第8章
YetthesefriendlycottagerswereatthistimefarfromsuspectingtherealdimensionsofEmmeline"smisery，norwasitcleareventothosewhocameintomuchclosercommunionwithherthanthey，sowellhadsheconcealedherheart-sickness。Butbrideandbridegroomhadnotlongbeenhomeatthecastlewhentheyoungwife"sunhappinessbecameplainlyenoughperceptible。Hermaidsandmensaidthatshewasinthehabitofturningtothewainscotandsheddingstupidscaldingtearsatatimewhenaright-mindedladywouldhavebeenoverhaulingherwardrobe。Sheprayedearnestlyinthegreatchurch-pew，whereshesatlonelyandinsignificantasamouseinacell，insteadofcountingherrings，fallingasleep，oramusingherselfinsilentlaughteratthequeeroldpeopleinthecongregation，aspreviousbeautiesofthefamilyhaddoneintheirtime。Sheseemedtocarenomoreforeatinganddrinkingoutofcrystalandsilverthanfromaserviceofearthenvessels。Herheadwas，intruth，fullofsomethingelse；andthatsuchwasthecasewasonlytooobvioustotheDuke，herhusband。Atfirsthewouldonlytauntherforherfollyinthinkingofthatmilk-and-waterparson；butastimewentonhischargestookamorepositiveshape。
Hewouldnotbelieveherassurancethatshehadinnowaycommunicatedwithherformerlover，norhewithher，sincetheirpartinginthepresenceofherfather。Thisledtosomestrangescenesbetweenthemwhichneednotbedetailed；theirresultwassoontotakeacatastrophicshape。
Onedarkquietevening，abouttwomonthsafterthemarriage，amanenteredthegateadmittingfromthehighwaytotheparkandavenuewhichranuptothehouse。Hearrivedwithintwohundredyardsofthewalls，whenheleftthegravelleddriveanddrewneartothecastlebyaroundaboutpathleadingintoashrubbery。Herehestoodstill。Inafewminutesthestrokesofthecastle-clockresounded，andthenafemalefigureenteredthesamesecludednookfromanoppositedirection。Therethetwoindistinctpersonsleapttogetherlikeapairofdewdropsonaleaf；andthentheystoodapart，facingeachother，thewomanlookingdown。
"Emmeline，youbeggedmetocome，andhereIam，Heavenforgiveme!"
saidthemanhoarsely。
"Youaregoingtoemigrate，Alwyn，"shesaidinbrokenaccents。"I
haveheardofit；yousailfromPlymouthinthreedaysintheWesternGlory?"
"Yes。IcanliveinEnglandnolonger。Lifeisasdeathtomehere，"sayshe。
"Mylifeisevenworse——worsethandeath。Deathwouldnothavedrivenmetothisextremity。Listen，Alwyn——Ihavesentforyoutobegtogowithyou，oratleasttobenearyou——todoanythingsothatitbenottostayhere。"
"Togoawaywithme?"hesaidinastartledtone。
"Yes，yes——orunderyourdirection，orbyyourhelpinsomeway!
Don"tbehorrifiedatme——youmustbearwithmewhilstIimploreit。
Nothingshortofcrueltywouldhavedrivenmetothis。IcouldhavebornemydoominsilencehadIbeenleftunmolested；buthetorturesme，andIshallsoonbeinthegraveifIcannotescape。"
Tohisshockedinquiryhowherhusbandtorturedher，theDuchesssaidthatitwasbyjealousy。"Hetriestowringadmissionsfrommeconcerningyou，"shesaid，"andwillnotbelievethatIhavenotcommunicatedwithyousincemyengagementtohimwassettledbymyfather，andIwasforcedtoagreetoit。"
Thepoorcuratesaidthatthiswastheheaviestnewsofall。"Hehasnotpersonallyill-usedyou?"heasked。
"Yes，"shewhispered。
"Whathashedone?"
Shelookedfearfullyaround，andsaid，sobbing:"IntryingtomakemeconfesstowhatIhaveneverdone，headoptsplansIdarenotdescribeforterrifyingmeintoaweakstate，sothatImayowntoanything!Iresolvedtowritetoyou，asIhadnootherfriend。"
Sheadded，withdrearyirony，"IthoughtIwouldgivehimsomegroundforhissuspicion，soasnottodisgracehisjudgment。"
"Doyoureallymean，Emmeline，"hetremblinglyinquired，"thatyou——
thatyouwanttoflywithme?"
"CanyouthinkthatIwouldactotherwisethaninearnestatsuchatimeasthis?"
Hewassilentforaminuteormore。"Youmustnotgowithme，"hesaid。
"Why?"
"Itwouldbesin。"
"ItCANNOTbesin，forIhaveneverwantedtocommitsininmylife；
anditisn"tlikelyIwouldbeginnow，whenIprayeverydaytodieandbesenttoHeavenoutofmymisery!"
"Butitiswrong，Emmeline，allthesame。"
"Isitwrongtorunawayfromthefirethatscorchesyou?"
"Itwouldlookwrong，atanyrate，inthiscase。"
"Alwyn，Alwyn，takeme，Ibeseechyou!"sheburstout。"Itisnotrightingeneral，Iknow，butitissuchanexceptionalinstance，this。Whyhassuchaseverestrainbeenputuponme?Iwasdoingnoharm，injuringnoone，helpingmanypeople，andexpectinghappiness；yettroublecame。CanitbethatGodholdsmeinderision?Ihadnosupporter——Igaveway；andnowmylifeisaburdenandashametome……Oh，ifyouonlyknewhowmuchtomethisrequesttoyouis——howmylifeiswrappedupinit，youcouldnotdenyme!"
"Thisisalmostbeyondendurance——Heavensupportus，"hegroaned。
"Emmy，youaretheDuchessofHamptonshire，theDukeofHamptonshire"swife；youmustnotgowithme!"
"AndamIthenrefused?——Oh，amIrefused?"shecriedfrantically。
"Alwyn，Alwyn，doyousayitindeedtome?"
"Yes，Ido，dear，tenderheart!Idomostsadlysayit。Youmustnotgo。Forgiveme，forthereisnoalternativebutrefusal。
ThoughIdie，thoughyoudie，wemustnotflytogether。ItisforbiddeninGod"slaw。Good-bye，foralwaysandever!"
Hetorehimselfaway，hastenedfromtheshrubbery，andvanishedamongthetrees。
Threedaysafterthismeetingandfarewell，Alwyn，hissoft，handsomefeaturesstampedwithahaggardhardnessthattenyearsofordinarywearandtearintheworldcouldscarcelyhaveproduced，sailedfromPlymouthonadrizzlingmorning，inthepassenger-shipWesternGlory。Whenthelandhadfadedbehindhimhemechanicallyendeavouredtoschoolhimselfintoastoicalframeofmind。Hisattempt，backedupbythestrongmoralstayingpowerthathadenabledhimtoresistthepassionatetemptationtowhichEmmeline，inherrecklesstrustfulness，hadexposedhim，wasrewardedbyacertainkindofsuccess，thoughthemurmuringstretchofwaterswhereonhegazeddayafterdaytoooftenseemedtobearticulatingtohimintonesofherwell-rememberedvoice。
Heframedonhisjourneyrulesofconductforreducingtomildproportionsthefeverishregretswhichwouldoccasionallyariseandagitatehim，whenheindulgedinvisionsofwhatmighthavebeenhadhenothearkenedtothewhispersofconscience。Hefixedhisthoughtsforsomanyhoursadayonphilosophicalpassagesinthevolumeshehadbroughtwithhim，allowinghimselfnowandthenafewminutes"thoughtofEmmeline，withthestrictyetreluctantniggardlinessofanailingepicureproportioningtherankdrinksthatcausehismalady。Thevoyagewasmarkedbytheusualincidentsofasailing-passageinthosedays——astorm，acalm，amanoverboard，abirth，andafuneral——thelattersadeventbeingoneinwhichhe，astheonlyclergymanonboard，officiated，readingtheserviceordainedforthepurpose。TheshipdulyarrivedatBostonearlyinthemonthfollowing，andthenceheproceededtoProvidencetoseekoutadistantrelative。
AfterashortstayatProvidencehereturnedagaintoBoston，andbyapplyinghimselftoaseriousoccupationmadegoodprogressinshakingoffthedrearymelancholywhichenvelopedhimevennow。
Distractedandweakenedinhisbeliefsbyhisrecentexperiences，hedecidedthathecouldnotforatimeworthilyfilltheofficeofaministerofreligion，andappliedforthemastershipofaschool。
Someintroductions，givenhimbeforestarting，wereusefulnow，andhesoonbecameknownasarespectablescholarandgentlemantothetrusteesofoneofthecolleges。ThisultimatelyledtohisretirementfromtheschoolandinstallationinthecollegeasProfessorofrhetoricandoratory。
Hereandthushelivedon，exertinghimselfsolelybecauseofaconscientiousdeterminationtodohisduty。Hepassedhiswintereveningsinturningsonnetsandelegies，oftengivinghisthoughtsvoicein"LinestoanUnfortunateLady，"whilehissummerleisureatthesamehourwouldbespentinwatchingthelengtheningshadowsfromhiswindow，andfancifullycomparingthemwiththeshadesofhisownlife。Ifhewalked，hementallyinquiredwhichwastheeasternquarterofthelandscape，andthoughtoftwothousandmilesofwaterthatway，andofwhatwasbeyondit。Inawordhewasatallsparetimesdreamingofherwhowasonlyamemorytohim，andwouldprobablyneverbemore。
Nineyearspassedby，andundertheirwearandtearAlwynHill"sfacelostagreatmanyoftheattractivecharacteristicswhichhadformerlydistinguishedit。Hewaskindtohispupilsandaffabletoallwhocameincontactwithhim；butthekernelofhislife，hissecret，waskeptassnuglyshutupasthoughhehadbeendumb。IntalkingtohisacquaintancesofEnglandandhislifethere，heomittedtheepisodeofBattonCastleandEmmelineasifithadnoexistenceinhiscalendaratall。Thoughoftoweringimportancetohimself，ithadfilledbutashortandsmallfragmentoftime，anephemeralseasonwhichwouldhavebeenwellnighimperceptible，eventohim，atthisdistance，butfortheincidentitenshrined。
Oneday，atthisdate，whencursorilyglancingoveranoldEnglishnewspaper，heobservedaparagraphwhich，shortasitwas，containedforhimwholetomesofthrillinginformation——rungwithmorepassion-stirringrhythmthanthecollectedcantosofallthepoets。
ItwasanannouncementofthedeathoftheDukeofHamptonshire，leavingbehindhimawidow，butnochildren。
ThecurrentofAlwyn"sthoughtsnowcompletelychanged。Onlookingagainatthenewspaperhefoundittobeonethatwassenthimlongago，andhadbeencarelesslythrownaside。Butforanaccidentaloverhaulingofthewastejournalsinhisstudyhemightnothaveknownoftheeventforyears。AtthismomentofreadingtheDukehadalreadybeendeadsevenmonths。Alwyncouldnownolongerbindhimselfdowntomachine-madesynecdoche，antithesis，andclimax，beingfullofspontaneousspecimensofalltheserhetoricalforms，whichhedarednotutter。Whoshallwonderthathismindluxuriatedindreamsofasweetpossibilitynowlaidopenforthefirsttimethesemanyyears?forEmmelinewastohimnowasevertheonedearthinginalltheworld。Theissueofhissilentromancingwasthatheresolvedtoreturntoherattheveryearliestmoment。
Buthecouldnotabandonhisprofessionalworkontheinstant。Hedidnotgetreallyquitefreefromengagementstillfourmonthslater；but，thoughsufferingthroesofimpatiencecontinually，hesaidtohimselfeveryday:"Ifshehascontinuedtolovemenineyearsshewilllovemeten；shewillthinkthemoretenderlyofmewhenherpresenthoursofsolitudeshallhavedonetheirproperwork；oldtimeswillrevivewiththecessationofherrecentexperience，andeverydaywillfavourmyreturn。"
Theenforcedintervalsoonpassed，andhedulyarrivedinEngland，reachingthevillageofBattononacertainwinterdaybetweentwelveandthirteenmonthssubsequenttothetimeoftheDuke"sdeath。
Itwasevening；yetsuchwasAlwyn"simpatiencethathecouldnotforbeartaking，thisverynight，onelookatthecastlewhichEmmelinehadenteredasunhappymistresstenyearsbefore。Hethreadedtheparktrees，gazedinpassingatwell-knownoutlineswhichroseagainstthedimsky，andwassooninterestedinobservingthatlivelycountry-people，inpartiesoftwoandthree，werewalkingbeforeandbehindhimuptheinterlacedavenuetothecastlegateway。Knowinghimselftobesafefromrecognition，Alwyninquiredofoneofthesepedestrianswhatwasgoingon。
"HerGracegiveshertenantryaballto-night，tokeepuptheoldcustomoftheDukeandhisfatherbeforehim，whichshedoesnotwishtochange。"
"Indeed。HasshelivedhereentirelyalonesincetheDuke"sdeath?"
"Quitealone。Butthoughshedoesn"treceivecompanyherself，shelikesthevillagepeopletoenjoythemselves，andoftenhas"emhere。"
"Kind-hearted，asalways!"thoughtAlwyn。
Onreachingthecastlehefoundthatthegreatgatesatthetradesmen"sentrancewerethrownbackagainstthewallasiftheywerenevertobeclosedagain；thatthepassagesandroomsinthatwingwerebrilliantlylightedup，someofthenumerouscandlesgutteringdownoverthegreenleaveswhichdecoratedthem，anduponthesilkdressesofthehappyfarmers"wivesastheypassedbeneath，eachonherhusband"sarm。Alwynfoundnodifficultyinmarchinginalongwiththerest，thecastlebeingLibertyHallto-night。Hestoodunobservedinacornerofthelargeapartmentwheredancingwasabouttobegin。
"HerGrace，thoughhardlyoutofmourning，willbesuretocomedownandleadoffthedancewithneighbourBates，"saidone。
"WhoisneighbourBates?"askedAlwyn。
"Anoldmansherespectsmuch——theoldestofhertenant-farmers。Hewasseventy-eighthislastbirthday。"
"Ah，tobesure!"saidAlwyn，athisease。"Iremember。"
Thedancersformedinline，andwaited。Adooropenedatthefartherendofthehall，andaladyinblacksilkcameforth。Shebowed，smiled，andproceededtothetopofthedance。
"Whoisthatlady?"saidAlwyn，inapuzzledtone。"IthoughtyoutoldmethattheDuchessofHamptonshire——"
"ThatistheDuchess，"saidhisinformant。
"Butthereisanother?"
"No；thereisnoother。"
"ButsheisnottheDuchessofHamptonshire——whousedto——"Alwyn"stonguestucktohismouth，hecouldgetnofarther。
"What"sthematter?"saidhisacquaintance。Alwynhadretired，andwassupportinghimselfagainstthewall。
ThewretchedAlwynmurmuredsomethingaboutastitchinhissidefromwalking。Thenthemusicstruckup，thedancewenton，andhisneighbourbecamesointerestedinwatchingthemovementsofthisstrangeDuchessthroughitsmazesastoforgetAlwynforawhile。
Itgavehimanopportunitytobracehimselfup。Hewasamanwhohadsuffered，andhecouldsufferagain。"HowcamethatpersontobeyourDuchess?"heaskedinafirm，distinctvoice，whenhehadattainedcompleteself-command。"WhereisherotherGraceofHamptonshire?Therecertainlywasanother。Iknowit。"
"Oh，thepreviousone!Yes，yes。Sheranawayyearsandyearsagowiththeyoungcurate。Mr。Hillwastheyoungman"sname，ifI
recollect。"
"No!Sheneverdid。Whatdoyoumeanbythat?"hesaid。
"Yes，shecertainlyranaway。ShemetthecurateintheshrubberyaboutacoupleofmonthsafterhermarriagewiththeDuke。Therewerefolkswhosawthemeetingandheardsomewordsoftheirtalk。
Theyarrangedtogo，andshesailedfromPlymouthwithhimadayortwoafterward。"
"That"snottrue。"
"Then"tisthequeerestlieevertoldbyman。Herfatherbelievedandknewtohisdyingdaythatshewentwithhim；andsodidtheDuke，andeverybodyabouthere。Ay，therewasafineupsetaboutitatthetime。TheDuketracedhertoPlymouth。"
"TracedhertoPlymouth?"
"HetracedhertoPlymouth，andsetonhisspies；andtheyfoundthatshewenttotheshipping-office，andinquiredifMr。AlwynHillhadenteredhisnameaspassengerbytheWesternGlory；andwhenshefoundthathehad，shebookedherselfforthesameship，butnotinherrealname。WhenthevesselhadsailedaletterreachedtheDukefromher，tellinghimwhatshehaddone。Shenevercamebackhereagain。HisGracelivedbyhimselfanumberofyears，andmarriedthisladyonlytwelvemonthsbeforehedied。"
Alwynwasinastateofindescribablebewilderment。But，unmannedashewas，hecalledthenextdayonthe，tohim，spuriousDuchessofHamptonshire。Atfirstshewasalarmedathisstatement，thencold，thenshewaswonoverbyhisconditiontogiveconfidenceforconfidence。SheshowedhimaletterwhichhadbeenfoundamongthepapersofthelateDuke，corroboratingwhatAlwyn"sinformanthaddetailed。ItwasfromEmmeline，bearingthepostmarkeddateatwhichtheWesternGlorysailed，andbrieflystatedthatshehademigratedbythatshiptoAmerica。
Alwynappliedhimselfbodyandmindtounraveltheremainderofthemystery。Thestoryrepeatedtohimwasalwaysthesame:"Sheranawaywiththecurate。"Astrangelycircumstantialpieceofintelligencewasaddedtothiswhenhehadpushedhisinquiriesalittlefurther。TherewasgivenhimthenameofawatermanatPlymouth，whohadcomeforwardatthetimethatshewasmissedandsoughtforbyherhusband，andhadstatedthatheputheronboardtheWesternGloryatduskoneeveningbeforethatvesselsailed。
AfterseveraldaysofsearchaboutthealleysandquaysofPlymouthBarbican，duringwhichtheseimpossiblewords，"Sheranoffwiththecurate，"becamebrandedonhisbrain，Alwynfoundthisimportantwaterman。Hewaspositiveastothetruthofhisstory，stillrememberingtheincidentwell，andhedescribedindetailthelady"sdress，ashehadlongagodescribedittoherhusband，whichdescriptioncorrespondedineveryparticularwiththedresswornbyEmmelineontheeveningoftheirparting。
BeforeproceedingtotheothersideoftheAtlantictocontinuehisinquiriesthere，thepuzzledanddistractedAlwynsethimselftoascertaintheaddressofCaptainWheeler，whohadcommandedtheWesternGloryintheyearofAlwyn"svoyageout，andimmediatelywrotealettertohimonthesubject。
Theonlycircumstanceswhichthesailorcouldrecollectordiscoverfromhispapersinconnectionwithsuchastorywere，thatawomanbearingthenamewhichAlwynhadmentionedasfictitiouscertainlydidcomeaboardforavoyagehemadeaboutthattime；thatshetookacommonberthamongthepoorestemigrants；thatshediedonthevoyageout，ataboutfivedays"sailfromPlymouth；thatsheseemedaladyinmannersandeducation。Whyshehadnotappliedforafirst-classpassage，whyshehadnotrunks，theycouldnotguess，forthoughshehadlittlemoneyinherpocketshehadthataboutherwhichwouldhavefetchedit。"Weburiedheratsea，"continuedthecaptain。"Ayoungparson，oneofthecabin-passengers，readtheburial-serviceoverher，Irememberwell。"
ThewholesceneandproceedingsdarteduponAlwyn"srecollectioninamoment。Itwasafinebreezymorningonthatlong-pastvoyageout，andhehadbeentoldthattheywererunningattherateofahundredandoddmilesaday。Thenewswentroundthatoneofthepooryoungwomenintheotherpartofthevesselwasilloffever，anddelirious。Thetidingscausednolittlealarmamongallthepassengers，forthesanitaryconditionsoftheshipwereanythingbutsatisfactory。Shortlyafterthisthedoctorannouncedthatshehaddied。ThenAlwynhadlearntthatshewaslaidoutforburialingreathaste，becauseofthedangerthatwouldhavebeenincurredbydelay。Andnextthefuneralscenerosebeforehim，andtheprominentpartthathehadtakeninthatsolemnceremony。Thecaptainhadcometohim，requestinghimtoofficiate，astherewasnochaplainonboard。Thishehadagreedtodo；andasthesunwentdownwithablazeinhisfacehereadamidstthemallassembled:
"Wethereforecommitherbodytothedeep，tobeturnedintocorruption，lookingfortheresurrectionofthebodywhentheseashallgiveupherdead。"
Thecaptainalsoforwardedtheaddressesoftheship"smatronandofotherpersonswhohadbeenengagedonboardatthedate。TotheseAlwynwentinthecourseoftime。Acategoricaldescriptionoftheclothesofthedeadtruant，thecolourofherhair，andotherthings，extinguishedforeverallhopeofamistakeinidentity。
Atlast，then，thecourseofeventshadbecomeclear。OnthatunhappyeveningwhenheleftEmmelineintheshrubbery，forbiddinghertofollowhimbecauseitwouldbeasin，shemusthavedisobeyed。Shemusthavefollowedathisheelssilentlythroughthedarkness，likeapoorpetanimalthatwillnotbedrivenback。Shecouldhaveaccumulatednothingforthejourneymorethanshemighthavecarriedinherhand；andthuspoorlyprovidedshemusthaveembarked。Herintentionhaddoubtlessbeentomakeherpresenceonboardknowntohimassoonasshecouldmustercouragetodoso。
Thusthetenyears"chapterofAlwynHill"sromancewounditselfupunderhiseyes。ThatthepooryoungwomaninthesteeragehadbeentheyoungDuchessofHamptonshirewasneverpubliclydisclosed。
HillhadnolongeranyreasonforremaininginEngland，andsoonafterleftitsshoreswithnointentiontoreturn。Previoustohisdepartureheconfidedhisstorytoanoldfriendfromhisnativetown——grandfatherofthepersonwhonowrelatesittoyou。
Afewmembers，includingtheBookworm，seemedtobeimpressedbythequietgentleman"stale；butthememberwehavecalledtheSpark——
who，bytheway，wasgettingsomewhattingedwiththelightofotherdays，andownedtoeight-and-thirty——walkeddaintilyabouttheroominsteadofsittingdownbythefirewiththemajorityandsaidthatforhisparthepreferredsomethingmorelivelythanthelaststory——
somethinginwhichsuchlong-separatedloverswereultimatelyunited。Healsolikedstoriesthatweremoremodernintheirdateofactionthanthosehehadheardto-day。
Membersimmediatelyrequestedhimtogivethemaspecimen，towhichtheSparkrepliedthathedidn"tmind，asfarasthatwent。AndthoughtheVice-President，theManofFamily，theColonel，andothers，lookedattheirwatches，andsaidtheymustsoonretiretotheirrespectivequartersinthehoteladjoining，theyalldecidedtositouttheSpark"sstory。
DAMETHETENTH:THEHONOURABLELAURA
BytheSparkItwasacoldandgloomyChristmasEve。Themassofcloudoverheadwasalmostimpervioustosuchdaylightasstilllingeredon；thesnowlayseveralinchesdeepupontheground，andtheslantingdownfallwhichstillwentonthreatenedtoconsiderablyincreaseitsthicknessbeforethemorning。TheProspectHotel，abuildingstandingnearthewildnorthcoastofLowerWessex，lookedsolonelyandsouselessatsuchatimeasthisthatapassingwayfarerwouldhavebeenledtoforgetsummerpossibilities，andtowonderatthecommercialcouragewhichcouldinvestcapital，onthebasisofthepopulartasteforthepicturesque，inacountrysubjecttosuchdrearyphases。ThatthedistrictwasalivewithvisitorsinAugustseemedbutadimtraditioninweathersototallyopposedtoallthattemptsmankindfromhome。However，therethehotelstoodimmovable；
andthecliffs，creeks，andheadlandswhichweretheprimaryattractionsofthespot，risinginfullviewontheoppositesideofthevalley，werenowbutsternangularoutlines，whilethetownletinfrontwastingedoverwithagrimydirtinessratherthanthepearlygraythatinsummerlentsuchbeautytoitsappearance。
Withinthehotelcommandingthisoutlookthelandlordwalkedidlyaboutwithhishandsinhispockets，notintheleastexpectantofavisitor，andyetunabletosettledowntoanyoccupationwhichshouldcompensateinsomedegreeforthelossesthatwinteridlenessentailedonhisregularprofession。Solittle，indeed，wasanybodyexpected，thatthecoffee-roomwaiter——agenteelboy，whoseplatedbuttonsinsummerwereasclosetogetheruponthefrontofhisshortjacketaspeasinapod——nowappearedinthebackyard，metamorphosedintotheunrecognizableshapeofaroughcountryladincorduroysandhobnailedboots，sweepingthesnowaway，andtalkingthelocaldialectinallitspurity，quiteobliviousofthenewpoliteaccenthehadlearnedinthehotweatherfromthewell-
behavedvisitors。Thefrontdoorwasclosed，and，asiftoexpressstillmorefullythesealedandchrysalisstateoftheestablishment，asand-bagwasplacedatthebottomtokeepouttheinsidioussnowdrift，thewindsettingindirectlyfromthatquarter。
Thelandlord，enteringhisownparlour，walkedtothelargefirewhichitwasabsolutelynecessarytokeepupforhiscomfort，nosuchblazeburninginthecoffee-roomorelsewhere，andaftergivingitastirreturnedtoatableinthelobby，whereonlaythevisitors"book——nowclosedandpushedbackagainstthewall。Hecarelesslyopenedit；notanamehadbeenenteredtheresincethe19thofthepreviousNovember，andthatwasonlythenameofamanwhohadarrivedonatricycle，who，indeed，hadnotbeenaskedtoenteratall。
Whilehewasengagedthustheeveninggrewdarker；butbeforeitwasasyettoodarktodistinguishobjectsupontheroadwindingroundthebackofthecliffs，thelandlordperceivedablackspotonthedistantwhite，whichspeedilyenlargeditselfanddrewnear。Theprobabilitieswerethatthisvehicle——foravehicleofsomesortitseemedtobe——wouldpassbyandpursueitswaytothenearestrailway-townasothershaddone。But，contrarytothelandlord"sexpectation，ashestoodconningitthroughtheyetunshutteredwindows，thesolitaryobject，onreachingthecorner，turnedintothehotel-front，anddroveuptothedoor。
Itwasaconveyanceparticularlyunsuitedtosuchaseasonandweather，beingnothingmoresubstantialthananopenbasket-carriagedrawnbyasinglehorse。Withinsattwopersons，ofdifferentsexes，ascouldsoonbediscerned，inspiteoftheirmuffledattire。
Themanheldthereins，andtheladyhadgotsomeshelterfromthestormbyclingingclosetohisside。Thelandlordrangthehostler"sbelltoattracttheattentionofthestable-man，fortheapproachofthevisitorshadbeendeadenedtonoiselessnessbythesnow，andwhenthehostlerhadcometothehorse"sheadthegentlemanandladyalighted，thelandlordmeetingtheminthehall。
Themalestrangerwasaforeign-lookingindividualofabouteight-
and-twenty。Hewasclose-shaven，exceptingamoustache，hisfeaturesbeinggood，andevenhandsome。Thelady，whostoodtimidlybehindhim，seemedtobemuchyounger——possiblynotmorethaneighteen，thoughitwasdifficulttojudgeeitherofherageorappearanceinherpresentwrappings。
Thegentlemanexpressedhiswishtostaytillthemorning，explainingsomewhatunnecessarily，consideringthatthehousewasaninn，thattheyhadbeenunexpectedlybenightedontheirdrive。Suchawelcomebeinggiventhemaslandlordscangiveindulltimes，thelatterorderedfiresinthedrawingandcoffee-rooms，andwenttotheboyintheyard，whosoonscrubbedhimselfup，draggedhisdisusedjacketfromitsbox，polishedthebuttonswithhissleeve，andappearedcivilizedinthehall。Theladywasshownintoaroomwhereshecouldtakeoffhersnow-dampedgarments，whichshesentdowntobedried，hercompanion，meanwhile，puttingacoupleofsovereignsonthetable，asifanxioustomakeeverythingsmoothandcomfortableatstarting，andrequestingthataprivatesitting-roommightbegotready。Thelandlordassuredhimthatthebestupstairsparlour——usuallypublic——shouldbekeptprivatethisevening，andsentthemaidtolightthecandles。Dinnerwaspreparedforthem，and，atthegentleman"sdesire，servedinthesameapartment；where，theyoungladyhavingjoinedhim，theywerelefttotherestandrefreshmenttheyseemedtoneed。
Thatsomethingwaspeculiarintherelationsofthepairhadmorethanoncestruckthelandlord，thoughwhereinthatpeculiaritylayitwashardtodecide。Butthathisguestwasonewhopaidhiswayreadilyhadbeenprovedbyhisconduct，anddismissingconjectures，heturnedtopracticalaffairs。
Aboutnineo"clockhere-enteredthehall，and，everythingbeingdonefortheday，againwalkedupanddown，occasionallygazingthroughtheglassdoorattheprospectwithout，toascertainhowtheweatherwasprogressing。Contrarytoprognostication，snowhadceasedfalling，and，withtherisingofthemoon，theskyhadpartiallycleared，lightfleecesofclouddriftingacrossthesilverydisk。Therewaseverysignthatafrostwasgoingtosetinlateron。Forthesereasonsthedistantrisingroadwasevenmoredistinctnowbetweenitshighbanksthanithadbeeninthedecliningdaylight。Notatrackorrutbrokethevirginsurfaceofthewhitemantlethatlayalongit，allmarksleftbythelatelyarrivedtravellershavingbeenspeedilyobliteratedbytheflakesfallingatthetime。
Andnowthelandlordbeheldbythelightofthemoonasightverysimilartothathehadseenbythelightofday。Againablackspotwasadvancingdowntheroadthatmarginedthecoast。Hewasinamomentortwoenabledtoperceivethatthepresentvehiclemovedonwardatamoreheadlongpacethanthelittlecarriagewhichhadprecededit；next，thatitwasabroughamdrawnbytwopowerfulhorses；next，thatthiscarriage，liketheformerone，wasboundforthehotel-door。Thisdesirablefeatureofresemblancecausedthelandlordtooncemorewithdrawthesand-bagandadvanceintotheporch。
Anoldgentlemanwasthefirsttoalight。Hewasfollowedbyayoungone，andbothunhesitatinglycameforward。
"Hasayounglady，lessthannineteenyearsofage，recentlyarrivedhereinthecompanyofamansomeyearshersenior?"askedtheoldgentleman，inhaste。"Amancleanlyshavenforthemostpart，havingtheappearanceofanopera-singer，andcallinghimselfSignorSmithozzi?"
"Wehavehadarrivalslately，"saidthelandlord，inthetoneofhavinghadtwentyatleast——notcaringtoacknowledgetheattenuatedstateofbusinessthatafflictedProspectHotelinwinter。
"AndamongthemcanyourmemoryrecalltwopersonssuchasthoseI
describe?——themanasortofbaritone?"
"Therecertainlyisorwasayoungcouplestayinginthehotel；butIcouldnotpronounceonthecompassofthegentleman"svoice。"
"No，no；ofcoursenot。Iamquitebewildered。Theyarrivedinabasket-carriage，altogetherbadlyprovided?"
"Theycameinacarriage，Ibelieve，asmostofourvisitorsdo。"
"Yes，yes。Imustseethematonce。Pardonmywantofceremony，andshowusintowheretheyare。"
"But，sir，youforget。SupposetheladyandgentlemanImeanarenottheladyandgentlemanyoumean?Itwouldbeawkwardtoallowyoutorushinuponthemjustnowwhiletheyareatdinner，andmightcausemetolosetheirfuturepatronage。"
"True，true。Theymaynotbethesamepersons。Myanxiety，I
perceive，makesmerashinmyassumptions!"
"Uponthewhole，Ithinktheymustbethesame，UncleQuantock，"
saidtheyoungman，whohadnottillnowspoken。Andturningtothelandlord:"Youpossiblyhavenotsuchalargeassemblageofvisitorshere，onthissomewhatforbiddingevening，thatyouquiteforgethowthiscouplearrived，andwhattheladywore?"Histoneofaddressingthelandlordhadinitaquietfrigiditythatwasnotwithoutirony。
"Ah!whatshewore；that"sit，James。Whatdidshewear?"
"Idon"tusuallytakestockofmyguests"clothing，"repliedthelandlorddrily，forthereadymoneyofthefirstarrivalhaddecidedlybiassedhiminfavourofthatgentleman"scause。"Youcancertainlyseesomeofitifyouwantto，"headdedcarelessly，"foritisdryingbythekitchenfire。"
Beforethewordswerehalfoutofhismouththeoldgentlemanhadexclaimed，"Ah!"andprecipitatedhimselfalongwhatseemedtobethepassagetothekitchen；butasthisturnedouttobeonlytheentrancetoadarkchina-closet，hehastilyemergedagain，afteracollisionwiththeinn-crockeryhadtoldhimofhismistake。
"Ibegyourpardon，I"msure；butifyouonlyknewmyfeelings(whichIcannotatpresentexplain)，youwouldmakeallowances。
AnythingIhavebrokenIwillwillinglypayfor。"
"Don"tmentionit，sir，"saidthelandlord。Andshowingtheway，theyadjournedtothekitchenwithoutfurtherparley。Theeldestofthepartyinstantlyseizedthelady"scloak，thathunguponaclothes-horse，exclaiming:"Ah!yes，James，itishers。Iknewwewereontheirtrack。"
"Yes，itishers，"answeredthenephewquietly，forhewasmuchlessexcitedthanhiscompanion。
"Showustheirroomatonce，"saidtheoldman。
"William，havetheladyandgentlemaninthefrontsitting-roomfinisheddining?"
"Yes，sir，longago，"saidthehundredplatedbuttons。
"Thenshowupthesegentlementothematonce。Youstayhereto-
night，gentlemen，Ipresume?Shallthehorsesbetakenout?"
"Feedthehorsesandwashtheirmouths。Whetherwestayornotdependsuponcircumstances，"saidtheplacidyoungerman，ashefollowedhisuncleandthewaitertothestaircase。
"Ithink，NephewJames，"saidtheformer，ashepausedwithhisfootonthefirststep——"Ithinkwehadbetternotbeannounced，buttakethembysurprise。Shemaygothrowingherselfoutofthewindow，ordosomeequallydesperatething!"
"Yes，certainly，we"llenterunannounced。"Andhecalledbacktheladwhoprecededthem。
"Icannotsufficientlythankyou，James，forsoeffectuallyaidingmeinthispursuit!"exclaimedtheoldgentleman，takingtheotherbythehand。"Myincreasinginfirmitieswouldhavehinderedmyovertakingherto-night，haditnotbeenforyourtimelyaid。"
"Iamonlytoohappy，uncle，tohavebeenofservicetoyouinthisoranyothermatter。IonlywishIcouldhaveaccompaniedyouonapleasanterjourney。However，itisadvisabletogouptothematonce，ortheymayhearus。"Andtheysoftlyascendedthestairs。
Onthedoorbeingopened，aroomtoolargetobecomfortable，litbythebestbranch-candlesticksofthehotel，wasdisclosed，beforethefireofwhichapartmentthetruantcoupleweresitting，veryinnocentlylookingoverthehotelscrap-bookandthealbumcontainingviewsoftheneighbourhood。Nosoonerhadtheoldmanenteredthantheyounglady——whonowshowedherselftobequiteasyoungasdescribed，andremarkablyprepossessingastofeatures——
perceptiblyturnedpale。Whenthenephewentered，sheturnedstillpaler，asifsheweregoingtofaint。Theyoungmandescribedasanopera-singerrosewithgrimcivility，andplacedchairsforhisvisitors。
"Caughtyou，thankGod!"saidtheoldgentlemanbreathlessly。
"Yes，worseluck，mylord!"murmuredSignorSmithozzi，innativeLondon-English，thatdistinguishedalienhaving，infact，firstseenthelightinthevicinityoftheCityRoad。"Shewouldhavebeenmineto-morrow。AndIthinkthatunderthepeculiarcircumstancesitwouldbewiser——consideringhowsoonthebreathofscandalwilltarnishalady"sfame——toletherbemineto-morrow，justthesame。"
"Never!"saidtheoldman。"Hereisaladyunderage，withoutexperience——child-likeinhermaideninnocenceandvirtue——whomyouhavepliedbyyourvilearts，tillthismorningatdawn——"
"LordQuantock，wereInotboundtorespectyourgrayhairs——"
"Tillthismorningatdawnyoutemptedherawayfromherfather"sroof。Whatblamecanattachtoherconductthatwillnot，onafullexplanationofthematter，bereadilypassedoverinherandthrownentirelyonyou?Laura，youreturnatoncewithme。Ishouldnothavearrived，afterall，earlyenoughtodeliveryou，ifithadnotbeenforthedisinterestednessofyourcousin，CaptainNorthbrook，who，onmydiscoveringyourflightthismorning，offeredwithapromptitudeforwhichIcanneversufficientlythankhim，toaccompanymeonmyjourney，astheonlymalerelativeIhavenearme。Come，doyouhear?Putonyourthings；weareoffatonce。"
"Idon"twanttogo!"poutedtheyounglady。
"Idaresayyoudon"t，"repliedherfatherdrily。"Butchildrenneverknowwhat"sbestforthem。Socomealong，andtrusttomyopinion。"
Laurawassilent，anddidnotmove，theoperagentlemanlookinghelplesslyintothefire，andthelady"scousinsittingmeditativelycalm，asthesingleoneofthefourwhosepositionenabledhimtosurveythewholeescapadewiththecoolcriticismofacomparativeoutsider。
"Isaytoyou，Laura，asthefatherofadaughterunderage，thatyouinstantlycomewithme。What?Wouldyoucompelmetousephysicalforcetoreclaimyou?"
"Idon"twanttoreturn!"againdeclaredLaura。
"Itisyourdutytoreturnnevertheless，andatonce，Iinformyou。"
"Idon"twantto!"
"Now，dearLaura，thisiswhatIsay:returnwithmeandyourcousinJamesquietly，likeagoodandrepentantgirl，andnothingwillbesaid。Nobodyknowswhathashappenedasyet，andifwestartatonce，weshallbehomebeforeitislightto-morrowmorning。Come。"
"Iamnotobligedtocomeatyourbidding，father，andIwouldrathernot!"
NowJames，thecousin，duringthisdialoguemighthavebeenobservedtogrowsomewhatrestless，andevenimpatient。Morethanoncehehadpartedhislipstospeak，butsecondthoughtseachtimeheldhimback。Themomenthadcome，however，whenhecouldkeepsilencenolonger。
"Come，madam!"hespokeout，"thisfarcewithyourfatherhas，inmyopinion，goneonlongenough。Justmakenomoreado，andstepdownstairswithus。"
Shegaveherselfanintractablelittletwist，anddidnotreply。
"BytheLordHarry，Laura，Iwon"tstandthis!"hesaidangrily。
"Come，getonyourthingsbeforeIcomeandcompelyou。Thereisakindofcompulsiontowhichthistalkischild"splay。Come，madam——
instantly，Isay!"
Theoldnoblemanturnedtohisnephewandsaidmildly:"Leavemetoinsist，James。Itdoesn"tbecomeyou。Icanspeaktohersharplyenough，ifIchoose。"
James，however，didnotheedhisuncle，andwentontothetroublesomeyoungwoman:"Yousayyoudon"twanttocome，indeed!
Aprettystorytotellme，that!Come，marchoutoftheroomatonce，andleavethathulkingfellowformetodealwithafterward。
Getonquickly——come!"andheadvancedtowardherasiftopullherbythehand。
"Nay，nay，"expostulatedLaura"sfather，muchsurprisedathisnephew"ssuddendemeanour。"Youtaketoomuchuponyourself。Leavehertome。"
"Iwon"tleavehertoyouanylonger!"
"Youhavenoright，James，toaddresseithermeorherinthisway；
sojustholdyourtongue。Come，mydear。"
"Ihaveeveryright!"insistedJames。
"Howdoyoumakethatout?"
"Ihavetherightofahusband。"
"Whosehusband?"
"Hers。"
"What?"
"She"smywife。"
"James!"
"Well，tocutalongstoryshort，Imaysaythatshesecretlymarriedme，inspiteofyourlordship"sprohibition，aboutthreemonthsago。AndImustaddthat，thoughshecooleddownratherquickly，everythingwentonsmoothlyenoughbetweenusforsometime；inspiteoftheawkwardnessofmeetingonlybystealth。WewereonlywaitingforaconvenientmomenttobreakthenewstoyouwhenthisidleAdonisturnedup，andafterpoisoninghermindagainstme，broughtherintothisdisgrace。"
Heretheoperaticluminary，whohadsatinratheranabstractedandnervelessattitudetillthecousinmadehisdeclaration，firedupandcried:"IdeclarebeforeHeaventhattillthismomentIneverknewshewasawife!Ifoundherinherfather"shouseanunhappygirl——unhappy，asIbelieve，becauseofthelonelinessanddrearinessofthatestablishment，andthewantofsociety，andfornothingelsewhatever。WhatthisstatementaboutherbeingyourwifemeansIamquiteatalosstounderstand。Areyouindeedmarriedtohim，Laura?"
Lauranoddedfromwithinhertearfulhandkerchief。"Itwasbecauseofmyanomalouspositioninbeingprivatelymarriedtohim，"shesobbed，"thatIwasunhappyathome——and——andIdidn"tlikehimsowellasIdidatfirst——andIwishedIcouldgetoutofthemessI
wasin!AndthenIsawyouafewtimes，andwhenyousaid，"We"llrunoff，"IthoughtIsawawayoutofitall，andthenIagreedtocomewithyou——oo-oo!"
"Well!well!well!Andisthistrue?"murmuredthebewilderedoldnobleman，staringfromJamestoLaura，andfromLauratoJames，asifhefanciedtheymightbefigmentsoftheimagination。"Isthis，then，James，thesecretofyourkindnesstoyourolduncleinhelpinghimtofindhisdaughter?GoodHeavens!Whatfurtherdepthsofduplicityarethereleftforamantolearn!"
"Ihavemarriedher，UncleQuantock，asIsaid，"answeredJamescoolly。"Thedeedisdone，andcan"tbeundonebytalkinghere。"
"Wherewereyoumarried?"
"AtSt。Mary"s，Toneborough。"
"When?"
"Onthe29thofSeptember，duringthetimeshewasvisitingthere。"
"Whomarriedyou?"
"Idon"tknow。Oneofthecurates——wewerequitestrangerstotheplace。So，insteadofmyassistingyoutorecoverher，youmayaswellassistme。"
"Never!never!"saidLordQuantock。"Madam，andsir，IbegtotellyouthatIwashmyhandsofthewholeaffair!Ifyouaremanandwife，asitseemsyouare，getreconciledasbestyoumay。Ihavenomoretosayordowitheitherofyou。Ileaveyou，Laura，inthehandsofyourhusband，andmuchjoymayyoubringhim；thoughthesituation，Iown，isnotencouraging。"
Sayingthis，theindignantspeakerpushedbackhischairagainstthetablewithsuchforcethatthecandlesticksrockedontheirbases，andlefttheroom。
Laura"sweteyesrovedfromoneoftheyoungmentotheother，whonowstoodglaringfacetoface，and，beingmuchfrightenedattheiraspect，slippedoutoftheroomafterherfather。Him，however，shecouldheargoingoutofthefrontdoor，and，notknowingwheretotakeshelter，shecreptintothedarknessofanadjoiningbedroom，andthereawaitedeventswithapalpitatingheart。
Meanwhilethetwomenremaininginthesitting-roomdrewnearertoeachother，andtheopera-singerbrokethesilencebysaying，"Howcouldyouinsultmeinthewayyoudid，callingmeafellow，andaccusingmeofpoisoninghermindtowardyou，whenyouknewverywellIwasasignorantofyourrelationtoherasanunbornbabe?"
"Ohyes，youwerequiteignorant；Icanbelievethatreadily，"
sneeredLaura"shusband。
"IherecallHeaventowitnessthatIneverknew!"
"Recitativo——therhythmexcellent，andthetonewellsustained。Isitlikelythatanymancouldwintheconfidenceofayoungfoolherage，andnotgetthatoutofher?Preposterous!Tellittothemostimprovednewpit-stalls。"
"CaptainNorthbrook，yourinsinuationsareasdespicableasyourwretchedperson!"criedthebaritone，losingallpatience。Andspringingforwardheslappedthecaptaininthefacewiththepalmofhishand。
Northbrookflinchedbutslightly，andcalmlyusinghishandkerchieftolearnifhisnosewasbleeding，said，"Iquiteexpectedthisinsult，soIcameprepared。"Andhedrewforthfromablackvalisewhichhecarriedinhishandasmallcaseofpistols。
Thebaritonestartedattheunexpectedsight，butrecoveringfromhissurprisesaid，"Verywell，asyouwill，"thoughperhapshistoneshowedaslightwantofconfidence。
"Now，"continuedthehusband，quiteconfidingly，"wewantnoparade，nononsense，youknow。Thereforewe"lldispensewithseconds?"
Thesignorslightlynodded。
"Doyouknowthispartofthecountrywell?"CousinJameswenton，inthesamecoolandstillmanner。"Ifyoudon"t，Ido。Quiteatthebottomoftherocksoutthere，justbeyondthestreamwhichfallsoverthemtotheshore，isasmoothsandyspace，notsomuchshutinastobeoutofthemoonlight；andthewaydowntoitfromthissideisoverstepscutinthecliff；andwecanfindourwaydownwithouttrouble。We——wetwo——willfindourwaydown；butonlyoneofuswillfindhiswayup，youunderstand?"
"Quite。"
"Thensupposewestart；thesooneritisoverthebetter。Wecanordersupperbeforewegoout——supperfortwo；forthoughwearethreeatpresent——"
"Three?"
"Yes；youandIandshe——"
"Ohyes。"
"——Weshallbeonlytwobyandby；sothat，asIsay，wewillordersupperfortwo；fortheladyandagentleman。Whichevercomesbackalivewilltapatherdoor，andcallherintosharetherepastwithhim——she"snotoffthepremises。Butwemustnotalarmhernow；andaboveallthingswemustnotlettheinn-peopleseeusgoout；itwouldlooksooddfortwotogoout，andonlyonecomein。Ha!ha!"
"Ha!ha!exactly。"
"Areyouready?"
"Oh——quite。"
"ThenI"llleadtheway。"
Hewentsoftlytothedooranddownstairs，orderingsuppertobereadyinanhour，ashehadsaid；thenmakingafeintofreturningtotheroomagain，hebeckonedtothesinger，andtogethertheyslippedoutofthehousebyasidedoor。
Theskywasnowquiteclear，andthewheelmarksofthebroughamwhichhadborneawayLaura"sfather，LordQuantock，remaineddistinctlyvisible。Soonthevergeofthedownwasreached，thecaptainleadingtheway，andthebaritonefollowingsilently，castingfurtiveglancesathiscompanion，andbeyondhimatthesceneahead。Induecoursetheyarrivedatthechasminthecliffwhichformedthewaterfall。Theoutlookherewaswildandpicturesqueintheextreme，andfullyjustifiedthemanypraises，paintings，andphotographicviewstowhichthespothadgivenbirth。
Whatinsummerwascharminglygreenandgray，wasnowrenderedweirdandfantasticbythesnow。
Fromtheirfeetthecascadeplungeddownwardalmostverticallytoadepthofeightyorahundredfeetbeforefinallylosingitselfinthesand，andthoughthestreamwasbutsmall，itsimpactuponjuttingrocksinitsdescentdivideditintoahundredspirtsandsplashesthatsentupamistintotheupperair。Afewmarginaldrippingshadbeenfrozenintoicicles，butthecentreflowedonunimpeded。
Theoperaticartistlookeddownashehalted，buthisthoughtswereplainlynotofthebeautyofthescene。Hiscompanionwiththepistolswasimmediatelyinfrontofhim，andtherewasnohandrailonthesideofthepathtowardthechasm。Obeyingaquickimpulse，hestretchedouthisarm，andwithasuperhumanthrustsentLaura"shusbandreelingover。Awhirlinghumanshape，diminishingdownwardinthemoon"sraysfartherandfarthertowardinvisibility，asmack-