第8章

Mr。MilestookCharitybythearm，andsidebysidetheywalkedbehindthemattress。Atlengththeoldwomanwiththelanternstopped，andCharitysawthelightfallonthestoopingshouldersofthebearersandonaridgeofupheavedearthoverwhichtheywerebending。Mr。Milesreleasedherarmandapproachedthehollowontheothersideoftheridge;andwhilethemenstoopeddown，loweringthemattressintothegrave，hebegantospeakagain。

"Manthatisbornofwomanhathbutashorttimetoliveandisfullofmisery……Hecomethupandiscutdown……hefleethasitwereashadow……Yet，OLordGodmostholy，OLordmostmighty，OholyandmercifulSaviour，deliverusnotintothebitterpainsofeternaldeath……"

"Easythere……isshedown？"pipedtheclaimanttothestove;andtheyoungmancalledoverhisshoulder：

"Liftthelightthere，can’tyou？"

Therewasapause，duringwhichthelightfloateduncertainlyovertheopengrave。SomeonebentoverandpulledoutMr。Miles’scoat————（"No，no——

leavethehandkerchief，"heinterposed）——andthenLiffHyatt，comingforwardwithaspade，begantoshovelintheearth。

"ForasmuchasithathpleasedAlmightyGodofHisgreatmercytotakeuntoHimselfthesoulofourdearsisterheredeparted，wethereforecommitherbodytotheground;earthtoearth，ashestoashes，dusttodust……"Liff’sgauntshouldersroseandbentinthelanternlightashedashedtheclodsofearthintothegrave。"God——it’sfrozea’ready，"hemuttered，spittingintohispalmandpassinghisraggedshirt—

sleeveacrosshisperspiringface。

"ThroughourLordJesusChrist，whoshallchangeourvilebodythatitmaybelikeuntoHisgloriousbody，accordingtothemightyworking，wherebyHeisabletosubdueallthingsuntoHimself……"ThelastspadefulofearthfellonthevilebodyofMaryHyatt，andLiffrestedonhisspade，hisshoulderbladesstillheavingwiththeeffort。

"Lord，havemercyuponus，Christhavemercyuponus，Lordhavemercyuponus……"

Mr。Milestookthelanternfromtheoldwoman’shandandsweptitslightacrossthecircleofblearedfaces。"Nowkneeldown，allofyou，"hecommanded，inavoiceofauthoritythatCharityhadneverheard。Shekneltdownattheedgeofthegrave，andtheothers，stifflyandhesitatingly，gottotheirkneesbesideher。Mr。Milesknelt，too。"Andnowpraywithme——youknowthisprayer，"hesaid，andhebegan：

"OurFatherwhichartinHeaven……"Oneortwoofthewomenfalteringlytookthewordsup，andwhenheended，thelank—hairedmanflunghimselfontheneckofthetallyouth。"Itwasthisway，"hesaid。"Itoleherthenightbefore，Isaystoher……"Thereminiscenceendedinasob。

Mr。Mileshadbeengettingintohiscoatagain。HecameuptoCharity，whohadremainedpassivelykneelingbytheroughmoundofearth。

"Mychild，youmustcome。It’sverylate。"

Sheliftedhereyestohisface：heseemedtospeakoutofanotherworld。

"Iain’tcoming：I’mgoingtostayhere。"

"Here？Where？Whatdoyoumean？"

"Thesearemyfolks。I’mgoingtostaywiththem。"

Mr。Milesloweredhisvoice。"Butit’snotpossible——youdon’tknowwhatyouaredoing。Youcan’tstayamongthesepeople：youmustcomewithme。"

Sheshookherheadandrosefromherknees。Thegroupaboutthegravehadscatteredinthedarkness，buttheoldwomanwiththelanternstoodwaiting。Hermournfulwitheredfacewasnotunkind，andCharitywentuptoher。

"HaveyougotaplacewhereIcanliedownforthenight？"sheasked。Liffcameup，leadingthebuggyoutofthenight。Helookedfromonetotheotherwithhisfeeblesmile。"She’smymother。She’lltakeyouhome，"hesaid;andheadded，raisinghisvoicetospeaktotheoldwoman："It’sthegirlfromlawyerRoyall’s——Mary’sgirl……youremember……"

ThewomannoddedandraisedhersadoldeyestoCharity’s。WhenMr。MilesandLiffclamberedintothebuggyshewentaheadwiththelanterntoshowthemthetracktheyweretofollow;thensheturnedback，andinsilencesheandCharitywalkedawaytogetherthroughthenight。

XVII

CHARITYlayontheflooronamattress，asherdeadmother’sbodyhadlain。Theroominwhichshelaywascoldanddarkandlow—ceilinged，andevenpoorerandbarerthanthesceneofMaryHyatt’searthlypilgrimage。OntheothersideofthefirelessstoveLiffHyatt’smothersleptonablanket，withtwochildren——hergrandchildren，shesaid——rolledupagainstherlikesleepingpuppies。Theyhadtheirthinclothesspreadoverthem，havinggiventheonlyotherblankettotheirguest。

ThroughthesmallsquareofglassintheoppositewallCharitysawadeepfunnelofsky，soblack，soremote，sopalpitatingwithfrostystarsthatherverysoulseemedtobesuckedintoit。Uptheresomewhere，shesupposed，theGodwhomMr。MileshadinvokedwaswaitingforMaryHyatttoappear。Whatalongflightitwas！AndwhatwouldshehavetosaywhenshereachedHim？

Charity’sbewilderedbrainlabouredwiththeattempttopicturehermother’spast，andtorelateitinanywaytothedesignsofajustbutmercifulGod;butitwasimpossibletoimagineanylinkbetweenthem。Sheherselffeltasremotefromthepoorcreatureshehadseenloweredintoherhastilyduggraveasiftheheightoftheheavensdividedthem。Shehadseenpovertyandmisfortuneinherlife;butinacommunitywherepoorthriftyMrs。HawesandtheindustriousAllyrepresentedthenearestapproachtodestitutiontherewasnothingtosuggestthesavagemiseryoftheMountainfarmers。

Asshelaythere，half—stunnedbyhertragicinitiation，Charityvainlytriedtothinkherselfintothelifeabouther。Butshecouldnotevenmakeoutwhatrelationshipthesepeopleboretoeachother，ortoherdeadmother;theyseemedtobeherdedtogetherinasortofpassivepromiscuityinwhichtheircommonmiserywasthestrongestlink。ShetriedtopicturetoherselfwhatherlifewouldhavebeenifshehadgrownupontheMountain，runningwildinrags，sleepingonthefloorcurledupagainsthermother，likethepale—

facedchildrenhuddledagainstoldMrs。Hyatt，andturningintoafiercebewilderedcreaturelikethegirlwhohadapostrophizedherinsuchstrangewords。Shewasfrightenedbythesecretaffinityshehadfeltwiththisgirl，andbythelightitthrewonherownbeginnings。ThensherememberedwhatMr。RoyallhadsaidintellingherstorytoLuciusHarney："Yes，therewasamother;butshewasgladtohavethechildgo。

She’dhavegivenhertoanybody……"

Well！afterall，washermothersomuchtoblame？

Charity，sincethatday，hadalwaysthoughtofherasdestituteofallhumanfeeling;nowsheseemedmerelypitiful。Whatmotherwouldnotwanttosaveherchildfromsuchalife？Charitythoughtofthefutureofherownchild，andtearswelledintoherachingeyes，andrandownoverherface。Ifshehadbeenlessexhausted，lessburdenedwithhisweight，shewouldhavesprungupthenandthereandfledaway……

Thegrimhoursofthenightdraggedthemselvesslowlyby，andatlasttheskypaledanddawnthrewacoldbluebeamintotheroom。Shelayinhercornerstaringatthedirtyfloor，theclothes—linehungwithdecayingrags，theoldwomanhuddledagainstthecoldstove，andthelightgraduallyspreadingacrossthewintryworld，andbringingwithitanewdayinwhichshewouldhavetolive，tochoose，toact，tomakeherselfaplaceamongthesepeople——ortogobacktothelifeshehadleft。Amortallassitudeweighedonher。Thereweremomentswhenshefeltthatallsheaskedwastogoonlyingthereunnoticed;thenhermindrevoltedatthethoughtofbecomingoneofthemiserableherdfromwhichshesprang，anditseemedasthough，tosaveherchildfromsuchafate，shewouldfindstrengthtotravelanydistance，andbearanyburdenlifemightputonher。

VaguethoughtsofNettletonflittedthroughhermind。

Shesaidtoherselfthatshewouldfindsomequietplacewhereshecouldbearherchild，andgiveittodecentpeopletokeep;andthenshewouldgooutlikeJuliaHawesandearnitslivingandhers。Sheknewthatgirlsofthatkindsometimesmadeenoughtohavetheirchildrennicelycaredfor;andeveryotherconsiderationdisappearedinthevisionofherbaby，cleanedandcombedandrosy，andhiddenawaysomewherewhereshecouldruninandkissit，andbringitprettythingstowear。Anything，anythingwasbetterthantoaddanotherlifetothenestofmiseryontheMountain……

TheoldwomanandthechildrenwerestillsleepingwhenCharityrosefromhermattress。Herbodywasstiffwithcoldandfatigue，andshemovedslowlylestherheavystepsshouldrousethem。Shewasfaintwithhunger，andhadnothingleftinhersatchel;butonthetableshesawthehalfofastaleloaf。NodoubtitwastoserveasthebreakfastofoldMrs。Hyattandthechildren;butCharitydidnotcare;shehadherownbabytothinkof。Shebrokeoffapieceofthebreadandateitgreedily;thenherglancefellonthethinfacesofthesleepingchildren，andfilledwithcompunctionsherummagedinhersatchelforsomethingwithwhichtopayforwhatshehadtaken。ShefoundoneoftheprettychemisesthatAllyhadmadeforher，withablueribbonrunthroughitsedging。Itwasoneofthedaintythingsonwhichshehadsquanderedhersavings，andasshelookedatitthebloodrushedtoherforehead。Shelaidthechemiseonthetable，andstealingacrossthefloorliftedthelatchandwentout……

ThemorningwasicycoldandapalesunwasjustrisingabovetheeasternshoulderoftheMountain。Thehousesscatteredonthehillsidelaycoldandsmokelessunderthesun—fleckedclouds，andnotahumanbeingwasinsight。Charitypausedonthethresholdandtriedtodiscovertheroadbywhichshehadcomethenightbefore。AcrossthefieldsurroundingMrs。Hyatt’sshantyshesawthetumble—downhouseinwhichshesupposedthefuneralservicehadtakenplace。Thetrailranacrossthegroundbetweenthetwohousesanddisappearedinthepine—woodontheflankoftheMountain;andalittlewaytotheright，underawind—

beatenthorn，amoundoffreshearthmadeadarkspotonthefawn—colouredstubble。Charitywalkedacrossthefieldtotheground。Assheapproacheditsheheardabird’snoteinthestillair，andlookingupshesawabrownsong—sparrowperchedinanupperbranchofthethornabovethegrave。Shestoodaminutelisteningtohissmallsolitarysong;thensherejoinedthetrailandbegantomountthehilltothepine—wood。

Thusfarshehadbeenimpelledbytheblindinstinctofflight;buteachstepseemedtobringhernearertotherealitiesofwhichherfeverishvigilhadgivenonlyashadowyimage。Nowthatshewalkedagaininadaylightworld，onthewaybacktofamiliarthings，herimaginationmovedmoresoberly。Ononepointshewasstilldecided：shecouldnotremainatNorthDormer，andthesoonershegotawayfromitthebetter。

Buteverythingbeyondwasdarkness。

Asshecontinuedtoclimbtheairgrewkeener，andwhenshepassedfromtheshelterofthepinestotheopengrassyroofoftheMountainthecoldwindofthenightbeforesprangoutonher。Shebenthershouldersandstruggledonagainstitforawhile;butpresentlyherbreathfailed，andshesatdownunderaledgeofrockoverhungbyshiveringbirches。FromwhereshesatshesawthetrailwanderingacrossthebleachedgrassinthedirectionofHamblin，andthegranitewalloftheMountainfallingawaytoinfinitedistances。Onthatsideoftheridgethevalleysstilllayinwintryshadow;butintheplainbeyondthesunwastouchingvillageroofsandsteeples，andgildingthehazeofsmokeoverfar—offinvisibletowns。

Charityfeltherselfamerespeckinthelonelycircleofthesky。Theeventsofthelasttwodaysseemedtohavedividedherforeverfromhershortdreamofbliss。

EvenHarney’simagehadbeenblurredbythatcrushingexperience：shethoughtofhimassoremotefromherthatheseemedhardlymorethanamemory。Inherfaggedandfloatingmindonlyonesensationhadtheweightofreality;itwasthebodilyburdenofherchild。Butforitshewouldhavefeltasrootlessasthewhiffsofthistledownthewindblewpasther。Herchildwaslikealoadthatheldherdown，andyetlikeahandthatpulledhertoherfeet。Shesaidtoherselfthatshemustgetupandstruggleon……

HereyesturnedbacktothetrailacrossthetopoftheMountain，andinthedistanceshesawabuggyagainstthesky。Sheknewitsantiqueoutline，andthegauntbuildoftheoldhorsepressingforwardwithloweredhead;andafteramomentsherecognizedtheheavybulkofthemanwhoheldthereins。Thebuggywasfollowingthetrailandmakingstraightforthepine—woodthroughwhichshehadclimbed;andsheknewatoncethatthedriverwasinsearchofher。Herfirstimpulsewastocrouchdownundertheledgetillhehadpassed;buttheinstinctofconcealmentwasoverruledbythereliefoffeelingthatsomeonewasnearherintheawfulemptiness。Shestoodupandwalkedtowardthebuggy。

Mr。Royallsawher，andtouchedthehorsewiththewhip。AminuteortwolaterhewasabreastofCharity;

theireyesmet，andwithoutspeakingheleanedoverandhelpedherupintothebuggy。

Shetriedtospeak，tostammeroutsomeexplanation，butnowordscametoher;andashedrewthecoveroverherkneeshesimplysaid："Theministertoldmehe’dleftyouuphere，soIcomeupforyou。"

Heturnedthehorse’shead，andtheybegantojogbacktowardHamblin。Charitysatspeechless，staringstraightaheadofher，andMr。Royalloccasionallyutteredawordofencouragementtothehorse："Getalongthere，Dan……IgavehimarestatHamblin;butI

broughthimalongprettyquick，andit’sastiffpulluphereagainstthewind。"

AshespokeitoccurredtoherforthefirsttimethattoreachthetopoftheMountainsoearlyhemusthaveleftNorthDormeratthecoldesthourofthenight，andhavetravelledsteadilybutforthehaltatHamblin;

andshefeltasoftnessatherheartwhichnoactofhishadeverproducedsincehehadbroughthertheCrimsonRamblerbecauseshehadgivenupboarding—

schooltostaywithhim。

Afteranintervalhebeganagain："Itwasadayjustlikethis，onlyspittingsnow，whenIcomeuphereforyouthefirsttime。"Then，asiffearingthatshemighttakehisremarkasareminderofpastbenefits，headdedquickly："Idunno’syouthinkitwassuchagoodjob，either。"

"Yes，Ido，"shemurmured，lookingstraightaheadofher。

"Well，"hesaid，"Itried————"

Hedidnotfinishthesentence，andshecouldthinkofnothingmoretosay。

"Ho，there，Dan，stepout，"hemuttered，jerkingthebridle。"Weain’thomeyet。——Youcold？"heaskedabruptly。

Sheshookherhead，buthedrewthecoverhigherup，andstoopedtotuckitinabouttheankles。Shecontinuedtolookstraightahead。Tearsofwearinessandweaknessweredimminghereyesandbeginningtorunover，butshedarednotwipethemawaylestheshouldobservethegesture。

Theydroveinsilence，followingthelongloopsofthedescentuponHamblin，andMr。Royalldidnotspeakagaintilltheyreachedtheoutskirtsofthevillage。

Thenheletthereinsdrooponthedashboardanddrewouthiswatch。

"Charity，"hesaid，"youlookfairdoneup，andNorthDormer’sagoodishwayoff。I’vefiguredoutthatwe’ddobettertostopherelongenoughforyoutogetamouthfulofbreakfastandthendrivedowntoCrestonandtakethetrain。"

Sherousedherselffromherapatheticmusing。"Thetrain——whattrain？"

Mr。Royall，withoutanswering，letthehorsejogontilltheyreachedthedoorofthefirsthouseinthevillage。"ThisisoldMrs。Hobart’splace，"hesaid。

"She’llgiveussomethinghottodrink。"

Charity，halfunconsciously，foundherselfgettingoutofthebuggyandfollowinghiminattheopendoor。

Theyenteredadecentkitchenwithafirecracklinginthestove。Anoldwomanwithakindlyfacewassettingoutcupsandsaucersonthetable。Shelookedupandnoddedastheycamein，andMr。Royalladvancedtothestove，clappinghisnumbhandstogether。

"Well，Mrs。Hobart，yougotanybreakfastforthisyounglady？Youcanseeshe’scoldandhungry。"

Mrs。HobartsmiledonCharityandtookatincoffee—potfromthefire。"My，youdolookprettymean，"shesaidcompassionately。

Charityreddened，andsatdownatthetable。Afeelingofcompletepassivenesshadoncemorecomeoverher，andshewasconsciousonlyofthepleasantanimalsensationsofwarmthandrest。

Mrs。Hobartputbreadandmilkonthetable，andthenwentoutofthehouse：Charitysawherleadingthehorseawaytothebarnacrosstheyard。Shedidnotcomeback，andMr。RoyallandCharitysataloneatthetablewiththesmokingcoffeebetweenthem。Hepouredoutacupforher，andputapieceofbreadinthesaucer，andshebegantoeat。

Asthewarmthofthecoffeeflowedthroughherveinsherthoughtsclearedandshebegantofeellikealivingbeingagain;butthereturntolifewassopainfulthatthefoodchokedinherthroatandshesatstaringdownatthetableinsilentanguish。

AfterawhileMr。Royallpushedbackhischair。"Now，then，"hesaid，"ifyou’reamindtogoalong————"Shedidnotmove，andhecontinued："WecanpickupthenoontrainforNettletonifyousayso。"

Thewordssentthebloodrushingtoherface，andsheraisedherstartledeyestohis。Hewasstandingontheothersideofthetablelookingatherkindlyandgravely;andsuddenlysheunderstoodwhathewasgoingtosay。Shecontinuedtositmotionless，aleadenweightuponherlips。

"Youandmehavespokesomehardthingstoeachotherinourtime，Charity;andthere’snogoodthatIcanseeinanymoretalkingnow。ButI’llneverfeelanywaybutoneaboutyou;andifyousaysowe’lldrivedownintimetocatchthattrain，andgostraighttotheminister’shouse;andwhenyoucomebackhomeyou’llcomeasMrs。Royall。"

HisvoicehadthegravepersuasiveaccentthathadmovedhishearersattheHomeWeekfestival;shehadasenseofdepthsofmournfultoleranceunderthateasytone。Herwholebodybegantotremblewiththedreadofherownweakness。

"Oh，Ican’t————"sheburstoutdesperately。

"Can’twhat？"

Sheherselfdidnotknow：shewasnotsureifshewasrejectingwhatheoffered，oralreadystrugglingagainstthetemptationoftakingwhatshenolongerhadarightto。Shestoodup，shakingandbewildered，andbegantospeak：

"IknowIain’tbeenfairtoyoualways;butIwanttobenow……Iwantyoutoknow……Iwant……"Hervoicefailedherandshestopped。

Mr。Royallleanedagainstthewall。Hewaspalerthanusual，buthisfacewascomposedandkindlyandheragitationdidnotappeartoperturbhim。

"What’sallthisaboutwanting？"hesaidasshepaused。

"Doyouknowwhatyoureallywant？I’lltellyou。Youwanttobetookhomeandtookcareof。AndIguessthat’sallthereistosay。"

"No……it’snotall……"

"Ain’tit？"Helookedathiswatch。"Well，I’lltellyouanotherthing。AllIwantistoknowifyou’llmarryme。Iftherewasanythingelse，I’dtellyouso;

butthereain’t。Cometomyage，amanknowsthethingsthatmatterandthethingsthatdon’t;that’sabouttheonlygoodturnlifedoesus。"

Histonewassostrongandresolutethatitwaslikeasupportingarmabouther。Shefeltherresistancemelting，herstrengthslippingawayfromherashespoke。

"Don’tcry，Charity，"heexclaimedinashakenvoice。

Shelookedup，startledathisemotion，andtheireyesmet。

"Seehere，"hesaidgently，"oldDan’scomealongdistance，andwe’vegottolethimtakeiteasytherestoftheway……"

Hepickedupthecloakthathadslippedtoherchairandlaiditabouthershoulders。Shefollowedhimoutofthehouse，andthenwalkedacrosstheyardtotheshed，wherethehorsewastied。Mr。

Royallunblanketedhimandledhimoutintotheroad。

Charitygotintothebuggyandhedrewthecoveraboutherandshookoutthereinswithacluck。Whentheyreachedtheendofthevillageheturnedthehorse’sheadtowardCreston。

XVIII

TheybegantojogdownthewindingroadtothevalleyatoldDan’slanguidpace。Charityfeltherselfsinkingintodeeperdepthsofweariness，andastheydescendedthroughthebarewoodsthereweremomentswhenshelosttheexactsenseofthings，andseemedtobesittingbesideherloverwiththeleafyarchofsummerbendingoverthem。Butthisillusionwasfaintandtransitory。Forthemostpartshehadonlyaconfusedsensationofslippingdownasmoothirresistiblecurrent;andsheabandonedherselftothefeelingasarefugefromthetormentofthought。

Mr。Royallseldomspoke，buthissilentpresencegaveher，forthefirsttime，asenseofpeaceandsecurity。

Sheknewthatwherehewastherewouldbewarmth，rest，silence;andforthemomenttheywereallshewanted。

Sheshuthereyes，andeventhesethingsgrewdimtoher……

Inthetrain，duringtheshortrunfromCrestontoNettleton，thewarmtharousedher，andtheconsciousnessofbeingunderstrangeeyesgaveheramomentaryenergy。Shesatupright，facingMr。

Royall，andstaredoutofthewindowatthedenudedcountry。Forty—eighthoursearlier，whenshehadlasttraversedit，manyofthetreesstillheldtheirleaves;butthehighwindofthelasttwonightshadstrippedthem，andthelinesofthelandscape’wereasfinelypencilledasinDecember。AfewdaysofautumncoldhadwipedoutalltraceoftherichfieldsandlanguidgrovesthroughwhichshehadpassedontheFourthofJuly;andwiththefadingofthelandscapethosefervidhourshadfaded，too。Shecouldnolongerbelievethatshewasthebeingwhohadlivedthem;shewassomeonetowhomsomethingirreparableandoverwhelminghadhappened，butthetracesofthestepsleadinguptoithadalmostvanished。

WhenthetrainreachedNettletonandshewalkedoutintothesquareatMr。Royall’ssidethesenseofunrealitygrewmoreoverpowering。ThephysicalstrainofthenightanddayhadleftnoroominhermindfornewsensationsandshefollowedMr。Royallaspassivelyasatiredchild。Asinaconfuseddreamshepresentlyfoundherselfsittingwithhiminapleasantroom，atatablewitharedandwhitetable—clothonwhichhotfoodandteawereplaced。HefilledhercupandplateandwheneversheliftedhereyesfromthemshefoundhisrestingonherwiththesamesteadytranquilgazethathadreassuredandstrengthenedherwhentheyhadfacedeachotherinoldMrs。Hobart’skitchen。Aseverythingelseinherconsciousnessgrewmoreandmoreconfusedandimmaterial，becamemoreandmoreliketheuniversalshimmerthatdissolvestheworldtofailingeyes，Mr。Royall’spresencebegantodetachitselfwithrockyfirmnessfromthiselusivebackground。Shehadalwaysthoughtofhim——whenshethoughtofhimatall——

asofsomeonehatefulandobstructive，butwhomshecouldoutwitanddominatewhenshechosetomaketheeffort。Onlyonce，onthedayoftheOldHomeWeekcelebration，whilethestrayfragmentsofhisaddressdriftedacrosshertroubledmind，hadshecaughtaglimpseofanotherbeing，abeingsodifferentfromthedull—wittedenemywithwhomshehadsupposedherselftobelivingthateventhroughtheburningmistofherowndreamshehadstoodoutwithstartlingdistinctness。

Foramoment，then，whathesaid——andsomethinginhiswayofsayingit——hadmadeherseewhyhehadalwaysstruckherassuchalonelyman。Butthemistofherdreamshadhiddenhimagain，andshehadforgottenthatfugitiveimpression。

Itcamebacktohernow，astheysatatthetable，andgaveher，throughherownimmeasurabledesolation，asuddensenseoftheirnearnesstoeachother。Butallthesefeelingswereonlybriefstreaksoflightinthegreyblurofherphysicalweakness。ThroughitshewasawarethatMr。Royallpresentlylefthersittingbythetableinthewarmroom，andcamebackafteranintervalwithacarriagefromthestation——aclosed"hack"withsun—burntbluesilkblinds——inwhichtheydrovetogethertoahousecoveredwithcreepersandstandingnexttoachurchwithacarpetofturfbeforeit。Theygotoutatthishouse，andthecarriagewaitedwhiletheywalkedupthepathandenteredawainscotedhallandthenaroomfullofbooks。InthisroomaclergymanwhomCharityhadneverseenreceivedthempleasantly，andaskedthemtobeseatedforafewminuteswhilewitnesseswerebeingsummoned。

Charitysatdownobediently，andMr。Royall，hishandsbehindhisback，pacedslowlyupanddowntheroom。AsheturnedandfacedCharity，shenoticedthathislipsweretwitchingalittle;butthelookinhiseyeswasgraveandcalm。Oncehepausedbeforeherandsaidtimidly："Yourhair’sgotkinderloosewiththewind，"

andsheliftedherhandsandtriedtosmoothbackthelocksthathadescapedfromherbraid。Therewasalooking—glassinacarvedframeonthewall，butshewasashamedtolookatherselfinit，andshesatwithherhandsfoldedonherkneetilltheclergymanreturned。Thentheywentoutagain，alongasortofarcadedpassage，andintoalowvaultedroomwithacrossonanaltar，androwsofbenches。Theclergyman，whohadleftthematthedoor，presentlyreappearedbeforethealtarinasurplice，andaladywhowasprobablyhiswife，andamaninablueshirtwhohadbeenrakingdeadleavesonthelawn，cameinandsatononeofthebenches。

TheclergymanopenedabookandsignedtoCharityandMr。Royalltoapproach。Mr。Royalladvancedafewsteps，andCharityfollowedhimasshehadfollowedhimtothebuggywhentheywentoutofMrs。Hobart’skitchen;shehadthefeelingthatifsheceasedtokeepclosetohim，anddowhathetoldhertodo，theworldwouldslipawayfrombeneathherfeet。

Theclergymanbegantoread，andonherdazedmindthererosethememoryofMr。Miles，standingthenightbeforeinthedesolatehouseoftheMountain，andreadingoutofthesamebookwordsthathadthesamedreadsoundoffinality：

"Irequireandchargeyouboth，asyewillansweratthedreadfuldayofjudgmentwhenthesecretsofallheartsshallbedisclosed，thatifeitherofyouknowanyimpedimentwherebyyemaynotbelawfullyjoinedtogether……"

CharityraisedhereyesandmetMr。Royall’s。Theywerestilllookingatherkindlyandsteadily。"I

will！"sheheardhimsayamomentlater，afteranotherintervalofwordsthatshehadfailedtocatch。Shewassobusytryingtounderstandthegesturesthattheclergymanwassignallingtohertomakethatshenolongerheardwhatwasbeingsaid。Afteranotherintervaltheladyonthebenchstoodup，andtakingherhandputitinMr。Royall’s。Itlayenclosedinhisstrongpalmandshefeltaringthatwastoobigforherbeingslippedonherthinfinger。Sheunderstoodthenthatshewasmarried……

LatethatafternoonCharitysataloneinabedroomofthefashionablehotelwheresheandHarneyhadvainlysoughtatableontheFourthofJuly。Shehadneverbeforebeeninsohandsomelyfurnishedaroom。

Themirrorabovethedressing—tablereflectedthehighhead—boardandflutedpillow—slipsofthedoublebed，andabedspreadsospotlesslywhitethatshehadhesitatedtolayherhatandjacketonit。Thehummingradiatordiffusedanatmosphereofdrowsywarmth，andthroughahalf—opendoorshesawtheglitterofthenickeltapsabovetwinmarblebasins。

Forawhilethelongturmoilofthenightanddayhadslippedawayfromherandshesatwithclosedeyes，surrenderingherselftothespellofwarmthandsilence。Butpresentlythismercifulapathywassucceededbythesuddenacutenessofvisionwithwhichsickpeoplesometimeswakeoutofaheavysleep。Assheopenedhereyestheyrestedonthepicturethathungabovethebed。Itwasalargeengravingwithadazzlingwhitemarginenclosedinawideframeofbird’s—eyemaplewithaninnerscrollofgold。Theengravingrepresentedayoungmaninaboatonalakeover—hungwithtrees。Hewasleaningovertogatherwater—liliesforthegirlinalightdresswholayamongthecushionsinthestern。Thescenewasfullofadrowsymidsummerradiance，andCharityavertedhereyesfromitand，risingfromherchair，begantowanderrestlesslyabouttheroom。

Itwasonthefifthfloor，anditsbroadwindowofplateglasslookedovertheroofsofthetown。Beyondthemstretchedawoodedlandscapeinwhichthelastfiresofsunsetwerepickingoutasteelygleam。

Charitygazedatthegleamwithstartledeyes。Eventhroughthegatheringtwilightsherecognizedthecontourofthesofthillsencirclingit，andthewaythemeadowsslopedtoitsedge。ItwasNettletonLakethatshewaslookingat。

Shestoodalongtimeinthewindowstaringoutatthefadingwater。Thesightofithadrousedherforthefirsttimetoarealizationofwhatshehaddone。Eventhefeelingoftheringonherhandhadnotbroughtherthissharpsenseoftheirretrievable。Foraninstanttheoldimpulseofflightsweptthroughher;butitwasonlytheliftofabrokenwing。Sheheardthedooropenbehindher，andMr。Royallcamein。

Hehadgonetothebarber’stobeshaved，andhisshaggygreyhairhadbeentrimmedandsmoothed。Hemovedstronglyandquickly，squaringhisshouldersandcarryinghisheadhigh，asifhedidnotwanttopassunnoticed。

"Whatareyoudoinginthedark？"hecalledoutinacheerfulvoice。Charitymadenoanswer。Hewentuptothewindowtodrawtheblind，andputtinghisfingeronthewallfloodedtheroomwithablazeoflightfromthecentralchandelier。Inthisunfamiliarilluminationhusbandandwifefacedeachotherawkwardlyforamoment;thenMr。Royallsaid："We’llstepdownandhavesomesupper，ifyousayso。"

Thethoughtoffoodfilledherwithrepugnance;butnotdaringtoconfessitshesmoothedherhairandfollowedhimtothelift。

Anhourlater，comingoutoftheglareofthedining—

room，shewaitedinthemarble—panelledhallwhileMr。

Royall，beforethebrasslatticeofoneofthecornercounters，selectedacigarandboughtaneveningpaper。

Menwerelounginginrockingchairsundertheblazingchandeliers，travellerscomingandgoing，bellsringing，portersshufflingbywithluggage。OverMr。

Royall’sshoulder，asheleanedagainstthecounter，agirlwithherhairpuffedhighsmirkedandnoddedatadapperdrummerwhowasgettinghiskeyatthedeskacrossthehall。

Charitystoodamongthesecross—currentsoflifeasmotionlessandinertasifshehadbeenoneofthetablesscrewedtothemarblefloor。Allhersoulwasgatheredupintoonesicksenseofcomingdoom，andshewatchedMr。Royallinfascinatedterrorwhilehepinchedthecigarsinsuccessiveboxesandunfoldedhiseveningpaperwithasteadyhand。

Presentlyheturnedandjoinedher。"Yougorightalonguptobed——I’mgoingtositdownhereandhavemysmoke，"hesaid。Hespokeaseasilyandnaturallyasiftheyhadbeenanoldcouple，longusedtoeachother’sways，andhercontractedheartgaveaflutterofrelief。Shefollowedhimtothelift，andheputherinandenjoinedthebuttonedandbraidedboytoshowhertoherroom。

Shegropedherwayinthroughthedarkness，forgettingwheretheelectricbuttonwas，andnotknowinghowtomanipulateit。Butawhiteautumnmoonhadrisen，andtheilluminatedskyputapalelightintheroom。Byitsheundressed，andafterfoldinguptheruffledpillow—slipscrepttimidlyunderthespotlesscounterpane。Shehadneverfeltsuchsmoothsheetsorsuchlightwarmblankets;butthesoftnessofthebeddidnotsootheher。Shelaytheretremblingwithafearthatranthroughherveinslikeice。"WhathaveI

done？Oh，whathaveIdone？"shewhispered，shudderingtoherpillow;andpressingherfaceagainstittoshutoutthepalelandscapebeyondthewindowshelayinthedarknessstrainingherears，andshakingateveryfootstepthatapproached……

Suddenlyshesatupandpressedherhandsagainstherfrightenedheart。Afaintsoundhadtoldherthatsomeonewasintheroom;butshemusthavesleptintheinterval，forshehadheardnooneenter。Themoonwassettingbeyondtheoppositeroofs，andinthedarknessoutlinedagainstthegreysquareofthewindow，shesawafigureseatedintherocking—chair。Thefiguredidnotmove：itwassunkdeepinthechair，withbowedheadandfoldedarms，andshesawthatitwasMr。

Royallwhosatthere。Hehadnotundressed，buthadtakentheblanketfromthefootofthebedandlaiditacrosshisknees。Tremblingandholdingherbreathshewatchedhim，fearingthathehadbeenrousedbyhermovement;buthedidnotstir，andsheconcludedthathewishedhertothinkhewasasleep。

Asshecontinuedtowatchhimineffablereliefstoleslowlyoverher，relaxingherstrainednervesandexhaustedbody。Heknew，then……heknew……itwasbecauseheknewthathehadmarriedher，andthathesatthereinthedarknesstoshowhershewassafewithhim。Astirofsomethingdeeperthanshehadeverfeltinthinkingofhimflittedthroughhertiredbrain，andcautiously，noiselessly，sheletherheadsinkonthepillow……

Whenshewoketheroomwasfullofmorninglight，andherfirstglanceshowedherthatshewasaloneinit。

Shegotupanddressed，andasshewasfasteningherdressthedooropened，andMr。Royallcamein。Helookedoldandtiredinthebrightdaylight，buthisfaceworethesameexpressionofgravefriendlinessthathadreassuredherontheMountain。Itwasasifallthedarkspiritshadgoneoutofhim。

Theywentdownstairstothedining—roomforbreakfast，andafterbreakfasthetoldherhehadsomeinsurancebusinesstoattendto。"IguesswhileI’mdoingityou’dbetterstepoutandbuyyourselfwhateveryouneed。"Hesmiled，andaddedwithanembarrassedlaugh："YouknowIalwayswantedyoutobeatalltheothergirls。"Hedrewsomethingfromhispocket，andpusheditacrossthetabletoher;andshesawthathehadgivenhertwotwenty—dollarbills。"Ifitain’tenoughthere’smorewherethatcomefrom——Iwantyoutobeat’emallhollow，"herepeated。

Sheflushedandtriedtostammeroutherthanks，buthehadpushedbackhischairandwasleadingthewayoutofthedining—room。Inthehallhepausedaminutetosaythatifitsuitedhertheywouldtakethethreeo’clocktrainbacktoNorthDormer;thenhetookhishatandcoatfromtherackandwentout。

AfewminuteslaterCharitywentout，too。Shehadwatchedtoseeinwhatdirectionhewasgoing，andshetooktheoppositewayandwalkedquicklydownthemainstreettothebrickbuildingonthecornerofLakeAvenue。Thereshepausedtolookcautiouslyupanddownthethoroughfare，andthenclimbedthebrass—boundstairstoDr。Merkle’sdoor。Thesamebushy—headedmulattogirladmittedher，andafterthesameintervalofwaitingintheredplushparlorshewasoncemoresummonedtoDr。Merkle’soffice。Thedoctorreceivedherwithoutsurprise，andledherintotheinnerplushsanctuary。

"Ithoughtyou’dbeback，butyou’vecomeamitetoosoon：Itoldyoutobepatientandnotfret，"sheobserved，afterapauseofpenetratingscrutiny。

Charitydrewthemoneyfromherbreast。"I’vecometogetmybluebrooch，"shesaid，flushing。

"Yourbrooch？"Dr。Merkleappearednottoremember。

"My，yes——Igetsomanythingsofthatkind。Well，mydear，you’llhavetowaitwhileIgetitoutofthesafe。Idon’tleavevaluableslikethatlayingroundlikethenoospaper。"

Shedisappearedforamoment，andreturnedwithabitoftwisted—uptissuepaperfromwhichsheunwrappedthebrooch。

Charity，asshelookedatit，feltastirofwarmthatherheart。Sheheldoutaneagerhand。

"Haveyougotthechange？"sheaskedalittlebreathlessly，layingoneofthetwenty—dollarbillsonthetable。

"Change？What’dIwanttohavechangefor？Ionlyseetwotwentiesthere，"Dr。Merkleansweredbrightly。

Charitypaused，disconcerted。"Ithought……yousaiditwasfivedollarsavisit……"

"ForYOU，asafavour——Idid。Buthowabouttheresponsibilityandtheinsurance？Idon’ts’poseyoueverthoughtofthat？Thispin’sworthahundreddollarseasy。Ifithadgotlostorstole，where’dI

beenwhenyoucometoclaimit？"

Charityremainedsilent，puzzledandhalf—convincedbytheargument，andDr。Merklepromptlyfollowedupheradvantage。"Ididn’taskyouforyourbrooch，mydear。

I’dagooddealrutherfolkspaidmemyregularchargethanhave’emputmetoallthistrouble。"

Shepaused，andCharity，seizedwithadesperatelongingtoescape，rosetoherfeetandheldoutoneofthebills。

"Willyoutakethat？"sheasked。

"No，Iwon’ttakethat，mydear;butI’lltakeitwithitsmate，andhandyouoverasignedreceiptifyoudon’ttrustme。"

"Oh，butIcan’t——it’sallI’vegot，"Charityexclaimed。

Dr。Merklelookedupatherpleasantlyfromtheplushsofa。"Itseemsyougotmarriedyesterday，uptothe’Piscopalchurch;Iheardallabouttheweddingfromtheminister’schore—man。Itwouldbeapity，wouldn’tit，toletMr。Royallknowyouhadanaccountrunninghere？Ijustputittoyouasyourownmothermight。"

AngerflamedupinCharity，andforaninstantshethoughtofabandoningthebroochandlettingDr。Merkledoherworst。Buthowcouldsheleaveheronlytreasurewiththatevilwoman？Shewanteditforherbaby：shemeantit，insomemysteriousway，tobealinkbetweenHarney’schildanditsunknownfather。

Tremblingandhatingherselfwhileshedidit，shelaidMr。Royall’smoneyonthetable，andcatchingupthebroochfledoutoftheroomandthehouse……

Inthestreetshestoodstill，dazedbythislastadventure。Butthebroochlayinherbosomlikeatalisman，andshefeltasecretlightnessofheart。Itgaveherstrength，afteramoment，towalkonslowlyinthedirectionofthepostoffice，andgointhroughtheswingingdoors。Atoneofthewindowssheboughtasheetofletter—paper，anenvelopeandastamp;thenshesatdownatatableanddippedtherustypostofficepeninink。ShehadcometherepossessedwithafearwhichhadhauntedhereversinceshehadfeltMr。

Royall’sringonherfinger：thefearthatHarneymight，afterall，freehimselfandcomebacktoher。Itwasapossibilitywhichhadneveroccurredtoherduringthedreadfulhoursaftershehadreceivedhisletter;onlywhenthedecisivestepshehadtakenmadelongingturntoapprehensiondidsuchacontingencyseemconceivable。Sheaddressedtheenvelope，andonthesheetofpapershewrote：

I’mmarriedtoMr。Royall。I’llalwaysrememberyou。

CHARITY。

Thelastwordswerenotintheleastwhatshehadmeanttowrite;theyhadflowedfromherpenirresistibly。

Shehadnothadthestrengthtocompletehersacrifice;

but，afterall，whatdiditmatter？NowthattherewasnochanceofeverseeingHarneyagain，whyshouldshenottellhimthetruth？

Whenshehadputtheletterintheboxshewentoutintothebusysunlitstreetandbegantowalktothehotel。Behindtheplateglasswindowsofthedepartmentstoresshenoticedthetemptingdisplayofdressesanddress—materialsthathadfiredherimaginationonthedaywhensheandHarneyhadlookedinatthemtogether。

TheyremindedherofMr。Royall’sinjunctiontogooutandbuyallsheneeded。Shelookeddownathershabbydress，andwonderedwhatsheshouldsaywhenhesawhercomingbackempty—handed。Asshedrewnearthehotelshesawhimwaitingonthedoorstep，andherheartbegantobeatwithapprehension。

Henoddedandwavedhishandatherapproach，andtheywalkedthroughthehallandwentupstairstocollecttheirpossessions，sothatMr。Royallmightgiveupthekeyoftheroomwhentheywentdownagainfortheirmiddaydinner。Inthebedroom，whileshewasthrustingbackintothesatchelthefewthingsshehadbroughtawaywithher，shesuddenlyfeltthathiseyeswereonherandthathewasgoingtospeak。Shestoodstill，herhalf—foldednight—gowninherhand，whilethebloodrusheduptoherdrawncheeks。

"Well，didyourigyourselfouthandsomely？Ihaven’tseenanybundlesround，"hesaidjocosely。

"Oh，I’dratherletAllyHawesmakethefewthingsI

want，"sheanswered。

"Thatso？"Helookedatherthoughtfullyforamomentandhiseye—browsprojectedinascowl。Thenhisfacegrewfriendlyagain。"Well，Iwantedyoutogobacklookingstylisherthananyofthem;butIguessyou’reright。You’reagoodgirl，Charity。"

Theireyesmet，andsomethingroseinhisthatshehadneverseenthere：alookthatmadeherfeelashamedandyetsecure。

"Iguessyou’regood，too，"shesaid，shylyandquickly。Hesmiledwithoutanswering，andtheywentoutoftheroomtogetheranddroppeddowntothehallintheglitteringlift。

Latethatevening，inthecoldautumnmoonlight，theydroveuptothedooroftheredhouse。