第7章

Billings。Andasthereadermayrememberthat，onthedayofTommy’sfirstinterviewwithhisfather，hehadpreviouslypaidavisittoMrs。Briggs，havingunderhisarmapairofbreeches，whichMrs。Briggscoveted——heshouldnowbeinformedthatshedesiredthesebreeches，notforpincushions，butforMr。Moffat，whohadlongbeeninwantofapair。

HavingthusepisodicallynarratedMr。Moffat’shistory，letusstatethathe，hislady，andtheirfriends，passedbeforetheCount’sarbour，joininginamelodiouschorustoasongwhichoneofthesociety，anactorofBetterton’s，wassinging：

"’Tismywill，whenI’mdead，thatnotearshallbeshed，No’Hicjacet’begravedonmystone；

Butpouro’ermyashesabottleofred，Andsayagoodfellowisgone，Mybraveboys！

Andsayagoodfellowisgone。"

"Mybraveboys"wasgivenwithvastemphasisbytheparty；Mr。

Moffatgrowlingitinarichbass，andMrs。Briggsinasoaringtreble。Astothenotes，whenquaveringuptotheskies，theyexcitedvariousemotionsamongthepeopleinthegardens。"Silencethemblackguards！"shoutedabarber，whowastakingapintofsmallbeeralongwithhislady。"Stopthatthereinfernalscreeching！"

saidacoupleofladies，whoweresippingratafiaincompanywithtwoprettyfellows。

"Dangit，it’sPolly！"saidMr。TomBillings，boltingoutofthebox，andrushingtowardsthesweet—voicedMrs。Briggs。Whenhereachedher，whichhedidquickly，andmadehisarrivalknownbytippingMrs。Briggsslightlyonthewaist，andsuddenlybouncingdownbeforeherandherfriend，bothofthelatterdrewbacksomewhatstartled。

"Law，Mr。Billings！"saysMrs。Polly，rathercoolly，"isityou？

Whothoughtofseeingyouhere？"

"Who’sthishereyoungfeller？"saystoweringMr。Moffat，withhisbassvoice。

"It’sMr。Billings，cousin，afriendofmine，"saidMrs。Polly，beseechingly。

"Oh，cousin，ifit’safriendofyours，heshouldknowbetterhowtoconducthimself，that’sall。Haryouadancing—master，youngfeller，thatyoucutthemtherecapersbeforegentlemen？"growledMr。Moffat；whohatedMr。Billings，fortheexcellentreasonthatheliveduponhim。

"Dancing—masterbehanged！"saidMr。Billings，withbecomingspirit：

"ifyoucallmedancing—master，I’llpullyournose。"

"What！"roaredMr。Moffat，"pullmynose？MYNOSE！I’lltellyouwhat，mylad，ifyoudurstmoveme，I’llcutyourthroat，curseme！"

"Oh，Moffy——cousin，Imean——’tisashametotreatthepoorboyso。

Goaway，Tommy；dogoaway；mycousin’sinliquor，"whimperedMadamBriggs，whoreallythoughtthatthegreatdoorkeeperwouldputhisthreatintoexecution。

"Tommy！"saidMr。Moffat，frowninghorribly；"Tommytometoo？Dog，getoutofmyssss———"SIGHTwasthewordwhichMr。Moffatintendedtoutter；buthewasinterrupted；for，totheastonishmentofhisfriendsandhimself，Mr。Billingsdidactuallymakeaspringatthemonster’snose，andcaughtitsofirmly，thatthelattercouldnotfinishhissentence。

Theoperationwasperformedwithamazingcelerity；and，havingconcludedit，Mr。Billingssprangback，andwhiskedfromoutitssheaththatnewsilver—hiltedswordwhichhismammahadgivenhim。

"Now，"saidhe，withafiercekindofcalmness，"nowforthethroat—cutting，cousin：I’myourman！"

Howthebrawlmighthaveended，noonecansay，hadthetwogentlemenactuallycrossedswords；butMrs。Polly，withawonderfulpresenceofmind，restoredpeacebyexclaiming，"Hush，hush！thebeaks，thebeaks！"Uponwhich，withonecommoninstinct，thewholepartymadearushforthegardengates，anddisappearedintothefields。Mrs。Briggsknewhercompany：therewassomethingintheverynameofaconstablewhichsentthemalla—flying。

Afterrunningareasonabletime，Mr。Billingsstopped。ButthegreatMoffatwasnowheretobeseen，andPollyBriggshadlikewisevanished。ThenTombethoughthimthathewouldgobacktohismother；but，arrivingatthegateofthegardens，wasrefusedadmittance，ashehadnotashillinginhispocket。"I’veleft，"

saysTommy，givinghimselftheairsofagentleman，"somefriendsinthegardens。I’mwithhisExcellencytheBavarianhenvy。"

"Thenyouhadbettergoawaywithhim，"saidthegatepeople。

"ButItellyouIlefthimthere，inthegrandcircle，withalady；

and，what’smore，inthedarkwalk，Ihaveleftasilver—hiltedsword。"

"Oh，myLord，I’llgoandtellhimthen，"criedoneoftheporters，"ifyouwillwait。"

Mr。Billingsseatedhimselfonapostnearthegate，andthereconsentedtoremainuntilthereturnofhismessenger。Thelatterwentstraighttothedarkwalk，andfoundthesword，sureenough。

But，insteadofreturningittoitsownerthisdiscourteousknightbrokethetrenchantbladeatthehilt；andflingingthesteelaway，pocketedthebasersilvermetal，andlurkedoffbytheprivatedoorconsecratedtothewaitersandfiddlers。

Inthemeantime，Mr。Billingswaitedandwaited。Andwhatwastheconversationofhisworthyparentsinsidethegarden？Icannotsay；

butoneofthewaitersdeclaredthathehadservedthegreatforeignCountwithtwobowlsofrack—punch，andsomebiscuits，inNo。3：

thatintheboxwithhimwerefirstayounggentleman，whowentaway，andalady，splendidlydressedandmasked：thatwhentheladyandhisLordshipwerealone，sheedgedawaytothefurtherendofthetable，andtheyhadmuchtalk：thatatlast，whenhisGracehadpressedherverymuch，shetookoffhermaskandsaid，"Don’tyouknowmenow，Max？"thathecriedout，"MyownCatherine，thouartmorebeautifulthanever！"andwantedtokneeldownandvoweternallovetoher；butshebeggedhimnottodosoinaplacewherealltheworldwouldsee：thatthenhisHighnesspaid，andtheyleftthegardens，theladyputtingonhermaskagain。

Whentheyissuedfromthegardens，"Ho！JosephlaRose，mycoach！"

shoutedhisExcellency，inratherahuskyvoice；andthemenwhohadbeenwaitingcameupwiththecarriage。Ayounggentleman，whowasdosingononeofthepostsattheentry，wokeupsuddenlyattheblazeofthetorchesandthenoiseofthefootmen。TheCountgavehisarmtotheladyinthemask，whoslippedin；andhewaswhisperingLaRose，whentheladwhohadbeensleepinghithisExcellencyontheshoulder，andsaid，"Isay，Count，youcangiveME

acasthometoo，"andjumpedintothecoach。

WhenCatherinesawherson，shethrewherselfintohisarms，andkissedhimwithaburstofhystericaltears；ofwhichMr。Billingswasatalosstounderstandthemeaning。TheCountjoinedthem，lookingnotalittledisconcerted；andthepairwerelandedattheirowndoor，wherestoodMr。Hayes，inhisnightcap，readytoreceivethem，andastoundedatthesplendouroftheequipageinwhichhiswifereturnedtohim。

CHAPTERXI。OFSOMEDOMESTICQUARRELS，ANDTHECONSEQUENCETHEREOF。

Aningeniousmagazine—writer，wholivedinthetimeofMr。BrockandtheDukeofMarlborough，comparedthelattergentleman’sconductinbattle，whenhe"Inpeacefulthoughtthefieldofdeathsurveyed，Tofaintingsquadronslentthetimelyaid；

Inspiredrepulsedbattalionstoengage，Andtaughtthedoubtfulbattlewheretorage"——

Mr。JosephAddison，Isay，comparedtheDukeofMarlboroughtoanangel，whoissentbyDivinecommandtochastiseaguiltypeople——

"AndpleasedhisMaster’sorderstoperform，Ridesonthewhirlwind，anddirectsthestorm。"

ThefirstfourofthesenovellinestouchofftheDuke’sdispositionandgeniustoatittle。Hehadaloveforsuchscenesofstrife：

inthemidstofthemhisspiritrosecalmandsupreme，soaring（likeanangelornot，butanywaythecomplimentisaveryprettyone）onthebattle—cloudsmajestic，andcausingtoebbortoflowthemightytideofwar。

Butasthisfamoussimilemightapplywithequalpropriety——toabadangelastoagoodone，itmayinlikemannerbeemployedtoillustratesmallquarrelsaswellasgreat——alittlefamilysquabble，inwhichtwoorthreepeopleareengaged，aswellasavastnationaldispute，arguedoneachsidebytheroaringthroatsoffivehundredangrycannon。Thepoetmeans，infact，thattheDukeofMarlboroughhadanimmensegeniusformischief。

OurfriendBrock，orWood（whoseactionswelovetoillustratebytheveryhandsomestsimiles），possessedthisgeniusincommonwithhisGrace；andwasneversohappy，orseentosomuchadvantage，aswhenhewasemployedinsettingpeoplebytheears。Hisspirits，usuallydull，thenroseintotheutmostgaietyandgood—humour。

Whenthedoubtfulbattleflagged，hebyhisartwouldinstantlyrestoreit。When，forinstance，Tom’srepulsedbattalionsofrhetoricfledfromhismamma’sfire，afewwordsofaptsneerorencouragementonWood’spartwouldbringthefightroundagain；orwhenMr。Hayes’sfaintingsquadronsofabusebrokeuponthestubbornsquaresofTom’sbristlingobstinacy，itwasWood’sdelighttorallytheformer，andbringhimoncemoretothecharge。Agreatsharehadthismaninmakingthosebadpeopleworse。Manyfiercewordsandbadpassions，manyfalsehoodsandknaveriesonTom’spart，muchbitterness，scorn，andjealousyonthepartofHayesandCatherine，mightbeattributedtothishoaryoldtempter，whosejoyandoccupationitwastoraiseanddirectthedomesticstormsandwhirlwindsofthefamilyofwhichhewasamember。Anddonotletusbeaccusedofanunduepropensitytousesoundingwords，becausewecomparethreescoundrelsintheTyburnRoadtosomanyarmies，andMr。Woodtoamightyfield—marshal。Mydearsir，whenyouhavewellstudiedtheworld——howsupremelygreatthemeanestthinginthisworldis，andhowinfinitelymeanthegreatest——Iammistakenifyoudonotmakeastrangeandproperjumbleofthesublimeandtheridiculous，theloftyandthelow。Ihavelookedattheworld，formypart，andcometotheconclusionthatIknownotwhichiswhich。

Well，then，onthenightwhenMrsHayes，asrecordedbyus，hadbeentotheMaryleboneGardens，Mr。Woodhadfoundthesincerestenjoymentinplyingherhusbandwithdrink；sothat，whenCatherinearrivedathome，Mr。Hayescameforwardtomeetherinamannerwhichshowedhewasnotonlysurly，butdrunk。Tomsteppedoutofthecoachfirst；andHayesaskedhim，withanoath，wherehehadbeen？TheoathMr。Billingssternlyflungbackagain（withanotherinitscompany），andatthesametimerefusedtogivehisstepfatheranysortofanswertohisquery。

"Theoldmanisdrunk，mother，"saidhetoMrs。Hayes，ashehandedthatladyoutofthecoach（beforeleavingwhichshehadtowithdrawherhandratherviolentlyfromthegraspoftheCount，whowasinside）。HayesinstantlyshowedthecorrectnessofhissurmisebyslammingthedoorcourageouslyinTom’sface，whenheattemptedtoenterthehousewithhismother。AndwhenMrs。Catherineremonstrated，accordingtoherwont，inaveryangryandsupercilioustone，Mr。Hayesrepliedwithequalhaughtiness，andaregularquarrelensued。

Peoplewereaccustomedinthosedaystousemuchmoresimpleandexpressivetermsoflanguagethanarenowthoughtpolite；anditwouldbedangeroustogive，inthispresentyear1840，theexactwordsofreproachwhichpassedbetweenHayesandhiswifein1726。

Mr。Woodsatnear，laughinghissidesout。Mr。Hayessworethathiswifeshouldnotgoabroadtotea—gardensinsearchofvilePopishnoblemen；towhichMrs。Hayesreplied，thatMr。Hayeswasapitiful，lying，sneakingcur，andthatshewouldgowhereshepleased。Mr。

Hayesrejoinedthatifshesaidmuchmorehewouldtakeasticktoher。Mr。Woodwhispered，"Andserveherright。"Mrs。Hayesthereuponsworeshehadstoodhiscowardlyblowsonceortwicebefore，butthatifeverhedidsoagain，assureasshewasborn，shewouldstabhim。Mr。Woodsaid，"Curseme，butIlikeherspirit。"

Mr。Hayestookanotherlineofargument，andsaid，"Theneighbourswouldtalk，madam。"

"Ay，thattheywill，nodoubt，"saidMr。Wood。

"Thenletthem，"saidCatherine。"Whatdowecareabouttheneighbours？Didn’ttheneighbourstalkwhenyousentWidowWilkinstogaol？Didn’ttheneighbourstalkwhenyouleviedonpooroldThomson？Youdidn’tmindTHEN，Mr，Hayes。"

"Business，ma’am，isbusiness；andifIdiddistrainonThomson，andlockupWilkins，IthinkyouknewaboutitasmuchasI。"

"I’faith，Ibelieveyou’reapair，"saidMr。Wood。

"Pray，sir，keepyourtonguetoyourself。Youropinionisn’taskedanyhow——no，noryourcompanywantedneither，"criedMrs。Catherine，withproperspirit。

AtwhichremarkMr。Woodonlywhistled。

"Ihaveaskedthisheregentlemantopassthiseveningalongwithme。We’vebeendrinkingtogether，ma’am。"

"Thatwehave"，saidMr。Wood，lookingatMrs。Catwiththemostperfectgood—humour。

"Isay，ma’am，thatwe’vebeena—drinkingtogether；andwhenwe’vebeena—drinkingtogether，Isaythatamanismyfriend。DoctorWoodismyfriend，madam——theReverendDoctorWood。We’vepassedtheeveningincompany，talkingaboutpolitics，madam——politicsandriddle—iddle—igion。We’venotbeenflauntingintea—gardens，andoglingthemen。"

"It’salie！"shriekedMrs。Hayes。"IwentwithTom——youknowI

did：theboywouldn’tletmeresttillIpromisedtogo。"

"Hanghim，Ihatehim，"saidMr。Hayes："he’salwaysinmyway。"

"He’stheonlyfriendIhaveintheworld，andtheonlybeingIcareapinfor，"saidCatherine。

"He’sanimpudentidlegood—for—nothingscoundrel，andIhopetoseehimhanged！"shoutedMr。Hayes。"Andpray，madam，whosecarriagewasthatasyoucamehomein？Iwarrantyoupaidsomethingfortheride——ha，ha！"

"Anotherlie！"screamedCat，andclutchedholdofasupper—knife。

"Sayitagain，JohnHayes，and，by——————I’lldoforyou。"

"Doforme？Hangme，"saidMr。Hayes，flourishingastick，andperfectlypot—valiant，"doyouthinkIcareforabastardanda——？"

Hedidnotfinishthesentence，forthewomanranathimlikeasavage，knifeinhand。Heboundedback，flinginghisarmsaboutwildly，andstruckherwithhisstaffsharplyacrosstheforehead。

Thewomanwentdowninstantly。AluckyblowwasitforHayesandher：itsavedhimfromdeath，perhaps，andherfrommurder。

Allthisscene——averyimportantoneofourdrama——mighthavebeendescribedatmuchgreaterlength；but，intruth，theauthorhasanaturalhorrorofdwellingtoolonguponsuchhideousspectacles：

norwouldthereaderbemuchedifiedbyafullandaccurateknowledgeofwhattookplace。Thequarrel，however，thoughnotmoreviolentthanmanythathadpreviouslytakenplacebetweenHayesandhiswife，wasabouttocausevastchangesintheconditionofthisunhappypair。

Hayeswasatthefirstmomentofhisvictoryverymuchalarmed；hefearedthathehadkilledthewoman；andWoodstartedupratheranxiouslytoo，withthesamefancy。Butshesoonbegantorecover。

Waterwasbrought；herheadwasraisedandboundup；andinashorttimeMrs。Catherinegaveventtoacopiousfitoftears，whichrelievedhersomewhat。ThesedidnotaffectHayesmuch——theyratherpleasedhim，forhesawhehadgotthebetter；andalthoughCatfiercelyturneduponhimwhenhemadesomesmallattempttowardsreconciliation，hedidnotheedheranger，butsmiledandwinkedinaself—satisfiedwayatWood。Thecowardwasquiteproudofhisvictory；andfindingCatherineasleep，orapparentlyso，whenhefollowedhertobed，speedilygavehimselfuptoslumbertoo，andhadsomepleasantdreamstohisportion。

Mr。Woodalsowentsniggeringandhappyupstairstohischamber。

Thequarrelhadbeenarealtreattohim；itexcitedtheoldman—

—tickledhimintogood—humour；andhepromisedhimselfararecontinuationofthefunwhenTomshouldbemadeacquaintedwiththecircumstancesofthedispute。AsforhisExcellencytheCount，theridefromMaryleboneGardens，andatendersqueezeofthehand，whichCatherinepermittedtohimonparting，hadsoinflamedthepassionsofthenobleman，that，aftersleepingforninehours，andtakinghischocolateasusualthenextmorning，heactuallydelayedtoreadthenewspaper，andkeptwaitingatoy—shopladyfromCornhill（withthesweetestbargainofMechlinlace），inordertodiscoursetohischaplainonthecharmsofMrs。Hayes。

She，poorthing，neverclosedherlids，exceptwhenshewouldhavehadMr。Hayesimaginethatsheslumbered；butlaybesidehim，tossingandtumbling，withhoteyeswideopenandheartthumping，andpulseofahundredandten，andheardtheheavyhourstolling；

andatlastthedaycamepeering，haggard，throughthewindow—curtains，andfoundherstillwakefulandwretched。

Mrs。Hayeshadneverbeen，aswehaveseen，especiallyfondofherlord；butnow，asthedaymadevisibletoherthesleepingfigureandcountenanceofthatgentleman，shelookedathimwithacontemptandloathingsuchasshehadneverfelteveninalltheyearsofherweddedlife。Mr。Hayeswassnoringprofoundly：byhisbedside，onhisledger，stoodalargegreasytincandlestick，containingalanktallow—candle，turneddownintheshaft；andinthelowerpart，hiskeys，purse，andtobacco—pipe；hisfeetwerehuddledupinhisgreasythreadbareclothes；hisheadandhalfhissallowfacemuffledupinaredwoollennightcap；hisbeardwasofseveraldays’growth；

hismouthwaswideopen，andhewassnoringprofoundly：onamoredespicablelittlecreaturethesunnevershone。AndtothissordidwretchwasCatherineunitedforever。Whataprettyrascalhistorymightbereadinyondergreasyday—book，whichneverleftthemiser！——heneverreadinanyother。Ofwhatatreasurewereyonderkeysandpursethekeepers！notashillingtheyguardedbutwaspickedfromthepocketofnecessity，plunderedfromneedywantonness，orpitilesslysqueezedfromstarvation。"Afool，amiser，andacoward！WhywasIboundtothiswretch？"thoughtCatherine："I，whoamhigh—spiritedandbeautiful（didnotHEtellmeso？）；Iwho，bornabeggar，haveraisedmyselftocompetence，andmighthavemounted——whoknowswhither？——ifcursedFortunehadnotbaulkedme！"

AsMrs。Catdidnotutterthesesentiments，butonlythoughtthem，wehavearighttoclotheherthoughtsinthegenteelestpossiblelanguage；and，tothebestofourpower，havedoneso。IfthereaderexaminesMrs。Hayes’strainofreasoning，hewillnot，weshouldthink，failtoperceivehowingeniouslyshemanagedtofixallthewronguponherhusband，andyettotwistoutsomeconsolatoryargumentsforherownvanity。Thisperverseargumentationwehaveallofus，nodoubt，employedinourtime。

Howoftenhavewe，——wepoets，politicians，philosophers，family—men，——foundcharmingexcusesforourownrascalitiesinthemonstrouswickednessoftheworldaboutus；howloudlyhaveweabusedthetimesandourneighbours！Allthisdevil’slogicdidMrs。Catherine，lyingwakefulinherbedonthenightoftheMarylebonefete，exertingloomytriumph。

Itmust，however，beconfessed，thatnothingcouldbemorejustthanMrs。Hayes’ssenseofherhusband’sscoundrelismandmeanness；forifwehavenotprovedtheseinthecourseofthishistory，wehaveprovednothing。Mrs。Cathadashrewdobservingmind；andifshewantedforproofsagainstHayes，shehadbuttolookbeforeandabouthertofindthem。Thisamiablepairwerelyinginalargewalnut—bed，withfadedsilkfurniture，whichhadbeentakenfromunderarespectableoldinvalidwidow，whohadbecomesecurityforaprodigalson；theroomwashungroundwithanantiquetapestry（representingRebeccaattheWell，BathshebaBathing，JudithandHolofernes，andothersubjectsfromHolyWrit），whichhadbeenmanyscoretimessoldforfiftypounds，andboughtbackbyMr。Hayesfortwo，inthoseaccommodatingbargainswhichhemadewithyounggentlemen，whoreceivedfiftypoundsofmoneyandfiftyoftapestryinconsiderationoftheirhundred—poundbills。Againstthistapestry，andjustcuttingoffHolofernes’shead，stoodanenormousominousblackclock，thespoilofsomeotherusurioustransaction。

Somechairs，andadismaloldblackcabinet，completedthefurnitureofthisapartment：itwantedbutaghosttorenderitsgloomcomplete。

Mrs。Hayessatupinthebedsternlyregardingherhusband。Thereis，besure，astrongmagneticinfluenceinwakefuleyessoexaminingasleepingperson（donotyou，asaboy，rememberwakingofbrightsummermorningsandfindingyourmotherlookingoveryou？

hadnotthegazeofhertendereyesstolenintoyoursenseslongbeforeyouwoke，andcastoveryourslumberingspiritasweetspellofpeace，andlove，andfreshspringingjoy？）SomesuchinfluencehadCatherine’slooksuponherhusband：for，ashesleptunderthem，themanbegantowritheaboutuneasily，andtoburrowhisheadinthepillow，andtoutterquick，strangemoansandcries，suchashaveoftenjarredone’searwhilewatchingatthebedofthefeverishsleeper。Itwasjustuponsix，andpresentlytheclockbegantoutterthosedismalgrindingsounds，whichissuefromclocksatsuchperiods，andwhichsoundlikethedeath—rattleofthedepartinghour。Thenthebellstrucktheknellofit；andwiththisMr。Hayesawoke，andlookedup，andsawCatherinegazingathim。

Theireyesmetforaninstant，andCatherineturnedaway，burningred，andlookingasifshehadbeencaughtinthecommissionofacrime。

AkindofblankterrorseizeduponoldHayes’ssoul：ahorribleicyfear，andpresentimentofcomingevil；andyetthewomanhadbutlookedathim。Hethoughtrapidlyovertheoccurrencesofthelastnight，thequarrel，andtheendofit。Hehadoftenstruckherbeforewhenangry，andheapedallkindsofbitterwordsuponher；

but，inthemorning，sheborenomalice，andthepreviousquarrelwasforgotten，or，atleast，passedover。Whyshouldthelastnight’sdisputenothavethesameend？Hayescalculatedallthis，andtriedtosmile。

"Ihopewe’refriends，Cat？"saidhe。"YouknowIwasinliquorlastnight，andsadlyputoutbythelossofthatfiftypound。

They’llruinme，dear——Iknowtheywill。"

Mrs。Hayesdidnotanswer。

"Ishouldliketoseethecountryagain，dear，"saidhe，inhismostwheedlingway。"I’veamind，doyouknow，tocallinallourmoney？

It’syouwho’vemadeeveryfarthingofit，that’ssure；andit’samatteroftwothousandpoundbythistime。SupposewegointoWarwickshire，Cat，andbuyafarm，andlivegenteel。Shouldn’tyouliketolivealadyinyourowncountyagain？Howthey’dstareatBirmingham！hey，Cat？"

AndwiththisMr。Hayesmadeamotionasifhewouldseizehiswife’shand，butsheflunghisbackagain。

"Coward！"saidshe，"youwantliquortogiveyoucourage，andthenyou’veonlyheartenoughtostrikewomen。"

"Itwasonlyinself—defence，mydear，"saidHayes，whosecouragehadallgone。"Youtried，youknow，to——to——"

"ToSTAByou，andIwishIhad！"saidMrs。Hayes，settingherteeth，andglaringathimlikeademon；andsosayingshesprungoutofbed。Therewasagreatstainofbloodonherpillow。"Lookatit，"

saidshe。"Thatblood’sofyourshedding！"andatthisHayesfairlybegantoweep，soutterlydowncastandfrightenedwasthemiserableman。Thewretch’stearsonlyinspiredhiswifewithastillgreaterrageandloathing；shecarednotsomuchfortheblow，butshehatedtheman：themantowhomshewastiedforever——forever！Thebarbetweenherandwealth，happiness，love，rankperhaps。"IfIwerefree，"thoughtMrs。Hayes（thethoughthadbeensittingatherpillowallnight，andwhisperingceaselesslyintoherear）——，"IfI

werefree，Maxwouldmarryme；Iknowhewould：——hesaidsoyesterday！"

***

Asifbyakindofintuition，oldWoodseemedtoreadallthiswoman’sthoughts；forhesaidthatdaywithasneer，thathewouldwagershewasthinkinghowmuchbetteritwouldbetobeaCount’sladythanapoormiser’swife。"Andfaith，"saidhe，"aCountandachariot—and—sixisbetterthananoldskinflintwithacudgel。"Andthenheaskedherifherheadwasbetter，andsupposedthatshewasusedtobeating；andcutsundryotherjokes，whichmadethepoorwretch’swoundsofmindandbodyfeelathousandtimessorer。

Tom，too，wasmadeacquaintedwiththedispute，andsworehisaccustomedvengeanceagainsthisstepfather。Suchfeelings，Wood，withadexterousmalice，wouldneverletrest；itwashisjoy，atfirstquiteadisinterestedone，togoadCatherineandtofrightenHayes：though，intruth，thatunfortunatecreaturehadnooccasionforincitementsfromwithouttokeepupthedreadfulstateofterroranddepressionintowhichhehadfallen。

For，fromthemorningafterthequarrel，thehorriblewordsandlooksofCatherineneverleftHayes’smemory；butacoldfearfollowedhim——adreadfulprescience。Hestrovetoovercomethisfateasacowardwould——tokneeltoitforcompassion——tocoaxandwheedleitintoforgiveness。HewasslavishlygentletoCatherine，andboreherfiercetauntswithmeanresignation。HetrembledbeforeyoungBillings，whowasnowestablishedinthehouse（hismothersaid，toprotectheragainsttheviolenceofherhusband），andsufferedhisbrutallanguageandconductwithoutventuringtoresist。

Theyoungmanandhismotherlordedoverthehouse：Hayeshardlydaredtospeakintheirpresence；seldomsatwiththefamilyexceptatmeals；butslippedawaytohischamber（hesleptapartnowfromhiswife）orpassedtheeveningatthepublic—house，wherehewasconstrainedtodrink——tospendsomeofhisbelovedsixpencesfordrink！

And，ofcourse，theneighboursbegantosay，"JohnHayesneglectshiswife。""Hetyrannisesoverher，andbeatsher。""Alwaysatthepublic—house，leavinganhonestwomanaloneathome！"

TheunfortunatewretchdidNOThatehiswife。Hewasusedtoher——fondofherasmuchashecouldbefond——sighedtobefriendswithheragain——repeatedlywouldcreep，whimpering，toWood’sroom，whenthelatterwasalone，andbeggedhimtobringaboutareconciliation。TheyWEREreconciled，asmuchasevertheycouldbe。Thewomanlookedathim，thoughtwhatshemightbebutforhim，andscornedandloathedhimwithafeelingthatalmostamountedtoinsanity。Whatnightsshelayawake，weeping，andcursingherselfandhim！Hishumilityandbeseechinglooksonlymadehimmoredespicableandhatefultoher。

IfHayesdidnothatethemother，however，hehatedtheboy——hatedandfearedhimdreadfully。Hewouldhavepoisonedhimifhehadhadthecourage；buthedarednot：hedarednotevenlookathimashesatthere，themasterofthehouse，ininsolenttriumph。OGod！howthelad’sbrutallaughterrunginHayes’sears；andhowthestareofhisfierceboldblackeyespursuedhim！Ofatruth，ifMr。Woodlovedmischief，ashedid，honestlyandpurelyformischief’ssake，hehadenoughhere。Therewasmeanmalice，andfiercescorn，andblackrevenge，andsinfuldesire，boilingupintheheartsofthesewretchedpeople，enoughtocontentMr。Wood’sgreatmasterhimself。

Hayes’sbusiness，aswehavesaid，wasnominallythatofacarpenter；butsince，forthelastfewyears，hehadaddedtoitthatofalenderofmoney，thecarpenter’stradehadbeenneglectedaltogetherforonesomuchmoreprofitable。Mrs。Hayeshadexertedherself，withmuchbenefittoherhusband，inhisusuriousbusiness。

Shewasaresolute，clear—sighted，keenwoman，thatdidnotlovemoney，butlovedtoberichandpushherwayintheworld。Shewouldhavenothingtodowiththetradenow，however，andtoldherhusbandtomanageithimself。Shefeltthatshewasseparatedfromhimforever，andcouldnomorebebroughttoconsiderherinterestsasconnectedwithhisown。

Themanwaswellfittedforthecreepingandnigglingofhisdastardlytrade；andgatheredhismoneys，andbusiedhimselfwithhislawyer，andactedashisownbookkeeperandclerk，notwithoutsatisfaction。Hiswife’sspeculations，whentheyworkedinconcert，usedoftentofrightenhim。Heneversentouthiscapitalwithoutapang，andonlybecausehedarednotquestionhersuperiorjudgmentandwill。Hebegannowtolendnomore：hecouldnotletthemoneyoutofhissight。Hissolepleasurewastocreepupintohisroom，andcountandrecountit。WhenBillingscameintothehouse，HayeshadtakenaroomnexttothatofWood。Itwasaprotectiontohim；

forWoodwouldoftenrebuketheladforusingHayesill：andbothCatherineandTomtreatedtheoldmanwithdeference。

Atlast——itwasafterhehadcollectedagooddealofhismoney——

Hayesbegantoreasonwithhimself，"WhyshouldIstay？——staytobeinsultedbythatboy，ormurderedbyhim？Heisreadyforanycrime。"Hedeterminedtofly。HewouldsendCatherinemoneyeveryyear。No——shehadthefurniture；letherletlodgings——thatwouldsupporther。Hewouldgo，andliveaway，abroadinsomecheapplace——awayfromthatboyandhishorriblethreats。Theideaoffreedomwasagreeabletothepoorwretch；andhebegantowinduphisaffairsasquicklyashecould。

Hayeswouldnowallownoonetomakehisbedorenterhisroom；andWoodcouldhearhimthroughthepanelsfidgetingperpetuallytoandfro，openingandshuttingofchests，andclinkingofcoin。Attheleastsoundhewouldstartup，andwouldgotoBillings’sdoorandlisten。Woodusedtohearhimcreepingthroughthepassages，andreturningstealthilytohisownchamber。

Onedaythewomanandhersonhadbeenangrilytauntinghiminthepresenceofaneighbour。Theneighbourretiredsoon；andHayes，whohadgonewithhimtothedoor，heard，onreturning，thevoiceofWoodintheparlour。Theoldmanlaughedinhisusualsaturnineway，andsaid，"Haveacare，Mrs。Cat；forifHayesweretodiesuddenly，bythelaws，theneighbourswouldaccusetheeofhisdeath。"

Hayesstartedasifhehadbeenshot。"Hetooisintheplot，"

thoughthe。"Theyareallleaguedagainstme：theyWILLkillme：

theyareonlybidingtheirtime。"Fearseizedhim，andhethoughtofflyingthatinstantandleavingall；andhestoleintohisroomandgatheredhismoneytogether。Butonlyahalfofitwasthere：

inafewweeksallwouldhavecomein。Hehadnotthehearttogo。

ButthatnightWoodheardHayespauseatHISdoor，beforehewenttolistenatMrs。Catherine’s。"Whatisthemanthinkingof？"saidWood。"Heisgatheringhismoneytogether。Hasheahoardyonderunknowntousall？"

Woodthoughthewouldwatchhim。Therewasaclosetbetweenthetworooms：Woodboredaholeinthepanel，andpeepedthrough。Hayeshadabraceofpistols，andfourorfivelittlebagsbeforehimonthetable。Oneoftheseheopened，andplaced，onebyone，five—and—twentyguineasintoit。Suchasumhadbeenduethatday——Catherinespokeofitonlyinthemorning；forthedebtor’snamehadbychancebeenmentionedintheconversation。Hayescommonlykeptbutafewguineasinthehouse。Forwhatwasheamassingallthese？Thenextday，Woodaskedforchangeforatwenty—poundbill。Hayessaidhehadbutthreeguineas。And，whenaskedbyCatherinewherethemoneywasthatwaspaidthedaybefore，saidthatitwasatthebanker’s。"Themanisgoingtofly，"saidWood；"thatissure：ifhedoes，Iknowhim——hewillleavehiswifewithoutashilling。"

Hewatchedhimforseveraldaysregularly：twoorthreemorebagswereaddedtotheformernumber。"Theyareprettythings，guineas，"

thoughtWood，"andtellnotales，likebank—bills。"AndhethoughtoverthedayswhenheandMacshaneusedtorideabroadinsearchofthem。

Idon’tknowwhatthoughtsenteredintoMr。Wood’sbrain；butthenextday，afterseeingyoungBillings，towhomheactuallymadeapresentofaguinea，thatyoungman，inconversingwithhismother，said，"Doyouknow，mother，thatifyouwerefree，andmarriedtheCount，Ishouldbealord？It’stheGermanlaw，Mr。Woodsays；andyouknowhewasinthemcountrieswithMarlborough。"

"Ay，thathewould，"saidMr。Wood，"inGermany：butGermanyisn’tEngland；andit’snousetalkingofsuchthings。"

"Hush，child！"saidMrs。Hayes，quiteeagerly："howcan_I_marrytheCount？Besides，a’n’tImarried，andisn’thetoogreatalordforme？"

"Toogreatalord？——notawhit，mother。Ifitwasn’tforHayes，I

mightbealordnow。Hegavemefiveguineasonlylastweek；butcursetheskinflintwhoneverwillpartwithashilling。"

"It’snotsobadashisstrikingyourmother，Tom。Ihadmystickup，andwasreadytofellhimt’othernight，"addedMr。Wood。Andherewithhesmiled，andlookedsteadilyinMrs。Catherine’sface。

Shedarednotlookagain；butshefeltthattheoldmanknewasecretthatshehadbeentryingtohidefromherself。Fool！heknewit；andHayesknewitdimly：andnever，never，sincethatdayofthegala，haditlefther，sleepingorwaking。WhenHayes，inhisfear，hadproposedtosleepawayfromher，shestartedwithjoy：

shehadbeenafraidthatshemighttalkinhersleep，andsoletslipherhorribleconfession。

OldWoodknewallherhistorysincetheperiodoftheMarylebonefete。Hehadwormeditoutofher，daybyday；hehadcounselledherhowtoact；warnedhernottoyield；toprocure，atleast，acertainprovisionforherson，andahandsomesettlementforherself，ifshedeterminedonquittingherhusband。Theoldmanlookedonthebusinessinaproperphilosophicallight，toldherbluntlythathesawshewasbentupongoingoffwiththeCount，andbadehertakeprecautions：elseshemightbeleftasshehadbeenbefore。

Catherinedeniedallthesecharges；butshesawtheCountdaily，notwithstanding，andtookallthemeasureswhichWoodhadrecommendedtoher。Theywereveryprudentones。Galgensteingrewhourlymoreinlove：neverhadhefeltsuchaflame；notinthebestdaysofhisyouth；notforthefairestprincess，countess，oractress，fromViennatoParis。

Atlength——itwasthenightafterhehadseenHayescountinghismoney—bags——oldWoodspoketoMrs。Hayesveryseriously。"Thathusbandofyours，Cat，"saidhe，"meditatessometreason；ay，andfanciesweareaboutsuch。Helistensnightlyatyourdoorandatmine：heisgoingtoleaveyou，besureon’t；andifheleavesyou，heleavesyoutostarve。"

"Icanberichelsewhere，"saidMrs。Cat。

"What，withMax？"

"Ay，withMax：andwhynot？"saidMrs。Hayes。

"Whynot，fool！DoyourecollectBirmingham？DoyouthinkthatGalgenstein，whoissotendernowbecauseheHASN’Twonyou，willbefaithfulbecauseheHAS？Psha，woman，menarenotmadeso！Don’tgotohimuntilyouaresure：ifyouwereawidownow，hewouldmarryyou；butneverleaveyourselfathismercy：ifyouweretoleaveyourhusbandtogotohim，hewoulddesertyouinafortnight！"

ShemighthavebeenaCountess！sheknewshemight，butforthiscursedbarrierbetweenherandherfortune。Woodknewwhatshewasthinkingof，andsmiledgrimly。