Buttherearelimitseventothelicenseoflaughter;andtheselimitswereerelongsooutrageouslyoversteppedbyoneofthelittlepartyastohavetheeffectofalmostinstantlysilencingtheothertwo。ThefeverofMidwinter’sfalsespiritsflamedoutintosheerdeliriumastheperformanceofthepuppetscametoanend。HisparoxysmsoflaughterfollowedeachotherwithsuchconvulsiveviolencethatMissMilroystartedbackfromhiminalarm，andeventhepatientmajorturnedonhimwithalookwhichsaidplainly，Leavetheroom！Allan，wiselyimpulsiveforonceinhislife，seizedMidwinterbythearm，anddraggedhimoutbymainforceintothegarden，andthenceintotheparkbeyond。
“Goodheavens！whathascometoyou！“heexclaimed，shrinkingbackfromthetorturedfacebeforehim，ashestoppedandlookedcloseatitforthefirsttime。
Forthemoment，Midwinterwasincapableofanswering。Thehystericalparoxysmwaspassingfromoneextremetotheother。Heleanedagainstatree，sobbingandgaspingforbreath，andstretchedouthishandinmuteentreatytoAllantogivehimtime。
“Youhadbetternothavenursedmethroughmyfever。”hesaid，faintly，assoonashecouldspeak。“I’mmadandmiserable，Allan;Ihaveneverrecoveredit。Gobackandaskthemtoforgiveme;Iamashamedtogoandaskthemmyself。Ican’ttellhowithappened;Icanonlyaskyourpardonandtheirs。”Heturnedasidehisheadquicklysoastoconcealhisface。“Don’tstophere。”hesaid;“don’tlookatme;Ishallsoongetoverit。”Allanstillhesitated，andbeggedhardtobeallowedtotakehimbacktothehouse。Itwasuseless。“Youbreakmyheartwithyourkindness。”
heburstout，passionately。“ForGod’ssake，leavemebymyself！“
Allanwentbacktoshecottage，andpleadedthereforindulgencetoMidwinter，withanearnestnessandsimplicitywhichraisedhimimmenselyinthemajor’sestimation，butwhichtotallyfailedtoproducethesamefavorableimpressiononMissMilroy。Littleassheherselfsuspectedit，shewasfondenoughofAllanalreadytobejealousofAllan’sfriend。
“Howexcessivelyabsurd！“shethought，pettishly。“AsifeitherpapaorIconsideredsuchapersonoftheslightestconsequence！“
“Youwillkindlysuspendyouropinion，won’tyou，MajorMilroy？”
saidAllan，inhisheartyway，atparting。
“Withthegreatestpleasure！“repliedthemajor，cordiallyshakinghands。
“Andyou，too，MissMilroy？”addedAllan。
MissMilroymadeamercilesslyformalbow。“_My_opinion，Mr。
Armadale，isnotoftheslightestconsequence。”
Allanleftthecottage，sorelypuzzledtoaccountforMissMilroy’ssuddencoolnesstowardhim。Hisgrandideaofconciliatingthewholeneighborhoodbybecomingamarriedmanunderwentsomemodificationasheclosedthegardengatebehindhim。ThevirtuecalledPrudenceandtheSquireofThorpeAmbrosebecamepersonallyacquaintedwitheachother，onthisoccasion，forthefirsttime;andAllan，enteringheadlongasusualonthehigh-roadtomoralimprovement，actuallydecidedondoingnothinginahurry！
Amanwhoisenteringonacourseofreformationought，ifvirtueisitsownreward，tobeamanengagedinanessentiallyinspiritingpursuit。Butvirtueisnotalwaysitsownreward;andthewaythatleadstoreformationisremarkablyill-lightedforsorespectableathoroughfare。Allanseemedtohavecaughttheinfectionofhisfriend’sdespondency。Ashewalkedhome，he，too，begantodoubt——inhiswidelydifferentway，andforhiswidelydifferentreasons——whetherthelifeatThorpeAmbrosewaspromisingquiteasfairlyforthefutureasithadpromisedatfirst。
CHAPTERVII。
THEPLOTTHICKENS。
TwomessageswerewaitingforAllanwhenhereturnedtothehouse。OnehadbeenleftbyMidwinter。“Hehadgoneoutforalongwalk，andMr。Armadalewasnottobealarmedifhedidnotgetbacktilllateintheday。”Theothermessagehadbeenleftby“apersonfromMr。Pedgift’soffice。”whohadcalled，accordingtoappointment，whilethetwogentlemenwereawayatthemajor’s。“Mr。Bashwood’srespects，andhewouldhavethehonorofwaitingonMr。Armadaleagaininthecourseoftheevening。”
Towardfiveo’clock，Midwinterreturned，paleandsilent。Allanhastenedtoassurehimthathispeacewasmadeatthecottage;
andthen，tochangethesubject，mentionedMr。Bashwood’smessage。Midwinter’smindwassopreoccupiedorsolanguidthathehardlyseemedtorememberthename。AllanwasobligedtoremindhimthatBashwoodwastheelderlyclerk，whomMr。Pedgifthadsenttobehisinstructorinthedutiesofthesteward’soffice。Helistenedwithoutmakinganyremark，andwithdrewtohisroom，toresttilldinner-time。
Leftbyhimself，Allanwentintothelibrary，totryifhecouldwhileawaythetimeoverabook。
Hetookmanyvolumesofftheshelves，andputafewofthembackagain;andthereheended。MissMilroycontrivedinsomemysteriousmannertoget，inthiscase，betweenthereaderandthebooks。Herformalbowandhermercilesspartingspeechdwelt，tryhowhemighttoforgetthem，onAllan’smind;hebegantogrowmoreandmoreanxiousastheidlehourworeon，torecoverhislostplaceinherfavor。Tocallagainthatdayatthecottage，andaskifhehadbeensounfortunateastooffendher，wasimpossible。Toputthequestioninwritingwiththeneedfulnicetyofexpressionproved，ontryingtheexperiment，tobeataskbeyondhisliteraryreach。Afteraturnortwoupanddowntheroom，withhispeninhismouth，hedecidedonthemorediplomaticcoursewhichhappened，inthiscase，tobetheeasiestcourse，too，ofwritingtoMissMilroyascordiallyasifnothinghadhappened，andoftestinghispositioninhergoodgracesbytheanswerthatshesenthimback。Aninvitationofsomekindincludingherfather，ofcourse，butaddresseddirectlytoherselfwasplainlytherightthingtoobligehertosendawrittenreply;butherethedifficultyoccurredofwhattheinvitationwastobe。Aballwasnottobethoughtof，inhispresentpositionwiththeresidentgentry。Adinner-party，withnoindispensableelderlyladyonthepremisestoreceiveMissMilroy——exceptMrs。Gripper，whocouldonlyreceiveherinthekitchen——wasequallyoutofthequestion。Whatwastheinvitationtobe？Neverbackward，whenhewantedhelp，inaskingforitrightandleftineveryavailabledirection，Allan，feelinghimselfattheendofhisownresources，coollyrangthebell，andastonishedtheservantwhoanswereditbyinquiringhowthelatefamilyatThorpeAmbroseusedtoamusethemselves，andwhatsortofinvitationstheywereinthehabitofsendingtotheirfriends。
“Thefamilydidwhattherestofthegentrydid，sir。”saidtheman，staringathismasterinutterbewilderment。“Theygavedinner-partiesandballs。Andinfinesummerweather，sir，likethis，theysometimeshadlawn-partiesandpicnics——“
“That’lldo！“shoutedAllan。“Apicnic’sjustthethingtopleaseher。Richard，you’reaninvaluableman;youmaygodownstairsagain。”
Richardretiredwondering，andRichard’smasterseizedhisreadypen。
“DEARMISSMILROY——SinceIleftyouithassuddenlystruckmethatwemighthaveapicnic。AlittlechangeandamusementwhatIshouldcallagoodshaking-up，ifIwasn’twritingtoayoungladyisjustthethingforyou，afterbeingsolongindoorslatelyinMrs。Milroy’sroom。Apicnicisachange，andwhenthewineisgoodamusement，too。Willyouaskthemajorifhewillconsenttothepicnic，andcome？Andifyouhavegotanyfriendsintheneighborhoodwholikeapicnic，prayaskthemtoo，forI
havegotnone。Itshallbeyourpicnic，butIwillprovideeverythingandtakeeverybody。Youshallchoosetheday，andwewillpicnicwhereyoulike。Ihavesetmyheartonthispicnic。
“Believeme，everyours，“ALLANARMADALE。”
Onreadingoverhiscompositionbeforesealingitup，Allanfranklyacknowledgedtohimself，thistime，thatitwasnotquitefaultless。“’Picnic’comesinalittletoooften。”hesaid。
“Nevermind;ifshelikestheidea，shewon’tquarrelwiththat。”
Hesentofftheletteronthespot，withstrictinstructionstothemessengertowaitforareply。
Inhalfanhourtheanswercamebackonscentedpaper，withoutanerasureanywhere，fragranttosmell，andbeautifultosee。
Thepresentationofthenakedtruthisoneofthoseexhibitionsfromwhichthenativedelicacyofthefemalemindseemsinstinctivelytorevolt。NeverwerethetablesturnedmorecompletelythantheywerenowturnedonAllanbyhisfaircorrespondent。Machiavellihimselfwouldneverhavesuspected，fromMissMilroy’sletter，howheartilyshehadrepentedherpetulancetotheyoungsquireassoonashisbackwasturned，andhowextravagantlydelightedshewaswhenhisinvitationwasplacedinherhands。Herletterwasthecompositionofamodelyoungladywhoseemotionsareallkeptunderparentallockandkey，andservedoutforherjudiciouslyasoccasionmayrequire。
“Papa。”appearedquiteasfrequentlyinMissMilroy’sreplyas“picnic“hadappearedinAllan’sinvitation。“Papa“hadbeenasconsideratelykindasMr。Armadaleinwishingtoprocureheralittlechangeandamusement，andhadofferedtoforegohisusualquiethabitsandjointhepicnic。With“papa’s“sanction，therefore，sheaccepted，withmuchpleasure，Mr。Armadale’sproposal;and，at“papa’s“suggestion，shewouldpresumeonMr。
Armadale’skindnesstoaddtwofriendsoftheirsrecentlysettledatThorpeAmbrose，tothepicnicparty——awidowladyandherson;
thelatterinholyordersandindelicatehealth。IfTuesdaynextwouldsuitMr。Armadale，Tuesdaynextwouldsuit“papa“——beingthefirstdayhecouldsparefromrepairswhichwererequiredbyhisclock。Therest，by“papa’s“advice，shewouldbegtoleaveentirelyinMr。Armadale’shands;and，inthemeantime，shewouldremain，with“papa’s“compliments，Mr。Armadale’struly——ELEANOR
MILROY。”
WhowouldeverhavesupposedthatthewriterofthatletterhadjumpedforjoywhenAllan’sinvitationarrived？WhowouldeverhavesuspectedthattherewasanentryalreadyinMissMilroy’sdiary，underthatday’sdate，tothiseffect:“Thesweetest，dearestletterfrom_I-know-who;_I’llneverbehaveunkindlytohimagainaslongasIlive？”AsforAllan，hewascharmedwiththesweetsuccessofhismaneuver。MissMilroyhadacceptedhisinvitation;consequently，MissMilroywasnotoffendedwithhim。
Itwasonthetipofhistonguetomentionthecorrespondencetohisfriendwhentheymetatdinner。ButtherewassomethinginMidwinter’sfaceandmannerevenplainenoughforAllantosee
whichwarnedhimtowaitalittlebeforehesaidanythingtorevivethepainfulsubjectoftheirvisittothecottage。BycommonconsenttheybothavoidedalltopicsconnectedwithThorpeAmbrose，noteventhevisitfromMr。Bashwood，whichwastocomewiththeevening，beingreferredtobyeitherofthem。Allthroughthedinnertheydriftedfurtherandfurtherbackintotheoldendlesstalkofpasttimesaboutshipsandsailing。Whenthebutlerwithdrewfromhisattendanceattable，hecamedownstairswithanauticalproblemonhismind，andaskedhisfellow-servantsiftheyanyofthemknewtherelativemerits“onawind“and“offawind“ofaschoonerandabrig。
Thetwoyoungmenhadsatlongerattablethanusualthatday。
Whentheywentoutintothegardenwiththeircigars，thesummertwilightfellgrayanddimonlawnandflowerbed，andnarrowedroundthembyslowdegreesthesoftlyfadingcircleofthedistantview。Thedewwasheavy，and，afterafewminutesinthegarden，theyagreedtogobacktothedriergroundonthedriveinfrontofthehouse。
Theywereclosetotheturningwhichledintotheshrubbery，whentheresuddenlyglidedoutonthem，frombehindthefoliage，asoftlysteppingblackfigure——ashadow，movingdarklythroughthedimeveninglight。Midwinterstartedbackatthesightofit，andeventhelessfinelystrungnervesofhisfriendwereshakenforthemoment。
“Whothedevilareyou？”criedAllan。
Thefigurebareditsheadinthegraylight，andcameslowlyastepnearer。Midwinteradvancedasteponhisside，andlookedcloser。Itwasthemanofthetimidmannersandthemourninggarments，ofwhomhehadaskedthewaytoThorpeAmbrosewherethethreeroadsmet。
“Whoareyou？”repeatedAllan。
“Ihumblybegyourpardon，sir。”falteredthestranger，steppingbackagain，confusedly。“TheservantstoldmeIshouldfindMr。
Armadale——“
“What，areyouMr。Bashwood？”
“Yes，ifyouplease，sir。”
“Ibegyourpardonforspeakingtoyousoroughly。”saidAllan;
“butthefactis，youratherstartledme。MynameisArmadaleputonyourhat，pray，andthisismyfriend，Mr。Midwinter，whowantsyourhelpinthesteward’soffice。”
“Wehardlystandinneedofanintroduction。”saidMidwinter。“I
metMr。Bashwoodoutwalkingafewdayssince，andhewaskindenoughtodirectmewhenIhadlostmyway。”
“Putonyourhat。”reiteratedAllan，asMr。Bashwood，stillbareheaded，stoodbowingspeechlessly，nowtooneoftheyoungmen，andnowtotheother。“Mygoodsir，putonyourhat，andletmeshowyouthewaybacktothehouse。Excusemefornoticingit。”addedAllan，astheman，insheernervoushelplessness，lethishatfall，insteadofputtingitbackonhishead;“butyouseemalittleoutofsorts;aglassofgoodwinewilldoyounoharmbeforeyouandmyfriendcometobusiness。WhereaboutsdidyoumeetwithMr。Bashwood，Midwinter，whenyoulostyourway？”
“Iamtooignorantoftheneighborhoodtoknow。ImustreferyoutoMr。Bashwood。”
“Come，telluswhereitwas。”saidAllan，trying，alittletooabruptly，tosetthemanathisease，astheyallthreewalkedbacktothehouse。
ThemeasureofMr。Bashwood’sconstitutionaltimidityseemedtobefilledtothebrimbytheloudnessofAllan’svoiceandthebluntnessofAllan’srequest。HeranoverinthesamefeebleflowofwordswithwhichhehaddelugedMidwinterontheoccasionwhentheyfirstmet。
“Itwasontheroad，sir。”hebegan，addressinghimselfalternatelytoAllan，whomhecalled，“sir。”andtoMidwinter，whomhecalledbyhisname，“Imean，ifyouplease，ontheroadtoLittleGillBeck。Asingularname，Mr。Midwinter，andasingularplace;Idon’tmeanthevillage;Imeantheneighborhood——Imeanthe’Broads’beyondtheneighborhood。
PerhapsyoumayhaveheardoftheNorfolkBroads，sir？WhattheycalllakesinotherpartsofEngland，theycallBroadshere。TheBroadsarequitenumerous;Ithinktheywouldrepayavisit。Youwouldhaveseenthefirstofthem，Mr。Midwinter，ifyouhadwalkedonafewmilesfromwhereIhadthehonorofmeetingyou。
Remarkablynumerous，theBroads，sir——situatedbetweenthisandthesea。Aboutthreemilesfromthesea，Mr。Midwinter——aboutthreemiles。Mostlyshallow，sir，withriversrunningbetweenthem。Beautiful;solitary。Quiteawaterycountry，Mr。Midwinter;
quiteseparate，asitwere，initself。Partiessometimesvisitthem，sir——pleasurepartiesinboats。It’squitealittlenetworkoflakes，or，perhaps——yes，perhaps，morecorrectly，pools。Thereisgoodsportinthecoldweather。Thewildfowlarequitenumerous。Yes;theBroadswouldrepayavisit，Mr。Midwinter。thenexttimeyouarewalkingthatway。ThedistancefromheretoLittleGillBeck，andthenfromLittleGillBecktoGirdlerBroad，whichisthefirstyoucometo，isaltogethernotmore——“
Insheernervousinabilitytoleaveoff，hewouldapparentlyhavegoneontalkingoftheNorfolkBroadsfortherestoftheevening，ifoneofhistwolistenershadnotunceremoniouslycuthimshortbeforehecouldfindhiswayintoanewsentence。
“AretheBroadswithinaneasyday’sdrivethereandbackfromthishouse？”askedAllan，feeling，iftheywere，thattheplaceforthepicnicwasdiscoveredalready。
“Oh，yes，sir;anicedrive——quiteaniceeasydrivefromthisbeautifulplace！“
Theywerebythistimeascendingtheporticosteps，Allanleadingthewayup，andcallingtoMidwinterandMr。Bashwoodtofollowhimintothelibrary，wheretherewasalightedlamp。
Intheintervalwhichelapsedbeforethewinemadeitsappearance，Midwinterlookedathischanceacquaintanceofthehigh-roadwithstrangelymingledfeelingsofcompassionanddistrust——ofcompassionthatstrengthenedinspiteofhim;ofdistrustthatpersistedindiminishing，tryashemighttoencourageittogrow。There，perchedcomfortlessontheedgeofhischair，satthepoorbroken-down，nervouswretch，inhiswornblackgarments，withhiswateryeyes，hishonestoldoutspokenwig，hismiserablemohairstock，andhisfalseteeththatwereincapableofdeceivinganybody——therehesat，politelyillatease;nowshrinkingintheglareofthelamp，nowwincingundertheshockofAllan’ssturdyvoice;amanwiththewrinklesofsixtyyearsinhisface，andthemannersofachildinthepresenceofstrangers;anobjectofpitysurely，ifevertherewasapitiableobjectyet！
“Whateverelseyou’reafraidof，Mr。Bashwood。”criedAllan，pouringoutaglassofwine，“don’tbeafraidofthat！
Thereisn’taheadacheinahogsheadofit！Makeyourselfcomfortable;I’llleaveyouandMr。Midwintertotalkyourbusinessoverbyyourselves。It’sallinMr。Midwinter’shands;
heactsforme，andsettleseverythingathisowndiscretion。”
Hesaidthosewordswithacautiouschoiceofexpressionveryuncharacteristicofhim，and，withoutfurtherexplanation，madeabruptlyforthedoor。Midwinter，sittingnearit，noticedhisfaceashewentout。EasyasthewaywasintoAllan’sfavor，Mr。
Bashwood，beyondallkindofdoubt，hadinsomeunaccountablemannerfailedtofindit！
Thetwostrangelyassortedcompanionswerelefttogether——partedwidely，asitseemedonthesurface，fromanypossibleinterchangeofsympathy;drawninvisiblyonetotheother，nevertheless，bythosemagneticsimilaritiesoftemperamentwhichoverleapalldifferenceofageorstation，anddefyallapparentincongruitiesofmindandcharacter。FromthemomentwhenAllanlefttheroom，thehiddenInfluencethatworksindarknessbeganslowlytodrawthetwomentogether，acrossthegreatsocialdesertwhichhadlainbetweenthemuptothisday。
Midwinterwasthefirsttoapproachthesubjectoftheinterview。
“MayIask。”hebegan，“ifyouhavebeenmadeacquaintedwithmypositionhere，andifyouknowwhyitisthatIrequireyourassistance？”
Mr。Bashwood——stillhesitatingandstilltimid，butmanifestlyrelievedbyAllan’sdeparture——satfurtherbackinhischair，andventuredonfortifyinghimselfwithamodestlittlesipofwine。
“Yes，sir。”hereplied;“Mr。Pedgiftinformedmeofall——atleastIthinkImaysayso——ofallthecircumstances。Iamtoinstruct，orperhaps，Ioughttosaytoadvise——“
“No，Mr。Bashwood;thefirstwordwasthebestwordofthetwo。I
amquiteignorantofthedutieswhichMr。Armadale’skindnesshasinducedhimtointrusttome。IfIunderstandright，therecanbenoquestionofyourcapacitytoinstructme，foryouoncefilledasteward’ssituationyourself。MayIinquirewhereitwas？”
“AtSirJohnMellowship’s，sir，inWestNorfolk。Perhapsyouwouldlike——Ihavegotitwithme——toseemytestimonial？SirJohnmighthavedealtmorekindlywithme;butIhavenocomplainttomake;it’salldoneandovernow！“Hiswateryeyeslookedmorewaterystill，andthetremblinginhishandsspreadtohislipsasheproducedanolddingyletterfromhispocket-bookandlaiditopenonthetable。
Thetestimonialwasverybrieflyandverycoldlyexpressed，butitwasconclusiveasfarasitwent。SirJohnconsidereditonlyrighttosaythathehadnocomplainttomakeofanywantofcapacityorintegrityinhissteward。IfMr。Bashwood’sdomesticpositionhadbeencompatiblewiththecontinuedperformanceofhisdutiesontheestate，SirJohnwouldhavebeengladtokeephim。Asitwas，embarrassmentscausedbythestateofMr。
Bashwood’spersonalaffairshadrendereditundesirablethatheshouldcontinueinSirJohn’sservice;andonthatground，andthatonly，hisemployerandhehadparted。SuchwasSirJohn’stestimonytoMr。Bashwood’scharacter。AsMidwinterreadthelastlines，hethoughtofanothertestimonial，stillinhisownpossession——ofthewrittencharacterwhichtheyhadgivenhimattheschool，whentheyturnedtheirsickusheradriftintheworld。HissuperstitiondistrustingallneweventsandallnewfacesatThorpeAmbrosestilldoubtedthemanbeforehimasobstinatelyasever。Butwhenhenowtriedtoputthosedoubtsintowords，hisheartupbraidedhim，andhelaidtheletteronthetableinsilence。
ThesuddenpauseintheconversationappearedtostartleMr。
Bashwood。Hecomfortedhimselfwithanotherlittlesipofwine，and，leavingtheletteruntouched，burstirrepressiblyintowords，asifthesilencewasquiteunendurabletohim。
“Iamreadytoansweranyquestion，sir。”hebegan。“Mr。PedgifttoldmethatImustanswerquestions，becauseIwasapplyingforaplaceoftrust。Mr。PedgiftsaidneitheryounorMr。Armadalewaslikelytothinkthetestimonialsufficientofitself。SirJohndoesn’tsay——hemighthaveputitmorekindly，butIdon’tcomplain——SirJohndoesn’tsaywhatthetroubleswerethatlostmemyplace。Perhapsyoumightwishtoknow——“Hestoppedconfusedly，lookedatthetestimonial，andsaidnomore。
“Ifnointerestsbutminewereconcernedinthematter。”rejoinedMidwinter，“thetestimonialwould，Iassureyou，bequiteenoughtosatisfyme。ButwhileIamlearningmynewduties，thepersonwhoteachesmewillbereallyandtrulythestewardofmyfriend’sestate。Iamveryunwillingtoaskyoutospeakonwhatmaybeapainfulsubject，andIamsadlyinexperiencedinputtingsuchquestionsasIoughttoput;but，perhaps，inMr。Armadale’sinterests，Ioughttoknowsomethingmore，eitherfromyourself，orfromMr。Pedgift，ifyoupreferit——“He，too，stoppedconfusedly，lookedatthetestimonial，andsaidnomore。
Therewasanothermomentofsilence。Thenightwaswarm，andMr。
Bashwood，amonghisothermisfortunes，hadthedeplorableinfirmityofperspiringinthepalmsofthehands。Hetookoutamiserablelittlecottonpocket-handkerchief，rolleditupintoaball，andsoftlydabbedittoandfro，fromonehandtotheother，withtheregularityofapendulum。Performedbyothermen，underothercircumstances，theactionmighthavebeenridiculous。
Performedbythisman，atthecrisisoftheinterview，theactionwashorrible。
“Mr。Pedgift’stimeistoovaluable，sir，tobewastedonme。”hesaid。“Iwillmentionwhatoughttobementionedmyself——ifyouwillpleasetoallowme。Ihavebeenunfortunateinmyfamily。Itisveryhardtobear，thoughitseemsnotmuchtotell。Mywife——“Oneofhishandsclosedfastonthepocket-handkerchief;
hemoistenedhisdrylips，struggledwithhimself，andwenton。
“Mywife，sir。”heresumed，“stoodalittleinmyway;shedidmeIamafraidImustconfesssomeinjurywithSirJohn。SoonafterIgotthesteward’ssituation，shecontracted——shetook——shefellintohabitsIhardlyknowhowtosayitofdrinking。Icouldn’tbreakherofit，andIcouldn’talwaysconcealitfromSirJohn’sknowledge。Shebrokeout，and——andtriedhispatienceonceortwice，whenhecametomyofficeonbusiness。SirJohnexcusedit，notverykindly;butstillheexcusedit。Idon’tcomplainofSirJohn！Idon’tcomplainnowofmywife。”Hepointedatremblingfingerathismiserablecrape-coveredbeaverhatonthefloor。“I’minmourningforher。”
hesaid，faintly。“Shediednearlyayearago，inthecountyasylumhere。”
Hismouthbegantoworkconvulsively。Hetookuptheglassofwineathisside，and，insteadofsippingitthistime，drainedittothebottom。“I’mnotmuchusedtowine，sir。”hesaid，conscious，apparently，oftheflushthatflewintohisfaceashedrank，andstillobservantoftheobligationsofpolitenessamidallthemiseryoftherecollectionsthathewascallingup。
“Ibeg，Mr。Bashwood，youwillnotdistressyourselfbytellingmeanymore。”saidMidwinter，recoilingfromanyfurthersanctiononhispartofadisclosurewhichhadalreadybaredthesorrowsoftheunhappymanbeforehimtothequick。
“I’mmuchobligedtoyou，sir。”repliedMr。Bashwood。“ButifI
don’tdetainyoutoolong，andifyouwillpleasetorememberthatMr。Pedgift’sdirectionstomewereveryparticular——and，besides，Ionlymentionedmylatewifebecauseifshehadn’ttriedSirJohn’spatiencetobeginwith，thingsmighthaveturnedoutdifferently——“Hepaused，gaveupthedisjointedsentenceinwhichhehadinvolvedhimself，andtriedanother。“Ihadonlytwochildren，sir。”hewenton，advancingtoanewpointinhisnarrative，“aboyandagirl。Thegirldiedwhenshewasababy。
Mysonlivedtogrowup;anditwasmysonwholostmemyplace。
Ididmybestforhim;IgothimintoarespectableofficeinLondon。Theywouldn’ttakehimwithoutsecurity。I’mafraiditwasimprudent;butIhadnorichfriendstohelpme，andIbecamesecurity。Myboyturnedoutbadly，sir。He——perhapsyouwillkindlyunderstandwhatImean，ifIsayhebehaveddishonestly。
Hisemployersconsented，atmyentreaty，tolethimoffwithoutprosecuting。Ibeggedveryhard——IwasfondofmysonJames——andItookhimhome，anddidmybesttoreformhim。Hewouldn’tstaywithme;hewentawayagaintoLondon;he——Ibegyourpardon，sir！I’mafraidI’mconfusingthings;I’mafraidI’mwanderingfromthepoint。”
“No，no。”saidMidwinter，kindly。“Ifyouthinkitrighttotellmethissadstory，tellitinyourownway。HaveyouseenyoursonsinceheleftyoutogotoLondon？”
“No，sir。He’sinLondonstill，forallIknow。WhenIlastheardofhim，hewasgettinghisbread——notverycreditably。Hewasemployed，undertheinspector，atthePrivateInquiryOfficeinShadysidePlace。”
Hespokethosewords——apparentlyaseventsthenstoodthemostirrelevanttothematterinhandthathadyetescapedhim;
actuallyaseventsweresoontobethemostvitallyimportantthathehadutteredyet——hespokethosewordsabsently，lookingabouthiminconfusion，andtryingvainlytorecoverthelostthreadofhisnarrative。
Midwintercompassionatelyhelpedhim。“Youweretellingme。”hesaid，“thatyoursonhadbeenthecauseofyourlosingyourplace。Howdidthathappen？”
“Inthisway，sir。”saidMr。Bashwood，gettingbackagainexcitedlyintotherighttrainofthought。“Hisemployersconsentedtolethimoff;buttheycamedownonhissecurity;andIwastheman。Isupposetheywerenottoblame;thesecuritycoveredtheirloss。Icouldn’tpayitalloutofmysavings;I
hadtoborrow——onthewordofaman，sir，Icouldn’thelpit——I
hadtoborrow。Mycreditorpressedme;itseemedcruel，but，ifhewantedthemoney，Isupposeitwasonlyjust。Iwassoldoutofhouseandhome。IdaresayothergentlemenwouldhavesaidwhatSirJohnsaid;Idaresaymostpeoplewouldhaverefusedtokeepastewardwhohadhadthebailiffsafterhim，andhisfurnituresoldintheneighborhood。Thatwashowitended，Mr。
Midwinter。Ineedn’tdetainyouanylonger——hereisSirJohn’saddress，ifyouwishtoapplytohim。”Midwintergenerouslyrefusedtoreceivetheaddress。
“Thankyoukindly，sir。”saidMr。Bashwood，gettingtremulouslyonhislegs。“Thereisnothingmore，Ithink，except——exceptthatMr。Pedgiftwillspeakforme，ifyouwishtoinquireintomyconductinhisservice。I’mverymuchindebtedtoMr。Pedgift;
he’salittleroughwithmesometimes，but，ifhehadn’ttakenmeintohisoffice，IthinkIshouldhavegonetotheworkhousewhenIleftSirJohn，Iwassobrokendown。”Hepickeduphisdingyoldhatfromthefloor。“Iwon’tintrudeanylonger，sir。Ishallbehappytocallagainifyouwishtohavetimetoconsiderbeforeyoudecide-“
“Iwantnotimetoconsiderafterwhatyouhavetoldme。”repliedMidwinter，warmly，hismemorybusy，whilehespoke，withthetimewhen_he_hadtold_his_storytoMr。Brock，andwaswaitingforagenerouswordinreturn，asthemanbeforehimwaswaitingnow。
“To-dayisSaturday。”hewenton。“CanyoucomeandgivememyfirstlessononMondaymorning？Ibegyourpardon。”headded，interruptingMr。Bashwood’sprofuseexpressionsofacknowledgment，andstoppinghimonhiswayoutoftheroom;
“thereisonethingweoughttosettle，oughtwenot？Wehaven’tspokenyetaboutyourowninterestinthismatter;Imean，abouttheterms。”Hereferred，alittleconfusedly，tothepecuniarypartofthesubject。Mr。Bashwoodgettingnearerandnearertothedooransweredhimmoreconfusedlystill。
“Anything，sir——anythingyouthinkright。Iwon’tintrudeanylonger;I’llleaveittoyouandMr。Armadale。”
“IwillsendforMr。Armadale，ifyoulike。”saidMidwinter，followinghimintothehall。“ButIamafraidhehasaslittleexperienceinmattersofthiskindasIhave。Perhaps，ifyouseenoobjection，wemightbeguidedbyMr。Pedgift？”
Mr。Bashwoodcaughteagerlyatthelastsuggestion，pushinghisretreat，whilehespoke，asfarasthefrontdoor。“Yes，sir——oh，yes，yes！nobodybetterthanMr。Pedgift。Don’t——praydon’tdisturbMr。Armadale！“Hiswateryeyeslookedquitewildwithnervousalarmasheturnedroundforamomentinthelightofthehalllamptomakethatpoliterequest。IfsendingforAllanhadbeenequivalenttounchainingaferociouswatch-dog，Mr。Bashwoodcouldhardlyhavebeenmoreanxioustostoptheproceeding。“I
wishyoukindlygood-evening，sir。”hewenton，gettingouttothesteps。“I’mmuchobligedtoyou。IwillbescrupulouslypunctualonMondaymorning——Ihope——Ithink——I’msureyouwillsoonlearneverythingIcanteachyou。It’snotdifficult——ohdear，no——notdifficultatall！Iwishyoukindlygood-evening，sir。Abeautifulnight;yes，indeed，abeautifulnightforawalkhome。”
Withthosewords，alldroppingoutofhislipsoneonthetopoftheother，andwithoutnoticing，inhisagonyofembarrassmentateffectinghisdeparture，Midwinter’soutstretchedhand，hewentnoiselesslydownthesteps，andwaslostinthedarknessofthenight。
AsMidwinterturnedtore-enterthehouse，thedining-roomdooropenedandhisfriendmethiminthehall。
“HasMr。Bashwoodgone？”askedAllan。
“Hehasgone。”repliedMidwinter，“aftertellingmeaverysadstory，andleavingmealittleashamedofmyselfforhavingdoubtedhimwithoutanyjustcause。Ihavearrangedthatheistogivememyfirstlessoninthesteward’sofficeonMondaymorning。”
“Allright。”saidAllan。“Youneedn’tbeafraid，oldboy，ofmyinterruptingyouoveryourstudies。IdaresayI’mwrong——butI
don’tlikeMr。Bashwood。”
“Idaresay_I’m_wrong。”retortedtheother，alittlepetulantly。“Ido。”
TheSundaymorningfoundMidwinterinthepark，waitingtointerceptthepostman，onthechanceofhisbringingmorenewsfromMr。Brock。
Atthecustomaryhourthemanmadehisappearance，andplacedtheexpectedletterinMidwinter’shands。Heopenedit，farawayfromallfearofobservationthistime，andreadtheselines:
“MYDEARMIDWINTER——IwritemoreforthepurposeofquietingyouranxietythanbecauseIhaveanythingdefinitetosay。InmylasthurriedletterIhadnotimetotellyouthattheelderofthetwowomenwhomImetintheGardenshadfollowedme，andspokentomeinthestreet。IbelieveImaycharacterizewhatshesaidwithoutdoingheranyinjusticeasatissueoffalsehoodsfrombeginningtoend。Atanyrate，sheconfirmedmeinthesuspicionthatsomeunderhandproceedingisonfoot，ofwhichAllanisdestinedtobethevictim，andthattheprimemoverintheconspiracyisthevilewomanwhohelpedhismother’smarriageandwhohastenedhismother’sdeath。
“Feelingthisconviction，Ihavenothesitatedtodo，forAllan’ssake，whatIwouldhavedonefornoothercreatureintheworld。
Ihaveleftmyhotel，andhaveinstalledmyselfwithmyoldservantRobertinahouseoppositethehousetowhichItracedthetwowomen。Wearealternatelyonthewatchquiteunsuspected，Iamcertain，bythepeopleoppositedayandnight。
Allmyfeelings，asagentlemanandaclergyman，revoltfromsuchanoccupationasIamnowengagedin;butthereisnootherchoice。Imusteitherdothisviolencetomyownself-respect，orImustleaveAllan，withhiseasynature，andinhisassailableposition，todefendhimselfagainstawretchwhoisprepared，I
firmlybelieve，totakethemostunscrupulousadvantageofhisweaknessandhisyouth。Hismother’sdyingentreatyhasneverleftmymemory;and，Godhelpme，Iamnowdegradingmyselfinmyowneyesinconsequence。
’Therehasbeensomerewardalreadyforthesacrifice。ThisdaySaturdayIhavegainedanimmenseadvantage——Ihaveatlastseenthewoman’sface。Shewentoutwithherveildownasbefore;
andRobertkeptherinview，havingmyinstructions，ifshereturnedtothehouse，nottofollowherbacktothedoor。Shedidreturntothehouse;andtheresultofmyprecautionwas，asIhadexpected，tothrowheroffherguard。Isawherfaceunveiledatthewindow，andafterwardagaininthebalcony。Ifanyoccasionshouldarisefordescribingherparticularly，youshallhavethedescription。AtpresentIneedonlysaythatshelooksthefullagefive-and-thirtyatwhichyouestimatedher，andthatsheisbynomeanssohandsomeawomanasIhadI
hardlyknowwhyexpectedtosee。
“ThisisallIcannowtellyou。IfnothingmorehappensbyMondayorTuesdaynext，Ishallhavenochoicebuttoapplytomylawyersforassistance;thoughIammostunwillingtotrustthisdelicateanddangerousmatterinotherhandsthanmine。Settingmyownfeelingshowever，outofthequestion，thebusinesswhichhasbeenthecauseofmyjourneytoLondonistooimportanttobetrifledwithmuchlongerasIamtriflingwithitnow。Inanyandeverycase，dependonmykeepingyouinformedoftheprogressofevents，andbelievemeyourstruly，“DECIMUSBROCK。”
Midwintersecuredtheletterashehadsecuredtheletterthatprecededit——sidebysideinhispocket-bookwiththenarrativeofAllan’sDream。
“Howmanydaysmore？”heaskedhimself，ashewentbacktothehouse。“Howmanydaysmore？”
Notmany。Thetimehewaswaitingforwasatimecloseathand。
Mondaycame，andbroughtMr。Bashwood，punctualtotheappointedhour。Mondaycame，andfoundAllanimmersedinhispreparationsforthepicnic。Heheldaseriesofinterviews，athomeandabroad，allthroughtheday。HetransactedbusinesswithMrs。
Gripper，withthebutler，andwiththecoachman，intheirthreeseveraldepartmentsofeating，drinking，anddriving。HewenttothetowntoconsulthisprofessionaladvisersonthesubjectoftheBroads，andtoinviteboththelawyers，fatherandsonintheabsenceofanybodyelseintheneighborhoodwhomhecouldask，tojointhepicnic。PedgiftSeniorinhisdepartment
suppliedgeneralinformation，butbeggedtobeexcusedfromappearingatthepicnic，onthescoreofbusinessengagements。
PedgiftJuniorinhisdepartmentaddedallthedetails;and，castingbusinessengagementstothewinds，acceptedtheinvitationwiththegreatestpleasure。Returningfromthelawyer’soffice，Allan’snextproceedingwastogotothemajor’scottageandobtainMissMilroy’sapprovaloftheproposedlocalityforthepleasureparty。Thisobjectaccomplished，hereturnedtohisownhouse，tomeetthelastdifficultynowlefttoencounter——thedifficultyofpersuadingMidwintertojointheexpeditiontotheBroads。
Onfirstbroachingthesubject，Allanfoundhisfriendimpenetrablyresolutetoremainathome。Midwinter’snaturalreluctancetomeetthemajorandhisdaughterafterwhathadhappenedatthecottage，mightprobablyhavebeenovercome。ButMidwinter’sdeterminationnottoallowMr。Bashwood’scourseofinstructiontobeinterruptedwasproofagainsteveryeffortthatcouldbemadetoshakeit。Afterexertinghisinfluencetotheutmost，Allanwasobligedtoremaincontentedwithacompromise。
Midwinterpromised，notverywillingly，tojointhepartytowardevening，attheplaceappointedforagypsytea-making，whichwastoclosetheproceedingsoftheday。TothisextenthewouldconsenttotaketheopportunityofplacinghimselfonafriendlyfootingwiththeMilroys。Morehecouldnotconcede，eventoAllan’spersuasion，andformoreitwouldheuselesstoask。
Thedayofthepicniccame。Thelovelymorning，andthecheerfulbustleofpreparationfortheexpedition，failedentirelytotemptMidwinterintoalteringhisresolution。Attheregularhourheleftthebreakfast-tabletojoinMr。Bashwoodinthesteward’soffice。Thetwowerequietlyclosetedoverthebooks，atthebackofthehouse，whilethepackingforthepicnicwentoninfront。
YoungPedgiftshortinstature，smartincostume，andself-reliantinmannerarrivedsomelittletimebeforethehourforstarting，toreviseallthearrangements，andtomakeanyfinalimprovementswhichhislocalknowledgemightsuggest。Allanandhewerestillbusyinconsultationwhenthefirsthitchoccurredintheproceedings。Thewoman-servantfromthecottagewasreportedtobewaitingbelowforananswertoanotefromheryoungmistress，whichwasplacedinAllan’shands。
OnthisoccasionMissMilroy’semotionshadapparentlygotthebetterofhersenseofpropriety。Thetoneoftheletterwasfeverish，andthehandwritingwanderedcrookedlyupanddownindeplorablefreedomfromallproperrestraint。
“Oh，Mr。Armadale“wrotethemajor’sdaughter，“suchamisfortune！What_are_wetodo？Papahasgotaletterfromgrandmammathismorningaboutthenewgoverness。Herreferencehasansweredallthequestions，andshe’sreadytocomeattheshortestnotice。Grandmammathinkshowprovoking！thesoonerthebetter;andshesayswemayexpecther——Imeanthegoverness——eitherto-dayorto-morrow。Papasayshe_will_besoabsurdlyconsideratetoeverybody！thatwecan’tallowMissGwilttocomehereifshecomesto-dayandfindnobodyathometoreceiveher。Whatistobedone？Iamreadytocrywithvexation。IhavegottheworstpossibleimpressionthoughgrandmammasayssheisacharmingpersonofMissGwilt。_Can_
yousuggestsomething，dearMr。Armadale？I’msurepapawouldgivewayifyoucould。Don’tstoptowrite;sendmeamessageback。Ihavegotanewhatforthepicnic;andoh，theagonyofnotknowingwhetherIamtokeepitonortakeitoff。Yourstruly，E。M。”
“ThedeviltakeMissGwilt！“saidAllan，staringathislegaladviserinastateofhelplessconsternation。
“Withallmyheart，sir——Idon’twishtointerfere。”remarkedPedgiftJunior。“MayIaskwhat’sthematter？”
Allantoldhim。Mr。Pedgifttheyoungermighthavehisfaults，butawantofquicknessofresourcewasnotamongthem。
“There’sawayoutofthedifficulty，Mr。Armadale。”hesaid。“Ifthegovernesscomestoday，let’shaveheratthepicnic。”
Allan’seyesopenedwideinastonishment。
“AllthehorsesandcarriagesintheThorpeAmbrosestablesarenotwantedforthissmallpartyofours。”proceededPedgiftJunior。“Ofcoursenot！Verygood。IfMissGwiltcomesto-day，shecan’tpossiblygetherebeforefiveo’clock。Goodagain。Youorderanopencarriagetobewaitingatthemajor’sdooratthattime，Mr。Armadale，andI’llgivethemanhisdirectionswheretodriveto。Whenthegovernesscomestothecottage，letherfindanicelittlenoteofapologyalongwiththecoldfowl，orwhateverelsetheygiveherafterherjourneybegginghertojoinusatthepicnic，andputtingacarriageatherownsoledisposaltotakeherthere。Gad，sir！“saidyoungPedgift，gayly，“she_must_beaTouchyOneifshethinksherselfneglectedafterthat！“
“Capital！“criedAllan。“Sheshallhaveeveryattention。I’llgiveherthepony-chaiseandthewhiteharness，andsheshalldriveherself，ifshelikes。”
HescribbledalinetorelieveMissMilroy’sapprehensions，andgavethenecessaryordersforthepony-chaise。Tenminuteslater，thecarriagesforthepleasurepartywereatthedoor。
“Nowwe’vetakenallthistroubleabouther。”saidAllan，revertingtothegovernessastheyleftthehouse，“Iwonder，ifshedoescometoday，whetherweshallseeheratthepicnic！“
“Depends，entirelyonherage，sir。”remarkedyoungPedgift，pronouncingjudgmentwiththehappyconfidenceinhimselfwhicheminentlydistinguishedhim。“Ifshe’sanoldone，she’llbeknockedupwiththejourney，andshe’llsticktothecoldfowlandthecottage。Ifshe’sayoungone，eitherIknownothingofwomen，ortheponyinthewhiteharnesswillbringhertothepicnic。”
Theystartedforthemajor’scottage。
CHAPTERVIII。
THENORFOLKBROADS。
THElittlegroupgatheredtogetherinMajorMilroy’sparlortowaitforthecarriagesfromThorpeAmbrosewouldhardlyhaveconveyedtheidea，toanypreviouslyuninstructedpersonintroducedamongthem，ofapartyassembledinexpectationofapicnic。Theywerealmostdullenough，asfarasoutwardappearanceswent，tohavebeenapartyassembledinexpectationofamarriage。
EvenMissMilroyherself，thoughconscious，oflookingherbestinherbrightmuslindressandhergaylyfeatherednewhat，wasatthisinauspiciousmomentMissMilroyunderacloud。AlthoughAllan’snotehadassuredher，inAllan’sstrongestlanguage，thattheonegreatobjectofreconcilingthegoverness’sarrivalwiththecelebrationofthepicnicwasanobjectachieved，thedoubtstillremainedwhethertheplanproposed——whateveritmightbe——wouldmeetwithherfather’sapproval。Inaword，MissMilroydeclinedtofeelsureofherday’spleasureuntilthecarriagemadeitsappearanceandtookherfromthedoor。Themajor，onhisside，arrayedforthefestiveoccasioninatightbluefrock-coatwhichhehadnotwornforyears，andthreatenedwithawholelongdayofseparationfromhisoldfriendandcomradetheclock，wasamanoutofhiselement，ifeversuchamanexistedyet。AsforthefriendswhohadbeenaskedatAllan’srequest——thewidowladyotherwiseMrs。PentecostandhersontheReverendSamuelindelicatehealth——twopeoplelesscapable，apparentlyofaddingtothehilarityofthedaycouldhardlyhavebeendiscoveredinthelengthandbreadthofallEngland。Ayoungmanwhoplayshispartinsocietybylookingoningreenspectacles，andlisteningwithasicklysmile，maybeaprodigyofintellectandamineofvirtue，butheishardly，perhaps，therightsortofmantohaveatapicnic。Anoldladyafflictedwithdeafness，whoseoneinexhaustiblesubjectofinterestisthesubjectofherson，andwhoonthehappilyrareoccasionswhenthatsonopenshislips
askseverybodyeagerly，“Whatdoesmyboysay？”isapersontobepitiedinrespectofherinfirmities，andapersontobeadmiredinrespectofhermaternaldevotedness，butnotaperson，ifthethingcouldpossiblybeavoided，totaketoapicnic。Suchaman，nevertheless，wastheReverendSamuelPentecost，andsuchawomanwastheReverendSamuel’smother;andinthedearthofanyotherproducibleguests，theretheywere，engagedtoeat，drink，andbemerryforthedayatMr。Armadale’spleasurepartytotheNorfolkBroads。
ThearrivalofAllan，withhisfaithfulfollower，PedgiftJunior，athisheels，rousedtheflaggingspiritsofthepartyatthecottage。Theplanforenablingthegovernesstojointhepicnic，ifshearrivedthatday，satisfiedevenMajorMilroy’sanxietytoshowallproperattentiontotheladywhowascomingintohishouse。Afterwritingthenecessarynoteofapologyandinvitation，andaddressingitinherverybesthandwritingtothenewgoverness，MissMilroyranupstairstosaygood-bytohermother，andreturnedwithasmilingfaceandasidelookofreliefdirectedatherfather，toannouncethattherewasnothingnowtokeepanyofthemamomentlongerindoors。Thecompanyatoncedirectedtheirstepstothegardengate，andweretheremetfacetofacebythesecondgreatdifficultyoftheday。Howwerethesixpersonsofthepicnictobedividedbetweenthetwoopencarriagesthatwereinwaitingforthem？
Here，again，PedgiftJuniorexhibitedhisinvaluablefacultyofcontrivance。Thishighlycultivatedyoungmanpossessedinaneminentdegreeanaccomplishmentmoreorlesspeculiartoalltheyoungmenoftheagewelivein:hewasperfectlycapableoftakinghispleasurewithoutforgettinghisbusiness。SuchaclientastheMasterofThorpeAmbrosefellbutseldominhisfather’sway，andtopayspecialbutunobtrusiveattentiontoAllanallthroughthedaywasthebusinessofwhichyoungPedgift，whileprovinghimselftobethelifeandsoulofthepicnic，neveroncelostsightfromthebeginningofthemerry-makingtotheend。HehaddetectedthestateofaffairsbetweenMissMilroyandAllanatglance，andheatonceprovidedforhisclient’sinclinationsinthatquarterbyoffering，invirtueofhislocalknowledge，toleadthewayinthefirstcarriage，andbyaskingMajorMilroyandthecurateiftheywoulddohimthehonorofaccompanyinghim。
“Weshallpassaveryinterestingplacetoamilitaryman，sir。”
saidyoungPedgift，addressingthemajor，withhishappyandunblushingconfidence——“theremainsofaRomanencampment。Andmyfather，sir，whoisasubscriber。”proceededthisrisinglawyer，turningtothecurate，“wishedmetoaskyouropinionofthenewInfantSchoolbuildingsatLittleGillBeck。Wouldyoukindlygiveitmeaswegoalong？”Heopenedthecarriagedoor，andhelpedinthemajorandthecuratebeforetheycouldeitherofthemstartanydifficulties。Thenecessaryresultfollowed。AllanandMissMilroyrodetogetherinthesamecarriage，withtheextraconvenienceofadeafoldladyinattendancetokeepthesquire’scomplimentswithinthenecessarylimits。
NeveryethadAllanenjoyedsuchaninterviewwithMissMilroyastheinterviewhenowobtainedontheroadtotheBroads。
Thedearoldlady，afteralittleanecdoteortwoonthesubjectofherson，didtheonethingwantingtosecuretheperfectfelicityofhertwoyouthfulcompanions:shebecameconsideratelyblindfortheoccasion，aswellasdeaf。Aquarterofanhourafterthecarriageleftthemajor’scottage，thepooroldsoul，reposingonsnugcushions，andfannedbyafinesummerair，fellpeaceablyasleep。Allanmadelove，andMissMilroysanctionedthemanufactureofthatoccasionallypreciousarticleofhumancommerce，sublimelyindifferentonbothsidestoasolemnbassaccompanimentontwonotes，playedbythecurate’smother’sunsuspectingnose。Theonlyinterruptiontothelove-makingthesnoring，beingathingmoregraveandpermanentinitsnature，wasnotinterruptedatallcameatintervalsfromthecarriageahead。Notsatisfiedwithhavingthemajor’sRomanencampmentandthecurate’sInfantSchoolsonhismind，PedgiftJuniorroseerectfromtimetotimeinhisplace，and，respectfullyhailingthehindmostvehicle，directedAllan’sattention，inashrilltenorvoice，andwithanexcellentchoiceoflanguage，toobjectsofinterestontheroad。Theonlywaytoquiethimwastoanswer，whichAllaninvariablydidbyshoutingback，“Yes，beautiful。”
uponwhichyoungPedgiftdisappearedagainintherecessesoftheleadingcarriage，andtookuptheRomansandtheInfantswherehehadleftthemlast。
ThescenethroughwhichthepicnicpartywasnowpassingmeritedfarmoreattentionthanitreceivedeitherfromAllanorAllan’sfriends。
Anhour’ssteadydrivingfromthemajor’scottagehadtakenyoungArmadaleandhisguestsbeyondthelimitsofMidwinter’ssolitarywalk，andwasnowbringingthemnearerandnearertooneofthestrangestandloveliestaspectsofnaturewhichtheinlandlandscape，notofNorfolkonly，butofallEngland，canshow。
LittlebylittlethefaceofthecountrybegantochangeasthecarriagesapproachedtheremoteandlonelydistrictoftheBroads。Thewheatfieldsandturnipfieldsbecameperceptiblyfewer，andthefatgreengrazinggroundsoneithersidegrewwiderandwiderintheirsmoothandsweepingrange。Heapsofdryrushesandreeds，laidupforthebasket-makerandthethatcher，begantoappearattheroad-side。Theoldgabledcottagesoftheearlypartofthedrivedwindledanddisappeared，andhutswithmudwallsroseintheirplace。Withtheancientchurchtowersandthewindandwatermills，whichhadhithertobeentheonlyloftyobjectsseenoverthelowmarshyflat，therenowroseallroundthehorizon，glidingslowanddistantbehindfringesofpollardwillows，thesailsofinvisibleboatsmovingoninvisiblewaters。
Allthestrangeandstartlinganomaliespresentedbyaninlandagriculturaldistrict，isolatedfromotherdistrictsbyitsintricatesurroundingnetworkofpoolsandstreams——holdingitscommunicationsandcarryingitsproducebywaterinsteadofbyland——begantopresentthemselvesincloserandclosersuccession。Netsappearedoncottagepailings;littleflat-bottomedboatslaystrangelyatrestamongtheflowersincottagegardens;farmers’menpassedtoandfrocladincompositecostumeofthecoastandthefield，insailors’hats，andfishermen’sboots，andplowmen’ssmocks;andevenyetthelow-lyinglabyrinthofwaters，embosomedinitsmysteryofsolitude，wasahiddenlabyrinthstill。Aminutemore，andthecarriagestookasuddenturnfromthehardhigh-roadintoalittleweedylane。Thewheelsrannoiselessonthedampandspongyground。Alonelyoutlyingcottageappearedwithitslitterofnetsandboats。Afewyardsfurtheron，andthelastmorseloffirmearthsuddenlyendedinatinycreekandquay。Oneturnmoretotheendofthequay——andthere，spreadingitsgreatsheetofwater，farandbrightandsmooth，ontherighthandandtheleft——there，aspureinitsspotlessblue，asstillinitsheavenlypeacefulness，asthesummerskyaboveit，wasthefirstoftheNorfolkBroads。
Thecarriagesstopped，thelove-makingbrokeoff，andthevenerableMrs。Pentecost，recoveringtheuseofhersensesatamoment’snotice，fixedhereyessternlyonAllantheinstantshewoke。
“Iseeinyourface，Mr。Armadale。”saidtheoldlady，sharply，“thatyouthinkIhavebeenasleep。”
Theconsciousnessofguiltactsdifferentlyonthetwosexes。Inninecasesoutoften，itisamuchmoremanageableconsciousnesswithawomanthanwithaman。Alltheconfusion，onthisoccasion，wasontheman’sside。WhileAllanreddenedandlookedembarrassed，thequick-wittedMissMilroyinstantlyembracedtheoldladywithaburstofinnocentlaughter。“Heisquiteincapable，dearMrs。Pentecost。”saidthelittlehypocrite，“ofanythingsoridiculousasthinkingyouhavebeenasleep！“
“AllIwishMr。Armadaletoknow。”pursuedtheoldlady，stillsuspiciousofAllan，“is，thatmyheadbeinggiddy，Iamobligedtoclosemyeyesinacarriage。Closingtheeyes，Mr。Armadale，isonething，andgoingtosleepisanother。Whereismyson？”
TheReverendSamuelappearedsilentlyatthecarriagedoor，andassistedhismothertogetout“Didyouenjoythedrive，Sammy？”
askedtheoldlady。“Beautifulscenery，mydear，wasn’tit？”
YoungPedgift，onwhomthearrangementsforexploringtheBroadsdevolved，hustledabout，givinghisorderstotheboatman。MajorMilroy，placidandpatient，satapartonanoverturnedpunt，andprivatelylookedathiswatch。Wasitpastnoonalready？Morethananhourpast。Forthefirsttime，formanyalongyear，thefamousclockathomehadstruckinanemptyworkshop。Timehadliftedhiswonderfulscythe，andthecorporalandhismenhadrelievedguard，withnomaster’seyetowatchtheirperformances，withnomaster’shandtoencouragethemtodotheirbest。Themajorsighedasheputhiswatchbackinhispocket。“I’mafraidI’mtoooldforthissortofthing。”thoughtthegoodman，lookingabouthimdreamily。“Idon’tfindIenjoyitasmuchasI
thoughtIshould。Whenarewegoingonthewater，Iwonder？
Where’sNeelie？”
Neelie——moreproperlyMissMilroy——wasbehindoneofthecarriageswiththepromoterofthepicnic。TheywereimmersedintheinterestingsubjectoftheirownChristiannames，andAllanwasasnearapointblankproposalofmarriageasitiswellpossibleforathoughtlessyounggentlemanoftwo-and-twentytobe。
“Tellmethetruth。”saidMissMilroy，withhereyesmodestlyrivetedontheground。“Whenyoufirstknewwhatmynamewas，youdidn’tlikeit，didyou？”
“Ilikeeverythingthatbelongstoyou。”rejoinedAllan，vigorously。“IthinkEleanorisabeautifulname;andyet，I
don’tknowwhy，IthinkthemajormadeanimprovementwhenhechangedittoNeelie。”
“Icantellyouwhy，Mr。Armadale。”saidthemajor’sdaughter，withgreatgravity。’Therearesomeunfortunatepeopleinthisworldwhosenamesare——howcanIexpressit？——whosenamesaremisfits。Mineisamisfit。Idon’tblamemyparents，forofcourseitwasimpossibletoknowwhenIwasababyhowIshouldgrowup。Butasthingsare，Iandmynamedon’tfiteachother。
WhenyouhearayoungladycalledEleanor，youthinkofatall，beautiful，interestingcreaturedirectly——theveryoppositeof_me！_Withmypersonalappearance，Eleanorsoundsridiculous;andNeelie，asyouyourselfremarked，isjustthething。No！no！
don’tsayanymore;I’mtiredofthesubject。I’vegotanothernameinmyhead，ifwemustspeakofnames，whichismuchbetterworthtalkingaboutthanmine。”
Shestoleaglanceathercompanionwhichsaidplainlyenough，“Thenameisyours。”Allanadvancedastepnearertoher，andloweredhisvoice，withouttheslightestnecessity，toamysteriouswhisper。MissMilroyinstantlyresumedherinvestigationoftheground。Shelookedatitwithsuchextraordinaryinterestthatageologistmighthavesuspectedherofscientificflirtationwiththesuperficialstrata。
“Whatnameareyouthinkingof？”askedAllan。
MissMilroyaddressedheranswer，intheformofaremark，tothesuperficialstrata——andletthemdowhattheylikedwithit，intheircapacityofconductorsofsound。“IfIhadbeenaman。”shesaid，“IshouldsoliketohavebeencalledAllan！“
Shefelthiseyesonherasshespoke，and，turningherheadaside，becameabsorbedinthegrainingofthepanelatthebackofthecarriage。“Howbeautifulitis！“sheexclaimed，withasuddenoutburstofinterestinthevastsubjectofvarnish。“I
wonderhowtheydoit？”
Manpersists，andwomanyields。Allandeclinedtoshiftthegroundfromlove-makingtocoach-making。MissMilroydroppedthesubject。
“Callmebymyname，ifyoureallylikeit。”hewhispered，persuasively。“Callme’Allan’foronce;justtotry。”
Shehesitatedwithaheightenedcolorandacharmingsmile，andshookherhead。“Icouldn’tjustyet。”sheanswered，softly。
“MayIcallyouNeelie？Isittoosoon？”
Shelookedathimagain，withasuddendisturbanceaboutthebosomofherdress，andasuddenflashoftendernessinherdark-grayeyes。
“Youknowbest。”shesaid，faintly，inawhisper。
TheinevitableanswerwasonthetipofAllan’stongue。Attheveryinstant，however，whenheopenedhislips，theabhorrenthightenorofPedgiftJunior，shoutingfor“Mr。Armadale。”rangcheerfullythroughthequietair。Atthesamemoment，fromtheothersideofthecarriage，theluridspectaclesoftheReverendSamuelshowedthemselvesofficiouslyonthesearch;andthevoiceoftheReverendSamuel’smotherwhohad，withgreatdexterity，putthetwoideasofthepresenceofwaterandasuddenmovementamongthecompanytogetherinquireddistractedlyifanybodywasdrowned？SentimentfliesandLoveshuddersatalldemonstrationsofthenoisykind。Allansaid:“Damnit。”andrejoinedyoungPedgift。MissMilroysighed，andtookrefugewithherfather。
“I’vedoneit，Mr。Armadale！“criedyoungPedgift，greetinghispatrongayly。“Wecanallgoonthewatertogether;I’vegotthebiggestboatontheBroads。Thelittleskiffs。”headded，inalowertone，asheledthewaytothequaysteps，“besidesbeingticklishandeasilyupset，won’tholdmorethantwo，withtheboatman;andthemajortoldmeheshouldfeelithisdutytogowithhisdaughter，ifweallseparatedindifferentboats。I
thought_that_wouldhardlydo，sir。”pursuedPedgiftJunior，witharespectfullyslyemphasisonthewords。“And，besides，ifwehadputtheoldladyintoaskiff，withherweightsixteenstoneifshe’sapound，wemighthavehadherupsidedowninthewaterhalfhertime，whichwouldhaveoccasioneddelay，andthrownwhatyoucalladampontheproceedings。Here’stheboat，Mr。Armadale。Whatdoyouthinkofit？”
TheboataddedonemoretothestrangelyanomalousobjectswhichappearedattheBroads。Itwasnothinglessthanastoutoldlifeboat，passingitslastdecliningyearsonthesmoothfreshwater，afterthestormydaysofitsyouthtimeonthewildsaltsea。Acomfortablelittlecabinfortheuseoffowlersinthewinterseasonhadbeenbuiltamidships，andamastandsailadaptedforinlandnavigationhadbeenfittedforward。Therewasroomenoughandtosparefortheguests，thedinner，andthethreemenincharge。Allanclappedhisfaithfullieutenantapprovinglyontheshoulder;andevenMrs。Pentecost，whenthewholepartywerecomfortablyestablishedonboard，tookacomparativelycheerfulviewoftheprospectsofthepicnic。“Ifanythinghappens。”saidtheoldlady，addressingthecompanygenerally，“there’sonecomfortforallofus。Mysoncanswim。”
TheboatfloatedoutfromthecreekintotheplacidwatersoftheBroad，andthefullbeautyofthesceneopenedontheview。
Onthenorthwardandwestward，astheboatreachedthemiddleofthelake，theshorelayclearandlowinthesunshine，fringeddarklyatcertainpointsbyrowsofdwarftrees;anddottedhereandthere，intheopenerspaces，withwindmillsandreed-thatchedcottages，ofpuddledmud。Southward，thegreatsheetofwaternarrowedgraduallytoalittlegroupofclose-nestlingislandswhichclosedtheprospect;whiletotheeastalong，gentlyundulatinglineofreedsfollowedthewindingsoftheBroad，andshutoutallviewofthewaterywastesbeyond。Soclearandsolightwasthesummerairthattheonecloudintheeasternquarteroftheheavenwasthesmokecloudleftbyapassingsteamerthreemilesdistantandmoreontheinvisiblesea。Whenthevoicesofthepleasurepartywerestill，notasoundrose，farornear，butthefaintrippleatthebows，asthemen，withslow，deliberatestrokesoftheirlongpoles，pressedtheboatforwardsoftlyovertheshallowwater。Theworldandtheworld’sturmoilseemedleftbehindforeverontheland;thesilencewasthesilenceofenchantment——thedeliciousinterflowofthesoftpurityoftheskyandthebrighttranquillityofthelake。
Establishedinperfectcomfortintheboat——themajorandhisdaughterononeside，thecurateandhismotherontheother，andAllanandyoungPedgiftbetweenthetwo——thewaterpartyfloatedsmoothlytowardthelittlenestofislandsattheendoftheBroad。MissMilroywasinraptures;Allanwasdelighted;andthemajorforonceforgothisclock。Everyonefeltpleasurably，intheirdifferentways，thequietandbeautyofthescene。Mrs。
Pentecost，inherway，feltitlikeaclairvoyant——withclosedeyes。
“Lookbehindyou，Mr。Armadale。”whisperedyoungPedgift。“I
thinktheparson’sbeginningtoenjoyhimself。”
Anunwontedbriskness——portentousapparentlyofcomingspeech——didcertainlyatthatmomentenliventhecurate’smanner。
Hejerkedhisheadfromsidetosidelikeabird;heclearedhisthroat，andclaspedhishands，andlookedwithagentleinterestatthecompany。Gettingintospiritsseemed，inthecaseofthisexcellentperson，tobealarminglylikegettingintothepulpit。
“Eveninthissceneoftranquillity。”saidtheReverendSamuel，comingoutsoftlywithhisfirstcontributiontothesocietyintheshapeofaremark，“theChristianmind——led，sotospeak，fromoneextremetoanother——isforciblyrecalledtotheunstablenatureofallearthlyenjoyments。Howifthiscalmshouldnotlast？Howifthewindsroseandthewatersbecameagitated？”
“Youneedn’talarmyourselfaboutthat，sir。”saidyoungPedgift;
“June’sthefineseasonhere——andyoucanswim。”
Mrs。Pentecostmesmericallyaffected，inallprobability，bythenearneighborhoodofhersonopenedhereyessuddenlyandasked，withhercustomaryeagerness。“Whatdoesmyboysay？”
TheReverendSamuelrepeatedhiswordsinthekeythatsuitedhismother’sinfirmity。Theoldladynoddedinhighapproval，andpursuedherson’strainofthoughtthroughthemediumofaquotation。
“Ah！“sighedMrs。Pentecost，withinfiniterelish，“Heridesthewhirlwind，Sammy，anddirectsthestorm！“
“Noblewords！“saidtheReverendSamuel。“Nobleandconsolingwords！“
“Isay。”whisperedAllan，“ifhegoesonmuchlongerinthatway，what’stobedone？”
“Itoldyou，papa，itwasarisktoaskthem。”addedMissMilroy，inanotherwhisper。
“Mydear！“remonstratedthemajor。“Weknewnobodyelseintheneighborhood，and，asMr。Armadalekindlysuggestedourbringingourfriends，whatcouldwedo？”
“Wecan’tupsettheboat。”remarkedyoungPedgift，withsardonicgravity。“It’salifeboat，unfortunately。MayIventuretosuggestputtingsomethingintothereverendgentleman’smouth，Mr。Armadale？It’scloseonthreeo’clock。Whatdoyousaytoringingthedinner-bell，sir？”
NeverwastherightmanmoreentirelyintherightplacethanPedgiftJunioratthepicnic。Intenminutesmoretheboatwasbroughttoastand-stillamongthereeds;theThorpeAmbrosehamperswereunpackedontheroofofthecabin;andthecurrentofthecurate’seloquencewascheckedfortheday。
Howinestimablyimportantinitsmoralresults——andthereforehowpraiseworthyinitself——istheactofeatinganddrinking！Thesocialvirtuescenterinthestomach。Amanwhoisnotabetterhusband，father，andbrotherafterdinnerthanbeforeis，digestivelyspeaking，anincurablyviciousman。Whathiddencharmsofcharacterdisclosethemselves，whatdormantamiabilitiesawaken，whenourcommonhumanitygatherstogethertopouroutthegastricjuice！AttheopeningofthehampersfromThorpeAmbrose，sweetSociabilityoffspringofthehappyunionofCivilizationandMrs。Gripperexhaledamongtheboatingparty，andmeltedinonefriendlyfusionthediscordantelementsofwhichthatpartyhadhithertobeencomposed。NowdidtheReverendSamuelPentecost，whoselighthadhithertobeenhiddenunderabushel，proveatlastthathecoulddosomethingbyprovingthathecouldeat。NowdidPedgiftJuniorshinebrighterthaneverhehadshoneyetingemsofcaustichumorandexquisitefertilitiesofresource。Nowdidthesquire，andthesquire’scharmingguest，provethetripleconnectionbetweenChampagnethatsparkles，Lovethatgrowsbolder，andEyeswhosevocabularyiswithoutthewordNo。Nowdidcheerfuloldtimescomebacktothemajor’smemory，andcheerfuloldstoriesnottoldforyearsfindtheirwaytothemajor’slips。AndnowdidMrs。Pentecost，comingoutwakefullyinthewholeforceofherestimablematernalcharacter，seizeonasupplementaryfork，andplythatusefulinstrumentincessantlybetweenthechoicestmorselsinthewholeroundofdishes，andthefewvacantplacesleftavailableontheReverendSamuel’splate。“Don’tlaughatmyson。”criedtheoldlady，observingthemerrimentwhichherproceedingsproducedamongthecompany。“It’smyfault，poordear——_I_makehimeat！“
Andtherearemeninthisworldwho，seeingvirtuessuchasthesedevelopedatthetable，astheyaredevelopednowhereelse，can，nevertheless，rankthegloriousprivilegeofdiningwiththesmallestofthediurnalpersonalworrieswhichnecessityimposesonmankind——withbuttoningyourwaistcoat，forexample，orlacingyourstays！Trustnosuchmonsterasthiswithyourtendersecrets，yourlovesandhatreds，yourhopesandfears。Hisheartisuncorrectedbyhisstomach，andthesocialvirtuesarenotinhim。
Thelastmellowhoursofthedayandthefirstcoolbreezesofthelongsummereveninghadmetbeforethedisheswerealllaidwaste，andthebottlesasemptyasbottlesshouldbe。Thispointintheproceedingsattained，thepicnicpartylookedlazilyatPedgiftJuniortoknowwhatwastobedonenext。Thatinexhaustiblefunctionarywasequalasevertoallthecallsonhim。Hehadanewamusementreadybeforethequickestofthecompanycouldsomuchasaskhimwhatthatamusementwastobe。
“Fondofmusiconthewater，MissMilroy？”heasked，inhisairiestandpleasantestmanner。
MissMilroyadoredmusic，bothonthewaterandtheland——alwaysexceptingtheonecasewhenshewaspracticingtheartherselfonthepianoathome。
“We’llgetoutofthereedsfirst。”saidyoungPedgift。Hegavehisorderstotheboatmen，divedbrisklyintothelittlecabin，andreappearedwithaconcertinainhishand。“Neat，MissMilroy，isn’tit？”heobserved，pointingtohisinitials，inlaidontheinstrumentinmother-of-pearl。“Myname’sAugustus，likemyfather’s。Someofmyfriendsknockoffthe’A，’andcallme’GustusJunior。’Asmalljokegoesalongwayamongfriends，doesn’tit，Mr。Armadale？Isingalittletomyownaccompaniment，ladiesandgentlemen;and，ifquiteagreeable，I
shallbeproudandhappytodomybest。”
“Stop！“criedMrs。Pentecost;“Idoteonmusic。”