wasstillpuzzlingmybrains，andmakingmyheadswimtonopurpose，whenIheardthemendraggingsomethingoutoftheshed。
Atthesameinstantthatthenoisecaughtmyear，theremembranceflashedacrossmelikelightningofsomebeamsofwoodwhichhadlainintheshedforyearspast。IhadhardlytimetofeelcertainthattheywereremovingoneofthesebeamsbeforeIheardShiftyDicksaytoJerry。
\"Whichdoor？\"
\"Thefront，\"wastheanswer。\"We’vecrackeditalready；we’llhaveitdownnowinnotime。\"
Senseslesssharpenedbydangerthanminewouldhaveunderstoodbuttooeasily，fromthesewords，thattheywereabouttousethebeamasabattering—ramagainstthedoor。Whenthatconvictionovercameme，Ilostcourageatlast。Ifeltthatthedoormustcomedown。NosuchbarricadeasIhadconstructedcouldsupportitformorethanafewminutesagainstsuchshocksasitwasnowtoreceive。
\"Icandonomoretokeepthehouseagainstthem，\"Isaidtomyself，withmykneesknockingtogether，andthetearsatlastbeginningtowetmycheeks。\"Imusttrusttothenightandthethickdarkness，andsavemylifebyrunningforitwhilethereisyettime。\"
Ihuddledonmycloakandhood，andhadmyhandonthebarofthebackdoor，whenapiteousmewfromthebedroomremindedmeoftheexistenceofpoorPussy。Iranin，andhuddledthecreatureupinmyapron。BeforeIwasoutinthepassageagain，thefirstshockfromthebeamfellonthedoor。
Theupperhingegaveway。Thechairsandcoal—scuttle，formingthetopofmybarricade，werehurled，rattling，ontothefloor，butthelowerhingeofthedoor，andthechestofdrawersandthetool—cheststillkepttheirplaces。
\"Onemore！\"Iheardthevillainscry——\"onemorerunwiththebeam，anddownitcomes！\"
Justastheymusthavebeenstartingforthat\"onemorerun，\"I
openedthebackdoorandfledintothenight，withthebookfulofbanknotesinmybosom，thesilverspoonsinmypocket，andthecatinmyarms。Ithreadedmywayeasilyenoughthroughthefamiliarobstaclesinthebackyard，andwasoutinthepitchdarknessofthemoorbeforeIheardthesecondshock，andthecrashwhichtoldmethatthewholedoorhadgivenway。
Inafewminutestheymusthavediscoveredthefactofmyflightwiththepocketbook，forIheardshoutsinthedistanceasiftheywererunningouttopursueme。Ikeptonatthetopofmyspeed，andthenoisesoondiedaway。Itwassodarkthattwentythievesinsteadoftwowouldhavefoundituselesstofollowme。
HowlongitwasbeforeIreachedthefarmhouse——thenearestplacetowhichIcouldflyforrefuge——Icannottellyou。IrememberthatIhadjustsenseenoughtokeepthewindatmyback（havingobservedinthebeginningoftheeveningthatitblewtowardMoorFarm），andtogoonresolutelythroughthedarkness。InallotherrespectsIwasbythistimehalfcrazedbywhatIhadgonethrough。IfithadsohappenedthatthewindhadchangedafterI
hadobserveditsdirectionearlyintheevening，Ishouldhavegoneastray，andhaveprobablyperishedoffatigueandexposureonthemoor。Providentially，itstillblewsteadilyasithadblownforhourspast，andIreachedthefarmhousewithmyclotheswetthrough，andmybraininahighfever。WhenImademyalarmatthedoor，theyhadallgonetobedbutthefarmer’seldestson，whowassittinguplateoverhispipeandnewspaper。Ijustmusteredstrengthenoughtogaspoutafewwords，tellinghimwhatwasthematter，andthenfelldownathisfeet，forthefirsttimeinmylifeinadeadswoon。
Thatswoonwasfollowedbyasevereillness。WhenIgotstrongenoughtolookaboutmeagain，Ifoundmyselfinoneofthefarmhousebeds——myfather，Mrs。Knifton，andthedoctorwereallintheroom——mycatwasasleepatmyfeet，andthepocketbookthatIhadsavedlayonthetablebymyside。
TherewasplentyofnewsformetohearassoonasIwasfittolistentoit。ShiftyDickandtheotherrascalhadbeencaught，andwereinprison，waitingtheirtrialatthenextassizes。Mr。
andMrs。KniftonhadbeensoshockedatthedangerIhadrun——forwhichtheyblamedtheirownwantofthoughtfulnessinleavingthepocketbookinmycare——thattheyhadinsistedonmyfather’sremovingfromourlonelyhometoacottageontheirland，whichweweretoinhabitrentfree。Thebank—notesthatIhadsavedweregiventometobuyfurniturewith，inplaceofthethingsthatthethieveshadbroken。Thesepleasanttidingsassistedsogreatlyinpromotingmyrecovery，thatIwassoonabletorelatetomyfriendsatthefarmhousetheparticularsthatIhavewrittenhere。Theywereallsurprisedandinterested，butnoone，asIthought，listenedtomewithsuchbreathlessattentionasthefarmer’seldestson。Mrs。Kniftonnoticedthistoo，andbegantomakejokesaboutit，inherlight—heartedway，assoonaswewerealone。Ithoughtlittleofherjestingatthetime；butwhenIgotwell，andwewenttoliveatournewhome，\"theyoungfarmer，\"ashewascalledinourparts，constantlycametoseeus，andconstantlymanagedtomeetmeoutofdoors。Ihadmyshareofvanity，likeotheryoungwomen，andIbegantothinkofMrs。Knifton’sjokeswithsomeattention。Tobebrief，theyoungfarmermanagedoneSunday——Inevercouldtellhow——tolosehiswaywithmeinreturningfromchurch，andbeforewefoundouttherightroadhomeagainhehadaskedmetobehiswife。
Hisrelationsdidalltheycouldtokeepusasunderandbreakoffthematch，thinkingapoorstonemason’sdaughternofitwifeforaprosperousyeoman。Butthefarmerwastooobstinateforthem。
Hehadoneformofanswertoalltheirobjections。\"Aman，ifheisworththename，marriesaccordingtohisownnotions，andtopleasehimself，\"heusedtosay。\"Mynotionis，thatwhenItakeawifeIamplacingmycharacterandmyhappiness——themostpreciousthingsIhavetotrust——inonewoman’scare。ThewomanI
meantomarryhadasmallchargeconfidedtohercare，andshowedherselfworthyofitattheriskofherlife。ThatisproofenoughformethatsheisworthyofthegreatestchargeIcanputintoherhands。Rankandrichesarefinethings，butthecertaintyofgettingagoodwifeissomethingbetterstill。I’mofage，Iknowmyownmind，andImeantomarrythestone—mason’sdaughter。\"
Andhedidmarryme。WhetherIprovedmyselfworthyornotofhisgoodopinionisaquestionwhichImustleaveyoutoaskmyhusband。AllthatIhadtorelateaboutmyselfandmydoingsisnowtold。Whateverinterestmyperilousadventuremayexcite，ends，Iamwellaware，withmyescapetothefarmhouse。Ihaveonlyventuredonwritingthesefewadditionalsentencesbecausemymarriageisthemoralofmystory。Ithasbroughtmethechoicestblessingsofhappinessandprosperity，andIowethemalltomynight—adventurein_TheBlackCottage_。
THESECONDDAY。
ACLEAR，cloudless，bracingautumnmorning。Irosegayly，withthepleasantconvictiononmymindthatourexperimenthadthusfarbeensuccessfulbeyondourhopes。
Shortandslightasthefirststoryhadbeen，theresultofitonJessie’smindhadprovedconclusive。BeforeIcouldputthequestiontoher，shedeclaredofherownaccord，andwithhercustomaryexaggeration，thatshehaddefinitelyabandonedallideaofwritingtoherauntuntilourcollectionofnarrativeswasexhausted。
\"Iaminafeverofcuriosityaboutwhatistocome，\"shesaid，whenweallpartedforthenight；\"and，evenifIwantedtoleaveyou，Icouldnotpossiblygoawaynow，withouthearingthestoriestotheend。\"
Sofar，sogood。AllmyanxietiesfromthistimewereforGeorge’sreturn。Againto—dayIsearchedthenewspapers，andagaintherewerenotidingsoftheship。
MissJessieoccupiedtheseconddaybyadrivetoourcountytowntomakesomelittlepurchases。Owen，andMorgan，andIwereallhardatwork，duringherabsence，onthestoriesthatstillremainedtobecompleted。Owendespondedaboutevergettingdone；
Morgangrumbledatwhathecalledtheabsurddifficultyofwritingnonsense。Iworkedonsmoothlyandcontentedly，stimulatedbythesuccessofthefirstnight。
Weassembledasbeforeinourguest’ssitting—room。Astheclockstruckeightshedrewoutthesecondcard。ItwasNumberTwo。Thelothadfallenonmetoreadnext。
\"Althoughmystoryistoldinthefirstperson，\"Isaid，addressingJessie，\"youmustnotsupposethattheeventsrelatedinthisparticularcasehappenedtome。Theyhappenedtoafriendofmine，whonaturallydescribedthemtomefromhisownpersonalpointofview。Inproducingmynarrativefromtherecollectionofwhathetoldmesomeyearssince，Ihavesupposedmyselftobelisteningtohimagain，andhavethereforewritteninhischaracter，and，whenevermymemorywouldhelpme，asnearlyaspossibleinhislanguagealso。BythismeansIhopeIhavesucceededingivinganairofrealitytoastorywhichhastruth，atanyrate，torecommendit。ImustaskyoutoexcusemeifI
enterintonodetailsinofferingthisshortexplanation。
Althoughthepersonsconcernedinmynarrativehaveceasedtoexist，itisnecessarytoobserveallduedelicacytowardtheirmemories。Whotheywere，andhowIbecameacquaintedwiththem，aremattersofnomoment。Theinterestofthestory，suchasitis，standsinnoneed，inthisinstance，ofanyassistancefrompersonalexplanations。\"
WiththosewordsIaddressedmyselftomytask，andreadasfollows：
BROTHERGRIFFITH’SSTORY
ofTHEFAMILYSECRET。
CHAPTERI。
WASitanEnglishmanoraFrenchmanwhofirstremarkedthateveryfamilyhadaskeletoninitscupboard？Iamnotlearnedenoughtoknow，butIreverencetheobservation，whoevermadeit。Itspeaksastartlingtruththroughanappropriatelygrimmetaphor——atruthwhichIhavediscoveredbypracticalexperience。Ourfamilyhadaskeletoninthecupboard，andthenameofitwasUncleGeorge。
Iarrivedattheknowledgethatthisskeletonexisted，andI
tracedittotheparticularcupboardinwhichitwashidden，byslowdegrees。IwasachildwhenIfirstbegantosuspectthattherewassuchathing，andagrownmanwhenIatlastdiscoveredthatmysuspicionsweretrue。
Myfatherwasadoctor，havinganexcellentpracticeinalargecountrytown。Ihaveheardthathemarriedagainstthewishesofhisfamily。Theycouldnotobjecttomymotheronthescoreofbirth，breeding，orcharacter——theyonlydislikedherheartily。
Mygrandfather，grandmother，uncles，andauntsalldeclaredthatshewasaheartless，deceitfulwoman；alldislikedhermanners，heropinions，andeventheexpressionofherface——all，withtheexceptionofmyfather’syoungestbrother，George。
Georgewastheunluckymemberofourfamily。Therestwereallclever；hewasslowincapacity。Therestwereallremarkablyhandsome；hewasthesortofmanthatnowomaneverlooksattwice。Therestsucceededinlife；hefailed。Hisprofessionwasthesameasmyfather’s，buthenevergotonwhenhestartedinpracticeforhimself。Thesickpoor，whocouldnotchoose，employedhim，andlikedhim。Thesickrich，whocould——especiallytheladies——declinedtocallhiminwhentheycouldgetanybodyelse。Inexperiencehegainedgreatlybyhisprofession；inmoneyandreputationhegainednothing。
Thereareveryfewofus，howeverdullandunattractivewemaybetooutwardappearance，whohavenotsomestrongpassion，somegermofwhatiscalledromance，hiddenmoreorlessdeeplyinournatures。AllthepassionandromanceinthenatureofmyUncleGeorgelayinhisloveandadmirationformyfather。
Hesincerelyworshippedhiseldestbrotherasoneofthenoblestofhumanbeings。Whenmyfatherwasengagedtobemarried，andwhentherestofthefamily，asIhavealreadymentioned，didnothesitatetoexpresstheirunfavorableopinionofthedispositionofhischosenwife，UncleGeorge，whohadneverventuredondifferingwithanyonebefore，totheamazementofeverybody，undertookthedefenseofhisfuturesister—in—lawinthemostvehementandpositivemanner。Inhisestimation，hisbrother’schoicewassomethingsacredandindisputable。Theladymight，anddid，treathimwithunconcealedcontempt，laughathisawkwardness，growimpatientathisstammering——itmadenodifferencetoUncleGeorge。Shewastobehisbrother’swife，and，invirtueofthatonegreatfact，shebecame，intheestimationofthepoorsurgeon，averyqueen，who，bythelawsofthedomesticconstitution，coulddonowrong。
Whenmyfatherhadbeenmarriedalittlewhile，hetookhisyoungestbrothertolivewithhimashisassistant。
IfUncleGeorgehadbeenmadepresidentoftheCollegeofSurgeons，hecouldnothavebeenprouderandhappierthanhewasinhisnewposition。Iamafraidmyfatherneverunderstoodthedepthofhisbrother’saffectionforhim。AllthehardworkfelltoGeorge’sshare：thelongjourneysatnight，thephysickingofwearisomepoorpeople，thedrunkencases，therevoltingcases——allthedrudging，dirtybusinessofthesurgery，inshort，wasturnedovertohim；anddayafterday，monthaftermonth，hestruggledthroughitwithoutamurmur。Whenhisbrotherandhissister—in—lawwentouttodinewiththecountygentry，itneverenteredhisheadtofeeldisappointedatbeingleftunnoticedathome。Whenthereturndinnersweregiven，andhewasaskedtocomeinattea—time，andlefttositunregardedinacorner，itneveroccurredtohimtoimaginethathewastreatedwithanywantofconsiderationorrespect。Hewaspartofthefurnitureofthehouse，anditwasthebusinessaswellasthepleasureofhislifetoturnhimselftoanyusetowhichhisbrothermightpleasetoputhim。
SomuchforwhatIhaveheardfromothersonthesubjectofmyUncleGeorge。MyownpersonalexperienceofhimislimitedtowhatIrememberasamerechild。Letmesaysomething，however，firstaboutmyparents，mysisterandmyself。
Mysisterwastheeldestbornandthebestloved。Ididnotcomeintotheworldtillfouryearsafterherbirth，andnootherchildfollowedme。Caroline，fromherearliestdays，wastheperfectionofbeautyandhealth。Iwassmall，weakly，and，ifthetruthmustbetold，almostasplain—featuredasUncleGeorgehimself。Itwouldbeungraciousandundutifulinmetopresumetodecidewhethertherewasanyfoundationornotforthedislikethatmyfather’sfamilyalwaysfeltformymother。AllIcanventuretosayis，thatherchildrenneverhadanycausetocomplainofher。
Herpassionateaffectionformysister，herprideinthechild’sbeauty，Irememberwell，asalsoheruniformkindnessandindulgencetowardme。Mypersonaldefectsmusthavebeenasoretrialtoherinsecret，butneithershenormyfatherevershowedmethattheyperceivedanydifferencebetweenCarolineandmyself。Whenpresentsweremadetomysister，presentsweremadetome。Whenmyfatherandmothercaughtmysisterupintheirarmsandkissedhertheyscrupulouslygavememyturnafterward。
Mychildishinstincttoldmethattherewasadifferenceintheirsmileswhentheylookedatmeandlookedather；thatthekissesgiventoCarolinewerewarmerthanthekissesgiventome；thatthehandswhichdriedhertearsinourchildishgriefs，touchedhermoregentlythanthehandswhichdriedmine。Butthese，andothersmallsignsofpreferencelikethem，weresuchasnoparentscouldbeexpectedtocontrol。Inoticedthematthetimeratherwithwonderthanwithrepining。Irecallthemnowwithoutaharshthoughteithertowardmyfatherormymother。Bothlovedme，andbothdidtheirdutybyme。IfIseemtospeakconstrainedlyofthemhere，itisnotonmyownaccount。Icanhonestlysaythat，withallmyheartandsoul。
EvenUncleGeorge，fondashewasofme，wasfonderofmybeautifulchild—sister。
WhenIusedmischievouslytopullathislank，scantyhair，hewouldgentlyandlaughinglytakeitoutofmyhands，buthewouldletCarolinetugatittillhisdim，wanderinggrayeyeswinkedandwateredagainwithpain。Heusedtoplungeperilouslyaboutthegarden，inawkwardimitationofthecanteringofahorse，whileIsatonhisshoulders；buthewouldneverproceedatanypacebeyondaslowandsafewalkwhenCarolinehadarideinherturn。Whenhetookusoutwalking，Carolinewasalwaysonthesidenextthewall。Whenweinterruptedhimoverhisdirtyworkinthesurgery，heusedtotellmetogoandplayuntilhewasreadyforme；buthewouldputdownhisbottles，andcleanhisclumsyfingersonhiscoarseapron，andleadCarolineoutagain，asifshehadbeenthegreatestladyintheland。Ah！howhelovedher！and，letmebehonestandgrateful，andadd，howhelovedme，too！
WhenIwaseightyearsoldandCarolinewastwelve，Iwasseparatedfromhomeforsometime。Ihadbeenailingformanymonthspreviously；hadgotbenefitfrombeingtakentothesea—side，andhadshownsymptomsofrelapsingonbeingbroughthomeagaintothemidlandcountyinwhichweresided。Aftermuchconsultation，itwasatlastresolvedthatIshouldbesenttolive，untilmyconstitutiongotstronger，withamaidensisterofmymother’s，whohadahouseatawatering—placeonthesouthcoast。
Ilefthome，Iremember，loadedwithpresents，rejoicingovertheprospectoflookingattheseaagain，ascarelessofthefutureandashappyinthepresentasanyboycouldbe。UncleGeorgepetitionedforaholidaytotakemetotheseaside，buthecouldnotbesparedfromthesurgery。Heconsoledhimselfandmebypromisingtomakemeamagnificentmodelofaship。
IhavethatmodelbeforemyeyesnowwhileIwrite。Itisdustywithage；thepaintonitiscracked；theropesaretangled；thesailsaremoth—eatenandyellow。Thehullisalloutofproportion，andtherighasbeensmiledatbyeverynauticalfriendofminewhohaseverlookedatit。Yet，worn—outandfaultyasitis——inferiortothecheapestminiaturevesselnowadaysinanytoy—shopwindow——IhardlyknowapossessionofmineinthisworldthatIwouldnotsoonerpartwiththanUncleGeorge’sship。
Mylifeatthesea—sidewasaveryhappyone。Iremainedwithmyauntmorethanayear。MymotheroftencametoseehowIwasgoingon，andatfirstalwaysbroughtmysisterwithher；butduringthelasteightmonthsofmystayCarolineneveronceappeared。Inoticedalso，atthesameperiod，achangeinmymother’smanner。Shelookedpalerandmoreanxiousateachsucceedingvisit，andalwayshadlongconferencesinprivatewithmyaunt。Atlastsheceasedtocomeandseeusaltogether，andonlywrotetoknowhowmyhealthwasgettingon。Myfather，too，whohadattheearlierperiodsofmyabsencefromhometraveledtothesea—sidetowatchtheprogressofmyrecoveryasoftenashisprofessionalengagementswouldpermit，nowkeptawaylikemymother。EvenUncleGeorge，whohadneverbeenallowedaholidaytocomeandseeme，butwhohadhithertooftenwrittenandbeggedmetowritetohim，brokeoffourcorrespondence。
Iwasnaturallyperplexedandamazedbythesechanges，andpersecutedmyaunttotellmethereasonofthem。Atfirstshetriedtoputmeoffwithexcuses；thensheadmittedthattherewastroubleinourhouse；andfinallysheconfessedthatthetroublewascausedbytheillnessofmysister。WhenIinquiredwhatthatillnesswas，myauntsaiditwasuselesstoattempttoexplainittome。Inextappliedtotheservants。Oneofthemwaslesscautiousthanmyaunt，andansweredmyquestion，butintermsthatIcouldnotcomprehend。Aftermuchexplanation，Iwasmadetounderstandthat\"somethingwasgrowingonmysister’sneckthatwouldspoilherbeautyforever，andperhapskillher，ifitcouldnotbegotridof。\"HowwellIremembertheshudderofhorrorthatranthroughmeatthevagueideaofthisdeadly\"something\"！Afearful，awe—struckcuriositytoseewhatCaroline’sillnesswaswithmyowneyestroubledmyinmostheart，andIbeggedtobeallowedtogohomeandhelptonurseher。Therequestwas，itisalmostneedlesstosay，refused。
Weekspassedaway，andstillIheardnothing，exceptthatmysistercontinuedtobeill。OnedayIprivatelywrotealettertoUncleGeorge，askinghim，inmychildishway，tocomeandtellmeaboutCaroline’sillness。
Iknewwherethepost—officewas，andslippedoutinthemorningunobservedanddroppedmyletterinthebox。Istolehomeagainbythegarden，andclimbedinatthewindowofabackparloronthegroundfloor。Theroomabovewasmyaunt’sbedchamber，andthemomentIwasinsidethehouseIheardmoansandloudconvulsivesobsproceedingfromit。Myauntwasasingularlyquiet，composedwoman。Icouldnotimaginethattheloudsobbingandmoaningcamefromher，andIrandownterrifiedintothekitchentoasktheservantswhowascryingsoviolentlyinmyaunt’sroom。
Ifoundthehousemaidandthecooktalkingtogetherinwhisperswithseriousfaces。TheystartedwhentheysawmeasifIhadbeenagrown—upmasterwhohadcaughtthemneglectingtheirwork。
\"He’stooyoungtofeelitmuch，\"Iheardonesaytotheother。
\"Sofarasheisconcerned，itseemslikeamercythatithappenednolater。\"
Inafewminutestheyhadtoldmetheworst。Itwasindeedmyauntwhohadbeencryinginthebedroom。Carolinewasdead。
Ifelttheblowmoreseverelythantheservantsoranyoneelseaboutmesupposed。StillIwasachildinyears，andIhadtheblessedelasticityofachild’snature。IfIhadbeenolderI
mighthavebeentoomuchabsorbedingrieftoobservemyauntsocloselyasIdid，whenshewascomposedenoughtoseemelaterintheday。
Iwasnotsurprisedbytheswollenstateofhereyes，thepalenessofhercheeks，orthefreshburstoftearsthatcamefromherwhenshetookmeinherarmsatmeeting。ButIwasbothamazedandperplexedbythelookofterrorthatIdetectedinherface。Itwasnaturalenoughthatsheshouldgrieveandweepovermysister’sdeath，butwhyshouldshehavethatfrightenedlookasifsomeothercatastrophehadhappened？
IaskediftherewasanymoredreadfulnewsfromhomebesidesthenewsofCaroline’sdeath。
Myaunt，saidNoinastrange，stifledvoice，andsuddenlyturnedherfacefromme。Wasmyfatherdead？No。Mymother？No。UncleGeorge？MyaunttrembledalloverasshesaidNotothatalso，andbademeceaseaskinganymorequestions。Shewasnotfittobearthemyetshesaid，andsignedtotheservanttoleadmeoutoftheroom。
ThenextdayIwastoldthatIwastogohomeafterthefuneral，andwastakenouttowardeveningbythehousemaid，partlyforawalk，partlytobemeasuredformymourningclothes。Afterwehadleftthetailor’s，Ipersuadedthegirltoextendourwalkforsomedistancealongthesea—beach，tellingher，aswewent，everylittleanecdoteconnectedwithmylostsisterthatcametenderlybacktomymemoryinthosefirstdaysofsorrow。ShewassointerestedinhearingandIinspeakingthatweletthesungodownbeforewethoughtofturningback。
Theeveningwascloudy，anditgotonfromdusktodarkbythetimeweapproachedthetownagain。Thehousemaidwasrathernervousatfindingherselfalonewithmeonthebeach，andonceortwicelookedbehindherdistrustfullyaswewenton。Suddenlyshesqueezedmyhandhard，andsaid：
\"Let’sgetuponthecliffasfastaswecan。\"
ThewordswerehardlyoutofhermouthbeforeIheardfootstepsbehindme——amancameroundquicklytomyside，snatchedmeawayfromthegirl，and，catchingmeupinhisarmswithoutaword，coveredmyfacewithkisses。Iknewhewascrying，becausemycheekswereinstantlywetwithhistears；butitwastoodarkformetoseewhohewas，orevenhowhewasdressed。Hedidnot，I
shouldthink，holdmehalfaminuteinhisarms。Thehousemaidscreamedforhelp。Iwasputdowngentlyonthesand，andthestrangemaninstantlydisappearedinthedarkness。
Whenthisextraordinaryadventurewasrelatedtomyaunt，sheseemedatfirstmerelybewilderedathearingofit；butinamomentmoretherecameachangeoverherface，asifshehadsuddenlyrecollectedorthoughtofsomething。Sheturneddeadlypale，andsaid，inahurriedway，veryunusualwithher：
\"Nevermind；don’ttalkaboutitanymore。Itwasonlyamischievoustricktofrightenyou，Idaresay。Forgetallaboutit，mydear——forgetallaboutit。\"
Itwaseasiertogivethisadvicethantomakemefollowit。Formanynightsafter，Ithoughtofnothingbutthestrangemanwhohadkissedmeandcriedoverme。
Whocouldhebe？Somebodywholovedmeverymuch，andwhowasverysorry。Mychildishlogiccarriedmetothatlength。ButwhenItriedtothinkoverallthegrown—upgentlemenwholovedmeverymuch，Icouldnevergeton，tomyownsatisfaction，beyondmyfatherandmyUncleGeorge。
CHAPTERII。
Iwastakenhomeontheappointeddaytosufferthetrial——ahardoneevenatmytenderyears——ofwitnessingmymother’spassionategriefandmyfather’smutedespair。IrememberthatthesceneofourfirstmeetingafterCaroline’sdeathwaswiselyandconsideratelyshortenedbymyaunt，whotookmeoutoftheroom。