第19章

THEENDOFTHESEVENTHSCENE。

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[TableofContents]NoName，BetweentheScenesBETWEENTHESCENES。PROGRESSOFTHESTORYTHROUGHTHEPOST。I。FromGeorgeBartramtoAdmiralBartram。

“London，April3d，1848。

“MYDEARUNCLE——Onehastyline，toinformyouofatemporaryobstacle，whichweneitherofusanticipatedwhenwetookleaveofeachotheratSt。Crux。WhileIwaswastingthelastdaysoftheweekattheGrange，theTyrrelsmusthavebeenmakingtheirarrangementsforleavingLondon。

IhavejustcomefromPortlandPlace。Thehouseisshutup，andthefamily(MissVanstone，ofcourse，included)leftEnglandyesterday，topasstheseasoninParis。

“Praydon\'tletyourselfbeannoyedbythislittlecheckatstarting。

Itisofnoseriousimportancewhatever。IhavegottheaddressatwhichtheTyrrelsareliving，andImeantocrosstheChannelafterthembythemailto-night。IshallfindmyopportunityinParisjustassoonasIcouldhavefounditinLondon。Thegrassshallnotgrowundermyfeet，Ipromiseyou。Foronceinmylife，IwilltakeTimeasfiercelybytheforelockasifIwasthemostimpetuousmaninEngland；and，relyonit，themomentIknowtheresult，youshallknowtheresult，too。Affectionatelyyours，“GEORGEBARTRAM。“

II。FromGeorgeBartramtoMissGarth。

“Paris，April13th。

“DEARMISSGARTH——Ihavejustwritten，withaheavyheart，tomyuncle，andIthinkIoweittoyourkindinterestinmenottoomitwritingnexttoyou。

“Youwillfeelformydisappointment，Iamsure，whenItellyou，inthefewestandplainestwords，thatMissVanstonehasrefusedme。

“Myvanitymayhavegrievouslymisledme，butIconfessIexpectedaverydifferentresult。Myvanitymaybemisleadingmestill；forImustacknowledgetoyouprivatelythatIthinkMissVanstonewassorrytorefuseme。Thereasonshegaveforherdecision——nodoubtasufficientreasoninherestimation——didnotatthetime，anddoesnotnow，seemsufficienttome。Shespokeinthesweetestandkindestmanner，butshefirmlydeclaredthat\'herfamilymisfortunes\'lefthernohonorablealternative——buttothinkofmyowninterestsasIhadnotthoughtofthemmyself——andgratefullytodeclineacceptingmyoffer。

“ShewassopainfullyagitatedthatIcouldnotventuretopleadmyowncauseasImightotherwisehavepleadedit。AtthefirstattemptI

madetotouchthepersonalquestion，sheentreatedmetospareher，andabruptlylefttheroom。IamstillignorantwhetherIamtointerpretthe\'familymisfortunes\'whichhavesetupthisbarrierbetweenus，asmeaningthemisfortuneforwhichherparentsalonearetoblame，orthemisfortuneofherhavingsuchawomanasMrs。NoelVanstoneforhersister。Inwhicheverofthesecircumstancestheobstaclelies，itisnoobstacleinmyestimation。

Cannothingremoveit？Istherenohope？Forgivemeforaskingthesequestions。

Icannotbearupagainstmybitterdisappointment。Neithershe，noryou，noranyonebutmyself，canknowhowIloveher。

Evermosttrulyyours，“GEORGEBARTRAM。

“P。S——IshallleaveforEnglandinadayortwo，passingthroughLondononmywaytoSt。Crux。Therearefamilyreasons，connectedwiththehatefulsubjectofmoney，whichmakemelookforwardwithanythingbutpleasuretomynextinterviewwithmyuncle。IfyouaddressyourlettertoLong\'sHotel，itwillbesuretoreachme。“

III。FromMissGarthtoGeorgeBartram。

“WestmorelandHouse，April16th。

“DEARMR。BARTRAM——Youonlydidmejusticeinsupposingthatyourletterwoulddistressme。Ifyouhadsupposedthatitwouldmakemeexcessivelyangryaswell，youwouldnothavebeenfarwrong。Ihavenopatiencewiththeprideandperversityoftheyoungwomenofthepresentday。

“IhaveheardfromNorah。Itisalongletter，statingtheparticularsinfulldetail。IamnowgoingtoputalltheconfidenceinyourhonorandyourdiscretionwhichIreallyfeel。Foryoursake，andforNorah\'s，Iamgoingtoletyouknowwhatthescruplereallyiswhichhasmisledherintotheprideandfollyofrefusingyou。Iamoldenoughtospeakout；andIcantellyou，ifshehadonlybeenwiseenoughtoletherownwishesguideher，shewouldhavesaidYes——andgladly，too。

“Theoriginalcauseofallthemischiefisnolessapersonthanyourworthyuncle——AdmiralBartram。

“Itseemsthattheadmiraltookitintohishead(Isupposeduringyourabsence)togotoLondonbyhimselfandtosatisfysomecuriosityofhisownaboutNorahbycallinginPortlandPlace，underpretenseofrenewinghisoldfriendshipwiththeTyrrels。Hecameatluncheon-time，andsawNorah；and，fromallIcanhear，wasapparentlybetterpleasedwithherthanheexpectedorwishedtobewhenhecameintothehouse。

“Sofar，thisismereguess-work；butitisunluckilycertainthatheandMrs。Tyrrelhadsometalktogetheralonewhenluncheonwasover。Yournamewasnotmentioned；butwhentheirconversationfellonNorah，youwereinboththeirminds，ofcourse。Theadmiral(doingherfulljusticepersonally)declaredhimselfsmittenwithpityforherhardlotinlife。

Thescandalousconductofhersistermustalwaysstand(hefeared)inthewayofherfutureadvantage。Whocouldmarryher，withoutfirstmakingitaconditionthatsheandhersisterweretobeabsolutestrangerstoeachother？Andeventhen，theobjectionwouldremain——theseriousobjectiontothehusband\'sfamily——ofbeingconnectedbymarriagewithsuchawomanasMrs。NoelVanstone。Itwasverysad；itwasnotthepoorgirl\'sfault，butitwasnonethelesstruethathersisterwasherrockaheadinlife。

Soheranon，withnorealill-feelingtowardNorah，butwithanobstinatebeliefinhisownprejudiceswhichboretheaspectofill-feeling，andwhichpeoplewithmoretemperthanjudgmentwouldbebuttooreadilydisposedtoresentaccordingly。

“Unfortunately，Mrs。Tyrrelisoneofthosepeople。Sheisanexcellent，warm-heartedwoman，withaquicktemperandverylittlejudgment；stronglyattachedtoNorah，andheartilyinterestedinNorah\'swelfare。FromallIcanlearn，shefirstresentedtheexpressionoftheadmiral\'sopinion，inhispresence，asworldlyandselfishinthelastdegree；andtheninterpretedit，behindhisback，asahinttodiscouragehisnephew\'svisits，whichwasadownrightinsultofferedtoaladyinherownhouse。Thiswasfoolishenoughsofar；butworsefollywastocome。

“Assoonasyourunclewasgone，Mrs。Tyrrel，mostunwiselyandimproperly，sentforNorah，and，repeatingtheconversationthathadtakenplace，warnedherofthereceptionshemightexpectfromthemanwhostoodtowardyouinthepositionofafather，ifsheacceptedanofferofmarriageonyourpart。WhenItellyouthatNorah\'sfaithfulattachmenttohersisterstillremainsunshaken，andthattherelieshiddenunderhernoblesubmissiontotheunhappycircumstancesofherlifeaproudsusceptibilitytoslightsofallkinds，whichisdeeplyseatedinhernature——youwillunderstandthetruemotiveoftherefusalwhichhassonaturallyandsojustlydisappointedyou。Theyareallthreeequallytoblameinthismatter。Yourunclewaswrongtostatehisobjectionssoroundlyandinconsideratelyashedid。

Mrs。Tyrrelwaswrongtolethertempergetthebetterofher，andtosupposeherselfinsultedwherenoinsultwasintended。AndNorahwaswrongtoplaceascrupleofpride，andahopelessbeliefinhersisterwhichnostrangerscanbeexpectedtoshare，abovethehigherclaimsofanattachmentwhichmighthavesecuredthehappinessandtheprosperityofherfuturelife。

“Butthemischiefhasbeendone。Thenextquestionis，cantheharmberemedied？

“Ihopeandbelieveitcan。Myadviceisthis:Don\'ttakeNoforananswer。Givehertimeenoughtoreflectonwhatshehasdone，andtoregretit(asIbelieveshewillregretit)insecret；trusttomyinfluenceoverhertopleadyourcauseforyouateveryopportunityIcanfind；waitpatientlyfortherightmoment，andaskheragain。Men，beingaccustomedtoactonreflectionthemselves，areagreatdealtooapttobelievethatwomenactonreflection，too。Womendonothingofthesort。Theyactonimpulse；

and，inninecasesoutoften，theyareheartilysorryforitafterward。

“Inthemeanwhile，youmusthelpyourowninterestsbyinducingyouruncletoalterhisopinion，oratleasttomaketheconcessionofkeepinghisopiniontohimself。Mrs。Tyrrelhasrushedtotheconclusionthattheharmhehasdonehedidintentionally——whichisasmuchastosay，insomanywords，thathehadapropheticconviction，whenhecameintothehouse，ofwhatshewoulddowhenheleftit。Myexplanationofthematterisamuchsimplerone。Ibelievethattheknowledgeofyourattachmentnaturallyarousedhiscuriositytoseetheobjectofit，andthatMrs。Tyrrel\'sinjudiciouspraisesofNorahirritatedhisobjectionsintoopenlydeclaringthemselves。

Anyway，yourcourseliesequallyplainbeforeyou。Useyourinfluenceoveryouruncletopersuadehimintosettingmattersrightagain；trustmysettledresolutiontoseeNorahyourwifebeforesixmonthsmoreareoverourheads；

andbelieveme，yourfriendandwell-wisher，HARRIETGARTH。“

IV。FromMrs。DraketoGeorgeBartram。

“St。Crux，April17th。

“SIR——IdirecttheselinestothehotelyouusuallystayatinLondon，hopingthatyoumayreturnsoonenoughfromforeignpartstoreceivemyletterwithoutdelay。

“IamsorrytosaythatsomeunpleasanteventshavetakenplaceatSt。

Cruxsinceyouleftit，andthatmyhonoredmaster，theadmiral，isfarfromenjoyinghisusualgoodhealth。Onboththeseaccounts，Iventuretowritetoyouonmyownresponsibility，forIthinkyourpresenceisneededinthehouse。

“Earlyinthemonthamostregrettablecircumstancetookplace。Ournewparlor-maidwasdiscoveredbyMr。Mazey，atalatehourofthenight(withhermaster\'sbasketofkeysinherpossession)，pryingintotheprivatedocumentskeptintheeastlibrary。Thegirlremovedherselffromthehousethenextmorningbeforewewereanyofusastir，andshehasnotbeenheardofsince。Thiseventhasannoyedandalarmedmymasterveryseriously；

andtomakemattersworse，onthedaywhenthegirl\'streacherousconductwasdiscovered，theadmiralwasseizedwiththefirstsymptomsofasevereinflammatorycold。Hewasnothimselfaware，norwasanyoneelse，howhehadcaughtthechill。Thedoctorwassentfor，andkepttheinflammationdownuntilthedaybeforeyesterday，whenitbrokeoutagain，undercircumstanceswhichIamsureyouwillbesorrytohear，asIamtrulysorrytowriteofthem。

“OnthedateIhavejustmentioned——Imeanthefifteenthofthemonth——mymasterhimselfinformedmethathehadbeendreadfullydisappointedbyaletterreceivedfromyou，whichhadcomeinthemorningfromforeignparts，andhadbroughthimbadnews。Hedidnottellmewhatthenewswas——butIhavenever，inalltheyearsIhavepassedintheadmiral\'sservice，seenhimsodistressinglyupset，andsounlikehimself，ashewasonthatday。Atnighthisuneasinessseemedtoincrease。HewasinsuchastateofirritationthathecouldnotbearthesoundofMr。Mazey\'shardbreathingoutsidehisdoor，andhelaidhispositiveordersontheoldmantogointooneofthebedroomsforthatnight。Mr。Mazey，tohisowngreatregret，wasofcourseobligedtoobey。

“Ouronlymeansofpreventingtheadmiralfromleavinghisroominhissleep，ifthefitunfortunatelytookhim，beingnowremoved，Mr。MazeyandIagreedtokeepwatchbyturnsthroughthenight，sitting，withthedoorajar，inoneoftheemptyroomsnearourmaster\'sbed-chamber。Wecouldthinkofnothingbettertodothanthis，knowinghewouldnotallowustolockhimin，andnothavingthedoorkeyinourpossession，evenifwecouldhaveventuredtosecurehiminhisroomwithouthispermission。

Ikeptwatchforthefirsttwohours，andthenMr。Mazeytookmyplace。

Afterhavingbeensomelittletimeinmyownroom，itoccurredtomethattheoldmanwashardofhearing，andthatifhiseyesgrewatallheavyinthenight，hisearswerenottobetrustedtowarnhimifanythinghappened。

Islippedonmyclothesagain，andwentbacktoMr。Mazey。Hewasneitherasleepnorawake——hewasbetweenthetwo。Mymindmisgaveme，andIwentontotheadmiral\'sroom。Thedoorwasopen，andthebedwasempty。

“Mr。MazeyandIwentdownstairsinstantly。Welookedinallthenorthrooms，oneafteranother，andfoundnotracesofhim。Ithoughtofthedrawing-roomnext，and，beingthemoreactiveofthetwo，wentfirsttoexamineit。ThemomentIturnedthesharpcornerofthepassage，Isawmymastercomingtowardmethroughtheopendrawing-roomdoor，asleepanddreaming，withhiskeysinhishands。Theslidingdoorbehindhimwasopenalso；andthefearcametomethen，andhasremainedwithmeeversince，thathisdreamhadledhimthroughtheBanqueting-Hallintotheeastrooms。

Weabstainedfromwakinghim，andfollowedhisstepsuntilhereturnedofhisownaccordtohisbed-chamber。Thenextmorning，Igrievetosay，allthebadsymptomscameback；andnoneoftheremediesemployedhavesucceededingettingthebetterofthemyet。Bythedoctor\'sadvice，werefrainedfromtellingtheadmiralwhathadhappened。Heisstillundertheimpressionthathepassedthenightasusualinhisownroom。

“Ihavebeencarefultoenterintoalltheparticularsofthisunfortunateaccident，becauseneitherMr。Mazeynormyselfdesiretoscreenourselvesfromblame，ifblamewehavedeserved。Webothactedforthebest，andwebothbegandprayyouwillconsiderourresponsiblesituation，andcomeassoonaspossibletoSt。Crux。Ourhonoredmasterisveryhardtomanage；

andthedoctorthinks，aswedo，thatyourpresenceiswantedinthehouse。

“Iremain，sir，withMr。Mazey\'srespectsandmyown，yourhumbleservant，“SOPHIADRAKE。“

V。FromGeorgeBartramtoMissGarth。

“St。Crux，April22d。

“DEARMISSGARTH——Prayexcusemynotthankingyousoonerforyourkindandconsolingletter。WeareinsadtroubleatSt。Crux。AnylittleirritationImighthavefeltatmypooruncle\'sunluckyinterferenceinPortlandPlaceisallforgotteninthemisfortuneofhisseriousillness。Heissufferingfrominternalinflammation，producedbycold；andsymptomshaveshownthemselveswhicharedangerousathisage。AphysicianfromLondonisnowinthehouse。

Youshallhearmoreinafewdays。Meantime，believeme，withsinceregratitude，“Yoursmosttruly，“GEORGEBARTRAM。“

VI。FromMr。LoscombetoMrs。NoelVanstone。

“Lincoln\'sInnFields，May6th。

“DEARMADAM——Ihaveunexpectedlyreceivedsomeinformationwhichisofthemostvitalimportancetoyourinterests。ThenewsofAdmiralBartram\'sdeathhasreachedmethismorning。Heexpiredathisownhouse，onthefourthofthepresentmonth。

“ThiseventatoncedisposesoftheconsiderationswhichIhadpreviouslyendeavoredtoimpressonyou，inrelationtoyourdiscoveryatSt。Crux。

Thewisestcoursewecannowfollowistoopencommunicationsatoncewiththeexecutorsofthedeceasedgentleman；addressingthemthroughthemediumoftheadmiral\'slegaladviser，inthefirstinstance。

“Ihavedispatchedaletterthisdaytothesolicitorinquestion。ItsimplywarnshimthatwehavelatelybecomeawareoftheexistenceofaprivateDocument，controllingthedeceasedgentlemaninhisuseofthelegacydevisedtohimbyMr。NoelVanstone\'swill。Myletterassumesthatthedocumentwillbeeasilyfoundamongtheadmiral\'spapers；anditmentionsthatIamthesolicitorappointedbyMrs。NoelVanstonetoreceivecommunicationsonherbehalf。MyobjectintakingthisstepistocauseasearchtobeinstitutedfortheTrust——intheveryprobableeventoftheexecutorsnothavingmetwithityet——beforetheusualmeasuresareadoptedfortheadministrationoftheadmiral\'sestate。Wewillthreatenlegalproceedings，ifwefindthattheobjectdoesnotsucceed。ButIanticipatenosuchnecessity。AdmiralBartram\'sexecutorsmustbemenofhighstandingandposition；andtheywilldojusticetoyouandtothemselvesinthismatterbylookingfortheTrust。

“Underthesecircumstances，youwillnaturallyask，\'Whatareourprospectswhenthedocumentisfound？\'Ourprospectshaveabrightsideandadarkside。Letustakethebrightsidetobeginwith。

“Whatdoweactuallyknow？

“Weknow，first，thattheTrustdoesreallyexist。Secondly，thatthereisaprovisioninitrelatingtothemarriageofMr。GeorgeBartraminagiventime。Thirdly，thatthetime(sixmonthsfromthedateofyourhusband\'sdeath)expiredonthethirdofthismonth。Fourthly，thatMr。

GeorgeBartram(asIhavefoundoutbyinquiry，intheabsenceofanypositiveinformationonthesubjectpossessedbyyourself)is，atthepresentmoment，asingleman。Theconclusionnaturallyfollows，thattheobjectcontemplatedbytheTrust，inthiscase，isanobjectthathasfailed。

“Ifnootherprovisionshavebeeninsertedinthedocument——orif，beinginserted，thoseotherprovisionsshouldbediscoveredtohavefailedalso——I

believeittobeimpossible(especiallyifevidencecanbefoundthattheadmiralhimselfconsideredtheTrustbindingonhim)fortheexecutorstodealwithyourhusband\'sfortuneaslegallyformingpartofAdmiralBartram\'sestate。Thelegacyisexpresslydeclaredtohavebeenlefttohim，ontheunderstandingthatheappliesittocertainstatedobjects——andthoseobjectshavefailed。Whatistobedonewiththemoney？Itwasnotlefttotheadmiralhimself，onthetestator\'sownshowing；andthepurposesforwhichitwaslefthavenotbeen，andcannotbe，carriedout。

Ibelieve(ifthecaseheresupposedreallyhappens)thatthemoneymustreverttothetestator\'sestate。InthateventtheLaw，dealingwithitasamatterofnecessity，dividesitintotwoequalportions。OnehalfgoestoMr。NoelVanstone\'schildlesswidow，andtheotherhalfisdividedamongMr。NoelVanstone\'snextofkin。

“Youwillnodoubtdiscovertheobviousobjectiontothecaseinourfavor，asIhavehereputit。Youwillseethatitdependsforitspracticalrealizationnotononecontingency，butonaseriesofcontingencies，whichmustallhappenexactlyaswewishthemtohappen。Iadmittheforceoftheobjection；butIcantellyou，atthesametime，thatthesesaidcontingenciesarebynomeanssoimprobableastheymaylookonthefaceofthem。

“WehaveeveryreasontobelievethattheTrust，liketheWill，wasnotdrawnbyalawyer。Thatisonecircumstanceinourfavorthatisenoughofitselftocastadoubtonthesoundnessofall，orany，oftheremainingprovisionswhichwemaynotbeacquaintedwith。Anotherchancewhichwemaycountonistobefound，asIthink，inthatstrangehandwriting，placedunderthesignatureonthethirdpageoftheLetter，whichyousaw，butwhichyou，unhappily，omittedtoread。AlltheprobabilitiespointtothoselinesaswrittenbyAdmiralBartram:andthepositionwhichtheyoccupyiscertainlyconsistentwiththetheorythattheytouchtheimportantsubjectofhisownsenseofobligationundertheTrust。

“Iwishtoraisenofalsehopesinyourmind。Ionlydesiretosatisfyyouthatwehaveacaseworthtrying。

“Asforthedarksideoftheprospect，Ineednotenlargeonit。AfterwhatIhavealreadywritten，youwillunderstandthattheexistenceofasoundprovision，unknowntous，intheTrust，whichhasbeenproperlycarriedoutbytheadmiral——orwhichcanbeproperlycarriedoutbyhisrepresentatives——wouldbenecessarilyfataltoourhopes。Thelegacywouldbe，inthiscase，devotedtothepurposeorpurposescontemplatedbyyourhusband——and，fromthatmoment，youwouldhavenoclaim。

“Ihaveonlytoadd，thatassoonasIhearfromthelateadmiral\'smanofbusiness，youshallknowtheresult。

“Believeme，dearmadam，faithfullyyours，“JOHNLOSCOMBE。“

VII。FromGeorgeBartramtoMissGarth。

“St。Crux，May15th。

“DEARMISSGARTH——Itroubleyouwithanotherletter:partlytothankyouforyourkindexpressionofsympathywithme，underthelossthatI

havesustained；andpartlytotellyouofanextraordinaryapplicationmadetomyuncle\'sexecutors，inwhichyouandMissVanstonemaybothfeelinterested，asMrs。NoelVanstoneisdirectlyconcernedinit。

“Knowingmyownignoranceoflegaltechnicalities，Iincloseacopyoftheapplication，insteadoftryingtodescribeit。Youwillnoticeassuspicious，thatnoexplanationisgivenofthemannerinwhichtheallegeddiscoveryofoneofmyuncle\'ssecretswasmade，bypersonswhoaretotalstrangerstohim。

“Onbeingmadeacquaintedwiththecircumstances，theexecutorsatonceappliedtome。Icouldgivethemnopositiveinformation——formyuncleneverconsultedmeonmattersofbusiness。ButIfeltinhonorboundtotellthem，thatduringthelastsixmonthsofhislife，theadmiralhadoccasionallyletfallexpressionsofimpatienceinmyhearing，whichledtotheconclusionthathewasannoyedbyaprivateresponsibilityofsomekind。Ialsomentionedthathehadimposedaverystrangeconditiononme——aconditionwhich，inspiteofhisownassurancestothecontrary，Iwaspersuadedcouldnothaveemanatedfromhimself——ofmarryingwithinagiventime(whichtimehasnowexpired)，orofnotreceivingfromhimacertainsumofmoney，whichIbelievedtobethesameinamountasthesumbequeathedtohiminmycousin\'swill。Theexecutorsagreedwithmethatthesecircumstancesgaveacolorofprobabilitytoanotherwiseincrediblestory；andtheydecidedthatasearchshouldbeinstitutedfortheSecretTrust，nothingintheslightestdegreeresemblingthissameTrusthavingbeendiscovered，uptothattime，amongtheadmiral\'spapers。

“Thesearch(notrifleinsuchahouseasthis)hasnowbeeninfullprogressforaweek。Itissuperintendedbyboththeexecutors，andbymyuncle\'slawyer，whoispersonally，aswellasprofessionally，knowntoMr。Loscombe(Mrs。NoelVanstone\'ssolicitor)，andwhohasbeenincludedintheproceedingsattheexpressrequestofMr。Loscombehimself。Uptothistime，nothingwhateverhasbeenfound。Thousandsandthousandsoflettershavebeenexamined，andnotoneofthembearstheremotestresemblancetotheletterwearelookingfor。

“Anotherweekwillbringthesearchtoanend。Itisonlyatmyexpressrequestthatitwillbeperseveredwithsolong。Butastheadmiral\'sgenerosityhasmademesoleheirtoeverythinghepossessed，Ifeelboundtodothefullestjusticetotheinterestsofothers，howeverhostiletomyselfthoseinterestsmaybe。

“Withthisview，Ihavenothesitatedtorevealtothelawyeraconstitutionalpeculiarityofmypooruncle\'s，whichwasalwayskeptasecretamongusathisownrequest——Imeanhistendencytosomnambulism。Imentionedthathehadbeendiscovered(bythehousekeeperandhisoldservant)walkinginhissleep，aboutthreeweeksbeforehisdeath，andthatthepartofthehouseinwhichhehadbeenseen，andthebasketofkeyswhichhewascarryinginhishand，suggestedtheinferencethathehadcomefromoneoftheroomsintheeastwing，andthathemighthaveopenedsomeofthepiecesoffurnitureinoneofthem。Isurprisedthelawyer(whoseemedtobequiteignorantoftheextraordinaryactionsconstantlyperformedbysomnambulists)，byinforminghimthatmyunclecouldfindhiswayaboutthehouse，lockandunlockdoors，andremoveobjectsofallkindsfromoneplacetoanother，aseasilyinhissleepasinhiswakinghours。AndIdeclaredthat，whileIfeltthefaintestdoubtinmyownmindwhetherhemightnothavebeendreamingoftheTrustonthenightinquestion，andputtingthedreaminactioninhissleep，Ishouldnotfeelsatisfiedunlesstheroomsintheeastwingweresearchedagain。

“Itisonlyrighttoaddthatthereisnottheleastfoundationinfactforthisideaofmine。Duringthelatterpartofhisfatalillness，mypoorunclewasquiteincapableofspeakingonanysubjectwhatever。FromthetimeofmyarrivalatSt。Crux，inthemiddleoflastmonth，tothetimeofhisdeath，notaworddroppedfromhimwhichreferredintheremotestwaytotheSecretTrust。

“Herethen，forthepresent，thematterrests。IfyouthinkitrighttocommunicatethecontentsofthislettertoMissVanstone，praytellherthatitwillnotbemyfaultifhersister\'sassertion(howeverpreposterousitmayseemtomyuncle\'sexecutors)isnotfairlyputtotheproof。

“Believeme，dearMissGarth，alwaystrulyyours，GEORGEBARTRAM。

“P。S——Assoonasallbusinessmattersaresettled，Iamgoingabroadforsomemonths，totrythereliefofchangeofscene。Thehousewillbeshutup，andleftunderthechargeofMrs。Drake。IhavenotforgottenyouroncetellingmethatyoushouldliketoseeSt。Crux，ifyoueverfoundyourselfinthisneighborhood。IfyouareatalllikelytobeinEssexduringthetimewhenIamabroad，Ihaveprovidedagainstthechanceofyourbeingdisappointed，byleavinginstructionswithMrs。Draketogiveyou，andanyfriendsofyours，thefreestadmissiontothehouseandgrounds。“

VIII。FromMr。LoscombetoMrs。NoelVanstone。

“Lincoln\'sInnFields，May24th。

“DEARMADAM——Afterawholefortnight\'ssearch——conducted，Iamboundtoadmit，withthemostconscientiousandunrelaxingcare——nosuchdocumentastheSecretTrusthasbeenfoundamongthepapersleftatSt。CruxbythelateAdmiralBartram。

“Underthesecircumstances，theexecutorshavedecidedonactingundertheonlyrecognizableauthoritywhichtheyhavetoguidethem——theadmiral\'sownwill。Thisdocument(executedsomeyearssince)bequeathsthewholeofhisestate，bothrealandpersonal(thatistosay，allthelandshepossesses，andallthemoneyhepossesses，atthetimeofhisdeath)，tohisnephew。Thewillisplain，andtheresultisinevitable。Yourhusband\'sfortuneislosttoyoufromthismoment。Mr。GeorgeBartramlegallyinheritsit，ashelegallyinheritsthehouseandestateofSt。Crux。

“Imakenocommentuponthisextraordinaryclosetotheproceedings。

TheTrustmayhavebeendestroyed，ortheTrustmaybehiddeninsomeplaceofconcealmentinaccessibletodiscovery。Eitherway，itis，inmyopinion，impossibletofoundanyvalidlegaldeclarationonaknowledgeofthedocumentsofragmentaryandsoincompleteastheknowledgewhichyoupossess。Ifotherlawyersdifferfrommeonthispoint，byallmeansconsultthem。

Ihavedevotedmoneyenoughandtimeenoughtotheunfortunateattempttoassertyourinterests；andmyconnectionwiththemattermust，fromthismoment，beconsideredatanend。

“Yourobedientservant，“JOHNLOSCOMBE。“

IX。FromMrs。Ruddock(Lodging-houseKeeper)toMr。Loscombe。

“ParkTerrace，St。John\'sWood，June2d。

“SIR——Having，byMrs。NoelVanstone\'sdirections，takenlettersforhertothepost，addressedtoyou——andknowingnooneelsetoapplyto——I

begtoinquirewhetheryouareacquaintedwithanyofherfriends；forIthinkitrightthattheyshouldbestirreduptotakesomestepsabouther。

“Mrs。VanstonefirstcametomeinNovemberlast，whensheandhermaidoccupiedmyapartments。Onthatoccasion，andagainonthis，shehasgivenmenocausetocomplainofher。Shehasbehavedlikealady，andpaidmemydue。Iamwriting，asamotherofafamily，underasenseofresponsibility——I

amnotwritingwithaninterestedmotive。

“Afterproperwarninggiven，Mrs。Vanstone(whoisnowquitealone)

leavesmeto-morrow。Shehasnotconcealedfrommethathercircumstancesarefallenverylow，andthatshecannotaffordtoremaininmyhouse。

Thisisallshehastoldme——Iknownothingofwheresheisgoing，orwhatshemeanstodonext。ButIhaveeveryreasontobelieveshedesirestodestroyalltracesbywhichshemightbefound，afterleavingthisplace——forIdiscoveredherintearsyesterday，burningletterswhichweredoubtlesslettersfromherfriends。Inlooksandconductshehasalteredmostshockinglyinthelastweek。Ibelievethereissomedreadfultroubleonhermind；

andIamafraid，fromwhatIseeofher，thatsheisontheeveofaseriousillness。Itisverysadtoseesuchayoungwomansoutterlydesertedandfriendlessassheisnow。

“Excusemytroublingyouwiththisletter；itisonmyconsciencetowriteit。Ifyouknowanyofherrelations，pleasewarnthemthattimeisnottobewasted。Iftheyloseto-morrow，theymaylosethelastchanceoffindingher。

“Yourhumbleservant，“CATHERINERUDDOCK。“

X。FromMr。LoscombetoMrs。Ruddock。

“Lincoln\'sInnFields，June2d。

“MADAM——MYonlyconnectionwithMrs。NoelVanstonewasaprofessionalone，andthatconnectionisnowatanend。Iamnotacquaintedwithanyofherfriends；andIcannotundertaketointerferepersonally，eitherwithherpresentorfutureproceedings。

“Regrettingmyinabilitytoaffordyouanyassistance，Iremain，yourobedientservant，“JOHNLOSCOMBE。“

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]NoName，TheLastScene，Chapter1THELASTSCENE。

AARON\'SBUILDINGS

CHAPTERI。

ONtheseventhofJune，theownersofthemerchantmanDeliverancereceivednewsthattheshiphadtouchedatPlymouthtolandpassengers，andhadthencontinuedherhomewardvoyagetothePortofLondon。Fivedayslater，thevesselwasintheriver，andwastowedintotheEastIndiaDocks。

Havingtransactedthebusinessonshoreforwhichhewaspersonallyresponsible，CaptainKirkemadethenecessaryarrangements，byletter，forvisitinghisbrother-in-law\'sparsonageinSuffolk，ontheseventeenthofthemonth。Asusualinsuchcases，hereceivedalistofcommissionstoexecuteforhissisteronthedaybeforeheleftLondon。OneofthesecommissionstookhimintotheneighborhoodofCamdenTown。HedrovetohisdestinationfromtheDocks；andthen，dismissingthevehicle，setforthtowalkbacksouthward，towardtheNewRoad。

Hewasnotwellacquaintedwiththedistrict；andhisattentionwanderedfurtherandfurtherawayfromthescenearoundhimashewenton。Histhoughts，rousedbytheprospectofseeinghissisteragain，hadledhismemorybacktothenightwhenhehadpartedfromher，leavingthehouseonfoot。Thespellsostrangelylaidonhim，inthatpasttime，hadkeptitsholdthroughallafter-events。Thefacethathadhauntedhimonthelonelyroadhadhauntedhimagainonthelonelysea。Thewomanwhohadfollowedhim，asinadream，tohissister\'sdoor，hadfollowedhim——thoughtofhisthought，andspiritofhisspirit——tothedeckofhisship。Throughstormandcalmonthevoyageout，throughstormandcalmonthevoyagehome，shehadbeenwithhim。IntheceaselessturmoiloftheLondonstreets，shewaswithhimnow。Heknewwhatthefirstquestiononhislipswouldbe，whenhehadseenhissisterandherboys。“Ishalltrytotalkofsomethingelse，“hethought；“butwhenLizzieandIamalone，itwillcomeoutinspiteofme。“

Thenecessityofwaitingtoletastringofcartspassataturningbeforehecrossedawakenedhimtopresentthings。Helookedaboutinamomentaryconfusion。Thestreetwasstrangetohim；hehadlosthisway。

Thefirstfootpassengerofwhomheinquiredappearedtohavenotimetowasteingivinginformation。Hurriedlydirectinghimtocrosstotheothersideoftheroad，toturndownthefirststreethecametoonhisrighthand，andthentoaskagain，thestrangerunceremoniouslyhastenedonwithoutwaitingtobethanked。

Kirkefollowedhisdirectionsandtooktheturningonhisright。Thestreetwasshortandnarrow，andthehousesoneithersidewereofthepoorerorder。Helookedupashepassedthecornertoseewhatthenameoftheplacemightbe。Itwascalled“Aaron\'sBuildings。“

Lowdownonthesideofthe“Buildings“alongwhichhewaswalking，alittlecrowdofidlerswasassembledroundtwocabs，bothdrawnupbeforethedoorofthesamehouse。Kirkeadvancedtothecrowd，toaskhiswayofanycivilstrangeramongthemwhomightnotbeinahurrythistime。Onapproachingthecabs，hefoundawomandisputingwiththedrivers；andheardenoughtoinformhimthattwovehicleshadbeensentforbymistake，whereonlyonewaswanted。

Thehousedoorwasopen；andwhenheturnedthatwaynext，helookedeasilyintothepassage，overtheheadsofthepeopleinfrontofhim。

Thesightthatmethiseyesshouldhavebeenshieldedinpityfromtheobservationofthestreet。Hesawaslatternlygirl，withafrightenedface，standingbyanoldchairplacedinthemiddleofthepassage，andholdingawomanonthechair，tooweakandhelplesstosupportherself——awomanapparentlyinthelaststageofillness，whowasabouttoberemoved，whenthedisputeoutsidewasended，inoneofthecabs。Herheadwasdroopingwhenhefirstsawher，andanoldshawlwhichcoveredithadfallenforwardsoastohidetheupperpartofherface。

Beforehecouldlookawayagain，thegirlinchargeofherraisedherheadandrestoredtheshawltoitsplace。Theactiondisclosedherfacetoview，foraninstantonly，beforeherheaddroopedoncemoreonherbosom。Inthatinstanthesawthewomanwhosebeautywasthehauntingremembranceofhislife——whoseimagehadbeenvividinhismindnotfiveminutessince。

Theshockofthedoublerecognition——therecognition，atthesamemoment，oftheface，andofthedreadfulchangeinit——struckhimspeechlessandhelpless。Thesteadypresenceofmindinallemergencieswhichhadbecomeahabitofhislife，failedhimforthefirsttime。Thepoverty-strickenstreet，thesqualidmobroundthedoor，swambeforehiseyes。Hestaggeredbackandcaughtattheironrailingsofthehousebehindhim。

“Wherearetheytakingherto？“heheardawomanask，closeathisside。

“Tothehospital，iftheywillhaveher，“wasthereply。“Andtothework-house，iftheywon\'t。“

Thathorribleanswerrousedhim。Hepushedhiswaythroughthecrowdandenteredthehouse。

Themisunderstandingonthepavementhadbeensetright，andoneofthecabshaddrivenoff。

Ashecrossedthethresholdofthedoorheconfrontedthepeopleofthehouseatthemomentwhentheyweremovingher。Thecabmanwhohadremainedwasononesideofthechair，andthewomanwhohadbeendisputingwiththetwodriverswasontheother。Theywerejustliftingher，whenKirke\'stallfiguredarkenedthedoor。

“Whatareyoudoingwiththatlady？“heasked。

Thecabmanlookedupwiththeinsolenceofhisreplyvisibleinhiseyes，beforehislipscouldutterit。Butthewoman，quickerthanhe，sawthesuppressedagitationinKirke\'sface，anddroppedherholdofthechairinaninstant。

“Doyouknowher，sir？“askedthewoman，eagerly。“Areyouoneofherfriends？“

“Yes，“saidKirke，withouthesitation。

“It\'snotmyfault，sir，“pleadedthewoman，shirkingunderthelookhefixedonher。“Iwouldhavewaitedpatientlytillherfriendsfoundher——Iwould，indeed！“

Kirkemadenoreply。Heturned，andspoketothecabman。

“Goout，“hesaid，“andclosethedoorafteryou。I\'llsendyoudownyourmoneydirectly。Whatroominthehousedidyoutakeherfrom，whenyoubroughtherhere？“heresumed，addressinghimselftothewomanagain。

“Thefirstfloorback，sir。“

“Showmethewaytoit。“

Hestooped，andliftedMagdaleninhisarms。Herheadrestedgentlyonthesailor\'sbreast；hereyeslookedupwonderinglyintothesailor\'sface。Shesmiled，andwhisperedtohimvacantly。Hermindhadwanderedbacktoolddaysathome；andherfewbrokenwordsshowedthatshefanciedherselfachildagaininherfather\'sarms。“Poorpapa！“shesaid，softly。“Whydoyoulooksosorry？Poorpapa！“

Thewomanledthewayintothebackroomonthefirstfloor。Itwasverysmall；itwasmiserablyfurnished。Butthelittlebedwasclean，andthefewthingsintheroomwereneatlykept。Kirkelaidhertenderlyonthebed。Shecaughtoneofhishandsinherburningfingers。“Don\'tdistressmammaaboutme，“shesaid。“SendforNorah。“Kirketriedgentlytoreleasehishand；butsheonlyclaspeditthemoreeagerly。Hesatdownbythebedsidetowaituntilitpleasedhertoreleasehim。Thewomanstoodlookingatthemandcrying，inacorneroftheroom。Kirkeobservedherattentively。“Speak，“hesaid，afteraninterval，inlow，quiettones。“Speakinherpresence；andtellmethetruth。“

Withmanywords，withmanytears，thewomanspoke。

Shehadletherfirstfloortotheladyafortnightsince。Theladyhadpaidaweek\'srent，andhadgiventhenameofGray。Shehadbeenoutfrommorningtillnight，forthefirstthreedays，andhadcomehomeagain，oneveryoccasion，withawretchedlyweary，disappointedlook。Thewomanofthehousehadsuspectedthatshewasinhidingfromherfriends，underafalsename；andthatshehadbeenvainlytryingtoraisemoney，ortogetsomeemployment，onthethreedayswhenshewasoutforsolong，andwhenshelookedsodisappointedoncominghome。Howeverthatmightbe，onthefourthdayshehadfallenill，withshiveringfitsandhotfits，turnandturnabout。Onthefifthdayshewasworse；andonthesixth，shewastoosleepyatonetime，andtoolight-headedatanother，tobespokento。Thechemist(whodidthedoctoringinthoseparts)hadcomeandlookedather，andhadsaidhethoughtitwasabadfever。Hehadlefta“salinedraught，“whichthewomanofthehousehadpaidforoutofherownpocket，andhadadministeredwithouteffect。Shehadventuredonsearchingtheonlyboxwhichtheladyhadbroughtwithher；andhadfoundnothinginitbutafewnecessaryarticlesoflinen——nodresses，noornaments，notsomuchasthefragmentofaletterwhichmighthelpindiscoveringherfriends。Betweentheriskofkeepingherunderthesecircumstances，andthebarbarityofturningasickwomanintothestreet，thelandladyherselfhadnothesitated。Shewouldwillinglyhavekepthertenant，onthechanceofthelady\'srecovery，andonthechanceofherfriendsturningup。Butnothalfanhoursince，herhusband——whonevercamenearthehouse，excepttotakehermoney——hadcometorobherofherlittleearnings，asusual。Shehadbeenobligedtotellhimthatnorentwasinhandforthefirstfloor，andthatnonewaslikelytobeinhanduntiltheladyrecovered，orherfriendsfoundher。Onhearingthis，hehadmercilesslyinsisted——wellorill——thattheladyshouldgo。Therewasthehospitaltotakeherto；andifthehospitalshutitsdoors，therewastheworkhousetotrynext。Ifshewasnotoutoftheplaceinanhour\'stime，hethreatenedtocomebackandtakeherouthimself。Hiswifeknewbuttoowellthathewasbruteenoughtobeasgoodashisword；andnootherchoicehadbeenleftherbuttodoasshehaddone，forthesakeoftheladyherself。

Thewomantoldhershockingstory，witheveryappearanceofbeinghonestlyashamedofit。Towardtheend，Kirkefelttheclaspoftheburningfingersslackeningroundhishand。Helookedbackatthebedagain。Herwearyeyeswereclosing；and，withherfacestillturnedtowardthesailor，shewassinkingintosleep。

“Isthereanyoneinthefrontroom？“saidKirke，inawhisper。“Comeinthere；Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou。“

Thewomanfollowedhimthroughthedoorofcommunicationbetweentherooms。

“Howmuchdoessheoweyou？“heasked。

Thelandladymentionedthesum。Kirkeputitdownbeforeheronthetable。

“Whereisyourhusband？“washisnextquestion。

“Waitingatthepublic-house，sir，tillthehourisup。“

“Youcantakehimthemoneyornot，asyouthinkright，“saidKirke，quietly。“Ihaveonlyonethingtotellyou，asfarasyourhusbandisconcerned。Ifyouwanttoseeeveryboneinhisskinbroken，lethimcometothehousewhileIaminit。Stop！Ihavesomethingmoretosay。Doyouknowofanydoctorintheneighborhoodwhocanbedependedon？“

“Notinourneighborhood，sir。ButIknowofonewithinhalfanhour\'swalkofus。“

“Takethecabatthedoor；and，ifyoufindhimathome，bringhimbackinit。SayIamwaitinghereforhisopiniononaveryseriouscase。Heshallbewellpaid，andyoushallbewellpaid。Makehaste！“

Thewomanlefttheroom。

Kirkesatdownalone，towaitforherreturn。Hehidhisfaceinhishands，andtriedtorealizethestrangeandtouchingsituationinwhichtheaccidentofamomenthadplacedhim。

Hiddeninthesqualidby-waysofLondonunderafalsename；cast，friendlessandhelpless，onthemercyofstrangers，byillnesswhichhadstruckherprostrate，mindandbodyalike——sohemetheragain，thewomanwhohadopenedanewworldofbeautytohismind；thewomanwhohadcalledLovetolifeinhimbyalook！Whathorriblemisfortunehadstruckhersocruelly，andstruckhersolow？Whatmysteriousdestinyhadguidedhimtothelastrefugeofherpovertyanddespair，inthehourofhersorestneed？“IfitisorderedthatIamtoseeheragain，Ishallseeher。“Thosewordscamebacktohimnow——thememorablewordsthathehadspokentohissisteratparting。Withthatthoughtinhisheart，hehadgonewherehisdutycalledhim。Monthsandmonthshadpassed；thousandsandthousandsofmiles，protractingtheirdesolatelengthontheunrestingwatershadrolledbetweenthem。Andthroughthelapseoftime，andoverthewasteofoceans——dayafterday，andnightafternight，asthewindsofheavenblew，andthegoodshiptoiledonbeforethem——hehadadvancednearerandnearertotheendthatwaswaitingforhim；hehadjourneyedblindfoldtothemeetingonthethresholdofthatmiserabledoor。“Whathasbroughtmehere？“hesaidtohimselfinawhisper。“Themercyofchance？No。ThemercyofGod。“

Hewaited，unregardfuloftheplace，unconsciousofthetime，untilthesoundoffootstepsonthestairscamesuddenlybetweenhimandhisthoughts。Thedooropened，andthedoctorwasshownintotheroom。

“Dr。Merrick，“saidthelandlady，placingachairforhim。

“Mr。Merrick，“saidthevisitor，smilingquietlyashetookthechair。“Iamnotaphysician——Iamasurgeoningeneralpractice。“

Physicianorsurgeon，therewassomethinginhisfaceandmannerwhichtoldKirkeataglancethathewasamantobereliedon。

Afterafewpreliminarywordsoneitherside，Mr。Merricksentthelandladyintothebedroomtoseeifhispatientwasawakeorasleep。Thewomanreturned，andsaidshewas“betwixtthetwo，lightintheheadagain，andburninghot。“Thedoctorwentatonceintothebedroom，tellingthelandladytofollowhim，andtoclosethedoorbehindher。

Awearytimepassedbeforehecamebackintothefrontroom。Whenhere-appeared，hisfacespokeforhim，beforeanyquestioncouldbeasked。

“Isitaseriousillness？“saidKirkehisvoicesinkinglow，hiseyesanxiouslyfixedonthedoctor\'sface。

“Itisadangerousillness，“saidMr。Merrick，withanemphasisontheword。

HedrewhischairnearertoKirkeandlookedathimattentively。

“MayIaskyousomequestionswhicharenotstrictlymedical？“heinquired。

Kirkebowed。

“Canyoutellmewhatherlifehasbeenbeforeshecameintothishouse，andbeforeshefellill？“

“Ihavenomeansofknowing。IhavejustreturnedtoEnglandafteralongabsence。“

“Didyouknowofhercominghere？“

“Ionlydiscovereditbyaccident。“

“Hasshenofemalerelations？Nomother？nosister？noonetotakecareofherbutyourself？“

“Noone——unlessIcansucceedintracingherrelations。Noonebutmyself。“

Mr。Merrickwassilent。HelookedatKirkemoreattentivelythanever。“Strange！“thoughtthedoctor。“Heishere，insolechargeofher——andisthisallheknows？“

Kirkesawthedoubtinhisface；andaddressedhimselfstraighttothatdoubt，beforeanotherwordpassedbetweenthem“Iseemypositionheresurprisesyou，“hesaid，simply。“Willyouconsideritthepositionofarelation——thepositionofherbrotherorherfather——untilherfriendscanbefound？“Hisvoicefaltered，andhelaidhishandearnestlyonthedoctor\'sarm。“Ihavetakenthistrustonmyself，“hesaid；“andasGodshalljudgeme，Iwillnotbeunworthyofit！“

Thepoorwearyheadlayonhisbreastagain，thepoorfeveredfingersclaspedhishandoncemore，ashespokethosewords。

“Ibelieveyou，“saidthedoctor，warmly。“Ibelieveyouareanhonestman——PardonmeifIhaveseemedtointrudemyselfonyourconfidence。Irespectyourreserve——fromthismomentitissacredtome。Injusticetobothofus，letmesaythatthequestionsIhaveaskedwerenotpromptedbymerecuriosity。Nocommoncausewillaccountfortheillnesswhichhaslaidmypatientonthatbed。Shehassufferedsomelong-continuedmentaltrial，somewearingandterriblesuspense——andshehasbrokendownunderit。ItmighthavehelpedmeifIcouldhaveknownwhatthenatureofthetrialwas，andhowlongorhowshortatimeelapsedbeforeshesankunderit。InthathopeIspoke。“

“Whenyoutoldmeshewasdangerouslyill，“saidKirke，“didyoumeandangertoherreasonortoherlife？“

“Toboth，“repliedMr。Merrick。“Herwholenervoussystemhasgivenway；alltheordinaryfunctionsofherbrainareinastateofcollapse。Icangiveyounoplainerexplanationthanthatofthenatureofthemalady。Thefeverwhichfrightensthepeopleofthehouseismerelytheeffect。ThecauseiswhatIhavetoldyou。Shemaylieonthatbedforweekstocome；passingalternately，withoutagleamofconsciousness，fromastateofdeliriumtoastateofrepose。Youmustnotbealarmedifyoufindhersleeplastingfarbeyondthenaturaltime。ThatsleepisabetterremedythananyIcangive，andnothingmustdisturbit。Allourartcanaccomplishistowatchher，tohelpherwithstimulantsfromtimetotime，andtowaitforwhatNaturewilldo。“

“Mustsheremainhere？Istherenohopeofourbeingabletoremovehertoabetterplace？“

“Nohopewhatever，forthepresent。Shehasalreadybeendisturbed，asIunderstand，andsheisseriouslytheworseforit。Evenifshegetsbetter，evenifshecomestoherselfagain，itwouldstillbeadangerousexperimenttomovehertoosoon——theleastexcitementoralarmwouldbefataltoher。Youmustmakethebestofthisplaceasitis。Thelandladyhasmydirections；andIwillsendagoodnursetohelpher。Thereisnothingmoretobedone。Sofarasherlifecanbesaidtobeinanyhumanhands，itisasmuchinyourhandsnowasinmine。Everythingdependsonthecarethatistakenofher，underyourdirection，inthishouse。“Withthosefarewellwordsheroseandquittedtheroom。

Leftbyhimself，Kirkewalkedtothedoorofcommunication，and，knockingatitsoftly，toldthelandladyhewishedtospeakwithher。

Hewasfarmorecomposed，farmorelikehisownresoluteself，afterhisinterviewwiththedoctor，thanhehadbeenbeforeit。Amanlivingintheartificialsocialatmospherewhichthismanhadneverbreathedwouldhavefeltpainfullytheworldlysideofthesituation——itsnoveltyandstrangeness；theseriouspresentdifficultyinwhichitplacedhim；thenumberlessmisinterpretationsinthefuturetowhichitmightlead。Kirkenevergavethesituationathought。Hesawnothingbutthedutyitclaimedfromhim——adutywhichthedoctor\'sfarewellwordshadputplainlybeforehismind。Everythingdependedonthecaretakenofher，underhisdirection，inthathouse。Therewashisresponsibility，andheunconsciouslyactedunderit，exactlyashewouldhaveactedinacaseofemergencywithwomenandchildrenonboardhisownship。Hequestionedthelandladyinshort，sharpsentences；theonlychangeinhimwasintheloweredtoneofhisvoice，andintheanxiouslookswhichhecast，fromtimetotime，attheroomwhereshelay。

“Doyouunderstandwhatthedoctorhastoldyou？“

“Yes，sir。“

“Thehousemustbekeptquiet。Wholivesinthehouse？“

“Onlymeandmydaughter，sir；weliveintheparlors。TimeshavegonebadlywithussinceLadyDay。Boththeroomsabovethisaretolet。“

“Iwilltakethemboth，andthetworoomsdownhereaswell。Doyouknowofanyactivetrustworthymanwhocanrunonerrandsforme？“

“Yes，sir。ShallIgo——？“

“No；letyourdaughtergo。Youmustnotleavethehouseuntilthenursecomes。Don\'tsendthemessengeruphere。Menofthatsorttreadheavily。I\'llgodown，andspeaktohimatthedoor。“

Hewentdownwhenthemessengercame，andsenthimfirsttopurchasepen，ink，andpaper。Theman\'snexterranddispatchedhimtomakeinquiriesforapersonwhocouldprovidefordeadeningthesoundofpassingwheelsinthestreetbylayingdowntanbeforethehouseintheusualway。Thisobjectaccomplished，themessengerreceivedtwoletterstopost。ThefirstwasaddressedtoKirke\'sbrother-in-law。Ittoldhim，infewandplainwords，whathadhappened；andlefthimtobreakthenewstohiswifeashethoughtbest。ThesecondletterwasdirectedtothelandlordoftheAldboroughHotel。Magdalen\'sassumednameatNorthShingleswastheonlynamebywhichKirkeknewher；andtheonechanceoftracingherrelativesthathecoulddiscernwasthechanceofdiscoveringherreputeduncleandauntbymeansofinquiriesstartingfromAldborough。

Towardthecloseoftheafternoonadecentmiddle-agedwomancametothehouse，withaletterfromMr。Merrick。Shewaswellknowntothedoctorasatrustworthyandcarefulperson，whohadnursedhisownwife；andshewouldbeassisted，fromtimetotime，byaladywhowasamemberofareligiousSisterhoodinthedistrict，andwhosecompassionateinteresthadbeenwarmlyarousedinthecase。Towardeighto\'clockthateveningthedoctorhimselfwouldcallandseethathispatientwantedfornothing。

Thearrivalofthenurse，andthereliefofknowingthatshewastobetrusted，leftKirkefreetothinkofhimself。HisluggagewasreadypackedforhiscontemplatedjourneytoSuffolkthenextday。ItwasmerelynecessarytotransportitfromthehoteltothehouseinAaron\'sBuildings。

Hestoppedonceonlyonhiswaytothehoteltolookatatoyshopinoneofthegreatthoroughfares。Theminiatureshipsinthewindowremindedhimofhisnephew。“Mylittlename-sakewillbesadlydisappointedatnotseeingmeto-morrow，“hethought。“Imustmakeituptotheboybysendinghimsomethingfromhisuncle。“Hewentintotheshopandboughtoneoftheships。Itwassecuredinabox，andpackedanddirectedinhispresence。Heputacardonthedeckoftheminiaturevesselbeforethecoveroftheboxwasnailedon，bearingthisinscription:“Ashipforthelittlesailor，withthebigsailor\'slove。“——“Childrenliketobewrittento，ma\'am，“hesaid，apologetically，tothewomanbehindthecounter。“Sendtheboxassoonasyoucan——Iamanxioustheboyshouldgetitto-morrow。“

TowardtheduskoftheeveninghereturnedwithhisluggagetoAaron\'sBuildings。Hetookoffhisbootsinthepassageandcarriedhistrunkupstairshimself；stopping，ashepassedthefirstfloor，tomakehisinquiries。Mr。Merrickwaspresenttoanswerthem。

“Shewasawakeandwandering，“saidthedoctor，“afewminutessince。Butwehavesucceededincomposingher，andsheissleepingnow。“

“Havenowordsescapedher，sir，whichmighthelpustofindherfriends？“

Mr。Merrickshookhishead。

“Weeksandweeksmaypassyet，“hesaid，“andthatpoorgirl\'sstorymaystillbeasealedsecrettoallofus。Wecanonlywait。“

Sothedayended——thefirstofmanydaysthatweretocome。

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]TheLastSceneChapter2CHAPTERII。

THEwarmsunlightofJulyshiningsoftlythroughagreenblind；anopenwindowwithfreshflowerssetonthesill；astrangebed，inastrangeroom；agiantfigureofthefemalesex(likeadreamofMrs。Wragge)toweringaloftononesideofthebed，andtryingtoclapitshands；anotherwoman(quickly)stoppingthehandsbeforetheycouldmakeanynoise；amildexpostulatingvoice(likeadreamofMrs。Wraggeagain)breakingthesilenceinthesewords，“Sheknowsme，ma\'am，sheknowsme；ifImustn\'tbehappy，itwillbethedeathofme！“——suchwerethefirstsights，suchwerethefirstsounds，towhich，aftersixweeksofoblivion，Magdalensuddenlyandstrangelyawoke。

Afteralittle，thesightsgrewdimagain，andthesoundssankintosilence。Sleep，themerciful，tookheroncemore，andhushedherbacktorepose。

Anotherday——andthesightswereclearer，thesoundswerelouder。Another——andsheheardaman\'svoice，throughthedoor，askingfornewsfromthesick-room。Thevoicewasstrangetoher；itwasalwayscautiouslyloweredtothesamequiettone。Itinquiredafterher，inthemorning，whenshewoke——atnoon，whenshetookherrefreshment——intheevening，beforeshedroppedasleepagain。“Whoissoanxiousaboutme？“Thatwasthefirstthoughthermindwasstrongenoughtoform——“Whoissoanxiousaboutme？“

Moredays——andshecouldspeaktothenurseatherbedside；shecouldanswerthequestionsofanelderlyman，whoknewfarmoreaboutherthansheknewaboutherself，andwhotoldherhewasMr。Merrick，thedoctor；shecouldsitupinbed，supportedbypillows，wonderingwhathadhappenedtoher，andwhereshewas；shecouldfeelagrowingcuriosityaboutthatquietvoice，whichstillaskedafterher，morning，noon，andnight，ontheothersideofthedoor。

Anotherday\'sdelay——andMr。Merrickaskedherifshewasstrongenoughtoseeanoldfriend。Ameekvoice，behindhim，articulatinghighintheair，said，“It\'sonlyme。“ThevoicewasfollowedbytheprodigiousbodilyapparitionofMrs。Wragge，withhercapallawry，andoneofhershoesinthenextroom。“Oh，lookather！lookather！“criedMrs。Wragge，inanecstasy，droppingonherkneesatMagdalen\'sbedside，withathumpthatshookthehouse。“Blessherheart，she\'swellenoughtolaughatmealready。\'Cheer，boys，cheer——！\'Ibegyourpardon，doctor，myconductisn\'tladylike，Iknow。It\'smyhead，sir；itisn\'tme。Imustgiveventsomehow，ormyheadwillburst！“Nocoherentsentence，inanswertoanysortofquestionputtoher，couldbeextractedthatmorningfromMrs。Wragge。Sherosefromoneclimaxofverbalconfusiontoanother——andfinishedhervisitunderthebed，gropinginscrutablyforthesecondshoe。

Themorrowcame——andMr。Merrickpromisedthatsheshouldseeanotheroldfriendonthenextday。Intheevening，whentheinquiringvoiceaskedafterher，asusual，andwhenthedoorwasopenedafewinchestogivethereply，sheansweredfaintlyforherself:“Iambetter，thankyou。“Therewasamomentofsilence——andthen，justasthedoorwasshutagain，thevoicesanktoawhisper，andsaid，fervently，“ThankGod！“Whowashe？Shehadaskedthemall，andnoonewouldtellher。Whowashe？

Thenextdaycame；andsheheardherdooropenedsoftly。Briskfootstepstrippedintotheroom；alithelittlefigureadvancedtothebed-side。Wasitadreamagain？No！Therehewasinhisownevergreenreality，withthecopiousflowoflanguagepouringsmoothlyfromhislips；withthelambentdashofhumortwinklinginhisparty-coloredeyes——therehewas，moreaudacious，morepersuasive，morerespectablethanever，inasuitofglossyblack，withaspecklesswhitecravat，andarampantshirtfrill——theunblushing，theinvincible，unchangeableWragge！

“Notaword，mydeargirl！“saidthecaptain，seatinghimselfcomfortablyatthebedside，inhisoldconfidentialway。“Iamtodoallthetalking；and，Ithinkyouwillown，amorecompetentmanforthepurposecouldnotpossiblyhavebeenfound。Iamreallydelighted——honestlydelighted，ifImayusesuchanapparentlyinappropriateword——toseeyouagain，andtoseeyougettingwell。Ihaveoftenthoughtofyou；Ihaveoftenmissedyou；Ihaveoftensaidtomyself——nevermindwhat！Clearthestage，anddropthecurtainonthepast。Dumvivimus，vivamus！PardonthepedantryofaLatinquotation，mydear，andtellmehowIlook。AmI，oramInot，thepictureofaprosperousman？“

Magdalenattemptedtoanswerhim。Thecaptain\'sdelugeofwordsflowedoverheragaininamoment。

“Don\'texertyourself，“hesaid。“I\'llputallyourquestionsforyou。WhathaveIbeenabout？WhydoIlooksoremarkablywelloff？AndhowintheworlddidIfindmywaytothishouse？Mydeargirl，Ihavebeenoccupied，sincewelastsaweachother，inslightlymodifyingmyoldprofessionalhabits。IhaveshiftedfromMoralAgriculturetoMedicalAgriculture。FormerlyIpreyedonthepublicsympathy，nowIpreyonthepublicstomach。Stomachandsympathy，sympathyandstomach——lookthembothfairlyinthefacewhenyoureachthewrongsideoffifty，andyouwillagreewithmethattheycometomuchthesamething。Howeverthatmaybe，hereIam——incredibleasitmayappear——amanwithanincome，atlast。Thefoundersofmyfortunearethreeinnumber。TheirnamesareAloes，Scammony，andGamboge。Inplainerwords，Iamnowliving——onaPill。Imadealittlemoney(ifyouremember)bymyfriendlyconnectionwithyou。Imadealittlemorebythehappydecease(RequiescatinPace！)ofthatfemalerelativeofMrs。Wragge\'sfromwhom，asItoldyou，mywifehadexpectations。Verygood。WhatdoyouthinkIdid？Iinvestedthewholeofmycapital，atonefellswoop，inadvertisements，andpurchasedmydrugsandmypill-boxesoncredit。Theresultisnowbeforeyou。HereIam，aGrandFinancialFact。HereIam，withmyclothespositivelypaidfor；withabalanceatmybanker\'s；withmyservantinlivery，andmygigatthedoor；solvent，flourishing，popular——andallonaPill。“

Magdalensmiled。Thecaptain\'sfaceassumedanexpressionofmockgravity；helookedasiftherewasaserioussidetothequestion，andasifhemeanttoputitnext。

“It\'snolaughingmattertothepublic，mydear，“hesaid。“Theycan\'tgetridofmeandmyPill；theymusttakeus。ThereisnotasingleformofappealinthewholerangeofhumanadvertisementwhichIamnotmakingtotheunfortunatepublicatthismoment。Hirethelastnewnovel，thereIam，insidetheboardsofthebook。SendforthelastnewSong——theinstantyouopentheleaves，Idropoutofit。Takeacab——Iflyinatthewindowinred。Buyaboxoftooth-powderatthechemist\'s——Iwrapitupforyouinblue。Showyourselfatthetheater——Iflutterdownonyouinyellow。Themeretitlesofmyadvertisementsarequiteirresistible。Letmequoteafewfromlastweek\'sissue。ProverbialTitle:\'APillintimesavesNine。\'FamiliarTitle:\'Excuseme，howisyourStomach？\'PatrioticTitle:\'Whatarethethreecharacteristicsofatrue-bornEnglishman？HisHearth，hisHome，andhisPill。\'Titleintheformofanurserydialogue:\'Mamma，Iamnotwell。\'\'Whatisthematter，mypet？\'\'IwantalittlePill。\'TitleintheformofaHistoricalAnecdote:\'NewDiscoveryintheMineofEnglishHistory。WhenthePrincesweresmotheredintheTower，theirfaithfulattendantcollectedalltheirlittlepossessionsleftbehindthem。Amongthetouchingtriflesdeartothepoorboys，hefoundatinyBox。ItcontainedthePillofthePeriod。IsitnecessarytosayhowinferiorthatPillwastoitsSuccessor，whichprinceandpeasantalikemaynowobtain？\'——Etcetera，etcetera。TheplaceinwhichmyPillismadeisanadvertisementinitself。IhavegotoneofthelargestshopsinLondon。Behindonecounter(visibletothepublicthroughthelucidmediumofplate-glass)arefour-and-twentyyoungmen，inwhiteaprons，makingthePill。Behindanothercounterarefour-and-twentyyoungmen，inwhitecravats，makingtheboxes。Atthebottomoftheshoparethreeelderlyaccountants，postingthevastfinancialtransactionsaccruingfromthePillinthreeenormousledgers。Overthedooraremyname，portrait，andautograph，expandedtocolossalproportions，andsurroundedinflowingletters，bythemottooftheestablishment，\'DownwiththeDoctors！\'EvenMrs。Wraggecontributesherquotatothisprodigiousenterprise。SheisthecelebratedwomanwhomIhavecuredofindescribableagoniesfromeverycomplaintunderthesun。Herportraitisengravedonallthewrappers，withthefollowinginscriptionbeneathit:\'BeforeshetookthePillyoumighthaveblownthispatientawaywithafeather。Lookathernow！！！\'Last，notleast，mydeargirl，thePillisthecauseofmyfindingmywaytothishouse。MydepartmentintheprodigiousEnterprisealreadymentionedistoscourtheUnitedKingdominagig，establishingAgencieseverywhere。WhilefoundingoneofthoseAgencies，Iheardofacertainfriendofmine，whohadlatelylandedinEngland，afteralongsea-voyage。IgothisaddressinLondon——hewasalodgerinthishouse。Icalledonhimforthwith，andwasstunnedbythenewsofyourillness。Such，inbrief，isthehistoryofmyexistingconnectionwithBritishMedicine；andsoithappensthatyouseemeatthepresentmomentsittinginthepresentchair，nowasever，yourstruly，HoratioWragge。“Inthesetermsthecaptainbroughthispersonalstatementtoaclose。HelookedmoreandmoreattentivelyatMagdalen，thenearerhegottotheconclusion。Wastheresomelatentimportanceattachingtohislastwordswhichdidnotappearonthefaceofthem？Therewas。Hisvisittothesick-roomhadaseriousobject，andthatobjecthehadnowapproached。

IndescribingthecircumstancesunderwhichhehadbecomeacquaintedwithMagdalen\'spresentposition，CaptainWraggehadskirted，withhiscustomarydexterity，roundtheremoteboundariesoftruth。EmboldenedbytheabsenceofanypublicscandalinconnectionwithNoelVanstone\'smarriage，orwiththeeventofhisdeathasannouncedinthenewspaperobituary，thecaptain，roamingtheeasterncircuit，hadventuredbacktoAldboroughafortnightsince，toestablishanagencythereforthesaleofhiswonderfulPill。Noonehadrecognizedhimbutthelandladyofthehotel，whoatonceinsistedonhisenteringthehouseandreadingKirke\'slettertoherhusband。ThesamenightCaptainWraggewasinLondon，andwasclosetedwiththesailorinthesecond-floorroomatAaron\'sBuildings。

Theseriousnatureofthesituation，theindisputablecertaintythatKirkemustfailintracingMagdalen\'sfriendsunlesshefirstknewwhoshereallywas，haddecidedthecaptainondisclosingpart，atleast，ofthetruth。Decliningtoenterintoanyparticulars——forfamilyreasons，whichMagdalenmightexplainonherrecovery，ifshepleased——heastoundedKirkebytellinghimthatthefriendlesswomanwhomhehadrescued，andwhomhehadonlyknownuptothatmomentasMissBygrave——wasnootherthantheyoungestdaughterofAndrewVanstone。Thedisclosure，onKirke\'sside，ofhisfather\'sconnectionwiththeyoungofficerinCanada，hadfollowednaturallyontherevelationofMagdalen\'srealname。CaptainWraggehadexpressedhissurprise，buthadmadenofurtherremarkatthetime。Afortnightlater，however，whenthepatient\'srecoveryforcedtheseriousdifficultyonthedoctorofmeetingthequestionswhichMagdalenwassuretoask，thecaptain\'singenuityhadcome，asusual，totherescue。

“Youcan\'ttellherthetruth，“hesaid，“withoutawakeningpainfulrecollectionsofherstayatAldborough，intowhichIamnotatlibertytoenter。Don\'tacknowledgejustyetthatMr。KirkeonlyknewherasMissBygraveofNorthShingleswhenhefoundherinthishouse。Tellherboldlythatheknewwhoshewas，andthathefelt(whatshemustfeel)thathehadahereditaryrighttohelpandprotectherashisfather\'sson。Iam，asIhavealreadytoldyou，“continuedthecaptain，stickingfasttohisoldassertion，“adistantrelativeoftheCombe-Ravenfamily；and，ifthereisnobodyelseathandtohelpyouthroughthisdifficulty，myservicesarefreelyatyourdisposal。“

Nooneelsewasathand，andtheemergencywasaseriousone。Strangersundertakingtheresponsibilitymightignorantlyjaronpastrecollections，whichitwould，perhaps，bethedeathofhertorevivetoosoon。Nearrelativesmight，bytheirprematureappearanceatthebedside，producethesamedeplorableresult。Thealternativelaybetweenirritatingandalarmingherbyleavingherinquiriesunanswered，ortrustingCaptainWragge。Inthedoctor\'sopinion，thesecondriskwastheleastseriousriskofthetwo——andthecaptainwasnowseatedatMagdalen\'sbedsideindischargeofthetrustconfidedtohim。

WouldsheaskthequestionwhichithadbeentheprivateobjectofallCaptainWragge\'spreliminarytalklightlyandpleasantlytoprovoke？Yes；assoonashissilencegavehertheopportunity，sheaskedit:“Whowasthatfriendofhislivinginthehouse？“

“YououghtbyrightstoknowhimaswellasIdo，“saidthecaptain。“Heisthesonofoneofyourfather\'soldmilitaryfriends，whenyourfatherwasquarteredwithhisregimentinCanada。Yourcheeksmustn\'tflushup！Iftheydo，Ishallgoaway。“

Shewasastonished，butnotagitated。CaptainWraggehadbegunbyinterestingherintheremotepast，whichsheonlyknewbyhearsay，beforeheventuredonthedelicategroundofherownexperience。

Inamomentmoresheadvancedtohernextquestion:“Whatwashisname？“

“Kirke，“proceededthecaptain。“Didyouneverhearofhisfather，MajorKirke，commandingofficeroftheregimentinCanada？Didyouneverhearthatthemajorhelpedyourfatherthroughagreatdifficulty，likethebestofgoodfellowsandgoodfriends？“

Yes；shefaintlyfanciedshehadheardsomethingaboutherfatherandanofficerwhohadoncebeenverygoodtohimwhenhewasayoungman。Butshecouldnotlookbacksolong。“WasMr。Kirkepoor？“EvenCaptainWragge\'spenetrationwaspuzzledbythatquestion。Hegavethetrueanswerathazard。“No，“hesaid，“notpoor。“

Hernextinquiryshowedwhatshehadbeenthinkingof。“IfMr。Kirkewasnotpoor，whydidhecometoliveinthathouse？“

“Shehascaughtme！“thoughtthecaptain。“Thereisonlyonewayoutofit——Imustadministeranotherdoseoftruth。Mr。Kirkediscoveredyouherebychance，“heproceeded，aloud，“veryill，andnotnicelyattendedto。Somebodywaswantedtotakecareofyouwhileyouwerenotabletotakecareofyourself。WhynotMr。Kirke？Hewasthesonofyourfather\'soldfriend——whichisthenextthingtobeingyouroldfriend。Whohadabetterclaimtosendfortherightdoctor，andgettherightnurse，whenIwasnotheretocureyouwithmywonderfulPill？Gently！gently！youmustn\'ttakeholdofmysuperfineblackcoat-sleeveinthatunceremoniousmanner。“

Heputherhandbackonthebed，butshewasnottobecheckedinthatway。Shepersistedinaskinganotherquestion——HowcameMr。Kirketoknowher？Shehadneverseenhim；shehadneverheardofhiminherlife。

“Verylikely，“saidCaptainWragge。“Butyourneverhavingseenhimisnoreasonwhyheshouldnothaveseenyou。“

“Whendidheseeme？“

Thecaptaincorkeduphisdosesoftruthonthespotwithoutamoment\'shesitation。“Sometimeago，mydear。Ican\'texactlysaywhen。“

“Onlyonce？“

CaptainWraggesuddenlysawhiswaytotheadministrationofanotherdose。“Yes，“hesaid，“onlyonce。“

Shereflectedalittle。Thenextquestioninvolvedthesimultaneousexpressionoftwoideas，andthenextquestioncostheraneffort。

“Heonlysawmeonce，“shesaid，“andheonlysawmesometimeago。Howcamehetoremembermewhenhefoundmehere？“

“Aha！“saidthecaptain。“Nowyouhavehittherightnailontheheadatlast。Youcan\'tpossiblybemoresurprisedathisrememberingyouthanIam。Awordofadvice，mydear。WhenyouarewellenoughtogetupandseeMr。Kirke，tryhowthatsharpquestionofyourssoundsinhisears，andinsistonhisansweringithimself。“Slippingoutofthedilemmainthatcharacteristicallyadroitmanner，CaptainWraggegotbrisklyonhislegsagainandtookuphishat。

“Wait！“shepleaded。“Iwanttoaskyou——“

“Notanotherword，“saidthecaptain。“Ihavegivenyouquiteenoughtothinkofforoneday。Mytimeisup，andmygigiswaitingforme。Iamoff，toscourthecountryasusual。Iamoff，tocultivatethefieldofpublicindigestionwiththetripleplowshareofaloes，scammonyandgamboge。“Hestoppedandturnedroundatthedoor。“By-the-by，amessagefrommyunfortunatewife。Ifyouwillallowhertocomeandseeyouagain，Mrs。Wraggesolemnlypromisesnottolosehershoenexttime。Idon\'tbelieveher。Whatdoyousay？Mayshecome？“

“Yes；whenevershelikes，“saidMagdalen。“IfIevergetwellagain，maypoorMrs。Wraggecomeandstaywithme？“

“Certainly，mydear。Ifyouhavenoobjection，Iwillprovideherbeforehandwithafewthousandimpressionsinred，blue，andyellowofherownportrait(\'YoumighthaveblownthispatientawaywithafeatherbeforeshetookthePill。Lookathernow！\')。Sheissuretodropherselfaboutperpetuallywherevershegoes，andthemostgratifyingresults，inanadvertisingpointofview，mustinevitablyfollow。Don\'tthinkmemercenary——ImerelyunderstandtheageIlivein。“Hestoppedonhiswayout，forthesecondtime，andturnedroundoncemoreatthedoor。“Youhavebeenaremarkablygoodgirl，“hesaid，“andyoudeservetoberewardedforit。I\'llgiveyoualastpieceofinformationbeforeIgo。Haveyouheardanybodyinquiringafteryou，forthelastdayortwo，outsideyourdoor？Ah！Iseeyouhave。Awordinyourear，mydear。That\'sMr。Kirke。“Hetrippedawayfromthebedsideasbrisklyasever。Magdalenheardhimadvertisinghimselftothenursebeforeheclosedthedoor。“Ifyouareeveraskedaboutit，“hesaid，inaconfidentialwhisper，“thenameisWragge，andthePillistobehadinneatboxes，pricethirteenpencehalf-penny，governmentstampincluded。Takeafewcopiesoftheportraitofafemalepatient，whomyoumighthaveblownawaywithafeatherbeforeshetookthePill，andwhomyouaresimplyrequestedtocontemplatenow。Manythanks。Good-morning。“

ThedoorclosedandMagdalenwasaloneagain。Shefeltnosenseofsolitude；CaptainWraggehadleftherwithsomethingnewtothinkof。HourafterhourherminddweltwonderinglyonMr。Kirke，untiltheeveningcame，andsheheardhisvoiceagainthroughthehalf-openeddoor。

“Iamverygrateful，“shesaidtohim，beforethenursecouldanswerhisinquiries——“very，verygratefulforallyourgoodnesstome。“

“Trytogetwell，“hereplied，kindly。“Youwillmorethanrewardme，ifyoutrytogetwell。“

ThenextmorningMr。Merrickfoundherimpatienttoleaveherbed，andbemovedtothesofainthefrontroom。Thedoctorsaidhesupposedshewantedachange。“Yes，“shereplied；“IwanttoseeMr。Kirke。“Thedoctorconsentedtomoveheronthenextday，buthepositivelyforbadetheadditionalexcitementofseeinganybodyuntilthedayafter。Sheattemptedaremonstrance——Mr。Merrickwasimpenetrable。Shetried，whenhewasgone，towinthenursebypersuasion——thenursewasimpenetrable，too。

Onthenextdaytheywrappedherinshawls，andcarriedherintothesofa，andmadeheralittlebedonit。Onthetablenearathandweresomeflowersandanumberofanillustratedpaper。Sheimmediatelyaskedwhohadputthemthere。Thenurse(failingtonoticeawarninglookfromthedoctor)saidMr。Kirkehadthoughtthatshemightliketheflowers，andthatthepicturesinthepapermightamuseher。Afterthatreply，heranxietytoseeMr。Kirkebecametooungovernabletobetrifledwith。Thedoctorlefttheroomatoncetofetchhim。

Shelookedeagerlyattheopeningdoor。Herfirstglanceathimashecameinraisedadoubtinhermindwhethershenowsawthattallfigureandthatopensun-burnedfaceforthefirsttime。ButshewastooweakandtooagitatedtofollowherrecollectionsasfarbackasAldborough。Sheresignedtheattempt，andonlylookedathim。Hestoppedatthefootofthesofaandsaidafewcheeringwords。Shebeckonedtohimtocomenearer，andofferedhimherwastedhand。Hetenderlytookitinhis，andsatdownbyher。Theywerebothsilent。Hisfacetoldherofthesorrowandthesympathywhichhissilencewouldfainhaveconcealed。Shestillheldhishand——consciouslynow——aspersistentlyasshehadhelditonthedaywhenhefoundher。Hereyesclosed，afteravainefforttospeaktohim，andthetearsrolledslowlyoverherwanwhitecheeks。

ThedoctorsignedtoKirketowaitandgivehertime。Sherecoveredalittleandlookedathim。“Howkindyouhavebeentome！“shemurmured。“AndhowlittleIhavedeservedit！“

“Hush！hush！“hesaid。“Youdon\'tknowwhatahappinessitwastometohelpyou。“

Thesoundofhisvoiceseemedtostrengthenher，andtogivehercourage。Shelaylookingathimwithaneagerinterest，withagratitudewhichartlesslyignoredalltheconventionalrestraintsthatinterposebetweenawomanandaman。“Wheredidyouseeme，“shesaid，suddenly，“beforeyoufoundmehere？“

Kirkehesitated。Mr。Merrickcametohisassistance。

“IforbidyoutosayawordaboutthepasttoMr。Kirke，“interposedthedoctor；“andIforbidMr。Kirketosayawordaboutittoyou。Youarebeginninganewlifeto-day，andtheonlyrecollectionsIsanctionarerecollectionsfiveminutesold。“

Shelookedatthedoctorandsmiled。“Imustaskhimonequestion，“shesaid，andturnedbackagaintoKirke。“Isittruethatyouhadonlyseenmeoncebeforeyoucametothishouse？“