Onywayitbehovedhimtogetanauld，decentwifetokeepthemanseforhiman’seetohisbitdenners。andhewasrecommendedtoanauldlimmer-JanetM’Clour，theyca’dher-andsaefarlefttohimsel’astobeowerpersuaded。Therewasmonyadvisedhimtothecontrar，forJanetwasmairthansuspeckitbythebestfolkinBa’weary。Langorthat，shehadhadaweantoadragoon。shehadnaecomeforrit4formaybethrettyyear。andbairnshadseenhermumblin’tohersel’uponKey’sLoaninthegloamin’，whilkwasanuncotimean’placeforaGod-fearin’woman。Howsoever，itwasthelairdhimsel’thathadfirsttauldtheministero’Janet。andinthaedayshewadhaveganeafargatetopleesurethelaird。
WhenfolktauldhimthatJanetwassibtothedeil，itwasa’
superstitionbyhiswayofit。an’whentheycastuptheBibletohiman’thewitchofEndor，hewadthreepitdountheirthrapplesthatthirdayswerea’ganeby，andthedeilwasmercifullyrestrained。
Weel，whenitgotabouttheclachanthatJanetM’Clourwastobeservantatthemanse，thefolkwerefairmadwi’heran’himthegether。andsomeo’theguidwiveshadnaebettertodaethangetroundherdoorcheeksandchairgeherwi’a’thatwasken’tagainher，fraethesodger’sbairntoJohnTamson’stwakye。Shewasnaegreatspeaker。folkusuallylethergangheraingate，an’sheletthemgangtheirs，wi’，neitherFair-guid-eennorFair-guid-day。butwhenshebuckledto，shehadatonguetodeavethemiller。Upshegot，an’therewasnaeanauldstoryinBa’wearybutshegartsomebodylowpforitthatday。theycouldnaesayaethingbutshecouldsaytwatoit。till，atthehinderend，theguidwivesupandclaughthaudofher，andclawedthecoatsaffherback，andpu’dherdountheclachantothewatero’Dule，toseeifshewereawitchorno，soumordroun。ThecarlineskirledtillyecouldhearherattheHangin’Shaw，andshefochtliketen。therewasmonyaguidwifeburethemarkofherneistdayan’monyalangdayafter。
andjustinthehettesto’thecollieshangie，whasuldcomeupforhissinsbutthenewminister。
’Women，’saidheandhehadagrandvoice，’IchargeyouintheLord’snametolethergo。’
Janetrantohim-shewasfairwudwi’terror-an’clangtohim，an’prayedhim，forChrist’ssake，saveherfraethecummers。an’
they，fortheirpairt，tauldhima’thatwasken’t，andmaybemair。
’Woman，’sayshetoJanet，’isthistrue？’
’AstheLordseesme，’saysshe，’astheLordmademe，noawordo’t。Forbyethebairn，’saysshe，’I’vebeenadecentwomana’mydays。’
’Willyou，’saysMr。Soulis，’inthenameofGod，andbeforeme，Hisunworthyminister，renouncethedevilandhisworks？’
Weel，itwadappearthatwhenheaskitthat，shegaveagirnthatfairlyfrichtitthemthatsawher，an’theycouldhearherteethplaydirlthegetherinherchafts。buttherewasnaethingforitbuttheaewayortheither。an’Janetliftedupherhandandrenouncedthedeilbeforethema’。
’Andnow，’saysMr。Soulistotheguidwives，’homewithye，oneandall，andpraytoGodforHisforgiveness。’
AndhegiedJanethisarm，thoughshehadlittleonherbutasark，andtookheruptheclachantoheraindoorlikealeddyoftheland。an’herscrieghin’andlaughin’aswasascandaltobeheard。
Thereweremonygravefolklangowertheirprayersthatnicht。butwhenthemorncam’therewassicafearfellupona’Ba’wearythatthebairnshidtheirsels，andeventhemenfolkstoodandkeekitfraetheirdoors。FortherewasJanetcomin’dountheclachan-
herorherlikeness，nanecouldtell-wi’herneckthrawn，andherheidonaeside，likeabodythathasbeenhangit，andagirnonherfacelikeanunstreakitcorp。Byan’bytheygotusedwi’it，andevenspeeredathertokenwhatwaswrang。butfraethatdayforthshecouldnaespeaklikeaChristianwoman，butslaveredandplayedclickwi’herteethlikeapairo’shears。andfraethatdayforththenameo’Godcamneveronherlips。Whilesshewadtrytosayit，butitmichtnaebe。Themthatkennedbestsaidleast。buttheynevergiedthatThingthenameo’JanetM’Clour。fortheauldJanet，bytheirwayo’t，wasinmucklehellthatday。Buttheministerwasneithertohaudnortobind。hepreachedaboutnaethingbutthefolk’scrueltythathadgi’enherastrokeofthepalsy。heskelptthebairnsthatmeddledher。andhehadheruptothemansethatsamenicht，anddwalledtherea’hislanewi’herundertheHangin’Shaw。
Weel，timegaedby：andtheidlersortcommencedtothinkmairlichtlyo’thatblackbusiness。Theministerwasweelthochto’。
hewasayelateatthewriting，folkwadseehiscan’ledoonbytheDulewateraftertwal’ate’en。andheseemedpleasedwi’himsel’
andupsittenasatfirst，thougha’bodycouldseethathewasdwining。AsforJanetshecaman’shegaed。ifshedidnaespeakmuckleafore，itwasreasonsheshouldspeaklessthen。shemeddlednaebody。butshewasaneldritchthingtosee，an’nanewadhaemistrystedwi’herforBa’wearyglebe。
Abouttheendo’Julytherecam’aspello’weather，thelikeo’tneverwasinthatcountryside。itwaslownan’hetan’heartless。
theherdscouldnaewinuptheBlackHill，thebairnswereowerweariettoplay。an’yetitwasgoustytoo，wi’clapso’hetwundthatrumm’ledintheglens，andbitso’shouersthatslockenednaething。Weayethochtitbuttothun’eronthemorn。butthemorncam，an’themorn’smorning，anditwasayethesameuncannyweather，saironfolksandbestial。Ofa’thatwerethewaur，nanesufferedlikeMr。Soulis。hecouldneithersleepnoreat，hetauldhiselders。an’whenhewasnaewritin’athiswearybook，hewadbestravaguin’owera’thecountrysidelikeamanpossessed，whena’
bodyelsewasblythetokeepcallerbenthehouse。
AbuneHangin’Shaw，inthebieldo’theBlackHill，there’sabitenclosedgrundwi’anironyett。anditseems，intheaulddays，thatwasthekirkyairdo’Ba’weary，andconsecratedbythePapistsbeforetheblessedlichtshoneuponthekingdom。Itwasagreathowffo’Mr。Soulis’s，onyway。therehewouldsitan’considerhissermons。andindeedit’sabieldybit。Weel，ashecamowerthewastendo’theBlackHill，aeday，hesawfirsttwa，ansynefower，an’syneseevencorbiecrawsfleein’roundan’roundabunetheauldkirkyaird。Theyflewlaighandheavy，an’squawkedtoitherastheygaed。anditwascleartoMr。Soulisthatsomethinghadputthemfraetheirordinar。Hewasnaeeasyfleyed，an’gaedstrauchtuptothewa’s。an’whatsuldhefindtherebutaman，ortheappearanceofaman，sittin’intheinsideuponagrave。Hewasofagreatstature，an’blackashell，andhise’enweresingulartosee。5Mr。Soulishadheardtello’blackmen，mony’sthetime。buttherewassomethinguncoaboutthisblackmanthatdauntedhim。Hetashewas，hetookakindo’cauldgrueinthemarrowo’hisbanes。butuphespakfora’that。an’sayshe：
’Myfriend，areyouastrangerinthisplace？’Theblackmanansweredneveraword。hegotuponhisfeet，an’begudetohirsletothewa’onthefarside。butheayelookitattheminister。an’
theministerstoodan’lookitback。tilla’inameenutetheblackmanwasowerthewa’an’rinnin’forthebieldo’thetrees。Mr。
Soulis，hehardlykennedwhy，ranafterhim。buthewassairforjaskitwi’hiswalkan’thehet，unhalesomeweather。andrinashelikit，hegotnaemairthanaglisko’theblackmanamangthebirks，tillhewondountothefooto’thehill-side，an’therehesawhimancemair，gaun，hap，step，an’lowp，owerDulewatertothemanse。
Mr。Souliswasnaeweelpleasedthatthisfearsomegangrelsuldmak’
saefreewi’Ba’wearymanse。an’herantheharder，an’，wetshoon，owertheburn，an’upthewalk。butthedeilablackmanwastheretosee。Hesteppedoutupontheroad，buttherewasnaebodythere。
hegaeda’owerthegairden，butna，naeblackman。Atthehinderend，andabitfearedaswasbutnatural，heliftedthehaspandintothemanse。andtherewasJanetM’Clourbeforehiseen，wi’herthrawncraig，andnanesaepleasedtoseehim。Andheayemindedsinsyne，whenfirsthesethiseenuponher，hehadthesamecauldanddeidlygrue。
’Janet，’sayshe，’haveyouseenablackman？’
’Ablackman？’quo’she。’Saveusa’！Ye’renowise，minister。
There’snaeblackmaninaBa’weary。’
Butshedidnaespeakplain，yemaununderstand。butyam-yammered，likeapowneywi’thebitinitsmoo。
’Weel，’sayshe，’Janet，iftherewasnaeblackman，IhavespokenwiththeAccuseroftheBrethren。’
Andhesatdownlikeanewi’afever，an’histeethchitteredinhisheid。
’Hoots，’saysshe，’thinkshametoyoursel’，minister。’an’giedhimadrapbrandythatshekeeptayebyher。
SyneMr。Soulisgaedintohisstudyamanga’hisbooks。It’salang，laigh，mirkchalmer，perishin’cauldinwinter，an’noverydryeveninthetapo’thesimmer，forthemansestandsneartheburn。Saedounhesat，andthochtofa’thathadcomean’ganesincehewasinBa’weary，an’hishame，an’thedayswhenhewasabairnan’randaffin’onthebraes。andthatblackmanayeraninhisheidliketheower-comeofasang。Ayethemairhethocht，themairhethochto’theblackman。Hetriedtheprayer，an’thewordswouldnaecometohim。an’hetried，theysay，towriteathisbook，buthecouldnaemak’naemairo’that。Therewaswhileshethochttheblackmanwasathisoxter，an’theswatstooduponhimcauldaswell-water。andtherewasotherwhiles，whenhecamtohimsel’likeachristenedbairnandmindednaething。
Theupshotwasthathegaedtothewindowan’stoodglowrin’atDulewater。Thetreesareuncothick，an’thewaterliesdeepan’
blackunderthemanse。an’therewasJanctwashin’thecla’eswi’
hercoatskilted。Shehadherbacktotheminister，an’he，forhispairt，hardlykennedwhathewaslookin’at。Synesheturnedround，an’shawedherface。Mr。Soulishadthesamecauldgrueastwicethatdayafore，an’itwasborneinuponhimwhatfolksaid，thatJanetwasdeidlangsyne，an’thiswasabogleinherclay-
cauldflesh。Hedrewbackapickleandhescannedhernarrowly。
Shewastramp-trampin’inthecla’es，croonin’tohersel’。andeh！
Gudeguideus，butitwasafearsomeface。Whilesshesanglouder，buttherewasnaemanborno’womanthatcouldtellthewordso’
hersang。an’whilesshelookitside-langdoun，buttherewasnaethingthereforhertolookat。Theregaedascunnerthroughthefleshuponhisbanes。andthatwasHeeven’sadvertisement。ButMr。Soulisjustblamedhimsel’，hesaid，tothinksaeillofapuir，auldafflictedwifethathadnaeafreendforbyehimsel’。an’
heputupabitprayerforhimandher，an’drankalittlecallerwater-forhisheartroseagainthemeat-an’gaeduptohisnakedbedinthegloaming。
ThatwasanichtthathasneverbeenforgotteninBa’weary，thenichto’theseeventeenthofAugust，seventeenhun’er’antwal’。
Ithadbeenhetafore，asIhaesaid，butthatnichtitwashetterthanever。Thesungaeddounamangunco-lookin’clouds。itfellasmirkasthepit。noastar，noabreatho’wund。yecouldnaeseeyourhan’aforeyourface，andeventheauldfolkcuistthecoversfraetheirbedsandlaypechin’fortheirbreath。Wi’a’thathehaduponhismind，itwasgeyandunlikelyMr。Souliswadgetmucklesleep。Helayan’hetummled。thegude，callerbedthathegotintobrunthisverybanes。whilesheslept，andwhileshewaukened。whilesheheardthetimeo’nicht，andwhilesatykeyowlin’upthemuir，asifsomebodywasdeid。whileshethochtheheardboglesclaverin’inhislug，an’whileshesawspunkiesintheroom。Hebehoved，hejudged，tobesick。an’sickhewas-
littlehejaloosedthesickness。
Atthehinderend，hegotaclearnessinhismind，satupinhissarkonthebed-side，andfellthinkin’ancemairo’theblackmanan’Janet。Hecouldnaeweeltellhow-maybeitwasthecauldtohisfeet-butitcam’inuponhimwi’aspatethattherewassomeconnectionbetweenthirtwa，an’thateitherorbaitho’themwerebogles。Andjustatthatmoment，inJanet’sroom，whichwasneisttohis，therecam’astrampo’feetasifmenwerewars’lin’，an’
thenaloudbang。an’thenawundgaedreishlingroundthefowerquartersofthehouse。an’thena’wasaincemairasseelentasthegrave。
Mr。Souliswasfearedforneithermannordeevil。Hegothistinder-box，an’litacan’le，an’madethreestepso’towertoJanet’sdoor。Itwasonthehasp，an’hepusheditopen，an’
keekedbauldlyin。Itwasabigroom，asbigastheminister’sain，an’plenishedwi’grand，auld，solidgear，forhehadnaethingelse。Therewasafower-postedbedwi’auldtapestry。andabrawcabinetofaik，thatwasfu’o’theminister’sdivinitybooks，an’
puttheretobeouto’thegate。an’awheendudso’Janet’slyinghereandthereaboutthefloor。ButnaeJanetcouldMr。Soulissee。noronysignofacontention。Inhegaedan’there’sfewthatwadha’efollowedhiman’lookita’round，an’listened。Buttherewasnaethin’tobeheard，neitherinsidethemansenorina’
Ba’wearyparish，an’naethin’tobeseenbutthemuckleshadowsturnin’roundthecan’le。An’thena’ataince，theminister’sheartplayedduntan’stoodstock-still。an’acauldwundblewamangthehairso’hisheid。Whatenawearysichtwasthatforthepuirman’seen！FortherewasJanathangin’fraeanailbesidetheauldaikcabinet：herheidayelayonhershoother，hereenweresteeked，thetongueprojekitfraehermouth，andherheelsweretwafeetclearabunethefloor。
’Godforgiveusall！’thochtMr。Soulis。’poorJanet’sdead。’
Hecam’astepnearertothecorp。an’thenhisheartfairwhammledinhisinside。Forbywhatcantripitwadill-beseemamantojudge，shewashingin’fraeasinglenailan’byasinglewurstedthreadfordarnin’hose。
It’sanawfu’thingtobeyourlaneatnichtwi’siccanprodigieso’darkness。butMr。SouliswasstrongintheLord。Heturnedan’
gaedhiswaysooto’thatroom，andlockitthedoorahinthim。andstepbystep，doonthestairs，asheavyasleed。andsetdoonthecan’leonthetableatthestairfoot。Hecouldnaepray，hecouldnaethink，hewasdreepin’wi’caul’swat，an’naethingcouldhehearbutthedunt-dunt-duntin’o’hisainheart。Hemichtmaybehavestoodthereanhour，ormaybetwa，hemindedsaelittle。whena’o’asudden，heheardalaigh，uncannysteerupstairs。afootgaedtoan’frointhecha’merwhaurthecorpwashingin’。synethedoorwasopened，thoughhemindedweelthathehadlockitit。an’
synetherewasastepuponthelandin’，an’itseemedtohimasifthecorpwaslookin’owertherailanddounuponhimwhaurhestood。
Hetookupthecan’leagainforhecouldnaewantthelicht，andassaftlyaseverhecould，gaedstrauchtouto’themansean’tothefarendo’thecauseway。Itwasayepit-mirk。theflameo’thecan’le，whenhesetitonthegrund，bruntsteedyandclearasinaroom。naethingmoved，buttheDulewaterseepin’andsabbin’doontheglen，an’yonunhalyfootstepthatcam’ploddindounthestairsinsidethemanse。Hekennedthefootoverweel，foritwasJanet’s。andatilkastepthatcam’aweethingnearer，thecauldgotdeeperinhisvitals。HecommandedhissoultoHimthatmadean’keepithim。’andOLord，’saidhe，’givemestrengththisnighttowaragainstthepowersofevil。’
Bythistimethefootwascomin’throughthepassageforthedoor。
hecouldhearahandskirtalangthewa’，asifthefearsomethingwasfeelin’foritsway。Thesaughstossedan’manedthegether，alangsighcam’owerthehills，theflameo’thecan’lewasblawnaboot。an’therestoodthecorpofThrawnJanet，wi’hergrogramgounan’herblackmutch，wi’theheidayeupontheshouther，an’
thegirnstilluponthefaceo’t-leevin’，yewadhaesaid-deid，asMr。Soulisweelkenned-uponthethresholdo’themanse。
It’sastrangethingthatthesaulofmanshouldbethatthirledintohisperishablebody。buttheministersawthat，an’hisheartdidnaebreak。
Shedidnaestandtherelang。shebegantomoveagainan’cam’
slowlytowardsMr。Souliswhaurhestoodunderthesaughs。A’thelifeo’hisbody，a’thestrengtho’hisspeerit，wereglowerin’
fraehiseen。Itseemedshewasgauntospeak，butwantedwords，an’madeasignwi’thelefthand。Therecam’aclapo’wund，likeacat’sfuff。ootgaedthecan’le，thesaughsskrieghedlikefolk。
an’Mr。Souliskennedthat，liveordie，thiswastheendo’t。
’Witch，beldame，devil！’hecried，’Ichargeyou，bythepowerofGod，begone-ifyoubedead，tothegrave-ifyoubedamned，tohell。’
An’atthatmomenttheLord’sainhandouto’theHeevensstrucktheHorrorwhauritstood。theauld，deid，desecratedcorpo’thewitch-wife，saelangkeepitfraethegraveandhirsledroundbydeils，loweduplikeabrunstanespunkandfellinashestothegrund。thethunderfollowed，pealondirlingpeal，therairingrainuponthebacko’that。andMr。Soulislowpedthroughthegardenhedge，andran，wi’skellochuponskelloch，fortheclachan。
Thatsamemornin’，JohnChristiesawtheBlackManpasstheMuckleCairnasitwaschappin’six。beforeeicht，hegaedbythechange-
houseatKnockdow。an’nolangafter，SandyM’Lellansawhimgaunlinkin’dounthebraesfraeKilmackerlie。There’slittledoubtbutitwashimthatdwalledsaelanginJanet’sbody。buthewasawa’
atlast。andsinsynethedeilhasneverfashedusinBa’weary。
Butitwasasairdispensationfortheminister。lang，langhelayravin’inhisbed。andfraethathourtothis，hewasthemanyekentheday。
OLALLA
’Now，’saidthedoctor，’mypartisdone，and，Imaysay，withsomevanity，welldone。Itremainsonlytogetyououtofthiscoldandpoisonouscity，andtogiveyoutwomonthsofapureairandaneasyconscience。Thelastisyouraffair。TothefirstIthinkI
canhelpyou。Itfellsindeedratheroddly。itwasbuttheotherdaythePadrecameinfromthecountry。andasheandIareoldfriends，althoughofcontraryprofessions，heappliedtomeinamatterofdistressamongsomeofhisparishioners。Thiswasafamily-butyouareignorantofSpain，andeventhenamesofourgrandeesarehardlyknowntoyou。sufficeit，then，thattheywereoncegreatpeople，andarenowfallentothebrinkofdestitution。
Nothingnowbelongstothembuttheresidencia，andcertainleaguesofdesertmountain，inthegreaterpartofwhichnotevenagoatcouldsupportlife。Butthehouseisafineoldplace，andstandsatagreatheightamongthehills，andmostsalubriously。andIhadnosoonerheardmyfriend’stale，thanIrememberedyou。ItoldhimIhadawoundedofficer，woundedinthegoodcause，whowasnowabletomakeachange。andIproposedthathisfriendsshouldtakeyouforalodger。InstantlythePadre’sfacegrewdark，asIhadmaliciouslyforeseenitwould。Itwasoutofthequestion，hesaid。Thenletthemstarve，saidI，forIhavenosympathywithtatterdemalionpride。There-uponweseparated，notverycontentwithoneanother。butyesterday，tomywonder，thePadrereturnedandmadeasubmission：thedifficulty，hesaid，hehadfounduponenquirytobelessthanhehadfeared。or，inotherwords，theseproudpeoplehadputtheirprideintheirpocket。Iclosedwiththeoffer。and，subjecttoyourapproval，Ihavetakenroomsforyouintheresidencia。Theairofthesemountainswillrenewyourblood。andthequietinwhichyouwillthereliveisworthallthemedicinesintheworld。’
’Doctor，’saidI，’youhavebeenthroughoutmygoodangel，andyouradviceisacommand。Buttellme，ifyouplease，somethingofthefamilywithwhichIamtoreside。’
’Iamcomingtothat，’repliedmyfriend。’and，indeed，thereisadifficultyintheway。Thesebeggarsare，asIhavesaid，ofveryhighdescentandswollenwiththemostbaselessvanity。theyhavelivedforsomegenerationsinagrowingisolation，drawingaway，oneitherhand，fromtherichwhohadnowbecometoohighforthem，andfromthepoor，whomtheystillregardedastoolow。andevento-day，whenpovertyforcesthemtounfastentheirdoortoaguest，theycannotdosowithoutamostungraciousstipulation。Youaretoremain，theysay，astranger。theywillgiveyouattendance，buttheyrefusefromthefirsttheideaofthesmallestintimacy。’
IwillnotdenythatIwaspiqued，andperhapsthefeelingstrengthenedmydesiretogo，forIwasconfidentthatIcouldbreakdownthatbarrierifIdesired。’Thereisnothingoffensiveinsuchastipulation，’saidI。’andIevensympathisewiththefeelingthatinspiredit。’
’Itistruetheyhaveneverseenyou，’returnedthedoctorpolitely。’andiftheyknewyouwerethehandsomestandthemostpleasantmanthatevercamefromEnglandwhereIamtoldthathandsomemenarecommon，butpleasantonesnotsomuchso，theywoulddoubtlessmakeyouwelcomewithabettergrace。Butsinceyoutakethethingsowell，itmattersnot。Tome，indeed，itseemsdiscourteous。Butyouwillfindyourselfthegainer。Thefamilywillnotmuchtemptyou。Amother，ason，andadaughter。
anoldwomansaidtobehalfwitted，acountrylout，andacountrygirl，whostandsveryhighwithherconfessor，andis，therefore，’
chuckledthephysician，’mostlikelyplain。thereisnotmuchinthattoattractthefancyofadashingofficer。’
’Andyetyousaytheyarehigh-born，’Iobjected。
’Well，astothat，Ishoulddistinguish，’returnedthedoctor。
’Themotheris。notsothechildren。Themotherwasthelastrepresentativeofaprincelystock，degeneratebothinpartsandfortune。Herfatherwasnotonlypoor，hewasmad：andthegirlranwildabouttheresidenciatillhisdeath。Then，muchofthefortunehavingdiedwithhim，andthefamilybeingquiteextinct，thegirlranwilderthanever，untilatlastshemarried，Heavenknowswhom，amuleteersomesay，othersasmuggler。whiletherearesomewhoupholdtherewasnomarriageatall，andthatFelipeandOlallaarebastards。Theunion，suchasitwas，wastragicallydissolvedsomeyearsago。buttheyliveinsuchseclusion，andthecountryatthattimewasinsomuchdisorder，thattheprecisemanneroftheman’sendisknownonlytothepriest-ifeventohim。’
’IbegintothinkIshallhavestrangeexperiences，’saidI。
’Iwouldnotromance，ifIwereyou，’repliedthedoctor。’youwillfind，Ifear，averygrovellingandcommonplacereality。Felipe，forinstance，Ihaveseen。AndwhatamItosay？Heisveryrustic，verycunning，veryloutish，and，Ishouldsay，aninnocent。
theothersareprobablytomatch。No，no，senorcommandante，youmustseekcongenialsocietyamongthegreatsightsofourmountains。andintheseatleast，ifyouareatallaloveroftheworksofnature，Ipromiseyouwillnotbedisappointed。’
ThenextdayFelipecameformeinaroughcountrycart，drawnbyamule。andalittlebeforethestrokeofnoon，afterIhadsaidfarewelltothedoctor，theinnkeeper，anddifferentgoodsoulswhohadbefriendedmeduringmysickness，wesetforthoutofthecitybytheEasterngate，andbegantoascendintotheSierra。Ihadbeensolongaprisoner，sinceIwasleftbehindfordyingafterthelossoftheconvoy，thatthemeresmelloftheearthsetmesmiling。Thecountrythroughwhichwewentwaswildandrocky，partiallycoveredwithroughwoods，nowofthecork-tree，andnowofthegreatSpanishchestnut，andfrequentlyintersectedbythebedsofmountaintorrents。Thesunshone，thewindrustledjoyously。andwehadadvancedsomemiles，andthecityhadalreadyshrunkintoaninconsiderableknollupontheplainbehindus，beforemyattentionbegantobedivertedtothecompanionofmydrive。Totheeye，heseemedbutadiminutive，loutish，well-madecountrylad，suchasthedoctorhaddescribed，mightyquickandactive，butdevoidofanyculture。andthisfirstimpressionwaswithmostobserversfinal。Whatbegantostrikemewashisfamiliar，chatteringtalk。sostrangelyinconsistentwiththetermsonwhichIwastobereceived。andpartlyfromhisimperfectenunciation，partlyfromthesprightlyincoherenceofthematter，soverydifficulttofollowclearlywithoutaneffortofthemind。
ItistrueIhadbeforetalkedwithpersonsofasimilarmentalconstitution。personswhoseemedtoliveashedidbythesenses，takenandpossessedbythevisualobjectofthemomentandunabletodischargetheirmindsofthatimpression。HisseemedtomeasIsat，distantlygivingearakindofconversationpropertodrivers，whopassmuchoftheirtimeinagreatvacancyoftheintellectandthreadingthesightsofafamiliarcountry。ButthiswasnotthecaseofFelipe。byhisownaccount，hewasahome-
keeper。’IwishIwastherenow，’hesaid。andthen，spyingatreebythewayside，hebrokeofftotellmethathehadonceseenacrowamongitsbranches。
’Acrow？’Irepeated，struckbytheineptitudeoftheremark，andthinkingIhadheardimperfectly。
Butbythistimehewasalreadyfilledwithanewidea。hearkeningwitharaptintentness，hisheadononeside，hisfacepuckered。
andhestruckmerudely，tomakemeholdmypeace。Thenhesmiledandshookhishead。
’Whatdidyouhear？’Iasked。
’O，itisallright，’hesaid。andbeganencouraginghismulewithcriesthatechoedunhumanlyupthemountainwalls。
Ilookedathimmoreclosely。Hewassuperlativelywell-built，light，andlitheandstrong。hewaswell-featured。hisyelloweyeswereverylarge，though，perhaps，notveryexpressive。takehimaltogether，hewasapleasant-lookinglad，andIhadnofaulttofindwithhim，beyondthathewasofaduskyhue，andinclinedtohairyness。twocharacteristicsthatIdisliked。Itwashismindthatpuzzled，andyetattractedme。Thedoctor’sphrase-aninnocent-camebacktome。andIwaswonderingifthatwere，afterall，thetruedescription，whentheroadbegantogodownintothenarrowandnakedchasmofatorrent。Thewatersthunderedtumultuouslyinthebottom。andtheravinewasfilledfullofthesound，thethinspray，andtheclapsofwind，thataccompaniedtheirdescent。Thescenewascertainlyimpressive。buttheroadwasinthatpartverysecurelywalledin。themulewentsteadilyforward。andIwasastonishedtoperceivethepalenessofterrorinthefaceofmycompanion。Thevoiceofthatwildriverwasinconstant，nowsinkinglowerasifinweariness，nowdoublingitshoarsetones。momentaryfreshetsseemedtoswellitsvolume，sweepingdownthegorge，ravingandboomingagainstthebarrierwalls。andIobserveditwasateachoftheseaccessionstotheclamour，thatmydrivermoreparticularlywincedandblanched。
SomethoughtsofScottishsuperstitionandtheriverKelpie，passedacrossmymind。IwonderedifperchancethelikewereprevalentinthatpartofSpain。andturningtoFelipe，soughttodrawhimout。
’Whatisthematter？’Iasked。
’O，Iamafraid，’hereplied。
’Ofwhatareyouafraid？’Ireturned。’Thisseemsoneofthesafestplacesonthisverydangerousroad。’
’Itmakesanoise，’hesaid，withasimplicityofawethatsetmydoubtsatrest。
Theladwasbutachildinintellect。hismindwaslikehisbody，activeandswift，butstuntedindevelopment。andIbeganfromthattimeforthtoregardhimwithameasureofpity，andtolistenatfirstwithindulgence，andatlastevenwithpleasure，tohisdisjointedbabble。
Byaboutfourintheafternoonwehadcrossedthesummitofthemountainline，saidfarewelltothewesternsunshine，andbegantogodownupontheotherside，skirtingtheedgeofmanyravinesandmovingthroughtheshadowofduskywoods。Thereroseuponallsidesthevoiceoffallingwater，notcondensedandformidableasinthegorgeoftheriver，butscatteredandsoundinggailyandmusicallyfromglentoglen。Here，too，thespiritsofmydrivermended，andhebegantosingaloudinafalsettovoice，andwithasingularbluntnessofmusicalperception，nevertrueeithertomelodyorkey，butwanderingatwill，andyetsomehowwithaneffectthatwasnaturalandpleasing，likethatoftheofbirds。
Astheduskincreased，Ifellmoreandmoreunderthespellofthisartlesswarbling，listeningandwaitingforsomearticulateair，andstilldisappointed。andwhenatlastIaskedhimwhatitwashesang-’O，’criedhe，’Iamjustsinging！’Aboveall，Iwastakenwithatrickhehadofunweariedlyrepeatingthesamenoteatlittleintervals。itwasnotsomonotonousasyouwouldthink，or，atleast，notdisagreeable。anditseemedtobreatheawonderfulcontentmentwithwhatis，suchaswelovetofancyintheattitudeoftrees，orthequiescenceofapool。
Nighthadfallendarkbeforewecameoutuponaplateau，anddrewupalittleafter，beforeacertainlumpofsuperiorblacknesswhichIcouldonlyconjecturetobetheresidencia。Here，myguide，gettingdownfromthecart，hootedandwhistledforalongtimeinvain。untilatlastanoldpeasantmancametowardsusfromsomewhereinthesurroundingdark，carryingacandleinhishand。
BythelightofthisIwasabletoperceiveagreatarcheddoorwayofaMoorishcharacter：itwasclosedbyiron-studdedgates，inoneoftheleavesofwhichFelipeopenedawicket。Thepeasantcarriedoffthecarttosomeout-building。butmyguideandIpassedthroughthewicket，whichwasclosedagainbehindus。andbytheglimmerofthecandle，passedthroughacourt，upastonestair，alongasectionofanopengallery，andupmorestairsagain，untilwecameatlasttothedoorofagreatandsomewhatbareapartment。
Thisroom，whichIunderstoodwastobemine，waspiercedbythreewindows，linedwithsomelustrouswooddisposedinpanels，andcarpetedwiththeskinsofmanysavageanimals。Abrightfireburnedinthechimney，andshedabroadachangefulflicker。closeuptotheblazetherewasdrawnatable，laidforsupper。andinthefarendabedstoodready。Iwaspleasedbythesepreparations，andsaidsotoFelipe。andhe，withthesamesimplicityofdispositionthatIheldalreadyremarkedinhim，warmlyre-echoedmypraises。’Afineroom，’hesaid。’averyfineroom。Andfire，too。fireisgood。itmeltsoutthepleasureinyourbones。Andthebed，’hecontinued，carryingoverthecandleinthatdirection-’seewhatfinesheets-howsoft，howsmooth，smooth。’andhepassedhishandagainandagainovertheirtexture，andthenlaiddownhisheadandrubbedhischeeksamongthemwithagrossnessofcontentthatsomehowoffendedme。ItookthecandlefromhishandforIfearedhewouldsetthebedonfireandwalkedbacktothesupper-table，where，perceivingameasureofwine，Ipouredoutacupandcalledtohimtocomeanddrinkofit。
Hestartedtohisfeetatonceandrantomewithastrongexpressionofhope。butwhenhesawthewine，hevisiblyshuddered。
’Oh，no，’hesaid，’notthat。thatisforyou。Ihateit。’
’Verywell，Senor，’saidI。’thenIwilldrinktoyourgoodhealth，andtotheprosperityofyourhouseandfamily。Speakingofwhich，’Iadded，afterIhaddrunk，’shallInothavethepleasureoflayingmysalutationsinpersonatthefeetoftheSenora，yourmother？’
Butatthesewordsallthechildishnesspassedoutofhisface，andwassucceededbyalookofindescribablecunningandsecrecy。Hebackedawayfrommeatthesametime，asthoughIwereananimalabouttoleaporsomedangerousfellowwithaweapon，andwhenhehadgotnearthedoor，gloweredatmesullenlywithcontractedpupils。’No，’hesaidatlast，andthenextmomentwasgonenoiselesslyoutoftheroom。andIheardhisfootingdieawaydownstairsaslightasrainfall，andsilenceclosedoverthehouse。
AfterIhadsuppedIdrewupthetablenearertothebedandbegantoprepareforrest。butinthenewpositionofthelight，Iwasstruckbyapictureonthewall。Itrepresentedawoman，stillyoung。Tojudgebyhercostumeandthemellowunitywhichreignedoverthecanvas，shehadlongbeendead。tojudgebythevivacityoftheattitude，theeyesandthefeatures，Imighthavebeenbeholdinginamirrortheimageoflife。Herfigurewasveryslimandstrong，andofajustproportion。redtresseslaylikeacrownoverherbrow。hereyes，ofaverygoldenbrown，heldminewithalook。andherface，whichwasperfectlyshaped，wasyetmarredbyacruel，sullen，andsensualexpression。Somethinginbothfaceandfigure，somethingexquisitelyintangible，liketheechoofanecho，suggestedthefeaturesandbearingofmyguide。andIstoodawhile，unpleasantlyattractedandwonderingattheoddityoftheresemblance。Thecommon，carnalstockofthatrace，whichhadbeenoriginallydesignedforsuchhighdamesastheonenowlookingonmefromthecanvas，hadfallentobaseruses，wearingcountryclothes，sittingontheshaftandholdingthereinsofamulecart，tobringhomealodger。Perhapsanactuallinksubsisted。perhapssomescrupleofthedelicatefleshthatwasonceclotheduponwiththesatinandbrocadeofthedeadlady，nowwincedattherudecontactofFelipe’sfrieze。
Thefirstlightofthemorningshonefullupontheportrait，and，asIlayawake，myeyescontinuedtodwelluponitwithgrowingcomplacency。itsbeautycreptaboutmyheartinsidiously，silencingmyscruplesoneafteranother。andwhileIknewthattolovesuchawomanweretosignandsealone’sownsentenceofdegeneration，I
stillknewthat，ifshewerealive，Ishouldloveher。Dayafterdaythedoubleknowledgeofherwickednessandofmyweaknessgrewclearer。Shecametobetheheroineofmanyday-dreams，inwhichhereyesledonto，andsufficientlyrewarded，crimes。Shecastadarkshadowonmyfancy。andwhenIwasoutinthefreeairofheaven，takingvigorousexerciseandhealthilyrenewingthecurrentofmyblood，itwasoftenagladthoughttomethatmyenchantresswassafeinthegrave，herwandofbeautybroken，herlipsclosedinsilence，herphiltrespilt。AndyetIhadahalf-lingeringterrorthatshemightnotbedeadafterall，butre-ariseninthebodyofsomedescendant。
Felipeservedmymealsinmyownapartment。andhisresemblancetotheportraithauntedme。Attimesitwasnot。attimes，uponsomechangeofattitudeorflashofexpression，itwouldleapoutuponmelikeaghost。Itwasaboveallinhisilltempersthatthelikenesstriumphed。Hecertainlylikedme。hewasproudofmynotice，whichhesoughttoengagebymanysimpleandchildlikedevices。helovedtositclosebeforemyfire，talkinghisbrokentalkorsinginghisodd，endless，wordlesssongs，andsometimesdrawinghishandovermyclotheswithanaffectionatemannerofcaressingthatneverfailedtocauseinmeanembarrassmentofwhichIwasashamed。Butforallthat，hewascapableofflashesofcauselessangerandfitsofsturdysullenness。Atawordofreproof，IhaveseenhimupsetthedishofwhichIwasabouttoeat，andthisnotsurreptitiously，butwithdefiance。andsimilarlyatahintofinquisition。Iwasnotunnaturallycurious，beinginastrangeplaceandsurroundedbystringpeople。butattheshadowofaquestion，heshrankback，loweringanddangerous。Thenitwasthat，forafractionofasecond，thisroughladmighthavebeenthebrotheroftheladyintheframe。Butthesehumourswereswifttopass。andtheresemblancediedalongwiththem。
InthesefirstdaysIsawnothingofanyonebutFelipe，unlesstheportraitistobecounted。andsincetheladwasplainlyofweakmind，andhadmomentsofpassion，itmaybewonderedthatIborehisdangerousneighbourhoodwithequanimity。Asamatteroffact，itwasforsometimeirksome。butithappenedbeforelongthatI
obtainedoverhimsocompleteamasteryassetmydisquietudeatrest。
Itfellinthisway。Hewasbynatureslothful，andmuchofavagabond，andyethekeptbythehouse，andnotonlywaiteduponmywants，butlabouredeverydayinthegardenorsmallfarmtothesouthoftheresidencia。HerehewouldbejoinedbythepeasantwhomIhadseenonthenightofmyarrival，andwhodweltatthefarendoftheenclosure，abouthalfamileaway，inarudeout-
house。butitwasplaintomethat，ofthesetwo，itwasFelipewhodidmost。andthoughIwouldsometimesseehimthrowdownhisspadeandgotosleepamongtheveryplantshehadbeendigging，hisconstancyandenergywereadmirableinthemselves，andstillmoresosinceIwaswellassuredtheywereforeigntohisdispositionandthefruitofanungratefuleffort。ButwhileIadmired，I
wonderedwhathadcalledforthinaladsoshuttle-wittedthisenduringsenseofduty。Howwasitsustained？Iaskedmyself，andtowhatlengthdiditprevailoverhisinstincts？Thepriestwaspossiblyhisinspirer。butthepriestcameonedaytotheresidencia。Isawhimbothcomeandgoafteranintervalofcloseuponanhour，fromaknollwhereIwassketching，andallthattimeFelipecontinuedtolabourundisturbedinthegarden。
Atlast，inaveryunworthyspirit，Ideterminedtodebauchtheladfromhisgoodresolutions，and，way-layinghimatthegate，easilypursuadedhimtojoinmeinaramble。Itwasafineday，andthewoodstowhichIledhimweregreenandpleasantandsweet-smellingandalivewiththehumofinsects。Herehediscoveredhimselfinafreshcharacter，mountinguptoheightsofgaietythatabashedme，anddisplayinganenergyandgraceofmovementthatdelightedtheeye。Heleaped，heranroundmeinmereglee。hewouldstop，andlookandlisten，andseemtodrinkintheworldlikeacordial。andthenhewouldsuddenlyspringintoatreewithonebound，andhangandgamboltherelikeoneathome。Littleashesaidtome，andthatofnotmuchimport，Ihaverarelyenjoyedmorestirringcompany。thesightofhisdelightwasacontinualfeast。thespeedandaccuracyofhismovementspleasedmetotheheart。andImighthavebeensothoughtlesslyunkindastomakeahabitofthesewants，hadnotchancepreparedaveryrudeconclusiontomypleasure。Bysomeswiftnessordexteritytheladcapturedasquirrelinatreetop。Hewasthensomewayaheadofme，butI
sawhimdroptothegroundandcrouchthere，cryingaloudforpleasurelikeachild。Thesoundstirredmysympathies，itwassofreshandinnocent。butasIbetteredmypacetodrawnear，thecryofthesquirrelknockeduponmyheart。Ihaveheardandseenmuchofthecrueltyoflads，andaboveallofpeasants。butwhatInowbeheldstruckmeintoapassionofanger。Ithrustthefellowaside，pluckedthepoorbruteoutofhishands，andwithswiftmercykilledit。ThenIturneduponthetorturer，spoketohimlongoutoftheheatofmyindignation，callinghimnamesatwhichheseemedtowither。andatlength，pointingtowardtheresidencia，badehimbegoneandleaveme，forIchosetowalkwithmen，notwithvermin。Hefelluponhisknees，and，thewordscomingtohimwithmorecleannessthanusual，pouredoutastreamofthemosttouchingsupplications，beggingmeinmercytoforgivehim，toforgetwhathehaddone，tolooktothefuture。’O，Itrysohard，’hesaid。’O，commandante，bearwithFelipethisonce。hewillneverbeabruteagain！’Thereupon，muchmoreaffectedthanI
caredtoshow，Isufferedmyselftobepersuaded，andatlastshookhandswithhimandmadeitup。Butthesquirrel，bywayofpenance，Imadehimbury。speakingofthepoorthing’sbeauty，tellinghimwhatpainsithadsuffered，andhowbaseathingwastheabuseofstrength。’See，Felipe，’saidI，’youarestrongindeed。butinmyhandsyouareashelplessasthatpoorthingofthetrees。Givemeyourhandinmine。Youcannotremoveit。NowsupposethatIwerecruellikeyou，andtookapleasureinpain。I
onlytightenmyhold，andseehowyousuffer。’Hescreamedaloud，hisfacestrickenashyanddottedwithneedlepointsofsweat。andwhenIsethimfree，hefelltotheearthandnursedhishandandmoanedoveritlikeababy。Buthetookthelessoningoodpart。
andwhetherfromthat，orfromwhatIhadsaidtohim，orthehighernotionhenowhadofmybodilystrength，hisoriginalaffectionwaschangedintoadog-like，adoringfidelity。
MeanwhileIgainedrapidlyinhealth。Theresidenciastoodonthecrownofastonyplateau。oneverysidethemountainshemmeditabout。onlyfromtheroof，wherewasabartizan，theremightbeseenbetweentwopeaks，asmallsegmentofplain，bluewithextremedistance。Theairinthesealtitudesmovedfreelyandlargely。
greatcloudscongregatedthere，andwerebrokenupbythewindandleftintattersonthehilltops。ahoarse，andyetfaintrumblingoftorrentsrosefromallround。andonecouldtherestudyalltheruderandmoreancientcharactersofnatureinsomethingoftheirpristineforce。Idelightedfromthefirstinthevigoroussceneryandchangefulweather。norlessintheantiqueanddilapidatedmansionwhereIdwelt。Thiswasalargeoblong，flankedattwooppositecornersbybastion-likeprojections，oneofwhichcommandedthedoor，whilebothwereloopholedformusketry。Thelowerstoreywas，besides，nakedofwindows，sothatthebuilding，ifgarrisoned，couldnotbecarriedwithoutartillery。Itenclosedanopencourtplantedwithpomegranatetrees。Fromthisabroadflightofmarblestairsascendedtoanopengallery，runningallroundandresting，towardsthecourt，onslenderpillars。Thenceagain，severalenclosedstairsledtotheupperstoreysofthehouse，whichwerethusbrokenupintodistinctdivisions。Thewindows，bothwithinandwithout，werecloselyshuttered。someofthestone-workintheupperpartshadfallen。theroof，inoneplace，hadbeenwreckedinoneoftheflurriesofwindwhichwerecommoninthesemountains。andthewholehouse，inthestrong，beatingsunlight，andstandingoutaboveagroveofstuntedcork-
trees，thicklyladenanddiscolouredwithdust，lookedlikethesleepingpalaceofthelegend。Thecourt，inparticular，seemedtheveryhomeofslumber。Ahoarsecooingofdoveshauntedabouttheeaves。thewindswereexcluded，butwhentheyblewoutside，themountaindustfellhereasthickasrain，andveiledtheredbloomofthepomegranates。shutteredwindowsandthecloseddoorsofnumerouscellars，andthevacant，archesofthegallery，enclosedit。andalldaylongthesunmadebrokenprofilesonthefoursides，andparadedtheshadowofthepillarsonthegalleryfloor。
Atthegroundleveltherewas，however，acertainpillaredrecess，whichborethemarksofhumanhabitation。Thoughitwasopeninfrontuponthecourt，itwasyetprovidedwithachimney，whereawoodfirewouldhealwaysprettilyblazing。andthetilefloorwaslitteredwiththeskinsofanimals。
ItwasinthisplacethatIfirstsawmyhostess。Shehaddrawnoneoftheskinsforwardandsatinthesun，leaningagainstapillar。Itwasherdressthatstruckmefirstofall，foritwasrichandbrightlycoloured，andshoneoutinthatdustycourtyardwithsomethingofthesamereliefastheflowersofthepomegranates。Atasecondlookitwasherbeautyofpersonthattookholdofme。Asshesatback-watchingme，Ithought，thoughwithinvisibleeyes-andwearingatthesametimeanexpressionofalmostimbecilegood-humourandcontentment，sheshowedaperfectnessoffeatureandaquietnobilityofattitudethatwerebeyondastatue’s。Itookoffmyhattoherinpassing，andherfacepuckeredwithsuspicionasswiftlyandlightlyasapoolrufflesinthebreeze。butshepaidnoheedtomycourtesy。Iwentforthonmycustomarywalkatrifledaunted，heridol-likeimpassivityhauntingme。andwhenIreturned，althoughshewasstillinmuchthesameposture，Iwashalfsurprisedtoseethatshehadmovedasfarasthenextpillar，followingthesunshine。
Thistime，however，sheaddressedmewithsometrivialsalutation，civillyenoughconceived，andutteredinthesamedeep-chested，andyetindistinctandlispingtones，thathadalreadybaffledtheutmostnicenessofmyhearingfromherson。Iansweredratherataventure。fornotonlydidIfailtotakehermeaningwithprecision，butthesuddendisclosureofhereyesdisturbedme。
Theywereunusuallylarge，theirisgoldenlikeFelipe’s，butthepupilatthatmomentsodistendedthattheyseemedalmostblack。
andwhataffectedmewasnotsomuchtheirsizeaswhatwasperhapsitsconsequencethesingularinsignificanceoftheirregard。AlookmoreblanklystupidIhavenevermet。MyeyesdroppedbeforeitevenasIspoke，andIwentonmywayupstairstomyownroom，atoncebaffledandembarrassed。Yet，whenIcamethereandsawthefaceoftheportrait，Iwasagainremindedofthemiracleoffamilydescent。Myhostesswas，indeed，botholderandfullerinperson。hereyeswereofadifferentcolour。herface，besides，wasnotonlyfreefromtheill-significancethatoffendedandattractedmeinthepainting。itwasdevoidofeithergoodorbad-amoralblankexpressingliterallynaught。Andyettherewasalikeness，notsomuchspeakingasimmanent，notsomuchinanyparticularfeatureasuponthewhole。Itshouldseem，Ithought，asifwhenthemastersethissignaturetothatgravecanvas，hehadnotonlycaughttheimageofonesmilingandfalse-eyedwoman，butstampedtheessentialqualityofarace。
Fromthatdayforth，whetherIcameorwent，IwassuretofindtheSenoraseatedinthesunagainstapillar，orstretchedonarugbeforethefire。onlyattimesshewouldshiftherstationtothetoproundofthestonestaircase，whereshelaywiththesamenonchalancerightacrossmypath。Inallthesedays，Ineverknewhertodisplaytheleastsparkofenergybeyondwhatsheexpendedinbrushingandre-brushinghercopiouscopper-colouredhair，orinlispingout，intherichandbrokenhoarsenessofhervoice，hercustomaryidlesalutationstomyself。These，Ithink，werehertwochiefpleasures，beyondthatofmerequiescence。Sheseemedalwaysproudofherremarks，asthoughtheyhadbeenwitticisms：and，indeed，thoughtheywereemptyenough，liketheconversationofmanyrespectablepersons，andturnedonaverynarrowrangeofsubjects，theywerenevermeaninglessorincoherent。nay，theyhadacertainbeautyoftheirown，breathing，astheydid，ofherentirecontentment。Nowshewouldspeakofthewarmth，inwhichlikehersonshegreatlydelighted。nowoftheflowersofthepomegranatetrees，andnowofthewhitedovesandlong-wingedswallowsthatfannedtheairofthecourt。Thebirdsexcitedher。
Astheyrakedtheeavesintheirswiftflight，orskimmedsidelongpastherwitharushofwind，shewouldsometimesstir，andsitalittleup，andseemtoawakenfromherdozeofsatisfaction。Butfortherestofherdaysshelayluxuriouslyfoldedonherselfandsunkinslothandpleasure。Herinvinciblecontentatfirstannoyedme，butIcamegraduallytofindreposeinthespectacle，untilatlastitgrewtobemyhabittositdownbesideherfourtimesintheday，bothcomingandgoing，andtotalkwithhersleepily，Iscarceknewofwhat。Ihadcometolikeherdull，almostanimalneighbourhood。herbeautyandherstupiditysoothedandamusedme。Ibegantofindakindoftranscendentalgoodsenseinherremarks，andherunfathomablegoodnaturemovedmetoadmirationandenvy。Thelikingwasreturned。sheenjoyedmypresencehalf-unconsciously，asamanindeepmeditationmayenjoythebabblingofabrook。IcanscarcesayshebrightenedwhenI
came，forsatisfactionwaswrittenonherfaceeternally，asonsomefoolishstatue’s。butIwasmadeconsciousofherpleasurebysomemoreintimatecommunicationthanthesight。Andoneday，asI
setwithinreachofheronthemarblestep，shesuddenlyshotforthoneofherhandsandpattedmine。Thethingwasdone，andshewasbackinheraccustomedattitude，beforemymindhadreceivedintelligenceofthecaress。andwhenIturnedtolookherinthefaceIcouldperceivenoanswerablesentiment。Itwasplainsheattachednomomenttotheact，andIblamedmyselfformyownmoreuneasyconsciousness。
ThesightandifImaysocallittheacquaintanceofthemotherconfirmedtheviewIhadalreadytakenoftheson。Thefamilybloodhadbeenimpoverished，perhapsbylonginbreeding，whichI
knewtobeacommonerroramongtheproudandtheexclusive。Nodecline，indeed，wastobetracedinthebody，whichhadbeenhandeddownunimpairedinshapelinessandstrength。andthefacesofto-daywerestruckassharplyfromthemint，asthefaceoftwocenturiesagothatsmileduponmefromtheportrait。Buttheintelligencethatmorepreciousheirloomwasdegenerate。thetreasureofancestralmemoryranlow。andithadrequiredthepotent，plebeiancrossingofamuleteerormountaincontrabandistatoraise，whatapproachedhebetudeinthemother，intotheactiveoddityoftheson。Yetofthetwo，itwasthemotherIpreferred。
OfFelipe，vengefulandplacable，fullofstartsandshyings，inconstantasahare，Icouldevenconceiveasacreaturepossiblynoxious。OfthemotherIhadnothoughtsbutthoseofkindness。
Andindeed，asspectatorsareaptignorantlytotakesides，IgrewsomethingofapartisanintheenmitywhichIperceivedtosmoulderbetweenthem。True，itseemedmostlyonthemother’spart。Shewouldsometimesdrawinherbreathashecamenear，andthepupilsofhervacanteyeswouldcontractasifwithhorrororfear。Heremotions，suchastheywere，weremuchuponthesurfaceandreadilyshared。andthislatentrepulsionoccupiedmymind，andkeptmewonderingonwhatgroundsitrested，andwhetherthesonwascertainlyinfault。
Ihadbeenabouttendaysintheresidencia，whentheresprangupahighandharshwind，carryingcloudsofdust。Itcameoutofmalariouslowlands，andoverseveralsnowysierras。Thenervesofthoseonwhomitblewwerestrungandjangled。theireyessmartedwiththedust。theirlegsachedundertheburthenoftheirbody。
andthetouchofonehanduponanothergrewtobeodious。Thewind，besides，camedownthegulliesofthehillsandstormedaboutthehousewithagreat，hollowbuzzingandwhistlingthatwaswearisometotheearanddismallydepressingtothemind。Itdidnotsomuchblowingustsaswiththesteadysweepofawaterfall，sothattherewasnoremissionofdiscomfortwhileitblew。Buthigheruponthemountain，itwasprobablyofamorevariablestrength，withaccessesoffury。fortherecamedownattimesafar-offwailing，infinitelygrievoustohear。andattimes，ononeofthehighshelvesorterraces，therewouldstartup，andthendisperse，atowerofdust，likethesmokeofinexplosion。
InosoonerawokeinbedthanIwasconsciousofthenervoustensionanddepressionoftheweather，andtheeffectgrewstrongerasthedayproceeded。ItwasinvainthatIresisted。invainthatIsetforthuponmycustomarymorning’swalk。theirrational，unchangingfuryofthestormhadsoonbeatdownmystrengthandwreckedmytemper。andIreturnedtotheresidencia，glowingwithdryheat，andfoulandgrittywithdust。Thecourthadaforlornappearance。nowandthenaglimmerofsunfledoverit。nowandthenthewindswoopeddownuponthepomegranates，andscatteredtheblossoms，andsetthewindowshuttersclappingonthewall。IntherecesstheSenorawaspacingtoandfrowithaflushedcountenanceandbrighteyes。Ithought，too，shewasspeakingtoherself，likeoneinanger。ButwhenIaddressedherwithmycustomarysalutation，sheonlyrepliedbyasharpgestureandcontinuedherwalk。Theweatherhaddistemperedeventhisimpassivecreature。
andasIwentonupstairsIwasthelessashamedofmyowndiscomposure。
Alldaythewindcontinued。andIsatinmyroomandmadeafeintofreading，orwalkedupanddown，andlistenedtotheriotoverhead。Nightfell，andIhadnotsomuchasacandle。Ibegantolongforsomesociety，andstoledowntothecourt。Itwasnowplungedintheblueofthefirstdarkness。buttherecesswasredlylightedbythefire。Thewoodhadbeenpiledhigh，andwascrownedbyashockofflames，whichthedraughtofthechimneybrandishedtoandfro。InthisstrongandshakenbrightnesstheSenoracontinuedpacingfromwalltowallwithdisconnectedgestures，claspingherhands，stretchingforthherarms，throwingbackherheadasinappealtoheaven。Inthesedisorderedmovementsthebeautyandgraceofthewomanshowedmoreclearly。buttherewasalightinhereyethatstruckonmeunpleasantly。andwhenIhadlookedonawhileinsilence，andseeminglyunobserved，IturnedtailasIhadcome，andgropedmywaybackagaintomyownchamber。
BythetimeFelipebroughtmysupperandlights，mynervewasutterlygone。and，hadtheladbeensuchasIwasusedtoseeinghim，Ishouldhavekepthimevenbyforcehadthatbeennecessary
totakeofftheedgefrommydistastefulsolitude。ButonFelipe，also，thewindhadexerciseditsinfluence。Hehadbeenfeverishallday。nowthatthenighthadcomehewasfallenintoalowandtremuloushumourthatreactedonmyown。Thesightofhisscaredface，hisstartsandpallorsandsuddenharkenings，unstrungme。
andwhenhedroppedandbrokeadish，Ifairlyleapedoutofmyseat。
’Ithinkweareallmadto-day，’saidI，affectingtolaugh。
’Itistheblackwind，’hereplieddolefully。’Youfeelasifyoumustdosomething，andyoudon’tknowwhatitis。’
Inotedtheaptnessofthedescription。but，indeed，Felipehadsometimesastrangefelicityinrenderingintowordsthesensationsofthebody。’Andyourmother，too，’saidI。’sheseemstofeelthisweathermuch。Doyounotfearshemaybeunwell？’
Hestaredatmealittle，andthensaid，’No，’almostdefiantly。
andthenextmoment，carryinghishandtohisbrow，criedoutlamentablyonthewindandthenoisethatmadehisheadgoroundlikeamillwheel。’Whocanbewell？’hecried。and，indeed，I
couldonlyechohisquestion，forIwasdisturbedenoughmyself。
Iwenttobedearly，weariedwithday-longrestlessness，butthepoisonousnatureofthewind，anditsungodlyandunintermittentuproar，wouldnotsuffermetosleep。Ilaythereandtossed，mynervesandsensesonthestretch。AttimesIwoulddoze，dreamhorribly，andwakeagain。andthesesnatchesofoblivionconfusedmeastotime。Butitmusthavebeenlateoninthenight，whenI
wassuddenlystartledbyanoutbreakofpitiableandhatefulcries。
Ileapedfrommybed，supposingIhaddreamed。butthecriesstillcontinuedtofillthehouse，criesofpain，Ithought，butcertainlyofragealso，andsosavageanddiscordantthattheyshockedtheheart。Itwasnoillusion。somelivingthing，somelunaticorsomewildanimal，wasbeingfoullytortured。ThethoughtofFelipeandthesquirrelflashedintomymind，andIrantothedoor，butithadbeenlockedfromtheoutside。andImightshakeitasIpleased，Iwasafastprisoner。Stillthecriescontinued。Nowtheywoulddwindledownintoamoaningthatseemedtobearticulate，andatthesetimesImadesuretheymustbehuman。andagaintheywouldbreakforthandfillthehousewithravingsworthyofhell。Istoodatthedoorandgaveeartothem，tillat，lasttheydiedaway。Longafterthat，Istilllingeredandstillcontinuedtohearthemmingleinfancywiththestormingofthewind。andwhenatlastIcrepttomybed，itwaswithadeadlysicknessandablacknessofhorroronmyheart。
ItwaslittlewonderifIsleptnomore。WhyhadIbeenlockedin？
Whathadpassed？Whowastheauthoroftheseindescribableandshockingcries？Ahumanbeing？Itwasinconceivable。Abeast？
Thecrieswerescarcequitebestial。andwhatanimal，shortofalionoratiger，couldthusshakethesolidwallsoftheresidencia？AndwhileIwasthusturningovertheelementsofthemystery，itcameintomymindthatIhadnotyetseteyesuponthedaughterofthehouse。WhatwasmoreprobablethanthatthedaughteroftheSenora，andthesisterofFelipe，shouldbeherselfinsane？Or，whatmorelikelythanthattheseignorantandhalf-
wittedpeopleshouldseektomanageanafflictedkinswomanbyviolence？Herewasasolution。andyetwhenIcalledtomindthecrieswhichIneverdidwithoutashudderingchillitseemedaltogetherinsufficient：notevencrueltycouldwringsuchcriesfrommadness。ButofonethingIwassure：Icouldnotliveinahousewheresuchathingwashalfconceivable，andnotprobethematterhomeand，ifnecessary，interfere。
Thenextdaycame，thewindhadblownitselfout，andtherewasnothingtoremindmeofthebusinessofthenight。Felipecametomybedsidewithobviouscheerfulness。asIpassedthroughthecourt，theSenorawassunningherselfwithheraccustomedimmobility。andwhenIissuedfromthegateway，Ifoundthewholefaceofnatureausterelysmiling，theheavensofacoldblue，andsownwithgreatcloudislands，andthemountain-sidesmappedforthintoprovincesoflightandshadow。Ashortwalkrestoredmetomyself，andrenewedwithinmetheresolvetoplumbthismystery。
andwhen，fromthevantageofmyknoll，IhadseenFelipepassforthtohislaboursinthegarden，Ireturnedatoncetotheresidenciatoputmydesigninpractice。TheSenoraappearedplungedinslumber。Istoodawhileandmarkedher，butshedidnotstir。evenifmydesignwereindiscreet，Ihadlittletofearfromsuchaguardian。andturningaway，Imountedtothegalleryandbeganmyexplorationofthehouse。
AllmorningIwentfromonedoortoanother，andenteredspaciousandfadedchambers，somerudelyshuttered，somereceivingtheirfullchargeofdaylight，allemptyandunhomely。Itwasarichhouse，onwhichTimehadbreathedhistarnishanddusthadscattereddisillusion。Thespiderswungthere。thebloatedtarantulascamperedonthecornices。antshadtheircrowdedhighwaysonthefloorofhallsofaudience。thebigandfoulfly，thatlivesoncarrionandisoftenthemessengerofdeath，hadsetuphisnestintherottenwoodwork，andbuzzedheavilyabouttherooms。Hereandthereastoolortwo，acouch，abed，oragreatcarvedchairremainedbehind，likeisletsonthebarefloors，totestifyofman’sbygonehabitation。andeverywherethewallsweresetwiththeportraitsofthedead。Icouldjudge，bythesedecayingeffigies，inthehouseofwhatagreatandwhatahandsomeraceIwasthenwandering。Manyofthemenworeordersontheirbreastsandhadtheportofnobleoffices。thewomenwereallrichlyattired。thecanvasesmostofthembyfamoushands。Butitwasnotsomuchtheseevidencesofgreatnessthattookholduponmymind，evencontrasted，astheywere，withthepresentdepopulationanddecayofthatgreathouse。ItwasrathertheparableoffamilylifethatIreadinthissuccessionoffairfacesandshapelybodies。NeverbeforehadIsorealisedthemiracleofthecontinuedrace，thecreationandrecreation，theweavingandchangingandhandingdownoffleshlyelements。Thatachildshouldbebornofitsmother，thatitshouldgrowandclotheitselfweknownothowwithhumanity，andputoninheritedlooks，andturnitsheadwiththemannerofoneascendant，andofferitshandwiththegestureofanother，arewondersdulledforusbyrepetition。
Butinthesingularunityoflook，inthecommonfeaturesandcommonbearing，ofallthesepaintedgenerationsonthewallsoftheresidencia，themiraclestartedoutandlookedmeintheface。
Andanancientmirrorfallingopportunelyinmyway，Istoodandreadmyownfeaturesalongwhile，tracingoutoneitherhandthefilamentsofdescentandthebondsthatknitmewithmyfamily。
Atlast，inthecourseoftheseinvestigations，Iopenedthedoorofachamberthatborethemarksofhabitation。Itwasoflargeproportionsandfacedtothenorth，wherethemountainsweremostwildlyfigured。Theembersofafiresmoulderedandsmokeduponthehearth，towhichachairhadbeendrawnclose。Andyettheaspectofthechamberwasascetictothedegreeofsternness。thechairwasuncushioned。thefloorandwallswerenaked。andbeyondthebookswhichlayhereandthereinsomeconfusion，therewasnoinstrumentofeitherworkorpleasure。Thesightofbooksinthehouseofsuchafamilyexceedinglyamazedme。andIbeganwithagreathurry，andinmomentaryfearofinterruption，togofromonetoanotherandhastilyinspecttheircharacter。Theywereofallsorts，devotional，historical，andscientific，butmostlyofagreatageandintheLatintongue。SomeIcouldseetobearthemarksofconstantstudy。othershadbeentornacrossandtossedasideasifinpetulanceordisapproval。Lastly，asIcruisedaboutthatemptychamber，Iespiedsomepaperswrittenuponwithpencilonatablenearthewindow。Anunthinkingcuriosityledmetotakeoneup。Itboreacopyofverses，veryroughlymetredintheoriginalSpanish，andwhichImayrendersomewhatthus-
Pleasureapproachedwithpainandshame，Griefwithawreathofliliescame。
Pleasureshowedthelovelysun。
Jesudear，howsweetitshone！
Griefwithherwornhandpointedon，Jesudear，tothee！
Shameandconfusionatoncefellonme。and，layingdownthepaper，Ibeatanimmediateretreatfromtheapartment。NeitherFelipenorhismothercouldhavereadthebooksnorwrittentheseroughbutfeelingverses。ItwasplainIhadstumbledwithsacrilegiousfeetintotheroomofthedaughterofthehouse。Godknows，myownheartmostsharplypunishedmeformyindiscretion。ThethoughtthatIhadthussecretlypushedmywayintotheconfidenceofagirlsostrangelysituated，andthefearthatshemightsomehowcometohearofit，oppressedmelikeguilt。Iblamedmyselfbesidesformysuspicionsofthenightbefore。wonderedthatI
shouldeverhaveattributedthoseshockingcriestooneofwhomI
nowconceivedasofasaint，spectralofmien，wastedwithmaceration，boundupinthepracticesofamechanicaldevotion，anddwellinginagreatisolationofsoulwithherincongruousrelatives。andasIleanedonthebalustradeofthegalleryandlookeddownintothebrightcloseofpomegranatesandatthegailydressedandsomnolentwoman，whojustthenstretchedherselfanddelicatelylickedherlipsasintheverysensualityofsloth，mymindswiftlycomparedthescenewiththecoldchamberlookingnorthwardonthemountains，wherethedaughterdwelt。
Thatsameafternoon，asIsatuponmyknoll，IsawthePadreenterthegatesoftheresidencia。Therevelationofthedaughter’scharacterhadstruckhometomyfancy，andalmostblottedoutthehorrorsofthenightbefore。butatsightofthisworthymanthememoryrevived。Idescended，then，fromtheknoll，andmakingacircuitamongthewoods，postedmyselfbythewaysidetoawaithispassage。AssoonasheappearedIsteppedforthandintroducedmyselfasthelodgeroftheresidencia。Hehadaverystrong，honestcountenance，onwhichitwaseasytoreadthemingledemotionswithwhichheregardedme，asaforeigner，aheretic，andyetonewhohadbeenwoundedforthegoodcause。Ofthefamilyattheresidenciahespokewithreserve，andyetwithrespect。I
mentionedthatIhadnotyetseenthedaughter，whereuponheremarkedthatthatwasasitshouldbe，andlookedatmealittleaskance。Lastly，Ipluckedupcouragetorefertothecriesthathaddisturbedmeinthenight。Heheardmeoutinsilence，andthenstoppedandpartlyturnedabout，asthoughtomarkbeyonddoubtthathewasdismissingme。
’Doyoutaketobaccopowder？’saidhe，offeringhissnuff-box。andthen，whenIhadrefused，’Iamanoldman，’headded，’andImaybeallowedtoremindyouthatyouareaguest。’
’Ihave，then，yourauthority，’Ireturned，firmlyenough，althoughIflushedattheimpliedreproof，’toletthingstaketheircourse，andnottointerfere？’
Hesaid’yes，’andwithasomewhatuneasysaluteturnedandleftmewhereIwas。Buthehaddonetwothings：hehadsetmyconscienceatrest，andhehadawakenedmydelicacy。Imadeagreateffort，oncemoredismissedtherecollectionsofthenight，andfelloncemoretobroodingonmysaintlypoetess。Atthesametime，IcouldnotquiteforgetthatIhadbeenlockedin，andthatnightwhenFelipebroughtmemysupperIattackedhimwarilyonbothpointsofinterest。
’Ineverseeyoursister，’saidIcasually。
’Oh，no，’saidhe。’sheisagood，goodgirl，’andhismindinstantlyveeredtosomethingelse。
’Yoursisterispious，Isuppose？’Iaskedinthenextpause。
’Oh！’hecried，joininghishandswithextremefervour，’asaint。
itisshethatkeepsmeup。’
’Youareveryfortunate，’saidI，’forthemostofus，Iamafraid，andmyselfamongthenumber，arebetteratgoingdown。’
’Senor，’saidFelipeearnestly，’Iwouldnotsaythat。Youshouldnottemptyourangel。Ifonegoesdown，whereishetostop？’
’Why，Felipe，’saidI，’Ihadnoguessyouwereapreacher，andI
maysayagoodone。butIsupposethatisyoursister’sdoing？’
Henoddedatmewithroundeyes。
’Well，then，’Icontinued，’shehasdoubtlessreprovedyouforyoursinofcruelty？’
’Twelvetimes！’hecried。forthiswasthephrasebywhichtheoddcreatureexpressedthesenseoffrequency。’AndItoldheryouhaddoneso-Irememberedthat，’headdedproudly-’andshewaspleased。’
’Then，Felipe，’saidI，’whatwerethosecriesthatIheardlastnight？forsurelytheywerecriesofsomecreatureinsuffering。’
’Thewind，’returnedFelipe，lookinginthefire。
Itookhishandinmine，atwhich，thinkingittobeacaress，hesmiledwithabrightnessofpleasurethatcameneardisarmingmyresolve。ButItrodtheweaknessdown。’Thewind，’Irepeated。
’andyetIthinkitwasthishand，’holdingitup，’thathadfirstlockedmein。’Theladshookvisibly，butansweredneveraword。
’Well，’saidI，’Iamastrangerandaguest。Itisnotmyparteithertomeddleortojudgeinyouraffairs。intheseyoushalltakeyoursister’scounsel，whichIcannotdoubttobeexcellent。
ButinsofarasconcernsmyownIwillbenoman’sprisoner，andI
demandthatkey。’Halfanhourlatermydoorwassuddenlythrownopen，andthekeytossedringingonthefloor。
AdayortwoafterIcameinfromawalkalittlebeforethepointofnoon。TheSenorawaslyinglappedinslumberonthethresholdoftherecess。thepigeonsdozedbelowtheeaveslikesnowdrifts。
thehousewasunderadeepspellofnoontidequiet。andonlyawanderingandgentlewindfromthemountainstoleroundthegalleries，rustledamongthepomegranates，andpleasantlystirredtheshadows。Somethinginthestillnessmovedmetoimitation，andIwentverylightlyacrossthecourtandupthemarblestaircase。
Myfootwasonthetopmostround，whenadooropened，andIfoundmyselffacetofacewithOlalla。Surprisetransfixedme。herlovelinessstrucktomyheart。sheglowedinthedeepshadowofthegallery，agemofcolour。hereyestookholduponmineandclungthere，andboundustogetherlikethejoiningofhands。andthemomentswethusstoodfacetoface，drinkingeachotherin，weresacramentalandtheweddingofsouls。IknownothowlongitwasbeforeIawokeoutofadeeptrance，and，hastilybowing，passedonintotheupperstair。Shedidnotmove，butfollowedmewithhergreat，thirstingeyes。andasIpassedoutofsightitseemedtomeasifshepaledandfaded。
Inmyownroom，Iopenedthewindowandlookedout，andcouldnotthinkwhatchangehadcomeuponthatausterefieldofmountainsthatitshouldthussingandshineundertheloftyheaven。Ihadseenher-Olalla！Andthestonecragsanswered，Olalla！andthedumb，unfathomableazureanswered，Olalla！Thepalesaintofmydreamshadvanishedforever。andinherplaceIbeheldthismaidenonwhomGodhadlavishedtherichestcoloursandthemostexuberantenergiesoflife，whomhehadmadeactiveasadeer，slenderasareed，andinwhosegreateyeshehadlightedthetorchesofthesoul。Thethrillofheryounglife，strunglikeawildanimal’s，hadenteredintome。theforceofsoulthathadlookedoutfromhereyesandconqueredmine，mantledaboutmyheartandsprangtomylipsinsinging。Shepassedthroughmyveins：shewasonewithme。
Iwillnotsaythatthisenthusiasmdeclined。rathermysoulheldoutinitsecstasyasinastrongcastle，andwastherebesiegedbycoldandsorrowfulconsiderations。IcouldnotdoubtbutthatI
lovedheratfirstsight，andalreadywithaquiveringardourthatwasstrangetomyexperience。Whatthenwastofollow？Shewasthechildofanafflictedhouse，theSenora’sdaughter，thesisterofFelipe。sheboreiteveninherbeauty。Shehadthelightnessandswiftnessoftheone，swiftasanarrow，lightasdew。liketheother，sheshoneonthepalebackgroundoftheworldwiththebrilliancyofflowers。Icouldnotcallbythenameofbrotherthathalf-wittedlad，norbythenameofmotherthatimmovableandlovelythingofflesh，whosesillyeyesandperpetualsimpernowrecurredtomymindlikesomethinghateful。AndifIcouldnotmarry，whatthen？Shewashelplesslyunprotected。hereyes，inthatsingleandlongglancewhichhadbeenallourintercourse，hadconfessedaweaknessequaltomyown。butinmyheartIknewherforthestudentofthecoldnorthernchamber，andthewriterofthesorrowfullines。andthiswasaknowledgetodisarmabrute。TofleewasmorethanIcouldfindcouragefor。butIregisteredavowofunsleepingcircumspection。