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Allanfoundhisplaceforthesecondtime，andfellheadlongintothebottomlessabyssoftheEnglishLaw。
“Page280。”hebegan。“Lawofhusbandandwife。Here’sabitI
don’tunderstand，tobeginwith:’ItmaybeobservedgenerallythatthelawconsidersmarriageinthelightofaContract。’Whatdoesthatmean？Ithoughtacontractwasthesortofathingabuildersignswhenhepromisestohavetheworkmenoutofthehouseinagiventime，andwhenthetimecomes(asmypoormotherusedtosay)theworkmennevergo。”
“IstherenothingaboutLove？”askedNeelie。“Lookalittlelowerdown。”
“Notaword。Hestickstohisconfounded’Contract’allthewaythrough。”
“Thenhe’sabrute！Goontosomethingelsethat’smoreinourway。”
“Here’sabitthat’smoreinourway:’Incapacities。Ifanypersonsunderlegalincapacitiescometogether，itisameretricious，andnotamatrimonialunion。’(Blackstone’sagoodoneatlongwords，isn’the？Iwonderwhathemeansbymeretricious？)’Thefirstoftheselegaldisabilitiesisapriormarriage，andhavinganotherhusbandorwifeliving——’“
“Stop！“saidNeelie;“Imustmakeanoteofthat。”Shegravelymadeherfirstentryonthepageheaded“Good。”asfollows:“I
havenohusband，andAllanhasnowife。Wearebothentirelyunmarriedatthepresenttime。”
“Allright，sofar。”remarkedAllan，lookingoverhershoulder。
“Goon。”saidNeelie。“Whatnext？”
“’Thenextdisability，’“proceededAllan，“’iswantofage。
Theageforconsenttomatrimonyis，fourteeninmales，andtwelveinfemales。’Come！“criedAllan，cheerfully，“Blackstonebeginsearlyenough，atanyrate！“
Neeliewastoobusiness-liketomakeanyotherremark，onherside，thanthenecessaryremarkinthepocket-book。Shemadeanotherentryundertheheadof“Good“:“Iamoldenoughtoconsent，andsoisAllantoo。Goon。”resumedNeelie，lookingoverthereader’sshoulder。“NevermindallthatprosingofBlackstone’s，aboutthehusbandbeingofyearsofdiscretion，andthewifeundertwelve。Abominablewretch！thewifeundertwelve！
Skiptothethirdincapacity，ifthereisone。”
“’Thethirdincapacity，’“Allanwenton，“’iswantofreason。’
“
Neelieimmediatelymadeathirdentryonthesideof“Good“:
“AllanandIarebothperfectlyreasonable。Skiptothenextpage。”
Allanskipped。“’Afourthincapacityisinrespectofproximityofrelationship。’“
Afourthentryfollowedinstantlyonthecheeringsideofthepocket-book:“Helovesme，andIlovehim——withoutourbeingintheslightestdegreerelatedtoeachother。Anymore？”askedNeelie，tappingherchinimpatientlywiththeendofthepencil。
“Plentymore。”rejoinedAllan;“allinhieroglyphics。Lookhere:
’MarriageActs，4Geo。IV。，c。76，and6and7Will。IV。，c。85
(_q_)。’Blackstone’sintellectseemstobewanderinghere。Shallwetakeanotherskip，andseeifhepickshimselfupagainonthenextpage？”
“Waitalittle。”saidNeelie;“what’sthatIseeinthemiddle？”
Shereadforaminuteinsilence，overAllan’sshoulder，andsuddenlyclaspedherhandsindespair。“IknewIwasright！“sheexclaimed。“Oh，heavens，hereitis！“
“Where？”askedAllan。“Iseenothingaboutlanguishinginprison，andcroppingafellow’shairclosetohishead，unlessit’sinthehieroglyphics。Is’4Geo。IV。’shortfor’Lockhimup’？anddoes’c。85(_q_)’mean，’Sendforthehair-cutter’？”
“Praybeserious。”remonstratedNeelie。“Wearebothsittingonavolcano。There。”shesaidpointingtotheplace。“Readit！Ifanythingcanbringyoutoapropersenseofoursituation，_that_
will。”
Allanclearedhisthroat，andNeelieheldthepointofherpencilreadyonthedepressingsideoftheaccount——otherwisethe“Bad“
pageofthepocket-book。
“’Andasitisthepolicyofourlaw，’“Allanbegan，“’topreventthemarriageofpersonsundertheageoftwenty-one，withouttheconsentofparentsandguardians’“——(Neeliemadeherfirstentryonthesideof“Bad！““I’monlyseventeennextbirthday，andcircumstancesforbidmetoconfidemyattachmenttopapa“)——“’itisprovidedthatinthecaseofthepublicationofbannsofapersonundertwenty-one，notbeingawidowerorwidow，whoaredeemedemancipated’“——(Neeliemadeanotherentryonthedepressingside:“Allanisnotawidower，andIamnotawidow;
consequently，weareneitherofusemancipated“)——“’iftheparentorguardianopenlysignifieshisdissentatthetimethebannsarepublished’“——(“whichpapawouldbecertaintodo“)——“
’suchpublicationwouldbevoid。’I’lltakebreathhereifyou’llallowme。”saidAllan。“Blackstonemightputitinshortersentences，Ithink，ifhecan’tputitinfewerwords。Cheerup，Neelie！theremustbeotherwaysofmarrying，besidesthisroundaboutway，thatendsinaPublicationandaVoid。Infernalgibberish！IcouldwritebetterEnglishmyself。”
“Wearenotattheendofityet。”saidNeelie。“TheVoidisnothingtowhatistocome。”
“Whateveritis。”rejoinedAllan，“we’lltreatitlikeadoseofphysic——we’lltakeitatonce，andbedonewithit。”Hewentonreading:“’Andnolicensetomarrywithoutbannsshallbegranted，unlessoathshallbefirstmadebyoneofthepartiesthatheorshebelievesthatthereisnoimpedimentofkindredoralliance’——well，Icantakemyoathofthatwithasafeconscience！Whatnext？’Andoneofthesaidpartiesmust，forthespaceoffifteendaysimmediatelyprecedingsuchlicense，havehadhisorherusualplaceofabodewithintheparishorchapelrywithinwhichsuchmarriageistobesolemnized！’Chapelry！I’dlivefifteendaysinadog-kennelwiththegreatestpleasure。I
say，Neelie，allthisseemslikeplainsailingenough。Whatareyoushakingyourheadabout？Goon，andIshallsee？Oh，allright;I’llgoon。Hereweare:’Andwhereoneofthesaidparties，notbeingawidowerorwidow，shallbeundertheageoftwenty-oneyears，oathmustfirstbemadethattheconsentofthepersonorpersonswhoseconsentisrequiredhasbeenobtained，orthatthereisnopersonhavingauthoritytogivesuchconsent。
Theconsentrequiredbythisactisthatofthefather——’“AtthoselastformidablewordsAllancametoafullstop。“Theconsentofthefather。”herepeated，withallneedfulseriousnessoflookandmanner。“Icouldn’texactlysweartothat，couldI？”
Neelieansweredinexpressivesilence。Shehandedhimthepocket-book，withthefinalentrycompleted，onthesideof“Bad。”intheseterms:“Ourmarriageisimpossible，unlessAllancommitsperjury。”
Theloverslookedateachother，acrosstheinsuperableobstacleofBlackstone，inspeechlessdismay。
“Shutupthebook。”saidNeelie，resignedly。“Ihavenodoubtweshouldfindthepolice，andtheprison，andthehair-cutting——allpunishmentsforperjury，exactlyasItoldyou！——ifwelookedatthenextpage。Butweneedn’ttroubleourselvestolook;wehavefoundoutquiteenoughalready。It’salloverwithus。ImustgotoschoolonSaturday，andyoumustmanagetoforgetmeassoonasyoucan。Perhapswemaymeetinafter-life，andyoumaybeawidowerandImaybeawidow，andthecruellawmayconsiderusemancipated，whenit’stoolatetobeoftheslightestuse。Bythattime，nodoubt，Ishallbeoldandugly，andyouwillnaturallyhaveceasedtocareaboutme，anditwillallendinthegrave，andthesoonerthebetter。Good-by。”concludedNeelie，risingmournfully，withthetearsinhereyes。“It’sonlyprolongingourmiserytostophere，unless——unlessyouhaveanythingtopropose？”
“I’vegotsomethingtopropose。”criedtheheadlongAllan。“It’sanentirelynewidea。WouldyoumindtryingtheblacksmithatGretnaGreen？”
“Noearthlyconsideration。”answeredNeelie，indignantly，“wouldinducemetobemarriedbyablacksmith！“
“Don’tbeoffended。”pleadedAllan;“Imeantitforthebest。
Lotsofpeopleinoursituationhavetriedtheblacksmith，andfoundhimquiteasgoodasaclergyman，andamostamiableman，I
believe，intothebargain。Nevermind！Wemusttryanotherstringtoourbow。”
“Wehaven’tgotanothertotry。”saidNeelie。
“Takemywordforit。”persistedAllan，stoutly，“theremustbewaysandmeansofcircumventingBlackstone(withoutperjury)，ifweonlyknewofthem。It’samatteroflaw，andwemustconsultsomebodyintheprofession。Idaresayit’sarisk。Butnothingventure，nothinghave。WhatdoyousaytoyoungPedgift？He’sathoroughgoodfellow。I’msurewecouldtrustyoungPedgifttokeepoursecret。”
“Notforworlds！“exclaimedNeelie。“Youmaybewillingtotrustyoursecretstothevulgarlittlewretch;Iwon’thavehimtrustedwithmine。Ihatehim。No！“sheconcluded，withamountingcolorandaperemptorystampofherfootonthegrass。
“IpositivelyforbidyoutotakeanyoftheThorpeAmbrosepeopleintoyourconfidence。Theywouldinstantlysuspectme，anditwouldbeallovertheplaceinamoment。Myattachmentmaybeanunhappyone，“remarkedNeelie，withherhandkerchieftohereyes，“andpapamaynipitinthebud，butIwon’thaveitprofanedbythetowngossip！“
“Hush！hush！“saidAllan。“Iwon’tsayawordatThorpeAmbrose，Iwon’tindeed！“Hepaused，andconsideredforamoment。“There’sanotherway！“heburstout，brighteningupontheinstant。“We’vegotthewholeweekbeforeus。I’lltellyouwhatI’lldo，I’llgotoLondon！“
Therewasasuddenrustling——heardneitherbyonenortheother——amongthetreesbehindthemthatscreenedMissGwilt。Onemoreofthedifficultiesinherway(thedifficultyofgettingAllantoLondon)nowpromisedtoberemovedbyanactofAllan’sownwill。
“ToLondon？”repeatedNeelie，lookingupinastonishment。
“ToLondon！“reiteratedAllan。“That’sfarenoughawayfromThorpeAmbrose，surely？Waitaminute，anddon’tforgetthatthisisaquestionoflaw。Verywell，IknowsomelawyersinLondonwhomanagedallmybusinessformewhenIfirstcameinforthisproperty;theyarejustthementoconsult。Andiftheydeclinetobemixedupinit，there’stheirheadclerk，whoisoneofthebestfellowsIevermetwithinmylife。Iaskedhimtogoyachtingwithme，Iremember;and，thoughhecouldn’tgo，hesaidhefelttheobligationallthesame。That’sthemantohelpus。
Blackstone’samereinfanttohim。Don’tsayit’sabsurd;don’tsayit’sexactlylike_me。_Doprayhearmeout。Iwon’tbreatheyournameoryourfather’s。I’lldescribeyouas’ayoungladytowhomIamdevotedlyattached。’Andifmyfriendtheclerkaskswhereyoulive，I’llsaythenorthofScotland，orthewestofIreland，ortheChannelIslands，oranywhereelseyoulike。MyfriendtheclerkisatotalstrangertoThorpeAmbroseandeverybodyinit(whichisonerecommendation);andinfiveminutes’timehe’dputmeuptowhattodo(whichisanother)。Ifyouonlyknewhim！He’soneofthoseextraordinarymenwhoappearonceortwiceinacentury——thesortofmanwhowon’tallowyoutomakeamistakeifyoutry。AllIhavegottosaytohim(puttingitshort)is，’Mydearfellow，Iwanttobeprivatelymarriedwithoutperjury。’Allhehasgottosaytome(puttingitshort)is，’Youmustdoso-and-soandso-and-so，andyoumustbecarefultoavoidthis，that，andtheother。’Ihavenothingintheworldtodobuttofollowhisdirections;andyouhavenothingintheworldtodobutwhatthebridealwaysdoeswhenthebridegroomisreadyandwilling！“HisarmstoleroundNeelie’swaist，andhislipspointedthemoralofthelastsentencewiththatinarticulateeloquencewhichissouniformlysuccessfulinpersuadingawomanagainstherwill。
AllNeelie’smeditatedobjectionsdwindled，inspiteofher，toonefeeblelittlequestion。“SupposeIallowyoutogo，Allan？”
shewhispered，toyingnervouslywiththestudinthebosomofhisshirt。“Shallyoubeverylongaway？”
“I’llbeoffto-day。”saidAllan，“bytheeleveno’clocktrain。
AndI’llbebackto-morrow，ifIandmyfriendtheclerkcansettleitallintime。Ifnot，byWednesdayatlatest。”
“You’llwritetomeevenday？”pleadedNeelie，clingingalittleclosertohim。“Ishallsinkunderthesuspense，ifyoudon’tpromisetowritetomeeveryday。”
Allanpromisedtowritetwiceaday，ifsheliked——letter-writing，whichwassuchanefforttoothermen，wasnoeffortto_him！_
“Andmind，whateverthosepeoplemaysaytoyouinLondon。”
proceededNeelie，“Iinsistonyourcomingbackforme。I
positivelydeclinetorunaway，unlessyoupromisetofetchme。”
Allanpromisedforthesecondtime，onhissacredwordofhonor，andatthefullcompassofhisvoice。ButNeeliewasnotsatisfiedevenyet。Sherevertedtofirstprinciples，andinsistedonknowingwhetherAllanwasquitesurehelovedher。
AllancalledHeaventowitnesshowsurehewas;andgotanotherquestiondirectlyforhispains。CouldhesolemnlydeclarethathewouldneverregrettakingNeelieawayfromhome？AllancalledHeaventowitnessagain，louderthanever。Alltonopurpose！Theravenousfemaleappetitefortenderprotestationsstillhungeredformore。“Iknowwhatwillhappenoneofthesedays。”persistedNeelie。“YouwillseesomeothergirlwhoisprettierthanIam;
andyouwillwishyouhadmarriedherinsteadofMe！“
AsAllanopenedhislipsforafinaloutburstofasseveration，thestableclockatthegreathousewasfaintlyaudibleinthedistancestrikingthehour。Neeliestartedguiltily。Itwasbreakfast-timeatthecottage——inotherwords，timetotakeleave。Atthelastmomentherheartwentbacktoherfather;andherheadsankonAllan’sbosomasshetriedtosay，Good-by。
“Papahasalwaysbeensokindtome，Allan。”shewhispered，holdinghimbacktremulouslywhenheturnedtoleaveher。“Itseemssoguiltyandsoheartlesstogoawayfromhimandbemarriedinsecret。Oh，do，dothinkbeforeyoureallygotoLondon;istherenowayofmakinghimalittlekinderandjusterto_you？_“Thequestionwasuseless;themajor’sresolutelyunfavorablereceptionofAllan’sletterroseinNeelie’smemory，andansweredherasthewordspassedherlips。Withagirl’simpulsivenessshepushedAllanawaybeforehecouldspeak，andsignedtohimimpatientlytogo。Theconflictofcontendingemotions，whichshehadmasteredthusfar，burstitswayoutwardinspiteofherafterhehadwavedhishandforthelasttime，andhaddisappearedinthedepthsofthedell。Whensheturnedfromtheplace，onherside，herlong-restrainedtearsfellfreelyatlast，andmadethelonelywaybacktothecottagethedimmestprospectthatNeeliehadseenformanyalongdaypast。
Asshehurriedhomeward，theleavespartedbehindher，andMissGwiltsteppedsoftlyintotheopenspace。Shestoodthereintriumph，tall，beautiful，andresolute。HerlovelycolorbrightenedwhileshewatchedNeelie’sretreatingfigurehasteninglightlyawayfromheroverthegrass。
“Cry，youlittlefool！“shesaid，withherquiet，cleartones，andhersteadysmileofcontempt。“Cryasyouhavenevercriedyet！Youhaveseenthelastofyoursweetheart。”
CHAPTERXII。
ASCANDALATTHESTATION。
ANhourlater，thelandladyatMissGwilt’slodgingswaslostinastonishment，andtheclamoroustonguesofthechildrenwereinastateofungovernablerevolt。“Unforeseencircumstances“hadsuddenlyobligedthetenantofthefirstfloortoterminatetheoccupationofherapartments，andtogotoLondonthatdaybytheeleveno’clocktrain。
“Pleasetohaveaflyatthedoorathalf-pastten。”saidMissGwilt，astheamazedlandladyfollowedherupstairs。“Andexcuseme，yougoodcreature，ifIbegandpraynottobedisturbedtilltheflycomes。“Onceinsidetheroom，shelockedthedoor，andthenopenedherwriting-desk。“Nowformylettertothemajor！“
shesaid。“HowshallIwordit？”
Amoment’sconsiderationapparentlydecidedher。Searchingthroughhercollectionofpens，shecarefullyselectedtheworstthatcouldbefound，andbegantheletterbywritingthedateofthedayonasoiledsheetofnote-paper，incrooked，clumsycharacters，whichendedinablotmadepurposelywiththefeatherofthepen。Pausing，sometimestothinkalittle，sometimestomakeanotherblot，shecompletedtheletterinthesewords:
“HON’DSIR——Itisonmyconsciencetotellyousomething，whichI
thinkyououghttoknow。Yououghttoknowofthegoings-onofMiss，yourdaughter，withyoungMisterArmadale。Iwishyoutomakesure，and，whatismore，Iadviseyoutobequickaboutit，ifsheisgoingthewayyouwanthertogo，whenshetakeshermorningwalkbeforebreakfast。Iscorntomakemischief，wherethereistrueloveonbothsides。ButIdon’tthinktheyoungmanmeanstrulybyMiss。WhatImeanis，IthinkMissonlyhashisfancy。Anotherperson，whoshallbenamelessbetwixtus，hashistrueheart。Pleasetopardonmynotputtingmyname;Iamonlyahumbleperson，anditmightgetmeintotrouble。Thisisallatpresent，dearsir，fromyours，“AWELL-WISHER。”
“There！“saidMissGwilt，asshefoldedtheletterup。“IfIhadbeenaprofessednovelist，Icouldhardlyhavewrittenmorenaturallyinthecharacterofaservantthanthat！“ShewrotethenecessaryaddresstoMajorMilroy;lookedadmiringlyforthelasttimeatthecoarseandclumsywritingwhichherowndelicatehandhadproduced;androsetoposttheletterherself，beforesheenterednextontheseriousbusinessofpackingup。“Curious！“
shethought，whentheletterhadbeenposted，andshewasbackagainmakinghertravelingpreparationsinherownroom;“hereI
am，runningheadlongintoafrightfulrisk——andIneverwasinbetterspiritsinmylife！“
Theboxeswerereadywhentheflywasatthedoor，andMissGwiltwasequipped(asbecominglyasusual)inherneattravelingcostume。Thethickveil，whichshewasaccustomedtowearinLondon，appearedonhercountrystrawbonnetforthefirsttime。”
Onemeetssuchrudemenoccasionallyintherailway。”shesaidtothelandlady。“AndthoughIdressquietly，myhairissoveryremarkable。”Shewasalittlepalerthanusual;butshehadneverbeensosweet-temperedandengaging，sogracefullycordialandfriendly，asnow，whenthemomentofdeparturehadcome。Thesimplepeopleofthehousewerequitemovedattakingleaveofher。Sheinsistedonshakinghandswiththelandlord——onspeakingtohiminherprettiestway，andsunninghiminherbrightestsmiles。“Come！“shesaidtothelandlady，“youhavebeensokind，youhavebeensolikeamothertome，youmustgivemeakissatparting。”Sheembracedthechildrenalltogetherinalump，withamixtureofhumorandtendernessdelightfultosee，andleftashillingamongthemtobuyacake。“IfIwasonlyrichenoughtomakeitasovereign。”shewhisperedtothemother，“howgladI
shouldbe！“Theawkwardladwhoranonerrandsstoodwaitingattheflydoor。Hewasclumsy，hewasfrowsy，hehadagapingmouthandaturn-upnose;buttheineradicablefemaledelightinbeingcharmingacceptedhim，forallthat，inthecharacterofalastchance。“Youdear，dingyJohn！“shesaid，kindly，atthecarriagedoor。“IamsopoorIhaveonlysixpencetogiveyou——withmyverybestwishes。Takemyadvice，John——growtobeafineman，andfindyourselfanicesweetheart！Thankyouathousandtimes！“
Shegavehimafriendlylittlepatonthecheekwithtwoofherglovedfingers，andsmiled，andnodded，andgotintothefly。
“Armadalenext！“shesaidtoherselfasthecarriagedroveoff。
Allan’sanxietynottomissthetrainhadbroughthimtothestationinbettertimethanusual。Aftertakinghisticketandputtinghisportmanteauundertheporter’scharge，hewaspacingtheplatformandthinkingofNeelie，whenheheardtherustlingofalady’sdressbehindhim，and，turningroundtolook，foundhimselffacetofacewithMissGwilt。
Therewasnoescapingherthistime。Thestationwallwasonhisrighthand，andthelinewasonhisleft;atunnelwasbehindhim，andMissGwiltwasinfront，inquiringinhersweetesttoneswhetherMr。ArmadalewasgoingtoLondon。
Allancoloredscarletwithvexationandsurprise。Therehewasobviouslywaitingforthetrain;andtherewashisportmanteaucloseby，withhisnameonit，alreadylabeledforLondon！Whatanswerbutthetrueonecouldhemakeafterthat？Couldheletthetraingowithouthim，andlosetheprecioushourssovitallyimportanttoNeelieandhimself？Impossible！Allanhelplesslyconfirmedtheprintedstatementonhisportmanteau，andheartilywishedhimselfattheotherendoftheworldashesaidthewords。
“Howveryfortunate！“rejoinedMissGwilt。“IamgoingtoLondontoo。MightIaskyouMr。Armadale(asyouseemtobequitealone)，tobemyescortonthejourney？”
Allanlookedatthelittleassemblyoftravelers，andtravelers’
friends，collectedontheplatform，nearthebooking-officedoor。
TheywereallThorpeAmbrosepeople。Hewasprobablyknownbysight，andMissGwiltwasprobablyknownbysight，toeveryoneofthem。Insheerdesperation，hesitatingmoreawkwardlythanever，heproducedhiscigarcase。“Ishouldbedelighted。”hesaid，withanembarrassmentwhichwasalmostaninsultunderthecircumstances。“ButI——I’mwhatthepeoplewhogetsickoveracigarcallaslavetosmoking。”
“Idelightinsmoking！“saidMissGwilt，withundiminishedvivacityandgoodhumor。“It’soneoftheprivilegesofthemenwhichIhavealwaysenvied。I’mafraid，Mr。Armadale，youmustthinkIamforcingmyselfonyou。Itcertainlylookslikeit。Therealtruthis，IwantparticularlytosayawordtoyouinprivateaboutMr。Midwinter。”
Thetraincameupatthesamemoment。SettingMidwinteroutofthequestion，thecommondecenciesofpolitenessleftAllannoalternativebuttosubmit。AfterhavingbeenthecauseofherleavinghersituationatMajorMilroy’s，afterhavingpointedlyavoidedheronlyafewdayssinceonthehigh-road，tohavedeclinedgoingtoLondoninthesamecarriagewithMissGwiltwouldhavebeenanactofdownrightbrutalitywhichitwassimplyimpossibletocommit。“Damnher！“saidAllan，internally，ashehandedhistravelingcompanionintoanemptycarriage，officiouslyplacedathisdisposal，beforeallthepeopleatthestation，bytheguard。“Youshan’tbedisturbed，sir。”themanwhispered，confidentially，withasmileandatouchofhishat。
Allancouldhaveknockedhimdownwiththeutmostpleasure。
“Stop！“hesaid，fromthewindow。“Idon’twantthecarriage——“
Itwasuseless;theguardwasoutofhearing;thewhistleblew，andthetrainstartedforLondon。
Theselectassemblyoftravelers’friends，leftbehindontheplatform，congregatedinacircleonthespot，withthestation-masterinthecenter。
Thestation-master——otherwiseMr。Mack——wasapopularcharacterintheneighborhood。HepossessedtwosocialqualificationswhichinvariablyimpresstheaverageEnglishmind——hewasanoldsoldier，andhewasamanoffewwords。Theconclaveontheplatforminsistedontakinghisopinion，beforeitcommitteditselfpositivelytoanopinionofitsown。Abriskfireofremarksexploded，asamatterofcourse，onallsides;buteverybody’sviewofthesubjectendedinterrogatively，inaquestionaimedpointblankatthestation-master’sears。
“She’sgothim，hasn’tshe？”“She’llcomeback’Mrs。Armadale，’
won’tshe？”“He’dbetterhavestucktoMissMilroy，hadn’the？”
“MissMilroystuckto_him。_Shepaidhimavisitatthegreathouse，didn’tshe？”“Nothingofthesort;it’sashametotakethegirl’scharacteraway。Shewascaughtinathunder-stormcloseby;hewasobligedtogivehershelter;andshe’sneverbeenneartheplacesince。MissGwilt’sbeenthere，ifyoulike，withnothunderstormtoforce_her_in;andMissGwilt’soffwithhimtoLondoninacarriagealltothemselves，eh，Mr。Mack？”
“Ah，he’sasoftone，thatArmadale！withallhismoney，totakeupwithared-hairedwoman，agoodeightornineyearsolderthanheis！She’sthirtyifshe’saday。That’swhatIsay，Mr。Mack。
Whatdoyousay？”“Olderoryounger，she’llruletheroastatThorpeAmbrose;andIsay，forthesakeoftheplace，andforthesakeoftrade，let’smakethebestofit;andMr。Mack，asamanoftheworld，seesitinthesamelightasIdo，don’tyou，sir？”
“Gentlemen。”saidthestation-master，withhisabruptmilitaryaccent，andhisimpenetrablemilitarymanner，“she’sadevilishfinewoman。AndwhenIwasMr。Armadale’sage，it’smyopinion，ifherfancyhadlaidthatway，shemighthavemarriedMe。”
Withthatexpressionofopinionthestation-masterwheeledtotheright，andintrenchedhimselfimpregnablyinthestrongholdofhisownoffice。
ThecitizensofThorpeAmbroselookedatthecloseddoor，andgravelyshooktheirheads。Mr。Mackhaddisappointedthem。Noopinionwhichopenlyrecognizesthefrailtyofhumannatureiseverapopularopinionwithmankind。“It’sasgoodassayingthatanyof_us_mighthavemarriedherif_we_hadbeenMr。
Armadale’sage！“Suchwasthegeneralimpressiononthemindsoftheconclave，whenthemeetinghadbeenadjourned，andthememberswereleavingthestation。
Thelastofthepartytogowasaslowoldgentleman，withahabitofdeliberatelylookingabouthim。Pausingatthedoor，thisobservantpersonstareduptheplatformanddowntheplatform，anddiscoveredinthelatterdirection，standingbehindanangleofthewall，anelderlymaninblack，whohadescapedthenoticeofeverybodyuptothattime。“Why，blessmysoul！“
saidtheoldgentleman，advancinginquisitivelybyastepatatime，“itcan’tbeMr。Bashwood！“
It_was_Mr。Bashwood——Mr。Bashwood，whoseconstitutionalcuriosityhadtakenhimprivatelytothestation，bentonsolvingthemysteryofAllan’ssuddenjourneytoLondon——Mr。Bashwood，whohadseenandheard，behindhisangleinthewall，whateverybodyelsehadseenandheard，andwhoappearedtohavebeenimpressedbyitinnoordinaryway。Hestoodstifflyagainstthewall，likeamanpetrified，withonehandpressedonhisbarehead，andtheotherholdinghishat——hestood，withadullflushonhisface，andadullstareinhiseyes，lookingstraightintotheblackdepthsofthetunneloutsidethestation，asifthetraintoLondonhaddisappearedinitbutthemomentbefore。
“Isyourheadbad？”askedtheoldgentleman。“Takemyadvice。Gohomeandliedown。”
Mr。Bashwoodlistenedmechanically，withhisusualattention，andansweredmechanically，withhisusualpoliteness。
“Yes，sir。”hesaid，inalow，losttone，likeamanbetweendreamingandwaking;“I’llgohomeandliedown。”
“That’sright。”rejoinedtheoldgentleman，makingforthedoor。
“Andtakeapill，Mr。Bashwood——takeapill。”
Fiveminuteslater，theporterchargedwiththebusinessoflockingupthestationfoundMr。Bashwood，stillstandingbare-headedagainstthewall，andstilllookingstraightintotheblackdepthsofthetunnel，asifthetraintoLondonhaddisappearedinitbutamomentsince。
“Come，sir！“saidtheporter;“Imustlockup。Areyououtofsorts？Anythingwrongwithyourinside？Tryadropofgin-and-bitters。”
“Yes。”saidMr。Bashwood，answeringtheporter，exactlyashehadansweredtheoldgentleman;“I’lltryadropofgin-and-bitters。”
Theportertookhimbythearm，andledhimout。“You’llgetitthere。”saidtheman，pointingconfidentiallytoapublic-house;
“andyou’llgetitgood。”
“Ishallgetitthere。”echoedMr。Bashwood，stillmechanicallyrepeatingwhatwassaidtohim;“andIshallgetitgood。”
Hiswillseemedtobeparalyzed;hisactionsdependedabsolutelyonwhatotherpeopletoldhimtodo。Hetookafewstepsinthedirectionofthepublic-house，hesitated，staggered，andcaughtatthepillarofoneofthestationlampsnearhim。
Theporterfollowed，andtookhimbythearmoncemore。
“Why，you’vebeendrinkingalready！“exclaimedtheman，withasuddenlyquickenedinterestinMr。Bashwood’scase。“Whatwasit？
Beer？”
Mr。Bashwood，inhislow，losttones，echoedthelastword。
Itwascloseontheporter’sdinner-time。But，whenthelowerordersoftheEnglishpeoplebelievetheyhavediscoveredanintoxicatedman，theirsympathywithhimisboundless。Theporterlethisdinnertakeitschance，andcarefullyassistedMr。
Bashwoodtoreachthepublic-house。“Gin-and-bitterswillputyouonyourlegsagain。”whisperedthisSamaritansetter-rightofthealcoholicdisastersofmankind。
IfMr。Bashwoodhadreallybeenintoxicated，theeffectoftheporter’sremedywouldhavebeenmarvelousindeed。Almostassoonastheglasswasemptied，thestimulantdiditswork。Thelong-weakenednervoussystemofthedeputy-steward，prostratedforthemomentbytheshockthathadfallenonit，ralliedagainlikeawearyhorseunderthespur。Thedullflushonhischeeks，thedullstareinhiseyes，disappearedsimultaneously。Afteramomentaryeffort，herecoveredmemoryenoughofwhathadpassedtothanktheporter，andtoaskwhetherhewouldtakesomethinghimself。Theworthycreatureinstantlyacceptedadoseofhisownremedy——inthecapacityofapreventive——andwenthometodinnerasonlythosemencangohomewhoarephysicallywarmedbygin-and-bittersandmorallyelevatedbytheperformanceofagoodaction。
Stillstrangelyabstracted(butconsciousnowofthewaybywhichhewent)，Mr。Bashwoodleftthepublic-houseafewminuteslater，inhisturn。Hewalkedonmechanically，inhisdrearyblackgarments，movinglikeablotonthewhitesurfaceofthesun-brightenedroad，asMidwinterhadseenhimmoveintheearlydaysatThorpeAmbrose，whentheyhadfirstmet。Arrivedatthepointwherehehadtochoosebetweenthewaythatledintothetownandthewaythatledtothegreathouse，hestopped，incapableofdeciding，andcareless，apparently，evenofmakingtheattempt。“I’llberevengedonher！“hewhisperedtohimself，stillabsorbedinhisjealousfrenzyofrageagainstthewomanwhohaddeceivedhim。“I’llberevengedonher。”herepeated，inloudertones，“ifIspendeveryhalf-pennyI’vegot！“
Somewomenofthedisorderlysort，passingontheirwaytothetown，heardhim。“Ah，youoldbrute。”theycalledout，withthemeasurelesslicenseoftheirclass，“whatevershedid，sheservedyouright！“
Thecoarsenessofthevoicesstartledhim，whetherhecomprehendedthewordsornot。Heshrankawayfrommoreinterruptionandmoreinsult，intothequieterroadthatledtothegreathouse。
Atasolitaryplacebythewaysidehestoppedandsatdown。Hetookoffhishatandliftedhisyouthfulwigalittlefromhisbaldoldhead，andtrieddesperatelytogetbeyondtheoneimmovableconvictionwhichlayonhismindlikelead——theconvictionthatMissGwilthadbeenpurposelydeceivinghimfromthefirst。Itwasuseless。Noeffortwouldfreehimfromthatonedominantimpression，andfromtheoneansweringideathatithadevoked——theideaofrevenge。Hegotupagain，andputonhishatandwalkedrapidlyforwardalittleway——thenturnedwithoutknowingwhy，andslowlywalkedbackagain“IfIhadonlydressedalittlesmarter！“saidthepoorwretch，helplessly。“IfIhadonlybeenalittlebolderwithher，shemighthaveoverlookedmybeinganoldman！“Theangryfitreturnedonhim。Heclinchedhisclammy，tremblinghands，andshookthemfiercelyintheemptyair。“I’llberevengedonher。”hereiterated。“I’llberevengedonher，ifIspendeveryhalf-pennyI’vegot！“Itwasterriblysuggestiveoftheholdshehadtakenonhim，thathisvindictivesenseofinjurycouldnotgetfarenoughawayfromhertoreachthemanwhomhebelievedtobehisrival，evenyet。Inhisrage，asinhislove，hewasabsorbed，bodyandsoul，byMissGwilt。
Inamomentmore，thenoiseofrunningwheelsapproachingfrombehindstartledhim。Heturnedandlookedround。TherewasMr。
Pedgifttheelder，rapidlyovertakinghiminthegig，justasMr。
Pedgifthadovertakenhimoncealready，onthatformeroccasionwhenhehadlistenedunderthewindowatthegreathouse，andwhenthelawyerhadbluntlychargedhimwithfeelingacuriosityaboutMissGwilt！
Inaninstanttheinevitableassociationofideasburstonhismind。TheopinionofMissGwilt，whichhehadheardthelawyerexpresstoAllanatparting，flashedbackintohismemory，sidebysidewithMr。Pedgift’ssarcasticapprovalofanythinginthewayofinquirywhichhisowncuriositymightattempt。“Imaybeevenwithheryet。”hethought，“ifMr。Pedgiftwillhelpme！——Stop，sir！“hecalledout，desperately，asthegigcameupwithhim。“Ifyouplease，sir，Iwanttospeaktoyou。”
PedgiftSeniorslackenedthepaceofhisfast-trottingmare，withoutpullingup。“Cometotheofficeinhalfanhour。”hesaid;“I’mbusynow。”Withoutwaitingforananswer，withoutnoticingMr。Bashwood’sbow，hegavethemarethereinagain，andwasoutofsightinanotherminute。
Mr。Bashwoodsatdownoncemoreinashadyplacebytheroadside。
HeappearedtobeincapableoffeelinganyslightbuttheoneunpardonableslightputuponhimbyMissGwilt。Henotonlydeclinedtoresent，heevenmadethebestofMr。Pedgift’sunceremonioustreatmentofhim。“Halfanhour。”hesaid，resignedly。“Timeenoughtocomposemyself;andIwanttime。VerykindofMr。Pedgift，thoughhemightn’thavemeantit。”
Thesenseofoppressioninhisheadforcedhimonceagaintoremovehishat。Hesatwithitonhislap，deepinthought;hisfacebentlow，andthewaveringfingersofonehanddrummingabsentlyonthecrownofthehat。IfMr。Pedgifttheelder，seeinghimashesatnow，couldonlyhavelookedalittlewayintothefuture，themonotonouslydrumminghandofthedeputy-stewardmighthavebeenstrongenough，feebleasitwas，tostopthelawyerbytheroadside。Itwastheworn，weary，miserableoldhandofaworn，weary，miserableoldman;butitwas，forallthat(tousethelanguageofMr。Pedgift’sownpartingpredictiontoAllan)，thehandthatwasnowdestinedto“letthelightinonMissGwilt。”
CHAPTERXIII。
ANOLDMAN’SHEART。
PUNCTUALtothemoment，whenthehalfhour’sintervalhadexpired，Mr。BashwoodwasannouncedattheofficeaswaitingtoseeMr。Pedgiftbyspecialappointment。
Thelawyerlookedupfromhispaperswithanairofannoyance:hehadtotallyforgottenthemeetingbytheroadside。“Seewhathewants。”saidPedgiftSeniortoPedgiftJunior，workinginthesameroomwithhim。“Andifit’snothingofimportance，putitofftosomeothertime。”
PedgiftJuniorswiftlydisappearedandswiftlyreturned。
“Well？”askedthefather。
“Well。”answeredtheson，“heisrathermoreshakyandunintelligiblethanusual。Icanmakenothingoutofhim，exceptthathepersistsinwantingtoseeyou。Myownidea。”pursuedPedgiftJunior，withhisusual，sardonicgravity，“isthatheisgoingtohaveafit，andthathewishestoacknowledgeyouruniformkindnesstohimbyobligingyouwithaprivateviewofthewholeproceeding。”
PedgiftSeniorhabituallymatchedeverybody——hissonincluded——withtheirownweapons。“Begoodenoughtoremember，Augustus。”herejoined，“thatmyRoomisnotaCourtofLaw。A
badjokeisnotinvariablyfollowedby’roarsoflaughter’
_here。_LetMr。Bashwoodcomein。”
Mr。Bashwoodwasintroduced，andPedgiftJuniorwithdrew。“Youmustn’tbleedhim，sir。”whisperedtheincorrigiblejoker，ashepassedthebackofhisfather’schair。“Hot-waterbottlestothesolesofhisfeet，andamustardplasteronthepitofhisstomach——that’sthemoderntreatment。”
“Sitdown，Bashwood。”saidPedgiftSeniorwhentheywerealone。
“Anddon’tforgetthattime’smoney。Outwithit，whateveritis，atthequickestpossiblerate，andinthefewestpossiblewords。”
Thesepreliminarydirections，bluntlybutnotatallunkindlyspoken，ratherincreasedthandiminishedthepainfulagitationunderwhichMr。Bashwoodwassuffering。Hestammeredmorehelplessly，hetrembledmorecontinuouslythanusual，ashemadehislittlespeechofthanks，andaddedhisapologiesattheendforintrudingonhispatroninbusinesshours。
“Everybodyintheplace，Mr。Pedgift，sir，knowsyourtimeisvaluable。Oh，dear，yes！oh，dear，yes！mostvaluable，mostvaluable！Excuseme，sir，I’mcomingoutwithit。Yourgoodness——orratheryourbusiness——no，yourgoodnessgavemehalfanhourtowait——andIhavethoughtofwhatIhadtosay，andpreparedit，andputitshort。”Havinggotasfarasthat，hestoppedwithapained，bewilderedlook。Hehadputitawayinhismemory，andnow，whenthetimecame，hewastooconfusedtofindit。AndtherewasMr。Pedgiftmutelywaiting;hisfaceandmannerexpressivealikeofthatsilentsenseofthevalueofhisowntimewhicheverypatientwhohasvisitedagreatdoctor，everyclientwhohasconsultedalawyerinlargepractice，knowssowell。“Haveyouheardthenews，sir？”stammeredMr。Bashwood，shiftinghisgroundindespair，andlettingtheuppermostideainhismindescapehim，simplybecauseitwastheoneideainhimthatwasreadytocomeout。
“Doesitconcern_me？_“askedPedgiftSenior，mercilesslybrief，andmercilesslystraightincomingtothepoint。
“Itconcernsalady，sir——no，notalady——ayoungman，Ioughttosay，inwhomyouusedtofeelsomeinterest。Oh，Mr。Pedgift，sir，whatdoyouthink！Mr。ArmadaleandMissGwilthavegoneuptoLondontogetherto-day——alone，sir——aloneinacarriagereservedfortheirtwoselves。Doyouthinkhe’sgoingtomarryher？Doyoureallythink，liketherestofthem，he’sgoingtomarryher？”
Heputthequestionwithasuddenflushinhisfaceandasuddenenergyinhismanner。Hissenseofthevalueofthelawyer’stime，hisconvictionofthegreatnessofthelawyer’scondescension，hisconstitutionalshynessandtimidity——allyieldedtogethertohisoneoverwhelminginterestinhearingMr。
Pedgift’sanswer。Hewasloudforthefirsttimeinhislifeinputtingthequestion。
“AftermyexperienceofMr。Armadale。”saidthelawyer，instantlyhardeninginlookandmanner，“IbelievehimtobeinfatuatedenoughtomarryMissGwiltadozentimesover，ifMissGwiltchosetoaskhim。Yournewsdoesn’tsurprisemeintheleast，Bashwood。I’msorryforhim。Icanhonestlysaythat，thoughhe_has_setmyadviceatdefiance。AndI’mmoresorrystill。”hecontinued，softeningagainashismindrevertedtohisinterviewwithNeelieunderthetreesofthepark——“I’mmoresorrystillforanotherpersonwhoshallbenameless。ButwhathaveItodowithallthis？Andwhatonearthisthematterwithyou？”heresumed，noticingforthefirsttimetheabjectmiseryinMr。
Bashwood’smanner，theblankdespairinMr。Bashwood’sface，whichhisanswerhadproduced。“Areyouill？Istheresomethingbehindthecurtainthatyou’reafraidtobringout？Idon’tunderstandit。Haveyoucomehere——hereinmyprivateroom，inbusinesshours——withnothingtotellmebutthatyoungArmadalehasbeenfoolenoughtoruinhisprospectsforlife？Why，I
foresawitallweekssince，andwhatismore，IasgoodastoldhimsoatthelastconversationIhadwithhiminthegreathouse。”
Atthoselastwords，Mr。Bashwoodsuddenlyrallied。Thelawyer’spassingreferencetothegreathousehadledhimbackinamomenttothepurposethathehadinview。
“That’sit，sir！“hesaid，eagerly;“that’swhatIwantedtospeaktoyouabout;that’swhatI’vebeenpreparinginmymind。
Mr。Pedgift，sir，thelasttimeyouwereatthegreathouse，whenyoucameawayinyourgig，you——youovertookmeonthedrive。”
“IdaresayIdid。”remarkedPedgift，resignedly。“Mymarehappenstobeatriflequickeronherlegsthanyouareonyours，Bashwood。Goon，goon。Weshallcomeintime，Isuppose，towhatyouaredrivingat。”
“Youstopped，andspoketome，sir。”proceededMr。Bashwood，advancingmoreandmoreeagerlytohisend。“YousaidyoususpectedmeoffeelingsomecuriosityaboutMissGwilt，andyoutoldme(Iremembertheexactwords，sir)——youtoldmetogratifymycuriositybyallmeans，foryoudidn’tobjecttoit。”
PedgiftSeniorbeganforthefirsttimetolookinterestedinhearingmore。
“Iremembersomethingofthesort。”hereplied;“andIalsorememberthinkingitratherremarkablethatyoushould_happen_——wewon’tputitinanymoreoffensiveway——tobeexactlyunderMr。Armadale’sopenwindowwhileIwastalkingtohim。Itmighthavebeenaccident，ofcourse;butitlookedrathermorelikecuriosity。Icouldonlyjudgebyappearances。”
concludedPedgift，pointinghissarcasmwithapinchofsnuff;
“andappearances，Bashwood，weredecidedlyagainstyou。”
“Idon’tdenyit，sir。IonlymentionedthecircumstancebecauseIwishedtoacknowledgethatI_was_curious，and_am_curiousaboutMissGwilt。”
“Why？”askedPedgiftSenior，seeingsomethingunderthesurfaceinMr。Bashwood’sfaceandmanner，bututterlyinthedarkthusfarastowhatthatsomethingmightbe。
Therewassilenceforamoment。Themomentpassed，Mr。Bashwoodtooktherefugeusuallytakenbynervous，unreadymen，placedinhiscircumstances，whentheyareatalossforananswer。Hesimplyreiteratedtheassertionthathehadjustmade。“Ifeelsomecuriositysir。”hesaid，withastrangemixtureofdoggednessandtimidity，“aboutMissGwilt。”
Therewasanothermomentofsilence。Inspiteofhispracticedacutenessandknowledgeoftheworld，thelawyerwasmorepuzzledthanever。ThecaseofMr。Bashwoodpresentedtheonehumanriddleofallotherswhichhewasleastqualifiedtosolve。
Thoughyearafteryearwitnessesinthousandsandthousandsofcases，theremorselessdisinheritingofnearestanddearestrelations，theunnaturalbreaking-upofsacredfamilyties，thedeplorableseveranceofoldandfirmfriendships，dueentirelytotheintenseself-absorptionwhichthesexualpassioncanproducewhenitenterstheheartofanoldman，theassociationoflovewithinfirmityandgrayhairsarouses，nevertheless，alltheworldover，nootherideathantheideaofextravagantimprobabilityorextravagantabsurdityinthegeneralmind。IftheinterviewnowtakingplaceinMr。Pedgift’sconsulting-roomhadtakenplaceathisdinner-tableinstead，whenwinehadopenedhismindtohumorousinfluences，itispossiblethathemight，bythistime，havesuspectedthetruth。But，inhisbusinesshours，PedgiftSeniorwasinthehabitofinvestigatingmen’smotivesseriouslyfromthebusinesspointofview;andhewasonthatveryaccountsimplyincapableofconceivinganyimprobabilitysostartling，anyabsurditysoenormous，astheabsurdityandimprobabilityofMr。Bashwood’sbeinginlove。
Somemeninthelawyer’spositionwouldhavetriedtoforcetheirwaytoenlightenmentbyobstinatelyrepeatingtheunansweredquestion。PedgiftSeniorwiselypostponedthequestionuntilhehadmovedtheconversationonanotherstep。“Well。”heresumed，“letussayyoufeelacuriosityaboutMissGwilt。Whatnext？”
ThepalmsofMr。Bashwood’shandsbegantomoistenundertheinfluenceofhisagitation，astheyhadmoistenedinthepastdayswhenhehadtoldthestoryofhisdomesticsorrowstoMidwinteratthegreathouse。Oncemoreherolledhishandkerchiefintoaball，anddabbeditsoftlytoandfrofromonehandtotheother。
“MayIaskifIamright，sir。”hebegan，“inbelievingthatyouhaveaveryunfavorableopinionofMissGwilt？Youarequiteconvinced，Ithink——“
“Mygoodfellow。”interruptedPedgiftSenior，“whyneedyoubeinanydoubtaboutit？YouwereunderMr。Armadale’sopenwindowallthewhileIwastalkingtohim;andyourears，Ipresume，werenotabsolutelyshut。”
Mr。Bashwoodshowednosenseoftheinterruption。Thelittlestingofthelawyer’ssarcasmwaslostinthenoblerpainthatwrunghimfromthewoundinflictedbyMissGwilt。
“Youarequiteconvinced，Ithink，sir。”heresumed，“thattherearecircumstancesinthislady’spastlifewhichwouldbehighlydiscreditabletoheriftheywerediscoveredatthepresenttime？”
“Thewindowwasopenatthegreathouse，Bashwood;andyourears，Ipresume，werenotabsolutelyshut。”
Stillimpenetrabletothesting，Mr。Bashwoodpersistedmoreobstinatelythanever。
“UnlessIamgreatlymistaken。”hesaid，“yourlongexperienceinsuchthingshasevensuggestedtoyou，sir，thatMissGwiltmightturnouttobeknowntothepolice？”
PedgiftSenior’spatiencegaveway。“Youhavebeenovertenminutesinthisroom。”hebrokeout。“Canyou，orcanyounot，tellmeinplainEnglishwhatyouwant？”
InplainEnglish——withthepassionthathadtransformedhim，thepassionwhich(inMissGwilt’sownwords)hadmadeamanofhim，burninginhishaggardcheeks——Mr。Bashwoodmetthechallenge，andfacedthelawyer(as，theworriedsheepfacesthedog)onhisownground。
“Iwishtosay，sir。”heanswered，“thatyouropinioninthismatterismyopiniontoo。IbelievethereissomethingwronginMissGwilt’spastlifewhichshekeepsconcealedfromeverybody，andIwanttobethemanwhoknowsit。”
PedgiftSeniorsawhischance，andinstantlyrevertedtothequestionthathehadpostponed。“Why？”heaskedforthesecondtime。
ForthesecondtimeMr。Bashwoodhesitated。
Couldheacknowledgethathehadbeenmadenoughtoloveher，andmeanenoughtobeaspyforher？Couldhesay，Shehasdeceivedmefromthefirst，andshehasdesertedme，nowherobjectisserved。Afterrobbingmeofmyhappiness，robbingmeofmyhonor，robbingmeofmylasthopeleftinlife，shehasgonefrommeforever，andleftmenothingbutmyoldman’slonging，slowandsly，andstrongandchangeless，forrevenge。RevengethatImayhave，ifIcanpoisonhersuccessbydraggingherfrailtiesintothepublicview。RevengethatIwillbuy(forwhatisgoldorwhatislifetome？)withthelastfarthingofmyhoardedmoneyandthelastdropofmystagnantblood。Couldhesaythattothemanwhosatwaitingforhisanswer？No;hecouldonlycrushitdownandbesilent。
Thelawyer’sexpressionbegantohardenoncemore。
“Oneofusmustspeakout。”hesaid;“andasyouevidentlywon’t，Iwill。IcanonlyaccountforthisextraordinaryanxietyofyourstomakeyourselfacquaintedwithMissGwilt’ssecrets，inoneoftwoways。Yourmotiveiseitheranexcessivelymeanone(nooffense，Bashwood，Iamonlyputtingthecase)，oranexcessivelygenerousone。Aftermyexperienceofyourhonestcharacterandyourcreditableconduct，itisonlyyourduethatI
shouldabsolveyouatonceofthemeanmotive。IbelieveyouareasincapableasIam——Icansaynomore——ofturningtomercenaryaccountanydiscoveriesyoumightmaketoMissGwilt’sprejudiceinMissGwilt’spastlife。ShallIgoonanyfurther？orwouldyouprefer，onsecondthoughts，openingyourmindfranklytomeofyourownaccord？”
“Ishouldprefernotinterruptingyou，sir。”saidMr。Bashwood。
“Asyouplease，“pursuedPedgiftSenior。“Havingabsolvedyouofthemeanmotive，Icometothegenerousmotivenext。Itispossiblethatyouareanunusuallygratefulman;anditiscertainthatMr。Armadalehasbeenremarkablykindtoyou。AfteremployingyouunderMr。Midwinter，inthesteward’soffice，hehashadconfidenceenoughinyourhonestyandyourcapacity，nowhisfriendhaslefthim，toputhisbusinessentirelyandunreservedlyinyourhands。It’snotinmyexperienceofhumannature——butitmaybepossible，nevertheless——thatyouaresogratefullysensibleofthatconfidence，andsogratefullyinterestedinyouremployer’swelfare，thatyoucan’tseehim，inhisfriendlessposition，goingstraighttohisowndisgraceandruin，withoutmakinganefforttosavehim。Toputitintwowords。IsityourideathatMr。ArmadalemightbepreventedfrommarryingMissGwilt，ifhecouldbeinformedintimeofherrealcharacter？Anddoyouwishtobethemanwhoopenshiseyestothetruth？Ifthatisthecase——“
Hestoppedinastonishment。Actingundersomeuncontrollableimpulse，Mr。Bashwoodhadstartedtohisfeet。Hestood，withhiswitheredfacelitupbyasuddenirradiationfromwithin，whichmadehimlookyoungerthanhisagebyagoodtwentyyears——hestood，gaspingforbreathenoughtospeak，andgesticulatedentreatinglyatthelawyerwithbothhands。
“Sayitagain，sir！“heburstout，eagerly，recoveringhisbreathbeforePedgiftSeniorhadrecoveredhissurprise。“ThequestionaboutMr。Armadale，sir！——onlyoncemore！——onlyoncemore，Mr。
Pedgift，please！“
WithhispracticedobservationcloselyanddistrustfullyatworkonMr。Bashwood’sface，PedgiftSeniormotionedtohimtositdownagain，andputthequestionforthesecondtime。
“DoIthink。”saidMr。Bashwood，repeatingthesense，butnotthewordsofthequestion，“thatMr。ArmadalemightbepartedfromMissGwilt，ifshecouldbeshowntohimasshereallyis？Yes，sir！AnddoIwishtobethemanwhodoesit？Yes，sir！yes，sir！！yes，sir！！！“
“It’sratherstrange。”remarkedthelawyer，lookingathimmoreandmoredistrustfully，“thatyoushouldbesoviolentlyagitated，simplybecausemyquestionhappenstohavehitthemark。”
ThequestionhappenedtohavehitamarkwhichPedgiftlittledreamedof。IthadreleasedMr。Bashwood’smindinaninstantfromthedeadpressureofhisonedominantideaofrevenge，andhadshownhimapurposetobeachievedbythediscoveryofMissGwilt’ssecretswhichhadneveroccurredtohimtillthatmoment。
Themarriagewhichhehadblindlyregardedasinevitablewasamarriagethatmightbestopped——notinAllan’sinterests，butinhisown——andthewomanwhomhebelievedthathehadlostmightyet，inspiteofcircumstances，beawomanwon！Hisbrainwhirledashethoughtofit。Hisownrousedresolutionalmostdauntedhim，byitsterribleincongruitywithallthefamiliarhabitsofhismind，andallthecustomaryproceedingsofhislife。
Findinghislastremarkunanswered，PedgiftSeniorconsideredalittlebeforehesaidanythingmore。
“Onethingisclear。”reasonedthelawyerwithhimself。“Histruemotiveinthismatterisamotivewhichheisafraidtoavow。Myquestionevidentlyofferedhimachanceofmisleadingme，andhehasaccepteditonthespot。That’senoughfor_me。_IfIwasMr。
Armadale’slawyer，themysterymightbeworthinvestigating。Asthingsare，it’snointerestofminetohuntMr。BashwoodfromonelietoanothertillIrunhimtoearthatlast。Ihavenothingwhatevertodowithit;andIshallleavehimfreetofollowhisownroundaboutcourses，inhisownroundaboutway。”
Havingarrivedatthatconclusion，PedgiftSeniorpushedbackhischair，androsebrisklytoterminatetheinterview。
“Don’tbealarmed，Bashwood。”hebegan。“Thesubjectofourconversationisasubjectexhausted，sofarasIamconcerned。I
haveonlyafewlastwordstosay，andit’sahabitofmine，asyouknow，tosaymylastwordsonmylegs。WhateverelseImaybeinthedarkabout，Ihavemadeonediscovery，atanyrate。Ihavefoundoutwhatyoureallywantwithme——atlast！Youwantmetohelpyou。”
“Ifyouwouldbesovery，verykind，sir！“stammeredMr。
Bashwood。“Ifyouwouldonlygivemethegreatadvantageofyouropinionandadvice。”
“Waitabit，BashwoodWewillseparatethosetwothings，ifyouplease。Alawyermayofferanopinionlikeanyotherman;butwhenalawyergiveshisadvice——bytheLordHarry，sir，it’sProfessional！You’rewelcometomyopinioninthismatter;Ihavedisguiseditfromnobody。IbelievetherehavebeeneventsinMissGwilt’scareerwhich(iftheycouldbediscovered)wouldevenmakeMr。Armadale，infatuatedasheis，afraidtomarryher——supposing，ofcourse，thathereally_is_goingtomarryher;for，thoughtheappearancesareinfavorofitsofar，itisonlyanassumption，afterall。Astothemodeofproceedingbywhichtheblotsonthiswoman’scharactermightormightnotbebroughttolightintime——shemaybemarriedbylicenseinafortnightifshelikes——_that_isabranchofthequestiononwhichIpositivelydeclinetoenter。Itimpliesspeakinginmycharacterasalawyer，andgivingyou，whatIdeclinepositivelytogiveyou，myprofessionaladvice。”
“Oh，sir，don’tsaythat！“pleadedMr。Bashwood。“Don’tdenymethegreatfavor，theinestimableadvantageofyouradvice！Ihavesuchapoorhead，Mr。Pedgift！Iamsooldandsoslow，sir，andIgetsosadlystartledandworriedwhenI’mthrownoutofmyordinaryways。It’squitenaturalyoushouldbealittleimpatientwithmefortakingupyourtime——Iknowthattimeismoney，toaclevermanlikeyou。Wouldyouexcuseme——wouldyoupleaseexcuseme，ifIventuretosaythatIhavesavedalittlesomething，afewpounds，sir;andbeingquitelonely，withnobodydependentonme，I’msureImayspendmysavingsasIplease？”
BlindtoeveryconsiderationbuttheoneconsiderationofpropitiatingMr。Pedgift，hetookoutadingy，raggedoldpocket-book，andtried，withtremblingfingers，toopenitonthelawyer’stable。
“Putyourpocket-bookbackdirectly。”saidPedgiftSenior。
“Richermenthanyouhavetriedthatargumentwithme，andhavefoundthatthereissuchathing(offthestage)asalawyerwhoisnottobebribed。Iwillhavenothingtodowiththecase，underexistingcircumstances。Ifyouwanttoknowwhy，IbegtoinformyouthatMissGwiltceasedtobeprofessionallyinterestingtomeonthedaywhenIceasedtobeMr。Armadale’slawyer。Imayhaveotherreasonsbesides，whichIdon’tthinkitnecessarytomention。Thereasonalreadygivenisexplicitenough。Goyourownway，andtakeyourresponsibilityonyourownshoulders。You_may_venturewithinreachofMissGwilt’sclawsandcomeoutagainwithoutbeingscratched。Timewillshow。Inthemeanwhile，Iwishyougood-morning——andIown，tomyshame，thatIneverknewtilltodaywhataheroyouwere。”
Thistime，Mr。Bashwoodfeltthesting。Withoutanotherwordofexpostulationorentreaty，withoutevensaying“Good-morning“onhisside，hewalkedtothedoor，openedit，softly，andlefttheroom。
Thepartinglookinhisface，andthesuddensilencethathadfallenonhim，werenotlostonPedgiftSenior。“Bashwoodwillendbadly。”saidthelawyer，shufflinghispapers，andreturningimpenetrablytohisinterruptedwork。
ThechangeinMr。Bashwood’sfaceandmannertosomethingdoggedandself-containedwassostartlinglyuncharacteristicofhim，thatitevenforceditselfonthenoticeofPedgiftJuniorandtheclerksashepassedthroughtheouteroffice。Accustomedtomaketheoldmantheirbutt，theytookaboisterouslycomicviewofthemarkedalterationinhim。Deaftothemercilessraillerywithwhichhewasassailedonallsides，hestoppedoppositeyoungPedgift，and，lookinghimattentivelyintheface，said，inaquiet，absentmanner，likeamanthinkingaloud，“Iwonderwhether_you_wouldhelpme？”
“Openanaccountinstantly。”saidPedgiftJuniortotheclerks，“inthenameofMr。Bashwood。PlaceachairforMr。Bashwood，withafootstoolcloseby，incasehewantsit。Supplymewithaquireofextradouble-wovesatinpaper，andagrossofpickedquills，totakenotesofMr。Bashwood’scase;andinformmyfatherinstantlythatIamgoingtoleavehimandsetupinbusinessformyself，onthestrengthofMr。Bashwood’spatronage。
Takeaseat，sir，praytakeaseat，andexpressyourfeelingsfreely。”
Stillimpenetrablydeaftotherailleryofwhichhewastheobject，Mr。BashwoodwaiteduntilPedgiftJuniorhadexhaustedhimself，andthenturnedquietlyaway。
“Ioughttohaveknownbetter。”hesaid，inthesameabsentmannerasbefore。“Heishisfather’ssonallover——hewouldmakegameofmeonmydeath-bed。”Hepausedamomentatthedoor，mechanicallybrushinghishatwithhishand，andwentoutintothestreet。
Thebrightsunshinedazzledhiseyes，thepassingvehiclesandfoot-passengersstartledandbewilderedhim。Heshrankintoaby-street，andputhishandoverhiseyes。“I’dbettergohome。”
hethought，“andshutmyselfup，andthinkaboutitinmyownroom。”
Hislodgingwasinasmallhouse，inthepoorquarterofthetown。Helethimselfinwithhiskey，andstolesoftlyupstairsTheonelittleroomhepossessedmethimcruelly，lookrounditwherehemight，withsilentmemorialsofMissGwilt。Onthechimney-pieceweretheflowersshehadgivenhimatvarioustimes，allwitheredlongsince，andallpreservedonalittlechinapedestal，protectedbyaglassshade。Onthewallhungawretchedcoloredprintofawoman，whichhehadcausedtobenicelyframedandglazed，becausetherewasalookinitthatremindedhimofherface。Inhisclumsyoldmahoganywriting-deskwerethefewletters，briefandperemptory，whichshehadwrittentohimatthetimewhenhewaswatchingandlisteningmeanlyatThorpeAmbrosetoplease_her。_Andwhen，turninghisbackonthese，hesatdownwearilyonhissofa-bedstead——there，hangingoveroneendofit，wasthegaudycravatofbluesatin，whichhehadboughtbecauseshehadtoldhimshelikedbrightcolors，andwhichhehadneveryethadthecouragetowear，thoughhehadtakenitoutmorningaftermorningwiththeresolutiontoputiton！Habituallyquietinhisactions，habituallyrestrainedinhislanguage，henowseizedthecravatasifitwasalivingthingthatcouldfeel，andflungittotheotherendoftheroomwithanoath。
Thetimepassed;andstill，thoughhisresolutiontostandbetweenMissGwiltandhermarriageremainedunbroken，hewasasfaraseverfromdiscoveringthemeanswhichmightleadhimtohisend。Themorehethoughtandthoughtofit，thedarkerandthedarkerhiscourseinthefuturelookedtohim。
Heroseagain，aswearilyashehadsatdown，andwenttohiscupboard。“I’mfeverishandthirsty。”hesaid;“acupofteamayhelpme。”Heopenedhiscanister，andmeasuredouthissmallallowanceoftea，lesscarefullythanusual。“Evenmyownhandswon’tservemeto-day！“hethought，ashescrapedtogetherthefewgrainsofteathathehadspilled，andputthemcarefullybackinthecanister。
Inthatfinesummerweather，theonefireinthehousewasthekitchenfire。Hewentdownstairsfortheboilingwater，withhisteapotinhishand。
Nobodybutthelandladywasinthekitchen。ShewasoneofthemanyEnglishmatronswhosepaththroughthisworldisapathofthorns;andwhotakeadismalpleasure，whenevertheopportunityisaffordedthem，ininspectingthescratchedandbleedingfeetofotherpeopleinalikeconditionwiththemselves。Heronevicewasofthelightersort——theviceofcuriosity;andamongthemanycounterbalancingvirtuesshepossessedwasthevirtueofgreatlyrespectingMr。Bashwood，asalodgerwhoserentwasregularlypaid，andwhosewayswerealwaysquietandcivilfromoneyear’sendtoanother。
“Whatdidyoupleasetowant，sir？”askedthelandlady。“Boilingwater，isit？Didyoueverknowthewaterboil，Mr。Bashwood，whenyouwantedit？Didyoueverseeasulkierfirethanthat？
I’llputastickortwoin，ifyou’llwaitalittle，andgivemethechance。Dear，dearme，you’llexcusemymentioningit，sir，buthowpoorlyyoudolookto-day！“
ThestrainonMr。Bashwood’smindwasbeginningtotell。
Somethingofthehelplessnesswhichhehadshownatthestationappearedagaininhisfaceandmannerasheputhisteapotonthekitchentableandsatdown。
“I’mintrouble，ma’am。”hesaid，quietly;“andIfindtroublegetshardertobearthanitusedtobe。”
“Ah，youmaywellsaythat！“groanedthelandlady。“_I’m_readyfortheundertaker，Mr。Bashwood，when_my_timecomes，whateveryoumaybe。You’retoolonely，sir。Whenyou’reintrouble，it’ssomehelp——thoughnotmuch——toshiftashareofitoffonanotherperson’sshoulders。Ifyourgoodladyhadonlybeenalivenow，sir，whatacomfortyouwouldhavefoundher，wouldn’tyou？”
AmomentaryspasmofpainpassedacrossMr。Bashwood’sface。Thelandladyhadignorantlyrecalledhimtothemisfortunesofhismarriedlife。Hehadbeenlongsinceforcedtoquiethercuriosityabouthisfamilyaffairsbytellingherthathewasawidower，andthathisdomesticcircumstanceshadnotbeenhappyones;buthehadtakenhernofurtherintohisconfidencethanthis。ThesadstorywhichhehadrelatedtoMidwinter，ofhisdrunkenwifewhohadendedhermiserablelifeinalunaticasylum，wasastorywhichhehadshrunkfromconfidingtothetalkativewoman，whowouldhaveconfideditinherturntoeveryoneelseinthehouse。
“WhatIalwayssaytomyhusbandwhenhe’slow，sir。”pursuedthelandlady，intentonthekettle，“is，’Whatwouldyoudo_now，_
Sam，withoutMe？’Whenhistemperdon’tgetthebetterofhim(
itwillboildirectly，Mr。Bashwood)，hesays，’Elizabeth，I
coulddonothing。’Whenhistemperdoesgetthebetterofhim，hesays，’Ishouldtrythepublic-house，missus;andI’lltryitnow。’Ah，I’vegot_my_troubles！Amanwithgrown-upsonsanddaughterstipplinginapublic-house！Idon’tcalltomind，Mr。
Bashwood，whether_you_everhadanysonsanddaughters？Andyet，nowIthinkofit，Iseemtofancyyousaidyes，youhad。
Daughters，sir，weren’tthey？and，ah，dear！dear！tobesure！
alldead。”
“Ihadonedaughter，ma’am。”saidMr。Bashwood，patiently——“onlyone，whodiedbeforeshewasayearold。”
“Onlyone！“repeatedthesympathizinglandlady。“It’sasnearboilingasiteverwillbe，sir;givemethetea-pot。Onlyone！
Ah，itcomesheavier(don’tit？)whenit’sanonlychild？Yousaiditwasanonlychild，Ithink，didn’tyou，sir？”
Foramoment，Mr。Bashwoodlookedatthewomanwithvacanteyes，andwithoutattemptingtoanswerher。Afterignorantlyrecallingthememoryofthewifewhohaddisgracedhim，shewasnow，asignorantly，forcinghimbackonthemiserableremembranceofthesonwhohadruinedanddesertedhim。Forthefirsttime，sincehehadtoldhisstorytoMidwinter，attheirintroductoryinterviewinthegreathouse，hismindrevertedoncemoretothebitterdisappointmentanddisasterofthepast。Againhethoughtofthebygonedays，whenhehadbecomesecurityforhisson，andwhenthatson’sdishonestyhadforcedhimtoselleverythinghepossessedtopaytheforfeitthatwasexactedwhentheforfeitwasdue。“Ihaveason，ma’am。”hesaid，becomingconsciousthatthelandladywaslookingathiminmuteandmelancholysurprise。
“Ididmybesttohelphimforwardintheworld，andhehasbehavedverybadlytome。”
“Didhe，now？”rejoinedthelandlady，withanappearanceofthegreatestinterest。“Behavedbadlytoyou——almostbrokeyourheart，didn’the？Ah，itwillcomehometohim，soonerorlater。
