtheletter。WasitasoundintheBanqueting-Hallagain？Shelookedoverhershoulderatthedoorbehindher，andlistened。Nothingwastobeheard，nothingwastobeseen。Shereturnedtotheletter。

Thewritingwascrampedandclose。Inherimpatientcuriositytoreadmore，shefailedtofindthelostplaceagain。Hereyes，attractedbyablot，lightedonasentencelowerinthepagethanthesentenceatwhichshehadleftoff。Thefirstthreewordsshesawrivetedherattentionanew——theywerethefirstwordsshehadmetwithintheletterwhichdirectlyreferredtoGeorgeBartram。Inthesuddenexcitementofthatdiscovery，shereadtherestofthesentenceeagerly，beforeshemadeanysecondattempttoreturntothelostplace:

“Ifyournephewfailstocomplywiththeseconditions——thatistosay，if，beingeitherabachelororawidoweratthetimeofmydecease，hefailstomarryinallrespectsasIhavehereinstructedhimtomarry，withinsixcalendarmonthsfromthattime——itismydesirethatheshallnotreceive——“

Shehadreadtothatpoint，tothatlastwordandnofurther，whenahandpassedsuddenlyfrombehindherbetweentheletterandhereye，andgrippedherfastbythewristinaninstantSheturnedwithashriekofterror，andfoundherselffacetofacewitholdMazey。

Theveteran\'seyeswerebloodshot；hishandwasheavy；hislistslippersweretwistedcrookedlyonhisfeet；andhisbodyswayedtoandfroonhiswidelypartedlegs。Ifhehadtestedhisconditionthatnightbytheunfailingcriterionofthemodelship，hemusthaveinevitablypronouncedsentenceonhimselfintheusualform:“Drunkagain，Mazey；drunkagain。“

“YouyoungJezebel！“saidtheoldsailor，withaleerononesideofhisface，andafrownontheother。“Thenexttimeyoutaketonight-walkingintheneighborhoodofFreeze-your-Bones，usethosesharpeyesofyoursfirst，andmakesurethere\'snobodyelsenightwalkinginthegardenoutside。Dropit，Jezebel！dropit！“

KeepingfastholdofMagdalen\'sarmwithonehand，hetooktheletterfromherwiththeother，putitbackintotheopendrawer，andlockedthebureau。Sheneverstruggledwithhim，sheneverspoke。Herenergywasgone；herpowersofresistancewerecrushed。Theterrorsofthathorriblenight，followingonecloseontheotherinreiteratedshocks，hadstruckherdownatlast。Sheyieldedassubmissively，shetrembledashelplessly，astheweakestwomanliving。

OldMazeydroppedherarm，andpointedwithdrunkensolemnitytoachairinaninnercorneroftheroom。Shesatdown，stillwithoututteringaword。Theveteran(breathingveryhardoverit)steadiedhimselfonbothelbowsagainsttheslantingtopofthebureau，andfromthatcommandingpositionaddressedMagdalenoncemore。

“Comeandbelockedup！“saidoldMazey，wagginghisvenerableheadwithjudicialseverity。“There\'llbeacourtofinquiryto-morrowmorning，andI\'mwitness——worseluck！——I\'mwitness。Youyoungjade，you\'vecommittedburglary——that\'swhatyou\'vedone。Hishonortheadmiral\'skeysstolen；hishonortheadmiral\'sdeskransacked；andhishonortheadmiral\'sprivatelettersbrokeopen。Burglary！Burglary！Comeandbelockedup！“Heslowlyrecoveredanuprightposition，withtheassistanceofhishands，backedbythesolidresistingpowerofthebureau；andlapsedintolachrymosesoliloquy。“Who\'dhavethoughtit？“saidoldMazey，paternallywateringattheeyes。“Taketheoutsideofher，andshe\'sasstraightasapoplar；taketheinsideofher，andshe\'sascrookedasSin。Suchafine-growngirl，too。Whatapity！whatapity！“

“Don\'thurtme！“saidMagdalen，faintly，asoldMazeystaggereduptothechair，andtookherbythewristagain。“I\'mfrightened，Mr。Mazey——I\'mdreadfullyfrightened。“

“Hurtyou？“repeatedtheveteran。“I\'madealtoofondofyou——andmoreshameformeatmyage！——tohurtyou。IfIletgoofyourwrist，willyouwalkstraightbeforeme，whereIcanseeyoualltheway？Willyoubeagoodgirl，andwalkstraightuptoyourowndoor？“

Magdalengavethepromiserequiredofher——gaveitwithaneagerlongingtoreachtherefugeofherroom。Sherose，andtriedtotakethecandlefromthebureau，butoldMazey\'scunninghandwastooquickforher。“Letthecandlebe，“saidtheveteran，winkinginmomentaryforgetfulnessofhisresponsibleposition。“You\'reatriflequickeronyourlegsthanIam，mydear，andyoumightleavemeinthelurch，ifIdon\'tcarrythelight。“

Theyreturnedtotheinhabitedsideofthehouse。StaggeringafterMagdalen，withthebasketofkeysinonehandandthecandleintheother，oldMazeysorrowfullycomparedherfigurewiththestraightnessofthepoplar，andherdispositionwiththecrookednessofSin，allthewayacross“Freeze-your-Bones，“andallthewayupstairstoherowndoor。Arrivedatthatdestination，heperemptorilyrefusedtogiveherthecandleuntilhehadfirstseenhersafelyinsidetheroom。Theconditionsbeingcompliedwith，heresignedthelightwithonehand，andmadeadashwiththeotheratthekey，drewitfromtheinsideofthelock，andinstantlyclosedthedoor。Magdalenheardhimoutsidechucklingoverhisowndexterity，andfittingthekeyintothelockagainwithinfinitedifficulty。Atlasthesecuredthedoor，withadeepgruntofrelief。“Theresheissafe！“Magdalenheardhimsay，inregretfulsoliloquy。“AsfineagirlaseverIsateyeson。Whatapity！whatapity！“

Thelastsoundsofhisvoicediedoutinthedistance；andshewasleftaloneinherroom。

Holdingfastbythebanister，oldMazeymadehiswaydowntothecorridoronthesecondfloor，inwhichanightlightwasalwaysburning。Headvancedtothetruckle-bed，and，steadyinghimselfagainsttheoppositewall，lookedatitattentively。Prolongedcontemplationofhisownresting-placeforthenightapparentlyfailedtosatisfyhim。Heshookhisheadominously，and，takingfromtheside-pocketofhisgreat-coatapairofoldpatchedslippers，surveyedthemwithanaspectofillimitabledoubt。“I\'mallabroadto-night，“hemumbledtohimself。“Troubledinmymind——that\'swhatitis——troubledinmymind。“

Theoldpatchedslippersandtheveteran\'sexistingperplexitieshappenedtobeintimatelyassociatedonewiththeother，intherelationofcauseandeffect。Theslippersbelongedtotheadmiral，whohadtakenoneofhisunreasonablefanciestothisparticularpair，andwhostillpersistedinwearingthemlongaftertheywereunfitforhisservice。EarlythatafternoonoldMazeyhadtakentheslipperstothevillagecobblertogetthemrepairedonthespot，beforehismastercalledforthemthenextmorning；hesatsuperintendingtheprogressandcompletionoftheworkuntileveningcame，whenheandthecobblerbetookthemselvestothevillageinntodrinkeachother\'shealthsatparting。Theyhadprolongedthissocialceremonytillfarintothenight，andtheyhadparted，asanecessaryconsequence，inafinishedandperfectstateofintoxicationoneitherside。

Ifthedrinking-bouthadledtonootherresultthanthosenightwanderingsinthegroundsofSt。Crux，whichhadshownoldMazeythelightintheeastwindows，hismemorywouldunquestionablyhavepresentedittohimthenextmorningintheaspectofoneofthepraiseworthyachievementsofhislife。Butanotherconsequencehadsprungfromit，whichtheoldsailornowsawdimly，throughtheinterposingbewildermentleftinhisbrainbythedrink。Hehadcommittedabreachofdiscipline，andabreachoftrust。Inplainerwords，hehaddesertedhispost。

TheonesafeguardagainstAdmiralBartram\'sconstitutionaltendencytosomnambulismwasthewatchandwardwhichhisfaithfuloldservantkeptoutsidehisdoor。Noentreatieshadeverprevailedonhimtosubmittotheusualprecautiontakeninsuchcases。Heperemptorilydeclinedtobelockedintohisroom；heevenignoredhisownliability，wheneveradreamdisturbedhim，towalkinhissleep。Overandoveragain，oldMazeyhadbeenrousedbytheadmiral\'sattemptstopushpastthetruckle-bed，ortostepoverit，inhissleep；andoverandoveragain，whentheveteranhadreportedthefactthenextmorning，hismasterhaddeclinedtobelievehim。Astheoldsailornowstood，staringinvacantinquiryatthebed-chamberdoor，theseincidentsofthepastroseconfusedlyonhismemory，andforcedonhimtheseriousquestionwhethertheadmiralhadlefthisroomduringtheearlierhoursofthenight。Ifbyanymischancethesleep-walkingfithadseizedhim，theslippersinoldMazey\'shandpointedstraighttotheconclusionthatfollowed——hismastermusthavepassedbarefootinthecoldnightoverthestonestairsandpassagesofSt。Crux。“Lordsendhe\'sbeenquiet！“mutteredoldMazey，daunted，boldashewasanddrunkashewas，bythebarecontemplationofthatprospect。“Ifhishonor\'sbeenwalkingto-night，itwillbethedeathofhim！“

Herousedhimselfforthemomentbymainforce——stronginhisdog-likefidelitytotheadmiral，thoughstronginnothingelse——andfoughtoffthestuporofthedrink。Helookedatthebedwithsteadiereyesandaclearermind。Magdalen\'sprecautioninreturningittoitscustomarypositionpresentedittohimnecessarilyintheaspectofabedwhichhadneverbeenmovedfromitsplace。Henextexaminedthecounterpanecarefully。Notthefaintestvestigeappearedoftheindentationwhichmusthavebeenleftbyfootstepspassingoverit。Therewastheplainevidencebeforehim——theevidencerecognizableatlastbyhisownbewilderedeyes——thattheadmiralhadnevermovedfromhisroom。

“I\'lltakethePledgeto-morrow！“mumbledoldMazey，inanoutburstofgratefulrelief。Thenextmomentthefumesoftheliquorfloatedbackinsidiouslyoverhisbrain；andtheveteran，returningtohiscustomaryremedy，pacedthepassageinzigzagasusual，andkeptwatchonthedeckofanimaginaryship。

Soonaftersunrise，Magdalensuddenlyheardthegratingofthekeyfromoutsideinthelockofthedoor。Thedooropened，andoldMazeyre-appearedonthethreshold。Thefirstfeverofhisintoxicationhadcooled，withtime，intoamild，penitentialglow。Hebreathedharderthanever，inasuccessionoflowgrowls，andwaggedhisvenerableheadathisowndelinquencieswithoutintermission。

“Howareyounow，youyoungland-sharkinpetticoats？“inquiredtheoldsailor。“Hasyourconsciencebeenquietenoughtoletyougotosleep？“

“Ihavenotslept，“saidMagdalen，drawingbackfromhimindoubtofwhathemightdonext。“Ihavenoremembranceofwhathappenedafteryoulockedthedoor——IthinkImusthavefainted。Don\'tfrightenmeagain，Mr。Mazey！Ifeelmiserablyweakandill。Whatdoyouwant？“

“Iwanttosaysomethingserious，“repliedoldMazey，withimpenetrablesolemnity。“It\'sbeenonmymindtocomehereandmakeacleanbreastofit，forthelasthourormore。Markmywords，youngwoman。I\'mgoingtodisgracemyself。“

Magdalendrewfurtherandfurtherback，andlookedathiminrisingalarm。

“Iknowmydutytohishonortheadmiral，“proceededoldMazey，wavinghishanddrearilyinthedirectionofhismaster\'sdoor。“But，tryashardasImay，Ican\'tfinditinmyheart，youyoungjade，tobewitnessagainstyou。Ilikedthemakeofyou(especiallyaboutthewaist)whenyoufirstcameintothehouse，andIcan\'thelplikingthemakeofyoustill——thoughyouhavecommittedburglary，andthoughyouareascrookedasSin。I\'vecasttheeyesofindulgenceonfine-growngirlsallmylife，andit\'stoolateinthedaytocasttheeyesofseverityon\'emnow。I\'mseventy-seven，orseventy-eight，Idon\'trightlyknowwhich。I\'mabatteredoldhulk，withmyseamsopening，andmypumpschoked，andthewatersofDeathpoweringinonmeasfastastheycan。I\'masmiserableasinnerasyou\'llmeetwithanywhereintheseparts——ThomasNagle，thecobbler，onlyexcepted；andhe\'sworsethanIam，forhe\'stheyoungerofthetwo，andheoughttoknowbetter。Butthelongandshortoritis，Ishallgodowntomygravewithaneyeofindulgenceforafine-growngirl。Moreshameforme，youyoungJezebel——moreshameforme！“

Theveteran\'sunmanageableeyesbegantoleeragaininspiteofhim，asheconcludedhisharangueintheseterms:thelastreservesofausterityleftinhisfaceentrenchedthemselvesdismallyroundthecornersofhismouth。Magdalenapproachedhimagain，andtriedtospeak。Hesolemnlymotionedherbackwithanotherdrearywaveofhishand。

“Nocarneying！“saidoldMazey；“I\'mbadenoughalready，withoutthat。It\'smydutytomakemyreporttohishonortheadmiral，andIwillmakeit。Butifyouliketogivethehousetheslipbeforetheburglary\'sreported，andthecourtofinquirybegins，I\'lldisgracemyselfbylettingyougo。It\'smarketmorningatOssory，andDawkeswillbedrivingthelightcartoverinaquarterofanhour\'stime。DawkeswilltakeyouifIaskhim。Iknowmyduty——mydutyistoturnthekeyonyou，andseeDawkesdamnedfirst。ButIcan\'tfinditinmyhearttobehardonafinegirllikeyou。It\'sbredinthebone，anditwuntcomeoutoftheflesh。Moreshameforme，Itellyouagain——moreshameforme！“

TheproposalthusstrangelyandsuddenlypresentedtohertookMagdalencompletelybysurprise。Shehadbeenfartooseriouslyshakenbytheeventsofthenighttobecapableofdecidingonanysubjectatamoment\'snotice。“Youareverygoodtome，Mr。Mazey，“shesaid。“MayIhaveaminutebymyselftothink？“

“Yes，youmay，“repliedtheveteran，facingaboutforthwithandleavingtheroom。“They\'reallalike，“proceededoldMazey，withhisheadstillrunningonthesex。“Whateveryouoffer\'em，theyalwayswantsomethingmore。Tallandshort，nativeandforeign，sweetheartsandwives，they\'reallalike！“

Leftbyherself，Magdalenreachedherdecisionwithfarlessdifficultythanshehadanticipated。

Ifsheremainedinthehouse，therewereonlytwocoursesbeforeher——tochargeoldMazeywithspeakingundertheinfluenceofadrunkendelusion，ortosubmittocircumstances。Thoughsheowedtotheoldsailorherdefeatintheveryhourofsuccess，hisconsiderationforheratthatmomentforbadetheideaofdefendingherselfathisexpense——evensupposing，whatwasinthelastdegreeimprobable，thatthedefensewouldbecredited。Inthesecondofthetwocases(thecaseofsubmissiontocircumstances)，butoneresultcouldbeexpected——instantdismissal，andperhapsdiscoveryaswell。Whatobjectwastobegainedbybravingthatdegradation——byleavingthehousepubliclydisgracedintheeyesoftheservantswhohadhatedanddistrustedherfromthefirst？TheaccidentwhichhadliterallysnatchedtheTrustfromherpossessionwhenshehaditinherhandwasirreparable。Theoneapparentcompensationunderthedisaster——inotherwords，thediscoverythattheTrustactuallyexisted，andthatGeorgeBartram\'smarriagewithinagiventimewasoneoftheobjectscontainedinit——wasacompensationwhichcouldonlybeestimatedatitstruevaluebyplacingitunderthelightofMr。Loscombe\'sexperience。Everymotiveofwhichshewasconsciouswasamotivewhichurgedhertoleavethehousesecretlywhilethechancewasatherdisposal。Shelookedoutintothepassage，andcalledsoftlytooldMazeytocomeback。

“Iacceptyourofferthankfully，Mr。Mazey，“shesaid。“Youdon\'tknowwhathardmeasureyoudealtouttomewhenyoutookthatletterfrommyhand。Butyoudidyourduty，andIcanbegratefultoyouforsparingmethismorning，hardasyouwereuponmelastnight。Iamnotsuchabadgirlasyouthinkme——Iamnot，indeed。“

OldMazeydismissedthesubjectwithanotherdrearywaveofhishand。

“Letitbe，“saidtheveteran；“letitbe！Itmakesnodifference，mygirl，tosuchanoldrascalasIam。Ifyouwerefiftytimesworsethanyouare，Ishouldletyougoallthesame。Putonyourbonnetandshawl，andcomealong。I\'madisgracetomyselfandawarningtoothers——that\'swhatIam。Noluggage，mind！Leaveallyourrattle-trapsbehindyou:tobeoverhauled，ifnecessary，athishonortheadmiral\'sdiscretion。Icanbehardenoughonyourboxes，youyoungJezebel，ifIcan\'tbehardonyou。“

Withthesewords，oldMazeyledthewayoutoftheroom。“ThelessIseeofherthebetter——especiallyaboutthewaist，“hesaidtohimself，ashehobbleddownstairswiththehelpofthebanisters。

Thecartwasstandinginthebackyardwhentheyreachedthelowerregionsofthehouse，andDawkes(otherwisethefarm-bailiff\'sman)wasfasteningthelastbuckleofthehorse\'sharness。Thehoar-frostofthemorningwasstillwhiteintheshade。ThesparklingpointsofitglistenedbrightlyontheshaggycoatsofBrutusandCassius，astheyidledabouttheyard，waiting，withsteamingmouthsandslowlywaggingtails，toseethecartdriveoff。OldMazeywentoutaloneandusedhisinfluencewithDawkes，who，staringinstolidamazement，putaleathercushiononthecart-seatforhisfellow-traveler。Shiveringinthesharpmorningair，Magdalenwaited，whilethepreliminariesofdeparturewereinprogress，consciousofnothingbutagiddybewildermentofthought，andahelplesssuspensionoffeeling。Theeventsofthenightconfusedthemselveshideouslywiththetrivialcircumstancespassingbeforehereyesinthecourtyard。ShestartedwiththesuddenterrorofthenightwhenoldMazeyre-appearedtosummonherouttothecart。Shetrembledwiththehelplessconfusionofthenightwhentheveterancasttheeyesofindulgenceonherforthelasttime，andgaveherakissonthecheekatparting。Thenextminuteshefelthimhelpherintothecart，andpatherontheback。Thenext，sheheardhimtellherinaconfidentialwhisperthat，sittingorstanding，shewasasstraightasapoplareitherway。Thentherewasapause，inwhichnothingwassaid，andnothingdone；andthenthedrivertookthereinsinhandandmountedtohisplace。

Sherousedherselfatthepartingmomentandlookedback。ThelastsightshesawatSt。CruxwasoldMazeywagginghisheadinthecourtyard，withhisfellow-profligates，thedogs，keepingtimetohimwiththeirtails。Thelastwordssheheardwerethewordsinwhichtheveteranpaidhisfarewelltributetohercharms:

“Burglaryornoburglary，“saidoldMazey，“she\'safine-growngirl，ifevertherewasafineoneyet。Whatapity！whatapity！“