Baggs，ifamanandwomanaccepteachotherashusbandandwife，beforeonewitness，itisalawfulmarriage；andthatkindofweddingis，asyouseeplainlyenough，theonlysaferefugeforabridegroominmysituation。IfyouconsenttocomewithustoScotland，andserveaswitnesstothemarriage，IshallbedelightedtoacknowledgemysenseofyourkindnessintheeloquentlanguageoftheBankofEngland，asexpressedtotheworldingeneralonthesurfaceofafive-poundnote。”
IcautiouslysnatchedawaythebrandybottleasIspoke，andwasinthedrawing-roomwithitinaninstant。AsIsuppose，Mrs。
Baggstriedtofollowme，forIheardthedoorrattle，asifshehadgotoutofherchair，andsuddenlyslippedbackintoitagain。Ifeltcertainofherdecidingtohelpus，ifshewasonlysoberenoughtoreflectonwhatIhadsaidtoher。ThejourneytoScotlandwasatedious，andperhapsadangerous，undertaking。ButIhadnootheralternativetochoose。
Inthoseuncivilizeddays，theMarriageActhadnotbeenpassed，andtherewasnoconvenienthymenealregistrarinEnglandtochangeavagabondrunawaycoupleintoarespectablemanandwifeatamoment\'snotice。ThetroubleandexpenseoftakingMrs。
Baggswithus，Iencountered，ofcourse，solelyoutofregardforAlicia\'snaturalprejudices。Shehadledpreciselythatkindoflifewhichmakesanywomanbutabadonemorbidlysensitiveonthesubjectofsmallproprieties。Ifshehadbeenagirlwitharecognizedpositioninsociety，Ishouldhaveproposedtohertorunawaywithmealone。Asitwas，theverydefenselessnessofhersituationgaveher，inmyopinion，therighttoexpectfrommeeventheabsurdestsacrificestothenarrowestconventionalities。Mrs。Baggswasnotquitesosoberinherhabits，perhaps，asmatronsingeneralareexpectedtobe；but，formyparticularpurpose，thiswasonlyaslightblemish；ittakessolittle，afterall，torepresenttheabstractprincipleofproprietyintheshort-sightedeyeoftheworld。
AsIreachedthedrawing-roomdoor，Ilookedatmywatch。
Nineo\'clock!andnothingdoneyettofacilitateourescapingfromCrickgellytotheregionsofcivilizedlifethenextmorning。Iwaspleasedtohear，whenIknockedatthedoor，thatAlicia\'svoicesoundedfirmerasshetoldmetocomein。ShewasmoreconfusedthanastonishedorfrightenedwhenIsatdownbyheronthesofa，andrepeatedtheprincipaltopicsofmyconversionwithMrs。Baggs。
\"Now，myownlove，\"Isaid，inconclusion——suitingmygestures，itisunnecessarytosay，tothetendernessofmylanguage——\"thereisnottheleastdoubtthatMrs。Baggswillendbyagreeingtomyproposals。Nothingremains，therefore，butforyoutogivemetheanswernow，whichIhavebeenwaitingforeversincethatlastdaywhenwemetbytheriverside。Ididnotknowthenwhatthemotivewasforyoursilenceanddistress。Iknownow，andIloveyoubetterafterthatknowledgethanIdidbeforeit。”
Herheaddroppedintoitsformerpositiononmybosom，andshemurmuredafewwords，buttoofaintlyformetohearthem。
\"Youknewmoreaboutyourfather，then，thanIdid？\"Iwhispered。
\"Lessthanyouhavetoldmesince，\"sheinterposedquickly，withoutraisingherface。
\"Enoughtoconvinceyouthathewasbreakingthelaws，\"I
suggested；\"and，tomakeyou，ashisdaughter，shrinkfromsaying\'yes\'tomewhenwesattogetherontheriverbank？\"
Shedidnotanswer。Oneofherarms，whichwashangingovermyshoulder，stoleroundmyneck，andclaspeditgently。
\"Sincethattime，\"Iwenton，\"yourfatherhascompromisedme。I
aminsomedanger，notmuch，fromthelaw。Ihavenoprospectsthatarenotofthemostdoubtfulkind；andIhavenoexcuseforaskingyoutosharethem，exceptthatIhavefallenintomypresentmisfortunethroughtryingtodiscovertheobstaclethatkeptusapart。Ifthereisanyprotectionintheworldthatyoucanturnto，lessdoubtfulthanmine，IsupposeIoughttosaynomore，andleavethehouse。Butifthereshouldbenone，surelyI
amnotsoveryselfishinaskingyoutotakeyourchancewithme？
IhonestlybelievethatIshallhavelittledifficulty，withordinarycaution，inescapingfrompursuit，andfindingasafehomesomewheretobeginlifeinagainwithnewinterests。Willyoushareitwithme，Alicia？Icantrynofreshpersuasions——I
havenoright，perhaps，inmypresentsituationtohaveaddressedsomanytoyoualready。”
Herotherarmstoleroundmyneck；shelaidhercheekagainstmine，andwhispered——
\"Bekindtome，Frank——Ihavenobodyintheworldwholovesmebutyou!\"
Ifelthertearsonmyface；myowneyesmoistenedasItriedtoanswerher。Wesatforsomeminutesinperfectsilence——withoutmoving，withoutathoughtbeyondthemoment。Therisingofthewind，andthesplashingoftherainoutsidewerethefirstsoundsthatstirredmeintoactionagain。
Isummonedmyresolution，rosefromthesofa，andinafewhastywordstoldAliciawhatIproposedforthenextday，andmentionedthehouratwhichIwouldcomeinthemorning。AsIhadanticipated，sheseemedrelievedandreassuredattheprospectevenofsuchslightsanctionandencouragement，onthepartofanotherwoman，aswouldbeimpliedbythecompanionshipofMrs。
BaggsonthejourneytoScotland。
ThenextandlastdifficultyIhadtoencounterwasnecessarilyconnectedwithherfather。Hehadneverbeenveryaffectionate；
andhewasnow，foraughtsheorIknewtothecontrary，partedfromherforever。Still，theinstinctiverecognitionofhispositionmadehershrink，atthelastmoment，whenshespokeofhim，andthoughtoftheseriousnatureofherengagementwithme。
Aftersomevainarguingandremonstrating，Icontrivedtoquietherscruples，bypromisingthatanaddressshouldbeleftatCrickgelly，towhichanysecondletterthatmightarrivefromthedoctorcouldbeforwarded。WhenIsawthatthisprospectofbeingabletocommunicatewithhim，ifhewroteorwishedtoseeher，hadsufficientlycomposedhermind，Ileftthedrawing-room。ItwasvitallyimportantthatIshouldgetbacktotheinnandmakethenecessaryarrangementsforourdeparturethenextmorning，beforetheprimitivepeopleoftheplacehadretiredtobed。
AsIpassedthebackparlordooronmywayout，IheardthevoiceofMrs。Baggsraisedindignantly。Thewords\"bottle!\"\"audacity!\"
and\"nerves!\"reachedmyeardisjointedly。Icalledout\"Good-by!
tillto-morrow；\"heardaresponsivegroanofdisgust；thenopenedthefrontdoor，andplungedoutintothedarkandrainynight。
ItmighthavebeenthedroppingofwaterfromthecottageroofswhileIpassedthroughthevillage，orthegroundlessalarmofmyownsuspiciousfancy，butIthoughtIwasbeingfollowedasI
walkedbacktotheinn。TwoorthreetimesIturnedroundabruptly。Iftwentymenhadbeenatmyheels，itwastoodarktoseethem。Iwentontotheinn。
Thepeopletherewerenotgonetobed；andIsentforthelandlordtoconsultwithhimaboutaconveyance。Perhapsitwasmysuspiciousfancyagain；butIthoughthismannerwasaltered。
Heseemedhalfdistrustful，halfafraidofme，whenIaskedhimiftherehadbeenanysigns，duringmyabsence，ofthosetwogentlemen，forwhomIhadalreadyinquiredonarrivingathisdoorthatevening。Hegaveananswerinthenegative，lookingawayfrommewhilehespoke。
Thinkingitadvisable，onthewhole，nottolethimseethatI
noticedachangeinhim，Iproceededatoncetothequestionoftheconveyance，andwastoldthatIcouldhirethelandlord\'slightcart，inwhichhewasaccustomedtodrivetothemarkettown。Iappointedanhourforstartingthenextday，andretiredatoncetomybedroom。Theremythoughtswereenough。IwasanxiousaboutScrewandtheBowStreetrunner。IwasuncertainaboutthestrangerwhohadcalledatNumberTwo，ZionPlace。I
wasindoubtevenaboutthelandlordoftheinn。NeverdidIknowwhatrealsufferingfromsuspensewas，untilthatnight，Whatevermyapprehensionsmighthavebeen，theywerenoneofthemrealizedthenextmorning。
NobodyfollowedmeonmywaytoZionPlace，andnostrangerhadcalledtherebeforemeasecondtime，whenImadeinquiriesonenteringthehouse。IfoundAliciablushing，andMrs。Baggsimpenetrablywrappedupindignifiedsulkiness。AfterinformingmewithaloftylookthatsheintendedtogotoScotlandwithus，andtotakemyfive-poundnote——partlyunderprotest，andpartlyoutofexcessiveaffectionforAlicia——sheretiredtopackup。
Thetimeconsumedinperformingthisprocess，andthefurtherdelayoccasionedbypayingsmalloutstandingdebtstotradespeople，andsettlingwiththeownerofthehouse，detainedustillnearlynoonbeforewewerereadytogetintothelandlord\'scart。
Ilookedbehindmeanxiouslyatstarting，andoftenafterwardontheroad；butneversawanythingtoexcitemysuspicions。Insettlingmatterswiththelandlordovernight，Ihadarrangedthatweshouldbedriventothenearesttownatwhichapost-chaisecouldbeobtained。Myresourceswerejustaslikelytoholdoutagainsttheexpensesofposting，wherepublicconveyancescouldnotbeobtained，asagainsttheexpenseofwaitingprivatelyathotels，untiltherightcoachesmightstart。
Accordingtomycalculations，mymoneywouldlasttillwegottoScotland。Afterthat，Ihadmywatch，rings，shirtpin，andMr。
Batterbury，tohelpinreplenishingmypurse。Anxious，therefore，asIwasaboutotherthings，moneymatters，foronceinaway，didnotcausemethesmallestuneasiness。
CHAPTERXV。
WEpostedfive-and-thirtymiles，thenstoppedforacoupleofhourstorest，andwaitforanightcoachrunningnorthward。
Ongettingintothisvehiclewewerefortunateenoughtofindthefourthinsideplacenotoccupied。Mrs。Baggsshowedhersenseofthefreedomfromrestraintthusobtainedbytyingahugeredcomforterroundherheadlikeaturban，andimmediatelyfallingfastasleep。ThisgaveAliciaandmefulllibertytotalkaswepleased。Ourconversationwasforthemostpartofthatparticularkindwhichisnotofthesmallestimportancetoanythirdpersoninthewholeworld。Oneportionofit，however，wasanexceptiontothisgeneralrule。Ithadaverypositiveinfluenceonmyfortunes，anditis，therefore，Ihope，ofsufficientimportancetobearbeingcommunicatedtothereader。
Wehadchangedhorsesforthefourthtime，hadseatedourselvescomfortablyinourplaces，andhadheardMrs。Baggsresumethekindredoccupationsofsleepingandsnoring，whenAliciawhisperedtome:
\"Imusthavenosecrets，now，fromyou——mustI，Frank？\"
\"Youmusthaveanythingyoulike，doanythingyoulike，andsayanythingyoulike。Youmustneveraskleave——butonlygrantit!\"
\"Shallyoualwaystellmethat，Frank？\"
Ididnotanswerinwords，buttheconversationsufferedamomentaryinterruption。Ofwhatnature，susceptiblepeoplewilleasilyimagine。Asforthehard-heartedIdon\'twriteforthem。
\"Mysecretneednotalarmyou，\"Aliciawenton，intonesthatbegantosoundrathersadly；\"itisonlyaboutatinypasteboardboxthatIcancarryinthebosomofmydress。Butithasgotthreediamondsinit，Frank，andonebeautifulruby。Didyouevergivemecreditforhavingsomuchthatwasvaluableaboutme？——shallIgiveityoutokeepforme？\"
IremembereddirectlyOldFile\'sstoryofMrs。Dulcifer\'selopement，andofthejewelsshehadtakenwithher。Itwaseasytoguess，afterwhatIhadheard，thatthepoorwomanhadsecretlypreservedsomeofherlittlepropertyforthebenefitofherchild。
\"Ihavenopresentneedofmoney，darling，\"Ianswered；\"keeptheboxinitspresentenviableposition。”Istoppedthere，sayingnothingofthethoughtthatwasreallyuppermostinmymind。Ifanyunforeseenaccidentplacedmewithinthegripofthelaw，I
shouldnotnowhavethedoubletrialtoendureofleavingmywifeforaprison，andleavingherhelpless。
Morningdawnedandfoundusstillawake。Thesunrose，Mrs。Baggsleftoffsnoring，andwearrivedatthelaststagebeforethecoachstopped。
Igotouttoseeaboutsometeaformytravelingcompanions，andlookedupattheoutsidepassengers。Oneofthemseatedinthedickeylookeddownatme。Hewasacountrymaninasmock-frock，withagreenpatchoveroneofhiseyes。Somethingintheexpressionofhisuncoveredeyemademepause——reflect——turnawayuneasily——andthenlookagainathimfurtively。Asuddenshudderranthroughmefromtoptotoe；myheartsank；andmyheadbegantofeelgiddy。ThecountrymaninthedickeywasnootherthantheBowStreetrunnerindisguise。
Ikeptawayfromthecoachtillthefreshhorseswereonthepointofstarting，forIwasafraidtoletAliciaseemyface，aftermakingthatfataldiscovery。ShenoticedhowpaleIwaswhenIgotin。ImadethebestexcuseIcould；andgentlyinsistedonhertryingtosleepalittleafterbeingawakeallnight。Shelaybackinhercorner；andMrs。Baggs，comfortedwithamorningdraminhertea，fellasleepagain。Ihadthusanhour\'sleisurebeforemetothinkwhatIshoulddonext。
Screwwasnotincompanywiththerunnerthistime。Hemusthavemanagedtoidentifymesomewhere，andtheofficerdoubtlessknewmypersonalappearancewellenoughnowtofollowandmakesureofmewithouthelp。ThatIwasthemanwhomhewastrackingcouldnotbedoubted:hisdisguiseandhispositiononthetopofthecoachproveditonlytooplainly。
Butwhyhadhenotseizedmeatonce？Probablybecausehehadsomeulteriorpurposetoserve，whichwouldhavebeenthwartedbymyimmediateapprehension。WhatthatpurposewasIdidmybesttofathom，and，asIthought，succeededintheattempt。WhatIwastodowhenthecoachstoppedwasamoredifficultpointtosettle。Togivetherunnertheslip，withtwowomentotakecareof，wassimplyimpossible。Totreathim，asIhadtreatedScrewatthered-brickhouse，wasequallyoutofthequestion，forhewascertaintogivemenochanceofcatchinghimalone。Tokeephiminignoranceoftherealobjectofmyjourney，andtherebytodelayhisdiscoveringhimselfandattemptingtomakemeaprisoner，seemedtheonlyplanonthesafetyofwhichIcouldplacethesmallestreliance。IfIhadeverhadanyideaoffollowingtheexampleofotherrunawaylovers，andgoingtoGretnaGreen，Ishouldnowhaveabandonedit。AllroadsinthatdirectionwouldbetraywhatthepurposeofmyjourneywasifI
tookthem。SomelargetowninScotlandwouldbethesafestdestinationthatIcouldpubliclyadvertisemyselfasboundfor。
WhynotboldlysaythatIwasgoingwiththetwoladiestoEdinburgh？
SuchwastheplanofactionwhichInowadopted。
TogiveanyideaofthedistractedconditionofmymindatthetimewhenIwasformingit，issimplyimpossible。AsfordoubtingwhetherIoughttomarryatallunderthesedangerouscircumstances，ImustfranklyownthatIwastooselfishlyandviolentlyinlovetolookthequestionfairlyinthefaceatfirst。WhenIsubsequentlyforcedmyselftoconsiderit，themostdistinctprojectIcouldframeforovercomingalldifficultywas，tomarrymyselfthephraseisstrictlydescriptiveoftheScotchceremonyatthefirstinnwecameto，overtheBorder；tohireachaise，ortakeplacesinapublicconveyancetoEdinburgh，asablind；toletAliciaandMrs。Baggsoccupythoseplaces；toremainbehindmyself；andtotrusttomyaudacityandcunning，whenleftalone，togivetherunnertheslip。Writingofitnow，incoolblood，thisseemsaswildandhopelessaplanaseverwasimagined。But，intheconfusedanddistractedstateofallmyfacultiesatthatperiod，itseemedquiteeasytoexecute，andnotintheleastdoubtfulastoanyoneofitsprobableresults。
Onreachingthetownatwhichthecoachstopped，wefoundourselvesobligedtohireanotherchaiseforashortdistance，inordertogettothestarting-pointofasecondcoach。Againwetookinsideplaces，andagain，atthefirststageswhenIgotdowntolookattheoutsidepassengers，therewasthecountrymanwiththegreenshadeoverhiseye。Whateverconveyancewetraveledbyonournorthwardroad，weneverescapedhim。Heneverattemptedtospeaktome，neverseemedtonoticeme，andneverlostsightofme。Onandonwewent，overroadsthatseemedinterminable，andstillthedreadfulswordofjusticehungalways，byitssinglehair，overmyhead。Myhaggardface，myfeverishhands，myconfusedmanner，myinexpressibleimpatience，allbeliedtheexcuseswithwhichIdesperatelycontinuedtowardoffAlicia\'sgrowingfears，andMrs。Baggs\'sindignantsuspicions。\"Oh!Frank，somethinghashappened!ForGod\'ssake，tellmewhat!\"——\"Mr。Softly，Icanseethroughadealboardasfarasmostpeople。Youarefollowingthedoctor\'swickedexample，andshowingawantofconfidenceinme。”TheseweretheremonstrancesofAliciaandthehousekeeper。
AtlastwegotoutofEngland，andIwasstillafreeman。Thechaisewewerepostingagainbroughtusintoadirtytown，anddrewupatthedoorofashabbyinn。Ashock-headedgirlreceivedus。
\"AreweinScotland？\"Iasked。
\"Mon!whar\'elseshouldyebe？\"Theaccentrelievedmeofalldoubt。
\"Aprivateroom——somethingtoeat，readyinanhour\'stime——chaiseafterwardtothenearestplacefromwhichacoachrunstoEdinburgh。”Givingtheseordersrapidly，Ifollowedthegirlwithmytravelingcompanionsintoastuffylittleroom。Assoonasourattendanthadleftus，Ilockedthedoor，putthekeyinmypocket，andtookAliciabythehand。
\"Now，Mrs。Baggs，\"saidI，\"bearwitness——\"
\"You\'renotgoingtomarryhernow!\"interposedMrs。Baggs，indignantly。\"Bearwitness，indeed!Iwon\'tbearwitnesstillI\'vetakenoffmybonnet，andputmyhairtidy!\"
\"Theceremonywon\'ttakeaminute，\"Ianswered；\"andI\'llgiveyouyourfive-poundnoteandopenthedoorthemomentit\'sover。
Bearwitness，\"Iwenton，drowningMrs。Baggs\'sexpostulationswiththeall-importantmarriage-words，\"thatItakethiswoman，AliciaDulciferformylawfulweddedwife。”
\"Insicknessandinhealth，inpovertyandwealth，\"brokeinMrs。
Baggs，determiningtorepresenttheclergymanaswellastobethewitness。
\"Alicia，dear，\"Isaid，interruptinginmyturn，\"repeatmywords。Say\'Itakethisman，FrancisSoftly，formylawfulweddedhusband。\'\"
Sherepeatedthesentence，withherfaceverypale，withherdearhandcoldandtremblinginmine。
\"Forbetterforworse，\"continuedtheindomitableMrs。Baggs。
\"LittleenoughoftheBetter，I\'mafraid，andLordknowshowmuchoftheWorse。”
Istoppedheragainwiththepromisedfive-poundnote，andopenedtheroomdoor。\"Now，ma\'am，\"Isaid，\"gotoyourroom；takeoffyourbonnet，andputyourhairastidyasyouplease。”
Mrs。Baggsraisedhereyesandhandstoheaven，exclaimed\"Disgraceful!\"andflouncedoutoftheroominapassion。SuchwasmyScotchmarriage——aslawfulaceremony，remember，asthefinestfamilyweddingatthelargestparishchurchinallEngland。
Anhourpassed；andIhadnotyetsummonedthecruelcouragetocommunicatemyrealsituationtoAlicia。Theentryoftheshock-headedservant-girltolaythecloth，followedbyMrs。
Baggs，whowasneveroutofthewaywhereeatinganddrinkingappearedinprospect，helpedmetorousemyself。Iresolvedtogooutforafewminutestoreconnoiter，andmakemyselfacquaintedwithanyfacilitiesforflightorhidingwhichthesituationofthehousemightpresent。NodoubttheBowStreetrunnerwaslurkingsomewhere；buthemust，asamatterofcourse，haveheard，orinformedhimself，oftheordersIhadgivenrelatingtoourconveyanceontoEdinburgh；and，inthatcase，Iwasstillnomoreindangerofhisavowinghimselfandcapturingme，thanI
hadbeenatanypreviousperiodofourjourney。
\"Iamgoingoutforamoment，love，toseeaboutthechaise，\"I
saidtoAlicia。Shesuddenlylookedupatmewithananxioussearchingexpression。Wasmyfacebetrayinganythingofmyrealpurpose？Ihurriedtothedoorbeforeshecouldaskmeasinglequestion。
Thefrontoftheinnstoodnearlyinthemiddleoftheprincipalstreetofthetown。Nochanceofgivinganyonetheslipinthatdirection；andnosign，either，oftheBowStreetrunner。I
saunteredround，withthemostunconcernedmannerIcouldassume，tothebackofthehouse，bytheinnyard。Adoorinonepartofitstoodhalf-open。Insidewasabitofkitchen-garden，boundedbyapaling；beyondthatsomebacksofdetachedhouses；beyondthem，again，aplotofweedyground，afewwretchedcottages，andtheopen，heatherymoor。Goodenoughforrunningaway，butterriblybadforhiding。
Ireturneddisconsolatelytotheinn。Walkingalongthepassagetowardthestaircase，Isuddenlyheardfootstepsbehindme——turnedround，andsawtheBowStreetrunnerclothedagaininhisordinarycostume，andaccompaniedbytwostrangemen
standingbetweenmeandthedoor。
\"SorrytostopyoufromgoingtoEdinburgh，Mr。Softly，\"hesaid。
\"Butyou\'rewantedbackatBarkingham。I\'vejustfoundoutwhatyouhavebeentravelingallthewaytoScotlandfor；andItakeyouprisoner，asoneofthecoininggang。Takeiteasy，sir。I\'vegothelp，yousee；andyoucan\'tthrottlethreemen，whateveryoumayhavedoneatBarkinghamwithone。”
Hehandcuffedmeashespoke。Resistancewashopeless。Icouldonlymakeanappealtohismercy，onAlicia\'saccount。
\"Givemetenminutes，\"Isaid，\"tobreakwhathashappenedtomywife。Wewereonlymarriedanhourago。Ifsheknowsthissuddenly，itmaybethedeathofher。”
\"You\'veledmeanicedanceonawrongscent，\"answeredtherunner，sulkily。\"ButIneverwasahardmanwherewomenareconcerned。Goupstairs，andleavethedooropen，sothatIcanseeinthroughitifIlike。Holdyourhatoveryourwrists，ifyoudon\'twanthertoseethehandcuffs。”
Iascendedthefirstflightofstairs，andmyheartgaveasuddenboundasifitwouldburst。Istopped，speechlessandhelpless，atthesightofAlicia，standingaloneonthelanding。Myfirstlookatherfacetoldmeshehadheardallthathadpassedinthepassage。ShepassionatelystruckthehatwithwhichIhadbeentryingtohidethehandcuffsoutofmyfingers，andclaspedmeinherarmswithsuchsuddenanddesperateenergythatsheabsolutelyhurtme。
\"Iwasafraidofsomething，Frank，\"shewhispered。\"Ifollowedyoualittleway。Istoppedhere；Ihaveheardeverything。Don\'tletusbeparted!Iamstrongerthanyouthinkme。Iwon\'tbefrightened。Iwon\'tcry。Iwon\'ttroubleanybody，ifthatmanwillonlytakemewithyou!\"
Itisbestformysake，ifnotforthereader\'s，tohurryoverthescenethatfollowed。
Itendedwithaslittleadditionalwretchednessascouldbeexpected。Therunnerwasresoluteaboutkeepingmehandcuffed，andtakingmeback，withoutamoment\'sunnecessarywasteoftimetoBarkingham；butherelentedonotherpoints。
Wherehewasobligedtoorderaprivateconveyance，therewasnoobjectiontoAliciaandMrs。Baggsfollowingit。Wherewegotintoacoach，therewasnoharmintheirhiringtwoinsideplaces。Igavemywatch，rings，andlastguineatoAlicia，enjoiningher，onnoaccount，toletherboxofjewelsseethelightuntilwecouldgetproperadviceonthebestmeansofturningthemtoaccount。Shelistenedtotheseandotherdirectionswithacalmnessthatastonishedme。
\"Youshan\'tsay，mydear，thatyourwifehashelpedtomakeyouuneasybysomuchasawordoralook，\"shewhisperedtomeaswelefttheinn。
Andshekeptthehardpromiseimpliedinthatoneshortsentencethroughoutthejourney。OnceonlydidIseeherloseherself-possession。Atstartingonourwaysouth，Mrs。Baggs——takingthesameincomprehensiblepersonaloffenseatmymisfortunewhichshehadpreviouslytakenatthedoctor\'s——upbraidedmewithmywantofconfidenceinher，anddeclaredthatitwasthemaincauseofallmypresenttrouble。Aliciaturnedonherasshewasutteringthewords，withalookandawarningthatsilencedherinaninstant:
\"Ifyousayanothersyllablethatisn\'tkindtohim，youshallfindyourwaybackbyyourself!\"
Thewordsmaynotseemofmuchimportancetoothers；butI
thought，asIoverheardthem，thattheyjustifiedeverysacrificeIhadmadeformywife\'ssake。
CHAPTERXVI。
ONourwaybackIreceivedfromtherunnersomeexplanationofhisapparentlyunaccountableproceedingsinreferencetomyself。
Tobeginatthebeginning，itturnedoutthatthefirstactoftheofficers，ontheirreleasefromtheworkroominthered-brickhouse，wastoinstituteacarefulsearchforpapersinthedoctor\'sstudyandbedroom。Amongtheotherdocumentsthathehadnothadtimetodestroy，wasalettertohimfromAlicia，whichtheytookfromoneofthepocketsofhisdressing-gown。Finding，fromthereportofthemenwhohadfollowedthegig，thathehaddistancedallpursuit，andhavingthereforenodirectclewtohiswhereabout，theyhadbeenobligedtohuntafterhiminvariousdirections，onpurespeculation。Alicia\'slettertoherfathergavetheaddressofthehouseatCrickgelly；andtothistherunnerrepaired，onthechanceofinterceptingordiscoveringanycommunicationswhichthedoctormightmaketohisdaughter，Screwbeingtakenwiththeofficertoidentifytheyounglady。Afterleavingthelastcoach，theypostedtowithinamileofCrickgelly，andthenwalkedintothevillage，inordertoexcitenospecialattention，shouldthedoctorbelurkingintheneighborhood。TherunnerhadtriedineffectuallytogainadmissionasavisitoratZionPlace。Afterhavingthedoorshutonhim，heandScrewhadwatchedthehouseandvillage，andhadseenmeapproachNumberTwo。Theirsuspicionsweredirectlyexcited。
Thusfar，Screwhadnotrecognized，norevenobservedme；butheimmediatelyidentifiedmebymyvoice，whileIwasparleyingwiththestupidservantatthedoor。Therunner，hearingwhoIwas，reasonablyenoughconcludedthatImustbetherecognizedmediumofcommunicationbetweenthedoctorandhisdaughter，especiallywhenhefoundthatIwasadmitted，instantlyaftercalling，pasttheservant，tosomeoneinsidethehouse。
LeavingScrewonthewatch，hewenttotheinn，discoveredhimselfprivatelytothelandlord，andmadesureinmorewaysthanone，asIconjecturedofknowingwhen，andinwhatdirection，IshouldleaveCrickgelly。OnfindingthatIwastoleaveitthenextmorning，withAliciaandMrs。Baggs，heimmediatelysuspectedthatIwaschargedwiththedutyoftakingthedaughterto，ornear，theplacechosenforthefather\'sretreat；andhadthereforeabstainedfrominterferingprematurelywithmymovements。Knowingwhitherwewereboundinthecart，hehadriddenafterus，welloutofsight，withhiscountryman\'sdisguisereadyforuseinthesaddle-bags——Screw，incaseofanymistakesormystifications，beingleftbehindonthewatchatCrickgelly。
ThepossibilitythatImightberunningawaywithAliciahadsuggesteditselftohim；buthedismisseditasimprobable，firstwhenhesawthatMrs。Baggsaccompaniedus，andagain，when，onnearingScotland，hefoundthatwedidnottaketheroadtoGretnaGreen。Heacknowledged，inconclusion，thatheshouldhavefollowedustoEdinburgh，oreventotheContinentitself，onthechanceofourleadinghimtothedoctor\'sretreat，butfortheservantgirlattheinn，whohadlistenedoutsidethedoorwhileourbriefmarriageceremonywasproceeding，andfromwhom，withgreattroubleanddelay，hehadextractedalltheinformationherequired。Afurtherlossofhalfanhour\'stimehadoccurredwhilehewasgettingthenecessaryhelptoassisthim，intheeventofmyresisting，ortryingtogivehimtheslip，inmakingmeaprisoner。Thesesmallfactsaccountedforthehour\'srespitewehadenjoyedattheinn，andterminatedtherunner\'snarrativeofhisownproceedings。
OnarrivingatourdestinationIwas，ofcourse，immediatelytakentothejail。
Alicia，bymyadvice，engagedamodestlodginginasuburbofBarkingham。Inthedaysofthered-brickhouse，shehadseldombeenseeninthetown，andshewasnotatallknownbysightinthesuburb。Wearrangedthatshewastovisitmeasoftenastheauthoritieswouldlether。Shehadnocompanion，andwantednone。
Mrs。Baggs，whohadneverforgiventherebukeadministeredtoheratthestarting-pointofourjourney，leftusatthecloseofit。
Herleave-takingwasdignifiedandpathetic。ShekindlyinformedAliciathatshewishedherwell，thoughshecouldnotconscientiouslylookuponherasalawfulmarriedwoman；andshebeggedmeincaseIgotoff，thenexttimeImetwitharespectablepersonwhowaskindtome，toprofitbyrememberingmypasterrors，andtotreatmynextbenefactresswithmoreconfidencethanIhadtreatedher。
MyfirstbusinessintheprisonwastowritetoMr。Batterbury。
Ihadamagnificenteasetopresenttohim，thistime。AlthoughI
believedmyself，andhadsucceededinpersuadingAlicia，thatI
wassureofbeingrecommendedtomercy，itwasnotthelessthefactthatIwaschargedwithanoffensestillpunishablebydeath，inthethenbarbarousstateofthelaw。IdelicatelystatedjustenoughofmycasetomakeonethingcleartothemindofMr。Batterbury。Myaffectionatesister\'sinterestinthecontingentreversionwasnowunlessLadyMalkinshawperverselyandsuddenlyexpiredactuallythreatenedbytheGallows!
Whilecalmlyawaitingtheanswer，IwasbynomeanswithoutsubjectstooccupymyattentionwhenAliciawasnotattheprison。Therewasmyfellow-workman——Mill——thefirstmemberofoursocietybetrayedbyScrewtocomparenoteswith；andtherewasacertainprisonerwhohadbeentransported，andwhohadsomeveryimportantandinterestingparticularstocommunicate，relativetolifeanditschancesinourfelon-settlementsattheAntipodes。Italkedagreatdealwiththisman；forIfeltthathisexperiencemightbeofthegreatestpossiblebenefittome。
Mr。Batterbury\'sanswerwasspeedy，short，andpunctual。Ihadshatteredhisnervoussystemforever，hewrote，buthadonlystimulatedhisdevotiontomyfamily，andhisChristianreadinesstolookpityinglyonmytransgressions。Hehadengagedtheleaderofthecircuittodefendme；andhewouldhavecometoseeme，butforMrs。Batterbury；whohadimploredhimnottoexposehimselftoagitation。OfLadyMalkinshawthelettersaidnothing；
butIafterwarddiscoveredthatshewasthenatCheltenham，drinkingthewatersandplayingwhistintherudesthealthandspirits。
Itisaboldthingtosay，butnothingwilleverpersuademethatSocietyhasnotasneakingkindnessforaRogue。
Forexample，myfatherneverhadhalftheattentionshowntohiminhisownhouse，whichwasshowntomeinmyprison。IhaveseenHighSheriffsinthegreatworld，whommyfatherwenttosee，givehimtwofingers——theHighSheriffofBarkinghamshirecametoseeme，andshookhandscordially。Nobodyeverwantedmyfather\'sautograph——dozensofpeopleaskedformine。Nobodyeverputmyfather\'sportraitinthefrontispieceofamagazine，ordescribedhispersonalappearanceandmannerswithanxiouselaboration，inthelargetypeofagreatnewspaper——Ienjoyedboththosehonors。
Threeofficialindividualspolitelybeggedmetobesureandmakecomplaintsifmypositionwasnotperfectlycomfortable。Noofficialindividualevertroubledhisheadwhethermyfatherwascomfortableornot。Whenthedayofmytrialcame，thecourtwasthrongedbymylovelycountrywomen，whostooduppantinginthecrowdandcrushingtheirbeautifuldresses，ratherthanmissthepleasureofseeingthedearRogueinthedock。Whenmyfatheroncestoodonthelecturer\'srostrum，anddeliveredhisexcellentdiscourse，called\"MedicalHintstoMaidsandMothersonTightLacingandTeething，\"thebencheswereleftemptybytheungratefulwomenofEngland，whowerenotintheslightestdegreeanxioustofeasttheireyesonthesightofalearnedadviserandrespectableman。Ifthesefactsledtooneinevitableconclusion，itisnotmyfault。WeRoguesarethespoiledchildrenofSociety。WemaynotbeopenlyacknowledgedasPets，butweallknow，bypleasantexperience，thatwearetreatedlikethem。
Thetrialwasdeeplyaffecting。Mydefense——orrathermybarrister\'s——wasthesimpletruth。Itwasimpossibletooverthrowthefactsagainstus；sowehonestlyownedthatIgotintothescrapethroughloveforAlicia。Mycounselturnedthistothebestpossiblesentimentalaccount。Hecried；theladiescried；
thejurycried；thejudgecried；andMr。Batterbury，whohaddesperatelycometoseethetrial，andknowtheworst，sobbedwithsuchprominentvehemence，thatIbelievehim，tothisday，tohavegreatlyinfluencedtheverdict。Iwasstronglyrecommendedtomercyandgotoffwithfourteenyears\'
transportation。TheunfortunateMill，whowastriedafterme，withameredry-eyedbarristertodefendhim，washanged。
POSTSCRIPT。
WITHtherecordofmysentenceoftransportation，mylifeasaRogueends，andmyexistenceasarespectablemanbegins。Iamsorrytosayanythingwhichmaydisturbpopulardelusionsonthesubjectofpoeticaljustice，butthisisstrictlythetruth。
Myfirstanxietywasaboutmywife\'sfuture。
Mr。Batterburygavemenochanceofaskinghisadviceafterthetrial。Themomentsentencehadbeenpronounced，heallowedhimselftobehelpedoutofcourtinamelancholystateofprostration，andthenextmorningheleftforLondon。Isuspecthewasafraidtofaceme，andnervouslyimpatient，besides，totellAnnabellathathehadsavedthelegacyagainbyanotheralarmingsacrifice。Myfatherandmother，towhomIhadwrittenonthesubjectofAlicia，werenomoretobedependedonthanMr。
Batterbury。Myfather，inansweringmyletter，toldmethatheconscientiouslybelievedhehaddoneenoughinforgivingmeforthrowingawayanexcellenteducation，anddisgracingarespectablename。Headdedthathehadnotallowedmyletterformymothertoreachher，outofpityingregardforherbrokenhealthandspirits；andheendedbytellingmewhatwasperhapsverytruethatthewifeofsuchasonasIhadbeen，hadnoclaimuponherfather-in-law\'sprotectionandhelp。Therewasanend，then，ofanyhopeoffindingresourcesforAliciaamongthemembersofmyownfamily。
Thenextthingwastodiscoverameansofprovidingforherwithoutassistance。Ihadformedaprojectforthis，aftermeditatingovermyconversationswiththereturnedtransportinBarkinghamjail，andIhadtakenareliableopiniononthechancesofsuccessfullyexecutingmydesignfromthesolicitorwhohadpreparedmydefense。
Aliciaherselfwassoearnestlyinfavorofassistinginmyexperiment，thatshedeclaredshewouldpreferdeathtoitsabandonment。Accordingly，thenecessarypreliminarieswerearranged；and，whenweparted，itwassomemitigationofourgrieftoknowthattherewasatimeappointedformeetingagain。
Aliciawastolodgewithadistantrelativeofhermother\'sinasuburbofLondon；wastoconcertmeasureswiththisrelativeonthebestmethodofturningherjewelsintomoney；andwastofollowherconvicthusbandtotheAntipodes，underafeignedname，insixmonths\'time。
Ifmyfamilyhadnotabandonedme，Ineednothavethuslefthertohelpherself。Asitwas，Ihadnochoice。Oneconsolationsupportedmeatparting——shewasinnodangerofpersecutionfromherfather。AsecondletterfromhimhadarrivedatCrickgelly，andhadbeenforwardedtotheaddressIhadleftforit。ItwasdatedHamburg，andbrieflytoldhertoremainatCrickgelly，andexpectfreshinstructions，explanations，andasupplyofmoney，assoonashehadsettledtheimportantbusinessmatterswhichhadtakenhimabroad。Hisdaughteransweredtheletter，tellinghimofhermarriage，andgivinghimanaddressatapost-officetowriteto，ifhechosetoreplytohercommunication。Therethematterrested。
WhatwasItodoonmyside？Nothingbutestablishareputationformildbehavior。Ibegantomanufactureacharacterformyselfforthefirstdaysofourvoyageoutintheconvict-ship；andI
landedatthepenalsettlementwiththereputationofbeingthemeekestandmostbiddableoffeloniousmankind。
Afterashortprobationaryexperienceofsuchlowconvictemploymentsaslime-burningandroad-mending，Iwasadvancedtooccupationsmoreinharmonywithmyeducation。WhateverIdid，I
neverneglectedthefirstgreatobligationofmakingmyselfagreeableandamusingtoeverybody。Mysocialreputationasagoodfellowbegantostandashighatoneendoftheworldaseveritstoodattheother。ThemonthspassedmorequicklythanI
haddaredtohope。Theexpirationofmyfirstyearoftransportationwasapproaching，andalreadypleasanthintsofmybeingsoonassignedtoprivateservicebegantoreachmyears。
ThiswasthefirstofthemanyendsIwasnowworkingfor；andthenextpleasantrealizationofmyhopesthatIhadtoexpect，wasthearrivalofAlicia。
Shecame，amonthlaterthanIhadanticipated；safeandblooming，withfivehundredpoundsastheproduceofherjewels，andwiththeoldCrickgellyaliaschangedfromMisstoMrs。
Giles，topreventanysuspicionsoftheconnectionbetweenus。
HerstoryconcoctedbymebeforeIleftEnglandwas，thatshewasawidowlady，whohadcometosettleinAustralia，andmakethemostofherlittlepropertyintheNewWorld。OneofthefirstthingsMrs。Gileswantedwasnecessarilyatrustworthyservant，andshehadtomakeherchoiceofoneamongtheconvictsofgoodcharacter，tobeassignedtoprivateservice。Beingoneofthathonorablebodymyselfatthetime，itisneedlesstosaythatI
wasthefortunatemanonwhomMrs。Giles\'schoicefell。ThefirstsituationIgotinAustraliawasasservanttomyownwife。
Aliciamadeaveryindulgentmistress。
Ifshehadbeenmischievouslyinclined，shemight，byapplicationtoamagistrate，havehadmefloggedorsettoworkinchainsontheroads，wheneverIbecameidleorinsubordinate，whichhappenedoccasionally。Butinsteadofcomplaining，thekindcreaturekissedandmademuchofherfootmanbystealth，afterhisday\'swork。Sheallowedhimnofemalefollowers，andonlyemployedonewoman-servantoccasionally，whowasbotholdandugly。ThenameofthefootmanwasDearinprivate，andFrancisincompany；andwhenthewidowedmistress，upstairs，refusedeligibleoffersofmarriagewhichwasprettyoften，thefavoreddomesticinthekitchenwasalwaysinformedofit，andasked，withthesweetesthumility，ifheapprovedoftheproceeding。
Nottodwellonthisanomalousperiodofmyexistence，letmesaybrieflythatmynewpositionwithmywifewasofthegreatestadvantageinenablingmetodirectinsecrettheprofitableusestowhichherlittlefortunewasput。
Webeganinthiswaywithanexcellentspeculationincattle——buyingthemforshillingsandsellingthemforpounds。
Withtheprofitsthusobtained，wenexttriedourhandsathouses——firstbuyinginasmallway，thenboldlybuilding，andlettingagainandsellingtogreatadvantage。Whilethesespeculationswereinprogress，mybehaviorinmywife\'sservicewassoexemplary，andshegavemesoexcellentacharacterwhentheusualofficialinquirieswereinstituted，thatIsoongotthenextprivilegeaccordedtopersonsinmysituation——aticket-of-leave。BythetimethishadbeenagainexchangedforaconditionalpardonwhichallowedmetogoaboutwhereIpleasedinAustralia，andtotradeinmyownnamelikeanyunconvictedmerchantourhouse-propertyhadincreasedenormously，ourlandhadbeensoldforpublicbuildings，andwehadsharesinthefamousEmancipist\'sBank，whichproducedquitealittleincomeofthemselves。
Therewasnownoneedtokeepthemaskonanylonger。
IwentthroughthesuperfluousceremonyofasecondmarriagewithAlicia；tookstoresinthecity；builtavillainthecountry；
andhereIamatthispresentmomentofwriting，aconvictaristocrat——aprosperous，wealthy，highlyrespectablemercantileman，withtwoyearsofmysentenceoftransportationstilltoexpire。Ihaveabaroucheandtwobayhorses，acoachmanandpageinneatliveries，threecharmingchildren，andaFrenchgoverness，aboudoirandlady\'s-maidformywife。Sheisashandsomeasever，butgettingalittlefat。SoamI，asaworthyfriendremarkedwhenIrecentlyappearedholdingtheplate，atourlastcharitysermon。
WhatwouldmysurvivingrelativesandassociatesinEnglandsay，iftheycouldseemenow？Ihaveheardofthematdifferenttimesandthroughvariouschannels。LadyMalkinshaw，afterlivingtothevergeofahundred，andsurvivingallsortsofaccidents，diedquietlyoneafternoon，inherchair，withanemptydishbeforeher，andwithoutgivingtheslightestnoticetoanybody。
Mr。Batterbury，havingsacrificedsomuchtohiswife\'sreversion，profitednothingbyitsfallinginatlast。Hisquarrelswithmyamiablesister——whichtooktheirrisefromhisinterestedcharitiestowardme——endedinproducingaseparation。
And，farfromsavinganythingbyAnnabella\'sinheritanceofherpin-money，hehadapositivelosstoputupwith，intheshapeofsomehundredsextractedyearlyfromhisincome，asalimonytohisuncongenialwife。Heissaidtomakeuseofshockinglanguagewhenevermynameismentioned，andtowishthathehadbeencarriedoffbytheyellowfeverbeforeheeverseteyesontheSoftlyfamily。
Myfatherhasretiredfrompractice。Heandmymotherhavegonetoliveinthecountry，nearthemansionoftheonlymarquiswithwhommyfatherwasactuallyandpersonallyacquaintedinhisprofessionaldays。Themarquisaskshimtodinneronceayear，andleavesacardformymotherbeforehereturnstotownfortheseason。AportraitofLadyMalkinshawhangsinthedining-room。
Inthisway，myparentsareendingtheirdayscontentedly。IcanhonestlysaythatIamgladtohearit。
DoctorDulcifer，whenIlastheardofhim，waseditinganewspaperinAmerica。OldFile，whosharedhisflight，stillshareshisfortunes，beingpublisherofhisnewspaper。YoungFileresumedcoiningoperationsinLondon；and，havingbravedhisfateasecondtime，threadedhisway，induecourse，uptothestepsofthescaffold。Screwcarriesontheprofitabletradeofinformer，inLondon。ThedismaldisappearanceofMillIhavealreadyrecorded。
Somuchonthesubjectofmyrelativesandassociates。Onthesubjectofmyself，Imightstillwriteonatconsiderablelength。
Butwhilethelibeloustitleof\"AROGUE\'SLIFE\"staresmeinthefaceatthetopofthepage，howcanI，asarichandreputableman，beexpectedtocommunicateanyfurtherautobiographicalparticulars，inthisplace，toadiscerningpublicofreaders？
No，no，myfriends!Iamnolongerinteresting——Iamonlyrespectablelikeyourselves。Itistimetosay\"Good-by。”