第2章

Inhisshamefacedandconstrainedway，Mr。TheEnglishmanaskednoquestionofanyone，butwatchedfromhisfrontwindowsandwatchedfromhisbackwindows，andlingeredaboutthePlace，andpeepedinattheBarber’sshop，anddidallthisandmuchmorewithawhistlingandtune-hummingpretenceofnotmissinganything，untiloneafternoonwhenMonsieurMutuel’spatchofsunlightwasinshadow，andwhen，accordingtoallruleandprecedent，hehadnorightwhatevertobringhisredribbonoutofdoors，beholdherehewas，advancingwithhiscapalreadyinhishandtwelvepacesoff！

Mr。TheEnglishmanhadgotasfarintohisusualobjurgationas，"Whatbu-si-"whenhecheckedhimself。

"Ah，itissad，itissad！Helas，itisunhappy，itissad！"ThusoldMonsieurMutuel，shakinghisgrayhead。

"Whatbusin-atleast，Iwouldsay，whatdoyoumean，MonsieurMutuel？"

"OurCorporal。Helas，ourdearCorporal！"

"Whathashappenedtohim？"

"Youhavenotheard？"

"No。"

"Atthefire。Buthewassobrave，soready。Ah，toobrave，tooready！"

"MaytheDevilcarryyouaway！"theEnglishmanbrokeinimpatiently；

"Ibegyourpardon，——Imeanme，——IamnotaccustomedtospeakFrench，——goon，willyou？"

"Andafallingbeam——"

"GoodGod！"exclaimedtheEnglishman。"Itwasaprivatesoldierwhowaskilled？"

"No。ACorporal，thesameCorporal，ourdearCorporal。Belovedbyallhiscomrades。Thefuneralceremonywastouching，——penetrating。

MonsieurTheEnglishman，youreyesfillwithtears。"

"Whatbu-si-"

"MonsieurTheEnglishman，Ihonourthoseemotions。Isaluteyouwithprofoundrespect。Iwillnotobtrudemyselfuponyournobleheart。"

MonsieurMutuel，——agentlemanineverythreadofhiscloudylinen，underwhosewrinkledhandeverygraininthequarterofanounceofpoorsnuffinhispoorlittletinboxbecameagentleman’sproperty，——MonsieurMutuelpassedon，withhiscapinhishand。

"Ilittlethought，"saidtheEnglishman，afterwalkingforseveralminutes，andmorethanonceblowinghisnose，"whenIwaslookingroundthatcemetery——I’llgothere！"

Straighthewentthere，andwhenhecamewithinthegatehepaused，consideringwhetherheshouldaskatthelodgeforsomedirectiontothegrave。Buthewaslessthaneverinamoodforaskingquestions，andhethought，"Ishallseesomethingonittoknowitby。"

InsearchoftheCorporal’sgravehewentsoftlyon，upthiswalkanddownthat，peeringin，amongthecrossesandheartsandcolumnsandobelisksandtombstones，forarecentlydisturbedspot。Ittroubledhimnowtothinkhowmanydeadtherewereinthecemetery，——

hehadnotthoughtthematenthpartsonumerousbefore，——andafterhehadwalkedandsoughtforsometime，hesaidtohimself，ashestruckdownanewvistaoftombs，"ImightsupposethateveryonewasdeadbutI。"

Noteveryone。Alivechildwaslyingonthegroundasleep。TrulyhehadfoundsomethingontheCorporal’sgravetoknowitby，andthesomethingwasBebelle。

Withsuchalovingwillhadthedeadsoldier’scomradesworkedathisresting-place，thatitwasalreadyaneatgarden。OnthegreenturfofthegardenBebellelaysleeping，withhercheektouchingit。

Aplain，unpaintedlittlewoodenCrosswasplantedintheturf，andhershortarmembracedthislittleCross，asithadmanyatimeembracedtheCorporal’sneck。Theyhadputatinyflag（theflagofFrance）athishead，andalaurelgarland。

Mr。TheEnglishmantookoffhishat，andstoodforawhilesilent。

Then，coveringhisheadagain，hebentdownononeknee，andsoftlyrousedthechild。

"Bebelle！Mylittleone！"

Openinghereyes，onwhichthetearswerestillwet，Bebellewasatfirstfrightened；butseeingwhoitwas，shesufferedhimtotakeherinhisarms，lookingsteadfastlyathim。

"Youmustnotliehere，mylittleone。Youmustcomewithme。"

"No，no。Ican’tleaveTheophile。IwantthegooddearTheophile。"

"Wewillgoandseekhim，Bebelle。WewillgoandlookforhiminEngland。Wewillgoandlookforhimatmydaughter’s，Bebelle。"

"Shallwefindhimthere？"

"Weshallfindthebestpartofhimthere。Comewithme，poorforlornlittleone。Heavenismywitness，"saidtheEnglishman，inalowvoice，as，beforeherose，hetouchedtheturfabovethegentleCorporal’sbreast，"thatIthankfullyacceptthistrust！"

Itwasalongwayforthechildtohavecomeunaided。Shewassoonasleepagain，withherembracetransferredtotheEnglishman’sneck。

Helookedatherwornshoes，andhergalledfeet，andhertiredface，andbelievedthatshehadcomethereeveryday。

HewasleavingthegravewiththeslumberingBebelleinhisarms，whenhestopped，lookedwistfullydownatit，andlookedwistfullyattheothergravesaround。"Itistheinnocentcustomofthepeople，"saidMr。TheEnglishman，withhesitation。"IthinkI

shouldliketodoit。Noonesees。"

CarefulnottowakeBebelleashewent，herepairedtothelodgewheresuchlittletokensofremembranceweresold，andboughttwowreaths。One，blueandwhiteandglisteningsilver，"Tomyfriend；"

oneofasobererredandblackandyellow，"Tomyfriend。"Withthesehewentbacktothegrave，andsodownononekneeagain。

Touchingthechild’slipswiththebrighterwreath，heguidedherhandtohangitontheCross；thenhunghisownwreaththere。Afterall，thewreathswerenotfaroutofkeepingwiththelittlegarden。

Tomyfriend。Tomyfriend。

Mr。TheEnglishmantookitveryillwhenhelookedroundastreetcornerintotheGreatPlace，carryingBebelleinhisarms，thatoldMutuelshouldbethereairinghisredribbon。HetookaworldofpainstododgetheworthyMutuel，anddevotedasurprisingamountoftimeandtroubletoskulkingintohisownlodginglikeamanpursuedbyJustice。Safelyarrivedthereatlast，hemadeBebelle’stoiletwithasaccuratearemembranceashecouldbringtobearuponthatworkofthewayinwhichhehadoftenseenthepoorCorporalmakeit，andhavinggivenhertoeatanddrink，laidherdownonhisownbed。Thenheslippedoutintothebarber’sshop，andafterabriefinterviewwiththebarber’swife，andabriefrecoursetohispurseandcard-case，camebackagainwiththewholeofBebelle’spersonalpropertyinsuchaverylittlebundlethatitwasquitelostunderhisarm。

AsitwasirreconcilablewithhiswholecourseandcharacterthatheshouldcarryBebelleoffinstate，orreceiveanycomplimentsorcongratulationsonthatfeat，hedevotedthenextdaytogettinghistwoportmanteausoutofthehousebyartfulnessandstealth，andtocomportinghimselfineveryparticularasifheweregoingtorunaway，——except，indeed，thathepaidhisfewdebtsinthetown，andpreparedalettertoleaveforMadameBouclet，enclosingasufficientsumofmoneyinlieuofnotice。Arailwaytrainwouldcomethroughatmidnight，andbythattrainhewouldtakeawayBebelletolookforTheophileinEnglandandathisforgivendaughter’s。

Atmidnight，onamoonlightnight，Mr。TheEnglishmancamecreepingforthlikeaharmlessassassin，withBebelleonhisbreastinsteadofadagger。QuiettheGreatPlace，andquietthenever-stirringstreets；closedthecafes；huddledtogethermotionlesstheirbilliard-balls；drowsytheguardorsentinelondutyhereandthere；

lulledforthetime，bysleep，eventheinsatiateappetiteoftheOfficeofTown-dues。

Mr。TheEnglishmanleftthePlacebehind，andleftthestreetsbehind，andleftthecivilian-inhabitedtownbehind，anddescendeddownamongthemilitaryworksofVauban，hemmingallin。Astheshadowofthefirstheavyarchandposternfelluponhimandwasleftbehind，astheshadowofthesecondheavyarchandposternfelluponhimandwasleftbehind，ashishollowtrampoverthefirstdrawbridgewassucceededbyagentlersound，ashishollowtrampovertheseconddrawbridgewassucceededbyagentlersound，asheovercamethestagnantditchesonebyone，andpassedoutwheretheflowingwaterswereandwherethemoonlight，sothedarkshadesandthehollowsoundsandtheunwholesomelylockedcurrentsofhissoulwerevanquishedandsetfree。Seetoit，Vaubansofyourownhearts，whogirdtheminwithtriplewallsandditches，andwithboltandchainandbarandliftedbridge，——razethosefortifications，andlaythemlevelwiththeall-absorbingdust，beforethenightcomethwhennohandcanwork！

Allwentprosperously，andhegotintoanemptycarriageinthetrain，wherehecouldlayBebelleontheseatoveragainsthim，asonacouch，andcoverherfromheadtofootwithhismantle。Hehadjustdrawnhimselfupfromperfectingthisarrangement，andhadjustleanedbackinhisownseatcontemplatingitwithgreatsatisfaction，whenhebecameawareofacuriousappearanceattheopencarriagewindow，——aghostlylittletinboxfloatingupinthemoon-light，andhoveringthere。

Heleanedforward，andputouthishead。Downamongtherailsandwheelsandashes，MonsieurMutuel，redribbonandall！

"Excuseme，MonsieurTheEnglishman，"saidMonsieurMutuel，holdinguphisboxatarm’slength，thecarriagebeingsohighandhesolow；"butIshallreverencethelittleboxforever，ifyoursogeneroushandwilltakeapinchfromitatparting。"

Mr。TheEnglishmanreachedoutofthewindowbeforecomplying，and——

withoutaskingtheoldfellowwhatbusinessitwasofhis——shookhandsandsaid，"Adieu！Godblessyou！"

"And，Mr。TheEnglishman，GodblessYOU！"criedMadameBouclet，whowasalsothereamongtherailsandwheelsandashes。"AndGodwillblessyouinthehappinessoftheprotectedchildnowwithyou。AndGodwillblessyouinyourownchildathome。AndGodwillblessyouinyourownremembrances。Andthisfromme！"

Hehadbarelytimetocatchabouquetfromherhand，whenthetrainwasflyingthroughthenight。Roundthepaperthatenfoldeditwasbravelywritten（doubtlessbythenephewwhoheldthepenofanAngel），"Homagetothefriendofthefriendless。"

"Notbadpeople，Bebelle！"saidMr。TheEnglishman，softlydrawingthemantlealittlefromhersleepingface，thathemightkissit，"thoughtheyareso——"

Too"sentimental"himselfatthemomenttobeabletogetoutthatword，headdednothingbutasob，andtravelledforsomemiles，throughthemoonlight，withhishandbeforehiseyes。

CHAPTERIII——HISBROWN-PAPERPARCEL

Myworksarewellknown。IamayoungmanintheArtline。Youhaveseenmyworksmanyatime，thoughit’sfiftythousandtooneifyouhaveseenme。Yousayyoudon’twanttoseeme？Yousayyourinterestisinmyworks，andnotinme？Don’tbetoosureaboutthat。Stopabit。

Letushaveitdowninblackandwhiteatthefirstgooff，sothattheremaybenounpleasantnessorwranglingafterwards。Andthisislookedoverbyafriendofmine，aticketwriter，thatisuptoliterature。IamayoungmanintheArtline——intheFine-Artline。

Youhaveseenmyworksoverandoveragain，andyouhavebeencuriousaboutme，andyouthinkyouhaveseenme。Now，asasaferule，youneverhaveseenme，andyouneverdoseeme，andyouneverwillseeme。Ithinkthat’splainlyput——andit’swhatknocksmeover。

Ifthere’sablightedpubliccharactergoing，Iamtheparty。

Ithasbeenremarkedbyacertain（oranuncertain，）philosopher，thattheworldknowsnothingofitsgreatestmen。Hemighthaveputitplainerifhehadthrownhiseyeinmydirection。Hemighthaveputit，thatwhiletheworldknowssomethingofthemthatapparentlygoinandwin，itknowsnothingofthemthatreallygoinanddon’twin。Thereitisagaininanotherform——andthat’swhatknocksmeover。

Notthatit’sonlymyselfthatsuffersfrominjustice，butthatIammorealivetomyowninjuriesthantoanyotherman’s。Being，asI

havementioned，intheFine-Artline，andnotthePhilanthropicline，Iopenlyadmitit。Astocompanyininjury，Ihavecompanyenough。WhoareyoupassingeverydayatyourCompetitiveExcruciations？Thefortunatecandidateswhoseheadsandliversyouhaveturnedupsidedownforlife？Notyou。YouarereallypassingtheCrammersandCoaches。Ifyourprincipleisright，whydon’tyouturnoutto-morrowmorningwiththekeysofyourcitiesonvelvetcushions，yourmusiciansplaying，andyourflagsflying，andreadaddressestotheCrammersandCoachesonyourbendedknees，beseechingthemtocomeoutandgovernyou？Then，again，astoyourpublicbusinessofallsorts，yourFinancialstatementsandyourBudgets；thePublicknowsmuch，truly，abouttherealdoersofallthat！YourNoblesandRightHonourablesarefirst-ratemen？Yes，andsoisagooseafirst-ratebird。ButI’lltellyouthisaboutthegoose；——you’llfindhisnaturalflavourdisappointing，withoutstuffing。

PerhapsIamsouredbynotbeingpopular？ButsupposeIAMpopular。

Supposemyworksneverfailtoattract。Supposethat，whethertheyareexhibitedbynaturallightorbyartificial，theyinvariablydrawthepublic。ThennodoubttheyarepreservedinsomeCollection？No，theyarenot；theyarenotpreservedinanyCollection。Copyright？No，noryetcopyright。Anyhowtheymustbesomewhere？Wrongagain，fortheyareoftennowhere。

Saysyou，"Atallevents，youareinamoodystateofmind，myfriend。"Myansweris，Ihavedescribedmyselfasapubliccharacterwithablightuponhim——whichfullyaccountsforthecurdlingofthemilkinTHATcocoa-nut。

ThosethatareacquaintedwithLondonareawareofalocalityontheSurreysideoftheriverThames，calledtheObelisk，or，moregenerally，theObstacle。ThosethatarenotacquaintedwithLondonwillalsobeawareofit，nowthatIhavenamedit。Mylodgingisnotfarfromthatlocality。Iamayoungmanofthateasydisposition，thatIlieabedtillit’sabsolutelynecessarytogetupandearnsomething，andthenIlieabedagaintillIhavespentit。

ItwasonanoccasionwhenIhadhadtoturntowithaviewtovictuals，thatIfoundmyselfwalkingalongtheWaterlooRoad，oneeveningafterdark，accompaniedbyanacquaintanceandfellow-lodgerinthegas-fittingwayoflife。Heisverygoodcompany，havingworkedatthetheatres，and，indeed，hehasatheatricalturnhimself，andwishestobebroughtoutinthecharacterofOthello；

butwhetheronaccountofhisregularworkalwaysblackinghisfaceandhandsmoreorless，Icannotsay。

"Tom，"hesays，"whatamysteryhangsoveryou！"

"Yes，Mr。Click"——therestofthehousegenerallygivehimhisname，asbeingfirst，front，carpetedallover，hisownfurniture，andifnotmahogany，anout-and-outimitation——"yes，Mr。Click，amysterydoeshangoverme。"

"Makesyoulow，yousee，don’tit？"sayshe，eyeingmesideways。

"Why，yes，Mr。Click，therearecircumstancesconnectedwithitthathave，"Iyieldedtoasigh，"aloweringeffect。"

"Givesyouatouchofthemisanthropetoo，don’tit？"sayshe。

"Well，I’lltellyouwhat。IfIwasyou，I’dshakeitof。"

"IfIwasyou，Iwould，Mr。Click；but，ifyouwasme，youwouldn’t。"

"Ah！"sayshe，"there’ssomethinginthat。"

Whenwehadwalkedalittlefurther，hetookitupagainbytouchingmeonthechest。

"Yousee，Tom，itseemstomeasif，inthewordsofthepoetwhowrotethedomesticdramaofTheStranger，youhadasilentsorrowthere。"

"Ihave，Mr。Click。"

"Ihope，Tom，"loweringhisvoiceinafriendlyway，"itisn’tcoining，orsmashing？"

"No，Mr。Click。Don’tbeuneasy。"

"Noryetforg-"Mr。Clickcheckedhimself，andadded，"counterfeitinganything，forinstance？"

"No，Mr。Click。IamlawfullyintheArtline——Fine-Artline——butI

cansaynomore。"

"Ah！Underaspeciesofstar？Akindofmalignantspell？Asortofagloomydestiny？Acankerwormpeggingawayatyourvitalsinsecret，aswellasImakeitout？"saidMr。Click，eyeingmewithsomeadmiration。

ItoldMr。Clickthatwasaboutit，ifwecametoparticulars；andI

thoughtheappearedratherproudofme。

Ourconversationhadbroughtustoacrowdofpeople，thegreaterpartstrugglingforafrontplacefromwhichtoseesomethingonthepavement，whichprovedtobevariousdesignsexecutedincolouredchalksonthepavementstones，lightedbytwocandlesstuckinmudsconces。Thesubjectsconsistedofafinefreshsalmon’sheadandshoulders，supposedtohavebeenrecentlysenthomefromthefishmonger’s；amoonlightnightatsea（inacircle）；deadgame；

scroll-work；theheadofahoaryhermitengagedindevoutcontemplation；theheadofapointersmokingapipe；andacherubim，hisfleshcreasedasininfancy，goingonahorizontalerrandagainstthewind。Allthesesubjectsappearedtometobeexquisitelydone。

Onhiskneesononesideofthisgallery，ashabbypersonofmodestappearancewhoshivereddreadfully（thoughitwasn’tatallcold），wasengagedinblowingthechalk-dustoffthemoon，toningtheoutlineofthebackofthehermit’sheadwithabitofleather，andfatteningthedown-strokeofaletterortwointhewriting。Ihaveforgottentomentionthatwritingformedapartofthecomposition，andthatitalso——asitappearedtome——wasexquisitelydone。Itranasfollows，infineroundcharacters："AnhonestmanisthenoblestworkofGod。1234567890。Poundss。d。Employmentinanofficeishumblyrequested。HonourtheQueen。Hungerisa0

987654321sharpthorn。Chipchop，cherrychop，folderolderido。Astronomyandmathematics。Idothistosupportmyfamily。"

Murmursofadmirationattheexceedingbeautyofthisperformancewentaboutamongthecrowd。Theartist，havingfinishedhistouching（andhavingspoiltthoseplaces），tookhisseatonthepavement，withhiskneescrouchedupverynighhischin；andhalfpencebegantorattlein。

"Apitytoseeamanofthattalentbroughtsolow；ain’tit？"saidoneofthecrowdtome。

"Whathemighthavedoneinthecoach-painting，orhouse-

decorating！"saidanotherman，whotookupthefirstspeakerbecauseIdidnot。

"Why，hewrites——alone——liketheLordChancellor！"saidanotherman。

"Better，"saidanother。"Iknowhiswriting。Hecouldn’tsupporthisfamilythisway。"

Then，awomannoticedthenaturalfluffinessofthehermit’shair，andanotherwoman，herfriend，mentionedofthesalmon’sgillsthatyoucouldalmostseehimgasp。Then，anelderlycountrygentlemansteppedforwardandaskedthemodestmanhowheexecutedhiswork？

Andthemodestmantooksomescrapsofbrownpaperwithcoloursin’emoutofhispockets，andshowedthem。Thenafair-complexioneddonkey，withsandyhairandspectacles，askedifthehermitwasaportrait？Towhichthemodestman，castingasorrowfulglanceuponit，repliedthatitwas，toacertainextent，arecollectionofhisfather。Thiscausedaboytoyelpout，"IsthePinterasmokingthepipeyourmother？"whowasimmediatelyshovedoutofviewbyasympatheticcarpenterwithhisbasketoftoolsathisback。

Ateveryfreshquestionorremarkthecrowdleanedforwardmoreeagerly，anddroppedthehalfpencemorefreely，andthemodestmangatheredthemupmoremeekly。Atlast，anotherelderlygentlemancametothefront，andgavetheartisthiscard，tocometohisofficeto-morrow，andgetsomecopyingtodo。Thecardwasaccompaniedbysixpence，andtheartistwasprofoundlygrateful，and，beforeheputthecardinhishat，readitseveraltimesbythelightofhiscandlestofixtheaddresswellinhismind，incaseheshouldloseit。Thecrowdwasdeeplyinterestedbythislastincident，andamaninthesecondrowwithagruffvoicegrowledtotheartist，"You’vegotachanceinlifenow，ain’tyou？"Theartistanswered（sniffinginaverylow-spiritedway，however），"I’mthankfultohopeso。"Uponwhichtherewasageneralchorusof"Youareallright，"andthehalfpenceslackenedverydecidedly。

Ifeltmyselfpulledawaybythearm，andMr。ClickandIstoodaloneatthecornerofthenextcrossing。

"Why，Tom，"saidMr。Click，"whatahorridexpressionoffaceyou’vegot！"

"HaveI？"saysI。

"Haveyou？"saysMr。Click。"Why，youlookedasifyouwouldhavehisblood。"

"Whoseblood？"

"Theartist’s。"

"Theartist’s？"Irepeated。AndIlaughed，frantically，wildly，gloomily，incoherently，disagreeably。IamsensiblethatIdid。I

knowIdid。

Mr。Clickstaredatmeinascaredsortofaway，butsaidnothinguntilwehadwalkedastreet’slength。Hethenstoppedshort，andsaid，withexcitementonthepartofhisforefinger：

"Thomas，Ifinditnecessarytobeplainwithyou。Idon’tliketheenviousman。Ihaveidentifiedthecankerwormthat’speggingawayatYOURvitals，andit’senvy，Thomas。"

"Isit？"saysI。

"Yes，itis，"saysbe。"Thomas，bewareofenvy。Itisthegreen-

eyedmonsterwhichneverdidandneverwillimproveeachshininghour，butquitethereverse。Idreadtheenviousman，Thomas。I

confessthatIamafraidoftheenviousman，whenheissoenviousasyouare。Whilstyoucontemplatedtheworksofagiftedrival，andwhilstyouheardthatrival’spraises，andespeciallywhilstyoumethishumbleglanceasheputthatcardaway，yourcountenancewassomalevolentastobeterrific。Thomas，IhaveheardoftheenvyofthemthatfollowstheFine-Artline，butIneverbelieveditcouldbewhatyoursis。Iwishyouwell，butItakemyleaveofyou。Andifyoushouldevergotintotroublethroughknifeing——orsay，garotting——abrotherartist，asIbelieveyouwill，don’tcallmetocharacter，Thomas，orIshallbeforcedtoinjureyourcase。"

Mr。Clickpartedfrommewiththosewords，andwebrokeoffouracquaintance。

Ibecameenamoured。HernamewasHenrietta。Contendingwithmyeasydisposition，Ifrequentlygotuptogoafterher。ShealsodweltintheneighbourhoodoftheObstacle，andIdidfondlyhopethatnootherwouldinterposeinthewayofourunion。

TosaythatHenriettawasvolatileisbuttosaythatshewaswoman。

Tosaythatshewasinthebonnet-trimmingisfeeblytoexpressthetastewhichreignedpredominantinherown。

Sheconsentedtowalkwithme。Letmedoherthejusticetosaythatshedidsoupontrial。"Iamnot，"saidHenrietta，"asyetpreparedtoregardyou，Thomas，inanyotherlightthanasafriend；

butasafriendIamwillingtowalkwithyou，ontheunderstandingthatsoftersentimentsmayflow。"

Wewalked。

UndertheinfluenceofHenrietta’sbeguilements，Inowgotoutofbeddaily。Ipursuedmycallingwithanindustrybeforeunknown，anditcannotfailtohavebeenobservedatthatperiod，bythosemostfamiliarwiththestreetsofLondon，thattherewasalargersupply。Buthold！Thetimeisnotyetcome！

OneeveninginOctoberIwaswalkingwithHenrietta，enjoyingthecoolbreezeswaftedoverVauxhallBridge。Afterseveralslowturns，Henriettagapedfrequently（soinseparablefromwomanistheloveofexcitement），andsaid，"Let’sgohomebyGrosvenorPlace，Piccadilly，andWaterloo"——localities，Imaystatefortheinformationofthestrangerandtheforeigner，wellknowninLondon，andthelastaBridge。

"No。NotbyPiccadilly，Henrietta，"saidI。

"AndwhynotPiccadilly，forgoodness’sake？"saidHenrietta。

CouldItellher？CouldIconfesstothegloomypresentimentthatovershadowedme？CouldImakemyselfintelligibletoher？No。

"Idon’tlikePiccadilly，Henrietta。"

"ButIdo，"saidshe。"It’sdarknow，andthelongrowsoflampsinPiccadillyafterdarkarebeautiful。IWILLgotoPiccadilly！"

Ofcoursewewent。Itwasapleasantnight，andtherewerenumbersofpeopleinthestreets。Itwasabrisknight，butnottoocold，andnotdamp。Letmedarklyobserve，itwasthebestofallnights——

FORTHEPURPOSE。

AswepassedthegardenwalloftheRoyalPalace，goingupGrosvenorPlace，Henriettamurmured：

"IwishIwasaQueen！"

"Whyso，Henrietta？"

"IwouldmakeYOUSomething，"saidshe，andcrossedhertwohandsonmyarm，andturnedawayherhead。

Judgingfromthisthatthesoftersentimentsalludedtoabovehadbeguntoflow，Iadaptedmyconducttothatbelief。ThushappilywepassedonintothedetestedthoroughfareofPiccadilly。Ontherightofthatthoroughfareisarowoftrees，therailingoftheGreenPark，andafinebroadeligiblepieceofpavement。

"Ohmy！"criedHenriettapresently。"There’sbeenanaccident！"

Ilookedtotheleft，andsaid，"Where，Henrietta？"

"Notthere，stupid！"saidshe。"OverbytheParkrailings。Wherethecrowdis。Ohno，it’snotanaccident，it’ssomethingelsetolookat！What’sthemlights？"

Shereferredtotwolightstwinklinglowamongstthelegsoftheassemblage：twocandlesonthepavement。

"Oh，docomealong！"criedHenrietta，skippingacrosstheroadwithme。Ihungback，butinvain。"Dolet’slook！"

Again，designsuponthepavement。Centrecompartment，MountVesuviusgoingit（inacircle），supportedbyfourovalcompartments，severallyrepresentingashipinheavyweather，ashoulderofmuttonattendedbytwocucumbers，agoldenharvestwithdistantcottageofproprietor，andaknifeandforkafternature；

abovethecentrecompartmentabunchofgrapes，andoverthewholearainbow。Thewhole，asitappearedtome，exquisitelydone。

Thepersoninattendanceontheseworksofartwasinallrespects，shabbinessexcepted，unliketheformerpersonage。Hiswholeappearanceandmannerdenotedbriskness。Thoughthreadbare，heexpressedtothecrowdthatpovertyhadnotsubduedhisspirit，ortingedwithanysenseofshamethishonestefforttoturnhistalentstosomeaccount。Thewritingwhichformedapartofhiscompositionwasconceivedinasimilarlycheerfultone。Itbreathedthefollowingsentiments："Thewriterispoor，butnotdespondent。

ToaBritish1234567890PublichePoundsS。d。appeals。

HonourtoourbraveArmy！Andalso0987654321toourgallantNavy。BRITONSSTRIKEtheABCDEFGwriterincommonchalkswouldbegratefulforanysuitableemploymentHOME！HURRAH！"

Thewholeofthiswritingappearedtometobeexquisitelydone。

Butthisman，inonerespectlikethelast，thoughseeminglyhardatitwithagreatshowofbrownpaperandrubbers，wasonlyreallyfatteningthedown-strokeofaletterhereandthere，orblowingtheloosechalkofftherainbow，ortoningtheoutsideedgeoftheshoulderofmutton。Thoughhedidthiswiththegreatestconfidence，hedidit（asitstruckme）insoignorantamanner，andsospoilteverythinghetouched，thatwhenhebeganuponthepurplesmokefromthechimneyofthedistantcottageoftheproprietorofthegoldenharvest（whichsmokewasbeautifullysoft），Ifoundmyselfsayingaloud，withoutconsideringofit：

"Letthatalone，willyou？"

"Halloa！"saidthemannextmeinthecrowd，jerkingmeroughlyfromhimwithhiselbow，"whydidn’tyousendatelegram？Ifwehadknownyouwascoming，we’dhaveprovidedsomethingbetterforyou。

Youunderstandtheman’sworkbetterthanhedoeshimself，don’tyou？Haveyoumadeyourwill？You’retooclevertolivelong。"

"Don’tbeharduponthegentleman，sir，"saidthepersoninattendanceontheworksofart，withatwinkleinhiseyeashelookedatme；"hemaychancetobeanartisthimself。Ifso，sir，hewillhaveafellow-feelingwithme，sir，whenI"——headaptedhisactiontohiswordsashewenton，andgaveasmartslapofhishandsbetweeneachtouch，workinghimselfallthetimeaboutandaboutthecomposition——"whenIlightenthebloomofmygrapes——shadeofftheorangeinmyrainbow——dottheiofmyBritons——throwayellowlightintomycow-cum-BER——insinuateanothermorseloffatintomyshoulderofmutton——dartanotherzigzagflashoflightningatmyshipindistress！"

Heseemedtodothissoneatly，andwassonimbleaboutit，thatthehalfpencecameflyingin。

"Thanks，generouspublic，thanks！"saidtheprofessor。"Youwillstimulatemetofurtherexertions。MynamewillbefoundinthelistofBritishPaintersyet。Ishalldobetterthanthis，withencouragement。Ishallindeed。"

"Younevercandobetterthanthatbunchofgrapes，"saidHenrietta。

"Oh，Thomas，themgrapes！"

"NotbetterthanTHAT，lady？IhopeforthetimewhenIshallpaintanythingbutyourownbrighteyesandlipsequaltolife。"

"（Thomas，didyouever？）Butitmusttakealongtime，sir，"saidHenrietta，blushing，"topaintequaltothat。"

"Iwasprenticedtoit，miss，"saidtheyoungman，smartlytouchingupthecomposition——"prenticedtoitinthecavesofSpainandPortingale，eversolongandtwoyearover。"

Therewasalaughfromthecrowd；andanewmanwhohadworkedhimselfinnextme，said，"He’sasmartchap，too；ain’the？"

"Andwhataeye！"exclaimedHenriettasoftly。

"Ah！Heneedhaveaeye，"saidtheman。

"Ah！Hejustneed，"wasmurmuredamongthecrowd。

"Hecouldn’tcomethat’ereburningmountainwithoutaeye，"saidtheman。Hehadgothimselfacceptedasanauthority，somehow，andeverybodylookedathisfingerasitpointedoutVesuvius。"Tocomethateffectinageneralilluminationwouldrequireaeye；buttocomeitwithtwodips——why，it’senoughtoblindhim！"

Thatimpostor，pretendingnottohaveheardwhatwassaid，nowwinkedtoanyextentwithbotheyesatonce，asifthestrainuponhissightwastoomuch，andthrewbackhislonghair——itwasverylong——asiftocoolhisfeveredbrow。Iwaswatchinghimdoingit，whenHenriettasuddenlywhispered，"Oh，Thomas，howhorridyoulook！"andpulledmeoutbythearm。

RememberingMr。Click’swords，IwasconfusedwhenIretorted，"Whatdoyoumeanbyhorrid？"

"Ohgracious！Why，youlooked，"saidHenrietta，"asifyouwouldhavehisblood。"

Iwasgoingtoanswer，"SoIwould，fortwopence——fromhisnose，"

whenIcheckedmyselfandremainedsilent。

Wereturnedhomeinsilence。Everystepoftheway，thesoftersentimentsthathadflowed，ebbedtwentymileanhour。Adaptingmyconducttotheebbing，asIhaddonetotheflowing，Iletmyarmdroplimp，soasshecouldscarcelykeepholdofit，andIwishedhersuchacoldgood-nightatparting，thatIkeepwithintheboundsoftruthwhenIcharacteriseitasaRasper。

InthecourseofthenextdayIreceivedthefollowingdocument：

"HenriettainformsThomasthatmyeyesareopentoyou。Imusteverwishyouwell，butwalkingandusisseparatedbyanunfarmableabyss。Onesomalignanttosuperiority——Ohthatlookathim！——canneverneverconductHENRIETTA

P。S。——Tothealtar。"

Yieldingtotheeasinessofmydisposition，Iwenttobedforaweek，afterreceivingthisletter。Duringthewholeofsuchtime，Londonwasbereftoftheusualfruitsofmylabour。WhenIresumedit，IfoundthatHenriettawasmarriedtotheartistofPiccadilly。

DidIsaytotheartist？Whatfellwordswerethose，expressiveofwhatagallinghollowness，ofwhatabittermockery！I——I——I——amtheartist。IwastherealartistofPiccadilly，IwastherealartistoftheWaterlooRoad，Iamtheonlyartistofallthosepavement-subjectswhichdailyandnightlyarouseyouradmiration。I

do’em，andIlet’emout。Themanyoubeholdwiththepapersofchalksandtherubbers，touchingupthedown-strokesofthewritingandshadingoffthesalmon，themanyougivethecreditto，themanyougivethemoneyto，hires——yes！andIlivetotellit！——hiresthoseworksofartofme，andbringsnothingto’embutthecandles。

Suchisgeniusinacommercialcountry。Iamnotuptotheshivering，Iamnotuptotheliveliness，Iamnotuptothewanting-employment-in-an-officemove；Iamonlyuptooriginatingandexecutingthework。Inconsequenceofwhichyouneverseeme；

youthinkyouseemewhenyouseesomebodyelse，andthatsomebodyelseisamereCommercialcharacter。TheoneseenbyselfandMr。

ClickintheWaterlooRoadcanonlywriteasingleword，andthatI

taughthim，andit’sMULTIPLICATION——whichyoumayseehimexecuteupsidedown，becausehecan’tdoitthenaturalway。TheoneseenbyselfandHenriettabytheGreenParkrailingscanjustsmearintoexistencethetwoendsofarainbow，withhiscuffandarubber——ifveryhardputuponmakingashow——buthecouldnomorecomethearchoftherainbow，tosavehislife，thanhecouldcomethemoon-light，fish，volcano，shipwreck，mutton，hermit，oranyofmymostcelebratedeffects。

ToconcludeasIbegan：ifthere’sablightedpubliccharactergoing，Iamtheparty。Andoftenasyouhaveseen，dosee，andwillsee，myWorks，it’sfiftythousandtooneifyou’lleverseeme，unless，whenthecandlesareburntdownandtheCommercialcharacterisgone，youshouldhappentonoticeaneglectedyoungmanperseveringlyrubbingoutthelasttracesofthepictures，sothatnobodycanrenewthesame。That’sme。

CHAPTERIV——HISWONDERFULEND

Itwillhavebeen，erenow，perceivedthatIsoldtheforegoingwritings。Fromthefactoftheirbeingprintedinthesepages，theinferencewill，erenow，havebeendrawnbythereader（mayIadd，thegentlereader？）thatIsoldthemtoOnewhoneveryet——{2}

Havingpartedwiththewritingsonmostsatisfactoryterms，——for，inopeningnegotiationswiththepresentJournal，wasInotplacingmyselfinthehandsofOneofwhomitmaybesaid，inthewordsofAnother，{2，}——resumedmyusualfunctions。ButItoosoondiscoveredthatpeaceofmindhadfledfromabrowwhich，uptothattime，Timehadmerelytookthehairoff，leavinganunruffledexpansewithin。

Itweresuperfluoustoveilit，——thebrowtowhichIalludeismyown。

Yes，overthatbrowuneasinessgatheredlikethesablewingofthefabledbird，as——asnodoubtwillbeeasilyidentifiedbyallright-

mindedindividuals。Ifnot，Iamunable，onthespurofthemoment，toenterintoparticularsofhim。Thereflectionthatthewritingsmustnowinevitablygetintoprint，andthatHemightyetliveandmeetwiththem，satliketheHagofNightuponmyjadedform。Theelasticityofmyspiritsdeparted。FruitlesswastheBottle，whetherWineorMedicine。Ihadrecoursetoboth，andtheeffectofbothuponmysystemwaswitheringlylowering。

Inthisstateofdepression，intowhichIsubsidedwhenIfirstbegantorevolvewhatcouldIeversayifHe——theunknown——wastoappearintheCoffee-roomanddemandreparation，IoneforenooninthislastNovemberreceivedaturnthatappearedtobegivenmebythefingerofFateandConscience，handinhand。IwasaloneintheCoffee-room，andhadjustpokedthefireintoablaze，andwasstandingwithmybacktoit，tryingwhetherheatwouldpenetratewithsoothinginfluencetotheVoicewithin，whenayoungmaninacap，ofanintelligentcountenance，thoughrequiringhishaircut，stoodbeforeme。

"Mr。Christopher，theHeadWaiter？"

"Thesame。"

Theyoungmanshookhishairoutofhisvision，——whichitimpeded，——

toapacketfromhisbreast，andhandingitovertome，said，withhiseye（ordidIdream？）fixedwithalambentmeaningonme，"THE

PROOFS。"

AlthoughIsmeltmycoat-tailssingeingatthefire，Ihadnotthepowertowithdrawthem。Theyoungmanputthepacketinmyfalteringgrasp，andrepeated，——letmedohimthejusticetoadd，withcivility：

"THEPROOFS。A。Y。R。"

Withthosewordshedeparted。

A。Y。R。？AndYouRemember。Wasthathismeaning？AtYourRisk。

WerethelettersshortforTHATreminder？AnticipateYourRetribution。DidtheystandforTHATwarning？Out-daciousYouthRepent？Butno；forthat，aOwashappilywanting，andthevowelherewasaA。

Iopenedthepacket，andfoundthatitscontentsweretheforegoingwritingsprintedjustasthereader（mayIaddthediscerningreader？）perusesthem。Invainwasthereassuringwhisper，——A。Y。R。，AlltheYearRound，——itcouldnotcanceltheProofs。Tooappropriatename。TheProofsofmyhavingsoldtheWritings。

Mywretchednessdailyincreased。IhadnotthoughtoftheriskI

ran，andthedefyingpublicityIputmyheadinto，untilallwasdone，andallwasinprint。Giveupthemoneytobeoffthebargainandpreventthepublication，Icouldnot。Myfamilywasdownintheworld，Christmaswascomingon，abrotherinthehospitalandasisterintherheumaticscouldnotbeentirelyneglected。AnditwasnotonlyinsinthefamilythathadtoldontheresourcesofoneunaidedWaitering；outswerenotwanting。Abrotheroutofasituation，andanotherbrotheroutofmoneytomeetanacceptance，andanotherbrotheroutofhismind，andanotherbrotheroutatNewYork（notthesame，thoughitmightappearso），hadreallyandtrulybroughtmetoastandtillIcouldturnmyselfround。Igotworseandworseinmymeditations，constantlyreflecting"TheProofs，"andreflectingthatwhenChristmasdrewnearer，andtheProofswerepublished，therecouldbenosafetyfromhourtohourbutthatHemightconfrontmeintheCoffee-room，andinthefaceofdayandhiscountrydemandhisrights。

Theimpressiveandunlooked-forcatastrophetowardswhichIdimlypointedthereader（shallIadd，thehighlyintellectualreader？）inmyfirstremarksnowrapidlyapproaches。

ItwasNovemberstill，butthelastechoesoftheGuyFoxeshadlongceasedtoreverberate。Wewasslack，——severaljointsunderouraveragemark，andwine，ofcourse，proportionate。Soslackhadwebecomeatlast，thatBedsNos。26，27，28，and31，havingtooktheirsixo’clockdinners，anddozedovertheirrespectivepints，haddroveawayintheirrespectiveHansomsfortheirrespectiveNightMail-trainsandleftusempty。

IhadtooktheeveningpapertoNo。6table，——whichiswarmandmosttobepreferred，——and，lostintheall-absorbingtopicsoftheday，haddroppedintoaslumber。Iwasrecalledtoconsciousnessbythewell-knownintimation，"Waiter！"andreplying，"Sir！"foundagentlemanstandingatNo。4table。Thereader（shallIadd，theobservantreader？）willpleasetonoticethelocalityofthegentleman，——ATNO。4TABLE。

Hehadoneofthenewfangleduncollapsablebagsinhishand（whichI

amagainst，forIdon’tseewhyyoushouldn’tcollapse，whileyouareaboutit，asyourfatherscollapsedbeforeyou），andhesaid：

"Iwanttodine，waiter。Ishallsleephereto-night。"

"Verygood，sir。Whatwillyoutakefordinner，sir？"

"Soup，bitofcodfish，oystersauce，andthejoint。"

"Thankyou，sir。"

Irangthechambermaid’sbell；andMrs。Pratchettmarchedin，accordingtocustom，demurelycarryingalightedflatcandlebeforeher，asifshewasoneofalongpublicprocession，alltheothermembersofwhichwasinvisible。

Inthemeanwhilethegentlemanhadgoneuptothemantelpiece，rightinfrontofthefire，andhadlaidhisforeheadagainstthemantelpiece（whichitisalowone，andbroughthimintotheattitudeofleap-frog），andhadheavedatremenjoussigh。Hishairwaslongandlightish；andwhenhelaidhisforeheadagainstthemantelpiece，hishairallfellinadustyflufftogetheroverhiseyes；andwhenhenowturnedroundandlifteduphisheadagain，itallfellinadustyflufftogetheroverhisears。Thisgivehimawildappearance，similartoablastedheath。

"O！Thechambermaid。Ah！"Hewasturningsomethinginhismind。

"Tobesure。Yes。Iwon’tgoup-stairsnow，ifyouwilltakemybag。Itwillbeenoughforthepresenttoknowmynumber。——Canyougiveme24B？"

（OConscience，whataAdderartthou！）

Mrs。Pratchettallottedhimtheroom，andtookhisbagtoit。Hethenwentbackbeforethefire，andfellabitinghisnails。

"Waiter！"bitingbetweenthewords，"giveme，"bite，"penandpaper；

andinfiveminutes，"bite，"letmehave，ifyouplease，"bite，"a"，bite，"Messenger。"

Unmindfulofhiswaningsoup，hewroteandsentoffsixnotesbeforehetouchedhisdinner。ThreewereCity；threeWest-End。TheCitylettersweretoCornhill，Ludgate-hill，andFarringdonStreet。TheWest-EndlettersweretoGreatMarlboroughStreet，NewBurlingtonStreet，andPiccadilly。Everybodywassystematicallydeniedateveryoneofthesixplaces，andtherewasnotavestigeofanyanswer。Ourlightporterwhisperedtome，whenhecamebackwiththatreport，"AllBooksellers。"

Butbeforethenhehadclearedoffhisdinner，andhisbottleofwine。Henow——marktheconcurrencewiththedocumentformerlygiveninfull！——knockedaplateofbiscuitsoffthetablewithhisagitatedelber（butwithoutbreakage），anddemandedboilingbrandy-

and-water。

NowfullyconvincedthatitwasHimself，Iperspiredwiththeutmostfreedom。Whenhebecameflushedwiththeheatedstimulantreferredto，heagaindemandedpenandpaper，andpassedthesucceedingtwohoursinproducingamanuscriptwhichheputinthefirewhencompleted。Hethenwentuptobed，attendedbyMrs。Pratchett。

Mrs。Pratchett（whowasawareofmyemotions）toldme，oncomingdown，thatshehadnoticedhiseyerollingintoeverycornerofthepassagesandstaircase，asifinsearchofhisLuggage，andthat，lookingbackassheshutthedoorof24B，sheperceivedhimwithhiscoatalreadythrownoffimmersinghimselfbodilyunderthebedstead，likeachimley-sweepbeforetheapplicationofmachinery。

Thenextday——Iforbearthehorrorsofthatnight——wasaveryfoggydayinourpartofLondon，insomuchthatitwasnecessarytolighttheCoffee-roomgas。Wewasstillalone，andnofeverishwordsofminecandojusticetothefitfulnessofhisappearanceashesatatNo。4table，increasedbytherebeingsomethingwrongwiththemeter。

Havingagainorderedhisdinner，hewentout，andwasoutforthebestpartoftwohours。Inquiringonhisreturnwhetheranyoftheanswershadarrived，andreceivinganunqualifiednegative，hisinstantcallwasformulligatawny，thecayennepepper，andorangebrandy。

Feelingthatthemortalstrugglewasnowathand，IalsofeltthatI

mustbeequaltohim，andwiththatviewresolvedthatwhateverhetookIwouldtake。Behindmypartition，butkeepingmyeyeonhimoverthecurtain，IthereforeoperatedonMulligatawny，CayennePepper，andOrangeBrandy。Andatalaterperiodoftheday，whenheagainsaid，"OrangeBrandy，"Isaidsotoo，inalowertone，toGeorge，mySecondLieutenant（myFirstwasabsentonleave），whoactsbetweenmeandthebar。

ThroughoutthatawfuldayhewalkedabouttheCoffee-roomcontinually。Oftenhecamecloseuptomypartition，andthenhiseyerolledwithin，tooevidentlyinsearchofanysignsofhisLuggage。Half-pastsixcame，andIlaidhiscloth。HeorderedabottleofoldBrown。IlikewiseorderedabottleofoldBrown。Hedrankhis。Idrankmine（asnearlyasmydutieswouldpermit）glassforglassagainsthis。Hetoppedwithcoffeeandasmallglass。I

toppedwithcoffeeandasmallglass。Hedozed。Idozed。Atlast，"Waiter！"——andheorderedhisbill。Themomentwasnowathandwhenwetwomustbelockedinthedeadlygrapple。

Swiftasthearrowfromthebow，Ihadformedmyresolution；inotherwords，Ihadhammereditoutbetweennineandnine。Itwas，thatIwouldbethefirsttoopenupthesubjectwithafullacknowledgment，andwouldofferanygradualsettlementwithinmypower。Hepaidhisbill（doingwhatwasrightbyattendance）withhiseyerollingabouthimtothelastforanytokensofhisLuggage。

Oneonlytimeourgazethenmet，withthelustrousfixedness（I

believeIamcorrectinimputingthatcharactertoit？）ofthewell-

knownBasilisk。Thedecisivemomenthadarrived。

Withatolerablesteadyhand，thoughwithhumility，IlaidTheProofsbeforehim。

"GraciousHeavens！"hecriesout，leapingup，andcatchingholdofhishair。"What’sthis？Print！"

"Sir，"Ireplied，inacalmingvoice，andbendingforward，"Ihumblyacknowledgetobeingtheunfortunatecauseofit。ButIhope，sir，thatwhenyouhaveheardthecircumstancesexplained，andtheinnocenceofmyintentions——"

Tomyamazement，Iwasstoppedshortbyhiscatchingmeinbothhisarms，andpressingmetohisbreast-bone；whereImustconfesstomyface（andparticular，nose）havingundergonesometemporaryvexationfromhiswearinghiscoatbuttonedhighup，andhisbuttonsbeinguncommonhard。

"Ha，ha，ha！"hecries，releasingmewithawildlaugh，andgraspingmyhand。"Whatisyourname，myBenefactor？"

"Myname，sir"（Iwascrumpled，andpuzzledtomakehimout），"isChristopher；andIhope，sir，that，assuch，whenyou’veheardmyex-"

"Inprint！"heexclaimsagain，dashingtheproofsoverandoverasifhewasbathinginthem。——"Inprint！！OChristopher！

Philanthropist！Nothingcanrecompenseyou，——butwhatsumofmoneywouldbeacceptabletoyou？"

Ihaddrawnastepbackfromhim，orIshouldhavesufferedfromhisbuttonsagain。

"Sir，Iassureyou，Ihavebeenalreadywellpaid，and——"

"No，no，Christopher！Don’ttalklikethat！Whatsumofmoneywouldbeacceptabletoyou，Christopher？Wouldyoufindtwentypoundsacceptable，Christopher？"

Howevergreatmysurprise，Inaturallyfoundwordstosay，"Sir，I

amnotawarethatthemanwaseveryetbornwithoutmorethantheaverageamountofwateronthebrainaswouldnotfindtwentypoundsacceptable。But——extremelyobligedtoyou，sir，I’msure；"forhehadtumbleditoutofhispurseandcrammeditinmyhandintwobank-notes；"butIcouldwishtoknow，sir，ifnotintruding，howI

havemeritedthisliberality？"

"Knowthen，myChristopher，"hesays，"thatfromboyhood’shourI

haveunremittinglyandunavailinglyendeavouredtogetintoprint。

Know，Christopher，thatalltheBooksellersalive——andseveraldead——

haverefusedtoputmeintoprint。Know，Christopher，thatIhavewrittenunprintedReams。Buttheyshallbereadtoyou，myfriendandbrother。Yousometimeshaveaholiday？"

SeeingthegreatdangerIwasin，Ihadthepresenceofmindtoanswer，"Never！"Tomakeitmorefinal，Iadded，"Never！Notfromthecradletothegrave。"

"Well，"sayshe，thinkingnomoreaboutthat，andchucklingathisproofsagain。"ButIaminprint！Thefirstflightofambitionemanatingfrommyfather’slowlycotisrealisedatlength！Thegoldenbow"——hewasgettingon，——"struckbythemagichand，hasemittedacompleteandperfectsound！Whendidthishappen，myChristopher？"

"Whichhappen，sir？"

"This，"hehelditoutatarmslengthtoadmireit，——"thisPer-

rint。"

WhenIhadgivenhimmydetailedaccountofit，hegraspedmebythehandagain，andsaid：

"DearChristopher，itshouldbegratifyingtoyoutoknowthatyouareaninstrumentinthehandsofDestiny。BecauseyouARE。"

ApassingSomethingofamelancholycastputitintomyheadtoshakeit，andtosay，"Perhapsweallare。"

"Idon’tmeanthat，"heanswered；"Idon’ttakethatwiderange；I

confinemyselftothespecialcase。Observemewell，myChristopher！Hopelessofgettingrid，throughanyeffortofmyown，ofanyofthemanuscriptsamongmyLuggage，——allofwhich，sendthemwhereIwould，werealwayscomingbacktome，——itisnowsomesevenyearssinceIleftthatLuggagehere，onthedesperatechance，eitherthatthetoo，toofaithfulmanuscriptswouldcomebacktomenomore，orthatsomeonelessaccursedthanImightgivethemtotheworld。Youfollowme，myChristopher？"

"Prettywell，sir。"Ifollowedhimsofarastojudgethathehadaweakhead，andthattheOrange，theBoiling，andOldBrowncombinedwasbeginningtotell。（TheOldBrown，beingheady，isbestadaptedtoseasonedcases。）

"Yearselapsed，andthosecompositionsslumberedindust。Atlength，Destiny，choosingheragentfromallmankind，sentYouhere，Christopher，andlo！theCasketwasburstasunder，andtheGiantwasfree！"

Hemadehayofhishairafterhesaidthis，andhestooda-tiptoe。

"But，"heremindedhimselfinastateofexcitement，"wemustsitupallnight，myChristopher。ImustcorrecttheseProofsforthepress。Fillalltheinkstands，andbringmeseveralnewpens。"

HesmearedhimselfandhesmearedtheProofs，thenightthrough，tothatdegreethatwhenSolgavehimwarningtodepart（inafour-

wheeler），fewcouldhavesaidwhichwasthem，andwhichwashim，andwhichwasblots。Hislastinstructionswas，thatIshouldinstantlyrunandtakehiscorrectionstotheofficeofthepresentJournal。

Ididso。Theymostlikelywillnotappearinprint，forInoticedamessagebeingbroughtroundfromBeaufordPrintingHouse，whileI

wasathrowingthisconcludingstatementonpaper，thattheoleresourcesofthatestablishmentwasunabletomakeoutwhattheymeant。Uponwhichacertaingentlemanincompany，asIwillnotmoreparticularlyname，——butofwhomitwillbesufficienttoremark，standingonthebroadbasisofawave-girtisle，thatwhetherweregardhiminthelightof，——{3}laughed，andputthecorrectionsinthefire。

Footnotes：

{1}Itsnameandaddressatlength，withotherfullparticulars，alleditoriallystruckout。

{2}Theremainderofthiscomplimentarysentenceeditoriallystruckout。

{3}Theremainderofthiscomplimentaryparenthesiseditoriallystruckout。