第7章

Baggs，ifamanandwomanaccepteachotherashusbandandwife，beforeonewitness，itisalawfulmarriage；andthatkindofweddingis，asyouseeplainlyenough，theonlysaferefugeforabridegroominmysituation。IfyouconsenttocomewithustoScotland，andserveaswitnesstothemarriage，IshallbedelightedtoacknowledgemysenseofyourkindnessintheeloquentlanguageoftheBankofEngland，asexpressedtotheworldingeneralonthesurfaceofafive-poundnote。”

IcautiouslysnatchedawaythebrandybottleasIspoke，andwasinthedrawing-roomwithitinaninstant。AsIsuppose，Mrs。

Baggstriedtofollowme，forIheardthedoorrattle，asifshehadgotoutofherchair，andsuddenlyslippedbackintoitagain。Ifeltcertainofherdecidingtohelpus，ifshewasonlysoberenoughtoreflectonwhatIhadsaidtoher。ThejourneytoScotlandwasatedious，andperhapsadangerous，undertaking。ButIhadnootheralternativetochoose。

Inthoseuncivilizeddays，theMarriageActhadnotbeenpassed，andtherewasnoconvenienthymenealregistrarinEnglandtochangeavagabondrunawaycoupleintoarespectablemanandwifeatamoment"snotice。ThetroubleandexpenseoftakingMrs。

Baggswithus，Iencountered，ofcourse，solelyoutofregardforAlicia"snaturalprejudices。Shehadledpreciselythatkindoflifewhichmakesanywomanbutabadonemorbidlysensitiveonthesubjectofsmallproprieties。Ifshehadbeenagirlwitharecognizedpositioninsociety，Ishouldhaveproposedtohertorunawaywithmealone。Asitwas，theverydefenselessnessofhersituationgaveher，inmyopinion，therighttoexpectfrommeeventheabsurdestsacrificestothenarrowestconventionalities。Mrs。Baggswasnotquitesosoberinherhabits，perhaps，asmatronsingeneralareexpectedtobe；but，formyparticularpurpose，thiswasonlyaslightblemish；ittakessolittle，afterall，torepresenttheabstractprincipleofproprietyintheshort-sightedeyeoftheworld。

AsIreachedthedrawing-roomdoor，Ilookedatmywatch。

Nineo"clock!andnothingdoneyettofacilitateourescapingfromCrickgellytotheregionsofcivilizedlifethenextmorning。Iwaspleasedtohear，whenIknockedatthedoor，thatAlicia"svoicesoundedfirmerasshetoldmetocomein。ShewasmoreconfusedthanastonishedorfrightenedwhenIsatdownbyheronthesofa，andrepeatedtheprincipaltopicsofmyconversionwithMrs。Baggs。

"Now，myownlove，"Isaid，inconclusion——suitingmygestures，itisunnecessarytosay，tothetendernessofmylanguage——"thereisnottheleastdoubtthatMrs。Baggswillendbyagreeingtomyproposals。Nothingremains，therefore，butforyoutogivemetheanswernow，whichIhavebeenwaitingforeversincethatlastdaywhenwemetbytheriverside。Ididnotknowthenwhatthemotivewasforyoursilenceanddistress。Iknownow，andIloveyoubetterafterthatknowledgethanIdidbeforeit。”

Herheaddroppedintoitsformerpositiononmybosom，andshemurmuredafewwords，buttoofaintlyformetohearthem。

"Youknewmoreaboutyourfather，then，thanIdid？"Iwhispered。

"Lessthanyouhavetoldmesince，"sheinterposedquickly，withoutraisingherface。

"Enoughtoconvinceyouthathewasbreakingthelaws，"I

suggested；"and，tomakeyou，ashisdaughter，shrinkfromsaying"yes"tomewhenwesattogetherontheriverbank？"

Shedidnotanswer。Oneofherarms，whichwashangingovermyshoulder，stoleroundmyneck，andclaspeditgently。

"Sincethattime，"Iwenton，"yourfatherhascompromisedme。I

aminsomedanger，notmuch，fromthelaw。Ihavenoprospectsthatarenotofthemostdoubtfulkind；andIhavenoexcuseforaskingyoutosharethem，exceptthatIhavefallenintomypresentmisfortunethroughtryingtodiscovertheobstaclethatkeptusapart。Ifthereisanyprotectionintheworldthatyoucanturnto，lessdoubtfulthanmine，IsupposeIoughttosaynomore，andleavethehouse。Butifthereshouldbenone，surelyI

amnotsoveryselfishinaskingyoutotakeyourchancewithme？

IhonestlybelievethatIshallhavelittledifficulty，withordinarycaution，inescapingfrompursuit，andfindingasafehomesomewheretobeginlifeinagainwithnewinterests。Willyoushareitwithme，Alicia？Icantrynofreshpersuasions——I

havenoright，perhaps，inmypresentsituationtohaveaddressedsomanytoyoualready。”

Herotherarmstoleroundmyneck；shelaidhercheekagainstmine，andwhispered——

"Bekindtome，Frank——Ihavenobodyintheworldwholovesmebutyou!"

Ifelthertearsonmyface；myowneyesmoistenedasItriedtoanswerher。Wesatforsomeminutesinperfectsilence——withoutmoving，withoutathoughtbeyondthemoment。Therisingofthewind，andthesplashingoftherainoutsidewerethefirstsoundsthatstirredmeintoactionagain。

Isummonedmyresolution，rosefromthesofa，andinafewhastywordstoldAliciawhatIproposedforthenextday，andmentionedthehouratwhichIwouldcomeinthemorning。AsIhadanticipated，sheseemedrelievedandreassuredattheprospectevenofsuchslightsanctionandencouragement，onthepartofanotherwoman，aswouldbeimpliedbythecompanionshipofMrs。

BaggsonthejourneytoScotland。

ThenextandlastdifficultyIhadtoencounterwasnecessarilyconnectedwithherfather。Hehadneverbeenveryaffectionate；

andhewasnow，foraughtsheorIknewtothecontrary，partedfromherforever。Still，theinstinctiverecognitionofhispositionmadehershrink，atthelastmoment，whenshespokeofhim，andthoughtoftheseriousnatureofherengagementwithme。

Aftersomevainarguingandremonstrating，Icontrivedtoquietherscruples，bypromisingthatanaddressshouldbeleftatCrickgelly，towhichanysecondletterthatmightarrivefromthedoctorcouldbeforwarded。WhenIsawthatthisprospectofbeingabletocommunicatewithhim，ifhewroteorwishedtoseeher，hadsufficientlycomposedhermind，Ileftthedrawing-room。ItwasvitallyimportantthatIshouldgetbacktotheinnandmakethenecessaryarrangementsforourdeparturethenextmorning，beforetheprimitivepeopleoftheplacehadretiredtobed。

AsIpassedthebackparlordooronmywayout，IheardthevoiceofMrs。Baggsraisedindignantly。Thewords"bottle!""audacity!"

and"nerves!"reachedmyeardisjointedly。Icalledout"Good-by!

tillto-morrow；"heardaresponsivegroanofdisgust；thenopenedthefrontdoor，andplungedoutintothedarkandrainynight。

ItmighthavebeenthedroppingofwaterfromthecottageroofswhileIpassedthroughthevillage，orthegroundlessalarmofmyownsuspiciousfancy，butIthoughtIwasbeingfollowedasI

walkedbacktotheinn。TwoorthreetimesIturnedroundabruptly。Iftwentymenhadbeenatmyheels，itwastoodarktoseethem。Iwentontotheinn。

Thepeopletherewerenotgonetobed；andIsentforthelandlordtoconsultwithhimaboutaconveyance。Perhapsitwasmysuspiciousfancyagain；butIthoughthismannerwasaltered。

Heseemedhalfdistrustful，halfafraidofme，whenIaskedhimiftherehadbeenanysigns，duringmyabsence，ofthosetwogentlemen，forwhomIhadalreadyinquiredonarrivingathisdoorthatevening。Hegaveananswerinthenegative，lookingawayfrommewhilehespoke。

Thinkingitadvisable，onthewhole，nottolethimseethatI

noticedachangeinhim，Iproceededatoncetothequestionoftheconveyance，andwastoldthatIcouldhirethelandlord"slightcart，inwhichhewasaccustomedtodrivetothemarkettown。Iappointedanhourforstartingthenextday，andretiredatoncetomybedroom。Theremythoughtswereenough。IwasanxiousaboutScrewandtheBowStreetrunner。IwasuncertainaboutthestrangerwhohadcalledatNumberTwo，ZionPlace。I

wasindoubtevenaboutthelandlordoftheinn。NeverdidIknowwhatrealsufferingfromsuspensewas，untilthatnight，Whatevermyapprehensionsmighthavebeen，theywerenoneofthemrealizedthenextmorning。

NobodyfollowedmeonmywaytoZionPlace，andnostrangerhadcalledtherebeforemeasecondtime，whenImadeinquiriesonenteringthehouse。IfoundAliciablushing，andMrs。Baggsimpenetrablywrappedupindignifiedsulkiness。AfterinformingmewithaloftylookthatsheintendedtogotoScotlandwithus，andtotakemyfive-poundnote——partlyunderprotest，andpartlyoutofexcessiveaffectionforAlicia——sheretiredtopackup。

Thetimeconsumedinperformingthisprocess，andthefurtherdelayoccasionedbypayingsmalloutstandingdebtstotradespeople，andsettlingwiththeownerofthehouse，detainedustillnearlynoonbeforewewerereadytogetintothelandlord"scart。

Ilookedbehindmeanxiouslyatstarting，andoftenafterwardontheroad；butneversawanythingtoexcitemysuspicions。Insettlingmatterswiththelandlordovernight，Ihadarrangedthatweshouldbedriventothenearesttownatwhichapost-chaisecouldbeobtained。Myresourceswerejustaslikelytoholdoutagainsttheexpensesofposting，wherepublicconveyancescouldnotbeobtained，asagainsttheexpenseofwaitingprivatelyathotels，untiltherightcoachesmightstart。

Accordingtomycalculations，mymoneywouldlasttillwegottoScotland。Afterthat，Ihadmywatch，rings，shirtpin，andMr。

Batterbury，tohelpinreplenishingmypurse。Anxious，therefore，asIwasaboutotherthings，moneymatters，foronceinaway，didnotcausemethesmallestuneasiness。

CHAPTERXV。

WEpostedfive-and-thirtymiles，thenstoppedforacoupleofhourstorest，andwaitforanightcoachrunningnorthward。

Ongettingintothisvehiclewewerefortunateenoughtofindthefourthinsideplacenotoccupied。Mrs。Baggsshowedhersenseofthefreedomfromrestraintthusobtainedbytyingahugeredcomforterroundherheadlikeaturban，andimmediatelyfallingfastasleep。ThisgaveAliciaandmefulllibertytotalkaswepleased。Ourconversationwasforthemostpartofthatparticularkindwhichisnotofthesmallestimportancetoanythirdpersoninthewholeworld。Oneportionofit，however，wasanexceptiontothisgeneralrule。Ithadaverypositiveinfluenceonmyfortunes，anditis，therefore，Ihope，ofsufficientimportancetobearbeingcommunicatedtothereader。

Wehadchangedhorsesforthefourthtime，hadseatedourselvescomfortablyinourplaces，andhadheardMrs。Baggsresumethekindredoccupationsofsleepingandsnoring，whenAliciawhisperedtome:

"Imusthavenosecrets，now，fromyou——mustI，Frank？"

"Youmusthaveanythingyoulike，doanythingyoulike，andsayanythingyoulike。Youmustneveraskleave——butonlygrantit!"

"Shallyoualwaystellmethat，Frank？"

Ididnotanswerinwords，buttheconversationsufferedamomentaryinterruption。Ofwhatnature，susceptiblepeoplewilleasilyimagine。Asforthehard-heartedIdon"twriteforthem。

"Mysecretneednotalarmyou，"Aliciawenton，intonesthatbegantosoundrathersadly；"itisonlyaboutatinypasteboardboxthatIcancarryinthebosomofmydress。Butithasgotthreediamondsinit，Frank，andonebeautifulruby。Didyouevergivemecreditforhavingsomuchthatwasvaluableaboutme？——shallIgiveityoutokeepforme？"

IremembereddirectlyOldFile"sstoryofMrs。Dulcifer"selopement，andofthejewelsshehadtakenwithher。Itwaseasytoguess，afterwhatIhadheard，thatthepoorwomanhadsecretlypreservedsomeofherlittlepropertyforthebenefitofherchild。

"Ihavenopresentneedofmoney，darling，"Ianswered；"keeptheboxinitspresentenviableposition。”Istoppedthere，sayingnothingofthethoughtthatwasreallyuppermostinmymind。Ifanyunforeseenaccidentplacedmewithinthegripofthelaw，I

shouldnotnowhavethedoubletrialtoendureofleavingmywifeforaprison，andleavingherhelpless。

Morningdawnedandfoundusstillawake。Thesunrose，Mrs。Baggsleftoffsnoring，andwearrivedatthelaststagebeforethecoachstopped。

Igotouttoseeaboutsometeaformytravelingcompanions，andlookedupattheoutsidepassengers。Oneofthemseatedinthedickeylookeddownatme。Hewasacountrymaninasmock-frock，withagreenpatchoveroneofhiseyes。Somethingintheexpressionofhisuncoveredeyemademepause——reflect——turnawayuneasily——andthenlookagainathimfurtively。Asuddenshudderranthroughmefromtoptotoe；myheartsank；andmyheadbegantofeelgiddy。ThecountrymaninthedickeywasnootherthantheBowStreetrunnerindisguise。

Ikeptawayfromthecoachtillthefreshhorseswereonthepointofstarting，forIwasafraidtoletAliciaseemyface，aftermakingthatfataldiscovery。ShenoticedhowpaleIwaswhenIgotin。ImadethebestexcuseIcould；andgentlyinsistedonhertryingtosleepalittleafterbeingawakeallnight。Shelaybackinhercorner；andMrs。Baggs，comfortedwithamorningdraminhertea，fellasleepagain。Ihadthusanhour"sleisurebeforemetothinkwhatIshoulddonext。

Screwwasnotincompanywiththerunnerthistime。Hemusthavemanagedtoidentifymesomewhere，andtheofficerdoubtlessknewmypersonalappearancewellenoughnowtofollowandmakesureofmewithouthelp。ThatIwasthemanwhomhewastrackingcouldnotbedoubted:hisdisguiseandhispositiononthetopofthecoachproveditonlytooplainly。

Butwhyhadhenotseizedmeatonce？Probablybecausehehadsomeulteriorpurposetoserve，whichwouldhavebeenthwartedbymyimmediateapprehension。WhatthatpurposewasIdidmybesttofathom，and，asIthought，succeededintheattempt。WhatIwastodowhenthecoachstoppedwasamoredifficultpointtosettle。Togivetherunnertheslip，withtwowomentotakecareof，wassimplyimpossible。Totreathim，asIhadtreatedScrewatthered-brickhouse，wasequallyoutofthequestion，forhewascertaintogivemenochanceofcatchinghimalone。Tokeephiminignoranceoftherealobjectofmyjourney，andtherebytodelayhisdiscoveringhimselfandattemptingtomakemeaprisoner，seemedtheonlyplanonthesafetyofwhichIcouldplacethesmallestreliance。IfIhadeverhadanyideaoffollowingtheexampleofotherrunawaylovers，andgoingtoGretnaGreen，Ishouldnowhaveabandonedit。AllroadsinthatdirectionwouldbetraywhatthepurposeofmyjourneywasifI

tookthem。SomelargetowninScotlandwouldbethesafestdestinationthatIcouldpubliclyadvertisemyselfasboundfor。

WhynotboldlysaythatIwasgoingwiththetwoladiestoEdinburgh？

SuchwastheplanofactionwhichInowadopted。

TogiveanyideaofthedistractedconditionofmymindatthetimewhenIwasformingit，issimplyimpossible。AsfordoubtingwhetherIoughttomarryatallunderthesedangerouscircumstances，ImustfranklyownthatIwastooselfishlyandviolentlyinlovetolookthequestionfairlyinthefaceatfirst。WhenIsubsequentlyforcedmyselftoconsiderit，themostdistinctprojectIcouldframeforovercomingalldifficultywas，tomarrymyself(thephraseisstrictlydescriptiveoftheScotchceremony)atthefirstinnwecameto，overtheBorder；tohireachaise，ortakeplacesinapublicconveyancetoEdinburgh，asablind；toletAliciaandMrs。Baggsoccupythoseplaces；toremainbehindmyself；andtotrusttomyaudacityandcunning，whenleftalone，togivetherunnertheslip。Writingofitnow，incoolblood，thisseemsaswildandhopelessaplanaseverwasimagined。But，intheconfusedanddistractedstateofallmyfacultiesatthatperiod，itseemedquiteeasytoexecute，andnotintheleastdoubtfulastoanyoneofitsprobableresults。

Onreachingthetownatwhichthecoachstopped，wefoundourselvesobligedtohireanotherchaiseforashortdistance，inordertogettothestarting-pointofasecondcoach。Againwetookinsideplaces，andagain，atthefirststageswhenIgotdowntolookattheoutsidepassengers，therewasthecountrymanwiththegreenshadeoverhiseye。Whateverconveyancewetraveledbyonournorthwardroad，weneverescapedhim。Heneverattemptedtospeaktome，neverseemedtonoticeme，andneverlostsightofme。Onandonwewent，overroadsthatseemedinterminable，andstillthedreadfulswordofjusticehungalways，byitssinglehair，overmyhead。Myhaggardface，myfeverishhands，myconfusedmanner，myinexpressibleimpatience，allbeliedtheexcuseswithwhichIdesperatelycontinuedtowardoffAlicia"sgrowingfears，andMrs。Baggs"sindignantsuspicions。"Oh!Frank，somethinghashappened!ForGod"ssake，tellmewhat!"——"Mr。Softly，Icanseethroughadealboardasfarasmostpeople。Youarefollowingthedoctor"swickedexample，andshowingawantofconfidenceinme。”TheseweretheremonstrancesofAliciaandthehousekeeper。

AtlastwegotoutofEngland，andIwasstillafreeman。Thechaise(wewerepostingagain)broughtusintoadirtytown，anddrewupatthedoorofashabbyinn。Ashock-headedgirlreceivedus。

"AreweinScotland？"Iasked。

"Mon!whar"elseshouldyebe？"Theaccentrelievedmeofalldoubt。

"Aprivateroom——somethingtoeat，readyinanhour"stime——chaiseafterwardtothenearestplacefromwhichacoachrunstoEdinburgh。”Givingtheseordersrapidly，Ifollowedthegirlwithmytravelingcompanionsintoastuffylittleroom。Assoonasourattendanthadleftus，Ilockedthedoor，putthekeyinmypocket，andtookAliciabythehand。

"Now，Mrs。Baggs，"saidI，"bearwitness——"

"You"renotgoingtomarryhernow!"interposedMrs。Baggs，indignantly。"Bearwitness，indeed!Iwon"tbearwitnesstillI"vetakenoffmybonnet，andputmyhairtidy!"

"Theceremonywon"ttakeaminute，"Ianswered；"andI"llgiveyouyourfive-poundnoteandopenthedoorthemomentit"sover。

Bearwitness，"Iwenton，drowningMrs。Baggs"sexpostulationswiththeall-importantmarriage-words，"thatItakethiswoman，AliciaDulciferformylawfulweddedwife。”

"Insicknessandinhealth，inpovertyandwealth，"brokeinMrs。

Baggs，determiningtorepresenttheclergymanaswellastobethewitness。

"Alicia，dear，"Isaid，interruptinginmyturn，"repeatmywords。Say"Itakethisman，FrancisSoftly，formylawfulweddedhusband。""

Sherepeatedthesentence，withherfaceverypale，withherdearhandcoldandtremblinginmine。

"Forbetterforworse，"continuedtheindomitableMrs。Baggs。

"LittleenoughoftheBetter，I"mafraid，andLordknowshowmuchoftheWorse。”

Istoppedheragainwiththepromisedfive-poundnote，andopenedtheroomdoor。"Now，ma"am，"Isaid，"gotoyourroom；takeoffyourbonnet，andputyourhairastidyasyouplease。”

Mrs。Baggsraisedhereyesandhandstoheaven，exclaimed"Disgraceful!"andflouncedoutoftheroominapassion。SuchwasmyScotchmarriage——aslawfulaceremony，remember，asthefinestfamilyweddingatthelargestparishchurchinallEngland。

Anhourpassed；andIhadnotyetsummonedthecruelcouragetocommunicatemyrealsituationtoAlicia。Theentryoftheshock-headedservant-girltolaythecloth，followedbyMrs。

Baggs，whowasneveroutofthewaywhereeatinganddrinkingappearedinprospect，helpedmetorousemyself。Iresolvedtogooutforafewminutestoreconnoiter，andmakemyselfacquaintedwithanyfacilitiesforflightorhidingwhichthesituationofthehousemightpresent。NodoubttheBowStreetrunnerwaslurkingsomewhere；buthemust，asamatterofcourse，haveheard，orinformedhimself，oftheordersIhadgivenrelatingtoourconveyanceontoEdinburgh；and，inthatcase，Iwasstillnomoreindangerofhisavowinghimselfandcapturingme，thanI

hadbeenatanypreviousperiodofourjourney。

"Iamgoingoutforamoment，love，toseeaboutthechaise，"I

saidtoAlicia。Shesuddenlylookedupatmewithananxioussearchingexpression。Wasmyfacebetrayinganythingofmyrealpurpose？Ihurriedtothedoorbeforeshecouldaskmeasinglequestion。

Thefrontoftheinnstoodnearlyinthemiddleoftheprincipalstreetofthetown。Nochanceofgivinganyonetheslipinthatdirection；andnosign，either，oftheBowStreetrunner。I

saunteredround，withthemostunconcernedmannerIcouldassume，tothebackofthehouse，bytheinnyard。Adoorinonepartofitstoodhalf-open。Insidewasabitofkitchen-garden，boundedbyapaling；beyondthatsomebacksofdetachedhouses；beyondthem，again，aplotofweedyground，afewwretchedcottages，andtheopen，heatherymoor。Goodenoughforrunningaway，butterriblybadforhiding。

Ireturneddisconsolatelytotheinn。Walkingalongthepassagetowardthestaircase，Isuddenlyheardfootstepsbehindme——turnedround，andsawtheBowStreetrunner(clothedagaininhisordinarycostume，andaccompaniedbytwostrangemen)

standingbetweenmeandthedoor。

"SorrytostopyoufromgoingtoEdinburgh，Mr。Softly，"hesaid。

"Butyou"rewantedbackatBarkingham。I"vejustfoundoutwhatyouhavebeentravelingallthewaytoScotlandfor；andItakeyouprisoner，asoneofthecoininggang。Takeiteasy，sir。I"vegothelp，yousee；andyoucan"tthrottlethreemen，whateveryoumayhavedoneatBarkinghamwithone。”

Hehandcuffedmeashespoke。Resistancewashopeless。Icouldonlymakeanappealtohismercy，onAlicia"saccount。

"Givemetenminutes，"Isaid，"tobreakwhathashappenedtomywife。Wewereonlymarriedanhourago。Ifsheknowsthissuddenly，itmaybethedeathofher。”

"You"veledmeanicedanceonawrongscent，"answeredtherunner，sulkily。"ButIneverwasahardmanwherewomenareconcerned。Goupstairs，andleavethedooropen，sothatIcanseeinthroughitifIlike。Holdyourhatoveryourwrists，ifyoudon"twanthertoseethehandcuffs。”

Iascendedthefirstflightofstairs，andmyheartgaveasuddenboundasifitwouldburst。Istopped，speechlessandhelpless，atthesightofAlicia，standingaloneonthelanding。Myfirstlookatherfacetoldmeshehadheardallthathadpassedinthepassage。ShepassionatelystruckthehatwithwhichIhadbeentryingtohidethehandcuffsoutofmyfingers，andclaspedmeinherarmswithsuchsuddenanddesperateenergythatsheabsolutelyhurtme。

"Iwasafraidofsomething，Frank，"shewhispered。"Ifollowedyoualittleway。Istoppedhere；Ihaveheardeverything。Don"tletusbeparted!Iamstrongerthanyouthinkme。Iwon"tbefrightened。Iwon"tcry。Iwon"ttroubleanybody，ifthatmanwillonlytakemewithyou!"

Itisbestformysake，ifnotforthereader"s，tohurryoverthescenethatfollowed。

Itendedwithaslittleadditionalwretchednessascouldbeexpected。Therunnerwasresoluteaboutkeepingmehandcuffed，andtakingmeback，withoutamoment"sunnecessarywasteoftimetoBarkingham；butherelentedonotherpoints。

Wherehewasobligedtoorderaprivateconveyance，therewasnoobjectiontoAliciaandMrs。Baggsfollowingit。Wherewegotintoacoach，therewasnoharmintheirhiringtwoinsideplaces。Igavemywatch，rings，andlastguineatoAlicia，enjoiningher，onnoaccount，toletherboxofjewelsseethelightuntilwecouldgetproperadviceonthebestmeansofturningthemtoaccount。Shelistenedtotheseandotherdirectionswithacalmnessthatastonishedme。

"Youshan"tsay，mydear，thatyourwifehashelpedtomakeyouuneasybysomuchasawordoralook，"shewhisperedtomeaswelefttheinn。

Andshekeptthehardpromiseimpliedinthatoneshortsentencethroughoutthejourney。OnceonlydidIseeherloseherself-possession。Atstartingonourwaysouth，Mrs。Baggs——takingthesameincomprehensiblepersonaloffenseatmymisfortunewhichshehadpreviouslytakenatthedoctor"s——upbraidedmewithmywantofconfidenceinher，anddeclaredthatitwasthemaincauseofallmypresenttrouble。Aliciaturnedonherasshewasutteringthewords，withalookandawarningthatsilencedherinaninstant:

"Ifyousayanothersyllablethatisn"tkindtohim，youshallfindyourwaybackbyyourself!"

Thewordsmaynotseemofmuchimportancetoothers；butI

thought，asIoverheardthem，thattheyjustifiedeverysacrificeIhadmadeformywife"ssake。

CHAPTERXVI。

ONourwaybackIreceivedfromtherunnersomeexplanationofhisapparentlyunaccountableproceedingsinreferencetomyself。

Tobeginatthebeginning，itturnedoutthatthefirstactoftheofficers，ontheirreleasefromtheworkroominthered-brickhouse，wastoinstituteacarefulsearchforpapersinthedoctor"sstudyandbedroom。Amongtheotherdocumentsthathehadnothadtimetodestroy，wasalettertohimfromAlicia，whichtheytookfromoneofthepocketsofhisdressing-gown。Finding，fromthereportofthemenwhohadfollowedthegig，thathehaddistancedallpursuit，andhavingthereforenodirectclewtohiswhereabout，theyhadbeenobligedtohuntafterhiminvariousdirections，onpurespeculation。Alicia"slettertoherfathergavetheaddressofthehouseatCrickgelly；andtothistherunnerrepaired，onthechanceofinterceptingordiscoveringanycommunicationswhichthedoctormightmaketohisdaughter，Screwbeingtakenwiththeofficertoidentifytheyounglady。Afterleavingthelastcoach，theypostedtowithinamileofCrickgelly，andthenwalkedintothevillage，inordertoexcitenospecialattention，shouldthedoctorbelurkingintheneighborhood。TherunnerhadtriedineffectuallytogainadmissionasavisitoratZionPlace。Afterhavingthedoorshutonhim，heandScrewhadwatchedthehouseandvillage，andhadseenmeapproachNumberTwo。Theirsuspicionsweredirectlyexcited。

Thusfar，Screwhadnotrecognized，norevenobservedme；butheimmediatelyidentifiedmebymyvoice，whileIwasparleyingwiththestupidservantatthedoor。Therunner，hearingwhoIwas，reasonablyenoughconcludedthatImustbetherecognizedmediumofcommunicationbetweenthedoctorandhisdaughter，especiallywhenhefoundthatIwasadmitted，instantlyaftercalling，pasttheservant，tosomeoneinsidethehouse。

LeavingScrewonthewatch，hewenttotheinn，discoveredhimselfprivatelytothelandlord，andmadesure(inmorewaysthanone，asIconjectured)ofknowingwhen，andinwhatdirection，IshouldleaveCrickgelly。OnfindingthatIwastoleaveitthenextmorning，withAliciaandMrs。Baggs，heimmediatelysuspectedthatIwaschargedwiththedutyoftakingthedaughterto，ornear，theplacechosenforthefather"sretreat；andhadthereforeabstainedfrominterferingprematurelywithmymovements。Knowingwhitherwewereboundinthecart，hehadriddenafterus，welloutofsight，withhiscountryman"sdisguisereadyforuseinthesaddle-bags——Screw，incaseofanymistakesormystifications，beingleftbehindonthewatchatCrickgelly。

ThepossibilitythatImightberunningawaywithAliciahadsuggesteditselftohim；buthedismisseditasimprobable，firstwhenhesawthatMrs。Baggsaccompaniedus，andagain，when，onnearingScotland，hefoundthatwedidnottaketheroadtoGretnaGreen。Heacknowledged，inconclusion，thatheshouldhavefollowedustoEdinburgh，oreventotheContinentitself，onthechanceofourleadinghimtothedoctor"sretreat，butfortheservantgirlattheinn，whohadlistenedoutsidethedoorwhileourbriefmarriageceremonywasproceeding，andfromwhom，withgreattroubleanddelay，hehadextractedalltheinformationherequired。Afurtherlossofhalfanhour"stimehadoccurredwhilehewasgettingthenecessaryhelptoassisthim，intheeventofmyresisting，ortryingtogivehimtheslip，inmakingmeaprisoner。Thesesmallfactsaccountedforthehour"srespitewehadenjoyedattheinn，andterminatedtherunner"snarrativeofhisownproceedings。

OnarrivingatourdestinationIwas，ofcourse，immediatelytakentothejail。

Alicia，bymyadvice，engagedamodestlodginginasuburbofBarkingham。Inthedaysofthered-brickhouse，shehadseldombeenseeninthetown，andshewasnotatallknownbysightinthesuburb。Wearrangedthatshewastovisitmeasoftenastheauthoritieswouldlether。Shehadnocompanion，andwantednone。

Mrs。Baggs，whohadneverforgiventherebukeadministeredtoheratthestarting-pointofourjourney，leftusatthecloseofit。

Herleave-takingwasdignifiedandpathetic。ShekindlyinformedAliciathatshewishedherwell，thoughshecouldnotconscientiouslylookuponherasalawfulmarriedwoman；andshebeggedme(incaseIgotoff)，thenexttimeImetwitharespectablepersonwhowaskindtome，toprofitbyrememberingmypasterrors，andtotreatmynextbenefactresswithmoreconfidencethanIhadtreatedher。

MyfirstbusinessintheprisonwastowritetoMr。Batterbury。

Ihadamagnificenteasetopresenttohim，thistime。AlthoughI

believedmyself，andhadsucceededinpersuadingAlicia，thatI

wassureofbeingrecommendedtomercy，itwasnotthelessthefactthatIwaschargedwithanoffensestillpunishablebydeath，inthethenbarbarousstateofthelaw。IdelicatelystatedjustenoughofmycasetomakeonethingcleartothemindofMr。Batterbury。Myaffectionatesister"sinterestinthecontingentreversionwasnow(unlessLadyMalkinshawperverselyandsuddenlyexpired)actuallythreatenedbytheGallows!

Whilecalmlyawaitingtheanswer，IwasbynomeanswithoutsubjectstooccupymyattentionwhenAliciawasnotattheprison。Therewasmyfellow-workman——Mill——(thefirstmemberofoursocietybetrayedbyScrew)tocomparenoteswith；andtherewasacertainprisonerwhohadbeentransported，andwhohadsomeveryimportantandinterestingparticularstocommunicate，relativetolifeanditschancesinourfelon-settlementsattheAntipodes。Italkedagreatdealwiththisman；forIfeltthathisexperiencemightbeofthegreatestpossiblebenefittome。

Mr。Batterbury"sanswerwasspeedy，short，andpunctual。Ihadshatteredhisnervoussystemforever，hewrote，buthadonlystimulatedhisdevotiontomyfamily，andhisChristianreadinesstolookpityinglyonmytransgressions。Hehadengagedtheleaderofthecircuittodefendme；andhewouldhavecometoseeme，butforMrs。Batterbury；whohadimploredhimnottoexposehimselftoagitation。OfLadyMalkinshawthelettersaidnothing；

butIafterwarddiscoveredthatshewasthenatCheltenham，drinkingthewatersandplayingwhistintherudesthealthandspirits。

Itisaboldthingtosay，butnothingwilleverpersuademethatSocietyhasnotasneakingkindnessforaRogue。

Forexample，myfatherneverhadhalftheattentionshowntohiminhisownhouse，whichwasshowntomeinmyprison。IhaveseenHighSheriffsinthegreatworld，whommyfatherwenttosee，givehimtwofingers——theHighSheriffofBarkinghamshirecametoseeme，andshookhandscordially。Nobodyeverwantedmyfather"sautograph——dozensofpeopleaskedformine。Nobodyeverputmyfather"sportraitinthefrontispieceofamagazine，ordescribedhispersonalappearanceandmannerswithanxiouselaboration，inthelargetypeofagreatnewspaper——Ienjoyedboththosehonors。

Threeofficialindividualspolitelybeggedmetobesureandmakecomplaintsifmypositionwasnotperfectlycomfortable。Noofficialindividualevertroubledhisheadwhethermyfatherwascomfortableornot。Whenthedayofmytrialcame，thecourtwasthrongedbymylovelycountrywomen，whostooduppantinginthecrowdandcrushingtheirbeautifuldresses，ratherthanmissthepleasureofseeingthedearRogueinthedock。Whenmyfatheroncestoodonthelecturer"srostrum，anddeliveredhisexcellentdiscourse，called"MedicalHintstoMaidsandMothersonTightLacingandTeething，"thebencheswereleftemptybytheungratefulwomenofEngland，whowerenotintheslightestdegreeanxioustofeasttheireyesonthesightofalearnedadviserandrespectableman。Ifthesefactsledtooneinevitableconclusion，itisnotmyfault。WeRoguesarethespoiledchildrenofSociety。WemaynotbeopenlyacknowledgedasPets，butweallknow，bypleasantexperience，thatwearetreatedlikethem。

Thetrialwasdeeplyaffecting。Mydefense——orrathermybarrister"s——wasthesimpletruth。Itwasimpossibletooverthrowthefactsagainstus；sowehonestlyownedthatIgotintothescrapethroughloveforAlicia。Mycounselturnedthistothebestpossiblesentimentalaccount。Hecried；theladiescried；

thejurycried；thejudgecried；andMr。Batterbury，whohaddesperatelycometoseethetrial，andknowtheworst，sobbedwithsuchprominentvehemence，thatIbelievehim，tothisday，tohavegreatlyinfluencedtheverdict。Iwasstronglyrecommendedtomercyandgotoffwithfourteenyears"

transportation。TheunfortunateMill，whowastriedafterme，withameredry-eyedbarristertodefendhim，washanged。

POSTSCRIPT。

WITHtherecordofmysentenceoftransportation，mylifeasaRogueends，andmyexistenceasarespectablemanbegins。Iamsorrytosayanythingwhichmaydisturbpopulardelusionsonthesubjectofpoeticaljustice，butthisisstrictlythetruth。

Myfirstanxietywasaboutmywife"sfuture。

Mr。Batterburygavemenochanceofaskinghisadviceafterthetrial。Themomentsentencehadbeenpronounced，heallowedhimselftobehelpedoutofcourtinamelancholystateofprostration，andthenextmorningheleftforLondon。Isuspecthewasafraidtofaceme，andnervouslyimpatient，besides，totellAnnabellathathehadsavedthelegacyagainbyanotheralarmingsacrifice。Myfatherandmother，towhomIhadwrittenonthesubjectofAlicia，werenomoretobedependedonthanMr。

Batterbury。Myfather，inansweringmyletter，toldmethatheconscientiouslybelievedhehaddoneenoughinforgivingmeforthrowingawayanexcellenteducation，anddisgracingarespectablename。Headdedthathehadnotallowedmyletterformymothertoreachher，outofpityingregardforherbrokenhealthandspirits；andheendedbytellingme(whatwasperhapsverytrue)thatthewifeofsuchasonasIhadbeen，hadnoclaimuponherfather-in-law"sprotectionandhelp。Therewasanend，then，ofanyhopeoffindingresourcesforAliciaamongthemembersofmyownfamily。

Thenextthingwastodiscoverameansofprovidingforherwithoutassistance。Ihadformedaprojectforthis，aftermeditatingovermyconversationswiththereturnedtransportinBarkinghamjail，andIhadtakenareliableopiniononthechancesofsuccessfullyexecutingmydesignfromthesolicitorwhohadpreparedmydefense。

Aliciaherselfwassoearnestlyinfavorofassistinginmyexperiment，thatshedeclaredshewouldpreferdeathtoitsabandonment。Accordingly，thenecessarypreliminarieswerearranged；and，whenweparted，itwassomemitigationofourgrieftoknowthattherewasatimeappointedformeetingagain。

Aliciawastolodgewithadistantrelativeofhermother"sinasuburbofLondon；wastoconcertmeasureswiththisrelativeonthebestmethodofturningherjewelsintomoney；andwastofollowherconvicthusbandtotheAntipodes，underafeignedname，insixmonths"time。

Ifmyfamilyhadnotabandonedme，Ineednothavethuslefthertohelpherself。Asitwas，Ihadnochoice。Oneconsolationsupportedmeatparting——shewasinnodangerofpersecutionfromherfather。AsecondletterfromhimhadarrivedatCrickgelly，andhadbeenforwardedtotheaddressIhadleftforit。ItwasdatedHamburg，andbrieflytoldhertoremainatCrickgelly，andexpectfreshinstructions，explanations，andasupplyofmoney，assoonashehadsettledtheimportantbusinessmatterswhichhadtakenhimabroad。Hisdaughteransweredtheletter，tellinghimofhermarriage，andgivinghimanaddressatapost-officetowriteto，ifhechosetoreplytohercommunication。Therethematterrested。

WhatwasItodoonmyside？Nothingbutestablishareputationformildbehavior。Ibegantomanufactureacharacterformyselfforthefirstdaysofourvoyageoutintheconvict-ship；andI

landedatthepenalsettlementwiththereputationofbeingthemeekestandmostbiddableoffeloniousmankind。

Afterashortprobationaryexperienceofsuchlowconvictemploymentsaslime-burningandroad-mending，Iwasadvancedtooccupationsmoreinharmonywithmyeducation。WhateverIdid，I

neverneglectedthefirstgreatobligationofmakingmyselfagreeableandamusingtoeverybody。Mysocialreputationasagoodfellowbegantostandashighatoneendoftheworldaseveritstoodattheother。ThemonthspassedmorequicklythanI

haddaredtohope。Theexpirationofmyfirstyearoftransportationwasapproaching，andalreadypleasanthintsofmybeingsoonassignedtoprivateservicebegantoreachmyears。

ThiswasthefirstofthemanyendsIwasnowworkingfor；andthenextpleasantrealizationofmyhopesthatIhadtoexpect，wasthearrivalofAlicia。

Shecame，amonthlaterthanIhadanticipated；safeandblooming，withfivehundredpoundsastheproduceofherjewels，andwiththeoldCrickgellyalias(changedfromMisstoMrs。

Giles)，topreventanysuspicionsoftheconnectionbetweenus。

Herstory(concoctedbymebeforeIleftEngland)was，thatshewasawidowlady，whohadcometosettleinAustralia，andmakethemostofherlittlepropertyintheNewWorld。OneofthefirstthingsMrs。Gileswantedwasnecessarilyatrustworthyservant，andshehadtomakeherchoiceofoneamongtheconvictsofgoodcharacter，tobeassignedtoprivateservice。Beingoneofthathonorablebodymyselfatthetime，itisneedlesstosaythatI

wasthefortunatemanonwhomMrs。Giles"schoicefell。ThefirstsituationIgotinAustraliawasasservanttomyownwife。

Aliciamadeaveryindulgentmistress。

Ifshehadbeenmischievouslyinclined，shemight，byapplicationtoamagistrate，havehadmefloggedorsettoworkinchainsontheroads，wheneverIbecameidleorinsubordinate，whichhappenedoccasionally。Butinsteadofcomplaining，thekindcreaturekissedandmademuchofherfootmanbystealth，afterhisday"swork。Sheallowedhimnofemalefollowers，andonlyemployedonewoman-servantoccasionally，whowasbotholdandugly。ThenameofthefootmanwasDearinprivate，andFrancisincompany；andwhenthewidowedmistress，upstairs，refusedeligibleoffersofmarriage(whichwasprettyoften)，thefavoreddomesticinthekitchenwasalwaysinformedofit，andasked，withthesweetesthumility，ifheapprovedoftheproceeding。

Nottodwellonthisanomalousperiodofmyexistence，letmesaybrieflythatmynewpositionwithmywifewasofthegreatestadvantageinenablingmetodirectinsecrettheprofitableusestowhichherlittlefortunewasput。

Webeganinthiswaywithanexcellentspeculationincattle——buyingthemforshillingsandsellingthemforpounds。

Withtheprofitsthusobtained，wenexttriedourhandsathouses——firstbuyinginasmallway，thenboldlybuilding，andlettingagainandsellingtogreatadvantage。Whilethesespeculationswereinprogress，mybehaviorinmywife"sservicewassoexemplary，andshegavemesoexcellentacharacterwhentheusualofficialinquirieswereinstituted，thatIsoongotthenextprivilegeaccordedtopersonsinmysituation——aticket-of-leave。Bythetimethishadbeenagainexchangedforaconditionalpardon(whichallowedmetogoaboutwhereIpleasedinAustralia，andtotradeinmyownnamelikeanyunconvictedmerchant)ourhouse-propertyhadincreasedenormously，ourlandhadbeensoldforpublicbuildings，andwehadsharesinthefamousEmancipist"sBank，whichproducedquitealittleincomeofthemselves。

Therewasnownoneedtokeepthemaskonanylonger。

IwentthroughthesuperfluousceremonyofasecondmarriagewithAlicia；tookstoresinthecity；builtavillainthecountry；

andhereIamatthispresentmomentofwriting，aconvictaristocrat——aprosperous，wealthy，highlyrespectablemercantileman，withtwoyearsofmysentenceoftransportationstilltoexpire。Ihaveabaroucheandtwobayhorses，acoachmanandpageinneatliveries，threecharmingchildren，andaFrenchgoverness，aboudoirandlady"s-maidformywife。Sheisashandsomeasever，butgettingalittlefat。SoamI，asaworthyfriendremarkedwhenIrecentlyappearedholdingtheplate，atourlastcharitysermon。

WhatwouldmysurvivingrelativesandassociatesinEnglandsay，iftheycouldseemenow？Ihaveheardofthematdifferenttimesandthroughvariouschannels。LadyMalkinshaw，afterlivingtothevergeofahundred，andsurvivingallsortsofaccidents，diedquietlyoneafternoon，inherchair，withanemptydishbeforeher，andwithoutgivingtheslightestnoticetoanybody。

Mr。Batterbury，havingsacrificedsomuchtohiswife"sreversion，profitednothingbyitsfallinginatlast。Hisquarrelswithmyamiablesister——whichtooktheirrisefromhisinterestedcharitiestowardme——endedinproducingaseparation。

And，farfromsavinganythingbyAnnabella"sinheritanceofherpin-money，hehadapositivelosstoputupwith，intheshapeofsomehundredsextractedyearlyfromhisincome，asalimonytohisuncongenialwife。Heissaidtomakeuseofshockinglanguagewhenevermynameismentioned，andtowishthathehadbeencarriedoffbytheyellowfeverbeforeheeverseteyesontheSoftlyfamily。

Myfatherhasretiredfrompractice。Heandmymotherhavegonetoliveinthecountry，nearthemansionoftheonlymarquiswithwhommyfatherwasactuallyandpersonallyacquaintedinhisprofessionaldays。Themarquisaskshimtodinneronceayear，andleavesacardformymotherbeforehereturnstotownfortheseason。AportraitofLadyMalkinshawhangsinthedining-room。

Inthisway，myparentsareendingtheirdayscontentedly。IcanhonestlysaythatIamgladtohearit。

DoctorDulcifer，whenIlastheardofhim，waseditinganewspaperinAmerica。OldFile，whosharedhisflight，stillshareshisfortunes，beingpublisherofhisnewspaper。YoungFileresumedcoiningoperationsinLondon；and，havingbravedhisfateasecondtime，threadedhisway，induecourse，uptothestepsofthescaffold。Screwcarriesontheprofitabletradeofinformer，inLondon。ThedismaldisappearanceofMillIhavealreadyrecorded。

Somuchonthesubjectofmyrelativesandassociates。Onthesubjectofmyself，Imightstillwriteonatconsiderablelength。

Butwhilethelibeloustitleof"AROGUE"SLIFE"staresmeinthefaceatthetopofthepage，howcanI，asarichandreputableman，beexpectedtocommunicateanyfurtherautobiographicalparticulars，inthisplace，toadiscerningpublicofreaders？

No，no，myfriends!Iamnolongerinteresting——Iamonlyrespectablelikeyourselves。Itistimetosay"Good-by。”