第4章

"Thesechildrenwillbethedeathofmeatlast!"saidMrs。

Tetterby，afterbanishingtheculprit。"Andthesoonerthebetter，Ithink。"

"Poorpeople，"saidMr。Tetterby，"oughtnottohavechildrenatall。TheygiveUSnopleasure。"

HewasatthatmomenttakingupthecupwhichMrs。Tetterbyhadrudelypushedtowardshim，andMrs。Tetterbywasliftingherowncuptoherlips，whentheybothstopped，asiftheyweretransfixed。

"Here!Mother!Father!"criedJohnny，runningintotheroom。

"Here’sMrs。Williamcomingdownthestreet!"

Andifever，sincetheworldbegan，ayoungboytookababyfromacradlewiththecareofanoldnurse，andhushedandsoothedittenderly，andtotteredawaywithitcheerfully，Johnnywasthatboy，andMolochwasthatbaby，astheywentouttogether!

Mr。Tetterbyputdownhiscup；Mrs。Tetterbyputdownhercup。Mr。

Tetterbyrubbedhisforehead；Mrs。Tetterbyrubbedhers。Mr。

Tetterby’sfacebegantosmoothandbrighten；Mrs。Tetterby’sbegantosmoothandbrighten。

"Why，Lordforgiveme，"saidMr。Tetterbytohimself，"whateviltempershaveIbeengivingwayto？Whathasbeenthematterhere!"

"HowcouldIevertreathimillagain，afterallIsaidandfeltlastnight!"sobbedMrs。Tetterby，withheraprontohereyes。

"AmIabrute，"saidMr。Tetterby，"oristhereanygoodinmeatall？Sophia!Mylittlewoman!"

"’Dolphusdear，"returnedhiswife。

"I—I’vebeeninastateofmind，"saidMr。Tetterby，"thatI

can’tabeartothinkof，Sophy。"

"Oh!It’snothingtowhatI’vebeenin，Dolf，"criedhiswifeinagreatburstofgrief。

"MySophia，"saidMr。Tetterby，"don’ttakeon。Inevershallforgivemyself。Imusthavenearlybrokeyourheart，Iknow。"

"No，Dolf，no。Itwasme!Me!"criedMrs。Tetterby。

"Mylittlewoman，"saidherhusband，"don’t。Youmakemereproachmyselfdreadful，whenyoushowsuchanoblespirit。Sophia，mydear，youdon’tknowwhatIthought。Ishoweditbadenough，nodoubt；butwhatIthought，mylittlewoman!—"

"Oh，dearDolf，don’t!Don’t!"criedhiswife。

"Sophia，"saidMr。Tetterby，"Imustrevealit。Icouldn’trestinmyconscienceunlessImentionedit。Mylittlewoman—"

"Mrs。William’sverynearlyhere!"screamedJohnnyatthedoor。

"Mylittlewoman，Iwonderedhow，"gaspedMr。Tetterby，supportinghimselfbyhischair，"IwonderedhowIhadeveradmiredyou—I

forgotthepreciouschildrenyouhavebroughtaboutme，andthoughtyoudidn’tlookasslimasIcouldwish。I—Inevergavearecollection，"saidMr。Tetterby，withsevereself—accusation，"tothecaresyou’vehadasmywife，andalongofmeandmine，whenyoumighthavehadhardlyanywithanotherman，whogotonbetterandwasluckierthanme（anybodymighthavefoundsuchamaneasilyI

amsure）；andIquarrelledwithyouforhavingagedalittleintheroughyearsyouhavelightenedforme。Canyoubelieveit，mylittlewoman？Ihardlycanmyself。"

Mrs。Tetterby，inawhirlwindoflaughingandcrying，caughthisfacewithinherhands，andhelditthere。

"Oh，Dolf!"shecried。"Iamsohappythatyouthoughtso；Iamsogratefulthatyouthoughtso!ForIthoughtthatyouwerecommon—

looking，Dolf；andsoyouare，mydear，andmayyoubethecommonestofallsightsinmyeyes，tillyouclosethemwithyourowngoodhands。Ithoughtthatyouweresmall；andsoyouare，andI’llmakemuchofyoubecauseyouare，andmoreofyoubecauseI

lovemyhusband。Ithoughtthatyoubegantostoop；andsoyoudo，andyoushallleanonme，andI’lldoallIcantokeepyouup。I

thoughttherewasnoairaboutyou；butthereis，andit’stheairofhome，andthat’sthepurestandthebestthereis，andGodblesshomeoncemore，andallbelongingtoit，Dolf!"

"Hurrah!Here’sMrs。William!"criedJohnny。

Soshewas，andallthechildrenwithher；andsoshecamein，theykissedher，andkissedoneanother，andkissedthebaby，andkissedtheirfatherandmother，andthenranbackandflockedanddancedabouther，troopingonwithherintriumph。

Mr。andMrs。Tetterbywerenotabitbehind—handinthewarmthoftheirreception。Theywereasmuchattractedtoherasthechildrenwere；theyrantowardsher，kissedherhands，pressedroundher，couldnotreceiveherardentlyorenthusiasticallyenough。Shecameamongthemlikethespiritofallgoodness，affection，gentleconsideration，love，anddomesticity。

"What!areYOUallsogladtoseeme，too，thisbrightChristmasmorning？"saidMilly，clappingherhandsinapleasantwonder。"Ohdear，howdelightfulthisis!"

Moreshoutingfromthechildren，morekissing，moretroopingroundher，morehappiness，morelove，morejoy，morehonour，onallsides，thanshecouldbear。

"Ohdear!"saidMilly，"whatdelicioustearsyoumakemeshed。HowcanIeverhavedeservedthis!WhathaveIdonetobesoloved？"

"Whocanhelpit!"criedMr。Tetterby。

"Whocanhelpit!"criedMrs。Tetterby。

"Whocanhelpit!"echoedthechildren，inajoyfulchorus。Andtheydancedandtroopedaboutheragain，andclungtoher，andlaidtheirrosyfacesagainstherdress，andkissedandfondledit，andcouldnotfondleit，orher，enough。

"Ineverwassomoved，"saidMilly，dryinghereyes，"asIhavebeenthismorning。Imusttellyou，assoonasIcanspeak。—Mr。

Redlawcametomeatsunrise，andwithatendernessinhismanner，moreasifIhadbeenhisdarlingdaughterthanmyself，imploredmetogowithhimtowhereWilliam’sbrotherGeorgeislyingill。Wewenttogether，andallthewayalonghewassokind，andsosubdued，andseemedtoputsuchtrustandhopeinme，thatIcouldnothelptryingwithpleasure。Whenwegottothehouse，wemetawomanatthedoor（somebodyhadbruisedandhurther，Iamafraid），whocaughtmebythehand，andblessedmeasIpassed。"

"Shewasright!"saidMr。Tetterby。Mrs。Tetterbysaidshewasright。Allthechildrencriedoutthatshewasright。

"Ah，butthere’smorethanthat，"saidMilly。"Whenwegotupstairs，intotheroom，thesickmanwhohadlainforhoursinastatefromwhichnoeffortcouldrousehim，roseupinhisbed，and，burstingintotears，stretchedouthisarmstome，andsaidthathehadledamis—spentlife，butthathewastrulyrepentantnow，inhissorrowforthepast，whichwasallasplaintohimasagreatprospect，fromwhichadenseblackcloudhadclearedaway，andthatheentreatedmetoaskhispooroldfatherforhispardonandhisblessing，andtosayaprayerbesidehisbed。AndwhenI

didso，Mr。Redlawjoinedinitsofervently，andthensothankedandthankedme，andthankedHeaven，thatmyheartquiteoverflowed，andIcouldhavedonenothingbutsobandcry，ifthesickmanhadnotbeggedmetositdownbyhim，—whichmademequietofcourse。

AsIsatthere，heheldmyhandinhisuntilhesankinadoze；andeventhen，whenIwithdrewmyhandtoleavehimtocomehere（whichMr。Redlawwasveryearnestindeedinwishingmetodo），hishandfeltformine，sothatsomeoneelsewasobligedtotakemyplaceandmakebelievetogivehimmyhandback。Ohdear，ohdear，"saidMilly，sobbing。"HowthankfulandhowhappyIshouldfeel，anddofeel，forallthis!"

Whileshewasspeaking，Redlawhadcomein，and，afterpausingforamomenttoobservethegroupofwhichshewasthecentre，hadsilentlyascendedthestairs。Uponthosestairshenowappearedagain；remainingthere，whiletheyoungstudentpassedhim，andcamerunningdown。

"Kindnurse，gentlest，bestofcreatures，"hesaid，fallingonhiskneetoher，andcatchingatherhand，"forgivemycruelingratitude!"

"Ohdear，ohdear!"criedMillyinnocently，"here’sanotherofthem!Ohdear，here’ssomebodyelsewholikesme。WhatshallI

everdo!"

Theguileless，simplewayinwhichshesaidit，andinwhichsheputherhandsbeforehereyesandweptforveryhappiness，wasastouchingasitwasdelightful。

"Iwasnotmyself，"hesaid。"Idon’tknowwhatitwas—itwassomeconsequenceofmydisorderperhaps—Iwasmad。ButIamsonolonger。AlmostasIspeak，Iamrestored。Iheardthechildrencryingoutyourname，andtheshadepassedfrommeattheverysoundofit。Oh，don’tweep!DearMilly，ifyoucouldreadmyheart，andonlyknewwithwhataffectionandwhatgratefulhomageitisglowing，youwouldnotletmeseeyouweep。Itissuchdeepreproach。"

"No，no，"saidMilly，"it’snotthat。It’snotindeed。It’sjoy。

It’swonderthatyoushouldthinkitnecessarytoaskmetoforgivesolittle，andyetit’spleasurethatyoudo。"

"Andwillyoucomeagain？andwillyoufinishthelittlecurtain？"

"No，"saidMilly，dryinghereyes，andshakingherhead。"Youwon’tcareformyneedleworknow。"

"Isitforgivingme，tosaythat？"

Shebeckonedhimaside，andwhisperedinhisear。

"Thereisnewsfromyourhome，Mr。Edmund。"

"News？How？"

"Eitheryournotwritingwhenyouwereveryill，orthechangeinyourhandwritingwhenyoubegantobebetter，createdsomesuspicionofthetruth；howeverthatis—butyou’resureyou’llnotbetheworseforanynews，ifit’snotbadnews？"

"Sure。"

"Thenthere’ssomeonecome!"saidMilly。

"Mymother？"askedthestudent，glancingroundinvoluntarilytowardsRedlaw，whohadcomedownfromthestairs。

"Hush!No，"saidMilly。

"Itcanbenooneelse。"

"Indeed？"saidMilly，"areyousure？"

"Itisnot—"Beforehecouldsaymore，sheputherhanduponhismouth。

"Yesitis!"saidMilly。"Theyounglady（sheisveryliketheminiature，Mr。Edmund，butsheisprettier）wastoounhappytorestwithoutsatisfyingherdoubts，andcameup，lastnight，withalittleservant—maid。Asyoualwaysdatedyourlettersfromthecollege，shecamethere；andbeforeIsawMr。Redlawthismorning，Isawher。SHElikesmetoo!"saidMilly。"Ohdear，that’sanother!"

"Thismorning!Whereisshenow？"

"Why，sheisnow，"saidMilly，advancingherlipstohisear，"inmylittleparlourintheLodge，andwaitingtoseeyou。"

Hepressedherhand，andwasdartingoff，butshedetainedhim。

"Mr。Redlawismuchaltered，andhastoldmethismorningthathismemoryisimpaired。Beveryconsideratetohim，Mr。Edmund；heneedsthatfromusall。"

Theyoungmanassuredher，byalook，thathercautionwasnotill—

bestowed；andashepassedtheChemistonhiswayout，bentrespectfullyandwithanobviousinterestbeforehim。

Redlawreturnedthesalutationcourteouslyandevenhumbly，andlookedafterhimashepassedon。Hedroppedhisheaduponhishandtoo，astryingtoreawakensomethinghehadlost。Butitwasgone。

Theabidingchangethathadcomeuponhimsincetheinfluenceofthemusic，andthePhantom’sreappearance，was，thatnowhetrulyfelthowmuchhehadlost，andcouldcompassionatehisowncondition，andcontrastit，clearly，withthenaturalstateofthosewhowerearoundhim。Inthis，aninterestinthosewhowerearoundhimwasrevived，andameek，submissivesenseofhiscalamitywasbred，resemblingthatwhichsometimesobtainsinage，whenitsmentalpowersareweakened，withoutinsensibilityorsullennessbeingaddedtothelistofitsinfirmities。

Hewasconsciousthat，asheredeemed，throughMilly，moreandmoreoftheevilhehaddone，andashewasmoreandmorewithher，thischangeripeneditselfwithinhim。Therefore，andbecauseoftheattachmentsheinspiredhimwith（butwithoutotherhope），hefeltthathewasquitedependentonher，andthatshewashisstaffinhisaffliction。

So，whensheaskedhimwhethertheyshouldgohomenow，towheretheoldmanandherhusbandwere，andhereadilyreplied"yes"—

beinganxiousinthatregard—heputhisarmthroughhers，andwalkedbesideher；notasifhewerethewiseandlearnedmantowhomthewondersofNaturewereanopenbook，andhersweretheuninstructedmind，butasiftheirtwopositionswerereversed，andheknewnothing，andsheall。

Hesawthechildrenthrongabouther，andcaressher，asheandshewentawaytogetherthus，outofthehouse；heheardtheringingoftheirlaughter，andtheirmerryvoices；hesawtheirbrightfaces，clusteringaroundhimlikeflowers；hewitnessedtherenewedcontentmentandaffectionoftheirparents；hebreathedthesimpleairoftheirpoorhome，restoredtoitstranquillity；hethoughtoftheunwholesomeblighthehadsheduponit，andmight，butforher，havebeendiffusingthen；andperhapsitisnowonderthathewalkedsubmissivelybesideher，anddrewhergentlebosomnearertohisown。

WhentheyarrivedattheLodge，theoldmanwassittinginhischairinthechimney—corner，withhiseyesfixedontheground，andhissonwasleaningagainsttheoppositesideofthefire—place，lookingathim。Asshecameinatthedoor，bothstarted，andturnedroundtowardsher，andaradiantchangecameupontheirfaces。

"Ohdear，dear，dear，theyareallpleasedtoseemeliketherest!"criedMilly，clappingherhandsinanecstasy，andstoppingshort。"Herearetwomore!"

Pleasedtoseeher!Pleasurewasnowordforit。Sheranintoherhusband’sarms，thrownwideopentoreceiveher，andhewouldhavebeengladtohaveherthere，withherheadlyingonhisshoulder，throughtheshortwinter’sday。Buttheoldmancouldn’tspareher。Hehadarmsforhertoo，andhelockedherinthem。

"Why，wherehasmyquietMousebeenallthistime？"saidtheoldman。"Shehasbeenalongwhileaway。Ifindthatit’simpossibleformetogetonwithoutMouse。I—where’smysonWilliam？—I

fancyIhavebeendreaming，William。"

"That’swhatIsaymyself，father，"returnedhisson。"Ihavebeeninanuglysortofdream，Ithink。—Howareyou，father？Areyouprettywell？"

"Strongandbrave，myboy，"returnedtheoldman。

ItwasquiteasighttoseeMr。Williamshakinghandswithhisfather，andpattinghimontheback，andrubbinghimgentlydownwithhishand，asifhecouldnotpossiblydoenoughtoshowaninterestinhim。

"Whatawonderfulmanyouare，father!—Howareyou，father？Areyoureallyprettyhearty，though？"saidWilliam，shakinghandswithhimagain，andpattinghimagain，andrubbinghimgentlydownagain。

"Ineverwasfresherorstouterinmylife，myboy。"

"Whatawonderfulmanyouare，father!Butthat’sexactlywhereitis，"saidMr。William，withenthusiasm。"WhenIthinkofallthatmyfather’sgonethrough，andallthechancesandchanges，andsorrowsandtroubles，thathavehappenedtohiminthecourseofhislonglife，andunderwhichhisheadhasgrowngrey，andyearsuponyearshavegatheredonit，Ifeelasifwecouldn’tdoenoughtohonourtheoldgentleman，andmakehisoldageeasy。—Howareyou，father？Areyoureallyprettywell，though？"

Mr。Williammightneverhaveleftoffrepeatingthisinquiry，andshakinghandswithhimagain，andpattinghimagain，andrubbinghimdownagain，iftheoldmanhadnotespiedtheChemist，whomuntilnowhehadnotseen。

"Iaskyourpardon，Mr。Redlaw，"saidPhilip，"butdidn’tknowyouwerehere，sir，orshouldhavemadelessfree。Itremindsme，Mr。

Redlaw，seeingyouhereonaChristmasmorning，ofthetimewhenyouwasastudentyourself，andworkedsohardthatyouwerebackwardsandforwardsinourLibraryevenatChristmastime。Ha!

ha!I’moldenoughtorememberthat；andIrememberitrightwell，Ido，thoughIameight—seven。Itwasafteryouleftherethatmypoorwifedied。Youremembermypoorwife，Mr。Redlaw？"

TheChemistansweredyes。

"Yes，"saidtheoldman。"Shewasadearcreetur。—IrecollectyoucomehereoneChristmasmorningwithayounglady—Iaskyourpardon，Mr。Redlaw，butIthinkitwasasisteryouwasverymuchattachedto？"

TheChemistlookedathim，andshookhishead。"Ihadasister，"

hesaidvacantly。Heknewnomore。

"OneChristmasmorning，"pursuedtheoldman，"thatyoucomeherewithher—anditbegantosnow，andmywifeinvitedtheladytowalkin，andsitbythefirethatisalwaysaburningonChristmasDayinwhatusedtobe，beforeourtenpoorgentlemencommuted，ourgreatDinnerHall。Iwasthere；andIrecollect，asIwasstirringuptheblazefortheyoungladytowarmherprettyfeetby，shereadthescrolloutloud，thatisunderneaththatpictur，’Lord，keepmymemorygreen!’Sheandmypoorwifefellatalkingaboutit；andit’sastrangethingtothinkof，now，thattheybothsaid（bothbeingsounliketodie）thatitwasagoodprayer，andthatitwasonetheywouldputupveryearnestly，iftheywerecalledawayyoung，withreferencetothosewhoweredearesttothem。’Mybrother，’saystheyounglady—’Myhusband，’saysmypoorwife。—

’Lord，keephismemoryofme，green，anddonotletmebeforgotten!’"

Tearsmorepainful，andmorebitterthanhehadevershedinallhislife，courseddownRedlaw’sface。Philip，fullyoccupiedinrecallinghisstory，hadnotobservedhimuntilnow，norMilly’sanxietythatheshouldnotproceed。

"Philip!"saidRedlaw，layinghishanduponhisarm，"Iamastrickenman，onwhomthehandofProvidencehasfallenheavily，althoughdeservedly。Youspeaktome，myfriend，ofwhatIcannotfollow；mymemoryisgone。"

"Mercifulpower!"criedtheoldman。

"Ihavelostmymemoryofsorrow，wrong，andtrouble，"saidtheChemist，"andwiththatIhavelostallmanwouldremember!"

ToseeoldPhilip’spityforhim，toseehimwheelhisowngreatchairforhimtorestin，andlookdownuponhimwithasolemnsenseofhisbereavement，wastoknow，insomedegree，howprecioustooldagesuchrecollectionsare。

Theboycamerunningin，andrantoMilly。

"Here’stheman，"hesaid，"intheotherroom。Idon’twantHIM。"

"Whatmandoeshemean？"askedMr。William。

"Hush!"saidMilly。

Obedienttoasignfromher，heandhisoldfathersoftlywithdrew。

Astheywentout，unnoticed，Redlawbeckonedtotheboytocometohim。

"Ilikethewomanbest，"heanswered，holdingtoherskirts。

"Youareright，"saidRedlaw，withafaintsmile。"Butyouneedn’tfeartocometome。IamgentlerthanIwas。Ofalltheworld，toyou，poorchild!"

Theboystillheldbackatfirst，butyieldinglittlebylittletoherurging，heconsentedtoapproach，andeventositdownathisfeet。AsRedlawlaidhishandupontheshoulderofthechild，lookingonhimwithcompassionandafellow—feeling，heputouthisotherhandtoMilly。Shestoopeddownonthatsideofhim，sothatshecouldlookintohisface，andaftersilence，said：

"Mr。Redlaw，mayIspeaktoyou？"

"Yes，"heanswered，fixinghiseyesuponher。"Yourvoiceandmusicarethesametome。"

"MayIaskyousomething？"

"Whatyouwill。"

"DoyourememberwhatIsaid，whenIknockedatyourdoorlastnight？Aboutonewhowasyourfriendonce，andwhostoodonthevergeofdestruction？"

"Yes。Iremember，"hesaid，withsomehesitation。

"Doyouunderstandit？"

Hesmoothedtheboy’shair—lookingatherfixedlythewhile，andshookhishead。

"Thisperson，"saidMilly，inherclear，softvoice，whichhermildeyes，lookingathim，madeclearerandsofter，"Ifoundsoonafterwards。Iwentbacktothehouse，and，withHeaven’shelp，tracedhim。Iwasnottoosoon。AverylittleandIshouldhavebeentoolate。"

Hetookhishandfromtheboy，andlayingitonthebackofthathandofhers，whosetimidandyetearnesttouchaddressedhimnolessappealinglythanhervoiceandeyes，lookedmoreintentlyonher。

"HeISthefatherofMr。Edmund，theyounggentlemanwesawjustnow。HisrealnameisLongford。—Yourecollectthename？"

"Irecollectthename。"

"Andtheman？"

"No，nottheman。Didheeverwrongme？"

"Yes!"

"Ah!Thenit’shopeless—hopeless。"

Heshookhishead，andsoftlybeatuponthehandheheld，asthoughmutelyaskinghercommiseration。

"IdidnotgotoMr。Edmundlastnight，"saidMilly，—"Youwilllistentomejustthesameasifyoudidrememberall？"

"Toeverysyllableyousay。"

"Both，becauseIdidnotknow，then，thatthisreallywashisfather，andbecauseIwasfearfuloftheeffectofsuchintelligenceuponhim，afterhisillness，ifitshouldbe。SinceI

haveknownwhothispersonis，Ihavenotgoneeither；butthatisforanotherreason。Hehaslongbeenseparatedfromhiswifeandson—hasbeenastrangertohishomealmostfromthisson’sinfancy，Ilearnfromhim—andhasabandonedanddesertedwhatheshouldhaveheldmostdear。Inallthattimehehasbeenfallingfromthestateofagentleman，moreandmore，until—"sheroseup，hastily，andgoingoutforamoment，returned，accompaniedbythewreckthatRedlawhadbeheldlastnight。

"Doyouknowme？"askedtheChemist。

"Ishouldbeglad，"returnedtheother，"andthatisanunwontedwordformetouse，ifIcouldanswerno。"

TheChemistlookedattheman，standinginself—abasementanddegradationbeforehim，andwouldhavelookedlonger，inanineffectualstruggleforenlightenment，butthatMillyresumedherlatepositionbyhisside，andattractedhisattentivegazetoherownface。

"Seehowlowheissunk，howlostheis!"shewhispered，stretchingoutherarmtowardshim，withoutlookingfromtheChemist’sface。

"Ifyoucouldrememberallthatisconnectedwithhim，doyounotthinkitwouldmoveyourpitytoreflectthatoneyoueverloved（donotletusmindhowlongago，orinwhatbeliefthathehasforfeited），shouldcometothis？"

"Ihopeitwould，"heanswered。"Ibelieveitwould。"

Hiseyeswanderedtothefigurestandingnearthedoor，butcamebackspeedilytoher，onwhomhegazedintently，asifhestrovetolearnsomelessonfromeverytoneofhervoice，andeverybeamofhereyes。

"Ihavenolearning，andyouhavemuch，"saidMilly；"Iamnotusedtothink，andyouarealwaysthinking。MayItellyouwhyitseemstomeagoodthingforus，torememberwrongthathasbeendoneus？"

"Yes。"

"Thatwemayforgiveit。"

"Pardonme，greatHeaven!"saidRedlaw，liftinguphiseyes，"forhavingthrownawaythineownhighattribute!"

"Andif，"saidMilly，"ifyourmemoryshouldonedayberestored，aswewillhopeandprayitmaybe，woulditnotbeablessingtoyoutorecallatonceawronganditsforgiveness？"

Helookedatthefigurebythedoor，andfastenedhisattentiveeyesonheragain；arayofclearerlightappearedtohimtoshineintohismind，fromherbrightface。

"Hecannotgotohisabandonedhome。Hedoesnotseektogothere。

Heknowsthathecouldonlycarryshameandtroubletothosehehassocruellyneglected；andthatthebestreparationhecanmakethemnow，istoavoidthem。Averylittlemoneycarefullybestowed，wouldremovehimtosomedistantplace，wherehemightliveanddonowrong，andmakesuchatonementasisleftwithinhispowerforthewronghehasdone。Totheunfortunateladywhoishiswife，andtohisson，thiswouldbethebestandkindestboonthattheirbestfriendcouldgivethem—onetoothattheyneedneverknowof；

andtohim，shatteredinreputation，mind，andbody，itmightbesalvation。"

Hetookherheadbetweenherhands，andkissedit，andsaid："Itshallbedone。Itrusttoyoutodoitforme，nowandsecretly；

andtotellhimthatIwouldforgivehim，ifIweresohappyastoknowforwhat。"

Assherose，andturnedherbeamingfacetowardsthefallenman，implyingthathermediationhadbeensuccessful，headvancedastep，andwithoutraisinghiseyes，addressedhimselftoRedlaw。

"Youaresogenerous，"hesaid，"—youeverwere—thatyouwilltrytobanishyourrisingsenseofretributioninthespectaclethatisbeforeyou。Idonottrytobanishitfrommyself，Redlaw。

Ifyoucan，believeme。"

TheChemistentreatedMilly，byagesture，tocomenearertohim；

and，ashelistenedlookedinherface，asiftofindinitthecluetowhatheheard。

"Iamtoodecayedawretchtomakeprofessions；Irecollectmyowncareertoowell，toarrayanysuchbeforeyou。ButfromthedayonwhichImademyfirststepdownward，indealingfalselybyyou，I

havegonedownwithacertain，steady，doomedprogression。That，I

say。"

Redlaw，keepinghercloseathisside，turnedhisfacetowardsthespeaker，andtherewassorrowinit。Somethinglikemournfulrecognitiontoo。

"Imighthavebeenanotherman，mylifemighthavebeenanotherlife，ifIhadavoidedthatfirstfatalstep。Idon’tknowthatitwouldhavebeen。Iclaimnothingforthepossibility。Yoursisterisatrest，andbetterthanshecouldhavebeenwithme，ifIhadcontinuedevenwhatyouthoughtme：evenwhatIoncesupposedmyselftobe。"

Redlawmadeahastymotionwithhishand，asifhewouldhaveputthatsubjectononeside。

"Ispeak，"theotherwenton，"likeamantakenfromthegrave。I

shouldhavemademyowngrave，lastnight，haditnotbeenforthisblessedhand。"

"Ohdear，helikesmetoo!"sobbedMilly，underherbreath。

"That’sanother!"

"Icouldnothaveputmyselfinyourway，lastnight，evenforbread。But，to—day，myrecollectionofwhathasbeenissostronglystirred，andispresentedtome，Idon’tknowhow，sovividly，thatIhavedaredtocomeathersuggestion，andtotakeyourbounty，andtothankyouforit，andtobegyou，Redlaw，inyourdyinghour，tobeasmercifultomeinyourthoughts，asyouareinyourdeeds。"

Heturnedtowardsthedoor，andstoppedamomentonhiswayforth。

"Ihopemysonmayinterestyou，forhismother’ssake。Ihopehemaydeservetodoso。Unlessmylifeshouldbepreservedalongtime，andIshouldknowthatIhavenotmisusedyouraid，Ishallneverlookuponhimmore。"

Goingout，heraisedhiseyestoRedlawforthefirsttime。

Redlaw，whosesteadfastgazewasfixeduponhim，dreamilyheldouthishand。Hereturnedandtouchedit—littlemore—withbothhisown；andbendingdownhishead，wentslowlyout。

Inthefewmomentsthatelapsed，whileMillysilentlytookhimtothegate，theChemistdroppedintohischair，andcoveredhisfacewithhishands。Seeinghimthus，whenshecameback，accompaniedbyherhusbandandhisfather（whowerebothgreatlyconcernedforhim），sheavoideddisturbinghim，orpermittinghimtobedisturbed；andkneeleddownnearthechairtoputsomewarmclothingontheboy。

"That’sexactlywhereitis。That’swhatIalwayssay，father!"

exclaimedheradmiringhusband。"There’samotherlyfeelinginMrs。William’sbreastthatmustandwillhavewent!"

"Ay，ay，"saidtheoldman；"you’reright。MysonWilliam’sright!"

"Ithappensallforthebest，Millydear，nodoubt，"saidMr。

William，tenderly，"thatwehavenochildrenofourown；andyetI

sometimeswishyouhadonetoloveandcherish。Ourlittledeadchildthatyoubuiltsuchhopesupon，andthatneverbreathedthebreathoflife—ithasmadeyouquiet—like，Milly。"

"Iamveryhappyintherecollectionofit，Williamdear，"sheanswered。"Ithinkofiteveryday。"

"Iwasafraidyouthoughtofitagooddeal。"

"Don’tsay，afraid；itisacomforttome；itspeakstomeinsomanyways。Theinnocentthingthatneverlivedonearth，islikeanangeltome，William。"

"Youarelikeanangeltofatherandme，"saidMr。William，softly。

"Iknowthat。"

"WhenIthinkofallthosehopesIbuiltuponit，andthemanytimesIsatandpicturedtomyselfthelittlesmilingfaceuponmybosomthatneverlaythere，andthesweeteyesturneduptominethatneveropenedtothelight，"saidMilly，"Icanfeelagreatertenderness，Ithink，forallthedisappointedhopesinwhichthereisnoharm。WhenIseeabeautifulchildinitsfondmother’sarms，Iloveitallthebetter，thinkingthatmychildmighthavebeenlikethat，andmighthavemademyheartasproudandhappy。"

Redlawraisedhishead，andlookedtowardsher。

"Allthroughlife，itseemsbyme，"shecontinued，"totellmesomething。Forpoorneglectedchildren，mylittlechildpleadsasifitwerealive，andhadavoiceIknew，withwhichtospeaktome。WhenIhearofyouthinsufferingorshame，Ithinkthatmychildmighthavecometothat，perhaps，andthatGodtookitfrommeinHismercy。Eveninageandgreyhair，suchasfather’s，itispresent：sayingthatittoomighthavelivedtobeold，longandlongafteryouandIweregone，andtohaveneededtherespectandloveofyoungerpeople。"

Herquietvoicewasquieterthanever，asshetookherhusband’sarm，andlaidherheadagainstit。

"Childrenlovemeso，thatsometimesIhalffancy—it’sasillyfancy，William—theyhavesomewayIdon’tknowof，offeelingformylittlechild，andme，andunderstandingwhytheirloveisprecioustome。IfIhavebeenquietsince，Ihavebeenmorehappy，William，inahundredways。Notleasthappy，dear，inthis—thatevenwhenmylittlechildwasbornanddeadbutafewdays，andIwasweakandsorrowful，andcouldnothelpgrievingalittle，thethoughtarose，thatifItriedtoleadagoodlife，IshouldmeetinHeavenabrightcreature，whowouldcallme，Mother!"

Redlawfelluponhisknees，withaloudcry。

"OThou，hesaid，"whothroughtheteachingofpurelove，hastgraciouslyrestoredmetothememorywhichwasthememoryofChristupontheCross，andofallthegoodwhoperishedinHiscause，receivemythanks，andblessher!"

Then，hefoldedhertohisheart；andMilly，sobbingmorethanever，cried，asshelaughed，"Heiscomebacktohimself!Helikesmeverymuchindeed，too!Oh，dear，dear，dearme，here’sanother!"

Then，thestudententered，leadingbythehandalovelygirl，whowasafraidtocome。AndRedlawsochangedtowardshim，seeinginhimandhisyouthfulchoice，thesoftenedshadowofthatchasteningpassageinhisownlife，towhich，astoashadytree，thedovesolongimprisonedinhissolitaryarkmightflyforrestandcompany，felluponhisneck，entreatingthemtobehischildren。

Then，asChristmasisatimeinwhich，ofalltimesintheyear，thememoryofeveryremediablesorrow，wrong，andtroubleintheworldaroundus，shouldbeactivewithus，notlessthanourownexperiences，forallgood，helaidhishandupontheboy，and，silentlycallingHimtowitnesswholaidHishandonchildreninoldtime，rebuking，inthemajestyofHispropheticknowledge，thosewhokeptthemfromHim，vowedtoprotecthim，teachhim，andreclaimhim。

Then，hegavehisrighthandcheerilytoPhilip，andsaidthattheywouldthatdayholdaChristmasdinnerinwhatusedtobe，beforethetenpoorgentlemencommuted，theirgreatDinnerHall；andthattheywouldbidtoitasmanyofthatSwidgerfamily，who，hissonhadtoldhim，weresonumerousthattheymightjoinhandsandmakearingroundEngland，ascouldbebroughttogetheronsoshortanotice。

Anditwasthatdaydone。ThereweresomanySwidgersthere，grownupandchildren，thatanattempttostatetheminroundnumbersmightengenderdoubts，inthedistrustful，oftheveracityofthishistory。Thereforetheattemptshallnotbemade。Buttheretheywere，bydozensandscores—andtherewasgoodnewsandgoodhopethere，readyforthem，ofGeorge，whohadbeenvisitedagainbyhisfatherandbrother，andbyMilly，andagainleftinaquietsleep。

There，presentatthedinner，too，weretheTetterbys，includingyoungAdolphus，whoarrivedinhisprismaticcomforter，ingoodtimeforthebeef。Johnnyandthebabyweretoolate，ofcourse，andcameinallononeside，theoneexhausted，theotherinasupposedstateofdouble—tooth；butthatwascustomary，andnotalarming。

Itwassadtoseethechildwhohadnonameorlineage，watchingtheotherchildrenastheyplayed，notknowinghowtotalkwiththem，orsportwiththem，andmorestrangetothewaysofchildhoodthanaroughdog。Itwassad，thoughinadifferentway，toseewhataninstinctiveknowledgetheyoungestchildrentherehadofhisbeingdifferentfromalltherest，andhowtheymadetimidapproachestohimwithsoftwordsandtouches，andwithlittlepresents，thathemightnotbeunhappy。ButhekeptbyMilly，andbegantoloveher—thatwasanother，asshesaid!—and，astheyalllikedherdearly，theyweregladofthat，andwhentheysawhimpeepingatthemfrombehindherchair，theywerepleasedthathewassoclosetoit。

Allthis，theChemist，sittingwiththestudentandhisbridethatwastobe，Philip，andtherest，saw。

Somepeoplehavesaidsince，thatheonlythoughtwhathasbeenhereinsetdown；others，thathereaditinthefire，onewinternightaboutthetwilighttime；others，thattheGhostwasbuttherepresentationofhisgloomythoughts，andMillytheembodimentofhisbetterwisdom。Isaynothing。

—Exceptthis。ThatastheywereassembledintheoldHall，bynootherlightthanthatofagreatfire（havingdinedearly），theshadowsoncemorestoleoutoftheirhiding—places，anddancedabouttheroom，showingthechildrenmarvellousshapesandfacesonthewalls，andgraduallychangingwhatwasrealandfamiliarthere，towhatwaswildandmagical。ButthattherewasonethingintheHall，towhichtheeyesofRedlaw，andofMillyandherhusband，andoftheoldman，andofthestudent，andhisbridethatwastobe，wereoftenturned，whichtheshadowsdidnotobscureorchange。

Deepenedinitsgravitybythefire—light，andgazingfromthedarknessofthepanelledwalllikelife，thesedatefaceintheportrait，withthebeardandruff，lookeddownatthemfromunderitsverdantwreathofholly，astheylookedupatit；and，clearandplainbelow，asifavoicehadutteredthem，werethewords。

LordkeepmyMemorygreen。