Hughwenttohisroom，andwashedhisfaceandhands。Beforedoingso，hepulledoffhisfingeraringofconsiderablevalue，whichhadbelongedtohisfather。Ashewasleavingtheroomtoreturntothecompany，herememberedthathehadlefttheringonthewashhand-stand。Hegenerallyleftitthereatnight；butnowhebethoughthimselfthat，ashewasnotgoingtosleepintheroom，itmightbeaswelltoplaceitintheescritoire。Heopenedthesecretplace，andlaidthediamondbesidehispoemsandthecrystalringbelongingtoMr。Arnold。Thisdone，hetookuphisbookagain，and，returningtothedrawing-room，foundthewholepartypreparedtoaccompanyhim。Mr。Arnoldhadthekeys。VonFunkelsteinandhewentfirst，andHughfollowedwithEuphra。
“Wewillnotcontributetoyourdiscomfiturebylockingthedoorsontheway，Mr。Sutherland，“saidMr。Arnold。
“Thatis，youwillnotcompelmetowinthewagerinspiteofmyfears，“saidHugh。
“Butyouwilllettheghostlooseonthehousehold，“saidtheBohemian，laughing。
“Iwillberesponsibleforthat，“repliedMr。Arnold。
EuphradroppedalittlebehindwithHugh。
“Rememberthesecretpassage，“saidshe。“Youcangetoutwhenyouwill，whethertheylockthedoor，ornot。Don\'tcarryittoofar，Hugh。“
“Theghostyoumean，Euphra——Idon\'tthinkIshall，“saidHugh，laughing。Butashelaughed，aninvoluntaryshudderpassedthroughhim。
“HaveIsteppedovermyowngrave？”thoughthe。
Theyreachedtheroom，andentered。Hughwouldhavebeggedthemtolockhimin，hadhenotfeltthathisknowledgeofthesecretdoor，would，althoughheintendednouseofit，rendersuchaproposaldishonourable。Theygavehimthekeyofthedoor，tolockitontheinside，andbadehimgoodnight。Theywerejustleavinghim，whenHughonwhomanewlighthadbrokenatlast，inthegradualrestorationofhisfaculties，saidtotheBohemian：
“Onewordwithyou，HerrvonFunkelstein，ifyouplease。“
Funkelsteinfollowedhimintotheroom；whenHughhalf-closingthedoor，said：
“Itrusttoyoursympathy，asgentleman，nottomisunderstandme。I
wageredahundredguineaswithyouintheheatofafter-dinnertalk。
Iamnotatpresentworthahundredshillings。“
“Oh！”beganFunkelstein，withasneer，“ifyouwishtogetoffonthatground——“
“HerrvonFunkelstein，“interruptedHugh，inaverydecidedtone，“I
pointedtoyoursympathyasagentleman，asthegroundonwhichI
hadhopedtomeetyounow。Ifyouhavedifficultyinfindingthatground，anothermaybefoundto-morrowwithoutmuchseeking。“
Hughpausedforamomentaftermakingthisgrandspeech；butFunkelsteindidnotseemtounderstandhim：hestoodinawaitingattitude。Hughthereforewenton：
“Meantime，whatIwantedtosayisthis：——Ihavejustleftaringinmyroom，which，thoughinvalueconsiderablybelowthesummentionedbetweenus，mayyetbeapledgeofmygoodfaith，inasfarasitisofinfinitelymorevaluetomethancanbereckonedinmoney。Itwasthepropertyofonewhobybirth，andperhapsbysocialpositionaswell，wasHerrvonFunkelstein\'sequal。Theringisadiamond，andbelongedtomyfather。“
VonFunkelsteinmerelyreplied：
“Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Sutherland，formisunderstandingyou。Theringisquiteanequivalent。“Andmakinghimarespectfulbow，heturnedandlefthim。
CHAPTERXXIV。
THELADYEUPHRASIA。
Theblackjadesofswartnighttrotfoggyrings\'Boutheaven\'sbrow。\'Tisnowstarkdeadnight。
JOHNMARSTON——SecondPartofAntonioandMellida。
AssoonasHughwasalone，hisfirstactionwastolockthedoorbywhichhehadentered；hisnexttotakethekeyfromthelock，andputitinhispocket。Hethenlookediftherewereanyotherfastenings，andfindinganoldtarnishedbrassboltaswell，succeededinmakingitdoitsdutyforthefirsttimethatcentury，whichrequiredsomepersuasion，asmaybesupposed。Hethenturnedtowardstheotherdoor。Ashecrossedtheroom，hefoundfourcandles，adecanterofport，andsomebiscuits，onatable——placedthere，nodoubt，bythekindhandsofEuphra。Hevowedtohimselfthathewouldnottouchthewine。“Ihavehadenoughofthatforonenight，“saidhe。Buthelightedthecandles；andthensawthatthecouchwasprovidedwithplentyofwrapsforthenight。Oneofthem——herecognisedtohisdelight——wasaCamerontartan，oftenwornbyEuphra。Heburiedhisfaceinitforamoment，anddrewfromitfreshcourage。Hethenwentintothefurthestrecess，liftedthetapestry，andproceededtofastentheconcealeddoor。But，tohisdiscomfiture，hecouldfindnofasteninguponit。“Nodoubt，“
thoughthe，“itdoesfasten，insomesecretwayorother。“Buthecoulddiscovernone。Therewasnomarkofboltorsockettoshowwhenceonehadbeenremoved，norsignoffrictiontoindicatethatthedoorhadeverbeenmadesecureinsuchfashion。Itclosedwithaspring。
“Then，“saidHugh，apostrophisingthedoor，“Imustwatchyou。“
As，however，itwasnotyetnearthetimewhenghostsaretobeexpected，andashefeltverytired，hedrankoneglassofthewine，andthrowinghimselfonthecouch，drewEuphra\'sshawloverhim，openedhisbook，andbegantoread。Butthewordssoonvanishedinabewilderingdance，andheslept。
HestartedawakeinthatagonyoffearinwhichIsupposemostpeoplehaveawakedinthenight，onceortwiceintheirlives。Hefeltthathewasnotalone。Butthefeelingseemed，whenherecalledit，tohavebeenaltogetherdifferentfromthatwithwhichwerecognisethepresenceofthemostunwelcomebodilyvisitor。Thewholeofhisnervousskeletonseemedtoshudderandcontract。Everysensewasintensifiedtotheacmeofitsacuteness；whilethepowersofvolitionwereinoperative。Hecouldnotmoveafinger。
ThemomentinwhichhefirstsawtheobjectIamabouttodescribe，hecouldnotrecall。Theimpressionmadeseemedtohavebeentoostrongfortheobjectreceivingit，destroyingthusitsowntraces，asanoverheatedbrand-ironwouldindrytimber。Oritmaybethat，aftersuchapre-sensation，thecauseofitcouldnotsurprisehim。
Hesaw，afewpacesoff，bendingasiflookingdownuponhim，afacewhich，ifdescribedashedescribedit，wouldbepronouncedasfarpastthemostliberalboundary-lineofart，asitselfhadpassedbeyondthatdegreeofchangeatwhichahumancountenanceisfitfortheupperworldnolonger，andmustbehiddenawayoutofsight。
Thelipsweredark，anddrawnbackfromtheclosedteeth，whichwerewhiteasthoseofaskull。Therewerespots——infact，thefacecorrespondedexactlytothedescriptiongivenbyFunkelsteinofthereportedghostofLadyEuphrasia。Thedresswaspointforpointcorrespondenttothatinthepicture。HadtheportraitofLadyEuphrasiabeenhangingonthewallabove，insteadoftheportraitoftheunknownnun，Hughwouldhavethought，asfarasdresswasconcerned，thatithadcomealive，andsteppedfromitsframe——exceptforonething：therewasnoringonthethumb。
Itwaswonderfultohimselfafterwards，thatheshouldhaveobservedalltheseparticulars；butthefactwas，thattheyratherburntthemselvesinuponhisbrain，thanweretakennoticeofbyhim。
Theyreturneduponhimafterwardsbydegrees，asonebecomessensibleofthepainofawound。
Buttherewasonesignoflife。Thoughtheeyeswereclosed，tearsflowedfromthem；andseemedtohavewornchannelsfortheirconstantflowdownthisfaceofdeath，whichoughttohavebeenlyingstillinthegrave，returningtoitsdust，andwasweepingabovegroundinstead。Thefigurestoodforamoment，asonewhowouldgaze，couldshebutopenherheavy，death-rustedeyelids。
Then，asifinhopelessdefeat，sheturnedaway。Andthen，tocrownthehorrorliterallyaswellasfiguratively，Hughsawthatherhairsparkledandgleamedgoldenly，asthehairofasaintmight，iftheaureolewerecombeddownintoit。Shemovedtowardsthedoorwithafetteredpace，suchasonemightattributetothedeadiftheywalked；——tothedeadbody，Isay，nottothelivingghost；tothatwhichhaslainintheprison-hold，tillthejointsaredecayedwiththegrave-damps，andthemusclesarestiffwithmorethandeathlycold。Shedraggedonelimbaftertheotherslowlyand，toappearance，painfully，asshemovedtowardsthedoorwhichHughhadlocked。
Whenshehadgonehalf-waytothedoor，Hugh，lyingashewasonacouch，couldseeherfeet，forherdressdidnotreachtheground。
Theywerebare，asthefeetofthedeadoughttobe，whichareabouttotreadsoftlyintherealmofHades，Buthowstainedandmouldyandiron-spotted，asiftherainhadbeensoakingthroughthespongycoffin，didthedressshowbesidethepurewhitenessofthoseexquisitefeet！Notasignofthetombwasuponthem。Small，living，delicatelyformed，Hugh，couldhehaveforgotthefacetheyboreabove，mighthaveenviedthefloorwhichintheirnakednesstheyseemedtocaress，solingeringlydidtheymovefromitintheirnoiselessprogress。
Shereachedthedoor，putoutherhand，andtouchedit。Hughsawitopenoutwardsandletherthrough。Nordidthisstrikehimasinthesmallestdegreemarvellous。Itclosedagainbehindher，noiselessasherfootfalls。
Themomentshevanished，thepowerofmotionreturnedtohim，andHughsprangtohisfeet。Heleapedtothedoor。Withtremblinghandheinsertedthekey，andthelockcreakedasheturnedit。
Inproofofhisbeingintolerablepossessionofhisfacultiesatthemoment，andthatwhathewasrelatingtomeactuallyoccurred，hetoldmethatherememberedatoncethathehadheardthatpeculiarcreak，afewmomentsbeforeEuphraandhediscoveredthattheywereleftaloneinthisverychamber。Hehadneverthoughtofitbefore。
Stillthedoorwouldnotopen：itwasboltedaswell，andtheboltwasverystifftowithdraw。Butatlengthhesucceeded。
Whenhereachedthepassageoutside，hethoughthesawtheglimmerofalight，perhapsinthepicture-gallerybeyond。Towardsthishegropedhisway——Hecouldneveraccountforthefact，thatheleftthecandlesburningintheroombehindhimandwentforwardintothedarkness，exceptbysupposingthathiswitshadgoneastray，inconsequenceoftheshocktheapparitionhadoccasionedthem——Whenhereachedthegallery，therewasnolightthere；butsomewhereinthedistancehesaw，orfancied，afaintshimmer。
Theimpulsetogotowardsitwastoostrongtobedisputedwith。Headvancedwithoutstretchedarms，groping。Afterafewsteps，hehadlostallideaofwherehewas，orhowheoughttoproceedinordertoreachanyknownquarter。Thelighthadvanished。Hestood——Wasthatastealthystepheheardbesidehiminthedark？Hehadnotimetospeculate，forthenextmomenthefellsenseless。
CHAPTERXXV。
NEXTMORNING。
Darknessisfled：look，infantmornhathdrawnBrightsilvercurtains\'boutthecouchofnight；
AndnowAurora\'shorsetrotsazurerings，Breathingfairlightaboutthefirmament。
Stand；what\'sthat？
JOHNMARSTON——SecondPartofAntonioandMellida。
Whenhecametohimself，itwaswithaslowflowingofthetideofconsciousness。Hisheadached。Hadhefallendownstairs？——orhadhestruckhisheadagainstsomeprojection，andsostunnedhimself？
Thelastherememberedwas——standingquitestillinthedark，andhearingsomething。Hadhebeenknockeddown？Hecouldnottell——Wherewashe？Couldtheghosthavebeenalladream？andthisheadachebenature\'srevengeuponlastnight\'swine？——Forhelayonthecouchinthehauntedchamber，andonhisbosomlaythebookoverwhichhehaddroppedasleep。
Mingledwithallthisdoubt，therewasanother。Forherememberedthat，whenconsciousnessfirstreturned，hefeltasifhehadseenEuphra\'sfacebendingdowncloseoverhis——Coulditbepossible？
HadEuphraherselfcometoseehowhehadfared？——Theroomlayinthegreylightofthedawn，butEuphrawasnowherevisible。Couldshehavevanishedashamedthroughthesecretdoor？Orhadshebeenonlyaphantasy，aprojectionoutwardsoftheformthatdweltinhisbrain；aphenomenonoftenoccurringwhenthelastofsleepingandthefirstofwakingareindistinguishablyblendedinavagueconsciousness？
Butifitwasso，thentheghost？——whatofit？Hadnothisbrain，bytheeventsoftheprecedingevening，beensimilarlypreparedwithregardtoit？Wasitnotmorelikely，afterall，thatshetoowastheoffspringofhisownimagination——thepowerthatmakesimages——especiallywhenconsidered，thatsheexactlycorrespondedtothedescriptiongivenbytheBohemian？——ButhadhenotobservedmanypointsatwhichtheCounthadnotevenhinted？——Still，itwasasnaturaltoexpectthatanexcitedimaginationshouldsupplythedetailsofawhollyimaginaryspectacle，asthat，giventheideaofEuphra\'spresence，itshouldpresentthedetailofhercountenance；
forthecreationofthatwhichisnot，belongsasmuchtotherealmoftheimagination，asthereproductionofthatwhichis。
ItseemedverystrangetoHughhimself，thatheshouldbeablethustotheorize，beforeevenhehadraisedhimselffromthecouchonwhich，perhaps，afterall，hehadlainwithoutmoving，throughoutthatterriblenight，swarmingwiththehorrorsofthedeadthatwouldnotsleep。Butthelongunconsciousness，inwhichhehadhimselfvisitedtheregionsofdeath，seemedtohaverestoredhim，inspiteofhisachinghead，toperfectmentalequilibrium。Or，atleast，hisbrainwasquietenoughtolethismindwork。Still，hefeltveryghastlywithin。Heraisedhimselfonhiselbow，andlookedintotheroom。Everythingwasthesameasithadbeenthenightbefore，onlywithanalteredaspectinthedawn-light。Thedawnhasapeculiarterrorofitsown，sometimesperhapsevenmorerealincharacter，butverydifferentfromtheterrorsofthenightandofcandle-light。Theroomlookedasifnoghostcouldhavepassedthroughitsstilloldmustyatmosphere，soperfectlyreposefuldiditappear；andyetitseemedasifsomeumbra，sometemporaryandnowcast-offbodyoftheghost，mustbelyingorlingeringsomewhereaboutit。Herose，andpeepedintotherecesswherethecabinetstood。Nothingwastherebutthewellrememberedcarvingandblackness。Havingonceyieldedtotheimpulse，hecouldnotkeepfrompeeringeverymoment，nowintoone，andnowintoanotherofthemanyhiddencorners。Thenextsuggestingitselfforexamination，wasalwaysonehecouldnotseefromwherehestood：——afterall，eveninthedaylight，theremightbesomedeadthingthere——whocouldtell？Butheremainedmanfullyathisposttillthesunrose；tillbellafterbellrangfromtheturret；till，inshort，Funkelsteincametofetchhim。
“Goodmorning，Mr。Sutherland，“saidhe。“Howhaveyouslept？”
“Likea——somnambulist，“answeredHugh，choosingthewordforitsintensity。“IsleptsosoundthatIwokequiteearly。“
“Iamgladtohearit。Butitisnearlytimeforbreakfast，forwhichceremonyIammyselfhardlyintrimyet。“
Sosaying，Funkelsteinturned，andwalkedawaywithsomeprecipitation。WhatoccasionedHughalittlesurprise；was，thathedidnotaskhimonequestionmoreastohowhehadpassedthenight。
Hehad，ofcourse，sleptinthehouse，seeinghepresentedhimselfindeshabille。
Hughhastenedtohisownroom，where，undertheanti-ghostialinfluencesofthebath，hemadeuphismindnottosayawordabouttheapparitiontoanyone。
“Well，Mr。Sutherland，howhaveyouspentthenight？”saidMr。
Arnold，greetinghim。
“Isleptwithprofoundstupidity，“answeredHugh；“astupidity，infact，quiteworthyofthefollyoftheprecedingwager。“
Thiswastrue，asrelatingtothetimeduringwhichhehadslept，butwas，ofcourse，falseintheimpressionitgave。
“Bravo！”exclaimedMr。Arnold，withanunwontedimpulsiveness。“Thebestmood，Iconsider，inwhichtomeetsuchcreationsofotherpeople\'sbrains！Andyoupositivelypassedapleasantnightintheawfulchamber？ThatissomethingtotellEuphra。Butsheisnotdownyet。Youhaverestoredthecharacterofmyhouse，Mr。
Sutherland；andnexttohisowncharacter，amanoughttocareforthatofhishouse。Iamgreatlyinyourdebt，sir。“
Atthismoment，Euphra\'smaidbroughtthemessage，thathermistresswassorryshewasunabletoappearatbreakfast。
Mrs。Eltontookherplace。
“Thedayissowarmandstill，Mr。Arnold，thatIthinkLadyEmilymighthaveadriveto-day。PerhapsMissCameronmaybeabletojoinusbythattime。“
“IcannotthinkwhatisthematterwithEuphra，“saidMr。Arnold。
“Sheneverusedtobeaffectedinthisway。“
“Shouldyounotseeksomemedicalopinion？”saidMrs。Elton。“Theseconstantheadachesmustindicatesomethingwrong。“
Theconstantheadachehadoccurredjustoncebefore，sinceMrs。
Eltonhadformedoneofthefamily。Afterapause，Mr。Arnoldrevertedtotheformersubject。
“Youaremostwelcometothecarriage，Mrs。Elton。IamsorryI
cannotaccompanyyoumyself；butImustgototownto-day。YoucantakeMr。Sutherlandwithyou，ifyoulike。Hewilltakecareofyou。“
“Ishallbemosthappy，“saidHugh。
“Soshallweall，“respondedMrs。Eltonkindly。“Thankyou，Mr。
Arnold；thoughIamsorryyoucan\'tgowithus。“
“WhathourshallIorderthecarriage？”
“Aboutone，Ithink。WillHerrvonFunkelsteinfavouruswithhiscompany？”
“Iamsorry，“repliedFunkelstein；“butItoomustleaveforLondonto-day。ShallIhavethepleasureofaccompanyingyou，Mr。Arnold？”
“Withallmyheart，ifyoucanleavesoearly。Imustgoatoncetocatchtheexpresstrain。“
“Ishallbereadyintenminutes。“
“Verywell。“
“Pray，Mrs。Elton，makemyadieustoMissCameron。Iamconcernedtohearofherindisposition。“
“Withpleasure。Iamgoingtohernow。Good-bye。“
AssoonasMrs。Eltonleftthebreakfast-room，Mr。Arnoldrose，saying：
“Iwillwalkroundtothestable，andorderthecarriagemyself。I
shallthenbeable，throughyourmeans，Mr。Sutherland，toputastoptotheseabsurdrumoursinperson。NotthatImeantosayanythingdirect，asifIplacedanyimportanceuponit；but，thecoachmanbeinganoldservant，Ishallbeablethroughhim，tosendthereportofyourcourageanditsresult，alloverthehouse。“
Thiswasaverygraciousexplanationofhismeasures。Asheconcludedit，helefttheroom，withoutallowingtimeforareply。
Hughhadnotexpectedsuchanimmediateconsequenceofhispolicy，andfeltratheruncomfortable；buthesoonconsoledhimselfbythinking，“Atleastitwilldonoharm。“
WhileMr。Arnoldwasspeaking，Funkelsteinhadbeenwritingataside-table。HenowhandedHughachequeonaLondonbanking-houseforahundredguineas。Hugh，inhisinnocence，couldnothelpfeelingashamedofgainingsuchasumbysuchmeans；forbetting，liketobacco-smoking，needsaspecialtrainingbeforeitcanbecarriedoutquitecomfortably，especiallybythewinner，ifhebeatallofagenerousnature。Buthefeltthattoshowtheleastreluctancewouldplacehimatgreatdisadvantagewithamanoftheworldlikethecount。Hethereforethankedhimslightly，andthrustthechequeintohistrowsers-pocket，asifagreatersumofmoneythanhehadeverhandledbeforewerenothingmoreforhimtowin，thanthecountwouldchooseittobeconsideredforhimtolose。Hethoughtwithhimself：“Ah！well，Ineednotmakeuseofit；“andrepairedtotheschool-room。
HerehefoundHarrywaitingforhim，lookingtolerablywell，andtolerablyhappy。ThiswasagreatrelieftoHugh，forhehadnotseenhimatthebreakfast-table——Harryhavingrisenearlyandbreakfastedbefore；andhehadfeltveryuneasylesttheboyshouldhavemissedhiminthenightfortheywerestillbed-fellows，andshouldinconsequencehavehadoneofhisdreadfulattacksoffear——Itwasevidentthatthishadnottakenplace。
CHAPTERXXVI。
ANACCIDENT。
There\'saspecialprovidenceinthefallofasparrow。
Hamlet。
WhenMrs。Eltonleftthebreakfasttable，shewentstraighttoMissCameron\'sroomtoinquireafterher，expectingtofindhermaidwithher。Butwhensheknockedatthedoor，therewasnoreply。
Shewentthereforetoherownroom，andsenthermaidtofindEuphra\'smaid。
Shecame。
“Isyourmistressgoingtogetupto-day，Jane？”askedMrs。Elton。
“Idon\'tknow，ma\'am。Shehasnotrungyet。“
“Haveyounotbeentoseehowsheis？”
“No，ma\'am。“
“Howwasityoubroughtthatmessageatbreakfast，then？”
Janelookedconfused，anddidnotreply。
“Jane！”saidMrs。Elton，inatoneofobjurgation。
“Well，ma\'am，shetoldmetosayso，“answeredJane。
“Howdidshetellyou？”
Janepausedagain。
“Throughthedoor，ma\'am，“sheansweredatlength；andthenmuttered，thattheywouldmakehertellliesbyaskingherquestionsshecouldn\'tanswer；andshewishedshewasoutofthehouse，thatshedid。
Mrs。Eltonheardthis，and，ofcourse，feltconsiderablypuzzled。
“Willyougonow，please，andinquireafteryourmistress，withmycompliments？”
“Idaren\'t，ma\'am。“
“Daren\'t！Whatdoyoumean？”
“Well，ma\'am，thereissomethingaboutmymistress——“Hereshestoppedabruptly；butasMrs。Eltonstoodexpectant，shetriedtogoon。Allshecouldadd，however，was——“No，ma\'am；Idaren\'t。“
“Butthereisnoharmingoingtoherroom。“
“Oh，no，ma\'am。Igotoherroom，summerandwinter，atseveno\'clockeverymorning，“answeredJane，apparentlygladtobeabletosaysomething。
“Whywon\'tyougonow，then？”
“Why——why——becauseshetoldme——“Herethegirlstammeredandturnedpale。Atlengthsheforcedoutthewords——“Shewon\'tletmetellyouwhy，“andburstintotears。
“Won\'tletyoutellme？”repeatedMrs。Elton，beginningtothinkthegirlmustbeoutofhermind。Janelookedhurriedlyoverhershoulder，asifsheexpectedtoseehermistressstandingbehindher，andthensaid，almostdefiantly：
“No，shewon\'t；andIcan\'t。“
Withthesewords，shehurriedoutoftheroom，whileMrs。EltonturnedwithbaffledbewildermenttoseekcounselfromthefaceofMargaret。Astowhatallthismeant，Iamindoubt。IhaverecordeditasMargarettoldittoHughafterwards——becauseitseemstoindicatesomething。Itshowsevidentlyenough，thatifEuphrahadmorethanausualinfluenceoverservantsingeneral，shehadagreatdealmoreoverthismaidinparticular。WasthisinvirtueofapowersimilartothatofCountHalkaroverherself？Andwasthis，orsomethingverydifferent，orbothcombined，theartwhichhehadaccusedheroffirstexercisinguponhim？Mightthefactthatherdefeathadresultedinsuchabsolutesubjection，beconnectedwithherpossessionofapowersimilartohis，whichshehadmatchedwithhisinvain？OfcourseIonlysuggestthesequestions。Icannotanswerthem。
Atoneo\'clock，thecarriagecameroundtothedoor；andHugh，inthehopeofseeingEuphraalone，wasthefirstinthehall。Mrs。
EltonandLadyEmilypresentlycame，andproceededtotaketheirplaces，withoutseemingtoexpectMissCameron。Hughhelpedthemintothecarriage；but，insteadofgettingin，lingered，hopingthatEuphrawasyetgoingtomakeherappearance。
“IfearMissCameronisunabletojoinus，“saidMrs。Elton，divininghisdelay。
“ShallIrunup-stairs，andknockatherdoor？”saidHugh。
“Do，“saidMrs。Elton，who，aftertheunsatisfactoryconversationshehadheldwithhermaid，hadfeltbothuneasyandcurious，allthemorning。
Hughboundedup-stairs；but，justashewasgoingtoknock，thedooropened，andEuphra，appeared。
“DearEuphra！howillyoulook！”exclaimedHugh。
Shewaspaleasdeath，anddarkundertheeyes；andhadevidentlybeenweeping。
“Hush！hush！”sheanswered。“Nevermind。Itisonlyabadheadache。
Don\'ttakeanynoticeofit。“
“Thecarriageisatthedoor。Willyounotcomewithus？”
“Withwhom？”
“LadyEmilyandMrs。Elton。“
“Iamsickofthem。“
“Iamgoing，Euphra。“
“Staywithme。“
“Imustgo。Ipromisedtotakecareofthem。“
“Oh，nonsense！Whatshouldhappentothem？Staywithme。“
“No。Iamverysorry。IwishIcould。“
“ThenImustgowithyou，Isuppose。“Yethertoneexpressedannoyance。
“Oh！thankyou，“criedHughindelight。“Makehaste。Iwillrundown，andtellthemtowait。“
Heboundedaway，andtoldtheladiesthatEuphrawouldjointheminafewminutes。
ButEuphrawascoolenoughtoinflictonthemquitetwentyminutesofwaiting；bywhichtimeshewasabletobehavewithtolerablepropriety。Whenshedidappearatlast，shewascloselyveiled，andsteppedintothecarriagewithoutonceshowingherface。Butshemadeaveryprettyapologyforthedelayshehadoccasioned；whichwascertainlydue，seeingithadbeenperfectlyintentional。ShemaderoomforHugh；hetookhisplacebesideher；andawaytheydrove。
Euphrascarcelyspoke；butbeggedindulgence，onthegroundofherheadache。LadyEmilyenjoyedthedriveverymuch，andsaidagreatmanypleasantlittlenothings。
“Wouldyoulikeaglassofmilk？”saidMrs。Eltontoher，astheypassedafarm-houseontheestate。
“Ishould——verymuch，“answeredLadyEmily。
Thecarriagewasstopped，andtheservantsenttobegaglassofmilk。Euphra，who，fromridingbackwardwithaheadache，hadbeenfeelingveryuncomfortableforsometime，wishedtogetoutwhilethecarriagewaswaiting。Hughjumpedout，andassistedher。Shewalkedalittleway，leaningonhisarm，uptothehouse，whereshehadaglassofwater；afterwhichshesaidshefeltbetter，andreturnedwithhimtothecarriage。Ingettinginagain，eitherfromthecarelessnessortheweaknessoccasionedbysuffering，herfootslippedfromthestep，andshefellwithacryofalarm。Hughcaughtherasshefell；andshewouldnothavebeenmuchinjured，hadnotthehorsesstartedandsprungforwardatthemoment，sothatthehindwheelofthecarriagepassedoverherankle。Hugh，raisingherinhisarms，foundshewasinsensible。
Helaidherdownuponthegrassbytheroadside。Waterwasprocured，butsheshowednosignofrecovering——Whatwastobedone？Mrs。Eltonthoughtshehadbetterbecarriedtothefarm-house。Hughjudgeditbettertotakeherhomeatonce。Tothis，afteralittleargument，Mrs。Eltonagreed。
Theyliftedherintothecarriage，andmadewhatarrangementstheybestcouldtoallowhertorecline。Bloodwasflowingfromherfoot；anditwassomuchswollenthatitwasimpossibletoguessattheamountoftheinjury。Thefootwasalreadytwicethesizeoftheother，inwhichHughforthefirsttimerecognisedsuchadelicacyofform，as，tohisfastidiouseyeandalreadyensnaredheart，wouldhavebeenperfectlyenchanting，butfortheagonyhesufferedfromtheinjurytotheother。Yethecouldnothelpthethoughtcrossinghismind，thatherhabitofneverliftingherdresswasaverystrangeone，andthatitmusthavehadsomethingtodowiththepresentaccident。Icannotaccountforthishabit，butononeoftwosuppositions；thatofanaffecteddelicacy，orthatofthedesirethatthebeautyofherfeetshouldhaveitsfullpower，frombeingrarelyseen。Butitwasdreadfultothinkhowfartheeffectsofthisaccidentmightpermanentlyinjurethebeautyofoneofthem。
Hughwouldhavewalkedhomethatshemighthavemoreroom，butheknewhecouldbeusefulwhentheyarrived。Heseatedhimselfsoastosupporttheinjuredfoot，andprevent，insomemeasure，thetorturingeffectsofthemotionofthecarriage。Whentheyhadgoneabouthalf-way，sheopenedhereyesfeebly，glancedathim，andclosedthemagainwithamoanofpain。
Hecarriedherinhisarmsuptoherownroom，andlaidheronacouch。Shethankedhimbyapitifulattemptatasmile。Hemountedhishorse，andgallopedforasurgeon。
Theinjurywasaseriousone；butuntiltheswellingcouldbealittlereduced，itwasimpossibletotellhowserious。Thesurgeon，however，fearedthatsomeofthebonesoftheanklemightbecrushed。Theankleseemedtobedislocated，andthesufferingwasfrightful。Sheendureditwell，however——sofarasabsolutesilenceconstitutesendurance。
Hugh\'smiserywasextreme。Thesurgeonhadrequiredhisassistance；
butasuitablenursesoonarrived，andtherewasnopretextforhisfurtherpresenceinthesickchamber。Hewanderedaboutthegrounds。Harryhauntedhisstepslikeaspaniel。Thepoorboyfeltitmuch；andthesufferingabstractionofHughsealeduphischiefwellofcomfort。AtlengthhewenttoMrs。Elton，whodidherbesttoconsolehim。
Bythesurgeon\'sexpressorders，everyonebutthenursewasexcludedfromEuphra\'sroom。
CHAPTERXXVII。
MORETROUBLES。
ComeonanddoyourbestTofrightmewithyoursprites：you\'repowerfulatit。
YousmellthisbusinesswithasenseascoldAsisadeadman\'snose。
AWinter\'sTale。
WhenMr。Arnoldcamehometodinner，andheardoftheaccident，hisfirstfeeling，asisthecasewithweakmen，wasoneofmingledannoyanceandanger。Hughwasthechiefobjectofit；forhadhenotcommittedtheladiestohiscare？Andtheeconomyofhishousebeingpartiallydisarrangedbyit，hadhenotagoodrighttobeangry？Hissecondfeelingwasoneofconcernforhisniece，whichwasgreatlyincreasedwhenhefoundthatshewasnotinastatetoseehim。Still，nothingmustinterferewiththeorderofthings；
andwhenHughwentintothedrawing-roomattheusualhour，hefoundMr。Arnoldstandingthereintailcoatandwhiteneck-cloth，lookingasifhehadjustarrivedatafriend\'shouse，tomakeoneofastupidparty。Andthepartywhichsatdowntodinnerwascertainlydrearyenough，consistingonly，besidesthehosthimself，ofMrs。
Elton，Hugh，andHarry。LadyEmilyhadhadexertionenoughfortheday，andhadbesidessharedintheshockofEuphra\'smisfortune。
Mr。Arnoldwasconsiderablyoutofhumour，andreadytopounceuponanyobjectofcomplaint。HewouldhaveattackedHughwithapompousspeechonthesubjectofhiscarelessness，buthewasratherafraidofhistutornow；——socertainlywillthestrongergettheupperhandintime。Hedidnotevenrefertothesubjectoftheaccident。
Therefore，althoughitfilledthemindsofallattable，itwasscarcelymorethanalludedto。Buthavingnothingathandtofindfaultwithmoresuitable，helaidholdofthefirstwiseremarkvolunteeredbygoodMrs。Elton；whereuponanamusingpasdedeuximmediatelyfollowed；foritcouldnotbecalledaduel，inasmuchaseachantagonistkeptskippingharmlesslyabouttheother，explodingtheologicalcrackers，firmlybelievedbythedischargertobenolessthanbomb-shells。AtlengthMrs。Eltonwithdrew。
“Bytheway，Mr。Sutherland，“saidMr。Arnold，“haveyousucceededindecipheringthatcuriousinscriptionyet？Idon\'tliketheringtoremainlongoutofmyownkeeping。Itisquiteanheirloom，I
assureyou。“
Hughwasforcedtoconfessthathehadneverthoughtofitagain。
“ShallIfetchitatonce？”addedhe。
“Oh！no，“repliedMr。Arnold。“Ishouldreallyliketounderstandtheinscription。To-morrowwilldoperfectlywell。“
Theywenttothedrawing-room。Everythingwaswretched。Howevermanyghostsmightbeinthehouse，itseemedtoHughthattherewasnosoulinitexceptinoneroom。Thewindsighedfitfully，andtherainfellinslow，soundlessshowers。Mr。ArnoldfeltthevacantoppressionaswellasHugh。MrsEltonhavinggonetoLadyEmily\'sroom，heproposedbackgammon；andonthatsurpassinggame，thegentlemenexpendedthebestpartoftwodrearyhours。WhenHughreachedhisroomhewastootiredandspiritlessforanyintellectualeffort；and，insteadoftryingtodecipherthering，wenttobed，andsleptasiftherewereneveraghostorawomanintheuniverse。
Hisfirstproceeding，afterbreakfastnextday，wastogettogetherhisGermanbooks；andhisnexttotakeoutthering，whichwastobesubjectedtotheiranalyticalinfluences。Hewenttohisdesk，andopenedthesecretplace。Therehestoodfixed——Theringwasgone。
Hispacketofpaperswasthere，rathercrumpled：theringwasnowhere。Whathadbecomeofit？Itwasnotlongbeforeaconclusionsuggesteditself。Itflasheduponhimallatonce。
“Theghosthasgotit，“hesaid，halfaloud。“Itisshiningnowonherdeadfinger。ItwasLadyEuphrasia。Shewasgoingforitthen。
Itwasn\'tonherthumbwhenshewent。Shecamebackwithit，shiningthroughthedark——steppedoverme，perhaps，asIlayonthefloorinherway。“
Heshivered，likeoneinanague-fit。
Againandagain，withthatfrenzied，mechanicalmotion，which，liketheeyesofaghost，has“nospeculation“init，hesearchedthereceptacle，althoughitfreelyconfesseditsemptinesstoanyaskingeye。Thenhestoodgazing，andhisheartseemedtostandstilllikewise。
Butanewthoughtstunghim，turninghimalmostsickwithasenseofloss。Suddenlyandfranticallyhedivedhishandintotheplaceyetagain，uselessasheknewthesearchtobe。Hetookuphispapers，andscatteredthemloose。Itwasallunavailing：hisfather\'sringwasgoneaswell。
Hesankonachairforamoment；but，instantlyrecovering，foundhimself，beforehewasquiteawareofhisownresolution，halfwaydownstairs，onhiswaytoMr。Arnold\'sroom。Itwasempty。Herangforhisservant。Mr。Arnoldhadgoneawayonhorseback，andwouldnotbehometilldinner-time。CounselfromMrs。Eltonwashopeless。HelpfromEuphrahecouldnotask。Hereturnedtohisownroom。TherehefoundHarrywaitingforhim。Hisneglectedpupilwasnowhisonlycomforter。Sucharetherevengesofdivinegoodness。
“Harry！”hesaid，“Ihavebeenrobbed。“
“Robbed！”criedHarry，startingup。“Nevermind，Mr。Sutherland；mypapa\'sajusticeofthepeace。He\'llcatchthethiefforyou。“
“Butit\'syourpapa\'sringthatthey\'vestolen。Helentittome，andwhatifheshouldnotbelieveme？”
“Notbelieveyou，Mr。Sutherland？Buthemustbelieveyou。Iwilltellhimallaboutit；andheknowsInevertoldhimalieinmylife。“
“Butyoudon\'tknowanythingaboutit，Harry。“
“Butyouwilltellme，won\'tyou？”
Hughcouldnothelpsmilingwithpleasureattheconfidencehispupilplacedinhim。Hehadnotmuchfearaboutbeingbelieved，but，atthebest，itwasanunpleasantoccurrence。
Thelossofhisownringnotonlyaddedtohisvexation，buttohisperplexityaswell。Whatcouldshewantwithhisring？Couldshehavecarriedwithhersuchapassionforjewels，astocomefromthegravetoappropriatethoseofothersaswellastoreclaimherown？
WasthishercomfortinHades，\'poorghost\'？
WoulditbebettertotellMr。Arnoldofthelossofbothrings，orshouldhementionthecrystalonly？Hecametotheconclusionthatitwouldonlyexasperatehimthemore，andperhapsturnsuspicionuponhimself，ifhecommunicatedthefactthathetoowasaloser，andtosuchanextent；forHugh\'sringwasworthtwentyoftheother，andwascertainlyassacredasMr。Arnold\'s，ifnotsoancient。Hewouldbearitinsilence。Iftheonecouldnotbefound，therecouldcertainlybenohopeoftheother。
Punctualastheclock，Mr。Arnoldreturned。Itdidnotprejudicehiminfavourofthereporterofbadtidings，thathebeggedawordwithhimbeforedinner，whenthatwasonthepointofbeingserved。
Itwas，indeed，exceedingimpolitic；butHughwouldhavefeltlikeanimpostor，hadhesatdowntothetablebeforemakinghisconfession。
“Mr。Arnold，IamsorrytosayIhavebeenrobbed，andinyourhouse，too。“
“Inmyhouse？Ofwhat，pray，Mr。Sutherland？”
Mr。Arnoldhadtakentheinformationassomeweakmentakeanykindofinformationreferringtothemselvesortheirbelongings——namely，asaninsult。Hedrewhimselfup，andloweredportentously。
“Ofyourring，Mr。Arnold。“
“Of——my——ring？”
Andhelookedathisring-finger，asifhecouldnotunderstandtheimportofHugh\'swords。
“Oftheringyoulentmetodecipher，“explainedHugh。
“DoyousupposeIdonotunderstandyou，Mr。Sutherland？Aringwhichhasbeeninthefamilyfortwohundredyearsatleast！Robbedofit？Inmyhouse？Youmusthavebeendisgracefullycareless，Mr。
Sutherland。Youhavelostit。“
“Mr。Arnold，“saidHugh，withdignity，“Iamaboveusingsuchasubterfuge，evenifitwerenotcertaintothrowsuspicionwhereitwasundeserved。“
Mr。Arnoldwasagentleman，asfarashisself-importanceallowed。
Hedidnotapologizeforwhathehadsaid，buthechangedhismanneratonce。
“Iamquitebewildered，Mr。Sutherland。Itisaveryannoyingpieceofnews——formanyreasons。“
“IcanshowyouwhereIlaidit——inthesafestcornerinmyroom，I
assureyou。“
“Ofcourse，ofcourse。Itisenoughyousayso。Wemustnotkeepthedinnerwaitingnow。ButafterdinnerIshallhavealltheservantsup，andinvestigatethematterthoroughly。“
“So，“thoughtHughwithhimself，“someonewillbemadeafelonof，becausethecurseddeadgostalkingaboutthisinfernalhouseatmidnight，gatheringtheirownoldbaubles。No，thatwillnotdo。I
mustatleasttellMr。ArnoldwhatIknowofthedoingsofthenight。“
SoMr。Arnoldmuststillwaitforhisdinner；orrather，whichwasreallyofmoreconsequenceintheeyesofMr。Arnold，thedinnermustbekeptwaitingforhim。FororderandcustomweretwoofMr。
Arnold\'sdivinities；andtheeconomyofhiswholenaturewasapttobedisturbedbyanyinterruptionoftheirlaws，suchasthepostponementofdinnerfortenminutes。Hewaswalkingtowardsthedoor，andturnedwithsomeadditionalannoyancewhenHughaddressedhimagain：
“Onemoment，Mr。Arnold，ifyouplease。“
Mr。Arnoldmerelyturnedandwaited。
“IfearIshallinsomedegreeforfeityourgoodopinionbywhatI
amabouttosay，butImustruntherisk。“
Mr。Arnoldstillwaited。
“ThereismoreaboutthedisappearanceoftheringthanIcanunderstand。“
“OrIeither，Mr。Sutherland。“
“ButImusttellyouwhathappenedtomyself，thenightthatIkeptwatchinLadyEuphrasia\'sroom。“
“Yousaidyousleptsoundly。“
“SoIdid，partofthetime。“
“Thenyoukeptbackpartofthetruth？”
“Idid。“
“Wasthatworthyofyou？”
“Ithoughtitbest：Idoubtedmyself。“
“Whathascausedyoutochangeyourmindnow？”
“Thiseventaboutthering。“
“Whathasthattodowithit？Howdoyouevenknowthatitwastakenonthatnight？”
“Idonotknow；fortillthismorningIhadnotopenedtheplacewhereitlay：Ionlysuspect。“
“Iamamagistrate，Mr。Sutherland：Iwouldrathernotbeprejudicedbysuspicions。“
“Thepersontowhommysuspicionsrefer，isbeyondyourjurisdiction，Mr。Arnold。“
“Idonotunderstandyou。“
“Iwillexplainmyself。“
HughgaveMr。Arnoldahurriedyetcircumstantialsketchoftheapparitionhebelievedhehadseen。
“WhatamItojudgefromallthis？”askedhe，coldly，almostcontemptuously。
“Ihavetoldyouthefacts；ofcourseImustleavetheconclusionstoyourself，Mr。Arnold；butIconfess，formypart，thatanydisbeliefIhadinapparitionsisalmostentirelyremovedsince——“
“Sinceyoudreamedyousawone？”
“Sincethedisappearanceofthering，“saidHugh。
“Bah！”exclaimedMr。Arnold，withindignation。“Canaghostfetchandcarrylikeaspaniel？Mr。Sutherland，Iamashamedtohavesuchareasonerfortutortomyson。Cometodinner，anddonotletmehearanotherwordofthisfolly。Ibegyouwillnotmentionittoanyone。“
“Ihavebeensilenthitherto，Mr。Arnold；butcircumstances，suchasthecommitmentofanyoneonthechargeofstealingthering，mightcompelmetomentionthematter。Itwouldbeforthejurytodeterminewhetheritwasrelevantornot。“
ItwasevidentthatMr。Arnoldwasmoreannoyedattheimputationagainstthenocturnalhabitsofhishouse，thanatthelossofthering，orevenitspossibletheftbyoneofhisservants。HelookedatHughforamomentasifhewouldbreakintoafuriousrage；thenhislookgraduallychangedintooneofsuspicion，and，turningwithoutanotherword，heledthewaytothedining-room，followedbyHugh。Tohaveaghostheldinhisfaceinthisfashion，onebredinhisownhouse，too，whenhehadpositivelydeclaredhisabsolutecontemptforeverylegendofthesort，wasmorethanmancouldbear。
Hesatdowntodinneringloomysilence，breakingitonlyasoftenashewascompelledtodothedutiesofahost，whichheperformedwithagreaterloftinessofceremonythanusual。
Therewasnosummoningoftheservantsafterdinner，however。
Hugh\'swarninghadbeeneffectual。NorwasthesubjectoncemorealludedtoinHugh\'shearing。NodoubtMr。Arnoldfeltthatsomethingoughttobedone；butIpresumehecouldnevermakeuphismindwhatthatsomethingoughttobe。Whetheranyreasonsfornotprosecutingtheinquiryhadoccurredtohimuponfurtherreflection，Iamunabletotell。Onethingiscertain；thatfromthistimeheceasedtobehavetoHughwiththatgrowingcordialitywhichhehadshownhimforweekspast。ItwasnogreatlosstoHugh；buthefeltit；andallthemore，becausehecouldnothelpassociatingitwiththatlookofsuspicion，theremainsofwhichwerestilldiscernibleonMr。Arnold\'sface。AlthoughhecouldnotdeterminetheexactdirectionofMr。Arnold\'ssuspicions，hefeltthattheyboreuponsomethingassociatedwiththecrystalring，andthestoryofthephantomlady。Consequently，therewaslittlemoreofcomfortforhimatArnstead。
Mr。Arnold，however，didnotrevealhischangeoffeelingsomuchbyneglectasbyceremony，which，soonerthananythingelse，buildsawallofseparationbetweenthosewhomeeteveryday。Fortheoftenertheymeet，thethickerandthefasterarethebricksandmortarofcoldpoliteness，evidentlyavoidedinsults，andsubjectedmanifestationsofdislike，laidtogether。
CHAPTERXXVIII。
ABIRD\'S-EYEVIEW。
O，cocksarecrowingamerrymidnight，Iwotthewild-fowlsarebodingday；
Givememyfaithandtrothagain，Andletmefaremeonmyway。
Saepainfullysheclamthewa\'，Sheclamthewa\'upafterhim；
Hosennorshoonuponherfeet，Shehadnatimetoputthemon。
ScotchBallad——ClerkSaunders。
Drearydayspassed。ThereportsofEuphrawereasfavourableasthenatureoftheinjuryhadleftroomtoexpect。Stilltheywerebutreports：Hughcouldnotseeher，andthedayspasseddrearily。Heheardthattheswellingwasreduced，andthattheanklewasfoundnottobedislocated，butthattheboneswereconsiderablyinjured，andthatthefinaleffectupontheuseofthepartswasdoubtful。
TheprettyfootlayachinginHugh\'sheart。WhenHarrywenttobed，heusedtowalkoutandloiteraboutthegrounds，fullofanxiousfearsandnolessanxioushopes。Ifthenightwasatallobscure，hewouldpass，asoftenashedared，underEuphra\'swindow；
forallhecouldhaveofhernowwasafewraysfromthesamelightthatlightedherchamber。Thenhewouldstealawaydownthemainavenue，andthencewatchthesamelight，whosebeams，inthatstrangeplaywhichtheintellectwillkeepupinspiteof——yetinassociationwith——theheart，madeaphoto-materialistofhim。Forhewouldnownolongerbelieveinthepulsationsofanetherealmedium；but——thattheverymaterialrayswhichenlightenedEuphra\'sface，whethershewakedorslept，stoleandfilteredthroughtheblindandthegatheredshadows，andenteredinbodilyessenceintothemysteriousconvolutionsofhisbrain，wherehissoulandheartsoughtandfoundthem。
Whenaweekhadpassed，shewassofarrecoveredastobeabletoseeMr。Arnold；fromwhomHughheard，inasomewhatreproachfultone，thatshewasbutthewreckofherformerself。ItwasallthatHughcoulddotorestrainthenaturaloutbreakofhisfeelings。
Afortnightpassed，andshesawMrs。EltonandLadyEmilyforafewmoments。Theywouldhaveleftbefore，buthadyieldedtoMr。
Arnold\'sentreaty，andwerestayingtillEuphrashouldbeatleastabletobecarriedfromherroom。
Oneday，whenthevisitorswereoutwithMr。Arnold，JanebroughtamessagetoHugh，requestinghimtowalkintoMissCameron\'sroom，forshewantedtoseehim。Hughfelthisheartflutterasifdoubtingwhethertostopatonce，ortodashthroughitsconfiningbars。Heroseandfollowedthemaid。HestoodoverEuphrapaleandspeechless。Shelaybeforehimwastedandwan；hereyestwicetheirformersize，butwithhalftheirformerlight；herfingerslongandtransparent；andhervoicelowandfeeble。Shehadjustraisedherselfwithdifficultytoasittingposture，andtheefforthadlefthermoreweary。
“Hugh！”shesaid，kindly。
“DearEuphra！”heanswered，kissingthelittlehandheheldinhis。
Shelookedathimforalittlewhile，andthetearsroseinhereyes。
“Hugh，Iamacrippleforlife。“
“Godforbid，Euphra！”wasallhecouldreply。
Sheshookherheadmournfully。Thenastrange，wildlookcameinhereyes，andgrewtillitseemedfromthemtooverflowandcoverherwholefacewithatroubledexpression，whichincreasedtoalookofdullagony。
“Whatisthematter，dearEuphra？”saidHugh，inalarm。“Isyourfootverypainful？”
Shemadenoanswer。Shewaslookingfixedlyathishand。
“ShallIcallJane？”
Sheshookherhead。
“CanIdonothingforyou？”
“No，“sheanswered，almostangrily。
“ShallIgo，Euphra？”
“Yes——yes。Go。“
Helefttheroominstantly。Butasharpthoughstifledcryofdespairdrewhimbackatabound。Euphrahadfainted。
HerangthebellforJane；andlingeredtillhesawsignsofreturningconsciousness。
Whatcouldthismean？Hewasmoreperplexedwithherthaneverhehadbeen。Cunninglove，however，soonfoundawayofexplainingit——Away？——Twentyways——notoneofthemtheway。
Nextday，LadyEmilybroughthimamessagefromEuphra——nottodistresshimselfabouther；itwasnothisfault。
Thismessagethebearerofitunderstoodtorefertotheoriginalaccident，asthesenderofitintendedsheshould：thereceiverinterpreteditoftheoccurrenceofthedaybefore，asthesenderlikewiseintended。Itcomfortedhim。
IthadbecomealmostahabitwithHugh，toascendtheoaktreeintheevening，andsitalone，sometimesforhours，inthenesthehadbuiltforHarry。Onetimehetookabookwithhim；anotherhewentwithout；andnowandthenHarryaccompaniedhim。ButIhavealreadysaid，thatoftenaftertea，whenthehousebecameoppressivetohimfromthelongingtoseeEuphra，hewouldwanderoutalone；when，evenintheshadowsofthecomingnight，hewouldsometimesclimbthenest，andtheresit，hearingallthattheleaveswhisperedaboutthesleepingbirds，withoutlisteningtoawordofit，ortryingtointerpretitbythekindredsoundsofhisowninnerworld，andthetree-talkthatwentonthereinsecret。Forthedivinityofthatinnerworldhadabandoneditforthepresent，inpursuitofanearthlymaiden。Soitsbirdsweresilent，anditstreestremblednot。
Anagingmoonwasfeelingherpathsomewherethroughtheheavens；
butathinveilofcloudwasspreadlikeatentunderthehyalinedomewhereshewalked；sothat，insteadofawhitemoon，therewasagreatwhitecloudtoenlightentheearth，——acloudsoakedfullofherpalerays。Hughsatintheoak-nest。Heknewnothowlonghehadbeenthere。Lightafterlightwasextinguishedinthehouse，andstillhesattherebrooding，dreaming，inthatstateofmindinwhichtothegood，goodthingscomeofthemselves，andtotheevil，evilthings。ThenearnessoftheGhost\'sWalkdidnottroublehim，forhewastoomuchconcernedaboutEuphratofearghostordemon。
Hismindheededthemnot，andsowasbeyondtheirinfluence。
Butwhilehesat，hebecameawareofhumanvoices。Helookedoutfromhisleafyscreen，andsawoncemore，attheendoftheGhost\'sWalk，aformclothedinwhite。Buttherewerevoicesoftwo。Hesenthissoulintohisearstolisten。Ahorrible，incredible，impossibleideaforceditselfuponhim——thatthetoneswerethoseofEuphraandFunkelstein。Theonevoicewasweakandcomplaining；theotherfirmandstrong。
“Itmustbesomehorribleghostthatimitatesher，“hesaidtohimself；forhewasnearlycrazyattheverysuggestion。
Hewouldseenearer，ifonlytogetridofthatfrightfulinsinuationofthetempter。Hedescendedthetreenoiselessly。Helostsightofthefigureashedidso。Hedrewneartheplacewherehehadseenit。Buttherewasnosoundofvoicesnowtoguidehim。
Ashecamewithinsightofthespot，hesawthewhitefigureinthearmsofanother，aman。Herheadwaslyingonhisshoulder。A
momentafter，shewasliftedinthosearmsandbornetowardsthehouse，——downtheGhost\'sAvenue。
AburningagonytobesatisfiedofhisdoubtsseizedonHugh。Hefledlikeadeertothehousebyanotherpath；tried，inhissuspicion，thelibrarywindow；founditopen，andwasatEuphra\'sdoorinamoment。Herehehesitated。Shemustbeinside。Howdareheknockorenter？
Ifshewasthere，shewouldbeasleep。Hewouldnotwakeher。
Therewasnotimetolose。Hewouldriskanything，toberidofthishorribledoubt。
Hegentlyopenedthedoor。Thenight-lightwasburning。Hethought，atfirst，thatEuphrawasinthebed。Hefeltlikeathief，buthestolenearer。Shewasnotthere。Shewasnotonthecouch。Shewasnotintheroom。Janewasfastasleepinthedressing-room。Itwasenough。
Hewithdrew。Hewouldwatchathisdoortoseeherreturn，forshemustpasshisdoortoreachherown。Hewaitedatimethatseemedhours。Atlength——horrible，farmorehorribletohimthanthevisionoftheghost——Euphracreptpasthim，appearinginthedarknesstocrawlalongthewallagainstwhichshesupportedherself，andscarcelysuppressinghergroansofpain。Shereachedherownroom，andentering，closedthedoor。
Hughwasnearlymad。Herusheddownthestairtothelibrary，andoutintothewood。Whyorwhitherheknewnot。
Suddenlyhereceivedablowonthehead。Itdidnotstunhim，buthestaggeredunderit。Hadherunagainstatree？No。Therewasthedimbulkofamandisappearingthroughtheboles。Hedartedafterhim。Themanheardhisfootsteps，stopped，andwaitedinsilence。AsHughcameuptohim，hemadeathrustathimwithsomeweapon。Hemissedhisaim。Theweaponpassedthroughhiscoatandunderhisarm。Thenextmoment，Hughhadwrenchedthesword-stickfromhim，thrownitaway，andgrappledwith——Funkelstein。ButstrongasHughwas，theBohemianwasasstrong，andthecontestwasdoubtful。Strangeasitmayseem——inthemidstofit，whileeachheldtheotherunabletomove，theconvictionflasheduponHugh\'smind，that，whoevermighthavetakenLadyEuphrasia\'sring，hewasgrapplingwiththethiefofhisfather\'s。
“Givememyring，“gaspedhe。
Animprecationofasufficientlyemphaticcharacterwastheonlyreply。TheBohemiangotonehandloose，andHughheardasoundlikethebreakingofglass。Beforehecouldgainanyadvantage——forhisantagonistseemedforthemomenttohaveconcentratedallhisforceintheotherhand——awethandkerchiefwasheldfirmlytohisface。
Hisfiercenessdiedaway；hewaslaptinthevapourofdreams；andhissensesdeparted。