\'Noristhatprobable.\'
\'Thenhemayhavethoughtbetterofit.\'
\'Yes,hemayhavethoughtbetterofit;if,indeed,heisnothereallthetime——somewhereinthehollowbehindtheDevil\'sDoor.Letusgoandsee;itwillservehimrighttosurprisehim.\'
\'O,he\'snotthere.\'
\'Hemaybelyingveryquietbecauseofyou,\'shesaidarchly.
\'O,no——notbecauseofme!\'
\'Come,then.Ideclare,dearest,youlaglikeanunwillingschoolboyto-night,andthere\'snoresponsivenessinyou!Youarejealousofthatpoorlad,anditisquiteabsurdofyou.\'
\'I\'llcome!I\'llcome!Saynomore,Harriet!\'Andtheycrossedoverthegreen.
Wonderingwhattheywoulddo,theyoungshepherdleftthehut,anddoubledbehindthebeltoffurze,intendingtostandnearthetrilithonunperceived.But,incrossingthefewyardsofopengroundhewasforamomentexposedtoview.
\'Ah,Iseehimatlast!\'saidtheDuchess.
\'Seehim!\'saidtheDuke.\'Where?\'
\'BytheDevil\'sDoor;don\'tyounoticeafigurethere?Ah,mypoorlover-cousin,won\'tyoucatchitnow?\'Andshelaughedhalf-
pityingly.\'Butwhat\'sthematter?\'sheasked,turningtoherhusband.
\'Itisnothe!\'saidtheDukehoarsely.\'Itcan\'tbehe!\'
\'No,itisnothe.Itistoosmallforhim.Itisaboy.\'
\'Ah,Ithoughtso!Boy,comehere.\'
Theyouthfulshepherdadvancedwithapprehension.
\'Whatareyoudoinghere?\'
\'Keepingsheep,yourGrace.\'
\'Ah,youknowme!Doyoukeepsheephereeverynight?\'
\'Offandon,myLordDuke.\'
\'Andwhathaveyouseenhereto-nightorlastnight?\'inquiredtheDuchess.\'Anypersonwaitingorwalkingabout?\'
Theboywassilent.
\'Hehasseennothing,\'interruptedherhusband,hiseyessoforbiddinglyfixedontheboythattheyseemedtoshinelikepointsoffire.\'Come,letusgo.Theairistookeentostandinlong.\'
Whentheyweregonetheboyretreatedtothehutandsheep,lessfearfulnowthanatfirst——familiaritywiththesituationhavinggraduallyoverpoweredhisthoughtsoftheburiedman.Buthewasnottobeleftalonelong.WhenanintervalhadelapsedofaboutsufficientlengthforwalkingtoandfromShakeforestTowers,thereappearedfromthatdirectiontheheavyformoftheDuke.Henowcamealone.
Thenobleman,onhispart,seemedtohaveeyesnolesssharpthantheboy\'s,forheinstantlyrecognizedthelatteramongtheewes,andcamestraighttowardshim.
\'AreyoutheshepherdladIspoketoashorttimeago?\'
\'Ibe,myLordDuke.\'
\'Nowlistentome.HerGraceaskedyouwhatyouhadseenthislastnightortwouphere,andyoumadenoreply.Inowaskthesamething,andyouneednotbeafraidtoanswer.Haveyouseenanythingstrangethesenightsyouhavebeenwatchinghere?\'
\'MyLordDuke,Ibeapoorheedlessboy,andwhatIseeIdon\'tbearinmind.\'
\'Iaskyouagain,\'saidtheDuke,comingnearer,\'haveyouseenanythingstrangethesenightsyouhavebeenwatchinghere?\'
\'O,myLordDuke!Ibebuttheunder-shepherdboy,andmyfatherhewasbutyourhumbleGrace\'shedger,andmymotheronlythecinder-
womanintheback-yard!Ifallasleepwhenleftalone,andIseenothingatall!\'
TheDukegraspedtheboybytheshoulder,and,directlyimpendingoverhim,stareddownintohisface,\'Didyouseeanythingstrangedoneherelastnight,Isay?\'
\'O,myLordDuke,havemercy,anddon\'tstabme!\'criedtheshepherd,fallingonhisknees.\'Ihaveneverseenyouwalkinghere,orridinghere,orlying-in-waitforaman,ordraggingaheavyload!\'
\'H\'m!\'saidhisinterrogator,grimly,relaxinghishold.\'Itiswelltoknowthatyouhaveneverseenthosethings.Now,whichwouldyourather——SEEMEDOTHOSETHINGSNOW,orkeepasecretallyourlife?\'
\'Keepasecret,myLordDuke!\'
\'Sureyouareable?\'
\'O,yourGrace,tryme!\'
\'Verywell.Andnow,howdoyoulikesheep-keeping?\'
\'Notatall.\'Tislonelyworkforthemthatthinkofspirits,andI\'mbadlyused.\'
\'Ibelieveyou.Youaretooyoungforit.Imustdosomethingtomakeyoumorecomfortable.Youshallchangethissmock-frockforarealclothjacket,andyourthickbootsforpolishedshoes.Andyoushallbetaughtwhatyouhaveneveryetheardof;andbeputtoschool,andhavebatsandballsfortheholidays,andbemadeamanof.Butyoumustneversayyouhavebeenashepherdboy,andwatchedonthehillsatnight,forshepherdboysarenotlikedingoodcompany.
\'Trustme,myLordDuke.\'
\'Theverymomentyouforgetyourself,andspeakofyourshepherddays——thisyear,nextyear,inschool,outofschool,orridinginyourcarriagetwentyyearshence——atthatmomentmyhelpwillbewithdrawn,andsmashdownyoucometoshepherdingforthwith.Youhaveparents,Ithinkyousay?\'
\'Awidowedmotheronly,myLordDuke.\'
\'I\'llprovideforher,andmakeacomfortablewomanofher,untilyouspeakof——what?\'
\'Ofmyshepherddays,andwhatIsawhere.\'
\'Good.Ifyoudospeakofit?\'
\'Smashdownshecomestowidowingforthwith!\'
\'That\'swell——verywell.Butit\'snotenough.Comehere.\'Hetooktheboyacrosstothetrilithon,andmadehimkneeldown.
\'Now,thiswasonceaholyplace,\'resumedtheDuke.\'Analtarstoodhere,erectedtoavenerablefamilyofgods,whowereknownandtalkedoflongbeforetheGodweknownow.Sothatanoathswornhereisdoublyanoath.Saythisafterme:\"Mayallthehostabove——
angelsandarchangels,andprincipalitiesandpowers——punishme;mayIbetormentedwhereverIam——inthehouseorinthegarden,inthefieldsorintheroads,inchurchorinchapel,athomeorabroad,onlandoratsea;mayIbeafflictedineatingandindrinking,ingrowingupandingrowingold,inlivinganddying,inwardlyandoutwardly,andforalways,ifIeverspeakofmylifeasashepherdboy,orofwhatIhaveseendoneonthisMarlburyDown.Sobeit,andsoletitbe.Amenandamen.\"Nowkissthestone.\'
Thetremblingboyrepeatedthewords,andkissedthestone,asdesired.
TheDukeledhimoffbythehand.ThatnightthejuniorshepherdsleptinShakeforestTowers,andthenextdayhewassentawayfortuitiontoaremotevillage.Thencehewenttoapreparatoryestablishment,andinduecoursetoapublicschool.
FOURTHNIGHT
Onawintereveningmanyyearssubsequenttotheabove-mentionedoccurrences,theci-devantshepherdsatinawell-furnishedofficeinthenorthwingofShakeforestTowersintheguiseofanordinaryeducatedmanofbusiness.Heappearedatthistimeasapersonofthirty-eightorforty,thoughactuallyhewasseveralyearsyounger.
Awornandrestlessglanceoftheeyenowandthen,whenheliftedhisheadtosearchforsomeletterorpaperwhichhadbeenmislaid,seemedtodenotethathiswasnotamindsothoroughlyateaseashissurroundingsmighthaveledanobservertoexpect.
Hispallor,too,wasremarkableforacountryman.Hewasprofessedlyengagedinwriting,butheshapednotword.Hehadsatthereonlyafewminutes,when,layingdownhispenandpushingbackhischair,herestedahanduneasilyoneachofthechair-armsandlookedonthefloor.
Soonhearoseandlefttheroom.Hiscoursewasalongapassagewhichendedinacentraloctagonalhall;crossingthisheknockedatadoor.Afaint,thoughdeep,voicetoldhimtocomein.Theroomheenteredwasthelibrary,anditwastenantedbyasinglepersononly——hispatrontheDuke.
DuringthislongintervalofyearstheDukehadlostallhisheavinessofbuild.Hewas,indeed,almostaskeleton;hiswhitehairwasthin,andhishandswerenearlytransparent.\'Oh——Mills?\'
hemurmured.\'Sitdown.Whatisit?\'
\'Nothingnew,yourGrace.Nobodytospeakofhaswritten,andnobodyhascalled.\'
\'Ah——whatthen?Youlookconcerned.\'
\'Oldtimeshavecometolife,owingtosomethingwakingthem.\'
\'Oldtimesbecursed——whicholdtimesarethey?\'
\'ThatChristmasweektwenty-twoyearsago,whenthelateDuchess\'scousinFrederickimploredhertomeethimonMarlburyDowns.Isawthemeeting——itwasjustsuchanightasthis——andI,asyouknow,sawmore.Shemethimonce,butnotthesecondtime.\'
\'Mills,shallIrecallsomewordstoyou——thewordsofanoathtakenonthathillbyashepherd-boy?\'
\'Itisunnecessary.Hehasstrenuouslykeptthatoathandpromise.
Sincethatnightnosoundofhisshepherdlifehascrossedhislips——
eventoyourself.Butdoyouwishtohearmore,ordoyounot,yourGrace?\'
\'Iwishtohearnomore,\'saidtheDukesullenly.
\'Verywell;letitbeso.Butatimeseemscoming——maybequitenearathand——when,inspiteofmylips,thatepisodewillallowitselftogoundivulgednolonger.\'
\'Iwishtohearnomore!\'repeatedtheDuke.
\'Youneedbeundernofearoftreacheryfromme,\'saidthesteward,somewhatbitterly.\'Iamamantowhomyouhavebeenkind——nopatroncouldhavebeenkinder.Youhaveclothedandeducatedme;haveinstalledmehere;andIamnotunmindful.Butwhatofit——hasyourGracegainedmuchbymystanchness?Ithinknot.TherewasgreatexcitementaboutCaptainOgbourne\'sdisappearance,butIspokenotaword.Andhisbodyhasneverbeenfound.Fortwenty-twoyearsI
havewonderedwhatyoudidwithhim.NowIknow.Acircumstancethatoccurredthisafternoonrecalledthetimetomemostforcibly.
Tomakeitcertaintomyselfthatallwasnotadream,Iwentuptherewithaspade;Isearched,andsawenoughtoknowthatsomethingdecaysthereinaclosedbadger\'shole.\'
\'Mills,doyouthinktheDuchessguessed?\'
\'Sheneverdid,Iamsure,tothedayofherdeath.\'
\'Didyouleaveallasyoufounditonthehill?\'
\'Idid.\'
\'Whatmadeyouthinkofgoinguptherethisparticularafternoon?\'
\'WhatyourGracesaysyoudon\'twishtobetold.\'
TheDukewassilent;andthestillnessoftheeveningwassomarkedthattherereachedtheirearsfromtheouterairthesoundofatollingbell.
\'Whatisthatbelltollingfor?\'askedthenobleman.
\'ForwhatIcametotellyouof,yourGrace.\'
\'Youtormentmeitisyourway!\'saidtheDukequerulously.\'Who\'sdeadinthevillage?\'
\'Theoldestman——theoldshepherd.\'
\'Deadatlast——howoldishe?\'
\'Ninety-four.\'
\'AndIamonlyseventy.Ihavefour-and-twentyyearstothegood!\'
\'IservedunderthatoldmanwhenIkeptsheeponMarlburyDowns.
Andhewasonthehillthatsecondnight,whenIfirstexchangedwordswithyourGrace.Hewasonthehillallthetime;butIdidnotknowhewasthere——nordidyou.\'
\'Ah!\'saidtheDuke,startingup.\'Goon——Iyieldthepoint——youmaytell!\'
\'Iheardthisafternoonthathewasatthepointofdeath.Itwasthatwhichsetmethinkingofthatpasttime——andinducedmetosearchonthehillforwhatIhavetoldyou.ComingbackIheardthathewishedtoseetheVicartoconfesstohimasecrethehadkeptformorethantwentyyears——\"outofrespecttomyLordtheDuke\"——somethingthathehadseencommittedonMarlburyDownswhenreturningtotheflockonaDecembernighttwenty-twoyearsago.I
havethoughtitover.Hehadleftmeinchargethatevening;buthewasinthehabitofcomingbacksuddenly,lestIshouldhavefallenasleep.ThatnightIsawnothingofhim,thoughhehadpromisedtoreturn.Hemusthavereturned,and——foundreasontokeepinhiding.
Itisallplain.ThenextthingisthattheVicarwenttohimtwohoursago.FurtherthanthatIhavenotheard.\'
\'Itisquiteenough.IwillseetheVicaratdaybreakto-morrow.\'
\'Whattodo?\'
\'Stophistongueforfour-and-twentyyears——tillIamdeadatninety-
four,liketheshepherd.\'
\'YourGrace——whileyouimposesilenceonme,Iwillnotspeak,eventhoughnayneckshouldpaythepenalty.Ipromisedtobeyours,andIamyours.Butisthispersistenceofanyavail?\'
\'I\'llstophistongue,Isay!\'criedtheDukewithsomeofhisoldruggedforce.\'Now,yougohometobed,Mills,andleavemetomanagehim.\'
Theinterviewended,andthestewardwithdrew.Thenight,ashehadsaid,wasjustsuchanoneasthenightoftwenty-twoyearsbefore,andtheeventsoftheeveningdestroyedinhimallregardfortheseasonasoneofcheerfulnessandgoodwill.Hewentofftohisownhouseonthefurthervergeofthepark,whereheledalonelylife,scarcelycallinganymanfriend.Atelevenhepreparedtoretiretobed——butdidnotretire.Hesatdownandreflected.Twelveo\'clockstruck;helookedoutatthecolourlessmoon,and,promptedbyheknewnotwhat,putonhishatandemergedintotheair.HereWilliamMillsstrolledonandon,tillhereachedthetopofMarlburyDowns,aspothehadnotvisitedatthishourofthenightduringthewholescore-and-oddyears.
Heplacedhimself,asnearlyashecouldguess,onthespotwheretheshepherd\'shuthadstood.Nolambingwasinprogresstherenow,andtheoldshepherdwhohadusedhimsoroughlyhadceasedfromhislaboursthatveryday.Butthetrilithonstoodupwhiteasever;
and,crossingtheinterveningsward,thestewardfancifullyplacedhismouthagainstthestone.Restlessandself-reproachfulashewas,hecouldnotresistasmileashethoughtoftheterrifyingoathofcompact,sealedbyakissuponthestonesofaPagantemple.Buthehadkepthisword,ratherasapromisethanasaformalvow,withmuchworldlyadvantagetohimself,thoughnotmuchhappiness;tillincreaseofyearshadbredreactionaryfeelingswhichledhimtoreceivethenewsofto-nightwithemotionsakintorelief.
WhileleaningagainsttheDevil\'sDoorandthinkingonthesethings,hebecameconsciousthathewasnottheonlyinhabitantofthedown.
Afigureinwhitewasmovingacrosshisfrontwithlong,noiselessstrides.Millsstoodmotionless,andwhentheformdrewquitenearheperceivedittobethatoftheDukehimselfinhisnightshirt——
apparentlywalkinginhissleep.Nottoalarmtheoldman,Millsclungclosetotheshadowofthestone.TheDukewentstraightonintothehollow.Therehekneltdown,andbeganscratchingtheearthwithhishandslikeabadger.Afterafewminuteshearose,sighedheavily,andretracedhisstepsashehadcome.
Fearingthathemightharmhimself,yetunwillingtoarousehim,thestewardfollowednoiselessly.TheDukekeptonhispathunerringly,enteredthepark,andmadeforthehouse,wherehelethimselfinbyawindowthatstoodopen——theoneprobablybywhichhehadcomeout.
Millssoftlyclosedthewindowbehindhispatron,andthenretiredhomewardtoawaittherevelationsofthemorning,deemingitunnecessarytoalarmthehouse.
However,hefeltuneasyduringtheremainderofthenight,nolessonaccountoftheDuke\'spersonalconditionthanbecauseofthatwhichwasimminentnextday.EarlyinthemorninghecalledatShakeforestTowers.Theblindsweredown,andtherewassomethingsingularupontheporter\'sfacewhenheopenedthedoor.ThestewardinquiredfortheDuke.
Theman\'svoicewassubduedashereplied:\'Sir,IamsorrytosaythathisGraceisdead!Helefthisroomsometimeinthenight,andwanderedaboutnobodyknowswhere.Onreturningtotheupperfloorhelosthisbalanceandfelldownstairs.\'
ThestewardtoldthetaleoftheDownbeforetheVicarhadspoken.
MillshadalwaysintendedtodosoafterthedeathoftheDuke.Theconsequencestohimselfheunderwentcheerfully;buthislifewasnotprolonged.Hedied,afarmerattheCape,whenstillsomewhatunderforty-nineyearsofage.
ThesplendidMarlburybreedingflockisasrenownedasever,and,totheeye,seemsthesameineveryparticularthatitwasinearliertimes;buttheanimalswhichcomposeditontheoccasionoftheeventsgatheredfromtheJusticearedividedbymanyovinegenerationsfromitsmembersnow.LambingCornerhaslongsinceceasedtobeusedforlambingpurposes,thoughthenamestilllingersonastheappellationofthespot.Thisabandonmentofsitemaybepartlyowingtotheremovalofthehighfurzebusheswhichlentsuchconvenientshelteratthatdate.Partly,too,itmaybeduetoanothercircumstance.ForitissaidbypresentshepherdsinthatdistrictthatduringthenightsofChristmasweekflittingshapesareseenintheopenspacearoundthetrilithon,togetherwiththegleamofaweapon,andtheshadowofamandraggingaburdenintothehollow.Butofthesethingsthereisnocertaintestimony.
Christmas1881.
ACOMMITTEE-MANOF\'THETERROR\'
WehadbeentalkingoftheGeorgiangloriesofourold-fashionedwatering-place,whichnow,withitssubstantialrusset-redanddunbrickbuildingsinthestyleoftheyeareighteenhundred,lookslikeonesideofaSohoorBloomsburyStreettransportedtotheshore,anddrawsasmilefromthemoderntouristwhohasnoeyeforsolidityofbuild.Thewriter,quiteayouth,waspresentmerelyasalistener.
Theconversationproceededfromgeneralsubjectstoparticular,untiloldMrs.H——,whosememorywasasperfectateightyasithadeverbeeninherlife,interestedusallbytheobviousfidelitywithwhichsherepeatedastorymanytimesrelatedtoherbyhermotherwhenouragedfriendwasagirl——adomesticdramamuchaffectingthelifeofanacquaintanceofhersaidparent,oneMademoiselleV——,ateacherofFrench.Theincidentsoccurredinthetownduringtheheydayofitsfortunes,atthetimeofourbriefpeacewithFrancein1802-3.
\'Iwroteitdownintheshapeofastorysomeyearsago,justaftermymother\'sdeath,\'saidMrs.H.\'Itislockedupinmydesktherenow.\'
\'Readit!\'saidwe.
\'No,\'saidshe;\'thelightisbad,andIcanrememberitwellenough,wordforword,flourishesandall.\'Wecouldnotbechoosersinthecircumstances,andshebegan.
\'Therearetwoinit,ofcourse,themanandthewoman,anditwasonaneveninginSeptemberthatshefirstgottoknowhim.TherehadnotbeensuchagrandgatheringontheEsplanadealltheseason.HisMajestyKingGeorgetheThirdwaspresent,withalltheprincessesandroyaldukes,whileupwardsofthreehundredofthegeneralnobilityandotherpersonsofdistinctionwerealsointhetownatthetime.CarriagesandotherconveyanceswerearrivingeveryminutefromLondonandelsewhere;andwhenamongtherestashabbystage-
coachcameinbyaby-routealongthecoastfromHavenpool,anddrewupatasecond-ratetavern,itattractedcomparativelylittlenotice.
\'Fromthisdustyvehicleamanalighted,lefthissmallquantityofluggagetemporarilyattheoffice,andwalkedalongthestreetasiftolookforlodgings.
\'Hewasaboutforty-five——possiblyfifty——andworealongcoatoffadedsuperfinecloth,withaheavycollar,andahunched-upneckcloth.Heseemedtodesireobscurity.
\'Butthedisplayappearedpresentlytostrikehim,andheaskedofarustichemetinthestreetwhatwasgoingon;hisaccentbeingthatofonetowhomEnglishpronunciationwasdifficult.
\'Thecountrymanlookedathimwithaslightsurprise,andsaid,\"KingJargeishereandhisroyalCwort.\"
\'Thestrangerinquirediftheyweregoingtostaylong.
\'\"Don\'tknow,Sir.Sameastheyalwaysdo,Isuppose.\"
\'\"Howlongisthat?\"
\'\"TillsometimeinOctober.They\'vecomehereeverysummersinceeighty-nine.\"
\'ThestrangermovedonwarddownSt.ThomasStreet,andapproachedthebridgeovertheharbourbackwater,thatthen,asnow,connectedtheoldtownwiththemoremodernportion.Thespotwassweptwiththeraysofalowsun,whichlituptheharbourlengthwise,andshoneunderthebrimoftheman\'shatandintohiseyesashelookedwestward.Againsttheradiancefigureswerecrossingintheoppositedirectiontohisown;amongthemthisladyofmymother\'slateracquaintance,MademoiselleV.ShewasthedaughterofagoodoldFrenchfamily,andatthatdateapalewoman,twenty-eightorthirtyyearsofage,tallandelegantinfigure,butplainlydressedandwearingthateveningshesaidasmallmuslinshawlcrossedoverthebosominthefashionofthetime,andtiedbehind.
\'Atsightofhisface,which,assheusedtotellus,wasunusuallydistinctinthepeeringsunlight,shecouldnothelpgivingalittleshriekofhorror,foraterriblereasonconnectedwithherhistory,andafterwalkingafewstepsfurther,shesankdownagainsttheparapetofthebridgeinafaintingfit.
\'Inhispreoccupationtheforeigngentlemanhadhardlynoticedher,butherstrangecollapseimmediatelyattractedhisattention.Hequicklycrossedthecarriageway,pickedherup,andcarriedherintothefirstshopadjoiningthebridge,explainingthatshewasaladywhohadbeentakenilloutside.
\'Shesoonrevived;but,clearlymuchpuzzled,herhelperperceivedthatshestillhadadreadofhimwhichwassufficienttohinderhercompleterecoveryofself-command.Shespokeinaquickandnervouswaytotheshopkeeper,askinghimtocallacoach.
\'Thistheshopkeeperdid,MademoiselleV——andthestrangerremaininginconstrainedsilencewhilehewasgone.Thecoachcameup,andgivingthemantheaddress,sheentereditanddroveaway.
\'\"Whoisthatlady?\"saidthenewlyarrivedgentleman.
\'\"She\'sofyournation,asIshouldmakeboldtosuppose,\"saidtheshopkeeper.AndhetoldtheotherthatshewasMademoiselleV——,governessatGeneralNewbold\'s,inthesametown.
\'\"Youhavemanyforeignershere?\"thestrangerinquired.
\'\"Yes,thoughmostlyHanoverians.ButsincethepeacetheyarelearningFrenchagooddealingenteelsociety,andFrenchinstructorsareratherindemand.\"
\'\"Yes,Iteachit,\"saidthevisitor.\"Iamlookingforatutorshipinanacademy.\"
\'TheinformationgivenbytheburgesstotheFrenchmanseemedtoexplaintothelatternothingofhiscountrywoman\'sconduct——which,indeed,wasthecase——andhelefttheshop,takinghiscourseagainoverthebridgeandalongthesouthquaytotheOldRoomsInn,whereheengagedabedchamber.
\'Thoughtsofthewomanwhohadbetrayedsuchagitationatsightofhimlingerednaturallyenoughwiththenewcomer.Though,asI
stated,notmuchlessthanthirtyyearsofage,MademoiselleV——,oneofhisownnation,andofhighlyrefinedanddelicateappearance,hadkindledasingularinterestinthemiddle-agedgentleman\'sbreast,andherlargedarkeyes,astheyhadopenedandshrunkfromhim,exhibitedapatheticbeautytowhichhardlyanymancouldhavebeeninsensible.
\'Thenextday,havingwrittensomeletters,hewentoutandmadeknownattheofficeofthetown\"Guide\"andofthenewspaper,thatateacherofFrenchandcalligraphyhadarrived,leavingacardatthebookseller\'stothesameeffect.Hethenwalkedonaimlessly,butatlengthinquiredthewaytoGeneralNewbold\'s.Atthedoor,withoutgivinghisname,heaskedtoseeMademoiselleV——,andwasshownintoalittlebackparlour,whereshecametohimwithagazeofsurprise.
\'\"MyGod!Whydoyouintrudehere,Monsieur?\"shegaspedinFrenchassoonasshesawhisface.
\'\"Youweretakenillyesterday.Ihelpedyou.YoumighthavebeenrunoverifIhadnotpickedyouup.Itwasanactofsimplehumanitycertainly;butIthoughtImightcometoaskifyouhadrecovered?\"
\'Shehadturnedaside,andhadscarcelyheardawordofhisspeech.
\"Ihateyou,infamousman!\"shesaid.\"Icannotbearyourhelpingme.Goaway!\"
\'\"Butyouareastrangertome.\"
\'\"Iknowyoutoowell!\"
\'\"Youhavetheadvantagethen,Mademoiselle.Iamanewcomerhere.
Ineverhaveseenyoubeforetomyknowledge;andIcertainlydonot,couldnot,hateyou.\"
\'\"AreyounotMonsieurB——?\"
\'Heflinched.\"Iam——inParis,\"hesaid.\"ButhereIamMonsieurG.
\"
\'\"Thatistrivial.YouarethemanIsayyouare.\"
\'\"Howdidyouknowmyrealname,Mademoiselle?\"
\'\"Isawyouinyearsgoneby,whenyoudidnotseeme.YouwereformerlyMemberoftheCommitteeofPublicSafety,undertheConvention.\"
\"Iwas.\"
\'\"Youguillotinedmyfather,mybrother,myuncle——allmyfamily,nearly,andbrokemymother\'sheart.Theyhaddonenothingbutkeepsilence.Theirsentimentswereonlyguessed.TheirheadlesscorpseswerethrownindiscriminatelyintotheditchoftheMousseauxCemetery,anddestroyedwithlime.\"
\'Henodded.
\'\"Youleftmewithoutafriend,andhereIamnow,aloneinaforeignland.\"
\'\"Iamsorryforyou,\"saidbe.\"Sorryfortheconsequence,notfortheintent.WhatIdidwasamatterofconscience,and,fromapointofviewindiscerniblebyyou,Ididright.Iprofitednotafarthing.ButIshallnotarguethis.Youhavethesatisfactionofseeingmehereanexilealso,inpoverty,betrayedbycomrades,asfriendlessasyourself.\"
\'\"Itisnosatisfactiontome,Monsieur.\"
\'\"Well,thingsdonecannotbealtered.Nowthequestion:areyouquiterecovered?\"
\'\"Notfromdislikeanddreadofyou——otherwise,yes.\"
\'\"Goodmorning,Mademoiselle.\"
\'\"Goodmorning.\"
\'Theydidnotmeetagaintilloneeveningatthetheatrewhichmymother\'sfriendwaswithgreatdifficultyinducedtofrequent,toperfectherselfinEnglishpronunciation,theideasheentertainedatthattimebeingtobecomeateacherofEnglishinherowncountrylateron.Shefoundhimsittingnexttoher,anditmadeherpaleandrestless.
\'\"Youarestillafraidofme?\"
\'\"Iam.Ocannotyouunderstand!\"
\'Hesignifiedtheaffirmative.
\'\"Ifollowtheplaywithdifficulty,\"hesaid,presently.
\'\"SodoI——NOW,\"saidshe.
\'Heregardedherlong,andshewasconsciousofhislook;andwhileshekepthereyesonthestagetheyfilledwithtears.Stillshewouldnotmove,andthetearsranvisiblydownhercheek,thoughtheplaywasamerryone,beingnootherthanMr.Sheridan\'scomedyof\"TheRivals,\"withMr.S.KembleasCaptainAbsolute.Hesawherdistress,andthathermindwaselsewhere;andabruptlyrisingfromhisseatatcandle-snuffingtimeheleftthetheatre.
\'Thoughhelivedintheoldtown,andsheinthenew,theyfrequentlysaweachotheratadistance.Oneoftheseoccasionswaswhenshewasonthenorthsideoftheharbour,bytheferry,waitingfortheboattotakeheracross.HewasstandingbyCoveRow,onthequayopposite.Insteadofenteringtheboatwhenitarrivedshesteppedbackfromthequay;butlookingtoseeifheremainedshebeheldhimpointingwithhisfingertotheferry-boat.
\'\"Enter!\"hesaid,inavoiceloudenoughtoreachher.
\'MademoiselleV——stoodstill.
\'\"Enter!\"hesaid,and,asshedidnotmove,herepeatedthewordathirdtime.
\'Shehadreallybeengoingtocross,andnowapproachedandsteppeddownintotheboat.Thoughshedidnotraisehereyessheknewthathewaswatchingherover.Atthelandingstepsshesawfromunderthebrimofherhatahandstretcheddown.Thestepsweresteepandslippery.
\'\"No,Monsieur,\"shesaid.\"Unless,indeed,youbelieveinGod,andrepentofyourevilpast!\"
\'\"Iamsorryyouweremadetosuffer.ButIonlybelieveinthegodcalledReason,andIdonotrepent.Iwastheinstrumentofanationalprinciple.Yourfriendswerenotsacrificedforanyendsofmine.\"
\'Shethereuponwithheldherhand,andclamberedupunassisted.Hewenton,ascendingtheLook-outHill,anddisappearingoverthebrow.
Herwaywasinthesamedirection,hererrandbeingtobringhomethetwoyounggirlsunderhercharge,whohadgonetothecliffforanairing.Whenshejoinedthematthetopshesawhissolitaryfigureatthefurtheredge,standingmotionlessagainstthesea.Allthewhilethatsheremainedwithherpupilshestoodwithoutturning,asiflookingatthefrigatesintheroadstead,butmoreprobablyinmeditation,unconsciouswherehewas.Inleavingthespotoneofthechildrenthrewawayhalfasponge-biscuitthatshehadbeeneating.
Passingnearithestooped,pickeditupcarefully,andputitinhispocket.
\'MademoiselleV——camehomeward,askingherself,\"Canhebestarving?\"
\'Fromthatdayhewasinvisibleforsolongatimethatshethoughthehadgoneawayaltogether.Butoneeveninganotecametoher,andsheopenedittrembling.
\'\"Iamhereill,\"itsaid,\"and,asyouknow,alone.ThereareoneortwolittlethingsIwantdone,incasemydeathshouldoccur,——andIshouldprefernottoaskthepeoplehere,ifitcouldbeavoided.
Haveyouenoughofthegiftofcharitytocomeandcarryoutmywishesbeforeitistoolate?\"
\'Nowsoitwasthat,sinceseeinghimpossesshimselfofthebrokencake,shehadinsensiblybeguntofeelsomethingthatwasmorethancuriosity,thoughperhapslessthananxiety,aboutthisfellow-
countrymanofhers;anditwasnotinhernervousandsensitivehearttoresisthisappeal.ShefoundhislodgingtowhichhehadremovedfromtheOldRoomsinnforeconomytobearoomoverashop,half-
wayupthesteepandnarrowstreetoftheoldtown,towhichthefashionablevisitorsseldompenetrated.Withsomemisgivingsheenteredthehouse,andwasadmittedtothechamberwherehelay.
\'\"Youaretoogood,toogood,\"hemurmured.Andpresently,\"Youneednotshutthedoor.Youwillfeelsafer,andtheywillnotunderstandwhatwesay.\"
\'\"Areyouinwant,Monsieur?CanIgiveyou——\"
\'\"No,no.ImerelywantyoutodoatriflingthingortwothatI
havenotstrengthenoughtodomyself.NobodyinthetownbutyouknowswhoIreallyam——unlessyouhavetold?\"
\'\"IhavenottoldIthoughtyouMIGHThaveactedfromprincipleinthosesaddays,even——\"
\'\"Youarekindtoconcedethatmuch.However,tothepresent.IwasabletodestroymyfewpapersbeforeIbecamesoweakButinthedrawerthereyouwillfindsomepiecesoflinenclothing——onlytwoorthree——markedwithinitialsthatmayberecognized.Willyouripthemoutwithapenknife?\"
\'Shesearchedasbidden,foundthegarments,cutoutthestitchesofthelettering,andreplacedthelinenasbefore.Apromisetopost,intheeventofhisdeath,aletterheputinherhand,completedallthatherequiredofher.
\'Hethankedher.\"Ithinkyouseemsorryforme,\"hemurmured.\"AndIamsurprised.Youaresorry?\"
\'Sheevadedthequestion.\"Doyourepentandbelieve?\"sheasked.
\'\"No.\"
\'Contrarytoherexpectationsandhisownherecovered,thoughveryslowly;andhermannergrewmoredistantthenceforward,thoughhisinfluenceuponherwasdeeperthansheknew.Weekspassedaway,andthemonthofMayarrived.Onedayatthistimeshemethimwalkingslowlyalongthebeachtothenorthward.
\'\"Youknowthenews?\"hesaid.
\'\"YoumeanoftherupturebetweenFranceandEnglandagain?\"
\'\"Yes;andthefeelingofantagonismisstrongerthanitwasinthelastwar,owingtoBonaparte\'shigh-handedarrestoftheinnocentEnglishwhoweretravellinginourcountryforpleasure.Ifeelthatthewarwillbelongandbitter;andthatmywishtoliveunknowninEnglandwillbefrustrated.Seehere.\"
\'Hetookfromhispocketapieceofthesinglenewspaperwhichcirculatedinthecountyinthosedays,andsheread-
\"ThemagistratesactingundertheAlienActhavebeenrequestedtodirectaveryscrutinizingeyetotheAcademiesinourtownsandotherplaces,inwhichFrenchtutorsareemployed,andtoallofthatnationalitywhoprofesstobeteachersinthiscountry.ManyofthemareknowntobeinveterateEnemiesandTraitorstothenationamongwhosepeopletheyhavefoundalivelihoodandahome.\"
\'Hecontinued:\"Ihaveobservedsincethedeclarationofwaramarkeddifferenceintheconductoftherougherclassofpeopleheretowardsme.Ifagreatbattleweretooccur——asitsoonwill,nodoubt——feelingwouldgrowtoapitchthatwouldmakeitimpossibleforme,adisguisedmanofnoknownoccupation,tostayhere.Withyou,whosedutiesandantecedentsareknown,itmaybelessdifficult,butstillunpleasant.NowIproposethis.Youhaveprobablyseenhowmydeepsympathywithyouhasquickenedtoawarmfeeling;andwhatIsayis,willyouagreetogivemeatitletoprotectyoubyhonouringmewithyourhand?Iamolderthanyou,itistrue,butashusbandandwifewecanleaveEnglandtogether,andmakethewholeworldourcountry.ThoughIwouldproposeQuebec,inCanada,astheplacewhichoffersthebestpromiseofahome.\"
\'\"MyGod!Yousurpriseme!\"saidshe.
\'\"Butyouacceptmyproposal?\"
\'\"No,no!\"
\'\"AndyetIthinkyouwill,Mademoiselle,someday!\"
\'\"Ithinknot.\"
\'\"Iwon\'tdistressyoufurthernow.\"
\'\"MuchthanksIamgladtoseeyoulookingbetter,Monsieur;I
meanyouarelookingbetter.\"
\'\"Ah,yes.Iamimproving.Iwalkinthesuneveryday.\"
\'Andalmosteverydayshesawhim——sometimesnoddingstifflyonly,sometimesexchangingformalcivilities.\"Youarenotgoneyet,\"shesaidononeoftheseoccasions.
\'\"No.AtpresentIdon\'tthinkofgoingwithoutyou.\"
\'\"Butyoufindituncomfortablehere?\"
\'\"Somewhat.Sowhenwillyouhavepityonme?\"
\'Sheshookherheadandwentonherway.Yetshewasalittlemoved.
\"Hediditonprinciple,\"shewouldmurmur.\"Hehadnoanimositytowardsthem,andprofitednothing!\"
\'Shewonderedhowhelived.Itwasevidentthathecouldnotbesopoorasshehadthought;hispretendedpovertymightbetoescapenotice.Shecouldnottell,butsheknewthatshewasdangerouslyinterestedinhim.
\'Andhestillmended,tillhisthin,palefacebecamemorefullandfirm.Ashemendedshehadtomeetthatrequestofhis,advancedwithevenstrongerinsistency.
\'ThearrivaloftheKingandCourtfortheseasonasusualbroughtmatterstoaclimaxforthesetwolonelyexilesandfellowcountry-
people.TheKing\'sawkwardpreferenceforapartofthecoastinsuchdangerousproximitytoFrancemadeitnecessarythatastrictmilitaryvigilanceshouldbeexercisedtoguardtheroyalresidents.
Half-a-dozenfrigateswereeverynightpostedinalineacrossthebay,andtwolinesofsentinels,oneatthewater\'sedgeandanotherbehindtheEsplanade,occupiedthewholesea-frontaftereighteverynight.Thewatering-placewasgrowinganinconvenientresidenceevenforMademoiselleV——herself,herfriendshipforthisstrangeFrenchtutorandwriting-masterwhoneverhadanypupilshavingbeenobservedbymanywhoslightlyknewher.TheGeneral\'swife,whosedependentshewas,repeatedlywarnedheragainsttheacquaintance;
whiletheHanoverianandothersoldiersoftheForeignLegion,whohaddiscoveredthenationalityofherfriend,weremoreaggressivethantheEnglishmilitarygallantswhomadeittheirbusinesstonoticeher.
\'Inthistensestateofaffairsheranswersbecamemoreagitated.\"O
Heaven,howcanImarryyou!\"shewouldsay.
\'\"Youwill;surelyyouwill!\"heansweredagain.\"Idon\'tleavewithoutyou.AndIshallsoonbeinterrogatedbeforethemagistratesifIstayhere;probablyimprisoned.Youwillcome?\"
\'Shefeltherdefencesbreakingdown.Contrarytoallreasonandsenseoffamilyhonourshewas,bysomeabnormalcraving,incliningtoatendernessforhimthatwasfoundedonitsopposite.Sometimesherwarmsentimentsburntlowerthanatothers,andthentheenormityofherconductshoweditselfinmorestaringhues.
\'Shortlyafterthishecamewitharesignedlookonhisface.\"ItisasIexpected,\"hesaid.\"Ihavereceivedahinttogo.Ingoodsooth,IamnoBonapartist——IamnoenemytoEngland;butthepresenceoftheKingmadeitimpossibleforaforeignerwithnovisibleoccupation,andwhomaybeaspy,toremainatlargeinthetown.Theauthoritiesarecivil,butfirm.Theyarenomorethanreasonable.Good.Imustgo.Youmustcomealso.\"
\'Shedidnotspeak.Butshenoddedassent,hereyesdrooping.
\'OnherwaybacktothehouseontheEsplanadeshesaidtoherself,\"Iamglad,Iamglad!Icouldnotdootherwise.Itisrenderinggoodforevil!\"Butsheknewhowshemockedherselfinthis,andthatthemoralprinciplehadnotoperatedonejotinheracceptanceofhim.Intruthshehadnotrealizedtillnowthefullpresenceoftheemotionwhichhadunconsciouslygrownupinherforthislonelyandsevereman,who,inhertradition,wasvengeanceandirreligionpersonified.Heseemedtoabsorbherwholenature,and,absorbing,tocontrolit.
\'AdayortwobeforetheonefixedfortheweddingtherechancedtocometoheraletterfromtheonlyacquaintanceofherownsexandcountryshepossessedinEngland,onetowhomshehadsentintelligenceofherapproachingmarriage,withoutmentioningwithwhom.Thisfriend\'smisfortuneshadbeensomewhatsimilartoherown,whichfacthadbeenonecauseoftheirintimacy;herfriend\'ssister,anunoftheAbbeyofMontmartre,havingperishedonthescaffoldatthehandsofthesameComitedeSalutPublicwhichhadnumberedMademoiselleV——\'saffiancedamongitsmembers.Thewriterhadfeltherpositionmuchagainoflate,sincetherenewalofthewar,shesaid;andtheletterwoundupwithafreshdenunciationoftheauthorsoftheirmutualbereavementandsubsequenttroubles.
\'Comingjustthen,itscontentsproduceduponMademoiselleV——theeffectofapailofwateruponasomnambulist.Whathadshebeendoinginbetrothingherselftothisman!Wasshenotmakingherselfaparricideaftertheevent?Atthiscrisisinherfeelingsherlovercalled.Hebeheldhertrembling,and,inreplytohisquestion,shetoldhimofherscrupleswithimpulsivecandour.
\'Shehadnotintendedtodothis,buthisattitudeoftendercommandcoercedherintofrankness.Thereuponheexhibitedanagitationneverbeforeapparentinhim.Hesaid,\"Butallthatispast.YouarethesymbolofCharity,andwearepledgedtoletbygonesbe.\"
\'Hiswordssoothedherforthemoment,butshewassadlysilent,andhewentaway.
\'Thatnightshesawasshefirmlybelievedtotheendofherlifeadivinelysentvision.Aprocessionofherlostrelatives——father,brother,uncle,cousin——seemedtocrossherchamberbetweenherbedandthewindow,andwhensheendeavouredtotracetheirfeaturessheperceivedthemtobeheadless,andthatshehadrecognizedthembytheirfamiliarclothesonly.Inthemorningshecouldnotshakeofftheeffectsofthisappearanceonhernerves.Allthatdayshesawnothingofherwooer,hebeingoccupiedinmakingarrangementsfortheirdeparture.Itgrewtowardsevening——themarriageeve;but,inspiteofhisre-assuringvisit,hersenseoffamilydutywaxedstrongernowthatshewasleftalone.Yet,sheaskedherself,howcouldshe,aloneandunprotected,goatthiseleventhhourandreasserttoanaffiancedhusbandthatshecouldnotandwouldnotmarryhimwhileadmittingatthesametimethatshelovedhim?Thesituationdismayedher.Shehadrelinquishedherpostasgoverness,andwasstayingtemporarilyinaroomnearthecoach-office,wheresheexpectedhimtocallinthemorningtocarryoutthebusinessoftheirunionanddeparture.
\'Wiselyorfoolishly,MademoiselleV——cametoaresolution:thatheronlysafetylayinflight.Hiscontiguityinfluencedhertoosensibly;shecouldnotreason.Sopackingupherfewpossessionsandplacingonthetablethesmallsumsheowed,shewentoutprivately,securedalastavailableseatintheLondoncoach,and,almostbeforeshehadfullyweighedheraction,shewasrollingoutofthetownintheduskoftheSeptemberevening.
\'Havingtakenthisstartlingstepshebegantoreflectuponherreasons.HehadbeenoneofthattragicCommitteethesoundofwhosenamewasahorrortothecivilizedworld;yethehadbeenonlyoneofseveralmembers,and,itseemed,notthemostactive.Hehadmarkeddownnamesonprinciple,hadfeltnopersonalenmityagainsthisvictims,andhadenrichedhimselfnotasououtoftheofficehehadheld.Nothingcouldchangethepast.Meanwhilehelovedher,andherheartinclinedtoasmuchofhimasshecoulddetachfromthatpast.Whynot,ashehadsuggested,burymemories,andinaugurateanewerabythisunion?Inotherwords,whynotindulgehertenderness,sinceitsnullificationcoulddonogood.
\'Thussheheldself-communioninherseatinthecoach,passingthroughCasterbridge,andShottsford,andontotheWhiteHartatMelchester,atwhichplacethewholefabricofherrecentintentionscrumbleddown.Betterbestaunchhavinggotsofar;letthingstaketheircourse,andmarryboldlythemanwhohadsoimpressedher.Howgreathewas;howsmallwasshe!Andshehadpresumedtojudgehim!
Abandoningherplaceinthecoachwiththeprecipitancythathadcharacterizedhertakingit,shewaitedtillthevehiclehaddrivenoff,somethinginthedepartingshapesoftheoutsidepassengersagainstthestarlitskygivingherastart,assheafterwardsremembered.Presentlythedowncoach,\"TheMorningHerald,\"enteredthecity,andshehastilyobtainedaplaceonthetop.
\'\"I\'llbefirm——I\'llbehis——ifitcostmemyimmortalsoul!\"shesaid.Andwithtroubledbreathingsshejourneyedbackovertheroadshehadjusttraced.
\'Shereachedourroyalwatering-placebythetimethedaybroke,andherfirstaimwastogetbacktothehiredroominwhichherlastfewdayshadbeenspent.WhenthelandladyappearedatthedoorinresponsetoMademoiselleV——\'snervoussummons,sheexplainedhersuddendepartureandreturnasbestshecould;andnoobjectionbeingofferedtoherre-engagementoftheroomforonedaylongersheascendedtothechamberandsatdownpanting.Shewasbackoncemore,andherwildtergiversationswereasecretfromhimwhomalonetheyconcerned.
\'Asealedletterwasonthemantelpiece.\"Yes,itisdirectedtoyou,Mademoiselle,\"saidthewomanwhohadfollowedher.\"Butwewerewonderingwhattodowithit.Atownmessengerbroughtitafteryouhadgonelastnight.\"
\'Whenthelandladyhadleft,MademoiselleV——openedtheletterandread-
\"MYDEARANDHONOUREDFRIEND——Youhavebeenthroughoutouracquaintanceabsolutelycandidconcerningyourmisgivings.ButI
havebeenreservedconcerningmine.Thatisthedifferencebetweenus.Youprobablyhavenotguessedthateveryqualmyouhavefeltonthesubjectofourmarriagehasbeenparalleledinmyhearttothefull.Thusithappenedthatyourinvoluntaryoutburstofremorseyesterday,thoughmechanicallydeprecatedbymeinyourpresence,wasalastiteminmyowndoubtsonthewisdomofourunion,givingthemaforcethatIcouldnolongerwithstand.Icamehome;and,onreflection,muchasIhonourandadoreyou,Idecidetosetyoufree.
\"Asonewhoselifehasbeendevoted,andImaysaysacrificed,tothecauseofLiberty,Icannotallowyourjudgmentprobablyapermanentonetobefetteredbeyondreleasebyafeelingwhichmaybetransientonly.
\"ItwouldbenolessthanexcruciatingtoboththatIshouldannouncethisdecisiontoyoubywordofmouth.Ihavethereforetakenthelesspainfulcourseofwriting.BeforeyoureceivethisIshallhaveleftthetownbytheeveningcoachforLondon,onreachingwhichcitymymovementswillberevealedtonone.
\"Regardme,Mademoiselle,asdead,andacceptmyrenewedassurancesofrespect,remembrance,andaffection.\"
\'Whenshehadrecoveredfromhershockofsurpriseandgrief,sherememberedthatatthestartingofthecoachoutofMelchesterbeforedawn,theshapeofafigureamongtheoutsidepassengersagainstthestarlitskyhadcausedheramomentarystart,fromitsresemblancetothatofherfriend.Knowingnothingofeachother\'sintentions,andscreenedfromeachotherbythedarkness,theyhadleftthetownbythesameconveyance.\"He,thegreater,persevered;I,thesmaller,returned!\"shesaid.