\'Idon\'ttauntyou.Ispeakthetruth,purelyinafriendlyway,asIshouldtoanyoneIwishedwell.ThoughforthatmatterImighthavesomeexcuseevenfortauntingyou.Suchaterriblehurryasyou\'vebeenin.Ihateawomanwhoisinsuchahurry.\'
\'Howdoyoumeanthat?\'
\'Why——tobesomebody\'swifeorother——anything\'swiferatherthannobody\'s.Youcouldn\'twaitforme,O,no.Well,thankGod,I\'mcuredofallthat!\'
\'Howmercilessyouare!\'shesaidbitterly.\'Waitforyou?Whatdoesthatmean,Charley?Younevershowed——anythingtowaitfor——
anythingspecialtowardsme.\'
\'Ocome,Baptistadear;come!\'
\'WhatImeanis,nothingdefinite,\'sheexpostulated.\'Isupposeyoulikedmealittle;butitseemedtometobeonlyapastimeonyourpart,andthatyounevermeanttomakeanhonourableengagementofit.\'
\'There,that\'sjustit!Yougirlsexpectamantomeanbusinessatthefirstlook.Nomanwhenhefirstbecomesinterestedinawomanhasanydefiniteschemeofengagementtomarryherinhismind,unlessheismeaningavulgarmercenarymarriage.However,IDIDatlastmeananhonourableengagement,asyoucallit,cometothat.\'
\'Butyouneversaidso,andanindefinitecourtshipsooninjuresawoman\'spositionandcredit,soonerthanyouthink.\'
\'Baptista,IsolemnlydeclarethatinsixmonthsIshouldhaveaskedyoutomarryme.\'
Shewalkedalonginsilence,lookingontheground,andappearingveryuncomfortable.Presentlyhesaid,\'Wouldyouhavewaitedformeifyouhadknown?\'Tothisshewhisperedinasorrowfulwhisper,\'Yes!\'
Theywentstillfartherinsilence——passingalongoneofthebeautifulwalksontheoutskirtsofthetown,yetnotobservantofsceneorsituation.Hershoulderandhiswereclosetogether,andheclaspedhisfingersroundthesmallofherarm——quitelightly,andwithoutanyattemptatimpetus;yettheactseemedtosay,\'NowI
holdyou,andmywillmustbeyours.\'
Recurringtoapreviousquestionofhershesaid,\'IhavemerelyrundownhereforadayortwofromschoolnearTrufal,beforegoingofftothenorthfortherestofmyholiday.IhaveseenmyrelationsatRedrutinquitelately,soIamnotgoingtherethistime.HowlittleIthoughtofmeetingyou!Howverydifferentthecircumstanceswouldhavebeenif,insteadofpartingagainaswemustinhalf-an-hourorso,possiblyforever,youhadbeennowjustgoingoffwithme,asmywife,onourhoneymoontrip.Ha——ha——well——sohumorousislife!\'
Shestoppedsuddenly.\'Imustgobacknow——thisisaltogethertoopainful,Charley!Itisnotatallakindmoodyouareinto-day.\'
\'Idon\'twanttopainyou——youknowIdonot,\'hesaidmoregently.
\'Onlyitjustexasperatesme——thisyouaregoingtodo.Iwishyouwouldnot.\'
\'What?\'
\'Marryhim.There,nowIhaveshowedyoumytruesentiments.\'
\'Imustdoitnow,\'saidshe.
\'Why?\'heasked,droppingtheoff-handmasterfultonehehadhithertospokenin,andbecomingearnest;stillholdingherarm,however,asifshewerehischatteltobetakenuporputdownatwill.\'Itisnevertoolatetobreakoffamarriagethat\'sdistastefultoyou.
NowI\'llsayonething;anditistruth:Iwishyouwouldmarrymeinsteadofhim,evennow,atthelastmoment,thoughyouhaveservedmesobadly.\'
\'O,itisnotpossibletothinkofthat!\'sheansweredhastily,shakingherhead.\'WhenIgethomeallwillbeprepared——itisreadyevennow——thethingsfortheparty,thefurniture,Mr.Heddegan\'snewsuit,andeverything.IshouldrequirethecourageofatropicalliontogohomethereandsayIwouldn\'tcarryoutmypromise!\'
\'Thengo,inHeaven\'sname!Buttherewouldbenonecessityforyoutogohomeandfacetheminthatway.Ifweweretomarry,itwouldhavetobeatonce,instantly;ornotatall.IshouldthinkyouraffectionnotworththehavingunlessyouagreedtocomebackwithmetoTrufalthisevening,wherewecouldbemarriedbylicenceonMondaymorning.AndthennoMr.DavidHeddeganoranybodyelsecouldgetyouawayfromme.\'
\'ImustgohomebytheTuesdayboat,\'shefaltered.\'WhatwouldtheythinkifIdidnotcome?\'
\'Youcouldgohomebythatboatjustthesame.AllthedifferencewouldbethatIshouldgowithyou.Youcouldleavemeonthequay,whereI\'dhaveasmoke,whileyouwentandsawyourfatherandmotherprivately;youcouldthentellthemwhatyouhaddone,andthatIwaswaitingnotfaroff;thatIwasaschool-masterinafairlygoodposition,andayoungmanyouhadknownwhenyouwereattheTrainingCollege.ThenIwouldcomeboldlyforward;andtheywouldseethatitcouldnotbealtered,andsoyouwouldn\'tsufferalifelongmiserybybeingthewifeofawretchedoldgafferyoudon\'tlikeatall.
Now,honestly;youdolikemebest,don\'tyou,Baptista?\'
\'Yes.\'
\'ThenwewilldoasIsay.\'
Shedidnotpronounceaclearaffirmative.Butthatsheconsentedtothenovelpropositionatsomemomentorotherofthatwalkwasapparentbywhatoccurredalittlelater.
CHAPTERIII
Anenterpriseofsuchpithrequired,indeed,lesstalkingthanconsideration.Thefirstthingtheydidincarryingitoutwastoreturntotherailwaystation,whereBaptistatookfromherluggageasmalltrunkofimmediatenecessarieswhichshewouldinanycasehaverequiredaftermissingtheboat.ThatsameafternoontheytravelledupthelinetoTrufal.
CharlesStowashisnamewas,despitehisdisdainfulindifferencetothings,wasverycarefulofappearances,andmadethejourneyindependentlyofherthoughinthesametrain.Hetoldherwhereshecouldgetboardandlodgingsinthecity;andwithmerelyadistantnodtoherofaprovisionalkind,wentofftohisownquarters,andtoseeaboutthelicence.
OnSundayshesawhiminthemorningacrossthenaveofthepro-
cathedral.Intheafternoontheywalkedtogetherinthefields,wherehetoldherthatthelicencewouldbereadynextday,andwouldbeavailablethedayafter,whentheceremonycouldbeperformedasearlyaftereighto\'clockastheyshouldchoose.
Hiscourtship,thusrenewedafteranintervaloftwoyears,wasasimpetuous,violenteven,asitwasshort.Thenextdaycameandpassed,andthefinalarrangementsweremade.Theiragreementwastogettheceremonyoverassoonastheypossiblycouldthenextmorning,soastogoontoPen-zephyratonce,andreachthatplaceintimefortheboat\'sdeparturethesameday.ItwasinobediencetoBaptista\'searnestrequestthatStowconsentedthustomakethewholejourneytoLyonessebylandandwateratoneheat,andnotbreakitatPen-zephyr;sheseemedtobeoppressedwithadreadoflingeringanywhere,thisgreatfirstactofdisobediencetoherparentsonceaccomplished,withtheweightonhermindthatherhomehadtobeconvulsedbythedisclosureofit.Tofaceherdifficultiesoverthewaterimmediatelyshehadcreatedthemwas,however,acoursemoredesiredbyBaptistathanbyherlover;thoughforoncehegaveway.
Thenextmorningwasbrightandwarmasthosewhichhadprecededit.
Bysixo\'clockitseemednearlynoon,asisoftenthecaseinthatpartofEnglandinthesummerseason.Byninetheywerehusbandandwife.Theypackedupanddepartedbytheearliesttrainaftertheservice;andonthewaydiscussedatlengthwhatsheshouldsayonmeetingherparents,Charleydictatingtheturnofeachphrase.InheranxietytheyhadtravelledsoearlythatwhentheyreachedPen-
zephyrtheyfoundtherewerenearlytwohoursontheirhandsbeforethesteamer\'stimeofsailing.
Baptistawasextremelyreluctanttobeseenpromenadingthestreetsofthewatering-placewithherhusbandtill,asabovestated,thehouseholdatGiant\'sTownshouldknowtheunexpectedcourseofeventsfromherownlips;anditwasjustpossible,ifnotlikely,thatsomeLyonessianmightbeprowlingaboutthere,orevenhavecomeacrosstheseatolookforher.Tomeetanyonetowhomshewasknown,andtohavetoreplytoawkwardquestionsaboutthestrangeyoungmanathersidebeforeherwell-framedannouncementhadbeendeliveredatpropertimeandplace,wasathingshecouldnotcontemplatewithequanimity.So,insteadoflookingattheshopsandharbour,theywentalongthecoastalittleway.
Theheatofthemorningwasbythistimeintense.Theyclambereduponsomecliffs,andwhilesittingthere,lookingaroundatSt.
Michael\'sMountandotherobjects,Charlessaidtoherthathethoughthewouldrundowntothebeachattheirfeet,andtakejustoneplungeintothesea.
Baptistadidnotmuchliketheideaofbeingleftalone;itwasgloomy,shesaid.Butheassuredherhewouldnotbegonemorethanaquarterofanhourattheoutside,andshepassivelyassented.
Downhewent,disappeared,appearedagain,andlookedback.Thenheagainproceeded,andvanished,till,asasmallwaxenobject,shesawhimemergefromthenookthathadscreenedhim,crossthewhitefringeoffoam,andwalkintotheundulatingmassofblue.Onceinthewaterheseemedlessinclinedtohurrythanbefore;heremainedalongtime;and,unableeithertoappreciatehisskillorcriticizehiswantofitatthatdistance,shewithdrewhereyesfromthespot,andgazedatthestilloutlineofSt.Michael\'s——nowbeautifullytonedingrey.
Heranxietyforthehourofdeparture,andtocopeatoncewiththeapproachingincidentsthatshewouldhavetomanipulateasbestshecould,sentherintoareverie.ItwasnowTuesday;shewouldreachhomeintheevening——averylatetimetheywouldsay;but,asthedelaywasapureaccident,theywoulddeemhermarriagetoMr.
Heddeganto-morrowstillpracticable.ThenCharleswouldhavetobeproducedfromthebackground.Itwasaterribleundertakingtothinkof,andshealmostregrettedhertemerityinweddingsohastilythatmorning.Therageofherfatherwouldbesocrushing;thereproachesofhermothersobitter;andperhapsCharleswouldanswerhotly,andperhapscauseestrangementtilldeath.TherehadobviouslybeennoalarmaboutheratSt.Maria\'s,orsomebodywouldhavesailedacrosstoinquireforher.Shehad,inaletterwrittenatthebeginningoftheweek,spokenofthehouratwhichsheintendedtoleavehercountryschoolhouse;andfromthisherfriendshadprobablyperceivedthatbysuchtimingshewouldrunariskoflosingtheSaturdayboat.
Shehadmissedit,andasaconsequencesathereontheshoreasMrs.
CharlesStow.
Thisbroughthertothepresent,andsheturnedfromtheoutlineofSt.Michael\'sMounttolookaboutforherhusband\'sform.Hewas,asfarasshecoulddiscover,nolongerinthesea.Thenhewasdressing.Bymovingafewstepsshecouldseewherehisclotheslay.
ButCharleswasnotbesidethem.
Baptistalookedbackagainatthewaterinbewilderment,asifhersenseswerethevictimofsomesleightofhand.Notaspeckorspotresemblingaman\'sheadorfaceshowedanywhere.Bythistimeshewasalarmed,andheralarmintensifiedwhensheperceivedalittlebeyondthesceneofherhusband\'sbathingasmallareaofwater,thequalityofwhosesurfacedifferedfromthatofthesurroundingexpanseasthecoarsevegetationofsomefoulpatchinameaddiffersfromthefinegreenoftheremainder.Elsewhereitlookedflexuous,hereitlookedvermiculatedandlumpy,andhermarineexperiencessuggestedtoherinamomentthattwocurrentsmetandcausedaturmoilatthisplace.
Shedescendedashastilyashertremblinglimbswouldallow.Thewaydownwasterriblylong,andbeforereachingtheheapofclothesitoccurredtoherthat,afterall,itwouldbebesttorunfirstforhelp.Hasteningalonginalateraldirectionsheproceededinlandtillshemetaman,andsoonafterwardstwoothers.Tothemsheexclaimed,\'Ithinkagentlemanwhowasbathingisinsomedanger.I
cannotseehimasIcould.Willyoupleaserunandhelphim,atonce,ifyouwillbesokind?\'
Shedidnotthinkofturningtoshowthemtheexactspot,indicatingitvaguelybythedirectionofherhand,andstillgoingonherwaywiththeideaofgainingmoreassistance.Whenshedeemed,inherfaintness,thatshehadcarriedthealarmfarenough,shefacedaboutanddraggedherselfbackagain.Beforereachingthenowdreadedspotshemetoneofthemen.
\'Wecanseenothingatall,Miss,\'hedeclared.
Havinggainedthebeach,shefoundthetidein,andnosignofCharley\'sclothes.Theothermenwhomshehadbesoughttocomehaddisappeared,itmusthavebeeninsomeotherdirection,forshehadnotmetthemgoingaway.They,findingnothing,hadprobablythoughtheralarmamereconjecture,andgivenupthequest.
Baptistasankdownuponthestonesnearathand.WhereCharleyhadundressedwasnowsea.Therecouldnotbetheleastdoubtthathewasdrowned,andhisbodysuckedunderbythecurrent;whilehisclothes,lyingwithinhigh-watermark,hadprobablybeencarriedawaybytherisingtide.
Sheremainedinastuporforsomeminutes,tillastrangesensationsucceededtheaforesaidperceptions,mystifyingherintelligence,andleavingherphysicallyalmostinert.Withhispersonaldisappearance,thelastthreedaysofherlifewithhimseemedtobeswallowedup,alsohisimage,inhermind\'seye,wanedcuriously,recededfaraway,grewstrangerandstranger,lessandlessreal.
Theirmeetingandmarriagehadbeensosudden,unpremeditated,adventurous,thatshecouldhardlybelievethatshehadplayedherpartinsucharecklessdrama.OfallthefewhoursofherlifewithCharles,theportionthatmostinsistedincomingbacktomemorywastheirfortuitousencounteronthepreviousSaturday,andthosebitterreprimandswithwhichhehadbeguntheattack,asitmightbecalled,whichhadpiquedhertoanunexpectedconsummation.
Asortofcruelty,animperiousness,eveninhiswarmth,hadcharacterizedCharlesStow.Asaloverhehadeverbeenabitofatyrant;anditmightprettytrulyhavebeensaidthathehadstungherintomarriagewithhimatlast.Stillmorealienfromherlifedidthesereflectionsoperatetomakehim;andthentheywouldbechasedawaybyanintervalofpassionateweepingandmadregret.
Finally,therereturnedupontheconfusedmindoftheyoungwifetherecollectionthatshewasonherwayhomeward,andthatthepacketwouldsailinthree-quartersofanhour.
Excepttheparasolinherhand,allshepossessedwasatthestationawaitingheronwardjourney.
Shelookedinthatdirection;and,enteringoneofthoseundemonstrativephasessocommonwithher,walkedquietlyon.
Atfirstshemadestraightfortherailway;butsuddenlyturningshewenttoashopandwroteananonymouslineannouncinghisdeathbydrowningtotheonlypersonshehadeverheardCharlesmentionasarelative.Postingthisstealthily,andwithafearfullookaroundher,sheseemedtoacquireaterrorofthelateevents,pursuingherwaytothestationasiffollowedbyaspectre.
WhenshegottotheofficesheaskedfortheluggagethatshehadleftthereontheSaturdayaswellasthetrunkleftonthemorningjustlapsed.Allwereputintheboat,andsheherselffollowed.
Quicklyasthesethingshadbeendone,thewholeproceeding,nevertheless,hadbeenalmostautomaticonBaptista\'spart,ereshehadcometoanydefiniteconclusiononhercourse.
Justbeforethebellrangsheheardaconversationonthepier,whichremovedthelastshadeofdoubtfromhermind,ifanyhadexisted,thatshewasCharlesStow\'swidow.Thesentenceswerebutfragmentary,butshecouldeasilypiecethemout.
\'Amandrowned——swamouttoofar——wasastrangertotheplace——peopleinboat——sawhimgodown——couldn\'tgetthereintime.\'
Thenewswaslittlemoredefinitethanthisasyet;thoughitmayaswellbestatedonceforallthatthestatementwastrue.Charley,withtheover-confidenceofhisnature,hadventuredouttoofarforhisstrength,andsuccumbedintheabsenceofassistance,hislifelessbodybeingatthatmomentsuspendedinthetransparentmid-
depthsofthebay.Hisclothes,however,hadmerelybeengentlyliftedbytherisingtide,andfloatedintoanookhardby,wheretheylayoutofsightofthepassers-bytilladayortwoafter.
CHAPTERIV
Intenminutestheyweresteamingoutoftheharbourfortheirvoyageoffourorfivehours,atwhoseendingshewouldhavetotellherstrangestory.
AsPen-zephyrandallitsenvironingscenesdisappearedbehindMouseholeandSt.Clement\'sIsle,Baptista\'sephemeral,meteor-likehusbandimpressedheryetmoreasafantasy.Shewasstillinsuchatrance-likestatethatshehadbeenanhouronthelittlepacket-boatbeforeshebecameawareoftheagitatingfactthatMr.Heddeganwasonboardwithher.Involuntarilysheslippedfromherlefthandthesymbolofherwifehood.
\'Hee-hee!Well,thetruthis,Iwouldn\'tinterrupt\'ee.\"Ireckonshedon\'tseeme,orwon\'tseeme,\"Isaid,\"andwhat\'sthehurry?
She\'llseeenougho\'mesoon!\"Ihopeyebewell,meedeer?\'
Hewasahale,well-conditionedmanofaboutfiveandfifty,ofthecomplexioncommontothosewhoselivesarepassedonthebluffsandbeachesofanoceanisle.Heextendedthefourquartersofhisfaceinagenialsmile,andhishandforagraspofthesamemagnitude.
Shegaveherowninsurpriseddocility,andhecontinued:\'I
couldn\'thelpcomingacrosstomeet\'ee.WhatanunfortunatethingyoumissingtheboatandnotcomingSaturday!Theymeanttohavewarned\'eethatthetimewaschanged,butforgotitatthelastmoment.ThetruthisthatIshouldhaveinformed\'eemyself;butI
wasthatbusyfinishingupajoblastweek,soastohavethisweekfree,thatItrustedtoyourfatherforattendingtotheselittlethings.However,soplainandquietasitisalltobe,itreallydonotmattersomuchasitmightotherwisehavedone,andIhopeyehaven\'tbeengreatlyputout.Now,ifyou\'dsoonerthatIshouldnotbeseentalkingto\'ee——if\'eefeelshyatallbeforestrangers——justsay.I\'llleave\'eetoyourselftillwegethome.\'
\'Thankyoumuch.Iamindeedalittletired,Mr.Heddegan.\'
Henoddedurbaneacquiescence,strolledawayimmediately,andminutelyinspectedthesurfaceofthefunnel,tillsomefemalepassengersofGiant\'sTowntitteredatwhattheymusthavethoughtarebuff——fortheapproachingweddingwasknowntomanyonSt.Maria\'sIsland,thoughtonobodyelsewhere.Baptistacolouredattheirsatire,andcalledhimback,andforcedherselftocommunewithhiminatleastamechanicallyfriendlymanner.
Theopeningeventhadbeenthusdifferentfromherexpectation,andshehadadumbratednoacttomeetit.Takenabackshepassivelyallowedcircumstancestopilotheralong;andsothevoyagewasmade.
ItwasnearduskwhentheytouchedthepierofGiant\'sTown,whereseveralfriendsandneighboursstoodawaitingthem.Herfatherhadalanterninhishand.Hermother,too,wasthere,reproachfullygladthatthedelayhadatlastendedsosimply.Mrs.TrewthenandherdaughterwenttogetheralongtheGiant\'sWalk,orpromenade,tothehouse,ratherinadvanceofherhusbandandMr.Heddegan,whotalkedinloudtoneswhichreachedthewomenovertheirshoulders.
SomewouldhavecalledMrs.Trewthenagoodmother;butthoughwellmeaningshewasmaladroit,andherintentionsmissedtheirmark.
Thismighthavebeenpartlyattributabletotheslightdeafnessfromwhichshesuffered.Now,asusual,thechiefutterancescamefromherlips.
\'Ah,yes,I\'msoglad,mychild,thatyou\'vegotoversafe.Itisallready,andeverythingsowellarranged,thatnothingbutmisfortunecouldhinderyousettlingas,withGod\'sgrace,becomes\'ee.Closetoyourmother\'sdoora\'most,\'twillbeagreatblessing,I\'msure;andIwasverygladtofindfromyourlettersthatyou\'dheldyourwordsacred.That\'sright——makeyourwordyourbondalways.Mrs.Waceseemstobeasensiblewoman.IhopetheLordwilldoforherashe\'sdoingforyounolongtimehence.Andhowdid\'eegetovertheterriblejourneyfromTor-upon-SeatoPen-
zephyr?Onceyou\'ddonewiththerailway,ofcourse,youseemedquiteathome.Well,Baptista,conductyourselfseemly,andallwillbewell.\'
Thusadmonished,Baptistaenteredthehouse,herfatherandMr.
Heddeganimmediatelyatherback.Hermotherhadbeensodidacticthatshehadfeltherselfabsolutelyunabletobroachthesubjectsinthecentreofhermind.
Thefamiliarroom,withthedarkceiling,thewell-spreadtable,theoldchairs,hadneverbeforespokensoeloquentlyofthetimesereshekneworhadheardofCharleyStow.Shewentupstairstotakeoffherthings,hermotherremainingbelowtocompletethedispositionofthesupper,andattendtothepreparationofto-morrow\'smeal,altogethercomposingsuchanarrayofpies,frompiesoffishtopiesofturnips,aswasneverheardofoutsidetheWesternDuchy.
Baptista,oncealone,satdownanddidnothing;andwascalledbeforeshehadtakenoffherbonnet.
\'I\'mcoming,\'shecried,jumpingup,andspeedilydisapparellingherself,brushedherhairwithafewtouchesandwentdown.
TwoorthreeofMr.Heddegan\'sandherfather\'sfriendshaddroppedin,andexpressedtheirsympathyforthedelayshehadbeensubjectedto.ThemealwasamostmerryoneexcepttoBaptista.Shehaddesiredprivacy,andtherewasnone;andtobreakthenewswasalreadyagreaterdifficultythanithadbeenatfirst.Everythingaroundher,animateandinanimate,greatandsmall,insistedthatshehadcomehometobemarried;andshecouldnotgetachancetosaynay.
Oneortwopeoplesangsongs,asoverturestothemelodyofthemorrow,tillatlengthbedtimecame,andtheyallwithdrew,hermotherhavingretiredalittleearlier.WhenBaptistafoundherselfagainaloneinherbedroomthecasestoodasbefore:shehadcomehomewithmuchtosay,andshehadsaidnothing.
ItwasnowgrowingcleareventoherselfthatCharlesbeingdead,shehadnotdeterminationsufficientwithinhertobreaktidingswhich,hadhebeenalive,wouldhaveimperativelyannouncedthemselves.Andthuswiththestrokeofmidnightcametheturningofthescale;herstoryshouldremainuntold.Itwasnotthatuponthewholeshethoughtitbestnottoattempttotellit;butthatshecouldnotundertakesoexplosiveamatter.TostoptheweddingnowwouldcauseaconvulsioninGiant\'sTownlittleshortofvolcanic.Weakened,tired,andterrifiedasshehadbeenbytheday\'sadventures,shecouldnotmakeherselftheauthorofsuchacatastrophe.ButhowrefuseHeddeganwithouttelling?ItreallyseemedtoherasifhermarriagewithMr.Heddeganwereabouttotakeplaceasifnothinghadintervened.
Morningcame.Theeventsofthepreviousdayswerecutofffromherpresentexistencebysceneandsentimentmorecompletelythanever.
CharlesStowhadgrowntobeaspecialbeingofwhom,owingtohischaracter,sheentertainedratherfearfulthanlovingmemory.
Baptistacouldhearwhensheawokethatherparentswerealreadymovingaboutdownstairs.Butshedidnotrisetillhermother\'sratherroughvoiceresoundedupthestaircaseasithaddoneontheprecedingevening.
\'Baptista!Come,timetobestirring!Themanwillbehere,byheaven\'sblessing,inthree-quartersofanhour.Hehaslookedinalreadyforaminuteortwo——andsayshe\'sgoingtothechurchtoseeifthingsbewellforward.\'
Baptistaarose,lookedoutofthewindow,andtooktheeasycourse.
Whensheemergedfromtheregionsaboveshewasarrayedinhernewsilkfrockandbeststockings,wearingalinenjacketovertheformerforbreakfasting,andhercommonslippersoverthelatter,nottospoilthenewonesontheroughprecinctsofthedwelling.
Itisunnecessarytodwellatanygreatlengthonthispartofthemorning\'sproceedings.Sherevealednothing;andmarriedHeddegan,asshehadgivenherwordtodo,onthatappointedAugustday.
CHAPTERV
Mr.Heddeganforgavethecoldnessofhisbride\'smannerduringandaftertheweddingceremony,fullwellawarethattherehadbeenconsiderablereluctanceonherparttoacquiesceinthisneighbourlyarrangement,and,asaphilosopheroflongstanding,holdingthatwhateverBaptista\'sattitudenow,theconditionswouldprobablybemuchthesamesixmonthshenceasthosewhichruledamongothermarriedcouples.
AnabsolutelyunexpectedshockwasgiventoBaptista\'slistlessmindaboutanhouraftertheweddingservice.Theyhadnearlyfinishedthemid-daydinnerwhenthenowhusbandsaidtoherfather,\'Wethinkofstartingabouttwo.AndthebreezebeingsofairweshallbringupinsidePen-zephyrnewpieraboutsixatleast.\'
\'What——arewegoingtoPen-zephyr?\'saidBaptista.\'Idon\'tknowanythingofit.\'
\'Didn\'tyoutellher?\'askedherfatherofHeddegan.
Ittranspiredthat,owingtothedelayinherarrival,thisproposaltoo,amongotherthings,hadinthehurrynotbeenmentionedtoher,exceptsometimeagoasageneralsuggestionthattheywouldgosomewhere.Heddeganhadimaginedthatanytripwouldbepleasant,andonetothemainlandthepleasantestofall.
Shelookedsodistressedattheannouncementthatherhusbandwillinglyofferedtogiveitup,thoughhehadnothadaholidayofftheislandforawholeyear.ThensheponderedontheinconvenienceofstayingatGiant\'sTown,wherealltheinhabitantswerebonded,bythecircumstancesoftheirsituation,intoasortoffamilyparty,whichpermittedandencouragedonsuchoccasionsastheseoralcriticismthatwasapttodisturbtheequanimityofnewlymarriedgirls,andwouldespeciallyworryBaptistainherstrangesituation.
Hence,unexpectedly,sheagreednottodisorganizeherhusband\'splansfortheweddingjaunt,anditwassettledthat,asoriginallyintended,theyshouldproceedinaneighbour\'ssailingboattothemetropolisofthedistrict.
InthiswaytheyarrivedatPen-zephyrwithoutdifficultyormishap.
BiddingadieutoJenkinandhisman,whohadsailedthemover,theystrolledarminarmoffthepier,Baptistasilent,cold,andobedient.HeddeganhadarrangedtotakeherasfarasPlymouthbeforetheirreturn,buttogonofurtherthanwheretheyhadlandedthatday.Theirfirstbusinesswastofindaninn;andinthistheyhadunexpecteddifficulty,sinceforsomereasonorother——possiblythefineweather——manyofthenearestathandwerefulloftouristsandcommercialtravellers.Heledherontillhereachedatavernwhich,thoughcomparativelyunpretending,stoodinasattractiveaspotasanyinthetown;andthis,somewhattotheirsurpriseaftertheirpreviousexperience,theyfoundapparentlyempty.Theconsiderateoldman,thinkingthatBaptistawaseducatedtoartisticnotions,thoughhehimselfwasdeficientinthem,haddecidedthatitwasmostdesirabletohave,onsuchanoccasionasthepresent,anapartmentwith\'agoodview\'theexpressionbeingonehehadoftenheardinuseamongtourists;andhethereforeaskedforafavouriteroomonthefirstfloor,fromwhichabow-windowprotruded,fortheexpresspurposeofaffordingsuchanoutlook.
Thelandlady,aftersomehesitation,saidshewassorrythatparticularapartmentwasengaged;thenextone,however,oranyotherinthehouse,wasunoccupied.
\'Thegentlemanwhohasthebestonewillgiveitupto-morrow,andthenyoucanchangeintoit,\'sheadded,asMr.Heddeganhesitatedabouttakingtheadjoiningandlesscommandingone.
\'Weshallbegoneto-morrow,andshan\'twantit,\'hesaid.
Wishingnottolosecustomers,thelandladyearnestlycontinuedthatsincehewasbentonhavingthebestroom,perhapstheothergentlemanwouldnotobjecttomoveatonceintotheonetheydespised,since,thoughnothingcouldbeseenfromthewindow,theroomwasequallylarge.
\'Well,ifhedoesn\'tcareforaview,\'saidMr.Heddegan,withtheairofahighlyartisticmanwhodid.
\'Ono——Iamsurehedoesn\'t,\'shesaid.\'Icanpromisethatyoushallhavetheroomyouwant.Ifyouwouldnotobjecttogoforawalkforhalfanhour,Icouldhaveitready,andyourthingsinit,andanicetealaidinthebow-windowbythetimeyoucomeback?\'
Thisproposalwasdeemedsatisfactorybythefussyoldtradesman,andtheywentout.Baptistanervouslyconductedhiminanoppositedirectiontoherwalkoftheformerdayinothercompany,showingonherwanface,hadheobservedit,howmuchshewasbeginningtoregrethersacrificialstepformendingmattersthatmorning.
Shetookadvantageofamomentwhenherhusband\'sbackwasturnedtoinquirecasuallyinashopifanythinghadbeenheardofthegentlemanwhowassuckeddownintheeddywhilebathing.
Theshopmansaid,\'Yes,hisbodyhasbeenwashedashore,\'andhadjusthandedBaptistaanewspaperonwhichshediscernedtheheading,\'ASchoolmasterdrownedwhilebathing,\'whenherhusbandturnedtojoinher.Shemighthavepursuedthesubjectwithoutraisingsuspicion;butitwasmorethanfleshandbloodcoulddo,andcompletingasmallpurchasealmostranoutoftheshop.
\'Whatisyourterriblehurry,meedeer?\'saidHeddegan,hasteningafter.
\'Idon\'tknow——Idon\'twanttostayinshops,\'shegasped.
\'Andwewon\'t,\'hesaid.\'Theyaresuffocatingthisweather.Let\'sgobackandhavesometay!\'
Theyfoundthemuchdesiredapartmentawaitingtheirentry.Itwasasortofcombinationbedandsitting-room,andthetablewasprettilyspreadwithhighteainthebow-window,abunchofflowersinthemidst,andabest-parlourchaironeachside.Heretheysharedthemealbytheruddylightofthevanishingsun.Butthoughtheviewhadbeenengaged,regardlessofexpense,exclusivelyforBaptista\'spleasure,shedidnotdirectanykeenattentionoutofthewindow.
Hergazeasoftenfellonthefloorandwallsoftheroomaselsewhere,andonthetableasmuchasoneither,beholdingnothingatall.
Buttherewasachange.Oppositeherseatwasthedoor,uponwhichhereyespresentlybecamerivetedlikethoseofalittlebirduponasnake.For,onapegatthebackofthedoor,therehungahat;suchahat——surely,fromitspeculiarmake,theactualhat——thathadbeenwornbyCharles.Convictiongrewtocertaintywhenshesawarailwayticketstickingupfromtheband.Charleshadputtheticketthere——
shehadnoticedtheact.
Herteethalmostchattered;shemurmuredsomethingincoherent.Herhusbandjumpedupandsaid,\'Youarenotwell!Whatisit?WhatshallIget\'ee?\'
\'Smellingsalts!\'shesaid,quicklyanddesperately;\'atthatchemist\'sshopyouwereinjustnow.\'
Hejumpedupliketheanxiousoldmanthathewas,caughtuphisownhatfromabacktable,andwithoutobservingtheotherhastenedoutanddownstairs.
Leftaloneshegazedandgazedatthebackofthedoor,thenspasmodicallyrangthebell.Anhonest-lookingcountrymaid-servantappearedinresponse.
\'Ahat!\'murmuredBaptista,pointingwithherfinger.\'Itdoesnotbelongtous.\'
\'Oyes,I\'lltakeitaway,\'saidtheyoungwomanwithsomehurry.
\'Itbelongstotheothergentleman.\'
Shespokewithacertainawkwardness,andtookthehatoutoftheroom.Baptistahadrecoveredheroutwardcomposure.\'Theothergentleman?\'shesaid.\'Whereistheothergentleman?\'
\'He\'sinthenextroom,ma\'am.Heremovedoutofthistooblige\'ee.\'
\'Howcanyousayso?Ishouldhearhimifhewerethere,\'saidBaptista,sufficientlyrecoveredtoarguedownanapparentuntruth.
\'He\'sthere,\'saidthegirl,hardily.
\'Thenitisstrangethathemakesnonoise,\'saidMrs.Heddegan,convictingthegirloffalsitybyalook.
\'Hemakesnonoise;butitisnotstrange,\'saidtheservant.
Allatonceadreadtookpossessionofthebride\'sheart,likeacoldhandlaidthereon;foritflasheduponherthattherewasapossibilityofreconcilingthegirl\'sstatementwithherownknowledgeoffacts.
\'Whydoeshemakenonoise?\'sheweaklysaid.
Thewaiting-maidwassilent,andlookedatherquestioner.\'IfI
tellyou,ma\'am,youwon\'ttellmissis?\'shewhispered.
Baptistapromised.
\'Becausehe\'sa-lyingdead!\'saidthegirl.\'He\'stheschoolmasterthatwasdrowndedyesterday.\'
\'O!\'saidthebride,coveringhereyes.\'Thenhewasinthisroomtilljustnow?\'
\'Yes,\'saidthemaid,thinkingtheyounglady\'sagitationnaturalenough.\'AndItoldmissisthatIthoughtsheoughtn\'ttohavedoneit,becauseIdon\'tholditrighttokeepvisitorssomuchinthedarkwheredeath\'sconcerned;butshesaidthegentlemandidn\'tdieofanythinginfectious;shewasapoor,honest,innkeeper\'swife,shesays,whohadtogetherlivingbymakinghaywhilethesunsheened.
Andowingtothedrowndedgentlemanbeingbroughthere,shesaid,itkeptsomanypeopleawaythatwewereempty,thoughalltheotherhouseswerefull.Sowhenyourgoodmansethismindupontheroom,andshewouldhavelostgoodpayingfolkifhe\'dnothadit,itwasn\'ttobesupposed,shesaid,thatshe\'dletanythingstandintheway.Yewon\'tsaythatI\'vetoldye,please,m\'m?Allthelinenhasbeenchanged,andastheinquestwon\'tbetillto-morrow,afteryouaregone,shethoughtyouwouldn\'tknowawordofit,beingstrangershere.\'
Thereturningfootstepsofherhusbandbrokeofffurthernarration.
Baptistawavedherhand,forshecouldnotspeak.Thewaiting-maidquicklywithdrew,andMr.Heddeganenteredwiththesmellingsaltsandothernostrums.
\'Anybetter?\'hequestioned.
\'Idon\'tlikethehotel,\'sheexclaimed,almostsimultaneously.\'I
can\'tbearit——itdoesn\'tsuitme!\'
\'Isthatallthat\'sthematter?\'hereturnedpettishlythisbeingthefirsttimeofhisshowingsuchamood.\'Uponmyheartandlifesuchtriflingistryingtoanyman\'stemper,Baptista!Sendingmeaboutfromheretoyond,andthenwhenIcomebacksaying\'eedon\'tliketheplacethatIhavesunksomuchmoneyandwordstogetfor\'ee.\'Oddangitall,\'tisenoughto——ButIwon\'tsayanymoreatpresent,meedeer,thoughitisjusttoomuchtoexpecttoturnoutofthehousenow.Weshan\'tgetanotherquietplaceatthistimeoftheevening——everyotherinninthetownisbustlingwithracketyfolkofonesortandt\'other,whilehere\'tisasquietasthegrave——
thecountry,Iwouldsay.Sobidestill,d\'yehear,andto-morrowweshallbeoutofthetownaltogether——asearlyasyoulike.\'
Theobstinacyofagehad,inshort,overmastereditscomplaisance,andtheyoungwomansaidnomore.Thesimplecourseoftellinghimthatintheadjoiningroomlayacorpsewhichhadlatelyoccupiedtheirownmight,itwouldhaveseemed,havebeenaneffectualonewithoutfurtherdisclosure,buttoalludetothatsubject,howeveritwasdisguised,wasmorethanHeddegan\'syoungwifehadstrengthfor.
Horrorbrokeherdown.Inthecontingencyonethingonlypresenteditselftoherparalyzedregard——thathereshewasdoomedtoabide,inahideouscontiguitytothedeadhusbandandtheliving,andherconjecturedid,infact,bearitselfout.Thatnightshelaybetweenthetwomenshehadmarried——Heddeganontheonehand,andontheotherthroughthepartitionagainstwhichthebedstood,CharlesStow.
CHAPTERVI
KindlytimehadwithdrawntheforegoingeventthreedaysfromthepresentofBaptistaHeddegan.Itwasteno\'clockinthemorning;shehadbeenill,notinanordinaryordefinitesense,butinastateofcoldstupefaction,fromwhichitwasdifficulttoarousehersomuchastosayafewsentences.Whenquestionedshehadrepliedthatshewasprettywell.
Theirtrip,assuch,hadbeensomethingofafailure.TheyhadgoneonasfarasFalmouth,butherehehadgivenwaytoherentreatiestoreturnhome.ThistheycouldnotverywelldowithoutrepassingthroughPen-zephyr,atwhichplacetheyhadnowagainarrived.
Inthetrainshehadseenaweeklylocalpaper,andreadthereaparagraphdetailingtheinquestonCharles.ItwasaddedthatthefuneralwastotakeplaceathisnativetownofRedrutinonFriday.
Afterreadingthisshehadshownnoreluctancetoenterthefatalneighbourhoodofthetragedy,onlystipulatingthattheyshouldtaketheirrestatadifferentlodgingfromthefirst;andnowcomparativelybracedupandcalm——indeedacoolercreaturealtogetherthanwhenlastinthetown,shesaidtoDavidthatshewantedtowalkoutforawhile,astheyhadplentyoftimeontheirhands.
\'Toashopasusual,Isuppose,meedeer?\'
\'Partlyforshopping,\'shesaid.\'Anditwillbebestforyou,dear,tostayinaftertrottingaboutsomuch,andhaveagoodrestwhileI
amgone.\'
Heassented;andBaptistasalliedforth.Asshehadstated,herfirstvisitwasmadetoashop,adraper\'s.Withouttheexerciseofmuchchoiceshepurchasedablackbonnetandveil,alsoablackstuffgown;ablackmantleshealreadywore.Thesearticlesweremadeupintoaparcelwhich,inspiteofthesaleswoman\'soffers,hercustomersaidshewouldtakewithher.Bearingitonherarmsheturnedtotherailway,andatthestationgotaticketforRedrutin.
Thusitappearedthat,onherrecoveryfromtheparalyzedmoodoftheformerday,whileshehadresolvednottoblastutterlythehappinessofherpresenthusbandbyrevealingthehistoryofthedepartedone,shehadalsodeterminedtoindulgeacertainodd,inconsequent,femininesentimentofdecency,tothesmallextenttowhichitcoulddonoharmtoanyperson.AtRedrutinsheemergedfromtherailwaycarriageintheblackattirepurchasedattheshop,havingduringthetransitmadethechangeintheemptycompartmentshehadchosen.Theotherclotheswerenowinthebandboxandparcel.Leavingtheseatthecloak-roomsheproceededonward,andafterawarysurveyreachedthesideofahillwhenceaviewoftheburialgroundcouldbeobtained.
Itwasnowalittlebeforetwoo\'clock.WhileBaptistawaitedafuneralprocessionascendedtheroad.Baptistahastenedacross,andbythetimetheprocessionenteredthecemeterygatesshehadunobtrusivelyjoinedit.
Inadditiontotheschoolmaster\'sownrelativesnotafew,theparagraphinthenewspapersofhisdeathbydrowninghaddrawntogethermanyneighbours,acquaintances,andonlookers.Amongthemshepassedunnoticed,andwithaquietsteppursuedthewindingpathtothechapel,andafterwardsthencetothegrave.Whenallwasover,andtherelativesandidlershadwithdrawn,shesteppedtotheedgeofthechasm.Frombeneathhermantleshedrewalittlebunchofforget-me-nots,anddroppedtheminuponthecoffin.Inafewminutesshealsoturnedandwentawayfromthecemetery.Byfiveo\'clockshewasagaininPen-zephyr.
\'Youhavebeenamortallongtime!\'saidherhusband,crossly.\'I
allowedyouanhouratmost,meedeer.\'
\'Itoccupiedmelonger,\'saidshe.
\'Well——Ireckonitiswastingwordstocomplain.Hangit,yelooksotiredandwishtthatIcan\'tfindhearttosaywhatIwould!\'
\'Iam——wearyandwisht,David;Iam.Wecangethometo-morrowforcertain,Ihope?\'
\'Wecan.AndpleaseGodwewill!\'saidMr.Heddeganheartily,asifhetoowerewearyofhisbriefhoneymoon.\'ImustbeintobusinessagainonMondaymorningatlatest.\'
Theyleftbythenextmorningsteamer,andintheafternoontookuptheirresidenceintheirownhouseatGiant\'sTown.
ThehourthatshereachedtheislanditwasasifamaterialweighthadbeenremovedfromBaptista\'sshoulders.Herhusbandattributedthechangetotheinfluenceofthelocalbreezesafterthehot-houseatmosphereofthemainland.Howeverthatmightbe,settledhere,afewdoorsfromhermother\'sdwelling,sherecoveredinnoverylongtimemuchofhercustomarybearing,whichwasneververydemonstrative.Sheacceptedherpositioncalmly,andfaintlysmiledwhenherneighbourslearnedtocallherMrs.Heddegan,andsaidsheseemedlikelytobecometheleaderoffashioninGiant\'sTown.
Herhusbandwasamanwhohadmadeconsiderablymoremoneybytradethanherfatherhaddone:andperhapsthegreaterprofusionofsurroundingsathercommandthanshehadheretoforebeenmistressof,wasnotwithoutaneffectuponher.Oneweek,twoweeks,threeweekspassed;and,beingpre-eminentlyayoungwomanwhoallowedthingstodrift,shedidnothingwhatevereithertodiscloseorconcealtracesofherfirstmarriage;ortolearnifthereexistedpossibilities——
whichthereundoubtedlydid——bywhichthathastycontractmightbecomerevealedtothoseaboutheratanyunexpectedmoment.
Whileyetwithinthefirstmonthofhermarriage,andonaneveningjustbeforesunset,Baptistawasstandingwithinhergardenadjoiningthehouse,whenshesawpassingalongtheroadapersonagecladinagreasyblackcoatandbatteredtallhat,which,commonenoughintheslumsofacity,hadanoddappearanceinSt.Maria\'s.Thetramp,asheseemedtobe,markedheratonce——bonnetlessandunwrappedasshewasherfeatureswereplainlyrecognizable——andwithanairoffriendlysurprisecameandleantoverthewall.
\'What!don\'tyouknowme?\'saidhe.
Shehadsomedimrecollectionofhisface,butsaidthatshewasnotacquaintedwithhim.
\'Why,yourwitnesstobesure,ma\'am.Don\'tyoumindthemanthatwasmendingthechurch-windowwhenyouandyourintendedhusbandwalkeduptobemadeone;andtheclerkcalledmedownfromtheladder,andIcameanddidmypartbywritingmynameandoccupation?\'
Baptistaglancedquicklyaround;herhusbandwasoutofearshot.
ThatwouldhavebeenoflessimportancebutforthefactthattheweddingwitnessedbythispersonagehadnotbeentheweddingwithMr.
Heddegan,buttheoneonthedayprevious.
\'I\'vehadamisfortunesincethen,that\'spulledmeunder,\'continuedherfriend.\'Butdon\'tletmedampyerweddedjoybynamingtheparticulars.Yes,I\'veseenchangessince;though\'tisbutashorttimeago——letmesee,onlyamonthnextweek,Ithink;for\'twerethefirstorseconddayinAugust.\'
\'Yes——that\'swhenitwas,\'saidanotherman,asailor,whohadcomeupwithapipeinhismouth,andfeltitnecessarytojoininBaptistahavingrecededtoescapefurtherspeech.\'ForthatwasthefirsttimeIsetfootinGiant\'sTown;andherhusbandtookhertohimthesameday.\'
Adialoguethenproceededbetweenthetwomenoutsidethewall,whichBaptistacouldnothelphearing.
\'Ay,Isignedthebookthatmadeheroneflesh,\'repeatedthedecayedglazier.\'Where\'shergoodman?\'
\'Aboutthepremisessomewhere;butyoudon\'tsee\'emtogethermuch,\'
repliedthesailorinanundertone.\'Yousee,he\'solderthanshe.\'
\'Older?Ishouldneverhavethoughtitfrommyownobservation,\'
saidtheglazier.\'Hewasaremarkablyhandsomeman.\'
\'Handsome?Well,thereheis——wecanseeforourselves.\'
DavidHeddeganhad,indeed,justshownhimselfattheupperendofthegarden;andtheglazier,lookinginbewildermentfromthehusbandtothewife,sawthelatterturnpale.
Nowthatdecayedglazierwasafar-seeingandcunningman——toofar-
seeingandcunningtoallowhimselftothrivebysimpleandstraightforwardmeans——andheheldhispeace,tillhecouldreadmoreplainlythemeaningofthisriddle,merelyaddingcarelessly,\'Well——
marriagedoalteraman,\'tistrue.Ishouldneverha\'knowedhim!\'
HethenstaredoddlyatthedisconcertedBaptista,andmovingontowherehecouldagainaddressher,askedhertodohimagoodturn,sinceheoncehaddonethesameforher.Understandingthathemeantmoney,shehandedhimsome,atwhichhethankedher,andinstantlywentaway.
CHAPTERVII
Shehadescapedexposureonthisoccasion;buttheincidenthadbeenanawkwardone,andshouldhavesuggestedtoBaptistathatsoonerorlaterthesecretmustleakout.Asitwas,shesuspectedthatatanyrateshehadnotheardthelastoftheglazier.
Inadayortwo,whenherhusbandhadgonetotheoldtownontheothersideoftheisland,therecameagentletapatthedoor,andtheworthywitnessofherfirstmarriagemadehisappearanceasecondtime.
\'Ittookmehourstogettothebottomofthemystery——hours!\'hesaidwithagazeofdeepconfederacywhichoffendedherprideverydeeply.\'ButthankstoagoodintellectI\'vedoneit.Now,ma\'am,I\'mnotamantotelltales,evenwhenatalewouldbesogoodasthis.ButI\'mgoingbacktothemainlandagain,andalittleassistancewouldbeasrainonthirstyground.\'
\'Ihelpedyoutwodaysago,\'beganBaptista.
\'Yes——butwhatwasthat,mygoodlady?NotenoughtopaymypassagetoPen-zephyr.Icameoveronyouraccount,forIthoughttherewasamysterysomewhere.NowImustgobackonmyown.Mindthis——
\'twouldbeveryawkwardforyouifyouroldmanweretoknow.He\'saqueertemper,thoughhemaybefond.\'
Sheknewaswellashervisitorhowawkwarditwouldbe;andthehush-moneyshepaidwasheavythatday.Shehad,however,thesatisfactionofwatchingthemantothesteamer,andseeinghimdiminishoutofsight.ButBaptistaperceivedthatthesystemintowhichshehadbeenledofpurchasingsilencethuswasonefataltoherpeaceofmind,particularlyifithadtobecontinued.
Hearingnomorefromtheglaziershehopedthedifficultywaspast.
Butanotherweekonlyhadgoneby,when,asshewaspacingtheGiant\'sWalkthenamegiventothepromenade,shemetthesamepersonageinthecompanyofafatwomancarryingabundle.
\'Thisisthelady,mydear,\'hesaidtohiscompanion.\'This,ma\'am,ismywife.We\'vecometosettleinthetownforatime,ifsobewecanfindroom.\'
\'Thatyouwon\'tdo,\'saidshe.\'Nobodycanliveherewhoisnotprivileged.\'
\'Iamprivileged,\'saidtheglazier,\'bymytrade.\'
Baptistawenton,butintheafternoonshereceivedavisitfromtheman\'swife.Thishonestwomanbegantodepict,inforciblecolours,thenecessityforkeepinguptheconcealment.
\'Iwillintercedewithmyhusband,ma\'am,\'shesaid.\'He\'satruemanifrightlymanaged;andI\'llbeghimtoconsideryourposition.
\'Tisaverynicehouseyou\'vegothere,\'sheadded,glancinground,\'andwellworthalittlesacrificetokeepit.\'
TheunluckyBaptistastavedoffthedangeronthisthirdoccasionasshehaddoneontheprevioustwo.Butsheformedaresolvethat,iftheattackwereoncemoretoberepeatedshewouldfacearevelation——
worsethoughthatmustnowbethanbeforeshehadattemptedtopurchasesilencebybribes.Hertormentors,neverbelievinghercapableofactinguponsuchanintention,cameagain;butsheshutthedoorintheirfaces.Theyretreated,mutteringsomething;butshewenttothebackofthehouse,whereDavidHeddeganwas.
Shelookedathim,unconsciousofall.Thecasewasserious;sheknewthatwell;andallthemoreseriousinthatshelikedhimbetternowthanshehaddoneatfirst.Yet,assheherselfbegantosee,thesecretwasonethatwassuretodiscloseitself.HernameandCharles\'sstoodindeliblywrittenintheregisters;andthoughamonthonlyhadpassedasyetitwasawonderthathisclandestineunionwithherhadnotalreadybeendiscoveredbyhisfriends.Thusspurringherselftotheinevitable,shespoketoHeddegan.
\'David,comeindoors.Ihavesomethingtotellyou.\'
Hehardlyregardedheratfirst.Shehaddiscernedthatduringthelastweekortwohehadseemedpreoccupied,asifsomeprivatebusinessharassedhim.Sherepeatedherrequest.Herepliedwithasigh,\'Yes,certainly,meedeer.\'
Whentheyhadreachedthesitting-roomandshutthedoorsherepeated,faintly,\'David,Ihavesomethingtotellyou——asortoftragedyIhaveconcealed.Youwillhatemeforhavingsofardeceivedyou;butperhapsmytellingyouvoluntarilywillmakeyouthinkalittlebetterofmethanyouwoulddootherwise.\'
\'Tragedy?\'hesaid,awakeningtointerest.\'Muchyoucanknowabouttragedies,meedeer,thathavebeenintheworldsoshortatime!\'
Shesawthathesuspectednothing,anditmadehertasktheharder.
Butonshewentsteadily.\'Itisaboutsomethingthathappenedbeforeweweremarried,\'shesaid.
\'Indeed!\'
\'Notaverylongtimebefore——ashorttime.Anditisaboutalover,\'shefaltered.
\'Idon\'tmuchmindthat,\'hesaidmildly.\'Intruth,Iwasinhopes\'twasmore.\'
\'Inhopes!\'
\'Well,yes.\'
Thisscrewedheruptothenecessaryeffort.\'Imetmyoldsweetheart.Hescornedme,chidme,daredme,andIwentandmarriedhim.Wewerecomingstraightheretotellyouallwhatwehaddone;
buthewasdrowned;andIthoughtIwouldsaynothingabouthim:andImarriedyou,David,forthesakeofpeaceandquietness.I\'vetriedtokeepitfromyou,buthavefoundIcannot.There——that\'sthesubstanceofit,andyoucannever,neverforgiveme,Iamsure!\'
Shespokedesperately.Buttheoldman,insteadofturningblackorblue,orslayingherinhisindignation,jumpedupfromhischair,andbegantocaperaroundtheroominquiteanecstaticemotion.
\'O,happything!Howwellitfallsout!\'heexclaimed,snappinghis,fingersoverhishead.\'Ha-ha——theknotiscut——Iseeawayoutofmytrouble——ha-ha!\'Shelookedathimwithoututteringasound,till,ashestillcontinuedsmilingjoyfully,shesaid,\'O——whatdoyoumean!Isitdonetotormentme?\'
\'No——no!O,meedeer,yourstoryhelpsmeoutofthemostheart-
achingquandaryapoormaneverfoundhimselfin!Yousee,itisthis——I\'VEgotatragedy,too;andunlessyouhadhadonetotell,I
couldneverhaveseenmywaytotellmine!\'
\'Whatisyours——whatisit?\'sheasked,withaltogetheranewviewofthings.
\'Well——itisabouncer;mineisabouncer!\'saidhe,lookingonthegroundandwipinghiseyes.
\'Notworsethanmine?\'
\'Well——thatdependsuponhowyoulookatit.Yourshadtodowiththepastalone;andIdon\'tmindit.Yousee,we\'vebeenmarriedamonth,anditdon\'tjaruponmeasitwouldifwe\'donlybeenmarriedadayortwo.Nowminereferstopast,present,andfuture;sothat——
\'
\'Past,present,andfuture!\'shemurmured.\'ItneveroccurredtomethatYOUhadatragedy,too.\'
\'ButIhave!\'hesaid,shakinghishead.\'Infact,four.\'
\'Thentell\'em!\'criedtheyoungwoman.
\'Iwill——Iwill.Butbeconsiderate,Ibeg\'ee,meedeer.Well——I
wasn\'tabachelorwhenImarried\'ee,anymorethanyouwereaspinster.Justasyouwasawidow-woman,Iwasawidow-man.
\'Ah!\'saidshe,withsomesurprise.\'Butisthatall?——thenwearenicelybalanced,\'sheadded,relieved.
\'No——itisnotall.There\'sthepoint.Iamnotonlyawidower.\'
\'O,David!\'
\'Iamawidowerwithfourtragedies——thatistosay,fourstrappinggirls——theeldesttallerthanyou.Don\'t\'eelooksostruck——dumb-
like!Itfelloutinthisway.Iknewthepoorwoman,theirmother,inPen-zephyrforsomeyears;and——tocutalongstoryshort——I
privatelymarriedheratlast,justbeforeshedied.Ikeptthemattersecret,butitisgettingknownamongthepeopleherebydegrees.I\'velongfeltforthechildren——thatitismydutytohavethemhere,anddosomethingforthem.Ihavenothadcouragetobreakitto\'ee,butI\'veseenlatelythatitwouldsooncometoyourears,andthathevworriedme.\'
\'Aretheyeducated?\'saidtheex-schoolmistress.
\'No.Iamsorrytosaytheyhavebeenmuchneglected;intruth,theycanhardlyread.AndsoIthoughtthatbymarryingayoungschoolmistressIshouldgetsomeoneinthehousewhocouldteach\'em,andbring\'emintogenteelcondition,allfornothing.Yousee,theyaregroweduptootalltobesenttoschool.\'
\'O,mercy!\'shealmostmoaned.\'Fourgreatgirlstoteachtherudimentsto,andhavealwaysinthehousewithmespellingovertheirbooks;andIhateteaching,itkillsme.Iambitterlypunished——Iam,Iam!\'
\'You\'llgetusedto\'em,meedeer,andthebalanceofsecrets——mineagainstyours——willcomfortyourheartwithasenseofjustice.I
couldsendfor\'emthisweekverywell——andIwill!Infaith,I
couldsendthisveryday.Baptista,youhaverelievedmeofallmydifficulty!\'
Thustheinterviewended,sofarasthismatterwasconcerned.
Baptistawastoostupefiedtosaymore,andwhenshewentawaytoherroomsheweptfromverymortificationatMr.Heddegan\'sduplicity.
Education,theonethingsheabhorred;theshameofittodeludeayoungwifeso!
Thenextmealcameround.Astheysat,Baptistawouldnotsufferhereyestoturntowardshim.Hedidnotattempttointrudeuponherreserve,buteverynowandthenlookedunderthetableandchuckledwithsatisfactionattheaspectofaffairs.\'Howverywellmatchedwebe!\'hesaid,comfortably.
Nextday,whenthesteamercamein,Baptistasawherhusbandrushdowntomeetit;andsoonafterthereappearedatherdoorfourtall,hipless,shoulderlessgirls,dwindlinginheightandsizefromtheeldesttotheyoungest,likearowofPanpipes;attheheadofthemstandingHeddegan.Hesmiledpleasantlythroughthegreyfringeofhiswhiskersandbeard,andturningtothegirlssaid,\'Nowcomeforrard,andshakehandsproperlywithyourstepmother.\'
Thusshemadetheiracquaintance,andhewentout,leavingthemtogether.Onexaminationthepoorgirlsturnedouttobenotonlyplain-looking,whichshecouldhaveforgiven,buttohavesuchalamentablymeagreintellectualequipmentastobehopelesslyinadequateascompanions.Eventheeldest,almostherownage,couldonlyreadwithdifficultywordsoftwosyllables;andtasteindresswasbeyondtheircomprehension.Inthelongvistaoffutureyearsshesawnothingbutdrearydrudgeryatherdetestedoldtradewithoutprospectofreward.
Shewentaboutquitedespairingduringthenextfewdays——anunpromising,unfortunatemoodforawomanwhohadnotbeenmarriedsixweeks.Fromherparentssheconcealedeverything.TheyhadbeenamongstthefewacquaintancesofHeddeganwhoknewnothingofhissecret,andwereindignantenoughwhentheysawsuchaready-madehouseholdfoistedupontheironlychild.Butshewouldnotsupportthemintheirremonstrances.
\'No,youdon\'tyetknowall,\'shesaid.
ThusBaptistahadsenseenoughtoseetheretributivefairnessofthisissue.Forsometime,wheneverconversationarosebetweenherandHeddegan,whichwasnotoften,shealwayssaid,\'Iammiserable,andyouknowit.YetIdon\'twishthingstobeotherwise.\'
Butonedaywhenheasked,\'Howdoyoulike\'emnow?\'heranswerwasunexpected.\'MuchbetterthanIdid,\'shesaid,quietly.\'Imaylikethemverymuchsomeday.\'
ThiswasthebeginningofaserenerseasonforthechastenedspiritofBaptistaHeddegan.Shehad,intruth,discovered,underneaththecrustofuncouthnessandmeagrearticulationwhichwasduetotheirTroglodyteanexistence,thatherunwelcomeddaughtershadnaturesthatwereunselfishalmosttosublimity.Theharshdisciplineaccordedtotheiryounglivesbeforetheirmother\'swronghadbeenrighted,hadoperatedlesstocrushthemthantoliftthemaboveallpersonalambition.Theyconsideredtheworldanditscontentsinapurelyobjectiveway,andtheirownlotseemedonlytoaffectthemasthatofcertainhumanbeingsamongtherest,whosetroublestheyknewratherthansuffered.
ThiswassuchanentirelynewwayofregardinglifetoawomanofBaptista\'snature,thatherattention,frombeingfirstarrestedbyit,becamedeeplyinterested.Byimperceptiblepulsesherheartexpandedinsympathywiththeirs.Thesentencesofhertragi-comedy,herlife,confusedtillnow,becameclearerdaily.Thatinhumanity,asexemplifiedbythesegirls,therewasnothingtodislike,butinfinitelymuchtopity,shelearntwiththelapseofeachweekintheircompany.Shegrewtolikethegirlsofunpromisingexterior,andfromlikingshegottolovethem;tilltheyformedanunexpectedpointofjunctionbetweenherownandherhusband\'sinterests,generatingasterlingfriendshipatleast,betweenapairinwhoseexistencetherehadthreatenedtobeneitherfriendshipnorlove.
October,1885.