第6章

"HowlongIlaylisteningtothecreakingsandgroaningsofthericketyoldhouse，Icannotsay，norhowlongIremainedinthedozewhichfinallyseizedmeasIbecameaccustomedtothesoundsaroundandoverme。Enoughthatbeforethestormhadpasseditsheight，I

awokeasifatthetouchofahand，andleapingwithaboundoutofthebed，beheldtomyincredibleamazememt，thealert，nervousformofLuttrastandingbeforeme。Shehadmycoatinherhand，anditwashertouchthathadevidentlyawakenedme。

""Iwantyoutoputthison，"saidsheinalowthrillingtonetotallynewinmyexperience，"andcomewithme。Thehouseisunsafeforyoutoremainin。Hearhowitcracksandtrembles。Anotherblastlikethatandweshallberoofless。"

"Shewasmovingtowardthedoor，whichtomyamazementstoodajar，butmyhesitationstoppedher。

""Won"tyoucome?"shewhispered，turningherfacetowardsmewithalookofsuchpotentdetermination，Ifollowedinspiteofmyself"I

darenotletyoustayhere，yourbloodwillbeuponmyhead。"

""Youexaggerate，"Ireplied，shrinkingbackwithalonginglookatthecomfortablebedIhadjustleft。"Theseoldhousesarealwaysstrong。Itwilltakemanysuchagustasthatyouhear，tooverturnit，Iassureyou。"

""Iexaggerate!"shereturnedwithalookofscornimpossibletodescribe。"Hark!"shesaid，"hearthat。"

"Ididhear，andImustacknowledgethatitseemedisifwewereabouttobesweptfromourfoundations。

""Yes，"saidI，"butitisafearfulnighttobeoutin。"

""Ishallgowithyou，"saidshe。

""Inthatcase——"Ibeganwithanill-advisedattemptatgallantrywhichshecutshortwithagesture。

""Hereisyourhat，"remarkedshe，"andhereisyourbag。Thefishing-polemustremain，youcannotcarryit。"

""But，——"Iexpostulated。

""Hush!"saidshewithherearturnedtowardsthedepthsofthestaircaseatthetopofwhichwestood。"Myfatherandbrotherwillthinkasyoudothatitisfollytoleavetheshelterofarooffortheuncertaintiesoftheroadonsuchanightasthis，butyoumustnotheedthem。Itellyoushelterthisnightisdanger，andthattheonlysafetytobefoundisonthestormyhighway。"

"Andwithoutwaitingformyreply，shepassedrapidlydownstairs，pushedopenadooratthebottom，andsteppedatonceintotheroomwehadleftanhourorsobefore。

"Whatwasthereinthatroomthatforthefirsttimestruckanominouschillasofdistinctperilthroughmyveins?Nothingatfirstsight，everythingatthesecond。Thefirewhichhadnotbeenallowedtodieout，stillburnedbrightlyontheruddyhearthstone，butitwasnotthatwhichawakenedmyapprehension。Norwasittheloudtickingclockonthemantlepiecewithitshandpointingsilentlytothehourofeleven。Noryettheheavyquietofthescantily-furnishedroomwithitsonelampburningonthedealtableagainstthesideofthewall。

Itwasthesightofthosetwopowerfulmendrawnupingrimsilence，theoneagainstthedoorleadingtothefronthall，theotheragainstthatopeningintothekitchen。

"AglanceatLuttrastandingsilentandundismayedatmyside，however，instantlyreassuredme。Withthatwillexercisedinmyfavor，Icouldnotbutwinthroughwhateveritwasthatmenacedme。

Slingingmybagovermyshoulder，Imadeamovetowardsthedoorandthesilentfigureofmyhost。Butwithaquickoutreachingofherhand，shedrewmeback。

""Standstill!"saidshe。"Karl，"shewenton，turningherfacetowardsthemoresullenbutlessintentcountenanceofherbrother，"openthedoorandletthisgentlemanpass。Hefindsthehouseunsafeinsuchagaleanddesirestoleaveit。Atonce!"shecontinuedasherbrothersettledhimselfmoredeterminedlyagainstthelock:"I

don"toftenaskfavors。"

""Themanisafoolthatwantstogooutinanightlikethis，"quoththefellowwithadoggedmove；"andsoareyoutoencourageit。I

thinktoomuchofyourhealthtoallowit。"

"Shedidnotseemtohear。"Willyouopenthedoor?"shewenton，notadvancingastepfromthefire，beforewhichshehadplacedherselfandme。"

""No，Iwon"t，"wasthebrutalreply。"Itsbeenlockedforthenightanditsnotmenoronelikeme，thatwillopenit。"

"Withasuddenwhiteningofheralreadypaleface，sheturnedtowardsherfather。Hewasnotevenlookingather。

""Someonemustopenthehouse，"saidshe，glancingbackatherbrother。"Thisgentlemanpurposestoleaveandhiswhimmustbehumored。WillyouunlockthatdoororshallI?"

"Anangrysnarlinterruptedher。Herfatherhadboundedfromthedoorwherehestoodandwasstridinghastilytowardsher。InmyapprehensionIputupmyarmforashield，forhelookedreadytomurderher，butIletitdropagainaslcaughtherglancewhichwaslikewhiteflameundisturbedbytheleastbreezeofpersonalterror。

""Youwillstopthere，"saidshe，pointingtoaspotafewfeetfromwhereshestood。"AnotherstepandIletthatforwhichIhaveheardyoudeclareyouwouldperilyourverysoul，fallintotheheartoftheflames。"Anddrawingfromherbreastarollofbills，shestretchedthemoutabovethefirebeforewhichshewasstanding。

""You——"brokefromthegray-beardedlipsoftheoldman，buthestoppedwherehewas，eyeingthosebillsasiffascinated。

""Iamnotagirlofmanywords，asyouknow，"continuedsheinaloftytoneinexpressiblycommanding。"Youmaystrangleme，youmaykillme，itmatterslittle；butthisgentlemanleavesthehousethisnight，orIdestroythemoneywithagesture。"

""You——"againbrokefromthosequiveringlips，buttheoldmandidnotmove。

"Notsotheyounger。Witharushhelefthispostandinanotherinstantwouldhavehadhispowerfularmsaboutherslenderform，onlythatImethimhalfwaywithablowthatlaidhimontheflooratherfeet。Shesaidnothing，butoneofthebillsimmediatelyleftherhandandflutteredintothefirewhereitinstantlyshrivelledintonothing。

"Withtheyellofamadbeastwoundedinhismostvulnerablespot，theoldmanbeforeusstampedwithhisheeluponthefloor。

""Stop!"criedhe；andgoingrapidlytothefrontdoorheopenedit。

"There!"shriekedhe，"ifyouwillbefools，go!andmaythelightningblastyou。Butfirstgivemethemoney。"

""Comefromthedoor，"saidshe，reachingoutherlefthandforthelanternhangingatthesideofthefireplace，"andletKarllightthisandkeephimselfoutoftheway。"

"Itwasalldone。InlesstimethanIcantellit，theoldmanhadsteppedfromthedoor，theyoungeronehadlitthelanternandwewereinreadinesstodepart。

""Nowdoyouproceed，"saidshetome，"Iwillfollow。"

""No，"saidI，"wewillgotogether。"

""Butthemoney?"growledtheheavyvoiceofmyhostovermyshoulder。

""Iwillgiveittoyouonmyreturn，"saidthegirl。

CHAPTERXII

AWOMAN"SLOVE

"ShallIeverforgettheblastofdrivingrainthatstruckourfacesandenvelopedusinacloudofwet，asthedoorswungonitshingesandletusforthintothenight；ortheelectricthrillthatshotthroughmeasthatslendergirlgraspedmyhandanddrewmeawaythroughtheblindingdarkness。ItwasnotthatIwassomuchaffectedbyherbeautyasinfluencedbyherpowerandenergy。Thefuryofthegaleseemedtobendtoherwill，thewindlendwingstoherfeet。Ibegantorealizewhatintellectwas。Arrivedattheroadside，shepausedandlookedback。Thetwoburlyformsofthemenwehadleftbehinduswerestandinginthedooroftheinn；inanothermomenttheyhadplungedforthandtowardsus。WithalowcrytheyounggirlleapedtowardsatreewheretomyunboundedastonishmentIbeheldmyhorsestandingreadysaddled。Draggingthemarefromherfastenings，shehungthelantern，burningasitwas，onthepommelofthesaddle，struckthepantingcreatureasmartblowupontheflank，anddrewbackwithaleaptomyside。

"Thestartledhorsesnorted，gaveaplungeofdismayandstartedawayfromusdowntheroad。

""Wewillwait，"saidLuttra。

"Thewordswerenosooneroutofhermouththanherfatherandbrotherrushedby。

""Theywillfollowthelight，"whisperedshe；andseizingmeagainbythehand，shehurriedmeawayinthedirectionoppositetothatwhichthehorsehadtaken。"Ifyouwilltrustme，Iwillbringyoutoshelter，"shemurmured，bendingherslightformtothegustywindbutrelaxingnotawhitofherspeed。

""Youaretookind，"Imurmuredinreturn。"Whyshouldyouexposeyourselftosuchanextentforastranger?"

"Herhandtightenedonmine，butshedidnotreply，andwehastenedonasspeedilyasthewindandrainwouldallow。Afterashortbutdeterminedbreastingofthestorm，duringwhichmybreathhadnearlyfailedme，shesuddenlystopped。

""Doyouknow，"sheexclaimedinalowimpressivetone，"thatweareonthevergeofasteepanddreadfulprecipice?Itrunsalonghereforaquarterofamileanditisnotanuncommonthingforahorseandridertobedashedoveritinanightlikethis。"

"TherewassomethinginhermannerthatawakenedachillinmyveinsalmostasifshehadpointedoutsomedreadfuldoomwhichIhadunwittinglyescaped。

""Thisis，then，adangerousroad，"Imurmured。

""Very，"washerhurriedandalmostincoherentreply。

"HowfarwetravelledthroughthemudandtangledgrassesofthathorribleroadIdonotknow。Itseemedalongdistance；itwasprobablynotmorethanthreequartersofamile。Atlastshepausedwithashort"Hereweare；"andlookingup，Isawthatwewereinfrontofasmallunlightedcottage。

"NorefugeeverappearedmorewelcometoapairofsinkingwanderersI

amsure。Wettotheskin，bedrabbledwithmud，exhaustedwithbreastingthegale，westoodforamomentundertheporchtoregainourbreath，thenwithhercharacteristicenergysheliftedtheknockerandstruckasmartblowonthedoor。

""Wewillfindshelterhere，"saidshe。

"Shewasnotmistaken。Inafewmomentswewerestandingoncemorebeforeacomfortablefirehastilybuiltbytheworthycouplewhoseslumberswehadthusinterrupted。AsIbegantorealizethesweetnessofconscioussafety，allthatthisyoung，heroiccreaturehaddoneformesweptwarmlyacrossmymind。Lookingupfromthefirethatwasbeginingtoinfuseitsheatthroughmygratefulsystem，Isurveyedherassheslowlyundidherlongbraidsandshookthemdryovertheblaze，andalmoststartedtoseehowyoungshewas。NotmorethansixteenIshouldsay，andyetwhataninvinciblewillshonefromherdarkeyesanddignifiedherslenderform；awillgentleasitwasstrong，elevatedasitwasunbending。IbowedmyheadasIwatchedher，ingratefulthankfulnesswhichIpresentlyputintowords。

"Atonceshedrewherselferect。"Ididbutmyduty，"saidshequietly。"IamgladIwasprosperedinit。"Thenslowly。"Ifyouaregrateful，sir，willyoupromisetosaynothingof——ofwhattookplaceattheinn?"

"InstantlyIrememberedasuspicionwhichhadcrossedmymindwhilethere，andmyhandwentinvoluntarilytomyvestpocket。Therollofbillswasgone。

"Shedidnotfalter。"Iwouldberelievedifyouwould，"continuedshe。

"Idrewoutmyemptyhand，lookedatit，butsaidnothing。

""Haveyoulostanything?"askedshe。"Searchinyourovercoatpockets。"

"Iplungedmyhandintotheonenearestheranddrewitoutwithsatisfaction；therollofbillswasthere。"Igiveyoumypromise，"

saidI。

""Youwillfindabillmissing，"shemurmured；"forwhatamountIdonotknow；thesacrificeofsomethingwasinevitable。"

""Icanonlywonderovertheingenuityyoudisplayed，aswellasexpressmyappreciationforyourbravery，"returnedIwithenthusiasm。"Youareanoblegirl。"

"Sheputoutherhandasifcomplimentshurther。"Itisthefirsttimetheyhaveeverattemptedanythinglikethat，"criedsheinaquicklowtonefullofshameandsuffering。"Theyhaveshownadispositionto——totakemoneysometimes，buttheyneverthreatenedlifebefore。Andtheydidthreatenyours。Theysawyoutakeoutyourmoney，throughaholepiercedinthewalloftheroomyouoccupied，andthesightmadethemmad。Theyweregoingtokillyouandthentumbleyouandyourhorseovertheprecipicebelowthere。ButI

overheardthemtalkingandwhentheywentouttosaddlethehorse，I

hurrieduptoyourroomtowakeyou。Ihadtotakepossessionofthebills；youwerenotsafewhileyouheldthem。ItookthemquietlybecauseIhopedtosaveyouwithoutbetrayingthem。ButIfailedinthat。Youmustremembertheyaremyfatherandmybrother。"

""Iwillnotbetraythem，"saidI。

"Shesmiled。Itwasawintrygleambutitineffablysoftenedherface。

Ibecameconsciousofamovementofpitytowardsher。

""Youhaveahardlot，"remarkedI。"Yourlifemustbeasadone。"

"Sheflasheduponmeoneglanceofherdarkeye。"Iwasbornforhardship，"saidshe，"but——"andasuddenwildshudderseizedher，"butnotforcrime。"

"Thewordfelllikeadropofbloodwrungfromherheart。

""Goodheavens!"criedI，"andmustyou——"

""No，"rangfromherlipsinaclarion-likepeal；"somethingscuttheverybondsofnature。Iamnotcalledupontocleavetowhatwilldragmeintoinfamy。"Thencalmly，asifspeakingofthemostordinarymatterintheworld，"Ishallnevergobacktothathousewehaveleftbehindus，sir。"

""But，"criedI，glancingatherscantygarments，"wherewillyougo?

Whatwillyoudo?Youareyoung——"

""Andverystrong，"sheinterrupted。"Donotfearforme。"Andhersmilewaslikeaburstofsuddensunshine。

"Isaidnomorethatnight。

"ButwheninthemorningIstumbleduponhersittinginthekitchenreadingabooknotonlyaboveherpositionbutbeyondheryears，asuddenimpulseseizedmeandIaskedherifshewouldliketobeeducated。Theinstantaneousilluminingofherwholefacewassufficientreplywithoutherlowemphaticwords，""Iwouldbecontenttostudyonmykneestoknowwhatsomewomendo，whomIhaveseen。"

"ItisnotnecessaryformetorelatewithwhatpleasureIcaughtattheideathatherewasachancetorepayinsomeslightmeasuretheinestimablefavorshehaddoneme；norbywhatargumentsIfinallywonhertoacceptaneducationatmyhandsassomesortofrecompenseforthelifeshehadsaved。Theadvantagewhichitwouldgiveherinherstrugglewiththeworldsheseemeddulytoappreciate，butthatsogreatafavorcouldbeshownherwithoutcausingmemuchtroubleandanunwarrantableexpense，shecouldnotatoncebebroughttocomprehend，andtillshecould，sheheldoutwiththatgentlebutinflexiblewillofhers。Thebattle，however，waswonatlastandI

leftherinthatlittlecottage，withtheunderstandingthatassoonasthemattercouldbearranged，shewastoenteracertainboarding-schoolinTroywiththemistressofwhichIwasacquainted。

MeanwhileshewastogoouttoserviceatMelvilleandearnenoughmoneytoprovideherselfwithclothes。

"IwasacarelessfellowinthosedaysbutIkeptmypromisetothatgirl。Inotonlyenteredherintothatschoolforacourseofthreeyears，butactingthroughitsmistresswhohadtakenagreatfancytoher，suppliedherwiththenecessitiesherpositionrequired。Itwassoeasy；merelythesigningofacheckfromtimetotime，anditwasdone。IsaythisbecauseIreallythinkifithadinvolvedanypersonalsacrificeonmypart，evenofanhourofmytime，orthelaborofathought，Ishouldnothavedoneit。Forwithmyreturntothecitymyinterestinmycousinrevived，absorbingmetosuchanextentthatanymatterdisconnectedwithhersoonlostallcharmforme。

"Twoyearspassed；IwastheslaveofEvelynBlake，buttherewasnoengagementbetweenus。Myfather"sdeterminedoppositionwasenoughtopreventthat。ButtherewasanunderstandingwhichIfondlyhopedwouldonedayopenformethewayofhappiness。ButIdidnotknowmyfather。Sickashewas——hewasatthattimelaboringunderthediseasewhichinacoupleofmonthslaterborehimtothetomb——hekeptaneyeuponmymovementsandseemedtoprobemyinmostheart。Atlasthecametoadefinitedecisionandspoke。

"Hiswordsopenedaworldofdismaybeforeme。Iwashisonlychild，asheremarked，andithadbeenandwasthedesireofhishearttoleavemeasrichandindependentamanashimself。ButIseemeddisposedtocommitoneofthoseactsagainstwhichhehadthemostdeterminedprejudice；marriagebetweencousinsbeinginhiseyesanunsanctifiedanddangerousproceeding，liabletoconsequencesthemostunhappy。IfIpersisted，hemustwillhispropertyelsewhere。TheBlakeestateshouldneverdescendwiththesealofhisapprobationtoaraceofprobableimbeciles。

"Norwasthisenough。HenotonlyrobbedmeofthewomanIloved，butwithaclearinsightintothefuture，Ipresume，insisteduponmymarryingsomeoneelseofrespectabilityandworthbeforehedied。

"Anyonewhoseappearancewilldoyoucreditandwhosevirtueisbeyondreproach，"saidhe。"Idon"taskhertoberichoreventheoffspringofoneofouroldfamilies。Letherbegoodandpureandofnoconnectiontous，andIwillblessherandyouwithmydyingbreath。"

"Theideahadseizeduponhimwithgreatforce，andIsoonsawhewasnottobeshakenoutofit。Toallmyobjectionshereturnedbuttheoneword，""Idon"trestrictyourchoiceandIgiveyouamonthinwhichtomakeit。Ifattheendofthattimeyoucannotbringyourbridetomybedside，Imustlookaroundforanheirwhowillnotthwartmydyingwishes。""

"Amonth!Isurveyedthefashionablebellesthatnightlythrongedtheparlorsofmyfriendsandfeltmyheartsinkwithinme。Takeoneofthemformywife，lovinganotherwoman?Impossible。Womenlikethesedemandedsomethinginreturnforthehonortheyconferreduponamanbymarryinghim。Wealth?theyhadit。Position?thatwastheirsalso。Consideration?ah，whatconsiderationhadItogive?Iturnedfromthemwithdistaste。

"MycousinEvelyngavemenohelp。Shewasaproudwomanandlovedmymoneyandmyexpectationsasmuchasshedidme。

""Ifyoumustmarryanotherwomantoretainyourwealth，marry，saidshe，"butdonotmarryoneofmyassociates。Iwillhavenorivalinmyownempire；yourwifemustbeaplainerandalessaspiringwomanthanEvelynBlake。Yetdonotdiscredityourname，——whichismine，"

shewouldalwaysadd。

"Meanwhilethedaysflewby。Ifmyownconsciencehadallowedmetoforgetthefact，myfather"seagerlyinquiring，butsternlyunrelentinggazeasIcameeacheveningtohisbedside，wouldhavekeptitsufficientlyinmymind。Ibegantofeellikeoneinthepowerofsomehugecrushingmachinewhoseslowlydescendingweightheinvainendeavorstoescape。

"HoworwhenthethoughtofLuttrafirstcrossedmymindIcannotsay。

AtfirstIrecoiledatthesuggestionandputitawayfrommeindisdain；butiteverrecurredandwithitsomanyargumentsinherfavorthatbeforelongIfoundmyselfregardingitasarefuge。Tobesureshewasawaifandastray，butthatseemedtobethekindofwifedemandedofme。Shewasalliedtoroguesifnotvillains，I

knew；butthenhadshenotcutallconnectionwiththem，droppedawayfromthem，plantedherfeetonnewgroundwhichtheywouldneverinvade?Icommencedtocherishtheidea。Withthisfriendless，grateful，unassumingprotegeeofmineforawife，Iwouldbeaslittleboundasmightbe。Shewouldasknothing，andIneedgivenothing，beyondahomeandthecommonattentionsrequiredofagentlemanandafriend。Thenshewasnotdisagreeable，norwasherbeautyofatypetosuggestthecharmsofherIhadlost。Noneofthegracesofthehaughtypatricianladywhoselightestgesturewasacommand，wouldappearinthishumblegirl，tomockandconstrainme。

No，Ishouldhaveafairwifeandanobedientone，butnovulgarizedshadowofEvelyn，thankGod，orofanyofherfashionablydressedfriends。

"Advancedthusfartowardstheend，IwenttoseeLuttraIhadnotbeheldhersincethemorningwepartedatthedoorofthatlittlecottageinVermont，andherpresencecausedmeashock。This，thehumblewaifwiththeappealinggratefuleyesIhadexpectedtoencounter?thistallandslendercreaturewithanaureolaofgoldenhairaboutafacethatitwasaneducationtobehold!IfeltahalfmovementofangerasIsurveyedher。Ihadbeencheated；Ihadplantedagrapeseedandapalmtreehadsprungupinitsplace。I

wassotakenaback，mysalutelostsomethingofthebenevolentcondescensionIhadintendedtoinfuseintoit。Sheseemedtofeelmyembarassmentandahalfsmileflutteredtoherlips。Thatsmiledecidedme。Itwassweetbutaboveallelseitwasappealing。

"HowIwonthatwomantomarrymeintendaystimeIcarenottostate。Notbyholdingupmywealthandpositionbeforeher。

Somethingrestrainedmefromthat。Iwasresolved，andperhapsitwastheonlypointoflightinmyconductatthattime，nottobuythisyounggirl。Ineverspokeofmyexpectations，IneveralludedtomypresentadvantagesyetIwonher。

"Weweremarried，there，inTroyinthequietestandmostunpretendingmanner。WhythefacthasnevertranspiredIcannotsay。Icertainlytooknoespecialpainstoconcealitatthetime，thoughI

acknowledgethatafterourseparationIdidresorttosuchmeasuresasIthoughtnecessary，tosuppresswhathadbecomegallandwormwoodtomypride。

"MyfirstmoveaftertheceremonywastobringherimmediatelytoNewYorkandtothishouse。Withperhapsapardonablebitternessofspirit，Ihadrefrainedfromanynotificationofmyintentions，anditwasasstrangersmightenteranunprepareddwelling，thatwesteppedacrossthethresholdofthishouseandpassedimmediatelytomyfather"sroom。

""Icangiveyounoweddingandnohoneymoon，"Ihadtoldher。"Myfatherisdyinganddemandsmycare。Fromthealtartoadeath-bedmaybesadforyou，butitisaninevitableconditionofyourmarriagewithme。"Andshehadacceptedherfatewithadeepunspeakablesmileithastakenmelongmonthsoflonelinessandsufferingtounderstand。

""Father，Ibringyoumybride，"weremyfirstwordstohimasthedoorclosedbehindusshuttingusinwiththedread，invisiblePresencethatforsolongatimehadbeenrelentlesslyadvancinguponourhome。

"Ishallneverforgethowherousedhimselfinhisbed，norwithwhateagereyeshereadheryoungfaceandsurveyedherslightformswayingtowardshiminhersuddenemotionlikeaflameinabreeze。

NorwhileIliveshallIlosesightofthespasmofuncontrollablejoywithwhichheliftedhisagedarmstowardsher，northelookwithwhichshesprangfrommysideandnestled，yesnestled，onthebreastthatnevertomyremembrancehadopeneditselftomeevenintheyearsofmyearliestchildhood。Formyfatherwasasternmanwhobelievedinholdingloveatarm"slengthandmeasuredaffectionbythedepthofaweitinspired。

""Mydaughter!"brokefromhislips，andheneverinquiredwhoshewasorwhat；no，notevenwhenafteramomentofsilencesheraisedherheadandwithasuddenlowcryofpassionatelonginglookedinhisfaceandmurmured，""Ineverhadafather。"

"Sirs，itisimpossibleformetocontinuewithoutrevealingdepthsofprideandbitternessinmyownnature，fromwhichInowshrinkwithunspeakablepain。Sofarfrombeingtouchedbythisscene，Ifeltmyselfgrowhardunderit。Ifhehadbeendisappointedinmychoice，queriedatitorevenbeensimplypleasedatmyobedience，ImighthaveacceptedthewifeIhadwon，andbeentolerablygrateful。Buttoloveher，admireher，gloryinherwhenEvelynBlakehadneversucceededinwinningaglancefromhiseyesthatwasnotapublicdisapprobation!Icouldnotendureit；mywholebeingrebelled，andamovementlikehatetookpossessionofme。

"Biddingmywifetoleavemewithmyfatheralone，Iscarcelywaitedforthedoortocloseuponthepooryoungthingbeforeallthathadbeenseethinginmybreastforamonth，burstfrommeintheonecry，""Ihavebroughtyouadaughterasyoucommandedme。Nowgivemetheblessingyoupromisedandletmego；forIcannotlivewithawomanI

donotlove。"

"Instantly，andbeforehislipscouldmove，thedooropenedandthewomanIthusrepudiatedinthefirstdawninghourofheryoungbliss，stoodbeforeus。MyGod!whataface!WhenIthinkofitnowinthenightseason——whenfromdreamsthatgloomyastheyare，areoftenelysiantothethoughtswhichbesetmeinmywakinghours，Isuddenlyarousetoseestartinguponmefromthesurroundingshadowsthatyoungfairbrowwithitshaloofgoldentresses，blotted，ayblottedbytheagonythatturnedherthatinstantintostone，IwonderIdidnottakeoutthepistolthatlayinthetablenearwhichIstood，andshootherlifelessonthespotassomesortofacompensationforthemiseryIhadcausedher。IsayIwondernow:thenIonlythoughtofbravingitout。

"Straightasadart，butwiththatlookonherface，shecametowardsus。"DidIheararight?"werethewordsthatcamefromherlips。

"Haveyoumarriedme，awomanbeneathyourstationasInowperceive，becauseyouwerecommandedtodoso?Haveyounotlovedme?givenmethatwhichalonemakesmarriageasacramentorevenapossibility?

andmustyouleavethishousemadesacredbytherecumbentformofyourdyingfatherifIremainwithinit?"

"Isawmyfather"sstiffandpallidlipsmovesilentlyasthoughhewouldanswerformeifhecould，andsummoningupwhatcourageI

possessed，ItoldherthatIdeeplyregrettedshehadoverheardmyinconsideratewords。ThatIhadnevermeanttowoundher，whateverbitternesslayinmyhearttowardsonewhohadthwartedmeinmydearestandmostcherishedhopes。ThatIhumblybeggedherpardonandwouldsofaracknowledgeherclaimuponmeastopromisethatIwouldnotleavemyhomeatthistime，ifitdistressedher；mydesirebeingnottoinjureher，onlytoprotectmyself。

"Othescornthatmountedtoherbrowattheseweakwords。Notscornofme，thankGod，worthyasIwasofitthathour，butscornofmyslightopinionofher。

""ThenIheardaright，"shemurmured，andwaitedwithalookthatwouldnotbegainsaid。

"Icouldonlybowmyhead，cursingthedayIwasborn。

""Holman!Holman!"cameinagonizedentreatyfromthebed，"youwillnotrobmeofmydaughternow?"

"Startled，Ilookedup。Luttrawashalfwaytothedoor。

""Whatareyougoingtodo?"criedI，boundingtowardsher。

"Shestoppedmewithalook。"Thesonmustneverforsakethefather，"

saidshe。"Ifeitherofusmustleavethehousethisday，letitbeI。"Theninasoftertone，"Whenyouaskedmetobeyourwife，Iwhohadworshippedyoufromthemomentyouenteredmyfather"shouseonthememorablenightIleftit，wassoovercomeatyourcondescensionthatIforgotyoudidnotprefaceitbytheusualpassionate，"Iloveyou，"whichmorethanthemarriageringbindstwoheartstogether。Intheglamourandglowofmyjoy，Ididnotseethatthesmilethatwasinmyheart，wasmissingfromyourface。Iwastobeyourwifeandthatwasenough，orsoIthoughtthen，forIlovedyou。Ah，andIdonow，myhusband，loveyousothatIleaveyou。WereitforyourhappinessIwoulddomorethanthat，Iwouldgiveyoubackyourfreedom，butfromwhatIhear，itseemsthatyouneedawifeinnameandIwillbebutfulfillingyourdesireinholdingthatplaceforyou。Iwillneverdisgracethepositionhighasitisabovemypoordeserts。Whenthedaycomes——ifthedaycomes——thatyouneedorfeelyouneedthesustainmentofmypresenceorthedevotionofmyheart，nopoweronearthsavethatofdeathitself，shallkeepmefromyourside。TillthatdayarrivesIremainwhatyouhavemademe，abridewholaysnoclaimtothenameyouthismorningbestoweduponher。"Andwithagesturethatwaslikeabenediction，sheturned，andnoiselessly，breathlesslyasadreamthatvanishes，lefttheroom。

"Sirs，IbelieveIutteredacryandstumbledtowardsher。Someoneinthatroomutteredacry，butitmaybethatitonlyroseinmyheartandthattheoneIheardcamefrommyfather"slips。ForwhenatthedoorIturned，startledatthedeathlysilence，Isawhehadfaintedonhispillow。Icouldnotleavehimso。CallingtoMrs。Daniels，whowasneverfarfrommyfatherinthosedays，Ibadeherstopthelady——IbelieveIcalledhermywife——whowasgoingdownthestairs，andthenrushedtohisside。Ittookminutestorevivehim。Whenhecametohimselfitwastoaskforthecreaturewhohadflashedlikeabeaconoflightuponhisdarkeningpath。IroseasiftofetchherbutbeforeIcouldadvanceIheardavoicesay，"Sheisnothere，"

andlookingupIsawMrs。Danielsglideintotheroom。

""Mrs。Blakehasgone，sir，Icouldnotkeepher。"

CHAPTERXIII

AMAN"SHEART

"ThatwasthelasttimemyeyeseverIresteduponmywife。Whithershewentorwhatrefugeshegained，Ineverknew。Myfatherwhohadreceivedinthissceneagreatshock，begantofailsorapidly，hedemandedmyconstantcare；andthoughfromtimetotimeasI

ministeredtohimandnotedwithwhatayearningpersistencyhewouldeyethedoorandthenturnandmeetmygazewithalookIcouldnotunderstand，IcaughtmyselfaskingwhetherIhaddoneadeeddestinedtohangforeveraboutmelikeapall；itwasnottillafterhisdeaththatthedespairingimageofthebrightyoungcreaturetowhomIhadgivenmyname，returnedwithanystartlingdistinctnesstomymind，orthatIallowedmyselftoaskwhethertheheavygloomwhichInowfeltsettlinguponmewasowingtothesenseofshamethatoverpoweredmeattheremembranceofthepast，ortothepossiblelossIhadsustainedinthedepartureofmyyoungunlovedbride。

"TheannouncementatthistimeoftheengagementbetweenEvelynBlakeandtheCountDeMiracmayhavehadsomethingtodowiththis。ThoughIhadneverinthemostpassionatehoursofmyloveforher，lostsightofthatsideofhernaturewhichdemandedasherrighttheluxuryofgreatwealth；andthoughinmytacitabandonmentofherandsecretmarriagewithanotherIhadcertainlylosttherighttocomplainofheractionswhatevertheymightbe，thismanifestsurrenderingofherselftothepowerofwealthandshowatthepriceofallthatwomenarebelievedtoholddear，wasanundoubtedblowtomyprideandtheconfidenceIhadtillnowunconsciouslyreposedinherinherentwomanlinessandaffection。Thatshehadbutmadeonamoreconspicuousscale，thesamesacrificeasmyselftothegodofWealthandPosition，wasinmyeyesatthattime，nopalliationofherconduct。Iwasamannonetoogoodorexaltedatthebest；she，awoman，shouldhavebeensuperiortothetemptationsthatoverpoweredme。Thatshewasnot，seemedtodragallwomanhoodalittlenearerthedust；fashionablewomanhoodIoughttosay，forsomehowevenatthatearlydayherconductdidnotseemtoaffectthevividimageofLuttrastandinguponmythreshold，shornofherjoybutburningwithadevotionIdidnotcomprehend，andsaying，""Ilovedyou。Ah，andIdoyet，myhusband，loveyousothatIleaveyou。Whenthedaycomes——ifthedaycomes——youneedorfeelyouneedthesustainmentofmypresenceorthedevotionofmyheart，nopoweronearthsavethatofdeathitself，shallkeepmefromyourside。"

"Yes，withthefadingawayofotherfacesandotherforms，thatfaceandthatformnowbegantousurpthechiefplaceinmythoughts。Nottomyreliefandpleasure。Thatcouldscarcelybe，rememberingallthathadoccurred；rathertomyincreasingdistressandpassionateresentment。IlongedtoforgetIwasheldbyatie，thatknowntotheworldwouldcausemethebitterestshame。ForbythistimethetruecharacterofherfatherandbrotherhadbeenrevealedandI

foundmyselfboundtothedaughterofaconvictedcriminal。

"ButIcouldnotforgether。Thelookwithwhichshehadleftmewasbrandedintomyconsciousness。Nightanddayitfloatedbeforeme，tilltoescapeitIresolvedtofastenituponcanvas，ifbythatmeansImightsucceedineliminatingitfrommydreams。

"Thepaintingyouhaveseenthisnightistheresult。Bornwithanartist"stouchandinsightthatunderothercircumstancesmight，perhaps，haveraisedmeintothecolddryatmosphereoffame，theexecutionofthispieceofwork，presentedbutfewdifficultiestomysomewhataccustomedhand。Daybydayherbeautygrewbeneathmybrush，startlingmeoftenwithitsspiritualforceandsignificancetillmymindgrewfeverishoveritswork，andIcouldscarcelyrefrainfromrisingatnighttogiveatouchhereortheretothefloatinggoldenhairorthepiercing，tendereyesturned，ah，everturnedupontheinmostcitadelofmyheartwiththatlookthatslewmyfatherbeforehistimeandmademe，yesme，oldinspiritevenintheardentyearsofmyfirstmanhood。