Mr。Clare\'sreceptionofthisextraordinarynewswasstartlingintheextreme。Thegloriousprospectofhisson\'sbanishmenttoChinaappearedtoturnhisbrain。Thefirmpedestalofhisphilosophysankunderhim；theprejudicesofsocietyrecoveredtheirholdonhismind。HeseizedFrankbythearm，andactuallyaccompaniedhimtoCombe-Raven，intheamazingcharacterofvisitortothehouse！
“HereIamwithmylout，“saidMr。Clare，beforeawordcouldbeutteredbytheastonishedfamily。“Hearhisstory，allofyou。Ithasreconciledme，forthefirsttimeinmylife，totheanomalyofhisexistence。“FrankruefullynarratedtheChineseproposalforthesecondtime，andattemptedtoattachtoithisownsupplementarystatementofobjectionsanddifficulties。Hisfatherstoppedhimatthefirstword，pointedperemptorilysoutheastwardfromSomersetshiretoChina；andsaid，withoutaninstant\'shesitation:“Go！“Mr。Vanstone，baskingingoldenvisionsofhisyoungfriend\'sfuture，echoedthatmonosyllabicdecisionwithallhisheart。Mrs。Vanstone，MissGarth，evenNorahherself，spoketothesamepurpose。Frankwaspetrifiedbyanabsoluteunanimityofopinionwhichhehadnotanticipated；andMagdalenwascaught，foronceinherlife，attheendofallherresources。
Sofaraspracticalresultswereconcerned，thesittingofthefamilycouncilbeganandendedwiththegeneralopinionthatFrankmustgo。Mr。Vanstone\'sfacultiesweresobewilderedbytheson\'ssuddenarrival，thefather\'sunexpectedvisit，andthenewstheybothbroughtwiththem，thathepetitionedforanadjournmentbeforethenecessaryarrangementsconnectedwithhisyoungfriend\'sdeparturewereconsideredindetail。“Supposeweallsleepuponit？“hesaid。“Tomorrowourheadswillfeelalittlesteadier；andto-morrowwillbetimeenoughtodecidealluncertainties。“Thissuggestionwasreadilyadopted；andallfurtherproceedingsstoodadjourneduntilthenextday。
ThatnextdaywasdestinedtodecidemoreuncertaintiesthanMr。Vanstonedreamedof。
Earlyinthemorning，aftermakingteabyherselfasusual，MissGarthtookherparasolandstrolledintothegarden。Shehadsleptill；andtenminutesintheopenairbeforethefamilyassembledatbreakfastmighthelptocompensateher，asshethought，forthelossofhernight\'srest。
Shewanderedtotheoutermostboundaryoftheflower-garden，andthenreturnedbyanotherpath，whichledback，pastthesideofanornamentalsummer-housecommandingaviewoverthefieldsfromacornerofthelawn。Aslightnoise——like，andyetnotlike，thechirrupingofabird——caughtherearassheapproachedthesummer-house。Shesteppedroundtotheentrance；lookedin；anddiscoveredMagdalenandFrankseatedclosetogether。ToMissGarth\'shorror，Magdalen\'sarmwasunmistakablyroundFrank\'sneck；and，worsestill，thepositionofherface，atthemomentofdiscovery，showedbeyondalldoubtthatshehadjustbeenofferingtothevictimofChinesecommercethefirstandforemostofalltheconsolationswhichawomancanbestowonaman。Inplainerwords，shehadjustgivenFrankakiss。
Inthepresenceofsuchanemergencyasnowconfrontedher，MissGarthfeltinstinctivelythatallordinaryphrasesofreproofwouldbephrasesthrownaway。
“Ipresume，“sheremarked，addressingMagdalenwiththemercilessself-possessionofamiddle-agedlady，unprovidedfortheoccasionwithanykissingremembrancesofherown——“IpresumewhateverexcusesyoureffronterymaysuggestyouwillnotdenythatmydutycompelsmetomentionwhatIhavejustseentoyourfather？“
“Iwillsaveyouthetrouble，“repliedMagdalen，composedly。“Iwillmentionittohimmyself。“
Withthosewords，shelookedroundatFrank，standingtreblyhelplessinacornerofthesummer-house。“Youshallhearwhathappens，“shesaid，withherbrightsmile。“Andsoshallyou，“sheaddedforMissGarth\'sespecialbenefit，asshesaunteredpastthegovernessonherwaybacktothebreakfast-table。TheeyesofMissGarthfollowedherindignantly；andFrankslippedoutonhissideatthatfavorableopportunity。
Underthesecircumstances，therewasbutonecoursethatanyrespectablewomancouldtake——shecouldonlyshudder。MissGarthregisteredherprotestinthatform，andreturnedtothehouse。
Whenbreakfastwasover，andwhenMr。Vanstone\'shanddescendedtohispocketinsearchofhiscigar-case，Magdalenrose；lookedsignificantlyatMissGarth；andfollowedherfatherintothehall。
“Papa，“shesaid，“Iwanttospeaktoyouthismorning——inprivate。“
“Ay！ay！“returnedMr。Vanstone。“Whatabout，mydear！“
“About——“Magdalenhesitated，searchingforasatisfactoryformofexpression，andfoundit。“Aboutbusiness，papa，“shesaid。
Mr。Vanstonetookhisgardenhatfromthehalltable——openedhiseyesinmuteperplexity——attemptedtoassociateinhismindthetwoextravagantlydissimilarideasofMagdalenand“business“——failed——andledthewayresignedlyintothegarden。
Hisdaughtertookhisarm，andwalkedwithhimtoashadyseatataconvenientdistancefromthehouse。Shedustedtheseatwithhersmartsilkapronbeforeherfatheroccupiedit。Mr。Vanstonewasnotaccustomedtosuchanextraordinaryactofattentionasthis。Hesatdown，lookingmorepuzzledthanever。Magdalenimmediatelyplacedherselfonhisknee，andrestedherheadcomfortablyonhisshoulder。
“AmIheavy，papa？“sheasked。
“Yes，mydear，youare，“saidMr。Vanstone——“butnottooheavyforme。Stoponyourperch，ifyoulikeit。Well？Andwhatmaythisbusinesshappentobe？“
“Itbeginswithaquestion。“
“Ah，indeed？Thatdoesn\'tsurpriseme。Businesswithyoursex，mydear，alwaysbeginswithquestions。Goon。“
“Papa！doyoueverintendallowingmetobemarried？“
Mr。Vanstone\'seyesopenedwiderandwider。Thequestion，tousehisownphrase，completelystaggeredhim。
“Thisisbusinesswithavengeance！“hesaid。“Why，Magdalen！whathaveyougotinthatharum-scarumheadofyoursnow？“
“Idon\'texactlyknow，papa。Willyouanswermyquestion？“
“IwillifIcan，mydear；youratherstaggerme。Well，Idon\'tknow。Yes；IsupposeImustletyoubemarriedoneofthesedays——ifwecanfindagoodhusbandforyou。Howhotyourfaceis！Liftitup，andlettheairblowoverit。Youwon\'t？Well——haveyourownway。IftalkingofbusinessmeansticklingyourcheekagainstmywhiskerI\'venothingtosayagainstit。Goon，mydear。What\'sthenextquestion？Cometothepoint。“
Shewasfartoogenuineawomantodoanythingofthesort。Sheskirtedroundthepointandcalculatedherdistancetothenicetyofahair-breadth。
“Wewereallverymuchsurprisedyesterday——werewenot，papa？Frankiswonderfullylucky，isn\'the？“
“He\'stheluckiestdogIevercameacross，“saidMr。Vanstone“Butwhathasthatgottodowiththisbusinessofyours？Idaresayyouseeyourway，Magdalen。HangmeifIcanseemine！“
Sheskirtedalittlenearer。
“IsupposehewillmakehisfortuneinChina？“shesaid。“It\'salongwayoff，isn\'tit？Didyouobserve，papa，thatFranklookedsadlyoutofspiritsyesterday？“
“Iwassosurprisedbythenews，“saidMr。Vanstone，“andsostaggeredbythesightofoldClare\'ssharpnoseinmyhouse，thatIdidn\'tmuchnotice。Nowyouremindmeofit——yes。Idon\'tthinkFranktookkindlytohisowngoodluck；notkindlyatall。“
“Doyouwonderatthat，papa？“
“Yes，mydear；Ido，rather。“
“Don\'tyouthinkit\'shardtobesentawayforfiveyears，tomakeyourfortuneamonghatefulsavages，andlosesightofyourfriendsathomeforallthatlongtime？Don\'tyouthinkFrankwillmissussadly？Don\'tyou，papa？——don\'tyou？“
“Gently，Magdalen！I\'malittletoooldforthoselongarmsofyourstothrottlemeinfun——You\'reright，mylove。Nothinginthisworldwithoutadrawback。FrankwillmisshisfriendsinEngland:there\'snodenyingthat。“
“YoualwayslikedFrank。AndFrankalwayslikedyou。“
“Yes，yes——agoodfellow；aquiet，goodfellow。FrankandIhavealwaysgotonsmoothlytogether。“
“Youhavegotonlikefatherandson，haven\'tyou？“
“Certainly，mydear。“
“Perhapsyouwillthinkitharderonhimwhenhehasgonethanyouthinkitnow？“
“Likelyenough，Magdalen；Idon\'tsayno。“
“PerhapsyouwillwishhehadstoppedinEngland？Whyshouldn\'thestopinEngland，anddoaswellasifhewenttoChina？“
“Mydear！hehasnoprospectsinEngland。Iwishhehad，forhisownsake。Iwishtheladwell，withallmyheart。“
“MayIwishhimwelltoo，papa——withallmyheart？“
“Certainly，mylove——youroldplayfellow——whynot？What\'sthematter？Godblessmysoul，whatisthegirlcryingabout？OnewouldthinkFrankwastransportedforlife。Yougoose！Youknow，aswellasIdo，heisgoingtoChinatomakehisfortune。“
“Hedoesn\'twanttomakehisfortune——hemightdomuchbetter。“
“Thedeucehemight！How，Ishouldliketoknow？“
“I\'mafraidtotellyou。I\'mafraidyou\'lllaughatme。Willyoupromisenottolaughatme？“
“Anythingtopleaseyou，mydear。Yes:Ipromise。Now，then，outwithit！HowmightFrankdobetter？“
“HemightmarryMe。“
IfthesummerscenewhichthenspreadbeforeMr。Vanstone\'seyeshadsuddenlychangedtoadrearywinterview——ifthetreeshadlostalltheirleaves，andthegreenfieldshadturnedwhitewithsnowinaninstant——hisfacecouldhardlyhaveexpressedgreateramazementthanitdisplayedwhenhisdaughter\'sfalteringvoicespokethosefourlastwords。Hetriedtolookather——butshesteadilyrefusedhimtheopportunity:shekeptherfacehiddenoverhisshoulder。Wassheinearnest？Hischeek，stillwetwithhertears，answeredforher。Therewasalongpauseofsilence；shewaited——withunaccustomedpatience，shewaitedforhimtospeak。Herousedhimself，andspokethesewordsonly:“Yousurpriseme，Magdalen；yousurprisememorethanIcansay。“
Atthealteredtoneofhisvoice——alteredtoaquiet，fatherlyseriousness——Magdalen\'sarmsclungroundhimcloserthanbefore。
“HaveIdisappointedyou，papa？“sheasked，faintly。“Don\'tsayIhavedisappointedyou！WhoamItotellmysecretto，ifnottoyou？Don\'tlethimgo——don\'t！don\'t！Youwillbreakhisheart。Heisafraidtotellhisfather；heisevenafraidyoumightbeangrywithhim。Thereisnobodytospeakforus，except——exceptme。Oh，don\'tlethimgo！Don\'tforhissake——“shewhisperedthenextwordsinakiss——“Don\'tforMine！“
Herfather\'skindfacesaddened；hesighed，andpattedherfairheadtenderly。“Hush，mylove，“hesaid，almostinawhisper；“hush！“Shelittleknewwhatarevelationeveryword，everyactionthatescapedher，nowopenedbeforehim。Shehadmadehimhergrown-upplayfellow，fromherchildhoodtothatday。Shehadrompedwithhiminherfrocks，shehadgoneonrompingwithhiminhergowns。Hehadneverbeenlongenoughseparatedfromhertohavetheexternalchangesinhisdaughterforcedonhisattention。Hisartless，fatherlyexperienceofherhadtaughthimthatshewasatallerchildinlateryears——andhadtaughthimlittlemore。Andnow，inonebreathlessinstant，theconvictionthatshewasawomanrushedoverhismind。Hefeltitinthetroubleofherbosompressedagainsthis；inthenervousthrillofherarmsclaspedaroundhisneck。TheMagdalenofhisinnocentexperience，awoman——withthemaster-passionofhersexinpossessionofherheartalready！
“Haveyouthoughtlongofthis，mydear？“heasked，assoonashecouldspeakcomposedly。“Areyousure——？“
Sheansweredthequestionbeforehecouldfinishit。
“SureIlovehim？“shesaid。“Oh，whatwordscansayYesforme，asIwanttosayit？Ilovehim——！“Hervoicefalteredsoftly；andheranswerendedinasigh。
“Youareveryyoung。YouandFrank，mylove，arebothveryyoung。“
Sheraisedherheadfromhisshoulderforthefirsttime。Thethoughtanditsexpressionflashedfromheratthesamemoment。
“Arewemuchyoungerthanyouandmammawere？“sheasked，smilingthroughhertears。
Shetriedtolayherheadbackinitsoldposition；butasshespokethosewords，herfathercaughtherroundthewaist，forcedher，beforeshewasawareofit，tolookhimintheface——andkissedher，withasuddenoutburstoftendernesswhichbroughtthetearsthrongingbackthicklyintohereyes。“Notmuchyounger，mychild，“hesaid，inlow，brokentones——“notmuchyoungerthanyourmotherandIwere。“Heputherawayfromhim，androsefromtheseat，andturnedhisheadasidequickly。“Waithere，andcomposeyourself；Iwillgoindoorsandspeaktoyourmother。“Hisvoicetrembledoverthosepartingwords；andheleftherwithoutoncelookingroundagain。
Shewaited——waitedawearytime；andhenevercameback。Atlasthergrowinganxietyurgedhertofollowhimintothehouse。Anewtimiditythrobbedinherheartasshedoubtinglyapproachedthedoor。Neverhadsheseenthedepthsofherfather\'ssimplenaturestirredastheyhadbeenstirredbyherconfession。Shealmostdreadedhernextmeetingwithhim。Shewanderedsoftlytoandfrointhehall，withashynessunaccountabletoherself；withaterrorofbeingdiscoveredandspokentobyhersisterorMissGarth，whichmadehernervouslysusceptibletotheslightestnoisesinthehouse。Thedoorofthemorning-roomopenedwhileherbackwasturnedtowardit。Shestartedviolently，asshelookedroundandsawherfatherinthehall:herheartbeatfasterandfaster，andshefeltherselfturningpale。Asecondlookathim，ashecamenearer，re-assuredher。Hewascomposedagain，thoughnotsocheerfulasusual。Shenoticedthatheadvancedandspoketoherwithaforbearinggentleness，whichwasmorelikehismannertohermotherthanhisordinarymannertoherself。
“Goin，mylove，“hesaid，openingthedoorforherwhichhehadjustclosed。“Tellyourmotherallyouhavetoldme——andmore，ifyouhavemoretosay。SheisbetterpreparedforyouthanIwas。Wewilltaketo-daytothinkofit，Magdalen；andto-morrowyoushallknow，andFrankshallknow，whatwedecide。“
Hereyesbrightened，astheylookedintohisfaceandsawthedecisiontherealready，withthedoublepenetrationofherwomanhoodandherlove。Happy，andbeautifulinherhappiness，sheputhishandtoherlips，andwent，withouthesitation，intothemorning-room。There，herfather\'swordshadsmoothedthewayforher；there，thefirstshockofthesurprisewaspastandover，andonlythepleasureofitremained。Hermotherhadbeenherageonce；hermotherwouldknowhowfondshewasofFrank。Sothecominginterviewwasanticipatedinherthoughts；and——exceptthattherewasanunaccountableappearanceofrestraintinMrs。Vanstone\'sfirstreceptionofher——wasanticipatedaright。Afteralittle，themother\'squestionscamemoreandmoreunreservedlyfromthesweet，unforgottenexperienceofthemother\'sheart。ShelivedagainthroughherownyoungdaysofhopeandloveinMagdalen\'sreplies。
Thenextmorningtheall-importantdecisionwasannouncedinwords。Mr。Vanstonetookhisdaughterupstairsintohermother\'sroom，andthereplacedbeforehertheresultoftheyesterday\'sconsultation，andofthenight\'sreflectionwhichhadfollowedit。Hespokewithperfectkindnessandself-possessionofmanner——butinfewerandmoreseriouswordsthanusual；andheheldhiswife\'shandtenderlyinhisownallthroughtheinterview。
HeinformedMagdalenthatneitherhenorhermotherfeltthemselvesjustifiedinblamingherattachmenttoFrank。Ithadbeeninpart，perhaps，thenaturalconsequenceofherchildishfamiliaritywithhim；inpart，also，theresultofthecloserintimacybetweenthemwhichthetheatricalentertainmenthadnecessarilyproduced。Atthesametime，itwasnowthedutyofherparentstoputthatattachment，onbothsides，toapropertest——forhersake，becauseherhappyfuturewastheirdearestcare；forFrank\'ssake，becausetheywereboundtogivehimtheopportunityofshowinghimselfworthyofthetrustconfidedinhim。TheywerebothconsciousofbeingstronglyprejudicedinFrank\'sfavor。Hisfather\'seccentricconducthadmadetheladtheobjectoftheircompassionandtheircarefromhisearliestyears。Heandhisyoungerbrothershadalmostfilledtheplacestothemofthoseotherchildrenoftheirownwhomtheyhadlost。AlthoughtheyfirmlybelievedtheirgoodopinionofFranktobewellfounded——still，intheinterestoftheirdaughter\'shappiness，itwasnecessarytoputthatopinionfirmlytotheproof，byfixingcertainconditions，andbyinterposingayearofdelaybetweenthecontemplatedmarriageandthepresenttime。
Duringthatyear，FrankwastoremainattheofficeinLondon；hisemployersbeinginformedbeforehandthatfamilycircumstancespreventedhisacceptingtheirofferofemploymentinChina。HewastoconsiderthisconcessionasarecognitionoftheattachmentbetweenMagdalenandhimself，oncertaintermsonly。If，duringtheyearofprobation，hefailedtojustifytheconfidenceplacedinhim——aconfidencewhichhadledMr。VanstonetotakeunreservedlyuponhimselfthewholeresponsibilityofFrank\'sfutureprospects——themarriageschemewastobeconsidered，fromthatmoment，asatanend。If，ontheotherhand，theresulttowhichMr。Vanstoneconfidentlylookedforwardreallyoccurred——ifFrank\'sprobationaryyearprovedhisclaimtothemostprecioustrustthatcouldbeplacedinhishands——thenMagdalenherselfshouldrewardhimwithallthatawomancanbestow；andthefuture，whichhispresentemployershadplacedbeforehimastheresultofafiveyears\'residenceinChina，shouldberealizedinoneyear\'stime，bythedowryofhisyoungwife。
Asherfatherdrewthatpictureofthefuture，theoutburstofMagdalen\'sgratitudecouldnolongerberestrained。Shewasdeeplytouched——shespokefromherinmostheart。Mr。Vanstonewaiteduntilhisdaughterandhiswifewerecomposedagain；andthenaddedthelastwordsofexplanationwhichwerenowleftforhimtospeak。
“Youunderstand，mylove，“hesaid，“thatIamnotanticipatingFrank\'slivinginidlenessonhiswife\'smeans？Myplanforhimisthatheshouldstillprofitbytheinterestwhichhispresentemployerstakeinhim。TheirknowledgeofaffairsintheCitywillsoonplaceagoodpartnershipathisdisposal，andyouwillgivehimthemoneytobuyitoutofhand。Ishalllimitthesum，mydear，tohalfyourfortune；andtheotherhalfIshallhavesettleduponyourself。Weshallallbealiveandhearty，Ihope“——helookedtenderlyathiswifeashesaidthosewords——“allaliveandheartyattheyear\'send。ButifIamgone，Magdalen，itwillmakenodifference。Mywill——madelongbeforeIeverthoughtofhavingason-in-lawdividesmyfortuneintotwoequalparts。Onepartgoestoyourmother；andtheotherpartisfairlydividedbetweenmychildren。Youwillhaveyourshareonyourwedding-dayandNorahwillhaveherswhenshemarriesfrommyownhand，ifIlive；andundermywillifIdie。There！there！nogloomyfaces，“hesaid，withamomentaryreturnofhisevery-daygoodspirits。“YourmotherandImeantoliveandseeFrankagreatmerchant。Ishallleaveyou，mydear，toenlightenthesononournewprojects，whileIwalkovertothecottage——“
Hestopped；hiseyebrowscontractedalittle；andhelookedasidehesitatinglyatMrs。Vanstone。
“Whatmustyoudoatthecottage，papa？“askedMagdalen，afterhavingvainlywaitedforhimtofinishthesentenceofhisownaccord。
“ImustconsultFrank\'sfather，“hereplied。“WemustnotforgetthatMr。Clare\'sconsentisstillwantingtosettlethismatter。Andastimepresses，andwedon\'tknowwhatdifficultieshemaynotraise，thesoonerIseehimthebetter。“
Hegavethatanswerinlow，alteredtones；androsefromhischairinahalf-reluctant，half-resignedmanner，whichMagdalenobservedwithsecretalarm。
Sheglancedinquiringlyathermother。Toallappearance，Mrs。Vanstonehadbeenalarmedbythechangeinhimalso。Shelookedanxiousanduneasy；sheturnedherfaceawayonthesofapillow——turneditsuddenly，asifshewasinpain。
“Areyounotwell，mamma？“askedMagdalen。
“Quitewell，mylove，“saidMrs。Vanstone，shortlyandsharply，withoutturninground。“Leavemealittle——Ionlywantrest。“
Magdalenwentoutwithherfather。
“Papa！“shewhisperedanxiously，astheydescendedthestairs；“youdon\'tthinkMr。ClarewillsayNo？“
“Ican\'ttellbeforehand，“answeredMr。Vanstone。“IhopehewillsayYes。“
“Thereisnoreasonwhyheshouldsayanythingelse——isthere？“
Sheputthequestionfaintly，whilehewasgettinghishatandstick；andhedidnotappeartohearher。Doubtingwhethersheshouldrepeatitornot，sheaccompaniedhimasfarasthegarden，onhiswaytoMr。Clare\'scottage。Hestoppedheronthelawn，andsentherbacktothehouse“Youhavenothingonyourhead，mydear，“hesaid。“Ifyouwanttobeinthegarden，don\'tforgethowhotthesunis——don\'tcomeoutwithoutyourhat。“
Hewalkedontowardthecottage。
Shewaitedamoment，andlookedafterhim。Shemissedthecustomaryflourishofhisstick；shesawhislittleScotchterrier，whohadrunoutathisheels，barkingandcaperingabouthimunnoticed。Hewasoutofspirits:hewasstrangelyoutofspirits。Whatdiditmean？
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]NoName，Scene1，Chapter10CHAPTERX。
ONreturningtothehouse，Magdalenfelthershouldersuddenlytouchedfrombehindasshecrossedthehall。Sheturnedandconfrontedhersister。Beforeshecouldaskanyquestions，Norahconfusedlyaddressedher，inthesewords:“Ibegyourpardon；Ibegyoutoforgiveme。“
Magdalenlookedathersisterinastonishment。Allmemory，onherside，ofthesharpwordswhichhadpassedbetweenthemintheshrubberywaslostinthenewintereststhatnowabsorbedher；lostascompletelyasiftheangryinterviewhadnevertakenplace。“Forgiveyou！“sherepeated，amazedly。“Whatfor？“
“Ihaveheardofyournewprospects，“pursuedNorah，speakingwithamechanicalsubmissivenessofmannerwhichseemedalmostungracious；“Iwishedtosetthingsrightbetweenus；IwishedtosayIwassorryforwhathappened。Willyouforgetit？Willyouforgetandforgivewhathappenedintheshrubbery？“Shetriedtoproceed；butherinveteratereserve——or，perhaps，herobstinaterelianceonherownopinions——silencedheratthoselastwords。Herfacecloudedoveronasudden。Beforehersistercouldanswerher，sheturnedawayabruptlyandranupstairs。
Thedoorofthelibraryopened，beforeMagdalencouldfollowher；andMissGarthadvancedtoexpressthesentimentspropertotheoccasion。
Theywerenotthemechanically-submissivesentimentswhichMagdalenhadjustheard。NorahhadstruggledagainstherrooteddistrustofFrank，indeferencetotheunanswerabledecisionofbothherparentsinhisfavor；andhadsuppressedtheopenexpressionofherantipathy，thoughthefeelingitselfremainedunconquered。MissGarthhadmadenosuchconcessiontothemasterandmistressofthehouse。Shehadhithertoheldthepositionofahighauthorityonalldomesticquestions；andsheflatlydeclinedtogetoffherpedestalindeferencetoanychangeinthefamilycircumstances，nomatterhowamazingorhowunexpectedthatchangemightbe。
“Prayacceptmycongratulations，“saidMissGarth，bristlingalloverwithimpliedobjectionstoFrank——“mycongratulations，andmyapologies。WhenIcaughtyoukissingMr。FrancisClareinthesummer-house，Ihadnoideayouwereengagedincarryingouttheintentionsofyourparents。Ioffernoopiniononthesubject。ImerelyregretmyownaccidentalappearanceinthecharacterofanObstacletothecourseoftrue-love——whichappearstorunsmoothinsummer-houses，whateverShakespearemaysaytothecontrary。Considermeforthefuture，ifyouplease，asanObstacleremoved。Mayyoubehappy！“MissGarth\'slipsclosedonthatlastsentencelikeatrap，andMissGarth\'seyeslookedominouslypropheticintothematrimonialfuture。
IfMagdalen\'sanxietieshadnotbeenfartooserioustoallowherthecustomaryfreeuseofhertongue，shewouldhavebeenreadyontheinstantwithanappropriatelysatiricalanswer。Asitwas，MissGarthsimplyirritatedher。“Pooh！“shesaid——andranupstairstohersister\'sroom。
Sheknockedatthedoor，andtherewasnoanswer。Shetriedthedoor，anditresistedherfromtheinside。Thesullen，unmanageableNorahwaslockedin。
Underothercircumstances，Magdalenwouldnothavebeensatisfiedwithknocking——shewouldhavecalledthroughthedoorloudlyandmoreloudly，tillthehousewasdisturbedandshehadcarriedherpoint。Butthedoubtsandfearsofthemorninghadunnervedheralready。Shewentdownstairsagainsoftly，andtookherhatfromthestandinthehall。“Hetoldmetoputmyhaton，“shesaidtoherself，withameekfilialdocilitywhichwastotallyoutofhercharacter。
Shewentintothegarden，ontheshrubberyside；andwaitedtheretocatchthefirstsightofherfatheronhisreturn。Halfanhourpassed；fortyminutespassed——andthenhisvoicereachedherfromamongthedistanttrees。“Comeintoheel！“sheheardhimcalloutloudlytothedog。Herfaceturnedpale。“He\'sangrywithSnap！“sheexclaimedtoherselfinawhisper。Thenextminuteheappearedinview；walkingrapidly，withhisheaddownandSnapathisheelsindisgrace。Thesuddenexcessofheralarmassheobservedthoseominoussignsofsomethingwrongralliedhernaturalenergy，anddeterminedherdesperatelyonknowingtheworst。Shewalkedstraightforwardtomeetherfather。
“Yourfacetellsyournews，“shesaidfaintly。“Mr。Clarehasbeenasheartlessasusual——Mr。ClarehassaidNo？“
Herfatherturnedonherwithasuddenseverity，soentirelyunparalleledinherexperienceofhimthatshestartedbackindownrightterror。
“Magdalen！“hesaid；“wheneveryouspeakofmyoldfriendandneighboragain，bearthisinmind:Mr。ClarehasjustlaidmeunderanobligationwhichIshallremembergratefullytotheendofmylife。“
Hestoppedsuddenlyaftersayingthoseremarkablewords。Seeingthathehadstartledher，hisnaturalkindnesspromptedhiminstantlytosoftenthereproof，andtoendthesuspensefromwhichshewasplainlysuffering。“Givemeakiss，mylove，“heresumed；“andI\'lltellyouinreturnthatMr。Clarehassaid——YES。“
Sheattemptedtothankhim；butthesuddenluxuryofreliefwastoomuchforher。Shecouldonlyclingroundhisneckinsilence。Hefelthertremblingfromheadtofoot，andsaidafewwordstocalmher。Atthealteredtonesofhismaster\'svoice，Snap\'smeektailre-appearedfiercelyfrombetweenhislegs；andSnap\'slungsmodestlytestedhispositionwithabrief，experimentalbark。Thedog\'squaintlyappropriateassertionofhimselfonhisoldfootingwastheinterruptionofallotherswhichwasbestfittedtorestoreMagdalentoherself。Shecaughttheshaggylittleterrierupinherarmsandkissedhimnext。“Youdarling，“sheexclaimed，“you\'realmostasgladasIam！“Sheturnedagaintoherfather，withalookoftenderreproach。“Youfrightenedme，papa，“shesaid。“Youweresounlikeyourself。“
“Ishallberightagainto-morrow，mydear。Iamalittleupsetto-day。“
“Notbyme？“
“No，no。“
“BysomethingyouhaveheardatMr。Clare\'s？“
“Yes——nothingyouneedalarmyourselfabout；nothingthatwon\'twearoffbyto-morrow。Letmegonow，mydear；Ihavealettertowrite；andIwanttospeaktoyourmother。“
Heleftherandwentontothehouse。Magdalenlingeredalittleonthelawn，tofeelallthehappinessofhernewsensations——thenturnedawaytowardtheshrubberytoenjoythehigherluxuryofcommunicatingthem。Thedogfollowedher。Shewhistled，andclappedherhands。“Findhim！“shesaid，withbeamingeyes。“FindFrank！“Snapscamperedintotheshrubbery，withabloodthirstysnarlatstarting。Perhapshehadmistakenhisyoungmistressandconsideredhimselfheremissaryinsearchofarat？
Meanwhile，Mr。Vanstoneenteredthehouse。Hemethiswifeslowlydescendingthestairs，andadvancedtogiveherhisarm。“Howhasitended？“sheasked，anxiously，asheledhertothesofa。
“Happily——aswehopeditwould，“answeredherhusband。“Myoldfriendhasjustifiedmyopinionofhim。“
“ThankGod！“saidMrs。Vanstone，fervently。“Didyoufeelit，love？“sheasked，asherhusbandarrangedthesofapillows——“didyoufeelitaspainfullyasIfearedyouwould？“
“Ihadadutytodo，mydear——andIdidit。“
Afterreplyinginthoseterms，hehesitated。Apparently，hehadsomethingmoretosay——something，perhaps，onthesubjectofthatpassinguneasinessofmindwhichhadbeenproducedbyhisinterviewwithMr。Clare，andwhichMagdalen\'squestionshadobligedhimtoacknowledge。Alookathiswifedecidedhisdoubtsinthenegative。Heonlyaskedifshefeltcomfortable；andthenturnedawaytoleavetheroom。
“Mustyougo？“sheasked。
“Ihavealettertowrite，mydear。“
“AnythingaboutFrank？“
“No:to-morrowwilldoforthat。AlettertoMr。Pendril。Iwanthimhereimmediately。“
“Business，Isuppose？“
“Yes，mydear——business。“
Hewentout，andshuthimselfintothelittlefrontroom，closetothehalldoor，whichwascalledhisstudy。Bynatureandhabitthemostprocrastinatingofletter-writers，henowinconsistentlyopenedhisdeskandtookupthepenwithoutamoment\'sdelay。Hisletterwaslongenoughtooccupythreepagesofnote-paper；itwaswrittenwithareadinessofexpressionandarapidityofhandwhichseldomcharacterizedhisproceedingswhenengagedoverhisordinarycorrespondence。Hewrotetheaddressasfollows:“Immediate——WilliamPendril，Esq。，SerleStreet，Lincoln\'sInn，London“——thenpushedtheletterawayfromhim，andsatatthetable，drawinglinesontheblotting-paperwithhispen，lostinthought。“No，“hesaidtohimself；“IcandonothingmoretillPendrilcomes。“Herose；hisfacebrightenedasheputthestampontheenvelope。Thewritingoftheletterhadsensiblyrelievedhim，andhiswholebearingshoweditashelefttheroom。
OnthedoorstephefoundNorahandMissGarth，settingforthtogetherforawalk。
“Whichwayareyougoing？“heasked。“Anywherenearthepost-office？Iwishyouwouldpostthisletterforme，Norah。Itisveryimportant——soimportantthatIhardlyliketotrustittoThomas，asusual。“
Norahatoncetookchargeoftheletter。
“Ifyoulook，mydear，“continuedherfather，“youwillseethatIamwritingtoMr。Pendril。Iexpecthimhereto-morrowafternoon。Willyougivethenecessarydirections，MissGarth？Mr。Pendrilwillsleephereto-morrownight，andstayoverSunday——Waitaminute！TodayisFriday。SurelyIhadanengagementforSaturdayafternoon？“Heconsultedhispocketbookandreadoveroneoftheentries，withalookofannoyance。“GrailseaMill，threeo\'clock，Saturday。JustthetimewhenPendrilwillbehere；andImustbeathometoseehim。HowcanImanageit？MondaywillbetoolateformybusinessatGrailsea。I\'llgoto-day，instead；andtakemychanceofcatchingthemillerathisdinner-time。“Helookedathiswatch。“Notimefordriving；Imustdoitbyrailway。IfIgoatonce，Ishallcatchthedowntrainatourstation，andgetontoGrailsea。Takecareoftheletter，Norah。Iwon\'tkeepdinnerwaiting；ifthereturntraindoesn\'tsuit，I\'llborrowagigandgetbackinthatway。“
Ashetookuphishat，Magdalenappearedatthedoor，returningfromherinterviewwithFrank。Thehurryofherfather\'smovementsattractedherattention；andsheaskedhimwherehewasgoing。
“ToGrailsea，“repliedMr。Vanstone。“Yourbusiness，MissMagdalen，hasgotinthewayofmine——andminemustgivewaytoit。“
Hespokethosepartingwordsinhisoldheartymanner；andleftthem，withtheoldcharacteristicflourishofhistrustystick。
“Mybusiness！“saidMagdalen。“Ithoughtmybusinesswasdone。“
MissGarthpointedsignificantlytotheletterinNorah\'shand。“Yourbusiness，beyondalldoubt，“shesaid。“Mr。Pendriliscomingtomorrow；andMr。Vanstoneseemsremarkablyanxiousaboutit。Law，anditsattendanttroublesalready！Governesseswholookinatsummer-housedoorsarenottheonlyobstaclestothecourseoftrue-love。Parchmentissometimesanobstacle。IhopeyoumayfindParchmentaspliableasIam——Iwishyouwellthroughit。Now，Norah！“
MissGarth\'ssecondshaftstruckasharmlessasthefirst。Magdalenhadreturnedtothehouse，alittlevexed；herinterviewwithFrankhavingbeeninterruptedbyamessengerfromMr。Clare，senttosummonthesonintothefather\'spresence。AlthoughithadbeenagreedattheprivateinterviewbetweenMr。VanstoneandMr。Clarethatthequestionsdiscussedthatmorningshouldnotbecommunicatedtothechildrenuntiltheyearofprobationwasatanend——andalthoughunderthesecircumstancesMr。ClarehadnothingtotellFrankwhichMagdalencouldnotcommunicatetohimmuchmoreagreeably——thephilosopherwasnotthelessresolvedonpersonallyinforminghissonoftheparentalconcessionwhichrescuedhimfromChineseexile。Theresultwasasuddensummonstothecottage，whichstartledMagdalen，butwhichdidnotappeartotakeFrankbysurprise。HisfilialexperiencepenetratedthemysteryofMr。Clare\'smotiveseasilyenough。“Whenmyfather\'sinspirits，“hesaid，sulkily，“helikestobullymeaboutmygoodluck。Thismessagemeansthathe\'sgoingtobullymenow。“
“Don\'tgo，“suggestedMagdalen。
“Imust，“rejoinedFrank。“IshallneverhearthelastofitifIdon\'t。He\'sprimedandloaded，andhemeanstogooff。Hewentoff，once，whentheengineertookme；hewentoff，twice，whentheofficeintheCitytookme；andhe\'sgoingoff，thrice，nowyou\'vetakenme。Ifitwasn\'tforyou，IshouldwishIhadneverbeenborn。Yes；yourfather\'sbeenkindtome，Iknow——andIshouldhavegonetoChina，ifithadn\'tbeenforhim。I\'msureI\'mverymuchobliged。Ofcourse，wehavenorighttoexpectanythingelse——stillit\'sdiscouragingtokeepuswaitingayear，isn\'tit？“
Magdalenstoppedhismouthbyasummaryprocess，towhichevenFranksubmittedgratefully。Atthesametime，shedidnotforgettosetdownhisdiscontenttotherightside。“Howfondheisofme！“shethought。“Ayear\'swaitingisquiteahardshiptohim。“Shereturnedtothehouse，secretlyregrettingthatshehadnotheardmoreofFrank\'scomplimentarycomplaints。MissGarth\'selaboratesatire，addressedtoherwhileshewasinthisframeofmind，wasapurelygratuitouswasteofMissGarth\'sbreath。WhatdidMagdalencareforsatire？WhatdoYouthandLoveevercareforexceptthemselves？Sheneverevensaidasmuchas“Pooh！“thistime。Shelaidasideherhatinserenesilence，andsaunteredlanguidlyintothemorning-roomtokeephermothercompany。ShelunchedondireforebodingsofaquarrelbetweenFrankandhisfather，withaccidentalinterruptionsintheshapeofcoldchickenandcheese-cakes。Shetrifledawayhalfanhouratthepiano；andplayed，inthattime，selectionsfromtheSongsofMendelssohn，theMazurkasofChopin，theOperasofVerdi，andtheSonatasofMozart——allofwhomhadcombinedtogetheronthisoccasionandproducedoneimmortalwork，entitled“Frank。“Sheclosedthepianoandwentuptoherroom，todreamawaythehoursluxuriouslyinvisionsofhermarriedfuture。Thegreenshutterswereclosed，theeasy-chairwaspushedinfrontoftheglass，themaidwassummonedasusual；andthecombassistedthemistress\'sreflections，throughthemediumofthemistress\'shair，tillheatandidlenessassertedtheirnarcoticinfluencestogether，andMagdalenfellasleep。
Itwaspastthreeo\'clockwhenshewoke。Ongoingdownstairsagainshefoundhermother，NorahandMissGarthallsittingtogetherenjoyingtheshadeandthecoolnessundertheopenporticoinfrontofthehouse。
Norahhadtherailwaytime-tableinherhand。TheyhadbeendiscussingthechancesofMr。Vanstone\'scatchingthereturntrainandgettingbackingoodtime。Thattopichadledthem，next，tohisbusinesserrandatGrailsea——anerrandofkindness，asusual；undertakenforthebenefitofthemiller，whohadbeenhisoldfarm-servant，andwhowasnowhardpressedbyseriouspecuniarydifficulties。Fromthistheyhadglidedinsensiblyintoasubjectoftenrepeatedamongthem，andneverexhaustedbyrepetition——thepraiseofMr。Vanstonehimself。Eachoneofthethreehadsomeexperienceofherowntorelateofhissimple，generousnature。Theconversationseemedtobealmostpainfullyinterestingtohiswife。Shewastoonearthetimeofhertrialnownottofeelnervouslysensitivetotheonesubjectwhichalwaysheldtheforemostplaceinherheart。HereyesoverflowedasMagdalenjoinedthelittlegroupundertheportico；herfrailhandtrembledasitsignedtoheryoungestdaughtertotakethevacantchairbyherside。“Weweretalkingofyourfather，“shesaid，softly。“Oh，mylove，ifyourmarriedlifeisonlyashappy——“Hervoicefailedher；sheputherhandkerchiefhurriedlyoverherfaceandrestedherheadonMagdalen\'sshoulder。NorahlookedappealinglytoMissGarth，whoatonceledtheconversationbacktothemoretrivialsubjectofMr。Vanstone\'sreturn。“Wehaveallbeenwondering，“shesaid，withasignificantlookatMagdalen，“whetheryourfatherwillleaveGrailseaintimetocatchthetrain——orwhetherhewillmissitandbeobligedtodriveback。Whatdoyousay？“
“Isay，papawillmissthetrain，“repliedMagdalen，takingMissGarth\'shintwithhercustomaryquickness。“ThelastthingheattendstoatGrailseawillbethebusinessthatbringshimthere。Wheneverhehasbusinesstodo，healwaysputsitofftothelastmoment，doesn\'the，mamma？“
ThequestionrousedhermotherexactlyasMagdalenhadintendeditshould。“Notwhenhiserrandisanerrandofkindness，“saidMrs。Vanstone。“Hehasgonetohelpthemillerinaverypressingdifficulty——“
“Anddon\'tyouknowwhathe\'lldo？“persistedMagdalen。“He\'llrompwiththemiller\'schildren，andgossipwiththemother，andhob-and-nobwiththefather。Atthelastmomentwhenhehasgotfiveminuteslefttocatchthetrain，he\'llsay:\'Let\'sgointothecounting-houseandlookatthebooks。\'He\'llfindthebooksdreadfullycomplicated；he\'llsuggestsendingforanaccountant；he\'llsettlethebusinessoffhand，bylendingthemoneyinthemeantime；he\'lljogbackcomfortablyinthemiller\'sgig；andhe\'lltellusallhowpleasantthelaneswereinthecooloftheevening。“
Thelittlecharacter-sketchwhichthesewordsdrewwastoofaithfulalikenessnottoberecognized。Mrs。Vanstoneshowedherappreciationofitbyasmile。“Whenyourfatherreturns，“shesaid，“wewillputyouraccountofhisproceedingstothetest。Ithink，“shecontinued，risinglanguidlyfromherchair，“Ihadbettergoindoorsagainnowandrestonthesofatillhecomesback。“
Thelittlegroupundertheporticobrokeup。MagdalenslippedawayintothegardentohearFrank\'saccountoftheinterviewwithhisfather。Theotherthreeladiesenteredthehousetogether。WhenMrs。Vanstonewascomfortablyestablishedonthesofa，NorahandMissGarthlefthertorepose，andwithdrewtothelibrarytolookoverthelastparcelofbooksfromLondon。
Itwasaquiet，cloudlesssummer\'sday。Theheatwastemperedbyalightwesternbreeze；thevoicesoflaborersatworkinafieldnearreachedthehousecheerfully；theclock-bellofthevillagechurchasitstruckthequartersfloateddownthewindwithaclearerring，aloudermelodythanusual。Sweetodorsfromfieldandflower-garden，stealinginattheopenwindows，filledthehousewiththeirfragrance；andthebirdsinNorah\'saviaryupstairssangthesongoftheirhappinessexultinglyinthesun。
Asthechurchclockstruckthequarterpastfour，themorning-roomdooropened；andMrs。Vanstonecrossedthehallalone。Shehadtriedvainlytocomposeherself。Shewastoorestlesstoliestillandsleep。Foramomentshedirectedherstepstowardtheportico——thenturned，andlookedabouther，doubtfulwheretogo，orwhattodonext。Whileshewasstillhesitating，thehalf-opendoorofherhusband\'sstudyattractedherattention。Theroomseemedtobeinsadconfusion。Drawerswereleftopen；coatsandhats，account-booksandpapers，pipesandfishing-rodswereallscatteredabouttogether。Shewentin，andpushedthedoorto——butsogentlythatshestillleftitajar。“Itwillamusemetoputhisroomtorights，“shethoughttoherself。“IshouldliketodosomethingforhimbeforeIamdownonmybed，helpless。“Shebegantoarrangehisdrawers，andfoundhisbanker\'sbooklyingopeninoneofthem。“Mypoordear，howcarelessheis！Theservantsmighthaveseenallhisaffairs，ifIhadnothappenedtohavelookedin。“Shesetthedrawersright；andthenturnedtothemultifariouslitteronaside-table。Alittleold-fashionedmusic-bookappearedamongthescatteredpapers，withhernamewritteninit，infadedink。Sheblushedlikeayounggirlinthefirsthappinessofthediscovery。“Howgoodheistome！Heremembersmypooroldmusic-book，andkeepsitformysake。“Asshesatdownbythetableandopenedthebook，thebygonetimecamebacktoherinallitstenderness。Theclockstruckthehalf-hour，struckthethree-quarters——andstillshesatthere，withthemusic-bookonherlap，dreaminghappilyovertheoldsongs；thinkinggratefullyofthegoldendayswhenhishandhadturnedthepagesforher，whenhisvoicehadwhisperedthewordswhichnowoman\'smemoryeverforgets。
Norahrousedherselffromthevolumeshewasreading，andglancedattheclockonthelibrarymantel-piece。
“Ifpapacomesbackbytherailway，“shesaid，“hewillbehereintenminutes。“
MissGarthstarted，andlookedupdrowsilyfromthebookwhichwasjustdroppingoutofherhand。
“Idon\'tthinkhewillcomebytrain，“shereplied。“Hewilljogback——asMagdalenflippantlyexpressedit——inthemiller\'sgig。“
Asshesaidthewords，therewasaknockatthelibrarydoor。Thefootmanappeared，andaddressedhimselftoMissGarth。
“Apersonwishestoseeyou，ma\'am。“
“Whoisit？“
“Idon\'tknow，ma\'am。Astrangertome——arespectable-lookingman——andhesaidheparticularlywishedtoseeyou。“
MissGarthwentoutintothehall。Thefootmanclosedthelibrarydoorafterher，andwithdrewdownthekitchenstairs。
Themanstoodjustinsidethedoor，onthemat。Hiseyeswandered，hisfacewaspale——helookedill；helookedfrightened。Hetriflednervouslywithhiscap，andshifteditbackwardandforward，fromonehandtotheother。
“Youwantedtoseeme？“saidMissGarth。
“Ibegyourpardon，ma\'am——YouarenotMrs。Vanstone，areyou？“
“Certainlynot。IamMissGarth。Whydoyouaskthequestion？“
“Iamemployedintheclerk\'sofficeatGrailseaStation——“
“Yes？“
“Iamsenthere——“
Hestoppedagain。Hiswanderingeyeslookeddownatthemat，andhisrestlesshandswrunghiscapharderandharder。Hemoistenedhisdrylips，andtriedoncemore。
“Iamsenthereonaveryseriouserrand。“
“Serioustome？“
“Serioustoallinthishouse。“
MissGarthtookonestepnearertohim——tookonesteadylookathisface。Sheturnedcoldinthesummerheat。“Stop！“shesaid，withasuddendistrust，andglancedasideanxiouslyatthedoorofthemorning-room。Itwassafelyclosed。“Tellmetheworst；anddon\'tspeakloud。Therehasbeenanaccident。Where？“
“Ontherailway。ClosetoGrailseaStation。“
“Theup-traintoLondon？“
“No:thedown-trainatone-fifty——“
“GodAlmightyhelpus！ThetrainMr。VanstonetraveledbytoGrailsea？“
“Thesame。Iwassentherebytheup-train；thelinewasjustclearedintimeforit。Theywouldn\'twrite——theysaidImustsee\'MissGarth，\'andtellher。Therearesevenpassengersbadlyhurt；andtwo——“
Thenextwordfailedonhislips；heraisedhishandinthedeadsilence。Witheyesthatopenedwideinhorror，heraisedhishandandpointedoverMissGarth\'sshoulder。
Sheturnedalittle，andlookedback。
Facetofacewithher，onthethresholdofthestudydoor，stoodthemistressofthehouse。Sheheldheroldmusic-bookclutchedfastmechanicallyinbothhands。Shestood，thespecterofherself。Withadreadfulvacancyinhereyes，withadreadfulstillnessinhervoice，sherepeatedtheman\'slastwords:
“Sevenpassengersbadlyhurt；andtwo——“
Hertorturedfingersrelaxedtheirhold；thebookdroppedfromthem；shesankforwardheavily。MissGarthcaughtherbeforeshefell——caughther，andturnedupontheman，withthewife\'sswooningbodyinherarms，tohearthehusband\'sfate。
“Theharmisdone，“shesaid；“youmayspeakout。Ishewounded，ordead？“
“Dead。“
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]NoName，Scene1，Chapter11CHAPTERXI。
THEsunsanklower；thewesternbreezefloatedcoolandfreshintothehouse。Astheeveningadvanced，thecheerfulringofthevillageclockcamenearerandnearer。Fieldandflower-gardenfelttheinfluenceofthehour，andshedtheirsweetestfragrance。ThebirdsinNorah\'saviarysunnedthemselvesintheeveningstillness，andsangtheirfarewellgratitudetothedyingday。
Staggeredinitsprogressforatimeonly，thepitilessroutineofthehousewenthorriblyonitsdailyway。Thepanic-strickenservantstooktheirblindrefugeinthedutiespropertothehour。Thefootmansoftlylaidthetablefordinner。Themaidsatwaitinginsenselessdoubt，withthehot-waterjugsforthebedroomsrangednearherintheircustomaryrow。Thegardener，whohadbeenorderedtocometohismaster，withvouchersformoneythathehadpaidinexcessofhisinstructions，saidhischaracterwasdeartohim，andleftthevouchersathisappointedtime。Customthatneveryields，andDeaththatneverspares，metonthewreckofhumanhappiness——andDeathgaveway。
Heavilythethunder-cloudsofAfflictionhadgatheredoverthehouse——heavily，butnotattheirdarkestyet。Atfive，thatevening，theshockofthecalamityhadstruckitsblow。Beforeanotherhourhadpassed，thedisclosureofthehusband\'ssuddendeathwasfollowedbythesuspenseofthewife\'smortalperil。Shelayhelplessonherwidowedbed；herownlife，andthelifeofherunbornchild，tremblinginthebalance。
Butonemindstillheldpossessionofitsresources——butoneguidingspiritnowmovedhelpfullyinthehouseofmourning。
IfMissGarth\'searlydayshadbeenpassedascalmlyandashappilyasherlaterlifeatCombe-Raven，shemighthavesunkunderthecruelnecessitiesofthetime。Butthegoverness\'syouthhadbeentriedintheordealoffamilyaffliction；andshemetherterribledutieswiththesteadycourageofawomanwhohadlearnedtosuffer。Alone，shehadfacedthetrialoftellingthedaughtersthattheywerefatherless。Alone，shenowstruggledtosustainthem，whenthedreadfulcertaintyoftheirbereavementwasatlastimpressedontheirminds。
Herleastanxietywasfortheeldersister。TheagonyofNorah\'sgriefhadforceditswayoutwardtothenaturalreliefoftears。ItwasnotsowithMagdalen。Tearlessandspeechless，shesatintheroomwheretherevelationofherfather\'sdeathhadfirstreachedher；herface，unnaturallypetrifiedbythesterilesorrowofoldage——awhite，changelessblank，fearfultolookat。Nothingroused，nothingmeltedher。Sheonlysaid，“Don\'tspeaktome；don\'ttouchme。Letmebearitbymyself“——andfellsilentagain。Thefirstgreatgriefwhichhaddarkenedthesisters\'liveshad，asitseemed，changedtheireverydaycharactersalready。
Thetwilightfell，andfaded；andthesummernightcamebrightly。Asthefirstcarefullyshadedlightwaskindledinthesick-room，thephysician，whohadbeensummonedfromBristol，arrivedtoconsultwiththemedicalattendantofthefamily。Hecouldgivenocomfort:hecouldonlysay，“Wemusttry，andhope。Theshockwhichstruckher，whensheoverheardthenewsofherhusband\'sdeath，hasprostratedherstrengthatthetimewhensheneededitmost。Noefforttopreservehershallbeneglected。Iwillstayhereforthenight。“
Heopenedoneofthewindowstoadmitmoreairashespoke。Theviewoverlookedthedriveinfrontofthehouseandtheroadoutside。Littlegroupsofpeoplewerestandingbeforethelodge-gates，lookingin。“Ifthosepersonsmakeanynoise，“saidthedoctor，“theymustbewarnedaway。“Therewasnoneedtowarnthem:theywereonlythelaborerswhohadworkedonthedeadman\'sproperty，andhereandtheresomewomenandchildrenfromthevillage。Theywereallthinkingofhim——sometalkingofhim——anditquickenedtheirsluggishmindstolookathishouse。Thegentlefolksthereaboutsweremostlykindtothemthemensaid，butnonelikehim。Thewomenwhisperedtoeachotherofhiscomfortingwayswhenhecameintotheircottages。“Hewasacheerfulman，poorsoul；andthoughtfulofus，too:henevercameinandstaredatmeal-times；therestof\'emhelpus，andscoldus——allheeversaidwas，betterlucknexttime。“Sotheystoodandtalkedofhim，andlookedathishouseandgroundsandmovedoffclumsilybytwosandthrees，withthedimsensethatthesightofhispleasantfacewouldnevercomfortthemagain。Thedullestheadamongthemknew，thatnight，thatthehardwaysofpovertywouldbeallthehardertowalkon，nowhewasgone。
Alittlelater，newswasbroughttothebed-chamberdoorthatoldMr。Clarehadcomealonetothehouse，andwaswaitinginthehallbelow，tohearwhatthephysiciansaid。MissGarthwasnotabletogodowntohimherself:shesentamessage。Hesaidtotheservant，“I\'llcomeandaskagain，intwohours\'time“——andwentoutslowly。Unlikeothermeninallthingselse，thesuddendeathofhisoldfriendhadproducednodiscerniblechangeinhim。Thefeelingimpliedintheerrandofinquirythathadbroughthimtothehousewastheonebetrayalofhumansympathywhichescapedtherugged，impenetrableoldman。
Hecameagain，whenthetwohourshadexpired；andthistimeMissGarthsawhim。
Theyshookhandsinsilence。Shewaited；shenervedherselftohearhimspeakofhislostfriend。No:henevermentionedthedreadfulaccident，heneveralludedtothedreadfuldeath。Hesaidthesewords，“Isshebetter，orworse？“andsaidnomore。Wasthetributeofhisgriefforthehusbandsternlysuppressedundertheexpressionofhisanxietyforthewife？Thenatureoftheman，unpliablyantagonistictotheworldandtheworld\'scustoms，mightjustifysomesuchinterpretationofhisconductasthis。Herepeatedhisquestion，“Isshebetter，orworse？“
MissGarthansweredhim:
“Nobetter；ifthereisanychange，itisachangefortheworse。“
Theyspokethosewordsatthewindowofthemorning-roomwhichopenedonthegarden。Mr。Clarepaused，afterhearingthereplytohisinquiry，steppedoutontothewalk，thenturnedonasudden，andspokeagain:
“Hasthedoctorgivenherup？“heasked。
“Hehasnotconcealedfromusthatsheisindanger。Wecanonlyprayforher。“
TheoldmanlaidhishandonMissGarth\'sarmassheansweredhim，andlookedherattentivelyintheface。
“Youbelieveinprayer？“hesaid。
MissGarthdrewsorrowfullybackfromhim。
“Youmighthavesparedmethatquestionsir，atsuchatimeasthis。“
Hetooknonoticeofheranswer；hiseyeswerestillfastenedonherface。
“Pray！“hesaid。“Prayasyouneverprayedbefore，forthepreservationofMrs。Vanstone\'slife。“
Helefther。Hisvoiceandmannerimpliedsomeunutterabledreadofthefuture，whichhiswordshadnotconfessed。MissGarthfollowedhimintothegarden，andcalledtohim。Heheardher，butheneverturnedback:hequickenedhispace，asifhedesiredtoavoidher。Shewatchedhimacrossthelawninthewarmsummermoonlight。Shesawhiswhite，witheredhands，sawthemsuddenlyagainsttheblackbackgroundoftheshrubbery，raisedandwrungabovehishead。Theydropped——thetreesshroudedhimindarkness——hewasgone。
MissGarthwentbacktothesufferingwoman，withtheburdenonhermindofoneanxietymore。
Itwasthenpasteleveno\'clock。Somelittletimehadelapsedsinceshehadseenthesistersandspokentothem。Theinquiriessheaddressedtooneofthefemaleservantsonlyelicitedtheinformationthattheywerebothintheirrooms。Shedelayedherreturntothemother\'sbedsidetosayherpartingwordsofcomforttothedaughters，beforesheleftthemforthenight。Norah\'sroomwasthenearest。Shesoftlyopenedthedoorandlookedin。ThekneelingfigurebythebedsidetoldherthatGod\'shelphadfoundthefatherlessdaughterinheraffliction。Gratefultearsgatheredinhereyesasshelooked:shesoftlyclosedthedoor，andwentontoMagdalen\'sroom。Theredoubtstayedherfeetatthethreshold，andshewaitedforamomentbeforegoingin。
Asoundintheroomcaughtherear——themonotonousrustlingofawoman\'sdress，nowdistant，nownear；passingwithoutcessationfromendtoendoverthefloor——asoundwhichtoldherthatMagdalenwaspacingtoandfrointhesecrecyofherownchamber。MissGarthknocked。Therustlingceased；thedoorwasopened，andthesadyoungfaceconfrontedher，lockedinitscolddespair；thelargelighteyeslookedmechanicallyintohers，asvacantandastearlessasever。
Thatlookwrungtheheartofthefaithfulwoman，whohadtrainedherandlovedherfromachild。ShetookMagdalentenderlyinherarms。
“Oh，mylove“shesaid，“notearsyet！Oh，ifIcouldseeyouasIhaveseenNorah！Speaktome，Magdalen——tryifyoucanspeaktome。“
Shetried，andspoke:
“Norah，“shesaid，“feelsnoremorse。HewasnotservingNorah\'sinterestswhenhewenttohisdeath:hewasservingmine。“
Withthatterribleanswer，sheputhercoldlipstoMissGarth\'scheek。
“Letmebearitbymyself，“shesaid，andgentlyclosedthedoor。
AgainMissGarthwaitedatthethreshold，andagainthesoundoftherustlingdresspassedtoandfro——nowfar，nownear——toandfrowithacruel，mechanicalregularity，thatchilledthewarmestsympathy，anddauntedtheboldesthope。
Thenightpassed。Ithadbeenagreed，ifnochangeforthebettershoweditselfbythemorning，thattheLondonphysicianwhomMrs。Vanstonehadconsultedsomemonthssinceshouldbesummonedtothehouseonthenextday。Nochangeforthebetterappeared，andthephysicianwassentfor。
Asthemorningadvanced，Frankcametomakeinquiriesfromthecottage。HadMr。ClareintrustedtohissonthedutywhichhehadpersonallyperformedonthepreviousdaythroughreluctancetomeetMissGarthagainafterwhathehadsaidtoher？Itmightbeso。Frankcouldthrownolightonthesubject；hewasnotinhisfather\'sconfidence。Helookedpaleandbewildered。HisfirstinquiriesafterMagdalenshowedhowhisweaknaturehadbeenshakenbythecatastrophe。Hewasnotcapableofframinghisownquestions:thewordsfalteredonhislips，andthereadytearscameintohiseyes。MissGarth\'sheartwarmedtohimforthefirsttime。Griefhasthisthatisnobleinit——itacceptsallsympathy，comewhenceitmay。Sheencouragedtheladbyafewkindwords，andtookhishandatparting。
BeforenoonFrankreturnedwithasecondmessage。HisfatherdesiredtoknowwhetherMr。PendrilwasnotexpectedatCombe-Ravenonthatday。Ifthelawyer\'sarrivalwaslookedfor，Frankwasdirectedtobeinattendanceatthestation，andtotakehimtothecottage，whereabedwouldbeplacedathisdisposal。ThismessagetookMissGarthbysurprise。ItshowedthatMr。Clarehadbeenmadeacquaintedwithhisdeadfriend\'spurposeofsendingforMr。Pendril。Wastheoldman\'sthoughtfulofferofhospitalityanotherindirectexpressionofthenaturalhumandistresswhichheperverselyconcealed？orwasheawareofsomesecretnecessityforMr。Pendril\'spresence，ofwhichthebereavedfamilyhadbeenkeptintotalignorance？MissGarthwastooheart-sickandhopelesstodwelloneitherquestion。ShetoldFrankthatMr。Pendrilhadbeenexpectedatthreeo\'clock，andsenthimbackwithherthanks。
Shortlyafterhisdeparture，suchanxietiesonMagdalen\'saccountashermindwasnowabletofeelwererelievedbybetternewsthanherlastnight\'sexperiencehadinclinedhertohopefor。Norah\'sinfluencehadbeenexertedtorousehersister；andNorah\'spatientsympathyhadsettheprisonedgrieffree。Magdalenhadsufferedseverely——sufferedinevitably，withsuchanatureashers——intheeffortthatrelievedher。Thehealingtearshadnotcomegently；theyhadburstfromherwithatorturing，passionatevehemence——butNorahhadneverlefthertillthestrugglewasover，andthecalmhadcome。ThesebettertidingsencouragedMissGarthtowithdrawtoherownroom，andtotaketherestwhichsheneededsorely。Wornoutinbodyandmind，shesleptfromsheerexhaustion——sleptheavilyanddreamlessforsomehours。Itwasbetweenthreeandfourintheafternoonwhenshewasrousedbyoneofthefemaleservants。Thewomanhadanoteinherhand——anoteleftbyMr。Claretheyounger，withamessagedesiringthatitmightbedeliveredtoMissGarthimmediately。Thenamewritteninthelowercorneroftheenvelopewas“WilliamPendril。“Thelawyerhadarrived。
MissGarthopenedthenote。Afterafewfirstsentencesofsympathyandcondolence，thewriterannouncedhisarrivalatMr。Clare\'s；andthenproceeded，apparentlyinhisprofessionalcapacity，tomakeaverystartlingrequest。
“If，“hewrote，“anychangeforthebetterinMrs。Vanstoneshouldtakeplace——whetheritisonlyanimprovementforthetime，orwhetheritisthepermanentimprovementforwhichweallhope——ineithercaseIentreatyoutoletmeknowofitimmediately。ItisofthelastimportancethatIshouldseeher，intheeventofhergainingstrengthenoughtogivemeherattentionforfiveminutes，andofherbeingableattheexpirationofthattimetosignhername。MayIbegthatyouwillcommunicatemyrequest，inthestrictestconfidence，tothemedicalmeninattendance？Theywillunderstand，andyouwillunderstand，thevitalimportanceIattachtothisinterviewwhenItellyouthatIhavearrangedtodefertoitallotherbusinessclaimsonme；andthatIholdmyselfinreadinesstoobeyyoursummonsatanyhourofthedayornight。“
Inthosetermstheletterended。MissGarthreadittwiceover。Atthesecondreadingtherequestwhichthelawyernowaddressedtoher，andthefarewellwordswhichhadescapedMr。Clare\'slipsthedaybefore，connectedthemselvesvaguelyinhermind。Therewassomeotherseriousinterestinsuspense，knowntoMr。PendrilandknowntoMr。Clare，besidesthefirstandforemostinterestofMrs。Vanstone\'srecovery。Whomdiditaffect？Thechildren？Weretheythreatenedbysomenewcalamitywhichtheirmother\'ssignaturemightavert？Whatdiditmean？DiditmeanthatMr。Vanstonehaddiedwithoutleavingawill？
InherdistressandconfusionofmindMissGarthwasincapableofreasoningwithherself，asshemighthavereasonedatahappiertime。ShehastenedtotheantechamberofMrs。Vanstone\'sroom；and，afterexplainingMr。Pendril\'spositiontowardthefamily，placedhisletterinthehandsofthemedicalmen。Theybothanswered，withouthesitation，tothesamepurpose。Mrs。Vanstone\'sconditionrenderedanysuchinterviewasthelawyerdesiredatotalimpossibility。Ifsheralliedfromherpresentprostration，MissGarthshouldbeatonceinformedoftheimprovement。Inthemeantime，theanswertoMr。Pendrilmightbeconveyedinoneword——Impossible。
“YouseewhatimportanceMr。Pendrilattachestotheinterview？“saidMissGarth。
Yes:boththedoctorssawit。
“Mymindislostandconfused，gentlemen，inthisdreadfulsuspense。Canyoueitherofyouguesswhythesignatureiswanted？orwhattheobjectoftheinterviewmaybe？IhaveonlyseenMr。Pendrilwhenhehascomehereonformervisits:Ihavenoclaimtojustifymeinquestioninghim。Willyoulookattheletteragain？DoyouthinkitimpliesthatMr。Vanstonehasnevermadeawill？“
“Ithinkitcanhardlyimplythat，“saidoneofthedoctors。“But，evensupposingMr。Vanstonetohavediedintestate，thelawtakesduecareoftheinterestsofhiswidowandhischildren——“
“Woulditdoso，“interposedtheothermedicalman，“ifthepropertyhappenedtobeinland？“
“Iamnotsureinthatcase。Doyouhappentoknow，MissGarth，whetherMr。Vanstone\'spropertywasinmoneyorinland？“
“Inmoney，“repliedMissGarth。“Ihaveheardhimsaysoonmorethanoneoccasion。“
“ThenIcanrelieveyourmindbyspeakingfrommyownexperience。Thelaw，ifhehasdiedintestate，givesathirdofhispropertytohiswidow，anddividestherestequallyamonghischildren。“
“ButifMrs。Vanstone——“
“IfMrs。Vanstoneshoulddie，“pursuedthedoctor，completingthequestionwhichMissGarthhadnotthehearttoconcludeforherself，“IbelieveIamrightintellingyouthatthepropertywould，asamatteroflegalcourse，gotothechildren。WhatevernecessitytheremaybefortheinterviewwhichMr。Pendrilrequests，IcanseenoreasonforconnectingitwiththequestionofMr。Vanstone\'spresumedintestacy。But，byallmeans，putthequestion，forthesatisfactionofyourownmind，toMr。Pendrilhimself。“
MissGarthwithdrewtotakethecoursewhichthedoctoradvised。AftercommunicatingtoMr。Pendrilthemedicaldecisionwhich，thusfar，refusedhimtheinterviewthathesought，sheaddedabriefstatementofthelegalquestionshehadputtothedoctors；andhinteddelicatelyathernaturalanxietytobeinformedofthemotiveswhichhadledthelawyertomakehisrequest。Theanswershereceivedwasguardedintheextreme:itdidnotimpressherwithafavorableopinionofMr。Pendril。Heconfirmedthedoctors\'interpretationofthelawingeneraltermsonly；expressedhisintentionofwaitingatthecottageinthehopethatachangeforthebettermightyetenableMrs。Vanstonetoseehim；andclosedhisletterwithouttheslightestexplanationofhismotives，andwithoutawordofreferencetothequestionoftheexistence，orthenon-existence，ofMr。Vanstone\'swill。
Themarkedcautionofthelawyer\'sreplydweltuneasilyonMissGarth\'smind，untilthelong-expectedeventofthedayrecalledallherthoughtstoheroneabsorbinganxietyonMrs。Vanstone\'saccount。
EarlyintheeveningthephysicianfromLondonarrived。Hewatchedlongbythebedsideofthesufferingwoman；heremainedlongerstillinconsultationwithhismedicalbrethren；hewentbackagaintothesick-room，beforeMissGarthcouldprevailonhimtocommunicatetohertheopinionatwhichhehadarrived。
Whenhecalledoutintotheantechamberforthesecondtime，hesilentlytookachairbyherside。Shelookedinhisface；andthelastfainthopediedinherbeforeheopenedhislips。
“Imustspeakthehardtruth，“hesaid，gently。“Allthatcanbedonehasbeendone。Thenextfour-and-twentyhours，atmost，willendyoursuspense。IfNaturemakesnoeffortinthattime——Igrievetosayit——youmustprepareyourselffortheworst。“
Thosewordssaidall:theywerepropheticoftheend。
Thenightpassed；andshelivedthroughit。Thenextdaycame；andshelingeredontilltheclockpointedtofive。Atthathourthetidingsofherhusband\'sdeathhaddealtthemortalblow。Whenthehourcameroundagain，themercyofGodlethergotohiminthebetterworld。Herdaughterswerekneelingatthebedsideasherspiritpassedaway。Sheleftthemunconsciousoftheirpresence；mercifullyandhappilyinsensibletothepangofthelastfarewell。
Herchildsurvivedhertilltheeveningwasonthewaneandthesunsetwasdiminthequietwesternheaven。Asthedarknesscame，thelightofthefraillittlelife——faintandfeeblefromthefirst——flickeredandwentout。Allthatwasearthlyofmotherandchildlay，thatnight，onthesamebed。TheAngelofDeathhaddonehisawfulbidding；andthetwoSisterswereleftaloneintheworld。
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]NoName，Scene1，Chapter12CHAPTERXII。
EARLIERthanusualonthemorningofThursday，thetwenty-thirdofJuly，Mr。Clareappearedatthedoorofhiscottage，andsteppedoutintothelittlestripofgardenattachedtohisresidence。
Afterhehadtakenafewturnsbackwardandforward，alone，hewasjoinedbyaspare，quiet，gray-hairedman，whosepersonalappearancewastotallydevoidofmarkedcharacterofanykind；whoseinexpressivefaceandconventionally-quietmannerpresentednothingthatattractedapprovalandnothingthatinspireddislike。ThiswasMr。Pendril——thiswasthemanonwhoselipshungthefutureoftheorphansatCombe-Raven。
“Thetimeisgettingon，“hesaid，lookingtowardtheshrubbery，ashejoinedMr。Clare。
“MyappointmentwithMissGarthisforeleveno\'clock:itonlywantstenminutesofthehour。“
“Areyoutoseeheralone？“askedMr。Clare。
“IleftMissGarthtodecide——afterwarningher，firstofall，thatthecircumstancesIamcompelledtodiscloseareofaveryseriousnature。“
“Andhasshedecided？“
“Shewritesmewordthatshementionedmyappointment，andrepeatedthewarningIhadgivenhertoboththedaughters。Theelderofthetwoshrinks——andwhocanwonderatit？——fromanydiscussionconnectedwiththefuturewhichrequiresherpresencesosoonasthedayafterthefuneral。Theyoungeroneappearstohaveexpressednoopiniononthesubject。AsIunderstandit，shesuffersherselftobepassivelyguidedbyhersister\'sexample。Myinterview，therefore，willtakeplacewithMissGarthalone——anditisaverygreatrelieftometoknowit。“
Hespokethelastwordswithmoreemphasisandenergythanseemedhabitualtohim。Mr。Clarestopped，andlookedathisguestattentively。
“YouarealmostasoldasIam，sir，“hesaid。“Hasallyourlongexperienceasalawyernothardenedyouyet？“
“Ineverknewhowlittleithadhardenedme，“repliedMr。Pendril，quietly，“untilIreturnedfromLondonyesterdaytoattendthefuneral。Iwasnotwarnedthatthedaughtershadresolvedonfollowingtheirparentstothegrave。Ithinktheirpresencemadetheclosingsceneofthisdreadfulcalamitydoublypainful，anddoublytouching。Yousawhowthegreatconcourseofpeopleweremovedbyit——andtheywereinignoranceofthetruth；theyknewnothingofthecruelnecessitywhichtakesmetothehousethismorning。Thesenseofthatnecessity——andthesightofthosepoorgirlsatthetimewhenIfeltmyharddutytowardthemmostpainfully——shookme，asamanofmyyearsandmywayoflifeisnotoftenshakenbyanydistressinthepresentoranysuspenseinthefuture。Ihavenotrecovereditthismorning:Ihardlyfeelsureofmyselfyet。“
“Aman\'scomposure——whenheisamanlikeyou——comeswiththenecessityforit，“saidMr。Clare。“Youmusthavehaddutiestoperformastryingintheirwayasthedutythatliesbeforeyouthismorning。“
Mr。Pendrilshookhishead。“Manydutiesasserious；manystoriesmoreromantic。Nodutysotrying，nostorysohopeless，asthis。“
Withthosewordstheyparted。Mr。PendrilleftthegardenfortheshrubberypathwhichledtoCombe-Raven。Mr。Clarereturnedtothecottage。
Onreachingthepassage，helookedthroughtheopendoorofhislittleparlorandsawFranksittingthereinidlewretchedness，withhisheadrestingwearilyonhishand。
“IhavehadananswerfromyouremployersinLondon，“saidMr。Clare。“Inconsiderationofwhathashappened，theywillallowtheoffertheymadeyoutostandoverforanothermonth。“
Frankchangedcolor，androsenervouslyfromhischair。
“Aremyprospectsaltered？“heasked。“AreMr。Vanstone\'splansformenottobecarriedout？HetoldMagdalenhiswillhadprovidedforher。Sherepeatedhiswordstome；shesaidIoughttoknowallthathisgoodnessandgenerosityhaddoneforbothofus。Howcanhisdeathmakeachange？Hasanythinghappened？“
“WaittillMr。PendrilcomesbackfromCombe-Raven，“saidhisfather。“Questionhim——don\'tquestionme。“
ThereadytearsroseinFrank\'seyes。
“Youwon\'tbehardonme？“hepleaded，faintly。“Youwon\'texpectmetogobacktoLondonwithoutseeingMagdalenfirst？“
Mr。Clarelookedthoughtfullyathisson，andconsideredalittlebeforehereplied。
“Youmaydryyoureyes，“hesaid。“YoushallseeMagdalenbeforeyougoback。“
Helefttheroom，aftermakingthatreply，andwithdrewtohisstudy。Thebookslayreadytohishandasusual。Heopenedoneofthemandsethimselftoreadinthecustomarymanner。Buthisattentionwandered；andhiseyesstrayedaway，fromtimetotime，totheemptychairopposite——thechairinwhichhisoldfriendandgossiphadsatandwrangledwithhimgood-humoredlyformanyandmanyayearpast。Afterastrugglewithhimselfheclosedthebook。“D——nthechair！“hesaid:“itwilltalkofhim；andImustlisten。“Hereacheddownhispipefromthewallandmechanicallyfilleditwithtobacco。Hishandshook，hiseyeswanderedbacktotheoldplace；andaheavysighcamefromhimunwillingly。Thatemptychairwastheonlyearthlyargumentforwhichhehadnoanswer:hisheartowneditsdefeatandmoistenedhiseyesinspiteofhim。“Hehasgotthebetterofmeatlast，“saidtheruggedoldman。“Thereisoneweakplaceleftinmestill——andhehasfoundit。“
Meanwhile，Mr。Pendrilenteredtheshrubbery，andfollowedthepathwhichledtothelonelygardenandthedesolatehouse。Hewasmetatthedoorbytheman-servant，whowasapparentlywaitinginexpectationofhisarrival。