ATTHETERMINUS。
ONthenightofthe2dofDecember，Mr。BashwoodtookuphispostofobservationattheterminusoftheSouth-easternRailwayforthefirsttime。Itwasanearlierdate，bysixdays，thanthedatewhichAllanhadhimselffixedforhisreturn。Butthedoctor，takingcounselofhismedicalexperience，hadconsidereditjustprobablethat“Mr。Armadalemightbeperverseenough，athisenviableage，torecoversoonerthanhismedicaladvisersmighthaveanticipated。”Forcaution’ssake，therefore，Mr。
Bashwoodwasinstructedtobeginwatchingthearrivalofthetidaltrainsonthedayafterhehadreceivedhisemployer’sletter。
Fromthe2dtothe7thofDecember，thestewardwaitedpunctuallyontheplatform，sawthetrainscomein，andsatisfiedhimself，eveningafterevening，thatthetravelerswereallstrangerstohim。Fromthe2dtothe7thofDecember，MissGwilttoreturntothenameunderwhichsheisbestknowninthesepagesreceivedhisdailyreport，sometimesdeliveredpersonally，sometimessentbyletter。Thedoctor，towhomthereportswerecommunicated，receivedtheminhisturnwithunabatedconfidenceintheprecautionsthathadbeenadopteduptothemorningofthe8th。
OnthatdatetheirritationofcontinuedsuspensehadproducedachangefortheworseinMissGwilt’svariabletemper，whichwasperceptibletoeveryoneabouther，andwhich，strangelyenough，wasreflectedbyanequallymarkedchangeinthedoctor’smannerwhenhecametopayhisusualvisit。Byacoincidencesoextraordinarythathisenemiesmighthavesuspecteditofnotbeingacoincidenceatall，themorningonwhichMissGwiltlostherpatienceprovedtobealsothemorningonwhichthedoctorlosthisconfidenceforthefirsttime。
“Nonews，ofcourse。”hesaid，sittingdownwithaheavysigh。
“Well！well！“
MissGwiltlookedupathimirritablyfromherwork。
“Youseemstrangelydepressedthismorning。”shesaid。“Whatareyouafraidofnow？”
“Theimputationofbeingafraid，madam。”answeredthedoctor，solemnly，“isnotanimputationtocastrashlyonanyman——evenwhenhebelongstosuchanessentiallypeacefulprofessionasmine。Iamnotafraid。Iamasyoumorecorrectlyputitinthefirstinstancestrangelydepressed。Mynatureis，asyouknow，naturallysanguine，andIonlyseeto-daywhatbutformyhabitualhopefulnessImighthaveseen，andoughttohaveseen，aweeksince。”
MissGwiltimpatientlythrewdownherwork。“Ifwordscostmoney。”shesaid，“theluxuryoftalkingwouldberatheranexpensiveluxuryinyourcase！“
“WhichImighthaveseen，andoughttohaveseen。”reiteratedthedoctor，withouttakingtheslightestnoticeoftheinterruption，“aweeksince。Toputitplainly，IfeelbynomeanssocertainasIdidthatMr。Armadalewillconsent，withoutastruggle，tothetermswhichitismyinterestandinaminordegreeyours
toimposeonhim。Observe！Idon’tquestionourentrappinghimsuccessfullyintotheSanitarium:IonlydoubtwhetherhewillprovequiteasmanageableasIoriginallyanticipatedwhenwehavegothimthere。Say。”remarkedthedoctor，raisinghiseyesforthefirsttime，andfixingtheminsteadyinquiryonMissGwilt——“saythatheisbold，obstinate，whatyouplease;andthatheholdsout——holdsoutforweekstogether，formonthstogether，asmeninsimilarsituationstohishaveheldoutbeforehim。
Whatfollows？Theriskofkeepinghimforciblyinconcealment——ofsuppressinghim，ifImaysoexpressmyself——increasesatcompoundinterest，andbecomesEnormous！Myhouseisatthismomentvirtuallyreadyforpatients。Patientsmaypresentthemselvesinaweek’stime。PatientsmaycommunicatewithMr。
Armadale，orMr。Armadalemaycommunicatewithpatients。Anotemaybesmuggledoutofthehouse，andmayreachtheCommissionersinLunacy。Eveninthecaseofanunlicensedestablishmentlikemine，thosegentlemen——no！thosechartereddespotsinalandofliberty——haveonlytoapplytotheLordChancellorforanorder，andtoenterbyheavens，toenterMySanitarium！andsearchthehousefromtoptobottomatamoment’snotice！Idon’twishtodespond;Idon’twishtoalarmyou;Idon’tpretendtosaythatthemeanswearetakingtosecureyourownsafetyareanyotherthanthebestmeansatourdisposal。AllIaskyoutodoistoimaginetheCommissionersinthehouse——andthentoconceivetheconsequences。Theconsequences！“repeatedthedoctor，gettingsternlyonhisfeet，andtakinguphishatasifhemeanttoleavetheroom。
“Haveyouanythingmoretosay？”askedMissGwilt。
“Haveyouanyremarks。”rejoinedthedoctor，“toofferonyourside？”
Hestood，hatinhand，waiting。Forafullminutethetwolookedateachotherinsilence。
MissGwiltspokefirst。
“IthinkIunderstandyou。”shesaid，suddenlyrecoveringhercomposure。
“Ibegyourpardon。”returnedthedoctor，withhishandtohisear。“Whatdidyousay？”
“Nothing。”
“Nothing？”
“Ifyouhappenedtocatchanotherflythismorning。”saidMissGwilt，withabitterlysarcasticemphasisonthewords，“Imightbecapableofshockingyoubyanother’littlejoke。’“
Thedoctorheldupbothhands，inpolitedeprecation，andlookedasifhewasbeginningtorecoverhisgoodhumoragain。
“Hard。”hemurmured，gently，“nottohaveforgivenmethatunluckyblunderofmine，evenyet！“
“Whatelsehaveyoutosay？Iamwaitingforyou。”saidMissGwilt。Sheturnedherchairtothewindowscornfully，andtookupherworkagain，asshespoke。
Thedoctorcamebehindher，andputhishandonthebackofherchair。
“Ihaveaquestiontoask，inthefirstplace。”hesaid;“andameasureofnecessaryprecautiontosuggest，inthesecond。Ifyouwillhonormewithyourattention，Iwillputthequestionfirst。”
“Iamlistening。”
“YouknowthatMr。Armadaleisalive。”pursuedthedoctor，“andyouknowthatheiscomingbacktoEngland。Whydoyoucontinuetowearyourwidow’sdress？”
Sheansweredhimwithoutaninstant’shesitation，steadilygoingonwithherwork。
“BecauseIamofasanguinedisposition，likeyou。Imeantotrusttothechapterofaccidentstotheverylast。Mr。Armadalemaydieyet，onhiswayhome。”
“Andsupposehegetshomealive——whatthen？”
“Thenthereisanotherchancestillleft。”
“Whatisit，pray？”
“HemaydieinyourSanitarium。”
“Madam！“remonstratedthedoctor，inthedeepbasswhichhereservedforhisoutburstsofvirtuousindignation。“Wait！youspokeofthechapterofaccidents。”heresumed，glidingbackintohissofterconversationaltones。“Yes！yes！ofcourse。I
understandyouthistime。Eventhehealingartisatthemercyofaccidents;evensuchaSanitariumasmineisliabletobesurprisedbyDeath。Justso！justso！“saidthedoctor，concedingthequestionwiththeutmostimpartiality。“There_is_thechapterofaccidents，Iadmit——ifyouchoosetotrusttoit。
Mind！Isayemphatically，_if_youchoosetotrusttoit。”
Therewasanothermomentofsilence——silencesoprofoundthatnothingwasaudibleintheroombuttherapid_click_ofMissGwilt’sneedlethroughherwork。
“Goon。”shesaid;“youhaven’tdoneyet。”
“True！“saidthedoctor。“Havingputmyquestion，Ihavemymeasureofprecautiontoimpressonyounext。Youwillsee，mydearmadam，thatIamnotdisposedtotrusttothechapterofaccidentsonmyside。ReflectionhasconvincedmethatyouandI
arenotlogicallyspeakingsoconvenientlysituatedaswemightbeincaseofemergency。Cabsare，asyet，rareinthisrapidlyimprovingneighborhood。Iamtwentyminutes’walkfromyou;youaretwentyminutes’walkfromme。IknownothingofMr。
Armadale’scharacter;youknowitwell。Itmightbenecessary——vitallynecessary——toappealtoyoursuperiorknowledgeofhimatamoment’snotice。AndhowamItodothatunlesswearewithineasyreachofeachother，underthesameroof？Inbothourinterests，Ibegtoinviteyou，mydearmadam，tobecomeforalimitedperiodaninmateofMySanitarium。”
MissGwilt’srapidneedlesuddenlystopped。“Iunderstandyou。”
shesaidagain，asquietlyasbefore。
“Ibegyourpardon。”saidthedoctor，withanotherattackofdeafness，andwithhishandoncemoreathisear。
Shelaughedtoherself——alow，terriblelaugh，whichstartledeventhedoctorintotakinghishandoffthebackofherchair。
“AninmateofyourSanitarium？”sherepeated。“Youconsultappearancesineverythingelse;doyouproposetoconsultappearancesinreceivingmeintoyourhouse？”
“Mostassuredly！“repliedthedoctor，withenthusiasm。“Iamsurprisedatyouraskingmethequestion！Didyoueverknowamanofanyeminenceinmyprofessionwhosetappearancesatdefiance？
Ifyouhonormebyacceptingmyinvitation，youenterMySanitariuminthemostunimpeachableofallpossiblecharacters——inthecharacterofaPatient。”
“Whendoyouwantmyanswer？”
“Canyoudecideto-day？”
“To-morrow？”
“Yes。Haveyouanythingmoretosay？”
’’Nothingmore。”
“Leaveme，then。_I_don’tkeepupappearances。Iwishtobealone，andIsayso。Good-morning。”
“Oh，thesex！thesex！“saidthedoctor，withhisexcellenttemperinperfectworkingorderagain。“Sodelightfullyimpulsive！socharminglyrecklessofwhattheysayorhowtheysayit！’Oh，woman，inourhoursofease，uncertain，coy，andhardtoplease！’There！there！there！Good-morning！“
MissGwiltroseandlookedafterhimcontemptuouslyfromthewindow，whenthestreetdoorhadclosed，andhehadleftthehouse。
“Armadalehimselfdrovemetoitthefirsttime。”shesaid。
“Manueldrovemetoitthesecondtime——Youcowardlyscoundrel！
shallIlet_you_drivemetoitforthethirdtime，andthelast？”
Sheturnedfromthewindow，andlookedthoughtfullyatherwidow’sdressintheglass。
Thehoursofthedaypassed——andshedecidednothing。Thenightcame——andshehesitatedstill。Thenewmorningdawned——andtheterriblequestionwasstillunanswered。
Bytheearlyposttherecamealetterforher。ItwasMr。
Bashwood’susualreport。AgainhehadwatchedforAllan’sarrival，andagaininvain。
“I’llhavemoretime！“shedetermined，passionately。“NomanaliveshallhurrymefasterthanIlike！“
Atbreakfastthatmorningthemorningofthe9ththedoctorwassurprisedinhisstudybyavisitfromMissGwilt。
“Iwantanotherday。”shesaid，themomenttheservanthadclosedthedooronher。
Thedoctorlookedatherbeforeheanswered，andsawthedangerofdrivinghertoextremitiesplainlyexpressedinherface。
“Thetimeisgettingon。”heremonstrated，inhismostpersuasivemanner。“Forallweknowtothecontrary，Mr。Armadalemaybehereto-night。”
“Iwantanotherday！“sherepeated，loudlyandpassionately。
“Granted！“saidthedoctor，lookingnervouslytowardthedoor。
“Don’tbetooloud——theservantsmayhearyou。Mind！“headded，“Idependonyourhonornottopressmeforanyfurtherdelay。”
“Youhadbetterdependonmydespair。”shesaid，andlefthim。
Thedoctorchippedtheshellofhisegg，andlaughedsoftly。
“Quiteright，mydear！“hethought。“Irememberwhereyourdespairledyouinpasttimes;andIthinkImaytrustittoleadyouthesamewaynow。”
Ataquartertoeighto’clockthatnightMr。Bashwoodtookuphispostofobservation，asusual，ontheplatformoftheterminusatLondonBridge。Hewasinthehighestgoodspirits;hesmiledandsmirkedinirrepressibleexultation。ThesensethatheheldinreserveameansofinfluenceoverMissGwilt，invirtueofhisknowledgeofherpastcareer，hadhadnoshareineffectingthetransformationthatnowappearedinhim。IthadupheldhiscourageinhisforlornlifeatThorpeAmbrose，andithadgivenhimthatincreasedconfidenceofmannerwhichMissGwiltherselfhadnoticed;but，fromthemomentwhenhehadregainedhisoldplaceinherfavor，ithadvanishedasamotivepowerinhim，annihilatedbytheelectricshockofhertouchandherlook。Hisvanity——thevanitywhichinmenathisageisonlydespairindisguise——hadnowliftedhimtotheseventhheavenoffatuoushappinessoncemore。Hebelievedinheragainashebelievedinthesmartnewwinterovercoatthathewore——ashebelievedinthedaintylittlecaneappropriatetothedawningdandyismofladsintheirteensthatheflourishedinhishand。Hehummed！Theworn-outoldcreature，whohadnotsungsincehischildhood，hummed，ashepacedtheplatform，thefewfragmentshecouldrememberofaworn-outoldsong。
Thetrainwasdueasearlyaseighto’clockthatnight。Atfiveminutespastthehourthewhistlesounded。Inlessthanfiveminutesmorethepassengersweregettingoutontheplatform。
Followingtheinstructionsthathadbeengiventohim，Mr。
Bashwoodmadehisway，aswellasthecrowdwouldlethim，alongthelineofcarriages，and，discoveringnofamiliarfaceonthatfirstinvestigation，joinedthepassengersforasecondsearchamongtheminthecustom-housewaiting-roomnext。
Hehadlookedroundtheroom，andhadsatisfiedhimselfthatthepersonsoccupyingitwereallstrangers，whenheheardavoicebehindhim，exclaiming:“CanthatbeMr。Bashwood！“Heturnedineagerexpectation，andfoundhimselffacetofacewiththelastmanunderheavenwhomhehadexpectedtosee。
ThemanwasMIDWINTER。
CHAPTERII。
INTHEHOUSE。
NOTICINGMr。Bashwood’sconfusionafteramoment’sglanceatthechangeinhispersonalappearance，Midwinterspokefirst。
“IseeIhavesurprisedyou。”hesaid。“Youarelooking，I
suppose，forsomebodyelse？HaveyouheardfromAllan？Isheonhiswayhomeagainalready？”
TheinquiryaboutAllan，thoughitwouldnaturallyhavesuggesteditselftoanyoneinMidwinter’spositionatthatmoment，addedtoMr。Bashwood’sconfusion。Notknowinghowelsetoextricatehimselffromthecriticalpositioninwhichhewasplaced，hetookrefugeinsimpledenial。
“IknownothingaboutMr。Armadale——ohdear，no，sir，IknownothingaboutMr。Armadale。”heanswered，withneedlesseagernessandhurry。“WelcomebacktoEngland，sir。”hewenton，changingthesubjectinhisnervouslytalkativemanner。“Ididn’tknowyouhadbeenabroad。It’ssolongsincewehavehadthepleasure——sinceIhavehadthepleasure。Haveyouenjoyedyourself，sir，inforeignparts？Suchdifferentmannersfromours——yes，yes，yes——suchdifferentmannersfromours！DoyoumakealongstayinEngland，nowyouhavecomeback？”
“Ihardlyknow。”saidMidwinter。“Ihavebeenobligedtoaltermyplans，andtocometoEnglandunexpectedly。”Hehesitatedalittle;hismannerchanged，andheadded，inlowertones:“A
seriousanxietyhasbroughtmeback。Ican’tsaywhatmyplanswillbeuntilthatanxietyissetatrest。”
Thelightofalampfellonhisfacewhilehespoke，andMr。
Bashwoodobserved，forthefirsttime，thathelookedsadlywornandchanged。
“I’msorry，sir——I’msureI’mverysorry。IfIcouldbeofanyuse——“suggestedMr。Bashwood，speakingundertheinfluenceinsomedegreeofhisnervouspoliteness，andinsomedegreeofhisremembranceofwhatMidwinterhaddoneforhimatThorpeAmbroseintheby-gonetime。
Midwinterthankedhimandturnedawaysadly。“Iamafraidyoucanbeofnouse，Mr。Bashwood——butIamobligedtoyouforyouroffer，allthesame。”Hestopped，andconsideredalittle，“Supposesheshould_not_beill？Supposesomemisfortuneshouldhavehappened？”heresumed，speakingtohimself，andturningagaintowardthesteward。“Ifshehaslefthermother，sometraceofher_might_befoundbyinquiringatThorpeAmbrose。”
Mr。Bashwood’scuriositywasinstantlyaroused。Thewholesexwasinterestingtohimnow，forthesakeofMissGwilt。
“Alady，sir？”heinquired。“Areyoulookingforalady？”
“Iamlooking。”saidMidwinter，simply，“formywife。”
“Married，sir！“exclaimedMr。Bashwood。“MarriedsinceIlasthadthepleasureofseeingyou！MightItakethelibertyofasking——？”
Midwinter’seyesdroppeduneasilytotheground。
“Youknewtheladyinformertimes。”hesaid。“IhavemarriedMissGwilt。”
Thestewardstartedbackashemighthavestartedbackfromaloadedpistolleveledathishead。Hiseyesglaredasifhehadsuddenlylosthissenses，andthenervoustremblingtowhichhewassubjectshookhimfromheadtofoot。
“What’sthematter？”saidMidwinter。Therewasnoanswer。“Whatistheresoverystartling。”hewenton，alittleimpatiently，“inMissGwilt’sbeingmywife？”
“_Your_wife？”repeatedMr。Bashwood，helplessly。“Mrs。
Armadale——！“Hecheckedhimselfbyadesperateeffort，andsaidnomore。
ThestuporofastonishmentwhichpossessedthestewardwasinstantlyreflectedinMidwinter’sface。Thenameinwhichhehadsecretlymarriedhiswifehadpassedthelipsofthelastmanintheworldwhomhewouldhavedreamedofadmittingintohisconfidence！HetookMr。Bashwoodbythearm，andledhimawaytoaquieterpartoftheterminusthanthepartofitinwhichtheyhadhithertospokentoeachother。
“Youreferredtomywifejustnow。”hesaid;“andyouspokeof_Mrs。Armadale_inthesamebreath。Whatdoyoumeanbythat？”
Againtherewasnoanswer。Utterlyincapableofunderstandingmorethanthathehadinvolvedhimselfinsomeseriouscomplicationwhichwasacompletemysterytohim，Mr。Bashwoodstruggledtoextricatehimselffromthegraspthatwaslaidonhim，andstruggledinvain。
Midwintersternlyrepeatedthequestion。“Iaskyouagain。”hesaid，“whatdoyoumeanbyit？”
“Nothing，sir！Igiveyoumywordofhonor，Imeantnothing！“Hefeltthehandonhisarmtighteningitsgrasp;hesaw，evenintheobscurityoftheremotecornerinwhichtheystood，thatMidwinter’sfierytemperwasrising，andwasnottobetrifledwith。Theextremityofhisdangerinspiredhimwiththeonereadycapacitythatatimidmanpossesseswhenheiscompelledbymainforcetofaceanemergency——thecapacitytolie。“Ionlymeanttosay，sir。”heburstout，withadesperateefforttolookandspeakconfidently，“thatMr。Armadalewouldbesurprised——“
“Yousaid_Mrs。_Armadale！“
“No，sir——onmywordofhonor，onmysacredwordofhonor，youaremistaken——youare，indeed！Isaid_Mr。_Armadale——howcouldI
sayanythingelse？Pleasetoletmego，sir——I’mpressedfortime。IdoassureyouI’mdreadfullypressedfortime！“
ForamomentlongerMidwintermaintainedhishold，andinthatmomenthedecidedwhattodo。
HehadaccuratelystatedhismotiveforreturningtoEnglandasproceedingfromanxietyabouthiswife——anxietynaturallycausedaftertheregularreceiptofaletterfromhereveryother，oreverythirddaybythesuddencessationofthecorrespondencebetweenthemonhersideforawholeweek。Thefirstvaguelyterriblesuspicionofsomeotherreasonforhersilencethanthereasonofaccidentorofillness，towhichhehadhithertoattributedit，hadstruckthroughhimlikeasuddenchilltheinstantheheardthestewardassociatethenameof“Mrs。
Armadale“withtheideaofhiswife。Littleirregularitiesinhercorrespondencewithhim，whichhehadthusfaronlythoughtstrange，nowcamebackonhismind，andproclaimedthemselvestobesuspicionsaswell。Hehadhithertobelievedthereasonsshehadgivenforreferringhim，whenheansweredherletters，tonomoredefiniteaddressthananaddressatapost-office。_Now_hesuspectedherreasonsofbeingexcuses，forthefirsttime。Hehadhithertoresolved，onreachingLondon，toinquireattheonlyplaceheknewofatwhichaclewtohercouldbefound——theaddressshehadgivenhimastheaddressatwhich“hermother“
lived。_Now_withamotivewhichhewasafraidtodefineeventohimself，butwhichwasstrongenoughtooverbeareveryotherconsiderationinhismindhedetermined，beforeallthings，tosolvethemysteryofMr。Bashwood’sfamiliaritywithasecret，whichwasamarriagesecretbetweenhimselfandhiswife。Anydirectappealtoamanofthesteward’sdisposition，inthesteward’spresentstateofmind，wouldbeevidentlyuseless。Theweaponofdeceptionwas，inthiscase，aweaponliterallyforcedintoMidwinter’shands。HeletgoofMr。Bashwood’sarm，andacceptedMr。Bashwood’sexplanation。
“Ibegyourpardon。”hesaid;“Ihavenodoubtyouareright。
Prayattributemyrudenesstoover-anxietyandover-fatigue。I
wishyougood-evening。”
Thestationwasbythistimealmostasolitude，thepassengersbythetrainbeingassembledattheexaminationoftheirluggageinthecustom-housewaiting-room。Itwasnoeasymatter，ostensiblytotakeleaveofMr。Bashwood，andreallytokeephiminview。
ButMidwinter’searlylifewiththegypsymasterhadbeenofanaturetopracticehiminsuchstratagemsashewasnowcompelledtoadopt。Hewalkedawaytowardthewaiting-roombythelineofemptycarriages;openedthedoorofoneofthem，asiftolookaftersomethingthathehadleftbehind，anddetectedMr。
Bashwoodmakingforthecab-rankontheoppositesideoftheplatform。InaninstantMidwinterhadcrossed，andhadpassedthroughthelongrowofvehicles，soastoskirtitonthesidefurthestfromtheplatform。Heenteredthesecondcabbytheleft-handdoorthemomentafterMr。Bashwoodhadenteredthefirstcabbytheright-handdoor。“Doubleyourfare，whateveritis。”hesaidtothedriver，“ifyoukeepthecabbeforeyouinview，andfollowitwhereveritgoes。”Inaminutemorebothvehicleswereontheirwayoutofthestation。
Theclerksatinthesentry-boxatthegate，takingdownthedestinationsofthecabsastheypassed。Midwinterheardthemanwhowasdrivinghimcallout“Hampstead！“ashewentbytheclerk’swindow。
“Whydidyousay’Hampstead’？”heasked，whentheyhadleftthestation。
“Becausethemanbeforemesaid’Hampstead，’sir。”answeredthedriver。
Overandoveragain，onthewearisomejourneytothenorthwesternsuburb，Midwinteraskedifthecabwasstillinsight。Overandoveragain，themananswered，“Rightinfrontofus。”
Itwasbetweennineandteno’clockwhenthedriverpulleduphishorseatlast。Midwintergotout，andsawthecabbeforethemwaitingatahousedoor。AssoonashehadsatisfiedhimselfthatthedriverwasthemanwhomMr。Bashwoodhadhired，hepaidthepromisedreward，anddismissedhisowncab。
Hetookaturnbackwardandforwardbeforethedoor。Thevaguelyterriblesuspicionwhichhadriseninhismindattheterminushadforceditselfbythistimeintoadefiniteformwhichwasabhorrenttohim。Withouttheshadowofanassignablereasonforit，hefoundhimselfblindlydistrustinghiswife’sfidelity，andblindlysuspectingMr。Bashwoodofservingherinthecapacityofgo-between。Insheerhorrorofhisownmorbidfancy，hedeterminedtotakedownthenumberofthehouse，andthenameofthestreetinwhichitstood;andthen，injusticetohiswife，toreturnatoncetotheaddresswhichshehadgivenhimastheaddressatwhichhermotherlived。Hehadtakenouthispocket-book，andwasonhiswaytothecornerofthestreet，whenheobservedthemanwhohaddrivenMr。Bashwoodlookingathimwithanexpressionofinquisitivesurprise。Theideaofquestioningthecab-driver，whilehehadtheopportunity，instantlyoccurredtohim。Hetookahalf-crownfromhispocketandputitintotheman’sreadyhand。
“Hasthegentlemanwhomyoudrovefromthestationgoneintothathouse？”heasked。
“Yes，sir。”
“Didyouhearhiminquireforanybodywhenthedoorwasopened？”
“Heaskedforalady，sir。Mrs——“Themanhesitated。“Itwasn’tacommonname，sir;IshouldknowitagainifIheardit。”
“Wasit’Midwinter’？”
“No，sir。
“Armadale？”
“That’sit，sir。Mrs。Armadale。”
“Areyousureitwas’Mrs。’andnot’Mr。’？”
“I’massureasamancanbewhohasn’ttakenanyparticularnotice，sir。
ThedoubtimpliedinthatlastanswerdecidedMidwintertoinvestigatethematteronthespot。Heascendedthehousesteps。
Asheraisedhishandtothebellatthesideofthedoor，theviolenceofhisagitationmasteredhimphysicallyforthemoment。
Astrangesensation，asofsomethingleapingupfromhishearttohisbrain，turnedhisheadwildlygiddy。Heheldbythehouserailingsandkepthisfacetotheair，andresolutelywaitedtillhewassteadyagain。Thenherangthebell。
“Is？”——hetriedtoaskfor“Mrs。Armadale。”whenthemaid-servanthadopenedthedoor，butnotevenhisresolutioncouldforcethenametopasshislips——“isyourmistressathome？”heasked。
“Yes，sir。”
Thegirlshowedhimintoabackparlor，andpresentedhimtoalittleoldlady，withanobligingmannerandabrightpairofeyes。
“Thereissomemistake。”saidMidwinter。“Iwishedtosee——“Oncemorehetriedtoutterthename，andoncemorehefailedtoforceittohislips。
“Mrs。Armadale？”suggestedthelittleoldlady，withasmile。
“Yes。”
“Showthegentlemanupstairs，Jenny。”
Thegirlledthewaytothedrawing-roomfloor。
“Anyname。sir？”
“Noname。”
Mr。Bashwoodhadbarelycompletedhisreportofwhathadhappenedattheterminus;Mr。Bashwood’simperiousmistresswasstillsittingspeechlessundertheshockofthediscoverythathadburstonher——whenthedooroftheroomopened;and，withoutawordofwarningtoproceedhim，Midwinterappearedonthethreshold。Hetookonestepintotheroom，andmechanicallypushedthedoortobehindhim。Hestoodindeadsilence，andconfrontedhiswife，withascrutinythatwasterribleinitsunnaturalself-possession，andthatenvelopedhersteadilyinonecomprehensivelookfromheadtofoot。
Indeadsilenceonherside，sherosefromherchair，Indeadsilenceshestooderectonthehearth-rug，andfacedherhusbandinwidow’sweeds。Hetookonestepnearertoher，andstoppedagain。Heliftedhishand，andpointedwithhisleanbrownfingeratherdress。
“Whatdoesthatmean？”heasked，withoutlosinghisterribleself-possession，andwithoutmovinghisoutstretchedhand。
Atthesoundofhisvoice，thequickriseandfallofherbosom——whichhadbeentheoneoutwardbetrayalthusfaroftheinneragonythattorturedher——suddenlystopped。Shestoodimpenetrablysilent，breathlesslystill——asifhisquestionhadstruckherdead，andhispointinghandhadpetrifiedher。
Headvancedonestepnearer，andreiteratedhiswordsinavoiceevenlowerandquieterthanthevoiceinwhichhehadspokenfirst。
Onemomentmoreofsilence，onemomentmoreofinaction，mighthavebeenthesalvationofher。Butthefatalforceofhercharactertriumphedatthecrisisofherdestiny，andhis。Whiteandstill，andhaggardandold，shemetthedreadfulemergencywithadreadfulcourage，andspoketheirrevocablewordswhichrenouncedhimtohisface。
“Mr。Midwinter。”shesaid，intonesunnaturallyhardandunnaturallyclear，“ouracquaintancehardlyentitlesyoutospeaktomeinthatmanner。”Thosewereherwords。Sheneverliftedhereyesfromthegroundwhileshespokethem。Whenshehaddone，thelastfaintvestigeofcolorinhercheeksfadedout。
Therewasapause。Stillsteadilylookingather，hesethimselftofixthelanguageshehadusedtohiminhismind。“Shecallsme’Mr。Midwinter，’“hesaid，slowly，inawhisper。“Shespeaksof’ouracquaintance。’“Hewaitedalittleandlookedroundtheroom。HiswanderingeyesencounteredMr。Bashwoodforthefirsttime。Hesawthestewardstandingnearthefireplace，trembling，andwatchinghim。
“Ioncedidyouaservice。”hesaid;“andyouoncetoldmeyouwerenotanungratefulman。AreyougratefulenoughtoanswermeifIaskyousomething？”
Hewaitedalittleagain。Mr。Bashwoodstillstoodtremblingatthefireplace，silentlywatchinghim。
“Iseeyoulookingatme。”hewenton。“IstheresomechangeinmethatIamnotconsciousofmyself？AmIseeingthingsthatyoudon’tsee？AmIhearingwordsthatyoudon’thear？AmIlookingorspeakinglikeamanoutofhissenses？”
Againhewaited，andagainthesilencewasunbroken。Hiseyesbegantoglitter;andthesavagebloodthathehadinheritedfromhismotherrosedarkandslowinhisashycheeks。
“Isthatwoman。”heasked，“thewomanwhomyouonceknew，whosenamewasMissGwilt？”
Oncemorehiswifecollectedherfatalcourage。Oncemorehiswifespokeherfatalwords。
“Youcompelmetorepeat。”shesaid，“thatyouarepresumingonouracquaintance，andthatyouareforgettingwhatisduetome。”
Heturneduponher，withasavagesuddennesswhichforcedacryofalarmfromMr。Bashwood’slips。
“Areyou，orareyounot，MyWife？”heasked，throughhissetteeth。
Sheraisedhereyestohisforthefirsttime。Herlostspiritlookedathim，steadilydefiant，outofthehellofitsowndespair。
“Iam_not_yourwife。”shesaid。
Hestaggeredback，withhishandsgropingforsomethingtoholdby，likethehandsofamaninthedark。Heleanedheavilyagainstthewalloftheroom，andlookedatthewomanwhohadsleptonhisbosom，andwhohaddeniedhimtohisface。
Mr。Bashwoodstolepanic-strickentoherside。“Gointhere！“hewhispered，tryingtodrawhertowardthefolding-doorswhichledintothenextroom。“ForGod’ssake，bequick！He’llkillyou！“
Sheputtheoldmanbackwithherhand。Shelookedathimwithasuddenirradiationofherblankface。Sheansweredhimwithlipsthatstruggledslowlyintoafrightfulsmile。
“_Let_himkillme。”shesaid。
Asthewordspassedherlips，hesprangforwardfromthewall，withacrythatrangthroughthehouse。Thefrenzyofamaddenedmanflashedatherfromhisglassyeyes，andclutchedatherinhisthreateninghands。Hecameontillhewaswithinarms-lengthofher——andsuddenlystoodstill。Theblackflushdiedoutofhisfaceintheinstantwhenhestopped。Hiseyelidsfell，hisoutstretchedhandswaveredandsankhelpless。Hedropped，asthedeaddrop。Helayasthedeadlie，inthearmsofthewifewhohaddeniedhim。
Shekneltonthefloor，andrestedhisheadonherknee。Shecaughtthearmofthestewardhurryingtohelpher，withahandthatclosedrounditlikeavise。“Goforadoctor。”shesaid，“andkeepthepeopleofthehouseawaytillhecomes。”Therewasthatinhereye，therewasthatinhervoice，whichwouldhavewarnedanymanlivingtoobeyherinsilence。InsilenceMr。
Bashwoodsubmitted，andhurriedoutoftheroom。
Theinstantshewasalonesheraisedhimfromherknee。Withbotharmsclaspedroundhim，themiserablewomanliftedhislifelessfacetohersandrockedhimonherbosominanagonyoftendernessbeyondallreliefintears，inapassionofremorsebeyondallexpressioninwords。Insilencesheheldhimtoherbreast，insilenceshedevouredhisforehead，hischeeks，hislips，withkisses。Notasoundescapedhertillsheheardthetramplingfootstepsoutside，hurryingupthestairs。Thenalowmoanburstfromherlips，asshelookedherlastathim，andloweredhisheadagaintoherknee，beforethestrangerscamein。
Thelandladyandthestewardwerethefirstpersonswhomshesawwhenthedoorwasopened。Themedicalmanasurgeonlivinginthestreetfollowed。Thehorrorandthebeautyofherfaceasshelookedupathimabsorbedthesurgeon’sattentionforthemoment，totheexclusionofeverythingelse。Shehadtobeckontohim，shehadtopointtothesenselessman，beforeshecouldclaimhisattentionforhispatientanddivertitfromherself。
“Ishedead？”sheasked。
ThesurgeoncarriedMidwintertothesofa，andorderedthewindowstobeopened。“Itisafaintingfit。”hesaid;“nothingmore。”
Atthatanswerherstrengthfailedherforthefirsttime。Shedrewadeepbreathofrelief，andleanedonthechimney-pieceforsupport。Mr。Bashwoodwastheonlypersonpresentwhonoticedthatshewasovercome。Heledhertotheoppositeendoftheroom，wheretherewasaneasy-chair，leavingthelandladytohandtherestorativestothesurgeonastheywerewanted。
“Areyougoingtowaitheretillherecovers？”whisperedthesteward，lookingtowardthesofa，andtremblingashelooked。
Thequestionforcedhertoasenseofherposition——toaknowledgeofthemercilessnecessitieswhichthatpositionnowforcedhertoconfront。Withaheavysighshelookedtowardthesofa，consideredwithherselfforamoment，andansweredMr。
Bashwood’sinquirybyaquestiononherside。
“Isthecabthatbroughtyouherefromtherailwaystillatthedoor？”
“Yes。”
“DriveatoncetothegatesoftheSanitarium，andwaittheretillIjoinyou。”
Mr。Bashwoodhesitated。Sheliftedhereyestohis，and，withalook，senthimoutoftheroom。
“Thegentlemaniscomingto，ma’am。”saidthelandlady，asthestewardclosedthedoor。“Hehasjustbreathedagain。”
Shebowedinmutereply，rose，andconsideredwithherselfoncemore——lookedtowardthesofaforthesecondtime——thenpassedthroughthefolding-doorsintoherownroom。
Afterashortlapseoftimethesurgeondrewbackfromthesofaandmotionedtothelandladytostandaside。Thebodilyrecoveryofthepatientwasassured。Therewasnothingtobedonenowbuttowait，andlethismindslowlyrecallitssenseofwhathadhappened。
“Whereisshe？”werethefirstwordshesaidtothesurgeon，andthelandladyanxiouslywatchinghim。
Thelandladyknockedatthefolding-doors，andreceivednoanswer。Shewentin，andfoundtheroomempty。Asheetofnote-paperwasonthedressing-table，withthedoctor’sfeeplacedonit。Thepapercontainedtheselines，evidentlywritteningreatagitationoringreathaste:“Itisimpossibleformetoremainhereto-night，afterwhathashappened。Iwillreturnto-morrowtotakeawaymyluggage，andtopaywhatIoweyou。”
“Whereisshe？”Midwinteraskedagain，whenthelandladyreturnedalonetothedrawing-room。
“Gone，sir。”
“Idon’tbelieveit！“
Theoldlady’scolorrose。“Ifyouknowherhandwriting，sir。”
sheanswered，handinghimthesheetofnote-paper，“perhapsyoumaybelieve_that？_“
Helookedatthepaper。“Ibegyourpardon，ma’am。”hesaid，ashehandeditback——“Ibegyourpardon，withallmyheart。”
Therewassomethinginhisfaceashespokethosewordswhichmorethansoothedtheoldlady’sirritation:ittouchedherwithasuddenpityforthemanwhohadoffendedher。“Iamafraidthereissomedreadfultrouble，sir，atthebottomofallthis。”
shesaid，simply。“Doyouwishmetogiveanymessagetotheladywhenshecomesback？”
Midwinterroseandsteadiedhimselfforamomentagainstthesofa。“Iwillbringmyownmessageto-morrow。”hesaid。“Imustseeherbeforesheleavesyourhouse。”
Thesurgeonaccompaniedhispatientintothestreet。“CanIseeyouhome？”hesaid，kindly。“Youhadbetternotwalk，ifitisfar。Youmustn’toverexertyourself;youmustn’tcatchachillthiscoldnight。”
Midwintertookhishandandthankedhim。“Ihavebeenusedtohardwalkingandcoldnights，sir。”hesaid;“andIamnoteasilywornout，evenwhenIlooksobrokenasIdonow。Ifyouwilltellmethenearestwayoutofthesestreets，Ithinkthequietofthecountryandthequietofthenightwillhelpme。Ihavesomethingserioustodoto-morrow。”headded，inalowertone;
“andIcan’trestorsleeptillIhavethoughtoveritto-night。”
Thesurgeonunderstoodthathehadnocommonmantodealwith。Hegavethenecessarydirectionswithoutanyfurtherremark，andpartedwithhispatientathisowndoor。
Leftbyhimself，Midwinterpaused，andlookedupattheheavensinsilence。Thenighthadcleared，andthestarswereout——thestarswhichhehadfirstlearnedtoknowfromhisgypsymasteronthehillside。Forthefirsttimehismindwentbackregretfullytohisboyishdays。“Oh，fortheoldlife！“hethought，longingly。“Ineverknewtillnowhowhappytheoldlifewas！“
Herousedhimself，andwentontowardtheopencountry。Hisfacedarkenedasheleftthestreetsbehindhimandadvancedintothesolitudeandobscuritythatlaybeyond。
“Shehasdeniedherhusbandto-night。”hesaid。“Sheshallknowhermasterto-morrow。”
CHAPTERIII。
THEPURPLEFLASK。
THEcabwaswaitingatthegatesasMissGwiltapproachedtheSanitarium。Mr。Bashwoodgotoutandadvancedtomeether。Shetookhisarmandledhimasideafewsteps，outofthecabman’shearing。
“Thinkwhatyoulikeofme。”shesaid，keepingherthickblackveildownoverherface，“butdon’tspeaktometo-night。Drivebacktoyourhotelasifnothinghadhappened。Meetthetidaltrainto-morrowasusual，andcometomeafterwardattheSanitarium。Gowithoutaword，andIshallbelievethereisonemanintheworldwhoreallylovesme。Stayandaskquestions，andIshallbidyougood-byatonceandforever！“
Shepointedtothecab。InaminutemoreithadlefttheSanitariumandwastakingMr。Bashwoodbacktohishotel。
Sheopenedtheirongateandwalkedslowlyuptothehousedoor。
Ashudderranthroughherassherangthebell。Shelaughedbitterly。“Shiveringagain！“shesaidtoherself。“WhowouldhavethoughtIhadsomuchfeelingleftinme？”
Foronceinherlifethedoctor’sfacetoldthetruth，whenthestudydooropenedbetweentenandelevenatnight，andMissGwiltenteredtheroom。
“Mercyonme！“heexclaimed，withalookoftheblankestbewilderment。“Whatdoesthismean？”
“Itmeans。”sheanswered，“thatIhavedecidedto-nightinsteadofdecidingto-morrow。You，whoknowwomensowell，oughttoknowthattheyactonimpulse。Iamhereonanimpulse。Takemeorleaveme，justasyoulike。”
“Takeyouorleaveyou？”repeatedthedoctor，recoveringhispresenceofmind。“Mydearlady，whatadreadfulwayofputtingit！Yourroomshallbegotreadyinstantly！Whereisyourluggage？Willyouletmesendforit？No？Youcandowithoutyourluggagetonight？Whatadmirablefortitude！Youwillfetchityourselfto-morrow？Whatextraordinaryindependence！Dotakeoffyourbonnet。Dodrawintothefire！WhatcanIofferyou？”
“Offermethestrongestsleepingdraughtyouevermadeinyourlife。”shereplied。“Andleavemealonetillthetimecomestotakeit。Ishallbeyourpatientinearnest！“sheadded，fiercely，asthedoctorattemptedtoremonstrate。“Ishallbethemaddestofthemadifyouirritatemeto-night！“
ThePrincipaloftheSanitariumbecamegravelyandbrieflyprofessionalinaninstant。
“Sitdowninthatdarkcorner。”hesaid。“Notasoulshalldisturbyou。Inhalfanhouryouwillfindyourroomready，andyoursleepingdraughtonthetable。”——“It’sbeenaharderstruggleforherthanIanticipated。”hethought，ashelefttheroom，andcrossedtohisDispensaryontheoppositesideofthehall。“Goodheavens，whatbusinesshasshewithaconscience，aftersuchalifeashershasbeen！“
TheDispensarywaselaboratelyfittedupwithallthelatestimprovementsinmedicalfurniture。Butoneofthefourwallsoftheroomwasunoccupiedbyshelves，andherethevacantspacewasfilledbyahandsomeantiquecabinetofcarvedwood，curiouslyoutofharmony，asanobject，withtheunornamentedutilitarianaspectoftheplacegenerally。Oneithersideofthecabinettwospeaking-tubeswereinsertedinthewall，communicatingwiththeupperregionsofthehouse，andlabeledrespectively“ResidentDispenser“and“HeadNurse。”Intothesecondofthesetubesthedoctorspoke，onenteringtheroom。Anelderlywomanappeared，tookherordersforpreparingMrs。Armadale’sbed-chamber，courtesied，andretired。
LeftaloneagainintheDispensary，thedoctorunlockedthecentercompartmentofthecabinet，anddisclosedacollectionofbottlesinside，containingthevariouspoisonsusedinmedicine。
Aftertakingoutthelaudanumwantedforthesleepingdraught，andplacingitonthedispensarytable，hewentbacktothecabinet，lookedintoitforalittlewhile，shookhisheaddoubtfully，andcrossedtotheopenshelvesontheoppositesideoftheroom。
Here，aftermoreconsideration，hetookdownoneoutoftherowoflargechemicalbottlesbeforehim，filledwithayellowliquid;placingthebottleonthetable，hereturnedtothecabinet，andopenedasidecompartment，containingsomespecimensofBohemianglass-work。Aftermeasuringitwithhiseye，hetookfromthespecimensahandsomepurpleflask，highandnarrowinform，andclosedbyaglassstopper。Thishefilledwiththeyellowliquid，leavingasmallquantityonlyatthebottomofthebottle，andlockinguptheflaskagainintheplacefromwhichhehadtakenitThebottlewasnextrestoredtoitsplace，afterhavingbeenfilledupwithwaterfromthecisternintheDispensary，mixedwithcertainchemicalliquidsinsmallquantities，whichrestoreditsofarasappearanceswenttotheconditioninwhichithadbeenwhenitwasfirstremovedfromtheshelf。Havingcompletedthesemysteriousproceedings，thedoctorlaughedsoftly，andwentbacktohisspeaking-tubestosummontheResidentDispensernext。
TheResidentDispensermadehisappearanceshroudedinthenecessarywhiteapronfromhiswaisttohisfeet。Thedoctorsolemnlywroteaprescriptionforacomposingdraught，andhandedittohisassistant。
“Wantedimmediately，Benjamin。”hesaidinasoftandmelancholyvoice。“Aladypatient——Mrs。Armadale，RoomNo。1，secondfloor。
Ah，dear，dear！“groanedthedoctor，absently;“ananxiouscase，Benjamin——ananxiouscase。”Heopenedthebrand-newledgeroftheestablishment，andenteredtheCaseatfulllength，withabriefabstractoftheprescription。“Haveyoudonewiththelaudanum？
Putitback，andlockthecabinet，andgivemethekey。Isthedraughtready？Labelit，’Tobetakenatbedtime，’andgiveittothenurse，Benjamin——giveittothenurse。”
Whilethedoctor’slipswereissuingthesedirections，thedoctor’shandswereoccupiedinopeningadrawerunderthedeskonwhichtheledgerwasplaced。Hetookoutsomegaylyprintedcardsofadmission“toviewtheSanitarium，betweenthehoursoftwoandfourP。M……”andfilledthemupwiththedateofthenextday，“December10th。”Whenadozenofthecardshadbeenwrappedupinadozenlithographedlettersofinvitation，andinclosedinadozenenvelopes，henextconsultedalistofthefamiliesresidentintheneighborhood，anddirectedtheenvelopesfromthelist。Ringingabellthistime，insteadofspeakingthroughatube，hesummonedtheman-servant，andgavehimtheletters，tobedeliveredbyhandthefirstthingthenextmorning。“Ithinkitwilldo。”saidthedoctor，takingaturnintheDispensarywhentheservanthadgoneout——“Ithinkitwilldo。”Whilehewasstillabsorbedinhisownreflections，thenursere-appearedtoannouncethatthelady’sroomwasready;andthedoctorthereuponformallyreturnedtothestudytocommunicatetheinformationtoMissGwilt。
Shehadnotmovedsincehelefther。Sherosefromherdarkcornerwhenhemadehisannouncement，and，withoutspeakingorraisingherveil，glidedoutoftheroomlikeaghost。
Afterabriefinterval，thenursecamedownstairsagain，withawordforhermaster’sprivateear。
“Theladyhasorderedmetocallherto-morrowatseveno’clock，sir。”shesaid。“Shemeanstofetchherluggageherself，andshewantstohaveacabatthedoorassoonassheisdressed。WhatamItodo？”
“Dowhattheladytellsyou。”saidthedoctor。
“ShemaybesafelytrustedtoreturntotheSanitarium。”
ThebreakfasthourattheSanitariumwashalf-pasteighto’clock。
BythattimeMissGwilthadsettledeverythingatherlodgings，andhadreturnedwithherluggageinherownpossession。Thedoctorwasquiteamazedatthepromptitudeofhispatient。
“Whywastesomuchenergy？”heasked，whentheymetatthebreakfast-table。“Whybeinsuchahurry，mydearlady，whenyouhadallthemorningbeforeyou？”
“Mererestlessness！“shesaid，briefly。“ThelongerIlive，themoreimpatientIget。”
Thedoctor，whohadnoticedbeforeshespokethatherfacelookedstrangelypaleandoldthatmorning，observed，whensheansweredhim，thatherexpression——naturallymobileinnoordinarydegree——remainedquiteunalteredbytheeffortofspeaking。Therewasnoneoftheusualanimationonherlips，noneoftheusualtemperinhereyes。Hehadneverseenhersoimpenetrablyandcoldlycomposedashesawhernow。“Shehasmadeuphermindatlast。”hethought。“ImaysaytoherthismorningwhatIcouldn’tsaytoherlastnight。”
Heprefacedthecomingremarksbyawarninglookatherwidow’sdress。
“Nowyouhavegotyourluggage。”hebegan，gravely，“permitmetosuggestputtingthatcapaway，andwearinganothergown。”
“Why？”
“Doyourememberwhatyoutoldmeadayortwosince？”askedthedoctor。“YousaidtherewasachanceofMr。Armadale’sdyinginmySanitarium？”
“Iwillsayitagain，ifyoulike。”
“Amoreunlikelychance。”pursuedthedoctor，deafasevertoallawkwardinterruptions，“itishardlypossibletoimagine！Butaslongasitisachanceatall，itisworthconsidering。Say，then，thathedies——diessuddenlyandunexpectedly，andmakesaCoroner’sInquestnecessaryinthehouse。Whatisourcourseinthatcase？Ourcourseistopreservethecharacterstowhichwehavecommittedourselves——youashiswidow，andIasthewitnessofyourmarriage——and，_in_thosecharacters，tocourtthefullestinquiry。Intheentirelyimprobableeventofhisdyingjustwhenwewanthimtodie，myidea——Imightevensay，myresolution——istoadmitthatweknewofhisresurrectionfromthesea;andtoacknowledgethatweinstructedMr。Bashwoodtoentraphimintothishouse，bymeansofafalsestatementaboutMissMilroy。Whentheinevitablequestionsfollow，Iproposetoassertthatheexhibitedsymptomsofmentalalienationshortlyafteryourmarriage;thathisdelusionconsistedindenyingthatyouwerehiswife，andindeclaringthathewasengagedtobemarriedtoMissMilroy;thatyouwereinsuchterrorofhimonthisaccount，whenyouheardhewasaliveandcomingback，astobeinastateofnervousagitationthatrequiredmycare;thatatyourrequest，andtocalmthatnervousagitation，Isawhimprofessionally，andgothimquietlyintothehousebyahumoringofhisdelusion，perfectlyjustifiableinsuchacase;and，lastly，thatIcancertifyhisbraintohavebeenaffectedbyoneofthosemysteriousdisorders，eminentlyincurable，eminentlyfatal，inrelationtowhichmedicalscienceisstillinthedark。
Suchacourseasthisintheremotelypossibleeventwhichwearenowsupposingwouldbe，inyourinterestsandmine，unquestionablytherightcoursetotake;andsuchadressas_that_is，justascertainly，underexistingcircumstances，thewrongdresstowear。”
“ShallItakeitoffatonce？”sheasked，risingfromthebreakfast-table，withoutawordofremarkonwhathadjustbeensaidtoher。
“Anytimebeforetwoo’clockto-daywilldo。”saidthedoctor。
Shelookedathimwithalanguidcuriosity——nothingmore。“Whybeforetwo？”sheinquired。
“Becausethisisoneofmy’Visitors’Days，’Andthevisitors’
timeisfromtwotofour。”
“WhathaveItodowithyourvisitors？”
“Simplythis。Ithinkitimportantthatperfectlyrespectableandperfectlydisinterestedwitnessesshouldseeyou，inmyhouse，inthecharacterofaladywhohascometoconsultme。”
“Yourmotiveseemsratherfar-fetched，Isittheonlymotiveyouhaveinthematter？”
“Mydear，dearlady！“remonstratedthedoctor，“haveIanyconcealmentsfrom_you？_Surely，yououghttoknowmebetterthanthat？”
“Yes。”shesaid，withawearycontempt。“It’sdullenoughofmenottounderstandyoubythistime。SendwordupstairswhenIamwanted。”Shelefthim，andwentbacktoherroom。
Twoo’clockcame;andinaquarterofanhourafterwardthevisitorshadarrived。Shortasthenoticehadbeen，cheerlessastheSanitariumlookedtospectatorsfromwithout，thedoctor’sinvitationhadbeenlargelyaccepted，nevertheless，bythefemalemembersofthefamilieswhomhehadaddressed。InthemiserablemonotonyofthelivesledbyalargesectionofthemiddleclassesofEngland，anythingiswelcometothewomenwhichoffersthemanysortofharmlessrefugefromtheestablishedtyrannyoftheprinciplethatallhumanhappinessbeginsandendsathome。
Whiletheimperiousneedsofacommercialcountrylimitedtherepresentativesofthemalesex，amongthedoctor’svisitors，toonefeebleoldmanandonesleepylittleboy，thewomen，poorsouls，tothenumberofnolessthansixteen——oldandyoung，marriedandsingle——hadseizedthegoldenopportunityofaplungeintopubliclife。Harmoniouslyunitedbythetwocommonobjectswhichtheyallhadinview——inthefirstplace，tolookateachother，and，inthesecondplace，tolookattheSanitarium——theystreamedinneatlydressedprocessionthroughthedoctor’sdrearyirongates，withathinvarnishoverthemofassumedsuperioritytoallunladylikeexcitement，mostsignificantandmostpitiabletosee！
TheproprietoroftheSanitariumreceivedhisvisitorsinthehallwithMissGwiltonhisarm。Thehungryeyesofeverywomaninthecompanyoverlookedthedoctorasifnosuchpersonhadexisted;and，fixingonthestrangelady，devouredherfromheadtofootinaninstant。
“MyFirstInmate。”saidthedoctor，presentingMissGwilt。“Thisladyonlyarrivedlatelastnight;andshetakesthepresentopportunitytheonlyonemymorning’sengagementshaveallowedmetogiveherofgoingovertheSanitarium——Allowme，ma’am。”
hewenton，releasingMissGwilt，andgivinghisarmtotheeldestladyamongthevisitors。“Shatterednerves——domesticanxiety。”hewhispered，confidentially。“Sweetwoman！sadcase！“
Hesighedsoftly，andledtheoldladyacrossthehall。
Theflockofvisitorsfollowed，MissGwiltaccompanyingtheminsilence，andwalkingalone——amongthem，butnotofthem——thelastofall。
“Thegrounds，ladiesandgentlemen。”saidthedoctor，wheelinground，andaddressinghisaudiencefromthefootofthestairs，“are，asyouhaveseen，inapartiallyunfinishedcondition。
Underanycircumstances，Ishouldlaylittlestressonthegrounds，havingHampsteadHeathsonearathand，andcarriageexerciseandhorseexercisebeingpartsofmySystem。Inalesserdegree，itisalsonecessaryformetoaskyourindulgenceforthebasementfloor，onwhichwenowstand。Thewaiting-roomandstudyonthatside，andtheDispensaryontheothertowhichI
shallpresentlyaskyourattention，arecompleted。Butthelargedrawing-roomisstillinthedecorator’shands。Inthatroomwhenthewallsaredry——notamomentbeforemyinmateswillassembleforcheerfulsociety。Nothingwillbesparedthatcanimprove，elevate，andadornlifeatthesehappylittlegatherings。Everyevening，forexample，therewillbemusicforthosewholikeit。”
Atthispointtherewasafaintstiramongthevisitors。Amotherofafamilyinterruptedthedoctor。Shebeggedtoknowwhethermusic“everyevening“includedSundayevening;and，ifso，whatmusicwasperformed？
“Sacredmusic，ofcourse，ma’am。”saidthedoctor。“HandelonSundayevening——andHaydnoccasionally，whennottoocheerful。
But，asIwasabouttosay，musicisnottheonlyentertainmentofferedtomynervousinmates。Amusingreadingisprovidedforthosewhopreferbooks。”
Therewasanotherstiramongthevisitors。Anothermotherofafamilywishedtoknowwhetheramusingreadingmeantnovels。
“OnlysuchnovelsasIhaveselectedandperusedmyself，inthefirstinstance。”saidthedoctor。“Nothingpainful，ma’am！Theremaybeplentythatispainfulinreallife;butforthatveryreason，wedon’twantitinbooks。TheEnglishnovelistwhoentersmyhousenoforeignnovelistwillbeadmittedmustunderstandhisartasthehealthy-mindedEnglishreaderunderstandsitinourtime。Hemustknowthatourpurermoderntaste，ourhighermodernmorality，limitshimtodoingexactlytwothingsforus，whenhewritesusabook。Allwewantofhimis——occasionallytomakeuslaugh;andinvariablytomakeuscomfortable。”
Therewasathirdstiramongthevisitors——causedplainlythistimebyapprovalofthesentimentswhichtheyhadjustheard。Thedoctor，wiselycautiousofdisturbingthefavorableimpressionthathehadproduced，droppedthesubjectofthedrawing-room，andledthewayupstairs。Asbefore，thecompanyfollowed;and，asbefore，MissGwiltwalkedsilentlybehindthem，lastofall。
Oneafteranothertheladieslookedatherwiththeideaofspeaking，andsawsomethinginherface，utterlyunintelligibletothem，whichcheckedthewell-meantwordsontheirlips。TheprevalentimpressionwasthatthePrincipaloftheSanitariumhadbeendelicatelyconcealingthetruth，andthathisfirstinmatewasmad。
Thedoctorledtheway——withintervalsofbreathing-timeaccordedtotheoldladyonhisarm——straighttothetopofthehouse。
Havingcollectedhisvisitorsinthecorridor，andhavingwavedhishandindicativelyatthenumbereddoorsopeningoutofitoneitherside，heinvitedthecompanytolookintoanyoralloftheroomsattheirownpleasure。
“Numbersonetofour，ladiesandgentlemen。”saidthedoctor，“includethedormitoriesoftheattendants。Numbersfourtoeightareroomsintendedfortheaccommodationofthepoorerclassofpatients，whomIreceiveontermswhichsimplycovermyexpenditure——nothingmore。Inthecasesofthesepoorerpersonsamongmysufferingfellowcreatures，personalpietyandtherecommendationoftwoclergymenareindispensabletoadmission。
ThosearetheonlyconditionsImake;butthoseIinsiston。Prayobservethattheroomsareallventilated，andthebedsteadsallironandkindlynotice，aswedescendagaintothesecondfloor，thatthereisadoorshuttingoffallcommunicationbetweenthesecondstoryandthetopstorywhennecessary。Theroomsonthesecondfloor，whichwehavenowreached，arewiththeexceptionofmyownroomentirelydevotedtothereceptionoflady-inmates——experiencehavingconvincedmethatthegreatersensitivenessofthefemaleconstitutionnecessitatesthehigherpositionofthesleepingapartment，withaviewtothegreaterpurityandfreercirculationoftheair。Heretheladiesareestablishedimmediatelyundermycare，whilemyassistant-physicianwhomIexpecttoarriveinaweek’stime
looksafterthegentlemenonthefloorbeneath。Observe，again，aswedescendtothislower，orfirstfloor，aseconddoor，closingallcommunicationatnightbetweenthetwostoriestoeveryonebuttheassistantphysicianandmyself。Andnowthatwehavereachedthegentleman’spartofthehouse，andthatyouhaveobservedforyourselvestheregulationsoftheestablishment，permitmetointroduceyoutoaspecimenofmysystemoftreatmentnext。Icanexemplifyitpractically，byintroducingyoutoaroomfittedup，undermyowndirection，fortheaccommodationofthemostcomplicatedcasesofnervoussufferingandnervousdelusionthatcancomeundermycare。”
Hethrewopenthedoorofaroomatoneextremityofthecorridor，numberedFour。“Lookin，ladiesandgentlemen。”hesaid;“and，ifyouseeanythingremarkable，praymentionit。”
Theroomwasnotverylarge，butitwaswelllitbyonebroadwindow。Comfortablyfurnishedasabedroom，itwasonlyremarkableamongotherroomsofthesamesortinoneway。Ithadnofireplace。Thevisitorshavingnoticedthis，wereinformedthattheroomwaswarmedinwinterbymeansofhotwater;andweretheninvitedbackagainintothecorridor，tomakethediscoveries，underprofessionaldirection，whichtheywereunabletomakeforthemselves。
“Aword，ladiesandgentlemen。”saidthedoctor;“literallyaword，onnervousderangementfirst。Whatistheprocessoftreatment，when，letussay，mentalanxietyhasbrokenyoudown，andyouapplytoyourdoctor？Heseesyou，hearsyou，andgivesyoutwoprescriptions。Oneiswrittenonpaper，andmadeupatthechemist’s。Theotherisadministeredbywordofmouth，atthepropitiousmomentwhenthefeeisready;andconsistsinageneralrecommendationtoyoutokeepyourmindeasy。Thatexcellentadvicegiven，yourdoctorleavesyoutospareyourselfallearthlyannoyancesbyyourownunaidedefforts，untilhecallsagain。HeremySystemstepsinandhelpsyou！When_I_seethenecessityofkeepingyourmindeasy，Itakethebullbythehornsanddoitforyou。Iplaceyouinasphereofactioninwhichthetenthousandtrifleswhichmust，anddo，irritatenervouspeopleathomeareexpresslyconsideredandprovidedagainst。IthrowupimpregnablemoralintrenchmentsbetweenWorryandYou。Findadoorbangingin_this_house，ifyoucan！Catchaservantin_this_houserattlingthetea-thingswhenhetakesawaythetray！Discoverbarkingdogs，crowingcocks，hammeringworkmen，screechingchildren_here_——andIengagetocloseMySanitariumto-morrow！Arethesenuisanceslaughingmatterstonervouspeople？Askthem！Cantheyescapethesenuisancesathome？Askthem！Willtenminutes’irritationfromabarkingdogorascreechingchildundoeveryatomofgooddonetoanervoussuffererbyamonth’smedicaltreatment？Thereisn’tacompetentdoctorinEnglandwhowillventuretodenyit！OnthoseplaingroundsmySystemisbased。Iassertthemedicaltreatmentofnervoussufferingtobeentirelysubsidiarytothemoraltreatmentofit。Thatmoraltreatmentofityoufindhere。Thatmoraltreatment，sedulouslypursuedthroughouttheday，followsthesuffererintohisroomatnight;andsoothes，helpsandcureshim，withouthisownknowledge——youshallseehow。”