第10章

"Idon"ttauntyou.Ispeakthetruth,purelyinafriendlyway,asIshouldtoanyoneIwishedwell.ThoughforthatmatterImighthavesomeexcuseevenfortauntingyou.Suchaterriblehurryasyou"vebeenin.Ihateawomanwhoisinsuchahurry."

"Howdoyoumeanthat?"

"Why——tobesomebody"swifeorother——anything"swiferatherthannobody"s.Youcouldn"twaitforme,O,no.Well,thankGod,I"mcuredofallthat!"

"Howmercilessyouare!"shesaidbitterly."Waitforyou?Whatdoesthatmean,Charley?Younevershowed——anythingtowaitfor——

anythingspecialtowardsme."

"Ocome,Baptistadear;come!"

"WhatImeanis,nothingdefinite,"sheexpostulated."Isupposeyoulikedmealittle;butitseemedtometobeonlyapastimeonyourpart,andthatyounevermeanttomakeanhonourableengagementofit."

"There,that"sjustit!Yougirlsexpectamantomeanbusinessatthefirstlook.Nomanwhenhefirstbecomesinterestedinawomanhasanydefiniteschemeofengagementtomarryherinhismind,unlessheismeaningavulgarmercenarymarriage.However,IDIDatlastmeananhonourableengagement,asyoucallit,cometothat."

"Butyouneversaidso,andanindefinitecourtshipsooninjuresawoman"spositionandcredit,soonerthanyouthink."

"Baptista,IsolemnlydeclarethatinsixmonthsIshouldhaveaskedyoutomarryme."

Shewalkedalonginsilence,lookingontheground,andappearingveryuncomfortable.Presentlyhesaid,"Wouldyouhavewaitedformeifyouhadknown?"Tothisshewhisperedinasorrowfulwhisper,"Yes!"

Theywentstillfartherinsilence——passingalongoneofthebeautifulwalksontheoutskirtsofthetown,yetnotobservantofsceneorsituation.Hershoulderandhiswereclosetogether,andheclaspedhisfingersroundthesmallofherarm——quitelightly,andwithoutanyattemptatimpetus;yettheactseemedtosay,"NowI

holdyou,andmywillmustbeyours."

Recurringtoapreviousquestionofhershesaid,"IhavemerelyrundownhereforadayortwofromschoolnearTrufal,beforegoingofftothenorthfortherestofmyholiday.IhaveseenmyrelationsatRedrutinquitelately,soIamnotgoingtherethistime.HowlittleIthoughtofmeetingyou!Howverydifferentthecircumstanceswouldhavebeenif,insteadofpartingagainaswemustinhalf-an-hourorso,possiblyforever,youhadbeennowjustgoingoffwithme,asmywife,onourhoneymoontrip.Ha——ha——well——sohumorousislife!"

Shestoppedsuddenly."Imustgobacknow——thisisaltogethertoopainful,Charley!Itisnotatallakindmoodyouareinto-day."

"Idon"twanttopainyou——youknowIdonot,"hesaidmoregently.

"Onlyitjustexasperatesme——thisyouaregoingtodo.Iwishyouwouldnot."

"What?"

"Marryhim.There,nowIhaveshowedyoumytruesentiments."

"Imustdoitnow,"saidshe.

"Why?"heasked,droppingtheoff-handmasterfultonehehadhithertospokenin,andbecomingearnest;stillholdingherarm,however,asifshewerehischatteltobetakenuporputdownatwill."Itisnevertoolatetobreakoffamarriagethat"sdistastefultoyou.

NowI"llsayonething;anditistruth:Iwishyouwouldmarrymeinsteadofhim,evennow,atthelastmoment,thoughyouhaveservedmesobadly."

"O,itisnotpossibletothinkofthat!"sheansweredhastily,shakingherhead."WhenIgethomeallwillbeprepared——itisreadyevennow——thethingsfortheparty,thefurniture,Mr.Heddegan"snewsuit,andeverything.IshouldrequirethecourageofatropicalliontogohomethereandsayIwouldn"tcarryoutmypromise!"

"Thengo,inHeaven"sname!Buttherewouldbenonecessityforyoutogohomeandfacetheminthatway.Ifweweretomarry,itwouldhavetobeatonce,instantly;ornotatall.IshouldthinkyouraffectionnotworththehavingunlessyouagreedtocomebackwithmetoTrufalthisevening,wherewecouldbemarriedbylicenceonMondaymorning.AndthennoMr.DavidHeddeganoranybodyelsecouldgetyouawayfromme."

"ImustgohomebytheTuesdayboat,"shefaltered."WhatwouldtheythinkifIdidnotcome?"

"Youcouldgohomebythatboatjustthesame.AllthedifferencewouldbethatIshouldgowithyou.Youcouldleavemeonthequay,whereI"dhaveasmoke,whileyouwentandsawyourfatherandmotherprivately;youcouldthentellthemwhatyouhaddone,andthatIwaswaitingnotfaroff;thatIwasaschool-masterinafairlygoodposition,andayoungmanyouhadknownwhenyouwereattheTrainingCollege.ThenIwouldcomeboldlyforward;andtheywouldseethatitcouldnotbealtered,andsoyouwouldn"tsufferalifelongmiserybybeingthewifeofawretchedoldgafferyoudon"tlikeatall.

Now,honestly;youdolikemebest,don"tyou,Baptista?"

"Yes."

"ThenwewilldoasIsay."

Shedidnotpronounceaclearaffirmative.Butthatsheconsentedtothenovelpropositionatsomemomentorotherofthatwalkwasapparentbywhatoccurredalittlelater.

CHAPTERIII

Anenterpriseofsuchpithrequired,indeed,lesstalkingthanconsideration.Thefirstthingtheydidincarryingitoutwastoreturntotherailwaystation,whereBaptistatookfromherluggageasmalltrunkofimmediatenecessarieswhichshewouldinanycasehaverequiredaftermissingtheboat.ThatsameafternoontheytravelledupthelinetoTrufal.

CharlesStow(ashisnamewas),despitehisdisdainfulindifferencetothings,wasverycarefulofappearances,andmadethejourneyindependentlyofherthoughinthesametrain.Hetoldherwhereshecouldgetboardandlodgingsinthecity;andwithmerelyadistantnodtoherofaprovisionalkind,wentofftohisownquarters,andtoseeaboutthelicence.

OnSundayshesawhiminthemorningacrossthenaveofthepro-

cathedral.Intheafternoontheywalkedtogetherinthefields,wherehetoldherthatthelicencewouldbereadynextday,andwouldbeavailablethedayafter,whentheceremonycouldbeperformedasearlyaftereighto"clockastheyshouldchoose.

Hiscourtship,thusrenewedafteranintervaloftwoyears,wasasimpetuous,violenteven,asitwasshort.Thenextdaycameandpassed,andthefinalarrangementsweremade.Theiragreementwastogettheceremonyoverassoonastheypossiblycouldthenextmorning,soastogoontoPen-zephyratonce,andreachthatplaceintimefortheboat"sdeparturethesameday.ItwasinobediencetoBaptista"searnestrequestthatStowconsentedthustomakethewholejourneytoLyonessebylandandwateratoneheat,andnotbreakitatPen-zephyr;sheseemedtobeoppressedwithadreadoflingeringanywhere,thisgreatfirstactofdisobediencetoherparentsonceaccomplished,withtheweightonhermindthatherhomehadtobeconvulsedbythedisclosureofit.Tofaceherdifficultiesoverthewaterimmediatelyshehadcreatedthemwas,however,acoursemoredesiredbyBaptistathanbyherlover;thoughforoncehegaveway.

Thenextmorningwasbrightandwarmasthosewhichhadprecededit.

Bysixo"clockitseemednearlynoon,asisoftenthecaseinthatpartofEnglandinthesummerseason.Byninetheywerehusbandandwife.Theypackedupanddepartedbytheearliesttrainaftertheservice;andonthewaydiscussedatlengthwhatsheshouldsayonmeetingherparents,Charleydictatingtheturnofeachphrase.InheranxietytheyhadtravelledsoearlythatwhentheyreachedPen-

zephyrtheyfoundtherewerenearlytwohoursontheirhandsbeforethesteamer"stimeofsailing.

Baptistawasextremelyreluctanttobeseenpromenadingthestreetsofthewatering-placewithherhusbandtill,asabovestated,thehouseholdatGiant"sTownshouldknowtheunexpectedcourseofeventsfromherownlips;anditwasjustpossible,ifnotlikely,thatsomeLyonessianmightbeprowlingaboutthere,orevenhavecomeacrosstheseatolookforher.Tomeetanyonetowhomshewasknown,andtohavetoreplytoawkwardquestionsaboutthestrangeyoungmanathersidebeforeherwell-framedannouncementhadbeendeliveredatpropertimeandplace,wasathingshecouldnotcontemplatewithequanimity.So,insteadoflookingattheshopsandharbour,theywentalongthecoastalittleway.

Theheatofthemorningwasbythistimeintense.Theyclambereduponsomecliffs,andwhilesittingthere,lookingaroundatSt.

Michael"sMountandotherobjects,Charlessaidtoherthathethoughthewouldrundowntothebeachattheirfeet,andtakejustoneplungeintothesea.

Baptistadidnotmuchliketheideaofbeingleftalone;itwasgloomy,shesaid.Butheassuredherhewouldnotbegonemorethanaquarterofanhourattheoutside,andshepassivelyassented.

Downhewent,disappeared,appearedagain,andlookedback.Thenheagainproceeded,andvanished,till,asasmallwaxenobject,shesawhimemergefromthenookthathadscreenedhim,crossthewhitefringeoffoam,andwalkintotheundulatingmassofblue.Onceinthewaterheseemedlessinclinedtohurrythanbefore;heremainedalongtime;and,unableeithertoappreciatehisskillorcriticizehiswantofitatthatdistance,shewithdrewhereyesfromthespot,andgazedatthestilloutlineofSt.Michael"s——nowbeautifullytonedingrey.

Heranxietyforthehourofdeparture,andtocopeatoncewiththeapproachingincidentsthatshewouldhavetomanipulateasbestshecould,sentherintoareverie.ItwasnowTuesday;shewouldreachhomeintheevening——averylatetimetheywouldsay;but,asthedelaywasapureaccident,theywoulddeemhermarriagetoMr.

Heddeganto-morrowstillpracticable.ThenCharleswouldhavetobeproducedfromthebackground.Itwasaterribleundertakingtothinkof,andshealmostregrettedhertemerityinweddingsohastilythatmorning.Therageofherfatherwouldbesocrushing;thereproachesofhermothersobitter;andperhapsCharleswouldanswerhotly,andperhapscauseestrangementtilldeath.TherehadobviouslybeennoalarmaboutheratSt.Maria"s,orsomebodywouldhavesailedacrosstoinquireforher.Shehad,inaletterwrittenatthebeginningoftheweek,spokenofthehouratwhichsheintendedtoleavehercountryschoolhouse;andfromthisherfriendshadprobablyperceivedthatbysuchtimingshewouldrunariskoflosingtheSaturdayboat.

Shehadmissedit,andasaconsequencesathereontheshoreasMrs.

CharlesStow.

Thisbroughthertothepresent,andsheturnedfromtheoutlineofSt.Michael"sMounttolookaboutforherhusband"sform.Hewas,asfarasshecoulddiscover,nolongerinthesea.Thenhewasdressing.Bymovingafewstepsshecouldseewherehisclotheslay.

ButCharleswasnotbesidethem.

Baptistalookedbackagainatthewaterinbewilderment,asifhersenseswerethevictimofsomesleightofhand.Notaspeckorspotresemblingaman"sheadorfaceshowedanywhere.Bythistimeshewasalarmed,andheralarmintensifiedwhensheperceivedalittlebeyondthesceneofherhusband"sbathingasmallareaofwater,thequalityofwhosesurfacedifferedfromthatofthesurroundingexpanseasthecoarsevegetationofsomefoulpatchinameaddiffersfromthefinegreenoftheremainder.Elsewhereitlookedflexuous,hereitlookedvermiculatedandlumpy,andhermarineexperiencessuggestedtoherinamomentthattwocurrentsmetandcausedaturmoilatthisplace.

Shedescendedashastilyashertremblinglimbswouldallow.Thewaydownwasterriblylong,andbeforereachingtheheapofclothesitoccurredtoherthat,afterall,itwouldbebesttorunfirstforhelp.Hasteningalonginalateraldirectionsheproceededinlandtillshemetaman,andsoonafterwardstwoothers.Tothemsheexclaimed,"Ithinkagentlemanwhowasbathingisinsomedanger.I

cannotseehimasIcould.Willyoupleaserunandhelphim,atonce,ifyouwillbesokind?"

Shedidnotthinkofturningtoshowthemtheexactspot,indicatingitvaguelybythedirectionofherhand,andstillgoingonherwaywiththeideaofgainingmoreassistance.Whenshedeemed,inherfaintness,thatshehadcarriedthealarmfarenough,shefacedaboutanddraggedherselfbackagain.Beforereachingthenowdreadedspotshemetoneofthemen.

"Wecanseenothingatall,Miss,"hedeclared.

Havinggainedthebeach,shefoundthetidein,andnosignofCharley"sclothes.Theothermenwhomshehadbesoughttocomehaddisappeared,itmusthavebeeninsomeotherdirection,forshehadnotmetthemgoingaway.They,findingnothing,hadprobablythoughtheralarmamereconjecture,andgivenupthequest.

Baptistasankdownuponthestonesnearathand.WhereCharleyhadundressedwasnowsea.Therecouldnotbetheleastdoubtthathewasdrowned,andhisbodysuckedunderbythecurrent;whilehisclothes,lyingwithinhigh-watermark,hadprobablybeencarriedawaybytherisingtide.

Sheremainedinastuporforsomeminutes,tillastrangesensationsucceededtheaforesaidperceptions,mystifyingherintelligence,andleavingherphysicallyalmostinert.Withhispersonaldisappearance,thelastthreedaysofherlifewithhimseemedtobeswallowedup,alsohisimage,inhermind"seye,wanedcuriously,recededfaraway,grewstrangerandstranger,lessandlessreal.

Theirmeetingandmarriagehadbeensosudden,unpremeditated,adventurous,thatshecouldhardlybelievethatshehadplayedherpartinsucharecklessdrama.OfallthefewhoursofherlifewithCharles,theportionthatmostinsistedincomingbacktomemorywastheirfortuitousencounteronthepreviousSaturday,andthosebitterreprimandswithwhichhehadbeguntheattack,asitmightbecalled,whichhadpiquedhertoanunexpectedconsummation.

Asortofcruelty,animperiousness,eveninhiswarmth,hadcharacterizedCharlesStow.Asaloverhehadeverbeenabitofatyrant;anditmightprettytrulyhavebeensaidthathehadstungherintomarriagewithhimatlast.Stillmorealienfromherlifedidthesereflectionsoperatetomakehim;andthentheywouldbechasedawaybyanintervalofpassionateweepingandmadregret.

Finally,therereturnedupontheconfusedmindoftheyoungwifetherecollectionthatshewasonherwayhomeward,andthatthepacketwouldsailinthree-quartersofanhour.

Excepttheparasolinherhand,allshepossessedwasatthestationawaitingheronwardjourney.

Shelookedinthatdirection;and,enteringoneofthoseundemonstrativephasessocommonwithher,walkedquietlyon.

Atfirstshemadestraightfortherailway;butsuddenlyturningshewenttoashopandwroteananonymouslineannouncinghisdeathbydrowningtotheonlypersonshehadeverheardCharlesmentionasarelative.Postingthisstealthily,andwithafearfullookaroundher,sheseemedtoacquireaterrorofthelateevents,pursuingherwaytothestationasiffollowedbyaspectre.

WhenshegottotheofficesheaskedfortheluggagethatshehadleftthereontheSaturdayaswellasthetrunkleftonthemorningjustlapsed.Allwereputintheboat,andsheherselffollowed.

Quicklyasthesethingshadbeendone,thewholeproceeding,nevertheless,hadbeenalmostautomaticonBaptista"spart,ereshehadcometoanydefiniteconclusiononhercourse.

Justbeforethebellrangsheheardaconversationonthepier,whichremovedthelastshadeofdoubtfromhermind,ifanyhadexisted,thatshewasCharlesStow"swidow.Thesentenceswerebutfragmentary,butshecouldeasilypiecethemout.

"Amandrowned——swamouttoofar——wasastrangertotheplace——peopleinboat——sawhimgodown——couldn"tgetthereintime."

Thenewswaslittlemoredefinitethanthisasyet;thoughitmayaswellbestatedonceforallthatthestatementwastrue.Charley,withtheover-confidenceofhisnature,hadventuredouttoofarforhisstrength,andsuccumbedintheabsenceofassistance,hislifelessbodybeingatthatmomentsuspendedinthetransparentmid-

depthsofthebay.Hisclothes,however,hadmerelybeengentlyliftedbytherisingtide,andfloatedintoanookhardby,wheretheylayoutofsightofthepassers-bytilladayortwoafter.

CHAPTERIV

Intenminutestheyweresteamingoutoftheharbourfortheirvoyageoffourorfivehours,atwhoseendingshewouldhavetotellherstrangestory.

AsPen-zephyrandallitsenvironingscenesdisappearedbehindMouseholeandSt.Clement"sIsle,Baptista"sephemeral,meteor-likehusbandimpressedheryetmoreasafantasy.Shewasstillinsuchatrance-likestatethatshehadbeenanhouronthelittlepacket-boatbeforeshebecameawareoftheagitatingfactthatMr.Heddeganwasonboardwithher.Involuntarilysheslippedfromherlefthandthesymbolofherwifehood.

"Hee-hee!Well,thetruthis,Iwouldn"tinterrupt"ee."Ireckonshedon"tseeme,orwon"tseeme,"Isaid,"andwhat"sthehurry?

She"llseeenougho"mesoon!"Ihopeyebewell,meedeer?"

Hewasahale,well-conditionedmanofaboutfiveandfifty,ofthecomplexioncommontothosewhoselivesarepassedonthebluffsandbeachesofanoceanisle.Heextendedthefourquartersofhisfaceinagenialsmile,andhishandforagraspofthesamemagnitude.

Shegaveherowninsurpriseddocility,andhecontinued:"I

couldn"thelpcomingacrosstomeet"ee.WhatanunfortunatethingyoumissingtheboatandnotcomingSaturday!Theymeanttohavewarned"eethatthetimewaschanged,butforgotitatthelastmoment.ThetruthisthatIshouldhaveinformed"eemyself;butI

wasthatbusyfinishingupajoblastweek,soastohavethisweekfree,thatItrustedtoyourfatherforattendingtotheselittlethings.However,soplainandquietasitisalltobe,itreallydonotmattersomuchasitmightotherwisehavedone,andIhopeyehaven"tbeengreatlyputout.Now,ifyou"dsoonerthatIshouldnotbeseentalkingto"ee——if"eefeelshyatallbeforestrangers——justsay.I"llleave"eetoyourselftillwegethome."

"Thankyoumuch.Iamindeedalittletired,Mr.Heddegan."

Henoddedurbaneacquiescence,strolledawayimmediately,andminutelyinspectedthesurfaceofthefunnel,tillsomefemalepassengersofGiant"sTowntitteredatwhattheymusthavethoughtarebuff——fortheapproachingweddingwasknowntomanyonSt.Maria"sIsland,thoughtonobodyelsewhere.Baptistacolouredattheirsatire,andcalledhimback,andforcedherselftocommunewithhiminatleastamechanicallyfriendlymanner.

Theopeningeventhadbeenthusdifferentfromherexpectation,andshehadadumbratednoacttomeetit.Takenabackshepassivelyallowedcircumstancestopilotheralong;andsothevoyagewasmade.

ItwasnearduskwhentheytouchedthepierofGiant"sTown,whereseveralfriendsandneighboursstoodawaitingthem.Herfatherhadalanterninhishand.Hermother,too,wasthere,reproachfullygladthatthedelayhadatlastendedsosimply.Mrs.TrewthenandherdaughterwenttogetheralongtheGiant"sWalk,orpromenade,tothehouse,ratherinadvanceofherhusbandandMr.Heddegan,whotalkedinloudtoneswhichreachedthewomenovertheirshoulders.

SomewouldhavecalledMrs.Trewthenagoodmother;butthoughwellmeaningshewasmaladroit,andherintentionsmissedtheirmark.

Thismighthavebeenpartlyattributabletotheslightdeafnessfromwhichshesuffered.Now,asusual,thechiefutterancescamefromherlips.

"Ah,yes,I"msoglad,mychild,thatyou"vegotoversafe.Itisallready,andeverythingsowellarranged,thatnothingbutmisfortunecouldhinderyousettlingas,withGod"sgrace,becomes"ee.Closetoyourmother"sdoora"most,"twillbeagreatblessing,I"msure;andIwasverygladtofindfromyourlettersthatyou"dheldyourwordsacred.That"sright——makeyourwordyourbondalways.Mrs.Waceseemstobeasensiblewoman.IhopetheLordwilldoforherashe"sdoingforyounolongtimehence.Andhowdid"eegetovertheterriblejourneyfromTor-upon-SeatoPen-

zephyr?Onceyou"ddonewiththerailway,ofcourse,youseemedquiteathome.Well,Baptista,conductyourselfseemly,andallwillbewell."

Thusadmonished,Baptistaenteredthehouse,herfatherandMr.

Heddeganimmediatelyatherback.Hermotherhadbeensodidacticthatshehadfeltherselfabsolutelyunabletobroachthesubjectsinthecentreofhermind.

Thefamiliarroom,withthedarkceiling,thewell-spreadtable,theoldchairs,hadneverbeforespokensoeloquentlyofthetimesereshekneworhadheardofCharleyStow.Shewentupstairstotakeoffherthings,hermotherremainingbelowtocompletethedispositionofthesupper,andattendtothepreparationofto-morrow"smeal,altogethercomposingsuchanarrayofpies,frompiesoffishtopiesofturnips,aswasneverheardofoutsidetheWesternDuchy.

Baptista,oncealone,satdownanddidnothing;andwascalledbeforeshehadtakenoffherbonnet.

"I"mcoming,"shecried,jumpingup,andspeedilydisapparellingherself,brushedherhairwithafewtouchesandwentdown.

TwoorthreeofMr.Heddegan"sandherfather"sfriendshaddroppedin,andexpressedtheirsympathyforthedelayshehadbeensubjectedto.ThemealwasamostmerryoneexcepttoBaptista.Shehaddesiredprivacy,andtherewasnone;andtobreakthenewswasalreadyagreaterdifficultythanithadbeenatfirst.Everythingaroundher,animateandinanimate,greatandsmall,insistedthatshehadcomehometobemarried;andshecouldnotgetachancetosaynay.

Oneortwopeoplesangsongs,asoverturestothemelodyofthemorrow,tillatlengthbedtimecame,andtheyallwithdrew,hermotherhavingretiredalittleearlier.WhenBaptistafoundherselfagainaloneinherbedroomthecasestoodasbefore:shehadcomehomewithmuchtosay,andshehadsaidnothing.

ItwasnowgrowingcleareventoherselfthatCharlesbeingdead,shehadnotdeterminationsufficientwithinhertobreaktidingswhich,hadhebeenalive,wouldhaveimperativelyannouncedthemselves.Andthuswiththestrokeofmidnightcametheturningofthescale;herstoryshouldremainuntold.Itwasnotthatuponthewholeshethoughtitbestnottoattempttotellit;butthatshecouldnotundertakesoexplosiveamatter.TostoptheweddingnowwouldcauseaconvulsioninGiant"sTownlittleshortofvolcanic.Weakened,tired,andterrifiedasshehadbeenbytheday"sadventures,shecouldnotmakeherselftheauthorofsuchacatastrophe.ButhowrefuseHeddeganwithouttelling?ItreallyseemedtoherasifhermarriagewithMr.Heddeganwereabouttotakeplaceasifnothinghadintervened.

Morningcame.Theeventsofthepreviousdayswerecutofffromherpresentexistencebysceneandsentimentmorecompletelythanever.

CharlesStowhadgrowntobeaspecialbeingofwhom,owingtohischaracter,sheentertainedratherfearfulthanlovingmemory.

Baptistacouldhearwhensheawokethatherparentswerealreadymovingaboutdownstairs.Butshedidnotrisetillhermother"sratherroughvoiceresoundedupthestaircaseasithaddoneontheprecedingevening.

"Baptista!Come,timetobestirring!Themanwillbehere,byheaven"sblessing,inthree-quartersofanhour.Hehaslookedinalreadyforaminuteortwo——andsayshe"sgoingtothechurchtoseeifthingsbewellforward."

Baptistaarose,lookedoutofthewindow,andtooktheeasycourse.

Whensheemergedfromtheregionsaboveshewasarrayedinhernewsilkfrockandbeststockings,wearingalinenjacketovertheformerforbreakfasting,andhercommonslippersoverthelatter,nottospoilthenewonesontheroughprecinctsofthedwelling.

Itisunnecessarytodwellatanygreatlengthonthispartofthemorning"sproceedings.Sherevealednothing;andmarriedHeddegan,asshehadgivenherwordtodo,onthatappointedAugustday.

CHAPTERV

Mr.Heddeganforgavethecoldnessofhisbride"smannerduringandaftertheweddingceremony,fullwellawarethattherehadbeenconsiderablereluctanceonherparttoacquiesceinthisneighbourlyarrangement,and,asaphilosopheroflongstanding,holdingthatwhateverBaptista"sattitudenow,theconditionswouldprobablybemuchthesamesixmonthshenceasthosewhichruledamongothermarriedcouples.

AnabsolutelyunexpectedshockwasgiventoBaptista"slistlessmindaboutanhouraftertheweddingservice.Theyhadnearlyfinishedthemid-daydinnerwhenthenowhusbandsaidtoherfather,"Wethinkofstartingabouttwo.AndthebreezebeingsofairweshallbringupinsidePen-zephyrnewpieraboutsixatleast."

"What——arewegoingtoPen-zephyr?"saidBaptista."Idon"tknowanythingofit."

"Didn"tyoutellher?"askedherfatherofHeddegan.

Ittranspiredthat,owingtothedelayinherarrival,thisproposaltoo,amongotherthings,hadinthehurrynotbeenmentionedtoher,exceptsometimeagoasageneralsuggestionthattheywouldgosomewhere.Heddeganhadimaginedthatanytripwouldbepleasant,andonetothemainlandthepleasantestofall.

Shelookedsodistressedattheannouncementthatherhusbandwillinglyofferedtogiveitup,thoughhehadnothadaholidayofftheislandforawholeyear.ThensheponderedontheinconvenienceofstayingatGiant"sTown,wherealltheinhabitantswerebonded,bythecircumstancesoftheirsituation,intoasortoffamilyparty,whichpermittedandencouragedonsuchoccasionsastheseoralcriticismthatwasapttodisturbtheequanimityofnewlymarriedgirls,andwouldespeciallyworryBaptistainherstrangesituation.

Hence,unexpectedly,sheagreednottodisorganizeherhusband"splansfortheweddingjaunt,anditwassettledthat,asoriginallyintended,theyshouldproceedinaneighbour"ssailingboattothemetropolisofthedistrict.

InthiswaytheyarrivedatPen-zephyrwithoutdifficultyormishap.

BiddingadieutoJenkinandhisman,whohadsailedthemover,theystrolledarminarmoffthepier,Baptistasilent,cold,andobedient.HeddeganhadarrangedtotakeherasfarasPlymouthbeforetheirreturn,buttogonofurtherthanwheretheyhadlandedthatday.Theirfirstbusinesswastofindaninn;andinthistheyhadunexpecteddifficulty,sinceforsomereasonorother——possiblythefineweather——manyofthenearestathandwerefulloftouristsandcommercialtravellers.Heledherontillhereachedatavernwhich,thoughcomparativelyunpretending,stoodinasattractiveaspotasanyinthetown;andthis,somewhattotheirsurpriseaftertheirpreviousexperience,theyfoundapparentlyempty.Theconsiderateoldman,thinkingthatBaptistawaseducatedtoartisticnotions,thoughhehimselfwasdeficientinthem,haddecidedthatitwasmostdesirabletohave,onsuchanoccasionasthepresent,anapartmentwith"agoodview"(theexpressionbeingonehehadoftenheardinuseamongtourists);andhethereforeaskedforafavouriteroomonthefirstfloor,fromwhichabow-windowprotruded,fortheexpresspurposeofaffordingsuchanoutlook.

Thelandlady,aftersomehesitation,saidshewassorrythatparticularapartmentwasengaged;thenextone,however,oranyotherinthehouse,wasunoccupied.

"Thegentlemanwhohasthebestonewillgiveitupto-morrow,andthenyoucanchangeintoit,"sheadded,asMr.Heddeganhesitatedabouttakingtheadjoiningandlesscommandingone.

"Weshallbegoneto-morrow,andshan"twantit,"hesaid.

Wishingnottolosecustomers,thelandladyearnestlycontinuedthatsincehewasbentonhavingthebestroom,perhapstheothergentlemanwouldnotobjecttomoveatonceintotheonetheydespised,since,thoughnothingcouldbeseenfromthewindow,theroomwasequallylarge.

"Well,ifhedoesn"tcareforaview,"saidMr.Heddegan,withtheairofahighlyartisticmanwhodid.

"Ono——Iamsurehedoesn"t,"shesaid."Icanpromisethatyoushallhavetheroomyouwant.Ifyouwouldnotobjecttogoforawalkforhalfanhour,Icouldhaveitready,andyourthingsinit,andanicetealaidinthebow-windowbythetimeyoucomeback?"

Thisproposalwasdeemedsatisfactorybythefussyoldtradesman,andtheywentout.Baptistanervouslyconductedhiminanoppositedirectiontoherwalkoftheformerdayinothercompany,showingonherwanface,hadheobservedit,howmuchshewasbeginningtoregrethersacrificialstepformendingmattersthatmorning.

Shetookadvantageofamomentwhenherhusband"sbackwasturnedtoinquirecasuallyinashopifanythinghadbeenheardofthegentlemanwhowassuckeddownintheeddywhilebathing.

Theshopmansaid,"Yes,hisbodyhasbeenwashedashore,"andhadjusthandedBaptistaanewspaperonwhichshediscernedtheheading,"ASchoolmasterdrownedwhilebathing,"whenherhusbandturnedtojoinher.Shemighthavepursuedthesubjectwithoutraisingsuspicion;butitwasmorethanfleshandbloodcoulddo,andcompletingasmallpurchasealmostranoutoftheshop.

"Whatisyourterriblehurry,meedeer?"saidHeddegan,hasteningafter.

"Idon"tknow——Idon"twanttostayinshops,"shegasped.

"Andwewon"t,"hesaid."Theyaresuffocatingthisweather.Let"sgobackandhavesometay!"

Theyfoundthemuchdesiredapartmentawaitingtheirentry.Itwasasortofcombinationbedandsitting-room,andthetablewasprettilyspreadwithhighteainthebow-window,abunchofflowersinthemidst,andabest-parlourchaironeachside.Heretheysharedthemealbytheruddylightofthevanishingsun.Butthoughtheviewhadbeenengaged,regardlessofexpense,exclusivelyforBaptista"spleasure,shedidnotdirectanykeenattentionoutofthewindow.

Hergazeasoftenfellonthefloorandwallsoftheroomaselsewhere,andonthetableasmuchasoneither,beholdingnothingatall.

Buttherewasachange.Oppositeherseatwasthedoor,uponwhichhereyespresentlybecamerivetedlikethoseofalittlebirduponasnake.For,onapegatthebackofthedoor,therehungahat;suchahat——surely,fromitspeculiarmake,theactualhat——thathadbeenwornbyCharles.Convictiongrewtocertaintywhenshesawarailwayticketstickingupfromtheband.Charleshadputtheticketthere——

shehadnoticedtheact.

Herteethalmostchattered;shemurmuredsomethingincoherent.Herhusbandjumpedupandsaid,"Youarenotwell!Whatisit?WhatshallIget"ee?"

"Smellingsalts!"shesaid,quicklyanddesperately;"atthatchemist"sshopyouwereinjustnow."

Hejumpedupliketheanxiousoldmanthathewas,caughtuphisownhatfromabacktable,andwithoutobservingtheotherhastenedoutanddownstairs.

Leftaloneshegazedandgazedatthebackofthedoor,thenspasmodicallyrangthebell.Anhonest-lookingcountrymaid-servantappearedinresponse.

"Ahat!"murmuredBaptista,pointingwithherfinger."Itdoesnotbelongtous."

"Oyes,I"lltakeitaway,"saidtheyoungwomanwithsomehurry.

"Itbelongstotheothergentleman."

Shespokewithacertainawkwardness,andtookthehatoutoftheroom.Baptistahadrecoveredheroutwardcomposure."Theothergentleman?"shesaid."Whereistheothergentleman?"

"He"sinthenextroom,ma"am.Heremovedoutofthistooblige"ee."

"Howcanyousayso?Ishouldhearhimifhewerethere,"saidBaptista,sufficientlyrecoveredtoarguedownanapparentuntruth.

"He"sthere,"saidthegirl,hardily.

"Thenitisstrangethathemakesnonoise,"saidMrs.Heddegan,convictingthegirloffalsitybyalook.

"Hemakesnonoise;butitisnotstrange,"saidtheservant.

Allatonceadreadtookpossessionofthebride"sheart,likeacoldhandlaidthereon;foritflasheduponherthattherewasapossibilityofreconcilingthegirl"sstatementwithherownknowledgeoffacts.

"Whydoeshemakenonoise?"sheweaklysaid.

Thewaiting-maidwassilent,andlookedatherquestioner."IfI

tellyou,ma"am,youwon"ttellmissis?"shewhispered.

Baptistapromised.

"Becausehe"sa-lyingdead!"saidthegirl."He"stheschoolmasterthatwasdrowndedyesterday."

"O!"saidthebride,coveringhereyes."Thenhewasinthisroomtilljustnow?"

"Yes,"saidthemaid,thinkingtheyounglady"sagitationnaturalenough."AndItoldmissisthatIthoughtsheoughtn"ttohavedoneit,becauseIdon"tholditrighttokeepvisitorssomuchinthedarkwheredeath"sconcerned;butshesaidthegentlemandidn"tdieofanythinginfectious;shewasapoor,honest,innkeeper"swife,shesays,whohadtogetherlivingbymakinghaywhilethesunsheened.

Andowingtothedrowndedgentlemanbeingbroughthere,shesaid,itkeptsomanypeopleawaythatwewereempty,thoughalltheotherhouseswerefull.Sowhenyourgoodmansethismindupontheroom,andshewouldhavelostgoodpayingfolkifhe"dnothadit,itwasn"ttobesupposed,shesaid,thatshe"dletanythingstandintheway.Yewon"tsaythatI"vetoldye,please,m"m?Allthelinenhasbeenchanged,andastheinquestwon"tbetillto-morrow,afteryouaregone,shethoughtyouwouldn"tknowawordofit,beingstrangershere."

Thereturningfootstepsofherhusbandbrokeofffurthernarration.

Baptistawavedherhand,forshecouldnotspeak.Thewaiting-maidquicklywithdrew,andMr.Heddeganenteredwiththesmellingsaltsandothernostrums.

"Anybetter?"hequestioned.

"Idon"tlikethehotel,"sheexclaimed,almostsimultaneously."I

can"tbearit——itdoesn"tsuitme!"

"Isthatallthat"sthematter?"hereturnedpettishly(thisbeingthefirsttimeofhisshowingsuchamood)."Uponmyheartandlifesuchtriflingistryingtoanyman"stemper,Baptista!Sendingmeaboutfromheretoyond,andthenwhenIcomebacksaying"eedon"tliketheplacethatIhavesunksomuchmoneyandwordstogetfor"ee."Oddangitall,"tisenoughto——ButIwon"tsayanymoreatpresent,meedeer,thoughitisjusttoomuchtoexpecttoturnoutofthehousenow.Weshan"tgetanotherquietplaceatthistimeoftheevening——everyotherinninthetownisbustlingwithracketyfolkofonesortandt"other,whilehere"tisasquietasthegrave——

thecountry,Iwouldsay.Sobidestill,d"yehear,andto-morrowweshallbeoutofthetownaltogether——asearlyasyoulike."

Theobstinacyofagehad,inshort,overmastereditscomplaisance,andtheyoungwomansaidnomore.Thesimplecourseoftellinghimthatintheadjoiningroomlayacorpsewhichhadlatelyoccupiedtheirownmight,itwouldhaveseemed,havebeenaneffectualonewithoutfurtherdisclosure,buttoalludetothatsubject,howeveritwasdisguised,wasmorethanHeddegan"syoungwifehadstrengthfor.

Horrorbrokeherdown.Inthecontingencyonethingonlypresenteditselftoherparalyzedregard——thathereshewasdoomedtoabide,inahideouscontiguitytothedeadhusbandandtheliving,andherconjecturedid,infact,bearitselfout.Thatnightshelaybetweenthetwomenshehadmarried——Heddeganontheonehand,andontheotherthroughthepartitionagainstwhichthebedstood,CharlesStow.

CHAPTERVI

KindlytimehadwithdrawntheforegoingeventthreedaysfromthepresentofBaptistaHeddegan.Itwasteno"clockinthemorning;shehadbeenill,notinanordinaryordefinitesense,butinastateofcoldstupefaction,fromwhichitwasdifficulttoarousehersomuchastosayafewsentences.Whenquestionedshehadrepliedthatshewasprettywell.

Theirtrip,assuch,hadbeensomethingofafailure.TheyhadgoneonasfarasFalmouth,butherehehadgivenwaytoherentreatiestoreturnhome.ThistheycouldnotverywelldowithoutrepassingthroughPen-zephyr,atwhichplacetheyhadnowagainarrived.

Inthetrainshehadseenaweeklylocalpaper,andreadthereaparagraphdetailingtheinquestonCharles.ItwasaddedthatthefuneralwastotakeplaceathisnativetownofRedrutinonFriday.

Afterreadingthisshehadshownnoreluctancetoenterthefatalneighbourhoodofthetragedy,onlystipulatingthattheyshouldtaketheirrestatadifferentlodgingfromthefirst;andnowcomparativelybracedupandcalm——indeedacoolercreaturealtogetherthanwhenlastinthetown,shesaidtoDavidthatshewantedtowalkoutforawhile,astheyhadplentyoftimeontheirhands.

"Toashopasusual,Isuppose,meedeer?"

"Partlyforshopping,"shesaid."Anditwillbebestforyou,dear,tostayinaftertrottingaboutsomuch,andhaveagoodrestwhileI

amgone."

Heassented;andBaptistasalliedforth.Asshehadstated,herfirstvisitwasmadetoashop,adraper"s.Withouttheexerciseofmuchchoiceshepurchasedablackbonnetandveil,alsoablackstuffgown;ablackmantleshealreadywore.Thesearticlesweremadeupintoaparcelwhich,inspiteofthesaleswoman"soffers,hercustomersaidshewouldtakewithher.Bearingitonherarmsheturnedtotherailway,andatthestationgotaticketforRedrutin.

Thusitappearedthat,onherrecoveryfromtheparalyzedmoodoftheformerday,whileshehadresolvednottoblastutterlythehappinessofherpresenthusbandbyrevealingthehistoryofthedepartedone,shehadalsodeterminedtoindulgeacertainodd,inconsequent,femininesentimentofdecency,tothesmallextenttowhichitcoulddonoharmtoanyperson.AtRedrutinsheemergedfromtherailwaycarriageintheblackattirepurchasedattheshop,havingduringthetransitmadethechangeintheemptycompartmentshehadchosen.Theotherclotheswerenowinthebandboxandparcel.Leavingtheseatthecloak-roomsheproceededonward,andafterawarysurveyreachedthesideofahillwhenceaviewoftheburialgroundcouldbeobtained.

Itwasnowalittlebeforetwoo"clock.WhileBaptistawaitedafuneralprocessionascendedtheroad.Baptistahastenedacross,andbythetimetheprocessionenteredthecemeterygatesshehadunobtrusivelyjoinedit.

Inadditiontotheschoolmaster"sownrelatives(notafew),theparagraphinthenewspapersofhisdeathbydrowninghaddrawntogethermanyneighbours,acquaintances,andonlookers.Amongthemshepassedunnoticed,andwithaquietsteppursuedthewindingpathtothechapel,andafterwardsthencetothegrave.Whenallwasover,andtherelativesandidlershadwithdrawn,shesteppedtotheedgeofthechasm.Frombeneathhermantleshedrewalittlebunchofforget-me-nots,anddroppedtheminuponthecoffin.Inafewminutesshealsoturnedandwentawayfromthecemetery.Byfiveo"clockshewasagaininPen-zephyr.

"Youhavebeenamortallongtime!"saidherhusband,crossly."I

allowedyouanhouratmost,meedeer."

"Itoccupiedmelonger,"saidshe.

"Well——Ireckonitiswastingwordstocomplain.Hangit,yelooksotiredandwishtthatIcan"tfindhearttosaywhatIwould!"

"Iam——wearyandwisht,David;Iam.Wecangethometo-morrowforcertain,Ihope?"

"Wecan.AndpleaseGodwewill!"saidMr.Heddeganheartily,asifhetoowerewearyofhisbriefhoneymoon."ImustbeintobusinessagainonMondaymorningatlatest."

Theyleftbythenextmorningsteamer,andintheafternoontookuptheirresidenceintheirownhouseatGiant"sTown.

ThehourthatshereachedtheislanditwasasifamaterialweighthadbeenremovedfromBaptista"sshoulders.Herhusbandattributedthechangetotheinfluenceofthelocalbreezesafterthehot-houseatmosphereofthemainland.Howeverthatmightbe,settledhere,afewdoorsfromhermother"sdwelling,sherecoveredinnoverylongtimemuchofhercustomarybearing,whichwasneververydemonstrative.Sheacceptedherpositioncalmly,andfaintlysmiledwhenherneighbourslearnedtocallherMrs.Heddegan,andsaidsheseemedlikelytobecometheleaderoffashioninGiant"sTown.

Herhusbandwasamanwhohadmadeconsiderablymoremoneybytradethanherfatherhaddone:andperhapsthegreaterprofusionofsurroundingsathercommandthanshehadheretoforebeenmistressof,wasnotwithoutaneffectuponher.Oneweek,twoweeks,threeweekspassed;and,beingpre-eminentlyayoungwomanwhoallowedthingstodrift,shedidnothingwhatevereithertodiscloseorconcealtracesofherfirstmarriage;ortolearnifthereexistedpossibilities——

whichthereundoubtedlydid——bywhichthathastycontractmightbecomerevealedtothoseaboutheratanyunexpectedmoment.

Whileyetwithinthefirstmonthofhermarriage,andonaneveningjustbeforesunset,Baptistawasstandingwithinhergardenadjoiningthehouse,whenshesawpassingalongtheroadapersonagecladinagreasyblackcoatandbatteredtallhat,which,commonenoughintheslumsofacity,hadanoddappearanceinSt.Maria"s.Thetramp,asheseemedtobe,markedheratonce——bonnetlessandunwrappedasshewasherfeatureswereplainlyrecognizable——andwithanairoffriendlysurprisecameandleantoverthewall.

"What!don"tyouknowme?"saidhe.

Shehadsomedimrecollectionofhisface,butsaidthatshewasnotacquaintedwithhim.

"Why,yourwitnesstobesure,ma"am.Don"tyoumindthemanthatwasmendingthechurch-windowwhenyouandyourintendedhusbandwalkeduptobemadeone;andtheclerkcalledmedownfromtheladder,andIcameanddidmypartbywritingmynameandoccupation?"

Baptistaglancedquicklyaround;herhusbandwasoutofearshot.

ThatwouldhavebeenoflessimportancebutforthefactthattheweddingwitnessedbythispersonagehadnotbeentheweddingwithMr.

Heddegan,buttheoneonthedayprevious.

"I"vehadamisfortunesincethen,that"spulledmeunder,"continuedherfriend."Butdon"tletmedampyerweddedjoybynamingtheparticulars.Yes,I"veseenchangessince;though"tisbutashorttimeago——letmesee,onlyamonthnextweek,Ithink;for"twerethefirstorseconddayinAugust."

"Yes——that"swhenitwas,"saidanotherman,asailor,whohadcomeupwithapipeinhismouth,andfeltitnecessarytojoinin(Baptistahavingrecededtoescapefurtherspeech)."ForthatwasthefirsttimeIsetfootinGiant"sTown;andherhusbandtookhertohimthesameday."

Adialoguethenproceededbetweenthetwomenoutsidethewall,whichBaptistacouldnothelphearing.

"Ay,Isignedthebookthatmadeheroneflesh,"repeatedthedecayedglazier."Where"shergoodman?"

"Aboutthepremisessomewhere;butyoudon"tsee"emtogethermuch,"

repliedthesailorinanundertone."Yousee,he"solderthanshe."

"Older?Ishouldneverhavethoughtitfrommyownobservation,"

saidtheglazier."Hewasaremarkablyhandsomeman."

"Handsome?Well,thereheis——wecanseeforourselves."

DavidHeddeganhad,indeed,justshownhimselfattheupperendofthegarden;andtheglazier,lookinginbewildermentfromthehusbandtothewife,sawthelatterturnpale.

Nowthatdecayedglazierwasafar-seeingandcunningman——toofar-

seeingandcunningtoallowhimselftothrivebysimpleandstraightforwardmeans——andheheldhispeace,tillhecouldreadmoreplainlythemeaningofthisriddle,merelyaddingcarelessly,"Well——

marriagedoalteraman,"tistrue.Ishouldneverha"knowedhim!"

HethenstaredoddlyatthedisconcertedBaptista,andmovingontowherehecouldagainaddressher,askedhertodohimagoodturn,sinceheoncehaddonethesameforher.Understandingthathemeantmoney,shehandedhimsome,atwhichhethankedher,andinstantlywentaway.

CHAPTERVII

Shehadescapedexposureonthisoccasion;buttheincidenthadbeenanawkwardone,andshouldhavesuggestedtoBaptistathatsoonerorlaterthesecretmustleakout.Asitwas,shesuspectedthatatanyrateshehadnotheardthelastoftheglazier.

Inadayortwo,whenherhusbandhadgonetotheoldtownontheothersideoftheisland,therecameagentletapatthedoor,andtheworthywitnessofherfirstmarriagemadehisappearanceasecondtime.

"Ittookmehourstogettothebottomofthemystery——hours!"hesaidwithagazeofdeepconfederacywhichoffendedherprideverydeeply."ButthankstoagoodintellectI"vedoneit.Now,ma"am,I"mnotamantotelltales,evenwhenatalewouldbesogoodasthis.ButI"mgoingbacktothemainlandagain,andalittleassistancewouldbeasrainonthirstyground."

"Ihelpedyoutwodaysago,"beganBaptista.

"Yes——butwhatwasthat,mygoodlady?NotenoughtopaymypassagetoPen-zephyr.Icameoveronyouraccount,forIthoughttherewasamysterysomewhere.NowImustgobackonmyown.Mindthis——

"twouldbeveryawkwardforyouifyouroldmanweretoknow.He"saqueertemper,thoughhemaybefond."

Sheknewaswellashervisitorhowawkwarditwouldbe;andthehush-moneyshepaidwasheavythatday.Shehad,however,thesatisfactionofwatchingthemantothesteamer,andseeinghimdiminishoutofsight.ButBaptistaperceivedthatthesystemintowhichshehadbeenledofpurchasingsilencethuswasonefataltoherpeaceofmind,particularlyifithadtobecontinued.

Hearingnomorefromtheglaziershehopedthedifficultywaspast.

Butanotherweekonlyhadgoneby,when,asshewaspacingtheGiant"sWalk(thenamegiventothepromenade),shemetthesamepersonageinthecompanyofafatwomancarryingabundle.

"Thisisthelady,mydear,"hesaidtohiscompanion."This,ma"am,ismywife.We"vecometosettleinthetownforatime,ifsobewecanfindroom."

"Thatyouwon"tdo,"saidshe."Nobodycanliveherewhoisnotprivileged."

"Iamprivileged,"saidtheglazier,"bymytrade."

Baptistawenton,butintheafternoonshereceivedavisitfromtheman"swife.Thishonestwomanbegantodepict,inforciblecolours,thenecessityforkeepinguptheconcealment.

"Iwillintercedewithmyhusband,ma"am,"shesaid."He"satruemanifrightlymanaged;andI"llbeghimtoconsideryourposition.

"Tisaverynicehouseyou"vegothere,"sheadded,glancinground,"andwellworthalittlesacrificetokeepit."

TheunluckyBaptistastavedoffthedangeronthisthirdoccasionasshehaddoneontheprevioustwo.Butsheformedaresolvethat,iftheattackwereoncemoretoberepeatedshewouldfacearevelation——

worsethoughthatmustnowbethanbeforeshehadattemptedtopurchasesilencebybribes.Hertormentors,neverbelievinghercapableofactinguponsuchanintention,cameagain;butsheshutthedoorintheirfaces.Theyretreated,mutteringsomething;butshewenttothebackofthehouse,whereDavidHeddeganwas.

Shelookedathim,unconsciousofall.Thecasewasserious;sheknewthatwell;andallthemoreseriousinthatshelikedhimbetternowthanshehaddoneatfirst.Yet,assheherselfbegantosee,thesecretwasonethatwassuretodiscloseitself.HernameandCharles"sstoodindeliblywrittenintheregisters;andthoughamonthonlyhadpassedasyetitwasawonderthathisclandestineunionwithherhadnotalreadybeendiscoveredbyhisfriends.Thusspurringherselftotheinevitable,shespoketoHeddegan.

"David,comeindoors.Ihavesomethingtotellyou."

Hehardlyregardedheratfirst.Shehaddiscernedthatduringthelastweekortwohehadseemedpreoccupied,asifsomeprivatebusinessharassedhim.Sherepeatedherrequest.Herepliedwithasigh,"Yes,certainly,meedeer."

Whentheyhadreachedthesitting-roomandshutthedoorsherepeated,faintly,"David,Ihavesomethingtotellyou——asortoftragedyIhaveconcealed.Youwillhatemeforhavingsofardeceivedyou;butperhapsmytellingyouvoluntarilywillmakeyouthinkalittlebetterofmethanyouwoulddootherwise."

"Tragedy?"hesaid,awakeningtointerest."Muchyoucanknowabouttragedies,meedeer,thathavebeenintheworldsoshortatime!"

Shesawthathesuspectednothing,anditmadehertasktheharder.

Butonshewentsteadily."Itisaboutsomethingthathappenedbeforeweweremarried,"shesaid.

"Indeed!"

"Notaverylongtimebefore——ashorttime.Anditisaboutalover,"shefaltered.

"Idon"tmuchmindthat,"hesaidmildly."Intruth,Iwasinhopes"twasmore."

"Inhopes!"

"Well,yes."

Thisscrewedheruptothenecessaryeffort."Imetmyoldsweetheart.Hescornedme,chidme,daredme,andIwentandmarriedhim.Wewerecomingstraightheretotellyouallwhatwehaddone;

buthewasdrowned;andIthoughtIwouldsaynothingabouthim:andImarriedyou,David,forthesakeofpeaceandquietness.I"vetriedtokeepitfromyou,buthavefoundIcannot.There——that"sthesubstanceofit,andyoucannever,neverforgiveme,Iamsure!"

Shespokedesperately.Buttheoldman,insteadofturningblackorblue,orslayingherinhisindignation,jumpedupfromhischair,andbegantocaperaroundtheroominquiteanecstaticemotion.

"O,happything!Howwellitfallsout!"heexclaimed,snappinghis,fingersoverhishead."Ha-ha——theknotiscut——Iseeawayoutofmytrouble——ha-ha!"Shelookedathimwithoututteringasound,till,ashestillcontinuedsmilingjoyfully,shesaid,"O——whatdoyoumean!Isitdonetotormentme?"

"No——no!O,meedeer,yourstoryhelpsmeoutofthemostheart-

achingquandaryapoormaneverfoundhimselfin!Yousee,itisthis——I"VEgotatragedy,too;andunlessyouhadhadonetotell,I

couldneverhaveseenmywaytotellmine!"

"Whatisyours——whatisit?"sheasked,withaltogetheranewviewofthings.

"Well——itisabouncer;mineisabouncer!"saidhe,lookingonthegroundandwipinghiseyes.

"Notworsethanmine?"

"Well——thatdependsuponhowyoulookatit.Yourshadtodowiththepastalone;andIdon"tmindit.Yousee,we"vebeenmarriedamonth,anditdon"tjaruponmeasitwouldifwe"donlybeenmarriedadayortwo.Nowminereferstopast,present,andfuture;sothat——

"

"Past,present,andfuture!"shemurmured."ItneveroccurredtomethatYOUhadatragedy,too."

"ButIhave!"hesaid,shakinghishead."Infact,four."

"Thentell"em!"criedtheyoungwoman.

"Iwill——Iwill.Butbeconsiderate,Ibeg"ee,meedeer.Well——I

wasn"tabachelorwhenImarried"ee,anymorethanyouwereaspinster.Justasyouwasawidow-woman,Iwasawidow-man.

"Ah!"saidshe,withsomesurprise."Butisthatall?——thenwearenicelybalanced,"sheadded,relieved.

"No——itisnotall.There"sthepoint.Iamnotonlyawidower."

"O,David!"

"Iamawidowerwithfourtragedies——thatistosay,fourstrappinggirls——theeldesttallerthanyou.Don"t"eelooksostruck——dumb-

like!Itfelloutinthisway.Iknewthepoorwoman,theirmother,inPen-zephyrforsomeyears;and——tocutalongstoryshort——I

privatelymarriedheratlast,justbeforeshedied.Ikeptthemattersecret,butitisgettingknownamongthepeopleherebydegrees.I"velongfeltforthechildren——thatitismydutytohavethemhere,anddosomethingforthem.Ihavenothadcouragetobreakitto"ee,butI"veseenlatelythatitwouldsooncometoyourears,andthathevworriedme."

"Aretheyeducated?"saidtheex-schoolmistress.

"No.Iamsorrytosaytheyhavebeenmuchneglected;intruth,theycanhardlyread.AndsoIthoughtthatbymarryingayoungschoolmistressIshouldgetsomeoneinthehousewhocouldteach"em,andbring"emintogenteelcondition,allfornothing.Yousee,theyaregroweduptootalltobesenttoschool."

"O,mercy!"shealmostmoaned."Fourgreatgirlstoteachtherudimentsto,andhavealwaysinthehousewithmespellingovertheirbooks;andIhateteaching,itkillsme.Iambitterlypunished——Iam,Iam!"

"You"llgetusedto"em,meedeer,andthebalanceofsecrets——mineagainstyours——willcomfortyourheartwithasenseofjustice.I

couldsendfor"emthisweekverywell——andIwill!Infaith,I

couldsendthisveryday.Baptista,youhaverelievedmeofallmydifficulty!"

Thustheinterviewended,sofarasthismatterwasconcerned.

Baptistawastoostupefiedtosaymore,andwhenshewentawaytoherroomsheweptfromverymortificationatMr.Heddegan"sduplicity.

Education,theonethingsheabhorred;theshameofittodeludeayoungwifeso!

Thenextmealcameround.Astheysat,Baptistawouldnotsufferhereyestoturntowardshim.Hedidnotattempttointrudeuponherreserve,buteverynowandthenlookedunderthetableandchuckledwithsatisfactionattheaspectofaffairs."Howverywellmatchedwebe!"hesaid,comfortably.

Nextday,whenthesteamercamein,Baptistasawherhusbandrushdowntomeetit;andsoonafterthereappearedatherdoorfourtall,hipless,shoulderlessgirls,dwindlinginheightandsizefromtheeldesttotheyoungest,likearowofPanpipes;attheheadofthemstandingHeddegan.Hesmiledpleasantlythroughthegreyfringeofhiswhiskersandbeard,andturningtothegirlssaid,"Nowcomeforrard,andshakehandsproperlywithyourstepmother."

Thusshemadetheiracquaintance,andhewentout,leavingthemtogether.Onexaminationthepoorgirlsturnedouttobenotonlyplain-looking,whichshecouldhaveforgiven,buttohavesuchalamentablymeagreintellectualequipmentastobehopelesslyinadequateascompanions.Eventheeldest,almostherownage,couldonlyreadwithdifficultywordsoftwosyllables;andtasteindresswasbeyondtheircomprehension.Inthelongvistaoffutureyearsshesawnothingbutdrearydrudgeryatherdetestedoldtradewithoutprospectofreward.

Shewentaboutquitedespairingduringthenextfewdays——anunpromising,unfortunatemoodforawomanwhohadnotbeenmarriedsixweeks.Fromherparentssheconcealedeverything.TheyhadbeenamongstthefewacquaintancesofHeddeganwhoknewnothingofhissecret,andwereindignantenoughwhentheysawsuchaready-madehouseholdfoistedupontheironlychild.Butshewouldnotsupportthemintheirremonstrances.

"No,youdon"tyetknowall,"shesaid.

ThusBaptistahadsenseenoughtoseetheretributivefairnessofthisissue.Forsometime,wheneverconversationarosebetweenherandHeddegan,whichwasnotoften,shealwayssaid,"Iammiserable,andyouknowit.YetIdon"twishthingstobeotherwise."

Butonedaywhenheasked,"Howdoyoulike"emnow?"heranswerwasunexpected."MuchbetterthanIdid,"shesaid,quietly."Imaylikethemverymuchsomeday."

ThiswasthebeginningofaserenerseasonforthechastenedspiritofBaptistaHeddegan.Shehad,intruth,discovered,underneaththecrustofuncouthnessandmeagrearticulationwhichwasduetotheirTroglodyteanexistence,thatherunwelcomeddaughtershadnaturesthatwereunselfishalmosttosublimity.Theharshdisciplineaccordedtotheiryounglivesbeforetheirmother"swronghadbeenrighted,hadoperatedlesstocrushthemthantoliftthemaboveallpersonalambition.Theyconsideredtheworldanditscontentsinapurelyobjectiveway,andtheirownlotseemedonlytoaffectthemasthatofcertainhumanbeingsamongtherest,whosetroublestheyknewratherthansuffered.

ThiswassuchanentirelynewwayofregardinglifetoawomanofBaptista"snature,thatherattention,frombeingfirstarrestedbyit,becamedeeplyinterested.Byimperceptiblepulsesherheartexpandedinsympathywiththeirs.Thesentencesofhertragi-comedy,herlife,confusedtillnow,becameclearerdaily.Thatinhumanity,asexemplifiedbythesegirls,therewasnothingtodislike,butinfinitelymuchtopity,shelearntwiththelapseofeachweekintheircompany.Shegrewtolikethegirlsofunpromisingexterior,andfromlikingshegottolovethem;tilltheyformedanunexpectedpointofjunctionbetweenherownandherhusband"sinterests,generatingasterlingfriendshipatleast,betweenapairinwhoseexistencetherehadthreatenedtobeneitherfriendshipnorlove.

October,1885.