Withthisformidableannouncement，theoldladyopenedaprodigiousleatherbag，fromwhichsheneverpartednightorday，andtookoutanear-trumpetoftheold-fashionedkind——somethingbetweenakey-bugleandaFrenchhorn。“Idon’tcaretousethethinggenerally。”explainedMrs。Pentecost，“becauseI’mafraidofitsmakingmedeaferthanever。ButIcan’tandwon’tmissthemusic。Idoteonmusic。Ifyou’llholdtheotherend，Sammy，I’llstickitinmyear。
Neelie，mydear，tellhimtobegin。”
YoungPedgiftwastroubledwithnonervoushesitation。Hebeganatonce，notwithsongsofthelightandmodernkind，suchasmighthavebeenexpectedfromanamateurofhisageandcharacter，butwithdeclamatoryandpatrioticburstsofpoetry，settotheboldandblatantmusicwhichthepeopleofEnglandloveddearlyattheearlierpartofthepresentcentury，andwhich，whenevertheycangetit，theylovedearlystill。“TheDeathofMarmion。”“TheBattleoftheBaltic。”“TheBayofBiscay。”“Nelson。”undervariousvocalaspects，asexhibitedbythelateBraham——thesewerethesongsinwhichtheroaringconcertinaandstridenttenorofGustusJuniorexultedtogether。
“Tellmewhenyou’retired，ladiesandgentlemen。”saidtheminstrelsolicitor。“There’snoconceitabout_me。_Willyouhavealittlesentimentbywayofvariety？ShallIwindupwith’TheMistletoeBough’and’PoorMaryAnne’？”
Havingfavoredhisaudiencewiththosetwocheerfulmelodies，youngPedgiftrespectfullyrequestedtherestofthecompanytofollowhisvocalexampleinturn，offering，ineverycase，toplay“arunningaccompaniment“impromptu，ifthesingerwouldonlybesoobligingastofavorhimwiththekey-note。
“Goon，somebody！“criedMrs。Pentecost，eagerly。“Itellyouagain，Idoteonmusic。Wehaven’thadhalfenoughyet，havewe，Sammy？”
TheReverendSamuelmadenoreply。Theunhappymanhadreasonsofhisown——notexactlyinhisbosom，butalittlelower——forremainingsilent，inthemidstofthegeneralhilarityandthegeneralapplause。Alasforhumanity！Evenmaternalloveisalloyedwithmortalfallibility。Owingmuchalreadytohisexcellentmother，theReverendSamuelwasnowadditionallyindebtedtoherforasmartindigestion。
Nobody，however，noticedasyetthesignsandtokensofinternalrevolutioninthecurate’sface。Everybodywasoccupiedinentreatingeverybodyelsetosing。MissMilroyappealedtothefounderofthefeast。“Dosingsomething，Mr。Armadale。”shesaid;“Ishouldsoliketohearyou！“
“Ifyouoncebegin，sir。”addedthecheerfulPedgift，“you’llfinditgetuncommonlyeasyasyougoon。Musicisasciencewhichrequirestobetakenbythethroatatstarting。”
“Withallmyheart。”saidAllan，inhisgood-humoredway。“Iknowlotsoftunes，buttheworstofitis，thewordsescapeme。I
wonderifIcanrememberoneofMoore’sMelodies？MypoormotherusedtobefondofteachingmeMoore’sMelodieswhenIwasaboy。”
“Whosemelodies？”askedMrs。Pentecost。“Moore’s？Aha！IknowTomMooreheart。”
“Perhapsinthatcaseyouwillhegoodenoughtohelpme，ma’am，ifmymemorybreaksdown。”rejoinedAllan。“I’lltaketheeasiestmelodyinthewholecollection，ifyou’llallowme。Everybodyknowsit——’Eveleen’sBower。’“
“I’mfamiliar，inageneralsortofway，withthenationalmelodiesofEngland，Scotland，andIreland。”saidPedgiftJunior。
“I’llaccompanyyou，sir，withthegreatestpleasure。Thisisthesortofthing，Ithink。”Heseatedhimselfcross-leggedontheroofofthecabin，andburstintoacomplicatedmusicalimprovisationwonderfultohear——amixtureofinstrumentalflourishesandgroans;ajigcorrectedbyadirge，andadirgeenlivenedbyajig。“That’sthesortofthing。”saidyoungPedgift，withhissmileofsupremeconfidence。“Fireaway，sir！“
Mrs。Pentecostelevatedhertrumpet，andAllanelevatedhisvoice。“Oh，weepforthehourwhentoEveleen’sBower——“Hestopped;theaccompanimentstopped;theaudiencewaited。“It’samostextraordinarything。”saidAllan;“IthoughtIhadthenextlineonthetipofmytongue，anditseemstohaveescapedme。
I’llbeginagain，ifyouhavenoobjection。’Oh，weepforthehourwhentoEveleen’sBower——’“
“’Thelordofthevalleywithfalsevowscame，’“saidMrs。
Pentecost。
“Thankyou，ma’am。”saidAllan。“NowIshallgetonsmoothly。
’Oh，weepforthehourwhentoEveleen’sBower，thelordofthevalleywithfalsevowscame。Themoonwasshiningbright——’“
“No！“saidMrs。Pentecost。
“Ibegyourpardon，ma’am。”remonstratedAllan。“’Themoonwas。
shiningbright——’“
“Themoonwasn’tdoinganythingofthekind。”saidMrs。
Pentecost。
PedgiftJunior，foreseeingadispute，persevered_sottovoce_
withtheaccompaniment，intheinterestsofharmony。
“Moore’sownwords，ma’am。”saidAllan，“inmymother’scopyoftheMelodies。”
“Yourmother’scopywaswrong。”retortedMrs。Pentecost。“Didn’tItellyoujustnowthatIknewTomMoorebyheart？”
PedgiftJunior’speace-makingconcertinastillflourishedandgroanedintheminorkey。
“Well，what_did_themoondo？”askedAllan，indespair。
“Whatthemoon_ought_tohavedone，sir，orTomMoorewouldn’thavewrittenitso。”rejoinedMrs。Pentecost。“’Themoonhidherlightfromtheheaventhatnight，andweptbehindhercloudso’erthemaiden’sshame！’Iwishthatyoungmanwouldleaveoffplaying。”addedMrs。Pentecost，ventingherrisingirritationonGustusJunior。“I’vehadenoughofhim——heticklesmyears。”
“Proud，I’msure，ma’am。”saidtheunblushingPedgift。“Thewholescienceofmusicconsistsinticklingtheears。”
“Weseemtobedriftingintoasortofargument。”remarkedMajorMilroy，placidly。“Wouldn’titbebetterifMr。Armadalewentonwithhissong？”
“Dogoon，Mr。Armadale！“addedthemajor’sdaughter。“Dogoon，Mr。Pedgift！“
“Oneofthemdoesn’tknowthewords，andtheotherdoesn’tknowthemusic。”saidMrs。Pentecost。“Letthemgooniftheycan！“
“Sorrytodisappointyou，ma’am。”saidPedgiftJunior;“I’mreadytogoonmyselftoanyextent。Now，Mr。Armadale！“
Allanopenedhislipstotakeuptheunfinishedmelodywherehehadlastleftit。Beforehecouldutteranote，thecuratesuddenlyrose，withaghastlyface，andahandpressedconvulsivelyoverthemiddleregionofhiswaistcoat。
“What’sthematter？”criedthewholeboatingpartyinchorus。
“Iamexceedinglyunwell。”saidtheReverendSamuelPentecost。
Theboatwasinstantlyinastateofconfusion。“Eveleen’sBower“
expiredonAllan’slips，andeventheirrepressibleconcertinaofPedgiftwassilencedatlast。Thealarmprovedtobequiteneedless。Mrs。Pentecost’ssonpossessedamother，andthatmotherhadabag。Intwosecondstheartofmedicineoccupiedtheplaceleftvacantintheattentionofthecompanybytheartofmusic。
“Rubitgently，Sammy。”saidMrs。Pentecost。“I’llgetoutthebottlesandgiveyouadose。It’shispoorstomach，major。Holdmytrumpet，somebody——andstoptheboat。Youtakethatbottle，Neelie，mydear;andyoutakethisone，Mr。Armadale;andgivethemtomeasIwantthem。Ah，poordear，Iknowwhat’sthematterwithhim！Wantofpower_here，_major——cold，acid，andflabby。Gingertowarmhim;sodatocorrecthim;salvolatiletoholdhimup。There，Sammy！drinkitbeforeitsettles;andthengoandliedown，mydear，inthatdog-kennelofaplacetheycallthecabin。Nomoremusic！“addedMrs。Pentecost，shakingherforefingerattheproprietoroftheconcertina——“unlessit’sahymn，andthatIdon’tobjectto。”
Nobodyappearingtobeinafitframeofmindforsingingahymn，theall-accomplishedPedgiftdrewuponhisstoresoflocalknowledge，andproducedanewidea。Thecourseoftheboatwasimmediatelychangedunderhisdirection。Inafewminutesmore，thecompanyfoundthemselvesinalittleislandcreek，withalonelycottageatthefarendofit，andaperfectforestofreedsclosingtheviewallroundthem。“Whatdoyousay，ladiesandgentlemen，tosteppingonshoreandseeingwhatareed-cutter’scottagelookslike？”suggestedyoungPedgift。
“Wesayyes，tobesure。”answeredAllan。“IthinkourspiritshavebeenalittledashedbyMr。Pentecost’sillnessandMrs。
Pentecost’sbag。”headded，inawhispertoMissMilroy。“A
changeofthissortistheverythingwewanttosetusallgoingagain。”
HeandyoungPedgifthandedMissMilroyoutoftheboat。Themajorfollowed。Mrs。PentecostsatimmovableastheEgyptianSphinx，withherbagonherknees，mountingguardover“Sammy“inthecabin。
“Wemustkeepthefungoing，sir。”saidAllan，ashehelpedthemajoroverthesideoftheboat。“Wehaven’thalfdoneyetwiththeenjoymentoftheday。”
HisvoicesecondedhisheartybeliefinhisownpredictiontosuchgoodpurposethatevenMrs。Pentecostheardhim，andominouslyshookherhead。
“Ah！“sighedthecurate’smother，“ifyouwereasoldasIam，younggentleman，youwouldn’tfeelquitesosureoftheenjoymentoftheday！“
So，inrebukeoftherashnessofyouth，spokethecautionofage。
Thenegativeviewisnotoriouslythesafeview，alltheworldover，andthePentecostphilosophyis，asanecessaryconsequence，generallyintheright。
CHAPTERIX。
FATEORCHANCE？
ITwascloseonsixo’clockwhenAllanandhisfriendslefttheboat，andtheeveninginfluencewascreepingalready，initsmysteryanditsstillness，overthewaterysolitudeoftheBroads。
Theshoreinthesewildregionswasnotliketheshoreelsewhere。
Firmasitlooked，thegardengroundinfrontofthereed-cutter’scottagewasfloatingground，thatroseandfellandoozedintopuddlesunderthepressureofthefoot。Theboatmenwhoguidedthevisitorswarnedthemtokeeptothepath，andpointedthroughgapsinthereedsandpollardstograssyplaces，onwhichstrangerswouldhavewalkedconfidently，wherethecrustofearthwasnotstrongenoughtobeartheweightofachildovertheunfathomeddepthsofslimeandwaterbeneath。Thesolitarycottage，builtofplankspitchedblack，stoodongroundthathadbeensteadiedandstrengthenedbyrestingitonpiles。Alittlewoodentowerroseatoneendoftheroof，andservedasalookoutpostinthefowlingseason。Fromthiselevationtheeyerangedfarandwideoverawildernessofwindingwaterandlonesomemarsh。Ifthereed-cutterhadlosthisboat，hewouldhavebeenascompletelyisolatedfromallcommunicationwithtownorvillageasifhisplaceofabodehadbeenalight-vesselinsteadofacottage。Neitherhenorhisfamilycomplainedoftheirsolitude，orlookedinanywaytherougherortheworseforit。
Hiswifereceivedthevisitorshospitably，inasnuglittleroom，witharafteredceiling，andwindowswhichlookedlikewindowsinacabinonboardship。Hiswife’sfathertoldstoriesofthefamousdayswhenthesmugglerscameupfromtheseaatnight，rowingthroughthenet-workofriverswithmuffledoarstilltheygainedthelonelyBroads，andsanktheirspiritcasksinthewater，farfromthecoast-guard’sreach。Hiswildlittlechildrenplayedathide-and-seekwiththevisitors;andthevisitorsrangedinandoutofthecottage，androundandroundthemorseloffirmearthonwhichitstood，surprisedanddelightedbythenoveltyofalltheysaw。Theonepersonwhonoticedtheadvanceoftheevening——theonepersonwhothoughtoftheflyingtimeandthestationaryPentecostsintheboat——wasyoungPedgift。ThatexperiencedpilotoftheBroadslookedaskanceathiswatch，anddrewAllanasideatthefirstopportunity。
“Idon’twishtohurryyou，Mr。Armadale。”saidPedgiftJunior;
“butthetimeisgettingon，andthere’saladyinthecase。“
“Alady？”repeatedAllan。
“Yes，sir。”rejoinedyoungPedgift。“AladyfromLondon;
connectedifyou’llallowmetojogyourmemorywithapony-chaiseandwhiteharness。”
“Goodheavens，thegoverness！“criedAllan。“Why，wehaveforgottenallabouther！“
“Don’tbealarmed，sir;there’splentyoftime，ifweonlygetintotheboatagain。Thisishowitstands，Mr。Armadale。Wesettled，ifyouremember，tohavethegypsytea-makingatthenext’Broad’tothis——HurleMere？”
“Certainly。”saidAllan。“HurleMereistheplacewheremyfriendMidwinterhaspromisedtocomeandmeetus。”
“HurleMereiswherethegovernesswillbe，sir，ifyourcoachmanfollowsmydirections。”pursuedyoungPedgift。“Wehavegotnearlyanhour’spuntingtodo，alongthetwistsandturnsofthenarrowwaterswhichtheycallTheSoundsherebetweenthisandHurleMere;andaccordingtomycalculationswemustgetonboardagaininfiveminutes，ifwearetobeintimetomeetthegovernessandtomeetyourfriend。”
“Wemustn’tmissmyfriendonanyaccount。”saidAllan;“orthegoverness，either，ofcourse。I’lltellthemajor。”
MajorMilroywasatthatmomentpreparingtomountthewoodenwatch-towerofthecottagetoseetheview。TheeverusefulPedgiftvolunteeredtogoupwithhim，andrattleoffallthenecessarylocalexplanationsinhalfthetimewhichthereed-cutterwouldoccupyindescribinghisownneighborhoodtoastranger。
Allanremainedstandinginfrontofthecottage，morequietandmorethoughtfulthanusual。HisinterviewwithyoungPedgifthadbroughthisabsentfriendtohismemoryforthefirsttimesincethepicnicpartyhadstarted。HewassurprisedthatMidwinter，somuchinhisthoughtsonallotheroccasions，shouldhavebeensolongoutofhisthoughtsnow。Somethingtroubledhim，likeasenseofself-reproach，ashismindrevertedtothefaithfulfriendathome，toilinghardoverthesteward’sbooks，inhisinterestsandforhissake。“Dearoldfellow。”thoughtAllan，“I
shallbesogladtoseehimattheMere;theday’spleasurewon’tbecompletetillhejoinsus！“
“ShouldIberightorwrong，Mr。Armadale，ifIguessedthatyouwerethinkingofsomebody？”askedavoice，softly，behindhim。
Allanturned，andfoundthemajor誷daughterathisside。MissMilroynotunmindfulofacertaintenderinterviewwhichhadtakenplacebehindacarriagehadnoticedheradmirerstandingthoughtfullybyhimself，andhaddeterminedongivinghimanotheropportunity，whileherfatherandyoungPedgiftwereatthetopofthewatch-tower。
“Youknoweverything。”saidAllan，smiling。“I_was_thinkingofsomebody。”
MissMilroystoleaglanceathim——aglanceofgentleencouragement。TherecouldbebutonehumancreatureinMr。
Armadale’smindafterwhathadpassedbetweenthemthatmorning！
Itwouldbeonlyanactofmercytotakehimbackagainatoncetotheinterruptedconversationofafewhourssinceonthesubjectofnames。
“Ihavebeanthinkingofsomebody，too。”shesaid，half-inviting，half-repellingthecomingavowal。“IfItellyouthefirstletterofmySomebody’sname，willyoutellmethefirstletterofyours？”
“Iwilltellyouanythingyoulike。”rejoinedAllan，withtheutmostenthusiasm。
Shestillshrankcoquettishlyfromtheverysubjectthatshewantedtoapproach。“Tellmeyourletterfirst。”shesaid，inlowtones，lookingawayfromhim。
Allanlaughed。“M。”hesaid，“ismyfirstletter。”
Shestartedalittle。StrangethatheshouldbethinkingofherbyhersurnameinsteadofherChristianname;butitmatteredlittleaslongashe_was_thinkingofher。
“Whatisyourletter？”askedAllan。
Sheblushedandsmiled。“A——ifyouwillhaveit！“sheanswered，inareluctantlittlewhisper。Shestoleanotherlookathim，andluxuriouslyprotractedherenjoymentofthecomingavowaloncemore。“Howmanysyllablesisthenamein？”sheasked，drawingpatternsshylyonthegroundwiththeendoftheparasol。
Nomanwiththeslightestknowledgeofthesexwouldhavebeenrashenough，inAllan’sposition，totellherthetruth。Allan，whoknewnothingwhateverofwoman’snatures，andwhotoldthetruthrightandleftinallmortalemergencies，answeredasifhehadbeenunderexaminationinacourtofjustice。
“It’sanameinthreesyllables。”hesaid。
MissMilroy’sdowncasteyesflashedupathimlikelightning。
“Three！“sherepeatedintheblankestastonishment。
Allanwastooinveteratelystraightforwardtotakethewarningevennow。“I’mnotstrongatmyspelling，Iknow。”hesaid，withhislightheartedlaugh。“ButIdon’tthinkI’mwrong，incallingMidwinteranameinthreesyllables。Iwasthinkingofmyfriend;butnevermindmythoughts。TellmewhoAis——tellmewhom_you_werethinkingof？”
“Ofthefirstletterofthealphabet，Mr。Armadale，andIbegpositivelytoinformyouofnothingmore！“
Withthatannihilatinganswerthemajor’sdaughterputupherparasolandwalkedbackbyherselftotheboat。
Allanstoodpetrifiedwithamazement。IfMissMilroyhadactuallyboxedhisearsandthereisnodenyingthatshehadprivatelylongedtodevoteherhandtothatpurpose，hecouldhardlyhavefeltmorebewilderedthanhefeltnow。“WhatonearthhaveI
done？”heaskedhimself，helplessly，asthemajorandyoungPedgiftjoinedhim，andthethreewalkeddowntogethertothewater-side。“Iwonderwhatshe’llsaytomenext？”
Shesaidabsolutelynothing;sheneversomuchaslookedatAllanwhenhetookhisplaceintheboat。Thereshesat，withhereyesandhercomplexionbothmuchbrighterthanusual，takingthedeepestinterestinthecurate’sprogresstowardrecovery;inthestateofMrs。Pentecost’sspirits;inPedgiftJuniorforwhomsheostentatiouslymaderoomenoughtolethimsitbesideher;
inthesceneryandthereed-cutter’scottage;ineverybodyandeverythingbutAllan——whomshewouldhavemarriedwiththegreatestpleasurefiveminutessince。“I’llneverforgivehim。”
thoughtthemajor’sdaughter。“Tobethinkingofthatill-bredwretchwhenIwasthinkingof_him;_andtomakemeallbutconfessitbeforeIfoundhimout！ThankHeaven，Mr。Pedgiftisintheboat！“
InthisframeofmindMissNeelieappliedherselfforthwithtothefascinationofPedgiftandthediscomfitureofAllan。“Oh，Mr。Pedgift，howextremelycleverandkindofyoutothinkofshowingusthatsweetcottage！Lonely，Mr。Armadale？Idon’tthinkit’slonelyatall;Ishouldlikeofallthingstolivethere。Whatwouldthispicnichavebeenwithoutyou，Mr。Pedgift;
youcan’tthinkhowIhaveenjoyeditsincewegotintotheboat。
Cool，Mr。Armadale？Whatcanyoupossiblymeanbysayingit’scool;it’sthewarmesteveningwe’vehadthissummer。Andthemusic，Mr。Pedgift;howniceitwasofyoutobringyourconcertina！IwonderifIcouldaccompanyyouonthepiano？I
wouldsoliketotry。Oh，yes，Mr。Armadale，nodoubtyoumeanttodosomethingmusical，too，andIdaresayyousingverywellwhenyouknowthewords;but，totellyouthetruth，Ialwaysdid，andalwaysshall，hateMoore’sMelodies！“
Thus，withmercilessdexterityofmanipulation，didMissMilroyworkthatsharpestfemaleweaponofoffense，thetongue;andthusshewouldhaveuseditforsometimelonger，ifAllanhadonlyshownthenecessaryjealousy，orifPedgifthadonlyaffordedthenecessaryencouragement。Butadversefortunehaddecreedthatsheshouldselectforhervictimstwomenessentiallyunassailableunderexistingcircumstances。Allanwastooinnocentofallknowledgeoffemalesubtletiesandsusceptibilitiestounderstandanything，exceptthatthecharmingNeeliewasunreasonablyoutoftemperwithhimwithouttheslightestcause。ThewaryPedgift，asbecameoneofthequick-wittedyouthofthepresentgeneration，submittedtofemaleinfluence，withhiseyefixedimmovablyallthetimeonhisowninterests。Manyayoungmanofthepastgeneration，whowasnofool，hassacrificedeverythingforlove。
Notoneyoungmanintenthousandofthepresentgeneration，_except_thefools，hassacrificedahalf-penny。ThedaughtersofEvestillinherittheirmother’smeritsandcommittheirmother’sfaults。ButthesonsofAdam，intheselatterdays，aremenwhowouldhavehandedthefamousapplebackwithabow，anda“Thanks，no;itmightgetmeintoascrape。”WhenAllan——surprisedanddisappointed——movedawayoutofMissMilroy’sreachtotheforwardpartoftheboat，PedgiftJuniorroseandfollowedhim。“You’reaverynicegirl。”thoughtthisshrewdlysensibleyoungman;“butaclient’saclient;andIamsorrytoinformyou，miss，itwon’tdo。”HesethimselfatoncetorouseAllan’sspiritsbydivertinghisattentiontoanewsubject。TherewastobearegattathatautumnononeoftheBroads，andhisclient’sopinionasayachtsmanmightbevaluabletothecommittee。“Somethingnew，Ishouldthink，toyou，sir，inasailingmatchonfreshwater？”hesaid，inhismostingratiatorymanner。AndAllan，instantlyinterested，answered，“Quitenew。Dotellmeaboutit！“
Asfortherestofthepartyattheotherendoftheboat，theywereinafairwaytoconfirmMrs。Pentecost’sdoubtswhetherthehilarityofthepicnicwouldlastthedayout。PoorNeelie’snaturalfeelingofirritationunderthedisappointmentwhichAllan’sawkwardnesshadinflictedonherwasnowexasperatedintosilentandsettledresentmentbyherownkeensenseofhumiliationanddefeat。Themajorhadrelapsedintohishabituallydreamy，absentmanner;hismindwasturningmonotonouslywiththewheelsofhisclock。Thecuratestillsecludedhisindigestionfrompublicviewintheinnermostrecessesofthecabin;andthecurate’smother，withaseconddosereadyatamoment’snotice，satonguardatthedoor。WomenofMrs。Pentecost’sageandcharactergenerallyenjoytheirownbadspirits。“This。”sighedtheoldlady，waggingherheadwithasmileofsoursatisfaction“iswhatyoucalladay’spleasure，isit？Ah，whatfoolsweallweretoleaveourcomfortablehomes！“
MeanwhiletheboatfloatedsmoothlyalongthewindingsofthewaterylabyrinthwhichlaybetweenthetwoBroads。Theviewoneithersidewasnowlimitedtonothingbutinterminablerowsofreeds。Notasoundwasheard，farornear;notsomuchasaglimpseofcultivatedorinhabitedlandappearedanywhere。“A
trifledrearyhereabouts，Mr。Armadale。”saidtheever-cheerfulPedgift。“Butwearejustoutofitnow。Lookahead，sir！HereweareatHurleMere。”
Thereedsopenedbackontherighthandandtheleft，andtheboatglidedsuddenlyintothewidecircleofapool。Roundthenearerhalfofthecircle，theeternalreedsstillfringedthemarginofthewater。Roundthefurtherhalf，thelandappearedagain，hererollingbackfromthepoolindesolatesand-hills，thererisingaboveitinasweepofgrassyshore。Atonepointthegroundwasoccupiedbyaplantation，andatanotherbytheout-buildingsofalonelyoldredbrickhouse，withastripofby-roadnear，thatskirtedthegardenwallandendedatthepool。
Thesunwassinkingintheclearheaven，andthewater，wherethesun’sreflectionfailedtotingeit，wasbeginningtolookblackandcold。Thesolitudethathadbeensoothing，thesilencethathadfeltlikeanenchantment，ontheotherBroad，intheday’svigorousprime，wasasolitudethatsaddenedhere——asilencethatstruckcold，inthestillnessandmelancholyoftheday’sdecline。
ThecourseoftheboatwasdirectedacrosstheMeretoacreekinthegrassyshore。Oneortwoofthelittleflat-bottomedpuntspeculiartotheBroadslayinthecreek;andthereedcutterstowhomthepuntsbelonged，surprisedattheappearanceofstrangers，cameout，staringsilently，frombehindanangleoftheoldgardenwall。Notanothersignoflifewasvisibleanywhere。Nopony-chaisehadbeenseenbythereedcutters;nostranger，eithermanorwoman，hadapproachedtheshoresofHurleMerethatday。
YoungPedgifttookanotherlookathiswatch，andaddressedhimselftoMissMilroy。“Youmay，ormaynot，seethegovernesswhenyougetbacktoThorpeAmbrose。”hesaid;“but，asthetimestandsnow，youwon’tseeherhere。Youknowbest，Mr。Armadale。”
headded，turningtoAllan，“whetheryourfriendistobedependedontokeephisappointment？”
“Iamcertainheistobedependedon。”repliedAllan，lookingabouthim——inunconcealeddisappointmentatMidwinter’sabsence。
“Verygood。”pursuedPedgiftJunior。“Ifwelightthefireforourgypsytea-makingontheopengroundthere，yourfriendmayfindusout，sir，bythesmoke。That’stheIndiandodgeforpickingupalostmanontheprairie，MissMilroyandit’sprettynearlywildenoughisn’tit？tobeaprairiehere！“
Therearesometemptations——principallythoseofthesmallerkind——whichitisnotinthedefensivecapacityoffemalehumannaturetoresist。Thetemptationtodirectthewholeforceofherinfluence，astheoneyoungladyoftheparty，towardtheinstantoverthrowofAllan’sarrangementformeetinghisfriend，wastoomuchforthemajor’sdaughter。SheturnedonthesmilingPedgiftwithalookwhichoughttohaveoverwhelmedhim。Butwhoeveroverwhelmedasolicitor？
“Ithinkit’sthemostlonely，dreary，hideousplaceIeversawinmylife！“saidMissNeelie。“Ifyouinsistonmakingteahere，Mr。Pedgift，don’tmakeanyforme。No！Ishallstopintheboat;
and，thoughIamabsolutelydyingwiththirst，IshalltouchnothingtillwegetbackagaintotheotherBroad！“
Themajoropenedhislipstoremonstrate。Tohisdaughter’sinfinitedelight，Mrs。Pentecostrosefromherseatbeforehecouldsayaword，and，aftersurveyingthewholelandwardprospect，andseeingnothingintheshapeofavehicleanywhere，askedindignantlywhethertheyweregoingallthewaybackagaintotheplacewheretheyhadleftthecarriagesinthemiddleoftheday。Onascertainingthatthiswas，infact，thearrangementproposed，andthat，fromthenatureofthecountry，thecarriagescouldnothavebeenorderedroundtoHurleMerewithout，inthefirstinstance，sendingthemthewholeofthewaybacktoThorpeAmbrose，Mrs。Pentecostspeakinginherson’sinterests
instantlydeclaredthatnoearthlypowershouldinducehertobeoutonthewaterafterdark。“Callmeaboat！“criedtheoldlady，ingreatagitation。“Whereverthere’swater，there’sanightmist，andwhereverthere’sanightmist，mysonSamuelcatchescold。Don’ttalkto_me_aboutyourmoonlightandyourtea-making——you’reallmad！Hi！youtwomenthere！“criedMrs。
Pentecost，hailingthesilentreedcuttersonshore。“Sixpenceapieceforyou，ifyou’lltakemeandmysonbackinyourboat！“
BeforeyoungPedgiftcouldinterfere，Allanhimselfsettledthedifficultythistime，withperfectpatienceandgoodtemper。
“Ican’tthink，Mrs。Pentecost，ofyourgoingbackinanyboatbuttheboatyouhavecomeoutin。”hesaid。“ThereisnottheleastneedasyouandMissMilroydon’tliketheplaceforanybodytogoonshoreherebutme。I_must_goonshore。MyfriendMidwinterneverbrokehispromisetomeyet;andIcan’tconsenttoleaveHurleMereaslongasthereisachanceofhiskeepinghisappointment。Butthere’snottheleastreasonintheworldwhyIshouldstandinthewayonthataccount。YouhavethemajorandMr。Pedgifttotakecareofyou;andyoucangetbacktothecarriagesbeforedark，ifyougoatonce。Iwillwaithere，andgivemyfriendhalfanhourmore，andthenIcanfollowyouinoneofthereed-cutters’boats。”
“That’sthemostsensiblething，Mr。Armadale，you’vesaidto-day。”remarkedMrs。Pentecost，seatingherselfagaininaviolenthurry“Tellthemtobequick！“criedtheoldlady，shakingherfistattheboatmen。“Tellthemtobequick！“
Allangavethenecessarydirections，andsteppedonshore。ThewaryPedgiftstickingfasttohisclienttriedtofollow。
“Wecan’tleaveyouherealone，sir。”hesaid，protestingeagerlyinawhisper。“Letthemajortakecareoftheladies，andletmekeepyoucompanyattheMere。”
“No，no！“saidAllan，pressinghimback。“They’reallinlowspiritsonboard。Ifyouwanttobeofservicetome，stoplikeagoodfellowwhereyouare，anddoyourbesttokeepthethinggoing。”
Hewavedhishand，andthemenpushedtheboatofffromtheshore。Theothersallwavedtheirhandsinreturnexceptthemajor’sdaughter，whosatapartfromtherest，withherfacehiddenunderherparasol。ThetearsstoodthickinNeelie’seyes。
HerlastangryfeelingagainstAllandiedout，andherheartwentbacktohimpenitentlythemomenthelefttheboat。“Howgoodheistousall！“shethought，“andwhatawretchIam！“Shegotupwitheverygenerousimpulseinhernatureurginghertomakeatonementtohim。Shegotup，recklessofappearancesandlookedafterhimwitheagereyesandflushedchecks，ashestoodaloneontheshore。“Don’tbelong，Mr。Armadale！“shesaid，withadesperatedisregardofwhattherestofthecompanythoughtofher。
Theboatwasalreadyfaroutinthewater，andwithallNeelie’sresolutionthewordswerespokeninafaintlittlevoice，whichfailedtoreachAllan’sears。Theonesoundheheard，astheboatgainedtheoppositeextremityoftheMere，anddisappearedslowlyamongthereeds，wasthesoundoftheconcertina。TheindefatigablePedgiftwaskeepingthingsgoing——evidentlyundertheauspicesofMrs。Pentecost——byperformingasacredmelody。
Leftbyhimself，Allanlitacigar，andtookaturnbackwardandforwardontheshore。“Shemighthavesaidawordtomeatparting！“hethought。“I’vedoneeverythingforthebest;I’veasgoodastoldherhowfondofherIam，andthisisthewayshetreatsme！“Hestopped，andstoodlookingabsentlyatthesinkingsun，andthefast-darkeningwatersoftheMere。Someinscrutableinfluenceinthesceneforceditswaystealthilyintohismind，anddivertedhisthoughtsfromMissMilroytohisabsentfriend。
Hestarted，andlookedabouthim。
Thereed-cuttershadgonebacktotheirretreatbehindtheangleofthewall，notalivingcreaturewasvisible，notasoundroseanywherealongthedrearyshore。EvenAllan’sspiritsbegantogetdepressed。ItwasnearlyanhourafterthetimewhenMidwinterhadpromisedtobeatHurleMere。Hehadhimselfarrangedtowalktothepoolwithastable-boyfromThorpeAmbroseashisguide，bylanesandfootpathswhichshortenedthedistancebytheroad。Theboyknewthecountrywell，andMidwinterwashabituallypunctualatallhisappointments。HadanythinggonewrongatThorpeAmbrose？Hadsomeaccidenthappenedontheway？Determinedtoremainnolongerdoubtingandidlingbyhimself，AllanmadeuphismindtowalkinlandfromtheMere，onthechanceofmeetinghisfriend。Hewentroundatoncetotheangleinthewall，andaskedoneofthereedcutterstoshowhimthefootpathtoThorpeAmbrose。
Themanledhimawayfromtheroad，andpointedtoabarelyperceptiblebreakintheoutertreesoftheplantation。Afterpausingforonemoreuselesslookaroundhim，AllanturnedhisbackontheMereandmadeforthetrees。
Forafewpaces，thepathranstraightthroughtheplantation。
Thenceittookasuddenturn;andthewaterandtheopencountrybecamebothlosttoview。Allansteadilyfollowedthegrassytrackbeforehim，seeingnothingandhearingnothing，untilhecametoanotherwindingofthepath。Turninginthenewdirection，hesawdimlyahumanfiguresittingaloneatthefootofoneofthetrees。Twostepsnearerwereenoughtomakethefigurefamiliartohim。“Midwinter！“heexclaimed，inastonishment。“ThisisnottheplacewhereIwastomeetyou！
Whatareyouwaitingforhere？”
Midwinterrose，withoutanswering。Theeveningdimnessamongthetrees，whichobscuredhisface，madehissilencedoublyperplexing。
Allanwentoneagerlyquestioninghim。“Didyoucomeherebyyourself？”heasked。“Ithoughttheboywastoguideyou？”
ThistimeMidwinteranswered。“Whenwegotasfarasthesetrees。”hesaid，“Isenttheboyback。HetoldmeIwasclosetotheplace，andcouldn’tmissit。”
“Whatmadeyoustopherewhenheleftyou？”reiteratedAllan。
“Whydidn’tyouwalkon？”
“Don’tdespiseme。”answeredtheother。“Ihadn’tthecourage！“
“Notthecourage？”repeatedAllan。Hepausedamoment。“Oh，I
know！“heresumed，puttinghishandgaylyonMidwinter’sshoulder。“You’restillshyoftheMilroys。Whatnonsense，whenI
toldyoumyselfthatyourpeacewasmadeatthecottage！“
“Iwasn’tthinking，Allan，ofyourfriendsatthecottage。Thetruthis，I’mhardlymyselfto-day。Iamillandunnerved;
triflesstartleme。”Hestopped，andshrankaway，undertheanxiousscrutinyofAllan’seyes。“Ifyou_will_haveit。”heburstout，abruptly，“thehorrorofthatnightonboardtheWreckhasgotmeagain;there’sadreadfuloppressiononmyhead;
there’sadreadfulsinkingatmyheart。Iamafraidofsomethinghappeningtous，ifwedon’tpartbeforethedayisout。Ican’tbreakmypromisetoyou;forGod’ssake，releasemefromit，andletmegoback！“
Remonstrance，toanyonewhoknewMidwinter，wasplainlyuselessatthatmoment。Allanhumoredhim。“Comeoutofthisdark，airlessplace。”hesaid，“andwewilltalkaboutit。Thewaterandtheopenskyarewithinastone’sthrowofus。Ihateawoodintheevening;itevengives_me_thehorrors。Youhavebeenworkingtoohardoverthesteward’sbooks。Comeandbreathefreelyintheblessedopenair。”
Midwinterstopped，consideredforamoment，andsuddenlysubmitted。
“You’reright。”hesaid，“andI’mwrong，asusual。I’mwastingtimeanddistressingyoutonopurpose。Whatfollytoaskyoutoletmegoback！Supposeyouhadsaidyes？”
“Well？”askedAllan。
“Well。”repeatedMidwinter，“somethingwouldhavehappenedatthefirststeptostopme，that’sall。Comeon。”
TheywalkedtogetherinsilenceonthewaytotheMere。
AtthelastturninthepathAllan’scigarwentout。Whilehestoppedtolightitagain，Midwinterwalkedonbeforehim，andwasthefirsttocomeinsightoftheopenground。
Allanhadjustkindledthematch，when，tohissurprise，hisfriendcamebacktohimroundtheturninthepath。Therewaslightenoughtoshowobjectsmoreclearlyinthispartoftheplantation。Thematch，asMidwinterfacedhim，droppedontheinstantfromAllan’shand。
“GoodGod！“hecried，startingback，“youlookasyoulookedonboardtheWreck！“
Midwinterhelduphisbandforsilence。HespokewithhiswildeyesrivetedonAllan’sface，withhiswhitelipscloseatAllan’sear。
“YourememberhowI_looked，_“heanswered，inawhisper。“DoyourememberwhatI_said_whenyouandthedoctorweretalkingoftheDream？”
“IhaveforgottentheDream。”saidAllan。
Ashemadethatanswer，Midwintertookhishand，andledhimroundthelastturninthepath。
“Doyourememberitnow？”heasked，andpointedtotheMere。
Thesunwassinkinginthecloudlesswestwardheaven。ThewatersoftheMerelaybeneath，tingedredbythedyinglight。Theopencountrystretchedaway，darkeningdrearilyalreadyontherighthandandtheleft。Andonthenearmarginofthepool，whereallhadbeensolitudebefore，therenowstood，frontingthesunset，thefigureofawoman。
ThetwoArmadalesstoodtogetherinsilence，andlookedatthelonelyfigureandthedrearyview。
Midwinterwasthefirsttospeak。
“Yourowneyeshaveseenit。”hesaid。“Nowlookatourownwords。”
HeopenedthenarrativeoftheDream，andhelditunderAllan’seyes。HisfingerpointedtothelineswhichrecordedthefirstVision;hisvoice，sinkinglowerandlower，repeatedthewords:
“Thesensecametomeofbeingleftaloneinthedarkness。
“Iwaited。
“Thedarknessopened，andshowedmethevision——asinapicture——ofabroad，lonelypool，surroundedbyopenground。
AbovethefurthermarginofthepoolIsawthecloudlesswesternsky，redwiththelightofsunset。
“OnthenearmarginofthepooltherestoodtheShadowofaWoman。”
Heceased，andletthehandwhichheldthemanuscriptdroptohisside。Theotherhandpointedtothelonelyfigure，standingwithitsbackturnedonthem，frontingthesettingsun。
“There。”hesaid，“standsthelivingWoman，intheShadow’splace！Therespeaksthefirstofthedreamwarningstoyouandtome！Letthefuturetimefindusstilltogether，andthesecondfigurethatstandsintheShadow’splacewillbeMine。”
EvenAllanwassilencedbytheterriblecertaintyofconvictionwithwhichhespoke。
Inthepausethatfollowed，thefigureatthepoolmoved，andwalkedslowlyawayroundthemarginoftheshore。Allansteppedoutbeyondthelastofthetrees，andgainedawiderviewoftheopenground。Thefirstobjectthatmethiseyeswasthepony-chaisefromThorpeAmbrose。
HeturnedbacktoMidwinterwithalaughofrelief。“Whatnonsensehaveyoubeentalking！“hesaid。“AndwhatnonsensehaveIbeenlisteningto！It’sthegovernessatlast。”
Midwintermadenoreply。Allantookhimbythearm，andtriedtoleadhimon。Hereleasedhimselfsuddenly，andseizedAllanwithbothhands，holdinghimbackfromthefigureatthepool，ashehadheldhimbackfromthecabindooronthedeckofthetimbership。Onceagaintheeffortwasinvain。OnceagainAllanbrokeawayaseasilyashehadbrokenawayinthepasttime。
“Oneofusmustspeaktoher。”hesaid。“Andifyouwon’t，I
will。”
HehadonlyadvancedafewstepstowardtheMere，whenheheard，orthoughtheheard，avoicefaintlycallingafterhim，onceandonceonly，thewordFarewell。Hestopped，withafeelingofuneasysurprise，andlookedround。
“Wasthatyou，Midwinter？”heasked。
Therewasnoanswer。Afterhesitatingamomentmore，Allanreturnedtotheplantation。Midwinterwasgone。
Helookedbackatthepool，doubtfulinthenewemergencywhattodonext。Thelonelyfigurehadaltereditscourseintheinterval;ithadturned，andwasadvancingtowardthetrees。
Allanhadbeenevidentlyeitherheardorseen。Itwasimpossibletoleaveawomanunbefriended，inthathelplesspositionandinthatsolitaryplace。ForthesecondtimeAllanwentoutfromthetreestomeether。
Ashecamewithinsightofherface，hestoppedinungovernableastonishment。Thesuddenrevelationofherbeauty，asshesmiledandlookedathiminquiringly，suspendedthemovementinhislimbsandthewordsonhislips。Avaguedoubtbesethimwhetheritwasthegoverness，afterall。
Herousedhimself，and，advancingafewpaces，mentionedhisname。“MayIask。”headded，“ifIhavethepleasure——？”
Theladymethimeasilyandgracefullyhalf-way。“MajorMilroy’sgoverness。”shesaid。“MissGwilt。”
CHAPTERX
THEHOUSE-MAID’SFACE。
ALLwasquietatThorpeAmbrose。Thehallwassolitary，theroomsweredark。Theservants，waitingforthesupperhourinthegardenatthebackofthehouse，lookedupattheclearheavenandtherisingmoon，andagreedthattherewaslittleprospectofthereturnofthepicnicpartyuntillaterinthenight。Thegeneralopinion，ledbythehighauthorityofthecook，predictedthattheymightallsitdowntosupperwithouttheleastfearofbeingdisturbedbythebell。Havingarrivedatthisconclusion，theservantsassembledroundthetable，andexactlyatthemomentwhentheysatdownthebellrang。
Thefootman，wondering，wentupstairstoopenthedoor，andfoundtohisastonishmentMidwinterwaitingaloneonthethreshold，andlookingintheservant’sopinionmiserablyill。
Heaskedforalight，and，sayinghewantednothingelse，withdrewatoncetohisroom。Thefootmanwentbacktohisfellow-servants，andreportedthatsomethinghadcertainlyhappenedtohismaster’sfriend。
Onenteringhisroom，Midwinterclosedthedoor，andhurriedlyfilledabagwiththenecessariesfortraveling。Thisdone，hetookfromalockeddrawer，andplacedinthebreastpocketofhiscoat，somelittlepresentswhichAllanhadgivenhim——acigarcase，apurse，andasetofstudsinplaingold。Havingpossessedhimselfofthesememorials，hesnatchedupthebagandlaidhishandonthedoor。There，forthefirsttime，hepaused。There，theheadlonghasteofallhisactionsthusfarsuddenlyceased，andtheharddespairinhisfacebegantosoften:hewaited，withthedoorinhishand。
Uptothatmomenthehadbeenconsciousofbutonemotivethatanimatedhim，butonepurposethathewasresolutetoachieve。
“ForAllan’ssake！“hehadsaidtohimself，whenhelookedbacktowardthefatallandscapeandsawhisfriendleavinghimtomeetthewomanatthepool。“ForAllan’ssake！“hehadsaidagain，whenhecrossedtheopencountrybeyondthewood，andsawafar，inthegraytwilight，thelonglineofembankmentandthedistantglimmeroftherailwaylampsbeckoninghimawayalreadytotheironroad。
Itwasonlywhenhenowpausedbeforeheclosedthedoorbehindhim——itwasonlywhenhisownimpetuousrapidityofactioncameforthefirsttimetoacheck，thatthenoblernatureofthemanroseinprotestagainstthesuperstitiousdespairwhichwashurryinghimfromallthathehelddear。HisconvictionoftheterriblenecessityofleavingAllanforAllan’sgoodhadnotbeenshakenforaninstantsincehehadseenthefirstVisionoftheDreamrealizedontheshoresoftheMere。Butnow，forthefirsttime，hisownheartroseagainsthiminunanswerablerebuke。“Go，ifyoumustandwill！butrememberthetimewhenyouwereill，andhesatbyyourbedside;friendless，andheopenedhishearttoyou——andwrite，ifyoufeartospeak;writeandaskhimtoforgiveyou，beforeyouleavehimforever！“
Thehalf-openeddoorclosedagainsoftly。Midwintersatdownatthewriting-tableandtookupthepen。
Hetriedagainandagain，andyetagain，towritethefarewellwords;hetried，tillthefloorallroundhimwaslitteredwithtornsheetsofpaper。Turnfromthemwhichwayhewould，theoldtimesstillcamebackandfacedhimreproachfully。Thespaciousbed-chamberinwhichhesat，narrowed，inspiteofhim，tothesickusher誷garretatthewest-countryinn。Thekindhandthathadoncepattedhimontheshouldertouchedhimagain;thekindvoicethathadcheeredhimspokeunchangeablyintheoldfriendlytones。Heflunghisarmsonthetableanddroppedhisheadonthemintearlessdespair。Thepartingwordsthathistonguewaspowerlesstoutterhispenwaspowerlesstowrite。Mercilesslyinearnest，hissuperstitionpointedtohimtogowhilethetimewashisown。Mercilesslyinearnest，hisloveforAllanheldhimbacktillthefarewellpleaforpardonandpitywaswritten。
Herosewithasuddenresolution，andrangfortheservant，“WhenMr。Armadalereturns。”hesaid，“askhimtoexcusemycomingdownstairs，andsaythatIamtryingtogettosleep。”Helockedthedoorandputoutthelight，andsatdownaloneinthedarkness。“Thenightwillkeepusapart。”hesaid;“andtimemayhelpmetowrite。Imaygointheearlymorning;Imaygowhile——“Thethoughtdiedinhimuncompleted;andthesharpagonyofthestruggleforcedtohislipsthefirstcryofsufferingthathadescapedhimyet。
Hewaitedinthedarkness。
Asthetimestoleon，hissensesremainedmechanicallyawake，buthismindbegantosinkslowlyundertheheavystrainthathadnowbeenlaidonitforsomehourspast。Adullvacancypossessedhim;hemadenoattempttokindlethelightandwriteoncemore。
Heneverstarted;henevermovedtotheopenwindow，whenthefirstsoundofapproachingwheelsbrokeinonthesilenceofthenight。Heheardthecarriagesdrawupatthedoor;heheardthehorseschampingtheirbits;heheardthevoicesofAllanandyoungPedgiftonthesteps;andstillhesatquietinthedarkness，andstillnointerestwasarousedinhimbythesoundsthatreachedhisearfromoutside。
Thevoicesremainedaudibleafterthecarriageshadbeendrivenaway;thetwoyoungmenwereevidentlylingeringonthestepsbeforetheytookleaveofeachother。EverywordtheysaidreachedMidwinterthroughtheopenwindow。Theironesubjectofconversationwasthenewgoverness。Allan’svoicewasloudinherpraise。HehadneverpassedsuchanhourofdelightinhislifeasthehourhehadspentwithMissGwiltintheboat，onthewayfromHurleMeretothepicnicpartywaitingattheotherBroad。
Agreeing，onhisside，withallthathisclientsaidinpraiseofthecharmingstranger，youngPedgiftappearedtotreatthesubject，whenitfellintohishands，fromadifferentpointofview。MissGwilt’sattractionshadnotsoentirelyabsorbedhisattentionastopreventhimfromnoticingtheimpressionwhichthenewgovernesshadproducedonheremployerandherpupil。
“There’sascrewloosesomewhere，sir，inMajorMilroy’sfamily。”
saidthevoiceofyoungPedgift。“DidyounoticehowthemajorandhisdaughterlookedwhenMissGwiltmadeherexcusesforbeinglateattheMere？Youdon’tremember？DoyourememberwhatMissGwiltsaid？”
“SomethingaboutMrs。Milroy，wasn’tit？”Allanrejoined。
YoungPedgift’svoicedroppedmysteriouslyanotelower。
“MissGwiltreachedthecottagethisafternoon，sir，atthetimewhenItoldyoushewouldreachit，andshewouldhavejoinedusatthetimeItoldyoushewouldcome，butforMrs。Milroy。Mrs。
Milroysentforherupstairsassoonassheenteredthehouse，andkeptherupstairsagoodhalf-hourandmore。ThatwasMissGwilt’sexcuse，Mr。Armadale，forbeinglateattheMere。”
“Well，andwhatthen？”
“Youseemtoforget，sir，whatthewholeneighborhoodhasheardaboutMrs。Milroyeversincethemajorfirstsettledamongus。Wehaveallbeentold，onthedoctor’sownauthority，thatsheistoogreatasufferertoseestrangers。Isn’titalittleoddthatsheshouldhavesuddenlyturnedoutwellenoughtoseeMissGwiltinherhusband’sabsencethemomentMissGwiltenteredthehouse？”
“Notabitofit！Ofcourseshewasanxioustomakeacquaintancewithherdaughter’sgoverness。”
“Likelyenough，Mr。Armadale。ButthemajorandMissNeeliedon’tseeitinthatlight，atanyrate。IhadmyeyeonthembothwhenthegovernesstoldthemthatMrs。Milroyhadsentforher。IfeverIsawagirllookthoroughlyfrightened，MissMilroywasthatgirl;andifImaybeallowed，inthestrictestconfidence，tolibelagallantsoldierIshouldsaythatthemajorhimselfwasmuchinthesamecondition。Takemywordforit，sir，there’ssomethingwrongupstairsinthatprettycottageofyours;andMissGwiltismixedupinitalready！“
Therewasaminuteofsilence。WhenthevoiceswerenextheardbyMidwinter，theywerefurtherawayfromthehouse——AllanwasprobablyaccompanyingyoungPedgiftafewstepsonhiswayback。
Afterawhile，Allan’svoicewasaudibleoncemoreundertheportico，makinginquiriesafterhisfriend;answeredbytheservant’svoicegivingMidwinter’smessage。Thisbriefinterruptionover，thesilencewasnotbrokenagaintillthetimecameforshuttingupthehouse。Theservants’footstepspassingtoandfro，theclangofclosingdoors，thebarkingofadisturbeddoginthestable-yard——thesesoundswarnedMidwinteritwasgettinglate。Herosemechanicallytokindlealight。Buthisheadwasgiddy，hishandtrembled;helaidasidethematch-box，andreturnedtohischair。TheconversationbetweenAllanandyoungPedgifthadceasedtooccupyhisattentiontheinstantheceasedtohearit;andnowagain，thesensethattheprecioustimewasfailinghimbecamealostsenseassoonasthehousenoiseswhichhadawakenedithadpassedaway。Hisenergiesofbodyandmindwerebothalikewornout;hewaitedwithastolidresignationforthetroublethatwastocometohimwiththecomingday。
Anintervalpassed，andthesilencewasoncemoredisturbedbyvoicesoutside;thevoicesofamanandawomanthistime。Thefirstfewwordsexchangedbetweenthemindicatedplainlyenoughameetingoftheclandestinekind;andrevealedthemanasoneoftheservantsatThorpeAmbrose，andthewomanasoneoftheservantsatthecottage。
Hereagain，afterthefirstgreetingswereover，thesubjectofthenewgovernessbecametheall-absorbingsubjectofconversation。
Themajor’sservantwasbrimfulofforebodingsinspiredsolelybyMissGwilt’sgoodlookswhichshepouredoutirrepressiblyonher“sweetheart。”tryashemighttodiverthertoothertopics。
Soonerorlater，lethimmarkherwords，therewouldbeanawful“upset“atthecottage。Hermaster，itmightbementionedinconfidence，ledadreadfullifewithhermistress。Themajorwasthebestofmen;hehadn’tathoughtinhisheartbeyondhisdaughterandhiseverlastingclock。Butonlyletanice-lookingwomancomeneartheplace，andMrs。Milroywasjealousofher——ragingjealous，likeawomanpossessed，onthatmiserablesick-bedofhers。IfMissGwiltwhowascertainlygood-looking，inspiteofherhideoushairdidn’tblowthefireintoaflamebeforemanydaysmorewereovertheirheads，themistresswasthemistressnolonger，butsomebodyelse。Whateverhappened，thefault，thistime，wouldlieatthedoorofthemajor’smother。Theoldladyandthemistresshadhadadreadfulquarreltwoyearssince;andtheoldladyhadgoneawayinafury，tellingherson，beforealltheservants，that，ifhehadasparkofspiritinhim，hewouldneversubmittohiswife’stemperashedid。Itwouldbetoomuch，perhaps，toaccusethemajor’smotherofpurposelypickingoutahandsomegovernesstospitethemajor’swife。Butitmightbesafelysaidthattheoldladywasthelastpersonintheworldtohumorthemistress’sjealousy，bydecliningtoengageacapableandrespectablegovernessforhergranddaughterbecausethatgovernesshappenedtobeblessedwithgoodlooks。Howitwasalltoendexceptthatitwascertaintoendbadlynohumancreaturecouldsay。Thingswerelookingasblackalreadyasthingswellcould。MissNeeliewascrying，aftertheday’spleasurewhichwasonebadsign;themistresshadfoundfaultwithnobodywhichwasanother;themasterhadwishedhergood-nightthroughthedoorwhichwasathird;andthegovernesshadlockedherselfupinherroomwhichwastheworstsignofall，foritlookedasifshedistrustedtheservants。Thusthestreamofthewoman’sgossipranon，andthusitreachedMidwinter’searsthroughthewindow，tilltheclockinthestable-yardstruck，andstoppedthetalking。Whenthelastvibrationsofthebellhaddiedaway，thevoiceswerenotaudibleagain，andthesilencewasbrokennomore。
Anotherintervalpassed，andMidwintermadeanewefforttorousehimself。Thistimehekindledthelightwithouthesitation，andtookthepeninhand。
Hewroteatthefirsttrialwithasuddenfacilityofexpression，which，surprisinghimashewenton，endedinrousinginhimsomevaguesuspicionofhimself。Heleftthetable，andbathedhisheadandfaceinwater，andcamebacktoreadwhathehadwritten。Thelanguagewasbarelyintelligible;sentenceswereleftunfinished;wordsweremisplacedonefortheother。everylinerecordedtheprotestofthewearybrainagainstthemercilesswillthathadforceditintoaction。Midwintertoreupthesheetofpaperashehadtornuptheothersheetsbeforeit，and，sinkingunderthestruggleatlast，laidhiswearyheadonthepillow。Almostontheinstant，exhaustionovercamehim，andbeforehecouldputthelightouthefellasleep。
Hewasrousedbyanoiseatthedoor。Thesunlightwaspouringintotheroom，thecandlehadburneddownintothesocket，andtheservantwaswaitingoutsidewithaletterwhichhadcomeforhimbythemorning’spost。
“Iventuredtodisturbyou，sir。”saidtheman，whenMidwinteropenedthedoor，“becausetheletterismarked’Immediate，’andI
didn’tknowbutitmightbeofsomeconsequence。”
Midwinterthankedhim，andlookedattheletter。It_was_ofsomeconsequence——thehandwritingwasMr。Brock’s。
Hepausedtocollecthisfaculties。Thetornsheetsofpaperonthefloorrecalledtohiminamomentthepositioninwhichhestood。Helockedthedooragain，inthefearthatAllanmightriseearlierthanusualandcomeintomakeinquiries。
Then——feelingstrangelylittleinterestinanythingthattherectorcouldwritetohimnow——heopenedMr。Brock’sletter，andreadtheselines:
“Tuesday。
“MYDEARMIDWINTER——Itissometimesbesttotellbadnewsplainly，infewwords。Letmetellmineatonce，inonesentence。
Myprecautionshaveallbeendefeated:thewomanhasescapedme。
“Thismisfortune——foritisnothingless——happenedyesterdayMonday。Betweenelevenandtwelveintheforenoonofthatday，thebusinesswhichoriginallybroughtmetoLondonobligedmetogotoDoctors’Commons，andtoleavemyservantRoberttowatchthehouseoppositeourlodginguntilmyreturn。Aboutanhourandahalfaftermydepartureheobservedanemptycabdrawnupatthedoorofthehouse。Boxesandbagsmadetheirappearancefirst;theywerefollowedbythewomanherself，inthedressI
hadfirstseenherin。Havingpreviouslysecuredacab，RoberttracedhertotheterminusoftheNorth-WesternRailway，sawherpassthroughtheticketoffice，keptherinviewtillshereachedtheplatform，andthere，inthecrowdandconfusioncausedbythestartingofalargemixedtrain，losther。Imustdohimthejusticetosaythatheatoncetooktherightcourseinthisemergency。Insteadofwastingtimeinsearchingforherontheplatform，helookedalongthelineofcarriages;andhepositivelydeclaresthathefailedtoseeherinanyoneofthem。
Headmits，atthesametime，thathissearchconductedbetweentwoo’clock，whenhelostsightofher，andtenminutespast，whenthetrainstartedwas，intheconfusionofthemoment，necessarilyanimperfectone。Butthislattercircumstance，inmyopinion，matterslittle。Iasfirmlydisbelieveinthewoman’sactualdeparturebythattrainasifIhadsearchedeveryoneofthecarriagesmyself;andyou，Ihavenodoubt，willentirelyagreewithme。
“Younowknowhowthedisasterhappened。Letusnotwastetimeandwordsinlamentingit。Theevilisdone，andyouandI
togethermustfindthewaytoremedyit。
“WhatIhaveaccomplishedalready，onmyside，maybetoldintwowords。AnyhesitationImighthavepreviouslyfeltattrustingthisdelicatebusinessinstrangers’handswasatanendthemomentIheardRobert’snews。Iwentbackatoncetothecity，andplacedthewholematterconfidentiallybeforemylawyers。Theconferencewasalongone，andwhenIlefttheofficeitwaspasttheposthour，orIshouldhavewrittentoyouonMondayinsteadofwritingtoday。Myinterviewwiththelawyerswasnotveryencouraging。Theywarnmeplainlythatseriousdifficultiesstandinthewayofourrecoveringthelosttrace。Buttheyhavepromisedtodotheirbest，andwehavedecidedonthecoursetobetaken，exceptingonepointonwhichwetotallydiffer。Imusttellyouwhatthisdifferenceis;for，whilebusinesskeepsmeawayfromThorpeAmbrose，youaretheonlypersonwhomIcantrusttoputmyconvictionstothetest。
“Thelawyersareofopinion，then，thatthewomanhasbeenawarefromthefirstthatIwaswatchingher;thatthereis，consequently，nopresenthopeofherbeingrashenoughtoappearpersonallyatThorpeAmbrose;thatanymischiefshemayhaveitincontemplationtodowillbedoneinthefirstinstancebydeputy;andthattheonlywisecourseforAllan’sfriendsandguardianstotakeistowaitpassivelytilleventsenlightenthem。Myownideaisdiametricallyopposedtothis。Afterwhathashappenedattherailway，IcannotdenythatthewomanmusthavediscoveredthatIwaswatchingher。Butshehasnoreasontosupposethatshehasnotsucceededindeceivingme;andIfirmlybelievesheisboldenoughtotakeusbysurprise，andtowinorforceherwayintoAllan’sconfidencebeforewearepreparedtopreventher。
“YouandyouonlywhileIamdetainedinLondoncandecidewhetherIamrightorwrong——andyoucandoitinthisway。
AscertainatoncewhetheranywomanwhoisastrangerintheneighborhoodhasappearedsinceMondaylastatornearThorpeAmbrose。Ifanysuchpersonhasbeenobservedandnobodyescapesobservationinthecountry，takethefirstopportunityyoucangetofseeingher，andaskyourselfifherfacedoesordoesnotanswercertainplainquestionswhichIamnowabouttowritedownforyou。Youmaydependonmyaccuracy。Isawthewomanunveiledonmorethanoneoccasion，andthelasttimethroughanexcellentglass。
“1。Isherhairlightbrown，andapparentlynotveryplentiful？
2。Isherforeheadhigh，narrow，andslopingbackwardfromthebrow？3。Arehereyebrowsveryfaintlymarked，andarehereyessmall，andnearerdarkthanlight——eithergrayorhazelIhavenotseenhercloseenoughtohecertainwhich？4。Ishernoseaquiline？5Areherlipsthin，andistheupperliplong？6。Doeshercomplexionlooklikeanoriginallyfaircomplexion，whichhasdeterioratedintoadull，sicklypaleness？7andlastly。Hasshearetreatingchin，andisthereontheleftsideofitamarkofsomekind——amoleorascar，Ican’tsaywhich？
“Iaddnothingaboutherexpression，foryoumayseeherundercircumstanceswhichmaypartiallyalteritasseenbyme。Testherbyherfeatures，whichnocircumstancescanchange。Ifthereisastrangerintheneighborhood，andifherfaceanswersmysevenquestions，_youhavefoundthewoman！_Goinstantly，inthatcase，tothenearestlawyer，andpledgemynameandcreditforwhateverexpensesmaybeincurredinkeepingherunderinspectionnightandday。Havingdonethis，takethespeediestmeansofcommunicatingwithme;andwhethermybusinessisfinishedornot，IwillstartforNorfolkbythefirsttrain。
“Alwaysyourfriend，DECIMUSBROCK。”
Hardenedbythefatalistconvictionthatnowpossessedhim，Midwinterreadtherector’sconfessionofdefeat，fromthefirstlinetothelast，withouttheslightestbetrayaleitherofinterestorsurprise。Theonepartoftheletteratwhichhelookedbackwastheclosingpartofit。“IowemuchtoMr。
Brock’skindness。”hethought;“andIshallneverseeMr。Brockagain。Itisuselessandhopeless;butheasksmetodoit，anditshallbedone。Amoment’slookatherwillbeenough——amoment’slookatherwithhisletterinmyhand——andalinetotellhimthatthewomanishere！“
Againhestoodhesitatingatthehalf-openeddoor;againthecruelnecessityofwritinghisfarewelltoAllanstoppedhim，andstaredhimintheface。
Helookedasidedoubtinglyattherector’sletter。“Iwillwritethetwotogether。”hesaid。“Onemayhelptheother。”Hisfaceflusheddeepasthewordsescapedhim。Hewasconsciousofdoingwhathehadnotdoneyet——ofvoluntarilyputtingofftheevilhour;ofmakingMr。Brockthepretextforgainingthelastrespiteleft，therespiteoftime。
TheonlysoundthatreachedhimthroughtheopendoorwasthesoundofAllanstirringnoisilyinthenextroom。Hesteppedatonceintotheemptycorridor，andmeetingnooneonthestairs，madehiswayoutofthehouse。ThedreadthathisresolutiontoleaveAllanmightfailhimifhesawAllanagainwasasvividlypresenttohismindinthemorningasithadbeenallthroughthenight。Hedrewadeepbreathofreliefashedescendedthehousesteps——reliefathavingescapedthefriendlygreetingofthemorning，fromtheonehumancreaturewhomheloved！
HeenteredtheshrubberywithMr。Brock’sletterinhishand，andtookthenearestwaythatledtothemajor’scottage。Nottheslightestrecollectionwasinhismindofthetalkwhichhadfounditswaytohisearsduringthenight。Hisonereasonfordeterminingtoseethewomanwasthereasonwhichtherectorhadputinhismind。TheoneremembrancethatnowguidedhimtotheplaceinwhichshelivedwastheremembranceofAllan’sexclamationwhenhefirstidentifiedthegovernesswiththefigureatthepool。
Arrivedatthegateofthecottage，hestopped。Thethoughtstruckhimthathemightdefeathisownobjectifhelookedattherector’squestionsinthewoman’spresence。Hersuspicionswouldbeprobablyroused，inthefirstinstance，byhisaskingtoseeherashehaddeterminedtoask，withorwithoutanexcuse，andtheappearanceoftheletterinhishandmightconfirmthem。
Shemightdefeathimbyinstantlyleavingtheroom。Determinedtofixthedescriptioninhismindfirst，andthentoconfronther，heopenedtheletter;and，turningawayslowlybythesideofthehouse，readthesevenquestionswhichhefeltabsolutelyassuredbeforehandthewoman’sfacewouldanswer。
Inthemorningquietoftheparkslightnoisestraveledfar。A
slightnoisedisturbedMidwinterovertheletter。
Helookedupandfoundhimselfonthebrinkofabroadgrassytrench，havingtheparkononesideandthehighlaurelhedgeofaninclosureontheother。Theinclosureevidentlysurroundedthebackgardenofthecottage，andthetrenchwasintendedtoprotectitfrombeingdamagedbythecattlegrazinginthepark。
Listeningcarefullyastheslightsoundwhichhaddisturbedhimgrewfainter，herecognizedinittherustlingofwomen’sdresses。Afewpacesahead，thetrenchwascrossedbyabridgeclosedbyawicketgatewhichconnectedthegardenwiththepark。Hepassedthroughthegate，crossedthebridge，and，openingadoorattheotherend，foundhimselfinasummer-housethicklycoveredwithcreepers，andcommandingafullviewofthegardenfromendtoend。
Helooked，andsawthefiguresoftwoladieswalkingslowlyawayfromhimtowardthecottage。Theshorterofthetwofailedtooccupyhisattentionforaninstant;heneverstoppedtothinkwhethershewasorwasnotthemajor’sdaughter。Hiseyeswererivetedontheotherfigure——thefigurethatmovedoverthegardenwalkwiththelong，lightlyfallingdressandtheeasy，seductivegrace。There，presentedexactlyasbehadseenheroncealready——there，withherbackagainturnedonhim，wastheWomanatthepool！
Therewasachancethattheymighttakeanotherturninthegarden——aturnbacktowardthesummer-house。OnthatchanceMidwinterwaited。Noconsciousnessoftheintrusionthathewascommittinghadstoppedhimatthedoorofthesummer-house，andnoconsciousnessofittroubledhimevennow。Everyfinersensibilityinhisnature，sinkingunderthecruellacerationofthepastnight，hadceasedtofeel。Thedoggedresolutiontodowhathehadcometodowastheoneanimatinginfluenceleftaliveinhim。Heacted，heevenlooked，asthemoststolidmanlivingmighthaveactedandlookedinhisplace。Hewasself-possessedenough，intheintervalofexpectationbeforegovernessandpupilreachedtheendofthewalk，toopenMr。Brock’sletter，andtofortifyhismemorybyalastlookattheparagraphwhichdescribedherface。
Hewasstillabsorbedoverthedescriptionwhenheheardthesmoothrustleofthedressestravelingtowardhimagain。Standingintheshadowofthesummer-house，hewaitedwhileshelessenedthedistancebetweenthem。Withherwrittenportraitvividlyimpressedonhismind，andwiththeclearlightofthemorningtohelphim，hiseyesquestionedherasshecameon;andtheseweretheanswersthatherfacegavehimback。