Master’soutforhalfanhour，andItoldherIwasn’tallowedtosellpoisontostrangersinhisabsence。Shelaughedinaqueerway，andsaidshewouldcomebackinhalfanhour。Ifsheexpectsmastertoserveher，Ithinkshe’llbedisappointed。It’sacaseofsuicide，sir，ifevertherewasoneyet。\"
ThesewordsaddedimmeasurablytothesuddeninterestinthewomanwhichIsaachadfeltatthefirstsightofherface。Afterhehadgotthemedicine—bottlefilled，helookedaboutanxiouslyforherassoonashewasoutinthestreet。Shewaswalkingslowlyupanddownontheoppositesideoftheroad。Withhisheart，verymuchtohisownsurprise，beatingfast，Isaaccrossedoverandspoketoher。
Heaskedifshewasinanydistress。Shepointedtohertornshawl，herscantydress，hercrushed，dirtybonnet；thenmovedunderalampsoastoletthelightfallonherstern，pale，butstillmostbeautifulface。
\"Ilooklikeacomfortable，happywoman，don’tI？\"shesaid，withabitterlaugh。
ShespokewithapurityofintonationwhichIsaachadneverheardbeforefromotherthanladies’lips。Herslightestactionsseemedtohavetheeasy，negligentgraceofathoroughbredwoman。Herskin，forallitspoverty—strickenpaleness，wasasdelicateasifherlifehadbeenpassedintheenjoymentofeverysocialcomfortthatwealthcanpurchase。Evenhersmall，finely—shapedhands，glovelessastheywere，hadnotlosttheirwhiteness。
Littlebylittle，inanswertohisquestions，thesadstoryofthewomancameout。Thereisnoneedtorelateithere；itistoldoverandoveragaininpolicereportsandparagraphsaboutattemptedsuicides。
\"MynameisRebeccaMurdoch，\"saidthewoman，assheended。\"I
havenine—penceleft，andIthoughtofspendingitatthechemist’soverthewayinsecuringapassagetotheotherworld。
Whateveritis，itcan’tbeworsetomethanthis，sowhyshouldIstophere？\"
Besidesthenaturalcompassionandsadnessmovedinhisheartbywhatheheard，Isaacfeltwithinhimsomemysteriousinfluenceatworkallthetimethewomanwasspeakingwhichutterlyconfusedhisideasandalmostdeprivedhimofhispowersofspeech。Allthathecouldsayinanswertoherlastrecklesswordswasthathewouldpreventherfromattemptingherownlife，ifhefollowedheraboutallnighttodoit。Hisrough，tremblingearnestnessseemedtoimpressher。
\"Iwon’toccasionyouthattrouble，\"sheanswered，whenherepeatedhisthreat。\"Youhavegivenmeafancyforlivingbyspeakingkindlytome。Noneedforthemockeryofprotestationsandpromises。Youmaybelievemewithoutthem。CometoFuller’sMeadowto—morrowattwelve，andyouwillfindmealive，toanswerformyself——No！——nomoney。Myninepencewilldotogetmeasgoodanight’slodgingasIwant。\"
Shenoddedandlefthim。Hemadenoattempttofollow——hefeltnosuspicionthatshewasdeceivinghim。
\"It’sstrange，butIcan’thelpbelievingher，\"hesaidtohimself，andwalkedaway，bewildered，towardhome。
Onenteringthehouse，hismindwasstillsocompletelyabsorbedbyitsnewsubjectofinterestthathetooknonoticeofwhathismotherwasdoingwhenhecameinwiththebottleofmedicine。Shehadopenedheroldwriting—deskinhisabsence，andwasnowreadingapaperattentivelythatlayinsideit。OneverybirthdayofIsaac’ssinceshehadwrittendowntheparticularsofhisdreamfromhisownlips，shehadbeenaccustomedtoreadthatsamepaper，andponderoveritinprivate。
ThenextdayhewenttoFuller’sMeadow。
Hehaddoneonlyrightinbelievinghersoimplicitly。Shewasthere，punctualtoaminute，toanswerforherself。Thelast—leftfaintdefensesinIsaac’sheartagainstthefascinationwhichawordorlookfromherbeganinscrutablytoexerciseoverhimsankdownandvanishedbeforeherforeveronthatmemorablemorning。
Whenaman，previouslyinsensibletotheinfluenceofwomen，formsanattachmentinmiddlelife，theinstancesarerareindeed，letthewarningcircumstancesbewhattheymay，inwhichheisfoundcapableoffreeinghimselffromthetyrannyofthenewrulingpassion。Thecharmofbeingspokentofamiliarly，fondly，andgratefullybyawomanwhoselanguageandmannersstillretainedenoughoftheirearlyrefinementtohintatthehighsocialstationthatshehadlost，wouldhavebeenadangerousluxurytoamanofIsaac’srankattheageoftwenty。
Butitwasfarmorethanthat——itwascertainruintohim——nowthathisheartwasopeningunworthilytoanewinfluenceatthatmiddletimeoflifewhenstrongfeelingsofallkinds，onceimplanted，strikerootmoststubbornlyinaman’smoralnature。A
fewmorestoleninterviewsafterthatfirstmorninginFuller’sMeadowcompletedhisinfatuation。Inlessthanamonthfromthetimewhenhefirstmether，IsaacScatchardhadconsentedtogiveRebeccaMurdochanewinterestinexistence，andachanceofrecoveringthecharactershehadlostbypromisingtomakeherhiswife。
Shehadtakenpossession，notofhispassionsonly，butofhisfacultiesaswell。Allthemindhehadheputintoherkeeping。
Shedirectedhimoneverypoint——eveninstructinghimhowtobreakthenewsofhisapproachingmarriageinthesafestmannertohismother。
\"IfyoutellherhowyoumetmeandwhoIamatfirst，\"saidthecunningwoman，\"shewillmoveheavenandearthtopreventourmarriage。Saylamthesisterofoneofyourfellow—servants——askhertoseemebeforeyougointoanymoreparticulars——andleaveittometodotherest。Imeantomakeherlovemenextbesttoyou，Isaac，beforesheknowsanythingofwhoIreallyam。\"ThemotiveofthedeceitwassufficienttosanctifyittoIsaac。Thestratagemproposedrelievedhimofhisonegreatanxiety，andquietedhisuneasyconscienceonthesubjectofhismother。
Still，therewassomethingwantingtoperfecthishappiness，somethingthathecouldnotrealize，somethingmysteriouslyuntraceable，andyetsomethingthatperpetuallymadeitselffelt；
notwhenhewasabsentfromRebeccaMurdoch，but，strangetosay，whenhewasactuallyinherpresence！Shewaskindnessitselfwithhim。Shenevermadehimfeelhisinferiorcapacitiesandinferiormanners。Sheshowedthesweetestanxietytopleasehiminthesmallesttrifles；but，inspiteofalltheseattractions，henevercouldfeelquiteathiseasewithher。Attheirfirstmeeting，therehadmingledwithhisadmiration，whenhelookedinherface，afaint，involuntaryfeelingofdoubtwhetherthatfacewasentirelystrangetohim。Noafterfamiliarityhadtheslightesteffectonthisinexplicable，wearisomeuncertainty。
Concealingthetruthashehadbeendirected，heannouncedhismarriageengagementprecipitatelyandconfusedlytohismotheronthedaywhenhecontractedit。PoorMrs。Scatchardshowedherperfectconfidenceinhersonbyflingingherarmsroundhisneck，andgivinghimjoyofhavingfoundatlast，inthesisterofoneofhisfellow—servants，awomantocomfortandcareforhimafterhismotherwasgone。Shewasalleagernesstoseethewomanofherson’schoice，andthenextdaywasfixedfortheintroduction。
Itwasabrightsunnymorning，andthelittlecottageparlorwasfulloflightasMrs。Scatchard，happyandexpectant，dressedfortheoccasioninherSundaygown，satwaitingforhersonandherfuturedaughter—in—law。
Punctualtotheappointedtime，Isaachurriedlyandnervouslyledhispromisedwifeintotheroom。Hismotherrosetoreceiveher——advancedafewsteps，smiling——lookedRebeccafullintheeyes，andsuddenlystopped。Herface，whichhadbeenflushedthemomentbefore，turnedwhiteinaninstant；hereyeslosttheirexpressionofsoftnessandkindness，andassumedablanklookofterror；heroutstretchedhandsfelltohersides，andshestaggeredbackafewstepswithalowcrytoherson。
\"Isaac，\"shewhispered，clutchinghimfastbythearmwhenheaskedalarmedlyifshewastakenill，\"Isaac，doesthatwoman’sfaceremindyouofnothing？\"
Beforehecouldanswer——beforehecouldlookroundtowhereRebeccastood，astonishedandangeredbyherreception，atthelowerendoftheroom，hismotherpointedimpatientlytoherwriting—desk，andgavehimthekey。
\"Openit，\"shesaid，inaquickbreathlesswhisper。
\"Whatdoesthismean？WhyamItreatedasifIhadnobusinesshere？Doesyourmotherwanttoinsultme？\"askedRebecca，angrily。
\"Openit，andgivemethepaperintheleft—handdrawer。Quick！
quick，forHeaven’ssake！\"saidMrs。Scatchard，shrinkingfurtherbackinterror。
Isaacgaveherthepaper。Shelookeditovereagerlyforamoment，thenfollowedRebecca，whowasnowturningawayhaughtilytoleavetheroom，andcaughtherbytheshoulder——abruptlyraisedthelong，loosesleeveofhergown，andglancedatherhandandarm。SomethinglikefearbegantostealovertheangryexpressionofRebecca’sfaceassheshookherselffreefromtheoldwoman’sgrasp。\"Mad！\"shesaidtoherself；\"andIsaacnevertoldme。\"Withthesefewwordsshelefttheroom。
Isaacwashasteningafterherwhenhismotherturnedandstoppedhisfurtherprogress。Itwrunghishearttoseethemiseryandterrorinherfaceasshelookedathim。
\"Lightgrayeyes，\"shesaid，inlow，mournful，awe—strucktones，pointingtowardtheopendoor；\"adroopinthelefteyelid；
flaxenhair，withagold—yellowstreakinit；whitearms，withadownuponthem；littlelady’shand，withareddishlookunderthefingernails——TheDream—Woman，Isaac，theDream—Woman！\"
ThatfaintcleavingdoubtwhichhehadneverbeenabletoshakeoffinRebeccaMurdoch’spresencewasfatallysetatrestforever。Hehadseenherface，then，before——sevenyearsbefore，onhisbirthday，inthebedroomofthelonelyinn。
\"Bewarned！oh，myson，bewarned！Isaac，Isaac，lethergo，anddoyoustopwithme！\"
Somethingdarkenedtheparlorwindowasthosewordsweresaid。A
suddenchillranthroughhim，andheglancedsidelongattheshadow。RebeccaMurdochhadcomeback。Shewaspeeringincuriouslyatthemoverthelowwindow—blind。
\"Ihavepromisedtomarry，mother，\"hesaid，\"andmarryImust。\"
Thetearscameintohiseyesashespokeanddimmedhissight，buthecouldjustdiscernthefatalfaceoutsidemovingawayagainfromthewindow。
Hismother’sheadsanklower。
\"Areyoufaint？\"hewhispered。
\"Broken—hearted，Isaac。\"
Hestoopeddownandkissedher。Theshadow，ashedidso，returnedtothewindow，andthefatalfacepeeredincuriouslyoncemore。
CHAPTERIV。
THREEweeksafterthatdayIsaacandRebeccaweremanandwife。
Allthatwashopelesslydoggedandstubbornintheman’smoralnatureseemedtohaveclosedroundhisfatalpassion，andtohavefixeditunassailablyinhisheart。
AfterthatfirstinterviewinthecottageparlornoconsiderationwouldinduceMrs。Scatchardtoseeherson’swifeagainoreventotalkofherwhenIsaactriedhardtopleadhercauseaftertheirmarriage。
ThiscourseofconductwasnotinanydegreeoccasionedbyadiscoveryofthedegradationinwhichRebeccahadlived。Therewasnoquestionofthatbetweenmotherandson。Therewasnoquestionofanythingbutthefearfully—exactresemblancebetweentheliving，breathingwomanandthespecter—womanofIsaac’sdream。
Rebeccaonhersideneitherfeltnorexpressedtheslightestsorrowattheestrangementbetweenherselfandhermother—in—law。
Isaac，forthesakeofpeace，hadnevercontradictedherfirstideathatageandlongillnesshadaffectedMrs。Scatchard’smind。Heevenallowedhiswifetoupbraidhimfornothavingconfessedthistoheratthetimeoftheirmarriageengagement，ratherthanriskanythingbyhintingatthetruth。Thesacrificeofhisintegritybeforehisoneall—masteringdelusionseemedbutasmallthing，andcosthisconsciencebutlittleafterthesacrificeshehadalreadymade。
Thetimeofwakingfromthisdelusion——thecruelandtheruefultime——wasnotfaroff。Aftersomequietmonthsofmarriedlife，asthesummerwasending，andtheyearwasgettingontowardthemonthofhisbirthday，Isaacfoundhiswifealteringtowardhim。
Shegrewsullenandcontemptuous；sheformedacquaintancesofthemostdangerouskindindefianceofhisobjections，hisentreaties，andhiscommands；and，worstofall，shelearned，erelong，aftereveryfreshdifferencewithherhusband，toseekthedeadlyself—oblivionofdrink。Littlebylittle，afterthefirstmiserablediscoverythathiswifewaskeepingcompanywithdrunkards，theshockingcertaintyforceditselfonIsaacthatshehadgrowntobeadrunkardherself。
Hehadbeeninasadlydespondingstateforsometimebeforetheoccurrenceofthesedomesticcalamities。Hismother’shealth，ashecouldbuttooplainlydiscerneverytimehewenttoseeheratthecottage，wasfailingfast，andheupbraidedhimselfinsecretasthecauseofthebodilyandmentalsufferingsheendured。Whentohisremorseonhismother’saccountwasaddedtheshameandmiseryoccasionedbythediscoveryofhiswife’sdegradation，hesankunderthedoubletrial——hisfacebegantoalterfast，andhelookedwhathewas，aspirit—brokenman。
Hismother，stillstrugglingbravelyagainsttheillnessthatwashurryinghertothegrave，wasthefirsttonoticethesadalterationinhim，andthefirsttohearofhislastworsttroublewithhiswife。Shecouldonlyweepbitterlyonthedaywhenhemadehishumiliatingconfession，butonthenextoccasionwhenhewenttoseehershehadtakenaresolutioninreferencetohisdomesticafflictionswhichastonishedandevenalarmedhim。Hefoundherdressedtogoout，andonaskingthereasonreceivedthisanswer：
\"Iamnotlongforthisworld，Isaac，\"shesaid，\"andIshallnotfeeleasyonmydeath—bedunlessIhavedonemybesttothelasttomakemysonhappy。Imeantoputmyownfearsandmyownfeelingsoutofthequestion，andtogowithyoutoyourwife，andtrywhatIcandotoreclaimher。Givemeyourarm，Isaac，andletmedothelastthingIcaninthisworldtohelpmysonbeforeitistoolate。\"
Hecouldnotdisobeyher，andtheywalkedtogetherslowlytowardhismiserablehome。
Itwasonlyoneo’clockintheafternoonwhentheyreachedthecottagewherehelived。Itwastheirdinner—hour，andRebeccawasinthekitchen。Hewasthusabletotakehismotherquietlyintotheparlor，andthenpreparehiswifefortheinterview。Shehadfortunatelydrunkbutlittleatthatearlyhour，andshewaslesssullenandcapriciousthanusual。
Hereturnedtohismotherwithhismindtolerablyatease。Hiswifesoonfollowedhimintotheparlor，andthemeetingbetweenherandMrs。Scatchardpassedoffbetterthanhehadventuredtoanticipate，thoughheobservedwithsecretapprehensionthathismother，resolutelyasshecontrolledherselfinotherrespects，couldnotlookhiswifeinthefacewhenshespoketoher。Itwasarelieftohim，therefore，whenRebeccabegantolaythecloth。
Shelaidthecloth，broughtinthebread—tray，andcutaslicefromtheloafforherhusband，thenreturnedtothekitchen。Atthatmoment，Isaac，stillanxiouslywatchinghismother，wasstartledbyseeingthesameghastlychangepassoverherfacewhichhadaltereditsoawfullyonthemorningwhenRebeccaandshefirstmet。Beforehecouldsayaword，shewhispered，withalookofhorror：
\"Takemeback——home，homeagain，Isaac。Comewithme，andnevergobackagain。\"
Hewasafraidtoaskforanexplanation；hecouldonlysigntohertobesilent，andhelpherquicklytothedoor。Astheypassedthebreadtrayonthetableshestoppedandpointedtoit。
\"Didyouseewhatyourwifecutyourbreadwith？\"sheasked，inalowwhisper。
\"No，mother——Iwasnotnoticing——whatwasit？\"
\"Look！\"
Hedidlook。Anewclasp—knifewithabuckhornhandlelaywiththeloafinthebread—tray。Hestretchedouthishandshudderinglytopossesshimselfofit；but，atthesametime，therewasanoiseinthekitchen，andhismothercaughtathisarm。
\"Theknifeofthedream！Isaac，I’mfaintwithfear。Takemeawaybeforeshecomesback。\"
Hewashardlyabletosupporther。Thevisible，tangiblerealityoftheknifestruckhimwithapanic，andutterlydestroyedanyfaintdoubtsthathemighthaveentertaineduptothistimeinrelationtothemysteriousdream—warningofnearlyeightyearsbefore。Byalastdesperateeffort，hesummonedself—possessionenoughtohelphismotheroutofthehouse——soquietlythatthe\"Dream—woman\"（hethoughtofherbythatnamenow）didnothearthemdepartingfromthekitchen。
\"Don’tgoback，Isaac——don’tgoback！\"imploredMrs。Scatchard，asheturnedtogoaway，afterseeinghersafelyseatedagaininherownroom。
\"Imustgettheknife，\"heanswered，underhisbreath。Hismothertriedtostophimagain，buthehurriedoutwithoutanotherword。
Onhisreturnhefoundthathiswifehaddiscoveredtheirsecretdeparturefromthehouse。Shehadbeendrinking，andwasinafuryofpassion。Thedinnerinthekitchenwasflungunderthegrate；theclothwasofftheparlortable。Wherewastheknife？
Unwisely，heaskedforit。Shewasonlytoogladoftheopportunityofirritatinghimwhichtherequestaffordedher。\"Hewantedtheknife，didhe？Couldhegiveherareasonwhy？No！
Thenheshouldnothaveit——notifhewentdownonhiskneestoaskforit。\"Furtherrecriminationselicitedthefactthatshehadboughtitabargain，andthatsheconsidereditherownespecialproperty。Isaacsawtheuselessnessofattemptingtogettheknifebyfairmeans，anddeterminedtosearchforit，laterintheday，insecret。Thesearchwasunsuccessful。Nightcameon，andheleftthehousetowalkaboutthestreets。Hewasafraidnowtosleepinthesameroomwithher。
Threeweekspassed。Stillsullenlyenragedwithhim，shewouldnotgiveuptheknife；andstillthatfearofsleepinginthesameroomwithherpossessedhim。Hewalkedaboutatnight，ordozedintheparlor，orsatwatchingbyhismother’sbedside。
Beforetheexpirationofthefirstweekinthenewmonthhismotherdied。Itwantedthenbuttendaysofherson’sbirthday。
Shehadlongedtolivetillthatanniversary。Isaacwaspresentatherdeath，andherlastwordsinthisworldwereaddressedtohim：
\"Don’tgoback，myson，don’tgoback！\"Hewasobligedtogoback，ifitwereonlytowatchhiswife。Exasperatedtothelastdegreebyhisdistrustofher，shehadrevengefullysoughttoaddastingtohisgrief，duringthelastdaysofhismother’sillness，bydeclaringthatshewouldassertherrighttoattendthefuneral。Inspiteofanythinghecoulddoorsay，sheheldwithwickedpertinacitytoherword，andonthedayappointedfortheburialforcedherself——inflamedandshamelesswithdrink——intoherhusband’spresence，anddeclaredthatshewouldwalkinthefuneralprocessiontohismother’sgrave。
Thislastworstoutrage，accompaniedbyallthatwasmostinsultinginwordandlook，maddenedhimforthemoment。Hestruckher。
Theinstanttheblowwasdealtherepentedit。Shecroucheddown，silent，inacorneroftheroom，andeyedhimsteadily；itwasalookthatcooledhishotbloodandmadehimtremble。Buttherewasnotimenowtothinkofameansofmakingatonement。Nothingremainedbuttorisktheworsttillthefuneralwasover。Therewasbutonewayofmakingsureofher。Helockedherintoherbedroom。
Whenhecamebacksomehoursafter，hefoundhersitting，verymuchalteredinlookandbearing，bythebedside，withabundleonherlap。Sherose，andfacedhimquietly，andspokewithastrangestillnessinhervoice，astrangereposeinhereyes，astrangecomposureinhermanner。
\"Nomanhaseverstruckmetwice，\"shesaid，\"andmyhusbandshallhavenosecondopportunity。Setthedooropenandletmego。Fromthisdayforthweseeeachothernomore。\"
Beforehecouldanswershepassedhimandlefttheroom。Hesawherwalkawayupthestreet。
Wouldshereturn？
Allthatnighthewatchedandwaited，butnofootstepcamenearthehouse。Thenextnight，overpoweredbyfatigue，helaydowninbedinhisclothes，withthedoorlocked，thekeyonthetable，andthecandleburning。Hisslumberwasnotdisturbed。Thethirdnight，thefourth，thefifth，thesixthpassed，andnothinghappened。
Helaydownontheseventh，stillinhisclothes，stillwiththedoorlocked，thekeyonthetable，andthecandleburning，buteasierinhismind。
Easierinhismind，andinperfecthealthofbodywhenhefellofftosleep。Buthisrestwasdisturbed。Hewoketwicewithoutanysensationofuneasiness。Butthethirdtimeitwasthatnever—to—be—forgottenshiveringofthenightatthelonelyinn，thatdreadfulsinkingpainattheheart，whichoncemorearousedhiminaninstant。
Hiseyesopenedtowardtheleft—handsideofthebed，andtherestood——TheDream—Womanagain？No！Hiswife；thelivingreality，withthedream—specter’sface，inthedream—specter’sattitude；
thefairarmup，theknifeclaspedinthedelicatewhitehand。
Hespranguponheralmostattheinstantofseeingher，andyetnotquicklyenoughtopreventherfromhidingtheknife。Withoutawordfromhim——withoutacryfromher——hepinionedherinachair。Withonehandhefeltuphersleeve，andthere，wheretheDream—Womanhadhiddentheknife，hiswifehadhiddenit——theknifewiththebuckhornhandle，thatlookedlikenew。
Inthedespairofthatfearfulmomenthisbrainwassteady，hisheartwascalm。Helookedatherfixedlywiththeknifeinhishand，andsaidtheselastwords：
\"Youtoldmeweshouldseeeachothernomore，andyouhavecomeback。Itismyturnnowtogo，andtogoforever。Isaythatweshallseeeachothernomore，andmywordshallnotbebroken。\"
Helefther，andsetforthintothenight。Therewasableakwindabroad，andthesmellofrecentrainwasintheair。Thedistantchurch—clockschimedthequarterashewalkedrapidlybeyondthelasthousesinthesuburb。Heaskedthefirstpolicemanhemetwhathourthatwasofwhichthequarterpasthadjuststruck。
Themanreferredsleepilytohiswatch，andanswered，\"Twoo’clock。\"Twointhemorning。Whatdayofthemonthwasthisdaythathadjustbegun？Hereckoneditupfromthedateofhismother’sfuneral。Thefatalparallelwascomplete：itwashisbirthday！
Hadheescapedthemortalperilwhichhisdreamforetold？orhadheonlyreceivedasecondwarning？
Asthatominousdoubtforceditselfonhismind，hestopped，reflected，andturnedbackagaintowardthecity。Hewasstillresolutetoholdtohisword，andnevertoletherseehimmore；
buttherewasathoughtnowinhismindofhavingherwatchedandfollowed。Theknifewasinhispossession；theworldwasbeforehim；butanewdistrustofher——avague，unspeakable，superstitiousdreadhadovercomehim。
\"Imustknowwhereshegoes，nowshethinksIhavelefther，\"hesaidtohimself，ashestolebackwearilytotheprecinctsofhishouse。
Itwasstilldark。Hehadleftthecandleburninginthebedchamber；butwhenhelookeduptothewindowoftheroomnowtherewasnolightinit。Hecreptcautiouslytothehousedoor。
Ongoingaway，herememberedtohaveclosedit；ontryingitnow，hefounditopen。
Hewaitedoutside，neverlosingsightofthehouse，tilldaylight。Thenheventuredindoors——listened，andheardnothing——lookedintokitchen，scullery，parlorandfoundnothing；
wentupatlastintothebedroom——itwasempty。Apicklocklayonthefloorbetrayinghowshehadgainedentranceinthenight，andthatwastheonlytraceofher。
Whitherhadshegone？Thatnomortaltonguecouldtellhim。Thedarknesshadcoveredherflight；andwhenthedaybroke，nomancouldsaywherethelightfoundher。
Beforeleavingthehouseandthetownforever，hegaveinstructionstoafriendandneighbortosellhisfurnitureforanythingthatitwouldfetch，andapplytheproceedstoemployingthepolicetotraceher。Thedirectionswerehonestlyfollowed，andthemoneywasallspent，buttheinquiriesledtonothing。
ThepicklockonthebedroomfloorremainedtheonelastuselesstraceoftheDream—Woman。
Atthispointofthenarrativethelandlordpaused，and，turningtowardthewindowoftheroominwhichweweresitting，lookedinthedirectionofthestable—yard。