THETWOWOMEN。
ITwasadarknight。Therainwaspouringintorrents。
LateintheeveningaskirmishingpartyoftheFrenchandaskirmishingpartyoftheGermanshadmet，byaccident，nearthelittlevillageofLagrange，closetotheGermanfrontier。Inthestrugglethatfollowed，theFrenchhadforoncegotthebetteroftheenemy。Forthetime，atleast，afewhundredsoutofthehostoftheinvadershadbeenforcedbackoverthefrontier。Itwasatriflingaffair，occurringnotlongafterthegreatGermanvictoryofWeissenbourg，andthenewspaperstooklittleornonoticeofit。
CaptainArnault，commandingontheFrenchside，sataloneinoneofthecottagesofthevillage，inhabitedbythemillerofthedistrict。TheCaptainwasreading，bythelightofasolitarytallow-candle，someintercepteddispatchestakenfromtheGermans。Hehadsufferedthewoodfire，scatteredoverthelargeopengrate，toburnlow；theredembersonlyfaintlyilluminatedapartoftheroom。Onthefloorbehindhimlaysomeofthemiller\'semptysacks。Inacorneroppositetohimwasthemiller\'ssolidwalnut-woodbed。Onthewallsallaroundhimwerethemiller\'scoloredprints，representingahappymixtureofdevotionalanddomesticsubjects。Adoorofcommunicationleadingintothekitchenofthecottagehadbeentornfromitshinges，andusedtocarrythemenwoundedintheskirmishfromthefield。Theywerenowcomfortablylaidatrestinthekitchen，underthecareoftheFrenchsurgeonandtheEnglishnurseattachedtotheambulance。Apieceofcoarsecanvasscreenedtheopeningbetweenthetworoomsinplaceofthedoor。Aseconddoor，leadingfromthebed-chamberintotheyard，waslocked；andthewoodenshutterprotectingtheonewindowoftheroomwascarefullybarred。Sentinels，doubledinnumber，wereplacedatalltheoutposts。TheFrenchcommanderhadneglectednoprecautionwhichcouldreasonablyinsureforhimselfandforhismenaquietandcomfortablenight。
Stillabsorbedinhisperusalofthedispatches，andnowandthenmakingnotesofwhathereadbythehelpofwritingmaterialsplacedathisside，CaptainArnaultwasinterruptedbytheappearanceofanintruderintheroom。SurgeonSurville，enteringfromthekitchen，drewasidethecanvasscreen，andapproachedthelittleroundtableatwhichhissuperiorofficerwassitting。
\"Whatisit？\"saidthecaptain，sharply。
\"Aquestiontoask，\"repliedthesurgeon。\"Arewesafeforthenight？\"
\"Whydoyouwanttoknow？\"inquiredthecaptain，suspiciously。
Thesurgeonpointedtothekitchen，nowthehospitaldevotedtothewoundedmen。
\"Thepoorfellowsareanxiousaboutthenextfewhours，\"hereplied。\"Theydreadasurprise，andtheyaskmeifthereisanyreasonablehopeoftheirhavingonenight\'srest。Whatdoyouthinkofthechances？\"
Thecaptainshruggedhisshoulders。Thesurgeonpersisted。
\"Surelyyououghttoknow？\"hesaid。
\"Iknowthatweareinpossessionofthevillageforthepresent，\"retortedCaptainArnault，\"andIknownomore。Herearethepapersoftheenemy。\"Heheldthemupandshookthemimpatientlyashespoke。\"TheygivemenoinformationthatIcanrelyon。ForallIcantelltothecontrary，themainbodyoftheGermans，outnumberingustentoone，maybenearerthiscottagethanthemainbodyoftheFrench。Drawyourownconclusions。Ihavenothingmoretosay。\"
Havingansweredinthosediscouragingterms，CaptainArnaultgotonhisfeet，drewthehoodofhisgreat-coatoverhishead，andlitacigaratthecandle。
\"Whereareyougoing？\"askedthesurgeon。
\"Tovisittheoutposts。\"
\"Doyouwantthisroomforalittlewhile？\"
\"Notforsomehourstocome。Areyouthinkingofmovinganyofyourwoundedmeninhere？\"
\"IwasthinkingoftheEnglishlady，\"answeredthesurgeon。\"Thekitchenisnotquitetheplaceforher。Shewouldbemorecomfortablehere；andtheEnglishnursemightkeephercompany。\"
CaptainArnaultsmiled，notverypleasantly。\"Theyaretwofinewomen，\"hesaid，\"andSurgeonSurvilleisaladies\'man。Letthemcomein，iftheyarerashenoughtotrustthemselvesherewithyou。\"Hecheckedhimselfonthepointofgoingout，andlookedbackdistrustfullyatthelightedcandle。\"Cautionthewomen，\"hesaid，\"tolimittheexerciseoftheircuriositytotheinsideofthisroom。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
Thecaptain\'sforefingerpointedsignificantlytotheclosedwindow-shutter。
\"Didyoueverknowawomanwhocouldresistlookingoutofwindow？\"heasked。\"Darkasitis，soonerorlatertheseladiesofyourswillfeeltemptedtoopenthatshutter。TellthemIdon\'twantthelightofthecandletobetraymyheadquarterstotheGermanscouts。Howistheweather？Stillraining？\"
\"Pouring。\"
\"Somuchthebetter。TheGermanswon\'tseeus。\"Withthatconsolatoryremarkheunlockedthedoorleadingintotheyard，andwalkedout。
Thesurgeonliftedthecanvasscreenandcalledintothekitchen：
\"MissMerrick，haveyoutimetotakealittlerest？\"
\"Plentyoftime，\"answeredasoftvoicewithanunderlyingmelancholyinit，plainlydistinguishablethoughithadonlyspokenthreewords。
\"Comein，then，\"continuedthesurgeon，\"andbringtheEnglishladywithyou。Hereisaquietroomalltoyourselves。\"
Heheldbackthecanvas，andthetwowomenappeared。
Thenurseledtheway——tall，lithe，graceful——attiredinheruniformdressofneatblackstuff，withplainlinencollarandcuffs，andwiththescarletcrossoftheGenevaConventionembroideredonherleftshoulder。Paleandsad，herexpressionandmannerbotheloquentlysuggestiveofsuppressedsufferingandsorrow，therewasaninnatenobilityinthecarriageofthiswoman\'shead，aninnategrandeurinthegazeofherlargegrayeyesandinthelinesofherfinelyproportionedface，whichmadeherirresistiblystrikingandbeautiful，seenunderanycircumstancesandcladinanydress。Hercompanion，darkerincomplexionandsmallerinstature，possessedattractionswhichwerequitemarkedenoughtoaccountforthesurgeon\'spoliteanxietytoshelterherinthecaptain\'sroom。Thecommonconsentofmankindwouldhavedeclaredhertobeanunusuallyprettywoman。Sheworethelargegraycloakthatcoveredherfromheadtofootwithagracethatlentitsownattractionstoaplainandevenashabbyarticleofdress。Thelanguorinhermovements，andtheuncertaintyoftoneinhervoiceasshethankedthesurgeonsuggestedthatshewassufferingfromfatigue。Herdarkeyessearchedthedimly-lightedroomtimidly，andsheheldfastbythenurse\'sarmwiththeairofawomanwhosenerveshadbeenseverelyshakenbysomerecentalarm。
\"Youhaveonethingtoremember，ladies，\"saidthesurgeon。\"Bewareofopeningtheshutter，forfearofthelightbeingseenthroughthewindow。Fortherest，wearefreetomakeourselvesascomfortablehereaswecan。Composeyourself，dearmadam，andrelyontheprotectionofaFrenchmanwhoisdevotedtoyou！\"HegallantlyemphasizedhislastwordsbyraisingthehandoftheEnglishladytohislips。Atthemomentwhenhekisseditthecanvasscreenwasagaindrawnaside。Apersonintheserviceoftheambulanceappeared，announcingthatabandagehadslipped，andthatoneofthewoundedmenwastoallappearancebleedingtodeath。Thesurgeon，submittingtodestinywiththeworstpossiblegrace，droppedthecharmingEnglishwoman\'shand，andreturnedtohisdutiesinthekitchen。Thetwoladieswerelefttogetherintheroom。
\"Willyoutakeachair，madam？\"askedthenurse。
\"Don\'tcallme\'madam，\'\"returnedtheyounglady，cordially。\"MynameisGraceRoseberry。Whatisyourname？\"
Thenursehesitated。\"Notaprettyname，likeyours，\"shesaid，andhesitatedagain。\"Callme\'MercyMerrick，\'\"sheadded，afteramoment\'sconsideration。
Hadshegivenanassumedname？Wastheresomeunhappycelebrityattachedtoherownname？MissRoseberrydidnotwaittoaskherselfthesequestions。\"HowcanIthankyou，\"sheexclaimed，gratefully，\"foryoursisterlykindnesstoastrangerlikeme？\"
\"Ihaveonlydonemyduty，\"saidMercyMerrick，alittlecoldly。\"Don\'tspeakofit。\"
\"Imustspeakofit。WhatasituationyoufoundmeinwhentheFrenchsoldiershaddriventheGermansaway！Mytraveling-carriagestopped；thehorsesseized；Imyselfinastrangecountryatnightfall，robbedofmymoneyandmyluggage，anddrenchedtotheskinbythepouringrain！Iamindebtedtoyouforshelterinthisplace——Iamwearingyourclothes——Ishouldhavediedofthefrightandtheexposurebutforyou。WhatreturncanImakeforsuchservicesasthese？\"
Mercyplacedachairforherguestnearthecaptain\'stable，andseatedherself，atsomelittledistance，onanoldchestinacorneroftheroom。\"MayIaskyouaquestion？\"shesaid，abruptly。
\"Ahundredquestions，\"criedGrace，\"ifyoulike。\"Shelookedattheexpiringfire，andatthedimlyvisiblefigureofhercompanionseatedintheobscurestcorneroftheroom。\"Thatwretchedcandlehardlygivesanylight，\"shesaid，impatiently。\"Itwon\'tlastmuchlonger。Can\'twemaketheplacemorecheerful？Comeoutofyourcorner。Callformorewoodandmorelights。\"
Mercyremainedinhercornerandshookherhead。\"Candlesandwoodarescarcethingshere，\"sheanswered。\"Wemustbepatient，evenifweareleftinthedark。Tellme，\"shewenton，raisingherquietvoicealittle，\"howcameyoutoriskcrossingthefrontierinwartime？\"
Grace\'svoicedroppedwhensheansweredthequestion。Grace\'smomentarygayetyofmannersuddenlylefther。
\"Ihadurgentreasons，\"shesaid，\"forreturningtoEngland。\"
\"Alone？\"rejoinedtheother。\"Withoutanyonetoprotectyou？\"
Grace\'sheadsankonherbosom。\"Ihaveleftmyonlyprotector——myfather——intheEnglishburial-groundatRome，\"sheansweredsimply。\"Mymotherdied，yearssince，inCanada。\"
Theshadowyfigureofthenursesuddenlychangeditspositiononthechest。ShehadstartedasthelastwordpassedMissRoseberry\'slips。
\"DoyouknowCanada？\"askedGrace。
\"Well，\"wasthebriefanswer——reluctantlygiven，shortasitwas。
\"WereyouevernearPortLogan？\"
\"IoncelivedwithinafewmilesofPortLogan。\"
\"When？\"
\"Sometimesince。\"WiththosewordsMercyMerrickshrankbackintohercornerandchangedthesubject。\"YourrelativesinEnglandmustbeveryanxiousaboutyou，\"shesaid。
Gracesighed。\"IhavenorelativesinEngland。YoucanhardlyimagineapersonmorefriendlessthanIam。WewentawayfromCanada，whenmyfather\'shealthfailed，totrytheclimateofItaly，bythedoctor\'sadvice。Hisdeathhasleftmenotonlyfriendlessbutpoor。\"Shepaused，andtookaleatherletter-casefromthepocketofthelargegraycloakwhichthenursehadlenttoher。\"Myprospectsinlife，\"sheresumed，\"areallcontainedinthislittlecase。HereistheonetreasureIcontrivedtoconcealwhenIwasrobbedofmyotherthings。\"
Mercycouldjustseetheletter-caseasGracehelditupinthedeepeningobscurityoftheroom。\"Haveyougotmoneyinit？\"sheasked。
\"No；onlyafewfamilypapers，andaletterfrommyfather，introducingmetoanelderlyladyinEngland——aconnectionofhisbymarriage，whomIhaveneverseen。Theladyhasconsentedtoreceivemeashercompanionandreader。IfIdon\'treturntoEnglandsoon，someotherpersonmaygettheplace。\"
\"Haveyounootherresource？\"
\"None。Myeducationhasbeenneglected——weledawildlifeinthefarWest。Iamquiteunfittogooutasagoverness。Iamabsolutelydependentonthisstranger，whoreceivesmeformyfather\'ssake。\"Sheputtheletter-casebackinthepocketofhercloak，andendedherlittlenarrativeasunaffectedlyasshehadbegunit。\"Mineisasadstory，isitnot？\"shesaid。
Thevoiceofthenurseansweredhersuddenlyandbitterlyinthesestrangewords：
\"Therearesadderstoriesthanyours。Therearethousandsofmiserablewomenwhowouldaskfornogreaterblessingthantochangeplaceswithyou。\"
Gracestarted。\"Whatcantherepossiblybetoenvyinsuchalotasmine？\"
\"Yourunblemishedcharacter，andyourprospectofbeingestablishedhonorablyinarespectablehouse。\"
Graceturnedinherchair，andlookedwonderinglyintothedimcorneroftheroom。
\"Howstrangelyyousaythat！\"sheexclaimed。Therewasnoanswer；theshadowyfigureonthechestnevermoved。Graceroseimpulsively，anddrawingherchairafterher，approachedthenurse。\"Istheresomeromanceinyourlife？\"sheasked。\"WhyhaveyousacrificedyourselftotheterribledutieswhichIfindyouperforminghere？Youinterestmeindescribably。Givemeyourhand。\"
Mercyshrankback，andrefusedtheofferedhand。
\"Arewenotfriends？\"Graceasked，inastonishment。
\"Wecanneverbefriends。\"
\"Whynot？\"
Thenursewasdumb。Gracecalledtomindthehesitationthatshehadshownwhenshehadmentionedhername，anddrewanewconclusionfromit。\"ShouldIbeguessingright，\"sheasked，eagerly，\"ifIguessedyoutobesomegreatladyindisguise？\"
Mercylaughedtoherself——lowandbitterly。\"Iagreatlady！\"shesaid，contemptuously。\"ForHeaven\'ssake，letustalkofsomethingelse！\"
Grace\'scuriositywasthoroughlyroused。Shepersisted。\"Oncemore，\"shewhispered，persuasively，\"letusbefriends。\"ShegentlylaidherhandasshespokeonMercy\'sshoulder。Mercyroughlyshookitoff。Therewasarudenessintheactionwhichwouldhaveoffendedthemostpatientwomanliving。Gracedrewbackindignantly。\"Ah！\"shecried，\"youarecruel。\"
\"Iamkind，\"answeredthenurse，speakingmoresternlythanever。
\"Isitkindtokeepmeatadistance？Ihavetoldyoumystory。\"
Thenurse\'svoiceroseexcitedly。\"Don\'ttemptmetospeakout，\"shesaid；\"youwillregretit。\"
Gracedeclinedtoacceptthewarning。\"Ihaveplacedconfidenceinyou，\"shewenton。\"Itisungeneroustolaymeunderanobligation，andthentoshutmeoutofyourconfidenceinreturn。\"
\"Youwillhaveit？\"saidMercyMerrick。\"Youshallhaveit！Sitdownagain。\"Grace\'sheartbegantoquickenitsbeatinexpectationofthedisclosurethatwastocome。Shedrewherchairclosertothechestonwhichthenursewassitting。WithafirmhandMercyputthechairbacktoadistancefromher。\"Notsonearme！\"shesaid，harshly。
\"Whynot？\"
\"Notsonear，\"repeatedthesternlyresolutevoice。\"WaittillyouhaveheardwhatIhavetosay。\"
Graceobeyedwithoutawordmore。Therewasamomentarysilence。Afaintflashoflightleapedupfromtheexpiringcandle，andshowedMercycrouchingonthechest，withherelbowsonherknees，andherfacehiddeninherhands。Thenextinstanttheroomwasburiedinobscurity。Asthedarknessfellonthetwowomenthenursespoke。
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]TheNewMagdalen，Chapter2CHAPTERII。
MAGDALEN——INMODERNTIMES。
\"WHENyourmotherwasalivewereyoueveroutwithherafternightfallinthestreetsofagreatcity？\"
InthoseextraordinarytermsMercyMerrickopenedtheconfidentialinterviewwhichGraceRoseberryhadforcedonher。Graceanswered，simply，\"Idon\'tunderstandyou。\"
\"Iwillputitinanotherway，\"saidthenurse。Itsunnaturalhardnessandsternnessoftonepassedawayfromhervoice，anditsnativegentlenessandsadnessreturned，asshemadethatreply。\"Youreadthenewspapersliketherestoftheworld，\"shewenton；\"haveyoueverreadofyourunhappyfellow-creaturesthestarvingoutcastsofthepopulationwhomWanthasdrivenintoSin？\"
Stillwondering，Graceansweredthatshehadreadofsuchthingsoften，innewspapersandinbooks。
\"Haveyouheard——whenthosestarvingandsinningfellow-creatureshappenedtobewomen——ofRefugesestablishedtoprotectandreclaimthem？\"
ThewonderinGrace\'smindpassedaway，andavaguesuspicionofsomethingpainfultocometookitsplace。\"Theseareextraordinaryquestions，\"shesaid，nervously。\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Answerme，\"thenurseinsisted。\"HaveyouheardoftheRefuges？HaveyouheardoftheWomen？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Moveyourchairalittlefurtherawayfromme。\"Shepaused。Hervoice，withoutlosingitssteadiness，felltoitslowesttones。\"Iwasonceofthosewomen，\"shesaid，quietly。
Gracesprangtoherfeetwithafaintcry。Shestoodpetrified——incapableofutteringaword。
\"IhavebeeninaRefuge，\"pursuedthesweet，sadvoiceoftheotherwoman。\"IhavebeeninaPrison。Doyoustillwishtobemyfriend？Doyoustillinsistonsittingclosebymeandtakingmyhand？\"Shewaitedforareply，andnoreplycame。\"Youseeyouwerewrong，\"shewenton，gently，\"whenyoucalledmecruel——andIwasrightwhenItoldyouIwaskind。\"
AtthatappealGracecomposedherself，andspoke。\"Idon\'twishtooffendyou——\"shebegan，confusedly。
MercyMerrickstoppedherthere。
\"Youdon\'toffendme，\"shesaid，withoutthefaintestnoteofdispleasureinhertone。\"Iamaccustomedtostandinthepilloryofmyownpastlife。Isometimesaskmyselfifitwasallmyfault。IsometimeswonderifSocietyhadnodutiestowardmewhenIwasachildsellingmatchesinthestreet——whenIwasahard-workinggirlfaintingatmyneedleforwantoffood。\"Hervoicefalteredalittleforthefirsttimeasitpronouncedthosewords；shewaitedamoment，andrecoveredherself。\"It\'stoolatetodwellonthesethingsnow，\"shesaid，resignedly。\"Societycansubscribetoreclaimme；butSocietycan\'ttakemeback。Youseemehereinaplaceoftrust——patiently，humbly，doingallthegoodIcan。Itdoesn\'tmatter！Here，orelsewhere，whatIamcanneveralterwhatIwas。ForthreeyearspastallthatasincerelypenitentwomancandoIhavedone。Itdoesn\'tmatter！Onceletmypaststorybeknown，andtheshadowofitcoversme；thekindestpeopleshrink。\"
Shewaitedagain。Wouldawordofsympathycometocomfortherfromtheotherwoman\'slips？No！MissRoseberrywasshocked；MissRoseberrywasconfused。\"Iamverysorryforyou，\"wasallthatMissRoseberrycouldsay。
\"Everybodyissorryforme，\"answeredthenurse，aspatientlyasever；\"everybodyiskindtome。Butthelostplaceisnottoberegained。Ican\'tgetback！Ican\'tgetback？\"shecried，withapassionateoutburstofdespair——checkedinstantlythemomentithadescapedher。\"ShallItellyouwhatmyexperiencehasbeen？\"sheresumed。\"WillyouhearthestoryofMagdalen——inmoderntimes？\"
Gracedrewbackastep；Mercyinstantlyunderstoodher。
\"Iamgoingtotellyounothingthatyouneedshrinkfromhearing，\"shesaid。\"AladyinyourpositionwouldnotunderstandthetrialsandthestrugglesthatIhavepassedthrough。MystoryshallbeginattheRefuge。ThematronsentmeouttoservicewiththecharacterthatIhadhonestlyearned——thecharacterofareclaimedwoman。Ijustifiedtheconfidenceplacedinme；Iwasafaithfulservant。Onedaymymistresssentforme——akindmistress，ifevertherewasoneyet。\'Mercy，Iamsorryforyou；ithascomeoutthatItookyoufromaRefuge；Ishallloseeveryservantinthehouse；youmustgo。\'Iwentbacktothematron——anotherkindwoman。Shereceivedmelikeamother。\'Wewilltryagain，Mercy；don\'tbecastdown。\'ItoldyouIhadbeeninCanada？\"
Gracebegantofeelinterestedinspiteofherself。Sheansweredwithsomethinglikewarmthinhertone。Shereturnedtoherchair——placedatitssafeandsignificantdistancefromthechest。
Thenursewenton：
\"MynextplacewasinCanada，withanofficer\'swife：gentlefolkswhohademigrated。Morekindness；and，thistime，apleasant，peacefullifeforme。Isaidtomyself，\'Isthelostplaceregained？HaveIgotback？\'Mymistressdied。Newpeoplecameintoourneighborhood。Therewasayoungladyamongthem——mymasterbegantothinkofanotherwife。Ihavethemisfortuneinmysituationtobewhatiscalledahandsomewoman；Irousethecuriosityofstrangers。Thenewpeopleaskedquestionsaboutme；mymaster\'sanswersdidnotsatisfythem。Inaword，theyfoundmeout。Theoldstoryagain！\'Mercy，Iamverysorry；scandalisbusywithyouandwithme；weareinnocent，butthereisnohelpforit——wemustpart。\'Ilefttheplace；havinggainedoneadvantageduringmystayinCanada，whichIfindofusetomehere。\"
\"Whatisit？\"
\"OurnearestneighborswereFrench-Canadians。IlearnedtospeaktheFrenchlanguage。\"
\"DidyoureturntoLondon？\"
\"WhereelsecouldIgo，withoutacharacter？\"saidMercy，sadly。\"Iwentbackagaintothematron。SicknesshadbrokenoutintheRefuge；Imademyselfusefulasanurse。Oneofthedoctorswasstruckwithme——\'fellinlove\'withme，asthephraseis。Hewouldhavemarriedme。Thenurse，asanhonestwoman，wasboundtotellhimthetruth。Heneverappearedagain。Theoldstory！Ibegantobewearyofsayingtomyself，\'Ican\'tgetback！Ican\'tgetback！\'Despairgotholdofme，thedespairthathardenstheheart。Imighthavecommittedsuicide；Imightevenhavedriftedbackintomyoldlife——butforoneman。\"
Atthoselastwordshervoice——quietandeventhroughtheearlierpartofhersadstory——begantofalteroncemore。Shestopped，followingsilentlythememoriesandassociationsrousedinherbywhatshehadjustsaid。Hadsheforgottenthepresenceofanotherpersonintheroom？Grace\'scuriosityleftGracenoresourcebuttosayawordonherside。
\"Whowastheman？\"sheasked。\"Howdidhebefriendyou？\"
\"Befriendme？Hedoesn\'tevenknowthatsuchapersonasIamisinexistence。\"
Thatstrangeanswer，naturallyenough，onlystrengthenedtheanxietyofGracetohearmore。\"Yousaidjustnow——\"shebegan。
\"Isaidjustnowthathesavedme。Hedidsaveme；youshallhearhow。OneSundayourregularclergymanattheRefugewasnotabletoofficiate。Hisplacewastakenbyastranger，quiteayoungman。Thematrontoldusthestranger\'snamewasJulianGray。Isatinthebackrowofseats，undertheshadowofthegallery，whereIcouldseehimwithouthisseeingme。Histextwasfromthewords，\'Joyshallbeinheavenoveronesinnerthatrepenteth，morethanoverninetyandninejustpersons，whichneednorepentance。\'WhathappierwomenmighthavethoughtofhissermonIcannotsay；therewasnotadryeyeamongusattheRefuge。Asforme，hetouchedmyheartasnomanhastoucheditbeforeorsince。Theharddespairmeltedinmeatthesoundofhisvoice；thewearyroundofmylifeshoweditsnoblersideagainwhilehespoke。FromthattimeIhaveacceptedmyhardlot，Ihavebeenapatientwoman。Imighthavebeensomethingmore，Imighthavebeenahappywoman，ifIcouldhaveprevailedonmyselftospeaktoJulianGray。\"
\"Whathinderedyoufromspeakingtohim？\"
\"Iwasafraid。\"
\"Afraidofwhat？\"
\"Afraidofmakingmyhardlifeharderstill。\"
Awomanwhocouldhavesympathizedwithherwouldperhapshaveguessedwhatthosewordsmeant。Gracewassimplyembarrassedbyher；andGracefailedtoguess。
\"Idon\'tunderstandyou，\"shesaid。
TherewasnoalternativeforMercybuttoownthetruthinplainwords。Shesighed，andsaidthewords。\"IwasafraidImightinteresthiminmysorrows，andmightsetmyheartonhiminreturn。\"Theutterabsenceofanyfellow-feelingwithheronGrace\'ssideexpresseditselfunconsciouslyintheplainestterms。
\"You！\"sheexclaimed，inatoneofblankastonishment。
Thenurseroseslowlytoherfeet。Grace\'sexpressionofsurprisetoldherplainly——almostbrutally——thatherconfessionhadgonefarenough。
\"Iastonishyou？\"shesaid。\"Ah，myyounglady，youdon\'tknowwhatroughusageawoman\'sheartcanbear，andstillbeattruly！BeforeIsawJulianGrayIonlyknewmenasobjectsofhorrortome。Letusdropthesubject。ThepreacherattheRefugeisnothingbutaremembrancenow——theonewelcomeremembranceofmylife！Ihavenothingmoretotellyou。Youinsistedonhearingmystory——youhaveheardit。\"
\"Ihavenotheardhowyoufoundemploymenthere，\"saidGrace，continuingtheconversationwithuneasypoliteness，asshebestmight。
Mercycrossedtheroom，andslowlyrakedtogetherthelastlivingembersofthefire。
\"ThematronhasfriendsinFrance，\"sheanswered，\"whoareconnectedwiththemilitaryhospitals。Itwasnotdifficulttogetmetheplace，underthosecircumstances。Societycanfindauseformehere。Myhandisaslight，mywordsofcomfortareaswelcome，amongthosesufferingwretches\"shepointedtotheroominwhichthewoundedmenwerelying\"asifIwasthemostreputablewomanbreathing。Andifastrayshotcomesmywaybeforethewarisover——well！Societywillberidofmeoneasyterms。\"
Shestoodlookingthoughtfullyintothewreckofthefire——asifshesawinitthewreckofherownlife。Commonhumanitymadeitanactofnecessitytosaysomethingtoher。Graceconsidered——advancedasteptowardher——stopped——andtookrefugeinthemosttrivialofallthecommonphraseswhichonehumanbeingcanaddresstoanother。
\"IfthereisanythingIcandoforyou——\"shebegan。Thesentence，haltingthere，wasneverfinished。MissRoseberrywasjustmercifulenoughtowardthelostwomanwhohadrescuedandshelteredhertofeelthatitwasneedlesstosaymore。
Thenurseliftedhernobleheadandadvancedslowlytowardthecanvasscreentoreturntoherduties。\"MissRoseberrymighthavetakenmyhand！\"shethoughttoherself，bitterly。No！MissRoseberrystoodthereatadistance，atalosswhattosaynext。\"Whatcanyoudoforme？\"Mercyasked，stungbythecoldcourtesyofhercompanionintoamomentaryoutbreakofcontempt。\"Canyouchangemyidentity？Canyougivemethenameandtheplaceofaninnocentwoman？IfIonlyhadyourchance！IfIonlyhadyourreputationandyourprospects！\"Shelaidonehandoverherbosom，andcontrolledherself。\"Stayhere，\"sheresumed，\"whileIgobacktomywork。Iwillseethatyourclothesaredried。Youshallwearmyclothesasshortatimeaspossible。\"
Withthosemelancholywords——touchingly，notbitterlyspoken——shemovedtopassintothekitchen，whenshenoticedthatthepatteringsoundoftherainagainstthewindowwasaudiblenomore。Droppingthecanvasforthemoment，sheretracedhersteps，and，unfasteningthewoodenshutter，lookedout。
Themoonwasrisingdimlyinthewaterysky；therainhadceased；thefriendlydarknesswhichhadhiddentheFrenchpositionfromtheGermanscoutswaslesseningeverymoment。InafewhoursmoreifnothinghappenedtheEnglishladymightresumeherjourney。Inafewhoursmorethemorningwoulddawn。
Mercyliftedherhandtoclosetheshutter。Beforeshecouldfastenitthereportofarifle-shotreachedthecottagefromoneofthedistantposts。Itwasfollowedalmostinstantlybyasecondreport，nearerandlouderthanthefirst。Mercypaused，withtheshutterinherhand，andlistenedintentlyforthenextsound。
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]TheNewMagdalen，Chapter3CHAPTERIII。
THEGERMANSHELL。
ATHIRDrifle-shotrangthroughthenightair，closetothecottage。Gracestartedandapproachedthewindowinalarm。
\"Whatdoesthatfiringmean？\"sheasked。
\"Signalsfromtheoutposts，\"thenursequietlyreplied。
\"Isthereanydanger？HavetheGermanscomeback？\"
SurgeonSurvilleansweredthequestion。Heliftedthecanvasscreen，andlookedintotheroomasMissRoseberryspoke。
\"TheGermansareadvancingonus，\"hesaid。\"Theirvanguardisinsight。\"
Gracesankonthechairnearher，tremblingfromheadtofoot。Mercyadvancedtothesurgeon，andputthedecisivequestiontohim。
\"Dowedefendtheposition？\"sheinquired。
SurgeonSurvilleominouslyshookhishead。
\"Impossible！Weareoutnumberedasusual——tentoone。\"
TheshrillrolloftheFrenchdrumswasheardoutside。
\"Thereistheretreatsounded！\"saidthesurgeon。\"Thecaptainisnotamantothinktwiceaboutwhathedoes。Wearelefttotakecareofourselves。Infiveminuteswemustbeoutofthisplace。\"
Avolleyofrifle-shotsrangoutashespoke。TheGermanvanguardwasattackingtheFrenchattheoutposts。Gracecaughtthesurgeonentreatinglybythearm。\"Takemewithyou，\"shecried。\"Oh，sir，IhavesufferedfromtheGermansalready！Don\'tforsakeme，iftheycomeback！\"Thesurgeonwasequaltotheoccasion；heplacedthehandoftheprettyEnglishwomanonhisbreast。\"Fearnothing，madam，\"hesaid，lookingasifhecouldhaveannihilatedthewholeGermanforcewithhisowninvinciblearm。\"AFrenchman\'sheartbeatsunderyourhand。AFrenchman\'sdevotionprotectsyou。\"Grace\'sheadsankonhisshoulder。MonsieurSurvillefeltthathehadassertedhimself；helookedroundinvitinglyatMercy。She，too，wasanattractivewoman。TheFrenchmanhadanothershoulderatherservice。Unhappilytheroomwasdark——thelookwaslostonMercy。Shewasthinkingofthehelplessmenintheinnerchamber，andshequietlyrecalledthesurgeontoasenseofhisprofessionalduties。
\"Whatistobecomeofthesickandwounded？\"sheasked。
MonsieurSurvilleshruggedoneshoulder——theshoulderthatwasfree。
\"Thestrongestamongthemwecantakeawaywithus，\"hesaid。\"Theothersmustbelefthere。Fearnothingforyourself，dearlady。Therewillbeaplaceforyouinthebaggage-wagon。\"
\"Andforme，too？\"Gracepleaded，eagerly。
Thesurgeon\'sinvinciblearmstoleroundtheyounglady\'swaist，andansweredmutelywithasqueeze。
\"Takeherwithyou，\"saidMercy。\"Myplaceiswiththemenwhomyouleavebehind。\"
Gracelistenedinamazement。\"Thinkwhatyourisk，\"shesaid\"ifyoustophere。\"
Mercypointedtoherleftshoulder。
\"Don\'talarmyourselfonmyaccount，\"sheanswered；\"theredcrosswillprotectme。\"
Anotherrollofthedrumwarnedthesusceptiblesurgeontotakehisplaceasdirector-generaloftheambulancewithoutanyfurtherdelay。HeconductedGracetoachair，andplacedbothherhandsonhisheartthistime，toreconcilehertothemisfortuneofhisabsence。\"WaitheretillIreturnforyou，\"hewhispered。\"Fearnothing，mycharmingfriend。Saytoyourself，\'Survilleisthesoulofhonor！Survilleisdevotedtome！\'\"Hestruckhisbreast；heagainforgottheobscurityintheroom，andcastonelookofunutterablehomageathischarmingfriend。\"Abientot！\"hecried，andkissedhishandanddisappeared。
Asthecanvasscreenfelloverhimthesharpreportoftherifle-firingwassuddenlyandgrandlydominatedbytheroarofcannon。Theinstantafterashellexplodedinthegardenoutside，withinafewyardsofthewindow。
Gracesankonherkneeswithashriekofterror。Mercy，withoutlosingherself-possession，advancedtothewindowandlookedout。
\"Themoonhasrisen，\"shesaid。\"TheGermansareshellingthevillage。\"
Gracerose，andrantoherforprotection。
\"Takemeaway！\"shecried。\"Weshallbekilledifwestayhere。\"Shestopped，lookinginastonishmentatthetallblackfigureofthenurse，standingimmovablybythewindow。\"Areyoumadeofiron？\"sheexclaimed。\"Willnothingfrightenyou？\"
Mercysmiledsadly。\"WhyshouldIbeafraidoflosingmylife？\"sheanswered。\"Ihavenothingworthlivingfor！\"
Theroarofthecannonshookthecottageforthesecondtime。Asecondshellexplodedinthecourtyard，ontheoppositesideofthebuilding。
Bewilderedbythenoise，panic-strickenasthedangerfromtheshellsthreatenedthecottagemoreandmorenearly，Gracethrewherarmsroundthenurse，andclung，intheabjectfamiliarityofterror，tothewomanwhosehandshehadshrunkfromtouchingnotfiveminutessince。\"Whereisitsafest？\"shecried。\"WherecanIhidemyself？\"
\"HowcanItellwherethenextshellwillfall？\"Mercyanswered，quietly。
Thesteadycomposureoftheonewomanseemedtomaddentheother。Releasingthenurse，Gracelookedwildlyroundforawayofescapefromthecottage。Makingfirstforthekitchen，shewasdrivenbackbytheclamorandconfusionattendingtheremovalofthoseamongthewoundedwhowerestrongenoughtobeplacedinthewagon。Asecondlookroundshowedherthedoorleadingintotheyard。Sherushedtoitwithacryofrelief。Shehadjustlaidherhandonthelockwhenthethirdreportofcannonburstovertheplace。
Startingbackastep，Graceliftedherhandsmechanicallytoherears。Atthesamemomentthethirdshellburstthroughtheroofofthecottage，andexplodedintheroom，justinsidethedoor。Mercysprangforward，unhurt，fromherplaceatthewindow。Theburningfragmentsoftheshellwerealreadyfiringthedrywoodenfloor，andinthemidstofthem，dimlyseenthroughthesmoke，laytheinsensiblebodyofhercompanionintheroom。Evenatthatdreadfulmomentthenurse\'spresenceofminddidnotfailher。Hurryingbacktotheplacethatshehadjustleft，nearwhichshehadalreadynoticedthemiller\'semptysackslyinginaheap，sheseizedtwoofthem，and，throwingthemonthesmolderingfloor，trampledoutthefire。Thatdone，shekneltbythesenselesswoman，andliftedherhead。
Wasshewounded？ordead？
Mercyraisedonehelplesshand，andlaidherfingersonthewrist。Whileshewasstillvainlytryingtofeelforthebeatingofthepulse，SurgeonSurvillealarmedfortheladieshurriedintoinquireifanyharmhadbeendone。
Mercycalledtohimtoapproach。\"Iamafraidtheshellhasstruckher，\"shesaid，yieldingherplacetohim。\"Seeifsheisbadlyhurt。\"
Thesurgeon\'sanxietyforhischarmingpatientexpresseditselfbrieflyinanoath，withaprodigiousemphasislaidononeofthelettersinit——theletterR。\"Takeoffhercloak，\"hecried，raisinghishandtoherneck。\"Poorangel！Shehasturnedinfalling；thestringistwistedroundherthroat。\"
Mercyremovedthecloak。ItdroppedonthefloorasthesurgeonliftedGraceinhisarms。\"Getacandle，\"hesaid，impatiently；\"theywillgiveyouoneinthekitchen。\"Hetriedtofeelthepulse：hishandtrembled，thenoiseandconfusioninthekitchenbewilderedhim。\"JustHeaven！\"heexclaimed。\"Myemotionsoverpowerme！\"Mercyapproachedhimwiththecandle。ThelightdisclosedthefrightfulinjurywhichafragmentoftheshellhadinflictedontheEnglishwoman\'shead。SurgeonSurville\'smanneralteredontheinstant。Theexpressionofanxietylefthisface；itsprofessionalcomposurecovereditsuddenlylikeamask。Whatwastheobjectofhisadmirationnow？Aninertburdeninhisarms——nothingmore。
ThechangeinhisfacewasnotlostonMercy。Herlargegrayeyeswatchedhimattentively。\"Istheladyseriouslywounded？\"sheasked。
\"Don\'ttroubleyourselftoholdthelightanylonger，\"wasthecoolreply。\"It\'sallover——Icandonothingforher。\"
\"Dead？\"
SurgeonSurvillenoddedandshookhisfistinthedirectionoftheoutposts。\"AccursedGermans！\"hecried，andlookeddownatthedeadfaceonhisarm，andshruggedhisshouldersresignedly。\"Thefortuneofwar！\"hesaidasheliftedthebodyandplaceditonthebedinonecorneroftheroom。\"Nexttime，nurse，itmaybeyouorme。Whoknows？Bah！theproblemofhumandestinydisgustsme。\"Heturnedfromthebed，andillustratedhisdisgustbyspittingonthefragmentsoftheexplodedshell。\"Wemustleaveherthere，\"heresumed。\"Shewasonceacharmingperson——sheisnothingnow。Comeaway，MissMercy，beforeitistoolate。\"
Heofferedhisarmtothenurse；thecreakingofthebaggage-wagon，startingonitsjourney，washeardoutside，andtheshrillrollofthedrumswasrenewedinthedistance。Theretreathadbegun。
Mercydrewasidethecanvas，andsawthebadlywoundedmen，lefthelplessatthemercyoftheenemy，ontheirstrawbeds。SherefusedtheofferofMonsieurSurville\'sarm。
\"IhavealreadytoldyouthatIshallstayhere，\"sheanswered。
MonsieurSurvilleliftedhishandsinpoliteremonstrance。Mercyheldbackthecurtain，andpointedtothecottagedoor。
\"Go，\"shesaid。\"Mymindismadeup。\"
EvenatthatfinalmomenttheFrenchmanassertedhimself。Hemadehisexitwithunimpairedgraceanddignity。\"Madam，\"hesaid，\"youaresublime！\"Withthatpartingcomplimentthemanofgallantry——truetothelasttohisadmirationofthesex——bowed，withhishandonhisheart，andleftthecottage。
Mercydroppedthecanvasoverthedoorway。Shewasalonewiththedeadwoman。
Thelasttrampoffootsteps，thelastrumblingofthewagonwheels，diedawayinthedistance。Norenewaloffiringfromthepositionoccupiedbytheenemydisturbedthesilencethatfollowed。TheGermansknewthattheFrenchwereinretreat。Afewminutesmoreandtheywouldtakepossessionoftheabandonedvillage：thetumultoftheirapproachshouldbecomeaudibleatthecottage。Inthemeantimethestillnesswasterrible。Eventhewoundedwretcheswhowereleftinthekitchenwaitedtheirfateinsilence。
Aloneintheroom，Mercy\'sfirstlookwasdirectedtothebed。
Thetwowomenhadmetintheconfusionofthefirstskirmishatthecloseoftwilight。Separated，ontheirarrivalatthecottage，bythedutiesrequiredofthenurse，theyhadonlymetagaininthecaptain\'sroom。Theacquaintancebetweenthemhadbeenashortone；andithadgivennopromiseofripeningintofriendship。ButthefatalaccidenthadrousedMercy\'sinterestinthestranger。Shetookthecandle，andapproachedthecorpseofthewomanwhohadbeenliterallykilledatherside。
Shestoodbythebed，lookingdowninthesilenceofthenightatthestillnessofthedeadface。
Itwasastrikingface——onceseeninlifeorindeathnottobeforgottenafterward。Theforeheadwasunusuallylowandbroad；theeyesunusuallyfarapart；themouthandchinremarkablysmall。WithtenderhandsMercysmoothedthedisheveledhairandarrangedthecrumpleddress。\"Notfiveminutessince，\"shethoughttoherself，\"Iwaslongingtochangeplaceswithyou！\"Sheturnedfromthebedwithasigh。\"IwishIcouldchangeplacesnow！\"
Thesilencebegantooppressher。Shewalkedslowlytotheotherendoftheroom。
Thecloakonthefloor——herowncloak，whichshehadlenttoMissRoseberry——attractedherattentionasshepassedit。Shepickeditupandbrushedthedustfromit，andlaiditacrossachair。Thisdone，sheputthelightbackonthetable，andgoingtothewindow，listenedforthefirstsoundsoftheGermanadvance。Thefaintpassageofthewindthroughsometreesnearathandwastheonlysoundthatcaughtherears。Sheturnedfromthewindow，andseatedherselfatthetable，thinking。WasthereanydutystillleftundonethatChristiancharityowedtothedead？WasthereanyfurtherservicethatpressedforperformanceintheintervalbeforetheGermansappeared？
Mercyrecalledtheconversationthathadpassedbetweenherill-fatedcompanionandherself。MissRoseberryhadspokenofherobjectinreturningtoEngland。Shehadmentionedalady——aconnectionbymarriage，towhomshewaspersonallyastranger——whowaswaitingtoreceiveher。Someonecapableofstatinghowthepoorcreaturehadmetwithherdeathoughttowritetoheronlyfriend。Whowastodoit？Therewasnobodytodoitbuttheonewitnessofthecatastrophenowleftinthecottage——Mercyherself。
Sheliftedthecloakfromthechaironwhichshehadplacedit，andtookfromthepockettheleatherletter-casewhichGracehadshowntoher。TheonlywayofdiscoveringtheaddresstowritetoinEnglandwastoopenthecaseandexaminethepapersinside。Mercyopenedthecase——andstopped，feelingastrangereluctancetocarrytheinvestigationanyfarther。
Amoment\'sconsiderationsatisfiedherthatherscruplesweremisplaced。Ifsherespectedthecaseasinviolable，theGermanswouldcertainlynothesitatetoexamineit，andtheGermanswouldhardlytroublethemselvestowritetoEngland。Whichwerethefittesteyestoinspectthepapersofthedeceasedlady——theeyesofmenandforeigners，ortheeyesofherowncountrywoman？Mercy\'shesitationlefther。Sheemptiedthecontentsofthecaseonthetable。
Thattriflingactiondecidedthewholefuturecourseofherlife。
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]TheNewMagdalen，Chapter4CHAPTERIV。
THETEMPTATION。
Someletters，tiedtogetherwitharibbon，attractedMercy\'sattentionfirst。Theinkinwhichtheaddresseswerewrittenhadfadedwithage。Theletters，directedalternatelytoColonelRoseberryandtotheHonorableMrs。Roseberry，containedacorrespondencebetweenthehusbandandwifeatatimewhentheColonel\'smilitarydutieshadobligedhimtobeabsentfromhome。Mercytiedthelettersupagain，andpassedontothepapersthatlaynextinorderunderherhand。
Theseconsistedofafewleavespinnedtogether，andheadedinawoman\'shandwriting\"MyJournalatRome。\"AbriefexaminationshowedthatthejournalhadbeenwrittenbyMissRoseberry，andthatitwasmainlydevotedtoarecordofthelastdaysofherfather\'slife。
Afterreplacingthejournalandthecorrespondenceinthecase，theonepaperleftonthetablewasaletter。Theenvelope，whichwasunclosed，borethisaddress：\"LadyJanetRoy，MablethorpeHouse，Kensington，London。\"Mercytooktheinclosurefromtheopenenvelope。ThefirstlinesshereadinformedherthatshehadfoundtheColonel\'sletterofintroduction，presentinghisdaughtertoherprotectressonherarrivalinEnglandMercyreadtheletterthrough。Itwasdescribedbythewriterasthelasteffortsofadyingman。ColonelRoseberrywroteaffectionatelyofhisdaughter\'smerits，andregretfullyofherneglectededucation——ascribingthelattertothepecuniarylosseswhichhadforcedhimtoemigratetoCanadainthecharacterofapoorman。Ferventexpressionsofgratitudefollowed，addressedtoLadyJanet。\"Ioweittoyou，\"theletterconcluded，\"thatIamdyingwithmymindateaseaboutthefutureofmydarlinggirl。ToyourgenerousprotectionIcommittheonetreasureIhavelefttomeonearth。Throughyourlonglifetimeyouhavenoblyusedyourhighrankandyourgreatfortuneasameansofdoinggood。Ibelieveitwillnotbecountedamongtheleastofyourvirtueshereafterthatyoucomfortedthelasthoursofanoldsoldierbyopeningyourheartandyourhometohisfriendlesschild。\"
Sotheletterended。Mercylaiditdownwithaheavyheart。Whatachancethepoorgirlhadlost！Awomanofrankandfortunewaitingtoreceiveher——awomansomercifulandsogenerousthatthefather\'smindhadbeeneasyaboutthedaughteronhisdeathbed——andtherethedaughterlay，beyondthereachofLadyJanet\'skindness，beyondtheneedofLadyJanet\'shelp！
TheFrenchcaptain\'swriting-materialswereleftonthetable。MercyturnedtheletteroversothatshemightwritethenewsofMissRoseberry\'sdeathontheblankpageattheend。Shewasstillconsideringwhatexpressionssheshoulduse，whenthesoundofcomplainingvoicesfromthenextroomcaughtherear。Thewoundedmenleftbehindweremoaningforhelp——thedesertedsoldierswerelosingtheirfortitudeatlast。
Sheenteredthekitchen。Acryofdelightwelcomedherappearance——themeresightofhercomposedthemen。Fromonestrawbedtoanothershepassedwithcomfortingwordsthatgavethemhope，withskilledandtenderhandsthatsoothedtheirpain。Theykissedthehemofherblackdress，theycalledhertheirguardianangel，asthebeautifulcreaturemovedamongthem，andbentovertheirhardpillowshergentle，compassionateface。\"IwillbewithyouwhentheGermanscome，\"shesaid，assheleftthemtoreturntoherunwrittenletter。\"Courage，mypoorfellows！youarenotdesertedbyyournurse。\"
\"Courage，madam！\"themenreplied；\"andGodblessyou！\"
Ifthefiringhadbeenresumedatthatmoment——ifashellhadstruckherdeadintheactofsuccoringtheafflicted，whatChristianjudgmentwouldhavehesitatedtodeclarethattherewasaplaceforthiswomaninheaven？Butifthewarendedandleftherstillliving，wherewastheplaceforheronearth？Wherewereherprospects？Wherewasherhome？
Shereturnedtotheletter。Instead，however，ofseatingherselftowrite，shestoodbythetable，absentlylookingdownatthemorselofpaper。
Astrangefancyhadsprungtolifeinhermindonre-enteringtheroom；sheherselfsmiledfaintlyattheextravaganceofit。WhatifsheweretoaskLadyJanetRoytolethersupplyMissRoseberry\'splace？ShehadmetwithMissRoseberryundercriticalcircumstances，andshehaddoneforherallthatonewomancoulddotohelpanother。Therewasinthiscircumstancesomelittleclaimtonotice，perhaps，ifLadyJanethadnoothercompanionandreaderinview。Supposesheventuredtopleadherowncause——whatwouldthenobleandmercifulladydo？Shewouldwriteback，andsay，\"Sendmereferencestoyourcharacter，andIwillseewhatcanbedone。\"Hercharacter！Herreferences！Mercylaughedbitterly，andsatdowntowriteinthefewestwordsallthatwasneededfromher——aplainstatementofthefacts。
No！Notalinecouldsheputonthepaper。Thatfancyofherswasnottobedismissedatwill。HermindwasperverselybusynowwithanimaginativepictureofthebeautyofMablethorpeHouseandthecomfortandeleganceofthelifethatwasledthere。OncemoreshethoughtofthechancewhichMissRoseberryhadlost。Unhappycreature！whatahomewouldhavebeenopentoheriftheshellhadonlyfallenonthesideofthewindow，insteadofonthesideoftheyard！
Mercypushedtheletterawayfromher，andwalkedimpatientlytoandfrointheroom。
Theperversityinherthoughtswasnottobemasteredinthatway。Hermindonlyabandonedoneuselesstrainofreflectiontooccupyitselfwithanother。Shewasnowlookingbyanticipationatherownfuture。Whatwereherprospectsifshelivedthroughitwhenthewarwasover？Theexperienceofthepastdelineatedwithpitilessfidelitythedrearyscene。Gowhereshemight，dowhatshemight，itwouldalwaysendinthesameway。Curiosityandadmirationexcitedbyherbeauty；inquiriesmadeabouther；thestoryofthepastdiscovered；Societycharitablysorryforher；Societygenerouslysubscribingforher；andstill，throughalltheyearsofherlife，thesameresultintheend——theshadowoftheolddisgracesurroundingheraswithapestilence，isolatingheramongotherwomen，brandingher，evenwhenshehadearnedherpardoninthesightofGod，withthemarkofanindelibledisgraceinthesightofman：therewastheprospect！Andshewasonlyfive-and-twentylastbirthday；shewasintheprimeofherhealthandherstrength；shemightlive，inthecourseofnature，fiftyyearsmore！
Shestoppedagainatthebedside；shelookedagainatthefaceofthecorpse。
Towhatendhadtheshellstruckthewomanwhohadsomehopeinherlife，andsparedthewomanwhohadnone？ThewordsshehadherselfspokentoGraceRoseberrycamebacktoherasshethoughtofit。\"IfIonlyhadyourchance！IfIonlyhadyourreputationandyourprospects！\"Andtherewasthechancewasted！thereweretheenviableprospectsthrownaway！Itwasalmostmaddeningtocontemplatethatresult，feelingherownpositionasshefeltit。Inthebittermockeryofdespairshebentoverthelifelessfigure，andspoketoitasifithadearstohearher。\"Oh！\"shesaid，longingly，\"ifyoucouldbeMercyMerrick，andifIcouldbeGraceRoseberry，now！\"
Theinstantthewordspassedherlipsshestartedintoanerectposition。Shestoodbythebedwithhereyesstaringwildlyintoemptyspace；withherbraininaflame；withherheartbeatingasifitwouldstifleher。\"IfyoucouldbeMercyMerrick，andifIcouldbeGraceRoseberry，now！\"Inonebreathlessmomentthethoughtassumedanewdevelopmentinhermind。Inonebreathlessmomenttheconvictionstruckherlikeanelectricshock。ShemightbeGraceRoseberryifshedared！TherewasabsolutelynothingtostopherfrompresentingherselftoLadyJanetRoyunderGrace\'snameandinGrace\'splace！
Whatweretherisks？Wherewastheweakpointinthescheme？
Gracehadsaiditherselfinsomanywords——sheandLadyJanethadneverseeneachother。HerfriendswereinCanada；herrelationsinEnglandweredead。Mercyknewtheplaceinwhichshehadlived——theplacecalledPortLogan——aswellasshehadknownitherself。MercyhadonlytoreadthemanuscriptjournaltobeabletoansweranyquestionsrelatingtothevisittoRomeandtoColonelRoseberry\'sdeath。Shehadnoaccomplishedladytopersonate：Gracehadspokenherself——herfather\'sletterspokealsointheplainestterms——ofherneglectededucation。Everything，literallyeverything，wasinthelostwoman\'sfavor。Thepeoplewithwhomshehadbeenconnectedintheambulancehadgone，toreturnnomore。HerownclotheswereonMissRoseberryatthatmoment——markedwithherownname。MissRoseberry\'sclothes，markedwithhername，weredrying，atMercy\'sdisposal，inthenextroom。Thewayofescapefromtheunendurablehumiliationofherpresentlifelayopenbeforeheratlast。Whataprospectitwas！Anewidentity，whichshemightownanywhere！anewname，whichwasbeyondreproach！anewpastlife，intowhichalltheworldmightsearch，andbewelcome！Hercolorrose，hereyessparkled；shehadneverbeensoirresistiblybeautifulasshelookedatthemomentwhenthenewfuturediscloseditself，radiantwithnewhope。
Shewaitedaminute，untilshecouldlookatherowndaringprojectfromanotherpointofview。Wherewastheharmofit？whatdidherconsciencesay？
AstoGrace，inthefirstplace。Whatinjurywasshedoingtoawomanwhowasdead？Thequestionanswereditself。Noinjurytothewoman。Noinjurytoherrelations。Herrelationsweredeadalso。
AstoLadyJanet，inthesecondplace。Ifsheservedhernewmistressfaithfully，ifshefilledhernewspherehonorably，ifshewasdiligentunderinstructionandgratefulforkindness——if，inoneword，shewasallthatshemightbeandwouldbeintheheavenlypeaceandsecurityofthatnewlife——whatinjurywasshedoingtoLadyJanet？Oncemorethequestionanswereditself。Shemight，andwould，giveLadyJanetcausetoblessthedaywhenshefirstenteredthehouse。
ShesnatchedupColonelRoseberry\'sletter，andputitintothecasewiththeotherpapers。Theopportunitywasbeforeher；thechanceswereallinherfavor；herconsciencesaidnothingagainsttryingthedaringscheme。Shedecidedthenandthere——\"I\'lldoit！\"
Somethingjarredonherfinersense，somethingoffendedherbetternature，assheputthecaseintothepocketofherdress。Shehaddecided，andyetshewasnotatease；shewasnotquitesureofhavingfairlyquestionedherconscienceyet。Whatifshelaidtheletter-caseonthetableagain，andwaiteduntilherexcitementhadallcooleddown，andthenputthecontemplatedprojectsoberlyonitstrialbeforeherownsenseofrightandwrong？
Shethoughtonce——andhesitated。Beforeshecouldthinktwice，thedistanttrampofmarchingfootstepsandthedistantclatterofhorses\'hoofswerewaftedtoheronthenightair。TheGermanswereenteringthevillage！Inafewminutesmoretheywouldappearinthecottage；theywouldsummonhertogiveanaccountofherself。Therewasnotimeforwaitinguntilshewascomposedagain。Whichshoulditbe——thenewlife，asGraceRoseberry？ortheoldlife，asMercyMerrick？
Shelookedforthelasttimeatthebed。Grace\'scoursewasrun；Grace\'sfuturewasatherdisposal。Herresolutenature，forcedtoachoiceontheinstant，heldbythedaringalternative。ShepersistedinthedeterminationtotakeGrace\'splace。
ThetrampingfootstepsoftheGermanscamenearerandnearer。Thevoicesoftheofficerswereaudible，givingthewordsofcommand。
Sheseatedherselfatthetable，waitingsteadilyforwhatwastocome。
Theineradicableinstinctofthesexdirectedhereyestoherdress，beforetheGermansappeared。Lookingitovertoseethatitwasinperfectorder，hereyesfellupontheredcrossonherleftshoulder。Inamomentitstruckherthathernurse\'scostumemightinvolveherinaneedlessrisk。Itassociatedherwithapublicposition；itmightleadtoinquiriesatalatertime，andthoseinquiriesmightbetrayher。
Shelookedround。ThegraycloakwhichshehadlenttoGraceattractedherattention。Shetookitup，andcoveredherselfwithitfromheadtofoot。
Thecloakwasjustarrangedroundherwhensheheardtheouterdoorthrustopen，andvoicesspeakinginastrangetongue，andarmsgroundedintheroombehindher。Shouldshewaittobediscovered？orshouldsheshowherselfofherownaccord？Itwaslesstryingtosuchanatureasherstoshowherselfthantowait。Sheadvancedtoenterthekitchen。Thecanvascurtain，asshestretchedoutherhandtoit，wassuddenlydrawnbackfromtheotherside，andthreemenconfrontedherintheopendoorway。
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]TheNewMagdalen，Chapter5CHAPTERV。
THEGERMANSURGEON。
THEyoungestofthethreestrangers——judgingbyfeatures，complexion，andmanner——wasapparentlyanEnglishman。Heworeamilitarycapandmilitaryboots，butwasotherwisedressedasacivilian。NexttohimstoodanofficerinPrussianuniform，andnexttotheofficerwasthethirdandtheoldestoftheparty。Healsowasdressedinuniform，buthisappearancewasfarfrombeingsuggestiveoftheappearanceofamilitaryman。Hehaltedononefoot，hestoopedattheshoulders，andinsteadofaswordathissidehecarriedastickinhishand。Afterlookingsharplythroughalargepairoftortoise-shellspectacles，firstatMercy，thenatthebed，thenallroundtheroom，heturnedwithacynicalcomposureofmannertothePrussianofficer，andbrokethesilenceinthesewords：
\"Awomanillonthebed；anotherwomaninattendanceonher，andnooneelseintheroom。Anynecessity，major，forsettingaguardhere？\"
\"Nonecessity，\"answeredthemajor。Hewheeledroundonhisheelandreturnedtothekitchen。TheGermansurgeonadvancedalittle，ledbyhisprofessionalinstinct，inthedirectionofthebedside。TheyoungEnglishman，whoseeyeshadremainedrivetedinadmirationonMercy，drewthecanvasscreenoverthedoorwayandrespectfullyaddressedherintheFrenchlanguage。
\"MayIaskifIamspeakingtoaFrenchlady？\"hesaid。
\"IamanEnglishwoman，\"Mercyreplied。
Thesurgeonheardtheanswer。Stoppingshortonhiswaytothebed，hepointedtotherecumbentfigureonit，andsaidtoMercy，ingoodEnglish，spokenwithastrongGermanaccent。
\"CanIbeofanyusethere？\"
Hismannerwasironicallycourteous，hisharshvoicewaspitchedinonesardonicmonotonyoftone。Mercytookaninstantaneousdisliketothishobbling，uglyoldman，staringatherrudelythroughhisgreattortoiseshellspectacles。
\"Youcanbeofnouse，sir，\"shesaid，shortly。\"Theladywaskilledwhenyourtroopsshelledthiscottage。\"
TheEnglishmanstarted，andlookedcompassionatelytowardthebed。TheGermanrefreshedhimselfwithapinchofsnuff，andputanotherquestion。
\"Hasthebodybeenexaminedbyamedicalman？\"heasked。
Mercyungraciouslylimitedherreplytotheonenecessaryword\"Yes。\"
Thepresentsurgeonwasnotamantobedauntedbyalady\'sdisapprovalofhim。Hewentonwithhisquestions。
\"Whohasexaminedthebody？\"heinquirednext。
Mercyanswered，\"ThedoctorattachedtotheFrenchambulance。\"
TheGermangruntedincontemptuousdisapprovalofallFrenchmen，andallFrenchinstitutions。TheEnglishmanseizedhisfirstopportunityofaddressinghimselftoMercyoncemore。
\"Istheladyacountrywomanofours？\"heasked，gently。
Mercyconsideredbeforesheansweredhim。Withtheobjectshehadinview，theremightbeseriousreasonsforspeakingwithextremecautionwhenshespokeofGrace。
\"Ibelieveso，\"shesaid。\"Wemetherebyaccident。Iknownothingofher。\"
\"Notevenhername？\"inquiredtheGermansurgeon。
Mercy\'sresolutionwashardlyequalyettogivingherownnameopenlyasthenameofGrace。Shetookrefugeinflatdenial。
\"Notevenhername，\"sherepeatedobstinately。
Theoldmanstaredathermorerudelythanever，consideredwithhimself，andtookthecandlefromthetable。Hehobbledbacktothebedandexaminedthefigurelaidonitinsilence。TheEnglishmancontinuedtheconversation，nolongerconcealingtheinterestthathefeltinthebeautifulwomanwhostoodbeforehim。
\"Pardonme，\"hesaid，\"youareveryyoungtobealoneinwar-timeinsuchaplaceasthis。\"
ThesuddenoutbreakofadisturbanceinthekitchenrelievedMercyfromanyimmediatenecessityforansweringhim。Sheheardthevoicesofthewoundedmenraisedinfeebleremonstrance，andtheharshcommandoftheforeignofficersbiddingthembesilent。Thegenerousinstinctsofthewomaninstantlyprevailedovereverypersonalconsiderationimposedonherbythepositionwhichshehadassumed。RecklesswhethershebetrayedherselfornotasnurseintheFrenchambulance，sheinstantlydrewasidethecanvastoenterthekitchen。AGermansentinelbarredthewaytoher，andannounced，inhisownlanguage，thatnostrangerswereadmitted。TheEnglishmanpolitelyinterposing，askedifshehadanyspecialobjectinwishingtoentertheroom。
\"ThepoorFrenchmen！\"shesaid，earnestly，herheartupbraidingherforhavingforgottenthem。\"ThepoorwoundedFrenchmen！\"
TheGermansurgeonadvancedfromthebedside，andtookthematterupbeforetheEnglishmancouldsayawordmore。
\"YouhavenothingtodowiththewoundedFrenchmen，\"hecroaked，intheharshestnotesofhisvoice。\"ThewoundedFrenchmenaremybusiness，andnotyours。Theyareourprisoners，andtheyarebeingmovedtoourambulance。IamIngatiusWetzel，chiefofthemedicalstaff——andItellyouthis。Holdyourtongue。\"HeturnedtothesentinelandaddedinGerman，\"Drawthecurtainagain；andifthewomanpersists，putherbackintothisroomwithyourownhand。\"
Mercyattemptedtoremonstrate。TheEnglishmanrespectfullytookherarm，anddrewheroutofthesentinel\'sreach。
\"Itisuselesstoresist，\"hesaid。\"TheGermandisciplinenevergivesway。ThereisnottheleastneedtobeuneasyabouttheFrenchmen。TheambulanceunderSurgeonWetzelisadmirablyadministered。Ianswerforit，themenwillbewelltreated。\"Hesawthetearsinhereyesashespoke；hisadmirationforherrosehigherandhigher。\"Kindaswellasbeautiful，\"hethought。\"Whatacharmingcreature！\"
\"Well！\"saidIgnatiusWetzel，eyingMercysternlythroughhisspectacles。\"Areyousatisfied？Andwillyouholdyourtongue？\"
Sheyielded：itwasplainlyuselesstoresist。Butforthesurgeon\'sresistance，herdevotiontothewoundedmenmighthavestoppedheronthedownwardwaythatshewasgoing。Ifshecouldonlyhavebeenabsorbedagain，mindandbody，inhergoodworkasanurse，thetemptationmightevenyethavefoundherstrongenoughtoresistit。ThefatalseverityoftheGermandisciplinehadsnappedasunderthelasttiethatboundhertoherbetterself。HerfacehardenedasshewalkedawayproudlyfromSurgeonWetzel，andtookachair。
TheEnglishmanfollowedher，andrevertedtothequestionofherpresentsituationinthecottage。
\"Don\'tsupposethatIwanttoalarmyou，\"hesaid。\"Thereis，Irepeat，noneedtobeanxiousabouttheFrenchmen，butthereisseriousreasonforanxietyonyourownaccount。Theactionwillberenewedroundthisvillagebydaylight；yououghtreallytobeinaplaceofsafety。IamanofficerintheEnglisharmy——mynameisHoraceHolmcroft。Ishallbedelightedtobeofusetoyou，andIcanbeofuse，ifyouwillletme。MayIaskifyouaretraveling？\"
Mercygatheredthecloakwhichconcealedhernurse\'sdressmorecloselyroundher，andcommittedherselfsilentlytoherfirstovertactofdeception。Shebowedherheadintheaffirmative。
\"AreyouonyourwaytoEngland？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"InthatcaseIcanpassyouthroughtheGermanlines，andforwardyouatonceonyourjourney。\"
Mercylookedathiminunconcealedsurprise。Hisstrongly-feltinterestinherwasrestrainedwithinthestrictestlimitsofgood-breeding：hewasunmistakablyagentleman。Didhereallymeanwhathehadjustsaid？
\"YoucanpassmethroughtheGermanlines？\"sherepeated。\"Youmustpossessextraordinaryinfluence，sir，tobeabletodothat。\"
Mr。HoraceHolmcroftsmiled。
\"Ipossesstheinfluencethatnoonecanresist，\"heanswered——\"theinfluenceofthePress。IamservinghereaswarcorrespondentofoneofourgreatEnglishnewspapers。IfIaskhim，thecommandingofficerwillgrantyouapass。Heisclosetothiscottage。Whatdoyousay？\"
Shesummonedherresolution——notwithoutdifficulty，evennow——andtookhimathisword。
\"Igratefullyacceptyouroffer，sir。\"
Headvancedasteptowardthekitchen，andstopped。
\"Itmaybewelltomaketheapplicationasprivatelyaspossible，\"hesaid。\"IshallbequestionedifIpassthroughthatroom。Istherenootherwayoutofthecottage？\"
Mercyshowedhimthedoorleadingintotheyard。Hebowed——andlefther。
ShelookedfurtivelytowardtheGermansurgeon。IgnatiusWetzelwasstillatthebed，bendingoverthebody，andapparentlyabsorbedinexaminingthewoundwhichhadbeeninflictedbytheshell。Mercy\'sinstinctiveaversiontotheoldmanincreasedtenfold，nowthatshewasleftalonewithhim。Shewithdrewuneasilytothewindow，andlookedoutatthemoonlight。
Hadshecommittedherselftothefraud？Hardly，yet。ShehadcommittedherselftoreturningtoEngland——nothingmore。Therewasnonecessity，thusfar，whichforcedhertopresentherselfatMablethorpeHouse，inGrace\'splace。Therewasstilltimetoreconsiderherresolution——stilltimetowritetheaccountoftheaccident，asshehadproposed，andtosenditwiththeletter-casetoLadyJanetRoy。Supposeshefinallydecidedontakingthiscourse，whatwastobecomeofherwhenshefoundherselfinEnglandagain？Therewasnoalternativeopenbuttoapplyoncemoretoherfriendthematron。TherewasnothingforhertodobuttoreturntotheRefuge！
TheRefuge！Thematron！Whatpastassociationwiththesetwowasnowpresentingitselfuninvited，andtakingtheforemostplaceinhermind？Ofwhomwasshenowthinking，inthatstrangeplace，andatthatcrisisinherlife？Ofthemanwhosewordshadfoundtheirwaytoherheart，whoseinfluencehadstrengthenedandcomfortedher，inthechapeloftheRefuge。OneofthefinestpassagesinhissermonhadbeenespeciallydevotedbyJulianGraytowarningthecongregationwhomheaddressedagainstthedegradinginfluencesoffalsehoodanddeceit。Thetermsinwhichhehadappealedtothemiserablewomenroundhim——termsofsympathyandencouragementneveraddressedtothembefore——camebacktoMercyMerrickasifshehadheardthemanhoursince。Sheturneddeadlypaleastheynowpleadedwithheroncemore。\"Oh！\"shewhisperedtoherself，asshethoughtofwhatshehadproposedandplanned，\"whathaveIdone？whathaveIdone？\"
SheturnedfromthewindowwithsomevagueideainhermindoffollowingMr。Holmcroftandcallinghimback。AsshefacedthebedagainshealsoconfrontedIgnatiusWetzel。Hewasjuststeppingforwardtospeaktoher，withawhitehandkerchief——thehandkerchiefwhichshehadlenttoGrace——heldupinhishand。
\"Ihavefoundthisinherpocket，\"hesaid。\"Hereishernamewrittenonit。Shemustbeacountrywomanofyours。\"Hereadthelettersmarkedonthehandkerchiefwithsomedifficulty。\"Hernameis——MercyMerrick。\"