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resumedthisimmovableman，“Ishouldwishrespectfullytospeaktoyouaboutmyson。Perhapsitmaybemoreconvenientinthecourseoftheday？Myhumbleduty，sir，andmybestthanks。Mysonisstrictlysober。Heisaccustomedtothestables，andhebelongstotheChurchofEngland——withoutincumbrances。”Havingthusplantedhisoffspringprovisionallyinhismaster’sestimation，AbrahamSageshoulderedhisinvaluablerake，andhobbledslowlyoutofview。
“Ifthat’saspecimenofatrustworthyoldservant。”saidAllan，“IthinkI’drathertakemychanceofbeingcheatedbyanewone。
_You_shallnotbetroubledwithhimagain，MissMilroy，atanyrate。Alltheflower-bedsinthegardenareatyourdisposal，andallthefruitinthefruitseason，ifyou’llonlycomehereandeatit。”
“Oh，Mr。Armadale，howvery，verykindyouare。HowcanIthankyou？”
Allansawhiswaytoanothercompliment——anelaboratecompliment，intheshapeofatrap，thistime。
“Youcandomethegreatestpossiblefavor。”hesaid。“Youcanassistmeinforminganagreeableimpressionofmyowngrounds。”
“Dearme！how？”askedMissMilroy，innocently。
Allanjudiciouslyclosedthetraponthespotinthesewords:“Bytakingmewithyou，MissMilroy，onyourmorningwalk。”Hespoke，smiled，andofferedhisarm。
Shesawtheway，onherside，toalittleflirtation。Sherestedherhandonhisarm，blushed，hesitated，andsuddenlytookitawayagain。
“Idon’tthinkit’squiteright，Mr。Armadale。”shesaid，devotingherselfwiththedeepestattentiontohercollectionofflowers。“Oughtn’twetohavesomeoldladyhere？Isn’titimpropertotakeyourarmuntilIknowyoualittlebetterthanI
donow？Iamobligedtoask;Ihavehadsolittleinstruction;I
haveseensolittleofsociety，andoneofpapa’sfriendsoncesaidmymannersweretooboldformyage。Whatdo_you_think？”
“Ithinkit’saverygoodthingyourpapa’sfriendisnotherenow。”answeredtheoutspokenAllan;“Ishouldquarrelwithhimtoadeadcertainty。Asforsociety，MissMilroy，nobodyknowslessaboutitthanIdo;butifwe_had_anoldladyhere，ImustsaymyselfIthinkshewouldbeuncommonlyintheway。Won’tyou？”
concludedAllan，imploringlyofferinghisarmforthesecondtime。“Do！“
MissMilroylookedupathimsidelongfromherflowers“Youareasbadasthegardener，Mr。Armadale！“Shelookeddownagaininaflutterofindecision。“I’msureit’swrong。”shesaid，andtookhisarmtheinstantafterwardwithouttheslightesthesitation。
Theymovedawaytogetheroverthedaisiedturfofthepaddock，youngandbrightandhappy，withthesunlightofthesummermorningshiningcloudlessovertheirflowerypath。
“Andwherearewegoingto，now？”askedAllan。“Intoanothergarden？”
Shelaughedgayly。“Howveryoddofyou，Mr。Armadale，nottoknow，whenitallbelongstoyou！AreyoureallyseeingThorpeAmbrosethismorningforthefirsttime？Howindescribablystrangeitmustfeel！No，no;don’tsayanymorecomplimentarythingstomejustyet。Youmayturnmyheadifyoudo。Wehaven’tgottheoldladywithus;andIreallymusttakecareofmyself。
Letmebeuseful;letmetellyouallaboutyourowngrounds。Wearegoingoutatthatlittlegate，acrossoneofthedrivesinthepark，andthenovertherusticbridge，andthenroundthecorneroftheplantation——wheredoyouthink？TowhereIlive，Mr。Armadale;tothelovelylittlecottagethatyouhavelettopapa。Oh，ifyouonlyknewhowluckywethoughtourselvestogetit！’
Shepaused，lookedupathercompanion，andstoppedanothercomplimentontheincorrigibleAllan’slips。
“I’lldropyourarm。”shesaidcoquettishly，“ifyoudo！We_were_luckytogetthecottage，Mr。Armadale。Papasaidhefeltunderanobligationtoyouforlettingit，thedaywegotin。And_I_saidIfeltunderanobligation，nolongeragothanlastweek。”
“You，MissMilroy！“exclaimedAllan。
“Yes。Itmaysurpriseyoutohearit;butifyouhadn’tletthecottagetopapa，IbelieveIshouldhavesufferedtheindignityandmiseryofbeingsenttoschool。”
Allan’smemoryrevertedtothehalf-crownthathehadspunonthecabin-tableoftheyacht，atCastletown。“IfsheonlyknewthatI
hadtossedupforit！“hethought，guiltily。
“Idaresayyoudon’tunderstandwhyIshouldfeelsuchahorrorofgoingtoschool。”pursuedMissMilroy，misinterpretingthemomentarysilenceonhercompanion’sside。“IfIhadgonetoschoolinearlylife——Imeanattheagewhenothergirlsgo——I
shouldn’thavemindeditnow。ButIhadnosuchchanceatthetime。Itwasthetimeofmamma’sillnessandofpapa’sunfortunatespeculation;andaspapahadnobodytocomforthimbutme，ofcourseIstayedathome。Youneedn’tlaugh;Iwasofsomeuse，Icantellyou。Ihelpedpapaoverhistrouble，bysittingonhiskneeafterdinner，andaskinghimtotellmestoriesofalltheremarkablepeoplehehadknownwhenhewasaboutinthegreatworld，athomeandabroad。Withoutmetoamusehimintheevening，andhisclocktooccupyhiminthedaytime——“
“Hisclock？”repeatedAllan。
“Oh，yes！Ioughttohavetoldyou。Papaisanextraordinarymechanicalgenius。Youwillsayso，too，whenyouseehisclock。
It’snothinglikesolarge，ofcourse，butit’sonthemodelofthefamousclockatStrasbourg。Onlythink，hebeganitwhenI
waseightyearsold;and(thoughIwassixteenlastbirthday)itisn’tfinishedyet！Someofourfriendswerequitesurprisedheshouldtaketosuchathingwhenhistroublesbegan。Butpapahimselfsetthatrightinnotime;heremindedthemthatLouistheSixteenthtooktolock-makingwhen_his_troublesbegan，andtheneverybodywasperfectlysatisfied。”Shestopped，andchangedcolorconfusedly。“Oh，Mr。Armadale。”shesaid，ingenuineembarrassmentthistime，“hereismyunluckytonguerunningawaywithmeagain！IamtalkingtoyoualreadyasifIhadknownyouforyears！Thisiswhatpapa’sfriendmeantwhenhesaidmymannersweretoobold。It’squitetrue;Ihaveadreadfulwayofgettingfamiliarwithpeople，if——“Shecheckedherselfsuddenly，onthebrinkofendingthesentencebysaying，“ifIlikethem。”
“No，no;dogoon！“pleadedAllan。“It’safaultofminetobefamiliar，too。Besides，we_must_befamiliar;wearesuchnearneighbors。I’mratheranuncultivatedsortoffellow，andIdon’tknowquitehowtosayit;butIwantyourcottagetobejollyandfriendlywithmyhouse，andmyhousetobejollyandfriendlywithyourcottage。There’smymeaning，allinthewrongwords。Dogoon，MissMilroy;praygoon！“
Shesmiledandhesitated。“Idon’texactlyrememberwhereIwas。”
shereplied，“IonlyrememberIhadsomethingIwantedtotellyou。Thiscomes，Mr。Armadale，ofmytakingyourarm。Ishouldgetonsomuchbetter，ifyouwouldonlyconsenttowalkseparately。Youwon’t？Well，then，willyoutellmewhatitwasI
wantedtosay？WherewasIbeforeIwentwanderingofftopapa’stroublesandpapa’sclock？”
“Atschool！“repliedAllan，withaprodigiouseffortofmemory。
“_Not_atschool，youmean。”saidMissMilroy;“andallthrough_you。_NowIcangoonagain，whichisagreatcomfort。Iamquiteserious，Mr。Armadale，insayingthatIshouldhavebeensenttoschool，ifyouhadsaidNowhenpapaproposedforthecottage。Thisishowithappened。Whenwebeganmovingin，Mrs。
Blanchardsentusamostkindmessagefromthegreathousetosaythatherservantswereatourdisposal，ifwewantedanyassistance。TheleastpapaandIcoulddo，afterthat，wastocallandthankher。WesawMrs。BlanchardandMissBlanchard。
Mistresswascharming，andmisslookedperfectlylovelyinhermourning。I’msureyouadmireher？She’stallandpaleandgraceful——quiteyourideaofbeauty，Ishouldthink？”
“Nothinglikeit。”beganAllan。“Myideaofbeautyatthepresentmoment——“
MissMilroyfeltitcoming，andinstantlytookherhandoffhisarm。
“ImeanIhaveneverseeneitherMrs。Blanchardorherniece。”
addedAllan，precipitatelycorrectinghimself。
MissMilroytemperedjusticewithmercy，andputherhandbackagain。
“Howextraordinarythatyoushouldneverhaveseenthem！“shewenton。“Why，youareaperfectstrangertoeverythingandeverybodyatThorpeAmbrose！Well，afterMissBlanchardandIhadsatandtalkedalittlewhile，IheardmynameonMrs。
Blanchard’slipsandinstantlyheldmybreath。ShewasaskingpapaifIhadfinishedmyeducation。Outcamepapa’sgreatgrievancedirectly。Myoldgoverness，youmustknow，leftustobemarriedjustbeforewecamehere，andnoneofourfriendscouldproduceanewonewhosetermswerereasonable。’I’mtold，Mrs。Blanchard，bypeoplewhounderstanditbetterthanIdo，’
sayspapa，’thatadvertisingisarisk。Itallfallsonme，inMrs。Milroy’sstateofhealth，andIsupposeImustendinsendingmylittlegirltoschool。Doyouhappentoknowofaschoolwithinthemeansofapoorman？’Mrs。Blanchardshookherhead;Icouldhavekissedheronthespotfordoingit。’Allmyexperience，MajorMilroy，’saysthisperfectangelofawoman，’isinfavorofadvertising。Myniece’sgovernesswasoriginallyobtainedbyanadvertisement，andyoumayimaginehervaluetouswhenItellyoushelivedinourfamilyformorethantenyears。’
IcouldhavegonedownonbothmykneesandworshippedMrs。
Blanchardthenandthere;andIonlywonderIdidn’t！Papawasstruckatthetime——Icouldseethat——andhereferredtoitagainonthewayhome。’ThoughIhavebeenlongoutoftheworld，mydear，’sayspapa，’Iknowahighly-bredwomanandasensiblewomanwhenIseeher。Mrs。Blanchard’sexperienceputsadvertisinginanewlight;Imustthinkaboutit。’Hehasthoughtaboutit，and(thoughhehasn’topenlyconfessedittome)Iknowthathedecidedtoadvertise，nolaterthanlastnight。So，ifpapathanksyouforlettingthecottage，Mr。
Armadale，Ithankyou，too。Butforyou，weshouldneverhaveknowndarlingMrs。Blanchard;andbutfordarlingMrs。Blanchard，Ishouldhavebeensenttoschool。”
BeforeAllancouldreply，theyturnedthecorneroftheplantation，andcameinsightofthecottage。Descriptionofitisneedless;thecivilizeduniverseknowsitalready。Itwasthetypicalcottageofthedrawing-master’searlylessonsinneatshadingandthebroadpenciltouch——withthetrimthatch，theluxuriantcreepers，themodestlattice-windows，therusticporch，andthewickerbird-cage，allcomplete。
“Isn’titlovely？”saidMissMilroy。“Docomein！“
“MayI？”askedAllan。“Won’tthemajorthinkittooearly？”
“Earlyorlate，Iamsurepapawillbeonlytoogladtoseeyou。”
Sheledthewaybrisklyupthegardenpath，andopenedtheparlordoor。AsAllanfollowedherintothelittleroom，hesaw，atthefurtherendofit，agentlemansittingaloneatanold-fashionedwriting-table，withhisbackturnedtohisvisitor。
“Papa！asurpriseforyou！“saidMissMilroy，rousinghimfromhisoccupation。“Mr。ArmadalehascometoThorpeAmbrose;andI
havebroughthimheretoseeyou。”
Themajorstarted;rose，bewilderedforthemoment;recoveredhimselfimmediately，andadvancedtowelcomehisyounglandlord，withhospitable，outstretchedhand。
AmanwithalargerexperienceoftheworldandafinerobservationofhumanitythanAllanpossessedwouldhaveseenthestoryofMajorMilroy’slifewritteninMajorMilroy’sface。Thehometroublesthathadstruckhimwereplainlybetrayedinhisstoopingfigureandhiswan，deeplywrinkledcheeks，whenhefirstshowedhimselfonrisingfromhischair。Thechangelessinfluenceofonemonotonouspursuitandonemonotonoushabitofthoughtwasnextexpressedinthedull，dreamyself-absorptionofhismannerandhislookwhilehisdaughterwasspeakingtohim。
Themomentafter，whenhehadrousedhimselftowelcomehisguest，wasthemomentwhichmadetheself-revelationcomplete。
Thenthereflickeredinthemajor’swearyeyesafaintreflectionofthespiritofhishappieryouth。Thentherepassedoverthemajor’sdullanddreamymannerachangewhichtoldunmistakablyofsocialgracesandaccomplishments，learnedatsomepasttimeinnoignoblesocialschool;amanwhohadlongsincetakenhispatientrefugefromtroubleinhisownmechanicalpursuit;amanonlyrousedatintervalstoknowhimselfagainforwhatheoncehadbeen。Sorevealedtoalleyesthatcouldreadhimaright，MajorMilroynowstoodbeforeAllan，onthefirstmorningofanacquaintancewhichwasdestinedtobeaneventinAllan’slife。
“Iamheartilygladtoseeyou，Mr。Armadale。”hesaid，speakinginthechangelessquiet，subduedtonepeculiartomostmenwhoseoccupationsareofthesolitaryandmonotonouskind。“Youhavedonemeonefavoralreadybytakingmeasyourtenant，andyounowdomeanotherbypayingthisfriendlyvisit。Ifyouhavenotbreakfastedalready，letmewaiveallceremonyonmyside，andaskyoutotakeyourplaceatourlittletable。”
“Withthegreatestpleasure，MajorMilroy，ifIamnotintheway。”repliedAllan，delightedathisreception。“IwassorrytohearfromMissMilroythatMrs。Milroyisaninvalid。Perhapsmybeinghereunexpectedly;perhapsthesightofastrangeface——“
“Iunderstandyourhesitation，Mr。Armadale。”saidthemajor;
“butitisquiteunnecessary。Mrs。Milroy’sillnesskeepsherentirelyconfinedtoherownroom——Havewegoteverythingwewantonthetable，mylove？”hewenton，changingthesubjectsoabruptlythatacloserobserverthanAllanmighthavesuspecteditwasdistastefultohim。“Willyoucomeandmaketea？”
MissMilroy’sattentionappearedtobealreadypre-engaged;shemadenoreply。WhileherfatherandAllanhadbeenexchangingcivilities，shehadbeenputtingthewriting-tableinorder，andexaminingthevariousobjectsscatteredonitwiththeunrestrainedcuriosityofaspoiledchild。Themomentafterthemajorhadspokentoher，shediscoveredamorselofpaperhiddenbetweentheleavesoftheblotting-book，snatcheditup，lookedatit，andturnedroundinstantly，withanexclamationofsurprise。
“Domyeyesdeceiveme，papa？”sheasked。“OrwereyoureallyandtrulywritingtheadvertisementwhenIcamein？”
“Ihadjustfinishedit。”repliedherfather。“But，mydear，Mr。
Armadaleishere——wearewaitingforbreakfast。”
“Mr。Armadaleknowsallaboutit。”rejoinedMissMilroy。“Itoldhiminthegarden。”
“Oh，yes！“saidAllan。“Pray，don’tmakeastrangerofme，major！
Ifit’saboutthegoverness，I’vegotsomething(inanindirectsortofway)todowithittoo。”
MajorMilroysmiled。Beforehecouldanswer，hisdaughter，whohadbeenreadingtheadvertisement，appealedtohimeagerly，forthesecondtime。
“Oh，papa。”shesaid，“there’sonethinghereIdon’tlikeatall！Whydoyouputgrandmamma’sinitialsattheend？Whydoyoutellthemtowritetograndmamma’shouseinLondon？”
“Mydear！yourmothercandonothinginthismatter，asyouknow。
Andasforme(evenifIwenttoLondon)，questioningstrangeladiesabouttheircharactersandaccomplishmentsisthelastthingintheworldthatIamfittodo。Yourgrandmammaisonthespot;andyourgrandmammaistheproperpersontoreceivetheletters，andtomakeallthenecessaryinquires。”
“ButIwanttoseethelettersmyself。”persistedthespoiledchild。“Someofthemaresuretobeamusing——“
“Idon’tapologizeforthisveryunceremoniousreceptionofyou，Mr。Armadale。”saidthemajor，turningtoAllan，withaquaintandquiethumor。“Itmaybeusefulasawarning，ifyoueverchancetomarryandhaveadaughter，nottobegin，asIhavedone，bylettingherhaveherownway。”
Allanlaughed，andMissMilroypersisted。
“Besides。”shewenton，“Ishouldliketohelpinchoosingwhichlettersweanswer，andwhichwedon’t。IthinkIoughttohavesomevoiceintheselectionofmyowngoverness。Whynottellthem，papa，tosendtheirlettersdownhere——tothepost-officeorthestationer’s，oranywhereyoulike？WhenyouandIhavereadthem，wecansendupthelettersweprefertograndmamma;
andshecanaskallthequestions，andpickoutthebestgoverness，justasyouhavearrangedalready，withoutleavingME
entirelyinthedark，whichIconsider(don’tyou，Mr。Armadale？)
tobequiteinhuman。Letmealtertheaddress，papa;do，there’sadarling！“
“Weshallgetnobreakfast，Mr。Armadale，ifIdon’tsayYes。”
saidthemajorgood-humoredly。“Doasyoulike，mydear。”headded，turningtohisdaughter。“Aslongasitendsinyourgrandmamma’smanagingthematterforus，therestisofverylittleconsequence。”
MissMilroytookupherfather’spen，drewitthroughthelastlineoftheadvertisement，andwrotethealteredaddresswithherownhandasfollows:
“_Apply，byletter，toM。，Post-office，ThorpeAmbrose，Norfolk。_“
“There！“shesaid，bustlingtoherplaceatthebreakfast-table。
“TheadvertisementmaygotoLondonnow;and，ifagoverness_does_comeofit，oh，papa，whointhenameofwonderwillshebe？——Teaorcoffee，Mr。Armadale？I’mreallyashamedofhavingkeptyouwaiting。Butitissuchacomfort。”sheadded，saucily，“togetallone’sbusinessoffone’smindbeforebreakfast！“
Father，daughter，andguestsatdowntogethersociablyatthelittleroundtable，thebestofgoodneighborsandgoodfriendsalready。
Threedayslater，oneoftheLondonnewsboysgot_his_businessoffhismindbeforebreakfast。HisdistrictwasDianaStreet，Pimlico;andthelastofthemorning’snewspaperswhichhedisposedofwasthenewspaperheleftatMrs。Oldershaw’sdoor。
CHAPTERIII。
THECLAIMSOFSOCIETY。
MOREthananhourafterAllanhadsetforthonhisexploringexpeditionthroughhisowngrounds，Midwinterrose，andenjoyed，inhisturn，afullviewbydaylightofthemagnificenceofthenewhouse。
Refreshedbyhislongnight’srest，hedescendedthegreatstaircaseascheerfullyasAllanhimselfOneafteranother，he，too，lookedintothespaciousroomsonthegroundfloorinbreathlessastonishmentatthebeautyandtheluxurywhichsurroundedhim。“ThehousewhereIlivedinservicewhenIwasaboy，wasafineone。”hethought，gayly;“butitwasnothingtothis！IwonderifAllanisassurprisedanddelightedasIam？”
Thebeautyofthesummermorningdrewhimoutthroughtheopenhalldoor，asithaddrawnhisfriendoutbeforehim。Heranbrisklydownthesteps，hummingtheburdenofoneoftheoldvagabondtuneswhichhehaddancedtolongsinceintheoldvagabondtime。Eventhememoriesofhiswretchedchildhoodtooktheircolor，onthathappymorning。fromthebrightmediumthroughwhichhelookedbackatthem。“IfIwasnotoutofpractice。”hethoughttohimself，asheleanedonthefenceandlookedoveratthepark，“Icouldtrysomeofmyoldtumblingtricksonthatdeliciousgrass。”Heturned，noticedtwooftheservantstalkingtogetherneartheshrubbery，andaskedfornewsofthemasterofthehouse。
Themenpointedwithasmileinthedirectionofthegardens;Mr。
Armadalehadgonethatwaymorethananhoursince，andhadmet(ashadbeenreported)withMissMilroyinthegrounds。Midwinterfollowedthepaththroughtheshrubbery，but，onreachingtheflowergarden，stopped，consideredalittle，andretracedhissteps。“IfAllanhasmetwiththeyounglady。”hesaidtohimself，“Allandoesn’twantme。”Helaughedashedrewthatinevitableinference，andturnedconsideratelytoexplorethebeautiesofThorpeAmbroseontheothersideofthehouse。
Passingtheangleofthefrontwallofthebuilding，hedescendedsomesteps，advancedalongapavedwalk，turnedanotherangle，andfoundhimselfinastripofgardengroundatthebackofthehouse。
Behindhimwasarowofsmallroomssituatedontheleveloftheservants’offices。Infrontofhim，onthefurthersideofthelittlegarden，roseawall，screenedbyalaurelhedge，andhavingadooratoneendofit，leadingpastthestablestoagatethatopenedonthehigh-road。Perceivingthathehadonlydiscoveredthusfartheshorterwaytothehouse，usedbytheservantsandtrades-people，Midwinterturnedbackagain，andlookedinatthewindowofoneoftheroomsonthebasementstoryashepassedit。Werethesetheservants’offices？No;theofficeswereapparentlyinsomeotherpartoftheground-floor;
thewindowhehadlookedinatwasthewindowofalumber-room。
Thenexttworoomsintherowwerebothempty。Thefourthwindow，whenheapproachedit，presentedalittlevariety。Itservedalsoasadoor;anditstoodopentothegardenatthatmoment。
Attractedbythebook-shelveswhichhenoticedononeofthewalls，Midwintersteppedintotheroom。
Thebooks，fewinnumber，didnotdetainhimlong;aglanceattheirbackswasenoughwithouttakingthemdown。TheWaverleyNovels，TalesbyMissEdgeworth，andbyMissEdgeworth’smanyfollowers，thePoemsofMrs。Hemans，withafewoddvolumesoftheillustratedgift-booksoftheperiod，composedthebulkofthelittlelibrary。Midwinterturnedtoleavetheroom，whenanobjectononesideofthewindow，whichhehadnotpreviouslynoticed，caughthisattentionandstoppedhim。Itwasastatuettestandingonabracket——areducedcopyofthefamousNiobeoftheFlorenceMuseum。Heglancedfromthestatuettetothewindow，withasuddendoubtwhichsethisheartthrobbingfast。ItwasaFrenchwindow。Helookedoutwithasuspicionwhichhehadnotfeltyet。Theviewbeforehimwastheviewofalawnandgarden。
Foramomenthismindstruggledblindlytoescapetheconclusionwhichhadseizedit，andstruggledinvain。Here，closeroundhimandclosebeforehim——here，forcinghimmercilesslybackfromthehappypresenttothehorriblepast，wastheroomthatAllanhadseenintheSecondVisionoftheDream。
Hewaited，thinkingandlookingroundhimwhilehethought。Therewaswonderfullylittledisturbanceinhisfaceandmanner;helookedsteadilyfromonetotheotherofthefewobjectsintheroom，asifthediscoveryofithadsaddenedratherthansurprisedhim。Mattingofsomeforeignsortcoveredthefloor。
Twocanechairsandaplaintablecomprisedthewholeofthefurniture。Thewallswereplainlypapered，andbare——brokentotheeyeinoneplacebyadoorleadingintotheinteriorofthehouse;inanother，byasmallstove;inathird，bythebook-shelveswhichMidwinterhadalreadynoticed。Hereturnedtothebooks，andthistimehetooksomeofthemdownfromtheshelves。
Thefirstthatheopenedcontainedlinesinawoman’shandwriting，tracedininkthathadfadedwithtime。Hereadtheinscription——“JaneArmadale，fromherbelovedfather。ThorpeAmbrose，October，1828。”Inthesecond，third，andfourthvolumesthatheopened，thesameinscriptionre-appeared。Hispreviousknowledgeofdatesandpersonshelpedhimtodrawthetrueinferencefromwhathesaw。ThebooksmusthavebelongedtoAllan’smother;andshemusthaveinscribedthemwithhername，intheintervaloftimebetweenherreturntoThorpeAmbrosefromMadeiraandthebirthofherson。Midwinterpassedontoavolumeonanothershelf——oneofaseriescontainingthewritingsofMrs。
Hemans。Inthiscase，theblankleafatthebeginningofthebookwasfilledonbothsideswithacopyofverses，thewritingbeingstillinMrs。Armadale’shand。Theverseswereheaded“FarewelltoThorpeAmbrose。”andweredated“March，1829“——twomonthsonlyafterAllanhadbeenborn。
Entirelywithoutmeritinitself，theonlyinterestofthelittlepoemwasinthedomesticstorythatittold。
TheveryroominwhichMidwinterthenstoodwasdescribed——withtheviewonthegarden，thewindowmadetoopenonit，thebookshelves，theNiobe，andothermoreperishableornamentswhichTimehaddestroyed。Here，atvariancewithherbrothers，shrinkingfromherfriends，thewidowofthemurderedmanhad，onherownacknowledgment，secludedherself，withoutothercomfortthantheloveandforgivenessofherfather，untilherchildwasborn。Thefather’smercyandthefather’srecentdeathfilledmanyverses，happilytoovagueintheircommonplaceexpressionofpenitenceanddespairtogiveanyhintofthemarriagestoryinMadeiratoanyreaderwholookedatthemignorantofthetruth。A
passingreferencetothewriter’sestrangementfromhersurvivingrelatives，andtoherapproachingdeparturefromThorpeAmbrose，followed。Lastcametheassertionofthemother’sresolutiontoseparateherselffromallheroldassociations;toleavebehindhereverypossession，eventothemosttriflingthingshehad，thatcouldremindherofthemiserablepast;andtodatehernewlifeinthefuturefromthebirthdayofthechildwhohadbeensparedtoconsoleher——whowasnowtheoneearthlyobjectthatcouldstillspeaktoherofloveandhope。Sotheoldstoryofpassionatefeelingthatfindscomfortinphrasesratherthannotfindcomfortatallwastoldonceagain。Sothepoeminthefadedinkfadedawaytoitsend。
Midwinterputthebookbackwithaheavysigh，andopenednoothervolumeontheshelves。“Hereinthecountryhouse，orthereonboardthewreck。”hesaid，bitterly，“thetracesofmyfather’scrimefollowme，gowhereImay。”Headvancedtowardthewindow，stopped，andlookedbackintothelonely，neglectedlittleroom。“Is_this_chance？”heaskedhimself。“TheplacewherehismothersufferedistheplaceheseesintheDream;andthefirstmorninginthenewhouseisthemorningthatrevealsit，notto_him，_buttome。Oh，Allan！Allan！howwillitend？”
ThethoughthadbarelypassedthroughhismindbeforeheheardAllan’svoice，fromthepavedwalkatthesideofthehouse，callingtohimbyhisname。Hehastilysteppedoutintothegarden。AtthesamemomentAllancamerunningroundthecorner，fullofvolubleapologiesforhavingforgotten，inthesocietyofhisnewneighbors，whatwasduetothelawsofhospitalityandtheclaimsofhisfriend。
“Ireallyhaven’tmissedyou。”saidMidwinter;“andIamvery，verygladtohearthatthenewneighborshaveproducedsuchapleasantimpressiononyoualready。”
Hetried，ashespoke，toleadthewaybackbytheoutsideofthehouse;butAllan’sflightyattentionhadbeencaughtbytheopenwindowandthelonelylittleroom。Hesteppedinimmediately。
Midwinterfollowed，andwatchedhiminbreathlessanxietyashelookedround。NottheslightestrecollectionoftheDreamtroubledAllan’seasymind。Nottheslightestreferencetoitfellfromthesilentlipsofhisfriend。
“ExactlythesortofplaceIshouldhaveexpectedyoutohiton！“
exclaimedAllan，gayly。“Smallandsnugandunpretending。Iknowyou，MasterMidwinter！You’llbeslippingoffherewhenthecountyfamiliescomevisiting，andIratherthinkonthosedreadfuloccasionsyouwon’tfindmefarbehindyou。What’sthematter？Youlookillandoutofspirits。Hungry？Ofcourseyouare！unpardonableofmetohavekeptyouwaiting。Thisdoorleadssomewhere，Isuppose;let’stryashortcutintothehouse。Don’tbeafraidofmynotkeepingyoucompanyatbreakfast。Ididn’teatmuchatthecottage;IfeastedmyeyesonMissMilroy，asthepoetssay。Oh，thedarling！thedarling！sheturnsyoutopsy-turvythemomentyoulookather。Asforherfather，waittillyouseehiswonderfulclock！It’stwicethesizeofthefamousclockatStrasbourg，andthemosttremendousstrikereverheardyetinthememoryofman！“
Singingthepraisesofhisnewfriendsinthisstrainatthetopofhisvoice，AllanhurriedMidwinteralongthestonepassagesonthebasementfloor，whichled，ashehadrightlyguessed，toastaircasecommunicatingwiththehall。Theypassedtheservants’
officesontheway。Atthesightofthecookandtheroaringfire，disclosedthroughtheopenkitchendoor，Allan’smindwentoffatatangent，andAllan’sdignityscattereditselftothefourwindsofheaven，asusual。
“Aha，Mrs。Gripper，thereyouarewithyourpotsandpans，andyourburningfieryfurnace！OnehadneedbeShadrach，Meshach，andtheotherfellowtostandoverthat。Breakfastassoonaseveryoulike。Eggs，sausages，bacon，kidneys，marmalade，water-cresses，coffee，andsoforth。MyfriendandIbelongtotheselectfewwhomit’saperfectprivilegetocookfor。
Voluptuaries，Mrs。Gripper，voluptuaries，bothofus。You’llsee。”continuedAllan，astheywentontowardthestairs，“I
shallmakethatworthycreatureyoungagain;I’mbetterthanadoctorforMrs。Gripper。Whenshelaughs，sheshakesherfatsides，andwhensheshakesherfatsides，sheexertshermuscularsystem;andwhensheexertshermuscularsystem——Ha！here’sSusanagain。Don’tsqueezeyourselfflatagainstthebanisters，mydear;ifyoudon’tmindhustling_me_onthestairs，Iratherlikehustling_you。_Shelookslikeafull-blownrosewhensheblushes，doesn’tshe？Stop，Susan！I’veorderstogive。BeveryparticularwithMr。Midwinter’sroom:shakeuphisbedlikemad，anddusthisfurnituretillthoseniceroundarmsofyoursacheagain。Nonsense，mydearfellow！I’mnottoofamiliarwiththem;
I’monlykeepingthemuptotheirwork。Now，then，Richard！wheredowebreakfast？Oh，here。Betweenourselves，Midwinter，thesesplendidroomsofmineareasizetoolargeforme;Idon’tfeelasifIshouldeverbeonintimatetermswithmyownfurniture。
Myviewsinlifeareofthesnugandslovenlysort——akitchenchair，youknow，andalowceiling。Manwantsbutlittleherebelow，andwantsthatlittlelong。That’snotexactlytherightquotation;butitexpressesmymeaning，andwe’llletalonecorrectingittillthenextopportunity。”
“Ibegyourpardon。”interposedMidwinter，“hereissomethingwaitingforyouwhichyouhavenotnoticedyet。”
Ashespoke，hepointedalittleimpatientlytoaletterlyingonthebreakfast-table。Hecouldconcealtheominousdiscoverywhichhehadmadethatmorning，fromAllan’sknowledge;buthecouldnotconquerthelatentdistrustofcircumstanceswhichwasnowraisedagaininhissuperstitiousnature——theinstinctivesuspicionofeverythingthathappened，nomatterhowcommonorhowtriflingtheevent，onthefirstmemorabledaywhenthenewlifebeganinthenewhouse。
Allanranhiseyeovertheletter，andtosseditacrossthetabletohisfriend。“Ican’tmakeheadortailofit。”hesaid，“canyou？”
Midwinterreadtheletter，slowly，aloud。“Sir——ItrustyouwillpardonthelibertyItakeinsendingthesefewlinestowaityourarrivalatThorpeAmbrose。IntheeventofcircumstancesnotdisposingyoutoplaceyourlawbusinessinthehandsofMr。
Darch——“Hesuddenlystoppedatthatpoint，andconsideredalittle。
“Darchisourfriendthelawyer。”saidAllan，supposingMidwinterhadforgottenthename。“Don’tyourememberourspinningthehalf-crownonthecabintable，whenIgotthetwooffersforthecottage？Heads，themajor;tails，thelawyer。Thisisthelawyer。”
Withoutmakinganyreply，Midwinterresumedreadingtheletter。
“IntheeventofcircumstancesnotdisposingyoutoplaceyourlawbusinessinthehandsofMr。Darch，IbegtosaythatIshallbehappytotakechargeofyourinterests，ifyoufeelwillingtohonormewithyourconfidence。Inclosingareference(shouldyoudesireit)tomyagentsinLondon，andagainapologizingforthisintrusion，Ibegtoremain，sir，respectfullyyours，A。PEDGIFT，Sen。”
“Circumstances？”repeatedMidwinter，ashelaidtheletterdown。
“WhatcircumstancescanpossiblyindisposeyoutogiveyourlawbusinesstoMr。Darch？”
“Nothingcanindisposeme。”saidAllan。“Besidesbeingthefamilylawyerhere，DarchwasthefirsttowritemewordatParisofmycominginformyfortune;and，ifIhavegotanybusinesstogive，ofcourseheoughttohaveit。”
Midwinterstilllookeddistrustfullyattheopenletteronthetable。“Iamsadlyafraid，Allan，thereissomethingwrongalready。”hesaid。“Thismanwouldneverhaveventuredontheapplicationhehasmadetoyou，unlesshehadsomegoodreasonforbelievinghewouldsucceed。Ifyouwishtoputyourselfrightatstarting，youwillsendtoMr。Darchthismorningtotellhimyouarehere，andyouwilltakenonoticeforthepresentofMr。
Pedgift’sletter。”
Beforemorecouldbesaidoneitherside，thefootmanmadehisappearancewiththebreakfasttray。Hewasfollowed，afteraninterval，bythebutler，amanoftheessentiallyconfidentialkind，withamodulatedvoice，acourtlymanner，andabulbousnose。AnybodybutAllanwouldhaveseeninhisfacethathehadcomeintotheroomhavingaspecialcommunicationtomaketohismaster。Allan，whosawnothingunderthesurface，andwhoseheadwasrunningonthelawyer’sletter，stoppedhimbluntlywiththepoint-blankquestion:“Who’sMr。Pedgift？”
Thebutler’ssourcesoflocalknowledgeopenedconfidentiallyontheinstant。Mr。Pedgiftwasthesecondofthetwolawyersinthetown。Notsolongestablished，notsowealthy，notsouniversallylookeduptoasoldMr。Darch。Notdoingthebusinessofthehighestpeopleinthecounty，andnotmixingfreelywiththebestsociety，likeoldMr。Darch。Averysufficientman，inhisway，nevertheless。Knownasaperfectlycompetentandrespectablepractitionerallroundtheneighborhood。Inshort，professionallynextbesttoMr。Darch;andpersonallysuperiortohim(iftheexpressionmightbepermitted)inthisrespect——thatDarchwasaCrustyOne，andPedgiftwasn’t。
Havingimpartedthisinformation，thebutler，takingawiseadvantageofhisposition，glided，withoutamoment’sstoppage，fromMr。Pedgift’scharactertothebusinessthathadbroughthimintothebreakfast-room。TheMidsummerAuditwasnearathand;
andthetenantswereaccustomedtohaveaweek’snoticeoftherent-daydinner。Withthisnecessitypressing，andwithnoordersgivenasyet，andnostewardinofficeatThorpeAmbrose，itappeareddesirablethatsomeconfidentialpersonshouldbringthematterforward。Thebutlerwasthatconfidentialperson;andhenowventuredaccordinglytotroublehismasteronthesubject。
AtthispointAllanopenedhislipstointerrupt，andwashimselfinterruptedbeforehecouldutteraword。
“Wait！“interposedMidwinter，seeinginAllan’sfacethathewasindangerofbeingpubliclyannouncedinthecapacityofsteward。
“Wait！“herepeated，eagerly，“tillIcanspeaktoyoufirst。”
Thebutler’scourtlymannerremainedalikeunruffledbyMidwinter’ssuddeninterferenceandbyhisowndismissalfromthescene。Nothingbutthemountingcolorinhisbulbousnosebetrayedthesenseofinjurythatanimatedhimashewithdrew。
Mr。Armadale’schanceofregalinghisfriendandhimselfthatdaywiththebestwineinthecellartrembledinthebalance，asthebutlertookhiswaybacktothebasementstory。
“Thisisbeyondajoke，Allan。”saidMidwinter，whentheywerealone。“Somebodymustmeetyourtenantsontherent-daywhoisreallyfittotakethesteward’splace。Withthebestwillintheworldtolearn，itisimpossiblefor_me_tomasterthebusinessataweek’snotice。Don’t，praydon’tletyouranxietyformywelfareputyouinafalsepositionwithotherpeople！IshouldneverforgivemyselfifIwastheunluckycause——“
“Gentlygently！’criedAllan，amazedathisfriend’sextraordinaryearnestness。“IfIwritetoLondonbyto-night’spostforthemanwhocamedownherebefore，willthatsatisfyyou？”
Midwintershookhishead。“Ourtimeisshort。”hesaid;“andthemanmaynotbeatliberty。Whynottryintheneighborhoodfirst？
YouweregoingtowritetoMr。Darch。Sendatonce，andseeifhecan’thelpusbetweenthisandpost-time。”
Allanwithdrewtoaside-tableonwhichwritingmaterialswereplaced。“Youshallbreakfastinpeace，youoldfidget。”hereplied，andaddressedhimselfforthwithtoMr。Darch，withhisusualSpartanbrevityofepistolaryexpression。“DearSir——HereI
am，bagandbaggage。Willyoukindlyobligemebybeingmylawyer？Iaskthis，becauseIwanttoconsultyouatonce。Pleaselookininthecourseoftheday，andstoptodinnerifyoupossiblycan。Yourstruly。ALLANARMADALE。”Havingreadthiscompositionaloudwithunconcealedadmirationofhisownrapidityofliteraryexecution，AllanaddressedthelettertoMr。Darch，andrangthebell。“Here，Richard，takethisatonce，andwaitforananswer。And，Isay，ifthere’sanynewsstirringinthetown，pickitupandbringitbackwithyou。SeehowImanagemyservants！“continuedAllan，joininghisfriendatthebreakfast-table。“SeehowIadaptmyselftomynewduties！I
haven’tbeendownhereonecleardayyet，andI’mtakinganinterestintheneighborhoodalready。”
Breakfastover，thetwofriendswentouttoidleawaythemorningundertheshadeofatreeinthepark。Nooncame，andRichardneverappeared。Oneo’clockstruck，andstilltherewerenosignsofananswerfromMr。Darch。Midwinter’spatiencewasnotproofagainstthedelay。HeleftAllandozingonthegrass，andwenttothehousetomakeinquiries。Thetownwasdescribedaslittlemorethantwomilesdistant;butthedayoftheweekhappenedtobemarketday，andRichardwasbeingdetainednodoubtbysomeofthemanyacquaintanceswhomhewouldbesuretomeetwithonthatoccasion。
Halfanhourlaterthetruantmessengerreturned，andwassentouttoreporthimselftohismasterunderthetreeinthepark。
“AnyanswerfromMr。Darch？”askedMidwinter，seeingthatAllanwastoolazytoputthequestionforhimself。
“Mr。Darchwasengaged，sir。Iwasdesiredtosaythathewouldsendananswer。”
“Anynewsinthetown？”inquiredAllan，drowsily，withouttroublinghimselftoopenhiseyes。
“No，sir;nothinginparticular。”
Observingthemansuspiciouslyashemadethatreply，Midwinterdetectedinhisfacethathewasnotspeakingthetruth。Hewasplainlyembarrassed，andplainlyrelievedwhenhismaster’ssilenceallowedhimtowithdraw。Afteralittleconsideration，Midwinterfollowed，andovertooktheretreatingservantonthedrivebeforethehouse。
“Richard。”hesaid，quietly，“ifIwastoguessthatthere_is_
somenewsinthetown，andthatyoudon’tliketellingittoyourmaster，shouldIbeguessingthetruth？”
Themanstartedandchangedcolor。“Idon’tknowhowyouhavefounditout。”hesaid;“butIcan’tdenyyouhaveguessedright。”
“Ifyouletmehearwhatthenewsis，IwilltaketheresponsibilityonmyselfoftellingMr。Armadale。”
Aftersomelittlehesitation，andsomedistrustfulconsideration，onhisside，ofMidwinter’sface，Richardatlastprevailedonhimselftorepeatwhathehadheardthatdayinthetown。
ThenewsofAllan’ssuddenappearanceatThorpeAmbrosehadprecededtheservant’sarrivalathisdestinationbysomehours。
Whereverhewent，hefoundhismasterthesubjectofpublicdiscussion。TheopinionofAllan’sconductamongtheleadingtownspeople，theresidentgentryoftheneighborhood，andtheprincipaltenantsontheestatewasunanimouslyunfavorable。Onlythedaybefore，thecommitteeformanagingthepubicreceptionofthenewsquirehadsketchedtheprogressoftheprocession;hadsettledtheseriousquestionofthetriumphalarches;andhadappointedacompetentpersontosolicitsubscriptionsfortheflags，theflowers，thefeasting，thefireworks，andtheband。Inlessthanaweekmorethemoneycouldhavebeencollected，andtherectorwouldhavewrittentoMr。Armadaletofixtheday。Andnow，byAllan’sownact，thepublicwelcomewaitingtohonorhimhadbeencastbackcontemptuouslyinthepublicteeth！Everybodytookforgranted(whatwasunfortunatelytrue)thathehadreceivedprivateinformationofthecontemplatedproceedings。
Everybodydeclaredthathehadpurposelystolenintohisownhouselikeathiefinthenight(sothephraseran)toescapeacceptingtheofferedcivilitiesofhisneighbors。Inbrief，thesensitiveself-importanceofthelittletownwaswoundedtothequick，andofAllan’sonceenviablepositionintheestimationoftheneighborhoodnotavestigeremained。
Foramoment，Midwinterfacedthemessengerofeviltidingsinsilentdistress。Thatmomentpast，thesenseofAllan’scriticalpositionrousedhim，nowtheevilwasknown，toseektheremedy。
“Hasthelittleyouhaveseenofyourmaster，Richard，inclinedyoutolikehim？”heasked。
Thistimethemanansweredwithouthesitation，“ApleasanterandkindergentlemanthanMr。Armadalenoonecouldwishtoserve。”
“Ifyouthinkthat。”pursuedMidwinter，“youwon’tobjecttogivemesomeinformationwhichwillhelpyourmastertosethimselfrightwithhisneighbors。Comeintothehouse。”
Heledthewayintothelibrary，and，afteraskingthenecessaryquestions，tookdowninwritingalistofthenamesandaddressesofthemostinfluentialpersonslivinginthetownanditsneighborhood。Thisdone，herangthebellfortheheadfootman，havingpreviouslysentRichardwithamessagetothestablesdirectinganopencarriagetobereadyinanhour’stime。
“WhenthelateMr。Blanchardwentouttomakecallsintheneighborhood，itwasyourplacetogowithhim，wasitnot？”heasked，whentheupperservantappeared。“Verywell。Bereadyinanhour’stime，ifyouplease，togooutwithMr。Armadale。”
Havinggiventhatorder，heleftthehouseagainonhiswaybacktoAllan，withthevisitinglistinhishand。Hesmiledalittlesadlyashedescendedthesteps。“Whowouldhaveimagined。”hethought，“thatmyfoot-boy’sexperienceofthewaysofgentlefolkswouldbeworthlookingbackatonedayforAllan’ssake？”
Theobjectofthepopularodiumlayinnocentlyslumberingonthegrass，withhisgardenhatoverhisnose，hiswaistcoatunbuttoned，andhistrouserswrinkledhalfwayuphisoutstretchedlegs。Midwinterrousedhimwithouthesitation，andremorselesslyrepeatedtheservant’snews。
Allanacceptedthedisclosurethusforcedonhimwithouttheslightestdisturbanceoftemper。“Oh，hang’em！“wasallhesaid。
“Let’shaveanothercigar。”Midwintertookthecigaroutofhishand，and，insistingonhistreatingthematterseriously，toldhiminplainwordsthathemustsethimselfrightwithhisoffendedneighborsbycallingonthempersonallytomakehisapologies。Allansatuponthegrassinastonishment;hiseyesopenedwideinincredulousdismay。DidMidwinterpositivelymeditateforcinghimintoa“chimney-pothat。”anicelybrushedfrock-coat，andacleanpairofgloves？Wasitactuallyincontemplationtoshuthimupinacarriage，withhisfootmanontheboxandhiscard-caseinhishand，andsendhimroundfromhousetohouse，totellapackoffoolsthathebeggedtheirpardonfornotlettingthemmakeapublicshowofhim？Ifanythingsooutrageouslyabsurdasthiswasreallytobedone，itcouldnotbedonethatday，atanyrate。HehadpromisedtogobacktothecharmingMilroyatthecottageandtotakeMidwinterwithhim。Whatearthlyneedhadheofthegoodopinionoftheresidentgentry？Theonlyfriendshewantedwerethefriendshehadgotalready。Letthewholeneighborhoodturnitsbackonhimifitliked;backorface，theSquireofThorpeAmbrosedidn’tcaretwostrawsaboutit。
Afterallowinghimtorunoninthiswayuntilhiswholestockofobjectionswasexhausted，Midwinterwiselytriedhispersonalinfluencenext。HetookAllanaffectionatelybythehand。“Iamgoingtoaskagreatfavor。”hesaid。“Ifyouwon’tcallonthesepeopleforyourownsake，willyoucallonthemtoplease_me？_“
Allandeliveredhimselfofagroanofdespair，staredinmutesurpriseattheanxiousfaceofhisfriend，andgood-humoredlygaveway。AsMidwintertookhisarm，andledhimbacktothehouse，helookedroundwithruefuleyesatthecattlehardby，placidlywhiskingtheirtailsinthepleasantshade。“Don’tmentionitintheneighborhood。”hesaid;“Ishouldliketochangeplaceswithoneofmyowncows。”
Midwinterlefthimtodress，engagingtoreturnwhenthecarriagewasatthedoor。Allan’stoiletdidnotpromisetobeaspeedyone。Hebeganitbyreadinghisownvisitingcards;andheadvanceditasecondstagebylookingintohiswardrobe，anddevotingtheresidentgentrytotheinfernalregions。Beforehecoulddiscoveranythirdmeansofdelayinghisownproceedings，thenecessarypretextwasunexpectedlysuppliedbyRichard’sappearancewithanoteinhishand。ThemessengerhadjustcalledwithMr。Darch’sanswer。Allanbrisklyshutupthewardrobe，andgavehiswholeattentiontothelawyer’sletter。Thelawyer’sletterrewardedhimbythefollowinglines:
“SIR——Ibegtoacknowledgethereceiptofyourfavorofto-day’sdate，honoringmewithtwoproposals;namely，ONEinvitingmetoactasyourlegaladviser，andONEinvitingmetopayyouavisitatyourhouse。Inreferencetothefirstproposal，Ibegpermissiontodeclineitwiththanks。Withregardtothesecondproposal，IhavetoinformyouthatcircumstanceshavecometomyknowledgerelatingtothelettingofthecottageatThorpeAmbrosewhichrenderitimpossibleforme(injusticetomyself)
toacceptyourinvitation。Ihaveascertained，sir，thatmyofferreachedyouatthesametimeasMajorMilroy’s;andthat，withbothproposalsthusbeforeyou，yougavethepreferencetoatotalstranger，whoaddressedyouthroughahouseagent，overamanwhohadfaithfullyservedyourrelativesfortwogenerations，andwhohadbeenthefirstpersontoinformyouofthemostimportanteventinyourlife。Afterthisspecimenofyourestimateofwhatisduetotheclaimsofcommoncourtesyandcommonjustice，IcannotflattermyselfthatIpossessanyofthequalitieswhichwouldfitmetotakemyplaceonthelistofyourfriends。
“Iremain，sir，yourobedientservant，“JAMESDARCH。”
“Stopthemessenger！“criedAllan，leapingtohisfeet，hisruddyfaceaflamewithindignation。“Givemepen，ink，andpaper！BytheLordHarry，they’reanicesetofpeopleintheseparts;thewholeneighborhoodisinaconspiracytobullyme！“Hesnatchedupthepeninafinefrenzyofepistolaryinspiration。“Sir——I
despiseyouandyourletter——“Atthatpointthepenmadeablot，andthewriterwasseizedwithamomentaryhesitation。“Toostrong。”hethought;“I’llgiveittothelawyerinhisowncoolandcuttingstyle。”Hebeganagainonacleansheetofpaper。
“Sir——YouremindmeofanIrishbull。Imeanthatstoryin’JoeMiller’wherePatremarked，inthehearingofawaghardby，that’thereciprocitywasallononeside。’_Your_reciprocityisallononeside。Youtaketheprivilegeofrefusingtobemylawyer，andthenyoucomplainofmytakingtheprivilegeofrefusingtobeyourlandlord。”Hepausedfondlyoverthoselastwords。
“Neat！“hethought。“Argumentandhardhittingbothinone。I
wonderwheremyknackofwritingcomesfrom？”Hewenton，andfinishedtheletterintwomoresentences。“Asforyourcastingmyinvitationbackinmyteeth，Ibegtoinformyoumyteetharenonetheworseforit。Iamequallygladtohavenothingtosaytoyou，eitherinthecapacityofafriendoratenant——ALLAN
ARMADALE。”Henoddedexultantlyathisowncomposition，asheaddresseditandsentitdowntothemessenger。“Darch’shidemustbeathickone。”hesaid，“ifhedoesn’tfeel_that！_“
Thesoundofthewheelsoutsidesuddenlyrecalledhimtothebusinessoftheday。Therewasthecarriagewaitingtotakehimonhisroundofvisits;andtherewasMidwinterathispost，pacingtoandfroonthedrive。
“Readthat。”criedAllan，throwingoutthelawyer’sletter;“I’vewrittenhimbackasmasher。”
Hebustledawaytothewardrobetogethiscoat。Therewasawonderfulchangeinhim;hefeltlittleornoreluctancetopaythevisitsnow。ThepleasurableexcitementofansweringMr。Darthhadputhiminafineaggressiveframeofmindforassertinghimselfintheneighborhood。“Whateverelsetheymaysayofme，theyshan’tsayIwasafraidtofacethem。”Heatedred-hotwiththatidea，heseizedhishatandgloves，andhurryingoutoftheroom，metMidwinterinthecorridorwiththelawyer’sletterinhishand。
“Keepupyourspirits！“criedAllan，seeingtheanxietyinhisfriend’sface，andmisinterpretingthemotiveofitimmediately。
“IfDarchcan’tbecountedontosendusahelpinghandintothesteward’soffice，Pedgiftcan。”
“MydearAllan，Iwasnotthinkingofthat;IwasthinkingofMr。
Darch’sletter。Idon’tdefendthissour-temperedman;butIamafraidwemustadmithehassomecauseforcomplaint。Praydon’tgivehimanotherchanceofputtingyouinthewrong。Whereisyouranswertohisletter？”
“Gone！“repliedAllan。“Ialwaysstrikewhiletheiron’shot——awordandablow，andtheblowfirst，that’smyway。Don’t，there’sagoodfellow，don’tfidgetaboutthesteward’sbooksandtherent-day。Here！here’sabunchofkeystheygavemelastnight:oneofthemopenstheroomwherethesteward’sbooksare;
goinandreadthemtillIcomeback。IgiveyoumysacredwordofhonorI’llsettleitallwithPedgiftbeforeyouseemeagain。”
“Onemoment。”interposedMidwinter，stoppinghimresolutelyonhiswayouttothecarriage。“IsaynothingagainstMr。Pedgift’sfitnesstopossessyourconfidence，forIknownothingtojustifymeindistrustinghim。Buthehasnotintroducedhimselftoyournoticeinaverydelicateway;andhehasnotacknowledged(whatisquitecleartomymind)thatheknewofMr。Darch’sunfriendlyfeelingtowardyouwhenhewrote。Waitalittlebeforeyougotothisstranger;waittillwecantalkitovertogetherto-night。”
“Wait！“repliedAllan。“Haven’tItoldyouthatIalwaysstrikewhiletheiron’shot？Trustmyeyeforcharacter，oldboy，I’lllookPedgiftthroughandthrough，andactaccordingly。Don’tkeepmeanylonger，forHeaven’ssake。I’minafinehumorfortacklingtheresidentgentry;andifIdon’tgoatonce，I’mafraiditmaywearoff。”
Withthatexcellentreasonforbeinginahurry，Allanboisterouslybrokeaway。Beforeitwaspossibletostophimagain，hehadjumpedintothecarriageandhadleftthehouse。
CHAPTERIV。
THEMARCHOFEVENTS。
MIDWINTER’Sfacedarkenedwhenthelasttraceofthecarriagehaddisappearedfromview。“Ihavedonemybest。”hesaid，asheturnedbackgloomilyintothehouse“IfMr。Brockhimselfwerehere，Mr。Brockcoulddonomore！“
HelookedatthebunchofkeyswhichAllanhadthrustintohishand，andasuddenlongingtoputhimselftothetestoverthesteward’sbookstookpossessionofhissensitiveself-tormentingnature。Inquiringhiswaytotheroominwhichthevariousmovablesofthesteward’sofficehadbeenprovisionallyplacedafterthelettingofthecottage，hesatdownatthedesk，andtriedhowhisownunaidedcapacitywouldguidehimthroughthebusinessrecordsoftheThorpeAmbroseestate。Theresultexposedhisownignoranceunanswerablybeforehisowneyes。Theledgersbewilderedhim;theleases，theplans，andeventhecorrespondenceitself，mighthavebeenwritten，forallhecouldunderstandofthem，inanunknowntongue。Hismemoryrevertedbitterlyashelefttheroomagaintohistwoyears’solitaryself-instructionintheShrewsburybook-seller’sshop。“IfI
couldonlyhaveworkedatabusiness！“hethought。“IfIcouldonlyhaveknownthatthecompanyofpoetsandphilosopherswascompanytoohighforavagabondlikeme！“
Hesatdownaloneinthegreathall;thesilenceofitfellheavierandheavieronhissinkingspirits;thebeautyofitexasperatedhim，likeaninsultfromapurse-proudman。“Cursetheplace！“hesaid，snatchinguphishatandstick。“IlikethebleakesthillsideIeversleptonbetterthanIlikethishouse！“
Heimpatientlydescendedthedoor-steps，andstoppedonthedrive，considering，bywhichdirectionheshouldleavetheparkforthecountrybeyond。Ifhefollowedtheroadtakenbythecarriage，hemightriskunsettlingAllanbyaccidentallymeetinghiminthetown。Ifhewentoutbythebackgate，heknewhisownnaturewellenoughtodoubthisabilitytopasstheroomofthedreamwithoutenteringitagain。Butoneotherwayremained:thewaywhichhehadtaken，andthenabandonedagain，inthemorning。
TherewasnofearofdisturbingAllanandthemajor’sdaughternow。Withoutfurtherhesitation，Midwintersetforththroughthegardenstoexploretheopencountryonthatsideoftheestate。
Thrownoffitsbalancebytheeventsoftheday，hismindwasfullofthatsourlysavageresistancetotheinevitableself-assertionofwealth，soamiablydeploredbytheprosperousandtherich;sobitterlyfamiliartotheunfortunateandthepoor。“Theheather-bellcostsnothing！“hethought，lookingcontemptuouslyatthemassesofrareandbeautifulflowersthatsurroundedhim;“andthebuttercupsanddaisiesareasbrightasthebestofyou！“HefollowedtheartfullycontrivedovalsandsquaresoftheItaliangardenwithavagabondindifferencetothesymmetryoftheirconstructionandtheingenuityoftheirdesign。
“Howmanypoundsafootdid_you_cost？”hesaid，lookingbackwithscornfuleyesatthelastpathasheleftit。“Windawayoverhighandlowlikethesheep-walkonthemountainside，ifyoucan！“
HeenteredtheshrubberywhichAllanhadenteredbeforehim;
crossedthepaddockandtherusticbridgebeyond;andreachedthemajor’scottage。Hisreadymindseizedtherightconclusionatthefirstsightofit;andhestoppedbeforethegardengate，tolookatthetrimlittleresidencewhichwouldneverhavebeenempty，andwouldneverhavebeenlet，butforAllan’sill-advisedresolutiontoforcethesteward’ssituationonhisfriend。
Thesummerafternoonwaswarm;thesummerairwasfaintandstill。Ontheupperandthelowerfloorofthecottagethewindowswereallopen。Fromoneofthem，ontheupperstory，thesoundofvoiceswasstartlinglyaudibleinthequietoftheparkasMidwinterpausedontheoutersideofthegardeninclosure。
Thevoiceofawoman，harsh，high，andangrilycomplaining——avoicewithallthefreshnessandthemelodygone，andwithnothingbutthehardpowerofitleft——wasthediscordantlypredominantsound。Withit，frommomenttomoment，theremingledthedeeperandquietertones，soothingandcompassionate，ofthevoiceofaman。AlthoughthedistancewastoogreattoallowMidwintertodistinguishthewordsthatwerespoken，hefelttheimproprietyofremainingwithinhearingofthevoices，andatoncesteppedforwardtocontinuehiswalk。
Atthesamemoment，thefaceofayounggirl(easilyrecognizableasthefaceofMissMilroy，fromAllan’sdescriptionofher)
appearedattheopenwindowoftheroom。Inspiteofhimself，Midwinterpausedtolookather。Theexpressionofthebrightyoungface，whichhadsmiledsoprettilyonAllan，waswearyanddisheartened。Afterlookingoutabsentlyoverthepark，shesuddenlyturnedherheadbackintotheroom，herattentionhavingbeenapparentlystruckbysomethingthathadjustbeensaidinit。“Oh，mamma，mamma。”sheexclaimed，indignantly，“how_can_
yousaysuchthings！“Thewordswerespokenclosetothewindow;
theyreachedMidwinter’sears，andhurriedhimawaybeforeheheardmore。Buttheself-disclosureofMajorMilroy’sdomesticpositionhadnotreacheditsendyet。AsMidwinterturnedthecornerofthegardenfence，atradesman’sboywashandingaparcelinatthewicketgatetothewomanservant。“Well。”saidtheboy，withtheirrepressibleimpudenceofhisclass，“howisthemissus？”Thewomanliftedherhandtoboxhisears。“Howisthemissus？”sherepeated，withanangrytossofherhead，astheboyranoff。“IfitwouldonlypleaseGodtotakethemissus，itwouldbeablessingtoeverybodyinthehouse。”
Nosuchill-omenedshadowasthishadpassedoverthebrightdomesticpictureoftheinhabitantsofthecottage，whichAllan’senthusiasmhadpaintedforthecontemplationofhisfriend。Itwasplainthatthesecretofthetenantshadbeenkeptfromthelandlordsofar。FiveminutesmoreofwalkingbroughtMidwintertotheparkgates。“AmIfatedtoseenothingandhearnothingto-day，whichcangivemeheartandhopeforthefuture？”hethought，asheangrilyswungbackthelodgegate。“EventhepeopleAllanhasletthecottagetoarepeoplewhoselivesareimbitteredbyahouseholdmiserywhichitis_my_misfortunetohavefoundout！“
Hetookthefirstroadthatlaybeforehim，andwalkedon，noticinglittle，immersedinhisownthoughts。
Morethananhourpassedbeforethenecessityofturningbackenteredhismind。Assoonastheideaoccurredtohim，heconsultedhiswatch，anddeterminedtoretracehissteps，soastobeatthehouseingoodtimetomeetAllanonhisreturn。Tenminutesofwalkingbroughthimbacktoapointatwhichthreeroadsmet，andonemoment’sobservationoftheplacesatisfiedhimthathehadentirelyfailedtonoticeatthetimebywhichofthethreeroadshehadadvanced。Nosign-postwastobeseen;thecountryoneithersidewaslonelyandflat，intersectedbybroaddrainsandditches。Cattleweregrazinghereandthere，andawindmillroseinthedistanceabovethepollardwillowsthatfringedthelowhorizon。Butnotahousewastobeseen，andnotahumancreatureappearedonthevisibleperspectiveofanyoneofthethreeroads。Midwinterglancedbackintheonlydirectionlefttolookat——thedirectionoftheroadalongwhichhehadjustbeenwalking。There，tohisrelief，wasthefigureofaman，rapidlyadvancingtowardhim，ofwhomhecouldaskhisway。
Thefigurecameon，cladfromheadtofootindrearyblack——amovingblotonthebrilliantwhitesurfaceofthesun-brightenedroad。Hewasalean，elderly，miserablyrespectableman。Heworeapooroldblackdress-coat，andacheapbrownwig，whichmadenopretenseofbeinghisownnaturalhair。Shortblacktrousersclunglikeattachedoldservantsroundhiswizenlegs;andrustyblackgaitershidalltheycouldofhisknobbed，ungainlyfeet。
Blackcrapeaddeditsmitetothedecayedanddingywretchednessofhisoldbeaverhat;blackmohairintheobsoleteformofastockdrearilyencircledhisneckandroseashighashishaggardjaws。Theonemorselofcolorhecarriedabouthimwasalawyer’sbagofblueserge，asleanandlimpashimself。Theoneattractivefeatureinhisclean-shaven，wearyoldfacewasaneatsetofteeth——teeth(ashonestashiswig)whichsaidplainlytoallinquiringeyes，“Wepassournightsonhislooking-glass，andourdaysinhismouth。”
Allthelittlebloodintheman’sbodyfaintlyreddenedhisfleshlesscheeksasMidwinteradvancedtomeethim，andaskedthewaytoThorpeAmbrose。Hisweak，wateryeyeslookedhitherandthitherinabewildermentpainfultosee。Ifhehadmetwithalioninsteadofaman，andifthefewwordsaddressedtohimhadbeenwordsexpressingathreatinsteadofaquestion，hecouldhardlyhavelookedmoreconfusedandalarmedthanhelookednow。
Forthefirsttimeinhislife，Midwintersawhisownshyuneasinessinthepresenceofstrangersreflected，withtenfoldintensityofnervoussuffering，inthefaceofanotherman——andthatmanoldenoughtobehisfather。
“Whichdoyoupleasetomean，sir——thetownorthehouse？Ibegyourpardonforasking，buttheybothgobythesamenameintheseparts。”
Hespokewithatimidgentlenessoftone，aningratiatorysmile，andananxiouscourtesyofmanner，alldistressinglysuggestiveofhisbeingaccustomedtoreceiveroughanswersinexchangeforhisownpolitenessfromthepersonswhomhehabituallyaddressed。
“Iwasnotawarethatboththehouseandthetownwentbythesamename。”saidMidwinter;“Imeantthehouse。”Heinstinctivelyconqueredhisownshynessasheansweredinthosewords，speakingwithacordialityofmannerwhichwasveryrarewithhiminhisintercoursewithstrangers。
Themanofmiserablerespectabilityseemedtofeelthewarmreturnofhisownpolitenessgratefully;hebrightenedandtookalittlecourage。Hisleanforefingerpointedeagerlytotherightroad。“Thatway，sir。”hesaid，“andwhenyoucometotworoadsnext，pleasetaketheleftoneofthetwo。IamsorryIhavebusinesstheotherway，Imeaninthetown。Ishouldhavebeenhappytogowithyouandshowyou。Finesummerweather，sir，forwalking？Youcan’tmissyourwayifyoukeeptotheleft。Oh，don’tmentionit！I’mafraidIhavedetainedyou，sir。Iwishyouapleasantwalkback，and——good-morning。”
Bythetimehehadmadeanendofspeaking(underanimpressionapparentlythatthemorehetalkedthemorepolitehewouldbe)
hehadlosthiscourageagain。Hedartedawaydownhisownroad，asifMidwinter’sattempttothankhiminvolvedaseriesoftrialstooterribletoconfront。Intwominutesmore，hisblackretreatingfigurehadlessenedinthedistancetillitlookedagain，whatithadoncelookedalready，amovingblotonthebrilliantwhitesurfaceofthesun-brightenedroad。
ThemanranstrangelyinMidwinter’sthoughtswhilehetookhiswaybacktothehouse。Hewasatalosstoaccountforit。Itneveroccurredtohimthathemighthavebeeninsensiblyremindedofhimself，whenhesawtheplaintracesofpastmisfortuneandpresentnervoussufferinginthepoorwretch’sface。Heblindlyresentedhisownperverseinterestinthischancefootpassengeronthehigh-road，ashehadresentedallelsethathadhappenedtohimsincethebeginningoftheday。“HaveImadeanotherunluckydiscovery？”heaskedhimself，impatiently。“ShallIseethismanagain，Iwonder？Whocanhebe？”
Timewastoanswerboththosequestionsbeforemanydaysmorehadpassedovertheinquirer’shead。
AllanhadnotreturnedwhenMidwinterreachedthehouse。Nothinghadhappenedbutthearrivalofamessageofapologyfromthecottage。“MajorMilroy’scompliments，andhewassorrythatMrs。
