第11章

Shewentoutpasttheporter,nowfullyclothed.Hewassorryforherdisappointment,butcouldnothelpsaying,withaslighttoneofexultation:"Well,youseeIwasright,ma"am!"

Shewalkedasnearlyroundthecastleasevershecould,lookingupatthefewhigh-barredwindowsshecouldsee,andwonderinginwhatpartofthebuildingDixonwasconfined.Thenshewentintotheadjoiningchurchyard,andsittingdownuponatombstone,shegazedidlyattheviewspreadbelowher——aviewwhichwasconsideredasthelionoftheplace,tobeshowntoallstrangersbytheinhabitantsofHellingford.Ellinordidnotseeit,however;sheonlysawtheblacknessofthatfatalnight,thehurriedwork——thelanternsglancingtoandfro.Sheonlyheardthehardbreathingofthosewhoareengageduponunwontedlabour;thefewhoarsemutteredwords;theswayingofthebranchestoandfro.Allatoncethechurchclockaboveherstruckeight,andthenpealedoutfordistantlabourerstoceasetheirworkforatime.Suchwastheoldcustomoftheplace.

Ellinorroseup,andmadeherwaybacktoMr.Johnson"shouseinHighStreet.TheroomfeltcloseandconfinedinwhichsheawaitedherinterviewwithMr.Johnson,whohadsentdownanapologyforhavingoverslepthimself,andatlastmadehisappearanceinahurriedhalf-

awakenedstate,inconsequenceofhislatehospitalityofthenightbefore.

"IamsosorryIgaveyouallsomuchtroublelastnight,"saidEllinor,apologetically."Iwasovertired,andmuchshockedbythenewsIheard."

"Notrouble,notrouble,Iamsure.NeitherMrs.JohnsonnorIfeltitintheleastatrouble.ManyladiesIknowfeelsuchthingsverytrying,thoughthereareothersthatcanstandajudge"sputtingontheblackcapbetterthanmostmen.I"msureIsawsomeascomposedascouldbeunderJudgeCorbet"sspeech."

"ButaboutDixon?Hemustnotdie,Mr.Johnson."

"Well,Idon"tknowthathewill,"saidMr.Johnson,insomethingofthetoneofvoicehewouldhaveusedinsoothingachild."JudgeCorbetsaidsomethingaboutthepossibilityofapardon.Thejurydidnotrecommendhimtomercy:yousee,hislookswentsomuchagainsthim,andalltheevidencewassostrong,andnodefence,sotospeak,forhewouldnotfurnishanyinformationonwhichwecouldbasedefence.Butthejudgedidgivesomehope,tomymind,thoughthereareothersthatthinkdifferently."

"Itellyou,Mr.Johnson,hemustnotdie,andheshallnot.TowhommustIgo?"

"Whew!Haveyougotadditionalevidence?"withasuddensharpglanceofprofessionalinquiry.

"Nevermind,"Ellinoranswered."Ibegyourpardononlytellmeintowhosehandsthepoweroflifeanddeathhaspassed."

"IntotheHomeSecretary"s——SirPhillipHomes;butyoucannotgetaccesstohimonsuchanerrand.Itisthejudgewhotriedthecasethatmusturgeareprieve——JudgeCorbet."

"JudgeCorbet?"

"Yes;andhewasratherinclinedtotakeamercifulviewofthewholecase.Isawitinhischarge.He"llbethepersonforyoutosee.

Isupposeyoudon"tliketogivemeyourconfidence,orelseIcouldarrangeanddrawupwhatwillhavetobesaid?"

"No.WhatIhavetosaymustbespokentothearbiter——tonooneelse.IamafraidIansweredyouimpatientlyjustnow.Youmustforgiveme;ifyouknewall,Iamsureyouwould."

"Saynomore,mydearlady.Wewillsupposeyouhavesomeevidencenotadducedatthetrial.Well;youmustgoupandseethejudge,sinceyoudon"tchoosetoimpartittoanyone,andlayitbeforehim.Hewilldoubtlesscompareitwithhisnotesofthetrial,andseehowfaritagreeswiththem.Ofcourseyoumustbepreparedwithsomekindofproof;forJudgeCorbetwillhavetotestyourevidence."

"Itseemsstrangetothinkofhimasthejudge,"saidEllinor,almosttoherself.

"Why,yes.He"sbutayoungjudge.YouknewhimatHamley,I

suppose?IrememberhisreadingtherewithMr.Ness."

"Yes,butdonotletustalkmoreaboutthattime.TellmewhencanIseeDixon?Ihavebeentothecastlealready,buttheysaidImusthaveasheriff"sorder."

"Tobesure.IdesiredMrs.Johnsontotellyousolastnight.OldOrmerodwasdininghere;heisclerktothemagistrates,andItoldhimofyourwish.HesaidhewouldseeSirHenryCroper,andhavetheorderherebeforeten.ButallthistimeMrs.Johnsoniswaitingbreakfastforus.Letmetakeyouintothedining-room."

ItwasveryhardworkforEllinortodoherdutyasaguest,andtoallowherselftobeinterestedandtalkedtoonlocalaffairsbyherhostandhostess.ButshefeltasifshehadspokenshortlyandabruptlytoMr.Johnsonintheirpreviousconversation,andthatshemusttryandmakeamendsforit;sosheattendedtoallthedetailsabouttherestorationofthechurch,andthedifficultyofgettingagoodmusic-masterforthethreelittleMissJohnsons,withallherusualgentlegoodbreedingandpatience,thoughnoonecantellhowherheartandimaginationwerefullofthecominginterviewwithpooroldDixon.

By-and-byMr.JohnsonwascalledoutoftheroomtoseeMr.Ormerod,andreceivetheorderofadmissionfromhim.EllinorclaspedherhandstighttogetherasshelistenedwithapparentcomposuretoMrsJohnson"snever-endingpraiseoftheHullahsystem.ButwhenMr.

Johnsonreturned,shecouldnothelpinterruptinghereulogy,andsaying-

"ThenImaygonow?"

Yes,theorderwasthere——shemightgo,andMr.Johnsonwouldaccompanyher,toseethatshemetwithnodifficultyorobstacle.

Astheywalkedthither,hetoldherthatsomeone——aturnkey,orsomeone——wouldhavetobepresentattheinterview;thatsuchwasalwaystheruleinthecaseofcondemnedprisoners;butthatifthisthirdpersonwas"obliging,"hewouldkeepoutofearshot.Mr.JohnsonquietlytookcaretoseethattheturnkeywhoaccompaniedEllinorwas"obliging."

Themantookheracrosshigh-walledcourts,alongstonecorridors,andthroughmanylockeddoors,beforetheycametothecondemnedcells.

"I"vehadthreeatatimeinhere,"saidhe,unlockingthefinaldoor,"afterJudgeMortonhadbeenhere.Wealwayscalledhimthe"HangingJudge."Butitsfiveyearssincehedied,andnowthere"snevermorethanoneinatatime;thoughonceitwasawomanforpoisoningherhusband.MaryJoneswashername."

Thestonepassageoutofwhichthecellsopenedwaslight,andbare,andscrupulouslyclean.Overeachdoorwasasmallbarredwindow,andanouterwindowofthesamedescriptionwasplacedhighupinthecell,whichtheturnkeynowopened.

OldAbrahamDixonwassittingonthesideofhisbed,doingnothing.

Hisheadwasbent,hisframesunk,andhedidnotseemtocaretoturnroundandseewhoitwasthatentered.

Ellinortriedtokeepdownhersobswhilethemanwentuptohim,andlayinghishandonhisshoulder,andlightlyshakinghim,hesaid:

"Here"safriendcometoseeyou,Dixon."Then,turningtoEllinor,headded,"There"ssomeastakesitinthiskindo"stunnedway,whileothersareasrestlessasawildbeastinacage,afterthey"resentenced."Andthenhewithdrewintothepassage,leavingthedooropen,sothathecouldseeallthatpassedifhechosetolook,butostentatiouslykeepinghiseyesaverted,andwhistlingtohimself,sothathecouldnothearwhattheysaidtoeachother.

DixonlookedupatEllinor,butthenlethiseyesfallonthegroundagain;theincreasingtremblingofhisshrunkenframewastheonlysignhegavethathehadrecognisedher.

Shesatdownbyhim,andtookhislargehornyhandinhers.Shewantedtoovercomeherinclinationtosobhystericallybeforeshespoke.Shestrokedthebonyshrivelledfingers,onwhichherhotscaldingtearskeptdropping.

"Dunnotdothat,"saidhe,atlength,inahollowvoice."Dunnottakeonaboutit;it"sbestasitis,missy."

"No,Dixon,it"snotbest.Itshallnotbe.Youknowitshallnot——

cannotbe."

"I"mrathertiredofliving.It"sbeenagreatstrainandlabourforme.IthinkI"dasliefbewithGodaswithmen.Andyousee,I

werefondonhimeversin"hewerealittlelad,andtoldmewhathardtimeshehadatschool,hedid,justasifIwerehisbrother!

IlovedhimnexttoMollyGreaves.Dear!andIshallseeheragain,Ireckon,comenextSaturdayweek!They"llthinkwellonme,upthere,I"llbebound;thoughIcannotsayasI"vedoneallasI

shoulddoherebelow."

"But,Dixon,"saidEllinor,"youknowwhodidthis——this——"

"Guiltyo"murder,"saidhe."That"swhattheycalledit.Murder!

Andthatitneverwere,choosewhodidit."

"Mypoor,poorfatherdidit.IamgoinguptoLondonthisafternoon;Iamgoingtoseethejudge,andtellhimall."

"Don"tyoudemeanyourselftothatfellow,missy.It"shimasleftyouinthelurchassoonassorrowandshamecamenighyou."

Helookedupathernow,forthefirsttime;butshewentonasifshehadnotnoticedthosewistful,wearyeyes.

"Yes!Ishallgotohim.Iknowwhoitis;andIamresolved.

Afterall,hemaybebetterthanastranger,forrealhelp;andI

shallneverrememberany——anythingelse,whenIthinkofyou,goodfaithfulfriend."

"Helooksbutawizenedoldfellowinhisgreywig.Ishouldhardlyha"knownhim.Igavehimalook,asmuchastosay,"Icouldtelltaleso"you,mylordjudge,ifIchose."Idon"tknowifheheededme,though.Isupposeitwereforasignofoldacquaintancethathesaidhe"drecommendmetomercy.ButI"dsoonerhavedeathnormercy,bylongodds.YonmanouttheresaysmercymeansBotanyBay.

It"udbelikekillingmebyinches,thatwould.Itwould.I"dliefergostraighttoHeaven,thanliveonamongtheblackfolk."

Hebegantoshakeagain:thisideaoftransportation,fromitsverymysteriousness,wasmoreterrifyingtohimthandeath.Hekeptonsayingplaintively,"Missy,you"llneverlet"emsendmetoBotanyBay;Icouldn"tstandthat."

"No,no!"saidshe."Youshallcomeoutofthisprison,andgohomewithmetoEastChester;Ipromiseyouyoushall.Ipromiseyou.I

don"tyetquiteknowhow,buttrustinmypromise.Don"tfretaboutBotanyBay.Ifyougothere,Igotoo.Iamsosureyouwillnotgo.Andyouknowifyouhavedoneanythingagainstthelawinconcealingthatfatalnight"swork,Ididtoo,andifyouaretobepunished,Iwillbepunishedtoo.ButIfeelsureitwillberight;

Imean,asrightasanythingcanbe,withtherecollectionofthattimepresenttous,asitmustalwaysbe."Shealmostspoketheselastwordstoherself.Theysaton,handinhandforafewminutesmoreinsilence.

"Ithoughtyou"dcometome.Iknowedyouwerefarawayinforeignparts.ButIusedtopraytoGod."DearLordGod!"Iusedtosay,"letmeseeheragain."ItoldthechaplainasI"dbegintoprayforrepentance,atafterI"ddoneprayingthatImightseeyouonceagain:foritjustseemedtotakeallmystrengthtosaythosewordsasI"venamed.AndIthoughtashowGodknewwhatwasinmyheartbetterthanIcouldtellHim:howIwasmainandsorryforallasI"deverdonewrong;Iallayswere,atafteritwasdone;butI

thoughtasnoonecouldknowhowbitter-keenIwantedtoseeyou."

Againtheysankintosilence.Ellinorfeltasifshewouldfainbeawayandactiveinprocuringhisrelease;butshealsoperceivedhowpreciousherpresencewastohim;andshedidnotliketoleavehimamomentbeforethetimeallowedher.Hisvoicehadchangedtoaweak,pipingoldman"squaver,andbetweenthetimesofhistalkingheseemedtorelapseintoadreamystate;butthroughitallheheldherhandtight,asthoughafraidthatshewouldleavehim.

Sothehourelapsed,withnomorespokenwordsthanthoseabove.

FromtimetotimeEllinor"stearsdroppeddownuponherlap;shecouldnotrestrainthem,thoughshescarceknewwhyshecriedjustthen.

Atlengththeturnkeysaidthatthetimeallowedfortheinterviewwasended.Ellinorspokenoword;butrose,andbentdownandkissedtheoldman"sforehead,saying-

"Ishallcomebackto-morrow.Godkeepandcomfortyou!"

Soalmostwithoutanarticulatewordfromhiminreply(heroseup,andstoodonhisshakinglegs,asshebadehimfarewell,puttinghishandtohisheadwiththeoldhabitualmarkofrespect),shewentherway,swiftlyoutoftheprison,swiftlybackwithMr.Johnsontohishouse,scarcelypatientorstrongenoughinherhurrytoexplaintohimfullyallthatshemeanttodo.Sheonlyaskedhimafewabsolutelyrequisitequestions;andinformedhimofherintentiontogostraighttoLondontoseeJudgeCorbet.

Justbeforetherailwaycarriageinwhichshewasseatedstartedonthejourney,shebentforward,andputoutherhandoncemoretoMr.

Johnson."To-morrowIwillthankyouforall,"shesaid."Icannotnow.

ItwasaboutthesametimethatshehadreachedHellingfordonthepreviousnight,thatshearrivedattheGreatWesternstationonthisevening——pasteighto"clock.Onthewayshehadrememberedandarrangedmanythings:oneimportantquestionshehadomittedtoaskMr.Johnson;butthatwaseasilyremedied.ShehadnotenquiredwhereshecouldfindJudgeCorbet;ifshehad,Mr.Johnsoncouldprobablyhavegivenherhisprofessionaladdress.Asitwas,sheaskedforaPost-OfficeDirectoryatthehotel,andlookedoutforhisprivatedwelling——128HydeParkGardens.

Sherangforawaiter.

"CanIsendamessengertoHydeParkGardens?"shesaid,hurryingontoherbusiness,tiredandwornoutasshewas."ItisonlytoaskifJudgeCorbetisathomethisevening.Ifheis,Imustgoandseehim."

Thewaiterwasalittlesurprised,andwouldgladlyhavehadhernametoauthorisetheenquirybutshecouldnotbeartosendit:itwouldbebadenoughthatfirstmeeting,withoutthefeelingthathe,too,hadhadtimetorecallallthepastdays.Bettertogoinuponhimunprepared,andplungeintothesubject.

Thewaiterreturnedwiththeanswerwhilesheyetwaspacingupanddowntheroomrestlessly,nervingherselffortheinterview.

"ThemessengerhasbeentoHydeParkGardens,ma"am.TheJudgeandLadyCorbetaregoneouttodinner."

LadyCorbet!OfcourseEllinorknewthathewasmarried.HadshenotbeenpresentattheweddinginEastChesterCathedral?But,somehow,theserecenteventshadsocarriedherbacktooldtimes,thattheintimateassociationofthenames,"theJudgeandLadyCorbet,"seemedtoawakenheroutofsomedream.

"Oh,verywell,"shesaid,justasifthesethoughtswerenotpassingrapidlythroughhermind."Letmebecalledatsevento-morrowmorning,andletmehaveacabatthedoortoHydeParkGardensateight."

Andsoshewenttobed;butscarcelytosleep.Allnightlongshehadthescenesofthoseoldtimes,thehappy,happydaysofheryouth,theoneterriblenightthatcutallhappinessshort,presentbeforeher.Shecouldalmosthavefanciedthatsheheardthelong-

silentsoundsofherfather"sstep,herfather"swayofbreathing,therustleofhisnewspaperashehastilyturneditover,comingthroughthelapseofyears;thesilenceofthenight.Sheknewthatshehadthelittlewriting-caseofhergirlhoodwithher,inherbox.

Thetreasuresofthedeadthatitcontained,themorselofdaintysewing,thelittlesister"sgoldencurl,thehalf-finishedlettertoMr.Corbet,wereallthere.Shetookthemout,andlookedateachseparately;lookedatthemlong——longandwistfully."Willitbeofanyusetome?"shequestionedofherself,asshewasabouttoputherfather"sletterbackintoitsreceptacle.Shereadthelastwordsoveragain,oncemore:

"Frommydeath-bedIadjureyoutostandherfriend;Iwillbegpardononmykneesforanything."

"Iwilltakeit,"thoughtshe."Ineednotbringitout;mostlikelytherewillbenoneedforit,afterwhatIshallhavetosay.Allissoaltered,sochangedbetweenus,asutterlyasifitneverhadbeen,thatIthinkIshallhavenoshameinshowingithim,formyownpartofit.While,ifheseespoorpapa"s,dear,dearpapa"ssufferinghumility,itmaymakehimthinkmoregentlyofonewholovedhimoncethoughtheypartedinwrathwitheachother,I"mafraid."

SoshetooktheletterwithherwhenshedrovetoHydeParkGardens.

Everynerveinherbodywasinsuchahighstateoftensionthatshecouldhavescreamedoutatthecabman"sboisterousknockatthedoor.

Shegotouthastily,beforeanyonewasreadyorwillingtoanswersuchanuntimelysummons;paidthemandoublewhatheoughttohavehad;andstoodthere,sick,trembling,andhumble.

CHAPTERXVIANDLAST.

"IsJudgeCorbetathome?CanIseehim?"sheaskedofthefootman,whoatlengthansweredthedoor.

Helookedathercuriously,andalittlefamiliarly,beforehereplied,"Why,yes!He"sprettysuretobeathomeatthistimeofday;butwhetherhe"llseeyouisquiteanotherthing."

"Wouldyoubesogoodastoaskhim?Itisonveryparticularbusiness."

"Canyougivemeacard?yourname,perhaps,willdo,ifyouhavenotacard.Isay,Simmons"(toalady"s-maidcrossingthehall),"isthejudgeupyet?"

"Oh,yes!he"sinhisdressing-roomthishalf-hour.Myladyiscomingdowndirectly.Itisjustbreakfast-time."

"Can"tyouputitoffandcomeagain,alittlelater?"saidhe,turningoncemoretoEllinor——whiteEllinor!tremblingEllinor!

"No!pleaseletmecomein.Iwillwait.IamsureJudgeCorbetwillseeme,ifyouwilltellhimIamhere.MissWilkins.Hewillknowthename."

"Well,then;willyouwaitheretillIhavegotbreakfastin?"saidtheman,lettingherintothehall,andpointingtothebenchthere,hetookher,fromherdress,tobealady"s-maidorgoverness,oratmostatradesman"sdaughter;and,besides,hewasbehindhandwithallhispreparations.Shecameinandsatdown.

"YouwilltellhimIamhere,"shesaidfaintly.

"Oh,yes,neverfear:I"llsendupword,thoughIdon"tbelievehe"llcometoyoubeforebreakfast."

Hetoldapage,whoranupstairs,and,knockingatthejudge"sdoor,saidthataMissJenkinswantedtospeaktohim.

"Who?"askedthejudgefromtheinside.

"MissJenkins.Shesaidyouwouldknowthename,sir."

"NotI.Tellhertowait."

SoEllinorwaited.Presentlydownthestairs,withslowdeliberatedignity,camethehandsomeLadyCorbet,inherrustlingsilksandamplepetticoats,carryingherfineboy,andfollowedbyhermajesticnurse.Shewasill-pleasedthatanyoneshouldcomeandtakeupherhusband"stimewhenhewasathome,andsupposedtobeenjoyingdomesticleisure;andherimperious,inconsideratenaturedidnotprompthertoanycivilitytowardsthegentlecreaturesittingdown,wearyandheart-sick,inherhouse.Onthecontrary,shelookedheroverassheslowlydescended,tillEllinorshrankabashedfromthesteadygazeofthelargeblackeyes.Thenshe,herbabyandnurse,disappearedintothelargedining-room,intowhichallthepreparationsforbreakfasthadbeencarried.

Thenextpersontocomedownwouldbethejudge.Ellinorinstinctivelyputdownherveil.Sheheardhisquickdecidedstep;

shehadknownitwellofold.

Hegaveoneofhissharp,shrewdglancesatthepersonsittinginthehallandwaitingtospeaktohim,andhispractisedeyerecognisedtheladyatonce,inspiteofhertravel-worndress.

"Willyoujustcomeintothisroom?"saidhe,openingthedoorofhisstudy,tothefrontofthehouse:thedining-roomwastotheback;

theycommunicatedbyfolding-doors.

Theastutelawyerplacedhimselfwithhisbacktothewindow;itwasthenaturalpositionofthemasteroftheapartment;butitalsogavehimtheadvantageofseeinghiscompanion"sfaceinfulllight.

Ellinorliftedherveil;ithadonlybeenadisliketoarecognitioninthehallwhichhadmadeherputitdown.

JudgeCorbet"scountenancechangedmorethanhers;shehadbeenpreparedfortheinterview;hewasnot.Butheusuallyhadthefullcommandoftheexpressiononhisface.

"Ellinor!MissWilkins!isityou?"Andhewentforwards,holdingouthishandwithcordialgreeting,underwhichtheembarrassment,ifhefeltany,wascarefullyconcealed.Shecouldnotspeakallatonceinthewayshewished.

"ThatstupidHenrytoldme"Jenkins!"Ibegyourpardon.Howcouldtheyputyoudowntositinthehall?Youmustcomeinandhavesomebreakfastwithus;LadyCorbetwillbedelighted,I"msure."Hissenseoftheawkwardnessofthemeetingwiththewomanwhowasoncetohavebeenhiswife,andoftheprobableintroductionwhichwastofollowtothewomanwhowashisactualwifegrewuponhim,andmadehimspeakalittlehurriedly.Ellinor"snextwordswereawonderfulrelief;andhersoftgentlewayofspeakingwaslikethetouchofacoolingbalsam.

"Thankyou,youmustexcuseme.Iamcomestrictlyonbusiness,otherwiseIshouldneverhavethoughtofcallingonyouatsuchanhour.ItisaboutpoorDixon."

"Ah!Ithoughtasmuch!"saidthejudge,handingherachair,andsittingdownhimself.Hetriedtocomposehismindtobusiness,butinspiteofhisstrengthofcharacter,andhispresentefforts,theremembranceofoldtimeswouldcomebackatthesoundofhervoice.

Hewonderedifhewasasmuchchangedinappearanceasshestruckhimasbeinginthatfirstlookofrecognition;afterthatfirstglanceheratheravoidedmeetinghereyes.

"Iknewhowmuchyouwouldfeelit.SomeoneatHellingfordtoldmeyouwereabroad,inRome,Ithink.Butyoumustnotdistressyourselfunnecessarily;thesentenceissuretobecommutedtotransportation,orsomethingequivalent.IwastalkingtotheHomeSecretaryaboutitonlylastnight.Lapseoftimeandsubsequentgoodcharacterquiteprecludeanyideaofcapitalpunishment."Allthetimethathesaidthishehadotherthoughtsatthebackofhismind——somecuriosity,alittleregret,atouchofremorse,awonderhowthemeeting(which,ofcourse,wouldhavetobesometime)

betweenLadyCorbetandEllinorwouldgooff;buthespokeclearlyenoughonthesubjectinhand,andnooutwardmarkofdistractionfromitappeared.

Elmeranswered:

"Icametotellyou,whatIsupposemaybetoldtoanyjudge,inconfidenceandfullrelianceonhissecrecy,thatAbrahamDixonwasnotthemurderer."Shestoppedshort,andchokedalittle.

Thejudgelookedsharplyather.

"Thenyouknowwhowas?"saidhe.

"Yes,"shereplied,withalow,steadyvoice,lookinghimfullintheface,withsad,solemneyes.

Thetruthflashedintohismind.Heshadedhisface,anddidnotspeakforaminuteortwo.Thenhesaid,notlookingup,alittlehoarsely,"This,then,wastheshameyoutoldmeoflongago?"

"Yes,"saidshe.

Bothsatquitestill;quitesilentforsometime.Throughthesilenceasharp,clearvoicewasheardspeakingthroughthefolding-

doors.

"Takethekedgereedown,andtellthecooktokeepithotforthejudge.Itissotiresomepeoplecomingonbusinesshere,asifthejudgehadnothisproperhoursforbeingatchambers."

Hegotuphastily,andwentintothedining-room;buthehadaudiblysomedifficultyincurbinghiswife"sirritation.

Whenhecameback,Ellinorsaid:

"IamafraidIoughtnottohavecomeherenow."

"Oh!it"sallnonsense!"saidhe,inatoneofannoyance."You"vedonequiteright."Heseatedhimselfwherehehadbeenbefore;andagainhalfcoveredhisfacewithhishand.

"AndDixonknewofthis.IbelieveImustputthefactplainly——toyou——yourfatherwastheguiltyperson?hemurderedDunster?"

"Yes.Ifyoucallitmurder.Itwasdonebyablow,intheheatofpassion.NoonecanevertellhowDunsteralwaysirritatedpapa,"

saidEllinor,inastupid,heavyway;andthenshesighed.

"Howdoyouknowthis?"Therewasakindoftenderreluctanceinthejudge"svoice,asheputallthesequestions.Ellinorhadmadeuphermindbeforehandthatsomethinglikethemmustbeasked,andmustalsobeanswered;butshespokelikeasleep-walker.

"Icameintopapa"sroomjustafterhehadstruckMr.Dunstertheblow.Hewaslyinginsensible,aswethought——dead,ashereallywas."

"WhatwasDixon"spartinit?Hemusthaveknownagooddealaboutit.Andthehorse-lancetthatwasfoundwithhisnameuponit?"

"PapawenttowakeDixon,andhebroughthisfleam——Isupposetotryandbleedhim.Ihavesaidenough,haveInot?Iseemsoconfused.

ButIwillansweranyquestiontomakeitappearthatDixonisinnocent."

Thejudgehadbeennotingalldown.Hesatstillnowwithoutreplyingtoher.Thenhewroterapidly,referringtohispreviouspaper,fromtimetotime.InfiveminutesorsohereadthefactswhichEllinorhadstated,ashenowarrangedthem,inalegalandconnectedform.Hejustaskedheroneortwotrivialquestionsashedidso.Thenhereaditovertoher,andaskedhertosignit.Shetookupthepen,andheldit,hesitating.

"Thiswillneverbemadepublic?"saidshe.

"No;IshalltakecarethatnoonebuttheHomeSecretaryseesit."

"Thankyou.Icouldnothelpit,nowithascometothis."

"TherearenotmanymenlikeDixon,"saidthejudge,almosttohimself,ashesealedthepaperinanenvelope.

"No,"saidEllinor;"Ineverknewanyonesofaithful."

Andjustatthesamemomentthereflectiononalessfaithfulpersonthatthesewordsmightseemtoimplystruckbothofthem,andeachinstinctivelyglancedattheother.

"Ellinor!"saidthejudge,afteramoment"spause,"wearefriends,I

hope?"

"Yes;friends,"saidshe,quietlyandsadly.

Hefeltalittlechagrinedatheranswer.Why,hecouldhardlytell.

Tocoveranysignofhisfeelinghewentontalking.

"Whereareyoulivingnow?"

"AtEastChester."

"Butyoucomesometimestotown,don"tyou?Letusknowalways——

wheneveryoucome;andLadyCorbetshallcallonyou.Indeed,Iwishyou"dletmebringhertoseeyouto-day."

"Thankyou.IamgoingstraightbacktoHellingford;atleast,assoonasyoucangetmethepardonforDixon."

Hehalfsmiledatherignorance.

"Thepardonmustbesenttothesheriff,whoholdsthewarrantforhisexecution.But,ofcourse,youmayhaveeveryassurancethatitshallbesentassoonaspossible.Itisjustthesameasifhehaditnow."

"Thankyouverymuch,"saidEllinorrising.

"Praydon"tgowithoutbreakfast.IfyouwouldrathernotseeLadyCorbetjustnow,itshallbesentintoyouinthisroom,unlessyouhavealreadybreakfasted."

"No,thankyou;Iwouldrathernot.Youareverykind,andIamverygladtohaveseenyouonceagain.Thereisjustonethingmore,"

saidshe,colouringalittleandhesitating."Thisnotetoyouwasfoundunderpapa"spillowafterhisdeath;someofitreferstopastthings;butIshouldbegladifyoucouldthinkaskindlyasyoucanofpoorpapa——andso——ifyouwillreadit——"

Hetookitandreadit,notwithoutemotion.Thenhelaiditdownonhistable,andsaid-

"Poorman!hemusthavesufferedagreatdealforthatnight"swork.

Andyou,Ellinor,youhavesuffered,too."

Yes,shehadsuffered;andhewhospokehadbeenoneoftheinstrumentsofhersuffering,althoughheseemedforgetfulofit.

Sheshookherheadalittleforreply.Thenshelookedupathim——

theywerebothstandingatthetime——andsaid:

"IthinkIshallbehappiernow.Ialwaysknewitmustbefoundout.

Oncemore,good-by,andthankyou.Imaytakethisletter,I

suppose?"saidshe,castingenviouslovingeyesatherfather"snote,lyingunregardedonthetable.

"Oh!certainly,certainly,"saidhe;andthenhetookherhand;heheldit,whilehelookedintoherface.Hehadthoughtitchangedwhenhehadfirstseenher,butitwasnowalmostthesametohimasofyore.Thesweetshyeyes,theindicateddimpleinthecheek,andsomethingoffeverhadbroughtafaintpinkflushintoherusuallycolourlesscheeks.Marriedjudgethoughhewas,hewasnotsureifshehadnotmorecharmsforhimstillinhersorrowandhershabbinessthanthehandsomestatelywifeinthenextroom,whoselookshadnotbeenofthepleasantestwhenheleftherafewminutesbefore.HesighedalittleregretfullyasEllinorwentaway.Hehadobtainedthepositionhehadstruggledfor,andsacrificedfor;butnowhecouldnothelpwishingthattheslaughteredcreaturelaidontheshrineofhisambitionwerealiveagain.

Thekedgereewasbroughtupagain,smokinghot,butitremaineduntastedbyhim;andthoughheappearedtobereadingtheTimes,hedidnotseeawordofthedistincttype.Hiswife,meanwhile,continuedhercomplaintsoftheuntimelyvisitor,whosenamehedidnotgivetoherinitscorrectedform,ashewasnotanxiousthatsheshouldhaveitinherpowertoidentifythecallofthismorningwithapossiblefutureacquaintance.

WhenEllinorreachedMr.Johnson"shouseinHellingfordthatafternoon,shefoundMissMonrowasthere,andthatshehadbeenwithmuchdifficultyrestrainedbyMr.JohnsonfromfollowinghertoLondon.

MissMonrofondledandpurredinarticulatelythroughhertearsoverherrecovereddarling,beforeshecouldspeakintelligiblyenoughtotellherthatCanonLivingstonehadcomestraighttoseeherimmediatelyonhisreturntoEastChester,andhadsuggestedherjourneytoHellingford,inorderthatshemightbeofallthecomfortshecouldtoEllinor.ShedidnotatfirstletoutthathehadaccompaniedhertoHellingford;shewasalittleafraidofEllinor"sdispleasureathisbeingthere;EllinorhadalwaysobjectedsomuchtoanyadvancetowardsintimacywithhimthatMissMonrohadwishedtomake.ButEllinorwasdifferentnow.

"Howwhiteyouare,Nelly!"saidMissMonro."Youhavebeentravellingtoomuchandtoofast,mychild."

"Myheadaches!"saidEllinor,wearily."ButImustgotothecastle,andtellmypoorDixonthatheisreprieved——Iamsotired!

WillyouaskMr.Johnsontogetmeleavetoseehim?Hewillknowallaboutit."

Shethrewherselfdownonthebedinthespareroom;thebedwiththeheavybluecurtains.Afteranunheededremonstrance,MissMonrowenttodoherbidding.Butitwasnowlateafternoon,andMr.Johnsonsaidthatitwouldbeimpossibleforhimtogetpermissionfromthesheriffthatnight.

"Besides,"saidhe,courteously,"onescarcelyknowswhetherMissWilkinsmaynotgivetheoldmanfalsehopes——whethershehasnotbeenexcitedtohavefalsehopesherself;itmightbeacruelkindnesstoletherseehim,withoutmorelegalcertaintyastowhathissentence,orreprieve,istobe.Byto-morrowmorning,ifIhaveproperlyunderstoodherstory,whichwasalittleconfused——"

"Sheissodreadfullytired,poorcreature,"putinMissMonro,whonevercouldbeartheshadowofasuspicionthatEllinorwasnotwisest,best,inallrelationsandsituationsoflife.

Mr.Johnsonwenton,withadeprecatorybow:"Well,then——itreallyistheonlycourseopentoherbesides——persuadehertorestforthisevening.Byto-morrowmorningIwillhaveobtainedthesheriff"sleave,andhewillmostlikelyhaveheardfromLondon."

"Thankyou!Ibelievethatwillbebest."

"Itistheonlycourse,"saidhe.

WhenMissMonroreturnedtothebedroom,Ellinorwasinaheavyfeverishslumber;sofeverishandsouneasydidsheappear,that,afterthehesitationofamomentortwo,MissMonrohadnoscrupleinwakeningher.

Butshedidnotappeartounderstandtheanswertoherrequest;shedidnotseemeventorememberthatshehadmadeanyrequest.

ThejourneytoEngland,themisery,thesurprises,hadbeentoomuchforher.Themorrowmorningcame,bringingtheformalfreepardonforAbrahamDixon.Thesheriff"sorderforheradmissiontoseetheoldmanlayawaitingherwishtouseit;butsheknewnothingofallthis.

Fordays,nayweeks,shehoveredbetweenlifeanddeath,tended,asofold,byMissMonro,whilegoodMrs.Johnsonwaseverwillingtoassist.

OnesummereveninginearlyJuneshewakenedintomemory,MissMonroheardthefaintpipingvoice,asshekeptherwatchbythebedside.

"WhereisDixon?"askedshe.

"Atthecanon"shouseatBromham."ThiswasthenameofDr.

Livingstone"scountyparish.

"Why?"

"Wethoughtitbettertogethimintocountryairandfreshscenesatonce."

"Howishe?"

"Muchbetter.Getstrong,andheshallcometoseeyou."

"Youaresureallisright?"saidEllinor.

"Sure,mydear.Allisquiteright."

ThenEllinorwenttosleepagainoutofveryweaknessandweariness.

Fromthattimesherecoveredprettysteadily.HergreatdesirewastoreturntoEastChesterassoonaspossible.Theassociationsofgrief,anxiety,andcomingillness,connectedwithHellingford,madeherwishtobeonceagaininthesolemn,quiet,sunnycloseofEastChester.

CanonLivingstonecameovertoassistMissMonroinmanagingthejourneywithherinvalid.ButhedidnotintrudehimselfuponEllinor,anymorethanhehaddoneincomingfromhome.

Themorningafterherreturn,MissMonrosaid:

"DoyoufeelstrongenoughtoseeDixon?"

"Ishehere?"

"Heisatthecanon"shouse.HesentforhimfromBromham,inorderthathemightbereadyforyoutoseehimwhenyouwished."

"Pleaselethimcomedirectly,"saidEllinor,flushingandtrembling.

Shewenttothedoortomeetthetotteringoldman;sheledhimtotheeasy-chairthathadbeenplacedandarrangedforherself;shekneltdownbeforehim,andputhishandsonherhead,hetremblingandshakingallthewhile.

"Forgivemealltheshameandmisery,Dixon.Sayyouforgiveme;andgivemeyourblessing.Andthenletneverawordoftheterriblepastbespokenbetweenus."

"It"snotformetoforgiveyou,asneverdidharmtonoone——"

"Butsayyoudo——itwilleasemyheart."

"Iforgivethee!"saidhe.Andthenheraisedhimselftohisfeetwitheffort,and,standingupaboveher,heblessedhersolemnly.

Afterthathesatdown,shebyhim,gazingathim.

"Yon"sagoodman,missy,"hesaid,atlength,liftinghissloweyesandlookingather."Betternort"othereverwas."

"Heisagoodman,"saidEllinor.

Butnomorewasspokenonthesubject.Thenextday,CanonLivingstonemadehisformalcall.EllinorwouldfainhavekeptMissMonrointheroom,butthatworthyladyknewbetterthantostop.

Theywenton,forcingtalkonindifferentsubjects.Atlasthecouldspeaknolongeroneverythingbutthatwhichhehadmostatheart.

"MissWilkins!"(hehadgotup,andwasstandingbythemantelpiece,apparentlyexaminingtheornamentsuponit)——"MissWilkins!isthereanychanceofyourgivingmeafavourableanswernow——youknowwhatI

mean——whatwespokeaboutattheGreatWesternHotel,thatday?"

Ellinorhungherhead.

"YouknowthatIwasonceengagedbefore?"

"Yes!Iknow;toMr.Corbet——hethatisnowthejudge;youcannotsupposethatwouldmakeanydifference,ifthatisall.Ihavelovedyou,andyouonly,eversincewemet,eighteenyearsago.MissWilkins——Ellinor——putmeoutofsuspense."

"Iwill!"saidshe,puttingoutherthinwhitehandforhimtotakeandkiss,almostwithtearsofgratitude,butsheseemedfrightenedathisimpetuosity,andtriedtocheckhim."Wait——youhavenotheardall——mypoor,poorfather,inafitofanger,irritatedbeyondhisbearing,strucktheblowthatkilledMr.Dunster——DixonandI

knewofit,justaftertheblowwasstruck——wehelpedtohideit——wekeptthesecret——mypoorfatherdiedofsorrowandremorse——younowknowall——canyoustillloveme?ItseemstomeasifIhadbeenanaccompliceinsuchaterriblething!"

"Poor,poorEllinor!"saidhe,nowtakingherinhisarmsasashelter."HowIwishIhadknownofallthisyearsandyearsago:I

couldhavestoodbetweenyouandsomuch!"

ThosewhopassthroughthevillageofBromham,andpausetolookoverthelaurel-hedgethatseparatestherectorygardenfromtheroad,mayoftensee,onsummerdays,anold,oldman,sittinginawicker-

chair,outuponthelawn.Heleansuponhisstick,andseldomraiseshisbenthead;butforallthathiseyesareonalevelwiththetwolittlefairychildrenwhocometohiminalltheirsmalljoysandsorrows,andwholearnttolisphisnamealmostassoonastheydidthatoftheirfatherandmother.

NorisMissMonrooftenabsent;andalthoughshepreferstoretaintheoldhouseintheCloseforwinterquarters,shegenerallymakesherwayacrosstoCanonLivingstone"sresidenceeveryevening.

SOENDS"ADARKNIGHT"SWORK."