第10章

Brown,onefromMissMonro;ofcoursethelastmentionedwasthefirstread.ShespokeoftheshockofthediscoveryofMr.Dunster"sbody,foundinthecuttingofthenewlineofrailroadfromHamleytothenearestrailwaystation;thebodysohastilyburiedlongago,initsclothes,bywhichitwasnowrecognised——arecognitionconfirmedbyoneortwomorepersonalandindestructiblethings,suchashiswatchandsealwithhisinitials;oftheshocktoeveryone,theOsbaldistonesinparticular,onthefurtherdiscoveryofafleamorhorse-lancet,havingthenameofAbrahamDixonengravedonthehandle;howDixonhadgoneonMr.Osbaldistone"sbusinesstoahorse-

fairinIrelandsomeweeksbeforethis,andhadhadhislegbrokenbyakickfromanunrulymare,sothathewasbarelyabletomoveaboutwhentheofficersofjusticewenttoapprehendhiminTralee.

AtthispointEllinorcriedoutloudandshrill.

"Oh,Dixon!Dixon!andIwasawayenjoyingmyself."

Theyheardhercry,andcametothedoor,butitwasboltedinside.

"Please,goaway,"shesaid;"please,go.Iwillbeveryquiet;

only,please,go."

ShecouldnotbearjustthentoreadanymoreofMissMonro"sletter;

shetoreopenMr.Johnson"s——thedatewasafortnightearlierthanMissMonro"s;healsoexpressedhiswonderatnothearingfromher,inreplytohisletterofJanuary9;butheadded,thathethoughtthathertrusteeshadjudgedrightly;thehandsomesumtherailwaycompanyhadofferedforthelandwhentheirsurveyordecidedonthealterationoftheline,Mr.Osbaldistone,&c.&c.Shecouldnotreadanymore;itwasFatepursuingher.Thenshetooktheletterupagainandtriedtoread;butallthatreachedherunderstandingwasthefactthatMr.JohnsonhadsenthispresentlettertoMissMonro,thinkingthatshemightknowofsomeprivateopportunitysaferthanthepost.Mr.Brown"swasjustsuchaletterasheoccasionallysentherfromtimetotime;acorrespondencethataroseoutoftheirmutualregardfortheirdeadfriendMr.Ness.It,too,hadbeensenttoMissMonrotodirect.Ellinorwasonthepointofputtingitasideentirely,whenthenameofCorbetcaughthereye:"Youwillbeinterestedtohearthattheoldpupilofourdepartedfriend,whowassoanxioustoobtainthefolioVirgilwiththeItaliannotes,isappointedthenewjudgeinroomofMr.JusticeJenkin.AtleastI

concludethatMr.RalphCorbet,Q.C.,isthesameastheVirgilfancier."

"Yes,"saidEllinor,bitterly;"hejudgedwell;itwouldneverhavedone."Theywerethefirstwordsofanythinglikereproachwhichsheeverformedinherownmindduringalltheseyears.Shethoughtforafewmomentsoftheoldtimes;itseemedtosteadyherbraintothinkofthem.ThenshetookupandfinishedMissMonro"sletter.

ThatexcellentfriendhaddoneallwhichshethoughtEllinorwouldhavewishedwithoutdelay.ShehadwrittentoMr.Johnson,andchargedhimtodoeverythinghecouldtodefendDixonandtosparenoexpense.Shewasthinkingofgoingtotheprisoninthecountytown,toseetheoldmanherself,butEllinorcouldperceivethatalltheseendeavoursandpurposesofMissMonro"swerebasedonloveforherownpupil,andadesiretosethermindateaseasfarasshecould,ratherthanfromanyideathatDixonhimselfcouldbeinnocent.

Ellinorputdowntheletters,andwenttothedoor,thenturnedback,andlockedthemupinherwriting-casewithtremblinghands;andafterthatsheenteredthedrawing-room,lookinglikertoaghostthantoalivingwoman.

"CanIspeaktoyouforaminutealone?"Herstill,tunelessvoicemadethewordsintoacommand.CanonLivingstonearoseandfollowedherintothelittledining-room."Willyoutellmeallyouknow——allyouhaveheardaboutmy——youknowwhat?"

"MissMonrowasmyinformant——atleastatfirst——itwasintheTimesthedaybeforeIleft.MissMonrosaysitcouldonlyhavebeendoneinamomentofangeriftheoldservantisreallyguilty;thathewasassteadyandgoodamanassheeverknew,andsheseemstohaveastrongfeelingagainstMr.Dunster,asalwaysgivingyourfathermuchunnecessarytrouble;infact,shehintsthathisdisappearanceatthetimewassupposedtobethecauseofaconsiderablelossofpropertytoMr.Wilkins."

"No!"saidEllinor,eagerly,feelingthatsomejusticeoughttobedonetothedeadman;andthenshestoppedshort,fearfulofsayinganythingthatshouldbetrayherfullknowledge."Imeanthis,"shewenton;"Mr.Dunsterwasaverydisagreeablemanpersonally——andpapa——wenoneofuslikedhim;buthewasquitehonest——pleaserememberthat."

Thecanonbowed,andsaidafewacquiescingwords.Hewaitedforhertospeakagain.

"MissMonrosayssheisgoingtoseeDixonin——"

"Oh,Mr.Livingstone,Ican"tbearit!"

Heletheralone,lookingatherpitifully,asshetwistedandwrungherhandstogetherinherendeavourtoregainthequietmannershehadstriventomaintainthroughtheinterview.Shelookedupathimwithapoorattemptatanapologeticsmile:

"Itissoterribletothinkofthatgoodoldmaninprison!"

"Youdonotbelievehimguilty!"saidCanonLivingstone,insomesurprise."Iamafraid,fromallIheardandread,thereisbutlittledoubtthathedidkilltheman;Itrustinsomemomentofirritation,withnopremeditatedmalice."

Ellinorshookherhead.

"HowsooncanIgettoEngland?"askedshe."Imuststartatonce."

"Mrs.Forbessentoutwhileyouwerelyingdown.IamafraidthereisnoboattoMarseillestillThursday,thedayafterto-morrow."

"ButImustgosooner!"saidEllinor,startingup."Imustgo;

pleasehelpme.HemaybetriedbeforeIcangetthere!"

"Alas!Ifearthatwillbethecase,whateverhasteyoumake.ThetrialwastocomeonattheHellingfordAssizes,andthattownstandsfirstontheMidlandCircuitlist.To-dayisthe27thofFebruary;

theassizesbeginonthe7thofMarch."

"Iwillstartto-morrowmorningearlyforCivita;theremaybeaboattheretheydonotknowofhere.Atanyrate,Ishallbeonmyway.

Ifhedies,Imustdietoo.Oh!Idon"tknowwhatIamsaying,Iamsoutterlycrusheddown!Itwouldbesuchakindnessifyouwouldgoaway,andletnoonecometome.IknowMrs.Forbesissogood,shewillforgiveme.Iwillsaygood-bytoyouallbeforeIgoto-morrowmorning;butImustthinknow."

Foronemomenthestoodlookingatherasifhelongedtocomfortherbymorewords.Hethoughtbetterofit,however,andsilentlylefttheroom.

ForalongtimeEllinorsatstill;nowandthentakingupMissMonro"sletter,andre-readingthefewterribledetails.ThenshebethoughtherthatpossiblythecanonmighthavebroughtacopyoftheTimes,containingtheexaminationofDixonbeforethemagistrates,andsheopenedthedoorandcalledtoapassingservanttomaketheinquiry.Shewasquiterightinherconjecture;Dr.

Livingstonehadhadthepaperinhispocketduringhisinterviewwithher;buthethoughttheevidencesoconclusive,thattheperusalofitwouldonlybeaddingtoherextremedistressbyacceleratingtheconvictionofDixon"sguilt,whichhebelievedshemustarriveatsoonerorlater.

HehadbeenreadingthereportoverwithMrs.Forbesandherdaughters,afterhisreturnfromEllinor"sroom,andtheywereallparticipatinginhisopinionuponit,whenherrequestfortheTimeswasbrought.Theyhadreluctantlyagreed,sayingtheredidnotappeartobeashadowofdoubtonthefactofDixon"shavingkilledMr.Dunster,onlyhopingtheremightprovetobesomeextenuatingcircumstances,whichEllinorhadprobablyrecollected,andwhichshewasdesirousofproducingontheapproachingtrial.

CHAPTERXIII.

Ellinor,havingreadthereportofDixon"sexaminationinthenewspaper,bathedhereyesandforeheadincoldwater,andtriedtostillherpoorheart"sbeating,thatshemightbeclearandcollectedenoughtoweightheevidence.

Everylineofitwascondemnatory.OneortwowitnessesspokeofDixon"sunconcealeddislikeofDunster,adislikewhichEllinorknewhadbeenentertainedbytheoldservantoutofaspeciesofloyaltytohismaster,aswellasfrompersonaldistaste.ThefleamwasprovedbeyondalldoubttobeDixon"s;andaman,whohadbeenstable-boyinMr.Wilkins"sservice,sworethatonthedaywhenMr.

Dunsterwasmissed,andwhenthewholetownwaswonderingwhathadbecomeofhim,acertaincoltofMr.Wilkins"shadneededbleeding,andthathehadbeensentbyDixontothefarrier"sforahorse-

lancet,anerrandwhichhehadremarkeduponatthetime,asheknewthatDixonhadafleamofhisown.

Mr.Osbaldistonewasexamined.Hekeptinterruptinghimselfperpetuallytoexpresshissurpriseatthefactofsosteadyandwell-conductedamanasDixonbeingguiltyofsoheinousacrime,andwaswillingenoughtotestifytotheexcellentcharacterwhichhehadborneduringallthemanyyearshehadbeeninhis(Mr.

Osbaldistone"s)service;butheappearedtobequiteconvincedbytheevidencepreviouslygivenoftheprisoner"sguiltinthematter,andstrengthenedthecaseagainsthimmateriallybystatingthecircumstanceoftheoldman"sdoggedunwillingnesstohavetheslightestinterferencebycultivationwiththatparticularpieceofground.

HereEllinorshuddered.Beforeher,inthatRomanbed-chamber,rosethefataloblongsheknewbyheart——alittlegreenmossorlichen,andthinly-growingbladesofgrassscarcelycoveringthecakedandundisturbedsoilundertheoldtree.Oh,thatshehadbeeninEnglandwhenthesurveyorsoftherailwaybetweenAshcombeandHamleyhadalteredtheirline;shewouldhaveentreated,implored,compelledhertrusteesnottohavesoldthatpieceofgroundforanysumofmoneywhatever.Shewouldhavebribedthesurveyors,donesheknewnotwhat——butnowitwastoolate;shewouldnotlethermindwanderofftowhatmighthavebeen;shewouldforceherselfagaintoattendtothenewspapercolumns.Therewaslittlemore:theprisonerhadbeenaskedifhecouldsayanythingtoclearhimself,andproperlycautionednottosayanythingtoincriminatehimself.Thepooroldman"spersonwasdescribed,andhisevidentemotion."Theprisonerwasobservedtoclutchattherailbeforehimtosteadyhimself,andhiscolourchangedsomuchatthispartoftheevidencethatoneoftheturnkeysofferedhimaglassofwater,whichhedeclined.Heisamanofastrongly-builtframe,andwithratheramoroseandsullencastofcountenance."

"Mypoor,poorDixon!"saidEllinor,layingdownthepaperforaninstant,andshewasnearcrying,onlyshehadresolvedtoshednotearstillshehadfinishedall,andcouldjudgeofthechances.

Therewerebutafewlinesmore:"Atonetimetheprisonerseemedtobedesirousofallegingsomethinginhisdefence,buthechangedhismind,ifsuchhadbeenthecase,andinreplytoMr.Gordon(themagistrate)heonlysaid,"You"vemadeaprettystrongcaseoutagainme,gentlemen,anditseemsfortosatisfyyou;soIthinkI"llnotdisturbyourmindsbysayinganythingmore."Accordingly,DixonnowstandscommittedfortrialformurderatthenextHellingfordAssizes,whichcommenceonMarchtheseventh,beforeBaronRushtonandMr.JusticeCorbet."

"Mr.JusticeCorbet!"ThewordsranthroughEllinorasthoughshehadbeenstabbedwithaknife,andbyanirrepressiblemovementshestooduprigid.Theyoungman,herloverinheryouth,theoldservantwhointhosedayswasperpetuallyabouther——thetwowhohadsooftenmetinfamiliarifnotfriendlyrelations,nowtofaceeachotherasjudgeandaccused!ShecouldnottellhowmuchMr.Corbethadconjecturedfromthepartialrevelationshehadmadetohimoftheimpendingshamethathungoverherandhers.Adayortwoagoshecouldhaverememberedtheexactwordsshehadusedinthatmemorableinterview;butnow,striveasshewould,shecouldonlyrecallfacts,notwords.Afterall,theMr.JusticeCorbetmightnotbeRalph.Therewasonechanceinahundredagainsttheidentityofthetwo.

Whileshewasweighingprobabilitiesinhersickdizzymind,sheheardsoftstepsoutsideherbolteddoor,andlowvoiceswhispering.

Itwasthebedtimeofhappypeoplewithheartsatease.Someofthefootstepspassedlightlyon;buttherewasagentlerapatEllinor"sdoor.Shepressedhertwohothandshardagainsthertemplesforaninstantbeforeshewenttoopenthedoor.TherestoodMrs.Forbesinherhandsomeeveningdress,holdingalightedlampinherhand.

"MayIcomein,mydear?"sheasked.Ellinor"sstiffdrylipsrefusedtoutterthewordsofassentwhichindeeddidnotcomereadilyfromherheart.

"Iamsogrievedatthissadnewswhichthecanonbrings.Icanwellunderstandwhatashockitmustbetoyou;wehavejustbeensayingitmustbeasbadforyouasitwouldbetousifouroldDonaldshouldturnouttohavebeenahiddenmurdereralltheseyearsthathehaslivedwithus;IreallycouldhaveassoonsuspectedDonaldasthatwhite-hairedrespectableoldmanwhousedtocomeandseeyouatEastChester."

Ellinorfeltthatshemustsaysomething."Itisaterribleshock——

pooroldman!andnofriendnearhim,evenMr.Osbaldistonegivingevidenceagainhim.Oh,dear,dear!whydidIevercometoRome?"

"Now,mydear,youmustnotletyourselftakeanexaggeratedviewofthecase.Sadandshockingasitistohavebeensodeceived,itiswhathappenstomanyofus,thoughnottosoterribleadegree;andastoyourcomingtoRomehavinganythingtodowithit——"

(Mrs.Forbesalmostsmiledattheidea,soanxiouswasshetobanishtheideaofself-reproachfromEllinor"ssensitivemind,butEllinorinterruptedherabruptly:)

"Mrs.Forbes!didhe——didCanonLivingstonetellyouthatImustleaveto-morrow?ImustgotoEnglandasfastaspossibletodowhatIcanforDixon."

"Yes,hetoldusyouwerethinkingofit,anditwaspartlythatmademeforcemyselfinuponyouto-night.Ithink,mylove,youaremistakeninfeelingasifyouwerecalledupontodomorethanwhatthecanontellsmeMissMonrohasalreadydoneinyourname——engagedthebestlegaladvice,andsparednoexpensetogivethesuspectedmaneverychance.Whatcouldyoudomoreevenifyouwereonthespot?Anditisverypossiblethatthetrialmayhavecomeonbeforeyougethome.Thenwhatcouldyoudo?Hewouldeitherhavebeenacquittedorcondemned;iftheformer,hewouldfindpublicsympathyallinhisfavour;italwaysisfortheunjustlyaccused.Andifheturnsouttobeguilty,mydearEllinor,itwillbefarbetterforyoutohaveallthesofteningwhichdistancecangivetosuchadreadfulterminationtothelifeofapoormanwhomyouhaverespectedsolong."

ButEllinorspokeagainwithakindofirritateddetermination,veryforeigntoherusualsoftdocility:

"Pleasejustletmejudgeformyselfthisonce.Iamnotungrateful.

GodknowsIdon"twanttovexonewhohasbeensokindtomeasyouhavebeen,dearMrs.Forbes;butImustgo——andeverywordyousaytodissuademeonlymakesmemoreconvinced.IamgoingtoCivitato-

morrow.Ishallbethatmuchontheway.Icannotresthere."

Mrs.Forbeslookedatheringravesilence.Ellinorcouldnotbeartheconsciousnessofthatfixedgaze.YetitsfixityonlyarosefromMrs.Forbes"perplexityastohowbesttoassistEllinor,whethertorestrainherbyfurtheradvice——ofwhichthefirstdosehadprovedsouseless——ortospeedherdeparture.Ellinorbrokeonhermeditations:

"Youhavealwaysbeensokindandgoodtome,——goonbeingso——

please,do!Leavemealonenow,dearMrs.Forbes,forIcannotbeartalkingaboutit,andhelpmetogoto-morrow,andyoudonotknowhowIwillpraytoGodtoblessyou!"

Suchanappealwasirresistible.Mrs.Forbeskissedherverytenderly,andwenttorejoinherdaughters,whowereclusteredtogetherintheirmother"sbedroomawaitinghercoming.

"Well,mamma,howisshe?Whatdoesshesay?"

"Sheisinaveryexcitedstate,poorthing!andhasgotsostronganimpressionthatitisherdutytogobacktoEnglandanddoallshecanforthiswretchedoldman,thatIamafraidwemustnotopposeher.IamafraidthatshereallymustgoonThursday."

AlthoughMrs.Forbessecuredtheservicesofatravelling-maid,Dr.

LivingstoneinsistedonaccompanyingEllinortoEngland,anditwouldhaverequiredmoreenergythanshepossessedatthistimetocombataresolutionwhichbothwordsandmannerexpressedasdetermined.Shewouldmuchratherhavetravelledalonewithhermaid;shedidnotfeeltheneedoftheservicesheoffered;butshewasutterlylistlessandbrokendown;allherinterestwascentredinthethoughtofDixonandhisapproachingtrial,andperplexityastothemodeinwhichshemustdoherduty.

TheyembarkedlatethateveninginthetardySantaLucia,andEllinorimmediatelywenttoherberth.Shewasnotsea-sick;thatmightpossiblyhavelessenedhermentalsufferings,whichallnightlongtormentedher.High-perchedinanupperberth,shedidnotlikedisturbingtheotheroccupantsofthecabintilldaylightappeared.

Thenshedescendedanddressed,andwentondeck;thevesselwasjustpassingtherockycoastofElba,andtheskywasflushedwithrosylight,thatmadetheshadowsontheislandofthemostexquisitepurple.Theseastillheavedwithyesterday"sstorm,butthemotiononlyaddedtothebeautyofthesparklesandwhitefoamthatdimpledandcurledonthebluewaters.Theairwasdelicious,aftertheclosenessofthecabin,andEllinoronlywonderedthatmorepeoplewerenotondecktoenjoyit.Oneortwostragglerscameup,timeaftertime,andbeganpacingthedeck.Dr.Livingstonecameupbeforeverylong;butheseemedtohavemadearuleofnotobtrudinghimselfonEllinor,exceptingwhenhecouldbeofsomeuse.Afterafewwordsofcommon-placemorninggreeting,he,too,begantowalkbackwardsandforwards,whileEllinorsatquietlywatchingthelovelyislandrecedingfastfromherview——abeautifulvisionnevertobeseenagainbyhermortaleyes.

Suddenlytherewasashockandstoundalloverthevessel,herprogresswasstopped,andarockingvibrationwasfelteverywhere.

Thequarter-deckwasfilledwithblastsofsteam,whichobscuredeverything.Sickpeoplecamerushingupoutoftheirberthsinstrangeundress;thesteeragepassengers——amotleyandpicturesquesetofpeople,inmanyvarietiesofgaycostume——tookrefugeonthequarter-deck,speakingloudlyinallvarietiesofFrenchandItalianpatois.Ellinorstoodupinsilent,wonderingdismay.WastheSantaLuciagoingdownonthegreatdeep,andDixonunaidedinhisperil?

Dr.Livingstonewasbyhersideinamoment.Shecouldscarcelyseehimforthevapour,norhearhimfortheroaroftheescapingsteam.

"Donotbeunnecessarilyfrightened,"herepeated,alittlelouder.

"Someaccidenthasoccurredtotheengines.Iwillgoandmakeinstantinquiry,andcomebacktoyouassoonasIcan.Trusttome."

Hecamebacktowhereshesattrembling.

"Apartoftheengineisbroken,throughthecarelessnessoftheseNeapolitanengineers;theysaywemustmakeforthenearestport——

returntoCivita,infact."

"ButElbaisnotmanymilesaway,"saidEllinor."Ifthissteamwerebutaway,youcouldseeitstill."

"Andifwewerelandedtherewemightstayontheislandformanydays;nosteamertouchesthere;butifwereturntoCivita,weshallbeintimefortheSundayboat."

"Oh,dear,dear!"saidEllinor."To-dayisthesecond——Sundaywillbethefourth——theassizesbeginontheseventh;howmiserablyunfortunate!"

"Yes!"hesaid,"itis.Andthesethingsalwaysappearsodoublyunfortunatewhentheyhinderourservingothers!ButitdoesnotfollowthatbecausetheassizesbeginatHellingfordontheseventh,Dixon"strialwillcomeonsosoon.WemaystillgettoMarseillesonMondayevening;onbydiligencetoLyons;itwill——itmust,I

fear,beThursday,attheearliest,beforewereachParis——Thursday,theeighth——andIsupposeyouknowofsomeexculpatoryevidencethathastobehuntedup?"

Headdedthisunwillingly;forhesawthatEllinorwasjealousofthesecresyshehadhithertomaintainedastoherreasonsforbelievingDixoninnocent;buthecouldnothelpthinkingthatshe,agentle,timidwoman,unaccustomedtoactionorbusiness,wouldrequiresomeoftheassistancewhichhewouldhavebeensothankfultogiveher;

especiallyasthisuntowardaccidentwouldincreasethepressoftimeinwhichwhatwastobedonewouldhavetobedone.

Butno.Ellinorscarcelyrepliedtohishalf-inquiryastoherreasonsforhasteningtoEngland.Sheyieldedtoallhisdirections,agreedtohisplans,butgavehimnoneofherconfidence,andhehadtosubmittothisexclusionfromsympathyintheexactcausesofheranxiety.

Oncemoreinthedrearysala,withthegaudypaintedceiling,thebaredirtyfloor,theinnumerablerattlingdoorsandwindows!

Ellinorwassubmissiveandpatientindemeanour,becausesosickanddespairingatheart.Hermaidwastentimesasdemonstrativeofannoyanceanddisgust;shewhohadnoparticularreasonforwantingtoreachEngland,butwhothoughtitbecameherdignitytomakeitseemasthoughshehad.

Atlengththewearytimewasover;andagaintheysailedpastElba,andarrivedatMarseilles.NowEllinorbegantofeelhowmuchassistanceitwastohertohaveDr.Livingstonefora"courier,"ashehadseveraltimescalledhimself.

CHAPTERXIV.

"Wherenow?"saidthecanon,astheyapproachedtheLondonBridgestation.

"TotheGreatWestern,"saidshe;"Hellingfordisonthatline,I

see.But,please,nowwemustpart."

"ThenImaynotgowithyoutoHellingford?Atanyrate,youwillallowmetogowithyoutotherailwaystation,anddomylastofficeascourieringettingyouyourticketandplacingyouinthecarriage."

Sotheywenttogethertothestation,andlearntthatnotrainwasleavingforHellingfordfortwohours.Therewasnothingforitbuttogotothehotelcloseby,andpassawaythetimeasbesttheycould.

Ellinorcalledforhermaid"saccounts,anddismissedher.Somerefreshmentthatthecanonhadorderedwaseaten,andthetablecleared.Hebeganwalkingupanddowntheroom,hisarmsfolded,hiseyescastdown.Everynowandthenhelookedattheclockonthemantelpiece.Whenthatshowedthatitonlywantedaquarterofanhourtothetimeappointedforthetraintostart,hecameuptoEllinor,whosatleaningherheaduponherhand,herhandrestingonthetable.

"MissWilkins,"hebegan——andtherewassomethingpeculiarinhistonewhichstartledEllinor——"IamsureyouwillnotscrupletoapplytomeifinanypossiblewayIcanhelpyouinthissadtroubleofyours?"

"NoindeedIwon"t!"saidEllinor,gratefully,andputtingoutherhandasatoken.Hetookit,andheldit;shewenton,alittlemorehastilythanbefore:"YouknowyouweresogoodastosayyouwouldgoatonceandseeMissMonro,andtellherallyouknow,andthatI

willwritetoherassoonasIcan."

"MayInotaskforoneline?"hecontinued,stillholdingherhand.

"Certainly:sokindafriendasyoushallhearallIcantell;thatis,allIamatlibertytotell."

"Afriend!Yes,Iamafriend;andIwillnoturgeanyotherclaimjustnow.Perhaps——"

Ellinorcouldnotaffecttomisunderstandhim.Hismannerimpliedevenmorethanhiswords.

"No!"shesaid,eagerly."Wearefriends.Thatisit.Ithinkweshallalwaysbefriends,thoughIwilltellyounow——something——thismuch——itisasadsecret.Godhelpme!IamasguiltyaspoorDixon,if,indeed,heisguilty——butheisinnocent——indeedheis!"

"Ifheisnomoreguiltythanyou,Iamsureheis!Letmebemorethanyourfriend,Ellinor——letmeknowall,andhelpyouallthatI

can,withtherightofanaffiancedhusband."

"No,no!"saidshe,frightenedbothatwhatshehadrevealed,andhiseager,warm,imploringmanner."Thatcanneverbe.Youdonotknowthedisgracethatmaybehangingoverme."

"Ifthatisall,"saidhe,"Itakemyrisk——ifthatisall——ifyouonlyfearthatImayshrinkfromsharinganyperilyoumaybeexposedto."

"Itisnotperil——itisshameandobloquy——"shemurmured.

"Well!shameandobloquy.Perhaps,ifIknewallIcouldshieldyoufromit."

"Don"t,pray,speakanymoreaboutitnow;ifyoudo,Imustsay"No.""

Shedidnotperceivetheimpliedencouragementinthesewords;buthedid,andtheysufficedtomakehimpatient.

Thetimewasup,andhecouldonlyrenderherhislastservicesas"courier,"andnoneotherbutthenecessarywordsatstartingpassedbetweenthem.

Buthewentawayfromthestationwithacheerfulheart;whileshe,sittingaloneandquiet,andatlastapproachingneartotheplacewheresomuchwastobedecided,feltsadderandsadder,heavierandheavier.

AlltheintelligenceshehadgainedsinceshehadseentheGalignaniinParis,hadbeenfromthewaiterattheGreatWesternHotel,who,afterreturningfromavainsearchforanunoccupiedTimes,hadvolunteeredtheinformationthattherewasanunusualdemandforthepaperbecauseofHellingfordAssizes,andthetrialthereformurderthatwasgoingon.

Therewasnoelectrictelegraphinthosedays;ateverystationEllinorputherheadout,andenquiredifthemurdertrialatHellingfordwasended.Someporterstoldheronething,someanother,intheirhurry;shefeltthatshecouldnotrelyonthem.

"DrivetoMr.Johnson"sintheHighstreet——quick,quick.Iwillgiveyouhalf-a-crownifyouwillgoquick."

For,indeed,herendurance,herpatience,wasstrainedalmosttosnapping;yetatHellingfordstation,wheredoubtlesstheycouldhavetoldherthetruth,shedarednotaskthequestion.Itwaspasteighto"clockatnight.Inmanyhousesinthelittlecountrytowntherewereunusuallightsandsounds.Theinhabitantswereshowingtheirhospitalitytosuchofthestrangersbroughtbytheassizes,aswerelingeringtherenowthatthebusinesswhichhaddrawnthemwasover.TheJudgeshadleftthetownthatafternoon,towindupthecircuitbytheshortlistofaneighbouringcountytown.

Mr.Johnsonwasentertainingadinner-partyofattorneyswhenhewassummonedfromdessertbytheannouncementofa"ladywhowantedtospeaktohimimmediateandparticular."

Hewentintohisstudyinnotthebestoftempers.Therehefoundhisclient,MissWilkins,whiteandghastly,standingbythefireplace,withhereyesfixedonthedoor.

"Itisyou,MissWilkins!Iamveryglad——"

"Dixon!"saidshe.Itwasallshecouldutter.

Mr.Johnsonshookhishead.

"Ah;that"sasadpieceofbusiness,andI"mafraidithasshortenedyourvisitatRome."

"Ishe——?"

"Ay,I"mafraidthere"snodoubtofhisguilt.Atanyrate,thejuryfoundhimguilty,and——"

"And!"sherepeated,quickly,sittingdown,thebettertohearthewordsthatsheknewwerecoming-

"Heiscondemnedtodeath."

"When?"

"TheSaturdaybutoneaftertheJudgesleftthetown,Isuppose——it"stheusualtime."

"Whotriedhim?"

"JudgeCorbet;and,foranewjudge,ImustsayIneverknewonewhogotthroughhisbusinesssowell.ItwasreallyasmuchasIcouldstandtohearhimcondemningtheprisonertodeath.Dixonwasundoubtedlyguilty,andhewasasstubbornascouldbe——asullenoldfellowwhowouldletnoonehelphimthrough.I"msureIdidmybestforhimatMissMonro"sdesireandforyoursake.Buthewouldfurnishmewithnoparticulars,helpustonoevidence.Ihadthehardestworktokeephimfromconfessingallbeforewitnesses,whowouldhavebeenboundtorepeatitasevidenceagainsthim.Indeed,Ineverthoughthewouldhavepleaded"NotGuilty."IthinkitwasonlywithadesiretojustifyhimselfintheeyesofsomeoldHamleyacquaintances.GoodGod,MissWilkins!What"sthematter?You"renotfainting!"Herangthebelltilltheroperemainedinhishands.

"Here,Esther!Jerry!Whoeveryouare,comequick!MissWilkinshasfainted!Water!Wine!TellMrs.Johnsontocomeheredirectly!"

Mrs.Johnson,akind,motherlywoman,whohadbeenexcludedfromthe"gentleman"sdinnerparty,"andhaddevotedhertimetosuperintendingthedinnerherhusbandhadordered,cameinanswertohiscallforassistance,andfoundEllinorlyingbackinherchairwhiteandsenseless.

"Bessy,MissWilkinshasfainted;shehashadalongjourney,andisinafidgetaboutDixon,theoldfellowwhowassentencedtobehungforthatmurder,youknow.Ican"tstophere,Imustgobacktothosemen.Youbringherround,andseehertobed.TheblueroomisemptysinceHornerleft.Shemuststophere,andI"llseeherinthemorning.Takecareofher,andkeephermindaseasyasyoucan,willyou,forshecandonogoodbyfidgeting."

And,knowingthatheleftEllinoringoodhands,andwithplentyofassistanceabouther,hereturnedtohisfriends.

Ellinorcametoherselfbeforelong.

"Itwasveryfoolishofme,butIcouldnothelpit,"saidshe,apologetically.

"No;tobesurenot,dear.Here,drinkthis;itissomeofMr.

Johnson"sbestportwinethathehassentoutonpurposeforyou.Orwouldyouratherhavesomewhitesoup——orwhat?We"vehadeverythingyoucouldthinkoffordinner,andyou"veonlytoaskandhave.Andthenyoumustgotobed,mydear——Mr.Johnsonsaysyoumust;andthere"sawell-airedroom,forMr.Horneronlyleftusthismorning."

"ImustseeMr.Johnsonagain,please."

"Butindeedyoumustnot.Youmustnotworryyourpoorheadwithbusinessnow;andJohnsonwouldonlytalktoyouonbusiness.No;gotobed,andsleepsoundly,andthenyou"llgetupquitebrightandstrong,andfittotalkaboutbusiness."

"Icannotsleep——IcannotresttillIhaveaskedMr.Johnsononeortwomorequestions;indeedIcannot,"pleadedEllinor.

Mrs.Johnsonknewthatherhusband"sordersonsuchoccasionswereperemptory,andthatsheshouldcomeinforagoodconjugalscoldingif,afterwhathehadsaid,sheventuredtosendforhimagain.YetEllinorlookedsoentreatingandwistfulthatshecouldhardlyfindinherhearttorefuseher.Abrightthoughtstruckher.

"Hereispenandpaper,mydear.Couldyounotwritethequestionsyouwantedtoask?andhe"lljustjotdowntheanswersuponthesamepieceofpaper.I"llsenditinbyJerry.Hehasgotfriendstodinnerwithhim,yousee."

Ellinoryielded.Shesat,restingherwearyheadonherhand,andwonderingwhatwerethequestionswhichwouldhavecomesoreadilytohertonguecouldshehavebeenfacetofacewithhim.Asitwas,sheonlywrotethis:

"HowearlycanIseeyouto-morrowmorning?WillyoutakeallthenecessarystepsformygoingtoDixonassoonaspossible?CouldI

beadmittedtohimto-night?"

Thepencilledanswerswere:

"Eighto"clock.Yes.No."

"Isupposeheknowsbest,"saidEllinor,sighing,asshereadthelastword."Butitseemswickedinmetobegoingtobed——andhesonear,inprison."

Whensheroseupandstood,shefelttheformerdizzinessreturn,andthatreconciledhertoseekingrestbeforesheentereduponthedutieswhichwerebecomingclearerbeforeher,nowthatsheknewallandwasonthesceneofaction.Mrs.Johnsonbroughtherwhite-winewheyinsteadoftheteashehadaskedfor;andperhapsitwasowingtothisthatshesleptsosoundly.

CHAPTERXV.

WhenEllinorawoketheclearlightofdawnwasfullyintheroom.

Shecouldnotrememberwhereshewas;forsomanymorningsshehadwakenedupinstrangeplacesthatittookherseveralminutesbeforeshecouldmakeoutthegeographicalwhereaboutsoftheheavybluemoreencurtains,theprintofthelord-lieutenantofthecountyonthewall,andallthehandsomeponderousmahoganyfurniturethatstuffeduptheroom.Assoonasfullmemorycameintohermind,shestartedup;nordidshegotobedagain,althoughshesawbyherwatchonthedressing-tablethatitwasnotyetsixo"clock.Shedressedherselfwiththedaintycompletenesssohabitualtoherthatithadbecomeanunconscioushabit,andthen——theinstinctwasirrepressible——sheputonherbonnetandshawl,andwentdown,pasttheservantonherkneescleaningthedoorstep,outintothefreshopenair;andsoshefoundherwaydowntheHighStreettoHellingfordCastle,thebuildinginwhichthecourtsofassizewereheld——theprisoninwhichDixonlaycondemnedtodie.Shealmostknewshecouldnotseehim;yetitseemedlikesomeamendstoherconscienceforhavingsleptthroughsomanyhoursofthenightifshemadetheattempt.Shewentuptotheporter"slodge,andaskedthelittlegirlsweepingouttheplaceifshemightseeAbrahamDixon.

Thechildstaredather,andranintothehouse,bringingoutherfather,agreatburlyman,whohadnotyetdonnedeithercoatorwaistcoat,andwho,consequently,feltthemorningairasrathernipping.TohimEllinorrepeatedherquestion.

"HimasistobehungcomeSaturdayse"nnight?Why,ma"am,I"venoughttodowithit.Youmaygotothegovernor"shouseandtry;

but,ifyou"llexcuseme,you"llhaveyourwalkforyourpains.Theminthecondemnedcellsisneverseenbynobodywithoutthesheriff"sorder.Youmaygouptothegovernor"shouseandwelcome;butthey"llonlytellyouthesame.Yon"sthegovernor"shouse."

Ellinorfullybelievedtheman,andyetshewentontothehouseindicated,asifshestillhopedthatinhercasetheremightbesomeexceptiontotherule,whichshenowrememberedtohaveheardofbefore,indayswhensuchapossibledesireastoseeacondemnedprisonerwastreatedbyherasawishthatsomepeoplemighthave,didhave——peopleasfarremovedfromhercircleofcircumstancesastheinhabitantsofthemoon.Ofcourseshemetwiththesamereply,alittlemoreabruptlygiven,asifeverymanwasfromhisbirthboundtoknowsuchanobviousregulation.