FortunatelyforthereposeofMorgan，who，underothercircumstances，wouldhavediscoveredontheveryfirstdaythathisairyretreatwasbynomeanshighenoughtoplacehimoutofJessie’sreach，theideaofsettlingherselfinstantlyinhernewhabitationexcludedeveryotherideafromthemindofourfairguest。Shepinnedupthenankeen—coloredtravelingdressinfestoonsallroundheronthespot；informedusthatwewerenowabouttomakeacquaintancewithherinthenewcharacterofawomanofbusiness；anddarteddownstairsinmadhighspirits，screamingforMatildaandthetrunkslikeachildforasetofnewtoys。ThewholesomeprotestofNatureagainsttheartificialrestraintsofmodernlifeexpresseditselfinallthatshesaidandinallthatshedid。Shehadneverknownwhatitwastobehappybefore，becauseshehadneverbeenallowed，untilnow，todoanythingforherself。Shewasdownonherkneesatonemoment，blowingthefire，andtellingusthatshefeltlikeCinderella；
shewasuponatablethenext，attackingthecobwebswithalongbroom，andwishingshehadbeenbornahousemaid。Asformyunfortunatefriend，theupholsterer，hewasleveledtotheranksatthefirstefforthemadetoassumethecommandofthedomesticforcesinthefurnituredepartment。Shelaughedathim，pushedhimabout，disputedallhisconclusions，alteredallhisarrangements，andendedbyorderinghalfhisbedroomfurnituretobetakenbackagain，fortheoneunanswerablereasonthatshemeanttodowithoutit。
Aseveningapproached，thescenepresentedbythetworoomsbecameeccentrictoapitchofabsurditywhichisquiteindescribable。Thegrim，ancientwallsofthebedroomhadtheliveliestmoderndressing—gownsandmorning—wrappershangingallaboutthem。Themaninarmorhadacollectionofsmartlittlebootsandshoesdanglingbylacesandribbonsroundhisironlegs。Aworm—eaten，steel—claspedcasket，draggedoutofacorner，frownedontheupholsterer’sbrand—newtoilet—table，andheldamiscellaneousassortmentofcombs，hairpins，andbrushes。
Herestoodagloomyantiquechair，thepatriarchofitstribe，whosearmsofblackenedoakembracedapairofpert，newdealbonnet—boxesnotafortnightold。There，throwndownlightlyonaruggedtapestrytable—cover，thelonglaborofcenturiespast，laythebrief，delicateworkofaweekagointheshapeofsilkandmuslindressesturnedinsideout。Inthemidstofalltheseconfusionsandcontradictions，MissJessierangedtoandfro，theactivecenterofthewholesceneofdisorder，nowsingingatthetopofhervoice，andnowdeclaringinherlightheartedwaythatoneofusmustmakeuphismindtomarryherimmediately，asshewasdeterminedtosettlefortherestofherlifeatTheGlenTower。
Shefollowedupthatannouncement，whenwemetatdinner，byinquiringifwequiteunderstoodbythistimethatshehadlefther\"companymanners\"inLondon，andthatshemeanttogovernusallatherabsolutewillandpleasure，throughoutthewholeperiodofherstay。Havingthusprovidedattheoutsetfortheduerecognitionofherauthoritybythehouseholdgenerallyandindividuallyhavingbrisklyplannedoutallherownforthcomingoccupationsandamusementsoverthewineandfruitatdessert，andhavingpositivelysettled，betweenherfirstandsecondcupsoftea，whereourconnectionwiththemwastobeginandwhereitwastoend，shehadactuallysucceeded，whenthetimecametoseparateforthenight，insettingusasmuchatourease，andinmakingherselfascompletelyanecessarypartofourhouseholdasifshehadlivedamongusforyearsandyearspast。
Suchwasourfirstday’sexperienceoftheformidableguestwhoseanticipatedvisithadsosorelyandsoabsurdlydiscomposedusall。IcouldhardlybelievethatIhadactuallywastedhoursofprecioustimeinworryingmyselfandeverybodyelseinthehouseaboutthebestmeansoflaboriouslyentertainingalively，high—spiritedgirl，whowasperfectlycapable，withoutaneffortonherownpartoronours，ofentertainingherself。
Havingupseteveryoneofourcalculationsonthefirstdayofherarrival，shenextfalsifiedallourpredictionsbeforeshehadbeenwithusaweek。Insteadoffracturingherskullwiththepony，asMorganhadprophesied，shesatthesturdy，sure—footed，mischievouslittlebruteasifshewerepartandparcelofhimself。Withanoldwater—proofcloakofmineonhershoulders，withabroad—flappedSpanishhatofOwen’sonherhead，withawildimpofaWelshboyfollowingherasguideandgroomonabare—backedpony，andwithoneofthelargestandugliestcur—dogsinEngland（whichshehadpickedup，lostandstarvedbythewayside）barkingatherheels，shescouredthecountryinalldirections，andcamebacktodinner，assheherselfexpressedit，\"withthemannersofanAmazon，thecomplexionofadairy—maid，andtheappetiteofawolf。\"
Ondayswhenincessantrainkeptherindoors，sheamusedherselfwithanewfreak。Makingfriendseverywhere，asbecameTheQueenofHearts，sheeveningratiatedherselfwiththesouroldhousekeeper，whohadpredictedsoobstinatelythatshewascertaintorunaway。Totheamazementofeverybodyinthehouse，shespenthoursinthekitchen，learningtomakepuddingsandpies，andtryingallsortsofrecipeswithveryvaryingsuccess，fromanantiquatedcookerybookwhichshehaddiscoveredatthebackofmybookshelves。Atothertimes，whenIexpectedhertobeupstairs，languidlyexaminingherfinery，andidlypolishinghertrinkets，Iheardofherinthestables，feedingtherabbits，andtalkingtotheraven，orfoundherintheconservatory，fumigatingtheplants，andhalfsuffocatingthegardener，whowastryingtomoderateherenthusiasmintheproductionofsmoke。
Insteadoffindingamusement，aswehadexpected，inOwen’sstudio，shepuckeredupherprettyfaceingrimacesofdisgustatthesmellofpaintintheroom，anddeclaredthatthehorrorsoftheEarthquakeatLisbonmadeherfeelhysterical。Insteadofshowingatotalwantofinterestinmybusinessoccupationsontheestate，shedestroyedmydignityasstewardbyjoiningmeinmyroundsonherpony，withhervagabondretinueatherheels。
InsteadofdevouringthenovelsIhadorderedforher，shelefttheminthebox，andputherfeetonitwhenshefeltsleepyafterahardday’sriding。Insteadofpracticingforhourseveryeveningatthepiano，whichIhadhiredwithsuchafirmconvictionofherusingit，sheshowedustricksonthecards，taughtusnewgames，initiatedusintothemysticsofdominoes，challengeduswithriddles，anevenattemptedtostimulateusintoactingcharades——inshort，triedeveryeveningamusementinthewholecategoryexcepttheamusementofmusic。Everynewaspectofhercharacterwasanewsurprisetous，andeveryfreshoccupationthatshechosewasafreshcontradictiontoourpreviousexpectations。Thevalueofexperienceasaguideisunquestionableinmanyofthemostimportantaffairsoflife；
but，speakingformyselfpersonally，Ineverunderstoodtheutterfutilityofit，whereawomanisconcerned，untilIwasbroughtintohabitsofdailycommunicationwithourfairguest。
Inherdomesticrelationswithourselvessheshowedthatexquisitenicetyofdiscriminationinstudyingourcharacters，habitsandtasteswhichcomesbyinstinctwithwomen，andwhicheventhelongestpracticerarelyteachesinsimilarperfectiontomen。ShesawataglancealltheunderlyingtendernessandgenerosityconcealedbeneathOwen’sexternalshyness，irresolution，andoccasionalreserve；and，fromfirsttolast，eveninhergayestmoments，therewasalwaysacertainquietly—impliedconsideration——aneasy，graceful，delicatedeference——inhermannertowardmyeldestbrother，whichwonuponmeanduponhimeveryhourintheday。
Withmeshewasfreerinhertalk，quickerinheractions，readierandbolderinallthethousandlittlefamiliaritiesofourdailyintercourse。WhenwemetinthemorningshealwaystookOwen’shand，andwaitedtillhekissedherontheforehead。Inmycasesheputbothherhandsonmyshoulders，raisedherselfontiptoe，andsalutedmebrisklyonbothchecksintheforeignway。
SheneverdifferedinopinionwithOwenwithoutpropitiatinghimfirstbysomelittleartfulcomplimentinthewayofexcuse。Shearguedboldlywithmeoneverysubjectunderthesun，lawandpoliticsincluded；and，whenIgotthebetterofher，neverhesitatedtostopmebyputtingherhandonmylips，orbydraggingmeoutintothegardeninthemiddleofasentence。
AsforMorgan，sheabandonedallrestraintinhiscaseontheseconddayofhersojournamongus。Shehadaskedafterhimassoonasshewassettledinhertworoomsonthethirdstory；hadinsistedonknowingwhyhelivedatthetopofthetower，andwhyhehadnotappearedtowelcomeheratthedoor；hadentrappedusintoallsortsofdamagingadmissions，andhadthereupondiscoveredthetruestateofthecaseinlessthanfiveminutes。
Fromthattimemyunfortunatesecondbrotherbecamethevictimofallthatwasmischievousandrecklessinherdisposition。Sheforcedhimdownstairsbyaseriesofmaneuverswhichrenderedhisrefugeuninhabitable，andthenpretendedtofallviolentlyinlovewithhim。Sheslippedlittlepinkthree—cornerednotesunderhisdoor，entreatinghimtomakeappointmentswithher，ortenderlyinquiringhowhewouldliketoseeherhairdressedatdinneronthatday。Shefollowedhimintothegarden，sometimestoaskfortheprivilegeofsmellinghistobacco—smoke，sometimestobegforalockofhishair，orafragmentofhisraggedolddressing—gown，toputamongherkeepsakes。Shesighedathimwhenhewasinapassion，andputherhandkerchieftohereyeswhenhewassulky。Inshort，shetormentedMorgan，whenevershecouldcatchhim，withsuchingeniousandsuchrelentlessmalice，thatheactuallythreatenedtogobacktoLondon，andpreyoncemore，intheunscrupulouscharacterofadoctor，onthecredulityofmankind。
Thussituatedinherrelationstowardourselves，andthusoccupiedbycountrydiversionsofherownchoosing，MissJessiepassedhertimeatTheGlenTower，exceptingnowandthenadullhourinthelongevenings，toherguardian’ssatisfaction——and，allthingsconsidered，notwithoutpleasuretoherself。Dayfolloweddayincalmandsmoothsuccession，andfivequietweekshadelapsedoutofthesixduringwhichherstaywastolastwithoutanyremarkableoccurrencetodistinguishthem，whenaneventhappenedwhichpersonallyaffectedmeinaveryseriousmanner，andwhichsuddenlycausedourhandsomeQueenofHeartstobecometheobjectofmydeepestanxietyinthepresent，andofmydearesthopesforthefuture。
CHAPTERIV。
OURGRANDPROJECT。
ATtheendofthefifthweekofourguest’sstay，amongtheletterswhichthemorning’spostbroughttoTheGlenTowertherewasoneforme，frommysonGeorge，intheCrimea。
TheeffectwhichthisletterproducedinourlittlecirclerendersitnecessarythatIshouldpresentithere，tospeakforitself。
ThisiswhatIreadaloneinmyownroom：
\"MYDEARESTFATHER——AfterthegreatpublicnewsofthefallofSebastopol，haveyouanyearsleftforsmallitemsofprivateintelligencefrominsignificantsubalternofficers？Prepare，ifyouhave，forasuddenandastartlingannouncement。HowshallI
writethewords？HowshallItellyouthatIamreallycominghome？
\"Ihaveaprivateopportunityofsendingthisletter，andonlyashorttimetowriteitin；soImustputmanythings，ifIcan，intofewwords。Thedoctorhasreportedmefittotravelatlast，andIleave，thankstotheprivilegeofawoundedman，bythenextship。ThenameofthevesselandthetimeofstartingareonthelistwhichIinclose。Ihavemadeallmycalculations，and，allowingforeverypossibledelay，IfindthatIshallbewithyou，atthelatest，onthefirstofNovember——perhapssomedaysearlier。
\"Iamfartoofullofmyreturn，andofsomethingelseconnectedwithitwhichisequallydeartome，tosayanythingaboutpublicaffairs，moreespeciallyasIknowthatthenewspapersmust，bythistime，havegivenyouplentyofinformation。Letmefilltherestofthispaperwithasubjectwhichisveryneartomyheart——nearer，Iamalmostashamedtosay，thanthegreattriumphofmycountrymen，inwhichmydisabledconditionhaspreventedmefromtakinganyshare。
\"IgatheredfromyourlastletterthatMissYelvertonwastopayyouavisitthisautumn，inyourcapacityofherguardian。Ifsheisalreadywithyou，praymoveheavenandearthtokeepheratTheGlenTowertillIcomeback。Doyouanticipatemyconfessionfromthisentreaty？Mydear，dearfather，allmyhopesrestonthatonedarlingtreasurewhichyouareguardingperhaps，atthismoment，underyourownroof——allmyhappinessdependsonmakingJessieYelvertonmywife。
\"IfIdidnotsincerelybelievethatyouwillheartilyapproveofmychoice，Ishouldhardlyhaveventuredonthisabruptconfession。NowthatIhavemadeit，letmegoonandtellyouwhyIhavekeptmyattachmentuptothistimeasecretfromeveryone——evenfromJessieherself。（YouseeIcallherbyherChristiannamealready！）
\"Ishouldhaveriskedeverything，father，andhavelaidmywholeheartopenbeforehermorethanayearago，butfortheorderwhichsentourregimentouttotakeitsshareinthisgreatstruggleoftheRussianwar。NoordinarychangeinmylifewouldhavesilencedmeonthesubjectofallothersofwhichIwasmostanxioustospeak；butthischangemademethinkseriouslyofthefuture；andoutofthosethoughtscametheresolutionwhichI
havekeptuntilthistime。Forhersake，andforhersakeonly，I
constrainedmyselftoleavethewordsunspokenwhichmighthavemadehermypromisedwife。Iresolvedtospareherthedreadfulsuspenseofwaitingforherbetrothedhusbandtilltheperilsofwarmight，ormightnot，givehimbacktoher。Iresolvedtosaveherfromthebittergriefofmydeathifabulletlaidmelow。I
resolvedtopreserveherfromthewretchedsacrificeofherselfifIcameback，asmanyabravemanwillcomebackfromthiswar，invalidedforlife。Leavingheruntrammeledbyanyengagement，unsuspiciousperhapsofmyrealfeelingstowardher，Imightdie，andknowthat，bykeepingsilence，Ihadsparedapangtotheheartthatwasdearesttome。ThiswasthethoughtthatstayedthewordsonmylipswhenIleftEngland，uncertainwhetherI
shouldevercomeback。IfIhadlovedherlessdearly，ifherhappinesshadbeenlessprecioustome，ImighthavegivenwayunderthehardrestraintIimposedonmyself，andmighthavespokenselfishlyatthelastmoment。
\"Andnowthetimeoftrialispast；thewarisover；and，althoughIstillwalkalittlelame，Iam，thankGod，inasgoodhealthandinmuchbetterspiritsthanwhenIlefthome。Oh，father，ifIshouldlosehernow——ifIshouldgetnorewardforsparingherbutthebitterestofalldisappointments！SometimesI
amvainenoughtothinkthatImadesomelittleimpressiononher；sometimesIdoubtifshehasasuspicionofmylove。Shelivesinagayworld——sheisthecenterofperpetualadmiration——menwithallthequalitiestowinawoman’sheartareperpetuallyabouther——canI，dareIhope？Yes，Imust！Onlykeepher，Ientreatyou，atTheGlenTower。Inthatquietworld，inthatfreedomfromfrivolitiesandtemptations，shewilllistentomeasshemightlistennowhereelse。Keepher，mydearest，kindestfather——and，aboveallthings，breathenotawordtoherofthisletter。Ihavesurelyearnedtheprivilegeofbeingthefirsttoopenhereyestothetruth。Shemustknownothing，nowthatIamcominghome，tillsheknowsallfrommyownlips。\"
Herethewritinghurriedlybrokeoff。Iamonlygivingmyselfcreditforcommonfeeling，Itrust，whenIconfessthatwhatI
readdeeplyaffectedme。IthinkIneverfeltsofondofmyboy，andsoproudofhim，asatthemomentwhenIlaiddownhisletter。
AssoonasIcouldcontrolmyspirits，Ibegantocalculatethequestionoftimewithatremblingeagerness，whichbroughtbacktomymindmyownyoungdaysofloveandhope。Mysonwastocomeback，atthelatest，onthefirstofNovember，andJessie’sallottedsixweekswouldexpireonthetwenty—secondofOctober。
Tendaystoosoon！Butforthecapricewhichhadbroughthertousexactlythatnumberofdaysbeforehertimeshewouldhavebeeninthehouse，asamatterofnecessity，onGeorge’sreturn。
IsearchedbackinmymemoryforaconversationthatIhadheldwithheraweeksinceonherfutureplans。TowardthemiddleofNovember，heraunt，LadyWestwick，hadarrangedtogotoherhouseinParis，andJessiewas，ofcourse，toaccompanyher——toaccompanyherintothatverycircleofthebestEnglishandthebestFrenchsocietywhichcontainedinittheelementsmostadversetoGeorge’shopes。Betweenthistimeandthatshehadnospecialengagement，andshehadonlysettledtowriteandwarnherauntofherreturntoLondonadayortwobeforesheleftTheGlenTower。
Underthesecircumstances，thefirst，theall—importantnecessitywastoprevailonhertoprolongherstaybeyondtheallottedsixweeksbytendays。Afterthecautiontobesilentimpressedonme（andmostnaturally，poorboy）inGeorge’sletter，IfeltthatI
couldonlyappealtoherontheordinarygroundofhospitality。
Wouldthisbesufficienttoeffecttheobject？
Iwassurethatthehoursofthemorningandtheafternoonhad，thusfar，beenfullyandhappilyoccupiedbyhervariousamusementsindoorsandout。Shewasnomorewearyofherdaysnowthanshehadbeenwhenshefirstcameamongus。ButIwasbynomeanssocertainthatshewasnottiredofherevenings。Ihadlatterlynoticedsymptomsofwearinessafterthelampswerelit，andasuspiciousregularityinretiringtobedthemomenttheclockstruckten。IfIcouldprovideherwithanewamusementforthelongevenings，Imightleavethedaystotakecareofthemselves，andmightthenmakesure（seeingthatshehadnospecialengagementinLondonuntilthemiddleofNovember）ofherbeingsincerelythankfulandreadytoprolongherstay。
Howwasthistobedone？Thepianoandthenovelshadbothfailedtoattracther。Whatotheramusementwastheretooffer？
Itwasuseless，atpresent，toaskmyselfsuchquestionsasthese。Iwastoomuchagitatedtothinkcollectedlyonthemosttriflingsubjects。Iwaseventoorestlesstostayinmyownroom。Myson’sletterhadgivenmesofreshaninterestinJessiethatIwasnowasimpatienttoseeherasifwewereabouttomeetforthefirsttime。Iwantedtolookatherwithmyneweyes，tolistentoherwithmynewears，tostudyhersecretlywithmynewpurposes，andmynewhopesandfears。Tomydismay（forIwantedtheveryweatheritselftofavorGeorge’sinterests），itwasrainingheavilythatmorning。Iknew，therefore，thatIshouldprobablyfindherinherownsitting—room。WhenIknockedatherdoor，withGeorge’slettercrumpledupinmyhand，withGeorge’shopesinfullpossessionofmyheart，itisnoexaggerationtosaythatmynerveswerealmostasmuchfluttered，andmyideasalmostasmuchconfused，astheywereonacertainmemorabledayinthefarpast，whenIrose，inbrand—newwigandgown，tosetmyfutureprospectsatthebaronthehazardofmyfirstspeech。
WhenIenteredtheroomIfoundJessieleaningbacklanguidlyinherlargestarm—chair，watchingtheraindropsdrippingdownthewindow—pane。Theunfortunateboxofnovelswasopenbyherside，andthebookswerelying，forthemostpart，strewedaboutonthegroundatherfeet。Onevolumelayopen，backupward，onherlap，andherhandswerecrossedoveritlistlessly。Tomygreatdismay，shewasyawning——palpablyandwidelyyawning——whenIcamein。
NosoonerdidIfindmyselfinherpresencethananirresistibleanxietytomakesomesecretdiscoveryoftherealstateofherfeelingstowardGeorgetookpossessionofme。Afterthecustomarycondolencesontheimprisonmenttowhichshewassubjectedbytheweather，Isaid，inascarelessamannerasitwaspossibletoassume：
\"Ihaveheardfrommysonthismorning。Hetalksofbeingorderedhome，andtellsmeImayexpecttoseehimbeforetheendoftheyear。\"
Iwastoocautioustomentiontheexactdateofhisreturn，forinthatcaseshemighthavedetectedmymotiveforaskinghertoprolonghervisit。
\"Oh，indeed？\"shesaid。\"Howverynice。Howgladyoumustbe。\"
Iwatchedhernarrowly。Theclear，darkblueeyesmetmineasopenlyasever。Thesmooth，roundcheekskepttheirfreshcolorquiteunchanged。Thefull，good—humored，smilinglipsnevertrembledoralteredtheirexpressionintheslightestdegree。Herlightcheckedsilkdress，withitsprettytrimmingofcherry—coloredribbon，layquitestilloverthebosombeneathit。
ForalltheinformationIcouldgetfromherlookandmanner，wemightaswellhavebeenahundredmilesapartfromeachother。Isthebestwomanintheworldlittlebetterthanafathomlessabyssofduplicityoncertainoccasions，andwherecertainfeelingsofherownareconcerned？Iwouldrathernotthinkthat；andyetI
don’tknowhowtoaccountotherwiseforthemasterlymannerinwhichMissJessiecontrivedtobaffleme。
Iwasafraid——literallyafraid——tobroachthesubjectofprolonginghersojournwithusonarainyday，soIchangedthetopic，indespair，tothenovelsthatwerescatteredabouther。
\"Canyoufindnothingthere，\"Iasked，\"toamuseyouthiswetmorning？\"
\"Therearetwoorthreegoodnovels，\"shesaid，carelessly，\"butIreadthembeforeIleftLondon。\"
\"Andtheotherswon’tevendoforadulldayinthecountry？\"I
wenton。
\"Theymightdoforsomepeople，\"sheanswered，\"butnotforme。
I’mratherpeculiar，perhaps，inmytastes。I’msicktodeathofnovelswithanearnestpurpose。I’msicktodeathofoutburstsofeloquence，andlarge—mindedphilanthropy，andgraphicdescriptions，andunsparinganatomyofthehumanheart，andallthatsortofthing。Goodgraciousme！isn’tittheoriginalintentionorpurpose，orwhateveryoucallit，ofaworkoffiction，tosetoutdistinctlybytellingastory？Andhowmanyofthesebooks，Ishouldliketoknow，dothat？Why，sofarastellingastoryisconcerned，thegreaterpartofthemmightaswellbesermonsasnovels。Oh，dearme！whatIwantissomethingthatseizesholdofmyinterest，andmakesmeforgetwhenitistimetodressfordinner——somethingthatkeepsmereading，reading，reading，inabreathlessstatetofindouttheend。YouknowwhatImean——atleastyouought。Why，therewasthatlittlechancestoryyoutoldmeyesterdayinthegarden——don’tyouremember？——aboutyourstrangeclient，whomyouneversawagain：I
declareitwasmuchmoreinterestingthanhalfthesenovels，_because_itwasastory。Tellmeanotheraboutyouryoungdays，whenyouwereseeingtheworld，andmeetingwithallsortsofremarkablepeople。Or，no——don’ttellitnow——keepittilltheevening，whenweallwantsomethingtostirusup。Youoldpeoplemightamuseusyoungonesoutofyourownresourcesoftenerthanyoudo。Itwasverykindofyoutogetmethesebooks；but，withallrespecttothem，Iwouldratherhavetherummagingofyourmemorythantherummagingofthisbox。What’sthematter？AreyouafraidIhavefoundoutthewindowinyourbosomalready？\"
Ihadhalfrisenfrommychairatherlastwords，andIfeltthatmyfacemusthaveflushedatthesamemoment。Shehadstartedanideainmymind——theveryideaofwhichIhadbeeninsearchwhenIwasponderingoverthebestmeansofamusingherinthelongautumnevenings。
IparriedherquestionsbythebestexcusesIcouldoffer；
changedtheconversationforthenextfiveminutes，andthen，makingasuddenremembranceofbusinessmyapologyforleavingher，hastilywithdrewtodevotemyselftothenewideainthesolitudeofmyownroom。
AlittlequietthinkingconvincedmethatIhaddiscoveredameansnotonlyofoccupyingheridletime，butofdecoyingherintostayingonwithus，eveningbyevening，untilmyson’sreturn。Thenewprojectwhichshehadherselfunconsciouslysuggestedinvolvednothinglessthanactingforthwithonherownchancehint，andappealingtoherinterestandcuriositybytherecitalofincidentsandadventuresdrawnfrommyownpersonalexperienceand（ifIcouldgetthemtohelpme）fromtheexperienceofmybrothersaswell。StrangepeopleandstartlingeventshadconnectedthemselveswithOwen’spastlifeasaclergyman，withMorgan’spastlifeasadoctor，andwithmypastlifeasalawyer，whichofferedelementsofinterestofastrongandstrikingkindreadytoourhands。Ifthesenarrativeswerewrittenplainlyandunpretendingly；ifoneofthemwasreadeveryevening，undercircumstancesthatshouldpiquethecuriosityandimpresstheimaginationofouryoungguest，theveryoccupationwasfoundforherwearyhourswhichwouldgratifyhertastes，appealtohernaturalinterestintheearlylivesofmybrothersandmyself，andlureherinsensiblyintoprolonginghervisitbytendayswithoutexcitingasuspicionofourrealmotivefordetainingher。
Isatdownatmydesk；Ihidmyfaceinmyhandstokeepoutallimpressionsofexternalandpresentthings；andIsearchedbackthroughthemysteriouslabyrinthofthePast，throughthedun，ever—deepeningtwilightoftheyearsthatweregone。