OntheeveninginquestionMr。Brocktookthearm-chairinwhichhealwayssat，acceptedtheonecupofteawhichhealwaysdrank，andopenedthenewspaperwhichhealwaysreadaloudtoMrs。
Armadale，whoinvariablylistenedtohimrecliningonthesamesofa，withthesamesortofneedle-workeverlastinglyinherhand。
“Blessmysoul！“criedtherector，withhisvoiceinanewoctave，andhiseyesfixedinastonishmentonthefirstpageofthenewspaper。
NosuchintroductiontotheeveningreadingsasthishadeverhappenedbeforeinallMrs。Armadale’sexperienceasalistener。
Shelookedupfromthesofainaflutterofcuriosity，andbesoughtherreverendfriendtofavorherwithanexplanation。
“Icanhardlybelievemyowneyes。”saidMr。Brock。“Hereisanadvertisement，Mrs。Armadale，addressedtoyourson。”
Withoutfurtherpreface，hereadtheadvertisementasfollows:
IFthisshouldmeettheeyeofALLANARMADALE，heisdesiredtocommunicate，eitherpersonallyorbyletter，withMessrs。HammickandRidgeLincoln’sInnFields，London，onbusinessofimportancewhichseriouslyconcernshim。AnyonecapableofinformingMessrs。E。andR。wherethepersonhereinadvertisedcanbefoundwouldconferafavorbydoingthesame。Topreventmistakes，itisfurthernotifiedthatthemissingAllanArmadaleisayouthagedfifteenyears，andthatthisadvertisementisinsertedattheinstanceofhisfamilyandfriends。
“Anotherfamily，andotherfriends。”saidMrs。Armadale。“Thepersonwhosenameappearsinthatadvertisementisnotmyson。”
ThetoneinwhichshespokesurprisedMr。Brock。Thechangeinherface，whenhelookedup，shockedhim。Herdelicatecomplexionhadfadedawaytoadullwhite;hereyeswereavertedfromhervisitorwithastrangemixtureofconfusionandalarm;shelookedanolderwomanthanshewas，bytengoodyearsatleast。
“Thenameissoveryuncommon。”saidMr。Brock，imagininghehadoffendedher，andtryingtoexcusehimself。“Itreallyseemedimpossibletherecouldbetwopersons——“
“There_are_two。”interposedMrs。Armadale。“Allan，asyouknow，issixteenyearsold。Ifyoulookbackattheadvertisement，youwillfindthemissingpersondescribedasbeingonlyfifteen。
AlthoughhebearsthesamesurnameandthesameChristianname，heis，IthankGod，innowaywhateverrelatedtomyson。AslongasIlive，itwillbetheobjectofmyhopesandprayersthatAllanmayneverseehim，mayneverevenhearofhim。Mykindfriend，IseeIsurpriseyou:willyoubearwithmeifIleavethesestrangecircumstancesunexplained？Thereispastmisfortuneandmiseryinmyearlylifetoopainfulformetospeakof，evento_you。_Willyouhelpmetobeartheremembranceofit，byneverreferringtothisagain？Willyoudoevenmore——willyoupromisenottospeakofittoAllan，andnottoletthatnewspaperfallinhisway？”
Mr。Brockgavethepledgerequiredofhim，andconsideratelylefthertoherself。
TherectorhadbeentoolongandtootrulyattachedtoMrs。
Armadaletobecapableofregardingherwithanyunworthydistrust。Butitwouldbeidletodenythathefeltdisappointedbyherwantofconfidenceinhim，andthathelookedinquisitivelyattheadvertisementmorethanonceonhiswaybacktohisownhouse。
Itwasclearenough，now，thatMrs。Armadale’smotivesforburyinghersonaswellasherselfintheseclusionofaremotecountryvillagewasnotsomuchtokeephimunderherowneyeastokeephimfromdiscoverybyhisnamesake。Whydidshedreadtheideaoftheirevermeeting？Wasitadreadforherself，oradreadforherson？Mr。Brock’sloyalbeliefinhisfriendrejectedanysolutionofthedifficultywhichpointedatsomepastmisconductofMrs。Armadale’s。Thatnighthedestroyedtheadvertisementwithhisownhand;thatnightheresolvedthatthesubjectshouldneverbesufferedtoenterhismindagain。TherewasanotherAllanArmadaleabouttheworld，astrangertohispupil’sblood，andavagabondadvertisedinthepublicnewspapers。Somuchaccidenthadrevealedtohim。More，forMrs。
Armadale’ssake，hehadnowishtodiscover——andmorehewouldneverseektoknow。
Thiswasthesecondintheseriesofeventswhichdatedfromtherector’sconnectionwithMrs。Armadaleandherson。Mr。Brock’smemory，travelingonnearerandnearertopresentcircumstances，reachedthethirdstageofitsjourneythroughtheby-gonetime，andstoppedattheyeareighteenhundredandfifty，next。
ThefiveyearsthathadpassedhadmadelittleifanychangeinAllan’scharacter。Hehadsimplydevelopedtousehistutor’sownexpressionfromaboyofsixteentoaboyoftwenty-one。Hewasjustaseasyandopeninhisdispositionasever;justasquaintlyandinveteratelygood-humored;justasheedlessinfollowinghisownimpulses，leadhimwheretheymight。Hisbiastowardtheseahadstrengthenedwithhisadvancetotheyearsofmanhood。Frombuildingaboat，hehadnowgoton——withtwojourneymenatworkunderhim——tobuildingadeckedvesseloffive-and-thirtytons。Mr。Brockhadconscientiouslytriedtodiverthimtohigheraspirations;hadtakenhimtoOxford，toseewhatcollegelifewaslike;hadtakenhimtoLondon，toexpandhismindbythespectacleofthegreatmetropolis。ThechangehaddivertedAllan，buthadnotalteredhimintheleast。HewasasimpenetrablysuperiortoallworldlyambitionasDiogeneshimself。“Whichisbest。”askedthisunconsciousphilosopher，“tofindoutthewaytobehappyforyourself，ortoletotherpeopletryiftheycanfinditoutforyou？”FromthatmomentMr。Brockpermittedhispupil’scharactertogrowatitsownrateofdevelopment，andAllanwentonuninterruptedlywiththeworkofhisyacht。
Time，whichhadwroughtsolittlechangeintheson，hadnotpassedharmlessoverthemother。
Mrs。Armadale’shealthwasbreakingfast。Asherstrengthfailed，hertemperalteredfortheworse:shegrewmoreandmorefretful，moreandmoresubjecttomorbidfearsandfancies，moreandmorereluctanttoleaveherownroom。Sincetheappearanceoftheadvertisementfiveyearssince，nothinghadhappenedtoforcehermemorybacktothepainfulassociationsconnectedwithherearlylife。Nowordmoreontheforbiddentopichadpassedbetweentherectorandherself;nosuspicionhadeverbeenraisedinAllan’smindoftheexistenceofhisnamesake;andyet，withouttheshadowofareasonforanyspecialanxiety，Mrs。Armadalehadbecome，oflateyears，obstinatelyandfretfullyuneasyonthesubjectofherson。MorethanonceMr。Brockdreadedaseriousdisagreementbetweenthem;butAllan’snaturalsweetnessoftemper，fortifiedbyhisloveforhismother，carriedhimtriumphantlythroughalltrials。Notahardwordoraharshlookeverescapedhiminherpresence;hewasunchangeablylovingandforbearingwithhertotheverylast。
Suchwerethepositionsoftheson，themother，andthefriend，whenthenextnotableeventhappenedinthelivesofthethree。
Onadrearyafternoon，earlyinthemonthofNovember，Mr。Brockwasdisturbedoverthecompositionofhissermonbyavisitfromthelandlordofthevillageinn。
Aftermakinghisintroductoryapologies，thelandlordstatedtheurgentbusinessonwhichhehadcometotherectoryclearlyenough。
Afewhourssinceayoungmanhadbeenbroughttotheinnbysomefarmlaborersintheneighborhood，whohadfoundhimwanderingaboutoneoftheirmaster’sfieldsinadisorderedstateofmind，whichlookedtotheireyeslikedownrightmadness。Thelandlordhadgiventhepoorcreatureshelterwhilehesentformedicalhelp;andthedoctor，onseeinghim，hadpronouncedthathewassufferingfromfeveronthebrain，andthathisremovaltothenearesttownatwhichahospitalorawork-houseinfirmarycouldbefoundtoreceivehimwouldinallprobabilitybefataltohischancesofrecovery。Afterhearingthisexpressionofopinion，andafterobservingforhimselfthatthestranger’sonlyluggageconsistedofasmallcarpet-bagwhichhadbeenfoundinthefieldnearhim，thelandlordhadsetoffonthespottoconsulttherector，andtoask，inthisseriousemergency，whatcoursehewastotakenext。
Mr。Brockwasthemagistrateaswellastheclergymanofthedistrict，andthecoursetobetaken，inthefirstinstance，wastohismindclearenough。Heputonhishat，andaccompaniedthelandlordbacktotheinn。
AttheinndoortheywerejoinedbyAllan，whohadheardthenewsthroughanotherchannel，andwhowaswaitingMr。Brock’sarrival，tofollowinthemagistrate’strain，andtoseewhatthestrangerwaslike。Thevillagesurgeonjoinedthematthesamemoment，andthefourwentintotheinntogether。
Theyfoundthelandlord’ssonononeside，andthehostlerontheother，holdingthemandowninhischair。Young，slim，andundersized，hewasstrongenoughatthatmomenttomakeitamatterofdifficultyforthetwotomasterhim。Histawnycomplexion，hislarge，brightbrowneyes，andhisblackbeardgavehimsomethingofaforeignlook。Hisdresswasalittleworn，buthislinenwasclean。Hisduskyhandswerewiryandnervous，andwerelividlydiscoloredinmoreplacesthanonebythescarsofoldwounds。Thetoesofoneofhisfeet，offwhichhehadkickedtheshoe，graspedatthechairrailthroughhisstocking，withthesensitivemuscularactionwhichisonlyseeninthosewhohavebeenaccustomedtogobarefoot。Inthefrenzythatnowpossessedhim，itwasimpossibletonotice，toanyusefulpurpose，morethanthis。AfterawhisperedconsultationwithMr。Brock，thesurgeonpersonallysuperintendedthepatient’sremovaltoaquietbedroomatthebackofthehouse。
Shortlyafterwardhisclothesandhiscarpet-bagweresentdownstairs，andweresearched，onthechanceoffindingaclewbywhichtocommunicatewithhisfriends，inthemagistrate’spresence。
Thecarpet-bagcontainednothingbutachangeofclothing，andtwobooks——thePlaysofSophocles，intheoriginalGreek，andthe“Faust“ofGoethe，intheoriginalGerman。Bothvolumesweremuchwornbyreading，andonthefly-leafofeachwereinscribedtheinitialsO。M。Somuchthebagrevealed，andnomore。
Theclotheswhichthemanworewhenhewasdiscoveredinthefieldweretriednext。Apursecontainingasovereignandafewshillings，apipe，atobaccopouch，ahandkerchief，andalittledrinking-cupofhornwereproducedinsuccession。Thenextobject，andthelast，wasfoundcrumpledupcarelesslyinthebreast-pocketofthecoat。Itwasawrittentestimonialtocharacter，datedandsigned，butwithoutanyaddress。
Sofarasthisdocumentcouldtellit，thestranger’sstorywasasadoneindeed。Hehadapparentlybeenemployedforashorttimeasusherataschool，andhadbeenturnedadriftintheworld，attheoutsetofhisillness，fromthefearthatthefevermightbeinfectious，andthattheprosperityoftheestablishmentmightsufferaccordingly。Nottheslightestimputationofanymisbehaviorinhisemploymentrestedonhim。Onthecontrary，theschoolmasterhadgreatpleasureintestifyingtohiscapacityandhischaracter，andinexpressingaferventhopethathemightunderProvidencesucceedinrecoveringhishealthinsomebodyelse’shouse。Thewrittentestimonialwhichaffordedthisglimpseattheman’sstoryservedonepurposemore:itconnectedhimwiththeinitialsonthebooks，andidentifiedhimtothemagistrateandthelandlordunderthestrangelyuncouthnameofOziasMidwinter。
Mr。Brocklaidasidethetestimonial，suspectingthattheschoolmasterhadpurposelyabstainedfromwritinghisaddressonit，withtheviewofescapingallresponsibilityintheeventofhisusher’sdeath。Inanycase，itwasmanifestlyuseless，underexistingcircumstances，tothinkoftracingthepoorwretch’sfriends，iffriendshehad。Totheinnhehadbeenbrought，and，asamatterofcommonhumanity，attheinnhemustremainforthepresent。Thedifficultyaboutexpenses，ifitcametotheworst，mightpossiblybemetbycharitablecontributionsfromtheneighbors，orbyacollectionafterasermonatchurch。Assuringthelandlordthathewouldconsiderthispartofthequestionandwouldlethimknowtheresult，Mr。Brockquittedtheinn，withoutnoticingforthemomentthathehadleftAllantherebehindhim。
Beforehehadgotfiftyyardsfromthehousehispupilovertookhim。Allanhadbeenmostuncharacteristicallysilentandseriousallthroughthesearchattheinn;buthehadnowrecoveredhisusualhighspiritsAstrangerwouldhavesethimdownaswantingincommonfeeling。
“Thisisasadbusiness。”saidtherector。“Ireallydon’tknowwhattodoforthebestaboutthatunfortunateman。”
“Youmaymakeyourmindquiteeasy，sir。”saidyoungArmadale，inhisoff-handway。“Isettleditallwiththelandlordaminuteago。”
“You！“exclaimedMr。Brock，intheutmostastonishment。
“Ihavemerelygivenafewsimpledirections。”pursuedAllan。
“Ourfriendtheusheristohaveeverythingherequires，andistobetreatedlikeaprince;andwhenthedoctorandthelandlordwanttheirmoneytheyaretocometome。”
“MydearAllan。”Mr。Brockgentlyremonstrated，“whenwillyoulearntothinkbeforeyouactonthosegenerousimpulsesofyours？Youarespendingmoremoneyalreadyonyouryacht-buildingthanyoucanafford——“
“Onlythink！welaidthefirstplanksofthedeckthedaybeforeyesterday。”saidAllan，flyingofftothenewsubjectinhisusualbird-wittedway。“There’sjustenoughofitdonetowalkon，ifyoudon’tfeelgiddy。I’llhelpyouuptheladder，Mr。
Brock，ifyou’llonlycomeandtry。”
“Listentome。”persistedtherector。“I’mnottalkingabouttheyachtnow;thatistosay，Iamonlyreferringtotheyachtasallillustration——“
“Andaveryprettyillustration，too。”remarkedtheincorrigibleAllan。“FindmeasmarterlittlevesselofhersizeinallEngland，andI’llgiveupyacht-buildingto-morrow。Whereaboutswereweinourconversation，sir？I’mratherafraidwehavelostourselvessomehow。”
“Iamratherafraidoneofusisinthehabitoflosinghimselfeverytimeheopenshislips。”retortedMr。Brock。“Come，come，Allan，thisisserious。Youhavebeenrenderingyourselfliableforexpenseswhichyoumaynotbeabletopay。Mind，Iamfarfromblamingyouforyourkindfeelingtowardthispoorfriendlessman——“
“Don’tbelow-spiritedabouthim，sir。He’llgetoverit——he’llbeallrightagaininaweekorso。Acapitalfellow，Ihavenottheleastdoubt！“continuedAllan，whosehabititwastobelieveineverybodyandtodespairofnothing。“Supposeyouaskhimtodinnerwhenhegetswell，Mr。Brock？Ishouldliketofindoutwhenweareallthreesnugandfriendlytogetheroverourwine，youknowhowhecamebythatextraordinarynameofhis。OziasMidwinter！Uponmylife，hisfatheroughttobeashamedofhimself。”
“WillyouanswermeonequestionbeforeIgoin？”saidtherector，stoppingindespairathisowngate。“Thisman’sbillforlodgingandmedicalattendancemaymounttotwentyorthirtypoundsbeforehegetswellagain，ifheeverdoesgetwell。Howareyoutopayforit？”
“What’sthattheChancelloroftheExchequersayswhenhefindshimselfinamesswithhisaccounts，anddoesn’tseehiswayoutagain？”askedAllan。“Healwaystellshishonorablefriendheisquitewillingtoleaveasomethingorother——“
“Amargin？”suggestedMr。Brock。
“That’sit。”saidAllan。“I’mliketheChancelloroftheExchequer。I’mquitewillingtoleaveamargin。Theyachtblessherheart！doesn’teatupeverything。IfI’mshortbyapoundortwo，don’tbeafraid，sir。There’snoprideaboutme;I’llgoroundwiththehat，andgetthebalanceintheneighborhood。
Deucetakethepounds，shillings，andpence！Iwishtheycouldallthreegetridofthemselves，liketheBedouinbrothersattheshow。Don’tyouremembertheBedouinbrothers，Mr。Brock？’Aliwilltakealightedtorch，andjumpdownthethroatofhisbrotherMuli;Muliwilltakealightedtorch，andjumpdownthethroatofhisbrotherHassan;andHassan，takingathirdlightedtorch，willconcludetheperformancesbyjumpingdownhisownthroat，andleavingthespectatorsintotaldarkness。’
Wonderfullygood，that——whatIcallrealwit，withafinestrongflavoraboutit。Waitaminute！Wherearewe？Wehavelostourselvesagain。Oh，Iremember——money。WhatIcan’tbeatintomythickhead。”concludedAllan，quiteunconsciousthathewaspreachingsocialistdoctrinestoaclergyman;“isthemeaningofthefussthat’smadeaboutgivingmoneyaway。Whycan’tthepeoplewhohavegotmoneytosparegiveittothepeoplewhohaven’tgotmoneytospare，andmakethingspleasantandcomfortablealltheworldoverinthatway？You’realwaystellingmetocultivateideas，Mr。BrockThere’sanidea，and，uponmylife，Idon’tthinkit’sabadone。”
Mr。Brockgavehispupilagood-humoredpokewiththeendofhisstick。“Gobacktoyouryacht。”hesaid。“Allthelittlediscretionyouhavegotinthatflightyheadofyoursisleftonboardinyourtool-chest。Howthatladwillend。”pursuedtherector，whenhewasleftbyhimself，“ismorethananyhumanbeingcansay。IalmostwishIhadnevertakentheresponsibilityofhimonmyshoulders。”
Threeweekspassedbeforethestrangerwiththeuncouthnamewaspronouncedtobeatlastonthewaytorecovery。
DuringthisperiodAllanhadmaderegularinquiriesattheinn，and，assoonasthesickmanwasallowedtoseevisitors，Allanwasthefirstwhoappearedathisbedside。SofarMr。Brock’spupilhadshownnomorethananaturalinterestinoneofthefewromanticcircumstanceswhichhadvariedthemonotonyofthevillagelife:hehadcommittednoimprudence，andhehadexposedhimselftonoblame。Butasthedayspassed，youngArmadale’svisitstotheinnbegantolengthenconsiderably，andthesurgeonacautiouselderlymangavetherectoraprivatehinttobestirhimself。Mr。Brockactedonthehintimmediately，anddiscoveredthatAllanhadfollowedhisusualimpulsesinhisusualheadlongway。HehadtakenaviolentfancytothecastawayusherandhadinvitedOziasMidwintertoresidepermanentlyintheneighborhoodinthenewandinterestingcharacterofhisbosomfriend。
BeforeMr。Brockcouldmakeuphismindhowtoactinthisemergency，hereceivedanotefromAllan’smother，begginghimtousehisprivilegeasanoldfriend，andtopayheravisitinherroom。
HefoundMrs。Armadalesufferingunderviolentnervousagitation，causedentirelybyarecentinterviewwithherson。Allanhadbeensittingwithherallthemorning，andhadtalkedofnothingbuthisnewfriend。ThemanwiththehorriblenameaspoorMrs。
ArmadaledescribedhimhadquestionedAllan，inasingularlyinquisitivemanner，onthesubjectofhimselfandhisfamily，buthadkepthisownpersonalhistoryentirelyinthedark。Atsomeformerperiodofhislifehehadbeenaccustomedtotheseaandtosailing。Allanhad，unfortunately，foundthisout，andabondofunionbetweenthemwasformedonthespot。Withamercilessdistrustofthestranger——simply_because_hewasastranger——whichappearedratherunreasonabletoMr。Brock，Mrs。
Armadalebesoughttherectortogototheinnwithoutamoment’slossoftime，andnevertorestuntilhehadmadethemangiveaproperaccountofhimself。“Findouteverythingabouthisfatherandmother！“shesaid，inhervehementfemaleway。“Makesurebeforeyouleavehimthatheisnotavagabondroamingthecountryunderanassumedname。”
“Mydearlady。”remonstratedtherector，obedientlytakinghishat，“whateverelsewemaydoubt，Ireallythinkwemayfeelsureabouttheman’sname！Itissoremarkablyuglythatitmustbegenuine。Nosanehumanbeingwould_assume_suchanameasOziasMidwinter。”
“Youmaybequiteright，andImaybequitewrong;butpraygoandseehim。”persistedMrs。Armadale。“Go，anddon’tsparehim，Mr。Brock。Howdoweknowthatthisillnessofhismaynothavebeenputonforapurpose？”
Itwasuselesstoreasonwithher。ThewholeCollegeofPhysiciansmighthavecertifiedtotheman’sillness，and，inherpresentframeofmind，Mrs。ArmadalewouldhavedisbelievedtheCollege，oneandall，fromthepresidentdownward。Mr。Brocktookthewisewayoutofthedifficulty——hesaidnomore，andhesetofffortheinnimmediately。
OziasMidwinter，recoveringfrombrain-fever，wasastartlingobjecttocontemplateonafirstviewofhim。Hisshavenhead，tiedupinanoldyellowsilkhandkerchief;histawny，haggardcheeks;hisbrightbrowneyes，preternaturallylargeandwild;
hisroughblackbeard;hislong，supple，sinewyfingers，wastedbysufferingtilltheylookedlikeclaws——alltendedtodiscomposetherectorattheoutsetoftheinterview。Whenthefirstfeelingofsurprisehadwornoff，theimpressionthatfolloweditwasnotanagreeableone。Mr。Brockcouldnotconcealfromhimselfthatthestranger’smannerwasagainsthim。Thegeneralopinionhassettledthat，ifamanishonest，heisboundtoassertitbylookingstraightathisfellow-creatureswhenhespeakstothem。Ifthismanwashonest，hiseyesshowedasingularperversityinlookingawayanddenyingit。Possiblytheywereaffectedinsomedegreebyanervousrestlessnessinhisorganization，whichappearedtopervadeeveryfiberinhislean，lithebody。Therector’shealthyAnglo-Saxonfleshcreptresponsivelyateverycasualmovementoftheusher’ssupplebrownfingers，andeverypassingdistortionoftheusher’shaggardyellowface。“Godforgiveme！“thoughtMr。Brock，withhismindrunningonAllanandAllan’smother，“IwishIcouldseemywaytoturningOziasMidwinteradriftintheworldagain！“
Theconversationwhichensuedbetweenthetwowasaveryguardedone。Mr。Brockfelthiswaygently，andfoundhimself，trywherehemight，alwayskeptpolitely，moreorless，inthedark。
Fromfirsttolast，theman’srealcharactershrankbackwithasavageshynessfromtherector’stouch。Hestartedbyanassertionwhichitwasimpossibletolookathimandbelieve——hedeclaredthathewasonlytwentyyearsofage。Allhecouldbepersuadedtosayonthesubjectoftheschoolwasthatthebarerecollectionofitwashorribletohim。Hehadonlyfilledtheusher’ssituationfortendayswhenthefirstappearanceofhisillnesscausedhisdismissal。Howhehadreachedthefieldinwhichhehadbeenfoundwasmorethanhecouldsay。Herememberedtravelingalongdistancebyrailway，withapurposeifhehadapurposewhichitwasnowimpossibletorecall，andthenwanderingcoastward，onfoot，allthroughtheday，orallthroughthenight——hewasnotsurewhich。Theseakeptrunninginhismindwhenhismindbegantogiveway。Hehadbeenemployedontheseaasalad。Hehadleftit，andhadfilledasituationatabookseller’sinacountrytown。Hehadleftthebookseller’s，andhadtriedtheschool。Nowtheschoolhadturnedhimout，hemusttrysomethingelse。Itmatteredlittlewhathetried——failureforwhichnobodywasevertoblamebuthimselfwassuretobetheendofit，soonerorlater。Friendstoassisthim，hehadnonetoapplyto;andasforrelations，hewishedtobeexcusedfromspeakingofthem。Forallheknewtheymightbedead，andforall_they_knew_he_mightbedead。Thatwasamelancholyacknowledgmenttomakeathistimeoflife，therewasnodenyingit。Itmighttellagainsthimintheopinionsofothers;anditdidtellagainsthim，nodoubt，intheopinionofthegentlemanwhowastalkingtohimatthatmoment。
Thesestrangeanswersweregiveninatoneandmannerfarremovedfrombitternessontheoneside，orfromindifferenceontheother。OziasMidwinterattwentyspokeofhislifeasOziasMidwinteratseventymighthavespokenwithalongwearinessofyearsonhimwhichhehadlearnedtobearpatiently。
Twocircumstancespleadedstronglyagainstthedistrustwithwhich，insheerperplexityofmind，Mr。Brockblindlyregardedhim。Hehadwrittentoasavings-bankinadistantpartofEngland，haddrawnhismoney，andhadpaidthedoctorandthelandlord。Amanofvulgarmind，afteractinginthismanner，wouldhavetreatedhisobligationslightlywhenhehadsettledhisbills。OziasMidwinterspokeofhisobligations——andespeciallyofhisobligationtoAllan——withafervorofthankfulnesswhichitwasnotsurprisingonly，butabsolutelypainfultowitness。HeshowedahorriblesincerityofastonishmentathavingbeentreatedwithcommonChristiankindnessinaChristianland。HespokeofAllan’shavingbecomeanswerableforalltheexpensesofsheltering，nursing，andcuringhim，withasavageraptureofgratitudeandsurprisewhichburstoutofhimlikeaflashoflightning。“SohelpmeGod！“
criedthecastawayusher，“Inevermetwiththelikeofhim:I
neverheardofthelikeofhimbefore！“Inthenextinstant，theoneglimpseoflightwhichthemanhadletinonhisownpassionatenaturewasquenchedagainindarkness。Hiswanderingeyes，returningtotheiroldtrick，lookeduneasilyawayfromMr。
Brock，andhisvoicedroppedbackoncemoreintoitsunnaturalsteadinessandquietnessoftone。“Ibegyourpardon，sir。”hesaid。“Ihavebeenusedtobehunted，andcheated，andstarved。
Everythingelsecomesstrangetome。“Halfattractedbytheman，halfrepelledbyhim，Mr。Brock，onrisingtotakeleave，impulsivelyofferedhishand，andthen，withasuddenmisgiving，confusedlydrewitbackagain。“Youmeantthatkindly，sir。”saidOziasMidwinter，withhisownhandscrossedresolutelybehindhim。“Idon’tcomplainofyourthinkingbetterofit。Amanwhocan’tgiveaproperaccountofhimselfisnotamanforagentlemaninyourpositiontotakebythehand。”
Mr。Brocklefttheinnthoroughlypuzzled。BeforereturningtoMrs。Armadalehesentforherson。Thechanceswerethattheguardhadbeenoffthestranger’stonguewhenhespoketoAllan，andwithAllan’sfranknesstherewasnofearofhisconcealinganythingthathadpassedbetweenthemfromtherectorsknowledge。
HereagainMr。Brock’sdiplomacyachievednousefulresults。
OncestartedonthesubjectofOziasMidwinter，Allanrattledonabouthisnewfriendinhisusualeasy，light-heartedway。Buthehadreallynothingofimportancetotell，fornothingofimportancehadbeenrevealedtohim。Theyhadtalkedaboutboat-buildingandsailingbythehourtogether，andAllanhadgotsomevaluablehints。Theyhaddiscussedwithdiagramstoassistthem，andwithmorevaluablehintsforAllantheseriousimpendingquestionofthelaunchoftheyacht。Onotheroccasionstheyhaddivergedtoothersubjects——tomoreofthemthanAllancouldremember，onthespurofthemoment。HadMidwintersaidnothingabouthisrelationsintheflowofallthisfriendlytalk？Nothing，exceptthattheyhadnotbehavedwelltohim——hanghisrelations！Washeatallsensitiveonthesubjectofhisownoddname？Nottheleastintheworld;hehadsettheexample，likeasensiblefellow，oflaughingatithimself。
Mr。Brockstillpersisted。HeinquirednextwhatAllanhadseeninthestrangertotakesuchafancyto？Allanhadseeninhim——whathedidn’tseeinpeopleingeneral。Hewasn’tlikealltheotherfellowsintheneighborhood。Alltheotherfellowswerecutoutonthesamepattern。Everymanofthemwasequallyhealthy，muscular，loud，hard-hearted，clean-skinned，andrough;
everymanofthemdrankthesamedraughtsofbeer，smokedthesameshortpipesalldaylong，rodethebesthorse，shotoverthebestdog，andputthebestbottleofwineinEnglandonhistableatnight;everymanofthemspongedhimselfeverymorninginthesamesortoftubofcoldwaterandbraggedaboutitinfrostyweatherinthesamesortofway;everymanofthemthoughtgettingintodebtacapitaljokeandbettingonhorse-racesoneofthemostmeritoriousactionsthatahumanbeingcanperform。
Theywere，nodoubt，excellentfellowsintheirway;buttheworstofthemwas，theywereallexactlyalike。ItwasaperfectgodsendtomeetwithamanlikeMidwinter——amanwhowasnotcutoutontheregularlocalpattern，andwhosewayintheworldhadtheonegreatmeritinthosepartsofbeingawayofhisown。
Leavingallremonstrancesforafitteropportunity，therectorwentbacktoMrs。Armadale。HecouldnotdisguisefromhimselfthatAllan’smotherwasthepersonreallyanswerableforAllan’spresentindiscretion。Iftheladhadseenalittlelessofthesmallgentryintheneighborhood，andalittlemoreofthegreatoutsideworldathomeandabroad，thepleasureofcultivatingOziasMidwinter’ssocietymighthavehadfewerattractionsforhim。
Consciousoftheunsatisfactoryresultofhisvisittotheinn，Mr。BrockfeltsomeanxietyaboutthereceptionofhisreportwhenhefoundhimselfoncemoreinMrs。Armadale’spresence。Hisforebodingsweresoonrealized。Tryashemighttomakethebestofit，Mrs。Armadaleseizedontheonesuspiciousfactoftheusher’ssilenceabouthimselfasjustifyingthestrongestmeasuresthatcouldbetakentoseparatehimfromherson。Iftherectorrefusedtointerfere，shedeclaredherintentionofwritingtoOziasMidwinterwithherownhand。RemonstranceirritatedhertosuchapitchthatsheastoundedMr。Brockbyrevertingtotheforbiddensubjectoffiveyearssince，andreferringhimtotheconversationwhichhadpassedbetweenthemwhentheadvertisementhadbeendiscoveredinthenewspaper。ShepassionatelydeclaredthatthevagabondArmadaleofthatadvertisement，andthevagabondMidwinteratthevillageinn，might，forallsheknowtothecontrary，beoneandthesame。
Forebodingaseriousdisagreementbetweenthemotherandsonifthemotherinterfered，Mr。BrockundertooktoseeMidwinteragain，andtotellhimplainlythathemustgiveaproperaccountofhimself，orthathisintimacywithAllanmustcease。ThetwoconcessionswhichheexactedfromMrs。Armadaleinreturnwerethatsheshouldwaitpatientlyuntilthedoctorreportedthemanfittotravel，andthatsheshouldbecarefulintheintervalnottomentionthematterinanywaytoherson。
Inaweek’stimeMidwinterwasabletodriveoutwithAllanforhiscoachmanintheponychaisebelongingtotheinn，andintendaysthedoctorprivatelyreportedhimasfittotravel。Towardthecloseofthattenthday，Mr。BrockmetAllanandhisnewfriendenjoyingthelastgleamsofwintrysunshineinoneoftheinlandlanes。Hewaiteduntilthetwohadseparated，andthenfollowedtheusheronhiswaybacktotheinn。
Therector’sresolutiontospeakpitilesslytothepurposewasinsomedangeroffailinghimashedrewnearerandnearertothefriendlessman，andsawhowfeeblyhestillwalked，howlooselyhisworncoathungabouthim，andhowheavilyheleanedonhischeap，clumsystick。Humanelyreluctanttosaythedecisivewordstooprecipitately，Mr。Brocktriedhimfirstwithalittlecomplimentontherangeofhisreading，asshownbythevolumeofSophoclesandthevolumeofGoethewhichhadbeenfoundinhisbag，andaskedhowlonghehadbeenacquaintedwithGermanandGreek。ThequickearofMidwinterdetectedsomethingwronginthetoneofMr。Brock’svoice。Heturnedinthedarkeningtwilight，andlookedsuddenlyandsuspiciouslyintherector’sface。
“Youhavesomethingtosaytome。”heanswered;“anditisnotwhatyouaresayingnow。”
Therewasnohelpforitbuttoacceptthechallenge。Verydelicately，withmanypreparatorywords，towhichtheotherlistenedinunbrokensilence，Mr。Brockcamelittlebylittlenearerandnearertothepoint。Longbeforehehadreallyreachedit——longbeforeamanofnomorethanordinarysensibilitywouldhavefeltwhatwascoming——OziasMidwinterstoodstillinthelane，andtoldtherectorthatheneedsaynomore。
“Iunderstandyou，sir。”saidtheusher。“Mr。Armadalehasanascertainedpositionintheworld;Mr。Armadalehasnothingtoconceal，andnothingtobeashamedof。IagreewithyouthatIamnotafitcompanionforhim。ThebestreturnIcanmakeforhiskindnessistopresumeonitnolonger。Youmaydependonmyleavingthisplaceto-morrowmorning。”
Hespokenowordmore;hewouldhearnowordmore。Withaself-controlwhich，athisyearsandwithhistemperament，wasnothinglessthanmarvelous，hecivillytookoffhishat，bowed，andreturnedtotheinnbyhimselfMr。Brocksleptbadlythatnight。TheissueoftheinterviewinthelanehadmadetheproblemofOziasMidwinteraharderproblemtosolvethanever。
Earlythenextmorningaletterwasbroughttotherectorfromtheinn，andthemessengerannouncedthatthestrangegentlemanhadtakenhisdeparture。TheletterinclosedanopennoteaddressedtoAllan，andrequestedAllan’stutorafterfirstreadingithimselftoforwarditornotathisownsolediscretion。Thenotewasastartlinglyshortone;itbeganandendedinadozenwords:“Don’tblameMr。Brock;Mr。Brockisright。Thankyou，andgood-by——O。M。”
Therectorforwardedthenotetoitsproperdestination，asamatterofcourse，andsentafewlinestoMrs。Armadaleatthesametimetoquietheranxietybythenewsoftheusher’sdeparture。Thisdone，hewaitedthevisitfromhispupil，whichwouldprobablyfollowthedeliveryofthenote，innoverytranquilframeofmind。TheremightormightnotbesomedeepmotiveatthebottomofMidwinter’sconduct;butthusfaritwasimpossibletodenythathehadbehavedinsuchamannerastorebuketherector’sdistrust，andtojustifyAllan’sgoodopinionofhim。
Themorningworeon，andyoungArmadaleneverappeared。Afterlookingforhimvainlyintheyardwheretheyachtwasbuilding，Mr。BrockwenttoMrs。Armadale’shouse，andthereheardnewsfromtheservantwhichturnedhisstepsinthedirectionoftheinn。Thelandlordatonceacknowledgedthetruth:youngMr。
Armadalehadcometherewithanopenletterinhishand，andhadinsistedonbeinginformedoftheroadwhichhisfriendhadtaken。Forthefirsttimeinthelandlord’sexperienceofhim，theyounggentlemanwasoutoftemper;andthegirlwhowaitedonthecustomershadstupidlymentionedacircumstancewhichhadaddedfueltothefire。ShehadacknowledgedhavingheardMr。
Midwinterlockhimselfintohisroomovernight，andburstintoaviolentfitofcrying。ThattriflingparticularhadsetMr。
Armadale’sfaceallofaflame;hehadshoutedandsworn;hehadrushedintothestables;andforcedthehostlertosaddlehimahorse，andhadsetofffullgallopontheroadthatOziasMidwinterhadtakenbeforehim。
AftercautioningthelandlordtokeepAllan’sconductasecretifanyofMrs。Armadale’sservantscamethatmorningtotheinn，Mr。
Brockwenthomeagain，andwaitedanxiouslytoseewhatthedaywouldbringforth。
Tohisinfinitereliefhispupilappearedattherectorylateintheafternoon。
Allanlookedandspokewithadoggeddeterminationwhichwasquitenewinhisoldfriend’sexperienceofhim。Withoutwaitingtobequestioned，hetoldhisstoryinhisusualstraightforwardway。HehadovertakenMidwinterontheroad;and——aftertryingvainlyfirsttoinducehimtoreturn，thentofindoutwherehewasgoingto——hadthreatenedtokeepcompanywithhimfortherestoftheday，andhadsoextortedtheconfessionthathewasgoingtotryhisluckinLondon。Havinggainedthispoint，Allanhadaskednextforhisfriend’saddressinLondon，hadbeenentreatedbytheothernottopresshisrequest，hadpressedit，nevertheless，withallhismight，andhadgottheaddressatlastbymakinganappealtoMidwinter’sgratitude，forwhichfeelingheartilyashamedofhimselfhehadafterwardaskedMidwinter’spardon。“Ilikethepoorfellow，andIwon’tgivehimup。”
concludedAllan，bringinghisclinchedfistdownwithathumpontherectorytable。“Don’tbeafraidofmyvexingmymother;I’llleaveyoutospeaktoher，Mr。Brock，atyourowntimeandinyourownway;andI’lljustsaythismuchmorebywayofbringingthethingtoanend。Hereistheaddresssafeinmypocket-book，andhereamI，standingfirmforonceonaresolutionofmyown。
I’llgiveyouandmymothertimetoreconsiderthis;and，whenthetimeisup，ifmyfriendMidwinterdoesn’tcometo_me，_I’llgotomyfriendMidwinter。”
Sothematterrestedforthepresent;andsuchwastheresultofturningthecastawayusheradriftintheworldagain——
Amonthpassed，andbroughtinthenewyear——’51。Overleapingthatshortlapseoftime，Mr。Brockpaused，withaheavyheart，atthenextevent;tohismindtheonemournful，theonememorableeventoftheseries——Mrs。Armadale’sdeath。
Thefirstwarningoftheafflictionthatwasnearathandhadfollowedcloseontheusher’sdepartureinDecember，andhadarisenoutofacircumstancewhichdweltpainfullyontherector’smemoryfromthattimeforth。
ButthreedaysafterMidwinterhadleftforLondon，Mr。Brockwasaccostedinthevillagebyaneatlydressedwoman，wearingagownandbonnetofblacksilkandaredPaisleyshawl，whowasatotalstrangertohim，andwhoinquiredthewaytoMrs。Armadale’shouse。Sheputthequestionwithoutraisingthethickblackveilthathungoverherface。Mr。Brock，ingivingherthenecessarydirections，observedthatshewasaremarkablyelegantandgracefulwoman，andlookedafterherasshebowedandlefthim，wonderingwhoMrs。Armadale’svisitorcouldpossiblybe。
Aquarterofanhourlaterthelady，stillveiledasbefore，passedMr。Brockagainclosetotheinn。Sheenteredthehouse，andspoketothelandlady。Seeingthelandlordshortlyafterwardhurryingroundtothestables，Mr。Brockaskedhimiftheladywasgoingaway。Yes;shehadcomefromtherailwayintheomnibus，butshewasgoingbackagainmorecreditablyinacarriageofherownhiring，suppliedbytheinn。
Therectorproceededonhiswalk，rathersurprisedtofindhisthoughtsrunninginquisitivelyonawomanwhowasastrangertohim。Whenhegothomeagain，hefoundthevillagesurgeonwaitinghisreturnwithanurgentmessagefromAllan’smother。Aboutanhoursince，thesurgeonhadbeensentforingreathastetoseeMrs。Armadale。Hehadfoundhersufferingfromanalarmingnervousattack，broughtonastheservantssuspectedbyanunexpected，and，possibly，anunwelcomevisitor，whohadcalledthatmorning。Thesurgeonhaddoneallthatwasneedful，andhadnoapprehensionofanydangerousresults。Findinghispatienteagerlydesirous，onrecoveringherself，toseeMr。Brockimmediately，hehadthoughtitimportanttohumorher，andhadreadilyundertakentocallattherectorywithamessagetothateffect。
LookingatMrs。Armadalewithafardeeperinterestinherthanthesurgeon’sinterest，Mr。Brocksawenoughinherface，whenitturnedtowardhimonhisenteringtheroom，tojustifyinstantandseriousalarm。Sheallowedhimnoopportunityofsoothingher;sheheedednoneofhisinquiries。Answerstocertainquestionsofherownwerewhatshewanted，andwhatshewasdeterminedtohave:HadMr。Brockseenthewomanwhohadpresumedtovisitherthatmorning？Yes。HadAllanseenher？No;Allanhadbeenatworksincebreakfast，andwasatworkstill，inhisyardbythewater-side。
ThislatterreplyappearedtoquietMrs。Armadaleforthemoment;
sheputhernextquestion——themostextraordinaryquestionofthethree——morecomposedly:DidtherectorthinkAllanwouldobjecttoleavinghisvesselforthepresent，andtoaccompanyinghismotheronajourneytolookoutforanewhouseinsomeotherpartofEngland？InthegreatestamazementMr。Brockaskedwhatreasontherecouldpossiblybeforleavingherpresentresidence？
Mrs。Armadale’sreason，whenshegaveit，onlyaddedtohissurprise。Thewoman’sfirstvisitmightbefollowedbyasecond;
andratherthanseeheragain，ratherthanruntheriskofAllan’sseeingherandspeakingtoher，Mrs。ArmadalewouldleaveEnglandifnecessary，andendherdaysinaforeignland。Takingcounselofhisexperienceasamagistrate，Mr。Brockinquiredifthewomanhadcometoaskformoney。Yes;respectablyasshewasdressed，shehaddescribedherselfasbeing“indistress“;hadaskedformoney，andhadgotit。Butthemoneywasofnoimportance;theonethingneedfulwastogetawaybeforethewomancameagain。Moreandmoresurprised，Mr。Brockventuredonanotherquestion:WasitlongsinceMrs。Armadaleandhervisitorhadlastmet？Yes;longerthanallAllan’slifetime——aslongagoastheyearbeforeAllanwasborn。
Atthatreply，therectorshiftedhisground，andtookcounselnextofhisexperienceasafriend。
“Isthisperson。”heasked，“connectedinanywaywiththepainfulremembrancesofyourearlylife？”
“Yes;withthepainfulremembranceofthetimewhenIwasmarried。”saidMrs。Armadale。“Shewasassociated，asamerechild，withacircumstancewhichImustthinkofwithshameandsorrowtomydyingday。”
Mr。Brocknoticedthealteredtoneinwhichhisoldfriendspoke，andtheunwillingnesswithwhichshegaveheranswer。
“Canyoutellmemoreaboutherwithoutreferringtoyourself？”
hewenton。“IamsureIcanprotectyou，ifyouwillonlyhelpmealittle。Hername，forinstance——youcantellmehername？”
Mrs。Armadaleshookherhead，“ThenameIknewherby。”shesaid，“wouldbeofnousetoyou。Shehasbeenmarriedsincethen;shetoldmesoherself。”
“Andwithouttellingyouhermarriedname？”
“Sherefusedtotellit。”
“Doyouknowanythingofherfriends？”
“Onlyofherfriendswhenshewasachild。Theycalledthemselvesheruncleandaunt。Theywerelowpeople，andtheydesertedherattheschoolonmyfather’sestate。Weneverheardanymoreofthem。”
“Didsheremainunderyourfather’scare？”
“Sheremainedundermycare;thatistosay，shetraveledwithus。WewereleavingEngland，justasthattime，forMadeira。I
hadmyfather’sleavetotakeherwithme，andtotrainthewretchtobemymaid——“
AtthosewordsMrs。Armadalestoppedconfusedly。Mr。Brocktriedgentlytoleadheron。Itwasuseless;shestartedupinviolentagitation，andwalkedexcitedlybackwardandforwardintheroom。
“Don’taskmeanymore！“shecriedout，inloud，angrytones。“I
partedwithherwhenshewasagirloftwelveyearsold。Ineversawheragain，Ineverheardofheragain，fromthattimetothis。Idon’tknowhowshehasdiscoveredme，afteralltheyearsthathavepassed;Ionlyknowthatshe_has_discoveredme。ShewillfindherwaytoAllannext;shewillpoisonmyson’smindagainstme。Helpmetogetawayfromher！helpmetotakeAllanawaybeforeshecomesback！“
Therectoraskednomorequestions;itwouldhavebeencrueltopressherfurther。Thefirstnecessitywastocomposeherbypromisingcompliancewithallthatshedesired。Thesecondwastoinducehertoseeanothermedicalman。Mr。Brockcontrivedtoreachhisendharmlesslyinthislattercasebyremindingherthatshewantedstrengthtotravel，andthatherownmedicalattendantmightrestoreherallthemorespeedilytoherselfifhewereassistedbythebestprofessionaladvice。Havingovercomeherhabitualreluctancetoseeingstrangersbythismeans，therectoratoncewenttoAllan;and，delicatelyconcealingwhatMrs。Armadalehadsaidattheinterview，brokethenewstohimthathismotherwasseriouslyill。Allanwouldhearofnomessengersbeingsentforassistance:hedroveoffonthespottotherailway，andtelegraphedhimselftoBristolformedicalhelp。
Onthenextmorningthehelpcame，andMr。Brock’sworstfearswereconfirmed。Thevillagesurgeonhadfatallymisunderstoodthecasefromthefirst，andthetimewaspastnowatwhichhiserrorsoftreatmentmighthavebeensetright。Theshockofthepreviousmorninghadcompletedthemischief。Mrs。Armadale’sdayswerenumbered。
Thesonwhodearlylovedher，theoldfriendtowhomherlifewasprecious，hopedvainlytothelast。Inamonthfromthephysician’svisitallhopewasover;andAllanshedthefirstbittertearsofhislifeathismother’sgrave。
ShehaddiedmorepeacefullythanMr。Brockhaddaredtohope，leavingallherlittlefortunetoherson，andcommittinghimsolemnlytothecareofheronefriendonearth。Therectorhadentreatedhertolethimwriteandtrytoreconcileherbrotherswithherbeforeitwastoolate。Shehadonlyansweredsadlythatitwastoolatealready。Butonereferenceescapedherinherlastillnesstothoseearlysorrowswhichhadweighedheavilyonallherafter-life，andwhichhadpassedthricealready，likeshadowsofevil，betweentherectorandherself。Evenonherdeathbedshehadshrunkfromlettingthelightfallclearlyonthestoryofthepast。ShehadlookedatAllankneelingbythebedside，andhadwhisperedtoMr。Brock:“_NeverlethisNamesakecomenearhim！NeverletthatWomanfindhimout！_“Nowordmorefellfromherthattouchedonthemisfortuneswhichhadtriedherinthepast，oronthedangerswhichshedreadedinthefuture。
Thesecretwhichshehadkeptfromhersonandfromherfriendwasasecretwhichshecarriedwithhertothegrave。
Whenthelastofficesofaffectionandrespecthadbeenperformed，Mr。Brockfeltithisduty，asexecutortothedeceasedlady，towritetoherbrothers，andtogivetheminformationofherdeath。BelievingthathehadtodealwithtwomenwhowouldprobablymisinterprethismotivesifheleftAllan’spositionunexplained，hewascarefultoremindthemthatMrs。Armadale’ssonwaswellprovidedfor，andthattheobjectofhisletterwassimplytocommunicatethenewsoftheirsister’sdecease。ThetwolettersweredispatchedtowardthemiddleofJanuary，andbyreturnofposttheanswerswerereceived。Thefirstwhichtherectoropenedwaswrittennotbytheelderbrother，butbytheelderbrother’sonlyson。TheyoungmanhadsucceededtotheestatesinNorfolkonhisfather’sdeath，somelittletimesince。Hewroteinafrankandfriendlyspirit，assuringMr。Brockthat，howeverstronglyhisfathermighthavebeenprejudicedagainstMrs。Armadale，thehostilefeelinghadneverextendedtoherson。Forhimself，hehadonlytoaddthathewouldbesincerelyhappytowelcomehiscousintoThorpeAmbrosewheneverhiscousincamethatway。
Thesecondletterwasafarlessagreeablereplytoreceivethanthefirst。Theyoungerbrotherwasstillalive，andstillresoluteneithertoforgetnorforgive。HeinformedMr。Brockthathisdeceasedsister’schoiceofahusband，andherconducttoherfatheratthetimeofhermarriage，hadmadeanyrelationsofaffectionoresteemimpossible，onhisside，fromthattimeforth。Holdingtheopinionshedid，itwouldbeequallypainfultohisnephewandhimselfifanypersonalintercoursetookplacebetweenthem。Hehadadverted，asgenerallyaspossible，tothenatureofthedifferenceswhichhadkepthimapartfromhislatesister，inordertosatisfyMr。Brock’smindthatapersonalacquaintancewithyoungMr。Armadalewas，asamatterofdelicacy，quiteoutofthequestionand，havingdonethis，hewouldbegleavetoclosethecorrespondence。
Mr。Brockwiselydestroyedthesecondletteronthespot，and，aftershowingAllanhiscousin’sinvitation，suggestedthatheshouldgotoThorpeAmbroseassoonashefeltfittopresenthimselftostrangers。
Allanlistenedtotheadvicepatientlyenough;buthedeclinedtoprofitbyit。“IwillshakehandswithmycousinwillinglyifI
evermeethim。”hesaid;“butIwillvisitnofamily，andbeaguestinnohouse，inwhichmymotherhasbeenbadlytreated。”Mr。Brockremonstratedgently，andtriedtoputmattersintheirproperlight。Evenatthattime——evenwhilehewasstillignorantofeventswhichwerethenimpending——Allan’sstrangelyisolatedpositionintheworldwasasubjectofseriousanxietytohisoldfriendandtutor。TheproposedvisittoThorpeAmbroseopenedtheveryprospectofhismakingfriendsandconnectionssuitedtohiminrankandagewhichMr。Brockmostdesiredtosee;butAllanwasnottobepersuaded;hewasobstinateandunreasonable;andtherectorhadnoalternativebuttodropthesubject。
Oneonanothertheweekspassedmonotonously，andAllanshowedbutlittleoftheelasticityofhisageandcharacterinbearingtheafflictionthathadmadehimmotherless。Hefinishedandlaunchedhisyacht;buthisownjourneymenremarkedthattheworkseemedtohavelostitsinterestforhim。Itwasnotnaturaltotheyoungmantobroodoverhissolitudeandhisgriefashewasbroodingnow。Asthespringadvanced，Mr。Brockbegantofeeluneasyaboutthefuture，ifAllanwasnotrousedatoncebychangeofscene。Aftermuchpondering，therectordecidedontryingatriptoParis，andonextendingthejourneysouthwardifhiscompanionshowedaninterestinContinentaltraveling。
Allan’sreceptionoftheproposalmadeatonementforhisobstinacyinrefusingtocultivatehiscousin’sacquaintance;hewaswillingtogowithMr。BrockwhereverMr。Brockpleased。Therectortookhimathisword，andinthemiddleofMarchthetwostrangelyassortedcompanionsleftforLondonontheirwaytoParis。
ArrivedinLondon，Mr。Brockfoundhimselfunexpectedlyfacetofacewithanewanxiety。TheunwelcomesubjectofOziasMidwinter，whichhadbeenburiedinpeacesincethebeginningofDecember，rosetothesurfaceagain，andconfrontedtherectorattheveryoutsetofhistravels，moreunmanageablythanever。
Mr。Brock’spositionindealingwiththisdifficultmatterhadbeenhardenoughtomaintainwhenhehadfirstmeddledwithit。
Henowfoundhimselfwithnovantage-groundlefttostandon。
EventshadsoordereditthatthedifferenceofopinionbetweenAllanandhismotheronthesubjectoftheusherwasentirelydisassociatedwiththeagitationwhichhadhastenedMrs。
Armadale’sdeath。Allan’sresolutiontosaynoirritatingwords，andMr。Brock’sreluctancetotouchonadisagreeabletopic，hadkeptthembothsilentaboutMidwinterinMrs。Armadale’spresenceduringthethreedayswhichhadintervenedbetweenthatperson’sdepartureandtheappearanceofthestrangewomaninthevillage。
Intheperiodofsuspenseandsufferingthathadfollowednorecurrencetothesubjectoftheusherhadbeenpossible，andnonehadtakenplace。Freefromallmentaldisquietudeonthisscore，Allanhadstoutlypreservedhisperverseinterestinhisnewfriend。HehadwrittentotellMidwinterofhisaffliction，andhenowproposedunlesstherectorformallyobjectedtoit
payingavisittohisfriendbeforehestartedforParisthenextmorning。
WhatwasMr。Brocktodo？TherewasnodenyingthatMidwinter’sconducthadpleadedunanswerablyagainstpoorMrs。Armadale’sunfoundeddistrustofhim。Iftherector，withnoconvincingreasontoallegeagainstit，andwithnorighttointerferebuttherightwhichAllan’scourtesygavehim，declinedtosanctiontheproposedvisit，thenfarewelltoalltheoldsociabilityandconfidencebetweentutorandpupilonthecontemplatedtour。
Environedbydifficulties，whichmighthavebeenpossiblyworstedbyalessjustandalesskind-heartedman，Mr。Brocksaidacautiouswordortwoatparting，andwithmoreconfidenceinMidwinter’sdiscretionandself-denialthanhequitelikedtoacknowledge，eventohimselfleftAllanfreetotakehisownway。
Afterwhilingawayanhour，duringtheintervalofhispupil’sabsence，byawalkinthestreets，therectorreturnedtohishotel，and，findingthenewspaperdisengagedinthecoffee-room，satdownabsentlytolookoverit。Hiseye，restingidlyonthetitle-page，wasstartledintoinstantattentionbytheveryfirstadvertisementthatitchancedtolightonattheheadofthecolumn。TherewasAllan’smysteriousnamesakeagain，figuringincapitalletters，andassociatedthistimeinthecharacterofadeadmanwiththeofferofapecuniaryreward。Thusitran:
SUPPOSEDTOBEDEAD——Toparishclerks，sextons，andothers。
TwentyPoundsrewardwillbepaidtoanypersonwhocanproduceevidenceofthedeathofALLANARMADALE，onlysonofthelateAllanArmadale，ofBarbadoes，andborninTrinidadintheyear1830。FurtherparticularsonapplicationtoMessrs。HammickandRidge，Lincoln’sInnFields，London。
EvenMr。Brock’sessentiallyunimaginativemindbegantostaggersuperstitiouslyinthedarkashelaidthenewspaperdownagain。
LittlebylittleavaguesuspiciontookpossessionofhimthatthewholeseriesofeventswhichhadfollowedthefirstappearanceofAllan’snamesakeinthenewspapersixyearssincewasheldtogetherbysomemysteriousconnection，andwastendingsteadilytosomeunimaginableend。Withoutknowingwhy，hebegantofeeluneasyatAllan’sabsence。Withoutknowingwhy，hebecameimpatienttogethispupilawayfromEnglandbeforeanythingelsehappenedbetweennightandmorning。
InanhourmoretherectorwasrelievedofallimmediateanxietybyAllan’sreturntothehotel。Theyoungmanwasvexedandoutofspirits。HehaddiscoveredMidwinter’slodgings，buthehadfailedtofindMidwinterhimself。Theonlyaccounthislandladycouldgiveofhimwasthathehadgoneoutathiscustomarytimetogethisdinneratthenearesteating-house，andthathehadnotreturned，inaccordancewithhisusualregularhabits，athisusualregularhour。Allanhadthereforegonetoinquireattheeating-house，andhadfound，ondescribinghim，thatMidwinterwaswellknownthere。Itwashiscustom，onotherdays，totakeafrugaldinner，andtosithalfanhourafterwardreadingthenewspaper。Onthisoccasion，afterdining，hehadtakenupthepaperasusual，hadsuddenlythrownitasideagain，andhadgone，nobodyknewwhere，inaviolenthurry。Nofurtherinformationbeingattainable，Allanhadleftanoteatthelodgings，givinghisaddressatthehotel，andbeggingMidwintertocomeandsaygood-bybeforehisdepartureforParis。
Theeveningpassed，andAllan’sinvisiblefriendneverappeared。
Themorningcame，bringingnoobstacleswithit，andMr。BrockandhispupilleftLondon。SofarFortunehaddeclaredherselfatlastontherector’sside。OziasMidwinter，afterintrusivelyrisingtothesurface，hadconvenientlydroppedoutofsightagain。Whatwastohappennext？——
Advancingoncemore，bythreeweeksonly，frompasttopresent，Mr。Brock’smemorytookupthenexteventontheseventhofApril。Toallappearance，thechainwasnowbrokenatlast。TheneweventhadnorecognizableconnectioneithertohismindortoAllan’swithanyofthepersonswhohadappeared，oranyofthecircumstancesthathadhappened，intheby-gonetime。
ThetravelershadasyetgotnofurtherthanParis。Allan’sspiritshadrisenwiththechange;andhehadbeenmadeallthereadiertoenjoythenoveltyofthescenearoundhimbyreceivingaletterfromMidwinter，containingnewswhichMr。Brockhimselfacknowledgedpromisedfairlyforthefuture。Theex-usherhadbeenawayonbusinesswhenAllanhadcalledathislodgings，havingbeenledbyanaccidentalcircumstancetoopencommunicationswithhisrelativesonthatday。Theresulthadtakenhimentirelybysurprise:ithadunexpectedlysecuredtohimalittleincomeofhisownfortherestofhislife。Hisfutureplans，nowthatthispieceofgoodfortunehadfallentohisshare，werestillunsettled。ButifAllanwishedtohearwhatheultimatelydecidedon，hisagentinLondonwhosedirectionheinclosedwouldreceivecommunicationsforhim，andwouldfurnishMr。Armadaleatallfuturetimeswithhisaddress。
Onreceiptofthisletter，Allanhadseizedthepeninhisusualheadlongway，andhadinsistedonMidwinter’simmediatelyjoiningMr。Brockandhimselfontheirtravels。ThelastdaysofMarchpassed，andnoanswertotheproposalwasreceived。ThefirstdaysofAprilcame，andontheseventhofthemonththerewasaletterforAllanatlastonthebreakfast-table。Hesnatcheditup，lookedattheaddress，andthrewtheletterdownagainimpatiently。ThehandwritingwasnotMidwinter’s。Allanfinishedhisbreakfastbeforehecaredtoreadwhathiscorrespondenthadtosaytohim。
Themealover，youngArmadalelazilyopenedtheletter。Hebeganitwithanexpressionofsupremeindifference。Hefinisheditwithasuddenleapoutofhischair，andaloudshoutofastonishment。Wondering，ashewellmight，atthisextraordinaryoutbreak，Mr。BrocktookuptheletterwhichAllanhadtossedacrossthetabletohim。Beforehehadcometotheendofit，hishandsdroppedhelplesslyonhisknees，andtheblankbewildermentofhispupil’sexpressionwasaccuratelyreflectedonhisownface。
Ifevertwomenhadgoodcauseforbeingthrowncompletelyofftheirbalance，Allanandtherectorwerethosetwo。Theletterwhichhadstruckthembothwiththesameshockofastonishmentdid，beyondallquestion，containanannouncementwhich，onafirstdiscoveryofit，wassimplyincredible。ThenewswasfromNorfolk，andwastothiseffect。Inlittlemorethanoneweek’stimedeathhadmowndownnolessthanthreelivesinthefamilyatThorpeAmbrose，andAllanArmadalewasatthatmomentheirtoanestateofeightthousandayear！
AsecondperusaloftheletterenabledtherectorandhiscompaniontomasterthedetailswhichhadescapedthemonafirstreadingThewriterwasthefamilylawyeratThorpeAmbrose。AfterannouncingtoAllanthedeathsofhiscousinArthurattheageoftwenty-five，ofhisuncleHenryattheageofforty-eight，andofhiscousinJohnattheageoftwenty-one，thelawyerproceededtogiveabriefabstractofthetermsoftheelderMr。Blanchard’swill。Theclaimsofmaleissuewere，asisnotunusualinsuchcases，preferredtotheclaimsoffemaleissue。FailingArthurandhisissuemale，theestatewaslefttoHenryandhisissuemale。Failingthem，itwenttotheissuemaleofHenry’ssister;
and，indefaultofsuchissue，tothenextheirmale。Aseventshadhappened，thetwoyoungmen，ArthurandJohn，haddiedunmarried，andHenryBlanchardhaddied，leavingnosurvivingchildbutadaughter。Underthesecircumstances，Allanwasthenextheirmalepointedatbythewill，andwasnowlegallysuccessortotheThorpeAmbroseestate。Havingmadethisextraordinaryannouncement，thelawyerrequestedtobefavoredwithMr。Armadale’sinstructions，andadded，inconclusion，thathewouldbehappytofurnishanyfurtherparticularsthatweredesired。
ItwasuselesstowastetimeinwonderingataneventwhichneitherAllannorhismotherhadeverthoughtofasevenremotelypossible。TheonlythingtobedonewastogobacktoEnglandatonce。ThenextdayfoundthetravelersinstalledoncemoreintheirLondonhotel，andthedayaftertheaffairwasplacedintheproperprofessionalhands。Theinevitablecorrespondingandconsultingensued，andonebyonetheall-importantparticularsflowedin，untilthemeasureofinformationwaspronouncedtobefull。
Thiswasthestrangestoryofthethreedeaths:
AtthetimewhenMr。BrockhadwrittentoMrs。Armadale’srelativestoannouncethenewsofherdeceasethatistosay，inthemiddleofthemonthofJanuary，thefamilyatThorpeAmbrosenumberedfivepersons——ArthurBlanchardinpossessionoftheestate，livinginthegreathousewithhismother;andHenryBlanchard，theuncle，livingintheneighborhood，awidowerwithtwochildren，asonandadaughter。Tocementthefamilyconnectionstillmoreclosely，ArthurBlanchardwasengagedtobemarriedtohiscousin。Theweddingwastobecelebratedwithgreatlocalrejoicingsinthecomingsummer，whentheyoungladyhadcompletedhertwentiethyear。
ThemonthofFebruaryhadbroughtchangeswithitinthefamilyposition。Observingsignsofdelicacyinthehealthofhisson，Mr。HenryBlanchardleftNorfolk，takingtheyoungmanwithhim，undermedicaladvice，totrytheclimateofItaly。EarlyintheensuingmonthofMarch，ArthurBlanchardalsoleftThorpeAmbrose，forafewdaysonly，onbusinesswhichrequiredhispresenceinLondon。ThebusinesstookhimintotheCity。Annoyedbytheendlessimpedimentsinthestreets，hereturnedwestwardbyoneoftheriversteamers，and，soreturning，methisdeath。
Asthesteamerleftthewharf，henoticedawomannearhimwhohadshownasingularhesitationinembarking，andwhohadbeenthelastofthepassengerstotakeherplaceinthevessel。Shewasneatlydressedinblacksilk，witharedPaisleyshawloverhershoulders，andshekeptherfacehiddenbehindathickveil。
ArthurBlanchardwasstruckbytheraregraceandeleganceofherfigure，andhefeltayoungman’spassingcuriositytoseeherface。Sheneitherliftedherveilnorturnedherheadhisway。
Aftertakingafewstepshesitatinglybackwardandforwardonthedeck，shewalkedawayonasuddentothesternofthevessel。Inaminutemoretherewasacryofalarmfromthemanatthehelm，andtheengineswerestoppedimmediately。Thewomanhadthrownherselfoverboard。
Thepassengersallrushedtothesideofthevesseltolook。
ArthurBlanchardalone，withoutaninstant’shesitation，jumpedintotheriver。Hewasanexcellentswimmer，andhereachedthewomanassheroseagaintothesurface，aftersinkingforthefirsttime。Helpwasathand，andtheywerebothbroughtsafelyashore。Thewomanwastakentothenearestpolicestation，andwassoonrestoredtohersenses，herpreservergivinghisnameandaddress，asusualinsuchcases，totheinspectoronduty，whowiselyrecommendedhimtogetintoawarmbath，andtosendtohislodgingsfordryclothes。ArthurBlanchard，whohadneverknownanhour’sillnesssincehewasachild，laughedatthecaution，andwentbackinacab。Thenextdayhewastooilltoattendtheexaminationbeforethemagistrate。Afortnightafterwardhewasadeadman。
ThenewsofthecalamityreachedHenryBlanchardandhissonatMilan，andwithinanhourofthetimewhentheyreceivedittheywereontheirwaybacktoEngland。ThesnowontheAlpshadloosenedearlierthanusualthatyear，andthepasseswerenotoriouslydangerous。Thefatherandson，travelingintheirowncarriage，weremetonthemountainbythemailreturning，aftersendingthelettersonbyhand。WarningswhichwouldhaveproducedtheireffectunderanyordinarycircumstanceswerenowvainlyaddressedtothetwoEnglishmen。Theirimpatiencetobeathomeagain，afterthecatastrophewhichhadbefallentheirfamily，brookednodelay。Bribeslavishlyofferedtothepostilions，temptedthemtogoon。Thecarriagepursueditsway，andwaslosttoviewinthemist。Whenitwasseenagain，itwasdisinterredfromthebottomofaprecipice——themen，thehorses，andthevehicleallcrushedtogetherunderthewreckandruinofanavalanche。
Sothethreelivesweremowndownbydeath。So，inaclearsequenceofevents，awoman’ssuicide-leapintoariverhadopenedtoAllanArmadalethesuccessiontotheThorpeAmbroseestates。