YetthesefriendlycottagerswereatthistimefarfromsuspectingtherealdimensionsofEmmeline\'smisery，norwasitcleareventothosewhocameintomuchclosercommunionwithherthanthey，sowellhadsheconcealedherheart-sickness。Butbrideandbridegroomhadnotlongbeenhomeatthecastlewhentheyoungwife\'sunhappinessbecameplainlyenoughperceptible。Hermaidsandmensaidthatshewasinthehabitofturningtothewainscotandsheddingstupidscaldingtearsatatimewhenaright-mindedladywouldhavebeenoverhaulingherwardrobe。Sheprayedearnestlyinthegreatchurch-pew，whereshesatlonelyandinsignificantasamouseinacell，insteadofcountingherrings，fallingasleep，oramusingherselfinsilentlaughteratthequeeroldpeopleinthecongregation，aspreviousbeautiesofthefamilyhaddoneintheirtime。Sheseemedtocarenomoreforeatinganddrinkingoutofcrystalandsilverthanfromaserviceofearthenvessels。Herheadwas，intruth，fullofsomethingelse；andthatsuchwasthecasewasonlytooobvioustotheDuke，herhusband。Atfirsthewouldonlytauntherforherfollyinthinkingofthatmilk-and-waterparson；butastimewentonhischargestookamorepositiveshape。
Hewouldnotbelieveherassurancethatshehadinnowaycommunicatedwithherformerlover，norhewithher，sincetheirpartinginthepresenceofherfather。Thisledtosomestrangescenesbetweenthemwhichneednotbedetailed；theirresultwassoontotakeacatastrophicshape。
Onedarkquietevening，abouttwomonthsafterthemarriage，amanenteredthegateadmittingfromthehighwaytotheparkandavenuewhichranuptothehouse。Hearrivedwithintwohundredyardsofthewalls，whenheleftthegravelleddriveanddrewneartothecastlebyaroundaboutpathleadingintoashrubbery。Herehestoodstill。Inafewminutesthestrokesofthecastle-clockresounded，andthenafemalefigureenteredthesamesecludednookfromanoppositedirection。Therethetwoindistinctpersonsleapttogetherlikeapairofdewdropsonaleaf；andthentheystoodapart，facingeachother，thewomanlookingdown。
\'Emmeline，youbeggedmetocome，andhereIam，Heavenforgiveme!\'
saidthemanhoarsely。
\'Youaregoingtoemigrate，Alwyn，\'shesaidinbrokenaccents。\'I
haveheardofit；yousailfromPlymouthinthreedaysintheWesternGlory?\'
\'Yes。IcanliveinEnglandnolonger。Lifeisasdeathtomehere，\'sayshe。
\'Mylifeisevenworse——worsethandeath。Deathwouldnothavedrivenmetothisextremity。Listen，Alwyn——Ihavesentforyoutobegtogowithyou，oratleasttobenearyou——todoanythingsothatitbenottostayhere。\'
\'Togoawaywithme?\'hesaidinastartledtone。
\'Yes，yes——orunderyourdirection，orbyyourhelpinsomeway!
Don\'tbehorrifiedatme——youmustbearwithmewhilstIimploreit。
Nothingshortofcrueltywouldhavedrivenmetothis。IcouldhavebornemydoominsilencehadIbeenleftunmolested；buthetorturesme，andIshallsoonbeinthegraveifIcannotescape。\'
Tohisshockedinquiryhowherhusbandtorturedher，theDuchesssaidthatitwasbyjealousy。\'Hetriestowringadmissionsfrommeconcerningyou，\'shesaid，\'andwillnotbelievethatIhavenotcommunicatedwithyousincemyengagementtohimwassettledbymyfather，andIwasforcedtoagreetoit。\'
Thepoorcuratesaidthatthiswastheheaviestnewsofall。\'Hehasnotpersonallyill-usedyou?\'heasked。
\'Yes，\'shewhispered。
\'Whathashedone?\'
Shelookedfearfullyaround，andsaid，sobbing:\'IntryingtomakemeconfesstowhatIhaveneverdone，headoptsplansIdarenotdescribeforterrifyingmeintoaweakstate，sothatImayowntoanything!Iresolvedtowritetoyou，asIhadnootherfriend。\'
Sheadded，withdrearyirony，\'IthoughtIwouldgivehimsomegroundforhissuspicion，soasnottodisgracehisjudgment。\'
\'Doyoureallymean，Emmeline，\'hetremblinglyinquired，\'thatyou——
thatyouwanttoflywithme?\'
\'CanyouthinkthatIwouldactotherwisethaninearnestatsuchatimeasthis?\'
Hewassilentforaminuteormore。\'Youmustnotgowithme，\'hesaid。
\'Why?\'
\'Itwouldbesin。\'
\'ItCANNOTbesin，forIhaveneverwantedtocommitsininmylife；
anditisn\'tlikelyIwouldbeginnow，whenIprayeverydaytodieandbesenttoHeavenoutofmymisery!\'
\'Butitiswrong，Emmeline，allthesame。\'
\'Isitwrongtorunawayfromthefirethatscorchesyou?\'
\'Itwouldlookwrong，atanyrate，inthiscase。\'
\'Alwyn，Alwyn，takeme，Ibeseechyou!\'sheburstout。\'Itisnotrightingeneral，Iknow，butitissuchanexceptionalinstance，this。Whyhassuchaseverestrainbeenputuponme?Iwasdoingnoharm，injuringnoone，helpingmanypeople，andexpectinghappiness；yettroublecame。CanitbethatGodholdsmeinderision?Ihadnosupporter——Igaveway；andnowmylifeisaburdenandashametome……Oh，ifyouonlyknewhowmuchtomethisrequesttoyouis——howmylifeiswrappedupinit，youcouldnotdenyme!\'
\'Thisisalmostbeyondendurance——Heavensupportus，\'hegroaned。
\'Emmy，youaretheDuchessofHamptonshire，theDukeofHamptonshire\'swife；youmustnotgowithme!\'
\'AndamIthenrefused?——Oh，amIrefused?\'shecriedfrantically。
\'Alwyn，Alwyn，doyousayitindeedtome?\'
\'Yes，Ido，dear，tenderheart!Idomostsadlysayit。Youmustnotgo。Forgiveme，forthereisnoalternativebutrefusal。
ThoughIdie，thoughyoudie，wemustnotflytogether。ItisforbiddeninGod\'slaw。Good-bye，foralwaysandever!\'
Hetorehimselfaway，hastenedfromtheshrubbery，andvanishedamongthetrees。
Threedaysafterthismeetingandfarewell，Alwyn，hissoft，handsomefeaturesstampedwithahaggardhardnessthattenyearsofordinarywearandtearintheworldcouldscarcelyhaveproduced，sailedfromPlymouthonadrizzlingmorning，inthepassenger-shipWesternGlory。Whenthelandhadfadedbehindhimhemechanicallyendeavouredtoschoolhimselfintoastoicalframeofmind。Hisattempt，backedupbythestrongmoralstayingpowerthathadenabledhimtoresistthepassionatetemptationtowhichEmmeline，inherrecklesstrustfulness，hadexposedhim，wasrewardedbyacertainkindofsuccess，thoughthemurmuringstretchofwaterswhereonhegazeddayafterdaytoooftenseemedtobearticulatingtohimintonesofherwell-rememberedvoice。
Heframedonhisjourneyrulesofconductforreducingtomildproportionsthefeverishregretswhichwouldoccasionallyariseandagitatehim，whenheindulgedinvisionsofwhatmighthavebeenhadhenothearkenedtothewhispersofconscience。Hefixedhisthoughtsforsomanyhoursadayonphilosophicalpassagesinthevolumeshehadbroughtwithhim，allowinghimselfnowandthenafewminutes\'thoughtofEmmeline，withthestrictyetreluctantniggardlinessofanailingepicureproportioningtherankdrinksthatcausehismalady。Thevoyagewasmarkedbytheusualincidentsofasailing-passageinthosedays——astorm，acalm，amanoverboard，abirth，andafuneral——thelattersadeventbeingoneinwhichhe，astheonlyclergymanonboard，officiated，readingtheserviceordainedforthepurpose。TheshipdulyarrivedatBostonearlyinthemonthfollowing，andthenceheproceededtoProvidencetoseekoutadistantrelative。
AfterashortstayatProvidencehereturnedagaintoBoston，andbyapplyinghimselftoaseriousoccupationmadegoodprogressinshakingoffthedrearymelancholywhichenvelopedhimevennow。
Distractedandweakenedinhisbeliefsbyhisrecentexperiences，hedecidedthathecouldnotforatimeworthilyfilltheofficeofaministerofreligion，andappliedforthemastershipofaschool。
Someintroductions，givenhimbeforestarting，wereusefulnow，andhesoonbecameknownasarespectablescholarandgentlemantothetrusteesofoneofthecolleges。ThisultimatelyledtohisretirementfromtheschoolandinstallationinthecollegeasProfessorofrhetoricandoratory。
Hereandthushelivedon，exertinghimselfsolelybecauseofaconscientiousdeterminationtodohisduty。Hepassedhiswintereveningsinturningsonnetsandelegies，oftengivinghisthoughtsvoicein\'LinestoanUnfortunateLady，\'whilehissummerleisureatthesamehourwouldbespentinwatchingthelengtheningshadowsfromhiswindow，andfancifullycomparingthemwiththeshadesofhisownlife。Ifhewalked，hementallyinquiredwhichwastheeasternquarterofthelandscape，andthoughtoftwothousandmilesofwaterthatway，andofwhatwasbeyondit。Inawordhewasatallsparetimesdreamingofherwhowasonlyamemorytohim，andwouldprobablyneverbemore。
Nineyearspassedby，andundertheirwearandtearAlwynHill\'sfacelostagreatmanyoftheattractivecharacteristicswhichhadformerlydistinguishedit。Hewaskindtohispupilsandaffabletoallwhocameincontactwithhim；butthekernelofhislife，hissecret，waskeptassnuglyshutupasthoughhehadbeendumb。IntalkingtohisacquaintancesofEnglandandhislifethere，heomittedtheepisodeofBattonCastleandEmmelineasifithadnoexistenceinhiscalendaratall。Thoughoftoweringimportancetohimself，ithadfilledbutashortandsmallfragmentoftime，anephemeralseasonwhichwouldhavebeenwellnighimperceptible，eventohim，atthisdistance，butfortheincidentitenshrined。
Oneday，atthisdate，whencursorilyglancingoveranoldEnglishnewspaper，heobservedaparagraphwhich，shortasitwas，containedforhimwholetomesofthrillinginformation——rungwithmorepassion-stirringrhythmthanthecollectedcantosofallthepoets。
ItwasanannouncementofthedeathoftheDukeofHamptonshire，leavingbehindhimawidow，butnochildren。
ThecurrentofAlwyn\'sthoughtsnowcompletelychanged。Onlookingagainatthenewspaperhefoundittobeonethatwassenthimlongago，andhadbeencarelesslythrownaside。Butforanaccidentaloverhaulingofthewastejournalsinhisstudyhemightnothaveknownoftheeventforyears。AtthismomentofreadingtheDukehadalreadybeendeadsevenmonths。Alwyncouldnownolongerbindhimselfdowntomachine-madesynecdoche，antithesis，andclimax，beingfullofspontaneousspecimensofalltheserhetoricalforms，whichhedarednotutter。Whoshallwonderthathismindluxuriatedindreamsofasweetpossibilitynowlaidopenforthefirsttimethesemanyyears?forEmmelinewastohimnowasevertheonedearthinginalltheworld。Theissueofhissilentromancingwasthatheresolvedtoreturntoherattheveryearliestmoment。
Buthecouldnotabandonhisprofessionalworkontheinstant。Hedidnotgetreallyquitefreefromengagementstillfourmonthslater；but，thoughsufferingthroesofimpatiencecontinually，hesaidtohimselfeveryday:\'Ifshehascontinuedtolovemenineyearsshewilllovemeten；shewillthinkthemoretenderlyofmewhenherpresenthoursofsolitudeshallhavedonetheirproperwork；oldtimeswillrevivewiththecessationofherrecentexperience，andeverydaywillfavourmyreturn。\'
Theenforcedintervalsoonpassed，andhedulyarrivedinEngland，reachingthevillageofBattononacertainwinterdaybetweentwelveandthirteenmonthssubsequenttothetimeoftheDuke\'sdeath。
Itwasevening；yetsuchwasAlwyn\'simpatiencethathecouldnotforbeartaking，thisverynight，onelookatthecastlewhichEmmelinehadenteredasunhappymistresstenyearsbefore。Hethreadedtheparktrees，gazedinpassingatwell-knownoutlineswhichroseagainstthedimsky，andwassooninterestedinobservingthatlivelycountry-people，inpartiesoftwoandthree，werewalkingbeforeandbehindhimuptheinterlacedavenuetothecastlegateway。Knowinghimselftobesafefromrecognition，Alwyninquiredofoneofthesepedestrianswhatwasgoingon。
\'HerGracegiveshertenantryaballto-night，tokeepuptheoldcustomoftheDukeandhisfatherbeforehim，whichshedoesnotwishtochange。\'
\'Indeed。HasshelivedhereentirelyalonesincetheDuke\'sdeath?\'
\'Quitealone。Butthoughshedoesn\'treceivecompanyherself，shelikesthevillagepeopletoenjoythemselves，andoftenhas\'emhere。\'
\'Kind-hearted，asalways!\'thoughtAlwyn。
Onreachingthecastlehefoundthatthegreatgatesatthetradesmen\'sentrancewerethrownbackagainstthewallasiftheywerenevertobeclosedagain；thatthepassagesandroomsinthatwingwerebrilliantlylightedup，someofthenumerouscandlesgutteringdownoverthegreenleaveswhichdecoratedthem，anduponthesilkdressesofthehappyfarmers\'wivesastheypassedbeneath，eachonherhusband\'sarm。Alwynfoundnodifficultyinmarchinginalongwiththerest，thecastlebeingLibertyHallto-night。Hestoodunobservedinacornerofthelargeapartmentwheredancingwasabouttobegin。
\'HerGrace，thoughhardlyoutofmourning，willbesuretocomedownandleadoffthedancewithneighbourBates，\'saidone。
\'WhoisneighbourBates?\'askedAlwyn。
\'Anoldmansherespectsmuch——theoldestofhertenant-farmers。Hewasseventy-eighthislastbirthday。\'
\'Ah，tobesure!\'saidAlwyn，athisease。\'Iremember。\'
Thedancersformedinline，andwaited。Adooropenedatthefartherendofthehall，andaladyinblacksilkcameforth。Shebowed，smiled，andproceededtothetopofthedance。
\'Whoisthatlady?\'saidAlwyn，inapuzzledtone。\'IthoughtyoutoldmethattheDuchessofHamptonshire——\'
\'ThatistheDuchess，\'saidhisinformant。
\'Butthereisanother?\'
\'No；thereisnoother。\'
\'ButsheisnottheDuchessofHamptonshire——whousedto——\'Alwyn\'stonguestucktohismouth，hecouldgetnofarther。
\'What\'sthematter?\'saidhisacquaintance。Alwynhadretired，andwassupportinghimselfagainstthewall。
ThewretchedAlwynmurmuredsomethingaboutastitchinhissidefromwalking。Thenthemusicstruckup，thedancewenton，andhisneighbourbecamesointerestedinwatchingthemovementsofthisstrangeDuchessthroughitsmazesastoforgetAlwynforawhile。
Itgavehimanopportunitytobracehimselfup。Hewasamanwhohadsuffered，andhecouldsufferagain。\'HowcamethatpersontobeyourDuchess?\'heaskedinafirm，distinctvoice，whenhehadattainedcompleteself-command。\'WhereisherotherGraceofHamptonshire?Therecertainlywasanother。Iknowit。\'
\'Oh，thepreviousone!Yes，yes。Sheranawayyearsandyearsagowiththeyoungcurate。Mr。Hillwastheyoungman\'sname，ifI
recollect。\'
\'No!Sheneverdid。Whatdoyoumeanbythat?\'hesaid。
\'Yes，shecertainlyranaway。ShemetthecurateintheshrubberyaboutacoupleofmonthsafterhermarriagewiththeDuke。Therewerefolkswhosawthemeetingandheardsomewordsoftheirtalk。
Theyarrangedtogo，andshesailedfromPlymouthwithhimadayortwoafterward。\'
\'That\'snottrue。\'
\'Then\'tisthequeerestlieevertoldbyman。Herfatherbelievedandknewtohisdyingdaythatshewentwithhim；andsodidtheDuke，andeverybodyabouthere。Ay，therewasafineupsetaboutitatthetime。TheDuketracedhertoPlymouth。\'
\'TracedhertoPlymouth?\'
\'HetracedhertoPlymouth，andsetonhisspies；andtheyfoundthatshewenttotheshipping-office，andinquiredifMr。AlwynHillhadenteredhisnameaspassengerbytheWesternGlory；andwhenshefoundthathehad，shebookedherselfforthesameship，butnotinherrealname。WhenthevesselhadsailedaletterreachedtheDukefromher，tellinghimwhatshehaddone。Shenevercamebackhereagain。HisGracelivedbyhimselfanumberofyears，andmarriedthisladyonlytwelvemonthsbeforehedied。\'
Alwynwasinastateofindescribablebewilderment。But，unmannedashewas，hecalledthenextdayonthe，tohim，spuriousDuchessofHamptonshire。Atfirstshewasalarmedathisstatement，thencold，thenshewaswonoverbyhisconditiontogiveconfidenceforconfidence。SheshowedhimaletterwhichhadbeenfoundamongthepapersofthelateDuke，corroboratingwhatAlwyn\'sinformanthaddetailed。ItwasfromEmmeline，bearingthepostmarkeddateatwhichtheWesternGlorysailed，andbrieflystatedthatshehademigratedbythatshiptoAmerica。
Alwynappliedhimselfbodyandmindtounraveltheremainderofthemystery。Thestoryrepeatedtohimwasalwaysthesame:\'Sheranawaywiththecurate。\'Astrangelycircumstantialpieceofintelligencewasaddedtothiswhenhehadpushedhisinquiriesalittlefurther。TherewasgivenhimthenameofawatermanatPlymouth，whohadcomeforwardatthetimethatshewasmissedandsoughtforbyherhusband，andhadstatedthatheputheronboardtheWesternGloryatduskoneeveningbeforethatvesselsailed。
AfterseveraldaysofsearchaboutthealleysandquaysofPlymouthBarbican，duringwhichtheseimpossiblewords，\'Sheranoffwiththecurate，\'becamebrandedonhisbrain，Alwynfoundthisimportantwaterman。Hewaspositiveastothetruthofhisstory，stillrememberingtheincidentwell，andhedescribedindetailthelady\'sdress，ashehadlongagodescribedittoherhusband，whichdescriptioncorrespondedineveryparticularwiththedresswornbyEmmelineontheeveningoftheirparting。
BeforeproceedingtotheothersideoftheAtlantictocontinuehisinquiriesthere，thepuzzledanddistractedAlwynsethimselftoascertaintheaddressofCaptainWheeler，whohadcommandedtheWesternGloryintheyearofAlwyn\'svoyageout，andimmediatelywrotealettertohimonthesubject。
Theonlycircumstanceswhichthesailorcouldrecollectordiscoverfromhispapersinconnectionwithsuchastorywere，thatawomanbearingthenamewhichAlwynhadmentionedasfictitiouscertainlydidcomeaboardforavoyagehemadeaboutthattime；thatshetookacommonberthamongthepoorestemigrants；thatshediedonthevoyageout，ataboutfivedays\'sailfromPlymouth；thatsheseemedaladyinmannersandeducation。Whyshehadnotappliedforafirst-classpassage，whyshehadnotrunks，theycouldnotguess，forthoughshehadlittlemoneyinherpocketshehadthataboutherwhichwouldhavefetchedit。\'Weburiedheratsea，\'continuedthecaptain。\'Ayoungparson，oneofthecabin-passengers，readtheburial-serviceoverher，Irememberwell。\'
ThewholesceneandproceedingsdarteduponAlwyn\'srecollectioninamoment。Itwasafinebreezymorningonthatlong-pastvoyageout，andhehadbeentoldthattheywererunningattherateofahundredandoddmilesaday。Thenewswentroundthatoneofthepooryoungwomenintheotherpartofthevesselwasilloffever，anddelirious。Thetidingscausednolittlealarmamongallthepassengers，forthesanitaryconditionsoftheshipwereanythingbutsatisfactory。Shortlyafterthisthedoctorannouncedthatshehaddied。ThenAlwynhadlearntthatshewaslaidoutforburialingreathaste，becauseofthedangerthatwouldhavebeenincurredbydelay。Andnextthefuneralscenerosebeforehim，andtheprominentpartthathehadtakeninthatsolemnceremony。Thecaptainhadcometohim，requestinghimtoofficiate，astherewasnochaplainonboard。Thishehadagreedtodo；andasthesunwentdownwithablazeinhisfacehereadamidstthemallassembled:
\'Wethereforecommitherbodytothedeep，tobeturnedintocorruption，lookingfortheresurrectionofthebodywhentheseashallgiveupherdead。\'
Thecaptainalsoforwardedtheaddressesoftheship\'smatronandofotherpersonswhohadbeenengagedonboardatthedate。TotheseAlwynwentinthecourseoftime。Acategoricaldescriptionoftheclothesofthedeadtruant，thecolourofherhair，andotherthings，extinguishedforeverallhopeofamistakeinidentity。
Atlast，then，thecourseofeventshadbecomeclear。OnthatunhappyeveningwhenheleftEmmelineintheshrubbery，forbiddinghertofollowhimbecauseitwouldbeasin，shemusthavedisobeyed。Shemusthavefollowedathisheelssilentlythroughthedarkness，likeapoorpetanimalthatwillnotbedrivenback。Shecouldhaveaccumulatednothingforthejourneymorethanshemighthavecarriedinherhand；andthuspoorlyprovidedshemusthaveembarked。Herintentionhaddoubtlessbeentomakeherpresenceonboardknowntohimassoonasshecouldmustercouragetodoso。
Thusthetenyears\'chapterofAlwynHill\'sromancewounditselfupunderhiseyes。ThatthepooryoungwomaninthesteeragehadbeentheyoungDuchessofHamptonshirewasneverpubliclydisclosed。
HillhadnolongeranyreasonforremaininginEngland，andsoonafterleftitsshoreswithnointentiontoreturn。Previoustohisdepartureheconfidedhisstorytoanoldfriendfromhisnativetown——grandfatherofthepersonwhonowrelatesittoyou。
Afewmembers，includingtheBookworm，seemedtobeimpressedbythequietgentleman\'stale；butthememberwehavecalledtheSpark——
who，bytheway，wasgettingsomewhattingedwiththelightofotherdays，andownedtoeight-and-thirty——walkeddaintilyabouttheroominsteadofsittingdownbythefirewiththemajorityandsaidthatforhisparthepreferredsomethingmorelivelythanthelaststory——
somethinginwhichsuchlong-separatedloverswereultimatelyunited。Healsolikedstoriesthatweremoremodernintheirdateofactionthanthosehehadheardto-day。
Membersimmediatelyrequestedhimtogivethemaspecimen，towhichtheSparkrepliedthathedidn\'tmind，asfarasthatwent。AndthoughtheVice-President，theManofFamily，theColonel，andothers，lookedattheirwatches，andsaidtheymustsoonretiretotheirrespectivequartersinthehoteladjoining，theyalldecidedtositouttheSpark\'sstory。
DAMETHETENTH:THEHONOURABLELAURA
BytheSparkItwasacoldandgloomyChristmasEve。Themassofcloudoverheadwasalmostimpervioustosuchdaylightasstilllingeredon；thesnowlayseveralinchesdeepupontheground，andtheslantingdownfallwhichstillwentonthreatenedtoconsiderablyincreaseitsthicknessbeforethemorning。TheProspectHotel，abuildingstandingnearthewildnorthcoastofLowerWessex，lookedsolonelyandsouselessatsuchatimeasthisthatapassingwayfarerwouldhavebeenledtoforgetsummerpossibilities，andtowonderatthecommercialcouragewhichcouldinvestcapital，onthebasisofthepopulartasteforthepicturesque，inacountrysubjecttosuchdrearyphases。ThatthedistrictwasalivewithvisitorsinAugustseemedbutadimtraditioninweathersototallyopposedtoallthattemptsmankindfromhome。However，therethehotelstoodimmovable；
andthecliffs，creeks，andheadlandswhichweretheprimaryattractionsofthespot，risinginfullviewontheoppositesideofthevalley，werenowbutsternangularoutlines，whilethetownletinfrontwastingedoverwithagrimydirtinessratherthanthepearlygraythatinsummerlentsuchbeautytoitsappearance。
Withinthehotelcommandingthisoutlookthelandlordwalkedidlyaboutwithhishandsinhispockets，notintheleastexpectantofavisitor，andyetunabletosettledowntoanyoccupationwhichshouldcompensateinsomedegreeforthelossesthatwinteridlenessentailedonhisregularprofession。Solittle，indeed，wasanybodyexpected，thatthecoffee-roomwaiter——agenteelboy，whoseplatedbuttonsinsummerwereasclosetogetheruponthefrontofhisshortjacketaspeasinapod——nowappearedinthebackyard，metamorphosedintotheunrecognizableshapeofaroughcountryladincorduroysandhobnailedboots，sweepingthesnowaway，andtalkingthelocaldialectinallitspurity，quiteobliviousofthenewpoliteaccenthehadlearnedinthehotweatherfromthewell-
behavedvisitors。Thefrontdoorwasclosed，and，asiftoexpressstillmorefullythesealedandchrysalisstateoftheestablishment，asand-bagwasplacedatthebottomtokeepouttheinsidioussnowdrift，thewindsettingindirectlyfromthatquarter。
Thelandlord，enteringhisownparlour，walkedtothelargefirewhichitwasabsolutelynecessarytokeepupforhiscomfort，nosuchblazeburninginthecoffee-roomorelsewhere，andaftergivingitastirreturnedtoatableinthelobby，whereonlaythevisitors\'book——nowclosedandpushedbackagainstthewall。Hecarelesslyopenedit；notanamehadbeenenteredtheresincethe19thofthepreviousNovember，andthatwasonlythenameofamanwhohadarrivedonatricycle，who，indeed，hadnotbeenaskedtoenteratall。
Whilehewasengagedthustheeveninggrewdarker；butbeforeitwasasyettoodarktodistinguishobjectsupontheroadwindingroundthebackofthecliffs，thelandlordperceivedablackspotonthedistantwhite，whichspeedilyenlargeditselfanddrewnear。Theprobabilitieswerethatthisvehicle——foravehicleofsomesortitseemedtobe——wouldpassbyandpursueitswaytothenearestrailway-townasothershaddone。But，contrarytothelandlord\'sexpectation，ashestoodconningitthroughtheyetunshutteredwindows，thesolitaryobject，onreachingthecorner，turnedintothehotel-front，anddroveuptothedoor。
Itwasaconveyanceparticularlyunsuitedtosuchaseasonandweather，beingnothingmoresubstantialthananopenbasket-carriagedrawnbyasinglehorse。Withinsattwopersons，ofdifferentsexes，ascouldsoonbediscerned，inspiteoftheirmuffledattire。
Themanheldthereins，andtheladyhadgotsomeshelterfromthestormbyclingingclosetohisside。Thelandlordrangthehostler\'sbelltoattracttheattentionofthestable-man，fortheapproachofthevisitorshadbeendeadenedtonoiselessnessbythesnow，andwhenthehostlerhadcometothehorse\'sheadthegentlemanandladyalighted，thelandlordmeetingtheminthehall。
Themalestrangerwasaforeign-lookingindividualofabouteight-
and-twenty。Hewasclose-shaven，exceptingamoustache，hisfeaturesbeinggood，andevenhandsome。Thelady，whostoodtimidlybehindhim，seemedtobemuchyounger——possiblynotmorethaneighteen，thoughitwasdifficulttojudgeeitherofherageorappearanceinherpresentwrappings。
Thegentlemanexpressedhiswishtostaytillthemorning，explainingsomewhatunnecessarily，consideringthatthehousewasaninn，thattheyhadbeenunexpectedlybenightedontheirdrive。Suchawelcomebeinggiventhemaslandlordscangiveindulltimes，thelatterorderedfiresinthedrawingandcoffee-rooms，andwenttotheboyintheyard，whosoonscrubbedhimselfup，draggedhisdisusedjacketfromitsbox，polishedthebuttonswithhissleeve，andappearedcivilizedinthehall。Theladywasshownintoaroomwhereshecouldtakeoffhersnow-dampedgarments，whichshesentdowntobedried，hercompanion，meanwhile，puttingacoupleofsovereignsonthetable，asifanxioustomakeeverythingsmoothandcomfortableatstarting，andrequestingthataprivatesitting-roommightbegotready。Thelandlordassuredhimthatthebestupstairsparlour——usuallypublic——shouldbekeptprivatethisevening，andsentthemaidtolightthecandles。Dinnerwaspreparedforthem，and，atthegentleman\'sdesire，servedinthesameapartment；where，theyoungladyhavingjoinedhim，theywerelefttotherestandrefreshmenttheyseemedtoneed。
Thatsomethingwaspeculiarintherelationsofthepairhadmorethanoncestruckthelandlord，thoughwhereinthatpeculiaritylayitwashardtodecide。Butthathisguestwasonewhopaidhiswayreadilyhadbeenprovedbyhisconduct，anddismissingconjectures，heturnedtopracticalaffairs。
Aboutnineo\'clockhere-enteredthehall，and，everythingbeingdonefortheday，againwalkedupanddown，occasionallygazingthroughtheglassdoorattheprospectwithout，toascertainhowtheweatherwasprogressing。Contrarytoprognostication，snowhadceasedfalling，and，withtherisingofthemoon，theskyhadpartiallycleared，lightfleecesofclouddriftingacrossthesilverydisk。Therewaseverysignthatafrostwasgoingtosetinlateron。Forthesereasonsthedistantrisingroadwasevenmoredistinctnowbetweenitshighbanksthanithadbeeninthedecliningdaylight。Notatrackorrutbrokethevirginsurfaceofthewhitemantlethatlayalongit，allmarksleftbythelatelyarrivedtravellershavingbeenspeedilyobliteratedbytheflakesfallingatthetime。
Andnowthelandlordbeheldbythelightofthemoonasightverysimilartothathehadseenbythelightofday。Againablackspotwasadvancingdowntheroadthatmarginedthecoast。Hewasinamomentortwoenabledtoperceivethatthepresentvehiclemovedonwardatamoreheadlongpacethanthelittlecarriagewhichhadprecededit；next，thatitwasabroughamdrawnbytwopowerfulhorses；next，thatthiscarriage，liketheformerone，wasboundforthehotel-door。Thisdesirablefeatureofresemblancecausedthelandlordtooncemorewithdrawthesand-bagandadvanceintotheporch。
Anoldgentlemanwasthefirsttoalight。Hewasfollowedbyayoungone，andbothunhesitatinglycameforward。
\'Hasayounglady，lessthannineteenyearsofage，recentlyarrivedhereinthecompanyofamansomeyearshersenior?\'askedtheoldgentleman，inhaste。\'Amancleanlyshavenforthemostpart，havingtheappearanceofanopera-singer，andcallinghimselfSignorSmithozzi?\'
\'Wehavehadarrivalslately，\'saidthelandlord，inthetoneofhavinghadtwentyatleast——notcaringtoacknowledgetheattenuatedstateofbusinessthatafflictedProspectHotelinwinter。
\'AndamongthemcanyourmemoryrecalltwopersonssuchasthoseI
describe?——themanasortofbaritone?\'
\'Therecertainlyisorwasayoungcouplestayinginthehotel；butIcouldnotpronounceonthecompassofthegentleman\'svoice。\'
\'No，no；ofcoursenot。Iamquitebewildered。Theyarrivedinabasket-carriage，altogetherbadlyprovided?\'
\'Theycameinacarriage，Ibelieve，asmostofourvisitorsdo。\'
\'Yes，yes。Imustseethematonce。Pardonmywantofceremony，andshowusintowheretheyare。\'
\'But，sir，youforget。SupposetheladyandgentlemanImeanarenottheladyandgentlemanyoumean?Itwouldbeawkwardtoallowyoutorushinuponthemjustnowwhiletheyareatdinner，andmightcausemetolosetheirfuturepatronage。\'
\'True，true。Theymaynotbethesamepersons。Myanxiety，I
perceive，makesmerashinmyassumptions!\'
\'Uponthewhole，Ithinktheymustbethesame，UncleQuantock，\'
saidtheyoungman，whohadnottillnowspoken。Andturningtothelandlord:\'Youpossiblyhavenotsuchalargeassemblageofvisitorshere，onthissomewhatforbiddingevening，thatyouquiteforgethowthiscouplearrived，andwhattheladywore?\'Histoneofaddressingthelandlordhadinitaquietfrigiditythatwasnotwithoutirony。
\'Ah!whatshewore；that\'sit，James。Whatdidshewear?\'
\'Idon\'tusuallytakestockofmyguests\'clothing，\'repliedthelandlorddrily，forthereadymoneyofthefirstarrivalhaddecidedlybiassedhiminfavourofthatgentleman\'scause。\'Youcancertainlyseesomeofitifyouwantto，\'headdedcarelessly，\'foritisdryingbythekitchenfire。\'
Beforethewordswerehalfoutofhismouththeoldgentlemanhadexclaimed，\'Ah!\'andprecipitatedhimselfalongwhatseemedtobethepassagetothekitchen；butasthisturnedouttobeonlytheentrancetoadarkchina-closet，hehastilyemergedagain，afteracollisionwiththeinn-crockeryhadtoldhimofhismistake。
\'Ibegyourpardon，I\'msure；butifyouonlyknewmyfeelingswhichIcannotatpresentexplain，youwouldmakeallowances。
AnythingIhavebrokenIwillwillinglypayfor。\'
\'Don\'tmentionit，sir，\'saidthelandlord。Andshowingtheway，theyadjournedtothekitchenwithoutfurtherparley。Theeldestofthepartyinstantlyseizedthelady\'scloak，thathunguponaclothes-horse，exclaiming:\'Ah!yes，James，itishers。Iknewwewereontheirtrack。\'
\'Yes，itishers，\'answeredthenephewquietly，forhewasmuchlessexcitedthanhiscompanion。
\'Showustheirroomatonce，\'saidtheoldman。
\'William，havetheladyandgentlemaninthefrontsitting-roomfinisheddining?\'
\'Yes，sir，longago，\'saidthehundredplatedbuttons。
\'Thenshowupthesegentlementothematonce。Youstayhereto-
night，gentlemen，Ipresume?Shallthehorsesbetakenout?\'
\'Feedthehorsesandwashtheirmouths。Whetherwestayornotdependsuponcircumstances，\'saidtheplacidyoungerman，ashefollowedhisuncleandthewaitertothestaircase。
\'Ithink，NephewJames，\'saidtheformer，ashepausedwithhisfootonthefirststep——\'Ithinkwehadbetternotbeannounced，buttakethembysurprise。Shemaygothrowingherselfoutofthewindow，ordosomeequallydesperatething!\'
\'Yes，certainly，we\'llenterunannounced。\'Andhecalledbacktheladwhoprecededthem。
\'Icannotsufficientlythankyou，James，forsoeffectuallyaidingmeinthispursuit!\'exclaimedtheoldgentleman，takingtheotherbythehand。\'Myincreasinginfirmitieswouldhavehinderedmyovertakingherto-night，haditnotbeenforyourtimelyaid。\'
\'Iamonlytoohappy，uncle，tohavebeenofservicetoyouinthisoranyothermatter。IonlywishIcouldhaveaccompaniedyouonapleasanterjourney。However，itisadvisabletogouptothematonce，ortheymayhearus。\'Andtheysoftlyascendedthestairs。
Onthedoorbeingopened，aroomtoolargetobecomfortable，litbythebestbranch-candlesticksofthehotel，wasdisclosed，beforethefireofwhichapartmentthetruantcoupleweresitting，veryinnocentlylookingoverthehotelscrap-bookandthealbumcontainingviewsoftheneighbourhood。Nosoonerhadtheoldmanenteredthantheyounglady——whonowshowedherselftobequiteasyoungasdescribed，andremarkablyprepossessingastofeatures——
perceptiblyturnedpale。Whenthenephewentered，sheturnedstillpaler，asifsheweregoingtofaint。Theyoungmandescribedasanopera-singerrosewithgrimcivility，andplacedchairsforhisvisitors。
\'Caughtyou，thankGod!\'saidtheoldgentlemanbreathlessly。
\'Yes，worseluck，mylord!\'murmuredSignorSmithozzi，innativeLondon-English，thatdistinguishedalienhaving，infact，firstseenthelightinthevicinityoftheCityRoad。\'Shewouldhavebeenmineto-morrow。AndIthinkthatunderthepeculiarcircumstancesitwouldbewiser——consideringhowsoonthebreathofscandalwilltarnishalady\'sfame——toletherbemineto-morrow，justthesame。\'
\'Never!\'saidtheoldman。\'Hereisaladyunderage，withoutexperience——child-likeinhermaideninnocenceandvirtue——whomyouhavepliedbyyourvilearts，tillthismorningatdawn——\'
\'LordQuantock，wereInotboundtorespectyourgrayhairs——\'
\'Tillthismorningatdawnyoutemptedherawayfromherfather\'sroof。Whatblamecanattachtoherconductthatwillnot，onafullexplanationofthematter，bereadilypassedoverinherandthrownentirelyonyou?Laura，youreturnatoncewithme。Ishouldnothavearrived，afterall，earlyenoughtodeliveryou，ifithadnotbeenforthedisinterestednessofyourcousin，CaptainNorthbrook，who，onmydiscoveringyourflightthismorning，offeredwithapromptitudeforwhichIcanneversufficientlythankhim，toaccompanymeonmyjourney，astheonlymalerelativeIhavenearme。Come，doyouhear?Putonyourthings；weareoffatonce。\'
\'Idon\'twanttogo!\'poutedtheyounglady。
\'Idaresayyoudon\'t，\'repliedherfatherdrily。\'Butchildrenneverknowwhat\'sbestforthem。Socomealong，andtrusttomyopinion。\'
Laurawassilent，anddidnotmove，theoperagentlemanlookinghelplesslyintothefire，andthelady\'scousinsittingmeditativelycalm，asthesingleoneofthefourwhosepositionenabledhimtosurveythewholeescapadewiththecoolcriticismofacomparativeoutsider。
\'Isaytoyou，Laura，asthefatherofadaughterunderage，thatyouinstantlycomewithme。What?Wouldyoucompelmetousephysicalforcetoreclaimyou?\'
\'Idon\'twanttoreturn!\'againdeclaredLaura。
\'Itisyourdutytoreturnnevertheless，andatonce，Iinformyou。\'
\'Idon\'twantto!\'
\'Now，dearLaura，thisiswhatIsay:returnwithmeandyourcousinJamesquietly，likeagoodandrepentantgirl，andnothingwillbesaid。Nobodyknowswhathashappenedasyet，andifwestartatonce，weshallbehomebeforeitislightto-morrowmorning。Come。\'
\'Iamnotobligedtocomeatyourbidding，father，andIwouldrathernot!\'
NowJames，thecousin，duringthisdialoguemighthavebeenobservedtogrowsomewhatrestless，andevenimpatient。Morethanoncehehadpartedhislipstospeak，butsecondthoughtseachtimeheldhimback。Themomenthadcome，however，whenhecouldkeepsilencenolonger。
\'Come，madam!\'hespokeout，\'thisfarcewithyourfatherhas，inmyopinion，goneonlongenough。Justmakenomoreado，andstepdownstairswithus。\'
Shegaveherselfanintractablelittletwist，anddidnotreply。
\'BytheLordHarry，Laura，Iwon\'tstandthis!\'hesaidangrily。
\'Come，getonyourthingsbeforeIcomeandcompelyou。Thereisakindofcompulsiontowhichthistalkischild\'splay。Come，madam——
instantly，Isay!\'
Theoldnoblemanturnedtohisnephewandsaidmildly:\'Leavemetoinsist，James。Itdoesn\'tbecomeyou。Icanspeaktohersharplyenough，ifIchoose。\'
James，however，didnotheedhisuncle，andwentontothetroublesomeyoungwoman:\'Yousayyoudon\'twanttocome，indeed!
Aprettystorytotellme，that!Come，marchoutoftheroomatonce，andleavethathulkingfellowformetodealwithafterward。
Getonquickly——come!\'andheadvancedtowardherasiftopullherbythehand。
\'Nay，nay，\'expostulatedLaura\'sfather，muchsurprisedathisnephew\'ssuddendemeanour。\'Youtaketoomuchuponyourself。Leavehertome。\'
\'Iwon\'tleavehertoyouanylonger!\'
\'Youhavenoright，James，toaddresseithermeorherinthisway；
sojustholdyourtongue。Come，mydear。\'
\'Ihaveeveryright!\'insistedJames。
\'Howdoyoumakethatout?\'
\'Ihavetherightofahusband。\'
\'Whosehusband?\'
\'Hers。\'
\'What?\'
\'She\'smywife。\'
\'James!\'
\'Well，tocutalongstoryshort，Imaysaythatshesecretlymarriedme，inspiteofyourlordship\'sprohibition，aboutthreemonthsago。AndImustaddthat，thoughshecooleddownratherquickly，everythingwentonsmoothlyenoughbetweenusforsometime；inspiteoftheawkwardnessofmeetingonlybystealth。WewereonlywaitingforaconvenientmomenttobreakthenewstoyouwhenthisidleAdonisturnedup，andafterpoisoninghermindagainstme，broughtherintothisdisgrace。\'
Heretheoperaticluminary，whohadsatinratheranabstractedandnervelessattitudetillthecousinmadehisdeclaration，firedupandcried:\'IdeclarebeforeHeaventhattillthismomentIneverknewshewasawife!Ifoundherinherfather\'shouseanunhappygirl——unhappy，asIbelieve，becauseofthelonelinessanddrearinessofthatestablishment，andthewantofsociety，andfornothingelsewhatever。WhatthisstatementaboutherbeingyourwifemeansIamquiteatalosstounderstand。Areyouindeedmarriedtohim，Laura?\'
Lauranoddedfromwithinhertearfulhandkerchief。\'Itwasbecauseofmyanomalouspositioninbeingprivatelymarriedtohim，\'shesobbed，\'thatIwasunhappyathome——and——andIdidn\'tlikehimsowellasIdidatfirst——andIwishedIcouldgetoutofthemessI
wasin!AndthenIsawyouafewtimes，andwhenyousaid，\"We\'llrunoff，\"IthoughtIsawawayoutofitall，andthenIagreedtocomewithyou——oo-oo!\'
\'Well!well!well!Andisthistrue?\'murmuredthebewilderedoldnobleman，staringfromJamestoLaura，andfromLauratoJames，asifhefanciedtheymightbefigmentsoftheimagination。\'Isthis，then，James，thesecretofyourkindnesstoyourolduncleinhelpinghimtofindhisdaughter?GoodHeavens!Whatfurtherdepthsofduplicityarethereleftforamantolearn!\'
\'Ihavemarriedher，UncleQuantock，asIsaid，\'answeredJamescoolly。\'Thedeedisdone，andcan\'tbeundonebytalkinghere。\'
\'Wherewereyoumarried?\'
\'AtSt。Mary\'s，Toneborough。\'
\'When?\'
\'Onthe29thofSeptember，duringthetimeshewasvisitingthere。\'
\'Whomarriedyou?\'
\'Idon\'tknow。Oneofthecurates——wewerequitestrangerstotheplace。So，insteadofmyassistingyoutorecoverher，youmayaswellassistme。\'
\'Never!never!\'saidLordQuantock。\'Madam，andsir，IbegtotellyouthatIwashmyhandsofthewholeaffair!Ifyouaremanandwife，asitseemsyouare，getreconciledasbestyoumay。Ihavenomoretosayordowitheitherofyou。Ileaveyou，Laura，inthehandsofyourhusband，andmuchjoymayyoubringhim；thoughthesituation，Iown，isnotencouraging。\'
Sayingthis，theindignantspeakerpushedbackhischairagainstthetablewithsuchforcethatthecandlesticksrockedontheirbases，andlefttheroom。
Laura\'sweteyesrovedfromoneoftheyoungmentotheother，whonowstoodglaringfacetoface，and，beingmuchfrightenedattheiraspect，slippedoutoftheroomafterherfather。Him，however，shecouldheargoingoutofthefrontdoor，and，notknowingwheretotakeshelter，shecreptintothedarknessofanadjoiningbedroom，andthereawaitedeventswithapalpitatingheart。
Meanwhilethetwomenremaininginthesitting-roomdrewnearertoeachother，andtheopera-singerbrokethesilencebysaying，\'Howcouldyouinsultmeinthewayyoudid，callingmeafellow，andaccusingmeofpoisoninghermindtowardyou，whenyouknewverywellIwasasignorantofyourrelationtoherasanunbornbabe?\'
\'Ohyes，youwerequiteignorant；Icanbelievethatreadily，\'
sneeredLaura\'shusband。
\'IherecallHeaventowitnessthatIneverknew!\'
\'Recitativo——therhythmexcellent，andthetonewellsustained。Isitlikelythatanymancouldwintheconfidenceofayoungfoolherage，andnotgetthatoutofher?Preposterous!Tellittothemostimprovednewpit-stalls。\'
\'CaptainNorthbrook，yourinsinuationsareasdespicableasyourwretchedperson!\'criedthebaritone，losingallpatience。Andspringingforwardheslappedthecaptaininthefacewiththepalmofhishand。
Northbrookflinchedbutslightly，andcalmlyusinghishandkerchieftolearnifhisnosewasbleeding，said，\'Iquiteexpectedthisinsult，soIcameprepared。\'Andhedrewforthfromablackvalisewhichhecarriedinhishandasmallcaseofpistols。
Thebaritonestartedattheunexpectedsight，butrecoveringfromhissurprisesaid，\'Verywell，asyouwill，\'thoughperhapshistoneshowedaslightwantofconfidence。
\'Now，\'continuedthehusband，quiteconfidingly，\'wewantnoparade，nononsense，youknow。Thereforewe\'lldispensewithseconds?\'
Thesignorslightlynodded。
\'Doyouknowthispartofthecountrywell?\'CousinJameswenton，inthesamecoolandstillmanner。\'Ifyoudon\'t，Ido。Quiteatthebottomoftherocksoutthere，justbeyondthestreamwhichfallsoverthemtotheshore，isasmoothsandyspace，notsomuchshutinastobeoutofthemoonlight；andthewaydowntoitfromthissideisoverstepscutinthecliff；andwecanfindourwaydownwithouttrouble。We——wetwo——willfindourwaydown；butonlyoneofuswillfindhiswayup，youunderstand?\'
\'Quite。\'
\'Thensupposewestart；thesooneritisoverthebetter。Wecanordersupperbeforewegoout——supperfortwo；forthoughwearethreeatpresent——\'
\'Three?\'
\'Yes；youandIandshe——\'
\'Ohyes。\'
\'——Weshallbeonlytwobyandby；sothat，asIsay，wewillordersupperfortwo；fortheladyandagentleman。Whichevercomesbackalivewilltapatherdoor，andcallherintosharetherepastwithhim——she\'snotoffthepremises。Butwemustnotalarmhernow；andaboveallthingswemustnotlettheinn-peopleseeusgoout；itwouldlooksooddfortwotogoout，andonlyonecomein。Ha!ha!\'
\'Ha!ha!exactly。\'
\'Areyouready?\'
\'Oh——quite。\'
\'ThenI\'llleadtheway。\'
Hewentsoftlytothedooranddownstairs，orderingsuppertobereadyinanhour，ashehadsaid；thenmakingafeintofreturningtotheroomagain，hebeckonedtothesinger，andtogethertheyslippedoutofthehousebyasidedoor。
Theskywasnowquiteclear，andthewheelmarksofthebroughamwhichhadborneawayLaura\'sfather，LordQuantock，remaineddistinctlyvisible。Soonthevergeofthedownwasreached，thecaptainleadingtheway，andthebaritonefollowingsilently，castingfurtiveglancesathiscompanion，andbeyondhimatthesceneahead。Induecoursetheyarrivedatthechasminthecliffwhichformedthewaterfall。Theoutlookherewaswildandpicturesqueintheextreme，andfullyjustifiedthemanypraises，paintings，andphotographicviewstowhichthespothadgivenbirth。
Whatinsummerwascharminglygreenandgray，wasnowrenderedweirdandfantasticbythesnow。
Fromtheirfeetthecascadeplungeddownwardalmostverticallytoadepthofeightyorahundredfeetbeforefinallylosingitselfinthesand，andthoughthestreamwasbutsmall，itsimpactuponjuttingrocksinitsdescentdivideditintoahundredspirtsandsplashesthatsentupamistintotheupperair。Afewmarginaldrippingshadbeenfrozenintoicicles，butthecentreflowedonunimpeded。
Theoperaticartistlookeddownashehalted，buthisthoughtswereplainlynotofthebeautyofthescene。Hiscompanionwiththepistolswasimmediatelyinfrontofhim，andtherewasnohandrailonthesideofthepathtowardthechasm。Obeyingaquickimpulse，hestretchedouthisarm，andwithasuperhumanthrustsentLaura\'shusbandreelingover。Awhirlinghumanshape，diminishingdownwardinthemoon\'sraysfartherandfarthertowardinvisibility，asmack-