butifyouwilldoasthiscommands，theywillbearrestedwithoutbloodshedandwithoutshametooneyouknow。
Herfacewhileshereadtheselines，wasastudy，butIdarednotsoftentowardit。Droppingthepaperfromherhand，shegavemeoneinquiringlook。ButIpointeddeterminedlytothewordslyingupwardonthefloor，andwouldlistentonoappeal。Myresolvehaditseffect。Bowingherheadwithasorrowfulgesture，shelaidherhandonherheart，lookedupandglidedfromtheroom。Itookupthatpaperandtoreitintobits。
AndnowforthefirsttimesinceIhadbeeninthehouse，Iclosedthedoorofmyroom。Ihadaparttoperformthatrenderedthedroppingofmydisguiseindispensable。TheoldFrenchartisthadfinishedhiswork，andhenceforthmustmergeintoQ。thedetective。Shortlybeforetwoo\'clockmyassistantsbegantoarrive。First，Mr。Gryceappearedonthesceneandwasstowedawayinalargeroomontheothersideofmine。Next，twoofthemostagile，aswellasmuscularmenintheforcewho，thankstohavingtakenofftheirshoesinthelowerhall，gainedthesamerefugewithoutawakeningthesuspicionsofthosewewereanxioustosurprise。Lastly，thelandladywhowentintotheclosettowhichIhadbiddenMrs。BlakeretireafterleavinginmyroomthearticlesIhadmentioned。
AllwasnowreadyandwaitingforthedepartureoftheyoungestSchoenmaker。Wouldhedisappointusandremainathomethatday?Hadanysuspicionsbeenawakenedinthestolidbreastsofthesemen，thatwouldservetomakethemmorewatchfulthanusualagainstrunningunnecessaryrisks?No；atornearthetimefortheclocktostriketwo，theirdooropenedandthetreadofalumberingfootwasheardinthehall。Onitcame，passingmyroomwitharudestampingthatgraduallygrewlessdistinctasthehardyroughwentdownthecorridor，brushingthewallbehindwhichMr。Gryceandhismenlayconcealedwithhisthickcane，andevenstoppingtolighthispipeinfrontofthesmallapartmentwherecoweredourgoodlandladywithhereternalbasketofmendinginherlap。
Atlengthallwasquiet，andthrowingopenmydoor，Iwithdrewintoasmallclosetconnectedwithmyroom，towaitwithindescribableimpatience，theappearanceofMrs。Blake。Shecameinaveryfewminutes，remainedforaninstant，anddeparted，leavingbehindherasIhadrequested，theskirtandshawlinwhichshehadleftherfather\'spresence。Iatonceenduedmyselfinthesearticlesofapparel——takingcaretodrawtheshawlwellovermyhead——andwithapockethandkerchieftomyface，aproceedingmadenaturalenoughbythesneezewhichatthatverymomentItookcareshouldassailme
walkedboldlybacktotheroomfromwhichshehadjustcome。
Thedoorwasofcourseajar，andasIswungitopenwithasnearasimulationofhermanneraspossible，thevisionofherpowerfulfatherlollingonabenchdirectlybeforeme，offeredanythingbutanencouragingspectacletomyeyes。Butdoublingmyselfalmosttogetherwithasladylikeanatch-eeasmymasculinenostrilswouldallow，I
succeededinclosingthedoorandreachingalowstoolbythewindowwithoutcallingfromhimanythingworsethanafretful\"Ihopeyouarenotgoingtobarktoo。\"
Ididnotreplytothisofcourse，butsatwithmyfaceturnedtowardsthestreetinanattitudewhichIhopedwouldawakenhisattentionsufficientlytocausehimtogetupandcomeovertomyside。Forashesatfacetothedooritwouldbeimpossibletotakehimbysurprise，andthat，nowthatIsawwhatahugeandmuscularcreaturehewas，seemedtometobetheonlysafemethodbeforeus。But，whetherfromthesullennessofhisdispositionortheveryevidentlazinessofthemoment，hemanifestednodispositiontomove，andhearingorthinkingIdid，thestealthyadvanceofMr。Gryceandhiscompanionsdownthehall，Iallowedmyselftogivewaytoasuppressedexclamation，andleaningforward，pressedmyforeheadagainstthepaneofglassbeforemeasifsomethingofabsorbinginteresthadjusttakenplaceinthestreetbeneath。
Hisfearsatoncetookalarm。Boundingupwithacurse，hestrodetowardsme，muttering，\"What\'supnow?What\'sthatyouarelookingat?\"reachingmysidejustasMr。Gryceandhistwomensoftlyopenedthedoorandwithaquickleapthrewtheirarmsabouthim，closinguponhimwithaforcehecouldnotresist，desperateashewasandmightyinthehugestrengthofanunusuallydevelopedmuscularorganization。
\"You，yougirlthere，aretoblameforthis!\"camemingledwithcursesfromhislips，aswithonehugepanthesubmittedtohiscaptors。
\"Onlyletmegetmyhandwelluponyouonce——Damnit!\"hesuddenlyexclaimed，draggingthewholethreemenforwardinhisefforttogethismouthdowntomyear，\"goandrubthatsignoutonthedoororI\'ll——youknowwhatI\'lldowellenough。Doyouhear?\"
Rising，stillwithfaceaverted，Iproceededtodowhatheasked。Butinanothermomentseeingthathehadbeeneffectuallyboundandgagged，ItookoutthepieceofredchalkIhadkeptinmypocket，anddeliberatelychalkeditonagain，afterwhichoperationIcamebackandtookmyseatasbeforeonthelowstoolbythewindow。
Theobjectnowwastosecurethesecondrascalinthesamewaywehadthefirst；andforthispurposeMr。GryceorderedthenowhelplessgianttobedraggedintotheadjoiningsmallroomformerlyoccupiedbyMrs。Blake，whereheandhismenlikewisetookuptheirstationleavingmetoconfrontasbestImight，thesurpriseandconsternationoftheonewhosereturnwenowawaited。
Ididnotshrink。Withthatbravewoman\'sgarmentsdrawnaboutme，somethingofherdauntlessspiritseemedtoinvademysoul，andthoughIexpected——Butletthatcomeinitsplace，Iamnotheretointerestyouinmyselormyselfishthoughts。
Ahalfhourpassed；hehadneverlingeredawaysolongbefore，orsoitseemed，andIwasbeginningtowonderifweshouldhavetokeepupthisstrainofnerveforhours，whentheheavytreadwasagainheardinthehall，andwitha\'blowofthefistthatarguedangerorabrutalimpatience，heflungopenthedoorandcamein，Ididnotturnmyhead。
\"Where\'sfather?\"hegrowled，stoppingwherehewasafootorsofromthedoor。
Ishookmyheadwithaslightgestureandremainedlookingout。
Hebroughthiscanedownonthefloorwithathump。\"WhatdoyoumeanbysittingtherestaringoutofthewindowlikemadandnotansweringwhenIaskyouadecentquestion?\"
StillImadenoreply。
Provokedbeyondendurance，yetheldincheckbythatvaguesenseofdangerintheair，——whichwhilenotamountingtoapprehensionisoftensufficienttoholdbackfromadvancethemostdaringfoot，——hestoodglaringatmeinwhatIfelttobeaveryferociousattitude，butmadenooffertomove。InstantlyIroseandstilllookingoutofthewindow，madewithmyhandwhatappearedtobeasignaltosomeoneontheoppositesideoftheway。Therusewaseffective。Withanoaththatringsinmyearsyet，heliftedhisheavycaneandadvanceduponmewithabound，onlytomeetthesamefateashisfatheratthehandsofthewatchfuldetectives。Not，however，beforethatheavycanecamedownuponmyheadinawaytolaymeinaheapathisfeetandtosowtheseedsofthatblindinghead-ache，whichhasafflictedmebyspellseversince。ButthisterminationoftheaffairwasnomorethanIhadfearedfromthebeginning；andindeeditwasasmuchtoprotectMrs。
Blakefromthewrathofthesemen，asfromanyrequirementsofthesituationIhadassumedthedisguiseIthenwore。Ithereforedidnotallowthismishaptogreatlytroubleme，unpleasantasitwasatthetime，but，assoonaseverIcoulddoso，rosefromthefloorandthrowingoffmystrangehabiliments，proceededtofinishuptomysatisfaction，theworkalreadysosuccessfullybegun。
CHAPTERXVIII
LOVEANDDUTY
Dismissingthemenwhohadassistedusinthecaptureofthesetwohardyvillains，werangedourprisonersbeforeus。
\"Now，\"saidMr。Gryce，\"nofussandnoswearing；youareinforit，andyoumightaswelltakeitquietlyasanyotherway。\"
\"Givemeaclutchonthatgirl，that\'sall，\"saidherfather，\"Whereisshe?Letmeseeher；everyfatherhasarighttoseehisowndaughter，\"
\"Youshallseeher，\"returnedmysuperior，\"butnottillherhusbandisheretoprotecther。\"
\"Herhusband?ah，youknowaboutthatdoyou?\"growledtheheavyvoiceoftheson。\"Arichmantheysayheisandaproudone。Lethimcomeandlookatuslyingherelikedogsandsayhowhewillenjoyhavinghiswife\'sfatherandbrothergrindingawaytheirlivesinprison。
\"Mr。Blakeiscoming，\"quothMr。Gryce，whobysomepreconcertedsignalfromthewindowhaddrawnthatgentlemanacrossthestreet。
\"Hewilltellyouhimselfthatheconsidersprisonthebestplaceforyou。\"Blastyou!buthe——\"
\"Buthe，what?\"inquiredI，asthedooropenedandMr。Blakewithapalefaceandagitatedmienenteredtheroom。
Thewretchdidnotanswer。Rousingfromthecoweringpositioninwhichtheyhadbothlainsincetheircapture，thefatherandsonstruggledupinsomesortofmeasuretotheirfeet，andwithhot，anxiouseyessurveyedthecountenanceofthegentlemanbeforethem，asiftheyfelttheirfatehungupontheexpressionofhispallidface。Thesonwasthefirsttospeak。
\"Howdoyoudo，brother-in-law，\"werehissullenandinsultingwords。
Mr。Blakeshudderedandcastalookaround。
\"Mywife?\"murmuredhe。
\"Sheiswell，\"wastheassurancegivenbyMr。Gryce，\"andinaroomnotfarfromthis。Iwillsendforherifyousayso。\"
\"No，notyet，\"cameinasortofgasp；\"letmelookatthesewretchesfirst，andunderstandifIcanwhatmywifehastosufferfromherconnectionwiththem。\"
\"Yourwife，\"brokeinthefather，\"what\'sthattodowithit；thequestionishowdoyoulikeitandwhatwillyoudotogetusclearofthisthing。\"
\"Iwilldonothing，\"returnedMr。Blake。\"Youamplymerityourdoomandyoushallsufferittotheendforallme。\"
\"Itwillreadwellinthepapers，\"exclaimedtheson。
\"Thepapersaretoknownothingaboutit，\"Ibrokein。\"AllknowledgeofyourconnectionwithMr。orMrs。Blakeistobeburiedinthisspotbeforeweoryouleaveit。Notawordofherorhimistocrossthelipsofeitherofyoufromthishour。Ihavesetthatdownasaconditionandithasgottobekept。\"
\"Youhave，haveyou，\"thunderedinchorusfromfatherandson。\"Andwhoareyoutomakeconditions，andwhatdoyouthinkwearethatyouexpectustokeepthem?Canyoudoanymorethanputusbackfromwherewecamefrom?\"
ForreplyItookfrommypockettheringIhadfishedoutoftheashesoftheirkitchenstoveonthatmemorablevisittotheirhouse，andholdingitupbeforetheirfaces，lookedthemsteadilyintheeye。
Asuddenwildglarefollowedbyabluishpalorthatrobbedtheircountenancesoftheirusualsemblanceofdaringferocity，answeredmebeyondmyfondesthopes。
\"Igotthatoutofthestovewhereyouhadburnedyourprisonclothing，\"saidI。\"Itisacheapaffair，butitwillsendyoutothegallowsifIchoosetouseitagainstyou。Thepedlar——\"
\"Hush，\"exclaimedthefatherinalowchokedtonegreatlyincontrasttoanyhehadyetusedinallourdealingswithhim。\"ThrowthatringoutofthewindowandIpromisetoholdmytongueaboutanymatteryoudon\'twantspokeof。I\'mnotafool——\"
\"NorI，\"wasmyquickreply，asIrestoredtheringtomypocket。
\"Whilethatremainsinmypossessiontogetherwithcertainfactsconcerningyourhabitsinthatoldhouseofyourswhichhavelatelybeenmadeknowntome，yourlifehangsbyathreadIcananyminutesnipintwo。Mr。Blakehere，hasspentsomeportionofanightinyourhouseandknowshownearitliestoacertainprecipice，atfootofwhich——\"
\"MeinGott，father，whydon\'tyousaysomething!\"leapedincowedaccentsfromtheson\'swhitelips。\"Iftheywantustokeepquiet，letthemsaysoandnotgotalkingaboutthingsthat——\"
Nowlookhere，\"interposedMr。Grycesteppingbeforethemwithalookthatclosedtheirmouthsatonce。\"Iwilljusttellyouwhatweproposetodo。Youaretogobacktoprisonandserveyourtimeout，thereisnohelpforthat，butaslongasyoubehaveyourselvesandcontinueabsolutelysilentregardingyourrelationshiptothewifeofthisgentleman，youshallhavepaidintoacertainbankthathewillname，amonthlysumthatuponyourdismissalfromjailshallbepaidyouwithwhateverinterestitmayhaveaccumulated。Youarereadytopromisethat，areyounot?\"heinquiredturningtoMr。Blake。
Thatgentlemanbowedandnamedthesum，whichwasliberalenough，andthebank。
\"But，\"continuedthedetective，ignoringthesuddenflashofeyethatpassedbetweenthefatherandson，\"letmeoranyofushearofawordhavingbeenutteredbyyou，whichintheremotestwayshallsuggestthatyouhaveintheworldsuchaconnectionasMrs。Blake，andthemoneynotonlystopsgoingintothebank，butoldscoresshallberakedupagainstyouwithazealwhichifitdoesnotstopyourmouthinoneway，willinanother，andthatwithasuddennessyouwillnotaltogetherrelish。\"
Themenwithadoggedairfromwhichthebravadohadhoweverfled，turnedandlookedfromonetotheotherofusinafearful，inquiringwaythatdulyconfessedtotheforceoftheimpressionmadebythesewordsupontheirslowbutnotunimaginativeminds。
\"Doyouthreepromisetokeepoursecretifwekeepyours?\"mutteredthefatherwithanuneasyglanceatmypocket。
Wecertainlydo，\"wasoursolemnreturn。
\"Verywell；callinthegirlandletmejustlookather，then，beforewego。Wewon\'tsaynothing，\"continuedhe，seeingMr。Blakeshrink，\"onlysheismydaughterandifIcannotbidhergood-bye——\"
\"Lethimseehischild，\"criedMr。Blaketurningwithashuddertothewindow。\"I——Iwishit，\"addedhe。
StraightwaywithhastyfootIlefttheroom。GoingtothelittleclosetwhereIhadorderedhiswifetoremainconcealed，Iknockedandentered。Shewascrouchedinanattitudeofprayeronthefloor，herfaceburiedinherhands，andherwholepersonbreathingthatagonyofsuspensethatisatorturetothesensitivesoul。
\"Mrs。Blake，\"saidI，dismissingthelandladywhostoodinhelplessdistressbesideher，\"thearresthasbeensatisfactorilymadeandyourfathercallsforyoutosaygood-byebeforegoingawaywithus。
Willyoucome?\"
\"Butmy——my——Mr。Blake?\"exclaimedsheleapingtoherfeet。\"IamsureIheardhisfootstepinthehall?\"
\"Heiswithyourfatherandbrother。ItwasathiscommandIcameforyou。\"
Agleamhardtointerpretflashedforaninstantoverherface。Withhereyeonthedoorshetoweredinherwomanlydignity，whilethoughtsinnumerableseemedtorushinwildsuccessionthroughhermind。
\"Willyounotcome?\"Iurged。
\"I——，\"shepaused。\"Iwillgoseemyfather，\"shemurmured，\"but——\"
Suddenlyshetrembledanddrewback；astepwasinthehall，onthethreshold，atherside；Mr。Blakehadcometoreclaimhisbride。
\"Mr。Blake!\"
Thewordcamefromherinalowtoneshakenwiththeconcentratedanguishofmanyamonthoflonginganddespair，buttherewasnoinvitationinitssound，andhewhohadheldouthisarms，stoppedandsurveyingherwithacertaindeprecatoryglanceinhisproudeye，said，\"Youareright；IhavefirstmyacknowledgmentstomakeandyourforgivenesstoaskbeforeIcanhope——\"
\"No，no，\"shebrokein，\"yourcominghereisenough，Irequestnomore。Ifyoufeltunkindlytowardme——\"
\"Unkindly?\"Aworldoflovethrilledinthatword。\"Luttra，IamyourhusbandandrejoicethatIamso；itistolaythedevotionofmyheartandlifeatyourfeetthatIseekyourpresencethishour。Theyearhastaughtme——ah，whathasnottheyeartaughtmeoftheworthofherIsorecklesslythrewfrommeonmyweddingday。Luttra，\"——heheldouthishand——\"willyoucrownallyourotheractsofdevotionwithapardonthatwillrestoremetomymanhoodandthatplaceinyouresteemwhichIcovetaboveeveryotherearthlygood?\"
Herfacewhichhadbeenraisedtohiswiththatearnestlookweknewsowell，softenedwithanineffablesmile，butstillshedidnotlayherhandinhis。
\"Andyousaythistomeintheveryhourofmyfather\'sandbrother\'sarrest!Withtheremembranceinyourmindoftheirboundandabjectformslyingbeforeyouguardedbypolice；knowingtoo，thattheydeservetheirignominyandthelongimprisonmentthatawaitsthem?\"
\"No，IsayitonthedayofthediscoveryandtherestorationofthatwifeforwhomIhavelongsearched，andtowhomwhenfoundIhavenowordtogivebutwelcome，welcome，welcome。\"
Withthesamedeepsmileshebowedherhead，\"Nowletcomewhatwill，Icanneveragainbeunhappy，\"werethewordsIcaught，utteredinthelowestofundertones。Butinanothermomentherheadhadregaineditssteadypoiseandagreatchangehadpassedoverhermanner。
\"Mr。Blake，\"saidshe，\"youaregood；howgood，Ialonecanknowanddulyappreciatewhohavelivedinyourhousethislastyearandseenwitheyesthatmissednothing，justwhatyoursurroundingsareandhavebeenfromtheearliestyearsofyourproudlife。Butgoodnessmustnotleadyouintothecommittalofanactyoumustandwillrepenttoyourdyingday；orifitdoes，Iwhohavelearnedmydutyintheschoolofadversity，mustshowthecourageoftwoandforbidwhateverysecretinstinctofmysouldeclarestobeonlyprovocativeofshameandsorrow。Youwouldtakemetoyourheartasyourwife；doyourealizewhatthatmeans?\"
\"IthinkIdo，\"washisearnestreply。\"Relieffromheart-ache，Luttra。\"
Hersmoothbrowwrinkledwithasuddenspasmofpainbutherfirmlipsdidnotquiver。
\"Itmeans，\"saidshe，drawingnearerbutnotwiththatapproachwhichindicatesyielding，\"itmeans，shametotheproudestfamilythatlivesintheland。Itmeanssilenceasregardsapastblottedbysuggestionsofcrime；andapprehensionconcerningafutureacrosswhichtheshadowofprisonwallsmustforsomanyyearslie。Itmeans，thehushingofcertainwordsuponbelovedlips；theturningofcherishedeyesfromvisionswherefathersanddaughtersay，brothersandsistersareseenjoinedtogetherintendercompanionshiporlovingembrace。Itmeans，——Godhelpmetospeakout——ahomewithoutthesanctityofmemories；ahusbandwithoutthehonorshehasbeenaccustomedtoenjoy；awifewithafeargnawinglikeaserpentintoherbreast；andchildren，yes，perhapschildrenfromwhoseinnocentlipsthesacredwordofgrandfathercanneverfallwithoutwakeningablushonthecheeksoftheirparents，whichalltheirlovesomeprattlewillbehelplesstochaseaway。\"
\"Luttra，yourfatherandyourbrotherhavegiventheirconsenttogotheirdarkwayaloneandtroubleyounomore。Theshadowyouspeakofmaylieonyourheart，dearwife，forthesemenareofyourownblood，butitneedneverinvadethehearthstonebesidewhichIaskyoutosit。Theworldwillneverknow，whetheryoucomewithmeornot，thatLuttraBlakewaseverLuttraSchoenmaker。Willyounotthengivemethehappinessofstrivingtomakesuchamendsforthepast，thatyoutoo，willforgetyoueverboreanyothernamethantheoneyounowhonorsotruly?\"
\"Odonot，\"shebeganbutpausedwithasuddencontrolofheremotionthatliftedherintoanatmospherealmostholyinitssignificance。
\"Mr。Blake，\"saidshe，\"Iamawomanandthereforeweaktothevoiceoflovepleadinginmyear。ButinonethingIamstrong，andthatisinmysenseofwhatisduetothemanIhavesworntohonor。ElevenmonthsagoIleftyoubecauseyourpleasureandmyowndignitydemandedit；to-dayIputbyallthejoyandexaltationyouoffer，becauseyourpositionasagentleman，andyourhappinessasamanequallyrequiresit。\"
\"Myhappinessasaman!\"hebrokein。\"Ah，LuttraifyoulovemeasI
doyou——\"
\"Imightperhapsyield，\"sheallowedwithafaintsmile。\"ButIloveyouasagirlbroughtupamidsurroundingsfromwhichherwholebeingrecoiled，mustlovetheonewhofirstbroughtlightintoherdarknessandopeneduptoherlongingfeetthewaytoalifeofculture，purityandhonor。IwerethebasestofwomencouldIconsenttorepaysuchaboundlessfavor——\"
\"ButLuttra，\"heagainbrokein，\"youmarriedmeknowingwhatyourfatherandbrotherwerecapableofcommitting。\"
\"Yes，yes；Iwasblindedbypassion，agirl\'spassion，Mr。Blake，bornofglamourandgratitude；nottheself-forgettingdevotionofawomanwhohastastedthebitternessoflifeandsolearneditslessonofsacrifice。Imaynothavethought，certainlyIdidnotrealize，whatIwasdoing。Besides，myfatherandbrotherwerenotconvictedcriminalsatthattime，howeverweaktheyhadprovedthemselvesundertemptation。AndthenIbelievedIhadleftthembehindmeontheroadoflife；thatweweresundered，irrevocablycutloosefromallpossibleconnection。Butsuchtiesarenottobesnappedsoeasily。
Theyfoundme，yousee，andtheywillfindmeagain——\"
\"Never!\"exclaimedherhusband。\"Theyareasdeadtoyouasifthegravehadswallowedthem。Ihavetakencareofthat。\"
\"Buttheshame!youhavenottakencareofthat。Thatexistsandmust，andwhileitdoesIremainwhereIcanmeetitalone。Iloveyou；
God\'ssunisnotdearertomyeyes；butIwillnevercrossyourthresholdasyourwifetilltheopprobriumcanbecutloosefrommyskirts，andtheshadowupliftedfrommybrow。Aqueenwithhighthoughtsinhereyesandbravehopesinherheartwerenottoogoodtoenterthatdoorwithyou。Shallagirlwhohaslivedthreeweeksinanatmosphereofsuchcrimeanddespair，thattheseroomshaveoftenseemedtomethegatewaytohell，carrythere，eveninsecrecy，theeffectsofthatatmosphere?Iwillcherishyourgoodnessinmyheartbutdonotaskmetoburythatheartinanymoreexaltedspot，thansomehumblecountryhome，wheremylifemaybespentingooddeedsandmyloveinprayersforthemanIholddear，andbecauseIholddear，leavetohisownhighpathamongthestraightandunshadowedcoursesoftheworld。\"
Andwithagesturethatinexorablyshuthimoffwhileitexpressedthemosttouchingappeal，sheglidedbyhimandtookherwaytotheroomwhereherfatherandbrotherawaitedherpresence。
CHAPTERXIX
EXPLANATIONS
\"Icannotendurethis，\"cameinoneburstoffeelingfromthelipsofMr。Blake。\"Shedon\'tknow，shedon\'trealize——Sir，\"criedhe，suddenlybecomingconsciousofmypresenceintheroom，\"willyoubegoodenoughtoseethatthisnote，\"hehastilyscribbledone，\"iscarriedacrossthewaytomyhouseandgiventoMrs。Daniels。\"
Ibowedassent，routeduponeofthemeninthenextroomanddespatcheditatonce。
\"Perhapsshewilllistentothevoiceofoneofherownsexifnottome，\"saidhe；andbeganpacingthefloorofthenarrowroominwhichwewere，withawildnessofimpatiencethatshowedtowhatdepthshadsunkthehopeofgainingthislovelywomanforhisown。
Feelingmyselfnolongernecessaryinthatspot，IfollowedwheremywishesledandenteredtheroomwhereLuttrawasbiddinggood-byetoherfather。
\"Ishallneverforget，\"IheardhersayasIcrossedthefloortowhereMr。Grycestoodlookingoutofthewindow，\"thatyourbloodrunsinmyveinstogetherwiththatofmygentle-hearted，never-to-be-
forgottenmother。WhatevermyfatemaybeorwhereverImayhidetheheadyouhavebowedtothedust，besureIshallalwaysliftupmyhandsinprayerforyourrepentanceandreturntoanhonestlife。GodgrantthatmyprayersmaybeheardandthatImayyetreceiveatyourhands，afather\'skindlyblessing。\"
Theonlyanswertothiswasaheavilymutteredgrowlthatgavebutlittlepromiseofanysuchpeacefulterminationtoadeeplyviciouslife。Hearingit，Mr。Grycehastenedtoprocurehismenandremovethehardenedwretchesfromthespot。Allthroughthepreparationsfortheirdeparture，shestoodandwatchedtheirsullenfaceswithawildyearninginhereyethatcouldscarcelybedenied，butwhenthedoorfinallycloseduponthem，andshewasleftstandingtherewithnooneintheroombutmyselfshesteadiedherselfupasonewhoisconsciousthatallthestormsofheavenareabouttobreakuponher；
andturningslowlytothedoorwaitedwitharmscrossedandastilldeterminationuponherbrow，thecomingofthefeetofhimwhoseresolveshefeltmusthave，asyetbeenonlystrengthenedbyherresistance。
Shehadnotlongtowait。Almostwiththeclosingofthestreetdooruponthedetectivesandtheirprisoners，Mr。BlakefollowedbyMrs。
DanielsandanotherladywhosethickveilandlongcloakbutillyconcealedthepatricianfeaturesandstatelyformoftheCountessDeMirac，enteredtheroom。
Thesurprisehaditseffect；Luttrawasevidentlyforthemomentthrownoffherguard。
\"Mrs。Daniels!\"shebreathed，holdingoutherhandswithalonginggesture。
\"Mydearmistress!\"returnedthatgoodwoman，takingthosehandsinhersbutinarespectfulwaythatprovedtheconstraintimposeduponherbyMr。Blake\'spresence。\"DoIseeyouagainandsafe?\"
\"YoumusthavethoughtIcaredlittlefortheanxietyyouwouldbesuretofeel，\"saidthatfairyoungmistress，gazingwithearnestnessintothegladbuttearfuleyesofthehousekeeper。Butindeed，I
havebeeninnopositiontocommunicatewithyou，norcouldIdosowithoutriskingthattoprotectwhichIsooutragedmyfeelingsastoleavethehouseatall。Imeanthelifeandwelfareofitsmaster，Mrs。Daniels。\"
\"Ha，whatisthat?\"quothMr。Blake。\"Itwastosaveme，youconsentedtofollowthem?\"
\"Yes；whatelsewouldhaveledmetosuchanaction?Theymighthavekilledme，Iwouldnothavecared，butwhentheybegantoutterthreatsagainstyou——\"
\"Mrs。Blake，\"exclaimedMrs。Daniels，catchingholdofhermistress\'supliftedhand，andpointingtoascarthatslightlydisfiguredherwhitearmalittleabovethewrist，\"Mrs。Blake，what\'sthat?\"
Apinkflush，thefirstIhadseenonherusuallypalecountenance，roseforaninstanttohercheeks，andsheseemedtohesitate。
\"ItwasnottherewhenIlastsawyou，Mrs。Blake。\"
\"No，\"wastheslowreply，\"Ifoundmyselfforcedthatnighttoinflictuponmyselfalittlewound。Itisnothing，letitgo。\"
\"No，LuttraIcannotletitgo，\"saidherhusband，advancingtowardsherwithsomethinglikegentlecommand。\"Imusthearnotonlyaboutthisbutalltheotheroccurrencesofthatnight。Howcametheytofindyouintherefugeyouhadattained?\"
\"Ithink，\"saidsheinalowtonetheunderlyingsufferingofwhichitwouldbehardtodescribe，\"thatitwasnottoseekmetheyfirstinvadedyourhouse。Theyhadheardyouwerearichman，andthesightofthatladderrunningupthesideofthenewextensionwastoomuchforthem。IndeedIknowthatitwasforpurposesofrobberytheycame，fortheyhadhiredthisroomoppositeyousomedaysprevioustomakingtheattempt。YouseetheywerealmostdestituteofmoneyandthoughtheyhadsomeburiedinthecellaroftheoldhouseinVermont，theydarednotleavethecitytoprocureit。Mybrotherwasobligedtodosolater，however。Itwasasurprisetothemseeingmeinyourhouse。TheyhadreachedtheroofoftheextensionandwerejustliftingupthecorneroftheshadeIhaddroppedacrosstheopenwindow——Ialwaysopenmywindowafewminutesbeforepreparingtoretire——whenIrosefromthechairinwhichIhadbeenbrooding，andturnedupthegas。Iwascombingmyhairatthetimeandsoofcoursetheyrecognizedme。InstantlytheygaveasecretsignalI，alas，rememberedonlytoowell，andcrouchingback，bademeputoutthelightthattheymightenterwithsafety。Iwasatfirsttoomuchstartledtorealizetheconsequencesofmyaction，andwithsomevagueideathattheyhaddiscoveredmyretreatandcomeforpurposesofadviceorassistance，Ididwhattheybid。Immediatelytheythrewbacktheshadeandcamein，theirhugefiguresloomingfrightfullyinthefaintlightmadebyadistantgaslampinthestreetbelow。\'Whatdoyouwant?\'weremyfirstwordsutteredinavoiceIscarcelyrecognizedformyown；\'whydoyoustealonmelikethisinthenightandthroughanopenwindowfiftyfeetfromtheground?Aren\'tyouafraidyouwillbediscoveredandsentbacktotheprisonfromwhichyouhaveescaped?\'TheirreplysentachillthroughmybloodandawokemetoarealizationofwhatIhaddoneinthusallowingtwoescapedconvictstoenterahousenotmyown。\'Wewantmoneyandwe\'renotafraidofanythingnowyouarehere。\'Andwithoutheedingmyexclamationofhorror，theycoollytoldmethattheywouldwaitwheretheyweretillthehouseholdwasasleep，whentheywouldexpectmetoshowthemthewaytothesilverclosetorwhatwasbetter，thesafeorwhereveritwasMr。Blakekepthismoney。Isawtheytookmeforaservant，asindeedIwas，andforsomeminutesImanagedtopreservethatpositionintheireyes。Butwheninasuddenburstofrageatmyrefusaltohelpthem，theypushedmeasideandhurriedtothedoorwiththemanifestintentionofgoingbelow，Iforgotprudenceinmyfearsandutteredsomewildappealtothemnottodoinjurytoanyoneinthehouseforitwasmyhusband\'s。Ofcoursethatdisclosurehaditsnaturaleffect。
\"Theystopped，butonlytobesetmewithquestionstillthewholetruthcameout。Icouldnothavecommittedaworsefollythanthustakingthemintomyconfidence。Instantlytheadvantagestobegainedbyusingmysecretconnectionwithsowealthyamanforthepurposeofcoweringmeandblackmailinghim，seemedtostrikeboththeirmindsatonce，slowastheyusuallyaretoreceiveimpressions。Thesilver-
closetandmoney-safesanktoacomparativelyinsignificantpositionintheireyes，andtogetmeoutofthehouse，andwithmyhappinessatstake，treatwiththehonorablemanwhonotwithstandinghisnon-approvalofmeasawoman，stillregardedmeashislawfullyweddedwife，becameintheireyesathingofsuchwonderfulpromisetheywerewillingtorunanyandeveryrisktotestitsvalue。ButheretotheirgreatastonishmentIrebelled；astonishmentbecausetheycouldnotrealizemydesiringanythingabovemoneyandthepositiontowhichtheydeclaredIwasbylawentitled。InvainI
pleadedmylove；invainIthreatenedexposureoftheirplansifnotwhereabouts。Themineofgoldwhichtheyfondlybelievedtheyhadstumbleduponunawares，promisedtoorichlytobeeasilyabandoned。
\'Youmustgowithus，\'saidthey，\'ifnotpeaceablythenbyforce，\'
andtheyactuallyadvanceduponme，upsettingachairandtearingdownoneofthecurtainstowhichIclung。ItwasthenIcommittedthatlittleactconcerningwhichyouquestionedme。IwantedtoshowthemIwasnottobemovedbythreatsofthatcharacter；thatIdidnotevenfearthesheddingofmyblood；andthattheywouldonlybewastingtheirtimeintryingtoswaymebyhintsofpersonalviolence。Andtheywerealittleimpressed，sufficientlysoatleasttoturntheirthreatsinanotherdirection，awakeningfearsatlastwhichIcouldnotconceal，muchasIfeltitwouldbepolicytodoso。GatheringupafewarticlesImostprized，myweddingring，Mr。
Blake，andaphotographofyourselfthatMrs。Danielshadbeenkindenoughtogiveme，IputonmybonnetandcloakandsaidIwouldgowiththem，sincetheypersistedinrequiringit。ThefactisInolongerpossessedmotiveorstrengthtoresist。Evenyourunexpectedappearanceatthedoor，Mrs。Daniels，offerednoprospectofhope。
Arousethehouse?whatwouldthatdo?onlyrevealmycherishedsecretandperhapsjeopardizethelifeofmyhusband。Besides，theyweremyownnearkin，remember，andsohadsomelittleclaimuponmyconsideration，atleasttothepointofmynotpersonallybetrayingthemunlesstheymenacedimmediateandactualharm。Theescapebythewindowwhichwouldhavebeenadifficulttaskformostwomentoperform，waseasyenoughforme。Iwasbroughtuptowildwaysyouknow，andthedescentofaladderfortyfeetlongwasacomparativelytrivialthingformetoaccomplish。
Itwasthetearingawayfromalifeofsilentpeace，thereentranceofmysoulintoanatmosphereofsinanddeadlyplotting，thatwasthehardthing，thedifficultdreadfulthingwhichhungweightstomyfeet，andmademewellnighmad。Anditwasthiswhichatthesightofapolicemaninthestreetledmetomakeanefforttoescape。Butitwasnotsuccessful。ThoughIwasfortunateenoughtofreemyselffromthegraspofmyfatherandbrother，Ireachedthegateon——streetonlytoencountertheeyesofhimwhosedispleasureImostfeared，lookingsternlyuponmefromtheotherside。Theshockwastoomuchformeinmythenweakandunnervedcondition。Withoutconsideringanythingbutthefactthatheneverhadknownandnevermust，thatIhadbeeninthesamehousewithhimforsolong，Irushedbacktothecornerandintothearmsofthemenwhoawaitedme。Howyoucametobethere，Mr。Blake，orwhyyoudidnotopenthegateandfollow，Icannotsay。
\"Thegatewaslocked，\"returnedthatgentleman。\"Yourememberitcloseswithaspring，andcanonlybeopenedbymeansofakeywhichIdidnothave。\"
\"Myfatherhadit，\"shemurmured；\"hespentawholeweekintheendeavortogetholdofit，andfinallysucceededontheeveningoftheverydayheusedit。ItwasleftinthelockIbelieve。\"
\"Somuchforservants，\"Iwhisperedtomyself。
\"Thenextmorning，\"continuedshe，\"theyputthecaseveryplainlybeforeme。IwasatlibertytoreturnatoncetomyhomeifIwouldpromisetoworkintheirinterestbymakingcertaindemandsuponyouasyourwife。Alltheywanted，saidthey，wasasnuglittlesumandaliftoutofthecountry。IfIwouldsecurethemthese，theywouldtroublemenomore。ButIcouldnotconcedetoanythingofthatnature，ofcourse，andtheconsequencewastheselongweeksofimprisonmentandsuspense；weeksthatIdonotnowbegrudge，seeingtheyhavebroughtmetheassuranceofyouresteemandtheknowledge，thatwhereverIgo，yourthoughtswillfollowmewithcompassionifnotwithlove。\"
Andhavingtoldherstoryandthusansweredhisdemands，sheassumedoncemorethepositionofloftyreservethatseemedtoshuthimbackfromadvancelikeawallofinvinciblecrystal。
CHAPTERXX
THEBONDTHATUNITES
Buthewasnottobediscouraged。\"Andafterallthis，afterallyouhavesufferedformysakeandyourown，doyouthinkyouhavearighttodenymetheonedesireofmyheart?Howcanyoureconcileitwithyourideasofdevotion，Luttra?\"
\"Myideasofdevotionlookbeyondthepresent，Mr。Blake。ItistosaveyoufromyearsofwearinganxietythatIconsenttotheinflictionuponyouofapassingpang。\"
Hetookaboldstepforward。\"Luttra，youdonotknowaman\'sheart。
Toloseyounowwouldnotmerelyinflictapassingpang，butsowtheseedsofagriefthatwouldgowithmetothegrave。
\"Doyouthen\"——shebegan，butpausedblushing。Mrs。Danielstooktheopportunitytoapproachherontheotherside。
\"Mydearmistress，\"saidshe，\"youarewrongtoholdoutinthismatter。\"Andhermannerbetrayedsomethingofthepeculiaragitationthathadbelongedtoitintheformertimesofhersecretembarassment。\"I，whohavehonoredthefamilywhichIhavesolongserved，aboveeveryotherintheland，tellyouthatyoucandoitnogreatergoodthantojoinitnow，orinflictuponitanygreaterharmthantowilfullywithdrawyourselffromthepositioninwhichGodhasplacedyou。\"
\"AndI，\"saidanothervoice，thatoftheCountessdeMirac，whouptothistimehadheldherselfinthebackground，butwhonowcameforwardandtookherplacewiththerest，\"I，whohavebornethenameofBlake，andwhoamstilltheproudestofthemallatheart，I，theCountessdeMirac，cousintoyourhusbandthere，repeatwhatthisgoodwomanhassaid，andinholdingoutmyhandtoyou，askyoutomakemycousinhappyandhisfamilycontentedbyassumingthatpositioninhishouseholdwhichthelawaswellashisloveaccordsyou。\"
Thegirllookedatthedaintilyglovedhandheldouttoher，coloredfaintly，andputherownwithinit。
\"Ithankyouforyourgoodness，\"saidshe，surveyingwithhalf-sad，half-admiringglances，thesomewhatpalefaceofthebeautifulbrunette。
\"Andyouwillyieldtoourunitedrequests?\"Shecasthereyedownatthespotwhereherfatherandbrotherhadcoweredintheirshackles，andshookherhead。\"Idarenot，\"saidshe。
ImmediateyMrs。Daniels，whoseemotionhadbeenincreasingeverymomentsinceshelastspoke，plungedherhandintoherbosomanddrewoutafoldedpaper。
\"Mrs。Blake，\"saidshe，\"ifyoucouldbeconvincedthatwhatIhavetoldyouwastrue，andthatyouwouldbeirretrievablyinjuringyourhusbandandhisinterests，bypersistinginthatdesertionofhimwhichyourpurpose，wouldyounotconsenttoreconsideryourdetermination，settledasitappearstobe?\"
\"IfIcouldbemadetoseethat，mostcertainly，\"returnedsheinalowvoicewhosebrokenaccentsbetrayedatwhatcostsheremainedtruetoherresolve。\"ButIcannot。\"
\"Perhapsthesightofthispaperwillhelpyou，\"saidshe。AndturningtoMr。Blakesheexclaimed，\"YourpardonforwhatIamcalledupontodo。AdutyhasbeenlaiduponmewhichIcannotavoid，hardasitisforanoldservanttoperform。Thispaper——butitisnomorethanjustthatyou，sir，shouldseeandreaditfirst。\"Andwithahandthatquiveredwithfearorsomeequallystrongemotion，sheputitinhisclasp。
Theexclamationthatrewardedtheactmadeusallstartforward。\"Myfather\'shandwriting!\"werehiswords。
\"Executedundermyeye，\"observedMrs。Daniels。
Hisglanceranrapidlydownthesheetandresteduponthefinalsignature。
\"Whyhasthisbeenkeptfromme?\"demandedhe，turninguponMrs。
Danielswithsternness。
\"Yourfathersowilledit，\"washerreply。\"\'Forayear\'washiscommand，\'youshallkeepthismylastwillandtestamentwhichIgiveintoyourcarewithmydyinghands，asecretfromtheworld。Attheexpirationofthattimemarkifmyson\'swifesitsattheheadofherhusband\'stable；ifshedoesandishappy，suppressthisbydeliberatelygivingittotheflames，butiffromanyreasonotherthandeath，sheisnotseenthere，carryitatoncetomyson，andbidhimashehonorsmymemory，toseethatmywishesasthereexpressedareatoncecarriedout。\'\"
ThepaperinMr。Blake\'shandfluttered。
\"Youareawarewhatthosewishesare?\"saidhe。
\"Isteadiedhishandwhilehewrote，\"washersadandearnestreply。
Mr。Blaketurnedwithalookofinexpressibledeferencetohiswife。
\"Madame，\"saidhe\"whenIurgedyouwithsuchwarmthtojoinyourfatetomineandhonormyhousebypresidingoverit，IthoughtIwasinvitingyoutosharetheadvantagesofwealthaswellastheloveofalonelyman\'sheart。Thispaperundeceivesme。Luttra，thedaughter-in-lawofAbnerBlake，notHolman，hisson，istheonewhobytheinheritanceofhismillionshastherighttocommandinthispresence。\"
Withacryshetookfromhimthewillwhosepurportwasthusbrieflymadeknown。\"O，howcouldhe，howcouldhe?\"exclaimedshe，runninghereyedownthesheet，andthencrushingitspasmodicallytoherbreast。\"Didhenotrealizethathecoulddomenogreaterwrong?\"
Theninoneyieldingupofherwholewomanhoodtothemightyburstofpassionthathadbeenfloodingthedefensesofherheartforsolong，sheexclaimedinavoicethemingledraptureanddeterminationofwhichringsinmyearsevennow，\"Andisitathinglikethiswithitssuggestionsofmercenaryinterestthatshallbridgethegulfthatseparatesyouandme?Shallthegivingorthegainingofafortunemakenecessarytheunitaloflivesoverwhichholierinfluenceshavebeamedandloftierhopesshone?No，no；bythesmilewithwhichyourdyingfathertookmetohisbreast，lovealone，withthehopeandconfidenceitgives，shallbethebondtodrawustogetherandmakeofthetwoseparateplanesonwhichwestand，acommongroundwherewecanmeetandbehappy。\"
Andwithonesupremegestureshetoreintopiecesthewillwhichsheheld，andsankallaglowwithwoman\'sdivinestjoyintothearmsheldouttoreceiveher。
Iwaspresentatthewedding-receptiongiventhembytheCountessDeMiracinherelegantapartmentsattheWindsor。Ineversawahappierbride，norahusbandinwhoseeyesburnedadeepercontentment。Toallquestionsastowhothisextraordinarywomancouldbe，whereshewasfound，andinwhatplaceandatwhattimeshewasmarried，theCountesshadaptreplieswhoseartofhushingcuriositywithoutabsolutelysatisfyingit，wasoneofthetokenssheyetpreserved，ofhershortswayasgrandlady，inthegayestandmosthollowcityoftheworld。
AsIpreparedtoleaveasceneperhapsthemostgratifyinginmanyrespectsthatIhadeverwitnessed，Ifeltaslighttouchonmyarm。
ItcamefromMrs。Blakewhowithherhusbandhadcrossedtheroomtobidmefarewell。
\"Willyouallowmetothankyou，\"saidshe，\"fortheriskyouranformeonedayandofwhichIhavejustheard。Itwasanactthatmeritsthegratitudeofyears，andassuchshallbealwaysrememberedbyme。
IftheoldFrenchartistwiththerackingcougheverdesiresafavoratmyhands，lethimfeelfreetoaskit。TheinterestIexperiencedinhiminthedaysofmytrouble，willsuffernoabatementintheseofmyjoyandprosperity。\"Andwithalookthatwasmorethanwords，shegavemeaflowerfromthebouquetsheheldinherhand，andsmilinglywithdrew。