Thestrangercameon，withthelithe，lightstepofapracticedwalker，swingingastickinhishandandcarryingaknapsackonhisshoulders。Afewpacesnearer，andhisfacebecamevisible。
Hewasadarkman，hisblackhairwaspowderedwithdust，andhisblackeyeswerelookingsteadfastlyforwardalongtheroadbeforehim。
MissGwiltadvancedwiththefirstsignsofagitationshehadshownyet。“Isitpossible？”shesaid，softly。“Canitreallybeyou？”
ItwasMidwinter，onhiswaybacktoThorpeAmbrose，afterhisfortnightamongtheYorkshiremoors。
Hestoppedandlookedather，inbreathlesssurprise。Theimageofthewomanhadbeeninhisthoughts，atthemomentwhenthewomanherselfspoketohim。“MissGwilt！“heexclaimed，andmechanicallyheldouthishand。
Shetookit，andpresseditgently。“Ishouldhavebeengladtoseeyouatanytime。”shesaid。“Youdon’tknowhowgladIamtoseeyounow。MayItroubleyoutospeaktothatman？Hehasbeenfollowingme，andannoyingmeallthewayfromthetown。”
Midwintersteppedpastherwithoututteringaword。Faintasthelightwas，thespysawwhatwascominginhisface，and，turninginstantly，leapedtheditchbytheroad-side。BeforeMidwintercouldfollow，MissGwilt’shandwasonhisshoulder。
“No。”shesaid，“youdon’tknowwhohisemployeris。”
Midwinterstoppedandlookedather。
“Strangethingshavehappenedsinceyouleftus。”shewenton。“I
havebeenforcedtogiveupmysituation，andIamfollowedandwatchedbyapaidspy。Don’taskwhoforcedmeoutofmysituation，andwhopaysthespy——atleastnotjustyet。Ican’tmakeupmymindtotellyoutillIamalittlemorecomposed。Letthewretchgo。Doyoumindseeingmesafebacktomylodging？
It’sinyourwayhome。MayI——mayIaskforthesupportofyourarm？Mylittlestockofcourageisquiteexhausted。”Shetookhisarmandclungclosetoit。ThewomanwhohadtyrannizedoverMr。
Bashwoodwasgone，andthewomanwhohadtossedthespy’shatintothepoolwasgone。Atimid，shrinking，interestingcreaturefilledthefairskinandtrembledonthesymmetricallimbsofMissGwilt。Sheputherhandkerchieftohereyes。“Theysaynecessityhasnolaw。”shemurmured，faintly。“Iamtreatingyoulikeanoldfriend。GodknowsIwantone！“
Theywentontowardthetown。Sherecoveredherselfwithatouchingfortitude;sheputherhandkerchiefbackinherpocket，andpersistedinturningtheconversationonMidwinter’swalkingtour。“Itisbadenoughtobeaburdenonyou。”shesaid，gentlypressingonhisarmasshespoke;“Imustn’tdistressyouaswell。Tellmewhereyouhavebeen，andwhatyouhaveseen。
Interestmeinyourjourney;helpmetoescapefrommyself。”
Theyreachedthemodestlittlelodginginthemiserablelittlesuburb。MissGwiltsighed，andremovedherglovebeforeshetookMidwinter’shand。“Ihavetakenrefugehere。”shesaid，simply。
“Itiscleanandquiet;Iamtoopoortowantorexpectmore。Wemustsaygood-by，Isuppose，unless“——shehesitatedmodestly，andsatisfiedherselfbyaquicklookroundthattheywereunobserved——“unlessyouwouldliketocomeinandrestalittle？
Ifeelsogratefullytowardyou，Mr。Midwinter！Isthereanyharm，doyouthink，inmyofferingyouacupoftea？”
Themagneticinfluenceofhertouchwasthrillingthroughhimwhileshespoke。Changeandabsence，towhichhehadtrustedtoweakenherholdonhim，hadtreacherouslystrengtheneditinstead。Amanexceptionallysensitive，amanexceptionallypureinhispastlife，hestoodhandinhand，inthetemptingsecrecyofthenight，withthefirstwomanwhohadexercisedoverhimtheall-absorbinginfluenceofhersex。Athisage，andinhisposition，whocouldhavelefther？Themanwithaman’stemperamentdoesn’tlivewhocouldhavelefther。Midwinterwentin。
Astupid，sleepyladopenedthehousedoor。Evenhe，beingamalecreature，brightenedundertheinfluenceofMissGwilt。“Theurn，John。”shesaid，kindly，“andanothercupandsaucer。I’llborrowyourcandletolightmycandlesupstairs，andthenIwon’ttroubleyouanymoreto-night。”Johnwaswakefulandactiveinaninstant。“Notrouble，miss。”hesaid，withawkwardcivility。MissGwilttookhiscandlewithasmile。“Howgoodpeoplearetome！“
shewhispered，innocently，toMidwinter，assheledthewayupstairstothelittledrawing-roomonthefirstfloor。
Shelitthecandles，and，turningquicklyonherguest，stoppedhimatthefirstattempthemadetoremovetheknapsackfromhisshoulders。“No。”shesaid，gently;“inthegoodoldtimestherewereoccasionswhentheladiesunarmedtheirknights。Iclaimtheprivilegeofunarming_my_knight。”Herdexterousfingersinterceptedhisatthestrapsandbuckles，andshehadthedustyknapsackoff，beforehecouldprotestagainsthertouchingit。
Theysatdownattheonelittletableintheroom。Itwasverypoorlyfurnished;buttherewassomethingofthedaintyneatnessofthewomanwhoinhabiteditinthearrangementofthefewpoorornamentsonthechimney-piece，intheoneortwoprettilyboundvolumesonthechiffonier，intheflowersonthetable，andthemodestlittlework-basketinthewindow。“Womenarenotallcoquettes。”shesaid，asshetookoffherbonnetandmantilla，andlaidthemcarefullyonachair。“Iwon’tgointomyroom，andlookinmyglass，andmakemyselfsmart;youshalltakemejustasIam。”Herhandsmovedaboutamongthetea-thingswithasmooth，noiselessactivity。
Hermagnificenthairflashedcrimsoninthecandle-light，assheturnedherheadhitherandthither，searchingwithaneasygraceforthethingsshewantedinthetray。Exercisehadheightenedthebrilliancyofhercomplexion，andhadquickenedtherapidalternationsofexpressioninhereyes——thedeliciouslanguorthatstoleoverthemwhenshewaslisteningorthinking，thebrightintelligencethatflashedfromthemsoftlywhenshespoke。
Inthelightestwordshesaid，intheleastthingshedid，therewassomethingthatgentlysolicitedtheheartofthemanwhosatwithher。Perfectlymodestinhermanner，possessedtoperfectionofthegracefulrestraintsandrefinementsofalady，shehadalltheallurementsthatfeasttheeye，allthesireninvitationsthatseducethesense——asubtlesuggestivenessinhersilence，andasexualsorceryinhersmile。
“ShouldIbewrong。”sheasked，suddenlysuspendingtheconversationwhichshehadthusfarpersistentlyrestrictedtothesubjectofMidwinter’swalkingtour，“ifIguessedthatyouhavesomethingonyourmind——somethingwhichneithermyteanormytalkcancharmaway？Aremenascuriousaswomen？Isthesomething——Me？”
Midwinterstruggledagainstthefascinationoflookingatherandlisteningtoher。“IamveryanxioustohearwhathashappenedsinceIhavebeenaway。”hesaid。“ButIamstillmoreanxious，MissGwilt，nottodistressyoubyspeakingofapainfulsubject。”
Shelookedathimgratefully。“ItisforyoursakethatIhaveavoidedthepainfulsubject。”shesaid，toyingwithherspoonamongthedregsinheremptycup。“Butyouwillhearaboutitfromothers，ifyoudon’thearaboutitfromme;andyououghttoknowwhyyoufoundmeinthatstrangesituation，andwhyyouseemehere。Prayrememberonething，tobeginwith。Idon’tblameyourfriend，Mr。Armadale。Iblamethepeoplewhoseinstrumentheis。”
Midwinterstarted。“Isitpossible。”hebegan，“thatAllancanbeinanywayanswerable——？”Hestopped，andlookedatMissGwiltinsilentastonishment。
Shegentlylaidherhandonhis。“Don’tbeangrywithmeforonlytellingthetruth。”shesaid。“Yourfriendisanswerableforeverythingthathashappenedtome——innocentlyanswerable，Mr。
Midwinter，Ifirmlybelieve。Wearebothvictims。_He_isthevictimofhispositionastherichestsinglemanintheneighborhood;andIamthevictimofMissMilroy’sdeterminationtomarryhim。”
“MissMilroy？”repeatedMidwinter，moreandmoreastonished。
“Why，Allanhimselftoldme——“Hestoppedagain。
“HetoldyouthatIwastheobjectofhisadmiration？Poorfellow，headmireseverybody;hisheadisalmostasemptyasthis。”saidMissGwilt，smilingindicativelyintothehollowofhercup。Shedroppedthespoon，sighed，andbecameseriousagain。
“Iamguiltyofthevanityofhavinglethimadmireme。”shewenton，penitently，“withouttheexcuseofbeingable，onmyside，toreciprocateeventhepassinginterestthathefeltinme。Idon’tundervaluehismanyadmirablequalities，ortheexcellentpositionhecanoffertohiswife。Butawoman’sheartisnottobecommanded——no，Mr。Midwinter，notevenbythefortunatemasterofThorpeAmbrose，whocommandseverythingelse。”
Shelookedhimfullinthefaceassheutteredthatmagnanimoussentiment。Hiseyesdroppedbeforehers，andhisdarkcolordeepened。HehadfelthisheartleapinhimatthedeclarationofherindifferencetoAllan。Forthefirsttimesincetheyhadknowneachother，hisinterestsnowstoodself-revealedbeforehimasopenlyadversetotheinterestsofhisfriend。
“IhavebeenguiltyofthevanityoflettingMr。Armadaleadmireme，andIhavesufferedforit。”resumedMissGwilt。“Iftherehadbeenanyconfidencebetweenmypupilandme，ImighthaveeasilysatisfiedherthatshemightbecomeMrs。Armadale——ifshecould——withouthavinganyrivalrytofearonmypart。ButMissMilroydislikedanddistrustedmefromthefirst。Shetookherownjealousview，nodoubt，ofMr。Armadale’sthoughtlessattentionstome。Itwasherinteresttodestroytheposition，suchasitwas，thatIheldinhisestimation;anditisquitelikelyhermotherassistedher。Mrs。MilroyhadhermotivealsowhichIamreallyashamedtomentionforwishingtodrivemeoutofthehouse。Anyhow，theconspiracyhassucceeded。IhavebeenforcedwithMr。Armadale’shelptoleavethemajor’sservice。Don’tbeangry，Mr。Midwinter！Don’tformahastyopinion！IdaresayMissMilroyhassomegoodqualities，thoughI
havenotfoundthemout;andIassureyouagainandagainthatI
don’tblameMr。Armadale。Ionlyblamethepeoplewhoseinstrumentheis。”
“Howishetheirinstrument？Howcanhebetheinstrumentofanyenemyofyours？”askedMidwinter。“Prayexcusemyanxiety，MissGwilt:Allan’sgoodnameisasdeartomeasmyown！“
MissGwilt’seyesturnedfullonhimagain，andMissGwilt’sheartabandoneditselfinnocentlytoanoutburstofenthusiasm。
“HowIadmireyourearnestness！“shesaid。“HowIlikeyouranxietyforyourfriend！Oh，ifwomencouldonlyformsuchfriendships！Ohyouhappy，happymen！“Hervoicefaltered，andherconvenienttea-cupabsorbedherforthethirdtime。“IwouldgiveallthelittlebeautyIpossess。”shesaid，“ifIcouldonlyfindsuchafriendasMr。Armadalehasfoundin_you。_Inevershall，Mr。Midwinter——Inevershall。Letusgobacktowhatweweretalkingabout。Icanonlytellyouhowyourfriendisconcernedinmymisfortunebytellingyousomethingfirstaboutmyself。Iamlikemanyothergovernesses;Iamthevictimofsaddomesticcircumstances。Itmaybeweakofme，butIhaveahorrorofalludingtothemamongstrangers。Mysilenceaboutmyfamilyandmyfriendsexposesmetomisinterpretationinmydependentposition。Doesitdomeanyharm，Mr。Midwinter，inyourestimation？”
“Godforbid！“saidMidwinter，fervently。“Thereisnomanliving。”hewenton，thinkingofhisownfamilystory，“whohasbetterreasontounderstandandrespectyoursilencethanI
have。”
MissGwiltseizedhishandimpulsively。“Oh。”shesaid，“Iknewit，thefirstmomentIsawyou！Iknewthatyou，too，hadsuffered;thatyou，too，hadsorrowswhichyoukeptsacred！
Strange，strangesympathy！Ibelieveinmesmerism——doyou？”Shesuddenlyrecollectedherself，andshuddered。“Oh，whathaveI
done？Whatmustyouthinkofme？”sheexclaimed，asheyieldedtothemagneticfascinationofhertouch，and，forgettingeverythingbutthehandthatlaywarminhisown，bentoveritandkissedit。“Spareme！“shesaid，faintly，asshefelttheburningtouchofhislips。“Iamsofriendless——Iamsocompletelyatyourmercy！“
Heturnedawayfromher，andhidhisfaceinhishands;hewastrembling，andshesawit。Shelookedathimwhilehisfacewashiddenfromher;shelookedathimwithafurtiveinterestandsurprise。“Howthatmanlovesme！“shethought。“IwonderwhethertherewasatimewhenImighthaveloved_him？_“
Thesilencebetweenthemremainedunbrokenforsomeminutes。Hehadfeltherappealtohisconsiderationasshehadneverexpectedorintendedhimtofeelit——heshrankfromlookingatherorfromspeakingtoheragain。
“ShallIgoonwithmystory？”sheasked。“Shallweforgetandforgiveonbothsides？”Awoman’sinveterateindulgenceforeveryexpressionofaman’sadmirationwhichkeepswithinthelimitsofpersonalrespectcurvedherlipsgentlyintoacharmingsmile。
Shelookeddownmeditativelyatherdress，andbrushedacrumboffherlapwithalittleflatteringsigh。“Iwastellingyou。”
shewenton，“ofmyreluctancetospeaktostrangersofmysadfamilystory。Itwasinthatway，asIafterwardfoundout，thatIlaidmyselfopentoMissMilroy’smaliceandMissMilroy’ssuspicion。Privateinquiriesaboutmewereaddressedtotheladywhowasmyreference——atMissMilroy’ssuggestion，inthefirstinstance，Ihavenodoubt。Iamsorrytosay，thisisnottheworstofit。Bysomeunderhandmeans，ofwhichIamquiteignorant，Mr。Armadale’ssimplicitywasimposedon;and，whenapplicationwasmadesecretlytomyreferenceinLondon，itwasmade，Mr。Midwinter，throughyourfriend。”
Midwintersuddenlyrosefromhischairandlookedather。Thefascinationthatsheexercisedoverhim，powerfulasitwas，becameasuspendedinfluence，nowthattheplaindisclosurecameplainlyatlastfromherlips。Helookedather，andsatdownagain，likeamanbewildered，withoututteringaword。
“Rememberhowweakheis。”pleadedMissGwilt，gently，“andmakeallowancesforhimasIdo。Thetriflingaccidentofhisfailingtofindmyreferenceattheaddressgivenhimseems，Ican’timaginewhy，tohaveexcitedMr。Armadale’ssuspicion。Atanyrate，heremainedinLondon。Whathedidthere，itisimpossibleformetosay。Iwasquiteinthedark;Iknewnothing:I
distrustednobody;IwasashappyinmylittleroundofdutiesasIcouldbewithapupilwhoseaffectionsIhadfailedtowin，when，onemorning，tomyindescribableastonishment，MajorMilroyshowedmeacorrespondencebetweenMr。Armadaleandhimself。Hespoketomeinhiswife’spresence。Poorcreature，Imakenocomplaintofher;suchafflictionasshesuffersexcuseseverything。IwishIcouldgiveyousomeideaofthelettersbetweenMajorMilroyandMr。Armadale;butmyheadisonlyawoman’shead，andIwassoconfusedanddistressedatthetime！AllIcantellyouisthatMr。ArmadalechosetopreservesilenceabouthisproceedingsinLondon，undercircumstanceswhichmadethatsilenceareflectiononmycharacter。Themajorwasmostkind;hisconfidenceinmeremainedunshaken;butcouldhisconfidenceprotectmeagainsthiswife’sprejudiceandhisdaughter’sill-will？Oh，thehardnessofwomentoeachother！Oh，thehumiliationifmenonlyknewsomeofusaswereallyare！
WhatcouldIdo？Icouldn’tdefendmyselfagainstmereimputations;andIcouldn’tremaininmysituationafteraslurhadbeencastonme。MyprideHeavenhelpme，Iwasbroughtuplikeagentlewoman，andIhavesensibilitiesthatarenotbluntedevenyet！——mypridegotthebetterofme，andIleftmyplace。
Don’tletitdistressyou，Mr。Midwinter！There’sabrightsidetothepicture。Theladiesintheneighborhoodhaveoverwhelmedmewithkindness;Ihavetheprospectofgettingpupilstoteach;
Iamsparedthemortificationofgoingbacktobeaburdenonmyfriends。TheonlycomplaintIhavetomakeis，Ithink，ajustone。Mr。ArmadalehasbeenbackatThorpeAmbroseforsomedays。
Ihaveentreatedhim，byletter，tograntmeaninterview;totellmewhatdreadfulsuspicionshehasofme，andtoletmesetmyselfrightinhisestimation。Wouldyoubelieveit？Hehasdeclinedtoseeme——undertheinfluenceofothers，notofhisownfreewill，Iamsure！Cruel，isn’tit？Buthehasevenusedmemorecruellystill;hepersistsinsuspectingme;itishewhoishavingmewatched。Oh，Mr。Midwinter，don’thatemefortellingyouwhatyou_must_know！Themanyoufoundpersecutingmeandfrighteningmetonightwasonlyearninghismoney，afterall，asMr。Armadale’sspy。”
OncemoreMidwinterstartedtohisfeet;andthistimethethoughtsthatwereinhimfoundtheirwayintowords。
“Ican’tbelieveit;Iwon’tbelieveit！“heexclaimed，indignantly。“Ifthemantoldyouthat，themanlied。Ibegyourpardon，MissGwilt;Ibegyourpardonfromthebottomofmyheart。Don’t，praydon’tthinkIdoubt_you;_Ionlysaythereissomedreadfulmistake。IamnotsurethatIunderstandasIoughtallthatyouhavetoldme。ButthislastinfamousmeannessofwhichyouthinkAllanguilty，I_do_understand。Isweartoyou，heisincapableofit！Somescoundrelhasbeentakingadvantageofhim;somescoundrelhasbeenusinghisname。I’llproveittoyou，ifyouwillonlygivemetime。Letmegoandclearitupatonce。Ican’trest;Ican’tbeartothinkofit;Ican’tevenenjoythepleasureofbeinghere。Oh。”heburstoutdesperately，“I’msureyoufeelforme，afterwhatyouhavesaid——Ifeelsofor_you！_“
Hestoppedinconfusion。MissGwilt’seyeswerelookingathimagain，andMissGwilt’shandhadfounditswayoncemoreintohisown。
“Youarethemostgenerousoflivingmen。”shesaid，softly。“I
willbelievewhatyoutellmetobelieve。Go。”sheadded，inawhisper，suddenlyreleasinghishand，andturningawayfromhim。
“Forbothoursakes，go！“
Hisheartbeatfast;helookedatherasshedroppedintoachairandputherhandkerchieftohereyes。Foronemomenthehesitated;thenext，hesnatcheduphisknapsackfromthefloor，andleftherprecipitately，withoutabackwardlookorapartingword。
Sherosewhenthedoorclosedonhim。Achangecameoverhertheinstantshewasalone。Thecolorfadedoutofhercheeks;thebeautydiedoutofhereyes;herfacehardenedhorriblywithasilentdespair。“It’sevenbaserworkthanIbargainedfor。”shesaid，“todeceive_him。_“Afterpacingtoandfrointheroomforsomeminutes，shestoppedwearilybeforetheglassoverthefire-place。“Youstrangecreature！“shemurmured，leaningherelbowsonthemantelpiece，andlanguidlyaddressingthereflectionofherselfintheglass。“Haveyougotanyconscienceleft？Andhasthatmanrousedit？”
Thereflectionofherfacechangedslowly。Thecolorreturnedtohercheeks，thedeliciouslanguorbegantosuffusehereyesagain。Herlipspartedgently，andherquickeningbreathbegantodimthesurfaceoftheglass。Shedrewbackfromit，afteramoment’sabsorptioninherownthoughts，withastartofterror。
“WhatamIdoing？”sheaskedherself，inasuddenpanicofastonishment。“AmImadenoughtobethinkingofhimin_that_
way？”
Sheburstintoamockinglaugh，andopenedherdeskonthetablerecklesslywithabang。“It’shightimeIhadsometalkwithMotherJezebel。”shesaid，andsatdowntowritetoMrs。
Oldershaw。
“IhavemetwithMr。Midwinter。”shebegan，“underveryluckycircumstances;andIhavemadethemostofmyopportunity。HehasjustleftmeforhisfriendArmadale;andoneoftwogoodthingswillhappento-morrow。Iftheydon’tquarrel，thedoorsofThorpeAmbrosewillbeopenedtomeagainatMr。Midwinter’sintercession。Iftheydoquarrel，Ishallbetheunhappycauseofit，andIshallfindmywayinformyself，onthepurelyChristianerrandofreconcilingthem。”
Shehesitatedatthenextsentence，wrotethefirstfewwordsofit，scratchedthemoutagain，andpetulantlytoretheletterintofragments，andthrewthepentotheotherendoftheroom。
Turningquicklyonherchair，shelookedattheseatwhichMidwinterhadoccupied，herfootrestlesslytappingthefloor，andherhandkerchiefthrustlikeagagbetweenherclinchedteeth。“Youngasyouare。”shethought，withhermindrevivingtheimageofhimintheemptychair，“therehasbeensomethingoutofthecommonin_your_life;andImustandwillknowit！“
Thehouseclockstruckthehour，androusedher。Shesighed，and，walkingbacktotheglass，wearilyloosenedthefasteningsofherdress;wearilyremovedthestudsfromthechemisettebeneathit，andputthemonthechimney-piece。Shelookedindolentlyatthereflectedbeautiesofherneckandbosom，assheunplaitedherhairandthrewitbackinonegreatmassoverhershoulders。
“Fancy。”shethought，“ifhesawmenow！“Sheturnedbacktothetable，andsighedagainassheextinguishedoneofthecandlesandtooktheotherinherhand。“Midwinter？”shesaid，asshepassedthroughthefolding-doorsoftheroomtoherbed-chamber。
“Idon’tbelieveinhisname，tobeginwith！“
ThenighthadadvancedbymorethananhourbeforeMidwinterwasbackagainatthegreathouse。
Twice，wellasthehomewardwaywasknowntohim，hehadstrayedoutoftherightroad。Theeventsoftheevening——theinterviewwithMissGwiltherself，afterhisfortnight’ssolitarythinkingofher;theextraordinarychangethathadtakenplaceinherpositionsincehehadseenherlast;andthestartlingassertionofAllan’sconnectionwithit——hadallconspiredtothrowhismindintoastateofungovernableconfusion。Thedarknessofthecloudynightaddedtohisbewilderment。EventhefamiliargatesofThorpeAmbroseseemedstrangetohim。Whenhetriedtothinkofit，itwasamysterytohimhowhehadreachedtheplace。
Thefrontofthehousewasdark，andclosedforthenight。
Midwinterwentroundtotheback。Thesoundofmen’svoices，asheadvanced，caughthisear。Theyweresoondistinguishableasthevoicesofthefirstandsecondfootman，andthesubjectofconversationbetweenthemwastheirmaster。
“I’llbetyouanevenhalf-crownhe’sdrivenoutoftheneighborhoodbeforeanotherweekisoverhishead。”saidthefirstfootman。
“Done！“saidthesecond。“Heisn’taseasydrivenasyouthink。”
“Isn’the！“retortedtheother。“He’llbemobbedifhestopshere！Itellyouagain，he’snotsatisfiedwiththemesshe’sgotintoalready。Iknowitforcertain，he’shavingthegovernesswatched。”
Atthosewords，Midwintermechanicallycheckedhimselfbeforeheturnedthecornerofthehouse。HisfirstdoubtoftheresultofhismeditatedappealtoAllanranthroughhimlikeasuddenchill。Theinfluenceexercisedbythevoiceofpublicscandalisaforcewhichacts。inoppositiontotheordinarylawofmechanics。Itisstrongest，notbyconcentration，butbydistribution。Totheprimarysoundwemayshutourears;butthereverberationofitinechoesisirresistible。Onhiswayback，Midwinter’sonedesirehadbeentofindAllanup，andtospeaktohimimmediately。Hisonehopenowwastogaintimetocontendwiththenewdoubtsandtosilencethenewmisgivings;hisonepresentanxietywastohearthatAllanhadgonetobed。Heturnedthecornerofthehouse，andpresentedhimselfbeforethemensmokingtheirpipesinthebackgarden。Assoonastheirastonishmentallowedthemtospeak，theyofferedtorousetheirmaster。Allanhadgivenhisfriendupforthatnight，andhadgonetobedabouthalfanhoursince。
“Itwasmymaster’s’particularorder，sir。”saidthehead-footman，“thathewastobetoldofitifyoucameback。”
“Itis_my_particularrequest。”returnedMidwinter，“thatyouwon’tdisturbhim。”
Themenlookedateachotherwonderingly，ashetookhiscandleandleftthem。
CHAPTERVIII。
SHECOMESBETWEENTHEM。
APPOINTEDhoursforthevariousdomesticeventsofthedaywerethingsunknownatThorpeAmbrose。Irregularinallhishabits，Allanaccommodatedhimselftonostatedtimeswiththesolitaryexceptionofdinner-timeatanyhourofthedayornight。Heretiredtorestearlyorlate，andheroseearlyorlate，exactlyashefeltinclined。Theservantswereforbiddentocallhim;andMrs。Gripperwasaccustomedtoimprovisethebreakfastasshebestmight，fromthetimewhenthekitchenfirewasfirstlightedtothetimewhentheclockstoodonthestrokeofnoon。
Towardnineo’clockonthemorningafterhisreturnMidwinterknockedatAllan’sdoor，andonenteringtheroomfounditempty。
Afterinquiryamongtheservants，itappearedthatAllanhadrisenthatmorningbeforethemanwhousuallyattendedonhimwasup，andthathishotwaterhadbeenbroughttothedoorbyoneofthehouse-maids，whowasthenstillinignoranceofMidwinter’sreturn。Nobodyhadchancedtoseethemaster，eitheronthestairsorinthehall;nobodyhadheardhimringthebellforbreakfast，asusual。Inbrief，nobodyknewanythingabouthim，exceptwhatwasobviouslycleartoall——thathewasnotinthehouse。
Midwinterwentoutunderthegreatportico。Hestoodattheheadoftheflightofstepsconsideringinwhichdirectionheshouldsetforthtolookforhisfriend。Allan’sunexpectedabsenceaddedonemoretothedisquietinginfluenceswhichstillperplexedhismind。Hewasinthemoodinwhichtriflesirritateaman，andfanciesareall-powerfultoexaltordepresshisspirits。
Theskywascloudy;andthewindblewinpuffsfromthesouth;
therewaseveryprospect，toweather-wiseeyes，ofcomingrain。
WhileMidwinterwasstillhesitating，oneofthegroomspassedhimonthedrivebelow。Themanproved，onbeingquestioned，tobebetterinformedabouthismaster’smovementsthantheservantsindoors。HehadseenAllanpassthestablesmorethananhoursince，goingoutbythebackwayintotheparkwithanosegayinhishand。
Anosegayinhishand？ThenosegayhungincomprehensiblyonMidwinter’smindashewalkedround，onthechanceofmeetingAllan，tothebackofthehouse。“Whatdoesthenosegaymean？”heaskedhimself，withanunintelligiblesenseofirritation，andapetulantkickatastonethatstoodinhisway。
ItmeantthatAllanhadbeenfollowinghisimpulsesasusual。TheonepleasantimpressionleftonhismindafterhisinterviewwithPedgiftSeniorwastheimpressionmadebythelawyer’saccountofhisconversationwithNeelieinthepark。Theanxietythatheshouldnotmisjudgeher，whichthemajor’sdaughterhadsoearnestlyexpressed，placedherbeforeAllan’seyesinanirresistiblyattractivecharacter——thecharacteroftheonepersonamongallhisneighborswhohadsomerespectstillleftforhisgoodopinion。Acutelysensibleofhissocialisolation，nowthattherewasnoMidwintertokeephimcompanyintheemptyhouse，hungeringandthirstinginhissolitudeforakindwordandafriendlylook，hebegantothinkmoreandmoreregretfullyandmoreandmorelonginglyofthebrightyoungfacesopleasantlyassociatedwithhisfirsthappiestdaysatThorpeAmbrose。Tobeconsciousofsuchafeelingasthiswas，withacharacterlikeAllan’s，toactonitheadlong，leadhimwhereitmight。HehadgoneoutonthepreviousmorningtolookforNeeliewithapeace-offeringofflowers，butwithnoverydistinctideaofwhatheshouldsaytoheriftheymet;andfailingtofindheronthesceneofhercustomarywalks，hehadcharacteristicallypersistedthenextmorninginmakingasecondattemptwithanotherpeace-offeringonalargerscale。Stillignorantofhisfriend’sreturn，hewasnowatsomedistancefromthehouse，searchingtheparkinadirectionwhichhehadnottriedyet。
Afterwalkingoutafewhundredyardsbeyondthestables，andfailingtodiscoveranysignsofAllan，Midwinterretracedhissteps，andwaitedforhisfriend’sreturn，pacingslowlytoandfroonthelittlestripofgardengroundatthebackofthehouse。
Fromtimetotime，ashepassedit，helookedinabsentlyattheroomwhichhadformerlybeenMrs。Armadale’s，whichwasnowthroughhisinterpositionhabituallyoccupiedbyherson——theroomwiththeStatuetteonthebracket，andtheFrenchwindowsopeningtotheground，whichhadoncerecalledtohimtheSecondVisionoftheDream。TheShadowoftheMan，whichAllanhadseenstandingoppositetohimatthelongwindow;theviewoveralawnandflower-garden;thepatteringoftherainagainsttheglass;
thestretchingoutoftheShadow’sarm，andthefallofthestatueinfragmentsonthefloor——theseobjectsandeventsofthevisionaryscene，sovividlypresenttohismemoryonce，wereallsupersededbylaterremembrancesnow，werealllefttofadeastheymightinthedimbackgroundoftime。Hecouldpasstheroomagainandagain，aloneandanxious，andneveroncethinkoftheboatdriftingawayinthemoonlight，andthenight’simprisonmentontheWreckedShip！
Towardteno’clockthewell-rememberedsoundofAllan’svoicebecamesuddenlyaudibleinthedirectionofthestables。Inamomentmorehewasvisiblefromthegarden。Hissecondmorning’ssearchforNeeliehadendedtoallappearanceinaseconddefeatofhisobject。Thenosegaywasstillinhishand;andhewasresignedlymakingapresentofittooneofthecoachman’schildren。
Midwinterimpulsivelytookastepforwardtowardthestables，andabruptlycheckedhisfurtherprogress。
ConsciousthathispositiontowardhisfriendwasalteredalreadyinrelationtoMissGwilt，thefirstsightofAllanfilledhismindwithasuddendistrustofthegoverness’sinfluenceoverhim，whichwasalmostadistrustofhimself。HeknewthathehadsetforthfromthemoorsonhisreturntoThorpeAmbrosewiththeresolutionofacknowledgingthepassionthathadmasteredhim，andofinsisting，ifnecessary，onasecondandalongerabsenceintheinterestsofthesacrificewhichhewasbentonmakingtothehappinessofhisfriend。Whathadbecomeofthatresolutionnow？ThediscoveryofMissGwilt’salteredposition，andthedeclarationthatshehadvoluntarilymadeofherindifferencetoAllan，hadscatteredittothewinds。Thefirstwordswithwhichhewouldhavemethisfriend，ifnothinghadhappenedtohimonthehomewardway，werewordsalreadydismissedfromhislips。Hedrewbackashefeltit，andstruggled，withaninstinctiveloyaltytowardAllan，tofreehimselfatthelastmomentfromtheinfluenceofMissGwilt。
Havingdisposedofhisuselessnosegay，Allanpassedonintothegarden，andtheinstantheentereditrecognizedMidwinterwithaloudcryofsurpriseanddelight。
“AmIawakeordreaming？”heexclaimed，seizinghisfriendexcitablybybothhands。”YoudearoldMidwinter，haveyousprungupoutoftheground，orhaveyoudroppedfromtheclouds？”
ItwasnottillMidwinterhadexplainedthemysteryofhisunexpectedappearanceineveryparticularthatAllancouldbeprevailedontosayawordabouthimself。Whenhedidspeak，heshookhisheadruefully，andsubduedtheheartyloudnessofhisvoice，withapreliminarylookroundtoseeiftheservantswerewithinhearing。
“I’velearnedtobecautioussinceyouwentawayandleftme。”
saidAllan。“Mydearfellow，youhaven’ttheleastnotionwhatthingshavehappened，andwhatanawfulscrapeI’minatthisverymoment！“
“Youaremistaken，Allan。Ihaveheardmoreofwhathashappenedthanyousuppose。”
“What！thedreadfulmessI’minwithMissGwilt？therowwiththemajor？theinfernalscandal-mongeringintheneighborhood？Youdon’tmeantosay——？”
“Yes。”interposedMidwinter，quietly;“Ihaveheardofitall。”
“Goodheavens！how？DidyoustopatThorpeAmbroseonyourwayback？Haveyoubeeninthecoffee-roomatthehotel？HaveyoumetPedgift？HaveyoudroppedintotheReadingRooms，andseenwhattheycallthefreedomofthepressinthetownnewspaper？”
Midwinterpausedbeforeheanswered，andlookedupatthesky。
Thecloudshadbeengatheringunnoticedovertheirheads，andthefirstrain-dropswerebeginningtofall。
“Comeinhere。”saidAllan。“We’llgouptobreakfastthisway。“
HeledMidwinterthroughtheopenFrenchwindowintohisownsitting-room。Thewindblewtowardthatsideofthehouse，andtherainfollowedthemin。Midwinter，whowaslast，turnedandclosedthewindow。
Allanwastooeagerfortheanswerwhichtheweatherhadinterruptedtowaitforittilltheyreachedthebreakfast-room。
Hestoppedcloseatthewindow，andaddedtwomoretohisstringofquestions。
“HowcanyoupossiblyhaveheardaboutmeandMissGwilt？”heasked。“Whotoldyou？”
“MissGwiltherself。”repliedMidwinter，gravely。
Allan’smannerchangedthemomentthegoverness’snamepassedhisfriend’slips。
“Iwishyouhadheardmystoryfirst。”hesaid。“WheredidyoumeetwithMissGwilt？”
Therewasamomentarypause。Theybothstoodstillatthewindow，absorbedintheinterestofthemoment。Theybothforgotthattheircontemplatedplaceofshelterfromtherainhadbeenthebreakfast-roomupstairs。
“BeforeIansweryourquestion。”saidMidwinter，alittleconstrainedly，“Iwanttoaskyousomething，Allan，onmyside。
IsitreallytruethatyouareinsomewayconcernedinMissGwilt’sleavingMajorMilroy’sservice？”
Therewasanotherpause。ThedisturbancewhichhadbeguntoappearinAllan’smannerpalpablyincreased。
“It’sratheralongstory。”hebegan。“Ihavebeentakenin，Midwinter。I’vebeenimposedonbyaperson，who——Ican’thelpsayingit——whocheatedmeintopromisingwhatIoughtn’ttohavepromised，anddoingwhatIhadbetternothavedone。Itisn’tbreakingmypromisetotellyou。Icantrustinyourdiscretion，can’tI？Youwillneversayaword，willyou？”
“Stop！“saidMidwinter。“Don’ttrustmewithanysecretswhicharenotyourown。Ifyouhavegivenapromise，don’ttriflewithit，eveninspeakingtosuchanintimatefriendasIam。”HelaidhishandgentlyandkindlyonAllan’sshoulder。“Ican’thelpseeingthatIhavemadeyoualittleuncomfortable。”hewenton。
“Ican’thelpseeingthatmyquestionisnotsoeasyaonetoanswerasIhadhopedandsupposed。Shallwewaitalittle？Shallwegoupstairsandbreakfastfirst？”
AllanwasfartooearnestlybentonpresentinghisconducttohisfriendintherightaspecttoheedMidwinter’ssuggestion。Hespokeeagerlyontheinstant，withoutmovingfromthewindow。
“Mydearfellow，it’saperfectlyeasyquestiontoanswer。
Only“——hehesitated——“onlyitrequireswhatI’mabadhandat:itrequiresanexplanation。”
“Doyoumean。”askedMidwinter，moreseriously，butnotlessgentlythanbefore，“thatyoumustfirstjustifyyourself，andthenanswermyquestion？”
“That’sit！“saidAllan，withanairofrelief。“You’rehittherightnailonthehead，justasusual。”
Midwinter’sfacedarkenedforthefirsttime。“Iamsorrytohearit。”hesaid，hisvoicesinkinglow，andhiseyesdroppingtothegroundashespoke。
Therainwasbeginningtofallthickly。Itsweptacrossthegarden，straightontheclosedwindows，andpatteredheavilyagainsttheglass。
“Sorry！“repeatedAllan。“Mydearfellow，youhaven’theardtheparticularsyet。WaittillIexplainthethingfirst。”
“Youareabadhandatexplanations。”saidMidwinter，repeatingAllan’sownwords。“Don’tplaceyourselfatadisadvantage。Don’texplainit。”
Allanlookedathim，insilentperplexityandsurprise。
“Youaremyfriend——mybestanddearestfriend。”Midwinterwenton。“Ican’tbeartoletyoujustifyyourselftomeasifIwasyourjudge，orasifIdoubtedyou。”HelookedupagainatAllanfranklyandkindlyashesaidthosewords。“Besides。”heresumed，“Ithink，ifIlookintomymemory，Icananticipateyourexplanation。Wehadamoment’stalk，beforeIwentaway，aboutsomeverydelicatequestionswhichyouproposedputtingtoMajorMilroy。IrememberIwarnedyou;IrememberIhadmymisgivings。
ShouldIbeguessingrightifIguessedthatthosequestionshavebeeninsomewaythemeansofleadingyouintoafalseposition？
IfitistruethatyouhavebeenconcernedinMissGwilt’sleavinghersituation，isitalsotrue——isitonlydoingyoujusticetobelieve——thatanymischiefforwhichyouareresponsiblehasbeenmischiefinnocentlydone？”
“Yes。”saidAllan，speaking，forthefirsttime，alittleconstrainedlyonhisside。“Itisonlydoingmejusticetosaythat。”Hestoppedandbegandrawinglinesabsentlywithhisfingerontheblurredsurfaceofthewindow-pane。“You’renotlikeotherpeople，Midwinter。”heresumed，suddenly，withaneffort;“andIshouldhavelikedyoutohaveheardtheparticularsallthesame。”
“Iwillhearthemifyoudesireit。”returnedMidwinter。“ButI
amsatisfied，withoutanotherword，thatyouhavenotwillinglybeenthemeansofdeprivingMissGwiltofhersituation。Ifthatisunderstoodbetweenyouandme，Ithinkweneedsaynomore。
Besides，Ihaveanotherquestiontoask，ofmuchgreaterimportance——aquestionthathasbeenforcedonmebywhatIsawwithmyowneyes，andheardwithmyownears，lastnight。”
Hestopped，recoilinginspiteofhimself。“Shallwegoupstairsfirst？”heasked，abruptly，leadingthewaytothedoor，andtryingtogaintime。
Itwasuseless。Onceagain，theroomwhichtheywerebothfreetoleave，theroomwhichoneofthemhadtwicetriedtoleavealready，heldthemasiftheywereprisoners。
Withoutanswering，withoutevenappearingtohaveheardMidwinter’sproposaltogoupstairs，Allanfollowedhimmechanicallyasfarastheoppositesideofthewindow。Therehestopped。“Midwinter！“heburstout，inasuddenpanicofastonishmentandalarm，“thereseemstobesomethingstrangebetweenus！You’renotlikeyourself。Whatisit？”
Withhishandonthelockofthedoor，Midwinterturned，andlookedbackintotheroom。Themomenthadcome。Hishauntingfearofdoinghisfriendaninjusticehadshownitselfinarestraintofword，look，andactionwhichhadbeenmarkedenoughtoforceitswaytoAllan’snotice。Theonecourseleftnow，inthedearestinterestsofthefriendshipthatunitedthem，wastospeakatonce，andtospeakboldly。
“There’ssomethingstrangebetweenus。”reiteratedAllan。“ForGod’ssake，whatisit？”
Midwintertookhishandfromthedoor，andcamedownagaintothewindow，frontingAllan。Heoccupiedtheplace，ofnecessity，whichAllanhadjustleft。ItwasthesideofthewindowonwhichtheStatuettestood。Thelittlefigure，placedonitsprojectingbracket，was，closebehindhimonhisrighthand。Nosignsofchangeappearedinthestormysky。Therainstillsweptslantingacrossthegarden，andpatteredheavilyagainsttheglass。
“Givemeyourhand，Allan。”
Allangaveit，andMidwinterhelditfirmlywhilehespoke。
“Thereissomethingstrangebetweenus。”hesaid。“Thereissomethingtobesetrightwhichtouchesyounearly;andithasnotbeensetrightyet。YouaskedmejustnowwhereImetwithMissGwilt。Imetwithheronmywaybackhere，uponthehigh-roadonthefurthersideofthetown。Sheentreatedmetoprotectherfromamanwhowasfollowingandfrighteningher。I
sawthescoundrelwithmyowneyes，andIshouldhavelaidhandsonhim，ifMissGwiltherselfhadnotstoppedme。Shegaveaverystrangereasonforstoppingme。ShesaidIdidn’tknowwhohisemployerwas。”
Allan’sruddycolorsuddenlydeepened;helookedasidequicklythroughthewindowatthepouringrain。Atthesamemomenttheirhandsfellapart，andtherewasapauseofsilenceoneitherside。Midwinterwasthefirsttospeakagain。
“Laterintheevening。”hewenton，“MissGwiltexplainedherself。Shetoldmetwothings。ShedeclaredthatthemanwhomI
hadseenfollowingherwasahiredspy。Iwassurprised，butI
couldnotdisputeit。Shetoldmenext，Allan——whatIbelievewithmywholeheartandsoultobeafalsehoodwhichhasbeenimposedonherasthetruth——shetoldmethatthespywasinyouremployment！“
Allanturnedinstantlyfromthewindow，andlookedMidwinterfullinthefaceagain。“Imustexplainmyselfthistime。”hesaid，resolutely。
TheashypalenesspeculiartohiminmomentsofstrongemotionbegantoshowitselfonMidwinter’scheeks。
“Moreexplanations！“hesaid，anddrewbackastep，withhiseyesfixedinasuddenterrorofinquiryonAllan’sface。
“Youdon’tknowwhatIknow，Midwinter。Youdon’tknowthatwhatIhavedonehasbeendonewithagoodreason。Andwhatismore，I
havenottrustedtomyself——Ihavehadgoodadvice。”
“DidyouhearwhatIsaidjustnow？”askedMidwinter，incredulously。“Youcan’t——surely，youcan’thavebeenattendingtome？”
“Ihaven’tmissedaword。”rejoinedAllan。“Itellyouagain，youdon’tknowwhatIknowofMissGwilt。ShehasthreatenedMissMilroy。MissMilroyisindangerwhilehergovernessstopsinthisneighborhood。”
Midwinterdismissedthemajor’sdaughterfromtheconversationwithacontemptuousgestureofhishand。
“Idon’twanttohearaboutMiss，Milroy。”hesaid。“Don’tmixupMissMilroy——GoodGod，Allan，amItounderstandthatthespysettowatchMissGwiltwasdoinghisvileworkwithyourapproval？”
“Onceforall，mydearfellow，willyou，orwillyounot，letmeexplain？”
“Explain！“criedMidwinter，hiseyesaflame，andhishotCreolebloodrushingcrimsonintohisface。“Explaintheemploymentofaspy？What！afterhavingdrivenMissGwiltoutofhersituationbymeddlingwithherprivateaffairs，youmeddleagainbythevilestofallmeans——themeansofapaidspy？Yousetawatchonthewomanwhomyouyourselftoldmeyouloved，onlyafortnightsince——thewomanyouwerethinkingofasyourwife！Idon’tbelieveit;Iwon’tbelieveit。Ismyheadfailingme？IsitAllanArmadaleIamspeakingto？IsitAllanArmadale’sfacelookingatme？Stop！youareactingundersomemistakenscruple。
Somelowfellowhascreptintoyourconfidence，andhasdonethisinyournamewithouttellingyoufirst。”
Allancontrolledhimselfwithadmirablepatienceandadmirableconsiderationforthetemperofhisfriend。“Ifyoupersistinrefusingtohearme。”hesaid，“ImustwaitaswellasIcantillmyturncomes。”
“Tellmeyouareastrangertotheemploymentofthatman，andI
willhearyouwillingly。”
“Supposethereshouldbeanecessity，thatyouknownothingabout，foremployinghim？”
“Iacknowledgenonecessityforthecowardlypersecutionofahelplesswoman。”
Amomentaryflushofirritation——momentary，andnomore——passedoverAllan’sface。“Youmightn’tthinkherquitesohelpless。”hesaid，“ifyouknewthetruth。”
“Are_you_themantotellmethetruth？”retortedtheother。
“Youwhohaverefusedtohearherinherowndefense！Youwhohaveclosedthedoorsofthishouseagainsther！“
Allanstillcontrolledhimself，buttheeffortbeganatlasttobevisible。
“Iknowyourtemperisahotone。”hesaid。“Butforallthat，yourviolencequitetakesmebysurprise。Ican’taccountforit，unless“——hehesitatedamoment，andthenfinishedthesentenceinhisusualfrank，outspokenway——“unlessyouaresweetyourselfonMissGwilt。”
Thoselastwordsheapedfuelonthefire。Theystrippedthetruthinstantlyofallconcealmentsanddisguises，andlaiditbaretoview。Allan’sinstincthadguessed，andtheguidinginfluencestoodrevealedofMidwinter’sinterestinMissGwilt。
“Whatrighthaveyoutosaythat？”heasked，withraisedvoiceandthreateningeyes。
“Itold_you，_“saidAllan，simply，“whenIthoughtIwassweetonhermyself。Come！come！it’salittlehard，Ithink，evenifyouareinlovewithher，tobelieveeverythingshetellsyou，andnottoletmesayaword。Is_that_thewayyoudecidebetweenus？”
“Yes，itis！“criedtheother，infuriatedbyAllan’ssecondallusiontoMissGwilt。“WhenIamaskedtochoosebetweentheemployerofaspyandthevictimofaspy，Isidewiththevictim！“
“Don’ttrymetoohard，Midwinter，Ihaveatempertoloseaswellasyou。”
Hestopped，strugglingwithhimself。ThetortureofpassioninMidwinter’sface，fromwhichalesssimpleandlessgenerousnaturemighthaverecoiledinhorror，touchedAllansuddenlywithanartlessdistress，which，atthatmoment，waslittlelessthansublime。Headvanced，withhiseyesmoistening，andhishandheldout。“Youaskedmeformyhandjustnow。”hesaid，“andIgaveityou。Willyourememberoldtimes，andgivemeyours，beforeit’stoolate？”
“No！“retortedMidwinter，furiously。“ImaymeetMissGwiltagain，andImaywantmyhandfreetodealwithyourspy！“
HehaddrawnbackalongthewallasAllanadvanced，untilthebracketwhichsupportedtheStatuettewasbeforeinsteadofbehindhim。InthemadnessofhispassionhesawnothingbutAllan’sfaceconfrontinghim。Inthemadnessofhispassion，hestretchedouthisrighthandasheanswered，andshookitthreateninglyintheair。Itstrucktheforgottenprojectionofthebracket——andthenextinstanttheStatuettelayinfragmentsonthefloor。
Theraindroveslantingoverflower-bedandlawn，andpatteredheavilyagainsttheglass;andthetwoArmadalesstoodbythewindow，asthetwoShadowshadstoodintheSecondVisionoftheDream，withthewreckoftheimagebetweenthem。
Allanstoopedoverthefragmentsofthelittlefigure，andliftedthemonebyonefromthefloor。
“Leaveme。”hesaid，withoutlookingup，“orweshallbothrepentit。”
Withoutaword，Midwintermovedbackslowly。Hestoodforthesecondtimewithhishandonthedoor，andlookedhislastattheroom。ThehorrorofthenightontheWreckhadgothimoncemore，andtheflameofhispassionwasquenchedinaninstant。
“TheDream！“hewhispered，underhisbreath。“TheDreamagain！“
Thedoorwastriedfromtheoutside，andaservantappearedwithatrivialmessageaboutthebreakfast。
Midwinterlookedatthemanwithablank，dreadfulhelplessnessinhisface。“Showmethewayout。”hesaid。“Theplaceisdark，andtheroomturnsroundwithme。”
Theservanttookhimbythearm，andsilentlyledhimout。
Asthedoorclosedonthem，Allanpickedupthelastfragmentofthebrokenfigure。Hesatdownaloneatthetable，andhidhisfaceinhishands。Theself-controlwhichhehadbravelypreservedunderexasperationrenewedagainandagainnowfailedhimatlastinthefriendlesssolitudeofhisroom，and，inthefirstbitternessoffeelingthatMidwinterhadturnedagainsthimliketherest，heburstintotears。
Themomentsfollowedeachother，theslowtimeworeon。Littlebylittlethesignsofanewelementaldisturbancebegantoshowthemselvesinthesummerstorm。Theshadowofaswiftlydeepeningdarknesssweptoverthesky。Thepatteringoftherainlessenedwiththelesseningwind。Therewasamomentaryhushofstillness。
Thenonasuddentherainpoureddownagainlikeacataract，andthelowrollofthundercameupsolemnlyonthedyingair。
CHAPTERIX。
SHEKNOWSTHETRUTH。
1。_FromMr。BashwoodtoMissGwilt。_
“ThorpeAmbrose，July20th，1851。
“DEARMADAM——Ireceivedyesterday，byprivatemessenger，yourobligingnote，inwhichyoudirectmetocommunicatewithyouthroughthepostonly，aslongasthereisreasontobelievethatanyvisitorswhomaycometoyouarelikelytobeobserved。MayI
bepermittedtosaythatIlookforwardwithrespectfulanxietytothetimewhenIshallagainenjoytheonlyrealhappinessI
haveeverexperienced——thehappinessofpersonallyaddressingyou？
“IncompliancewithyourdesirethatIshouldnotallowthisdaytheSundaytopasswithoutprivatelynoticingwhatwentonatthegreathouse，Itookthekeys，andwentthismorningtothesteward’soffice。IaccountedformyappearancetotheservantsbyinformingthemthatIhadworktodowhichitwasimportanttocompleteintheshortestpossibletime。ThesameexcusewouldhavedoneforMr。Armadaleifwehadmet，butnosuchmeetinghappened。
“AlthoughIwasatThorpeAmbroseinwhatIthoughtgoodtime，I
wastoolatetoseeorhearanythingmyselfofaseriousquarrelwhichappearedtohavetakenplace，justbeforeIarrived，betweenMr。ArmadaleandMr。Midwinter。
“AllthelittleinformationIcangiveyouinthismatterisderivedfromoneoftheservants。ThemantoldmethatheheardthevoicesofthetwogentlemenloudinMr。Armadale’ssitting-room。Hewentintoannouncebreakfastshortlyafterward，andfoundMr。Midwinterinsuchadreadfulstateofagitationthathehadtobehelpedoutoftheroom。Theservanttriedtotakehimupstairstoliedownandcomposehimself。Hedeclined，sayinghewouldwaitalittlefirstinoneofthelowerrooms，andbeggingthathemightbeleftalone。Themanhadhardlygotdownstairsagainwhenheheardthefrontdooropenedandclosed。
Heranback，andfoundthatMr。Midwinterwasgone。Therainwaspouringatthetime，andthunderandlightningcamesoonafterward。Dreadfulweathercertainlytogooutin。TheservantthinksMr。Midwinter’smindwasunsettled。Isincerelyhopenot。
Mr。MidwinterisoneofthefewpeopleIhavemetwithinthecourseofmylifewhohavetreatedmekindly。
“HearingthatMr。Armadalestillremainedinthesitting-room，I
wentintothesteward’sofficewhich，asyoumayremember，isonthesamesideofthehouse，andleftthedoorajar，andsetthewindowopen，waitingandlisteningforanythingthatmighthappen。Dearmadam，therewasatimewhenImighthavethoughtsuchapositioninthehouseofmyemployernotaverybecomingone。Letmehastentoassureyouthatthisisfarfrombeingmyfeelingnow。Igloryinanypositionwhichmakesmeserviceabletoyou。
“ThestateoftheweatherseemedhopelesslyadversetothatrenewalofintercoursebetweenMr。ArmadaleandMissMilroywhichyousoconfidentlyanticipate，andofwhichyouaresoanxioustobemadeaware。Strangelyenough，however，itisactuallyinconsequenceofthestateoftheweatherthatIamnowinapositiontogiveyoutheveryinformationyourequire。Mr。
ArmadaleandMissMilroymetaboutanhoursince。Thecircumstanceswereasfollows:
“Justatthebeginningofthethunder-storm，Isawoneofthegroomsrunacrossfromthestables，andheardhimtapathismaster’swindow。Mr。Armadaleopenedthewindowandaskedwhatwasthematter。Thegroomsaidhecamewithamessagefromthecoachman’swife。ShehadseenfromherroomoverthestableswhichlooksontotheparkMissMilroyquitealone，standingforshelterunderoneofthetrees。Asthatpartoftheparkwasatsomedistancefromthemajor’scottage，shehadthoughtthathermastermightwishtosendandasktheyoungladyintothehouse——especiallyasshehadplacedherself，withathunder-stormcomingon，inwhatmightturnouttobeaverydangerousposition。
“ThemomentMr。Armadaleunderstoodtheman’smessage，hecalledforthewater-proofthingsandtheumbrellas，andranouthimself，insteadofleavingittotheservants。InalittletimeheandthegroomcamebackwithMissMilroybetweenthem，aswellprotectedascouldbefromtherain。
“Iascertainedfromoneofthewomen-servants，whohadtakentheyoungladyintoabedroom，andhadsuppliedherwithsuchdrythingsasshewanted，thatMissMilroyhadbeenafterwardshownintothedrawing-room，andthatMr。Armadalewastherewithher。
Theonlywayoffollowingyourinstructions，andfindingoutwhatpassedbetweenthem，wastogoroundthehouseinthepeltingrain，andgetintotheconservatorywhichopensintothedrawing-roombytheouterdoor。Ihesitateatnothing，dearmadam，inyourservice;Iwouldcheerfullygetweteveryday，topleaseyou。Besides，thoughImayatfirstsightbethoughtratheranelderlyman，awettingisofnoveryseriousconsequencetome。IassureyouIamnotsooldasIlook，andI
amofastrongerconstitutionthanappears。
“Itwasimpossibleformetogetnearenoughintheconservatorytoseewhatwentoninthedrawing-room，withouttheriskofbeingdiscovered。Butmostoftheconversationreachedme，exceptwhentheydroppedtheirvoices。ThisisthesubstanceofwhatI
heard:
“IgatheredthatMissMilroyhadbeenprevailedon，againstherwill，totakerefugefromthethunder-storminMr。Armadale’shouse。Shesaidso，atleast，andshegavetworeasons。Thefirstwasthatherfatherhadforbiddenallintercoursebetweenthecottageandthegreathouse。Mr。Armadalemetthisobjectionbydeclaringthatherfatherhadissuedhisordersunderatotalmisconceptionofthetruth，andbyentreatinghernottotreathimascruellyasthemajorhadtreatedhim。Heentered，I
suspect，intosomeexplanationsatthispoint，butashedroppedhisvoiceIamunabletosaywhattheywere。Hislanguage，whenI
didhearit，wasconfusedandungrammatical。Itseemed，however，tobequiteintelligibleenoughtopersuadeMissMilroythatherfatherhadbeenactingunderamistakenimpressionofthecircumstances。Atleast，Iinferthis;for，whenInextheardtheconversation，theyoungladywasdrivenbacktohersecondobjectiontobeinginthehouse——whichwas，thatMr。Armadalehadbehavedverybadlytoher，andthatherichlydeservedthatsheshouldneverspeaktohimagain。
“Inthislattercase，Mr。Armadaleattemptednodefenseofanykind。Heagreedwithherthathehadbehavedbadly;heagreedwithherthatherichlydeservedsheshouldneverspeaktohimagain。Atthesametimeheimploredhertorememberthathehadsufferedhispunishmentalready。Hewasdisgracedintheneighborhood;andhisdearestfriend，hisoneintimatefriendintheworld，hadthatverymorningturnedagainsthimliketherest。Farornear，therewasnotalivingcreaturewhomhewasfondoftocomforthim，ortosayafriendlywordtohim。Hewaslonelyandmiserable，andhisheartachedforalittlekindness——andthatwashisonlyexcuseforaskingMissMilroytoforgetandforgivethepast。
“Imustleaveyou，Ifear，tojudgeforyourselfoftheeffectofthisontheyounglady;for，thoughItriedhard，Ifailedtocatchwhatshesaid。IamalmostcertainIheardhercrying，andMr。Armadaleentreatinghernottobreakhisheart。Theywhisperedagreatdeal，whichaggravatedme。IwasafterwardalarmedbyMr。Armadalecomingoutintotheconservatorytopicksomeflowers。Hedidnotcomeasfar，fortunately，astheplacewhereIwashidden;andhewentinagainintothedrawing-room，andtherewasmoretalkingIsuspectatclosequarters，whichtomygreatregretIagainfailedtocatch。Prayforgivemeforhavingsolittletotellyou。Icanonlyaddthat，whenthestormclearedoff，MissMilroywentawaywiththeflowersinherhand，andwithMr。Armadaleescortingherfromthehouse。Myownhumbleopinionisthathehadapowerfulfriendatcourt，allthroughtheinterview，intheyounglady’sownlikingforhim。
“ThisisallIcansayatpresent，withtheexceptionofoneotherthingIheard，whichIblushtomention。Butyourwordislaw，andyouhaveorderedmetohavenoconcealmentsfromyou。
“Theirtalkturnedonce，dearmadam，onyourself。IthinkIheardtheword’creature’fromMissMilroy;andIamcertainthatMr。
Armadale，whileacknowledgingthathehadonceadmiredyou，addedthatcircumstanceshadsincesatisfiedhimof’hisfolly。’I
quotehisownexpression;itmademequitetremblewithindignation。IfImaybepermittedtosayso，themanwhoadmiresMissGwiltlivesinParadise。Respect，ifnothingelse，oughttohaveclosedMr。Armadale’slips。Heismyemployer，Iknow;butafterhiscallingitanactoffollytoadmireyouthoughI_am_
hisdeputy-steward，Iutterlydespisehim。
“TrustingthatImayhavebeensohappyastogiveyousatisfactionthusfar，andearnestlydesiroustodeservethehonorofyourcontinuedconfidenceinme，Iremain，dearmadam，“Yourgratefulanddevotedservant，“FELIXBASHWOOD。”
2。_FromMrs。OldershawtoMissGwilt。_
“DianaStreet，Monday，July21st。
“MYDEARLYDIA——Itroubleyouwithafewlines。TheyarewrittenunderasenseofthedutywhichIowetomyself，inourpresentpositiontowardeachother。
“Iamnotatallsatisfiedwiththetoneofyourlasttwoletters;andIamstilllesspleasedatyourleavingmethismorningwithoutanyletteratall——andthiswhenwehadarranged，inthedoubtfulstateofourprospects，thatIwastohearfromyoueveryday。Icanonlyinterpretyourconductinoneway。I
canonlyinferthatmattersatThorpeAmbrose，havingbeenallmismanaged，areallgoingwrong。
“Itisnotmypresentobjecttoreproachyou，forwhyshouldI
wastetime，language，andpaper？Imerelywishtorecalltoyourmemorycertainconsiderationswhichyouappeartobedisposedtooverlook。ShallIputthemintheplainestEnglish？Yes;for，withallmyfaults，Iamfranknesspersonified。
“Inthefirstplace，then，IhaveaninterestinyourbecomingMrs。ArmadaleofThorpeAmbroseaswellasyou。Secondly，Ihaveprovidedyoutosaynothingofgoodadvicewithallthemoneyneededtoaccomplishourobject。Thirdly，Iholdyournotesofhand，atshortdates，foreveryfarthingsoadvanced。Fourthlyandlastly，thoughIamindulgenttoafaultinthecapacityofafriend——inthecapacityofawomanofbusiness，mydear，Iamnottobetrifledwith。Thatisall，Lydia，atleastforthepresent。
“Praydon’tsupposeIwriteinanger;Iamonlysorryanddisheartened。MystateofmindresemblesDavid’s。IfIhadthewingsofadove，Iwouldfleeawayandbeatrest。
“Affectionatelyyours，MARIAOLDERSHAW。”
3。_FromMr。BashwoodtoMissGwilt。_
“ThorpeAmbrose，July21st。
“DEARMADAM——Youwillprobablyreceivetheselinesafewhoursaftermyyesterday’scommunicationreachesyou。Ipostedmyfirstletterlastnight，andIshallpostthisbeforenoonto-day。
“Mypresentobjectinwritingistogiveyousomemorenewsfromthishouse。IhavetheinexpressiblehappinessofannouncingthatMr。Armadale’sdisgracefulintrusiononyourprivacyisatanend。Thewatchsetonyouractionsistobewithdrawnthisday。I
write，dearmadam，withthetearsinmyeyes——tearsofjoy，causedbyfeelingswhichIventuredtoexpressinmypreviousletterseefirstparagraphtowardtheend。Pardonmethispersonalreference。IcanspeaktoyouIdon’tknowwhysomuchmorereadilywithmypenthanwithmytongue。
“Letmetrytocomposemyself，andproceedwithmynarrative。
“Ihadjustarrivedatthesteward’sofficethismorning，whenMr。PedgifttheelderfollowedmetothegreathousetoseeMr。
Armadalebyspecialappointment。ItisneedlesstosaythatIatoncesuspendedanylittlebusinesstherewastodo，feelingthatyourinterestsmightpossiblybeconcerned。Itisalsomostgratifyingtoaddthatthistimecircumstancesfavoredme。Iwasabletostandundertheopenwindowandtohearthewholeinterview。
“Mr。Armadaleexplainedhimselfatonceintheplainestterms。Hegaveordersthatthepersonwhohadbeenhiredtowatchyoushouldbeinstantlydismissed。Onbeingaskedtoexplainthissuddenchangeofpurpose，hedidnotconcealthatitwasowingtotheeffectproducedonhismindbywhathadpassedbetweenMr。
Midwinterandhimselfonthepreviousday。Mr。Midwinter’slanguage，cruellyunjustasitwas，hadneverthelessconvincedhimthatnonecessitywhatevercouldexcuseanyproceedingsoessentiallybaseinitselfastheemploymentofaspy，andonthatconvictionhewasnowdeterminedtoact。
“Butforyourownpositivedirectionstometoconcealnothingthatpasseshereinwhichyournameisconcerned，IshouldreallybeashamedtoreportwhatMr。Pedgiftsaidonhisside。Hehasbehavedkindlytome，Iknow。Butifhewasmyownbrother，I
couldneverforgivehimthetoneinwhichhespokeofyou，andtheobstinacywithwhichhetriedtomakeMr。Armadalechangehismind。
“HebeganbyattackingMr。Midwinter。HedeclaredthatMr。
Midwinter’sopinionwastheveryworstopinionthatcouldbetaken;foritwasquiteplainthatyou，dearmadam，hadtwistedhimroundyourfinger。Producingnoeffectbythiscoarsesuggestionwhichnobodywhoknowsyoucouldforamomentbelieve，Mr。PedgiftnextreferredtoMissMilroy，andaskedMr。
Armadaleifhehadgivenupallideaofprotectingher。WhatthismeantIcannotimagine。Icanonlyreportitforyourprivateconsideration。Mr。ArmadalebrieflyansweredthathehadhisownplanforprotectingMissMilroy，andthatthecircumstanceswerealteredinthatquarter，orwordstoasimilareffect。StillMr。
Pedgiftpersisted。HewentonIblushtomentionfrombadtoworse。HetriedtopersuadeMr。Armadalenexttobringanactionatlawagainstoneorotherofthepersonswhohadbeenmoststronglycondemninghisconductintheneighborhood，forthepurpose——Ireallyhardlyknowhowtowriteit——ofgettingyouintothewitness-box。Andworseyet:whenMr。ArmadalestillsaidNo，Mr。Pedgift，afterhaving，asIsuspectedbythesoundofhisvoice，beenonthepointofleavingtheroom，artfullycameback，andproposedsendingforadetectiveofficerfromLondon，simplytolookatyou。’ThewholeofthismysteryaboutMissGwilt’struecharacter，’hesaid，’mayturnonaquestionofidentity。Itwon’tcostmuchtohaveamandownfromLondon;andit’sworthtryingwhetherherfaceisorisnotknownatheadquarterstothepolice。’Iagainandagainassureyou，dearestlady，thatIonlyrepeatthoseabominablewordsfromasenseofdutytowardyourself。Ishook——IdeclareIshookfromheadtofootwhenI
heardthem。