第7章

AnnabelBalchwas，ifnotthegirlHarneyoughttomarry，atleastthekindofgirlitwouldbenaturalforhimtomarry。Charityhadneverbeenabletopictureherselfashiswife;hadneverbeenabletoarrestthevisionandfollowitoutinitsdailyconsequences;butshecouldperfectlyimagineAnnabelBalchinthatrelationtohim。

Themoreshethoughtofthesethingsthemorethesenseoffatalityweighedonher：shefelttheuselessnessofstrugglingagainstthecircumstances。Shehadneverknownhowtoadaptherself;shecouldonlybreakandtearanddestroy。ThescenewithAllyhadleftherstrickenwithshameatherownchildishsavagery。WhatwouldHarneyhavethoughtifhehadwitnessedit？Butwhensheturnedtheincidentoverinherpuzzledmindshecouldnotimaginewhatacivilizedpersonwouldhavedoneinherplace。Shefeltherselftoounequallypittedagainstunknownforces……

Atlengththisfeelingmovedhertosuddenaction。ShetookasheetofletterpaperfromMr。Royall’soffice，andsittingbythekitchenlamp，onenightafterVerenahadgonetobed，beganherfirstlettertoHarney。Itwasveryshort：

IwantyoushouldmarryAnnabelBalchifyoupromisedto。IthinkmaybeyouwereafraidI’dfeeltoobadaboutit。IfeelI’dratheryouactedright。

YourlovingCHARITY。

Shepostedtheletterearlythenextmorning，andforafewdaysherheartfeltstrangelylight。Thenshebegantowonderwhyshereceivednoanswer。

Onedayasshesataloneinthelibraryponderingthesethingsthewallsofbooksbegantospinaroundher，andtherosewooddesktorockunderherelbows。ThedizzinesswasfollowedbyawaveofnausealikethatshehadfeltonthedayoftheexercisesintheTownHall。ButtheTownHallhadbeencrowdedandstiflinglyhot，andthelibrarywasempty，andsochillythatshehadkeptonherjacket。Fiveminutesbeforeshehadfeltperfectlywell;andnowitseemedasifsheweregoingtodie。Thebitoflaceatwhichshestilllanguidlyworkeddroppedfromherfingers，andthesteelcrochethookclatteredtothefloor。Shepressedhertempleshardbetweenherdamphands，steadyingherselfagainstthedeskwhilethewaveofsicknesssweptoverher。Littlebylittleitsubsided，andafterafewminutesshestoodup，shakenandterrified，gropedforherhat，andstumbledoutintotheair。Butthewholesunlitautumnwhirled，reeledandroaredaroundherasshedraggedherselfalongtheinterminablelengthoftheroadhome。

Assheapproachedtheredhouseshesawabuggystandingatthedoor，andherheartgavealeap。ButitwasonlyMr。Royallwhogotout，histravelling—baginhand。Hesawhercoming，andwaitedintheporch。

Shewasconsciousthathewaslookingatherintently，asiftherewassomethingstrangeinherappearance，andshethrewbackherheadwithadesperateeffortatease。Theireyesmet，andshesaid："Youback？"asifnothinghadhappened，andheanswered：

"Yes，I’mback，"andwalkedinaheadofher，pushingopenthedoorofhisoffice。Sheclimbedtoherroom，everystepofthestairsholdingherfastasifherfeetwerelinedwithglue。

Twodayslater，shedescendedfromthetrainatNettleton，andwalkedoutofthestationintothedustysquare。Thebriefintervalofcoldweatherwasover，andthedaywasassoft，andalmostashot，aswhensheandHarneyhademergedonthesamesceneontheFourthofJuly。Inthesquarethesamebroken—downhacksandcarry—allsstooddrawnupinadespondentline，andthelankhorseswithfly—netsovertheirwithersswayedtheirheadsdrearilytoandfro。Sherecognizedthestaringsignsovertheeating—housesandbilliardsaloons，andthelonglinesofwiresonloftypolestaperingdownthemainstreettotheparkatitsotherend。Takingthewaythewirespointed，shewentonhastily，withbenthead，tillshereachedawidetransversestreetwithabrickbuildingatthecorner。

Shecrossedthisstreetandglancedfurtivelyupatthefrontofthebrickbuilding;thenshereturned，andenteredadooropeningonaflightofsteepbrass—rimmedstairs。Onthesecondlandingsherangabell，andamulattogirlwithabushyheadandafrilledapronletherintoahallwhereastuffedfoxonhishindlegsprofferedabrasscard—traytovisitors。Atthebackofthehallwasaglazeddoormarked："Office。"Afterwaitingafewminutesinahandsomelyfurnishedroom，withplushsofassurmountedbylargegold—framedphotographsofshowyyoungwomen，Charitywasshownintotheoffice……

WhenshecameoutoftheglazeddoorDr。Merklefollowed，andledherintoanotherroom，smaller，andstillmorecrowdedwithplushandgoldframes。Dr。

Merklewasaplumpwomanwithsmallbrighteyes，animmensemassofblackhaircomingdownlowonherforehead，andunnaturallywhiteandeventeeth。Sheworearichblackdress，withgoldchainsandcharmshangingfromherbosom。Herhandswerelargeandsmooth，andquickinalltheirmovements;andshesmeltofmuskandcarbolicacid。

ShesmiledonCharitywithallherfaultlessteeth。

"Sitdown，mydear。Wouldn’tyoulikealittledropofsomethingtopickyouup？……No……Well，justlaybackaminutethen……There’snothingtobedonejustyet;butinaboutamonth，ifyou’llsteproundagain……Icouldtakeyourightintomyownhousefortwoorthreedays，andtherewouldn’tbeamiteoftrouble。Mercyme！Thenexttimeyou’llknowbetter’ntofretlikethis……"

Charitygazedatherwithwideningeyes。Thiswomanwiththefalsehair，thefalseteeth，thefalsemurderoussmile——whatwassheofferingherbutimmunityfromsomeunthinkablecrime？Charity，tillthen，hadbeenconsciousonlyofavagueself—disgustandafrighteningphysicaldistress;now，ofasudden，therecametoherthegravesurpriseofmotherhood。Shehadcometothisdreadfulplacebecausesheknewofnootherwayofmakingsurethatshewasnotmistakenaboutherstate;andthewomanhadtakenherforamiserablecreaturelikeJulia……Thethoughtwassohorriblethatshesprangup，whiteandshaking，oneofhergreatrushesofangersweepingoverher。

Dr。Merkle，stillsmiling，alsorose。"Whydoyourunoffinsuchahurry？Youcanstretchoutrighthereonmysofa……"Shepaused，andhersmilegrewmoremotherly。"Afterwards——ifthere’sbeenanytalkathome，andyouwanttogetawayforawhile……IhavealadyfriendinBostonwho’slookingforacompanion……you’retheveryonetosuither，mydear……"

Charityhadreachedthedoor。"Idon’twanttostay。I

don’twanttocomebackhere，"shestammered，herhandontheknob;butwithaswiftmovement，Dr。Merkleedgedherfromthethreshold。

"Oh，verywell。Fivedollars，please。"

Charitylookedhelplesslyatthedoctor’stightlipsandrigidface。HerlastsavingshadgoneinrepayingAllyforthecostofMissBalch’sruinedblouse，andshehadhadtoborrowfourdollarsfromherfriendtopayforherrailwayticketandcoverthedoctor’sfee。

Ithadneveroccurredtoherthatmedicaladvicecouldcostmorethantwodollars。

"Ididn’tknow……Ihaven’tgotthatmuch……"shefaltered，burstingintotears。

Dr。Merklegaveashortlaughwhichdidnotshowherteeth，andinquiredwithconcisionifCharitysupposedsherantheestablishmentforherownamusement？Sheleanedherfirmshouldersagainstthedoorasshespoke，likeagrimgaolermakingtermswithhercaptive。

"Yousayyou’llcomeroundandsettlelater？I’veheardthatprettyoftentoo。Givemeyouraddress，andifyoucan’tpaymeI’llsendthebilltoyourfolks……What？Ican’tunderstandwhatyousay……Thatdon’tsuityoueither？My，you’reprettyparticularforagirlthatain’tgotenoughtosettleherownbills……"Shepaused，andfixedhereyesonthebroochwithabluestonethatCharityhadpinnedtoherblouse。

"Ain’tyouashamedtotalkthatwaytoaladythat’sgottoearnherliving，whenyougoaboutwithjewellerylikethatonyou？……Itain’tinmyline，andIdoitonlyasafavour……butifyou’reamindtoleavethatbroochasapledge，Idon’tsayno……Yes，ofcourse，youcangetitbackwhenyoubringmemymoney……"

Onthewayhome，shefeltanimmenseandunexpectedquietude。IthadbeenhorribletohavetoleaveHarney’sgiftinthewoman’shands，butevenatthatpricethenewsshebroughtawayhadnotbeentoodearlybought。Shesatwithhalf—closedeyesasthetrainrushedthroughthefamiliarlandscape;andnowthememoriesofherformerjourney，insteadofflyingbeforeherlikedeadleaves，seemedtoberipeninginherbloodlikesleepinggrain。Shewouldneveragainknowwhatitwastofeelherselfalone。Everythingseemedtohavegrownsuddenlyclearandsimple。ShenolongerhadanydifficultyinpicturingherselfasHarney’swifenowthatshewasthemotherofhischild;

andcomparedtohersovereignrightAnnabelBalch’sclaimseemednomorethanagirl’ssentimentalfancy。

Thatevening，atthegateoftheredhouse，shefoundAllywaitinginthedusk。"Iwasdownatthepost—

officejustastheywereclosingup，andWillTargattsaidtherewasaletterforyou，soIbroughtit。"

Allyheldouttheletter，lookingatCharitywithpiercingsympathy。Sincethesceneofthetornblousetherehadbeenanewandfearfuladmirationintheeyesshebentonherfriend。

Charitysnatchedtheletterwithalaugh。"Oh，thankyou——good—night，"shecalledoutoverhershoulderassheranupthepath。IfshehadlingeredamomentsheknewshewouldhavehadAllyatherheels。

Shehurriedupstairsandfeltherwayintoherdarkroom。Herhandstrembledasshegropedforthematchesandlithercandle，andtheflapoftheenvelopewassocloselystuckthatshehadtofindherscissorsandslititopen。Atlengthsheread：

DEARCHARITY：

Ihaveyourletter，andittouchesmemorethanIcansay。Won’tyoutrustme，inreturn，todomybest？

Therearethingsitishardtoexplain，muchlesstojustify;butyourgenerositymakeseverythingeasier。

AllIcandonowistothankyoufrommysoulforunderstanding。Yourtellingmethatyouwantedmetodorighthashelpedmebeyondexpression。Ifeverthereisahopeofrealizingwhatwedreamedofyouwillseemebackontheinstant;andIhaven’tyetlostthathope。

Shereadtheletterwitharush;thenshewentoverandoverit，eachtimemoreslowlyandpainstakingly。Itwassobeautifullyexpressedthatshefounditalmostasdifficulttounderstandasthegentleman’sexplanationoftheBiblepicturesatNettleton;butgraduallyshebecameawarethatthegistofitsmeaninglayinthelastfewwords。"Ifeverthereisahopeofrealizingwhatwedreamedof……"

Butthenhewasn’tevensureofthat？SheunderstoodnowthateverywordandeveryreticencewasanavowalofAnnabelBalch’spriorclaim。Itwastruethathewasengagedtoher，andthathehadnotyetfoundawayofbreakinghisengagement。

AsshereadtheletteroverCharityunderstoodwhatitmusthavecosthimtowriteit。Hewasnottryingtoevadeanimportunateclaim;hewashonestlyandcontritelystrugglingbetweenopposingduties。Shedidnotevenreproachhiminherthoughtsforhavingconcealedfromherthathewasnotfree：shecouldnotseeanythingmorereprehensibleinhisconductthaninherown。Fromthefirstshehadneededhimmorethanhehadwantedher，andthepowerthathadsweptthemtogetherhadbeenasfarbeyondresistanceasagreatgalelooseningtheleavesoftheforest……Only，therestoodbetweenthem，fixedanduprightinthegeneralupheaval，theindestructiblefigureofAnnabelBalch……

Facetofacewithhisadmissionofthefact，shesatstaringattheletter。Acoldtremorranoverher，andthehardsobsstruggledupintoherthroatandshookherfromheadtofoot。Forawhileshewascaughtandtossedongreatwavesofanguishthatleftherhardlyconsciousofanythingbuttheblindstruggleagainsttheirassaults。Then，littlebylittle，shebegantorelive，withadreadfulpoignancy，eachseparatestageofherpoorromance。Foolishthingsshehadsaidcamebacktoher，gayanswersHarneyhadmade，hisfirstkissinthedarknessbetweenthefireworks，theirchoosingthebluebroochtogether，thewayhehadteasedheraboutthelettersshehaddroppedinherflightfromtheevangelist。Allthesememories，andathousandothers，hummedthroughherbraintillhisnearnessgrewsovividthatshefelthisfingersinherhair，andhiswarmbreathonhercheekashebentherheadbacklikeaflower。Thesethingswerehers;theyhadpassedintoherblood，andbecomeapartofher，theywerebuildingthechildinherwomb;itwasimpossibletotearasunderstrandsoflifesointerwoven。

Theconvictiongraduallystrengthenedher，andshebegantoforminhermindthefirstwordsofthelettershemeanttowritetoHarney。Shewantedtowriteitatonce，andwithfeverishhandsshebegantorummageinherdrawerforasheetofletterpaper。Buttherewasnoneleft;shemustgodownstairstogetit。

Shehadasuperstitiousfeelingthatthelettermustbewrittenontheinstant，thatsettingdownhersecretinwordswouldbringherreassuranceandsafety;andtakinguphercandleshewentdowntoMr。Royall’soffice。

Atthathourshewasnotlikelytofindhimthere：hehadprobablyhadhissupperandwalkedovertoCarrickFry’s。Shepushedopenthedooroftheunlitroom，andthelightofherliftedcandlefellonhisfigure，seatedinthedarknessinhishigh—backedchair。Hisarmslayalongthearmsofthechair，andhisheadwasbentalittle;buthelifteditquicklyasCharityentered。Shestartedbackastheireyesmet，rememberingthatherownwereredwithweeping，andthatherfacewaslividwiththefatigueandemotionofherjourney。Butitwastoolatetoescape，andshestoodandlookedathiminsilence。

Hehadrisenfromhischair，andcametowardherwithoutstretchedhands。Thegesturewassounexpectedthatshelethimtakeherhandsinhisandtheystoodthus，withoutspeaking，tillMr。Royallsaidgravely：

"Charity——wasyoulookingforme？"

Shefreedherselfabruptlyandfellback。"Me？No————"

Shesetdownthecandleonhisdesk。"Iwantedsomeletter—paper，that’sall。"Hisfacecontracted，andthebushybrowsjuttedforwardoverhiseyes。

Withoutansweringheopenedthedrawerofthedesk，tookoutasheetofpaperandanenvelope，andpushedthemtowardher。"Doyouwantastamptoo？"heasked。

Shenodded，andhegaveherthestamp。Ashedidsoshefeltthathewaslookingatherintently，andsheknewthatthecandlelightflickeringuponherwhitefacemustbedistortingherswollenfeaturesandexaggeratingthedarkringsabouthereyes。Shesnatchedupthepaper，herreassurancedissolvingunderhispitilessgaze，inwhichsheseemedtoreadthegrimperceptionofherstate，andtheironicrecollectionofthedaywhen，inthatveryroom，hehadofferedtocompelHarneytomarryher。Hislookseemedtosaythatheknewshehadtakenthepapertowritetoherlover，whohadleftherashehadwarnedhershewouldbeleft。Sherememberedthescornwithwhichshehadturnedfromhimthatday，andknew，ifheguessedthetruth，whatalistofoldscoresitmustsettle。Sheturnedandfledupstairs;butwhenshegotbacktoherroomallthewordsthathadbeenwaitinghadvanished……

IfshecouldhavegonetoHarneyitwouldhavebeendifferent;shewouldonlyhavehadtoshowherselftolethismemoriesspeakforher。Butshehadnomoneyleft，andtherewasnoonefromwhomshecouldhaveborrowedenoughforsuchajourney。Therewasnothingtodobuttowrite，andawaithisreply。Foralongtimeshesatbentabovetheblankpage;butshefoundnothingtosaythatreallyexpressedwhatshewasfeeling……

Harneyhadwrittenthatshehadmadeiteasierforhim，andshewasgladitwasso;shedidnotwanttomakethingshard。Sheknewshehaditinherpowertodothat;sheheldhisfateinherhands。Allshehadtodowastotellhimthetruth;butthatwastheveryfactthatheldherback……HerfiveminutesfacetofacewithMr。Royallhadstrippedherofherlastillusion，andbroughtherbacktoNorthDormer’spointofview。Distinctlyandpitilesslythererosebeforeherthefateofthegirlwhowasmarried"tomakethingsright。"Shehadseentoomanyvillagelove—

storiesendinthatway。PoorRoseColes’smiserablemarriagewasofthenumber;andwhatgoodhadcomeofitforherorforHalstonSkeff？Theyhadhatedeachotherfromthedaytheministermarriedthem;andwheneveroldMrs。Skeffhadafancytohumiliateherdaughter—in—lawshehadonlytosay："Who’deverthinkthebaby’sonlytwo？Andforasevenmonths’child——

ain’titawonderwhatasizeheis？"NorthDormerhadtreasuresofindulgenceforbrandsintheburning，butonlyderisionforthosewhosucceededingettingsnatchedfromit;andCharityhadalwaysunderstoodJuliaHawes’srefusaltobesnatched……

Only——wastherenoalternativebutJulia’s？Hersoulrecoiledfromthevisionofthewhite—facedwomanamongtheplushsofasandgiltframes。Intheestablishedorderofthingsassheknewthemshesawnoplaceforherindividualadventure……

Shesatinherchairwithoutundressingtillfaintgreystreaksbegantodividetheblackslatsoftheshutters。Thenshestoodupandpushedthemopen，lettinginthelight。Thecomingofanewdaybroughtasharperconsciousnessofineluctablereality，andwithitasenseoftheneedofaction。Shelookedatherselfintheglass，andsawherface，whiteintheautumndawn，withpinchedcheeksanddark—ringedeyes，andallthemarksofherstatethatsheherselfwouldneverhavenoticed，butthatDr。Merkle’sdiagnosishadmadeplaintoher。Shecouldnothopethatthosesignswouldescapethewatchfulvillage;evenbeforeherfigurelostitsshapesheknewherfacewouldbetrayher。

Leaningfromherwindowshelookedoutonthedarkandemptyscene;theashenhouseswithshutteredwindows，thegreyroadclimbingtheslopetothehemlockbeltabovethecemetery，andtheheavymassoftheMountainblackagainstarainysky。Totheeastaspaceoflightwasbroadeningabovetheforest;butoverthatalsothecloudshung。Slowlyhergazetravelledacrossthefieldstotheruggedcurveofthehills。Shehadlookedoutsooftenonthatlifelesscircle，andwonderedifanythingcouldeverhappentoanyonewhowasenclosedinit……

Almostwithoutconsciousthoughtherdecisionhadbeenreached;ashereyeshadfollowedthecircleofthehillshermindhadalsotravelledtheoldround。ShesupposeditwassomethinginherbloodthatmadetheMountaintheonlyanswertoherquestioning，theinevitableescapefromallthathemmedherinandbesether。Atanyrateitbegantoloomagainsttherainydawn;andthelongershelookedatitthemoreclearlysheunderstoodthatnowatlastshewasreallygoingthere。

XVI

THErainheldoff，andanhourlater，whenshestarted，wildgleamsofsunlightwereblowingacrossthefields。

AfterHarney’sdepartureshehadreturnedherbicycletoitsowneratCreston，andshewasnotsureofbeingabletowalkallthewaytotheMountain。Thedesertedhousewasontheroad;buttheideaofspendingthenighttherewasunendurable，andshemeanttotrytopushontoHamblin，whereshecouldsleepunderawood—

shedifherstrengthshouldfailher。Herpreparationshadbeenmadewithquietforethought。Beforestartingshehadforcedherselftoswallowaglassofmilkandeatapieceofbread;andshehadputinhercanvassatchelalittlepacketofthechocolatethatHarneyalwayscarriedinhisbicyclebag。Shewantedabovealltokeepupherstrength，andreachherdestinationwithoutattractingnotice……

Milebymilesheretracedtheroadoverwhichshehadsooftenflowntoherlover。Whenshereachedtheturnwherethewood—roadbranchedofffromtheCrestonhighwaysherememberedtheGospeltent——longsincefoldedupandtransplanted——andherstartofinvoluntaryterrorwhenthefatevangelisthadsaid：

"YourSaviourknowseverything。Comeandconfessyourguilt。"Therewasnosenseofguiltinhernow，butonlyadesperatedesiretodefendhersecretfromirreverenteyes，andbeginlifeagainamongpeopletowhomtheharshcodeofthevillagewasunknown。Theimpulsedidnotshapeitselfinthought：sheonlyknewshemustsaveherbaby，andhideherselfwithitsomewherewherenoonewouldevercometotroublethem。

Shewalkedonandon，growingmoreheavy—footedasthedayadvanced。Itseemedacruelchancethatcompelledhertoretraceeverystepofthewaytothedesertedhouse;andwhenshecameinsightoftheorchard，andthesilver—grayroofslantingcrookedlythroughtheladenbranches，herstrengthfailedherandshesatdownbytheroad—side。Shesattherealongtime，tryingtogatherthecouragetostartagain，andwalkpastthebrokengateandtheuntrimmedrose—bushesstrungwithscarlethips。Afewdropsofrainwerefalling，andshethoughtofthewarmeveningswhensheandHarneyhadsatembracedintheshadowyroom，andthenoiseofsummershowersontheroofhadrustledthroughtheirkisses。Atlengthsheunderstoodthatifshestayedanylongertherainmightcompelhertotakeshelterinthehouseovernight，andshegotupandwalkedon，avertinghereyesasshecameabreastofthewhitegateandthetangledgarden。

Thehoursworeon，andshewalkedmoreandmoreslowly，pausingnowandthentorest，andtoeatalittlebreadandanapplepickedupfromtheroadside。Herbodyseemedtogrowheavierwitheveryyardoftheway，andshewonderedhowshewouldbeabletocarryherchildlater，ifalreadyhelaidsuchaburdenonher……A

freshwindhadsprungup，scatteringtherainandblowingdownkeenlyfromthemountain。Presentlythecloudsloweredagain，andafewwhitedartsstruckherintheface：itwasthefirstsnowfallingoverHamblin。Theroofsofthelonelyvillagewereonlyhalfamileahead，andshewasresolvedtopushbeyondit，andtrytoreachtheMountainthatnight。Shehadnoclearplanofaction，exceptthat，onceinthesettlement，shemeanttolookforLiffHyatt，andgethimtotakehertohermother。Sheherselfhadbeenbornasherownbabywasgoingtobeborn;andwhateverhermother’ssubsequentlifehadbeen，shecouldhardlyhelprememberingthepast，andreceivingadaughterwhowasfacingthetroubleshehadknown。

Suddenlythedeadlyfaintnesscameoverheroncemoreandshesatdownonthebankandleanedherheadagainstatree—trunk。Thelongroadandthecloudylandscapevanishedfromhereyes，andforatimesheseemedtobecirclingaboutinsometerriblewheelingdarkness。Thenthattoofaded。

Sheopenedhereyes，andsawabuggydrawnupbesideher，andamanwhohadjumpeddownfromitandwasgazingatherwithapuzzledface。Slowlyconsciousnesscameback，andshesawthatthemanwasLiffHyatt。

Shewasdimlyawarethathewasaskinghersomething，andshelookedathiminsilence，tryingtofindstrengthtospeak。Atlengthhervoicestirredinherthroat，andshesaidinawhisper："I’mgoinguptheMountain。"

"UptheMountain？"herepeated，drawingasidealittle;

andashemovedshesawbehindhim，inthebuggy，aheavilycoatedfigurewithafamiliarpinkfaceandgoldspectaclesonthebridgeofaGreciannose。

"Charity！Whatonearthareyoudoinghere？"Mr。Milesexclaimed，throwingthereinsonthehorse’sbackandscramblingdownfromthebuggy。

Sheliftedherheavyeyestohis。"I’mgoingtoseemymother。"

Thetwomenglancedateachother，andforamomentneitherofthemspoke。

ThenMr。Milessaid："Youlookill，mydear，andit’salongway。Doyouthinkit’swise？"

Charitystoodup。"I’vegottogotoher。"

AvaguemirthlessgrincontractedLiffHyatt’sface，andMr。Milesagainspokeuncertainly。"Youknow，then——you’dbeentold？"

Shestaredathim。"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。I

wanttogotoher。"

Mr。Mileswasexaminingherthoughtfully。Shefanciedshesawachangeinhisexpression，andthebloodrushedtoherforehead。"Ijustwanttogotoher，"

sherepeated。

Helaidhishandonherarm。"Mychild，yourmotherisdying。LiffHyattcamedowntofetchme……Getinandcomewithus。"

Hehelpedheruptotheseatathisside，LiffHyattclamberedinattheback，andtheydroveofftowardHamblin。AtfirstCharityhadhardlygraspedwhatMr。Mileswassaying;thephysicalreliefoffindingherselfseatedinthebuggy，andsecurelyonherroadtotheMountain，effacedtheimpressionofhiswords。Butasherheadclearedshebegantounderstand。SheknewtheMountainhadbutthemostinfrequentintercoursewiththevalleys;shehadoftenenoughhearditsaidthatnooneeverwentupthereexcepttheminister，whensomeonewasdying。Andnowitwashermotherwhowasdying……andshewouldfindherselfasmuchaloneontheMountainasanywhereelseintheworld。Thesenseofunescapableisolationwasallshecouldfeelforthemoment;thenshebegantowonderatthestrangenessofitsbeingMr。Mileswhohadundertakentoperformthisgrimerrand。HedidnotseemintheleastlikethekindofmanwhowouldcaretogouptheMountain。Butherehewasatherside，guidingthehorsewithafirmhand，andbendingonherthekindlygleamofhisspectacles，asiftherewerenothingunusualintheirbeingtogetherinsuchcircumstances。

Forawhileshefounditimpossibletospeak，andheseemedtounderstandthis，andmadenoattempttoquestionher。Butpresentlyshefelthertearsriseandflowdownoverherdrawncheeks;andhemusthaveseenthemtoo，forhelaidhishandonhers，andsaidinalowvoice："Won’tyoutellmewhatistroublingyou？"

Sheshookherhead，andhedidnotinsist：butafterawhilehesaid，inthesamelowtone，sothattheyshouldnotbeoverheard："Charity，whatdoyouknowofyourchildhood，beforeyoucamedowntoNorthDormer？"

Shecontrolledherself，andanswered："NothingonlywhatIheardMr。Royallsayoneday。Hesaidhebroughtmedownbecausemyfatherwenttoprison。"

"Andyou’veneverbeenuptheresince？"

"Never。"

Mr。Mileswassilentagain，thenhesaid："I’mgladyou’recomingwithmenow。Perhapswemayfindyourmotheralive，andshemayknowthatyouhavecome。"

TheyhadreachedHamblin，wherethesnow—flurryhadleftwhitepatchesintheroughgrassontheroadside，andintheanglesoftheroofsfacingnorth。ItwasapoorbleakvillageunderthegraniteflankoftheMountain，andassoonastheyleftittheybegantoclimb。Theroadwassteepandfullofruts，andthehorsesettleddowntoawalkwhiletheymountedandmounted，theworlddroppingawaybelowthemingreatmottledstretchesofforestandfield，andstormydarkbluedistances。

CharityhadoftenhadvisionsofthisascentoftheMountainbutshehadnotknownitwouldrevealsowideacountry，andthesightofthosestrangelandsreachingawayoneverysidegaveheranewsenseofHarney’sremoteness。Sheknewhemustbemilesandmilesbeyondthelastrangeofhillsthatseemedtobetheoutmostvergeofthings，andshewonderedhowshehadeverdreamedofgoingtoNewYorktofindhim……

Astheroadmountedthecountrygrewbleaker，andtheydroveacrossfieldsoffadedmountaingrassbleachedbylongmonthsbeneaththesnow。Inthehollowsafewwhitebirchestrembled，oramountainashlititsscarletclusters;butonlyascantgrowthofpinesdarkenedthegraniteledges。Thewindwasblowingfiercelyacrosstheopenslopes;thehorsefaceditwithbentheadandstrainingflanks，andnowandthenthebuggyswayedsothatCharityhadtoclutchitsside。

Mr。Mileshadnotspokenagain;heseemedtounderstandthatshewantedtobeleftalone。

Afterawhilethetracktheywerefollowingforked，andhepulledupthehorse，asifuncertainoftheway。

LiffHyattcranedhisheadaroundfromtheback，andshoutedagainstthewind："Left————"andtheyturnedintoastuntedpine—woodandbegantodrivedowntheothersideoftheMountain。

Amileortwofartherontheycameoutonaclearingwheretwoorthreelowhouseslayinstonyfields，crouchingamongtherocksasiftobracethemselvesagainstthewind。Theywerehardlymorethansheds，builtoflogsandroughboards，withtinstove—pipesstickingoutoftheirroofs。Thesunwassetting，andduskhadalreadyfallenonthelowerworld，butayellowglarestilllayonthelonelyhillsideandthecrouchinghouses。Thenextmomentitfadedandleftthelandscapeindarkautumntwilight。

"Overthere，"Liffcalledout，stretchinghislongarmoverMr。Miles’sshoulder。Theclergymanturnedtotheleft，acrossabitofbaregroundovergrownwithdocksandnettles，andstoppedbeforethemostruinousofthesheds。Astove—pipereacheditscrookedarmoutofonewindow，andthebrokenpanesoftheotherwerestuffedwithragsandpaper。

Incontrasttosuchadwellingthebrownhouseintheswampmighthavestoodforthehomeofplenty。

Asthebuggydrewuptwoorthreemongreldogsjumpedoutofthetwilightwithagreatbarking，andayoungmanslouchedtothedoorandstoodtherestaring。InthetwilightCharitysawthathisfacehadthesamesoddenlookasBashHyatt’s，thedayshehadseenhimsleepingbythestove。Hemadenoefforttosilencethedogs，butleanedinthedoor，asifrousedfromadrunkenlethargy，whileMr。Milesgotoutofthebuggy。

"Isithere？"theclergymanaskedLiffinalowvoice;

andLiffnodded。

Mr。MilesturnedtoCharity。"Justholdthehorseaminute，mydear：I’llgoinfirst，"hesaid，puttingthereinsinherhands。Shetookthempassively，andsatstaringstraightaheadofheratthedarkeningscenewhileMr。MilesandLiffHyattwentuptothehouse。Theystoodafewminutestalkingwiththemaninthedoor，andthenMr。Milescameback。Ashecameclose，Charitysawthathissmoothpinkfaceworeafrightenedsolemnlook。

"Yourmotherisdead，Charity;you’dbettercomewithme，"hesaid。

ShegotdownandfollowedhimwhileLiffledthehorseaway。Assheapproachedthedoorshesaidtoherself："ThisiswhereIwasborn……thisiswhereI

belong……"ShehadsaidittoherselfoftenenoughasshelookedacrossthesunlitvalleysattheMountain;

butithadmeantnothingthen，andnowithadbecomeareality。Mr。Milestookhergentlybythearm，andtheyenteredwhatappearedtobetheonlyroominthehouse。Itwassodarkthatshecouldjustdiscernagroupofadozenpeoplesittingorsprawlingaboutatablemadeofboardslaidacrosstwobarrels。TheylookeduplistlesslyasMr。MilesandCharitycamein，andawoman’sthickvoicesaid："Here’sthepreacher。"

Butnoonemoved。

Mr。Milespausedandlookedabouthim;thenheturnedtotheyoungmanwhohadmetthematthedoor。

"Isthebodyhere？"heasked。

Theyoungman，insteadofanswering，turnedhisheadtowardthegroup。"Where’sthecandle？Itoleyertobringacandle，"hesaidwithsuddenharshnesstoagirlwhowaslollingagainstthetable。Shedidnotanswer，butanothermangotupandtookfromsomecorneracandlestuckintoabottle。

"How’llIlightit？Thestove’sout，"thegirlgrumbled。

Mr。Milesfumbledunderhisheavywrappingsanddrewoutamatch—box。Heheldamatchtothecandle，andinamomentortwoafaintcircleoflightfellonthepaleaguishheadsthatstartedoutoftheshadowliketheheadsofnocturnalanimals。

"Mary’soverthere，"someonesaid;andMr。Miles，takingthebottleinhishand，passedbehindthetable。

Charityfollowedhim，andtheystoodbeforeamattressonthefloorinacorneroftheroom。Awomanlayonit，butshedidnotlooklikeadeadwoman;sheseemedtohavefallenacrosshersqualidbedinadrunkensleep，andtohavebeenleftlyingwhereshefell，inherraggeddisorderedclothes。Onearmwasflungaboveherhead，onelegdrawnupunderatornskirtthatlefttheotherbaretotheknee：aswollenglisteninglegwitharaggedstockingrolleddownabouttheankle。Thewomanlayonherback，hereyesstaringupunblinkinglyatthecandlethattrembledinMr。Miles’shand。

"Shejus’droppedoff，"awomansaid，overtheshoulderoftheothers;andtheyoungmanadded："Ijus’comeinandfoundher。"

Anelderlymanwithlankhairandafeeblegrinpushedbetweenthem。"Itwaslikethis：Isaystoheron’ythenightbefore：ifyoudon’ttakeandquit，I

saystoher……"

Someonepulledhimbackandsenthimreelingagainstabenchalongthewall，wherehedroppeddownmutteringhisunheedednarrative。

Therewasasilence;thentheyoungwomanwhohadbeenlollingagainstthetablesuddenlypartedthegroup，andstoodinfrontofCharity。Shewashealthierandrobusterlookingthantheothers，andherweather—

beatenfacehadacertainsullenbeauty。

"Who’sthegirl？Whobroughtherhere？"shesaid，fixinghereyesmistrustfullyontheyoungmanwhohadrebukedherfornothavingacandleready。

Mr。Milesspoke。"Ibroughther;sheisMaryHyatt’sdaughter。"

"What？Hertoo？"thegirlsneered;andtheyoungmanturnedonherwithanoath。"Shutyourmouth，damnyou，orgetoutofhere，"hesaid;thenherelapsedintohisformerapathy，anddroppeddownonthebench，leaninghisheadagainstthewall。

Mr。Mileshadsetthecandleonthefloorandtakenoffhisheavycoat。HeturnedtoCharity。"Comeandhelpme，"hesaid。

Hekneltdownbythemattress，andpressedthelidsoverthedeadwoman’seyes。Charity，tremblingandsick，kneltbesidehim，andtriedtocomposehermother’sbody。Shedrewthestockingoverthedreadfulglisteningleg，andpulledtheskirtdowntothebatteredupturnedboots。Asshedidso，shelookedathermother’sface，thinyetswollen，withlipspartedinafrozengaspabovethebrokenteeth。Therewasnosigninitofanythinghuman：shelaytherelikeadeaddoginaditchCharity’shandsgrewcoldastheytouchedher。

Mr。Milesdrewthewoman’sarmsacrossherbreastandlaidhiscoatoverher。Thenhecoveredherfacewithhishandkerchief，andplacedthebottlewiththecandleinitatherhead。Havingdonethishestoodup。

"Istherenocoffin？"heasked，turningtothegroupbehindhim。

Therewasamomentofbewilderedsilence;thenthefiercegirlspokeup。"You’doughterbroughtitwithyou。Where’dwegetonehere，I’dliketerknow？"

Mr。Miles，lookingattheothers，repeated："Isitpossibleyouhavenocoffinready？"

"That’swhatIsay：themthathasitsleepsbetter，"anoldwomanmurmured。"Butthensheneverhadnobed……"

"Andthestovewarn’thers，"saidthelank—hairedman，onthedefensive。

Mr。Milesturnedawayfromthemandmovedafewstepsapart。Hehaddrawnabookfromhispocket，andafterapauseheopeneditandbegantoread，holdingthebookatarm’slengthandlowdown，sothatthepagescaughtthefeeblelight。Charityhadremainedonherkneesbythemattress：nowthathermother’sfacewascovereditwaseasiertostaynearher，andavoidthesightofthelivingfaceswhichtoohorriblyshowedbywhatstageshershadlapsedintodeath。

"IamtheResurrectionandtheLife，"Mr。Milesbegan;

"hethatbelievethinme，thoughheweredead，yetshallhelive……Thoughaftermyskinwormsdestroymybody，yetinmyfleshshallIseeGod……"

INMYFLESHSHALLISEEGOD！Charitythoughtofthegapingmouthandstonyeyesunderthehandkerchief，andoftheglisteninglegoverwhichshehaddrawnthestocking……

"Webroughtnothingintothisworldandweshalltakenothingoutofit————"

Therewasasuddenmutteringandascuffleatthebackofthegroup。"Ibroughtthestove，"saidtheelderlymanwithlankhair，pushinghiswaybetweentheothers。"Iwen’downtoCreston’nboughtit……n’Igotarighttotakeitouterhere……n’I’lllickanyfellersaysIain’t……"

"Sitdown，damnyou！"shoutedthetallyouthwhohadbeendrowsingonthebenchagainstthewall。

"Formanwalkethinavainshadow，anddisquietethhimselfinvain;heheapethuprichesandcannottellwhoshallgatherthem……"

"Well，itAREhis，"awomaninthebackgroundinterjectedinafrightenedwhine。

Thetallyouthstaggeredtohisfeet。"Ifyoudon’tholdyourmouthsI’llturnyouallouto’here，thewholelotofyou，"hecriedwithmanyoaths。"G’wan，minister……don’tlet’emfazeyou……"

"NowisChristrisenfromthedeadandbecomethefirst—fruitsofthemthatslept……Behold，Ishowyouamystery。Weshallnotallsleep，butweshallallbechanged，inamoment，inthetwinklingofaneye，atthelasttrump……Forthiscorruptiblemustputonincorruptionandthismortalmustputonimmortality。

Sowhenthiscorruptionshallhaveputonincorruption，andwhenthismortalshallhaveputonimmortality，thenshallbebroughttopassthesayingthatiswritten，DeathisswallowedupinVictory……"

OnebyonethemightywordsfellonCharity’sbowedhead，soothingthehorror，subduingthetumult，masteringherastheymasteredthedrink—dazedcreaturesatherback。Mr。Milesreadtothelastword，andthenclosedthebook。

"Isthegraveready？"heasked。

LiffHyatt，whohadcomeinwhilehewasreading，noddeda"Yes，"andpushedforwardtothesideofthemattress。Theyoungmanonthebenchwhoseemedtoassertsomesortofrightofkinshipwiththedeadwoman，gottohisfeetagain，andtheproprietorofthestovejoinedhim。Betweenthemtheyraisedupthemattress;buttheirmovementswereunsteady，andthecoatslippedtothefloor，revealingthepoorbodyinitshelplessmisery。Charity，pickingupthecoat，coveredhermotheroncemore。Liffhadbroughtalantern，andtheoldwomanwhohadalreadyspokentookitup，andopenedthedoortoletthelittleprocessionpassout。Thewindhaddropped，andthenightwasverydarkandbitterlycold。Theoldwomanwalkedahead，thelanternshakinginherhandandspreadingoutbeforeherapalepatchofdeadgrassandcoarse—leavedweedsenclosedinanimmensityofblackness。