第23章

Thisdoneveryrapidly，shekissedhisdisfiguredforehead，lookedupinanguishtothestars，andblessedhimandforgavehim，\'ifshehadanythingtoforgive。\'Itwasonlyinthatinstantthatshethoughtofherself，andthenshethoughtofherselfonlyforhim。

Now，mercifulHeavenbethankedforthatoldtime，enablingme，withoutawastedmoment，tohavegottheboatafloatagain，andtorowbackagainstthestream！Andgrant，OBlessedLordGod，thatthroughpoormehemayberaisedfromdeath，andpreservedtosomeoneelsetowhomhemaybedearoneday，thoughneverdearerthantome！

Sherowedhard——roweddesperately，butneverwildly——andseldomremovedhereyesfromhiminthebottomoftheboat。Shehadsolaidhimthere，asthatshemightseehisdisfiguredface；itwassomuchdisfiguredthathismothermighthavecoveredit，butitwasaboveandbeyonddisfigurementinhereyes。

Theboattouchedtheedgeofthepatchofinnlawn，slopinggentlytothewater。Therewerelightsinthewindows，buttherechancedtobenooneoutofdoors。Shemadetheboatfast，andagainbymainstrengthtookhimup，andneverlaidhimdownuntilshelaidhimdowninthehouse。

Surgeonsweresentfor，andshesatsupportinghishead。Shehadoftentimesheardindaysthatweregone，howdoctorswouldliftthehandofaninsensiblewoundedperson，andwoulddropitifthepersonweredead。Shewaitedfortheawfulmomentwhenthedoctorsmightliftthishand，allbrokenandbruised，andletitfall。

Thefirstofthesurgeonscame，andasked，beforeproceedingtohisexamination，\'Whobroughthimin?\'

\'Ibroughthimin，sir，\'answeredLizzie，atwhomallpresentlooked。

\'You，mydear?Youcouldnotlift，farlesscarry，thisweight。\'

\'IthinkIcouldnot，atanothertime，sir；butIamsureIdid。\'

Thesurgeonlookedatherwithgreatattention，andwithsomecompassion。Havingwithagravefacetouchedthewoundsuponthehead，andthebrokenarms，hetookthehand。

O！wouldheletitdrop?

Heappearedirresolute。Hedidnotretainit，butlaiditgentlydown，tookacandle，lookedmorecloselyattheinjuriesonthehead，andatthepupilsoftheeyes。Thatdone，hereplacedthecandleandtookthehandagain。Anothersurgeonthencomingin，thetwoexchangedawhisper，andthesecondtookthehand。

Neitherdidheletitfallatonce，butkeptitforawhileandlaiditgentlydown。

\'Attendtothepoorgirl，\'saidthefirstsurgeonthen。\'Sheisquiteunconscious。Sheseesnothingandhearsnothing。Allthebetterforher！Don\'trouseher，ifyoucanhelpit；onlymoveher。Poorgirl，poorgirl！Shemustbeamazinglystrongofheart，butitismuchtobefearedthatshehassetherheartuponthedead。Begentlewithher。\'

Chapter7

BETTERTOBEABELTHANCAIN

DaywasbreakingatPlashwaterWeirMillLock。Starswereyetvisible，buttherewasdulllightintheeastthatwasnotthelightofnight。Themoonhadgonedown，andamistcreptalongthebanksoftheriver，seenthroughwhichthetreesweretheghostsoftrees，andthewaterwastheghostofwater。Thisearthlookedspectral，andsodidthepalestars:whilethecoldeasternglare，expressionlessastoheatorcolour，withtheeyeofthefirmamentquenched，mighthavebeenlikenedtothestareofthedead。

PerhapsitwassolikenedbythelonelyBargeman，standingonthebrinkofthelock。Forcertain，BradleyHeadstonelookedthatway，whenachillaircameup，andwhenitpassedonmurmuring，asifitwhisperedsomethingthatmadethephantomtreesandwatertremble——orthreaten——forfancymighthavemadeiteither。

Heturnedaway，andtriedtheLock-housedoor。Itwasfastenedontheinside。

\'Isheafraidofme?\'hemuttered，knocking。

RogueRiderhoodwassoonroused，andsoonundrewtheboltandlethimin。

\'Why，T\'otherest，Ithoughtyouhadbeenandgotlost！Twonightsaway！Ia\'mostbelievedasyou\'dgiv\'metheslip，andIhadasgoodashalfamindfortoadvertiseyouinthenewspaperstocomefor\'ard。\'

Bradley\'sfaceturnedsodarkonthishint，thatRiderhooddeemeditexpedienttosoftenitintoacompliment。

\'Butnotyou，governor，notyou，\'hewenton，stolidlyshakinghishead。\'ForwhatdidIsaytomyselfarterhavingamusedmyselfwiththattherestretchofacomicidea，asasortofaplayfulgame?

Why，Isaystomyself；“He\'samano\'honour。”That\'swhatIsaystomyself。“He\'samano\'doublehonour。”\'

Veryremarkably，Riderhoodputnoquestiontohim。Hehadlookedathimonopeningthedoor，andhenowlookedathimagain(stealthilythistime)，andtheresultofhislookingwas，thatheaskedhimnoquestion。

\'You\'llbeforanotherfortyon\'em，governor，asIjudges，aforeyouturnsyourmindtobreakfast，\'saidRiderhood，whenhisvisitorsatdown，restinghischinonhishand，withhiseyesontheground。

Andveryremarkablyagain:Riderhoodfeignedtosetthescantyfurnitureinorder，whilehespoke，tohaveashowofreasonfornotlookingathim。

\'Yes。Ihadbettersleep，Ithink，\'saidBradley，withoutchanginghisposition。

\'Imyselfshouldrecommendit，governor，\'assentedRiderhood。

\'Mightyoubeanywaysdry?\'

\'Yes。Ishouldlikeadrink，\'saidBradley；butwithoutappearingtoattendmuch。

MrRiderhoodgotouthisbottle，andfetchedhisjug-fullofwater，andadministeredapotation。Then，heshookthecoverletofhisbedandspreaditsmooth，andBradleystretchedhimselfuponitintheclotheshewore。MrRiderhoodpoeticallyremarkingthathewouldpickthebonesofhisnight\'srest，inhiswoodenchair，satinthewindowasbefore；but，asbefore，watchedthesleepernarrowlyuntilhewasverysoundasleep。Then，heroseandlookedathimclose，inthebrightdaylight，oneveryside，withgreatminuteness。

HewentouttohisLocktosumupwhathehadseen。

\'Oneofhissleevesistorerightawaybelowtheelber，andthet\'other\'shadagoodripattheshoulder。He\'sbeenhungonto，prettytight，forhisshirt\'salltoreoutoftheneck-gathers。He\'sbeeninthegrassandhe\'sbeeninthewater。Andhe\'sspotted，andIknowwithwhat，andwithwhose。Hooroar！\'

Bradleysleptlong。Earlyintheafternoonabargecamedown。

Otherbargeshadpassedthrough，bothways，beforeit；buttheLock-keeperhailedonlythisparticularbarge，fornews，asifhehadmadeatimecalculationwithsomenicety。Themenonboardtoldhimapieceofnews，andtherewasalingeringontheirparttoenlargeuponit。

TwelvehourshadintervenedsinceBradley\'slyingdown，whenhegotup。\'NotthatIswallerit，\'saidRiderhood，squintingathisLock，whenhesawBradleycomingoutofthehouse，\'asyou\'vebeenasleepingallthetime，oldboy！\'

Bradleycametohim，sittingonhiswoodenlever，andaskedwhato\'clockitwas?Riderhoodtoldhimitwasbetweentwoandthree。

\'Whenareyourelieved?\'askedBradley。

\'Dayarterto-morrow，governor。\'

\'Notsooner?\'

\'Notainchsooner，governor。\'

Onbothsides，importanceseemedattachedtothisquestionofrelief。Riderhoodquitepettedhisreply；sayingasecondtime，andprolonginganegativerollofhishead，\'n——n——notainchsooner，governor。\'

\'DidItellyouIwasgoingonto-night?\'askedBradley。

\'No，governor，\'returnedRiderhood，inacheerful，affable，andconversationalmanner，\'youdidnottellmeso。Butmostlikeyoumeanttoitandforgottoit。How，otherways，couldadoubthavecomeintoyourheadaboutit，governor?\'

\'Asthesungoesdown，Iintendtogoon，\'saidBradley。

\'SomuchthemorenecessairyisaPeck，\'returnedRiderhood。

\'Comeinandhaveit，T\'otherest。\'

TheformalityofspreadingatableclothnotbeingobservedinMrRiderhood\'sestablishment，theservingofthe\'peck\'wastheaffairofamoment；itmerelyconsistinginthehandingdownofacapaciousbakingdishwiththree-fourthsofanimmensemeatpieinit，andtheproductionoftwopocket-knives，anearthenwaremug，andalargebrownbottleofbeer。

Bothateanddrank，butRiderhoodmuchthemoreabundantly。Inlieuofplates，thathonestmancuttwotriangularpiecesfromthethickcrustofthepie，andlaidthem，insideuppermost，uponthetable:theonebeforehimself，andtheotherbeforehisguest。Upontheseplattersheplacedtwogoodlyportionsofthecontentsofthepie，thusimpartingtheunusualinteresttotheentertainmentthateachpartakerscoopedouttheinsideofhisplate，andconsumeditwithhisotherfare，besideshavingthesportofpursuingtheclotsofcongealedgravyovertheplainofthetable，andsuccessfullytakingthemintohismouthatlastfromthebladeofhisknife，incaseoftheirnotfirstslidingoffit。

BradleyHeadstonewassoremarkablyawkwardattheseexercises，thattheRogueobservedit。

\'Lookout，T\'otherest！\'hecried，\'you\'llcutyourhand！\'

But，thecautioncametoolate，forBradleygasheditattheinstant。

And，whatwasmoreunlucky，inaskingRiderhoodtotieitup，andinstandingclosetohimforthepurpose，heshookhishandunderthesmartofthewound，andshookbloodoverRiderhood\'sdress。

Whendinnerwasdone，andwhenwhatremainedoftheplattersandwhatremainedofthecongealedgravyhadbeenputbackintowhatremainedofthepie，whichservedasaneconomicalinvestmentforallmiscellaneoussavings，Riderhoodfilledthemugwithbeerandtookalongdrink。AndnowhedidlookatBradley，andwithanevileye。

\'T\'otherest！\'hesaid，hoarsely，ashebentacrossthetabletotouchhisarm。\'Thenewshasgonedowntheriveraforeyou。\'

\'Whatnews?\'

\'Whodoyouthink，\'saidRiderhood，withahitchofhishead，asifhedisdainfullyjerkedthefeintaway，\'pickedupthebody?Guess。\'

\'Iamnotgoodatguessinganything。\'

\'Shedid。Hooroar！Youhadhimthereagin。Shedid。\'

TheconvulsivetwitchingofBradleyHeadstone\'sface，andthesuddenhothumourthatbrokeoutuponit，showedhowgrimlytheintelligencetouchedhim。Buthesaidnotasingleword，goodorbad。Heonlysmiledinaloweringmanner，andgotupandstoodleaningatthewindow，lookingthroughit。Riderhoodfollowedhimwithhiseyes。Riderhoodcastdownhiseyesonhisownbesprinkledclothes。RiderhoodbegantohaveanairofbeingbetterataguessthanBradleyownedtobeing。

\'Ihavebeensolonginwantofrest，\'saidtheschoolmaster，\'thatwithyourleaveI\'llliedownagain。\'

\'Andwelcome，T\'otherest！\'wasthehospitableanswerofhishost。

Hehadlaidhimselfdownwithoutwaitingforit，andheremaineduponthebeduntilthesunwaslow。Whenhearoseandcameouttoresumehisjourney，hefoundhishostwaitingforhimonthegrassbythetowing-pathoutsidethedoor。

\'WheneveritmaybenecessarythatyouandIshouldhaveanyfurthercommunicationtogether，\'saidBradley，\'Iwillcomeback。

Good-night！\'

\'Well，sincenobettercanbe，\'saidRiderhood，turningonhisheel，\'Good-night！\'Butheturnedagainastheothersetforth，andaddedunderhisbreath，lookingafterhimwithaleer:\'Youwouldn\'tbelettogolikethat，ifmyReliefwarn\'tasgoodascome。I\'llcatchyouupinamile。\'

Inaword，hisrealtimeofreliefbeingthateveningatsunset，hismatecameloungingin，withinaquarterofanhour。Notstayingtofilluptheutmostmarginofhistime，butborrowinganhourorso，toberepaidagainwhenheshouldrelievehisreliever，RiderhoodstraightwayfollowedonthetrackofBradleyHeadstone。

HewasabetterfollowerthanBradley。Ithadbeenthecallingofhislifetoslinkandskulkanddogandwaylay，andheknewhiscallingwell。HeeffectedsuchaforcedmarchonleavingtheLockHousethathewascloseupwithhim——thatistosay，ascloseupwithhimashedeemeditconvenienttobe——beforeanotherLockwaspassed。Hismanlookedbackprettyoftenashewent，butgotnohintofhim。HEknewhowtotakeadvantageoftheground，andwheretoputthehedgebetweenthem，andwherethewall，andwhentoduck，andwhentodrop，andhadathousandartsbeyondthedoomedBradley\'sslowconception。

But，allhisartswerebroughttoastandstill，likehimselfwhenBradley，turningintoagreenlaneorridingbytheriver-side——asolitaryspotrunwildinnettles，briars，andbrambles，andencumberedwiththescathedtrunksofawholehedgerowoffelledtrees，ontheoutskirtsofalittlewood——begansteppingonthesetrunksanddroppingdownamongthemandsteppingonthemagain，apparentlyasaschoolboymighthavedone，butassuredlywithnoschoolboypurpose，orwantofpurpose。

\'Whatareyouupto?\'mutteredRiderhood，downintheditch，andholdingthehedgealittleopenwithbothhands。Andsoonhisactionsmadeamostextraordinaryreply。\'ByGeorgeandtheDraggin！\'criedRiderhood，\'ifheain\'tagoingtobathe！\'

Hehadpassedback，onandamongthetrunksoftreesagain，andhaspassedontothewater-sideandhadbegunundressingonthegrass。Foramomentithadasuspiciouslookofsuicide，arrangedtocounterfeitaccident。\'Butyouwouldn\'thavefetchedabundleunderyourarm，fromamongthattimber，ifsuchwasyourgame！\'

saidRiderhood。Neverthelessitwasarelieftohimwhenthebatherafteraplungeandafewstrokescameout。\'ForIshouldn\'t，\'

hesaidinafeelingmanner，\'havelikedtoloseyoutillIhadmademoremoneyoutofyouneither。\'

Proneinanotherditch(hehadchangedhisditchashismanhadchangedhisposition)，andholdingapartsosmallapatchofthehedgethatthesharpesteyescouldnothavedetectedhim，RogueRiderhoodwatchedthebatherdressing。Andnowgraduallycamethewonderthathestoodup，completelyclothed，anotherman，andnottheBargeman。

\'Aha！\'saidRiderhood。\'Muchasyouwasdressedthatnight。Isee。

You\'reatakingmewithyou，now。You\'redeep。ButIknowsadeeper。\'

Whenthebatherhadfinisheddressing，hekneeledonthegrass，doingsomethingwithhishands，andagainstoodupwithhisbundleunderhisarm。Lookingallaroundhimwithgreatattention，hethenwenttotheriver\'sedge，andflungitinasfar，andyetaslightlyashecould。Itwasnotuntilhewassodecidedlyuponhiswayagainastobebeyondabendoftheriverandforthetimeoutofview，thatRiderhoodscrambledfromtheditch。

\'Now，\'washisdebatewithhimself\'shallIfolleryouon，orshallI

letyoulooseforthisonce，andgoafishing?\'Thedebatecontinuing，hefollowed，asaprecautionarymeasureinanycase，andgothimagaininsight。\'IfIwastoletyouloosethisonce，\'saidRiderhoodthen，stillfollowing，\'Icouldmakeyoucometomeagin，orIcouldfindyououtinonewayoranother。IfIwasn\'ttogoafishing，othersmight——I\'llletyouloosethisonce，andgoafishing！\'Withthat，hesuddenlydroppedthepursuitandturned。

Themiserablemanwhomhehadreleasedforthetime，butnotforlong，wentontowardsLondon。Bradleywassuspiciousofeverysoundheheard，andofeveryfacehesaw，butwasunderaspellwhichverycommonlyfallsupontheshedderofblood，andhadnosuspicionoftherealdangerthatlurkedinhislife，andwouldhaveityet。Riderhoodwasmuchinhisthoughts——hadneverbeenoutofhisthoughtssincethenight-adventureoftheirfirstmeeting；butRiderhoodoccupiedaverydifferentplacethere，fromtheplaceofpursuer；andBradleyhadbeenatthepainsofdevisingsomanymeansoffittingthatplacetohim，andofwedginghimintoit，thathismindcouldnotcompassthepossibilityofhisoccupyinganyother。Andthisisanotherspellagainstwhichtheshedderofbloodforeverstrivesinvain。Therearefiftydoorsbywhichdiscoverymayenter。Withinfinitepainsandcunning，hedoublelocksandbarsforty-nineofthem，andcannotseethefiftiethstandingwideopen。

Now，too，washecursedwithastateofmindmorewearingandmorewearisomethanremorse。Hehadnoremorse；buttheevildoerwhocanholdthatavengeratbay，cannotescapetheslowertortureofincessantlydoingtheevildeedagainanddoingitmoreefficiently。Inthedefensivedeclarationsandpretendedconfessionsofmurderers，thepursuingshadowofthistorturemaybetracedthrougheverylietheytell。IfIhaddoneitasalleged，isitconceivablethatIwouldhavemadethisandthismistake?IfI

haddoneitasalleged，shouldIhaveleftthatunguardedplacewhichthatfalseandwickedwitnessagainstmesoinfamouslydeposedto?Thestateofthatwretchwhocontinuallyfindstheweakspotsinhisowncrime，andstrivestostrengthenthemwhenitisunchangeable，isastatethataggravatestheoffencebydoingthedeedathousandtimesinsteadofonce；butitisastate，too，thattauntinglyvisitstheoffenceuponasullenunrepentantnaturewithitsheaviestpunishmenteverytime。

Bradleytoiledon，chainedheavilytotheideaofhishatredandhisvengeance，andthinkinghowhemighthavesatiatedbothinmanybetterwaysthanthewayhehadtaken。Theinstrumentmighthavebeenbetter，thespotandthehourmighthavebeenbetterchosen。

Tobatteramandownfrombehindinthedark，onthebrinkofariver，waswellenough，butheoughttohavebeeninstantlydisabled，whereashehadturnedandseizedhisassailant；andso，toenditbeforechance-helpcame，andtoberidofhim，hehadbeenhurriedlythrownbackwardintotheriverbeforethelifewasfullybeatenoutofhim。Nowifitcouldbedoneagain，itmustnotbesodone。Supposinghisheadhadbeenhelddownunderwaterforawhile。Supposingthefirstblowhadbeentruer。Supposinghehadbeenshot。Supposinghehadbeenstrangled。Supposethisway，thatway，theotherway。Supposeanythingbutgettingunchainedfromtheoneidea，forthatwasinexorablyimpossible。

Theschoolreopenednextday。Thescholarssawlittleornochangeintheirmaster\'sface，foritalwaysworeitsslowlylabouringexpression。But，asheheardhisclasses，hewasalwaysdoingthedeedanddoingitbetter。Ashepausedwithhispieceofchalkattheblackboardbeforewritingonit，hewasthinkingofthespot，andwhetherthewaterwasnotdeeperandthefallstraighter，alittlehigherup，oralittlelowerdown。Hehadhalfamindtodrawalineortwoupontheboard，andshowhimselfwhathemeant。Hewasdoingitagainandimprovingonthemanner，atprayers，inhismentalarithmetic，allthroughhisquestioning，allthroughtheday。

CharleyHexamwasamasternow，inanotherschool，underanotherhead。Itwasevening，andBradleywaswalkinginhisgardenobservedfrombehindablindbygentlelittleMissPeecher，whocontemplatedofferinghimaloanofhersmellingsaltsforheadache，whenMaryAnne，infaithfulattendance，heldupherarm。

\'Yes，MaryAnne?\'

\'YoungMrHexam，ifyouplease，ma\'am，comingtoseeMrHeadstone。\'

\'Verygood，MaryAnne。\'

AgainMaryAnneheldupherarm。

\'Youmayspeak，MaryAnne?\'

\'MrHeadstonehasbeckonedyoungMrHexamintohishouse，ma\'am，andhehasgoneinhimselfwithoutwaitingforyoungMrHexamtocomeup，andnowHEhasgoneintoo，ma\'am，andhasshutthedoor。\'

\'Withallmyheart，MaryAnne。\'

AgainMaryAnne\'stelegraphicarmworked。

\'Whatmore，MaryAnne?\'

\'Theymustfinditratherdullanddark，MissPeecher，fortheparlourblind\'sdown，andneitherofthempullsitup。\'

\'Thereisnoaccounting，\'saidgoodMissPeecherwithalittlesadsighwhichsherepressedbylayingherhandonherneatmethodicalboddice，\'thereisnoaccountingfortastes，MaryAnne。\'

Charley，enteringthedarkroom，stoppedshortwhenhesawhisoldfriendinitsyellowshade。

\'Comein，Hexam，comein。\'

Charleyadvancedtotakethehandthatwasheldouttohim；butstoppedagain，shortofit。Theheavy，bloodshoteyesoftheschoolmaster，risingtohisfacewithaneffort，methislookofscrutiny。

\'MrHeadstone，what\'sthematter?\'

\'Matter?Where?\'

\'MrHeadstone，haveyouheardthenews?Thisnewsaboutthefellow，MrEugeneWrayburn?Thatheiskilled?\'

\'Heisdead，then！\'exclaimedBradley。

YoungHexamstandinglookingathim，hemoistenedhislipswithhistongue，lookedabouttheroom，glancedathisformerpupil，andlookeddown。\'Iheardoftheoutrage，\'saidBradley，tryingtoconstrainhisworkingmouth，\'butIhadnotheardtheendofit。\'

\'Wherewereyou，\'saidtheboy，advancingastepasheloweredhisvoice，\'whenitwasdone?Stop！Idon\'taskthat。Don\'ttellme。Ifyouforceyourconfidenceuponme，MrHeadstone，I\'llgiveupeverywordofit。Mind！Takenotice。I\'llgiveupit，andI\'llgiveupyou。Iwill！\'

Thewretchedcreatureseemedtosufferacutelyunderthisrenunciation。Adesolateairofutterandcompletelonelinessfelluponhim，likeavisibleshade。

\'It\'sformetospeak，notyou，\'saidtheboy。\'Ifyoudo，you\'lldoitatyourperil。Iamgoingtoputyourselfishnessbeforeyou，MrHeadstone——yourpassionate，violent，andungovernableselfishness——toshowyouwhyIcan，andwhyIwill，havenothingmoretodowithyou。\'

HelookedatyoungHexamasifhewerewaitingforascholartogoonwithalessonthatheknewbyheartandwasdeadlytiredof。

Buthehadsaidhislastwordtohim。

\'Ifyouhadanypart——Idon\'tsaywhat——inthisattack，\'pursuedtheboy；\'orifyouknowanythingaboutit——Idon\'tsayhowmuch——orifyouknowwhodidit——Igonocloser——youdidaninjurytomethat\'snevertobeforgiven。YouknowthatItookyouwithmetohischambersintheTemplewhenItoldhimmyopinionofhim，andmademyselfresponsibleformyopinionofyou。YouknowthatI

tookyouwithmewhenIwaswatchinghimwithaviewtorecoveringmysisterandbringinghertohersenses；youknowthatIhaveallowedmyselftobemixedupwithyou，allthroughthisbusiness，infavouringyourdesiretomarrymysister。Andhowdoyouknowthat，pursuingtheendsofyourownviolenttemper，youhavenotlaidmeopentosuspicion?Isthatyourgratitudetome，MrHeadstone?\'

Bradleysatlookingsteadilybeforehimatthevacantair。AsoftenasyoungHexamstopped，heturnedhiseyestowardshim，asifhewerewaitingforhimtogoonwiththelesson，andgetitdone。Asoftenastheboyresumed，Bradleyresumedhisfixedface。

\'Iamgoingtobeplainwithyou，MrHeadstone，\'saidyoungHexam，shakinghisheadinahalf-threateningmanner，\'becausethisisnotimeforaffectingnottoknowthingsthatIdoknow——

exceptcertainthingsatwhichitmightnotbeverysafeforyou，tohintagain。WhatImeanisthis:ifyouwereagoodmaster，Iwasagoodpupil。Ihavedoneyouplentyofcredit，andinimprovingmyownreputationIhaveimprovedyoursquiteasmuch。Verywellthen。Startingonequalterms，Iwanttoputbeforeyouhowyouhaveshownyourgratitudetome，fordoingallIcouldtofurtheryourwisheswithreferencetomysister。Youhavecompromisedmebybeingseenaboutwithme，endeavouringtocounteractthisMrEugeneWrayburn。That\'sthefirstthingyouhavedone。Ifmycharacter，andmynowdroppingyou，helpmeoutofthat，MrHeadstone，thedeliveranceistobeattributedtome，andnottoyou。

Nothankstoyouforit！\'

Theboystoppingagain，hemovedhiseyesagain。

\'Iamgoingon，MrHeadstone，don\'tyoubeafraid。Iamgoingontotheend，andIhavetoldyoubeforehandwhattheendis。Now，youknowmystory。YouareaswellawareasIam，thatIhavehadmanydisadvantagestoleavebehindmeinlife。Youhaveheardmementionmyfather，andyouaresufficientlyacquaintedwiththefactthatthehomefromwhichI，asImaysay，escaped，mighthavebeenamorecreditableonethanitwas。Myfatherdied，andthenitmighthavebeensupposedthatmywaytorespectabilitywasprettyclear。No。Forthenmysisterbegins。\'

Hespokeasconfidently，andwithasentireanabsenceofanytell-

talecolourinhischeek，asiftherewerenosofteningoldtimebehindhim。Notwonderful，forthereWASnoneinhishollowemptyheart。Whatistherebutself，forselfishnesstoseebehindit?

\'WhenIspeakofmysister，Idevoutlywishthatyouhadneverseenher，MrHeadstone。However，youdidseeher，andthat\'suselessnow。Iconfidedinyouabouther。Iexplainedhercharactertoyou，andhowsheinterposedsomeridiculousfancifulnotionsinthewayofourbeinga