THEFANATIC
Mr。Caryll，latelyfromRome，stoodbythewindow，lookingoutovertherainswept，steamingquaystoNotreDameontheislandyonder。OverheadrolledandcrackledtheartilleryofanAprilthunderstorm，andMr。Caryll，lookingoutuponParisinhershroudofrain，underherpallofthundercloud，felthimselfatharmonywithNature。Overhisheart，too，thegloomofstormwaslowering，justasinhisheartitwasstilllittlemorethanApriltime。
Behindhim，inthatchamberfurnishedindarkoakandleatherofareignortwoago，satSirRichardEverardatavastwriting-tablealla-litterwithbooksandpapers；andSirRichardwatchedhisadoptivesonwithfierce，melancholyeyes，watchedhimuntilhegrewimpatientofthispause。
\"Well？\"demandedtheoldbaronetharshly。\"Willyouundertakeit，Justin，nowthatthechancehascome？\"Andheadded：
\"You\'llneverhesitateifyouarethemanIhavesoughttomakeyou。\"
Mr。Caryllturnedslowly。\"ItisbecauseIamthemanthatyou-thatGodandyou-havemademethatIdohesitate。\"
Hisvoicewasquietandpleasantlymodulated，andhespokeEnglishwiththefaintestslur-perceptible，perhaps，onlytothekeenestear-ofaFrenchaccent。Toearslesskeenitwouldmerelyseemthathearticulatedwithaprecisionsosingularastovergeonpedantry。
Thelightfallingfulluponhisprofilerevealedtherathersingularcountenancethatwashisown。Itwasnotinanyremarkablebeautythatitsdistinctionlay，forbythecanonsofbeautythatprevailitwasnotbeautiful。Thefeatureswereirregularandinclinedtoharshness，thenosewastooabruptlyarched，thechintoolongandsquare，thecomplexiontoopallid。Yetacertaindignityhauntedthatyouthfulface，ofsuchaqualityastostampituponthememoryofthemerestpasser-by。Themouthwasdifficulttoreadandfullofcontradictions；thelipswerefullandred，andyouwoulddeclarethemthelipsofasensualistbutforthelineofstern，almostgrim，determinationinwhichtheymet；andyet，somewherebehindthatgrimness，thereappearedtolurkahauntingwhimsicality；asmileseemedevertoimpend，butwhethersweetorbitternonecouldhavetolduntilitbroke。
Theeyeswereasremarkable；wide-setandslow-moving，asbecomestheeyesofanobservantman，theywereofanalmostgreenishcolor，andsolevelintheirordinaryglanceastoseemimbuedwithanuncannypenetration。Hishair-hedaredtowearhisown，andclubbeditinabroadribbonofwateredsilk-wasalmostofthehueofbronze，withhereandthereaglintofgold，andasluxuriantasanywig。
Fortherest，hewasscarcelyabovethemiddleheight，ofanalmostfrailbutverygracefulslenderness，andverygraceful，too，inallhismovements。Indresshewassupremelyelegant，withtheeleganceofFrance，thatinEnglandwouldbeaccountedfoppishness。Heworeasuitofdarkbluecloth，withwhitesatinliningsthatwererevealedwhenhemoved；itwasheavilylacedwithgold，andaramiformpatternbroideredingoldthreadranupthesidesofhissilkstockingsofapalerblue。JewelsgleamedintheBrusselsathisthroat，andtherewerediamondbucklesonhislacquered，red-heeledshoes。
SirRichardconsideredhimwithanxietyandsomechagrin。
\"Justin！\"hecried，aworldofreproachinhisvoice。\"Whatcanyouneedtoponder？\"
\"Whateveritmaybe，\"saidMr。Caryll，\"itwillbebetterthatIponderitnowthanafterIhavepledgedmyself。\"
\"Butwhatisit？What？\"demandedthebaronet。
\"Iammarvelling，foronething，thatyoushouldhavewaitedthirtyyears。\"
SirRichard\'sfingersstirredthepapersbeforehiminanidle，absentmanner。Intohisbroodingeyesthereleapttheglittertobeseenintheeyesofthefeveredofbodyorofmind。
\"Vengeance，\"saidheslowly，\"isadishbestrelishedwhen\'tiseatencold。\"Hepausedaninstant；thencontinued：\"I
mighthavecrossedtoEnglandatthetime，andslainhim。
Shouldthathavesatisfiedme？Whatisdeathbutpeaceandrest？\"
\"Thereisahell，wearetold，\"Mr。Caryllremindedhim。
\"Ay，\"wastheanswer，\"wearetold。ButIdursn\'triskitsbeingfalsewhereOstermoreisconcerned。SoIpreferredtowaituntilIcouldbrewhimsuchacupofbitternessasnomaneverdrankerehewasgladtodie。\"Inaquieter，retrospectivevoicehecontinued：\"Hadweprevailedinthe\'15，Imighthavefoundawaytopunishhimthathadbeenworthyofthecrimethatcallsforit。Wedidnotprevail。
Moreover，Iwastaken，andtransported。
\"Whatthinkyou，Justin，gavemecouragetoenduretherigorsoftheplantations，cunningandenergytoescapeafterfivesuchyearsofitashadassuredlykilledastrongermanlessstrongofpurpose？Whatbutthetaskthatwasawaitingme？
ItimportedthatIshouldliveandbefreetocallareckoninginfullwithmyLordOstermorebeforeIgotomyownaccount。
\"Opportunityhasgonelameuponthisjourney。Butithasarrivedatlast。Unless-\"Hepaused，hisvoicesankfromthehighnoteofexaltationtowhichithadsoared；itbecamechargedwithdread，asdidthefierceeyeswithwhichherakedhiscompanion\'sface。\"Unlessyouprovefalsetothedutythatawaitsyou。AndthatI\'llnotbelieve！Youareyourmother\'sson，Justin。\"
\"Andmyfather\'s，too，\"answeredJustininathickvoice；\"andtheEarlofOstermoreisthatsamefather。\"
\"Themoresweetlyshallyourmotherbeavenged，\"criedtheother，andagainhiseyesblazedwiththatunhealthy，fanaticallight。\"Whatfitterthanthehandofthatpoorlady\'ssontopullyourfatherdowninruins？\"Helaughedshortandfiercely。\"Itseldomchancesinthisworldthatjusticeisdonesonicely。\"
\"Youhatehimverydeeply，\"saidMr。Caryllpensively，andthelookinhiseyesbetrayedthetrendofhisthoughts；theywereofpity-butofpityatthefutilityofsuchstrongemotions。
\"AsdeeplyasIlovedyourmother，Justin。\"Thesharp，ruggedfeaturesofthatsearedoldfaceseemedofasuddentransfiguredandsoftened。Thewildeyeslostsomeoftheirglitterinalookofwistfulness，asheponderedamomenttheonesweetmemoryinawastedlife，alifewreckedoverthirtyyearsago-wreckedwantonlybythatsameOstermoreofwhomtheyspoke，whohadbeenhisfriend。
Agroanbrokefromhislips。Hetookhisheadinhishands，and，elbowsonthetable，hesatverystillamoment，reviewingasinaflashtheeventsofthirtyandmoreyearsago，whenheandViscountRotherby-asOstermorewasthen-
hadbeenyoungmenattheSt。Germain\'sCourtofJamesII。
ItwasonanexcursionintoNormandythattheyhadmetMademoiselledeMaligny，thedaughterofanimpoverishedgentlemanofthechetivenoblesseofthatprovince。Bothhadlovedher。Shehadpreferred-aswomenwill-theoutwardhandsomenessofViscountRotherbytothesounderheartandbrainthatwereDickEverard\'s。Asboldanddominantasanyrufflerofthemallwheremenandperilswereconcerned，youngEverardwastimid，bashfulandwithoutassertivenesswithwomen。Hehadwithdrawnfromthecontestereitwaswelllost，leavinganeasyvictorytohisfriend。
Andhowhadthatfriendusedit？Mostfoully，asyoushalllearn。
LeavingRotherbyinNormandy，EverardhadreturnedtoParis。
TheaffairsofhiskinggavehimcausetocrossatoncetoIreland。Forthreeyearsheabodethere，workingsecretlyinhismaster\'sinterest，tolittlepurposebeitconfessed。AttheendofthattimehereturnedtoParis。Rotherbywasgone。
Itappearedthathisfather，LordOstermore，hadprevaileduponBentincktousehisinfluencewithWilliamontheerrantyouth\'sbehalf。Rotherbyhadbeenpardonedhisloyaltytothefallendynasty。Adeserterineverysense，hehadabandonedthefortunesofKingJames-whichinEverard\'seyeswasbadenough-andhehadabandonedthesweetladyhehadfetchedoutofNormandysixmonthsbeforehisgoing，ofwhomitseemedthatinhislordlywayhewasgrowntired。
>Fromthebeginningitwouldappeartheywereill-matched。Itwasherbeautyhadmadeappealtohim，evenashisbeautyhadenamouredher。Elementalshadbroughtabouttheirunion；andwhentheseelementalsshrankwithhabit，aselementalswill，theyfoundthemselveswithoutatieofsympathyorcommoninteresttolinkthemeachtotheother。Shewasbynatureblythe；athingofsunshine，flowersandmusic，whocravedaverypoetforherlover；andby\"apoet\"Imeannotyourmererhymer。Hewasdownrightstolidandstupidunderhisfineexterior；theworsttypeofBriton，withoutthesavinggraceofaBriton\'shonor。Andsoshehadweariedhim，whosawinhernomorethanasweetlovelinessthathadcloyedhimpresently。AndwhenthechancewasofferedhimbyBentinckandhisfather，hetookitandwenthisways，andthissweetflowerthathehadpluckedfromitsNormandygardentoadornhimforabriefsummer\'sdaywaslefttowilt，discarded。
ThetalethatgreetedEverardonhisreturnfromIrelandwasthat，broken-hearted，shehaddied-crushedneathherloadofshame。Foritwassaidthattherehadbeennomarriage。
Therumorofherdeathhadgoneabroad，andithadbeencarriedtoEnglandandmyLordRotherbybyacousinofhers-
thelastlivingMaligny-whocrossedthechanneltodemandofthatstolidgentlemansatisfactionforthedishonorputuponhishouse。Allthesatisfactionthepoorfellowgotwasafootorsoofsteelthroughthelungs，ofwhichhedied；andthere，mayithaveseemedtoRotherby，thematterended。
ButEverardremained-Everard，whohadlovedherwithagreatandalmostsacredlove；Everard，whosworeblackruinformyLordRotherby-therumorofwhichmayalsohavebeencarriedtohislordshipandstimulatedhisactivitiesinhavingEverardhunteddownaftertheBraemarfiascoof1715。
ButbeforethatcametopassEverardhaddiscoveredthattherumorofherdeathwasfalse-putabout，nodoubt，outoffearofthatsamecousinwhohadmadehimselfchampionandavengerofherhonor。Everardsoughtherout，andfoundherperishingofwantinanatticintheCourdesMiraclessomefourmonthslater-eightmonthsafterRotherby\'sdesertion。
Inthatsordid，wind-sweptchamberofParis\'mostabandonedhaunt，asonhadbeenborntoAntoinettedeMalignytwodaysbeforeEverardhadcomeuponher。Bothweredying；bothhadassuredlydiedwithintheweekbutthathecamesotimelytoheraid。Andthataidherenderedlikethenoble-heartedgentlemanhewas。HehadcontrivedtosavehisfortunefromthewreckofJames\'kingship，andthiswassafelyinvestedinFrance，inHollandandelsewhereabroad。WithaportionofitherepurchasedthechateauandestatesofMaligny，whichonthedeathofAntoinette\'sfatherhadbeenseizeduponbycreditors。
Thitherhesentherandherchild-Rotherby\'schild-makingthatnobledomainachristening-gifttotheboy，forwhomhehadstoodsponsoratthefont。Andhedidhisworkofloveinthebackground。Hewasthegodinthemachine；nomore。Nosingleopportunityofthankinghimdidheaffordher。Heeffacedhimselfthatshemightnotseethesorrowsheoccasionedhim，lestitshouldincreaseherown。
FortwoyearsshedweltatMalignyinsuchpeaceasthebroken-heartedmayknow，thelittleoflifethatwasleftherirradiatedbyEverard\'snoblefriendship。Hewrotetoherfromtimetotime，nowfromItaly，nowfromHolland。Buthenevercametovisither。Adelicacy，whichmayormaynothavebeenfalse，restrainedhim。Andshe，respectingwhatinstinctivelysheknewtobehisfeelings，neverbadehimcometoher。IntheirletterstheyneverspokeofRotherby；notoncedidhisnamepassbetweenthem；itwasasifhehadneverlivedornevercrossedtheirlives。Meanwhilesheweakenedandfadeddaybyday，despiteallthecarewithwhichshewassurrounded。ThatwinterofcoldandwantintheCourdesMiracleshadsownitsseeds，andDeathwassharpeninghisscytheagainsttheharvest。
WhentheendwascomeshesenturgentlyforEverard。Hecameatonceinanswertohersummons；buthecametoolate。Shediedtheeveningbeforehearrived。Butshehadleftaletter，writtendaysbefore，againstthechanceofhisnotreachingherbeforetheend。Thatletter，inherfineFrenchhand，wasbeforehimnow。
\"Iwillnottrytothankyou，dearestfriend，\"shewrote。
\"Forthethingthatyouhavedone，whatpaymentisthereinpoorthanks？Oh，Everard，Everard！HaditbutpleasedGodtohavehelpedmetoawiserchoicewhenitwasminetochoose！\"
shecriedtohimfromthatletter，andpoorEverarddeemedthatthethinrayofjoyherwordssentthroughhisanguishedsoulwaspaymentmorethanenoughforthelittlethathehaddone。\"God\'swillbedone！\"shecontinued。\"ItisHiswill。
Heknowswhyitisbestso，thoughwediscernitnot。Butthereistheboy；thereisJustin。Ibequeathhimtoyouwhoalreadyhavedonesomuchforhim。Lovehimalittleformysake；cherishandrearhimasyourown，andmakeofhimsuchagentlemanasareyou。Hisfatherdoesnotsomuchasknowofhisexistence。That，too，isbestso，forIwouldnothavehimclaimmyboy。NeverlethimlearnthatJustinexists，unlessitbetopunishhimbytheknowledgeforhiscrueldesertionofme。\"
Choking，thewritingblurredbytearsthatheaccountednodisgracetohisyoungmanhood，EverardhadsworninthathourthatJustinshouldbeasasontohim。Hewoulddoherwill，andhesetuponitamoredefinitemeaningthansheintended。
Rotherbyshouldremaininignoranceofhisson\'sexistenceuntilsuchseasonasshouldmaketheknowledgeaveryanguishtohim。HewouldrearJustininbitterhatredofthefoulvillainwhohadbeenhisfather；andwiththeboy\'shelp，whenthetimeshouldberipe，hewouldlaymyLordRotherbyinruins。Thusshouldmylord\'ssincometofindhimout。
ThisEverardhadsworn，andthishehaddone。HehadtoldJustinthestoryalmostassoonasJustinwasofanagetounderstandit。Hehadrepeateditatveryfrequentintervals，andastheladgrew，Everardwatchedinhim-fosteringitbyeverymeansinhispower-thegrowthofhisexecrationfortheauthorofhisdays，andofhisreverenceforthesweet，departedsaintthathadbeenhismother。
Fortherest，hehadlavishedJustinnoblyforhismother\'ssake。TherepurchasedestatesofMaligny，withtheirhandsomerentroll，remainedJustin\'sown，administeredbySirRichardduringthelad\'sminorityandvastlyenrichedbythecareofthatadministration。HehadsenttheladtoOxford，andafterwards-themorethoroughlytocompletehiseducation-
onatwoyears\'tourofEurope；andonhisreturn，agrownandculturedman，hehadattachedhimtothecourtinRomeofthePretender，whoseagenthewashimselfinParis。
Hehaddonehisdutybytheboyasheunderstoodhisduty，alwayswiththatgrimpurposeofrevengeforhishorizon。AndtheresulthadbeenastrangercompoundthanevenEverardknew，forallthatheknewtheladexceedinglywell。ForhehadscarcelyreckonedsufficientlyuponJustin\'smixednationalityandthecircumstancethatinsoulandmindhewasentirelyhismother\'schild，withnothing-oranimperceptiblelittle-ofhisfather。Ashismother\'snaturehadbeen，sowasJustin\'s-joyous。ButEverard\'strainingofhimhadsuppressedallinbornvivacity。ThemirthanddiableriethatwerehisbirthrighthadbeenoverlaidwithBritishphlegm，untilintheirstead，andthroughtheblend，acertainsardonichumorhaddeveloped，anironicalattitudetowardallthingswhethersacredorprofane。Thishadbeenhelpedonbyculture，and-inastillgreatermeasure-bytheoddtraininginworldlinesswhichhehadfromEverard。
Hisillusionswereshatterederehehadcuthiswisdomteeth，thankstothetutelageofSirRichard，whoingivinghimtheuglystoryofhisownexistence，taughthimthemisanthropicallessonthatallmenareknaves，allwomenfools。Hedeveloped，asaconsequence，thatsardonicoutlookupontheworld。Hesoughttotakevosnonvobisforhismotto，affectedtoaspectatorinthetheatreofLife，withtheobviousresultthathebecamethegreatestactorofthemall。
Sowefindhimevennow，hismainemotionpityforSirRichard，whosatsilentforsomemoments，reviewingthatthirty-yeardeadpast，untilthetearsscaldedhisoldeyes。
Thebaronetmadeaqueernoiseinhisthroat，somethingbetweenasnarlandasob，andheflunghimselfsuddenlybackinhischair。
Justinsatdown，abecominggravityinhiscountenance。\"Tellmeall，\"hebeggedhisadoptivefather。\"Tellmehowmattersstandprecisely-howyouproposetoact。\"
\"Withallmyheart，\"thebaronetassented。\"LordOstermore，havingturnedhiscoatonceforprofit，isreadynowtoturnitagainforthesameend。FromtheinformationthatreachesmefromEngland，itwouldappearthatintherageofspeculationthathasbeentowardinLondon，hislordshiphassufferedheavily。HowheavilyIamnotpreparedtosay。Butheavilyenough，Idareswear，tohavecausedthisoffertoreturntohisking；forhelooks，nodoubt，tosellhisservicesatapricethatwillhelphimmendthewreckageofhisfortunes。Aweekagoagentlemanwhogoesbetweenhismajesty\'scourtatRomeandhisfriendshereinParisbroughtmewordfromhismajestythatOstermorehadsignifiedtohimhiswillingnesstorejointheStuartcause。
\"Togetherwiththatinformation，thismessengerbroughtmelettersfromhismajestytoseveralofhisfriends，whichI
wastosendtoEnglandbyasafehandatthefirstopportunity。Now，amongsttheseletters-deliveredtomeunsealed-isonetomyLordOstermore，makinghimcertainadvantageousproposalswhichheissuretoacceptifhiscircumstancesbeascrippledasIamgiventounderstand。
Atterburyandhisfriends，itseems，havealreadytamperedwithmylord\'sloyaltytoDutchGeorgetosomepurpose，andthereislittledoubtbutthatthisletter\"-andhetappedadocumentbeforehim-\"willdowhatelseistobedone。
\"But，sincetheseletterswereleftwithme，comeyouwithhismajesty\'sfreshinjunctionsthatIamtosuppressthemandcrosstoEnglandatoncemyself，toprevailuponAtterburyandhisassociatestoabandontheundertaking。\"
Mr。Caryllnodded。\"Because，asIhavetoldyou，\"saidhe，\"KingJamesinRomehasreceivedpositiveinformationthatinLondontheplotisalreadysuspected，littlethoughAtterburymaydreamit。ButwhathasthistodowithmyLordOstermore？\"
\"This，\"saidEverardslowly，leaningacrosstowardJustin，andlayingahanduponhissleeve。\"IamtocounseltheBishoptostayhishandagainstamorefavorableopportunity。ThereisnoreasonwhyyoushouldnotdotheveryoppositewithOstermore。\"
Mr。Caryllknithisbrows，hiseyesintentupontheother\'sface；buthesaidnoword。
\"Itis，\"urgedEverard，\"anopportunitysuchastheremayneverbeanother。WedestroyOstermore。Byaturnofthehandwebringhimtothegallows。\"Hechuckledoverthewordwithajoyalmostdiabolical。
\"Buthow-howdowedestroyhim？\"quothJustin，whosuspectedyetdarednotencouragehissuspicions。
\"How？Doyouaskhow？Is\'tnotplain？\"snappedSirRichard，andwhatheavoidedputtingintowords，hiseloquentglancemadecleartohiscompanion。
Mr。Caryllroseathoughtquickly，afaintflushstirringinhischeeks，andhethrewoffEverard\'sgraspwithagesturethatwasalmostofrepugnance。\"YoumeanthatIamtoenmeshhim……\"
SirRichardsmiledgrimly。\"Ashismajesty\'saccreditedagent，\"heexplained。\"Iwillequipyouwithpapers。WordshallgoaheadofyoutoOstermorebyasafehandtobidhimlookforthecomingofamessengerbearinghisownfamilyname。Nomorethanthat；nothingthatcanbetrayus；yetenoughtowhethislordship\'sappetite。Youshallbetheambassadortobearhimthetemptingoffersfromtheking。Youwillobtainhisanswers-accepting。Thoseyouwilldelivertome，andIshalldothetriflethatmaystillbeneededtosettheropeabouthisneck。\"
Alittlewhiletherewassilence。Outside，therain，drivenbygusts，smotethewindowaswithascourge。Thethunderwasgrumblinginthedistancenow。Mr。Caryllresumedhischair。
Hesatverythoughtful，butwithnoemotionshowinginhisface。Britishstoliditywasintheascendantwithhimthen。
Hefeltthathehadtheneedofit。
\"Itis……ugly，\"hesaidatlastslowly。
\"ItisGod\'sownwill，\"wasthehotanswer，andSirRichardsmotethetable。
\"HasGodtakenyouintoHisconfidence？\"wonderedMr。Caryll。
\"IknowthatGodisjustice。\"
\"Yetisitnotwrittenthat`vengeanceisHisown\'？\"
\"Aye，butHeneedshumaninstrumentstoexecuteit。Suchinstrumentsarewe。Canyou-Oh，canyouhesitate？\"
Mr。Caryllclenchedhishandshard。\"Doit，\"heansweredthroughsetteeth。\"Doit！Ishallapproveitwhen\'tisdone。Butfindotherhandsforthework，SirRichard。Heismyfather。\"
SirRichardremainedcool。\"ThatistheargumentIemployforinsistinguponthetaskbeingyours，\"hereplied。Then，inablazeofpassion，he-whohadschooledhisadoptivesonsoablyinself-control-marshalledoncemorehisarguments。
\"Itisyourdutytoyourmothertoforgetthatheisyourfather。Thinkofhimonlyasthemanwhowrongedyourmother；
themantowhomherruinedlife，herearlydeatharedue-hermurdererandworse。Considerthat。Yourfather，yousay！\"
Hemockedalmost。\"Yourfather！Inwhatisheyourfather？
Youhaveneverseenhim；hedoesnotknowthatyouexist，thatyoueverexisted。Isthattobeafather？Father，yousay！A
word，aname-nomorethanthat；anamethatgivesrisetoasentiment，andasentimentistostandbetweenyouandyourclearduty；asentimentistosetaprotectingshieldoverthemanwhokilledyourmother！
\"IthinkIshalldespiseyou，Justin，ifyoufailmeinthis。
Ihavelivedforit，\"heranontempestuously。\"Ihaverearedyouforit，andyoushallnotfailme！\"
Thenhisvoicedroppedagain，andinquietertones\"YouhatetheverynameofJohnCaryll，EarlofOstermore，\"
saidhe，\"asmusteverydecentmanwhoknowsthetruthofwhatthelifeofthatsatyrholds。IfIhavesufferedyoutobearhisname，itistotheendthatitshouldremindyoudailythatyouhavenorighttoit，thatyouhavenorighttoanyname。\"
Whenhesaidthathethrusthisfingerconsciouslyintoarawwound。HesawJustinwince，andwithpitilesscunninghecontinuedtoprodthattenderplaceuntilhehadaggravatedthesmartofitintoaveryagony。
\"Thatiswhatyouoweyourfather；thatisthefullextentofwhatliesbetweenyou-thatyouareofthoseatwhomtheworldisgiventosneerandpointscorn\'sreadyfinger。\"
\"Nonehaseverdared，\"saidMr。Caryll。
\"Becausenonehaseverknown。Wehavekeptthesecretwell。
Youdisplaynocoatofarmsthatnobarsinistermaybedisplayed。Butthetimemaycomewhenthesecretmustout。
Youmight，forinstance，thinkofmarryingaladyofquality，aladyofyourownsupposedstation。Whatshallyoutellherofyourself？Thatyouhavenonametoofferher；thatthenameyoubearisyoursbyassumptiononly？Ah！Thatbringshomeyourownwrongstoyou，Justin！Considerthem；havethemeverpresentinyourmind，togetherwithyourmother\'sblightedlife，thatyoumaynotshrinkwhenthehourstrikestopunishtheevildoer。\"
Heflunghimselfbackinhischairagain，andwatchedtheyoungermanwithbroodingeye。Mr。Caryllwasplainlymoved。
Hehadpaledalittle，andhesatnowwithbrowscontractedandsetteeth。
SirRichardpushedbackhischairandrose，recapitulating。
\"Heisyourmother\'sdestroyer，\"hesaid，withasadsternness。\"Istheruinofthatfairlifetogounpunished？
Isit，Justin？\"
Mr。Caryll\'sGallicspiritburstabruptlythroughitsBritishglaze。Hecrushedfistintopalm，andswore：\"No，byGod！Itshallnot，SirRichard！\"
SirRichardheldouthishands，andtherewasafiercejoyinhisgloomyeyesatlast。\"You\'llcrosstoEnglandwithme，Justin？\"
ButMr。Caryll\'ssoulfelloncemoreintotravail。\"Wait！\"hecried。\"Ah，wait！\"HislevelglancemetSirRichard\'sinearnestnessandentreaty。\"Answermethetruthuponyoursoulandconscience：Doyouinyourheartbelievethatitiswhatmymotherwouldhavehadmedo？\"
Therewasaninstant\'spause。ThenEverard，thefanaticofvengeance，themanwhoseminduponthatonesubjectwasbecomeunsoundwithexcessofbrooding，answeredwithconviction：\"AsIhaveasoultobesaved，Justin，Idobelieveit。More-I
knowit。Here！\"TremblinghandstookuptheoldletterfromthetableandprofferedittoJustin。\"Hereisherownmessagetoyou。Readitagain。\"
Andwhattimetheyoungman\'seyesresteduponthatfine，pointedwriting，SirRichardrecitedaloudthewordsheknewbyheart，thewordsthathadbeenringinginhisearssincethatdaywhenhehadseenherloweredtorest：\"`NeverlethimlearnthatJustinexistsunlessitbetopunishhimbytheknowledgeforhiscrueldesertionofme。\'Itisyourmother\'svoicespeakingtoyoufromthegrave，\"thefanaticpursued，andsoinfectedJustinatlastwithsomethingofhisfanaticism。
Thegreeneyesflasheduncannily，thewhiteyoungfacegrewcruellysardonic。\"Youbelieveit？\"heasked，andtheeagernessthatnowinvestedhisvoiceshowedhowitreallywaswithhim。
\"AsIhaveasoultobesaved，\"SirRichardrepeated。
\"ThengladlywillIsetmyhandtoit。\"FirestirredthroughJustinnow，afireofrighteouspassion。\"Anidea-nomorethananidea-dauntedme。Youhaveshownmethat。IcrosstoEnglandwithyou，SirRichard，andletmyLordOstermorelooktohimself，formyname-Iwhohavenorighttoanyname-mynameisjudgment！\"
Theexaltationfellfromhimassuddenlyasithadmounted。
Hedroppedintoachair，thoughtfulagainandslightlyashamedofhissuddenoutburst。
SirRichardEverardwatchedwithaneyeofgloomyjoythemanwhomhehadbeenatsuchpainstoschoolinself-control。
Overheadtherewasasuddencrackleofthunder，sharpandstaccatoasapealofdemoniaclaughter。
CHAPTERII
ATTHE\"ADAMANDEVE\"
Mr。Caryll，alightedfromhistravelingchaiseintheyardofthe\"AdamandEve，\"atMaidstone，onasunnyafternooninMay。
LandedatDoverthenightbefore，hehadpartedcompanywithSirRichardEverardthatmorning。HisadoptivefatherhadturnedasidetowardRochester，todischargehisking\'sbusinesswithplottingBishopAtterbury，whattimeJustinwastopushontowardtownasKingJames\'ambassadortotheEarlofOstermore，who，advisedofhiscoming，wasexpectinghim。
HereatMaidstoneitwasMr。Caryll\'sintenttodine，resuminghisjourneyinthecooloftheevening，whenhehopedtogetatleastasfarasFarnboroughereheslept。
Landlady，chamberlain，ostlerandaposseofunderlingshastenedtogivewelcometosofineagentleman，andaprivateroomabove-stairswasplacedathisdisposal。Beforeascending，however，Mr。Caryllsaunteredintothebarforawhettingglasstogivehimanappetite，andfurtherforthepurposeofbespeakingindetailhisdinnerwiththehostess。
Itwasoneofhistraitsthathegavethegreatestattentiontodetail，andheldthatthemanwholefttheorderingofhisediblestohisservantswasnobetterthanananimalwhosawnomorethannourishmentinfood。Norwasthematteronetobesettledsummarily；itaskedthoughtandtime。SohesippedhisHock，listeningtothelandlady\'sproposals，andamendingthemwherenecessarywithsuggestionsofhisown，andwhattimehewassoengaged，thereambledintotheinnyardasturdycobbearingasturdylittlemaninsnuff-coloredclothesthathadseensomewear。
Thenewcomerthrewhisreinstothestable-boy-apersonofalltheimportancenecessarytoreceivesoindifferentaguest。Hegotdownnimblyfromhishorse，producedanenormoushandkerchiefofmanycolors，andremovedhisthree-corneredhatthathemightthebettermophisbrowandyouthful，almostcherubicface。Whattimehedidso，apairofbrightlittleblueeyeswereverybusywith。Mr。Caryll\'scarriage，fromwhichLeduc，Mr。Caryll\'svalet，wasintheactofremovingaportmantle。Hismobilemouthfellintolinesofsatisfaction。
Stillmoppinghimself，heenteredtheinn，and，guidedbythedroneofvoices，saunteredintothebar。AtsightofMr。
Caryllleaningthere，hislittleeyesbeamedaninstant，asdotheeyesofonewhoespiesafriend，or-apterfigure-theeyesofthehunterwhentheysightthequarry。
Headvancedtothebar，bowingtoMr。Caryllwithanairalmostapologetic，andtothelandladywithanairscarcelylessso，asheaskedforanipperkinofaletowashthedustoftheroadfromhisthroat。Thehostesscalledadrawertoservehim，anddepartedherselfuponthemomentousbusinessofMr。Caryll\'sdinner。
\"Awarmday，sir，\"saidthechubbyman。
Mr。Caryllagreedwithhimpolitely，andfinishedhisglass，theothersippingmeanwhileathisale。
\"Afinebrew，sir，\"saidhe。\"Aprodigiousfinebrew！Withallrespect，sir，yourhonorshouldtryawhetofourEnglishale。\"
Mr。Caryll，settingdownhisglass，lookedlanguidlyattheman。\"Whydoyouexcludeme，sir，fromthenationofthisbeverage？\"heinquired。
Thechubbyman\'sfaceexpressedastonishment。\"Ye\'reEnglish，sir！Ecod！IhadthoughtyeFrench！\"
\"Itisanhonor，sir，thatyoushouldhavethoughtmeanything。\"
Theotherabasedhimself。\"\'Twasanunwarrantablepresumption，Codso！whichIhopeyourhonor\'llpardon。\"Thenhesmiledagain，hislittleeyestwinklinghumorously。\"Anyewouldtrytheale，Idareswearyourhonorwouldforgiveme。
Iknowale，ecod！Iamabrewermyself。Greenismyname，sir-TomGreen-yourveryobedientservant，sir。\"Andhedrankasifpledgingthatsameserviceheprofessed。
Mr。Caryllobservedhimcalmlyandathoughtindifferently。
\"Ye\'redeterminedtohonorme，\"saidhe。\"Iamyourdebtorforyourreflectionsuponwhettingglasses；butale，sir，isabeverageIdon\'taffect，norshallwhiletherearevinesinFrance。\"
\"Ah！\"sighedMr。Greenrapturously。\"\'Tisagreatcountry，France；isitnot，sir？\"
\"\'Tisnotthegeneralopinionhereatpresent。ButImakenodoubtthatitdeservesyourpraise。\"
\"AndParis，now，\"persistedMr。Green。\"Theytellme\'tisagreatcity；amarvelo\'th\'ages。Therebethose，ecod！thatsayLondon\'sbutakennelto\'t。\"
\"Bethereso？\"quothMr。Caryllindifferently。
\"Yedon\'tagreewiththem，belike？\"askedMr。Green，witheagerness。
\"Pooh！Menwillsayanything，\"Mr。Caryllreplied，andaddedpointedly：\"Menwilltalk，yesee。\"
\"Notalways，\"wastheretortinaslytone。\"I\'veknownmentobeprodigiousshortwhentheyhadaughttohide。\"
\"Haveyeso？Yeseemtohavehadawideexperience。\"AndMr。
Caryllsaunteredout，hummingaFrenchairthroughclosedlips。
Mr。Greenlookedafterhimwithhardenedeyes。Heturnedtothedrawerwhostoodby。\"He\'smightyclose，\"saidhe。
\"Mightyclose！\"
\"Ye\'renotperhapsquitethecompanyhecaresfor，\"thedrawersuggestedcandidly。
Mr。Greenlookedathim。\"Verylike，\"hesnapped。\"Howlongdoeshestayhere？\"
\"Yelostararechanceoffindingoutwhenyelethimgowithoutinquiring，\"saidthedrawer。
Mr。Green\'sfacelostsomeofitschubbiness。\"Whend\'yelooktomarrythelandlady？\"washisnextquestion。
Themanstared。\"Cod！\"saidhe。\"Marrythe-Areyedaft？\"
Mr。Greenaffectedsurprise。\"I\'mmistook，itseems。Yemisledmebyyourpertness。Getmeanothernipperkin。\"
MeanwhileMr。Caryllhadtakenhiswayabovestairstotheroomsetapartforhim。Hedinedtohissatisfaction，andthereafter，hisshapely，silk-cladlegsthrownoverasecondchair，hiswaistcoatallunbuttoned，forthedaywasofanalmostmidsummerwarmth-hesatmightilyathisease，adecanterofsherryathiselbow，apipeinonehandandabookofMr。Gay\'spoemsintheother。Buttheeasewentnofurtherthanthebody，aswitnessedthecircumstancesthathispipewascold，thedecantertolerablyfull，andMr。Gay\'spleasantrhymesandquaintconceitsoffancyallunheeded。Thelight，mercurialspiritwhichhehadfromnatureandhisunfortunatemother，andwhichhehadretainedinspiteofthesterntraininghehadreceivedathisadoptivefather\'shands，washeavy-fetterednow。
Themildfatigueofhisjourneythroughtheheatofthedayhadledhimtolookforwardtoavoluptuoushourofindolencefollowingupondinner，withpipeandbookandglass。Thehourwascome，theelementswerethere，butsincehecouldnotabandonhimselftotheirdominionthevoluptuousnesswaswanting。Thetaskbeforehimhauntedhimwithanticipatoryremorse。Ithunguponhisspiritlikeasickman\'sdream。Itobtrudeditselfuponhisconstantthought，andthemorehepondereditthemoredidhesickenatwhatlaybeforehim。
WroughtuponbyEverard\'sfanaticismthatdayinParissomethreeweeksago，infectedforthetimebeingbysomethingofhisadoptivefather\'sfever，hehadsethishandstothetaskinaglowofpassionateexaltation。Butwiththehour，theexaltationwent，andreactionstartedinhissoul。Andyetdrawbackhedarednot；toolongandsedulouslyhadEverardtrainedhisspirittolookupontheavengingofhismotherasaduty。Believingthatitwashisduty，hethirstedontheonehandtofulfillit，whilst，ontheother，herecoiledinhorroratthethoughtthatthemanuponwhomhewastowreakthatvengeancewashisfather-albeitafatherwhomhedidnotknow，whohadneverseenhim，whowasnotsomuchasawareofhisexistence。
HesoughtforgetfulnessinMr。Gay。Hehadthedelicate-mindedman\'sinherenttasteforverse，aquickearforthemelodyofwords，theaesthete\'sloveofbeautyinphraseasofbeautyinallelse；andculturehadquickenedhisperceptions，developedhiscapacityforappreciation。ForthetenthtimehecalledLeductolighthispipe；and，thatdone，hesethiseyetothepageoncemore。Butitwaslikeharnessingabullocktoacart；unmindfulofthewayitwentandoverwhatittravelled，hiseyeambledheavilyalongthelines，andwhenhecametoturnthepageherealizedwithastartthathehadnoimpressionofwhathehadreaduponit。
Insheerdisgusthetossedthebookaside，andkickingawaythesecondchair，roselythely。Hecrossedtothewindow，andstoodtheregazingoutatnothing，norconsciousoftheincensethatcametohimfromgarden，fromorchard，andfrommeadow。
Itneededaclatterofhoofsandacloudofdustapproachingfromthenorthtodrawhismindfromitsobsessingthoughts。
Hewatchedtheyellowbodyofthecoachasitcamefuriouslyonward，itsfourhorsesstretchedtothegallop，postillionlustyoflungsandwhip，andthegreattrailofdustleftbehinditspreadingtorightandleftoverthefloweringhedge-rowstoloseitselfabovethegold-fleckedmeadowland。
Onitcame，todrawupthere，attheveryentrancetoMaidstone，atthesignofthe\"AdamandEve。\"
Mr。Caryll，leaningonthesillofhiswindow，lookeddownwithinteresttoseewhatmanneroftravellerswerethesethatwentatsored-hotapace。Fromtherumblealackeyswunghimselftotheroughcobblesoftheyard。Fromwithintheinncameagainlandladyandchamberlain，andfromthestableostlerandboy，obsequiousallandofnointeresttoMr。
Caryll。
Thenthedoorofthecoachwasopened，thestepswereletdown，andthereemerged-hishandupontheshoulderoftheservant-averyferretofamaninblack，withaparson\'sbandsandneckcloth，acoal-blackfull-bottomedwig，andunderthisawhiteface，ratherdrawnandhaggard，andthinlipsperpetuallyagrintoflaunttworowsofyellowteethdisproportionatelylarge。Afterhim，andthemoreremarkablebycontrast，cameatall，black-facedfellow，verybraveinbuff-coloredcloth，withafortuneinlaceatwristandthroat，andaheavilypowderedtie-wig。
Lackey，chamberlainandparsonattendedhisalighting，andthenhejoinedtheirrankstoattendinhisturn-hatunderarm-thelastoftheseoddtravellers。
Theinterestgrew。Mr。Caryllfeltthattheclimaxwasabouttobepresented，andheleanedfartherforwardthathemightobtainabetterviewoftheawaitedpersonage。Inthesilencehecaughtarustleofsilk。Afloweredpetticoatappeared-
asmuchofitasmaybeseenfromthekneedownwards-andfrombeneaththisthedaintiestfootconceivablewasseentogropeaninstantforthestep。Anothersecondandtherestofheremerged。
Mr。Caryllobserved-andbeitknownthathehadtheveryshrewdesteyeforawoman，asbecameoneoftheracefromwhichonhismother\'ssidehesprang-thatshewasmiddlingtall，chastelyslender，having，ashejudgedfromherhighwaist，afine，cleanlengthoflimb。Allthisheobservedandapproved，andprayedforaglimpseofthefacewhichhersilkenhoodobscuredandscreenedfromhisdesiringgaze。Sheraiseditatthatmoment-raiseditinatimid，frightenedfashion，asonewholooksfearfullyabouttoseethatsheisnotremarked-andMr。Caryllhadaglimpseofanovalface，palewithawarmpallor-likethepallorofthepeach，hethought，andtouched，likethepeach，withafainthintofpinkineithercheek。Apairofeyes，large，brown，andgentleasasaint\'s，methis，andMr。Caryllrealizedthatshewasbeautifulandthatitmightbegoodtolookintothoseeyesatcloserquarters。
Seeinghim，afaintexclamationescapedher，andsheturnedawayinsuddenhastetoentertheinn。Thefinegentlemanlookedupandscowled；theparsonlookedupandtrembled；theostlerandhisboylookedupandgrinned。ThenallsweptforwardandwerescreenedbytheporchfromthewonderingeyesofMr。Caryll。
Heturnedfromthewindowwithasigh，andsteppedbacktothetableforthetinder-box，thatfortheeleventhtimehemightrelighthispipe。Hesatdown，blewacloudofsmoketotheceiling，andconsidered。Hisnaturetriumphednowoverhisrecentpreoccupation；thematterofthemoment，whichconcernedhimnotatall，engrossedhimbeyondanyothermatterofhislife。Hewasintriguedtoknowinwhatrelationonetotheotherstoodthethreesooddlyassortedtravellershehadseenarrive。Hebethoughthimthat，afterall，theoddassortmentarosefromthepresenceoftheparson；andhewonderedwhattheplagueshouldanyChristian-andseeminglyagentlemanatthat-bedoingtravellingwithaparson。Thentherewasthewildspeedatwhichtheyhadcome。
Thematterabsorbedandvexedhim。Ifearhewasinquisitivebynature。Therecameamomentwhenhewentsofarastoconsidermakinghiswaybelowtopursuehisinvestigationsinsitu。Itwouldhavebeenatgreatcosttohisdignity，andthishewasdestinedtobespared。
Aknockfelluponhisdoor，andthelandladycamein。Shewasgenial，buxomandapple-faced，asbecomesalandlady。
\"Thereisagentlemanbelow-\"shewasbeginning，whenMr。
Caryllinterruptedher。
\"Iwouldratherthatyoutoldmeofthelady，\"said\"La，sir！\"shecried，displayingivoryteeth，hereyescastupwards，handsupraisedingentle，mirthfulprotest。\"La，sir！ButIcomefromthelady，too。\"
Helookedather。\"Agoodambassador，\"saidhe，\"shouldbeginwiththebestnews；notadditasanafterthought。Butproceed，Ibeg。Yougivemehope，mistress。\"
\"Theysendtheircompliments，andwouldbeprodigiouslyobligedifyouwastogiveyourselfthetroubleofsteppingbelow。\"
\"Ofsteppingbelow？\"heinquired，headononeside，solemneyesuponthehostess。\"Woulditbeimpertinenttoinquirewhattheymaywantwithme？\"
\"Ithinktheywantyouforawitness，sir。\"
\"Forawitness？AmItotestifytothelady\'sperfectionoffaceandshape，totheheaventhatsitsinhereyes，tothemiracleshecallsherankle？AretheseandotherthingsbesidesofthesamekindwhatIamrequiredtowitness？Ifso，theycouldnothavesentforonemorequalified。Iamanexpert，ma\'am。\"
\"Oh，sir，nay！\"shelaughed。\"\'Tisamarriagetheyneedyoufor。\"
Mr。Caryllopenedhisqueereyesalittlewider。\"Soho！\"saidhe。\"Theparsonisexplained。\"Thenhefellthoughtful，histonelostitsnoteofflippancy。\"Thisgentlemanwhosendshiscompliments，doeshesendhisname？\"
\"Hedoesnot，sir；butIoverheardit。\"
\"Confideinme，\"Mr。Caryllinvitedher。
\"Heisagreatgentleman，\"shepreparedhim。
\"Nomatter。Ilovegreatgentlemen。\"
\"TheycallhimLordRotherby。\"
Atthatsuddenandutterlyunexpectedmentionofhishalf-brother\'sname-hisunknownhalf-brother-Mr。Caryllcametohisfeetwithanalacritywhichamoreshrewdobserverwouldhavesetdowntosomecauseotherthanmererespectforaviscount。Thehostesswasshrewd，butnotshrewdenough，andifMr。Caryll\'sexpressionchangedforaninstant，itresumeditshabitualhalf-scornfulcalmsoswiftlythatitwouldhaveneededeyesofanexceptionalquicknesstohavereadit。
\"Enough！\"hesaid。\"Whocoulddenyhislordship？\"
\"ShallItellthemyouarecoming？\"sheinquired，herhandalreadyuponthedoor。
\"Amoment，\"hebegged，detainingher。\"\'Tisarunawaymarriagethis，eh？\"
Herfull-heartedsmilebeamedonhimagain；shewasaverywoman，withatastefortheromantic，lovinglove。\"Whatelse，sir？\"shelaughed。
\"Andwhy，mistress，\"heinquired，eyingher，hisfingerspluckingathisnetherlip，\"dotheydesiremytestimony？\"
\"Hislordship\'sownmanwillstandwitness，forone；butthey\'llneedanother，\"sheexplained，hervoicereflectingastonishmentathisquestion。
\"True。Butwhydotheyneedme？\"hepressedher。\"Heardyounoreasongivenwhytheyshouldprefermetoyourchamberlain，yourostleroryourdrawer？\"
Sheknitherbrowsandshruggedimpatientshoulders。Herewasadealofpotheraboutatriflingaffair。\"Hislordshipsawyouasheentered，sir，andinquiredofmewhoyoumightbe。\"
\"Hislordshipflattersmebythisinterest。Mylookspleasedhim，letushope。Andyouansweredhim-what？\"
\"ThatyourhonorisagentlemannewlycrossedfromFrance。\"
\"Youarewell-informed，mistress，\"saidMr。Caryll，athoughttartly，forifhisspeechwastaintedwithaFrenchaccentitwasinsoslightadegreeassurelytobeimperceptibletothevulgar。
\"Yourclothes，sir，\"thelandladyexplained，andhebethoughthim，then，thatthegreatereleganceandrefinementofhisFrenchapparelmustindeedproclaimhisorigintoonewhohadsomanyoccasionsofseeingtravelersfromGaul。ThatmightevenaccountforMr。Green\'sattemptstotalktohimofFrance。Hismindreturnedtothematterofthebridalpairbelow。
\"Youtoldhimthat，eh？\"saidhe。\"Andwhatsaidhislordshipthen？\"
\"Heturnedtotheparson。`Theverymanforus，Jenkins，\'
sayshe。\"
\"Andtheparson-thisJenkins-whatanswerdidhemake？\"
\"`Excellentlythought，\'hesays，grinning。\"
\"Hum！Andyouyourself，mistress，whatinferencedidyoudraw？\"
\"Inference，sir？\"
\"Aye，inference，ma\'am。Didyounotgatherthatthiswasnotonlyarunawaymatch，butaclandestineone？Mylordcandependuponthediscretionofhisservant，nodoubt；forotherwitnesshewouldprefersomepasser-by，somestrangerwhowillgohiswaysto-morrow，andnotbeliketobeheardofagain。\"
\"Lard，sir！\"criedthelandlady，hereyeswidewithastonishment。
Mr。Caryllsmiledenigmatically。\"\'Tisso，Iassureye，ma\'am。MyLordRotherbyisofafamilysingularlycautiousintheunionsitcontracts。Inenteringmatrimonyheprefers，nodoubt，toleaveabackdooropenforquietretreatshouldherepenthimlater。\"
\"Yourhonorhashislordship\'sacquaintance，then？\"quoththelandlady。
\"ItisamisfortunefromwhichHeavenhashithertopreservedme，butwhichthedevil，itseems，nowthrustsuponme。Itwill，nevertheless，interestmetoseehimatclosequarters。
Come，ma\'am。\"
Astheyweregoingout，Mr。Caryllcheckedsuddenly。\"Why，what\'so\'clock？\"saidhe。
Shestared，soabruptlycamethequestion。\"Pastfour，sir，\"
sheanswered。
Heutteredashortlaugh。\"Decidedly，\"saidhe，\"hislordshipmustbeviewedatcloserquarters。\"Andheledthewaydownstairs。
Inthepassagehewaitedforhertocomeupwithhim。\"Youhadbestannouncemebyname，\"hesuggested。\"ItisCaryll。\"
Shenodded，and，goingforward，threwopenadoor，invitinghimtoenter。
\"Mr。Caryll，\"sheannounced，obedienttohisinjunction，andashewentinsheclosedthedoorbehindhim。
>Fromthegroupofthreethathadbeensittingaboutthepolishedwalnuttable，thetallgentlemaninbuffandsilverroseswiftly，andadvancedtothenewcomer；whattimeMr。
Caryllmadearapidobservationofthisbrotherwhomhewasmeetingundercircumstancessooddandbyachancesopeculiar。
Hebeheldamanoftwenty-five，orperhapsalittlemore，tallandwellmade，ifalreadyincliningtoheaviness，withaswarthyface，full-lipped，big-nosed，black-eyed，anobstinatechin，andadeplorablebrow。Atsight，byinstinct，hedislikedhisbrother。HewonderedvaguelywasLordRotherbyinappearanceatallliketheircommonfather；butbeyondthathegavelittlethoughttothetiethatboundthem。Indeed，hehasplacedituponrecordthat，savinginsuchmomentsofhighstressasfollowedintheirlaterconnection，henevercouldrememberthattheywerethesonsofthesameparent。
\"Ithought，\"wasRotherby\'sgreeting，anotealmostofirritationinhisvoice，\"thatthewomansaidyouwerefromFrance。\"
Itwasanoddwelcome，butitsoddnessatthemomentwentunheeded。Hisswiftscrutinyofhisbrotherover，Mr。
Caryll\'sglancepassedontobecomeriveteduponthefaceoftheladyatthetable\'shead。Inadditiontothebeautieswhichfromabovehehaddescried，henowperceivedthathermouthwassensitiveandkindly，herwholeexpressiononeofgentlewistfulness，exceedingsweettocontemplate。Whatdidsheinthisgalley，hewondered；andhehasconfessedthatjustasatsighthehaddislikedhisbrother，sofromthathour-fromtheveryinstantofhiseyes\'alightingonherthere-helovedtheladywhomhisbrotherwastowed，feltasurpassingneedofher，conceivedthatinthemeetingoftheireyestheirverysoulshadmet，sothatitwastohimasifhehadknownhersincehehadknownanything。Meanwhiletherewashislordship\'squestiontobeanswered。Heanswereditmechanically，hiseyesuponthelady，andshereturningthegazeofthosequeer，greenisheyeswithasweetnessthatgaveplacetonoconfusion。
\"IamfromFrance，sir。\"
\"ButnotFrench？\"hislordshipcontinued。
Mr。Caryllfetchedhiseyesfromthelady\'stomeetLordRotherby\'s。\"MorethanhalfFrench，\"hereplied，theFrenchtaintinhisaccentgrowingslightlymorepronounced。\"ItwasbutanaccidentthatmyfatherwasanEnglishman。\"
Rotherbylaughedsoftly，athoughtcontemptuously。Foreignerswerethingswhichinhisuntraveled，unletteredignorancehedespised。ThedifferencebetweenaFrenchmanandaSouthSeaIslanderwasathingneverquiteappreciatedbyhislordship。
Somesubtledifferencehehadnodoubtexisted；butforhimitwasenoughtoknowthatbothwereforeigners；therefore，itlogicallyfollowed，bothwerekin。
\"Yourwords，sir，mightbeoddlyinterpreted。\'Ponhonor，theymight！\"saidhe，andlaughedsoftlyagainwithsingularinsolence。
\"IftheyhaveamusedyourlordshipIamhappy，\"saidMr。
CaryllinsuchatonethatRotherbylookedtoseewhetherhewasbeingroasted。\"Youwantedme，Ithink。Ibegthatyou\'llnotthankmeforhavingdescended。Itwasanhonor。\"
ItoccurredtoRotherbythatthiswasaveiledreprooffortheillmannersoftheomission。Againhelookedsharplyatthismanwhowasscanninghimwithsuchinterest，buthedetectedinthecalm，high-bredfacenothingtosuggestthatanymockerywasintended。BelatedlyhefelltodoingtheverythingthatMr。Caryllhadbeggedhimtoleaveundone：hefelltothankinghim。AsforMr。Caryllhimself，noteventhequeerpositionintowhichhehadbeenthrustcouldrepresshischaracteristics。Whattimehislordshipthankedhim，helookedabouthimattheotheroccupantsoftheroom，andfoundthat，besidestheparson，sittingpaleandwide-eyedatthetable，therewaspresentinthebackgroundhislordship\'sman-aquietfellow，quietlygarbedingray，withashrewdfaceandshrewd，shiftyeyes。Mr。Caryllsaw，andregistered，forfutureuse，thereflectionthateyesthatareovershrewdareseldomwonttolookoutofhonestheads。
\"Youaredesired，\"hislordshipinformedhim，\"tobewitnesstoamarriage。\"
\"Somuchthelandladyhadmadeknowntome。\"
\"Itisnot，Itrust，ataskthatwilloccasionyouanyscruples。\"
\"None。Onthecontrary，itistheabsenceofthemarriagemightdothat。\"Thesmooth，easytonesomaskedtheinnermeaningoftheanswerthathislordshipscarceattendedtothewords。
\"Thenwehadbestgeton。Weareinhaste。\"
\"\'Tisthecharacteristicrashnessoffolkabouttoenterwedlock，\"saidMr。Caryll，asheapproachedthetablewithhislordship，hiseyesashespoketurningfulluponthebride。
Mylordlaughed，musicallyenough，butoverloudforamanofbrainsorbreeding。\"Marryinhaste，eh？\"quothhe。
\"Youarepenetrationitself，\"Mr。Caryllpraisedhim。
\"\'Twilltakeashrewdroguetobetterme，\"hislordshipagreed。
\"Yetanhonestmanmightworstyou。Oneneverknows。Butthelady\'spatienceisbeingtaxed。\"
Itwasaswellheaddedthat，forhislordshiphadturnedwithintenttoaskhimwhathemeant。
\"Aye！Come，Jenkins。Getonwithyourpatter。Gaskell，\"hecalledtohisman，\"standforwardhere。\"Thenhetookhisplacebesidethelady，whohadrisen，andstoodpale，witheyescastdownand-asMr。Caryllalonesaw-thefaintestquiveratthecornersofherlips。ThisservedtoincreaseMr。Caryll\'salreadyconsiderablecogitations。
Theparsonfacedthem，fumblingathisbook，Mr。Caryll\'seyeswatchinghimwiththatcold，levelglanceoftheirs。Theparsonlookedup，metthatuncannygaze，displayedhisteethinagrinofterror，felltotrembling，anddroppedthebookinhisconfusion。Mr。Caryll，smilingsardonically，stoopedtorestoreithim。
Therefollowedafreshpause。Mr。Jenkins，havinglosthisplace，seemedatsomepainstofinditagain-amazing，indeed，inonewhoseprofessionshouldhaverenderedhimsofamiliarwithitspages。
Mr。Caryllcontinuedtowatchhim，insilence，and-asanobservermighthavethought，as，indeed，Gaskelldidthink，thoughhesaidnothingatthetime-withwickedrelish。
CHAPTERIII
THEWITNESS
AtlastthepagewasfoundagainbyMr。Jenkins。Havingfoundit，hehesitatedstillamoment，thenclearedhisthroat，andinthemannerofonehurlinghimselfforwarduponadesperateventure，hebegantoread。
\"Dearlybeloved，wearegatheredhereinthesightofGod，\"
heread，andoninanasal，whiningvoice，whichnotonlywastheveryvoiceyouwouldhaveexpectedfromsuchaman，butinaccordance，too，withsoundclericalconvention。Thebridalpairstoodbeforehim，thegroomwithaslightflushonhischeeksandabrightglitterinhisblackeyes，whichwerenotnicetosee；thebridewithbowedheadandbosomheavingasinresponsetoinwardtumult。
Theclericcametotheendofhisexordium，pausedamoment，andwhetherbecausehegatheredconfidence，whetherbecauseherealizedtheimpressivecharacterofthefreshmatteruponwhichheentered，heproceedednowinafirmer，moresonorousvoice：\"Irequireandchargeyoubothasyewillansweronthedreadfuldayofjudgment\"
\"Ye\'veforgotsomething，\"Mr。Caryllinterruptedblandly。
Hislordshipswungroundwithanimpatientgestureandanimpatientsnort；thelady，too，lookedupsuddenly，whilstMr。
Jenkinsseemedtofallintoanutterpanic。
\"Wha-what？\"hestammered。\"WhathaveIforgot？\"
\"Toreadthedirections，Ithink。\"
HislordshipscowleddarklyuponMr。Caryll，whoheededhimnotatall，butwatchedtheladysideways。
Mr。Jenkinsturnedfirstscarlet，thenpalerthanhehadbeenbefore，andbenthiseyestothebooktoreadinaslightlypuzzledvoicetheitalicizedwordsabovetheperiodhehadembarkedupon。\"Andalsospeakinguntothepersonsthatshallbemarried，heshallsay：\"heread，andlookedupinquiry，hisfaintly-colored，prominenteyesendeavoringtosustainMr。
Caryll\'ssteadyglance，butfailingmiserably。
\"\'Tisfartherback，\"Mr。Caryllinformedhiminanswertothatmutequestion；andasthefellowmoistenedhisthumbtoturnbackthepages，Mr。Caryllsavedhimthetrouble。\"Itsays，I
think，thatthemanshouldbeonyourrighthandandthewomanonyourleft。Yeseemtohavereversedmatters，Mr。Jenkins。
Butperhapsye\'releft-handed。\"
\"Stabme！\"wasMr。Jenkins\'mostuncanonicalcomment。\"IvowIamover-flustered。Yourlordshipissoimpatientwithme。
Thisgentlemanisright。ButthatIwassoflustered。Willyounotchangeplaceswithhislordship，ma\'am？\"
Theychangedplaces，aftertheviscounthadthankedMr。Caryllshortlyandcursedtheparsonwithcircumstanceandfervor。
Itwaswelldoneonhislordship\'spart，buttheladydidnotseemconvincedbyit。Herfacelookedwhiter，andhereyeshadanalarmed，half-suspiciousexpression。
\"Wemustbeginagain，\"saidMr。Jenkins。Andhebeganagain。
Mr。Carylllistenedandwatched，andhebegantoenjoyhimselfexceedingly。Hehadnotreckoneduponsorichanentertainmentwhenhehadconsentedtocomedowntowitnessthisoddceremony。Hissenseofhumorconqueredeveryotherconsideration，andthecircumstancethatLordRotherbywashisbrother，ifrememberedatall，servedbuttoaddaspicetothesituation。
OutofsheerdeviltryhewaiteduntilMr。Jenkinshadlaboredforasecondtimethroughtheopeningperiods。Againheallowedhimtogetasfaras\"Ichargeandrequireyouboth-，\"beforeagainheinterruptedhim。
\"Thereissomethingelseye\'veforgot，\"saidheinthatsweet，quietvoiceofhis。
ThiswastoomuchforRotherby。\"Damnyou！\"heswore，turningalividfaceuponMr。Caryll，andfailedtoobservethatatthesoundofthatharshoathandatthesightofhisfuriousface，theladyrecoiledfromhim，thesuspicionlatelyinherfaceturningfirsttoconvictionandthentoabsolutehorror。
\"Idonotthinkyouarecivil，\"saidMr。Caryllcritically。
\"ItwasinyourintereststhatIspoke。\"
\"ThenI\'llthankyou，inmyinterests，toholdyourtongue！\"
hislordshipstormed。
\"Inthatcase，\"saidMr。Caryll，\"Imuststillspeakintheinterestsofthelady。Sinceyou\'vedesiredmetobeawitness，I\'lldomydutybyyoubothandseeyouproperlywed。\"
\"Now，whatthedevilmayyoumeanbythat？\"demandedhislordship，betrayinghimselfmoreandmoreateveryword。
Mr。Jenkins，inaspasmofterror，soughttopouroiluponthesewaters。\"Mylord，\"hebleated，teethandeyeballsprotrudingfromhispallidface。\"Mylord！Perhapsthegentlemanisright。Perhaps-Perhaps-\"Hegulped，andturnedtoMr。Caryll。\"Whatis\'tyethinkwehaveforgotnow？\"heasked。
\"Thetimeofday，\"Mr。Caryllreplied，andwatchedthepuzzledlookthatcameintoboththeirfaces。
\"Doyedealinriddleswithus？\"quothhislordship。\"Whathavewetodowiththetimeofday？\"
\"Bestasktheparson，\"suggestedMr。Caryll。