第10章

7。AQUARTER-PASTEIGHTO\'CLOCKP。M。

Thereisanattitude——approximativelycalledpensive——inwhichthesoulofahumanbeing，andespeciallyofawoman，dominatesoutwardlyandexpressesitspresencesostrongly，thattheintangibleessenceseemsmoreapparentthanthebodyitself。ThiswasCytherea\'sexpressionnow。WhatolddaysandsunnyevesatBudmouthBaywasshepicturing？Herreveriehadcausedhernottonoticehisknock。

\'Cytherea！\'hesaidsoftly。

Sheletdropherhand，andturnedherhead，evidentlythinkingthathervisitorcouldbenootherthanManston，yetpuzzledatthevoice。

TherewasnoprefaceonSpringrove\'stongue；heforgothisposition——

hers——thathehadcometoaskquietlyifManstonhadotherproofsofbeingawidower——everything——andjumpedtoaconclusion。

\'Youarenothiswife，Cytherea——comeaway，hehasawifeliving！\'

hecriedinanagitatedwhisper。\'Owenwillbeheredirectly。\'

Shestartedup，recognizedthetidingsfirst，thebearerofthemafterwards。\'Nothiswife？O，whatisit——what——whoisliving？\'

Sheawokebydegrees。\'WhatmustIdo？Edward，itisyou！Whydidyoucome？WhereisOwen？\'

\'WhathasManstonshownyouinproofofthedeathofhisotherwife？

Tellmequick。\'

\'Nothing——wehaveneverspokenofthesubject。WhereismybrotherOwen？Iwanthim，Iwanthim！\'

\'Heiscomingby-and-by。Cometothestationtomeethim——do，\'

imploredSpringrove。\'IfMr。Manstoncomes，hewillkeepyoufromme：Iamnobody，\'headdedbitterly，feelingthereproachherwordshadfaintlyshadowedforth。

\'Mr。Manstonisonlygoneouttopostaletterhehasjustwritten，\'

shesaid，andwithoutbeingdistinctlycognizantoftheaction，shewildlylookedforherbonnetandcloak，andbeganputtingthemon，butintheactoffasteningthemutteredaspasmodiccry。

\'No，I\'llnotgooutwithyou，\'shesaid，flingingthearticlesdownagain。Runningtothedoorsheflittedalongthepassage，anddownstairs。

\'Givemeaprivateroom——quiteprivate，\'shesaidbreathlesslytosomeonebelow。

\'Numbertwelveisasingleroom，madam，andunoccupied，\'saidsometongueinastonishment。

Withoutwaitingforanypersontoshowherintoit，Cythereahurriedupstairsagain，brushedthroughthecorridor，enteredtheroomspecified，andclosedthedoor。Edwardheardhersobout——

\'NobodybutOwenshallspeaktome——nobody！\'

\'Hewillbeheredirectly，\'saidSpringrove，closeagainstthepanel，andthenwenttowardsthestairs。Hehadseenher；itwasenough。

Hedescended，steppedintothestreet，andhastenedtomeetOwenattherailway-station。

Asforthepoormaidenwhohadreceivedthenews，sheknewnotwhattothink。ShelistenedtilltheechoofEdward\'sfootstepshaddiedaway，thenbowedherfaceuponthebed。Hersuddenimpulsehadbeentoescapefromsight。Herwearinessaftertheunwontedstrain，mentalandbodily，whichhadbeenputuponherbythescenesshehadpassedthroughduringthelongday，renderedhermuchmoretimidandshakenbyherpositionthanshewouldnaturallyhavebeen。Shethoughtandthoughtofthatsinglefactwhichhadbeentoldher——

thatthefirstMrs。Manstonwasstillliving——tillherbrainseemedreadytoburstitsconfinementwithexcessofthrobbing。Itwasonlynaturalthatsheshould，bydegrees，beunabletoseparatethediscovery，whichwasmatteroffact，fromthesuspicionoftreacheryonherhusband\'spart，whichwasonlymatterofinference。Andthustherearoseinherapersonalfearofhim。

\'Supposeheshouldcomeinnowandseizeme！\'Thisatfirstmerefrenziedsuppositiongrewbydegreestoadefinitehorrorofhispresence，andespeciallyofhisintensegaze。Thussheraisedherselftoaheatofexcitement，whichwasnonethelessrealforbeingventedinnocryofanykind。No；shecouldnotmeetManston\'seyealone，shewouldonlyseehiminherbrother\'scompany。

Almostdeliriouswiththisidea，sheranandlockedthedoortopreventallpossibilityofherintentionsbeingnullified，oralookorwordbeingflungatherbyanybodywhilstsheknewnotwhatshewas。

8。HALF-PASTEIGHTO\'CLOCKP。M。

ThenCythereafeltherwayamidthedarknessoftheroomtillshecametotheheadofthebed，whereshesearchedforthebell-ropeandgaveitapull。Hersummonswasspeedilyansweredbythelandladyherself，whosecuriositytoknowthemeaningofthesestrangeproceedingsknewnobounds。Thelandladyattemptedtoturnthehandleofthedoor。Cythereakeptthedoorlocked。\'PleasetellMr。ManstonwhenhecomesthatIamill，\'shesaidfromtheinside，\'andthatIcannotseehim。\'

\'CertainlyIwill，madam，\'saidthelandlady。\'Won\'tyouhaveafire？\'

\'No，thankyou。\'

\'Noralight？\'

\'Idon\'twantone，thankyou。\'

\'Noranything？\'

\'Nothing。\'

Thelandladywithdrew，thinkinghervisitorhalfinsane。

Manstoncameinaboutfiveminuteslater，andwentatonceuptothesitting-room，fullyexpectingtofindhiswifethere。Helookedround，rang，andwastoldthewordsCythereahadsaid，thatshewastooilltobeseen。

\'Sheisinnumbertwelveroom，\'addedthemaid。

Manstonwasalarmed，andknockedatthedoor。\'Cytherea！\'

\'Iamunwell，Icannotseeyou，\'shesaid。

\'Areyouseriouslyill，dearest？Surelynot。\'

\'No，notseriously。\'

\'Letmecomein；Iwillgetadoctor。\'

\'No，hecan\'tseemeeither。\'

\'Shewon\'topenthedoor，sir，nottonobodyatall！\'saidthechambermaid，withwonder-waitingeyes。

\'Holdyourtongue，andbeoff！\'saidManstonwithasnap。

Themaidvanished。

\'Come，Cytherea，thisisfoolish——indeeditis——notopeningthedoor……Icannotcomprehendwhatcanbethematterwithyou。

Norcanadoctoreither，unlessheseesyou。\'

Hervoicehadtrembledmoreandmoreateachanswershegave，butnothingcouldinducehertocomeoutandconfronthim。Hatingscenes，Manstonwentbacktothesitting-room，greatlyirritatedandperplexed。

AndthereCythereafromtheadjoiningroomcouldhearhimpacingupanddown。Shethought，\'Supposeheinsistsuponseeingme——heprobablymay——andwillburstopenthedoor！\'Thisnotionincreased，andshesankintoacornerinahalf-somnolentstate，butwithearsalivetotheslightestsound。ReasoncouldnotoverthrowthedeliriousfancythatoutsideherdoorstoodManstonandallthepeopleinthehotel，waitingtolaughhertoscorn。

9。HALF-PASTEIGHTTOELEVENP。M。

Inthemeantime，Springrovewaspacingupanddownthearrivalplatformoftherailway-station。Half-pasteighto\'clock——thetimeatwhichOwen\'strainwasdue——hadcome，andpassed，butnotrainappeared。

\'Whenwilltheeight-thirtytrainbein？\'heaskedofamanwhowassweepingthemudfromthesteps。

\'Sheisnotexpectedyetthishour。\'

\'Howisthat？\'

\'Christmas-time，yousee，\'tisalwaysso。Peoplearerunningabouttoseetheirfriends。ThetrainshavebeenlikeiteversinceChristmasEve，andwillbeforanotherweekyet。\'

Edwardagainwentonwalkingandwaitingunderthedraughtyroof。

Hefounditutterlyimpossibletoleavethespot。HismindwassointentupontheimportanceofmeetingwithOwen，andinforminghimofCytherea\'swhereabouts，thathecouldnotbutfancyOwenmightleavethestationunobservedifheturnedhisback，andbecomelosttohiminthestreetsofthetown。

Thehourexpired。Teno\'clockstruck。\'Whenwillthetrainbein？\'

saidEdwardtothetelegraphclerk。

\'Infive-and-thirtyminutes。She\'snowatL。Theyhaveextrapassengers，andtherailsarebadto-day。\'

Atlast，ataquartertoeleven，thetraincamein。

ThefirsttoalightfromitwasOwen，lookingpaleandcold。Hecasuallyglancedrounduponthenearlydesertedplatform，andwashurryingtotheoutlet，whenhiseyesfelluponEdward。Atsightofhisfriendhewasquitebewildered，andcouldnotspeak。

\'HereIam，Mr。Graye，\'saidEdwardcheerfully。\'IhaveseenCytherea，andshehasbeenwaitingforyouthesetwoorthreehours。\'

OwentookEdward\'shand，pressedit，andlookedathiminsilence。

Suchwastheconcentrationofhismind，thatnottillmanyminutesafterdidhethinkofinquiringhowSpringrovehadcontrivedtobetherebeforehim。

10。ELEVENO\'CLOCKP。M。

Ontheirarrivalatthedoorofthehotel，itwasarrangedbetweenSpringroveandGrayethatthelatteronlyshouldenter，Edwardwaitingoutside。Owenhadrememberedcontinuallywhathisfriendhadfrequentlyoverlooked，thattherewasyetapossibilityofhissisterbeingManston\'swife，andtherecollectiontaughthimtoavoidanyrashnessinhisproceedingswhichmightleadtobitternesshereafter。

Enteringtheroom，hefoundManstonsittinginthechairwhichhadbeenoccupiedbyCythereaonEdward\'svisit，threehoursearlier。

BeforeOwenhadspoken，Manstonarose，andsteppingpasthimclosedthedoor。Hisfaceappearedharassed——muchmoretroubledthantheslightcircumstancewhichhadasyetcometohisknowledgeseemedtoaccountfor。

ManstoncouldformnoreasonforOwen\'spresence，butintuitivelylinkeditwithCytherea\'sseclusion。\'Altogetherthisismostunseemly，\'hesaid，\'whateveritmaymean。\'

\'Don\'tthinkthereismeantanythingunfriendlybymycominghere，\'

saidOwenearnestly；\'butlistentothis，andthinkifIcoulddootherwisethancome。\'

HetookfromhispockettheconfessionofChinneytheporter，ashastilywrittenoutbythevicar，andreaditaloud。TheaspectsofManston\'sfacewhilsthelistenedtotheopeningwordswerestrange，dark，andmysteriousenoughtohavejustifiedsuspicionsthatnodeceitcouldbetoocomplicatedforthepossessorofsuchimpulses，hadtherenotoverriddenthemall，asthereadingwenton，anewandirrepressibleexpression——oneunmistakablyhonest。Itwasthatofunqualifiedamazementinthesteward\'smindatthenewsheheard。

Owenlookedupandsawit。Thesightonlyconfirmedhiminthebeliefhehadheldthroughout，inantagonismtoEdward\'ssuspicions。

TherecouldnolongerbeashadowofdoubtthatifthefirstMrs。

Manstonlived，herhusbandwasignorantofthefact。Whathecouldhavefearedbyhisghastlylookatfirst，andnowhaveceasedtofear，itwasquitefutiletoconjecture。

\'NowIdonotforamomentdoubtyourcompleteignoranceofthewholematter；youcannotsupposeforaninstantthatIdo，\'saidOwenwhenhehadfinishedreading。\'ButisitnotbestforboththatCythereashouldcomebackwithmetillthematterisclearedup？Infact，underthecircumstances，noothercourseisleftopentomethantorequestit。\'

WhateverManston\'soriginalfeelingshadbeen，allinhimnowgavewaytoirritation，andirritationtorage。Hepacedupanddowntheroomtillhehadmasteredit；thensaidinordinarytones——

\'Certainly，Iknownomorethanyouandothersknow——itwasagratuitousunpleasantnessinyoutosayyoudidnotdoubtme。Whyshouldyou，oranybody，havedoubtedme？\'

\'Well，whereismysister？\'saidOwen。

\'Lockedinthenextroom。\'

HisownanswerremindedManstonthatCythereamust，bysomeinscrutablemeans，havehadaninklingoftheevent。

OwenhadgonetothedoorofCytherea\'sroom。

\'Cytherea，darling——\'tisOwen，\'hesaid，outsidethedoor。A

rustlingofclothes，softfootsteps，andavoicesayingfromtheinside，\'Isitreallyyou，Owen，——isitreally？\'

\'Itis。\'

\'O，willyoutakecareofme？\'

\'Always。\'

Sheunlockedthedoor，andretreatedagain。Manstoncameforwardfromtheotherroomwithacandleinhishand，asOwenpushedopenthedoor。

Herfrightenedeyeswereunnaturallylarge，andshonelikestarsinthedarknessofthebackground，asthelightfelluponthem。SheleaptuptoOweninonebound，hersmalltaperfingersextendedliketheleavesofalupine。Thensheclaspedhercoldandtremblinghandsroundhisneckandshivered。

ThesightofheragainkindledallManston\'spassionsintoactivity。

\'Sheshallnotgowithyou，\'hesaidfirmly，andsteppingapaceortwocloser，\'unlessyouprovethatsheisnotmywife；andyoucan\'tdoit！\'

\'Thisisproof，\'saidOwen，holdingupthepaper。

\'Noproofatall，\'saidManstonhotly。\'\'Tisnotadeath-bedconfession，andthosearetheonlythingsofthekindheldasgoodevidence。\'

\'Sendforalawyer，\'Owenreturned，\'andlethimtellusthepropercoursetoadopt。\'

\'Nevermindthelaw——letmegowithOwen！\'criedCytherea，stillholdingontohim。\'Youwillletmegowithhim，won\'tyou，sir？\'

shesaid，turningappealinglytoManston。

\'We\'llhaveitallrightandsquare，\'saidManston，withmorequietness。\'Ihavenoobjectiontoyourbrothersendingforalawyer，ifhewantsto。\'

Itwasgettingonfortwelveo\'clock，buttheproprietorofthehotelhadnotyetgonetobedonaccountofthemysteryonthefirstfloor，whichwasanoccurrenceunusualinthequietfamilylodging。

Owenlookedoverthebanisters，andsawhimstandinginthehall。

ItstruckGrayethatthewisestcoursewouldbetotakethelandlordtoacertainextentintotheirconfidence，appealtohishonourasagentleman，andsoon，inordertoacquiretheinformationhewanted，andalsotopreventtheepisodeoftheeveningfrombecomingapublicpieceofnews。Hecalledthelandlorduptowheretheystood，andtoldhimthemainfactsofthestory。

Thelandlordwasfortunatelyaquiet，prejudicedman，andameditativesmoker。

\'Iknowtheverymanyouwanttosee——theveryman，\'hesaid，lookingatthegeneralfeaturesofthecandle-flame。\'Sharpasaneedle，andnotover-rich。Timmswillputyouallstraightinnotime——trustTimmsforthat。\'

\'He\'sinbedbythistimeforcertain，\'saidOwen。

\'Nevermindthat——Timmsknowsme，Iknowhim。He\'llobligemeasapersonalfavour。Waithereabit。Perhaps，too，he\'supatsomepartyoranother——he\'sanice，jovialfellow，sharpasaneedle，too；mindyou，sharpasaneedle，too。\'

Hewentdownstairs，putonhisovercoat，andleftthehouse，thethreepersonsmostconcernedenteringtheroom，andstandingmotionless，awkward，andsilentinthemidstofit。Cythereapicturedtoherselfthelongwearyminutesshewouldhavetostandthere，whilstasleepymancouldbepreparedforconsultation，tilltheconstraintbetweenthemseemedunendurabletoher——shecouldneverlastoutthetime。OwenwasannoyedthatManstonhadnotquietlyarrangedwithhimatonce；ManstonatOwen\'shomelinessofideainproposingtosendforanattorney，asifhewouldbeatouchstoneofinfallibleproof。

Reflectionwascutshortbytheapproachoffootsteps，andinafewmomentstheproprietorofthehotelentered，introducinghisfriend。

\'Mr。Timmshasnotbeeninbed，\'hesaid；\'hehadjustreturnedfromdiningwithafewfriends，sothere\'snotroublegiven。TosavetimeIexplainedthematteraswecamealong。\'

ItoccurredtoOwenandManstonboththattheymightgetamistyexpositionofthelawfromMr。Timmsatthatmomentofconcludingdinnerwithafewfriends。

\'AsfarasIcansee，\'saidthelawyer，yawning，andturninghisvisioninwardbymainforce，\'itisquiteamatterforprivatearrangementbetweentheparties，whoeverthepartiesare——atleastatpresent。Ispeakmoreasafatherthanasalawyer，itistrue，but，lettheyoungladystaywithherfather，orguardian，safeoutofshame\'sway，untilthemysteryissifted，whateverthemysteryis。Shouldtheevidenceprovetobefalse，ortrumpedupbyanybodytogetherawayfromyou，herhusband，youmaysuethemforthedamagesaccruingfromthedelay。\'

\'Yes，yes，\'saidManston，whohadcompletelyrecoveredhisself-

possessionandcommon-sense；\'letitallbesettledbyherself。\'

TurningtoCythereahewhisperedsosoftlythatOwendidnothearthewords——

\'Doyouwishtogobackwithyourbrother，dearest，andleavemeheremiserable，andlonely，orwillyoustaywithme，yourownhusband。\'

\'I\'llgobackwithOwen。\'

\'Verywell。\'Herelinquishedhiscoaxingtone，andwentonsternly：

\'Andrememberthis，Cytherea，Iamasinnocentofdeceptioninthisthingasyouareyourself。Doyoubelieveme？\'

\'Ido，\'shesaid。

\'Ihadnoshadowofsuspicionthatmyfirstwifelived。Idon\'tthinkshedoesevennow。Doyoubelieveme？\'

\'Ibelieveyou，\'shesaid。

\'Andnow，good-evening，\'hecontinued，openingthedoorandpolitelyintimatingtothethreemenstandingbythattherewasnofurthernecessityfortheirremaininginhisroom。\'InthreedaysIshallclaimher。\'

Thelawyerandthehotel-keeperretiredfirst。Owen，gatheringupasmuchofhissister\'sclothingaslayabouttheroom，tookheruponhisarm，andfollowedthem。Edward，towhomsheowedeverything，whohadbeenleftstandinginthestreetlikeadogwithoutahome，wasutterlyforgotten。Owenpaidthelandlordandthelawyerforthetroublehehadoccasionedthem，lookedtothepacking，andwenttothedoor。

Afly，whichsomewhatunaccountablywasseenlingeringinfrontofthehouse，wascalledup，andCytherea\'sluggageputuponit。

\'Doyouknowofanyhotelnearthestationthatisopenfornightarrivals？\'Oweninquiredofthedriver。

\'Aplacehasbeenbespokeforyou，sir，attheWhiteUnicorn——andthegentlemanwishedmetogiveyouthis。\'

\'BespokenbySpringrove，whoorderedthefly，ofcourse，\'saidOwentohimself。Bythelightofthestreet-lamphereadtheselines，hurriedlytracedinpencil：——

\'Ihavegonehomebythemail-train。ItisbetterforallpartiesthatIshouldbeoutoftheway。TellCythereathatIapologizeforhavingcausedhersuchunnecessarypain，asitseemsIdid——butitcannotbehelpednow。E。S。\'

Owenhandedhissisterintothevehicle，andtoldtheflymantodriveon。

\'PoorSpringrove——Ithinkwehaveservedhimratherbadly，\'hesaidtoCytherea，repeatingthewordsofthenotetoher。

Athrillofpleasurepassedthroughherbosomasshelistenedtothem。Theywerethegenuinereproachofalovertohismistress；

thetriflingcoldnessofheranswertohimwouldhavebeennoticedbynomanwhowasonlyafriend。But，inentertainingthatsweetthought，shehadforgottenherself，andherpositionfortheinstant。

WasshestillManston\'swife——thatwastheterriblesupposition，andherfutureseemedstillapossiblemiserytoher。For，onaccountofthelatejarringaccident，alifewithManstonwhichwouldotherwisehavebeenonlyasadness，mustbecomeaburdenofunutterablesorrow。

Thenshethoughtofthemisrepresentationandscandalthatwouldensueifshewerenowife。Onecauseforthankfulnessaccompaniedthereflection；Edwardknewthetruth。

Theysoonreachedthequietoldinn，whichhadbeenselectedforthembytheforethoughtofthemanwholovedherwell。Heretheyinstalledthemselvesforthenight，arrangingtogotoBudmouthbythefirsttrainthenextday。

AtthishourEdwardSpringrovewasfastapproachinghisnativecountyonthewheelsofthenight-mail。

XIV。THEEVENTSOFFIVEWEEKS

1。FROMTHESIXTHTOTHETHIRTEENTHOFJANUARY

Manstonhadevidentlyresolvedtodonothinginahurry。

Thismuchwasplain，thathisearnestdesireandintentionwastoraiseinCytherea\'sbosomnofeelingsofpermanentaversiontohim。

TheinstantafterthefirstburstofdisappointmenthadescapedhiminthehotelatSouthampton，hehadseenhowfarbetteritwouldbetoloseherpresenceforaweekthanherrespectforever。

\'Sheshallbemine；Iwillclaimtheyoungthingyet，\'heinsisted。

Andthenheseemedtoreasonovermethodsforcompassingthatobject，which，toallthosewhowereinanydegreeacquaintedwiththerecentevent，appearedtheleastlikelyofpossiblecontingencies。

HereturnedtoKnapwaterlatethenextday，andwaspreparingtocallonMissAldclyffe，whentheconclusionforceditselfuponhimthatnothingwouldbegainedbysuchastep。No；everyactionofhisshouldbedoneopenly——evenreligiously。Atleast，hecalledontherector，andstatedthistobehisresolve。

\'Certainly，\'saidMr。Raunham，\'itisbesttoproceedcandidlyandfairly，orunduesuspicionmayfallonyou。Youshould，inmyopinion，takeactivestepsatonce。\'

\'Iwilldotheutmostthatliesinmypowertoclearupthemystery，andsilencethehubbubofgossipthathasbeensetgoingaboutme。

ButwhatcanIdo？Theysaythatthemanwhocomesfirstinthechainofinquiryisnottobefound——Imeantheporter。\'

\'Iamsorrytosaythatheisnot。WhenIreturnedfromthestationlastnight，afterseeingOwenGrayeoff，Iwentagaintothecottagewherehehasbeenlodging，togetmoreintelligence，asIthought。

Hewasnotthere。Hehadgoneoutatdusk，sayinghewouldbebacksoon。Buthehasnotcomebackyet。\'

\'Iratherdoubtifweshallseehimagain。\'

\'HadIknownofthis，IwouldhavedonewhatinmyflurryIdidnotthinkofdoing——setawatchuponhim。Butwhynotadvertiseforyourmissingwifeasapreliminary，consultingyoursolicitorinthemeantime？\'

\'Advertise。I\'llthinkaboutit，\'saidManston，lingeringonthewordashepronouncedit。\'Yes，thatseemsarightthing——quitearightthing。\'

Hewenthomeandremainedmoodilyindoorsallthenextdayandthenext——fornearlyaweek，inshort。Then，oneeveningatdusk，hewentoutwithanuncertainairastothedirectionofhiswalk，whichresulted，however，inleadinghimagaintotherectory。

HesawMr。Raunham。\'Haveyoudoneanythingyet？\'therectorinquired。

\'No——Ihavenot，\'saidManstonabsently。\'ButIamgoingtosetaboutit。\'Hehesitated，asifashamedofsomeweaknesshewasabouttobetray。\'MyobjectincallingwastoaskifyouhadheardanytidingsfromBudmouthofmy——Cytherea。Youusedtospeakofherasoneyouwereinterestedin。\'

Therewas，atanyrate，realsadnessinManston\'stonenow，andtherectorpausedtoweighhiswordserehereplied。

\'Ihavenothearddirectlyfromher，\'hesaidgently。\'Butherbrotherhascommunicatedwithsomepeopleintheparish——\'

\'TheSpringroves，Isuppose，\'saidManstongloomily。

\'Yes；andtheytellmethatsheisveryill，andIamsorrytosay，likelytobeforsomedays。\'

\'Surely，surely，Imustgoandseeher！\'Manstoncried。

\'Iwouldadviseyounottogo，\'saidRaunham。\'Butdothisinstead——

beasquickasyoucaninmakingamovementtowardsascertainingthetruthasregardstheexistenceofyourwife。Yousee，Mr。

Manston，anout-stepplacelikethisisnotlikeacity，andthereisnobodytobusyhimselfforthegoodofthecommunity；whilstpoorCythereaandherbrotheraresociallytoodependenttobeabletomakemuchstirinthematter，whichisagreaterreasonstillwhyyoushouldbedisinterestedlyprompt。\'

Thestewardmurmuredanassent。Stilltherewasthesameindecision！——nottheindecisionofweakness——theindecisionofconsciousperplexity。

OnManston\'sreturnfromthisinterviewattherectory，hepassedthedooroftheRisingSunInn。Findinghehadnolightforhiscigar，anditbeingthree-quartersofamiletohisresidenceinthepark，heenteredthetaverntogetone。NobodywasintheouterportionofthefrontroomwhereManstonstood，butaspaceroundthefirewasscreenedofffromtheremainder，andinsidethehighoaksettle，formingapartofthescreen，heheardvoicesconversing。

Thespeakershadnotnoticedhisfootsteps，andcontinuedtheirdiscourse。

Oneofthetwoherecognizedasawell-knownnight-poacher，themanwhohadmethimwithtidingsofhiswife\'sdeathontheeveningoftheconflagration。Theotherseemedtobeastrangerfollowingthesamemodeoflife。Theconversationwascarriedonintheemphaticandconfidentialtoneofmenwhoareslightlyintoxicated，itssubjectbeinganunaccountableexperiencethatoneofthemhadhadonthenightofthefire。

Whatthestewardheardwasenough，andmorethanenough，toleadhimtoforgetortorenouncehismotiveinentering。Theeffectuponhimwasstrangeandstrong。Hisfirstobjectseemedtobetoescapefromthehouseagainwithoutbeingseenorheard。

Havingaccomplishedthis，hewentinattheparkgate，andstrodeoffunderthetreestotheOldHouse。Theresittingdownbythefire，andburyinghimselfinreflection，heallowedtheminutestopassbyunheeded。Firstthecandleburntdowninitssocketandstunk：hedidnotnoticeit。Thenthefirewentout：hedidnotseeit。Hisfeetgrewcold；stillhethoughton。

Itmayberemarkedthatalady，ayearandaquarterbeforethistime，had，underthesameconditions——anunrestrictedmentalabsorption——shownnearlythesamepeculiaritiesasthismanevincednow。TheladywasMissAldclyffe。

Itwashalf-pasttwelvewhenManstonmoved，asifhehadcometoadetermination。

ThefirstthinghedidthenextmorningwastocallatKnapwaterHouse；wherehefoundthatMissAldclyffewasnotwellenoughtoseehim。ShehadbeenailingfromslightinternalhaemorrhageeversincetheconfessionoftheporterChinney。Apparentlynotmuchaggrievedatthedenial，heshortlyafterwardswenttotherailway-

stationandtookhisdepartureforLondon，leavingaletterforMissAldclyffe，statingthereasonofhisjourneythither——torecovertracesofhismissingwife。

Duringtheremainderoftheweekparagraphsappearedinthelocalandothernewspapers，drawingattentiontothefactsofthissingularcase。Thewriters，withscarcelyanexception，dweltforciblyuponafeaturewhichhadatfirstescapedtheobservationofthevillagers，includingMr。Raunham——thatiftheannouncementofthemanChinneyweretrue，itseemedextremelyprobablethatMrs。

Manstonleftherwatchandkeysbehindonpurposetoblindpeopleastoherescape；andthatthereforeshewouldnotnowletherselfbediscovered，unlessastrongpressurewereputuponher。Thewritersaddedthatthepolicewereonthetrackoftheporter，whoverypossiblyhadabscondedinthefearthathisreticencewascriminal，andthatMr。Manston，thehusband，was，withpraiseworthyenergy，makingeveryefforttoclearthewholematterup。

2。FROMTHEEIGHTEENTHTOTHEENDOFJANUARY

Fivedaysfromthetimeofhisdeparture，ManstonreturnedfromLondonandLiverpool，lookingveryfatiguedandthoughtful。Heexplainedtotherectorandotherofhisacquaintancethatalltheinquirieshehadmadeathiswife\'soldlodgingsandhisownhadbeentotallybarrenofresults。

Butheseemedinclinedtopushtheaffairtoaclearconclusionnowthathehadcommenced。Afterthelapseofanotherdayortwoheproceededtofulfilhispromisetotherector，andadvertisedforthemissingwomaninthreeoftheLondonpapers。Theadvertisementwasacarefullyconsideredandevenattractiveeffusion，calculatedtowintheheart，oratleasttheunderstanding，ofanywomanwhohadasparkofherownnatureleftinher。

Therewasnoanswer。

Threedayslaterherepeatedtheexperiment；withthesameresultasbefore。

\'Icannottryanyfurther，\'saidManstonspeciouslytotherector，hissoleauditorthroughouttheproceedings。\'Mr。Raunham，I\'lltellyouthetruthplainly：Idon\'tloveher；IdoloveCytherea，andthewholeofthisbusinessofsearchingfortheotherwomangoesaltogetheragainstme。IhopetoGodIshallneverseeheragain。\'

\'Butyouwilldoyourdutyatleast？\'saidMr。Raunham。

\'Ihavedoneit，\'saidManston。\'Ifeveramanonthefaceofthisearthhasdonehisdutytowardsanabsentwife，Ihavetowardsher——

livingordead——atleast，\'headded，correctinghimself，\'sinceI

havelivedatKnapwater。Ineglectedherbeforethattime——Iownthat，asIhaveowneditbefore。\'

\'Ishould，ifIwereyou，adoptothermeanstogettidingsofherifadvertisingfails，inspiteofmyfeelings，\'saidtherectoremphatically。\'Butatanyrate，tryadvertisingoncemore。There\'sasatisfactioninhavingmadeanyattemptthreeseveraltimes。\'

WhenManstonhadleftthestudy，therectorstoodlookingatthefireforaconsiderablelengthoftime，lostinprofoundreflection。

Hewenttohisprivatediary，andaftermanypauses，whichhevariedonlybydippinghispen，lettingitdry，wipingitonhissleeve，andthendippingitagain，hetookthefollowingnoteofevents：——

\'January25——Mr。Manstonhasjustseenmeforthethirdtimeonthesubjectofhislostwife。Therehavebeenthesepeculiaritiesattendingthethreeinterviews：——

\'Thefirst。Myvisitor，whilstexpressingbywordshisgreatanxietytodoeverythingforherrecovery，showedplainlybyhisbearingthathewasconvincedheshouldneverseeheragain。

\'Thesecond。Hehadleftofffeigninganxietytodorightlybyhisfirstwife，andhonestlyaskedafterCytherea\'swelfare。

\'Thethird(andmostremarkable)。Heseemedtohavelostallconsistency。WhilstexpressinghisloveforCytherea(whichcertainlyisstrong)andevincingtheusualindifferencetothefirstMrs。Manston\'sfate，hewasunabletoconcealtheintensityofhiseagernessformetoadvisehimtoADVERTISEAGAINforher。\'

Aweekafterthesecond，thethirdadvertisementwasinserted。A

paragraphwasattached，whichstatedthatthiswouldbethelasttimetheannouncementwouldappear。

3。THEFIRSTOFFEBRUARY

Atthis，theeleventhhour，thepostmanbroughtaletterforManston，directedinawoman\'shand。

Abachelorfriendofthesteward\'s，Mr。Dicksonbyname，whowassomewhatofachatterer——plenusrimarum——andwhoboastedofanendlessstringofacquaintances，hadcomeoverfromCasterbridgetheprecedingdaybyinvitation——aninvitationwhichhadbeenapleasantsurprisetoDicksonhimself，insomuchthatManston，asarule，votedhimaborealmosttohisface。Hehadstayedoverthenight，andwassittingatbreakfastwithhishostwhentheimportantmissivearrived。

Manstondidnotattempttoconcealthesubjectoftheletter，orthenameofthewriter。Firstglancingthepagesthrough，hereadaloudasfollows：——

\'“MYHUSBAND，——Iimploreyourforgiveness。

\'“DuringthelastthirteenmonthsIhaverepeatedtomyselfahundredtimesthatyoushouldneverdiscoverwhatIvoluntarilytellyounow，namely，thatIamaliveandinperfecthealth。

\'“Ihaveseenallyouradvertisements。Nothingbutyourpersistencehaswonmeround。Surely，Ithought，heMUSTlovemestill。Whyelseshouldhetrytowinbackawomanwho，faithfuluntodeathasshewillbe，can，inasocialsense，aidhimtowardsacquiringnothing？——ratherthereverse，indeed。

\'“Youyourselfstatemyownmind——thattheonlygroundsuponwhichwecanmeetandlivetogether，withareasonablehopeofhappiness，mustbeamutualconsenttoburyinoblivionallpastdifferences。

Iheartilyandwillinglyforgeteverything——andforgiveeverything。

Youwilldothesame，asyouractionsshow。

\'“Therewillbeplentyofopportunityformetoexplainthefewfactsrelatingtomyescapeonthenightofthefire。Iwillonlygivetheheadsinthishurriednote。Iwasgrievedatyournotcomingtofetchme，moregrievedatyourabsencefromthestation，mostofallbyyourabsencefromhome。OnmyjourneytotheinnI

writhedunderapassionatesenseofwrongdoneme。WhenIhadbeenshowntomyroomIwaitedandhopedforyoutillthelandlordhadgoneupstairstobed。Istillfoundthatyoudidnotcome，andthenIfinallymadeupmymindtoleave。Ihadhalfundressed，butIputonmythingsagain，forgettingmywatch(andIsupposedroppingmykeys，thoughIamnotsurewhere)inmyhurry，andslippedoutofthehouse。The——“\'

\'Well，that\'sarumstory，\'saidMr。Dickson，interrupting。

\'What\'sarumstory？\'saidManstonhastily，andflushingintheface。

\'Forgettingherwatchanddroppingherkeysinherhurry。\'

\'Idon\'tseeanythingparticularlywonderfulinit。Anywomanmightdosuchathing。\'

\'Anywomanmightifescapingfromfireorshipwreck，oranysuchimmediatedanger。Butitseemsincomprehensibletomethatanywomaninhersenses，whoquietlydecidestoleaveahouse，shouldbesoforgetful。\'

\'Allthatisrequiredtoreconcileyourseemingwithherfactsistoassumethatshewasnotinhersenses，forthat\'swhatshedidplainly，orhowcouldthethingshavebeenfoundthere？Besides，she\'struthfulenough。\'Hespokeeagerlyandperemptorily。

\'Yes，yes，Iknowthat。Imerelymeantthatitseemedratherodd。\'

\'Oyes。\'Manstonreadon：——

\'“——andslippedoutofthehouse。Therubbish-heapwasburningupbrightly，butthethoughtthatthehousewasindangerdidnotstrikeme；Ididnotconsiderthatitmightbethatched。

\'“Iidledinthelanebehindthewoodtillthelastdown-trainhadcomein，notbeinginamoodtofacestrangers。WhilstIwastherethefirebrokeout，andthisperplexedmestillmore。However，I

wasstilldeterminednottostayintheplace。Iwenttotherailway-station，whichwasnowquiet，andinquiredofthesolitarymanondutythereconcerningthetrains。ItwasnottillIhadleftthemanthatIsawtheeffectthefiremighthaveonmyhistory。I

consideredalso，thoughnotinanydetailedmanner，thattheevent，byattractingtheattentionofthevillagetomyformerabode，mightsetpeopleonmytrackshouldtheydoubtmydeath，andasuddendreadofhavingtogobackagaintoKnapwater——aplacewhichhadseemedinimicaltomefromfirsttolast——promptedmetorunbackandbribetheportertosecrecy。IthenwalkedontoAnglebury，lingeringabouttheoutskirtsofthetowntillthemorningtraincamein，whenIproceededbyittoLondon，andthentooktheselodgings，whereIhavebeensupportingmyselfeversincebyneedlework，endeavouringtosaveenoughmoneytopaymypassagehometoAmerica，butmakingmelancholyprogressinmyattempt。However，allthatischanged——canIbeotherwisethanhappyatit？Ofcoursenot。Iamhappy。TellmewhatIamtodo，andbelievemestilltobeyourfaithfulwife，EUNICE。

\'“Mynamehereis(asbefore)

\'“MRS。RONDLEY，andmyaddress，79ADDINGTONSTREET，LAMBETH。\'“

Thenameandaddresswerewrittenonaseparateslipofpaper。

\'Soit\'stobeallrightatlastthen，\'saidManston\'sfriend。\'Butafterallthere\'sanotherwomaninthecase。Youdon\'tseemverysorryforthelittlethingwhoisputtosuchdistressbythisturnofaffairs？Iwonderyoucanlethergosocoolly。\'Thespeakerwaslookingoutbetweenthemullionsofthewindow——noticingthatsomeofthelightswereglazedinlozenges，someinsquares——ashesaidthewords，otherwisehewouldhaveseenthepassionateexpressionofagonizedhopelessnessthatflittedacrossthesteward\'scountenancewhentheremarkwasmade。Hedidnotseeit，andManstonansweredafterashortinterval。Thewayinwhichhespokeoftheyounggirlwhohadbelievedherselfhiswife，whom，afewshortdaysago，hehadopenlyidolized，andwhom，inhissecretheart，heidolizedstill，asfarassuchaformoflovewascompatiblewithhisnature，showedthatfrompolicyorotherwise，hemeanttoactuptotherequirementsofthepositionintowhichfateappeareddeterminedtodrivehim。

\'That\'sneitherherenorthere，\'hesaid；\'itisapointofhonourtodoasIamdoing，andthere\'sanendofit。\'

\'Yes。OnlyIthoughtyouusednottocareovermuchaboutyourfirstbargain。\'

\'Icertainlydidnotatonetime。Oneisapttofeelratherwearyofwiveswhentheyaresodevilishcivilunderallaspects，assheusedtobe。Butanythingforachange——Abigailislost，butMichalisrecovered。Youwouldhardlybelieveit，butsheseemsinfancytobequiteanotherbride——infact，almostasifshehadreallyrisenfromthedead，insteadofhavingonlydonesovirtually。\'

\'Youlettheyoungpinkoneknowthattheotherhascomeoriscoming？\'

\'Cuibono？\'Thestewardmeditatedcritically，showingaportionofhisintenselywideandregularteethwithintherubylips。

\'Icannotsayanythingtoherthatwilldoanygood，\'heresumed。

\'Itwouldbeawkward——eitherseeingorcommunicatingwithheragain。

Thebestplantoadoptwillbetoletmatterstaketheircourse——

she\'llfinditalloutsoonenough。\'

Manstonfoundhimselfaloneafewminuteslater。Heburiedhisfaceinhishands，andmurmured，\'Omylostone！OmyCytherea！Thatitshouldcometothisishardforme！\'Tisnowalldarkness——“alandofdarknessasdarknessitself；andoftheshadowofdeathwithoutanyorder，andwherethelightisasdarkness。“\'

Yes，theartificialbearingwhichthisextraordinarymanhadadoptedbeforestrangerseversincehehadoverheardtheconversationattheinn，lefthimnow，andhemournedforCythereaaloud。

4。THETWELFTHOFFEBRUARY

KnapwaterParkisthepicture——ateleveno\'clockonamuddy，quiet，hazy，butbrightmorning——amorningwithoutanybluesky，andwithoutanyshadows，theearthbeingenlivenedandlitupratherbythespiritofaninvisiblesunthanbyitsbodilypresence。

ThelocalHunthadmetfortheday\'ssportontheopenspaceofgroundimmediatelyinfrontofthesteward\'sresidence——calledinthelistofappointments，\'OldHouse，Knapwater\'——themeetbeinghereonceeveryseason，forthepleasureofMissAldclyffeandherfriends。

Leaningoutfromoneofthefirst-floorwindows，andsurveyingwiththekeenestinterestthelivelypictureofpinkandblackcoats，rich-colouredhorses，andsparklingbitsandspurs，wasthereturnedandlong-lostwoman，Mrs。Manston。

Theeyesofthoseformingthebrilliantgroupwereoccasionallyturnedtowardsher，showingplainlythatheradventureswerethesubjectofconversationequallywithormorethanthechancesofthecomingday。Shedidnotflushbeneaththeirscrutiny；onthecontrary，sheseemedrathertoenjoyit，hereyesbeingkindledwithalightofcontentedexultation，subduedtosquarewiththecircumstancesofhermatronlyposition。

Shewas，atthedistancefromwhichtheysurveyedher，anattractivewoman——comelyasthetentsofKedar。ButtoacloseobserveritwaspalpableenoughthatGoddidnotdoallthepicture。AppearingatleastsevenyearsolderthanCytherea，shewasprobablyherseniorbydoublethenumber，theartificialmeansemployedtoheightenthenaturalgoodappearanceofherfacebeingverycleverlyapplied。

Herformwasfullandround，itsvoluptuousmaturitystandingoutinstrongcontrasttothememoryofCytherea\'slissomgirlishness。

Itseemstobeanalmostuniversalrulethatawomanwhooncehascourted，orwhoeventuallywillcourt，thesocietyofmenontermsdangeroustoherhonourcannotrefrainfromflingingthemeaningglancewheneverthemomentarrivesinwhichtheglanceisstronglyaskedfor，evenifherlifeandwholefuturedependeduponthatmoment\'sabstinence。

Hadacautious，uxorioushusbandseeninhiswife\'scountenancewhatmightnowhavebeenseeninthisdark-eyedwoman\'sasshecaughtastrayglanceofflirtationfromoneorotherofthered-coatedgallantsoutside，hewouldhavepassedmanydaysinanagonyofrestlessjealousyanddoubt。ButManstonwasnotsuchahusband，andhewas，moreover，calmlyattendingtohisbusinessattheotherendofthemanor。

Thestewardhadfetchedhomehiswifeinthemostmatter-of-factwayafewdaysearlier，walkingroundthevillagewithhertheverynextmorning——atonceputtinganend，bythissimplesolution，toalltheriddlinginquiriesandsurmisesthatwererankinthevillageanditsneighbourhood。SomemensaidthatthiswomanwasasfarinferiortoCythereaasearthtoheaven；others，olderandsager，thoughtManstonbetteroffwithsuchawifethanhewouldhavebeenwithoneofCytherea\'syouthfulimpulses，andinexperienceinhouseholdmanagement。Allfelttheircuriositydyingoutofthem。

ItwasthesameinCarrifordasinotherpartsoftheworld——

immediatelycircumstantialevidencebecameexchangedfordirect，theloungersincourtyawned，gaveafinalsurvey，andturnedawaytoasubjectwhichwouldaffordmorescopeforspeculation。

XV。THEEVENTSOFTHREEWEEKS

1。FROMTHETWELFTHOFFEBRUARYTOTHESECONDOFMARCH

OwenGraye\'srecoveryfromtheillnessthathadincapacitatedhimforsolongatimewas，professionally，thedawnofabrighterprospectforhimineverydirection，thoughthechangewasatfirstverygradual，andhismovementsandeffortswerelittlemorethanmechanical。Withthelengtheningofthedays，andtherevivalofbuildingoperationsfortheforthcomingseason，hesawhimself，forthefirsttime，onaroadwhich，pursuedwithcare，wouldprobablyleadtoacomfortableincomeatsomefutureday。Buthewasstillverylowdownthehillasyet。

ThefirstundertakingentrustedtohiminthenewyearbeganaboutamonthafterhisreturnfromSouthampton。Mr。Gradfieldhadcomebacktohiminthewakeofhisrestoredhealth，andofferedhimthesuperintendence，asclerkofworks，ofachurchwhichwastobenearlyrebuiltatthevillageofTolchurch，fifteenorsixteenmilesfromBudmouth，andabouthalfthatdistancefromCarriford。

\'Iamnowbeingpaidattherateofahundredandfiftypoundsayear，\'hesaidtohissisterinaburstofthankfulness，\'andyoushallnever，Cytherea，beatanytyrannouslady\'sbeckandcallagainaslongasIlive。Neverpineorthinkaboutwhathashappened，dear；it\'snodisgracetoyou。Cheerup；you\'llbesomebody\'shappywifeyet。\'

HedidnotsayEdwardSpringrove\'s，for，greatlytohisdisappointment，areporthadreachedhisearsthatthefriendtowhomCythereaowedsomuchhadbeenabouttopackuphisthingsandsailforAustralia。However，thiswasbeforetheuncertaintyconcerningMrs。Manston\'sexistencehadbeendispersedbyherreturn，aphenomenonthatalteredthecloudyrelationshipinwhichCythereahadlatelybeenstandingtowardsheroldlover，tooneofdistinctness；whichresultwouldhavebeendelightfulbutforcircumstancesabouttobementioned。

Cythereawasstillpalefromherrecentillness，andstillgreatlydejected。UntilthenewsofMrs。Manston\'sreturnhadreachedthem，shehadkeptherselfcloselyshutupduringtheday-time，neverventuringforthexceptatnight。Sleepingandwakingshehadbeeninperpetualdreadlestsheshouldstillbeclaimedbyamanwhom，onlyafewweeksearlier，shehadregardedinthelightofafuturehusbandwithquietassent，notunmixedwithcheerfulness。

Buttheremovaloftheuneasinessinthisdirection——byMrs。

Manston\'sarrival，andherownconsequentfreedom——hadbeentheimpositionofpaininanother。UtterlyfictitiousdetailsofthefindingofCythereaandManstonhadbeeninventedandcirculated，unavoidablyreachingherearsinthecourseoftime。Thusthefreedombroughtnohappiness，anditseemedwell-nighimpossiblethatshecouldeveragainshowherselfthesparklingcreaturesheoncehadbeen——

\'Apttoenticeadeity。\'

Onthisaccount，andforthefirsttimeinhislife，Owenmadeapointofconcealingfromhertherealstateofhisfeelingswithregardtotheunhappytransaction。Hewrithedinsecretunderthehumiliationtowhichtheyhadbeensubjected，tilltheresentmentitgaveriseto，andforwhichtherewasnovent，wassometimesbeyondendurance；itinducedamoodthatdidseriousdamagetothematerialandploddingperseverancenecessaryifhewouldsecurepermanentlythecomfortsofahomeforthem。

TheygaveuptheirlodgingsatBudmouth，andwenttoTolchurchassoonastheworkcommenced。

Heretheyweredomiciledinonehalfofanoldfarmhouse，standingnotfarfromtheivy-coveredchurchtower(whichwasallthatwastoremainoftheoriginalstructure)。Thelongsteeproofofthispicturesquedwellingslopednearlydowntotheground，theoldtilesthatcovereditbeingovergrownwithricholive-huedmoss。Newredtilesintwosandthreeshadbeenusedforpatchingtheholeswroughtbydecay，lightingupthewholeharmonioussurfacewithdotsofbrilliantscarlet。

Thechiefinternalfeaturesofthissnugabodewereawidefireplace，enormouscupboards，abrownsettle，andseveralsketchesonthewoodmantel，doneinoutlinewiththepointofahotpoker——

thesubjectsmainlyconsistingofoldmenwalkingpainfullyerect，withacurly-taileddogbehind。

AfteraweekortwoofresidenceinTolchurch，andramblesamidthequaintscenerycircumscribingit，atranquillitybegantospreaditselfthroughthemindofthemaiden，whichGrayehopedwouldbeaprefacetohercompleterestoration。Shefeltreadyandwillingtolivethewholeremainderofherdaysintheretirementoftheirpresentquarters：shebegantosingaboutthehouseinlowtremuloussnatches——

\'“——Isaid，ifthere\'speacetobefoundintheworld，Aheartthatishumblemayhopeforithere。“\'

2。THETHIRDOFMARCH

Herconvalescencehadarrivedatthispointonacertaineveningtowardstheendofthewinter，whenOwenhadcomeinfromthebuildinghardby，andwaschanginghismuddybootsforslippers，previouslytosittingdowntotoastandtea。

Aprolongedthoughquietknockingcametothedoor。

Theonlypersonwhoeverknockedattheirdoorinthatwaywasthenewvicar，theprimemoverinthechurch-building。ButhewasthateveningdiningwiththeSquire。

Cythereawasuneasyatthesound——shedidnotknowwhy，unlessitwasbecausehernerveswereweakenedbythesicknessshehadundergone。Insteadofopeningthedoorsheranoutoftheroom，andupstairs。

\'Whatnonsense，Cytherea！\'saidherbrother，goingtothedoor。

EdwardSpringrovestoodinthegreylightoutside。

\'Capital——notgonetoAustralia，andnotgoing，ofcourse！\'criedOwen。\'What\'stheuseofgoingtosuchaplaceasthat？——Ineverbelievedthatyouwould。\'

\'IamgoingbacktoLondonagainto-morrow，\'saidSpringrove，\'andI

calledtosayawordbeforegoing。Whereis……？\'

\'Shehasjustrunupstairs。Comein——nevermindscrapingyourshoes——weareregularcottagersnow；stonefloor，yawningchimney-

corner，andall，yousee。\'

\'Mrs。Manstoncame，\'saidEdwardawkwardly，whenhehadsatdowninthechimney-cornerbypreference。

\'Yes。\'AtmentionofoneofhisskeletonsOwenlosthisblithenessatonce，andfellintoareverie。

\'Thehistoryofherescapeisverysimple。\'

\'Very。\'

\'YouknowIalwayshadwondered，whenmyfatherwastellinganyofthecircumstancesofthefiretome，howitcouldbethatawomancouldsleepsosoundlyastobeunawareofherhorridpositiontillitwastoolateeventogiveshoutorsoundofanykind。\'

\'Well，Ithinkthatwouldhavebeenpossible，consideringherlongwearisomejourney。Peoplehaveoftenbeensuffocatedintheirbedsbeforetheyawoke。Butitwashardlylikelyabodywouldbecompletelyburnttoashesasthiswasassumedtobe，thoughnobodyseemedtoseeitatthetime。Andhowpositivethesurgeonwastoo，aboutthosebitsofbone！Whyheshouldhavebeenso，nobodycantell。Icannothelpsayingthatifithaseverbeenpossibletofindpurestupidityincarnate，itwasinthatjuryofCarriford。

Thereexistedinthemassthestupidityoftwelveandnotthepenetrationofone。\'

\'Isshequitewell？\'saidSpringrove。

\'Who？——O，mysister，Cytherea。Thankyou，nearlywell，now。I\'llcallher。\'

\'Waitoneminute。Ihaveawordtosaytoyou。\'

Owensatdownagain。

\'Youknow，withoutmysayingit，thatIloveCythereaasdearlyasever……Ithinkshelovesmetoo，——doesshereally？\'

TherewasinOwenenoughofthatworldlypolicyonthesubjectofmatchmakingwhichnaturallyresidesinthebreastsofparentsandguardians，togivehimacertaincautioninreplying，and，youngerashewasbyfiveyearsthanEdward，ithadanoddeffect。

\'Well，shemaypossiblyloveyoustill，\'hesaid，asifratherindoubtastothetruthofhiswords。

Springrove\'scountenanceinstantlysaddened；hehadexpectedasimple\'Yes，\'attheveryleast。Hecontinuedinatoneofgreaterdepression——

\'Supposingshedoesloveme，woulditbefairtoyouandtoherifI

madeheranofferofmarriage，withthesedrearyconditionsattached——thatwelivedforafewyearsonthenarrowestsystem，tillagreatdebt，whichallhonouranddutyrequiremetopayoff，shallbepaid？Myfather，byreasonofthemisfortunethatbefellhim，isunderagreatobligationtoMissAldclyffe。Heisgettingold，andlosinghisenergies。Iamattemptingtoworkfreeoftheburden。Thismakesmyprospectsgloomyenoughatpresent。

\'Butconsideragain，\'hewenton。\'Cythereahasbeenleftinanamelessandunsatisfactory，thoughinnocentstate，bythisunfortunate，andnowvoid，marriagewithManston。Amarriagewithme，thoughunderthe——materially——untowardconditionsIhavementioned，wouldmakeushappy；itwouldgiveheralocusstandi。

IfshewishedtobeoutofthesoundofhermisfortuneswewouldgotoanotherpartofEngland——emigrate——doanything。\'

\'I\'llcallCytherea，\'saidOwen。\'Itisamatterwhichshealonecansettle。\'Hedidnotspeakwarmly。HispridecouldnotendurethepitywhichEdward\'svisitanderrandtacitlyimplied。Yet，intheotheraffair，hisheartwentwithEdward；hewasonthesamebeatforpayingoffolddebtshimself。

\'Cythie，Mr。Springroveishere，\'hesaid，atthefootofthestaircase。

Hissisterdescendedthecreakingoldstepswithafalteringtread，andstoodinthefirelightfromthehearth。SheextendedherhandtoSpringrove，welcominghimbyameremotionofthelip，hereyesaverted——ahabitwhichhadengendereditselfinhersincethebeginningofherillnessanddefamation。Owenopenedthedoorandwentout——leavingtheloversalone。ItwasthefirsttimetheyhadmetsincethememorablenightatSouthampton。

\'Iwillgetalight，\'shesaid，withalittleembarrassment。

\'No——don\'t，please，Cytherea，\'saidEdwardsoftly，\'Comeandsitdownwithme。\'

\'Oyes。IoughttohaveaskedYOUto，\'shereturnedtimidly。

\'Everybodysitsinthechimney-cornerinthisparish。Yousitonthatside。I\'llsithere。\'

Tworecesses——oneontheright，oneonthelefthand——werecutintheinsideofthefireplace，andheretheysatdownfacingeachother，onbenchesfittedtotherecesses，thefireglowingonthehearthbetweentheirfeet。Itsruddylightshoneontheunderslopesoftheirfaces，andspreadoutovertheflooroftheroomwiththelowhorizontalityofthesettingsun，givingtoeverygrainofsandandtumourinthepavingalongshadowtowardsthedoor。

Edwardlookedathispalelovethroughthethinazuretwinesofsmokethatwentuplikeringletsbetweenthem，andinvestedher，asseenthroughitsmedium，withtheshadowyappearanceofaphantom。

Nothingissopotentforcoaxingbackthelosteyesofawomanasadiscreetsilenceinthemanwhohassolostthem——andthusthepatientEdwardcoaxedhers。Afterlingeringonthehearthforhalfaminute，waitinginvainforanotherwordfromhim，theywereliftedintohisface。

Hewasreadyprimedtoreceivethem。\'Cytherea，willyoumarryme？\'

hesaid。

Hecouldnotwaitinhisoriginalpositiontilltheanswercame。

Steppingacrossthefrontofthefiretoherownsideofthechimneycorner，hereclinedatherfeet，andsearchedforherhand。Shecontinuedinsilenceawhile。

\'Edward，Icanneverbeanybody\'swife，\'shethensaidsadly，andwithfirmness。

\'Thinkofitineverylight，\'hepleaded；\'thelightoflove，first。

Then，whenyouhavedonethat，seehowwiseastepitwouldbe。I

canonlyofferyoupovertyasyet，butIwant——Idosolongtosecureyoufromtheintrusionofthatunpleasantpast，whichwilloftenandalwaysbethrustbeforeyouaslongasyoulivetheshrinkingsolitarylifeyoudonow——alifewhichpuritychooses，itmaybe；buttotheoutsideworlditappearsliketheenforcedlonelinessofneglectandscorn——andtonguesarebusyinventingareasonforitwhichdoesnotexist。\'

\'Iknowallaboutit，\'shesaidhastily；\'andthosearethegroundsofmyrefusal。YouandOwenknowthewholetruth——thetwoIlovebestonearth——andIamcontent。Butthescandalwillbecontinuallyrepeated，andIcannevergiveanyonetheopportunityofsayingtoyou——that——yourwife……\'Sheutterlybrokedownandwept。

\'Don\'t，myowndarling！\'heentreated。\'Don\'t，Cytherea！\'

\'Pleasetoleaveme——wewillbefriends，Edward——butdon\'tpressme——

mymindismadeup——Icannot——Iwillnotmarryyouoranymanunderthepresentambiguouscircumstances——neverwillI——Ihavesaidit：

never！\'

Theywerebothsilent。Helistlesslyregardedtheilluminatedblacknessoverhead，wherelongflakesofsootfloatedfromthesidesandbarsofthechimney-throatliketatteredbannersinancientaisles；whilstthroughthesquareopeninginthemidstoneortwobrightstarslookeddownuponthemfromthegreyMarchsky。Thesightseemedtocheerhim。

\'Atanyrateyouwillloveme？\'hemurmuredtoher。

\'Yes——always——foreverandforever！\'