THESTORYCONTINUEDBYISIDOR，OTTAVIO，BALDASSAREFOSCOCountoftheHolyRomanEmpire，KnightGrandCrossoftheOrderoftheBrazenCrown，PerpetualArch-MasteroftheRosicrucianMasonsofMesopotamia；AttachedinHonoraryCapacitiestoSocietiesMusical，SocietiesMedical，SocietiesPhilosophical，andSocietiesGeneralBenevolent，throughoutEurope；etc。etc。etc。
THECOUNT’SNARRATIVE
INthesummerofeighteenhundredandfiftyIarrivedinEngland，chargedwithadelicatepoliticalmissionfromabroad。Confidentialpersonsweresemi-officiallyconnectedwithme，whoseexertionsIwasauthorisedtodirect，MonsieurandMadameRubellebeingamongthenumber。Someweeksofsparetimewereatmydisposal，beforeIenteredonmyfunctionsbyestablishingmyselfinthesuburbsofLondon。Curiositymaystopheretoaskforsomeexplanationofthosefunctionsonmypart。Ientirelysympathisewiththerequest。Ialsoregretthatdiplomaticreserveforbidsmetocomplywithit。
Iarrangedtopassthepreliminaryperiodofrepose，towhichIhavejustreferred，inthesuperbmansionofmylatelamentedfriend，SirPercivalGlyde。HearrivedfromtheContinentwithhiswife。IarrivedfromtheContinentwithme。Englandisthelandofdomestichappiness——howappropriatelyweentereditunderthesedomesticcircumstances！
ThebondoffriendshipwhichunitedPercivalandmyselfwasstrengthened，onthisoccasion，byatouchingsimilarityinthepecuniarypositiononhissideandonmine。Webothwantedmoney。Immensenecessity！Universalwant！Isthereacivilisedhumanbeingwhodoesnotfeelforus？Howinsensiblemustthatmanbe！Orhowrich！
Ienterintonosordidparticulars，indiscussingthispartofthesubject。Mymindrecoilsfromthem。WithaRomanausterity，IshowmyemptypurseandPercival’stotheshrinkingpublicgaze。Letusallowthedeplorablefacttoassertitself，onceforall，inthatmanner，andpasson。
Wewerereceivedatthemansionbythemagnificentcreaturewhoisinscribedonmyheartas`Marian，’whoisknowninthecolderatmosphereofsocietyas`MissHalcombe。’
rustHeavenIwithwhatinconceivablerapidityIlearnttoadorethatwoman。Atsixty，Iworshippedherwiththevolcanicardourofeighteen。Allthegoldofmyrichnaturewaspouredhopelesslyatherfeet。Mywife——poorangel！——mywife，whoadoresme，gotnothingbuttheshillingsandthepennies。SuchistheWorld，suchMan，suchLove。WhatareweIaskbutpuppetsinashow-box？Oh，omnipotentDestiny，pullourstringsgentlyIDanceusmercifullyoffourmiserablelittlestage！
Theprecedinglines，rightlyunderstood，expressanentiresystemofphilosophy。Itismine。
Iresume。
ThedomesticpositionatthecommencementofourresidenceatBlackwaterParkhasbeendrawnwithamazingaccuracy，withprofoundmentalinsight，bythehandofMarianherself。PassmetheintoxicatingfamiliarityofmentioningthissublimecreaturebyherChristianname。Accurateknowledgeofthecontentsofherjournal——towhichIobtainedaccessbyclandestinemeans，unspeakablyprecioustomeintheremembrance——warnsmyeagerpenfromtopicswhichthisessentiallyexhaustivewomanhasalreadymadeherown。
Theinterests——interests，breathlessandimmenseI——withwhichIamhereconcernedbeginwiththedeplorablecalamityofMarian’sillness。
Thesituationatthisperiodwasemphaticallyaseriousone。Largesumsofmoney，dueatacertaintime，werewantedbyPercivalIsaynothingofthemodicumequallynecessarytomyself，andtheonesourcetolooktoforsupplyingthemwasthefortuneofhiswife，ofwhichnotonefarthingwasathisdisposaluntilherdeath。Badsofar，andworsestillfartheron。Mylamentedfriendhadprivatetroublesofhisown，intowhichthedelicacyofmydisinterestedattachmenttohimforbademefrominquiringtoocuriously。Iknewnothingbutthatawoman，namedAnneCatherick，washiddenintheneighbourhood，thatshewasincommunicationwithLadyGlyde，andthatthedisclosureofasecret，whichwouldbethecertainruinofPercival，mightbetheresult。Hehadtoldmehimselfthathewasalostman，unlesshiswifewassilenced，andunlessAnneCatherickwasfound。Ifhewasalostman，whatwouldbecomeofourpecuniaryinterests？CourageousasIambynature，Iabsolutelytrembledattheidea！
ThewholeforceofmyintelligencewasnowdirectedtothefindingofAnneCatherick。Ourmoneyaffairs，importantastheywere，admittedofdelay——butthenecessityofdiscoveringthewomanadmittedofnone。Ionlyknewherbydescription，aspresentinganextraordinarypersonalresemblancetoLadyGlyde。Thestatementofthiscuriousfact——intendedmerelytoassistmeinidentifyingthepersonofwhomwewereinsearch——whencoupledwiththeadditionalinformationthatAnneCatherickhadescapedfromamad-house，startedthefirstimmenseconceptioninmymind，whichsubsequentlyledtosuchamazingresults。Thatconceptioninvolvednothinglessthanthecompletetransformationoftwoseparateidentities。LadyGlydeandAnneCatherickweretochangenames，places，anddestinies，theonewiththeother——theprodigiousconsequencescontemplatedbythechangebeingthegainofthirtythousandpounds，andtheeternalpreservationofSirPercival’ssecret。
Myinstinctswhichseldomerrsuggestedtome，onreviewingthecircumstances，thatourinvisibleAnnewould，soonerorlater，returntotheboat-houseattheBlackwaterlake。ThereIpostedmyself，previouslymentioningtoMrsMichelson，thehousekeeper，thatImightbefoundwhenwanted，immersedinstudy，inthatsolitaryplace。Itismyrulenevertomakeunnecessarymysteries，andnevertosetpeoplesuspectingmeforwantofalittleseasonablecandouronmypart。MrsMichelsonbelievedinmefromfirsttolast。ThisladylikepersonwidowofaProtestantpriestoverflowedwithfaith。Touchedbysuchsuperfluityofsimpleconfidenceinawomanofhermatureyears，Iopenedtheamplereservoirsofmynatureandabsorbeditall。
Iwasrewardedforpostingmyselfsentinelatthelakebytheappearance——notofAnneCatherickherself，butofthepersoninchargeofher。Thisindividualalsooverflowedwithsimplefaith，whichIabsorbedinmyself，asinthecasealreadymentioned。Ileavehertodescribethecircumstancesifshehasnotdonesoalreadyunderwhichsheintroducedmetotheobjectofhermaternalcare。WhenIfirstsawAnneCatherickshewasasleep。IwaselectrifiedbythelikenessbetweenthisunhappywomanandLadyGlyde。Thedetailsofthegrandschemewhichhadsuggestedthemselvesinoutlineonly，uptothatperiod，occurredtome，inalltheirmasterlycombination，atthesightofthesleepingface。Atthesametime，myheart，alwaysaccessibletotenderinfluences，dissolvedintearsatthespectacleofsufferingbeforeme。Iinstantlysetmyselftoimpartrelief。Inotherwords，IprovidedthenecessarystimulantforstrengtheningAnneCathericktoperformthejourneytoLondon。
AtthispointIenteranecessaryprotest，andcorrectalamentableerror。
Thebestyearsofmylifehavebeenpassedintheardentstudyofmedicalandchemicalscience。Chemistryespeciallyhasalwayshadirresistibleattractionsformefromtheenormous，theillimitablepowerwhichtheknowledgeofitconfers。Chemists——Iassertitemphatically——mightsway，iftheypleased，thedestiniesofhumanity。LetmeexplainthisbeforeIgofurther。
Mind，theysay，rulestheworld。Butwhatrulesthemind？Thebodyfollowmecloselyhereliesatthemercyofthemostomnipotentofallpotentates——theChemist。Giveme——Fosco——chemistry；andwhenShakespearehasconceivedHamlet，andsitsdowntoexecutetheconception——withafewgrainsofpowderdroppedintohisdailyfood，Iwillreducehismind，bytheactionofhisbody，tillhispenpoursoutthemostabjectdrivelthathaseverdegradedpaper。Undersimilarcircumstances，revivemetheillustriousNewton。Iguaranteethatwhenheseestheapplefallheshalleatit，insteadofdiscoveringtheprincipleofgravitation。Nero’sdinnershalltransformNerointothemildestofmenbeforehehasdonedigestingit，andthemorningdraughtofAlexandertheGreatshallmakeAlexanderrunforhislifeatthefirstsightoftheenemythesameafternoon。OnmysacredwordofhonouritisluckyforSocietythatmodernchemistsare，byincomprehensiblegoodfortune，themostharmlessofmankind。Themassareworthyfathersoffamilies，whokeepshops。Thefewarephilosophersbesottedwithadmirationforthesoundoftheirownlecturingvoices，visionarieswhowastetheirlivesonfantasticimpossibilities，orquackswhoseambitionsoarsnohigherthanourcorns。ThusSocietyescapes，andtheillimitablepowerofChemistryremainstheslaveofthemostsuperficialandthemostinsignificantends。
Whythisoutburst？Whythiswitheringeloquence？
Becausemyconducthasbeenmisrepresented，becausemymotiveshavebeenmisunderstood。IthasbeenassumedthatIusedmyvastchemicalresourcesagainstAnneCatherick，andthatIwouldhaveusedthemifIcouldagainstthemagnificentMarianherself。Odiousinsinuationsboth！AllmyinterestswereconcernedaswillbeseenpresentlyinthepreservationofAnneCatherick’slife。AllmyanxietieswereconcentratedonMarian’srescuefromthehandsofthelicensedimbecilewhoattendedher，andwhofoundmyadviceconfirmedfromfirsttolastbythephysicianfromLondon。Ontwooccasionsonly——bothequallyharmlesstotheindividualonwhomIpractised——didIsummontomyselftheassistanceofchemicalknowledge。Onthefistofthetwo，afterfollowingMariantotheinnatBlackwaterstudying，behindaconvenientwaggonwhichhidmefromher，thepoetryofmotion，asembodiedinherwalk，Iavailedmyselfoftheservicesofmyinvaluablewife，tocopyoneandtointercepttheotheroftwoletterswhichmyadoredenemyhadentrustedtoadiscardedmaid。Inthiscase，thelettersbeinginthebosomofthegirl’sdress，MadameFoscocouldonlyopenthem，readthem，performherinstructions，sealthem，andputthembackagainbyscientificassistance——whichassistanceIrenderedinahalf-ouncebottle。Thesecondoccasion，whenthesamemeanswereemployed，wastheoccasiontowhichIshallsoonreferofLadyGlyde’sarrivalinLondon。NeveratanyothertimewasIindebtedtomyArtasdistinguishedfrommyself。Toallotheremergenciesandcomplicationsmynaturalcapacityforgrappling，single-handed，withcircumstances，wasinvariablyequal。Iaffirmtheall-pervadingintelligenceofthatcapacity。AttheexpenseoftheChemistIvindicatetheMan。
Respectthisoutburstofgenerousindignation。IthasinexpressiblyrelievedmeEnroute！Letusproceed。
HavingsuggestedtoMrsClementorClements，IamnotsurewhichthatthebestmethodofkeepingAnneoutofPercival’sreachwastoremovehertoLondon——havingfoundthatmyProposalwaseagerlyreceived，andhavingappointedadaytomeetthetravellersatthestationandtoseethemleaveit，Iwasatlibertytoreturntothehouseandtoconfrontthedifficultieswhichstillremainedtobemet。
Myfirstproceedingwastoavailmyselfofthesublimedevotionofmywife。IhadarrangedwithMrsClementsthatsheshouldcommunicateherLondonaddress，inAnne’sinterests，toLadyGlyde。Butthiswasnotenough。DesigningpersonsinmyabsencemightshakethesimpleconfidenceofMrsClements，andshemightnotwriteafterall。WhocouldIfindcapableoftravellingtoLondonbythetrainshetravelledby，andofprivatelyseeingherhome？Iaskedmyselfthisquestion。Theconjugalpartofmeimmediatelyanswered——MadameFosco。
Afterdecidingonmywife’smissiontoLondon，Iarrangedthatthejourneyshouldserveadoublepurpose。AnurseforthesufferingMarian，equallydevotedtothepatientandtomyself，wasanecessityofmyposition。Oneofthemosteminentlyconfidentialandcapablewomeninexistencewasbygoodfortuneatmydisposal，Irefertothatrespectablematron，MadameRubelle，towhomIaddressedaletter，atherresidenceinLondon，bythehandsofmywife。
OntheappointeddayMrsClementsandAnneCatherickmetmeatthestation。Ipolitelysawthemoff。IpolitelysawMadameFoscooffbythesametrain。ThelastthingatnightmywifereturnedtoBlackwater，havingfollowedherinstructionswiththemostunimpeachableaccuracy。ShewasaccompaniedbyMadameRubelle，andshebroughtmetheLondonaddressofMrsClements。After-eventsprovedthislastprecautiontohavebeenunnecessary。MrsClementspunctuallyinformedLadyGlydeofherplaceofabode。Withawaryeyeonfutureemergencies，Ikepttheletter。
ThesamedayIhadabriefinterviewwiththedoctor，atwhichIprotested，inthesacredinterestsofhumanity，againsthistreatmentofMarian’scase。Hewasinsolent，asallignorantpeopleare。Ishowednoresentment，Ideferredquarrellingwithhimtillitwasnecessarytoquarreltosomepurpose。
MynextproceedingwastoleaveBlackwatermyself。IhadmyLondonresidencetotakeinanticipationofcomingevents。IhadalsoalittlebusinessofthedomesticsorttotransactwithMrFrederickFairlie。IfoundthehouseIwantedinStJohn’sWood。IfoundMrFairlieatLimmeridge，Cumberland。
MyownprivatefamiliaritywiththenatureofMarian’scorrespondencehadpreviouslyinformedmethatshehadwrittentoMrFairlie，proposing，asarelieftoLadyGlyde’smatrimonialembarrassments，totakeheronavisittoheruncleinCumberland。ThisletterIhadwiselyallowedtoreachitsdestination，feelingatthetimethatitcoulddonoharm，andmightdogood。InowpresentedmyselfbeforeMrFairlietosupportMarian’sownproposal——withcertainmodificationswhich，happilyforthesuccessofmyplans，wererenderedreallyinevitablebyherillness。ItwasnecessarythatLadyGlydeshouldleaveBlackwateralone，byheruncle’sinvitation，andthatsheshouldrestanightonthejourneyatheraunt’shousethehouseIhadinStJohn’sWoodbyheruncle’sexpressadvice。Toachievetheseresults，andtosecureanoteofinvitationwhichcouldbeshowntoLadyGlyde，weretheobjectsofmyvisittoMrFairlie。WhenIhavementionedthatthisgentlemanwasequallyfeebleinmindandbody，andthatIletloosethewholeforceofmycharacteronhim，Ihavesaidenough。Icame，saw，andconqueredFairlie。
OnmyreturntoBlackwaterParkwiththeletterofinvitationIfoundthatthedoctor’simbeciletreatmentofMarian’scasehadledtothemostalarmingresults。Thefeverhadturnedtotyphus。LadyGlyde，onthedayofmyreturn，triedtoforceherselfintotheroomtonursehersister。SheandIhadnoaffinitiesofsympathy——shehadcommittedtheunpardonableoutrageonmysensibilitiesofcallingmeaspy——shewasastumbling-blockinmywayandinPercival’s——but，forallthat，mymagnanimityforbademetoputherindangerofinfectionwithmyownhand。AtthesametimeIofferednohindrancetoherputtingherselfindanger。Ifshehadsucceededindoingso，theintricateknotwhichIwasslowlyandpatientlyoperatingonmightperhapshavebeencutbycircumstances。Asitwas，thedoctorinterferedandshewaskeptoutoftheroom。
IhadmyselfpreviouslyrecommendedsendingforadvicetoLondon。Thiscoursehadbeennowtaken。Thephysician，onhisarrival，confirmedmyviewofthecase。Thecrisiswasserious。Butwehadhopeofourcharmingpatientonthefifthdayfromtheappearanceofthetyphus。IwasonlyonceabsentfromBlackwateratthistime——whenIwenttoLondonbythemorningtraintomakethefinalarrangementsatmyhouseinStJohn’sWood，toassuremyselfbyprivateinquirythatMrsClementshadnotmoved，andtosettleoneortwolittlepreliminarymatterswiththehusbandofMadameRubelle。Ireturnedatnight。FivedaysafterwardsthephysicianpronouncedourinterestingMariantobeoutofdanger，andtobeinneedofnothingbutcarefulnursing。ThiswasthetimeIhadwaitedfor。Nowthatmedicalattendancewasnolongerindispensable，Iplayedthefirstmoveinthegamebyassertingmyselfagainstthedoctor。Hewasoneamongmanywitnessesinmywaywhomitwasnecessarytoremove。AlivelyaltercationbetweenusinwhichPercival，previouslyinstructedbyme，refusedtointerfereservedthepurposeinview。Idescendedonthemiserablemaninanirresistibleavalancheofindignation，andswepthimfromthehouse。
Theservantswerethenextencumbrancestogetridof。AgainIinstructedPercivalwhosemoralcouragerequiredperpetualstimulants，andMrsMichelsonwasamazed，oneday，byhearingfromhermasterthattheestablishmentwastobebrokenup，Weclearedthehouseofalltheservantsbutone，whowaskeptfordomesticpurposes，andwhoselumpishstupiditywecouldtrusttomakenoembarrassingdiscoveries。Whentheyweregone，nothingremainedbuttorelieveourselvesofMrsMichelson——aresultwhichwaseasilyachievedbysendingthisamiableladytofindlodgingsforhermistressatthesea-side。
Thecircumstanceswerenowexactlywhattheywererequiredtobe。LadyGlydewasconfinedtoherroombynervousillness，andthelumpishhousemaidIforgethernamewasshutupthereatnightinattendanceonhermistress。Marian，thoughfastrecovering，stillkeptherbed，withMrsRubellefornurse。Nootherlivingcreaturesbutmywife，myself，andPercivalwereinthehouse。WithallthechancesthusinourfavourIconfrontedthenextemergency，andplayedthesecondmoveinthegame。
TheobjectofthesecondmovewastoinduceLadyGlydetoleaveBlackwaterunaccompaniedbyhersister。UnlesswecouldpersuadeherthatMarianhadgoneontoCumberlandfirst，therewasnochanceofremovingher，ofherownfreewill，fromthehouse。Toproducethisnecessaryoperationinhermind，weconcealedourinterestinginvalidinoneoftheuninhabitedbedroomsatBlackwater。AtthedeadofnightMadameFosco，MadameRubelle，andmyselfPercivalnotbeingcoolenoughtobetrustedaccomplishedtheconcealment。Thescenewaspicturesque，mysterious，dramaticinthehighestdegree。Bymydirectionsthebedhadbeenmade，inthemorning，onastrongmovableframeworkofwood。Wehadonlytolifttheframeworkgentlyattheheadandfoot，andtotransportourpatientwherewepleased，withoutdisturbingherselforherbed。Nochemicalassistancewasneededorusedinthiscase。OurinterestingMarianlayinthedeepreposeofconvalescence。Weplacedthecandlesandopenedthedoorsbeforehand。I，inrightofmygreatpersonalstrength，tooktheheadoftheframework——mywifeandMadameRubelletookthefoot。Iboremyshareofthatinestimablypreciousburdenwithamanlytenderness，withafatherlycare。WhereisthemodernRembrandtwhocoulddepictourmidnightprocession？AlasfortheArts！alasforthismostpictorialofsubjects！ThemodernRembrandtisnowheretobefound。
ThenextmorningmywifeandIstartedforLondon，leavingMariansecluded，intheuninhabitedmiddleofthehouse，undercareofMadameRubelle，whokindlyconsentedtoimprisonherselfwithherpatientfortwoorthreedays。BeforetakingourdepartureIgavePercivalMrFairlie’sletterofinvitationtohisnieceinstructinghertosleeponthejourneytoCumberlandatheraunt’shouse，withdirectionstoshowittoLadyGlydeonhearingfromme。IalsoobtainedfromhimtheaddressoftheAsyluminwhichAnneCatherickhadbeenconfined，andalettertotheproprietor，announcingtothatgentlemanthereturnofhisrunawaypatienttomedicalcare。
Ihadarranged，atmylastvisittothemetropolis，tohaveourmodestdomesticestablishmentreadytoreceiveuswhenwearrivedinLondonbytheearlytrain。Inconsequenceofthiswiseprecaution，wewereenabledthatsamedaytoplaythethirdmoveinthegame——thegettingpossessionofAnneCatherick。
Datesareofimportancehere。IcombineinmyselftheoppositecharacteristicsofaManofSentimentandaManofBusiness。Ihaveallthedatesatmyfingers’ends。
OnWednesday，the24thofJuly1850，IsentmywifeinacabtoclearMrsClementsoutoftheway，inthefirstplace。AsupposedmessagefromLadyGlydeinLondonwassufficienttoobtainthisresult。MrsClementswastakenawayinthecab，andwasleftinthecab，whilemywifeonpretenceofpurchasingsomethingatashopgavehertheslip，andreturnedtoreceiveherexpectedvisitoratourhouseinStJohn’sWood。Itishardlynecessarytoaddthatthevisitorhadbeendescribedtotheservantsas`LadyGlyde。’
InthemeanwhileIhadfollowedinanothercab，withanoteforAnneCatherick，merelymentioningthatLadyGlydeintendedtokeepMrsClementstospendthedaywithher，andthatshewastojointhemundercareofthegoodgentlemanwaitingoutside，whohadalreadysavedherfromdiscoveryinHampshirebySirPercival。The`goodgentleman’sentinthisnotebyastreetboy，andpausedforresultsadoorortwofartheron。AtthemomentwhenAnneappearedatthehousedoorandclosedit，thisexcellentmanhadthecabdooropenreadyforher，absorbedherintothevehicle，anddroveoff。
Passme，here，oneexclamationinparenthesis。Howinterestingthisis！
OnthewaytoForestRoadmycompanionshowednofear。Icanbepaternal——nomanmoreso——whenIplease，andIwasintenselypaternalonthisoccasion。WhattitlesIhadtoherconfidence！Ihadcompoundedthemedicinewhichhaddonehergood——IhadwarnedherofherdangerfromSirPercival。Perhapsltrustedtooimplicitlytothesetitles——perhapsIunderratedthekeennessofthelowerinstinctsinpersonsofweakintellect——itiscertainthatIneglectedtopreparehersufficientlyforadisappointmentonenteringmyhouse。WhenItookherintothedrawing-room——whenshesawnoonepresentbutMadameFosco，whowasastrangertoher——sheexhibitedthemostviolentagitation；ifshehadscenteddangerintheair，asadogscentsthepresenceofsomecreatureunseen，heralarmcouldnothavedisplayeditselfmoresuddenlyandmorecauselessly。Iinterposedinvain。ThefearfromwhichshewassufferingImighthavesoothed，buttheseriousheart-disease，underwhichshelaboured，wasbeyondthereachofallmoralpalliatives。Tomyunspeakablehorrorshewasseizedwithconvulsions——ashocktothesystem，inhercondition，whichmighthavelaidherdeadatanymomentatourfeet。
Thenearestdoctorwassentfor，andwastoldthat`LadyGlyde’requiredhisimmediateservices。Tomyinfiniterelief，hewasacapableman。Irepresentedmyvisitortohimasapersonofweakintellect，andsubjecttodelusions，andIarrangedthatnonursebutmywifeshouldwatchinthesick-room。Theunhappywomanwastooill，however，tocauseanyanxietyaboutwhatshemightsay。TheonedreadwhichnowoppressedmewasthedreadthatthefalseLadyGlydemightdiebeforethetrueLadyGlydearrivedinLondon。
IhadwrittenanoteinthemorningtoMadameRubelle，tellinghertojoinmeatherhusband’shouseontheeveningofFridaythe26th，withanothernotetoPercival，warninghimtoshowhiswifeheruncle’sletterofinvitation，toassertthatMarianhadgoneonbeforeher，andtodespatchhertotownbythemiddaytrain，onthe26th，also。OnreflectionIhadfeltthenecessity，inAnneCatherick’sstateofhealth，ofprecipitatingevents，andofhavingLadyGlydeatmydisposalearlierthanIhadoriginallycontemplated。Whatfreshdirections，intheterribleuncertaintyofmyposition，couldInowissue？Icoulddonothingbuttrusttochanceandthedoctor。Myemotionsexpressedthemselvesinpatheticapostrophes，whichIwasjustself-possessedenoughtocouple，inthehearingofotherpeople，withthenameof`LadyGlyde。’InallotherrespectsFosco，onthatmemorableday，wasFoscoshroudedintotaleclipse。
Shepassedabadnight，sheawokewornout，butlaterinthedaysherevivedamazingly。Myelasticspiritsrevivedwithher。IcouldreceivenoanswersfromPercivalandMadameRubelletillthemorningofthenextday，the26th。Inanticipationoftheirfollowingmydirections，which，accidentapart，Iknewtheywoulddo，IwenttosecureaflytofetchLadyGlydefromtherailway，directingittobeatmyhouseonthe26th，attwoo’clock。Afterseeingtheorderenteredinthebook，IwentontoarrangematterswithMonsieurRubelle。Ialsoprocuredtheservicesoftwogentlemenwhocouldfurnishmewiththenecessarycertificatesoflunacy。OneofthemIknewpersonally——theotherwasknowntoMonsieurRubelle。Bothweremenwhosevigorousmindssoaredsuperiortonarrowscruples——bothwerelabouringundertemporaryembarrassments——bothbelievedinME。
Itwaspastfiveo’clockintheafternoonbeforeIreturnedfromtheperformanceoftheseduties。WhenIgotbackAnneCatherickwasdead。Deadonthe25th，andLadyGlydewasnottoarriveinLondontillthe26th！
Iwasstunned。Meditateonthat。Foscostunned！
Itwastoolatetoretraceoursteps。Beforemyreturnthedoctorhadofficiouslyundertakentosavemealltroublebyregisteringthedeath，onthedatewhenithappened，withhisownhand。Mygrandscheme，unassailablehitherto，haditsweakplacenow——noeffortsonmypartcouldalterthefataleventofthe25th。Iturnedmanfullytothefuture。Percival’sinterestsandminebeingstillatstake，nothingwasleftbuttoplaythegamethroughtotheend。Irecalledmyimpenetrablecalm——andplayedit。
Onthemorningofthe26thPercival’sletterreachedme，announcinghiswife’sarrivalbythemiddaytrain。MadameRubellealsowrotetosayshewouldfollowintheevening。Istartedinthefly，leavingthefalseLadyGlydedeadinthehouse，toreceivethetrueLadyGlydeonherarrivalbytherailwayatthreeo’clock。Hiddenundertheseatofthecarriage，IcarriedwithmealltheclothesAnneCatherickhadwornoncomingintomyhouse——theyweredestinedtoassisttheresurrectionofthewomanwhowasdeadinthepersonofthewomanwhowasliving。Whatasituation！IsuggestittotherisingromancewritersofEngland。Iofferit，astotallynew，totheworn-outdramatistsofFrance。
LadyGlydewasatthestation。Therewasgreatcrowdingandconfusion，andmoredelaythanIlikedincaseanyofherfriendshadhappenedtobeonthespot，inreclaimingherluggage。Herfistquestions，aswedroveoff，imploredmetotellhernewsofhersister。Iinventednewsofthemostpacifyingkind，assuringherthatshewasabouttoseehersisteratmyhouse。Myhouse，onthisoccasiononly，wasintheneighbourhoodofLeicesterSquare，andwasintheoccupationofMonsieurRubelle，whoreceivedusinthehall。
Itookmyvisitorupstairsintoabackroom，thetwomedicalgentlemenbeingthereinwaitingonthefloorbeneathtoseethepatient，andtogivemetheircertificates。AfterquietingLadyGlydebythenecessaryassurancesabouthersister，Iintroducedmyfriendsseparatelytoherpresence。Theyperformedtheformalitiesoftheoccasionbriefly，intelligently，conscientiously。Ienteredtheroomagainassoonastheyhadleftit，andatonceprecipitatedeventsbyareferenceofthealarmingkindto`MissHalcombe’s’stateofhealth。
ResultsfollowedasIhadanticipated。LadyGlydebecamefrightened，andturnedfaint。Forasecondtime，andthelast，IcalledSciencetomyassistance。Amedicatedglassofwaterandamedicatedbottleofsmelling-saltsrelievedherofallfurtherembarrassmentandalarm。Additionalapplicationslaterintheeveningprocuredhertheinestimableblessingofagoodnight’srest。MadameRubellearrivedintimetopresideatLadyGlyde’stoilet。Herownclothesweretakenawayfromheratnight，andAnneCatherick’swereputonherinthemorning，withthestrictestregardtopropriety，bythematronlyhandsofthegoodRubelle。ThroughoutthedayIkeptourpatientinastateofpartially-suspendedconsciousness，untilthedexterousassistanceofmymedicalfriendsenabledmetoprocurethenecessaryorderratherearlierthanIhadventuredtohope。Thateveningtheeveningofthe27thMadameRubelleandItookourrevived`AnneCatherick’totheAsylum。Shewasreceivedwithgreatsurprise，butwithoutsuspicion，thankstotheorderandcertificates，toPercival’sletter，tothelikeness，totheclothes，andtothepatient’sownconfusedmentalconditionatthetime。IreturnedatoncetoassistMadameFoscointhepreparationsfortheburialofthefalse`LadyGlyde，’havingtheclothesandluggageofthetrue`LadyGlyde’inmypossession。TheywereafterwardssenttoCumberlandbytheconveyancewhichwasusedforthefuneral。Iattendedthefuneral，withbecomingdignity，attiredinthedeepestmourning。
Mynarrativeoftheseremarkableevents，writtenunderequallyremarkablecircumstances，closeshere。TheminorprecautionswhichIobservedincommunicatingwithLimmeridgeHousearealreadyknown，soisthemagnificentsuccessofmyenterprise，soarethesolidpecuniaryresultswhichfollowedit。Ihavetoassert，withthewholeforceofmyconviction，thattheoneweakplaceinmyschemewouldneverhavebeenfoundoutiftheoneweakplaceinmyhearthadnotbeendiscoveredfirst。NothingbutmyfataladmirationforMarianrestrainedmefromsteppingintomyownrescuewhensheeffectedhersister’sescape。Irantherisk，andtrustedinthecompletedestructionofLadyGlyde’sidentity。IfeitherMarianorMrHartrightattemptedtoassertthatidentity，theywouldpubliclyexposethemselvestotheimputationofsustainingarankdeception，theywouldbedistrustedanddiscreditedaccordingly，andtheywouldthereforebepowerlesstoplacemyinterestsorPercival’ssecretinjeopardy。Icommittedoneerrorintrustingmyselftosuchablindfoldcalculationofchancesasthis。IcommittedanotherwhenPercivalhadpaidthepenaltyofhisownobstinacyandviolence，bygrantingLadyGlydeasecondreprievefromthemad-house，andallowingMrHartrightasecondchanceofescapingme。Inbrief，Fosco，atthisseriouscrisis，wasuntruetohimself。Deplorableanduncharacteristicfault！Beholdthecause，inmyheart——behold，intheimageofMarianHalcombe，thefirstandlastweaknessofFosco’slife！
Attheripeageofsixty，Imakethisunparalleledconfession。Youths！Iinvokeyoursympathy。Maidens！Iclaimyourtears。
Awordmore，andtheattentionofthereaderconcentratedbreathlesslyonmyselfshallbereleased。
Myownmentalinsightinformsmethatthreeinevitablequestionswillheaskedherebypersonsofinquiringminds。Theyshallbestated——theyshallbeanswered。
Firstquestion。WhatisthesecretofMadameFosco’sunhesitatingdevotionofherselftothefulfilmentofmyboldestwishes，tothefurtheranceofmydeepestplans？Imightanswerthisbysimplyreferringtomyowncharacter，andbyasking，inmyturn，Where，inthehistoryoftheworld，hasamanofmyordereverbeenfoundwithoutawomaninthebackgroundself-immolatedonthealtarofhislife？ButIrememberthatIamwritinginEngland，IrememberthatIwasmarriedinEngland，andIaskifawoman’smarriageobligationsinthiscountryprovideforherprivateopinionofherhusband’sprinciples？No！Theychargeherunreservedlytolove，honour，andobeyhim。Thatisexactlywhatmywifehasdone。Istandhereonasuprememoralelevation，andIloftilyassertheraccurateperformanceofherconjugalduties。Silence，Calumny！Yoursympathy，WivesofEngland，forMadameFosco！
Secondquestion。IfAnneCatherickhadnotdiedwhenshedid，whatshouldIhavedone？Ishould，inthatcase，haveassistedworn-outNatureinfindingpermanentrepose。IshouldhaveopenedthedoorsofthePrisonofLife，andhaveextendedtothecaptiveincurablyafflictedinmindandbodybothahappyrelease。
Thirdquestion。Onacalmrevisionofallthecircumstances——Ismyconductworthyofanyseriousblame？Mostemphatically，No！HaveInotcarefullyavoidedexposingmyselftotheodiumofcommittingunnecessarycrime？Withmyvastresourcesinchemistry，ImighthavetakenLadyGlyde’slife。AtimmensepersonalsacrificeIfollowedthedictatesofmyowningenuity，myownhumanity，myowncaution，andtookheridentityinstead。JudgemebywhatImighthavedone。Howcomparativelyinnocent！howindirectlyvirtuousIappearinwhatIreallydid！
Iannouncedonbeginningitthatthisnarrativewouldbearemarkabledocument。Ithasentirelyansweredmyexpectations。Receivethesefervidlines——mylastlegacytothecountryIleaveforever，Theyareworthyoftheoccasion，andworthyofFOSCO。
THESTORYCONCLUDEDBYWALTERHARTRIGHT
WHENIclosedthelastleafoftheCount’smanuscriptthehalf-hourduringwhichIhadengagedtoremainatSorestRoadhadexpired。MonsieurRubellelookedathiswatchandbowed。Iroseimmediately，andlefttheagentinpossessionoftheemptyhouse。Ineversawhimagain——Ineverheardmoreofhimorofhiswife。Outofthedarkbywaysofvillainyanddeceittheyhadcrawledacrossourpath——intothesamebywaystheycrawledbacksecretlyandwerelost。
InaquarterofanhourafterleavingForestRoadIwasathomeagain。
ButfewwordssufficedtotellLauraandMarianhowmydesperateventurehadended，andwhatthenexteventinourliveswaslikelytobe。Ileftalldetailstobedescribedlaterintheday，andhastenedbacktoStJohn’sWood，toseethepersonofwhomCountFoscohadorderedthefly，whenhewenttomeetLauraatthestation。
Theaddressinmypossessionledmetosome`liverystables，’aboutaquarterofamiledistantfromSorestRoad。Theproprietorprovedtobeacivilandrespectableman。WhenIexplainedthatanimportantfamilymatterobligedmetoaskhimtorefertohisbooksforthepurposeofascertainingadatewithwhichtherecordofhisbusinesstransactionsmightsupplyme，heofferednoobjectiontograntingmyrequest。Thebookwasproduced，andthere，underthedateof`July26th，1850，’theorderwasenteredinthesewords——
`BroughamtoCountFosco，5SorestRoad。Twoo’clockJohnOwen。’
Ifoundoninquirythatthenameof`JohnOwen，’attachedtotheentryreferredtothemanwhohadbeenemployedtodrivethefly。Hewasthenatworkinthestable-yard，andwassentfortoseemeatmyrequest。
`Doyourememberdrivingagentleman，inthemonthofJulylast，fromNumberFiveForestRoadtotheWaterlooBridgestation？’Iasked
`Well，sir，’saidtheman，`Ican’texactlysayIdo。’
`Perhapsyourememberthegentlemanhimself？Canyoucalltominddrivingaforeignerlastsummer——atallgentlemanandremarkablyfat？’Theman’sfacebrighteneddirectly。
`Irememberhim，sir！ThefattestgentlemanaseverIsee，andtheheaviestcustomeraseverIdrove。Yes，yes——Icallhimtomind，sir！Wedidgotothestation，anditwasfromForestRoad。Therewasaparrot，orsummatlikeit，screechinginthewindow。Thegentlemanwasinamortalhurryaboutthelady’sluggage，andhegavemeahandsomepresentforlookingsharpandgettingtheboxes。’
Gettingtheboxes！IrecollectedimmediatelythatLaura’sownaccountofherselfonherarrivalinLondondescribedherluggageasbeingcollectedforherbysomepersonwhomCountFoscobroughtwithhimtothestation。Thiswastheman。
`Didyouseethelady？’Iasked。`Whatdidshelooklike？Wassheyoungorold？’
`Well，sir，whatwiththehurryandthecrowdofpeoplepushingabout，Ican’trightlysaywhattheladylookedlike。Ican’tcallnothingtomindaboutherthatIknowof——exceptinghername。
`Yourememberhername？’
`Yes，sir。HernamewasLadyGlyde。’
`Howdoyoucometorememberthat，whenyouhaveforgottenwhatshelookedlike？’
Themansmiled，andshiftedhisfeetinsomelittleembarrassment。
`Why，totellyouthetruth，sir，’hesaid，`Ihadn’tbeenlongmarriedatthattime，andmywife’sname，beforeshechangeditformine，wasthesameasthelady’s——meaningthenameofGlyde，sir。Theladymentioneditherself。``ISyournameonyourboxes，ma’am？’’saysI。``Yes，’’saysshe，``mynameisonmyluggage——itisLadyGlyde。’’``Come！’’Isaystomyself，``I’veabadheadforgentlefolks’namesingeneral——butthisonecomeslikeanoldfriend，atanyrate。’’Ican’tsaynothingaboutthetime，sir，itmightbenighonayearago，oritmightn’t。ButIcansweartothestoutgentleman，andsweartothelady’sname。’
Therewasnoneedthatheshouldrememberthetime——thedatewaspositivelyestablishedbyhismaster’sorder-book。Ifeltatoncethatthemeanswerenowinmypowerofstrikingdownthewholeconspiracyatablowwiththeirresistibleweaponofplainfact。Withoutamoment’shesitation，Itooktheproprietoroftheliverystablesasideandtoldhimwhattherealimportancewasoftheevidenceofhisorder-bookandtheevidenceofhisdriver。Anarrangementtocompensatehimforthetemporarylossoftheman’sserviceswaseasilymade，andacopyoftheentryinthebookwastakenbymyself，andcertifiedastruebythemaster’sownsignature。Ilefttheliverystables，havingsettledthatJohnOwenwastoholdhimselfatmydisposalforthenextthreedays，orforalongerperiodifnecessityrequiredit。
InowhadinmypossessionallthepapersthatIwanted——thedistrictregistrar’sowncopyofthecertificateofdeath，andSirPercival’sdatedlettertotheCount，beingsafeinmypocketbook。
Withthisfreshevidenceaboutme，andwiththecoachman’sanswersfreshinmymemory，Inextturnedmysteps，forthefirsttimesincethebeginningofallmyinquiries，inthedirectionofMrKyrle’soffice。Oneofmyobjectsinpayinghimthissecondvisitwas，necessarily，totellhimwhatIhaddone。TheotherwastowarnhimofmyresolutiontotakemywifetoLimmeridgethenextmorning，andtohaveherpubliclyreceivedandrecognisedinheruncle’shouse。IleftittoMrKyrletodecideunderthesecircumstances，andinMrGilmore’sabsence，whetherhewasorwasnotbound，asthefamilysolicitor，tobepresentonthatoccasioninthefamilyinterests。
IwillsaynothingofMrKyrle’samazement，orofthetermsinwhichheexpressedhisopinionofmyconductfromthefirststageoftheinvestigationtothelast。ItisonlynecessarytomentionthatheatoncedecidedonaccompanyingustoCumberland。
Westartedthenextmorningbytheearlytrain。Laura，Marian，MrKyrle，andmyselfinonecarriage，andJohnOwenwithaclerkfromMrKyrle’soffice，occupyingplacesinanother。OnreachingtheLimmeridgestationwewentfirsttothefarmhouseatTodd’sCorner。ItwasmyfirmdeterminationthatLaurashouldnotenterheruncle’shousetillsheappearedtherepubliclyrecognisedashisniece。IleftMariantosettlethequestionofaccommodationwithMrsTodd，assoonasthegoodwomanhadrecoveredfromthebewildermentofhearingwhatourerrandwasinCumberland，andIarrangedwithherhusbandthatJohnOwenwastobecommittedtothereadyhospitalityofthefarm-servants。Thesepreliminariescompleted，MrKyrleandIsetforthtogetherforLimmeridgeHouse。
IcannotwriteatanylengthofourinterviewwithMrFairlie，forIcannotrecallittomindwithoutfeelingsofimpatienceandcontempt，whichmakethescene，eveninremembranceonly，utterlyrepulsivetome。IprefertorecordsimplythatIcarriedmypoint。MrFairlieattemptedtotreatusonhiscustomaryplan。Wepassedwithoutnoticehispoliteinsolenceattheoutsetoftheinterview。Weheardwithoutsympathytheprotestationswithwhichhetriednexttopersuadeusthatthedisclosureoftheconspiracyhadoverwhelmedhim。Heabsolutelywhinedandwhimperedatlastlikeafretfulchild。`Howwashetoknowthathisniecewasalivewhenhewastoldthatshewasdead？HewouldwelcomedearLaurawithpleasure，ifwewouldonlyallowhimtimetorecover。Didwethinkhelookedasifhewantedhurryingintohisgrave？No。Then，whyhurryhim？’Hereiteratedtheseremonstrancesateveryavailableopportunity，untilIcheckedthemonceforall，byplacinghimfirmlybetweentwoinevitablealternatives。Igavehimhischoicebetweendoinghisniecejusticeonmyterms，orfacingtheconsequenceofapublicassertionofherexistenceinacourtoflaw。MrKyrle，towhomheturnedforhelp，toldhimplainlythathemustdecidethequestionthenandthere。Characteristicallychoosingthealternativewhichpromisedsoonesttoreleasehimfromallpersonalanxiety，heannouncedwithasuddenoutburstofenergy，thathewasnotstrongenoughtobearanymorebullying，andthatwemightdoaswepleased。
MrKyrleandIatoncewentdownstairs，andagreeduponaformofletterwhichwastobesentroundtothetenantswhohadattendedthefalsefuneral，summoningthem，inMrFairlie’sname，toassembleinLimmeridgeHouseonthenextdaybutone。Anorderreferringtothesamedatewasalsowritten，directingastatuaryinCarlisletosendamantoLimmeridgechurchyardforthepurposeoferasinganinscription——MrKyrle，whohadarrangedtosleepinthehouse，undertakingthatMrFairlieshouldheartheselettersreadtohim，andshouldsignthemwithhisownhand。
Ioccupiedtheintervaldayatthefarminwritingaplainnarrativeoftheconspiracy，andinaddingtoitastatementofthepracticalcontradictionwhichfactsofferedtotheassertionofLaura’sdeath。ThisIsubmittedtoMrKyrlebeforeIreaditthenextdaytotheassembledtenants。Wealsoarrangedtheforminwhichtheevidenceshouldbepresentedatthecloseofthereading。Afterthesemattersweresettled，MrKyrleendeavouredtoturntheconversationnexttoLaura’saffairs。Knowing，anddesiringtoknownothingofthoseaffairs，anddoubtingwhetherhewouldapprove，asamanofbusiness，ofmyconductinrelationtomywife’slife-interestinthelegacylefttoMadameFosco，IbeggedMrKyrletoexcusemeifIabstainedfromdiscussingthesubject。Itwasconnected，asIcouldtrulytellhim，withthosesorrowsandtroublesofthepastwhichweneverreferredtoamongourselves，andwhichweinstinctivelyshrankfromdiscussingwithothers。
Mylastlabour，astheeveningapproached，wastoobtain`TheNarrativeoftheTombstone，’bytakingacopyofthefalseinscriptiononthegravebeforeitwaserased。
Thedaycame——thedaywhenLauraoncemoreenteredthefamiliarbreakfast-roomatLimmeridgeHouse。AllthepersonsassembledrosefromtheirseatsasMarianandIledherin。Aperceptibleshockofsurprise，anaudiblemurmurofinterestranthroughthem，atthesightofherface。MrFairliewaspresentbymyexpressstipulation，withMrKyrlebyhisside。Hisvaletstoodbehindhimwithasmelling-bottlereadyinonehand，andawhitehandkerchief，saturatedwitheau-de-Cologne，intheother。
IopenedtheproceedingsbypubliclyappealingtoMrFairlietosaywhetherIappearedtherewithhisauthorityandunderhisexpresssanction。Heextendedanarm，oneitherside，toMrKyrleandtohisvalet——wasbythemassistedtostandonhislegs，andthenexpressedhimselfintheterms:`AllowmetopresentMrHartright。Iamasgreataninvalidasever，andheissoveryobligingastospeakforme。Thesubjectisdreadfullyembarrassing。Pleasehearhim，anddon’tmakeanoise！’Withthosewordsheslowlysankbackagainintothechair，andtookrefugeinhisscentedpocket-handkerchief。
Thedisclosureoftheconspiracyfollowed，afterIhadofferedmypreliminaryexplanation，firstofall，inthefewestandtheplainestwords。IwastherepresentIinformedmyhearerstodeclare，first，thatmywife，thensittingbyme，wasthedaughterofthelateMrPhilipFairlie；secondly，toprovebypositivefacts，thatthefuneralwhichtheyhadattendedinLimmeridgechurchyardwasthefuneralofanotherwoman；thirdly，togivethemaplainaccountofhowithadhappened。Withoutfurtherpreface，Iatoncereadthenarrativeoftheconspiracy，describingitinclearoutline，anddwellingonlyuponthepecuniarymotiveforit，inordertoavoidcomplicatingmystatementbyunnecessaryreferencetoSirPercival’ssecret。Thisdone，Iremindedmyaudienceofthedateontheinscriptioninthechurchyardthe25th。andconfirmeditscorrectnessbyproducingthecertificateofdeath。IthenreadthemSirPercival’sletterofthe25th，announcinghiswife’sintendedjourneyfromHampshiretoLondononthe26th。Inextshowedthatshehadtakenthatjourney，bythepersonaltestimonyofthedriverofthefly，andIprovedthatshehadperformeditontheappointedday，bytheorder-bookattheliverystables。MarianthenaddedherownstatementofthemeetingbetweenLauraandherselfatthemad-house，andofhersister’sescape。AfterwhichIclosedtheproceedingsbyinformingthepersonspresentofSirPercival’sdeathandofmymarriage。
MrKyrlerosewhenIresumedmyseat，anddeclared，asthelegaladviserofthefamily，thatmycasewasprovedbytheplainestevidencehehadeverheardinhislife。Ashespokethosewords，IputmyarmroundLaura，andraisedhersothatshewasplainlyvisibletoeveryoneintheroom。`Areyouallofthesameopinion？’Iasked，advancingtowardsthemafewsteps，andpointingtomywife。
Theeffectofthequestionwaselectrical。Fardownatthelowerendoftheroomoneoftheoldesttenantsontheestatestartedtohisfeet，andledtherestwithhiminaninstant。Iseethemannow，withhishonestbrownfaceandhisiron-greyhair，mountedonthewindow-seat，wavinghisheavyriding-whipoverhishead，andleadingthecheers。`Theresheis，aliveandhearty——Godblessher！Gi’ittongue，lads！Gi’ittongue！’Theshoutthatansweredhim，reiteratedagainandagain，wasthesweetestmusicIeverheard。Thelabourersinthevillageandtheboysfromtheschool，assembledonthelawn，caughtupthecheeringandechoedithackonus。Thefarmers’wivesclusteredroundLaura，andstruggledwhichshouldbefirsttoshakehandswithher，andtoimploreher，withthetearspouringovertheirowncheeks，tobearupbravelyandnottocry。Shewassocompletelyoverwhelmed，thatIwasobligedtotakeherfromthem，andcarryhertothedoor。ThereIgaveherintoMarian’scare——Marian，whohadneverfailedusyet，whosecourageousself-controldidnotfailusnow。Leftbymyselfatthedoor，IinvitedallthepersonspresentafterthankingtheminLaura’snameandminetofollowmetothechurchyard，andseethefalseinscriptionstruckoffthetombstonewiththeirowneyes。
Theyallleftthehouse，andalljoinedthethrongofvillagerscollectedroundthegrave，wherethestatuary’smanwaswaitingforus。Inabreathlesssilence，thefirstsharpstrokeofthesteelsoundedonthemarble。Notavoicewasheard——notasoulmoved，tillthosethreewords，`Laura，LadyGlyde，’hadvanishedfromsight。Thentherewasagreatheaveofreliefamongthecrowd，asiftheyfeltthatthelastfettersoftheconspiracyhadbeenstruckoffLauraherself，andtheassemblyslowlywithdrew。Itwaslateinthedaybeforethewholeinscriptionwaserased。Onelineonlywasafterwardsengravedinitsplace:`AnneCatherick，July25th，1850。’
IreturnedtoLimmeridgeHouseearlyenoughintheeveningtotakeleaveofMrKyrle。Heandhisclerk，andthedriverofthefly，wentbacktoLondonbythenighttrain。OntheirdepartureaninsolentmessagewasdeliveredtomefromMrFairlie——whohadbeencarriedfromtheroominashatteredcondition，whenthefirstoutbreakofcheeringansweredmyappealtothetenantry。Themessageconveyedtous`MrFairlie’sbestcongratulations，’andrequestedtoknowwhether`wecontemplatedstoppinginthehouse。’Isentbackwordthattheonlyobjectforwhichwehadenteredhisdoorswasaccomplished——thatIcontemplatedstoppinginnoman’shousebutmyown——andthatMrFairlieneednotentertaintheslightestapprehensionofeverseeingusorhearingfromusagain。Wewentbacktoourfriendsatthefarmtorestthatnight，andthenextmorning——escortedtothestation，withtheheartiestenthusiasmandgoodwill，bythewholevillageandbyallthefarmersintheneighbourhood——wereturnedtoLondon。
AsourviewoftheCumberlandhillsfadedinthedistance，Ithoughtofthefirstdishearteningcircumstancesunderwhichthelongstrugglethatwasnowpastandoverhadbeenpursued。Itwasstrangetolookbackandtosee，now，thatthepovertywhichhaddeniedusallhopeofassistancehadbeentheindirectmeansofoursuccess，byforcingmetoactformyself。Ifwehadbeenrichenoughtofindlegalhelp，whatwouldhavebeentheresult？ThegainonMrKyrle’sownshowingwouldhavebeenmorethandoubtful——theloss，judgingbytheplaintestofeventsastheyhadreallyhappened，certain。ThelawwouldneverhaveobtainedmemyinterviewwithMrsCatherick。ThelawwouldneverhavemadePescathemeansofforcingaconfessionfromtheCount。
Twomoreeventsremaintobeaddedtothechainbeforeitreachesfairlyfromtheoutsetofthestorytotheclose。
Whileournewsenseoffreedomfromthelongoppressionofthepastwasstillstrangetous，Iwassentforbythefriendwhohadgivenmemyfirstemploymentinwoodengraving，toreceivefromhimafreshtestimonyofhisregardformywelfare。HehadbeencommissionedbyhisemployerstogotoParis，andtoexamineforthemafreshdiscoveryinthepracticalapplicationofhisArt，themeritsofwhichtheywereanxioustoascertain。Hisownengagementshadnotallowedhimleisuretimetoundertaketheerrand，andhehadmostkindlysuggestedthatitshouldbetransferredtome。Icouldhavenohesitationinthankfullyacceptingtheoffer，forifIacquittedmyselfofmycommissionasIhopedIshould，theresultwouldbeapermanentengagementontheillustratednewspaper，towhichIwasnowonlyoccasionallyattached。
Ireceivedmyinstructionsandpackedupforthejourneythenextday。OnleavingLauraoncemoreunderwhatchangedcircumstances！inhersister’scare，aseriousconsiderationrecurredtome，whichhadmorethanoncecrossedmywife’smind，aswellasmyown，already——ImeantheconsiderationofMarian’sfuture。Hadweanyrighttoletourselfishaffectionacceptthedevotionofallthatgenerouslife？Wasitnotourduty，ourbestexpressionofgratitude，toforgetourselves，andtothinkonlyofher？Itriedtosaythiswhenwewerealoneforamoment，beforeIwentaway。Shetookmyhand，andsilencedmeatthefirstwords。
`Afterallthatwethreehavesufferedtogether，’shesaid，`therecanbenopartingbetweenustillthelastpartingofall。Myheartandmyhappiness，Walter，arewithLauraandyou。Waitalittletilltherearechildren’svoicesatyourfireside。Iwillteachthemtospeakformeintheirlanguage，andthefirstlessontheysaytotheirfatherandmothershallbe——Wecan’tspareouraunt！’
MyjourneytoPariswasnotundertakenalone。AttheeleventhhourPescadecidedthathewouldaccompanyme。HehadnotrecoveredhiscustomarycheerfulnesssincethenightattheOpera，andhedeterminedtotrywhataweek’sholidaywoulddotoraisehisspirits。
Iperformedtheerrandentrustedtome，anddrewoutthenecessaryreport，onthefourthdayfromourarrivalinParis。ThefifthdayIarrangedtodevotetosight-seeingandamusementsinPesca’scompany。
Ourhotelhadbeentoofulltoaccommodateusbothonthesamefloor。Myroomwasonthesecondstorey，andPesca’swasaboveme，onthethird。OnthemorningofthefifthdayIwentupstairstoseeiftheProfessorwasreadytogoout。rustbeforeIreachedthelandingIsawhisdooropenedfromtheinside——along，delicate，nervoushandnotmyfriend’shandcertainlyhelditajar。AtthesametimeIheardPesca’svoicesayingeagerly，inlowtones，andinhisownlanguage——`Irememberthename，butIdon’tknowtheman。YousawattheOperahewassochangedthatIcouldnotrecognisehim。Iwillforwardthereport——Icandonomore。’`Nomoreneedbedone，’answeredthesecondvoice。Thedooropenedwide，andthelight-hairedmanwiththescaronhischeek——themanIhadseenfollowingCountFosco’scabaweekbefore——cameout。HebowedasIdrewasidetolethimpass——hisfacewasfearfullypale——andheheldfastbythebanistersashedescendedthestairs。
IpushedopenthedoorandenteredPesca’sroom。Hewascrouchedup，inthestrangestmanner，inacornerofthesofa。HeseemedtoshrinkfrommewhenIapproachedhim。
`AmIdisturbingyou？’Iasked。`IdidnotknowyouhadafriendwithyoutillIsawhimcomeout。’
`Nofriend，’saidPescaeagerly。`Iseehimtodayforthefirsttimeandthelast。’
`Iamafraidhehasbroughtyoubadnews？’
`Horriblenews，Walter！LetusgobacktoLondon——Idon’twanttostophere——IamsorryIevercame。Themisfortunesofmyyouthareveryharduponme，’hesaid，turninghisfacetothewall，`veryharduponmeinmylatertime。Itrytoforgetthem——andtheywillnotforgetme！’
`Wecan’treturn，Iamafraid，beforetheafternoon，’Ireplied。`Wouldyouliketocomeoutwithmeinthemeantime？’
`No，myfriend，Iwillwaithere。Butletusgobacktoday——prayletusgoback。’
IlefthimwiththeassurancethatheshouldleaveParisthatafternoon。WehadarrangedtheeveningbeforetoascendtheCathedralofNotreDame，withVictorHugo’snobleromanceforourguide。TherewasnothingintheFrenchcapitalthatIwasmoreanxioustosee，andIdepartedbymyselfforthechurch。
ApproachingNotreDamebytheriver-side，Ipassedonmywaytheterribledead-houseofparis——theMorgue。Agreatcrowdclamouredandheavedroundthedoor。Therewasevidentlysomethinginsidewhichexcitedthepopularcuriosity，andfedthepopularappetiteforhorror。
Ishouldhavewalkedontothechurchiftheconversationoftwomenandawomanontheoutskirtsofthecrowdhadnotcaughtmyear。TheyhadjustcomeoutfromseeingthesightintheMorgue，andtheaccounttheyweregivingofthedeadbodytotheirneighboursdescribeditasthecorpseofaman——amanofimmensesize，withastrangemarkonhisleftarm。
ThemomentthosewordsreachedmeIstoppedandtookmyplacewiththecrowdgoingin。SomedimforeshadowingofthetruthhadcrossedmymindwhenIheardPesca’svoicethroughtheopendoor，andwhenIsawthestranger’sfaceashepassedmeonthestairsofthehotel。Nowthetruthitselfwasrevealedtome——revealedinthechancewordsthathadjustreachedmyears。Othervengeancethanminehadfollowedthatfatedmanfromthetheatretohisowndoor——fromhisowndoortohisrefugeinParis。Othervengeancethanminehadcalledhimtothedayofreckoning，andhadexactedfromhimthepenaltyofhislife。ThemomentwhenIhadpointedhimouttoPescaatthetheatreinthehearingofthatstrangerbyourside，whowaslookingforhimtoo——wasthemomentthatsealedhisdoom。Irememberedthestruggleinmyownheart，whenheandIstoodfacetoface——thestrugglebeforeIcouldlethimescapeme——andshudderedasIrecalledit。
Slowly，inchbyinch，Ipressedinwiththecrowd，movingnearerandnearertothegreatglassscreenthatpartsthedeadfromthelivingattheMorgue——nearerandnearer，tillIwasclosebehindthefrontrowofspectators，andcouldlookin。
Therehelay，unowned，unknown，exposedtotheflippantcuriosityofaFrenchmob！Therewasthedreadfulendofthatlonglifeofdegradedabilityandheartlesscrime！Hushedinthesublimereposeofdeath，thebroad，firm，massivefaceandheadfrontedussograndlythatthechatteringFrenchwomenaboutmeliftedtheirhandsinadmiration，andcriedinshrillchorus，`Ah，whatahandsomeman！’Thewoundthathadkilledhimhadbeenstruckwithaknifeordaggerexactlyoverhisheart。Noothertracesofviolenceappearedaboutthebodyexceptontheleftarm，andthere，exactlyintheplacewhereIhadseenthebrandonPesca’sarm，weretwodeepcutsintheshapeoftheletterT，whichentirelyobliteratedthemarkoftheBrotherhood。Hisclothes，hungabovehim，showedthathehadbeenhimselfconsciousofhisdanger——theywereclothesthathaddisguisedhimasaFrenchartisan。Forafewmoments，butnotforlonger，Iforcedmyselftoseethesethingsthroughtheglassscreen。Icanwriteofthematnogreaterlength，forIsawnomore。
ThefewfactsinconnectionwithhisdeathwhichIsubsequentlyascertainedpartlyfromPescaandpartlyfromothersources，maybestatedherebeforethesubjectisdismissedfromthesepages。
HisbodywastakenoutoftheSeineinthedisguisewhichIhavedescribed，nothingbeingfoundonhimwhichrevealedhisname，hisrank，orhisplaceofabode。Thehandthatstruckhimwasnevertraced，andthecircumstancesunderwhichhewaskilledwereneverdiscovered。IleaveotherstodrawtheirownconclusionsinreferencetothesecretoftheassassinationasIhavedrawnmine。WhenIhaveintimatedthattheforeignerwiththescarwasamemberoftheBrotherhoodadmittedinItalyafterPesca’sdeparturefromhisnativecountry，andwhenIhavefurtheraddedthatthetwocuts，intheformofaT，ontheleftarmofthedeadman，signifiedtheItalianword`Traditore，’andshowedthatjusticehadbeendonebytheBrotherhoodonatraitor，IhavecontributedallthatIknowtowardselucidatingthemysteryofCountFosco’sdeath。
ThebodywasidentifiedthedayafterIhadseenitbymeansofananonymousletteraddressedtohiswife。HewasburiedbyMadameFoscointhecemeteryofPerelaChaise。FreshfuneralwreathscontinuetothisdaytobehungontheornamentalbronzerailingsroundthetombbytheCountess’sownhand。ShelivesinthestrictestretirementatVersailles。Notlongsinceshepublishedabiographyofherdeceasedhusband。Theworkthrowsnolightwhateveronthenamethatwasreallyhisownoronthesecrethistoryofhislife——itisalmostentirelydevotedtothepraiseofhisdomesticvirtues，theassertionofhisrareabilities，andtheenumerationofthehonoursconferredonhim。Thecircumstancesattendinghisdeathareverybrieflynoticed，andaresummeduponthelastpageinthissentence——`HislifewasonelongassertionoftherightsofthearistocracyandthesacredprinciplesofOrder，andhediedamartyrtohiscause。’
III
ThesummerandautumnpassedaftermyreturnfromParis，andbroughtnochangeswiththemwhichneedbenoticedhere。WelivedsosimplyandquietlythattheincomewhichIwasnowsteadilyearningsufficedforallourwants。
IntheFebruaryofthenewyearourfirstchildwasborn——ason。MymotherandsisterandMrsVeseywereourguestsatthelittlechristeningparty，andMrsClementswaspresenttoassistmywifeonthesameoccasion。Marianwasourboy’sgodmother，andPescaandMrGilmorethelatteractingbyproxywerehisgodfathers。ImayaddherethatwhenMrGilmorereturnedtousayearlaterheassistedthedesignofthesepages，atmyrequest，bywritingtheNarrativewhichappearsearlyinthestoryunderhisname，andwhich，thoughfirstinorderofprecedence，wasthus，inorderoftime，thelastthatIreceived。
Theonlyeventinourliveswhichnowremainstoberecorded，occurredwhenourlittleWalterwassixmonthsold，
AtthattimeIwassenttoIrelandtomakesketchesforcertainforthcomingillustrationsinthenewspapertowhichIwasattached。Iwasawayfornearlyafortnight，correspondingregularlywithmywifeandMarian，exceptduringthelastthreedaysofmyabsence，whenmymovementsweretoouncertaintoenablemetoreceiveletters。Iperformedthelatterpartofmyjourneybackatnight，andwhenIreachedhomeinthemorning，tomyutterastonishmenttherewasnoonetoreceiveme。LauraandMarianandthechildhadleftthehouseonthedaybeforemyreturn。
Anotefrommywife，whichwasgiventomebytheservant，onlyincreasedmysurprise，byinformingmethattheyhadgonetoLimmeridgeHouse。Marianhadprohibitedanyattemptatwrittenexplanations——IwasentreatedtofollowthemthemomentIcameback——completeenlightenmentawaitedmeonmyarrivalinCumberland——andIwasforbiddentofeeltheslightestanxietyinthemeantime。Therethenoteended。Itwasstillearlyenoughtocatchthemorningtrain。IreachedLimmeridgeHousethesameafternoon。
MywifeandMarianwerebothupstairs。Theyhadestablishedthemselvesbywayofcompletingmyamazementinthelittleroomwhichhadbeenonceassignedtomeforastudio，whenIwasemployedonMrFairlie’sdrawings。OntheverychairwhichIusedtooccupywhenIwasatworkMarianwassittingnow，withthechildindustriouslysuckinghiscoraluponherlap——whileLaurawasstandingbythewell-remembereddrawing-tablewhichIhadsooftenused，withthelittlealbumthatIhadfilledforherinpasttimesopenunderherhand。
`Whatinthenameofheavenhasbroughtyouhere？’Iasked。`DoesMrFairlieknow——？’
MariansuspendedthequestiononmylipsbytellingmethatMrFairliewasdead。Hehadbeenstruckbyparalysis，andhadneverralliedaftertheshock。MrKyrlehadinformedthemofhisdeath，andhadadvisedthemtoproceedimmediatelytoLimmeridgeHouse。
Somedimperceptionofagreatchangedawnedonmymind。LauraspokebeforeIhadquiterealisedit。Shestoleclosetometoenjoythesurprisewhichwasstillexpressedinmyface。
`MydarlingWalter，’shesaid，`mustwereallyaccountforourboldnessincominghere？Iamafraid，love，Icanonlyexplainitbybreakingthroughourrule，andreferringtothepast。’
`Thereisnottheleastnecessityfordoinganythingofthekind，’saidMarian。`Wecanbejustasexplicit，andmuchmoreinteresting，byreferringtothefuture。’Sheroseandheldupthechildkickingandcrowinginherarms。`Doyouknowwhothisis，Walter？’sheasked，withbrighttearsofhappinessgatheringinhereyes。
`Evenmybewildermenthasitslimits，’Ireplied。`IthinkIcanstillanswerforknowingmyownchild。’
`Child！’sheexclaimed，withallhereasygaietyofoldtimes。`DoyoutalkinthatfamiliarmannerofoneofthelandedgentryofEngland？Areyouaware，whenIpresentthisillustriousbabytoyournotice，inwhosepresenceyoustand？Evidentlynot！Letmemaketwoeminentpersonagesknowntooneanother:MrWalterHartright——theHeirofLimmeridge。’
Soshespoke。Inwritingthoselastwords，Ihavewrittenall。Thepenfaltersinmyhand。Thelong，happylabourofmanymonthsisover。Marianwasthegoodangelofourlives——letMarianendourStory。