第6章

Ascirclesinapondgrowwiderandwider，thenextfact，whichatfirsthadbeenpatentonlytoCythereaherself，induetimespreadtoherneighbours，andthey，too，wonderedthathemadenoovertadvances。BythemiddleofNovember，atheorymadeupofacombinationoftheothertwowasreceivedwithgeneralfavour：itssubstancebeingthataguiltyintriguehadbeencommencedbetweenManstonandMissAldclyffe，someyearsbefore，whenhewasaveryyoungman，andshestillintheenjoymentofsomewomanlybeauty，butnowthathersenioritybegantogrowemphaticshewasbecomingdistastefultohim。Hisfearoftheeffectofthelady\'sjealousywould，theysaid，thusleadhimtoconcealfromherhisnewattachmenttoCytherea。AlmosttheonlywomanwhodidnotbelievethiswasCythereaherself，onunmistakablegrounds，whichwerehiddenfromallbesides。Itwasnotonlyinpublic，butevenmoremarkedlyinsecludedplaces，onoccasionswhengallantrywouldhavebeensafefromalldiscovery，thatthisguardedcourseofactionwaspursued，allthestrengthofaconsumingpassionburninginhiseyesthewhile。

2。NOVEMBERTHEEIGHTEENTH

ItwasonaFridayinthismonthofNovemberthatOwenGrayepaidavisittohissister。

HiszealousintegritystillretainedforhimthesituationatBudmouth，andinorderthatthereshouldbeaslittleinterruptionaspossibletohisdutiesthere，hehaddecidednottocometoKnapwatertilllateintheafternoon，andtoreturntoBudmouthbythefirsttrainthenextmorning，MissAldclyffehavingmadeapointoffrequentlyofferinghimlodgingforanunlimitedperiod，tothegreatpleasureofCytherea。

Hereachedthehouseaboutfouro\'clock，andringingthebell，askedofthepagewhoanswereditforMissGraye。

WhenGrayespokethenameofhissister，Manston，whowasjustcomingoutfromaninterviewwithMissAldclyffe，passedhiminthevestibuleandheardthequestion。Thesteward\'sfacegrewhot，andhesecretlyclenchedhishands。Hehalfcrossedthecourt，thenturnedhisheadandsawthattheladstillstoodatthedoor，thoughOwenhadbeenshownintothehouse。Manstonwentbacktohim。

\'Whowasthatman？\'hesaid。

\'Idon\'tknow，sir。\'

\'Hasheeverbeenherebefore？\'

\'Yes，sir。\'

\'Howmanytimes？\'

\'Three。\'

\'Youaresureyoudon\'tknowhim？\'

\'IthinkheisMissGraye\'sbrother，sir。\'

\'Then，whythedevildidn\'tyousaysobefore！\'Manstonexclaimed，andagainwentonhisway。

\'Ofcourse，thatwasnotthemanofmydreams——ofcourse，itcouldn\'tbe！\'hesaidtohimself。\'ThatIshouldbesuchafool——

suchanutterfool。GoodGod！toallowagirltoinfluencemelikethis，dayafterday，tillIamjealousofherverybrother。A

lady\'sdependent，awaif，ahelplessthingentirelyatthemercyoftheworld；yes，curseit；thatisjustwhyitis；thatfactofherbeingsohelplessagainsttheblowsofcircumstanceswhichrendershersodeliciouslysweet！\'

Hepausedoppositehishouse。Shouldhegethishorsesaddled？No。

Hewentdownthedriveandoutofthepark，havingstartedtoproceedtoanoutlyingspotontheestateconcerningsomedraining，andtocallatthepotter\'syardtomakeanarrangementforthesupplyofpipes。ButaremarkwhichMissAldclyffehaddroppedinrelationtoCythereawaswhatstilloccupiedhismind，andhadbeentheimmediatecauseofhisexcitementatthesightofherbrother。

MissAldclyffehadmeaninglyremarkedduringtheirintercourse，thatCythereawaswildlyinlovewithEdwardSpringrove，inspiteofhisengagementtohiscousinAdelaide。

\'HowIamharassed！\'hesaidaloud，afterdeepthoughtforhalf-an-

hour，whilestillcontinuinghiswalkwiththegreatestvehemence。

\'HowIamharassedbytheseemotionsofmine！\'Hecalmedhimselfbyaneffort。\'Well，dutyafterallitshallbe，asnearlyasIcaneffectit。“Honestyisthebestpolicy；“\'withwhichvigorouslyutteredresolveheoncemoreattemptedtoturnhisattentiontotheprosyobjectofhisjourney。

Theeveninghadclosedintoadarkanddrearynightwhenthestewardcamefromthepotter\'sdoortoproceedhomewardsagain。Thegloomdidnottendtoraisehisspirits，andinthetotallackofobjectstoattracthiseye，hesoonfelltointrospectionasbefore。

Itwasalongthemarginofturnipfieldsthathispathlay，andthelargeleavesofthecropstruckflatlyagainsthisfeetateverystep，pouringuponthemtherollingdropsofmoisturegatheredupontheirbroadsurfaces；buttheannoyancewasunheeded。Nextreachingafirplantation，hemountedthestileandfollowedthepathintothemidstofthedarknessproducedbytheoverhangingtrees。

Afterwalkingunderthedenseshadeoftheinkyboughsforafewminutes，hefanciedhehadmistakenthepath，whichasyetwasscarcelyfamiliartohim。Thiswasproveddirectlyafterwardsbyhiscomingatrightanglesuponsomeobstruction，whichcarefulfeelingwithoutstretchedhandssoontoldhimtobearailfence。

However，asthewoodwasnotlarge，heexperiencednoalarmaboutfindingthepathagain，andwithsomesenseofpleasurehaltedawhileagainsttherails，tolistentotheintenselymelancholyyetmusicalwailofthefir-tops，andasthewindpassedon，thepromptmoanofanadjacentplantationinreply。Hecouldjustdimlydiscerntheairysummitsofthetwoorthreetreesnearesthimwavingrestlesslybackwardsandforwards，andstretchingouttheirboughslikehairyarmsintothedullsky。Thescene，fromitsstrikingandemphaticloneliness，begantogrowcongenialtohismood；allofhumankindseemedattheantipodes。

Asuddenrattleonhisrighthandcausedhimtostartfromhisreverie，andturninthatdirection。There，beforehim，hesawriseupfromamongthetreesafountainofsparksandsmoke，thenaredglareoflightcomingforwardtowardshim；thenaflashingpanoramaofilluminatedoblongpictures；thentheolddarkness，moreimpressivethanever。

Thesurprise，whichhadoweditsorigintohisimperfectacquaintancewiththetopographicalfeaturesofthatendoftheestate，hadbeenbutmomentary；thedisturbance，awell-knownonetodwellersbyarailway，beingcausedbythe6。50down-trainpassingalongashallowcuttinginthemidstofthewoodimmediatelybelowwherehestood，thedriverhavingthefire-dooroftheengineopenattheminuteofgoingby。Thetrainhad，whenpassinghim，alreadyconsiderablyslackenedspeed，andnowawhistlewasheard，announcingthatCarrifordRoadStationwasnotfarinitsvan。

Butcontrarytothenaturalorderofthings，thediscoverythatitwasonlyacommonplacetrainhadnotcausedManstontostirfromhispositionoffacingtherailway。

Ifthe6。50down-trainhadbeenaflashofforkedlightningtransfixinghimtotheearth，hecouldscarcelyhaveremainedinamoretrance-likestate。Hestillleantagainsttherailings，hisrighthandstillcontinuedpressingonhiswalking-stick，hisweightononefoot，hisotherheelraised，hiseyeswideopentowardstheblacknessofthecutting。Theonlymovementinhimwasaslightdroppingofthelowerjaw，separatinghispreviouslyclosedlipsalittleway，aswhenastrangeconvictionrusheshomesuddenlyuponaman。Anewsurprise，notnearlysotrivialasthefirst，hadtakenpossessionofhim。

Itwasonthisaccount。Atoneoftheilluminatedwindowsofasecond-classcarriageintheseriesgoneby，hehadseenapaleface，recliningupononehand，thelightfromthelampfallingfulluponit。Thefacewasawoman\'s。

AtlastManstonmoved；gaveawhisperingkindofwhistle，adjustedhishat，andwalkedonagain，cross-questioninghimselfineverydirectionastohowapieceofknowledgehehadcarefullyconcealedhadfounditswaytoanotherperson\'sintelligence。\'Howcanmyaddresshavebecomeknown？\'hesaidatlength，audibly。\'Well，itisablessingIhavebeencircumspectandhonourable，inrelationtothat——yes，Iwillsayit，foronce，evenifthewordschokeme，thatdarlingofmine，Cytherea，nevertobemyown，never。Isupposeallwillcomeoutnow。All！\'Thegreatsadnessofhisutteranceprovedthatnomeanforcehadbeenexerciseduponhimselftosustainthecircumspectionhehadjustclaimed。

Hewheeledtotheleft，pursuedtheditchbesidetherailwayfence，andpresentlyemergedfromthewood，steppingintoaroadwhichcrossedtherailwaybyabridge。

Ashenearedhome，theanxietylatelywritteninhisface，mergedbydegreesintoagrimlyhumoroussmile，whichhunglonguponhislips，andhequotedaloudalinefromthebookofJeremiah——

\'Awomanshallcompassaman。\'

3。NOVEMBERTHENINETEENTH。DAYBREAK

Beforeitwaslightthenextmorning，twolittlenakedfeetpatteredalongthepassageinKnapwaterHouse，fromwhichOwenGraye\'sbedroomopened，andatapwasgivenuponhisdoor。

\'Owen，Owen，areyouawake？\'saidCythereainawhisperthroughthekeyhole。\'Youmustgetupdirectly，oryou\'llmissthetrain。\'

Whenhedescendedtohissister\'slittleroom，hefoundhertherealreadywaitingwithacupofcocoaandagrilledrasheronthetableforhim。Ahastymealwasdespatchedintheintervalsofputtingonhisovercoatandfindinghishat，andtheythenwentsoftlythroughthelongdesertedpassages，thekitchen-maidwhohadpreparedtheirbreakfastwalkingbeforethemwithalampheldhighaboveherhead，whichcastlongwheelingshadowsdowncorridorsintersectingtheonetheyfollowed，theirremoterendsbeinglostindarkness。Thedoorwasunboltedandtheysteppedout。

Owenhadpreferredwalkingtothestationtoacceptingthepony-

carriagewhichMissAldclyffehadplacedathisdisposal，havingamorbidhorrorofgivingtroubletopeoplericherthanhimself，andespeciallytotheirmen-servants，wholookeddownuponhimasahybridmonsterinsocialposition。Cythereaproposedtowalkalittlewaywithhim。

\'IwanttotalktoyouaslongasIcan，\'shesaidtenderly。

Brotherandsisterthenemergedbytheheavydoorintothedrive。

Thefeelingandaspectofthehourwerepreciselysimilartothoseunderwhichthestewardhadleftthehousetheeveningprevious，exceptingthatapparentlyunearthlyreversalofnaturalsequence，whichiscausedbytheworldgettinglighterinsteadofdarker。

\'Thetearfulglimmerofthelanguiddawn\'wasjustsufficienttorevealtothemthemelancholyredleaves，lyingthicklyinthechannelsbytheroadside，everandanonloudlytappedonbyheavydropsofwater，whichtheboughsabovehadcollectedfromthefoggyair。

TheypassedtheOldHouse，engagedinadeepconversation，andhadproceededabouttwentyyardsbyacrossroute，inthedirectionoftheturnpikeroad，whentheformofawomanemergedfromtheporchofthebuilding。

Shewaswrappedinagreywaterproofcloak，thehoodofwhichwasdrawnoverherheadandcloselyroundherface——socloselythathereyeswerethesolefeaturesuncovered。

Withthisoneexceptionofherappearancethere，themostperfectstillnessandsilencepervadedthesteward\'sresidencefrombasementtochimney。Notashutterwasopen；notatwineofsmokecameforth。

Underneaththeivy-coveredgatewayshestoodstillandlistenedfortwo，orpossiblythreeminutes，tillshebecameconsciousofothersinthepark。Seeingthepairshesteppedback，withtheapparentintentionoflettingthempassoutofsight，andevidentlywishingtoavoidobservation。Butlookingatherwatch，andreturningitrapidlytoherpocket，asifsurprisedatthelatenessofthehour，shehurriedoutagain，andacrosstheparkbyastillmoreobliquelinethanthattracedbyOwenandhissister。

Theseinthemeantimehadgotintotheroad，andwerewalkingalongitasthewomancameupontheothersideoftheboundaryhedge，lookingforagateorstile，bywhichshe，too，mightgetoffthegrassuponthehardground。

Theirconversation，ofwhicheverywordwasclearanddistinct，inthestillairofthedawn，tothedistanceofaquarterofamile，reachedherears，andwithdrewherattentionfromallothermattersandsightswhatsoever。ThusarrestedshestoodforaninstantaspreciselyintheattitudeofImogenbythecaveofBelarius，asifshehadstudiedthepositionfromtheplay。Whentheyhadadvancedafewsteps，shefollowedtheminsomedoubt，stillscreenedbythehedge。

\'Doyoubelieveinsuchoddcoincidences？\'saidCytherea。

\'Howdoyoumean，believeinthem？Theyoccursometimes。\'

\'Yes，onewilloccuroftenenough——thatis，twodisconnectedeventswillfallstrangelytogetherbychance，andpeoplescarcelynoticethefactbeyondsaying，“Oddlyenoughithappenedthatsoandsowerethesame，“andsoon。Butwhenthreesucheventscoincidewithoutanyapparentreasonforthecoincidence，itseemsasiftheremustbeinvisiblemeansatwork。Yousee，threethingsfallingtogetherinthatmanneraretentimesassingularastwocasesofcoincidencewhicharedistinct。\'

\'Well，ofcourse：whatamathematicalheadyouhave，Cytherea！ButIdon\'tseesomuchtomarvelatinourcase。Thatthemanwhokeptthepublic-houseinwhichMissAldclyffefainted，andwhofoundouthernameandposition，livesinthisneighbourhood，isaccountedforbythefactthatshegothimtheberthtostophistongue。ThatyoucameherewassimplyowingtoSpringrove。\'

\'Ah，butlookatthis。MissAldclyffeisthewomanourfatherfirstloved，andIhavecometoMissAldclyffe\'s；youcan\'tgetoverthat。\'

Fromthesepremises，sheproceededtoarguelikeanelderlydivineonthedesignsofProvidencewhichwereapparentinsuchconjunctures，andwentintoavarietyofdetailsconnectedwithMissAldclyffe\'shistory。

\'HadIbettertellMissAldclyffethatIknowallthis？\'sheinquiredatlast。

\'What\'stheuse？\'hesaid。\'Yourpossessingtheknowledgedoesnoharm；youareatanyratecomfortablehere，andaconfessiontoMissAldclyffemightonlyirritateher。No，holdyourtongue，Cytherea。\'

\'IfancyIshouldhavebeentemptedtotellhertoo，\'Cythereawenton，\'hadInotfoundoutthatthereexistsaveryodd，almostimperceptible，andyetrealconnectionofsomekindbetweenherandMr。Manston，whichismorethanthatofamutualinterestintheestate。\'

\'Sheisinlovewithhim！\'exclaimedOwen；\'fancythat！\'

\'Ah——that\'swhateverybodysayswhohasbeenkeenenoughtonoticeanything。Isaidsoatfirst。AndyetnowIcannotpersuademyselfthatsheisinlovewithhimatall。\'

\'Whycan\'tyou？\'

\'Shedoesn\'tactasifshewere。Sheisn\'t——youwillknowIdon\'tsayitfromanyvanity，Owen——sheisn\'ttheleastjealousofme。\'

\'Perhapssheisinsomewayinhispower。\'

\'No——sheisnot。Hewasopenlyadvertisedfor，andchosenfromfortyorfiftywhoansweredtheadvertisement，withoutknowingwhoseitwas。Andsincehehasbeenhere，shehascertainlydonenothingtocompromiseherselfinanyway。Besides，whyshouldshehavebroughtanenemyhereatall？\'

\'Thenshemusthavefalleninlovewithhim。YouknowaswellasI

do，Cyth，thatwithwomenthere\'snothingbetweenthetwopolesofemotiontowardsaninterestingmaleacquaintance。\'Tiseitherloveoraversion。\'

Theywalkedforafewminutesinsilence，whenCytherea\'seyesaccidentallyfelluponherbrother\'sfeet。

\'Owen，\'shesaid，\'doyouknowthatthereissomethingunusualinyourmannerofwalking？\'

\'Whatisitlike？\'heasked。

\'Ican\'tquitesay，exceptthatyoudon\'twalksoregularlyasyouusedto。\'

Thewomanbehindthehedge，whohadstillcontinuedtodogtheirfootsteps，madeanimpatientmovementatthischangeintheirconversation，andlookedatherwatchagain。Yetsheseemedreluctanttogiveoverlisteningtothem。

\'Yes，\'Owenreturnedwithassumedcarelessness，\'Idoknowit。I

thinkthecauseofitisthatmysteriouspainwhichcomesjustabovemyanklesometimes。YourememberthefirsttimeIhadit？Thatdaywewentbysteam-packettoLulsteadCove，whenithinderedmefromcomingbacktoyou，andcompelledmetosleepwiththegatemanwehavebeentalkingabout。\'

\'Butisitanythingserious，dearOwen？\'Cythereaexclaimed，withsomealarm。

\'O，nothingatall。Itissuretogooffagain。IneverfindasignofitwhenIsitintheoffice。\'

Againtheirunperceivedcompanionmadeagestureofvexation，andlookedatherwatchasiftimewereprecious。Butthedialoguestillflowedonuponthisnewsubject，andshowednosignofreturningtoitsoldchannel。

Gatheringupherskirtdecisivelysherenouncedallfurtherhope，andhurriedalongtheditchtillshehaddroppedintoavalley，andcametoagatewhichwasbeyondtheviewofthosecomingbehind。

Thisshesoftlyopened，andcameoutupontheroad，followingitinthedirectionoftherailwaystation。

PresentlysheheardOwenGraye\'sfootstepsinherrear，hisquickenedpaceimplyingthathehadpartedfromhissister。Thewomanthereuponincreasedherrapidwalktoarun，andinafewminutessafelydistancedherfellow-traveller。

TherailwayatCarrifordRoadconsistedonlyofasinglelineofrails；andtheshortlocaldown-trainbywhichOwenwasgoingtoBudmouthwasshuntedontoasidingwhilstthefirstup-trainpassed。Grayeenteredthewaiting-room，andthedoorbeingopenhelistlesslyobservedthemovementsofawomanwearingalonggreycloak，andcloselyhooded，whohadaskedforaticketforLondon。

Hefollowedherwithhiseyesontotheplatform，sawherwaitingthereandafterwardssteppingintothetrain：hisrecollectionofherceasingwiththeperception。

4。EIGHTTOTENO\'CLOCKA。M。

Mrs。Crickett，twiceawidow，andnowtheparishclerk\'swife，afine-framed，scandal-lovingwoman，withapeculiarcornertohereyebywhich，withoutturningherhead，shecouldseewhatpeopleweredoingalmostbehindher，livedinacottagestandingnearertotheoldmanor-housethananyotherinthevillageofCarriford，andshehadonthataccountbeentemporarilyengagedbythesteward，asarespectablekindofcharwomanandgeneralservant，untilasettledarrangementcouldbemadewithsomepersonaspermanentdomestic。

Everymorning，therefore，Mrs。Crickett，immediatelyshehadlightedthefireinherowncottage，andpreparedthebreakfastforherselfandhusband，pacedherwaytotheOldHousetodothesameforMr。

Manston。Thenshewenthometobreakfast；andwhenthestewardhadeatenhis，andhadgoneoutonhisrounds，shereturnedagaintoclearaway，makehisbed，andputthehouseinorderfortheday。

OnthemorningofOwenGraye\'sdeparture，shewentthroughtheoperationsofherfirstvisitasusual——proceededhometobreakfast，andwentbackagain，toperformthoseofthesecond。

EnteringManston\'semptybedroom，withherhandsonherhips，sheindifferentlycasthereyesuponthebed，previouslytodismantlingit。

Whilstshelooked，shethoughtinaninattentivemanner，\'WhataremarkablyquietsleeperMr。Manstonmustbe！\'Theupperbed-

clotheswereflungback，certainly，butthebedwasscarcelydisarranged。\'Anybodywouldalmostfancy，\'shethought，\'thathehadmadeithimselfafterrising。\'

Buttheseevanescentthoughtsvanishedastheyhadcome，andMrs。

Crickettsettowork；shedraggedoffthecounterpane，blanketsandsheets，andstoopedtoliftthepillows。Thusstooping，somethingarrestedherattention；shelookedclosely——moreclosely——veryclosely。\'Well，tobesure！\'wasallshecouldsay。Theclerk\'swifestoodasiftheairhadsuddenlysettoamber，andheldherfixedlikeaflyinit。

Theobjectofherwonderwasatrailingbrownhair，verylittlelessthanayardlong，whichproveditclearlytobeahairfromsomewoman\'shead。Shedrewitoffthepillow，andtookittothewindow；thereholdingitoutshelookedfixedlyatit，andbecameutterlylostinmeditation：hergaze，whichhadatfirstactivelysettledonthehair，involuntarilydroppedpastitsobjectbydegreesandwaslostonthefloor，astheinnervisionobscuredtheouterone。

Sheatlengthmoistenedherlips，returnedhereyestothehair，wounditroundherfingers，putitinsomepaper，andsecretedthewholeinherpocket。Mrs。Crickett\'sthoughtswerewithherworknomorethatmorning。

Shesearchedthehousefromroof-treetocellar，forsomeothertraceoffeminineexistenceorappurtenance；butnonewastobefound。

Shewentoutintotheyard，coal-hole，stable，hay-loft，green-

house，fowl-house，andpiggery，andstilltherewasnosign。Cominginagain，shesawabonnet，eagerlypounceduponit；andfoundittobeherown。

Hastilycompletingherarrangementsintheotherrooms，sheenteredthevillageagain，andcalledatonceonthepostmistress，ElizabethLeat，anintimatefriendofhers，andafemalewhosportedseveraluniquediseasesandafflictions。

Mrs。Crickettunfoldedthepaper，tookoutthehair，andwaveditonhighbeforetheperplexedeyesofElizabeth，whichimmediatelymoonedandwanderedafteritlikeacat\'s。

\'Whatisit？\'saidMrs。Leat，contractinghereyelids，andstretchingouttowardstheinvisibleobjectanarrowbonyhandthatwouldhavebeenanunmitigateddelighttothepencilofCarloCrivelli。

\'Youshallhear，\'saidMrs。Crickett，complacentlygatheringupthetreasureintoherownfathand；andthesecretwasthensolemnlyimparted，togetherwiththeaccidentofitsdiscovery。

Ashaving-glasswastakendownfromanail，laidonitsbackinthemiddleofatablebythewindow，andthehairspreadcarefullyoutuponit。Thepairthenbentoverthetablefromoppositesides，theirelbowsontheedge，theirhandssupportingtheirheads，theirforeheadsnearlytouching，andtheireyesuponthehair。

\'Heha\'beenmada\'termyladyCytherea，\'saidMrs。Crickett，\'and\'tismyverybeliefthehairis——\'

\'No\'tidn\'。Hersidn\'sodarkasthat，\'saidElizabeth。

\'Elizabeth，youknowthatasthefaithfulwifeofaservantoftheChurch，Ishouldbegladtothinkasyoudoaboutthegirl。MindI

don\'twishtosayanythingagainstMissGraye，butthisIdosay，thatIbelievehertobeanamelessthing，andshe\'snorighttostickamoralclockinherface，anddeceivethecountryinsuchaway。Ifshewasn\'tofabadstockattheoutsetshewasbadintheplanten，andifshewasn\'tbadintheplanten，shewasbadinthegrowen，andifnotinthegrowen，she\'smadebadbywhatshe\'sgonethroughsince。\'

\'ButIhaveanotherreasonforknowingitidn\'hers，\'saidMrs。

Leat。

\'Ah！Iknowwhoseitisthen——MissAldclyffe\'s，uponmysong！\'

\'\'Tisthecolourofhers，butIdon\'tbelieveittobeherseither。\'

\'Don\'tyoubelievewhattheyd\'sayaboutherandhim？\'

\'Isaynothenaboutthat；butyoudon\'tknowwhatIknowabouthisletters。\'

\'Whatabout\'em？\'

\'Hed\'postallhislettershereexceptthoseforoneperson，andtheyhed\'taketoBudmouth。MysonisinBudmouthPostOffice，asyouknow，andashed\'sitatdeskhecanseeovertheblindofthewindowallthepeoplewhod\'postletters。Mr。Manstond\'

unvariablygotherewi\'lettersforthatperson；myboyd\'know\'embysightwellenoughnow。\'

\'Isitashe？\'

\'\'Tisashe。\'

\'What\'shername？\'

\'Thelittlestunpollofafellowcouldn\'tcalltomindmorethanthat\'tisMissSomebody，ofLondon。However，that\'sthewomanwhoha\'beenhere，dependupon\'t——awickedone——somepoorstreet-wenchescapedfromSodom，Iwarrantye。\'

\'OnlytofindherselfinGomorrah，seemingly。\'

\'Thatmaybe。\'

\'No，no，Mrs。Leat，thisiscleartome。\'Tisnomisswhocameheretoseeourstewardlastnight——whenevershecameorwherevershevanished。Doyouthinkhewouldha\'letamissgetherehowshecould，goawayhowshewould，withoutbreakfastorhelpofanykind？\'

Elizabethshookherhead——Mrs。Crickettlookedathersolemnly。

\'IsayIknowshehadnohelpofanykind；Iknowitwasso，forthegratewasquitecoldwhenItoucheditthismorningwiththesefingers，andhewasstillinbed。No，hewouldn\'ttakethetroubletowriteletterstoagirlandthentreathersooff-handasthat。

There\'satiebetween\'emstrongerthanfeelen。She\'shiswife。\'

\'Hemarried！TheLordso\'s，whatshallwehearnext？Dohelookmarriednow？Hisarenottheabashedeyesandlipsofamarriedman。\'

\'Perhapsshe\'satameone——butshe\'shiswifestill。\'

\'No，no：he\'snotamarriedman。\'

\'Yes，yes，heis。I\'vehadthree，andIoughttoknow。\'

\'Well，well，\'saidMrs。Leat，givingway。\'Whatevermaybethetruthon\'tItrustProvidencewillsettleitallforthebest，asHealwaysdo。\'

\'Ay，ay，Elizabeth，\'rejoinedMrs。Crickettwithasatiricalsigh，assheturnedonherfoottogohome，\'goodpeoplelikeyoumaysayso，butIhavealwaysfoundProvidenceadifferentsortoffeller。\'

5。NOVEMBERTHETWENTIETH

ItwasMissAldclyffe\'scustom，acustomoriginatedbyherfather，andnourishedbyherownexclusiveness，tounlockthepost-bagherselfeverymorning，insteadofallowingthedutytodevolveonthebutler，aswasthecaseinmostoftheneighbouringcountyfamilies。Thebagwasbroughtupstairseachmorningtoherdressing-room，whereshetookoutthecontents，mostlyinthepresenceofhermaidandCytherea，whohadtheentreeofthechamberatallhours，andattendedthereinthemorningatakindofreceptiononasmallscale，whichwasheldbyMissAldclyffeofhernamesakeonly。

Hereshereadherlettersbeforetheglass，whilstundergoingtheoperationofbeingbrushedanddressed。

\'Whatwomancanthisbe，Iwonder？\'shesaidonthemorningsucceedingthatofthelastsection。\'“London，N。！”ItisthefirsttimeinmylifeIeverhadaletterfromthatoutlandishplace，theNorthsideofLondon。\'

Cythereahadjustcomeintoherpresencetolearniftherewasanythingforherself；andonbeingthusaddressed，walkeduptoMissAldclyffe\'scorneroftheroomtolookatthecuriositywhichhadraisedsuchanexclamation。Butthelady，havingopenedtheenvelopeandreadafewlines，putitquicklyinherpocket，beforeCythereacouldreachherside。

\'O，\'tisnothing，\'shesaid。Sheproceededtomakegeneralremarksinanoticeablyforcedtoneofsang-froid，fromwhichshesoonlapsedintosilence。Notanotherwordwassaidabouttheletter：

sheseemedveryanxioustogetherdressingdone，andtheroomcleared。ThereuponCythereawentawaytotheotherwindow，andafewminuteslaterlefttheroomtofollowherownpursuits。

ItwaslatewhenMissAldclyffedescendedtothebreakfast-tableandthensheseemedtheretonopurpose；tea，coffee，eggs，cutlets，andalltheiraccessories，wereleftabsolutelyuntasted。Thenextthatwasseenofherwaswhenwalkingupanddownthesouthterrace，androundtheflower-beds；herfacewaspale，andhertreadwasfitful，andshecrumpledaletterinherhand。

Dinner-timecameroundasusual；shedidnotspeaktenwords，orindeedseemconsciousofthemeal；forallthatMissAldclyffedidinthewayofeating，dinnermighthavebeentakenoutasintactasitwastakenin。

InherownprivateapartmentMissAldclyffeagainpulledouttheletterofthemorning。Onepassageinitranthus：——

\'Ofcourse，beinghiswife，Icouldpublishthefact，andcompelhimtoacknowledgemeatanymoment，notwithstandinghisthreats，andreasoningsthatitwillbebettertowait。Ihavewaited，andwaitedagain，andthetimeforsuchacknowledgmentseemsnonearerthanatfirst。ToshowyouhowpatientlyIhavewaitedIcantellyouthatnottillafortnightago，whenbystressofcircumstancesI

hadbeendriventonewlodgings，haveIeverassumedmymarriedname，solelyonaccountofitshavingbeenhisrequestallalongthatIshouldnotdoit。Thiswritingtoyou，madam，ismyfirstdisobedience，andIamjustifiedinit。Awomanwhoisdriventovisitherhusbandlikeathiefinthenightandthensentawaylikeastreetdog——lefttogetup，unbolt，unbar，andfindherwayoutofthehouseasshebestmay——isjustifiedindoinganything。

\'ButshouldIdemandofhimarestitutionofrights，therewouldbeinvolvedapublicitywhichIcouldnotendure，andanoisyscandalflingingmynamethelengthandbreadthofthecountry。

\'WhatIstillprefertoanysuchviolentmeansisthatyoureasonwithhimprivately，andcompelhimtobringmehometoyourparishinadecentandcarefulmanner，inthewaythatwouldbeadoptedbyanyrespectableman，whosewifehadbeenlivingawayfromhimforsometime，byreason，say，ofpeculiarfamilycircumstanceswhichhadcauseddisunion，butnotenmity，andwhoatlengthwasenabledtoreinstateherinhishouse。

\'Youwill，Iknow，obligemeinthis，especiallyasknowledgeofapeculiartransactionofyourown，whichtookplacesomeyearsago，haslatelycometomeinasingularway。Iwillnotatpresenttroubleyoubydescribinghow。Itisenough，thatIalone，ofallpeopleliving，knowALLTHESIDESOFTHESTORY，thosefromwhomI

collectedithavingeachonlyapartialknowledgewhichconfusesthemandpointstonothing。Onepersonknowsofyourearlyengagementanditssuddentermination；another，ofthereasonofthosestrangemeetingsatinnsandcoffee-houses；another，ofwhatwassufficienttocauseallthis，andsoon。Iknowwhatfitsoneandallthecircumstanceslikeakey，andshowsthemtobethenaturaloutcropofarational(thoughratherrash)lineofconductforayounglady。Youwillatonceperceivehowitwasthatsomeatleastofthesethingswererevealedtome。

\'Thisknowledgethen，commonto，andsecretlytreasuredbyusboth，isthegrounduponwhichIbegforyourfriendshipandhelp，withafeelingthatyouwillbetoogeneroustorefuseittome。

\'Imayaddthat，asyet，myhusbandknowsnothingofthis，neitherneedheifyouremembermyrequest。\'

\'Athreat——aflatstingingthreat！asdelicatelywrappedupinwordsasthewomancoulddoit；athreatfromamiserableunknowncreaturetoanAldclyffe，andnottheleastproudmemberofthefamilyeither！Athreatonhisaccount——O，O！shallitbe？\'

Presentlythishumourofdefiancevanished，andthemembersofherbodybecamesuppleagain，herproceedingsprovingthatitwasabsolutelynecessarytogiveway，Aldclyffeasshewas。ShewroteashortanswertoMrs。Manston，sayingcivillythatMr。Manston\'spossessionofsuchanearrelationwasafactquitenewtoherself，andthatshewouldseewhatcouldbedoneinsuchanunfortunateaffair。

6。NOVEMBERTHETWENTY-FIRST

ManstonreceivedamessagethenextdayrequestinghisattendanceattheHousepunctuallyateighto\'clocktheensuingevening。MissAldclyffewasbraveandimperious，butwiththepurposeshehadinviewshecouldnotlookhiminthefacewhilstdaylightshoneuponher。

Thestewardwasshownintothelibrary。Onenteringit，hewasimmediatelystruckwiththeunusualgloomwhichpervadedtheapartment。Thefirewasdeadanddull，onelamp，andthatacomparativelysmallone，wasburningattheextremeend，leavingthemainproportionoftheloftyandsombreroominanartificialtwilight，scarcelypowerfulenoughtorendervisiblethetitlesofthefolioandquartovolumeswhichwerejammedintothelowertiersofthebookshelves。

Afterkeepinghimwaitingformorethantwentyminutes(MissAldclyffeknewthatexcellentrecipefortakingthestiffnessoutofhumanflesh，andforextractingallpre-arrangementfromhumanspeech)sheenteredtheroom。

Manstonsoughthereyedirectly。Thehueofherfeatureswasnotdiscernible，butthecalmglancesheflungathim，fromwhichallattemptatreturninghisscrutinywasabsent，awokehimtotheperceptionthatprobablyhissecretwasbysomemeansorotherknowntoher；howithadbecomeknownhecouldnottell。

Shedrewforththeletter，unfoldedit，andheldituptohim，lettingithangbyonecornerfrombetweenherfingerandthumb，sothatthelightfromthelamp，thoughremote，felldirectlyuponitssurface。

\'Youknowwhosewritingthisis？\'shesaid。

Hesawthestrokesplainly，instantlyresolvingtoburnhisshipsandhazardallonanadvance。

\'Mywife\'s，\'hesaidcalmly。

Hisquietanswerthrewheroffherbalance。Shehadnomoreexpectedananswerthandoesapreacherwhenheexclaimsfromthepulpit，\'Doyoufeelyoursin？\'Shehadclearlyexpectedasuddenalarm。

\'Andwhyallthisconcealment？\'shesaidagain，hervoicerising，asshevainlyendeavouredtocontrolherfeelings，whatevertheywere。

\'Itdoesn\'tfollowthat，becauseamanismarried，hemusttelleverystrangerofit，madam，\'heanswered，justascalmlyasbefore。

\'Stranger！well，perhapsnot；but，Mr。Manston，whydidyouchoosetoconcealit，Iaskagain？Ihaveaperfectrighttoaskthisquestion，asyouwillperceive，ifyouconsiderthetermsofmyadvertisement。\'

\'Iwilltellyou。Thereweretwosimplereasons。Thefirstwasthispracticalone；youadvertisedforanunmarriedman，ifyouremember？\'

\'OfcourseIremember。\'

\'Well，anincidentsuggestedtomethatIshouldtryforthesituation。Iwasmarried；but，knowingthatingettinganofficewherethereisarestrictionofthiskind，leavingone\'swifebehindisalwaysacceptedasafulfilmentofthecondition，Ileftherbehindforawhile。Theotherreasonis，thatthesetermsofyoursaffordedmeaplausibleexcuseforescaping(forashorttime)thecompanyofawomanIhadbeenmistakeninmarrying。\'

\'Mistaken！whatwasshe？\'theladyinquired。

\'Athird-rateactress，whomImetwithduringmystayinLiverpoollastsummer，whereIhadgonetofulfilashortengagementwithanarchitect。\'

\'Wheredidshecomefrom？\'

\'SheisanAmericanbybirth，andIgrewtodislikeherwhenwehadbeenmarriedaweek。\'

\'Shewasugly，Iimagine？\'

\'Sheisnotanuglywomanbyanymeans。\'

\'Uptotheordinarystandard？\'

\'Quiteuptotheordinarystandard——indeed，handsome。Afterawhilewequarrelledandseparated。\'

\'Youdidnotill-useher，ofcourse？\'saidMissAldclyffe，withalittlesarcasm。

\'Ididnot。\'

\'Butatanyrate，yougotthoroughlytiredofher。\'

Manstonlookedasifhebegantothinkherquestionsputofplace；

however，hesaidquietly，\'Ididgettiredofher。Inevertoldherso，butweseparated；Itocomehere，bringingherwithmeasfarasLondonandleavingherthereinperfectlycomfortablequarters；andthoughyouradvertisementexpressedasingleman，Ihavealwaysintendedtotellyouthewholetruth；andthiswaswhenIwasgoingtotellit，whenyoursatisfactionwithmycarefulmanagementofyouraffairsshouldhaveprovedtherisktobeasafeonetorun。\'

Shebowed。

\'ThenIsawthatyouweregoodenoughtobeinterestedinmywelfaretoagreaterextentthanIcouldhaveanticipatedorhoped，judgingyoubythefrigidityofotheremployers，andthiscausedmetohesitate。Iwasvexedatthecomplicationofaffairs。Somattersstoodtillthreenightsago；Iwasthenwalkinghomefromthepottery，andcameuptotherailway。Thedown-traincamealongclosetome，andthere，sittingatacarriagewindow，Isawmywife：

shehadfoundoutmyaddress，andhadthereupondeterminedtofollowmehere。Ihadnotbeenhomemanyminutesbeforeshecamein，nextmorningearlysheleftagain——\'

\'Becauseyoutreatedhersocavalierly？\'

\'AndasIsuppose，wrotetoyoudirectly。That\'sthewholestoryofher，madam。\'WhateverwereManston\'srealfeelingstowardstheladywhohadreceivedhisexplanationinthesesupercilioustones，theyremainedlockedwithinhimaswithinacasketofsteel。

\'Didyourfriendsknowofyourmarriage，MrManston？\'shecontinued。

\'Nobodyatall；wekeptitasecretforvariousreasons。\'

\'Itistruethenthat，asyourwifetellsmeinthisletter，shehasnotpassedasMrs。Manstontillwithintheselastfewdays？\'

\'Itisquitetrue；Iwasinreceiptofaverysmallanduncertainincomewhenwemarried；andsoshecontinuedplayingatthetheatreasbeforeourmarriage，andinhermaidenname。\'

\'Hassheanyfriends？\'

\'IhaveneverheardthatshehasanyinEngland。Shecameoverhereonsometheatricalspeculation，asoneofacompanywhoweregoingtodomuch，butwhoneverdidanything；andhereshehasremained。\'

Apauseensued，whichwasterminatedbyMissAldclyffe。

\'Iunderstand，\'shesaid。\'Now，thoughIhavenodirectrighttoconcernmyselfwithyourprivateaffairs(beyondthosewhicharisefromyourmisleadingmeandgettingtheofficeyouhold)——\'

\'Astothat，madam，\'heinterrupted，ratherhotly，\'astocominghere，Iamvexedasmuchasyou。Somebody，amemberoftheInstituteofArchitects——who，Icouldnevertell——senttomyoldaddressinLondonyouradvertisementcutfromthepaper；itwasforwardedtome；IwantedtogetawayfromLiverpool，anditseemedasifthiswasputinmywayonpurpose，bysomeoldfriendorother。Iansweredtheadvertisementcertainly，butIwasnotparticularlyanxioustocomehere，noramIanxioustostay。\'

MissAldclyffedescendedfromhaughtysuperioritytowomanlypersuasionwithahastewhichwasalmostludicrous。Indeed，theQuosegoofthewholelecturehadbeenlessthegenuinemenaceoftheimperiousrulerofKnapwaterthananartificialutterancetohideafailingheart。

\'Now，now，Mr。Manston，youwrongme；don\'tsupposeIwishtobeoverbearing，oranythingofthekind；andyouwillallowmetosaythismuch，atanyrate，thatIhavebecomeinterestedinyourwife，aswellasinyourself。\'

\'Certainly，madam，\'hesaid，slowly，likeamanfeelinghiswayinthedark。Manstonwasutterlyatfaultnow。Hispreviousexperienceoftheeffectofhisformandfeaturesuponwomankindenmasse，hadtaughthimtoflatterhimselfthathecouldaccountbythesamelawofnaturalselectionfortheextraordinaryinterestMissAldclyffehadhithertotakeninhim，asanunmarriedman；aninteresthedidnotatallobjectto，seeingthatitkepthimnearCytherea，andenabledhim，amanofnowealth，toruleontheestateasifhewereitslawfulowner。LikeCuriusathisSabinefarm，hehadcountedithisglorynottopossessgoldhimself，buttohavepoweroverherwhodid。Butatthishintofthelady\'swishtotakehiswifeunderherwingalso，hewasperplexed：couldshehaveanysinistermotiveindoingso？Buthedidnotallowhimselftobetroubledwiththesedoubts，whichonlyconcernedhiswife\'shappiness。

\'Shetellsme，\'continuedMissAldclyffe，\'howutterlyaloneintheworldshestands，andthatisanadditionalreasonwhyIshouldsympathizewithher。Instead，then，ofrequestingthefavourofyourretirementfromthepost，anddismissingyourinterestsaltogether，Iwillretainyouasmystewardstill，onconditionthatyoubringhomeyourwife，andlivewithherrespectably，inshort，asifyoulovedher；youunderstand。IWISHyoutostayhereifyougrantthateverythingshallflowsmoothlybetweenyourselfandher。\'

Thebreastandshouldersofthestewardrose，asifanexpressionofdefiancewasabouttobepouredforth；beforeittookform，hecontrolledhimselfandsaid，inhisnaturalvoice——

\'Mypartoftheperformanceshallbecarriedout，madam。\'

\'Andheranxietytoobtainastandingintheworldensuresthatherswill，\'repliedMissAldclyffe。\'Thatwillbesatisfactory，then。\'

Afterafewadditionalremarks，shegentlysignifiedthatshewishedtoputanendtotheinterview。Thestewardtookthehintandretired。

Hefeltvexedandmortified；yetinwalkinghomewardhewasconvincedthattellingthewholetruthashehaddone，withthesingleexceptionofhisloveforCytherea(whichhetriedtohideevenfromhimself)，hadneverservedhiminbettersteadthanithaddonethatnight。

ManstonwenttohisdeskandthoughtofCytherea\'sbeautywiththebitterest，wildestregret。Afterthelapseofafewminuteshecalmedhimselfbyastoicaleffort，andwrotethesubjoinedlettertohiswife：——

\'KNAPWATER，November21，1864。

\'DEAREUNICE，——IhopeyoureachedLondonsafelyafteryourflightyvisittome。

\'AsIpromised，Ihavethoughtoverourconversationthatnight，andyourwishthatyourcominghereshouldbenolongerdelayed。Afterall，itwasperfectlynaturalthatyoushouldhavespokenunkindlyasyoudid，ignorantasyouwereofthecircumstanceswhichboundme。

\'SoIhavemadearrangementstofetchyouhomeatonce。Itishardlyworthwhileforyoutoattempttobringwithyouanyluggageyoumayhavegatheredaboutyou(beyondmereclothing)。Disposeofsuperfluousthingsatabroker\'s；yourbringingthemwouldonlymakeatalkinthisparish，andleadpeopletobelievewehadlongbeenkeepinghouseseparately。

\'WillnextMondaysuityouforcoming？Youhavenothingtodothatcanoccupyyouformorethanadayortwo，asfarasIcansee，andtheremainderofthisweekwillaffordampletime。IcanbeinLondonthenightbefore，andwewillcomedowntogetherbythemid-

daytrain——Yourveryaffectionatehusband，\'AENEASMANSTON。

\'Now，ofcourse，IshallnolongerwritetoyouasMrs。Rondley。\'

Theaddressontheenvelopewas——

MRS。MANSTON，41CHARLESSQUARE，HOXTON，LONDON，N。

Hetookthelettertothehouse，anditbeingtoolateforthecountrypost，sentoneofthestablemenwithittoCasterbridge，insteadoftroublingtogotoBudmouthwithithimselfasheretofore。Hehadnolongeranynecessitytokeephisconditionasecret。

7。FROMTHETWENTY-SECONDTOTHETWENTY-SEVENTHOFNOVEMBER

ButthenextmorningManstonfoundthathehadbeenforgetfulofanothermatter，innamingthefollowingMondaytohiswifeforthejourney。

Thefactwasthis。Aletterhadjustcome，remindinghimthathehadleftthewholeofthesucceedingweekopenforanimportantbusinessengagementwithaneighbouringland-agent，atthatgentleman\'sresidencethirteenmilesoff。Theparticulardayhehadsuggestedtohiswife，had，intheinterim，beenappropriatedbyhiscorrespondent。Themeetingcouldnotnowbeputoff。

Sohewroteagaintohiswife，statingthatbusiness，whichcouldnotbepostponed，calledhimawayfromhomeonMonday，andwouldentirelypreventhimcomingallthewaytofetchheronSundaynightashehadintended，butthathewouldmeetherattheCarrifordRoadStationwithaconveyancewhenshearrivedthereintheevening。

Thenextdaycamehiswife\'sanswertohisfirstletter，inwhichshesaidthatshewouldbereadytobefetchedatthetimenamed。

Havingalreadywrittenhissecondletter，whichwasbythattimeinherhands，hemadenofurtherreply。

Theweekpassedaway。Thestewardhad，inthemeantime，letitbecomegenerallyknowninthevillagethathewasamarriedman，andbyalittlejudiciousmanagement，soundfamilyreasonsforhispastsecrecyuponthesubject，whichwerefloatedasadjunctstothestory，wereplacidlyreceived；theyseemedsonaturalandjustifiabletotheunsophisticatedmindsofnine-tenthsofhisneighbours，thatcuriosityinthematter，beyondastrongcuriositytoseethelady\'sface，waswell-nighextinguished。

X。THEEVENTSOFADAYANDNIGHT

1。NOVEMBERTHETWENTY-EIGHTH。UNTILTENP。M。

Mondaycame，thedaynamedforMrs。Manston\'sjourneyfromLondontoherhusband\'shouse；adayofsingularandgreatevents，influencingthepresentandfutureofnearlyallthepersonageswhoseactionsinacomplexdramaformthesubjectofthisrecord。

Theproceedingsofthestewarddemandthefirstnotice。Whilsttakinghisbreakfastonthisparticularmorning，theclockpointingtoeight，thehorse-and-gigthatwastotakehimtoChettlewoodwaitingreadyatthedoor，ManstonhurriedlycasthiseyesdownthecolumnofBradshawwhichshowedthedetailsanddurationoftheselectedtrain\'sjourney。

Theinspectionwascarelesslymade，theleafbeingkeptopenbytheaidofonehand，whilsttheotherstillheldhiscupofcoffee；muchmorecarelesslythanwouldhavebeenthecasehadtheexpectednew-

comerbeenCythereaGraye，insteadofhislawfulwife。

Hedidnotperceive，branchingfromthecolumndownwhichhisfingerran，asmalltwist，calledashunting-line，insertedataparticularplace，toimplythatatthatpointthetrainwasdividedintotwo。

BythisoversightheunderstoodthatthearrivalofhiswifeatCarrifordRoadStationwouldnotbetilllateintheevening：bythesecondhalfofthetrain，containingthethird-classpassengers，andpassingtwohoursandthree-quarterslaterthanthepreviousone，bywhichthelady，asasecond-classpassenger，wouldreallybebrought。

Hethenconsideredthattherewouldbeplentyoftimeforhimtoreturnfromhisday\'sengagementtomeetthistrain。Hefinishedhisbreakfast，gaveproperandprecisedirectionstohisservantonthepreparationsthatweretobemadeforthelady\'sreception，jumpedintohisgig，anddroveofftoLordClaydonfield\'s，atChettlewood。

HewentalongbythefrontofKnapwaterHouse。HecouldnothelpturningtolookatwhatheknewtobethewindowofCytherea\'sroom。

Whilsthelooked，ahopelessexpressionofpassionateloveandsensuousanguishcameuponhisfaceandlingeredthereforafewseconds；then，asonpreviousoccasions，itwasresolutelyrepressed，andhetrottedalongthesmoothwhiteroad，againendeavouringtobanishallthoughtoftheyounggirlwhosebeautyandgracehadsoenslavedhim。

Thusitwasthatwhen，intheeveningofthesameday，Mrs。ManstonreachedCarrifordRoadStation，herhusbandwasstillatChettlewood，ignorantofherarrival，andonlookingupanddowntheplatform，drearywithautumngloomandwind，shecouldseenosignthatanypreparationwhateverhadbeenmadeforherreceptionandconducthome。

Thetrainwenton。Shewaited，fidgetedwiththehandleofherumbrella，walkedabout，strainedhereyesintothegloomofthechillynight，listenedforwheels，tappedwithherfoot，andshowedalltheusualsignsofannoyanceandirritation：shewasthemoreirritatedinthatthisseemedasecondandculminatinginstanceofherhusband\'sneglect——thefirsthavingbeenshowninhisnotfetchingher。

Reflectingawhileuponthecourseitwouldbebesttotake，inordertosecureapassagetoKnapwater，shedecidedtoleaveallherluggage，exceptadressing-bag，inthecloak-room，andwalktoherhusband\'shouse，asshehaddoneonherfirstvisit。Sheaskedoneoftheportersifhecouldfindaladtogowithherandcarryherbag：heofferedtodoithimself。

Theporterwasagood-tempered，shallow-minded，ignorantman。Mrs。

Manston，beingapparentlyinverygloomyspirits，wouldprobablyhavepreferredwalkingbesidehimwithoutsayingaword：buthercompanionwouldnotallowsilencetocontinuebetweenthemforalongerperiodthantwoorthreeminutestogether。

Hehadvolunteeredseveralremarksuponherarrival，chieflytotheeffectthatitwasveryunfortunateMr。Manstonhadnotcometothestationforher，whenshesuddenlyaskedhimconcerningtheinhabitantsoftheparish。

Hetoldhercategoricallythenamesofthechief——firstthechiefpossessorsofproperty；thenofbrains；thenofgoodlooks。AsfirstamongthelatterhementionedMissCythereaGraye。

Aftergettinghimtodescribeherappearanceascompletelyaslayinhispower，shewormedoutofhimthestatementthateverybodyhadbeensaying——beforeMrs。Manston\'sexistencewasheardof——howwellthehandsomeMr。ManstonandthebeautifulMissGrayeweresuitedforeachotherasmanandwife，andthatMissAldclyffewastheonlyoneintheparishwhotooknointerestinbringingaboutthematch。

\'Heratherlikedheryouthink？\'

Theporterbegantothinkhehadbeentooexplicit，andhastenedtocorrecttheerror。

\'Ono，hedon\'tcareabitabouther，ma\'am，\'hesaidsolemnly。

\'Notmorethanhedoesaboutme？\'

\'Notabit。\'

\'Thenthatmustbelittleindeed，\'Mrs。Manstonmurmured。Shestoodstill，asifreflectinguponthepainfulneglectherwordshadrecalledtohermind；then，withasuddenimpulse，turnedround，andwalkedpetulantlyafewstepsbackagaininthedirectionofthestation。

Theporterstoodstillandlookedsurprised。

\'I\'llgobackagain；yes，indeed，I\'llgobackagain！\'shesaidplaintively。Thenshepausedandlookedanxiouslyupanddownthedesertedroad。

\'No，Imustn\'tgobacknow，\'shecontinued，inatoneofresignation。Seeingthattheporterwaswatchingher，sheturnedaboutandcameonasbefore，givingventtoaslightlaugh。

Itwasalaughfullofcharacter；thelowforcedlaughwhichseekstohidethepainfulperceptionofahumiliatingpositionunderthemaskofindifference。

Altogetherherconducthadshownhertobewhatinfactshewas，aweak，thoughacalculatingwoman，oneclevertoconceive，weaktoexecute：onewhosebest-laidschemeswereforeverliabletobefrustratedbytheineradicableblightofvacillationatthecriticalhourofaction。

\'O，ifIhadonlyknownthatallthiswasgoingtohappen！\'shemurmuredagain，astheypacedalongupontherustlingleaves。

\'Whatdidyousay，ma\'am？\'saidtheporter。

\'O，nothingparticular；wearegettingneartheoldmanor-housebythistime，Iimagine？\'

\'Verynearnow，ma\'am。\'

TheysoonreachedManston\'sresidence，roundwhichthewindblewmournfullyandchill。

Passingunderthedetachedgateway，theyenteredtheporch。Theportersteppedforward，knockedheavilyandwaited。

Nobodycame。

Mrs。Manstonthenadvancedtothedoorandgaveadifferentseriesofrappings——lessforcible，butmoresustained。

Therewasnotamovementofanykindinside，notarayoflightvisible；nothingbuttheechoofherownknocksthroughthepassages，andthedryscratchingofthewitheredleavesblownaboutherfeetupontheflooroftheporch。

Thesteward，ofcourse，wasnotathome。Mrs。Crickett，notexpectingthatanybodywouldarrivetillthetimeofthelatertrain，hadsettheplaceinorder，laidthesupper-table，andthenlockedthedoor，togointothevillageandconversewithherfriends。

\'Isthereaninninthevillage？\'saidMrs。Manston，afterthefourthandloudestrappingupontheiron-studdedolddoorhadresultedonlyinthefourthandloudestechofromthepassagesinside。

\'Yes，ma\'am。\'

\'Whokeepsit？\'

\'FarmerSpringrove。\'

\'Iwillgothereto-night，\'shesaiddecisively。\'Itistoocold，andaltogethertoobad，forawomantowaitintheopenroadonanybody\'saccount，gentleorsimple。\'

Theywentdowntheparkandthroughthegate，intothevillageofCarriford。BythetimetheyreachedtheThreeTranters，itwasverginguponteno\'clock。There，onthespotwheretwomonthsearlierintheseasonthesunnyandlivelygroupofvillagersmakingciderunderthetreeshadgreetedCytherea\'seyes，wasnothingnowintelligiblebutavastcloakofdarkness，fromwhichcamethelowsoughoftheelms，andtheoccasionalcreakoftheswingingsign。

Theywenttothedoor，Mrs。Manstonshivering；butlessfromthecold，thanfromthedrearinessofheremotions。Neglectisthecoldestofwinterwinds。

ItsohappenedthatEdwardSpringrovewasexpectedtoarrivefromLondoneitheronthateveningorthenext，andatthesoundofvoiceshisfathercametothedoorfullyexpectingtoseehim。A

pictureofdisappointmentseldomwitnessedinaman\'sfacewasvisibleinoldMr。Springrove\'s，whenhesawthatthecomerwasastranger。

Mrs。Manstonaskedforaroom，andonethathadbeenpreparedforEdwardwasimmediatelynamedasbeingreadyforher，anotherbeingadaptableforEdward，shouldhecomein。

Withouttakinganyrefreshment，orenteringanyroomdownstairs，orevenliftingherveil，shewalkedstraightalongthepassageanduptoherapartment，thechambermaidprecedingher。

\'IfMr。Manstoncomesto-night，\'shesaid，sittingonthebedasshehadcomein，andaddressingthewoman，\'tellhimIcannotseehim。\'

\'Yes，ma\'am。\'

Thewomanlefttheroom，andMrs。Manstonlockedthedoor。Beforetheservanthadgonedownmorethantwoorthreestairs，Mrs。

Manstonunfastenedthedooragain，andhelditajar。

\'Bringmesomebrandy，\'shesaid。

Thechambermaidwentdowntothebarandbroughtupthespiritinatumbler。Whenshecameintotheroom，Mrs。Manstonhadnotremovedasinglearticleofapparel，andwaswalkingupanddown，asifstillquiteundecideduponthecourseitwasbesttoadopt。

Outsidethedoor，whenitwascloseduponher，themaidpausedtolistenforaninstant。SheheardMrs。Manstontalkingtoherself。

\'Thisiswelcomehome！\'shesaid。

2。FROMTENTOHALF-PASTELEVENP。M。

Astrangeconcurrenceofphenomenanowconfrontsus。

Duringtheautumninwhichthepastsceneswereenacted，Mr。

Springrovehadploughed，harrowed，andcleanedanarrowandshadedpieceofground，lyingatthebackofhishouse，whichformanyyearshadbeenlookeduponasirreclaimablewaste。

Thecouch-grassextractedfromthesoilhadbeenlefttowitherinthesun；afterwardsitwasrakedtogether，lightedinthecustomaryway，andnowlaysmoulderinginalargeheapinthemiddleoftheplot。

IthadbeenkindledthreedaysprevioustoMrs。Manston\'sarrival，andoneortwovillagers，ofamorecautiousandlesssanguinetemperamentthanSpringrove，hadsuggestedthatthefirewasalmosttoonearthebackofthehouseforitscontinuancetobeunattendedwithrisk；forthoughnodangercouldbeapprehendedwhilsttheairremainedmoderatelystill，abriskbreezeblowingtowardsthehousemightpossiblycarryasparkacross。

\'Ay，that\'strueenough，\'saidSpringrove。\'Imustlookroundbeforegoingtobedandseethateverything\'ssafe；buttotellthetruthIamanxioustogettherubbishburntupbeforetheraincomestowashitintogroundagain。Astocarryingthecouchintothebackfieldtoburn，andbringingitbackagain，why，\'tismorethantheasheswouldbeworth。\'

\'Well，that\'sverytrue，\'saidtheneighbours，andpassedon。

Twoorthreetimesduringthefirsteveningaftertheheapwaslit，hewenttothebackdoortotakeasurvey。Beforeboltingandbarringupforthenight，hemadeafinalandmorecarefulexamination。Theslowly-smokingpileshowednottheslightestsignsofactivity。Springrove\'sperfectlysoundconclusionwas，thataslongastheheapwasnotstirred，andthewindcontinuedinthequarteritblewfromthen，thecouchwouldnotflame，andthattherecouldbenoshadowofdangertoanything，evenacombustiblesubstance，thoughitwerenomorethanayardoff。

Thenextmorningtheburningcouchwasdiscoveredinpreciselythesamestateaswhenhehadgonetobedtheprecedingnight。Theheapsmokedinthesamemannerthewholeofthatday：atbed-timethefarmerlookedtowardsit，butlesscarefullythanonthefirstnight。

Themorningandthewholeofthethirddaystillsawtheheapinitsoldsmoulderingcondition；indeed，thesmokewasless，andthereseemedaprobabilitythatitmighthavetobere-kindledonthemorrow。

AfteradmittingMrs。Manstontohishouseintheevening，andhearingherretire，Mr。Springrovereturntothefrontdoortolistenforasoundofhisson，andinquiredconcerninghimoftherailway-porter，whosatforawhileinthekitchen。TheporterhadnotnoticedyoungMr。Springrovegetoutofthetrain，atwhichintelligencetheoldmanconcludedthathewouldprobablynotseehissontillthenextday，asEdwardhadhithertomadeapointofcomingbythetrainwhichhadbroughtMrs。Manston。

Half-an-hourlatertheporterlefttheinn，Springroveatthesametimegoingtothedoortolistenagainaninstant，thenhewalkedroundandinatthebackofthehouse。

Thefarmerglancedattheheapcasuallyandindifferentlyinpassing；twonightsofsafetyseemedtoensurethethird；andhewasabouttoboltandbarasusual，whentheideastruckhimthattherewasjustapossibilityofhisson\'sreturnbythelatesttrain，unlikelyasitwasthathewouldbesodelayed。Theoldmanthereuponleftthedoorunfastened，lookedtohisusualmattersindoors，andwenttobed，itbeingthenhalf-pastteno\'clock。

Farmersandhorticulturistswellknowthatitisinthenatureofaheapofcouch-grass，whenkindledincalmweather，tosmoulderformanydays，andevenweeks，untilthewholemassisreducedtoapowderycharcoalash，displayingthewhilescarcelyasignofcombustionbeyondthevolcano-likesmokefromitssummit；butthecontinuanceofthisquietprocessisthroughoutitslengthatthemercyofoneparticularwhimofNature：thatis，asuddenbreeze，bywhichtheheapisliabletobefannedintoaflamesobriskastoconsumethewholeinanhourortwo。

Hadthefarmernarrowlywatchedthepilewhenhewenttoclosethedoor，hewouldhaveseen，besidesthefamiliartwineofsmokefromitssummit，aquiveringoftheairaroundthemass，showingthataconsiderableheathadariseninside。

Astherailway-porterturnedthecorneroftherowofhousesadjoiningtheThreeTranters，abrisknewwindgreetedhisface，andspreadpasthimintothevillage。Hewalkedalongthehigh-roadtillhecametoagate，aboutthreehundredyardsfromtheinn。

Overthegatecouldbediscernedthesituationofthebuildinghehadjustquitted。Hecarelesslyturnedhisheadinpassing，andsawbehindhimaclearredglowindicatingthepositionofthecouch-

heap：aglowwithoutaflame，increasinganddiminishinginbrightnessasthebreezequickenedorfell，likethecoalofanewlylightedcigar。Ifthosecottageshadbeenhis，hethought，heshouldnotcaretohaveafiresonearthemasthat——andthewindrising。Butthecottagesnotbeinghis，hewentonhiswaytothestation，wherehewasabouttoresumedutyforthenight。Theroadwasnowquitedeserted：tillfouro\'clockthenextmorning，whenthecarterswouldgobytothestablestherewaslittleprobabilityofanyhumanbeingpassingtheThreeTrantersInn。

Byeleven，everybodyinthehousewasasleep。Ittrulyseemedasifthetreacherouselementknewtherehadarisenagrandopportunityfordevastation。

Ataquarterpastelevenaslightstealthycracklemadeitselfheardamidtheincreasingmoansofthenightwind；theheapglowedbrighterstill，andburstintoaflame；theflamesank，anotherbreezeenteredit，sustainedit，anditgrewtobefirstcontinuousandweak，thencontinuousandstrong。

Attwentyminutespastelevenablastofwindcarriedanairybitofignitedfernseveralyardsforward，inadirectionparalleltothehousesandinn，andtheredepositeditontheground。

Fiveminuteslateranotherpuffofwindcarriedasimilarpiecetoadistanceoffive-and-twentyyards，whereitalsowasdroppedsoftlyontheground。

Stillthewinddidnotblowinthedirectionofthehouses，andevennowtoacasualobservertheywouldhaveappearedsafe。ButNaturedoesfewthingsdirectly。Aminutelateryet，anignitedfragmentfelluponthestrawcoveringofalongthatchedheapor\'grave\'ofmangel-wurzel，lyinginadirectionatrightanglestothehouse，anddowntowardthehedge。Therethefragmentfadedtodarkness。

Ashorttimesubsequenttothis，aftermanyintermediatedepositsandseeminglybaffledattempts，anotherfragmentfellonthemangel-

wurzelgrave，andcontinuedtoglow；theglowwasincreasedbythewind；thestrawcaughtfireandburstintoflame。Itwasinevitablethattheflameshouldrunalongtheridgeofthethatchtowardsapiggeryattheend。Yethadthepiggerybeentiled，thetime-

honouredhostelwouldevennowatthislastmomenthavebeensafe；

butitwasconstructedaspiggeriesaremostlyconstructed，ofwoodandthatch。Thehurdlesandstrawroofofthefrailerectionbecameignitedintheirturn，andabuttingasthesheddidonthebackoftheinn，flameduptotheeavesofthemainroofinlessthanthirtyseconds。