V
NowyouknowhowIcametoleavehome。Thenextthingtotellis，whathappenedonthejourney。
Ireachedthegreathouseinreasonablygoodtimeconsideringthedistance。Attheveryfirsttrialofit，theprophecyofthecardsturnedouttobewrong。Thepersonwhometmeatthelodgegatewasnotadarkwoman——infact，notawomanatall——butaboy。Hedirectedmeonthewaytotheservants”offices；andthereagainthecardswereallwrong。Iencountered，notonewoman，butthree——
andnotoneofthethreewasdark。IhavestatedthatIamnotsuperstitious，andIhavetoldthetruth。ButImustownthatI
didfeelacertainflutteringattheheartwhenImademybowtothesteward，andtoldhimwhatbusinesshadbroughtmetothehouse。HisanswercompletedthediscomfitureofauntChance”sfortune-telling。Myill-luckstillpursuedme。Thatverymorninganothermanhadappliedforthegroom”splace，andhadgotit。
IswallowedmydisappointmentaswellasIcould，andthankedthesteward，andwenttotheinninthevillagetogettherestandfoodwhichIsorelyneededbythistime。
BeforestartingonmyhomewardwalkImadesomeinquiriesattheinn，andascertainedthatImightsaveafewmiles，onmyreturn，byfollowinganewroad。Furnishedwithfullinstructions，severaltimesrepeated，astothevariousturningsIwastotake，Isetforth，andwalkedontilltheeveningwithonlyonestoppageforbreadandcheese。Justasitwasgettingtowarddark，theraincameonandthewindbegantorise；andIfoundmyself，tomakemattersworse，inapartofthecountrywithwhichIwasentirelyunacquainted，thoughIguessedmyselftobesomefifteenmilesfromhome。ThefirsthouseIfoundtoinquireat，wasalonelyroadsideinn，standingontheoutskirtsofathickwood。Solitaryastheplacelooked，itwaswelcometoalostmanwhowasalsohungry，thirsty，footsore，andwet。Thelandlordwascivilandrespectable-looking；andthepriceheaskedforabedwasreasonableenough。Iwasgrievedtodisappointmymother。Buttherewasnoconveyancetobehad，andIcouldgonofartherafootthatnight。Mywearinessfairlyforcedmetostopattheinn。
ImaysayformyselfthatIamatemperateman。Mysuppersimplyconsistedofsomerashersofbacon，asliceofhome-madebread，andapintofale。Ididnotgotobedimmediatelyafterthismoderatemeal，butsatupwiththelandlord，talkingaboutmybadprospectsandmylongrunofill-luck，anddivergingfromthesetopicstothesubjectsofhorse-fleshandracing。Nothingwassaid，eitherbymyself，myhost，orthefewlaborerswhostrayedintothetap-room，whichcould，intheslightestdegree，excitemymind，orsetmyfancy——whichisonlyasmallfancyatthebestoftimes——playingtrickswithmycommonsense。
Atalittleaftereleventhehousewasclosed。Iwentroundwiththelandlord，andheldthecandlewhilethedoorsandlowerwindowswerebeingsecured。Inoticedwithsurprisethestrengthofthebolts，bars，andiron-sheathedshutters。
“Yousee，weareratherlonelyhere，“saidthelandlord。“Weneverhavehadanyattemptstobreakinyet，butit”salwaysaswelltobeonthesafeside。Whennobodyissleepinghere，Iamtheonlymaninthehouse。Mywifeanddaughteraretimid，andtheservantgirltakesafterhermissuses。Anotherglassofale，beforeyouturnin？——No！——Well，howsuchasobermanasyoucomestobeoutofaplaceismorethanIcanunderstandforone——Here”swhereyou”retosleep。You”retheonlylodgerto-night，andIthinkyou”llsaymymissushasdoneherbesttomakeyoucomfortable。You”requitesureyouwon”thaveanotherglassofale？——Verywell。Goodnight。”
Itwashalf-pastelevenbytheclockinthepassageaswewentupstairstothebedroom。Thewindowlookedoutonthewoodatthebackofthehouse。
Ilockedmydoor，setmycandleonthechestofdrawers，andwearilygotmereadyforbed。Thebleakwindwasstillblowing，andthesolemn，surgingmoanofitinthewoodwasverydrearytohearthroughthenightsilence。Feelingstrangelywakeful，I
resolvedtokeepthecandlealightuntilIbegantogrowsleepy。
Thetruthis，Iwasnotquitemyself。Iwasdepressedinmindbymydisappointmentofthemorning；andIwaswornoutinbodybymylongwalk。Betweenthetwo，IownIcouldn”tfacetheprospectoflyingawakeinthedarkness，listeningtothedismalmoanofthewindinthewood。
SleepstoleonmebeforeIwasawareofit；myeyesclosed，andI
fellofftorest，withouthavingsomuchasthoughtofextinguishingthecandle。
ThenextthingthatIrememberwasafaintshiveringthatranthroughmefromheadtofoot，andadreadfulsinkingpainatmyheart，suchasIhadneverfeltbefore。Theshiveringonlydisturbedmyslumbers——thepainwokemeinstantly。InonemomentI
passedfromastateofsleeptoastateofwakefulness——myeyeswideopen——mymindclearonasuddenasifbyamiracle。Thecandlehadburneddownnearlytothelastmorseloftallow，buttheunsnuffedwickhadjustfallenoff，andthelightwas，forthemoment，fairandfull。
Betweenthefootofthebedandtheclosetdoor，Isawapersoninmyroom。Thepersonwasawoman，standinglookingatme，withaknifeinherhand。Itdoesnocredittomycouragetoconfessit——
butthetruthISthetruth。Iwasstruckspeechlesswithterror。
ThereIlaywithmyeyesonthewoman；therethewomanstoodwiththeknifeinherhandwithHEReyesonME。
Shesaidnotawordaswestaredeachotherintheface；butshemovedafteralittle——movedslowlytowardtheleft-handsideofthebed。
Thelightfellfullonherface。Afair，finewoman，withyellowishflaxenhair，andlightgrayeyes，withadroopinthelefteyelid。Inoticedthesethingsandfixedtheminmymind，beforeshewasquiteroundatthesideofthebed。Withoutsayingaword；withoutanychangeinthestonystillnessofherface；
withoutanynoisefollowingherfootfall，shecamecloserandcloser；stoppedatthebed-head；andliftedtheknifetostabme。
Ilaidmyarmovermythroattosaveit；but，asIsawtheblowcoming，Ithrewmyhandacrossthebedtotherightside，andjerkedmybodyoverthatway，justastheknifecamedown，likelightning，withinahair”sbreadthofmyshoulder。
Myeyesfixedonherarmandherhand——shegavemetimetolookatthemassheslowlydrewtheknifeoutofthebed。Awhite，well-
shapedarm，withaprettydownlyinglightlyoverthefairskin。A
delicatelady”shand，withapinkflushroundthefingernails。
Shedrewtheknifeout，andpassedbackagainslowlytothefootofthebed；shestoppedthereforamomentlookingatme；thenshecameonwithoutsayingaword；withoutanychangeinthestonystillnessofherface；withoutanynoisefollowingherfootfall——
cameontothesideofthebedwhereInowlay。
Gettingnearme，sheliftedtheknifeagain，andIdrewmyselfawaytotheleftside。Shestruck，asbeforerightintothemattress，withaswiftdownwardactionofherarm；andshemissedme，asbefore；byahair”sbreadth。ThistimemyeyeswanderedfromHER
totheknife。Itwaslikethelargeclaspkniveswhichlaboringmenusetocuttheirbreadandbaconwith。Herdelicatelittlefingersdidnothidemorethantwothirdsofthehandle；Inoticedthatitwasmadeofbuckhorn，cleanandshiningasthebladewas，andlookinglikenew。
Forthesecondtimeshedrewtheknifeoutofthebed，andsuddenlyhiditawayinthewidesleeveofhergown。Thatdone，shestoppedbythebedsidewatchingme。ForaninstantIsawherstandinginthatposition——thenthewickofthespentcandlefelloverintothesocket。Theflamedwindledtoalittlebluepoint，andtheroomgrewdark。
Amoment，orless，ifpossible，passedso——andthenthewickflaredup，smokily，forthelasttime。Myeyeswerestilllookingforherovertheright-handsideofthebedwhenthelastflashoflightcame。LookasImight，Icouldseenothing。Thewomanwiththeknifewasgone。
Ibegantogetbacktomyselfagain。Icouldfeelmyheartbeating；Icouldhearthewoefulmoaningofthewindinthewood；I
couldleapupinbed，andgivethealarmbeforesheescapedfromthehouse。“Murder！Wakeupthere！Murder！“
Nobodyansweredtothealarm。Iroseandgropedmywaythroughthedarknesstothedooroftheroom。Bythatwayshemusthavegotin。Bythatwayshemusthavegoneout。
Thedooroftheroomwasfastlocked，exactlyasIhadleftitongoingtobed！Ilookedatthewindow。Fastlockedtoo！
Hearingavoiceoutside，Iopenedthedoor。Therewasthelandlord，comingtowardmealongthepassage，withhisburningcandleinonehand，andhisgunintheother。
“Whatisit？“hesays，lookingatmeinnoveryfriendlyway。
Icouldonlyanswerinawhisper，“Awoman，withaknifeinherhand。Inmyroom。Afair，yellow-hairedwoman。Shejabbedatmewiththeknife，twiceover。”
Heliftedhiscandle，andlookedatmesteadilyfromheadtofoot。
“Sheseemstohavemissedyou——twiceover。”
“Idodgedtheknifeasitcamedown。Itstruckthebedeachtime。
Goin，andsee。”
Thelandlordtookhiscandleintothebedroomimmediately。Inlessthanaminutehecameoutagainintothepassageinaviolentpassion。
“Thedevilflyawaywithyouandyourwomanwiththeknife！Thereisn”tamarkinthebedclothesanywhere。Whatdoyoumeanbycomingintoaman”splaceandfrighteninghisfamilyoutoftheirwitsbyadream？“
Adream？Thewomanwhohadtriedtostabme，notalivinghumanbeinglikemyself？Ibegantoshakeandshiver。Thehorrorsgotholdofmeatthebarethoughtofit。
“I”llleavethehouse，“Isaid。“Betterbeoutontheroadintherainanddark，thanbackinthatroom，afterwhatI”veseeninit。
Lendmethelighttogetmyclothesby，andtellmewhatI”mtopay。”
Thelandlordledthewaybackwithhislightintothebedroom。
“Pay？“sayshe。“You”llfindyourscoreontheslatewhenyougodownstairs。Iwouldn”thavetakenyouinforallthemoneyyou”vegotaboutyou，ifIhadknownyourdreaming，screechingwaysbeforehand。Lookatthebed——where”sthecutofaknifeinit？
Lookatthewindow——isthelockbursted？LookatthedoorwhichI
heardyoufastenyourself——isitbrokein？Amurderingwomanwithaknifeinmyhouse！Yououghttobeashamedofyourself！“
Myeyesfollowedhishandasitpointedfirsttothebed——thentothewindow——thentothedoor。Therewasnogainsayingit。Thebedsheetwasassoundasonthedayitwasmade。Thewindowwasfast。
Thedoorhungonitshingesassteadyasever。Ihuddledmyclothesonwithoutspeaking。Wewentdownstairstogether。I
lookedattheclockinthebar-room。Thetimewastwentyminutespasttwointhemorning。Ipaidmybill，andthelandlordletmeout。Therainhadceased；butthenightwasdark，andthewindwasbleakerthanever。Littledidthedarkness，orthecold，orthedoubtaboutthewayhomemattertoME。Mymindwasawayfromallthesethings。Mymindwasfixedonthevisioninthebedroom。
WhathadIseentryingtomurderme？Thecreatureofadream？Orthatothercreaturefromtheworldbeyondthegrave，whommencallghost？IcouldmakenothingofitasIwalkedalonginthenight；
Ihadmadenothingbyitbymidday——whenIstoodatlast，aftermanytimesmissingmyroad，onthedoorstepofhome。
VI
Mymothercameoutalonetowelcomemeback。Therewerenosecretsbetweenustwo。Itoldherallthathadhappened，justasIhavetoldittoyou。ShekeptsilencetillIhaddone。Andthensheputaquestiontome。
“Whattimewasit，Francis，whenyousawtheWomaninyourDream？“
IhadlookedattheclockwhenIlefttheinn，andIhadnoticedthatthehandspointedtotwentyminutespasttwo。Allowingforthetimeconsumedinspeakingtothelandlord，andingettingonmyclothes，IansweredthatImusthavefirstseentheWomanattwoo”clockinthemorning。Inotherwords，Ihadnotonlyseenheronmybirthday，butatthehourofmybirth。
Mymotherstillkeptsilence。Lostinherownthoughts，shetookmebythehand，andledmeintotheparlor。Herwriting-deskwasonthetablebythefireplace。Sheopenedit，andsignedtometotakeachairbyherside。
“Myson！yourmemoryisabadone，andmineisfastfailingme。
TellmeagainwhattheWomanlookedlike。Iwanthertobeaswellknowntobothofus，yearshence，assheisnow。”
Iobeyed；wonderingwhatstrangefancymightbeworkinginhermind。Ispoke；andshewrotethewordsastheyfellfrommylips：
“Lightgrayeyes，withadroopinthelefteyelid。Flaxenhair，withagolden-yellowstreakinit。Whitearms，withadownuponthem。Little，lady”shands，witharosy-redlookaboutthefingernails。”
“Didyounoticehowshewasdressed，Francis？“
“No，mother。”
“Didyounoticetheknife？“
“Yes。Alargeclaspknife，withabuckhornhandle，asgoodasnew。”
Mymotheraddedthedescriptionoftheknife。Alsotheyear，month，dayoftheweek，andhourofthedaywhentheDream-Womanappearedtomeattheinn。Thatdone，shelockedupthepaperinherdesk。
“Notaword，Francis，toyouraunt。Notawordtoanylivingsoul。
KeepyourDreamasecretbetweenyouandme。”
Theweekspassed，andthemonthspassed。Mymotherneverreturnedtothesubjectagain。Asforme，time，whichwearsoutallthings，woreoutmyremembranceoftheDream。Littlebylittle，theimageoftheWomangrewdimmeranddimmer。Littlebylittle，shefadedoutofmymind。
VII
Thestoryofthewarningisnowtold。Judgeforyourselfifitwasatruewarningorafalse，whenyouhearwhathappenedtomeonmynextbirthday。
IntheSummertimeoftheyear，theWheelofFortuneturnedtherightwayformeatlast。Iwassmokingmypipeoneday，nearanoldstonequarryattheentrancetoourvillage，whenacarriageaccidenthappened，whichgaveanewturn，asitwere，tomylotinlife。Itwasanaccidentofthecommonestkind——notworthmentioningatanylength。Aladydrivingherself；arunawayhorse；
acowardlyman-servantinattendance，frightenedoutofhiswits；
andthestonequarrytooneartobeagreeable——thatiswhatIsaw，allinafewmoments，betweentwowhiffsofmypipe。Istoppedthehorseattheedgeofthequarry，andgotmyselfalittlehurtbytheshaftofthechaise。Butthatdidn”tmatter。TheladydeclaredIhadsavedherlife；andherhusband，comingwithhertoourcottagethenextday，tookmeintohisservicethenandthere。
Theladyhappenedtobeofadarkcomplexion；anditmayamuseyoutohearthatmyauntChanceinstantlypitchedonthatcircumstanceasameansofsavingthecreditofthecards。HerewasthepromiseoftheQueenofSpadesperformedtotheveryletter，bymeansof“adarkwoman，“justasmyaunthadtoldme。“Inthetimetocome，Francis，bewareo”pettin”yerainblindedintairpretationonthecairds。Ye”reowerready，Itrow，tomurmurunderdispensationofProavidencethatyecannafathom——liketheEesraelitesofauld。
I”llsaynaemairtoye。Mebbewhenthemony”spoweringintoyerpoakets，ye”llnoforgetyerauntChance，leftlikeasparrowonthehousetop，wiasma”annuiteeo”thrattypundsayear。”
IremainedinmysituationattheWest-endofLondonuntiltheSpringoftheNewYear。Aboutthattime，mymaster”shealthfailed。Thedoctorsorderedhimawaytoforeignparts，andtheestablishmentwasbrokenup。Buttheturninmyluckstillheldgood。WhenIleftmyplace，Ileftit——thankstothegenerosityofmykindmaster——withayearlyallowancegrantedtome，inremembranceofthedaywhenIhadsavedmymistress”slife。Forthefuture，Icouldgobacktoserviceornot，asIpleased；mylittleincomewasenoughtosupportmymotherandmyself。
MymasterandmistressleftEnglandtowardtheendofFebruary。
CertainmattersofbusinesstodoforthemdetainedmeinLondonuntilthelastdayofthemonth。Iwasonlyabletoleaveforourvillagebytheeveningtrain，tokeepmybirthdaywithmymotherasusual。ItwasbedtimewhenIgottothecottage；andIwassorrytofindthatshewasfarfromwell。Tomakemattersworse，shehadfinishedherbottleofmedicineonthepreviousday，andhadomittedtogetitreplenished，asthedoctorhadstrictlydirected。
Hedispensedhisownmedicines，andIofferedtogoandknockhimup。Sherefusedtoletmedothis；and，aftergivingmemysupper，sentmeawaytomybed。
Ifellasleepforalittle，andwokeagain。Mymother”sbed-
chamberwasnexttomine。IheardmyauntChance”sheavyfootstepsgoingtoandfrointheroom，and，suspectingsomethingwrong，knockedatthedoor。Mymother”spainshadreturneduponher；
therewasaseriousnecessityforrelievinghersufferingsasspeedilyaspossible，Iputonmyclothes，andranoff，withthemedicinebottleinmyhand，totheotherendofthevillage，wherethedoctorlived。ThechurchclockchimedthequartertotwoonmybirthdayjustasIreachedhishouse。Oneringofthenightbellbroughthimtohisbedroomwindowtospeaktome。Hetoldmetowait，andhewouldletmeinatthesurgerydoor。Inoticed，whileIwaswaiting，thatthenightwaswonderfullyfairandwarmforthetimeofyear。Theoldstonequarrywherethecarriageaccidenthadhappenedwaswithinview。Themoonintheclearheavenslititupalmostasbrightasday。
Inaminuteortwothedoctorletmeintothesurgery。Iclosedthedoor，noticingthathehadlefthisroomverylightlyclad。Hekindlypardonedmymother”sneglectofhisdirections，andsettoworkatonceatcompoundingthemedicine。Wewerebothintentonthebottle；hefillingit，andIholdingthelight——whenweheardthesurgerydoorsuddenlyopenedfromthestreet。
VIII
Whocouldpossiblybeupandaboutinourquietvillageatthesecondhourofthemorning？
Thepersonwhoopenedthedoorappearedwithinrangeofthelightofthecandle。Tocompleteouramazement，thepersonprovedtobeawoman！Shewalkeduptothecounter，andstandingsidebysidewithme，liftedherveil。Atthemomentwhensheshowedherface，Iheardthechurchclockstriketwo。Shewasastrangertome，andastrangertothedoctor。Shewasalso，beyondallcomparison，themostbeautifulwomanIhaveeverseeninmylife。
“Isawthelightunderthedoor，“shesaid。“Iwantsomemedicine。”
Shespokequitecomposedly，asiftherewasnothingatallextraordinaryinherbeingoutinthevillageattwointhemorning，andfollowingmeintothesurgerytoaskformedicine！
Thedoctorstaredatherasifhesuspectedhisowneyesofdeceivinghim。“Whoareyou？“beasked。“Howdoyoucometobewanderingaboutatthistimeinthemorning？“
Shepaidnoheedtohisquestions。Sheonlytoldhimcoollywhatshewanted。“Ihavegotabadtoothache。Iwantabottleoflaudanum。”
Thedoctorrecoveredhimselfwhensheaskedforthelaudanum。Hewasonhisownground，youknow，whenitcametoamatteroflaudanum；andhespoketohersmartlyenoughthistime。
“Oh，youhavegotthetoothache，haveyou？Letmelookatthetooth。”
Sheshookherbead，andlaidatwo-shillingpieceonthecounter。
“Iwon”ttroubleyoutolookatthetooth，“shesaid。“Thereisthemoney。Letmehavethelaudanum，ifyouplease。”
Thedoctorputthetwo-shillingpiecebackagaininherhand。“I
don”tselllaudanumtostrangers，“heanswered。“Ifyouareinanydistressofbodyormind，thatisanothermatter。Ishallbegladtohelpyou。”
Sheputthemoneybackinherpocket。“YOUcan”thelpme，“shesaid，asquietlyasever。“Goodmorning。”
Withthat，sheopenedthesurgerydoortogooutagainintothestreet。Sofar，Ihadnotspokenawordonmyside。IhadstoodwiththecandleinmyhandnotknowingIwasholdingit——withmyeyesfixedonher，withmymindfixedonherlikeamanbewitched。
Herlooksbetrayed，evenmoreplainlythanherwords，herresolution，inonewayoranother，todestroyherself。Whensheopenedthedoor，inmyalarmatwhatmighthappenIfoundtheuseofmytongue。
“Stop！“Icriedout。“Waitforme。Iwanttospeaktoyoubeforeyougoaway。”Sheliftedhereyeswithalookofcarelesssurpriseandamockingsmileonherlips。
“WhatcanYOUhavetosaytome？“Shestopped，andlaughedtoherself。“Whynot？“shesaid。“Ihavegotnothingtodo，andnowheretogo。”Sheturnedbackastep，andnoddedtome。“You”reastrangeman——IthinkI”llhumoryou——I”llwaitoutside。”Thedoorofthesurgeryclosedonher。Shewasgone。
Iamashamedtoownwhathappenednext。TheonlyexcuseformeisthatIwasreallyandtrulyamanbewitched。Iturnedmeroundtofollowherout，withoutoncethinkingofmymother。Thedoctorstoppedme。
“Don”tforgetthemedicine，“hesaid。“Andifyouwilltakemyadvice，don”ttroubleyourselfaboutthatwoman。Rouseuptheconstable。It”shisbusinesstolookafterher——notyours。”
Iheldoutmyhandforthemedicineinsilence：IwasafraidI
shouldfailinrespectifItrustedmyselftoanswerhim。Hemusthaveseen，asIsaw，thatshewantedthelaudanumtopoisonherself。Hehad，tomymind，takenaveryheartlessviewofthematter。Ijustthankedhimwhenhegavemethemedicine——andwentout。
Shewaswaitingformeasshehadpromised；walkingslowlytoandfro——atall，graceful，solitaryfigureinthebrightmoonbeams。
Theyshedoverherfaircomplexion，herbrightgoldenhair，herlargegrayeyes，justthelightthatsuitedthembest。Shelookedhardlymortalwhenshefirstturnedtospeaktome。
“Well？“shesaid。“Andwhatdoyouwant？“
Inspiteofmypride，ormyshyness，ormybettersense——whicheveritmightbe——allmyheartwentouttoherinamoment。Icaughtholdofherbythehands，andownedwhatwasinmythoughts，asfreelyasifIhadknownherforhalfalifetime。
“Youmeantodestroyyourself，“Isaid。“AndImeantopreventyoufromdoingit。IfIfollowyouaboutallnight，I”llpreventyoufromdoingit。”
Shelaughed。“Yousawyourselfthathewouldn”tsellmethelaudanum。DoyoureallycarewhetherIliveordie？“Shesqueezedmyhandsgentlyassheputthequestion：hereyessearchedminewithalanguid，lingeringlookinthemthatranthroughmelikefire。Myvoicediedawayonmylips；Icouldn”tanswerher。
Sheunderstood，withoutmyanswering。“Youhavegivenmeafancyforliving，byspeakingkindlytome，“shesaid。“Kindnesshasawonderfuleffectonwomen，anddogs，andotherdomesticanimals。
Itisonlymenwhoaresuperiortokindness。Makeyourmindeasy——
IpromisetotakeasmuchcareofmyselfasifIwasthehappiestwomanliving！Don”tletmekeepyouhere，outofyourbed。Whichwayareyougoing？“
MiserablewretchthatIwas，Ihadforgottenmymother——withthemedicineinmyhand！“Iamgoinghome，“Isaid。“Whereareyoustaying？Attheinn？“
Shelaughedherbitterlaugh，andpointedtothestonequarry。
“ThereisMYinnforto-night，“shesaid。“WhenIgottiredofwalkingabout，Irestedthere。”
Wewalkedontogether，onmywayhome。Itookthelibertyofaskingherifshehadanyfriends。
“IthoughtIhadonefriendleft，“shesaid，“oryouwouldneverhavemetmeinthisplace。ItturnsoutIwaswrong。Myfriend”sdoorwasclosedinmyfacesomehourssince；myfriend”sservantsthreatenedmewiththepolice。Ihadnowhereelsetogo，aftertryingmyluckinyourneighborhood；andnothingleftbutmytwo-
shillingpieceandtheseragsonmyback。WhatrespectableinnkeeperwouldtakeMEintohishouse？Iwalkedabout，wonderinghowIcouldfindmywayoutoftheworldwithoutdisfiguringmyself，andwithoutsufferingmuchpain。Youhavenoriverintheseparts。Ididn”tseemywayoutoftheworld，tillIheardyouringingatthedoctor”shouse。Igotaglimpseatthebottlesinthesurgery，whenheletyouin，andIthoughtofthelaudanumdirectly。Whatwereyoudoingthere？Whoisthatmedicinefor？
Yourwife？“
“Iamnotmarried！“
Shelaughedagain。“Notmarried！IfIwasalittlebetterdressedtheremightbeachanceforME。Wheredoyoulive？Here？“
Wehadarrived，bythistime，atmymother”sdoor。Sheheldoutherhandtosaygood-by。Houselessandhomelessasshewas，sheneveraskedmetogiveherashelterforthenight。ItwasMY
proposalthatsheshouldrest，undermyroof，unknowntomymotherandmyaunt。Ourkitchenwasbuiltoutatthebackofthecottage：
shemightremainthereunseenandunhearduntilthehouseholdwasastirinthemorning。Iledherintothekitchen，andsetachairforherbythedyingembersofthefire。IdaresayIwastoblame——shamefullytoblame，ifyoulike。IonlywonderwhatYOU
wouldhavedoneinmyplace。Onyourwordofhonorasaman，wouldYOUhaveletthatbeautifulcreaturewanderbacktotheshelterofthestonequarrylikeastraydog？Godhelpthewomanwhoisfoolishenoughtotrustandloveyou，ifyouwouldhavedonethat！
Ileftherbythefire，andwenttomymother”sroom。
IX
Ifyouhaveeverfelttheheartache，youwillknowwhatIsufferedinsecretwhenmymothertookmyhand，andsaid，“Iamsorry，Francis，thatyournight”sresthasbeendisturbedthroughME。”I
gaveherthemedicine；andIwaitedbyhertillthepainsabated。
MyauntChancewentbacktoherbed；andmymotherandIwereleftalone。Inoticedthatherwriting-desk，movedfromitscustomaryplace，wasonthebedbyherside。Shesawmelookingatit。
“Thisisyourbirthday，Francis，“shesaid。“Haveyouanythingtotellme？“IhadsocompletelyforgottenmyDream，thatIhadnonotionofwhatwaspassinginhermindwhenshesaidthosewords。
Foramomenttherewasaguiltyfearinmethatshesuspectedsomething。Iturnedawaymyface，andsaid，“No，mother；Ihavenothingtotell。”Shesignedtometostoopdownoverthepillowandkissher。“Godblessyou，mylove！“shesaid；andmanyhappyreturnsoftheday。”Shepattedmyhand，andclosedherwearyeyes，and，littlebylittle，felloffpeaceablyintosleep。
Istoledownstairsagain。Ithinkthegoodinfluenceofmymothermusthavefollowedmedown。Atanyrate，thisistrue：Istoppedwithmyhandontheclosedkitchendoor，andsaidtomyself：
“SupposeIleavethehouse，andleavethevillage，withoutseeingherorspeakingtohermore？“
ShouldIreallyhavefledfromtemptationinthisway，ifIhadbeenlefttomyselftodecide？Whocantell？Asthingswere，I
wasnotlefttodecide。Whilemydoubtwasinmymind，sheheardme，andopenedthekitchendoor。Myeyesandhereyesmet。Thatendedit。
Weweretogether，unsuspectedandundisturbed，forthenexttwohours。Timeenoughforhertorevealthesecretofherwastedlife。Timeenoughforhertotakepossessionofmeasherown，todowithmeassheliked。Itisneedlesstodwellhereonthemisfortuneswhichhadbroughtherlow；theyaremisfortunestoocommontointerestanybody。
HernamewasAliciaWarlock。Shehadbeenbornandbredalady。
Shehadlostherstation，hercharacter，andherfriends。Virtueshudderedatthesightofher；andVicehadgotherfortherestofherdays。Shockingandcommon，asItoldyou。ItmadenodifferencetoME。Ihavesaiditalready——Isayitagain——Iwasamanbewitched。Isthereanythingsoverywonderfulinthat？JustrememberwhoIwas。Amongthehonestwomeninmyownstationinlife，wherecouldIhavefoundthelikeofHER？CouldTHEYwalkasshewalked？andlookasshelooked？WhenTHEYgavemeakiss，didtheirlipslingeroveritashersdid？HadTHEYherskin，herlaugh，herfoot，herhand，hertouch？SHEneverhadaspeckofdirtonher：Itellyouherfleshwasaperfume。Whensheembracedme，herarmsfoldedroundmelikethewingsofangels；andhersmilecoveredmesoftlywithitslightlikethesuninheaven。I
leaveyoutolaughatme，ortocryoverme，justasyourtempermayincline。Iamnottryingtoexcusemyself——Iamtryingtoexplain。Youaregentle-folks；whatdazzledandmaddenedME，iseverydayexperiencetoYOU。Fallenornot，angelordevil，itcametothis——shewasalady；andIwasagroom。
Beforethehousewasastir，Igotherawaybytheworkmen”strain
toalargemanufacturingtowninourparts。
Here——withmysavingsinmoneytohelpher——shecouldgetheroutfitofdecentclothesandherlodgingamongstrangerswhoaskednoquestionssolongastheywerepaid。Here——nowononepretenseandnowonanother——Icouldvisither，andwecouldbothplantogetherwhatourfuturelivesweretobe。IneednottellyouthatIstoodpledgedtomakehermywife。Amaninmystationalwaysmarriesawomanofhersort。
DoyouwonderifIwashappyatthistime？Ishouldhavebeenperfectlyhappybutforonelittledrawback。Itwasthis：Iwasneverquiteatmyeaseinthepresenceofmypromisedwife。
Idon”tmeanthatIwasshywithher，orsuspiciousofher，orashamedofher。TheuneasinessIamspeakingofwascausedbyafaintdoubtinmymindwhetherIhadnotseenhersomewhere，beforethemorningwhenwemetatthedoctor”shouse。Overandoveragain，Ifoundmyselfwonderingwhetherherfacedidnotremindmeofsomeotherface——whatotherInevercouldtell。Thisstrangefeeling，thisonequestionthatcouldneverbeanswered，vexedmetoadegreethatyouwouldhardlycredit。Itcamebetweenusatthestrangesttimes——oftenest，however，atnight，whenthecandleswerelit。Youhaveknownwhatitistotryandrememberaforgottenname——andtofail，searchasyoumay，tofinditinyourmind。Thatwasmycase。Ifailedtofindmylostface，justasyoufailedtofindyourlostname。
Inthreeweekswehadtalkedmattersover，andhadarrangedhowI
wastomakeacleanbreastofitathome。ByAlicia”sadvice，I
wastodescribeherashavingbeenoneofmyfellowservantsduringthetimeIwasemployedundermykindmasterandmistressinLondon。Therewasnofearnowofmymothertakinganyharmfromtheshockofagreatsurprise。Herhealthhadimprovedduringthethreeweeks”interval。Onthefirsteveningwhenshewasabletotakeheroldplaceatteatime，Isummonedmycourage，andtoldherIwasgoingtobemarried。Thepoorsoulflungherarmsroundmyneck，andburstoutcryingforjoy。“Oh，Francis！“shesays，“IamsogladyouwillhavesomebodytocomfortyouandcareforyouwhenIamgone！“AsformyauntChance，youcananticipatewhatSHE
did，withoutbeingtold。Ah，me！Iftherehadreallybeenanypropheticvirtueinthecards，whataterriblewarningtheymighthavegivenusthatnight！ItwasarrangedthatIwastobringmypromisedwifetodinneratthecottageonthenextday。
X
IownIwasproudofAliciawhenIledherintoourlittleparlorattheappointedtime。Shehadnever，tomymind，lookedsobeautifulasshelookedthatday。Inevernoticedanyotherwoman”sdress——InoticedhersascarefullyasifIhadbeenawomanmyself！Sheworeablacksilkgown，withplaincollarandcuffs，andamodestlavender-coloredbonnet，withonewhiteroseinitplacedattheside。Mymother，dressedinherSundaybest，roseup，allinaflutter，towelcomeherdaughter-in-lawthatwastobe。Shewalkedforwardafewsteps，halfsmiling，halfintears——
shelookedAliciafullintheface——andsuddenlystoodstill。Hercheeksturnedwhiteinaninstant；hereyesstaredinhorror；herhandsdroppedhelplesslyathersides。Shestaggeredback，andfellintothearmsofmyaunt，standingbehindher。Itwasnoswoon——shekepthersenses。HereyesturnedslowlyfromAliciatome。“Francis，“shesaid，“doesthatwoman”sfaceremindyouofnothing？“
BeforeIcouldanswer，shepointedtoherwriting-deskonthetableatthefireside。“Bringit！“shecried，“bringit！“
AtthesamemomentIfeltAlicia”shandonmyshoulder，andsawAlicia”sfaceredwithanger——andnowonder！
“Whatdoesthismean？“sheasked。“Doesyourmotherwanttoinsultme？“
Isaidafewwordstoquiether；whattheywereIdon”tremember——I
wassoconfusedandastonishedatthetime。BeforeIhaddone，I
heardmymotherbehindme。
Myaunthadfetchedherdesk。Shehadopenedit；shehadtakenapaperfromit。Stepbystep，helpingherselfalongbythewall，shecamenearerandnearer，withthepaperinherhand。Shelookedatthepaper——shelookedinAlicia”sface——sheliftedthelong，loosesleeveofhergown，andexaminedherhandandarm。IsawfearsuddenlytaketheplaceofangerinAlicia”seyes。Sheshookherselffreeofmymother”sgrasp。“Mad！“shesaidtoherself，“andFrancisnevertoldme！“Withthosewordssheranoutoftheroom。
Iwashasteningoutafterher，whenmymothersignedtometostop。
Shereadthewordswrittenonthepaper。Whiletheyfellslowly，onebyone，fromherlips，shepointedtowardtheopendoor。
“Lightgrayeyes，withadroopinthelefteyelid。Flaxenhair，withagold-yellowstreakinit。Whitearms，withadownuponthem。Little，lady”shand，witharosy-redlookaboutthefingernails。TheDreamWoman，Francis！TheDreamWoman！“
Somethingdarkenedtheparlorwindowasthosewordswerespoken。I
lookedsidelongattheshadow。AliciaWarlockhadcomeback！Shewaspeeringinatusoverthelowwindowblind。Therewasthefatalfacewhichhadfirstlookedatmeinthebedroomofthelonelyinn。There，restingonthewindowblind，wasthelovelylittlehandwhichhadheldthemurderousknife。IHADseenherbeforewemetinthevillage。TheDreamWoman！TheDreamWoman！
XI
IexpectnobodytoapproveofwhatIhavenexttotellofmyself。
InthreeweeksfromthedaywhenmymotherhadidentifiedherwiththeWomanoftheDream，ItookAliciaWarlocktochurch，andmadehermywife。Iwasamanbewitched。AgainandagainIsayit——I
wasamanbewitched！
Duringtheintervalbeforemymarriage，ourlittlehouseholdatthecottagewasbrokenup。Mymotherandmyauntquarreled。Mymother，believingintheDream，entreatedmetobreakoffmyengagement。Myaunt，believinginthecards，urgedmetomarry。
Thisdifferenceofopinionproducedadisputebetweenthem，inthecourseofwhichmyauntChance——quiteunconsciousofhavinganysuperstitiousfeelingsofherown——actuallysetoutthecardswhichprophesiedhappinesstomeinmymarriedlife，andaskedmymotherhowanybodybut“ablindedheathencouldbefuleenough，afterseeingthosecairds，tobelieveinadream！“Thiswas，naturally，toomuchformymother”spatience；hardwordsfollowedoneitherside；Mrs。ChancereturnedindudgeontoherfriendsinScotland。
Sheleftmeawrittenstatementofmyfutureprospects，asrevealedbythecards，andwithitanaddressatwhichapost-officeorderwouldreachher。“Thedaywasnotthatfaroff，“sheremarked，“whenFranciemightrememberwhatheowedtohisauntChance，maintainingherainunbleemishedwidowhoodonthrattypundsayear。”
Havingrefusedtogivehersanctiontomymarriage，mymotheralsorefusedtobepresentatthewedding，ortovisitAliciaafterwards。Therewasnoangeratthebottomofthisconductonherpart。BelievingasshedidinthisDream，shewassimplyinmortalfearofmywife。Iunderstoodthis，andImadeallowancesforher。Notacrosswordpassedbetweenus。Myonehappyremembrancenow——thoughIdiddisobeyherinthematterofmymarriage——isthis：Ilovedandrespectedmygoodmothertothelast。
Asformywife，sheexpressednoregretattheestrangementbetweenhermother-in-lawandherself。Bycommonconsent，weneverspokeonthatsubject。WesettledinthemanufacturingtownwhichIhavealreadymentioned，andwekeptalodging-house。Mykindmaster，atmyrequest，grantedmealumpsuminplaceofmyannuity。Thisputusintoagoodhouse，decentlyfurnished。Forawhilethingswentwellenough。Imaydescribemyselfatthistimeofmylifeasahappyman。
Mymisfortunesbeganwithareturnofthecomplaintwithwhichmymotherhadalreadysuffered。Thedoctorconfessed，whenIaskedhimthequestion，thattherewasdangertobedreadedthistime。
Naturally，afterhearingthis，Iwasagooddealawayatthecottage。Naturallyalso，Ileftthebusinessoflookingafterthehouse，inmyabsence，tomywife。Littlebylittle，Ifoundherbeginningtoaltertowardme。Whilemybackwasturned，sheformedacquaintanceswithpeopleofthedoubtfulanddissipatedsort。Oneday，Iobservedsomethinginhermannerwhichforcedthesuspiciononmethatshehadbeendrinking。Beforetheweekwasout，mysuspicionwasacertainty。Fromkeepingcompanywithdrunkards，shehadgrowntobeadrunkardherself。
Ididallamancoulddotoreclaimher。Quiteuseless！ShehadneverreallyreturnedtheloveIfeltforher：Ihadnoinfluence；
Icoulddonothing。Mymother，hearingofthislastworsetrouble，resolvedtotrywhatherinfluencecoulddo。Illasshewas，I
foundheronedaydressedtogoout。
“Iamnotlongforthisworld，Francis，“shesaid。“Ishallnotfeeleasyonmydeathbed，unlessIhavedonemybesttothelasttomakeyouhappy。Imeantoputmyownfearsandmyownfeelingsoutofthequestion，andgowithyoutoyourwife，andtrywhatIcandotoreclaimher。Takemehomewithyou，Francis。LetmedoallIcantohelpmyson，beforeitistoolate。”
HowcouldIdisobeyher？Wetooktherailwaytothetown：itwasonlyhalfanhour”sride。Byoneo”clockintheafternoonwereachedmyhouse。Itwasourdinnerhour，andAliciawasinthekitchen。Iwasabletotakemymotherquietlyintotheparlorandthentopreparemywifeforthevisit。Shehaddrunkbutlittleatthatearlyhour；and，luckily，thedevilinherwastamedforthetime。
Shefollowedmeintotheparlor，andthemeetingpassedoffbetterthanIhadventuredtoforecast；withthisonedrawback，thatmymother——thoughshetriedhardtocontrolherself——shrankfromlookingmywifeinthefacewhenshespoketoher。ItwasarelieftomewhenAliciabegantopreparethetablefordinner。
Shelaidthecloth，broughtinthebreadtray，andcutsomeslicesforusfromtheloaf。Thenshereturnedtothekitchen。Atthatmoment，whileIwasstillanxiouslywatchingmymother，IwasstartledbyseeingthesameghastlychangepassoverherfacewhichhadaltereditinthemorningwhenAliciaandshefirstmet。
BeforeIcouldsayaword，shestartedupwithalookofhorror。
“Takemeback！——home，homeagain，Francis！Comewithme，andnevergobackmore！“
Iwasafraidtoaskforanexplanation；Icouldonlysignhertobesilent，andhelpherquicklytothedoor。Aswepassedthebreadtrayonthetable，shestoppedandpointedtoit。
“Didyouseewhatyourwifecutyourbreadwith？“sheasked。
“No，mother；Iwasnotnoticing。Whatwasit？“
“Look！“
Ididlook。Anewclaspknife，withabuckhornhandle，laywiththeloafinthebreadtray。Istretchedoutmyhandtopossessmyselfofit。Atthesamemoment，therewasanoiseinthekitchen，andmymothercaughtmebythearm。
“TheknifeoftheDream！Francis，I”mfaintwithfear——takemeawaybeforeshecomesback！“
Icouldn”tspeaktocomfortoreventoanswerher。SuperiorasI
wastosuperstition，thediscoveryoftheknifestaggeredme。Insilence，Ihelpedmymotheroutofthehouse；andtookherhome。
Iheldoutmyhandtosaygood-by。Shetriedtostopme。
“Don”tgoback，Francis！don”tgoback！“
“Imustgettheknife，mother。Imustgobackbythenexttrain。”
Iheldtothatresolution。BythenexttrainIwentback。
XII
Mywifehad，ofcourse，discoveredoursecretdeparturefromthehouse。Shehadbeendrinking。Shewasinafuryofpassion。Thedinnerinthekitchenwasflungunderthegrate；theclothwasofftheparlortable。Wherewastheknife？
Iwasfoolishenoughtoaskforit。Sherefusedtogiveittome。
Inthecourseofthedisputebetweenuswhichfollowed，I
discoveredthattherewasahorriblestoryattachedtotheknife。
Ithadbeenusedinamurder——yearssince——andhadbeensoskillfullyhiddenthattheauthoritieshadbeenunabletoproduceitatthetrial。Byhelpofsomeofherdisreputablefriends，mywifehadbeenabletopurchasethisrelicofabygonecrime。Herpervertednaturesetsomehorridunacknowledgedvalueontheknife。
Seeingtherewasnohopeofgettingitbyfairmeans，Ideterminedtosearchforit，laterintheday，insecret。Thesearchwasunsuccessful。Nightcameon，andIleftthehousetowalkaboutthestreets。YouwillunderstandwhatabrokenmanIwasbythistime，whenItellyouIwasafraidtosleepinthesameroomwithher！
Threeweekspassed。Stillsherefusedtogiveuptheknife；andstillthatfearofsleepinginthesameroomwithherpossessedme。
Iwalkedaboutatnight，ordozedintheparlor，orsatwatchingbymymother”sbedside。Beforetheendofthefirstweekinthenewmonth，theworstmisfortuneofallbefellme——mymotherdied。Itwantedthenbutashorttimetomybirthday。Shehadlongedtolivetillthatday。Iwaspresentatherdeath。Herlastwordsinthisworldwereaddressedtome。“Don”tgoback，myson——don”tgoback！“
Iwasobligedtogoback，ifitwasonlytowatchmywife。Inthelastdaysofmymother”sillnessshehadspitefullyaddedastingtomygriefbydeclaringshewouldassertherrighttoattendthefuneral。InspiteofallthatIcoulddoorsay，sheheldtoherword。Onthedayappointedfortheburialsheforcedherself，inflamedandshamelesswithdrink，intomypresence，andsworeshewouldwalkinthefuneralprocessiontomymother”sgrave。
Thislastinsult——afterallIhadgonethroughalready——wasmorethanIcouldendure。Itmaddenedme。Trytomakeallowancesforamanbesidehimself。Istruckher。
Theinstanttheblowwasdealt，Irepentedit。Shecroucheddown，silent，inacorneroftheroom，andeyedmesteadily。Itwasalookthatcooledmyhotbloodinaninstant。Therewasnotimenowtothinkofmakingatonement。Icouldonlyrisktheworst，andmakesureofhertillthefuneralwasover。Ilockedherintoherbedroom。
WhenIcameback，afterlayingmymotherinthegrave，Ifoundhersittingbythebedside，verymuchalteredinlookandbearing，withabundleonherlap。Shefacedmequietly；shespokewithacuriousstillnessinhervoice——strangelyandunnaturallycomposedinlookandmanner。
“Nomanhaseverstruckmeyet，“shesaid。“Myhusbandshallhavenosecondopportunity。Setthedooropen，andletmego。”
Shepassedme，andlefttheroom。Isawherwalkawayupthestreet。Wasshegoneforgood？
AllthatnightIwatchedandwaited。Nofootstepcamenearthehouse。Thenextnight，overcomewithfatigue，Ilaydownonthebedinmyclothes，withthedoorlocked，thekeyonthetable，andthecandleburning。Myslumberwasnotdisturbed。Thethirdnight，thefourth，thefifth，thesixth，passed，andnothinghappened。Ilaydownontheseventhnight，stillsuspiciousofsomethinghappening；stillinmyclothes；stillwiththedoorlocked，thekeyonthetable，andthecandleburning。
Myrestwasdisturbed。Iawoketwice，withoutanysensationofuneasiness。Thethirdtime，thathorridshiveringofthenightatthelonelyinn，thatawfulsinkingpainattheheart，camebackagain，androusedmeinaninstant。Myeyesturnedtotheleft-
handsideofthebed。Andtherestood，lookingatme——
TheDreamWomanagain？No！Mywife。Thelivingwoman，withthefaceoftheDream——intheattitudeoftheDream——thefairarmup；
theknifeclaspedinthedelicatewhitehand。
Ispranguponherontheinstant；butnotquicklyenoughtostopherfromhidingtheknife。Withoutawordfromme，withoutacryfromher，Ipinionedherinachair。WithonehandIfeltuphersleeve；andthere，wheretheDreamWomanhadhiddentheknife，mywifehadhiddenit——theknifewiththebuckhornhandle，thatlookedlikenew。
WhatIfeltwhenImadethatdiscoveryIcouldnotrealizeatthetime，andIcan”tdescribenow。Itookonesteadylookatherwiththeknifeinmyhand。“Youmeanttokillme？“Isaid。
“Yes，“sheanswered；“Imeanttokillyou。”Shecrossedherarmsoverherbosom，andstaredmecoollyintheface。“Ishalldoityet，“shesaid。“Withthatknife。”
Idon”tknowwhatpossessedme——IsweartoyouIamnocoward；andyetIactedlikeacoward。Thehorrorsgotholdofme。Icouldn”tlookather——Icouldn”tspeaktoher。Ileftherwiththeknifeinmyhand，andwentoutintothenight。
Therewasableakwindabroad，andthesmellofrainwasintheair。ThechurchclockschimedthequarterasIwalkedbeyondthelasthouseinthetown。IaskedthefirstpolicemanImetwhathourthatwas，ofwhichthequarterpasthadjuststruck。
Themanlookedathiswatch，andanswered，“Twoo”clock。”Twointhemorning。Whatdayofthemonthwasthisdaythathadjustbegun？Ireckoneditupfromthedateofmymother”sfuneral。Thehorridparallelbetweenthedreamandtherealitywascomplete——itwasmybirthday！
HadIescapedthemortalperilwhichthedreamforetold？orhadI
onlyreceivedasecondwarning？AsthatdoubtcrossedmymindI
stoppedonmywayoutofthetown。Theairhadrevivedme——Ifeltinsomedegreelikemyownselfagain。Afteralittlethinking，I
begantoseeplainlythemistakeIhadmadeinleavingmywifefreetogowhereshelikedandtodoasshepleased。
Iturnedinstantly，andmademywaybacktothehouse。Itwasstilldark。Ihadleftthecandleburninginthebedchamber。WhenIlookeduptothewindowoftheroomnow，therewasnolightinit。Iadvancedtothehousedoor。Ongoingaway，Irememberedtohaveclosedit；ontryingitnow，Ifounditopen。
Iwaitedoutside，neverlosingsightofthehousetilldaylight。
ThenIventuredindoors——listened，andheardnothing——lookedintothekitchen，scullery，parlor，andfoundnothing——wentupatlastintothebedroom。Itwasempty。
Apicklocklayonthefloor，whichtoldmehowshehadgainedentranceinthenight。AndthatwastheonetraceIcouldfindoftheDreamWoman。
XIII
Iwaitedinthehousetillthetownwasastirfortheday，andthenIwenttoconsultalawyer。Intheconfusedstateofmymindatthetime，IhadoneclearnotionofwhatImeanttodo：Iwasdeterminedtosellmyhouseandleavetheneighborhood。TherewereobstaclesinthewaywhichIhadnotcountedon。IwastoldIhadcreditorstosatisfybeforeIcouldleave——I，whohadgivenmywifethemoneytopaymybillsregularlyeveryweek！InquiryshowedthatshehadembezzledeveryfarthingofthemoneyIhadintrustedtoher。Ihadnochoicebuttopayoveragain。
Placedinthisawkwardposition，myfirstdutywastosetthingsright，withthehelpofmylawyer。DuringmyforcedsojourninthetownIdidtwofoolishthings。And，asaconsequencethatfollowed，Iheardoncemore，andheardforthelasttime，ofmywife。
Inthefirstplace，havinggotpossessionoftheknife，Iwasrashenoughtokeepitinmypocket。Inthesecondplace，havingsomethingofimportancetosaytomylawyer，atalatehouroftheevening，Iwenttohishouseafterdark——aloneandonfoot。Igottheresafelyenough。Returning，Iwasseizedonfrombehindbytwomen，draggeddownapassageandrobbed——notonlyofthelittlemoneyIhadaboutme，butalsooftheknife。Itwasthelawyer”sopinionasitwasminethatthethieveswereamongthedisreputableacquaintancesformedbymywife，andthatthey，hadattackedmeatherinstigation。ToconfirmthisviewIreceivedaletterthenextday，withoutdateoraddress，writteninAlicia”shand。Thefirstlineinformedmethattheknifewasbackagaininherpossession。ThesecondlineremindedmeofthedaywhenI
struckher。Thethirdlinewarnedmethatshewouldwashoutthestainofthatblowinmyblood，andrepeatedthewords，“Ishalldoitwiththeknife！“
Thesethingshappenedayearago。Thelawlaidhandsonthemenwhohadrobbedme；butfromthattimetothis，thelawhasfailedcompletelytofindatraceofmywife。
Mystoryistold。WhenIhadpaidthecreditorsandpaidthelegalexpenses，Ihadbarelyfivepoundsleftoutofthesaleofmyhouse；andIhadtheworldtobeginoveragain。Somemonthssince——
driftinghereandthere——IfoundmywaytoUnderbridge。Thelandlordoftheinnhadknownsomethingofmyfather”sfamilyintimespast。Hegavemeallhehadtogivemyfood，andshelterintheyard。Exceptonmarketdays，thereisnothingtodo。Inthecomingwintertheinnistobeshutup，andIshallhavetoshiftformyself。MyoldmasterwouldhelpmeifIappliedtohim——
butIdon”tliketoapply：hehasdonemoreformealreadythanI
deserve。Besides，inanotheryearwhoknowsbutmytroublesmayallbeatanend？Nextwinterwillbringmenightomynextbirthday，andmynextbirthdaymaybethedayofmydeath。Yes！
it”strueIsatupalllastnight；andIheardtwointhemorningstrike：andnothinghappened。Still，allowingforthat，thetimetocomeisatimeIdon”ttrust。Mywifehasgottheknife——mywifeislookingforme。Iamabovesuperstition，mind！Idon”tsayIbelieveindreams；Ionlysay，AliciaWarlockislookingforme。ItispossibleImaybewrong。ItispossibleImayberight。
Whocantell？
THETHIRDNARRATIVE
THESTORYCONTINUEDBYPERCYFAIRBANK
XIV
WetookleaveofFrancisRavenatthedoorofFarleighHall，withtheunderstandingthathemightexpecttohearfromusagain。
ThesamenightMrs。FairbankandIhadadiscussioninthesanctuaryofourownroom。Thetopicwas“TheHostler”sStory“；
andthequestionindisputebetweenusturnedonthemeasureofcharitabledutythatweowedtothehostlerhimself。
TheviewItookoftheman”snarrativewasofthepurelymatter-of-
factkind。FrancisRavenhad，inmyopinion，broodedoverthemistyconnectionbetweenhisstrangedreamandhisvilewife，untilhismindwasinastateofpartialdelusiononthatsubject。Iwasquitewillingtohelphimwithatrifleofmoney，andtorecommendhimtothekindnessofmylawyer，ifhewasreallyinanydangerandwantedadvice。Theremyideaofmydutytowardthisafflictedpersonbeganandended。
Confrontedwiththissensibleviewofthematter，Mrs。Fairbank”sromantictemperamentrushed，asusual，intoextremes。“IshouldnomorethinkoflosingsightofFrancisRavenwhenhisnextbirthdaycomesround，“saysmywife，“thanIshouldthinkoflayingdownagoodstorywiththelastchaptersunread。Iampositivelydetermined，Percy，totakehimbackwithuswhenwereturntoFrance，inthecapacityofgroom。Whatdoesonemanmoreorlessamongthehorsesmattertopeopleasrichasweare？“Inthisstrainthepartnerofmyjoysandsorrowsranon，perfectlyimpenetrabletoeverythingthatIcouldsayonthesideofcommonsense。NeedItellmymarriedbrethrenhowitended？OfcourseI
allowedmywifetoirritateme，andspoketohersharply。
Ofcoursemywifeturnedherfaceawayindignantlyontheconjugalpillow，andburstintotears。Ofcourseuponthat，“Mr。”madehisexcuses，and“Mrs。”hadherownway。
BeforetheweekwasoutwerodeovertoUnderbridge，anddulyofferedtoFrancisRavenaplaceinourserviceassupernumerarygroom。
Atfirstthepoorfellowseemedhardlyabletorealizehisownextraordinarygoodfortune。Recoveringhimself，heexpressedhisgratitudemodestlyandbecomingly。Mrs。Fairbank”sreadysympathiesoverflowed，asusual，atherlips。ShetalkedtohimaboutourhomeinFrance，asiftheworn，gray-headedhostlerhadbeenachild。“Suchadearoldhouse，Francis；andsuchprettygardens！Stables！Stablestentimesasbigasyourstableshere——
quiteachoiceofroomsforyou。Youmustlearnthenameofourhouse——MaisonRouge。OurnearesttownisMetz。WearewithinawalkofthebeautifulRiverMoselle。Andwhenwewantachangewehaveonlytotaketherailwaytothefrontier，andfindourselvesinGermany。”
Listening，sofar，withaverybewilderedface，Francisstartedandchangedcolorwhenmywifereachedtheendofherlastsentence。
“Germany？“herepeated。
“Yes。DoesGermanyremindyouofanything？“
Thehostler”seyeslookeddownsadlyontheground。“Germanyremindsmeofmywife，“hereplied。
“Indeed！How？“
“SheoncetoldmeshehadlivedinGermany——longbeforeIknewher——
inthetimewhenshewasayounggirl。”
“Wasshelivingwithrelationsorfriends？“
“Shewaslivingasgovernessinaforeignfamily。”
“InwhatpartofGermany？“
“Idon”tremember，ma”am。Idoubtifshetoldme。”
“Didshetellyouthenameofthefamily？“
“Yes，ma”am。Itwasaforeignname，andithasslippedmymemorylongsince。Theheadofthefamilywasawinegrowerinalargewayofbusiness——Irememberthat。”
“Didyouhearwhatsortofwinehegrew？Therearewinegrowersinourneighborhood。WasitMosellewine？“
“Icouldn”tsay，ma”am，IdoubtifIeverheard。”
Theretheconversationdropped。WeengagedtocommunicatewithFrancisRavenbeforeweleftEngland，andtookourleave。IhadmadearrangementstopayourroundofvisitstoEnglishfriends，andtoreturntoMaisonRougeinthesummer。Ontheeveofdeparture，certaindifficultiesinconnectionwiththemanagementofsomelandedpropertyofmineinIrelandobligedustoalterourplans。InsteadofgettingbacktoourhouseinFranceintheSummer，weonlyreturnedaweekortwobeforeChristmas。FrancisRavenaccompaniedus，andwasdulyestablished，inthenominalcapacityofstablekeeper，amongtheservantsatMaisonRouge。
Beforelong，someoftheobjectionstotakinghimintoouremployment，whichIhadforeseenandhadvainlymentionedtomywife，forcedthemselvesonourattentioninnoveryagreeableform。
FrancisRavenfailedasIhadfearedhewouldtogetonsmoothlywithhisfellow-servants。TheywereallFrench；andnotoneofthemunderstoodEnglish。Francis，onhisside，wasequallyignorantofFrench。Hisreservedmanners，hismelancholytemperament，hissolitaryways——alltoldagainsthim。Ourservantscalledhim“theEnglishBear。”Hegrewwidelyknownintheneighborhoodunderhisnickname。Quarrelstookplace，endingonceortwiceinblows。Itbecameplain，eventoMrs。Fairbankherself，thatsomewisechangemustbemade。Whilewewerestillconsideringwhatthechangewastobe，theunfortunatehostlerwasthrownonourhandsforsometimetocomebyanaccidentinthestables。Stillpursuedbyhisproverbialill-luck，thepoorwretch”slegwasbrokenbyakickfromahorse。
Hewasattendedtobyourownsurgeon，inhiscomfortablebedroomatthestables。Asthedateofhisbirthdaydrewnear，hewasstillconfinedtohisbed。
Physicallyspeaking，hewasdoingverywell。Morallyspeaking，thesurgeonwasnotsatisfied。FrancisRavenwassufferingundersomemysteriousmentaldisturbance，whichinterferedseriouslywithhisrestatnight。Hearingthis，Ithoughtitmydutytotellthemedicalattendantwhatwaspreyingonthepatient”smind。Asapracticalman，hesharedmyopinionthatthehostlerwasinastateofdelusiononthesubjectofhisWifeandhisDream。“Curabledelusion，inmyopinion，“thesurgeonadded，“iftheexperimentcouldbefairlytried。”
“Howcanitbetried？“Iasked。Insteadofreplying，thesurgeonputaquestiontome，onhisside。
“Doyouhappentoknow，“hesaid，“thatthisyearisLeapYear？“
“Mrs。Fairbankremindedmeofityesterday，“Ianswered。
“OtherwiseImightNOThaveknownit。”
“DoyouthinkFrancisRavenknowsthatthisyearisLeapYear？“
Ibegantoseedimlywhatmyfriendwasdrivingat。
“Itdepends，“Ianswered，“onwhetherhehasgotanEnglishalmanac。SupposehehasNOTgotthealmanac——whatthen？“
“Inthatcase，“pursuedthesurgeon，“FrancisRavenisinnocentofallsuspicionthatthereisatwenty-ninthdayinFebruarythisyear。Asanecessaryconsequence——whatwillhedo？HewillanticipatetheappearanceoftheWomanwiththeKnife，attwointhemorningofthetwenty-ninthofFebruary，insteadofthefirstofMarch。Lethimsufferallhissuperstitiousterrorsonthewrongday。Leavehim，onthedaythatisreallyhisbirthday，topassaperfectlyquietnight，andtobeassoundasleepasotherpeopleattwointhemorning。Andthen，whenhewakescomfortablyintimeforhisbreakfast，shamehimoutofhisdelusionbytellinghimthetruth。”
Iagreedtotrytheexperiment。LeavingthesurgeontocautionMrs。FairbankonthesubjectofLeapYear，IwenttothestablestoseeMr。Raven。
XV
ThepoorfellowwasfullofforebodingsofthefateinstoreforhimontheominousfirstofMarch。Heeagerlyentreatedmetoorderoneofthemenservantstositupwithhimonthebirthdaymorning。Ingrantinghisrequest，Iaskedhimtotellmeonwhichdayoftheweekhisbirthdayfell。Hereckonedthedaysonhisfingers；andprovedhisinnocenceofallsuspicionthatitwasLeapYear，byfixingonthetwenty-ninthofFebruary，inthefullpersuasionthatitwasthefirstofMarch。Pledgedtotrythesurgeon”sexperiment，Ilefthiserroruncorrected，ofcourse。Insodoing，ItookmyfirststepblindfoldtowardthelastactinthedramaoftheHostler”sDream。
Thenextdaybroughtwithitalittledomesticdifficulty，whichindirectlyandstrangelyassociateditselfwiththecomingend。
Mywifereceivedaletter，invitingustoassistincelebratingthe“SilverWedding“oftwoworthyGermanneighborsofours——Mr。andMrs。Beldheimer。Mr。BeldheimerwasalargewinegroweronthebanksoftheMoselle。HishousewassituatedonthefrontierlineofFranceandGermany；andthedistancefromourhousewassufficientlyconsiderabletomakeitnecessaryforustosleepunderourhost”sroof。Underthesecircumstances，ifweacceptedtheinvitation，acomparisonofdatesshowedthatweshouldbeawayfromhomeonthemorningofthefirstofMarch。Mrs。Fairbank——
holdingtoherabsurdresolutiontoseewithherowneyeswhatmight，ormightnot，happentoFrancisRavenonhisbirthday——
flatlydeclinedtoleaveMaisonRouge。“It”seasytosendanexcuse，“shesaid，inheroff-handmanner。
Ifailed，formypart，toseeanyeasywayoutofthedifficulty。
Thecelebrationofa“SilverWedding“inGermanyisthecelebrationoftwenty-fiveyearsofhappymarriedlife；andthehost”sclaimupontheconsiderationofhisfriendsonsuchanoccasionissomethinginthenatureofaroyal“command。”Afterconsiderablediscussion，findingmywife”sobstinacyinvincible，andfeelingthattheabsenceofbothofusfromthefestivalwouldcertainlyoffendourfriends，IleftMrs。Fairbanktomakeherexcusesforherself，anddirectedhertoaccepttheinvitationsofarasIwasconcerned。Insodoing，Itookmysecondstep，blindfold，towardthelastactinthedramaoftheHostler”sDream。
Aweekelapsed；thelastdaysofFebruarywereathand。Anotherdomesticdifficultyhappened；and，again，thiseventalsoprovedtobestrangelyassociatedwiththecomingend。
MyheadgroomatthestableswasoneJosephRigobert。Hewasanill-conditionedfellow，inordinatelyvainofhispersonalappearance，andbynomeansscrupulousinhisconductwithwomen。
Hisonevirtueconsistedofhisfondnessforhorses，andinthecarehetookoftheanimalsunderhischarge。Inaword，hewastoogoodagroomtobeeasilyreplaced，orhewouldhavequittedmyservicelongsince。OntheoccasionofwhichIamnowwriting，hewasreportedtomebymystewardasgrowingidleanddisorderlyinhishabits。Theprincipaloffenseallegedagainsthimwas，thathehadbeenseenthatdayinthecityofMetz，inthecompanyofawomansupposedtobeanEnglishwoman，whomhewasentertainingatatavern，whenheoughttohavebeenonhiswaybacktoMaisonRouge。Theman”sdefensewasthat“thelady“ashecalledher
wasanEnglishstranger，unacquaintedwiththewaysoftheplace，andthathehadonlyshownherwhereshecouldobtainsomerefreshmentsatherownrequest。Iadministeredthenecessaryreprimand，withouttroublingmyselftoinquirefurtherintothematter。Infailingtodothis，Itookmythirdstep，blindfold，towardthelastactinthedramaoftheHostler”sDream。
Ontheeveningofthetwenty-eighth，IinformedtheservantsatthestablesthatoneofthemmustwatchthroughthenightbytheEnglishman”sbedside。JosephRigobertimmediatelyvolunteeredfortheduty——asameans，nodoubt，ofwinninghiswaybacktomyfavor。Iacceptedhisproposal。
Thatdaythesurgeondinedwithus。TowardmidnightheandIleftthesmokingroom，andrepairedtoFrancisRaven”sbedside。
Rigobertwasathispost，withnoveryagreeableexpressiononhisface。TheFrenchmanandtheEnglishmanhadevidentlynotgotonwelltogethersofar。FrancisRavenlayhelplessonhisbed，waitingsilentlyfortwointhemorningandtheDreamWoman。
“Ihavecome，Francis，tobidyougoodnight，“Isaid，cheerfully。
“To-morrowmorningIshalllookinatbreakfasttime，beforeI
leavehomeonajourney。”
“Thankyouforallyourkindness，sir。Youwillnotseemealiveto-morrowmorning。Shewillfindmethistime。Markmywords——shewillfindmethistime。”
“Mygoodfellow！shecouldn”tfindyouinEngland。HowintheworldisshetofindyouinFrance？“
“It”sborneinonmymind，sir，thatshewillfindmehere。AttwointhemorningonmybirthdayIshallseeheragain，andseeherforthelasttime。”
“Doyoumeanthatshewillkillyou？“
“Imeanthat，sir，shewillkillme——withtheknife。”
“AndwithRigobertintheroomtoprotectyou？“
“Iamadoomedman。FiftyRigobertscouldn”tprotectme。”
“Andyouwantedsomebodytositupwithyou？“
“Mereweakness，sir。Idon”tliketobeleftaloneonmydeathbed。”
Ilookedatthesurgeon。Ifhehadencouragedme，Ishouldcertainly，outofsheercompassion，haveconfessedtoFrancisRaventhetrickthatwewereplayinghim。Thesurgeonheldtohisexperiment；thesurgeon”sfaceplainlysaid”No。”
Thenextdaythetwenty-ninthofFebruarywasthedayofthe“SilverWedding。”Thefirstthinginthemorning，IwenttoFrancisRaven”sroom。Rigobertmetmeatthedoor。
“Howhashepassedthenight？“Iasked。
“Sayinghisprayers，andlookingforghosts，“Rigobertanswered。
“Alunaticasylumistheonlyproperplaceforhim。”
Iapproachedthebedside。“Well，Francis，hereyouare，safeandsound，inspiteofwhatyousaidtomelastnight。”
Hiseyesrestedonminewithavacant，wonderinglook。
“Idon”tunderstandit，“hesaid。
“Didyouseeanythingofyourwifewhentheclockstrucktwo？“
“No，sir。”
“Didanythinghappen？“
“Nothinghappened，sir。”
“Doesn”tTHISsatisfyyouthatyouwerewrong？“
Hiseyesstillkepttheirvacant，wonderinglook。Heonlyrepeatedthewordshehadspokenalready：“Idon”tunderstandit。”
Imadealastattempttocheerhim。“Come，come，Francis！keepagoodheart。Youwillbeoutofbedinafortnight。”
Heshookhisheadonthepillow。“There”ssomethingwrong，“hesaid。“Idon”texpectyoutobelieveme，sir。Ionlysaythere”ssomethingwrong——andtimewillshowit。”
Ilefttheroom。HalfanhourlaterIstartedforMr。Beldheimer”shouse；leavingthearrangementsforthemorningofthefirstofMarchinthehandsofthedoctorandmywife。
XVI
TheonethingwhichprincipallystruckmewhenIjoinedtheguestsatthe“SilverWedding“isalsotheonethingwhichitisnecessarytomentionhere。Onthisjoyfuloccasionanoticeableladypresentwasoutofspirits。Thatladywasnootherthantheheroineofthefestival，themistressofthehouse！
InthecourseoftheeveningIspoketoMr。Beldheimer”seldestsononthesubjectofhismother。Asanoldfriendofthefamily，I
hadaclaimonhisconfidencewhichtheyoungmanwillinglyrecognized。
“Wehavehadaverydisagreeablemattertodealwith，“hesaid；
“andmymotherhasnotrecoveredthepainfulimpressionleftonhermind。Manyyearssince，whenmysisterswerechildren，wehadanEnglishgovernessinthehouse。Sheleftus，aswethenunderstood，tobemarried。Weheardnomoreofheruntilaweekortendayssince，whenmymotherreceivedaletter，inwhichourex-
governessdescribedherselfasbeinginaconditionofgreatpovertyanddistress。Aftermuchhesitationshehadventured——atthesuggestionofaladywhohadbeenkindtoher——towritetoherformeremployers，andtoappealtotheirremembranceofoldtimes。
Youknowmymothersheisnotonlythemostkind-headed，butthemostinnocentofwomen——itisimpossibletopersuadeherofthewickednessthatthereisintheworld。Sherepliedbyreturnofpost，invitingthegovernesstocomehereandseeher，andinclosingthemoneyforhertravelingexpenses。Whenmyfathercamehome，andheardwhathadbeendone，hewroteatoncetohisagentinLondontomakeinquiries，inclosingtheaddressonthegoverness”letter。Beforehecouldreceivetheagent”sreplythegovernessarrived。Sheproducedtheworstpossibleimpressiononhismind。Theagent”sletter，arrivingafewdayslater，confirmedhissuspicions。Sincewehadlostsightofher，thewomanhadledamostdisreputablelife。Myfatherspoketoherprivately：heoffered——onconditionofherleavingthehouse——asumofmoneytotakeherbacktoEngland。Ifsherefused，thealternativewouldbeanappealtotheauthoritiesandapublicscandal。Sheacceptedthemoney，andleftthehouse。OnherwaybacktoEnglandsheappearstohavestoppedatMetz。YouwillunderstandwhatsortofwomansheiswhenItellyouthatshewasseentheotherdayinatavernwithyourhandsomegroom，JosephRigobert。”
Whilemyinformantwasrelatingthesecircumstances，mymemorywasatwork。IrecalledwhatFrancisRavenhadvaguelytoldusofhiswife”sexperienceinformerdaysasgovernessinaGermanfamily。
Asuspicionofthetruthsuddenlyflashedacrossmymind。“Whatwasthewoman”sname？“Iasked。
Mr。Beldheimer”ssonanswered：“AliciaWarlock。”
IhadbutoneideawhenIheardthatreply——togetbacktomyhousewithoutamoment”sneedlessdelay。Itwasthenteno”clockatnight——thelasttraintoMetzhadleftlongsince。Iarrangedwithmyyoungfriend——afterdulyinforminghimofthecircumstances——
thatIshouldgobythefirsttraininthemorning，insteadofstayingtobreakfastwiththeotherguestswhosleptinthehouse。
AtintervalsduringthenightIwondereduneasilyhowthingsweregoingonatMaisonRouge。Againandagainthesamequestionoccurredtome，onmyjourneyhomeintheearlymorning——themorningofthefirstofMarch。Astheeventproved，butonepersoninmyhouseknewwhatreallyhappenedatthestablesonFrancisRaven”sbirthday。LetJosephRigoberttakemyplaceasnarrator，andtellthestoryoftheendtoYou——ashetoldit，intimespast，tohislawyerandtoMe。
FOURTHANDLASTNARRATIVE
STATEMENTOFJOSEPHRIGOBERT：ADDRESSEDTOTHEADVOCATEWHO
DEFENDEDHIMATHISTRIAL
RESPECTEDSIR，——Onthetwenty-seventhofFebruaryIwassent，onbusinessconnectedwiththestablesatMaisonRouge，tothecityofMetz。OnthepublicpromenadeImetamagnificentwoman。
Complexion，blond。Nationality，English。Wemutuallyadmiredeachother；wefellintoconversation。ShespokeFrenchperfectly——
withtheEnglishaccent。Iofferedrefreshment；myproposalwasaccepted。Wehadalongandinterestinginterview——wediscoveredthatweweremadeforeachother。Sofar，Whoistoblame？
IsitmyfaultthatIamahandsomeman——universallyagreeableassuchtothefairsex？Isitacriminaloffensetobeaccessibletotheamiableweaknessoflove？Iaskagain，Whoistoblame？
Clearly，nature。Notthebeautifullady——notmyhumbleself。
Toresume。Themosthard-heartedpersonlivingwillunderstandthattwobeingsmadeforeachothercouldnotpossiblypartwithoutanappointmenttomeetagain。
ImadearrangementsfortheaccommodationoftheladyinthevillagenearMaisonRouge。Sheconsentedtohonormewithhercompanyatsupper，inmyapartmentatthestables，onthenightofthetwenty-ninth。Thetimefixedonwasthetimewhentheotherservantswereaccustomedtoretire——eleveno”clock。
AmongthegroomsattachedtothestableswasanEnglishman，laidupwithabrokenleg。HisnamewasFrancis。Hismannerswererepulsive；hewasignorantoftheFrenchlanguage。Inthekitchenhewentbythenicknameofthe“EnglishBear。”Strangetosay，hewasagreatfavoritewithmymasterandmymistress。Theyevenhumoredcertainsuperstitiousterrorstowhichthisrepulsivepersonwassubject——terrorsintothenatureofwhichI，asanadvancedfreethinker，neverthoughtitworthmywhiletoinquire。
Ontheeveningofthetwenty-eighththeEnglishman，beingapreytotheterrorswhichIhavementioned，requestedthatoneofhisfellow-servantsmightsitupwithhimforthatnightonly。ThewishthatheexpressedwasbackedbyMr。Fairbank”sauthority。