Theearlwassilentforalongwhile。Itwasasifheponderedhowheshouldanswer，orwhetherheshouldansweratall。Atlast，inalowvoice，afainttingereddeninghisface，hiseyesaverted，heexplained。Itshamedhimsotodo，yetmusthesatisfythatcravingofweakwindstounburden，toseekreliefinconfession。\"MineisthecaseofCraggs，thesecretaryofstate，\"hesaid。\"AndCraggs，you\'llremember，shothimself。\"
\"MyGod，\"saidMr。Caryll，andopenedwidehiseyes。\"Didyou-？\"Hepaused，notknowingwhateuphemismtosupplyforthethinghislordshipmusthavedone。
Hislordshiplookedup，sneeringalmostinself-derision。\"I
did，\"heanswered。\"Totellyouall-Iacceptedtwentythousandpounds\'worthofSouthSeastockwhenthecompanywasfirstformed，forwhichIdidnotpayotherthanbylendingtheschemethesupportofmynameatatimewhensuchsupportwasneeded。Iwasoftheministry，then，youwillremember。\"
Mr。Caryllconsideredhimagain，andwonderedamomentattheconfession，tillheunderstoodbyintuitionthatthematteranditsconsequencesweresodeeplypreyingupontheman\'smindthathecouldnotrefrainfromgivingventtohisfears。
Presently\"Andnowyouknow，\"hislordshipadded，\"whymyhopesareallinKingJames。Ruinstaresmeintheface。Ruinandshame。
ThisforlornStuarthopeistheonlyhoperemainingme。
Therefore，amIeagertoembraceit。Ihavemadeallplaintoyou。Youshouldunderstandnow。\"
\"Yetnotquiteall。Youdidthisthing。Buttheinspectionofthecompany\'sbooksispast。Thedangerofdiscovery，atleast，isaverted。Orisitthatyourconsciencecompelsyoutomakerestitution？\"
Hislordshipstaredandgaped。\"Doyousupposememad？\"heinquired，quiteseriously。\"Pho！Otherswereoverlookedatthetime。WedidnotallgothewayofCraggsandAislabieandtheirfellow-sufferers。Stanhopewasassailedafterward，thoughhewasinnocent。Thatfilthyfellow，theDukeofWharton，frombeinganemptyfopturnedhimselfonasuddenintoaCrownattorneytoprosecutethepeculators。Itwasaneasyroadtofameforhim，andthefoolhadagiftofeloquence。Stanhope\'sdeathisonhisconscience-orwouldbeifbehadone。Thatwassixmonthsago。WhenhediscoveredhiserrorinthecaseofStanhopeandsawthefatalconsequencesithad，heceasedhisdirtylawyer\'swork。ButhehadgoodgroundsuponwhichtosuspectothersashighlyplacedasStanhope，andhadhefollowedhissuspicionshemighthaveturnedthemintocertaintiesanddiscoveredevidence。Asitwas，heletthematterlie，contentwiththeexecutionhehaddone，andtheesteemintowhichhehadsosuddenlyhoistedhimself-thedamnedprofligate！\"
Mr。Caryllletpass，astypical，theludicrouswantoflogicinOstermore\'sstricturesofhisGraceofWharton，andtheapplicationbyhimtothedukeofopprobrioustermsthatwerenowhitlessapplicabletohimself。
\"Then，thatbeingso，whatcauseforthesealarmssomesixmonthslater？\"
\"Because，\"answeredhislordshipinasuddenburstofpassionthatbroughthimtohisfeet，empurpledhisfaceandswelledtheveinsofhisforehead，\"becauseIamcursedwiththefilthiestfellowinEnglandformyson。\"
Hesaiditwiththeairofonewhothrowsafloodoflightwheredarknesshasbeenhitherto，whosuppliesthekeythatmustresolveataturnawholesituation。ButMr。Caryllblinkedfoolishly。
\"Mywitsareverydull，Ifear，\"saidhe。\"Istillcannotunderstand。\"
\"ThenI\'llmakeitallcleartoyou，\"saidhislordship。
Leducappearedatthearborentrance。
\"Whatnow？\"askedMr。Caryll。
\"Herladyshipisapproaching，sir，\"answeredLeducthevigilant。
CHAPTERXIV
LADYOSTERMORE
LordOstermoreandMr。Carylllookedacrossthelawntowardsthehouse，butfailedtoseeanysignofherladyship\'sapproach。
Mr。Caryllraisedquestioningeyestohisservant\'sstolidface，andinthatmomentcaughtthefaintestrustleofagownbehindthearbor。Hehalf-turnedtomylord，andnoddedslightlyinthedirectionofthesound，asmiletwistinghislips。WithagesturehedismissedLeduc，whoreturnedtotheneighborhoodofthepond。
Hislordshipfrowned，angeredbytheinterruption。Then：\"Ifyourladyshipwillcomeinside，\"saidhe，\"youwillhearbetterandwithgreatercomfort。\"
\"Nottospeakofdignity，\"saidMr。Caryll。
Thestiffgownrustledagain，thistimewithoutstealth。Thecountessappeared，nowhitabashed。Mr。Caryllrosepolitely。
\"Yousitwithspiestoguardyourapproaches，\"saidshe。
\"Asaprecautionagainstspies，\"washislordship\'scurtanswer。
Shemeasuredhimwithacooleye。\"Whatis\'tyehide？\"sheaskedhim。
\"Myshame，\"heansweredreadily。Thenafteramoment\'spause，heroseandofferedherhisseat。\"Sinceyouhavethrustyourselfinwhereyouwerenotbidden，youmayhearandwelcome，ma\'am，\"saidhe。\"Itmayhelpyoutounderstandwhatyoutermmyinjusticetomyson。\"
\"Arethesematterswherewithtoimportuneastranger-aguest？\"
\"IamproposingtosayinyourpresencewhatIwasabouttosayinyourabsence，\"saidhe，withoutansweringherquestion。
\"Beseated，ma\'am。\"
Shesniffed，closedherfanwithaclatter，andsatdown。Mr。
Caryllresumedhislongchair，andhislordshiptookthestool。
\"Iamtold，\"thelatterresumedpresently，recapitulatinginpartforherladyship\'sbetterunderstanding，\"thathisGraceofWhartonisintendingtoreopentheSouthSeascandal，assoonashecanfindevidencethatIwasoneofthosewhoprofitedbythecompany\'scharter。\"
\"Profited？\"sheechoed，betweenscornandbitteramusement。
\"Profited，didyesay？Ithinkyourdotageissurelyuponyou-youthathavesunknighallyourfortuneandallthatyouhadwithmeinthisthievingventure-d\'yetalkofprofits？\"
\"AtthecommencementIdidprofit，asdidmanyothers。HadI
beencontentwithmygains，hadIbeenlessofatrustingfool，ithadbeenwell。Iwasdazzled，maybe，bytheglareofsomuchgold。Ineededmore；andsoIlostall。Thatisevilenough。Butthereisworse。ImaybecalledupontomakerestitutionofwhatIhadfromthecompanywithoutpayingforit-Imaygiveallthat\'sleftmeandbarelycovertheamount，andImaystarveandbedamnedthereafter。\"
Herladyship\'sfacewasghastly。Horrorstaredfromherpaleeyes。Shehadknown，fromthebeginning，ofthattwentythousandpounds\'worthofstock，andshehadhad-withhislordship-heranxiousmomentswhenthedisclosureswerebeingmadesixmonthsagothathadbroughttheCraggses，Aislabieandahalf-dozenotherstoshameandruin。
Hislordshiplookedatheramoment。\"Andifthisshipwreckcomes，asitnowthreatens，\"hecontinued，\"itismysonI
shallhavetothankfor\'t。\"
Shefoundvoicetoask：\"Howso？\"couragetoputthequestionscornfully。\"IsitnotratherRotherbyyouhavetothankthatthedisclosuresdidnotcomesixmonthsago？WhatwasitsavedyoubutthefriendshiphisGraceofWhartonhadforCharles？\"
\"Why，then，\"stormedhislordship，\"didhenotseeto\'tthathepreservedthatfriendship？ItbutneededabehaviorofasmuchdecencyandhonorasWhartonexactsinhisassociates-
andtheLordknowshowmuchthatis！\"hesneered。\"Asitis，hehasgoneevenlowerthanthatabandonedscourer；solowthateventhisrakehelldukemustbecomehisenemyforhisowncredit\'ssake。Heattemptsmock-marriageswithladiesofquality；andheattemptsmurderbystabbingthroughthebackagentlemanwhohassparedhisworthlesslife。NoteventhepresidentoftheHellFireClubcancountenancethesethings，strongstomachthoughhehaveforvillainy。ItissomethingtohavecontrivedtocomesolowthatevenhisGraceofWhartonmustturnuponhim，andswearhisruin。Andsothathemayruinhim，hisgraceisdeterminedtoruinme。Nowyouunderstand，madam-andyou，Mr。Caryll。\"
Mr。Caryllunderstood。Heunderstoodevenmorethanhislordshipmeanthimtounderstand；morethanhislordshipunderstood，himself。So，too，didherladyship，ifwemayjudgefromthereplyshemadehim。
\"Youfool，\"sherailed。\"Youvain，blind，selfishfool！ToblameRotherbyforthis。RathershouldRotherby，blameyouthatbyyourdamneddishonestyhavesetaweaponagainsthiminhisenemy\'shands。\"
\"Madam！\"heroared，empurpling，andcomingheavilytohisfeet。\"DoyouknowwhoIam？\"
\"Ay-andwhatyouare，whichissomethingyouwillneverknow。God！Wasthereeversoself-centeredafool？
Compassionateme，Heaven！\"Sherose，too，andturnedtoMr。
Caryll。\"You，sir，\"shesaidtohim，\"youhavebeendraggedintothis，Iknownotwhy。\"
Shebrokeoffsuddenly，lookingathim，hereyesapairofgimletsnowforpenetration。\"Whyhaveyoubeendraggedintoit？\"shedemanded。\"Whatishere？Idemandtoknow。Whathelpdoesmylordexpectfromyouthathetellsyouthis？Doeshe-\"Shepausedaninstant，acunningsmilebreakingoverherwrinkled，paintedface。\"Doesheproposetosellhimselftothekingoverthewater，andareyouasecretagentcometodothebuying？Isthattheanswertothisriddle？\"
Mr。Caryll，imperturbableoutwardly，butveryillateasewithin，smiledandwavedthedelicatehandthatappearedthroughtheheavyruffleathiswrist。\"Madam，indeed-ah-
yourladyshipgoesveryfast。Youleapsoatconclusionsforwhichnogroundscanexist。Hislordshipissooverwrought-
aswellhemaybe，alas！-thathecaresnotbeforewhomhespeaks。Isitnotplainlyso？\"
Shesmiledverysourly。\"Youareaverymasterofevasion，sir。ButyourevasiongivesmetheanswerthatIlack-thatandhislordship\'sface。Idrewmybowataventure；yetlook，sir，andtellme，hasmyquarrelmisseditsmark？\"
And，indeed，thesuddenfearandconsternationwrittenonmylord\'sfacewassoplainthatallmightreadit。Hewas-asMr。Caryllhadremarkedonthefirstoccasionthattheymet-
theworstdissemblerthateversethandtoaconspiracy。Hebetrayedhimselfateverystep，ifnotpositively，byincautiouswords，whythenbytheutterlackofcontrolhehaduponhiscountenance。
Hemadenowawildattempttobluster。\"Lies！Lies！\"heprotested。\"Yourladyship\'sa-dreaming。ShouldIbemakingbadworsebyplottingatmytimeoflife？ShouldI？WhatcanKingJamesavailme，indeed？\"
\"\'TiswhatIwillaskRotherbytohelpmetodiscover，\"sheinformedhim。
\"Rotherby？\"hecried。\"Wouldyoutellthatvillainwhatyoususpect？Wouldyouarmhimwithanotherweaponformyundoing？\"
\"Ha！\"saidshe。\"Youadmitsomuch，then？\"Andshelaugheddisdainfully。Thenwithasuddensternness，asuddennobilityalmostinthemotherhoodwhichsheputforward-\"Rotherbyismyson，\"shesaid，\"andI\'llnothavemysonthevictimofyourfolliesaswellasofyourinjustice。Wemaycurbtheoneandtheotheryet，mylord。\"
Andshesweptout，fangoingbrisklyinonehand，herlongebonycaneswingingasbrisklyintheother。
\"OGod！\"groanedOstermore，andsatdownheavily。
Mr。Caryllhelpedhimselfcopiouslytosnuff。\"Ithink，\"saidhe，hisvoicesocoolthatithadanalmostsoothinginfluence，\"Ithinkyourlordshiphasnowanotherreasonwhyyoushouldgonofurtherinthismatter。\"
\"ButifIdonot-whatotherhopeshaveI？Damnme！I\'maruinedmaneitherway。\"
\"Nay，nay，\"Mr。Caryllremindedhim。\"Assumingeventhatyouarecorrectlyinformed，andthathisGraceofWhartonisdeterminedtomoveagainstyou，itisnottobedependedthathewillsucceedincollectingsuchevidenceashemustneed。
Atthisdatemuchoftheevidencethatmayoncehavebeenavailablewillhavebeendissipated。Youarerashtodespairsosoon。\"
\"Thereisthat，\"hislordshipadmittedthoughtfully，alittlehopefully，even；\"thereisthat。\"Andwiththeresilienceofhisnature-ofmenwhoformopinionsonslightgrounds，and，therefore，arereadytochangethemupongroundsasslight-
\"I\'faith！Imayhavebeenrunningtomeetmytrouble。\'Tisbutarumor，afterall，thatWhartonisformischief，and-asyousay-aslikeasnotthere\'llbenoevidencebynow……
Therewaslittleenoughatthetime。
\"Still，I\'llmakedoublysure。MylettertoKingJamescandonoharm。We\'lltalkofitagain，whenyouareincasetotravel。\"
ItpassedthroughMr。Caryll\'smindatthemomentthatLadyOstermoreandhersonmightbetweenthembrewsuchmischiefasmightseriouslyhinderhimfromtravelling，andhewasverynearthetruth。ForalreadyherladyshipwasclosetedwithRotherbyinherboudoir。
Theviscountwasdressedfortravelling，intentuponwithdrawingtothecountry，forhewaswell-informedalreadyofthefeelingofthetownconcerninghim，andhadnomindtobravetheslightsandcold-shoulderingsthatwouldawaithimdidhepenetratetoanyofthehauntsofpeopleofqualityandfashion。Hestoodbeforehismothernow，atall，lankfigure，hisblackfaceverygloomy，hissensuallipsthrustforwardinasullenpout。She，inagiltarm-chairbeforehertoilet-table，wastellinghimthestoryofwhathadpassed，hisfather\'sfearofruinanddisgrace。HesworebetweenhisteethwhenheheardthatthedangerthreatenedfromtheDukeofWharton。
\"Andyourfather\'sdestitutionmeansourdestitution-yoursandmine；forhisgamblingschemeshaveconsumedmyportionlongsince。\"
Helaughedandshrugged。\"ImarvelIshouldconcernmyself，\"
saidhe。\"Whatcanitavailmetosavetheragsthatarelefthimofhisfortune？He\'sswornIshallnevertouchapennythathemaydiepossessedof。\"
\"Butthere\'stheentail，\"sheremindedhim。\"Ifrestitutionisdemanded，theCrownwillnotrespectit。\'Twillbeanothersoptothrowthewhiningcursthatwerecrippledbythebubble，andwhothreatentodisturbthecountryiftheyarenotappeased。IfWhartoncarriesoutthisexposure，we\'rebeggars-utterbeggars，thatmayaskanalmstoquiethunger。\"
\"\'TisWharton\'spresenthateofme，\"saidhethoughtfully，andswore。\"Thedamnedpuppy！He\'dmakeasacrificeofmeuponthealtarofrespectability，justashemadeasacrificeoftheSouthSeabubblers。Whatelsewasthestinkingrakehellseekingbuttoputhimselfrightagainintheeyesofatownthatwasnauseatedwithhimandhisexcesses？Theself-seekingtoadthatmakesvirtuehisprofession-thevirtueofothers-andprofligacyhisrecreation！\"Hesmotefistintopalm。\"There\'sawaytosilencehim。\"
\"Ah？\"shelookedupquickly，hopefully。
\"Afootorsoofsteel，\"Rotherbyexplained，andstruckthehiltofhissword。\"Imightpickaquarrelwithhim。\'Twouldnotbedifficult。Comeuponhimunawares，say，andstrikehim。Thatshouldforceafight。\"
\"Tusk，fool！He\'sallempanopliedinvirtuewhereyouareconcerned。He\'dusethematterofyouraffairwithCaryllasareasonnottomeetyou，whateveryoumightdo，andhe\'dsethisgroomstopunishanyindignityyoumightputuponhim。\"
\"Hedurstnot。\"
\"Pooh！ThetownwouldallapprovehiminitsinceyourrunningCaryllthroughtheback。Whatafoolyouwere，Charles。\"
Heturnedaway，hanginghishead，fullconscious，andwithnolittlebitterness，ofhowgreathadbeenhisfolly。
\"Salvationmaylieforyouinthesamesourcethathasbroughtyoutothepresentpass-thismanCaryll，\"saidthecountesspresently。\"IsuspecthimmorethaneverofbeingaJacobiteagent。\"
\"Iknowhimtobesuch。\"
\"Youknowit？\"
\"Allbut；andGreenisassuredofit，too。\"Heproceededtotellherwhatheknew。\"EversinceGreenmetCaryllatMaidstonehashesuspectedhim，yetbutthatIkepthimtothetaskhewouldhaveabandonedit。He\'sinmypaynowasmuchasinLordCarteret\'s，andifhecanrunCarylltoearthhereceiveshiswagesfrombothsides。\"
\"Well-well？Whathashediscovered？Anything？\"
\"Alittle。ThisCaryllfrequentedregularlythehouseofoneEverard，whocametotownaweekafterCaryll\'sownarrival。
ThisEverard-SirRichardEverardisknowntobeaJacobite。
HeisthePretender\'sParisagent。Theywouldhavelaidhimbytheheelsbefore，butthatbyprecipitancytheyfearedtoruintheirchancesofdiscoveringthebusinessthatmayhavebroughthimover。Theyaregivinghimropeatpresent。
Meanwhile，bymycursedfolly，Caryll\'svisitstohimwereinterrupted。Buttherehasbeencorrespondencebetweenthem。\"
\"Iknow，\"saidherladyship。\"Aletterwasdeliveredhimjustnow。Itriedtosmokehimconcerningit。Buthe\'stooastute。\"
\"Astuteornot，\"repliedherson，\"onceheleavesStrettonHouseitshouldnotbelongerehebetrayshimselfandgivesuscausetolayhimbytheheels。Buthowwillthathelpus？\"
\"Doyouaskhow？Why，ifthereisaplot，andwecandiscoverit，wemightmaketermswiththesecretaryofstatetoavoidanydisclosureWhartonmayintendconcerningtheSouthSeamatter。\"
\"ButthatwouldbetodiscovermyfatherforaJacobite！Whatadvantageshouldwederivefromthat？\'Twouldbeasbadast\'othermatter。\"
\"Letmedie，butye\'reaslow-wittedclod，Charles。D\'yethinkwecanfindnowaytodisclosetheplotandMr。Caryll-
andEverard，too，ifyouchoose-withoutincludingyourfather？Mylordistimidlycautious，andyoumaydependhe\'llnothaveputhimselfintheirhandstoanyextentjustyet。\"
Theviscountpacedthechamberslowlyinlongstrides，headbentinthought，handsclaspedbehindhim。\"Itwillneedconsideration，\"saidhe。\"Butitmayserve，andIcancountuponGreen。HeissatisfiedthatCaryllbefooledhimatMaidstone，andthathekeptthepapershecarrieddespitethethoroughnessofGreen\'sinvestigations。Moreover，hewashandledwithsomeroughnessbyCaryll。Forthatandtheothermatterheasksredress-thirstsforit。He\'saverywillingtool，asIhavefound。\"
\"Thenseethatyouusehimadroitlytoyourwork，\"saidhismother。\"Bestnotleavetownatpresent，Charles。\"
\"Why，no，\"saidhe。\"I\'llfindmealodgingsomewhereathand，sincemyfondsireisdeterminedIshallpollutenolongerthesacrosanctityofhisdwelling。PerhapswhenIhavepulledhimoutofthisquicksand，hewilldeigntomitigatethebitternessofhisfeelingsforme。Though，faith，Ifindlifeendurablewithouttheaffectionheshouldhaveconsecratedtome。\"
\"Ay，\"shesaid，lookingupathim。\"Youarehisson；toomuchhisson，Ifear。\'Tiswhyhedislikesyousointensely。Heseesinyouthefaultstowhichheisblindinhimself。\"
\"Sweetmother！\"saidhislordship，bowing。
Shescowledathim。Shecoulddealinironyherself-andlovedto-butshedetestedtohaveitdealttoher。
Hebowedagain；gainedthedoor，andwouldhavepassedoutbutthatshedetainedhim。
\"\'Tisapity，onsomescores，todisposesoutterlyofthisCaryll，\"shesaid。\"Thepestilentcoxcombhashisuses，andhisuses，likeadversity\'s，aresweet。\"
Hepausedtoquestionherwithhiseyes。
\"HemighthavemadeahusbandforHortensia，andridmeofthecompanyofthatwhite-facedchangeling。\"
\"Mightheso？\"quoththeviscount，faceandvoice，expressionless。
\"Theyweremadeforeachother，\"herladyshipopined。
\"Weretheyso？\"
\"Ay-werethey。Andfaiththey\'vediscoveredit。Iwouldyouhadseentheturtlesinthearboranhourago，whenI
surprisedthem。\"
Hislordshipattemptedasmile，butachievednothingmorethanawryfaceandachangeofcolor。Hismother\'seyes，observingthesesigns，grewonasuddenstartled。
\"Why，fool，\"quothshe，\"doyouholdtherestill？Artnotyetcuredofthatfolly？\"
\"Whatfolly，ma\'am？\"
\"Thisfollythatalreadyhascostyousomuch。\'Sdeath！AsI\'mawoman，ifyou\'dsomuchfeelingforthegirl，Imarvelyedidnotmarryherhonestlyandinearnestwhenthechancewasyours。\"
Thepallorofhisfaceincreased。Heclenchedhishands。\"I
marvelmyselfthatIdidnot，\"heansweredpassionately-andwentout，slammingthedoorafterhim，andleavingherladyshipagapeandangry。
CHAPTERXV
LOVEANDRAGE
LordRotherby，descendingfromthatinterviewwithhismother，espiedHortensiacrossingthehallbelow。Forgettinghisdignity，hequickenedhismovements，andtooktheremainderofthestairstwoatastride。But，then，hislordshipwasexcitedandangry，andconsiderationsofdignitydidnotobtainwithhimatthetime。Forthatmatter，theyseldomdid。
\"Hortensia！Hortensia！\"hecalledtoher，andathiscallshepaused。
Notonceduringthemonththatwaspast-andduringwhichhehad，forthemostpart，kepthisroom，toallintentsaprisoner-hadsheexchangedsomuchasawordwithhim。
Thus，notseeinghim，shehadbeenable，toanextent，toexcludehimfromherthoughts，which，naturallyenough，werereluctanttoentertainhimfortheirguest。
Hercalm，asshepausednowinacquiescencetohisbidding，wassuchthatitalmostsurprisedherself。Shehadlovedhimonce-orthoughtso，alittlemonthago-andatasingleblowhehadslainthatlove。Nowlovesoslainhasatrickofresurrectingintheguiseofhate；andso，shehadthoughtatfirsthadbeenthecasewithher。Butthismomentprovedtohernowthatherlovewasdead，indeed，sinceofhererstwhileaffectionnotevenarecoiltohateremained。Dislikeshemayhavefelt；butitwasthatcolddislikethatbreedsadeadlyindifference，andseeksnoactiveexpression，askingnomorethantheavoidanceofitsobject。
Hercalm，reflectedinherfaceofabeautyalmostspiritual，ineverysteadylineofherslight，gracefulfigure，gavehimpauseamoment，andhishotglancefellabashedbeforethechillindifferencethatmethimfromthosebrowneyes。
Amanofdeepersensibilities，ofkeenerperceptions，wouldhavebowedandgonehisway。Butthenamanofdeepersensibilitieswouldneverhavesoughtthisinterviewthattheviscountwasnowseeking。Therefore，itwasbutnaturalthatheshouldrecoverswiftlyfromhismomentaryhalt，andstepasidetothrowopenthedoorofalittleroomontherightofthehall。Bowingslightly，heinvitedhertoenter。
\"GrantmeamomentereIgo，Hortensia，\"hesaid`betweencommandandexhortation。
Shestoodcogitatinghimaninstant，withnooutwardsignofwhatmightbepassinginhermind；thensheslightlyinclinedherhead，andwentforwardashebadeher。
Itwasasunnyroom，gaywithlightcoloranddaintyfurnishings，havinglongwindow-doorsthatopenedtothegarden。AnAubussoncarpetofpalestgreen，withafestoonpatternofpinkroses，coveredtwo-thirdsoftheblocked，polishedfloor。Theempanelledwallswerewhite，withhereagiltmirror，flankedoneithersidebyagirandoleinormolu。
Aspinetstoodopeninmid-chamber，anduponitweresheetsofmusic，afewbooksandabowlofemerald-greenware，chargednowwithroses，whosefragrancelayheavyontheair。Thereweretwoorthreesmalltablesofverydainty，fragilemake，andthechairswereindelicately-tintedtapestryillustratingthefablesofLaFontaine。
ItwasanapartmentlookeduponbyHortensiaasherownwithdrawing-room，setapartforherownuse，andasthatthehousehold-herveryladyshipincluded-hadeverrecognizedit。
Hislordshipclosedthedoorwithcare。Hortensiatookherseatuponthelongstoolthatstoodatthespinet，herbacktotheinstrument，andwithhandsidleinherlap-thesamecoldreserveuponhercountenance-sheawaitedhiscommunication。
Headvanceduntilhewasclosebesideher，andstoodleaninganelbowonthecornerofthespinet，alongandnotungracefulfigure，withtheblackcurlsofhisfull-bottomedwigfallingabouthisswarthy，big-featuredface。
\"Ihavebutmyfarewellstomake，Hortensia，\"saidhe。\"IamleavingStrettonHouse，to-day，atlast。\"
\"Iamglad，\"saidshe，inaformal，levelvoice，\"thatthingsshouldhavefallenoutsoastoleaveyoufreetogoyourways。\"
\"Youareglad，\"heanswered，frowningslightly，andleaningfarthertowardsher。\"Ay，andwhyareyouglad？Why？YouaregladforMr。Caryll\'ssake。Doyoudenyit？\"
Shelookedupathimquitecalmandfearlessly。\"Iamgladforyourownsake，too。\"
Hisdarkbroodingeyeslookeddeepintohers，which，didnotfalterunderhisinsistentgaze。\"AmItobelieveyou？\"heinquired。
\"Whynot？Idonotwishyourdeath。\"
\"Notmydeath-butmyabsence？\"hesneered。\"Youwishforthat，doyounot？Youwouldprefermegone？Myroomisbetterthanmycompanyjustnow？\'Tiswhatyouthink，eh？\"
\"Ihavenotthoughtofitatall，\"sheansweredhimwithapitilessfrankness。
Helaughed，softandwickedly。\"Isitsoveryhopeless，then？
Youhavenotthoughtofitatallbywhichyoumeanthatyouhavenotthoughtofmeatall。\"
\"Is\'tnotbestso？Youhavegivenmenocausetothinkofyoutoyouradvantage。Iamthereforekindtoexcludeyoufrommythoughts。\"
\"Kind？\"hemockedher。\"Youthinkitkindtoputmefromyourmind-Iwholoveyou，Hortensia！\"
Sheroseupontheinstant，hercheekswarmingfaintly。\"Mylord，\"saidshe，\"Ithinkthereisnomoretobesaidbetweenus。\"
\"Ah，butthereis，\"hecried。\"Adealmoreyet。\"Andhelefthisplacebythespinettocomeandstandimmediatelybeforeher，barringherpassagetothedoor。\"NotonlytosayfarewellwasitthatIdesiredtospeakwithyoualonehere。\"
Hisvoicesoftenedamazingly。\"IwantyourpardonereIgo。
IwantyoutosaythatyouforgivemethevilethingIwouldhavedone，Hortensia。\"Contritionquiveredinhisloweredvoice。Hebentakneetoher，andheldouthishand。\"Iwillnotriseuntilyouspeakmypardon，child。\"
\"Why，ifthatbeall，Ipardonyouveryreadily，\"sheanswered，stillbetrayingnoemotion。
Hefrowned。\"Tooreadily！\"hecried。\"Tooreadilyforsincerity。Iwillnottakeitso。\"
\"Indeed，mylord，forapenitent，youareverydifficulttoplease。Ipardonyouwithallmyheart。\"
\"Youaresincere？\"hecried，andsoughttotakeherhands；butshewhippedthemawayandbehindher。\"Youbearmenoill-will？\"
Sheconsideredhimnowwithacalm，criticalgaze，beforewhichhewasforcedtolowerhisboldeyes。\"WhyshouldI
bearyouanill-will？\"sheaskedhim。
\"ForthethingIdid-thethingIsoughttodo。\"
\"Iwonderdoyouknowallthatyoudid？\"sheaskedhim，musingly。\"ShallItellyou，mylord？Youcuredmeofafolly。Ihadbeenblind，andyoumademesee。Ihadfoolishlythoughttoescapeoneevil，andyoumademerealizethatIwasrushingintoaworse。Yousavedmefrommyself。
Youmayhavemademesufferthen；butitwasahealinghurtyoudealtme。AndshouldIbearyouanill-willforthat？\"
Hehadrisenfromhisknee。Hestoodapart，ponderingherfromunderbentbrowswitheyesthatwerefullofangryfire。
\"Idonotthink，\"sheended，\"thatthereneedsmorebetweenus。Ihaveunderstoodyou，sir，sincethatadayatMaidstone-Ithinkwewerestrangersuntilthen；andperhapsnowyoumaybegintounderstandme。Fareyouwell，mylord。\"
Shemadeshifttogo，buthebarredherpassagenowinearnest，hishandsclenchedbesidehiminwitnessoftheviolencehedidhimselftokeepthemthere。\"Notyet，\"hesaid，inadeep，concentratedvoice。\"Notyet。Ididyouawrong，Iknow。Andwhatyousay-cruelasitis-isnomorethanIdeserve。ButIdesiretomakeamends。Iloveyou，Hortensia，anddesiretomakeamends。\"
Shesmiledwistfully。\"\'Tisoverlatetotalkofthat。\"
\"Why？\"hedemandedfiercely，andcaughtherarms，holdinghertherebeforehim。\"Whyisitoverlate？\"
\"Suffermetogo，\"shecommanded，ratherthanbegged，andmadetofreeherselfofhisgrasp。
\"Iwantyoutobemywife，Hortensia-myweddedwife。\"
Shelookedathim，andlaughed；acoldlaugh，disdainful，yetnotbitter。\"Youwantedthatbefore，mylord；yetyouneglectedtheopportunitymyfollygaveyou。Ithankyou-
you，afterGod-forthatsameneglect。\"
\"Ah，donotsaythat！\"hebegged，averysuppliantagain。\"Donotsaythat！Child，Iloveyou。Doyouunderstand？\"
\"Whocouldfailtounderstand，aftertheabundantproofyouhaveaffordedmeofyoursincerityandyourdevotion？\"
\"Doyourallyme？\"hedemanded，lettingthroughaflashoftheangerthatwasmountinginhim。\"AmIsopoorathingthatyouwhetyourlittlewituponme？\"
\"Mylord，youarepainingme。Whatcanyoulooktogainbythis？Suffermetogo。\"
Amomentyethestood，holdingherwristsandlookingdownintohereyeswithamixtureofpleadingandferocityinhis。
Thenhemadeasoundinhisthroat，andcaughtherbodilytohim；hisarms，lacedabouther，heldherboundandcrushedagainsthim。Hisdark，flushedfacehoveredaboveherown。
Feartookheratlast。Itmountedandgrewtohorror。\"Letmego，mylord，\"shebesoughthim，hervoicetrembling。\"Oh，letmego！\"
\"Iloveyou，Hortensia！Ineedyou！\"hecried，asifwrungbypain，andthenhotuponherbrowandcheeksandlipshiskissesfell，andshameturnedhertofirefromheadtofootasshefoughthelplesslywithinhiscrushinggrasp。
\"Youdog！\"shepanted，andwrithingharder，wrenchedfreeahandandarm。Blindlyshebeatupwardsintothatevilsatyr\'sface。\"Youbeast！Youtoad！Youcoward！\"
Theyfellapart，eachpanting；sheleaningfaintagainstthespinet，herbosomgalloping；hemutteringoathsdecentandother-forintheupwardthrustingofherlittlehandoneofitsfingershadproddedataneye，andthepainofit-whichhadcausedhimtorelaxhisholdofher-strippedwhatlittleveneerremainedupontheman\'struenature。
\"Willyougo？\"sheaskedhimfuriously，outragedbythevilenessofhisravings。\"Willyougo，ormustIsummonhelp？\"
Hestoodlookingather，straighteninghiswig，whichhadbecomedisarrangedinthestruggle，andforcinghimselftoanoutwardcalm。\"So，\"hesaid。\"Youscornme？Youwillnotmarryme？Yourealisethechance，eh？Andwhy？Why？\"
\"IsupposeitisbecauseIamblindtothehonorofthealliance，\"shecontrolledherselftoanswerhim。\"Willyougo？\"
Hedidnotmove。\"Yetyoulovedmeonce-\"
\"\'Tisalie！\"sheblazed。\"IthoughtIdid-tomyundyingshame。Nomorethanthat，mylord-asI\'veasoultobesaved。\"
\"YoulovedMe，\"heinsisted。\"AndyouwouldlovemestillbutforthisdamnedCaryll-thisFrenchcoxcomb，whohascrawledintoyourregardliketheslimy，creepingthingheis。\"
\"Itsortswellwithyourways，mylord，thatyou，couldsaythesethingsbehindhisback。Youarepracticedatstabbingmenbehind。\"
Thegibe，withallthehurtful，stingingqualitythatonlytruthpossesses，struckhisangerfromhim，leavinghimlimpandpale。Thenherecovered。
\"Doyouknowwhoheis-whatheis？\"heasked。\"Iwilltellyou。He\'saspy-adamnedJacobitespy，whomawordfrommewillhang。\"
Hereyeslashedhimwithherscorn。\"IwereafooldidI
believeyou，\"washercontemptuousanswer。
\"Askhim，\"hesaid，andlaughed。Heturnedandstrodetothedoor。Pausedthere，sardonic，lookingback。\"Ishallbequitswithyou，ma\'am。Quits！I\'llhangthisprettyturtleofyoursatTyburn。Tellhimsofromme。\"
Hewrenchedthedooropen，andwentoutonthat，leavinghercoldandsickwithdread。
Wasitbutanidlethreattoterrorizeher？Wasitbutthat？
HerimpulsewastoseekMr。Caryllupontheinstantthatshemightaskhimandallayherfears。Butwhatrighthadshe？
Uponwhatgroundscouldshesetaquestionuponsosecretamatter？Sheconceivedhimraisinghisbrowsinthatsuperciliouswayofhis，andlookingheroverfromheadtotoeasthoughseekingacluetothenatureofthisquaintthingthataskedhimquestions。Shepicturedhissmileandthejestwithwhichhewouldsetasideherinquiry。Sheimagined，indeed，justwhatshebelievedwouldhappendidsheaskhim；
whichwaspreciselywhatwouldnothavehappened。Imaginingthus，sheheldherpeace，andnursedhersecretdread。Andonthefollowingday，hisweaknesssofarovercomeastoleavehimnoexcusetolingeratStrettonHouse，Mr。CarylltookhisdepartureandreturnedtohislodginginOldPalaceYard。
OnemoretreasonableinterviewhadhewithLordOstermoreinthelibraryerehedeparted。Hislordshipitwaswhoreopenedagainthequestion，torepeatmuchofwhathehadsaidinthearboronthepreviousday，andMr。Caryllrepliedwithmuchthesameargumentsinfavorofprocrastinationthathehadalreadyemployed。
\"Wait，atleast，\"hebegged，\"untilIhavebeenabroadadayortwo，andfeltfor。myselfhowthewindIssetting。\"
\"\'Tisaprodigiouslydangerousdocument，\"hedeclared。\"I
scarceseetheneedforsomuchdetail。\"
\"Howcanitsetbutoneway？\"
\"\'TisaquestionIshallbeinbettercasetoanswerwhenI
havehadanopportunityofjudging。Meanwhile，beassuredI
shallnotsailforFrancewithoutadvisingyou。Timeenoughthentogivemeyourlettershouldyoustillbeofthesamemind。\"
\"Beitso，\"saidtheearl。\"Whenallissaid，theletterwillbesaferhere，meantime，thaninyourpocket。\"Andhetappedthesecretaire。\"ButseewhatIhavewrithismajesty，andtellmeshouldIalteraught。\"
Hetookoutadrawerontheright-tookitoutbodily-thenintroducedhishandintotheopening，runningitalongtheinnersideofthedeskuntil，nodoubt，hetouchedaspring；
forsuddenlyasmalltrapwasopened。Fromthiscavityhefishedouttwodocuments-onetheflimsytissueonwhichKingJames\'laterwaspenned；theotheronheaviermaterialLordOstermore\'sreply。Hespreadthelatterbeforehim，andhandedittoMr。Caryll，whorananeyeoverit。
Itwasinditedwithstupid，characteristicincaution；
concealmentwasneveronceresortedto；everywhereexpressionsofthefrankestwereemployed，andeverylinebreathedthefullmeasureofhislordship\'streasonandbetraystheexistenceofaplot。
Mr。Caryllreturnedit。Hiscountenancewasgrave。
\"Idesirehismajestytoknowhowwhole-heartedlyIbelongtohim。\"
\"\'Twerebestdestroyed，Ithink。Youcanwriteanotherwhenthetimecomestodispatchit。\"
ButOstermorewasneveronetotakesensibleadvice。\"Pooh！
\'Twillbesafeinhere。\'Tisasecretknowntonone。\"Hedroppedit，togetherwithKingJames\'letter，backintotherecess，snappeddownthetrap，andreplacedthedrawer。
WhereuponMr。Carylltookhisleave，promisingtoadvisehislordshipofwhateverhemightglean，andsodepartedfromStrettonHouse。
MyLordRotherby，meanwhile，wasverydiligentinthebusinessuponwhichhewasintent。HehadreceivedinhisinterviewwithHortensiaanaddedspurtosuchactionasmightbescathefultoMr。Caryll。HislordshipwaslodgedinPortugalRow，withinastone\'sthrowofhisfather\'shouse，andthere，onthatsameeveningofhismovingthither，hehadMr。Greentoseehim，desiringnews。
Mr。Greenhadlittletoimpart，butstronghopeofmuchtobegarneredpresently。Hislittleeyestwinkling，hischubbyfacesuffusedinsmiles，asthoughitwereanexcellentjesttobehuntingknowledgethatshouldhangaman，thespyassuredLordRotherbythattherewaslittledoubtMr。Caryllcouldbeimplicatedassoonashewasaboutagain。
\"Andthat\'sthereason-afteryourlordship\'sownexpresswishes-whysofarIhaveletSirRichardEverardbe。ItmaycometotroubleformewithmyLordCarteretshoulditbesmokedthatIhavebeensilentonthematterswithinmyknowledge。But-\"
\"Oh，aplagueonthat！\"saidhislordship。\"You\'llbewellpaidforyourserviceswhenyou\'verenderedthem。And，meanwhile，IunderstandthatnotanothersoulinLondon-thatis，onthesideofthegovernment-isawareofSirRichard\'spresenceintown。Sowhereisyourdanger？\"
\"True，\"saidMr。Green，plumphandcaressingplumperchin。
\"Haditnotbeenso，Ishouldhavebeenforcedtoapplytothesecretaryforawarrantbeforethis。\"
\"Thenyou\'llwait，\"saidhislordship，\"andyou\'llactasI
maydirectyou。Itwillbetoyourcreditintheend。WaituntilCaryllhasenmeshedhimselfbyfrequentvisitstoSirRichard\'s。Thengetyourwarrant-whenIgivetheword-andexecuteitonefinenightwhenCaryllhappenstobeclosetedwithEverard。Whetherwecangetfurtherevidenceagainsthimornot，thatcircumstanceofhisbeingfoundwiththePretender\'sagentshouldgosomewaytowardshanginghim。Therestwemustsupply。\"
Mr。Greensmiledseraphically。\"Ecod！I\'dgivemyearstohavetheslipperyfellowsafe。Codso！Iwould。HebubbledmeatMaidstone，andIlimpedafortnightfromthekickhegaveme。\"
\"Heshalldoalittlemorekicking-withbothfeet，\"saidhislordshipwithunction。
CHAPTERXVI
MR。GREENEXECUTESHISWARRANT
Fivedayslater，Mr。Caryll-whoserecoveryhadsofarprogressedthathemightnowbesaidtobehisownmanagain-
camebrisklyupfromCharingCrossoneeveningatdusk，tothehouseatthecornerofMaidenLanewhereSirRichardEverardwaslodged。HeobservedthreeorfourfellowsloungingaboutthecornerofChandosstreetandBedfordstreet，butitdidnotoccurtohimthatfromthatpointtheycouldcommandSirRichard\'sdoor-northatsuchcouldbetheirobject-until，asheswungsharplyroundthecorner，hehurtledviolentlyintoamanwhowasmovingintheoppositedirectionwithoutlookingwhitherhewasgoing。Themansteppedquicklyasidewithamurmuredwordofapology，togiveMr。Caryllthewallthathemightpasson。ButMr。Caryllpaused。
\"Ah，Mr。Green！\"saidheverypleasantly。\"Howd\'ye？Haveyebeensearchingfolkoflate？\"
Mr。Greenendeavoredtodissemblehisstartledexpressioninagrinthatrevealedhiswhiteteeth。\"Yecan\'tforgivemethatblunder，Mr。Caryll，\"saidhe。
Mr。Caryllsmiledfondlyuponhim。\"FromyourmannerItakeitthatonyoursideyoupracticeamoreChristianvirtue。Itisplainthatyouforgivemethesequel。\"
Mr。Greenshruggedandspreadhishands。\"Youwereintheright，sir；youwereintheright，\"heexplained。\"Thosearetherisksamanofmycallingmustrun。Imustsufferformyblunders。\"
Mr。Caryllcontinuedtosmile。Butthatthelightwasfailing，thespymighthaveobservedacertainhardeninginthelinesofhismouth。\"Hereisaveryhumblemood，\"saidhe。\"Itislikethecrouchbeforethespring。Inwhomdoyoudesigntoplantyourclaws？-yoursandyourfriendsyonder。\"
Andhepointedwithhiscaneacrossthestreettowardstheloungershehadobserved。
\"Myfriends？\"quothMr。Green，inavoiceofdisgust。\"Nay，yourhonor！Nofriendsofmine，ecod！Indeed，no！\"
\"No？Iamatfault，then。Yettheylookasiftheymightbebumbailiffs。\'Tisthekindyeherdwith，is\'tnot？Giveyougood-even，Mr。Green。\"Andhewenton，coolandunconcerned，andturnedinthroughthenarrowdoorwaybytheglover\'sshoptomountthestairstoSirRichard\'slodging。
Mr。Greenstoodstilltowatchhimgo。Thenhesworethroughhisteeth，andbeckonedoneofthosewhoseacquaintancehehaddisclaimed。
\"\'Tislikehim，ecod！tohavegoneininspiteofseeingmeandyou！He\'scool！Damnedcool！Buthe\'llbecooleryet，codso！\"Then，brisklyquestioninghissatellite：\"IsSirRichardwithin，Jerry？\"
\"Ay，\"answeredJerry-arough，heavily-builttatterdemalion。
\"He\'sbeentherethesetwohours。\"
\"\'Tisourchancetonab\'emboth，then-ourlastchance，maybe。
Thegameisup。Thatfinegentlemanhassmokedit。\"Hewasangrybeyondmeasure。Theirplanswerefarfromripe，andyettodelaylongernowthattheirvigilancewasdetectedwas，perhaps，toallowSirRichardtoslipthroughtheirfingers，aswellastheother。\"Haveyeyourbarkers？\"heaskedharshly。
Jerrytappedaheavilybulgingpocket，andwinked。Mr。Greenthrusthisthree-corneredhata-cockoveroneeye，andwithhishandsbehindthetailsofhiscoat，stoodpondering。\"Ay，poxon\'t！\"hegrumbled。\"Itmustbedoneto-night。Idursn\'tdelaylonger。We\'llgivethegentlementimetosettlecomfortably；thenupwegotomakethingsmerryfor\'em。\"Andhebeckonedtheothersacross。
MeanwhileMr。Caryllhadgoneupwithconsiderablemisgivings。
ThelastletterhehadreceivedfromSirRichard-thatdayatStrettonHouse-hadbeentoapprisehimthathisadoptivefatherwasonthepointofleavingtownbutthathewouldbereturnedwithintheweek。ThebusinessthathadtakenhimhadbeenagainconcernedwithAtterburytheobstinate。UponanothervainendeavortodissuadethebishopfromaschemehiskingdidnotapprovehadSirRichardjourneyedtoRochester。
Hehadhadhispainsfornothing。Atterburyhadkepthimthere，entertaininghim，andseekinginhisturntoengulftheagentinthebusinessthatwastoward-businesswhichwasultimatelytosuckdownAtterburyandhisassociates。SirRichard，however，wasveryfirm。AndwhenatlastheleftRochestertoreturntotownandhisadoptiveson，acoolnessmarkedthepartingofthosetwoadherentsoftheStuartdynasty。
ReturnedtoLondon-whencehisabsencehadbeenmarkedwithalarmbyMr。Green-SirRichardhadsentamessagetoMr。
Caryll，andthelattermadehastetoansweritinperson。
Hisadoptivefatherreceivedhimwithopenarms，andsuchajoyinhisface，suchalightinhisoldeyesasshouldhavegladdenedhisvisitor，yetonlyservedsaddenhimthemore。
HesighedasSirRichardthrusthimbackthathemightlookathim。
\"Ye\'repale，boy，\"hesaid，\"andyelookthinner。\"Andwiththathefelltorevilingthedeedthatwasthecauseofthis，RotherbyandthewholebroodofOstermore。
\"Letbe，\"saidMr。Caryll，ashedroppedintoachair。
\"Rotherbyisundergoinghispunishment。Thetownlooksonhimasacut-throatwhohasnarrowlyescapedthegallows。I
marvelthathetarrieshere。AnIwerehe，IthinkI\'dtravelforayearortwo。\"
\"Whatweaknessmadeyousparehimwhenyehadhimatthepointofyoursword？\"
\"ThatwhichmademeregretthatIhadhimthere；thereflectionthatheismybrother。\"
SirRichardlookedathiminsomesurprise。\"Ithoughtyouofsternerstuff，Justin，\"hesaidpresently，andsighed，passingalongwhitehandacrosshisbonybrow。\"IthoughtIhadrearedyoutoafinerstrength。Butthere！WhatofOstermorehimself？\"
\"Whatofhim？\"
\"HaveyounottalkedagainwithhimofthematterofgoingovertoKingJames？\"
\"Towhatend，sincethechanceislost？HisbetrayalnowwouldinvolvethebetrayalofAtterburyandtheothers-forhehasbeenintouchwiththem。\"
\"Hashethough？Thebishopsaidnaughtofthis。\"
\"Ihaveitfrommylordhimself-andIknowtheman。Werehetakenthey\'dwringoutofhimwhateverhappenedtobeinhim。
Hehasnodiscretion。Indeed，he\'sbutaclod，toostupideventobeawareofhisownstupidity。\"
\"Thenwhatistobedone？\"inquiredSirRichard，frowning。
\"We\'dbestgethometoFranceagain。\"
\"Andleavemattersthus？\"Heconsideredamoment，andshookhishead，smilingbitterly。\"Couldthatcontentyou，Justin？
Couldyougoasyouhavecome-takingnomorethanyoubrought；leavingthatmanasyoufoundhim？Couldyou？\"
Mr。Carylllookedatthebaronet，andwonderedforamomentwhetherheshouldpersevereintheruleofhislifeanddealquitefranklywithhim，tellinghimpreciselywhathefelt。
Thenherealizedthathewouldnotbeunderstood。HecouldnotcombatthefanaticismthatwasSirRichard\'sinthismatter。Ifhetoldhimthetruth；howheloathedthetask；
howherejoicedthatcircumstanceshadnowputitbeyondhisreach-allhewouldachievewouldbetowoundSirRichardinhistenderestplaceandtonopurpose。
\"ItisnotamatterofwhatIwould，\"heansweredslowly，wearilyalmost。\"ItisamatterofwhatImust。HereinEnglandisnomoretobedone。Moreover，there\'sdangerforyouinlingering，orI\'mmuchmistakenelse。\"
\"Dangerofwhat？\"askedSirRichard，withindifference。
\"Youarebeingspiedupon。\"
\"Pho！Iamaccustomedtoit。Ihavebeenspieduponallmylife。\"
\"Likeenough。Butthistimethespiesaremessengersfromthesecretaryofstate。Icaughtaglimpseofthemlurkingaboutyourdoorway-threeorfouratleast-andasIenteredIallbutfelloveraMr。Green-amostpertinaciousgentlemanwithwhomIhavealreadysomeacquaintance。HeistheverymanwhosearchedmeatMaidstone；hehaskepthiseyeuponmeeversince，whichhasnottroubledme。Butthatheshouldkeepaneyeonyoumeansthatyouridentityissuspected，andifthatbeso-well，thesoonerweareoutofEnglandthebetterforyourhealth。\"
SirRichardshookhisheadcalmly。Thefine-featured，leanoldfaceshowednosignofuneasiness。\"Afigforallthat！\"
saidhe。\"Igonotthus-empty-handedasIcame。Afteralltheseyearsofwaiting\"
Aknockfelluponthedoor，andSirRichard\'smanentered。
Hisfacewaswhite，hiseyesstartled。
\"SirRichard，\"heannounced，hisvoiceloweredportentously，\"therearesomemenherewhoinsistuponseeingyou。\"
Mr。Caryllwheeledinhischair。\"Surelytheydidnotaskforhimbyname？\"heinquiredinthesamelowkeyemployedbythevalet。
Themannoddedinsilence。Mr。Caryllsworethroughhisteeth。SirRichardrose。
\"Iamoccupiedatpresent，\"hesaidinacalmvoice。\"Icanreceivenobody。Desiretoknowtheirbusiness。Ifitimports，bidthemcomeagainto-morrow。\"
\"Itisover-urgentforthat，SirRichardEverard，\"camethesoftvoiceofMr。Green，whothrusthimselfsuddenlyforwardpasttheservant。Otherfigureswereseenmovingbehindhimintheante-room。
\"Sir，\"criedSirRichardangrily。\"Thisisamostinsolentintrusion。Bentley，showthisfellowthedoor。\"
BentleysetahandonMr。Green\'sshoulder。Mr。Greennimblytwistedoutofit，andproducedapaper。\"Ihavehereawarrantforyourapprehension，SirRichard，frommyLordCarteret，thesecretaryofstate。\"
Mr。Carylladvancedmenacinglyuponthetipstaff。Mr。Greensteppedback，andfellintoadefensiveattitude，balancingashortbutformidable-lookinglife-preserver。
\"Keepyourdistance，sir，or\'twillbetheworseforyou，\"hethreatened。\"Hi！\"hecalled。\"Jerry！Beattie！\"
Jerry，Beattie，andtwootherruffianscrowdedtothedoorway，butadvancedlittlebeyondthethreshold。Mr。CaryllturnedtoSirRichard。ButMr。Greenwasthefirsttospeak。
\"SirRichard，\"saidhe，\"you\'llseethatwearebutinstrumentsofthelaw。Itgrievesmeprofoundlytohaveyouforourobject。Butye\'llseethat\'tisnoaffairofours，whohavebuttodothedutythatwe\'reordered。Ye\'llnotgivethesepoorfellowstrouble，Itrust。Ye\'llsurrenderquietly。\"
SirRichard\'sanswerwastopullopenadrawerinthewriting-table，bywhichhewasstanding，andwhipoutapistol。
Whatexactlyhemayhaveintended，hewasnever\"allowedtoannounce。Anexplosionshooktheroom，comingfromthedoorway，uponwhichMr。Caryllhadturnedhisshoulder；therewasaspurtofflame，andSirRichardcollapsedforwardontothetable，andslitheredthencetotheground。
\"Jerry，takingfrightatthesightofthepistolSirRichardhadproduced，hadforestalledwhathesupposedtobethebaronet\'sintentionsbyfiringinstantlyuponhim，withthisdisastrousresult。
Confusionensued。Mr。Caryll，withnomorethoughtforthetipstavesthanhehadforthesmokeinhiseyesorthestenchofpowderinhisnostrils，spedtoSirRichard。Inapassionofgriefandanxiety，heraisedhisadoptivefather，aidedbyBentley，whattimeMr。GreenwasabusingJerry，andJerrywasurginginexculpationhowhehadactedpurelyinMr。Green\'sinterest，fearingthatSirRichardmighthavebeenonthepointofshootinghim。
ThespywentforwardtoMr。Caryll。\"Iammostprofoundlysorry-\"hebegan。
\"Takeyoursorrowtohell，\"snarledMr。Caryll，hisfacelivid，hiseyesblazinguncannily。\"Ibelieveye\'vemurderedhim。\"
\"Ecod！thefoolshallsmartfor\'tifSirRicharddies，\"
grumbledMr。Green。
\"What\'sthattome？Youmayhangthemuckworm，andwhatshallthatprofitanyone？WillitrestoremeSirRichard\'slife？
Sendoneofyourruffiansforadoctor，man。Andbidhimhasten。\"
Mr。Greenobeyedwithalacrity。Apartfromhisregretsatthishappeningforitsownsake，itwouldsuithisinterestsnotatallthatSirRichardshouldperishthus。Meanwhile，withthehelpofthevalet，whowasblubberinglikeachild-
forhehadbeenwithSirRichardforovertenyears，andwasattachedtohimasadogtoitsmaster-theyopenedthewoundedman\'ssoddenwaistcoatandshirt，andreachedthehurt，whichwasontherightsideofthebreast。
Betweenthemtheyliftedhimupgently。Mr。Greenwouldhavelentahand，butasnarlfromMr。Carylldrovehimbackinsheerterror，andalonethosetwoborethebaronetintothenextroomandlaidhimonhisbed。Heretheydidthelittlethattheycould；proppinghimupandstemmingthebleeding，whattimetheywaitedthroughwhatseemedacenturyforthedoctor\'scoming，Mr。Caryllmad-starkmadforthetime-
withgriefandrage。
Thephysicianarrivedatlast-asmall，bird-likemanunderagreatgrayperiwig，withpointedfeaturesandlittleeyesthatbeamedbrightlybehindhorn-rimmedspectacles。
Intheante-roomhewasmetbyMr。Green，whoininafewwordstoldhimwhathadhappened。Thenthedoctorenteredthebedchamberalone，anddeposinghatandcane，wentforwardtomakehisexamination。
Mr。CaryllandBentleystoodasidetogiveplacetohim。Hestooped，feltthepulse，examinedthelipsofthewound，estimatingthelocalityanddirectionofthebullet，andhismouthmadeacluckingsoundasofdeprecation。
\"Verydeplorable，verydeplorable！\"hemuttered。\"Sohaleaman，too，despitehisyears。Verydeplorable！\"Helookedup。
\"AJacobite，yesayheis，sir？\"
\"Willhelive？\"inquiredMr。Caryllshortly，bywayofrecallingthemanofmedicinetothefactthatpoliticswasnotthebusinessonwhichhehadbeensummoned。
Thedoctorpursedhislips，andlookedatMr。Carylloverthetopofhisspectacles。\"Hewilllive-\"，\"ThankGod！\"breathedMr。Caryll。
\"-perhapsanhour，\"thedoctorconcluded，andneverknewhownearwasMr。Carylltostrikinghim。Heturnedagaintohispatient，producingaprobe。\"Verydeplorable！\"Mr。Caryllheardhimmuttering，parrot-like。
Apauseensued，andasilencebrokenonlybyoccasionalcluckingsfromthelittledoctor，andMr。Caryllstoodby，apreytoananguishmorepoignantthanhehadeverknown。Atlasttherewasagroanfromthewoundedman。Mr。Caryllstartedforward。
SirRichard\'seyeswereopen，andhewaslookingabouthimatthedoctor，thevalet，and，lastly，athisadoptedson。Hesmiledfaintlyatthelatter。ThenthedoctortouchedMr。
Caryll\'ssleeve，anddrewhimaside。
\"Icannotreachthebullet，\"hesaid。\"But\'tisnomatterforthat。\"Heshookhisheadsolemnly。\"Thelunghasbeenpierced。Alittletimenow，and-Icandonothingmore。\"
Mr。Caryllnoddedinsilence，hisfacedrawnwithpain。Withagesturehedismissedthedoctor，whowentoutwithBentley。
Whenthevaletreturned，Mr。Caryllwasonhiskneesbesidethebed，SirRichard\'shandinhis，andSirRichardwasspeakinginafeeble，hoarsevoice-gaspingandcoughingatintervals。
\"Don\'t-don\'tgrieve，Justin，\"hewassaying。\"Iamanoldman。Mytimemusthavebeenverynear。I-Iamgladthatitisthus。Itismuchbetterthaniftheyhadtakenme。They\'dha\'shownmenomercy。\'Tisswifterthus，and-andeasier。\"
SilentlyJustinwrungthehandheheld。
\"You\'llmissmealittle，Justin，\"theoldmanresumedpresently。\"Wehavebeengoodfriends，lad-goodfriendsforthirtyyears。\"
\"Father！\"Justincried，asobinhisvoice。
SirRichardsmiled。\"IwouldIwereyourfatherinmorethanname，Justin。Hastbeenagoodsontome-nosoncouldhavebeenmorethanyou。\"
Bentleydrewnighwithalongglasscontainingacordialthedoctorhadadvised。SirRicharddrankavidly，andsighedcontentwhenhereturnedtheglass。\"Howlongyet，Justin？\"
heinquired。
\"Notlong，father，\"wasthegloomyanswer。
\"Itiswell。Iamcontent。Iamhappy，Justin。Believeme，Iamhappy。Whathasmylifebeen？Dissipatedinthepursuitofaphantom。\"Hespokemusingly，criticallycalm，asonewhoalreadyuponthebrinkofdissolutiontakesalreadybutanimpersonalinterestinthecoursehehasruninlife。
Judgingso，hisjudgmentwasclearerthanithadyetbeen；itgrewsane，andwasfreedatlastfromthehacklesoffanaticism；andtherewassomethingthatesawinitstrueproportions。Hesighedheavily。
\"Thisisajudgmentuponme，\"hesaidpresently。HeturnedhisgreateyesfulluponJustin，andtheirdancewasinfinitelywistful。\"Doyouremember，Justin，thatnightatyourlodging-thatfirstnightonwhichwetalkedhereinLondonofthethingyouwerecometodo-thethingtowhichIurgedyou？
Doyourecallhowyouupbraidedmeforhavingsetyouataskhatwasunworthyandrevolting？\"
\"Iremember，\"answeredJustin，withaninwardshudder，fearfulofwhatmightfollow。
\"Oh，youwereright，Justin；right，andIwasentirelywrong-
wickedlywrong。IshouldhaveleftvengeancetoGod。Heiswreakingit。Ostermore\'swholelifehasbeenapunishment；
hisendwillbeapunishment。Iunderstanditnow。Wedonowronginlife，Justin，forwhichinthissamelifepaymentisnotexacted。Ostermorehasbeenpaying。Ishouldlavebeencontentwiththat。Afterall，heisyourfatherintheflesh，anditwasnotforyoutoraiseyourhandagainsthim。\'Tiswhatyouhavefelt，andIamgladyoushouldhavefeltit，foritprovesyourworthiness。Canyouforgiveme？\"
\"Nay，nay，father！Speaknotofforgiveness。\"
\"Ihavesoreneedofit。\"
\"Ah，butnotfromme；notfromme！WhatisthereIshouldforgive？ThereisadebtbetweenusIhadhopedtorepaysomedaywhenyouweregrowntrulyold。Ihadlookedtotendyouinyouroldage，tobethecomfortofit，andthesupportthatyouweretomyinfancy。\"
\"Ithadbeensweet，Justin，\"sighedSirRichard，smilinguponhisadoptedson，andputtingforthanunsteadyhandtostrokethewhite，drawnface。\"Ithadbeensweet。Itissweettohearthatyousoproposed。\"
Ashudderconvulsedhim。Hesankbackcoughing，andtherewasfrothandbloodonhislips。ReverentlyJustinwipedthem，andsignedforthecordialtoBentley，whostood，numbed，inthebackground。
\"Itistheend，\"saidSirRichardfeebly。\"Godhasbeengoodtomebeyondmydeserts，andthisisacrowningmercy。
Consider，Justin，itmighthavebeenthegibbetandacrowd-
insteadofthissnugbed，andyouandBentleyhere-justtwogoodfriends。\"
Bentley，losingallself-controlatthismentionofhimself，sankweepingtohisknees。SirRichardputoutahand，andtouchedhishead。
\"YouwillserveMr。Caryll，Bentley。You\'llfindhimagoodmasterifyouareasgoodaservanttohimasyouhavebeentome。\"
Thensuddenlyhemadethequickmovementofonewhobethinkshimselfofsomething。HewavedBentleyaway。
\"Thereisacaseinthedraweryonder，\"hesaid，whentheservantwasbeyondearshot。\"Itcontainspapersthatconcernyou-certificatesofyourbirthandofyourmothersdeath。I
broughtthemwithmeasproofsofyouridentity，againstthetimewhenthehourofvengeanceuponOstermoreshouldstrike。
Theytwillservenopurposenow。Burnthem。Theyarebestdestroyed。\"
Mr。Caryllnoddedunderstanding，andonSirRichard\'sparttherefollowedanotherfightforbreath，anotherattackofcoughing，duringwhichBentleyinstinctivelyapproachedagain。
Whentheparoxysmwaspast，SirRichardturnedoncemoretoJustin，whowasholdinghiminhisarms，upright，toeasehisbreathing。\"BegoodtoBentley，\"hemurmured，hisvoiceveryfaintandexhaustednow。\"Youaremyheir，Justin。AllthatIhave-IsetallinorderereIleftParis。It-itisgrowingdark。Youhavenotsnuffedthecandles，Bentley。
Theyareburningverylow。\"
Suddenlyhestartedforward，heldashewasinJustin\'sarms。
Hehalf-raisedhisarms，holdingouthishandstowardthefootofthebed。Hiseyesdilated；theexpressionofhislividfacegrewfirstsurprised，thenjoyous-beatific。
\"Antoinette！\"hecriedinaloudvoice。\"Antoi-\"\"
Andthus，abruptly，butingreathappiness，hepassed。