第2章

Therewasanofficerattheirhead，encouraginghismen，——acourageous，handsome，gallantofficeroffive—and—thirty，whomDoubledicksawhurriedly，almostmomentarily，butsawwell。Heparticularlynoticedthisofficerwavinghissword，andrallyinghismenwithaneagerandexcitedcry，whentheyfiredinobediencetohisgesture，andMajorTauntondropped。

Itwasoverintenminutesmore，andDoubledickreturnedtothespotwherehehadlaidthebestfriendmaneverhadonacoatspreaduponthewetclay。MajorTaunton’suniformwasopenedatthebreast，andonhisshirtwerethreelittlespotsofblood。

"DearDoubledick，"saidhe，"Iamdying。"

"FortheloveofHeaven，no！"exclaimedtheother，kneelingdownbesidehim，andpassinghisarmroundhisnecktoraisehishead。

"Taunton！Mypreserver，myguardianangel，mywitness！Dearest，truest，kindestofhumanbeings！Taunton！ForGod’ssake！"

Thebright，darkeyes——sovery，verydarknow，inthepaleface——

smileduponhim；andthehandhehadkissedthirteenyearsagolaiditselffondlyonhisbreast。

"Writetomymother。YouwillseeHomeagain。Tellherhowwebecamefriends。Itwillcomforther，asitcomfortsme。"

Hespokenomore，butfaintlysignedforamomenttowardshishairasitflutteredinthewind。TheEnsignunderstoodhim。Hesmiledagainwhenhesawthat，and，gentlyturninghisfaceoveronthesupportingarmasifforrest，died，withhishanduponthebreastinwhichhehadrevivedasoul。

NodryeyelookedonEnsignRichardDoubledickthatmelancholyday。

Heburiedhisfriendonthefield，andbecamealone，bereavedman。

Beyondhisdutyheappearedtohavebuttworemainingcaresinlife，——one，topreservethelittlepacketofhairhewastogivetoTaunton’smother；theother，toencounterthatFrenchofficerwhohadralliedthemenunderwhosefireTauntonfell。Anewlegendnowbegantocirculateamongourtroops；anditwas，thatwhenheandtheFrenchofficercamefacetofaceoncemore，therewouldbeweepinginFrance。

Thewarwenton——andthroughitwenttheexactpictureoftheFrenchofficerontheoneside，andthebodilyrealityupontheother——

untiltheBattleofToulousewasfought。Inthereturnssenthomeappearedthesewords:"Severelywounded，butnotdangerously，LieutenantRichardDoubledick。"

AtMidsummer—time，intheyeareighteenhundredandfourteen，LieutenantRichardDoubledick，nowabrownedsoldier，seven—and—

thirtyyearsofage，camehometoEnglandinvalided。Hebroughtthehairwithhim，nearhisheart。ManyaFrenchofficerhadheseensincethatday；manyadreadfulnight，insearchingwithmenandlanternsforhiswounded，hadherelievedFrenchofficerslyingdisabled；butthementalpictureandtherealityhadnevercometogether。

Thoughhewasweakandsufferedpain，helostnotanhouringettingdowntoFromeinSomersetshire，whereTaunton’smotherlived。Inthesweet，compassionatewordsthatnaturallypresentthemselvestothemindto—night，"hewastheonlysonofhismother，andshewasawidow。"

ItwasaSundayevening，andtheladysatatherquietgarden—

window，readingtheBible；readingtoherself，inatremblingvoice，thatverypassageinit，asIhaveheardhimtell。Heheardthewords:"Youngman，Isayuntothee，arise！"

Hehadtopassthewindow；andthebright，darkeyesofhisdebasedtimeseemedtolookathim。Herhearttoldherwhohewas；shecametothedoorquickly，andfelluponhisneck。

"Hesavedmefromruin，mademeahumancreature，wonmefrominfamyandshame。O，Godforeverblesshim！AsHewill，HeWill！"

"Hewill！"theladyanswered。"Iknowheisinheaven！"Thenshepiteouslycried，"ButO，mydarlingboy，mydarlingboy！"

NeverfromthehourwhenPrivateRichardDoubledickenlistedatChathamhadthePrivate，Corporal，Sergeant，Sergeant—Major，Ensign，orLieutenantbreathedhisrightname，orthenameofMaryMarshall，orawordofthestoryofhislife，intoanyearexcepthisreclaimer’s。Thatprevioussceneinhisexistencewasclosed。Hehadfirmlyresolvedthathisexpiationshouldbetoliveunknown；todisturbnomorethepeacethathadlonggrownoverhisoldoffences；

toletitberevealed，whenhewasdead，thathehadstrivenandsuffered，andhadneverforgotten；andthen，iftheycouldforgivehimandbelievehim——well，itwouldbetimeenough——timeenough！

Butthatnight，rememberingthewordshehadcherishedfortwoyears，"Tellherhowwebecamefriends。Itwillcomforther，asitcomfortsme，"herelatedeverything。Itgraduallyseemedtohimasifinhismaturityhehadrecoveredamother；itgraduallyseemedtoherasifinherbereavementshehadfoundason。DuringhisstayinEngland，thequietgardenintowhichhehadslowlyandpainfullycrept，astranger，becametheboundaryofhishome；whenhewasabletorejoinhisregimentinthespring，heleftthegarden，thinkingwasthisindeedthefirsttimehehadeverturnedhisfacetowardstheoldcolourswithawoman’sblessing！

Hefollowedthem——soragged，soscarredandpiercednow，thattheywouldscarcelyholdtogether——toQuatreBrasandLigny。Hestoodbesidethem，inanawfulstillnessofmanymen，shadowythroughthemistanddrizzleofawetJuneforenoon，onthefieldofWaterloo。

AnddowntothathourthepictureinhismindoftheFrenchofficerhadneverbeencomparedwiththereality。

Thefamousregimentwasinactionearlyinthebattle，andreceiveditsfirstcheckinmanyaneventfulyear，whenhewasseentofall。

Butitsweptontoavengehim，andleftbehinditnosuchcreatureintheworldofconsciousnessasLieutenantRichardDoubledick。

Throughpitsofmire，andpoolsofrain；alongdeepditches，onceroads，thatwerepoundedandploughedtopiecesbyartillery，heavywaggons，trampofmenandhorses，andthestruggleofeverywheeledthingthatcouldcarrywoundedsoldiers；joltedamongthedyingandthedead，sodisfiguredbybloodandmudastobehardlyrecognisableforhumanity；undisturbedbythemoaningofmenandtheshriekingofhorses，which，newlytakenfromthepeacefulpursuitsoflife，couldnotendurethesightofthestragglerslyingbythewayside，nevertoresumetheirtoilsomejourney；dead，astoanysentientlifethatwasinit，andyetalive，——theformthathadbeenLieutenantRichardDoubledick，withwhosepraisesEnglandrang，wasconveyedtoBrussels。Thereitwastenderlylaiddowninhospital；

andthereitlay，weekafterweek，throughthelongbrightsummerdays，untiltheharvest，sparedbywar，hadripenedandwasgatheredin。

Overandoveragainthesunroseandsetuponthecrowdedcity；overandoveragainthemoonlightnightswerequietontheplainsofWaterloo:andallthattimewasablanktowhathadbeenLieutenantRichardDoubledick。RejoicingtroopsmarchedintoBrussels，andmarchedout；brothersandfathers，sisters，mothers，andwives，camethrongingthither，drewtheirlotsofjoyoragony，anddeparted；somanytimesadaythebellsrang；somanytimestheshadowsofthegreatbuildingschanged；somanylightssprangupatdusk；somanyfeetpassedhereandthereuponthepavements；somanyhoursofsleepandcoolerairofnightsucceeded:indifferenttoall，amarblefacelayonabed，likethefaceofarecumbentstatueonthetombofLieutenantRichardDoubledick。

Slowlylabouring，atlast，throughalongheavydreamofconfusedtimeandplace，presentingfaintglimpsesofarmysurgeonswhomheknew，andoffacesthathadbeenfamiliartohisyouth，——dearestandkindestamongthem，MaryMarshall’s，withasolicitudeuponitmorelikerealitythananythinghecoulddiscern，——LieutenantRichardDoubledickcamebacktolife。Tothebeautifullifeofacalmautumneveningsunset，tothepeacefullifeofafreshquietroomwithalargewindowstandingopen；abalconybeyond，inwhichweremovingleavesandsweet—smellingflowers；beyond，again，theclearsky，withthesunfullinhissight，pouringitsgoldenradianceonhisbed。

Itwassotranquilandsolovelythathethoughthehadpassedintoanotherworld。Andhesaidinafaintvoice，"Taunton，areyounearme？"

Afacebentoverhim。Nothis，hismother’s。

"Icametonurseyou。Wehavenursedyoumanyweeks。Youweremovedherelongago。Doyouremembernothing？"

"Nothing。"

Theladykissedhischeek，andheldhishand，soothinghim。

"Whereistheregiment？Whathashappened？Letmecallyoumother。

Whathashappened，mother？"

"Agreatvictory，dear。Thewarisover，andtheregimentwasthebravestinthefield。"

Hiseyeskindled，hislipstrembled，hesobbed，andthetearsrandownhisface。Hewasveryweak，tooweaktomovehishand。

"Wasitdarkjustnow？"heaskedpresently。

"No。"

"Itwasonlydarktome？Somethingpassedaway，likeablackshadow。Butasitwent，andthesun——Otheblessedsun，howbeautifulitis！——touchedmyface，IthoughtIsawalightwhitecloudpassoutatthedoor。Wastherenothingthatwentout？"

Sheshookherhead，andinalittlewhilehefellasleep，shestillholdinghishand，andsoothinghim。

Fromthattime，herecovered。Slowly，forhehadbeendesperatelywoundedinthehead，andhadbeenshotinthebody，butmakingsomelittleadvanceeveryday。Whenhehadgainedsufficientstrengthtoconverseashelayinbed，hesoonbegantoremarkthatMrs。Tauntonalwaysbroughthimbacktohisownhistory。Thenherecalledhispreserver’sdyingwords，andthought，"Itcomfortsher。"

Onedayheawokeoutofasleep，refreshed，andaskedhertoreadtohim。Butthecurtainofthebed，softeningthelight，whichshealwaysdrewbackwhenheawoke，thatshemightseehimfromhertableatthebedsidewhereshesatatwork，washeldundrawn；andawoman’svoicespoke，whichwasnothers。

"Canyoubeartoseeastranger？"itsaidsoftly。"Willyouliketoseeastranger？"

"Stranger！"herepeated。Thevoiceawokeoldmemories，beforethedaysofPrivateRichardDoubledick。

"Astrangernow，butnotastrangeronce，"itsaidintonesthatthrilledhim。"Richard，dearRichard，lostthroughsomanyyears，myname——"

Hecriedouthername，"Mary，"andsheheldhiminherarms，andhisheadlayonherbosom。

"Iamnotbreakingarashvow，Richard。ThesearenotMaryMarshall’slipsthatspeak。Ihaveanothername。"

Shewasmarried。

"Ihaveanothername，Richard。Didyoueverhearit？"

"Never！"

Helookedintoherface，sopensivelybeautiful，andwonderedatthesmileuponitthroughhertears。

"Thinkagain，Richard。Areyousureyouneverheardmyalteredname？"

"Never！"

"Don’tmoveyourheadtolookatme，dearRichard。Letitliehere，whileItellmystory。Ilovedagenerous，nobleman；lovedhimwithmywholeheart；lovedhimforyearsandyears；lovedhimfaithfully，devotedly；lovedhimwithouthopeofreturn；lovedhim，knowingnothingofhishighestqualities——notevenknowingthathewasalive。Hewasabravesoldier。Hewashonouredandbelovedbythousandsofthousands，whenthemotherofhisdearfriendfoundme，andshowedmethatinallhistriumphshehadneverforgottenme。

Hewaswoundedinagreatbattle。Hewasbrought，dying，here，intoBrussels。Icametowatchandtendhim，asIwouldhavejoyfullygone，withsuchapurpose，tothedreariestendsoftheearth。Whenheknewnooneelse，heknewme。Whenhesufferedmost，heborehissufferingsbarelymurmuring，contenttoresthisheadwhereyourrestsnow。Whenhelayatthepointofdeath，hemarriedme，thathemightcallmeWifebeforehedied。Andthename，mydearlove，thatItookonthatforgottennight——"

"Iknowitnow！"hesobbed。"Theshadowyremembrancestrengthens。

Itiscomeback。IthankHeaventhatmymindisquiterestored！MyMary，kissme；lullthiswearyheadtorest，orIshalldieofgratitude。Hispartingwordswerefulfilled。IseeHomeagain！"

Well！Theywerehappy。Itwasalongrecovery，buttheywerehappythroughitall。Thesnowhadmeltedontheground，andthebirdsweresingingintheleaflessthicketsoftheearlyspring，whenthosethreewerefirstabletorideouttogether，andwhenpeopleflockedabouttheopencarriagetocheerandcongratulateCaptainRichardDoubledick。

ButeventhenitbecamenecessaryfortheCaptain，insteadofreturningtoEngland，tocompletehisrecoveryintheclimateofSouthernFrance。TheyfoundaspotupontheRhone，withinarideoftheoldtownofAvignon，andwithinviewofitsbrokenbridge，whichwasalltheycoulddesire；theylivedthere，together，sixmonths；

thenreturnedtoEngland。Mrs。Taunton，growingoldafterthreeyears——thoughnotsooldasthatherbright，darkeyesweredimmed——

andrememberingthatherstrengthhadbeenbenefitedbythechangeresolvedtogobackforayeartothoseparts。Soshewentwithafaithfulservant，whohadoftencarriedhersoninhisarms；andshewastoberejoinedandescortedhome，attheyear’send，byCaptainRichardDoubledick。

Shewroteregularlytoherchildren（asshecalledthemnow），andtheytoher。ShewenttotheneighbourhoodofAix；andthere，intheirownchateaunearthefarmer’shousesherented，shegrewintointimacywithafamilybelongingtothatpartofFrance。Theintimacybeganinheroftenmeetingamongthevineyardsaprettychild，agirlwithamostcompassionateheart，whowasnevertiredoflisteningtothesolitaryEnglishlady’sstoriesofherpoorsonandthecruelwars。Thefamilywereasgentleasthechild，andatlengthshecametoknowthemsowellthatsheacceptedtheirinvitationtopassthelastmonthofherresidenceabroadundertheirroof。Allthisintelligenceshewrotehome，piecemealasitcameabout，fromtimetotime；andatlastenclosedapolitenote，fromtheheadofthechateau，soliciting，ontheoccasionofhisapproachingmissiontothatneighbourhood，thehonourofthecompanyofcethommesijustementcelebre，MonsieurleCapitaineRichardDoubledick。

CaptainDoubledick，nowahardy，handsomemaninthefullvigouroflife，broaderacrossthechestandshouldersthanhehadeverbeenbefore，dispatchedacourteousreply，andfolloweditinperson。

TravellingthroughallthatextentofcountryafterthreeyearsofPeace，heblessedthebetterdaysonwhichtheworldhadfallen。

Thecornwasgolden，notdrenchedinunnaturalred；wasboundinsheavesforfood，nottroddenunderfootbymeninmortalfight。Thesmokeroseupfrompeacefulhearths，notblazingruins。Thecartswereladenwiththefairfruitsoftheearth，notwithwoundsanddeath。Tohimwhohadsooftenseentheterriblereverse，thesethingswerebeautifulindeed；andtheybroughthiminasoftenedspirittotheoldchateaunearAixuponadeepblueevening。

Itwasalargechateauofthegenuineoldghostlykind，withroundtowers，andextinguishers，andahighleadenroof，andmorewindowsthanAladdin’sPalace。Thelatticeblindswereallthrownopenaftertheheatoftheday，andtherewereglimpsesoframblingwallsandcorridorswithin。Thentherewereimmenseout—buildingsfallenintopartialdecay，massesofdarktrees，terrace—gardens，balustrades；tanksofwater，tooweaktoplayandtoodirtytowork；

statues，weeds，andthicketsofironrailingthatseemedtohaveovergrownthemselvesliketheshrubberies，andtohavebranchedoutinallmannerofwildshapes。Theentrancedoorsstoodopen，asdoorsoftendointhatcountrywhentheheatofthedayispast；andtheCaptainsawnobellorknocker，andwalkedin。

Hewalkedintoaloftystonehall，refreshinglycoolandgloomyaftertheglareofaSouthernday’stravel。Extendingalongthefoursidesofthishallwasagallery，leadingtosuitesofrooms；

anditwaslightedfromthetop。Stillnobellwastobeseen。

"Faith，"saidtheCaptainhalting，ashamedoftheclankingofhisboots，"thisisaghostlybeginning！"

Hestartedback，andfelthisfaceturnwhite。Inthegallery，lookingdownathim，stoodtheFrenchofficer——theofficerwhosepicturehehadcarriedinhismindsolongandsofar。Comparedwiththeoriginal，atlast——ineverylineamenthowlikeitwas！

Hemoved，anddisappeared，andCaptainRichardDoubledickheardhisstepscomingquicklydownownintothehall。Heenteredthroughanarchway。Therewasabright，suddenlookuponhisface，muchsuchalookasithadworninthatfatalmoment。

MonsieurleCapitaineRichardDoubledick？Enchantedtoreceivehim！

Athousandapologies！Theservantswerealloutintheair。Therewasalittlefeteamongtheminthegarden。Ineffect，itwasthefetedayofmydaughter，thelittlecherishedandprotectedofMadameTaunton。

HewassograciousandsofrankthatMonsieurleCapitaineRichardDoubledickcouldnotwithholdhishand。"ItisthehandofabraveEnglishman，"saidtheFrenchofficer，retainingitwhilehespoke。

"IcouldrespectabraveEnglishman，evenasmyfoe，howmuchmoreasmyfriend！Ialsoamasoldier。"

"Hehasnotrememberedme，asIhaverememberedhim；hedidnottakesuchnoteofmyface，thatday，asItookofhis，"thoughtCaptainRichardDoubledick。"HowshallItellhim？"

TheFrenchofficerconductedhisguestintoagardenandpresentedhimtohiswife，anengagingandbeautifulwoman，sittingwithMrs。

Tauntoninawhimsicalold—fashionedpavilion。Hisdaughter，herfairyoungfacebeamingwithjoy，camerunningtoembracehim；andtherewasaboy—babytotumbledownamongtheorangetreesonthebroadsteps，inmakingforhisfather’slegs。Amultitudeofchildrenvisitorsweredancingtosprightlymusic；andalltheservantsandpeasantsaboutthechateauweredancingtoo。ItwasasceneofinnocenthappinessthatmighthavebeeninventedfortheclimaxofthescenesofpeacewhichhadsoothedtheCaptain’sjourney。

Helookedon，greatlytroubledinhismind，untilaresoundingbellrang，andtheFrenchofficerbeggedtoshowhimhisrooms。Theywentupstairsintothegalleryfromwhichtheofficerhadlookeddown；andMonsieurleCapitaineRichardDoubledickwascordiallywelcomedtoagrandouterchamber，andasmalleronewithin，allclocksanddraperies，andhearths，andbrazendogs，andtiles，andcooldevices，andelegance，andvastness。

"YouwereatWaterloo，"saidtheFrenchofficer。

"Iwas，"saidCaptainRichardDoubledick。"AndatBadajos。"

Leftalonewiththesoundofhisownsternvoiceinhisears，hesatdowntoconsider，WhatshallIdo，andhowshallItellhim？Atthattime，unhappily，manydeplorableduelshadbeenfoughtbetweenEnglishandFrenchofficers，arisingoutoftherecentwar；andtheseduels，andhowtoavoidthisofficer’shospitality，weretheuppermostthoughtinCaptainRichardDoubledick’smind。

Hewasthinking，andlettingthetimerunoutinwhichheshouldhavedressedfordinner，whenMrs。Tauntonspoketohimoutsidethedoor，askingifhecouldgivehertheletterhehadbroughtfromMary。"Hismother，aboveall，"theCaptainthought。"HowshallI

tellher？"

"Youwillformafriendshipwithyourhost，Ihope，"saidMrs。

Taunton，whomhehurriedlyadmitted，"thatwilllastforlife。Heissotrue—heartedandsogenerous，Richard，thatyoucanhardlyfailtoesteemoneanother。IfHehadbeenspared，"shekissed（notwithouttears）thelocketinwhichsheworehishair，"hewouldhaveappreciatedhimwithhisownmagnanimity，andwouldhavebeentrulyhappythattheevildayswerepastwhichmadesuchamanhisenemy。"

Shelefttheroom；andtheCaptainwalked，firsttoonewindow，whencehecouldseethedancinginthegarden，thentoanotherwindow，whencehecouldseethesmilingprospectandthepeacefulvineyards。

"Spiritofmydepartedfriend，"saidhe，"isitthroughtheethesebetterthoughtsarerisinginmymind？Isitthouwhohastshownme，allthewayIhavebeendrawntomeetthisman，theblessingsofthealteredtime？Isitthouwhohastsentthystrickenmothertome，tostaymyangryhand？Isitfromtheethewhispercomes，thatthismandidhisdutyasthoudidst，——andasIdid，throughthyguidance，whichhaswhollysavedmehereonearth，——andthathedidnomore？"

Hesatdown，withhisheadburiedinhishands，and，whenheroseup，madethesecondstrongresolutionofhislife，——thatneithertotheFrenchofficer，nortothemotherofhisdepartedfriend，nortoanysoul，whileeitherofthetwowasliving，wouldhebreathewhatonlyheknew。AndwhenhetouchedthatFrenchofficer’sglasswithhisown，thatdayatdinner，hesecretlyforgavehiminthenameoftheDivineForgiverofinjuries。

HereIendedmystoryasthefirstPoorTraveller。But，ifIhadtolditnow，IcouldhaveaddedthatthetimehassincecomewhenthesonofMajorRichardDoubledick，andthesonofthatFrenchofficer，friendsastheirfatherswerebeforethem，foughtsidebysideinonecause，withtheirrespectivenations，likelong—dividedbrotherswhomthebettertimeshavebroughttogether，fastunited。

CHAPTERIII——THEROAD

Mystorybeingfinished，andtheWassailtoo，webrokeupastheCathedralbellstruckTwelve。Ididnottakeleaveofmytravellersthatnight；forithadcomeintomyheadtoreappear，inconjunctionwithsomehotcoffee，atseveninthemorning。

AsIpassedalongtheHighStreet，IheardtheWaitsatadistance，andstruckofftofindthem。TheywereplayingnearoneoftheoldgatesoftheCity，atthecornerofawonderfullyquaintrowofred—

bricktenements，whichtheclarionetobliginglyinformedmewereinhabitedbytheMinor—Canons。Theyhadoddlittleporchesoverthedoors，likesounding—boardsoveroldpulpits；andIthoughtIshouldliketoseeoneoftheMinor—Canonscomeoutuponhistopstop，andfavouruswithalittleChristmasdiscourseaboutthepoorscholarsofRochester；takingforhistextthewordsofhisMasterrelativetothedevouringofWidows’houses。

Theclarionetwassocommunicative，andmyinclinationswere（astheygenerallyare）ofsovagabondatendency，thatIaccompaniedtheWaitsacrossanopengreencalledtheVines，andassisted——intheFrenchsense——attheperformanceoftwowaltzes，twopolkas，andthreeIrishmelodies，beforeIthoughtofmyinnanymore。However，Ireturnedtoitthen，andfoundafiddleinthekitchen，andBen，thewall—eyedyoungman，andtwochambermaids，circlingroundthegreatdealtablewiththeutmostanimation。

Ihadaverybadnight。Itcannothavebeenowingtotheturkeyorthebeef，——andtheWassailisoutofthequestion——butineveryendeavourthatImadetogettosleepIfailedmostdismally。Iwasneverasleep；andinwhatsoeverunreasonabledirectionmymindrambled，theeffigyofMasterRichardWattsperpetuallyembarrassedit。

Inaword，IonlygotoutoftheWorshipfulMasterRichardWatts’swaybygettingoutofbedinthedarkatsixo’clock，andtumbling，asmycustomis，intoallthecoldwaterthatcouldbeaccumulatedforthepurpose。Theouterairwasdullandcoldenoughinthestreet，whenIcamedownthere；andtheonecandleinoursupper—

roomatWatts’sCharitylookedaspaleintheburningasifithadhadabadnighttoo。ButmyTravellershadallsleptsoundly，andtheytooktothehotcoffee，andthepilesofbread—and—butter，whichBenhadarrangedlikedealsinatimber—yard，askindlyasI

coulddesire。

Whileitwasyetscarcelydaylight，weallcameoutintothestreettogether，andthereshookhands。ThewidowtookthelittlesailortowardsChatham，wherehewastofindasteamboatforSheerness；thelawyer，withanextremelyknowinglook，wenthisownway，withoutcommittinghimselfbyannouncinghisintentions；twomorestruckoffbythecathedralandoldcastleforMaidstone；andthebook—pedleraccompaniedmeoverthebridge。Asforme，IwasgoingtowalkbyCobhamWoods，asfaruponmywaytoLondonasIfancied。

WhenIcametothestileandfootpathbywhichIwastodivergefromthemainroad，IbadefarewelltomylastremainingPoorTraveller，andpursuedmywayalone。Andnowthemistsbegantoriseinthemostbeautifulmanner，andthesuntoshine；andasIwentonthroughthebracingair，seeingthehoarfrostsparkleeverywhere，I

feltasifallNaturesharedinthejoyofthegreatBirthday。

Goingthroughthewoods，thesoftnessofmytreaduponthemossygroundandamongthebrownleavesenhancedtheChristmassacrednessbywhichIfeltsurrounded。Asthewhitenedstemsenvironedme，I

thoughthowtheFounderofthetimehadneverraisedhisbenignanthand，savetoblessandheal，exceptinthecaseofoneunconscioustree。ByCobhamHall，Icametothevillage，andthechurchyardwherethedeadhadbeenquietlyburied，"inthesureandcertainhope"whichChristmastimeinspired。WhatchildrencouldIseeatplay，andnotbelovingof，recallingwhohadlovedthem！NogardenthatIpassedwasoutofunisonwiththeday，forIrememberedthatthetombwasinagarden，andthat"she，supposinghimtobethegardener，"hadsaid，"Sir，ifthouhavebornehimhence，tellmewherethouhastlaidhim，andIwilltakehimaway。"Intime，thedistantriverwiththeshipscamefullinview，andwithitpicturesofthepoorfishermen，mendingtheirnets，whoaroseandfollowedhim，——oftheteachingofthepeoplefromashippushedoffalittlewayfromshore，byreasonofthemultitude，——ofamajesticfigurewalkingonthewater，inthelonelinessofnight。MyveryshadowonthegroundwaseloquentofChristmas；fordidnotthepeoplelaytheirsickwherethemoreshadowsofthemenwhohadheardandseenhimmightfallastheypassedalong？

ThusChristmasbegirtme，farandnear，untilIhadcometoBlackheath，andhadwalkeddownthelongvistaofgnarledoldtreesinGreenwichPark，andwasbeingsteam—rattledthroughthemistsnowclosinginoncemore，towardsthelightsofLondon。Brightlytheyshone，butnotsobrightlyasmyownfire，andthebrighterfacesaroundit，whenwecametogethertocelebratetheday。AndthereI

toldofworthyMasterRichardWatts，andofmysupperwiththeSixPoorTravellerswhowereneitherRoguesnorProctors，andfromthathourtothisIhaveneverseenoneofthemagain。