第12章

\'Onlyasafancy，andforinstance，\'urgedMissWren。

\'Toomuch，Jenny，dear，toomuch！Myfancyisnotabletogetthatfar。\'Asthelowfiregleameduponher，itshowedhersmiling，mournfullyandabstractedly。

\'ButIaminthehumour，andImustbehumoured，Lizzie，becauseafterallIamapoorlittlething，andhavehadaharddaywithmybadchild。Lookinthefire，asIliketohearyoutellhowyouusedtodowhenyoulivedinthatdrearyoldhousethathadoncebeenawindmill。Lookinthe——whatwasitsnamewhenyoutoldfortuneswithyourbrotherthatIDON\'Tlike?\'

\'Thehollowdownbytheflare?\'

\'Ah！That\'sthename！Youcanfindaladythere，Iknow。\'

\'MoreeasilythanIcanmakeoneofsuchmaterialasmyself，Jenny。\'

Thesparklingeyelookedsteadfastlyup，asthemusingfacelookedthoughtfullydown。\'Well?\'saidthedolls\'dressmaker，\'Wehavefoundourlady?\'

Lizzienodded，andasked，\'Shallsheberich?\'

\'Shehadbetterbe，ashe\'spoor。\'

\'Sheisveryrich。Shallshebehandsome?\'

\'Evenyoucanbethat，Lizzie，sosheoughttobe。\'

\'Sheisveryhandsome。\'

\'Whatdoesshesayabouthim?\'askedMissJenny，inalowvoice:

watchful，throughaninterveningsilence，ofthefacelookingdownatthefire。

\'Sheisglad，glad，toberich，thathemayhavethemoney。Sheisglad，glad，tobebeautiful，thathemaybeproudofher。Herpoorheart——\'

\'Eh?Herpoorhear?\'saidMissWren。

\'Herheart——isgivenhim，withallitsloveandtruth。Shewouldjoyfullydiewithhim，or，betterthanthat，dieforhim。Sheknowshehasfailings，butshethinkstheyhavegrownupthroughhisbeinglikeonecastaway，forthewantofsomethingtotrustin，andcarefor，andthinkwellof。Andshesays，thatladyrichandbeautifulthatIcannevercomenear，“Onlyputmeinthatemptyplace，onlytryhowlittleImindmyself，onlyprovewhataworldofthingsIwilldoandbearforyou，andIhopethatyoumightevencometobemuchbetterthanyouare，throughmewhoamsomuchworse，andhardlyworththethinkingofbesideyou。”\'

Asthefacelookingatthefirehadbecomeexaltedandforgetfulintheraptureofthesewords，thelittlecreature，openlyclearingawayherfairhairwithherdisengagedhand，hadgazedatitwithearnestattentionandsomethinglikealarm。Nowthatthespeakerceased，thelittlecreaturelaiddownherheadagain，andmoaned，\'Ome，Ome，Ome！\'

\'Inpain，dearJenny?\'askedLizzie，asifawakened。

\'Yes，butnottheoldpain。Laymedown，laymedown。Don\'tgooutofmysightto-night。Lockthedoorandkeepclosetome。

Thenturningawayherface，shesaidinawhispertoherself，\'MyLizzie，mypoorLizzie！Omyblessedchildren，comebackinthelongbrightslantingrows，andcomeforher，notme。ShewantshelpmorethanI，myblessedchildren！\'

Shehadstretchedherhandsupwiththathigherandbetterlook，andnowsheturnedagain，andfoldedthemroundLizzie\'sneck，androckedherselfonLizzie\'sbreast。

Chapter12

MOREBIRDSOFPREY

RogueRiderhooddweltdeepanddarkinLimehouseHole，amongtheriggers，andthemast，oarandblockmakers，andtheboat-

builders，andthesail-lofts，asinakindofship\'sholdstoredfullofwatersidecharacters，somenobetterthanhimself，someverymuchbetter，andnonemuchworse。TheHole，albeitinageneralwaynotoverniceinitschoiceofcompany，wasrathershyinreferencetothehonourofcultivatingtheRogue\'sacquaintance；

morefrequentlygivinghimthecoldshoulderthanthewarmhand，andseldomorneverdrinkingwithhimunlessathisownexpense。

ApartoftheHole，indeed，containedsomuchpublicspiritandprivatevirtuethatnoteventhisstrongleveragecouldmoveittogoodfellowshipwithataintedaccuser。But，theremayhavebeenthedrawbackonthismagnanimousmorality，thatitsexponentsheldatruewitnessbeforeJusticetobethenextunneighbourlyandaccursedcharactertoafalseone。

Haditnotbeenforthedaughterwhomheoftenmentioned，MrRiderhoodmighthavefoundtheHoleameregraveastoanymeansitwouldyieldhimofgettingaliving。ButMissPleasantRiderhoodhadsomelittlepositionandconnectioninLimehouseHole。Uponthesmallestofsmallscales，shewasanunlicensedpawnbroker，keepingwhatwaspopularlycalledaLeavingShop，bylendinginsignificantsumsoninsignificantarticlesofpropertydepositedwithherassecurity。Inherfour-and-twentiethyearoflife，Pleasantwasalreadyinherfifthyearofthiswayoftrade。

Herdeceasedmotherhadestablishedthebusiness，andonthatparent\'sdemiseshehadappropriatedasecretcapitaloffifteenshillingstoestablishingherselfinit；theexistenceofsuchcapitalinapillowbeingthelastintelligibleconfidentialcommunicationmadetoherbythedeparted，beforesuccumbingtodropsicalconditionsofsnuffandgin，incompatibleequallywithcoherenceandexistence。

WhychristenedPleasant，thelateMrsRiderhoodmightpossiblyhavebeenatsometimeabletoexplain，andpossiblynot。Herdaughterhadnoinformationonthatpoint。Pleasantshefoundherself，andshecouldn\'thelpit。Shehadnotbeenconsultedonthequestion，anymorethanonthequestionofhercomingintotheseterrestrialparts，towantaname。Similarly，shefoundherselfpossessedofwhatiscolloquiallytermedaswiveleye(derivedfromherfather)，whichshemightperhapshavedeclinedifhersentimentsonthesubjecthadbeentaken。Shewasnototherwisepositivelyill-looking，thoughanxious，meagre，ofamuddycomplexion，andlookingasoldagainasshereallywas。

Assomedogshaveitintheblood，oraretrained，toworrycertaincreaturestoacertainpoint，so——nottomakethecomparisondisrespectfially——PleasantRiderhoodhaditintheblood，orhadbeentrained，toregardseamen，withincertainlimits，asherprey。

Showheramaninabluejacket，and，figurativelyspeaking，shepinnedhiminstantly。Yet，allthingsconsidered，shewasnotofanevilmindoranunkindlydisposition。For，observehowmanythingsweretobeconsideredaccordingtoherownunfortunateexperience。ShowPleasantRiderhoodaWeddinginthestreet，andsheonlysawtwopeopletakingoutaregularlicencetoquarrelandfight。ShowheraChristening，andshesawalittleheathenpersonagehavingaquitesuperfluousnamebestoweduponit，inasmuchasitwouldbecommonlyaddressedbysomeabusiveepithet:whichlittlepersonagewasnotintheleastwantedbyanybody，andwouldbeshovedandbangedoutofeverybody\'sway，untilitshouldgrowbigenoughtoshoveandbang。ShowheraFuneral，andshesawanunremunerativeceremonyinthenatureofablackmasquerade，conferringatemporarygentilityontheperformers，atanimmenseexpense，andrepresentingtheonlyformalpartyevergivenbythedeceased。Showheralivefather，andshesawbutaduplicateofherownfather，whofromherinfancyhadbeentakenwithfitsandstartsofdischarginghisdutytoher，whichdutywasalwaysincorporatedintheformofafistoraleathernstrap，andbeingdischargedhurther。Allthingsconsidered，therefore，PleasantRiderhoodwasnotsovery，verybad。Therewasevenatouchofromanceinher——ofsuchromanceascouldcreepintoLimehouseHole——andmaybesometimesofasummerevening，whenshestoodwithfoldedarmsathershop-

door，lookingfromthereekingstreettotheskywherethesunwassetting，shemayhavehadsomevaporousvisionsoffar-offislandsinthesouthernseasorelsewhere(notbeinggeographicallyparticular)，whereitwouldbegoodtoroamwithacongenialpartneramonggrovesofbread-fruit，waitingforshipstobewaftedfromthehollowportsofcivilization。For，sailorstobegotthebetterof，wereessentialtoMissPleasant\'sEden。

Notonasummereveningdidshecometoherlittleshop-door，whenacertainmanstandingoveragainstthehouseontheoppositesideofthestreettooknoticeofher。Thatwasonacoldshrewdwindyevening，afterdark。PleasantRiderhoodsharedwithmostoftheladyinhabitantsoftheHole，thepeculiaritythatherhairwasaraggedknot，constantlycomingdownbehind，andthatshenevercouldenteruponanyundertakingwithoutfirsttwistingitintoplace。Atthatparticularmoment，beingnewlycometothethresholdtotakealookoutofdoors，shewaswindingherselfupwithbothhandsafterthisfashion。Andsoprevalentwasthefashion，thatontheoccasionofafightorotherdisturbanceintheHole，theladieswouldbeseenflockingfromallquartersuniversallytwistingtheirback-hairastheycamealong，andmanyofthem，inthehurryofthemoment，carryingtheirback-combsintheirmouths。

Itwasawretchedlittleshop，witharoofthatanymanstandinginitcouldtouchwithhishand；littlebetterthanacellarorcave，downthreesteps。Yetinitsill-lightedwindow，amongaflaringhandkerchiefortwo，anoldpeacoatorso，afewvaluelesswatchesandcompasses，ajaroftobaccoandtwocrossedpipes，abottleofwalnutketchup，andsomehorriblesweetsthesecreaturediscomfortsservingasablindtothemainbusinessoftheLeavingShop——wasdisplayedtheinscriptionSEAMAN\'SBOARDING-HOUSE。

TakingnoticeofPleasantRiderhoodatthedoor，themancrossedsoquicklythatshewasstillwindingherselfup，whenhestoodclosebeforeher。

\'Isyourfatherathome?\'saidhe。

\'Ithinkheis，\'returnedPleasant，droppingherarms；\'comein。\'

Itwasatentativereply，themanhavingaseafaringappearance。

Herfatherwasnotathome，andPleasantknewit。\'Takeaseatbythefire，\'wereherhospitablewordswhenshehadgothimin；\'menofyourcallingarealwayswelcomehere。\'

\'Thankee，\'saidtheman。

Hismannerwasthemannerofasailor，andhishandswerethehandsofasailor，exceptthattheyweresmooth。Pleasanthadaneyeforsailors，andshenoticedtheunusedcolourandtextureofthehands，sunburntthoughtheywere，assharplyasshenoticedtheirunmistakableloosnenessandsuppleness，ashesathimselfdownwithhisleftarmcarelesslythrownacrosshisleftlegalittleabovetheknee，andtherightarmascarelesslythrownovertheelbowofthewoodenchair，withthehandcurved，halfopenandhalfshut，asifithadjustletgoarope。

\'MightyoubelookingforaBoarding-House?\'Pleasantinquired，takingherobservantstandononesideofthefire。

\'Idon\'trightlyknowmyplansyet，\'returnedtheman。

\'Youain\'tlookingforaLeavingShop?\'

\'No，\'saidtheman。

\'No，\'assentedPleasant，\'you\'vegottoomuchofanoutfitonyouforthat。Butifyoushouldwanteither，thisisboth。\'

\'Ay，ay！\'saidtheman，glancingroundtheplace。\'Iknow。I\'vebeenherebefore。\'

\'DidyouLeaveanythingwhenyouwereherebefore?\'askedPleasant，withaviewtoprincipalandinterest。

\'No。\'Themanshookhishead。

\'Iamprettysureyouneverboardedhere?\'

\'No。\'Themanagainshookhishead。

\'WhatDIDyoudoherewhenyouwereherebefore?\'askedPleasant。\'ForIdon\'trememberyou。\'

\'It\'snotatalllikelyyoushould。Ionlystoodatthedoor，onenight——onthelowerstepthere——whileashipmateofminelookedintospeaktoyourfather。Iremembertheplacewell。\'Lookingverycuriouslyroundit。

\'Mightthathavebeenlongago?\'

\'Ay，agoodishbitago。WhenIcameoffmylastvoyage。\'

\'Thenyouhavenotbeentosealately?\'

\'No。Beeninthesickbaysincethen，andbeenemployedashore。\'

\'Then，tobesure，thataccountsforyourhands。\'

Themanwithakeenlook，aquicksmile，andachangeofmanner，caughtherup。\'You\'reagoodobserver。Yes。Thataccountsformyhands。\'

Pleasantwassomewhatdisquietedbyhislook，andreturneditsuspiciously。Notonlywashischangeofmanner，thoughverysudden，quitecollected，buthisformermanner，whichheresumed，hadacertainsuppressedconfidenceandsenseofpowerinitthatwerehalfthreatening。

\'Willyourfatherbelong?\'heinquired。

\'Idon\'tknow。Ican\'tsay。\'

\'Asyousupposedhewasathome，itwouldseemthathehasjustgoneout?How\'sthat?\'

\'Isupposedhehadcomehome，\'Pleasantexplained。

\'Oh！Yousupposedhehadcomehome?Thenhehasbeensometimeout?How\'sthat?\'

\'Idon\'twanttodeceiveyou。Father\'sontheriverinhisboat。\'

\'Attheoldwork?\'askedtheman。

\'Idon\'tknowwhatyoumean，\'saidPleasant，shrinkingastepback。

\'Whatonearthd\'yewant?\'

\'Idon\'twanttohurtyourfather。Idon\'twanttosayImight，ifI

chose。Iwanttospeaktohim。Notmuchinthat，isthere?Thereshallbenosecretsfromyou；youshallbeby。Andplainly，MissRiderhood，there\'snothingtobegotoutofme，ormadeofme。I

amnotgoodfortheLeavingShop，IamnotgoodfortheBoarding-House，Iamnotgoodforanythinginyourwaytotheextentofsixpenn\'orthofhalfpence。Puttheideaaside，andweshallgetontogether。\'

\'Butyou\'reaseafaringman?\'arguedPleasant，asifthatwereasufficientreasonforhisbeinggoodforsomethinginherway。

\'Yesandno。Ihavebeen，andImaybeagain。ButIamnotforyou。Won\'tyoutakemywordforit?\'

TheconversationhadarrivedatacrisistojustifyMissPleasant\'shairintumblingdown。Ittumbleddownaccordingly，andshetwisteditup，lookingfromunderherbentforeheadattheman。Intakingstockofhisfamiliarlywornrough-weathernauticalclothes，piecebypiece，shetookstockofaformidableknifeinasheathathiswaistreadytohishand，andofawhistlehangingroundhisneck，andofashortjaggedknottedclubwithaloadedheadthatpeepedoutofapocketofhislooseouterjacketorfrock。Hesatquietlylookingather；but，withtheseappendagespartiallyrevealingthemselves，andwithaquantityofbristlingoakum-

colouredheadandwhisker，hehadaformidableappearance。

\'Won\'tyoutakemywordforit?\'heaskedagain。

Pleasantansweredwithashortdumbnod。Herejoinedwithanothershortdumbnod。Thenhegotupandstoodwithhisarmsfolded，infrontofthefire，lookingdownintoitoccasionally，asshestoodwithherarmsfolded，leaningagainstthesideofthechimney-piece。

\'Towileawaythetimetillyourfathercomes，\'hesaid，——\'prayistheremuchrobbingandmurderingofseamenaboutthewater-sidenow?\'

\'No，\'saidPleasant。

\'Any?\'

\'Complaintsofthatsortaresometimesmade，aboutRatcliffeandWappingandupthatway。Butwhoknowshowmanyaretrue?\'

\'Tobesure。Anditdon\'tseemnecessary。\'

\'That\'swhatIsay，\'observedPleasant。\'Where\'sthereasonforit?

Blessthesailors，itain\'tasiftheyevercouldkeepwhattheyhave，withoutit。\'

\'You\'reright。Theirmoneymaybesoongotoutofthem，withoutviolence，\'saidtheman。

\'Ofcourseitmay，\'saidPleasant；\'andthentheyshipagainandgetmore。Andthebestthingfor\'em，too，toshipagainassoonasevertheycanbebroughttoit。They\'reneversowelloffaswhenthey\'reafloat。\'

\'I\'lltellyouwhyIask，\'pursuedthevisitor，lookingupfromthefire。\'Iwasoncebesetthatwaymyself，andleftfordead。\'

\'No?\'saidPleasant。\'Wheredidithappen?\'

\'Ithappened，\'returnedtheman，witharuminativeair，ashedrewhisrighthandacrosshischin，anddippedtheotherinthepocketofhisroughoutercoat，\'ithappenedsomewhereabouthereasI

reckon。Idon\'tthinkitcanhavebeenamilefromhere。\'

\'Wereyoudrunk?\'askedPleasant。

\'Iwasmuddled，butnotwithfairdrinking。Ihadnotbeendrinking，youunderstand。Amouthfuldidit。\'

Pleasantwithagravelookshookherhead；importingthatsheunderstoodtheprocess，butdecidedlydisapproved。

\'Fairtradeisonething，\'saidshe，\'butthat\'sanother。NoonehasarighttocarryonwithJackinTHATway。\'

\'Thesentimentdoesyoucredit，\'returnedtheman，withagrimsmile；andadded，inamutter，\'themoreso，asIbelieveit\'snotyourfather\'s——Yes，Ihadabadtimeofit，thattime。Ilosteverything，andhadasharpstruggleformylife，weakasIwas。\'

\'Didyougetthepartiespunished?\'askedPleasant。

\'Atremendouspunishmentfollowed，\'saidtheman，moreseriously；\'butitwasnotofmybringingabout。\'

\'Ofwhose，then?\'askedPleasant。

Themanpointedupwardwithhisforefinger，and，slowlyrecoveringthathand，settledhischininitagainashelookedatthefire。Bringingherinheritedeyetobearuponhim，PleasantRiderhoodfeltmoreandmoreuncomfortable，hismannerwassomysterious，sostern，soself-possessed。

\'Anyways，\'saidthedamsel，\'Iamgladpunishmentfollowed，andI

sayso。Fairtradewithseafaringmengetsabadnamethroughdeedsofviolence。Iamasmuchagainstdeedsofviolencebeingdonetoseafaringmen，asseafaringmencanbethemselves。Iamofthesameopinionasmymotherwas，whenshewasliving。Fairtrade，mymotherusedtosay，butnorobberyandnoblows。\'InthewayoftradeMissPleasantwouldhavetaken——andindeeddidtakewhenshecould——asmuchasthirtyshillingsaweekforboardthatwouldbedearatfive，andlikewiseconductedtheLeavingbusinessuponcorrespondinglyequitableprinciples；yetshehadthattendernessofconscienceandthosefeelingsofhumanity，thatthemomentherideasoftradewereoverstepped，shebecametheseaman\'schampion，evenagainstherfatherwhomsheseldomotherwiseresisted。

But，shewashereinterruptedbyherfather\'svoiceexclaimingangrily，\'Now，PollParrot！\'andbyherfather\'shatbeingheavilyflungfromhishandandstrikingherface。Accustomedtosuchoccasionalmanifestationsofhissenseofparentalduty，Pleasantmerelywipedherfaceonherhair(whichofcoursehadtumbleddown)beforeshetwisteditup。ThiswasanothercommonprocedureonthepartoftheladiesoftheHole，whenheatedbyverbalorfisticaltercation。

\'BlestifIbelievesuchaPollParrotasyouwaseverlearnedtospeak！\'growledMrRiderhood，stoopingtopickuphishat，andmakingafeintatherwithhisheadandrightelbow；forhetookthedelicatesubjectofrobbingseameninextraordinarydudgeon，andwasoutofhumourtoo。\'WhatareyouPollParrotingatnow?

Ain\'tyougotnothingtodobutfoldyourarmsandstandaPollParrotingallnight?\'

\'Letheralone，\'urgedtheman。\'Shewasonlyspeakingtome。\'

\'Letheralonetoo！\'retortedMrRiderhood，eyeinghimallover。

\'Doyouknowshe\'smydaughter?\'

\'Yes。\'

\'Anddon\'tyouknowthatIwon\'thavenoPollParrotingonthepartofmydaughter?No，noryetthatIwon\'ttakenoPollParrotingfromnoman?AndwhomayYOUbe，andwhatmayYOUwant?\'

\'HowcanItellyouuntilyouaresilent?\'returnedtheotherfiercely。

\'Well，\'saidMrRiderhood，quailingalittle，\'Iamwillingtobesilentforthepurposeofhearing。Butdon\'tPollParrotme。\'

\'Areyouthirsty，you?\'themanasked，inthesamefierceshortway，afterreturninghislook。

\'Whynat\'rally，\'saidMrRiderhood，\'ain\'tIalwaysthirsty！\'

(Indignantattheabsurdityofthequestion。)

\'Whatwillyoudrink?\'demandedtheman。

\'Sherrywine，\'returnedMrRiderhood，inthesamesharptone，\'ifyou\'recapableofit。\'

Themanputhishandinhispocket，tookouthalfasovereign，andbeggedthefavourofMissPleasantthatshewouldfetchabottle。

\'Withthecorkundrawn，\'headded，emphatically，lookingatherfather。

\'I\'lltakemyAlfredDavid，\'mutteredMrRiderhood，slowlyrelaxingintoadarksmile，\'thatyouknowamove。DoIknowYOU?N——n——no，Idon\'tknowyou。\'

Themanreplied，\'No，youdon\'tknowme。\'Andsotheystoodlookingatoneanothersurlilyenough，untilPleasantcameback。

\'There\'ssmallglassesontheshelf，\'saidRiderhoodtohisdaughter。

\'Givemetheonewithoutafoot。Igetsmylivingbythesweatofmybrow，andit\'sgoodenoughforME。\'Thishadamodestself-

denyingappearance；butitsoonturnedoutthatas，byreasonoftheimpossibilityofstandingtheglassuprightwhiletherewasanythinginit，itrequiredtobeemptiedassoonasfilled，MrRiderhoodmanagedtodrinkintheproportionofthreetoone。

WithhisFortunatus\'sgobletreadyinhishand，MrRiderhoodsatdownononesideofthetablebeforethefire，andthestrangemanontheother:Pleasantoccupyingastoolbetweenthelatterandthefireside。Thebackground，composedofhandkerchiefs，coats，shirts，hats，andotheroldarticles\'OnLeaving，\'hadageneraldimresemblancetohumanlisteners；especiallywhereashinyblacksou\'westersuitandhathung，lookingverylikeaclumsymarinerwithhisbacktothecompany，whowassocurioustooverhear，thathepausedforthepurposewithhiscoathalfpulledon，andhisshouldersuptohisearsintheuncompletedaction。

Thevisitorfirstheldthebottleagainstthelightofthecandle，andnextexaminedthetopofthecork。Satisfiedthatithadnotbeentamperedwith，heslowlytookfromhisbreastpocketarustyclasp-

knife，and，withacorkscrewinthehandle，openedthewine。Thatdone，helookedatthecork，unscreweditfromthecorkscrew，laideachseparatelyonthetable，and，withtheendofthesailor\'sknotofhisneckerchief，dustedtheinsideoftheneckofthebottle。Allthiswithgreatdeliberation。

AtfirstRiderhoodhadsatwithhisfootlessglassextendedatarm\'slengthforfilling，whiletheverydeliberatestrangerseemedabsorbedinhispreparations。But，graduallyhisarmrevertedhometohim，andhisglasswasloweredandlowereduntilheresteditupsidedownuponthetable。Bythesamedegreeshisattentionbecameconcentratedontheknife。Andnow，asthemanheldoutthebottletofillallround，Riderhoodstoodup，leanedoverthetabletolookcloserattheknife，andstaredfromittohim。

\'What\'sthematter?\'askedtheman。

\'Why，Iknowthatknife！\'saidRiderhood。

\'Yes，Idaresayyoudo。\'

Hemotionedtohimtoholduphisglass，andfilledit。Riderhoodemptiedittothelastdropandbeganagain。

\'Thatthereknife——\'

\'Stop，\'saidtheman，composedly。\'Iwasgoingtodrinktoyourdaughter。Yourhealth，MissRiderhood。\'

\'ThatknifewastheknifeofaseamannamedGeorgeRadfoot。\'

\'Itwas。\'

\'Thatseamanwaswellbeknowntome。\'

\'Hewas。\'

\'What\'scometohim?\'

\'Deathhascometohim。Deathcametohiminanuglyshape。Helooked，\'saidtheman，\'veryhorribleafterit。\'

\'Arterwhat?\'saidRiderhood，withafrowningstare。

\'Afterhewaskilled。\'

\'Killed?Whokilledhim?\'

Onlyansweringwithashrug，themanfilledthefootlessglass，andRiderhoodemptiedit:lookingamazedlyfromhisdaughtertohisvisitor。

\'Youdon\'tmeantotellahonestman——\'hewasrecommencingwithhisemptyglassinhishand，whenhiseyebecamefascinatedbythestranger\'soutercoat。Heleanedacrossthetabletoseeitnearer，touchedthesleeve，turnedthecufftolookatthesleeve-

lining(theman，inhisperfectcomposure，offeringnottheleastobjection)，andexclaimed，\'It\'smybeliefasthisherecoatwasGeorgeRadfoot\'stoo！\'

\'Youareright。Heworeitthelasttimeyoueversawhim，andthelasttimeyoueverwillseehim——inthisworld。\'

\'It\'smybeliefyoumeantotellmetomyfaceyoukilledhim！\'

exclaimedRiderhood；but，nevertheless，allowinghisglasstobefilledagain。

Themanonlyansweredwithanothershrug，andshowednosymptomofconfusion。

\'WishImaydieifIknowwhattobeuptowiththischap！\'saidRiderhood，afterstaringathim，andtossinghislastglassfuldownhisthroat。\'Let\'sknowwhattomakeofyou。Saysomethingplain。\'

\'Iwill，\'returnedtheother，leaningforwardacrossthetable，andspeakinginalowimpressivevoice。\'Whataliaryouare！\'

Thehonestwitnessrose，andmadeasthoughhewouldflinghisglassintheman\'sface。Themannotwincing，andmerelyshakinghisforefingerhalfknowingly，halfmenacingly，thepieceofhonestythoughtbetterofitandsatdownagain，puttingtheglassdowntoo。

\'AndwhenyouwenttothatlawyeryonderintheTemplewiththatinventedstory，\'saidthestranger，inanexasperatinglycomfortablesortofconfidence，\'youmighthavehadyourstrongsuspicionsofafriendofyourown，youknow。Ithinkyouhad，youknow。\'

\'Memysuspicions?Ofwhatfriend?\'

\'Tellmeagainwhoseknifewasthis?\'demandedtheman。

\'Itwaspossessedby，andwasthepropertyof——himasIhavemadementionon，\'saidRiderhood，stupidlyevadingtheactualmentionofthename。

\'Tellmeagainwhosecoatwasthis?\'

\'Thattherearticleofclothinglikewaysbelongedto，andwasworeby——himasIhavemadementionon，\'wasagainthedullOldBaileyevasion。

\'Isuspectthatyougavehimthecreditofthedeed，andofkeepingcleverlyoutoftheway。ButtherewassmallclevernessinHIS

keepingoutoftheway。Theclevernesswouldhavebeen，tohavegotbackforonesingleinstanttothelightofthesun。\'

\'Thingsiscometoaprettypass，\'growledMrRiderhood，risingtohisfeet，goadedtostandatbay，\'whenbullyersasiswearingdeadmen\'sclothes，andbullyersasisarmedwithdeadmen\'sknives，istocomeintothehousesofhonestlivemen，gettingtheirlivingsbythesweatsoftheirbrows，andistomaketheseheresortofchargeswithnorhymeandnoreason，neithertheonenoryettheother！WhyshouldIhavehadmysuspicionsofhim?\'

\'Becauseyouknewhim，\'repliedtheman；\'becauseyouhadbeenonewithhim，andknewhisrealcharacterunderafairoutside；

becauseonthenightwhichyouhadafterwardsreasontobelievetobetheverynightofthemurder，hecameinhere，withinanhourofhishavinglefthisshipinthedocks，andaskedyouinwhatlodgingshecouldfindroom。Wastherenostrangerwithhim?\'

\'I\'lltakemyworld-without-endeverlastingAlfredDavidthatyouwarn\'twithhim，\'answeredRiderhood。\'Youtalkbig，youdo，butthingslookprettyblackagainstyourself，tomythinking。Youchargeagain\'methatGeorgeRadfootgotlostsightof，andwasnomorethoughtof。What\'sthatforasailor?Whythere\'sfiftysuch，outofsightandoutofmind，tentimesaslongashim——throughenteringindifferentnames，re-shippingwhentheout\'ardvoyageismade，andwhatnot——aturninguptolighteverydayabouthere，andnomattermadeofit。Askmydaughter。YoucouldgoonPollParrotingenoughwithher，whenIwarn\'tcomein:PollParrotalittlewithheronthispint。Youandyoursuspicionsofmysuspicionsofhim！Whataremysuspicionsofyou?YoutellmeGeorgeRadfootgotkilled。Iaskyouwhodoneitandhowyouknowit。Youcarryhisknifeandyouwearhiscoat。Iaskyouhowyoucomeby\'em?Handoverthattherebottle！\'HereMrRiderhoodappearedtolabourunderavirtuousdelusionthatitwashisownproperty。\'Andyou，\'headded，turningtohisdaughter，ashefilledthefootlessglass，\'ifitwarn\'twastinggoodsherrywineonyou，I\'dchuckthisatyou，forPollParrotingwiththisman。It\'salongofPollParrotingthatsuchlikeashimgetstheirsuspicions，whereasIgetsminebyargueyment，andbeingnat\'rallyahonestman，andsweatingawayatthebrowasahonestmanought。\'Herehefilledthefootlessgobletagain，andstoodchewingonehalfofitscontentsandlookingdownintotheotherasheslowlyrolledthewineaboutintheglass；whilePleasant，whosesympathetichairhadcomedownonherbeingapostrophised，rearrangedit，muchinthestyleofthetailofahorsewhenproceedingtomarkettobesold。

\'Well?Haveyoufinished?\'askedthestrangeman。

\'No，\'saidRiderhood，\'Iain\'t。Farfromit。Nowthen！IwanttoknowhowGeorgeRadfootcomebyhisdeath，andhowyoucomebyhiskit?\'

\'Ifyoueverdoknow，youwon\'tknownow。\'

\'AndnextIwanttoknow，\'proceededRiderhood\'whetheryoumeantochargethatwhat-you-may-call-it-murder——\'

\'Harmonmurder，father，\'suggestedPleasant。

\'NoPollParroting！\'hevociferated，inreturn。\'Keepyourmouthshut！——Iwanttoknow，yousir，whetheryouchargethattherecrimeonGeorgeRadfoot?\'

\'Ifyoueverdoknow，youwon\'tknownow。\'

\'Perhapsyoudoneityourself?\'saidRiderhood，withathreateningaction。

\'Ialoneknow，\'returnedtheman，sternlyshakinghishead，\'themysteriesofthatcrime。Ialoneknowthatyourtrumped-upstorycannotpossiblybetrue。Ialoneknowthatitmustbealtogetherfalse，andthatyoumustknowittobealtogetherfalse。Icomehereto-nighttotellyousomuchofwhatIknow，andnomore。\'

MrRiderhood，withhiscrookedeyeuponhisvisitor，meditatedforsomemoments，andthenrefilledhisglass，andtippedthecontentsdownhisthroatinthreetips。

\'Shuttheshop-door！\'hethensaidtohisdaughter，puttingtheglasssuddenlydown。\'Andturnthekeyandstandbyit！Ifyouknowallthis，yousir，\'getting，ashespoke，betweenthevisitorandthedoor，\'whyhan\'tyougonetoLawyerLightwood?\'

\'That，also，isaloneknowntomyself，\'wasthecoolanswer。

\'Don\'tyouknowthat，ifyoudidn\'tdothedeed，whatyousayyoucouldtellisworthfromfivetotenthousandpound?\'askedRiderhood。

\'Iknowitverywell，andwhenIclaimthemoneyyoushallshareit。\'

Thehonestmanpaused，anddrewalittlenearertothevisitor，andalittlefurtherfromthedoor。

\'Iknowit，\'repeatedtheman，quietly，\'aswellasIknowthatyouandGeorgeRadfootwereonetogetherinmorethanonedarkbusiness；andaswellasIknowthatyou，RogerRiderhood，conspiredagainstaninnocentmanforblood-money；andaswellasIknowthatIcan——andthatIswearIwill！——giveyouuponbothscores，andbetheproofagainstyouinmyownperson，ifyoudefyme！\'

\'Father！\'criedPleasant，fromthedoor。\'Don\'tdefyhim！Givewaytohim！Don\'tgetintomoretrouble，father！\'

\'WillyouleaveoffaPollParroting，Iaskyou?\'criedMrRiderhood，halfbesidehimselfbetweenthetwo。Then，propitiatinglyandcrawlingly:\'Yousir！Youhan\'tsaidwhatyouwantofme。Isitfair，isitworthyofyourself，totalkofmydefyingyouaforeeveryousaywhatyouwantofme?\'

\'Idon\'twantmuch，\'saidtheman。\'Thisaccusationofyoursmustnotbelefthalfmadeandhalfunmade。Whatwasdonefortheblood-moneymustbethoroughlyundone。\'

\'Well；butShipmate——\'

\'Don\'tcallmeShipmate，\'saidtheman。

\'Captain，then，\'urgedMrRiderhood；\'there！Youwon\'tobjecttoCaptain。It\'sahonourabletitle，andyoufullylookit。Captain！

Ain\'tthemandead?NowIaskyoufair。Ain\'tGafferdead?\'

\'Well，\'returnedtheother，withimpatience，\'yes，heisdead。Whatthen?\'

\'Canwordshurtadeadman，Captain?Ionlyaskyoufair。\'

\'Theycanhurtthememoryofadeadman，andtheycanhurthislivingchildren。Howmanychildrenhadthisman?\'

\'MeaningGaffer，Captain?\'

\'Ofwhomelsearewespeaking?\'returnedtheother，withamovementofhisfoot，asifRogueRiderhoodwerebeginningtosneakbeforehiminthebodyaswellasthespirit，andhespurnedhimoff。\'Ihaveheardofadaughter，andason。Iaskforinformation；IaskYOURdaughter；Iprefertospeaktoher。WhatchildrendidHexamleave?\'

Pleasant，lookingtoherfatherforpermissiontoreply，thathonestmanexclaimedwithgreatbitterness:

\'Whythedevildon\'tyouanswertheCaptain?YoucanPollParrotenoughwhenyouain\'twantedtoPollParrot，youperwersejade！\'

Thusencouraged，PleasantexplainedthattherewereonlyLizzie，thedaughterinquestion，andtheyouth。Bothveryrespectable，sheadded。

\'Itisdreadfulthatanystigmashouldattachtothem，\'saidthevisitor，whomtheconsiderationrenderedsouneasythatherose，andpacedtoandfro，muttering，\'Dreadful！Unforeseen?Howcoulditbeforeseen！\'Thenhestopped，andaskedaloud:\'Wheredotheylive?\'

Pleasantfurtherexplainedthatonlythedaughterhadresidedwiththefatheratthetimeofhisaccidentaldeath，andthatshehadimmediatelyafterwardsquittedtheneighbourhood。

\'Iknowthat，\'saidtheman，\'forIhavebeentotheplacetheydweltin，atthetimeoftheinquest。Couldyouquietlyfindoutformewhereshelivesnow?\'

Pleasanthadnodoubtshecoulddothat。Withinwhattime，didshethink?Withinaday。Thevisitorsaidthatwaswell，andhewouldreturnfortheinformation，relyingonitsbeingobtained。TothisdialogueRiderhoodhadattendedinsilence，andhenowobsequiouslybespaketheCaptain。

\'Captain！Mentioningthemunfort\'networdsofminerespectingGaffer，itiscontrairilytobeboreinmindthatGafferalwayswereapreciousrascal，andthathislinewereathievingline。LikewayswhenIwenttothemtwoGovernors，LawyerLightwoodandthet\'otherGovernor，withmyinformation，Imayhavebeenalittleover-eagerforthecauseofjustice，or(toputitanotherway)alittleover-stimilatedbythemfeelingswhichrousesamanup，whenapotofmoneyisgoingabout，togethishandintothatpotofmoneyforhisfamily\'ssake。Besideswhich，IthinkthewineofthemtwoGovernorswas——Iwillnotsayahocussedwine，butfurfromawineaswaselthyforthemind。Andthere\'sanotherthingtoberemembered，Captain。DidIsticktothemwordswhenGafferwasnomore，anddidIsayboldtothemtwoGovernors，“Governorsboth，wotIinformedIstillinform；wotwastookdownIholdto“?No。Isays，frankandopen——noshuffling，mindyou，Captain！——“Imayhavebeenmistook，I\'vebeenathinkingofit，itmayn\'thavebeentookdowncorrectonthisandthat，andIwon\'tsweartothickandthin，I\'draytherforfeityourgoodopinionsthandoit。AndsofarasIknow，\'concludedMrRiderhood，bywayofproofandevidencetocharacter，\'IHAVEactiwallyforfeitedthegoodopinionsofseveralpersons——evenyourown，Captain，ifI

understandyourwords——butI\'dsoonerdoitthanbeforswore。

There；ifthat\'sconspiracy，callmeconspirator。\'

\'Youshallsign，\'saidthevisitor，takingverylittleheedofthisoration，\'astatementthatitwasallutterlyfalse，andthepoorgirlshallhaveit。Iwillbringitwithmeforyoursignature，whenI

comeagain。\'

\'Whenmightyoubeexpected，Captain?\'inquiredRiderhood，againdubiouslygettingbetweenhimanddoor。

\'Quitesoonenoughforyou。Ishallnotdisappointyou；don\'tbeafraid。\'

\'Mightyoubeinclinedtoleaveanyname，Captain?\'

\'No，notatall。Ihavenosuchintention。\'

\'“Shall“issumm\'atofahardword，Captain，\'urgedRiderhood，stillfeeblydodgingbetweenhimandthedoor，asheadvanced。\'Whenyousayaman“shall“signthisandthatandt\'other，Captain，youorderhimaboutinagrandsortofaway。Don\'titseemsotoyourself?\'

Themanstoodstill，andangrilyfixedhimwithhiseyes。

\'Father，father！\'entreatedPleasant，fromthedoor，withherdisengagedhandnervouslytremblingatherlips；\'don\'t！Don\'tgetintotroubleanymore！\'

\'Hearmeout，Captain，hearmeout！AllIwaswishingtomention，Captain，aforeyoutookyourdeparter，\'saidthesneakingMrRiderhood，fallingoutofhispath，\'was，yourhandsomewordsrelatingtothereward。\'

\'WhenIclaimit，\'saidtheman，inatonewhichseemedtoleavesomesuchwordsas\'youdog，\'verydistinctlyunderstood，\'youshallshareit。\'

LookingstedfastlyatRiderhood，heoncemoresaidinalowvoice，thistimewithagrimsortofadmirationofhimasaperfectpieceofevil，\'Whataliaryouare！\'and，noddinghisheadtwiceorthriceoverthecompliment，passedoutoftheshop。But，toPleasanthesaidgood-nightkindly。

Thehonestmanwhogainedhislivingbythesweatofhisbrowremainedinastateakintostupefaction，untilthefootlessglassandtheunfinishedbottleconveyedthemselvesintohismind。

Fromhismindheconveyedthemintohishands，andsoconveyedthelastofthewineintohisstomach。Whenthatwasdone，heawoketoaclearperceptionthatPollParrotingwassolelychargeablewithwhathadpassed。Therefore，nottoberemissinhisdutyasafather，hethrewapairofsea-bootsatPleasant，whichsheduckedtoavoid，andthencried，poorthing，usingherhairforapocket-handkerchief。

Chapter13

ASOLOANDADUETT

Thewindwasblowingsohardwhenthevisitorcameoutattheshop-doorintothedarknessanddirtofLimehouseHole，thatitalmostblewhiminagain。Doorswereslammingviolently，lampswereflickeringorblownout，signswererockingintheirframes，thewaterofthekennels，wind-dispersed，flewaboutindropslikerain。Indifferenttotheweather，andevenpreferringittobetterweatherforitsclearanceofthestreets，themanlookedabouthimwithascrutinizingglance。\'ThusmuchIknow，\'hemurmured。\'I

haveneverbeenheresincethatnight，andneverwasherebeforethatnight，butthusmuchIrecognize。Iwonderwhichwaydidwetakewhenwecameoutofthatshop。WeturnedtotherightasI

haveturned，butIcanrecallnomore。Didwegobythisalley?

Ordownthatlittlelane?\'

Hetriedboth，butbothconfusedhimequally，andhecamestrayingbacktothesamespot。\'Iremembertherewerepolespushedoutofupperwindowsonwhichclothesweredrying，andI

rememberalowpublic-house，andthesoundflowingdownanarrowpassagebelongingtoitofthescrapingofafiddleandtheshufflingoffeet。Buthereareallthesethingsinthelane，andhereareallthesethingsinthealley。AndIhavenothingelseinmymindbutawall，adarkdoorway，aflightofstairs，andaroom。\'

Hetriedanewdirection，butmadenothingofit；walls，darkdoorways，flightsofstairsandrooms，weretooabundant。And，likemostpeoplesopuzzled，heagainandagaindescribedacircle，andfoundhimselfatthepointfromwhichhehadbegun。\'ThisislikewhatIhavereadinnarrativesofescapefromprison，\'saidhe，\'wherethelittletrackofthefugitivesinthenightalwaysseemstotaketheshapeofthegreatroundworld，onwhichtheywander；asifitwereasecretlaw。\'

Hereheceasedtobetheoakum-headed，oakum-whiskeredmanonwhomMissPleasantRiderhoodhadlooked，and，allowingforhisbeingstillwrappedinanauticalovercoat，becameaslikethatsamelostwantedMrJuliusHandford，asnevermanwaslikeanotherinthisworld。Inthebreastofthecoathestowedthebristlinghairandwhisker，inamoment，asthefavouringwindwentwithhimdownasolitaryplacethatithadsweptclearofpassengers。YetinthatsamemomenthewastheSecretaryalso，MrBoffin\'sSecretary。ForJohnRokesmith，too，wasaslikethatsamelostwantedMrJuliusHandfordasnevermanwaslikeanotherinthisworld。

\'Ihavenocluetothesceneofmydeath，\'saidhe。\'Notthatitmattersnow。Buthavingriskeddiscoverybyventuringhereatall，Ishouldhavebeengladtotracksomepartoftheway。\'Withwhichsingularwordsheabandonedhissearch，cameupoutofLimehouseHole，andtookthewaypastLimehouseChurch。Atthegreatirongateofthechurchyardhestoppedandlookedin。

Helookedupatthehightowerspectrallyresistingthewind，andhelookedroundatthewhitetombstones，likeenoughtothedeadintheirwinding-sheets，andhecountedtheninetollsoftheclock-

bell。

\'Itisasensationnotexperiencedbymanymortals，\'saidhe，\'tobelookingintoachurchyardonawildwindynight，andtofeelthatI

nomoreholdaplaceamongthelivingthanthesedeaddo，andeventoknowthatIlieburiedsomewhereelse，astheylieburiedhere。Nothingusesmetoit。Aspiritthatwasonceamancouldhardlyfeelstrangerorlonelier，goingunrecognizedamongmankind，thanIfeel。

\'Butthisisthefancifulsideofthesituation。Ithasarealside，sodifficultthat，thoughIthinkofiteveryday，Ineverthoroughlythinkitout。Now，letmedeterminetothinkitoutasIwalkhome。

IknowIevadeit，asmanymen——perhapsmostmen——doevadethinkingtheirwaythroughtheirgreatestperplexity。Iwilltrytopinmyselftomine。Don\'tevadeit，JohnHarmon；don\'tevadeit；

thinkitout！

\'WhenIcametoEngland，attractedtothecountrywithwhichI

hadnonebutmostmiserableassociations，bytheaccountsofmyfineinheritancethatfoundmeabroad，Icameback，shrinkingfrommyfather\'smoney，shrinkingfrommyfather\'smemory，mistrustfulofbeingforcedonamercenarywife，mistrustfulofmyfather\'sintentioninthrustingthatmarriageonme，mistrustfulthatIwasalreadygrowingavaricious，mistrustfulthatIwasslackeningingratitudetothetwodearnoblehonestfriendswhohadmadetheonlysunlightinmychildishlifeorthatofmyhearthrokensister。Icameback，timid，dividedinmymind，afraidofmyselfandeverybodyhere，knowingofnothingbutwretchednessthatmyfather\'swealthhadeverbroughtabout。Now，stop，andsofarthinkitout，JohnHarmon。Isthatso?Thatisexactlyso。

\'OnboardservingasthirdmatewasGeorgeRadfoot。Iknewnothingofhim。Hisnamefirstbecameknowntomeaboutaweekbeforewesailed，throughmybeingaccostedbyoneoftheship-

agent\'sclerksas“MrRadfoot。”ItwasonedaywhenIhadgoneaboardtolooktomypreparations，andtheclerk，comingbehindmeasIstoodondeck，tappedmeontheshoulder，andsaid，“MrRad-foot，lookhere，“referringtosomepapersthathehadinhishand。AndmynamefirstbecameknowntoRadfoot，throughanotherclerkwithinadayortwo，andwhiletheshipwasyetinport，comingupbehindhim，tappinghimontheshoulderandbeginning，“Ibegyourpardon，MrHarmon。”Ibelievewewerealikeinbulkandstaturebutnototherwise，andthatwewerenotstrikinglyalike，eveninthoserespects，whenweweretogetherandcouldbecompared。

\'However，asociablewordortwoonthesemistakesbecameaneasyintroductionbetweenus，andtheweatherwashot，andhehelpedmetoacoolcabinondeckalongsidehisown，andhisfirstschoolhadbeenatBrusselsasminehadbeen，andhehadlearntFrenchasIhadlearntit，andhehadalittlehistoryofhimselftorelate——Godonlyknowshowmuchofittrue，andhowmuchofitfalse——thathaditslikenesstomine。Ihadbeenaseamantoo。Sowegottobeconfidentialtogether，andthemoreeasilyyet，becauseheandeveryoneonboardhadknownbygeneralrumourwhatIwasmakingthevoyagetoEnglandfor。Bysuchdegreesandmeans，hecametotheknowledgeofmyuneasinessofmind，andofitssettingatthattimeinthedirectionofdesiringtoseeandformsomejudgmentofmyallottedwife，beforeshecouldpossiblyknowmeformyself；alsototryMrsBoffinandgiveheragladsurprise。Sotheplotwasmadeoutofourgettingcommonsailors\'dresses(ashewasabletoguidemeaboutLondon)，andthrowingourselvesinBellaWilfer\'sneighbourhood，andtryingtoputourselvesinherway，anddoingwhateverchancemightfavouronthespot，andseeingwhatcameofit。Ifnothingcameofit，I

shouldbenoworseoff，andtherewouldmerelybeashortdelayinmypresentingmyselftoLightwood。Ihaveallthesefactsright?

Yes。Theyareallaccuratelyright。

\'Hisadvantageinallthiswas，thatforatimeIwastobelost。Itmightbeforadayorfortwodays，butImustbelostsightofonlanding，ortherewouldberecognition，anticipation，andfailure。

Therefore，Idisembarkedwithmyvaliseinmyhand——asPottersonthestewardandMrJacobKibblemyfellow-passengerafterwardsremembered——andwaitedforhiminthedarkbythatveryLimehouseChurchwhichisnowbehindme。

\'AsIhadalwaysshunnedtheportofLondon，Ionlyknewthechurchthroughhispointingoutitsspirefromonboard。PerhapsI

mightrecall，ifitwereanygoodtotry，thewaybywhichIwenttoitalonefromtheriver；buthowwetwowentfromittoRiderhood\'sshop，Idon\'tknow——anymorethanIknowwhatturnswetookanddoubleswemade，afterweleftit。Thewaywaspurposelyconfused，nodoubt。

\'Butletmegoonthinkingthefactsout，andavoidconfusingthemwithmyspeculations。Whetherbetookmebyastraightwayoracrookedway，whatisthattothepurposenow?Steady，JohnHarmon。

\'WhenwestoppedatRiderhood\'s，andheaskedthatscoundrelaquestionortwo，purportingtoreferonlytothelodging-housesinwhichtherewasaccommodationforus，hadItheleastsuspicionofhim?None。CertainlynoneuntilafterwardswhenIheldtheclue。IthinkhemusthavegotfromRiderhoodinapaper，thedrug，orwhateveritwas，thatafterwardsstupefiedme，butIamfarfromsure。AllIfeltsafeinchargingonhimto-night，wasoldcompanionshipinvillainybetweenthem。Theirundisguisedintimacy，andthecharacterInowknowRiderhoodtobear，madethatnotatalladventurous。ButIamnotclearaboutthedrug。

ThinkingoutthecircumstancesonwhichIfoundmysuspicion，theyareonlytwo。One:Irememberhischangingasmallfoldedpaperfromonepockettoanother，afterwecameout，whichhehadnottouchedbefore。Two:InowknowRiderhoodtohavebeenpreviouslytakenupforbeingconcernedintherobberyofanunluckyseaman，towhomsomesuchpoisonhadbeengiven。

\'Itismyconvictionthatwecannothavegoneamilefromthatshop，beforewecametothewall，thedarkdoorway，theflightofstairs，andtheroom。Thenightwasparticularlydarkanditrainedhard。AsIthinkthecircumstancesback，Iheartherainsplashingonthestonepavementofthepassage，whchwasnotundercover。

Theroomoverlookedtheriver，oradock，oracreek，andthetidewasout。Beingpossessedofthetimedowntothatpoint，Iknowbythehourthatitmusthavebeenaboutlowwater；butwhilethecoffeewasgettingready，Idrewbackthecurtain(adark-browncurtain)，and，lookingout，knewbythekindofreflectionbelow，ofthefewneighbouringlights，thattheywerereflectedintidalmud。

\'Hehadcarriedunderhisarmacanvasbag，containingasuitofhisclothes。Ihadnochangeofouterclotheswithme，asIwastobuyslops。“Youareverywet，MrHarmon，“——Icanhearhimsaying——“andIamquitedryunderthisgoodwaterproofcoat。Putontheseclothesofmine。Youmayfindontryingthemthattheywillansweryourpurposeto-morrow，aswellastheslopsyoumeantobuy，orbetter。Whileyouchange，I\'llhurrythehotcoffee。”Whenhecameback，Ihadhisclotheson，andtherewasablackmanwithhim，wearingalinenjacket，likeasteward，whoputthesmokingcoffeeonthetableinatrayandneverlookedatme。Iamsofarliteralandexact?Literalandexact，Iamcertain。

\'Now，Ipasstosickandderangedimpressions；theyaresostrong，thatIrelyuponthem；buttherearespacesbetweenthemthatI

knownothingabout，andtheyarenotpervadedbyanyideaoftime。

\'Ihaddranksomecoffee，whentomysenseofsighthebegantoswellimmensely，andsomethingurgedmetorushathim。Wehadastrugglenearthedoor。Hegotfromme，throughmynotknowingwheretostrike，inthewhirlingroundoftheroom，andtheflashingofflamesoffirebetweenus。Idroppeddown。Lyinghelplessontheground，Iwasturnedoverbyafoot。Iwasdraggedbytheneckintoacorner。Iheardmenspeaktogether。Iwasturnedoverbyotherfeet。Isawafigurelikemyselflyingdressedinmyclothesonabed。Whatmighthavebeen，foranythingI

knew，asilenceofdays，weeks，months，years，wasbrokenbyaviolentwrestlingofmenallovertheroom。Thefigurelikemyselfwasassailed，andmyvalisewasinitshand。Iwastroddenuponandfallenover。Iheardanoiseofblows，andthoughtitwasawood-cuttercuttingdownatree。IcouldnothavesaidthatmynamewasJohnHarmon——Icouldnothavethoughtit——Ididn\'tknowit——butwhenIheardtheblows，Ithoughtofthewood-cutterandhisaxe，andhadsomedeadideathatIwaslyinginaforest。

\'Thisisstillcorrect?Stillcorrect，withtheexceptionthatIcannotpossiblyexpressittomyselfwithoutusingthewordI。ButitwasnotI。TherewasnosuchthingasI，withinmyknowledge。

\'Itwasonlyafteradownwardslidethroughsomethinglikeatube，andthenagreatnoiseandasparklingandcracklingasoffires，thattheconsciousnesscameuponme，“ThisisJohnHarmondrowning！JohnHarmon，struggleforyourlife。JohnHarmon，callonHeavenandsaveyourself！“IthinkIcrieditoutaloudinagreatagony，andthenaheavyhorridunintelligiblesomethingvanished，anditwasIwhowasstrugglingtherealoneinthewater。

\'Iwasveryweakandfaint，frightfullyoppressedwithdrowsiness，anddrivingfastwiththetide。Lookingovertheblackwater，Isawthelightsracingpastmeonthetwobanksoftheriver，asiftheywereeagertobegoneandleavemedyinginthedark。Thetidewasrunningdown，butIknewnothingofupordownthen。When，guidingmyselfsafelywithHeaven\'sassistancebeforethefiercesetofthewater，Iatlastcaughtataboatmoored，oneofatierofboatsatacauseway，Iwassuckedunderher，andcameup，onlyjustalive，ontheotherside。

\'WasIlonginthewater?Longenoughtobechilledtotheheart，butIdon\'tknowhowlong。Yetthecoldwasmerciful，foritwasthecoldnightairandtherainthatrestoredmefromaswoononthestonesofthecauseway。Theynaturallysupposedmetohavetoppledin，drunk，whenIcrepttothepublic-houseitbelongedto；

forIhadnonotionwhereIwas，andcouldnotarticulate——throughthepoisonthathadmademeinsensiblehavingaffectedmyspeech——andIsupposedthenighttobethepreviousnight，asitwasstilldarkandraining。ButIhadlosttwenty-fourhours。

\'Ihavecheckedthecalculationoften，anditmusthavebeentwonightsthatIlayrecoveringinthatpublic-house。Letmesee。Yes。

IamsureitwaswhileIlayinthatbedthere，thatthethoughtenteredmyheadofturningthedangerIhadpassedthrough，totheaccountofbeingforsometimesupposedtohavedisappearedmysteriously，andofprovingBella。Thedreadofourbeingforcedononeanother，andperpetuatingthefatethatseemedtohavefallenonmyfather\'sriches——thefatethattheyshouldleadtonothingbutevil——wasstronguponthemoraltimiditythatdatesfrommychildhoodwithmypoorsister。

\'AstothishourIcannotunderstandthatsideoftheriverwhereI

recoveredtheshore，beingtheoppositesidetothatonwhichI

wasensnared，Ishallneverunderstanditnow。Evenatthismoment，whileIleavetheriverbehindme，goinghome，Icannotconceivethatitrollsbetweenmeandthatspot，orthattheseaiswhereitis。Butthisisnotthinkingitout；thisismakingaleaptothepresenttime。

\'Icouldnothavedoneit，butforthefortuneinthewaterproofbeltroundmybody。Notagreatfortune，fortyandoddpoundsfortheinheritorofahundredandoddthousand！Butitwasenough。

WithoutitImusthavedisclosedmyself。Withoutit，IcouldneverhavegonetothatExchequerCoffeeHouse，ortakenMrsWilfer\'slodgings。

\'SometwelvedaysIlivedatthathotel，beforethenightwhenI

sawthecorpseofRadfootatthePoliceStation。TheinexpressiblementalhorrorthatIlabouredunder，asoneoftheconsequencesofthepoison，makestheintervalseemgreatlylonger，butIknowitcannothavebeenlonger。Thatsufferinghasgraduallyweakenedandweakenedsince，andhasonlycomeuponmebystarts，andI

hopeIamfreefromitnow；butevennow，Ihavesometimestothink，constrainmyself，andstopbeforespeaking，orIcouldnotsaythewordsIwanttosay。

\'AgainIrambleawayfromthinkingitouttotheend。ItisnotsofartotheendthatIneedbetemptedtobreakoff。Now，onstraight！

\'IexaminedthenewspaperseverydayfortidingsthatIwasmissing，butsawnone。Goingoutthatnighttowalk(forIkeptretiredwhileitwaslight)，IfoundacrowdassembledroundaplacardpostedatWhitehall。Itdescribedmyself，JohnHarmon，asfounddeadandmutilatedintheriverundercircumstancesofstrongsuspicion，describedmydress，describedthepapersinmypockets，andstatedwhereIwaslyingforrecognition。InawildincautiouswayIhurriedthere，andthere——withthehorrorofthedeathIhadescaped，beforemyeyesinitsmostappallingshape，addedtotheinconceivablehorrortormentingmeatthattimewhenthepoisonousstuffwasstrongestonme——IperceivedthatRadfoothadbeenmurderedbysomeunknownhandsforthemoneyforwhichhewouldhavemurderedme，andthatprobablywehadbothbeenshotintotheriverfromthesamedarkplaceintothesamedarktide，whenthestreamrandeepandstrong。

\'ThatnightIalmostgaveupmymystery，thoughIsuspectednoone，couldoffernoinformation，knewabsolutelynothingsavethatthemurderedmanwasnotI，butRadfoot。NextdaywhileI

hesitated，andnextdaywhileIhesitated，itseemedasifthewholecountryweredeterminedtohavemedead。TheInquestdeclaredmedead，theGovernmentproclaimedmedead；Icouldnotlistenatmyfiresideforfiveminutestotheouternoises，butitwasborneintomyearsthatIwasdead。

\'SoJohnHarmondied，andJuliusHandforddisappeared，andJohnRokesmithwasborn。JohnRokesmith\'sintentto-nighthasbeentorepairawrongthathecouldneverhaveimaginedpossible，comingtohisearsthroughtheLightwoodtalkrelatedtohim，andwhichheisboundbyeveryconsiderationtoremedy。InthatintentJohnRokesmithwillpersevere，ashisdutyis。

\'Now，isitallthoughtout?Alltothistime?Nothingomitted?

No，nothing。Butbeyondthistime?Tothinkitoutthroughthefuture，isaharderthoughamuchshortertaskthantothinkitoutthroughthepast。JohnHarmonisdead。ShouldJohnHarmoncometolife?

\'Ifyes，why?Ifno，why?\'

\'Takeyes，first。ToenlightenhumanJusticeconcerningtheoffenceofonefarbeyonditwhomayhavealivingmother。Toenlightenitwiththelightsofastonepassage，aflightofstairs，abrownwindow-curtain，andablackman。Tocomeintopossessionofmyfather\'smoney，andwithitsordidlytobuyabeautifulcreaturewhomIlove——Icannothelpit；reasonhasnothingtodowithit；Iloveheragainstreason——butwhowouldassoonlovemeformyownsake，asshewouldlovethebeggaratthecorner。

Whatauseforthemoney，andhowworthyofitsoldmisuses！

\'Now，takeno。ThereasonswhyJohnHarmonshouldnotcometolife。Becausehehaspassivelyallowedthesedearoldfaithfulfriendstopassintopossessionoftheproperty。Becauseheseesthemhappywithit，makingagooduseofit，effacingtheoldrustandtarnishonthemoney。BecausetheyhavevirtuallyadoptedBella，andwillprovideforher。Becausethereisaffectionenoughinhernature，andwarmthenoughinherheart，todevelopintosomethingenduringlygood，underfavourableconditions。Becauseherfaultshavebeenintensifiedbyherplaceinmyfather\'swill，andsheisalreadygrowingbetter。BecausehermarriagewithJohnHarmon，afterwhatIhaveheardfromherownlips，wouldbeashockingmockery，ofwhichbothsheandImustalwaysbeconscious，andwhichwoulddegradeherinhermind，andmeinmine，andeachofusintheother\'s。BecauseifJohnHarmoncomestolifeanddoesnotmarryher，thepropertyfallsintotheveryhandsthatholditnow。

\'WhatwouldIhave?Dead，IhavefoundthetruefriendsofmylifetimestillastrueastenderandasfaithfulaswhenIwasalive，andmakingmymemoryanincentivetogoodactionsdoneinmyname。Dead，Ihavefoundthemwhentheymighthaveslightedmyname，andpassedgreedilyovermygravetoeaseandwealth，lingeringbytheway，likesingle-heartedchildren，torecalltheirloveformewhenIwasapoorfrightenedchild。Dead，IhaveheardfromthewomanwhowouldhavebeenmywifeifIhadlived，therevoltingtruththatIshouldhavepurchasedher，caringnothingforme，asaSultanbuysaslave。

\'WhatwouldIhave?Ifthedeadcouldknow，ordoknow，howthelivingusethem，whoamongthehostsofdeadhasfoundamoredisinterestedfidelityonearththanI?Isnotthatenoughforme?IfIhadcomeback，thesenoblecreatureswouldhavewelcomedme，weptoverme，givenupeverythingtomewithjoy。

Ididnotcomeback，andtheyhavepassedunspoiledintomyplace。Letthemrestinit，andletBellarestinhers。

\'Whatcourseformethen?This。TolivethesamequietSecretarylife，carefullyavoidingchancesofrecognition，untiltheyshallhavebecomemoreaccustomedtotheiralteredstate，anduntilthegreatswarmofswindlersundermanynamesshallhavefoundnewerprey。Bythattime，themethodIamestablishingthroughalltheaffairs，andwithwhichIwilleverydaytakenewpainstomakethembothfamiliar，willbe，Imayhope，amachineinsuchworkingorderasthattheycankeepitgoing。IknowIneedbutaskoftheirgenerosity，tohave。Whentherighttimecomes，Iwillasknomorethanwillreplacemeinmyformerpathoflife，andJohnRokesmithshalltreaditascontentedlyashemay。ButJohnHarmonshallcomebacknomore。

\'ThatImaynever，inthedaystocomeafaroff，haveanyweakmisgivingthatBellamight，inanycontingency，havetakenmeformyownsakeifIhadplainlyaskedher，IWILLplainlyaskher:

provingbeyondallquestionwhatIalreadyknowtoowell。Andnowitisallthoughtout，fromthebeginningtotheend，andmymindiseasier。\'

Sodeeplyengagedhadtheliving-deadmanbeen，inthuscommuningwithhimself，thathehadregardedneitherthewindnortheway，andhadresistedtheformerinstinctivelyashehadpursuedthelatter。ButbeingnowcomeintotheCity，wheretherewasacoach-stand，hestoodirresolutewhethertogotohislodgings，ortogofirsttoMrBoffin\'shouse。Hedecidedtogoroundbythehouse，arguing，ashecarriedhisovercoatuponhisarm，thatitwaslesslikelytoattractnoticeifleftthere，thaniftakentoHolloway:bothMrsWilferandMissLaviniabeingravenouslycurioustouchingeveryarticleofwhichthelodgerstoodpossessed。

Arrivingatthehouse，hefoundthatMrandMrsBoffinwereout，butthatMissWilferwasinthedrawing-room。MissWilferhadremainedathome，inconsequenceofnotfeelingverywell，andhadinquiredintheeveningifMrRokesmithwereinhisroom。

\'MakemycomplimentstoMissWilfer，andsayIamherenow。\'

MissWilfer\'scomplimentscamedowninreturn，and，ifitwerenottoomuchtrouble，wouldMrRokesmithbesokindastocomeupbeforehewent?

Itwasnottoomuchtrouble，andMrRokesmithcameup。

Ohshelookedverypretty，shelookedvery，verypretty！IfthefatherofthelateJohnHarmonhadbutlefthismoneyunconditionallytohisson，andifhissonhadbutlightedonthisloveablegirlforhimself，andhadthehappinesstomakeherlovingaswellasloveable！

\'Dearme！Areyounotwell，MrRokesmith?\'

\'Yes，quitewell。Iwassorrytohear，whenIcamein，thatYOU

werenot。\'

\'Amerenothing。Ihadaheadache——gonenow——andwasnotquitefitforahottheatre，soIstayedathome。Iaskedyouifyouwerenotwell，becauseyoulooksowhite。\'

\'DoI?Ihavehadabusyevening。\'

Shewasonalowottomanbeforethefire，withalittleshiningjewelofatable，andherbookandherwork，besideher。Ah！whatadifferentlifethelateJohnHarmon\'s，ifithadbeenhishappyprivilegetotakehisplaceuponthatottoman，anddrawhisarmaboutthatwaist，andsay，\'Ihopethetimehasbeenlongwithoutme?WhataHomeGoddessyoulook，mydarling！\'

But，thepresentJohnRokesmith，farremovedfromthelateJohnHarmon，remainedstandingatadistance。Alittledistanceinrespectofspace，butagreatdistanceinrespectofseparation。

\'MrRokesmith，\'saidBella，takingupherwork，andinspectingitallroundthecorners，\'IwantedtosaysomethingtoyouwhenI

couldhavetheopportunity，asanexplanationwhyIwasrudetoyoutheotherday。Youhavenorighttothinkillofme，sir。\'

Thesharplittlewayinwhichshedartedalookathim，halfsensitivelyinjured，andhalfpettishly，wouldhavebeenverymuchadmiredbythelateJohnHarmon。

\'Youdon\'tknowhowwellIthinkofyou，MissWilfer。\'

\'Truly，youmusthaveaveryhighopinionofme，MrRokesmith，whenyoubelievethatinprosperityIneglectandforgetmyoldhome。\'

\'DoIbelieveso?\'

\'YouDID，sir，atanyrate，\'returnedBella。

\'Itookthelibertyofremindingyouofalittleomissionintowhichyouhadfallen——insensiblyandnaturallyfallen。Itwasnomorethanthat。\'

\'AndIbegleavetoaskyou，MrRokesmith，\'saidBella，\'whyyoutookthatliberty?——Ihopethereisnooffenceinthephrase；itisyourown，remember。\'

\'BecauseIamtruly，deeply，profoundlyinterestedinyou，MissWilfer。BecauseIwishtoseeyoualwaysatyourbest。BecauseI——shallIgoon?\'

\'No，sir，\'returnedBella，withaburningface，\'youhavesaidmorethanenough。IbegthatyouwillNOTgoon。Ifyouhaveanygenerosity，anyhonour，youwillsaynomore。\'

ThelateJohnHarmon，lookingattheproudfacewiththedown-

casteyes，andatthequickbreathingasitstirredthefallofbrightbrownhairoverthebeautifulneck，wouldprobablyhaveremainedsilent。

\'Iwishtospeaktoyou，sir，\'saidBella，\'onceforall，andIdon\'tknowhowtodoit。Ihavesathereallthisevening，wishingtospeaktoyou，anddeterminingtospeaktoyou，andfeelingthatI

must。Ibegforamoment\'stime。\'

Heremainedsilent，andsheremainedwithherfaceaverted，sometimesmakingaslightmovementasifshewouldturnandspeak。Atlengthshedidso。

\'YouknowhowIamsituatedhere，sir，andyouknowhowIamsituatedathome。Imustspeaktoyouformyself，sincethereisnooneaboutmewhomIcouldasktodoso。Itisnotgenerousinyou，itisnothonourableinyou，toconductyourselftowardsmeasyoudo。\'

\'Isitungenerousordishonourabletobedevotedtoyou；fascinatedbyyou?\'

\'Preposterous！\'saidBella。

ThelateJohnHarmonmighthavethoughtitratheracontemptuousandloftywordofrepudiation。

\'Inowfeelobligedtogoon，\'pursuedtheSecretary，\'thoughitwereonlyinself-explanationandself-defence。Ihope，MissWilfer，thatitisnotunpardonable——eveninme——tomakeanhonestdeclarationofanhonestdevotiontoyou。\'

\'Anhonestdeclaration！\'repeatedBella，withemphasis。

\'Isitotherwise?\'

\'Imustrequest，sir，\'saidBella，takingrefugeinatouchoftimelyresentment，\'thatImaynotbequestioned。YoumustexcusemeifIdeclinetobecross-examined。\'

\'Oh，MissWilfer，thisishardlycharitable。Iaskyounothingbutwhatyourownemphasissuggests。However，Iwaiveeventhatquestion。ButwhatIhavedeclared，Itakemystandby。Icannotrecalltheavowalofmyearnestanddeepattachmenttoyou，andI

donotrecallit。\'

\'Irejectit，sir，\'saidBella。

\'IshouldbeblindanddeafifIwerenotpreparedforthereply。

Forgivemyoffence，foritcarriesitspunishmentwithit。\'

\'Whatpunishment?\'askedBella。

\'Ismypresentendurancenone?Butexcuseme；Ididnotmeantocross-examineyouagain。\'

\'Youtakeadvantageofahastywordofmine，\'saidBellawithalittlestingofself-reproach，\'tomakemeseem——Idon\'tknowwhat。

IspokewithoutconsiderationwhenIusedit。Ifthatwasbad，I

amsorry；butyourepeatitafterconsideration，andthatseemstometobeatleastnobetter。Fortherest，Ibegitmaybeunderstood，MrRokesmith，thatthereisanendofthisbetweenus，nowandforever。\'

\'Nowandforever，\'herepeated。

\'Yes。Iappealtoyou，sir，\'proceededBellawithincreasingspirit，\'nottopursueme。Iappealtoyounottotakeadvantageofyourpositioninthishousetomakemypositioninitdistressinganddisagreeable。IappealtoyoutodiscontinueyourhabitofmakingyourmisplacedattentionsasplaintoMrsBoffinastome。\'

\'HaveIdoneso?\'

\'Ishouldthinkyouhave，\'repliedBella。\'Inanycaseitisnotyourfaultifyouhavenot，MrRokesmith。\'

\'Ihopeyouarewronginthatimpression。Ishouldbeverysorrytohavejustifiedit。IthinkIhavenot。Forthefuturethereisnoapprehension。Itisallover。\'

\'Iammuchrelievedtohearit，\'saidBella。\'Ihavefarotherviewsinlife，andwhyshouldyouwasteyourown?\'

\'Mine！\'saidtheSecretary。\'Mylife！\'

HiscurioustonecausedBellatoglanceatthecurioussmilewithwhichhesaidit。Itwasgoneasheglancedback。\'Pardonme，MissWilfer，\'heproceeded，whentheireyesmet；\'youhaveusedsomehardwords，forwhichIdonotdoubtyouhaveajustificationinyourmind，thatIdonotunderstand。Ungenerousanddishonourable。Inwhat?\'

\'Iwouldrathernotbeasked，\'saidBella，haughtilylookingdown。

\'Iwouldrathernotask，butthequestionisimposeduponme。

Kindlyexplain；orifnotkindly，justly。\'

\'Oh，sir！\'saidBella，raisinghereyestohis，afteralittlestruggletoforbear，\'isitgenerousandhonourabletousethepowerherewhichyourfavourwithMrandMrsBoffinandyourabilityinyourplacegiveyou，againstme?\'

\'Againstyou?\'

\'IsitgenerousandhonourabletoformaplanforgraduallybringingtheirinfluencetobearuponasuitwhichIhaveshownyouthatIdonotlike，andwhichItellyouthatIutterlyreject?\'

ThelateJohnHarmoncouldhaveborneagooddeal，buthewouldhavebeencuttotheheartbysuchasuspicionasthis。

\'Woulditbegenerousandhonourabletostepintoyourplace——ifyoudidso，forIdon\'tknowthatyoudid，andIhopeyoudidnot——

anticipating，orknowingbeforehand，thatIshouldcomehere，anddesigningtotakemeatthisdisadvantage?\'

\'Thismeanandcrueldisadvantage，\'saidtheSecretary。

\'Yes，\'assentedBella。

TheSecretarykeptsilenceforalittlewhile；thenmerelysaid，\'Youarewhollymistaken，MissWilfer；wonderfullymistaken。I

cannotsay，however，thatitisyourfault。IfIdeservebetterthingsofyou，youdonotknowit。\'

\'Atleast，sir，\'retortedBella，withheroldindignationrising，\'youknowthehistoryofmybeinghereatall。IhaveheardMrBoffinsaythatyouaremasterofeverylineandwordofthatwill，asyouaremasterofallhisaffairs。AndwasitnotenoughthatIshouldhavebeenwilledaway，likeahorse，oradog，orabird；butmustyoutoobegintodisposeofmeinyourmind，andspeculateinme，assoonasIhadceasedtobethetalkandthelaughofthetown?

AmIforevertobemadethepropertyofstrangers?\'

\'Believeme，\'returnedtheSecretary，\'youarewonderfullymistaken。\'

\'Ishouldbegladtoknowit，\'answeredBella。

\'Idoubtifyoueverwill。Good-night。OfcourseIshallbecarefultoconcealanytracesofthisinterviewfromMrandMrsBoffin，aslongasIremainhere。Trustme，whatyouhavecomplainedofisatanendforever。\'

\'IamgladIhavespoken，then，MrRokesmith。Ithasbeenpainfulanddifficult，butitisdone。IfIhavehurtyou，Ihopeyouwillforgiveme。Iaminexperiencedandimpetuous，andIhavebeenalittlespoilt；butIreallyamnotsobadasIdaresayIappear，orasyouthinkme。\'

HequittedtheroomwhenBellahadsaidthis，relentinginherwilfulinconsistentway。Leftalone，shethrewherselfbackonherottoman，andsaid，\'Ididn\'tknowthelovelywomanwassuchaDragon！\'Then，shegotupandlookedintheglass，andsaidtoherimage，\'Youhavebeenpositivelyswellingyourfeatures，youlittlefool！\'Then，shetookanimpatientwalktotheotherendoftheroomandback，andsaid，\'IwishPawasheretohaveatalkaboutanavariciousmarriage；butheisbetteraway，poordear，forI

knowIshouldpullhishairifheWAShere。\'Andthenshethrewherworkaway，andthrewherbookafterit，andsatdownandhummedatune，andhummeditoutoftune，andquarrelledwithit。

AndJohnRokesmith，whatdidhe?

Hewentdowntohisroom，andburiedJohnHarmonmanyadditionalfathomsdeep。Hetookhishat，andwalkedout，and，ashewenttoHollowayoranywhereelse——notatallmindingwhere——

heapedmoundsuponmoundsofearthoverJohnHarmon\'sgrave。

Hiswalkingdidnotbringhimhomeuntilthedawnofday。Andsobusyhadhebeenallnight，pilingandpilingweightsuponweightsofearthaboveJohnHarmon\'sgrave，thatbythattimeJohnHarmonlayburiedunderawholeAlpinerange；andstilltheSextonRokesmithaccumulatedmountainsoverhim，lighteninghislabourwiththedirge，\'Coverhim，crushhim，keephimdown！\'

Chapter14

STRONGOFPURPOSE

Thesexton-taskofpilingearthaboveJohnHarmonallnightlong，wasnotconducivetosoundsleep；butRokesmithhadsomebrokenmorningrest，androsestrengthenedinhispurpose。Itwasallovernow。NoghostshouldtroubleMrandMrsBoffin\'speace；

invisibleandvoiceless，theghostshouldlookonforalittlewhilelongeratthestateofexistenceoutofwhichithaddeparted，andthenshouldforeverceasetohauntthescenesinwhichithadnoplace。

Hewentoveritallagain。Hehadlapsedintotheconditioninwhichhefoundhimself，asmanyamanlapsesintomanyacondition，withoutperceivingtheaccumulativepowerofitsseparatecircumstances。Wheninthedistrustengenderedbyhiswretchedchildhoodandtheactionforevil——neveryetforgoodwithinhisknowledgethen——ofhisfatherandhisfather\'swealthonallwithintheirinfluence，heconceivedtheideaofhisfirstdeception，itwasmeanttobeharmless，itwastolastbutafewhoursordays，itwastoinvolveinitonlythegirlsocapriciouslyforceduponhimanduponwhomhewassocapriciouslyforced，anditwashonestlymeantwelltowardsher。For，ifhehadfoundherunhappyintheprospectofthatmarriage(throughherheartincliningtoanothermanorforanyothercause)，bewouldseriouslyhavesaid:\'Thisisanotheroftheoldpervertedusesofthemisery-makingmoney。Iwillletitgotomyandmysister\'sonlyprotectorsandfriends。\'WhenthesnareintowhichhefellsooutstrippedhisfirstintentionasthathefoundhimselfplacardedbythepoliceauthoritiesupontheLondonwallsfordead，heconfusedlyacceptedtheaidthatfelluponhim，withoutconsideringhowfirmlyitmustseemtofixtheBoffinsintheiraccessiontothefortune。Whenhesawthem，andknewthem，andevenfromhisvantage-groundofinspectioncouldfindnoflawinthem，heaskedhimself，\'AndshallIcometolifetodispossesssuchpeopleasthese?\'Therewasnogoodtosetagainsttheputtingofthemtothathardproof。HehadheardfromBella\'sownlipswhenhestoodtappingatthedooronthatnightofhistakingthelodgings，thatthemarriagewouldhavebeenonherpartthoroughlymercenary。Hehadsincetriedher，inhisownunknownpersonandsupposedstation，andshenotonlyrejectedhisadvancesbutresentedthem。Wasitforhimtohavetheshameofbuyingher，orthemeannessofpunishingher?Yet，bycomingtolifeandacceptingtheconditionoftheinheritance，hemustdotheformer；andbycomingtolifeandrejectingit，hemustdothelatter。

Anotherconsequencethathehadneverforeshadowed，wastheimplicationofaninnocentmaninhissupposedmurder。Hewouldobtaincompleteretractionfromtheaccuser，andsetthewrongright；butclearlythewrongcouldneverhavebeendoneifhehadneverplannedadeception。Then，whateverinconvenienceordistressofmindthedeceptioncosthim，itwasmanfulrepentantlytoacceptasamongitsconsequences，andmakenocomplaint。

ThusJohnRokesmithinthemorning，anditburiedJohnHarmonstillmanyfathomsdeeperthanhehadbeenburiedinthenight。

Goingoutearlierthanhewasaccustomedtodo，heencounteredthecherubatthedoor。Thecherub\'swaywasforacertainspacehisway，andtheywalkedtogether。

Itwasimpossiblenottonoticethechangeinthecherub\'sappearance。Thecherubfeltveryconsciousofit，andmodestlyremarked:

\'ApresentfrommydaughterBella，MrRokesmith。\'

ThewordsgavetheSecretaryastrokeofpleasure，forherememberedthefiftypounds，andhestilllovedthegirl。Nodoubtitwasveryweak——italwaysISveryweak，someauthoritieshold——

buthelovedthegirl。

\'Idon\'tknowwhetheryouhappentohavereadmanybooksofAfricanTravel，MrRokesmith?\'saidR。W。

\'Ihavereadseveral。\'

\'Well，youknow，there\'susuallyaKingGeorge，oraKingBoy，oraKingSambo，oraKingBill，orBull，orRum，orJunk，orwhatevernamethesailorsmayhavehappenedtogivehim。\'

\'Where?\'askedRokesmith。

\'Anywhere。AnywhereinAfrica，Imean。Prettywelleverywhere，Imaysay；forblackkingsarecheap——andIthink\'——saidR。W。，withanapologeticair，\'nasty\'。

\'Iammuchofyouropinion，MrWilfer。Youweregoingtosay——?\'

\'Iwasgoingtosay，thekingisgenerallydressedinaLondonhatonly，oraManchesterpairofbraces，oroneepaulette，oranuniformcoatwithhislegsinthesleeves，orsomethingofthatkind。\'

\'Justso，\'saidtheSecretary。

\'Inconfidence，Iassureyou，MrRokesmith，\'observedthecheerfulcherub，\'thatwhenmoreofmyfamilywereathomeandtobeprovidedfor，Iusedtoremindmyselfimmenselyofthatking。