Whenwemetoncemoreattheendoftheexamination，Roberttoldmethattheprisonerneverspokeandneverchangedhisposition。
Hewaseitherfortifiedbythecruelcomposureofasavage，orhisfacultieshadnotyetthoroughlyrecoveredfromthediseasethathadsolatelyshakenthem。Themagistrateseemedtodoubtifhewasinhisrightmind；buttheevidenceofthemedicalmanrelievedthisuncertainty，andtheprisonerwascommittedfortrialonachargeofmanslaughter。
Whynotonachargeofmurder？RobertexplainedthelawtomewhenIaskedthatquestion。Iacceptedtheexplanation，butitdidnotsatisfyme。MaryMallinsonwaskilledbyablowfromthehandofNoahTruscott。ThatismurderinthesightofGod。Whynotmurderinthesightofthelawalso？
June18th。To—morrowisthedayappointedforthetrialattheOldBailey。
BeforesunsetthiseveningIwenttolookatMary’sgrave。TheturfhasgrownsogreensinceIsawitlast，andtheflowersarespringingupsoprettily。Abirdwaspercheddressinghisfeathersonthelowwhiteheadstonethatbearstheinscriptionofhernameandage。Ididnotgonearenoughtodisturbthelittlecreature。Helookedinnocentandprettyonthegrave，asMaryherselfwasinherlifetime。WhenheflewawayIwentandsatforalittlebytheheadstone，andreadthemournfullinesonit。Oh，mylove！mylove！whatharmorwronghadyoueverdoneinthisworld，thatyoushoulddieateighteenbyablowfromadrunkard’shand？
June19th。Thetrial。Myexperienceofwhathappenedatitislimited，likemyexperienceoftheexaminationatthepolice—office，tothetimeoccupiedingivingmyownevidence。
TheymademesaymuchmorethanIsaidbeforethemagistrate。
Betweenexaminationandcross—examination，IhadtogointoalmostalltheparticularsaboutpoorMaryandherfuneralthatI
havewritteninthisjournal；thejurylisteningtoeverywordI
spokewiththemostanxiousattention。Attheend，thejudgesaidafewwordstomeapprovingofmyconduct，andthentherewasaclappingofhandsamongthepeopleincourt。IwassoagitatedandexcitedthatItrembledalloverwhentheyletmegooutintotheairagain。
IlookedattheprisonerbothwhenIenteredthewitness—boxandwhenIleftit。Theloweringbrutalityofhisfacewasunchanged，buthisfacultiesseemedtobemorealiveandobservantthantheywereatthepolice—office。Afrightfulbluechangepassedoverhisface，andhedrewhisbreathsoheavilythatthegaspsweredistinctlyaudiblewhileImentionedMarybynameanddescribedthemarkortheblowonhertemple。WhentheyaskedmeifIknewanythingoftheprisoner，andIansweredthatIonlyknewwhatMaryherselfhadtoldmeabouthishavingbeenherfather’sruin，hegaveakindofgroan，andstruckbothhishandsheavilyonthedock。AndwhenIpassedbeneathhimonmywayoutofcourt，heleanedoversuddenly，whethertospeaktomeortostrikemeI
can’tsay，forhewasimmediatelymadetostanduprightagainbytheturnkeysoneithersideofhim。Whiletheevidenceproceeded（asRobertdescribedittome），thesignsthathewassufferingundersuperstitiousterrorbecamemoreandmoreapparent；until，atlast，justasthelawyerappointedtodefendhimwasrisingtospeak，hesuddenlycriedout，inavoicethatstartledeveryone，uptotheveryjudgeonthebench：\"Stop！\"
Therewasapause，andalleyeslookedathim。Theperspirationwaspouringoverhisfacelikewater，andhemadestrange，uncouthsignswithhishandstothejudgeopposite。\"Stopallthis！\"hecriedagain；\"I’vebeentheruinofthefatherandthedeathofthechild。HangmebeforeIdomoreharm！Hangme，forGod’ssake，outoftheway！\"Assoonastheshockproducedbythisextraordinaryinterruptionhadsubsided，hewasremoved，andtherefollowedalongdiscussionaboutwhetherhewasofsoundmindornot。Thematterwaslefttothejurytodecidebytheirverdict。Theyfoundhimguiltyofthechargeofmanslaughter，withouttheexcuseofinsanity。Hewasbroughtupagain，andcondemnedtotransportationforlife。Allhedid，onhearingthedreadfulsentence，wastoreiteratehisdesperatewords：\"HangmebeforeIdomoreharm！Hangme，forGod’ssake，outoftheway！\"
June20th。Imadeyesterday’sentryinsadnessofheart，andI
havenotbeenbetterinmyspiritsto—day。Itissomethingtohavebroughtthemurderertothepunishmentthathedeserves。Buttheknowledgethatthismostrighteousactofretributionisaccomplishedbringsnoconsolationwithit。ThelawdoesindeedpunishNoahTruscottforhiscrime，butcanitraiseupMaryMallinsonfromherlastresting—placeinthechurchyard？
Whilewritingofthelaw，IoughttorecordthattheheartlesswretchwhoallowedMarytobestruckdowninhispresencewithoutmakinganattempttodefendherisnotlikelytoescapewithperfectimpunity。Thepolicemanwholookedafterhimtoinsurehisattendanceatthetrialdiscoveredthathehadcommittedpastoffenses，forwhichthelawcanmakehimanswer。Asummonswasexecuteduponhim，andhewastakenbeforethemagistratethemomentheleftthecourtaftergivinghisevidence。
Ihadjustwrittenthesefewlines，andwasclosingmyjournal，whentherecameaknockatthedoor。Iansweredit，thinkingthatRoberthadcalledonhiswayhometosaygood—night，andfoundmyselffacetofacewithastrangegentleman，whoimmediatelyaskedforAnneRodway。OnhearingthatIwasthepersoninquiredfor，herequestedfiveminutes’conversationwithme。Ishowedhimintothelittleemptyroomatthebackofthehouse，andwaited，rathersurprisedandfluttered，tohearwhathehadtosay。
Hewasadarkman，withaseriousmanner，andashort，sternwayofspeakingIwascertainthathewasastranger，andyetthereseemedsomethinginhisfacenotunfamiliartome。Hebeganbytakinganewspaperfromhispocket，andaskingmeifIwasthepersonwhohadgivenevidenceatthetrialofNoahTruscottonachargeofmanslaughter。IansweredimmediatelythatIwas。
\"IhavebeenfornearlytwoyearsinLondonseekingMaryMallinson，andalwaysseekingherinvain，\"hesaid。\"ThefirstandonlynewsIhavehadofherIfoundinthenewspaperreportofthetrialyesterday。\"
Hestillspokecalmly，buttherewassomethinginthelookofhiseyeswhichshowedmethathewassufferinginspirit。Asuddennervousnessovercameme，andIwasobligedtositdown。
\"YouknewMaryMallinson，sir？\"Iasked，asquietlyasIcould。
\"Iamherbrother。\"
Iclaspedmyhandsandhidmyfaceindespair。Oh，thebitternessofheartwithwhichIheardhimsaythosesimplewords！
\"Youwereverykindtoher，\"saidthecalm，tearlessman。\"Inhernameandforhersake，Ithankyou。\"
\"Oh，sir，\"Isaid，\"whydidyouneverwritetoherwhenyouwereinforeignparts？\"
\"Iwroteoften，\"heanswered；\"buteachofmyletterscontainedaremittanceofmoney。DidMarytellyoushehadastepmother？Ifshedid，youmayguesswhynoneofmyletterswereallowedtoreachher。Inowknowthatthiswomanrobbedmysister。HassheliedintellingmethatshewasneverinformedofMary’splaceofabode？\"
IrememberedthatMaryhadnevercommunicatedwithherstepmotheraftertheseparation，andcouldthereforeassurehimthatthewomanhadspokenthetruth。
Hepausedforamomentafterthat，andsighed。Thenhetookoutapocket—book，andsaid：
\"Ihavealreadyarrangedforthepaymentofanylegalexpensesthatmayhavebeenincurredbythetrial，butIhavestilltoreimburseyouforthefuneralchargeswhichyousogenerouslydefrayed。Excusemyspeakingbluntlyonthissubject；Iamaccustomedtolookonallmatterswheremoneyisconcernedpurelyasmattersofbusiness。\"
Isawthathewastakingseveralbank—notesoutofthepocket—book，andstoppedhim。
\"IwillgratefullyreceivebackthelittlemoneyIactuallypaid，sir，becauseIamnotwelloff，anditwouldbeanungraciousactofprideinmetorefuseitfromyou，\"Isaid；\"butIseeyouhandlingbank—notes，anyoneofwhichisfarbeyondtheamountyouhavetorepayme。Prayputthemback，sir。WhatIdidforyourpoorlostsisterIdidfrommyloveandfondnessforher。
Youhavethankedmeforthat，andyourthanksareallIcanreceive。\"
Hehadhithertoconcealedhisfeelings，butIsawthemnowbegintogetthebetterofhim。Hiseyessoftened，andhetookmyhandandsqueezedithard。
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"hesaid；\"Ibegyourpardon，withallmyheart。\"
Therewassilencebetweenus，forIwascrying，andIbelieve，atheart，hewascryingtoo。Atlasthedroppedmyhand，andseemedtochangeback，byaneffort，tohisformercalmness。
\"IstherenoonebelongingtoyoutowhomIcanbeofservice？\"
heasked。\"Iseeamongthewitnessesonthetrialthenameofayoungmanwhoappearstohaveassistedyouintheinquirieswhichledtotheprisoner’sconviction。Ishearelation？\"
\"No，sir——atleast，notnow——butIhope——\"
\"What？\"
\"Ihopethathemay，oneday，bethenearestanddearestrelationtomethatawomancanhave。\"Isaidthosewordsboldly，becauseIwasafraidofhisotherwisetakingsomewrongviewoftheconnectionbetweenRobertandme\"Oneday？\"herepeated。\"Onedaymaybealongtimehence。\"
\"Weareneitherofuswelloff，sir，\"Isaid。\"Onedaymeansthedaywhenwearealittlericherthanwearenow。\"
\"Istheyoungmaneducated？Canheproducetestimonialstohischaracter？Obligemebywritinghisnameandaddressdownonthebackofthatcard。\"
WhenIhadobeyed，inahandwritingwhichIamafraiddidmenocredit，hetookoutanothercardandgaveittome。
\"IshallleaveEnglandto—morrow，\"hesaid。\"Thereisnothingnowtokeepmeinmyowncountry。Ifyouareeverinanydifficultyordistress（whichIprayGodyoumayneverbe），applytomyLondonagent，whoseaddressyouhavethere。\"
Hestopped，andlookedatmeattentively，thentookmyhandagain。
\"Whereissheburied？\"hesaid，suddenly，inaquickwhisper，turninghisheadaway。
Itoldhim，andaddedthatwehadmadethegraveasbeautifulaswecouldwithgrassandflowers。Isawhislipswhitenandtremble。
\"Godblessandrewardyou！\"hesaid，anddrewmetowardhimquicklyandkissedmyforehead。Iwasquiteovercome，andsankdownandhidmyfaceonthetable。WhenIlookedupagainhewasgone。
June25th，1841。Iwritetheselinesonmyweddingmorning，whenlittlemorethanayearhaspassedsinceRobertreturnedtoEngland。
Hissalarywasincreasedyesterdaytoonehundredandfiftypoundsayear。IfIonlyknewwhereMr。Mallinsonwas，Iwouldwriteandtellhimofourpresenthappiness。ButforthesituationwhichhiskindnessprocuredforRobert，wemightstillhavebeenwaitingvainlyforthedaythathasnowcome。
Iamtoworkathomeforthefuture，andSallyistohelpusinournewabode。IfMarycouldhavelivedtoseethisday！Iamnotungratefulformyblessings；butoh，howImissthatsweetfaceonthismorningofallothers！
Igotupto—dayearlyenoughtogoalonetothegrave，andtogatherthenosegaythatnowliesbeforemefromtheflowersthatgrowroundit。IshallputitinmybosomwhenRobertcomestofetchmetothechurch。Marywouldhavebeenmybridesmaidifshehadlived；andIcan’tforgetMary，evenonmywedding—day。
THENIGHT。
THElastwordsofthelaststoryfelllowandtremblingfromOwen’slips。HewaitedforamomentwhileJessiedriedthetearswhichAnneRodway’ssimplediaryhaddrawnfromherwarmyoungheart，thenclosedthemanuscript，andtakingherhandpatteditinhisgentle，fatherlyway。
\"Youwillbegladtohear，mylove，\"hesaid，\"thatIcanspeakfrompersonalexperienceofAnneRodway’shappiness。Shecametoliveinmyparishsoonafterthetrialatwhichsheappearedaschiefwitness，andIwastheclergymanwhomarriedher。MonthsbeforethatIknewherstory，andhadreadthoseportionsofherdiarywhichyouhavejustheard。WhenImadehermylittlepresentonherweddingday，andwhenshegratefullyentreatedmetotellherwhatshecoulddoformeinreturn，IaskedforacopyofherdiarytokeepamongthepapersthatItreasuredmost。
’Thereadingofitnowandthen，’Isaid，’willencouragethatfaithinthebrighterandbetterpartofhumannaturewhichI
hope，byGod’shelp，topreservepuretomydyingday。’InthatwayIbecamepossessedofthemanuscript：itwasAnne’shusbandwhomadethecopyforme。Youhavenoticedafewwitheredleavesscatteredhereandtherebetweenthepages。Theywereputthere，yearssince，bythebride’sownhand：theyareallthatnowremainoftheflowersthatAnneRodwaygatheredonhermarriagemorningfromMaryMallinson’sgrave。\"
Jessietriedtoanswer，butthewordsfailedonherlips。Betweentheeffectofthestory，andtheanticipationofthepartingnowsonearathand，thegood，impulsive，affectionatecreaturewasfairlyovercome。ShelaidherheadonOwen’sshoulder，andkepttightholdofhishand，andletherheartspeaksimplyforitself，withoutattemptingtohelpitbyasingleword。
Thesilencethatfollowedwasbrokenharshlybythetowerclock。
Theheavyhammerslowlyrangouttenstrokesthroughthegloomynight—timeandthedyingstorm。
Iwaitedtillthelasthummingechooftheclockfaintedintodeadstillness。Ilistenedoncemoreattentively，andagainlistenedinvain。ThenIrose，andproposedtomybrothersthatweshouldleaveourguesttocomposeherselfforthenight。
WhenOwenandMorganwerereadytoquittheroom，Itookherbythehand，anddrewheralittleaside。
\"Youleaveusearly，mydear，\"Isaid；\"but，beforeyougoto—morrowmorning——\"
Istoppedtolistenforthelasttime，beforethewordswerespokenwhichcommittedmetothedesperateexperimentofpleadingGeorge’scauseindefianceofhisownrequest。Nothingcaughtmyearbutthesweepofthewearyweakenedwindandthemelancholysurgingoftheshakentrees。
\"But，beforeyougoto—morrowmorning，\"Iresumed，\"Iwanttospeaktoyouinprivate。Weshallbreakfastateighto’clock。Isitaskingtoomuchtobegyoutocomeandseemealoneinmystudyathalfpastseven？\"
JustasherlipsopenedtoanswermeIsawachangepassoverherface。IhadkeptherhandinminewhileIwasspeaking，andI
musthavepresseditunconsciouslysohardasalmosttohurther。
Shemayevenhaveutteredafewwordsofremonstrance；buttheyneverreachedme：mywholehearingsensewasseized，absorbed，petrified。AttheveryinstantwhenIhadceasedspeaking，I，andIalone，heardafaintsound——asoundthatwasnewtome——flypasttheGlenToweronthewingsofthewind。
\"Openthewindow，forGod’ssake！\"Icried。
Myhandmechanicallyheldherstighterandtighter。Shestruggledtofreeit，lookinghardatmewithpalecheeksandfrightenedeyes。Owenhastenedupandreleasedher，andputhisarmsroundme。
\"Griffith，Griffith！\"hewhispered，\"controlyourself，forGeorge’ssake。\"
Morganhurriedtothewindowandthrewitwideopen。
Thewindandrainrushedinfiercely。Welcome，welcomewind！Theyallhearditnow。\"Oh，Fatherinheaven，somercifultofathersonearth——myson，myson！\"
Itcamein，louderandlouderwitheverygustofwind——thejoyous，rapidgatheringrollofwheels。Myeyesfastenedonherasiftheycouldseetoherheart，whileshestoodtherewithhersweetfaceturnedonmeallpaleandstartled。Itriedtospeaktoher；ItriedtobreakawayfromOwen’sarms，tothrowmyownarmsroundher，tokeepheronmybosom，till_he_cametotakeherfromme。Butallmystrengthhadgoneinthelongwaitingandthelongsuspense。MyheadsankonOwen’sbreast——butIstillheardthewheels。Morganloosenedmycravat，andsprinkledwaterovermyface——Istillheardthewheels。Thepoorterrifiedgirlranintoherroom，andcamebackwithhersmelling—salts——Iheardthecarriagestopatthehouse。Theroomwhirledroundandroundwithme；butIheardtheeagerhurryoffootstepsinthehall，andtheopeningofthedoor。Inanothermomentmyson’svoiceroseclearandcheerfulfrombelow，greetingtheoldservantswholovedhim。Thedear，familiartonesjustpouredintomyear，andthen，themomenttheyfilledit，hushedmesuddenlytorest。
WhenIcametomyselfagainmyeyesopeneduponGeorge。Iwaslyingonthesofa，stillinthesameroom；thelightswehadreadbyintheeveningwereburningonthetable；mysonwaskneelingatmypillow，andwetwowerealone。
THEMORNING。
THEwindisfainter，butthereisstillnocalm。Therainisceasing，butthereisstillnosunshine。Theviewfrommywindowshowsmethemistheavyontheearth，andadimgrayveildrawndarklyoverthesky。Lessthantwelvehourssince，suchaprospectwouldhavesaddenedmefortheday。Ilookoutatitthismorning，throughthebrightmediumofmyownhappiness，andnottheshadowofashadefallsacrossthesteadyinnersunshinethatisporingovermyheart。
Thepenlingersfondlyinmyhand，andyetitislittle，verylittle，thatIhavelefttosay。ThePurpleVolumeliesopenbymyside，withthestoriesrangedtogetherinitintheorderinwhichtheywereread。Mysonhaslearnedtoprizethemalreadyasthefaithfulfriendswhoservedhimathisutmostneed。Ihaveonlytowindoffthelittlethreadofnarrativeonwhichtheyareallstrungtogetherbeforethevolumeisclosedandouranxiousliteraryexperimentfairlyended。
MysonandIhadaquiethourtogetheronthathappynightbeforeweretiredtorest。Thelittlelove—plotinventedinGeorge’sinterestsnowrequiredonelaststrokeofdiplomacytocompleteitbeforeweallthrewoffourmasksandassumedourtruecharactersforthefuture。WhenmysonandIpartedforthenight，wehadplannedthenecessarystratagemfortakingourlovelyguestbysurpriseassoonasshewasoutofherbedinthemorning。
Shortlyafterseveno’clockIsentamessagetoJessiebyhermaid，informingherthatagoodnight’sresthaddonewondersforme，andthatIexpectedtoseeherinmystudyathalfpastseven，aswehadarrangedtheeveningbefore。Assoonasheranswer，promisingtobepunctualtotheappointment，hadreachedme，ItookGeorgeintomystudy——lefthiminmyplacetopleadhisowncause——andstoleaway，fiveminutesbeforethehalfhour，tojoinmybrothersinthebreakfast—room。
Althoughthesenseofmyownhappinessdisposedmetotakethebrightestviewofmyson’schances，Imustneverthelessacknowledgethatsomenervousanxietiesstillflutteredaboutmyheartwhiletheslowminutesofsuspensewerecountingthemselvesoutinthebreakfast—room。IhadaslittleattentiontospareforOwen’squietprognosticationsofsuccessasforMorgan’spitilesssarcasmsonlove，courtship，andmatrimony。Aquarterofanhourelapsed——thentwentyminutes。Thehandmovedon，andtheclockpointedtofiveminutestoeight，beforeIheardthestudydooropen，andbeforethesoundofrapidly—advancingfootstepswarnedmethatGeorgewascomingintotheroom。
Hisbeamingfacetoldthegoodnewsbeforeawordcouldbespokenoneitherside。Theexcessofhishappinessliterallyandtrulydeprivedhimofspeech。Hestoodeagerlylookingatusallthree，withoutstretchedhandsandglisteningeyes。
\"HaveIfoldedupmysurpliceforever，\"askedOwen，\"oramItowearitonceagain，George，inyourservice？\"
\"Answerthisquestionfirst，\"interposedMorgan，withalookofgrimanxiety。\"Haveyouactuallytakenyouryoungwomanoffmyhands，orhaveyounot？\"
Nodirectanswerfollowedeitherquestion。George’sfeelingshadbeentoodeeplystirredtoallowhimtoreturnjestforjestatamoment’snotice。
\"Oh，father，howcanIthankyou！\"hesaid。\"Andyou！andyou！\"
headded，lookingatOwenandMorgangratefully。
\"YoumustthankChanceaswellasthankus，\"Ireplied，speakingaslightlyasmyheartwouldletme，toencouragehim。\"Theadvantageofnumbersinourlittlelove—plotwasallonourside。
Remember，George，wewerethreetoone。\"
WhileIwasspeakingthebreakfast—roomdooropenednoiselessly，andshowedusJessiestandingonthethreshold，uncertainwhethertojoinusortorunbacktoherownroom。Herbrightcomplexionheightenedtoadeepglow；thetearsjustrisinginhereyes，andnotyetfallingfromthem；herdelicatelipstremblingalittle，asiftheywerestillshylyconsciousofotherlipsthathadpressedthembutafewminutessince；herattitudeirresolutelygraceful；herhairjustdisturbedenoughoverherforeheadandhercheekstoaddtothecharmofthem——shestoodbeforeus，theloveliestlivingpictureofyouth，andtenderness，andvirginlovethateyeseverlookedon。GeorgeandIbothadvancedtogethertomeetheratthedoor。Butthegood，gratefulgirlhadheardfrommysonthetruestoryofallthatIhaddone，andhoped，andsufferedforthelasttendays，andshowedcharminglyhowshefeltitbyturningatonceto_me_。
\"MayIstopattheGlenToweralittlelonger？\"sheasked，simply。
\"Ifyouthinkyoucangetthroughyourevenings，mylove，\"I
answered。\"’ButsurelyyouforgetthatthePurpleVolumeisclosed，andthatthestorieshaveallcometoanend？\"
Sheclaspedherarmsroundmyneck，andlaidhercheekfondlyagainstmine。
\"Howyoumusthavesufferedyesterday！\"shewhispered，softly。
\"AndhowhappyIamto—day！\"
ThetearsgatheredinhereyesanddroppedoverhercheeksassheraisedherheadtolookatmeaffectionatelywhenIsaidthosewords。IgentlyunclaspedherarmsandledhertoGeorge。
\"Soyoureallydidlovehim，then，afterall，\"Iwhispered，\"thoughyouweretooslytoletmediscoverit？\"
Asmilebrokeoutamongthetearsashereyeswanderedawayfrommineandstolealookatmyson。Theclockstruckthehour，andtheservantcameinwithbreakfast。Alittledomesticinterruptionofthiskindwasallthatwaswantedtoputusatourease。Wedrewroundthetablecheerfully，andsettheQueenofHeartsattheheadofit，inthecharacterofmistressofthehousealready。
End