第12章

2。EIGHTO\'CLOCKA。M。

Seatedinhisprivateofficehewettedtheflapofthestolenletter，andwaitedpatientlytilltheadhesivegumcouldbeloosened。HetookoutEdward\'snote，theaccounts，therosebud，andthephotographs，regardingthemwiththekeenestinterestandanxiety。

Thenote，theaccounts，therosebud，andhisownphotograph，herestoredtotheirplacesagain。Theotherphotographhetookbetweenhisfingerandthumb，andheldittowardsthebarsofthegrate。Therehehelditforhalf-a-minuteormore，meditating。

\'Itisagreatrisktorun，evenforsuchanend，\'hemuttered。

Suddenly，impregnatedwithabrightidea，hejumpedupandlefttheofficeforthefrontparlour。Takingupanalbumofportraits，whichlayonthetable，hesearchedforthreeorfourlikenessesoftheladywhohadsolatelydisplacedCytherea，whichwereinterspersedamongtherestofthecollection，andcarefullyregardedthem。Theyweretakenindifferentattitudesandstyles，andhecomparedeachsinglywiththatheheldinhishand。Oneofthem，theonemostresemblingthatabstractedfromtheletteringeneraltone，size，andattitude，heselectedfromtherest，andreturnedwithittohisoffice。

Pouringsomewaterintoaplate，hesetthetwoportraitsafloatuponit，andsittingdowntriedtoread。

Attheendofaquarterofanhour，afterseveralineffectualattempts，hefoundthateachphotographwouldpeelfromthecardonwhichitwasmounted。Thisdone，hethrewintothefiretheoriginallikenessandtherecentcard，stuckupontheoriginalcardtherecentlikenessfromthealbum，drieditbeforethefire，andplaceditintheenvelopewiththeotherscraps。

Theresulthehadobtained，then，wasthis：intheenvelopewerenowtwophotographs，bothhavingthesamephotographer\'snameonthebackandconsecutivenumbersattached。Atthebottomoftheonewhichshowedhisownlikeness，hisownnamewaswrittendown；ontheotherhiswife\'snamewaswritten；whilstthecentralfeature，andwholemattertowhichthislattercardandwritingreferred，thelikenessofaladymounteduponit，hadbeenchanged。

Mrs。Manstonenteredtheroom，andbeggedhimtocometobreakfast。

Hefollowedherandtheysatdown。Duringthemealhetoldherwhathehaddone，withscrupulousregardtoeverydetail，andshowedhertheresult。

\'Itisindeedagreatrisktorun，\'shesaid，sippinghertea。

\'Butitwouldbeagreaternottodoit。\'

\'Yes。\'

Theenvelopewasagainfastenedupasbefore，andManstonputitinhispocketandwentout。Shortlyafterwardshewasseen，onhorseback，ridinginadirectiontowardsTolchurch。Keepingtothefields，aswellashecould，forthegreaterpartoftheway，hedroppedintotheroadbythevicarageletter-box，andlookingcarefullyabout，toascertainthatnopersonwasnear，herestoredthelettertoitsnook，placedthekeyinitshiding-place，ashehadpromisedthepostman，andagainrodehomewardsbyaroundaboutway，3。AFTERNOON

TheletterwasbroughttoOwenGraye，thesameafternoon，byoneofthevicar\'sservantswhohadbeentotheboxwithaduplicatekey，asusual，toleavelettersfortheeveningpost。Themanfoundthattheindexhadtoldfalselythatmorningforthefirsttimewithinhisrecollection；butnoparticularattentionwaspaidtothemistake，asitwasconsidered。ThecontentsoftheenvelopewerescrutinizedbyOwenandflungasideasuseless。

ThenextmorningbroughtSpringrove\'ssecondletter，theexistenceofwhichwasunknowntoManston。ThesightofEdward\'shandwritingagainraisedtheexpectationsofbrotherandsister，tillOwenhadopenedtheenvelopeandpulledoutthetwigandverse。

\'Nothingthat\'softheslightestuse，afterall，\'hesaidtoher；

\'weareasfaraseverfromthemerestshadowoflegalproofthatwouldconvicthimofwhatIammorallycertainhedid，marryyou，suspecting，ifnotknowing，hertobealiveallthetime。\'

\'WhathasEdwardsent？\'saidCytherea。

\'AnoldamatoryverseinManston\'swriting。Fancy，\'hesaidbitterly，\'thisisthestrainheaddressedherinwhentheywerecourting——ashedidyou，Isuppose。\'

Hehandedhertheverseandsheread——

\'EUNICE。

\'WhosoforhoursorlengthydaysShallcatchheraspect\'schangefulrays，Thenturnaway，cannonerecallBeyondagalaxyofallInhazyportraiture；

LitbythelightofazureeyesLikesummerdaysbysummerskies：

HersweettransitionsseemtobeAkindofpicturedmelody，Andnotasetcontour。

\'AE。M。\'

AstrangeexpressionhadoverspreadCytherea\'scountenance。Itrapidlyincreasedtothemostdeath-likeanguish。Sheflungdownthepaper，seizedOwen\'shandtremblingly，andcoveredherface。

\'Cytherea！Whatisit，forHeaven\'ssake？\'

\'Owen——suppose——O，youdon\'tknowwhatIthink。\'

\'What？\'

\'“THELIGHTOFAZUREEYES，“\'sherepeatedwithashylips。

\'Well，“thelightofazureeyes“？\'hesaid，astoundedathermanner。

\'Mrs。MorrissaidinherlettertomethathereyesareBLACK！\'

\'H\'m。Mrs。Morrismusthavemadeamistake——nothinglikelier。\'

\'Shedidn\'t。\'

\'Theymightbeeitherinthisphotograph，\'saidOwen，lookingatthecardbearingMrs。Manston\'sname。

\'Blueeyeswouldscarcelyphotographsodeepintoneasthat，\'saidCytherea。\'No，theyseemblackhere，certainly。\'

\'Well，then，Manstonmusthaveblunderedinwritinghisverses。\'

\'Butcouldhe？Sayamaninlovemayforgethisownname，butnotthatheforgetsthecolourofhismistress\'seyes。Besidesshewouldhaveseenthemistakewhenshereadthem，andhavehaditcorrected。\'

\'That\'strue，shewould，\'musedOwen。\'Then，Cytherea，itcomestothis——youmusthavebeenmisinformedbyMrs。Morris，sincethereisnootheralternative。\'

\'IsupposeImust。\'

Herlooksbeliedherwords。

\'Whatmakesyousostrange——ill？\'saidOwenagain。

\'Ican\'tbelieveMrs。Morriswrong。\'

\'Butlookatthis，Cytherea。Ifitiscleartousthatthewomanhadblueeyestwoyearsago，sheMUSThaveblueeyesnow，whateverMrs。Morrisoranybodyelsemayfancy。AnyonewouldthinkthatManstoncouldchangethecolourofawoman\'seyestohearyou。\'

\'Yes，\'shesaid，andpaused。

\'Yousayyes，asifhecould，\'saidOwenimpatiently。

\'Bychangingthewomanherself，\'sheexclaimed。\'Owen，don\'tyouseethehorrid——whatIdread？——thatthewomanheliveswithisnotMrs。Manston——thatshewasburntafterall——andthatIamHISWIFE！\'

Shetriedtosupportastoicismundertheweightofthisnewtrouble，butno！Theunexpectedrevulsionofideaswassooverwhelmingthatshecrepttohimandleantagainsthisbreast。

BeforereflectinganyfurtheruponthesubjectGrayeledherupstairsandgothertoliedown。Thenhewenttothewindowandstaredoutofitupthelane，vainlyendeavouringtocometosomeconclusionuponthefantasticenigmathatconfrontedhim。

Cytherea\'snewviewseemedincredible，yetithadsuchaholduponherthatitwouldbenecessarytoclearitawaybypositiveproofbeforecontemplationofherfearshouldhavepreyedtoodeeplyuponher。

\'Cytherea，\'hesaid，\'thiswillnotdo。YoumuststayherealonealltheafternoonwhilstIgotoCarriford。IshallknowallwhenI

return。\'

\'No，no，don\'tgo！\'sheimplored。

\'Soon，then，notdirectly。\'Hesawhersubtlereasoning——thatitwasfollytobewise。

Reflectionstillconvincedhimthatgoodwouldcomeofperseveringinhisintentionanddispellinghissister\'sidlefears。Anythingwasbetterthanthisabsurddoubtinhermind。ButheresolvedtowaittillSunday，thefirstdayonwhichhemightreckonuponseeingMrs。Manstonwithoutsuspicion。InthemeantimehewrotetoEdwardSpringrove，requestinghimtogoagaintoMrs。Manston\'sformerlodgings。

XVIII。THEEVENTSOFTHREEDAYS

1。MARCHTHEEIGHTEENTH

Sundaymorninghadcome，andOwenwastrudgingoverthesixmilesofhillanddalethatlaybetweenTolchurchandCarriford。

EdwardSpringrove\'sanswertothelastletter，afterexpressinghisamazementatthestrangecontradictionbetweentheversesandMrs。

Morris\'sletter，hadbeentotheeffectthathehadagainvisitedtheneighbourofthedeadMr。Brown，andhadreceivedasnearadescriptionofMrs。Manstonasitwaspossibletogetatsecond-

hand，andbyhearsay。Shewasatallwoman，wideattheshoulders，andfull-chested，andshehadastraightandratherlargenose。Thecolourofhereyestheinformantdidnotknow，forshehadonlyseentheladyinthestreetasshewentinorout。Thisconfusingremarkwasadded。ThewomanhadalmostrecognizedMrs。Manstonwhenshehadcalledwithherhusbandlately，butshehadkeptherveildown。

Herresidence，beforeshecametoHoxton，wasquiteunknowntothisnext-doorneighbour，andEdwardcouldgetnomannerofcluetoitfromanyothersource。

Owenreachedthechurch-doorafewminutesbeforethebellsbeganchiming。Nobodywasyetinthechurch，andhewalkedroundtheaisles。FromCytherea\'sfrequentdescriptionofhowandwhereherselfandothersusedtosit，heknewwheretolookforManston\'sseat；andaftertwoorthreeerrorsofexaminationhetookupaprayer-bookinwhichwaswritten\'EuniceManston。\'Thebookwasnearlynew，andthedateofthewritingaboutamonthearlier。Onepointwasatanyrateestablished：thatthewomanlivingwithManstonwaspresentedtotheworldasnootherthanhislawfulwife。

ThequietvillagersofCarrifordrequirednopew-openerintheirplaceofworship：nativesandin-dwellershadtheirownseats，andstrangerssatwheretheycould。Grayetookaseatinthenave，onthenorthside，closebehindapillardividingitfromthenorthaisle，whichwascompletelyallottedtoMissAldclyffe，herfarmers，andherretainers，Manston\'spewbeinginthemidstofthem。Owen\'spositionontheothersideofthepassagewasalittleinadvanceofManston\'sseat，andsosituatedthatbyleaningforwardhecouldlookdirectlyintothefaceofanypersonsittingthere，though，ifhesatupright，hewaswhollyhiddenfromsuchaonebytheinterveningpillar。

AimingtokeephispresenceunknowntoManstonifpossible，Owensat，withoutonceturninghishead，duringtheentranceofthecongregation。ArustlingofsilkroundbythenorthpassageandintoManston\'sseat，toldhimthatsomewomanhadenteredthere，andasitseemedfromtheaccompanimentofheavierfootsteps，Manstonwaswithher。

Immediatelyuponrisingup，helookedintentlyinthatdirection，andsawaladystandingattheendoftheseatnearesthimself。

PortionsofManston\'sfigureappearedontheothersideofher。IntwoglancesGrayereadthusmanyofhercharacteristics，andinthefollowingorder：——

Shewasatallwoman。

Shewasbroadattheshoulders。

Shewasfull-bosomed。

Shewaseasilyrecognizablefromthephotographbutnothingcouldbediscernedofthecolourofhereyes。

Withapreoccupiedmindhewithdrewintohisnook，andheardtheservicecontinued——onlyconsciousofthefactthatinoppositiontothesuspicionwhichoneoddcircumstancehadbredinhissisterconcerningthiswoman，allostensibleandordinaryproofsandprobabilitiestendedtotheoppositeconclusion。Theresatthegenuineoriginaloftheportrait——couldhewishformore？Cythereawishedformore。EuniceManston\'seyeswereblue，anditwasnecessarythatthiswoman\'seyesshouldbebluealso。

Unskilledlabourwastesinbeatingagainstthebarstentimestheenergyexertedbythepractisedhandintheeffectivedirection。

OwenfeltthistobethecaseinhisownandEdward\'sattemptstofollowuptheclueaffordedthem。Thinkashemight，hecouldnotthinkofacrucialtestinthematterabsorbinghim，whichshouldpossesstheindispensableattribute——acapabilityofbeingappliedprivately；thatintheeventofitsprovingtheladytobetherightfulownerofthenamesheused，hemightrecedewithoutobloquyfromanuntenableposition。

ButtoseeMrs。Manston\'seyesfromwherehesatwasimpossible，andhecoulddonothingintheshapeofadirectexaminationatpresent。

MissAldclyffehadpossiblyrecognizedhim，butManstonhadnot，andfeelingthatitwasindispensabletokeepthepurportofhisvisitasecretfromthesteward，hethoughtitwouldbeaswell，too，tokeephispresenceinthevillageasecretfromhim；atanyrate，tillthedaywasover。

Atthefirstopeningofthedoors，Grayeleftthechurchandwanderedawayintothefieldstoponderonanotherscheme。HecouldnotcallonFarmerSpringrove，ashehadintended，untilthismatterwassetatrest。Twohoursintervenedbetweenthemorningandafternoonservices。

ThistimehadnearlyexpiredbeforeOwenhadstruckoutanymethodofproceeding，orcoulddecidetoruntheriskofcallingattheOldHouseandaskingtoseeMrs。Manstonpoint-blank。Buthehaddrawnneartheplace，andwasstandingstillinthepublicpath，fromwhichapartialviewofthefrontofthebuildingcouldbeobtained，whenthebellsbeganchimingforafternoonservice。WhilstGrayepaused，twopersonscamefromthefrontdoorofthehalf-hiddendwellingwhomhepresentlysawtobeManstonandhiswife。Manstonwaswearinghisoldgarden-hat，andcarriedoneofthemonthlymagazinesunderhisarm。Immediatelytheyhadpassedthegatewayhebranchedoffandwentoverthehillinadirectionawayfromthechurch，evidentlyintendingtoramblealong，andreadasthehumourmovedhim。Theladymeanwhileturnedintheotherdirection，andwentintothechurchpath。

Owenresolvedtomakesomethingofthisopportunity。Hehurriedalongtowardsthechurch，doubledroundasharpangle，andcamebackupontheotherpath，bywhichMrs。Manstonmustarrive。

Inaboutthreeminutessheappearedinsightwithoutaveil。Hediscovered，asshedrewnearer，adifficultywhichhadnotstruckhimatfirst——thatitisnotaneasymattertoparticularizethecolourofastranger\'seyesinamerelycasualencounteronapathoutofdoors。ThatMrs。Manstonmustbebroughtclosetohim，andnotonlyso，buttolookcloselyathim，ifhispurposeweretobeaccomplished。

Heshapedaplan。Itmightbychancebeeffectual；ifotherwise，itwouldnotrevealhisintentiontoher。WhenMrs。Manstonwaswithinspeakingdistance，hewentuptoherandsaid——

\'WillyoukindlytellmewhichturningwilltakemetoCasterbridge？\'

\'Thesecondontheright，\'saidMrs。Manston。

Owenputonablanklook：heheldhishandtohisear——conveyingtotheladytheideathathewasdeaf。

Shecamecloserandsaidmoredistinctly——

\'Thesecondturningontheright。\'

Owenflushedalittle。Hefanciedhehadbeheldtherevelationhewasinsearchof。Buthadhiseyesdeceivedhim？

Oncemoreheusedtheruse，stilldrawingnearerandintimatingbyaglancethatthetroublehegaveherwasverydistressingtohim。

\'Howverydeaf！\'shemurmured。Sheexclaimedloudly——

\'THESECONDTURNINGTOTHERIGHT。\'

Shehadadvancedherfacetowithinafootofhisown，andinspeakingmouthedveryemphatically，fixinghereyesintentlyuponhis。Andnowhisfirstsuspicionwasindubitablyconfirmed。Hereyeswereasblackasmidnight。

AllthisfeigningwasmostdistastefultoGraye。Theriddlehavingbeensolved，heunconsciouslyassumedhisnaturallookbeforeshehadwithdrawnherface。Shefoundhimtobepeeringatherasifhewouldreadherverysoul——expressingwithhiseyesthenotificationofwhich，apartfromemotion，theeyesaremorecapablethananyother——inquiry。

Herfacechangeditsexpression——thenitscolour。Thenaturaltintofthelighterportionssanktoanashygray；thepinkofhercheeksgrewpurpler。Itwasthepreciseresultwhichwouldremainafterbloodhadleftthefaceofonewhoseskinwasdark，andartificiallycoatedwithpearl-powderandcarmine。

Sheturnedherheadandmovedaway，murmuringahastyreplytoOwen\'sfarewellremarkof\'Good-day，\'andwithakindofnervoustwitchliftingherhandandsmoothingherhair，whichwasofalight-browncolour。

\'Shewearsfalsehair，\'hethought，\'orhaschangeditscolourartificially。Hertruehairmatchedhereyes。\'

Andnow，inspiteofwhatMr。Brown\'sneighbourshadsaidaboutnearlyrecognizingMrs。Manstononherrecentvisit——whichmighthavemeantanythingornothing；inspiteofthephotograph，andinspiteofhispreviousincredulity；inconsequenceoftheverse，ofhersilenceandbackwardnessatthevisittoHoxtonwithManston，andofherappearanceanddistressatthepresentmoment，Grayehadaconvictionthatthewomanwasanimpostor。

WhatcouldbeManston\'sreasonforsuchanastoundingtrickhecouldbynostretchofimaginationdivine。

Hechangedhisdirectionassoonasthewomanwasoutofsight，andploddedalongthelaneshomewardtoTolchurch。

OnenewideawassuggestedtohimbyhisdesiretoallayCytherea\'sdreadofbeingclaimed，andbythedifficultyofbelievingthatthefirstMrs。Manstonlostherlifeassupposed，notwithstandingtheinquestandverdict。WasitpossiblethattherealMrs。Manston，whowasknowntobeaPhiladelphianbybirth，hadreturnedbythetraintoLondon，astheporterhadsaid，andthenleftthecountryunderanassumedname，toescapethatworstkindofwidowhood——themiseryofbeingweddedtoafickle，faithless，andtruanthusband？

Inhercomplicateddistressatthenewsbroughtbyherbrother，Cytherea\'sthoughtsatlengthrevertedtoherfriend，theRectorofCarriford。ShetoldOwenofMr。Raunham\'swarm-heartedbehaviourtowardsherself，andofhisstronglyexpressedwishtoaidher。

\'Heisnotonlyagood，butasensibleman。Weseemtowantanoldheadonourside。\'

\'Andheisamagistrate，\'saidOweninatoneofconcurrence。Hethought，too，thatnoharmcouldcomeofconfidingintherector，buttherewasadifficultyinbringingabouttheconfidence。HewishedthathissisterandhimselfmightbothbepresentataninterviewwithMr。Raunham，yetitwouldbeunwiseforthemtocallonhimtogether，inthesightofalltheservantsandparishofCarriford。

Therecouldbenoobjectiontotheirwritinghimaletter。

Nosoonerwasthethoughtbornthanitwascarriedout。Theywrotetohimatonce，askinghimtohavethegoodnesstogivethemsomeadvicetheysadlyneeded，andbeggingthathewouldaccepttheirassurancethattherewasarealjustificationfortheadditionalrequesttheymade——thatinsteadoftheircallinguponhim，hewouldanyeveningoftheweekcometotheircottageatTolchurch。

2。MARCHTHETWENTIETH。SIXTONINEO\'CLOCKP。M。

Twoeveningslater，tothetotaldisarrangementofhisdinner-hour，Mr。RaunhamappearedatOwen\'sdoor。Hisarrivalwashailedwithgenuinegratitude。Thehorsewastiedtothepalings，andtherectorusheredindoorsandputintotheeasy-chair。

ThenGrayetoldhimthewholestory，remindinghimthattheirfirstsuspicionshadbeenofatotallydifferentnature，andthatinendeavouringtoobtainproofoftheirtruththeyhadstumbleduponmarkswhichhadsurprisedthemintothesenewuncertainties，thriceasmarvellousasthefirst，yetmoreprominent。

Cytherea\'sheartwassofullofanxietythatitsuperinducedamannerofconfidencewhichwasadeath-blowtoallformality。Mr。

Raunhamtookherhandpityingly。

\'Itisaseriouscharge，\'hesaid，asasortoforiginaltwigonwhichhisthoughtsmightprecipitatethemselves。

\'Assumingforamomentthatsuchasubstitutionwasrenderedaneasymatterbyfortuitousevents，\'hecontinued，\'thereisthisconsiderationtobeplacedbesideit——whatearthlymotivecanMr。

Manstonhavehadwhichwouldbesufficientlypowerfultoleadhimtorunsuchaverygreatrisk？Themostabandonedrouecouldnot，atthatparticularcrisis，havetakensucharecklessstepforthemerepleasureofanewcompanion。\'

Owenhadseenthatdifficultyaboutthemotive；Cythereahadnot。

\'Unfortunatelyforus，\'therectorresumed，\'nomoreevidenceistobeobtainedfromtheporter，Chinney。Isupposeyouknowwhatbecameofhim？HegottoLiverpoolandembarked，intendingtoworkhiswaytoAmerica，butonthepassagehefelloverboardandwasdrowned。Butthereisnodoubtofthetruthofhisconfession——infact，hisconducttendstoproveittrue——andnomoraldoubtofthefactthattherealMrs。Manstonleftheretogobackbythatmorning\'strain。Thisbeingthecase，then，why，ifthiswomanisnotshe，didshetakenonoticeoftheadvertisement——Imeannotnecessarilyafriendlynotice，butfromtheinformationitaffordedherhaverendereditimpossiblethatsheshouldbepersonifiedwithoutherownconnivance？\'

\'Ithinkthatargumentisoverthrown，\'Grayesaid，\'bymyearliestassumptionofherhatredofhim，wearinessofthechainwhichboundhertohim，andaresolvetobegintheworldanew。Let\'ssupposeshehasmarriedanotherman——somewhereabroad，say；shewouldbesilentforherownsake。\'

\'You\'vehittheonlygenuinepossibility，\'saidMr。Raunham，tappinghisfingeruponhisknee。\'Thatwoulddecidedlydisposeoftheseconddifficulty。Buthismotivewouldbeasmysteriousasever。\'

Cytherea\'spictureddreadswouldnotallowhermindtofollowtheirconversation。\'She\'sburnt，\'shesaid。\'Oyes；Ifear——Ifearsheis！\'

\'Idon\'tthinkwecanseriouslybelievethatnow，afterwhathashappened，\'saidtherector。

Stillstrainingherthoughttowardstheworst，\'Then，perhaps，thefirstMrs。Manstonwasnothiswife，\'shereturned；\'andthenI

shouldbehiswifejustthesame，shouldn\'tI？\'

\'Theyweremarriedsafelyenough，\'saidOwen。\'Thereisabundanceofcircumstantialevidencetoprovethat。\'

\'Uponthewhole，\'saidMr。Raunham，\'Ishouldadviseyouraskinginastraightforwardwayforlegalprooffromthestewardthatthepresentwomanisreallyhisoriginalwife——athingwhich，tomymind，youshouldhavedoneattheoutset。\'HeturnedtoCythereakindly，andaskedherwhatmadehergiveupherhusbandsounceremoniously。

ShecouldnottelltherectorofheraversiontoManston，andofherunquenchedloveforEdward。

\'Yourterrifiedstatenodoubt，\'hesaid，answeringforher，inthemannerofthoseaccustomedtothepulpit。\'Butintosuchasolemncompactasmarriage，all-importantconsiderations，bothlegallyandmorally，enter；itwasyourdutytohaveseeneverythingclearlyproved。DoubtlessMr。Manstonispreparedwithproofs，butasitconcernsnobodybutyourselfthatheridentityshouldbepubliclyestablished(andbyyourabsenteeismyouactasifyouweresatisfied)hehasnottroubledtoexhibitthem。Nobodyelsehastakenthetroubletoprovewhatdoesnotaffectthemintheleast——

that\'sthewayoftheworldalways。You，whoshouldhaverequiredallthingstobemadeclear，ranaway。\'

\'Thatwaspartlymydoing，\'saidOwen。

Thesameexplanation——herwantofloveforManston——appliedheretoo，butsheshunnedtherevelation。

\'Butnevermind，\'addedtherector，\'itwasallthegreatercredittoyourwomanhood，perhaps。Isay，then，getyourbrothertowritealinetoMr。Manston，sayingyouwishtobesatisfiedthatallislegallyclear(incaseyoushouldwanttomarryagain，forinstance)，andIhavenodoubtthatyouwillbe。Or，ifyouwouldrather，I\'llwritemyself？\'

\'Ono，sir，no，\'pleadedCytherea，beginningtoblanch，andbreathingquickly。\'Pleasedon\'tsayanything。LetmeliveherewithOwen。IamsoafraiditwillturnoutthatIshallhavetogotoKnapwaterandbehiswife，andIdon\'twanttogo。Doconcealwhatwehavetoldyou。Lethimcontinuehisdeception——itismuchthebestforme。\'

Mr。RaunhamatlengthdivinedthatherloveforManston，ifithadeverexisted，hadtransmuteditselfintoaverydifferentfeelingnow。

\'Atanyrate，\'hesaid，ashetookhisleaveandmountedhismare，\'Iwillseeaboutit。Restcontent，MissGraye，anddependuponitthatIwillnotleadyouintodifficulty。\'

\'Concealit，\'shestillpleaded。

\'We\'llsee——butofcourseImustdomyduty。\'

\'No——don\'tdoyourduty！\'Shelookedupathimthroughthegloom，illuminatingherownfaceandeyeswiththecandlesheheld。

\'Iwillconsider，then，\'saidMr。Raunham，sensiblymoved。Heturnedhishorse\'shead，badethemawarmadieu，andleftthedoor。

TherectorofCarrifordtrottedhomewardsunderthecoldandclearMarchsky，itscountlessstarsflutteringlikebrightbirds。Hewasunconsciousofthescene。RecoveringfromtheeffectofCytherea\'svoiceandglanceofentreaty，helaidthesubjectoftheinterviewclearlybeforehimself。

ThesuspicionsofCythereaandOwenwerehonest，andhadfoundation——

thathemustown。Washe——aclergyman，magistrate，andconscientiousman——justifiedinyieldingtoCytherea\'simportunitiestokeepsilence，becauseshedreadedthepossibilityofareturntoManston？Wasshewiseinherrequest？Holdingherpresentbelief，andwithnodefiniteevidenceeitherway，shecould，foronething，neverconscientiouslymarryanyoneelse。SupposethatCythereawereManston\'swife——i。e。，thatthefirstwifewasreallyburnt？

TheadulteryofManstonwouldbeproved，and，Mr。Raunhamthought，crueltysufficienttobringthecasewithinthemeaningofthestatute。Supposethenewwomanwas，asstated，Mr。Manston\'srestoredwife？Cythereawasperfectlysafeasasinglewomanwhosemarriagehadbeenvoid。Andifitturnedoutthat，thoughthiswomanwasnotManston\'swife，hiswifewasstillliving，asOwenhadsuggested，inAmericaorelsewhere，Cythereawassafe。

Thefirstsuppositionopeneduptheworstcontingency。WasshereallysafeasManston\'swife？Doubtful。But，howeverthatmightbe，thegentle，defencelessgirl，whomitseemednobody\'sbusinesstohelpordefend，shouldbeputinatracktoproceedagainstthisman。Shehadbutonelife，andthesuperciliousnesswithwhichalltheworldnowregardedhershouldbecompensatedinsomemeasurebythemanwhosecarelessness——tosethiminthebestlight——hadcausedit。

Mr。Raunhamfeltmoreandmorepositivelythathisdutymustbedone。Aninquirymustbemadeintothematter。Immediatelyonreachinghome，hesatdownandwroteaplainandfriendlylettertoMr。Manston，anddespatcheditatoncetohimbyhand。Thenheflunghimselfbackinhischair，andwentonwithhismeditation。

Wasthereanythinginthesuspicion？Therecouldbenothing，surely。Nothingisdonebyaclevermanwithoutamotive，andwhatconceivablemotivecouldManstonhaveforsuchabnormalconduct？

Corinthianthathemightbe，whohadpreyedonvirginitylikeSt。

George\'sdragon，hewouldneverhavebeenabsurdenoughtoventureonsuchacourseforthepossessionaloneofthewoman——therewasnoreasonforit——shewasinferiortoCythereaineveryrespect，physicalandmental。

Ontheotherhand，itseemedratherodd，whenheanalyzedtheaction，thatawomanwhodeliberatelyhidherselffromherhusbandformorethanatwelvemonthshouldbebroughtbackbyamereadvertisement。Infact，thewholebusinesshadworkedalmosttoosmoothlyandeffectuallyforunpremeditatedsequence。Itwastoomuchliketheindiscriminaterightingofeverythingattheendofanoldplay。Andtherewasthatcuriousbusinessofthekeysandwatch。Herwayofaccountingfortheirbeingleftbehindbyforgetfulnesshadalwaysseemedtohimratherforced。Theonlyunforcedexplanationwasthatsuggestedbythenewspaperwriters——

thatsheleftthembehindonpurposetoblindpeopleastoherescape，amotivewhichwouldhaveclashedwiththepossibilityofherbeingfishedbackbyanadvertisement，asthepresentwomanhadbeen。Again，therewerethetwocharredbones。Heshuffledthebooksandpapersinhisstudy，andwalkedabouttheroom，restlesslymusingonthesamesubject。Theparlour-maidentered。

\'CanyoungMr。SpringrovefromLondonseeyouto-night，sir？\'

\'YoungMr。Springrove？\'saidtherector，surprised。

\'Yes，sir。\'

\'Yes，ofcoursehecanseeme。Tellhimtocomein。\'

Edwardcamesoimpatientlyintotheroom，astoshowthatthefewshortmomentshisannouncementhadoccupiedhadbeenirksometohim。

Hestoodinthedoorwaywiththesameblackbaginhishand，andthesameoldgraycloakonhisshoulders，thathehadwornfifteenmonthsearlierwhenreturningonthenightofthefire。Thisappearanceofhisconveyedatrueimpression；hehadbecomeastagnantman。Buthewasexcitednow。

\'IhavethismomentcomefromLondon，\'hesaid，asthedoorwasclosedbehindhim。

Thepropheticinsight，whichsostrangelyaccompaniescriticalexperiences，promptedMr。Raunham\'sreply。

\'AbouttheGrayesandManston？\'

\'Yes。ThatwomanisnotMrs。Manston。\'

\'Proveit。\'

\'Icanprovethatsheissomebodyelse——thathernameisAnneSeaway。\'

\'Andaretheirsuspicionstrueindeed！\'

\'AndIcandowhat\'smoretothepurposeatpresent。\'

\'SuggestManston\'smotive？\'

\'Onlysuggestit，remember。Butmyassumptionfitssoperfectlywiththefactsthathavebeensecretlyunearthedandconveyedtome，thatIcanhardlyconceiveofanother。\'

TherewasinEdward\'sbearingthatentireunconsciousnessofhimselfwhich，naturaltowildanimals，onlyprevailsinasensitivemanatmomentsofextremeintentness。Therectorsawthathehadnotrivialstorytocommunicate，whateverthestorywas。

\'Sitdown，\'saidMr。Raunham。\'Mymindhasbeenonthestretchalltheeveningtoformtheslightestguessatsuchanobject，andalltonopurpose——entirelytonopurpose。HaveyousaidanythingtoOwenGraye？\'

\'Nothing——nortoanybody。Icouldnottrusttotheeffectalettermighthaveuponyourself，either；theintricacyofthecasebringsmetothisinterview。\'

WhilstSpringrovehadbeenspeakingthetwohadsatdowntogether。

Theconversation，hithertodistincttoeverycorneroftheroom，wascarriedonnowintonessolowastobescarcelyaudibletotheinterlocutors，andinphraseswhichhesitatedtocompletethemselves。Three-quartersofanhourpassed。ThenEdwardarose，cameoutoftherector\'sstudyandagainflunghiscloakaroundhim。

Insteadofgoingthencehomeward，hewentfirsttotheCarrifordRoadStationwithatelegram，havingdespatchedwhichheproceededtohisfather\'shouseforthefirsttimesincehisarrivalinthevillage。

3。FROMNINETOTENO\'CLOCKP。M。

ThenextpresentationistheinterioroftheOldHouseontheeveningoftheprecedingsection。Thestewardwassittingbyhisparlourfire，andhadbeenreadingtheletterarrivedfromtherectory。OppositetohimsatthewomanknowntothevillageandneighbourhoodasMrs。Manston。

\'Thingsarelookingdesperatewithus，\'hesaidgloomily。Hisgloomwasnotthatofthehypochondriac，butthelegitimategloomwhichhasitsorigininasyllogism。Asheutteredthewordshehandedthelettertoher。

\'Ialmostexpectedsomesuchnewsasthis，\'shereplied，inatoneofmuchgreaterindifference。\'Iknewsuspicionlurkedintheeyesofthatyoungmanwhostaredatmesointhechurchpath：Icouldhaveswornit。\'

Manstondidnotanswerforsometime。Hisfacewaswornandhaggard；latterlyhisheadhadnotbeencarriedsouprightlyasofold。\'Iftheyproveyoutobe——whoyouare……Yes，iftheydo，\'hemurmured。

\'Theymustnotfindthatout，\'shesaid，inapositivevoice，andlookingathim。\'Butsupposingtheydo，thetrickdoesnotseemtometobesoseriousastojustifythatwretched，miserable，horriblelookofyours。Itmakesmyfleshcreep；itisperfectlydeathlike。\'

Hedidnotreply，andshecontinued，\'IftheysayandprovethatEuniceisindeedliving——anddear，youknowsheis——sheissuretocomeback。\'

Thisremarkseemedtoawakenandirritatehimtospeech。Again，ashehaddoneahundredtimesduringtheirresidencetogether，hecategorizedtheeventsconnectedwiththefireattheThreeTranters。Hedweltoneveryincidentofthatnight\'shistory，andendeavoured，withananxietywhichwasextraordinaryintheapparentcircumstances，toprovethathiswifemust，bytheverynatureofthings，haveperishedintheflames。Shearosefromherseat，crossedthehearthrug，andsetherselftosoothehim；thenshewhisperedthatshewasstillasunbelievingasever。\'Come，supposingsheescaped——justsupposingsheescaped——whereisshe？\'

coaxedthelady。

\'Whyareyousocuriouscontinually？\'saidManston。

\'BecauseIamawomanandwanttoknow。Nowwhereisshe？\'

\'IntheFlyingIsleofSanBorandan。\'

\'Wittycrueltyisthecruellestofany。Ah，well——ifsheisinEngland，shewillcomeback。\'

\'SheisnotinEngland。\'

\'Butshewillcomeback？\'

\'No，shewon\'t……Come，madam，\'hesaid，arousinghimself，\'I

shallnotansweranymorequestions。\'

\'Ah——ah——ah——sheisnotdead，\'thewomanmurmuredagainpoutingly。

\'Sheis，Itellyou。\'

\'Idon\'tthinkso，love。\'

\'Shewasburnt，Itellyou！\'heexclaimed。

\'Nowtopleaseme，admitthebarepossibilityofherbeingalive——

justthepossibility。\'

\'Oyes——topleaseyouIwilladmitthat，\'hesaidquickly。\'Yes，I

admitthepossibilityofherbeingalive，topleaseyou。\'

Shelookedathiminutterperplexity。Thewordscouldonlyhavebeensaidinjest，andyettheyseemedtosavourofatonethefurthestremovefromjesting。Therewashisfaceplaintohereyes，butnoinformationofanykindwastobereadthere。

\'ItisonlynaturalthatIshouldbecurious，\'shemurmuredpettishly，\'ifIresembleherasmuchasyousayIdo。\'

\'Youarehandsomer，\'hesaid，\'thoughyouareaboutherownheightandsize。Butdon\'tworryyourself。Youmustknowthatyouarebodyandsoulunitedwithme，thoughyouarebutmyhousekeeper。\'

Shebridledalittleattheremark。\'Wife，\'shesaid，\'mostcertainlywife，sinceyoucannotdismissmewithoutlosingyourcharacterandposition，andincurringheavypenalties。\'

\'Iownit——itwaswellsaid，thoughmistakenly——verymistakenly。\'

\'Don\'triddletomeaboutmistakenlyandsuchdarkthings。Nowwhatwasyourmotive，dearest，inrunningtheriskofhavingmehere？\'

\'Yourbeauty，\'hesaid。

\'Shethanksyoumuchforthecompliment，butwillnottakeit。

Come，whatwasyourmotive？\'

\'Yourwit。\'

\'No，no；notmywit。WitwouldhavemadeawifeofmebythistimeinsteadofwhatIam。\'

\'Yourvirtue。\'

\'Orvirtueeither。\'

\'Itellyouitwasyourbeauty——really。\'

\'ButIcannothelpseeingandhearing，andifwhatpeoplesayistrue，Iamnotnearlysogood-lookingasCytherea，andseveralyearsolder。\'

TheaspectofManston\'sfaceatthesewordsfromherwassoconfirmatoryofherhint，thathisforcedreplyof\'Ono，\'tendedtodevelopherchagrin。

\'Merelikingorloveforme，\'sheresumed，\'wouldnothavesprungupallofasudden，asyourpretendedpassiondid。YouhadbeentoLondonseveraltimesbetweenthetimeofthefireandyourmarriagewithCytherea——youhadnevervisitedmeorthoughtofmyexistenceorcaredthatIwasoutofasituationandpoor。Buttheweekafteryoumarriedherandwereseparatedfromher，offyourushtomakelovetome——notfirsttomeeither，foryouwenttoseveralplaces——

\'

\'No，notseveralplaces。\'

\'Yes，youtoldmesoyourself——thatyouwentfirsttotheonlylodginginwhichyourwifehadbeenknownasMrs。Manston，andwhenyoufoundthatthelodging-house-keeperhadgoneawayanddied，andthatnobodyelseinthestreethadanydefiniteideasastoyourwife\'spersonalappearance，andcameandproposedthearrangementwecarriedout——thatIshouldpersonateher。Yourtakingallthistroubleshowsthatsomethingmoreseriousthanlovehadtodowiththematter。\'

\'Humbug——whattroubleafteralldidItake？WhenIfoundCythereawouldnotstaywithmeaftertheweddingIwasmuchputoutatbeingleftaloneagain。Wasthatunnatural？\'

\'No。\'

\'Andthosefavouringaccidentsyoumention——thatnobodyknewmyfirstwife——seemedanarrangementofProvidenceforourmutualbenefit，andmerelyperfectedahalf-formedimpulse——thatIshouldcallyoumyfirstwifetoescapethescandalthatwouldhavearisenifyouhadcomehereasanythingelse。\'

\'Mylove，thatstorywon\'tdo。IfMrs。Manstonwasburnt，Cytherea，whomyoulovebetterthanme，couldhavebeencompelledtolivewithyouasyourlawfulwife。Ifshewasnotburnt，whyshouldyouruntheriskofherturningupagainatanymomentandexposingyoursubstitutionofme，andruiningyournameandprospects？\'

\'Why——becauseImighthavelovedyouwellenoughtoruntherisk(assuminghernottobeburnt，whichIdeny)。\'

\'No——youwouldhaveruntherisktheotherway。YouwouldratherhaveriskedherfindingyouwithCythereaasasecondwife，thanwithmeasapersonatorofherself——thefirstone。\'

\'Youcameeasiesttohand——rememberthat。\'

\'Notsoveryeasyeither，consideringthelabouryoutooktoteachmeyourfirstwife\'shistory。AllabouthowshewasanativeofPhiladelphia。Thenmakingmereaduptheguide-booktoPhiladelphia，anddetailsofAmericanlifeandmanners，incasethebirthplaceandhistoryofyourwife，Eunice，shouldeverbecomeknowninthisneighbourhood——unlikelyasitwas。Ah！andthenaboutthehandwritingofhersthatIhadtoimitate，andthedyingmyhair，androuging，tomakethetransformationcomplete？YoumeantosaythatthatwastakinglesstroublethantherewouldhavebeeninarrangingeventstomakeCythereabelieveherselfyourwife，andlivewithyou？\'

\'Youwereaneedyadventuress，whowoulddareanythingforanewpleasureandaneasylife——andIwasfoolenoughtogiveintoyou——

\'

\'Goodheavensabove！——didIaskyoutoinsertthoseadvertisementsforyouroldwife，andtomakemeansweritasifIwasshe？DidI

askyoutosendmetheletterformetocopyandsendbacktoyouwhenthethirdadvertisementappeared——purportingtocomefromthelong-lostwife，andgivingadetailedhistoryofherescapeandsubsequentlife——allwhichyouhadinventedyourself？Youdeludedmeintolovingyou，andthenenticedmehere！Ah，andthisisanotherthing。Howdidyouknowtherealwifewouldn\'tanswerit，andupsetallyourplans？\'

\'BecauseIknewshewasburnt。\'

\'Whydidn\'tyouforceCythereatocomeback，then？Now，mylove，I

havecaughtyou，andyoumayjustaswelltellfirstaslast，WHAT

WASYOURMOTIVEINHAVINGMEHEREASYOURFIRSTWIFE？\'

\'Silence！\'heexclaimed。

Shewassilentforthespaceoftwominutes，andthenpersistedingoingontomutter，\'AndwhywasitthatMissAldclyffeallowedherfavouriteyounglady，Cythie，tobeoverthrownandsupplantedwithoutanexpostulationoranyshowofsympathy？DoyouknowI

oftenthinkyouexerciseasecretpoweroverMissAldclyffe。AndshealwaysshunsmeasifIsharedthepower。Apoor，ill-usedcreaturelikemesharingpower，indeed！\'

\'ShethinksyouareMrs。Manston。\'

\'Thatwouldn\'tmakeheravoidme。\'

\'Yesitwould，\'heexclaimedimpatiently。\'IwishIwasdead——

dead！\'Hehadjumpedupfromhisseatinutteringthewords，andnowwalkedwearilytotheendoftheroom。Comingbackmoredecisively，helookedinherface。

\'WemustleavethisplaceifRaunhamsuspectswhatIthinkhedoes，\'

hesaid。\'TherequestofCythereaandherbrothermaysimplybeforasatisfactoryproof，tomakeherfeellegallyfree——butitmaymeanmore。\'

\'Whatmayitmean？\'

\'HowshouldIknow？\'

\'Well，well，nevermind，oldboy，\'shesaid，approachinghimtomakeupthequarrel。\'Don\'tbesoalarmed——anybodywouldthinkthatyouwerethewomanandItheman。SupposetheydofindoutwhatIam——

wecangoawayfromhereandkeephouseasusual。Peoplewillsayofyou，“Hisfirstwifewasburnttodeath“(or“ranawaytotheColonies，“asthecasemaybe)；“Hemarriedasecond，anddesertedherforAnneSeaway。“Averyeverydaycase——nothingsohorrible，afterall。\'

Hemadeanimpatientmovement。\'Whicheverwaywedoit，NOBODYMUST

KNOWTHATYOUARENOTMYWIFEEUNICE。AndnowImustthinkaboutarrangingmatters。\'

Manstonthenretiredtohisoffice，andshuthimselfupfortheremainderoftheevening。

XIX。THEEVENTSOFADAYANDNIGHT

1。MARCHTHETWENTY-FIRST。MORNING

Nextmorningthestewardwentoutasusual。Heshortlytoldhiscompanion，Anne，thathehadalmostmaturedtheirscheme，andthattheywouldenteruponthedetailsofitwhenhecamehomeatnight。

Thefortunatefactthattherector\'sletterdidnotrequireanimmediateanswerwouldgivehimtimetoconsider。

AnneSeawaythenbeganherdutiesinthehouse。Besidesdailysuperintendingthecookandhousemaidoneofthesedutieswas，atrareintervals，todustManston\'sofficewithherownhands，aservantbeingsupposedtodisturbthebooksandpapersunnecessarily。Shesoftlywanderedfromtabletoshelfwiththedusterinherhand，afterwardsstandinginthemiddleoftheroom，andglancingaroundtodiscoverifanynoteworthycollectionofdusthadstillescapedher。

Hereyefelluponafaintlayerwhichrestedupontheledgeofanold-fashionedchestnutcabinetofFrenchRenaissanceworkmanship，placedinarecessbythefireplace。Ataheightofaboutfourfeetfromthefloortheupperportionofthefrontreceded，formingtheledgealludedto，onwhichopenedateachendtwosmalldoors，thecentrespacebetweenthembeingfilledoutbyapanelofsimilarsize，makingthethirdofthreesquares。Thedustontheledgewasnearlyonalevelwiththewoman\'seye，and，thoughinsignificantinquantity，showeditselfdistinctlyonaccountofthisobliquityofvision。Nowoppositethecentralpanel，concentricquarter-circlesweretracedinthedepositedfilm，expressingtoherthatthispanel，too，wasadoorliketheothers；thatithadlatelybeenopened，andhadskimmedthedustwithitsloweredge。

Atlast，then，hercuriositywasslightlyrewarded。FortherightofthematterwasthatAnnehadbeenincitedtothisexplorationofManston\'sofficeratherbyawishtoknowthereasonofhislongseclusionhere，afterthearrivaloftherector\'sletter，andtheirsubsequentdiscourse，thanbyanyimmediatedesireforcleanliness。

Still，therewouldhavebeennothingremarkabletoAnneinthissightbutforonerecollection。Manstonhadoncecasuallytoldherthateachofthetwoside-lockersincludedhalfthemiddlespace，thepanelofwhichdidnotopen，andwasonlyputinforsymmetry。

Itwaspossiblethathehadopenedthiscompartmentbycandlelighttheprecedingnight，orhewouldhaveseenthemarksinthedust，andeffacedthem，thathemightnotbeprovedguiltyoftellingheranuntruth。Shebalancedherselfononefootandstoodpondering。

Sheconsideredthatitwasveryvexingandunfairinhimtorefuseherallknowledgeofhisremainingsecrets，underthepeculiarcircumstancesofherconnectionwithhim。Shewentclosetothecabinet。Astherewasnokeyhole，thedoormustbecapableofbeingopenedbytheunassistedhand。Thecirclesinthedusttoldheratwhichedgetoapplyherforce。Hereshepulledwiththetipsofherfingers，butthepanelwouldnotcomeforward。Shefetchedachairandlookedoverthetopofthecabinet，butnobolt，knob，orspringwastobeseen。

\'O，nevermind，\'shesaid，withindifference；\'I\'llaskhimaboutit，andhewilltellme。\'Downshecameandturnedaway。Thenlookingbackagainshethoughtitwasabsurdsuchatrifleshouldpuzzleher。Sheretracedhersteps，andopenedadrawerbeneaththeledgeofthecabinet，pushinginherhandandfeelingaboutontheundersideoftheboard。

Hereshefoundasmallroundsinking，andpressedherfingerintoit。Nothingcameofthepressure。Shewithdrewherhandandlookedatthetipofherfinger：itwasmarkedwiththeimpressofthecircle，and，inaddition，alineranacrossitdiametrically。

\'Howstupidofme；itistheheadofascrew。\'Whatevermysteriouscontrivancehadoriginallyexistedforopeningthepunycupboardofthecabinet，ithadatsometimebeenbroken，andthisroughsubstituteprovided。Stimulatedcuriositywouldnotallowhertorecedenow。Shefetchedascrewdriver，withdrewthescrew，pulledthedooropenwithapenknife，andfoundinsideacavityaboutteninchessquare。Thecavitycontained——

Lettersfromdifferentwomen，withunknownsignatures，Christiannamesonly(surnamesbeingdespisedinPaphos)。LettersfromhiswifeEunice。LettersfromAnneherself，includingthatshewroteinanswertohisadvertisement。Asmallpocket-book。Sundryscrapsofpaper。

Thelettersfromthestrangewomenwithpetnamessheglancedcarelesslythrough，andthenputthemaside。Theyweretoosimilartoherownregretteddelusion，andcuriosityrequirescontrasttoexciteit。

Thelettersfromhiswifewerenextexamined。TheyweredatedbackasfarasEunice\'sfirstmeetingwithManston，andtheearlyonesbeforetheirmarriagecontainedtheusualprettyeffusionsofwomenatsuchaperiodoftheirexistence。Somelittletimeafterhehadmadeherhiswife，andwhenhehadcometoKnapwater，theseriesbeganagain，andnowtheircontentsarrestedherattentionmoreforcibly。Sheclosedthecabinet，carriedthelettersintotheparlour，reclinedherselfonthesofa，andcarefullyperusedthemintheorderoftheirdates。

\'JOHNSTREET，October17，1864。

\'MYDEARESTHUSBAND，——Ireceivedyourhurriedlineofyesterday，andwasofcoursecontentwithit。Butwhydon\'tyoutellmeyourexactaddressinsteadofthat“Post-Office，Budmouth？”Thismatterisallamysterytome，andIoughttobetoldeverydetail。Icannotfancyitisthesamekindofoccupationyouhavebeenusedtohitherto。YourcommandthatIamtostayhereawhileuntilyoucan“seehowthingslook“andcanarrangetosendforme，Imustnecessarilyabideby。Butif，asyousay，amarriedmanwouldhavebeenrejectedbythepersonwhoengagedyou，andthathencemyexistencemustbekeptasecretuntilyouhavesecuredyourposition，whydidyouthinkofgoingatall？

\'Thetruthis，thiskeepingourmarriageasecretistroublesome，vexing，andwearisometome。Iseethepoorestwomaninthestreetbearingherhusband\'snameopenly——livingwithhiminthemostmatter-of-factease，andwhyshouldn\'tI？IwishIwasbackagaininLiverpool。

\'To-dayIboughtagreywaterproofcloak。Ithinkitisalittletoolongforme，butitwascheapforoneofsuchaquality。Theweatherisgustyanddreary，andtillthismorningIhadhardlysetfootoutsidethedoorsinceyouleft。PleasedotellmewhenIamtocome——Veryaffectionatelyyours，EUNICE。\'

\'JOHNSTREET，October25，1864。

\'MYDEARHUSBAND，——Whydon\'tyouwrite？Doyouhateme？Ihavenothadthehearttodoanythingthislastweek。ThatI，yourwife，shouldbeinthisstrait，andmyhusbandwelltodo！Ihavebeenobligedtoleavemyfirstlodgingfordebt——amongotherthings，theychargedmeforalotofbrandywhichIamquitesureIdidnottaste。ThenIwenttoCamberwellandwasfoundoutbythem。Iwentawayprivatelyfromthence，andchangedmynamethesecondtime。I

amnowMrs。Rondley。ButthenewlodgingwasthewretchedestanddearestIeversetfootin，andIleftitafterbeingthereonlyaday。IamnowatNo。2Ointhesamestreetthatyouleftmeinoriginally。AlllastnightthesashofmywindowrattledsodreadfullythatIcouldnotsleep，butIhadnotenergyenoughtogetoutofbedtostopit。ThismorningIhavebeenwalking——I

don\'tknowhowfar——butfarenoughtomakemyfeetache。Ihavebeenlookingattheoutsideoftwoorthreeofthetheatres，buttheyseemforbiddingifIregardthemwiththeeyeofanactressinsearchofanengagement。ThoughyousaidIwastothinknomoreofthestage，Ibelieveyouwouldnotcareifyoufoundmethere。ButIamnotanactressbynature，andartwillnevermakemeone。Iamtootimidandretiring；Iwasintendedforacottager\'swife。I

certainlyshallnottrytogoontheboardsagainwhilstIaminthisstrangeplace。TheideaofbeingbroughtonasfarasLondonandthenleftherealone！Whydidn\'tyouleavemeinLiverpool？

PerhapsyouthoughtImighthavetoldsomebodythatmyrealnamewasMrs。Manston。AsifIhadalivingfriendtowhomIcouldimpartit——nosuchgoodfortune！Infact，mynearestfriendisnonearerthanwhatmostpeoplewouldcallastranger。ButperhapsIoughttotellyouthataweekbeforeIwrotemylastlettertoyou，afterwishingthatmyuncleandauntinPhiladelphia(theonlynearrelativesIhad)werestillalive，IsuddenlyresolvedtosendalinetomycousinJames，who，Ibelieve，isstilllivinginthatneighbourhood。Hehasneverseenmesincewewerebabiestogether。

Ididnottellhimofmymarriage，becauseIthoughtyoumightnotlikeit，andIgavemyrealmaidenname，andanaddressatthepost-

officehere。ButGodknowsiftheletterwilleverreachhim。

\'Dowritemeananswer，andsendsomething——Youraffectionatewife，EUNICE。\'

\'FRIDAY，October28。

\'MYDEARHUSBAND，——Theorderfortenpoundshasjustcome，andIamtrulygladtogetit。Butwhywillyouwritesobitterly？Ah——

well，ifIhadonlyhadthemoneyIshouldhavebeenonmywaytoAmericabythistime，sodon\'tthinkIwanttoboreyouofmyownfree-will。Whocanyouhavemetwithatthatnewplace？RememberI

saythisinnomalignanttone，butcertainlythefactsgotoprovethatyouhavedesertedme！Youareinconstant——Iknowit。O，whyareyouso？NowIhavelostyou，Iloveyouinspiteofyourneglect。Iamweaklyfond——that\'smynature。Ifearthatuponthewholemylifehasbeenwasted。Iknowthereisanotherwomansupplantingmeinyourheart——yes，Iknowit。Cometome——docome。

EUNICE。\'

\'41CHARLESSQUARE，HOXTON，November19。

\'DEARAENEAS，——HereIambackagainaftermyvisit。Whyshouldyouhavebeensoenragedatmyfindingyourexactaddress？Anywomanwouldhavetriedtodoit——youknowshewouldhave。AndnowomanwouldhavelivedunderassumednamessolongasIdid。IrepeatthatIdidnotcallmyselfMrs。ManstonuntilIcametothislodgingatthebeginningofthismonth——whatcouldyouexpect？

\'AhelplesscreatureI，hadnotfortunefavouredmeunexpectedly。

BanishedasIwasfromyourhouseatdawn，Ididnotsupposetheindignitywasabouttoleadtoimportantresults。ButincrossingtheparkIoverheardtheconversationofayoungmanandwomanwhohadalsorisenearly。Ibelievehertobethegirlwhohaswonyouawayfromme。Well，theirconversationconcernedyouandMissAldclyffe，VERYPECULIARLY。Theremarkablethingisthatyouyourself，withoutknowingit，toldmeofwhat，addedtotheirconversation，completelyrevealsasecrettomethatneitherofyouunderstand。Twonegativesnevermadesuchatellingpositivebefore。Onecluemore，andyouwouldseeit。Asingleconsiderationpreventsmyrevealingit——justonedoubtastowhetheryourignorancewasreal，andwasnotfeignedtodeceiveme。

Civilitynow，please。

EUNICE。\'

\'41CHARLESSQUARE，Tuesday，November22。

\'MYDARLINGHUSBAND，——Mondaywillsuitmeexcellentlyforcoming。I

haveactedexactlyuptoyourinstructions，andhavesoldmyrubbishatthebroker\'sinthenextstreet。AllthismovementandbustleisdelightfultomeaftertheweeksofmonotonyIhaveendured。Itisarelieftowishtheplacegood-bye——LondonalwayshasseemedsomuchmoreforeigntomethanLiverpoolThemid-daytrainonMondaywilldonicelyforme。IshallbeanxiouslylookingoutforyouonSundaynight。

\'IhopesomuchthatyouarenotangrywithmeforwritingtoMissAldclyffe。Youarenot，dear，areyou？Forgiveme——Yourlovingwife，EUNICE。\'

Thiswasthelastofthelettersfromthewifetothehusband。Oneother，inMrs。Manston\'shandwriting，andinthesamepacket，wasdifferentlyaddressed。

\'THREETRANTERSINN，CARRIFORD，November28，1864。

\'DEARCOUSINJAMES，——Thankyouindeedforansweringmylettersopromptly。WhenIcalledatthepost-officeyesterdayIdidnotintheleastthinktherewouldbeone。ButImustleavethissubject。

Iwriteagainatonceunderthestrangestandsaddestconditionsitispossibletoconceive。

\'IdidnottellyouinmylastthatIwasamarriedwoman。Don\'tblameme——itwasmyhusband\'sinfluence。Ihardlyknowwheretobeginmystory。Ihadbeenlivingapartfromhimforatime——thenhesentforme(thiswaslastweek)andIwasgladtogotohim。

Thenthisiswhathedid。Hepromisedtofetchme，anddidnot——

leavingmetodothejourneyalone。Hepromisedtomeetmeatthestationhere——hedidnot。Iwentonthroughthedarknesstohishouse，andfoundhisdoorlockedandhimselfawayfromhome。Ihavebeenobligedtocomehere，andIwritetoyouinastrangeroominastrangevillageinn！Ichoosethepresentmomenttowritetodriveawaymymisery。Sorrowseemsasortofpleasurewhenyoudetailitonpaper——poorpleasurethough。

\'ButthisiswhatIwanttoknow——andIamashamedtotellit。I

wouldgladlydoasyousay，andcometoyouasahousekeeper，butI

havenotthemoneyevenforasteeragepassage。James，doyouwantmebadlyenough——doyoupitymeenoughtosendit？IcouldmanagetosubsistinLondonupontheproceedsofmysaleforanothermonthorsixweeks。Willyousendittothesameaddressatthepost-

office？ButhowdoIknowthatyou……\'

Thustheletterended。Fromcreasesinthepaperitwasplainthatthewriter，havinggotsofar，hadbecomedissatisfiedwithherproduction，andhadcrumpleditinherhand。Wasittowriteanother，ornottowriteatall？

ThenextthingAnneSeawayperceivedwasthatthefragmentarystoryshehadcoaxedoutofManston，totheeffectthathiswifehadleftEnglandforAmerica，mightbetruthful，accordingtotwooftheseletters，corroboratedbytheevidenceoftherailway-porter。Andyet，atfirst，hehadsworninapassionthathiswifewasmostcertainlyconsumedinthefire。

Ifshehadbeenburnt，thisletter，writteninherbedroom，andprobablythrustintoherpocketwhensherelinquishedit，wouldhavebeenburntwithher。Nothingwassurerthanthat。Why，then，didhesayshewasburnt，andnevershowAnneherselfthisletter？

Thequestionsuddenlyraisedanewandmuchstrangerone——kindlingaburstofamazementinher。HowdidManstonbecomepossessedofthisletter？

Thatfactofpossessionwascertainlythemostremarkablerevelationofallinconnectionwiththisepistle，andperhapshadsomethingtodowithhisreasonfornevershowingittoher。

Sheknewbyseveralproofs，thatbeforehismarriagewithCytherea，anduptothetimeoftheporter\'sconfession，Manstonbelieved——

honestlybelieved——thatCythereawouldbehislawfulwife，andhence，ofcourse，thathiswifeEunicewasdead。Sothatnocommunicationcouldpossiblyhavepassedbetweenhiswifeandhimselffromthefirstmomentthathebelievedherdeadonthenightofthefire，tothedayofhiswedding。Andyethehadthatletter。

Howsoonafterwardscouldtheyhavecommunicatedwitheachother？

Theexistenceoftheletter——asmuchas，ormorethanitscontents——

implyingthatMrsManstonwasnotburnt，hisbeliefinthatcalamitymusthaveterminatedatthemomentheobtainedpossessionoftheletter，ifnoearlier。Was，then，theonlysolutiontotheriddlethatAnnecoulddiscern，thetrueone？——thathehadcommunicatedwithhiswifesomewhereaboutthecommencementofAnne\'sresidencewithhim，oratanytimesince？