“DEARSIR——Thenameattheendoftheselineswill，Ifear，recalltoyouaveryrudereturnmadeonmypart，sometimesince，foranactofneighborlykindnessonyours。IcanonlysayinexcusethatIamagreatsufferer，andthat，ifIwasill-temperedenough，inamomentofirritationunderseverepain，tosendbackyourpresentoffruit，Ihaveregretteddoingsoeversince。Attributethisletter，ifyouplease，tomydesiretomakesomeatonement，andtomywishtobeofservicetoourgoodfriendandlandlord，ifIpossiblycan。
“Ihavebeeninformedofthequestionwhichyouaddressedtomyhusband，thedaybeforeyesterday，onthesubjectofMissGwilt。
FromallIhaveheardofyou，Iamquitesurethatyouranxietytoknowmoreofthischarmingpersonthanyouknownowisananxietyproceedingfromthemosthonorablemotives。Believingthis，Ifeelawoman’sinterest——incurableinvalidasIam——inassistingyou。IfyouaredesirousofbecomingacquaintedwithMissGwilt’sfamilycircumstanceswithoutdirectlyappealingtoMissGwiltherself，itrestswithyoutomakethediscovery;andIwilltellyouhow。
“Itsohappensthat，somefewdayssince，IwroteprivatelytoMissGwilt’sreferenceonthisverysubject。Ihadlongobservedthatmygovernesswassingularlyreluctanttospeakofherfamilyandherfriends;and，withoutattributinghersilencetootherthanperfectlypropermotives，Ifeltitmydutytomydaughtertomakesomeinquiryonthesubject。TheanswerthatIhavereceivedissatisfactoryasfarasitgoes。MycorrespondentinformsmethatMissGwilt’sstoryisaverysadone，andthatherownconductthroughouthasbeenpraiseworthyintheextreme。
Thecircumstancesofadomesticnature，asIgatherareallplainlystatedinacollectionoflettersnowinthepossessionofMissGwilt’sreference。Thisladyisperfectlywillingtoletmeseetheletters;butnotpossessingcopiesofthem，andbeingpersonallyresponsiblefortheirsecurity，sheisreluctant，ifitcanbeavoided，totrustthemtothepost;andshebegsmetowaituntilsheorIcanfindsomereliablepersonwhocanbeemployedtotransmitthepacketfromherhandstomine。
“Underthesecircumstances，ithasstruckmethatyoumightpossibly，withyourinterestinthematter，benotunwillingtotakechargeofthepapers。IfIamwronginthisidea，andifyouarenotdisposed，afterwhatIhavetoldyou，togotothetroubleandexpenseofajourneytoLondon，youhaveonlytoburnmyletterandinclosure，andtothinknomoreaboutit。Ifyoudecideonbecomingmyenvoy，IgladlyprovideyouwiththenecessaryintroductiontoMrs。Mandeville。Youhaveonly，onpresentingit，toreceivethelettersinasealedpacket，tosendthemhereonyourreturntoThorpeAmbrose，andtowaitanearlycommunicationfrommeacquaintingyouwiththeresult。
“Inconclusion，IhaveonlytoaddthatIseenoimproprietyinyourtakingifyoufeelsoinclinedthecoursethatIproposetoyou。MissGwilt’smannerofreceivingsuchallusionsasIhavemadetoherfamilycircumstanceshasrendereditunpleasantformeandwouldrenderitquiteimpossibleforyoutoseekinformationinthefirstinstancefromherself。Iamcertainlyjustifiedinapplyingtoherreference;andyouarecertainlynottoblameforbeingthemediumofsafelytransmittingasealedcommunicationwithoneladytoanother。IfIfindinthatcommunicationfamilysecretswhichcannothonorablybementionedtoanythirdperson，Ishall，ofcourse，beobligedtokeepyouwaitinguntilIhavefirstappealedtoMissGwilt。IfIfindnothingrecordedbutwhatistoherhonor，andwhatissuretoraiseherstillhigherinyourestimation，Iamundeniablydoingheraservicebytakingyouintomyconfidence。ThisishowI
lookatthematter;butpraydon’tallowmetoinfluence_you。_
“Inanycase，Ihaveoneconditiontomake，whichIamsureyouwillunderstandtobeindispensable。Themostinnocentactionsareliable，inthiswickedworld，totheworstpossibleinterpretationImust，therefore，requestthatyouwillconsiderthiscommunicationasstrictly_private。_。Iwritetoyouinaconfidencewhichisonnoaccountuntilcircumstancesmay，inmyopinion，justifytherevelationofittoextendbeyondourtwoselves，“Believeme，dearsir，trulyyours，“ANNEMILROY。”
Inthistemptingformtheunscrupulousingenuityofthemajor’swifehadsetthetrap。Withoutamoment’shesitation，Allanfollowedhisimpulses，asusual，andwalkedstraightintoit，writinghisanswerandpursuinghisownreflectionssimultaneouslyinahighlycharacteristicstateofmentalconfusion。
“ByJupiter，thisiskindofMrs。Milroy！““Mydearmadam。”
“JustthethingIwanted，atthetimewhenIneededitmost！““I
don’tknowhowtoexpressmysenseofyourkindness，exceptbysayingthatIwillgotoLondonandfetchtheletterswiththegreatestpleasure。”“Sheshallhaveabasketoffruitregularlyeveryday，allthroughtheseason。““Iwillgoatonce，dearmadam，andbebackto-morrow。”“Ah，nothinglikethewomenforhelpingonewhenoneisinlove！ThisisjustwhatmypoormotherwouldhavedoneinMrs。Milroy’splace。”“Onmywordofhonorasagentleman，Iwilltaketheutmostcareoftheletters;andkeepthethingstrictlyprivate，asyourequest。”“IwouldhavegivenfivehundredpoundstoanybodywhowouldhaveputmeuptotherightwaytospeaktoMissGwilt;andhereisthisblessedwomandoesitfornothing。”“Believeme，mydearmadam，gratefullyyours，AllanArmadale。”
HavingsenthisreplyouttoMrs。Milroy’smessenger，Allanpausedinamomentaryperplexity。HehadanappointmentwithMissGwiltintheparkforthenextmorning。Itwasabsolutelynecessarytoletherknowthathewouldbeunabletokeepit;shehadforbiddenhimtowrite，andhehadnochancethatdayofseeingheralone。Inthisdifficulty，hedeterminedtoletthenecessaryintimationreachherthroughthemediumofamessagetothemajor，announcinghisdepartureforLondononbusiness，andaskingifhecouldbeofservicetoanymemberofthefamily。
Havingthusremovedtheonlyobstacletohisfreedomofaction，Allanconsultedthetime-table，andfound，tohisdisappointment，thattherewasagoodhourtosparebeforeitwouldbenecessarytodrivetotherailwaystation。InhisexistingframeofmindhewouldinfinitelyhavepreferredstartingforLondoninaviolenthurry。
Whenthetimecameatlast，Allan，onpassingthesteward’soffice，drummedatthedoor，andcalledthroughittoMr。
Bashwood，“I’mgoingtotown;backto-morrow。”Therewasnoanswerfromwithin;andtheservant，interposing，informedhismasterthatMr。Bashwood，havingnobusinesstoattendtothatday，hadlockeduptheoffice，andhadleftsomehourssince。
Onreachingthestation，thefirstpersonwhomAllanencounteredwasPedgiftJunior，goingtoLondononthelegalbusinesswhichhehadmentionedonthepreviouseveningatthegreathouse。Thenecessaryexplanationsexchanged，anditwasdecidedthatthetwoshouldtravelinthesamecarriage。Allanwasgladtohaveacompanion;andPedgift，enchantedasusualtomakehimselfusefultohisclient，bustledawaytogettheticketsandseetotheluggage。Saunteringtoandfroontheplatform，untilhisfaithfulfollowerreturned，AllancamesuddenlyuponnolessapersonthanMr。Bashwoodhimself，standingbackinacornerwiththeguardofthetrain，andputtingaletteraccompanied，toallappearance，byafeeprivatelyintotheman’shand。
“Halloo！“criedAllan，inhisheartyway。“Somethingimportantthere，Mr。Bashwood，eh？”
IfMr。Bashwoodhadbeencaughtintheactofcommittingmurder，hecouldhardlyhaveshowngreateralarmthanhenowtestifiedatAllan’ssuddendiscoveryofhim。Snatchingoffhisdingyoldhat，hebowedbare-headed，inapalsyofnervoustremblingfromheadtofoot。“No，sir——no，sir;onlyalittleletter，alittleletter，alittleletter。”saidthedeputy-steward，takingrefugeinreiteration，andbowinghimselfswiftlybackwardoutofhisemployer’ssight。
Allanturnedcarelesslyonhisheel。“IwishIcouldtaketothatfellow。”hethought，“butIcan’t;he’ssuchasneak！Whatthedeucewastheretotrembleabout？DoeshethinkIwanttopryintohissecrets？”
Mr。Bashwood’ssecretonthisoccasionconcernedAllanmorenearlythanAllansupposed。TheletterwhichhehadjustplacedinchargeoftheguardwasnothinglessthanawordofwarningaddressedtoMrs。Oldershaw，andwrittenbyMissGwilt。
“Ifyoucanhurryyourbusiness“wrotethemajor’sgoverness
“doso，andcomebacktoLondonimmediately。Thingsaregoingwronghere，andMissMilroyisatthebottomofthemischief。
Thismorningsheinsistedontakinguphermother’sbreakfast，alwaysonotheroccasionstakenupbythenurse。Theyhadalongconfabulationinprivate;andhalfanhourlaterIsawthenurseslipoutwithaletter，andtakethepaththatleadstothegreathouse。ThesendingoftheletterhasbeenfollowedbyyoungArmadale’ssuddendepartureforLondon——inthefaceofanappointmentwhichhehadwithmefortomorrowmorning。Thislooksserious。ThegirlisevidentlyboldenoughtomakeafightofitforthepositionofMrs。ArmadaleofThorpeAmbrose，andshehasfoundoutsomewayofgettinghermothertohelpher。Don’tsupposeIamintheleastnervousordiscouraged，anddon’tdoanythingtillyouhearfrommeagain。OnlygetbacktoLondon，forImayhaveseriousneedofyourassistanceinthecourseofthenextdayortwo。
“Isendthislettertotowntosaveapostbythemiddaytrain，inchargeoftheguard。AsyouinsistonknowingeverystepI
takeatThorpeAmbrose，ImayaswelltellyouthatmymessengerforIcan’tgotothestationmyselfisthatcuriousoldcreaturewhomImentionedtoyouinmyfirstletter。Eversincethattimehehasbeenperpetuallyhangingabouthereforalookatme。IamnotsurewhetherIfrightenhimorfascinatehim;
perhapsIdobothtogether。AllyouneedcaretoknowisthatI
cantrusthimwithmytriflingerrands，andpossibly，astimegoeson，withsomethingmore。L。G。”
MeanwhilethetrainhadstartedfromtheThorpeAmbrosestation，andthesquireandhistravelingcompanionwereontheirwaytoLondon。
Somemen，findingthemselvesinAllan’scompanyunderpresentcircumstances，mighthavefeltcurioustoknowthenatureofhisbusinessinthemetropolis。YoungPedgift’sunerringinstinctasamanoftheworldpenetratedthesecretwithouttheslightestdifficulty。“Theoldstory。”thoughtthiswaryoldhead，waggingprivatelyonitslustyyoungshoulders，“There’sawomaninthecase，asusual。Anyotherbusinesswouldhavebeenturnedovertome。”Perfectlysatisfiedwiththisconclusion，Mr。Pedgifttheyoungerproceeded，withaneyetohisprofessionalinterest，tomakehimselfagreeabletohisclientinthecapacityofvolunteercourier。HeseizedonthewholeadministrativebusinessofthejourneytoLondon，ashehadseizedonthewholeadministrativebusinessofthepicnicattheBroads。Onreachingtheterminus，Allanwasreadytogotoanyhotelthatmightberecommended。Hisinvaluablesolicitorstraight-waydrovehimtoahotelatwhichthePedgiftfamilyhadbeenaccustomedtoputupforthreegenerations。
“Youdon’tobjecttovegetables，sir？”saidthecheerfulPedgift，asthecabstoppedatahotelinCoventGardenMarket。“Verygood;youmayleavetheresttomygrandfather，myfather，andme。Idon’tknowwhichofthethreeismostbelovedandrespectedinthishouse。Howd’yedo，William？Ourhead-waiter，Mr。
Armadale。Isyourwife’srheumatismbetter，anddoesthelittleboygetonnicelyatschool？Yourmaster’sout，ishe？Nevermind，you’lldo。This，William，isMr。ArmadaleofThorpeAmbrose。IhaveprevailedonMr。Armadaletotryourhouse。HaveyougotthebedroomIwrotefor？Verygood。LetMr。Armadalehaveitinsteadofmemygrandfather’sfavoritebedroom，sir;No。57，onthesecondfloor;praytakeit;Icansleepanywhere。Willyouhavethemattressonthetopofthefeather-bed？Youhear，William？TellMatilda，themattressonthetopofthefeather-bed。HowisMatilda？Hasshegotthetoothache，asusual？
Thehead-chambermaid，Mr。Armadale，andamostextraordinarywoman;shewill_not_partwithahollowtoothinherlowerjaw。
Mygrandfathersays，’Haveitout;’myfathersays，’Haveitout;’Isay，’Haveitout;’andMatildaturnsadeafeartoallthreeofus。Yes，William，yes;ifMr。Armadaleapproves，thissitting-roomwilldo。Aboutdinner，sir？Shallwesay，inthatcase，half-pastseven？William，half-pastseven。Nottheleastneedtoorderanything，Mr。Armadale。Thehead-waiterhasonlytogivemycomplimentstothecook，andthebestdinnerinLondonwillbesentup，punctualtotheminute，asanecessaryconsequence。Say，Mr。PedgiftJunior，ifyouplease，William;
otherwise，sir，wemightgetmygrandfather’sdinnerormyfather’sdinner，andthey_might_turnoutalittletooheavyandold-fashionedintheirwayoffeedingforyouandme。Astothewine，William。Atdinner，_my_Champagne，andthesherrythatmyfatherthinksnasty。Afterdinner，theclaretwiththeblueseal——thewinemyinnocentgrandfathersaidwasn’tworthsixpenceabottle。Ha！ha！pooroldboy！Youwillsenduptheeveningpapersandtheplay-bills，justasusual，and——thatwilldo？I
think，William，forthepresent。Aninvaluableservant，Mr。
Armadale;they’reallinvaluableservantsinthishouse。Wemaynotbefashionablehere，sir，butbytheLordHarrywearesnug！
Acab？youwouldlikeacab？Don’tstir！I’verungthebelltwice——thatmeans，Cabwantedinahurry。MightIask，Mr。
Armadale，whichwayyourbusinesstakesyou？TowardBayswater？
Wouldyouminddroppingmeinthepark？It’sahabitofminewhenI’minLondontoairmyselfamongthearistocracy。Yourstruly，sir，hasaneyeforafinewomanandafinehorse;andwhenhe’sinHydeParkhe’squiteinhisnativeelement。”Thustheall-accomplishedPedgiftranon;andbytheselittleartsdidherecommendhimselftothegoodopinionofhisclient。
Whenthedinnerhourunitedthetravelingcompanionsagainintheirsitting-roomatthehotel，afarlessacuteobserverthanyoungPedgiftmusthavenoticedthemarkedchangethatappearedinAllan’smanner。Helookedvexedandpuzzled，andsatdrummingwithhisfingersonthedining-tablewithoututteringaword。
“I’mafraidsomethinghashappenedtoannoyyou，sir，sincewepartedcompanyinthePark？”saidPedgiftJunior。“Excusethequestion;IonlyaskitincaseIcanbeofanyuse。”
“SomethingthatIneverexpectedhashappened。”returnedAllan;
“Idon’tknowwhattomakeofit。Ishouldliketohaveyouropinion。”headded，afteralittlehesitation;“thatistosay，ifyouwillexcusemynotenteringintoanyparticulars？”
“Certainly！“assentedyoungPedgift。“Sketchitinoutline，sir。
Themeresthintwilldo;Iwasn’tbornyesterday。”“Oh，thesewomen！“thoughttheyouthfulphilosopher，inparenthesis。
“Well。”beganAllan，“youknowwhatIsaidwhenwegottothishotel;IsaidIhadaplacetogotoinBayswater“Pedgiftmentallycheckedoffthefirstpoint:Caseinthesuburbs，Bayswater;“andaperson——thatistosay——no——asIsaidbefore，apersontoinquireafter。”Pedgiftcheckedoffthenextpoint:
Personinthecase。She-person，orhe-person？She-person，unquestionably！“Well，Iwenttothehouse，andwhenIaskedforher——Imeantheperson——she——thatistosay，theperson——oh，confoundit！“criedAllan，“Ishalldrivemyselfmad，andyou，too，ifItrytotellmystoryinthisroundaboutway。Hereitisintwowords。IwenttoNo。18KingsdownCrescent，toseealadynamedMandeville;and，whenIaskedforher，theservantsaidMrs。Mandevillehadgoneaway，withouttellinganybodywhere，andwithoutevenleavinganaddressatwhichletterscouldbesenttoher。There！it’soutatlast。Andwhatdoyouthinkofitnow？”
“Tellmefirst，sir。”saidthewaryPedgift，“whatinquiriesyoumadewhenyoufoundthisladyhadvanished？”
“Inquiries！“repeatedAllan。“Iwasutterlystaggered;Ididn’tsayanything。WhatinquiriesoughtItohavemade？”
PedgiftJuniorclearedhisthroat，andcrossedhislegsinastrictlyprofessionalmanner。
“Ihavenowish，Mr。Armadale。”hebegan，“toinquireintoyourbusinesswithMrs。Mandeville——“
“No。”interposedAllan，bluntly;“Ihopeyouwon’tinquireintothat。MybusinesswithMrs。Mandevillemustremainasecret。”
“But。”pursuedPedgift，layingdownthelawwiththeforefingerofonehandontheoutstretchedpalmoftheother，“Imay，perhaps，beallowedtoaskgenerallywhetheryourbusinesswithMrs。MandevilleisofanaturetointerestyouintracingherfromKingsdownCrescenttoherpresentresidence？”
“Certainly！“saidAllan。“Ihaveaveryparticularreasonforwishingtoseeher。”
“Inthatcase，sir。”returnedPedgiftJunior，“thereweretwoobviousquestionswhichyououghttohaveasked，tobeginwith——namely，onwhatdateMrs。Mandevilleleft，andhowsheleft。Havingdiscoveredthis，youshouldhaveascertainednextunderwhatdomesticcircumstancesshewentaway——whethertherewasamisunderstandingwithanybody;sayadifficultyaboutmoneymatters。Also，whethershewentawayalone，orwithsomebodyelse。Also，whetherthehousewasherown，orwhethersheonlylodgedinit。Also，inthelatterevent——“
“Stop！stop！you’remakingmyheadswim。”criedAllan。“Idon’tunderstandalltheseinsandouts。I’mnotusedtothissortofthing。”
“I’vebeenusedtoitmyselffrommychildhoodupward，sir。”
remarkedPedgift。“AndifIcanbeofanyassistance，saytheword。”
“You’reverykind。”returnedAllan。“IfyoucouldonlyhelpmetofindMrs。Mandeville;andifyouwouldn’tmindleavingthethingafterwardentirelyinmyhands——？”
“I’llleaveitinyourhands，sir，withallthepleasureinlife。”saidPedgiftJunior。“AndI’lllayfivetoone。”headded，mentally，“whenthetimecomes，you’llleaveitinmine！“
“We’llgotoBayswatertogether，Mr。Armadale，tomorrowmorning。
Inthemeantime。here’sthesoup。Thecasenowbeforethecourtis，PleasureversusBusiness。Idon’tknowwhatyousay，sir;I
say，withoutamoment’shesitation，Verdictfortheplaintiff。
Letusgatherourrosebudswhilewemay。Excusemyhighspirits，Mr。Armadale。Thoughburiedinthecountry，IwasmadeforaLondonlife;theveryairofthemetropolisintoxicatesme。”WiththatavowaltheirresistiblePedgiftplacedachairforhispatron，andissuedhisorderscheerfullytohisviceroy，thehead-waiter。“Icedpunch，William，afterthesoup。Ianswerforthepunch，Mr。Armadale;it’smadeafterarecipeofmygreat-uncle’s。Hekeptatavern，andfoundedthefortunesofthefamily。Idon’tmindtellingyouthePedgiftshavehadapublicanamongthem;there’snofalseprideaboutme。’WorthmakesthemanasPopesaysandwantofitthefellow;therestisallbutleatherandprunella。’Icultivatepoetryaswellasmusic，sir，inmyleisurehours;infact，I’mmoreorlessonfamiliartermswiththewholeofthenineMuses。Aha！here’sthepunch！Thememoryofmygreat-uncle，thepublican，Mr。Armadale——drunkinsolemnsilence！“
Allantriedhardtoemulatehiscompanion’sgayetyandgoodhumor，butwithveryindifferentsuccess。HisvisittoKingsdownCrescentrecurredominouslyagainandagaintohismemoryallthroughthedinner，andallthroughthepublicamusementstowhichheandhislegaladviserrepairedatalaterhouroftheevening。WhenPedgiftJuniorputouthiscandlethatnight，heshookhiswaryhead，andregretfullyapostrophized“thewomen“
forthesecondtime。
Byteno’clockthenextmorningtheindefatigablePedgiftwasonthesceneofaction。ToAllan’sgreatrelief，heproposedmakingthenecessaryinquiriesatKingsdownCrescentinhisownperson，whilehispatronwaitednearathand，inthecabwhichhadbroughtthemfromthehotel。Afteradelayoflittlemorethanfiveminutes，hereappeared，infullpossessionofallattainableparticulars。HisfirstproceedingwastorequestAllantostepoutofthecab，andtopaythedriver。Next，hepolitelyofferedhisarm，andledthewayroundthecornerofthecrescent，acrossasquare，andintoaby-street，whichwasrenderedexceptionallylivelybythepresenceofthelocalcab-stand。Herehestopped，andaskedjocoselywhetherMr。Armadalesawhiswaynow，orwhetheritwouldbenecessarytotesthispatiencebymakinganexplanation。
“Seemyway？”repeatedAllan，inbewilderment。“Iseenothingbutacab-stand。”
PedgiftJuniorsmiledcompassionately，andenteredonhisexplanation。Itwasalodging-houseatKingsdownCrescent，hebeggedtostatetobeginwith。Hehadinsistedonseeingthelandlady。Averyniceperson，withalltheremainsofhavingbeenafinegirlaboutfiftyyearsago;quiteinPedgift’sstyle——ifhehadonlybeenaliveatthebeginningofthepresentcentury——quiteinPedgift’sstyle。ButperhapsMr。ArmadalewouldpreferhearingaboutMrs。Mandeville？Unfortunately，therewasnothingtotell。Therehadbeennoquarreling，andnotafarthingleftunpaid:thelodgerhadgone，andtherewasn’tanexplanatorycircumstancetolayholdofanywhere。ItwaseitherMrs。
Mandeville’swaytovanish，ortherewassomethingundertherose，quiteundiscoverablesofar。Pedgifthadgotthedateonwhichsheleft，andthetimeofdayatwhichsheleft，andthemeansbywhichsheleft。Themeansmighthelptotraceher。Shehadgoneawayinacabwhichtheservanthadfetchedfromtheneareststand。Thestandwasnowbeforetheireyes;andthewatermanwasthefirstpersontoapplyto——goingtothewatermanforinformationbeingclearlyifMr。Armadalewouldexcusethejokegoingtothefountain-head。Treatingthesubjectinthisairymanner，andtellingAllanthathewouldbebackinamoment，PedgiftJuniorsauntereddownthestreet，andbeckonedthewatermanconfidentiallyintothenearestpublic-house。
Inalittlewhilethetwore-appeared，thewatermantakingPedgiftinsuccessiontothefirst，third，fourth，andsixthofthecabmenwhosevehicleswereonthestand。Thelongestconferencewasheldwiththesixthman;anditendedinthesuddenapproachofthesixthcabtothepartofthestreetwhereAllanwaswaiting。
“Getin，sir。”saidPedgift，openingthedoor;“I’vefoundtheman。Heremembersthelady;and，thoughhehasforgottenthenameofthestreet，hebelieveshecanfindtheplacehedrovehertowhenheoncegetsbackintotheneighborhood。Iamcharmedtoinformyou，Mr。Armadale，thatweareinluck’swaysofar。I
askedthewatermantoshowmetheregularmenonthestand;anditturnsoutthatoneoftheregularmendroveMrs。Mandeville。
Thewatermanvouchesforhim;he’squiteananomaly——arespectablecabman;driveshisownhorse，andhasneverbeeninanytrouble。Thesearethesortofmen，sir，whosustainone’sbeliefinhumannature。I’vehadalookatourfriend，andI
agreewiththewaterman;Ithinkwecandependonhim。”
Theinvestigationrequiredsomeexerciseofpatienceattheoutset。ItwasnottillthecabhadtraversedthedistancebetweenBayswaterandPimlicothatthedriverbegantoslackenhispaceandlookabouthim。Afteronceortwiceretracingitscourse，thevehicleenteredaquietby-street，endinginadeadwall，withadoorinit;andstoppedatthelasthouseontheleft-handside，thehousenexttothewall。
“Hereitis，gentlemen。”saidtheman，openingthecabdoor。
AllanandAllan’sadviserbothgotout，andbothlookedatthehouse，withthesamefeelingofinstinctivedistrust。
Buildingshavetheirphysiognomy——especiallybuildingsingreatcities——andthefaceofthishousewasessentiallyfurtiveinitsexpression。Thefrontwindowswereallshut，andthefrontblindswerealldrawndown。Itlookednolargerthantheotherhousesinthestreet，seeninfront;butitranbackdeceitfullyandgaineditsgreateraccommodationbymeansofitsgreaterdepth。Itaffectedtobeashopontheground-floor;butitexhibitedabsolutelynothinginthespacethatintervenedbetweenthewindowandaninnerrowofredcurtains，whichhidtheinteriorentirelyfromview。Atonesidewastheshopdoor，havingmoreredcurtainsbehindtheglazedpartofit，andbearingabrassplateonthewoodenpartofit，inscribedwiththenameof“Oldershaw。”Ontheothersidewastheprivatedoor，withabellmarkedProfessional;andanotherbrassplate，indicatingamedicaloccupantonthissideofthehouse，forthenameonitwas，“DoctorDownward。”Ifeverbrickandmortarspokeyet，thebrickandmortarheresaidplainly，“Wehavegotoursecretsinside，andwemeantokeepthem。”
“Thiscan’tbetheplace。”saidAllan;“theremustbesomemistake。”
’Youknowbest，sir。”remarkedPedgiftJunior，withhissardonicgravity。“YouknowMrs。Mandeville’shabits。”
“I！“exclaimedAllan。“Youmaybesurprisedtohearit;butMrs。
Mandevilleisatotalstrangertome。”
“I’mnotintheleastsurprisedtohearit，sir;thelandladyatKingsdownCrescentinformedmethatMrs。Mandevillewasanoldwoman。Supposeweinquire？”addedtheimpenetrablePedgift，lookingattheredcurtainsintheshopwindowwithastrongsuspicionthatMrs。Mandeville’sgranddaughtermightpossiblybebehindthem。
Theytriedtheshopdoorfirst。Itwaslocked。Theyrang。Aleanandyellowyoungwoman，withatatteredFrenchnovelinherhand，openedit。
“Good-morning，miss。”saidPedgift。“IsMrs。Mandevilleathome？”
Theyellowyoungwomanstaredathiminastonishment。“Nopersonofthatnameisknownhere。”sheanswered，sharply，inaforeignaccent。
“Perhapstheyknowherattheprivatedoor？”suggestedPedgiftJunior。
“Perhapstheydo。”saidtheyellowyoungwoman，andshutthedoorinhisface。
“Ratheraquick-temperedyoungpersonthat，sir。”saidPedgift。
“IcongratulateMrs。Mandevilleonnotbeingacquaintedwithher。”Heledtheway，ashespoke，toDoctorDownward’ssideofthepremises，andrangthebell。
Thedoorwasopenedthistimebyamaninashabbylivery。He，too，staredwhenMrs。Mandeville’snamewasmentioned;andhe，too，knewofnosuchpersoninthehouse。
“Veryodd。”saidPedgift，appealingtoAllan。
“Whatisodd？”askedasoftlystepping，softlyspeakinggentlemaninblack，suddenlyappearingonthethresholdoftheparlordoor。
PedgiftJuniorpolitelyexplainedthecircumstances，andbeggedtoknowwhetherhehadthepleasureofspeakingtoDoctorDownward。
Thedoctorbowed。Iftheexpressionmaybepardoned，hewasoneofthosecarefullyconstructedphysiciansinwhomthepublic——especiallythefemalepublic——implicitlytrust。Hehadthenecessarybaldhead，thenecessarydoubleeyeglass，thenecessaryblackclothes，andthenecessaryblandnessofmanner，allcomplete。Hisvoicewassoothing，hiswaysweredeliberate，hissmilewasconfidential。WhatparticularbranchofhisprofessionDoctorDownwardfollowedwasnotindicatedonhisdoor-plate;buthehadutterlymistakenhisvocationifhewasnotaladies’medicalman。
“Areyouquitesurethereisnomistakeaboutthename？”askedthedoctor，withastrongunderlyinganxietyinhismanner。“I
haveknownveryseriousinconveniencetoarisesometimesfrommistakesaboutnames。No？Thereisreallynomistake？Inthatcase，gentlemen，Icanonlyrepeatwhatmyservanthasalreadytoldyou。Don’tapologize，pray。Good-morning。”Thedoctorwithdrewasnoiselesslyashehadappeared;themanintheshabbyliverysilentlyopenedthedoor;andAllanandhiscompanionfoundthemselvesinthestreetagain。
“Mr。Armadale。”saidPedgift，“Idon’tknowhowyoufeel;Ifeelpuzzled。”
“That’sawkward。”returnedAllan。“Iwasjustgoingtoaskyouwhatweoughttodonext。”
“Idon’tlikethelookoftheplace，thelookoftheshop-woman，orthelookofthedoctor。”pursuedtheother。“AndyetIcan’tsayIthinktheyaredeceivingus;Ican’tsayIthinktheyreallyknowMrs。Mandeville’sname。”
TheimpressionsofPedgiftJuniorseldommisledhim;andtheyhadnotmisledhiminthiscase。ThecautionwhichhaddictatedMrs。
Oldershaw’sprivateremovalfromBayswaterwasthecautionwhichfrequentlyoverreachesitself。IthadwarnedhertotrustnobodyatPimlicowiththesecretofthenameshehadassumedasMissGwilt’sreference;butithadentirelyfailedtoprepareherfortheemergencythathadreallyhappened。Inaword，Mrs。Oldershawhadprovidedforeverythingexceptfortheoneunimaginablecontingencyofanafter-inquiryintothecharacterofMissGwilt。
“Wemustdosomething。”saidAllan;“itseemsuselesstostophere。”
NobodyhadeveryetcaughtPedgiftJuniorattheendofhisresources;andAllanfailedtocatchhimattheendofthemnow。
“Iquiteagreewithyou，sir。”hesaid;“wemustdosomething。
We’llcross-examinethecabman。”
Thecabmanprovedtobeimmovable。Chargedwithmistakingtheplace，hepointedtotheemptyshopwindow。“Idon’tknowwhatyoumayhaveseen，gentlemen。”heremarked;“butthere’stheonlyshopwindowIeversawwithnothingatallinsideit。_That_
fixedtheplaceinmymindatthetime，andIknowitagainwhenIseeit。”Chargedwithmistakingthepersonortheday，orthehouseatwhichhehadtakenthepersonup，thecabmanprovedtobestillunassailable。Theservantwhofetchedhimwasmarkedasagirlwellknownonthestand。Thedaywasmarkedastheunluckiestworking-dayhehadhadsincethefirstoftheyear;
andtheladywasmarkedashavinghadhermoneyreadyattherightmomentwhichnotoneelderlyladyinahundredusuallyhad，andhavingpaidhimhisfareondemandwithoutdisputingitwhichnotoneelderlyladyinahundredusuallydid。“Takemynumber，gentlemen。”concludedthecabman，“andpaymeformytime;andwhatI’vesaidtoyou，I’llsweartoanywhere。”
Pedgiftmadeanoteinhispocket-bookoftheman’snumber。
Havingaddedtoitthenameofthestreet，andthenamesonthetwobrassplates，hequietlyopenedthecabdoor。“Wearequiteinthedark，thusfar。”hesaid。“Supposewegropeourwaybacktothehotel？”
HespokeandlookedmoreseriouslythanusualThemerefactof“Mrs。Mandeville’s“havingchangedherlodgingwithouttellinganyonewhereshewasgoing，andwithoutleavinganyaddressatwhichletterscouldbeforwardedtoher——whichthejealousmalignityofMrs。Milroyhadinterpretedasbeingundeniablysuspiciousinitself——hadproducednogreatimpressiononthemoreimpartialjudgmentofAllan’ssolicitor。Peoplefrequentlylefttheirlodgingsinaprivatemanner，withperfectlyproduciblereasonsfordoingso。Buttheappearanceoftheplacetowhichthecabmanpersistedindeclaringthathehaddriven“Mrs。Mandeville“setthecharacterandproceedingsofthatmysteriousladybeforePedgiftJuniorinanewlight。Hispersonalinterestintheinquirysuddenlystrengthened，andhebegantofeelacuriositytoknowtherealnatureofAllan’sbusinesswhichhehadnotfeltyet。
“Ournextmove，Mr。Armadale，isnotaveryeasymovetosee。”hesaid，astheydrovebacktothehotel。“Doyouthinkyoucouldputmeinpossessionofanyfurtherparticulars？”
Allanhesitated;andPedgiftJuniorsawthathehadadvancedalittletoofar。“Imustn’tforceit。”hethought;“Imustgiveittime，andletitcomeofitsownaccord。”“Intheabsenceofanyotherinformation，sir。”heresumed，“whatdoyousaytomymakingsomeinquiryaboutthatqueershop，andaboutthosetwonamesonthedoor-plate？MybusinessinLondon，whenIleaveyou，isofaprofessionalnature;andIamgoingintotherightquarterforgettinginformation，ifitistobegot。”
“Therecan’tbeanyharm，Isuppose，inmakinginquiries。”
repliedAllan。
He，too，spokemoreseriouslythanusual;he，too，wasbeginningtofeelanall-masteringcuriositytoknowmore。Somevagueconnection，nottobedistinctlyrealizedortracedout，begantoestablishitselfinhismindbetweenthedifficultyofapproachingMissGwilt’sfamilycircumstancesandthedifficultyofapproachingMissGwilt’sreference。“I’llgetdownandwalk，andleaveyoutogoontoyourbusiness。”hesaid。“Iwanttoconsideralittleaboutthis，andawalkandacigarwillhelpme。”
“Mybusinesswillbedone，sir，betweenoneandtwo。”saidPedgift，whenthecabhadbeenstopped，andAllanhadgotout。
“Shallwemeetagainattwoo’clock，atthehotel？”
Allannodded，andthecabdroveoff。
CHAPTERIV。
ALLANATBAY。
Twoo’clockcame;andPedgiftJunior，punctualtohistime，camewithit。Hisvivacityofthemorninghadallsparkledout;hegreetedAllanwithhiscustomarypoliteness，butwithouthiscustomarysmile;and，whentheheadwaitercameinfororders，hisdismissalwasinstantlypronouncedinwordsneveryetheardtoissuefromthelipsofPedgiftinthathotel:“Nothingatpresent。”
“Youseemtobeinlowspirits。”saidAllan。“Can’twegetourinformation？CannobodytellyouanythingaboutthehouseinPimlico？”
“Threedifferentpeoplehavetoldmeaboutit，Mr。Armadale，andtheyhaveallthreesaidthesamething。”
Allaneagerlydrewhischairnearertotheplaceoccupiedbyhistravelingcompanion。Hisreflectionsintheintervalsincetheyhadlastseeneachotherhadnottendedtocomposehim。Thatstrangeconnection，soeasytofeel，sohardtotrace，betweenthedifficultyofapproachingMissGwilt’sfamilycircumstancesandthedifficultyofapproachingMissGwilt’sreference，whichhadalreadyestablisheditselfinhisthoughts，hadbythistimestealthilytakenafirmerandfirmerholdonhismind。Doubtstroubledhimwhichhecouldneitherunderstandnorexpress。
Curiosityfilledhim，whichhehalflongedandhalfdreadedtosatisfy。
“IamafraidImusttroubleyouwithaquestionortwo，sir，beforeIcancometothepoint。”saidPedgiftJunior。“Idon’twanttoforcemyselfintoyourconfidence。Ionlywanttoseemyway，inwhatlookstomelikeaveryawkwardbusiness。Doyoumindtellingmewhetherothersbesidesyourselfareinterestedinthisinquiryofours？”
“Otherpeople_are_interestedinit。”repliedAllan。“There’snoobjectiontotellingyouthat。”
“IsthereanyotherpersonwhoistheobjectoftheinquirybesidesMrs。Mandeville，herself？”pursuedPedgift，windinghiswayalittledeeperintothesecret。
“Yes;thereisanotherperson。”saidAllan，answeringratherunwillingly。
“Isthepersonayoungwoman，Mr。Armadale？”
Allanstarted。“Howdoyoucometoguessthat？”hebegan，thencheckedhimself，whenitwastoolate。“Don’taskmeanymorequestions。”heresumed。“I’mabadhandatdefendingmyselfagainstasharpfellowlikeyou;andI’mboundinhonortowardotherpeopletokeeptheparticularsofthisbusinesstomyself。”
PedgiftJuniorhadapparentlyheardenoughforhispurpose。Hedrewhischair，inhisturn，nearertoAllan。Hewasevidentlyanxiousandembarrassed;buthisprofessionalmannerbegantoshowitselfagainfromsheerforceofhabit。
“I’vedonewithmyquestions，sir。”hesaid;“andIhavesomethingtosaynowonmyside。Inmyfather’sabsence，perhapsyoumaybekindlydisposedtoconsidermeasyourlegaladviser。
Ifyouwilltakemyadvice，youwillnotstiranotherstepinthisinquiry。”
“Whatdoyoumean？”interposedAllan。
“Itisjustpossible，Mr。Armadale，thatthecabman，positiveasheis，mayhavebeenmistaken。Istronglyrecommendyoutotakeitforgrantedthathe_is_mistaken，andtodropitthere。”
Thecautionwaskindlyintended;butitcametoolate。Allandidwhatninety-ninemenoutofahundredinhispositionwouldhavedone——hedeclinedtotakehislawyer’sadvice。
“Verywell，sir。”saidPedgiftJunior;“ifyouwillhaveit，youmusthaveit。”
HeleanedforwardclosetoAllan’sear，andwhisperedwhathehadheardofthehouseinPimlico，andofthepeoplewhooccupiedit。
“Don’tblameme，Mr。Armadale。”headded，whentheirrevocablewordshadbeenspoken。“Itriedtospareyou。”
Allansufferedtheshock，asallgreatshocksaresuffered，insilence。Hisfirstimpulsewouldhavedrivenhimheadlongforrefugetothatveryviewofthecabman’sassertionwhichhadjustbeenrecommendedtohim，butforonedamningcircumstancewhichplaceditselfinexorablyinhisway。MissGwilt’smarkedreluctancetoapproachthestoryofherpastliferoseirrepressiblyonhismemory，inindirectbuthorribleconfirmationoftheevidencewhichconnectedMissGwilt’sreferencewiththehouseinPimlico。Oneconclusion，andoneonly——theconclusionwhichanymanmusthavedrawn，hearingwhathehadjustheard，andknowingnomorethanheknew——forceditselfintohismind。Amiserable，fallenwoman，whohadabandonedherselfinherextremitytothehelpofwretchesskilledincriminalconcealment，whohadstolenherwaybacktodecentsocietyandareputableemploymentbymeansofafalsecharacter，andwhosepositionnowimposedonherthedreadfulnecessityofperpetualsecrecyandperpetualdeceitinrelationtoherpastlife——suchwastheaspectinwhichthebeautifulgovernessatThorpeAmbrosenowstoodrevealedtoAllan’seyes！
Falselyrevealed，ortrulyrevealed？Hadshestolenherwaybacktodecentsocietyandareputableemploymentbymeansofafalsecharacter？Shehad。Didherpositionimposeonherthedreadfulnecessityofperpetualsecrecyandperpetualdeceitinrelationtoherpastlife？Itdid。WasshesomesuchpitiablevictimtothetreacheryofamanunknownasAllanhadsupposed？_Shewasnosuchpitiablevictim。_TheconclusionwhichAllanhaddrawn——theconclusionliterallyforcedintohismindbythefactsbeforehim——was，nevertheless，theconclusionofallothersthatwasfurthestevenfromtouchingonthetruth。ThetruestoryofMissGwilt’sconnectionwiththehouseinPimlicoandthepeoplewhoinhabitedit——ahouserightlydescribedasfilledwithwickedsecrets，andpeoplerightlyrepresentedasperpetuallyindangeroffeelingthegraspofthelaw——wasastorywhichcomingeventswereyettodisclose:astoryinfinitelylessrevolting，andyetinfinitelymoreterrible，thanAllanorAllan’scompanionhadeitherofthemsupposed。
“Itriedtospareyou，Mr。Armadale。”repeatedPedgift。“Iwasanxious，ifIcouldpossiblyavoidit，nottodistressyou。”
Allanlookedup，andmadeanefforttocontrolhimself。“Youhavedistressedmedreadfully。”hesaid。“Youhavequitecrushedmedown。Butitisnotyourfault。Ioughttofeelyouhavedonemeaservice;andwhatIoughttodoIwilldo，whenIammyownmanagain。Thereisonething。”Allanadded，afteramoment’spainfulconsideration，“whichoughttobeunderstoodbetweenusatonce。
Theadviceyouofferedmejustnowwasverykindlymeant，anditwasthebestadvicethatcouldbegiven。Iwilltakeitgratefully。Wewillnevertalkofthisagain，ifyouplease;andIbegandentreatyouwillneverspeakaboutittoanyotherperson。Willyoupromisemethat？”
Pedgiftgavethepromisewithveryevidentsincerity，butwithouthisprofessionalconfidenceofmanner。ThedistressinAllan’sfaceseemedtodaunthim。Afteramomentofveryuncharacteristichesitation，heconsideratelyquittedtheroom。
Leftbyhimself，Allanrangforwritingmaterials，andtookoutofhispocket-bookthefatalletterofintroductionto“Mrs。
Mandeville“whichhehadreceivedfromthemajor’swife。
Amanaccustomedtoconsiderconsequencesandtopreparehimselfforactionbypreviousthoughtwould，inAllan’spresentcircumstances，havefeltsomedifficultyastothecoursewhichitmightnowbeleastembarrassingandleastdangeroustopursue。
Accustomedtolethisimpulsesdirecthimonallotheroccasions，Allanactedonimpulseintheseriousemergencythatnowconfrontedhim。ThoughhisattachmenttoMissGwiltwasnothinglikethedeeplyrootedfeelingwhichhehadhimselfhonestlybelievedittobe，shehadtakennocommonplaceinhisadmiration，andshefilledhimwithnocommongriefwhenhethoughtofhernow。Hisonedominantdesire，atthatcriticalmomentinhislife，wasaman’smercifuldesiretoprotectfromexposureandruintheunhappywomanwhohadlostherplaceinhisestimation，withoutlosingherclaimtotheforbearancethatcouldspare，andtothecompassionthatcouldshieldher。“I
can’tgobacktoThorpeAmbrose;Ican’ttrustmyselftospeaktoher，ortoseeheragain。ButIcankeephermiserablesecret;
andIwill！“Withthatthoughtinhisheart，Allansethimselftoperformthefirstandforemostdutywhichnowclaimedhim——thedutyofcommunicatingwithMrs。Milroy。Ifhehadpossessedahighermentalcapacityandaclearermentalview，hemighthavefoundtheletternoeasyonetowrite。Asitwas，hecalculatednoconsequences，andfeltnodifficulty。Hisinstinctwarnedhimtowithdrawatoncefromthepositioninwhichhenowstoodtowardthemajor’swife，andhewrotewhathisinstinctcounseledhimtowriteunderthosecircumstances，asrapidlyasthepencouldtraveloverthepaper:
“Dunn’sHotel，CoventGarden，Tuesday。
“DEARMADAM——PrayexcusemynotreturningtoThorpeAmbrosetoday，asIsaidIwould。UnforeseencircumstancesobligemetostopinLondon。IamsorrytosayIhavenotsucceededinseeingMrs。Mandeville，forwhichreasonIcannotperformyourerrand;
andIbeg，therefore，withmanyapologies，toreturntheletterofintroduction。IhopeyouwillallowmetoconcludebysayingthatIamverymuchobligedtoyouforyourkindness，andthatI
willnotventuretotrespassonitanyfurther。
“Iremain，dearmadam，yourstruly，“ALLANARMADALE。”
Inthoseartlesswords，stillentirelyunsuspiciousofthecharacterofthewomanhehadtodealwith，AllanputtheweaponshewantedintoMrs。Milroy’shands。
Theletteranditsinclosureoncesealedupandaddressed，hewasfreetothinkofhimselfandhisfuture。Ashesatidlydrawinglineswithhispenontheblotting-paper，thetearscameintohiseyesforthefirsttime——tearsinwhichthewomanwhohaddeceivedhimhadnoshare。Hishearthadgonebacktohisdeadmother。“Ifshehadbeenalive。”hethought，“Imighthavetrusted_her，_andshewouldhavecomfortedme。”Itwasuselesstodwellonit;hedashedawaythetears，andturnedhisthoughts，withtheheart-sickresignationthatweallknow，tolivingandpresentthings。
HewrotealinetoMr。Bashwood，brieflyinformingthedeputystewardthathisabsencefromThorpeAmbrosewaslikelytobeprolongedforsomelittletime，andthatanyfurtherinstructionswhichmightbenecessary，underthosecircumstances，wouldreachhimthroughMr。Pedgifttheelder。Thisdone，andtheletterssenttothepost，histhoughtswereforcedbackoncemoreonhimself。Againtheblankfuturewaitedbeforehimtobefilledup;andagainhisheartshrankfromittotherefugeofthepast。
Thistimeotherimagesthantheimageofhismotherfilledhismind。Theoneall-absorbinginterestofhisearlierdaysstirredlivingandeagerinhimagain。Hethoughtofthesea;hethoughtofhisyachtlyingidleinthefishingharborathiswest-countryhome。Theoldlonginggotpossessionofhimtohearthewashofthewaves，;toseethefillingofthesails;tofeelthevesselthathisownhandshadhelpedtobuildboundingunderhimoncemore。Heroseinhisimpetuouswaytocallforthetime-table，andtostartforSomersetshirebythefirsttrain，whenthedreadofthequestionswhichMr。Brockmightask，thesuspicionofthechangewhichMr。Brockmightseeinhim，drewhimbacktohischair。“I’llwrite。”hethought，“tohavetheyachtriggedandrefitted，andI’llwaittogotoSomersetshiremyselftillMidwintercangowithme。”Hesighedashismemoryrevertedtohisabsentfriend。NeverhadhefellthevoidmadeinhislifebyMidwinter’sdeparturesopainfullyashefeltitnow，inthedreariestofallsocialsolitudes——thesolitudeofastrangerinLondon，leftbyhimselfatahotel。
Beforelong，PedgiftJuniorlookedin，withanapologyforhisintrusion。Allanfelttoolonelyandtoofriendlessnottowelcomehiscompanion’sre-appearancegratefully。“I’mnotgoingbacktoThorpeAmbrose。”hesaid;“I’mgoingtostayalittlewhileinLondon。Ihopeyouwillbeabletostaywithme？”Todohimjustice，PedgiftwastouchedbythesolitarypositioninwhichtheownerofthegreatThorpeAmbroseestatenowappearedbeforehim。Hehadnever，inhisrelationswithAllan，soentirelyforgottenhisbusinessinterestsasheforgotthemnow。
“Youarequiteright，sir，tostophere;London’stheplacetodivertyourmind。”saidPedgift，cheerfully。“Allbusinessismoreorlesselasticinitsnature，Mr。Armadale;I’llspin_my_
businessout，andkeepyoucompanywiththegreatestpleasure。Wearebothofusontherightsideofthirty，sir;let’senjoyourselves。Whatdoyousaytodiningearly，andgoingtotheplay，andtryingtheGreatExhibitioninHydeParkto-morrowmorning，afterbreakfast？Ifweonlylivelikefighting-cocks，andgoinperpetuallyforpublicamusements，weshallarriveinnotimeatthe_menssanaincorporesano_oftheancients。Don’tbealarmedatthequotation，sir。IdabblealittleinLatinafterbusinesshours，andenlargemysympathiesbyoccasionalperusalofthePaganwriters，assistedbyacrib。William，dinneratfive;and，asit’sparticularlyimportantto-day，I’llseethecookmyself。”
Theeveningpassed;thenextdaypassed;Thursdaymorningcame，andbroughtwithitaletterforAllan。ThedirectionwasinMrs。
Milroy’shandwriting;andtheformofaddressadoptedintheletterwarnedAllan，themomentheopenedit，thatsomethinghadgonewrong。
[“Private。”]
“TheCottage，ThorpeAmbrose，Wednesday。
“SIR——Ihavejustreceivedyourmysteriousletter。Ithasmorethansurprised，ithasreallyalarmedme。Afterhavingmadethefriendliestadvancestoyouonmyside，Ifindmyselfsuddenlyshutoutfromyourconfidenceinthemostunintelligible，and，I
mustadd，themostdiscourteousmanner。ItisquiteimpossiblethatIcanallowthemattertorestwhereyouhaveleftit。TheonlyconclusionIcandrawfromyourletteristhatmyconfidencemusthavebeenabusedinsomeway，andthatyouknowagreatdealmorethanyouarewillingtotellme。Speakingintheinterestofmydaughter’swelfare，IrequestthatyouwillinformmewhatthecircumstancesarewhichhavepreventedyourseeingMrs。
Mandeville，andwhichhaveledtothewithdrawaloftheassistancethatyouunconditionallypromisedmeinyourletterofMondaylast。
“Inmystateofhealth，Icannotinvolvemyselfinalengthenedcorrespondence。Imustendeavortoanticipateanyobjectionsyoumaymake，andImustsayallthatIhavetosayinmypresentletter。IntheeventwhichIammostunwillingtoconsiderpossibleofyourdecliningtoaccedetotherequestthatIhavejustaddressedtoyou，IbegtosaythatIshallconsideritmydutytomydaughtertohavethisveryunpleasantmatterclearedup。IfIdon’thearfromyoutomyfullsatisfactionbyreturnofpost，IshallbeobligedtotellmyhusbandthatcircumstanceshavehappenedwhichjustifyusinimmediatelytestingtherespectabilityofMissGwilt’sreference。Andwhenheasksmeformyauthority，Iwillreferhimtoyou。
“Yourobedientservant，ANNEMILROY。”
Inthosetermsthemajor’swifethrewoffthemask，andlefthervictimtosurveyathisleisurethetrapinwhichshehadcaughthim。Allan’sbeliefinMrs。Milroy’sgoodfaithhadbeensoimplicitlysincerethatherlettersimplybewilderedhim。Hesawvaguelythathehadbeendeceivedinsomeway，andthatMrs。
Milroy’sneighborlyinterestinhimwasnotwhatithadlookedonthesurface;andhesawnomore。Thethreatofappealingtothemajor——onwhich，withawoman’signoranceofthenaturesofmen，Mrs。Milroyhadreliedforproducingitseffect——wastheonlypartofthelettertowhichAllanrevertedwithanysatisfaction:
itrelievedinsteadofalarminghim。“Ifthere_is_tobeaquarrel。”hethought，“itwillbeacomfort，atanyrate，tohaveitoutwithaman。”
Firminhisresolutiontoshieldtheunhappywomanwhosesecrethewronglybelievedhimselftohavesurprised，Allansatdowntowritehisapologiestothemajor’swife。Aftersettingupthreepolitedeclarations，inclosemarchingorder，heretiredfromthefield。“HewasextremelysorrytohaveoffendedMrs。Milroy。HewasinnocentofallintentiontooffendMrs。Milroy。AndhebeggedtoremainMrs。Milroy’struly。”NeverhadAllan’shabitualbrevityasaletter-writerdonehimbetterservicethanitdidhimnow。Withalittlemoreskillfulnessintheuseofhispen，hemighthavegivenhisenemyevenastrongerholdonhimthantheholdshehadgotalready。
Theintervaldaypassed，andwiththenextmorning’spostMrs。
Milroy’sthreatcamerealizedintheshapeofaletterfromherhusband。Themajorwrotelessformallythanhiswifehadwritten，buthisquestionsweremercilesslytothepoint:
[“Private。”]
“TheCottage，ThorpeAmbrose，Friday，July11，1851。
“DEARSIR——Whenyoudidmethefavorofcallinghereafewdayssince，youaskedaquestionrelatingtomygoverness，MissGwilt，whichIthoughtratherastrangeoneatthetime，andwhichcaused，asyoumayremember，amomentaryembarrassmentbetweenus。
“ThismorningthesubjectofMissGwilthasbeenbroughttomynoticeagaininamannerwhichhascausedmetheutmostastonishment。Inplainwords，Mrs。MilroyhasinformedmethatMissGwilthasexposedherselftothesuspicionofhavingdeceivedusbyafalsereference。Onmyexpressingthesurprisewhichsuchanextraordinarystatementcausedme，andrequestingthatitmightbeinstantlysubstantiated，IwasstillfurtherastonishedbybeingtoldtoapplyforallparticularstonolessapersonthanMr。Armadale。IhavevainlyrequestedsomefurtherexplanationfromMrs。Milroy;shepersistsinmaintainingsilence，andinreferringmetoyourself。
“Undertheseextraordinarycircumstances，Iamcompelled，injusticetoallparties，toaskyoucertainquestionswhichIwillendeavortoputasplainlyaspossible，andwhichIamquitereadytobelievefrommypreviousexperienceofyouthatyouwillanswerfranklyonyourside。
“Ibegtoinquire，inthefirstplace，whetheryouadmitordenyMrs。Milroy’sassertionthatyouhavemadeyourselfacquaintedwithparticularsrelatingeithertoMissGwiltortoMissGwilt’sreference，ofwhichIamentirelyignorant？Inthesecondplace，ifyouadmitthetruthofMrs。Milroy’sstatement，Irequesttoknowhowyoubecameacquaintedwiththoseparticulars？Thirdly，andlastly，Ibegtoaskyouwhattheparticularsare？
“Ifanyspecialjustificationforputtingthesequestionsbeneeded——which，purelyasamatterofcourtesytowardyourself，I
amwillingtoadmit——Ibegtoremindyouthatthemostpreciouschargeinmyhouse，thechargeofmydaughter，isconfidedtoMissGwilt;andthatMrs。Milroy’sstatementplacesyou，toallappearance，inthepositionofbeingcompetenttotellmewhetherthatchargeisproperlybestowedornot。
“Ihaveonlytoaddthat，asnothinghasthusfaroccurredtojustifymeinentertainingtheslightestsuspicioneitherofmygovernessorherreference，IshallwaitbeforeImakeanyappealtoMissGwiltuntilIhavereceivedyouranswer——whichIshallexpectbyreturnofpost。Believeme，dearsir，faithfullyyours，“DAVIDMILROY。”
ThistransparentlystraightforwardletteratoncedissipatedtheconfusionwhichhadthusfarexistedinAllan’smind。Hesawthesnareinwhichhehadbeencaughtthoughhewasstillnecessarilyatalosstounderstandwhyithadbeensetforhim
ashehadnotseenityet。Mrs。Milroyhadclearlyplacedhimbetweentwoalternatives——thealternativeofputtinghimselfinthewrong，bydecliningtoanswerherhusband’squestions;orthealternativeofmeanlyshelteringhisresponsibilitybehindtheresponsibilityofawoman，byacknowledgingtothemajor’sownfacethatthemajor’swifehaddeceivedhim。
InthisdifficultyAllanactedasusual，withouthesitation。HispledgetoMrs。Milroytoconsidertheircorrespondenceprivatestillboundhim，disgracefullyasshehadabusedit。AndhisresolutionwasasimmovableasevertoletnoearthlyconsiderationtempthimintobetrayingMissGwilt。“Imayhavebehavedlikeafool。”hethought，“butIwon’tbreakmyword;andIwon’tbethemeansofturningthatmiserablewomanadriftintheworldagain。”
Hewrotetothemajorasartlesslyandbrieflyashehadwrittentothemajor’swife。Hedeclaredhisunwillingnesstocauseafriendandneighboranydisappointment，ifhecouldpossiblyhelpit。Onthisoccasionhehadnootherchoice。Thequestionsthemajoraskedhimwerequestionswhichhecouldnotconsenttoanswer。Hewasnotverycleveratexplaininghimself，andhehopedhemightbeexcusedforputtingitinthatway，andsayingnomore。
Monday’spostbroughtwithitMajorMilroy’srejoinder，andclosedthecorrespondence。
“TheCottage，ThorpeAmbrose，Sunday。
“SIR——Yourrefusaltoanswermyquestions，unaccompaniedasitisbyeventheshadowofanexcuseforsuchaproceeding，canbeinterpretedbutinoneway。BesidesbeinganimpliedacknowledgmentofthecorrectnessofMrs。Milroy’sstatement，itisalsoanimpliedreflectiononmygoverness’scharacter。Asanactofjusticetowardaladywholivesundertheprotectionofmyroof，andwhohasgivenmenoreasonwhatevertodistrusther，I
shallnowshowourcorrespondencetoMissGwilt;andIshallrepeattohertheconversationwhichIhadwithMrs。Milroyonthesubject，inMrs。Milroy’spresence。
“Onewordmorerespectingthefuturerelationsbetweenus，andI
havedone。Myideasoncertainsubjectsare，Idaresay，theideasofanold-fashionedman。Inmytime，wehadacodeofhonorbywhichweregulatedouractions。Accordingtothatcode，ifamanmadeprivateinquiriesintoalady’saffairs，withoutbeingeitherherhusband，herfather，orherbrother，hesubjectedhimselftotheresponsibilityofjustifyinghisconductintheestimationofothers;and，ifheevadedthatresponsibility，heabdicatedthepositionofagentleman。Itisquitepossiblethatthisantiquatedwayofthinkingexistsnolonger;butitistoolateforme，atmytimeoflife，toadoptmoremodernviews。Iamscrupulouslyanxious，seeingthatweliveinacountryandatimeinwhichtheonlycourtofhonorisapolice-court，toexpressmyselfwiththeutmostmoderationoflanguageuponthisthelastoccasionthatIshallhavetocommunicatewithyou。Allowme，therefore，merelytoremarkthatourideasoftheconductwhichisbecominginagentlemandifferseriously;andpermitmeonthisaccounttorequestthatyouwillconsideryourselfforthefutureasastrangertomyfamilyandtomyself。
“Yourobedientservant，“DAVIDMILROY。”
TheMondaymorningonwhichhisclientreceivedthemajor’sletterwastheblackestMondaythathadyetbeenmarkedinPedgift’scalendar。WhenAllan’sfirstangrysenseofthetoneofcontemptinwhichhisfriendandneighborpronouncedsentenceonhimhadsubsided，itlefthimsunkinastateofdepressionfromwhichnoeffortsmadebyhistravelingcompanioncouldrousehimfortherestoftheday。Revertingnaturally，nowthathissentenceofbanishmenthadbeenpronounced，tohisearlyintercoursewiththecottage，hismemorywentbacktoNeelie，moreregretfullyandmorepenitentlythanithadgonebacktoheryet。”If_she_hadshutthedooronme，insteadofherfather。”
wasthebitterreflectionwithwhichAllannowreviewedthepast，“Ishouldn’thavehadawordtosayagainstit;Ishouldhavefeltitservedmeright。”
Thenextdaybroughtanotherletter——awelcomeletterthistime，fromMr。Brock。AllanhadwrittentoSomersetshireonthesubjectofrefittingtheyachtsomedayssince。Theletterhadfoundtherectorengaged，asheinnocentlysupposed，inprotectinghisoldpupilagainstthewomanwhomhehadwatchedinLondon，andwhomhenowbelievedtohavefollowedhimbacktohisownhome。Actingunderthedirectionssenttoher，Mrs。Oldershaw’shouse-maidhadcompletedthemystificationofMr。Brock。Shehadtranquilizedallfurtheranxietyontherector’spartbygivinghimawrittenundertakinginthecharacterofMissGwilt，engagingnevertoapproachMr。Armadale，eitherpersonallyorbyletter！Firmlypersuadedthathehadwonthevictoryatlast，poorMr。BrockansweredAllan’snoteinthehighestspirits，expressingsomenaturalsurpriseathisleavingThorpeAmbrose，butreadilypromisingthattheyachtshouldberefitted，andofferingthehospitalityoftherectoryintheheartiestmanner。
ThisletterdidwondersinraisingAllan’sspirits。Itgavehimanewinteresttolookto，entirelydisassociatedfromhispastlifeinNorfolk。Hebegantocountthedaysthatwerestilltopassbeforethereturnofhisabsentfriend。ItwasthenTuesday。
IfMidwintercamebackfromhiswalkingtrip，ashehadengagedtocomeback，inafortnight，SaturdaywouldfindhimatThorpeAmbrose。AnotesenttomeetthetravelermightbringhimtoLondonthesamenight;and，ifallwentwell，beforeanotherweekwasovertheymightbeafloattogetherintheyacht。
Thenextdaypassed，toAllan’srelief，withoutbringinganyletters。ThespiritsofPedgiftrosesympatheticallywiththespiritsofhisclient。Towarddinnertimeherevertedtothe_menssanaincorporesano_oftheancients，andissuedhisorderstothehead-waitermoreroyallythanever。
Thursdaycame，andbroughtthefatalpostmanwithmorenewsfromNorfolk。Aletter-writernowsteppedonthescenewhohadnotappearedthereyet;andthetotaloverthrowofallAllan’splansforavisittoSomersetshirewasaccomplishedonthespot。
PedgiftJuniorhappenedthatmorningtobethefirstatthebreakfasttable。WhenAllancamein，herelapsedintohisprofessionalmanner，andofferedalettertohispatronwithabowperformedindrearysilence。
“Forme？”inquiredAllan，shrinkinginstinctivelyfromanewcorrespondent。
“Foryou，sir——frommyfather。”repliedPedgift，“inclosedinonetomyself。Perhapsyouwillallowmetosuggest，bywayofpreparingyoufor——forsomethingalittleunpleasant——thatweshallwantaparticularlygooddinnerto-day;andifthey’renotperforminganymodernGermanmusicto-nightIthinkweshoulddowelltofinishtheeveningmelodiouslyattheOpera。”
“SomethingwrongatThorpeAmbrose？”askedAllen。
“Yes，Mr。Armadale;somethingwrongatThorpeAmbrose。”
Allansatdownresignedly，andopenedtheletter。
[“PrivateandConfidential。”]
“HighStreetThorpeAmbrose，17thJuly，1851。
“DEARSIR——Icannotreconcileitwithmysenseofdutytoyourintereststoleaveyouanylongerinignoranceofreportscurrentinthistownanditsneighborhood，which，Iregrettosay，arereportsaffectingyourself。
“ThefirstintimationofanythingunpleasantreachedmeonMondaylast。ItwaswidelyrumoredinthetownthatsomethinghadgonewrongatMajorMilroy’swiththenewgoverness，andthatMr。
Armadalewasmixedupinit。Ipaidnoheedtothis，believingittobeoneofthemanytrumperypiecesofscandalperpetuallysetgoinghere，andasnecessaryastheairtheybreathetothecomfortoftheinhabitantsofthishighlyrespectableplace。
“Tuesday，however，putthematterinanewlight。Themostinterestingparticularswerecirculatedonthehighestauthority。
OnWednesday，thegentryintheneighborhoodtookthematterup，anduniversallysanctionedtheviewadoptedbythetown。To-daythepublicfeelinghasreacheditsclimax，andIfindmyselfunderthenecessityofmakingyouacquaintedwithwhathashappened。
“Tobeginatthebeginning。ItisassertedthatacorrespondencetookplacelastweekbetweenMajorMilroyandyourself;inwhichyoucastaveryserioussuspiciononMissGwilt’srespectability，withoutdefiningyouraccusationsandwithoutonbeingappliedtoproducingyourproofs。Uponthis，themajorappearstohavefeltithisdutywhileassuringhisgovernessofhisownfirmbeliefinherrespectabilitytoinformherofwhathadhappened，inorderthatshemighthavenofuturereasontocomplainofhishavinghadanyconcealmentsfromherinamatteraffectinghercharacter。Verymagnanimousonthemajor’spart;butyouwillseedirectlythatMissGwiltwasmoremagnanimousstill。Afterexpressingherthanksinamostbecomingmanner，sherequestedpermissiontowithdrawherselffromMajorMilroy’sservice。
“Variousreportsareincirculationastothegoverness’sreasonfortakingthisstep。
“Theauthorizedversionassanctionedbytheresidentgentry
representsMissGwilttohavesaidthatshecouldnotcondescend——injusticetoherself，andinjusticetoherhighlyrespectablereference——todefendherreputationagainstundefinedimputationscastonitbyacomparativestranger。Atthesametimeitwasimpossibleforhertopursuesuchacourseofconductasthis，unlessshepossessedafreedomofactionwhichwasquiteincompatiblewithhercontinuingtooccupythedependentpositionofagoverness。Forthatreasonshefeltitincumbentonhertoleavehersituation。But，whiledoingthis，shewasequallydeterminednottoleadtoanymisinterpretationofhermotivesbyleavingtheneighborhood。Nomatteratwhatinconveniencetoherself，shewouldremainlongenoughatThorpeAmbrosetoawaitanymoredefinitelyexpressedimputationsthatmightbemadeonhercharacter，andtorepelthempubliclytheinstanttheyassumedatangibleform。
“Suchisthepositionwhichthishigh-mindedladyhastakenup，withanexcellenteffectonthepublicmindintheseparts。Itisclearlyherinterest，forsomereason，toleavehersituation，withoutleavingtheneighborhood。OnMondaylastsheestablishedherselfinacheaplodgingontheoutskirtsofthetown。Andonthesamedaysheprobablywrotetoherreference，foryesterdaytherecamealetterfromthatladytoMajorMilroy，fullofvirtuousindignation，andcourtingthefullestinquiry。Theletterhasbeenshownpublicly，andhasimmenselystrengthenedMissGwilt’sposition。Sheisnowconsideredtobequiteaheroine。The_ThorpeAmbroseMercury_hasgotaleadingarticleabouther，comparinghertoJoanofArc。ItisconsideredprobablethatshewillbereferredtointhesermonnextSunday。
Wereckonfivestrong-mindedsingleladiesinthisneighborhood——andallfivehavecalledonher。Atestimonialwassuggested;butithasbeengivenupatMissGwilt’sownrequest，andageneralmovementisnowonfoottogetheremploymentasateacherofmusic。Lastly，Ihavehadthehonorofavisitfromtheladyherself，inhercapacityofmartyr，totellme，inthesweetestmanner，thatshedoesn’tblameMr。Armadale，andthatsheconsidershimtobeaninnocentinstrumentinthehandsofotherandmoredesigningpeople。Iwascarefullyonmyguardwithher;forIdon’taltogetherbelieveinMissGwilt，andIhavemylawyer’ssuspicionsofthemotivethatisatthebottomofherpresentproceedings。
“Ihavewrittenthusfar，mydearsir，withlittlehesitationorembarrassment。Butthereisunfortunatelyaserioussidetothisbusinessaswellasaridiculousside;andImustunwillinglycometoitbeforeIclosemyletter。