第7章

HefoundMissVereseatedbythewindowofherdressing-room，herheadrecliningonherhand，andeithersunkinslumber，orsodeeplyengagedinmeditation，thatshedidnothearthenoisehemadeathisentrance。Heapproachedwithhisfeaturescomposedtoadeepexpressionofsorrowandsympathy，and，sittingdownbesideher，solicitedherattentionbyquietlytakingherhand，amotionwhichhedidnotfailtoaccompanywithadeepsigh。

"Myfather！"saidIsabella，withasortofstart，whichexpressedatleastasmuchfear，asjoyoraffection。

"Yes，Isabella，"saidVere，"yourunhappyfather，whocomesnowasapenitenttocraveforgivenessofhisdaughterforaninjurydonetoherintheexcessofhisaffection，andthentotakeleaveofherforever。"

"Sir？Offencetometakeleaveforever？Whatdoesallthismean？"saidMissVere。

"Yes，Isabella，Iamserious。Butfirstletmeaskyou，haveyounosuspicionthatImayhavebeenprivytothestrangechancewhichbefellyouyesterdaymorning？"

"You，sir？"answeredIsabella，stammeringbetweenaconsciousnessthathehadguessedherthoughtsjustly，andtheshameaswellasfearwhichforbadehertoacknowledgeasuspicionsodegradingandsounnatural。

"Yes！"hecontinued，"yourhesitationconfessesthatyouentertainedsuchanopinion，andIhavenowthepainfultaskofacknowledgingthatyoursuspicionshavedonemenoinjustice。

Butlistentomymotives。InanevilhourIcountenancedtheaddressesofSirFrederickLangley，conceivingitimpossiblethatyoucouldhaveanypermanentobjectionstoamatchwheretheadvantageswere，inmostrespects，onyourside。Inaworse，I

enteredwithhimintomeasurescalculatedtorestoreourbanishedmonarch，andtheindependenceofmycountry。Hehastakenadvantageofmyunguardedconfidence，andnowhasmylifeathisdisposal。"

"Yourlife，sir？"saidIsabella，faintly。

"Yes，Isabella，"continuedherfather，"thelifeofhimwhogavelifetoyou。SosoonasIforesawtheexcessesintowhichhisheadlongpassion（for，todohimjustice，Ibelievehisunreasonableconductarisesfromexcessofattachmenttoyou）waslikelytohurryhim，Iendeavoured，byfindingaplausiblepretextforyourabsenceforsomeweeks，toextricatemyselffromthedilemmainwhichIamplaced。ForthispurposeIwished，incaseyourobjectionstothematchcontinuedinsurmountable，tohavesentyouprivatelyforafewmonthstotheconventofyourmaternalauntatParis。ByaseriesofmistakesyouhavebeenbroughtfromtheplaceofsecrecyandsecuritywhichIhaddestinedforyourtemporaryabode。Fatehasbaffledmylastchanceofescape，andIhaveonlytogiveyoumyblessing，andsendyoufromthecastlewithMr。Ratcliffe，whonowleavesit；

myownfatewillsoonbedecided。"

"GoodHeaven，sir！canthisbepossible？"exclaimedIsabella。

"O，whywasIfreedfromtherestraintinwhichyouplacedme？

orwhydidyounotimpartyourpleasuretome？"

"Thinkaninstant，Isabella。WouldyouhavehadmeprejudiceinyouropinionthefriendIwasmostdesirousofserving，bycommunicatingtoyoutheinjuriouseagernesswithwhichhepursuedhisobject？CouldIdosohonourably，havingpromisedtoassisthissuit？——Butitisallover，IandMareschalhavemadeupourmindstodielikemen；itonlyremainstosendyoufromhenceunderasafeescort。"

"Greatpowers！andistherenoremedy？"saidtheterrifiedyoungwoman。

"None，mychild，"answeredVere，gently，"unlessonewhichyouwouldnotadviseyourfathertoadopt——tobethefirsttobetrayhisfriends。"

"O，no！no！"sheanswered，abhorrentlyyethastily，asiftorejectthetemptationwhichthealternativepresentedtoher。

"Butistherenootherhope——throughflight——throughmediation——throughsupplication？——IwillbendmykneetoSirFrederick！"

"Itwouldbeafruitlessdegradation；heisdeterminedonhiscourse，andIamequallyresolvedtostandthehazardofmyfate。

Ononeconditiononlyhewillturnasidefromhispurpose，andthatconditionmylipsshallneveruttertoyou。"

"Nameit，Iconjureyou，mydearfather！"exclaimedIsabella。

"WhatCANheaskthatweoughtnottogrant，topreventthehideouscatastrophewithwhichyouarethreatened？"

"That，Isabella，"saidVere，solemnly，"youshallneverknow，untilyourfather’sheadhasrolledonthebloodyscaffold；then，indeed，youwilllearntherewasonesacrificebywhichhemighthavebeensaved。"

"Andwhynotspeakitnow？"saidIsabella；"doyoufearIwouldflinchfromthesacrificeoffortuneforyourpreservation？orwouldyoubequeathmethebitterlegacyoflife-longremorse，sooftasIshallthinkthatyouperished，whilethereremainedonemodeofpreventingthedreadfulmisfortunethatoverhangsyou？"

"Then，mychild，"saidVere，"sinceyoupressmetonamewhatI

wouldathousandtimesratherleaveinsilence，Imustinformyouthathewillacceptforransomnothingbutyourhandinmarriage，andthatconferredbeforemidnightthisveryevening！"

"Thisevening，sir？"saidtheyounglady，struckwithhorrorattheproposal——"andtosuchaman！——Aman？——amonster，whocouldwishtowinthedaughterbythreateningthelifeofthefather——itisimpossible！"

"Yousayright，mychild，"answeredherfather，"itisindeedimpossible；norhaveIeithertherightorthewishtoexactsuchasacrifice——Itisthecourseofnaturethattheoldshoulddieandbeforgot，andtheyoungshouldliveandbehappy。"

"Myfatherdie，andhischildcansavehim！——butno——no——mydearfather，pardonme，itisimpossible；youonlywishtoguidemetoyourwishes。Iknowyourobjectiswhatyouthinkmyhappiness，andthisdreadfultaleisonlytoldtoinfluencemyconductandsubduemyscruples。"

"Mydaughter，"repliedEllieslaw，inatonewhereoffendedauthorityseemedtostrugglewithparentalaffection，"mychildsuspectsmeofinventingafalsetaletoworkuponherfeelings！

EventhisImustbear，andevenfromthisunworthysuspicionI

mustdescendtovindicatemyself。YouknowthestainlesshonourofyourcousinMareschal——markwhatIshallwritetohim，andjudgefromhisanswer，ifthedangerinwhichwestandisnotreal，andwhetherIhavenotusedeverymeanstoavertit。"

Hesatedown，wroteafewlineshastily，andhandedthemtoIsabella，who，afterrepeatedandpainfulefforts，clearedhereyesandheadsufficientlytodiscerntheirpurport。

"Dearcousin，"saidthebillet，"Ifindmydaughter，asI

expected，indespairattheuntimelyandprematureurgencyofSirFrederickLangley。Shecannotevencomprehendtheperilinwhichwestand，orhowmuchweareinhispower——Useyourinfluencewithhim，forHeaven’ssake，tomodifyproposals，totheacceptanceofwhichIcannot，andwillnot，urgemychildagainstallherownfeelings，aswellasthoseofdelicacyandpropriety，andobligeyourlovingcousin，——R。V。"

Intheagitationofthemoment，whenherswimmingeyesanddizzybraincouldhardlycomprehendthesenseofwhatshelookedupon，itisnotsurprisingthatMissVereshouldhaveomittedtoremarkthatthisletterseemedtorestherscruplesratherupontheformandtimeoftheproposedunion，thanonarooteddisliketothesuitorproposedtoher。Mr。Vererangthebell，andgavethelettertoaservanttobedeliveredtoMr。Mareschal，and，risingfromhischair，continuedtotraversetheapartmentinsilenceandingreatagitationuntiltheanswerwasreturned。Heglanceditover，andwrungthehandofhisdaughterashegaveittoher。

Thetenorwasasfollows：——

"Mydearkinsman，Ihavealreadyurgedtheknightonthepointyoumention，andIfindhimasfixedasCheviot。Iamtrulysorrymyfaircousinshouldbepressedtogiveupanyofhermaidenlyrights。SirFrederickconsents，however，toleavethecastlewithmetheinstanttheceremonyisperformed，andwewillraiseourfollowersandbeginthefray。Thusthereisgreathopethebridegroommaybeknockedontheheadbeforeheandthebridecanmeetagain，soBellhasafairchancetobeLadyLangleyATRESBONMARCHE。Fortherest，Icanonlysay，thatifshecanmakeuphermindtotheallianceatall——itisnotimeformeremaidenceremony——myprettycousinmustneedsconsenttomarryinhaste，orweshallallrepentatleisure，orratherhaveverylittleleisuretorepent；whichisallatpresentfromhimwhorestsyouraffectionatekinsman，——R。M。"

"P。S。——TellIsabellathatIwouldrathercuttheknight’sthroatafterall，andendthedilemmathatway，thanseeherconstrainedtomarryhimagainstherwill。"

WhenIsabellahadreadthisletter，itdroppedfromherhand，andshewould，atthesametime，havefallenfromherchair，hadshenotbeensupportedbyherfather。

"MyGod，mychildwilldie！"exclaimedVere，thefeelingsofnatureovercoming，eveninHISbreast，thesentimentsofselfishpolicy；"lookup，Isabella——lookup，mychild——comewhatwill，youshallnotbethesacrifice——IwillfallmyselfwiththeconsciousnessIleaveyouhappy——Mychildmayweeponmygrave，butsheshallnot——notinthisinstance——reproachmymemory。"Hecalledaservant。——"Go，bidRatcliffecomehitherdirectly。"

Duringthisinterval，MissVerebecamedeadlypale，clenchedherhands，pressingthepalmsstronglytogether，closedhereyes，anddrewherlipswithstrongcompression，asifthesevereconstraintwhichsheputuponherinternalfeelingsextendedeventohermuscularorganization。Thenraisingherhead，anddrawinginherbreathstronglyereshespoke，shesaid，withfirmness，——"Father，Iconsenttothemarriage。"

"Youshallnot——youshallnot，——mychild——mydearchild——youshallnotembracecertainmiserytofreemefromuncertaindanger。"

SoexclaimedEllieslaw；and，strangeandinconsistentbeingsthatweare！heexpressedtherealthoughmomentaryfeelingsofhisheart。

"Father，"repeatedIsabella，"Iwillconsenttothismarriage。"

"No，mychild，no——notnowatleast——wewillhumbleourselvestoobtaindelayfromhim；andyet，Isabella，couldyouovercomeadislikewhichhasnorealfoundation，think，inotherrespects，whatamatch！——wealth——rank——importance。"

"Father！"reiteratedIsabella，"Ihaveconsented。"

Itseemedasifshehadlostthepowerofsayinganythingelse，orevenofvaryingthephrasewhich，withsucheffort，shehadcompelledherselftoutter。

"Heavenblessthee，mychild！——Heavenblessthee！——AnditWILL

blesstheewithriches，withpleasure，withpower。"

MissVerefaintlyentreatedtobeleftbyherselffortherestoftheevening。

"ButwillyounotreceiveSirFrederick？"saidherfather，anxiously。

"Iwillmeethim，"shereplied，"Iwillmeethim——whenImust，andwhereImust；butsparemenow。"

"Beitso，mydearest；youshallknownorestraintthatIcansaveyoufrom。DonotthinktoohardlyofSirFrederickforthis，——itisanexcessofpassion。"

Isabellawavedherhandimpatiently。

"Forgiveme，mychild——Igo——Heavenblessthee。Ateleven——ifyoucallmenotbefore——atelevenIcometoseekyou。"

"WhenheleftIsabellashedroppeduponherknees——"HeavenaidmetosupporttheresolutionIhavetaken——Heavenonlycan——O，poorEarnscliff！whoshallcomforthim？andwithwhatcontemptwillhepronouncehername，wholistenedtohimto-dayandgaveherselftoanotheratnight！Butlethimdespiseme——bettersothanthatheshouldknowthetruth——lethimdespiseme；ifitwillbutlessenhisgrief，Ishouldfeelcomfortinthelossofhisesteem。"

Sheweptbitterly；attemptinginvain，fromtimetotime，tocommencetheprayerforwhichshehadsunkonherknees，butunabletocalmherspiritssufficientlyfortheexerciseofdevotion。Assheremainedinthisagonyofmind，thedoorofherapartmentwasslowlyopened。

CHAPTERXV。

Thedarksomecavetheyenter，wheretheyfoundThewofulman，lowsittingontheground，Musingfullsadlyinhissullenmind。FAERYQUEEN。

TheintruderonMissVere’ssorrowswasRatcliffe。Ellieslawhad，intheagitationofhismind，forgottentocountermandtheorderhehadgiventocallhimthither，sothatheopenedthedoorwiththewords，"Yousentforme，Mr。Vere。"Thenlookingaround——"MissVere，alone！ontheground！andintears！"

"Leaveme——leaveme，Mr。Ratcliffe，"saidtheunhappyyounglady。

"Imustnotleaveyou，"saidRatcliffe；"Ihavebeenrepeatedlyrequestingadmittancetotakemyleaveofyou，andhavebeenrefused，untilyourfatherhimselfsentforme。Blamemenot，ifIamboldandintrusive；Ihaveadutytodischargewhichmakesmeso。"

"Icannotlistentoyou——Icannotspeaktoyou，Mr。Ratcliffe；

takemybestwishes，andforGod’ssakeleaveme。"

"Tellmeonly，"saidRatcliffe，"isittruethatthismonstrousmatchistogoforward，andthisverynight？IheardtheservantsproclaimitasIwasonthegreatstaircase——Iheardthedirectionsgiventoclearoutthechapel。"

"Spareme，Mr。Ratcliffe，"repliedthelucklessbride；"andfromthestateinwhichyouseeme，judgeofthecrueltyofthesequestions。"

"Married？toSirFrederickLangley？andthisnight？Itmustnotcannot——shallnotbe。"

"ItMUSTbe，Mr。Ratcliff，ormyfatherisruined。"

"Ah！Iunderstand，"answeredRatcliffe；"andyouhavesacrificedyourselftosavehimwho——Butletthevirtueofthechildatoneforthefaultsofthefatheritisnotimetorakethemup。——WhatCANbedone？Timepresses——Iknowbutoneremedy——withfour-and-

twentyhoursImightfindmany——MissVere，youmustimploretheprotectionoftheonlyhumanbeingwhohasitinhispowertocontrolthecourseofeventswhichthreatenstohurryyoubeforeit。"

"Andwhathumanbeing，"answeredMissVere，"hassuchpower？"

"StartnotwhenInamehim，"saidRatcliffe，comingnearher，andspeakinginalowbutdistinctvoice。"ItishewhoiscalledElshendertheRecluseofMucklestane-Moor。"

"Youaremad，Mr。Ratcliffe，oryoumeantoinsultmymiserybyanill-timedjest！"

"Iamasmuchinmysenses，younglady，"answeredheradviser，"asyouare；andIamnoidlejester，farlesswithmisery，leastofallwithyourmisery。Isweartoyouthatthisbeing（whoisotherfarthanwhatheseems）actuallypossessesthemeansofredeemingyoufromthishatefulunion。"

"Andofinsuringmyfather’ssafety？"

"Yes！eventhat，"saidRatcliffe，"ifyoupleadhiscausewithhim——yethowtoobtainadmittancetotheRecluse！"

"Fearnotthat，"saidMissVere，suddenlyrecollectingtheincidentoftherose；"Irememberhedesiredmetocalluponhimforaidinmyextremity，andgavemethisflowerasatoken。Ereitfadedawayentirely，Iwouldneed，hesaid，hisassistance：

isitpossiblehiswordscanhavebeenaughtbuttheravingsofinsanity？"

"Doubtitnotfearitnot——butaboveall，"saidRatcliffe，"letuslosenotime——areyouatliberty，andunwatched？"

"Ibelieveso，"saidIsabella："butwhatwouldyouhavemetodo？"

"Leavethecastleinstantly，"saidRatcliffe，"andthrowyourselfatthefeetofthisextraordinaryman，whoincircumstancesthatseemtoarguetheextremityofthemostcontemptiblepoverty，possessesyetanalmostabsoluteinfluenceoveryourfate。——

Guestsandservantsaredeepintheircarouse——theleaderssittinginconclaveontheirtreasonableschemes——myhorsestandsreadyinthestable——Iwillsaddleoneforyou，andmeetyouatthelittlegarden-gate——O，letnodoubtofmyprudenceorfidelitypreventyourtakingtheonlystepinyourpowertoescapethedreadfulfatewhichmustattendthewifeofSirFrederickLangley！"

"Mr。Ratcliffe，"saidMissVere，"youhavealwaysbeenesteemedamanofhonourandprobity，andadrowningwretchwillalwayscatchatthefeeblesttwig，——Iwilltrustyou——Iwillfollowyouradvice——Iwillmeetyouatthegarden-gate。"

Sheboltedtheouter-doorofherapartmentassoonasMr。

Ratcliffelefther，anddescendedtothegardenbyaseparatestairofcommunicationwhichopenedtoherdressing-room。Onthewayshefeltinclinedtoretracttheconsentshehadsohastilygiventoaplansohopelessandextravagant。Butasshepassedinherdescentaprivatedoorwhichenteredintothechapelfromtheback-stair，sheheardthevoiceofthefemale-servantsastheywereemployedinthetaskofcleaningit。

"Married！andtosaebadaman——Ewhow，sirs！onythingratherthanthat。"

"Theyareright——theyareright，"saidMissVere，"anythingratherthanthat！"

Shehurriedtothegarden。Mr。Ratcliffewastruetohisappointment——thehorsesstoodsaddledatthegarden-gate，andinafewminutestheywereadvancingrapidlytowardsthehutoftheSolitary。

Whilethegroundwasfavourable，thespeedoftheirjourneywassuchastopreventmuchcommunication；butwhenasteepascentcompelledthemtoslackentheirpace，anewcauseofapprehensionoccurredtoMissVere’smind。

"Mr。Ratcliffe，"shesaid，pullingupherhorse’sbridle，"letusprosecutenofartherajourney，whichnothingbuttheextremeagitationofmymindcanvindicatemyhavingundertaken——Iamwellawarethatthismanpassesamongthevulgarasbeingpossessedofsupernaturalpowers，andcarryingonanintercoursewithbeingsofanotherworld；butIwouldhaveyouawareIamneithertobeimposedonbysuchfollies，nor，wereItobelieveintheirexistence，durstI，withmyfeelingsofreligion，applytothisbeinginmydistress。"

"Ishouldhavethought，MissVere，"repliedRatcliffe，"mycharacterandhabitsofthinkingweresowellknowntoyou，thatyoumighthaveheldmeexculpatedfromcreditinginsuchabsurdity。"

"Butinwhatothermode，"saidIsabella，"canabeing，somiserablehimselfinappearance，possessthepowerofassistingme？"

"MissVere。"saidRatcliffe，afteramomentarypause，"Iamboundbyasolemnoathofsecrecy——Youmust，withoutfartherexplanation，besatisfiedwithmypledgedassurance，thathedoespossessthepower，ifyoucaninspirehimwiththewill；andthat，Idoubtnot，youwillbeabletodo。"

"Mr。Ratcliffe，"saidMissVere，"youmayyourselfbemistaken；

youaskanunlimiteddegreeofconfidencefromme。"

"Recollect，MissVere，"hereplied，"thatwhen，inyourhumanity，youaskedmetointerferewithyourfatherinfavourofHaswellandhisruinedfamily——whenyourequestedmetoprevailonhimtodoathingmostabhorrenttohisnature——toforgiveaninjuryandremitapenalty——Istipulatedthatyoushouldaskmenoquestionsconcerningthesourcesofmyinfluence——Youfoundnoreasontodistrustmethen，donotdistrustmenow。"

"Buttheextraordinarymodeoflifeofthisman，"saidMissVere；

"hisseclusion——hisfigure——thedeepnessofmis-anthropywhichheissaidtoexpressinhislanguage——Mr。Ratcliffe，whatcanI

thinkofhimifhereallypossessesthepowersyouascribetohim？"

"Thisman，younglady，wasbredaCatholic，asectwhichaffordsathousandinstancesofthosewhohaveretiredfrompowerandaffluencetovoluntaryprivationsmorestricteventhanhis。"

"Butheavowsnoreligiousmotive，"repliedMissVere。

"No，"repliedRatcliffe；"disgustwiththeworldhasoperatedhisretreatfromitwithoutassumingtheveilofsuperstition。ThusfarImaytellyou——hewasborntogreatwealth，whichhisparentsdesignedshouldbecomegreaterbyhisunionwithakinswoman，whomforthatpurposetheybredupintheirownhouse。

Youhaveseenhisfigure；judgewhattheyoungladymusthavethoughtofthelottowhichshewasdestined——Yet，habituatedtohisappearance，sheshowednoreluctance，andthefriendsof——ofthepersonwhomIspeakof，doubtednotthattheexcessofhisattachment，thevariousacquisitionsofhismind，hismanyandamiablequalities，hadovercomethenaturalhorrorwhichhisdestinedbridemusthaveentertainedatanexteriorsodreadfullyinauspicious。"

"Anddidtheyjudgetruly？"saidIsabella。

"Youshallhear。He，atleast，wasfullyawareofhisowndeficiency；thesenseofithauntedhimlikeaphantom。’Iam，’

washisownexpressiontome，——Imeantoamanwhomhetrusted，——

’Iam，inspiteofwhatyouwouldsay，apoormiserableoutcast，fittertohavebeensmotheredinthecradlethantohavebeenbroughtuptoscaretheworldinwhichIcrawl。’Thepersonwhomheaddressedinvainendeavouredtoimpresshimwiththeindifferencetoexternalformwhichisthenaturalresultofphilosophy，orentreathimtorecallthesuperiorityofmentaltalentstothemoreattractiveattributesthataremerelypersonal。’Ihearyou，’hewouldreply；’butyouspeakthevoiceofcold-bloodedstoicism，or，atleast，offriendlypartiality。

Butlookateverybookwhichwehaveread，thoseexceptedofthatabstractphilosophywhichfeelsnoresponsivevoiceinournaturalfeelings。Isnotpersonalform，suchasatleastcanbetoleratedwithouthorroranddisgust，alwaysrepresentedasessentialtoourideasofafriend，farmorealover？Isnotsuchamis-shapenmonsterasIam，excluded，bytheveryfiatofNature，fromherfairestenjoyments？Whatbutmywealthpreventsall——perhapsevenLetitia，oryou——fromshunningmeassomethingforeigntoyournature，andmoreodious，bybearingthatdistortedresemblancetohumanitywhichweobserveintheanimaltribesthataremorehatefultomanbecausetheyseemhiscaricature？’"

"Yourepeatthesentimentsofamadman，"saidMissVere。

"No，"repliedherconductor，"unlessamorbidandexcessivesensibilityonsuchasubjectcanbetermedinsanity。"YetI

willnotdenythatthisgoverningfeelingandapprehensioncarriedthepersonwhoentertainedit，tolengthswhichindicatedaderangedimagination。Heappearedtothinkthatitwasnecessaryforhim，byexuberant，andnotalwayswell-choseninstancesofliberality，andevenprofusion，tounitehimselftothehumanrace，fromwhichheconceivedhimselfnaturallydissevered。Thebenefitswhichhebestowed，fromadispositionnaturallyphilanthropicalinanuncommondegree，wereexaggeratedbytheinfluenceofthegoadingreflection，thatmorewasnecessaryfromhimthanfromothers，——lavishinghistreasuresasiftobribemankindtoreceivehimintotheirclass。Itisscarcelynecessarytosay，thatthebountywhichflowedfromasourcesocapriciouswasoftenabused，andhisconfidencefrequentlybetrayed。Thesedisappointments，whichoccurtoall，moreorless，andmosttosuchasconferbenefitswithoutjustdiscrimination，hisdiseasedfancysetdowntothehatredandcontemptexcitedbyhispersonaldeformity。——ButIfatigueyou，MissVere？"

"No，bynomeans；I——Icouldnotpreventmyattentionfromwanderinganinstant；prayproceed。"

"Hebecameatlength，"continuedRatcliffe，"themostingeniousself-tormentorofwhomIhaveeverheard；thescoffoftherabble，andthesneeroftheyetmorebrutalvulgarofhisownrank，wastohimagonyandbreakingonthewheel。Heregardedthelaughofthecommonpeoplewhomhepassedonthestreet，andthesuppressedtitter，oryetmoreoffensiveterror，oftheyounggirlstowhomhewasintroducedincompany，asproofsofthetruesensewhichtheworldentertainedofhim，asaprodigyunfittobereceivedamongthemontheusualtermsofsociety，andasvindicatingthewisdomofhispurposeinwithdrawinghimselffromamongthem。Onthefaithandsincerityoftwopersonsalone，heseemedtorelyimplicitly——onthatofhisbetrothedbride，andofafriendeminentlygiftedinpersonalaccomplishments，whoseemed，andindeedprobablywas，sincerelyattachedtohim。Heoughttohavebeensoatleast，forhewasliterallyloadedwithbenefitsbyhimwhomyouarenowabouttosee。Theparentsofthesubjectofmystorydiedwithinashortspaceofeachother。

Theirdeathpostponedthemarriage，forwhichthedayhadbeenfixed。Theladydidnotseemgreatlytomournthisdelay，——

perhapsthatwasnottohavebeenexpected；butsheintimatednochangeofintention，when，afteradecentinterval，aseconddaywasnamedfortheirunion。ThefriendofwhomIspokewasthenaconstantresidentattheHall。Inanevilhour，attheearnestrequestandentreatyofthisfriend，theyjoinedageneralparty，wheremenofdifferentpoliticalopinionsweremingled，andwheretheydrankdeep。Aquarrelensued；thefriendoftheReclusedrewhisswordwithothers，andwasthrowndownanddisarmedbyamorepowerfulantagonist。TheyfellinthestruggleatthefeetoftheRecluse，who，maimedandtruncatedashisformappears，possesses，nevertheless，greatstrength，aswellasviolentpassions。Hecaughtupasword，piercedtheheartofhisfriend’santagonist，wastried，andhislife，withdifficulty，redeemedfromjusticeattheexpenseofayear’scloseimprisonment，thepunishmentofmanslaughter。Theincidentaffectedhimmostdeeply，themorethatthedeceasedwasamanofexcellentcharacter，andhadsustainedgrossinsultandinjuryerehedrewhissword。Ithink，fromthatmoment，Iobserved——I

begpardon——Thefitsofmorbidsensibilitywhichhadtormentedthisunfortunategentleman，wererenderedhenceforthmoreacutebyremorse，whichhe，ofallmen，wasleastcapableofhavingincurred，orofsustainingwhenitbecamehisunhappylot。Hisparoxysmsofagonycouldnotbeconcealedfromtheladytowhomhewasbetrothed；anditmustbeconfessedtheywereofanalarmingandfearfulnature。Hecomfortedhimself，that，attheexpiryofhisimprisonment，hecouldformwithhiswifeandfriendasociety，encircledbywhichhemightdispensewithmoreextensivecommunicationwiththeworld。Hewasdeceived；beforethattermelapsed，hisfriendandhisbetrothedbrideweremanandwife。Theeffectsofashocksodreadfulonanardenttemperament，adispositionalreadysouredbybitterremorse，andloosenedbytheindulgenceofagloomyimaginationfromtherestofmankind，Icannotdescribetoyou；itwasasifthelastcableatwhichthevesselrodehadsuddenlyparted，andleftherabandonedtoallthewildfuryofthetempest。Hewasplacedundermedicalrestraint。Asatemporarymeasurethismighthavebeenjustifiable；buthishard-heartedfriend，who，inconsequenceofhismarriage，wasnowhisnearestally，prolongedhisconfinement，inordertoenjoythemanagementofhisimmenseestates。Therewasonewhoowedhisalltothesufferer，anhumblefriend，butgratefulandfaithful。Byunceasingexertion，andrepeatedinvocationofjustice，heatlengthsucceededinobtaininghispatron’sfreedom，andreinstatementinthemanagementofhisownproperty，towhichwassoonaddedthatofhisintendedbride，whohavingdiedwithoutmaleissue，herestatesrevertedtohim，asheirofentail。Butfreedomandwealthwereunabletorestoretheequipoiseofhismind；totheformerhisgriefmadehimindifferent——thelatteronlyservedhimasfarasitaffordedhimthemeansofindulginghisstrangeandwaywardfancy。HehadrenouncedtheCatholicreligion，butperhapssomeofitsdoctrinescontinuedtoinfluenceamind，overwhichremorseandmisanthropynowassumed，inappearance，anunboundedauthority。Hislifehassincebeenthatalternatelyofapilgrimandahermit，sufferingthemostsevereprivations，notindeedinasceticdevotion，butinabhorrenceofmankind。Yetnoman’swordsandactionshavebeenatsuchawidedifference，norhasanyhypocriticalwretcheverbeenmoreingeniousinassigninggoodmotivesforhisvileactions，thanthisunfortunateinreconcilingtohisabstractprinciplesofmisanthropy，aconductwhichflowsfromhisnaturalgenerosityandkindnessoffeeling。"

"Still，Mr。Ratcliffe——stillyoudescribetheinconsistenciesofamadman。"

"Bynomeans，"repliedRatcliffe。"Thattheimaginationofthisgentlemanisdisordered，Iwillnotpretendtodispute；Ihavealreadytoldyouthatithassometimesbrokenoutintoparoxysmsapproachingtorealmentalalienation。ButitisofhiscommonstateofmindthatIspeak；itisirregular，butnotderanged；

theshadesareasgradualasthosethatdividethelightofnoondayfrommidnight。Thecourtierwhoruinshisfortunefortheattainmentofatitlewhichcandohimnogood，orpowerofwhichhecanmakenosuitableorcreditableuse，themiserwhohoardshisuselesswealth，andtheprodigalwhosquandersit，areallmarkedwithacertainshadeofinsanity。Tocriminalswhoareguiltyofenormities，whenthetemptation，toasobermind，bearsnoproportiontothehorroroftheact，ortheprobabilityofdetectionandpunishment，thesameobservationapplies；andeveryviolentpassion，aswellasanger，maybetermedashortmadness。"

"Thismaybeallgoodphilosophy，Mr。Ratcliffe，"answeredMissVere；"but，excuseme，itbynomeansemboldensmetovisit，atthislatehour，apersonwhoseextravaganceofimaginationyouyourselfcanonlypalliate。"

"Rather，then，"saidRatcliffe，"receivemysolemnassurances，thatyoudonotincurtheslightestdanger。ButwhatIhavebeenhithertoafraidtomentionforfearofalarmingyouis，thatnowwhenwearewithinsightofhisretreat，forIcandiscoveritthroughthetwilight，Imustgonofartherwithyou；youmustproceedalone。"

"Alone？——Idarenot。"

"Youmust，"continuedRatcliffe；"Iwillremainhereandwaitforyou。"

"Youwillnot，then，stirfromthisplace，"saidMissVere"yetthedistanceissogreat，youcouldnothearmewereItocryforassistance。"

"Fearnothing，"saidherguide；"orobserve，atleast，theutmostcautioninstiflingeveryexpressionoftimidity。Rememberthathispredominantandmostharassingapprehensionarisesfromaconsciousnessofthehideousnessofhisappearance。Yourpathliesstraightbesideyonhalf-fallenwillow；keeptheleftsideofit；themarshliesontheright。Farewellforatime。

Remembertheevilyouarethreatenedwith，andletitovercomeatonceyourfearsandscruples。"

"Mr。Ratcliffe，"saidIsabella，"farewell；ifyouhavedeceivedonesounfortunateasmyself，youhaveforeverforfeitedthefaircharacterforprobityandhonourtowhichIhavetrusted。"

"Onmylife——onmysoul，"continuedRatcliffe，raisinghisvoiceasthedistancebetweenthemincreased，"youaresafe——perfectlysafe。"

CHAPTERXVI。

——’TwastimeandgriefsThatframedhimthus：Time，withhisfairerhand，Offeringthefortunesofhisformerdays，Theformermanmaymakehim。——Bringustohim，Andchanceitasitmay。OLDPLAY。

ThesoundsofRatcliffe’svoicehaddiedonIsabella’sear；butasshefrequentlylookedback，itwassomeencouragementtohertodiscernhisformnowdarkeninginthegloom。Ere，however，shewentmuchfarther，shelosttheobjectintheincreasingshade。ThelastglimmerofthetwilightplacedherbeforethehutoftheSolitary。Shetwiceextendedherhandtothedoor，andtwiceshewithdrewit；andwhenshedidatlengthmaketheeffort，theknockdidnotequalinviolencethethrobofherownbosom。Hernexteffortwaslouder；herthirdwasreiterated，forthefearofnotobtainingtheprotectionfromwhichRatcliffepromisedsomuch，begantooverpowertheterrorsofhispresencefromwhomshewastorequestit。Atlength，asshestillreceivednoanswer，sherepeatedlycalledupontheDwarfbyhisassumedname，andrequestedhimtoanswerandopentoher。

"Whatmiserablebeingisreduced，"saidtheappallingvoiceoftheSolitary，"toseekrefugehere？Gohence；whentheheath-

fowlneedshelter，theyseekitnotinthenestofthenight-

raven。"

"Icometoyou，father，"saidIsabella，"inmyhourofadversity，evenasyouyourselfcommanded，whenyoupromisedyourheartandyourdoorshouldbeopentomydistress；butIfear——"

"Ha！"saidtheSolitary，"thenthouartIsabellaVere？Givemeatokenthatthouartshe。"

"Ihavebroughtyoubacktherosewhichyougaveme；ithasnothadtimetofadeerethehardfateyouforetoldhascomeuponme！"

"Andifthouhastthusredeemedthypledge，"saidtheDwarf，"I

willnotforfeitmine。Theheartandthedoorthatareshutagainsteveryotherearthlybeing，shallbeopentotheeandtothysorrows。"

Sheheardhimmoveinhishut，andpresentlyafterwardsstrikealight。Onebyone，boltandbarwerethenwithdrawn，theheartofIsabellathrobbinghigherastheseobstaclestotheirmeetingweresuccessivelyremoved。Thedooropened，andtheSolitarystoodbeforeher，hisuncouthformandfeaturesilluminatedbytheironlampwhichheheldinhishand。

"Enter，daughterofaffliction，"hesaid，——"enterthehouseofmisery。"

Sheentered，andobserved，withaprecautionwhichincreasedhertrepidation，thattheRecluse’sfirstact，aftersettingthelampuponthetable，wastoreplacethenumerousboltswhichsecuredthedoorofhishut。Sheshrunkassheheardthenoisewhichaccompaniedthisominousoperation，yetrememberedRatcliffe’scaution，andendeavouredtosuppressallappearanceofapprehension。Thelightofthelampwasweakanduncertain；buttheSolitary，withouttakingimmediatenoticeofIsabella，otherwisethanbymotioninghertositdownonasmallsettlebesidethefireplace，madehastetokindlesomedryfurze，whichpresentlycastablazethroughthecottage。Woodenshelves，whichboreafewbooks，somebundlesofdriedherbs，andoneortwowoodencupsandplatters，wereononesideofthefire；ontheotherwereplacedsomeordinarytoolsoffield-labour，mingledwiththoseusedbymechanics。Wherethebedshouldhavebeen，therewasawoodenframe，strewedwithwitheredmossandrushes，thecouchoftheascetic。Thewholespaceofthecottagedidnotexceedtenfeetbysixwithinthewalls；anditsonlyfurniture，besideswhatwehavementioned，wasatableandtwostoolsformedofroughdeals。

WithinthesenarrowprecinctsIsabellanowfoundherselfenclosedwithabeing，whosehistoryhadnothingtoreassureher，andthefearfulconformationofwhosehideouscountenanceinspiredanalmostsuperstitiousterror。Heoccupiedtheseatoppositetoher，anddroppinghishugeandshaggyeyebrowsoverhispiercingblackeyes，gazedatherinsilence，asifagitatedbyavarietyofcontendingfeelings。OntheothersidesateIsabella，paleasdeath，herlonghairuncurledbytheeveningdamps，andfallingoverhershouldersandbreast，asthewetstreamersdroopfromthemastwhenthestormhaspassedaway，andleftthevesselstrandedonthebeach。TheDwarffirstbrokethesilencewiththesudden，abrupt，andalarmingquestion，——"Woman，whatevilfatehasbroughttheehither？"

"Myfather’sdanger，andyourowncommand，"sherepliedfaintly，butfirmly。

"Andyouhopeforaidfromme？"

"Ifyoucanbestowit，"shereplied，stillinthesametoneofmildsubmission。

"AndhowshouldIpossessthatpower？"continuedtheDwarf，withabittersneer；"Isminetheformofaredresserofwrongs？Isthisthecastleinwhichonepowerfulenoughtobesuedtobyafairsuppliantislikelytoholdhisresidence？Ibutmockedthee，girl，whenIsaidIwouldrelievethee。"

"ThenmustIdepart，andfacemyfateasIbestmay！"

"No！"saidtheDwarf，risingandinterposingbetweenherandthedoor，andmotioningtohersternlytoresumeherseat——"No！youleavemenotinthisway；wemusthavefartherconference。Whyshouldonebeingdesireaidofanother？Whyshouldnoteachbesufficienttoitself？Lookroundyou——I，themostdespisedandmostdecrepitonNature’scommon，haverequiredsympathyandhelpfromnoone。Thesestonesareofmyownpiling；theseutensilsI

framedwithmyownhands；andwiththis"——andhelaidhishandwithafiercesmileonthelongdaggerwhichhealwaysworebeneathhisgarment，andunsheatheditsofarthatthebladeglimmeredclearinthefire-light——"withthis，"hepursued，ashethrusttheweaponbackintothescabbard，"Ican，ifnecessary，defendthevitalsparkenclosedinthispoortrunk，againstthefairestandstrongestthatshallthreatenmewithinjury。"

ItwaswithdifficultyIsabellarefrainedfromscreamingoutaloud；butsheDIDrefrain。

"This，"continuedtheRecluse，"isthelifeofnature，solitary，self-sufficing，andindependent。Thewolfcallsnotthewolftoaidhiminforminghisden；andthevultureinvitesnotanothertoassistherinstrikingdownherprey。"

"Andwhentheyareunabletoprocurethemselvessupport，"saidIsabella，judiciouslythinkingthathewouldbemostaccessibletoargumentcouchedinhisownmetaphoricalstyle，"whatthenistobefallthem？"

"Letthemstarve，die，andbeforgotten；itisthecommonlotofhumanity。"

"Itisthelotofthewildtribesofnature，"saidIsabella，"butchieflyofthosewhoaredestinedtosupportthemselvesbyrapine，whichbrooksnopartner；butitisnotthelawofnatureingeneral；eventhelowerordershaveconfederaciesformutualdefence。Butmankind——theracewouldperishdidtheyceasetoaideachother。——Fromthetimethatthemotherbindsthechild’shead，tillthemomentthatsomekindassistantwipesthedeath-

dampfromthebrowofthedying，wecannotexistwithoutmutualhelp。All，therefore，thatneedaid，haverighttoaskitoftheirfellow-mortals；noonewhohasthepowerofgrantingcanrefuseitwithoutguilt。"

"Andinthissimplehope，poormaiden，"saidtheSolitary，"thouhastcomeintothedesert，toseekonewhosewishitwerethattheleaguethouhastspokenofwerebrokenforever，andthat，inverytruth，thewholeraceshouldperish？Wertthounotfrightened？"

"Misery，"saidIsabella，firmly，"issuperiortofear。"

"Hastthounothearditsaidinthymortalworld，thatIhaveleaguedmyselfwithotherpowers，deformedtotheeyeandmalevolenttothehumanraceasmyself？Hastthounotheardthis——Anddostthouseekmycellatmidnight？"

"TheBeingIworshipsupportsmeagainstsuchidlefears，"saidIsabella；buttheincreasingagitationofherbosombeliedtheaffectedcouragewhichherwordsexpressed。

"Ho！ho！"saidtheDwarf，"thouvauntestthyselfaphilosopher？

Yet，shouldstthounothavethoughtofthedangerofintrustingthyself，youngandbeautiful，inthepowerofonesospitedagainsthumanity，astoplacehischiefpleasureindefacing，destroying，anddegradingherfairestworks？"

Isabella，muchalarmed，continuedtoanswerwithfirmness，"Whateverinjuriesyoumayhavesustainedintheworld，youareincapableofrevengingthemononewhoneverwrongedyou，nor，wilfully，anyother。"

"Ay，but，maiden，"hecontinued，hisdarkeyesflashingwithanexpressionofmalignitywhichcommunicateditselftohiswildanddistortedfeatures，"revengeisthehungrywolf，whichasksonlytotearfleshandlapblood。Thinkyouthelamb’spleaofinnocencewouldbelistenedtobyhim？"

"Man！"saidIsabella，rising，andexpressingherselfwithmuchdignity，"Ifearnotthehorribleideaswithwhichyouwouldimpressme。Icastthemfrommewithdisdain。Beyoumortalorfiend，youwouldnotofferinjurytoonewhosoughtyouasasuppliantinherutmostneed。Youwouldnot——youdurstnot。"

"Thousay’sttruly，maiden，"rejoinedtheSolitary；"Idarenot——Iwouldnot。Begonetothydwelling。Fearnothingwithwhichtheythreatenthee。Thouhastaskedmyprotection——thoushaltfinditeffectual。"

"But，father，thisverynightIhaveconsentedtowedthemanthatIabhor，orImustputthesealtomyfather’sruin。"

"Thisnight？——atwhathour？"

"Eremidnight。"

"Andtwilight，"saidtheDwarf，"hasalreadypassedaway。Butfearnothing，thereisampletimetoprotectthee。"

"Andmyfather？"continuedIsabella，inasupplianttone。