“Thelastformsandceremoniespreliminarytoourmarriagehavebeencompliedwith。IamtobehiswifeonMondaynext。Thehourmustnotbelaterthanhalf-pastten——whichwillgiveusjusttime，whentheserviceisover，togetfromthechurchdoortotherailway，andtostartonourjourneytoNaplesthesameday。
“To-day——Saturday——Sunday！Iamnotafraidofthetime;thetimewillpass。Iamnotafraidofmyself，ifIcanonlykeepallthoughtsbutoneoutofmymind。Ilovehim！Dayandnight，tillMondaycomes，Iwillthinkofnothingbutthat。Ilovehim！
“Fouro’clock——Otherthoughtsareforcedintomymindinspiteofme。Mysuspicionsofyesterdaywerenomerefancies;themillinerhasbeentamperedwith。Myfollyingoingbacktoherhousehasledtomybeingtracedhere。IamabsolutelycertainthatInevergavethewomanmyaddress;andyetmynewgownwassenthometomeattwoo’clockto-day！
“Amanbroughtitwiththebill，andacivilmessage，tosaythat，asIhadnotcalledattheappointedtimetotryitonagain，thedresshadbeenfinishedandsenttome。Hecaughtmeinthepassage;Ihadnochoicebuttopaythebill，anddismisshim。Anyotherproceeding，aseventshavenowturnedout，wouldhavebeenpurefolly。Themessengernotthemanwhofollowedmeinthestreet，butanotherspysenttolookatme，beyondalldoubtwouldhavedeclaredheknewnothingaboutit，ifIhadspokentohim。Themillinerwouldtellmetomyface，ifIwenttoher，thatIhadgivenhermyaddress。Theoneusefulthingtodonowistosetmywitstoworkintheinterestsofmyownsecurity，andtostepoutofthefalsepositioninwhichmyownrashnesshasplacedme——ifIcan。
“Seveno’clock——Myspiritshaverisenagain。IbelieveIaminafairwayofextricatingmyselfalready。
“Ihavejustcomebackfromalongroundinacab。First，tothecloak-roomoftheGreatWestern，togettheluggagewhichIsenttherefromAllSaints’Terrace。Next，tothecloak-roomoftheSoutheastern，toleavemyluggagelabeledinMidwinter’sname，towaitformetillthestartingofthetidaltrainonMonday。
Next，totheGeneralPost-office，topostalettertoMidwinterattherectory，whichhewillreceiveto-morrowmorning。Lastly，backagaintothishouse——fromwhichIshallmovenomoretillMondaycomes。
“MylettertoMidwinterwill，Ihavelittledoubt，leadtohissecondingquiteinnocentlytheprecautionsthatIamtakingformyownsafety。TheshortnessofthetimeatourdisposalonMondaywillobligehimtopayhisbillatthehotelandtoremovehisluggagebeforethemarriageceremonytakesplace。AllIaskhimtodobeyondthisistotaketheluggagehimselftotheSoutheasternsoastomakeanyinquiriesuselesswhichmayaddressthemselvestotheservantsatthehotel——and，thatdone，tomeetmeatthechurchdoor，insteadofcallingformehere。
Therestconcernsnobodybutmyself。WhenSundaynightorMondaymorningcomes，itwillbehard，indeed——freedasIamnowfromallincumbrances——ifIcan’tgivethepeoplewhoarewatchingmetheslipforthesecondtime。
“ItseemsneedlessenoughtohavewrittentoMidwinterto-day，whenheiscomingbacktometo-morrownight。Butitwasimpossibletoask，whatIhavebeenobligedtoaskofhim，withoutmakingmyfalsefamilycircumstancesoncemoretheexcuse;andhavingthistodo——Imustownthetruth——Iwrotetohimbecause，afterwhatIsufferedonthelastoccasion，Icanneveragaindeceivehimtohisface。
“August9th——Twoo’clock——Iroseearlythismorning，moredepressedinspiritsthanusual。There-beginningofone’slife，atthere-beginningofeveryday，hasalreadybeensomethingwearyandhopelesstomeforyearspast。Idreamed，too，allthroughthenight——notofMidwinterandofmymarriedlife，asI
hadhopedtodream——butofthewretchedconspiracytodiscoverme，bywhichIhavebeendrivenfromoneplacetoanother，likeahuntedanimal。Nothingintheshapeofanewrevelationenlightenedmeinmysleep。AllIcouldguessdreamingwaswhatI
hadguessedwaking，thatMotherOldershawistheenemywhoisattackingmeinthedark。
“Myrestlessnighthas，however，producedonesatisfactoryresult。Ithasledtomywinningthegoodgracesoftheservanthere，andsecuringalltheassistanceshecangivemewhenthetimecomesformakingmyescape。
“ThegirlnoticedthismorningthatIlookedpaleandanxious。I
tookherintomyconfidence，totheextentoftellingherthatI
wasprivatelyengagedtobemarried，andthatIhadenemieswhoweretryingtopartmefrommysweetheart。Thisinstantlyrousedhersympathy，andapresentofaten-shillingpieceforherkindservicestomedidtherest。Intheintervalsofherhouseworkshehasbeenwithmenearlythewholemorning;andIfoundout，amongotherthings，that_her_sweetheartisaprivatesoldierintheGuards，andthatsheexpectstoseehimto-morrow。Ihavegotmoneyenoughleft，littleasitis，toturntheheadofanyPrivateintheBritisharmy;and，ifthepersonappointedtowatchmeto-morrowisaman，IthinkitjustpossiblethathemayfindhisattentiondisagreeablydivertedfromMissGwiltinthecourseoftheevening。
“WhenMidwintercameherelastfromtherailway，hecameathalf-pasteight。HowamItogetthroughtheweary，wearyhoursbetweenthisandtheevening？IthinkIshalldarkenmybedroom，anddrinktheblessingofoblivionfrommybottleofDrops。
“Eleveno’clock——Wehavepartedforthelasttimebeforethedaycomesthatmakesusmanandwife。
“Hehasleftme。asheleftmebefore，withanabsorbingsubjectofinteresttothinkofinhisabsence。Inoticedachangeinhimthemomentheenteredtheroom。Whenhetoldmeofthefuneral，andofhispartingwithArmadaleonboardtheyacht，thoughhespokewithfeelingsdeeplymoved，hespokewithamasteryoverhimselfwhichisnewtomeinmyexperienceofhim。Itwasthesamewhenourtalkturnednextonourownhopesandprospects。Hewasplainlydisappointedwhenhefoundthatmyfamilyembarrassmentswouldpreventourmeetingto-morrow，andplainlyuneasyattheprospectofleavingmetofindmywaybymyselfonMondaytothechurch。Buttherewasacertainhopefulnessandcomposureofmannerunderlyingitall，whichproducedsostronganimpressiononmethatIwasobligedtonoticeit。
“’Youknowwhatoddfanciestakepossessionofmesometimes，’I
said。’ShallItellyouthefancythathastakenpossessionofmenow？Ican’thelpthinkingthatsomethinghashappenedsincewelastsaweachotherwhichyouhavenottoldmeyet。
“’Something_has_happened，’heanswered。’Anditissomethingwhichyououghttoknow。’
“Withthosewordshetookouthispocket-book，andproducedtwowrittenpapersfromit。Onehelookedatandputback。Theotherheplacedonthetable。
“’BeforeItellyouwhatthisis，andhowitcameintomypossession，’hesaid，’ImustownsomethingthatIhaveconcealedfromyou。Itisnomoreseriousconfessionthantheconfessionofmyownweakness。’
“HethenacknowledgedtomethattherenewalofhisfriendshipwithArmadalehadbeenclouded，throughthewholeperiodoftheirintercourseinLondon，byhisownsuperstitiousmisgivings。Hehadobeyedthesummonswhichcalledhimtotherector’sbedside，withthefirmintentionofconfidinghisprevisionsofcomingtroubletoMr。Brock;andhehadbeendoublyconfirmedinhissuperstitionwhenhefoundthatDeathhadenteredthehousebeforehim，andhadpartedthem，inthisworld，forever。Morethanthis，hehadtraveledbacktobepresentatthefuneral，withasecretsenseofreliefattheprospectofbeingpartedfromArmadale，andwithasecretresolutiontomaketheafter-meetingagreedonbetweenusthreeatNaplesameetingthatshouldnevertakeplace。Withthatpurposeinhisheart，hehadgoneupalonetotheroompreparedforhimonhisarrivalattherectory，andhadopenedaletterwhichhefoundwaitingforhimonthetable。Theletterhadonlythatdaybeendiscovered——droppedandlost——underthebedonwhichMr。Brockhaddied。Itwasintherector’shandwritingthroughout;andthepersontowhomitwasaddressedwasMidwinterhimself。
“Havingtoldmethis，nearlyinthewordsinwhichIhavewrittenit，hegavemethewrittenpaperthatlayonthetablebetweenus。
“’Readit，’hesaid;’andyouwillnotneedtobetoldthatmymindisatpeaceagain，andthatItookAllan’shandatpartingwithaheartthatwasworthierofAllan’slove。’
“Ireadtheletter。Therewasnosuperstitiontobeconqueredin_my_mind;therewerenooldfeelingsofgratitudetowardArmadaletoberousedin_my_heart;andyet，theeffectwhichtheletterhadhadonMidwinterwas，Ifirmlybelieve，morethanmatchedbytheeffectthattheletternowproducedonMe。
“Itwasvaintoaskhimtoleaveit，andtoletmereaditagainasIwishedwhenIwasleftbymyself。HeisdeterminedtokeepitsidebysidewiththatotherpaperwhichIhadseenhimtakeoutofhispocket-book，andwhichcontainsthewrittennarrativeofArmadale’sDream。AllIcoulddowastoaskhisleavetocopyit;andthishegrantedreadily。Iwrotethecopyinhispresence;andInowplaceithereinmydiary，tomarkadaywhichisoneofthememorabledaysinmylife。
“BoscombeRectory，August2d。
“MYDEARMIDWINTER——Forthefirsttimesincethebeginningofmyillness，Ifoundstrengthenoughyesterdaytolookovermyletters。OneamongthemisaletterfromAllan，whichhasbeenlyingunopenedonmytablefortendayspast。Hewritestomeingreatdistress，tosaythattherehasbeendissensionbetweenyou，andthatyouhavelefthim。Ifyoustillrememberwhatpassedbetweenus。whenyoufirstopenedyourhearttomeintheIsleofMan，youwillbeatnolosstounderstandhowIhavethoughtoverthismiserablenews，throughthenightthathasnowpassed，andyouwillnotbesurprisedtohearthatIhaverousedmyselfthismorningtomaketheeffortofwritingtoyou。
“Iwantnoexplanationofthecircumstanceswhichhavepartedyoufromyourfriend。Ifmyestimateofyourcharacterisnotfoundedonanentiredelusion，theoneinfluencewhichcanhaveledtoyourestrangementfromAllanistheinfluenceofthatevilspiritofSuperstitionwhichIhaveoncealreadycastoutofyourheart——whichIwillonceagainconquer，pleaseGod，ifIhavestrengthenoughtomakemypenspeakmymindtoyouinthisletter。
“ItisnopartofmydesigntocombatthebeliefwhichIknowyoutohold，thatmortalcreaturesmaybetheobjectsofsupernaturalinterventionintheirpilgrimagethroughthisworld。Speakingasareasonableman，IownthatIcannotproveyoutobewrong。
SpeakingasabelieverintheBible，Iamboundtogofurther，andtoadmitthatyoupossessahigherthananyhumanwarrantforthefaiththatisinyou。TheoneobjectwhichIhaveitathearttoattainistoinduceyoutofreeyourselffromtheparalyzingfatalismoftheheathenandthesavage，andtolookatthemysteriesthatperplex，andtheportentsthatdauntyou，fromtheChristian’spointofview。IfIcansucceedinthis，Ishallclearyourmindoftheghastlydoubtsthatnowoppressit，andI
shallreuniteyoutoyourfriend，nevertobepartedfromhimagain。
“Ihavenomeansofseeingandquestioningyou。IcanonlysendthislettertoAllantobeforwarded，ifheknows，orcandiscover，yourpresentaddress。Placedinthispositiontowardyou，Iamboundtoassumeallthat_can_beassumedinyourfavor。IwilltakeitforgrantedthatsomethinghashappenedtoyouortoAllanwhichtoyourmindhasnotonlyconfirmedthefatalistconvictioninwhichyourfatherdied，buthasaddedanewandterriblemeaningtothewarningwhichhesentyouinhisdeath-bedletter。
“OnthiscommongroundImeetyou。OnthiscommongroundIappealtoyourhighernatureandyourbettersense。
“Preserveyourpresentconvictionthattheeventswhichhavehappenedbetheywhattheymayarenottobereconciledwithordinarymortalcoincidencesandordinarymortallaws;andviewyourownpositionbythebestandclearestlightthatyoursuperstitioncanthrowonit。Whatareyou？YouareahelplessinstrumentinthehandsofFate。Youaredoomed，beyondallhumancapacityofresistance，tobringmiseryanddestructionblindfoldonamantowhomyouhaveharmlesslyandgratefullyunitedyourselfinthebondsofabrother’slove。Allthatismorallyfirmestinyourwillandmorallypurestinyouraspirationsavailsnothingagainstthehereditaryimpulsionofyoutowardevil，causedbyacrimewhichyourfathercommittedbeforeyouwereborn。Inwhatdoesthatbeliefend？Itendsinthedarknessinwhichyouarenowlost;intheself-contradictionsinwhichyouarenowbewildered;inthestubborndespairbywhichamanprofaneshisownsoul，andlowershimselftothelevelofthebrutesthatperish。
“Lookup，mypoorsufferingbrother——lookup，myhardlytried，mywell-lovedfriend，higherthanthis！Meetthedoubtsthatnowassailyoufromtheblessedvantage-groundofChristiancourageandChristianhope;andyourheartwillturnagaintoAllan，andyourmindwillbeatpeace。Happenwhatmay，Godisall-merciful，Godisall-wise:naturalorsupernatural，ithappensthroughHim。
ThemysteryofEvilthatperplexesourfeebleminds，thesorrowandthesufferingthattortureusinthislittlelife，leavetheonegreattruthunshakenthatthedestinyofmanisinthehandsofhisCreator，andthatGod’sblessedSondiedtomakeusworthierofit。NothingthatisdoneinunquestioningsubmissiontothewisdomoftheAlmightyisdonewrong。Noevilexistsoutofwhich，inobediencetohislaws，Goodmaynotcome。BetruetowhatChristtellsyouistrue。Encourageinyourself，bethecircumstanceswhattheymay，allthatisloving，allthatisgrateful，allthatispatient，allthatisforgiving，towardyourfellow-men。AndhumblyandtrustfullyleavetheresttotheGodwhomadeyou，andtotheSaviourwholovedyoubetterthanhisownlife。
“ThisisthefaithinwhichIhavelived，bytheDivinehelpandmercy，frommyyouthupward。Iaskyouearnestly，Iaskyouconfidently，tomakeityourfaith，too。ItisthemainspringofallthegoodIhaveeverdone，ofallthehappinessIhaveeverknown;itlightensmydarkness，itsustainsmyhope;itcomfortsandquietsme，lyinghere，toliveordie，Iknownotwhich。Letitsustain，comfort，andenlightenyou。Itwillhelpyouinyoursorestneed，asithashelpedmeinmine。ItwillshowyouanotherpurposeintheeventswhichbroughtyouandAllantogetherthanthepurposewhichyourguiltyfatherforesaw。
Strangethings，Idonotdenyit，havehappenedtoyoualready。
Strangerthingsstillmayhappenbeforelong，whichImaynotlivetosee。Remember，ifthattimecomes，thatIdiedfirmlydisbelievinginyourinfluenceoverAllanbeingotherthananinfluenceforgood。ThegreatsacrificeoftheAtonement——Isayitreverently——hasitsmortalreflections，eveninthisworld。IfdangereverthreatensAllan，you，whosefathertookhisfather’slife——YOU，andnoother，maybethemanwhomtheprovidenceofGodhasappointedtosavehim。
“CometomeifIlive。Gobacktothefriendwholovesyou，whetherIliveordie。
“Yoursaffectionatelytothelast，“DECIMUSBROCK。”
“’YOU，andnoother，maybethemanwhomtheprovidenceofGodhasappointedtosavehim！’
“Thosearethewordswhichhaveshakenmetothesoul。Thosearethewordswhichmakemefeelasifthedeadmanhadlefthisgrave，andhadputhishandontheplaceinmyheartwheremyterriblesecretlieshiddenfromeverylivingcreaturebutmyself。Onepartoftheletterhascometruealready。ThedangerthatitforeseesthreatensArmadaleatthismoment——andthreatenshimfromMe！
“Ifthefavoringcircumstanceswhichhavedrivenmethusfardrivemeontotheend，andifthatoldman’slastearthlyconvictionispropheticofthetruth，Armadalewillescapeme，dowhatImay。AndMidwinterwillbethevictimwhoissacrificedtosavehislife。
“Itishorrible！itisimpossible！itshallneverbe！Atthethinkingofitonly，myhandtremblesandmyheartsinks。Iblessthetremblingthatunnervesme！Iblessthesinkingthatturnsmefaint！Iblessthosewordsintheletterwhichhaverevivedtherelentingthoughtsthatfirstcametometwodayssince！Isithard，nowthateventsaretakingme，smoothlyandsafely，nearerandnearertotheEnd——isithardtoconquerthetemptationtogoon？No！IfthereisonlyachanceofharmcomingtoMidwinter，thedreadofthatchanceisenoughtodecideme——enoughtostrengthenmetoconquerthetemptation，forhissake。Ihaveneverlovedhimyet，never，never，neverasIlovehimnow！
“Sunday，August10th——Theeveofmywedding-day！Icloseandlockthisbook，nevertowriteinit，nevertoopenitagain。
“Ihavewonthegreatvictory;Ihavetrampledmyownwickednessunderfoot。Iaminnocent;Iamhappyagain。Mylove！myangel！
whento-morrowgivesmetoyou，Iwillnothaveathoughtinmyheartwhichisnot_your_thought，aswellasmine！“
CHAPTERXV。
THEWEDDING-DAY。
THEtimewasnineo’clockinthemorning。Theplacewasaprivateroominoneoftheold-fashionedinnswhichstillremainontheBoroughsideoftheThames。ThedatewasMonday，the11thofAugust。AndthepersonwasMr。Bashwood，whohadtraveledtoLondononasummonsfromhisson，andhadtakenuphisabodeattheinnonthepreviousday。
Hehadneveryetlookedsopitiablyoldandhelplessashelookednow。Thefeverandchillofalternatinghopeanddespairhaddried，andwithered，andwastedhim。Theanglesofhisfigurehadsharpened。Theoutlineofhisfacehadshrunk。Hisdresspointedthemelancholychangeinhimwithamercilessandshockingemphasis。Never，eveninhisyouth，hadhewornsuchclothesasheworenow。WiththedesperateresolutiontoleavenochanceuntriedofproducinganimpressiononMissGwilt，hehadcastasidehisdrearyblackgarments;hehadevenmusteredthecouragetowearhisbluesatincravat。Hiscoatwasariding-coatoflightgray。Hehadorderedit，withavindictivesubtletyofpurpose，tobemadeonthepatternofacoatthathehadseenAllanwear。Hiswaistcoatwaswhite;histrouserswereofthegayestsummerpattern，inthelargestcheck。Hiswigwasoiledandscented，andbrushedround，oneitherside，tohidethewrinklesonhistemples。Hewasanobjecttolaughat;hewasanobjecttoweepover。Hisenemies，ifacreaturesowretchedcouldhavehadenemies，wouldhaveforgivenhim，onseeinghiminhisnewdress。Hisfriends——hadanyofhisfriendsbeenleft——wouldhavebeenlessdistressediftheyhadlookedathiminhiscoffinthaniftheyhadlookedathimashewasnow。Incessantlyrestless，hepacedtheroomfromendtoend。Nowhelookedathiswatch;nowhelookedoutofthewindow;nowhelookedatthewell-furnishedbreakfast-table——alwayswiththesamewistful，uneasyinquiryinhiseyes。Thewaitercomingin，withtheurnofboilingwater，wasaddressedforthefiftiethtimeintheoneformofwordswhichthemiserablecreatureseemedtobecapableofutteringthatmorning:“Mysoniscomingtobreakfast。Mysonisveryparticular。Iwanteverythingofthebest——hotthingsandcoldthings——andteaandcoffee——andalltherestofit，waiter;
alltherestofit。”Forthefiftiethtime，henowreiteratedthoseanxiouswords。Forthefiftiethtime，theimpenetrablewaiterhadjustreturnedhisonepacifyinganswer，“Allright，sir;youmayleaveittome“——whenthesoundofleisurelyfootstepswasheardonthestairs;thedooropened;andthelong-expectedsonsaunteredindolentlyintotheroom，withaneatlittleblackleatherbaginhishand。
“Welldone，oldgentleman！“saidBashwoodtheyounger，surveyinghisfather’sdresswithasmileofsardonicencouragement。
“You’rereadytobemarriedtoMissGwiltatamoment’snotice！“
Thefathertooktheson’shand，andtriedtoechotheson’slaugh。
“Youhavesuchgoodspirits，Jemmy。”hesaid，usingthenameinitsfamiliarform，ashehadbeenaccustomedtouseitinhappierdays。“Youalwayshadgoodspirits，mydear，fromachild。Comeandsitdown;I’veorderedyouanicebreakfast。Everythingofthebest！everythingofthebest！Whatareliefitistoseeyou！
Oh，dear，dear，whatareliefitistoseeyou。”Hestoppedandsatdownatthetable，hisfaceflushedwiththeefforttocontroltheimpatiencethatwasdevouringhim。“Tellmeabouther！“heburstout，givinguptheeffortwithasuddenself-abandonment。“Ishalldie，Jemmy，ifIwaitforitanylonger。Tellme！tellme！tellme！“
“Onethingatatime。”saidBashwoodtheyounger，perfectlyunmovedbyhisfather’simpatience。“We’lltrythebreakfastfirst，andcometotheladyafterward！Gentlydoesit，oldgentleman——gentlydoesit！“
Heputhisleatherbagonachair，andsatdownoppositetohisfather，composed，andsmiling，andhummingalittletune。
Noordinaryobservation，applyingtheordinaryrulesofanalysis，wouldhavedetectedthecharacterofBashwoodtheyoungerinhisface。Hisyouthfullook，aidedbyhislighthairandhisplumpbeardlesscheeks，hiseasymannerandhisever-readysmile，hiseyeswhichmetunshrinkinglytheeyesofeveryonewhomheaddressed，allcombinedtomaketheimpressionofhimafavorableimpressioninthegeneralmind。Noeyeforreadingcharacter，butsuchaneyeasbelongstooneperson，perhaps，intenthousand，couldhavepenetratedthesmoothlydeceptivesurfaceofthisman，andhaveseenhimforwhathereallywas——thevilecreaturewhomthevilerneedofSocietyhasfashionedforitsownuse。Therehesat——theConfidentialSpyofmoderntimes，whosebusinessissteadilyenlarging，whosePrivateInquiryOfficesaresteadilyontheincrease。Therehesat——thenecessaryDetectiveattendantontheprogressofournationalcivilization;amanwhowas，inthisinstanceatleast，thelegitimateandintelligibleproductofthevocationthatemployedhim;amanprofessionallyreadyonthemerestsuspicionifthemerestsuspicionpaidhimtogetunderourbeds，andtolookthroughgimlet-holesinourdoors;amanwhowouldhavebeenuselesstohisemployersifhecouldhavefeltatouchofhumansympathyinhisfather’spresence;andwhowouldhavedeservedlyforfeitedhissituationif，underanycircumstanceswhatever，hehadbeenpersonallyaccessibletoasenseofpityorasenseofshame。
“Gentlydoesit，oldgentleman。”herepeated，liftingthecoversfromthedishes，andlookingunderthemoneaftertheotherallroundthetable。“Gentlydoesit！“
“Don’tbeangrywithme，Jemmy。”pleadedhisfather。“Try，ifyoucan，tothinkhowanxiousImustbe。Igotyourlettersolongagoasyesterdaymorning。IhavehadtotravelallthewayfromThorpeAmbrose——Ihavehadtogetthroughthedreadfullongeveningandthedreadfullongnight——withyourlettertellingmethatyouhadfoundoutwhosheis，andtellingmenothingmore。
Suspenseisveryhardtobear，Jemmy，whenyoucometomyage。
Whatwasitpreventedyou，mydear，fromcomingtomewhenIgothereyesterdayevening？”
“AlittledinneratRichmond。”saidBashwoodtheyounger。“Givemesometea。”
Mr。Bashwoodtriedtocomplywiththerequest;butthehandwithwhichheliftedtheteapottrembledsounmanageablythattheteamissedthecupandstreamedoutonthecloth。“I’mverysorry;I
can’thelptremblingwhenI’manxious。”saidtheoldman，ashissontookthetea-potoutofhishand。“I’mafraidyoubearmemalice，Jemmy，forwhathappenedwhenIwaslastintown。IownI
wasobstinateandunreasonableaboutgoingbacktoThorpeAmbrose。I’mmoresensiblenow。Youwerequiterightintakingitallonyourself，assoonasIshowedyoutheveiledladywhenwesawhercomeoutofthehotel;andyouwerequiterighttosendmebackthesamedaytomybusinessinthesteward’sofficeattheGreatHouse。”Hewatchedtheeffectoftheseconcessionsonhisson，andventureddoubtfullyonanotherentreaty。“Ifyouwon’ttellmeanythingelsejustyet。”hesaid，faintly，“willyoutellmehowyoufoundherout。Do，Jemmy，do！“
Bashwoodtheyoungerlookedupfromhisplate。“I’lltellyouthat。”hesaid。“ThereckoningupofMissGwilthascostmoremoneyandtakenmoretimethanIexpected;andthesoonerwecometoasettlementaboutit，thesoonerweshallgettowhatyouwanttoknow。”
Withoutawordofexpostulation，thefatherlaidhisdingyoldpocket-bookandhispurseonthetablebeforetheson。Bashwoodtheyoungerlookedintothepurse;observed，withacontemptuouselevationoftheeyebrows，thatitheldnomorethanasovereignandsomesilver;andreturneditintact。Thepocket-book，onbeingopenednext，provedtocontainfourfive-poundnotes。
Bashwoodtheyoungertransferredthreeofthenotestohisownkeeping;andhandedthepocket-bookbacktohisfather，withabowexpressiveofmockgratitudeandsarcasticrespect。
“Athousandthanks。”hesaid。“Someofitisforthepeopleatouroffice，andthebalanceisformyself。Oneofthefewstupidthings，mydearsir，thatIhavedoneinthecourseofmylifewastowriteyouword，whenyoufirstconsultedme，thatyoumighthavemyservicesgratis。Asyousee，Ihastentorepairtheerror。AnhourortwoatoddtimesIwasreadyenoughtogiveyou。Butthisbusinesshastakendays，andhasgotinthewayofotherjobs。ItoldyouIcouldn’tbeoutofpocketbyyou——Iputitinmyletter，asplainaswordscouldsayit。”
“Yes，yes，Jemmy。Idon’tcomplain，mydear，Idon’tcomplain。
Nevermindthemoney——tellmehowyoufoundherout。”
“Besides。”pursuedBashwood。theyounger，proceedingimpenetrablywithhisjustificationofhimself，“Ihavegivenyouthebenefitofmyexperience;I’vedoneitcheap。Itwouldhavecostdoublethemoneyifanothermanhadtakenthisinhand。AnothermanwouldhavekeptawatchonMr。ArmadaleaswellasMissGwilt。I
havesavedyouthatexpense。YouarecertainthatMr。Armadaleisbentonmarryingher。Verygood。Inthatcase，whilewehaveoureyeon_her，_wehave，forallusefulpurposes，gotoureyeon_him。_Knowwheretheladyis，andyouknowthatthegentlemancan’tbefaroff。”
“Quitetrue，Jemmy。ButhowwasitMissGwiltcametogiveyousomuchtrouble？”
“She’sadevilishcleverwoman。”saidBashwoodtheyounger;
“that’showitwas。Shegaveustheslipatamilliner’sshop。Wemadeitallrightwiththemilliner，andspeculatedonthechanceofhercomingbacktotryonagownshehadordered。Thecleverestwomenlosetheuseoftheirwitsinninecasesoutoftenwherethere’sanewdressinthecase，andevenMissGwiltwasrashenoughtogoback。Thatwasallwewanted。Oneofthewomenfromourofficehelpedtotryonhernewgown，andputherintherightpositiontobeseenbyoneofourmenbehindthedoor。Heinstantlysuspectedwhoshewas，onthestrengthofwhathehadbeentoldofher;forshe’safamouswomaninherway。Ofcourse，wedidn’ttrusttothat。Wetracedhertohernewaddress;andwegotamanfromScotlandYard，whowascertaintoknowher，ifourownman’sideawastherightone。ThemanfromScotlandYardturnedmilliner’sladfortheoccasion，andtookhergownhome。Hesawherinthepassage，andidentifiedherinaninstant。You’reinluck，Icantellyou。MissGwilt’sapubliccharacter。Ifwehadhadalessnotoriouswomantodealwith，shemighthavecostusweeksofinquiry，andyoumighthavehadtopayhundredsofpounds。AdaydiditinMissGwilt’scase;andanotherdayputthewholestoryofherlife，inblackandwhite，intomyhand。Thereitisatthepresentmoment，oldgentleman，inmyblackbag。”
Bashwoodthefathermadestraightforthebagwitheagereyesandoutstretchedhand。Bashwoodthesontookalittlekeyoutofhiswaistcoatpocket，winked，shookhishead，andputthekeybackagain。
“Ihaven’tdonebreakfastyet。”hesaid。“Gentlydoesit，mydearsir——gentlydoesit。”
“Ican’twait！“criedtheoldman，strugglingvainlytopreservehisself-control。“It’spastnine！It’safortnightto-daysinceshewenttoLondonwithMr。Armadale！Shemaybemarriedtohiminafortnight！Shemaybemarriedtohimthismorning！Ican’twait！Ican’twait！“
“There’snoknowingwhatyoucandotillyoutry。”rejoinedBashwoodtheyounger。“Try，andyou’llfindyoucanwait。Whathasbecomeofyourcuriosity？”hewenton，feedingthefireingeniouslywithastickatatime。“Whydon’tyouaskmewhatI
meanbycallingMissGwiltapubliccharacter？Whydon’tyouwonderhowIcametolaymyhandonthestoryofherlife，inblackandwhite？Ifyou’llsitdownagain，I’lltellyou。Ifyouwon’t，Ishallconfinemyselftomybreakfast。”
Mr。Bashwoodsighedheavily，andwentbacktohischair。
“Iwishyouwerenotsofondofyourjoke，Jemmy。”hesaid。“I
wish，mydear，youwerenotquitesofondofyourjoke。”
“Joke？”repeatedhisson。“Itwouldbeseriousenoughinsomepeople’seyes，Icantellyou。MissGwilthasbeentriedforherlife;andthepapersinthatblackbagarethelawyer’sinstructionsfortheDefense。Doyoucallthatajoke？”
Thefatherstartedtohisfeet，andlookedstraightacrossthetableatthesonwithasmileofexultationthatwasterribletosee。
“She’sbeentriedforherlife！“heburstout，withadeepgaspofsatisfaction。“She’sbeentriedforherlife！“Hebrokeintoalow，prolongedlaugh，andsnappedhisfingersexultingly。
“Aha-ha-ha！SomethingtofrightenMr。Armadalein_that！_“
Scoundrelashewas，thesonwasdauntedbytheexplosionofpent-uppassionwhichburstonhiminthosewords。
“Don’texciteyourself。”hesaid，withasullensuppressionofthemockingmannerinwhichhehadspokenthusfar。
Mr。Bashwoodsatdownagain，andpassedhishandkerchiefoverhisforehead。“No。”hesaid，noddingandsmilingathisson。“No，no——noexcitement，asyousay——Icanwaitnow，Jemmy;Icanwaitnow。”
Hewaitedwithimmovablepatience。Atintervals，henodded，andsmiled，andwhisperedtohimself，“SomethingtofrightenMr。
Armadalein_that！_“Buthemadenofurtherattempt，byword，look，oraction，tohurryhisson。
Bashwoodtheyoungerfinishedhisbreakfastslowly，outofpurebravado;litacigarwiththeutmostdeliberation;lookedathisfather，and，seeinghimstillasimmovablypatientasever，openedtheblackbagatlast，andspreadthepapersonthetable。
“Howwillyouhaveit？”heasked。“Longorshort？Ihavegotherwholelifehere。Thecounselwhodefendedheratthetrialwasinstructedtohammerhardatthesympathiesofthejury:hewentheadoverearsintothemiseriesofherpastcareer，andshockedeverybodyincourtinthemostworkman-likemanner。ShallItakethesameline？Doyouwanttoknowallabouther，fromthetimewhenshewasinshortfrocksandfrilledtrousers？ordoyouprefergettingonatoncetoherfirstappearanceasaprisonerinthedock？”
“Iwanttoknowallabouther。”saidhisfather，eagerly。“Theworst，andthebest——theworstparticularly。Don’tsparemyfeelings，Jemmy——whateveryoudo，don’tsparemyfeelings！Can’tIlookatthepapersmyself？”
“No，youcan’t。TheywouldbeallGreekandHebrewtoyou。Thankyourstarsthatyouhavegotasharpson，whocantakethepithoutofthesepapers，andgiveitasmackoftherightflavorinservingitup。TherearenottenmeninEnglandwhocouldtellyouthiswoman’sstoryasIcantellit。It’sagift，oldgentleman，ofthesortthatisgiventoveryfewpeople——anditlodgeshere。”
Hetappedhisforeheadsmartly，andturnedtothefirstpageofthemanuscriptbeforehim，withanunconcealedtriumphattheprospectofexhibitinghisowncleverness，whichwasthefirstexpressionofagenuinefeelingofanysortthathadescapedhimyet。
“MissGwilt’sstorybegins。”saidBashwoodtheyounger，“inthemarket-placeatThorpeAmbrose。Oneday，somethinglikeaquarterofacenturyago，atravelingquackdoctor，whodealtinperfumeryaswellasmedicines，cametothetownwithhiscart，andexhibited，asalivingexampleoftheexcellenceofhiswashesandhair-oilsandsoon，aprettylittlegirl，withabeautifulcomplexionandwonderfulhair。HisnamewasOldershaw。
Hehadawife，whohelpedhimintheperfumerypartofhisbusiness，andwhocarrieditonbyherselfafterhisdeath。Shehasrisenintheworldoflateyears;andsheisidenticalwiththatslyoldladywhoemployedmeprofessionallyashorttimesince。Asfortheprettylittlegirl，youknowwhoshewasaswellasIdo。Whilethequackwasharanguingthemobandshowingthemthechild’shair，ayounglady，drivingthroughthemarketplace，stoppedhercarriagetohearwhatitwasallabout，sawthelittlegirl，andtookaviolentfancytoheronthespot。
TheyoungladywasthedaughterofMr。Blanchard，ofThorpeAmbrose。Shewenthome，andinterestedherfatherinthefateoftheinnocentlittlevictimofthequackdoctor。Thesameevening，theOldershawsweresentfortothegreathouseandwerequestioned。Theydeclaredthemselvestobeheruncleandaunt——alie，ofcourse！——andtheywerequitewillingtoletherattendthevillageschool，whiletheystayedatThorpeAmbrose，whentheproposalwasmadetothem。Thenewarrangementwascarriedoutthenextday。Andthedayafterthat，theOldershawshaddisappeared，andhadleftthelittlegirlonthesquire’shands！
Sheevidentlyhadn’tansweredastheyexpectedinthecapacityofanadvertisement，andthatwasthewaytheytookofprovidingforherforlife。Thereisthefirstactoftheplayforyou！
Clearenough，sofar，isn’tit？”
“Clearenough，Jemmy，tocleverpeople。ButI’moldandslow。I
don’tunderstandonething。Whosechildwasshe？”
“Averysensiblequestion。Sorrytoinformyouthatnobodycananswerit——MissGwiltherselfincluded。TheseInstructionsthatI’mreferingtoarefounded，ofcourse，onherownstatements，siftedbyherattorney。Allshecouldremember，onbeingquestioned，wasthatshewasbeatenandhalfstarved，somewhereinthecountry，byawomanwhotookinchildrenatnurse。Thewomanhadacardwithher，statingthathernamewasLydiaGwilt，andgotayearlyallowancefortakingcareofherpaidthroughalawyertillshewaseightyearsold。Atthattime，theallowancestopped;thelawyerhadnoexplanationtooffer;nobodycametolookafterher;nobodywrote。TheOldershawssawher，andthoughtshemightanswertoexhibit;andthewomanpartedwithherforatrifletotheOldershaws;andtheOldershawspartedwithherforgoodandalltotheBlanchards。That’sthestoryofherbirth，parentage，andeducation！Shemaybethedaughterofaduke，orthedaughterofacostermonger。Thecircumstancesmaybehighlyromantic，orutterlycommonplace。Fancyanythingyoulike——there’snothingtostopyou。Whenyou’vehadyourfancyout，saytheword，andI’llturnovertheleavesandgoon。”
“Pleasetogoon，Jemmy——pleasetogoon。”
“ThenextglimpseofMissGwilt。”resumedBashwoodtheyounger，turningoverthepapers，“isaglimpseatafamilymystery。Thedesertedchildwasinluck’swayatlast。Shehadtakenthefancyofanamiableyoungladywitharichfather，andshewaspettedandmademuchofatthegreathouse，inthecharacterofMissBlanchard’slastnewplaything。NotlongafterwardMr。Blanchardandhisdaughterwentabroad，andtookthegirlwiththeminthecapacityofMissBlanchard’slittlemaid。Whentheycameback，thedaughterhadmarried，andbecomeawidow，intheinterval;
andtheprettylittlemaid，insteadofreturningwiththemtoThorpeAmbrose，turnsupsuddenly，allalone，asapupilataschoolinFrance。Thereshewas，atafirst-rateestablishment，withhermaintenanceandeducationsecureduntilshemarriedandsettledinlife，onthisunderstanding——thatsheneverreturnedtoEngland。Thosewerealltheparticularsshecouldbeprevailedontogivethelawyerwhodrewuptheseinstructions。Shedeclinedtosaywhathadhappenedabroad;shedeclinedeven，afteralltheyearsthathadpassed，tomentionhermistress’smarriedname。It’squiteclear，ofcourse，thatshewasinpossessionofsomefamilysecret;andthattheBlanchardspaidforherschoolingontheContinenttokeepheroutoftheway。
Andit’sequallyplainthatshewouldneverhavekepthersecretasshedidifshehadnotseenherwaytotradingonitforherownadvantageatsomefuturetime。Acleverwoman，asI’vetoldyoualready！Adevilishcleverwoman，whohasn’tbeenknockedaboutintheworld，andseentheupsanddownsoflifeabroadandathome，fornothing。”
“Yes，yes，Jemmy;quitetrue。Howlongdidshestop，please，attheschoolinFrance？”
Bashwoodtheyoungerreferredtothepapers。“ShestoppedattheFrenchschool。”hereplied，“tillshewasseventeen。AtthattimesomethinghappenedattheschoolwhichIfindmildlydescribedinthesepapersas’somethingunpleasant。’Theplainfactwasthatthemusic-masterattachedtotheestablishmentfellinlovewithMissGwilt。Hewasarespectablemiddle-agedman，withawifeandfamily;and，findingthecircumstancesentirelyhopeless，hetookapistol，and，rashlyassumingthathehadbrainsinhishead，triedtoblowthemout。Thedoctorsavedhislife，butnothisreason;heended，wherehehadbetterhavebegun，inanasylum。
MissGwilt’sbeautyhavingbeenatthebottomofthescandal，itwas，ofcourse，impossible——thoughshewasprovedtohavebeenotherwisequiteblamelessinthematter——forhertoremainattheschoolafterwhathadhappened。Her’friends’theBlanchards
werecommunicatedwith。Andherfriendstransferredhertoanotherschool;atBrussels，thistime——Whatareyousighingabout？What’swrongnow？”
“Ican’thelpfeelingalittleforthepoormusic-master，Jemmy。
Goon。”
“Accordingtoherownaccountofit，dad，MissGwiltseemstohavefeltforhimtoo。Shetookaseriousturn;andwas’converted’astheycallitbytheladywhohadchargeofherintheintervalbeforeshewenttoBrussels。ThepriestattheBelgiumschoolappearstohavebeenamanofsomediscretion，andtohaveseenthatthegirl’ssensibilitiesweregettingintoadangerouslyexcitedstate。Beforehecouldquietherdown，hefellill，andwassucceededbyanotherpriest，whowasafanatic。
Youwillunderstandthesortofinteresthetookinthegirl，andthewayinwhichheworkedonherfeelings，whenItellyouthatsheannounceditasherdecision，afterhavingbeennearlytwoyearsattheschool，toendherdaysinaconvent！Youmaywellstare！MissGwilt，inthecharacterofaNun，isthesortoffemalephenomenonyoudon’toftenseteyeson。”
“Didshegointotheconvent？”askedMr。Bashwood。“Didtheylethergoin，sofriendlessandsoyoung，withnobodytoadviseherforthebest？”
“TheBlanchardswereconsulted，asamatterofform。”pursuedBashwoodtheyounger。“_They_hadnoobjectiontohershuttingherselfupinaconvent，asyoumaywellimagine。Thepleasantestlettertheyeverhadfromher，I’llanswerforit，wastheletterinwhichshesolemnlytookleaveoftheminthisworldforever。
Thepeopleattheconventwereascarefulasusualnottocommitthemselves。Theirruleswouldn’tallowhertotaketheveiltillshehadtriedthelifeforayearfirst，andthen，ifshehadanydoubt，foranotheryearafterthat。Shetriedthelifeforthefirstyear，accordingly，anddoubted。Shetrieditforthesecondyear，andwaswiseenough，bythattime，togiveitupwithoutfurtherhesitation。Herpositionwasratheranawkwardonewhenshefoundherselfatlibertyagain。Thesistersattheconventhadlosttheirinterestinher;themistressattheschooldeclinedtotakeherbackasteacher，onthegroundthatshewastoonice-lookingfortheplace;thepriestconsideredhertobepossessedbythedevil。TherewasnothingforitbuttowritetotheBlanchardsagain，andaskthemtostartherinlifeasateacherofmusiconherownaccount。Shewrotetoherformermistressaccordingly。Herformermistresshadevidentlydoubtedthegenuinenessofthegirl’sresolutiontobeanun，andhadseizedtheopportunityofferedbyherentryintotheconventtocutoffallfurthercommunicationbetweenherex-waiting-maidandherself。MissGwilt’sletterwasreturnedbythepost-office。Shecausedinquiriestobemade;andfoundthatMr。Blanchardwasdead，andthathisdaughterhadleftthegreathouseforsomeplaceofretirementunknown。Thenextthingshedid，uponthis，wastowritetotheheirinpossessionoftheestate。Theletterwasansweredbyhissolicitors，whowereinstructedtoputthelawinforceatthefirstattemptshemadetoextortmoneyfromanymemberofthefamilyatThorpeAmbrose。Thelastchancewastogetattheaddressofhermistress’splaceofretirement。Thefamilybankers，towhomshewrote，wrotebacktosaythattheywereinstructednottogivethelady’saddresstoanyoneapplyingforit，withoutbeingpreviouslyempoweredtodosobytheladyherself。Thatlastlettersettledthequestion——MissGwiltcoulddonothingmore。Withmoneyathercommand，shemighthavegonetoEnglandandmadetheBlanchardsthinktwicebeforetheycarriedthingswithtoohighahand。Nothavingahalf-pennyatcommand，shewashelpless。Withoutmoneyandwithoutfriends，youmaywonderhowshesupportedherselfwhilethecorrespondencewasgoingon。Shesupportedherselfbyplayingthepiano-forteatalowconcert-roominBrussels。Themenlaidsiegetoher，ofcourse，inalldirections;buttheyfoundherinsensibleasadamant。OneoftheserejectedgentlemenwasaRussian;andhewasthemeansofmakingheracquaintedwithacountrywomanofhis，whosenameisunpronounceablebyEnglishlips。Letusgiveherhertitle，andcallherthebaroness。Thetwowomenlikedeachotherattheirfirstintroduction;andanewsceneopenedinMissGwilt’slife。Shebecamereaderandcompaniontothebaroness。Everythingwasright，everythingwassmoothonthesurface。Everythingwasrottenandeverythingwaswrongunderit。”
“Inwhatway，Jemmy？Pleasetowaitalittle，andtellmeinwhatway。”
“Inthisway。Thebaronesswasfondoftraveling，andshehadaselectsetoffriendsaboutherwhowerequiteofherwayofthinking。TheywentfromonecityontheContinenttoanother，andweresuchcharmingpeoplethattheypickedupacquaintanceseverywhere。Theacquaintanceswereinvitedtothebaroness’sreceptions，andcard-tableswereinvariablyapartofthebaroness’sfurniture。Doyouseeitnow？ormustItellyou，inthestrictestconfidence，thatcardswerenotconsideredsinfulonthesefestiveoccasions，andthattheluck，attheendoftheevening，turnedouttobealmostinvariablyonthesideofthebaronessandherfriends？Swindlers，allofthem;andthereisn’tadoubtonmymind，whatevertheremaybeonyours，thatMissGwilt’smannersandappearancemadeheravaluablememberofthesocietyinthecapacityofadecoy。Herownstatementisthatshewasinnocentofallknowledgeofwhatreallywenton;thatshewasquiteignorantofcard-playing;thatshehadn’tsuchathingasarespectablefriendtoturntointheworld;andthatshehonestlylikedthebaroness，forthesimplereasonthatthebaronesswasaheartygoodfriendtoherfromfirsttolast。
Believethatornot，asyouplease。ForfiveyearsshetraveledaboutallovertheContinentwiththesecard-sharpersinhighlife，andshemighthavebeenamongthematthismoment，foranythingIknowtothecontrary，ifthebaronesshadnotcaughtaTartaratNaples，intheshapeofarichtravelingEnglishman，namedWaldron。Aha！thatnamestartlesyou，doesit？You’vereadtheTrialofthefamousMrs。Waldron，liketherestoftheworld？
AndyouknowwhoMissGwiltisnow，withoutmytellingyou？”
Hepaused，andlookedathisfatherinsuddenperplexity。Farfrombeingoverwhelmedbythediscoverywhichhadjustburstonhim，Mr。Bashwood，afterthefirstnaturalmovementofsurprise，facedhissonwithaself-possessionwhichwasnothingshortofextraordinaryunderthecircumstances。Therewasanewbrightnessinhiseyes，andanewcolorinhisface。Ifithadbeenpossibletoconceivesuchathingofamaninhisposition，heseemedtobeabsolutelyencouragedinsteadofdepressedbywhathehadjustheard。“Goon，Jemmy。”hesaid，quietly;“Iamoneofthefewpeoplewhodidn’treadthetrial;Ionlyheardofit。”
Stillwonderinginwardly，Bashwoodtheyoungerrecoveredhimself，andwenton。
“Youalwayswere，andyoualwayswillbe，behindtheage。”hesaid。“Whenwecometothetrial，Icantellyouasmuchaboutitasyouneedknow。Inthemeantime，wemustgobacktothebaronessandMr。Waldron。ForacertainnumberofnightstheEnglishmanletthecard-sharpershaveitalltheirownway;inotherwords，hepaidfortheprivilegeofmakinghimselfagreeabletoMissGwilt。Whenhethoughthehadproducedthenecessaryimpressiononher，heexposedthewholeconfederacywithoutmercy。Thepoliceinterfered;thebaronessfoundherselfinprison;andMissGwiltwasputbetweenthetwoalternativesofacceptingMr。Waldron’sprotectionorbeingthrownontheworldagain。Shewasamazinglyvirtuous，oramazinglyclever，whichyouplease。ToMr。Waldron’sastonishment，shetoldhimthatshecouldfacetheprospectofbeingthrownontheworld;andthathemustaddressherhonorablyorleaveherforever。Theendofitwaswhattheendalwaysis，wherethemanisinfatuatedandthewomanisdetermined。Tothedisgustofhisfamilyandfriends，Mr。Waldronmadeavirtueofnecessity，andmarriedher。”
“Howoldwashe？”askedBashwoodtheelder，eagerly。
Bashwoodtheyoungerburstoutlaughing。“Hewasaboutoldenough，daddy，tobeyourson，andrichenoughtohaveburstthatpreciouspocket-bookofyourswiththousand-poundnotes！Don’thangyourhead。Itwasn’tahappymarriage，thoughhe_was_soyoungandsorich。Theylivedabroad，andgotonwellenoughatfirst。Hemadeanewwill，ofcourse，assoonashewasmarried，andprovidedhandsomelyforhiswife，underthetenderpressureofthehoney-moon。Butwomenwearout，likeotherthings，withtime;andonefinemorningMr。Waldronwokeupwithadoubtinhismindwhetherhehadnotactedlikeafool。Hewasanill-temperedman;hewasdiscontentedwithhimself;andofcoursehemadehiswifefeelit。Havingbegunbyquarrelingwithher，hegotontosuspectingher，andbecamesavagelyjealousofeverymalecreaturewhoenteredthehouse。Theyhadnoincumbrancesintheshapeofchildren，andtheymovedfromoneplacetoanother，justashisjealousyinclinedhim，tilltheymovedbacktoEnglandatlast，afterhavingbeenmarriedcloseonfouryears。
HehadalonelyoldhouseofhisownamongtheYorkshiremoors，andthereheshuthiswifeandhimselfupfromeverylivingcreature，excepthisservantsandhisdogs。Onlyoneresultcouldcome，ofcourse，oftreatingahigh-spiritedyoungwomaninthatway。Itmaybeherfate，oritmaybechance;but，wheneverawomanisdesperate，thereissuretobeamanhandytotakeadvantageofit。Themaninthiscasewasrathera’darkhorse，’
astheysayontheturf。HewasacertainCaptainManuel，anativeofCuba，andaccordingtohisownaccountanex-officerintheSpanishnavy。HehadmetMr。Waldron’sbeautifulwifeonthejourneybacktoEngland;hadcontrivedtospeaktoherinspiteofherhusband’sjealousy;andhadfollowedhertoherplaceofimprisonmentinMr。Waldron’shouseonthemoors。Thecaptainisdescribedasaclever，determinedfellow——ofthedaringpiraticalsort——withthedashofmysteryabouthimthatwomenlike——“
“She’snotthesameasotherwomen！“interposedMr。Bashwood，suddenlyinterruptinghisson。“Didshe——？”Hisvoicefailedhim，andhestoppedwithoutbringingthequestiontoanend。
“Didshelikethecaptain？”suggestedBashwoodtheyounger，withanotherlaugh。“Accordingtoherownaccountofit，sheadoredhim。Atthesametimeherconductasrepresentedbyherselfwasperfectlyinnocent。Consideringhowcarefullyherhusbandwatchedher，thestatementincredibleasitappearsisprobablytrue。
Forsixweeksorsotheyconfinedthemselvestocorrespondingprivately，theCubancaptainwhospokeandwroteEnglishperfectlyhavingcontrivedtomakeago-betweenofoneofthefemaleservantsintheYorkshirehouse。Howitmighthaveendedweneedn’ttroubleourselvestoinquire——Mr。Waldronhimselfbroughtmatterstoacrisis。Whetherhegotwindoftheclandestinecorrespondenceornot，doesn’tappear。Butthisiscertain，thathecamehomefromarideonedayinafiercertemperthanusual;thathiswifeshowedhimasampleofthathighspiritofherswhichhehadneveryetbeenabletobreak;andthatitendedinhisstrikingheracrossthefacewithhisriding-whip。Ungentlemanlyconduct，Iamafraidwemustadmit;
but，toalloutwardappearance，theriding-whipproducedthemostastonishingresults。Fromthatmomenttheladysubmittedasshehadneversubmittedbefore。Forafortnightafterwardhedidwhatheliked，andsheneverthwartedhim;hesaidwhatheliked，andsheneverutteredawordofprotest。Somemenmighthavesuspectedthissuddenreformationofhidingsomethingdangerousunderthesurface。WhetherMr。Waldronlookedatitinthatlight，Ican’ttellyou。Allthatisknownisthat，beforethemarkofthewhipwasoffhiswife’sface，hefellill，andthatintwodaysafterwardhewasadeadman。Whatdoyousaytothat？”
“Isayhedeservedit！“answeredMr。Bashwood，strikinghishandexcitedlyonthetable，ashissonpausedandlookedathim。
“Thedoctorwhoattendedthedyingmanwasnotofyourwayofthinking。”remarkedBashwoodtheyounger，dryly。“Hecalledintwoothermedicalmen，andtheyallthreerefusedtocertifythedeath。Theusuallegalinvestigationfollowed。Theevidenceofthedoctorsandtheevidenceoftheservantspointedirresistiblyinoneandthesamedirection;andMrs。Waldronwascommittedfortrial，onthechargeofmurderingherhusbandbypoison。A
solicitorinfirst-ratecriminalpracticewassentforfromLondontogetuptheprisoner’sdefense，andthese’Instructions’
tooktheirformandshapeaccordingly——What’sthematter？Whatdoyouwantnow？”
Suddenlyrisingfromhischair，Mr。Bashwoodstretchedacrossthetable，andtriedtotakethepapersfromhisson。“Iwanttolookatthem。”heburstout，eagerly。“IwanttoseewhattheysayaboutthecaptainfromCuba。Hewasatthebottomofit，Jemmy——I’llswearhewasatthebottomofit！“
“Nobodydoubtedthatwhowasinthesecretofthecaseatthetime。”rejoinedhisson。“Butnobodycouldproveit。Sitdownagain，dad，andcomposeyourself。There’snothinghereaboutCaptainManuelbutthelawyer’sprivatesuspicionsofhim，forthecounseltoactonornot，atthecounsel’sdiscretion。Fromfirsttolastshepersistedinscreeningthecaptain。Attheoutsetofthebusinessshevolunteeredtwostatementstothelawyer——bothofwhichhesuspectedtobefalse。Inthefirstplaceshedeclaredthatshewasinnocentofthecrime。Hewasn’tsurprised，ofcourse，sofar;hisclientswere，asageneralrule，inthehabitofdeceivinghiminthatway。Inthesecondplace，whileadmittingherprivatecorrespondencewiththeCubancaptain，shedeclaredthatthelettersonbothsidesrelatedsolelytoaproposedelopement，towhichherhusband’sbarbaroustreatmenthadinducedhertoconsent。Thelawyernaturallyaskedtoseetheletters。’Hehasburnedallmyletters，andIhaveburnedallhis，’wastheonlyanswerhegot。ItwasquitepossiblethatCaptainManuelmighthaveburned_her_letterswhenheheardtherewasacoroner’sinquestinthehouse。Butitwasinhersolicitor’sexperienceasitisinmyexperiencetoo
that，whenawomanisfondofaman，inninety-ninecasesoutofahundred，riskornorisk，shekeepshisletters。Havinghissuspicionsrousedinthisway，thelawyerprivatelymadesomeinquiriesabouttheforeigncaptain，andfoundthathewasasshortofmoneyasaforeigncaptaincouldbe。Atthesametime，heputsomequestionstohisclientaboutherexpectationsfromherdeceasedhusband。Sheanswered，inhighindignation，thatawillhadbeenfoundamongherhusband’spapers，privatelyexecutedonlyafewdaysbeforehisdeath，andleavinghernomore，outofallhisimmensefortune，thanfivethousandpounds。
’Wasthereanolderwill，then，’saysthelawyer，’whichthenewwillrevoked？’Yes，therewas;awillthathehadgivenintoherownpossession——awillmadewhentheywerefirstmarried。
’Leavinghiswidowwellprovidedfor？’Leavingherjusttentimesasmuchasthesecondwilllefther。’Hadsheevermentionedthatfirstwill，nowrevoked，toCaptainManuel？’Shesawthetrapsetforher，andsaid，’No，never！’withoutaninstant’shesitation。
Thatreplyconfirmedthelawyer’ssuspicions。Hetriedtofrightenherbydeclaringthatherlifemightpaytheforfeitofherdeceivinghiminthismatter。Withtheusualobstinacyofwomen，sheremainedjustasimmovableasever。Thecaptain，onhisside，behavedinthemostexemplarymanner。Heconfessedtoplanningtheelopement;hedeclaredthathehadburnedallthelady’slettersastheyreachedhim，outofregardforherreputation;heremainedintheneighborhood;andhevolunteeredtoattendbeforethemagistrates。Nothingwasdiscoveredthatcouldlegallyconnecthimwiththecrime，orthatcouldputhimintocourtonthedayofthetrial，inanyothercapacitythanthecapacityofawitness。Idon’tbelievemyselfthatthere’sanymoraldoubtastheycallitthatManuelknewofthewillwhichlefthermistressoffiftythousandpounds;andthathewasreadyandwilling，invirtueofthatcircumstance，tomarryheronMr。Waldron’sdeath。Ifanybodytemptedhertoeffectherownreleasefromherhusbandbymakingherselfawidow，thecaptainmusthavebeentheman。Andunlessshecontrived，guardedandwatchedasshewas，togetthepoisonforherself，thepoisonmusthavecometoherinoneofthecaptain’sletters。”
“Idon’tbelievesheusedit，ifitdidcometoher！“exclaimedMr。Bashwood。“Ibelieveitwasthecaptainhimselfwhopoisonedherhusband！“
Bashwoodtheyounger，withoutnoticingtheinterruption，foldeduptheInstructionsfortheDefense，whichhadnowservedtheirpurpose，putthembackinhisbag，andproducedaprintedpamphletintheirplace。
“HereisoneofthepublishedReportsoftheTrial。”hesaid，“whichyoucanreadatyourleisure，ifyoulike。Weneedn’twastetimenowbygoingintodetails。Ihavetoldyoualreadyhowcleverlyhercounselpavedhiswayfortreatingthechargeofmurderasthecrowningcalamityofthemanythathadalreadyfallenonaninnocentwoman。Thetwolegalpointsreliedonforthedefenseafterthispreliminaryflourishwere:First，thattherewasnoevidencetoconnectherwiththepossessionofpoison;and，secondly，thatthemedicalwitnesses，whilepositivelydeclaringthatherhusbandhaddiedbypoison，differedintheirconclusionsastotheparticulardrugthathadkilledhim。Bothgoodpoints，andbothwellworked;buttheevidenceontheothersideboredowneverythingbeforeit。Theprisonerwasprovedtohavehadnolessthanthreeexcellentreasonsforkillingherhusband。Hehadtreatedherwithalmostunexampledbarbarity;hehadleftherinawillunrevokedsofarassheknewmistressofafortuneonhisdeath;andshewas，byherownconfession，contemplatinganelopementwithanotherman。
Havingsetforththesemotives，theprosecutionnextshowedbyevidence，whichwasneveronceshakenonanysinglepoint，thattheonepersoninthehousewhocouldbyanyhumanpossibilityhaveadministeredthepoisonwastheprisoneratthebar。Whatcouldthejudgeandjurydo，withsuchevidencebeforethemasthis？TheverdictwasGuilty，asamatterofcourse;andthejudgedeclaredthatheagreedwithit。Thefemalepartoftheaudiencewasinhysterics;andthemalepartwasnotmuchbetter。
Thejudgesobbed，andthebarshuddered。ShewassentencedtodeathinsuchasceneashadneverbeenpreviouslywitnessedinanEnglishcourtofjustice。Andsheisaliveandheartyatthepresentmoment;freetodoanymischiefshepleases，andtopoison，atherownentireconvenience，anyman，woman，orchildthathappenstostandinherway。Amostinterestingwoman！Keepongoodtermswithher，mydearsir，whateveryoudo，fortheLawhassaidtoherintheplainestpossibleEnglish，’Mycharmingfriend，Ihavenoterrorsfor_you！_’“
“Howwasshepardoned？”askedMr。Bashwood，breathlessly。“Theytoldmeatthetime，butIhaveforgotten。WasittheHomeSecretary？Ifitwas，IrespecttheHomeSecretary！IsaytheHomeSecretarywasdeservingofhisplace。”
“Quiteright，oldgentleman！“rejoinedBashwoodtheyounger。“TheHomeSecretarywastheobedienthumbleservantofanenlightenedFreePress，andhe_was_deservingofhisplace。Isitpossibleyoudon’tknowhowshecheatedthegallows？Ifyoudon’t，Imusttellyou。Ontheeveningofthetrial，twoorthreeoftheyoungbuccaneersofliteraturewentdowntotwoorthreenewspaperoffices，andwrotetwoorthreeheart-rendingleadingarticlesonthesubjectoftheproceedingsincourt。Thenextmorningthepubliccaughtlightliketinder;andtheprisonerwastriedoveragain，beforeanamateurcourtofjustice，inthecolumnsofthenewspapers。Allthepeoplewhohadnopersonalexperiencewhateveronthesubjectseizedtheirpens，andrushedbykindpermissionoftheeditorintoprint。Doctorswhohad_not_
attendedthesickman，andwhohad_not_beenpresentattheexaminationofthebody，declaredbydozensthathehaddiedanaturaldeath。Barristerswithoutbusiness，whohad_not_heardtheevidence，attackedthejurywhohadheardit，andjudgedthejudge，whohadsatonthebenchbeforesomeofthemwereborn。
Thegeneralpublicfollowedtheleadofthebarristersandthedoctors，andtheyoungbuccaneerswhohadsetthethinggoing。
Herewasthelawthattheyallpaidtoprotectthemactuallydoingitsdutyindreadfulearnest！Shocking！shocking！TheBritishPublicrosetoprotestasonemanagainsttheworkingofitsownmachinery;andtheHomeSecretary，inastateofdistraction，wenttothejudge。Thejudgeheldfirm。Hehadsaiditwastherightverdictatthetime，andhesaidsostill。’Butsuppose，’saystheHomeSecretary，’thattheprosecutionhadtriedsomeotherwayofprovingherguiltyatthetrialthanthewaytheydidtry，whatwouldyouandthejuryhavedonethen？’Ofcourseitwasquiteimpossibleforthejudgetosay。ThiscomfortedtheHomeSecretary，tobeginwith。And，whenhegotthejudge’sconsent，afterthat，tohavingtheconflictofmedicalevidencesubmittedtoonegreatdoctor;andwhentheonegreatdoctortookthemercifulview，afterexpresslystating，inthefirstinstance，thatheknewnothingpracticallyofthemeritsofthecase，theHomeSecretarywasperfectlysatisfied。Theprisoner’sdeath-warrantwentintothewaste-paperbasket;theverdictofthelawwasreversedbygeneralacclamation;andtheverdictofthenewspaperscarriedtheday。Butthebestofitistocome。Youknowwhathappenedwhenthepeoplefoundthemselveswiththepetobjectoftheirsympathysuddenlycastlooseontheirhands？Ageneralimpressionprevaileddirectlythatshewasnotquiteinnocentenough，afterall，tobeletoutofprisonthenandthere！Punishheralittle——thatwasthestateofthepopularfeeling——punishheralittle，Mr。HomeSecretary，ongeneralmoralgrounds。Asmallcourseofgentlelegalmedicine，ifyouloveus，andthenweshallfeelperfectlyeasyonthesubjecttotheendofourdays。”
“Don’tjokeaboutit！“criedhisfather。“Don’t，don’t，don’t，Jemmy！Didtheytryheragain？Theycouldn’t！Theydursn’t！
Nobodycanbetriedtwiceoverforthesameoffense。”
“Pooh！pooh！shecouldbetriedasecondtimeforasecondoffense。”retortedBashwoodtheyounger——“andtriedshewas。
Luckilyforthepacificationofthepublicmind，shehadrushedheadlongintoredressingherowngrievancesaswomenwill，whenshediscoveredthatherhusbandhadcutherdownfromalegacyoffiftythousandpoundstoalegacyoffivethousandbyastrokeofhispen。ThedaybeforetheinquestalockeddrawerinMr。
Waldron’sdressing-roomtable，whichcontainedsomevaluablejewelry，wasdiscoveredtohavebeenopenedandemptied;andwhentheprisonerwascommittedbythemagistrates，thepreciousstoneswerefoundtornoutoftheirsettingsandsewedupinherstays。Theladyconsidereditacaseofjustifiableself-compensation。Thelawdeclaredittobearobberycommittedontheexecutorsofthedeadman。Thelighteroffense——whichhadbeenpassedoverwhensuchachargeasmurderwasbroughtagainsther——wasjustthethingtorevive，tosaveappearancesintheeyesofthepublic。Theyhadstoppedthecourseofjustice，inthecaseoftheprisoner，atonetrial;andnowalltheywantedwastosetthecourseofjusticegoingagain，inthecaseoftheprisoner，atanother！Shewasarraignedfortherobbery，afterhavingbeenpardonedforthemurder。And，whatismore，ifherbeautyandhermisfortuneshadn’tmadeastrongimpressiononherlawyer。shewouldnotonlyhavehadtostandanothertrial，butwouldhavehadeventhefivethousandpounds，towhichshewasentitledbythesecondwill，takenawayfromher，asafelon，bytheCrown。”
“Irespectherlawyer！Iadmireherlawyer！“exclaimedMr。
Bashwood。“Ishouldliketotakehishand，andtellhimso。”
“Hewouldn’tthankyou，ifyoudid。”remarkedBashwoodtheyounger。“HeisunderacomfortableimpressionthatnobodyknowshowhesavedMrs。Waldron’slegacyforherbuthimself。”
“Ibegyourpardon，Jemmy。”interposedhisfather。“Butdon’tcallherMrs。Waldron。Speakofher，please，byhernamewhenshewasinnocent，andyoung，andagirlatschool。Wouldyoumind，formysake，callingherMissGwilt？”
“NotI！ItmakesnodifferencetomewhatnameIgiveher。Botheryoursentiment！let’sgoonwiththefacts。Thisiswhatthelawyerdidbeforethesecondtrialcameoff。Hetoldhershewouldbefoundguilty_again，_toadeadcertainty。’Andthistime，’hesaid，’thepublicwillletthelawtakeitscourse。
Haveyougotanoldfriendwhomyoucantrust？’Shehadn’tsuchathingasanoldfriendintheworld。’Verywell，then，’saysthelawyer，youmusttrustme。Signthispaper;andyouwillhaveexecutedafictitioussaleofallyourpropertytomyself。Whentherighttimecomes，Ishallfirstcarefullysettlewithyourhusband’sexecutors;andIshallthenreconveythemoneytoyou，securingitproperlyincaseyouevermarryagaininyourownpossession。TheCrown，inothertransactionsofthiskind，frequentlywaivesitsrightofdisputingthevalidityofthesale;and，iftheCrownisnoharderonyouthanonotherpeople，whenyoucomeoutofprisonyouwillhaveyourfivethousandpoundstobegintheworldwithagain。’Neatofthelawyer，whenshewasgoingtobetriedforrobbingtheexecutors，toputheruptoawayofrobbingtheCrown，wasn’tit？Ha！ha！whataworlditis！“
Thelasteffortoftheson’ssarcasmpassedunheededbythefather。“Inprison！“hesaidtohimself。“Ohme，afterallthatmisery，inprisonagain！“
“Yes。”saidBashwoodtheyounger，risingandstretchinghimself，“that’showitended。TheverdictwasGuilty;andthesentencewasimprisonmentfortwoyears。Sheservedhertime;andcameout，aswellasIcanreckonit，aboutthreeyearssince。Ifyouwanttoknowwhatshedidwhensherecoveredherliberty，andhowshewentonafterward，Imaybeabletotellyousomethingaboutit——say，onanotheroccasion，whenyouhavegotanextranoteortwoinyourpocket-book。Forthepresent，allyouneedknow，youdoknow。Thereisn’ttheshadowofadoubtthatthisfascinatingladyhasthedoublesluronherofhavingbeenfoundguiltyofmurder，andofhavingservedhertermofimprisonmentfortheft。
There’syourmoney’sworthforyourmoney——withthewholeofmywonderfulknackatstatingacaseclearly，throwninfornothing。
Ifyouhaveanygratitudeinyou，yououghttodosomethinghandsome，oneofthesedays，foryourson。Butforme，I’lltellyouwhatyouwouldhavedone，oldgentleman。Ifyoucouldhavehadyourownway，youwouldhavemarriedMissGwilt。”
Mr。Bashwoodrosetohisfeet，andlookedhissonsteadilyintheface。
“IfIcouldhavemyownway。”hesaid，“Iwouldmarryhernow。”
Bashwoodtheyoungerstartedbackastep。“AfterallIhavetoldyou？”heasked，intheblankestastonishment。
“Afterallyouhavetoldme。”
“Withthechanceofbeingpoisoned，thefirsttimeyouhappenedtooffendher？”
“Withthechanceofbeingpoisoned。”answeredMr。Bashwood，“infour-and-twentyhours。”
TheSpyofthePrivateInquiryOfficedroppedbackintohischair，cowedbyhisfather’swordsandhisfather’slooks。
“Mad！“hesaidtohimself。“Starkmad，byjingo！“
Mr。Bashwoodlookedathiswatch，andhurriedlytookhishatfromaside-table。
“Ishouldliketoheartherestofit。”hesaid。“Ishouldliketoheareverywordyouhavetotellmeabouther，totheverylast。Butthetime，thedreadful，gallopingtime，isgettingon。
ForallIknow，theymaybeontheirwaytobemarriedatthisverymoment。”
“Whatareyougoingtodo？”askedBashwoodtheyounger，gettingbetweenhisfatherandthedoor。
“Iamgoingtothehotel。”saidtheoldman，tryingtopasshim。
“IamgoingtoseeMr。Armadale。”
“Whatfor？”
“Totellhimeverythingyouhavetoldme。”Hepausedaftermakingthatreply。Theterriblesmileoftriumphwhichhadoncealreadyappearedonhisfaceoverspreaditagain。“Mr。Armadaleisyoung;Mr。Armadalehasallhislifebeforehim。”hewhispered，cunningly，withhistremblingfingersclutchinghisson’sarm。
“Whatdoesn’tfrighten_me_willfrighten_him！_“
“Waitaminute。”saidBashwoodtheyounger。“AreyouascertainaseverthatMr。Armadaleistheman？”
“Whatman？”
“Themanwhoisgoingtomarryher。”
“Yes！yes！yes！Letmego，Jemmy——letmego。”
Thespysethisbackagainstthedoor，andconsideredforamoment。Mr。Armadalewasrich——Mr。Armadaleif_he_wasnotstarkmadtoomightbemadetoputtherightmoney-valueoninformationthatsavedhimfromthedisgraceofmarryingMissGwilt。“ItmaybeahundredpoundsinmypocketifIworkitmyself。”thoughtBashwoodtheyounger。“Anditwon’tbeahalf-pennyifIleaveittomyfather。”Hetookuphishatandhisleatherbag。“Canyoucarryitallinyourownaddledoldhead，daddy？”heasked，withhiseasiestimpudenceofmanner。
“Notyou！I’llgowithyouandhelpyou。Whatdoyouthinkofthat？”
Thefatherthrewhisarmsinanecstasyroundtheson’sneck。“I
can’thelpit，Jemmy。”hesaid，inbrokentones。“Youaresogoodtome。Taketheothernote，mydear——I’llmanagewithoutit——taketheothernote。”
Thesonthrewopenthedoorwithaflourish;andmagnanimouslyturnedhisbackonthefather’sofferedpocket-book。“Hangit，oldgentleman，I’mnotquitesomercenaryas_that！_“hesaid，withanappearanceofthedeepestfeeling。“Putupyourpocket-book，andlet’sbeoff——IfItookmyrespectedparent’slastfive-poundnote。”hethoughttohimself，asheledthewaydownstairs，“howdoIknowhemightn’tcryhalveswhenheseesthecolorofMr。Armadale’smoney？——Comealong，dad！“heresumed。
“We’lltakeacabandcatchthehappybridegroombeforehestartsforthechurch！“
Theyhailedacabinthestreet，andstartedforthehotelwhichhadbeentheresidenceofMidwinterandAllanduringtheirstayinLondon。Theinstantthedoorofthevehiclehadclosed，Mr。
BashwoodreturnedtothesubjectofMissGwilt。