No，no。notthat，——thatwasbutafancytofreezemedead。
Buttostandhere，withthatcreaturebehindme，listening，waitingforthewarmhorrorofitsbreathtotouchmyneck！Ah！Icannot。
Iwilllook。Iwillseeitfacetoface。Betteranyagonythanthisone。
Slowly，withheldbreath，andeyesachingintheirstretchedfixity，Iturn。Thereitis！ClearinthemoonlightIseethemonstrousformwithinthebed，——thedarkcoverletrisesandfallswithitsheavingbreath……Ah！heavenhavemercy！Istherenonetohelp，nonetosavemefromthisawfulpresence？……
Andtheknife-hiltdrawsmyfingersroundit，whilemyfleshquivers，andmysoulgrowssickwithloathing。Thewindhowls，theshadowschasethroughtheroom，huntingwithfearfuldarknessmorefearfullight。andIstandlooking，……listening……
Imustnotstandhereforever。Imustbeupanddoing。Whatanoisethewindmakes，andtherattlingofthewindowsandthedoors。Ifhesleepsthroughthishewillsleepthroughall。
NoiselesslymybarefeettreadthecarpetasIapproachthebed。
noiselesslymyleftarmraisestheheavycurtain。Whatdoesithide？DoInotknow？Thebestialfeatures，half-hiddenincoarse，blackgrowth。themuddy，blotchedskin，oozingfoulnessateverypore。Oh，Iknowthemtoowell！Whatamonsteritis！Howtherankbreathgurglesthroughhisthroatinhisdrunkensleep。Theeyesareclosednow，butIknowthemtoo。theirodiousleer，andthevenomoushatredwithwhichtheycanglareatmefromtheirbloodshotsetting。Butthetimehascomeatlast。Neveragainshalltheirpassioninsultme，ortheirfurydegrademeinslavishterror。Therehelies。thereatmymercy，themanwhoforfifteenyearshasmadeGod’slightashametome，andHisdarknessaterror。Theendhascomeatlast，——theonlyendpossible，theonlyendleftme。Onhisheadbethebloodandthecrime！Godalmighty，Iamnotguilty！Theendhascome。Icanbearmyburdennofarther。
Bearethallthings，endurethallthings。
WherehaveIheardthosewords？TheyareintheBible。thepreceptofcharity。Whathasthattodowithme？Nothing。Iheardthewordsinmydreamssomewhere。Awhite-facedmansaidthem，awhite-facedmanwithpureeyes。Tome？——no，no，nottome。toagirlitwas——anignorant，innocentgirl，andsheacceptedthemasaneternal，unqualifiedlaw。LetherbearbuthalfthatIhaveborne，letherendurebutone-tenthofwhatIhaveendured，andthenifshedareletherspeakinjudgmentagainstme。
Softlynow。Imustdrawtheheavycoveringsaway，andbarehisbreasttothestroke，——thestrokethatshallfreeme。Iknowwellwheretoplantit。Ihavelearnedthatfromtheoldlady’sItalian。
DidheguesswhyIquestionedhimsocloselyofthesurest，straightestroadtoaman’sheart？Nomatter，hecannothindermenow。Gently！Ah！Ihavedisturbedhim。Hemoves，muttersinhissleep，throwsouthisarm。Down。down。crouchingbehindthecurtain。Heavens！ifhewakesandseesme，hewillkillme。No！
alas！ifonlyhewould。Iwouldkissthehandthathestruckmewith。butheistoocruelforthat。Hewillimaginesomenewandmorehellishtorturetopunishmewith。Buttheknife！Ihavegotthat。heshallnevertouchmelivingagain……Heisquieternow。Ihearhisbreath，hoarseandheavyasawildbeast’spanting。Hedrawsitmoreevenly，moredeeply。Thedangerispast。ThankGod！
God！WhathaveItodowithHim？AGodofJudgment。Ha，ha！
Hellcannotfrightenme。itwillnotbeworsethanearth。Onlyhewillbetheretoo。Notwithhim，notwithhim，——sendmetothelowestcircleoftorment，butnotwithhim。There，hisbreastisbarenow。Istheknifesharp？Yes。andthebladeisstrongenough。Nowletmestrike——myselfafterwardsifneedbe，buthimfirst。Isitthedevilthatpromptsme？Thenthedevilismyfriend，andthefriendoftheworld。No。GodisaGodoflove。
Hecannotwishsuchamantolive。Hemadehim，butthedevilspoilthim。andletthedevilhavehishandiworkbackagain。Ithasservedhimlongenoughhere。anditslastserviceshallbetomakemeamurderess。
Howthemoonlightgleamsfromthebladeasmyarmswingsupandback：withhowcloseagrasptheroughhiltdrawsmyfingersroundit。Now。
Amurderess？
Waitamoment。Amomentmaymakemefree。amomentmaymakeme——
that！
Wait。
Handanddaggerdroopagain。Hislifehasdraggeditsslimeovermysoul。shallhisdeathpoisonitwithafoulercorruptionstill？
Myownsoul’swarden。
Whatwasthat？Dreammemoriesagain。
Resist，strive，endure。
Easywords。Whatdotheymeanforme？Tocreepbacknowtobedbyhisside，andtobeginlivingagainto-morrowthelifewhichIhavelivedto-day？No，no。Icannotdoit。Heavencannotaskitofme。
Andthereisnootherway。Thatorthis。thisorthat。Whichshallitbe？Ah！Ihavestriven，Godknows。IhaveenduredsolongthatIhopedeventodosototheend。Butto-day！Oh！thetormentandtheoutrage：bodyandsoulstillbearthestainofit。
Ithoughtthatmyheartandmyprideweredeadtogether，buthehasstungthemagainintoaching，shamefullife。YesterdayImighthavesparedhim，tosavemyowncoldsoulfromsin。butnowitiscoldnolonger。Itburns，itburnsandthefiremustbeslaked。
Ay，Iwillkillhim，andhavedonewithit。WhyshouldIpauseanylonger？Theknifedragsmyhandbackforthestroke。Onlythedreamsurroundsme。thepureman’sfaceisthere，white，beseeching，andGod’svoiceringsinmyheart——
Tohimthatovercometh。
ButIcannotovercome。Evilhasgovernedmylife，andevilisstrongerthanIam。WhatshallIdo？whatshallIdo？God，ifThouartstrongerthanevil，fightforme。
ThevictoryoftheCrossisours。
Yes，Iknowit。Itistrue，itistrue。Buttheknife？IcannotloosetheknifeifIwould。Howtowrenchitfrommyownhold？
ThouGodofVictorybewithme！Christhelpme！
Iseizethebladewithmylefthand。thetwo-edgedsteelslidesthroughmygrasp。asharppaininfingersandpalm。andthen——
nothing……
VI
WhenIagainbecameconscious，Ifoundmyselfhalfkneeling，halflyingacrossthebed，myarmsstretchedoutinfrontofme，myfaceburiedintheclothes。Bodyandmindwerealikenumbed。A
smartingpaininmylefthand，adreadfulterrorinmyheart，wereatfirsttheonlysensationsofwhichIwasaware。Slowly，veryslowly，senseandmemoryreturnedtome，andwiththemamorevividintensityofmentalanguish，asdetailbydetailIrecalledtheweirdhorrorofthenight。Haditreallyhappened，——wasthethingstillthere，——orwasitallaghastlynightmare？ItwassomeminutesbeforeIdaredeithertomoveorlookup，andthenfearfullyIraisedmyhead。Beforemestretchedthesmoothwhitecoverlet，faintlybrightwithyellowsunshine。Weakandgiddy，I
struggledtomyfeet，and，steadyingmyselfagainstthefootofthebed，withclenchedteethandburstingheart，forcedmygazeroundtotheotherend。Thepillowlaythere，bareandunmarkedsaveforwhatmightwellhavebeenthepressureofmyownhead。Mybreathcamemorefreely，andIturnedtothewindow。Thesunhadjustrisen，thegoldentree-topsweretouchedwithlight，faintthreadsofmisthunghereandthereacrossthesky，andthetwitteringofbirdssoundedclearlythroughthecrispautumnair。
Itwasnothingbutabaddreamthen，afterall，thishorrorwhichstillhungroundme，leavingmeincapableofeffort，almostofthought。Irememberedthecabinet，andlookedswiftlyinthatdirection。Thereitstood，closedasusual，closedasithadbeentheeveningbefore，asithadbeenforthelastthreehundredyears，exceptinmydreams。
Yes，thatwasit。nothingbutadream，——agruesome，hauntingdream。
Withaninstinctofwipingoutthedreadfulmemory，Iraisedmyhandwearilytomyforehead。AsIdidso，Ibecameconsciousagainofhowithurtme。Ilookedatit。Itwascoveredwithhalf-driedblood，andtwostraightcleancutsappeared，oneacrossthepalmandoneacrosstheinsideofthefingersjustbelowtheknuckles。
Ilookedagaintowardsthebed，and，intheplacewheremyhandhadrestedduringmyfaint，asmallpatchofredbloodwastobeseen。
Thenitwastrue！Thenithadallhappened！WithalowshudderingsobIthrewmyselfdownuponthecouchatthefootofthebed，andlaythereforsomeminutes，mylimbstrembling，andmysoulshrinkingwithinme。Amistofevil，fearfulandloathsome，haddescendeduponmygirlhood’slife，sullyingitsignorantinnocence，saddeningitsbrightness，asIfelt，forever。Ilaytheretillmyteethbegantochatter，andIrealizedthatIwasbitterlycold。
Toreturntothataccursedbedwasimpossible，soIpulledarugwhichhungatoneendofthesofaoverme，and，utterlywornoutinmindandbody，felluneasilyasleep。
Iwasrousedbytheentranceofmymaid。IstoppedherexclamationsandquestionsbyshortlystatingthatIhadhadabadnight，hadbeenunabletorestinbed，andhadhadanaccidentwithmyhand，——withoutfurtherspecifyingofwhatdescription。
Ididn’tknowthatyouhadbeenfeelingunwellwhenyouwenttobedlastnight，miss，shesaid。
WhenIwenttobedlastnight？Unwell？Whatdoyoumean？
OnlyMr。Alanhasjustaskedmetolethimknowhowyoufindyourselfthismorning，sheanswered。
Thenheexpectedsomething，dreadedsomething。Ah！whyhadheyieldedandallowedmetosleephere，Iaskedmyselfbitterly，astheincidentsofthedaybeforeflashedthroughmymind。
Tellhim，Isaid，whatIhavetoldyou。andsaythatIwishtospeaktohimdirectlyafterbreakfast。Icouldnotconfidemystorytoanyoneelse，butspeakofitImusttosomeoneorgomad。
Everymomentpassedinthatplacewasanaddedmisery。Muchtomymaid’ssurpriseIsaidthatIwoulddressinherroom——thelittleonewhich，asIhavesaid，wasclosetomyown。Ifeltbetterthere。butmyutterfatigueandmywoundedhandcombinedtomakemytoiletslow，andIfoundthatmostofthepartyhadfinishedbreakfastwhenIreachedthedining-room。Iwasgladofthis，forevenasitwasIfounditdifficultenoughtogivecoherentanswerstothequestionswhichmywhitefaceandbandagedhandcalledforth。Alanhelpedmebygivingaresoluteturntotheconversation。Onceonlyoureyesmetacrossthetable。HelookedashaggardandwornasIdid：Ilearnedafterwardsthathehadpassedmostofthatfearfulnightpacingthepassageoutsidemydoor，thoughhelistenedinvainforanyindicationofwhatwasgoingonwithintheroom。
ThemomentIhadfinishedbreakfasthewasbymyside。Youwishtospeaktome？now？heaskedinalowtone。
Yes。now，Ianswered，breathlessly，andwithoutraisingmyeyesfromtheground。
Whereshallwego？Outside？Itisabrightday，andweshallbefreertherefrominterruption。
Iassented。andthenlookingupathimappealingly，Willyoufetchmythingsforme？ICANNOTgouptothatroomagain。
Heseemedtounderstandme，nodded，andwasgone。Afewminuteslaterweleftthehouse，andmadeourwayinsilencetowardsagrassyspotonthesideoftheravinewherewehadalreadyindulgedinmorethanonefriendlytalk。
Aswewent，theDeadStonecameforamomentintoview。IseizedAlan’sarminanalmostconvulsivegrip。Tellme，Iwhispered，——
yourefusedtotellmeyesterday，butyoumustnow，——whoisburiedbeneaththatrock？
Therewasnowneithertimiditynorembarrassmentinmytone。Thehorrorsofthathousehadbecomepartofmylifeforever，andtheirsecretswereminebyright。Alan，afteramoment’spause，aquestioningglanceatmyface，tacitlyacceptedtheposition。
Itoldyouthetruth，hereplied，whenIsaidthatIdidnotknow。butIcantellyouthepopulartraditiononthesubject，ifyoulike。TheysaythatMargaretMervyn，thewomanwhomurderedherhusband，isburiedthere，andthatDameAlicehadtherockplacedoverhergrave，——whethertosaveitfrominsultortomarkitoutforopprobrium，Ineverheard。Thepoorpeopleaboutheredonotcaretogoneartheplaceafterdark，andamongtheolderonestherearestillsome，Ibelieve，whospitatthesuicide’sgraveastheypass。
Poorwoman，poorwoman！Iexclaimed，inaburstofuncontrollablecompassion。
Whyshouldyoupityher？demandedhewithsuddensternness。sheWASasuicideandamurderesstoo。Itwouldbebetterforthepublicconscience，Ibelieve，ifsuchwerestillhunginchains，orburiedatthecross-roadswithastakethroughtheirbodies。
Hush，Alan，hush！Icriedhysterically，asIclungtohim。don’tspeakharshlyofher：youdonotknow，youcannottell，howterriblyshewastempted。Howcanyou？
Helookeddownatmeinbewilderedsurprise。HowcanI？herepeated。YouspeakasifYOUcould。Whatdoyoumean？
Don’taskme，Ianswered，turningtowardshimmyface，——white，quivering，tear-stained。Don’taskme。Notnow。Youmustanswermyquestionsfirst，andafterthatIwilltellyou。ButIcannottalkofitnow。Notyet。
WehadreachedtheplacewewereinsearchofasIspoke。There，wherethespreadingrootsofagreatbeech-treeformedanaturalrestingplaceuponthesteepsideoftheravine，Itookmyseat，andAlanstretchedhimselfuponthegrassbesideme。Thenlookingupatme——Idonotknowwhatquestionsyouwouldask，hesaid，quietly。butIwillanswerthem，whatevertheymaybe。
ButIdidnotaskthemyet。Isatinsteadwithmyhandsclaspingmyknee，lookingoppositeatthegloryofharmoniouscolor，ordowntheglenatthevistaoffar-off，dream-likeloveliness，onwhichitopenedout。Theyellowautumnsunshinemadeeverythinggolden，thefreshautumnbreezesfilledtheairwithlife。buttomealoathsomeshadowseemedtorestuponall，andtostretchitselfoutfarbeyondwheremyeyescouldreach，befoulingthebeautyofthewholewideworld。AtlastIspoke。Youhaveknownofitall，I
suppose。ofthiscursethatisintheworld，——sinandsuffering，andwhatsuchwordsmean。
Yes，hesaid，lookingatmewithwonderingpity，Iamafraidso。
Buthaveyouknownthemastheyareknowntosome，——agonized，hopelesssuffering，andsinthatisallbutinevitable？Sometimeinyourlifeprobablyyouhaverealizedthatsuchthingsare：ithascomehometoyou，andtoeveryoneelse，nodoubt，exceptafewignorantgirlssuchasIwasyesterday。Buttherearesome，——yes，thousandsandthousands，——whoevennow，atthismoment，arefeelingsorrowlikethat，aresinkingdeep，deeperintothebottomlesspitoftheirsoul’sdegradation。Andyetmenwhoknowthis，whohaveseenit，laugh，talk，arehappy，amusethemselves——howcanthey，howcanthey？Istoppedwithacatchinmyvoice，andthenstretchingoutmyarmsinfrontofme——Anditisnotonlymen。
Lookhowbeautifultheearthis，andGodhasmadeit，andletsthesuncrowniteverydaywithanewglory，whilethishorrorofevilbroodsoverandpoisonsitall。Oh，whyisitso？Icannotunderstandit。
MyarmsdroopedagainasIfinished，andmyeyessoughtAlan’s。
Hiswerefulloftears，buttherewasalmostasmilequiveringatthecornersofhislipsashereplied：Whenyouhavefoundananswertothatquestion，Evie，comeandtellmeandmankindatlarge：itwillbenewstousall。Thenhecontinued——But，afterall，theearthisbeautiful，andthesundoesshine：wehaveourownhappinesstorejoicein，ourownsorrowstobear，thesufferingthatisneartoustograpplewith。Fortherest，forthisblacknessofevilwhichsurroundsus，andwhichwecandonothingtolighten，itwillsoon，thankGod，becomevagueandfarofftoyouasitistoothers：yourfeelingofitwillbedulled，and，exceptatmoments，youtoowillforget。
Butthatishorrible，Iexclaimed，passionately。theevilwillbethereallthesame，whetherIfeelitornot。Menandwomenwillbestrugglingintheirmiseryandsin，onlyIshallbetooselfishtocare。
Wecannotgooutsidethelimitsofourownnature，hereplied。
ourknowledgeisshallowandourspiritualinsightdark，andGodinHismercyhasmadeourheartsshallowtoo，andourimaginationdull。If，knowingandtrustingonlyasmendo，weweretofeelasangelsfeel，earthwouldbehellindeed。
Itwascoldcomfort，butatthatmomentanythingwarmerorbrighterwouldhavebeenunrealandutterlyrepellenttome。Ihardlytookinthemeaningofhiswords，butitwasasifahandhadbeenstretchedouttome，strugglinginthedeepmire，byonewhohimselffeltsolidgroundbeneathhim。WherehestoodIalsomightsomedaystand，andthatthoughtseemedtomakepatiencepossible。
Itwashewhofirstbrokethesilencewhichfollowed。Youweresayingthatyouhadquestionstoaskme。Iamimpatienttoputmineinreturn，sopleasegoon。
Ithadbeenarelieftometoturneventogeneralizationsofdespairfromtheactualhorrorwhichhadinspiredthem，andtowhichmymindwasthusrecalled。WithaneffortIreplied，Yes，I
wanttoaskyouaboutthatroom——theroominwhichIslept，and——
andthemurderwhichwascommittedthere。InspiteofallthatI
coulddo，myvoicesankalmosttoawhisperasIconcluded，andI
wastremblingfromheadtofoot。
Whotoldyouthatamurderwascommittedthere？Somethinginmyfaceasheaskedthequestionmadehimaddquickly，Nevermind。
Youareright。ThatistheroominwhichHughMervynwasmurderedbyhiswife。Iwassurprisedatyourquestion，forIdidnotknowthatanyonebutmybrothersandmyselfwereawareofthefact。Thesubjectisnevermentioned：itiscloselyconnectedwithoneintenselypainfultoourfamily，andbesides，ifspokenof，therewouldbeinconveniencesarisingfromthesuperstitiousterrorsofservants，andthenaturaldislikeofgueststosleepinaroomwheresuchathinghadhappened。Indeeditwaslargelywiththeviewofwipingoutthelastmemoryofthecrime’slocality，thatmyfatherrenewedtheinterioroftheroomsometwentyyearsago。Theonlytraditionwhichhasbeenadheredtoinconnectionwithitistheonewhichhasnowbeenviolatedinyourperson——theonewhichprecludesanyunmarriedwomanfromsleepingthere。Exceptforthat，theroomhas，asyouknow，lostallsinisterreputation，anditstitleof’haunted’hasbecomepurelyconventional。
Nevertheless，asIsaid，youareright——thatisundoubtedlytheroominwhichthemurderwascommitted。
Hestoppedandlookedupatme，waitingformore。
Goon。tellmeaboutit，andwhatfollowed。Mylipsformedthewords。myheartbeattoofaintlyformybreathtoutterthem。
Aboutthemurderitselfthereisnotmuchtotell。Theman，I
believe，wasaninhumanscoundrel，andthewomanfirstkilledhimindesperation，andafterwardsherselfindespair。TheonlydetailconnectedwiththeactualcrimeofwhichIhaveeverheard，wasthegalethatwasblowingthatnight——thefiercestknowntothiscountrysideinthatgeneration。andithasalwaysbeensaidsincethatanymisfortunetotheMervyns——especiallyanymisfortuneconnectedwiththecurse——comeswithastormofwind。ThatwaswhyIsodislikedyourstoryoftheimaginarytempestswhichhavedisturbedyournightssinceyousleptthere。Astowhatfollowed，——hegaveasigh，——thatstoryislongenoughandfullofincident。Onthemorningafterthemurder，sorunsthetale，DameAlicecamedowntotheGrangefromthetowertowhichshehadretiredwhenherson’swickednesseshaddrivenherfromhishouse，andthereinthepresenceofthetwocorpsessheforetoldthecursewhichshouldrestupontheirdescendantsforgenerationstocome。
Aclergymanwhowaspresent，horrified，itissaidatherwords，adjuredherbythemercyofHeaventoplacesometermtothedoomwhichshehadpronounced。Sherepliedthatnomortalmightreckonthefruitofaplantwhichdrewitslifefromhell。thatatermthereshouldbe，butasitpassedthewisdomofmantofixit，soitshouldpassthewitofmantodiscoverit。Shethenplacedintheroomthiscabinet，constructedbyherselfandherItalianfollower，andsaidthatthecurseshouldnotdepartfromthefamilyuntilthedaywhenitsdoorswereunlockedanditslegendread。
Suchisthestory。Itellittoyouasitwastoldtome。Onethingonlyiscertain，thatthedoomthustraditionallyforetoldhasbeenonlytooamplyfulfilled。
Andwhatwasthedoom？
Alanhesitatedalittle，andwhenhespokehisvoicewasalmostawfulinitspassionlesssternness，initsdespairingfinality。itseemedtoechotheirrevocablejudgmentwhichhiswordspronounced：
ThatthecrimesagainstGodandeachotherwhichhaddestroyedtheparents’lifeshouldenterintothechildren’sblood，andthatneverthereaftershouldtherefailaMervyntobringshameordeathupononegenerationofhisfather’shouse。
Thereweretwosonsofthatill-fatedmarriage，hewentonafterapause，boysatthetimeoftheirparents’death。Whentheygrewuptheybothfellinlovewiththesamewoman，andonekilledtheotherinaduel。Thestoryofthenextgenerationwasapeculiarlysadone。Twobrotherstookoppositesidesduringtheciviltroubles。butsofearfulweretheyofthecursewhichlayuponthefamily，thattheychieflymadeuseoftheirmutualpositioninordertoprotectandguardeachother。Afterthewarswereover，theyoungerbrother，whiletravelinguponsomeparliamentarycommission，stoppedanightattheGrange。There，throughamistake，heexchangedthereportwhichhewasbringingtoLondonforapacketofpapersimplicatinghisbrotherandseveralbesidesinaroyalistplot。Heonlydiscoveredhiserrorashehandedthepaperstohissuperior，andwasbutjustabletowarnhisbrotherintimeforhimtosavehislifebyflight。Theothermeninvolvedweretakenandexecuted，andasitwasknownbywhatmeansinformationhadreachedtheGovernment，theelderMervynwasuniversallychargedwiththevilesttreachery。ItissaidthatwhenaftertheRestorationhisreturnhomewasrumoredtheneighboringgentryassembled，armedwithridingwhips，tofloghimoutofthecountryifheshoulddaretoshowhisfacethere。Hediedabroad，shame-strickenandbroken-hearted。Itwashisson，broughtupbyhisuncleinthesternesttenetsofPuritanism，who，cominghomeafteralengthenedjourney，foundthatduringhisabsencehissisterhadbeenshamefullyseduced。Heturnedheroutofdoors，thenandthere，inthemidstofabitterJanuarynight，andthenextmorningherdeadbodyandthatofhernew-borninfantwerefoundhalfburiedinthefresh-fallensnowonthetopofthewolds。The’whitelady’isstillsupposedbythevillagerstohauntthatsideoftheglen。Andsoitwenton。Abeautiful，heartlessMervyninQueenAnne’stimeenticedawaytheaffectionsofhersister’sbetrothed，andonthedayofherownweddingwithhim，herforsakensisterwasfounddrownedbyherownactinthepondatthebottomofthegarden。TwobrothersweresoldierstogetherinsomeContinentalwar，andonewasinvoluntarilythemeansofdiscoveringandexposingthetreasonoftheother。Agirlwasbetrayedintoafalsemarriage，andherliferuinedbyamanwhocameintothehouseasherbrother’sfriend，andwhoseinfamousdesignswereforwardedandfinallyaccomplishedbythatsamebrother’sactivethoughunsuspectingassistance。Generationaftergeneration，menorwomen，guiltyorinnocent，throughtheactionoftheirownwillorinspiteofit，thecursehasneveryetfailedofitsvictims。
Neveryet？Butsurelyinourowntime——yourfather？Ididnotdaretoputthequestionwhichwasburningmylips。
Haveyouneverheardofthetragicendofmypooryounguncles？
hereplied。Theywereseveralyearsolderthanmyfather。Whenboysoffourteenandfifteentheyweresentoutwiththekeeperfortheirfirstshootinglesson，andtheeldershothisbrotherthroughtheheart。Hehimselfwasdelicate，andtheysaythatheneverentirelyrecoveredfromtheshock。Hediedbeforehewastwenty，andmyfather，thenachildofsevenyearsold，becametheheir。
Itwaspartly，nodoubt，owingtothiscalamityhavingthusoccurredbeforehewasoldenoughtofeelit，thathiscomparativeskepticismonthewholesubjectwasdue。TothatIsuppose，andtothefactthathegrewupinanageofrailwaysandliberalculture。
Hedidn’tbelieve，then，inthecurse？
Well，rather，hethoughtnothingaboutit。Until，thatis，thetimecamewhenittookeffect，tobreakhisheartandendhislife。
Howdoyoumean？
Therewassilenceforalittle。Alanhadturnedawayhishead，sothatIcouldnotseehisface。Then——
IsupposeyouhaveneverbeentoldthetruestoryofwhyJackleftthecountry？
No。Washe——ishe——？
Heisonevictimofthecurseinthisgeneration，andI，Godhelpme，amtheother，andperhapsmorewretchedone。
Hisvoicetrembledandbroke，andforthefirsttimethatdayI
almostforgotthemysterioushorrorofthenightbefore，inmypityfortheactual，tangiblesufferingbeforeme。Istretchedoutmyhandtohis，andhisfingersclosedonminewithasudden，painfulgrip。Thenquietly——
Iwilltellyouthestory，hesaid，thoughsincethatmiserabletimeIhavespokenofittonoone。
Therewasapausebeforehebegan。Helaytherebymyside，hisgazeturnedacrossmeupthesunbright，autumn-tintedglen，buthiseyesshadowedbythememorieswhichhewasstrivingtorecallandarrangeindueorderinhismind。Andwhenhedidspeakitwasnotdirectlytobeginthepromisedrecital。
YouneverknewJack，hesaid，abruptly。
Hardly，Iacquiesced。Irememberthinkinghimveryhandsome。
Therecouldnotbetwoopinionsastothat，heanswered。Andamanwhocouldhavedoneanythinghelikedwithlife，hadthingsgonedifferently。Hisabilitieswerefine，buthisstrengthlayaboveallinhischaracter：hewasstrong，——stronginhislikesandinhisdislikes，resolute，fearless，incapableofhalfmeasures——aman，everyinchofhim。Hewasnotgenerallypopular——stiff，hard，unsympathetic，peoplecalledhim。Fromonepointofview，andoneonly，heperhapsdeservedtheepithets。Ifawomanlosthisrespectsheseemedtolosehispitytoo。Likeamediaevalmonk，helookeduponsuchratherasthecausethantheresultofmaledepravity，andhiscontemptforthemmingledwithanger，almost，asIsometimesthought，withhatred。Andthisattitudewas，Ihavenodoubt，resentedbythemenofhisownclassandset，whosharedneitherhisfaultsnorhisvirtues。Butinotherwayshewasnothard。Hecouldlove。I，atleast，havecausetoknowit。Ifyouwouldhearhisstoryrightlyfrommylips，Evie，youmusttryandseehimwithmyeyes。Thefriendwholovedme，andwhomIlovedwiththepassionwhich，ifnotthestrongest，iscertainly，I
believe，themostenduringofwhichmenarecapable，——thatperfectbrother’slove，whichsogrowsintoourbeingthatwhenitisatpeacewearescarcelyconsciousofitsexistence，andwhenitiswoundedourverylife-bloodseemstoflowatthestroke。Brothersdonotalwayslovelikethat：Icanonlywishthatwehadnotdoneso。
VII
Well，aboutfiveyearsago，beforeIhadtakenmydegree，IbecameacquaintedwithawomanwhomIwillcall’Delia，’——itisnearenoughtothenamebywhichshewent。Shewasafewyearsolderthanmyself，verybeautiful，andIbelievedhertobewhatshedescribedherself——theinnocentvictimofcircumstanceandfalseappearance，ahelplesspreytothevilecalumniesofworldlings。
Insoberfact，Iamafraidthat，whateverherlifemayhavebeenactuallyatthetimethatIknewher——asubjectwhichIhavenevercaredtoinvestigate——herpasthadbeennotonlybadenoughirretrievablytofixherpositioninsociety，butbadenoughtoleaveherwithoutanidealintheworld，thoughstillretainingwithinherheartthepossibilitiesofapassionwhich，fromthemomentthatitcametolife，wasstrongenoughtoturnherwholeexistenceintoonedesperaterecklessstrainingafteranobjecthopelesslybeyondherreach。Thatwasthewomanwithwhom，attheageoftwenty，Ifanciedmyselfinlove。Shewantedtogetahusband，andshethoughtme——rightly——assenoughtoacceptthepost。Iwasveryyoungthenevenformyyears，——astudent，anidealist，withanimaginationhighlydeveloped，andnoknowledgewhateveroftheworldasitactuallyis。Anyhow，beforeIhadknownheramonth，Ihaddeterminedtomakehermywife。Myparentswereabroadatthetime，GeorgeandLucyhere，sothatitwastoJackthatIimpartedthenewsofmyresolve。Asyoumayimagine，hedidallthathecouldtoshakeit。ButIwasimmovable。Idisbelievedhisfacts，anddespisedhiscontemptfromthestandpointofmyownsuperiormorality。Thisstateofthingscontinuedforseveralweeks，duringthegreaterpartofwhichtimeIwasatOxford。IonlyknewthatwhileIwasthere，JackhadmadeDelia’sacquaintance，andwasapparentlycultivatingitassiduously。
Oneday，duringtheEastervacation，Igotanotefromheraskingmetosupperatherhouse。Jackwasinvitedtoo：welodgedtogetherwhilemypeoplewereaway。
Thereisnoneedtodwelluponthatsupper。Thereweretwoorthreewomenthereofherownsort，orworse，andadozenmenfromamongthemostprofligateinLondon。Theconversationwas，I
shouldthink，badevenforthatclass。andshe，thegoddessofmyidolatry，outstrippedthemallbythefoul，coarseshamelessnessofherlanguageandbehavior。Beforetheentertainmentwashalfover，Iroseandtookmyleave，accompaniedbyJackandanotherman，——
Legardwashisname，——whoIpresumewasbored。Justaswehadpassedthroughintotheanteroom，whichlaybeyondtheoneinwhichwehadbeeneating，Deliafollowedus，andlayingherhandonJack’sarm，saidthatshemustspeakwithhim。LegardandIwentintotheouterhall，andwehadnotbeentheremorethanaminutewhenthedoorfromtheanteroomopened，andweheardDelia’svoice。
Irememberthewordswell，——thatwasnottheonlyoccasiononwhichIwastohearthem。’Iwillkeeptheringasarecordofmylove，’
shesaid，’andunderstand，thatthoughyoumayforget，Inevershall。’Jackcamethrough，thedoorclosed，andaswewentoutI
glancedtowardshislefthand，andsaw，asIexpectedtosee，theabsenceoftheringwhichheusuallyworethere。ItcontainedagemwhichmymotherhadpickedupintheEast，andIknewthathevalueditquitepeculiarly。WealwayscalleditJack’stalisman。
Amiserabletimefollowed，atimeformeofagonizingwonderanddoubt，duringwhichregretformydeadillusionwasentirelyswallowedupintheterribledreadofmybrother’sdegradation。
ThencametheannouncementofhisengagementtoLadySylviaGrey。
andaweeklater，theverydayafterIhadfinallyreturnedtoLondonfromOxford，IreceivedasummonsfromDeliatocomeandseeher。Curiosity，andthehauntingfearaboutJack，whichstillhungroundme，inducedmetoconsenttowhatotherwisewouldhavebeenintolerablyrepellenttome，andIwent。Ifoundherinamadpassionoffury。Jackhadrefusedtoseeherortoanswerherletters，andshehadsentforme，thatImightgivehimhermessage，——tellhimthathebelongedtoherandheronly，andthathenevershouldmarryanotherwoman。Angryatmyinterference，Jackdisdainedeventorepudiateherclaims，onlysendingbackathreatofappealingtothepoliceifsheventureduponanyfurtherannoyance。Iwroteasshetoldme，andsheemphasizedmysilenceonthesubjectbywritingbacktomeamoredefiniteandexplicitassertionofherrights。Beyondthatforsomeweeksshemadenosign。Ihavenodoubtthatshehadmeansofkeepingwatchuponbothhismovementsandmine。andduringthattime，assherelinquishedgraduallyallhopesofinducinghimtoabandonhispurpose，shewasbeingdriventoherlastdespairingresolve。
Later，whenallwasover，Jacktoldmethestoryofthatspringandsummer。Hetoldmehow，whenhefoundmeimmovableonthesubject，hehadresolvedtostopthemarriagesomehowthroughDeliaherself。Hehadmadeheracquaintance，andsoughthersocietyfrequently。Shehadtakenafancytohim，andheadmittedthathehadavailedhimselfofthisfacttoincreasehisintimacywithher，and，ashehopedultimately，hispoweroverher。Buthewasnotconsciousofeverhavingvariedinhismannertowardsherofcontemptuousindifference。Thiscontradictorybehavior，——hisbeingconstantlynearher，yetalwaysbeyondherreach，——wasprobablytheverythingwhichexcitedherfancyintopassion，theonestrongpassionofthepoorwoman’slife。Thencamehisdeliberatedemandthatsheshouldbyherownactunmaskherselfinmysight。Theunfortunatewomantriedtobargainforsomeproofofaffectioninreturn，andonthisoccasionhadfirstopenlydeclaredherfeelingstowardshim。Hedidnotbelieveher。herefusedherterms。butwhenasherpaymentsheaskedfortheringwhichwassoespeciallyassociatedwithhimself，heagreedtogiveittoher。Otherwisehoping，nodoubtagainsthope，dreadingaboveallthingsaquarrelandfinalseparation，shesubmittedunconditionally。Andfromthetimeofthatevening，whenLegardandIhadoverheardherpartingwords，Jackneversawheragainuntilthelastandfinalcatastrophe。
ItwasinJuly。MyparentshadreturnedtoEngland，buthadcomestraightonhere。JackandIwerediningtogetherwithLadySylviaatherfather’shouse——herbrother，youngGrey，makingthefourthatdinner。Ihadarrangedtogotoapartywithyourmother，andI
toldtheservantsthataladywouldcallformeearlyintheevening。ThehousestoodinParkLane，andafterdinnerweallwentoutontothebroadbalconywhichopenedfromthedrawing-
room。Therewasastrongwindblowingthatnight，andIrememberwellthevague，disquietedfeelingofunrealitythatpossessedme，——
sweepingthroughme，asitwere，witheachgustofwind。Then，suddenly，aservantstoodbehindme，sayingthattheladyhadcomeforme，andwasinthedrawing-room。Shockedthatmyauntshouldhavetroubledherselftocomesofar，Iturnedquickly，steppedbackintotheroom，andfoundmyselffacetofacewithDelia。Shewasfullydressedfortheevening，withalongsilkopera-cloakoverhershoulders，herfaceaswhiteashergown，hersplendideyesstrangelywideopenandshining。Idon’tknowwhatIsaidordid。Itriedtogetheraway，butitwastoolate。Theothershadheardus，andappearedattheopenwindow。Jackcameforwardatonce，speakingrapidly，fiercely。tellinghertoleavethehouseatonce。promisingdesperatelythathewouldseeherinhisownroomsonthemorrow。WellIrememberhowheranswerrangout，——
’Neitherto-morrownoranotherday：IwillneverleaveyouagainwhileIlive。’
Atthesameinstantshedrewsomethingswiftlyfromunderhercloak，therewasthesoundofapistolshotandshelaydeadatourfeet，herbloodsplashinguponJack’sshirtandhandsasshefell。
Alanpausedinhisrecital。Hewastremblingfromheadtofoot。
buthekepthiseyesturnedsteadilydownwards，andbothfaceandvoicewerecold——almostexpressionless。
Ofcoursetherewasaninquest，heresumed，which，asusual，exerciseditsveryill-definedpowersininquiringintoallpossiblemotivesforthesuicide。YoungGrey，whohadsteppedintotheroomjustbeforetheshothadbeenfired，sworetothelastwordsDeliahaduttered。Legardtothosehehadoverheardthenightofthatdreadfulsupper：therewerescoresofmentobearwitnesstotheintimaterelationswhichhadexistedbetweenherandJackduringthewholeofthepreviousspring。Ihadtogiveevidence。
Askillfullawyerhadbeenretainedbyoneofhersisters，andhadbeeninstructedbyheronpointswhichnodoubtshehadoriginallylearntfromDeliaherself。Inhishands，IhadnotonlytocorroborateGreyandLegard，andtogivefulldetailsofthatlastinterview，butalsotosweartothepeculiarvaluewhichJackattachedtothetalismanringwhichhehadgivenDelia。tothelanguageshehadheldwhenIsawheraftermyreturnfromOxford。
tohersubsequentletter，andJack’sfatalsilenceontheoccasion。
ThestorybywhichJackandIstrovetoaccountforthefactswaslaughedatasaclumsyinvention，andmyundisguisedreluctanceingivingevidenceaddedgreatlytoitsweightagainstmybrother’scharacter。
Thejuryreturnedaverdictofsuicidewhileofunsoundmind，theresultofdesertionbyherlover。YoumayimaginehowthatverdictwascommenteduponbyeveryRadicalnewspaperinthekingdom，andforoncesocietymorethancorroboratedtheopinionsofthepress。
Thelargerpublicregardedthestoryasanextremecaseoftheinnocentvictimandthecowardlysocietyvillain。ItwasonlyamongacomparativelysmallsetthatDelia’sreputationwasknown，andthere，inviewofJack’snotoriousandpeculiarintimacy，hisrepudiationofallrelationswithherwasreceivedwithcontemptuousincredulity。ThatheshouldhavefirstentereduponsuchrelationsattheverytimewhenhewasalreadycourtingLadySylviawasregardedeveninthosecirclesasa’strongorder，’andtheylookeduponhispresentattitudewithgreatindignation，asacowardlyattempttosavehisowncharacterbycastinguponthedeadwoman’smemoryalltheodiumofafalseaccusation。Withanentireabsenceoflogic，too，hewasmaderesponsibleforthesuicidehavingtakenplaceinLadySylvia’spresence。Shehadbrokenofftheengagementthedayafterthecatastrophe，andherfamily，aclanpowerfulintheLondonworld，furiousatthemudthroughwhichhernamehadbeendragged，didallthattheycouldtointensifythefeelingalreadyexistingagainstJack。
Notavoicewasraisedinhisdefense。Hewasadvisedtoleavethearmy。hewasrequestedtowithdrawfromsomeofhisclubs，turnedoutofothers，avoidedbyhisfastacquaintances，cutbyhisrespectableones。Itwasenoughtokillaweakerman。
Heshowednoresentmentatthemeasurethusdealtouttohim。
Indeed，atthefirst，exceptforSylvia’sdesertionofhim，heseemeddullyindifferenttoitall。Itwasasifhissoulhadbeenstunned，fromthemomentthatthatwretchedwoman’sbloodhadsplasheduponhisfingers，andherdeadeyeshadlookedupintohisown。
Butitwasnotlongbeforeherealizedthefullextentofthesocialdamnationwhichhadbeeninflicteduponhim，andhethenresolvedtoleavethecountryandgotoAmerica。Thenightbeforehestartedhecamedownheretotakeleave。Iwasherelookingaftermyparents——George，whosemindwasalmostunhingedbythefamilydisgrace，havinggoneabroadwithhiswife。Mymotheratthefirstnewsofwhathadhappenedhadtakentoherbed，nevertoleaveitagain。andthusitwasinmypresencealone，upthereinmyfather’slittlestudy，thatJackgavehimthatnightthewholestory。Hetolditquietlyenough。butwhenhehadfinished，withasuddenoutburstoffeelingheturneduponme。ItwasIwhohadbeenthecauseofitall。Myinsensatefollyhadinducedhimtomaketheunhappywoman’sacquaintance，toallowandevenencourageherfatallove，tocommitalltheblundersandsinswhichhadbroughtabouthermiserableendingandhisfinaloverthrow。Itwasbymeansofmethatshehadobtainedaccesstohimonthatdreadfulnight。myevidencewhichmostutterlydamnedhiminpublicopinion。
throughmehehadlosthisreputation，hisfriends，hiscareer，hiscountry，thewomanheloved，hishopesforthefuture。throughme，aboveall，thattheburdenofthathorribledeathwouldlieforeveronhissoul。Hewaslashinghimselftofurywithhisownwordsashespoke。andIstoodleaningagainstthewalloppositetohim，cold，dumb，unresisting，whensuddenlymyfatherinterrupted。
IthinkthatbothJackandIhadforgottenhispresence。butatthesoundofhisvoice，changedfromwhatwehadeverheardit，weturnedtohim，andIthenforthefirsttimesawinhisfacethedeath-lookwhichneverafterwardsquittedit。
’Stop，Jack，’hesaid。’Alanisnottoblame。andifithadnotbeeninthisway，itwouldhavebeeninsomeother。Ionlyamguilty，whobroughtyoubothintoexistencewithmyownhell-
stainedbloodinyourveins。Ifyouwishtocurseanyone，curseyourfamily，yourname，meifyouwill，andmayGodforgivemethatyouwereeverbornintotheworld！’
Alanstoppedwithashudder，andthencontinued，dully，ItwaswhenIheardthosewords，themostterriblethatafathercouldhaveuttered，thatIfirstunderstoodallthatthatoldsixteenth-
centurytalemightmeantomeandmine，——Ihaverealizeditvividlyenoughsince。Earlythenextmorning，whenthedawnwasjustbreaking，Jackcametothedoorofmyroomtobidmegood-by。Allhispassionwasgone。Hislooksandtonesseemedpartandparcelofthedimgraymorninglight。Hefreelywithdrewallthechargeshehadmadeagainstmethenightbefore。forgavemeallthesharethatIhadhadinhismisfortunes。andthenbeggedthatIwouldnevercomenearhim，orlethimhearfrommeagain。’Thecurseisheavyuponusboth，’hesaid，’anditistheonlyfavorwhichyoucandome。’Ihaveneverseenhimsince。
Butyouhaveheardofhim！Iexclaimed。whathasbecomeofhim？
Alanraisedhimselftoasittingposture。ThelastthatIheard，
hesaid，withacatchinhisvoice，wasthatinhismiseryandhopelessnesshewastakingtodrink。Georgewritestohim，anddoeswhathecan。butI——Idarenotsayaword，forfearitshouldturntopoisononmylips，——Idarenotliftahandtohelphim，forfearitshouldhavepowertostrikehimtotheground。Theworstmaybeyettocome。Iamstillliving，stillliving：therearedepthsofshametowhichhehasnotsunk。Andoh，Evie，Evie，heismyown，mybest-lovedbrother！
Allhiscomposurewasgonenow。Hisvoicerosetoakindofwailwiththelastwords，andfoldinghisarmsonhisraisedknee，helethisheadfalluponthem，whilehisfigurequiveredwithscarcelyrestrainedemotion。Therewasasilenceforsomemomentswhilehesatthus，Ilookingoninwretchedhelplessnessbesidehim。Thenheraisedhishead，and，withoutlookingroundatme，wentoninalowtone：Andwhatisinthefuture？Ipraythatdeathinsteadofshamemaybetheportionofthenextgeneration，andIlookatGeorge’sboysonlytowonderwhichofthemisthehappyonewhoshallsomedayliedeadathisbrother’sfeet。Areyousurprisedatmyresolutionnevertomarry？Thefatalprophecyisrichinitsfulfillment。noneofournameandbloodaresafe。
andthedaymightcomewhenItooshouldhavetocalluponmychildrentocursemefortheirbirth，——shouldhavetowatchwhiletheburdenwhichIcouldnolongerbearalonepressedthelifefromtheirmother’sheart。
ThroughthetragedyofthisspeechIwasconsciousofafaintsuggestionofcomfort，afar-offglimmer，asofunseenhome-lightsonamidnightsky。Iwasinnomoodthentounderstand，ortoseektounderstand，whatitwas。butIknownowthathiswordshadremovedtheweightofhelplessbanishmentfrommyspirit——thathisheart，speakingthroughthemtomyown，hadmademeforlifethesharerofhisgrief。
VIII
Presentlyhedrewhisshoulderstogetherwithaslightdeterminedjerk，threwhimselfbackuponthegrass，andturningtome，withthattremulous，haggardsmileuponhislipswhichIknewsowell，butwhichhadneverbeforestruckmewithsuchinfinitepathos，Luckily，hesaid，thereareotherthingstodoinlifebesidesbeinghappy。OnlyperhapsyouunderstandnowwhatImeantlastnightwhenIspokeofthingswhichfleshandbloodcannotbear，andyetwhichmustbeborne。
Suddenlyandsharplyhiswordsrousedagainintoactivitytheloathsomememorywhichmyinterestinhisstoryhadpartiallydeadened。Henoticedthequickinvoluntarycontractionofmymuscles，andreaditaright。Thatremindsme，hewenton。I
mustclaimyourpromise。Ihavetoldyoumystory。Now，tellmeyours。
Itoldhim。notasIhavesetitdownhere，thoughperhapseveningreaterdetail，butincoherently，bitbybit，whilehehelpedmeoutwithgentlequestions，quicklycomprehendinggestures，andpatientwaitingduringthepausesofexhaustionwhichperforceinterposedthemselves。Asmystoryapproacheditsclimax，hisagitationgrewalmostequaltomyown，andhelistenedtotheclose，histeethclenched，hisbrowsbent，asifpassingagainwithmethroughthatawfulconflict。WhenIhadfinished，itwassomemomentsbeforeeitherofuscouldspeak。andthenheburstforthintobitterself-reproachforhavingsofaryieldedtohisbrother’sangryobstinacyastoallowmetosleepthethirdnightinthatfatalroom。
Itwascowardice，hesaid，sheercowardice！Afterallthathashappened，Idarednothaveaquarrelwithoneofmyownblood。AndyetifIhadnothardenedmyheart，IhadreasontoknowwhatIwasrisking。
Howdoyoumean？Iasked。
Thoseothertwogirlswhosleptthere，hesaid，breathlessly。itwasineachcaseafterthethirdnighttherethattheywerefounddead——dead，Evie，sorunsthestory，withamarkupontheirneckssimilarinshapeandpositiontothedeath-woundwhichMargaretMervyninflicteduponherself。
Icouldnotspeak，butIclutchedhishandwithanalmostconvulsivegrip。
AndIknewthestory，——Iknewit！hecried。Asboyswewerenotallowedtohearmuchofourfamilytraditions，butthisoneIknew。
Whenmyfatherredidtheinterioroftheeastroom，heremovedatthesametimeaboardfromabovethedoorwayoutside，onwhichhadbeenwritten——itissaidbyDameAliceherself——awarninguponthisverysubject。Ihappenedtobepresentwhenouroldhousekeeper，whohadbeenhisnurse，remonstratedwithhimwarmlyuponthisact。
andIaskedherafterwardswhattheboardwas，andwhyshecaredaboutitsomuch。Inherexcitementshetoldmethestoryofthoseunhappygirls，repeatingagainandagainthat，ifthewarningweretakenaway，evilwouldcomeofit。
Andshewasright，Isaid，dully。Oh，ifonlyyourfatherhadleftitthere！
Isuppose，heanswered，speakingmorequietly，thathewasimpatientoftraditionswhich，asItoldyou，heatthattimemorethanhalfdespised。Indeedhealteredtheshapeofthedoorway，raisingit，andmakingitflatandsquare，sothattheoldinscriptioncouldnothavebeenreplaced，evenhaditbeenwished。
IrememberitwasfittedroundthelowTudorarchwhichwaspreviouslythere。
Mymind，toowornwithmanyemotionsfordeliberatethought，wanderedonlanguidly，andasitweremechanically，upontheselasttrivialwords。Thedoorwaypresenteditselftomyviewasithadoriginallystood，withthediscardedwarningaboveit。andthen，byaspontaneouscomparisonofmentalvision，IrecalledthepaintedboardwhichIhadnoticedthreedaysbeforeinDameAlice’stower。
IsuggestedtoAlanthatitmighthavebeentheidenticalone——itsshapewasashedescribed。Verylikely，heanswered，absently。
Doyourememberwhatthewordswere？
Yes，Ithinkso，Ireplied。Letmesee。AndIrepeatedthemslowly，draggingthemoutasitwereonebyonefrommymemory：
Wherethewomansinnedthemaidshallwin。
ButGodhelpthemaidthatsleepswithin。
Yousee，Isaid，turningtowardshimslowly，thelastlineisawarningsuchasyouspokeof。
ButtomysurpriseAlanhadsprungtohisfeet，andwaslookingdownatme，hiswholebodyquiveringwithexcitement。Yes，Evie，
hecried，andthefirstlineisaprophecy——wherethewomansinnedthemaidHASwon。HeseizedthehandwhichIinstinctivelyreachedouttohim。Wehavenotseentheendofthisyet，hewenton，speakingrapidly，andasifarticulationhadbecomedifficulttohim。Come，Evie，wemustgobacktothehouseandlookatthecabinet——now，atonce。
Ihadrisentomyfeetbythistime，butIshrankawayatthosewords。Tothatroom？Oh，Alan——no，Icannot。
Hehadholdofmyhandstill，andhetightenedhisgraspuponit。
Ishallbewithyou。youwillnotbeafraidwithme，hesaid。
Come。Hiseyeswereburning，hisfaceflushedandpaledinrapidalternation，andhishandheldminelikeaviceofiron。
Iturnedwithhim，andwewalkedbacktotheGrange，Alanquickeninghispaceashewent，tillIalmosthadtorunbyhisside。Asweapproachedthedreadedroommysenseofrepulsionbecamealmostunbearable。butIwasnowinfectedbyhisexcitement，thoughIbutdimlycomprehendeditscause。Wemetnooneonourway，andinamomenthehadhurriedmeintothehouse，upthestairs，andalongthenarrowpassage，andIwasoncemoreintheeastroom，andinthepresenceofallthememoriesofthataccursednight。ForaninstantIstoodstrengthless，helpless，onthethreshold，mygazefixedpanic-strickenonthespotwhereIhadtakensuchawfulpartinthatphantomtragedyofevil。thenAlanthrewhisarmroundme，anddrewmehastilyoninfrontofthecabinet。Withoutapause，givinghimselftimeneithertospeaknorthink，hestretchedouthislefthandandmovedthebuttonsoneafteranother。HoworinwhatdirectionhemovedthemIknownot。
butasthelastturnedwithaclick，thedoors，whichnomortalhandhadunclosedforthreehundredyears，flewback，andthecabinetstoodopen。Igavealittlegaspoffear。Alanpressedhislipscloselytogether，andturnedtomewitheagerquestioninginhiseyes。IpointedinanswertremblinglyatthedrawerwhichI
hadseenopenthenightbefore。Hedrewitout，andthereonitssatinbedlaythedaggerinitssilversheath。Stillwithoutawordhetookitup，andreachinghisrighthandroundme，forI
couldnotnowhavestoodhadhewithdrawnhissupport，withaswiftstrongjerkheunsheathedtheblade。ThereintheclearautumnsunshineIcouldseethesamedullstainsIhadmarkedintheflickeringcandle-light，andoverthem，stillruddyandmoist，werethedropsofmyownhalf-driedblood。Igraspedthelapelofhiscoatwithbothmyhands，andclungtohimlikeachildinterror，whiletheeyesofbothofusremainedfixedasiffascinatedupontheknife-blade。Then，withasuddenstartofmemory，Alanraisedhistothecorniceofthecabinet，andminefollowed。NochangethatIcoulddetecthadtakenplaceinthattwistedgoldwork。butthere，clearinthesightofusboth，stoodforththewordsofthemagicmotto：
Purebloodshedbytheblood-stainedknifeEndsMervynshame，healsMervynstrife。
InlowsteadytonesAlanreadoutthelines，andthentherewassilence——onmypartofstunnedbewilderment，thebewildermentofaspiritoverwhelmedbeyondthepowerofcomprehensionbyrushing，conflictingemotions。Alanpressedmeclosertohim，whilethesilenceseemedtothrobwiththebeatingofhisheartandthepantingofhisbreath。Butexceptforthatheremainedmotionless，gazingatthegoldenmessagebeforehim。AtlengthIfeltamovement，andlookingupsawhisfaceturneddowntowardsmine，thelipsquivering，thecheeksflushed，theeyessoftwithpassionatefeeling。Wearesaved，mydarling，hewhispered。saved，andthroughyou。Thenhebenthisheadlower，andthereinthatroomofhorror，Ireceivedthefirstlonglover’skissfrommyowndearhusband’slips……
Myhusband，yes。butnottillsometimeafterthat。Alan’sfirstact，whenhehadoncefullyrealizedthatthecursewasindeedremoved，was——throwinghisbuddingpracticetothewinds——tosetsailforAmerica。TherehesoughtoutJack，andlaboredhardtoimparttohimsomeofhisownnewfoundhope。Itwasslowwork，buthesucceededatlast。andonlylefthimwhen，twoyearslater，hehadhandedhimovertothechargeofabright-eyedWesterngirl，towhomthewholestoryhadbeentold，andwhoshowedherselfreadyandanxioustohelpinbuildingupagainthebrokenlifeofherEnglishlover。Tojudgefromthelettersthatwehavesincereceived，shehasshownherselfwellfittedforthetask。Amongotherthingsshehasmoney，andJack’sworldlyaffairshavesoprosperedthatGeorgedeclaresthathecanwellaffordnowtowastesomeofhissuperfluouscashuponfarmingafewofhiselderbrother’sacres。TheideaseemstosmileuponJack，andIhaveeveryhopethiswinterofbeingabletoinstituteanactualcomparisonbetweenoursmallboy，hisnamesake，andhisownthree-
year-oldAlan。Thecomparison，bytheway，willhavetobeconditional，forJacket——thenamebywhichmysonandheirisfamiliarlyknown——isbutalittlemorethantwo。
Iturnmyeyesforamoment，andtheyfalluponthenortherncorneroftheEastRoom，whichshowsroundtheedgeofthehouse。Thentheskeletonleapsfromthecupboardofmymemory。theicyhandwhichliesevernearmysoulgripsitsuddenlywithachillshudder。Notfornothingwasthatwretchedwoman’slifeinterwovenwithmyown，ifonlyforanhour。notfornothingdidmyspiritharboraconflictandanagony，which，thankGod，arefarfromitsownstory。ThoughMargaretMervyn’sdaggerfailedtopiercemyflesh，thewoundinmysoulmayneverwhollybehealed。Iknowthatthatisso。andyetasIturntostartthroughthesunshinetothecedarshadeanditslaughingoccupants，Iwhispertomyselfwithferventconviction，Itwasworthit。
End