“Whenyouarepickingupshellsonthebeach，Mr。Midwinter，youusuallybeginwiththeshellsthatlienearestathand。”herejoined。“Wearepickingupfactsnow;andthosethatareeasiesttogetatarethefactswewilltakefirst。LettheShadowoftheManandtheShadowoftheWomanpairofftogetherforthepresent;wewon’tlosesightofthem，Ipromiseyou。Allingoodtime，mydearsir;allingoodtime！“
He，too，waspolite，andhe，too，wassarcastic。Theshorttrucebetweentheopponentswasatanendalready。Midwinterreturnedsignificantlytohisformerplacebythewindow。Thedoctorinstantlyturnedhisbackonthewindowmoresignificantlystill。
Allan，whoneverquarreledwithanybody’sopinion，andneverlookedbelowthesurfaceofanybody’sconduct，drummedcheerfullyonthetablewiththehandleofhisknife。“Goon，doctor！“hecalledout;“mywonderfulmemoryisasfreshasever。”
“Isit？”saidMr。Hawbury，referringagaintothenarrativeofthedream。“DoyourememberwhathappenedwhenyouandIweregossipingwiththelandladyatthebarofthehotellastnight？”
“OfcourseIdo！Youwerekindenoughtohandmeaglassofbrandy-and-water，whichthelandladyhadjustmixedforyourowndrinking。AndIwasobligedtorefuseitbecause，asItoldyou，thetasteofbrandyalwaysturnsmesickandfaint，mixithowyouplease。”
“Exactlyso。”returnedthedoctor。“Andhereistheincidentreproducedinthedream。Youseetheman’sshadowandthewoman’sshadowtogetherthistime。Youhearthepouringoutofliquidbrandyfromthehotelbottle，andwaterfromthehoteljug;theglassishandedbythewoman-shadowthelandladytotheman-shadowmyself;theman-shadowhandsittoyouexactlywhatIdid;andthefaintnesswhichyouhadpreviouslydescribedtomefollowsinduecourse。Iamshockedtoidentifythesemysteriousappearances，Mr。Midwinter，withsuchmiserablyunromanticoriginalsasawomanwhokeepsahotel，andamanwhophysicsacountrydistrict。Butyourfriendhimselfwilltellyouthattheglassofbrandy-and-waterwaspreparedbythelandlady，andthatitreachedhimbypassingfromherhandtomine。Wehavepickeduptheshadows，exactlyasIanticipated;andwehaveonlytoaccountnow——whichmaybedoneintwowords——forthemanneroftheirappearanceinthedream。Afterhavingtriedtointroducethewakingimpressionofthedoctorandthelandladyseparately，inconnectionwiththewrongsetofcircumstances，thedreamingmindcomesrightatthethirdtrial，andintroducesthedoctorandthelandladytogether，inconnectionwiththerightsetofcircumstances。Thereitisinanutshell！——Permitmetohandyoubackthemanuscript，withmybestthanksforyourverycompleteandstrikingconfirmationoftherationaltheoryofdreams。”
Sayingthosewords，Mr。HawburyreturnedthewrittenpapertoMidwinter，withthepitilesspolitenessofaconqueringman。
“Wonderful！notapointmissedanywherefrombeginningtoend！ByJupiter！“criedAllan，withthereadyreverenceofintenseignorance。“Whatathingscienceis！“
“Notapointmissed，asyousay。”remarkedthedoctor，complacently。“AndyetIdoubtifwehavesucceededinconvincingyourfriend。”
“Youhave_not_convincedme。”saidMidwinter。“ButIdon’tpresumeonthataccounttosaythatyouarewrong。”
Hespokequietly，almostsadly。Theterribleconvictionofthesupernaturaloriginofthedream，fromwhichhehadtriedtoescape，hadpossesseditselfofhimagain。Allhisinterestintheargumentwasatanend;allhissensitivenesstoitsirritatinginfluenceswasgone。Inthecaseofanyotherman，Mr。
Hawburywouldhavebeenmollifiedbysuchaconcessionashisadversaryhadnowmadetohim;buthedislikedMidwintertoocordiallytoleavehiminthepeaceableenjoymentofanopinionofhisown。
“Doyouadmit。”askedthedoctor，morepugnaciouslythanever，“thatIhavetracedbackeveryeventofthedreamtoawakingimpressionwhichprecededitinMr。Armadale’smind？”
“Ihavenowishtodenythatyouhavedoneso。”saidMidwinter，resignedly。
“HaveIidentifiedtheshadowswiththeirlivingoriginals？”
“Youhaveidentifiedthemtoyourownsatisfaction，andtomyfriend’ssatisfaction。Nottomine。”
“Nottoyours？Can_you_identifythem？”
“No。Icanonlywaittillthelivingoriginalsstandrevealedinthefuture。”
“Spokenlikeanoracle，Mr。Midwinter！Haveyouanyideaatpresentofwhothoselivingoriginalsmaybe？”
“Ihave。IbelievethatcomingeventswillidentifytheShadowoftheWomanwithapersonwhommyfriendhasnotmetwithyet;andtheShadowoftheManwithmyself。”
Allanattemptedtospeak。Thedoctorstoppedhim。“Letusclearlyunderstandthis。”hesaidtoMidwinter。“Leavingyourowncaseoutofthequestionforthemoment，mayIaskhowashadow，whichhasnodistinguishingmarkaboutit，istobeidentifiedwithalivingwomanwhomyourfrienddoesn’tknow？”
Midwinter’scolorrosealittle。Hebegantofeelthelashofthedoctor’slogic。
“Thelandscapepictureofthedreamhasitsdistinguishingmarks。”hereplied;“andinthatlandscapethelivingwomanwillappearwhenthelivingwomanisfirstseen。”
“Thesamethingwillhappen，Isuppose。”pursuedthedoctor，“withtheman-shadowwhichyoupersistinidentifyingwithyourself。Youwillbeassociatedinthefuturewithastatuebrokeninyourfriend’spresence，withalongwindowlookingoutonagarden，andwithashowerofrainpatteringagainsttheglass？Doyousaythat？”
“Isaythat。”
“Andsoagain，Ipresume，withthenextvision？Youandthemysteriouswomanwillbebroughttogetherinsomeplacenowunknown，andwillpresenttoMr。Armadalesomeliquidyetunnamed，whichwillturnhimfaint？——Doyouseriouslytellmeyoubelievethis？”
“IseriouslytellyouIbelieveit。”
“And，accordingtoyourview，thesefulfillmentsofthedreamwillmarktheprogressofcertaincomingevents，inwhichMr。
Armadale’shappiness，orMr。Armadale’ssafety，willbedangerouslyinvolved？”
“Thatismyfirmconviction。”
Thedoctorrose，laidasidehismoraldissecting-knife，consideredforamoment，andtookitupagain。
“Onelastquestion。”hesaid。“Haveyouanyreasontogiveforgoingoutofyourwaytoadoptsuchamysticalviewasthis，whenanunanswerablyrationalexplanationofthedreamliesstraightbeforeyou？”
“Noreason。”repliedMidwinter，“thatIcangive，eithertoyouortomyfriend。”
Thedoctorlookedathiswatchwiththeairofamanwhoissuddenlyremindedthathehasbeenwastinghistime。
“Wehavenocommongroundtostartfrom。”hesaid;“andifwetalktilldoomsday，weshouldnotagree。Excusemyleavingyouratherabruptly。ItislaterthanIthought;andmymorning’sbatchofsickpeoplearewaitingformeinthesurgery。Ihaveconvinced_your_mind，Mr。Armadale，atanyrate;sothetimewehavegiventothisdiscussionhasnotbeenaltogetherlost。Praystophere，andsmokeyourcigar。Ishallbeatyourserviceagaininlessthananhour。”HenoddedcordiallytoAllan，bowedformallytoMidwinter，andquittedtheroom。
Assoonasthedoctor’sbackwasturned，Allanlefthisplaceatthetable，andappealedtohisfriend，withthatirresistibleheartinessofmannerwhichhadalwaysfounditswaytoMidwinter’ssympathies，fromthefirstdaywhentheymetattheSomersetshireinn。
“Nowthesparring-matchbetweenyouandthedoctorisover。”saidAllan，“Ihavegottwowordstosayonmyside。Willyoudosomethingformysakewhichyouwon’tdoforyourown？”
Midwinter’sfacebrightenedinstantly。“Iwilldoanythingyouaskme。”hesaid。
“Verywell。Willyouletthesubjectofthedreamdropoutofourtalkaltogetherfromthistimeforth？”
“Yes，ifyouwishit。”
“Willyougoastepfurther？Willyouleaveoffthinkingaboutthedream？”
“It’shardtoleaveoffthinkingaboutit，Allan。ButIwilltry。”
“That’sagoodfellow！Nowgivemethattrumperybitofpaper，andlet’stearitup，andhavedonewithit。”
Hetriedtosnatchthemanuscriptoutofhisfriend’shand;butMidwinterwastooquickforhim，andkeptitbeyondhisreach。
“Come！come！“pleadedAllan。“I’vesetmyheartonlightingmycigarwithit。”
Midwinterhesitatedpainfully。ItwashardtoresistAllan;buthedidresisthim。“I’llwaitalittle。”hesaid，“beforeyoulightyourcigarwithit。”
“Howlong？Tillto-morrow？”
“Longer。”
“TillweleavetheIsleofMan？”
“Longer。”
“Hangit——givemeaplainanswertoaplainquestion！Howlong_will_youwait？”
Midwintercarefullyrestoredthepapertoitsplaceinhispocketbook。
“I’llwait。”hesaid，“tillwegettoThorpeAmbrose。”
THEENDOFTHEFIRSTBOOK——
BOOKTHESECOND
CHAPTERI。
LURKINGMISCHIEF。
1。_FromOziasMidwintertoMr。Brock。_
“ThorpeAmbrose，June15，1851。
“DEARMR。BROCK——Onlyanhoursincewereachedthishouse，justastheservantswerelockingupforthenight。Allanhasgonetobed，wornoutbyourlongday’sjourney，andhasleftmeintheroomtheycallthelibrary，totellyouthestoryofourjourneytoNorfolk。Beingbetterseasonedthanheistofatiguesofallkinds，myeyesarequitewakefulenoughforwritingaletter，thoughtheclockonthechimney-piecepointstomidnight，andwehavebeentravelingsinceteninthemorning。
“ThelastnewsyouhadofuswasnewssentbyAllanfromtheIsleofMan。IfIamnotmistaken，hewrotetotellyouofthenightwepassedonboardthewreckedship。Forgiveme，dearMr。Brock，ifIsaynothingonthatsubjectuntiltimehashelpedmetothinkofitwithaquietermind。Thehardfightagainstmyselfmustallbefoughtoveragain;butIwillwinityet，pleaseGod;
Iwill，indeed。
“Thereisnoneedtotroubleyouwithanyaccountofourjourneyingsaboutthenorthernandwesterndistrictsoftheisland，oroftheshortcruiseswetookwhentherepairsoftheyachtwereatlastcomplete。ItwillbebetterifIgetonatoncetothemorningofyesterday，thefourteenth。Wehadcomeinwiththenight-tidetoDouglasHarbor，and，assoonasthepost-officewasopen;Allan，bymyadvice，sentonshoreforletters。Themessengerreturnedwithoneletteronly，andthewriterofitprovedtobetheformermistressofThorpeAmbrose——Mrs。Blanchard。
“Yououghttobeinformed，Ithink，ofthecontentsofthisletter，forithasseriouslyinfluencedAllan’splans。Heloseseverything，soonerorlater，asyouknow，andhehaslosttheletteralready。SoImustgiveyouthesubstanceofwhatMrs。
Blanchardwrotetohim，asplainlyasIcan。
“ThefirstpageannouncedthedepartureoftheladiesfromThorpeAmbrose。Theyleftonthedaybeforeyesterday，thethirteenth，having，aftermuchhesitation，finallydecidedongoingabroad，tovisitsomeoldfriendssettledinItaly，intheneighborhoodofFlorence。ItappearstobequitepossiblethatMrs。Blanchardandherniecemaysettlethere，too，iftheycanfindasuitablehouseandgroundstolet。TheybothliketheItaliancountryandtheItalianpeople，andtheyarewellenoughofftopleasethemselves。Theelderladyhasherjointure，andtheyoungerisinpossessionofallherfather’sfortune。
“Thenextpageoftheletterwas，inAllan’sopinion，farfromapleasantpagetoread。
“Afterreferring，inthemostgratefulterms，tothekindnesswhichhadlefthernieceandherselffreetoleavetheiroldhomeattheirowntime，Mrs。BlanchardaddedthatAllan’sconsiderateconducthadproducedsuchastronglyfavorableimpressionamongthefriendsanddependentsofthefamilythattheyweredesirousofgivinghimapublicreceptiononhisarrivalamongthem。A
preliminarymeetingofthetenantsontheestateandtheprincipalpersonsintheneighboringtownhadalreadybeenheldtodiscussthearrangements，andalettermightbeexpectedshortlyfromtheclergymaninquiringwhenitwouldsuitMr。
Armadale’sconveniencetotakepossessionpersonallyandpubliclyofhisestatesinNorfolk。
“YouwillnowbeabletoguessthecauseofoursuddendeparturefromtheIsleofMan。Thefirstandforemostideainyouroldpupil’smind，assoonashehadreadMrs。Blanchard’saccountoftheproceedingsatthemeeting，wastheideaofescapingthepublicreception，andtheonecertainwayhecouldseeofavoidingitwastostartforThorpeAmbrosebeforetheclergyman’slettercouldreachhim。
“Itriedhardtomakehimthinkalittlebeforeheactedanhisfirstimpulseinthismatter;butheonlywentonpackinghisportmanteauinhisownimpenetrablygood-humoredway。Intenminuteshisluggagewasready，andinfiveminutesmorehehadgiventhecrewtheirdirectionsfortakingtheyachtbacktoSomersetshire。ThesteamertoLiverpoolwasalongsideofusintheharbor，andIhadreallynochoicebuttogoonboardwithhimortolethimgobyhimself。Ispareyoutheaccountofourstormyvoyage，ofourdetentionatLiverpool，andofthetrainswemissedonourjourneyacrossthecountry。Youknowthatwehavegotheresafely，andthatisenough。Whattheservantsthinkofthenewsquire’ssuddenappearanceamongthem，withoutawordofwarning，isofnogreatconsequence。Whatthecommitteeforarrangingthepublicreceptionmaythinkofitwhenthenewsfliesabroadto-morrowis，Iamafraid，amoreseriousmatter。
“Havingalreadymentionedtheservants，ImayproceedtotellyouthatthelatterpartofMrs。Blanchard誷letterwasentirelydevotedtoinstructingAllanonthesubjectofthedomesticestablishmentwhichshehasleftbehindher。Itseemsthatalltheservants，indoorsandoutwiththreeexceptions，arewaitinghere，onthechancethatAllanwillcontinuethemintheirplaces。Twooftheseexceptionsarereadilyaccountedfor:
Mrs。Blanchard’smaidandMissBlanchard’smaidgoabroadwiththeirmistresses。Thethirdexceptionalcaseisthecaseoftheupperhousemaid;andherethereisalittlehitch。Inplainwords，thehousemaidhasbeensentawayatamoment’snotice，forwhatMrs。Blanchardrathermysteriouslydescribesas’levityofconductwithastranger。’
“Iamafraidyouwilllaughatme，butImustconfessthetruth。
IhavebeenmadesodistrustfulafterwhathappenedtousintheIsleofManofeventhemosttriflingmisadventureswhichconnectthemselvesinanywaywithAllan’sintroductiontohisnewlifeandprospects，thatIhavealreadyquestionedoneofthemen-servantshereaboutthisapparentlyunimportantmatterofthehousemaid’sgoingawayindisgrace。
“AllIcanlearnisthatastrangemanhadbeennoticedhangingsuspiciouslyaboutthegrounds;thatthehousemaidwassouglyawomanastorenderitnexttoacertaintythathehadsomeunderhandpurposetoserveinmakinghimselfagreeabletoher;
andthathehasnotasyetbeenseenagainintheneighborhoodsincethedayofherdismissal。SomuchfortheoneservantwhohasbeenturnedoutatThorpeAmbrose。IcanonlyhopethereisnotroubleforAllanbrewinginthatquarter。Asfortheotherservantswhoremain，Mrs。Blancharddescribesthem，bothmenandwomen，asperfectlytrustworthy，andtheywillall，nodoubt，continuetooccupytheirpresentplaces。
“HavingnowdonewithMrs。Blanchard’sletter，mynextdutyistobegyou，inAllan’snameandwithAllan’slove，tocomehereandstaywithhimattheearliestmomentwhenyoucanleaveSomersetshire。AlthoughIcannotpresumetothinkthatmyownwisheswillhaveanyspecialinfluenceindeterminingyoutoacceptthisinvitation，ImustneverthelessacknowledgethatI
haveareasonofmyownforearnestlydesiringtoseeyouhere。
Allanhasinnocentlycausedmeanewanxietyaboutmyfuturerelationswithhim，andIsorelyneedyouradvicetoshowmetherightwayofsettingthatanxietyatrest。
“Thedifficultywhichnowperplexesmerelatestothesteward’splaceatThorpeAmbrose。Beforeto-dayIonlyknewthatAllanhadhitonsomeplanofhisownfordealingwiththismatter，ratherstrangelyinvolving，amongotherresults，thelettingofthecottagewhichwastheoldsteward’splaceofabode，inconsequenceofthenewsteward’scontemplatedresidenceinthegreathouse。AchancewordinourconversationonthejourneyhereledAllanintospeakingoutmoreplainlythanhehadspokenyet，andIheardtomyunutterableastonishmentthatthepersonwhowasatthebottomofthewholearrangementaboutthestewardwasnootherthanmyself！
“ItisneedlesstotellyouhowIfeltthisnewinstanceofAllan’skindness。ThefirstpleasureofhearingfromhisownlipsthatIhaddeservedthestrongestproofhecouldgiveofhisconfidenceinmewassoondashedbythepainwhichmixesitselfwithallpleasure——atleast，withallthatIhaveeverknown。
Neverhasmypastlifeseemedsodrearytolookbackonasitseemsnow，whenIfeelhowentirelyithasunfittedmetotaketheplaceofallothersthatIshouldhavelikedtooccupyinmyfriend’sservice。ImusteredcouragetotellhimthatIhadnoneofthebusinessknowledgeandbusinessexperiencewhichhisstewardoughttopossess。HegenerouslymettheobjectionbytellingmethatIcouldlearn;andhehaspromisedtosendtoLondonforthepersonwhohasalreadybeenemployedforthetimebeinginthesteward’soffice，andwhowill，therefore，beperfectlycompetenttoteachme。
“Doyou，too，thinkIcanlearn？Ifyoudo，Iwillworkdayandnighttoinstructmyself。ButifasIamafraidthesteward’sdutiesareoffartooseriousakindtobelearnedoff-handbyamansoyoungandsoinexperiencedasIam，thenprayhastenyourjourneytoThorpeAmbrose，andexertyourinfluenceoverAllanpersonally。Nothinglesswillinducehimtopassmeover，andtoemployastewardwhoisreallyfittotaketheplace。Pray，prayactinthismatterasyouthinkbestforAllan’sinterests。
WhateverdisappointmentImayfeel，_he_shallnotseeit。
“Believeme，dearMr。Brock，“Gratefulyyours，“OZIASMIDWINTER。
“P。S——Iopentheenvelopeagaintoaddonewordmore。IfyouhaveheardorseenanythingsinceyourreturntoSomersetshireofthewomanintheblackdressandtheredshawl，Ihopeyouwillnotforget，whenyouwrite，toletmeknowit。
O。M。”
2。_FromMrs。OldershawtoMissGwilt。_
“Ladies’ToiletRepository，DianaStreet，Pimlico，Wednesday。
“MYDEARLYDIA——Tosavethepost，Iwritetoyou，afteralongday’sworryatmyplaceofbusiness，onthebusinessletter-paper，havingnewssincewelastmetwhichitseemsadvisabletosendyouattheearliestopportunity。
“Tobeginatthebeginning。Aftercarefullyconsideringthething，IamquitesureyouwilldowiselywithyoungArmadaleifyouholdyourtongueaboutMadeiraandallthathappenedthere。
Yourpositionwas，nodoubt，averystrongonewithhismother。
Youhadprivatelyhelpedherinplayingatrickonherownfather;youhadbeenungratefullydismissed，atapitiablytenderage，assoonasyouhadservedherpurpose;and，whenyoucameuponhersuddenly，afteraseparationofmorethantwentyyears，youfoundherinfailinghealth，withagrown-upson，whomshehadkeptintotalignoranceofthetruestoryofhermarriage。
“Haveyouanysuchadvantagesasthesewiththeyounggentlemanwhohassurvivedher？Ifheisnotabornidiothewilldeclinetobelieveyourshockingaspersionsonthememoryofhismother;
and——seeingthatyouhavenoproofsatthisdistanceoftimetomeethimwith——thereisanendofyourmoney-grubbinginthegoldenArmadalediggings。Mind，Idon’tdisputethattheoldlady’sheavydebtofobligation，afterwhatyoudidforherinMadeira，isnotpaidyet;andthatthesonisthenextpersontosettlewithyou，nowthemotherhasslippedthroughyourfingers。
Onlysqueezehimtherightway，mydear，that’swhatIventuretosuggest——squeezehimtherightway。
“Andwhichistherightway？Thatquestionbringsmetomynews。
“Haveyouthoughtagainofthatothernotionofyoursoftryingyourhandonthisluckyyounggentleman，withnothingbutyourowngoodlooksandyourownquickwitstohelpyou？Theideahungonmymindsostrangelyafteryouweregonethatitendedinmysendingalittlenotetomylawyer，tohavethewillunderwhichyoungArmadalehasgothisfortuneexaminedatDoctor’sCommons。
TheresultturnsouttobesomethinginfinitelymoreencouragingthaneitheryouorIcouldpossiblyhavehopedfor。Afterthelawyer’sreporttome，therecannotbeamoment’sdoubtofwhatyououghttodo。Intwowords，Lydia，takethebullbythehorns——andmarryhim！
“Iamquiteserious。Heismuchbetterworththeventurethanyousuppose。OnlypersuadehimtomakeyouMrs。Armadale，andyoumaysetallafter-discoveriesatflatdefiance。Aslongashelives，youcanmakeyourowntermswithhim;and，ifhedies，thewillentitlesyou，inspiteofanythinghecansayordo——withchildrenorwithoutthem——toanincomechargeableonhisestateof_twelvehundredayearforlife。_Thereisnodoubtaboutthis;thelawyerhimselfhaslookedatthewill。Ofcourse，Mr。
Blanchardhadhissonandhisson’swidowinhiseyewhenhemadetheprovision。But，asitisnotlimitedtoanyoneheirbyname，andnotrevokedanywhere，itnowholdsasgoodwithyoungArmadaleasitwouldhaveheldunderothercircumstanceswithMr。
Blanchard’sson。Whatachanceforyou，afterallthemiseriesandthedangersyouhavegonethrough，tobemistressofThorpeAmbrose，ifhelives;tohaveanincomeforlife，ifhedies！
Hookhim，mypoordear;hookhimatanysacrifice。
“Idaresayyouwillmakethesameobjectionwhenyoureadthiswhichyoumadewhenweweretalkingaboutittheotherday;I
meantheobjectionofyourage。
“Now，mygoodcreature，justlistentome。Thequestionis——notwhetheryouwerefive-and-thirtylastbirthday;wewillownthedreadfultruth，andsayyouwere——butwhetheryoudolook，ordon’tlook，yourrealage。Myopiniononthismatteroughttobe，andis，oneofthebestopinionsinLondon。Ihavehadtwentyyearsexperienceamongourcharmingsexinmakingupbatteredoldfacesandwornoutoldfigurestolooklikenew，andIsaypositivelyyoudon’tlookadayoverthirty，ifasmuch。Ifyouwillfollowmyadviceaboutdressing，anduseoneortwoofmyapplicationsprivately，Iguaranteetoputyoubackthreeyearsmore。IwillforfeitallthemoneyIshallhavetoadvanceforyouinthismatter，if，whenIhavegroundyouyoungagaininmywonderfulmill，youlookmorethanseven-and-twentyinanyman’seyesliving——except，ofcourse，whenyouwakeanxiousinthesmallhoursofthemorning;andthen，mydear，youwillbeoldanduglyintheretirementofyourownroom，anditwon’tmatter。
“’But，’youmaysay，’supposingallthis，hereIam，evenwithyourarttohelpme，lookingagoodsixyearsolderthanheis;
andthatisagainstmeatstarting。’Isit？Justthinkagain。
Surely，yourownexperiencemusthaveshownyouthatthecommonestofallcommonweaknesses，inyoungfellowsofthisArmadale’sage，istofallinlovewithwomenolderthanthemselves。WhoarethemenwhoreallyappreciateusinthebloomofouryouthI’msureIhavecausetospeakwellofthebloomofyouth;Imadefiftyguineasto-daybyputtingitonthespottedshouldersofawomanoldenoughtobeyourmother——whoarethemen，Isay，whoarereadytoworshipuswhenwearemerebabiesofseventeen？Thegayyounggentlemeninthebloomoftheirownyouth？No！Thecunningoldwretcheswhoareonthewrongsideofforty。
“Andwhatisthemoralofthis，asthestory-bookssay？
“Themoralisthatthechances，withsuchaheadasyouhavegotonyourshoulders，areallinyourfavor。Ifyoufeelyourpresentforlornposition，asIbelieveyoudo;ifyouknowwhatacharmingwomaninthemen’seyesyoucanstillbewhenyouplease;andifallyourresolutionhasreallycomeback，afterthatshockingoutbreakofdesperationonboardthesteamernaturalenough，Iown，underthedreadfulprovocationlaidonyou，youwillwantnofurtherpersuasionfrommetotrythisexperiment。Onlytothinkofhowthingsturnout！Iftheotheryoungboobyhadnotjumpedintotheriverafteryou，_this_youngboobywouldneverhavehadtheestate。ItreallylooksasiffatehaddeterminedthatyouweretobeMrs。Armadale，ofThorpeAmbrose;andwhocancontrolhisfate，asthepoetsays？
“SendmeonelinetosayYesorNo;andbelievemeyourattachedoldfriend，“MARIAOLDERSHAW。”
3。_FromMissGwilttoMrs。Oldershaw。_
Richmond，Thursday。
’YOUOLDWRETCH——Iwon’tsayYesorNotillIhavehadalong，longlookatmyglassfirst。Ifyouhadanyrealregardforanybodybutyourwickedoldself，youwouldknowthatthebareideaofmarryingagainafterwhatIhavegonethroughisanideathatmakesmyfleshcreep。
“ButtherecanbenoharminyoursendingmealittlemoreinformationwhileIammakingupmymind。Youhavegottwentypoundsofminestillleftoutofthosethingsyousoldforme;
sendtenpoundshereformyexpenses，inapost-officeorder，andusetheothertenformakingprivateinquiriesatThorpeAmbrose。
IwanttoknowwhenthetwoBlanchardwomengoaway，andwhenyoungArmadalestirsupthedeadashesinthefamilyfire-place。
Areyouquitesurehewillturnoutaseasytomanageasyouthink？Ifhetakesafterhishypocriteofamother，Icantellyouthis——JudasIscariothascometolifeagain。
“Iamverycomfortableinthislodging。Therearelovelyflowersinthegarden，andthebirdswakemeinthemorningdelightfully。
Ihavehiredareasonablygoodpiano。TheonlymanIcaretwostrawsabout——don’tbealarmed;hewaslaidinhisgravemanyalongyearago，underthenameofBEETHOVEN——keepsmecompany，inmylonelyhours。Thelandladywouldkeepmecompany，too，ifI
wouldonlylether。Ihatewomen。Thenewcuratepaidavisittotheotherlodgeryesterday，andpassedmeonthelawnashecameout。Myeyeshavelostnothingyet，atanyrate，thoughI_am_
five-and-thirty;thepoormanactuallyblushedwhenIlookedathim！Whatsortofcolordoyouthinkhewouldhaveturned，ifoneofthelittlebirdsinthegardenhadwhisperedinhisear，andtoldhimthetruestoryofthecharmingMissGwilt？
“Good-by，MotherOldershaw。IratherdoubtwhetherIamyours，oranybody’s，affectionately;butwealltellliesatthebottomsofourletters，don’twe？Ifyouaremyattachedoldfriend，Imust，ofcourse，beyoursaffectionately。
“LYDIAGWILT。
“P。S——Keepyourodiouspowdersandpaintsandwashesforthespottedshouldersofyourcustomers;notoneofthemshalltouchmyskin，Ipromiseyou。Ifyoureallywanttobeuseful，tryandfindoutsomequietingdraughttokeepmefromgrindingmyteethinmysleep。Ishallbreakthemoneofthesenights;andthenwhatwillbecomeofmybeauty，Iwonder？”
4。_FromMrs。OldershawtoMissGwilt。_
“Ladies’ToiletRepository，Tuesday。
“MYDEARLYDIA——ItisathousandpitiesyourletterwasnotaddressedtoMr。Armadale;yourgracefulaudacitywouldhavecharmedhim。Itdoesn’taffectme;Iamsowellusedtoaudacityinmywayoflife，youknow。Whywasteyoursparklingwit，mylove，onyourownimpenetrableOldershaw？Itonlyspluttersandgoesout。Willyoutryandbeseriousthisnexttime？IhavenewsforyoufromThorpeAmbrose，whichisbeyondajoke，andwhichmustnotbetrifledwith。
“AnhourafterIgotyourletterIsettheinquiriesonfoot。Notknowingwhatconsequencestheymightleadto，Ithoughtitsafesttobegininthedark。InsteadofemployinganyofthepeoplewhomIhaveatmyowndisposalwhoknowyouandknowme，IwenttothePrivateInquiryOfficeinShadysidePlace，andputthematterintheinspector’shands，inthecharacterofaperfectstranger，andwithoutmentioningyouatall。Thiswasnotthecheapestwayofgoingtowork，Iown;butitwasthesafestway，whichisofmuchgreaterconsequence。
“TheinspectorandIunderstoodeachotherintenminutes;andtherightpersonforthepurpose——themostharmlesslookingyoungmanyoueversawinyourlife——wasproducedimmediately。HeleftforThorpeAmbroseanhourafterIsawhim。IarrangedtocallattheofficeontheafternoonsofSaturday，Monday，andto-dayfornews。Therewasnonewstillto-day;andthereIfoundourconfidentialagentjustreturnedtotown，andwaitingtofavormewithafullaccountofhistriptoNorfolk。
“Firstofall，letmequietyourmindaboutthosetwoquestionsofyours;Ihavegotanswerstoboththeoneandtheother。TheBlanchardwomengoawaytoforeignpartsonthethirteenth，andyoungArmadaleisatthismomentcruisingsomewhereatseainhisyacht。ThereistalkatThorpeAmbroseofgivinghimapublicreception，andofcallingameetingofthelocalgrandeestosettleitall。Thespeechifyingandfussontheseoccasionsgenerallywastesplentyoftime，andthepublicreceptionisnotthoughtlikelytomeetthenewsquiremuchbeforetheendofthemonth。
“Ifourmessengerhaddonenomoreforusthanthis，Ithinkhewouldhaveearnedhismoney。ButtheharmlessyoungmanisaregularJesuitataprivateinquiry，withthisgreatadvantageoverallthePopishpriestsIhaveeverseen，thathehasnotgothisslynesswritteninhisface。
“Havingtogethisinformationthroughthefemaleservantsintheusualway，headdressedhimself，withadmirablediscretion，totheugliestwomaninthehouse。’Whentheyarenice-looking，andcanpickandchoose，’asheneatlyexpressedittome，’theywasteagreatdealofvaluabletimeindecidingonasweetheart。
Whentheyareugly，andhaven’tgottheghostofachanceofchoosing，theysnapatasweetheart，ifhecomestheirway，likeastarveddogatabone。’Actingontheseexcellentprinciples，ourconfidentialagentsucceeded，aftercertainunavoidabledelays，inaddressinghimselftotheupperhousemaidatThorpeAmbrose，andtookfullpossessionofherconfidenceatthefirstinterview。Bearinghisinstructionscarefullyinmind，heencouragedthewomantochatter，andwasfavored，ofcourse，withallthegossipoftheservants’hall。Thegreaterpartofitasrepeatedtomewasofnoearthlyimportance。ButIlistenedpatiently，andwasrewardedbyavaluablediscoveryatlast。Hereitis。
“ItseemsthereisanornamentalcottageinthegroundsatThorpeAmbrose。Forsomereasonunknown，youngArmadalehaschosentoletit，andatenanthascomeinalready。Heisapoorhalf-paymajorinthearmy，namedMilroy，ameeksortofman，byallaccounts，withaturnforoccupyinghimselfinmechanicalpursuits，andwithadomesticincumbranceintheshapeofabedriddenwife，whohasnotbeenseenbyanybody。Well，andwhatofallthis？youwillask，withthatsparklingimpatiencewhichbecomesyousowell。MydearLydia，don’tsparkle！Theman’sfamilyaffairsseriouslyconcernusboth，for，asillluckwillhaveit，themanhasgotadaughter！
“YoumayimaginehowIquestionedouragent，andhowouragentransackedhismemory，whenIstumbled，induecourse，onsuchadiscoveryasthis。IfHeavenisresponsibleforwomen’schatteringtongues，Heavenbepraised！FromMissBlanchardtoMissBlanchard’smaid;fromMissBlanchard’smaidtoMissBlanchard’saunt’smaid;fromMissBlanchard’saunt’smaid，totheuglyhousemaid;fromtheuglyhousemaidtotheharmless-lookingyoungman——sothestreamofgossiptrickledintotherightreservoiratlast，andthirstyMotherOldershawhasdrunkitallup。
“InplainEnglish，mydear，thisishowitstands。Themajor’sdaughterisaminxjustturnedsixteen;livelyandnice-lookinghatefullittlewretch！，dowdyinherdressthankHeaven！anddeficientinhermannersthankHeavenagain！。Shehasbeenbroughtupathome。ThegovernesswholasthadchargeofherleftbeforeherfathermovedtoThorpeAmbrose。Hereducationstandswoefullyinwantofafinishingtouch，andthemajordoesn’tquiteknowwhattodonext。Noneofhisfriendscanrecommendhimanewgovernessandhedoesn’tlikethenotionofsendingthegirltoschool。Somattersrestatpresent，onthemajor’sownshowing;forsothemajorexpressedhimselfatamorningcallwhichthefatheranddaughterpaidtotheladiesatthegreathouse。
“Youhavenowgotmypromisednews，andyouwillhavelittledifficulty，Ithink，inagreeingwithmethattheArmadalebusinessmustbesettledatonce，onewayortheother。If，withyourhopelessprospects，andwithwhatImaycallyourfamilyclaimonthisyoungfellow，youdecideongivinghimup，Ishallhavethepleasureofsendingyouthebalanceofyouraccountwithmeseven-and-twentyshillings，andshallthenbefreetodevotemyselfentirelytomyownproperbusiness。If，onthecontrary，youdecidetotryyourluckatThorpeAmbrose，thentherebeingnokindofdoubtthatthemajor’sminxwillsethercapattheyoungsquireIshouldbegladtohearhowyoumeantomeetthedoubledifficultyofinflamingMr。ArmadaleandextinguishingMissMilroy。
“Affectionatelyyours，“MARIAOLDERSHAW。
5。_FromMissGwilttoMrs。Oldershaw。
FirstAnswer。_
“Richmond，WednesdayMorning。
“MRS。OLDERSHAW——Sendmemyseven-and-twentyshillings，anddevoteyourselftoyourownproperbusiness。Yours，L。G。”
6。_FromMissGwilttoMrs。Oldershaw。
SecondAnswer。_
“Richmond，WednesdayNight。
“DEAROLDLOVE——Keeptheseven-and-twentyshillings，andburnmyotherletter。Ihavechangedmymind。
“Iwrotethefirsttimeafterahorriblenight。Iwritethistimeafterarideonhorseback，atumblerofclaret，andthebreastofachicken。Isthatexplanationenough？PleasesayYes，forIwanttogobacktomypiano。
“No;Ican’tgobackyet;Imustansweryourquestionfirst。ButareyoureallysoverysimpleastosupposethatIdon’tseestraightthroughyouandyourletter？Youknowthatthemajor’sdifficultyisouropportunityaswellasIdo;butyouwantmetotaketheresponsibilityofmakingthefirstproposal，don’tyou？
SupposeItakeitinyourownroundaboutway？SupposeIsay，’Praydon’taskmehowIproposeinflamingMr。ArmadaleandextinguishingMissMilroy;thequestionissoshockinglyabruptI
reallycan’tanswerit。Askme，instead，ifitisthemodestambitionofmylifetobecomeMissMilroy’sgoverness？’Yes，ifyouplease，Mrs。Oldershaw，andifyouwillassistmebybecomingmyreference。
“Thereitisforyou！Ifsomeseriousdisasterhappenswhichisquitepossible，whatacomfortitwillbetorememberthatitwasallmyfault！
“NowIhavedonethisforyou，willyoudosomethingforme。I
wanttodreamawaythelittletimeIamlikelytohavelefthereinmyownway。BeamercifulMotherOldershaw，andsparemetheworryoflookingattheInsandOuts，andaddingupthechancesForandAgainst，inthisnewventureofmine。Thinkforme，inshort，untilIamobligedtothinkformyself。
“Ihadbetternotwriteanymore，orIshallsaysomethingsavagethatyouwon’tlike。Iaminoneofmytempersto-night。Iwantahusbandtovex，orachildtobeat，orsomethingofthatsort。Doyoueverliketoseethesummerinsectskillthemselvesinthecandle？Ido，sometimes。Good-night，Mrs。JezebelThelongeryoucanleavemeherethebetter。Theairagreeswithme，andIamlookingcharmingly。
“L。G。”
7。_FromMrs。OldershawtoMissGwilt。_
“Thursday。
“MYDEARLYDIA——Somepersonsinmysituationmightbealittleoffendedatthetoneofyourlastletter。ButIamsofondlyattachedtoyou！AndwhenIloveaperson，itissoveryhard，mydear，forthatpersontooffendme！Don’tridequitesofar，andonlydrinkhalfatumblerfulofclaretnexttime。Isaynomore。
“Shallweleaveoffourfencing-matchandcometoseriousmattersnow？Howcuriouslyharditalwaysseemstobeforwomentounderstandeachother，especiallywhentheyhavegottheirpensintheirhands！Butsupposewetry。
“Well，then，tobeginwith:IgatherfromyourletterthatyouhavewiselydecidedtotrytheThorpeAmbroseexperiment，andtosecure，ifyoucan，anexcellentpositionatstartingbybecomingamemberofMajorMilroy’shousehold。Ifthecircumstancesturnagainstyou，andsomeotherwomangetsthegoverness’splaceaboutwhichIshallhavesomethingmoretosaypresently，youwillthenhavenochoicebuttomakeMr。Armadale’sacquaintanceinsomeothercharacter。Inanycase，youwillwantmyassistance;andthefirstquestion，therefore，tosetatrestbetweenusisthequestionofwhatIamwillingtodo，andwhatI
cando，tohelpyou。
“Awoman，mydearLydia，withyourappearance，yourmanners，yourabilities，andyoureducation，canmakealmostanyexcursionsintosocietythatshepleasesifsheonlyhasmoneyinherpocketandarespectablereferencetoappealtoincasesofemergency。
Astothemoney，inthefirstplace。Iwillengagetofindit，onconditionofyourrememberingmyassistancewithadequatepecuniarygratitudeifyouwintheArmadaleprize。Yourpromisesotorememberme，embodyingthetermsinplainfigures，shallbedrawnoutonpaperbymyownlawyer，sothatwecansignandsettleatoncewhenIseeyouinLondon。
“Next，astothereference。
“Here，again，myservicesareatyourdisposal，onanothercondition。Itisthis:thatyoupresentyourselfatThorpeAmbrose，underthenametowhichyouhavereturnedeversincethatdreadfulbusinessofyourmarriage;ImeanyourownmaidennameofGwilt。Ihaveonlyonemotiveininsistingonthis;I
wishtorunnoneedlessrisks。Myexperience，asconfidentialadviserofmycustomers，invariousromanticcasesofprivateembarrassment，hasshownmethatanassumednameis，ninetimesoutoften，averyunnecessaryandaverydangerousformofdeception。NothingcouldjustifyyourassuminganamebutthefearofyoungArmadale’sdetectingyou——afearfromwhichwearefortunatelyrelievedbyhismother’sownconductinkeepingyourearlyconnectionwithheraprofoundsecretfromhersonandfromeverybody。
“Thenext，andlast，perplexitytosettlerelates，mydear，tothechancesforandagainstyourfindingyourway，inthecapacityofgoverness，intoMajorMilroy’shouse。Onceinsidethedoor，withyourknowledgeofmusicandlanguages，ifyoucankeepyourtemper，youmaybesureofkeepingtheplace。Theonlydoubt，asthingsarenow，iswhetheryoucangetit。
“Inthemajor’spresentdifficultyabouthisdaughter’seducation，thechancesare，Ithink，infavorofhisadvertisingforagoverness。Sayhedoesadvertise，whataddresswillhegiveforapplicantstowriteto？
“IfhegivesanaddressinLondon，good-bytoallchancesinyourfavoratonce;forthisplainreason，thatweshallnotbeabletopickouthisadvertisementfromtheadvertisementsofotherpeoplewhowantgovernesses，andwhowillgivethemaddressesinLondonaswell。If，ontheotherhand，ourluckhelpsus，andherefershiscorrespondentstoashop，post-office，orwhatnot_atThorpeAmbrose，_therewehaveouradvertiserasplainlypickedoutforusaswecanwish。Inthislastcase，Ihavelittleornodoubt——withmeforyourreference——ofyourfindingyourwayintothemajor’sfamilycircle。Wehaveonegreatadvantageovertheotherwomenwhowillanswertheadvertisement。Thankstomyinquiriesonthespot，IknowMajorMilroytobeapoorman;andwewillfixthesalaryyouaskatafigurethatissuretotempthim。Asforthestyleoftheletter，ifyouandItogethercan’twriteamodestandinterestingapplicationforthevacantplace，Ishouldliketoknowwhocan？
“Allthis，however，isstillinthefuture。Forthepresentmyadviceis，staywhereyouare，anddreamtoyourheart’scontent，tillyouhearfrommeagain。Itakein_TheTimes_regularly，andyoumaytrustmywaryeyenottomisstherightadvertisement。Wecanluckilygivethemajortime，withoutdoinganyinjurytoourowninterests;forthereisnofearjustyetofthegirl’sgettingthestartofyou。Thepublicreception，asweknow，won’tbereadytillneartheendofthemonth;andwemaysafelytrustyoungArmadale’svanitytokeephimoutofhisnewhouseuntilhisflatterersareallassembledtowelcomehim。
“It’sodd，isn’tit，tothinkhowmuchdependsonthishalf-payofficer’sdecision？Formypart，Ishallwakeeverymorningnowwiththesamequestioninmymind:Ifthemajor’sadvertismentappears，whichwillthemajorsay——ThorpeAmbrose，orLondon？
“Ever，mydearLydia，affectionatelyyours，“MARIAOLDERSHAW。”
CHAPTERII。
ALLANASALANDEDGENTLEMAN。
EARLYonthemorningafterhisfirstnight’srestatThorpeAmbrose，Allanroseandsurveyedtheprospectfromhisbedroomwindow，lostinthedensementalbewildermentoffeelinghimselftobeastrangerinhisownhouse。
Thebedroomlookedoutoverthegreatfrontdoor，withitsportico，itsterraceandflightofstepsbeyond，and，furtherstill，thebroadsweepofthewell-timberedparktoclosetheview。Themorningmistnestledlightlyaboutthedistanttrees;
andthecowswerefeedingsociably，closetotheironfencewhichrailedofftheparkfromthedriveinfrontofthehouse。“Allmine！“thoughtAllan，staringinblankamazementattheprospectofhisownpossessions。“HangmeifIcanbeatitintomyheadyet。Allmine！“
Hedressed，lefthisroom，andwalkedalongthecorridorwhichledtothestaircaseandhall，openingthedoorsinsuccessionashepassedthem。
Theroomsinthispartofthehousewerebedroomsanddressing-rooms，light，spacious，perfectlyfurnished;andallempty，excepttheonebed-chambernexttoAllan’s，whichhadbeenappropriatedtoMidwinter。Hewasstillsleepingwhenhisfriendlookedinonhim，havingsatlateintothenightwritinghislettertoMr。Brock。Allanwentontotheendofthefirstcorridor，turnedatrightanglesintoasecond，and，thatpassed，gainedtheheadofthegreatstaircase。“Noromancehere。”hesaidtohimself，lookingdownthehandsomelycarpetedstonestairsintothebrightmodernhall。“NothingtostartleMidwinter’sfidgetynervesinthishouse。”Therewasnothing，indeed;Allan’sessentiallysuperficialobservationhadnotmisledhimforonce。ThemansionofThorpeAmbrosebuiltafterthepullingdownofthedilapidatedoldmanor-housewasbarelyfiftyyearsold。Nothingpicturesque，nothingintheslightestdegreesuggestiveofmysteryandromance，appearedinanypartofit。Itwasapurelyconventionalcountryhouse——theproductoftheclassicalideafilteredjudiciouslythroughthecommercialEnglishmind。Viewedontheouterside，itpresentedthespectacleofamodernmanufactorytryingtolooklikeanancienttemple。Viewedontheinnerside，itwasamarvelofluxuriouscomfortineverypartofit，frombasementtoroof。“Andquiteright，too。”thoughtAllan，saunteringcontentedlydownthebroad，gentlygraduatedstairs。“Deucetakeallmysteryandromance！Let’sbecleanandcomfortable，that’swhatIsay。”
Arrivedinthehall，thenewmasterofThorpeAmbrosehesitated，andlookedabouthim，uncertainwhichwaytoturnnext。
Thefourreception-roomsontheground-flooropenedintothehall，twooneitherside。Allantriedthenearestdooronhisrighthandataventure，andfoundhimselfinthedrawing-room。
Herethefirstsignoflifeappeared，underlife’smostattractiveform。Ayounggirlwasinsolitarypossessionofthedrawing-room。Thedusterinherhandappearedtoassociateherwiththedomesticdutiesofthehouse;butatthatparticularmomentshewasoccupiedinassertingtherightsofnatureovertheobligationsofservice。Inotherwords，shewasattentivelycontemplatingherownfaceintheglassoverthemantelpiece。
“There！there！don’tletmefrightenyou。”saidAllan，asthegirlstartedawayfromtheglass，andstaredathiminunutterableconfusion。“Iquiteagreewithyou，mydear;yourfaceiswellworthlookingat。Whoareyou？Oh，thehousemaid。
Andwhat’syourname？Susan，eh？Come！Ilikeyourname，tobeginwith。DoyouknowwhoIam，Susan？I’myourmaster，thoughyoumaynotthinkit。Yourcharacter？Oh，yes！Mrs。Blanchardgaveyouacapitalcharacter。Youshallstophere;don’tbeafraid。
Andyou’llbeagoodgirl，Susan，andwearsmartlittlecapsandapronsandbrightribbons，andyou’lllookniceandpretty，anddustthefurniture，won’tyou？”Withthissummaryofahousemaid’sduties，Allansaunteredbackintothehall，andfoundmoresignsoflifeinthatquarter。Aman-servantappearedonthisoccasion，andbowed，asbecameavassalinalinenjacket，beforehisliegelordinawide-awakehat。
“Andwhomayyoube？”askedAllan。“Notthemanwholetusinlastnight？Ah，Ithoughtnot。Thesecondfootman，eh？Character？
Oh，yes;capitalcharacter。Stophere，ofcourse。Youcanvaletme，canyou？Bothervaletingme！Iliketoputonmyownclothes，andbrushthem，too，whenthey_are_on;and，ifIonlyknewhowtoblackmyownboots，byGeorge，Ishouldliketodoit！Whatroom’sthis？Morning-room，eh？Andhere’sthedining-room，ofcourse。Goodheavens，whatatable！it’saslongasmyyacht，andlonger。Isay，by-the-by，what’syourname？Richard，isit？Well，Richard，thevesselIsailinisavesselofmyownbuilding？
Whatdoyouthinkofthat？Youlooktomejusttherightsortofmantobemystewardonboard。Ifyou’renotsickatsea——oh，you_are_sickatsea？Well，then，we’llsaynothingmoreaboutit。
Andwhatroomisthis？Ah，yes;thelibrary，ofcourse——moreinMr。Midwinter’swaythanmine。Mr。Midwinteristhegentlemanwhocameherewithmelastnight;andmindthis，Richard，you’realltoshowhimasmuchattentionasyoushowme。Wherearewenow？
What’sthisdoorattheback？Billiard-roomandsmoking-room，eh？
Jolly。Anotherdoor！andmorestairs！Wheredotheygoto？andwho’sthiscomingup？Takeyourtime，ma’am;you’renotquitesoyoungasyouwereonce——takeyourtime。”
TheobjectofAllan’shumanecautionwasacorpulentelderlywomanofthetypecalled“motherly。”Fourteenstairswereallthatseparatedherfromthemasterofthehouse;sheascendedthemwithfourteenstoppagesandfourteensighs。Nature，variousinallthings，isinfinitelyvariousinthefemalesex。TherearesomewomenwhosepersonalqualitiesrevealtheLovesandtheGraces;andthereareotherwomenwhosepersonalqualitiessuggestthePerquisitesandtheGreasePot。Thiswasoneoftheotherwomen。
“Gladtoseeyoulookingsowell，ma’am。”saidAllan，whenthecook，inthemajestyofheroffice，stoodproclaimedbeforehim。
“YournameisGripper，isit？Iconsideryou，Mrs。Gripper，themostvaluablepersoninthehouse。Forthisreason，thatnobodyinthehouseeatsaheartierdinnereverydaythanIdo。
Directions？Oh，no;I’venodirectionstogive。Ileaveallthattoyou。Lotsofstrongsoup，andjointsdonewiththegravyinthem——there’smynotionofgoodfeeding，intwowords。Steady！
Here’ssomebodyelse。Oh，tobesure——thebutler！Anothervaluableperson。We’llgorightthroughallthewineinthecellar，Mr。Butler;andifIcan’tgiveyouasoundopinionafterthat，we’llpersevereboldly，andgorightthroughitagain。
Talkingofwine——halloo！herearemoreofthemcomingupstairs。
There！there！don’ttroubleyourselves。You’veallgotcapitalcharacters，andyoushallallstopherealongwithme。WhatwasI
sayingjustnow？Somethingaboutwine;soitwas。I’lltellyouwhat，Mr。Butler，itisn’teverydaythatanewmastercomestoThorpeAmbrose;andit’smywishthatweshouldallstarttogetheronthebestpossibleterms。Lettheservantshaveagrandjollificationdownstairstocelebratemyarrival，andgivethemwhattheyliketodrinkmyhealthin。It’sapoorheart，Mrs。Gripper，thatneverrejoices，isn’tit？No;Iwon’tlookatthecellarnow:Iwanttogoout，andgetabreathoffreshairbeforebreakfast。Where’sRichard？Isay，haveIgotagardenhere？Whichsideofthehouseisit！Thatside，eh？Youneedn’tshowmeround。I’llgoalone，Richard，andlosemyself，ifIcan，inmyownproperty。”
WiththosewordsAllandescendedtheterracestepsinfrontofthehouse，whistlingcheerfully。Hehadmettheseriousresponsibilityofsettlinghisdomesticestablishmenttohisownentiresatisfaction。“Peopletalkofthedifficultyofmanagingtheirservants。”thoughtAllan。“Whatonearthdotheymean？I
don’tseeanydifficultyatall。”Heopenedanornamentalgateleadingoutofthedriveatthesideofthehouse，and，followingthefootman’sdirections，enteredtheshrubberythatshelteredtheThorpeAmbrosegardens。“Niceshadysortofplaceforacigar。”saidAllan，ashesaunteredalongwithhishandsinhispockets“IwishIcouldbeatitintomyheadthatitreallybelongsto_me。_“
Theshrubberyopenedonthebroadexpanseofaflowergarden，floodedbrightinitssummerglorybythelightofthemorningsun。
Ononeside，anarchway，brokenthrough，awall，ledintothefruitgarden。Ontheother，aterraceofturfledtogroundonalowerlevel，laidoutasanItaliangarden。Wanderingpastthefountainsandstatues，Allanreachedanothershrubbery，windingitswayapparentlytosomeremotepartofthegrounds。Thusfar，notahumancreaturehadbeenvisibleoraudibleanywhere;but，asheapproachedtheendofthesecondshrubbery，itstruckhimthatheheardsomethingontheothersideofthefoliage。Hestoppedandlistened。Thereweretwovoicesspeakingdistinctly——anoldvoicethatsoundedveryobstinate，andayoungvoicethatsoundedveryangry。
“It’snouse，miss。”saidtheoldvoice。“Imustn’tallowit，andIwon’tallowit。WhatwouldMr。Armadalesay？”
“IfMr。ArmadaleisthegentlemanItakehimfor，youoldbrute！“
repliedtheyoungvoice，“hewouldsay，’Comeintomygarden，MissMilroy，asoftenasyoulike，andtakeasmanynosegaysasyouplease。’“Allan’sbrightblueeyestwinkledmischievously。
Inspiredbyasuddenidea，hestolesoftlytotheendoftheshrubbery，dartedroundthecornerofit，and，vaultingoveralowringfence，foundhimselfinatrimlittlepaddock，crossedbyagravelwalk。Atashortdistancedownthewallstoodayounglady，withherbacktowardhim，tryingtoforceherwaypastanimpenetrableoldman，witharakeinhishand，whostoodobstinatelyinfrontofher，shakinghishead。
“Comeintomygarden，MissMilroy，asoftenasyoulike，andtakeasmanynosegaysasyouplease。”criedAllan，remorselesslyrepeatingherownwords。
Theyoungladyturnedround，withascream;hermuslindress，whichshewasholdingupinfront，droppedfromherhand，andaprodigiouslapfulofflowersrolledoutonthegravelwalk。
Beforeanotherwordcouldbesaid，theimpenetrableoldmansteppedforward，withtheutmostcomposure，andenteredonthequestionofhisownpersonalinterests，asifnothingwhateverhadhappened，andnobodywaspresentbuthisnewmasterandhimself。
“IbidyouhumblywelcometoThorpeAmbrose，sir。”saidthisancientofthegardens。“MynameisAbrahamSage。I’vebeenemployedinthegroundsformorethanfortyyears;andIhopeyou’llbepleasedtocontinuemeinmyplace。”
So，withvisioninexorablylimitedtothehorizonofhisownprospects，spokethegardener，andspokeinvain。Allanwasdownonhiskneesonthegravelwalk，collectingthefallenflowers，andforminghisfirstimpressionsofMissMilroyfromthefeetupward。
Shewaspretty;shewasnotpretty;shecharmed，shedisappointed，shecharmedagain。Triedbyrecognizedlineandrule，shewastooshortandtoowelldevelopedforherage。Andyetfewmen’seyeswouldhavewishedherfigureotherthanitwas。Herhandsweresoprettilyplumpanddimpledthatitwashardtoseehowredtheywerewiththeblessedexuberanceofyouthandhealth。Herfeetapologizedgracefullyforheroldandillfittingshoes;andhershouldersmadeampleamendsforthemisdemeanorinmuslinwhichcoveredthemintheshapeofadress。
Herdark-grayeyeswerelovelyintheirclearsoftnessofcolor，intheirspirit，tenderness，andsweetgoodhumorofexpression;
andherhairwhereashabbyoldgardenhatallowedittobeseenwasofjustthatlightershadeofbrownwhichgavevaluebycontrasttothedarkerbeautyofhereyes。Buttheseattractionspassed，thelittleattendantblemishesandimperfectionsofthisself-contradictorygirlbeganagain。Hernosewastooshort，hermouthwastoolarge，herfacewastooroundandtoorosy。Thedreadfuljusticeofphotographywouldhavehadnomercyonher;
andthesculptorsofclassicalGreecewouldhavebowedherregretfullyoutoftheirstudios。Admittingallthis，andmore，thegirdleroundMissMilroy’swaistwasthegirdleofVenusnevertheless;andthepasskeythatopensthegeneralheartwasthekeyshecarried，ifeveragirlpossessedityet。BeforeAllanhadpickeduphissecondhandfulofflowers，Allanwasinlovewithher。
“Don’t！praydon’t，Mr。Armadale！“shesaid，receivingtheflowersunderprotest，asAllanvigorouslyshoweredthembackintothelapofherdress。“Iamsoashamed！Ididn’tmeantoinvitemyselfinthatboldwayintoyourgarden;mytongueranawaywithme——itdid，indeed！WhatcanIsaytoexcusemyself？
Oh，Mr。Armadale，whatmustyouthinkofme？”
Allansuddenlysawhiswaytoacompliment，andtossedituptoherforthwith，withthethirdhandfulofflowers。
“I’lltellyouwhatIthink，MissMilroy。”hesaid，inhisblunt，boyishway。“IthinktheluckiestwalkIevertookinmylifewasthewalkthismorningthatbroughtmehere。”
Helookedeagerandhandsome。Hewasnotaddressingawomanwornoutwithadmiration，butagirljustbeginningawoman’slife;
anditdidhimnoharm，atanyrate，tospeakinthecharacterofmasterofThorpeAmbrose。ThepenitentialexpressiononMissMilroy’sfacegentlymeltedaway;shelookeddown，demureandsmiling，attheflowersinherlap。
“Ideserveagoodscolding。”shesaid。“Idon’tdeservecompliments，Mr。Armadale——leastofallfrom_you。_“
“Oh，yes，youdo！“criedtheheadlongAllan，gettingbrisklyonhislegs。“Besides，itisn’tacompliment;it’strue。Youaretheprettiest——Ibegyourpardon，MissMilroy！_my_tongueranawaywithmethattime。”
Amongtheheavyburdensthatarelaidonfemalehumannature，perhapstheheaviest，attheageofsixteen，istheburdenofgravity。MissMilroystruggled，tittered，struggledagain，andcomposedherselfforthetimebeing。
Thegardener，whostillstoodwherehehadstoodfromthefirst，immovablywaitingforhisnextopportunity，sawitnow，andgentlypushedhispersonalinterestsintothefirstgapofsilencethathadopenedwithinhisreachsinceAllan’sappearanceonthescene。
“IhumblybidyouwelcometoThorpeAmbrose，sir。”saidAbrahamSage，beginningobstinatelywithhislittleintroductoryspeechforthesecondtime。“Myname——“
Beforehecoulddeliverhimselfofhisname，MissMilroylookedaccidentallyinthehorticulturist’spertinaciousface，andinstantlylostherholdonhergravitybeyondrecall。Allan，neverbackwardinfollowingaboisterousexampleofanysort，joinedinherlaughterwithrightgoodwill。Thewisemanofthegardensshowednosurprise，andtooknooffense。Hewaitedforanothergapofsilence，andwalkedinagaingentlywithhispersonalintereststhemomentthetwoyoungpeoplestoppedtotakebreath。
“Ihavebeenemployedinthegrounds。”proceededAbrahamSage，irrepressibly，“formorethanfortyyears——“
“Youshallbeemployedinthegroundsforfortymore，ifyou’llonlyholdyourtongueandtakeyourselfoff！“criedAllan，assoonashecouldspeak。
“Thankyoukindly，sir。”saidthegardener，withtheutmostpoliteness，butwithnopresentsignseitherofholdinghistongueoroftakinghimselfoff。
“Well？”saidAllan。
AbrahamSagecarefullyclearedhisthroat，andshiftedhisrakefromonehandtotheother。Helookeddownthelengthofhisowninvaluableimplement，withagraveinterestandattention，seeing，apparently，notthelonghandleofarake，butthelongperspectiveofavista，withasupplementarypersonalinterestestablishedattheendofit。“Whenmoreconvenient，sir。”