第7章

3。HALF-PASTELEVENTOTWELVEP。M。

AhazardouslengthoftimeelapsedbeforetheinmatesoftheThreeTrantersknewoftheirdanger。Whenatlengththediscoverywasmade，therushwasarushforbarelife。

Aman\'svoicecalling，thenscreams，thenloudstampingandshoutswereheard。

Mr。Springroveranoutfirst。Twominuteslaterappearedtheostlerandchambermaid，whoweremanandwife。Theinn，ashasbeenstated，wasaquaintoldbuilding，andasinflammableasabee-hive；

itoverhungthebaseatthelevelofthefirstfloor，andagainoverhungattheeaves，whichwerefinishedwithheavyoakbarge-

boards；everyatominitssubstance，everyfeatureinitsconstruction，favouredthefire。

Theforkedflames，luridandsmoky，becamenearlylosttoview，burstingforthagainwithaboundandloudcrackle，increasedtenfoldinpowerandbrightness。Thecracklinggrewsharper。Longquiveringshadowsbegantobeflungfromthestatelytreesattheendofthehouse；thesquareoutlineofthechurchtower，ontheothersideoftheway，whichhadhithertobeenadarkmassagainstaskycomparativelylight，nowbegantoappearasalightobjectagainstaskyofdarkness；andeventhenarrowsurfaceoftheflag-

staffatthetopcouldbeseeninitsdarksurrounding，broughtoutfromitsobscuritybytheraysfromthedancinglight。

Shoutsandothernoisesincreasedinloudnessandfrequency。Thelapseoftenminutesbroughtmostoftheinhabitantsofthatendofthevillageintothestreet，followedinashorttimebytherector，Mr。Raunham。

Castingahastyglanceupanddown，hebeckonedtooneortwoofthemen，andvanishedagain。Inashorttimewheelswereheard，andMr。

Raunhamandthemenreappeared，withthegardenengine，theonlyoneinthevillage，exceptthatatKnapwaterHouse。Aftersomelittletroublethehosewasconnectedwithatankintheoldstable-yard，andthepunyinstrumentbegantoplay。

Severalseemedparalyzedatfirst，andstoodtransfixed，theirrigidfaceslookinglikered-hotironintheglaringlight。Intheconfusionawomancried，\'Ringthebellsbackwards！\'andthreeorfouroftheoldandsuperstitiousenteredthebelfryandjangledthemindescribably。Somewereonlyhalfdressed，and，toaddtothehorror，amongthemwasClerkCrickett，runningupanddownwithafacestreamingwithblood，ghastlyandpitifultosee，hisexcitementbeingsogreatthathehadnottheslightestconceptionofhow，when，orwherehecamebythewound。

Thecrowdwasnowbusyatwork，andtriedtosavealittleofthefurnitureoftheinn。Theonlyroomtheycouldenterwastheparlour，fromwhichtheymanagedtobringoutthebureau，afewchairs，someoldsilvercandlesticks，andhalf-a-dozenlightarticles；butthesewereall。

Fierymatsofthatchslidofftheroofandfellintotheroadwithadeadenedthud，whilstwhiteflakesofstrawandwood-ashwereflyinginthewindlikefeathers。Atthesametimetwoofthecottagesadjoining，uponwhichalittlewaterhadbeenbroughttoplayfromtherector\'sengine，wereseentobeonfire。Theattenuatedspirtofwaterwasasnothingupontheheatedanddrysurfaceofthethatchedroof；thefireprevailedwithoutaminute\'shindrance，anddivedthroughtotherafters。

Suddenlyaroseacry，\'Where\'sMr。Springrove？\'

Hehadvanishedfromthespotbythechurchyardwall，wherehehadbeenstandingafewminutesearlier。

\'Ifancyhe\'sgoneinside，\'saidavoice。

\'Madnessandfolly！whatcanhesave？\'saidanother。\'GoodGod，findhim！Helphere！\'

Awildrushwasmadeatthedoor，whichhadfallento，andindefianceofthescorchingflamethatburstforth，threemenforcedthemselvesthroughit。Immediatelyinsidethethresholdtheyfoundtheobjectoftheirsearchlyingsenselessonthefloorofthepassage。

Tobringhimoutandlayhimonabankwastheworkofaninstant；abasinofcoldwaterwasdashedinhisface，andhebegantorecoverconsciousness，butveryslowly。Hehadbeensavedbyamiracle。Nosoonerwerehispreserversoutofthebuildingthanthewindow-

frameslitupasifbymagicwithdeepandwavingfringesofflames。

Simultaneously，thejointsoftheboardsformingthefrontdoorstartedintoviewasglowingbarsoffire：astarofredlightpenetratedthecentre，graduallyincreasinginsizetilltheflamesrushedforth。

Thenthestaircasefell。

\'Everybodyisoutsafe，\'saidavoice。

\'Yes，thankGod！\'saidthreeorfourothers。

\'O，weforgotthatastrangercame！Ithinksheissafe。\'

\'Ihopesheis，\'saidtheweakvoiceofsomeonecomingupfrombehind。Itwasthechambermaid\'s。

Springroveatthatmomentarousedhimself；hestaggeredtohisfeet，andthrewhishandsupwildly。

\'Everybody，no！no！Theladywhocamebytrain，Mrs。Manston！I

triedtofetchherout，butIfell。\'

Anexclamationofhorrorburstfromthecrowd；itwascausedpartlybythisdisclosureofSpringrove，morebytheaddedperceptionwhichfollowedhiswords。

Anaverageintervalofaboutthreeminuteshadelapsedbetweenoneintenselyfiercegustofwindandthenext，andnowanotherpouredoverthem；theroofswayed，andamomentafterwardsfellinwithacrash，pullingthegableafterit，andthrustingoutwardsthefrontwallofwood-work，whichfellintotheroadwitharumblingecho；acloudofblackdust，myriadsofsparks，andagreatoutburstofflamefollowedtheuproarofthefall。

\'Whoisshe？whatisshe？\'burstfromeverylipagainandagain，incoherently，andwithoutleavingasufficientpauseforareply，hadareplybeenvolunteered。

Theautumnwind，tameless，andswift，andproud，stillblewuponthedyingoldhouse，whichwasconstructedsoentirelyofcombustiblematerialsthatitburntalmostasfiercelyasacorn-rick。Theheatintheroadincreased，andnowforaninstantattheheightoftheconflagrationallstoodstill，andgazedsilently，awestruckandhelpless，inthepresenceofsoirresistibleanenemy。Then，withmindsfullofthetragedyunfoldedtothem，theyrushedforwardagainwiththeobtusedirectnessofwaves，totheirlabourofsavinggoodsfromthehousesadjoining，whichitwasevidentwerealldoomedtodestruction。

Theminutespassedby。TheThreeTrantersInnsankintoamereheapofred-hotcharcoal：thefirepusheditswaydowntherowasthechurchclockoppositeslowlystruckthehourofmidnight，andthebewilderedchimes，scarcelyheardamidthecracklingoftheflames，wanderedthroughthewaywardairoftheOldHundred-and-ThirteenthPsalm。

4。NINETOELEVENP。M。

ManstonmountedhisgigandsetoutfromChettlewoodthateveninginnoveryenviableframeofmind。ThethoughtofdomesticlifeinKnapwaterOldHouse，withthenoweclipsedwifeofthepast，wasmorethandisagreeable，waspositivelydistastefultohim。

Yetheknewthattheinfluentialposition，which，fromwhateverfortunatecause，heheldonMissAldclyffe\'smanor，wouldneveragainfalltohislotonanyother，andhetacitlyassentedtothisdilemma，hopingthatsomeconsolationorotherwouldsoonsuggestitselftohim；marriedashewas，hewasnearCytherea。

Heoccasionallylookedathiswatchashedrovealongthelanes，timingthepaceofhishorsebythehour，thathemightreachCarrifordRoadStationjustsoonenoughtomeetthelastLondontrain。

Hesoonbegantonoticeintheskyaslightyellowhalo，nearthehorizon。Itrapidlyincreased；itchangedcolour，andgrewredder；

thentheglarevisiblybrightenedanddimmedatintervals，showingthatitsoriginwasaffectedbythestrongwindprevailing。

Manstonreinedinhishorseonthesummitofahill，andconsidered。

\'Itisarick-yardonfire，\'hethought；\'nohousecouldproducesucharagingflamesosuddenly。\'

Hetrottedonagain，attemptingtoparticularizethelocalfeaturesintheneighbourhoodofthefire；butthisitwastoodarktodo，andtheexcessivewindingoftheroadsmisledhimastoitsdirection，notbeinganoldinhabitantofthedistrict，oracountrymanusedtoformingsuchjudgments；whilstthebrilliancyofthelightshorteneditsrealremotenesstoanapparentdistanceofnotmorethanhalf：itseemedsonearthatheagainstoppedhishorse，thistimetolisten；buthecouldhearnosound。

Enteringnowanarrowvalley，thesidesofwhichobscuredtheskytoanangleofperhapsthirtyorfortydegreesabovethemathematicalhorizon，hewasobligedtosuspendhisjudgmenttillhewasinpossessionoffurtherknowledge，havinghoweverassumedintheinterim，thatthefirewassomewherebetweenCarrifordRoadStationandthevillage。

Theself-sameglarehadjustarrestedtheeyesofanotherman。Hewasatthatminuteglidingalongseveralmilestotheeastofthesteward\'sposition，butnearingthesamepointasthattowhichManstontended。TheyoungerEdwardSpringrovewasreturningfromLondontohisfather\'shousebytheidenticaltrainwhichthestewardwasexpectingtobringhiswife，thetruthbeingthatEdward\'slatenesswasowingtothesimplestofallcauses，histemporarywantofmoney，whichledhimtomakeaslowjourneyforthesakeoftravellingatthird-classfare。

SpringrovehadreceivedCytherea\'sbitterandadmonitoryletter，andhewasclearlyawakenedtoaperceptionofthefalsepositioninwhichhehadplacedhimself，bykeepingsilenceatBudmouthonhislongengagement。AnincreasingreluctancetoputanendtothosefewdaysofecstasywithCythereahadoverruledhisconscience，andtiedhistonguetillspeakingwastoolate。

\'WhydidIdoit？howcouldIdreamoflovingher？\'heaskedhimselfashewalkedbyday，ashetossedonhisbedbynight：\'miserablefolly！\'

Animpressionablehearthadforyears——perhapsasmanyassixorsevenyears——beendistractinghim，byunconsciouslysettingitselftoyearnforsomebodywanting，hescarcelyknewwhom。Echoesofhimself，thoughrarely，henowandthenfound。Sometimestheyweremen，sometimeswomen，hiscousinAdelaidebeingoneofthese；forinspiteofafashionwhichpervadesthewholecommunityatthepresentday——thehabitofexclaimingthatwomanisnotundevelopedman，butdiverse，thefactremainsthat，afterall，womenareMankind，andthatinmanyofthesentimentsoflifethedifferenceofsexisbutadifferenceofdegree。

Buttheindefinablehelpmatetotheremotersidesofhimselfstillcontinuedinvisible。Hegrewolder，andconcludedthattheideas，orratheremotions，whichpossessedhimonthesubject，wereprobablytoounrealevertobefoundembodiedinthefleshofawoman。Thereupon，hedevelopedaplanofsatisfyinghisdreamsbywanderingawaytotheheroinesofpoeticalimagination，andtooknofurtherthoughtontheearthlyrealizationofhisformlessdesire，inmorehomelymatterssatisfyinghimselfwithhiscousin。

Cythereaappearedinthesky：hisheartstartedupandspoke：

\'TisShe，andhereLo！IunclotheandclearMywishes\'cloudycharacter。\'

Somewomenkindleemotionsorapidlyinaman\'sheartthatthejudgmentcannotkeeppacewithitsrise，andfinds，oncomprehendingthesituation，thatfaithfulnesstotheoldloveisalreadytreacherytothenew。Suchwomenarenotnecessarilythegreatestoftheirsex，butthereareveryfewofthem。Cythereawasone。

Onreceivingtheletterfromherhehadtakentothinkingoverthesethings，andhadnotanswereditatall。But\'hungrygenerations\'

soontreaddownthemuserinacity。Atlengthhethoughtofthestrongnecessityofliving。Afteradrearysearch，thenegligenceofwhichwasultimatelyovercomebymereconscientiousness，heobtainedasituationasassistanttoanarchitectintheneighbourhoodofCharingCross：thedutieswouldnotbegintillafterthelapseofamonth。

Hecouldnotatfirstdecidewhitherheshouldgotospendtheinterveningtime；butinthemidstofhisreasoningshefoundhimselfontheroadhomeward，impelledbyasecretandunownedhopeofgettingalastglimpseofCythereathere。

5。MIDNIGHT

ItwasaquartertotwelvewhenManstondroveintothestation-yard。

Thetrainwaspunctual，andthebell，announcingitsarrival，rangashecrossedthebooking-officetogooutupontheplatform。

TheporterwhohadaccompaniedMrs。ManstontoCarriford，andhadreturnedtothestationonhisnightduty，recognizedthestewardasheentered，andimmediatelycametowardshim。

\'Mrs。Manstoncamebythenineo\'clocktrain，sir，\'hesaid。

Thestewardgaveventtoanexpressionofvexation。

\'Herluggageishere，sir，\'theportersaid。

\'Putitupbehindmeinthegigifitisnottoomuch，\'saidManston。

\'Directlythistrainisinandgone，sir。\'

Themanvanishedandcrossedthelinetomeettheenteringtrain。

\'Whereisthatfire？\'Manstonsaidtothebooking-clerk。

Beforetheclerkcouldspeak，anothermanraninandansweredthequestionwithouthavingheardit。

\'HalfCarrifordisburntdown，orwillbe！\'heexclaimed。\'Youcan\'tseetheflamesfromthisstationonaccountofthetrees，butsteponthebridge——\'tistremendous！\'

Healsocrossedthelinetoassistattheentryofthetrain，whichcameinthenextminute。

Thestewardstoodintheoffice。Onepassengeralighted，gaveuphisticket，andcrossedtheroominfrontofManston：ayoungmanwithablackbagandumbrellainhishand。Hepassedoutofthedoor，downthesteps，andstruckoutintothedarkness。

\'Whowasthatyoungman？\'saidManston，whentheporterhadreturned。Theyoungman，byakindofmagnetism，haddrawnthesteward\'sthoughtsafterhim。

\'He\'sanarchitect。\'

\'Myownoldprofession。Icouldhaveswornitbythecutofhim，\'

Manstonmurmured。\'What\'shisname？\'hesaidagain。

\'Springrove——FarmerSpringrove\'sson，Edward。\'

\'FarmerSpringrove\'sson，Edward，\'thestewardrepeatedtohimself，andconsideredamattertowhichthewordshadpainfullyrecalledhismind。

ThematterwasMissAldclyffe\'smentionoftheyoungmanasCytherea\'slover，which，indeed，hadscarcelyeverbeenabsentfromhisthoughts。

\'Butfortheexistenceofmywifethatmanmighthavebeenmyrival，\'hepondered，followingtheporter，whohadnowcomebacktohim，intotheluggage-room。Andwhilstthemanwascarryingoutandputtinginonebox，whichwassufficientlyportableforthegig，Manstonstillthought，ashiseyeswatchedtheprocess——

\'Butformywife，Springrovemighthavebeenmyrival。\'

Heexaminedthelampsofhisgig，carefullylaidoutthereins，mountedtheseatanddrovealongtheturnpike-roadtowardsKnapwaterPark。

Theexactlocalityofthefirewasplaintohimashenearedhome。

Hesooncouldheartheshoutofmen，theflappingoftheflames，thecracklingofburningwood，andcouldsmellthesmokefromtheconflagration。

Ofasudden，afewyardsahead，withinthecompassoftheraysfromtheright-handlamp，burstforwardthefigureofaman。Havingbeenwalkingindarknessthenewcomerraisedhishandstohiseyes，onapproachingnearer，toscreenthemfromtheglareofthereflector。

Manstonsawthathewasoneofthevillagers：asmallfarmeroriginally，whohaddrunkhimselfdowntoaday-labourerandreputedpoacher。

\'Hoy！\'criedManston，aloud，thatthemanmightstepasideoutoftheway。

\'IsthatMr。Manston？\'saidtheman。

\'Yes。\'

\'Somebodyha\'cometoCarriford：andtherestofitmayconcernyou，sir。\'

\'Well，well。\'

\'DidyouexpectMrs。Manstonto-night，sir？\'

\'Yes，unfortunatelyshe\'scome，Iknow，andasleeplongbeforethistime，Isuppose。\'

Thelabourerleanthiselbowupontheshaftofthegigandturnedhisface，paleandsweatingfromhislateworkatthefire，uptoManston\'s。

\'Yes，shedidcome，\'hesaid……\'Ibegpardon，sir，butI

shouldbegladof——of——\'

\'What？\'

\'Gladofatrifleforbringenyethenews。\'

\'Notafarthing！Ididn\'twantyournews，Iknewshewascome。\'

\'Won\'tyougivemeashillen，sir？\'

\'Certainlynot。\'

\'Thenwillyoulendmeashillen，sir？Ibetiredout，anddon\'tknowwhattodo。IfIdon\'tpayyoubacksomedayI\'llbed——d。\'

\'Thedevilissocheatedthatperditionisn\'tworthapennyasasecurity。\'

\'Oh！\'

\'Letmegoon，\'saidManston。

\'ThywifeisDEAD；that\'s\'theresto\'thenews，\'saidthelabourerslowly。Hewaitedforareply；nonecame。

\'ShewenttotheThreeTranters，becauseshecouldn\'tgetintothyhouse，theburnenrooffellinuponherbeforeshecouldbecalledup，andshe\'sacinder，asthou\'ltbesomeday。\'

\'Thatwilldo，letmedriveon，\'saidthestewardcalmly。

Expectationofaconcussionmaybesointensethatitsfailurestrikesthebrainwithmoreforcethanitsfulfilment。Thelabourersankbackintotheditch。SuchaCushicouldnotrealizethepossibilityofsuchanunmovedDavidasthis。

Manstondrovehastilytotheturningoftheroad，tiedhishorse，andranonfoottothesiteofthefire。

Thestagnationcausedbytheawfulaccidenthadbeenpassedthrough，andallhandswerehelpingtoremovefromtheremainingcottagewhatfurnituretheycouldlayholdof；thethatchoftheroofsbeingalreadyonfire。TheKnapwaterfire-enginehadarrivedonthespot，butitwassmall，andineffectual。Agroupwascollectedroundtherector，whoinacoatwhichhadbecomebespattered，scorched，andtorninhisexertions，wasdirectingononehandtheproceedingsrelativetotheremovalofgoodsintothechurch，andwiththeotherwaspointingoutthespotonwhichitwasmostdesirablethatthepunyenginesattheirdisposalshouldbemadetoplay。EverytonguewasinstantlysilentatthesightofManston\'spaleandclearcountenance，whichcontrastedstrangelywiththegrimyandstreamingfacesofthetoilingvillagers。

\'Wassheburnt？\'hesaidinafirmthoughhuskyvoice，andsteppingintotheilluminatedarea。Therectorcametohim，andtookhimaside。\'Issheburnt？\'repeatedManston。

\'Sheisdead：butthankGod，shewassparedthehorridagonyofburning，\'therectorsaidsolemnly；\'theroofandgablefellinuponher，andcrushedher。Instantdeathmusthavefollowed。\'

\'Whywasshehere？\'saidManston。

\'Fromwhatwecanhurriedlycollect，itseemsthatshefoundthedoorofyourhouselocked，andconcludedthatyouhadretired，thefactbeingthatyourservant，Mrs。Crickett，hadgoneouttosupper。

Shethencamebacktotheinnandwenttobed。\'

\'Where\'sthelandlord？\'saidManston。

Mr。Springrovecameup，walkingfeebly，andwrappedinacloak，andcorroboratedtheevidencegivenbytherector。

\'Didshelookill，orannoyed，whenshecame？\'saidthesteward。

\'Ican\'tsay。Ididn\'tsee；butIthink——\'

\'Whatdoyouthink？\'

\'Shewasmuchputoutaboutsomething。\'

\'Mynotmeetingher，naturally，\'murmuredtheother，lostinreverie。HeturnedhisbackonSpringroveandtherector，andretiredfromtheshininglight。

Everythinghadbeendonethatcouldbedonewiththelimitedmeansattheirdisposal。Thewholerowofhouseswasdestroyed，andeachpresenteditselfasonestageofaseries，progressingfromsmokingruinsattheendwheretheinnhadstood，toapartlyflamingmass——

glowingasnonebutwoodemberswillglow——attheother。

Afeatureinthedeclineoftownfireswasnoticeablyabsenthere——

steam。Therewaspresentwhatisnotobservableintowns——

incandescence。

Theheat，andthesmartingeffectupontheireyesofthestrongsmokefromtheburningoakanddeal，hadatlastdriventhevillagersbackfromtheroadinfrontofthehouses，andtheynowstoodingroupsinthechurchyard，thesurfaceofwhich，raisedbytheintermentsofgenerations，stoodfourorfivefeetabovetheleveloftheroad，andalmostevenwiththetopofthelowwalldividingonefromtheother。Theheadstonesstoodforthwhitelyagainstthedarkgrassandyews，theirbrightnessbeingrepeatedonthewhitesmock-frocksofsomeofthelabourers，andinamellower，ruddierformontheirfacesandhands，onthoseofthegrinninggargoyles，andonothersalientstoneworkoftheweather-beatenchurchinthebackground。

Therectorhaddecidedthat，underthedistressingcircumstancesofthecase，therewouldbenosacrilegeinplacinginthechurch，forthenight，thepiecesoffurnitureandutensilswhichhadbeensavedfromtheseveralhouses。Therewasnootherplaceofsafetyforthem，andtheyaccordinglyweregatheredthere。

6。HALF-PASTTWELVETOONEA。M。

Manston，whenheretiredtomeditate，hadwalkedroundthechurchyard，andnowenteredtheopeneddoorofthebuilding。

Hemechanicallypursuedhiswayroundthepiersintohisownseatinthenorthaisle。Theloweratmosphereofthisspotwasshadedbyitsownwallfromtheshinewhichstreamedinoverthewindow-sillsonthesameside。Theonlylightburninginsidethechurchwasasmalltallowcandle，standinginthefont，intheoppositeaisleofthebuildingtothatinwhichManstonhadsatdown，andnearwherethefurniturewaspiled。Thecandle\'smildrayswereoverpoweredbytheruddierlightfromtheruins，makingtheweakflametoappearlikethemoonbyday。

SittingtherehesawFarmerSpringroveenterthedoor，followedbyhissonEdward，stillcarryinghistravelling-baginhishand。TheywerespeakingofthesaddeathofMrs。Manston，butthesubjectwasrelinquishedforthatofthehousesburnt。

Thisrowofhouses，runningfromtheinneastward，hadbeenbuiltunderthefollowingcircumstances：——

Fiftyyearsbeforethisdate，thespotuponwhichthecottagesafterwardsstoodwasablankstrip，alongthesideofthevillagestreet，difficulttocultivate，onaccountoftheoutcropthereonofalargebedofflintscalledlocallya\'lanch\'or\'lanchet。\'

TheAldclyffetheninpossessionoftheestateconceivedtheideathatarowofcottageswouldbeanimprovementtothespot，andaccordinglygrantedleasesofportionstoseveralrespectableinhabitants。Eachlesseewastobesubjecttothepaymentofamerelynominalrentforthewholetermoflives，onconditionthathebuilthisowncottage，anddelivereditupintactattheendoftheterm。

Thosewhohadbuilthad，onebyone，relinquishedtheirindentures，eitherbysaleorbarter，toFarmerSpringrove\'sfather。Newliveswereaddedinsomecases，bypaymentofasumtothelordofthemanor，etc。，andalltheleaseswerenowheldbythefarmerhimself，asoneofthechiefprovisionsforhisoldage。

Thestewardhadbecomeinterestedinthefollowingconversation：——

\'Trynottobesodepressed，father；theyareallinsured。\'

ThewordscamefromEdwardinananxioustone。

\'Youmistake，Edward；theyarenotinsured，\'returnedtheoldmangloomily。

\'Not？\'thesonasked。

\'Notone！\'saidthefarmer。

\'IntheHelmetFireOffice，surely？\'

\'Theywereinsuredthereeveryone。Sixmonthsagotheoffice，whichhadbeenraisingthepremiumsonthatchedpremiseshigherforsomeyears，gaveupinsuringthemaltogether，astwoorthreeotherfire-officeshaddonepreviously，onaccount，theysaid，oftheuncertaintyandgreatnessoftheriskofthatchundetached。EversincethenIhavebeencontinuallyintendingtogotoanotheroffice，buthavenevergone。Whoexpectsafire？\'

\'Doyourememberthetermsoftheleases？\'saidEdward，stillmoreuneasily。

\'No，notparticularly，\'saidhisfatherabsently。

\'Wherearethey？\'

\'Inthebureauthere；that\'swhyItriedtosaveitfirst，amongotherthings。\'

\'Well，wemustseetothatatonce。\'

\'Whatdoyouwant？\'

\'Thekey。\'

Theywentintothesouthaisle，tookthecandlefromthefont，andthenproceededtoopenthebureau，whichhadbeenplacedinacornerunderthegallery。Bothleantoverupontheflap；Edwardholdingthecandle，whilsthisfathertookthepiecesofparchmentfromoneofthedrawers，andspreadthefirstoutbeforehim。

\'Youreadit，Ted。Ican\'tseewithoutmyglasses。Thisonewillbesufficient。Thetermsofallarethesame。\'

Edwardtooktheparchment，andreadquicklyandindistinctlyforsometime；thenaloudandslowlyasfollows：——

\'AndthesaidJohnSpringroveforhimselfhisheirsexecutorsandadministratorsdothcovenantandagreewiththesaidGeraldFellcourtAldclyffehisheirsandassignsthathethesaidJohnSpringrovehisheirsandassignsduringthesaidtermshallpayuntothesaidGeraldFellcourtAldclyffehisheirsandassignstheclearyearlyrentoftenshillingsandsixpence……attheseveraltimeshereinbeforeappointedforthepaymentthereofrespectively。

AndalsoshallandatalltimesduringthesaidtermwellandsufficientlyrepairandkeepthesaidCottageorDwelling-houseandallotherthepremisesandallhousesorbuildingserectedortobeerectedthereuponingoodandproperrepairineveryrespectwithoutexceptionandthesaidpremisesinsuchgoodrepairuponthedeterminationofthisdemiseshallyieldupuntothesaidGeraldFellcourtAldclyffehisheirsandassigns。\'

Theyclosedthebureauandturnedtowardsthedoorofthechurchwithoutspeaking。

Manstonalsohadcomeforwardoutofthegloom。Notwithstandingthefarmer\'sowntroubles，aninstinctiverespectandgeneroussenseofsympathywiththestewardforhisawfullosscausedtheoldmantostepaside，thatManstonmightpassoutwithoutspeakingtothemifhechosetodoso。

\'Whoishe？\'whisperedEdwardtohisfather，asManstonapproached。

\'Mr。Manston，thesteward。\'

Manstoncamenear，andpasseddowntheaisleonthesideoftheyoungerman。Theirfacescamealmostclosetogether：onelargeflame，whichstilllingeredupontheruinsoutside，threwlongdancingshadowsofeachacrossthenavetilltheybentupwardsagainsttheaislewall，andalsoilluminatedtheireyes，aseachmetthoseoftheother。Edwardhadlearnt，byaletterfromhome，ofthesteward\'spassionforCytherea，andhismysteriousrepressionofit，afterwardsexplainedbyhismarriage。Thatmarriagewasnownought。Edwardrealizedtheman\'snewlyacquiredfreedom，andfeltaninstinctiveenmitytowardshim——hewouldhardlyowntohimselfwhy。Thesteward，too，knewCytherea\'sattachmenttoEdward，andlookedkeenlyandinscrutablyathim。

7。ONETOTWOA。M。

Manstonwenthomewardalone，hisheartfullofstrangeemotions。

Enteringthehouse，anddismissingthewomantoherownhome，heatonceproceededupstairstohisbedroom。

Reasoningworldliness，especiallywhenalliedwithsensuousness，cannotrepressonsomeextremeoccasionsthehumaninstincttopouroutthesoultosomeBeingorPersonality，whoinfrigidmomentsisdismissedwiththetitleofChance，oratmostLaw。Manstonwasselfishlyandinhumanly，buthonestlyandunutterably，thankfulfortherecentcatastrophe。Besidehisbed，forthatfirsttimeduringaperiodofnearlytwentyyears，hefelldownuponhiskneesinapassionateoutburstoffeeling。

Manyminutespassedbeforehearose。Hewalkedtothewindow，andthenseemedtorememberforthefirsttimethatsomeactiononhispartwasnecessaryinconnectionwiththesadcircumstanceofthenight。

Leavingthehouseatonce，hewenttothesceneofthefire，arrivingthereintimetoheartherectormakinganarrangementwithacertainnumberofmentowatchthespottillmorning。Theasheswerestillred-hotandflaming。Manstonfoundthatnothingcouldbedonetowardssearchingthematthathourofthenight。Heturnedhomewardagain，inthecompanyoftherector，whohadconsideratelypersuadedhimtoretirefromthesceneforawhile，andpromisedthatassoonasamancouldliveamidtheembersoftheThreeTrantersInn，theyshouldbecarefullysearchedfortheremainsofhisunfortunatewife。

Manstonthenwentindoors，towaitformorning。

XI。THEEVENTSOFFIVEDAYS

1。NOVEMBERTHETWENTY-NINTH

Thesearchbeganatdawn，butaquarterpastnineo\'clockcamewithoutbringinganyresult。Manstonatealittlebreakfast，andcrossedthehollowoftheparkwhichintervenedbetweentheoldandmodernmanor-houses，toaskforaninterviewwithMissAldclyffe。

Hemethermidway。Shewasabouttopayhimavisitofcondolence，andtoplaceeverymanontheestateathisdisposal，thatthesearchforanyrelicofhisdeadanddestroyedwifemightnotbedelayedaninstant。

Heaccompaniedherbacktothehouse。Atfirsttheyconversedasifthedeathofthepoorwomanwasaneventwhichthehusbandmustofnecessitydeeplylament；andwhenallunderthisheadthatsocialformseemedtorequirehadbeenuttered，theyspokeofthematerialdamagedone，andofthestepswhichhadbetterbetakentoremedyit。

Itwasnottillbothwereshutinsideherprivateroomthatshespoketohiminherbluntandcynicalmanner。Acertainnewnessofbearinginhim，peculiartothepresentmorning，hadhithertoforbiddenherthistone：thedemeanourofthesubjectofherfavouritismhadaltered，shecouldnottellinwhatway。Hewasentirelyachangedman。

\'Areyoureallysorryforyourpoorwife，Mr。Manston？\'shesaid。

\'Well，Iam，\'heansweredshortly。

\'Butonlyasforanyhumanbeingwhohasmetwithaviolentdeath？\'

Heconfessedit——\'Forshewasnotagoodwoman，\'headded。

\'Ishouldbesorrytosaysuchathingnowthepoorcreatureisdead，\'MissAldclyffereturnedreproachfully。

\'Why？\'heasked。\'WhyshouldIpraiseherifshedoesn\'tdeserveit？IsayexactlywhatIhaveoftenadmiredSterneforsayinginoneofhisletters——thatneitherreasonnorScriptureasksustospeaknothingbutgoodofthedead。Andnow，madam，\'hecontinued，afterashortintervalofthought，\'Imay，perhaps，hopethatyouwillassistme，orrathernotthwartme，inendeavouringtowintheloveofayoungladylivingaboutyou，oneinwhomIammuchinterestedalready。\'

\'Cytherea！\'

\'Yes，Cytherea。\'

\'YouhavebeenlovingCythereaallthewhile？\'

\'Yes。\'

Surprisewasaprefacetomuchagitationinher，whichcausedhertorisefromherseat，andpacetothesideoftheroom。Thestewardquietlylookedonandadded，\'Ihavebeenlovingandstillloveher。\'

Shecamecloseuptohim，wistfullycontemplatinghisface，onehandmovingindecisivelyatherside。

\'Andyoursecretmarriagewas，then，thetrueandonlyreasonforthatbackwardnessregardingthecourtshipofCytherea，which，theytellme，hasbeenthetalkofthevillage；notyourindifferencetoherattractions。\'Hervoicehadatoneofconvictioninit，aswellasofinquiry；butnoneofjealousy。

\'Yes，\'hesaid；\'andnotadishonourableone。Whatheldmebackwasjustthatonething——asenseofmoralitythatperhaps，madam，youdidnotgivemecreditfor。\'Thelatterwordswerespokenwithamienandtoneofpride。

MissAldclyffepreservedsilence。

\'Andnow，\'hewenton，\'Imayaswellsayawordinvindicationofmyconductlately，attherisk，too，ofoffendingyou。MyactualmotiveinsubmittingtoyourorderthatIshouldsendformylatewife，andlivewithher，wasnotthemercenarypolicyofwishingtoretainanofficewhichbringsmegreatercomfortsthananyIhaveenjoyedbefore，butthisunquenchablepassionforCytherea。ThoughIsawtheweakness，folly，andevenwickednessofitcontinually，itstillforcedmetotrytocontinuenearher，evenasthehusbandofanotherwoman。\'

Hewaitedforhertospeak：shedidnot。

\'There\'sagreatobstacletomymakinganywayinwinningMissGraye\'slove，\'hewenton。

\'Yes，EdwardSpringrove，\'shesaidquietly。\'Iknowit，Ididoncewanttoseethemmarried；theyhavehadaslightquarrel，anditwillsoonbemadeupagain，unless——\'shespokeasifshehadonlyhalfattendedtoManston\'slaststatement。

\'Heisalreadyengagedtobemarriedtosomebodyelse，\'saidthesteward。

\'Pooh！\'saidshe，\'youmeantohiscousinatPeakhill；that\'snothingtohelpus；he\'snowcomehometobreakitoff。\'

\'Hemustnotbreakitoff，\'saidManston，firmlyandcalmly。

Histoneattractedher，startledher。Recoveringherself，shesaidhaughtily，\'Well，that\'syouraffair，notmine。ThoughmywishhasbeentoseeherYOURwife，Ican\'tdoanythingdishonourabletobringaboutsucharesult。\'

\'ButitmustbeMADEyouraffair，\'hesaidinahard，steadyvoice，lookingintohereyes，asifhesawtherethewholepanoramaofherpast。

Oneofthemostdifficultthingstoportraybywrittenwordsisthatpeculiarmixtureofmoodsexpressedinawoman\'scountenancewhen，afterhavingbeensedulouslyengagedinestablishinganother\'sposition，shesuddenlysuspectshimofunderminingherown。ItwasthusthatMissAldclyffelookedatthesteward。

\'You——know——something——ofme？\'shefaltered。

\'Iknowall，\'hesaid。

\'Thencursethatwifeofyours！Shewroteandsaidshewouldn\'ttellyou！\'sheburstout。\'Couldn\'tshekeepherwordforaday？\'

Shereflectedandthensaid，butnomoreastoastranger，\'Iwillnotyield。Ihavecommittednocrime。Iyieldedtoherthreatsinamomentofweakness，thoughIfeltinclinedtodefyheratthetime：itwaschieflybecauseIwasmystifiedastohowshegottoknowofit。Pooh！Iwillputupwiththreatsnomore。O，canYOU

threatenme？\'sheaddedsoftly，asifshehadforthemomentforgottentowhomshehadbeenspeaking。

\'Mylovemustbemadeyouraffair，\'herepeated，withouttakinghiseyesfromher。

Anagony，whichwasnottheagonyofbeingdiscoveredinasecret，obstructedherutteranceforatime。\'HowcanyouturnuponmesowhenIschemedtogetyouhere——schemedthatyoumightwinhertillIfoundyouweremarried。O，howcanyou！O！……O！\'Shewept；

andtheweepingofsuchanaturewasasharrowingastheweepingofaman。

\'Yourgettingmeherewasbadpolicyastoyoursecret——themostabsurdthingintheworld，\'hesaid，notheedingherdistress。\'I

knewall，excepttheidentityoftheindividual，longago。DirectlyIfoundthatmycomingherewasacontrivedthing，andnotamatterofchance，itfixedmyattentionuponyouatonce。Allthatwasrequiredwasthemeresparkoflife，tomakeofabundleofperceptionsanorganicwhole。\'

\'Policy，howcanyoutalkofpolicy？Think，dothink！Andhowcanyouthreatenmewhenyouknow——youknow——thatIwouldbefriendyoureadilywithoutathreat！\'

\'Yes，yes，Ithinkyouwould，\'hesaidmorekindly；\'butyourindifferenceforsomany，manyyearshasmademedoubtit。\'

\'No，notindifference——\'twasenforcedsilence。Myfatherlived。\'

Hetookherhand，andhelditgently。

***

\'Nowlisten，\'hesaid，morequietlyandhumanly，whenshehadbecomecalmer：\'Springrovemustmarrythewomanhe\'sengagedto。Youmaymakehim，butonlyinoneway。\'

\'Well：butdon\'tspeaksternly，AEneas！\'

\'Doyouknowthathisfatherhasnotbeenparticularlythrivingforthelasttwoorthreeyears？\'

\'Ihaveheardsomethingofit，onceortwice，thoughhisrentshavebeenpromptlypaid，haven\'tthey？\'

\'Oyes；anddoyouknowthetermsoftheleasesofthehouseswhichareburnt？\'hesaid，explainingtoherthatbythosetermsshemightcompelhimeventorebuildeveryhouse。\'ThecaseistheclearestcaseoffirebynegligencethatIhaveeverknown，inadditiontothat，\'hecontinued。

\'Idon\'twantthemrebuilt；youknowitwasintendedbymyfather，directlytheyfellin，toclearthesiteforanewentrancetothepark？\'

\'Yes，butthatdoesn\'taffecttheposition，whichisthatFarmerSpringroveisinyourpowertoanextentwhichisveryseriousforhim。\'

\'Iwon\'tdoit——\'tisaconspiracy。\'

\'Won\'tyouforme？\'hesaideagerly。

MissAldclyffechangedcolour。

\'Idon\'tthreatennow，Iimplore，\'hesaid。

\'Becauseyoumightthreatenifyouchose，\'shemournfullyanswered。

\'Butwhybeso——whenyourmarriagewithherwasmyownpetidealongbeforeitwasyours？WhatmustIdo？\'

\'Scarcelyanything：simplythis。WhenIhaveseenoldMr。

Springrove，whichIshalldoinadayortwo，andtoldhimthathewillbeexpectedtorebuildthehouses，doyouseetheyoungman。

Seehimyourself，inorderthattheproposalsmademaynotappeartobeanythingmorethananimpulseofyourown。Youorhewillbringupthesubjectofthehouses。Torebuildthemwouldbeamatterofatleastsixhundredpounds，andhewillalmostsurelysaythatwearehardininsistingupontheextremeletteroftheleases。Thentellhimthatscarcelycanyouyourselfthinkofcompellinganoldtenantlikehisfathertoanysuchpainfulextreme——thereshallbenocompulsiontobuild，simplyasurrenderoftheleases。Thenspeakfeelinglyofhiscousin，asawomanwhomyourespectandlove，andwhosesecretyouhavelearnttobethatsheisheart-sickwithhopedeferred。Beghimtomarryher，hisbetrothedandyourfriend，assomereturnforyourconsiderationtowardshisfather。Don\'tsuggesttooearlyadayfortheirmarriage，orhewillsuspectyouofsomemotivebeyondwomanlysympathy。Coaxhimtomakeapromisetoherthatsheshallbehiswifeattheendofatwelvemonth，andgethim，onassentingtothis，towritetoCytherea，entirelyrenouncingher。\'

\'Shehasalreadyaskedhimtodothat。\'

\'Somuchthebetter——andtellingher，too，thatheisabouttofulfilhislong-standingpromisetomarryhiscousin。Ifyouthinkitworthwhile，youmaysayCythereawasnotindisposedtothinkofmebeforesheknewIwasmarried。IhaveathomeanoteshewrotemethefirsteveningIsawher，whichlooksratherwarm，andwhichI

couldshowyou。Trustme，hewillgiveherup。WhenheismarriedtoAdelaideHinton，Cythereawillbeinducedtomarryme——perhapsbefore；awoman\'sprideissoonwounded。\'

\'Andhadn\'tIbetterwritetoMr。Nyttleton，andinquiremoreparticularlywhat\'sthelawuponthehouses？\'

\'Ono，there\'snohurryforthat。Weknowwellenoughhowthecasestands——quitewellenoughtotalkingeneraltermsaboutit。AndI

wantthepressuretobeputuponyoungSpringrovebeforehegoesawayfromhomeagain。\'

Shelookedathimfurtively，long，andsadly，asafterspeakinghebecamelostinthought，hiseyeslistlesslytracingthepatternofthecarpet。\'Yes，yes，shewillbemine，\'hewhispered，carelessofCythereaAldclyffe\'spresence。Atlastheraisedhiseyesinquiringly。

\'Iwilldomybest，AEneas，\'sheanswered。

Talibusincusat。Manstonthenleftthehouse，andagainwenttowardstheblackenedruins，wheremenwerestillrakingandprobing。

2。FROMNOVEMBERTHETWENTY-NINTHTODECEMBERTHESECOND

ThesmoulderingremnantsoftheThreeTrantersInnseemedtopromisethat，evenwhenthesearchersshouldlightupontheremainsoftheunfortunateMrs。Manston，verylittlewouldbediscoverable。

Consistingsolargelyofthecharcoalandashesofharddryoakandchestnut，intermingledwiththatch，theinterioroftheheapwasoneglowingmassofembers，which，onbeingstirredabout，emittedsparksandflamelongafteritwasdeadandblackontheoutside。

Itwaspersistentlyhoped，however，thatsometracesofthebodywouldsurvivetheeffectofthehotcoals，andafterasearchpursueduninterruptedlyforthirtyhours，underthedirectionofManstonhimself，enoughwasfoundtosetatrestanydoubtsofherfate。

Themelancholygleaningsconsistedofherwatch，bunchofkeys，afewcoins，andtwocharredandblackenedbones。

TwodayslatertheofficialinquiryintothecauseofherdeathwasheldattheRisingSunInn，beforeMr。Floy，thecoroner，andajuryofthechiefinhabitantsofthedistrict。Thelittletavern——theonlyremainingoneinthevillage——wascrowdedtoexcessbytheneighbouringpeasantryaswellastheirricheremployers：allwhocouldbyanypossibilityobtainanhour\'sreleasefromtheirdutiesbeingpresentaslisteners。

Thejuryviewedthesadandinfinitesimalremains，whichwerefoldedinawhitecambriccloth，andlaidinthemiddleofawell-finishedcoffinlinedwithwhitesilk(byManston\'sorder)，whichstoodinanadjoiningroom，thebulkofthecoffinbeingcompletelyfilledinwithcarefullyarrangedflowersandevergreens——alsothesteward\'sowndoing。

AbrahamBrown，ofHoxton，London——anoldwhite-headedman，withouttheruddinesswhichmakeswhitehairssopleasing——wassworn，anddeposedthathekeptalodging-houseatanaddresshenamed。OnaSaturdayeveninglessthanamonthbeforethefire，aladycametohim，withverylittleluggage，andtookthefrontroomonthesecondfloor。Hedidnotinquirewhereshecamefrom，asshepaidaweekinadvance，butshegavehernameasMrs。Manston，referringhim，ifhewishedforanyguaranteeofherrespectability，toMr。Manston，KnapwaterPark。Hereshelivedforthreeweeks，rarelygoingout。

Shesleptawayfromherlodgingsonenightduringthetime。Attheendofthattime，onthetwenty-eighthofNovember，shelefthishouseinafour-wheeledcab，abouttwelveo\'clockintheday，tellingthedrivertotakehertotheWaterlooStation。Shepaidallherlodgingexpenses，andnothavinggivennoticethefullweekprevioustohergoingaway，offeredtopayforthenext，butheonlytookhalf。Sheworeathickblackveil，andgreywaterproofcloak，whenshelefthim，andherluggagewastwoboxes，oneofplaindeal，withblackjapannedclamps，theothersewnupincanvas。

JosephChinney，porterattheCarrifordRoadStation，deposedthathesawMrs。Manston，dressedasthelastwitnesshaddescribed，getoutofasecond-classcarriageonthenightofthetwenty-eighth。

Shestoodbesidehimwhilstherluggagewastakenfromthevan。Theluggage，consistingoftheclampeddealboxandanothercoveredwithcanvas，wasplacedinthecloak-room。Sheseemedatalossatfindingnobodytheretomeether。Sheaskedhimforsomepersontoaccompanyher，andcarryherbagtoMr。Manston\'shouse，KnapwaterPark。Hewasjustoffdutyatthattime，andofferedtogohimself。

ThewitnesshererepeatedtheconversationhehadhadwithMrs。

Manstonduringtheirwalk，andtestifiedtohavingleftheratthedooroftheThreeTrantersInn，Mr。Manston\'shousebeingclosed。

Next，FarmerSpringrovewascalled。Amurmurofsurpriseandcommiserationpassedroundthecrowdedroomwhenhesteppedforward。

Theeventsofthefewprecedingdayshadsoworkeduponhisnervouslythoughtfulnaturethattheblueorbitsofhiseyes，andthemerespotofscarlettowhichtheruddinessofhischeekshadcontracted，seemedtheresultofaheavysickness。Aperfectsilencepervadedtheassemblywhenhespoke。

HisstatementwasthathereceivedMrs。Manstonatthethreshold，andaskedhertoentertheparlour。Shewouldnotdoso，andstoodinthepassagewhilstthemaidwentupstairstoseethattheroomwasinorder。Themaidcamedowntothemiddlelandingofthestaircase，whenMrs。Manstonfollowedheruptotheroom。Hedidnotspeaktenwordswithheraltogether。

Afterwards，whilsthewasstandingatthedoorlisteningforhissonEdward\'sreturn，hesawherlightextinguished，havingfirstcaughtsightofhershadowmovingabouttheroom。

THECORONER：\'Didhershadowappeartobethatofawomanundressing？\'

SPRINGROVE：\'Icannotsay，asIdidn\'ttakeparticularnotice。Itmovedbackwardsandforwards；shemighthavebeenundressingormerelypacingupanddowntheroom。\'

Mrs。Fitler，theostler\'swifeandchambermaid，saidthatsheprecededMrs。Manstonintotheroom，putdownthecandle，andwentout。Mrs。Manstonscarcelyspoketoher，excepttoaskhertobringalittlebrandy。Witnesswentandfetcheditfromthebar，broughtitup，andputitonthedressing-table。

THECORONER：\'HadMrs。Manstonbeguntoundress，whenyoucameback？\'

\'No，sir；shewassittingonthebed，witheverythingon，aswhenshecamein。\'

\'Didshebegintoundressbeforeyouleft？\'

\'NotexactlybeforeIhadleft；butwhenIhadclosedthedoor，andwasonthelandingIheardherbootdroponthefloor，asitdoessometimeswhenpulledoff？\'

\'Hadherfaceappearedwornandsleepy？\'

\'IcannotsayasherbonnetandveilwerestillonwhenIleft，forsheseemedrathershyandashamedtobeseenattheThreeTrantersatall。\'

\'Anddidyouhearorseeanymoreofher？\'

\'Nomore，sir。\'

Mrs。Crickett，temporaryservanttoMr。Manston，saidthatinaccordancewithMr。Manston\'sorders，everythinghadbeenmadecomfortableinthehouseforMrs。Manston\'sexpectedreturnonMondaynight。Mr。ManstontoldherthathimselfandMrs。Manstonwouldbehomelate，nottillbetweenelevenandtwelveo\'clock，andthatsupperwastobeready。NotexpectingMrs。Manstonsoearly，shehadgoneoutonaveryimportanterrandtoMrs。Leatthepostmistress。

Mr。ManstondeposedthatinlookingdownthecolumnsofBradshawhehadmistakenthetimeofthetrain\'sarrival，andhencewasnotatthestationwhenshecame。Thebrokenwatchproducedwashiswife\'s——heknewitbyascratchontheinnerplate，andbyothersigns。Thebunchofkeysbelongedtoher：twoofthemfittedthelocksofhertwoboxes。

Mr。Flooks，agenttoLordClaydonfieldatChettlewood，saidthatMr。

Manstonhadpleadedashisexcuseforleavinghimratherearlyintheeveningaftertheirday\'sbusinesshadbeensettled，thathewasgoingtomeethiswifeatCarrifordRoadStation，whereshewascomingbythelasttrainthatnight。

Thesurgeonsaidthattheremainswerethoseofahumanbeing。Thesmallfragmentseemedaportionofoneofthelumbarvertebrae——theothertheheadoftheosfemoris——buttheywerebothsofargonethatitwasimpossibletosaydefinitelywhethertheybelongedtothebodyofamaleorfemale。Therewasnomoraldoubtthattheywereawoman\'s。Hedidnotbelievethatdeathresultedfromburningbyfire。Hethoughtshewascrushedbythefallofthewestgable，whichbeingofwood，aswellasthefloor，burntafterithadfallen，andconsumedthebodywithit。

Twoorthreeadditionalwitnessesgaveunimportanttestimony。

Thecoronersummedup，andthejurywithouthesitationfoundthatthedeceasedMrs。ManstoncamebyherdeathaccidentallythroughtheburningoftheThreeTrantersInn。

3。DECEMBERTHESECOND。AFTERNOON

WhenMr。SpringrovecamefromthedooroftheRisingSunattheendoftheinquiry，Manstonwalkedbyhissideasfarasthestiletothepark，adistanceofaboutastone\'s-throw。

\'Ah，Mr。Springrove，thisisasadaffairforeverybodyconcerned。\'

\'Everybody，\'saidtheoldfarmer，withdeepsadness，\'\'tisquiteamiserytome。IhardlyknowhowIshalllivethrougheachdayasitbreaks。Ithinkofthewords，“Inthemorningthoushaltsay，WouldGoditwereeven！andateventhoushaltsay，WouldGoditweremorning！forthefearofthineheartwherewiththoushaltfear，andforthesightofthineeyeswhichthoushaltsee。“\'Hisvoicebecamebroken。

\'Ah——true。IreadDeuteronomymyself，\'saidManston。

\'Butmylossisasnothingtoyours，\'thefarmercontinued。

\'Nothing；butIcancommiserateyou。IshouldbeworsethanunfeelingifIdidn\'t，althoughmyownafflictionisofsosadandsolemnakind。Indeedmyownlossmakesmemorekeenlyalivetoyours，differentinnatureasitis。\'

\'Whatsumdoyouthinkwouldberequiredofmetoputthehousesinplaceagain？\'

\'Ihaveroughlythoughtsixorsevenhundredpounds。\'

\'Iftheletterofthelawistobeactedupto，\'saidtheoldman，withmoreagitationinhisvoice。

\'Yes，exactly。\'

\'DoyouknowenoughofMissAldclyffe\'smindtogivemeanideaofhowshemeanstotreatme？\'

\'Well，IamafraidImusttellyouthatthoughIknowverylittleofhermindasarule，inthismatterIbelieveshewillberatherperemptory；shemightsharetotheextentofasixthoraneighthperhaps，inconsiderationofhergettingnewlampsforold，butI

shouldhardlythinkmore。\'

Thestewardsteppeduponthestile，andMr。Springrovewentalongtheroadwithabowedheadandheavyfootstepstowardshisniece\'scottage，inwhich，ratheragainstthewishofEdward，theyhadtemporarilytakenrefuge。

Theadditionalweightofthisknowledgesoonmadeitselfperceptible。ThoughindoorswithEdwardorAdelaidenearlythewholeoftheafternoon，nothingmorethanmonosyllabicrepliescouldbedrawnfromhim。Edwardcontinuallydiscoveredhimlookingfixedlyatthewallorfloor，quiteunconsciousofanother\'spresence。Atsupperheatejustasusual，butquitemechanically，andwiththesameabstraction。

4。DECEMBERTHETHIRD

Thenextmorninghewasinnobetterspirits。Afternooncame：hissonwasalarmed，andmanagedtodrawfromhimanaccountoftheconversationwiththesteward。

\'Nonsense；heknowsnothingaboutit，\'saidEdwardvehemently。

\'I\'llseeMissAldclyffemyself。Nowpromiseme，father，thatyou\'llnotbelievetillIcomeback，andtellyoutobelieveit，thatMissAldclyffewilldoanysuchunjustthing。\'

EdwardstartedatonceforKnapwaterHouse。Hestroderapidlyalongthehigh-road，tillhereachedawicketwhereafootpathallowedofashortcuttothemansion。Hereheleantdownuponthebarsforafewminutes，meditatingastothebestmannerofopeninghisspeech，andsurveyingthescenebeforehiminthatabsentmoodwhichtakescognizanceoflittlethingswithoutbeingconsciousofthematthetime，thoughtheyappearintheeyeafterwardsasvividimpressions。

Itwasayellow，lustrous，lateautumnday，oneofthosedaysofthequarterwhenmorningandeveningseemtomeettogetherwithouttheinterventionofanoon。TheclearyellowsunlighthadtemptedforthMissAldclyffeherself，whowasatthissametimetakingawalkinthedirectionofthevillage。AsSpringrovelingeredheheardbehindtheplantationawoman\'sdressbrushingalongamidthepricklyhusksandleaveswhichhadfallenintothepathfromtheboughsofthechestnuttrees。Inanotherminuteshestoodinfrontofhim。

Heansweredhercasualgreetingrespectfully，andwasabouttorequestafewminutes\'conversationwithher，whenshedirectlyaddressedhimonthesubjectofthefire。\'Itisasadmisfortuneforyourfather\'shesaid，\'andIhearthathehaslatelylethisinsurancesexpire？\'

\'Hehas，madam，andyouareprobablyawarethateitherbythegeneraltermsofhisholding，orthesamecoupledwiththeoriginofthefire，thedisastermayinvolvethenecessityofhisrebuildingthewholerowofhouses，orelseofbecomingadebtortotheestate，totheextentofsomehundredsofpounds？\'

Sheassented。\'Ihavebeenthinkingofit，\'shewenton，andthenrepeatedinsubstancethewordsputintohermouthbythesteward。

SomedisturbanceofthoughtmighthavebeenfanciedastakingplaceinSpringrove\'smindduringherstatement，butbeforeshehadreachedtheend，hiseyeswereclear，anddirecteduponher。

\'Idon\'tacceptyourconditionsofrelease，\'hesaid。

\'Theyarenotconditionsexactly。\'

\'Well，whatevertheyarenot，theyareveryuncalled-forremarks。\'

\'Notatall——thehouseshavebeenburntbyyourfamily\'snegligence。\'

\'Idon\'trefertothehouses——youhaveofcoursethebestofallrightstospeakofthatmatter；butyou，astrangertomecomparatively，havenorightatalltovolunteeropinionsandwishesuponaverydelicatesubject，whichconcernsnolivingbeingsbutMissGraye，MissHinton，andmyself。\'

MissAldclyffe，likeagoodmanyothersinherposition，hadplainlynotrealizedthatasonofhertenantandinferiorcouldhavebecomeaneducatedman，whohadlearnttofeelhisindividuality，toviewsocietyfromaBohemianstandpoint，faroutsidethefarminggradeinCarrifordparish，andthathencehehadalladevelopedman\'sunorthodoxopinionaboutthesubordinationofclasses。AndfullyconsciousofthelabyrinthintowhichhehadwanderedbetweenhiswishtobehavehonourablyinthedilemmaofhisengagementtohiscousinAdelaideandtheintensityofhisloveforCytherea，Springrovewasadditionallysensitivetoanyallusiontothecase。

HehadspokentoMissAldclyffewithconsiderablewarmth。

AndMissAldclyffewasnotawomanlikelytobefarbehindanysecondpersoninwarmingtoamoodofdefiance。Itseemedasifshewerepreparedtoputupwithacoldrefusal，butthatherhaughtinessresentedacriticismofherconductendinginarebuke。

Bythis，Manston\'sdiscreditableobject，whichhadbeenmadehersbycompulsiononly，wasnowadoptedbychoice。Sheflungherselfintothework。

Afierymaninsuchacasewouldhaverelinquishedpersuasionandtriedpalpableforce。Afierywomanaddedunscrupulousnessandevolveddaringstrategy；andinherobstinacy，andtosustainherselfasmistress，shedescendedtoanactionthemeannessofwhichhauntedherconsciencetoherdyinghour。

\'Idon\'tquitesee，Mr。Springrove，\'shesaid，\'thatIamaltogetherwhatyouarepleasedtocallastranger。Ihaveknownyourfamily，atanyrate，foragoodmanyyears，andIknowMissGrayeparticularlywell，andherstateofmindwithregardtothismatter。\'

Perplexedlovemakesuscredulousandcuriousasoldwomen。Edwardwaswilling，heownedittohimself，togetatCytherea\'sstateofmind，eventhroughsodangerousamedium。

\'AletterIreceivedfromher\'hesaid，withassumedcoldness，\'tellsmeclearlyenoughwhatMissGraye\'smindis。\'

\'Youthinkshestilllovesyou？Oyes，ofcourseyoudo——allmenarelikethat。\'

\'Ihavereasonto。\'Hecouldfeignnofurtherthanthefirstspeech。

\'Ishouldbeinterestedinknowingwhatreason？\'shesaid，withsarcasticarchness。

Edwardfelthewasallowinghertodo，infractionalparts，whatherebelledagainstwhenregardingitasawhole；butthefactthathisantagonisthadthepresenceofaqueen，andfeaturesonlyintheearlyeveningoftheirbeauty，wasnotwithoutitsinfluenceuponakeenlyconsciousman。Herbearinghadcharmedhimintotoleration，asMaryStuart\'scharmedtheindignantPuritanvisitors。Heagainansweredherhonestly。

\'Thebestofreasons——thetoneofherletter。\'

\'Pooh，Mr。Springrove！\'

\'Notatall，MissAldclyffe！MissGrayedesiredthatweshouldbestrangerstoeachotherforthesimplepracticalreasonthatintimacycouldonlymakewretchedcomplicationsworse，notfromlackoflove——loveisonlysuppressed。\'

\'Don\'tyouknowyet，thatinthusputtingasideaman，awoman\'spityforthepainsheinflictsgivesherakindnessoftonewhichisoftenmistakenforsuppressedlove？\'saidMissAldclyffe，withsoftinsidiousness。

ThiswasatranslationoftheambiguityofCytherea\'stonewhichhehadcertainlyneverthoughtof；andhewastooingenuousnottoownit。

\'Ihadneverthoughtofit，\'hesaid。

\'Anddon\'tbelieveit？\'

\'Notunlesstherewassomeotherevidencetosupporttheview。\'

Shepausedaminuteandthenbeganhesitatingly——

\'Myintentionwas——whatIdidnotdreamofowningtoyou——myintentionwastotrytoinduceyoutofulfilyourpromisetoMissHintonnotsolelyonheraccountandyours(thoughpartly)。IloveCythereaGrayewithallmysoul，andIwanttoseeherhappyevenmorethanIdoyou。Ididnotmeantodraghernameintotheaffairatall，butIamdriventosaythatshewrotethatletterofdismissaltoyou——foritwasamostpronounceddismissal——notonaccountofyourengagement。Sheisoldenoughtoknowthatengagementscanbebrokenaseasilyastheycanbemade。Shewroteitbecauseshelovedanotherman；verysuddenly，andnotwithanyideaorhopeofmarryinghim，butnonethelessdeeply。\'

\'Who？\'

\'Mr。Manston。\'

\'Good——！Ican\'tlistentoyouforaninstant，madam；why，shehadn\'tseenhim！\'

\'Shehad；hecameherethedaybeforeshewrotetoyou；andIcouldprovetoyou，ifitwereworthwhile，thatonthatdayshewentvoluntarilytohishouse，thoughnotartfullyorblamably；stayedfortwohoursplayingandsinging；thatnosoonerdidsheleavehimthanshewentstraighthome，andwrotethelettersayingsheshouldnotseeyouagain，entirelybecauseshehadseenhimandfallendesperatelyinlovewithhim——aperfectlynaturalthingforayounggirltodo，consideringthathe\'sthehandsomestmaninthecounty。

Whyelseshouldshenothavewrittentoyoubefore？\'

\'BecauseIwassucha——becauseshedidnotknowoftheconnectionbetweenmeandmycousinuntilthen。\'

\'Imustthinkshedid。\'

\'Onwhatground？\'

\'Onthestronggroundofmyhavingtoldherso，distinctly，theveryfirstdayshecametolivewithme。\'

\'Well，whatdoyouseektoimpressuponmeafterall？This——thatthedayMissGrayewrotetome，sayingitwasbetterthatweshouldpart，coincidedwiththedayshehadseenacertainman——\'

\'Aremarkablyhandsomeandtalentedman。\'

\'Yes，Iadmitthat。\'

\'Andthatitcoincidedwiththehourjustsubsequenttoherseeinghim。\'

\'Yes，justwhenshehadseenhim。\'

\'Andbeentohishousealonewithhim。\'

\'Itisnothing。\'

\'Andstayedthereplayingandsingingwithhim。\'

\'Admitthat，too，\'hesaid；\'anaccidentmighthavecausedit。\'

\'Andatthesameinstantthatshewroteyourdismissalshewrotealetterreferringtoasecretappointmentwithhim。\'

\'Never，byGod，madam！never！\'

\'Whatdoyousay，sir？\'

\'Never。\'

Shesneered。

\'There\'snoaccountingforbeliefs，andthewholehistoryisaverytrivialmatter；butIamresolvedtoprovethatalady\'swordistruthful，thoughuponamatterwhichconcernsneitheryounorherself。YoushalllearnthatsheDIDwritehimaletterconcerninganassignation——thatis，ifMr。Manstonstillhasit，andwillbeconsiderateenoughtolenditme。\'

\'Butbesides，\'continuedEdward，\'amarriedmantodowhatwouldcauseayounggirltowriteanoteofthekindyoumention！\'

Sheflushedalittle。

\'ThatIdon\'tknowanythingabout，\'shestammered。\'ButCythereadidn\'t，ofcourse，dreamanymorethanIdid，orothersintheparish，thathewasmarried。\'

\'Ofcourseshedidn\'t。\'

\'AndIhavereasontobelievethathetoldherofthefactdirectlyafterwards，thatshemightnotcompromiseherself，orallowhimto。

Itisnotoriousthathestruggledhonestlyandhardagainstherattractions，andsucceededinhidinghisfeelings，ifnotinquenchingthem。\'

\'We\'llhopethathedid。\'

\'Butcircumstancesarechangednow。\'

\'Verygreatlychanged，\'hemurmuredabstractedly。

\'Youmustremember，\'sheaddedmoresuasively，\'thatMissGrayehasaperfectrighttodowhatshelikeswithherown——herheart，thatistosay。\'

HerdescentfromirritationwascausedbyperceivingthatEdward\'sfaithwasreallydisturbedbyherstrongassertions，anditgratifiedher。

Edward\'sthoughtsflewtohisfather，andtheobjectofhisinterviewwithher。Tongue-fencingwasutterlydistastefultohim。

\'Iwillnottroubleyoubyremaininglonger，madam，\'heremarked，gloomily；\'ourconversationhasendedsadlyforme。\'

\'Don\'tthinkso，\'shesaid，\'anddon\'tbemistaken。Iamolderthanyouare，manyyearsolder，andIknowmanythings。\'

Fullofmiserabledoubt，andbitterlyregrettingthathehadraisedhisfather\'sexpectationsbyanticipationsimpossibleoffulfilment，Edwardslowlywenthiswayintothevillage，andapproachedhiscousin\'shouse。Thefarmerwasatthedoorlookingeagerlyforhim。

Hehadbeenwaitingthereformorethanhalf-an-hour。Hiseyekindledquickly。

\'Well，Ted，whatdoesshesay？\'heasked，intheintenselysanguinetoneswhichfallsadlyuponalistener\'sear，because，antecedently，theyraisepicturesofinevitabledisappointmentforthespeaker，insomedirectionoranother。

\'Nothingforustobealarmedat，\'saidEdward，withaforcedcheerfulness。

\'Butmustwerebuild？\'

\'Itseemswemust，father。\'