Afterwaitingforaminuteortwo，andhearingnosignalfromthefloorabove，Iadvancedintothebroaderandbrighterpartofthehall，tolookbydaylightatthepictureswhichIhadonlyimperfectlydiscoveredinthedarknessofthenight。Apaintedinscriptioninmanycolors，justunderthecorniceoftheceiling，informedmethattheworksonthewallsweretheproductionoftheall—accomplishedDexterhimself。Notsatisfiedwithbeingpoetandcomposer，hewaspainteraswell。Ononewallthesubjectsweredescribedas\"IllustrationsofthePassions；\"
ontheother，as\"EpisodesintheLifeoftheWanderingJew。\"
Chancespeculatorslikemyselfweregravelywarned，bymeansoftheinscription，toviewthepicturesaseffortsofpureimagination。\"PersonswholookformereNatureinworksofArt\"
（theinscriptionannounced）\"arepersonstowhomMr。Dexterdoesnotaddresshimselfwiththebrush。Hereliesentirelyonhisimagination。Natureputshimout。\"
TakingduecaretodismissallideasofNaturefrommymind，tobeginwith，IlookedatthepictureswhichrepresentedthePassionsfirst。
LittleasIknewcriticallyofArt，IcouldseethatMiserrimusDexterknewstilllessoftherulesofdrawing，color，andcomposition。Hispictureswere，inthestrictestmeaningofthatexpressiveword，Daubs。ThediseasedandriotousdelightofthepainterinrepresentingHorrorswas（withcertainexceptionstobehereaftermentioned）theoneremarkablequalitythatIcoulddiscoverintheseriesofhisworks。
ThefirstofthePassionpicturesillustratedRevenge。Acorpse，infancycostume，layonthebankofafoamingriver，undertheshadeofagianttree。Aninfuriatedman，alsoinfancycostume，stoodastrideoverthedeadbody，withhisswordliftedtotheloweringsky，andwatched，withahorridexpressionofdelight，thebloodofthemanwhomhehadjustkilleddrippingslowlyinaprocessionofbigreddropsdownthebroadbladeofhisweapon。
ThenextpictureillustratedCruelty，inmanycompartments。InoneIsawadisemboweledhorsesavagelyspurredonbyhisrideratabull—fight。Inanother，anagedphilosopherwasdissectingalivingcat，andgloatingoverhiswork。Inathird，twopaganspolitelycongratulatedeachotheronthetortureoftwosaints：
onesaintwasroastingonagrid—iron；theother，hunguptoatreebyhisheels，hadbeenjustskinned，andwasnotquitedeadyet。Feelingnogreatdesire，afterthesespecimens，tolookatanymoreoftheillustratedPassions，IturnedtotheoppositewalltobeinstructedinthecareeroftheWanderingJew。HereasecondinscriptioninformedmethatthepainterconsideredtheFlyingDutchmantobenootherthantheWanderingJew，pursuinghisinterminableJourneybysea。ThemarineadventuresofthismysteriouspersonageweretheadventureschosenforrepresentationbyDexter’sbrush。Thefirstpictureshowedmeaharboronarockycoast。Avesselwasatanchor，withthehelmsmansingingonthedeck。Theseaintheoffingwasblackandrolling；thunder—cloudslaylowonthehorizon，splitbybroadflashesoflightning。Intheglareofthelightning，heavingandpitching，appearedthemistyformofthePhantomShipapproachingtheshore。Inthiswork，badlyasitwaspainted，therewerereallysignsofapowerfulimagination，andevenofapoeticalfeelingforthesupernatural。ThenextpictureshowedthePhantomShip，moored（tothehorrorandastonishmentofthehelmsman）
behindtheearthlyvesselintheharbor。TheJewhadsteppedonshore。Hisboatwasonthebeach。Hiscrew——littlemenwithstony，whitefaces，dressedinfuneralblack——satinsilentrowsontheseatsoftheboat，withtheiroarsintheirlean，longhands。TheJew，alsoablack，stoodwithhiseyesandhandsraisedimploringlytothethunderousheaven。Thewildcreaturesoflandandsea——thetiger，therhinoceros，thecrocodile，thesea—serpent，theshark，andthedevil—fish——surroundedtheaccursedWandererinamysticcircle，dauntedandfascinatedatthesightofhim。Thelightningwasgone。Theskyandseahaddarkenedtoagreatblackblank。Afaintandluridlightlightedthescene，fallingdownwardfromatorch，brandishedbyanavengingSpiritthathoveredovertheJewonoutspreadvulturewings。Wildasthepicturemightbeinitsconception，therewasasuggestivepowerinitwhichIconfessstronglyimpressedme。
Themysterioussilenceinthehouse，andmystrangepositionatthemoment，nodoubthadtheireffectonmymind。WhileIwasstilllookingattheghastlycompositionbeforeme，theshrilltrillingsoundofthewhistleupstairsburstonthestillness。
ForthemomentmynervesweresocompletelyupsetthatIstartedwithacryofalarm。Ifeltamomentaryimpulsetoopenthedoorandrunout。Theideaoftrustingmyselfalonewiththemanwhohadpaintedthosefrightfulpicturesactuallyterrifiedme；Iwasobligedtositdownononeofthehallchairs。Someminutespassedbeforemymindrecovereditsbalance，andIbegantofeellikemyownordinaryselfagain。Thewhistlesoundedimpatientlyforthesecondtime。Iroseandascendedthebroadflightofstairswhichledtothefirststory。TodrawbackatthepointwhichIhadnowreachedwouldhaveutterlydegradedmeinmyownestimation。Still，myheartdidcertainlybeatfasterthanusualasIapproachedthedoorofthecircularanteroom；andIhonestlyacknowledgethatIsawmyownimprudence，justthen，inasingularlyvividlight。
Therewasaglassoverthemantel—pieceintheanteroom。I
lingeredforamoment（nervousasIwas）toseehowIlookedintheglass。
Thehangingtapestryovertheinnerdoorhadbeenleftpartiallydrawnaside。SoftlyasImoved，thedog’searsofMiserrimusDextercaughtthesoundofmydressonthefloor。Thefinetenorvoice，whichIhadlastheardsinging，calledtomesoftly。
\"IsthatMrs。Valeria？Pleasedon’twaitthere。Comein！\"
Ienteredtheinnerroom。
Thewheeledchairadvancedtomeetme，soslowlyandsosoftlythatIhardlyknewitagain。MiserrimusDexterlanguidlyheldouthishand。Hisheadinclinedpensivelytooneside；hislargeblueeyeslookedatmepiteously。Notavestigeseemedtobeleftoftheraging，shoutingcreatureofmyfirstvisit，whowasNapoleonatonemoment，andShakespeareatanother。Mr。Dexterofthemorningwasamild，thoughtful，melancholyman，whoonlyrecalledMr。Dexterofthenightbytheinveterateoddityofhisdress。
Hisjacket，onthisoccasion，wasofpinkquiltedsilk。Thecoverletwhichhidhisdeformitymatchedthejacketinpalesea—greensatin；and，tocompletethesestrangevagariesofcostume，hiswristswereactuallyadornedwithmassivebraceletsofgold，formedontheseverelysimplemodelswhichhavedescendedtousfromancienttimes。
\"Howgoodofyoutocheerandcharmmebycominghere！\"hesaid，inhismostmournfulandmostmusicaltones。\"Ihavedressed，expresslytoreceiveyou，intheprettiestclothesIhave。Don’tbesurprised。Exceptinthisignobleandmaterialnineteenthcentury，menhavealwayswornpreciousstuffsandbeautifulcolorsaswellaswomen。Ahundredyearsagoagentlemaninpinksilkwasagentlemanproperlydressed。Fifteenhundredyearsagothepatriciansoftheclassictimesworebraceletsexactlylikemine。Idespisethebrutishcontemptforbeautyandthemeandreadofexpensewhichdegradeagentleman’scostumetoblackcloth，andlimitagentleman’sornamentstoafinger—ring，intheageIlivein。IliketobebrightandIbeautiful，especiallywhenbrightnessandbeautycometoseeme。Youdon’tknowhowpreciousyoursocietyistome。Thisisoneofmymelancholydays。Tearsriseunbiddentomyeyes。Isighandsorrowovermyself；Ilanguishforpity。JustthinkofwhatIam！Apoorsolitarycreature，cursedwithafrightfuldeformity。Howpitiable！howdreadful！Myaffectionateheart——wasted。Myextraordinarytalents——uselessormisapplied。Sad！sad！sad！
Pleasepityme。\"
Hiseyeswerepositivelyfilledwithtears——tearsofcompassionforhimself！Helookedatmeandspoketomewiththewailing，querulousentreatyofasickchildwantingtobenursed。Iwasutterlyatalosswhattodo。Itwasperfectlyridiculous——butI
wasnevermoreembarrassedinmylife。
\"Pleasepityme！\"herepeated。\"Don’tbecruel。Ionlyaskalittlething。PrettyMrs。Valeria，sayyoupityme！\"
IsaidIpitiedhim——andIfeltthatIblushedasIdidit。
\"Thankyou，\"saidMiserrimusDexter，humbly。\"Itdoesmegood。Goalittlefurther。Patmyhand。\"
Itriedtorestrainmyself；butthesenseoftheabsurdityofthislastpetition（quitegravelyaddressedtome，remember！）wastoostrongtobecontrolled。Iburstoutlaughing。
MiserrimusDexterlookedatmewithablankastonishmentwhichonlyincreasedmymerriment。HadIoffendedhim？Apparentlynot。
Recoveringfromhisastonishment，helaidhisheadluxuriouslyonthebackofhischair，withtheexpressionofamanwhowaslisteningcriticallytoaperformanceofsomesort。WhenIhadquiteexhaustedmyself，heraisedhisheadandclappedhisshapelywhitehands，andhonoredmewithan\"encore。\"
\"Doitagain，\"hesaid，stillinthesamechildishway。\"MerryMrs。Valeria，_you_haveamusicallaugh——_I_haveamusicalear。
Doitagain。\"
Iwasseriousenoughbythistime。\"Iamashamedofmyself，Mr。
Dexter，\"Isaid。\"Prayforgiveme。\"
Hemadenoanswertothis；Idoubtifheheardme。Hisvariabletemperappearedtobeincourseofundergoingsomenewchange。Hesatlookingatmydress（asIsupposed）withasteadyandanxiousattention，gravelyforminghisownconclusions，steadfastlypursuinghisowntrainofthought。
\"Mrs。Valeria，\"heburstoutsuddenly，\"youarenotcomfortableinthatchair。\"
\"Pardonme，\"Ireplied；\"Iamquitecomfortable。\"
\"Pardon_me，_\"herejoined。\"ThereisachairofIndianbasket—workatthatendoftheroomwhichismuchbettersuitedtoyou。WillyouacceptmyapologiesifIamrudeenoughtoallowyoutofetchitforyourself？Ihaveareason。\"
Hehadareason！Whatnewpieceofeccentricitywasheabouttoexhibit？Iroseandfetchedthechair。Itwaslightenoughtobequiteeasilycarried。AsIreturnedtohim，Inoticedthathiseyeswerestrangelyemployedinwhatseemedtobetheclosestscrutinyofmydress。And，strangerstill，theresultofthisappearedtobepartlytointerestandpartlytodistresshim。
Iplacedthechairnearhim，andwasabouttotakemyseatinit，whenhesentmebackagain，onanothererrand，totheendoftheroom。
\"Obligemeindescribably，\"hesaid。\"Thereisahand—screenhangingonthewall，whichmatchesthechair。Wearerathernearthefirehere。Youmayfindthescreenuseful。Oncemoreforgivemeforlettingyoufetchitforyourself。OncemoreletmeassureyouthatIhaveareason。\"
Herewashis\"reason，\"reiterated，emphaticallyreiterated，forthesecondtime！CuriositymademeascompletelytheobedientservantofhiscapricesasArielherself。Ifetchedthehand—screen。Returningwithit，Imethiseyesstillfixedwiththesameincomprehensibleattentiononmyperfectlyplainandunpretendingdress，andstillexpressingthesamecuriousmixtureofinterestandregret。
\"Thankyouathousandtimes，\"hesaid。\"Youhave（quiteinnocently）wrungmyheart。Butyouhavenotthelessdonemeaninestimablekindness。WillyoupromisenottobeoffendedwithmeifIconfessthetruth？\"
HewasapproachinghisexplanationInevergaveapromisemorereadilyinmylife。
\"Ihaverudelyallowedyoutofetchyourchairandyourscreenforyourself，\"hewenton。\"Mymotivewillseemaverystrangeone，Iamafraid。DidyouobservethatInoticedyouveryattentively——tooattentively，perhaps？\"
\"Yes，\"Isaid。\"Ithoughtyouwerenoticingmydress。\"
Heshookhishead，andsighedbitterly。
\"Notyourdress，\"hesaid；\"andnotyourface。Yourdressisdark。Yourfaceisstillstrangetome。DearMrs。Valeria，I
wantedtoseeyouwalk。\"
Toseemewalk！Whatdidhemean？Wherewasthaterraticmindofhiswanderingtonow？
\"YouhavearareaccomplishmentforanEnglishwoman，\"heresumed——\"youwalkwell。_She_walkedwell。Icouldn’tresistthetemptationofseeingheragain，inseeingyou。Itwas_her_
movement，_her_sweet，simple，unsoughtgrace（notyours），whenyouwalkedtotheendoftheroomandreturnedtome。Youraisedherfromthedeadwhenyoufetchedthechairandthescreen。
Pardonmeformakinguseofyou：theideawasinnocent，themotivewassacred。Youhavedistressed——anddelightedme。Myheartbleeds——andthanksyou。\"
Hepausedforamoment；helethisheaddrooponhisbreast，thensuddenlyraiseditagain。
\"Surelyweweretalkingaboutherlastnight？\"hesaid。\"WhatdidIsay？whatdidyousay？Mymemoryisconfused；Ihalfremember，halfforget。Pleaseremindme。You’renotoffendedwithme——areyou？\"
Imighthavebeenoffendedwithanotherman。Notwithhim。Iwasfartooanxioustofindmywayintohisconfidence——nowthathehadtouchedofhisownaccordonthesubjectofEustace’sfirstwife——tobeoffendedwithMiserrimusDexter。
\"Wewerespeaking，\"Ianswered，\"ofMrs。EustaceMacallan’sdeath，andweweresayingtooneanother——\"
Heinterruptedme，leaningforwardeagerlyinhischair。
\"Yes！yes！\"heexclaimed。\"AndIwaswonderingwhatinterest_you_couldhaveinpenetratingthemysteryofherdeath。Tellme！Confideinme！Iamdyingtoknow！\"
\"NotevenyouhaveastrongerinterestinthatsubjectthantheinterestthatIfeel，\"Isaid。\"Thehappinessofmywholelifetocomedependsonmyclearingupthemystery。\"
\"GoodGod——why？\"hecried。\"Stop！Iamexcitingmyself。Imustn’tdothat。Imusthaveallmywitsaboutme；Imustn’twander。Thethingistooserious。Waitaminute！\"
Anelegantlittlebasketwashookedontooneofthearmsofhischair。Heopenedit，anddrewoutastripofembroiderypartiallyfinished，withthenecessarymaterialsforworking，acomplete。
Welookedateachotheracrosstheembroidery。Henoticedmysurprise。
\"Women，\"hesaid，\"wiselycomposetheirminds，andhelpthemselvestothinkquietly，bydoingneedle—work。Whyaremensuchfoolsastodenythemselvesthesameadmirableresource——thesimpleandsoothingoccupationwhichkeepsthenervessteadyandleavesthemindcalmandfree？Asaman，Ifollowthewoman’swiseexample。Mrs。Valeria，permitmetocomposemyself。\"
Gravelyarranginghisembroidery，thisextraordinarybeingbegantoworkwiththepatientandnimbledexterityofanaccomplishedneedle—woman。
\"Now，\"saidMiserrimusDexter，\"ifyouareready，Iam。Youtalk——Iwork。Pleasebegin。\"
Iobeyedhim，andbegan。
CHAPTERXXVIII。
INTHEDARK。
WITHsuchamanasMiserrimusDexter，andwithsuchapurposeasIhadinview，nohalf—confidenceswerepossible。ImusteitherriskthemostunreservedacknowledgmentoftheintereststhatI
reallyhadatstake，orImustmakethebestexcusethatoccurredtomeforabandoningmycontemplatedexperimentatthelastmoment。Inmypresentcriticalsituation，nosuchrefugeasamiddlecourselaybeforeme——evenifIhadbeeninclinedtotakeit。Asthingswere，Iranrisks，andplungedheadlongintomyownaffairsatstarting。
\"Thusfar，youknowlittleornothingaboutme，Mr。Dexter，\"I
said。\"Youare，asIbelieve，quiteunawarethatmyhusbandandI
arenotlivingtogetheratthepresenttime。\"
\"Isitnecessarytomentionyourhusband？\"heasked，coldly，withoutlookingupfromhisembroidery，andwithoutpausinginhiswork。
\"Itisabsolutelynecessary，\"Ianswered。\"Icanexplainmyselftoyouinnootherway。\"
Hebenthishead，andsighedresignedly。
\"Youandyourhusbandarenotlivingtogetheratthepresenttime，\"heresumed。\"DoesthatmeanthatEustacehasleftyou？\"
\"Hehasleftme，andhasgoneabroad。\"
\"Withoutanynecessityforit？\"
\"Withouttheleastnecessity。\"
\"Hasheappointednotimeforhisreturntoyou？\"
\"Ifhepersevereinhispresentresolution，Mr。Dexter，Eustacewillneverreturntome。\"
Forthefirsttimeheraisedhisheadfromhisembroidery——withasuddenappearanceofinterest。
\"Isthequarrelsoseriousasthat？\"heasked。\"Areyoufreeofeachother，prettyMrs。Valeria，bycommonconsentofbothparties？\"
Thetoneinwhichheputthequestionwasnotatalltomyliking。ThelookhefixedonmewasalookwhichunpleasantlysuggestedthatIhadtrustedmyselfalonewithhim，andthathemightendintakingadvantageofit。Iremindedhimquietly，bymymannermorethanbymywords，oftherespectwhichheowedtome。
\"Youareentirelymistaken，\"Isaid。\"Thereisnoanger——thereisnotevenamisunderstandingbetweenus。Ourpartinghascostbittersorrow，Mr。Dexter，tohimandtome。\"
Hesubmittedtobesetrightwithironicalresignation。\"Iamallattention，\"hesaid，threadinghisneedle。\"Praygoon；Iwon’tinterruptyouagain。\"Actingonthisinvitation，Itoldhimthetruthaboutmyhusbandandmyselfquiteunreservedly，takingcare，however，atthesametime，toputEustace’smotivesinthebestlightthattheywouldbear。MiserrimusDexterdroppedhisembroideryonhislap，andlaughedsoftlytohimself，withanimpishenjoymentofmypoorlittlenarrative，whichseteverynerveinmeonedgeasIlookedathim。
\"Iseenothingtolaughat，\"Isaid，sharply。
Hisbeautifulblueeyesrestedonmewithalookofinnocentsurprise。
\"Nothingtolaughat，\"herepeated，\"insuchanexhibitionofhumanfollyasyouhavejustdescribed？\"Hisexpressionsuddenlychangedhisfacedarkenedandhardenedverystrangely。\"Stop！\"hecried，beforeIcouldanswerhim。\"Therecanbeonlyonereasonforyou’retakingitasseriouslyasyoudo。Mrs。Valeria！youarefondofyourhusband。\"
\"Fondofhimisn’tstrongenoughtoexpressit，\"Iretorted。\"I
lovehimwithmywholeheart。\"
MiserrimusDexterstrokedhismagnificentbeard，andcontemplativelyrepeatedmywords。\"Youlovehimwithyourwholeheart？Doyouknowwhy？\"
\"BecauseIcan’thelpit，\"Ianswered，doggedly。
Hesmiledsatirically，andwentonwithhisembroidery。
\"Curious！\"hesaidtohimself；\"Eustace’sfirstwifelovedhimtoo。Therearesomemenwhomthewomenalllike，andthereareothermenwhomthewomennevercarefor。Withouttheleastreasonforitineithercase。Theonemanisjustasgoodastheother；
justashandsome，asagreeable，ashonorable，andashighinrankastheother。AndyetforNumberOnetheywillgothroughfireandwater，andforNumberTwotheywon’tsomuchasturntheirheadstolookathim。Why？Theydon’tknowthemselves——asMrs。
Valeriahasjustsaid！Isthereaphysicalreasonforit？IstheresomepotentmagneticemanationfromNumberOnewhichNumberTwodoesn’tpossess？ImustinvestigatethiswhenIhavethetime，andwhenIfindmyselfinthehumor。\"Havingsofarsettledthequestiontohisownentiresatisfaction，helookedupatmeagain。\"Iamstillinthedarkaboutyouandyourmotives，\"hesaid。\"IamstillasfaraseverfromunderstandingwhatyourinterestisininvestigatingthathideoustragedyatGleninch。
CleverMrs。Valeria，pleasetakemebythehand，andleadmeintothelight。You’renotoffendedwithmeareyou？Makeitup；andI
willgiveyouthisprettypieceofembroiderywhenIhavedoneit。Iamonlyapoor，solitary，deformedwretch，withaquaintturnofmind；Imeannoharm。Forgiveme！indulgeme！enlightenme！\"
Heresumedhischildishways；herecover，hisinnocentsmile，withtheoddlittlepuckersandwrinklesaccompanyingitatthecornersofhiseyes。IbegantodoubtwhetherImightnothavebeenunreasonablyhardonhim。Ipenitentlyresolvedtobemoreconsideratetowardhisinfirmitiesofmindandbodyduringtheremainderofmyvisit。
\"Letmegobackforamoment，Mr。Dexter，topasttimesatGleninch，\"Isaid。\"YouagreewithmeinbelievingEustacetobeabsolutelyinnocentofthecrimeforwhichhewastried。YourevidenceattheTrialtellsmethat。\"
Hepausedoverhiswork，andlookedatmewithagraveandsternattentionwhichpresentedhisfaceinquiteanewlight。
\"Thatis_our_opinion，\"Iresumed。\"ButitwasnottheopinionoftheJury。Theirverdict，youremember，wasNotProven。InplainEnglish，theJurywhotriedmyhusbanddeclinedtoexpresstheiropinion，positivelyandpublicly，thathewasinnocent。AmIright？\"
Insteadofanswering，hesuddenlyputhisembroiderybackinthebasket，andmovedthemachineryofhischair，soastobringitclosebymine。
\"Whotoldyouthis？\"heasked。
\"Ifounditformyselfinabook。\"
Thusfarhisfacehadexpressedsteadyattention——andnomore。
Now，forthefirsttime，IthoughtIsawsomethingdarklypassingoverhimwhichbetrayeditselftomymindasrisingdistrust。
\"Ladiesarenotgenerallyinthehabitoftroublingtheirheadsaboutdryquestionsoflaw，\"hesaid。\"Mrs。EustaceMacallantheSecond，youmusthavesomeverypowerfulmotiveforturningyourstudiesthatway。\"
\"Ihaveaverypowerfulmotive，Mr。DexterMyhusbandisresignedtotheScotchVerdictHismotherisresignedtoit。Hisfriends（sofarasIknow）areresignedtoit——\"
\"Well？\"
\"Well！Idon’tagreewithmyhusband，orhismother，orhisfriends。IrefusetosubmittotheScotchVerdict。\"
TheinstantIsaidthosewords，themadnessinhimwhichIhadhithertodenied，seemedtobreakout。Hesuddenlystretchedhimselfoverhischair：hepouncedonme，withahandoneachofmyshoulders；hiswildeyesquestionedmefiercely，frantically，withinafewinchesofmyface。
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"heshouted，attheutmostpitchofhisringingandresonantvoice。
Adeadlyfearofhimshookme。Ididmybesttohidetheoutwardbetrayalofit。Bylookandword，Ishowedhim，asfirmlyasI
could，thatIresentedthelibertyhehadtakenwithme。
\"Removeyourhands，sir，\"Isaid，\"andretiretoyourproperplace。\"
Heobeyedmemechanically。Heapologizedtomemechanically。HiswholemindwasevidentlystillfilledwiththewordsthatIhadspokentohim，andstillbentondiscoveringwhatthosewordsmeant。
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"hesaid；\"Ihumblybegyourpardon。Thesubjectexcitesme，frightensme，maddensme。Youdon’tknowwhatadifficultyIhaveincontrollingmyself。Nevermind。Don’ttakemeseriously。Don’tbefrightenedatme。Iamsoashamedofmyself——Ifeelsosmallandsomiserableathavingoffendedyou。
Makemesufferforit。Takeastickandbeatme。Tiemedowninmychair。CallupAriel，whoisasstrongasahorse，andtellhertoholdme。DearMrs。Valeria！InjuredMrs。Valeria！I’llendureanythinginthewayofpunishment，ifyouwillonlytellmewhatyoumeanbynotsubmittingtotheScotchVerdict。\"Hebackedhischairpenitentlyashemadethatentreaty。\"AmIfarenoughawayyet？\"heasked，witharuefullook。\"DoIstillfrightenyou？I’lldropoutofsight，ifyoupreferit，inthebottomofthechair。\"
Heliftedthesea—greencoverlet。InanothermomenthewouldhavedisappearedlikeapuppetinashowifIhadnotstoppedhim。
\"Saynothingmore，anddonothingmore；Iacceptyourapologies，\"Isaid。\"WhenItellyouthatIrefusetosubmittotheopinionoftheScotchJury，Imeanexactlywhatmywordsexpress。Thatverdicthasleftastainonmyhusband’scharacter。Hefeelsthestainbitterly。HowbitterlynooneknowssowellasIdo。Hissenseofhisdegradationisthesensethathaspartedhimfromme。Itisnotenoughfor_him_
thatIampersuadedofhisinnocence。Nothingwillbringhimbacktome——nothingwillpersuadeEustacethatIthinkhimworthytobetheguideandcompanionofmylife——buttheproofofhisinnocence，setbeforetheJurywhichdoubtsit，andthepublicwhichdoubtsit，tothisday。Heandhisfriendsandhislawyersalldespairofeverfindingthatproofnow。ButIamhiswife；
andnoneofyoulovehimasIlovehim。Ialonerefusetodespair；Ialonerefusetolistentoreason。IfGodspareme，Mr。
Dexter，Idedicatemylifetothevindicationofmyhusband’sinnocence。Youarehisoldfriend——Iamheretoaskyoutohelpme。\"
Itappearedtobenowmyturntofrighten_him。_Thecolorlefthisface。Hepassedhishandrestlesslyoverhisforehead，asifheweretryingtobrushsomedelusionoutofhisbrain。
\"Isthisoneofmydreams？\"heasked，faintly。\"AreyouaVisionofthenight？\"
\"Iamonlyafriendlesswoman，\"Isaid，\"whohaslostallthatshelovedandprized，andwhoistryingtowinitbackagain。\"
Hebegantomovehischairnearertomeoncemore。Iliftedmyhand。Hestoppedthechairdirectly。Therewasamomentofsilence。Wesatwatchingoneanother。Isawhishandstrembleashelaidthemonthecoverlet；Isawhisfacegrowpalerandpaler，andhisunderlipdrop。WhatdeadandburiedremembranceshadIbroughttolifeinhim，inalltheiroldenhorror？
Hewasthefirsttospeakagain。
\"Sothisisyourinterest，\"hesaid，\"inclearingupthemysteryofMrs。EustaceMacallan’sdeath？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"AndyoubelievethatIcanhelpyou？\"
\"Ido。\"