\"No，sir。Anditisverycurious。No，Iwon\'ttellyou。Yes，I
will。HemI——IthinkIhavenoticedone。\"
\"Onewhat?\"
\"OneIwishman——danglingafterme。\"
\"Thenyourladyshiphasonlytotightenthecord——andHE\'Sdonefor。\"
Havingadministeredthisprescription，ourlaughingphilosopherwentofftoItaly，andtherefellinwithsomecountrymentohismind，soheaccompaniedthemtoEgyptandPalestine。
Hisabsence，andLordTadcaster\'s，madeRosaStaines\'slifeextremelymonotonous。Dayfollowedday，andweekfollowedweek，eachsounvarying，that，onaretrospect，threemonthsseemedlikeoneday。
AndIthinkatlastyouthandnaturebegantorebel，andsecretlytocravesomelittlechangeorincidenttorufflethestagnantpool。Yetshewouldnotgointosociety，andwouldonlyreceivetwoorthreedullpeopleatthevilla；soshemadetheverymonotonywhichwasbeginningtotireher，andnursedasacredgriefshehadnoneedtonurse，itwassotrulygenuine。
Shewasinthisforlorncondition，when，onemorning，acarriagedrovetothedoor，andacardwasbroughtuptoher——\"Mr。ReginaldFalcon。\"
Falcon\'shistory，betweenthisandourlastadvices，issoondisposedof。
When，afteralittlestrugglewithhisbetterangel，herodepasthiswife\'sgate，heintended，atfirst，onlytogotoCapeTown，sellthediamonds，havealark，andbringhomethebalance:but，asherodesouth，hisviewsexpanded。HecouldhavetentimesthefuninLondon，andcheaper；sincehecouldsellthediamondsformoremoney，andalsoconcealthetrueprice。ThiswastheBohemian\'swholemindinthebusiness。HehadnodesignswhateveronMrs。
Staines，nordidheintendtostealthediamonds，buttoembezzleaportionofthepurchase-money，andenjoythepleasuresandvicesofthecapitalforafewmonths；thenbacktohismilchcow，Phoebe，andleadaquietlifetillthenextuncontrollablefitshouldcomeuponhimalongwiththemeansofsatisfyingit。
Ontheway，hereadStaines\'slettertoMrs。Falcon，verycarefully。HeneverbrokethesealofthelettertoMrs。Staines。
Thatwastobegivenherwhenhehadbrokenthegoodnewstoher；
andthishedeterminedtodowithsuchskill，asshouldmakeDr。
Stainesveryunwillingtolooksuspiciouslyorill-naturedlyintomoneyaccounts。
HereachedLondon；andbeingathoroughegotist，attendedfirsttohisowninterests；heneverwentnearMrs。Stainesuntilhehadvisitedeverydiamondmerchantanddealerinthemetropolis；heshowedthesmallstonestothemallbutheshowednomorethanonelargestonetoeach。
Atlasthegotanofferoftwelvehundredpoundsforthesmallstones，andthesameforthelargeyellowstone，andninehundredpoundsforthesecondlargeststone。Hetookthisninehundredpounds，andinstantlywrotetoPhoebe，tellingherhehadasuddeninspirationtobringthediamondstoEngland，whichhecouldnotregret，sincehehadneverdoneawiserthing。Hehadsoldasinglestoneforeighthundredpounds，andhadsentthedoctor\'sfourhundredpoundstoheraccountinCapeTown；andaseachsalewaseffected，thehalfwouldbesoremitted。Shewouldseebythat，hewaswiserthaninformerdays。Heshouldonlystaysolongasmightbenecessarytosellthemallequallywell。Hisownsharehewouldapplytopayingoffmortgagesonthefamilyestate，ofwhichhehopedsomedaytoseeherthemistress，orhewouldsenditdirecttoher，whichevershemightprefer。
NowthemainobjectofthisartfulletterwastokeepPhoebequiet，andnothavehercomingafterhim，ofwhichhefeltshewasverycapable。
ThemoneygotsafetoCapeTown，butthelettertoPhoebemiscarried。Howthishappenedwasneverpositivelyknown；buttheservantofthelodging-housewasafterwardsdetectedcuttingstampsoffaletter；soperhapsshehadplayedthatgameonthisoccasion。
Bythismeans，matterstookacuriousturn。Falcon，intendingtolullhiswifeintoafalsesecurity，lulledhimselfintothatstateinstead。
Whenhehadtakencareofhimself，andgotfivehundredpoundstoplaythefoolwith，thenhecondescendedtorememberhiserrandofmercy；andhecamedowntoGravesend，toseeMrs。Staines。
Ontheroad，hegavehismindseriouslytothedelicateanddangeroustask。Itdidnot，however，disquiethimasitwouldyou，sir，oryou，madam。Hehadagreatadvantageoveryou。Hewasaliar——asmooth，ready，accomplishedliar——andheknewit。
Thiswastheoutlinehehadtracedinhismind:heshouldappearverysubduedandsad；shouldwearanairofcondolence。But，afterawhile，shouldsay，\"Andyetmenhavebeenlostlikethat，andescaped。Amanwaspickeduponaraftinthoseverylatitudes，andbroughtintoCapeTown。Afriendofminesawhim，monthsafter，atthehospital。Hismemorywasshaken——couldnottellhisname；butinotherrespectshewasallrightagain。\"
IfMrs。Stainestookfireatthis，hewouldsayhisfriendknewalltheparticulars，andhewouldaskhim，andsoleavethattorankletillnextvisit。Andhavingplantedhisgermofhope，hewouldgrowit，andwaterit，byvisitsandcorrespondence，tillhecouldthrowoffthemask，andsayhewasconvincedStaineswasalive:andfromthat，byotherdegrees，tillhecouldsay，onhiswife\'sauthority，thatthemanpickedupatsea，andcuredatherhouse，wastheveryphysicianwhohadsavedherbrother\'slife:andsoontotheoverwhelmingproofhecarriedintherubyringandtheletter。
Iamafraidthecunninganddexterity，thesubtletyandtactrequired，interestedhimmoreinthecommissionthandidthebenevolence。Hecalled，sentuphiscard，andcomposedhiscountenanceforhispart，likeanactorattheWing。
\"Notathome。\"
Hestaredwithamazement。
Thehistoryofa\"Notathome\"isnot，ingeneral，worthrecording:
butthisisanexception。
OnreceivingFalcon\'scard，Mrs。Stainesgavealittlestart，andcoloredfaintly。Sheinstantlyresolvednottoseehim。What!themanshehadflirtedwith，almostjilted，andrefusedtomarry——hedaredtobealivewhenherChristopherwasdead，andhadcometheretoshowherHEwasalive!
Shesaid\"Notathome\"withatoneofunusualsharpnessanddecision，whichlefttheservantinnodoubthemustbeequallydecidedatthehalldoor。
Falconreceivedthesuddenfreezerwithamazement。\"Nonsense，\"
saidhe。\"Notathomeatthistimeofthemorning——toanoldfriend!\"
\"Notathome，\"saidthemandoggedly。
\"Oh，verywell，\"saidFalconwithabittersneer，andreturnedtoLondon。
Hefeltsureshewasathome；andbeingatremendousegotist，hesaid，\"Oh!allright。Ifshewouldrathernotknowherhusbandisalive，itisallonetome；\"andheactuallytooknomorenoticeofherforafullweek，andneverthoughtofher，excepttochuckleoverthepenaltyshewaspayingfordaringtoaffronthisvanity。
However，Sundaycame；hesawadulldaybeforehim，andsoherelented，andthoughthewouldgiveheranothertrial。
HewentdowntoGravesendbyboat，andstrolledtowardsthevilla。
Whenhewasaboutahundredyardsfromthevilla，alady，allinblack，cameoutwithanurseandchild。
Falconknewherfigureallthatwayoff，anditgavehimacuriousthrillthatsurprisedhim。Hefollowedher，andwasnotveryfarbehindherwhenshereachedthechurch。Sheturnedattheporch，kissedthechildearnestly，andgavethenursesomedirections；
thenenteredthechurch。
\"Come，\"saidFalcon，\"I\'llhavealookather，anyway。\"
Hewentintothechurch，andwalkedupasideaisletoapillar，fromwhichhethoughthemightbeabletoseethewholecongregation；and，sureenough，thereshesat，afewyardsfromhim。Shewaslovelierthanever。Mindhadgrownonherfacewithtrouble。Anangelicexpressionilluminatedherbeauty；hegazedonher，fascinated。Hedrankanddrankherbeautytwomortalhours，andwhenthechurchbrokeup，andshewenthome，hewashalfafraidtofollowher，forhefelthowharditwouldbetosayanythingtoherbutthattheoldlovehadreturnedonhimwithdoubleforce。
However，havingwatchedherhome，hewalkedslowlytoandfrocomposinghimselffortheinterview。
Henowdeterminedtomaketheprocessofinformingheraverylongone:hewouldspinitout，andsosecuremanyasweetinterviewwithher:and，whoknows?hemightfascinateherasshehadhim，andripengratitudeintolove，asheunderstoodthatword。
Hecalled，hesentinhiscard。Themanwentin，andcamebackwithasonorous\"Notathome。\"
\"Notathome?nonsense。Why，sheisjustcomeinfromchurch。\"
\"Notathome，\"saidtheman，evidentlystronginhisinstructions。
Falconturnedwhitewithrageatthissecondaffront。\"Alltheworseforher，\"saidhe，andturnedonhisheel。
Hewenthome，ragingwithdisappointmentandwoundedvanity，and——
sincesuchloveashisisseldomveryfarfromhate——hesworesheshouldneverknowfromhimthatherhusbandwasalive。Heevenmoralized。\"Thiscomesofbeingsounselfish，\"saidhe。\"I\'llgivethatgameupforever。\"
Byandby，amerenegativerevengewasnotenoughforhim，andhesethiswitstoworktomakehersmart。
Hewrotetoherfromhislodgings:——
DEARMADAM，——Whatapityyouareneverathometome。Ihadsomethingtosayaboutyourhusband，thatIthoughtmightinterestyou。
Yourstruly，R。FALCON。
Imaginetheeffectofthisabominablenote。Itwaslikearockflungintoaplacidpool。ItsetRosatremblingallover。Whatcouldhemean?
Sheranwithittoherfather，andaskedhimwhatMr。Falconcouldmean。
\"Ihavenoidea，\"saidhe。\"Youhadbetteraskhim，notme。\"
\"Iamafraiditisonlytogettoseeme。Youknowheadmiredmeonce。Ah，howsuspiciousIamgetting。\"
RosawrotetoFalcon:——
DEARSIR，——SincemybereavementIseescarcelyanybody。Myservantdidnotknowyou；soIhopeyouwillexcuseme。Ifitistoomuchtroubletocallagain，wouldyoukindlyexplainyournotetome?
Yoursrespectfully，ROSASTAINES。
Falconchuckledbitterlyoverthis。\"No，mylady，\"saidhe。\"I\'llserveyouout。Youshallrunaftermelikealittledog。Ihavegotthebonethatwilldrawyou。\"
Hewrotebackcoldlytosaythatthematterhehadwishedtocommunicatewastoodelicateandimportanttoputonpaper；thathewouldtryandgetdowntoGravesendagainsomedayorother，butwasmuchoccupied，andhadalreadyputhimselftoinconvenience。
Headded，inapostscript，thathewasalwaysathomefromfourtofive。
Nextdayhegotholdoftheservant，andgaveherminuteinstructions，andaguinea。
Thenthewretchgotsometoolsandboredaholeinthepartitionwallofhissitting-room。Thepaperhadlargeflowers。Hewasartistenoughtoconcealthetrickwithwater-colors。Inhisbed-
roomtheholecamebehindthecurtains。
Thatveryafternoon，ashehadforeseen，Mrs。Stainescalledonhim。Themaid，dulyinstructed，saidMr。Falconwasout，butwouldsoonreturn，andcouldshewaithisreturn?Themaidbeingsoverycivil，Mrs。Stainessaidshewouldwaitalittlewhile，andwasimmediatelyusheredintoFalcon\'ssitting-room。Thereshesatdown；butwasevidentlyillatease，restless，flushed。Shecouldnotsitquiet，andatlastbegantowalkupanddowntheroom，almostwildly。Herbeautifuleyesglittered，andthewholewomanseemedonfire。Thecaitiff，whowaswatchingher，sawandgloatedonallthis，andenjoyedtothefullherbeautyandagitation，andhisrevengeforher\"Notathomes。\"
Butafteralongtime，therewasareaction:shesatdownandutteredsomeplaintivesoundsinarticulate，ornearly；andatlastshebegantocry。
ThenitcostFalconaneffortnottocomeinandcomforther；buthecontrolledhimselfandkeptquiet。
Sherangthebell。Sheaskedforwritingpaper，andshewroteherunseentormentorahumblenote，begginghim，foroldacquaintance，tocallonher，andtellherwhathismysteriouswordsmeantthathadfilledherwithagitation。
Thisdone，shewentaway，withadeepsigh，andFalconemerged，andpounceduponherletter。
Hekissedit；hereaditadozentimes:hesatdownwhereshehadsat，andhisbasepassionoverpoweredhim。Herbeauty，heragitation，herfear，hertears，allcombinedtomaddenhim，anddothedevil\'sworkinhisfalse，selfishheart，soopentoviolentpassions，sodeadtoconscience。
Foronceinhislifehewasviolentlyagitated，andtornbyconflictingfeelings:hewalkedabouttheroommorewildlythanhisvictimhad；andifitbetruethat，incertaingreattemptations，goodandbadangelsfightforaman，hereyoumighthaveseenasfierceabattleofthatkindaseverwas。
Atlastherushedoutintotheair，anddidnotreturntillteno\'clockatnight。Hecamebackpaleandhaggard，andwithalookofcrimeuponhisface。
TrueBohemianashewas，hesentforapintofbrandy。
Sothenthediewascast，andsomethingwastobedonethatcalledforbrandy。
Heboltedhimselfin，anddrankawine-glassofitneat；thenanother；thenanother。
Nowhispalecheekisflushed，andhiseyeglitters。Drinkforever!greatruinofEnglishsoulsaswellasbodies。
Heputthepokerinthefire，andheateditredhot。
HebroughtStaines\'sletter，andsoftenedthesealing-waxwiththehotpoker；thenwithhispen-knifemadeaneatincisioninthewax，andopenedtheletter。Hetookoutthering，andputitcarefullyaway。Thenhelightedacigar，andreadtheletter，andstudiedit。Manyaman，capableofmurderinheatofpassion，couldnothaveresistedthepathosofthisletter。ManyaNewgatethief，afterreadingit，wouldhavefeltsuchpityforthelovinghusbandwhohadsufferedtothevergeofdeath，andthentothebrinkofmadness，andforthepoorbereavedwife，thathewouldhavetakentheletterdowntoGravesendthatverynight，thoughhepickedtwofreshpocketstodefraytheexpensesoftheroad。
Butthiswasanegotist。Goodnaturehadcurbedhisegotismalittlewhile；butnowvanityandpassionhadsweptawayallunselfishfeelings，andthepureegotistaloneremained。
Now，thepureegotisthasbeendefinedasamanwhowillburndownhisNEIGHBOR\'ShousetocookHIMSELFanegg。Murderisbutegotismcarriedouttoitsnaturalclimax。Whatismurdertoapureegotist，especiallyabrandiedone?
IknewanegotistwhometafemaleacquaintanceinNewhavenvillage。Shehadaone-poundnote，andofferedtotreathim。Shechangedthisnotetotreathim。Fishshegavehim，andmuchwhiskey。Costherfourshillings。Heateanddrankwithher，atherexpense；andhisaorta，orprincipalblood-vessel，beingwarmedwithherwhiskey，hemurderedherforthechange，theoddsixteenshillings。
Ihadthepleasureofseeingthategotisthung，withtheseeyes。
Itwasasliceofluckthat，Igrievetosay，hasnotoccurredagaintome。
Somuchforawhiskiedegotist。
Hislesstruculentbutequallyremorselessbrotherinvillany，thebrandiedegotist，Falcon，couldreadthatpoorhusband\'sletterwithoutblenching；theloveandtheanticipationsofrapture，thesemadehimwrithealittlewithjealousy，buttheyrousednotagrainofpity。Hewasatrueegotist，blind，remorseless。
Inthis，histruecharacter，hestudiedtheletterprofoundly，andmasteredallthefacts，anddigestedthemwell。
Allmannerofdiabolicalartificespresentedthemselvestohisbrain，barrenoftrueintellect，yetfertileinfraud；inthat，andalllowcunningandsubtlety，farmorethanamatchforSolomonorBacon。
Hissinisterstudieswerepursuedfarintothenight。Thenhewenttobed，andhisunboundedegotismgavehimthesleepagrandercriminalwouldhavecourtedinvainonthevergeofamonstrousanddeliberatecrime。
Nextdayhewenttoafashionabletailor，andorderedacompletesuitofblack。Thiswasmadeinforty-eighthours；theintervalwasspentmainlyinconcoctingliestobeincorporatedwiththenumberofminutefactshehadgainedfromStaines\'sletter，andinmakingcloseimitationsofhishandwriting。
Thusarmed，andcrammedwithmoreliesthanthe\"Menteur\"ofCorneille，butnotsuchinnocentones，hewentdowntoGravesend，allindeepmourning，withcraperoundhishat。
Hepresentedhimselfatthevilla。
Theservantwasallobsequiousness。Yes，Mrs。Stainesreceivedfewvisitors；butshewasathometoHIM。Heevenbegantofalterexcuses。\"Nonsense，\"saidFalcon，andslippedasovereignintohishand；\"youareagoodservant，andobeyorders。\"
Theservant\'srespectdoubled，andheusheredthevisitorintothedrawing-room，asonewhosenamewasapassport。\"Mr。ReginaldFalcon，madam。\"
Mrs。Staineswasalone。Sherosetomeethim。Hercolorcameandwent，herfulleyefellonhim，andtookinallataglance——thathewasallinblack，andthathehadabeard，andlookedpale，andillatease。
Littledreamingthatthiswastheanxietyofafelonabouttotaketheactualplungeintoanovelcrime，shewasratherprepossessedbyit。Thebeardgavehimdignity，andhidhismean，cruelmouth。
Hisblacksuitseemedtosayhe，too，hadlostsomeonedeartohim；andthatwasagroundofsympathy。
Shereceivedhimkindly，andthankedhimfortakingthetroubletocomeagain。Shebeggedhimtobeseated；andthen，womanlike，shewaitedforhimtoexplain。
Buthewasinnohurry，andwaitedforher。Heknewshewouldspeakifhewassilent。
Shecouldnotkeephimwaitinglong。\"Mr。Falcon，\"saidshe，hesitatingalittle，\"youhavesomethingtosaytomeabouthimI
havelost。\"
\"Yes，\"saidhesoftly。\"IhavesomethingIcouldsay，andIthinkIoughttosayit；butIamafraid:becauseIdon\'tknowwhatwillbetheresult。Ifeartomakeyoumoreunhappy。\"
\"Me!moreunhappy?Me，whosedearhusbandliesatthebottomoftheocean。Otherpoorwoundedcreatureshavethewretchedcomfortofknowingwherehelies——ofcarryingflowerstohistomb。ButI——
oh，Mr。Falcon，Iambereavedofall:evenhispoorremainslost，——
lost\"——shecouldsaynomore。
Thenthatcravenheartbegantoquakeatwhathewasdoing；quaked，yetpersevered；buthisownvoicequivered，andhischeekgrewashypale。Nowonder。IfeverGodcondescendedtopourlightningonaskunk，surelynowwasthetime。
Shakingandsweatingwithterrorathisownact，hestammeredout，\"Woulditbetheleastcomforttoyoutoknowthatyouarenotdeniedthatpoorconsolation?Supposehediednotsomiserablyasyouthink?Supposehewaspickedupatsea，inadyingstate?\"
\"Ah!\"
\"Supposehelingered，nursedbykindandsympathizinghands，thatalmostsavedhim?Supposehewaslaidinhallowedground，andagreatmanytearsshedoverhisgrave?\"
\"Ah，thatwouldindeedbeacomfort。Anditwastosaythisyoucame。Ithankyou。Iblessyou。But，mygood，kindfriend，youaredeceived。Youdon\'tknowmyhusband。Youneversawhim。Heperishedatsea。\"
\"Willitbekindorunkind，totellyouwhyIthinkhediedasI
tellyou，andnotatsea?\"
\"Kind，butimpossible。Youdeceiveyourself。Ah，Isee。Youfoundsomepoorsufferer，andweregoodtohim；butitwasnotmypoorChristie。Oh，ifitwere，Ishouldworshipyou。ButIthankyouasitis。Itwasverykindtowanttogivemethislittle，littlecrumbofcomfort；forIknowIdidnotbehavewelltoyou，sir:butyouaregenerous，andhaveforgivenapoorheart-brokencreature，thatneverwasverywise。\"
Hegavehertimetocry，andthensaidtoher，\"IonlywantedtobesureitWOULDbeanycomforttoyou。Mrs。Staines，itistrueI
didnotevenknowhisname；noryours。WhenImet，inthisveryroom，thegreatdisappointmentthathassaddenedmyownlife，I
leftEnglanddirectly。Icollectedfunds，wenttoNatal，andturnedland-ownerandfarmer。Ihavemadealargefortune，butI
neednottellyouIamnothappy。Well，Ihadayacht，andsailingfromCapeTowntoAlgoaBay，Ipickeduparaft，withadyingmanonit。Hewasperishingfromexhaustionandexposure。Igotalittlebrandybetweenhislips，andkepthimalive。Ilandedwithhimatonce:andwenursedhimonshore。Wehadtobeverycautious。Heimproved。Wegothimtotakeegg-flip。Hesmiledonusatfirst，andthenhethankedus。Inursedhimdayandnightfortendays。Hegotmuchstronger。Hespoketome，thankedmeagainandagain，andtoldmehisnamewasChristopherStaines。Hetoldmethatheshouldnevergetwell。Iimploredhimtohavecourage。Hesaidhedidnotwantforcourage；butnaturehadbeentriedtoohard。Wegotsofondofeachother。Oh!\"——andthecaitiffpretendedtobreakdown；andhisfeignedgriefmingledwithRosa\'sdespairingsobs。
Hemadeanapparenteffort，andsaid，\"Hespoketomeofhiswife，hisdarlingRosa。Thenamemademestart，butIcouldnotknowitwasyou。Atlasthewasstrongenoughtowriteafewlines，andhemademepromisetotakethemtohiswife。\"
\"Ah!\"saidRosa。\"Showthemme。\"
\"Iwill。\"
\"Thismoment。\"Andherhandsbegantoworkconvulsively。
\"Icannot，\"saidFalcon。\"Ihavenotbroughtthemwithme。\"
Rosacastakeeneyeofsuspicionandterroronhim。Hisnotbringingtheletterseemedmonstrous；andsoindeeditwas。Thefactis，theletterwasnotwritten。
Falconaffectednottonoticeherkeenlook。Heflowedon，\"Theaddressheputonthatletterastonishedme。\'KentVilla。\'OfcourseIknewKentVilla:andhecalledyou\'Rosa。\'\"
\"Howcouldyoucometomewithoutthatletter?\"criedRosa，wringingherhands。\"HowamItoknow?Itisallsostrange，soincredible。\"
\"Don\'tyoubelieveme?\"saidFalconsadly。\"WhyshouldIdeceiveyou?ThefirsttimeIcamedowntotellyouallthis，IdidnotKNOWwhoMrs。Staineswas。Isuspected；butnomore。ThesecondtimeIsawyouinthechurch，andthenIknew；andfollowedyoutotryandtellyouallthis；andyouwerenotathometome。\"
\"Forgiveme，\"saidRosacarelessly:thenearnestly，\"Theletter!
whencanIseeit?\"
\"Iwillsend，orbringit。\"
\"Bringit!IaminagonytillIseeit。Oh，mydarling!mydarling!Itcan\'tbetrue。ItwasnotmyChristie。Heliesinthedepthsoftheocean。LordTadcasterwasintheship，andhesaysso；everybodysaysso。\"
\"AndIsayhesleepsinhallowedground，andthesehandslaidhimthere。\"
Rosaliftedherhandstoheaven，andcriedpiteously，\"Idon\'tknowwhattothink。Youwouldnotwillinglydeceiveme。Buthowcanthisbe?Oh，UnclePhilip，whyareyouawayfromme?Sir，yousayhegaveyoualetter?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Oh，why，whydidyounotbringit?\"
\"Becausehetoldmethecontents；andIthoughtheprizedmypooreffortstoohighly。Itdidnotoccurtomeyouwoulddoubtmyword。\"
\"Oh，no:nomoreIdo:butIfearitwasnotmyChristie。\"
\"I\'llgofortheletteratonce，Mrs。Staines。\"
\"Oh，thankyou!Blessyou!Yes，thisminute!\"
Theartfulroguedidnotgo；neverintended。
HeroseTOGO；buthadasuddeninspiration；verysudden，ofcourse。\"Hadhenothingabouthimyoucouldrecognizehimby?\"
\"Yes，hehadaringIgavehim。\"
Falcontookablack-edgedenvelopeoutofhispocket。
\"Arubyring，\"saidshe，beginningtotrembleathisquietaction。
\"Isthatit?\"andhehandedherarubyring。
CHAPTERXXVII。
Mrs。Stainesutteredasharpcryandseizedthering。Hereyesdilatedoverit，andshebegantotrembleineverylimb；andatlastshesankslowlyback，andherheadfellononesidelikeabrokenlily。Thesuddensightoftheringoverpoweredheralmosttofainting。
Falconrosetocallforassistance；butshemadehimafeeblemotionnottodoso。
Shegotthebetterofherfaintness，andthenshefelltokissingthering，inanagonyoflove，andweptoverit，andstillheldit，andgazedatitthroughherblindingtears。
Falconeyedheruneasily。
Buthesoonfoundhehadnothingtofear。Foralongtimesheseemedscarcelyawareofhispresence；andwhenshenoticedhim，itwastothankhim，almostpassionately。
\"ItwasmyChristieyouweresogoodto:mayHeavenblessyouforit:andyouwillbringmehisletter，willyounot?\"
\"OfcourseIwill。\"
\"Oh，donotgoyet。Itisallsostrange:sosad。IseemtohavelostmypoorChristieagain，sincehedidnotdieatsea。Butno，IamungratefultoGod，andungratefultothekindfriendthatnursedhimtothelast。Ah，Ienvyyouthat。Tellmeall。Nevermindmycrying。IhaveseenthetimeIcouldnotcry。Itwasworsethenthannow。IshallalwayscrywhenIspeakofhim，ay，tomydyingday。Tellme，tellmeall。\"
Herpassionfrightenedtheegotist，butdidnotturnhim。Hehadgonetoofar。Hetoldherthat，afterraisingalltheirhopes，Dr。
Staineshadsuddenlychangedfortheworse，andsunkrapidly；thathislastwordshadbeenabouther，andhehadsaid，\"MypoorRosa，whowillprotecther?\"That，tocomforthim，hehadsaidhewouldprotecther。Thenthedyingmanhadmanagedtowritealineortwo，andtoaddressit。Almosthislastwordshadbeen，\"Beafathertomychild。\"
\"Thatisstrange。\"
\"Youhavenochild?Thenitmusthavebeenyouhemeant。Hespokeofyouasachildmorethanonce。\"
\"Mr。Falcon，Ihaveachild；butbornsinceIlostmypoorchild\'sfather。\"
\"ThenIthinkheknewit。Theysaythatdyingmencanseeallovertheworld:andIremember，whenhesaidit，hiseyesseemedfixedverystrangely，asifonsomethingdistant。Oh，howwonderfulallthisis。MayIseehischild，towhomIpromised\"——
Theartistinlieslefthissentencehalfcompleted。
Rosarang，andsentforherlittleboy。
Mr。Falconadmiredhisbeauty，andsaidquietly，\"Ishallkeepmyvow。\"
Hethenlefther，withapromisetocomebackearlynextmorningwiththeletter。
Shelethimgoonlyonthoseconditions。
Assoonasherfathercamein，sherantohimwiththisstrangestory。
\"Idon\'tbelieveit，\"saidhe。\"Itisimpossible。\"
Sheshowedhimtheproof，therubyring。
Thenhebecameveryuneasy，andbeggedhernottotellasoul。Hedidnottellherthereason，buthefearedtheinsuranceofficewouldhearofit，andrequireproofsofChristopher\'sdecease，whereastheyhadaccepteditwithoutamurmur，ontheevidenceofCaptainHamiltonandtheAmphitrite\'slog-book。
AsforFalcon，hewentcarefullythroughStaines\'stwoletters，andwhereverhefoundawordthatsuitedhispurpose，hetraceditbytheusualprocess，andso，inthecourseofafewhours，heconcoctedashortletter，allthewordsinwhich，exceptthree，werefacsimiles，onlyhereandtherealittleshaky；thethreeoddwordshehadtoimitatebyobservationoftheletters。Thesignaturehegottoperfectionbytracing。
Heinsertedthisletterintheoriginalenvelope，andsealeditverycarefully，soastohidethatthesealhadbeentamperedwith。
Thusarmed，hewentdowntoGravesend。TherehehiredahorseandrodetoKentVilla。
Whyhehiredahorse，heknewhowharditistoforgehandwriting，andhechosetohavethemeansofescapeathand。
Hecameintothedrawing-room，ghastlypale，andalmostimmediatelygavehertheletter；thenturnedhisback，feigningdelicacy。Inrealityhewasquakingwithfearlestsheshouldsuspectthehandwriting。ButtheenvelopewasaddressedbyStaines，andpavedthewayfortheletter；shewasunsuspiciousandgood，andherheartcriedoutforherhusband\'slastwrittenwords:atsuchamoment，whatchancehadjudgmentandsuspicioninaninnocentandlovingsoul?
Hereloquentsighsandsobssoontoldthecaitiffhehadnothingtofear。
Theletterranthus:——
MYOWNROSA，——Allthatabrothercoulddoforabelovedbrother，Falconhasdone。Henursedmenightandday。Butitisvain。I
shallneverseeyouagaininthisworld。Isendyouaprotector，andafathertoyourchild。Valuehim。Hehaspromisedtobeyourstayonearth，andmyspiritshallwatchoveryou——Tomylastbreath，yourlovinghusband，CHRISTOPHERSTAINES。
Falconrose，andbegantostealontiptoeoutoftheroom。
Rosastoppedhim。\"Youneednotgo，\"saidshe。\"Youareourfriend。ByandbyIhopeIshallfindwordstothankyou。\"
\"Prayletmeretireamoment，\"saidthehypocrite。\"Ahusband\'slastwords:toosacred——astranger:\"andhewentoutintothegarden。TherehefoundthenursemaidEmily，andthelittleboy。
Hestoppedthechild，andmadelovetothenursemaid；showedherhisdiamonds——hecarriedthemallabouthim——toldherhehadthirtythousandacresinCapeColony，anddiamondsonthem；andwasgoingtobuythirtythousandmoreofthegovernment。\"Here，takeone，\"
saidhe。\"Oh，youneedn\'tbeshy。Theyarecommonenoughonmyestates。I\'lltellyouwhat，though，youcouldnotbuythatforlessthanthirtypoundsatanyshopinLondon。Couldshe，mylittleduck?Nevermind，itisnobrighterthanhereyes。Nowdoyouknowwhatshewilldowiththat，MasterChristie?Shewillgiveittosomeduffertoputinapin。\"
\"Shewon\'tdonothingofthekind，\"saidEmily，flushingallover。
\"Sheisnotsuchafool。\"Shethenvolunteeredtotellhimshehadnosweetheart，anddidnottroubleherheadaboutyoungmenatall。
Heinterpretedthistomeanshewaslookingoutforone。SodoI。
\"Nosweetheart!\"saidhe；\"andtheprettiestgirlIhaveseensinceIlanded:thenIputinforthesituation。\"
Here，seeingthefootmancoming，hebestowedamostpaternalkissonlittleChristie，andsaying，\"NotawordtoJohn，ornomorediamondsfromme；\"hemovedcarefullyaway，leavingthegirlallinaflutterwithextravaganthopes。
Thenextmomentthiswolfinthesheep-foldenteredthedrawing-
room。Mrs。Staineswasnotthere。Hewaited，andwaited，andbegantogetratheruneasy，asmenwillwhowalkamongpitfalls。
PresentlythefootmancametosaythatMrs。Staineswaswithherfather，inhisstudy，butshewouldcometohiminfiveminutes。
Thisincreasedhisanxiety。What!Shewastakingadviceofanolderhead。Hebegantobeveryseriouslyalarmed，and，indeed，hadprettywellmadeuphismindtogodownandgallopoff，whenthedooropened，andRosacamehastilyin。Hereyeswereveryredwithweeping。Shecametohimwithbothhandsextendedtohim；hegaveherhis，timidly。Shepressedthemwithsuchearnestnessandpowerashecouldnothavesuspected；andthankedhim，andblessedhim，withsuchatorrentofeloquence，thathehunghisheadwithshame；and，beingunabletofaceitout，villainashewas，yetstillartfultothecore，hepretendedtoburstoutcrying，andranoutoftheroom，androdeaway。
Hewaitedtwodays，andthencalledagain。Rosareproachedhimsweetlyforgoingbeforeshehadhalfthankedhim。
\"Allthebetter，\"saidhe。\"Ihavebeenthankedagreatdealtoomuchalready。Whowouldnotdohisbestforadyingcountryman，andfightnightanddaytosavehimforhiswifeandchildathome?
IfIhadsucceeded，thenIwouldbegreedyofpraise:butnowitmakesmeblush；itmakesmeverysad。\"
\"Youdidyourbest，\"saidRosatearfully。
\"Ah!thatIdid。Indeed，Iwasillforweeksafter，myself，throughthestrainuponmymind，andthedisappointment，andgoingsomanynightswithoutsleep。Butdon\'tletustalkofthat。\"
\"Doyouknowwhatmydarlingsaystomeinmyletter?\"
\"No。\"
\"Wouldyouliketoseeit?\"
\"IndeedIshould；butIhavenoright。\"