第5章

Notasoulintheparentalmansionguessed，whenLadyCarolinecamecoollyintothehallonedayafteravisittoheraunt，that，duringthatvisit，herloverandherselfhadfoundanopportunityofunitingthemselvestilldeathshouldpartthem。Yetsuchwasthefact；theyoungwomanwhorodefinehorses，anddroveinpony-

chaises，andwassaluteddeferentiallybyeveryone，andtheyoungmanwhotrudgedabout，anddirectedthetree-felling，andthelayingoutoffish-pondsinthepark，werehusbandandwife。

Astheyhadplanned，sotheyactedtotheletterforthespaceofamonthandmore，clandestinelymeetingwhenandwheretheybestcoulddoso；bothbeingsupremelyhappyandcontent。Tobesure，towardsthelatterpartofthatmonth，whenthefirstwildwarmthofherlovehadgoneoff，theLadyCarolinesometimeswonderedwithinherselfhowshe，whomighthavechosenapeeroftherealm，baronet，knight；or，ifserious-minded，abishoporjudgeofthemoregallantsortwhopreferyoungwives，couldhavebroughtherselftodoathingsorashastomakethismarriage；particularlywhen，intheirprivatemeetings，sheperceivedthatthoughheryounghusbandwasfullofideas，andfairlywellread，theyhadnotasinglesocialexperienceincommon。Itwashiscustomtovisitherafternightfall，inherownhouse，whenhecouldfindnoopportunityforaninterviewelsewhere；andtofurtherthiscourseshewouldcontrivetoleaveunfastenedawindowontheground-flooroverlookingthelawn，byenteringwhichabackstair-casewasaccessible；sothathecouldclimbuptoherapartments，andgainaudienceofhisladywhenthehousewasstill。

Onedarkmidnight，whenhehadnotbeenabletoseeherduringtheday，hemadeuseofthissecretmethod，ashehaddonemanytimesbefore；andwhentheyhadremainedincompanyaboutanhourhedeclaredthatitwastimeforhimtodescend。

Hewouldhavestayedlonger，butthattheinterviewhadbeenasomewhatpainfulone。Whatshehadsaidtohimthatnighthadmuchexcitedandangeredhim，forithadrevealedachangeinher；coldreasonhadcometohisloftywife；shewasbeginningtohavemoreanxietyaboutherownpositionandprospectsthanardourforhim。

Whetherfromtheagitationofthisperceptionornot，hewasseizedwithaspasm；hegasped，rose，andinmovingtowardsthewindowforairheutteredinashortthickwhisper，"Oh，myheart!"

Withhishanduponhischesthesankdowntothefloorbeforehehadgoneanotherstep。Bythetimethatshehadrelightedthecandle，whichhadbeenextinguishedincaseanyeyeintheoppositegroundsshouldwitnesshisegress，shefoundthathispoorhearthadceasedtobeat；andthererusheduponhermindwhathiscottage-friendshadoncetoldher，thathewasliabletoattacksofheart-disease，oneofwhich，thedoctorhadinformedthem，mightsomedaycarryhimoff。

Accustomedasshewastodoctoringtheotherparishioners，nothingthatshecouldeffectuponhiminthatkindmadeanydifferencewhatever；andhisstillness，andtheincreasingcoldnessofhisfeetandhands，disclosedtoosurelytotheaffrightedyoungwomanthatherhusbandwasdeadindeed。Formorethananhour，however，shedidnotabandonhereffortstorestorehim；whenshefullyrealizedthefactthathewasacorpseshebentoverhisbody，distractedandbewilderedastowhatstepshenextshouldtake。

Herfirstfeelingshadundoubtedlybeenthoseofpassionategriefatthelossofhim；hersecondthoughtswereconcernatherownpositionasthedaughterofanearl。"Oh，why，why，myunfortunatehusband，didyoudieinmychamberatthishour!"shesaidpiteouslytothecorpse。"Whynothavediedinyourowncottageifyouwoulddie!Thennobodywouldeverhaveknownofourimprudentunion，andnosyllablewouldhavebeenbreathedofhowImismatedmyselfforloveofyou!"

TheclockinthecourtyardstrikingthehourofonearousedLadyCarolinefromthestuporintowhichshehadfallen，andshestoodup，andwenttowardsthedoor。Toawakenandtellhermotherseemedheronlywayoutofthisterriblesituation；yetwhensheputherhandonthekeytounlockitshewithdrewherselfagain。Itwouldbeimpossibletocallevenhermother"sassistancewithoutriskingarevelationtoalltheworldthroughtheservants；whileifshecouldremovethebodyunassistedtoadistanceshemightavertsuspicionoftheirunionevennow。Thisthoughtofimmunityfromthesocialconsequencesofherrashact，ofrenewedfreedom，wasindubitablyarelieftoher，for，ashasbeensaid，theconstraintandriskinessofherpositionhadbeguntotellupontheLadyCaroline"snerves。

Shebracedherselffortheeffort，andhastilydressedherself；andthendressedhim。Tyinghisdeadhandstogetherwithahandkerchief；shelaidhisarmsroundhershoulders，andborehimtothelandinganddownthenarrowstairs。Reachingthebottombythewindow，shelethisbodyslideslowlyoverthesilltillitlayonthegroundwithout。Shethenclimbedoverthewindow-sillherself，and，leavingthesashopen，draggedhimontothelawnwitharustlenotlouderthantherustleofabroom。Thereshetookasecurerhold，andplungedwithhimunderthetrees。

Awayfromtheprecinctsofthehouseshecouldapplyherselfmorevigorouslytohertask，whichwasaheavyoneenoughforher，robustasshewas；andtheexertionandfrightshehadalreadyundergonebegantotelluponherbythetimeshereachedthecornerofabeech-plantationwhichintervenedbetweenthemanor-houseandthevillage。Hereshewassonearlyexhaustedthatshefearedshemighthavetoleavehimonthespot。Butsheploddedonafterawhile，andkeepinguponthegrassateveryopportunityshestoodatlastoppositethepooryoungman"sgarden-gate，wherehelivedwithhisfather，theparish-clerk。HowsheaccomplishedtheendofhertaskLadyCarolineneverquiteknew；but，toavoidleavingtracesintheroad，shecarriedhimbodilyacrossthegravel，andlaidhimdownatthedoor。Perfectlyawareofhiswaysofcomingandgoing，shesearchedbehindtheshutterforthecottagedoor-key，whichsheplacedinhiscoldhand。Thenshekissedhisfaceforthelasttime，andwithsilentlittlesobsbadehimfarewell。

LadyCarolineretracedhersteps，andreachedthemansionwithouthindrance；andtohergreatrelieffoundthewindowopenjustasshehadleftit。Whenshehadclimbedinshelistenedattentively，fastenedthewindowbehindher，andascendingthestairsnoiselesslytoherroom，seteverythinginorder，andreturnedtobed。

Thenextmorningitwasspeedilyechoedaroundthattheamiableandgentleyoungvillagerhadbeenfounddeadoutsidehisfather"sdoor，whichhehadapparentlybeenintheactofunlockingwhenhefell。

Thecircumstancesweresufficientlyexceptionaltojustifyaninquest，atwhichsyncopefromheart-diseasewasascertainedtobebeyonddoubttheexplanationofhisdeath，andnomorewassaidaboutthematterthen。But，afterthefuneral，itwasrumouredthatsomemanwhohadbeenreturninglatefromadistanthorse-fairhadseeninthegloomofnightaperson，apparentlyawoman，draggingaheavybodyofsomesorttowardsthecottage-gate，which，bythelightofafterevents，wouldseemtohavebeenthecorpseoftheyoungfellow。Hisclotheswerethereuponexaminedmoreparticularlythanatfirst，withtheresultthatmarksoffrictionwerevisibleuponthemhereandthere，preciselyresemblingsuchaswouldbeleftbydraggingontheground。

OurbeautifulandingeniousLadyCarolinewasnowingreatconsternation；andbegantothinkthat，afterall，itmighthavebeenbettertohonestlyconfessthetruth。Buthavingreachedthisstagewithoutdiscoveryorsuspicion，shedeterminedtomakeanotherefforttowardsconcealment；andabrightideastruckherasameansofsecuringit。IthinkImentionedthat，beforeshecasteyesontheunfortunatesteward"sclerk，hehadbeenthebelovedofacertainvillagedamsel，thewoodman"sdaughter，hisneighbour，towhomhehadpaidsomeattentions；andpossiblyhewasbelovedofherstill。Atanyrate，theLadyCaroline"sinfluenceontheestatesofherfatherbeingconsiderable，sheresolvedtoseekaninterviewwiththeyounggirlinfurtheranceofherplantosaveherreputation，aboutwhichshewasnowexceedinglyanxious；forbythistime，thefitbeingover，shebegantobeashamedofhermadpassionforherlatehusband，andalmostwishedshehadneverseenhim。

Inthecourseofherparish-visitingshelightedontheyounggirlwithoutmuchdifficulty，andfoundherlookingpaleandsad，andwearingasimpleblackgown，whichshehadputonoutofrespectfortheyoungman"smemory，whomshehadtenderlyloved，thoughhehadnotlovedher。

"Ah，youhavelostyourlover，Milly，"saidLadyCaroline。

Theyoungwomancouldnotrepresshertears。"Mylady，hewasnotquitemylover，"shesaid。"ButIwashis——andnowheisdeadI

don"tcaretoliveanymore!"

"Canyoukeepasecretabouthim?"asksthelady；"oneinwhichhishonourisinvolved——whichisknowntomealone，butshouldbeknowntoyou?"

Thegirlreadilypromised，and，indeed，couldbesafelytrustedonsuchasubject，sodeepwasheraffectionfortheyouthshemourned。

"Thenmeetmeathisgraveto-night，half-an-houraftersunset，andIwilltellittoyou，"saystheother。

Intheduskofthatspringeveningthetwoshadowyfiguresoftheyoungwomenconvergedupontheassistant-steward"snewly-turfedmound；andatthatsolemnplaceandhour，theoneofbirthandbeautyunfoldedhertale:howshehadlovedhimandmarriedhimsecretly；howhehaddiedinherchamber；andhow，tokeephersecret，shehaddraggedhimtohisowndoor。

"Marriedhim，mylady!"saidtherusticmaiden，startingback。

"Ihavesaidso，"repliedLadyCaroline。"Butitwasamadthing，andamistakencourse。Heoughttohavemarriedyou。You，Milly，werepeculiarlyhis。Butyoulosthim。"

"Yes，"saidthepoorgirl；"andforthattheylaughedatme。"Ha——

ha，youmidlovehim，Milly，"theysaid；"buthewillnotloveyou!""

"Victoryoversuchunkindjeererswouldbesweet，"saidLadyCaroline。"Youlosthiminlife；butyoumayhavehimindeathAS

IFyouhadhadhiminlife；andsoturnthetablesuponthem。"

"How?"saidthebreathlessgirl。

Theyoungladythenunfoldedherplan，whichwasthatMillyshouldgoforwardanddeclarethattheyoungmanhadcontractedasecretmarriage(ashetrulyhaddone)；thatitwaswithher，Milly，hissweetheart；thathehadbeenvisitingherinhercottageontheeveningofhisdeath；when，onfindinghewasacorpse，shehadcarriedhimtohishousetopreventdiscoverybyherparents，andthatshehadmeanttokeepthewholematterasecrettilltherumoursafloathadforceditfromher。

"AndhowshallIprovethis?"saidthewoodman"sdaughter，amazedattheboldnessoftheproposal。

"Quitesufficiently。Youcansay，ifnecessary，thatyouweremarriedtohimatthechurchofSt。Michael，inBathCity，inmyname，asthefirstthatoccurredtoyou，toescapedetection。Thatwaswherehemarriedme。Iwillsupportyouinthis。"

"Oh——Idon"tquitelike——"

"Ifyouwilldoso，"saidtheladyperemptorily，"Iwillalwaysbeyourfather"sfriendandyours；ifnot，itwillbeotherwise。AndI

willgiveyoumywedding-ring，whichyoushallwearasyours。"

"Haveyouwornit，mylady?"

"Onlyatnight。"

Therewasnotmuchchoiceinthematter，andMillyconsented。Thenthisnobleladytookfromherbosomtheringshehadneverbeenableopenlytoexhibit，and，graspingtheyounggirl"shand，slippedituponherfingerasshestooduponherlover"sgrave。

Millyshivered，andbowedherhead，saying，"IfeelasifIhadbecomeacorpse"sbride!"

Butfromthatmomentthemaidenwasheartandsoulinthesubstitution。Ablissfulreposecameoverherspirit。Itseemedtoherthatshehadsecuredindeathhimwhominlifeshehadvainlyidolized；andshewasalmostcontent。Afterthattheladyhandedovertotheyoungman"snewwifeallthelittlemementoesandtrinketshehadgivenherself；eventoalocketcontaininghishair。

Thenextdaythegirlmadeherso-calledconfession，whichthesimplemourningshehadalreadyworn，withoutstatingforwhom，seemedtobearout；andsoonthestoryofthelittleromancespreadthroughthevillageandcountry-side，almostasfarasMelchester。

Itwasacuriouspsychologicalfactthat，havingoncemadetheavowal，Millyseemedpossessedwithaspiritofecstasyatherposition。WiththeliberalsumofmoneysuppliedtoherbyLadyCarolineshenowpurchasedthegarbofawidow，anddulyappearedatchurchinherweeds，hersimplefacelookingsosweetagainstitsmarginofcrapethatshewasalmostenviedherstatebytheothervillage-girlsofherage。Andwhenawoman"ssorrowforherbelovedcanmaimheryounglifesoobviouslyasithaddoneMilly"stherewas，intruth，littlesubterfugeinthecase。Herexplanationtalliedsowellwiththedetailsofherlover"slattermovements——

thosestrangeabsencesandsuddenreturnings，whichhadoccasionallypuzzledhisfriends——thatnobodysupposedforamomentthatthesecondactorinthesesecretnuptialswasotherthanshe。Theactualandwholetruthwouldindeedhaveseemedapreposterousassertionbesidethisplausibleone，byreasonoftheloftydemeanouroftheLadyCarolineandtheunassuminghabitsofthelatevillager。Therebeingnoinheritanceinquestion，notasoultookthetroubletogotothecitychurch，fortymilesoff，andsearchtheregistersformarriagesignaturesbearingoutsohumblearomance。

InashorttimeMillycausedadecenttombstonetobeerectedoverhernominalhusband"sgrave，whereonappearedthestatementthatitwasplacedtherebyhisheartbrokenwidow，which，consideringthatthepaymentforitcamefromLadyCarolineandthegrieffromMilly，wasastruthfulassuchinscriptionsusuallyare，andonlyrequiredpluralizingtorenderityetmorenearlyso。

TheimpressionableandcomplaisantMilly，inhercharacterofwidow，tookdelightingoingtohisgraveeveryday，andindulginginsorrowwhichwasapositiveluxurytoher。Sheplacedfreshflowersonhisgrave，andsokeenwasheremotionalimaginativenessthatshealmostbelievedherselftohavebeenhiswifeindeedasshewalkedtoandfroinhergarbofwoe。Oneafternoon，Millybeingbusilyengagedinthislabourofloveatthegrave，LadyCarolinepassedoutsidethechurchyardwallwithsomeofhervisitingfriends，who，seeingMillythere，watchedheractionswithinterest，remarkeduponthepathosofthescene，andupontheintenseaffectiontheyoungmanmusthavefeltforsuchatendercreatureasMilly。Astrangelight，asofpain，shotfromtheLadyCaroline"seye，asifforthefirsttimeshebegrudgedtotheyounggirlthepositionshehadbeenatsuchpainstotransfertoher；itshowedthataslumberingaffectionforherhusbandstillhadlifeinLadyCaroline，obscuredandstifledasitwasbysocialconsiderations。

AnendwasputtothissmootharrangementbythesuddenappearanceinthechurchyardonedayoftheLadyCaroline，whenMillyhadcomethereonherusualerrandoflayingflowers。LadyCarolinehadbeenanxiouslyawaitingherbehindthechancel，andhercountenancewaspaleandagitated。

"Milly!"shesaid，"comehere!Idon"tknowhowtosaytoyouwhatIamgoingtosay。Iamhalfdead!"

"Iamsorryforyourladyship，"saysMilly，wondering。

"Givemethatring!"saysthelady，snatchingatthegirl"slefthand。

Millydrewitquicklyaway。

"Itellyougiveittome!"repeatedCaroline，almostfiercely。

"Oh——butyoudon"tknowwhy?IaminagriefandatroubleIdidnotexpect!"AndLadyCarolinewhisperedafewwordstothegirl。

"Omylady!"saidthethunderstruckMilly。"WhatWILLyoudo?"

"Youmustsaythatyourstatementwasawickedlie，aninvention，ascandal，adeadlysin——thatItoldyoutomakeittoscreenme!

ThatitwasIwhomhemarriedatBath。Inshort，wemusttellthetruth，orIamruined——body，mind，andreputation——forever!"

Butthereisalimittotheflexibilityofgentle-souledwomen。

Millybythistimehadsogrowntotheideaofbeingonefleshwiththisyoungman，ofhavingtherighttobearhisnameassheboreit；

hadsothoroughlycometoregardhimasherhusband，todreamofhimasherhusband，tospeakofhimasherhusband，thatshecouldnotrelinquishhimatamoment"speremptorynotice。

"No，no，"shesaiddesperately，"Icannot，Iwillnotgivehimup!

Yourladyshiptookhimawayfrommealive，andgavehimbacktomeonlywhenhewasdead。NowIwillkeephim!Iamtrulyhiswidow。

Moretrulythanyou，mylady!forIlovehimandmournforhim，andcallmyselfbyhisdearname，andyourladyshipdoesneither!"

"IDOlovehim!"criesLadyCarolinewithflashingeyes，"andI

clingtohim，andwon"tlethimgotosuchasyou!HowcanI，whenheisthefatherofthispoorbabethat"scomingtome?Imusthavehimbackagain!Milly，Milly，can"tyoupityandunderstandme，perversegirlthatyouare，andthemiserableplightthatIamin?

Oh，thisprecipitancy——itistheruinofwomen!WhydidInotconsider，andwait!Come，givemebackallthatIhavegivenyou，andassuremeyouwillsupportmeinconfessingthetruth!"

"Never，never!"persistedMilly，withwoe-begonepassionateness。

"Lookatthisheadstone!Lookatmygownandbonnetofcrape——thisring:listentothenametheycallmeby!Mycharacterisworthasmuchtomeasyoursistoyou!AfterdeclaringmyLovemine，myselfhis，takinghisname，makinghisdeathmyownparticularsorrow，howcanIsayitwasnotso?Nosuchdishonourforme!Iwilloutswearyou，mylady；andIshallbebelieved。Mystoryissomuchthemorelikelythatyourswillbethoughtfalse。But，Oplease，mylady，donotdrivemetothis!Inpityletmekeephim!"

Thepoornominalwidowexhibitedsuchanguishataproposalwhichwouldhavebeentrulyabitterhumiliationtoher，thatLadyCarolinewaswarmedtopityinspiteofherowncondition。

"Yes，Iseeyourposition，"sheanswered。"Butthinkofmine!WhatcanIdo?Withoutyoursupportitwouldseemaninventiontosavemefromdisgrace；evenifIproducedtheregister，theloveofscandalintheworldissuchthatthemultitudewouldsluroverthefact，sayitwasafabrication，andbelieveyourstory。Idonotknowwhowerethewitnesses，oranything!"

Inafewminutesthesetwopooryoungwomenfelt，assomanyinastraithavefeltbefore，thatunionwastheirgreateststrength，evennow；andtheyconsultedcalmlytogether。TheresultoftheirdeliberationswasthatMillywenthomeasusual，andLadyCarolinealso，thelatterconfessingthatverynighttotheCountesshermotherofthemarriage，andtonobodyelseintheworld。And，sometimeafter，LadyCarolineandhermotherwentawaytoLondon，wherealittlewhilelaterstilltheywerejoinedbyMilly，whowassupposedtohaveleftthevillagetoproceedtoawatering-placeintheNorthforthebenefitofherhealth，attheexpenseoftheladiesoftheManor，whohadbeenmuchinterestedinherstateoflonelyanddefencelesswidowhood。

EarlythenextyearthewidowMillycamehomewithaninfantinherarms，thefamilyattheManorHousehavingmeanwhilegoneabroad。

Theydidnotreturnfromtheirtourtilltheautumnensuing，bywhichtimeMillyandthechildhadagaindepartedfromthecottageofherfatherthewoodman，Millyhavingattainedtothedignityofdwellinginacottageofherown，manymilestotheeastwardofhernativevillage；acomfortablelittleallowancehadmoreoverbeensettledonherandthechildforlife，throughtheinstrumentalityofLadyCarolineandhermother。

Twoorthreeyearspassedaway，andtheLadyCarolinemarriedanobleman——theMarquisofStonehenge——considerablyhersenior，whohadwooedherlongandphlegmatically。Hewasnotrich，butsheledaplacidlifewithhimformanyyears，thoughtherewasnochildofthemarriage。MeanwhileMilly"sboy，astheyoungsterwascalled，andasMillyherselfconsideredhim，grewup，andthrovewonderfully，andlovedherasshedeservedtobelovedforherdevotiontohim，inwhomsheeverydaytracedmoredistinctlythelineamentsofthemanwhohadwonhergirlishheart，andkeptiteveninthetomb。

Sheeducatedhimaswellasshecouldwiththelimitedmeansatherdisposal，fortheallowancehadneverbeenincreased，LadyCaroline，ortheMarchionessofStonehengeasshenowwas，seemingbydegreestocarelittlewhathadbecomeofthem。Millybecameextremelyambitiousontheboy"saccount；shepinchedherselfalmostofnecessariestosendhimtotheGrammarSchoolinthetowntowhichtheyretired，andattwentyheenlistedinacavalryregiment，joiningitwithadeliberateintentofmakingtheArmyhisprofession，andnotinafreakofidleness。Hisexceptionalattainments，hismanlybearing，hissteadyconduct，speedilywonhimpromotion，whichwasfurtheredbytheseriouswarinwhichthiscountrywasatthattimeengaged。OnhisreturntoEnglandafterthepeacehehadrisentotherankofriding-master，andwassoonafteradvancedanotherstage，andmadequartermaster，thoughstillayoungman。

Hismother——hiscorporealmother，thatis，theMarchionessofStonehenge——heardtidingsofthisunaidedprogress；itreawakenedhermaternalinstincts，andfilledherwithpride。Shebecamekeenlyinterestedinhersuccessfulsoldier-son；andasshegrewoldermuchwishedtoseehimagain，particularlywhen，theMarquisdying，shewasleftasolitaryandchildlesswidow。WhetherornotshewouldhavegonetohimofherownimpulseIcannotsay；butoneday，whenshewasdrivinginanopencarriageintheoutskirtsofaneighbouringtown，thetroopslyingatthebarrackshardbypassedherinmarchingorder。Sheeyedthemnarrowly，andinthefinestofthehorsemenrecognizedhersonfromhislikenesstoherfirsthusband。

Thissightofhimdoublyintensifiedthemotherlyemotionswhichhadlaindormantinherforsomanyyears，andshewildlyaskedherselfhowshecouldsohaveneglectedhim?Hadshepossessedthetruecourageofaffectionshewouldhaveownedtoherfirstmarriage，andhaverearedhimasherson!Whatwouldithavematteredifshehadneverobtainedthispreciouscoronetofpearlsandgoldleaves，bycomparisonwiththegainofhavingtheloveandprotectionofsuchanobleandworthyson?Theseandothersadreflectionscutthegloomyandsolitaryladytotheheart；andsherepentedofherprideindisclaimingherfirsthusbandmorebitterlythanshehadeverrepentedofherinfatuationinmarryinghim。

Heryearningwassostrong，thatatlengthitseemedtoherthatshecouldnotlivewithoutannouncingherselftohimashismother。

Comewhatmight，shewoulddoit:lateasitwas，shewouldhavehimawayfromthatwomanwhomshebegantohatewiththefiercenessofadesertedheart，forhavingtakenherplaceasthemotherofheronlychild。Shefeltconfidentlyenoughthathersonwouldonlytoogladlyexchangeacottage-motherforonewhowasapeeressoftherealm。Beingnow，inherwidowhood，freetocomeandgoasshechose，withoutquestionfromanybody，LadyStonehengestartednextdayforthelittletownwhereMillyyetlived，stillinherrobesofsableforthelostloverofheryouth。

"HeisMYson，"saidtheMarchioness，assoonasshewasaloneinthecottagewithMilly。"Youmustgivehimbacktome，nowthatI

aminapositioninwhichIcandefytheworld"sopinion。Isupposehecomestoseeyoucontinually?"

"Everymonthsincehereturnedfromthewar，mylady。Andsometimeshestaystwoorthreedays，andtakesmeaboutseeingsightseverywhere!"Shespokewithquiettriumph。

"Well，youwillhavetogivehimup，"saidtheMarchionesscalmly。

"Itshallnotbetheworseforyou——youmayseehimwhenyouchoose。

Iamgoingtoavowmyfirstmarriage，andhavehimwithme。"

"Youforgetthattherearetwotobereckonedwith，mylady。Notonlyme，buthimself。"

"Thatcanbearranged。Youdon"tsupposethathewouldn"t——"ButnotwishingtoinsultMillybycomparingtheirpositions，shesaid，"Heismyownfleshandblood，notyours。"

"Fleshandblood"snothing!"saidMilly，flashingwithasmuchscornasacottagercouldshowtoapeeress，which，inthiscase，wasnotsolittleasmaybesupposed。"ButIwillagreetoputittohim，andlethimsettleitforhimself。"

"That"sallIrequire，"saidLadyStonehenge。"Youmustaskhimtocome，andIwillmeethimhere。"

Thesoldierwaswrittento，andthemeetingtookplace。HewasnotsomuchastonishedatthedisclosureofhisparentageasLadyStonehengehadbeenledtoexpect，havingknownforyearsthattherewasalittlemysteryabouthisbirth。HismannertowardstheMarchioness，thoughrespectful，waslesswarmthanshecouldhavehoped。Thealternativesastohischoiceofamotherwereputbeforehim。Hisansweramazedandstupefiedher。

"No，mylady，"hesaid。"Thankyoumuch，butIprefertoletthingsbeastheyhavebeen。Myfather"snameismineinanycase。Yousee，mylady，youcaredlittleformewhenIwasweakandhelpless；

whyshouldIcometoyounowIamstrong?She，deardevotedsoul[pointingtoMilly]，tendedmefrommybirth，watchedoverme，nursedmewhenIwasill，anddeprivedherselfofmanyalittlecomforttopushmeon。IcannotloveanothermotherasIloveher。

SheISmymother，andIwillalwaysbeherson!"AshespokeheputhismanlyarmroundMilly"sneck，andkissedherwiththetenderestaffection。

TheagonyofthepoorMarchionesswaspitiable。"Youkillme!"shesaid，betweenhershakingsobs。"Cannotyou——love——me——too?"

"No，mylady。IfImustsayit，youwereashamedofmypoorfather，whowasasincereandhonestman；therefore，Iamashamedofyou。"

Nothingwouldmovehim；andthesufferingwomanatlastgasped，"Cannot——oh，cannotyougiveonekisstome——asyoudidtoher?Itisnotmuch——itisallIask——all!"

"Certainly，"hereplied。

Hekissedhercoldly，andthepainfulscenecametoanend。ThatdaywasthebeginningofdeathtotheunfortunateMarchionessofStonehenge。Itwasintheperversenessofherhumanheartthathisdenialofhershouldaddfueltothefireofhercravingforhislove。HowlongafterwardsshelivedIdonotknowwithanyexactness，butitwasnogreatlengthoftime。Thatanguishthatissharperthanaserpent"stoothworeheroutsoon。Utterlyrecklessoftheworld，itsways，anditsopinions，sheallowedherstorytobecomeknown；andwhenthewelcomeendsupervened(which，Igrievetosay，sherefusedtolightenbytheconsolationsofreligion)，abrokenheartwasthetruestphraseinwhichtosumupitscause。

Theruraldeanhavingconcluded，someobservationsuponhistaleweremadeinduecourse。ThesentimentalmembersaidthatLadyCaroline"shistoryaffordedasadinstanceofhowanhonesthumanaffectionwillbecomeshamefacedandmeanunderthefrostofclass-

divisionandsocialprejudices。Sheprobablydeservedsomepity；

thoughheroffspring，beforehegrewuptoman"sestate，haddeservedmore。Therewasnopathoslikethepathosofchildhood，whenachildfounditselfinaworldwhereitwasnotwanted，andcouldnotunderstandthereasonwhy。Atalebythespeaker，furtherillustratingthesamesubject，thoughwithdifferentresultsfromthelast，naturallyfollowed。

DAMETHEFOURTH:LADYMOTTISFONT

BytheSentimentalMemberOfalltheromantictownsinWessex，Wintoncesterisprobablythemostconvenientformeditativepeopletolivein；sincethereyouhaveacathedralwithanavesolongthatitaffordsspaceinwhichtowalkandsummonyourremotermoodswithoutcontinuallyturningonyourheel，orseemingtodomorethantakeanafternoonstrollundercoverfromtherainorsun。Inanuninterruptedcourseofnearlythreehundredstepseastward，andagainnearlythreehundredstepswestwardamidthosemagnificenttombs，youcan，forinstance，compareinthemostleisurelywaythedrydustinesswhichultimatelypervadesthepersonsofkingsandbishopswiththedamperdustinessthatisusuallythefinalshapeofcommoners，curates，andotherswhotaketheirlastrestoutofdoors。Then，ifyouareinlove，youcan，bysaunteringinthechapelsandbehindtheepiscopalchantrieswiththebright-eyedone，sosteepandmellowyourecstasyinthesolemnitiesaround，thatitwillassumeararerandfinertincture，evenmoregratefultotheunderstanding，ifnottothesenses，thanthatformoftheemotionwhicharisesfromsuchcompanionshipinspotswhereallislife，andgrowth，andfecundity。

Itwasinthissolemnplace，whithertheyhadwithdrawnfromthesightofrelativesononecolddayinMarch，thatSirAshleyMottisfontaskedinmarriage，ashissecondwife，Philippa，thegentledaughterofplainSquireOkehall。Herlifehadbeenanobscureonethusfar；whileSirAshley，thoughnotarichman，hadacertaindistinctionabouthim；sothateverybodythoughtwhataconvenient，elevating，and，inaword，blessedmatchitwouldbeforsuchasupernumeraryasshe。Nobodythoughtsomorethantheamiablegirlherself。Shehadbeensmittenwithsuchaffectionforhimthat，whenshewalkedthecathedralaislesathissideonthebefore-mentionedday，shedidnotknowthatherfeettouchedhardpavement；itseemedtoherratherthatshewasfloatinginspace。

Philippawasanecstatic，heart-thumpingmaiden，andcouldnotunderstandhowshehaddeservedtohavesenttohersuchanillustriouslover，suchatravelledpersonage，suchahandsomeman。

Whenheputthequestion，itwasinnoclumsylanguage，suchastheordinarybucoliccountylandlordswerewonttouseonlikequiveringoccasions，butaselegantlyasifhehadbeentaughtitinEnfield"sSpeaker。Yethehesitatedalittle——forhehadsomethingtoadd。

"MyprettyPhilippa，"hesaid(shewasnotveryprettybytheway)，"Ihave，youmustknow，alittlegirldependentuponme:alittlewaifIfoundonedayinapatchofwildoats[suchwasthisworthybaronet"shumour]whenIwasridinghome:alittlenamelesscreature，whomIwishtotakecareoftillsheisoldenoughtotakecareofherself；andtoeducateinaplainway。Sheisonlyfifteenmonthsold，andisatpresentinthehandsofakindvillager"swifeinmyparish。Willyouobjecttogivesomeattentiontothelittlethinginherhelplessness?"

Itneedhardlybesaidthatourinnocentyounglady，lovinghimsodeeplyandjoyfullyasshedid，repliedthatshewoulddoallshecouldforthenamelesschild；and，shortlyafterwards，thepairweremarriedinthesamecathedralthathadechoedthewhispersofhisdeclaration，theofficiatingministerbeingtheBishophimself；avenerableandexperiencedman，sowellaccomplishedinunitingpeoplewhohadamindforthatsortofexperiment，thatthecouple，withsomesenseofsurprise，foundthemselvesonewhiletheywerestillvaguelygazingateachotherastwoindependentbeings。

AfterthisoperationtheywenthometoDeansleighPark，andmadeabeginningoflivinghappilyeverafter。LadyMottisfont，truetoherpromise，wasalwaysrunningdowntothevillageduringthefollowingweekstoseethebabywhomherhusbandhadsomysteriouslylightedonduringhisridehome——concerningwhichinterestingdiscoveryshehadherownopinion；butbeingsoextremelyamiableandaffectionatethatshecouldhavelovedstocksandstonesiftherehadbeennolivingcreaturestolove，sheutterednoneofherthoughts。Thelittlething，whohadbeenchristenedDorothy，tooktoLadyMottisfontasifthebaronet"syoungwifehadbeenhermother；andatlengthPhilippagrewsofondofthechildthatsheventuredtoaskherhusbandifshemighthaveDorothyinherownhome，andbringherupcarefully，justasifshewereherown。Tothisheansweredthat，thoughremarksmightbemadethereon，hehadnoobjection；afactwhichwasobvious，SirAshleyseemingratherpleasedthanotherwisewiththeproposal。

AfterthistheylivedquietlyanduneventfullyfortwoorthreeyearsatSirAshleyMottisfont"sresidenceinthatpartofEngland，withasnearanapproachtoblissastheclimateofthiscountryallows。ThechildhadbeenagodsendtoPhilippa，forthereseemednogreatprobabilityofherhavingoneofherown:andshewiselyregardedthepossessionofDorothyasaspecialkindnessofProvidence，anddidnotworryhermindatallastoDorothy"spossibleorigin。Beingatenderandimpulsivecreature，shelovedherhusbandwithoutcriticism，exhaustivelyandreligiously，andthechildnotmuchotherwise。Shewatchedthelittlefoundlingasifshehadbeenherownbynature，andDorothybecameagreatsolacetoherwhenherhusbandwasabsentonpleasureorbusiness；andwhenhecamehomehelookedpleasedtoseehowthetwohadwoneachother"shearts。SirAshleywouldkisshiswife，andhiswifewouldkisslittleDorothy，andlittleDorothywouldkissSirAshley，andafterthistriangularburstofaffectionLadyMottisfontwouldsay，"Dearme——Iforgetsheisnotmine!"

"Whatdoesitmatter?"herhusbandwouldreply。"Providenceisfore-knowing。Hehassentusthisonebecauseheisnotintendingtosendusonebyanyotherchannel。"

Theirlifewasofthesimplest。Sincehistravelsthebaronethadtakentosportingandfarming；whilePhilippawasapatternofdomesticity。Theirpleasureswerealllocal。Theyretiredearlytorest，androsewiththecart-horsesandwhistlingwaggoners。Theyknewthenamesofeverybirdandtreenotexceptionallyuncommon，andcouldforetelltheweatheralmostaswellasanxiousfarmersandoldpeoplewithcorns。

OnedaySirAshleyMottisfontreceivedaletter，whichheread，andmusinglylaiddownonthetablewithoutremark。

"Whatisit，dearest?"askedhiswife，glancingatthesheet。

"Oh，itisfromanoldlawyeratBathwhomIusedtoknow。HeremindsmeofsomethingIsaidtohimfourorfiveyearsago——somelittletimebeforeweweremarried——aboutDorothy。"

"Whatabouther?"

"ItwasacasualremarkImadetohim，whenIthoughtyoumightnottakekindlytoher，thatifheknewaladywhowasanxioustoadoptachild，andcouldinsureagoodhometoDorothy，hewastoletmeknow。"

"Butthatwaswhenyouhadnobodytotakecareofher，"shesaidquickly。"Howabsurdofhimtowritenow!Doesheknowyouaremarried?Hemust，surely。"

"Ohyes!"

Hehandedhertheletter。Thesolicitorstatedthatawidow-ladyofposition，whodidnotatpresentwishhernametobedisclosed，hadlatelybecomeaclientofhiswhiletakingthewaters，andhadmentionedtohimthatshewouldlikealittlegirltobringupasherown，ifshecouldbecertainoffindingoneofgoodandpleasingdisposition；and，thebettertoinsurethis，shewouldnotwishthechildtobetooyoungforjudgingherqualities。HehadrememberedSirAshley"sobservationtohimalongwhileago，andthereforebroughtthematterbeforehim。Itwouldbeanexcellenthomeforthelittlegirl——ofthathewaspositive——ifshehadnotalreadyfoundsuchahome。

"Butitisabsurdofthemantowritesolongafter!"saidLadyMottisfont，withalumpinessaboutthebackofherthroatasshethoughthowmuchDorothyhadbecometoher。"Isupposeitwaswhenyoufirst——foundher——thatyoutoldhimthis?"

"Exactly——itwasthen。"

Hefellintothought，andneitherSirAshleynorLadyMottisfonttookthetroubletoanswerthelawyer"sletter；andsothematterendedforthetime。

Onedayatdinner，ontheirreturnfromashortabsenceintown，whithertheyhadgonetoseewhattheworldwasdoing，hearwhatitwassaying，andtomakethemselvesgenerallyfashionableafterrusticatingforsolong——onthisoccasion，Isay，theylearntfromsomefriendwhohadjoinedthematdinnerthatFernellHall——themanorialhouseoftheestatenexttheirown，whichhadbeenofferedonleasebyreasonoftheimpecuniosityofitsowner——hadbeentakenforatermbyawidowlady，anItalianContessa，whosenameIwillnotmentionforcertainreasonswhichmaybyandbyappear。LadyMottisfontexpressedhersurpriseandinterestattheprobabilityofhavingsuchaneighbour。"Though，ifIhadbeenborninItaly，I

thinkIshouldhavelikedtoremainthere，"shesaid。

"SheisnotItalian，thoughherhusbandwas，"saidSirAshley。

"Oh，youhaveheardaboutherbeforenow?"

"Yes；theyweretalkingofheratGrey"stheotherevening。SheisEnglish。"Andthen，asherhusbandsaidnomoreaboutthelady，thefriendwhowasdiningwiththemtoldLadyMottisfontthattheCountess"sfatherhadspeculatedlargelyinEast-IndiaStock，inwhichimmensefortuneswerebeingmadeatthattime；throughthishisdaughterhadfoundherselfenormouslywealthyathisdeath，whichhadoccurredonlyafewweeksafterthedeathofherhusband。

ItwassupposedthatthemarriageofanenterprisingEnglishspeculator"sdaughtertoapoorforeignnoblemanhadbeenmatterofarrangementmerely。AssoonastheCountess"swidowhoodwasalittlefurtheradvancedshewould，nodoubt，bethemarkofalltheschemerswhocamenearher，forshewasstillquiteyoung。Butatpresentsheseemedtodesirequiet，andavoidedsocietyandtown。

SomeweeksafterthistimeSirAshleyMottisfontsatlookingfixedlyathisladyformanymoments。Hesaid:

"ItmighthavebeenbetterforDorothyiftheCountesshadtakenher。Sheissowealthyincomparisonwithourselves，andcouldhaveusheredthegirlintothegreatworldmoreeffectuallythanweevershallbeabletodo。"

"TheContessatakeDorothy?"saidLadyMottisfontwithastart。

"What——wasshetheladywhowishedtoadopther?"

"Yes；shewasstayingatBathwhenLawyerGaytonwrotetome。"

"Buthowdoyouknowallthis，Ashley?"

Heshowedalittlehesitation。"Oh，I"veseenher，"hesays。"Youknow，shedrivestothemeetsometimes，thoughshedoesnotride；

andshehasinformedmethatshewastheladywhoinquiredofGayton。"

"Youhavetalkedtoheraswellasseenher，then?"

"Ohyes，severaltimes；everybodyhas。"

"Whydidn"tyoutellme?"sayshislady。"Ihadquiteforgottentocalluponher。I"llgoto-morrow，orsoon……ButIcan"tthink，Ashley，howyoucansaythatitmighthavebeenbetterforDorothytohavegonetoher；sheissomuchourownnowthatIcannotadmitanysuchconjecturesasthose，eveninjest。"HereyesreproachedhimsoeloquentlythatSirAshleyMottisfontdidnotanswer。

LadyMottisfontdidnothuntanymorethantheAnglo-ItalianCountessdid；indeed，shehadbecomesoabsorbedinhouseholdmattersandinDorothy"swellbeingthatshehadnomindtowasteaminuteonmereenjoyments。Asshehadsaid，totalkcoollyofwhatmighthavebeenthebestdestinationindayspastforachildtowhomtheyhadbecomesoattachedseemedquitebarbarous，andshecouldnotunderstandhowherhusbandshouldconsiderthepointsoabstractedly；for，aswillprobablyhavebeenguessed，LadyMottisfontlongbeforethistime，ifshehadnotdonesoattheverybeginning，divinedSirAshley"struerelationtoDorothy。Butthebaronet"swifewassodiscreetlymeekandmildthatshenevertoldhimofhersurmise，andtookwhatHeavenhadsentherwithoutcavil，hergenerosityinthisrespecthavingbeenbountifullyrewardedbythenewlifeshefoundinherloveforthelittlegirl。

Herhusbandrecurredtothesameuncomfortablesubjectwhen，afewdayslater，theywerespeakingoftravellingabroad。Hesaidthatitwasalmostapity，iftheythoughtofgoing，thattheyhadnotfalleninwiththeCountess"swish。ThatladyhadtoldhimthatshehadmetDorothywalkingwithhernurse，andthatshehadneverseenachildshelikedsowell。

"What——shecovetsherstill?Howimpertinentofthewoman!"saidLadyMottisfont。

"Sheseemstodoso……Yousee，dearestPhilippa，theadvantagetoDorothywouldhavebeenthattheCountesswouldhaveadoptedherlegally，andhavemadeherasherowndaughter；whilewehavenotdonethat——weareonlybringingupandeducatingapoorchildincharity。"

"ButI"lladoptherfully——makeherminelegally!"criedhiswifeinananxiousvoice。"Howisittobedone?"

"H"m。"Hedidnotinformher，butfellintothought；and，forreasonsofherown，hisladywasrestlessanduneasy。

TheverynextdayLadyMottisfontdrovetoFernellHalltopaytheneglectedcalluponherneighbour。TheCountesswasathome，andreceivedhergraciously。ButpoorLadyMottisfont"sheartdiedwithinherassoonassheseteyesonhernewacquaintance。Suchwonderfulbeauty，ofthefully-developedkind，hadneverconfrontedherbeforeinsidethelinesofahumanface。Sheseemedtoshinewitheverylightandgracethatwomancanpossess。HerfinishedContinentalmanners，herexpandedmind，herreadywit，composedastudythatmadetheotherpoorladysick；forshe，andlatterlySirAshleyhimself，wereratherruralinmanners，andshefeltabashedbynewsoundsandideasfromwithout。Shehardlyknewthreewordsinanylanguagebutherown，whilethisdivinecreature，thoughtrulyEnglish，had，apparently，whatevershewantedintheItalianandFrenchtonguestosuiteveryimpression；whichwasconsideredagreatimprovementtospeechinthosedays，and，indeed，isbymanyconsideredassuchinthese。

"Howverystrangeitwasaboutthelittlegirl!"theContessasaidtoLadyMottisfont，inhergaytones。"Imean，thatthechildthelawyerrecommendedshould，justbeforethen，havebeenadoptedbyyou，whoarenowmyneighbour。Howisshegettingon?Imustcomeandseeher。"

"Doyoustillwanther?"asksLadyMottisfontsuspiciously。

"Oh，Ishouldliketohaveher!"

"Butyoucan"t!She"smine!"saidtheothergreedily。

AdroopingmarinerappearedintheCountessfromthatmoment。

LadyMottisfont，too，wasinawretchedmoodallthewayhomethatday。TheCountesswassocharmingineverywaythatshehadcharmedhergentleladyship；howshoulditbepossiblethatshehadfailedtocharmSirAshley?Moreover，shehadawakenedastrangethoughtinPhilippa"smind。Assoonasshereachedhomesherushedtothenursery，andthere，seizingDorothy，franticallykissedher；then，holdingheratarm"slength，shegazedwithapiercinginquisitivenessintothegirl"slineaments。Shesigheddeeply，abandonedthewonderingDorothy，andhastenedaway。

Shehadseentherenotonlyherhusband"straits，whichshehadoftenbeheldbefore，butothers，oftheshade，shape，andexpressionwhichcharacterizedthoseofhernewneighbour。

Thenthispoorladyperceivedthewholeperturbingsequenceofthings，andaskedherselfhowshecouldhavebeensuchawalkingpieceofsimplicityasnottohavethoughtofthisbefore。Butshedidnotstaylongupbraidingherselfforhershortsightedness，sooverwhelmedwasshewithmiseryatthespectacleofherselfasanintruderbetweenthese。Tobesureshecouldnothaveforeseensuchaconjuncture；butthatdidnotlessenhergrief。Thewomanwhohadbeenbothherhusband"sblissandhisbackslidinghadreappearedfreewhenhewasnolongerso，andsheevidentlywasdyingtoclaimherowninthepersonofDorothy，whohadmeanwhilegrowntobe，toLadyMottisfont，almosttheonlysourceofeachday"shappiness，supplyingherwithsomethingtowatchover，inspiringherwiththesenseofmaternity，andsolargelyreflectingherhusband"snatureasalmosttodeceiveherintothepleasantbeliefthatshereflectedherownalso。

Iftherewasasingledirectioninwhichthisdevotedandvirtuousladyerred，itwasinthedirectionofover-submissiveness。Whenallissaidanddone，andthetruthtold，menseldomshowmuchself-

sacrificeintheirconductaslordsandmasterstohelplesswomenboundtothemforlife，andperhaps(thoughIsayitwithalluncertainty)ifshehadblazedupinhisfacelikeafurze-faggot，directlyhecamehome，shemighthavehelpedherselfalittle。ButGodknowswhetherthisisatruesupposition；atanyrateshedidnosuchthing；andwaitedandprayedthatshemightneverdodespitetohimwho，shewasboundtoadmit，hadalwaysbeentenderandcourteoustowardsher；andhopedthatlittleDorothymightneverbetakenaway。

Bydegreesthetwohouseholdsbecamefriendly，andveryseldomdidaweekpasswithouttheirseeingsomethingofeachother。Tryasshemight，anddangerousassheassumedtheacquaintanceshiptobe，LadyMottisfontcoulddetectnofaultorflawinhernewfriend。ItwasobviousthatDorothyhadbeenthemagnetwhichhaddrawntheContessahither，andnotSirAshley。

Suchbeauty，unitedwithsuchunderstandingandbrightness，Philippahadneverbeforeknowninoneofherownsex，andshetriedtothink(whethershesucceededIdonotknow)thatshedidnotmindthepropinquity；sinceawomansorich，sofair，andwithsuchacommandofsuitors，couldnotdesiretowreckthehappinessofsoinoffensiveapersonasherself。

TheseasondrewonwhenitwasthecustomforfamiliesofdistinctiontogoofftoTheBath，andSirAshleyMottisfontpersuadedhiswifetoaccompanyhimthitherwithDorothy。Everybodyofanynotewastherethisyear。FromtheirownpartofEnglandcamemanythattheyknew；amongtherest，LordandLadyPurbeck，theEarlandCountessofWessex，SirJohnGrebe，theDrenkhards，LadyStourvale，theoldDukeofHamptonshire，theBishopofMelchester，theDeanofExonbury，andotherlesserlightsofCourt，pulpit，andfield。ThitheralsocamethefairContessa，whom，assoonasPhilippasawhowmuchshewassoughtafterbyyoungermen，shecouldnotconscientiouslysuspectofreneweddesignsuponSirAshley。

ButtheCountesshadfineropportunitiesthaneverwithDorothy；forLadyMottisfontwasoftenindisposed，andevenatothertimescouldnothonestlyhinderanintercoursewhichgavebrightideastothechild。Dorothywelcomedhernewacquaintancewithastrangeandinstinctivereadinessthatintimatedthewonderfulsubtletyofthethreadswhichbindfleshandfleshtogether。

Atlastthecrisiscame:itwasprecipitatedbyanaccident。

Dorothyandhernursehadgoneoutonedayforanairing，leavingLadyMottisfontaloneindoors。WhileshesatgloomilythinkingthatinalllikelihoodtheCountesswouldcontrivetomeetthechildsomewhere，andexchangeafewtenderwordswithher，SirAshleyMottisfontrushedinandinformedherthatDorothyhadjusthadthenarrowestpossibleescapefromdeath。Someworkmenwereunderminingahousetopullitdownforrebuilding，when，withoutwarning，thefrontwallinclinedslowlyoutwardsforitsfall，thenurseandchildpassingbeneathitatthesamemoment。Thefallwastemporarilyarrestedbythescaffolding，whileinthemeantimetheCountesshadwitnessedtheirimminentdangerfromtheothersideofthestreet。Springingacross，shesnatchedDorothyfromunderthewall，andpulledthenurseafterher，themiddleofthewaybeingbarelyreachedbeforetheywereenvelopedinthedensedustofthedescendingmass，thoughnotastonetouchedthem。

"WhereisDorothy?"saystheexcitedLadyMottisfont。

"Shehasher——shewon"tlethergoforatime——"

"Hasher?Butshe"sMINE——she"smine!"criesLadyMottisfont。

ThenherquickandtendereyesperceivedthatherhusbandhadalmostforgottenherintrusiveexistenceincontemplatingtheonenessofDorothy"s，theCountess"s，andhisown:hewasinadreamofexaltationwhichrecognizednothingnecessarytohiswell-beingoutsidethatweldedcircleofthreelives。

Dorothywasatlengthbroughthome；shewasmuchfascinatedbytheCountess，andsawnothingtragic，butratherallthatwastrulydelightful，inwhathadhappened。Intheevening，whentheexcitementwasover，andDorothywasputtobed，SirAshleysaid，"ShehassavedDorothy；andIhavebeenaskingmyselfwhatIcandoforherasaslightacknowledgmentofherheroism。SurelyweoughttoletherhaveDorothytobringup，sinceshestilldesirestodoit?ItwouldbesomuchtoDorothy"sadvantage。Weoughttolookatitinthatlight，andnotselfishly。"

Philippaseizedhishand。"Ashley，Ashley!Youdon"tmeanit——thatImustlosemyprettydarling——theonlyoneIhave?"Shemethisgazewithherpiteousmouthandweteyessopainfullystrained，thatheturnedawayhisface。

Thenextmorning，beforeDorothywasawake，LadyMottisfontstoletothegirl"sbedside，andsatregardingher。WhenDorothyopenedhereyes，shefixedthemforalongtimeuponPhilippa"sfeatures。

"Mamma——youarenotsoprettyastheContessa，areyou?"shesaidatlength。

"Iamnot，Dorothy。"

"Whyareyounot，mamma?"