第11章

“Idon’tmeansechthings，Doctor；Imeanfevers。Isthereanyketchin’fevers——bilious，ornervous，ortypus，orwhateveryoucall’em——nowgoin’roundthisvillage？That’swhatIwanttoascertain，ifthere’snoimpropriety。”

TheoldDoctorlookedatSilasthroughhisspectacles。

“Hardandsourasagreencider-apple。”hethoughttohimself。

“No。”；hesaid，——“Idon’tknowanysuchcases。”

“What’sthematterwithElsieVenner？“askedSilas，sharply，asifheexpectedtohavehimthistime。

“Amildfeverishattack，Ishouldcallitinanybodyelse；butshehasapeculiarconstitution，andIneverfeelsosafeaboutherasI

shouldaboutmostpeople。”

“Anythingketchin’aboutit？“Silasasked，cunningly。

“No，indeed！“saidtheDoctor，——“catching？no，——whatputthatintoyourhead，Mr。Peckham？“

“Well，Doctor。”theconscientiousPrincipalanswered，“Inaterallyfeelagraatresponsibility，averygmaaatresponsibility，forthenoomerousandlovelyyoungladiescommittedtomycharge。Ithasbeenaquestion，whetheroneofmyassistantsshouldgo，accordin’torequest，tostopwithMissVennerforaseason。Nothin’restrainsmygivin’myfullandfreeconsenttohergoin’butthefearlestcontagiousmaladiesshouldbeintrodoocedamongthoselovelyfemaleyouth。Ishallabidebyyouropinion，——Iunderstan’youtosaydistinc’ly，hercomplaintisnotketchin’？——andurgeuponMissDarleytofulfilherdootiestoasufferin’fellow-creatureatanycosttomyselfandmyestablishment。Weshallmissherverymuch；

butitisagoodcause，andsheshallgo，——andIshalltrustthatProvidencewillenableustospareherwithoutpermanentdemagetotheinterestsoftheInstitootion。”

Sayingthis，theexcellentPrincipaldeparted，withhisrustynarrow-

brimmedhatleaningover，asifithadasix-knotbreezeabeam，anditsgunwale(sotospeak)wasdippingintohiscoat-collar。HeannouncedtheresultofhisinquiriestoHelen，whohadreceivedabriefnoteinthemeantimefromapoorrelationofElsie’smother，thenatthemansion-house，informingherofthecriticalsituationofElsieandofherurgentdesirethatHelenshouldbewithher。Shecouldnothesitate。Sheblushedasshethoughtofthecommentsthatmightbemade；butwhatweresuchconsiderationsinamatteroflifeanddeath？ShecouldnotstoptomaketermswithSilasPeckham。Shemustgo。Hemightfleeceher，ifhewould；shewouldnotcomplain，——

noteventoBernard，who，sheknew，wouldbringthePrincipaltoterms，ifshegavetheleasthintofhisintendedextortions。

SoHelenmadeupherbundleofclothestobesentafterher，tookabookortwowithhertohelpherpassthetime，anddepartedfortheDudleymansion。Itwaswithagreatinwardeffortthatsheundertookthesisterlytaskwhichwasthusforceduponher。ShehadakindofterrorofElsie；andthethoughtofhavingchargeofher，ofbeingalonewithher，ofcomingunderthefullinfluenceofthosediamondeyes，——if，indeed，theirlightwerenotdimmedbysufferingandweariness，——wasonesheshrankfrom。Butwhatcouldshedo？Itmightbeaturning-pointinthelifeofthepoorgirl；andshemustovercomeallherfears，allherrepugnance，andgotoherrescue。

“IsHelencome？“saidElsie，whensheheard，withherfinesensequickenedbytheirritabilityofsickness，alightfootfallonthestair，withacadenceunlikethatofanyinmateofthehouse。

“It’sastrangewoman’sstep。”saidOldSophy，who，withherexclusiveloveforElsie，wasnaturallydisposedtojealousyofanew-comer。“LetOl’Sophysetat’th’footo’th’bed，ifth’youngmississetsbyth’piller，——won’y’，darlin’？The’’snobodythat’swhitecanlovey’asth’ofblackwomandoes；——don’sen’heraway，now，there’sadearsoul！“

Elsiemotionedhertositintheplaceshehadpointedto，andHelenatthatmomententeredtheroom。DudleyVennerfollowedher。

“Sheisyourpatient。”hesaid，“exceptwhiletheDoctorishere。

Shehasbeenlongingtohaveyouwithher，andweshallexpectyoutomakeherwellinafewdays。”

SoHelenDarleyfoundherselfestablishedinthemostunexpectedmannerasaninmateoftheDudleymansion。ShesatwithElsiemostofthetime，bydayandbynight，soothingher，andtryingtoenterintoherconfidenceandaffections，ifitshouldprovethatthisstrangecreaturewasreallycapableoftrulysympatheticemotions。

Whatwasthisunexplainedsomethingwhichcamebetweenhersoulandthatofeveryotherhumanbeingwithwhomshewasinrelations？

Helenperceived，orratherfelt，thatshehad，foldedupinthedepthsofherbeing，atruewomanlynature。Throughthecloudthatdarkenedheraspect，nowandthenaraywouldstealforth，which，likethesmileofsternandsolemnpeople，wasallthemoreimpressivefromitscontrastwiththeexpressionsheworehabitually。

Itmightwellbethatpainandfatiguehadchangedheraspect；but，atanyrate，Helenlookedintohereyeswithoutthatnervousagitationwhichtheircoldglitterhadproducedonherwhentheywerefulloftheirnaturallight。Shefeltsurethathermothermusthavebeenalovely，gentlewoman。Thereweregleamsofabeautifulnatureshiningthroughsomeill-definedmediumwhichdisturbedandmadethemflickerandwaver，asdistantimagesdowhenseenthroughtheripplingupwardcurrentsofheatedair。Sheloved，inherownway，theoldblackwoman，andseemedtokeepupakindofsilentcommunicationwithher，asiftheydidnotrequiretheuseofspeech。

SheappearedtobetranquillizedbythepresenceofHelen，andlovedtohaveherseatedatthebedside。Yetsomething，whateveritwas，preventedherfromopeningherhearttoherkindcompanion；andevennowthereweretimeswhenshewouldlielookingather，withsuchastill，watchful，almostdangerousexpression，thatHelenwouldsigh，andchangeherplace，aspersonsdowhosebreathsomecunningoratorhadbeensuckingoutofthemwithhisspongyeloquence，sothat，whenhestops，theymustgetsomeairandstirabout，ortheyfeelasiftheyshouldbehalfsmotheredandpalsied。

Itwastoomuchtokeepguessingwhatwasthemeaningofallthis。

HelendeterminedtoaskOldSophysomequestionswhichmightprobablythrowlightuponherdoubts。ShetooktheopportunityoneeveningwhenElsiewaslyingasleepandtheywerebothsittingatsomedistancefromherbed。

“Tellme，Sophy。”shesaid，“wasElsiealwaysasshyassheseemstobenow，intalkingwiththosetowhomsheisfriendly？“

“Alwayjes’so，MissDarlin’，eversenseshewaslittlechil’。Whenshewasfive，sixyearold，shelispsome，——callmeThophy；thatmakeherkin’o’’shamed，perhaps：aftershegrowup，sheneverlisp，butshekin’o’gotthewayo’nottalkin’much。Fac’is，shedon’liketalkin’ascommongalsdo，’xcep’jes’onceinawhilewi’somepartic’larfolks，——’n’thennotmuch。”

“HowoldisElsie？“

“Eighteenyearthislas’September。”

“Howlongagodidhermotherdie？“Helenasked，withalittletremblinginhervoice。

“EighteenyearagothisOctober。”saidOldSophy。

Helenwassilentforamoment。Thenshewhispered，almostinaudibly，——forhervoiceappearedtofailher，“Whatdidhermotherdieof，Sophy？“

Theoldwoman’ssmalleyesdilateduntilaringofwhiteshowedroundtheirbeadycentres。ShecaughtHelenbythehandandclungtoit，asifinfear。ShelookedroundatElsie，wholaysleeping，asofshemightbelistening。ThenshedrewHelentowardsherandledhersoftlyoutoftheroom。

“’Sh！——’sh！“shesaid，assoonastheywereoutsidethedoor。

“Don’neverspeakinthishouse’boutwhatElsie’smotherdiedof！“

shesaid。“Nobodyneversaysnothin’’boutit。Oh，GodhasmadeUglyThingswi’deathintheirmouths，MissDarlin’，an’Heknowswhatthey’refor；butmypoorElsie！——tohaveherbloodchangedinherbefore——ItwasinJulyMistressgotherdeath，butsheliv’tillthreeweekaftermypoorElsiewasborn。”

Shecouldspeaknomore。Shehadsaidenough。Helenrememberedthestoriesshehadheardoncomingtothevillage，andamongthemonereferredtoinanearlychapterofthisnarrative。AlltheunaccountablelooksandtastesandwaysofElsiecamebacktoherinthelightofanante-natalimpressionwhichhadmingledanalienelementinhernature。Sheknewthesecretofthefascinationwhichlookedoutofhercold，glitteringeyes。Sheknewthesignificanceofthestrangerepulsionwhichshefeltinherownintimateconsciousnessunderlyingtheinexplicableattractionwhichdrewhertowardstheyounggirlinspiteofthisrepugnance。Shebegantolookwithnewfeelingsonthecontradictionsinhermoralnature，——

thelongingforsympathy，asshownbyherwishingforHelen’scompany，andtheimpossibilityofpassingbeyondthecoldcircleofisolationwithinwhichshehadherbeing。Thefearfultruthofthatinstinctivefeelingofhers，thattherewassomethingnothumanlookingoutofElsie’seyes，cameuponherwithasuddenflashofpenetratingconviction。Thereweretwowarringprinciplesinthatsuperborganizationandproudsoul。Onemadeherawoman，withallawoman’spowersandlongings。Theotherchilledallthecurrentsofoutletforheremotions。Itmadehertearlessandmute，whenanotherwomanwouldhaveweptandpleaded。Anditinfusedintohersoulsomething——itwascruelnowtocallitmalice——whichwasstillandwatchfulanddangerous，whichwaiteditsopportunity，andthenshotlikeanarrowfromitsbowoutofthecoilofbroodingpremeditation。

EventhosewhohadneverseenthewhitescarsonDickVenner’swrist，orheardthehalf-toldstoryofhersupposedattempttodoagravermischief，knewwellenoughbylookingatherthatshewasoneofthecreaturesnottobetamperedwith，——silentinangerandswiftinvengeance。

Helencouldnotreturntothebedsideatonceafterthiscommunication。Itwaswithalteredeyesthatshemustlookonthepoorgirl，thevictimofsuchanunheard-offatality。Allwasexplainedtohernow。Butitopenedsuchdepthsofsolemnthoughtinherawakenedconsciousness，thatitseemedasifthewholemysteryofhumanlifewerecomingupagainbeforeherfortrialandjudgment。

“Oh。”shethought，“if，whilethewillliessealedinitsfountain，itmaybepoisonedatitsverysource，sothatitshallflowdarkanddeadlythroughitswholecourse，whoarewethatweshouldjudgeourfellow-creaturesbyourselves？“Thencametheterriblequestion，howfartheelementsthemselvesarecapableofpervertingthemoralnature：ifvalor，andjustice，andtruth，thestrengthofmanandthevirtueofwoman，maynotbepoisonedoutofaracebythefoodoftheAustralianinhisforest，bythefoulairanddarknessoftheChristianscoopedupinthe“tenement-houses“closebythosewholiveinthepalacesofthegreatcities？

Shewalkedoutintothegarden，lostinthoughtuponthesedarkanddeepmatters。Presentlysheheardastepbehindher，andElsie’sfathercameupandjoinedher。SincehisintroductiontoHelenatthedistinguishedtea-partygivenbytheWidowRowens，andbeforehercomingtositwithElsie，Mr。DudleyVennerhadinthemostaccidentalwayintheworldmetheronseveraloccasions：onceafterchurch，whenshehappenedtobecaughtinaslightshowerandheinsistedonholdinghisumbrellaoverheronherwayhome；——onceatasmallpartyatoneofthemansion-houses，wherethequick-eyedladyofthehousehadawonderfulknackofbringingpeopletogetherwholikedtoseeeachother；——perhapsatothertimesandplaces；butofthisthereisnocertainevidence。

TheynaturallyspokeofElsie，herillness，andtheaspectithadtaken。ButHelennoticedinallthatDudleyVennersaidabouthisdaughteramorbidsensitiveness，asitseemedtoher，anaversiontosayingmuchaboutherphysicalconditionorherpeculiarities，——awishtofeelandspeakasaparentshould，andyetashrinking，asifthereweresomethingaboutElsiewhichhecouldnotbeartodwellupon。Shethoughtshesawthroughallthis，andshecouldinterpretitallcharitably。Therewerecircumstancesabouthisdaughterwhichrecalledthegreatsorrowofhislife；itwasnotstrangethatthisperpetualremindershouldinsomedegreehavemodifiedhisfeelingsasafather。Butwhatalifehemusthavebeenleadingforsomanyyears，withthisperpetualsourceofdistresswhichhecouldnotname！Helenknewwellenough，now，themeaningofthesadnesswhichhadleftsuchtracesinhisfeaturesandtones，anditmadeherfeelverykindlyandcompassionatetowardshim。

Sotheywalkedoverthecracklingleavesinthegarden，betweenthelinesofboxbreathingitsfragranceofeternity；——forthisisoneoftheodorswhichcarryusoutoftimeintotheabyssesoftheunbeginningpast；ifweeverlivedonanotherballofstonethanthis，itmustbethattherewasboxgrowingonit。Sotheywalked，findingtheirwaysoftlytoeachother’ssorrowsandsympathies，eachmatchingsomecounterparttotheother’sexperienceoflife，andstartledtoseehowthedifferent，yetparallel，lessonstheyhadbeentaughtbysufferinghadledthemstepbysteptothesamesereneacquiescenceintheorderingsofthatSupremeWisdomwhichtheybothdevoutlyrecognized。

OldSophywasatthewindowandsawthemwalkingupanddownthegarden-alleys。Shewatchedthemashergrandfatherthesavagewatchedthefiguresthatmovedamongthetreeswhenahostiletribewaslurkingabouthismountain。

“There’llbeaweddin’intheolhouse。”shesaid，“beforethere’srosesonthembushesag’in。Butitwon’bemypoorElsie’sweddin’，’n’ol’Sophywon’bethere。”

WhenHelenprayedinthesilenceofhersoulthatevening，itwasnotthatElsie’slifemightbespared。ShedarednotaskthatasafavorofHeaven。Whatcouldlifebetoherbutaperpetualanguish，andtothoseaboutherbutanever-presentterror？Mightshebutbesoinfluencedbydivinegrace，thatwhatinherwasmosttrulyhuman，mostpurelywoman-like，shouldovercomethedark，cold，unmentionableinstinctwhichhadpervadedherbeinglikeasubtilepoisonthatwasallshecouldask，andtherestshelefttoahigherwisdomandtendererlovethanherown。

CHAPTERXXIX。

THEWHITEASH。

WhenHelenreturnedtoElsie’sbedside，itwaswithanewandstilldeeperfeelingofsympathy，suchasthestorytoldbyOldSophymightwellawaken。Sheunderstood，asneverbefore，thesingularfascinationandassingularrepulsionwhichshehadlongfeltinElsie’spresence。Ithadnotbeenwithoutagreateffortthatshehadforcedherselftobecomethealmostconstantattendantofthesickgirl；andnowshewaslearning，butnotforthefirsttime，theblessedtruthwhichsomanygoodwomenhavefoundoutforthemselves，thatthehardestdutybravelyperformedsoonbecomesahabit，andtendsinduetimetotransformitselfintoapleasure。

TheoldDoctorwasbeginningtolookgraver，inspiteofhimself。

Thefever，ifsuchitwas，wentgentlyforward，wastingtheyounggirl’spowersofresistancefromdaytoday；yetsheshowednodispositiontotakenourishment，andseemedliterallytobelivingonair。Itwasremarkablethatwithallthisherlookwasalmostnatural，andherfeatureswerehardlysharpenedsoastosuggestthatherlifewasburningaway。Hedidnotlikethis，norvariousotherunobtrusivesignsofdangerwhichhispractisedeyedetected。Averysmallmattermightturnthebalancewhichheldlifeanddeathpoisedagainsteachother。Hesurroundedherwithprecautions，thatNaturemighthaveeveryopportunityofcunninglyshiftingtheweightsfromthescaleofdeathtothescaleoflife，asshewilloftendoifnotrudelydisturbedorinterferedwith。

Littletokensofgood-willandkindremembrancewereconstantlycomingtoherfromthegirlsintheschoolandthegoodpeopleinthevillage。Someofthemansion-housepeopleobtainedrareflowerswhichtheysenther，andhertablewascoveredwithfruitswhichtemptedherinvain。Severaloftheschool-girlswishedtomakeherabasketoftheirownhandiwork，and，fillingitwithautumnalflowers，tosenditasajointoffering。Mr。Bernardfoundouttheirprojectaccidentally，and，wishingtohavehisshareinit，broughthomefromoneofhislongwalkssomeboughsfullofvariouslytintedleaves，suchaswerestillclingingtothestrickentrees。Withthesehebroughtalsosomeofthealreadyfallenleafletsofthewhiteash，remarkablefortheirricholive-purplecolor，formingabeautifulcontrastwithsomeofthelighter-huedleaves。Itsohappenedthatthisparticulartree，thewhiteash，didnotgrowuponTheMountain，andtheleafletsweremorewelcomefortheircomparativerarity。Sothegirlsmadetheirbasket，andthefloorofittheycoveredwiththericholive-purpleleaflets。Suchlateflowersastheycouldlaytheirhandsuponservedtofillit，andwithmanykindlymessagestheysentittoMissElsieVennerattheDudleymansion-house。

Elsiewassittingupinherbedwhenitcame，languid，buttranquil，andHelenwasbyher，asusual，holdingherhand，whichwasstrangelycold，Helenthought，foronewhowassaidtohavesomekindoffever。

Theschool-girls’basketwasbroughtinwithitsmessagesofloveandhopesforspeedyrecovery。OldSophywasdelightedtoseethatitpleasedElsie，andlaiditonthebedbeforeher。Elsiebeganlookingattheflowers，andtakingthemfromthebasket，thatshemightseetheleaves。Allatoncesheappearedtobeagitated；shelookedatthebasket，thenaround，asifthereweresomefearfulpresenceaboutherwhichshewassearchingforwithhereagerglances。Shetookouttheflowers，onebyone，herbreathinggrowinghurried，hereyesstaring，herhandstrembling，——till，asshecamenearthebottomofthebasket，sheflungoutalltherestwithahastymovement，lookedupontheolive-purpleleafletsasifparalyzedforamoment，shrunkup，asitwere，intoherselfinacurdlingterror，dashedthebasketfromher，andfellbacksenseless，withafaintcrywhichchilledthebloodofthestartledlistenersatherbedside。

“Takeitaway！——takeitaway！——quick！“saidOldSophy，asshehastenedtohermistress’spillow。“It’stheleavesofthetreethatwasalwaysdeathtoher，——takeitaway！Shecan’tlivewi’itintheroom！“

ThepooroldwomanbeganchafingElsie’shands，andHelentotrytorouseherwithhartshorn，whileathirdfrightenedattendantgathereduptheflowersandthebasketandcarriedthemoutoftheapartment，Shecametoherselfafteratime，butexhaustedandthenwandering。

Inherdeliriumshetalkedconstantlyasifshewereinacave，withsuchexactnessofcircumstancethatHelencouldnotdoubtatallthatshehadsomesuchretreatamongtherocksofTheMountain，probablyfittedupinherownfantasticway，whereshesometimeshidherselffromallhumaneyes，andoftheentrancetowhichshealonepossessedthesecret。

Allthispassedaway，andlefther，ofcourse，weakerthanbefore。

Butthiswasnottheonlyinfluencetheunexplainedparoxysmhadleftbehindit。Fromthistimeforwardtherewasachangeinherwholeexpressionandhermanner。Theshadowsceasedflittingoverherfeatures，andtheoldwoman，whowatchedherfromdaytodayandfromhourtohourasamotherwatchesherchild，sawthelikenesssheboretohermothercomingforthmoreandmore，asthecoldglitterdiedoutofthediamondeyes，andthestormyscowldisappearedfromthedarkbrowsandlowforehead。

Withallthekindnessandindulgenceherfatherhadbestoweduponher，Elsiehadneverfeltthathelovedher。Thereaderknowswellenoughwhatfatalrecollectionsandassociationshadfrozenupthespringsofnaturalaffectioninhisbreast。TherewasnothingintheworldhewouldnotdoforElsie。Hehadsacrificedhiswholelifetoher。Hisveryseemingcarelessnessaboutrestrainingherwasallcalculated；heknewthatrestraintwouldproducenothingbututteralienation。Justsofarassheallowedhim，hesharedherstudies，herfewpleasures，herthoughts；butshewasessentiallysolitaryanduncommunicative。Noperson，aswassaidlongago，couldjudgehim，becausehistaskwasnotmerelydifficult，butsimplyimpracticabletohumanpowers。AnaturelikeElsie’shadnecessarilytobestudiedbyitself，andtobefollowedinitslawswhereitcouldnotbeled。

Everyday，atdifferenthours，duringthewholeofhisdaughter’sillness，DudleyVennerhadsatbyher，doingallhecouldtosootheandpleaseher。Alwaysthesamethinfilmofsomeemotionalnon-

conductorbetweenthem；alwaysthatkindofhabitualregardandfamily-interest，mingledwiththedeepestpityononesideandasortofrespectontheother，whichneverwarmedintooutwardevidencesofaffection。

Itwasafterthisoccasion，whenshehadbeensoprofoundlyagitatedbyaseeminglyinsignificantcause，thatherfatherandOldSophyweresitting，oneatonesideofherbedandoneattheother。Shehadfallenintoalightslumber。Astheywerelookingather，thesamethoughtcameintoboththeirmindsatthesamemoment。OldSophyspokeforboth，asshesaid，inalowvoice，“It’shermother’slook，——it’shermother’sownfacerightoveragain，——sheneverlook’sobefore，theLord’shandisonher！Hiswillbedone！“

WhenElsiewokeandliftedherlanguideyesuponherfather’sface，shesawinitatenderness，adepthofaffection，suchassherememberedatraremomentsofherchildhood，whenshehadwonhimtoherbysomeunusualgleamofsunshineinherfitfultemper。

“Elsie，dear。”hesaid，“wewerethinkinghowmuchyourexpressionwassometimeslikethatofyoursweetmother。Ifyoucouldbuthaveseenher，soastorememberher！“

Thetenderlookandtone，theyearningofthedaughter’sheartforthemothershehadneverseen，saveonlywiththeunfixed，undistinguishingeyesofearliestinfancy，perhapstheunder-thoughtthatshemightsoonrejoinherinanotherstateofbeing，——allcameuponherwithasuddenoverflowoffeelingwhichbrokethroughallthebarriersbetweenherheartandhereyes，andElsiewept。Itseemedtoherfatherasifthemaligninfluence——evilspirititmightalmostbecalled——whichhadpervadedherbeing，hadatlastbeendrivenforthorexorcised，andthatthesetearswereatoncethesignandthepledgeofherredeemednature。Butnowshewastobesoothed，andnotexcited。Afterhertearsshesleptagain，andthelookherfaceworewaspeacefulasneverbefore。

OldSophymettheDoctoratthedoorandtoldhimallthecircumstancesconnectedwiththeextraordinaryattackfromwhichElsiehadsuffered。Itwasthepurpleleaves，shesaid。SherememberedthatDickoncebroughthomeabranchofatreewithsomeofthesameleavesonit，andElsiescreamedandalmostfaintedthen。

She，Sophy，hadaskedher，aftershehadgotquiet，whatitwasintheleavesthatmadeherfeelsobad。Elsiecouldn’ttellher，——didn’tliketospeakaboutit，——shudderedwheneverSophymentionedit。

ThisdidnotsoundsostrangelytotheoldDoctorasitdoestosomewholistentohisnarrative。Hehadknownsomecuriousexamplesofantipathies，andrememberedreadingofothersstillmoresingular。

Hehadknownthosewhocouldnotbearthepresenceofacat，andrecollectedthestory，oftentold，ofaperson’shidingoneinachestwhenoneofthesesensitiveindividualscameintotheroom，soasnottodisturbhim；buthepresentlybegantosweatandturnpale，andcriedoutthattheremustbeacathidsomewhere。Heknewpeoplewhowerepoisonedbystrawberries，byhoney，bydifferentmeats，manywhocouldnotendurecheese，——somewhocouldnotbearthesmellofroses。Ifhehadknownallthestoriesintheoldbooks，hewouldhavefoundthatsomehaveswoonedandbecomeasdeadmenatthesmellofarose，——thatastoutsoldierhasbeenknowntoturnandrunatthesightorsmellofrue，——thatcassiaandevenolive-oilhaveproduceddeadlyfaintingsincertain。individuals，——inshort，thatalmosteverythinghasseemedtobeapoisontosomebody。

“Bringmethatbasket，Sophy。”saidtheoldDoctor，“ifyoucanfindit。”

Sophybroughtittohim，——forhehadnotyetenteredElsie’sapartment。

“Thesepurpleleavesarefromthewhiteash。”hesaid。“Youdon’tknowthenotionthatpeoplecommonlyhaveaboutthattree，Sophy？“

“IknowtheysaytheUglyThingsnevergowherethewhiteashgrows。”

Sophyanswered。“Oh，Doctordear，whatI’mthinkin’ofa’n’ttrue，isit？“

TheDoctorsmiledsadly，butdidnotanswer。HewentdirectlytoElsie’sroom。Nobodywouldhaveknownbyhismannerthathesawanyspecialchangeinhispatient。Hespokewithherasusual，madesomeslightalterationinhisprescriptions，andlefttheroomwithakind，cheerfullook。Hemetherfatheronthestairs。

“IsitasIthought？“saidDudleyVeneer。

“Thereiseverythingtofear。”theDoctorsaid，“andnotmuch，Iamafraid，tohope。Doesnotherfacerecalltoyouonethatyouremember，asneverbefore？“

“Yes。”herfatheranswered，——“oh，yes！Whatisthemeaningofthischangewhichhascomeoverherfeatures，andhervoice，hertemper，herwholebeing？Tellme，oh，tellme，whatisit？Canitbethatthecurseispassingaway，andmydaughteristoberestoredtome，——

suchashermotherwouldhavehadher，——suchashermotherwas？“

“Walkoutwithmeintothegarden。”theDoctorsaid，“andIwilltellyouallIknowandallIthinkaboutthisgreatmysteryofElsie’slife。”

Theywalkedouttogether，andtheDoctorbegan：“Shehaslivedadoublebeing，asitwere，——theconsequenceoftheblightwhichfelluponherinthedimperiodbeforeconsciousness。Youcanseewhatshemighthavebeenbutforthis。Youknowthatfortheseeighteenyearsherwholeexistencehastakenitscharacterfromthatinfluencewhichweneednotname。Butyouwillrememberthatfewofthelowerformsoflifelastashumanbeingsdo；andthusitmighthavebeenhopedandtrustedwithsomeshowofreason，asIhavealwayssuspectedyouhopedandtrusted，perhapsmoreconfidentlythanmyself，thatthelowernaturewhichhadbecomeengraftedonthehigherwoulddieoutandleavetherealwoman’slifesheinheritedtooutlivethisaccidentalprinciplewhichhadsopoisonedherchildhoodandyouth。Ibelieveitissodyingout；butIamafraid，——yes，I

mustsayit，Ifearithasinvolvedthecentresoflifeinitsowndecay。ThereishardlyanypulseatElsie’swrist；nostimulantsseemtorouseher；anditlooksasiflifewereslowlyretreatinginwards，sothatby-and-byshewillsleepasthosewholiedowninthecoldandneverwake。”

Strangeasitmayseem，herfatherheardallthisnotwithoutdeepsorrow，andsuchmarksofitashisthoughtfulandtranquilnature，longschooledbysuffering，claimedorpermitted，butwitharesignationitselfthemeasureofhispasttrials。Dearashisdaughtermightbecometohim，allhedaredtoaskofHeavenwasthatshemightberestoredtothattruerselfwhichlaybeneathherfalseandadventitiousbeing。Ifhecouldonceseethattheicylustreinhereyeshadbecomeasoft，calmlight，——thathersoulwasatpeacewithallaboutherandwithHim；above，——thiscrumbfromthechildren’stablewasenoughforhim，asitwasfortheSyro-

Phoenicianwomanwhoaskedthatthedarkspiritmightgooutfromherdaughter。

Therewaslittlechangethenextday，untilallatonceshesaidinaclearvoicethatsheshouldliketoseehermasterattheschool，Mr。

Langdon。Hecameaccordingly，andtooktheplaceofHelenatherbedside。ItseemedasifElsiehadforgottenthelastscenewithhim。Mightitbethatpridehadcomein，andshehadsentforhimonlytoshowhowsuperiorshehadgrowntotheweaknesswhichhadbetrayedherintothatextraordinaryrequest，socontrarytotheinstinctsandusagesofhersex？Orwasitthatthesingularchangewhichhadcomeoverherhadinvolvedherpassionatefancyforhimandsweptitawaywithherotherhabitsofthoughtandfeeling？Orcoulditbethatshefeltthatallearthlyinterestswerebecomingoflittleaccounttoher，andwishedtoplaceherselfrightwithonetowhomshehaddisplayedawaywardmovementofherunbalancedimagination？ShewelcomedMr。BernardasquietlyasshehadreceivedHelenDarley。Hecoloredattherecollectionofthatlastscene，whenhecameintoherpresence；butshesmiledwithperfecttranquillity。Shedidnotspeaktohimofanyapprehension；buthesawthatshelookeduponherselfasdoomed。Sofriendly，yetsocalmdidsheseemthroughalltheirinterview，thatMr。Bernardcouldonlylookbackuponhermanifestationoffeelingtowardshimontheirwalkfromtheschoolasavagaryofamindlaboringundersomeunnaturalexcitement，andwhollyatvariancewiththetruecharacterofElsieVennerashesawherbeforehiminhersubdued，yetsingularbeauty。

Helookedwithalmostscientificclosenessofobservationintothediamondeyes；butthatpeculiarlightwhichheknewsowellwasnotthere。Shewasthesameinonesenseasonthatfirstdaywhenhehadseenhercoilinganduncoilinghergoldenchain；yethowdifferentineveryaspectwhichrevealedherstateofmindandemotion！Somethingoftendernesstherewas，perhaps，inhertonetowardshim；shewouldnothavesentforhim，hadshenotfeltmorethananordinaryinterestinhim。Butthroughthewholeofhisvisitsheneverlosthergraciousself-possession。TheDudleyracemightwellbeproudofthelastofitsdaughters，asshelaydying，butunconqueredbythefeelingofthepresentorthefearofthefuture。

AsforMr。Bernard，hefounditveryhardtolookuponher，andlistentoherunmoved。Therewasnothingthatremindedhimofthestormy——browed，almostsavagegirlherememberedinherfierceloveliness，——nothingofallhersingularitiesofairandofcostume。

Nothing？Yes，onething。Weakandsufferingasshewas，shehadneverpartedwithoneparticularornament，suchasasickpersonwouldnaturally，asitmightbesupposed，getridofatonce。Thegoldencordwhichsheworeroundherneckatthegreatpartywasstillthere。Abraceletwaslyingbyherpillow；shehadunclaspeditfromherwrist。

BeforeMr。Bernardlefther，shesaid，“Ishallneverseeyouagain。Sometimeorother，perhaps，youwillmentionmynametoonewhomyoulove。GiveherthisfromyourscholarandfriendElsie。”

Hetookthebracelet，raisedherhandtohislips，thenturnedhisfaceaway；inthatmomenthewastheweakerofthetwo。

“Good-bye。”shesaid；“thankyouforcoming。”

Hisvoicediedawayinhisthroat，ashetriedtoanswerher。Shefollowedhimwithhereyesashepassedfromhersightthroughthedoor，andwhenitclosedafterhimsobbedtremulouslyonceortwice，butstilledherself，andmetHelen，assheentered，withacomposedcountenance。

“IhavehadaverypleasantvisitfromMr。Langdon。”Elsiesaid。

“Sitbyme，Helen，awhilewithoutspeaking；Ishouldliketosleep，ifIcan，——andtodream。”

CHAPTERXXX。

THEGOLDENCORDISLOOSED。

TheReverendChauncyFairweather，hearingthathisparishioner’sdaughter，Elsie，wasveryill，coulddonothinglessthancometothemansion-houseandtendersuchconsolationsashewasmasterof。ItwasratherremarkablethattheoldDoctordidnotexactlyapproveofhisvisit。Hethoughtthatcompanyofeverysortmightbeinjuriousinherweakstate。HewasofopinionthatMr。Fairweather，thoughgreatlyinterestedinreligiousmatters，wasnotthemostsympatheticpersonthatcouldbefound；infact，theoldDoctorthoughthewastoomuchtakenupwithhisowninterestsforeternitytogivehimselfquite’soheartilytotheneedofotherpeopleassomepersonsgotuponarathermoregenerousscale(ourgoodneighborDr。Honeywood，forinstance)coulddo。However，allthesethingshadbetterbearrangedtosuitherwants；ifshewouldliketotalkwithaclergyman，shehadagreatdealbetterseeoneasoftenassheliked，andruntheriskoftheexcitement，thanhaveahiddenwishforsuchavisitandperhapsfindherselftooweaktoseehimby-and-by。

TheoldDoctorknewbysadexperiencethatdreadfulmistakeagainstwhichallmedicalpractitionersshouldbewarned。Hisexperiencemaywellbeaguideforothers。Donotoverlookthedesireforspiritualadviceandconsolationwhichpatientssometimesfeel，and，withthefrightfulmauvaisehontepeculiartoProtestantism，aloneamongallhumanbeliefs，areashamedtotell。Asapartofmedicaltreatment，itisthephysician’sbusinesstodetectthehiddenlongingforthefoodofthesoul，asmuchasforanyformofbodilynourishment。

Especiallyinthehigherwalksofsociety，wherethisunutterablymiserablefalseshameofProtestantismactsinproportiontothegeneralacutenessofthecultivatedsensibilities，letnounwillingnesstosuggestthesickperson’srealneedsufferhimtolanguishbetweenhiswantandhismorbidsensitiveness。WhataninfiniteadvantagetheMussulmansandtheCatholicshaveovermanyofourmoreexclusivelyspiritualsectsinthewaytheykeeptheirreligionalwaysbythemandneverblushforit！Andbesidesthisspirituallonging，weshouldneverforgetthat“Onsomefondbreastthepartingsoulrelies。”

andtheministerofreligion，inadditiontothesympatheticnaturewhichwehavearighttodemandinhim，hastrainedhimselftotheartofenteringintothefeelingsofothers。

Thereadermustpardonthisdigression，whichintroducesthevisitoftheReverendChauncyFairweathertoElsieVeneer。Itwasmentionedtoherthathewouldliketocallandseehowshewas，andsheconsented，——notwithmuchapparentinterest，forshehadreasonsofherownfornotfeelinganyverydeepconvictionofhissympathyforpersonsinsorrow。Buthecame，andworkedtheconversationroundtoreligion，andconfusedherwithhishybridnotions，halfmadeupofwhathehadbeenbelievingandteachingallhislife，andhalfofthenewdoctrineswhichhehadveneereduponthesurfaceofhisoldbelief。Hegotsofarastomakeaprayerwithher，——acool，well-

guardedprayer，whichcompromisedhisfaithaslittleaspossible，andwhich，ifdevotionwereagameplayedagainstProvidence，mighthavebeenconsideredacautiousandsagaciousmove。

Whenhehadgone，ElsiecalledOldSophytoher。

“Sophy。”shesaid，“don’tletthemsendthatcoldheartedmantomeanymore。Ifyouroldministercomes——toseeyou，Ishouldliketohearhimtalk。Helooksasifhecaredforeverybody，andwouldcareforme。And，Sophy，ifIshoulddieoneofthesedays，Ishouldliketohavethatoldministercomeandsaywhateveristobesaidoverme。ItwouldcomfortDudleymore，Iknow，thantohavethathardmanhere，whenyou’reintrouble，forsomeofyouwillbesorrywhenI’mgone，——won’tyou，Sophy？“

Thepooroldblack。womancouldnotstandthisquestion。ThecoldministerhadfrozenElsieuntilshefeltasifnobodycaredforherorwouldregrether，——andherquestionhadbetrayedthismomentaryfeeling。

“Don’talkso！don’talkso，darlin’！“shecried，passionately。

“Whenyougo，Ol’Sophy’llgo；’n’whereyougo，Ol’Sophy’llgo：’n’

we’llbothgot’th’placewhereth’Lordtakescareofallhischildren，whethertheirfacesarewhiteorblack。Oh，darlin’，darlin’！ifth’Lordshouldletmediefirs’，youshallfin’allreadyforyouwhenyoucomeafterme。On’ydon’go’n’leavepoorOl’Sophyall’loneinth’world！“

Helencameinatthismomentandquietedtheoldwomanwithalook。

Suchsceneswerejustwhatweremostdangerous，inthestateinwhichElsiewaslying：butthatisoneofthewaysinwhichanaffectionatefriendsometimesunconsciouslywearsoutthelifewhichahirednurse，thinkingofnothingbutherregulardutiesandherwages，wouldhavesparedfromallemotionalfatigue。

ThechangewhichhadcomeoverElsie’sdispositionwasitselfthecauseofnewexcitements。Howwasitpossiblethatherfathercouldkeepawayfromher，nowthatshewascomingbacktothenatureandtheverylookofhermother，thebrideofhisyouth？Howwasitpossibletorefuseher，whenshesaidtoOldSophy，thatsheshouldliketohaveherministercomeinandsitbyher，eventhoughhispresencemightperhapsproveanewsourceofexcitement？

ButtheReverendDoctordidcomeandsitbyher，andspokesuchsoothingwordstoher，wordsofsuchpeaceandconsolation，thatfromthathourshewastranquilasneverbefore。Alltrueheartsarealikeinthehourofneed；theCatholichasareservedfundoffaithforhisfellow-creature’stryingmoment，andtheCalvinistrevealsthosespringsofhumanbrotherhoodandcharityinhissoulwhichareonlycoveredoverbytheirontablesinscribedwiththeharderdogmasofhiscreed。ItwasenoughthattheReverendDoctorknewallElsie’shistory。Hecouldnotjudgeherbyanyformula，likethosewhichhavebeenmouldedbypastagesoutoftheirignorance。Hedidnottalkwithherasifshewereanoutsidesinnerworsethanhimself。Hefoundabruisedandlanguishingsoul，andboundupitswounds。Ablessedoffice，——onewhichisconfinedtonosectorcreed，butwhichgoodmeninalltimes，undervariousnamesandwithvaryingministries，tosuittheneedofeachage，ofeachrace，ofeachindividualsoul，havecomeforwardtodischargefortheirsufferingfellow-creatures。

AfterthistherewaslittlechangeinElsie，exceptthatherheartbeatmorefeeblyeveryday，——sothattheoldDoctorhimself，withallhisexperience，couldseenothingtoaccountforthegradualfailingofthepowersoflife，andyetcouldfindnoremedywhichseemedtoarrestitsprogressinthesmallestdegree。

“Beverycareful。”hesaid，“thatsheisnotallowedtomakeanymuscularexertion。Anysucheffort，whenapersonissoenfeebled，maystoptheheartinamoment；andifitstops，itwillnevermoveagain。”

Helenenforcedthisrulewiththegreatestcare。Elsiewashardlyallowedtomoveherhandortospeakaboveawhisper。Itseemedtobemainlythequestionnow，whetherthistremblingflameoflifewouldbeblownoutbysomelightbreathofair，orwhetheritcouldbesonursedandshelteredbythehollowofthesewatchfulhandsthatitwouldhaveachancetokindletoitsnaturalbrightness——

Herfathercameintositwithherintheevening。Hehadnevertalkedsofreelywithherasduringthehourhehadpassedatherbedside，tellingherlittlecircumstancesofhermother’slife，livingoverwithherallthatwaspleasantinthepast，andtryingtoencourageherwithsomecheerfulgleamsofhopeforthefuture。A

faintsmileplayedoverherface，butshedidnotanswerhisencouragingsuggestions。Thehourcameforhimtoleaveherwiththosewhowatchedbyher。

“Good-night，mydearchild。”hesaid，andstoopingdown，kissedhercheek。

Elsierosebyasuddeneffort，threwherarmsroundhisneck，kissedhim，andsaid，“Good-night，mydearfather！“

Thesuddennessofhermovementhadtakenhimbysurprise，orhewouldhavecheckedsodangerousaneffort。Itwastoolatenow。Herarmsslidawayfromhimlikelifelessweights，——herheadfellbackuponherpillow，——alongsighbreathedthroughherlips。

“Sheisfaint。”saidHelen，doubtfully；“bringmethehartshorn，Sophy。”

Theoldwomanhadstartedfromherplace，andwasnowleaningoverher，lookinginherface，andlisteningforthesoundofherbreathing。

“She’sdead！Elsie’sdead！Mydarlin’sdead！“shecriedaloud，fillingtheroomwithherutteranceofanguish。

DudleyVennerdrewherawayandsilencedherwithavoiceofauthority，whileHelenandanassistantpliedtheirrestoratives。Itwasallinvain。

Thesolemntidingspassedfromthechamberofdeaththroughthefamily。Thedaughter，thehopeofthatoldandhonoredhouse，wasdeadinthefreshnessofheryouth，andthehomeofitssolitaryrepresentativewashereafterdoublydesolate。

Amessengerrodehastilyoutoftheavenue。Alittleafterthisthepeopleofthevillageandtheoutlyingfarm-houseswerestartledbythesoundofabell。

One，——two，——three，——four，Theystoppedineveryhouse，asfarasthewaveringvibrationsreached，andlistenedfive，——six，——seven，——

Itwasnotthelittlechildwhichhadbeenlyingsolongatthepointofdeath；thatcouldnotbemorethanthreeorfouryearsoldeight，——nine，——ten，——andsoontofifteen，sixteen，——seventeen，——

eighteenThepulsationsseemedtokeepon，——butitwasthebrain，andnotthebell，thatwasthrobbingnow。

“Elsie’sdead！“wastheexclamationatahundredfiresides。

“Eighteenyearold。”saidoldWidowPeake，risingfromherchair。

“EighteenyearagoIlaidtwogoldeaglesonhermother’seyes，——hewouldn’thaveanythingbutgoldtouchhereyelids，——andnowElsie’stobestraightened，——theLordhavemercyonherpoorsinfulsoul！“

DudleyVennerprayedthatnightthathemightbeforgiven，ifhehadfailedinanyactofdutyorkindnesstothisunfortunatechildofhis，nowfreedfromallthewoesbornwithherandsolongpoisoninghersoul。HethankedGodforthebriefintervalofpeacewhichhadbeengrantedher，forthesweetcommuniontheyhadenjoyedintheselastdays，andforthehopeofmeetingherwiththatotherlostfriendinabetterworld。

Helenmingledafewbrokenthanksandpetitionswithhertears：

thanksthatshehadbeenpermittedtosharethelastdaysandhoursofthispoorsisterinsorrow；petitionsthatthegriefofbereavementmightbelightenedtothelonelyparentandthefaithfuloldservant。

OldSophysaidalmostnothing，butsatdayandnightbyherdeaddarling。Butsometimesheranguishwouldfindanoutletinstrangesounds，somethingbetweenacryandamusicalnote，——suchasnoisehadeverheardherutterbefore。Thesewereoldremembrancessurgingupfromherchildishdays，comingthroughhermotherfromthecannibalchief，hergrandfather，——death-wails，suchastheysinginthemountainsofWesternAfrica，whentheyseethefiresondistanthill-sidesandknowthattheirownwivesandchildrenareundergoingthefateofcaptives。

ThetimecamewhenElsiewastobelaidbyhermotherinthesmallsquaremarkedbythewhitestone。

ItwasnotunwillinglythattheReverendChauncyFairweatherhadrelinquishedthedutyofconductingtheservicetotheReverendDoctorHoneywood，inaccordancewithElsie’srequest。Hecouldnot，byanyreasoning，reconcilehispresentwayofthinkingwithahopeforthefutureofhisunfortunateparishioner。AnygoodoldRomanCatholicpriest，bornandbredtohisfaithandhisbusiness，wouldhavefoundaloopholeintosomekindofheavenforher，byvirtueofhisdoctrineof“invincibleignorance。”orotherspecialproviso；butarecentconvertcannotenterintotheworkingconditionsofhisnewcreed。Beliefsmustbelivedinforagoodwhile，beforetheyaccommodatethemselvestothesoul’swants，andwearlooseenoughtobecomfortable。

TheReverendDoctorhadnosuchscruples。Likethousandsofthosewhoareclassednominallywiththedespairingbelievers，hehadneverprayedoveradepartedbrotherorsisterwithoutfeelingandexpressingaguardedhopethattherewasmercyinstoreforthepoorsinner，whomparents，wives，children，brothersandsisterscouldnotbeartogiveuptoutterruinwithoutaword，——andwouldnot，asheknewfullwell，invirtueofthathumanloveandsympathywhichnothingcaneverextinguish。AndinthispoorElsie’shistoryhecouldreadnothingwhichthetearsoftherecordingangelmightnotwashaway。Asthegoodphysicianoftheplaceknewthediseasesthatassailedthebodiesofmenandwomen，sohehadlearnedthemysteriesofthesicknessofthesoul。

SomanywishedtolookuponElsie’sfaceoncemore，thatherfatherwouldnotdenythem；nay，hewaspleasedthatthosewhorememberedherlivingshouldseeherinthestillbeautyofdeath。Helenandthosewithherarrayedherforthisfarewell-view。Allwasreadyforthesadorcuriouseyeswhichweretolookuponher。There’wasnopainfulchangetobeconcealedbyanyartifice。Evenherroundneckwasleftuncovered，thatshemightbemorelikeonewhoslept。Onlythegoldencordwasleftinitsplace：somesearchingeyemightdetectatraceofthatbirthmarkwhichitwaswhisperedshehadalwayswornanecklacetoconceal。

Atthelastmoment，whenallthepreparationswerecompleted，OldSophystoopedoverher，and，withtremblinghand，loosedthegoldencord。Shelookedintently；forsomelittlespace：therewasnoshadenorblemishwheretheringofgoldhadencircledherthroat。Shetookitgentlyawayandlaiditinthecasketwhichheldherornaments。

“TheLordbepraised！“theoldwomancried，aloud。“Hehastakenawaythemarkthatwasonher；she’sfittomeethisholyangelsnow！“

SoElsielayforhoursinthegreatroom，inakindofstate，withflowersallabouther，——herblackhairbraidedasinlife，——herbrowssmooth，asiftheyhadneverknownthescowlofpassion，——andonherlipsthefaintsmilewithwhichshehadutteredherlast“Good——

night。”Theyounggirlsfromtheschoollookedather，oneafteranother，andpassedon，sobbing，carryingintheirheartsthepicturethatwouldbewiththemalltheirdays。Thegreatpeopleoftheplacewerealltherewiththeirsilentsympathy。Thelesserkindofgentry，andmanyoftheplainerfolkofthevillage，half-pleasedtofindthemselvespassingbeneaththestatelyporticooftheancientmansion-house，crowdedin，untiltheampleroomswereoverflowing。

Allthefriendswhoseacquaintancewehavemadewerethere，andmanyfromremotervillagesandtowns。

Therewasadeepsilenceatlast。Thehourhadcomeforthepartingwordstobespokenoverthedead。Thegoodoldminister’svoiceroseoutofthestillness，subduedandtremulousatfirst，butgrowingfirmerandclearerashewenton，untilitreachedtheearsofthevisitorswhowereinthefar，desolatechambers，lookingatthepicturedhangingsandtheolddustyportraits。Hedidnottellherstoryinhisprayer。HeonlyspokeofourdeardepartedsisterasoneofmanywhomProvidenceinitswisdomhasseenfittobringunderbondagefromtheircradles。Itwasnotforustojudgethembyanystandardofourown。Hewhomadetheheartaloneknewtheinfirmitiesitinheritedoracquired。Forallthatourdearsisterhadpresentedthatwasinterestingandattractiveinhercharacterweweretobegrateful；forwhateverwasdarkorinexplicablewemusttrustthatthedeepshadowwhichrestedonthetwilightdawnofherbeingmightrenderareasonbeforethebarofOmniscience；forthegracewhichhadlightenedherlastdaysweshouldpouroutourheartsinthankfulacknowledgment。Fromthelifeandthedeathofthisourdearsisterweshouldlearnalessonofpatiencewithourfellow-

creaturesintheirinbornpeculiarities，ofcharityinjudgingwhatseemtouswilfulfaultsofcharacter，ofhopeandtrust，that，bysicknessoraffliction，orsuchinevitabledisciplineaslifemustalwaysbringwithit，ifbynogentlermeans，thesoulwhichhadbeenleftbyNaturetowanderintothepathoferrorandofsufferingmightbereclaimedandrestoredtoitstrueaim，andsoledonbydivinegracetoitseternalwelfare。Heclosedhisprayerbycommendingeachmemberoftheafflictedfamilytothedivineblessing。

Thenallatoncerosetheclearsoundofthegirls’voices，inthesweet，sadmelodyofafuneralhymn，——oneofthosewhichElsiehadmarked，asifprophetically，amongherownfavorites。

Andsotheylaidherintheearth，andshowereddownflowersuponher，andfilledhergrave，andcovereditwithgreensods。Bythesideofitwasanotheroblongridge，withawhitestonestandingatitshead。Mr。Bernardlookeduponit，ashecameclosetotheplacewhereElsiewaslaid，andreadtheinscription，CATALINA

WIFETODUDLEYVENNER

DIED

OCTOBER13TH1840

AGEDXXYEARS

Agentlerainfellontheturfafteritwaslaid。Thiswasthebeginningofalonganddrearyautumnalstorm，adeferred“equinoctial。”asmanyconsideredit。Themountainstreamswereallswollenandturbulent，andthesteepdeclivitieswerefurrowedineverydirectionbynewchannels。Itmadethehouseseemdoublydesolatetohearthewindhowlingandtherainbeatingupontheroofs。ThepoorrelationwhowasstayingatthehousewouldinsistonHelen’sremainingafewdays：OldSophywasinsuchacondition，thatitkeptherincontinualanxiety，andthereweremanycareswhichHelencouldtakeofffromher。

Theoldblackwoman’slifewasburiedinherdarling’sgrave。Shedidnothingbutmoanandlamentforher。Atnightshewasrestless，andwouldgetupandwandertoElsie’sapartmentandlookforherandcallherbyname。Atothertimesshewouldlieawakeandlistentothewindandtherain，——sometimeswithsuchawildlookuponherface，andwithsuchsuddenstartsandexclamations，thatitseemedasifsheheardspirit-voicesandwereansweringthewhispersofunseenvisitants。Withallthisweremingledhintsofheroldsuperstition，——forebodingsofsomethingfearfulabouttohappen，——

perhapsthegreatfinalcatastropheofallthings，accordingtothepredictioncurrentinthekitchensofRockland。

“Hark！“OldSophywouldsay，——“don’youhearth’crackin’’n’th’

snappin’upinTh’Mountain，’n’th’rollin’o’th’bigstones？The’

’ssomethin’stirrin’amongth’rocks；Ihearth’soun’ofitinth’

night，whenth’windhasstoppedblowin’。Oh，staybymealittlewhile，MissDarlin’！staybyme！forit’sth’Las’Day，maybe，that’scloseonus，’n’IfeelasifIcouldn’meetth’Lordallalone！“

Itwascurious，——butHelendidcertainlyrecognizesounds，duringthelullofthestorm，whichwerenotoffallingrainorrunningstreams，——shortsnappingsounds，asoftensecordsbreaking，——longunevensounds，asofmassesrollingdownsteepdeclivities。Butthemorningcameasusual；andastheotherssaidnothingofthesesingularnoises，Helendidnotthinkitnecessarytospeakofthem。

AlldaylongsheandthehumblerelativeofElsie’smother，whohadappearedaspoorrelationsarewonttointhegreatprisesoflife，werebusyinarrangingthedisorderedhouse，andlookingoverthevariousobjectswhichElsie’ssingulartasteshadbroughttogether，todisposeofthemasherfathermightdirect。Theyallmettogetherattheusualhourfortea。Oneoftheservantscamein，lookingveryblank，andsaidtothepoorrelation，“Thewellisgonedry；wehavenothingbutrainwater。”

DudleyVenner’scountenancechanged；hesprangto，hisfeetandwentto——assurehimselfofthefact，and，ifhecould，ofthereasonofit。Forawelltodryupduringsucharain-stormwasextraordinary，——itwasominous。

Hecameback，lookingveryanxious。

“Didanyofyounoticeanyremarkablesoundslastnight。”hesaid，——

“orthismorning？Hark！doyouhearanythingnow？“

Theylistenedinperfectsilenceforafewmoments。Thentherecameashortcrackingsound，andtwoorthreesnaps，asofpartingcords。

DudleyVennercalledallhishouseholdtogether。

“Weareindangerhere，asIthink，to-night。”hesaid，——“notverygreatdanger，perhaps，butitisariskIdonotwishyoutorun。

Theseheavyrainshaveloosedsomeoftherocksabove，andtheymaycomedownandendangerthehouse。Harnessthehorses，Elbridge，andtakeallthefamilyaway。MissDarleywillgototheInstitute；theotherswillpassthenightattheMountainHouse。Ishallstayhere，myself：itisnotatalllikelythatanythingwillcomeofthesewarnings；butifthereshould，Ichoosetobethereandtakemychance。”

Itneedslittle，generally，tofrightenservants，andtheywereallreadyenoughtogo。Thepoorrelationwasoneofthetimidsort，andwasterriblyuneasytobegotoutofthehouse。Thisleftnoalternative，ofcourse，forHelen，buttogoalso。TheyallurgeduponDudleyVeneertogowiththem：iftherewasdanger，whyshouldheremaintoriskit，whenhesentawaytheothers？

OldSophysaidnothinguntilthetimecameforhertogowiththesecondofElbridge’scarriage-loads。

“Come，Sophy。”saidDudleyVeneer，“getyourthingsandgo。TheywilltakegoodcareofyouattheMountainHouse；andwhenwehavemadesurethatthereisnorealdanger，youshallcomebackatonce。”

“No，Masse！“Sophyanswered。“I’veseenElsieintoth’ground，’n’

Ia’n’tgoin’awaytocomeback’n’fin’MasseVeneerburiedunderth’rocks。Mydarlin’’sgone；’n’now，ifMassegoes，’n’th’ofplacegoes，it’stimeforOl’Sophytogo，too。No，MasseVeneer，we’llbothstayinth’ofmansion’n’waitforth’Lord！“

Nothingcouldchangetheoldwoman’sdetermination；andhermaster，whoonlyfeared，butdidnotreallyexpectthelong-deferredcatastrophe，wasobligedtoconsenttoherstaying。Thesuddendryingofthewellatsuchatimewasthemostalarmingsign；forherememberedthatthesamethinghadbeenobservedjustbeforegreatmountain-slides。Thislongrain，too，wasjustthekindofcausewhichwaslikelytoloosenthestrataofrockpiledupintheledges；

ifthedreadedeventshouldevercometopass，itwouldbeatsuchatime。

Hepacedhischamberuneasilyuntillongpastmidnight。Ifthemorningcamewithoutaccident，hemeanttohaveacarefulexaminationmadeofalltherentsandfissuresabove，oftheirdirectionandextent，andespeciallywhether，incaseofamountain-slide，thehugemasseswouldbeliketoreachsofartotheeastandsolowdownthedeclivityasthemansion。

Attwoo’clockinthemorninghewasdozinginhischair。OldSophyhadlaindownonherbed，andwasmutteringintroubleddreams。

Allatoncealoudcrashseemedtorendtheveryheavensabovethem：

acrackasofthethunderthatfollowscloseuponthebolt，——arendingandcrashingasofaforestsnappedthroughallitsstems，torn，twisted，splintered，draggedwithallitsraggedboughsintoonechaoticruin。Thegroundtrembledunderthemasinanearthquake；theoldmansionshudderedsothatallitswindowschatteredintheircasements；thegreatchimneyshookoffitsheavycap-stones，whichcamedownontheroofwithresoundingconcussions；

andtheechoesofTheMountainroaredandbellowedinlongreduplication，asifitswholefoundationswererent，andthisweretheterriblevoiceofitsdissolution。

DudleyVennerrosefromhischair，foldedhisarms，andawaitedhisfate。Therewasnoknowingwheretolookforsafety；andherememberedtoowellthestoryofthefamilythatwaslostbyrushingoutofthehouse，andsohurryingintotheveryjawsofdeath。

Hehadstoodthusbutforamoment，whenheheardthevoiceofOldSophyinawildcryofterror：

“It’sth’Las’Day！It’sth’Las’Day！TheLordiscomin’totakeusall！“

“Sophy！“hecalled；butshedidnothearhimorheedhim，andrushedoutofthehouse。

Theworstdangerwasover。Iftheyweretobedestroyed，itwouldnecessarilybeinafewsecondsfromthefirstthrilloftheterribleconvulsion。Hewaitedinawfulsuspense，butcalm。Notmorethanoneortwominutescouldhavepassedbeforethefrightfultumultandallitssoundingechoeshadceased。HecalledOldSophy；butshedidnotanswer。Hewenttothewesternwindowandlookedforthintothedarkness。Hecouldnotdistinguishtheoutlinesofthelandscape，butthewhitestonewasclearlyvisible，andbyitssidethenew-mademound。Nay，whatwasthatwhichobscureditsoutline，inshapelikeahumanfigure？Heflungopenthewindowandsprangthrough。ItwasallthattherewasleftofpoorOldSophy，stretchedoutlifeless，uponherdarling’sgrave。

Hehadscarcelycomposedherlimbsanddrawnthesheetoverher，whentheneighborsbegantoarrivefromalldirections。Eachwasexpectingtohearofhousesoverwhelmedandfamiliesdestroyed；buteachcamewiththestorythathisownhouseholdwassafe。Itwasnotuntilthemorningdawnedthatthetruenatureandextentofthesuddenmovementwasascertained。Agreatseamhadopenedabovethelongcliff，andtheterribleRattlesnakeLedge，withallitsenvenomedreptiles，itsdarkfissuresandblackcaverns，wasburiedforeverbeneathamightyincumbentmassofruin。

CHAPTERXXXI。

MR。SILASPECKHAMRENDERSHISACCOUNT。

Themorningroseclearandbright。Thelongstormwasover，andthecalmautumnalsunshinewasnowtoreturn，withallitsinfinitereposeandsweetness。WiththeearliestdawnexploringpartieswereoutineverydirectionalongthesouthernslopeofTheMountain，tracingtheravagesofthegreatslideandthetrackithadfollowed。

Itprovedtobenotsomuchaslideasthebreakingoffandfallingofavastlineofcliff，includingthedreadedLedge。Ithadfoldedoverliketheleavesofahalf-openedbookwhentheyclose，crushingthetreesbelow，pilingitsruinsinaglacisatthefootofwhathadbeentheoverhangingwallofthecliff，andfillingupthatdeepcavityabovethemansion-housewhichboretheill-omenednameofDeadMan’sHollow。ThisitwaswhichhadsavedtheDudleymansion。Thefallingmasses，orhugefragmentsbreakingofffromthem，wouldhavesweptthehouseandallaroundittodestructionbutforthisdeepshelvingdell，intowhichthestreamofruinwashappilydirected。

Itwas，indeed，oneofNature’sconservativerevolutions；forthefallenmassesmadeakindozshelf，whichinterposedalevelbreakbetweentheinclinedplanesaboveandbelowit，sothatthenightmare-fanciesofthedwellersintheDudleymansion，andinmanyotherresidencesundertheshadowofTheMountain，neednotkeepthemlyingawakehereaftertolistenforthesnappingofrootsandthesplittingoftherocksabovethem。

Twenty-fourhoursafterthefallingofthecliff，itseemedasifithadhappenedagesago。Thenewfacthadfitteditselfinwithalltheoldpredictions，forebodings，fears，andacquiredthesolidaritybelongingtoalleventswhichhaveslippedoutofthefingersofTimeanddissolvedintheantecedenteternity。

OldSophywaslyingdeadintheDudleymansion。Ifthereweretearsshedforher，theycouldnotbebitterones；forshehadlivedoutherfullmeasureofdays，andgone——whocouldhelpfondlybelievingit？——torejoinherbelovedmistress。Theymadeaplaceforheratthefootofthetwomounds。Itwasthusshewouldhavechosentosleep，andnottohavewrongedherhumbledevotioninlifebyaskingtolieatthesideofthosewhomshehadservedsolongandfaithfully。Therewereveryfewpresentatthesimpleceremony。

HelenDarleywasoneofthesefew。TheoldblackwomanhadbeenhercompanioninallthekindofficesofwhichshehadbeentheministeringangeltoElsie。

Afteritwasallover，Helenwasleavingwiththerest，whenDudleyVeneerbeggedhertostayalittle，andhewouldsendherback：itwasalongwalk；besides，hewishedtosaysomethingstoher，whichhehadnothadtheopportunityofspeaking。OfcourseHelencouldnotrefusehim；theremustbemanythoughtscomingintohismindwhichhewouldwishtosharewithherwhohadknownhisdaughtersolongandbeenwithfilerinherlastdays。

Shereturnedintothegreatparlorwiththewroughtcornicesandthemedallion-portraitsontheceiling。

“Iamnowaloneintheworld。”DudleyVeneersaid。

Helenmusthaveknownthatbeforehespoke。Butthetoneinwhichhesaidithadsomuchmeaning，thatshecouldnotfindawordtoanswerhimwith。Theysatinsilence，whichtheoldtallclockcountedoutinlongseconds；butitwassilencewhichmeantmorethananywordstheyhadeverspoken。

“Aloneintheworld。Helen，thefreshnessofmylifeisgone，andthereislittleleftofthefewgraceswhichinmyyoungerdaysmighthavefittedmetowintheloveofwomen。Listentome，——kindly，ifyoucan；forgiveme，atleast。Halfmylifehasbeenpassedinconstantfearandanguish，withoutanynearfriendtosharemytrials。Mytaskisdonenow；myfearshaveceasedtopreyuponme；

thesharpnessofearlysorrowshasyieldedsomethingofitsedgetotime。Youhaveboundmetoyoubygratitudeinthetendercareyouhavetakenofmypoorchild。Morethanthis。Imusttellyouallnow，outofthedepthofthistroublethroughwhichIampassing。I

havelovedyoufromthemomentwefirstmet；andifmylifehasanythingleftworthaccepting，itisyours。Willyoutaketheofferedgift？“

Helenlookedinhisface，surprised，bewildered。

“Thisisnotforme，——notforme。”shesaid。“Iambutapoorfadedflower，notworththegathering，ofsuchaoneasyou。No，no，——I

havebeenbredtohumbletoilallmydays，andIcouldnotbetoyouwhatyououghttoask。Iamaccustomedtoakindoflonelinessandself-dependence。Ihaveseennothing，almost，oftheworld，suchasyouwereborntomovein。Leavemetomyobscureplaceandduties；I

shallatleasthavepeace；——andyou——youwillsurelyfindinduetimesomeonebetterfittedbyNatureandtrainingtomakeyouhappy。”

“No，MissDarley！“DudleyVennersaid，almoststernly。“Youmustnotspeaktoaman，whohaslivedthroughmyexperiences，oflookingaboutforanewchoiceafterhishearthasoncechosen。Saythatyoucanneverloveme；saythatIhavelivedtoolongtoshareyouryounglife；saythatsorrowhasleftnothinginmeforLovetofindhispleasurein；butdonotmockmewiththehopeofanewaffectionforsomeunknownobject。Thefirstlookofyoursbroughtmetoyourside。Thefirsttoneofyourvoicesunkintomyheart。Fromthismomentmylifemustwitheroutorbloomanew。Myhomeisdesolate。

Comeundermyroofandmakeitbrightoncemore，——sharemylifewithme，——orIshallgivethehallsoftheoldmansiontothebatsandtheowls，andwanderforthalonewithoutahopeorafriend！“

Tofindherselfwithaman’sfutureatthedisposalofasinglewordofhers！——amanlikethis，too，withafascinationforheragainstwhichshehadtriedtoshutherheart，feelingthathelivedinanotherspherethanhers，workingasshewasforherbreadapooroperativeinthefactoryofahardmasterandjealousoverseer，thesalarieddrudgeofMr。SilasPeckham！Why，shehadthoughthewasgratefultoherasafriendofhisdaughter；shehadevenpleasedherselfwiththefeelingthathelikedher，inherhumbleplace，asawomanofsomecultivationandmanysympatheticpointsofrelationwithhimself；butthathelovedher，——thatthisdeep，finenature，inamansofarremovedfromherinoutwardcircumstance，shouldhavefounditscounterpartinonewhomlifehadtreatedsocoldlyasherself，——thatDudleyVennershouldstakehishappinessonabreathofhers，——poorHelenDarley’s，——itwasallasurprise，aconfusion，akindoffearnotwhollyfearful。Ah，me！womenknowwhatitis，thatmistovertheeyes，thattremblinginthelimbs，thatfalteringofthevoice，thatsweet，shame-faced，unspokenconfessionofweaknesswhichdoesnotwishtobestrong，thatsuddenoverflowinthesoulwherethoughtsloosetheirholdoneachotherandswimsingleandhelplessinthefloodofemotion，——womenknowwhatitis！

Nodoubtshewasalittlefrightenedandagooddealbewildered，andthathersympathieswerewarmlyexcitedforafriendtowhomshehadbeenbroughtsonear，andwhoselonelinessshesawandpitied。Shelostthatcalmself-possessionshehadhopedtomaintain。

“IfIthoughtthatIcouldmakeyouhappy，——ifIshouldspeakfrommyheart，andnotmyreason，——Iambutaweakwoman，——yetifIcanbetoyou——WhatcanIsay？“

Whatmorecouldthispoor，dearHelensay？

“Elbridge，harnessthehorsesandtakeMissDarleybacktotheschool。”

WhatconversationhadtakenplacesinceHelen’srhetoricalfailureisnotrecordedintheminutesfromwhichthisnarrativeisconstructed。

Butwhenthemanwhohadbeensummonedhadgonetogetthecarriageready，Helenresumedsomethingshehadbeenspeakingof。

“Notfortheworld。Everythingmustgoonjustasithasgoneon，forthepresent。Thereareproprietiestobeconsulted。Icannotbehardwithyou，thatoutofyourveryafflictionhassprungthis——thiswell——youmustnameitforme，——buttheworldwillneverlistentoexplanations。IamtobeHelenDarley，ladyassistantinMr。SilasPeckham’sschool，aslongasIseefittoholdmyoffice。AndImeantoattendtomyscholarsjustasbefore；sothatIshallhaveverylittletimeforvisitingorseeingcompany。Ibelieve，though，youareoneoftheTrusteesandaMemberoftheExaminingCommittee；sothat，ifyoushouldhappentovisittheschool，Ishalltrytobeciviltoyou。”

Everyladysees，ofcourse，thatHelenwasquiteright；butperhapshereandthereonewillthinkthatDudleyVennerwasallwrong，——thathewastoohasty，——thatheshouldhavebeentoofullofhisrecentgriefforsuchaconfessionashehasjustmade，andthepassionfromwhichitsprung。Perhapstheydonotunderstandthesuddenrecoilofastrongnaturelongcompressed。Perhapstheyhavenotstudiedthemysteryofallotropismintheemotionsofthehumanheart。Gotothenearestchemistandaskhimtoshowyousomeofthedark-redphosphoruswhichwillnotburnwithoutfierceheating，butat500deg。Fahrenheit，changesbackagaintotheinflammablesubstanceweknowsowell。Griefseemsmorelikeashesthanlikefire；butasgriefhasbeenloveonce，soitmaybecomeloveagain。Thisisemotionalallotropism。

HelenrodebacktotheInstituteandinquiredforMr。Peckham。Shehadnotseenhimduringthebriefintervalbetweenherdeparturefromthemansion-houseandherreturntoOldSophy’sfuneral。Therewerevariousquestionsabouttheschoolshewishedtoask。

“Oh，how’syourhaalth，MissDarley？“Silasbegan。“We’vemissedyouconsid’able。Gladtoseeyoubackatthepostofdooty。HopetheSquiretreatedyouhahnsomely，——liberalpecooniarycompensation，——hey？A’n’tmuchofaloser，Iguess，byacceptin’hispropositions？“

Helenblushedatthislastquestion，asifSilashadmeantsomethingbyitbeyondaskingwhatmoneyshehadreceived；buthisowndouble-meaningexpressionandherblushweretoonicepointsforhimtohavetakencognizanceof。Hewasengagedinamentalcalculationastotheamountofthedeductionheshouldmakeundertheheadof“demagetotheinstitootion。”——thisdependingsomewhatonthatofthe“pecooniarycompensation“shemighthavereceivedforherservicesasthefriendofElsieVenner。

SoHelenslidbackatonceintoherroutine，thesamefaithful，patientcreatureshehadalwaysbeen。Butwhatwasthisnewlightwhichseemedtohavekindledinhereyes？Whatwasthislookofpeace，whichnothingcoulddisturb，whichsmiledserenelythroughallthelittlemeannesseswithwhichthedailylifeoftheeducationalfactorysurroundedher，whichnotonlymadeherseemresigned，butoverflowedallherfeatureswithathoughtful，subduedhappiness？Mr。

Bernarddidnotknow，——perhapshedidnotguess。TheinmatesoftheDudleymansionwerenotscandalizedbyanymysteriousvisitsofaveiledorunveiledlady。Thevibratingtonguesofthe“femaleyouth“

oftheInstitutewerenotsetinmotionbythestandingofanequipageatthegate，waitingfortheirlady-teacher。Theservantsatthemansiondidnotconveynumerousletterswithsuperscriptionsinabold，manlyhand，sealedwiththearmsofawell-knownhouse，anddirectedtoMissHelenDarley；nor，ontheotherhand，didHiram，themanfromtheleanstreakinNewHampshire，carrysweet-smelling，rose-hued，many-layered，criss-crossed，fine-stitch-letteredpackagesofnote-paperdirectedtoDudleyVenner，Esq。，andalltooscantytoholdthatincredibleexpansionofthefamousthreewordswhichawomanwasborntosay，——thatperpetualmiraclewhichastonishesallthego-betweenswhoweartheirshoesoutincarryingawoman’sinfinitevariationsonthetheme“Iloveyou。”

Butthereadermustrememberthattherearewalksincountry-townswherepeopleareliabletomeetbyaccident，andthatthehollowofanoldtreehasservedthepurposeofapost-officesometimes；sothathehasherchoice(todividethepronounsimpartially)ofvarioushypothesestoaccountforthenewgloryofhappinesswhichseemedtohaveirradiatedourpoorHelen’sfeatures，asifherdrearylifewereawakeninginthedawnofablessedfuture。

Withallthealleviationswhichhavebeenhintedat，Mr。DudleyVennerthoughtthatthedaysandtheweekshadnevermovedsoslowlyasthroughthelastperiodoftheautumnthatwaspassing。Elsiehadbeenaperpetualsourceofanxietytohim，butstillshehadbeenacompanion。Hecouldnotmournforher；forhefeltthatshewassaferwithhermother，inthatworldwheretherearenomoresorrowsanddangers，thanshecouldhavebeenwithhim。Butashesatathiswindowandlookedatthethreemounds，thelonelinessofthegreathousemadeitseemmorelikethesepulchrethanthesenarrowdwellingswherehisbelovedandherdaughterlayclosetoeachother，sidebyside，——Catalina，thebrideofhisyouth，andElsie，thechildwhomhehadnurtured，withpoorOldSophy，whohadfollowedthemlikeablackshadow，attheirfeet，underthesamesoftturf，sprinkledwiththebrownautumnalleaves。Itwasnotgoodforhimtobethusalone。HowshouldheeverlivethroughthelongmonthsofNovemberandDecember？

ThemonthsofNovemberandDecemberdid，insomewayorother，getridofthemselvesatlast，bringingwiththemtheusualeventsofvillage-lifeandafewunusualones。Someofthegeologistshadbeenuptolookatthegreatslide，ofwhichtheygavethoseprolixaccountswhicheverybodyrememberswhoreadthescientificjournalsofthetime。Theengineersreportedthattherewaslittleprobabilityofanyfurtherconvulsionalongthelineofrockswhichoverhungthemorethicklysettledpartofthetown。Thenaturalistsdrewupapaperonthe“ProbableExtinctionoftheCrotalusDurissusintheTownshipofRockland。”TheengagementoftheWidowRowenstoaLittleMillionvillemerchantwasannounced，——“Sudding’n’

onexpected。”WidowLeechsaid，——“waalthy，orshewouldn’tha’lookedathim，——fiftyyearold，ifheisaday，’n’hu’n’tgotawhitehairinhishead。”TheReverendChauncyFairweatherhadpubliclyannouncedthathewasgoingtojointheRomanCatholiccommunion，——

notsomuchtothesurpriseorconsternationofthereligiousworldashehadsupposed。Severaloldladiesforthwithproclaimedtheirintentionoffollowinghim；but，asoneortwoofthemweredeaf，andanotherhadbeenthreatenedwithanattackofthatmild，butobstinatecomplaint，dementiasenilis，manythoughtitwasnotsomuchtheforceofhisargumentsasakindoftendencytojumpasthebellwetherjumps，wellknowninflocksnotincludedintheChristianfold。Hisbereavedcongregationimmediatelybeganpullingcandidatesonandoff，likenewboots，ontrial。Somepinchedintenderplaces；

someweretooloose；someweretoosquare-toed；someweretoocoarse，anddidn’tplease；someweretoothin，andwouldn’tlast；——inshort，theycouldn’tpossiblyfindafit。Atlast，peoplebegantodropintohearoldDoctorHoneywood。Theywerequitesurprisedtofindwhatahumanoldgentlemanhewas，andwentbackandtoldtheothers，that，insteadofbeingacaseofconfluentsectarianism，astheysupposed，thegoodoldministerhadbeensowellvaccinatedwithcharitablevirusthathewasnowatrue，open-souledChristianofthemildesttype。Theendofallwhichwas，thattheliberalpeoplewentovertotheoldministeralmostinabody，justatthetimethatDeaconShearerandthe“Vinegar-Bible“partysplitoff，andthatnotlongafterwardstheysoldtheirownmeeting-housetothemalecontents，sothatDeaconSoperusedoftentoremindColonelSprowleofhiswishthat“ourlittlemanandhim[theReverendDoctorwouldswoppulpits。”andtellhimithad“pootynighcometrew。”——

Butthisisanticipatingthecourseofevents，whichweremuchlongerincomingabout；forwehavebutjustgotthroughthatterriblelongmonth，asMr。DudleyVennerfoundit，ofDecember。

OnthefirstofJanuary，Mr。SilasPeckhamwasinthehabitofsettlinghisquarterlyaccounts，andmakingsuchnewarrangementsashisconvenienceorinterestdictated。NewYearwasaholidayattheInstitute。NodoubtthisaccountedforHelen’sbeingdressedsocharmingly，——always，tobesurein，herownsimpleway，butyetwithsuchatruelady’sair，thatshelookedfittobethemistressofanymansionintheland。

Shewasintheparloralone，alittlebeforenoon，whenMr。Peckhamcamein。

“I’mreadytosettlemyaccaountwithyounow，MissDarley。”saidSilas。

“Asyouplease，Mr。Peckham。”Helenanswered，verygraciously。

“Beforepayin’youyourselary。”thePrincipalcontinued，“Iwishtocometoanunderstandin’astothefutur’。IconsiderthatI’vebeenpayin’high，veryhigh，fortheworkyoudo。Women’swagescan’tbeexpectedtodomorethanfeedandclothe’em，asagineralthing，withalittlesavin’，incaseofsickness，andtobury’em，iftheybreakdaown，asallof’emareliabletodoatanytime。IfIa’n’tmisinformed，younotonlysupportyourselfoutofmyestablishment，butlikewiserelativesofyours，whoIdon’tknowthatI’mcalledupontofeedandclothe。Thereisayoungwoman，notburdenedwithdestituterelatives，hassignifiedthatshewouldbegladtotakeyourdootiesforlesspecooniarycompensation，byaconsid’ableamaount，thanyounowreceive。Ishallbewillin’，however，toretainyourservicesatsechredoocedrateasweshallfixupon，——

providedsechredoocedratebeasloworlowerthanthesameservicescanbeobtainedelsewhere。”

“Asyouplease，Mr。Peckham。”Helenanswered，withasmilesosweetthatthePrincipal(whoofcoursehadtrumpedupthisopposition-

teacherfortheoccasion)saidtohimselfshewouldstandbeingcutdownaquarter，perhapsahalf，ofhersalary。

“Hereisyouraccaount，MissDarley，andthebalancedooyou。”saidSilasPeckham，handingherapaperandasmallrollofinfectious-

flavoredbillswrappingsixpoisonouscoppersoftheoldcoinage。

Shetookthepaperandbeganlookingatit。Shecouldnotquitemakeuphermindtotouchthefeverishbillswiththecankeringcoppersinthem，andleftthemairingthemselvesonthetable。

Thedocumentsheheldranasfollows：

SilasPeckham，Esq。，PrincipaloftheApollineanInstitute，InAccountwithHelenDarley，Assist。Teacher。

Dr。Cr。

TosalaryforquarterByDeductionforabsenceendingJan1st@$75per1week3days……$10。00

quarter……$75。00

“Board，lodging，etcfor10days@75ctsperday……7。50

“DamagetoInstitutionbyabsenceofteacherfromduties，say……25。00

“Stationaryfurnished……43

“Postage-stamp……01

“BalancedueHelenDarley。32。06——

$75。00$75。00

ROCKLAND，Jan。1st，1859。

NowHelenhadherownprivatereasonsforwishingtoreceivethesmallsumwhichwasdueheratthistimewithoutanyunfairdeduction，——reasonswhichweneednotinquireintotooparticularly，aswemaybeverysurethattheywererightandwomanly。So，whenshelookedoverthisaccountofMr。SilasPeckham’s，andsawthathehadcontrivedtoparedownhersalarytosomethinglessthanhalfitsstipulatedamount，thelookwhichhercountenanceworewasasneartothatofrighteousindignationashergentlefeaturesandsoftblueeyeswouldadmitofitsbeing。

“Why，Mr。Peckham。”shesaid，“doyoumeanthis？IfIamofsomuchvaluetoyouthatyoumusttakeofftwenty-fivedollarsfortendays’

absence，howisitthatmysalaryistobecutdowntolessthanseventy-fivedollarsaquarter，ifIremainhere？“

“Igaveyoufairnotice。”saidSilas。“IhaveaminuteofitItookdownimmed’atelyaftertheintervoo。”

Heluggedouthislargepocket-bookwiththestrapgoingallroundit，andtookfromitaslipofpaperwhichconfirmedhisstatement。

“Besides。”headded，slyly，“IpresoomyouhavereceivedaliberalpecooniarycompensationfromSquireVennerfornussin’hisdaughter。”

Helenwaslookingoverthebillwhilehewasspeaking。

“Boardandlodgingfortendays，Mr。Peckham，——whoseboardandlodging，pray？“

ThedooropenedbeforeSilasPeckhamcouldanswer，andMr。Bernardwalkedintotheparlor。Helenwasholdingthebillinherhand，lookingasanywomanoughttolookwhohasbeenatoncewrongedandinsulted。

“Thelastturnofthethumbscrew！“saidMr。Bernardtohimself。

“Whatisit，Helen？Youlooktroubled。”

Shehandedhimtheaccount。

Helookedatthefootingofit。Thenhelookedattheitems。ThenhelookedatSilasPeckham。

AtthismomentSilaswassublime。HewassotranscendentlyunconsciousoftheemotionsgoingoninMr。Bernard’smindatthemoment，thathehadonlyasinglethought。

“Theaccaount’scorrec’lycast，Ipresoom；——ifthe’’sanymistakeoffiggersoraddin’’emup，it’llbemadeallright。Everything’saccordin’toagreement。Theminutewrittenimmed’atelyaftertheintervooishereinmypossession。”

Mr。BernardlookedatHelen。JustwhatwouldhavehappenedtoSilasPeckham，ashestoodthenandthere，butfortheinterpositionofamercifulProvidence，nobodyknowsoreverwillknow；foratthatmomentstepswerehearduponthestairs，andHiramthrewopentheparlor-doorforMr。DudleyVennertoenter。

Hesalutedthemallgracefullywiththegood-wishesoftheseason，andeachofthemreturnedhiscompliment，——Helenblushingfearfully，ofcourse，butnotparticularlynoticedinherembarrassmentbymorethanone。

SilasPeckhamreckonedwithperfectconfidenceonhisTrustees，whohadalwayssaidwhathetoldthemto，anddonewhathewanted。Itwasagoodchancenowtoshowoffhispower，and，bylettinghisinstructorsknowtheunstabletenureoftheiroffices，makeiteasiertosettlehisaccountsandarrangehissalaries。TherewasnothingverystrangeinMr。Venner’scalling；hewasoneoftheTrustees，andthiswasNewYear’sDay。ButhehadcalledjustattheluckymomentforMr。Peckham’sobject。

“Ihavethoughtsomeofmakin’changesinthedepartmentofinstruction。”hebegan。“Severalaccomplishedteachershaveappliedtome，whowouldbegladofsitooations。Iunderstandthatthereneverhavebeensomanyfust-rateteachers，maleandfemale，outofemploymentasdoorin’thepresentseason。IfIcanmakesahtisfahctoryarrangementswithmypresentcorpseofteachers，I

shallbegladtodoso；otherwiseIshell，withthepermissionoftheTrustees，makesechnooarrangementsascircumstahncescompel。”

“Youmaymakearrangementsforanewassistantinmydepartment，Mr。

Peckham。”saidMr。Bernard，“atonce，——thisday，——thishour。Iamnotsafetobetrustedwithyourpersonfiveminutesoutofthislady’spresence，——ofwhomIbegpardonforthisstronglanguage。Mr。

Venner，Imustbegyou，asoneoftheTrusteesofthisInstitution，tolookatthemannerinwhichitsPrincipalhasattemptedtoswindlethisfaithfulteacherwhosetoilsandsacrificesandself-devotiontotheschoolhavemadeitallthatitis，inspiteofthismiserabletrader’sincompetence。WillyoulookatthepaperIhold？“

DudleyVennertooktheaccountandreaditthrough，withoutchangingafeature。ThenheturnedtoSilasPeckham。

“Youmaymakearrangementsforanewassistantinthebranchesthisladyhastaught。MissHelenDarleyistobemywife。Ihadhopedtohaveannouncedthisnewsinalessabruptandungracefulmanner。ButIcametotellyouwithmyownlipswhatyouwouldhavelearnedbeforeeveningfrommyfriendsinthevillage。”

Mr。BernardwenttoHelen，whostoodsilent，withdowncasteyes，andtookherhandwarmly，hopingshemightfindallthehappinessshedeserved。ThenheturnedtoDudleyVenner，andsaid，“Sheisaqueen，buthasneverfounditout。Theworldhasnothingnoblerthanthisdearwoman，whomyouhavediscoveredinthedisguiseofateacher。Godblessherandyou！“

DudleyVennerreturnedhisfriendlygrasp，withoutansweringawordinarticulatespeech。

Silasremaineddumbandaghastforabriefspace。Comingtohimselfalittle，hethoughttheremighthavebeensomemistakeabouttheitems，——wouldliketohaveMissbarley’sbillreturned，——wouldmakeitallright，——hadnoideethatSquireVennerhadaspecialint’restinMissbarley，——wassorryhehadgivenoffence，——ifhemighttakethatbillandlookitover——

“No。Mr。Peckham，“saidMr。DudleyVenner，“therewillbeafullmeetingoftheBoardnextweek，andthebill，andsuchevidencewithreferencetothemanagementoftheInstitutionandthetreatmentofitsinstructorsasMr。Langdonseesfittobringforwardwillbelaidbeforethem。”

MissHelenDarleybecamethatverydaytheguestofMissArabellaThornton，theJudge’sdaughter。Mr。BernardmadehisappearanceaweekortwolaterattheLectures，wheretheProfessorfirstintroducedhimtothereader。

Hestayedaftertheclasshadlefttheroom。

“Ah，Mr。Langdon！howdoyoudo？Verygladtoseeyoubackagain。

HowhaveyoubeensinceourcorrespondenceonFascinationandothercuriousscientificquestions？“

ItwastheProfessorwhospoke，——whomthereaderwillrecognizeasmyself，thetellerofthisstory。

“Ihavebeenwell。”Mr。Bernardanswered，withaseriouslookwhichinvitedafurtherquestion。

“Ihopeyouhavehadnoneofthosepainfulordangerousexperiencesyouseemedtobethinkingofwhenyouwrote；atanyrate，youhaveescapedhavingyourobituarywritten。”

“Ihaveseensomethingsworthremembering。ShallIcallonyouthiseveningandtellyouaboutthem？“

“Ishallbemosthappytoseeyou。”

ThiswasthewayinwhichI，theProfessor，becameacquaintedwithsomeoftheleadingeventsofthisstory。Theyinterestedmesufficientlytoleadmetoavailmyselfofallthoseotherextraordinarymethodsofobtaininginformationwellknowntowritersofnarrative。

Mr。Langdonseemedtometohavegainedinseriousnessandstrengthofcharacterbyhislateexperiences。Hethrewhiswholeenergiesintohisstudieswithaneffectwhichdistancedallhispreviousefforts。Rememberingmyformerhint，heemployedhissparehoursinwritingfortheannualprizes，bothofwhichhetookbyaunanimousvoteofthejudges。ThosewhoheardhimreadhisThesisattheMedicalCommencementwillnotsoonforgettheimpressionmadebyhisfinepersonalappearanceandmanners，northeuniversalinterestexcitedintheaudience，asheread，withhisbeautifulenunciation，thatstrikingpaperentitled“UnresolvedNebulaeinVitalScience。”

ItwasageneralremarkoftheFaculty，——andoldDoctorKittredge，whohadcomedownonpurposetohearMr。Langdon，heartilyagreedtoit，——thattherehadneverbeenadiplomafilledup，sincetheinstitutionwhichconferreduponhimthedegreeofDoctorMedicdncewasfounded，whichcarriedwithitmoreofpromisetotheprofessionthanthatwhichborethenameofBERNARDUSCARYLLANGDON

CHAPTERXXXII。

CONCLUSION。

Mr。BernardLangdonhadnosoonertakenhisdegree，than，inaccordancewiththeadviceofoneofhisteacherswhomhefrequentlyconsulted，hetookanofficeintheheartofthecitywherehehadstudied。Hehadthoughtofbeginninginasuburborsomeremoterdistrictofthecityproper。

“No。”saidhisteacher，——towit，myself，——“don’tdoanysuchthing。

Youaremadeforthebestkindofpractice；don’thamperyourselfwithanoutsideconstituency，suchasbelongstoapractitionerofthesecondclass。Whenafellowlikeyouchooseshisbeat，hemustlookaheadalittle。Takecareofallthepoorthatapplytoyou，butleavethehalf-payclassestoadifferentstyleofdoctor，——thepeoplewhospendonehalftheirtimeintakingcareoftheirpatients，andtheotherhalfinsqueezingouttheirmoney。Gofortheswell-frontsandsouth-exposurehouses；thefolksinsidearejustasgoodasotherpeople，andthepleasantest，onthewhole，totakecareof。Theymusthavesomebody，andtheylikeagentlemanbest。

Don’tthrowyourselfaway。Youhaveagoodpresenceandpleasingmanners。Youwearwhitelinenbyinheritedinstinct。Youcanpronouncethewordview。Youhavealltheelementsofsuccess；goandtakeit。Bepoliteandgenerous，butdon’tundervalueyourself。

Youwillbeuseful，atanyrate；youmayjustaswellbehappy，whileyouareaboutit。Thehighestsocialclassfurnishesincomparablythebestpatients，takingthembyandlarge。Besides，whentheywon’tgetwellandboreyoutodeath，youcansend’emofftotravel。

Mindmenow，andtakethetopsofyoursparrowgrass。Somebodymusthave’em，——whyshouldn’tyou？Ifyoudon’ttakeyourchance，you’llgetthebutt-endsasamatterofcourse。”

Mr。Bernardtalkedlikeayoungmanfullofnoblesentiments。Hewantedtobeusefultohisfellow-beings。Theirsocialdifferenceswerenothingtohim。Hewouldnevercourttherich，——hewouldgowherehewascalled。Hewouldrathersavethelifeofapoormotherofafamilythanthatofhalfadozenoldgoutymillionnaireswhoseheirshadbeenyawningandstretchingthesetenyearstogetridofthem。

“Generousemotions！“Iexclaimed。“Cherish’em；clingto’emtillyouarefifty，tillyouareseventy，tillyouareninety！ButdoasItellyou，——strikeforthebestcircleofpractice，andyou’llbesuretogetit！“

Mr。LangdondidasItoldhim，——tookagenteeloffice，furnisheditneatly，dressedwithacertainelegance，soonmadeapleasantcircleofacquaintances，andbegantoworkhiswayintotherightkindofbusiness。Imissedhim，however，forsomedays，notlongafterhehadopenedhisoffice。Onhisreturn，hetoldmehehadbeenupatRockland，byspecialinvitation，toattendtheweddingofMr。DudleyVennerandMissHelenDarley。Hegavemeafullaccountoftheceremony，whichIregretthatIcannotrelateinfull。“Helenlookedlikeanangel。”——that，Iamsure，wasoneofhisexpressions。Asforherdress，Ishouldliketogivethedetails，butamafraidofcommittingblunders，asmenalwaysdo，whentheyundertaketodescribesuchmatters。Whitedress，anyhow，——thatIamsureof，——

withorange-flowers，andthemostwonderfullaceveilthatwaseverseenorheardof。TheReverendDoctorHoneywoodperformedtheceremony，ofcourse。Thegoodpeopleseemedtohaveforgottentheyeverhadhadanyotherminister，exceptDeaconShearerandhissetofmalcontents，whoweredoingadullbusinessinthemeeting-houselatelyoccupiedbytheReverendMr。Fairweather。

“Whowasatthewedding？“

“Everybody，prettymuch。Theywantedtokeepitquiet，butitwasofnouse。Marriedatchurch。Frontpews，oldDr。Kittredgeandallthemansionhousepeopleanddistinguishedstrangers，——ColonelSprowleandfamily，includingMatilda’syounggentleman，agraduateofoneofthefresh-watercolleges，——Mrs。Pickins(lateWidowRowens)andhusband，——DeaconSoperandnumerousparishioners。Alittlenearerthedoor，Abel，theDoctor’sman，andElbridge，whodrovethemtochurchinthefamily-coach。FatherFairweather，astheyallcallhimnow，cameinlatewithFatherMcShane。”

“AndSilasPeckham？“

“Oh，SilashadleftTheSchoolandRockland。CutupaltogethertoobadlyintheexaminationinstitutedbytheTrustees。HadremovedovertoTamarack，andthoughtofrentingalargehouseand“’farming’

thetown-poor。”

Sometimeafterthis，asIwaswalkingwithayoungfriendalongbytheswell-frontsandsouth-exposures，whomshouldIseebutMr。

BernardLangdon，lookingremarkablyhappy，andkeepingstepbythesideofaveryhandsomeandsingularlywell-dressedyounglady？Hebowedandliftedhishataswepassed。

“Whoisthatprettygirlmyyoungdoctorhasgotthere？“Isaidtomycompanion。

“Whoisthat？“heanswered。“Youdon’tknow？Why，thatisneithermorenorlessthanMissLetitiaForrester，daughterof——of——why，thegreatbankingfirm，youknow，BilyunsBrothers&Forrester。Gotacquaintedwithherinthecountry，theysay。There’sastorythatthey’reengaged，orliketobe，ifthefirmconsents。”

“Oh“Isaid。

Ididnotlikethelookofitintheleast。Tooyoung，——tooyoung。

Hasnottakenanypositionyet。NorighttoaskforthehandofBilyunsBrothers&Co。’sdaughter。Besides，itwillspoilhimforpractice，ifhemarriesarichgirlbeforehehasformedhabitsofwork。

Ilookedinathisofficetheotherday。Aboxofwhitekidswaslyingopenonthetable。Athree-cornerednote，directedinaverydelicatelady’s-hand，wasdistinguishableamongaheapofpapers。I

wasjustgoingtocallhimtoaccountforhisproceedings，whenhepushedthethree-cornerednoteasideandtookupaletterwithagreatcorporation-sealuponit。Hehadreceivedtheofferofaprofessor’schairinanancientanddistinguishedinstitution。

“Prettywellforthree-and-twenty，myboy。”Isaid。“Isupposeyou’llthinkyoumustbemarriedoneofthesedays，ifyouacceptthisoffice。”

Mr。Langdonblushed——Therehadbeenstoriesabouthim，heknew。

Hisnamehadbeenmentionedinconnectionwiththatofaverycharmingyounglady。Thecurrentreportswerenottrue。Hehadmetthisyounglady，andbeenmuchpleasedwithher，inthecountry，atthehouseofhergrandfather，theReverendDoctorHoneywood，——yourememberMissLetitiaForrester，whomIhavementionedrepeatedly？

Oncomingtotown，hefoundhiscountry-acquaintanceinasocialpositionwhichseemedtodiscouragehiscontinuedintimacy。Hehaddiscovered，however；thathewasanotunwelcomevisitor，andhadkeptupfriendlyrelationswithher。Buttherewasnotruthinthecurrentreports，——noneatall。’

Somemonthshadpassed，afterthisvisit，whenIhappenedoneeveningtostrollintoaboxinoneoftheprincipaltheatresofthecity。A

smallpartysatontheseatsbeforeme：amiddle-agedgentlemanandhislady，infront，anddirectlybehindthemmyyoungdoctorandthesameveryhandsomeyoungladyIhadseenhimwalkingwithonthesidewalkbeforetheswell-frontsandsouth-exposures。AsProfessorLangdonseemedtobeverymuchtakenupwithhiscompanion，andbothofthemlookedasiftheywereenjoyingthemselves，Ideterminednottomakemypresenceknowntomyyoungfriend，andtowithdrawquietlyafterfeastingmyeyeswiththesightofthemforafewminutes。

“Itlooksasifsomethingmightcomeofit。”Isaidtomyself。Atthatmomenttheyoungladyliftedherarmaccidentallyinsuchawaythatthelightfellupontheclaspofachainwhichencircledherwrist。MyeyesfilledwithtearsasIreadupontheclasp，insharp-

cutItalicletters，E。Y。Theyweretearsatonceofsadremembranceandofjoyousanticipation；fortheornamentonwhichIlookedwasthedoublepledgeofadeadsorrowandalivingaffection。Itwasthegoldenbracelet，——theparting-giftofElsieVenner。

End