下载辰思小说免费APP
CHAPTERLIII。
MISTRESSBROOKESUPONTHEEARL。
TheywerehardlyseatedwhenSimmonsappeared，sayinghehadbeenlookingeverywhereforherladyship，forhislordshipwastakenashehadneverseenhimbefore：hehadfaintedrightoutinthehalf-wayroom，andhecouldnotgethimto。
HavinggivenorderstosendatoncetoAucharsforthedoctor，ladyArcturahastenedwithDonaltotheroomonthestair。Theearlwasstretchedmotionlessandpaleonthefloor。Butforaslighttwitchinginonemuscleoftheface，theymighthaveconcludedhimdead。Theytriedtogetsomethingdownhisthroat，butwithoutsuccess。Themencarriedhimuptohischamber。
Hebegantocometohimself，andladyArcturalefthim，tellingSimmonstocometothelibrarywhenhecould，andletthemknowhowhewas。
Inaboutanhourhecame：thedoctorhadbeen，andhismasterwasbetter。
“Doyouknowanycausefortheattack？”askedherladyship。
“I\'lltellyouallaboutit，mylady，sofarasIknow，“answeredthebutler。“——Iwasthereinthatroomwithhim——Ihadtakenhimsomeaccounts，andwasansweringsomequestionsaboutthem，whenallatoncetherecameacuriousnoiseinthewall。Ican\'tthinkwhatitwas——aninwardrumblingitwas，thatseemedtogoupanddownthewallwithasortofgroaning，thenstoppedawhile，andcameagain。
Itsoundednothingverydreadfultome；perhapsifithadbeeninthemiddleofthenight，Imightn\'thavelikedit。Hislordshipstartedatthefirstsoundofit，turnedpaleandgasped，thencriedout，laidhishandonhisheart，androlledoffhischair。IdidwhatIcouldforhim，butitwasn\'tlikeoneofhisordinaryattacks，andsoIcametoyourladyship。He\'ssuchaticklishsubject，yousee，mylady！It\'squitealarmingtobeleftalonewithhim。It\'shisheart；andyouknow，mylady——Ishouldbesorrytofrightenyou，butyouknow，Mr。Grant，agentlemanwiththatcomplaintmaygooffanymoment。Imustgobacktohimnow，mylady，ifyouplease。“
ArcturaturnedandlookedatDonal。
“Wemustbecareful，“hesaid。
“Wemust，“sheanswered。“Justthereaboutisoneofthefewplacesinthehousewhereyouhearthemusic。“
“Andthereaboutthemusic-chimneygoesdown！Thatissettled！Butwhyshouldmylordbefrightenedso？”
“Icannottell。Heisnotlikeotherpeople，youknow。“
“Whereelseisthemusicheard？Youandyouruncleseemtohearitoftenerthananyoneelse。“
“Inmyownroom。Butwewilltalkto-morrow。Goodnight。“
“Iwillremainheretherestoftheevening，“saidDonal，“incaseSimmonsmightwantmetohelpwithhislordship。“
Itwaswellintothenight，andhestillsatreadinginthelibrary，whenMrs。Brookescametohim。Shehadhadtogethislordship“whatheca\'dacat——somethingorither，butwasnaethingbutmustardtothesoleso\'\'sfeettodrawawa\'thebluid。“
“He\'sbetterthenoo，“shesaid。“He\'staenadozeo\'aneo\'thaedrogueshe\'sayepotterin\'wi\'——faintolearnthetradeo\'livin\'
forever，Ireckon！Butthat\'sathingtheLordhaskeepitin\'sainhan\'s。Thetreeo\'lifewasneverateno\'，an\'neverwullbenooi\'
thiswarl\'；it\'slangtransplantit。Buteh，astolivin\'forever，orIwudbehislordship，Iwudgieuptheghostatance！”
“Whatmakesyousaythat，mistressBrookes？”askedDonal。
“It\'snoilkaneIwudanswersicaquestontil，“shereplied；“butI\'mweelassuredyehaesensean\'herteneuchbaith，notohurtacratur\'；an\'I\'lljistgangsaefarassaytoyersel\'，an\'\'atweenthetwao\'\'s，\'atIhaeh\'ardfraethem\'at\'sawa\'——them\'atweelkent，bein\'aboottheplacean\'trustit——thatwhanthefitwasuponhim，hewasfellcrueltothebonniewifehemerrietabro\'dan\'
brouchthamewi\'him——tilacauld-hertitcountry，puirthing，shemaunhaethouchtit！”
“Howcouldhehavebeencrueltoherinthehouseofhisbrother？
Evenifhewasthewretchtobeguiltyofit，hisbrotherwouldneverhaveconnivedattheill-treatmentofanywomanunderhisroof！”
“Hookenyetheauldyerlsaeweel？”askedMrs。Brookes，withaslyglance。
“Iken，“answeredDonal，directaswashiswont，butfindingsomehowalittleshelterinthedialect，“\'atsicadauchtercouldillhaebeenborntoonybutaman\'at——weel，\'atwadatleastbehavetilawumanlikeaman。“
“Ye\'rei\'thericht！Hewastheten\'erest-heartitman！Buthewasfarfraestoot，an\'wasaheapbyhimsel\'，nearhan\'asmickleashislordshipthepresentyerl。An\'theladywasthatprood，an\'thatdewotittothemansheca\'dherain，thatneverawordo\'whatgaedoncamtotheearso\'hisbrither，Idaurtosay，orIs\'warran\'yetherewudhaebeenafinesteer！Itcam，shesaid——myauldauntiesaid——o\'somekin\'o\'madnesstheyhaenaanameforyet。Ithinkmysel\'there\'samadnesso\'thehertasweel\'so\'theheid；an\'i\'
thatmadnessmentaktheirwomenforapropertyo\'theirain，tobehan\'ledonygaitthedeevilputsintilthem。Criesi\'thedeido\'
thenicht，an\'neverashawi\'themornin\'butwhitecheeksan\'reideen，tellsitsaintale。I\'theen\'，thepuirleddydee\'d，\'atmichthaelivedbutforhim；an\'herbairniedee\'daforeher；an\'thewrangso\'bairnsan\'womensticklangtothewa\'so\'theuniverse！
Itwassaidshecamefterhimagain；——Ikenna；butIhaeseenan\'
h\'ardi\'thishoosewhat——Is\'haudmytongueaboot！——SureIamhewasnaaguidmantothepuirwuman！——whanitcomestothat，maisterGrant，it\'snomyleddyan\'mem，butwe\'rea\'womenthegither！Shedee\'dnai\'thishoose，Iun\'erstan\'；buti\'thehoosedooni\'thetoon——thoughthat\'sneitherherenorthere。Iwadnawon\'erbuttheconsciencemichtbewaukin\'upintilhim！Somedayitmaunwaukup。
He\'llbesorry，maybe，whanhekenshimsel\'upo\'theborderwhaurrespec\'o\'personsisower，an\'awomans\'aguid\'saman——maybeawheenbetter！TheLord\'llseta\'thingricht，orhan\'\'towertilanither！”
CHAPTERLIV。
LADYARCTURA\'SROOM。
Thenextday，whenhesawladyArctura，Donalwasgladtolearnthat，foralltheexcitementofthedaybefore，shehadpassedagoodnight，andneverdreamedatall。
“I\'vebeenthinkingitallover，mylady，“hesaid，“anditseemstomethat，ifyouruncleheardthenoiseofourplummetsonear，thechimneycanhardlyrisefromtheflooryousearched；forthatroom，youknow，ishalf-waybetweentheground-floorandfirstfloor。
Still，sounddoestravelso！Wemustbetakeourselvestomeasurement，Ifear——Butanotherthingcameintomyheadlastnightwhichmayservetogiveusasortofparallax。Yousaidyouheardthemusicinyourownroom：wouldyouletmelookaboutinitalittle？somethingmightsuggestitself！——IsittheroomIsawyouinonce？”
“Notthat，“answeredArctura，“butthebedroombeyondit。Ihearitsometimesineitherroom，butlouderinthebedroom。Youcanexamineitwhenyouplease——Ifonlyyoucouldfindmybaddream，anddriveitout！——Willyoucomenow？”
“Itisneartheearl\'sroom：istherenodangerofhishearinganything？”
“Nottheleast。Theroomisnotfarfromhis，itistrue，butitisnotinthesameblock；therearethickwallsbetween。Besidesheistooilltobeup。“
Sheledtheway，andDonalfollowedherupthemainstaircasetothesecondfloor，andintothesmall，curious，ancientroom，evidentlyoneoftheoldestinthecastle，whichshehadchosenforhersitting-room。Perhapsifshehadlivedlessintheshadow，shemighthavechosenalessgloomyone：theskywasvisibleonlythroughalittlelaneofwallsandgablesandbattlements。Butitwasverycharming，withitsoddnooksandcorners，recessesandprojections。
Itlookedanafterthought，theutilizationofaspaceaccidentallydefinedbyrejection，asifeveryoneofitssideswerethewallofadistinctbuilding。
“Idowish，mylady，“saidDonal，“youwouldnotsitsomuchwhereissolittlesunlight！Outerandinnerthingsareintheiroriginone；thelightofthesunisthenaturalworld-clothingofthetruth，andwhoeversitsmuchinthephysicaldarkmissesagreathelptounderstandingthethingsofthelight。IfIwereyourdirector，“hewenton，“Iwouldcounselyoutochangethisroomforonewithabroad，fairoutlook；sothat，whengloomythoughtshidGodfromyou，theymighthavehiseternalcontradictioninthefaceofhisheavenandearth。“
“Itisbutfairtotellyou，“repliedArctura，“thatSophiawouldhavehadmedoso；butwhileIfeltaboutGodasshetaughtme，whatcouldthefairestsunlightbetome？”
“Yes，whatindeed！”returnedDonal。“Doyouknow，“headdedpresently，hiseyesstrayingabouttheroom，“IfeelalmostasifI
weretryingtounderstandahumancreature。Ahouseissolikeahumanmind，whichgraduallydisentanglesandexplainsitselfasyougoontoknowit！Itisnoaccidentalresemblance，for，asanunavoidablenecessity，everyhousemustbelikethosethatbuiltit。“
“Butinaveryoldhouse，“saidArctura，“somanyhandsofsomanygenerationshavebeenemployedinthebuilding，andsomanyfanciedaswellasrealnecessitieshavebeenatwork，thatitmustbeaconflictofmanynatures。“
“Butwherethehousecontinuesinthesamefamily，thebuildershavemoreorlesstransmittedtheirnature，aswellastheirhouse，tothosewhocomeafterthem。“
“Doyouthinkthen，“saidArctura，almostwithashudder，“thatI
inheritanaturelikethehouseleftme——thatthehouseisanoutsidetome——fitsmyveryselfastheshellfitsthesnail？”
“Therelationofouterandinneristhere，butthereisgivenwithitaninfinitepowertomodify。EveryoneisbornnearertoGodthantoanyancestor，anditrestswithhimtocultivateeitherthegodnessortheselfnessinhim，hisoriginalorhismereancestralnature。Thefightbetweenthenaturalandthespiritualmanisthehistoryoftheworld。Themanwhosetshisfaultsinherited，makesatonementforthesinsofthosewhowentbeforehim；heisbaptizedforthedead，notwithwaterbutwithfire。“
“Thatseemstomestrangedoctrine，“saidArctura，withtremulousobjection。
“Ifyoudonotlikeit，donotbelieveit。Weinheritfromourancestorsvicesnomorethanvirtues，buttendenciestoboth。Viceinmygreat-great-grandfathermayinmebeanimpulse。“
“Howhorrible！”criedArctura。
“TosaythatweinheritsinfromAdam，horrifiesnobody：thesourceissofarbackfromus，thatweletthestreamfillourcisternsunheeded；buttosayweinherititfromthisorthatnearerancestor，causesthefacttoassumeitsdefiniteandindividualreality，andmakeacorrespondentimpression。“
“Thenyouallowthatitishorribletothinkoneselfundertheinfluenceofthevicesofcertainwickedpeople，throughwhomwecomewhereweare？”
“Iwouldallowit，wereitnotthatGodisnearertousthananyvices，evenweretheyourown；heisbetweenusandthosevices。Butinustheyarenotvices——onlypossibilities，whichbecomeviceswhentheyareyieldedto。Thenthereareatthesametimeallsortsofcounteractingandredeeminginfluences。Itmaybethatwhereinacertainancestorwasmostwicked，hiswifewasespeciallylovely。Hemayhavebeencruel，andshetenderasthehenthatgathersherchickensunderherwing。Themaindangerisperhaps，ofbeingcaughtinsomesuddengustofunsuspectedimpulse，andcarriedawayoftheonetendencybeforetheotherhastimetoassertandthewilltorouseitself。Butthosewhodoubtthemselvesandtrytodorightmayhopeforwarning。Suchwillnot，Ithink，beallowedtogofaroutofthewayforwantofthat。Self-confidenceistheworsttraitor。“
“Youcomfortmealittle。“
“Andthenyoumustremember，“continuedDonal，“thatnothinginitsimmediaterootisevil；thatfrombesthumanrootsworstthingsspring。Noone，forinstance，willbesofullofindignation，offierceness，ofrevenge，astheselfishmanbornwithastrongsenseofjustice——Butyousaythisisnottheroominwhichyouhearthemusicbest？”
“No，itishere。“
CHAPTERLV。
HERBED-CHAMBER。
LadyArcturaopenedthedoorofherbedroom。Donalglancedroundit。
Itwasasold-fashionedastheother。
“Whatisbehindthatpressthere——wardrobe，Ithinkyoucallit？”heasked。
“Onlyarecess，“answeredladyArctura。“Thepress，Iamsorrytosay，istoohightogetintoit。“
Possiblyhadthepressstoodintherecess，thelatterwouldhavesuggestednothing；buthavingcaughtsightoftheopeningbehindthepress，Donalwasattractedbyit。Itwasinthesamewallwiththefireplace，butdidnotseemformedbytheprojectionofthechimney，foritdidnotgototheceiling。
“WouldyoumindifImovedthewardrobealittleononeside？”heasked。
“Dowhatyoulike，“sheanswered。
Donalmovedit，andfoundtherecessratherdeepforitssize。Thewallsoftheroomwerewainscottedtotheheightoffourfeetorso，buttherecesswasbare。Thereweresignsofhingesonone，andofaboltontheotherofthefrontedges：ithadseeminglybeenonceacloset，whosedoorcontinuedthewainscot。Therewerenosignsofshelvesinit；theplasterwassmooth。
ButDonalwasnotsatisfied。Hetookabigknifefromhispocket，andbegantappingallround。Themomenthecametotheright-handside，therewasachangeinthesound。
“Youdon\'tmindifImakealittledust，mylady？”hesaid。
“Doanythingyouplease，“answeredArctura。
Hesoughtinseveralplacestodrivethepointofhisknifeintotheplaster；itwouldnowhereenteritmorethanaquarterofaninch：
herewasnobuiltwall，hebelieved，butonesmoothstone。Hefoundnothinglikeajointtillhecameneartheedgeoftherecess：therewasalimitofthestone，andhebeganatoncetoclearit。Itgavehimastraightlinefromthebottomtothetopoftherecess，whereitmetanotheratrightangles。
“Theredoesseem，mylady，“hesaid，“tobesomekindofclosinguphere，thoughitmayofcourseturnoutofnointeresttous！ShallI
goon，andseewhatitis？”
“Byallmeans，“sheanswered，butturnedpaleasshespoke。
Donallookedatheranxiously。Sheunderstoodhislook。
“Youmustnotmindmyfeelingalittlesilly，“shesaid。“Iamnotsillyenoughtogivewaytoit。“
Hewentonagainwithhisknife，andhadpresentlyclearedtheoutlinesofastonethatfillednearlyallthesideoftherecess。
Hepaused。
“Goon！goon！”saidArctura。
“Imustfirstgetabettertoolortwo，“answeredDonal。“Willyoumindbeingleft？”
“Icanbearit。Butdonotbelong。Afewminutesmayevaporatemycourage。“
Donalhurriedawaytogetahammerandchisel，andapailtoputthebrokenplasterin。LadyArcturastoodandwaited。Thesilenceclosedinuponher。Shebegantofeeleerie。Shefeltasifshehadbuttowillandseethroughthewalltowhatlaybeyondit。Tokeepherselffromsowilling，shehadallbutreducedherselftomentalinaction，whenshestartedtoherfeetwithasmotheredcry：aknocknotovergentlesoundedonthedooroftheouterroom。Shedartedtothebedroom-doorandflungitto——nexttothepress，andwithonepushhaditnearlyinitsplace。Thensheopenedagainthedoor，thinkingtowaitforasecondknockontheotherbeforesheanswered。Butassheopenedtheinner，theouterdooralsoopened——slowly——andafacelookedin。Shewouldratherhavehadavisitorfrombehindthepress！Itwasheruncle；hisfacecadaverous；hiseyesdull，butwithakindofglitterinthem；hislooklikethatofahousebreaker。Interrorofhimself，interrorlestheshoulddiscoverwhattheyhadbeenabout，interrorlestDonalshouldappear，wishingtowarnthelatter，andcertainthat，earlyasitwas，herunclewasnothimself，withintuitiveimpulse，themomentshesawhim，shecriedout，“Uncle！whatisthatbehindyou？”
Shefeltafterwards，andwasverysorry，thatitwasbothadeceitfulandcruelthingtodo；butshedidit，asIhavesaid，byaswift，unreflectinginstinct——whichsheconcluded，inthinkingaboutit，camefromthereadycraftofsomeancestor，andillustratedwhatDonalhadbeensaying。
Theearlturnedlikeonestruckontheback，imaginedsomethingofwhichArcturaknewnothing，coweredtotwo-thirdsofhisheight，andcreptaway。Thoughherselftremblingfromheadtofoot，Arcturawasseizedwithsuchapity，thatshefollowedhimtohisroom；butshedarednotgoin。Shestoodamomentinthepassagewithinsightofhisdoor，andthoughtsheheardhisbellring。NowSimmonsmightmeetDonal！Inamomentortwo，however，shewasrelieved。Donalcameroundaturn，carryinghisimplements。Shesignedtohimtomakehaste，andhewasjustsafeinsideherroomwhenSimmonscamealongonhiswaytohismaster\'s。Shedrewthedoorto，asifshehadbeenjustcomingout，andsaid，“Knockatmydoorasyoureturn，andtellmehowyourmasteris：I
heardhisbell。“
ShethenbeggedDonaltogoonwithhiswork，butstopitthemomentshemadeanoisewiththehandleofthedoor，andresumedherplaceoutsidetillSimmonsshouldre-appear。Fulltenminutesshestoodwaiting：itseemedanhour。ThoughsheheardDonalatworkwithin，andknewSimmonsmustsooncome，thoughtheroombehindherwasherown，andfamiliartoherfromchildhood，thelongemptypassageinfrontofherappearedfrightful。Whatmightnotcomepacingalongtowardsher！Atlastsheheardheruncle\'sdoor——steps——andthebutlerapproached。Sheshookthehandleofthedoor，andDonal\'sblowsceased。
“Ican\'tmakehimout，mylady！”saidSimmons。“Itisnothingverybad，Ithink，thistime；buthegetsworseandworse——alwaystakingmoreandmoreo\'themhorriddrugs。It\'snousetryingtohideit：
he\'lldropoffsuddenoneo\'thesedays！I\'veheardsaylaudanumdon\'tshortenlife；butit\'snotonenortwo，norhalfadozensortso\'laudanumshekeepsmixinginthatpoorinsideo\'his！Theendmustcome，andwhatwillitbe？It\'sbetteryoushouldbepreparedforitwhenitdocome，mylady。I\'vejustbeenagivingofhimsomeintohisskin——withalittlesharp-pointedthing，asyringe，youknow，mylady：hesaysit\'stheonlywaytotakesomemedicines。
He\'sjustaslavetohismedicines，mylady！”
Assoonashewasgone，ArcturareturnedtoDonal。Hehadknockedtheplasteraway，anduncoveredaslab，verylikeoneofthegreatstonesonsomeoftheroofs。Thenextthingwastoprizeitfromthemortar，andthatwasnotdifficult。Theinstanthedrewthestoneaway，adankchillassailedthem，accompaniedbyahumidsmell，asfromalong-closedcellar。Theystoodandlooked，nowateachother，nowattheopeninginthewall，wherewasnothingbutdarkness。Theroomgrewcoldandcolder。DonalwasanxiousastohowArcturamightstandwhatdiscoverylaybeforethem，andshewasanxioustoreadhissensations。Forhersakehetriedtohideallexpressionoftheawethatwascreepingoverhim，anditgavehimenoughtodo。
“Wearenotfarfromsomething，mylady！”hesaid。“ItmakesonethinkofwhatHesaidwhocarriesthelighteverywhere——thatthereisnothingcoveredthatshallnotberevealed，neitherhidthatshallnotbeknown。Shallweleaveitforthepresent？”
“Anythingbutthat！”saidArcturawithashiver；“——anythingbutanunknownterriblesomething！”
“Butwhatcanyoudowithit？”
“Letthedaylightinuponit。“
Hercolourreturnedasshespoke，andalookofdeterminationcameintohereyes。
“YouwillnotbeafraidtobeleftthenwhenIgodown？”
“Iamcowardlyenoughtobeafraid，butnotcowardlyenoughtoletyougoalone。Iwillsharewithyou。Ishallnotbeafraid——notmuch——nottoomuch，Imean——ifIamwithyou。“
Donalhesitated。
“See！”shewenton，“Iamgoingtolightacandle，andaskyoutocomedownwithme——ifdownitbe：itmaybeup！”
“Iamready，mylady，“saidDonal。
Shelightedthecandle。
“Hadwenotbetterlockthedoor，mylady？”
“Thatmightsetthemwondering，“sheanswered。“Weshouldhavetolockboththedoorsofthisroom，orelseboththepassage-doors！
Thebetterwaywillbetopullthepressafteruswhenwearebehindit。“
“Youareright，mylady。Pleasetakesomematcheswithyou。“
“Tobesure。“
“Youwillcarrythecandle，please。Imusthavemyhandsfree。Trytoletthelightshinepastmeasmuchasyoucan，thatImayseewhereIamgoing。ButIshalldependmostonmyhandsandfeet。“
CHAPTERLVI。
THELOSTROOM。
Donalthentookthelightfromherhand，andlookedin。Theopeningwentintothefurtherwallandturnedimmediatelytotheleft。Hegaveherbackthecandle，andwentin。Arcturafollowedclose。
Therewasastairinthethicknessofthewall，goingdownsteepandstraight。Itwasnotwideenoughtoletthemgoabreast。“Putyourhandonmyshoulder，mylady，“saidDonal。“Thatwillkeepustogether。IfIfall，youmuststandstock-still。“
Sheputherhandonhisshoulder，andtheybegantheirdescent。Thestepswerenarrowandhigh，thereforethestairwassteepTheyhadgonedownfromthirtytothirty-fivesteps，whentheycametoalevelpassage，turningagainatrightanglestotheleft。Itwastwicethewidthofthestair。Itssides，likethoseofthestair，wereofroughlydressedstones，andunplastered。Itledthemstraighttoastrongdoor。Itwaslocked，andintherustylocktheycouldseethekeyfromwithin。Totherightwasanotherdoor，asmallerone，whichstoodwideopen。Theywentthrough，andbyashortpassageenteredanopenerspace。Hereononesidethereseemedtobenowall，andtheystoodforamomentafraidtomovelesttheyshouldtumbleintodarkness。Butsendingthelightabout，andfeelingwithhandsandfeet，theysooncametoanideaoftheplacetheywerein。Itwasalittlegallery，witharchesononesideopeningintoalargerplace，thecharacterofwhichtheycouldonlyconjecture，fornearlyalltheycoulddeterminewas，thatitwentbelowandroseabovewheretheystood。Ontheothersidewasaplainwall，suchastheyhadhadonbothsidesofthem。
Theyhadbeenspeakinginawe-filledwhispers，andwerenowinsilenceendeavouringtosendtheirsightthroughthedarknessbeyondthearches。
“Listen，mylady，“saidDonal。
>Fromabovetheirheadscameachordoftheaerialmusic，softandfaintandwild！Astrangeeffectithad！itwaslikenewsofthestillairynightandthekeenstars，comedownthroughsecretwaysintothedarkplacesoftheearth，fromspacessowidethattheyseemthemostawfulofprisons！ItsweetlyfosteredArctura\'scourage。
“Thatmustbehowthesongsofangelssounded，withnewsofhighheaven，tothepeopleofold！”shesaid。
Donalwasnotinsohighamood。Hewasoccupiedatthemomentwiththematerialsideofthings。
“Wecan\'tbefar，“hesaid，“fromtheplacewhereourplummetcamedown！Butletustryalittlefurther。“
Thenextmomenttheycameagainstacord，andattheirfeetwastheweightoftheclock。
Attheotherendofthelittlegallerytheycameagaintoadoorandagaintoastair，turningtotheright；andagaintheywentdown。
Arcturakeptupbravely。Theairwasnotsobadasmighthavebeenfeared，thoughitwascoldanddamp。Thistimetheydescendedbutalittleway，andcametoalandingplace，ontherightofwhichwasadoor。Donalraisedarustylatchandpushed；thedoorswungopenagainstthewall，droppingfromonehingewiththeslightshock。Twostepsmoretheydescended，andstoodonastonefloor。
Donalthoughtatfirsttheymustbeinoneofthedungeons，butsoonbethoughthimselfthattheyhadnotdescendedfarenoughforthat。
Ahaloofdampsurroundedtheircandle；itsweaklightseemedscarcelytospreadbeyondit；forsomemomentstheytookinnothingofwhatwasaroundthem。ThefloorfirstbegantorevealitselftoDonal\'seye：inthecircleofthelighthesaw，coveredwithdustasitwas，itssquaresofblackandwhitemarble。Thencametohimagleamofwhitefromthewall；itwasatablet；andattheotherendwassomethinglikeanaltar，oratomb。
“Weareintheoldchapelofthecastle！”hesaid。“——Butwhatisthat？”headdedinstantlywithaninvoluntarychangeofvoice，andashudderthroughhiswholenervousbeing。
Arcturaturned；herhandsoughthisandclaspeditconvulsively。
Theystoodclosetosomethingwhichthelightitselfhadconcealedfromthem。Eretheywereconsciousofanideaconcerningit，eachfeltthemusclesofneckandfacedrawn，asifanotherpowerthantheirowninvadedtheirpersons。Buttheywerelivewills，andwouldnotbeovercome。Theyforcedtheirgaze；perceptioncleareditself；
andslowlytheysawandunderstood。
Withstrangestdream-likeincongruityandunfitness，thethingbesidethemwasadarkbedstead，withcarvedpostsandlowwoodentester，richlycarved！——Thisinthemiddleofachapel！——Buttherewasnospeculationinthem；theycouldonlysee，notthink。Donaltookthecandle。Fromthetesterhunglargepiecesofstuffthathadoncemadeheavycurtains，butseemedhardlynowtohaveasmuchcohesionasthedustonacobweb；itheldtogetheronlyinvirtueofthelightnesstowhichdecayhadreducedit。Onthebedlayadarkmass，likebedclothesandbeddingnotquiteturnedtodust——theycouldyetseesomethinglikeembroideryinoneortwoplaces——darklikeburntpaperorhalf-burntflakyrags，horridasadreamofdeadlove！
Heavens！whatwasthatshapeinthemiddle？——whatwasthatontheblackpillow？——whatwasthatthicklinestretchingtowardsoneofthehead-posts？Theystaredspeechless。ArcturapressedclosetoDonal。Hisarmwentroundhertoprotectherfromwhatthreatenedalmosttooverwhelmhimself——theinroadofanunearthlyhorror。
Plaintotheeyesofboth，theforminthemiddleofthebedwasthatofahumanbody，slowlycrumblingwhereitlay。Bedandblanketsandquilt，sheetsandpillowshadcrumbledwithitthroughthelongwastingyears，butsomethingofitsoldshapeyetlingeredwiththedust：thatwasaheadthatlayonthepillow；thatwasthelineofalongarmthatpointedacrossthepillowtothepost——Whatwasthathangingfromthebedpostandmeetingthearm？Godinheaven！therewasastapleinthepost，andfromthestaplecameachain！——andthereatitsotherendaring，lyingonthepillow！——andthroughit——yesthroughit，thedust-armpassed！——Thiswasnomeredeath-bed；itwasatorturebed——mostlikelyamurder-bed；andonityetlaythebodythatdiedonit——hadlainforhundredsofyears，unliftedforkindlyburial：theplaceofitsdeceasehadbeenmadeitstomb——closedupandhiddenaway！
Abedinachapel，andonedeadthereon！——howcoulditbe？Hadthewoman——forDonalimaginedtheformyetshoweditthebodyofawoman——beencarriedthitherofherowndesire，todieinaholyplace？Thatcouldnotbe：therewasthechain！Hadshesoughtrefugetherefromsomepersecutor？Ifso，hehasfoundher！Shewasacaptive——madperhaps，morelikelyhatedandthevictimofaterriblerevenge；left，probablyenough，todieofhunger，ordisease——neglectedortended，whocouldtell？Onething，onlywasclear——thatthereshedied，andthereshewasburied！
Arcturawastrembling。Donaldrewhercloser，andwouldhavetakenheraway。Butshesaidinhisear，asifindreadofdisturbingthedust，“Iamnotfrightened——notvery。Itisonlythecold，Ithink。“
Theywentsoftlytotheotherendofthechapel，almostclingingtogetherastheywent。Theysawthreenarrowlancetwindowsontheirright，butnoglimmercamethroughthem。
Theycametowhathadseemedanaltar，andsuchitstillseemed。Butonitsmarble-toplaythedustplainlyofaninfant——sightsadasfearful，andfullofagonizingsuggestion！Theyturnedaway，noreitherlookedattheother。Theawfulsilenceoftheplaceseemedsettlingonthemlikeaweight。Donalmadehaste，nordidArcturaseemlessanxioustoleaveit。
Whentheyreachedthestair，hemadehergofirst：hemustbebetweenherandtheterror！Astheypassedthedoorontheothersideofthelittlegallery——downwhosespiraclehadcomenosecondbreath——Donalsaidtohimselfhemustquestionthatdoor，buttoArcturahesaidnothing：shehadhadenoughofinquiryforthemoment！
SlowlytheyascendedtoArctura\'schamber。Donalreplacedtheslab，andproppeditinitsposition；gatheredtheplasterintothepail；
replacedthepress，andputascrewthroughthebottomofitintothefloor。Arcturastoodandwatchedhimallthetime。
“Youmustleaveyourroomagain，mylady！”saidDonal。
“Iwill。IshallspeaktomistressBrookesatonce。“
“Willyoutellherallaboutit？”
“Wemusttalkaboutthat！”
“Howwillshebearit，“thoughtDonal；“howaftersuchanexperience，canshespendtherestofthedayalone？Thereisallthelongafternoonandeveningtobemet！”
Hegavethelastturntothescrewinthefloor，androse。ThenfirsthesawthatArcturahadturnedverywhite。
“Dositdown，mylady！”hesaid。“IwouldrunformistressBrookes，butIdarenotleaveyou。“
“No，no；wewillgodowntogether！GivemethatbottleofeaudeCologne，please。“
DonaldidnotknoweithereaudeCologneoritsbottle，buthedartedtothedressing-tableandguessedcorrectly。Itrevivedher，andshebegantotakedeepbreaths。Thenwithastrongeffortsherosetogodown。
Thetimeforspeechconcerningwhattheyhadseen，wasnotcome！
“Wouldyounotlike，mylady，“saidDonal，“tocometotheschoolroomthisafternoon？YoucouldsitbesidewhileIgiveDaviehislessons！”
“Yes，“sheansweredatonce；“Ishouldlikeitmuch！——Istherenotsomethingyoucouldgivemetodo？——Willyounotteachmesomething？”
“IshouldliketobeginyouwithGreek，andteachyoualittlemathematics——geometryfirstofall。“
“Youfrightenme！”
“Yourfrightwouldn\'toutlastthebeginning，“saidDonal。“Anyhow，youwillhaveDavieandmeforcompany！Youmustbelonelysometimes！YouseelittleofMissCarmichaelnow，Ifancy。“
“Shehasnotbeennearmesincethatdayintheavenue！Wesalutenowandthencomingoutofchurch。ShewillnotcomeagainexceptI
askher；andIshallbeinnohaste：shewouldonlyassumeIwassorry，andcouldnotdowithouther！”
“Ishouldletherwait，mylady！”saidDonal。“Shesorelywantshumbling！”
“Youdonotknowher，Mr。Grant，ifyouthinkanythingIcoulddowouldhavethateffectonher。“
“Pardonme，mylady；Ididnotimagineityourtasktohumbleher！
Butyouneednotletherrideoveryouassheusedtodo；sheknowsnothingreally，andagreatmanythingsunreally。Unrealknowledgeisworsethanignorance——WouldnotMissGraemebeabetterfriend？”
“Sheismuchmorelovable；butshedoesnottroubleherheadaboutthethingsIcarefor——Imeanreligion，“sheaddedhesitatingly。
“Somuchthebetter，——“
“Mr。Grant！”
“Youdidnotletmefinish，mylady！——Somuchthebetter，Iwasgoingtosay，tillshebeginstotroubleherheartaboutit——orrathertountroubleherheartwithit！Thephariseetroubledhishead，andnodoubthisconsciencetoo，anddidnotgoawayjustified；butthepoorpublican，aswewithourstupidpitywouldcallhim，troubledhisheartaboutit；andthattroubleoncesetagoing，thereisnofear。Headandallmustsoonfollow——ButhowamItogetridofthisplasterwithoutbeingseen？”
“Iwillshowyouthewaytoyourownstairwithoutgoingdown——thewaywecameonce，youmayremember。Youcantakeittothetopofthehousetillitisdark——ButIdonotfeelcomfortableaboutmyuncle\'svisit。Canitbethathesuspectssomething？Perhapsheknowsallaboutthechapel——andthatstairtoo！”
“Heisamantoenjoyhavingasecret！——Butourdiscoverybearsoutwhatweweresayingastothelikenessofhouseandman——doesitnot？”
“Youdon\'tmeanthereisanythinglikethatinme？”rejoinedArctura，lookingfrightened。
“You！”heexclaimed。“——ButImeannoindividualapplication，“headded，“exceptasreflectedfromthegeneraltruth。Thishouseislikeeveryhumansoul，andso，likemeandyouandallofus。Wehavefoundthechapelofthehouse，theplacetheyusedtopraytoGodin，builtup，lost，forgotten，filledwithdustanddamp——andthemoulderingdeadlyingtherebeforetheLord，waitingtobemadeliveagainandpraisehim！”
“Isaidyoumeantme！”murmuredArctura，withafaint，sadsmile。
“No；thetimeispastforthat。Itislongsincefirstyouwereawareofthedeadselfinthelostchapel；ahungrysoulsoonmissesboth，andknows，withoutbeingsureofit，thattheyaresomewhere。
Youhavekeptsearchingfortheminspiteofallpersuasionthatthequestwasfoolish。“
Arctura\'seyesshoneinherpaleface；buttheyshonewithgatheringtears。Donalturnedaway，andtookupthepail。Sherose，andguidedhimtohistower-stair，wherehewentupandshewentdown。
CHAPTERLVII。
THEHOUSEKEEPER\'SROOM。
Astheclockupontheschoolroomchimney-piecestruckthehour，Arcturaentered，andatoncetookherseatatthetablewithDavie——muchtotheboy\'swonderandpleasure。DonalgaveheraEuclid，andsetheratask：shebeganatoncetolearnit——andafterawhilesobriefthatDaviestaredincredulous，said，“Ifyouplease，Mr。Grant，IthinkIcouldbequestioneduponitnow。“
LessthanaminutesufficedtoshowDonalthatshethoroughlyunderstoodwhatshehadbeenlearning，andhesetherthenalittlemore。Bythetimetheirworkwasoverhehadnotadoubtleftthatsuchlikeintellectualoccupationwouldgreatlysubserveallphasesofherhealth。Withentirenessshegaveherselftothethingshehadtodo；andDonalthoughthowstrongmustbehernature，toworksocalmly，andthinksoclearly，afterwhatshehadgonethroughthatmorning。
Schoolover，andDaviegonetohisrabbits。
“MistressBrookesinvitesustosupperwithher，“saidladyArctura。
“Iaskedhertoaskus。Idon\'twanttogotobedtillIamquitesleepy。Youdon\'tmind，doyou？”
“Iamveryglad，mylady，“respondedDonal。
“Don\'tyouthinkwehadbettertellherallaboutit？”
“Asyouthinkfit。Thesecretisinnosensemine；itisonlyyours；
andthesooneritceasestobeasecretthebetterforallofus！”
“Ihavebutonereasonforkeepingit，“shereturned。
“Youruncle？”
“Yes；Iknowhewillbeannoyed。ButtheremaybeotherreasonswhyIshouldrevealthething。“
“Theremayindeed！”saidDonal。
“Still，IshouldbesorrytooffendhimmorethanIcannothelp。Ifhewereamanlikemyfather，Ishouldneverdreamofgoingagainsthim；Ishouldinfactleaveeverythingtohimhecaredtoattendto。
Butseeingheisthemanheis，itwouldbeabsurd。Idarenotlethimmanagemyaffairsformemuchlonger。Imustunderstandformyselfhowthingsaregoing。“
“Youwillnot，Ihope，arrangeanythingwithoutthepresenceofalawyer！IfearIhavelessconfidenceinyourunclethanyouhave！”
Arcturamadenoreply，andDonalwasafraidhehadhurther；butthenextmomentshelookedupwithasadsmile，andsaid，“Well，poorman！wewillnotcompareouropinionsofhim：heismyfather\'sbrother，andIshallbegladnottooffendhim。ButmyfatherwouldhavereasontobedissatisfiedifIlefteverythingtomyuncleasifhehadnotlefteverythingtome。Ifhehadbeenanothersortofman，myfatherwouldsurelyhavelefttheestatetohim！”
Atnineo\'clocktheymetinthehousekeeper\'sroom——low-ceiled，large，linedalmostroundwithoakpresses，whichweremistressBrookes\'sdelight。Shewelcomedthemastoherownhouse，andmadeanexcellenthostess。
ButDonalwouldnotmixthetumbleroftoddyshewouldhavehadhimtake。Foronethinghedidnotlikehishighertobeoperateduponfromhislower：itmadehimfeelasifpossessedbyanotaltogetherrealself。Buttherootofhisobjectionlayintheteachingofhismother。Thethingshehadlearnedofhisparentsweretohimhispatentofnobility，vouchersthathewashonourablydescended：ofhisbirthhewasasproudasanyman。Andhencethisnighthewasledtotalkofhisfatherandmother，andthethingsofhischildhood。HetoldArcturaallaboutthelifehehadled；howatonetimehekeptcattleinthefields，atanothersheeponthemountains；howitcamethathewassenttocollege，andallthestoryofsirGibbie。Thenightworeon。Arcturalistened——didnothingbutlisten；shewasenchanted。AnditsurprisedDonalhimselftofindhowcalmlyhecouldnowlookbackuponwhathadseemedtothreatenaneverlastingwinterofthesoul。ItwasindeedthebetterthingthatGinevrashouldbeGibbie\'swife！
Apausehadcome，andhehadfallenintoabroodingmemoryofthingsgoneby，whenasuddensuccessionofquickknocksfellonhisear。
Hestarted——strangelyaffected。Neitherofhiscompanionstooknoticeofit，thoughitwasnowpastoneo\'clock。Itwaslikeaknockingwithknucklesagainsttheothersideofthewalloftheroom。
“Whatcanthatbe？”hesaid，listeningformore。
“H\'ardyeneverthat\'afore，maisterGrant？”saidthehousekeeper。
“Ihaegrownsaeusedtil\'tmyearshardlytaknoticeo\'\'t！”
“Whatisit？”askedDonal。
“Ay，whatis\'t？Tellyemethatgienyecan！”shereturned“It\'sjistachappin\'，an\'God\'strowthit\'sa\'Ikenabootthesame！Itcomes，IbelieveI\'msafetosay，ilkanicht；butIcouldnatakmyaithupo\'\'t，Ihaesaeentirelydrappitpeyin\'onyattentiontil\'t。
There\'sthingsabootmonyanauldhoose，maisterGrant，\'at\'lltakthedayo\'judgmenttoexplainthem。Butsaelangastheykeeptotheirainsideo\'thewa\'，IdinnaseeIneedtriblemyheidabootthem。EftertheexperrienceIhadasayoonglass，awa\'dooninEnglan\'yon\'er，ataplacemyauntiegotmeintil——forshekennedaheapo\'gran\'fowkthrouwbein\'hersel\'saenearconneckitwi\'themashoosekeeperi\'thecastelhere——efterthat，I\'msayin，\'Iwadnaneedtobethateasyscaret？”
“Whatwasit？”saidladyArctura。“Idon\'tthinkyouevertoldme。“
“No，mydearlady；Iwudneverhaethochto\'tellin\'yeonysicstorysaelangasyewasoweryoongnotobefrichtitatit；for\'deedIthinkthey\'remuckletoblame\'attellsbairnsthevarrathingsthey\'renofittohear，an\'fixthedreid\'aforethesense。
ButIs\'tellyethenoo，gienyecaretohear。It\'sasomeawsomestory，butthere\'ssomethinguncofulish-likeintil\'tasweel。I
cannasayIthinkmuckle\'ocraturs\'attribletheirheidsaboottheirheids！——Butthat\'stellin\'\'aforehan\'！”
Herethegoodwomanpausedthoughtful。
“Iamlongingtohearyourstory，mistressBrookes，“saidDonal，supposingsheneededencouragement。
“I\'mbutthinkin\'hootobegin，“shereturned，“saeastogieyearichthaudo\'thething——I\'mthinkin\'Icannadobetternorjisttell\'tasitcamtomysel\'！——Weel，yesee，Iwasbutayoonglass，aboot——weel，Imichtbetwenty，mairorless，whanIgaedtiltheplaceIspeako\'。Itwasawa\'upo\'theborderso\'Wales，likeasgienfolkowertherei\'Perthwardoobtfu\'whethersicorsicaplacewasi\'thehielan\'sorthelowlan\'s。Themaistero\'thehoosewasayoongmanawa\'upo\'\'straivels，Ikennawhaur——somewhaurupo\'
thecontinent，butthat\'samickleword；an\'ashehadtheintentiono\'bein\'awa\'forsometimetocome，nocarin\'tosettledoonaffhan\'an\'luikefterhisain，therewasbutanegeyauldwumantohoosekeep，an\'metohelpher，an\'amanortwaaboottheplacetoluikefterthegairden——an\'thatwasa\'。Hoosean\'gairdenwastolet，an\'wasintilthehan\'so\'aneo\'thaeagents，astheyca\'
them，forthatsamepurpose——tolet，thatis，foratermo\'years。
Weel，aedaytherecamagentlemantoluikattheplace，an\'hewassaeweelpleasedwi\'\'t——asweelhemicht，foreh，itwasabonnyplace！——ayelauchin\'like，whaurthisplaceisayei\'thesulks！——na，noaye！Idinnameanthat，mylady，forgettin\'atit\'syours！——butyemaunownittaksaheapo\'suntogarthisauldhoosehereluikonythingbutsomedour——an\'Ibegyerpardon，mylady！”
“Youarequiteright，mistressBrookes！”saidArcturawithasmile。
“Ifitwerenotforyouitwouldbedourdour——Youdonotknow，Mr。
Grant——mistressBrookesherselfdoesnotknowhowmuchIoweher！I
shouldhavegoneoutofmymindforverydrearinessahundredtimesbutforher。“
“Theshortan\'thelango\'\'twas，“resumedmistressBrookes，“thattheplacewasletan\'theplacewasta\'en，mickletothesatisfactiono\'a\'pairtiesconcernt。Theauldhoosekeeper，shebein\'afixturlike，wastobide，an\'Iwastobideasweel，underthehoosekeeper，an\'haein\'nothingtodowi\'thestrangerservan\'s。
“Theycam。Therewasagentlemano\'amiddleage，an\'hisleddysomeyoongernorhimsel\'，han\'somebutnobonnie——butthathasnaethingtodowi\'mytale\'atIshouldtakupyertimewi\'\'t，an\'itgrowin\'somelate。“
“Nevermindthetime，mistressBrookes，“saidArctura；wecandojustaswepleaseaboutthat！Onetimeisasgoodasanother——isn\'tit，Mr。Grant？”
“Isometimessituphalfthenightmyself，“saidDonal。“IliketoknowGod\'snight。Onlyitwon\'tdooften，lestwemakethebrain，whichisGod\'stoo，likeawatchthatwon\'tgo。“
“It\'ssairupsettin\'tothewark！”saidthehousekeeper。“WhatwouldthehousebelikeifIwastodothat！”
“Dogoon，please，mistressBrookes，“saidArctura。
“Pleasedo，“echoedDonal。
“Sir，an\'mylady，I\'mreadytosittillthecock\'sbedunecrawin\'，an\'thedaydunedawin\'，topleasurtheaneorthetwao\'ye！——an\'
saeformytruetale！——Theywarvarradacent，weel-behavetfowk，wi\'
afinefaimly，somegrownan\'somegrowin\'。Itwasjistafawvourtoseesicahalesomeclan——fraeauchteenorthereawa\'doontutheweetoddlin\'lassiewasthevarraaippleo\'thee\'etoa\'thee\'enaboottheplace！Butthat\'snaitherherenoryetthere！A\'gaedonasa\'
shouldgangonwhaurtheservan\'sarenoowergran\'fortheirainwark，norowermeddlesomewi\'thewarko\'theirneebours；naethingwasnegleckit，noronythinggirnedaboot；buta\'waspeacean\'
hermony，asquo\'theauldsangaboutoutbonnyKilmeny——thatis，tillaenicht——YouseeI\'mtellin\'yeasitcam\'tomysel\'an\'notilanither！
“AsIlayi\'mybedthatnicht——an\'yemaybesureatmyageIlaynaelangernorjisttoturnmeowerance，an\'ingeneralnothatance——jistasIwasfa\'in\'asleep，upgatsicaromagei\'theservan\'ha\'，straucht\'anethwhaurIwaslyin\'，thatIthouchttomysel\'，whatupo\'earth\'scometotheplace！——\'Gienitbenathedayo\'judgment，trothit\'snothedayo\'sma\'things！\'Isaid。Itwasasgiena\'thecheirsan\'tablesthegitherwarbein\'routitooto\'
theirplaces，an\'synesetbackagain，an\'thetablesturntheelsowerheid，an\'a\'theglaissan\'a\'theplateforthedennerknockitabootasgientheyhadbeensaemonyhailstanesthatwarnawantitonymair，butmichtjistliewhaurtheyfell。Icouldnaforthelifeo\'methinkwhatitmichtbetoken，savean\'excep\'ageneralfrenzyhadseizedupo\'manan\'wumani\'thehoose！Igotupinahurry：
whateverwasgaein\'on，Iwudnawullin\'lygangwantin\'myshareo\'
thesicht！An\'jistasIopenedmydoor，whashouldIhearbutthemaistercryin\'attheheido\'thestair，——\'What，i\'thenameo\'a\'
that\'sholy，\'sayshe，\'isthemeanin\'o\'this？\'An\'Irantilhim，ooto\'thepassage，an\'throughtheswing-door，intothegreatcorridor；an\'saysI，——\'\'Deed，sir，Iwaswon\'erin\'！an\'wi\'yerleave，sir，I\'llgangan\'see，\'Isaid，gaitherin\'myshawlabootmeasweelasIcouldtohidewhatwas\'anethit，orraitherwhatwasna\'anethit，forIhadnathatmickleon。Butsayshe，\'No，no，youmustnotgo；whoknowswhatitmaybe？I\'llgomyself。Theymayberobbers，andthemenfightingthem。Youstopwhereyouare。\'Sayin\'
that，hewashalf-waysdoonthestair。IstoodwhaurIwas，lookin\'
doonan\'hearkenin\'，an\'thenoisestillgoin\'on。Buthecouldbuthaewonthelen\'tho\'thehall，whanitstoppita\'atancean\'
a\'thegither。Yemaythinkwhatadinitmaunhaebeen，whanItellyethequaietthatcamupo\'theheelso\'\'tjistseemedtostingmytwalugs。ThesamemomentIh\'ardthemaistercryin\'tilmetocomedoon。Iran，an\'whanIreachedtheservan\'sha\'，whaurhestoodjistinsidethedoor，Istoodasidehiman\'glowered。For，wadyebelieveme！theplacewasasdacentan\'stillasonykirkyardi\'themunelicht！Therewasnaathingooto\'it\'splace，noranairo\'
dist，northesma\'estdisordertobeseen！A\'thethingsluikitasgientheyhadsattletthemsel\'stosleepasusual，an\'hadsleepittillwecaman\'waukitthem。Themaisterglowertatme，an\'I
glowertatthemaister。Buta\'hesaidwas，——\'Afalsealarm，yesee，Rose！\'WhathethouchtIcannatell，butwithootanitherwordweturnt，an\'gaedupthestairagainthegither。
“Atthetapo\'thestair，thelangcorridorranawa\'intilthedarkafore\'s，forthecan\'lethemaistercarriedflangnalichthalftotheen\'o\'\'t；an\'fraeooto\'themirkonasuddentcamtomeet\'sarampaugin\'an\'arattlin\'likeo\'ascoreo\'nowtrinnin\'awa\'wi\'
theirirontethersaboottheirnecks——sicarattlin\'o\'ironchainsasyeneverh\'ard！an\'agroanin\'an\'agruntin\'jistfearsome。
Againwestoodan\'luikitataneanither；an\'myword！butthemaister\'sfacewaseneuchtofrichtabodyo\'\'tsel\'，latalanethethingweh\'ardan\'sawnaethingtilaccoontfor！\'Gangawa\'backtoyerbed，Rose，\'hesaid；\'this\'llneverdo！\'\'An\'hooareyetohelpit，sir？\'saidI。\'ThatIcannottell，\'answeredhe；butIwouldn\'tfortheworldyourmistressheardit！Ileftherfastasleep，andI
hopeshe\'llsleepthroughit——Didyoueverhearanythingstrangeaboutthehousebeforewecame？\'\'Never，sir，\'saidI，\'assureasI
stan\'hereshiverin\'！\'——forthenichtwasi\'thesimmer，an\'warmtothatdegree！an\'yetIwasshiverin\'asi\'thecauldfito\'afivver；an\'mymoo\'wudhardlyconsenttomakthewordsIsouchttoframe！
“Westoodlikemice\'aforethecatforaminuteortwa，buttherecamnaethingmair；an\'bydegreeswegrewakin\'o\'ashamet，likeasgienwehadbeendoobtfu\'astowhetherwehadh\'ardonything；an\'
whanagainhesaidtomegangtomybed，Igaedtomybed，an\'wasnalangupo\'thero\'d，forfearIwudhearonythingmair——an\'intilmybed，an\'myheid\'aneththeclaes，an\'laytrim\'lin\'。Buttherewasnanemairo\'\'tthatnicht，an\'Iwasnaowersairowercometofa\'
asleep。
“I\'themornin\'Itelltthehoosekeepera\'abootit；butsheheldhertongueinamainnerthatwas，tosaytheleasto\'\'t，varrastrange。Shedidnalauch，norshedidnagruenoryetglower，noryetshedidnasaythethingwasnonsense，butshejisth\'ardan\'h\'ardan\'saidnaaword。Ithouchtwi\'mysel\'，is\'tpossibleshedisnabelieveme？butIcouldnamakthatootaither。Saeassheheildhertongue，Ijistpu\'dthebridleo\'mine，an\'vooedthereshouldbeneveranitherwordsaidbymetillanceshespakhersel\'。An\'Iwudsunehaehadeneucho\'haudin\'mytongue，butIhadnatohaudittoonybodybuther；an\'Icamtotheconclusionthatshewasfearto\'
bein\'speirtquestonsbythem\'athadarichttospeirthem，forthatshehadh\'ardo\'something\'afore，an\'kennedmairnorshewasatleebertytospeakaboot。
“Butthatwasonlythebeginnin\'，an\'littletowhatfollowed！Forfraethatnichttherewasnaaenichtpassedbutsomeaneortwadisturbit，an\'whilesitwaspasta\'bidin。\'Thenoises，an\'therum\'lin\'s，an\'abunea\'theclankin\'o\'chains，thatgaedoni\'thathoose，an\'thegroans，an\'thecries，an\'whilesthewhustlin\'，an\'
whatwas\'maistwaurnora\'，thelauchin\'，wassomethingdreidfu\'，an\'\'ayontbelievin\'toonybutthem\'atwasintil\'t。Isometimesthinkmaybetheterroro\'\'tmaksitluikwauri\'therecollectionnoritwas；butIcannakeepmysensesan\'nobelievetherewassomethinga\'thegitherbyord\'nari\'theaffair。An\'whan，orlang，itcamtotheknowledgeo\'thelady，an\'shewaswaukitupatnicht，an\'h\'ardthething，whateveritwas，an\'synewhanthebairnswarwaukitup，an\'ayetheromage，nooi\'thisroom，nooi\'that，saethattheleevin\'wudbecryin\'asloodasthedeid，thoughtheycouldillmaksicadin，itwasbeyonda\'beirin\'，an\'themaistermadeuphismin\'toflitatance，comeo\'\'twhatmicht！
“For，asIouchttohaetelltye，hehadwrittentotheownero\'thehoose，thatwasmyainmaister——foritwasnaahairo\'usesayin\'
onythingfurthertotheagent；heonlyleuch，an\'declaretitmaunbesomeo\'hisainfolkwasplayin\'tricksuponhim——whichitangerthimtohear，bein\'asimpossibleasitwasfause；saestrauchtawa\'
tohislan\'lordhewrote，asIsay；butashewastravellin\'abootonthecontinent，hesupposedeithertheletterhadnotreachedhim，an\'neverwudreachhimorhewasshelterin\'himsel\'undertheideatheywudthinkhehadneverhadit，nowantin\'tomoveinthematter。Butthevarradayhehadmadeuphismin\'thatnothingshouldmakehimspendanotherweekinthehouse，forMondaynightswerealwaystheworst，therecamaletterfromthegentleman，sayin\'
thatonlythatsamehoorthathewaswritin\'hadhereceivedthemaister\'sletter；an\'hewassorryhehadnothaditbefore，butprayedhimtoputupwiththingstillhegottohim，andhewouldstartatthefarthestintwodaysmore，andwouldsetthethingrightinlesstimethanitwouldtaketotellhimwhatwasamiss——A
strangeenoughlettertobesure！Mr。Harper，thatwastheirbutler，toldmehehadreadeverywordofit！Andso，as，nottomentiontheterrorsofthenicht，thewantofrestwasliketoruinusaltogether，wewereallontheoutlookfortheappearanceofoorpromiseddeliverer，saecock-sureo\'settin\'thingsstrauchtagain！
“Weel，atlast，an\'thatwasinavarrafeowdays，thoughtheyluikitlangtosomei\'thathoose，heappearit——aniceluikin\'
gentleman，wi\'saesweetasmileitwasnahardtobelievewhate\'erhetelltye。An\'hehadalichtairyw\'ywi\'him，thatwastousoppresstcratursstrangelycomfortin\'，illasitwastobelievehecouldkenwhathadbeengoin\'on，an\'treatiti\'thatfashion！
Hooever，——an\'noo，mylady，an\'Mr。Grant，Ihaetotellyewhatthebutlertoldme，forIwasnapresenttohearformysel\'。Maybehewouldn\'thavetoldme，butthathewasn\'tanoldman，thoughtwicemyage，an\'seemttohavetakenalikin\'tome，thoughitnevercametoanything；an\'asIwasalwaysceeviltoanypersonthatwasceeviltome，an\'neverwentfartherthanwasbecomin\'，hemademethereturno\'talkin\'tomeattimes，an\'tellin\'mewhatheknew。
“Theyounggentlemanwastostopan\'lunchwiththemaster，an\'i\'
themeantimewouldhaveaglasso\'winean\'abiscuit；an\'pullin\'abuncho\'keysfromhispocket，hedesiredMr。Harpertotakeacertainoneandgotothedoorthatwaslockedinsidethewine-cellar，andbringabottlefromacertainbin。Harpertookthekey，an\'wasjustgoin\'fromtheroom，whenheh\'ardthevisitor——thoughintruthhewasmoreathametherethananyofus——h\'ardhimsay，\'I\'lltellyouwhatyou\'vebeendoing，sir，andyou\'lltellmewhetherI\'mnotright！\'Hearin\'that，thebutlerdrewthedoorto，butnotthatclose，andmadenohastetoleaveit，andsoh\'ardwhatfollowed。
“\'I\'lltellyouwhatyou\'vebeendoin\'，\'sayshe。\'Didn\'tyoufindaman\'shead——askull，Imean，uponthepremises？\'\'Well，yes，I
believewedid，whenIthinkofit！\'saysthemaster；\'formybutler\'——an\'therewasthebutleroutsidealistenin\'tothewholetale！——\'mybutlercametomeonemornin\'，sayin\'，“Lookhere，sir！
thatiswhatIfoundinalittlebox，closebythedoorofthewine-cellar！It\'saskull！”“Oh，“saidI\'——itwasthemasterthatwasspeakin\'——\'“it\'llbesomemedicalstudenthasbroughtithometothehouse！”Soheaskedmewhathehadbetterdowithit。\'\'Andyoutoldhim，\'interruptedthegentleman，\'toburyit！\'\'Idid；itseemedtheproperthingtodo。\'\'Ihadn\'tadoubtofit！\'saidthegentleman：\'thatisthecauseofallthedisturbance。\'\'That？\'saysthemaster。\'That，andnothingelse！\'answersthegentleman。Andwiththat，asHarperconfessedwhenhetoldme，therecamowerhimsuchahorror，thathedaurednaelongerstan\'atthedoor；butforgoin\'doontothecellartofetchthebottleo\'wine，thatwasmerelybeyondhishumanfaculty。Asithapped，Imethimonthestair，aswhiteasasheet，an\'readytodrop。\'What\'sthematter，Mr。Harper？\'saidI；andhetoldmeallaboutit。\'Comealong，\'I
said；\'we\'llgotothecellartogether！It\'sbroaddaylight，an\'
there\'snothingtohurtus！\'Sohewentdown。
“\'There，that\'stheboxthethingwaslyin\'in！\'saidhe，aswecamooto\'thewine-cellar。An\'wi\'thatcamagroanooto\'thevarragroundatoorfeet！Webothh\'ardit，an\'stoodshakin\'an\'dumb，grippin\'aneanither。\'I\'msureIdon\'tknowwhatinthenameo\'
heavenitcanallmean！\'saidhe——butthatwaswhenwewereonthewayupagain。\'Didyeshow\'tonydisrespec\'？\'saidI。\'No，\'saidhe；\'Ibutburiedit，asIwouldanythingelsethathadtobeputtenouto\'sight，\'An\'aswewurtalkin\'together——thatwasatthetopo\'thecellar-stair——therecamagreatringin\'atthebell，an\'saidhe，\'They\'rewon\'erin\'what\'scomeo\'mean\'theirwine，an\'weeltheymay！Imaunrin。\'Assoonasheenteredtheroom——an\'thisagain，yemaysee，myleddyan\'maisterGrant，hetelltmeefterwards——\'Whaurdidyeburytheheidyetuikfraethecellar？\'
saidhismastertilhim，an\'speirednaawordastohoohehadbeensaelangganeforthewine。\'Iburiediti\'thegarden，\'answeredhe。\'Ihopeyouknowthespot！\'saidthestrangegentleman。\'Yes，sir，Ido，\'saidHarper。\'Thencomeandshowme，\'saidhe。
“Sothethreeofthemwentootthegither，an\'gotaspade；an\'
luckilythebutlerwasabletoshowthematoncethevarraspot。An\'
thegentlemanhehowkituptheskullwi\'hisainhan\'s，carefu\'nottotouchitwiththespade，an\'brouchtitbackinhishan\'tothehoose，knockin\'theearthaffitwithhisrouchtraivellin\'gluves。
ButwhanHarperlookittobetoldtotakeitbacktotheplacewherehefoundit，an\'trembledatthethoucht，wonderin\'hoohewastogethaudo\'mean\'naebodythewiser，forhedidnawanttoshowfrichti\'theday-time，tohisgritsurprisean\'nosma\'pleesur，thegentlemansettheskullonthechimley-piece。An\'aslunchhadbeenlaidi\'themeantime，forMr。Heywood——Ihaejistgottenagrupo\'hisname——hadtobeawa\'againdireckly，heh\'ardthewholestoryashewaititupo\'them。Isupposetheythouchtitbetterheshouldhearan\'telltherest，thesoonertogarthemforgettheterrorswehadcomethrouw。
“Saidthegentleman，\'Nowyou\'llhavenomoretrouble。Ifyoudo，writetome，tothecareo\'——soan\'so——an\'I\'llreleaseyoufromyouragreement。Butpleasetorememberthatyoubroughtitonyourselfbyinterfering，Ican\'texacklysaywithmyproperty，butwiththepropertyofonewhoknowshowtodefenditwithoutcallingintheaidofthelaw——whichindeedwouldprobablygivehimlittlesatisfaction——Itwastheburyingofthatskullthatbroughtonyoualltheannoyance。\'\'Ialwaysthought，\'saidthemaster，\'thedeadpreferredhavingtheirbonesburied。Theirghostsindeed，accordingtoCocker，eitherwouldnaorcouldnaliequietuntiltheirbodieswereproperlyburied：wherethencouldbeouroffence？\'\'Youmaysaywhatyouwill，\'answeredMr。Heywood，\'andIcannotansweryou，orpreten\'toexplainthething；Ionlyknowthatwhenthatheadisburied，thesesamedisagreeablesalwaysbegin。\'\'Thenistheheadinthewayofbeingburiedanddugupagain？\'askedthemaster。\'Iwilltellyouthewholestory，ifyoulike，\'answeredhislandlord。\'I
wouldgladlyhearit，\'sayshe，\'forIwouldfainseedaylightontheaffair！\'\'ThatIcannotpromiseyou，\'hesaid；\'butthestory，asitishandeddowninthefamily，youshallhear。\'
“Youmaybesure，myleddy，Harperwaswideawaketohearken，an\'
themorethathemighttellitagaininthehall！
“\'Somewhereaboutahundredandfiftyyearsago，\'Mr。Heywoodbegan，\'onacold，stormynight，therecametothehall-doorapoorpedlar，\'——atravellingmerchant，youknow，myleddy——\'withhispackonhisback，andwouldfainhavepartedwithsomeofhisgoodstothefolkofthehall。Thebutler，whomusthavebeenaroughsortofman——theywereroughtimesthose——toldhimtheywantednothinghecouldgivethem，andtogoabouthisbusiness。Buttheman，whowassomethingobstinate，Idaresay，and，itmayweelbe，anxioustogetshelter，asmuchforthenichtbein\'gurlyastosellhisgoods，keepitonbeggin\'an\'implorin\'tolatthewomen-folkattheleastluikatwhathehadbroucht。Atlastthebutler，ooto\'a\'patiencewi\'theman，ga\'ehimagreatshoveawa\'fraethedoor，saethatthepoormanfelldoonthesteps，an\'bangtthedoorto，noreverlookittoseewhetherthemangatupagainorno。
“\'I\'themornin\'thepedlartheyfaundhimlyin\'deidinalittlewudorshaw，nofarfraethehoose。An\'wi\'thatupgotthecry，an\'
whatsaidtheybutthatthebutlerhadmurderthim！Saeuphewasta\'enan\'putupo\'\'strialfor\'t。An\'whetherthemanwasnotlikiti\'thecountry-side，Icannottell，\'saidthegentleman，\'butthecrywasagainsthim，andthingswentthewrongwayforhim——andthatthoughnooneabootthehoosebelievedhehaddonethedeed，morethanhemichthaecausedhisdeathbypushin\'himdoonthesteps。
An\'eventhathecouldhardlyhaveintendit，butonlytogetquito\'
him；an\'likelyenoughthemanwasweak，perhapsill，an\'theweichto\'hispackonhisbackpulledhimashepushed。\'Still，efteran\'
a\'——an\'itsmysel\'\'at\'ssayin\'this，nothegentleman，mylady——inapairto\'thecountrylikethat，geyan\'lanely，itwasnotthenichttoturnafallowcraturootin！\'Thebutlerwas，atthesametime，anoldandtrustyservan\'，\'saidMr。Heywood，\'an\'hismasterwasgreatlyconcerntabootthething。Itisimpossibleatthistimeo\'day，\'hesaid，\'toun\'erstan\'hoosuchathingcouldbe——i\'thetotalabsenceo\'direc\'evidence，buttheshortan\'thewearylango\'\'twas，thatthemanwashangt，an\'hunginironsforthedeed。
“\'An\'nooyemaybethinkin\'theghaisto\'thepuirpedlarbegantohauntthehoose；butnaethingo\'thekin\'！Therewasnaedisturbanceo\'that，oronyithersort。Themanwasdeidan\'buried，whaeverdidordidnakillhim，an\'thebodyo\'himthatwassaidtohaekilledhim，hungdanglin\'i\'thewin\'，an\'naithero\'themsaidawordfororagainthething。
“\'Buttheherto\'theman\'smaisterwassair。Hecouldnahelpayethinkin\'thatmaybehewastoblame，an\'michthaedonesomethingmairnorhethouchto\'atthetimetogetthepuirmanaff；forhewasabsolutelycertainthat，hooeverrouchhemichthaebeen；an\'
hooeverhemichthaebeenthecauseo\'deithtothetroublesomepedlar，hehadnameanttokillhim；itwas，inpairtatleast，anaccident，an\'hethouchtthehangin\'o\'\'imfor\'twashardlines。
