第4章

walkingaboutoutside，andstraininghereyesalongthehighwayfortheexpectedone。Buteachcloudofdustthatenlargedinthedistanceanddrewnearwasfoundtodiscloseaconveyanceotherthanhispost-chaise。Barbararemainedtilltheappointmentwastwohourspassed，andthenbegantofearthatowingtosomeadversewindintheChannelhewasnotcomingthatnight。

Whilewaitingshewasconsciousofacurioustrepidationthatwasnotentirelysolicitude，anddidnotamounttodread；hertensestateofincertitudeborderedbothondisappointmentandonrelief。

Shehadlivedsixorsevenweekswithanimperfectlyeducatedyethandsomehusbandwhomnowshehadnotseenforseventeenmonths，andwhowassochangedphysicallybyanaccidentthatshewasassuredshewouldhardlyknowhim。Canwewonderathercompoundstateofmind?

ButherimmediatedifficultywastogetawayfromLorntonInn，forhersituationwasbecomingembarrassing。LiketoomanyofBarbara"sactions，thisdrivehadbeenundertakenwithoutmuchreflection。

Expectingtowaitnomorethanafewminutesforherhusbandinhispost-chaise，andtoenteritwithhim，shehadnothesitatedtoisolateherselfbysendingbackherownlittlevehicle。Shenowfoundthat，beingsowellknowninthisneighbourhood，herexcursiontomeetherlong-absenthusbandwasexcitinggreatinterest。Shewasconsciousthatmoreeyeswerewatchingherfromtheinn-windowsthanmetherowngaze。Barbarahaddecidedtogethomebyhiringwhateverkindofconveyancethetavernafforded，when，straininghereyesforthelasttimeoverthenowdarkeninghighway，sheperceivedyetanotherdust-clouddrawingnear。Shepaused；achariotascendedtotheinn，andwouldhavepassedhadnotitsoccupantcaughtsightofherstandingexpectantly。Thehorseswerecheckedontheinstant。

"Youhere——andalone，mydearMrs。Willowes?"saidLordUplandtowers，whosecarriageitwas。

Sheexplainedwhathadbroughtherintothislonelysituation；and，ashewasgoinginthedirectionofherownhome，sheacceptedhisofferofaseatbesidehim。Theirconversationwasembarrassedandfragmentaryatfirst；butwhentheyhaddrivenamileortwoshewassurprisedtofindherselftalkingearnestlyandwarmlytohim:herimpulsivenesswasintruthbutthenaturalconsequenceofherlateexistence——asomewhatdesolateonebyreasonofthestrangemarriageshehadmade；andthereisnomoreindiscreetmoodthanthatofawomansurprisedintotalkwhohaslongbeenimposinguponherselfapolicyofreserve。Thereforeheringenuousheartrosewithaboundintoherthroatwhen，inresponsetohisleadingquestions，orratherhints，sheallowedhertroublestoleakoutofher。LordUplandtowerstookherquitetoherowndoor，althoughhehaddriventhreemilesoutofhiswaytodoso；andinhandingherdownsheheardfromhimawhisperofsternreproach:"Itneednothavebeenthusifyouhadlistenedtome!"

Shemadenoreply，andwentindoors。There，astheeveningworeaway，sheregrettedmoreandmorethatshehadbeensofriendlywithLordUplandtowers。Buthehadlaunchedhimselfuponhersounexpectedly:ifshehadonlyforeseenthemeetingwithhim，whatacarefullineofconductshewouldhavemarkedout!Barbarabrokeintoaperspirationofdisquietwhenshethoughtofherunreserve，and，inself-chastisement，resolvedtosituptillmidnightonthebarechanceofEdmond"sreturn；directingthatsuppershouldbelaidforhim，improbableashisarrivaltillthemorrowwas。

Thehourswentpast，andtherewasdeadsilenceinandroundaboutYewsholtLodge，exceptforthesoughingofthetrees；till，whenitwasnearuponmidnight，sheheardthenoiseofhoofsandwheelsapproachingthedoor。Knowingthatitcouldonlybeherhusband，Barbarainstantlywentintothehalltomeethim。Yetshestoodtherenotwithoutasensationoffaintness，somanywerethechangessincetheirparting!And，owingtohercasualencounterwithLordUplandtowers，hisvoiceandimagestillremainedwithher，excludingEdmond，herhusband，fromtheinnercircleofherimpressions。

Butshewenttothedoor，andthenextmomentafiguresteppedinside，ofwhichsheknewtheoutline，butlittlebesides。Herhusbandwasattiredinaflappingblackcloakandslouchedhat，appearingaltogetherasaforeigner，andnotastheyoungEnglishburgesswhohadleftherside。Whenhecameforwardintothelightofthelamp，sheperceivedwithsurprise，andalmostwithfright，thatheworeamask。Atfirstshehadnotnoticedthis——therebeingnothinginitscolourwhichwouldleadacasualobservertothinkhewaslookingonanythingbutarealcountenance。

Hemusthaveseenherstartofdismayattheunexpectednessofhisappearance，forhesaidhastily:"Ididnotmeantocomeintoyoulikethis——Ithoughtyouwouldhavebeeninbed。Howgoodyouare，dearBarbara!"Heputhisarmroundher，buthedidnotattempttokissher。

"OEdmond——itISyou?——itmustbe?"shesaid，withclaspedhands，forthoughhisfigureandmovementwerealmostenoughtoproveit，andthetoneswerenotunliketheoldtones，theenunciationwassoalteredastoseemthatofastranger。

"Iamcoveredlikethistohidemyselffromthecuriouseyesoftheinn-servantsandothers，"hesaid，inalowvoice。"Iwillsendbackthecarriageandjoinyouinamoment。"

"Youarequitealone?"

"Quite。MycompanionstoppedatSouthampton。"

Thewheelsofthepost-chaiserolledawayassheenteredthedining-

room，wherethesupperwasspread；andpresentlyherejoinedherthere。Hehadremovedhiscloakandhat，butthemaskwasstillretained；andshecouldnowseethatitwasofspecialmake，ofsomeflexiblemateriallikesilk，colouredsoastorepresentflesh；itjoinednaturallytothefronthair，andwasotherwisecleverlyexecuted。

"Barbara——youlookill，"hesaid，removinghisglove，andtakingherhand。

"Yes——Ihavebeenill，"saidshe。

"Isthisprettylittlehouseours?"

"O——yes。"Shewashardlyconsciousofherwords，forthehandhehadunglovedinordertotakeherswascontorted，andhadoneortwoofitsfingersmissing；whilethroughthemaskshediscernedthetwinkleofoneeyeonly。

"Iwouldgiveanythingtokissyou，dearest，now，atthismoment!"

hecontinued，withmournfulpassionateness。"ButIcannot——inthisguise。Theservantsareabed，Isuppose?"

"Yes，"saidshe。"ButIcancallthem?Youwillhavesomesupper?"

Hesaidhewouldhavesome，butthatitwasnotnecessarytocallanybodyatthathour。Thereupontheyapproachedthetable，andsatdown，facingeachother。

DespiteBarbara"sscaredstateofmind，itwasforceduponhernoticethatherhusbandtrembled，asifhefearedtheimpressionhewasproducing，orwasabouttoproduce，asmuchas，ormorethan，she。Hedrewnearer，andtookherhandagain。

"IhadthismaskmadeatVenice，"hebegan，inevidentembarrassment。"MydarlingBarbara——mydearestwife——doyouthinkyou——willmindwhenItakeitoff?Youwillnotdislikeme——willyou?"

"OEdmond，ofcourseIshallnotmind，"saidshe。"Whathashappenedtoyouisourmisfortune；butIampreparedforit。"

"Areyousureyouareprepared?"

"Oyes!Youaremyhusband。"

"Youreallyfeelquiteconfidentthatnothingexternalcanaffectyou?"hesaidagain，inavoicerendereduncertainbyhisagitation。

"IthinkIam——quite，"sheansweredfaintly。

Hebenthishead。"Ihope，Ihopeyouare，"hewhispered。

Inthepausewhichfollowed，thetickingoftheclockinthehallseemedtogrowloud；andheturnedalittleasidetoremovethemask。Shebreathlesslyawaitedtheoperation，whichwasoneofsometediousness，watchinghimonemoment，avertingherfacethenext；

andwhenitwasdonesheshuthereyesatthehideousspectaclethatwasrevealed。Aquickspasmofhorrorhadpassedthroughher；butthoughshequailedsheforcedherselftoregardhimanew，repressingthecrythatwouldnaturallyhaveescapedfromherashylips。

Unabletolookathimlonger，Barbarasankdownonthefloorbesideherchair，coveringhereyes。

"Youcannotlookatme!"hegroanedinahopelessway。"Iamtooterribleanobjectevenforyoutobear!Iknewit；yetIhopedagainstit。Oh，thisisabitterfate——cursetheskillofthoseVenetiansurgeonswhosavedmealive!……Lookup，Barbara，"hecontinuedbeseechingly；"viewmecompletely；sayyouloatheme，ifyoudoloatheme，andsettlethecasebetweenusforever!"

Hisunhappywifepulledherselftogetherforadesperatestrain。HewasherEdmond；hehaddonehernowrong；hehadsuffered。A

momentarydevotiontohimhelpedher，andliftinghereyesasbiddensheregardedthishumanremnant，thisecorche，asecondtime。Butthesightwastoomuch。Sheagaininvoluntarilylookedasideandshuddered。

"Doyouthinkyoucangetusedtothis?"hesaid。"Yesorno!Canyoubearsuchathingofthecharnel-housenearyou?Judgeforyourself；Barbara。YourAdonis，yourmatchlessman，hascometothis!"

Thepoorladystoodbesidehimmotionless，savefortherestlessnessofhereyes。Allhernaturalsentimentsofaffectionandpityweredrivencleanoutofherbyasortofpanic；shehadjustthesamesenseofdismayandfearfulnessthatshewouldhavehadinthepresenceofanapparition。Shecouldnohowfancythistobeherchosenone——themanshehadloved；hewasmetamorphosedtoaspecimenofanotherspecies。"Idonotloatheyou，"shesaidwithtrembling。"ButIamsohorrified——soovercome!Letmerecovermyself。Willyousupnow?AndwhileyoudosomayIgotomyroomto——regainmyoldfeelingforyou?Iwilltry，ifImayleaveyouawhile?Yes，Iwilltry!"

Withoutwaitingforananswerfromhim，andkeepinghergazecarefullyaverted，thefrightenedwomancrepttothedoorandoutoftheroom。Sheheardhimsitdowntothetable，asiftobeginsupperthough，Heavenknows，hisappetitewasslightenoughafterareceptionwhichhadconfirmedhisworstsurmises。WhenBarbarahadascendedthestairsandarrivedinherchambershesankdown，andburiedherfaceinthecoverletofthebed。

Thussheremainedforsometime。Thebed-chamberwasoverthedining-room，andpresentlyasshekneltBarbaraheardWillowesthrustbackhischair，andrisetogointothehall。Infiveminutesthatfigurewouldprobablycomeupthestairsandconfrontheragain；it，——thisnewandterribleform，thatwasnotherhusband"s。Inthelonelinessofthisnight，withneithermaidnorfriendbesideher，shelostallself-control，andatthefirstsoundofhisfootsteponthestairs，withoutsomuchasflingingacloakroundher，sheflewfromtheroom，ranalongthegallerytothebackstaircase，whichshedescended，and，unlockingthebackdoor，letherselfout。Shescarcelywasawarewhatshehaddonetillshefoundherselfinthegreenhouse，crouchingonaflower-stand。

Heresheremained，hergreattimideyesstrainedthroughtheglassuponthegardenwithout，andherskirtsgatheredup，infearofthefield-micewhichsometimescamethere。Everymomentshedreadedtohearfootstepswhichsheoughtbylawtohavelongedfor，andavoicethatshouldhavebeenasmusictohersoul。ButEdmondWillowescamenotthatway。Thenightsweregettingshortatthisseason，andsoonthedawnappeared，andthefirstraysofthesun。

Bydaylightshehadlessfearthaninthedark。Shethoughtshecouldmeethim，andaccustomherselftothespectacle。

Sothemuch-triedyoungwomanunfastenedthedoorofthehot-house，andwentbackbythewayshehademergedafewhoursago。Herpoorhusbandwasprobablyinbedandasleep，hisjourneyhavingbeenlong；andshemadeaslittlenoiseaspossibleinherentry。Thehousewasjustasshehadleftit，andshelookedaboutinthehallforhiscloakandhat，butshecouldnotseethem；nordidsheperceivethesmalltrunkwhichhadbeenallthathebroughtwithhim，hisheavierbaggagehavingbeenleftatSouthamptonfortheroad-waggon。Shesummonedcouragetomountthestairs；thebedroom-

doorwasopenasshehadleftit。Shefearfullypeepedround；thebedhadnotbeenpressed。Perhapshehadlaindownonthedining-

roomsofa。Shedescendedandentered；hewasnotthere。Onthetablebesidehisunsoiledplatelayanote，hastilywrittenontheleafofapocket-book。Itwassomethinglikethis:

"MYEVER-BELOVEDWIFE——TheeffectthatmyforbiddingappearancehasproduceduponyouwasonewhichIforesawasquitepossible。I

hopedagainstit，butfoolishlyso。IwasawarethatnoHUMANlovecouldsurvivesuchacatastrophe。IconfessIthoughtyoursDIVINE；

but，aftersolonganabsence，therecouldnotbeleftsufficientwarmthtoovercomethetoonaturalfirstaversion。Itwasanexperiment，andithasfailed。Idonotblameyou；perhaps，even，itisbetterso。Good-bye。IleaveEnglandforoneyear。Youwillseemeagainattheexpirationofthattime，ifIlive。ThenIwillascertainyourtruefeeling；and，ifitbeagainstme，goawayforever。E。W。"

Onrecoveringfromhersurprise，Barbara"sremorsewassuchthatshefeltherselfabsolutelyunforgiveable。Sheshouldhaveregardedhimasanafflictedbeing，andnothavebeenthisslavetomereeyesight，likeachild。Tofollowhimandentreathimtoreturnwasherfirstthought。Butonmakinginquiriesshefoundthatnobodyhadseenhim:hehadsilentlydisappeared。

Morethanthis，toundothesceneoflastnightwasimpossible。Herterrorhadbeentooplain，andhewasamanunlikelytobecoaxedbackbyhereffortstodoherduty。Shewentandconfessedtoherparentsallthathadoccurred；which，indeed，soonbecameknowntomorepersonsthanthoseofherownfamily。

Theyearpassed，andhedidnotreturn；anditwasdoubtedifhewerealive。Barbara"scontritionforherunconquerablerepugnancewasnowsuchthatshelongedtobuildachurch-aisle，orerectamonument，anddevoteherselftodeedsofcharityfortheremainderofherdays。TothatendshemadeinquiryoftheexcellentparsonunderwhomshesatonSundays，ataverticaldistanceoftwentyfeet。Buthecouldonlyadjusthiswigandtaphissnuff-box；forsuchwasthelukewarmstateofreligioninthosedays，thatnotanaisle，steeple，porch，eastwindow，Ten-Commandmentboard，lion-and-

unicorn，orbrasscandlestick，wasrequiredanywhereatallintheneighbourhoodasavotiveofferingfromadistractedsoul——thelastcenturycontrastinggreatlyinthisrespectwiththehappytimesinwhichwelive，whenurgentappealsforcontributionstosuchobjectspourinbyeverymorning"spost，andnearlyallchurcheshavebeenmadetolooklikenewpennies。Asthepoorladycouldnoteaseherconsciencethisway，shedeterminedatleasttobecharitable，andsoonhadthesatisfactionoffindingherporchthrongedeverymorningbytheraggedest，idlest，mostdrunken，hypocritical，andworthlesstrampsinChristendom。

Buthumanheartsareaspronetochangeastheleavesofthecreeperonthewall，andinthecourseoftime，hearingnothingofherhusband，Barbaracouldsitunmovedwhilsthermotherandfriendssaidinherhearing，"Well，whathashappenedisforthebest。"Shebegantothinksoherself；forevennowshecouldnotsummonupthatloppedandmutilatedformwithoutashiver，thoughwheneverhermindflewbacktoherearlyweddeddays，andthemanwhohadstoodbesideherthen，athrilloftendernessmovedher，whichifquickenedbyhislivingpresencemighthavebecomestrong。Shewasyoungandinexperienced，andhadhardlyonhislatereturngrownoutofthecapriciousfanciesofgirlhood。

Buthedidnotcomeagain，andwhenshethoughtofhiswordthathewouldreturnoncemore，ifliving，andhowunlikelyhewastobreakhisword，shegavehimupfordead。Sodidherparents；soalsodidanotherperson——thatmanofsilence，ofirresistibleincisiveness，ofstillcountenance，whowasasawakeassevensentinelswhenheseemedtobeassoundasleepasthefiguresonhisfamilymonument。

LordUplandtowers，thoughnotyetthirty，hadchuckledlikeacausticfogeyofthreescorewhenheheardofBarbara"sterrorandflightatherhusband"sreturn，andofthelatter"spromptdeparture。Hefeltprettysure，however，thatWillowes，despitehishurtfeelings，wouldhavereappearedtoclaimhisbright-eyedpropertyifhehadbeenaliveattheendofthetwelvemonths。

Astherewasnohusbandtolivewithher，Barbarahadrelinquishedthehousepreparedforthembyherfather，andtakenupherabodeanewatCheneManor，asinthedaysofhergirlhood。BydegreestheepisodewithEdmondWillowesseemedbutafevereddream，andasthemonthsgrewtoyearsLordUplandtowers"friendshipwiththepeopleatChene——whichhadsomewhatcooledafterBarbara"selopement——

revivedconsiderably，andheagainbecameafrequentvisitorthere。

HecouldnotmakethemosttrivialalterationorimprovementatKnollingwoodHall，wherehelived，withoutridingofftoconsultwithhisfriendSirJohnatChene；andthusputtinghimselffrequentlyunderhereyes，Barbaragrewaccustomedtohim，andtalkedtohimasfreelyastoabrother。Sheevenbegantolookuptohimasapersonofauthority，judgment，andprudence；andthoughhisseverityonthebenchtowardspoachers，smugglers，andturnip-

stealerswasmatterofcommonnotoriety，shetrustedthatmuchofwhatwassaidmightbemisrepresentation。

Thustheylivedontillherhusband"sabsencehadstretchedtoyears，andtherecouldbenolongeranydoubtofhisdeath。A

passionlessmannerofrenewinghisaddressesseemednolongeroutofplaceinLordUplandtowers。Barbaradidnotlovehim，butherswasessentiallyoneofthosesweet-peaorwith-windnatureswhichrequireatwigofstouterfibrethanitsowntohanguponandbloom。

Now，too，shewasolder，andadmittedtoherselfthatamanwhoseancestorhadrunscoresofSaracensthroughandthroughinfightingforthesiteoftheHolySepulchrewasamoredesirablehusband，sociallyconsidered，thanonewhocouldonlyclaimwithcertaintytoknowthathisfatherandgrandfatherwererespectableburgesses。

SirJohntookoccasiontoinformherthatshemightlegallyconsiderherselfawidow；and，inbrief；LordUplandtowerscarriedhispointwithher，andshemarriedhim，thoughhecouldnevergethertoownthatshelovedhimasshehadlovedWillowes。InmychildhoodI

knewanoldladywhosemothersawthewedding，andshesaidthatwhenLordandLadyUplandtowersdroveawayfromherfather"shouseintheeveningitwasinacoach-and-four，andthatmyladywasdressedingreenandsilver，andworethegayesthatandfeatherthateverwereseen；thoughwhetheritwasthatthegreendidnotsuithercomplexion，orotherwise，theCountesslookedpale，andthereverseofblooming。AftertheirmarriageherhusbandtookhertoLondon，andshesawthegaietiesofaseasonthere；thentheyreturnedtoKnollingwoodHall，andthusayearpassedaway。

Beforetheirmarriageherhusbandhadseemedtocarebutlittleaboutherinabilitytolovehimpassionately。"Onlyletmewinyou，"hehadsaid，"andIwillsubmittoallthat。"Butnowherlackofwarmthseemedtoirritatehim，andheconductedhimselftowardsherwitharesentfulnesswhichledtoherpassingmanyhourswithhiminpainfulsilence。Theheir-presumptivetothetitlewasaremoterelative，whomLordUplandtowersdidnotexcludefromthedislikeheentertainedtowardsmanypersonsandthingsbesides，andhehadsethisminduponalinealsuccessor。Heblamedhermuchthattherewasnopromiseofthis，andaskedherwhatshewasgoodfor。

Onaparticulardayinhergloomylifealetter，addressedtoherasMrs。Willowes，reachedLadyUplandtowersfromanunexpectedquarter。

AsculptorinPisa，knowingnothingofhersecondmarriage，informedherthatthelong-delayedlife-sizestatueofMr。Willowes，which，whenherhusbandleftthatcity，hehadbeendirectedtoretaintillitwassentfor，wasstillinhisstudio。Ashiscommissionhadnotwhollybeenpaid，andthestatuewastakinguproomhecouldillspare，heshouldbegladtohavethedebtclearedoff，anddirectionswheretoforwardthefigure。ArrivingatatimewhentheCountesswasbeginningtohavelittlesecrets(ofaharmlesskind，itistrue)fromherhusband，byreasonoftheirgrowingestrangement，sherepliedtothisletterwithoutsayingawordtoLordUplandtowers，sendingoffthebalancethatwasowingtothesculptor，andtellinghimtodespatchthestatuetoherwithoutdelay。

ItwassomeweeksbeforeitarrivedatKnollingwoodHall，and，byasingularcoincidence，duringtheintervalshereceivedthefirstabsolutelyconclusivetidingsofherEdmond"sdeath。Ithadtakenplaceyearsbefore，inaforeignland，aboutsixmonthsaftertheirparting，andhadbeeninducedbythesufferingshehadalreadyundergone，coupledwithmuchdepressionofspirit，whichhadcausedhimtosuccumbtoaslightailment。ThenewswassentherinabriefandformalletterfromsomerelativeofWillowes"sinanotherpartofEngland。

Hergrieftooktheformofpassionatepityforhismisfortunes，andofreproachtoherselfforneverhavingbeenabletoconquerheraversiontohislatterimagebyrecollectionofwhatNaturehadoriginallymadehim。ThesadspectaclethathadgonefromearthhadneverbeenherEdmondatalltoher。Othatshecouldhavemethimashewasatfirst!ThusBarbarathought。Itwasonlyafewdayslaterthatawaggonwithtwohorses，containinganimmensepacking-

case，wasseenatbreakfast-timebothbyBarbaraandherhusbandtodriveroundtothebackofthehouse，andby-and-bytheywereinformedthatacaselabelled"Sculpture"hadarrivedforherladyship。

"Whatcanthatbe?"saidLordUplandtowers。

"ItisthestatueofpoorEdmond，whichbelongstome，buthasneverbeensenttillnow，"sheanswered。

"Whereareyougoingtoputit?"askedhe。

"Ihavenotdecided，"saidtheCountess。"Anywhere，sothatitwillnotannoyyou。"

"Oh，itwon"tannoyme，"sayshe。

Whenithadbeenunpackedinabackroomofthehouse，theywenttoexamineit。Thestatuewasafull-lengthfigure，inthepurestCarraramarble，representingEdmondWillowesinallhisoriginalbeauty，ashehadstoodatpartingfromherwhenabouttosetoutonhistravels；aspecimenofmanhoodalmostperfectineverylineandcontour。Theworkhadbeencarriedoutwithabsolutefidelity。

"Phoebus-Apollo，sure，"saidtheEarlofUplandtowers，whohadneverseenWillowes，realorrepresented，tillnow。

Barbaradidnothearhim。Shewasstandinginasortoftrancebeforethefirsthusband，asifshehadnoconsciousnessoftheotherhusbandatherside。ThemutilatedfeaturesofWilloweshaddisappearedfromhermind"seye；thisperfectbeingwasreallythemanshehadloved，andnotthatlaterpitiablefigure；inwhomloveandtruthshouldhaveseenthisimagealways，buthadnotdoneso。

ItwasnottillLordUplandtowerssaidroughly，"Areyougoingtostayhereallthemorningworshippinghim?"thatsherousedherself。

HerhusbandhadnottillnowtheleastsuspicionthatEdmondWillowesoriginallylookedthus，andhethoughthowdeepwouldhavebeenhisjealousyyearsagoifWilloweshadbeenknowntohim。

ReturningtotheHallintheafternoonhefoundhiswifeinthegallery，whitherthestatuehadbeenbrought。

Shewaslostinreveriebeforeit，justasinthemorning。

"Whatareyoudoing?"heasked。

Shestartedandturned。"Iamlookingatmyhusb-mystatue，toseeifitiswelldone，"shestammered。"WhyshouldInot?"

"There"snoreasonwhy，"hesaid。"Whatareyougoingtodowiththemonstrousthing?Itcan"tstandhereforever。"

"Idon"twishit，"shesaid。"I"llfindaplace。"

Inherboudoirtherewasadeeprecess，andwhiletheEarlwasabsentfromhomeforafewdaysinthefollowingweek，shehiredjoinersfromthevillage，whounderherdirectionsenclosedtherecesswithapanelleddoor。Intothetabernaclethusformedshehadthestatueplaced，fasteningthedoorwithalock，thekeyofwhichshekeptinherpocket。

Whenherhusbandreturnedhemissedthestatuefromthegallery，and，concludingthatithadbeenputawayoutofdeferencetohisfeelings，madenoremark。Yetatmomentshenoticedsomethingonhislady"sfacewhichhehadnevernoticedtherebefore。Hecouldnotconstrueit；itwasasortofsilentecstasy，areservedbeatification。Whathadbecomeofthestatuehecouldnotdivine，andgrowingmoreandmorecurious，lookedabouthereandthereforittill，thinkingofherprivateroom，hewenttowardsthatspot。

Afterknockingheheardtheshuttingofadoor，andtheclickofakey；butwhenheenteredhiswifewassittingatwork，onwhatwasinthosedayscalledknotting。LordUplandtowers"eyefelluponthenewly-painteddoorwheretherecesshadformerlybeen。

"Youhavebeencarpenteringinmyabsencethen，Barbara，"hesaidcarelessly。

"Yes，Uplandtowers。"

"Whydidyougoputtingupsuchatastelessenclosureasthat——

spoilingthehandsomearchofthealcove?"

"Iwantedmorecloset-room；andIthoughtthatasthiswasmyownapartment——"

"Ofcourse，"hereturned。LordUplandtowersknewnowwherethestatueofyoungWilloweswas。

Onenight，orratherinthesmallesthoursofthemorning，hemissedtheCountessfromhisside。Notbeingamanofnervousimaginingshefellasleepagainbeforehehadmuchconsideredthematter，andthenextmorninghadforgottentheincident。Butafewnightslaterthesamecircumstancesoccurred。Thistimehefullyrousedhimself；

butbeforehehadmovedtosearchforher，sheenteredthechamberinherdressing-gown，carryingacandle，whichsheextinguishedassheapproached，deeminghimasleep。Hecoulddiscoverfromherbreathingthatshewasstrangelymoved；butnotonthisoccasioneitherdidherevealthathehadseenher。Presently，whenshehadlaindown，affectingtowake，heaskedhersometrivialquestions。

"Yes，EDMOND，"sherepliedabsently。

LordUplandtowersbecameconvincedthatshewasinthehabitofleavingthechamberinthisqueerwaymorefrequentlythanhehadobserved，andhedeterminedtowatch。Thenextmidnighthefeigneddeepsleep，andshortlyafterperceivedherstealthilyriseandletherselfoutoftheroominthedark。Heslippedonsomeclothingandfollowed。Atthefartherendofthecorridor，wheretheclashofflintandsteelwouldbeoutofthehearingofoneinthebed-

chamber，shestruckalight。Hesteppedasideintoanemptyroomtillshehadlitataperandhadpassedontoherboudoir。Inaminuteortwohefollowed。Arrivedatthedooroftheboudoir，hebeheldthedooroftheprivaterecessopen，andBarbarawithinit，standingwithherarmsclaspedtightlyroundtheneckofherEdmond，andhermouthonhis。Theshawlwhichshehadthrownroundhernightclotheshadslippedfromhershoulders，andherlongwhiterobeandpalefacelenthertheblanchedappearanceofasecondstatueembracingthefirst。Betweenherkisses，sheapostrophizeditinalowmurmurofinfantinetenderness:

"Myonlylove——howcouldIbesocrueltoyou，myperfectone——sogoodandtrue——Iameverfaithfultoyou，despitemyseeminginfidelity!Ialwaysthinkofyou——dreamofyou——duringthelonghoursoftheday，andinthenight-watches!OEdmond，Iamalwaysyours!"Suchwordsasthese，intermingledwithsobs，andstreamingtears，anddishevelledhair，testifiedtoanintensityoffeelinginhiswifewhichLordUplandtowershadnotdreamedofherpossessing。

"Ha，ha!"sayshetohimself。"Thisiswhereweevaporate——thisiswheremyhopesofasuccessorinthetitledissolve——ha，ha!Thismustbeseento，verily!"

LordUplandtowerswasasubtlemanwhenoncehesethimselftostrategy；thoughinthepresentinstanceheneverthoughtofthesimplestratagemofconstanttenderness。Nordidheentertheroomandsurprisehiswifeasablundererwouldhavedone，butwentbacktohischamberassilentlyashehadleftit。WhentheCountessreturnedthither，shakenbyspentsobsandsighs，heappearedtobesoundlysleepingasusual。Thenextdayhebeganhiscountermovesbymakinginquiriesastothewhereaboutsofthetutorwhohadtravelledwithhiswife"sfirsthusband；thisgentleman，hefound，wasnowmasterofagrammar-schoolatnogreatdistancefromKnollingwood。AtthefirstconvenientmomentLordUplandtowerswentthitherandobtainedaninterviewwiththesaidgentleman。Theschoolmasterwasmuchgratifiedbyavisitfromsuchaninfluentialneighbour，andwasreadytocommunicateanythingthathislordshipdesiredtoknow。

Aftersomegeneralconversationontheschoolanditsprogress，thevisitorobservedthathebelievedtheschoolmasterhadoncetravelledagooddealwiththeunfortunateMr。Willowes，andhadbeenwithhimontheoccasionofhisaccident。He，LordUplandtowers，wasinterestedinknowingwhathadreallyhappenedatthattime，andhadoftenthoughtofinquiring。AndthentheEarlnotonlyheardbywordofmouthasmuchashewishedtoknow，but，theirchatbecomingmoreintimate，theschoolmasterdrewuponpaperasketchofthedisfiguredhead，explainingwithbatedbreathvariousdetailsintherepresentation。

"Itwasverystrangeandterrible!"saidLordUplandtowers，takingthesketchinhishand。"Neithernosenorears!"

ApoormaninthetownnearesttoKnollingwoodHall，whocombinedtheartofsign-paintingwithingeniousmechanicaloccupations，wassentforbyLordUplandtowerstocometotheHallonadayinthatweekwhentheCountesshadgoneonashortvisittoherparents。

Hisemployermadethemanunderstandthatthebusinessinwhichhisassistancewasdemandedwastobeconsideredprivate，andmoneyinsuredtheobservanceofthisrequest。Thelockofthecupboardwaspicked，andtheingeniousmechanicandpainter，assistedbytheschoolmaster"ssketch，whichLordUplandtowershadputinhispocket，settoworkuponthegod-likecountenanceofthestatueundermylord"sdirection。Whatthefirehadmaimedintheoriginalthechiselmaimedinthecopy。Itwasafiendishdisfigurement，ruthlesslycarriedout，andwasrenderedstillmoreshockingbybeingtintedtothehuesoflife，aslifehadbeenafterthewreck。

Sixhoursafter，whentheworkmanwasgone，LordUplandtowerslookedupontheresult，andsmiledgrimly，andsaid:

"Astatueshouldrepresentamanasheappearedinlife，andthat"sasheappeared。Ha!ha!But"tisdonetogoodpurpose，andnotidly。"

Helockedthedooroftheclosetwithaskeletonkey，andwenthiswaytofetchtheCountesshome。

Thatnightsheslept，buthekeptawake。Accordingtothetale，shemurmuredsoftwordsinherdream；andheknewthatthetenderconverseofherimaginingswasheldwithonewhomhehadsupplantedbutinname。AttheendofherdreamtheCountessofUplandtowersawokeandarose，andthentheenactmentofformernightswasrepeated。Herhusbandremainedstillandlistened。Twostrokessoundedfromtheclockinthepedimentwithout，when，leavingthechamber-doorajar，shepassedalongthecorridortotheotherend，where，asusual，sheobtainedalight。Sodeepwasthesilencethathecouldevenfromhisbedhearhersoftlyblowingthetindertoaglowafterstrikingthesteel。Shemovedonintotheboudoir，andheheard，orfanciedheheard，theturningofthekeyinthecloset-

door。Thenextmomenttherecamefromthatdirectionaloudandprolongedshriek，whichresoundedtothefarthestcornersofthehouse。Itwasrepeated，andtherewasthenoiseofaheavyfall。

LordUplandtowerssprangoutofbed。Hehastenedalongthedarkcorridortothedooroftheboudoir，whichstoodajar，and，bythelightofthecandlewithin，sawhispooryoungCountesslyinginaheapinhernightdressonthefloorofthecloset。Whenhereachedhersidehefoundthatshehadfainted，muchtothereliefofhisfearsthatmatterswereworse。Hequicklyshutupandlockedinthehatedimagewhichhaddonethemischief；andliftedhiswifeinhisarms，whereinafewinstantssheopenedhereyes。Pressingherfacetohiswithoutsayingaword，hecarriedherbacktoherroom，endeavouringashewenttodisperseherterrorsbyalaughinherear，oddlycompoundedofcausticity，predilection，andbrutality。

"Ho——ho——ho!"sayshe。"Frightened，dearone，hey?Whatababy"tis!Onlyajoke，sure，Barbara——asplendidjoke!Butababyshouldnotgotoclosetsatmidnighttolookfortheghostofthedeardeparted!Ifitdoitmustexpecttobeterrifiedathisaspect——ho——ho——ho!"

Whenshewasinherbed-chamber，andhadquitecometoherself；

thoughhernerveswerestillmuchshaken，hespoketohermoresternly。"Now，mylady，answerme:doyoulovehim——eh?"

"No——no!"shefaltered，shuddering，withherexpandedeyesfixedonherhusband。"Heistooterrible——no，no!"

"Youaresure?"

"Quitesure!"repliedthepoorbroken-spiritedCountess。Buthernaturalelasticityasserteditself。Nextmorningheagaininquiredofher:"Doyoulovehimnow?"

Shequailedunderhisgaze，butdidnotreply。

"Thatmeansthatyoudostill，byG-!"hecontinued。

"ItmeansthatIwillnottellanuntruth，anddonotwishtoincensemylord，"sheanswered，withdignity。

"Thensupposewegoandhaveanotherlookathim?"Ashespoke，hesuddenlytookherbythewrist，andturnedasiftoleadhertowardstheghastlycloset。

"No——no!Oh——no!"shecried，andherdesperatewriggleoutofhishandrevealedthatthefrightofthenighthadleftmoreimpressionuponherdelicatesoulthansuperficiallyappeared。

"Anotherdoseortwo，andshewillbecured，"hesaidtohimself。

ItwasnowsogenerallyknownthattheEarlandCountesswerenotinaccord，thathetooknogreattroubletodisguisehisdeedsinrelationtothismatter。Duringthedayheorderedfourmenwithropesandrollerstoattendhimintheboudoir。Whentheyarrived，theclosetwasopen，andtheupperpartofthestatuetiedupincanvas。Hehadittakentothesleeping-chamber。Whatfollowedismoreorlessmatterofconjecture。Thestory，astoldtome，goesontosaythat，whenLadyUplandtowersretiredwithhimthatnight，shesawnearthefootoftheheavyoakfour-poster，atalldarkwardrobe，whichhadnotstoodtherebefore；butshedidnotaskwhatitspresencemeant。

"Ihavehadalittlewhim，"heexplainedwhentheywereinthedark。

"Haveyou?"saysshe。

"Toerectalittleshrine，asitmaybecalled。"

"Alittleshrine?"

"Yes；toonewhomwebothequallyadore——eh?I"llshowyouwhatitcontains。"

Hepulledacordwhichhungcoveredbythebed-curtains，andthedoorsofthewardrobeslowlyopened，disclosingthattheshelveswithinhadbeenremovedthroughout，andtheinterioradaptedtoreceivetheghastlyfigure，whichstoodthereasithadstoodintheboudoir，butwithawax-candleburningoneachsideofittothrowthecroppedanddistortedfeaturesintorelief。Sheclutchedhim，utteredalowscream，andburiedherheadinthebedclothes。"Oh，takeitaway——pleasetakeitaway!"sheimplored。

"Allingoodtimenamely，whenyoulovemebest，"hereturnedcalmly。"Youdon"tquiteyet——eh?"

"Idon"tknow——Ithink——OUplandtowers，havemercy——Icannotbearit——O，inpity，takeitaway!"

"Nonsense；onegetsaccustomedtoanything。Takeanothergaze。"

Inshort，heallowedthedoorstoremainunclosedatthefootofthebed，andthewax-tapersburning；andsuchwasthestrangefascinationofthegrislyexhibitionthatamorbidcuriositytookpossessionoftheCountessasshelay，and，athisrepeatedrequest，shedidagainlookoutfromthecoverlet，shuddered，hidhereyes，andlookedagain，allthewhilebegginghimtotakeitaway，oritwoulddriveheroutofhersenses。Buthewouldnotdosoasyet，andthewardrobewasnotlockedtilldawn。

Thescenewasrepeatedthenextnight。Firminenforcinghisferociouscorrectives，hecontinuedthetreatmenttillthenervesofthepoorladywerequiveringinagonyunderthevirtuoustorturesinflictedbyherlord，tobringhertruantheartbacktofaithfulness。

Thethirdnight，whenthescenehadopenedasusual，andshelaystaringwithimmensewildeyesatthehorridfascination，onasuddenshegaveanunnaturallaugh；shelaughedmoreandmore，staringattheimage，tillsheliterallyshriekedwithlaughter:

thentherewassilence，andhefoundhertohavebecomeinsensible。

Hethoughtshehadfainted，butsoonsawthattheeventwasworse:

shewasinanepilepticfit。Hestartedup，dismayedbythesensethat，likemanyothersubtlepersonages，hehadbeentooexactingforhisowninterests。Suchloveashewascapableof，thoughratheraselfishgloatingthanacherishingsolicitude，wasfannedintolifeontheinstant。Heclosedthewardrobewiththepulley，claspedherinhisarms，tookhergentlytothewindow，anddidallhecouldtorestoreher。

ItwasalongtimebeforetheCountesscametoherself，andwhenshedidso，aconsiderablechangeseemedtohavetakenplaceinheremotions。Sheflungherarmsaroundhim，andwithgaspsoffearabjectlykissedhimmanytimes，atlastburstingintotears。Shehadneverweptinthisscenebefore。

"You"lltakeitaway，dearest——youwill!"shebeggedplaintively。

"Ifyouloveme。"

"Ido——oh，Ido!"

"Andhatehim，andhismemory?"

"Yes——yes!"

"Thoroughly?"

"Icannotendurerecollectionofhim!"criedthepoorCountessslavishly。"Itfillsmewithshame——howcouldIeverbesodepraved!I"llneverbehavebadlyagain，Uplandtowers；andyouwillneverputthehatedstatueagainbeforemyeyes?"

Hefeltthathecouldpromisewithperfectsafety。"Never，"saidhe。

"AndthenI"llloveyou，"shereturnedeagerly，asifdreadinglestthescourgeshouldbeappliedanew。"AndI"llnever，neverdreamofthinkingasinglethoughtthatseemslikefaithlessnesstomymarriagevow。"

Thestrangethingnowwasthatthisfictitiouslovewrungfromherbyterrortookon，throughmerehabitofenactment，acertainqualityofreality。AservilemoodofattachmenttotheEarlbecamedistinctlyvisibleinhercontemporaneouslywithanactualdislikeforherlatehusband"smemory。Themoodofattachmentgrewandcontinuedwhenthestatuewasremoved。Apermanentrevulsionwasoperantinher，whichintensifiedastimeworeon。Howfrightcouldhaveeffectedsuchachangeofidiosyncrasylearnedphysiciansalonecansay；butIbelievesuchcasesofreactionaryinstinctarenotunknown。

Theupshotwasthatthecurebecamesopermanentastobeitselfanewdisease。Sheclungtohimsotightly，thatshewouldnotwillinglybeoutofhissightforamoment。Shewouldhavenositting-roomapartfromhis，thoughshecouldnothelpstartingwhenheenteredsuddenlytoher。Hereyeswerewell-nighalwaysfixeduponhim。Ifhedroveout，shewishedtogowithhim；hisslightestcivilitiestootherwomenmadeherfranticallyjealous；tillatlengthherveryfidelitybecameaburdentohim，absorbinghistime，andcurtailinghisliberty，andcausinghimtocurseandswear。Ifheeverspokesharplytohernow，shedidnotrevengeherselfbyflyingofftoamentalworldofherown；allthataffectionforanother，whichhadprovidedherwitharesource，wasnowacoldblackcinder。

Fromthattimethelifeofthisscaredandenervatedlady——whoseexistencemighthavebeendevelopedtosomuchhigherpurposebutfortheignobleambitionofherparentsandtheconventionsofthetime——wasoneofobsequiousamativenesstowardsaperverseandcruelman。Littlepersonaleventscametoherinquicksuccession——halfadozen，eight，nine，tensuchevents，——inbrief；sheborehimnolessthanelevenchildrenintheeightfollowingyears，buthalfofthemcameprematurelyintotheworld，ordiedafewdaysold；onlyone，agirl，attainedtomaturity；sheinafteryearsbecamethewifeoftheHonourableMr。Beltonleigh，whowascreatedLordD"Almaine，asmayberemembered。

Therewasnolivingsonandheir。Atlength，completelywornoutinmindandbody，LadyUplandtowerswastakenabroadbyherhusband，totrytheeffectofamoregenialclimateuponherwastedframe。Butnothingavailedtostrengthenher，andshediedatFlorence，afewmonthsafterherarrivalinItaly。

Contrarytoexpectation，theEarlofUplandtowersdidnotmarryagain。Suchaffectionasexistedinhim——strange，hard，brutalasitwas——seemeduntransferable，andthetitle，asisknown，passedathisdeathtohisnephew。Perhapsitmaynotbesogenerallyknownthat，duringtheenlargementoftheHallforthesixthEarl，whiledigginginthegroundsforthenewfoundations，thebrokenfragmentsofamarblestatuewereunearthed。Theyweresubmittedtovariousantiquaries，whosaidthat，sofarasthedamagedpieceswouldallowthemtoformanopinion，thestatueseemedtobethatofamutilatedRomansatyr；orifnot，anallegoricalfigureofDeath。Onlyoneortwooldinhabitantsguessedwhosestatuethosefragmentshadcomposed。

Ishouldhaveaddedthat，shortlyafterthedeathoftheCountess，anexcellentsermonwaspreachedbytheDeanofMelchester，thesubjectofwhich，thoughnameswerenotmentioned，wasunquestionablysuggestedbytheaforesaidevents。Hedweltuponthefollyofindulgenceinsensuousloveforahandsomeformmerely；andshowedthattheonlyrationalandvirtuousgrowthsofthataffectionwerethosebaseduponintrinsicworth。InthecaseofthetenderbutsomewhatshallowladywhoselifeIhaverelated，thereisnodoubtthataninfatuationforthepersonofyoungWilloweswasthechieffeelingthatinducedhertomarryhim；whichwasthemoredeplorableinthathisbeauty，byalltradition，wastheleastofhisrecommendations，everyreportbearingouttheinferencethathemusthavebeenamanofsteadfastnature，brightintelligence，andpromisinglife。

Thecompanythankedtheoldsurgeonforhisstory，whichtheruraldeandeclaredtobeafarmorestrikingonethananythinghecouldhopetotell。AnelderlymemberoftheClub，whowasmostlycalledtheBookworm，saidthatawoman"snaturalinstinctoffidelitywould，indeed，sendbackherhearttoamanafterhisdeathinatrulywonderfulmannersometimes——ifanythingoccurredtoputbeforeherforciblytheoriginalaffectionbetweenthem，andhisoriginalaspectinhereyes，——whateverhisinferioritymayhavebeen，socialorotherwise；andthenageneralconversationensueduponthepowerthatawomanhasofseeingtheactualintherepresentation，therealityinthedream——apowerwhich(accordingtothesentimentalmember)menhavenofacultyofequalling。

Theruraldeanthoughtthatsuchcasesasthatrelatedbythesurgeonwereratheranillustrationofpassionelectrifiedbacktolifethanofalatent，trueaffection。Thestoryhadsuggestedthatheshouldtrytorecounttothemonewhichhehadusedtohearinhisyouth，andwhichaffordedaninstanceofthelatterandbetterkindoffeeling，hisheroinebeingalsoaladywhohadmarriedbeneathher，thoughhefearedhisnarrativewouldbeofamuchslighterkindthanthesurgeon"s。TheClubbeggedhimtoproceed，andtheparsonbegan。

DAMETHETHIRD:THEMARCHIONESSOFSTONEHENGE

BytheRuralDeanIwouldhaveyouknow，then，thatagreatmanyyearsagotherelivedinaclassicalmansionwithwhichIusedtobefamiliar，standingnotahundredmilesfromthecityofMelchester，aladywhosepersonalcharmsweresorareandunparalleledthatshewascourted，flattered，andspoiltbyalmostalltheyoungnoblemenandgentlemeninthatpartofWessex。Foratimetheseattentionspleasedherwell。Butas，inthewordsofgoodRobertSouth(whosesermonsmightbereadmuchmorethantheyare)，themostpassionateloverofsport，iftiedtofollowhishawksandhoundseverydayofhislife，wouldfindthepursuitthegreatesttormentandcalamity，andwouldflytotheminesandgalleysforhisrecreation，sodidthisloftyandbeautifulladyafterawhilebecomesatiatedwiththeconstantiterationofwhatshehadinitsnoveltyenjoyed；andbyanalmostnaturalrevulsionturnedherregardsabsolutelynetherward，sociallyspeaking。Sheperverselyandpassionatelycentredheraffectiononquiteaplain-lookingyoungmanofhumblebirthandnopositionatall；thoughitistruethathewasgentleanddelicateinnature，ofgoodaddress，andguilelessheart。Inshort，hewastheparish-

clerk"sson，actingasassistanttotheland-stewardofherfather，theEarlofAvon，withthehopeofbecomingsomedayaland-stewardhimself。ItshouldbesaidthatperhapstheLadyCaroline(asshewascalled)wasalittlestimulatedinthispassionbythediscoverythatayounggirlofthevillagealreadylovedtheyoungmanfondly，andthathehadpaidsomeattentionstoher，thoughmerelyofacasualandgood-naturedkind。

Sincehisoccupationbroughthimfrequentlytothemanor-houseanditsenvirons，LadyCarolinecouldmakeampleopportunitiesofseeingandspeakingtohim。Shehad，inChaucer"sphrase，"allthecraftoffineloving"atherfingers"ends，andtheyoungman，beingofareadily-kindlingheart，wasquicktonoticethetendernessinhereyesandvoice。Hecouldnotatfirstbelieveinhisgoodfortune，havingnounderstandingofherwearinessofmoreartificialmen；butatimecomeswhenthestupidestseesinaneyetheglanceofhisotherhalf；anditcametohim，whowasquitethereverseofdull。

Ashegainedconfidenceaccidentalencountersledtoencountersbydesign；tillatlengthwhentheywerealonetogethertherewasnoreserveonthematter。Theywhisperedtenderwordsasotherloversdo，andwereasdevotedapairaseverwasseen。Butnotarayorsymptomofthisattachmentwasallowedtoshowitselftotheouterworld。

Now，asshebecamelessandlessscrupuloustowardshimundertheinfluenceofheraffection，andhebecamemoreandmorereverentialundertheinfluenceofhis，andtheylookedthesituationinthefacetogether，theirconditionseemedintolerableinitshopelessness。Thatshecouldeverasktobeallowedtomarryhim，orcouldholdhertongueandquietlyrenouncehim，wasequallybeyondconception。Theyresolveduponathirdcourse，possessingneitherofthedisadvantagesofthesetwo:towedsecretly，andliveoninoutwardappearancethesameasbefore。Inthistheydifferedfromtheloversofmyfriend"sstory。