Milroy’sillnesswouldpreventhisreceivingMr。Armadalethatday。”ItwasplainthatMrs。Milroy’soccasionalfitsofsufferingorofilltempercreatednomeretransitorydisturbanceofthetranquillityofthehousehold。Drawingthisnaturalinference，afterwhathehadhimselfheardatthecottagenearlythreehourssince，Midwinterwithdrewintothelibrarytowaitpatientlyamongthebooksuntilhisfriendcameback。
Itwaspastsixo’clockwhenthewell-knownheartyvoicewasheardagaininthehall。Allanburstintothelibrary，inastateofirrepressibleexcitement，andpushedMidwinterbackunceremoniouslyintothechairfromwhichhewasjustrising，beforehecouldutteraword“Here’sariddleforyou，oldboy！“criedAllan。“WhyamIliketheresidentmanageroftheAugeanstable，beforeHerculeswascalledintosweepthelitterout？BecauseIhavehadmyplacetokeepup，andI’vegoneandmadeaninfernalmessofit！Whydon’tyoulaugh？ByGeorge，hedoesn’tseethepoint！Let’stryagain。
WhyamIliketheresidentmanager——“
“ForGod’ssake，Allan，beseriousforamoment！“interposedMidwinter。“Youdon’tknowhowanxiousIamtohearifyouhaverecoveredthegoodopinionofyourneighbors。”
“That’sjustwhattheriddlewasintendedtotellyou！“rejoinedAllan。“Butifyouwillhaveitinsomanywords，myownimpressionisthatyouwouldhavedonebetternottodisturbmeunderthattreeinthepark。I’vebeencalculatingittoanicety，andIbegtoinformyouthatIhavesunkexactlythreedegreeslowerintheestimationoftheresidentgentrysinceI
hadthepleasureofseeingyoulast。”
“You_will_haveyourjokeout。”saidMidwinter，bitterly。“Well，ifIcan’tlaugh，Icanwait。”
“Mydearfellow，I’mnotjoking;IreallymeanwhatIsay。Youshallhearwhathappened;youshallhaveareportinfullofmyfirstvisit。Itwilldo，Icanpromiseyou，asasampleforalltherest。Mindthis，inthefirstplace，I’vegonewrongwiththebestpossibleintentions。WhenIstartedforthesevisits，IownIwasangrywiththatoldbruteofalawyer，andIcertainlyhadanotionofcarryingthingswithahighhand。Butitworeoffsomehowontheroad;andthefirstfamilyIcalledon，Iwentin，asItellyou，withthebestpossibleintentions。Oh，dear，dear！
therewasthesamespick-and-spanreception-roomformetowaitin，withtheneatconservatorybeyond，whichIsawagainandagainandagainateveryotherhouseIwenttoafterward。Therewasthesamechoiceselectionofbooksformetolookat——areligiousbook，abookabouttheDukeofWellington，abookaboutsporting，andabookaboutnothinginparticular，beautifullyillustratedwithpictures。Downcamepapawithhisnicewhitehair，andmammawithhernicelacecap;downcameyoungmisterwiththepinkfaceandstraw-coloredwhiskers，andyoungmisswiththeplumpcheeksandthelargepetticoats。Don’tsupposetherewastheleastunfriendlinessonmyside;Ialwaysbeganwiththeminthesameway——Iinsistedonshakinghandsallround。
Thatstaggeredthemtobeginwith。WhenIcametothesoresubjectnext——thesubjectofthepublicreception——IgiveyoumywordofhonorItookthegreatestpossiblepainswithmyapologies。Ithadn’ttheslightesteffect;theyletmyapologiesinatoneearandoutattheother，andthenwaitedtohearmore。
Somemenwouldhavebeendisheartened:Itriedanotherwaywiththem;Iaddressedmyselftothemasterofthehouse，andputitpleasantlynext。’Thefactis，’Isaid，’Iwantedtoescapethespeechifying——mygettingup，youknow，andtellingyoutoyourfaceyou’rethebestofmen，andIbegtoproposeyourhealth;
andyourgettingupandtellingmetomyfaceI’mthebestofmen，andyoubegtothankme;andsoon，manafterman，praisingeachotherandpesteringeachotherallroundthetable。’That’showIputit，inaneasy，light-handed，convincingsortofway。
Doyouthinkanyofthemtookitinthesamefriendlyspirit？Notone！It’smybelieftheyhadgottheirspeechesreadyforthereception，withtheflagsandtheflowers，andthatthey’resecretlyangrywithmeforstoppingtheiropenmouthsjustastheywerereadytobegin。Anyway，wheneverwecametothematterofthespeechifyingwhethertheytoucheditfirstorI，downI
fellintheirestimationthefirstofthosethreestepsItoldyouofjustnow。Don’tsupposeImadenoeffortstogetupagain！
Imadedesperateefforts。IfoundtheywereallanxioustoknowwhatsortoflifeIhadledbeforeIcameinfortheThorpeAmbroseproperty，andIdidmybesttosatisfythem。Andwhatcameofthat，doyouthink？Hangme，ifIdidn’tdisappointthemforthesecondtime！WhentheyfoundoutthatIhadactuallyneverbeentoEtonorHarrow，orOxfordorCambridge，theywerequitedumbwithastonishment。Ifancytheythoughtmeasortofoutlaw。Atanyrate，theyallfrozeupagain;anddownIfellthesecondstepintheirestimation。Nevermind！Iwasn’ttobebeaten;Ihadpromisedyoutodomybest，andIdidit。Itriedcheerfulsmall-talkabouttheneighborhoodnext。Thewomensaidnothinginparticular;themen，tomyunutterableastonishment，allbegantocondolewithme。Ishouldn’tbeabletofindapackofhounds，theysaid，withintwentymilesofmyhouse;andtheythoughtitonlyrighttopreparemeforthedisgracefullycarelessmannerinwhichtheThorpeAmbrosecovershadbeenpreserved。Iletthemgooncondolingwithme，andthenwhatdoyouthinkIdid？Iputmyfootinitagain。’Oh，don’ttakethattoheart！’Isaid;’Idon’tcaretwostrawsabouthuntingorshooting，either。WhenImeetwithabirdinmywalk，Ican’tforthelifeofmefeeleagertokillit;Iratherliketoseethebirdflyingaboutandenjoyingitself。’Youshouldhaveseentheirfaces！Theyhadthoughtmeasortofoutlawbefore;nowtheyevidentlythoughtmemad。Deadsilencefelluponthemall;
anddownItumbledthethirdstepinthegeneralestimation。Itwasjustthesameatthenexthouse，andthenextandthenext。
Thedevilpossessedusall，Ithink。It_would_comeout，nowinoneway，andnowinanother，thatIcouldn’tmakespeeches——thatIhadbeenbroughtupwithoutauniversityeducation——andthatI
couldenjoyarideonhorsebackwithoutgallopingafterawretchedstinkingfoxorapoordistractedlittlehare。Thesethreeunluckydefectsofminearenotexcused，itseems，inacountrygentlemanespeciallywhenhehasdodgedapublicreceptiontobeginwith。IthinkIgotonbest，uponthewhole，withthewivesanddaughters。ThewomenandIalwaysfell，soonerorlater，onthesubjectofMrs。Blanchardandherniece。WeinvariablyagreedthattheyhaddonewiselyingoingtoFlorence;
andtheonlyreasonwehadtogiveforouropinionwasthatwethoughttheirmindswouldbebenefitedaftertheirsadbereavement，bythecontemplationofthemasterpiecesofItalianart。Everyoneoftheladies——Isolemnlydeclareit——ateveryhouseIwentto，camesoonerorlatertoMrs。andMissBlanchard’sbereavementandthemasterpiecesofItalianart。Whatweshouldhavedonewithoutthatbrightideatohelpus，Ireallydon’tknow。Theonepleasantthingatanyofthevisitswaswhenweallshookourheadstogether，anddeclaredthatthemasterpieceswouldconsolethem。Asfortherestofit，there’sonlyonethingmoretobesaid。WhatImightbeinotherplacesI
don’tknow:I’mthewrongmaninthewrongplacehere。Letmemuddleonforthefutureinmyownway，withmyownfewfriends;
andaskmeanythingelseintheworld，aslongasyoudon’taskmetomakeanymorecallsonmyneighbors。”
Withthatcharacteristicrequest，Allan’sreportofhisexploringexpeditionamongtheresidentgentrycametoaclose。ForamomentMidwinterremainedsilent。HehadallowedAllantorunonfromfirsttolastwithoututteringawordonhisside。Thedisastrousresultofthevisits——comingafterwhathadhappenedearlierintheday;andthreateningAllan，asitdid，withexclusionfromalllocalsympathiesattheveryoutsetofhislocalcareer——hadbrokendownMidwinter’spowerofresistingthestealthilydepressinginfluenceofhisownsuperstition。ItwaswithaneffortthathenowlookedupatAllan;itwaswithaneffortthatherousedhimselftoanswer。
“Itshallbeasyouwish。”hesaid，quietly。“Iamsorryforwhathashappened;butIamnotthelessobligedtoyou，Allan，forhavingdonewhatIaskedyou。”
Hisheadsankonhisbreast，andthefatalistresignationwhichhadoncealreadyquietedhimonboardthewrecknowquietedhimagain。“What_must_be，_will_be。”hethoughtoncemore。“WhathaveItodowiththefuture，andwhathashe？”
“Cheerup！“saidAllan。“_Your_affairsareinathrivingcondition，atanyrate。Ipaidonepleasantvisitinthetown，whichIhaven’ttoldyouofyet。I’veseenPedgift，andPedgift’sson，whohelpshimintheoffice。They’rethetwojolliestlawyersIevermetwithinmylife;and，what’smore，theycanproducetheverymanyouwanttoteachyouthesteward’sbusiness。”
Midwinterlookedupquickly。DistrustofAllan’sdiscoverywasplainlywritteninhisfacealready;buthesaidnothing。
“Ithoughtofyou。”Allanproceeded，“assoonasthetwoPedgiftsandIhadhadaglassofwineallroundtodrinktoourfriendlyconnection。ThefinestsherryIevertastedinmylife;I’veorderedsomeofthesame——butthat’snotthequestionjustnow。
IntwowordsItoldtheseworthyfellowsyourdifficulty，andintwosecondsoldPedgiftunderstoodallaboutit。’Ihavegotthemaninmyoffice，’hesaid，’andbeforetheaudit-daycomes，I’llplacehimwiththegreatestpleasureatyourfriend’sdisposal。’
“
Atthislastannouncement，Midwinter’sdistrustfounditsexpressioninwords。HequestionedAllanunsparingly。
Theman’sname，itappearedwasBashwood。Hehadbeensometimehowlong，AllancouldnotrememberinMr。Pedgift’sservice。HehadbeenpreviouslystewardtoaNorfolkgentlemannameforgotteninthewestwarddistrictofthecounty。Hehadlostthesteward’splace，throughsomedomestictrouble，inconnectionwithhisson，theprecisenatureofwhichAllanwasnotabletospecify。Pedgiftvouchedforhim，andPedgiftwouldsendhimtoThorpeAmbrosetwoorthreedaysbeforetherent-daydinner。Hecouldnotbespared，forofficereasons，beforethattime。Therewasnoneedtofidgetaboutit;Pedgiftlaughedattheideaoftherebeinganydifficultywiththetenants。Twoorthreeday’sworkoverthesteward’sbookswithamantohelpMidwinterwhopracticallyunderstoodthatsortofthingwouldputhimallrightfortheaudit;andtheotherbusinesswouldkeeptillafterward。
“HaveyouseenthisMr。Bashwoodyourself，Allan？”askedMidwinter，stillobstinatelyonhisguard。
“No。”repliedAllan“hewasout——outwiththebag，asyoungPedgiftcalledit。Theytellmehe’sadecentelderlyman。A
littlebrokenbyhistroubles，andalittleapttobenervousandconfusedinhismannerwithstrangers;butthoroughlycompetentandthoroughlytobedependedon——thosearePedgift’sownwords。”
Midwinterpausedandconsideredalittle，withanewinterestinthesubject。Thestrangemanwhomhehadjusthearddescribed，andthestrangemanofwhomhehadaskedhiswaywherethethreeroadsmet，wereremarkablylikeeachother。Wasthisanotherlinkinthefast-lengtheningchainofevents？Midwintergrewdoublydeterminedtobecareful，asthebaredoubtthatitmightbesopassedthroughhismind。
“WhenMr。Bashwoodcomes。”hesaid，“willyouletmeseehim，andspeaktohim，beforeanythingdefiniteisdone？”
“OfcourseIwill！“rejoinedAllan。Hestoppedandlookedathiswatch。“AndI’lltellyouwhatI’lldoforyou，oldboy，inthemeantime。”headded;“I’llintroduceyoutotheprettiestgirlinNorfolk！There’sjusttimetorunovertothecottagebeforedinner。Comealong，andbeintroducedtoMissMilroy。”
“Youcan’tintroducemetoMissMilroytoday。”repliedMidwinter;
andherepeatedthemessageofapologywhichhadbeenbroughtfromthemajorthatafternoon。Allanwassurprisedanddisappointed;buthewasnottobefoiledinhisresolutiontoadvancehimselfinthegoodgracesoftheinhabitantsofthecottage。Afteralittleconsiderationhehitonameansofturningthepresentadversecircumstancestogoodaccount。“I’llshowaproperanxietyforMrs。Milroy’srecovery。”hesaid，gravely。“I’llsendherabasketofstrawberries，withmybestrespects，to-morrowmorning。”
Nothingmorehappenedtomarktheendofthatfirstdayinthenewhouse。
TheonenoticeableeventofthenextdaywasanotherdisclosureofMrs。Milroy’sinfirmityoftemper。HalfanhourafterAllan’sbasketofstrawberrieshadbeendeliveredatthecottage，itwasreturnedtohimintactbythehandsoftheinvalidlady’snurse，withashortandsharpmessage，shortlyandsharplydelivered。“Mrs。Milroy’scomplimentsandthanks。Strawberriesinvariablydisagreedwithher。”IfthiscuriouslypetulantacknowledgmentofanactofpolitenesswasintendedtoirritateAllan，itfailedentirelyinaccomplishingitsobject。Insteadofbeingoffendedwiththemother，hesympathizedwiththedaughter。
“Poorlittlething。”wasallhesaid，“shemusthaveahardlifeofitwithsuchamotherasthat！“
Hecalledatthecottagehimselflaterintheday，butMissMilroywasnottobeseen;shewasengagedupstairs。Themajorreceivedhisvisitorinhisworkingapron——farmoredeeplyimmersedinhiswonderfulclock，andfarlessreadilyaccessibletoouterinfluences，thanAllanhadseenhimattheirfirstinterview。Hismannerwasaskindasbefore;butnotawordmorecouldbeextractedfromhimonthesubjectofhiswifethanthatMrs。Milroy“hadnotimprovedsinceyesterday。”
Thetwonextdayspassedquietlyanduneventfully。Allanpersistedinmakinghisinquiriesatthecottage;butallhesawofthemajor’sdaughterwasaglimpseofherononeoccasionatawindowonthebedroomfloor。NothingmorewasheardfromMr。
Pedgift;andMr。Bashwood’sappearancewasstilldelayed。
MidwinterdeclinedtomoveinthematteruntiltimeenoughhadpassedtoallowofhisfirsthearingfromMr。Brock，inanswertotheletterwhichhehadaddressedtotherectoronthenightofhisarrivalatThorpeAmbrose。Hewasunusuallysilentandquiet，andpassedmostofhishoursinthelibraryamongthebooks。Thetimeworeonwearily。TheresidentgentryacknowledgedAllan’svisitbyformallyleavingtheircards。Nobodycamenearthehouseafterward;theweatherwasmonotonouslyfine。Allangrewalittlerestlessanddissatisfied。HebegantoresentMrs。Milroy’sillness;hebegantothinkregretfullyofhisdesertedyacht。
Thenextday——thetwentieth——broughtsomenewswithitfromtheouterworld。AmessagewasdeliveredfromMr。Pedgift，announcingthathisclerk，Mr。Bashwood，wouldpersonallypresenthimselfatThorpeAmbroseonthefollowingday;andaletterinanswertoMidwinterwasreceivedfromMr。Brock。
Theletterwasdatedthe18th，andthenewswhichitcontainedraisednotAllan’sspiritsonly，butMidwinter’saswell。
Onthedayonwhichhewrote，Mr。BrockannouncedthathewasabouttojourneytoLondon;havingbeensummonedthitheronbusinessconnectedwiththeinterestsofasickrelative，towhomhestoodinthepositionoftrustee。Thebusinesscompleted，hehadgoodhopeoffindingoneorotherofhisclericalfriendsinthemetropoliswhowouldbeableandwillingtododutyforhimattherectory;and，inthatcase，hetrustedtotravelonfromLondontoThorpeAmbroseinaweek’s’timeorless。Underthesecircumstances，hewouldleavethemajorityofthesubjectsonwhichMidwinterhadwrittentohimtobediscussedwhentheymet。
Butastimemightbeofimportance，inrelationtothestewardshipoftheThorpeAmbroseestate，hewouldsayatoncethathesawnoreasonwhyMidwintershouldnotapplyhismindtolearningthesteward’sduties，andshouldnotsucceedinrenderinghimselfinvaluablyserviceableinthatwaytotheinterestsofhisfriend。
LeavingMidwinterreadingandre-readingtherector’scheeringletter，asifhewasbentongettingeverysentenceinitbyheart，Allanwentoutratherearlierthanusual，tomakehisdailyinquiryatthecottage——or，inplainerwords，tomakeafourthattemptatimprovinghisacquaintancewithMissMilroy。
Thedayhadbegunencouragingly，andencouraginglyitseemeddestinedtogoon。WhenAllanturnedthecornerofthesecondshrubbery，andenteredthelittlepaddockwhereheandthemajor’sdaughterhadfirstmet，therewasMissMilroyherselfloiteringtoandfroonthegrass，toallappearanceonthewatchforsomebody。
ShegavealittlestartwhenAllanappeared，andcameforwardwithouthesitationtomeethim。Shewasnotinherbestlooks。
Herrosycomplexionhadsufferedunderconfinementtothehouse，andamarkedexpressionofembarrassmentcloudedherprettyface。
“Ihardlyknowhowtoconfessit，Mr。Armadale。”shesaid，speakingeagerly，beforeAllancouldutteraword，“butI
certainlyventuredherethismorninginthehopeofmeetingwithyou。Ihavebeenverymuchdistressed;Ihaveonlyjustheard，byaccident，ofthemannerinwhichmammareceivedthepresentoffruityousokindlysenttoher。Willyoutrytoexcuseher？Shehasbeenmiserablyillforyears，andsheisnotalwaysquiteherself。Afteryourbeingsovery，verykindtomeandtopapa，Ireallycouldnothelpstealingouthereinthehopeofseeingyou，andtellingyouhowsorryIwas。Prayforgiveandforget，Mr。Armadale——praydo！“hervoicefalteredoverthelastwords，and，inhereagernesstomakehermother’speacewithhim，shelaidherhandonhisarm。
Allanwashimselfalittleconfused。Herearnestnesstookhimbysurprise，andherevidentconvictionthathehadbeenoffendedhonestlydistressedhim。Notknowingwhatelsetodo，hefollowedhisinstincts，andpossessedhimselfofherhandtobeginwith。
“MydearMissMilroy，ifyousayawordmoreyouwilldistress_me_next。”herejoined，unconsciouslypressingherhandcloserandcloser，intheembarrassmentofthemoment。“Ineverwasintheleastoffended;Imadeallowances——uponmyhonorIdid——forpoorMrs。Milroy’sillness。Offended！“criedAllan，revertingenergeticallytotheoldcomplimentarystrain。“Ishouldliketohavemybasketoffruitsentbackeveryday——ifIcouldonlybesureofitsbringingyououtintothepaddockthefirstthinginthemorning。”
SomeofMissMilroy’smissingcolorbegantoappearagaininhercheeks。“Oh，Mr。Armadale，thereisreallynoendtoyourkindness。”shesaid;“youdon’tknowhowyourelieveme！Shepaused;herspiritsralliedwithashappyareadinessofrecoveryasiftheyhadbeenthespiritsofachild;andhernativebrightnessoftempersparkledagaininhereyes，asshelookedup，shylysmilinginAllan’sface。“Don’tyouthink。”sheasked，demurely，“thatitisalmosttimenowtoletgoofmyhand？”
Theireyesmet。Allanfollowedhisinstinctsforthesecondtime。
Insteadofreleasingherhand，heliftedittohislipsandkissedit。AllthemissingtintsoftherosiersortreturnedtoMissMilroy’scomplexionontheinstant。ShesnatchedawayherhandasifAllanhadburnedit。
“I’msure_that’s_wrong，Mr。Armadale。”shesaid，andturnedherheadasidequickly，forshewassmilinginspiteofherself。
“Imeantitasanapologyfor——forholdingyourhandtoolong。”
stammeredAllan。“Anapologycan’tbewrong——canit？”
Thereareoccasions，thoughnotmany，whenthefemalemindaccuratelyappreciatesanappealtotheforceofpurereason。
Thiswasoneoftheoccasions。AnabstractpropositionhadbeenpresentedtoMissMilroy，andMissMilroywasconvinced。Ifitwasmeantasanapology，that，sheadmitted，madeallthedifference。“Ionlyhope。”saidthelittlecoquet，lookingathimslyly，“you’renotmisleadingme。Notthatitmattersmuchnow。”
sheadded，withaseriousshakeofherhead。“Ifwehavecommittedanyimproprieties，Mr。Armadale，wearenotlikelytohavetheopportunityofcommittingmanymore。”
“You’renotgoingaway？”exclaimedAllan，ingreatalarm。
“Worsethanthat，Mr。Armadale。Mynewgovernessiscoming。”
“Coming？”repeatedAllan。“Comingalready？”
“Asgoodascoming，Ioughttohavesaid——onlyIdidn’tknowyouwishedmetobesoveryparticular。Wegottheanswerstotheadvertisementsthismorning。PapaandIopenedthemandreadthemtogetherhalfanhourago;andwebothpickedoutthesameletterfromalltherest。Ipickeditout，becauseitwassoprettilyexpressed;andpapapickeditoutbecausethetermsweresoreasonable。HeisgoingtosendtheletteruptograndmammainLondonbytoday’spost，and，ifshefindseverythingsatisfactoryoninquiry，thegovernessistobeengagedYoudon’tknowhowdreadfullynervousIamgettingaboutitalready;astrangegovernessissuchanawfulprospect。Butitisnotquitesobadasgoingtoschool;andIhavegreathopesofthisnewlady，becauseshewritessuchaniceletter！AsIsaidtopapa，italmostreconcilesmetoherhorrid，unromanticname。”
“Whatishername？”askedAllan。“Brown？Grubb？Scraggs？Anythingofthatsort？”
“Hush！hush！Nothingquitesohorribleasthat。HernameisGwilt。Dreadfullyunpoetical，isn’tit？Herreferencemustbearespectableperson，though;forshelivesinthesamepartofLondonasgrandmamma。Stop，Mr。Armadale！wearegoingthewrongway。No;Ican’twaittolookatthoselovelyflowersofyoursthismorning，and，manythanks，Ican’tacceptyourarm。Ihavestayedheretoolongalready。Papaiswaitingforhisbreakfast;
andImustrunbackeverystepoftheway。Thankyouformakingthosekindallowancesformamma;thankyouagainandagain，andgood-by！“
“Won’tyoushakehands？”askedAllan。
Shegavehimherhand。“Nomoreapologies，ifyouplease，Mr。
Armadale。”shesaid，saucily。Oncemoretheireyesmet，andoncemoretheplump，dimpledlittlehandfounditswaytoAllan’slips。“Itisn’tanapologythistime！“criedAllan，precipitatelydefendinghimself。“It’s——it’samarkofrespect。”
Shestartedbackafewsteps，andburstoutlaughing。“Youwon’tfindmeinourgroundsagain，Mr。Armadale。”shesaid，merrily，“tillIhavegotMissGwilttotakecareofme！“Withthatfarewell，shegatheredupherskirts，andranbackacrossthepaddockatthetopofherspeed。
Allanstoodwatchingherinspeechlessadmirationtillshewasoutofsight。HissecondinterviewwithMissMilroyhadproducedanextraordinaryeffectonhim。ForthefirsttimesincehehadbecomethemasterofThorpeAmbrose，hewasabsorbedinseriousconsiderationofwhatheowedtohisnewpositioninlife。“Thequestionis。”ponderedAllan，“whetherIhadn’tbettersetmyselfrightwithmyneighborsbybecomingamarriedman？I’lltakethedaytoconsider;andifIkeepinthesamemindaboutit，I’llconsultMidwinterto-morrowmorning。”
Whenthemorningcame，andwhenAllandescendedtothebreakfast-room，resolutetoconsulthisfriendontheobligationsthatheowedtohisneighborsingeneral，andtoMissMilroyinparticular，noMidwinterwastoheseen。Onmakinginquiry，itappearedthathehadbeenobservedinthehall;thathehadtakenfromthetablealetterwhichthemorning’sposthadbroughttohim;andthathehadgonebackimmediatelytohisownroom。Allanatonceascendedthestairsagain，andknockedathisfriend’sdoor。
“MayIcomein？”heasked。
“Notjustnow。”wastheanswer。
“Youhavegotaletter，haven’tyou？”persistedAllan。“Anybadnews？Anythingwrong？”
“Nothing。I’mnotverywellthismorning。Don’twaitbreakfastforme;I’llcomedownassoonasIcan。”
Nomorewassaidoneitherside。Allanreturnedtothebreakfast-roomalittledisappointed。HehadsethisheartonrushingheadlongintohisconsultationwithMidwinter，andherewastheconsultationindefinitelydelayed。“Whatanoddfellowheis！“thoughtAllan。“Whatonearthcanhebedoing，lockedintherebyhimself？”
Hewasdoingnothing。Hewassittingbythewindow，withtheletterwhichhadreachedhimthatmorningopeninhishand。ThehandwritingwasMr。Brock’s，andthewordswrittenwerethese:
“MYDEARMIDWINTER——IhaveliterallyonlytwominutesbeforeposttimetotellyouthatIhavejustmetinKensingtonGardens
withthewomanwhomwebothonlyknow，thusfar，asthewomanwiththeredPaisleyshawl。Ihavetracedherandhercompanionarespectable-lookingelderlyladytotheirresidence——afterhavingdistinctlyheardAllan’snamementionedbetweenthem。
DependonmynotlosingsightofthewomanuntilIamsatisfiedthatshemeansnomischiefatThorpeAmbrose;andexpecttohearfrommeagainassoonasIknowhowthisstrangediscoveryistoend。
“Verytrulyyours，DECIMUSBROCK。”
Afterreadingtheletterforthesecondtime，Midwinterfoldeditupthoughtfully，andplaceditinhispocket-book，sidebysidewiththemanuscriptnarrativeofAllan’sdream。
“Yourdiscoverywillnotendwith_you，_Mr。Brock。”hesaid。“Dowhatyouwillwiththewoman，whenthetimecomesthewomanwillbehere。”
CHAPTERV。
MOTHEROLDERSHAWONHERGUARD。
1。_FromMrs。OldershawDianaStreet，PimlicotoMissGwiltWestPlace，OldBrompton。_
“Ladies’ToiletRepository，June20th，EightintheEvening。
“MYDEARLYDIA——Aboutthreehourshavepassed，aswellasIcanremember，sinceIpushedyouunceremoniouslyinsidemyhouseinWestPlace，and，merelytellingyoutowaittillyousawmeagain，bangedthedoortobetweenus，andleftyoualoneinthehall。Iknowyoursensitivenature，mydear，andIamafraidyouhavemadeupyourmindbythistimethatneveryetwasaguesttreatedsoabominablybyherhostessasIhavetreatedyou。
“Thedelaythathaspreventedmefromexplainingmystrangeconductis，believeme，adelayforwhichIamnottoblame。OneofthemanydelicatelittledifficultieswhichbesetsoessentiallyconfidentialabusinessasmineoccurredhereasI
havesincediscoveredwhileweweretakingtheairthisafternooninKensingtonGardens。Iseenochanceofbeingabletogetbacktoyouforsomehourstocome，andIhaveawordofveryurgentcautionforyourprivateear，whichhasbeentoolongdelayedalready。SoImustusethespareminutesastheycome，andwrite。
“Hereiscautionthefirst。Onnoaccountventureoutsidethedooragainthisevening，andbeverycareful，whilethedaylightlasts，nottoshowyourselfatanyofthefrontwindows。Ihavereasontofearthatacertaincharmingpersonnowstayingwithmemaypossiblybewatched。Don’tbealarmed，anddon’tbeimpatient;youshallknowwhy。
“IcanonlyexplainmyselfbygoingbacktoourunluckymeetingintheGardenswiththatreverendgentlemanwhowassoobligingastofollowusbothbacktomyhouse。
“Itcrossedmymind，justaswewereclosetothedoor，thattheremightbeamotivefortheparson’sanxietytotraceushome，farlesscreditabletohistaste，andfarmoredangeroustobothofus，thanthemotiveyousupposedhimtohave。Inplainerwords，Lydia，Iratherdoubtedwhetheryouhadmetwithanotheradmirer;andIstronglysuspectedthatyouhadencounteredanotherenemyinstead。Therewasnotimetotellyouthis。Therewasonlytimetoseeyousafeintothehouse，andtomakesureoftheparsonincasemysuspicionswererightbytreatinghimashehadtreatedus;Imean，byfollowinghiminhisturn。
“Ikeptsomelittledistancebehindhimatfirst，toturnthethingoverinmymind，andtobesatisfiedthatmydoubtswerenotmisleadingme。Wehavenoconcealmentsfromeachother;andyoushallknowwhatmydoubtswere。
“Iwasnotsurprisedat_your_recognizing_him;_heisnotatallacommon-lookingoldman;andyouhadseenhimtwiceinSomersetshire——oncewhenyouaskedyourwayofhimtoMrs。
Armadale’shouse，andoncewhenyousawhimagainonyourwaybacktotherailroad。ButIwasalittlepuzzledconsideringthatyouhadyourveildownonboththoseoccasions，andyourveildownalsowhenwewereintheGardensathisrecognizing_you。_Idoubtedhisrememberingyourfigureinasummerdressafterhehadonlyseenitinawinterdress;andthoughweweretalkingwhenhemetus，andyourvoiceisoneamongyourmanycharms，Idoubtedhisrememberingyourvoice，either。AndyetI
feltpersuadedthatheknewyou。’How？’youwillask。Mydear，asill-luckwouldhaveit，wewerespeakingatthetimeofyoungArmadale。Ifirmlybelievethatthenamewasthefirstthingthatstruckhim;andwhenheheard_that，_，yourvoicecertainlyandyourfigureperhaps，camebacktohismemory。’Andwhatifitdid？’youmaysay。Thinkagain，Lydia，andtellmewhethertheparsonoftheplacewhereMrs。ArmadalelivedwasnotlikelytobeMrs。Armadale’sfriend？Ifhe_was_herfriend，theveryfirstpersontowhomshewouldapplyforadviceafterthemannerinwhichyoufrightenedher，andafterwhatyoumostinjudiciouslysaidonthesubjectofappealingtoherson，wouldbetheclergymanoftheparish——andthemagistrate，too，asthelandlordattheinnhimselftoldyou。
“YouwillnowunderstandwhyIleftyouinthatextremelyuncivilmanner，andImaygoontowhathappenednext。
“Ifollowedtheoldgentlemantillheturnedintoaquietstreet，andthenaccostedhim，withrespectfortheChurchwrittenI
flattermyselfineverylineofmyface。
“’Willyouexcuseme，’Isaid，’ifIventuretoinquire，sir，whetheryourecognizedtheladywhowaswalkingwithmewhenyouhappenedtopassusintheGardens？’
“’Willyouexcusemyasking，ma’am，whyyouputthatquestion？’
wasalltheanswerIgot。
“’Iwillendeavortotellyou，sir，’Isaid。’Ifmyfriendisnotanabsolutestrangertoyou，Ishouldwishtorequestyourattentiontoaverydelicatesubject，connectedwithaladydeceased，andwithhersonwhosurvivesher。’
“Hewasstaggered;Icouldseethat。ButhewasslyenoughatthesametimetoholdhistongueandwaittillIsaidsomethingmore。
“’IfIamwrong，sir，inthinkingthatyourecognizedmyfriend，’Iwenton，’Ibegtoapologize。ButIcouldhardlysupposeitpossiblethatagentlemaninyourprofessionwouldfollowaladyhomewhowasatotalstrangertohim。’
“ThereIhadhim。Hecoloredupfancythat，athisage！，andownedthetruth，indefenseofhisownpreciouscharacter。
“’Ihavemetwiththeladyoncebefore，andIacknowledgethatI
recognizedherintheGardens，’hesaid。’YouwillexcusemeifI
declineenteringintothequestionofwhetherIdidordidnotpurposelyfollowherhome。Ifyouwishtobeassuredthatyourfriendisnotanabsolutestrangertome，younowhavethatassurance;andifyouhaveanythingparticulartosaytome，I
leaveyoutodecidewhetherthetimehascometosayit。’
“Hewaited，andlookedabout。Iwaited，andlookedabout。Hesaidthestreetwashardlyafitplacetospeakofadelicatesubjectin。Isaidthestreetwashardlyafitplacetospeakofadelicatesubjectin。Hedidn’toffertotakemetowherehelived。Ididn’toffertotakehimtowhereIlived。Haveyoueverseentwostrangecats，mydear，nosetonoseonthetiles？Ifyouhave，youhaveseentheparsonandmedonetothelife。
“’Well，ma’am，’hesaid，atlast，’shallwegoonwithourconversationinspiteofcircumstances？’
“’Yes，sir，’Isaid;’wearebothofus，fortunately，ofanagetosetcircumstancesatdefiance’Ihadseentheoldwretchlookingatmygrayhair，andsatisfyinghimselfthathischaracterwassafeifhe_was_seenwithme。
“Afterallthissnappingandsnarling，wecametothepointatlast。IbeganbytellinghimthatIfearedhisinterestinyouwasnotofthefriendlysort。Headmittedthatmuch——ofcourse，indefenseofhisowncharacteroncemore。InextrepeatedtohimeverythingyouhadtoldmeaboutyourproceedingsinSomersetshire，whenwefirstfoundthathewasfollowingushome。
Don’tbealarmedmydear——Iwasactingonprinciple。Ifyouwanttomakeadishofliesdigestible，alwaysgiveitagarnishoftruth。Well，havingappealedtothereverendgentleman’sconfidenceinthismatter，Inextdeclaredthatyouhadbecomeanalteredwomansincehehadseenyoulast。Irevivedthatdeadwretch，yourhusbandwithoutmentioningnames，ofcourse，establishedhimthefirstplaceIthoughtofinbusinessattheBrazils，anddescribedaletterwhichhehadwritten，offeringtoforgivehiserringwife，ifshewouldrepentandgobacktohim。
Iassuredtheparsonthatyourhusband’snobleconducthadsoftenedyourobduratenature;andthen，thinkingIhadproducedtherightimpression，Icameboldlytoclosequarterswithhim。I
said，’Attheverytimewhenyoumetus，sir，myunhappyfriendwasspeakingintermsoftouching，self-reproachofherconducttothelateMrs。Armadale。Sheconfidedtomeheranxietytomakesomeatonement，ifpossible，toMrs。Armadale’sson;anditisatherentreatyforshecannotprevailonherselftofaceyouthatInowbegtoinquirewhetherMr。ArmadaleisstillinSomersetshire，andwhetherhewouldconsenttotakebackinsmallinstallmentsthesumofmoneywhichmyfriendacknowledgesthatshereceivedbypracticingonMrs。Armadale’sfears。’Thoseweremyverywords。Aneaterstoryaccountingsonicelyforeverythingwasnevertold;itwasastorytomeltastone。ButthisSomersetshireparsonisharderthanstoneitself。Iblushfor_him，_mydear，whenIassureyouthathewasevidentlyinsensibleenoughtodisbelieveeverywordIsaidaboutyourreformedcharacter，yourhusbandintheBrazils，andyourpenitentanxietytopaythemoneyback。ItisreallyadisgracethatsuchamanshouldbeintheChurch;suchcunningashisisinthelastdegreeunbecominginamemberofasacredprofession。
“’Doesyourfriendproposetojoinherhusbandbythenextsteamer？’wasallhecondescendedtosay，whenIhaddone。
“IacknowledgeIwasangry。Isnappedathim。Isaid，’Yes，shedoes。’
“’HowamItocommunicatewithher？’heasked。
“Isnappedathimagain。’Byletter——throughme。’
“’Atwhataddress，ma’am？’
“There，Ihadhimoncemore。’Youhavefoundmyaddressoutforyourself，sir，’Isaid。’Thedirectorywilltellyoumyname，ifyouwishtofindthatoutforyourselfalso;otherwise，youarewelcometomycard。’
“’Manythanks，ma’am。IfyourfriendwishestocommunicatewithMr。Armadale，Iwillgiveyou_my_cardinreturn。’
“’Thankyou，sir。’
“’Thankyou，ma’am。’
“’Good-afternoon，sir。’
“’Good-afternoon，ma’am。’
“Soweparted。Iwentmywaytoanappointmentatmyplaceofbusiness，andhewenthisinahurry;whichisofitselfsuspicious。WhatIcan’tgetoverishisheartlessness。Heavenhelpthepeoplewhosendfor_him_tocomfortthemontheirdeath-beds！
“Thenextconsiderationis，Whatarewetodo？Ifwedon’tfindouttherightwaytokeepthisoldwretchinthedark，hemaybetheruinofusatThorpeAmbrosejustaswearewithineasyreachofourendinview。WaituptillIcometoyou，withmymindfree，Ihope，fromtheotherdifficultywhichisworryingmehere。Wasthereeversuchillluckasours？Onlythinkofthatmandesertinghiscongregation，andcomingtoLondonjustattheverytimewhenwehaveansweredMajorMilroy’sadvertisement，andmayexpecttheinquiriestobemadenextweek！Ihavenopatiencewithhim;hisbishopoughttointerfere。
“Affectionatelyyours，“MARIAOLDERSHAW。”
2。_FromMissGwilttoMrs。Oldershaw。_
“WestPlace，June20th。
“MYPOOROLDDEAR——Howverylittleyouknowofmysensitivenature，asyoucallit！Insteadoffeelingoffendedwhenyouleftme，Iwenttoyourpiano，andforgotallaboutyoutillyourmessengercame。Yourletterisirresistible;IhavebeenlaughingoverittillIamquiteoutofbreath。OfalltheabsurdstoriesIeverread，thestoryyouaddressedtotheSomersetshireclergymanisthemostridiculous。Andasforyourinterviewwithhiminthestreet，itisaperfectsintokeepittoourselves。
Thepublicoughtreallytoenjoyitintheformofafarceatoneofthetheaters。
“Luckilyforbothofustocometoseriousmatters，yourmessengerisaprudentperson。Hesentupstairstoknowiftherewasananswer。InthemidstofmymerrimentIhadpresenceofmindenoughtosenddownstairsandsay’Yes。’
“Somebruteofamansays，insomebookwhichIonceread，thatnowomancankeeptwoseparatetrainsofideasinhermindatthesametime。Ideclareyouhavealmostsatisfiedmethatthemanisright。What！whenyouhaveescapedunnoticedtoyourplaceofbusiness，andwhenyoususpectthishousetobewatched，youproposetocomebackhere，andtoputitintheparson’spowertorecoverthelosttraceofyou！Whatmadness！Stopwhereyouare;
andwhenyouhavegotoveryourdifficultyatPimlicoitissomewoman’sbusiness，ofcourse;whatworrieswomenare！，besogoodastoreadwhatIhavegottosayaboutourdifficultyatBrompton。
“Inthefirstplace，thehouseasyousupposediswatched。
“Halfanhourafteryouleftme，loudvoicesinthestreetinterruptedmeatthepiano，andIwenttothewindow。Therewasacabatthehouseopposite，wheretheyletlodgings;andanoldman，wholookedlikearespectableservant，waswranglingwiththedriverabouthisfare。Anelderlygentlemancameoutofthehouse，andstoppedthem。Anelderlygentlemanreturnedintothehouse，andappearedcautiouslyatthefrontdrawing-roomwindow。
Youknowhim，youworthycreature;hehadthebadtaste，somefewhourssince，todoubtwhetheryouweretellinghimthetruth。
Don’tbeafraid，hedidn’tseeme。Whenhelookedup，aftersettlingwiththecabdriver，Iwasbehindthecurtain。Ihavebeenbehindthecurtainonceortwicesince;andIhaveseenenoughtosatisfymethatheandhisservantwillrelieveeachotheratthewindow，soasnevertolosesightofyourhousehere，nightorday。Thattheparsonsuspectstherealtruthisofcourseimpossible。ButthathefirmlybelievesImeansomemischieftoyoungArmadale，andthatyouhaveentirelyconfirmedhiminthatconviction，isasplainasthattwoandtwomakefour。Andthishashappenedasyouhelplesslyremindmejustwhenwehaveansweredtheadvertisement，andwhenwemayexpectthemajor’sinquiriestobemadeinafewdays’time。
“Surely，hereisaterriblesituationfortwowomentofindthemselvesin？Afiddlestick’sendforthesituation！Wehavegotaneasywayoutofit——thanks，MotherOldershaw，towhatImyselfforcedyoutodo，notthreehoursbeforetheSomersetshireclergymanmetwithus。
“Hasthatvenomouslittlequarrelofoursthismorning——afterwehadpouncedonthemajor’sadvertisementinthenewspaper——quiteslippedoutofyourmemory？HaveyouforgottenhowIpersistedinmyopinionthatyouwereagreatdealtoowellknowninLondontoappearsafelyasmyreferenceinyourownname，ortoreceiveaninquiringladyorgentlemanasyouwererashenoughtopropose
inyourownhouse？Don’tyourememberwhatapassionyouwereinwhenIbroughtourdisputetoanendbydecliningtostirastepinthematter，unlessIcouldconcludemyapplicationtoMajorMilroybyreferringhimtoanaddressatwhichyouweretotallyunknown，andtoanamewhichmightbeanythingyoupleased，aslongasitwasnotyours？Whatalookyougavemewhenyoufoundtherewasnothingforitbuttodropthewholespeculationortoletmehavemyownway！HowyoufumedoverthelodginghuntingontheothersideofthePark！andhowyougroanedwhenyoucameback，possessedoffurnishedapartmentsinrespectableBayswater，overtheuselessexpenseIhadputyouto！
“Whatdoyouthinkofthosefurnishedapartments_now，_youobstinateoldwoman？Hereweare，withdiscoverythreateningusatourverydoor，andwithnohopeofescapeunlesswecancontrivetodisappearfromtheparsoninthedark。AndtherearethelodgingsinBayswater，towhichnoinquisitivestrangershavetracedeitheryouorme，readyandwaitingtoswallowusup——thelodgingsinwhichwecanescapeallfurthermolestation，andanswerthemajor’sinquiriesatourease。Canyousee，atlast，alittlefurtherthanyourpooroldnose？IsthereanythingintheworldtopreventyoursafedisappearancefromPimlicoto-night，andyoursafeestablishmentatthenewlodgings，inthecharacterofmyrespectablereference，halfanhourafterward？Oh，fie，fie，MotherOldershaw！Godownonyourwickedoldknees，andthankyourstarsthatyouhadashe-devillikemetodealwiththismorning！
“Supposewecomenowtotheonlydifficultyworthmentioning——_
my_difficulty。WatchedasIaminthishouse，howamItojoinyouwithoutbringingtheparsonortheparson’sservantwithmeatmyheels？
“Beingtoallintentsandpurposesaprisonerhere，itseemstomethatIhavenochoicebuttotrytheoldprisonplanofescape——achangeofclothes。Ihavebeenlookingatyourhouse-maid。Exceptthatwearebothlight，herfaceandhairandmyfaceandhairareasunlikeeachotheraspossible。Butsheisasnearlyascanbemyheightandsize;andifsheonlyknewhowtodressherself，andhadsmallerfeetherfigureisaverymuchbetteronethanitoughttobeforapersoninherstationinlife。
“Myideais，todressherintheclothesIworeintheGardensto-day;tosendherout，withourreverendenemyinfullpursuitofher;and，assoonasthecoastisclear，toslipawaymyselfandjoinyou。Thethingwouldbequiteimpossible，ofcourse，ifIhadbeenseenwithmyveilup;but，aseventshaveturnedout，itisoneadvantageofthehorribleexposurewhichfollowedmymarriagethatIseldomshowmyselfinpublic，andnever，ofcourse，insuchapopulousplaceasLondon，withoutwearingathickveilandkeepingthatveildown。Ifthehouse-maidwearsmydress，Idon’treallyseewhythehouse-maidmaynotbecountedontorepresentmetothelife。
“Theonequestionis，Canthewomanbetrusted？Ifshecan，sendmealine，tellingher，onyourauthority，thatsheistoplaceherselfatmydisposal。Iwon’tsayawordtillIhaveheardfromyoufirst。
“Letmehavemyanswerto-night。Aslongaswewereonlytalkingaboutmygettingthegoverness’splace，Iwascarelessenoughhowitended。ButnowthatwehaveactuallyansweredMajorMilroy’sadvertisement，Iaminearnestatlast。ImeantobeMrs。
ArmadaleofThorpeAmbrose;andwoetothemanorwomanwhotriestostopme！Yours，“LYDIAGWILT。
“P。S——IopenmyletteragaintosaythatyouneedhavenofearofyourmessengerbeingfollowedonhisreturntoPimlico。Hewilldrivetoapublic-housewhereheisknown，willdismissthecabatthedoor，andwillgooutagainbyabackwaywhichisonlyusedbythelandlordandhisfriends——L。G。”
3。_FromMrs。OldershawtoMissGwilt。_
“DianaStreet，10o’clock。
“MYDEARLYDIA——Youhavewrittenmeaheartlessletter。Ifyouhadbeeninmytryingposition，harassedasIwaswhenIwrotetoyou，IshouldhavemadeallowancesformyfriendwhenIfoundmyfriendnotsosharpasusual。Buttheviceofthepresentageisawantofconsiderationforpersonsinthedeclineoflife。
Morallyspeaking，youareinasadstate，mydear;andyoustandmuchinneedofagoodexample。Youshallhaveagoodexample——I
forgiveyou。
“Havingnowrelievedmymindbytheperformanceofagoodaction，supposeIshowyounextthoughIprotestagainstthevulgarityoftheexpressionthatI_can_seealittlefurtherthanmypooroldnose？
“Iwillansweryourquestionaboutthehouse-maidfirst。Youmaytrustherimplicitly。Shehashadhertroubles，andhaslearneddiscretion。Shealsolooksyourage;thoughitisonlyherduetosaythat，inthisparticular，shehassomeyearstheadvantageofyou。Iinclosethenecessarydirectionswhichwillplaceherentirelyatyourdisposal。
“Andwhatcomesnext？
“YourplanforjoiningmeatBayswatercomesnext。Itisverywellasfarasitgoes;butitstandssadlyinneedofalittlejudiciousimprovement。Thereisaseriousnecessityyoushallknowwhypresentlyfordeceivingtheparsonfarmorecompletelythanyouproposetodeceivehim。Iwanthimtoseethehouse-maid’sfaceundercircumstanceswhichwillpersuadehimthatitis_your_face。Andthen，goingastepfurther，Iwanthimtoseethehouse-maidleaveLondon，undertheimpressionthathehasseen_you_startonthefirststageofyourjourneytotheBrazils。Hedidn’tbelieveinthatjourneywhenIannouncedittohimthisafternooninthestreet。Hemaybelieveinityet，ifyoufollowthedirectionsIamnowgoingtogiveyou。
“To-morrowisSaturday。Sendthehousemaidoutinyourwalkingdressofto-day，justasyoupropose;butdon’tstiroutyourself，anddon’tgonearthewindow。Desirethewomantokeepherveildown，totakehalfanhour’swalkquiteunconscious，ofcourse，oftheparsonorhisservantatherheels，andthentocomebacktoyou。Assoonassheappears，sendherinstantlytotheopenwindow，instructinghertoliftherveilcarelesslyandlookout。Lethergoawayagainafteraminuteortwo，takeoffherbonnetandshawl，andthenappearoncemoreatthewindow，or，betterstill，inthebalconyoutside。Shemayshowherselfagainoccasionallynottoooftenlaterintheday。Andto-morrow——aswehaveaprofessionalgentlemantodealwith——byallmeanssendhertochurch。Iftheseproceedingsdon’tpersuadetheparsonthatthehouse-maid’sfaceisyourface，andiftheydon’tmakehimreadiertobelieveinyourreformedcharacterthanhewaswhenIspoketohim，Ihavelivedsixtyyears，mylove，inthisvaleoftearstomightylittlepurpose。
“ThenextdayisMonday。Ihavelookedattheshippingadvertisements，andIfindthatasteamerleavesLiverpoolfortheBrazilsonTuesday。Nothingcouldbemoreconvenient;wewillstartyouonyourvoyageundertheparson’sowneyes。Youmaymanageitinthisway:
“Atoneo’clocksendoutthemanwhocleanstheknivesandforkstogetacab;andwhenhehasbroughtituptothedoor，lethimgobackandgetasecondcab，whichheistowaitinhimself，roundthecorner，inthesquare。Letthehouse-maidstillinyourdressdriveoff，withthenecessaryboxes，inthefirstcabtotheNorth-westernRailway。Whensheisgone，slipoutyourselftothecabwaitingroundthecorner，andcometomeatBayswater。
Theymaybepreparedtofollowthehouse-maid’scab，becausetheyhaveseenitatthedoor;buttheywon’tbepreparedtofollowyourcab，becauseithasbeenhiddenroundthecorner。Whenthehouse-maidhasgottothestation，andhasdoneherbesttodisappearinthecrowdIhavechosenthemixedtrainat2:10，soastogivehereverychance，youwillbesafewithme;andwhethertheydoordonotfindoutthatshedoesnotreallystartforLiverpoolwon’tmatterbythattime。Theywillhavelostalltraceofyou;andtheymayfollowthehouse-maidhalfoverLondon，iftheylike。ShehasmyinstructionsinclosedtoleavetheemptyboxestofindtheirwaytothelostluggageofficeandtogotoherfriendsintheCity，andstaytheretillIwritewordthatIwantheragain。
“Andwhatistheobjectofallthis？
“MydearLydia，theobjectisyourfuturesecurityandmine。Wemaysucceedorwemayfail，inpersuadingtheparsonthatyouhaveactuallygonetotheBrazils。Ifwesucceed，wearerelievedofallfearofhim。Ifwefail，hewillwarnyoungArmadaletobecareful_ofawomanlikemyhouse-maid，andnotofawomanlikeyou。_Thislastgainisaveryimportantone;forwedon’tknowthatMrs。Armadalemaynothavetoldhimyourmaidenname。Inthatevent，the’MissGwilt’whomhewilldescribeashavingslippedthroughhisfingersherewillbesoentirelyunlikethe’MissGwilt’establishedatThorpeAmbrose，astosatisfyeverybodythatitisnotacaseofsimilarityofpersons，butonlyacaseofsimilarityofnames。
“Whatdoyousaynowtomyimprovementonyouridea？Aremybrainsnotquitesoaddledasyouthoughtthemwhenyouwrote？
Don’tsupposeI’matalloverboastfulaboutmyowningenuity。
Cleverertricksthanthistrickofmineareplayedoffonthepublicbyswindlers，andarerecordedinthenewspaperseveryweek。IonlywanttoshowyouthatmyassistanceisnotlessnecessarytothesuccessoftheArmadalespeculationnowthanitwaswhenImadeourfirstimportantdiscoveries，bymeansoftheharmless-lookingyoungmanandtheprivateinquiryofficeinShadysidePlace。
“ThereisnothingmoretosaythatIknowof，exceptthatIamjustgoingtostartforthenewlodging，withaboxdirectedinmynewname。ThelastexpiringmomentsofMotherOldershaw，oftheToiletRepository，arecloseathand，andthebirthofMissGwilt’srespectablereference，Mrs。Mandeville，willtakeplaceinacabinfiveminutes’time。IfancyImustbestillyoungatheart，forIamquiteinlovealreadywithmyromanticname;itsoundsalmostasprettyasMrs。ArmadaleofThorpeAmbrose，doesn’tit？
“Good-night，mydear，andpleasantdreams。IfanyaccidenthappensbetweenthisandMonday，writetomeinstantlybypost。Ifnoaccidenthappensyouwillbewithmeinexcellenttimefortheearliestinquiriesthatthemajorcanpossiblymake。Mylastwordsare，don’tgoout，anddon’tventurenearthefrontwindowstillMondaycomes。
“Affectionatelyyours，M。O。”
CHAPTERVI。
MIDWINTERINDISGUISE。
TOWARDnoononthedayofthetwenty-first，MissMilroywasloiteringinthecottagegarden——releasedfromdutyinthesick-roombyanimprovementinhermother’shealth——whenherattentionwasattractedbythesoundofvoicesinthepark。OneofthevoicessheinstantlyrecognizedasAllan’s;theotherwasstrangetoher。Sheputasidethebranchesofashrubnearthegardenpalings，and，peepingthrough，sawAllanapproachingthecottagegate，incompanywithaslim，dark，undersizedman，whowastalkingandlaughingexcitablyatthetopofhisvoice。MissMilroyranindoorstowarnherfatherofMr。Armadale’sarrival，andtoaddthathewasbringingwithhimanoisystranger，whowas，inallprobability，thefriendgenerallyreportedtobestayingwiththesquireatthegreathouse。
Hadthemajor’sdaughterguessedright？Wasthesquire’sloud-talking，loud-laughingcompaniontheshy，sensitiveMidwinterofothertimes？Itwasevenso。InAllan’spresence，thatmorning，anextraordinarychangehadpassedovertheordinarilyquietdemeanorofAllan’sfriend。
WhenMidwinterhadfirstappearedinthebreakfast-room，afterputtingasideMr。Brock’sstartlingletter，Allanhadbeentoomuchoccupiedtopayanyspecialattentiontohim。Theundecideddifficultyofchoosingthedayfortheauditdinnerhadpressedforasettlementoncemore，andhadbeenfixedatlastunderthebutler’sadviceforSaturday，thetwenty-eighthofthemonth。ItwasonlyonturningroundtoremindMidwinteroftheamplespaceoftimewhichthenewarrangementallowedformasteringthesteward’sbooks，thatevenAllan’sflightyattentionhadbeenarrestedbyamarkedchangeinthefacethatconfrontedhim。Hehadopenlynoticedthechangeinhisusualbluntmanner，andhadbeeninstantlysilencedbyafretful，almostanangry，reply。Thetwohadsatdowntogethertobreakfastwithouttheusualcordiality，andthemealhadproceededgloomily，tillMidwinterhimselfbrokethesilencebyburstingintothestrangeoutbreakofgayetywhichhadrevealedinAllan’seyesanewsidetothecharacterofhisfriend。
AsusualwithmostofAllan’sjudgments，hereagaintheconclusionwaswrong。ItwasnonewsidetoMidwinter’scharacterthatnowpresenteditself——itwasonlyanewaspectoftheoneever-recurringstruggleofMidwinter’slife。
IrritatedbyAllan’sdiscoveryofthechangeinhim，anddreadingthenextquestionsthatAllan’scuriositymightput，Midwinterhadrousedhimselftoefface，bymainforce，theimpressionwhichhisownalteredappearancehadproduced。Itwasoneofthoseeffortswhichnomencompasssoresolutelyasthemenofhisquicktemperandhissensitivefeminineorganization。WithhiswholemindstillpossessedbythefirmbeliefthattheFatalityhadtakenonegreatstepnearertoAllanandhimselfsincetherector’sadventureinKensingtonGardens——withhisfacestillbetrayingwhathehadsuffered，undertherenewedconvictionthathisfather’sdeath-bedwarningwasnow，ineventafterevent，assertingitsterribleclaimtoparthim，atanysacrifice，fromtheonehumancreaturewhomheloved——withthefearstillbusyathisheartthatthefirstmysteriousvisionofAllan’sDreammightbeavisionrealized，beforethenewdaythatnowsawthetwoArmadalestogetherwasadaythathadpassedovertheirheads——withthesetriplebonds，wroughtbyhisownsuperstition，fetteringhimatthatmomentastheyhadneverfetteredhimyet，hemercilesslyspurredhisresolutiontothedesperateeffortofrivaling，inAllan’spresence，thegayetyandgoodspiritsofAllanhimself。
Hetalkedandlaughed，andheapedhisplateindiscriminatelyfromeverydishonthebreakfast-table。Hemadenoisilymerrywithjeststhathadnohumor，andstoriesthathadnopoint。HefirstastonishedAllan，thenamusedhim，thenwonhiseasilyencouragedconfidenceonthesubjectofMissMilroy。HeshoutedwithlaughteroverthesuddendevelopmentofAllan’sviewsonmarriage，untiltheservantsdownstairsbegantothinkthattheirmaster’sstrangefriendhadgonemad。Lastly，hehadacceptedAllan’sproposalthatheshouldbepresentedtothemajor’sdaughter，andjudgeofherforhimself，asreadily，nay，morereadilythanitwouldhavebeenacceptedbytheleastdiffidentmanliving。Therethetwonowstoodatthecottagegate——Midwinter’svoicerisinglouderandlouderoverAllan’s——Midwinter’snaturalmannerdisguisedhowmadlyandmiserablynonebutheknew！inacoarsemasqueradeofboldness——theoutrageous，theunendurableboldnessofashyman。
Theywerereceivedintheparlorbythemajor’sdaughter，pendingthearrivalofthemajorhimself。
Allanattemptedtopresenthisfriendintheusualform。Tohisastonishment，Midwintertookthewordsflippantlyoutofhislips，andintroducedhimselftoMissMilroywithaconfidentlook，ahardlaugh，andaclumsyassumptionofeasewhichpresentedhimathisworst。Hisartificialspirits，lashedcontinuouslyintohigherandhighereffervescencesincethemorning，werenowmountinghystericallybeyondhisowncontrol。
Helookedandspokewiththatterriblefreedomoflicensewhichisthenecessaryconsequence，whenadiffidentmanhasthrownoffhisreserve，oftheveryeffortbywhichhehasbrokenloosefromhisownrestraints。Heinvolvedhimselfinaconfusedmedleyofapologiesthatwerenotwanted，andofcomplimentsthatmighthaveoverflatteredthevanityofasavage。HelookedbackwardandforwardfromMissMilroytoAllan，anddeclaredjocoselythatheunderstoodnowwhyhisfriend’smorningwalkswerealwaystakeninthesamedirection。Heaskedherquestionsabouthermother，andcutshorttheanswersshegavehimbyremarksontheweather。
Inonebreath，hesaidshemustfeelthedayinsufferablyhot，andinanotherheprotestedthathequiteenviedherinhercoolmuslindress。
Themajorcamein。
Beforehecouldsaytwowords，Midwinteroverwhelmedhimwiththesamefrenzyoffamiliarity，andthesamefeverishfluencyofspeech。HeexpressedhisinterestinMrs。Milroy’shealthintermswhichwouldhavebeenexaggeratedonthelipsofafriendofthefamily。Heoverflowedintoaperfectfloodofapologiesfordisturbingthemajorathismechanicalpursuits。HequotedAllan’sextravagantaccountoftheclock，andexpressedhisownanxietytoseeitintermsmoreextravagantstill。HeparadedhissuperficialbookknowledgeofthegreatclockatStrasbourg，withfar-fetchedjestsontheextraordinaryautomatonfigureswhichthatclockputsinmotion——ontheprocessionoftheTwelveApostles，whichwalksoutunderthedialatnoon，andonthetoycock，whichcrowsatSt。Peter’sappearance——andthisbeforeamanwhohadstudiedeverywheelinthatcomplexmachinery，andwhohadpassedwholeyearsofhislifeintryingtoimitateit。
“IhearyouhaveoutnumberedtheStrasbourgapostles，andoutcrowedtheStrasbourgcock。”heexclaimed，withthetoneandmannerofafriendhabituallyprivilegedtowaiveallceremony;
“andIamdying，absolutelydying，major，toseeyourwonderfulclock！“
MajorMilroyhadenteredtheroomwithhismindabsorbedinhisownmechanicalcontrivancesasusual。ButthesuddenshockofMidwinter’sfamiliaritywasviolentenoughtorecallhiminstantlytohimself，andtomakehimmasteragain，forthetime，ofhissocialresourcesasamanoftheworld。
“Excusemeforinterruptingyou。”hesaid，stoppingMidwinterforthemoment，byalookofsteadysurprise。“IhappentohaveseentheclockatStrasbourg;anditsoundsalmostabsurdinmyearsifyouwillpardonmeforsayingsotoputmylittleexperimentinanylightofcomparisonwiththatwonderfulachievement。Thereisnothingelseofthekindlikeitintheworld！“Hepaused，tocontrolhisownmountingenthusiasm;theclockatStrasbourgwastoMajorMilroywhatthenameofMichaelAngelowastoSirJoshuaReynolds。“Mr。
Armadale’skindnesshasledhimtoexaggeratealittle。”pursuedthemajor，smilingatAllan，andpassingoveranotherattemptofMidwinter’stoseizeonthetalk，asifnosuchattempthadbeenmade。“Butastheredoeshappentobethisonepointofresemblancebetweenthegreatclockabroadandthelittleclockathome，thattheybothshowwhattheycandoonthestrokeofnoon，andasitiscloseontwelvenow，ifyoustillwishtovisitmyworkshop，Mr。Midwinter，thesoonerIshowyouthewaytoitthebetter。”Heopenedthedoor，andapologizedtoMidwinter，withmarkedceremony，forprecedinghimoutoftheroom。
“Whatdoyouthinkofmyfriend？”whisperedAllan，asheandMissMilroyfollowed。
“MustItellyouthetruth，Mr。Armadale？”shewhisperedback。
“Ofcourse！“
“ThenIdon’tlikehimatall！“
“He’sthebestanddearestfellowintheworld，“rejoinedtheoutspokenAllan。“You’lllikehimbetterwhenyouknowhimbetter——I’msureyouwill！“
MissMilroymadealittlegrimace，implyingsupremeindifferencetoMidwinter，andsaucysurpriseatAllan’searnestadvocacyofthemeritsofhisfriend。“Hashegotnothingmoreinterestingtosaytomethan_that，_“shewondered，privately，“afterkissingmyhandtwiceyesterdaymorning？”
Theywereallinthemajor’sworkroombeforeAllanhadthechanceoftryingamoreattractivesubject。There，onthetopofaroughwoodencase，whichevidentlycontainedthemachinery，wasthewonderfulclock。Thedialwascrownedbyaglasspedestalplacedonrock-workincarvedebony;andonthetopofthepedestalsattheinevitablefigureofTime，withhiseverlastingscytheinhishand。Belowthedialwasalittleplatform，andateitherendofitrosetwominiaturesentry-boxes，withcloseddoors。
Externally，thiswasallthatappeared，untilthemagicmomentcamewhentheclockstrucktwelvenoon。
Itwantedthenaboutthreeminutestotwelve;andMajorMilroyseizedtheopportunityofexplainingwhattheexhibitionwastobe，beforetheexhibitionbegan。
“Atthefirstwords，hismindfellbackagainintoitsoldabsorptionovertheoneemploymentofhislife。HeturnedtoMidwinterwhohadpersistedintalkingallthewayfromtheparlor，andwhowastalkingstillwithoutatraceleftinhismannerofthecoolandcuttingcomposurewithwhichhehadspokenbutafewminutesbefore。Thenoisy，familiarman，whohadbeenanill-bredintruderintheparlor，becameaprivilegedguestintheworkshop，for_there_hepossessedtheall-atoningsocialadvantageofbeingnewtotheperformancesofthewonderfulclock。
“Atthefirststrokeoftwelve，Mr。Midwinter。”saidthemajor，quiteeagerly，“keepyoureyeonthefigureofTime:hewillmovehisscythe，andpointitdownwardtotheglasspedestal。Youwillnextseealittleprintedcardappearbehindtheglass，whichwilltellyouthedayofthemonthandthedayoftheweek。Atthelaststrokeoftheclock，Timewilllifthisscytheagainintoitsformerposition，andthechimeswillringapeal。Thepealwillbesucceededbytheplayingofatune——thefavoritemarchofmyoldregiment——andthenthefinalperformanceoftheclockwillfollow。Thesentry-boxes，whichyoumayobserveateachside，willbothopenatthesamemoment。Inoneofthemyouwillseethesentinelappear;andfromtheotheracorporalandtwoprivateswillmarchacrosstheplatformtorelievetheguard，andwillthendisappear，leavingthenewsentinelathispost。I
mustaskyourkindallowancesforthislastpartoftheperformance。Themachineryisalittlecomplicated，andtherearedefectsinitwhichIamashamedtosayIhavenotyetsucceededinremedyingasIcouldwish。Sometimesthefiguresgoallwrong，andsometimestheygoallright。Ihopetheymaydotheirbestontheoccasionofyourseeingthemforthefirsttime。”
Asthemajor，postednearhisclock，saidthelastwords，hislittleaudienceofthree，assembledattheoppositeendoftheroom，sawthehour-handandtheminute-handonthedialpointtogethertotwelve。Thefirststrokesounded，andTime，truetothesignal，movedhisscythe。Thedayofthemonthandthedayoftheweekannouncedthemselvesinprintthroughtheglasspedestalnext;Midwinterapplaudingtheirappearancewithanoisyexaggerationofsurprise，whichMissMilroymistookforcoarsesarcasmdirectedatherfather’spursuits，andwhichAllanseeingthatshewasoffendedattemptedtomoderatebytouchingtheelbowofhisfriend。Meanwhile，theperformancesoftheclockwenton。Atthelaststrokeoftwelve，Timeliftedhisscytheagain，thechimesrang，themarchtuneofthemajor’soldregimentfollowed;andthecrowningexhibitionofthereliefoftheguardannounceditselfinapreliminarytremblingofthesentry-boxes，andasuddendisappearanceofthemajoratthebackoftheclock。
Theperformancebeganwiththeopeningofthesentry-boxontheright-handsideoftheplatform，aspunctuallyascouldbedesired;thedoorontheotherside，however，waslesstractable——itremainedobstinatelyclosed。Unawareofthishitchintheproceedings，thecorporalandhistwoprivatesappearedintheirplacesinastateofperfectdiscipline，totteredoutacrosstheplatform，allthreetremblingineverylimb，dashedthemselvesheadlongagainstthecloseddoorontheotherside，andfailedinproducingthesmallestimpressionontheimmovablesentrypresumedtobewithin。Anintermittentclicking，asofthemajor’skeysandtoolsatwork，washeardinthemachinery。Thecorporalandhistwoprivatessuddenlyreturned，backward，acrosstheplatform，andshutthemselvesupwithabanginsidetheirowndoor。Exactlyatthesamemoment，theotherdooropenedforthefirsttime，andtheprovokingsentryappearedwiththeutmostdeliberationathispost，waitingtoberelieved。Hewasallowedtowait。Nothinghappenedintheotherboxbutanoccasionalknockinginsidethedoor，asifthecorporalandhisprivateswereimpatienttobeletout。Theclickingofthemajor’stoolswasheardagainamongthemachinery;thecorporalandhisparty，suddenlyrestoredtoliberty，appearedinaviolenthurry，andspunfuriouslyacrosstheplatform。Quickastheywere，however，thehithertodeliberatesentryontheothersidenowperverselyshowedhimselftobequickerstill。Hedisappearedlikelightningintohisownpremises，thedoorclosedsmartlyafterhim，thecorporalandhisprivatesdashedthemselvesheadlongagainstitforthesecondtime，andthemajor，appearingagainroundthecorneroftheclock，askedhisaudienceinnocently“iftheywouldbegoodenoughtotellhimwhetheranythinghadgonewrong？”
Thefantasticabsurdityoftheexhibition，heightenedbyMajorMilroy’sgraveinquiryattheendofit，wassoirresistiblyludicrousthatthevisitorsshoutedwithlaughter;andevenMissMilroy，withallherconsiderationforherfather’ssensitiveprideinhisclock，couldnotrestrainherselffromjoininginthemerrimentwhichthecatastropheofthepuppetshadprovoked。