第20章

“Quitetrue！“Hemadethereplywithasuddenchangeofcolorwhichsheinstantlydetected。Herbrighteningeyeslookedathimmoreearnestlythanever，assheputhernextquestion。

“Howcameyoutoremembermeafteronlyseeingmeonce？“

Hishandunconsciouslyclosedonhers，andpresseditforthefirsttime。Heattemptedtoanswer，andhesitatedatthefirstword。“Ihaveagoodmemory，“hesaidatlast；andsuddenlylookedawayfromherwithaconfusionsostrangelyunlikehiscustomaryself-possessionofmannerthatthedoctorandthenursebothnoticedit。

Everynerveinherbodyfeltthatmomentarypressureofhishand，withtheexquisitesusceptibilitywhichaccompaniesthefirstfalteringadvanceonthewaytohealth。Shelookedathischangingcolor，shelistenedtohishesitatingwords，witheverysensitiveperceptionofhersexandagequickenedtoseizeintuitivelyonthetruth。Inthemomentwhenhelookedawayfromher，shegentlytookherhandfromhim，andturnedherheadasideonthepillow。“Canitbe？“shethought，withaflutterofdeliciousfearatherheart，withaglowofdeliciousconfusionburningonhercheeks。“Canitbe？“

ThedoctormadeanothersigntoKirke。Heunderstoodit，androseimmediately。Themomentarydiscomposureinhisfaceandmannerhadbothdisappeared。Hewassatisfiedinhisownmindthathehadsuccessfullykepthissecret，andinthereliefoffeelingthatconvictionhehadbecomehimselfagain。

“Good-bytillto-morrow，“hesaid，ashelefttheroom。

“Good-by，“sheanswered，softly，withoutlookingathim。

Mr。MerricktookthechairwhichKirkehadresigned，andlaidhishandonherpulse。“JustwhatIfeared，“remarkedthedoctor；“tooquickbyhalf。“

Shepetulantlysnatchedawayherwrist。“Don\'t！“shesaid，shrinkingfromhim。“Praydon\'ttouchme！“

Mr。Merrickgood-humoredlygaveuphisplacetothenurse。“I\'llreturninhalfanhour，“hewhispered，“andcarryherbacktobed。Don\'tlethertalk。Showherthepicturesinthenewspaper，andkeepherquietinthatway。“

Whenthedoctorreturned，thenursereportedthatthenewspaperhadnotbeenwanted。Thepatient\'sconducthadbeenexemplary。Shehadnotbeenatallrestless，andshehadneverspokenaword。

Thedayspassed，andthetimegrewlongerandlongerwhichthedoctorallowedhertospendinthefrontroom。Shewassoonabletodispensewiththebedonthesofa——shecouldbedressed，andcouldsitup，supportedbypillows，inanarm-chair。Herhoursofemancipationfromthebedroomrepresentedthegreatdailyeventofherlife。TheywerethehoursshepassedinKirke\'ssociety。

Shehadadoubleinterestinhimnow——herinterestinthemanwhoseprotectingcarehadsavedherreasonandherlife；herinterestinthemanwhoseheart\'sdeepestsecretshehadsurprised。Littlebylittletheygrewaseasyandfamiliarwitheachotherasoldfriends；littlebylittleshepresumedonallherprivileges，andwoundherwayunsuspectedintothemostintimateknowledgeofhisnature。

Herquestionswereendless。Everythingthathecouldtellherofhimselfandhislifeshedrewfromhimdelicatelyandinsensibly:he，theleastself-consciousofmankind，becameanegotistinherdexteroushands。Shefoundouthisprideinhisship，andpracticedonitwithoutremorse。Shedrewhimintotalkingofthefinequalitiesofthevessel，ofthegreatthingsthevesselhaddoneinemergencies，ashehadneverinhislifetalkedyettoanylivingcreatureonshore。Shefoundhimoutinprivateseafaringanxietiesandunutterableseafaringexultationswhichhehadkeptasecretfromhisownmate。Shewatchedhiskindlingfacewithadelicioussenseoftriumphinaddingfueltothefire；shetrappedhimintoforgettingallconsiderationsoftimeandplace，andstrikingasheartyastrokeonthericketylittlelodging-housetable，inthefervorofhistalk，asifhishandhaddescendedonthesolidbulwarkofhisship。Hisconfusionatthediscoveryofhisownforgetfulnesssecretlydelightedher；shecouldhavecriedwithpleasurewhenhepenitentlywonderedwhathecouldpossiblyhavebeenthinkingof。

Atothertimesshedrewhimfromdwellingonthepleasuresofhislife，andledhimintotalkingofitsperils——theperilsofthatjealousmistressthesea，whichhadabsorbedsomuchofhisexistence，whichhadkepthimsostrangelyinnocentandignorantoftheworldonshore。Twicehehadbeenshipwrecked。Timesinnumerableheandallwithhimhadbeenthreatenedwithdeath，andhadescapedtheirdoombythenarrownessofahair-breadth。Hewasalwaysunwillingattheoutsettospeakofthisdarkanddreadfulsideofhislife:itwasonlybyadroitlytemptinghim，bylayinglittlesnaresforhiminhistalk，thatsheluredhimintotellingheroftheterrorsofthegreatdeep。Shesatlisteningtohimwithabreathlessinterest，lookingathimwithabreathlesswonder，asthosefearfulstories——madedoublyvividbythesimplelanguageinwhichhetoldthem——fell，onebyone，fromhislips。Hisnobleunconsciousnessofhisownheroism——theartlessmodestywithwhichhedescribedhisownactsofdauntlessenduranceanddevotedcourage，withoutanideathattheywereanythingmorethanplainactsofdutytowhichhewasboundbythevocationthathefollowed——raisedhimtoaplaceinherestimationsohopelesslyhighaboveherthatshebecameuneasyandimpatientuntilshehadpulleddowntheidolagainwhichsheherselfhadsetup。Itwasontheseoccasionsthatshemostrigidlyexactedfromhimallthoselittlefamiliarattentionssoprecioustowomenintheirintercoursewithmen。“Thishand，“shethought，withanexquisitedelightinsecretlyfollowingtheideawhilehewasclosetoher——“thishandthathasrescuedthedrowningfromdeathisshiftingmypillowssotenderlythatIhardlyknowwhentheyaremoved。Thishandthathasseizedmenmadwithmutiny，anddriventhembacktotheirdutybymainforce，ismixingmylemonadeandpeelingmyfruitmoredelicatelyandmoreneatlythanIcoulddoitformyself。Oh，ifIcouldbeaman，howIshouldliketobesuchamanasthis！“

Sheneverallowedherthoughts，whileshewasinhispresence，toleadherbeyondthatpoint。Itwasonlywhenthenighthadseparatedthemthatsheventuredtoletherminddwellontheself-sacrificingdevotionwhichhadsomercifullyrescuedher。Kirkelittleknewhowshethoughtofhim，inthesecrecyofherownchamber，duringthequiethoursthatelapsedbeforeshesanktosleep。Nosuspicioncrossedhismindoftheinfluencewhichhewasexertingoverher——ofthenewspiritwhichhewasbreathingintothatnewlife，sosensitivelyopentoimpressioninthefirstfreshnessofitsrecoveredsense。“Shehasnobodyelsetoamuseher，poorthing，“heusedtothink，sadly，sittingaloneinhissmallsecond-floorroom。“Ifaroughfellowlikemecanbeguilethewearyhourstillherfriendscomehere，sheisheartilywelcometoallthatIcantellher。“

Hewasoutofspiritsandrestlessnowwheneverhewasbyhimself。Littlebylittlehefellintoahabitoftakinglong，lonelywalksatnight，whenMagdalenthoughthewassleepingupstairs。Oncehewentawayabruptlyintheday-time——onbusiness，ashesaid。SomethinghadpassedbetweenMagdalenandhimselftheeveningbeforewhichhadledherintotellinghimherage。“Twentylastbirthday，“hethought。“Taketwentyfromforty-one。Aneasysuminsubtraction——aseasyasumasmylittlenephewcouldwishfor。“HewalkedtotheDocks，andlookedbitterlyattheshipping。“Imustn\'tforgethowashipismade，“hesaid。“Itwon\'tbelongbeforeIambackattheoldworkagain。“OnleavingtheDockshepaidavisittoabrothersailor——amarriedman。Inthecourseofconversationheaskedhowmucholderhisfriendmightbethanhisfriend\'swife。Therewassixyears\'differencebetweenthem。“Isupposethat\'sdifferenceenough？“saidKirke。“Yes，“saidhisfriend；“quiteenough。Areyoulookingoutforawifeatlast？Tryaseasonedwomanofthirty-five——that\'syourmark，Kirke，asnearasIcancalculate。“

Thetimepassedsmoothlyandquickly——thepresenttime，inwhichshewasrecoveringsohappily——thepresenttime，whichhewasbeginningtodistrustalready。

EarlyonemorningMr。MerricksurprisedKirkebyavisitinhislittleroomonthesecondfloor。

“Icametotheconclusionyesterday，“saidthedoctor，enteringabruptlyonhisbusiness，“thatourpatientwasstrongenoughtojustifyusatlastinrunningallrisks，andcommunicatingwithherfriends；andIhaveaccordinglyfollowedtheclewwhichthatqueerfellow，CaptainWragge，putintoourhands。YourememberheadvisedustoapplytoMr。Pendril，thelawyer？IsawMr。Pendriltwodaysago，andwasreferredbyhim——notoverwillingly，asIthought——toaladynamedMissGarth。Iheardenoughfromhertosatisfymethatwehaveexercisedawisecautioninactingaswehavedone。Itisavery，verysadstory；andIamboundtosaythatI，forone，makegreatallowancesforthepoorgirldownstairs。Heronlyrelationintheworldishereldersister。Ihavesuggestedthatthesistershallwritetoherinthefirstinstance，andthen，iftheletterdoeshernoharm，followitpersonallyinadayortwo。Ihavenotgiventheaddress，bywayofpreventinganyvisitsfrombeingpaidherewithoutmypermission。AllIhavedoneistoundertaketoforwardtheletter，andIshallprobablyfinditatmyhousewhenIgetback。CanyoustopathomeuntilIsendmymanwithit？Thereisnottheleasthopeofmybeingabletobringitmyself。Allyouneeddoistowatchforanopportunitywhensheisnotinthefrontroom，andtoputtheletterwhereshecanseeitwhenshecomesin。Thehandwritingontheaddresswillbreakthenewsbeforesheopenstheletter。Saynothingtoheraboutit——takecarethatthelandladyiswithincall——andleavehertoherself。IknowIcantrustyoutofollowmydirections，andthatiswhyIaskyoutodousthisservice。Youlookoutofspiritsthismorning。Naturalenough。You\'reusedtoplentyoffreshair，captain，andyou\'rebeginningtopineinthiscloseplace。“

“MayIaskaquestion，doctor？Isshepininginthiscloseplace，too？Whenhersistercomes，willhersistertakeheraway？“

“Decidedly，ifmyadviceisfollowed。Shewillbewellenoughtobemovedinaweekorless。Good-day。Youarecertainlyoutofspirits，andyourhandfeelsfeverish。Piningforthebluewater，captain——piningforthebluewater！“Withthatexpressionofopinion，thedoctorcheerfullywentout。

Inanhourtheletterarrived。Kirketookitfromthelandladyreluctantly，andalmostroughly，withoutlookingatit。HavingascertainedthatMagdalenwasstillengagedathertoilet，andhavingexplainedtothelandladythenecessityofremainingwithincall，hewentdownstairsimmediately，andputtheletteronthetableinthefrontroom。Magdalenheardthesoundofthefamiliarsteponthefloor。“Ishallsoonbeready，“shecalledtohim，throughthedoor。

Hemadenoreply；hetookhishatandwentout。Afteramomentaryhesitation，heturnedhisfaceeastward，andcalledontheship-ownerswhoemployedhim，attheirofficeinCornhill。

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]TheLastSceneChapter3CHAPTERIII。

MAGDALEN\'Sfirstglanceroundtheemptyroomshowedhertheletteronthetable。Theaddress，asthedoctorhadpredicted，brokethenewsthemomentshelookedatit。

Notawordescapedher。Shesatdownbythetable，paleandsilent，withtheletterinherlap。Twicesheattemptedtoopenit，andtwicesheputitbackagain。Thebygonetimewasnotaloneinhermindasshelookedathersister\'shandwriting:thefearofKirkewastherewithit。“Mypastlife！“shethought。“Whatwillhethinkofmewhenheknowsmypastlife？“

Shemadeanothereffort，andbroketheseal。Asecondletterdroppedoutoftheinclosure，addressedtoherinahandwritingwithwhichshewasnotfamiliar。SheputthesecondletterasideandreadthelineswhichNorahhadwritten:

“Ventnor，IsleofWight，August24th。

“MYDEARESTMAGDALEN——Whenyoureadthisletter，trytothinkwehaveonlybeenpartedsinceyesterday；anddismissfromyourmind(asIhavedismissedfrommine)thepastandallthatbelongstoit。

“Iamstrictlyforbiddentoagitateyou，ortowearyyoubywritingalongletter。IsitwrongtotellyouthatIamthehappiestwomanliving？

Ihopenot，forIcan\'tkeepthesecrettomyself。

“Mydarling，prepareyourselfforthegreatestsurpriseIhaveevercausedyou。Iammarried。Itisonlyaweekto-daysinceIpartedwithmyoldname——itisonlyaweeksinceIhavebeenthehappywifeofGeorgeBartram，ofSt。Crux。

“Thereweredifficultiesatfirstinthewayofourmarriage，someofthem，Iamafraid，ofmymaking。Happilyforme，myhusbandknewfromthebeginningthatIreallylovedhim:hegavemeasecondchanceoftellinghimso，afterIhadlostthefirst，and，asyousee，Iwaswiseenoughtotakeit。Yououghttobeespeciallyinterested，mylove，inthismarriage，foryouarethecauseofit。IfIhadnotgonetoAldboroughtosearchforthelosttraceofyou——ifGeorgehadnotbeenbroughtthereatthesametimebycircumstancesinwhichyouwereconcerned，myhusbandandImightneverhavemet。Whenwelookbacktoourfirstimpressionsofeachother，welookbacktoyou。

“Imustkeepmypromisenottowearyyou；Imustbringthisletter(sorelyagainstmywill)toanend。Patience！patience！Ishallseeyousoon。GeorgeandIarebothcomingtoLondontotakeyoubackwithustoVentnor。Thisismyhusband\'sinvitation，mind，aswellasmine。Don\'tsupposeImarriedhim，Magdalen，untilIhadtaughthimtothinkofyouasIthink——towishwithmywishes，andtohopewithmyhopes。Icouldsaysomuchmoreaboutthis，somuchmoreaboutGeorge，ifImightonlygivemythoughtsandmypentheirownway；butImustleaveMissGarth(atherownspecialrequest)

ablankspacetofilluponthelastpageofthisletter；andImustonlyaddonewordmorebeforeIsaygood-by——awordtowarnyouthatIhaveanothersurpriseinstore，whichIamkeepinginreserveuntilwemeet。

Don\'tattempttoguesswhatitis。Youmightguessforages，andbenonearerthanyouarenowtothediscoveryofthetruth。Youraffectionatesister，“NORAHBARTRAM。“(AddedbyMissGarth。)

“MYDEARCHILD——IfIhadeverlostmyoldlovingrecollectionofyou，Ishouldfeelitinmyheartagainnow，whenIknowthatithaspleasedGodtorestoreyoutousfromthebrinkofthegrave。Iaddtheselinestoyoursister\'sletterbecauseIamnotsurethatyouarequitesofityet，asshethinksyou，toacceptherproposal。Shehasnotsaidawordofherhusbandorherselfwhichisnottrue。ButMr。Bartramisastrangertoyou；andifyouthinkyoucanrecovermoreeasilyandmorepleasantlytoyourselfunderthewingofyouroldgovernessthanundertheprotectionofyournewbrother-in-law，cometomefirst，andtrusttomyreconcilingNorahtothechangeofplans。IhavesecuredtherefusalofalittlecottageatShanklin，nearenoughtoyoursistertoallowofyourseeingeachotherwheneveryoulike，andfarenoughaway，atthesametime，tosecureyoutheprivilege，whenyouwishit，ofbeingalone。SendmeonelinebeforewemeettosayYesorNo，andIwillwritetoShanklinbythenextpost。

“Alwaysyoursaffectionately，“HARRIETGARTH“

TheletterdroppedfromMagdalen\'shand。Thoughtswhichhadneverriseninhermindyetroseinitnow。

Norah，whosecourageunderundeservedcalamityhadbeenthecourageofresignation——Norah，whohadpatientlyacceptedherhardlot；whofromfirsttolasthadmeditatednovengeanceandstoopedtonodeceit——Norahhadreachedtheendwhichallhersister\'singenuity，allhersister\'sresolution，andallhersister\'sdaringhadfailedtoachieve。Openlyandhonorably，withloveononesideandloveontheother，NorahhadmarriedthemanwhopossessedtheCombe-Ravenmoney——andMagdalen\'sownschemetorecoverithadopenedthewaytotheeventwhichhadbroughthusbandandwifetogether。

Asthelightofthatoverwhelmingdiscoverybrokeonhermind，theoldstrifewasrenewed；andGoodandEvilstruggledoncemorewhichshouldwinher——butwithaddedforcesthistime；withthenewspiritthathadbeenbreathedintohernewlife；withthenoblersensethathadgrownwiththegrowthofhergratitudetothemanwhohadsavedher，fightingonthebetterside。Allthehigherimpulsesofhernature，whichhadnever，fromfirsttolast，lethererrwithimpunity——whichhadtorturedher，beforehermarriageandafterit，withtheremorsethatnowomaninherentlyheartlessandinherentlywickedcanfeel——allthenoblerelementsinhercharacter，gatheredtheirforcesforthecrowningstruggleandstrengthenedhertomeet，withnounworthyshrinking，therevelationthathadopenedonherview。Clearerandclearer，inthelightofitsownimmortallife，thetruthrosebeforeherfromtheashesofherdeadpassions，fromthegraveofherburiedhopes。Whenshelookedattheletteragain——whenshereadthewordsoncemorewhichtoldherthattherecoveryofthelostfortunewashersister\'striumph，nothers，shehadvictoriouslytrampleddownalllittlejealousiesandallmeanregrets；shecouldsayinherheartsofhearts，“Norahhasdeservedit！“

Thedayworeon。Shesatabsorbedinherownthoughts，andheedlessofthesecondletterwhichshehadnotopenedyet，untilKirke\'sreturn。

Hestoppedonthelandingoutside，and，openingthedooralittlewayonly，asked，withoutenteringtheroom，ifshewantedanythingthathecouldsendher。Shebeggedhimtocomein。Hisfacewaswornandweary；

helookedolderthanshehadseenhimlookyet。“Didyouputmyletteronthetableforme？“sheasked。

“Yes。Iputitthereatthedoctor\'srequest。“

“Isupposethedoctortoldyouitwasfrommysister？Sheiscomingtoseeme，andMissGarthiscomingtoseeme。TheywillthankyouforallyourgoodnesstomebetterthanIcan。“

“Ihavenoclaimontheirthanks，“heanswered，sternly。“WhatIhavedonewasnotdoneforthem，butforyou。“Hewaitedalittle，andlookedather。Hisfacewouldhavebetrayedhiminthatlook，hisvoicewouldhavebetrayedhiminthenextwordshespoke，ifshehadnotguessedthetruthalready。“Whenyourfriendscomehere，“heresumed，“theywilltakeyouaway，Isuppose，tosomebetterplacethanthis。“

“Theycantakemetonoplace，“shesaid，gently，“whichIshallthinkofasIthinkoftheplacewhereyoufoundme。Theycantakemetonodearerfriendthanthefriendwhosavedmylife。“

Therewasamoment\'ssilencebetweenthem。

“Wehavebeenveryhappyhere，“hewenton，inlowerandlowertones。

“Youwon\'tforgetmewhenwehavesaidgood-by？“

Sheturnedpaleasthewordspassedhislips，and，leavingherchair，kneltdownatthetable，soastolookupintohisface，andtoforcehimtolookintohers。

“Whydoyoutalkofit？“sheasked。“Wearenotgoingtosaygood-by，atleastnotyet。“

“Ithought——“hebegan。

“Yes？“

“Ithoughtyourfriendswerecominghere——“

Sheeagerlyinterruptedhim。“DoyouthinkIwouldgoawaywithanybody，“

shesaid，“evenwiththedearestrelationIhaveintheworld，andleaveyouhere，notknowingandnotcaringwhetherIeversawyouagain？Oh，youdon\'tthinkthatofme！“sheexclaimed，withthepassionatetearsspringingintohereyes——“I\'msureyoudon\'tthinkthatofme！“

“No，“hesaid；“Ineverhavethought，Inevercanthink，unjustlyorunworthilyofyou。“

Beforehecouldaddanotherwordsheleftthetableassuddenlyasshehadapproachedit，andreturnedtoherchair。Hehadunconsciouslyrepliedintermsthatremindedherofthehardnecessitywhichstillremainedunfulfilled——thenecessityoftellinghimthestoryofthepast。Notanideaofconcealingthatstoryfromhisknowledgecrossedhermind。“Willheloveme，whenheknowsthetruth，ashelovesmenow？“Thatwasheronlythoughtasshetriedtoapproachthesubjectinhispresencewithoutshrinkingfromit。

“Letusputmyownfeelingsoutofthequestion，“shesaid。“Thereisareasonformynotgoingaway，unlessIfirsthavetheassuranceofseeingyouagain。Youhaveaclaim——thestrongestclaimofanyone——toknowhowIcamehere，unknowntomyfriends，andhowitwasthatyoufoundmefallensolow。“

“Imakenoclaim，“hesaid，hastily。“Iwishtoknownothingwhichdistressesyoutotellme。“

“Youhavealwaysdoneyourduty，“sherejoined，withafaintsmile。

“Letmetakeexamplefromyou，ifIcan，andtrytodomine。“

“Iamoldenoughtobeyourfather，“hesaid，bitterly。“Dutyismoreeasilydoneatmyagethanitisatyours。“

Hisagewassoconstantlyinhismindnowthathefancieditmustbeinhermindtoo。Shehadnevergivenitathought。Thereferencehehadjustmadetoitdidnotdivertherforamomentfromthesubjectonwhichshewasspeakingtohim。

“Youdon\'tknowhowIvalueyourgoodopinionofme，“shesaid，strugglingresolutelytosustainhersinkingcourage。“HowcanIdeserveyourkindness，howcanIfeelthatIamworthyofyourregard，untilIhaveopenedmyhearttoyou？Oh，don\'tencouragemeinmyownmiserableweakness！Helpmetotellthetruth——forcemetotellit，formyownsakeifnotforyours！“

Hewasdeeplymovedbytheferventsincerityofthatappeal。

“Youshalltellit，“hesaid。“Youareright——andIwaswrong。“

Hewaitedalittle，andconsidered。“Woulditbeeasiertoyou，“heasked，withdelicateconsiderationforher，“towriteitthantotellit？“

Shecaughtgratefullyatthesuggestion。“Fareasier，“shereplied。

“Icanbesureofmyself——Icanbesureofhidingnothingfromyou，ifIwriteit。Don\'twritetomeonyourside！“sheadded，suddenly，seeingwithawoman\'sinstinctivequicknessofpenetrationthedangeroftotallyrenouncingherpersonalinfluenceoverhim。“Waittillwemeet，andtellmewithyourownlipswhatyouthink。“

“WhereshallItellit？“

“Here！“shesaideagerly。“Here，whereyoufoundmehelpless——here，whereyouhavebroughtmebacktolife，andwhereIhavefirstlearnedtoknowyou。Icanbearthehardestwordsyousaytomeifyouwillonlysaytheminthisroom。ItisimpossibleIcanbeawaylongerthanamonth；

amonthwillbeenoughandmorethanenough。IfIcomeback——“Shestoppedconfusedly。“Iamthinkingofmyself，“shesaid，“whenIoughttobethinkingofyou。Youhaveyourownoccupationsandyourownfriends。Willyoudecideforus？Willyousayhowitshallbe？“

“Itshallbeasyouwish。Ifyoucomebackinamonth，youwillfindmehere。“

“Willitcauseyounosacrificeofyourowncomfortandyourownplans？“

“Itwillcausemenothing，“hereplied，“butajourneybacktotheCity。“

Heroseandtookhishat。“Imustgothereatonce，“headded，“orIshallnotbeintime。“

“Itisapromisebetweenus？“shesaid，andheldoutherhand。

“Yes，“heanswered，alittlesadly；“itisapromise。“

Slightasitwas，theshadeofmelancholyinhismannerpainedher。

Forgettingallotheranxietiesintheanxietytocheerhim，shegentlypressedthehandhegaveher。“Ifthatwon\'ttellhimthetruth，“

shethought，“nothingwill。“

Itfailedtotellhimthetruth；butitforcedaquestiononhismindwhichhehadnotventuredtoaskhimselfbefore。“Isithergratitude，orherlove；thatisspeakingtome？“hewondered。“IfIwasonlyayoungerman，Imightalmosthopeitwasherlove。“Thatterriblesuminsubtractionwhichhadfirstpresenteditselfonthedaywhenshetoldhimheragebegantotroublehimagainasheleftthehouse。Hetooktwentyfromforty-one，atintervals，allthewaybacktotheship-owners\'officeinCornhill。

Leftbyherself，MagdalenapproachedthetabletowritethelineofanswerwhichMissGarthrequested，andgratefullytoaccepttheproposalthathadbeenmadetoher。

Thesecondletterwhichshehadlaidasideandforgottenwasthefirstobjectthatcaughthereyeonchangingherplace。Sheopeneditimmediately，and，notrecognizingthehandwriting，lookedatthesignature。Toherunutterableastonishment，hercorrespondentprovedtobenolessapersonthan——oldMr。Clare！

Thephilosopher\'sletterdispensedwithalltheordinaryformsofaddress，andenteredonthesubjectwithoutprefatoryphrasesofanykind，intheseuncompromisingterms:

“Ihavemorenewsforyouofthatcontemptiblecur，myson。Hereitisinthefewestpossiblewords。

“Ialwaystoldyou，ifyouremember，thatFrankwasaSneak。Theveryfirsttracerecoveredofhim，afterhisrunningawayfromhisemployersinChina，presentshiminthatcharacter。Wheredoyouthinkheturnsupnext？Heturnsup，hiddenbehindacoupleofflourbarrels，onboardanEnglishvesselboundhomewardfromHong-KongtoLondon。

“ThenameoftheshipwastheDeliverance，andthecommanderwasoneCaptainKirke。Insteadofactinglikeasensibleman，andthrowingFrankoverboard，CaptainKirkewasfoolenoughtolistentohisstory。

Hemadethemostofhismisfortunes，youmaybesure。Hewashalfstarved；

hewasanEnglishmanlostinastrangecountry，withoutafriendtohelphim；hisonlychanceofgettinghomewastosneakintotheholdofanEnglishvessel——andhehadsneakedin，accordingly，atHong-Kong，twodayssince。

Thatwashisstory。AnyotherloutinFrank\'ssituationwouldhavebeenrope\'sendedbyanyothercaptain。Deservingnopityfromanybody，Frankwas，asamatterofcourse，coddledandcompassionatedonthespot。Thecaptaintookhimbythehand，thecrewpitiedhim，andthepassengerspattedhimontheback。Hewasfed，clothed，andpresentedwithhispassagehome。

Luckenoughsofar，youwillsay。Nothingofthesort；nothinglikeluckenoughformydespicableson。

“TheshiptouchedattheCapeofGoodHope。AmonghisotheractsoffollyCaptainKirketookawomanpassengeronboardatthatplace——notayoungwomanbyanymeans——theelderlywidowofarichcolonist。IsitnecessarytosaythatsheforthwithbecamedeeplyinterestedinFrankandhismisfortunes？Isitnecessarytotellyouwhatfollowed？Lookbackatmyson\'scareer，andyouwillseethatwhatfollowedwasallofapiecewithwhatwentbefore。Hedidn\'tdeserveyourpoorfather\'sinterestinhim——andhegotit。Hedidn\'tdeserveyourattachment——andhegotit。Hedidn\'tdeservethebestplaceinoneofthebestofficesinLondon；hedidn\'tdeserveanequallygoodchanceinoneofthebestmercantilehousesinChina；hedidn\'tdeservefood，clothing，pity，andafreepassagehome——andhegotthemall。Last，notleast，hedidn\'tevendeservetomarryawomanoldenoughtobehisgrandmother——andhehasdoneit！NotfiveminutessinceIsenthiswedding-cardsouttothedust-hole，andtossedtheletterthatcamewiththemintothefire。Thelastpieceofinformationwhichthatlettercontainsisthatheandhiswifearelookingoutforahouseandestatetosuitthem。Markmywords！FrankwillgetoneofthebestestatesinEngland；aseatintheHouseofCommonswillfollowasamatterofcourse；andoneofthelegislatorsofthisAss-riddencountrywillbe——MY

LOUT！

“IfyouarethesensiblegirlIhavealwaystakenyoufor，youhavelongsincelearnedtorateFrankathistruevalue，andthenewsIsendyouwillonlyconfirmyourcontemptforhim。Iwishyourpoorfathercouldbuthavelivedtoseethisday！OftenasIhavemissedmyoldgossip，I

don\'tknowthatIeverfeltthelossofhimsokeenlyasIfeltitwhenFrank\'swedding-cardsandFrank\'slettercametothishouse。Yourfriend，ifyoueverwantone，“FRANCISCLARE，Sen。“

Withonemomentarydisturbanceofhercomposure，producedbytheappearanceofKirke\'snameinMr。Clare\'ssingularnarrative，Magdalenreadthelettersteadilythroughfrombeginningtoend。Thetimewhenitcouldhavedistressedherwasgoneby；thescaleshadlongsincefallenfromhereyes。Mr。Clarehimselfwouldhavebeensatisfiedifhehadseenthequietcontemptonherfaceasshelaidasidehisletter。TheonlyseriousthoughtitcostherwasathoughtinwhichKirkewasconcerned。Thecarelessmannerinwhichhehadreferredinherpresencetothepassengersonboardhisship，withoutmentioninganyofthembytheirnames，showedherthatFrankmusthavekeptsilenceonthesubjectoftheengagementonceexistingbetweenthem。Theconfessionofthatvanisheddelusionwasleftforhertomake，aspartofthestoryofthepastwhichshehadpledgedherselfunreservedlytoreveal。

ShewrotetoMissGarth，andsentthelettertothepostimmediately。

Thenextmorningbroughtalineofrejoinder。MissGarthhadwrittentosecurethecottageatShanklin，andMr。MerrickhadconsentedtoMagdalen\'sremovalonthefollowingday。Norahwouldbethefirsttoarriveatthehouse；andMissGarthwouldfollow，withacomfortablecarriagetotaketheinvalidtotherailway。Everyneedfularrangementhadbeenmadeforher；theeffortofmovingwastheoneeffortshewouldhavetomake。

Magdalenreadtheletterthankfully，butherthoughtswanderedfromit，andfollowedKirkeonhisreturntotheCity。Whatwasthebusinesswhichhadoncealreadytakenhimthereinthemorning？AndwhyhadthepromiseexchangedbetweenthemobligedhimtogototheCityagain，forthesecondtimeinoneday？

Wasitbyanychancebusinessrelatingtothesea？Werehisemployerstemptinghimtogobacktohisship？

[NextChapter]

[TableofContents]TheLastSceneChapter4CHAPTERIV。

THEfirstagitationofthemeetingbetweenthesisterswasover；thefirstvividimpressions，halfpleasurable，halfpainful，hadsoftenedalittle，andNorahandMagdalensattogetherhandinhand，eachraptinthesilentfullnessofherownjoy。Magdalenwasthefirsttospeak。

“Youhavesomethingtotellme，Norah？“

“Ihaveathousandthingstotellyou，mylove；andyouhavetenthousandthingstotellme——DoyoumeanthatsecondsurprisewhichItoldyouofinmyletter？“

“Yes。Isupposeitmustconcernmeverynearly，oryouwouldhardlyhavethoughtofmentioningitinyourfirstletter？“

“Itdoesconcernyouverynearly。YouhaveheardofGeorge\'shouseinEssex？Youmustbefamiliar，atleast，withthenameofSt。Crux？——Whatistheretostartat，mydear？Iamafraidyouarehardlystrongenoughforanymoresurprisesjustyet？“

“Quitestrongenough，Norah。IhavesomethingtosaytoyouaboutSt。

Crux——Ihaveasurprise，onmyside，foryou。“

“Willyoutellitmenow？“

“Notnow。Youshallknowitwhenweareattheseaside；youshallknowitbeforeIacceptthekindnesswhichhasinvitedmetoyourhusband\'shouse。“

“Whatcanitbe？Whynottellmeatonce？“

“Youusedoftentosetmetheexampleofpatience，Norah，inoldtimes；

willyousetmetheexamplenow？“

“Withallmyheart。ShallIreturntomyownstoryaswell？Yes？Thenwewillgobacktoitatonce。IwastellingyouthatSt。CruxisGeorge\'shouse，inEssex，thehouseheinheritedfromhisuncle。KnowingthatMissGarthhadacuriositytoseetheplace，heleftword(whenhewentabroadaftertheadmiral\'sdeath)thatsheandanyfriendswhocamewithherweretobeadmitted，ifshehappenedtofindherselfintheneighborhoodduringhisabsence。MissGarthandI，andalargepartyofMr。Tyrrel\'sfriends，foundourselvesintheneighborhoodnotlongafterGeorge\'sdeparture。

WehadallbeeninvitedtoseethelaunchofMr。Tyrrel\'snewyachtfromthebuilder\'syardatWivenhoe，inEssex。Whenthelaunchwasover，therestofthecompanyreturnedtoColchestertodine。MissGarthandIcontrivedtogetintothesamecarriagetogether，withnobodybutmytwolittlepupilsforourcompanions。Wegavethecoachmanhisorders，anddroveroundbySt。Crux。ThemomentMissGarthmentionedhernamewewereletin，andshownalloverthehouse。Idon\'tknowhowtodescribeittoyou。ItisthemostbewilderingplaceIeversawinmylife——“

“Don\'tattempttodescribeit，Norah。Goonwithyourstoryinstead。“

“Verywell。MystorytakesmestraightintooneoftheroomsatSt。

Crux——aroomaboutaslongasyourstreethere——sodreary，sodirty，andsodreadfullycoldthatIshiveratthebarerecollectionofit。MissGarthwasforgettingoutofitagainasspeedilyaspossible，andsowasI。

Butthehousekeeperdeclinedtoletusoffwithoutfirstlookingatasingularpieceoffurniture，theonlypieceoffurnitureinthecomfortlessplace。

Shecalleditatripod，Ithink。(Thereisnothingtobealarmedat，Magdalen；

Iassureyouthereisnothingtobealarmedat！)Atanyrate，itwasastrange，three-leggedthing，whichsupportedagreatpanfulofcharcoalashesatthetop。Itwasconsideredbyallgoodjudges(thehousekeepertoldus)awonderfulpieceofchasinginmetal；andsheespeciallypointedoutthebeautyofsomescroll-workrunningroundtheinsideofthepan，withLatinmottoesonit，signifying——Iforgetwhat。Ifeltnottheslightestinterestinthethingmyself，butIlookedcloseatthescroll-worktosatisfythehousekeeper。Toconfessthetruth，shewasrathertiresomewithhermechanicallylearnedlectureonfinemetalwork；and，whileshewastalking，Ifoundmyselfidlystirringthesoftfeatherywhiteashesbackwardandforwardwithmyhand，pretendingtolisten，withmymindahundredmilesawayfromher。Idon\'tknowhowlongorhowshortatimeIhadbeenplayingwiththeashes，whenmyfingerssuddenlyencounteredapieceofcrumpledpaperhiddendeepamongthem。WhenIbroughtittothesurface，itprovedtobealetter——alongletterfullofcramped，closewriting——Youhaveanticipatedmystory，Magdalen，beforeIcanendit！

YouknowaswellasIdothattheletterwhichmyidlefingersfoundwastheSecretTrust。Holdoutyourhand，mydear。IhavegotGeorge\'spermissiontoshowittoyou，andthereitis！“

SheputtheTrustintohersister\'shand。Magdalentookitfromhermechanically。“You！“shesaid，lookingathersisterwiththeremembranceofallthatshehadvainlyventured，ofallthatshehadvainlysuffered，atSt。Crux——“youhavefoundit！“

“Yes，“saidNorah，gayly；“theTrusthasprovednoexceptiontothegeneralperversityofalllostthings。Lookforthem，andtheyremaininvisible。

Leavethemalone，andtheyrevealthemselves！Youandyourlawyer，Magdalen，werebothjustifiedinsupposingthatyourinterestinthisdiscoverywasaninterestofnocommonkind。IspareyouallourconsultationsafterIhadproducedthecrumpledpaperfromtheashes。ItendedinGeorge\'slawyerbeingwrittento，andinGeorgehimselfbeingrecalledfromtheContinent。MissGarthandIbothsawhimimmediatelyonhisreturn。Hedidwhatneitherofuscoulddo——hesolvedthemysteryoftheTrustbeinghiddeninthecharcoalashes。AdmiralBartram，youmustknow，wasallhislifesubjecttofitsofsomnambulism。Hehadbeenfoundwalkinginhissleepnotlongbeforehisdeath——justatthetime，too，whenhewassadlytroubledinhismindonthesubjectofthatveryletterinyourhand。George\'sideaisthathemusthavefanciedhewasdoinginhissleepwhathewouldhavediedratherthandoinhiswakingmoments——destroyingtheTrust。Thefirehadbeenlightedinthepannotlongbefore，andhenodoubtsawitstillburninginhisdream。ThiswasGeorge\'sexplanationofthestrangepositionoftheletterwhenIdiscoveredit。Thequestionofwhatwastobedonewiththeletteritselfcamenext，andwasnoeasyquestionforawomantounderstand。ButIdeterminedtomasterit，andIdidmasterit，becauseitrelatedtoyou。“

“Letmetrytomasterit，inmyturn，“saidMagdalen。“Ihaveaparticularreasonforwishingtoknowasmuchaboutthisletterasyouknowyourself。

Whathasitdoneforothers，andwhatisittodoforme？“

“MydearMagdalen，howstrangelyyoulookatit！howstrangelyyoutalkofit！Worthlessasitmayappear，thatmorselofpapergivesyouafortune。“

“Ismyonlyclaimtothefortunetheclaimwhichthislettergivesme？“

“Yes；theletterisyouronlyclaim。ShallItryifIcanexplainitintwowords？Takenbyitself，thelettermight，inthelawyer\'sopinion，havebeenmadeamatterfordispute，thoughIamsureGeorgewouldhavesanctionednoproceedingofthatsort。Taken，however，withthepostscriptwhichAdmiralBartramattachedtoit(youwillseethelinesifyoulookunderthesignatureonthethirdpage)，itbecomeslegallybinding，aswellasmorallybinding，ontheadmiral\'srepresentatives。Ihaveexhaustedmysmallstockoflegalwords，andmustgooninmyownlanguageinsteadofinthelawyer\'s。Theendofthethingwassimplythis。AllthemoneywentbacktoMr。NoelVanstone\'sestate(anotherlegalword！myvocabularyisricherthanIthought)，foroneplainreason——thatithadnotbeenemployedasMr。NoelVanstonedirected。IfMrs。Girdlestonehadlived，orifGeorgehadmarriedmeafewmonthsearlier，resultswouldhavebeenjusttheotherway。Asitis，halfthemoneyhasbeenalreadydividedbetweenMr。NoelVanstone\'snextofkin；whichmeans，translatedintoplainEnglish，myhusband，andhispoorbedriddensister——whotookthemoneyformally，oneday，tosatisfythelawyer，andwhogaveitbackagaingenerously，thenext，tosatisfyherself。Somuchforonehalfofthislegacy。

Theotherhalf，mydear，isallyours。Howstrangelyeventshappen，Magdalen！

ItisonlytwoyearssinceyouandIwereleftdisinheritedorphans——andwearesharingourpoorfather\'sfortunebetweenus，afterall！“

“Waitalittle，Norah。Oursharescometousinverydifferentways。“

“Dothey？Minecomestomebymyhusband。Yourscomestoyou——“Shestoppedconfusedly，andchangedcolor。“Forgiveme，myownlove！“shesaid，puttingMagdalen\'shandtoherlips。“IhaveforgottenwhatIoughttohaveremembered。Ihavethoughtlesslydistressedyou！“

“No！“saidMagdalen；“youhaveencouragedme。“

“Encouragedyou？“

“Youshallsee。“

Withthosewords，sherosequietlyfromthesofa，andwalkedtotheopenwindow。BeforeNorahcouldfollowher，shehadtorntheTrusttopieces，andhadcastthefragmentsintothestreet。

Shecamebacktothesofaandlaidherhead，withadeepsighofrelief，onNorah\'sbosom。“Iwillowenothingtomypastlife，“shesaid。“IhavepartedwithitasIhavepartedwiththosetornmorselsofpaper。Allthethoughtsandallthehopesbelongingtoitareputawayfrommeforever！“

“Magdalen，myhusbandwillneverallowyou！Iwillneverallowyoumyself——“

“Hush！hush！Whatyourhusbandthinksright，Norah，youandIwillthinkrighttoo。IwilltakefromyouwhatIwouldneverhavetakenifthatletterhadgivenittome。TheendIdreamedofhascome。NothingischangedbutthepositionIoncethoughtwemightholdtowardeachother。Betterasitis，mylove——far，farbetterasitis！“

Soshemadethelastsacrificeoftheoldperversityandtheoldpride。

Sosheenteredonthenewandnoblerlife。******

Amonthhadpassed。Theautumnsunshinewasbrighteveninthemurkystreets，andtheclocksintheneighborhoodwerejuststrikingtwo，asMagdalenreturnedalonetothehouseinAaron\'sBuildings。

“Ishewaitingforme？“sheasked，anxiously，whenthelandladyletherin。

Hewaswaitinginthefrontroom。Magdalenstoleupthestairsandknockedatthedoor。Hecalledtohercarelesslyandabsentlytocomein，plainlythinkingthatitwasonlytheservantwhoappliedforpermissiontoentertheroom。

“Youhardlyexpectedmesosoon？“shesaidspeakingonthethreshold，andpausingtheretoenjoyhissurpriseashestartedtohisfeetandlookedather。

Theonlytracesofillnessstillvisibleinherfaceleftadelicacyinitsoutlinewhichaddedrefinementtoherbeauty。Shewassimplydressedinmuslin。Herplainstrawbonnethadnootherornamentthanthewhiteribbonwithwhichitwassparinglytrimmed。Shehadneverlookedlovelierinherbestdaysthanshelookednow，assheadvancedtothetableatwhichhehadbeensitting，withalittlebasketofflowersthatshehadbroughtwithherfromthecountry，andofferedhimherhand。

Helookedanxiousandcarewornwhenshesawhimcloser。SheinterruptedhisfirstinquiriesandcongratulationstoaskifhehadremainedinLondonsincetheyhadparted——ifhehadnotevengoneaway，forafewdaysonly，toseehisfriendsinSuffolk？No；hehadbeeninLondoneversince。HenevertoldherthattheprettyparsonagehouseinSuffolkwantedallthoseassociationswithherselfinwhichthepoorfourwallsatAaron\'sBuildingsweresorich。HeonlysaidhehadbeeninLondoneversince。

“Iwonder，“sheasked，lookinghimattentivelyintheface，“ifyouareashappytoseemeagainasIamtoseeyou？“

“PerhapsIamevenhappier，inmydifferentway，“heanswered，withasmile。

Shetookoffherbonnetandscarf，andseatedherselfoncemoreinherownarm-chair。“Isupposethisstreetisveryugly，“shesaid；“andIamsurenobodycandenythatthehouseisverysmall。Andyet——andyetitfeelslikecominghomeagain。Sittherewhereyouusedtosit；tellmeaboutyourself。Iwanttoknowallthatyouhavedone，allthatyouhavethoughteven，whileIhavebeenaway。“Shetriedtoresumetheendlesssuccessionofquestionsbymeansofwhichshewasaccustomedtolurehimintospeakingofhimself。Butsheputthemfarlessspontaneously，farlessadroitly，thanusual。Heroneall-absorbinganxietyinenteringthatroomwasnotananxietytobetrifledwith。Afteraquarterofanhourwastedinconstrainedinquiriesononeside，inreluctantrepliesontheother，sheventurednearthedangeroussubjectatlast。

“HaveyoureceivedthelettersIwrotetoyoufromtheseaside？“sheasked，suddenlylookingawayfromhimforthefirsttime。

“Yes，“hesaid；“all。“

“Haveyoureadthem？“

“Everyoneofthem——manytimesover。“

Herheartbeatasifitwouldsuffocateher。Shehadkeptherpromisebravely。Thewholestoryofherlife，fromthetimeofthehome-wreckatCombe-RaventothetimewhenshehaddestroyedtheSecretTrustinhersister\'spresence，hadbeenalllaidbeforehim。Nothingthatshehaddone，nothingeventhatshehadthought，hadbeenconcealedfromhisknowledge。

Ashewouldhavekeptapledgedengagementwithher，soshehadkeptherpledgedengagementwithhim。Shehadnotfalteredintheresolutiontodothis；andnowshefalteredovertheonedecisivequestionwhichshehadcometheretoask。Strongasthedesireinherwastoknowifshehadlostorwonhim，thefearofknowingwasatthatmomentstrongerstill。

Shewaitedandtrembled；shewaited，andsaidnomore。

“MayIspeaktoyouaboutyourletters？“heasked。“MayItellyou——？“

Ifshehadlookedathimashesaidthosefewwords，shewouldhaveseenwhathethoughtofherinhisface。Shewouldhaveseen，innocentashewasinthisworld\'sknowledge，thatheknewthepricelessvalue，theall-ennoblingvirtue，ofawomanwhospeaksthetruth。Butshehadnocouragetolookathim——nocouragetoraisehereyesfromherlap。

“Notjustyet，“shesaid，faintly。“Notquitesosoonafterwehavemetagain。“

Sherosehurriedlyfromherchair，andwalkedtothewindow，turnedbackagainintotheroom，andapproachedthetable，closetowherehewassitting。Thewritingmaterialsscatterednearhimofferedherapretextforchangingthesubject，andsheseizedonitdirectly。“Wereyouwritingaletter，“sheasked，“whenIcamein？“

“Iwasthinkingaboutit，“hereplied。“Itwasnotalettertobewrittenwithoutthinkingfirst。“Heroseasheansweredhertogatherthewritingmaterialstogetherandputthemaway。

“WhyshouldIinterruptyou？“shesaid。“WhynotletmetrywhetherIcan\'thelpyouinstead？Isitasecret？“

“No，notasecret。“

Hehesitatedasheansweredher。Sheinstantlyguessedthetruth。

“Isitaboutyourship？“

Helittleknewhowshehadbeenthinkinginherabsencefromhimofthebusinesswhichhebelievedthathehadconcealedfromher。Helittleknewthatshehadlearnedalreadytobejealousofhisship。“Dotheywantyoutoreturntoyouroldlife？“shewenton。“Dotheywantyoutogobacktothesea？MustyousayYesorNoatonce？“

“Atonce。“

“IfIhadnotcomeinwhenIdidwouldyouhavesaidYes？“

Sheunconsciouslylaidherhandonhisarm，forgettingallinferiorconsiderationsinherbreathlessanxietytohearhisnextwords。Theconfessionofhislovewaswithinahair-breadthofescapinghim；buthecheckedtheutteranceofitevenyet。“Idon\'tcareformyself，“hethought；“buthowcanIbecertainofnotdistressingher？“

“WouldyouhavesaidYes？“sherepeated。

“Iwasdoubting，“heanswered——“IwasdoubtingbetweenYesandNo。“

Herhandtightenedonhisarm；asuddentremblingseizedherineverylimb，shecouldbearitnolonger。Allherheartwentouttohiminhernextwords:

“Wereyoudoubtingformysake？“

“Yes，“hesaid。“Takemyconfessioninreturnforyours——Iwasdoubtingforyoursake。“

Shesaidnomore；sheonlylookedathim。Inthatlookthetruthreachedhimatlast。Thenextinstantshewasfoldedinhisarms，andwassheddingdelicioustearsofjoy，withherfacehiddenonhisbosom。

“DoIdeservemyhappiness？“shemurmured，askingtheonequestionatlast。“Oh，IknowhowthepoornarrowpeoplewhohaveneverfeltandneversufferedwouldanswermeifIaskedthemwhatIaskyou。Iftheyknewmystory，theywouldforgetalltheprovocation，andonlyremembertheoffense；theywouldfastenonmysin，andpassallmysufferingby。Butyouarenotoneofthem！Tellmeifyouhaveanyshadowofamisgiving！Tellmeifyoudoubtthattheonedearobjectofallmylifetocomeistoliveworthyofyou！Iaskedyoutowaitandseeme；

Iaskedyou，iftherewasanyhardtruthtobetold，totellitmeherewithyourownlips。Tellit，mylove，myhusband！——tellitmenow！“

Shelookedup，stillclingingtohimassheclungtothehopeofherbetterlifetocome。

“Tellmethetruth！“sherepeated。

“Withmyownlips？“

“Yes！“sheanswered，eagerly。“Saywhatyouthinkofmewithyourownlips。“

Hestoopedandkissedher。TheEnd[TableofContents]