第8章
butifyouwilldoasthiscommands，theywillbearrestedwithoutbloodshedandwithoutshametooneyouknow。
Herfacewhileshereadtheselines，wasastudy，butIdarednotsoftentowardit。Droppingthepaperfromherhand，shegavemeoneinquiringlook。ButIpointeddeterminedlytothewordslyingupwardonthefloor，andwouldlistentonoappeal。Myresolvehaditseffect。Bowingherheadwithasorrowfulgesture，shelaidherhandonherheart，lookedupandglidedfromtheroom。Itookupthatpaperandtoreitintobits。
AndnowforthefirsttimesinceIhadbeeninthehouse，Iclosedthedoorofmyroom。Ihadaparttoperformthatrenderedthedroppingofmydisguiseindispensable。TheoldFrenchartisthadfinishedhiswork，andhenceforthmustmergeintoQ。thedetective。Shortlybeforetwoo"clockmyassistantsbegantoarrive。First，Mr。Gryceappearedonthesceneandwasstowedawayinalargeroomontheothersideofmine。Next，twoofthemostagile，aswellasmuscularmenintheforcewho，thankstohavingtakenofftheirshoesinthelowerhall，gainedthesamerefugewithoutawakeningthesuspicionsofthosewewereanxioustosurprise。Lastly，thelandladywhowentintotheclosettowhichIhadbiddenMrs。BlakeretireafterleavinginmyroomthearticlesIhadmentioned。
AllwasnowreadyandwaitingforthedepartureoftheyoungestSchoenmaker。Wouldhedisappointusandremainathomethatday?Hadanysuspicionsbeenawakenedinthestolidbreastsofthesemen，thatwouldservetomakethemmorewatchfulthanusualagainstrunningunnecessaryrisks?No；atornearthetimefortheclocktostriketwo，theirdooropenedandthetreadofalumberingfootwasheardinthehall。Onitcame，passingmyroomwitharudestampingthatgraduallygrewlessdistinctasthehardyroughwentdownthecorridor，brushingthewallbehindwhichMr。Gryceandhismenlayconcealedwithhisthickcane，andevenstoppingtolighthispipeinfrontofthesmallapartmentwherecoweredourgoodlandladywithhereternalbasketofmendinginherlap。
Atlengthallwasquiet，andthrowingopenmydoor，Iwithdrewintoasmallclosetconnectedwithmyroom，towaitwithindescribableimpatience，theappearanceofMrs。Blake。Shecameinaveryfewminutes，remainedforaninstant，anddeparted，leavingbehindherasIhadrequested，theskirtandshawlinwhichshehadleftherfather"spresence。Iatonceenduedmyselfinthesearticlesofapparel——takingcaretodrawtheshawlwellovermyhead——andwithapockethandkerchieftomyface，(aproceedingmadenaturalenoughbythesneezewhichatthatverymomentItookcareshouldassailme)
walkedboldlybacktotheroomfromwhichshehadjustcome。
Thedoorwasofcourseajar，andasIswungitopenwithasnearasimulationofhermanneraspossible，thevisionofherpowerfulfatherlollingonabenchdirectlybeforeme，offeredanythingbutanencouragingspectacletomyeyes。Butdoublingmyselfalmosttogetherwithasladylikeanatch-eeasmymasculinenostrilswouldallow，I
succeededinclosingthedoorandreachingalowstoolbythewindowwithoutcallingfromhimanythingworsethanafretful"Ihopeyouarenotgoingtobarktoo。"
Ididnotreplytothisofcourse，butsatwithmyfaceturnedtowardsthestreetinanattitudewhichIhopedwouldawakenhisattentionsufficientlytocausehimtogetupandcomeovertomyside。Forashesatfacetothedooritwouldbeimpossibletotakehimbysurprise，andthat，nowthatIsawwhatahugeandmuscularcreaturehewas，seemedtometobetheonlysafemethodbeforeus。But，whetherfromthesullennessofhisdispositionortheveryevidentlazinessofthemoment，hemanifestednodispositiontomove，andhearingorthinkingIdid，thestealthyadvanceofMr。Gryceandhiscompanionsdownthehall，Iallowedmyselftogivewaytoasuppressedexclamation，andleaningforward，pressedmyforeheadagainstthepaneofglassbeforemeasifsomethingofabsorbinginteresthadjusttakenplaceinthestreetbeneath。
Hisfearsatoncetookalarm。Boundingupwithacurse，hestrodetowardsme，muttering，"What"supnow?What"sthatyouarelookingat?"reachingmysidejustasMr。Gryceandhistwomensoftlyopenedthedoorandwithaquickleapthrewtheirarmsabouthim，closinguponhimwithaforcehecouldnotresist，desperateashewasandmightyinthehugestrengthofanunusuallydevelopedmuscularorganization。
"You，yougirlthere，aretoblameforthis!"camemingledwithcursesfromhislips，aswithonehugepanthesubmittedtohiscaptors。
"Onlyletmegetmyhandwelluponyouonce——Damnit!"hesuddenlyexclaimed，draggingthewholethreemenforwardinhisefforttogethismouthdowntomyear，"goandrubthatsignoutonthedoororI"ll——youknowwhatI"lldowellenough。Doyouhear?"
Rising，stillwithfaceaverted，Iproceededtodowhatheasked。Butinanothermomentseeingthathehadbeeneffectuallyboundandgagged，ItookoutthepieceofredchalkIhadkeptinmypocket，anddeliberatelychalkeditonagain，afterwhichoperationIcamebackandtookmyseatasbeforeonthelowstoolbythewindow。
Theobjectnowwastosecurethesecondrascalinthesamewaywehadthefirst；andforthispurposeMr。GryceorderedthenowhelplessgianttobedraggedintotheadjoiningsmallroomformerlyoccupiedbyMrs。Blake，whereheandhismenlikewisetookuptheirstationleavingmetoconfrontasbestImight，thesurpriseandconsternationoftheonewhosereturnwenowawaited。
Ididnotshrink。Withthatbravewoman"sgarmentsdrawnaboutme，somethingofherdauntlessspiritseemedtoinvademysoul，andthoughIexpected——Butletthatcomeinitsplace，Iamnotheretointerestyouinmyselormyselfishthoughts。
Ahalfhourpassed；hehadneverlingeredawaysolongbefore，orsoitseemed，andIwasbeginningtowonderifweshouldhavetokeepupthisstrainofnerveforhours，whentheheavytreadwasagainheardinthehall，andwitha"blowofthefistthatarguedangerorabrutalimpatience，heflungopenthedoorandcamein，Ididnotturnmyhead。
"Where"sfather?"hegrowled，stoppingwherehewasafootorsofromthedoor。
Ishookmyheadwithaslightgestureandremainedlookingout。
Hebroughthiscanedownonthefloorwithathump。"WhatdoyoumeanbysittingtherestaringoutofthewindowlikemadandnotansweringwhenIaskyouadecentquestion?"
StillImadenoreply。
Provokedbeyondendurance，yetheldincheckbythatvaguesenseofdangerintheair，——whichwhilenotamountingtoapprehensionisoftensufficienttoholdbackfromadvancethemostdaringfoot，——hestoodglaringatmeinwhatIfelttobeaveryferociousattitude，butmadenooffertomove。InstantlyIroseandstilllookingoutofthewindow，madewithmyhandwhatappearedtobeasignaltosomeoneontheoppositesideoftheway。Therusewaseffective。Withanoaththatringsinmyearsyet，heliftedhisheavycaneandadvanceduponmewithabound，onlytomeetthesamefateashisfatheratthehandsofthewatchfuldetectives。Not，however，beforethatheavycanecamedownuponmyheadinawaytolaymeinaheapathisfeetandtosowtheseedsofthatblindinghead-ache，whichhasafflictedmebyspellseversince。ButthisterminationoftheaffairwasnomorethanIhadfearedfromthebeginning；andindeeditwasasmuchtoprotectMrs。
Blakefromthewrathofthesemen，asfromanyrequirementsofthesituationIhadassumedthedisguiseIthenwore。Ithereforedidnotallowthismishaptogreatlytroubleme，unpleasantasitwasatthetime，but，assoonaseverIcoulddoso，rosefromthefloorandthrowingoffmystrangehabiliments，proceededtofinishuptomysatisfaction，theworkalreadysosuccessfullybegun。
CHAPTERXVIII
LOVEANDDUTY
Dismissingthemenwhohadassistedusinthecaptureofthesetwohardyvillains，werangedourprisonersbeforeus。
"Now，"saidMr。Gryce，"nofussandnoswearing；youareinforit，andyoumightaswelltakeitquietlyasanyotherway。"
"Givemeaclutchonthatgirl，that"sall，"saidherfather，"Whereisshe?Letmeseeher；everyfatherhasarighttoseehisowndaughter，"
"Youshallseeher，"returnedmysuperior，"butnottillherhusbandisheretoprotecther。"
"Herhusband?ah，youknowaboutthatdoyou?"growledtheheavyvoiceoftheson。"Arichmantheysayheisandaproudone。Lethimcomeandlookatuslyingherelikedogsandsayhowhewillenjoyhavinghiswife"sfatherandbrothergrindingawaytheirlivesinprison。
"Mr。Blakeiscoming，"quothMr。Gryce，whobysomepreconcertedsignalfromthewindowhaddrawnthatgentlemanacrossthestreet。
"Hewilltellyouhimselfthatheconsidersprisonthebestplaceforyou。"Blastyou!buthe——"
"Buthe，what?"inquiredI，asthedooropenedandMr。Blakewithapalefaceandagitatedmienenteredtheroom。
Thewretchdidnotanswer。Rousingfromthecoweringpositioninwhichtheyhadbothlainsincetheircapture，thefatherandsonstruggledupinsomesortofmeasuretotheirfeet，andwithhot，anxiouseyessurveyedthecountenanceofthegentlemanbeforethem，asiftheyfelttheirfatehungupontheexpressionofhispallidface。Thesonwasthefirsttospeak。
"Howdoyoudo，brother-in-law，"werehissullenandinsultingwords。
Mr。Blakeshudderedandcastalookaround。
"Mywife?"murmuredhe。
"Sheiswell，"wastheassurancegivenbyMr。Gryce，"andinaroomnotfarfromthis。Iwillsendforherifyousayso。"
"No，notyet，"cameinasortofgasp；"letmelookatthesewretchesfirst，andunderstandifIcanwhatmywifehastosufferfromherconnectionwiththem。"
"Yourwife，"brokeinthefather，"what"sthattodowithit；thequestionishowdoyoulikeitandwhatwillyoudotogetusclearofthisthing。"
"Iwilldonothing，"returnedMr。Blake。"Youamplymerityourdoomandyoushallsufferittotheendforallme。"
"Itwillreadwellinthepapers，"exclaimedtheson。
"Thepapersaretoknownothingaboutit，"Ibrokein。"AllknowledgeofyourconnectionwithMr。orMrs。Blakeistobeburiedinthisspotbeforeweoryouleaveit。Notawordofherorhimistocrossthelipsofeitherofyoufromthishour。Ihavesetthatdownasaconditionandithasgottobekept。"
"Youhave，haveyou，"thunderedinchorusfromfatherandson。"Andwhoareyoutomakeconditions，andwhatdoyouthinkwearethatyouexpectustokeepthem?Canyoudoanymorethanputusbackfromwherewecamefrom?"
ForreplyItookfrommypockettheringIhadfishedoutoftheashesoftheirkitchenstoveonthatmemorablevisittotheirhouse，andholdingitupbeforetheirfaces，lookedthemsteadilyintheeye。
Asuddenwildglarefollowedbyabluishpalorthatrobbedtheircountenancesoftheirusualsemblanceofdaringferocity，answeredmebeyondmyfondesthopes。
"Igotthatoutofthestovewhereyouhadburnedyourprisonclothing，"saidI。"Itisacheapaffair，butitwillsendyoutothegallowsifIchoosetouseitagainstyou。Thepedlar——"
"Hush，"exclaimedthefatherinalowchokedtonegreatlyincontrasttoanyhehadyetusedinallourdealingswithhim。"ThrowthatringoutofthewindowandIpromisetoholdmytongueaboutanymatteryoudon"twantspokeof。I"mnotafool——"
"NorI，"wasmyquickreply，asIrestoredtheringtomypocket。
"Whilethatremainsinmypossessiontogetherwithcertainfactsconcerningyourhabitsinthatoldhouseofyourswhichhavelatelybeenmadeknowntome，yourlifehangsbyathreadIcananyminutesnipintwo。Mr。Blakehere，hasspentsomeportionofanightinyourhouseandknowshownearitliestoacertainprecipice，atfootofwhich——"
"MeinGott，father，whydon"tyousaysomething!"leapedincowedaccentsfromtheson"swhitelips。"Iftheywantustokeepquiet，letthemsaysoandnotgotalkingaboutthingsthat——"
Nowlookhere，"interposedMr。Grycesteppingbeforethemwithalookthatclosedtheirmouthsatonce。"Iwilljusttellyouwhatweproposetodo。Youaretogobacktoprisonandserveyourtimeout，thereisnohelpforthat，butaslongasyoubehaveyourselvesandcontinueabsolutelysilentregardingyourrelationshiptothewifeofthisgentleman，youshallhavepaidintoacertainbankthathewillname，amonthlysumthatuponyourdismissalfromjailshallbepaidyouwithwhateverinterestitmayhaveaccumulated。Youarereadytopromisethat，areyounot?"heinquiredturningtoMr。Blake。
Thatgentlemanbowedandnamedthesum，whichwasliberalenough，andthebank。
"But，"continuedthedetective，ignoringthesuddenflashofeyethatpassedbetweenthefatherandson，"letmeoranyofushearofawordhavingbeenutteredbyyou，whichintheremotestwayshallsuggestthatyouhaveintheworldsuchaconnectionasMrs。Blake，andthemoneynotonlystopsgoingintothebank，butoldscoresshallberakedupagainstyouwithazealwhichifitdoesnotstopyourmouthinoneway，willinanother，andthatwithasuddennessyouwillnotaltogetherrelish。"
Themenwithadoggedairfromwhichthebravadohadhoweverfled，turnedandlookedfromonetotheotherofusinafearful，inquiringwaythatdulyconfessedtotheforceoftheimpressionmadebythesewordsupontheirslowbutnotunimaginativeminds。
"Doyouthreepromisetokeepoursecretifwekeepyours?"mutteredthefatherwithanuneasyglanceatmypocket。
Wecertainlydo，"wasoursolemnreturn。
"Verywell；callinthegirlandletmejustlookather，then，beforewego。Wewon"tsaynothing，"continuedhe，seeingMr。Blakeshrink，"onlysheismydaughterandifIcannotbidhergood-bye——"
"Lethimseehischild，"criedMr。Blaketurningwithashuddertothewindow。"I——Iwishit，"addedhe。
StraightwaywithhastyfootIlefttheroom。GoingtothelittleclosetwhereIhadorderedhiswifetoremainconcealed，Iknockedandentered。Shewascrouchedinanattitudeofprayeronthefloor，herfaceburiedinherhands，andherwholepersonbreathingthatagonyofsuspensethatisatorturetothesensitivesoul。
"Mrs。Blake，"saidI，dismissingthelandladywhostoodinhelplessdistressbesideher，"thearresthasbeensatisfactorilymadeandyourfathercallsforyoutosaygood-byebeforegoingawaywithus。
Willyoucome?"
"Butmy——my——Mr。Blake?"exclaimedsheleapingtoherfeet。"IamsureIheardhisfootstepinthehall?"
"Heiswithyourfatherandbrother。ItwasathiscommandIcameforyou。"
Agleamhardtointerpretflashedforaninstantoverherface。Withhereyeonthedoorshetoweredinherwomanlydignity，whilethoughtsinnumerableseemedtorushinwildsuccessionthroughhermind。
"Willyounotcome?"Iurged。
"I——，"shepaused。"Iwillgoseemyfather，"shemurmured，"but——"
Suddenlyshetrembledanddrewback；astepwasinthehall，onthethreshold，atherside；Mr。Blakehadcometoreclaimhisbride。
"Mr。Blake!"
Thewordcamefromherinalowtoneshakenwiththeconcentratedanguishofmanyamonthoflonginganddespair，buttherewasnoinvitationinitssound，andhewhohadheldouthisarms，stoppedandsurveyingherwithacertaindeprecatoryglanceinhisproudeye，said，"Youareright；IhavefirstmyacknowledgmentstomakeandyourforgivenesstoaskbeforeIcanhope——"
"No，no，"shebrokein，"yourcominghereisenough，Irequestnomore。Ifyoufeltunkindlytowardme——"
"Unkindly?"Aworldoflovethrilledinthatword。"Luttra，IamyourhusbandandrejoicethatIamso；itistolaythedevotionofmyheartandlifeatyourfeetthatIseekyourpresencethishour。Theyearhastaughtme——ah，whathasnottheyeartaughtmeoftheworthofherIsorecklesslythrewfrommeonmyweddingday。Luttra，"——heheldouthishand——"willyoucrownallyourotheractsofdevotionwithapardonthatwillrestoremetomymanhoodandthatplaceinyouresteemwhichIcovetaboveeveryotherearthlygood?"
Herfacewhichhadbeenraisedtohiswiththatearnestlookweknewsowell，softenedwithanineffablesmile，butstillshedidnotlayherhandinhis。
"Andyousaythistomeintheveryhourofmyfather"sandbrother"sarrest!Withtheremembranceinyourmindoftheirboundandabjectformslyingbeforeyouguardedbypolice；knowingtoo，thattheydeservetheirignominyandthelongimprisonmentthatawaitsthem?"
"No，IsayitonthedayofthediscoveryandtherestorationofthatwifeforwhomIhavelongsearched，andtowhomwhenfoundIhavenowordtogivebutwelcome，welcome，welcome。"
Withthesamedeepsmileshebowedherhead，"Nowletcomewhatwill，Icanneveragainbeunhappy，"werethewordsIcaught，utteredinthelowestofundertones。Butinanothermomentherheadhadregaineditssteadypoiseandagreatchangehadpassedoverhermanner。
"Mr。Blake，"saidshe，"youaregood；howgood，Ialonecanknowanddulyappreciatewhohavelivedinyourhousethislastyearandseenwitheyesthatmissednothing，justwhatyoursurroundingsareandhavebeenfromtheearliestyearsofyourproudlife。Butgoodnessmustnotleadyouintothecommittalofanactyoumustandwillrepenttoyourdyingday；orifitdoes，Iwhohavelearnedmydutyintheschoolofadversity，mustshowthecourageoftwoandforbidwhateverysecretinstinctofmysouldeclarestobeonlyprovocativeofshameandsorrow。Youwouldtakemetoyourheartasyourwife；doyourealizewhatthatmeans?"
"IthinkIdo，"washisearnestreply。"Relieffromheart-ache，Luttra。"
Hersmoothbrowwrinkledwithasuddenspasmofpainbutherfirmlipsdidnotquiver。
"Itmeans，"saidshe，drawingnearerbutnotwiththatapproachwhichindicatesyielding，"itmeans，shametotheproudestfamilythatlivesintheland。Itmeanssilenceasregardsapastblottedbysuggestionsofcrime；andapprehensionconcerningafutureacrosswhichtheshadowofprisonwallsmustforsomanyyearslie。Itmeans，thehushingofcertainwordsuponbelovedlips；theturningofcherishedeyesfromvisionswherefathersanddaughtersay，brothersandsistersareseenjoinedtogetherintendercompanionshiporlovingembrace。Itmeans，——Godhelpmetospeakout——ahomewithoutthesanctityofmemories；ahusbandwithoutthehonorshehasbeenaccustomedtoenjoy；awifewithafeargnawinglikeaserpentintoherbreast；andchildren，yes，perhapschildrenfromwhoseinnocentlipsthesacredwordofgrandfathercanneverfallwithoutwakeningablushonthecheeksoftheirparents，whichalltheirlovesomeprattlewillbehelplesstochaseaway。"
"Luttra，yourfatherandyourbrotherhavegiventheirconsenttogotheirdarkwayaloneandtroubleyounomore。Theshadowyouspeakofmaylieonyourheart，dearwife，forthesemenareofyourownblood，butitneedneverinvadethehearthstonebesidewhichIaskyoutosit。Theworldwillneverknow，whetheryoucomewithmeornot，thatLuttraBlakewaseverLuttraSchoenmaker。Willyounotthengivemethehappinessofstrivingtomakesuchamendsforthepast，thatyoutoo，willforgetyoueverboreanyothernamethantheoneyounowhonorsotruly?"
"Odonot，"shebeganbutpausedwithasuddencontrolofheremotionthatliftedherintoanatmospherealmostholyinitssignificance。
"Mr。Blake，"saidshe，"Iamawomanandthereforeweaktothevoiceoflovepleadinginmyear。ButinonethingIamstrong，andthatisinmysenseofwhatisduetothemanIhavesworntohonor。ElevenmonthsagoIleftyoubecauseyourpleasureandmyowndignitydemandedit；to-dayIputbyallthejoyandexaltationyouoffer，becauseyourpositionasagentleman，andyourhappinessasamanequallyrequiresit。"
"Myhappinessasaman!"hebrokein。"Ah，LuttraifyoulovemeasI
doyou——"
"Imightperhapsyield，"sheallowedwithafaintsmile。"ButIloveyouasagirlbroughtupamidsurroundingsfromwhichherwholebeingrecoiled，mustlovetheonewhofirstbroughtlightintoherdarknessandopeneduptoherlongingfeetthewaytoalifeofculture，purityandhonor。IwerethebasestofwomencouldIconsenttorepaysuchaboundlessfavor——"
"ButLuttra，"heagainbrokein，"youmarriedmeknowingwhatyourfatherandbrotherwerecapableofcommitting。"
"Yes，yes；Iwasblindedbypassion，agirl"spassion，Mr。Blake，bornofglamourandgratitude；nottheself-forgettingdevotionofawomanwhohastastedthebitternessoflifeandsolearneditslessonofsacrifice。Imaynothavethought，certainlyIdidnotrealize，whatIwasdoing。Besides，myfatherandbrotherwerenotconvictedcriminalsatthattime，howeverweaktheyhadprovedthemselvesundertemptation。AndthenIbelievedIhadleftthembehindmeontheroadoflife；thatweweresundered，irrevocablycutloosefromallpossibleconnection。Butsuchtiesarenottobesnappedsoeasily。
Theyfoundme，yousee，andtheywillfindmeagain——"
"Never!"exclaimedherhusband。"Theyareasdeadtoyouasifthegravehadswallowedthem。Ihavetakencareofthat。"
"Buttheshame!youhavenottakencareofthat。Thatexistsandmust，andwhileitdoesIremainwhereIcanmeetitalone。Iloveyou；
God"ssunisnotdearertomyeyes；butIwillnevercrossyourthresholdasyourwifetilltheopprobriumcanbecutloosefrommyskirts，andtheshadowupliftedfrommybrow。Aqueenwithhighthoughtsinhereyesandbravehopesinherheartwerenottoogoodtoenterthatdoorwithyou。Shallagirlwhohaslivedthreeweeksinanatmosphereofsuchcrimeanddespair，thattheseroomshaveoftenseemedtomethegatewaytohell，carrythere，eveninsecrecy，theeffectsofthatatmosphere?Iwillcherishyourgoodnessinmyheartbutdonotaskmetoburythatheartinanymoreexaltedspot，thansomehumblecountryhome，wheremylifemaybespentingooddeedsandmyloveinprayersforthemanIholddear，andbecauseIholddear，leavetohisownhighpathamongthestraightandunshadowedcoursesoftheworld。"
Andwithagesturethatinexorablyshuthimoffwhileitexpressedthemosttouchingappeal，sheglidedbyhimandtookherwaytotheroomwhereherfatherandbrotherawaitedherpresence。
CHAPTERXIX
EXPLANATIONS
"Icannotendurethis，"cameinoneburstoffeelingfromthelipsofMr。Blake。"Shedon"tknow，shedon"trealize——Sir，"criedhe，suddenlybecomingconsciousofmypresenceintheroom，"willyoubegoodenoughtoseethatthisnote，"hehastilyscribbledone，"iscarriedacrossthewaytomyhouseandgiventoMrs。Daniels。"
Ibowedassent，routeduponeofthemeninthenextroomanddespatcheditatonce。
"Perhapsshewilllistentothevoiceofoneofherownsexifnottome，"saidhe；andbeganpacingthefloorofthenarrowroominwhichwewere，withawildnessofimpatiencethatshowedtowhatdepthshadsunkthehopeofgainingthislovelywomanforhisown。
Feelingmyselfnolongernecessaryinthatspot，IfollowedwheremywishesledandenteredtheroomwhereLuttrawasbiddinggood-byetoherfather。
"Ishallneverforget，"IheardhersayasIcrossedthefloortowhereMr。Grycestoodlookingoutofthewindow，"thatyourbloodrunsinmyveinstogetherwiththatofmygentle-hearted，never-to-be-
forgottenmother。WhatevermyfatemaybeorwhereverImayhidetheheadyouhavebowedtothedust，besureIshallalwaysliftupmyhandsinprayerforyourrepentanceandreturntoanhonestlife。GodgrantthatmyprayersmaybeheardandthatImayyetreceiveatyourhands，afather"skindlyblessing。"
Theonlyanswertothiswasaheavilymutteredgrowlthatgavebutlittlepromiseofanysuchpeacefulterminationtoadeeplyviciouslife。Hearingit，Mr。Grycehastenedtoprocurehismenandremovethehardenedwretchesfromthespot。Allthroughthepreparationsfortheirdeparture，shestoodandwatchedtheirsullenfaceswithawildyearninginhereyethatcouldscarcelybedenied，butwhenthedoorfinallycloseduponthem，andshewasleftstandingtherewithnooneintheroombutmyselfshesteadiedherselfupasonewhoisconsciousthatallthestormsofheavenareabouttobreakuponher；
andturningslowlytothedoorwaitedwitharmscrossedandastilldeterminationuponherbrow，thecomingofthefeetofhimwhoseresolveshefeltmusthave，asyetbeenonlystrengthenedbyherresistance。
Shehadnotlongtowait。Almostwiththeclosingofthestreetdooruponthedetectivesandtheirprisoners，Mr。BlakefollowedbyMrs。
DanielsandanotherladywhosethickveilandlongcloakbutillyconcealedthepatricianfeaturesandstatelyformoftheCountessDeMirac，enteredtheroom。
Thesurprisehaditseffect；Luttrawasevidentlyforthemomentthrownoffherguard。
"Mrs。Daniels!"shebreathed，holdingoutherhandswithalonginggesture。
"Mydearmistress!"returnedthatgoodwoman，takingthosehandsinhersbutinarespectfulwaythatprovedtheconstraintimposeduponherbyMr。Blake"spresence。"DoIseeyouagainandsafe?"
"YoumusthavethoughtIcaredlittlefortheanxietyyouwouldbesuretofeel，"saidthatfairyoungmistress，gazingwithearnestnessintothegladbuttearfuleyesofthehousekeeper。Butindeed，I
havebeeninnopositiontocommunicatewithyou，norcouldIdosowithoutriskingthattoprotectwhichIsooutragedmyfeelingsastoleavethehouseatall。Imeanthelifeandwelfareofitsmaster，Mrs。Daniels。"
"Ha，whatisthat?"quothMr。Blake。"Itwastosaveme，youconsentedtofollowthem?"
"Yes；whatelsewouldhaveledmetosuchanaction?Theymighthavekilledme，Iwouldnothavecared，butwhentheybegantoutterthreatsagainstyou——"
"Mrs。Blake，"exclaimedMrs。Daniels，catchingholdofhermistress"supliftedhand，andpointingtoascarthatslightlydisfiguredherwhitearmalittleabovethewrist，"Mrs。Blake，what"sthat?"
Apinkflush，thefirstIhadseenonherusuallypalecountenance，roseforaninstanttohercheeks，andsheseemedtohesitate。
"ItwasnottherewhenIlastsawyou，Mrs。Blake。"
"No，"wastheslowreply，"Ifoundmyselfforcedthatnighttoinflictuponmyselfalittlewound。Itisnothing，letitgo。"
"No，LuttraIcannotletitgo，"saidherhusband，advancingtowardsherwithsomethinglikegentlecommand。"Imusthearnotonlyaboutthisbutalltheotheroccurrencesofthatnight。Howcametheytofindyouintherefugeyouhadattained?"
"Ithink，"saidsheinalowtonetheunderlyingsufferingofwhichitwouldbehardtodescribe，"thatitwasnottoseekmetheyfirstinvadedyourhouse。Theyhadheardyouwerearichman，andthesightofthatladderrunningupthesideofthenewextensionwastoomuchforthem。IndeedIknowthatitwasforpurposesofrobberytheycame，fortheyhadhiredthisroomoppositeyousomedaysprevioustomakingtheattempt。YouseetheywerealmostdestituteofmoneyandthoughtheyhadsomeburiedinthecellaroftheoldhouseinVermont，theydarednotleavethecitytoprocureit。Mybrotherwasobligedtodosolater，however。Itwasasurprisetothemseeingmeinyourhouse。TheyhadreachedtheroofoftheextensionandwerejustliftingupthecorneroftheshadeIhaddroppedacrosstheopenwindow——Ialwaysopenmywindowafewminutesbeforepreparingtoretire——whenIrosefromthechairinwhichIhadbeenbrooding，andturnedupthegas。Iwascombingmyhairatthetimeandsoofcoursetheyrecognizedme。InstantlytheygaveasecretsignalI，alas，rememberedonlytoowell，andcrouchingback，bademeputoutthelightthattheymightenterwithsafety。Iwasatfirsttoomuchstartledtorealizetheconsequencesofmyaction，andwithsomevagueideathattheyhaddiscoveredmyretreatandcomeforpurposesofadviceorassistance，Ididwhattheybid。Immediatelytheythrewbacktheshadeandcamein，theirhugefiguresloomingfrightfullyinthefaintlightmadebyadistantgaslampinthestreetbelow。"Whatdoyouwant?"weremyfirstwordsutteredinavoiceIscarcelyrecognizedformyown；"whydoyoustealonmelikethisinthenightandthroughanopenwindowfiftyfeetfromtheground?Aren"tyouafraidyouwillbediscoveredandsentbacktotheprisonfromwhichyouhaveescaped?"TheirreplysentachillthroughmybloodandawokemetoarealizationofwhatIhaddoneinthusallowingtwoescapedconvictstoenterahousenotmyown。"Wewantmoneyandwe"renotafraidofanythingnowyouarehere。"Andwithoutheedingmyexclamationofhorror，theycoollytoldmethattheywouldwaitwheretheyweretillthehouseholdwasasleep，whentheywouldexpectmetoshowthemthewaytothesilverclosetorwhatwasbetter，thesafeorwhereveritwasMr。Blakekepthismoney。Isawtheytookmeforaservant，asindeedIwas，andforsomeminutesImanagedtopreservethatpositionintheireyes。Butwheninasuddenburstofrageatmyrefusaltohelpthem，theypushedmeasideandhurriedtothedoorwiththemanifestintentionofgoingbelow，Iforgotprudenceinmyfearsandutteredsomewildappealtothemnottodoinjurytoanyoneinthehouseforitwasmyhusband"s。Ofcoursethatdisclosurehaditsnaturaleffect。
"Theystopped，butonlytobesetmewithquestionstillthewholetruthcameout。Icouldnothavecommittedaworsefollythanthustakingthemintomyconfidence。Instantlytheadvantagestobegainedbyusingmysecretconnectionwithsowealthyamanforthepurposeofcoweringmeandblackmailinghim，seemedtostrikeboththeirmindsatonce，slowastheyusuallyaretoreceiveimpressions。Thesilver-
closetandmoney-safesanktoacomparativelyinsignificantpositionintheireyes，andtogetmeoutofthehouse，andwithmyhappinessatstake，treatwiththehonorablemanwhonotwithstandinghisnon-approvalofmeasawoman，stillregardedmeashislawfullyweddedwife，becameintheireyesathingofsuchwonderfulpromisetheywerewillingtorunanyandeveryrisktotestitsvalue。ButheretotheirgreatastonishmentIrebelled；astonishmentbecausetheycouldnotrealizemydesiringanythingabovemoneyandthepositiontowhichtheydeclaredIwasbylawentitled。InvainI
pleadedmylove；invainIthreatenedexposureoftheirplansifnotwhereabouts。Themineofgoldwhichtheyfondlybelievedtheyhadstumbleduponunawares，promisedtoorichlytobeeasilyabandoned。
"Youmustgowithus，"saidthey，"ifnotpeaceablythenbyforce，"
andtheyactuallyadvanceduponme，upsettingachairandtearingdownoneofthecurtainstowhichIclung。ItwasthenIcommittedthatlittleactconcerningwhichyouquestionedme。IwantedtoshowthemIwasnottobemovedbythreatsofthatcharacter；thatIdidnotevenfearthesheddingofmyblood；andthattheywouldonlybewastingtheirtimeintryingtoswaymebyhintsofpersonalviolence。Andtheywerealittleimpressed，sufficientlysoatleasttoturntheirthreatsinanotherdirection，awakeningfearsatlastwhichIcouldnotconceal，muchasIfeltitwouldbepolicytodoso。GatheringupafewarticlesImostprized，myweddingring，Mr。
Blake，andaphotographofyourselfthatMrs。Danielshadbeenkindenoughtogiveme，IputonmybonnetandcloakandsaidIwouldgowiththem，sincetheypersistedinrequiringit。ThefactisInolongerpossessedmotiveorstrengthtoresist。Evenyourunexpectedappearanceatthedoor，Mrs。Daniels，offerednoprospectofhope。
Arousethehouse?whatwouldthatdo?onlyrevealmycherishedsecretandperhapsjeopardizethelifeofmyhusband。Besides，theyweremyownnearkin，remember，andsohadsomelittleclaimuponmyconsideration，atleasttothepointofmynotpersonallybetrayingthemunlesstheymenacedimmediateandactualharm。Theescapebythewindowwhichwouldhavebeenadifficulttaskformostwomentoperform，waseasyenoughforme。Iwasbroughtuptowildwaysyouknow，andthedescentofaladderfortyfeetlongwasacomparativelytrivialthingformetoaccomplish。
Itwasthetearingawayfromalifeofsilentpeace，thereentranceofmysoulintoanatmosphereofsinanddeadlyplotting，thatwasthehardthing，thedifficultdreadfulthingwhichhungweightstomyfeet，andmademewellnighmad。Anditwasthiswhichatthesightofapolicemaninthestreetledmetomakeanefforttoescape。Butitwasnotsuccessful。ThoughIwasfortunateenoughtofreemyselffromthegraspofmyfatherandbrother，Ireachedthegateon——streetonlytoencountertheeyesofhimwhosedispleasureImostfeared，lookingsternlyuponmefromtheotherside。Theshockwastoomuchformeinmythenweakandunnervedcondition。Withoutconsideringanythingbutthefactthatheneverhadknownandnevermust，thatIhadbeeninthesamehousewithhimforsolong，Irushedbacktothecornerandintothearmsofthemenwhoawaitedme。Howyoucametobethere，Mr。Blake，orwhyyoudidnotopenthegateandfollow，Icannotsay。
"Thegatewaslocked，"returnedthatgentleman。"Yourememberitcloseswithaspring，andcanonlybeopenedbymeansofakeywhichIdidnothave。"
"Myfatherhadit，"shemurmured；"hespentawholeweekintheendeavortogetholdofit，andfinallysucceededontheeveningoftheverydayheusedit。ItwasleftinthelockIbelieve。"
"Somuchforservants，"Iwhisperedtomyself。
"Thenextmorning，"continuedshe，"theyputthecaseveryplainlybeforeme。IwasatlibertytoreturnatoncetomyhomeifIwouldpromisetoworkintheirinterestbymakingcertaindemandsuponyouasyourwife。Alltheywanted，saidthey，wasasnuglittlesumandaliftoutofthecountry。IfIwouldsecurethemthese，theywouldtroublemenomore。ButIcouldnotconcedetoanythingofthatnature，ofcourse，andtheconsequencewastheselongweeksofimprisonmentandsuspense；weeksthatIdonotnowbegrudge，seeingtheyhavebroughtmetheassuranceofyouresteemandtheknowledge，thatwhereverIgo，yourthoughtswillfollowmewithcompassionifnotwithlove。"
Andhavingtoldherstoryandthusansweredhisdemands，sheassumedoncemorethepositionofloftyreservethatseemedtoshuthimbackfromadvancelikeawallofinvinciblecrystal。
CHAPTERXX
THEBONDTHATUNITES
Buthewasnottobediscouraged。"Andafterallthis，afterallyouhavesufferedformysakeandyourown，doyouthinkyouhavearighttodenymetheonedesireofmyheart?Howcanyoureconcileitwithyourideasofdevotion，Luttra?"
"Myideasofdevotionlookbeyondthepresent，Mr。Blake。ItistosaveyoufromyearsofwearinganxietythatIconsenttotheinflictionuponyouofapassingpang。"
Hetookaboldstepforward。"Luttra，youdonotknowaman"sheart。
Toloseyounowwouldnotmerelyinflictapassingpang，butsowtheseedsofagriefthatwouldgowithmetothegrave。
"Doyouthen"——shebegan，butpausedblushing。Mrs。Danielstooktheopportunitytoapproachherontheotherside。
"Mydearmistress，"saidshe，"youarewrongtoholdoutinthismatter。"Andhermannerbetrayedsomethingofthepeculiaragitationthathadbelongedtoitintheformertimesofhersecretembarassment。"I，whohavehonoredthefamilywhichIhavesolongserved，aboveeveryotherintheland，tellyouthatyoucandoitnogreatergoodthantojoinitnow，orinflictuponitanygreaterharmthantowilfullywithdrawyourselffromthepositioninwhichGodhasplacedyou。"
"AndI，"saidanothervoice，thatoftheCountessdeMirac，whouptothistimehadheldherselfinthebackground，butwhonowcameforwardandtookherplacewiththerest，"I，whohavebornethenameofBlake，andwhoamstilltheproudestofthemallatheart，I，theCountessdeMirac，cousintoyourhusbandthere，repeatwhatthisgoodwomanhassaid，andinholdingoutmyhandtoyou，askyoutomakemycousinhappyandhisfamilycontentedbyassumingthatpositioninhishouseholdwhichthelawaswellashisloveaccordsyou。"
Thegirllookedatthedaintilyglovedhandheldouttoher，coloredfaintly，andputherownwithinit。
"Ithankyouforyourgoodness，"saidshe，surveyingwithhalf-sad，half-admiringglances，thesomewhatpalefaceofthebeautifulbrunette。
"Andyouwillyieldtoourunitedrequests?"Shecasthereyedownatthespotwhereherfatherandbrotherhadcoweredintheirshackles，andshookherhead。"Idarenot，"saidshe。
ImmediateyMrs。Daniels，whoseemotionhadbeenincreasingeverymomentsinceshelastspoke，plungedherhandintoherbosomanddrewoutafoldedpaper。
"Mrs。Blake，"saidshe，"ifyoucouldbeconvincedthatwhatIhavetoldyouwastrue，andthatyouwouldbeirretrievablyinjuringyourhusbandandhisinterests，bypersistinginthatdesertionofhimwhichyourpurpose，wouldyounotconsenttoreconsideryourdetermination，settledasitappearstobe?"
"IfIcouldbemadetoseethat，mostcertainly，"returnedsheinalowvoicewhosebrokenaccentsbetrayedatwhatcostsheremainedtruetoherresolve。"ButIcannot。"
"Perhapsthesightofthispaperwillhelpyou，"saidshe。AndturningtoMr。Blakesheexclaimed，"YourpardonforwhatIamcalledupontodo。AdutyhasbeenlaiduponmewhichIcannotavoid，hardasitisforanoldservanttoperform。Thispaper——butitisnomorethanjustthatyou，sir，shouldseeandreaditfirst。"Andwithahandthatquiveredwithfearorsomeequallystrongemotion，sheputitinhisclasp。
Theexclamationthatrewardedtheactmadeusallstartforward。"Myfather"shandwriting!"werehiswords。
"Executedundermyeye，"observedMrs。Daniels。
Hisglanceranrapidlydownthesheetandresteduponthefinalsignature。
"Whyhasthisbeenkeptfromme?"demandedhe，turninguponMrs。
Danielswithsternness。
"Yourfathersowilledit，"washerreply。""Forayear"washiscommand，"youshallkeepthismylastwillandtestamentwhichIgiveintoyourcarewithmydyinghands，asecretfromtheworld。Attheexpirationofthattimemarkifmyson"swifesitsattheheadofherhusband"stable；ifshedoesandishappy，suppressthisbydeliberatelygivingittotheflames，butiffromanyreasonotherthandeath，sheisnotseenthere，carryitatoncetomyson，andbidhimashehonorsmymemory，toseethatmywishesasthereexpressedareatoncecarriedout。""
ThepaperinMr。Blake"shandfluttered。
"Youareawarewhatthosewishesare?"saidhe。
"Isteadiedhishandwhilehewrote，"washersadandearnestreply。
Mr。Blaketurnedwithalookofinexpressibledeferencetohiswife。
"Madame，"saidhe"whenIurgedyouwithsuchwarmthtojoinyourfatetomineandhonormyhousebypresidingoverit，IthoughtIwasinvitingyoutosharetheadvantagesofwealthaswellastheloveofalonelyman"sheart。Thispaperundeceivesme。Luttra，thedaughter-in-lawofAbnerBlake，notHolman，hisson，istheonewhobytheinheritanceofhismillionshastherighttocommandinthispresence。"
Withacryshetookfromhimthewillwhosepurportwasthusbrieflymadeknown。"O，howcouldhe，howcouldhe?"exclaimedshe，runninghereyedownthesheet，andthencrushingitspasmodicallytoherbreast。"Didhenotrealizethathecoulddomenogreaterwrong?"
Theninoneyieldingupofherwholewomanhoodtothemightyburstofpassionthathadbeenfloodingthedefensesofherheartforsolong，sheexclaimedinavoicethemingledraptureanddeterminationofwhichringsinmyearsevennow，"Andisitathinglikethiswithitssuggestionsofmercenaryinterestthatshallbridgethegulfthatseparatesyouandme?Shallthegivingorthegainingofafortunemakenecessarytheunitaloflivesoverwhichholierinfluenceshavebeamedandloftierhopesshone?No，no；bythesmilewithwhichyourdyingfathertookmetohisbreast，lovealone，withthehopeandconfidenceitgives，shallbethebondtodrawustogetherandmakeofthetwoseparateplanesonwhichwestand，acommongroundwherewecanmeetandbehappy。"
Andwithonesupremegestureshetoreintopiecesthewillwhichsheheld，andsankallaglowwithwoman"sdivinestjoyintothearmsheldouttoreceiveher。
Iwaspresentatthewedding-receptiongiventhembytheCountessDeMiracinherelegantapartmentsattheWindsor。Ineversawahappierbride，norahusbandinwhoseeyesburnedadeepercontentment。Toallquestionsastowhothisextraordinarywomancouldbe，whereshewasfound，andinwhatplaceandatwhattimeshewasmarried，theCountesshadaptreplieswhoseartofhushingcuriositywithoutabsolutelysatisfyingit，wasoneofthetokenssheyetpreserved，ofhershortswayasgrandlady，inthegayestandmosthollowcityoftheworld。
AsIpreparedtoleaveasceneperhapsthemostgratifyinginmanyrespectsthatIhadeverwitnessed，Ifeltaslighttouchonmyarm。
ItcamefromMrs。Blakewhowithherhusbandhadcrossedtheroomtobidmefarewell。
"Willyouallowmetothankyou，"saidshe，"fortheriskyouranformeonedayandofwhichIhavejustheard。Itwasanactthatmeritsthegratitudeofyears，andassuchshallbealwaysrememberedbyme。
IftheoldFrenchartistwiththerackingcougheverdesiresafavoratmyhands，lethimfeelfreetoaskit。TheinterestIexperiencedinhiminthedaysofmytrouble，willsuffernoabatementintheseofmyjoyandprosperity。"Andwithalookthatwasmorethanwords，shegavemeaflowerfromthebouquetsheheldinherhand，andsmilinglywithdrew。