“Butyou’renotintheHebridesnow。”persistedAllan;“andI
expectourfriendsfromthecottageto-morrowevening。Youcan’tstarttillafterto-morrow。MissGwiltisgoingtogiveussomemoremusic，andyouknowyoulikeMissGwilt’splaying。”
Midwinterturnedasidetobucklethestrapsofhisknapsack。
“GivemeanotherchanceofhearingMissGwiltwhenIcomeback。”
hesaid，withhisheaddown，andhisfingersbusyatthestraps。
“Youhaveonefault，mydearfellow，anditgrowsonyou。”
remonstratedAllan;“whenyouhaveoncetakenathingintoourhead，you’rethemostobstinatemanalive。There’snopersuadingyoutolistentoreason。Ifyou_will_go。”addedAllan，suddenlyrising，asMidwintertookuphishatandstickinsilence，“I
havehalfamindtogowithyou，andtryalittleroughingittoo！“
“Gowith_me！_“repeatedMidwinter，withamomentarybitternessinhistone，“andleaveMissGwilt！“
Allansatdownagain，andadmittedtheforceoftheobjectioninsignificantsilence。Withoutawordmoreonhisside，Midwinterheldouthishandtotakeleave。Theywerebothdeeplymoved，andeachwasanxioustohidehisagitationfromtheother。Allantookthelastrefugewhichhisfriend’sfirmnesslefttohim:hetriedtolightenthefarewellmomentbyajoke。
“I’lltellyouwhat。”hesaid，“Ibegintodoubtifyou’requitecuredyetofyourbeliefintheDream。Isuspectyou’rerunningawayfromme，afterall！“
Midwinterlookedathim，uncertainwhetherhewasinjestorearnest。“Whatdoyoumean？”heasked。
“Whatdidyoutellme。”retortedAllan，“whenyoutookmeinheretheotherday，andmadeacleanbreastofit？Whatdidyousayaboutthisroom，andthesecondvisionofthedream？ByJupiter！“
heexclaimed，startingtohisfeetoncemore，“nowIlookagain，here_is_theSecondVision！There’stherainpatteringagainstthewindow-there’sthelawnandthegardenoutside——hereamI
whereIstoodintheDream——andthereareyouwheretheShadowstood。Thewholescenecomplete，out-of-doorsandin;and_I’ve_
discovereditthistime！“
Amoment’slifestirredagaininthedeadremainsofMidwinter’ssuperstition。Hiscolorchanged，andheeagerly，almostfiercely，disputedAllan’sconclusion。
“No！“hesaid，pointingtothelittlemarblefigureonthebracket，“thesceneis_not_complete——youhaveforgottensomething，asusual。TheDreamiswrongthistime，thankGod——utterlywrong！Inthevisionyousaw，thestatuewaslyinginfragmentsonthefloor，andyouwerestoopingoverthemwithatroubledandanangrymind。Therestandsthestatuesafeandsound！andyouhaven’tthevestigeofanangryfeelinginyourmind，haveyou？”HeseizedAllanimpulsivelybythehand。AtthesamemomenttheconsciousnesscametohimthathewasspeakingandactingasearnestlyasifhestillbelievedintheDream。Thecolorrushedbackoverhisface，andheturnedawayinconfusedsilence。
“WhatdidItellyou？”saidAllan，laughing，alittleuneasily。
“ThatnightontheWreckishangingonyourmindasheavilyasever。”
“Nothinghangsheavyonme。”retortedMidwinter，withasuddenoutburstofimpatience，“buttheknapsackonmyback，andthetimeI’mwastinghere。I’llgoout，andseeifit’slikelytoclearup。”
“You’llcomeback？”interposedAllan。
MidwinteropenedtheFrenchwindow，andsteppedoutintothegarden。
“Yes。”hesaid，answeringwithallhisformergentlenessofmanner;“I’llcomebackinafortnight。Good-by，Allan;andgoodluckwithMissGwilt！“
Hepushedthewindowto，andwasawayacrossthegardenbeforehisfriendcouldopenitagainandfollowhim。
Allanrose，andtookonestepintothegarden;thencheckedhimselfatthewindow，andreturnedtohischair。HeknewMidwinterwellenoughtofeelthetotaluselessnessofattemptingtofollowhimortocallhimback。Hewasgone，andfortwoweekstocometherewasnohopeofseeinghimagain。Anhourormorepassed，therainstillfell，andtheskystillthreatened。A
heavierandheaviersenseoflonelinessanddespondency——thesenseofallotherswhichhispreviouslifehadleastfittedhimtounderstandandendure——possesseditselfofAllan’smind。Insheerhorrorofhisownuninhabitablysolitaryhouse，herangforhishatandumbrella，andresolvedtotakerefugeinthemajor’scottage。
“Imighthavegonealittlewaywithhim。”thoughtAllan，hismindstillrunningonMidwinterasheputonhishat。“Ishouldliketohaveseenthedearoldfellowfairlystartedonhisjourney。”
Hetookhisumbrella。Ifhehadnoticedthefaceoftheservantwhogaveittohim，hemightpossiblyhaveaskedsomequestions，andmighthaveheardsomenewstointeresthiminhispresentframeofmind。Asitwas，hewentoutwithoutlookingattheman，andwithoutsuspectingthathisservantsknewmoreofMidwinter’slastmomentsatThorpeAmbrosethanheknewhimself。Nottenminutessince，thegrocerandbutcherhadcalledintoreceivepaymentoftheirbills，andthegrocerandthebutcherhadseenhowMidwinterstartedonhisjourney。
Thegrocerhadmethimfirst，notfarfromthehouse，stoppingonhisway，inthepouringrain，tospeaktoalittleraggedimpofaboy，thepestoftheneighborhood。Theboy’scustomaryimpudencehadbrokenoutevenmoreunrestrainedlythanusualatthesightofthegentleman’sknapsack。Andwhathadthegentlemandoneinreturn？Hehadstoppedandlookeddistressed，andhadputhistwohandsgentlyontheboy’sshoulders。Thegrocer’sowneyeshadseenthat;andthegrocer’sownearshadheardhimsay，“Poorlittlechap！Iknowhowthewindgnawsandtherainwetsthrougharaggedjacket，betterthanmostpeoplewhohavegotagoodcoatontheirbacks。”Andwiththosewordshehadputhishandinhispocket，andhadrewardedtheboy’simpudencewithapresentofashilling。“Wronghere-abouts。”saidthegrocer，touchinghisforehead。“That’smyopinionofMr。Armadale’sfriend！“
Thebutcherhadseenhimfurtheroninthejourney，attheotherendofthetown。Hehadstopped——againinthepouringrain——andthistimetolookatnothingmoreremarkablethanahalf-starvedcur，shiveringonadoorstep。“Ihadmyeyeonhim。”saidthebutcher;“andwhatdoyouthinkhedid？Hecrossedtheroadovertomyshop，andboughtabitofmeatfitforaChristian。Verywell。Hesaysgood-morning，andcrossesbackagain;and，onthewordofaman，downhegoesonhiskneesonthewetdoorstep，andouthetakeshisknife，andcutsupthemeat，andgivesittothedog。Meat，Itellyouagain，fitforaChristian！I’mnotahardman，ma’am。”concludedthebutcher，addressingthecook，“butmeat’smeat;anditwillserveyourmaster’sfriendrightifhelivestowantit。”
Withthoseoldunforgottensympathiesoftheoldunforgottentimetokeephimcompanyonhislonelyroad，hehadleftthetownbehindhim，andhadbeenlosttoviewinthemistyrain。Thegrocerandthebutcherhadseenthelastofhim，andhadjudgedagreatnature，asallnatures_are_judgedfromthegrocerandthebutcherpointofview。
THEENDOFTHESECONDBOOK。
BOOKTHETHIRD。
CHAPTERI。
MRS。MILROY。
TwodaysafterMidwinter’sdeparturefromThorpeAmbrose，Mrs。
Milroy，havingcompletedhermorningtoilet，andhavingdismissedhernurse，rangthebellagainfiveminutesafterward，andonthewoman’sre-appearanceaskedimpatientlyiftheposthadcomein“Post？”echoedthenurse。“Haven’tyougotyourwatch？Don’tyouknowthatit’sagoodhalf-hourtoosoontoaskforyourletters？”Shespokewiththeconfidentinsolenceofaservantlongaccustomedtopresumeonhermistress’sweaknessandhermistress’snecessities。Mrs。Milroy，onherside，appearedtobewellusedtohernursesmanner;shegaveherorderscomposedly，withoutnoticingit。
“Whenthepostmandoescome。”shesaid，“seehimyourself。IamexpectingaletterwhichIoughttohavehadtwodayssince。I
don’tunderstandit。I’mbeginningtosuspecttheservants。”
Thenursesmiledcontemptuously。“Whomwillyoususpectnext？”
sheasked。“There！don’tputyourselfout。I’llanswerthegate-bellthismorning;andwe’llseeifIcan’tbringyoualetterwhenthepostmancomes。”Sayingthosewords，withthetoneandmannerofawomanwhoisquietingafractiouschild，thenurse，withoutwaitingtobedismissed，lefttheroom。
Mrs。Milroyturnedslowlyandwearilyonherbed，whenshewasleftbyherselfagain，andletthelightfromthewindowfallonherface。Itwasthefaceofawomanwhohadoncebeenhandsome，andwhowasstill，sofarasyearswent，intheprimeofherlife。Long-continuedsufferingofbodyandlong-continuedirritationofmindhadwornheraway——intheroughlyexpressivepopularphrase——toskinandbone。Theutterwreckofherbeautywasmadeawreckhorribletobehold，byherdesperateeffortstoconcealthesightofitfromherowneyes，fromtheeyesofherhusbandandherchild，fromtheeyesevenofthedoctorwhoattendedher，andwhosebusinessitwastopenetratetothetruth。Herhead，fromwhichthegreaterpartofthehairhadfallenoff;wouldhavebeenlessshockingtoseethanthehideouslyyouthfulwigbywhichshetriedtohidetheloss。Nodeteriorationofhercomplexion，nowrinklingofherskin，couldhavebeensodreadfultolookatastherougethatlaythickonhercheeks，andthewhiteenamelplasteredonherforehead。Thedelicatelace，andthebrighttrimmingonherdressing-gown，theribbonsinhercap，andtheringsonherbonyfingers，allintendedtodrawtheeyeawayfromthechangethathadpassedoverher，directedtheeyetoit，onthecontrary;emphasizedit;
madeitbysheerforceofcontrastmorehopelessandmorehorriblethanitreallywas。Anillustratedbookofthefashions，inwhichwomenwererepresentedexhibitingtheirfinerybymeansofthefreeuseoftheirlimbs，layonthebed，fromwhichshehadnotmovedforyearswithoutbeingliftedbyhernurse。A
hand-glasswasplacedwiththebooksothatshecouldreachiteasily。Shetookuptheglassafterherattendanthadlefttheroom，andlookedatherfacewithanunblushinginterestandattentionwhichshewouldhavebeenashamedofherselfattheageofeighteen。
“Olderandolder，andthinnerandthinner！“shesaid。“Themajorwillsoonbeafreeman;butI’llhavethatred-hairedhussyoutofthehousefirst！“
Shedroppedthelooking-glassonthecounterpane，andclinchedthehandthatheldit。Hereyessuddenlyrivetedthemselvesonalittlecrayonportraitofherhusbandhangingontheoppositewall;theylookedatthelikenesswiththehardandcruelbrightnessoftheeyesofabirdofprey。“Redisyourtasteinyouroldageisit？”shesaidtotheportrait。“Redhair，andascrofulouscomplexion，andapaddedfigure，aballet-girl’swalk，andapickpocket’slightfingers。_Miss_Gwilt！_Miss，_withthoseeyes，andthatwalk！“Sheturnedherheadsuddenlyonthepillow，andburstintoaharsh，jeeringlaugh。“_Miss！_“sherepeatedoverandoveragain，withthevenomouslypointedemphasisofthemostmercilessofallhumanformsofcontempt——thecontemptofonewomanforanother。
Theageweliveinisanagewhichfindsnohumancreatureinexcusable。IsthereanexcuseforMrs。Milroy？Letthestoryofherlifeanswerthequestion。
Shehadmarriedthemajoratanunusuallyearlyage;and，inmarryinghim，hadtakenamanforherhusbandwhowasoldenoughtobeherfather——amanwho，atthattime，hadthereputation，andnotunjustly，ofhavingmadethefreestuseofhissocialgiftsandhisadvantagesofpersonalappearanceinthesocietyofwomen。Indifferentlyeducated，andbelowherhusbandinstation，shehadbegunbyacceptinghisaddressesundertheinfluenceofherownflatteredvanity，andhadendedbyfeelingthefascinationwhichMajorMilroyhadexercisedoverwomeninfinitelyhermentalsuperiorsinhisearlierlife。Hehadbeentouched，onhisside，byherdevotion，andhadfelt，inhisturn，theattractionofherbeauty，herfreshness，andheryouth。Uptothetimewhentheirlittledaughterandonlychildhadreachedtheageofeightyears，theirmarriedlifehadbeenanunusuallyhappyone。Atthatperiodthedoublemisfortunefellonthehousehold，ofthefailureofthewife’shealth，andthealmosttotallossofthehusband’sfortune;andfromthatmomentthedomestichappinessofthemarriedpairwasvirtuallyatanend。
Havingreachedtheagewhenmeningeneralarereadier，underthepressureofcalamity，toresignthemselvesthantoresist，themajorhadsecuredthelittlerelicsofhisproperty，hadretiredintothecountry，andhadpatientlytakenrefugeinhismechanicalpursuits。Awomannearertohiminage，orawomanwithabettertrainingandmorepatienceofdispositionthanhiswifepossessed，wouldhaveunderstoodthemajor’sconduct，andhavefoundconsolationinthemajor’ssubmission。Mrs。Milroyfoundconsolationinnothing。Neithernaturenortraininghelpedhertomeetresignedlythecruelcalamitywhichhadstruckatherinthebloomofwomanhoodandtheprimeofbeauty。Thecurseofincurablesicknessblightedheratonceandforlife。
Sufferingcan，anddoes，developthelatentevilthatthereisinhumanity，aswellasthelatentgood。ThegoodthatwasinMrs。
Milroy’snatureshrankup，underthatsubtlydeterioratinginfluenceinwhichtheevilgrewandflourished。Monthbymonth，asshebecametheweakerwomanphysically，shebecametheworsewomanmorally。Allthatwasmean，cruel，andfalseinherexpandedinsteadyproportiontothecontractionofallthathadoncebeengenerous，gentle，andtrue。Oldsuspicionsofherhusband’sreadinesstorelapseintotheirregularitiesofhisbachelorlife，which，inherhealthierdaysofmindandbody，shehadopenlyconfessedtohim——whichshehadalwayssoonerorlaterseentobesuspicionsthathehadnotdeserved——cameback，nowthatsicknesshaddivorcedherfromhim，intheformofthatbaserconjugaldistrustwhichkeepsitselfcunninglysecret;
whichgatherstogetheritsinflammatoryparticlesatombyatomintoaheap，andsetstheslowlyburningfrenzyofjealousyalightinthemind。Noproofofherhusband’sblamelessandpatientlifethatcouldnowbeshowntoMrs。Milroy;noappealthatcouldbemadetoherrespectforherself，orforherchildgrowinguptowomanhood，availedtodissipatetheterribledelusionbornofherhopelessillness，andgrowingsteadilywithitsgrowth。Likeallothermadness，ithaditsebbandflow，itstimeofspasmodicoutburst，anditstimeofdeceitfulrepose;
but，activeorpassive，itwasalwaysinher。Ithadinjuredinnocentservants，andinsultedblamelessstrangers。Ithadbroughtthefirsttearsofshameandsorrowintoherdaughter’seyes，andhadsetthedeepestlinesthatscoreditinherhusband’sface。Ithadmadethesecretmiseryofthelittlehouseholdforyears;anditwasnowtopassbeyondthefamilylimits，andtoinfluencecomingeventsatThorpeAmbrose，inwhichthefutureinterestsofAllanandAllan’sfriendwerevitallyconcerned。
Amoment’sglanceatthepostureofdomesticaffairsinthecottage，priortotheengagementofthenewgoverness，isnecessarytothedueappreciationoftheseriousconsequencesthatfollowedMissGwilt’sappearanceonthescene。
OnthemarriageofthegovernesswhohadlivedinhisserviceformanyyearsawomanofanageandanappearancetosetevenMrs。
Milroy’sjealousyatdefiance，themajorhadconsideredthequestionofsendinghisdaughterawayfromhomefarmoreseriouslythanhiswifesupposed。Hewasconsciousthatscenestookplaceinthehouseatwhichnoyounggirlshouldbepresent;
buthefeltaninvinciblereluctancetoapplytheoneefficientremedy——thekeepinghisdaughterawayfromhomeinschooltimeandholidaytimealike。Thestrugglethusraisedinhismindoncesetatrest，bytheresolutiontoadvertiseforanewgoverness，MajorMilroy’snaturaltendencytoavoidtroubleratherthantomeetithaddeclareditselfinitscustomarymanner。Hehadclosedhiseyesagainonhishomeanxietiesasquietlyasusual，andhadgoneback，ashehadgonebackonhundredsofpreviousoccasions，totheconsolingsocietyofhisoldfriendtheclock。
Itwasfarotherwisewiththemajor’swife。Thechancewhichherhusbandhadentirelyoverlooked，thatthenewgovernesswhowastocomemightbeayoungerandamoreattractivewomanthantheoldgovernesswhohadgone，wasthefirstchancethatpresenteditselfaspossibletoMrs。Milroy’smind。Shehadsaidnothing。
Secretlywaiting，andsecretlynursingherinveteratedistrust，shehadencouragedherhusbandandherdaughtertoleaveherontheoccasionofthepicnic，withtheexpresspurposeofmakinganopportunityforseeingthenewgovernessalone。Thegovernesshadshownherself;andthesmolderingfireofMrs。Milroy’sjealousyhadburstintoflameinthemomentwhensheandthehandsomestrangerfirstseteyesoneachother。
Theinterviewover，Mrs。Milroy’ssuspicionsfastenedatonceandimmovablyonherhusband’smother。
ShewaswellawarethattherewasnooneelseinLondononwhomthemajorcoulddependtomakethenecessaryinquiries;shewaswellawarethatMissGwilthadappliedforthesituation，inthefirstinstance，asastrangeransweringanadvertisementpublishedinanewspaper。Yetknowingthis，shehadobstinatelyclosedhereyes，withtheblindfrenzyoftheblindestofallthepassions，tothefactsstraightbeforeher;and，lookingbacktothelastofmanyquarrelsbetweenthemwhichhadendedinseparatingtheelderladyandherself，hadseizedontheconclusionthatMissGwilt’sengagementwasduetohermother-in-law’svindictiveenjoymentofmakingmischiefinherhousehold。Theinferencewhichtheveryservantsthemselves，witnessesofthefamilyscandal，hadcorrectlydrawn——thatthemajor’smother，insecuringtheservicesofawell-recommendedgovernessforherson，hadthoughtitnopartofherdutytoconsiderthatgoverness’slooksinthepurelyfancifulinterestsofthemajor’swife——wasaninferencewhichitwassimplyimpossibletoconveyintoMrs。Milroy’smind。MissGwilthadbarelyclosedthesick-roomdoorwhenthewhisperedwordshissedoutofMrs。Milroy’slips，“Beforeanotherweekisoveryourhead，mylady，yougo！“
Fromthatmoment，throughthewakefulnightandthewearyday，theoneobjectofthebedriddenwoman’slifewastoprocurethenewgoverness’sdismissalfromthehouse。
Theassistanceofthenurse，inthecapacityofspy，wassecured——asMrs。Milroyhadbeenaccustomedtosecureotherextraserviceswhichherattendantwasnotboundtorenderher——byapresentofadressfromthemistress’swardrobe。OneafteranotherarticlesofwearingapparelwhichwerenowuselesstoMrs。Milroyhadministeredinthiswaytofeedthenurse’sgreed——theinsatiablegreedofanuglywomanforfineclothes。
Bribedwiththesmartestdressshehadsecuredyet，thehouseholdspytookhersecretorders，andappliedherselfwithavileenjoymentofittohersecretwork。
Thedayspassed，theworkwenton;butnothinghadcomeofit。
Mistressandservanthadawomantodealwithwhowasamatchforbothofthem。
Repeatedintrusionsonthemajor，whenthegovernesshappenedtobeinthesameroomwithhim，failedtodiscovertheslightestimproprietyofword，look，oraction，oneitherside。Stealthywatchingandlisteningatthegoverness’sbedroomdoordetectedthatshekeptalightinherroomatlatehoursofthenight，andthatshegroanedandgroundherteethinhersleep——anddetectednothingmore。Carefulsuperintendenceintheday-timeprovedthatsheregularlypostedherownletters，insteadofgivingthemtotheservant;andthatoncertainoccasions，whentheoccupationofherhoursoutoflessontimeandwalkingtimewasleftatherowndisposal，shehadbeensuddenlymissedfromthegarden，andthencaughtcomingbackalonetoitfromthepark。Onceandonceonly，thenursehadfoundanopportunityoffollowingheroutofthegarden，hadbeendetectedimmediatelyinthepark，andhadbeenaskedwiththemostexasperatingpolitenessifshewishedtojoinMissGwiltinawalk。Smallcircumstancesofthiskind，whichweresufficientlysuspicioustothemindofajealouswoman，werediscoveredinabundance。Butcircumstances，onwhichtofoundavalidgroundofcomplaintthatmightbelaidbeforethemajor，provedtobeutterlywanting。Dayfollowedday，andMissGwiltremainedpersistentlycorrectinherconduct，andpersistentlyirreproachableinherrelationstowardheremployerandherpupil。
Foiledinthisdirection，Mrs。Milroytriednexttofindanassailableplaceinthestatementwhichthegoverness’sreferencehadmadeonthesubjectofthegoverness’scharacter。
Obtainingfromthemajortheminutelycarefulreportwhichhismotherhadaddressedtohimonthistopic，Mrs。Milroyreadandrereadit，andfailedtofindtheweakpointofwhichshewasinsearchinanypartoftheletter。Allthecustomaryquestionsonsuchoccasionshadbeenasked，andallhadbeenscrupulouslyandplainlyanswered。Theonesoleopeningforanattackwhichitwaspossibletodiscoverwasanopeningwhichshoweditself，aftermorepracticalmattershadbeenalldisposedof，intheclosingsentencesoftheletter。
“Iwassostruck。”thepassageran，“bythegraceanddistinctionofMissGwilt’smannersthatItookanopportunity，whenshewasoutoftheroom，ofaskinghowshefirstcametobegoverness。
’Intheusualway，’Iwastold。’Asadfamilymisfortune，inwhichshebehavednobly。Sheisaverysensitiveperson，andshrinksfromspeakingofitamongstrangers——anaturalreluctancewhichIhavealwaysfeltitamatterofdelicacytorespect。’
Hearingthis，ofcourse，Ifeltthesamedelicacyonmyside。Itwasnopartofmydutytointrudeonthepoorthing’sprivatesorrows;myonlybusinesswastodowhatIhavenowdone，tomakesurethatIwasengagingacapableandrespectablegovernesstoinstructmygrandchild。”
Aftercarefulconsiderationoftheselines，Mrs。Milroy，havingastrongdesiretofindcircumstancessuspicious，foundthemsuspiciousaccordingly。ShedeterminedtosiftthemysteryofMissGwilt’sfamilymisfortunestothebottom，onthechanceofextractingfromitsomethingusefultoherpurpose。Thereweretwowaysofdoingthis。Shemightbeginbyquestioningthegovernessherself，orshemightbeginbyquestioningthegoverness’sreference。ExperienceofMissGwilt’squicknessofresourceindealingwithawkwardquestionsattheirintroductoryinterviewdecidedherontakingthelattercourse。“I’llgettheparticularsfromthereferencefirst。”thoughtMrs。Milroy，“andthenquestionthecreatureherself，andseeifthetwostoriesagree。”
Theletterofinquirywasshort，andscrupuouslytothepoint。
Mrs。Milroybeganbyinforminghercorrespondentthatthestateofherhealthnecessitatedleavingherdaughterentirelyunderthegoverness’sinfluenceandcontrol。Onthataccountshewasmoreanxiousthanmostmotherstobethoroughlyinformedineveryrespectaboutthepersontowhomsheconfidedtheentirechargeofanonlychild;andfeelingthisanxiety，shemightperhapsbeexcusedforputtingwhatmightbethought，aftertheexcellentcharacterMissGwilthadreceived，asomewhatunnecessaryquestion。Withthatpreface，Mrs。Milroycametothepoint，andrequestedtobeinformedofthecircumstanceswhichhadobligedMissGwilttogooutasagoverness。
Theletter，expressedintheseterms，waspostedthesameday。Onthemorningwhentheanswerwasdue，noanswerappeared。Thenextmorningarrived，andstilltherewasnoreply。Whenthethirdmorningcame，Mrs。Milroy’simpatiencehadbrokenloosefromallrestraint。Shehadrungforthenurseinthemannerwhichhasbeenalreadyrecorded，andhadorderedthewomantobeinwaitingtoreceivethelettersofthemorningwithherownhands。Inthispositionmattersnowstood;andinthesedomesticcircumstancesthenewseriesofeventsatThorpeAmbrosetooktheirrise。
Mrs。Milroyhadjustlookedatherwatch，andhadjustputherhandoncemoretothebell-pull，whenthedooropenedandthenurseenteredtheroom。
“Hasthepostmancome？”askedMrs。Milroy。
Thenurselaidaletteronthebedwithoutanswering，andwaited，withunconcealedcuriosity，towatchtheeffectwhichitproducedonhermistress。
Mrs。Milroytoreopentheenvelopetheinstantitwasinherhand。Aprintedpaperappearedwhichshethrewaside，surroundingaletterwhichshelookedatinherownhandwriting！Shesnatcheduptheprintedpaper。ItwasthecustomaryPost-officecircular，informingherthatherletterhadbeendulypresentedattherightaddress，andthatthepersonwhomshehadwrittentowasnottobefound。
“Somethingwrong？”askedthenurse，detectingachangeinhermistress’sface。
Thequestionpassedunheeded。Mrs。Milroy’swriting-deskwasonthetableatthebedside。Shetookfromittheletterwhichthemajor’smotherhadwrittentoherson，andturnedtothepagecontainingthenameandaddressofMissGwilt’sreference。“Mrs。Mandeville，18KingsdownCrescent，Bayswater。”sheread，eagerlytoherself，andthenlookedattheaddressonherownreturnedletter。Noerrorhadbeencommitted:
thedirectionswereidenticallythesame。
“Somethingwrong？”reiteratedthenurse，advancingastepnearertothebed。
“ThankGod——yes！“criedMrs。Milroy，withasuddenoutburstofexultation。ShetossedthePost-officecirculartothenurse，andbeatherbonyhandsonthebedclothesinanecstasyofanticipatedtriumph。“MissGwilt’sanimpostor！MissGwilt’sanimpostor！IfIdieforit，Rachel，I’llbecarriedtothewindowtoseethepolicetakeheraway！“
“It’sonethingtosayshe’sanimpostorbehindherback，andanotherthingtoproveittoherface。”remarkedthenurse。Sheputherhandasshespokeintoherapronpocket，and，withasignificantlookathermistress，silentlyproducedasecondletter。
“Forme？”askedMrs。Milroy。
“No！“saidthenurse;“forMissGwilt。”
Thetwowomeneyedeachother，andunderstoodeachotherwithoutanotherword。
“Whereisshe？”saidMrs。Milroy。
Thenursepointedinthedirectionofthepark。“Outagain，foranotherwalkbeforebreakfast——byherself。”
Mrs。Milroybeckonedtothenursetostoopcloseoverher。“Canyouopenit，Rachel？”shewhispered。
Rachelnodded。
“Canyoucloseitagain，sothatnobodywouldknow？”
“Canyousparethescarfthatmatchesyourpearlgraydress？”
askedRachel。
“Takeit！“saidMrs。Milroy，impatiently。
Thenurseopenedthewardrobeinsilence，tookthescarfinsilence，andlefttheroominsilence。InlessthanfiveminutesshecamebackwiththeenvelopeofMissGwilt’sletteropeninherhand。
“Thankyou，ma’am，forthescarf。”saidRachel，puttingtheopenlettercomposedlyonthecounterpaneofthebed。
Mrs。Milroylookedattheenvelope。Ithadbeenclosedasusualbymeansofadhesivegum，whichhadbeenmadetogivewaybytheapplicationofsteam。AsMrs。Milroytookouttheletter，herhandtrembledviolently，andthewhiteenamelpartedintocracksoverthewrinklesonherforehead。
Rachelwithdrewtothewindowtokeepwatchonthepark。“Don’thurry。”shesaid。“Nosignsofheryet。”
Mrs。Milroystillpaused，keepingtheall-importantmorselofpaperfoldedinherhand。ShecouldhavetakenMissGwilt’slife，butshehesitatedatreadingMissGwilt’sletter。
“Areyoutroubledwithscruples？”askedthenurse，withasneer。
“Consideritadutyyouowetoyourdaughter。”
“Youwretch！“saidMrs。Milroy。Withthatexpressionofopinion，sheopenedtheletter。
Itwasevidentlywritteningreathaste，wasundated，andwassignedininitialsonly。Thusitran:
“DianaStreet。
“BYDEARLYDIA——Thecabiswaitingatthedoor，andIhaveonlyamomenttotellyouthatIamobligedtoleaveLondon，onbusiness，forthreeorfourdays，oraweekatlongest。Myletterswillbeforwardedifyouwrite。Igotyoursyesterday，andIagreewithyouthatitisveryimportanttoputhimofftheawkwardsubjectofyourselfandyourfamilyaslongasyousafelycan。Thebetteryouknowhim，thebetteryouwillbeabletomakeupthesortofstorythatwilldo。Oncetold，youwillhavetosticktoit;and，_having_tosticktoit，bewareofmakingitcomplicated，andbewareofmakingitinahurry。Iwillwriteagainaboutthis，andgiveyoumyownideas。Inthemeantime，don’triskmeetinghimtooofteninthepark。
“Yours，M。O。”
“Well？”askedthenurse，returningtothebedside。“Haveyoudonewithit？”
“Meetinghiminthepark！“repeatedMrs。Milroy，withhereyesstillfastenedontheletter。“_Him！_Rachel，whereisthemajor？”
“Inhisownroom。”
“Idon’tbelieveit！“
“Haveyourownway。Iwanttheletterandtheenvelope。”
“Canyoucloseitagainsothatshewon’tknow？”
“WhatIcanopenIcanshut。Anythingmore？”
“Nothingmore。”
Mrs。Milroywasleftaloneagain，toreviewherplanofattackbythenewlightthathadnowbeenthrownonMissGwilt。
Theinformationthathadbeengainedbyopeningthegoverness’sletterpointedplainlytotheconclusionthatanadventuresshadstolenherwayintothehousebymeansofafalsereference。Buthavingbeenobtainedbyanactoftreacherywhichitwasimpossibletoacknowledge，itwasnotinformationthatcouldbeusedeitherforwarningthemajororforexposingMissGwilt。TheoneavailableweaponinMrs。Milroy’shandswastheweaponfurnishedbyherownreturnedletter，andtheonequestiontodecidewashowtomakethebestandspeediestuseofit。
Thelongersheturnedthematteroverinhermind，themorehastyandprematureseemedtheexultationwhichshehadfeltatthefirstsightofthePost-officecircular。Thataladyactingasreferencetoagovernessshouldhavequittedherresidencewithoutleavinganytracebehindher，andwithoutevenmentioninganaddresstowhichherletterscouldbeforwarded，wasacircumstanceinitselfsufficientlysuspicioustobementionedtothemajor。ButMrs。Milroy，howeverpervertedherestimateofherhusbandmightbeinsomerespects，knewenoughofhischaractertobeassuredthat，ifshetoldhimwhathadhappened，hewouldfranklyappealtothegovernessherselfforanexplanation。MissGwilt’squicknessandcunningwould，inthatcase，producesomeplausibleansweronthespot，whichthemajor’spartialitywouldbeonlytooreadytoaccept;andshewouldatthesametime，nodoubt，placemattersintrain，bymeansofthepost，fortheduearrivalofallneedfulconfirmationonthepartofheraccompliceinLondon。Tokeepstrictsilenceforthepresent，andtoinstitutewithoutthegoverness’sknowledgesuchinquiriesasmightbenecessarytothediscoveryofundeniableevidence，wasplainlytheonlysafecoursetotakewithsuchamanasthemajor，andwithsuchawomanasMissGwilt。Helplessherself，towhomcouldMrs。Milroycommitthedifficultanddangeroustaskofinvestigation？Thenurse，evenifshewastobetrusted，couldnotbesparedataday’snotice，andcouldnotbesentawaywithouttheriskofexcitingremark。Wasthereanyothercompetentandreliablepersontoemploy，eitheratThorpeAmbroseorinLondon？Mrs。Milroyturnedfromsidetosideofthebed，searchingeverycornerofhermindfortheneedfuldiscovery，Andsearchinginvain。“Oh，ifIcouldonlylaymyhandonsomemanI
couldtrust！“shethought，despairingly。“IfIonlyknewwheretolookforsomebodytohelpme！“
Astheideapassedthroughhermind，thesoundofherdaughter’svoicestartledherfromtheothersideofthedoor。
“MayIcomein？”askedNeelie。
“Whatdoyouwant？”returnedMrs。Milroy，impatiently。
“Ihavebroughtupyourbreakfast，mamma。”
“Mybreakfast？”repeatedMrs。Milroy，insurprise。“Whydoesn’tRachelbringitupasusual？”Sheconsideredamoment，andthencalledout，sharply，“Comein！“
CHAPTERII。
THEMANISFOUND。
NEELIEenteredtheroom，carryingthetraywiththetea，thedrytoast，andthepatofbutterwhichcomposedtheinvalid’sinvariablebreakfast。
“Whatdoesthismean？”askedMrs。Milroy，speakingandlookingasshemighthavespokenandlookedifthewrongservanthadcomeintotheroom。
Neelieputthetraydownonthebedsidetable。“IthoughtI
shouldliketobringyouupyourbreakfast，mamma，foronceinaway。”shereplied，“andIaskedRacheltoletme。”
“Comehere。”saidMrs。Milroy，“andwishmegood-morning。”
Neelieobeyed。Asshestoopedtokisshermother，Mrs。Milroycaughtherbythearm，andturnedherroughlytothelight。Therewereplainsignsofdisturbanceanddistressinherdaughter’sface。AdeadlythrillofterrorranthroughMrs。Milroyontheinstant。ShesuspectedthattheopeningoftheletterhadbeendiscoveredbyMissGwilt，andthatthenursewaskeepingoutofthewayinconsequence。
“Letmego，mamma。”saidNeelie，shrinkingunderhermother’sgrasp。“Youhurtme。”
“Tellmewhyyouhavebroughtupmybreakfastthismorning。”
persistedMrs。Milroy。
“Ihavetoldyou，mamma。”
“Youhavenot！Youhavemadeanexcuse;Iseeitinyourface。
Come！whatisit？”
Neelie’sresolutiongavewaybeforehermother’s。Shelookedasideuneasilyatthethingsinthetray。“Ihavebeenvexed。”
shesaid，withaneffort;“andIdidn’twanttostopinthebreakfast-room。Iwantedtocomeuphere，andtospeaktoyou。”
“Vexed？Whohasvexedyou？Whathashappened？HasMissGwiltanythingtodowithit？”
Neelielookedroundagainathermotherinsuddencuriosityandalarm。“Mamma！“shesaid，“youreadmythoughts。Ideclareyoufrightenme。It_was_MissGwilt。”
BeforeMrs。Milroycouldsayawordmoreonherside，thedooropenedandthenurselookedin。
“Haveyougotwhatyouwant？”sheasked，ascomposedlyasusual。
“Miss，there，insistedontakingyourtrayupthismorning。Hasshebrokenanything？”
“Gotothewindow。IwanttospeaktoRachel。”saidMrs。Milroy。
Assoonasherdaughter’sbackwasturned，shebeckonedeagerlytothenurse。“Anythingwrong？”sheasked，inawhisper。“Doyouthinkshesuspectsus？”
Thenurseturnedawaywithherhard，sneeringsmile。“Itoldyouitshouldbedone。”shesaid，“andit_has_beendone。Shehasn’ttheghostofasuspicion。Iwaitedintheroom;andIsawhertakeuptheletterandopenit。”
Mrs。Milroydrewadeepbreathofrelief。“Thankyou。”shesaid，loudenoughforherdaughtertohear。“Iwantnothingmore。”
Thenursewithdrew;andNeeliecamebackfromthewindow。Mrs。
Milroytookherbythehand，andlookedathermoreattentivelyandmorekindlythanusual。Herdaughterinterestedherthatmorning;forherdaughterhadsomethingtosayonthesubjectofMissGwilt。
“Iusedtothinkthatyoupromisedtobepretty，child。”shesaid，cautiouslyresumingtheinterruptedconversationintheleastdirectway。“Butyoudon’tseemtobekeepingyourpromise。
Youlookoutofhealthandoutofspirits。Whatisthematterwithyou？”
Iftherehadbeenanysympathybetweenmotherandchild，Neeliemighthaveownedthetruth。Shemighthavesaidfrankly:“Iamlookingill，becausemylifeismiserabletome。IamfondofMr。
Armadale，andMr。Armadalewasoncefondofme。Wehadonelittledisagreement，onlyone，inwhichIwastoblame。Iwantedtotellhimsoatthetime，andIhavewantedtotellhimsoeversince;
andMissGwiltstandsbetweenusandpreventsme。Shehasmadeuslikestrangers;shehasalteredhim，andtakenhimawayfromme。
Hedoesn’tlookatmeashedid;hedoesn’tspeaktomeashedid;heisneveralonewithmeasheusedtobe;Ican’tsaythewordstohimthatIlongtosay;andIcan’twritetohim，foritwouldlookasifIwantedtogethimback。ItisalloverbetweenmeandMr。Armadale;anditisthatwoman’sfault。Thereisill-bloodbetweenMissGwiltandmethewholedaylong;andsaywhatImay，anddowhatImay，shealwaysgetsthebetterofme，andalwaysputsmeinthewrong。EverythingIsawatThorpeAmbrosepleasedme，everythingIdidatThorpeAmbrosemademehappy，beforeshecame。Nothingpleasesme，andnothingmakesmehappynow！“IfNeeliehadeverbeenaccustomedtoaskhermother’sadviceandtotrustherselftohermother’slove，shemighthavesaidsuchwordsasthese。As。itwas，thetearscameintohereyes，andshehungherheadinsilence。
“Come！“saidMrs。Milroy，beginningtolosepatience。“YouhavesomethingtosaytomeaboutMissGwilt。Whatisit？”
Neelieforcedbackhertears，andmadeanefforttoanswer。
“Sheaggravatesmebeyondendurance，mamma;Ican’tbearher;I
shalldosomething——“Neeliestopped，andstampedherfootangrilyonthefloor。“Ishallthrowsomethingatherheadifwegoonmuchlongerlikethis！IshouldhavethrownsomethingthismorningifIhadn’tlefttheroom。Oh，dospeaktopapaaboutit！
Dofindoutsomereasonforsendingheraway！I’llgotoschool——I’lldoanythingintheworldtogetridofMissGwilt！“
TogetridofMissGwilt！Atthosewords——atthatechofromherdaughter’slipsoftheonedominantdesirekeptsecretinherownheart——Mrs。Milroyslowlyraisedherselfinbed。Whatdiditmean？Wasthehelpshewantedcomingfromtheverylastofallquartersinwhichshecouldhavethoughtoflookingforit？
“WhydoyouwanttogetridofMissGwilt？”sheasked。“Whathaveyougottocomplainof？”
“Nothing！“saidNeelie。“That’stheaggravationofit。MissGwiltwon’tletmehaveanythingtocomplainof。Sheisperfectlydetestable;sheisdrivingmemad;andsheisthepinkofproprietyallthetime。Idaresayit’swrong，butIdon’tcare——Ihateher！“
Mrs。Milroy’seyesquestionedherdaughter’sfaceastheyhadneverquestionedityet。Therewassomethingunderthesurface，evidently——somethingwhichitmightbeofvitalimportancetoherownpurposetodiscover——whichhadnotrisenintoview。ShewentonprobingherwaydeeperanddeeperintoNeelie’smind，withawarmerandwarmerinterestinNeelie’ssecret。
“Pourmeoutacupoftea。”shesaid;“anddon’texciteyourself，mydear。Whydoyouspeakto_me_aboutthis？Whydon’tyouspeaktoyourfather？”
“Ihavetriedtospeaktopapa。”saidNeelie。“Butit’snouse;
heistoogoodtoknowwhatawretchsheis。Sheisalwaysonherbestbehaviorwithhim;sheisalwayscontrivingtobeusefultohim。Ican’tmakehimunderstandwhyIdislikeMissGwilt;I
can’tmake_you_understand——Ionlyunderstanditmyself。”Shetriedtopouroutthetea，andintryingupsetthecup。“I’llgodownstairsagain！“exclaimedNeelie，withaburstoftears。“I’mnotfitforanything;Ican’tevenpouroutacupoftea！“
Mrs。Milroyseizedherhandandstoppedher。Triflingasitwas，Neelie’sreferencetotherelationsbetweenthemajorandMissGwilthadrousedhermother’sreadyjealousy。TherestraintswhichMrs。Milroyhadlaidonherselfthusfarvanishedinamoment——vanishedeveninthepresenceofagirlofsixteen，andthatgirlherownchild！
“Waithere！“shesaid，eagerly。“Youhavecometotherightplaceandtherightperson。GoonabusingMissGwilt。Iliketohearyou——Ihateher，too！“
“You，mamma！“exclaimedNeelie，lookingathermotherinastonishment。
ForamomentMrs。Milroyhesitatedbeforeshesaidmore。Somelast-leftinstinctofhermarriedlifeinitsearlierandhappiertimepleadedhardwithhertorespecttheyouthandthesexofherchild。Butjealousyrespectsnothing;intheheavenaboveandontheearthbeneath，nothingbutitself。Theslowfireofself-torment，burningnightanddayinthemiserablewoman’sbreast，flasheditsdeadlylightintohereyes，asthenextwordsdroppedslowlyandvenomouslyfromherlips。
“Ifyouhadhadeyesinyourhead，youwouldneverhavegonetoyourfather。”shesaid。“Yourfatherhasreasonsofhisownforhearingnothingthatyoucansay，orthatanybodycansay，againstMissGwilt。”
ManygirlsatNeelie’sagewouldhavefailedtoseethemeaninghiddenunderthosewords。Itwasthedaughter’smisfortune，inthisinstance，tohavehadexperienceenoughofthemothertounderstandher。Neeliestartedbackfromthebedside，withherfaceinaglow。“Mamma！“shesaid，“youaretalkinghorribly！
Papaisthebest，anddearest，andkindest——oh，Iwon’thearit！
Iwon’thearit！“
Mrs。Milroy’sfiercetemperbrokeoutinaninstant——brokeoutallthemoreviolentlyfromherfeelingherself，inspiteofherself，tohavebeeninthewrong。
“Youimpudentlittlefool！“sheretorted，furiously。“DoyouthinkIwant_you_toremindmeofwhatIowetoyourfather？AmItolearnhowtospeakofyourfather，andhowtothinkofyourfather，andhowtoloveandhonoryourfather，fromaforwardlittleminxlikeyou！Iwasfinelydisappointed，Icantellyou，whenyouwereborn——Iwishedforaboy，youimpudenthussy！Ifyoueverfindamanwhoisfoolenoughtomarryyou，hewillbealuckymanifyouonlylovehimhalfaswell，aquarteraswell，ahundred-thousandthpartaswell，asIlovedyourfather。Ah，youcancrywhenit’stoolate;youcancomecreepingbacktobegyourmother’spardonafteryouhaveinsultedher。Youlittledowdy，half-growncreature！IwashandsomerthaneveryouwillbewhenImarriedyourfather。Iwouldhavegonethroughfireandwatertoserveyourfather！Ifhehadaskedmetocutoffoneofmyarms，Iwouldhavedoneit——Iwouldhavedoneittopleasehim！“Sheturnedsuddenlywithherfacetothewall，forgettingherdaughter，forgettingherhusband，forgettingeverythingbutthetorturingremembranceofherlostbeauty。“Myarms！“sherepeatedtoherself，faintly。“WhatarmsIhadwhenIwasyoung！“
Shesnatchedupthesleeveofherdressing-gownfurtively，withashudder。“Oh，lookatitnow！lookatitnow！“
Neeliefellonherkneesatthebedsideandhidherface。Insheerdespairoffindingcomfortandhelpanywhereelse，shehadcastherselfimpulsivelyonhermother’smercy;andthiswashowithadended！“Oh，mamma。”shepleaded，“youknowIdidn’tmeantooffendyou！Icouldn’thelpitwhenyouspokesoofmyfather。
Oh，do，doforgiveme！“
Mrs。Milroyturnedagainonherpillow，andlookedatherdaughtervacantly。“Forgiveyou？”sherepeated，withhermindstillinthepast，gropingitswaybackdarklytothepresent。
“Ibegyourpardon，mamma——Ibegyourpardononmyknees。Iamsounhappy;Idosowantalittlekindness！Won’tyouforgiveme？”
“Waitalittle。”rejoinedMrs。Milroy。“Ah。”shesaid，afteraninterval，“nowIknow！Forgiveyou？Yes;I’llforgiveyouononecondition。”SheliftedNeelie’shead，andlookedhersearchinglyintheface。“TellmewhyyouhateMissGwilt！You’veareasonofyourownforhatingher，andyouhaven’tconfessedityet。”
Neelie’sheaddroppedagain。Theburningcolorthatshewashidingbyhidingherfaceshoweditselfonherneck。Hermothersawit，andgavehertime。
“Tellme。”reiteratedMrs。Milroy，moregently，“whydoyouhateher？”
Theanswercamereluctantly，awordatatime，infragments。
“Becausesheistrying——“
“Tryingwhat？”
“Tryingtomakesomebodywhoismuch——“
“Muchwhat？”
“Muchtooyoungforher——“
“Marryher？”
“Yes，mamma。”
Breathlesslyinterested，Mrs。Milroyleanedforward，andtwinedherhandcaressinglyinherdaughter’shair。
“Whoisit，Neelie？”sheasked，inawhisper。
“YouwillneversayItoldyou，mamma？”
“Never！Whoisit？”
“Mr。Armadale。”
Mrs。Milroyleanedbackonherpillowindeadsilence。Theplainbetrayalofherdaughter’sfirstlove，byherdaughter’sownlips，whichwouldhaveabsorbedthewholeattentionofothermothers，failedtooccupyherforamoment。Herjealousy，distortingallthingstofititsownconclusions，wasbusiedindistortingwhatshehadjustheard。“Ablind。”shethought，“whichhasdeceivedmygirl。Itdoesn’tdeceive_me。_IsMissGwiltlikelytosucceed？”sheasked，aloud。“DoesMr。Armadaleshowanysortofinterestinher？”
Neelielookedupathermotherforthefirsttime。Thehardestpartoftheconfessionwasovernow。ShehadrevealedthetruthaboutMissGwilt，andshehadopenlymentionedAllan’sname。
“Heshowsthemostunaccountableinterest。”shesaid。“It’simpossibletounderstandit。It’sdownrightinfatuation。I
haven’tpatiencetotalkaboutit！“
“Howdo_you_cometobeinMr。Armadale’ssecrets？”inquiredMrs。Milroy。“Hasheinformed_you，_ofallthepeopleintheworld，ofhisinterestinMissGwilt？”
“Me！“exclaimedNeelie，indignantly。“It’squitebadenoughthatheshouldhavetoldpapa。”
Atthere-appearanceofthemajorinthenarrative，Mrs。Milroy’sinterestintheconversationrosetoitsclimax。Sheraisedherselfagainfromthepillow。“Getachair。”shesaid。“Sitdown，child，andtellmeallaboutit。Everyword，mind——everyword！“
“Icanonlytellyou，mamma，whatpapatoldme。”
“When？”
“Saturday。Iwentinwithpapa’slunchtotheworkshop，andhesaid，’IhavejusthadavisitfromMr。Armadale;andIwanttogiveyouacautionwhileIthinkofit。’Ididn’tsayanything，mamma;Ionlywaited。Papawenton，andtoldmethatMr。ArmadalehadbeenspeakingtohimonthesubjectofMissGwilt，andthathehadbeenaskingaquestionaboutherwhichnobodyinhispositionhadarighttoask。Papasaidhehadbeenobliged，good-humoredly，towarnMr。Armadaletobealittlemoredelicate，andalittlemorecarefulnexttime。Ididn’tfeelmuchinterested，mamma;itdidn’tmatterto_me_whatMr。Armadalesaidordid。WhyshouldIcareaboutit？”
“Nevermindyourself。”interposedMrs。Milroy，sharply。“Goonwithwhatyourfathersaid。WhatwashedoingwhenhewastalkingaboutMissGwilt？Howdidhelook？”
“Muchasusual，mamma。Hewaswalkingupanddowntheworkshop;
andItookhisarmandwalkedupanddownwithhim。”
“Idon’tcarewhat_you_weredoing。”saidMrs。Milroy，moreandmoreirritably。“DidyourfathertellyouwhatMr。Armadale’squestionwas，ordidhenot？”
“Yes，mamma。HesaidMr。ArmadalebeganbymentioningthathewasverymuchinterestedinMissGwilt，andhethenwentontoaskwhetherpapacouldtellhimanythingaboutherfamilymisfortunes——“
“What！“criedMrs。Milroy。Thewordburstfromheralmostinascream，andthewhiteenamelonherfacecrackedinalldirections。“Mr。Armadalesaid_that？_“shewenton，leaningoutfurtherandfurtheroverthesideofthebed。
Neeliestartedup，andtriedtoputhermotherbackonthepillow。
“Mamma！“sheexclaimed，“areyouinpain？Areyouill？Youfrightenme！“
“Nothing，nothing，nothing。”saidMrs。Milroy。Shewastooviolentlyagitatedtomakeanyotherthanthecommonestexcuse。
“Mynervesarebadthismorning;don’tnoticeit。I’lltrytheothersideofthepillow。Goon！goon！。I’mlistening，thoughI’mnotlookingatyou。”Sheturnedherfacetothewall，andclinchedhertremblinghandsconvulsivelybeneaththebedclothes。
“I’vegother！“shewhisperedtoherself，underherbreath。“I’vegotheratlast！“
“I’mafraidI’vebeentalkingtoomuch。”saidNeelie。“I’mafraidI’vebeenstoppingheretoolong。ShallIgodownstairs，mamma，andcomebacklaterintheday？”
“Goon。”repeatedMrs。Milroy，mechanically。“Whatdidyourfathersaynext？AnythingmoreaboutMr。Armadale？”
“Nothingmore，excepthowpapaansweredhim。”repliedNeelie。
“Paparepeatedhisownwordswhenhetoldmeaboutit。Hesaid，’Intheabsenceofanyconfidencevolunteeredbytheladyherself，Mr。Armadale，allIknoworwishtoknow——andyoumustexcusemeforsaying，allanyoneelseneedknoworwishtoknow——isthatMissGwiltgavemeaperfectlysatisfactoryreferencebeforesheenteredmyhouse。’Severe，mamma，wasn’tit？
Idon’tpityhimintheleast;herichlydeservedit。Thenextthingwaspapa’scautionto_me。_HetoldmetocheckMr。
Armadale’scuriosityifheappliedtomenext。Asifhewaslikelytoapplytome！AndasifIshouldlistentohimifhedid！That’sall，mamma。Youwon’tsuppose，willyou，thatIhavetoldyouthisbecauseIwanttohinderMr。ArmadalefrommarryingMissGwilt？Lethimmarryherifhepleases;Idon’tcare！“saidNeelie，inavoicethatfalteredalittle，andwithafacewhichwashardlycomposedenoughtobeinperfectharmonywithadeclarationofindifference。“AllIwantistoberelievedfromthemiseryofhavingMissGwiltformygoverness。I’drathergotoschool。Ishouldliketogotoschool。Mymind’squitechangedaboutallthat，onlyIhaven’tthehearttotellpapa。Idon’tknowwhat’scometome，Idon’tseemtohaveheartenoughforanythingnow;andwhenpapatakesmeonhiskneeintheevening，andsays，’Let’shaveatalk，Neelie，’hemakesmecry。Wouldyoumindbreakingittohim，mamma，thatI’vechangedmymind，andI
wanttogotoschool？”Thetearsrosethicklyinhereyes，andshefailedtoseethathermothernevereventurnedonthepillowtolookroundather。
“Yes，yes。”saidMrs。Milroy，vacantly。“You’reagoodgirl;youshallgotoschool。”
Thecruelbrevityofthereply，andthetoneinwhichitwasspoken，toldNeelieplainlythathermother’sattentionhadbeenwanderingfarawayfromher，andthatitwasuselessandneedlesstoprolongtheinterview。Sheturnedasidequietly，withoutawordofremonstrance。Itwasnothingnewinherexperiencetofindherselfshutoutfromhermother’ssympathies。Shelookedathereyesintheglass，and，pouringoutsomecoldwater，bathedherface。“MissGwiltshan’tseeI’vebeencrying！“thoughtNeelie，asshewentbacktothebedsidetotakeherleave。“I’vetiredyouout。”mamma。”shesaid，gently。“Letmegonow;andletmecomebackalittlelaterwhenyouhavehadsomerest。”
“Yes。”repeatedhermother，asmechanicallyasever;“alittlelaterwhenIhavehadsomerest。”
Neelielefttheroom。Theminuteafterthedoorhadclosedonher，Mrs。Milroyrangthebellforhernurse。Inthefaceofthenarrativeshehadjustheard，inthefaceofeveryreasonableestimateofprobabilities，sheheldtoherownjealousconclusionsasfirmlyasever。“Mr。Armadalemaybelieveher，andmydaughtermaybelieveher。”thoughtthefuriouswoman。“ButI
knowthemajor;andshecan’tdeceive_me！_“
Thenursecamein。“Propmeup。”saidMrs。Milroy。“Andgivememydesk。Iwanttowrite。”
“You’reexcited。”repliedthenurse。“You’renotfittowrite。”
“Givemethedesk。”reiteratedMrs。Milroy。
“Anythingmore？”askedRachel，repeatingherinvariableformulaassheplacedthedeskonthebed。
“Yes。Comebackinhalfanhour。Ishallwantyoutotakealettertothegreathouse。”
Thenurse’ssardoniccomposuredesertedherforonce。“Mercyonus！“sheexclaimed，withanaccentofgenuinesurprise。“Whatnext？Youdon’tmeantosayyou’regoingtowrite——？”
“IamgoingtowritetoMr。Armadale。”interposedMrs。Milroy;
“andyouaregoingtotakethelettertohim，andwaitforananswer;and，mindthis，notalivingsoulbutourtwoselvesmustknowofitinthehouse。”
“WhyareyouwritingtoMr。Armadale？”askedRachel。“Andwhyisnobodytoknowofitbutourtwoselves？”
“Wait。”rejoinedMrs。Milroy，“andyouwillsee。”
Thenurse’scuriosity，beingawoman’scuriosity，declinedtowait。
“I’llhelpyouwithmyeyesopen。”shesaid;“butIwon’thelpyoublindfold。”
“Oh，ifIonlyhadtheuseofmylimbs！“groanedMrs。Milroy。
“Youwretch，ifIcouldonlydowithoutyou！“
“Youhavetheuseofyourhead。”retortedtheimpenetrablenurse。
“Andyououghttoknowbetterthantotrustmebyhalves，atthistimeofday。”
Itwasbrutallyput;butitwastrue——doublytrue，aftertheopeningofMissGwilt’sletter。Mrs。Milroygaveway。
“Whatdoyouwanttoknow？”sheasked。“Tellme，andleaveme。”
“IwanttoknowwhatyouarewritingtoMr。Armadaleabout？”
“AboutMissGwilt。”
“WhathasMr。ArmadaletodowithyouandMissGwilt？”
Mrs。MilroyhelduptheletterthathadbeenreturnedtoherbytheauthoritiesatthePost-office。
“Stoop。”shesaid。“MissGwiltmaybelisteningatthedoor。I’llwhisper。”
Thenursestooped，withhereyeonthedoor。“YouknowthatthepostmanwentwiththislettertoKingsdownCrescent？”saidMrs。
Milroy。“AndyouknowthathefoundMrs。Mandevillegoneaway，nobodycouldtellwhere？”
“Well。”whisperedRachel“whatnext？”
“This，next。WhenMr。ArmadalegetstheletterthatIamgoingtowritetohim，hewillfollowthesameroadasthepostman;andwe’llseewhathappenswhenheknocksatMrs。Mandeville’sdoor。”
“Howdoyougethimtothedoor？”
“ItellhimtogotoMissGwilt’sreference。”
“IshesweetonMissGwilt？”
“Yes。”
“Ah！“saidthenurse。“Isee！“
CHAPTERIII。
THEBRINKOFDISCOVERY。
THEmorningoftheinterviewbetweenMrs。Milroyandherdaughteratthecottagewasamorningofseriousreflectionforthesquireatthegreathouse。
EvenAllan’seasy-temperednaturehadnotbeenproofagainstthedisturbinginfluencesexercisedonitbytheeventsofthelastthreedays。Midwinter’sabruptdeparturehadvexedhim;andMajorMilroy’sreceptionofhisinquiriesrelatingtoMissGwiltweighedunpleasantlyonhismind。Sincehisvisittothecottage，hehadfeltimpatientandillatease，forthefirsttimeinhislife，witheverybodywhocamenearhim。ImpatientwithPedgiftJunior，whohadcalledonthepreviouseveningtoannouncehisdepartureforLondon，onbusiness，thenextday，andtoplacehisservicesatthedisposalofhisclient;illateasewithMissGwilt，atasecretmeetingwithherintheparkthatmorning;andillateaseinhisowncompany，ashenowsatmoodilysmokinginthesolitudeofhisroom。“Ican’tlivethissortoflifemuchlonger。”thoughtAllan。“IfnobodywillhelpmetoputtheawkwardquestiontoMissGwilt，Imuststumbleonsomewayofputtingitformyself。”
Whatway？Theanswertothatquestionwasashardtofindasever。Allantriedtostimulatehissluggishinventionbywalkingupanddowntheroom，andwasdisturbedbytheappearanceofthefootmanatthefirstturn。
“Nowthen！whatisit？”heasked，impatiently。
“Aletter，sir;andthepersonwaitsforananswer。”
Allanlookedattheaddress。Itwasinastrangehandwriting。Heopenedtheletter，andalittlenoteinclosedinitdroppedtotheground。Thenotewasdirected，stillinthestrangehandwriting，to“Mrs。Mandeville，18KingsdownCrescent，Bayswater。FavoredbyMr。Armadale。”Moreandmoresurprised，Allanturnedforinformationtothesignatureattheendoftheletter。Itwas“AnneMilroy。”
“AnneMilroy？”herepeated。“Itmustbethemajor’swife。Whatcanshepossiblywantwithme？”Bywayofdiscoveringwhatshewanted，Allandidatlastwhathemightmorewiselyhavedoneatfirst。Hesatdowntoreadtheletter。
[“Private。”]“TheCottage，Monday。