Imademywayunobservedtothelanding，andsatdownonthestairstocomposemyselfwherenobodycouldseeme。InamomentmoreIfeltahandlaidgentlyonmyshoulder，anddiscoveredgoodBenjaminlookingatmeindismay。LadyClarindahadconsideratelyspokentohim，andhadassistedhiminquietlymakinghisretreatfromtheroom，whilehishost’sattentionwasstillabsorbedbythemusic。
\"Mydearchild！\"hewhispered，\"whatisthematter？\"
\"Takemehome，andIwilltellyou，\"wasallthatIcouldsay。
CHAPTERXXXII。
ASPECIMENOFMYWISDOM。
THEscenemustfollowmyerraticmovements——thescenemustcloseonLondonforawhile，andopeninEdinburgh。TwodayshadpassedsinceMajorFitz—David’sdinner—party。Iwasabletobreatheagainfreely，aftertheutterdestructionofallmyplansforthefuture，andofallthehopesthatIhadfoundedonthem。IcouldnowseethatIhadbeentreblyinthewrong——wronginhastilyandcruellysuspectinganinnocentwoman；wrongincommunicatingmysuspicions（withoutanattempttoverifythempreviously）toanotherperson；wronginacceptingtheflightyinferencesandconclusionsofMiserrimusDexterasiftheyhadbeensolidtruths。Iwassoashamedofmyfolly，whenIthoughtofthepast——socompletelydiscouraged，sorudelyshakeninmyconfidenceinmyself，whenIthoughtofthefuture，that，foronceinaway，Iacceptedsensibleadvicewhenitwasofferedtome。\"Mydear，\"saidgoodoldBenjamin，afterwehadthoroughlytalkedovermydiscomfitureonourreturnfromthedinner—party，\"judgingbywhatyoutellmeofhim，Idon’tfancyMr。Dexter。
PromisemethatyouwillnotgobacktohimuntilyouhavefirstconsultedsomepersonwhoisfittertoguideyouthroughthisdangerousbusinessthanIam。
Igavehimmypromise，ononecondition。\"IfIfailtofindtheperson，\"Isaid，\"willyouundertaketohelpme？\"
Benjaminpledgedhimselftohelpme，cheerfully。
Thenextmorning，whenIwasbrushingmyhair，andthinkingovermyaffairs，IcalledtomindaforgottenresolutionofmineatthetimeIfirstreadtheReportofmyhusband’sTrial。Imeantheresolution——ifMiserrimusDexterfailedme——toapplytooneofthetwoagents（orsolicitors，asweshouldtermthem）whohadpreparedEustace’sdefense——namely，Mr。Playmore。Thisgentleman，itmayberemembered，hadespeciallyrecommendedhimselftomyconfidencebyhisfriendlyinterferencewhenthesheriff’sofficerswereinsearchofmyhusband’spapers。ReferringbacktotheevidenceOf\"IsaiahSchoolcraft，\"IfoundthatMr。PlaymorehadbeencalledintoassistandadviseEustacebyMiserrimusDexter。HewasthereforenotonlyafriendonwhomImightrely，butafriendwhowaspersonallyacquaintedwithDexteraswell。
Couldtherebeafittermantoapplytoforenlightenmentinthedarknessthathadnowgatheredaroundme？Benjamin，whenIputthequestiontohim，acknowledgedthatIhadmadeasensiblechoiceonthisoccasion，andatonceexertedhimselftohelpme。
Hediscovered（throughhisownlawyer）theaddressofMr。
Playmore’sLondonagents；andfromthesegentlemenheobtainedformealetterofintroductiontoMr。Playmorehimself。Ihadnothingtoconcealfrommynewadviser；andIwasproperlydescribedintheletterasEustaceMacallan’ssecondwife。
Thesameeveningwetwosetforth（Benjaminrefusedtoletmetravelalone）bythenightmailforEdinburgh。
IhadpreviouslywrittentoMiserrimusDexter（bymyoldfriend’sadvice），merelysayingthatIhadbeenunexpectedlycalledawayfromLondonforafewdays，andthatIwouldreporttohimtheresultofmyinterviewwithLadyClarindaonmyreturn。A
characteristicanswerwasbroughtbacktothecottagebyAriel：
\"Mrs。Valeria，Ihappentobeamanofquickperceptions；andI
canreadthe_unwritten_partofyourletter。LadyClarindahasshakenyourconfidenceinme。Verygood。IpledgemyselftoshakeyourconfidenceinLadyClarinda。InthemeantimeIamnotoffended。InserenecomposureIawaitthehonorandthehappinessofyourvisit。SendmewordbytelegraphwhetheryouwouldlikeTrufflesagain，orwhetheryouwouldprefersomethingsimplerandlighter——saythatincomparableFrenchdish，Pig’sEyelidsandTamarinds。Believemealwaysyourallyandadmirer，yourpoetandcook——DEXTER。\"
ArrivedinEdinburgh，BenjaminandIhadalittlediscussion。ThequestionindisputebetweenuswaswhetherIshouldgowithhim，orgoalone，toMr。Playmore。Iwasallforgoingalone。
\"Myexperienceoftheworldisnotaverylargeone，\"Isaid。
\"ButIhaveobservedthat，inninecasesoutoften，amanwillmakeconcessionstoawoman，ifsheapproacheshimbyherself，whichhewouldhesitateeventoconsiderifanothermanwaswithinhearing。Idon’tknowhowitis——Ionlyknowthatitisso；IfIfindthatIgetonbadlywithMr。Playmore，Iwillaskhimforasecondappointment，and，inthatcase，youshallaccompanyme。Don’tthinkmeself—willed。Letmetrymyluckalone，andletusseewhatcomesofit。\"
Benjaminyielded，withhiscustomaryconsiderationforme。IsentmyletterofintroductiontoMr。Playmore’soffice——hisprivatehousebeingintheneighborhoodofGleninch。Mymessengerbroughtbackapoliteanswer，invitingmetovisithimatanearlyhourintheafternoon。Attheappointedtime，tothemoment，Irangthebellattheofficedoor。
CHAPTERXXXIII。
ASPECIMENOFMYFOLLY。
THEincomprehensiblesubmissionofScotchmentotheecclesiasticaltyrannyoftheirEstablishedChurchhasproduced——notunnaturally，asIthink——averymistakenimpressionofthenationalcharacterinthepopularmind。
Publicopinionlooksattheinstitutionof\"TheSabbath\"inScotland；findsitunparalleledinChristendomforitssenselessandsavageausterity；seesanationcontenttobedeprivedbyitspriesthoodofeverysocialprivilegeononedayineveryweek——forbiddentotravel；forbiddentotelegraph；forbiddentoeatahotdinner；forbiddentoreadanewspaper；inshort，allowedtheuseoftwolibertiesonly，thelibertyofexhibitingone’sselfattheChurchandthelibertyofsecludingone’sselfoverthebottle——publicopinionseesthis，andarrivesatthenotunreasonableconclusionthatthepeoplewhosubmittosuchsociallawsasthesearethemoststolid，sternandjoylesspeopleonthefaceoftheearth。SuchareScotchmensupposedtobe，whenviewedatadistance。ButhowdoScotchmenappearwhentheyareseenunderacloserlight，andjudgedbythetestofpersonalexperience？Therearenopeoplemorecheerful，morecompanionable，morehospitable，moreliberalintheirideas，tobefoundonthefaceofthecivilizedglobethantheverypeoplewhosubmittotheScotchSunday！Onthesixdaysoftheweekthereisanatmosphereofquiethumor，aradiationofgenialcommon—sense，aboutScotchmeningeneral，whichissimplydelightfultofeel。ButontheseventhdaythesesamemenwillhearoneoftheirministersseriouslytellthemthatheviewstakingawalkontheSabbathinthelightofanactofprofanity，andwillbetheonlypeopleinexistencewhocanletamantalkdownrightnonsensewithoutlaughingathim。
Iamnotcleverenoughtobeabletoaccountforthisanomalyinthenationalcharacter；Icanonlynoticeitbywayofnecessarypreparationfortheappearanceinmylittlenarrativeofapersonagenotfrequentlyseeninwriting——acheerfulScotchman。
InallotherrespectsIfoundMr。Playmoreonlynegativelyremarkable。Hewasneitheroldnoryoung，neitherhandsomenorugly；hewaspersonallynotintheleastlikethepopularideaofalawyer；andhespokeperfectlygoodEnglish，touchedwithonlytheslightestpossibleflavorofaScotchaccent。
\"IhavethehonortobeanoldfriendofMr。Macallan，\"hesaid，cordiallyshakinghandswithme；\"andIamhonestlyhappytobecomeacquaintedwithMr。Macallan’swife。Wherewillyousit？
Nearthelight？Youareyoungenoughnottobeafraidofthedaylightjustyet。IsthisyourfirstvisittoEdinburgh？PrayletmemakeitaspleasanttoyouasIcan。IshallbedelightedtopresentMrs。Playmoretoyou。WearestayinginEdinburghforalittlewhile。TheItalianoperaishere，andwehaveaboxforto—night。Willyoukindlywaiveallceremonyanddinewithusandgotothemusicafterward？\"
\"Youareverykind，\"Ianswered。\"ButIhavesomeanxietiesjustnowwhichwillmakemeaverypoorcompanionforMrs。Playmoreattheopera。Mylettertoyoumentions，Ithink，thatIhavetoaskyouradviceonmatterswhichareofveryseriousimportancetome。\"
\"Doesit？\"herejoined。\"Totellyouthetruth，Ihavenotreadtheletterthrough。Isawyournameinit，andIgatheredfromyourmessagethatyouwishedtoseemehere。Isentmynotetoyourhotel——andthenwentonwithsomethingelse。Praypardonme。
Isthisaprofessionalconsultation？Foryourownsake，I
sincerelyhopenot！\"
\"Itishardlyaprofessionalconsultation，Mr。Playmore。Ifindmyselfinaverypainfulposition；andIcometoyoutoadviseme，underveryunusualcircumstances。IshallsurpriseyouverymuchwhenyouhearwhatIhavetosay；andIamafraidIshalloccupymorethanmyfairshareofyourtime。\"
\"Iandmytimeareentirelyatyourdisposal，\"hesaid。\"TellmewhatIcandoforyou——andtellitinyourownway。\"
Thekindnessofthislanguagewasmorethanmatchedbythekindnessofhismanner。Ispoketohimfreelyandfully——Itoldhimmystrangestorywithouttheslightestreserve。
HeshowedthevaryingimpressionsthatIproducedonhismindwithouttheslightestconcealment。MyseparationfromEustacedistressedhim。MyresolutiontodisputetheScotchVerdict，andmyunjustsuspicionsofMrs。Beauly，firstamused，thensurprisedhim。Itwasnot，however，untilIhaddescribedmyextraordinaryinterviewwithMiserrimusDexter，andmyhardlylessremarkableconversationwithLadyClarinda，thatIproducedmygreatesteffectonthelawyer’smind。Isawhimchangecolorforthefirsttime。Hestarted，andmutteredtohimself，asifhehadcompletelyforgottenme。\"GoodGod！\"Iheardhimsay——\"canitbepossible？Doesthetruthlie_that_wayafterall？\"
Itookthelibertyofinterruptinghim。Ihadnoideaofallowinghimtokeephisthoughtstohimself。
\"Iseemtohavesurprisedyou？\"Isaid。
Hestartedatthesoundofmyvoice。
\"Ibegtenthousandpardons！\"heexclaimed。\"Youhavenotonlysurprisedme——youhaveopenedanentirelynewviewtomymind。I
seeapossibility，areallystartlingpossibility，inconnectionwiththepoisoningatGleninch，whichneveroccurredtomeuntilthepresentmoment。Thisisanicestateofthings，\"headded，fallingbackagainintohisordinaryhumor。\"Hereistheclientleadingthelawyer。MydearMrs。Eustace，whichisit——doyouwantmyadvice？ordoIwantyours？\"
\"MayIhearthenewidea？\"Iasked。
\"Notjustyet，ifyouwillexcuseme，\"heanswered。\"Makeallowancesformyprofessionalcaution。Idon’twanttobeprofessionalwithyou——mygreatanxietyistoavoidit。Butthelawyergetsthebetteroftheman，andrefusestobesuppressed。
Ireallyhesitatetorealizewhatispassinginmyownmindwithoutsomefurtherinquiry。Domeagreatfavor。Letusgooverapartofthegroundagain，andletmeaskyousomequestionsasweproceed。Doyoufeelanyobjectiontoobligingmeinthismatter？\"
\"Certainlynot，Mr。Playmore。Howfarshallwegoback？\"
\"ToyourvisittoDexterwithyourmother—in—law。WhenyoufirstaskedhimifhehadanyideasofhisownonthesubjectofMrs。
EustaceMacallan’sdeath，didIunderstandyoutosaythathelookedatyoususpiciously？\"
\"Verysuspiciously。\"
\"AndhisfaceclearedupagainwhenyoutoldhimthatyourquestionwasonlysuggestedbywhatyouhadreadintheReportoftheTrial？\"
\"Yes。\"
Hedrewaslipofpaperoutofthedrawerinhisdesk，dippedhispenintheink，consideredalittle，andplacedachairformecloseathisside。
\"Thelawyerdisappears，\"hesaid，\"andthemanresumeshisproperplace。Thereshallbenoprofessionalmysteriesbetweenyouandme。Asyourhusband’soldfriend，Mrs。Eustace，Ifeelnocommoninterestinyou。Iseeaseriousnecessityforwarningyoubeforeitistoolate；andIcanonlydosotoanygoodpurposebyrunningariskonwhichfewmeninmyplacewouldventure。
Personallyandprofessionally，Iamgoingtotrustyou——thoughI
_am_aScotchmanandalawyer。Sithere，andlookovermyshoulderwhileImakemynotes。YouwillseewhatispassinginmymindifyouseewhatIwrite。\"
Isatdownbyhim，andlookedoverhisshoulder，withoutthesmallestpretenseofhesitation。
Hebegantowriteasfollows：
\"ThepoisoningatGleninch。Queries：InwhatpositiondoesMiserrimusDexterstandtowardthepoisoning？Andwhatdoeshe（presumably）knowaboutthatmatter？
\"Hehasideaswhicharesecrets。Hesuspectsthathehasbetrayedthem，orthattheyhavebeendiscoveredinsomewayinconceivabletohimself。Heispalpablyrelievedwhenhefindsthatthisisnotthecase。\"
Thepenstopped；andthequestionswenton。
\"Letusadvancetoyoursecondvisit，\"saidMr。Playmore，\"whenyousawDexteralone。Tellmeagainwhathedid，andhowhelookedwhenyouinformedhimthatyouwerenotsatisfiedwiththeScotchVerdict。\"
IrepeatedwhatIhavealreadywritteninthesepages。Thepenwentbacktothepaperagain，andaddedtheselines：
\"Hehearsnothingmoreremarkablethanthatapersonvisitinghim，whoisinterestedinthecase，refusestoaccepttheverdictattheMacallanTrialasafinalverdict，andproposestoreopentheinquiry。Whatdoeshedouponthat？
\"Heexhibitsallthesymptomsofapanicofterror；heseeshimselfinsomeincomprehensibledanger；heisfranticatonemomentandservileatthenext；hemustandwillknowwhatthisdisturbingpersonreallymeans。Andwhenheisinformedonthatpoint，hefirstturnspaleanddoubtstheevidenceofhisownsenses；andnext，withnothingsaidtojustifyit，gratuitouslyaccuseshisvisitorofsuspectingsomebody。Queryhere：Whenasmallsumofmoneyismissinginahousehold，andtheservantsingeneralarecalledtogethertobeinformedofthecircumstance，whatdowethinkoftheoneservantinparticularwhospeaksfirst，andwhosays，’Doyoususpect_me？_’\"
Helaiddownthepenagain。\"Isthatright？\"heasked。
Ibegantoseetheendtowhichthenotesweredrifting。Insteadofansweringhisquestion，Ientreatedhimtoenterintotheexplanationsthatwerestillwantingtoconvincemyownmind。Heheldupawarningforefinger，andstoppedme。
\"Notyet，\"hesaid。\"Onceagain，amIright——sofar？\"
\"Quiteright。\"
\"Verywell。Nowtellmewhathappenednext。Don’tmindrepeatingyourself。Givemeallthedetails，oneafteranother，totheend。\"
ImentionedallthedetailsexactlyasIrememberedthem。Mr。
Playmorereturnedtohiswritingforthethirdandlasttime。
Thusthenotesended：
\"Heisindirectlyassuredthatheatleastisnotthepersonsuspected。Hesinksbackinhischair；hedrawsalongbreath；heaskstobeleftawhilebyhimself，underthepretensethatthesubjectexciteshim。Whenthevisitorreturns，Dexterhasbeendrinkingintheinterval。Thevisitorresumesthesubject——notDexter。ThevisitorisconvincedthatMrs。EustaceMacallandiedbythehandofapoisoner，andopenlysaysso。Dextersinksbackinhischairlikeamanfainting。Whatisthehorrorthathasgotpossessionofhim？Itiseasytounderstandifwecallitguiltyhorror；itisbeyondallunderstandingifwecallitanythingelse。Andhowdoesitleavehim？Hefliesfromoneextreme，toanother；heisindescribablydelightedwhenhediscoversthatthevisitor’ssuspicionsareallfixedonanabsentperson。Andthen，andthenonly，hetakesrefugeinthedeclarationthathehasbeenofonemindwithhisvisitor，inthematterofsuspicion，fromthefirst。Thesearefacts。Towhatplainconclusiondotheypoint？\"
Heshutuphisnotes，and，steadilywatchingmyface，waitedformetospeakfirst。
\"Iunderstandyou，Mr。Playmore，\"Ibegimpetuously。\"YoubelievethatMr。Dexter——\"
Hiswarningforefingerstoppedmethere。
Tellme，\"heinterposed，\"whatDextersaidtoyouwhenhewassogoodastoconfirmyouropinionofpoorMrs。Beauly。\"
\"Hesaid，’Thereisn’tadoubtaboutit。Mrs。Beaulypoisonedher。’\"
\"Ican’tdobetterthanfollowsogoodanexample——withonetriflingdifference。Isaytoo，Thereisn’tadoubtaboutit。
Dexterpoisonedher。
\"Areyoujoking，Mr。Playmore？\"
\"Ineverwasmoreinearnestinmylife。YourrashvisittoDexter，andyourextraordinaryimprudenceintakinghimintoyourconfidencehaveledtoastonishingresults。ThelightwhichthewholemachineryoftheLawwasunabletothrowonthepoisoningcaseatGleninchhasbeenaccidentallyletinonitbyaLadywhorefusestolistentoreasonandwhoinsistsonhavingherownway。Quiteincredible，andneverthelessquitetrue。\"
\"Impossible！\"Iexclaimed。
\"Whatisimpossible？\"heasked，coolly\"ThatDexterpoisonedmyhusband’sfirstwife。\"
\"Andwhyisthatimpossible，ifyouplease？\"IbegantobealmostenragedwithMr。Playmore。
\"Canyouaskthequestion？\"Ireplied，indignantly。\"IhavetoldyouthatIheardhimspeakofherintermsofrespectandaffectionofwhichanywomanmightbeproud。Helivesinthememoryofher。Iowehisfriendlyreceptionofmetosomeresemblancewhichhefanciesheseesbetweenmyfigureandhers。
Ihaveseentearsinhiseyes，Ihaveheardhisvoicefalterandfailhim，whenhespokeofher。Hemaybethefalsestofmeninallbesides，butheistrueto_her_——hehasnotmisledmeinthatonething。Therearesignsthatneverdeceiveawomanwhenamanistalkingtoherofwhatisreallynearhisheart：Isawthosesigns。ItisastruethatIpoisonedherasthathedid。I
amashamedtosetmyopinionagainstyours，Mr。Playmore；butI
reallycannothelpit。IdeclareIamalmostangrywithyou。\"
Heseemedtobepleased，insteadofoffendedbytheboldmannerinwhichIexpressedmyself。
\"MydearMrs。Eustace，youhavenoreasontobeangrywithme。Inonerespect，Ientirelyshareyourview——withthisdifference，thatIgoalittlefurtherthanyoudo。\"
\"Idon’tunderstandyou。\"
\"Youwillunderstandmedirectly。YoudescribeDexter’sfeelingforthelateMrs。Eustaceasahappymixtureofrespectandaffection。Icantellyouitwasamuchwarmerfeelingtowardherthanthat。Ihavemyinformationfromthepoorladyherself——whohonoredmewithherconfidenceandfriendshipforthebestpartofherlife。BeforeshemarriedMr。Macallan——shekeptitasecretfromhim，andyouhadbetterkeepitasecrettoo——MiserrimusDexterwasinlovewithher。MiserrimusDexteraskedher——deformedashewas，seriouslyaskedher——tobehiswife。\"
\"Andinthefaceofthat，\"Icried，\"yousaythathepoisonedher！\"
\"Ido。Iseenootherconclusionpossible，afterwhathappenedduringyourvisittohim。Youallbutfrightenedhimintoafaintingfit。Whatwasheafraidof？\"
Itriedhardtofindananswertothat。Ievenembarkedonananswerwithoutquiteknowingwheremyownwordsmightleadme。
Mr。Dexterisanoldandtruefriendofmyhusband，Ibegan。
\"WhenheheardmesayIwasnotsatisfiedwiththeVerdict，hemighthavefeltalarmed——\"
\"Hemighthavefeltalarmedatthepossibleconsequencestoyourhusbandofreopeningtheinquiry，\"saidMr。Playmore，ironicallyfinishingthesentenceforme。\"Ratherfar—fetched，Mrs。Eustace；
andnotveryconsistentwithyourfaithinyourhusband’sinnocence。Clearyourmindofonemistake，\"hecontinued，seriously，\"whichmayfatallymisleadyouifyoupersistinpursuingyourpresentcourse。MiserrimusDexter，youmaytakemywordforit，ceasedtobeyourhusband’sfriendonthedaywhenyourhusbandmarriedhisfirstwife。Dexterhaskeptupappearances，Igrantyou，bothinpublicandinprivate。Hisevidenceinhisfriend’sfavorattheTrialwasgivenwiththedeepfeelingwhicheverybodyexpectedfromhim。Nevertheless，I
firmlybelieve，lookingunderthesurface，thatMr。MacallanhasnobittererenemylivingthanMiserrimusDexter。\"
Heturnedmecold。Ifeltthathere，atleast，hewasright。MyhusbandhadwooedandwonthewomanwhohadrefusedDexter’sofferofmarriage。WasDexterthemantoforgivethat？Myownexperienceansweredme，andsaid，No。\"BearinmindwhatIhavetoldyou，\"Mr。Playmoreproceeded。\"Andnowletusgetontoyourownpositioninthismatter，andtotheintereststhatyouhaveatstake。Trytoadoptmypointofviewforthemoment；andletusinquirewhatchancewehaveofmakinganyfurtheradvancetowardadiscoveryofthetruth。Itisonethingtobemorallyconvinced（asIam）thatMiserrimusDexteristhemanwhooughttohavebeentriedforthemurderatGleninch；anditisanotherthing，atthisdistanceoftime，tolayourhandsontheplainevidencewhichcanalonejustifyanythinglikeapublicassertionofhisguilt。There，asIseeit，istheinsuperabledifficultyinthecase。UnlessIamcompletelymistaken，thequestionisnownarrowedtothisplainissue：Thepublicassertionofyourhusband’sinnocencedependsentirelyonthepublicassertionofDexter’sguilt。Howareyoutoarriveatthatresult？Thereisnotaparticleofevidenceagainsthim。YoucanonlyconvictDexteronDexter’sownconfession。Areyoulisteningtome？\"
Iwaslistening，mostunwillingly。Ifhewereright，thingshadindeedcometothatterriblepass。ButIcouldnot——withallmyrespectforhissuperiorknowledgeandexperience——Icouldnotpersuademyselfthathe_was_right。AndIownedit，withthehumilitywhichIreallyfelt。
Hesmiledgood—humoredly。
\"Atanyrate，\"hesaid，\"youwilladmitthatDexterhasnotfreelyopenedhismindtoyouthusfar？Heisstillkeepingsomethingfromyourknowledgewhichyouareinterestedindiscovering？\"
\"Yes。Iadmitthat。\"
\"Verygood。Whatappliestoyourviewofthecaseappliestomine。Isay，heiskeepingfromyoutheconfessionofhisguilt。
Yousay，heiskeepingfromyouinformationwhichmayfastentheguiltonsomeotherperson。Letusstartfromthatpoint。
Confession，orinformation，howareyoutogetatwhatheisnowwithholdingfromyou？Whatinfluencecanyoubringtobearonhimwhenyouseehimagain？\"
\"SurelyImightpersuadehim？\"
\"Certainly。Andifpersuasionfail——whatthen？Doyouthinkyoucanentraphimintospeakingout？orterrifyhimintospeakingout？\"
\"Ifyouwilllookatyournotes，Mr。Playmore，youwillseethatIhavealreadysucceededinterrifyinghim——thoughIamonlyawomanandthoughIdidn’tmeantodoit。\"
\"Verywellanswered。Youmarkthetrick。Whatyouhavedoneonceyouthinkyoucandoagain。Well，asyouaredeterminedtotrytheexperiment，itcandoyounoharmtoknowalittlemoreofDexter’scharacterandtemperamentthanyouknownow。Supposeweapplyforinformationtosomebodywhocanhelpus？\"
Istarted，andlookedroundtheroom。Hemademedoit——hespokeasifthepersonwhowastohelpuswascloseatourelbows。
\"Don’tbealarmed，\"hesaid。\"Theoracleissilent；andtheoracleishere。\"
Heunlockedoneofthedrawersofhisdesk；producedabundleofletters，andpickedoutone。
\"Whenwewerearrangingyourhusband’sdefense，\"hesaid，\"wefeltsomedifficultyaboutincludingMiserrimusDexteramongourwitnesses。Wehadnottheslightestsuspicionofhim，Ineedhardlytellyou。Butwewereallafraidofhiseccentricity；andsomeamongusevenfearedthattheexcitementofappearingattheTrialmightdrivehimcompletelyoutofhismind。Inthisemergencyweappliedtoadoctortohelpus。Undersomepretext，whichIforgetnow，weintroducedhimtoDexter。Andinduecourseoftimewereceivedhisreport。Hereitis。\"
Heopenedtheletter，andmarkingacertainpassageinitwithapencil，handedittome。
\"ReadthelineswhichIhavemarked，\"hesaid；\"theywillbequitesufficientforourpurpose。\"
Ireadthesewords：
\"Summinguptheresultsofmyobservation，Imaygiveitasmyopinionthatthereisundoubtedlylatentinsanityinthiscase，butthatnoactivesymptomsofmadnesshavepresentedthemselvesasyet。Youmay，Ithink，producehimattheTrial，withoutfearofconsequences。Hemaysayanddoallsortsofoddthings；buthehashismindunderthecontrolofhiswill，andyoumaytrusthisself—esteemtoexhibithiminthecharacterofasubstantiallyintelligentwitness。
\"Astothefuture，Iam，ofcourse，notabletospeakpositively。
Icanonlystatemyviews。
\"Thathewillendinmadness（ifhelive），Ientertainlittleornodoubt。Thequestionof_when_themadnesswillshowitselfdependsentirelyonthestateofhishealth。Hisnervoussystemishighlysensitive，andtherearesignsthathiswayoflifehasalreadydamagedit。IfheconquerthebadhabitstowhichIhavealludedinanearlierpartofmyreport，andifhepassmanyhoursofeverydayquietlyintheopenair，hemaylastasasanemanforyearstocome。Ifhepersistinhispresentwayoflife——or，inotherwords，iffurthermischiefoccurtothatsensitivenervoussystem——hislapseintoinsanitymustinfalliblytakeplacewhenthemischiefhasreacheditsculminatingpoint。
Withoutwarningtohimselfortoothers，thewholementalstructurewillgiveway；and，atamoment’snotice，whileheisactingasquietlyorspeakingasintelligentlyasathisbesttime，themanwilldrop（ifImayusetheexpression）intomadnessoridiocy。Ineithercase，whenthecatastrophehashappened，itisonlyduetohisfriendstoaddthattheycan（asIbelieve）entertainnohopeofhiscure。Thebalanceoncelost，willbelostforlife。\"
Thereitended。Mr。Playmoreputtheletterbackinhisdrawer。
\"Youhavejustreadtheopinionofoneofourhighestlivingauthorities，\"hesaid。\"DoesDexterstrikeyouasalikelymantogivehisnervoussystemachanceofrecovery？Doyouseenoobstaclesandnoperilsinyourway？\"
Mysilenceansweredhim。