第16章

Thestrangercameon，withthelithe，lightstepofapracticedwalker，swingingastickinhishandandcarryingaknapsackonhisshoulders。Afewpacesnearer，andhisfacebecamevisible。

Hewasadarkman，hisblackhairwaspowderedwithdust，andhisblackeyeswerelookingsteadfastlyforwardalongtheroadbeforehim。

MissGwiltadvancedwiththefirstsignsofagitationshehadshownyet。“Isitpossible？”shesaid，softly。“Canitreallybeyou？”

ItwasMidwinter，onhiswaybacktoThorpeAmbrose，afterhisfortnightamongtheYorkshiremoors。

Hestoppedandlookedather，inbreathlesssurprise。Theimageofthewomanhadbeeninhisthoughts，atthemomentwhenthewomanherselfspoketohim。“MissGwilt！“heexclaimed，andmechanicallyheldouthishand。

Shetookit，andpresseditgently。“Ishouldhavebeengladtoseeyouatanytime。”shesaid。“Youdon’tknowhowgladIamtoseeyounow。MayItroubleyoutospeaktothatman？Hehasbeenfollowingme，andannoyingmeallthewayfromthetown。”

Midwintersteppedpastherwithoututteringaword。Faintasthelightwas，thespysawwhatwascominginhisface，and，turninginstantly，leapedtheditchbytheroad-side。BeforeMidwintercouldfollow，MissGwilt’shandwasonhisshoulder。

“No。”shesaid，“youdon’tknowwhohisemployeris。”

Midwinterstoppedandlookedather。

“Strangethingshavehappenedsinceyouleftus。”shewenton。“I

havebeenforcedtogiveupmysituation，andIamfollowedandwatchedbyapaidspy。Don’taskwhoforcedmeoutofmysituation，andwhopaysthespy——atleastnotjustyet。Ican’tmakeupmymindtotellyoutillIamalittlemorecomposed。Letthewretchgo。Doyoumindseeingmesafebacktomylodging？

It’sinyourwayhome。MayI——mayIaskforthesupportofyourarm？Mylittlestockofcourageisquiteexhausted。”Shetookhisarmandclungclosetoit。ThewomanwhohadtyrannizedoverMr。

Bashwoodwasgone，andthewomanwhohadtossedthespy’shatintothepoolwasgone。Atimid，shrinking，interestingcreaturefilledthefairskinandtrembledonthesymmetricallimbsofMissGwilt。Sheputherhandkerchieftohereyes。“Theysaynecessityhasnolaw。”shemurmured，faintly。“Iamtreatingyoulikeanoldfriend。GodknowsIwantone！“

Theywentontowardthetown。Sherecoveredherselfwithatouchingfortitude;sheputherhandkerchiefbackinherpocket，andpersistedinturningtheconversationonMidwinter’swalkingtour。“Itisbadenoughtobeaburdenonyou。”shesaid，gentlypressingonhisarmasshespoke;“Imustn’tdistressyouaswell。Tellmewhereyouhavebeen，andwhatyouhaveseen。

Interestmeinyourjourney;helpmetoescapefrommyself。”

Theyreachedthemodestlittlelodginginthemiserablelittlesuburb。MissGwiltsighed，andremovedherglovebeforeshetookMidwinter’shand。“Ihavetakenrefugehere。”shesaid，simply。

“Itiscleanandquiet;Iamtoopoortowantorexpectmore。Wemustsaygood-by，Isuppose，unless“——shehesitatedmodestly，andsatisfiedherselfbyaquicklookroundthattheywereunobserved——“unlessyouwouldliketocomeinandrestalittle？

Ifeelsogratefullytowardyou，Mr。Midwinter！Isthereanyharm，doyouthink，inmyofferingyouacupoftea？”

Themagneticinfluenceofhertouchwasthrillingthroughhimwhileshespoke。Changeandabsence，towhichhehadtrustedtoweakenherholdonhim，hadtreacherouslystrengtheneditinstead。Amanexceptionallysensitive，amanexceptionallypureinhispastlife，hestoodhandinhand，inthetemptingsecrecyofthenight，withthefirstwomanwhohadexercisedoverhimtheall-absorbinginfluenceofhersex。Athisage，andinhisposition，whocouldhavelefther？Theman(withaman’stemperament)doesn’tlivewhocouldhavelefther。Midwinterwentin。

Astupid，sleepyladopenedthehousedoor。Evenhe，beingamalecreature，brightenedundertheinfluenceofMissGwilt。“Theurn，John。”shesaid，kindly，“andanothercupandsaucer。I’llborrowyourcandletolightmycandlesupstairs，andthenIwon’ttroubleyouanymoreto-night。”Johnwaswakefulandactiveinaninstant。“Notrouble，miss。”hesaid，withawkwardcivility。MissGwilttookhiscandlewithasmile。“Howgoodpeoplearetome！“

shewhispered，innocently，toMidwinter，assheledthewayupstairstothelittledrawing-roomonthefirstfloor。

Shelitthecandles，and，turningquicklyonherguest，stoppedhimatthefirstattempthemadetoremovetheknapsackfromhisshoulders。“No。”shesaid，gently;“inthegoodoldtimestherewereoccasionswhentheladiesunarmedtheirknights。Iclaimtheprivilegeofunarming_my_knight。”Herdexterousfingersinterceptedhisatthestrapsandbuckles，andshehadthedustyknapsackoff，beforehecouldprotestagainsthertouchingit。

Theysatdownattheonelittletableintheroom。Itwasverypoorlyfurnished;buttherewassomethingofthedaintyneatnessofthewomanwhoinhabiteditinthearrangementofthefewpoorornamentsonthechimney-piece，intheoneortwoprettilyboundvolumesonthechiffonier，intheflowersonthetable，andthemodestlittlework-basketinthewindow。“Womenarenotallcoquettes。”shesaid，asshetookoffherbonnetandmantilla，andlaidthemcarefullyonachair。“Iwon’tgointomyroom，andlookinmyglass，andmakemyselfsmart;youshalltakemejustasIam。”Herhandsmovedaboutamongthetea-thingswithasmooth，noiselessactivity。

Hermagnificenthairflashedcrimsoninthecandle-light，assheturnedherheadhitherandthither，searchingwithaneasygraceforthethingsshewantedinthetray。Exercisehadheightenedthebrilliancyofhercomplexion，andhadquickenedtherapidalternationsofexpressioninhereyes——thedeliciouslanguorthatstoleoverthemwhenshewaslisteningorthinking，thebrightintelligencethatflashedfromthemsoftlywhenshespoke。

Inthelightestwordshesaid，intheleastthingshedid，therewassomethingthatgentlysolicitedtheheartofthemanwhosatwithher。Perfectlymodestinhermanner，possessedtoperfectionofthegracefulrestraintsandrefinementsofalady，shehadalltheallurementsthatfeasttheeye，allthesireninvitationsthatseducethesense——asubtlesuggestivenessinhersilence，andasexualsorceryinhersmile。

“ShouldIbewrong。”sheasked，suddenlysuspendingtheconversationwhichshehadthusfarpersistentlyrestrictedtothesubjectofMidwinter’swalkingtour，“ifIguessedthatyouhavesomethingonyourmind——somethingwhichneithermyteanormytalkcancharmaway？Aremenascuriousaswomen？Isthesomething——Me？”

Midwinterstruggledagainstthefascinationoflookingatherandlisteningtoher。“IamveryanxioustohearwhathashappenedsinceIhavebeenaway。”hesaid。“ButIamstillmoreanxious，MissGwilt，nottodistressyoubyspeakingofapainfulsubject。”

Shelookedathimgratefully。“ItisforyoursakethatIhaveavoidedthepainfulsubject。”shesaid，toyingwithherspoonamongthedregsinheremptycup。“Butyouwillhearaboutitfromothers，ifyoudon’thearaboutitfromme;andyououghttoknowwhyyoufoundmeinthatstrangesituation，andwhyyouseemehere。Prayrememberonething，tobeginwith。Idon’tblameyourfriend，Mr。Armadale。Iblamethepeoplewhoseinstrumentheis。”

Midwinterstarted。“Isitpossible。”hebegan，“thatAllancanbeinanywayanswerable——？”Hestopped，andlookedatMissGwiltinsilentastonishment。

Shegentlylaidherhandonhis。“Don’tbeangrywithmeforonlytellingthetruth。”shesaid。“Yourfriendisanswerableforeverythingthathashappenedtome——innocentlyanswerable，Mr。

Midwinter，Ifirmlybelieve。Wearebothvictims。_He_isthevictimofhispositionastherichestsinglemanintheneighborhood;andIamthevictimofMissMilroy’sdeterminationtomarryhim。”

“MissMilroy？”repeatedMidwinter，moreandmoreastonished。

“Why，Allanhimselftoldme——“Hestoppedagain。

“HetoldyouthatIwastheobjectofhisadmiration？Poorfellow，headmireseverybody;hisheadisalmostasemptyasthis。”saidMissGwilt，smilingindicativelyintothehollowofhercup。Shedroppedthespoon，sighed，andbecameseriousagain。

“Iamguiltyofthevanityofhavinglethimadmireme。”shewenton，penitently，“withouttheexcuseofbeingable，onmyside，toreciprocateeventhepassinginterestthathefeltinme。Idon’tundervaluehismanyadmirablequalities，ortheexcellentpositionhecanoffertohiswife。Butawoman’sheartisnottobecommanded——no，Mr。Midwinter，notevenbythefortunatemasterofThorpeAmbrose，whocommandseverythingelse。”

Shelookedhimfullinthefaceassheutteredthatmagnanimoussentiment。Hiseyesdroppedbeforehers，andhisdarkcolordeepened。HehadfelthisheartleapinhimatthedeclarationofherindifferencetoAllan。Forthefirsttimesincetheyhadknowneachother，hisinterestsnowstoodself-revealedbeforehimasopenlyadversetotheinterestsofhisfriend。

“IhavebeenguiltyofthevanityoflettingMr。Armadaleadmireme，andIhavesufferedforit。”resumedMissGwilt。“Iftherehadbeenanyconfidencebetweenmypupilandme，ImighthaveeasilysatisfiedherthatshemightbecomeMrs。Armadale——ifshecould——withouthavinganyrivalrytofearonmypart。ButMissMilroydislikedanddistrustedmefromthefirst。Shetookherownjealousview，nodoubt，ofMr。Armadale’sthoughtlessattentionstome。Itwasherinteresttodestroytheposition，suchasitwas，thatIheldinhisestimation;anditisquitelikelyhermotherassistedher。Mrs。Milroyhadhermotivealso(whichIamreallyashamedtomention)forwishingtodrivemeoutofthehouse。Anyhow，theconspiracyhassucceeded。Ihavebeenforced(withMr。Armadale’shelp)toleavethemajor’sservice。Don’tbeangry，Mr。Midwinter！Don’tformahastyopinion！IdaresayMissMilroyhassomegoodqualities，thoughI

havenotfoundthemout;andIassureyouagainandagainthatI

don’tblameMr。Armadale。Ionlyblamethepeoplewhoseinstrumentheis。”

“Howishetheirinstrument？Howcanhebetheinstrumentofanyenemyofyours？”askedMidwinter。“Prayexcusemyanxiety，MissGwilt:Allan’sgoodnameisasdeartomeasmyown！“

MissGwilt’seyesturnedfullonhimagain，andMissGwilt’sheartabandoneditselfinnocentlytoanoutburstofenthusiasm。

“HowIadmireyourearnestness！“shesaid。“HowIlikeyouranxietyforyourfriend！Oh，ifwomencouldonlyformsuchfriendships！Ohyouhappy，happymen！“Hervoicefaltered，andherconvenienttea-cupabsorbedherforthethirdtime。“IwouldgiveallthelittlebeautyIpossess。”shesaid，“ifIcouldonlyfindsuchafriendasMr。Armadalehasfoundin_you。_Inevershall，Mr。Midwinter——Inevershall。Letusgobacktowhatweweretalkingabout。Icanonlytellyouhowyourfriendisconcernedinmymisfortunebytellingyousomethingfirstaboutmyself。Iamlikemanyothergovernesses;Iamthevictimofsaddomesticcircumstances。Itmaybeweakofme，butIhaveahorrorofalludingtothemamongstrangers。Mysilenceaboutmyfamilyandmyfriendsexposesmetomisinterpretationinmydependentposition。Doesitdomeanyharm，Mr。Midwinter，inyourestimation？”

“Godforbid！“saidMidwinter，fervently。“Thereisnomanliving。”hewenton，thinkingofhisownfamilystory，“whohasbetterreasontounderstandandrespectyoursilencethanI

have。”

MissGwiltseizedhishandimpulsively。“Oh。”shesaid，“Iknewit，thefirstmomentIsawyou！Iknewthatyou，too，hadsuffered;thatyou，too，hadsorrowswhichyoukeptsacred！

Strange，strangesympathy！Ibelieveinmesmerism——doyou？”Shesuddenlyrecollectedherself，andshuddered。“Oh，whathaveI

done？Whatmustyouthinkofme？”sheexclaimed，asheyieldedtothemagneticfascinationofhertouch，and，forgettingeverythingbutthehandthatlaywarminhisown，bentoveritandkissedit。“Spareme！“shesaid，faintly，asshefelttheburningtouchofhislips。“Iamsofriendless——Iamsocompletelyatyourmercy！“

Heturnedawayfromher，andhidhisfaceinhishands;hewastrembling，andshesawit。Shelookedathimwhilehisfacewashiddenfromher;shelookedathimwithafurtiveinterestandsurprise。“Howthatmanlovesme！“shethought。“IwonderwhethertherewasatimewhenImighthaveloved_him？_“

Thesilencebetweenthemremainedunbrokenforsomeminutes。Hehadfeltherappealtohisconsiderationasshehadneverexpectedorintendedhimtofeelit——heshrankfromlookingatherorfromspeakingtoheragain。

“ShallIgoonwithmystory？”sheasked。“Shallweforgetandforgiveonbothsides？”Awoman’sinveterateindulgenceforeveryexpressionofaman’sadmirationwhichkeepswithinthelimitsofpersonalrespectcurvedherlipsgentlyintoacharmingsmile。

Shelookeddownmeditativelyatherdress，andbrushedacrumboffherlapwithalittleflatteringsigh。“Iwastellingyou。”

shewenton，“ofmyreluctancetospeaktostrangersofmysadfamilystory。Itwasinthatway，asIafterwardfoundout，thatIlaidmyselfopentoMissMilroy’smaliceandMissMilroy’ssuspicion。Privateinquiriesaboutmewereaddressedtotheladywhowasmyreference——atMissMilroy’ssuggestion，inthefirstinstance，Ihavenodoubt。Iamsorrytosay，thisisnottheworstofit。Bysomeunderhandmeans，ofwhichIamquiteignorant，Mr。Armadale’ssimplicitywasimposedon;and，whenapplicationwasmadesecretlytomyreferenceinLondon，itwasmade，Mr。Midwinter，throughyourfriend。”

Midwintersuddenlyrosefromhischairandlookedather。Thefascinationthatsheexercisedoverhim，powerfulasitwas，becameasuspendedinfluence，nowthattheplaindisclosurecameplainlyatlastfromherlips。Helookedather，andsatdownagain，likeamanbewildered，withoututteringaword。

“Rememberhowweakheis。”pleadedMissGwilt，gently，“andmakeallowancesforhimasIdo。Thetriflingaccidentofhisfailingtofindmyreferenceattheaddressgivenhimseems，Ican’timaginewhy，tohaveexcitedMr。Armadale’ssuspicion。Atanyrate，heremainedinLondon。Whathedidthere，itisimpossibleformetosay。Iwasquiteinthedark;Iknewnothing:I

distrustednobody;IwasashappyinmylittleroundofdutiesasIcouldbewithapupilwhoseaffectionsIhadfailedtowin，when，onemorning，tomyindescribableastonishment，MajorMilroyshowedmeacorrespondencebetweenMr。Armadaleandhimself。Hespoketomeinhiswife’spresence。Poorcreature，Imakenocomplaintofher;suchafflictionasshesuffersexcuseseverything。IwishIcouldgiveyousomeideaofthelettersbetweenMajorMilroyandMr。Armadale;butmyheadisonlyawoman’shead，andIwassoconfusedanddistressedatthetime！AllIcantellyouisthatMr。ArmadalechosetopreservesilenceabouthisproceedingsinLondon，undercircumstanceswhichmadethatsilenceareflectiononmycharacter。Themajorwasmostkind;hisconfidenceinmeremainedunshaken;butcouldhisconfidenceprotectmeagainsthiswife’sprejudiceandhisdaughter’sill-will？Oh，thehardnessofwomentoeachother！Oh，thehumiliationifmenonlyknewsomeofusaswereallyare！

WhatcouldIdo？Icouldn’tdefendmyselfagainstmereimputations;andIcouldn’tremaininmysituationafteraslurhadbeencastonme。Mypride(Heavenhelpme，Iwasbroughtuplikeagentlewoman，andIhavesensibilitiesthatarenotbluntedevenyet！)——mypridegotthebetterofme，andIleftmyplace。

Don’tletitdistressyou，Mr。Midwinter！There’sabrightsidetothepicture。Theladiesintheneighborhoodhaveoverwhelmedmewithkindness;Ihavetheprospectofgettingpupilstoteach;

Iamsparedthemortificationofgoingbacktobeaburdenonmyfriends。TheonlycomplaintIhavetomakeis，Ithink，ajustone。Mr。ArmadalehasbeenbackatThorpeAmbroseforsomedays。

Ihaveentreatedhim，byletter，tograntmeaninterview;totellmewhatdreadfulsuspicionshehasofme，andtoletmesetmyselfrightinhisestimation。Wouldyoubelieveit？Hehasdeclinedtoseeme——undertheinfluenceofothers，notofhisownfreewill，Iamsure！Cruel，isn’tit？Buthehasevenusedmemorecruellystill;hepersistsinsuspectingme;itishewhoishavingmewatched。Oh，Mr。Midwinter，don’thatemefortellingyouwhatyou_must_know！Themanyoufoundpersecutingmeandfrighteningmetonightwasonlyearninghismoney，afterall，asMr。Armadale’sspy。”

OncemoreMidwinterstartedtohisfeet;andthistimethethoughtsthatwereinhimfoundtheirwayintowords。

“Ican’tbelieveit;Iwon’tbelieveit！“heexclaimed，indignantly。“Ifthemantoldyouthat，themanlied。Ibegyourpardon，MissGwilt;Ibegyourpardonfromthebottomofmyheart。Don’t，praydon’tthinkIdoubt_you;_Ionlysaythereissomedreadfulmistake。IamnotsurethatIunderstandasIoughtallthatyouhavetoldme。ButthislastinfamousmeannessofwhichyouthinkAllanguilty，I_do_understand。Isweartoyou，heisincapableofit！Somescoundrelhasbeentakingadvantageofhim;somescoundrelhasbeenusinghisname。I’llproveittoyou，ifyouwillonlygivemetime。Letmegoandclearitupatonce。Ican’trest;Ican’tbeartothinkofit;Ican’tevenenjoythepleasureofbeinghere。Oh。”heburstoutdesperately，“I’msureyoufeelforme，afterwhatyouhavesaid——Ifeelsofor_you！_“

Hestoppedinconfusion。MissGwilt’seyeswerelookingathimagain，andMissGwilt’shandhadfounditswayoncemoreintohisown。

“Youarethemostgenerousoflivingmen。”shesaid，softly。“I

willbelievewhatyoutellmetobelieve。Go。”sheadded，inawhisper，suddenlyreleasinghishand，andturningawayfromhim。

“Forbothoursakes，go！“

Hisheartbeatfast;helookedatherasshedroppedintoachairandputherhandkerchieftohereyes。Foronemomenthehesitated;thenext，hesnatcheduphisknapsackfromthefloor，andleftherprecipitately，withoutabackwardlookorapartingword。

Sherosewhenthedoorclosedonhim。Achangecameoverhertheinstantshewasalone。Thecolorfadedoutofhercheeks;thebeautydiedoutofhereyes;herfacehardenedhorriblywithasilentdespair。“It’sevenbaserworkthanIbargainedfor。”shesaid，“todeceive_him。_“Afterpacingtoandfrointheroomforsomeminutes，shestoppedwearilybeforetheglassoverthefire-place。“Youstrangecreature！“shemurmured，leaningherelbowsonthemantelpiece，andlanguidlyaddressingthereflectionofherselfintheglass。“Haveyougotanyconscienceleft？Andhasthatmanrousedit？”

Thereflectionofherfacechangedslowly。Thecolorreturnedtohercheeks，thedeliciouslanguorbegantosuffusehereyesagain。Herlipspartedgently，andherquickeningbreathbegantodimthesurfaceoftheglass。Shedrewbackfromit，afteramoment’sabsorptioninherownthoughts，withastartofterror。

“WhatamIdoing？”sheaskedherself，inasuddenpanicofastonishment。“AmImadenoughtobethinkingofhimin_that_

way？”

Sheburstintoamockinglaugh，andopenedherdeskonthetablerecklesslywithabang。“It’shightimeIhadsometalkwithMotherJezebel。”shesaid，andsatdowntowritetoMrs。

Oldershaw。

“IhavemetwithMr。Midwinter。”shebegan，“underveryluckycircumstances;andIhavemadethemostofmyopportunity。HehasjustleftmeforhisfriendArmadale;andoneoftwogoodthingswillhappento-morrow。Iftheydon’tquarrel，thedoorsofThorpeAmbrosewillbeopenedtomeagainatMr。Midwinter’sintercession。Iftheydoquarrel，Ishallbetheunhappycauseofit，andIshallfindmywayinformyself，onthepurelyChristianerrandofreconcilingthem。”

Shehesitatedatthenextsentence，wrotethefirstfewwordsofit，scratchedthemoutagain，andpetulantlytoretheletterintofragments，andthrewthepentotheotherendoftheroom。

Turningquicklyonherchair，shelookedattheseatwhichMidwinterhadoccupied，herfootrestlesslytappingthefloor，andherhandkerchiefthrustlikeagagbetweenherclinchedteeth。“Youngasyouare。”shethought，withhermindrevivingtheimageofhimintheemptychair，“therehasbeensomethingoutofthecommonin_your_life;andImustandwillknowit！“

Thehouseclockstruckthehour，androusedher。Shesighed，and，walkingbacktotheglass，wearilyloosenedthefasteningsofherdress;wearilyremovedthestudsfromthechemisettebeneathit，andputthemonthechimney-piece。Shelookedindolentlyatthereflectedbeautiesofherneckandbosom，assheunplaitedherhairandthrewitbackinonegreatmassoverhershoulders。

“Fancy。”shethought，“ifhesawmenow！“Sheturnedbacktothetable，andsighedagainassheextinguishedoneofthecandlesandtooktheotherinherhand。“Midwinter？”shesaid，asshepassedthroughthefolding-doorsoftheroomtoherbed-chamber。

“Idon’tbelieveinhisname，tobeginwith！“

ThenighthadadvancedbymorethananhourbeforeMidwinterwasbackagainatthegreathouse。

Twice，wellasthehomewardwaywasknowntohim，hehadstrayedoutoftherightroad。Theeventsoftheevening——theinterviewwithMissGwiltherself，afterhisfortnight’ssolitarythinkingofher;theextraordinarychangethathadtakenplaceinherpositionsincehehadseenherlast;andthestartlingassertionofAllan’sconnectionwithit——hadallconspiredtothrowhismindintoastateofungovernableconfusion。Thedarknessofthecloudynightaddedtohisbewilderment。EventhefamiliargatesofThorpeAmbroseseemedstrangetohim。Whenhetriedtothinkofit，itwasamysterytohimhowhehadreachedtheplace。

Thefrontofthehousewasdark，andclosedforthenight。

Midwinterwentroundtotheback。Thesoundofmen’svoices，asheadvanced，caughthisear。Theyweresoondistinguishableasthevoicesofthefirstandsecondfootman，andthesubjectofconversationbetweenthemwastheirmaster。

“I’llbetyouanevenhalf-crownhe’sdrivenoutoftheneighborhoodbeforeanotherweekisoverhishead。”saidthefirstfootman。

“Done！“saidthesecond。“Heisn’taseasydrivenasyouthink。”

“Isn’the！“retortedtheother。“He’llbemobbedifhestopshere！Itellyouagain，he’snotsatisfiedwiththemesshe’sgotintoalready。Iknowitforcertain，he’shavingthegovernesswatched。”

Atthosewords，Midwintermechanicallycheckedhimselfbeforeheturnedthecornerofthehouse。HisfirstdoubtoftheresultofhismeditatedappealtoAllanranthroughhimlikeasuddenchill。Theinfluenceexercisedbythevoiceofpublicscandalisaforcewhichacts。inoppositiontotheordinarylawofmechanics。Itisstrongest，notbyconcentration，butbydistribution。Totheprimarysoundwemayshutourears;butthereverberationofitinechoesisirresistible。Onhiswayback，Midwinter’sonedesirehadbeentofindAllanup，andtospeaktohimimmediately。Hisonehopenowwastogaintimetocontendwiththenewdoubtsandtosilencethenewmisgivings;hisonepresentanxietywastohearthatAllanhadgonetobed。Heturnedthecornerofthehouse，andpresentedhimselfbeforethemensmokingtheirpipesinthebackgarden。Assoonastheirastonishmentallowedthemtospeak，theyofferedtorousetheirmaster。Allanhadgivenhisfriendupforthatnight，andhadgonetobedabouthalfanhoursince。

“Itwasmymaster’s’particularorder，sir。”saidthehead-footman，“thathewastobetoldofitifyoucameback。”

“Itis_my_particularrequest。”returnedMidwinter，“thatyouwon’tdisturbhim。”

Themenlookedateachotherwonderingly，ashetookhiscandleandleftthem。

CHAPTERVIII。

SHECOMESBETWEENTHEM。

APPOINTEDhoursforthevariousdomesticeventsofthedaywerethingsunknownatThorpeAmbrose。Irregularinallhishabits，Allanaccommodatedhimselftonostatedtimes(withthesolitaryexceptionofdinner-time)atanyhourofthedayornight。Heretiredtorestearlyorlate，andheroseearlyorlate，exactlyashefeltinclined。Theservantswereforbiddentocallhim;andMrs。Gripperwasaccustomedtoimprovisethebreakfastasshebestmight，fromthetimewhenthekitchenfirewasfirstlightedtothetimewhentheclockstoodonthestrokeofnoon。

Towardnineo’clockonthemorningafterhisreturnMidwinterknockedatAllan’sdoor，andonenteringtheroomfounditempty。

Afterinquiryamongtheservants，itappearedthatAllanhadrisenthatmorningbeforethemanwhousuallyattendedonhimwasup，andthathishotwaterhadbeenbroughttothedoorbyoneofthehouse-maids，whowasthenstillinignoranceofMidwinter’sreturn。Nobodyhadchancedtoseethemaster，eitheronthestairsorinthehall;nobodyhadheardhimringthebellforbreakfast，asusual。Inbrief，nobodyknewanythingabouthim，exceptwhatwasobviouslycleartoall——thathewasnotinthehouse。

Midwinterwentoutunderthegreatportico。Hestoodattheheadoftheflightofstepsconsideringinwhichdirectionheshouldsetforthtolookforhisfriend。Allan’sunexpectedabsenceaddedonemoretothedisquietinginfluenceswhichstillperplexedhismind。Hewasinthemoodinwhichtriflesirritateaman，andfanciesareall-powerfultoexaltordepresshisspirits。

Theskywascloudy;andthewindblewinpuffsfromthesouth;

therewaseveryprospect，toweather-wiseeyes，ofcomingrain。

WhileMidwinterwasstillhesitating，oneofthegroomspassedhimonthedrivebelow。Themanproved，onbeingquestioned，tobebetterinformedabouthismaster’smovementsthantheservantsindoors。HehadseenAllanpassthestablesmorethananhoursince，goingoutbythebackwayintotheparkwithanosegayinhishand。

Anosegayinhishand？ThenosegayhungincomprehensiblyonMidwinter’smindashewalkedround，onthechanceofmeetingAllan，tothebackofthehouse。“Whatdoesthenosegaymean？”heaskedhimself，withanunintelligiblesenseofirritation，andapetulantkickatastonethatstoodinhisway。

ItmeantthatAllanhadbeenfollowinghisimpulsesasusual。TheonepleasantimpressionleftonhismindafterhisinterviewwithPedgiftSeniorwastheimpressionmadebythelawyer’saccountofhisconversationwithNeelieinthepark。Theanxietythatheshouldnotmisjudgeher，whichthemajor’sdaughterhadsoearnestlyexpressed，placedherbeforeAllan’seyesinanirresistiblyattractivecharacter——thecharacteroftheonepersonamongallhisneighborswhohadsomerespectstillleftforhisgoodopinion。Acutelysensibleofhissocialisolation，nowthattherewasnoMidwintertokeephimcompanyintheemptyhouse，hungeringandthirstinginhissolitudeforakindwordandafriendlylook，hebegantothinkmoreandmoreregretfullyandmoreandmorelonginglyofthebrightyoungfacesopleasantlyassociatedwithhisfirsthappiestdaysatThorpeAmbrose。Tobeconsciousofsuchafeelingasthiswas，withacharacterlikeAllan’s，toactonitheadlong，leadhimwhereitmight。HehadgoneoutonthepreviousmorningtolookforNeeliewithapeace-offeringofflowers，butwithnoverydistinctideaofwhatheshouldsaytoheriftheymet;andfailingtofindheronthesceneofhercustomarywalks，hehadcharacteristicallypersistedthenextmorninginmakingasecondattemptwithanotherpeace-offeringonalargerscale。Stillignorantofhisfriend’sreturn，hewasnowatsomedistancefromthehouse，searchingtheparkinadirectionwhichhehadnottriedyet。

Afterwalkingoutafewhundredyardsbeyondthestables，andfailingtodiscoveranysignsofAllan，Midwinterretracedhissteps，andwaitedforhisfriend’sreturn，pacingslowlytoandfroonthelittlestripofgardengroundatthebackofthehouse。

Fromtimetotime，ashepassedit，helookedinabsentlyattheroomwhichhadformerlybeenMrs。Armadale’s，whichwasnow(throughhisinterposition)habituallyoccupiedbyherson——theroomwiththeStatuetteonthebracket，andtheFrenchwindowsopeningtotheground，whichhadoncerecalledtohimtheSecondVisionoftheDream。TheShadowoftheMan，whichAllanhadseenstandingoppositetohimatthelongwindow;theviewoveralawnandflower-garden;thepatteringoftherainagainsttheglass;

thestretchingoutoftheShadow’sarm，andthefallofthestatueinfragmentsonthefloor——theseobjectsandeventsofthevisionaryscene，sovividlypresenttohismemoryonce，wereallsupersededbylaterremembrancesnow，werealllefttofadeastheymightinthedimbackgroundoftime。Hecouldpasstheroomagainandagain，aloneandanxious，andneveroncethinkoftheboatdriftingawayinthemoonlight，andthenight’simprisonmentontheWreckedShip！

Towardteno’clockthewell-rememberedsoundofAllan’svoicebecamesuddenlyaudibleinthedirectionofthestables。Inamomentmorehewasvisiblefromthegarden。Hissecondmorning’ssearchforNeeliehadendedtoallappearanceinaseconddefeatofhisobject。Thenosegaywasstillinhishand;andhewasresignedlymakingapresentofittooneofthecoachman’schildren。

Midwinterimpulsivelytookastepforwardtowardthestables，andabruptlycheckedhisfurtherprogress。

ConsciousthathispositiontowardhisfriendwasalteredalreadyinrelationtoMissGwilt，thefirstsightofAllanfilledhismindwithasuddendistrustofthegoverness’sinfluenceoverhim，whichwasalmostadistrustofhimself。HeknewthathehadsetforthfromthemoorsonhisreturntoThorpeAmbrosewiththeresolutionofacknowledgingthepassionthathadmasteredhim，andofinsisting，ifnecessary，onasecondandalongerabsenceintheinterestsofthesacrificewhichhewasbentonmakingtothehappinessofhisfriend。Whathadbecomeofthatresolutionnow？ThediscoveryofMissGwilt’salteredposition，andthedeclarationthatshehadvoluntarilymadeofherindifferencetoAllan，hadscatteredittothewinds。Thefirstwordswithwhichhewouldhavemethisfriend，ifnothinghadhappenedtohimonthehomewardway，werewordsalreadydismissedfromhislips。Hedrewbackashefeltit，andstruggled，withaninstinctiveloyaltytowardAllan，tofreehimselfatthelastmomentfromtheinfluenceofMissGwilt。

Havingdisposedofhisuselessnosegay，Allanpassedonintothegarden，andtheinstantheentereditrecognizedMidwinterwithaloudcryofsurpriseanddelight。

“AmIawakeordreaming？”heexclaimed，seizinghisfriendexcitablybybothhands。”YoudearoldMidwinter，haveyousprungupoutoftheground，orhaveyoudroppedfromtheclouds？”

ItwasnottillMidwinterhadexplainedthemysteryofhisunexpectedappearanceineveryparticularthatAllancouldbeprevailedontosayawordabouthimself。Whenhedidspeak，heshookhisheadruefully，andsubduedtheheartyloudnessofhisvoice，withapreliminarylookroundtoseeiftheservantswerewithinhearing。

“I’velearnedtobecautioussinceyouwentawayandleftme。”

saidAllan。“Mydearfellow，youhaven’ttheleastnotionwhatthingshavehappened，andwhatanawfulscrapeI’minatthisverymoment！“

“Youaremistaken，Allan。Ihaveheardmoreofwhathashappenedthanyousuppose。”

“What！thedreadfulmessI’minwithMissGwilt？therowwiththemajor？theinfernalscandal-mongeringintheneighborhood？Youdon’tmeantosay——？”

“Yes。”interposedMidwinter，quietly;“Ihaveheardofitall。”

“Goodheavens！how？DidyoustopatThorpeAmbroseonyourwayback？Haveyoubeeninthecoffee-roomatthehotel？HaveyoumetPedgift？HaveyoudroppedintotheReadingRooms，andseenwhattheycallthefreedomofthepressinthetownnewspaper？”

Midwinterpausedbeforeheanswered，andlookedupatthesky。

Thecloudshadbeengatheringunnoticedovertheirheads，andthefirstrain-dropswerebeginningtofall。

“Comeinhere。”saidAllan。“We’llgouptobreakfastthisway。“

HeledMidwinterthroughtheopenFrenchwindowintohisownsitting-room。Thewindblewtowardthatsideofthehouse，andtherainfollowedthemin。Midwinter，whowaslast，turnedandclosedthewindow。

Allanwastooeagerfortheanswerwhichtheweatherhadinterruptedtowaitforittilltheyreachedthebreakfast-room。

Hestoppedcloseatthewindow，andaddedtwomoretohisstringofquestions。

“HowcanyoupossiblyhaveheardaboutmeandMissGwilt？”heasked。“Whotoldyou？”

“MissGwiltherself。”repliedMidwinter，gravely。

Allan’smannerchangedthemomentthegoverness’snamepassedhisfriend’slips。

“Iwishyouhadheardmystoryfirst。”hesaid。“WheredidyoumeetwithMissGwilt？”

Therewasamomentarypause。Theybothstoodstillatthewindow，absorbedintheinterestofthemoment。Theybothforgotthattheircontemplatedplaceofshelterfromtherainhadbeenthebreakfast-roomupstairs。

“BeforeIansweryourquestion。”saidMidwinter，alittleconstrainedly，“Iwanttoaskyousomething，Allan，onmyside。

IsitreallytruethatyouareinsomewayconcernedinMissGwilt’sleavingMajorMilroy’sservice？”

Therewasanotherpause。ThedisturbancewhichhadbeguntoappearinAllan’smannerpalpablyincreased。

“It’sratheralongstory。”hebegan。“Ihavebeentakenin，Midwinter。I’vebeenimposedonbyaperson，who——Ican’thelpsayingit——whocheatedmeintopromisingwhatIoughtn’ttohavepromised，anddoingwhatIhadbetternothavedone。Itisn’tbreakingmypromisetotellyou。Icantrustinyourdiscretion，can’tI？Youwillneversayaword，willyou？”

“Stop！“saidMidwinter。“Don’ttrustmewithanysecretswhicharenotyourown。Ifyouhavegivenapromise，don’ttriflewithit，eveninspeakingtosuchanintimatefriendasIam。”HelaidhishandgentlyandkindlyonAllan’sshoulder。“Ican’thelpseeingthatIhavemadeyoualittleuncomfortable。”hewenton。

“Ican’thelpseeingthatmyquestionisnotsoeasyaonetoanswerasIhadhopedandsupposed。Shallwewaitalittle？Shallwegoupstairsandbreakfastfirst？”

AllanwasfartooearnestlybentonpresentinghisconducttohisfriendintherightaspecttoheedMidwinter’ssuggestion。Hespokeeagerlyontheinstant，withoutmovingfromthewindow。

“Mydearfellow，it’saperfectlyeasyquestiontoanswer。

Only“——hehesitated——“onlyitrequireswhatI’mabadhandat:itrequiresanexplanation。”

“Doyoumean。”askedMidwinter，moreseriously，butnotlessgentlythanbefore，“thatyoumustfirstjustifyyourself，andthenanswermyquestion？”

“That’sit！“saidAllan，withanairofrelief。“You’rehittherightnailonthehead，justasusual。”

Midwinter’sfacedarkenedforthefirsttime。“Iamsorrytohearit。”hesaid，hisvoicesinkinglow，andhiseyesdroppingtothegroundashespoke。

Therainwasbeginningtofallthickly。Itsweptacrossthegarden，straightontheclosedwindows，andpatteredheavilyagainsttheglass。

“Sorry！“repeatedAllan。“Mydearfellow，youhaven’theardtheparticularsyet。WaittillIexplainthethingfirst。”

“Youareabadhandatexplanations。”saidMidwinter，repeatingAllan’sownwords。“Don’tplaceyourselfatadisadvantage。Don’texplainit。”

Allanlookedathim，insilentperplexityandsurprise。

“Youaremyfriend——mybestanddearestfriend。”Midwinterwenton。“Ican’tbeartoletyoujustifyyourselftomeasifIwasyourjudge，orasifIdoubtedyou。”HelookedupagainatAllanfranklyandkindlyashesaidthosewords。“Besides。”heresumed，“Ithink，ifIlookintomymemory，Icananticipateyourexplanation。Wehadamoment’stalk，beforeIwentaway，aboutsomeverydelicatequestionswhichyouproposedputtingtoMajorMilroy。IrememberIwarnedyou;IrememberIhadmymisgivings。

ShouldIbeguessingrightifIguessedthatthosequestionshavebeeninsomewaythemeansofleadingyouintoafalseposition？

IfitistruethatyouhavebeenconcernedinMissGwilt’sleavinghersituation，isitalsotrue——isitonlydoingyoujusticetobelieve——thatanymischiefforwhichyouareresponsiblehasbeenmischiefinnocentlydone？”

“Yes。”saidAllan，speaking，forthefirsttime，alittleconstrainedlyonhisside。“Itisonlydoingmejusticetosaythat。”Hestoppedandbegandrawinglinesabsentlywithhisfingerontheblurredsurfaceofthewindow-pane。“You’renotlikeotherpeople，Midwinter。”heresumed，suddenly，withaneffort;“andIshouldhavelikedyoutohaveheardtheparticularsallthesame。”

“Iwillhearthemifyoudesireit。”returnedMidwinter。“ButI

amsatisfied，withoutanotherword，thatyouhavenotwillinglybeenthemeansofdeprivingMissGwiltofhersituation。Ifthatisunderstoodbetweenyouandme，Ithinkweneedsaynomore。

Besides，Ihaveanotherquestiontoask，ofmuchgreaterimportance——aquestionthathasbeenforcedonmebywhatIsawwithmyowneyes，andheardwithmyownears，lastnight。”

Hestopped，recoilinginspiteofhimself。“Shallwegoupstairsfirst？”heasked，abruptly，leadingthewaytothedoor，andtryingtogaintime。

Itwasuseless。Onceagain，theroomwhichtheywerebothfreetoleave，theroomwhichoneofthemhadtwicetriedtoleavealready，heldthemasiftheywereprisoners。

Withoutanswering，withoutevenappearingtohaveheardMidwinter’sproposaltogoupstairs，Allanfollowedhimmechanicallyasfarastheoppositesideofthewindow。Therehestopped。“Midwinter！“heburstout，inasuddenpanicofastonishmentandalarm，“thereseemstobesomethingstrangebetweenus！You’renotlikeyourself。Whatisit？”

Withhishandonthelockofthedoor，Midwinterturned，andlookedbackintotheroom。Themomenthadcome。Hishauntingfearofdoinghisfriendaninjusticehadshownitselfinarestraintofword，look，andactionwhichhadbeenmarkedenoughtoforceitswaytoAllan’snotice。Theonecourseleftnow，inthedearestinterestsofthefriendshipthatunitedthem，wastospeakatonce，andtospeakboldly。

“There’ssomethingstrangebetweenus。”reiteratedAllan。“ForGod’ssake，whatisit？”

Midwintertookhishandfromthedoor，andcamedownagaintothewindow，frontingAllan。Heoccupiedtheplace，ofnecessity，whichAllanhadjustleft。ItwasthesideofthewindowonwhichtheStatuettestood。Thelittlefigure，placedonitsprojectingbracket，was，closebehindhimonhisrighthand。Nosignsofchangeappearedinthestormysky。Therainstillsweptslantingacrossthegarden，andpatteredheavilyagainsttheglass。

“Givemeyourhand，Allan。”

Allangaveit，andMidwinterhelditfirmlywhilehespoke。

“Thereissomethingstrangebetweenus。”hesaid。“Thereissomethingtobesetrightwhichtouchesyounearly;andithasnotbeensetrightyet。YouaskedmejustnowwhereImetwithMissGwilt。Imetwithheronmywaybackhere，uponthehigh-roadonthefurthersideofthetown。Sheentreatedmetoprotectherfromamanwhowasfollowingandfrighteningher。I

sawthescoundrelwithmyowneyes，andIshouldhavelaidhandsonhim，ifMissGwiltherselfhadnotstoppedme。Shegaveaverystrangereasonforstoppingme。ShesaidIdidn’tknowwhohisemployerwas。”

Allan’sruddycolorsuddenlydeepened;helookedasidequicklythroughthewindowatthepouringrain。Atthesamemomenttheirhandsfellapart，andtherewasapauseofsilenceoneitherside。Midwinterwasthefirsttospeakagain。

“Laterintheevening。”hewenton，“MissGwiltexplainedherself。Shetoldmetwothings。ShedeclaredthatthemanwhomI

hadseenfollowingherwasahiredspy。Iwassurprised，butI

couldnotdisputeit。Shetoldmenext，Allan——whatIbelievewithmywholeheartandsoultobeafalsehoodwhichhasbeenimposedonherasthetruth——shetoldmethatthespywasinyouremployment！“

Allanturnedinstantlyfromthewindow，andlookedMidwinterfullinthefaceagain。“Imustexplainmyselfthistime。”hesaid，resolutely。

TheashypalenesspeculiartohiminmomentsofstrongemotionbegantoshowitselfonMidwinter’scheeks。

“Moreexplanations！“hesaid，anddrewbackastep，withhiseyesfixedinasuddenterrorofinquiryonAllan’sface。

“Youdon’tknowwhatIknow，Midwinter。Youdon’tknowthatwhatIhavedonehasbeendonewithagoodreason。Andwhatismore，I

havenottrustedtomyself——Ihavehadgoodadvice。”

“DidyouhearwhatIsaidjustnow？”askedMidwinter，incredulously。“Youcan’t——surely，youcan’thavebeenattendingtome？”

“Ihaven’tmissedaword。”rejoinedAllan。“Itellyouagain，youdon’tknowwhatIknowofMissGwilt。ShehasthreatenedMissMilroy。MissMilroyisindangerwhilehergovernessstopsinthisneighborhood。”

Midwinterdismissedthemajor’sdaughterfromtheconversationwithacontemptuousgestureofhishand。

“Idon’twanttohearaboutMiss，Milroy。”hesaid。“Don’tmixupMissMilroy——GoodGod，Allan，amItounderstandthatthespysettowatchMissGwiltwasdoinghisvileworkwithyourapproval？”

“Onceforall，mydearfellow，willyou，orwillyounot，letmeexplain？”

“Explain！“criedMidwinter，hiseyesaflame，andhishotCreolebloodrushingcrimsonintohisface。“Explaintheemploymentofaspy？What！afterhavingdrivenMissGwiltoutofhersituationbymeddlingwithherprivateaffairs，youmeddleagainbythevilestofallmeans——themeansofapaidspy？Yousetawatchonthewomanwhomyouyourselftoldmeyouloved，onlyafortnightsince——thewomanyouwerethinkingofasyourwife！Idon’tbelieveit;Iwon’tbelieveit。Ismyheadfailingme？IsitAllanArmadaleIamspeakingto？IsitAllanArmadale’sfacelookingatme？Stop！youareactingundersomemistakenscruple。

Somelowfellowhascreptintoyourconfidence，andhasdonethisinyournamewithouttellingyoufirst。”

Allancontrolledhimselfwithadmirablepatienceandadmirableconsiderationforthetemperofhisfriend。“Ifyoupersistinrefusingtohearme。”hesaid，“ImustwaitaswellasIcantillmyturncomes。”

“Tellmeyouareastrangertotheemploymentofthatman，andI

willhearyouwillingly。”

“Supposethereshouldbeanecessity，thatyouknownothingabout，foremployinghim？”

“Iacknowledgenonecessityforthecowardlypersecutionofahelplesswoman。”

Amomentaryflushofirritation——momentary，andnomore——passedoverAllan’sface。“Youmightn’tthinkherquitesohelpless。”hesaid，“ifyouknewthetruth。”

“Are_you_themantotellmethetruth？”retortedtheother。

“Youwhohaverefusedtohearherinherowndefense！Youwhohaveclosedthedoorsofthishouseagainsther！“

Allanstillcontrolledhimself，buttheeffortbeganatlasttobevisible。

“Iknowyourtemperisahotone。”hesaid。“Butforallthat，yourviolencequitetakesmebysurprise。Ican’taccountforit，unless“——hehesitatedamoment，andthenfinishedthesentenceinhisusualfrank，outspokenway——“unlessyouaresweetyourselfonMissGwilt。”

Thoselastwordsheapedfuelonthefire。Theystrippedthetruthinstantlyofallconcealmentsanddisguises，andlaiditbaretoview。Allan’sinstincthadguessed，andtheguidinginfluencestoodrevealedofMidwinter’sinterestinMissGwilt。

“Whatrighthaveyoutosaythat？”heasked，withraisedvoiceandthreateningeyes。

“Itold_you，_“saidAllan，simply，“whenIthoughtIwassweetonhermyself。Come！come！it’salittlehard，Ithink，evenifyouareinlovewithher，tobelieveeverythingshetellsyou，andnottoletmesayaword。Is_that_thewayyoudecidebetweenus？”

“Yes，itis！“criedtheother，infuriatedbyAllan’ssecondallusiontoMissGwilt。“WhenIamaskedtochoosebetweentheemployerofaspyandthevictimofaspy，Isidewiththevictim！“

“Don’ttrymetoohard，Midwinter，Ihaveatempertoloseaswellasyou。”

Hestopped，strugglingwithhimself。ThetortureofpassioninMidwinter’sface，fromwhichalesssimpleandlessgenerousnaturemighthaverecoiledinhorror，touchedAllansuddenlywithanartlessdistress，which，atthatmoment，waslittlelessthansublime。Headvanced，withhiseyesmoistening，andhishandheldout。“Youaskedmeformyhandjustnow。”hesaid，“andIgaveityou。Willyourememberoldtimes，andgivemeyours，beforeit’stoolate？”

“No！“retortedMidwinter，furiously。“ImaymeetMissGwiltagain，andImaywantmyhandfreetodealwithyourspy！“

HehaddrawnbackalongthewallasAllanadvanced，untilthebracketwhichsupportedtheStatuettewasbeforeinsteadofbehindhim。InthemadnessofhispassionhesawnothingbutAllan’sfaceconfrontinghim。Inthemadnessofhispassion，hestretchedouthisrighthandasheanswered，andshookitthreateninglyintheair。Itstrucktheforgottenprojectionofthebracket——andthenextinstanttheStatuettelayinfragmentsonthefloor。

Theraindroveslantingoverflower-bedandlawn，andpatteredheavilyagainsttheglass;andthetwoArmadalesstoodbythewindow，asthetwoShadowshadstoodintheSecondVisionoftheDream，withthewreckoftheimagebetweenthem。

Allanstoopedoverthefragmentsofthelittlefigure，andliftedthemonebyonefromthefloor。

“Leaveme。”hesaid，withoutlookingup，“orweshallbothrepentit。”

Withoutaword，Midwintermovedbackslowly。Hestoodforthesecondtimewithhishandonthedoor，andlookedhislastattheroom。ThehorrorofthenightontheWreckhadgothimoncemore，andtheflameofhispassionwasquenchedinaninstant。

“TheDream！“hewhispered，underhisbreath。“TheDreamagain！“

Thedoorwastriedfromtheoutside，andaservantappearedwithatrivialmessageaboutthebreakfast。

Midwinterlookedatthemanwithablank，dreadfulhelplessnessinhisface。“Showmethewayout。”hesaid。“Theplaceisdark，andtheroomturnsroundwithme。”

Theservanttookhimbythearm，andsilentlyledhimout。

Asthedoorclosedonthem，Allanpickedupthelastfragmentofthebrokenfigure。Hesatdownaloneatthetable，andhidhisfaceinhishands。Theself-controlwhichhehadbravelypreservedunderexasperationrenewedagainandagainnowfailedhimatlastinthefriendlesssolitudeofhisroom，and，inthefirstbitternessoffeelingthatMidwinterhadturnedagainsthimliketherest，heburstintotears。

Themomentsfollowedeachother，theslowtimeworeon。Littlebylittlethesignsofanewelementaldisturbancebegantoshowthemselvesinthesummerstorm。Theshadowofaswiftlydeepeningdarknesssweptoverthesky。Thepatteringoftherainlessenedwiththelesseningwind。Therewasamomentaryhushofstillness。

Thenonasuddentherainpoureddownagainlikeacataract，andthelowrollofthundercameupsolemnlyonthedyingair。

CHAPTERIX。

SHEKNOWSTHETRUTH。

1。_FromMr。BashwoodtoMissGwilt。_

“ThorpeAmbrose，July20th，1851。

“DEARMADAM——Ireceivedyesterday，byprivatemessenger，yourobligingnote，inwhichyoudirectmetocommunicatewithyouthroughthepostonly，aslongasthereisreasontobelievethatanyvisitorswhomaycometoyouarelikelytobeobserved。MayI

bepermittedtosaythatIlookforwardwithrespectfulanxietytothetimewhenIshallagainenjoytheonlyrealhappinessI

haveeverexperienced——thehappinessofpersonallyaddressingyou？

“IncompliancewithyourdesirethatIshouldnotallowthisday(theSunday)topasswithoutprivatelynoticingwhatwentonatthegreathouse，Itookthekeys，andwentthismorningtothesteward’soffice。IaccountedformyappearancetotheservantsbyinformingthemthatIhadworktodowhichitwasimportanttocompleteintheshortestpossibletime。ThesameexcusewouldhavedoneforMr。Armadaleifwehadmet，butnosuchmeetinghappened。

“AlthoughIwasatThorpeAmbroseinwhatIthoughtgoodtime，I

wastoolatetoseeorhearanythingmyselfofaseriousquarrelwhichappearedtohavetakenplace，justbeforeIarrived，betweenMr。ArmadaleandMr。Midwinter。

“AllthelittleinformationIcangiveyouinthismatterisderivedfromoneoftheservants。ThemantoldmethatheheardthevoicesofthetwogentlemenloudinMr。Armadale’ssitting-room。Hewentintoannouncebreakfastshortlyafterward，andfoundMr。Midwinterinsuchadreadfulstateofagitationthathehadtobehelpedoutoftheroom。Theservanttriedtotakehimupstairstoliedownandcomposehimself。Hedeclined，sayinghewouldwaitalittlefirstinoneofthelowerrooms，andbeggingthathemightbeleftalone。Themanhadhardlygotdownstairsagainwhenheheardthefrontdooropenedandclosed。

Heranback，andfoundthatMr。Midwinterwasgone。Therainwaspouringatthetime，andthunderandlightningcamesoonafterward。Dreadfulweathercertainlytogooutin。TheservantthinksMr。Midwinter’smindwasunsettled。Isincerelyhopenot。

Mr。MidwinterisoneofthefewpeopleIhavemetwithinthecourseofmylifewhohavetreatedmekindly。

“HearingthatMr。Armadalestillremainedinthesitting-room，I

wentintothesteward’soffice(which，asyoumayremember，isonthesamesideofthehouse)，andleftthedoorajar，andsetthewindowopen，waitingandlisteningforanythingthatmighthappen。Dearmadam，therewasatimewhenImighthavethoughtsuchapositioninthehouseofmyemployernotaverybecomingone。Letmehastentoassureyouthatthisisfarfrombeingmyfeelingnow。Igloryinanypositionwhichmakesmeserviceabletoyou。

“ThestateoftheweatherseemedhopelesslyadversetothatrenewalofintercoursebetweenMr。ArmadaleandMissMilroywhichyousoconfidentlyanticipate，andofwhichyouaresoanxioustobemadeaware。Strangelyenough，however，itisactuallyinconsequenceofthestateoftheweatherthatIamnowinapositiontogiveyoutheveryinformationyourequire。Mr。

ArmadaleandMissMilroymetaboutanhoursince。Thecircumstanceswereasfollows:

“Justatthebeginningofthethunder-storm，Isawoneofthegroomsrunacrossfromthestables，andheardhimtapathismaster’swindow。Mr。Armadaleopenedthewindowandaskedwhatwasthematter。Thegroomsaidhecamewithamessagefromthecoachman’swife。Shehadseenfromherroomoverthestables(whichlooksontothepark)MissMilroyquitealone，standingforshelterunderoneofthetrees。Asthatpartoftheparkwasatsomedistancefromthemajor’scottage，shehadthoughtthathermastermightwishtosendandasktheyoungladyintothehouse——especiallyasshehadplacedherself，withathunder-stormcomingon，inwhatmightturnouttobeaverydangerousposition。

“ThemomentMr。Armadaleunderstoodtheman’smessage，hecalledforthewater-proofthingsandtheumbrellas，andranouthimself，insteadofleavingittotheservants。InalittletimeheandthegroomcamebackwithMissMilroybetweenthem，aswellprotectedascouldbefromtherain。

“Iascertainedfromoneofthewomen-servants，whohadtakentheyoungladyintoabedroom，andhadsuppliedherwithsuchdrythingsasshewanted，thatMissMilroyhadbeenafterwardshownintothedrawing-room，andthatMr。Armadalewastherewithher。

Theonlywayoffollowingyourinstructions，andfindingoutwhatpassedbetweenthem，wastogoroundthehouseinthepeltingrain，andgetintotheconservatory(whichopensintothedrawing-room)bytheouterdoor。Ihesitateatnothing，dearmadam，inyourservice;Iwouldcheerfullygetweteveryday，topleaseyou。Besides，thoughImayatfirstsightbethoughtratheranelderlyman，awettingisofnoveryseriousconsequencetome。IassureyouIamnotsooldasIlook，andI

amofastrongerconstitutionthanappears。

“Itwasimpossibleformetogetnearenoughintheconservatorytoseewhatwentoninthedrawing-room，withouttheriskofbeingdiscovered。Butmostoftheconversationreachedme，exceptwhentheydroppedtheirvoices。ThisisthesubstanceofwhatI

heard:

“IgatheredthatMissMilroyhadbeenprevailedon，againstherwill，totakerefugefromthethunder-storminMr。Armadale’shouse。Shesaidso，atleast，andshegavetworeasons。Thefirstwasthatherfatherhadforbiddenallintercoursebetweenthecottageandthegreathouse。Mr。Armadalemetthisobjectionbydeclaringthatherfatherhadissuedhisordersunderatotalmisconceptionofthetruth，andbyentreatinghernottotreathimascruellyasthemajorhadtreatedhim。Heentered，I

suspect，intosomeexplanationsatthispoint，butashedroppedhisvoiceIamunabletosaywhattheywere。Hislanguage，whenI

didhearit，wasconfusedandungrammatical。Itseemed，however，tobequiteintelligibleenoughtopersuadeMissMilroythatherfatherhadbeenactingunderamistakenimpressionofthecircumstances。Atleast，Iinferthis;for，whenInextheardtheconversation，theyoungladywasdrivenbacktohersecondobjectiontobeinginthehouse——whichwas，thatMr。Armadalehadbehavedverybadlytoher，andthatherichlydeservedthatsheshouldneverspeaktohimagain。

“Inthislattercase，Mr。Armadaleattemptednodefenseofanykind。Heagreedwithherthathehadbehavedbadly;heagreedwithherthatherichlydeservedsheshouldneverspeaktohimagain。Atthesametimeheimploredhertorememberthathehadsufferedhispunishmentalready。Hewasdisgracedintheneighborhood;andhisdearestfriend，hisoneintimatefriendintheworld，hadthatverymorningturnedagainsthimliketherest。Farornear，therewasnotalivingcreaturewhomhewasfondoftocomforthim，ortosayafriendlywordtohim。Hewaslonelyandmiserable，andhisheartachedforalittlekindness——andthatwashisonlyexcuseforaskingMissMilroytoforgetandforgivethepast。

“Imustleaveyou，Ifear，tojudgeforyourselfoftheeffectofthisontheyounglady;for，thoughItriedhard，Ifailedtocatchwhatshesaid。IamalmostcertainIheardhercrying，andMr。Armadaleentreatinghernottobreakhisheart。Theywhisperedagreatdeal，whichaggravatedme。IwasafterwardalarmedbyMr。Armadalecomingoutintotheconservatorytopicksomeflowers。Hedidnotcomeasfar，fortunately，astheplacewhereIwashidden;andhewentinagainintothedrawing-room，andtherewasmoretalking(Isuspectatclosequarters)，whichtomygreatregretIagainfailedtocatch。Prayforgivemeforhavingsolittletotellyou。Icanonlyaddthat，whenthestormclearedoff，MissMilroywentawaywiththeflowersinherhand，andwithMr。Armadaleescortingherfromthehouse。Myownhumbleopinionisthathehadapowerfulfriendatcourt，allthroughtheinterview，intheyounglady’sownlikingforhim。

“ThisisallIcansayatpresent，withtheexceptionofoneotherthingIheard，whichIblushtomention。Butyourwordislaw，andyouhaveorderedmetohavenoconcealmentsfromyou。

“Theirtalkturnedonce，dearmadam，onyourself。IthinkIheardtheword’creature’fromMissMilroy;andIamcertainthatMr。

Armadale，whileacknowledgingthathehadonceadmiredyou，addedthatcircumstanceshadsincesatisfiedhimof’hisfolly。’I

quotehisownexpression;itmademequitetremblewithindignation。IfImaybepermittedtosayso，themanwhoadmiresMissGwiltlivesinParadise。Respect，ifnothingelse，oughttohaveclosedMr。Armadale’slips。Heismyemployer，Iknow;butafterhiscallingitanactoffollytoadmireyou(thoughI_am_

hisdeputy-steward)，Iutterlydespisehim。

“TrustingthatImayhavebeensohappyastogiveyousatisfactionthusfar，andearnestlydesiroustodeservethehonorofyourcontinuedconfidenceinme，Iremain，dearmadam，“Yourgratefulanddevotedservant，“FELIXBASHWOOD。”

2。_FromMrs。OldershawtoMissGwilt。_

“DianaStreet，Monday，July21st。

“MYDEARLYDIA——Itroubleyouwithafewlines。TheyarewrittenunderasenseofthedutywhichIowetomyself，inourpresentpositiontowardeachother。

“Iamnotatallsatisfiedwiththetoneofyourlasttwoletters;andIamstilllesspleasedatyourleavingmethismorningwithoutanyletteratall——andthiswhenwehadarranged，inthedoubtfulstateofourprospects，thatIwastohearfromyoueveryday。Icanonlyinterpretyourconductinoneway。I

canonlyinferthatmattersatThorpeAmbrose，havingbeenallmismanaged，areallgoingwrong。

“Itisnotmypresentobjecttoreproachyou，forwhyshouldI

wastetime，language，andpaper？Imerelywishtorecalltoyourmemorycertainconsiderationswhichyouappeartobedisposedtooverlook。ShallIputthemintheplainestEnglish？Yes;for，withallmyfaults，Iamfranknesspersonified。

“Inthefirstplace，then，IhaveaninterestinyourbecomingMrs。ArmadaleofThorpeAmbroseaswellasyou。Secondly，Ihaveprovidedyou(tosaynothingofgoodadvice)withallthemoneyneededtoaccomplishourobject。Thirdly，Iholdyournotesofhand，atshortdates，foreveryfarthingsoadvanced。Fourthlyandlastly，thoughIamindulgenttoafaultinthecapacityofafriend——inthecapacityofawomanofbusiness，mydear，Iamnottobetrifledwith。Thatisall，Lydia，atleastforthepresent。

“Praydon’tsupposeIwriteinanger;Iamonlysorryanddisheartened。MystateofmindresemblesDavid’s。IfIhadthewingsofadove，Iwouldfleeawayandbeatrest。

“Affectionatelyyours，MARIAOLDERSHAW。”

3。_FromMr。BashwoodtoMissGwilt。_

“ThorpeAmbrose，July21st。

“DEARMADAM——Youwillprobablyreceivetheselinesafewhoursaftermyyesterday’scommunicationreachesyou。Ipostedmyfirstletterlastnight，andIshallpostthisbeforenoonto-day。

“Mypresentobjectinwritingistogiveyousomemorenewsfromthishouse。IhavetheinexpressiblehappinessofannouncingthatMr。Armadale’sdisgracefulintrusiononyourprivacyisatanend。Thewatchsetonyouractionsistobewithdrawnthisday。I

write，dearmadam，withthetearsinmyeyes——tearsofjoy，causedbyfeelingswhichIventuredtoexpressinmypreviousletter(seefirstparagraphtowardtheend)。Pardonmethispersonalreference。Icanspeaktoyou(Idon’tknowwhy)somuchmorereadilywithmypenthanwithmytongue。

“Letmetrytocomposemyself，andproceedwithmynarrative。

“Ihadjustarrivedatthesteward’sofficethismorning，whenMr。PedgifttheelderfollowedmetothegreathousetoseeMr。

Armadalebyspecialappointment。ItisneedlesstosaythatIatoncesuspendedanylittlebusinesstherewastodo，feelingthatyourinterestsmightpossiblybeconcerned。Itisalsomostgratifyingtoaddthatthistimecircumstancesfavoredme。Iwasabletostandundertheopenwindowandtohearthewholeinterview。

“Mr。Armadaleexplainedhimselfatonceintheplainestterms。Hegaveordersthatthepersonwhohadbeenhiredtowatchyoushouldbeinstantlydismissed。Onbeingaskedtoexplainthissuddenchangeofpurpose，hedidnotconcealthatitwasowingtotheeffectproducedonhismindbywhathadpassedbetweenMr。

Midwinterandhimselfonthepreviousday。Mr。Midwinter’slanguage，cruellyunjustasitwas，hadneverthelessconvincedhimthatnonecessitywhatevercouldexcuseanyproceedingsoessentiallybaseinitselfastheemploymentofaspy，andonthatconvictionhewasnowdeterminedtoact。

“Butforyourownpositivedirectionstometoconcealnothingthatpasseshereinwhichyournameisconcerned，IshouldreallybeashamedtoreportwhatMr。Pedgiftsaidonhisside。Hehasbehavedkindlytome，Iknow。Butifhewasmyownbrother，I

couldneverforgivehimthetoneinwhichhespokeofyou，andtheobstinacywithwhichhetriedtomakeMr。Armadalechangehismind。

“HebeganbyattackingMr。Midwinter。HedeclaredthatMr。

Midwinter’sopinionwastheveryworstopinionthatcouldbetaken;foritwasquiteplainthatyou，dearmadam，hadtwistedhimroundyourfinger。Producingnoeffectbythiscoarsesuggestion(whichnobodywhoknowsyoucouldforamomentbelieve)，Mr。PedgiftnextreferredtoMissMilroy，andaskedMr。

Armadaleifhehadgivenupallideaofprotectingher。WhatthismeantIcannotimagine。Icanonlyreportitforyourprivateconsideration。Mr。ArmadalebrieflyansweredthathehadhisownplanforprotectingMissMilroy，andthatthecircumstanceswerealteredinthatquarter，orwordstoasimilareffect。StillMr。

Pedgiftpersisted。Hewenton(Iblushtomention)frombadtoworse。HetriedtopersuadeMr。Armadalenexttobringanactionatlawagainstoneorotherofthepersonswhohadbeenmoststronglycondemninghisconductintheneighborhood，forthepurpose——Ireallyhardlyknowhowtowriteit——ofgettingyouintothewitness-box。Andworseyet:whenMr。ArmadalestillsaidNo，Mr。Pedgift，afterhaving，asIsuspectedbythesoundofhisvoice，beenonthepointofleavingtheroom，artfullycameback，andproposedsendingforadetectiveofficerfromLondon，simplytolookatyou。’ThewholeofthismysteryaboutMissGwilt’struecharacter，’hesaid，’mayturnonaquestionofidentity。Itwon’tcostmuchtohaveamandownfromLondon;andit’sworthtryingwhetherherfaceisorisnotknownatheadquarterstothepolice。’Iagainandagainassureyou，dearestlady，thatIonlyrepeatthoseabominablewordsfromasenseofdutytowardyourself。Ishook——IdeclareIshookfromheadtofootwhenI

heardthem。