第5章

Herfatherentered,andstartedback,almostupsettingsomeonebehindhimbyhisrecoil,onseeinghisdaughterinhermotionlessattitudebythedeadman.

"MyGod,Ellinor!whathasbroughtyouhere?"hesaid,almostfiercely.

Butsheansweredasonestupefied,"Idon"tknow.Ishedead?"

"Hush,hush,child;itcannotbehelped."

Sheraisedhereyestothesolemn,pitying,awe-strickenfacebehindherfather"s——thecountenanceofDixon.

"Ishedead?"sheaskedofhim.

Themansteppedforwards,respectfullypushinghismasterononesideashedidso.Hebentdownoverthecorpse,andlooked,andlistenedandthenreachingacandleoffthetable,hesignedMr.Wilkinstoclosethedoor.AndMr.Wilkinsobeyed,andlookedwithanintensityofeagernessalmostamountingtofaintnessontheexperiment,andyethecouldnothope.Theflamewassteady——steadyandpitilesslyunstirred,evenwhenitwasadjustedclosetomouthandnostril;theheadwasraisedupbyoneofDixon"sstalwartarms,whileheheldthecandleintheotherhand.EllinorfanciedthattherewassometremblingonDixon"spart,andgraspedhiswristtightlyinordertogiveittherequisitemotionlessfirmness.

Allinvain.Theheadwasplacedagainonthecushions,theservantroseandstoodbyhismaster,lookedsadlyonthedeadman,whom,living,noneofthemhadlikedorcaredfor,andEllinorsaton,quietandtearless,asoneinatrance.

"Howwasit,father?"atlengthsheasked.

Hewouldfainhavehadherignorantofall,butsoquestionedbyherlips,soadjuredbyhereyesintheverypresenceofdeath,hecouldnotchoosebutspeakthetruth;hespokeitinconvulsivegasps,eachsentenceaneffort:

"Hetauntedme——hewasinsolent,beyondmypatience——Icouldnotbearit.Istruckhim——Ican"ttellhowitwas.Hemusthavehithisheadinfalling.Oh,myGod!onelittlehouragoIwasinnocentofthisman"sblood!"Hecoveredhisfacewithhishands.

Ellinortookthecandleagain;kneelingbehindMr.Dunster"shead,shetriedthefutileexperimentoncemore.

"Couldnotadoctordosomegood?"sheaskedofDixon,inahopelessvoice.

"No!"saidhe,shakinghishead,andlookingwithasidelongglanceathismaster,whoseemedtoshrivelupandtoshrinkawayatthebaresuggestion."Doctorscandonought,I"mafeard.Allthatadoctorcoulddo,Itakeit,wouldbetoopenavein,andthatIcoulddoalongwiththebestofthem,ifIhadbutmyfleamhere."Hefumbledinhispocketsashespoke,and,aschancewouldit,the"fleam"(orcattlelancet)wassomewhereabouthisdress.Hedrewitout,smoothedandtrieditonhisfinger.Ellinortriedtobarethearm,butturnedsickasshedidso.Herfatherstartedeagerlyforwards,anddidwhatwasnecessarywithhurriedtremblinghands.

Iftheyhadcaredlessabouttheresult,theymighthavebeenmoreafraidoftheconsequencesoftheoperationinthehandsofonesoignorantasDixon.But,veinorartery,itsignifiedlittle;nolivingbloodgushedout;onlyalittlewaterymoisturefollowedthecutofthefleam.Theylaidhimbackonhisstrangesaddeath-couch.

Dixonspokenext.

"MasterNed!"saidhe——forhehadknownMr.Wilkinsinhisdaysofbrightcarelessboyhood,andalmostwascarriedbacktothembythesenseofchargeandprotectionwhichtheservant"spresenceofmindandsharpenedsensesgavehimoverhismasteronthisdrearynight——

"MasterNed!wemustdosummut."

Noonespoke.Whatwastobedone?

"Didanyfolkseehimcomehere?"Dixonasked,afteratime.Ellinorlookeduptohearherfather"sanswer,awildhopecomingintohermindthatallmightbeconcealedsomehow;shedidnotknowhow,nordidshethinkofanyconsequencesexceptsavingherfatherfromthevaguedread,trouble,andpunishmentthatshewasawarewouldawaithimifallwereknown.

Mr.Wilkinsdidnotseemtohear;infact,hedidnothearanythingbuttheunspokenechoofhisownlastwords,thatwentboomingthroughhisheart:"AnhouragoIwasinnocentofthisman"sblood!

Onlyanhourago!"

Dixongotupandpouredouthalfatumblerfulofrawspiritfromthebrandy-bottlethatstoodonthetable.

"Drinkthis,MasterNed!"puttingittohismaster"slips."Nay"——toEllinor——"itwilldohimnoharm;onlybringbackhissenses,which,poorgentleman,arescaredaway.Weshallneedallourwits.Now,sir,pleaseanswermyquestion.DidanyoneseeMeasterDunstercomehere?"

"Idon"tknow,"saidMr.Wilkins,recoveringhisspeech."Itallseemsinamist.Heofferedtowalkhomewithme;Ididnotwanthim.Iwasalmostrudetohimtokeephimoff.Ididnotwanttotalkofbusiness;Ihadtakentoomuchwinetobeveryclearandsomethingsattheofficewerenotquiteinorder,andhehadfounditout.Ifanyoneheardourconversation,theymustknowIdidnotwanthimtocomewithme.Oh!whywouldhecome?Hewasasobstinate——hewouldcome——andhereithasbeenhisdeath!"

"Well,sir,what"sdonecan"tbeundone,andI"msurewe"danyofusbringhimbacktolifeifwecould,evenbycuttingoffourhands,thoughhewasamightyplagueychapwhilehe"dbreathinhim.ButwhatI"mthinkingisthis:it"llmaybegoawkwardwithyou,sir,ifhe"sfoundhere.Onecan"tsay.Butdon"tyouthink,miss,ashe"sneitherkithnorkintomisshim,wemightjustburyhimawaybeforemorning,somewhere?There"sbetternorfourhoursofdark.Iwishwecouldputhimi"thechurchyard,butthatcan"tbe;but,tomymind,thesoonerwesetaboutdiggingaplaceforhimtoliein,poorfellow,thebetterit"llbeforusallintheend.Icanpareapieceofturfupwhereit"llneverbemissed,andifmaster"lltakeonespade,andIanother,whywe"lllayhimsoftlydown,andcoverhimup,andnoone"llbethewiser."

Therewasnoreplyfromeitherforaminuteorso.ThenMr.Wilkinssaid:

"Ifmyfathercouldhaveknownofmylivingtothis!Why,theywilltrymeasacriminal;andyou,Ellinor?Dixon,youareright.Wemustconcealit,orImustcutmythroat,forInevercouldlivethroughit.Oneminuteofpassion,andmylifeblasted!"

"Comealong,sir,"saidDixon;"there"snotimetolose."Andtheywentoutinsearchoftools;Ellinorfollowingthem,shiveringallover,butbeggingthatshemightbewiththem,andnothavetoremaininthestudywith-

Shewouldnotbebiddenintoherownroom;shedreadedinactionandsolitude.Shemadeherselfbusywithcarryingheavybasketsofturf,andstrainingherstrengthtotheutmost;fetchingallthatwaswanted,withsoftswiftsteps.

Once,asshepassedneartheopenstudydoor,shethoughtthatsheheardarustling,andaflashofhopecameacrossher.Couldhebereviving?Sheentered,butamomentwasenoughtoundeceiveher;ithadonlybeenanightrustleamongthetrees.Ofhope,life,therewasnone.

Theydugtheholedeepandwell;workingwithfierceenergytoquenchthoughtandremorse.Onceortwiceherfatheraskedforbrandy,whichEllinor,reassuredbytheapparentlygoodeffectofthefirstdose,broughttohimwithoutaword;andonceatherfather"ssuggestionshebroughtfood,suchasshecouldfindinthedining-

roomwithoutdisturbingthehousehold,forDixon.

Whenallwasreadyforthereceptionofthebodyinitsunblessedgrave,Mr.WilkinsbadeEllinorgouptoherownroom——shehaddoneallshecouldtohelpthem;therestmustbedonebythemalone.Shefeltthatitmust;andindeedbothhernervesandherbodilystrengthweregivingway.Shewouldhavekissedherfather,ashesatwearilyattheheadofthegrave——Dixonhadgoneintomakesomearrangementforcarryingthecorpse——buthepushedherawayquietly,butresolutely-

"No,Nelly,youmustneverkissmeagain;Iamamurderer."

"ButIwill,myowndarlingpapa,"saidshe,throwingherarmspassionatelyroundhisneck,andcoveringhisfacewithkisses."I

loveyou,andIdon"tcarewhatyouare,ifyouweretwentytimesamurderer,whichyouarenot;Iamsureitwasonlyanaccident."

"Goin,mychild,goin,andtrytogetsomerest.Butgoin,forwemustfinishasfastaswecan.Themoonisdown;itwillsoonbedaylight.Whatablessingtherearenoroomsononesideofthehouse.Go,Nelly."Andshewent;strainingherselfuptomovenoiselessly,witheyesaverted,throughtheroomwhichsheshudderedatastheplaceofhastyandunhalloweddeath.

Onceinherownroomsheboltedthedoorontheinside,andthenstoletothewindow,asifsomefascinationimpelledhertowatchalltheproceedingstotheend.Butherachingeyescouldhardlypenetratethroughthethickdarkness,which,atthetimeoftheyearofwhichIamspeaking,socloselyprecedesthedawn.Shecoulddiscernthetopsofthetreesagainstthesky,andcouldsingleoutthewell-knownone,atalittledistancefromthestemofwhichthegravewasmade,intheverypieceofturfoverwhichsolatelysheandRalphhadhadtheirmerrylittletea-making;andwhereherfather,asshenowremembered,hadshudderedandshivered,asifthegroundonwhichhisseathadthenbeenplacedwasfatefulandominoustohim.

Thosebelowmovedsoftlyandquietlyinalltheydid;buteverysoundhadasignificantandterribleinterpretationtoEllinor"sears.

Beforetheyhadended,thelittlebirdshadbeguntopipeouttheirgayreveilleetothedawn.Thendoorsclosed,andallwasprofoundlystill.

Ellinorthrewherself,inherclothes,onthebed;andwasthankfulfortheintensewearyphysicalpainwhichtookoffsomethingoftheanguishofthought——anguishthatshefanciedfromtimetotimewasleadingtoinsanity.

By-and-bythemorningcoldmadeherinstinctivelycreepbetweentheblankets;and,oncethere,shefellintoadeadheavysleep.

CHAPTERVII.

Ellinorwasawakenedbyarappingatherdoor:itwashermaid.

Shewasfullyarousedinamoment,forshehadfallenasleepwithoneclearlydefinedplaninhermind,onlyone,forallthoughtsandcareshavingnorelationtotheterribleeventwereasthoughtheyhadneverbeen.Allherpurposewastoshieldherfatherfromsuspicion.Andtodothisshemustcontrolherself——heart,mind,andbodymustberuledtothisoneend.

SoshesaidtoMason:

"Letmeliehalfanhourlonger;andbegMissMonronottowaitbreakfastforme;butinhalfanhourbringmeupacupofstrongtea,forIhaveabadheadache."

Masonwentaway.Ellinorsprangup;rapidlyundressedherself,andgotintobedagain,sothatwhenhermaidreturnedwithherbreakfast,therewasnoappearanceofthenighthavingbeenpassedinanyunusualmanner.

"Howillyoudolook,miss!"saidMason."Iamsureyouhadbetternotgetupyet."

Ellinorlongedtoaskifherfatherhadyetshownhimself;butthisquestion——sonaturalatanyothertime——seemedtohersosuspiciousunderthecircumstances,thatshecouldnotbringherlipstoframeit.Atanyrate,shemustgetupandstruggletomakethedaylikeallotherdays.Sosherose,confessingthatshedidnotfeelverywell,buttryingtomakelightofit,andwhenshecouldthinkofanythingbuttheoneawe,tosayatrivialsentenceortwo.Butshecouldnotrecollecthowshebehavedingeneral,forherlifehithertohadbeensimple,andledwithoutanyconsciousnessofeffect.

Beforeshewasdressed,amessagecameuptosaythatMr.Livingstonewasinthedrawing-room.

Mr.Livingstone!Hebelongedtotheoldlifeofyesterday!Thebillowsofthenighthadsweptoverhismarkonthesandsofhermemory;anditwasonlybyastrongeffortthatshecouldrememberwhohewas——whathewanted.ShesentMasondowntoinquirefromtheservantwhoadmittedhimwhomitwasthathehadaskedfor.

"Heaskedformasterfirst.Butmasterhasnotrungforhiswateryet,soJamestoldhimhewasnotup.Thenhetookthoughtforawhile,andaskedcouldhespeaktoyou,hewouldwaitifyouwerenotatlibertybutthathewishedparticulartoseeeithermaster,oryou.SoJamesaskedhimtositdowninthedrawing-room,andhewouldletyouknow."

"Imustgo,"thoughtEllinor."Iwillsendhimawaydirectly;tocome,thinkingofmarriagetoahouselikethis——to-day,too!"

Andshewentdownhastily,andinahardunsparingmoodtowardsaman,whoseaffectionforhershethoughtwaslikeagourd,grownupinanight,andofnoaccount,butasapieceoffoolish,boyishexcitement.

Sheneverthoughtofherownappearance——shehaddressedwithoutlookingintheglass.Heronlyobjectwastodismissherwould-besuitorasspeedilyaspossible.Allfeelingsofshyness,awkwardness,ormaidenmodesty,werequenchedandovercome.Inshewent.

Hewasstandingbythemantelpieceassheentered.Hemadeasteportwoforwardtomeether;andthenstopped,petrified,asitwere,atthesightofherhardwhiteface.

"MissWilkins,Iamafraidyouareill!Ihavecometooearly.ButIhavetoleaveHamleyinhalfanhour,andIthought——Oh,MissWilkins!whathaveIdone?"

Forshesankintothechairnearesttoher,asifovercomebyhiswords;but,indeed,itwasbytheoppressionofherownthoughts:

shewashardlyconsciousofhispresence.

Hecameasteportwonearer,asifhelongedtotakeherinhisarmsandcomfortandshelterher;butshestiffenedherselfandarose,andbyaneffortwalkedtowardsthefireplace,andtherestood,asifawaitingwhathewouldsaynext.Buthewasoverwhelmedbyheraspectofillness.Healmostforgothisownwishes,hisownsuit,inhisdesiretorelieveherfromthepain,physicalashebelievedit,underwhichshewassuffering.Itwasshewhohadtobeginthesubject.

"Ireceivedyourletteryesterday,Mr.Livingstone.Iwasanxioustoseeyouto-day,inorderthatImightpreventyoufromspeakingtomyfather.Idonotsayanythingofthekindofaffectionyoucanfeelforme——me,whomyouhaveonlyseenonce.AllIshallsayis,thatthesoonerwebothforgetwhatImustcallfolly,thebetter."

Shetooktheairsofawomanconsiderablyolderandmoreexperiencedthanhimself.Hethoughtherhaughty;shewasonlymiserable.

"Youaremistaken,"saidhe,morequietlyandwithmoredignitythanwaslikelyfromhispreviousconduct."Iwillnotallowyoutocharacteriseasfollywhatmightbepresumptuousonmypart——Ihadnobusinesstoexpressmyselfsosoon——butwhichinitsfoundationwastrueandsincere.ThatIcananswerformostsolemnly.Itispossible,thoughitmaynotbeausualthing,foramantofeelsostronglyattractedbythecharmsandqualitiesofawoman,evenatfirstsight,astofeelsurethatshe,andshealone,canmakehishappiness.Myfollyconsisted——thereyouareright——inevendreamingthatyoucouldreturnmyfeelingsintheslightestdegree,whenyouhadonlyseenmeonce:andIammosttrulyashamedofmyself.I

cannottellyouhowsorryIam,whenIseehowyouhavecompelledyourselftocomeandspeaktomewhenyouaresoill."

Shestaggeredintoachair,forwithallherwishforhisspeedydismissal,shewasobligedtobeseated.Hishandwasuponthebell.

"No,don"t!"shesaid."Waitaminute."

Hiseyes,bentuponherwithalookofdeepanxiety,touchedheratthatmoment,andshewasonthepointofsheddingtears;butshecheckedherself,androseagain.

"Iwillgo,"saidhe."ItisthekindestthingIcando.Only,mayIwrite?MayIventuretowriteandurgewhatIhavetosaymorecoherently?"

"No!"saidshe."Don"twrite.Ihavegivenyoumyanswer.Wearenothing,andcanbenothingtoeachother.Iamengagedtobemarried.Ishouldnothavetoldyouifyouhadnotbeensokind.

Thankyou.Butgonow."

Thepooryoungman"sfacefell,andhebecamealmostaswhiteasshewasfortheinstant.Afteramoment"sreflection,hetookherhandinhis,andsaid:

"MayGodblessyou,andhimtoo,whoeverhebe!Butifyouwantafriend,Imaybethatfriend,mayInot?andtrytoprovethatmywordsofregardweretrue,inabetterandhighersensethanIusedthematfirst."Andkissingherpassivehand,hewasgoneandshewasleftsittingalone.

Butsolitudewasnotwhatshecouldbear.Shewentquicklyupstairs,andtookastrongdoseofsal-volatile,evenwhilesheheardMissMonrocallingtoher.

"Mydear,whowasthatgentlemanthathasbeenclosetedwithyouinthedrawing-roomallthistime?"

Andthen,withoutlisteningtoEllinor"sreply,shewenton:

"Mrs.Jacksonhasbeenhere"(itwasatMrs.Jackson"shousethatMr.

Dunsterlodged),"wantingtoknowifwecouldtellherwhereMr.

Dunsterwas,forhenevercamehomelastnightatall.Andyouwereinthedrawing-roomwith——whodidyousayhewas?——thatMr.

Livingstone,whomighthavecomeatabettertimetobidgood-bye;

andhehadneverdinedhere,hadhe?soIdon"tseeanyreasonhehadtocomecalling,andP.P.C-ing,andyourpapaNOTup.SoIsaidtoMrs.Jackson,"I"llsendandaskMr.Wilkins,ifyoulike,butI

don"tseeanyuseinit,forIcantellyoujustaswellasanybody,thatMr.Dunsterisnotinthishouse,whereverhemaybe."Yetnothingwouldsatisfyherbutthatsomeonemustgoandwakenupyourpapa,andaskifhecouldtellwhereMr.Dunsterwas."

"Anddidpapa?"inquiredEllinor,herdrythroathuskilyformingtheinquirythatseemedtobeexpectedfromher.

"No!tobesurenot.HowshouldMr.Wilkinsknow?AsIsaidtoMrs.

Jackson,"Mr.WilkinsisnotlikelytoknowwhereMr.Dunsterspendshistimewhenheisnotintheoffice,fortheydonotmoveinthesamerankoflife,mygoodwoman;andMrs.Jacksonapologised,butsaidthatyesterdaytheyhadbothbeendiningatMr.Hodgson"stogether,shebelieved;andsomehowshehadgotitintoherheadthatMr.DunstermighthavemissedhiswayincomingalongMoorLane,andmighthaveslippedintothecanal;soshejustthoughtshewouldstepupandaskMr.WilkinsiftheyhadleftMr.Hodgson"stogether,orifyourpapahaddrivenhome.Iaskedherwhyshehadnottoldmealltheseparticularsbefore,forIcouldhaveaskedyourpapamyselfallaboutwhenhelastsawMr.Dunster;andIwentuptoaskhimasecondtime,buthedidnotlikeitatall,forhewasbusydressing,andI

hadtoshoutmyquestionsthroughthedoor,andhecouldnotalwayshearmeatfirst."

"Whatdidhesay?"

"Oh!hehadwalkedpartofthewaywithMr.Dunster,andthencutacrossbytheshortpaththroughthefields,asfarasIcouldunderstandhimthroughthedoor.HeseemedverymuchannoyedtohearthatMr.Dunsterhadnotbeenathomeallnight;buthesaidIwastotellMrs.Jacksonthathewouldgototheofficeassoonashehadhadhisbreakfast,whichheorderedtobesentupdirectlyintohisownroom,andhehadnodoubtitwouldallturnoutright,butthatshehadbettergohomeatonce.And,asItoldher,shemightfindMr.Dunstertherebythetimeshegotthere.There,thereisyourI

papagoingout!Hehasnotlostanytimeoverhisbreakfast!"

EllinorhadtakenuptheHamleyExaminer,adailypaper,whichlayonthetable,tohideherfaceinthefirstinstance;butitservedasecondpurpose,assheglancedlanguidlyoverthecolumnsoftheadvertisements.

"Oh!hereareColonelMacdonald"sorchideousplantstobesold.AllthestockofhothouseandstoveplantsatHartwellPriory.ImustsendJamesovertoHartwelltoattendthesale.Itistolastforthreedays."

"Butcanhebesparedforsolong?"

"Oh,yes;hehadbetterstayatthelittleinnthere,tobeonthespot.Threedays,"andasshespoke,sheranouttothegardener,whowassweepingupthenewly-mowngrassinthefrontofthehouse.

Shegavehimhastyandunlimiteddirections,onlyseemingintent——ifanyonehadbeensuspiciouslywatchingherwordsandactions——tohurryhimofftothedistantvillage,wheretheauctionwastotakeplace.

Whenhewasoncegoneshebreathedmorefreely.Now,noonebutthethreecognisantoftheterriblereasonofthedisturbanceoftheturfunderthetreesinacertainspotinthebeltroundtheflower-

garden,wouldbelikelytogointotheplace.MissMonromightwanderroundwithabookinherhand;butshenevernoticedanything,andwasshort-sightedintothebargain.Threedaysofthismoist,warm,growingweather,andthegreengrasswouldspring,justasiflife——waswhatithadbeentwenty-fourhoursbefore.

Whenallthiswasdoneandsaid,itseemedasifEllinor"sstrengthandspiritsankdownatonce.Hervoicebecamefeeble,heraspectwan;andalthoughshetoldMissMonrothatnothingwasthematter,yetitwasimpossibleforanyonewholovedhernottoperceivethatshewasfarfromwell.Thekindgovernessplacedherpupilonthesofa,coveredherfeetupwarmly,darkenedtheroom,andthenstoleoutontiptoe,fancyingthatEllinorwouldsleep.Hereyeswere,indeed,shut;buttryasmuchasshewouldtobequiet,shewasupinlessthanfiveminutesafterMissMonrohadlefttheroom,andwalkingupanddowninalltherestlessagonyofbodythatarisesfromanoverstrainedmind.ButsoonMissMonroreappeared,bringingwithheradoseofsoothingmedicineofherownconcocting,forshewasgreatindomesticquackery.WhatthemedicinewasEllinordidnotcaretoknow;shedrankitwithoutanysignofherusualmerryresistancetophysicofMissMonro"sordering;andasthelattertookupabook,andshowedasetpurposeofremainingwithherpatient,Ellinorwascompelledtoliestill,andpresentlyfellasleep.

Sheawakenedlateintheafternoonwithastart.Herfatherwasstandingoverher,listeningtoMissMonro"saccountofherindisposition.Sheonlycaughtoneglimpseofhisstrangelyalteredcountenance,andhidherheadinthecushions——hiditfrommemory,notfromhim.Forinaninstantshemusthaveconjecturedtheinterpretationhewaslikelytoputuponhershrinkingaction,andshehadturnedtowardshim,andhadthrownherarmsroundhisneck,andwaskissinghiscold,passiveface.Thenshefellback.Butallthistimetheirsadeyesnevermet——theydreadedthelookofrecollectionthatmustbeineachother"sgaze.

"There,mydear!"saidMissMonro."NowyoumustliestilltillI

fetchyoualittlebroth.Youarebetternow,arenotyou?"

"Youneednotgoforthebroth,MissMonro,"saidMr.Wilkins,ringingthebell."Fletchercansurelybringit."Hedreadedthebeingleftalonewithhisdaughter——nordidshefearitless.Sheheardthestrangealterationinherfather"svoice,hardandhoarse,asifitwasanefforttospeak.Thephysicalsignsofhissufferingcuthertotheheart;andyetshewonderedhowitwasthattheycouldbothbealive,or,ifalive,theywerenotrendingtheirgarmentsandcryingaloud.Mr.Wilkinsseemedtohavelostthepowerofcarelessactionandspeech,itistrue.Hewishedtoleavetheroomnowhisanxietyabouthisdaughterwasrelieved,buthardlyknewhowtosetaboutit.Hewasobligedtothinkabouttheveriesttrifle,inorderthatbyaneffortofreasonhemightunderstandhowheshouldhavespokenoractedifhehadbeenfreefromblood-guiltiness.Ellinorunderstoodallbyintuition.Buthenceforwardtheunspokencomprehensionofeachother"shiddenmotionsmadetheirmutualpresenceaburdensomeanxietytoeach.MissMonrowasarelief;theyweregladofherasathirdperson,unconsciousofthesecretwhichconstrainedthem.Thisafternoonherunconsciousnessgavepresentpain,althoughonafterreflectioneachfoundinherspeechesacauseofrejoicing.

"AndMr.Dunster,Mr.Wilkins,hashecomehomeyet?"

Amoment"spause,inwhichMr.Wilkinspumpedthewordsoutofhishuskythroat:

"Ihavenotheard.Ihavebeenriding.IwentonbusinesstoMr.

Estcourt"s.PerhapsyouwillbesokindastosendandinquireatMrs.Jackson"s."

Ellinorsickenedatthewords.Shehadbeenallherlifeatruthfulplain-spokengirl.Sheheldherselfhighabovedeceit.Yet,herecamethenecessityfordeceit——asnarespreadaroundher.Shehadnotrevoltedsomuchfromthedeedwhichbroughtunpremeditateddeath,asshedidfromthesewordsofherfather"s.Thenightbefore,inhermadfeverofaffright,shehadfanciedthattoconcealthebodywasallthatwouldberequired;shehadnotlookedforwardtothelong,wearycourseofsmalllies,tobedoneandsaid,involvedinthatonemistakenaction.Yet,whileherfather"swordsmadehersoulrevolt,hisappearancemeltedherheart,asshecaughtit,halfturnedawayfromher,neitherlookingstraightatMissMonro,noratanythingmateriallyvisible.HishollowsunkeneyeseemedtoEllinortohaveavisionofthedeadmanbeforeit.Hischeekwaslividandworn,anditshealthycolouringgainedbyyearsofheartyout-doorexercise,wasallgoneintothewannessofage.

Hishair,eventoEllinor,seemedgreyerforthepastnightofwretchedness.Hestooped,andlookeddreamilyearthward,whereformerlyhehadstooderect.ItneededallthepitycalledforthbysuchobservationtoquenchEllinor"spassionatecontemptforthecourseonwhichsheandherfatherwereembarked,whensheheardhimrepeathiswordstotheservantwhocamewithherbroth.

"Fletcher!gotoMrs.Jackson"sandinquireifMr.Dunsteriscomehomeyet.Iwanttospeaktohim."

"Tohim!"lyingdeadwherehehadbeenlaid;killedbythemanwhonowaskedforhispresence.Ellinorshuthereyes,andlaybackindespair.Shewishedshemightdie,andbeoutofthishorribletangleofevents.

Twominutesafter,shewasconsciousofherfatherandMissMonrostealingsoftlyoutoftheroom.Theythoughtthatsheslept.

Shesprangoffthesofaandkneltdown.

"Oh,God,"sheprayed,"Thouknowest!Helpme!ThereisnoneotherhelpbutThee!"

Isupposeshefainted.For,anhourormoreafterwardsMissMonro,comingin,foundherlyinginsensiblebythesideofthesofa.

Shewascarriedtobed.Shewasnotdelirious,shewasonlyinastupor,whichtheyfearedmightendindelirium.Toobviatethis,herfathersentfarandwideforskilfulphysicians,whotendedher,almostattherateofaguineatheminute.

PeoplesaidhowharditwasuponMr.Wilkins,thatscarcelyhadthatwretchDunstergoneoff,withnooneknowshowmuchoutofthetrustsofthefirm,beforehisonlychildfellill.And,totellthetruth,hehimselflookedburntandscaredwithaffliction.Hehadastartledlook,theysaid,asifhenevercouldtell,aftersuchexperience,fromwhichsidetheawfulproofsoftheuncertaintyofearthwouldappear,theterriblephantomsofunforeseendread.Bothrichandpoor,townandcountry,sympathisedwithhim.Therichcarednottopresstheirclaims,ortheirbusiness,atsuchatime;

andonlywondered,intheirsuperficialtalkafterdinner,howsuchagoodfellowasWilkinscouldeverhavebeendeceivedbyamanlikeDunster.EvenSirFrankHolsterandhisladyforgottheiroldquarrel,andcametoinquireafterEllinor,andsentherhothousefruitbythebushel.

Mr.Corbetbehavedasananxiouslovershoulddo.HewrotedailytoMissMonrotobegforthemostminutebulletins;heprocuredeverythingintownthatanydoctorevenfanciedmightbeofservice,hecamedownassoonastherewastheslightesthintofpermissionthatEllinormightseehim.Heoverpoweredherwithtenderwordsandcaresses,tillatlastsheshrankawayfromthem,asfromsomethingtoobewildering,andpastallrightcomprehension.

Butonenightbeforethis,whenallwindowsanddoorsstoodopentoadmittheleastbreaththatstirredthesultryJulyair,aservantonvelvettiptoehadstolenuptoEllinor"sopendoor,andhadbeckonedoutofthechamberofthesleepertheeverwatchfulnurse,MissMonro.

"Agentlemanwantsyou,"wereallthewordsthehousemaiddaredtosaysoclosetothebedroom.Andsoftly,softlyMissMonrosteppeddownthestairs,intothedrawing-room;andthereshesawMr.

Livingstone.Butshedidnotknowhim;shehadneverseenhimbefore.

"Ihavetravelledallday.Iheardshewasill——wasdying.MayI

justhaveonemorelookather?Iwillnotspeak;Iwillhardlybreathe.Onlyletmeseeheronceagain!"

"Ibegyourpardon,sir,butIdon"tknowwhoyouare;andifyoumeanMissWilkins,by"her,"sheisveryill,butwehopenotdying.

Shewasveryill,indeed,yesterday;verydangerouslyill,Imaysay,butsheishavingagoodsleep,inconsequenceofasoporificmedicine,andwearereallybeginningtohope——"

ButjusthereMissMonro"shandwastaken,and,toherinfinitesurprise,waskissedbeforeshecouldrememberhowimpropersuchbehaviourwas.

"Godblessyou,madam,forsayingso.Butifshesleeps,willyouletmeseeher?itcandonoharm,forIwilltreadasifoneggshells;andIhavecomesofar——ifImightjustlookonhersweetface.Pray,madam,letmejusthaveonesightofher.Iwillnotaskformore."

Buthedidaskformoreafterhehadhadhiswish.HestoleupstairsafterMissMonro,wholookedroundreproachfullyathimifevenanightingalesang,oranowlhootedinthetreesoutsidetheopenwindows,yetwhopausedtosayherself,outsideMr.Wilkins"schamberdoor,"Herfather"sroom;hehasnotbeeninbedforsixnights,tillto-

night;praydonotmakeanoisetowakenhim."Andonintothedeepstillnessofthehushedroom,whereoneclearrayofhiddenlamp-

lightshotathwartthedoor,whereawatcher,breathingsoftly,satbesidethebed——whereEllinor"sdarkheadlaymotionlessonthewhitepillow,herfacealmostaswhite,herformalmostasstill.Youmighthaveheardapinfall.Afterawhilehemovedtowithdraw.