\"Letthatbe，\"snarledhislordship。
\"IfImentionitatall，Ibutdosoinyourlordship\'sowninterests。Itwillberememberedthatyeattemptedtomurdermeonce，andthatwillnotbeofanygreathelptosuchaccusationsasyoumaybringagainstme。Besideswhich，thereistheunfortunatecircumstancethatit\'swidelyknownye\'renotamantobebelieved。\"
\"Willyoubesilent？\"roaredhislordship，inatoweringpassion。
\"IfItroublemyselftospeakatall，itisoutofconcernforyourlordship，\"Mr。Caryllinsistedsweetly。\"Andinyourowninterest，andyourladyship\'s，too，I\'dcounselyoutohearmeamomentwithoutwitnesses。\"
Histonewascalculatedlygrave。LordRotherbylookedathim，sneering；notsoherladyship。Lessacquaintedwithhisways，theabsoluteconfidenceandunconcernofhisdemeanorwascausingheruneasiness。Amanwhowasperilouslyentrammelledwouldnotbearhimselfsoeasily，sheopined。Sherose，andcrossedtoherson\'sside。
\"Whathaveyoutosay？\"sheaskedMr。Caryll。
\"Nay，madam，\"hereplied，\"notbeforethese。\"Andheindicatedtheservants。
\"\'Tisbutapretexttohavethemoutoftheroom，\"saidRotherby。
Mr。Carylllaughedthenotiontoscorn。\"Ifyouthinkthat-
Igiveyoumywordofhonortoattemptnoviolence，nortodepartuntilyoushallgivemeleave，\"saidhe。
Rotherby，judgingMr。Caryllbyhisknowledgeofhimself，stillhesitated。Butherladyshiprealized，inspiteofherdetestationoftheman，thathewasnotofthetemperofthosewhosewordistobedoubted。Shesignedtothefootmen。
\"Go，\"shebadethem。\"Waitwithincall。\"
Theydeparted，andMr。Caryllremainedseatedforallthatherladyshipwasstanding；itwasasifbythathewishedtoshowhowlittlehewasmindedtomove。
Herladyship\'seyefelluponHortensia。\"Doyougo，too，child，\"shebadeher。
Instead，Hortensiacameforward。\"Iwishtoremain，madam，\"
shesaid。
\"DidIaskyouwhatyouwished？\"demandedthecountess。
\"Myplaceishere，\"Hortensiaexplained。\"UnlessMr。Caryllshould，himself，desiremetodepart。\"
\"Nay，nay，\"hecried，andsmileduponherfondly-sofondlythatthecountess\'seyesgrewwider。\"Withallmyheart，I
desireyoutoremain。ItismostfittingyoushouldhearthatwhichIhavetosay。\"
\"Whatdoesitmean？\"demandedRotherby，thrustinghimselfforward，andscowlingfromonetotheotherofthem。\"Whatd\'yemean，Hortensia？\"
\"IamMr。Caryll\'sbetrothedwife，\"sheansweredquietly。
Rotherby\'smouthfellopen，buthemadenosound。Notsoherladyship。Apealofshrilllaughterbrokefromher。\"La！
WhatdidItellyou，Charles？\"ThentoHortensia：\"I\'msorryforyou，ma\'am，\"saidshe。\"Ithinkye\'vebeenathoughttoolonginmakingupyourmind。\"Andshelaughedagain。
\"LordOstermoreliesabovestairs，\"Hortensiaremindedher，andherladyshipwentwhiteatthereminder，theindecencyofherlaughterborneinuponher。
\"Wouldyelessonme，girl？\"shecried，asmuchtocoverherconfusionastoventherangeratthecauseofit。\"Ye\'veanodddaring，byGod！Ye\'llbewellmatchedwithhisimpudence，there。\"
Rotherby，singularlyself-contained，recalledhertotheoccasion。
\"Mr。Carylliswaiting，\"saidhe，asneerinhisvoice。
\"Ah，yes，\"shesaid，andflashingalastmalignantglanceuponHortensia，shesanktoachairbesideher，butnottoonearher。
Mr。Caryllsatback，hislegscrossed，hiselbowsonhischair-arms，hisfinger-tipstogether。\"ThethingIhavetotellyouisofsomegravity，\"heannouncedbywayofpreface。
Rotherbytookaseatbythedesk，hishanduponthetreasonableletters。\"Proceed，sir，\"hesaid，importantly。
Mr。Caryllnodded，asinacknowledgmentoftheinvitation。
\"Iwilladmit，beforegoingfurther，thatinspiteofthecheerfulcountenanceImaintainedbeforeyourlordship\'sfriend，thebumbailiff，andyourlackeys，Irecognizethatyouhavemeinaverydangerousposition。\"
\"Ah！\"fromhislordshipinabreathofsatisfaction，and\"Ah！\"fromHortensiainagaspofapprehension。
Herladyshipretainedastonycountenance，andasilencethatsortedexcellentlywithit。
\"Thereis，\"Mr。Caryllproceeded，markingoffthepointsonhisfingers，\"theincidentatMaidstone；thereisyourladyship\'sevidencethatIwasthebearerofjustsuchaletteronthedaythatfirstIcamehere；thereisthedangerouscircumstance-ofwhichMr。Green，Iamsure，willnotfailtomakeadeal-ofmyintimacywithSirRichardEverard，andmyconstantvisitstohislodging，whereIwas，infact，ontheoccasionwhenhemethisdeath；thereisthefactthatIcommitteduponMr。Greenanassaultwithmysnuffboxformotivesthat，afterall，admitofbutoneacceptableexplanation；and，lastly，thereisthecircumstancethat，apparently，ifinterrogated，IcanshownogoodreasonwhyI
shouldbeinEnglandatall，wherenoapparentinteresthascalledmeorkeepsme。
\"Now，thesemattersaresotrivialthattakenseparatelytheyhavenovaluewhatever；takenconjointly，theirvalueisnotgreat；theydonotcontainevidenceenoughtojustifythehangingofadog。Andyet，Irealizethatdisturbedasthetimesare，fearfulofseditionasthegovernmentfindsitselfinconsequenceofthemischiefdonetopubliccreditbytheSouthSeadisaster，andreadyastheministryistoseeplotseverywhereandtomakeexamples，pourdiscouragerlesautres，iftheaccusationyouintendislaidagainstme，backedbysuchevidenceasthis，itisnotimpossible-indeed，itisnotimprobable-thatitmay-ah-tendtoshortenmylife。\"
\"Sir，\"sneeredRotherby，\"Ideclareyoushouldhavebeenalawyer。Wehaven\'tapleaderofsuchpartsandsuchlucidityatthewholebar。\"
Mr。Caryllnoddedhisthanks。\"Yourpraiseisveryflattering，mylord，\"saidhe，withawrysmile，andthenproceeded：\"ItisbecauseIseemycasetobesoverynearlydesperate，thatIventuretohopeyouwillnotpersevereinthecourseyouareproposingtoadopt。\"
LordRotherbylaughednoiselessly。\"Canyouurgemeanyreasonswhyweshouldnot？\"
\"Ifyoucouldurgemeanyreasonswhyyoushould，\"saidMr。
Caryll，\"nodoubtIshouldbeabletoshowyouunderwhatmisapprehensionsyouarelaboring。\"Heshotakeenglanceathislordship，whosefacehadsuddenlygoneblank。Mr。Caryllsmiledquietly。\"ThereisinthissomethingthatIdonotunderstand，\"heresumed。\"Itdoesnotsatisfymetosuppose，asatfirstmightseem，thatyouareactingoutofsheermaliceagainstme。Youhavescarcelycausetodothat，mylord；andyou，mylady，havenone。ThatfoolGreen-patience-heconceivesthathehassufferedatmyhands。ButwithoutyourassistanceMr。Greenwouldbepowerlesstohurtme。
What，then，isitthatismovingyou？\"
Hepaused，lookingfromonetotheotherofhisdeclaredenemies。Theyexchangedglances-Hortensiawatchingthem，breathless，herownmindworking，too，uponthisquestionthatMr。Caryllhadset，yetnowherefindingananswer。
\"Ihadthought，\"saidherladyshipatlast，\"thatyoupromisedtotellussomethingthatitwasinourinteresttohear。
Instead，youappeartobeaskingquestions。\"
Mr。Caryllshiftedinhischair。Oneglancehegavethecountess，thensmiled。\"Ihavesoughtatyourhandsthereasonswhyyoushoulddesiremydeath，\"saidheslowly。\"Youwithholdthem。Beitso。Itakeitthatyouareashamedofthem；andso，theirnatureisnotdifficulttoconjecture。\"
\"Sir-\"beganRotherby，hotly，half-startingfromhisseat。
\"Nay，lethimtrundleon，Charles，\"saidhismother。\"He\'llbethesoonerdone。\"
\"Instead，\"proceededMr。Caryll，asiftherehadbeennointerruption，\"Iwillnowurgeyoumyreasonswhyyoushouldnotsoproceed。\"
\"Ha！\"snappedRotherby。\"Theywillneedtobevalid。\"
Mr。Carylltwistedfartherround，tofacehislordshipmorefully。\"Theyareasvalid，\"saidheveryimpressively-soimpressivelyandsternlythathishearersfeltthemselvesturningcoldunderhiswords，filledwithsomemysteriousapprehension。\"Theyareasvalidasweremyreasonsforholdingmyhandinthefieldoutyonder，whenIhadyouatthemercyofmysword，mylord。Neithermorenorless。Fromthat，youmayjudgethemtobeveryvalid。\"
\"Butyedon\'tnamethem，\"saidherladyship，attemptingtoconquerheruneasiness。
\"Ishalldoso，\"saidhe，andturnedagaintohislordship。
\"Ihadnocausetoloveyouthatmorning，noratanytime，mylord；Ihadnocausetothink-asevenyouinyourheartmustrealize，ifsobethatyouhaveaheart，andtheintelligencetoexamineit-Ihadnocausetothink，mylord，thatI
shouldbedoingotherthanagooddeedbylettingdrivemyblade。ThatsuchanopinionwaswellfoundedwasprovenbythethingyoudidwhenIturnedmybackuponyouaftersparingyouruselesslife。\"
Rotherbybrokeintempestuously，smitingthedeskbeforehim。
\"Ifyouthinktomoveustomercybysuch-\"
\"Oh，nottomercywouldImoveyou，\"saidMr。Caryll，hishandraisedtostaytheother，\"nottomercy，buttohorrorofthethingyoucontemplate。\"Andthen，inanoddlyimpressivemanner，helaunchedhisthunderbolt。\"Know，then，thatifthatmorningIwouldnotspillyourblood，itwasbecauseI
shouldhavebeenspillingthesamebloodthatflowsinmyownveins；itwasbecauseyouaremybrother；becauseyourfatherwasmyfather。Nolessthanthatwasthereasonthatwithheldmyhand。\"
Hehadannouncedhisaimofmovingthemtohorror；anditwasplainthathehadnotmissedit，forinfrozenhorrorsattheyall，theireyesuponhim，theircheeksashen，theirmouthsagape-evenHortensia，whofromwhatalreadyMr。Caryllhadtoldher，understoodnowmorethananyofthem。
AfteraspellRotherbyspoke。\"Youaremybrother？\"hesaid，hisvoicecolorless。\"Mybrother？Whatareyousaying？\"
Andthenherladyshipfoundhervoice。\"Whowasyourmother？\"
sheinquired，andherverytonewasaninsult，nottothemanwhosattheresomuchastothememoryofpoorAntoinettedeMaligny。Heflushedtothetemples，thenpaledagain。
\"I\'llnotnamehertoyourladyship，\"saidheat，last，inacold，imperiousvoice。
\"I\'mgladye\'vesomuchdecency，\"shecountered。
\"Youmistake，Ithink，\"saidhe。\"\'Tisrespectformymotherthatinspiresme。\"Andhisgreeneyesflasheduponthepaintedhag。Sheroseupaveryfury。
\"Whatareyousaying？\"sheshrilled。\"D\'yehearthefilthyfellow，Rotherby？He\'llnotnamethewantoninmypresenceoutofrespectforher。\"
\"Forshame，madam！Youarespeakingofhismother，\"criedHortensia，hotwithindignation。
\"Pshaw！\'Tisallanimpudentlie-apackoflies！\"criedRotherby。\"He\'scraftyasalltheimpsofhell。\"
Mr。Caryllrose。\"HereinthesightofGodandbyallthatI
holdmostsacred，IswearthatwhatIhavesaidistrue。I
swearthatLordOstermore-yourfather-wasmyfather。I
wasborninFrance，intheyear1690，asIhavepapersuponmethatwillprove，whichyoumaysee，Rotherby。\"
Hislordshiprose。\"Producethem，\"saidheshortly。
Mr。CarylldrewfromaninnerpocketofhiscoatthesmallleathercasethatSirRichardEverardhadgivenhim。Fromthishetookapaperwhichheunfolded。Itwasacertificateofbaptism，copiedfromtheregisteroftheChurchofSt。
AntoineinParis。
Rotherbyheldouthishandforit。ButMr。Caryllshookhishead。\"Standherebesideme，andreadit，\"saidhe。
Obeyinghim，Rotherbywentandreadthatauthenticatedcopy，whereinitwasdeclaredthatSirRichardEverardhadbroughttotheChurchofSt。Antoineforbaptismamalechild，whichhehaddeclaredtobethesonofJohnCaryll，ViscountRotherby，andAntoinettedeMaligny，andwhichhadreceivedinbaptismthenameofJustin。
Rotherbydrewawayagain，hisheadsunkonhisbreast。Herladyshipwasseated，hereyesuponherson，herfingersdrummingabsentlyatthearmsofherchair。ThenRotherbyswungroundagain。
\"HowdoIknowthatyouarethepersondesignatedthere-thisJustinCaryll？\"
\"Youdonot；butyoumay。CastyourmindbacktothatnightatWhite\'swhenyoupickedyourquarrelwithme，mylord。DoyourememberhowStapletonandCollisspokeupforme，declaredthattheyhadknownmefromboyhoodatOxford，andhadvisitedmeatmychateauinFrance？Whatwasthenameofthatchateau，mylord-doyouremember？\"
Rotherbylookedathim，searchinghismemory。Buthedidnotneedtosearchfar。AtfirstglancethenameofMalignyhadseemedfamiliartohim。\"ItwasMaligny，\"hereplied，\"andyet-\"
\"Ifmoreisneededtoconvinceyou，IcanbringahundredwitnessesfromFrance，whohaveknownmefrominfancy。YoumaytakeitthatIcanestablishmyidentitybeyondalldoubt。\"
\"Andwhatifyoudo？\"demandedherladyshipsuddenly。\"Whatifyoudoestablishyouridentityasmylord\'sbastard？Whatclaimshallthatbeuponus？\"
\"That，ma\'am，\"answeredMr。Caryllverygravely，\"Iwaittolearnfrommybrotherhere。\"
CHAPTERXXI
THELION\'SSKIN
Foraspelltherewasuttersilenceinthatspacious，pillaredchamber。Mr。Caryllandherladyshiphadbothresumedtheirchairs：theformerspuriouslycalm；thelattermakingnoattempttoconcealheragitation。Hortensialeantforward，aneagerspectator，watchingthethreeactorsinthistragicomedy。
AsforRotherby，hestoodwithbentheadandfurrowedbrow。
Itwasforhimtospeak，andyethewasutterlyatalossforwords。Hewasnotmovedatthenewshehadreceived，somuchasdismayed。Itdictatedacoursethatwouldinterferewithallhisplans，andthereforeacourseunthinkable。Soheremainedpuzzledhowtoact，howtodealwiththisunexpectedsituation。
Itwasherladyshipwhowasthefirsttobreakthesilence。
ShehadbeenconsideringMr。Caryllthroughnarrowingeyes，thecornersofhermouthdrawndown。ShehadcaughtthenameofMalignywhenitwasuttered，andoutoftheknowledgewhichhappenedtobehers-thoughMr。Caryllwasignorantofthis-
itsetherthinking。
\"IdonotbelievethatyouarethesonofMademoiselledeMaligny，\"shesaidatlast。\"Ineverheardthatmylordhadason；Icannotbelievetherewassomuchbetweenthem。\"
Mr。Caryllstared，startledoutofhishabitualcalm。
Rotherbyturnedtoherwithanexclamationofsurprise。
\"How？\"hecried。\"Youknew，then？Myfatherwas-\"
Shelaughedmirthlessly。\"Yourfatherwouldhavemarriedherhadhedared，\"sheinformedthem。\"\'Twastobeghisfather\'sconsentthathebravedhisbanishmentandcametoEngland。
Buthisfatherwasasheadstrongashimself；heldjustsuchviewsashe，himself，heldlaterwhereyouwereconcerned。Hewouldnothearofthematch。Iwastobehadfortheasking。
Myfatherwasamanwhotradedinhischildren，andhehadofferedme，withajointurethatwasafortune，totheEarlofOstermoreasawifeforhisson。\"
Mr。Caryllwaslistening，allears。Somelightwasbeingsheduponmuchthathadlainindarkness。
\"Andso，\"sheproceeded，\"yourgrandfatherconstrainedyourfathertoforgetthewomanhehadleftinFrance，andtomarryme。IknownotwhatsinsIhadcommittedthatIshouldhavebeenvisitedwithsuchapunishment。Butsoitbefell。Yourfatherresisted，dallyingwiththematterforawholeyear。
Thentherewasaduelfought。AcousinofMademoiselledeMaligny\'scrossedtoEngland，andforcedaquarreluponyourfather。Theymet，andM。deMalignywaskilled。Thenachangesetininmylord\'sbearing，andoneday，amonthorsolater，hegavewaytohisfather\'sinsistence，andwewerewed。ButIdonotbelievethatmylordhadleftasoninFrance-Idonotbelievethathadhedoneso，Ishouldnothaveknownit；Idonotbelievethatundersuchcircumstances，unfeelingashewas，hewouldhaveabandonedMademoiselledeMaligny。\"
\"Youthink，then，\"saidRotherby，\"thatthismanhasrakedupthisstoryto-\"
\"Considerwhatyouaresaying，\"cutinMr。Caryll，withaflashofscorn。\"ShouldIhavecomepreparedwithdocumentsagainstsuchahappeningasthis？\"
\"Nay，butthedocumentsmighthavebeenintendedforsomeotherpurposehadmylordlived-somepurposeofextortion，\"
suggestedherladyship。
\"Butconsideragain，madam，thatIamwealthy-farwealthierthanwasevermyLordOstermore，asmyfriendsCollis，Stapletonandmanyanothercanbecalledtoprove。Whatneed，then，hadItoextort？\"
\"Howcameyoubyyourmeans，beingwhatyousayyouare？\"sheaskedhim。
BrieflyhetoldherhowSirRichardEverardhadcaredforhim，forhismother\'ssake；endowedhimrichlyuponadoptinghim，andsincemadehimheirtoallhiswealth，whichwasconsiderable。\"Andfortherest，madam，andyou，Rotherby，setdoubtsononeside。Yourladyshipsaysthathadmylordhadasonyoumusthaveheardofit。Butmylord，madam，neverknewhehadason。Tellme-canyourecallthedate，themonthatleast，inwhichmylordreturnedtoEngland？\"
\"Ican，sir。ItwasattheendofAprilof\'89。Whatthen？\"
Mr。Caryllproducedthecertificateagain。HebeckonedRotherby，andheldthepaperunderhiseyes。\"Whatdateisthere-thedateofbirth？\"
Rotherbyread：\"ThethirdofJanuaryof1690。\"
Mr。Caryllfoldedthepaperagain。\"Thatwillhelpyourladyshiptounderstandhowitmighthappenthatmylordremainedinignoranceofmybirth。\"Hesighedashereplacedthecaseinhispocket。\"Iwouldhehadknownbeforehedied，\"saidhe，almostasifspeakingtohimself。
Andnowherladyshiplosthertemper。ShesawRotherbywavering，anditangeredher；andangered，shecommittedagraveerror。Wisdomlayinmaintainingtheattitudeofrepudiation；itwouldatleasthaveaffordedsomeexcuseforherandRotherby。Instead，shenowrecklesslyflungoffthatarmor，andwentnakeddownintothefray。
\"Afigfor\'tall！\"shecried，andsnappedherfingers。Shehadrisen，andshetoweredthere，aleanandmalevolentfigure，herhead-dressnoddingfoolishly。\"Whatdoesitmatterthatyoubewhatyouclaimtobe？Isittoweighwithyou，Rotherby？\"
Rotherbyturnedgraveeyesuponher。Hewas，itseemed，notquiterottenthroughandthrough；therewasstillinhim-inthedepthsofhim-acorethatwasinameasuresound；andthatcorewasreached。MostofallhadthestoryweighedwithhimbecauseitaffordedtheonlyexplanationofwhyMr。Caryllhadsparedhislifethatmorningoftheduel。Itwasamatterthathadpuzzledhim，asithadpuzzledallwhohadwitnessedtheaffrontthatledtotheencounter。
Betweenthatandtherest-tosaynothingofthecertificatehehadseen，whichhecouldnotsupposeaforgery-hewasconvincedthatMr。Caryllwasthebrotherthatheclaimedtobe。Hegatheredfromhismother\'ssuddenangerthatshe，too，wasconvinced，inspiteofherself，bytheanswersMr。Caryllhadreturnedtoallherargumentsagainsttheidentityheclaimed。
HehatedMr。Caryllnowhitlessforwhathehadlearnt；ifanything，hehatedhimmore。Andyetasenseofdecencyforbadehimfrompersecutinghimnow，ashehadintended，anddeliveringtothehangman。Fromordinarymurder，onceintheheatofpassion-aswehaveseen-hehadnotshrunk。Butfratricideappeared-suchistheeffectofeducation-afar，fargraverthing，eventhoughitshouldbeindirectfratricideofthesortthathehadcontemplatedbeforelearningthatthismanwashisbrother。
Thereseemedtobeoneoftwoonlycourseslefthim：toprovideMr。Caryllwiththemeansofescape，orelsetowithholdsuchevidenceasheintendedtosupplyagainsthim，andtopersuade-tocompel，ifnecessary-hismothertodothesame。Whenallwassaid，hisinterestsneednotsufferverygreatly。Hispositionwouldnotbequitesostrong，perhaps，ifhebutbetrayedaplotwithoutdeliveringupanyoftheplotters；still，hethought，itshouldbestrongenough。Hisfatherdead，outofconsiderationofthesignalloyaltyhisactmustmanifest，hethoughtthegovernmentwouldprovegratefulandforbearfromprosecutingaclaimforrestitutionagainsttheOstermoreestates。
Hehad，then，allbutresolveduponthecleanercourse，when，suddenly，somethingthatinthestressofthemomenthehadgoneneartooverlooking，wasurgeduponhisattention。
Hortensiahadrisenandhadstartedforwardatherladyship\'slastwords。Shestoodbeforehislordshipnowwithpleadingeyes，andhandsheldout。\"Mylord，\"shecried，\"youcannotdothisthing！Youcannotdoit！\"
Butinsteadofmovinghimtogenerosity，bythoseverywordsshesteeledhisheartagainstit，andprovedtohimthat，afterall，hispotentialitiesforevilwerestrongenoughtoenablehimtodotheverythingshesaidhecouldnot。Hisbrowgrewblackasmidnight；hisdarkeyesrakedherface，andsawtheagonyofapprehensionforherloverwrittenthere。Hedrewbreath，hissingandaudible，glancedonceatCaryll；
then：\"Amoment！\"saidhe。
Hestrodetothedoorandcalledthefootmen，thenturnedagain。
\"Mr。Caryll，\"hesaidinaformalvoice，\"willyougiveyourselfthetroubleofwaitingintheante-room？Ineedtoconsideruponthismatter。\"
Mr。Caryll，conceivingthatitwaswithhismotherthatRotherbyintendedtoconsider，roseinstantly。\"Iwouldremindyou，Rotherby，thattimeispressing，\"saidhe。
\"Ishallnotkeepyoulong，\"wasRotherby\'scoldreply，andMr。Caryllwentout。
\"Whatnow，Charles？\"askedhismother。\"Isthischildtoremain？\"
\"Itisthechildthatistoremain，\"saidhislordship。\"Willyourladyshipdomethehonor，too，ofwaitingintheante-room？\"andheheldthedoorforher。
\"Whatfollyareyouconsidering？\"sheasked。
\"Yourladyshipiswastingtime，andtime，asMr。Caryllhassaid，ispressing。\"
Shecrossedtothedoor，controlledalmostdespiteherselfbythecalmairofpurposethatwasinvestinghim。\"Youarenotthinkingof-\"
\"YoushalllearnverysoonofwhatIamthinking，ma\'am。I
begthatyouwillgiveusleave。\"
Shepausedalmostuponthethreshold。\"Ifyoudoarashness，here，rememberthatIcanstillactwithoutyou，\"sheremindedhim。\"Youmaychoosetobelievethatthatmanisyourbrother，andso，outofthat，and\"-sheaddedwithacruelsneeratHortensia-otherconsiderations，youmayelecttolethimgo。Butrememberthatyoustillhavemetoreckonwith。Whetherheproveofyourbloodornot，hecannotprovehimselfofmine-thankGod！\"
Hislordshipbowedinsilence，preservinganunmovedcountenance，whereuponshecursedhimforafool，andpassedout。Heclosedthedoor，andturnedthekey，Hortensiawatchinghiminasortofhorror。\"Letmego！\"shefoundvoicetocryatlast，andadvancedtowardsthedoorherself。
ButRotherbycametomeether，hisfacewhite，hiseyesglowing。Shefellawaybeforehisopeningarms，andhestoodstill，masteringhimself。
\"Thatman，\"hesaid，jerkingabackwardthumbatthecloseddoor，\"livesordies，goesfreeorhangs，asyoushalldecide，Hortensia。\"
Shelookedathim，herfacehaggard，herheartbeatinghighinherthroatasiftosuffocateher。\"Whatdoyoumean？\"sheasked。
\"Youlovehim！\"hegrowled。\"Pah！Iseeitinyoureyes-inyourtremors-thatyoudo。Itisforhimthatyouareafraid，is\'tnot？\"
\"Whydoyoumockmewithit？\"sheinquiredwithdignity。
\"Idonotmockyou，Hortensia。Answerme！Isittruethatyoulovehim？\"
\"Itistrue，\"sheansweredsteadily。\"Whatis\'ttoyou？\"
\"Everything！\"heansweredhotly。\"Everything！ItisHeavenandHelltome。Tendaysago，Hortensia，Iaskedyoutomarryme-\"
\"Nomore，\"shebeggedhim，anarmthrownouttostayhim。
\"Butthereismore，\"heanswered，advancingagain。\"ThistimeIcanmaketheoffermoreattractive。Marryme，andCaryllisnotonlyfreetodepart，butnoevidenceshallbelaidagainsthim。IswearitlRefuseme，andhehangsassurely-assurelyasyouandI
talktogetherherethismoment。\"
Coldeyesscathedhimwithcontempt。\"God！\"shecried。\"Whatmannerofmonsterareyou，mylord？Tospeakso-tospeakofmarriagetome，andtospeakofhangingamanwhoissontothatsamefatherofyourswholiesabovestairs，notyetturnedcold。Areyouhumanatall？\"
\"Ay-andinnothingsohumanasinmyloveforyou，Hortensia。\"
Sheputherhandstoherface。\"Givemepatience！\"sheprayed。\"Theinsultofitafterwhathaspassed！Letmego，sir；openthatdoor，andletmego。\"
Hestoodregardingheramoment，withloweringbrows。Thenheturned，andwentslowlytothedoor。\"Hedies，remember！\"
saidhe，andthewords，thesinistertoneandthesinisterlookthatwasstampeduponhisface，shatteredherspiritasatablow。
\"No，no！\"shefaltered，andadvancedasteportwo。\"Oh，havepity！\"
\"Whenyoushowmepity，\"heanswered。
Shewasbeaten。\"You-yousweartolethimgo-toseehimsafelyoutofEngland-if-ifIconsent？\"
Hiseyesblazed。Hecamebackswiftly，andshestood，afrozenthing，passivelyawaitinghim；afrozenthing，shelethimtakeherinhisarms，yieldingherselfinhorrificsurrender。
Heheldhercloseamoment，thebloodsurgingtohisface，andglowingdarklythroughtheswarthyskin。\"HaveIconquered，then？\"hecried。\"You\'llmarryme，Hortensia？\"
\"Atthatprice，\"sheansweredpiteously，\"atthatprice。\"
\"Shaltfindmeagentle，lovinghusband，ever。IswearitbeforeHeaven！\"hevowed，theardorofhispassionsofteninghisnature，assteelissoftenedinthefire。
\"Thenbeitso，\"shesaid，andhertonewaslesscold，forshebegantoglow，asitwere，withtheardorofthesacrificethatshewasmaking-begantoexperiencetheexaltedecstasyofmartyrdom。\"Savehim，andyoushallfindmeeveradutifulwifetoyou，mylord-adutifulwife。\"
\"Andloving？\"hedemandedgreedily。
\"Eventhat。Ipromiseit，\"sheanswered。
Withahoarsecry，hestoopedtokissher；then，with，anoath，hechecked，andflungherfromhimsoviolentlythatshehurtledtoachairandsanktoit，overbalanced。\"No，\"heroared，likeamadthingnow。\"Hellanddamnation-no！\"
Awildfrenzyofjealousyhadsweptasidehistenderness。Hewassickandfaintwiththepassionofitofthisproofofhowdeeplyshemustlovethatotherman。Hestrovetocontrolhisviolence。Hesnarledather，inhisendeavorstosubduetheanimal，theprimitivecreaturethathewasatheart。\"Ifyoucanlovehimsomuchasthat，hehadbetterhang，Ithink。\"
Helaughedonahigh，fiercenote。\"Youhavespokehissentence，girl！D\'yethinkI\'dtakeyouso-atsecondhand？
Oh，s\'death！Whatd\'yedeemme？\"
Helaughedagain-inhisthroatnow，aquivering；half-
sobbinglaughofanger-andcrossedtothedoor，hereyesfollowinghim，terrified；hermindunderstandingnothingofthissavage。Heturnedthekey，andflungwidethedoorwithaviolentgesture。\"Bringhimin！\"heshouted。
Theyentered-Mr。Caryllwiththefootmenathisheels，afrownbetweenhisbrows，hiseyesglancingquicklyandsearchinglyfromRotherbytoHortensia。Afterhimcameherladyship，nolessinquisitiveoflook。Rotherbydismissedthelackeys，andclosedthedooragain。HeflungoutanarmtoindicateHortensia。
\"Thislittlefool，\"hesaidtoCaryll，\"wouldhavemarriedmetosaveyourlife。\"
Mr。Caryllraisedhisbrows。Thewordsrelievedhisfears。
\"Iamglad，sir，thatyouperceiveshewouldhavebeenafooltodoso。You，Itakeit，havebeenfoolenoughtorefusetheoffer。\"
\"Yes，youdamnedplay-actor！Yes！\"hethundered。\"D\'yethinkIwantanotherman\'scast-offs？\"
\"Thatisanoverstatement，\"saidMr。Caryll。\"MistressWinthropisnocast-offofmine。\"
\"Enoughsaid！\"snappedRotherby。Hehadintendedtosaymuch，todosomemightyranting。ButbeforeMr。Caryll\'scoldhalf-banteringreductionoffactstotheirtruevalues，hefelthimselfrobbedofwords。\"Youhang！\"heendedshortly。
\"Ye\'resureofthat？\"questionedMr。Caryll。
\"IwouldIwereassureofHeaven。\"
\"Ithinkyoumaybe-justaboutassure，\"Mr。Caryllrejoined，entirelyunperturbed，andhesaunteredforwardtowardsHortensia。Rotherbyandhismotherwatchedhim，exchangingglances。
ThenRotherbyshruggedandsneered。\"\'Tishisbluster，\"saidhe。\"He\'llbeafarceurtotheend。Idoubthe\'shalf-witted。\"
Mr。Caryllneverheededhim。HewasbendingbesideHortensia。
Hetookherhand，andboreittohislips。\"Sweet，\"hemurmured，\"\'twasatreasonthatyouintended。Haveyou，then，nofaithinme？Courage，sweetheart，theycannothurtme。\"
Sheclutchedhishands，andlookedupintohiseyes。\"Youbutsaythattocomfortme！\"shecried。
\"Notso，\"heansweredgravely。\"Itellyounomorethanwhatistrue。Theythinktheyholdme。Theywillcheat，andlieandswearfalselytotheendthattheymaydestroyme。Buttheyshallhavetheirpainsfornothing。\"
\"Ay-dependuponthat，\"Rotherbymockedhim。\"Dependuponit-tothegallows。\"
MrCaryll\'scuriouseyessmileduponhisbrother，buthislipswerecontemptuous。\"Iamofyourownblood，Rotherby-yourbrother，\"hesaidagain，\"andoncealreadyoutofthatconsiderationIhavesparedyourlife-becauseIwouldnothaveabrother\'sblooduponmyhands。\"Hesighed，andcontinued：\"Ihadhopedthatyouhadenoughhumanitytodothesame。Ideplorethatyoushouldlackit；butIdeploreitforyourownsake，because，afterall，youaremybrother。Apartfromthat，itmattersnothingtome。\"
\"WillitmatternothingwhenyouareprovedaJacobitespy？\"
criedherladyship，enragedbeyondendurancebythiscalmscornofthem。\"Willitmatternothingwhenitisprovedthatyoucarriedthatletter，andwouldhavecarriedthatother-
thatyouwereempoweredtotreatinyourexiledmaster\'sname？
Willthatmatternothing？\"
Helookedatheraninstant，then，asifutterlydisdainingtoanswerher，heturnedagaintoRotherby。\"Iwereafoolandblind，didInotseetothebottomofthisturbidlittlepuddleuponwhichyouthinktofloatyourargosies。Youaresellingme。Youaretomakeabargainwiththegovernmenttoforbeartheconfiscationsyourfatherhasincurredoutofconsiderationoftheserviceyoucanrenderbydisclosingthisplot，andyouwouldthrowmeinassomethingtangible-inearnestoftheothersthatmayfollow。HaveIsoundedthedepthsofyourintent？\"
\"Andifyouhave-whatthen？\"demandedsullenRotherby。
\"This，mylord，\"answeredMr。Caryll，andhequoted：\"`Themanthatoncedidsellthelion\'sskinwhilethebeastlived，waskilledwithhuntinghim。Rememberthat！\"\'
Theylookedathim，impressedbytheringingvoiceinwhichhehadspoken-avoiceinwhichtheringwasofmingledmockeryandexultation。Thenherladyshipshookofftheimpression，andlaughed。
\"Withwhatd\'yethreatenus？\"sheaskedcontemptuously。
\"I-threaten，ma\'am？Nay，Iamincapableofthreatening。I
donotthreaten。Ihavereasonedwithyou，exhortedyou，shownyoucausewhy，hadyouonesparkofdecencyleft，youwouldallowmetodepartandshieldmefromthelawyouhaveinvokedtoruinme。Ihavehopedforyourownsakesthatyouwouldbemovedsotodo。Butsinceyouwillnot-\"Hepausedandshrugged。\"Onyourownheadsbeit。\"
\"`Onourownheadsbewhat？\"demandedRotherby。
ButMr。Caryllsmiled，andshookhishead。\"Didyouknowall，itmightindeedinfluenceyourdecision；andIwouldnothavethathappen。Youhavechosen，haveyounot，Rotherby？Youwillsellme；youwillhangme-me，yourfather\'sson。PoorRotherby！FrommysoulIpityyou！\"
\"Pityme？Death！Youimpudentrogue！Keepyourpityforthosethatneedit。\"
\"ThatiswhyIofferityou，Rotherby，\"saidMr。Caryll，almostsadly。\"Inallmylife，Ihavenotmetamanwhostoodmoresorelyinneedofit，noramIeverliketomeetanother。\"
Therewasamovementwithout，atapatthedoor；andHumphriesenteredtoannounceMr。Green\'sreturn，accompaniedbyMr。
SecondSecretaryTempleton，andwithoutwaitingformore，heusheredthemintotheroom。
CHAPTERXXII
THEHUNTERS
Totheamazementofthemall，thereenteredatallgentlemaninafull-bottomedwig，withalong，paleface，aresolutemouth，andapairofeyesthatwerekeen，yetkindly。CloseupontheheelsofthesecondsecretarycameMr。Green。
Humphrieswithdrew，andclosedthedoor。
Mr。Templetonmadeherladyshipalowbow。
\"Madam，\"saidheverygravely，\"Iofferyourladyship-andyou，mylord-myprofoundestcondolenceinthebereavementyouhavesuffered，andmyscarcelylessprofoundexcusesforthisintrusionuponyourgrief。\"
Mr。Templetonmayormaynothavereflectedthatthegriefuponwhichhedeploredhisintrusionwasnonesoapparent。
\"Ihadnotventuredtodoso，\"hecontinued，\"butthatyourlordshipseemedtoinvitemypresence。\"
\"Invitedit，sir？\"questionedRotherbywithdeference。\"I
shouldscarcelyhavepresumedsofarastoinviteit。\"
\"Notdirectly，perhaps，\"returnedthesecondsecretary。Hiswasadeep，richvoice，andhespokewithgreatdeliberateness，asifconsideringwelleachwordbeforeallowingitutterance。\"Notdirectly，perhaps；butinviewofyourmessagetoLordCarteret，hislordshiphasdesiredmetocomeinpersontoinquireintothismatterforhim，beforeproceedingfarther。Thisfellow，\"indicatingGreen，\"broughtinformationfromyouthataJacobite-anagentofJamesStuart-isbeingdetainedhere，andthatyourlordshiphasacommunicationtomaketothesecretaryofstate。\"
Rotherbybowedhisassent。\"AllIdesiredthatMr。Greenshoulddomeanwhile，\"saidhe，\"wastoprocureawarrantforthisman\'sarrest。Myrevelationswouldhavefollowedthat。
Hashethewarrant？\"
\"Yourlordshipmaynotbeaware，\"saidMr。Templeton，withanincreasedprecisionofdiction，\"thatoflatesomanyplotshavebeendisclosedandhaveprovedintheendtobenoplotsatall，thathislordshiphasresolvedtoproceednowwiththeextremestcaution。Foritisnothelddesirablebyhismajestythatpublicityshouldbegiventosuchmattersuntiltherecanbenodoubtthattheyaresusceptibletoproof。
Talkofthemisdisturbingtothepublicquiet，andthereisalreadydisturbanceenough，asitunfortunatelyhappens。
Therefore，itisdeemedexpedientthatweshouldmakequitesureofourgroundbeforeproceedingtoarrests。\"
\"Butthisplotisnoshamplot，\"criedRotherby，withthefaintestshowofheat，outofpatiencewiththeother\'sdeliberateness。\"Itisaveryrealdanger，asIcanprovetohislordship。\"
\"Itisforthepurposeofascertainingthatfact，\"resumedthesecondsecretary，entirelyunruffled，\"forthepurposeofascertainingitbeforetakinganystepsthatwouldseemtoacknowledgeit，thatmyLordCarterethasdesiredmetowaituponyou-thatyoumayplacemeinpossessionofthecircumstancesthathavecometoyourknowledge。\"
Rotherby\'scountenancebetrayedhisgrowingimpatience。\"Why，forthatmatter，ithascometomyknowledgethataplotisbeinghatchedbythefriendsoftheStuart，andthatarisingisbeingprepared，thepresentmomentbeingconsideredauspicious，whilethepeople\'sconfidenceinthegovernmentisshakenbythelateSouthSeaCompanydisaster。\"
Mr。Templetonwaggedhisheadgently。\"That，sir-ifyouwillpermittheobservation-istheprefaceofallthedisclosuresthathavelatelybeenmadetous。Theconsolation，sir，forhismajesty\'sfriends，hasbeenthatinnocasedidthesubsequentmattermakethatprefacegood。\"
\"Itisinthatparticular，then，thatmydisclosuresshalldifferfromthoseothers，\"saidRotherby，inatonethatcausedMr。Templetonafterwardstodescribehimas\"adamnedhotfellow。\"
\"Youhaveevidence？\"
\"Documentaryevidence。AletterfromthePretenderhimselfamongstit。\"
AbecominggravityoverspreadMr。Templeton\'sclear-cutface。
\"Thatwouldbeindeedregrettable，\"saidhe。Itwasplainthatwhateverthesecondsecretarymightdisplaywhentheplotwasdisclosedtohim，hewoulddisplaynoneofthatsatisfactionuponwhichRotherbyhadcounted。\"Towhom，sir，letmeask，isthisletterindited？\"
\"Tomylatefather，\"answeredhislordship。
Mr。Templetonmadeanexclamation，whosesignificancewasnotquiteclear。
\"Ihavediscovereditsincehisdeath，\"continuedRotherby。
\"IwasbutintimetowrestitfromthehandsofthatspyofthePretender\'s，whowasintheactofdestroyingitwhenI
caughthim。Mydevotiontohismajestymademycourseclear，sir-andIdesiredMr。Greentoprocureawarrantforthistraitor\'sarrest。\"
\"Sir，\"saidMr。Templeton，regardinghimwithaneyeinwhichastonishmentwasblentwithadmiration，\"thisisveryloyalinyou-veryloyalunderthe-ah-peculiarcircumstancesoftheaffair。Idonotthinkthathismajesty\'sgovernment，consideringtowhomthisletterwasaddressed，couldhavecensuredyouevenhadyousuppressedit。Youhaveconductedyourself，mylord-ifImayventureuponacriticismofyourlordship\'sconduct-withapatriotismworthyofthebestmodelsofancientRome。AndIamassuredthathismajesty\'sgovernmentwillnotberemissinsignifyingappreciationofthisveryloftyloyaltyofyours。\"
LordRotherbybowedlow，inacknowledgmentofthecompliment。
Herladyshipconcealedacynicalsmileundercoverofherfan。
Mr。Caryll-standinginthebackgroundbesideHortensia\'schair-smiled，too，andpoorHortensia，detectinghissmile，soughttotakecomfortinit。
\"Myson，\"interposedthecountess，\"is，Iamsure，gratifiedtohearyousocommendhisconduct。\"
Mr。Templetonbowedtoherwithagreatpoliteness。\"Ishouldbeastone，ma\'am，didInotsignifymy-ah-appreciationofit。\"
\"Thereisalittlemoretofollow，sir，\"putinMr。Caryll，inthatquietmannerofhis。\"Ithinkyouwillfinditblunttheedgeofhislordship\'sloftyloyalty-causeittosavorlesslikethepatriotismofRome，andmorelikethatofIsrael。\"
Mr。Templetonturneduponhimafaceofcolddispleasure。Hewouldhavespoken，butthatwhilsthewasseekingwordsofabecominggravity，Rotherbyforestalledhim。
\"Sir，\"heexclaimed，\"whatIdid，Ididthoughmyruinmusthavefollowed。Iknowwhatthistraitorhasinmind。HeimaginesIhaveabargaintomake。Butyoumustsee，sir，thatinnosenseisitso，for，havingalreadysurrenderedthefacts，itistoolatenowtoattempttosellthem。IamreadytoyieldupthelettersthatIhavefound。Noconsiderationcouldinducemetodoother；andyet，sir，Iventuretohopethatinreturn，thegovernmentwillbepleasedtoseethatI
havesomeclaimuponmycountry\'srecognitionforthesignalserviceIamrenderingher-andinrenderingwhichImakeaholocaustofmyfather\'shonor。\"
\"Surely，surely，sir，\"murmuredMr。Templeton，buthiscountenancetoldofalesseningenthusiasminhislordship\'sRomanpatriotism。\"LordCarteret，Iamsure，wouldneverpermitsomuch-ah-devotiontohismajestytogounrewarded。\"
\"Ionlyask，sir-andIaskitforthesakeofmyfather\'sname，whichstandsinunavoidabledangerofbeingsmirched-
thatnofurthershamebeheapeduponitthanthatwhichmustresultfromthehorrorwithwhichthediscoveryofthisplotwillinspireallright-thinkingsubjects。\"
Mr。Caryllsmiledandnodded。Hejudgedinadetachedspirit-amerespectatorataplay-andhewasforcedtoadmittohimselfthatitwassubtlydoneofhisbrother，andshowedanastutenessinthisthing，atleast，ofwhichhehadneversupposedhimcapable。
\"Thereis，sir，\"Rotherbyproceeded，\"thematterofmyfather\'sdealingswiththeSouthSeaCompany。Heisnolongeralivetodefendhimselffromtheaccusations-fromtheimpeachmentwhichhasbeenlevelledagainsthimbyourenemy，theDukeofWharton。Therefore，itmightbepossibletomakeitappearasifhisdealingswere-ah-not-ah-quitesuchasshouldbefitanuprightgentleman。Thereisthat，andthereisthisgreatermatteragainsthim。Betweenthetwo，I
shouldneveragainbeabletolookmyfellow-countrymenintheface。Yetthisisthemoreimportantsincethesafetyofthekingdomisinvolved；whilsttheotherisbutapersonalaffair，andtrivialbycomparison。
\"Iwillbeg，sir，thatoutofconsiderationformydisclosingthisdastardlyconspiracy-whichIcannotdowithoutdisclosingmyfather\'smisguidedshareinit-Iwillimplore，sir，thatoutofthatconsideration，LordCarteretwillseefittodisposethattheSouthSeaCompanyaffairisallowedtobeforgotten。Ithasalreadybeenpaidforbymyfatherwithhislife。\"
Mr。Templetonlookedattheyoungmanbeforehimwitheyesofrealcommiseration。Hewasentirelyduped，andinhisheartheregrettedthatforamomenthecouldhavedoubtedRotherby\'sintegrityofpurpose。
\"Sir，\"hesaid，\"Iofferyoumysympathy-myprofoundestsympathy；andyou，mylady。
\"AsforthisSouthSeaCompanyaffair，well-IamempoweredbyLordCarterettotreatonlyoftheothermatter，andtoissueornotawarrantfortheapprehensionofthepersonyouaredetaining，afterIhaveinvestigatedthegroundsuponwhichhisarrestisurged。Nevertheless，sir，IthinkIcansay-indeed，IthinkIcanpromise-thatinconsiderationofyourreadinesstodeliveruptheseletters，andprovidedtheirnatureisasseriousasyourepresent，andalsoinconsiderationofthis，yourmostsignalproofofloyalty，LordCarteretwillnotwishtoincreasetheloadwhichalreadyyouhavetobear。\"
\"Oh，sir！\"criedRotherbyinthedeepestemotion，\"Ihavenowordsinwhichtoexpressmythanks。\"
\"NorI，\"putinMr。Caryll，\"wordsinwhichtoexpressmyadmiration。Amostexcellentperformance，Rotherby。Ihadnotcreditedyouwithsomuchability。\"
Mr。Templetonfrowneduponhimagain。\"Yebetrayasingularcallousness，sir，\"saidhe。
\"Nay，sir；notcallousness。Merelytheeasethatspringsfromatranquilconscience。\"
Herladyshipglancedacrossathim，andsneeredaudibly。\"Youhearthepoisonoustraitor，sir。Hegloriesinatranquilconscience，inspiteofthismurderousmattertowhichhestoodcommitted。\"
Rotherbyturnedasidetotakethelettersfromthedesk。HethrustthemintoMr。Templeton\'shands。\"Here，sir，isaletterfromKingJamestomyfather，andhereisaletterfrommyfathertoKingJames。Fromtheircontents，youwillgatherhowfaradvancedarematters，whatdevilriesarebeinghatchedhereinhismajesty\'sdominions。\"
Mr。Templetonreceivedthem，andcrossedtothewindowthathemightexaminethem。Hiscountenancelengthened。Rotherbytookhisstandbesidehismother\'schair，bothobservingMr。
Caryll，who，inhisturn，wasobservingMr。Templeton，afaintsmileplayingroundthecornersofhismouth。OncetheysawhimstoopandwhispersomethinginHortensia\'sear，andtheycaughttheupwardglanceofhereyes，halffear，halfquestion。
Mr。Green，bythedoor，stoodturninghishatinhishands，furtivelywatchingeverybody，whilstdrawingnoattentiontohimself-amatterinwhichmuchpracticehadmadehimperfect。
AtlastTempletonturned，foldingtheletters。\"Thisisverygrave，mylord，\"saidhe，\"andmyLordCarteretwillnodoubtdesiretoexpressinpersonhisgratitudeandhisdeepsenseoftheserviceyouhavedonehim。Ithinkyoumayconfidentlyexpecttofindhimasgenerousasyouhope。\"
Hepocketedtheletters，andraisedahandtopointatMr。
Caryll。\"Thisman？\"heinquiredlaconically。
\"IsaspyofKingJames\'s。HeisthemessengerwhoboremyfatherthatletterfromthePretender，andhewouldnodoubthavecarriedbacktheanswerhadmyfatherlived。\"
Mr。Templetondrewapaperfromhispocket，andcrossedtothedesk。Hesatdown，andtookupaquill。\"Youcanprovethis，ofcourse？\"hesaid，testingthepointofhisquilluponhisthumb-nail。
\"Abundantly，\"wasthereadyanswer。\"Mymothercanbearwitnesstothefactthat\'twashebroughtthePretender\'sletter，andthereisnolackofcorroboration。Enough，I
think，wouldbeaffordedbytheassaultmadebythisrogueuponMr。Green，ofwhich，nodoubt，youarealreadyinformed，sir。Hisobject-thisprovedobject-wastopossesshimselfofthosepapersthathemightdestroythem。Ibutcaughthimintime，asmyservantscanbearwitness，astheycanalsobearwitnesstothecircumstancethatwewerecompelledtoforceanentrancehere，andtouseforcetohimtoobtainthelettersfromhim。\"
Mr。Templetonnodded。\"\'Tisaclearcase，then，\"saidhe，anddippedhispen。
\"Andyet，\"putinMr。Caryll，inanindolent，musingvoice，\"itmightbemadetolookasclearanotherway。\"
Mr。Templetonscowledathim。\"Theopportunityshallbeaffordedyou，\"saidhe。\"Meanwhile-whatisyourname？\"
Mr。Carylllookedwhimsicallyatthesecretaryamoment；thenflunghisbomb。\"IamJustinCaryll，SixthEarlofOstermore，andyourveryhumbleservant，Mr。Secretary。\"
Theeffectwasludicrous-fromMr。Caryll\'spointofview-
andyetitwasdisappointing。Fivepairsofdilatingeyesconfrontedhim，fivegapingmouths。Thenherladyshipbrokeintoalaugh。
\"Thecreature\'smad-I\'velongsuspectedit。\"Andshemeanttobetakenliterally；hismanywhimsicalitieswereexplainedtoheratlast。Hewas，indeed，half-witted，ashenowproved。
Mr。Templeton，recovering，smotethetableangrily。Hethoughthehadgoodreasontolosehisself-controlonthisoccasion，thoughitwasamatterofpridewithhimthathecouldalwayspreserveanunruffledcalmunderthemosttryingcircumstances。\"Whatisyourname，sir？\"hedemandedagain。
\"Youarehardofhearing，sir，Ithink。IamLordOstermore。
SetdownthatnameinthewarrantifyouaredeterminedtobebubbledbythatfellowthereandmadetolookfoolishafterwardswithmyLordCarteret。\"
Mr。Templetonsatbackinhischair，frowning；butmorefromutterbewildermentnowthananger。
\"Perhaps，\"saidMr。Caryll，\"ifIweretoexplain，itwouldhelpyoutoseetheimposturethatisbeingpracticeduponyou。Asfortheallegationsthathavebeenmadeagainstme-
thatIamaJacobitespyandanagentofthePretender\'s-\"
Heshrugged，andwavedanairyhand。\"Iscarcethinktherewillremaintheneedformetodenythemwhenyouhaveheardtherest。\"
Rotherbytookastepforward，hisfacepurple，hishandsclenched。Herladyshipthrustoutabonyclaw，clutchedathissleeve，anddrewhimbackandintothechairbesideher。
\"Pho！Charles，\"shesaid；\"givethefoolrope，andhe\'llhanghimself，neverdoubtit-thepoor，witlesscreature。\"
Mr。Caryllsaunteredovertothesecretaire，andleanedanelbowonthetopofit，facingallintheroom。
\"Iadmit，Mr。Secretary，\"saidhe，\"thatIhadoccasiontoassaultMr。Green，totheendthatImightpossessmyselfofthepapershewasseekinginthisdesk。\"
\"Why，then-\"beganMr。Templeton。
\"Patience，sir！Iadmitsomuch，butIadmitnomore。Idonot，forinstance，admitthattheobject-theobjectitself-
ofmysearchwassuchashasbeenrepresented。\"
\"Whatthen？Whatelse？\"growledRotherby。
\"Ay，sir-whatelse？\"quothMr。Templeton。
\"Sir，\"saidMr。Caryll，withasorrowfulshakeof，thehead，\"Ihavealreadystartledyou，itseems，byonestatement。I
begthatyouwillprepareyourselftobestartledbyanother。\"
Thenheabruptlydroppedhislanguor。\"Ishouldthinktwice，sir，\"headvised，\"beforesigningthatwarrant，wereIinyourplace，todosowouldbetorenderyourselfthetoolofthosewhoareplottingmyruin，andreadytobearfalsewitnessthattheymayaccomplishit。Irefer，\"andhewavedahandtowardsthecountessandhisbrother，\"tothelateLordOstermore\'smistressandhisnaturalson，there。\"
Intheirutterstupefactionattheunexpectednessandseemingwildnessofthestatement，neithermothernorsoncouldfindawordtosay。NomorecouldMr。Templetonforamoment。Then，suddenly，wrathfully：\"Whatareyousaying，sir？\"heroared。
\"Thetruth，sir。\"
\"Thetruth？\"echoedthesecretary。
\"Ay，sir-thetruth。Haveyeneverheardofit？\"
Mr。Templetonsatbackagain。\"Ibegintothink，\"saidhe，surveyingthroughnarrowingeyestheslendergracefulfigurebeforehim，\"thatherladyshipisrightthatyouaremad；
unless-unlessyouaremadofthesamemadnessthatbesetUlysses。Youremember？\"
\"Letushavedone，\"criedRotherbyinaburstofanger，leapingtohisfeet。\"Letushavedone，Isay！ArewetowastethedayuponthisTomo\'Bedlam？WritehimdownasCaryll-JustinCaryll-\'tisthenamehe\'sknownby；andletGreenseetotherest。\"
Mr。Templetonmadeanimpatientsound，andpoisedhispen。
\"Yearenottosuppose，sir，\"Mr。Caryllstayedhim，\"thatI
cannotsupportmystatements。Ihavebymeproofs-
irrefragableproofsofwhatIsay。\"
\"Proofs？\"Thewordseemedtocomefrom，every，memberofthatlittleassembly-ifweexceptMr。Green，whosefacewasbeginningtobetrayhisuneasiness。Hewasnotsoreadyastheotherstobelieve，thatMr。Caryllwasmad。Forhim，thesituationaskedsomeotherexplanation。
\"Ay-proofs，\"saidMr。Caryll。Hehaddrawnthecasefromhispocketagain。Fromthishetookthebirth-certificate，andplaceditbeforeMr。Templeton，\"Willyouglanceatthat，sir-tobegin，with？-\"
Mr。Templetoncomplied。Hisfacebecamemoreandmoregrave。
HelookedatMr。Caryll；thenatRotherby，whowasscowling，andatherladyship，whowasbreathinghard。HisglancereturnedtoMr。Caryll。
\"Youarethepersondesignatedhere？\"heinquired。
\"AsIcanabundantlyprove，\"saidMr。Caryll。\"IhavenolackoffriendsinLondonwhowillbearwitnesstothatmuch。\"
\"Yet，\"saidMr。Templeton，frowning，perplexed，\"thisdoesnotmakeyouwhatyouclaimtobe。Ratherdoesitshowyoutobehislatelordship\'s-\"
\"There\'smoretocome，\"saidMr。Caryll，andplacedanotherdocumentbeforethesecretary。ItwasanextractfromtheregisterofSt。EtienneofMaligny，relatingtohismother\'sdeath。
\"Doyouknow，sir，inwhatyearthisladywentthroughaceremonyofmarriagewithmyfather-thelateLordOstermore？
Itwasin1690，Ithink，astheladywillnodoubtconfirm。\"
\"Towhatpurpose，this？\"quothMr。Templeton。
\"Thepurposewillbepresentlyapparent。Observethatdate，\"
saidMr。Caryll，andhepointedtothedocumentinMr。
Templeton\'shand。
Mr。Templetonreadthedatealoud-\"1692\"-andthenthenameofthedeceased-\"AntoinettedeBeaulieudeMaligny。Whatofit？\"hedemanded。
\"YouwillunderstandthatwhenIshowyouthepaperItookfromthisdesk，thepaperthatIobtainedasaconsequenceofmyviolencetoMr。Green。Ithinkyouwillconsider，sir，thatifevertheendjustifiedthemeans，itdidsointhiscase。Herewassomethingverydifferentfromthepaltrymatteroftreasonthatisallegedagainstme。\"
Andhepassedthesecretaryathirdpaper。
OverMr。Templeton\'sshoulder，Rotherbyandhismother，who-
drawnbytheoverpoweringexcitementthatwasmasteringthem-
hadapproachedinsilence，wereexaminingthedocumentwithwide-open，startledeyes，fearingbyveryinstinct，withoutyetapprehendingthetruenatureoftherevelationthatwastocome。
\"God！\"shriekedherladyship，whotookinthemeaningofthisthingbeforeRotherbyhadbeguntosuspectit。\"\'Tisaforgery！\"
\"Thatwereidle，whentheoriginalentryintheregisteristobeseenin，theChurchofSt。Antoine，madam，\"answeredMr。
Caryll。\"Irescuedthatdocument，togetherwithsomeletterswhichmymotherwrotemyfatherwhenfirsthereturnedtoEngland-andwhicharesuperfluousnow-fromasecretdrawerinthatdesk，anhourago。\"
\"Butwhatisit？\"inquiredRotherbyhuskily。\"Whatisit？\"
\"Itisthecertificateofthemarriageofmyfather，thelateLordOstermore，andmymother，AntoinettedeMaligny，attheChurchofSt。AntoineinParis，intheyear1689。\"HeturnedtoMr。Templeton。\"Youapprehendthematter，sir？\"hedemanded，andrecapitulated。\"In1689theyweremarried；in1692shedied；yetin1690hislordshipwentthroughaformofmarriagewithMistressSylviaEtheridge，there。\"
Mr。Templetonnoddedverygravely，hiseyesuponthedocumentbeforehim，thattheymightavoidmeetingatthatmomenttheeyesofthewomanwhomtheworldhadalwaysknownastheCountessofOstermore。
\"Fortunateisitforme，\"saidMr。Caryll，\"thatIshouldhavepossessedmyselfoftheseproofsintime。Doesitneedmoretoshowhowurgentmightbetheneedformysuppression-howlittlefaithcanbeattachedtoanaccusationlevelledagainstmefromsuchaquarter？\"
\"ByGod-\"beganRotherby，buthismotherclutchedhiswrist。
\"Bestill，fool！\"shehissedinhisear。Shehadneedtokeepherwitsabouther，tothink，toweigheachwordthatshemightutter。Anabysshadopenedinherpath；afalsestep，andsheandhersonwereirrevocablylost-sentheadlongtodestruction。Rotherby，alreadyreducedtothelaststageoffear，wasobedientashehadneverbeen，andfellsilentinstantly。
Mr。Templetonfoldedthepapers，rose，andprofferedthemtotheirowner。\"Haveyouanymeansofprovingthatthiswasthedocumentyousought？\"heinquired。
\"Icanprovethatitwasthedocumenthefound。\"ItwasHortensiawhospoke；shehadadvancedtoherlover\'sside，andshecontrolledheramazementtobearwitnessforhim。\"Iwaspresentinthisroomwhenhewentthroughthatdesk，asallinthehouseknow；andIcansweartohishavingfoundthatpaperinit。\"
Mr。Templetonbowed。\"Mylord，\"hesaidtoCaryll，\"yourcontentionsappearclear。ItisamatterinwhichIfearI
cangonofurther；nordoInowthinkthatthesecretaryofstatewouldapproveofmyissuingawarrantuponsuchtestimonyaswehavereceived。ThematterisoneforLordCarterethimself。\"
\"Ishalldomyselfthehonorofwaitinguponhislordshipwithinthehour，\"saidthenewLordOstermore。\"AsfortheletterwhichitisallegedIbroughtfromFrance-fromthePretender，\"-hewassmilingnow，aregretful，deprecatorysmile，\"itisafortunatecircumstancethat，beingsuspectedbythatverymanGreen，whostandsyonder，Iwassubjected，uponmyarrivalinEngland，toathoroughsearchatMaidstone-asearch，itgoeswithoutsaying，thatyieldednothing。I
wasangryatthetime，attheindignityIwasforcedtoendure。Welittleknowwhatthefuturemayhold。Andto-dayIamthankfultohavethatevidencetorebutthischarge。\"
\"Yourlordshipisindeedtobecongratulated，\"Mr。Templetonagreed。\"Youarethusinapositiontoclearyourselfofevenashadowofsuspicion。\"
\"Youfool！\"criedshewhountilthathourhadbeenCountessofOstermore，turningfiercelyuponMr。Templeton。\"Youfool！\"
\"Madam，thisisnotseemly，\"criedthesecondsecretary，withawkwarddignity。
\"Seemly，idiot？\"shestormedathim。\"Iswear，asI\'veasoultobesaved，thatinspiteofallthis，IknowthatmantobeatraitorandaJacobite-thatitwastheletterfromthekinghesought，whateverhemaypretendtohavefound。\"
Mr。Templetonlookedatherinsorrow，forallthatinheroverwroughtconditionsheinsultedhim。\"Madam，youmightswearandswear，andyetnoonewouldbelieveyouinthefaceofthefactsthathavecometolight。\"
\"Doyoubelieveme？\"shedemandedangrily。
\"Mybeliefscanmatternothing，\"hecompromised，andmadeheravaledictorybow。\"Yourservant，ma\'am，\"saidhe，fromforceofhabit。HenoddedtoRotherby，tookuphishatandcane，andstrodetothedoor，whichMr。Greenhadmadehastetoopenforhim。FromthethresholdhebowedtoMr。Caryll。\"Mylord，\"saidhe，\"IshallgostraighttoLordCarteret。Hewillstayforyoutillyoucome。\"
\"Ishallnotkeephislordshipwaiting，\"answeredCaryll，andbowedinhisturn。
Thesecondsecretarywentout。Mr。Greenhesitatedamoment，thenabruptlyfollowedhim。Thegamewasendedhere；itwasplayedandlost，hesaw，andwhatshouldsuchasMr。Greenbedoingonthelosingside？
CHAPTERXXIII
THELION
Thegamewasplayedandlost。Allrealizedit，andnonesokeenlyasHortensia，whofounditinhergentlehearttopitythewomanwhohadnevershownherakindness。
Shesetahanduponherlover\'sarm。\"Whatwillyoudo，Justin？\"sheinquiredintonesthatseemedtopleadformercyforthoseothers；forshehadnotpausedtothink-asanothermighthavethought-thattherewasnomercyhecouldshowthem。
Rotherbyandhismotherstoodhandinhand；itwasthewomanwhohadclutchedathersonforcomfortandsupportinthisbitterhourofretribution，thishouroftherecoiluponthemselvesofalltheeviltheyhadplotted。
Mr。Caryllconsideredthemamoment，hisfaceamask，hismindentirelydetached。Theyinterestedhimprofoundly。Thissubjugationoftwonaturesthatinthemselveswerearrogantandcruelwasaprocessveryengrossingtoobserve。Hetriedtoconjecturewhattheyfelt，whatthoughtstheymightbeharboring。Anditseemedtohimthatasortofparalysishadfallenontheirwits。Theywerestunnedundertheshockoftheblowhehaddealtthem。Anontherewouldberailingsandtospare-againsthim，againstthemselves，againstthedeadmanabovestairs，againstFate，andmorebesides。Forthepresenttherewasthishorrid，almostvacuouscalm。
Presentlythewomanstirred。Instinct-theinstinctofthestrickenbeasttocreeptohiding-movedher，whilereasonwasstillboundinlethargy。Shemovedtostep，drawingatherson\'shand。\"Come，Charles，\"shesaid，inalow，hoarsevoice。\"Come！\"
Thetouchandthespeechawakenedhimtolife。\"No！\"hecriedharshly，andshookhishandfreeofhers。\"Itendsnotthus。\"
Helookedalmostashewouldflinghimselfuponhisbrother，hisfigureerectnow，defiantandmenacing；hisfaceashen，hiseyeswild。\"Itendsnotthus！\"herepeated，andhisvoicerangsinister。
\"No，\"Mr。Caryllagreedquietly。\"Itendsnotthus。\"
Helookedsadlyfromsontomother。\"Ithadnotevenbegunthus，butthatyouwouldhaveitso。Youwouldhaveit。I
soughttomoveyoutomercy。Iremindedyou，mybrother，ofthetiethatboundus，andIwouldhaveturnedyoufromfratricide，Iwouldhavesavedyoufromthecrimeyoumeditated-foritwasacrime。\"
\"Fratricide！\"exclaimedRotherby，andlaughedangrily。
\"Fratricide！\"Itwasasifhethreatenedit。
ButMr。Caryllcontinuedtoregardhimsorrowfully。Fromhissoulhepitiedhim；pitiedthemboth-notbecauseoftheircondition，butbecauseofthesoullessnessbehinditall。Tohimitwastrulytragic，tragicbeyondanythingthathehadeverknown。
\"Yousaidsomefinethings，sir，toMr。Templetonofyourregardforyourfather\'smemory，\"saidMr。Caryll。\"Youexpressedsomeloftysentimentsoffilialpiety，whichalmostsoundedtrue-whichsoundedtrue，indeed，toMr。Templeton。
ItwasoutofinterestforyourfatherthatyoupleadedforthesuppressionofhisdealingswiththeSouthSeaCompany；
notforamomentdidyouconsideryourselfortheprofityoushouldmakefromsuchsuppression。\"
\"Whythis？\"demandedthemotherfiercely。\"Doyourallyus？
Doyouturntheswordinthewoundnowthatyouhaveusatyourmercy-nowthatwearefallen？\"
\"Fromwhatareyoufallen？\"Mr。Caryllinquired。\"Ah，butletthatpass。Idonotrally，madam。Mockeryisfarindeedfrommyintention。\"HeturnedagaintoRotherby。\"LordOstermorewasafathertoyou，whichheneverwastome-knewnotthathewas。ThesentimentsyousobeautifullyexpressedtoMr。
Templetonarethesentimentsthatactuatemenow，thoughI
shallmakenoattempttoexpressthem。ItisnotthatmyheartstirsmuchwheremyLordOstermoreisconcerned。Andyet，forthesakeofthenamethatisminenow，IshallleaveEnglandasIcame-Mr。JustinCaryll，neithermorenorless。
\"Intheeyesoftheworldthereisnosluruponmymother\'sname，becauseherhistory-hersupposedhistory-wasunknown。Seethatnoneeverfallsonit，elseshallyoufindmepitilessindeed。Seethatnoneeverfallsonit，orI
shallreturnanddrivehomethelessonthat，likeAntinous，you\'velearnt-that\'twixtthecupandlipmuchillmaygrow\'-
andturnyou，nakeduponacontemptuousworld。Needsmorebesaid？Youunderstand，Ithink。\"
Rotherbyunderstoodnothing。Buthismother\'skeenerwitsbegantoperceiveaglimmerofthetruth。\"Doyoumeanthat-
thatweareto-toremaininthestationthatwebelievedourown？\"
\"Whatelse？\"
Shestaredathim。Herewasagenerositysoweak，itseemedtoher，asalmosttoprovokeherscorn。\"Youwillleaveyourbrotherinpossessionofthetitleandwhatelsetheremaybe？\"
\"Youthinkmegenerous，madam，\"saidhe。\"Donotmisapprehendme。Iamnot。IcovetneitherthetitlenorestatesofOstermore。Theirpossessionwouldbeathorninmyflesh，athornofbittermemory。Thatisonereasonwhyyoushouldnotthinkmegenerous，thoughitisnotthereasonwhyIcedethem。Iwouldhaveyouunderstandmeonthis，perhapsthelasttime，thatwemaymeet。
\"LordOstermore，myfather，marriedyou，madam，ingoodfaith。\"
Sheinterruptedharshly。\"Whatis\'tyousay？\"shealmostscreamed，quiveringwithrageattheverythoughtofwhatherdeadlordhaddone。
\"Hemarriedyouingoodfaith，\"Mr。Caryllrepeatedquietly，impressively。\"Iwillmakeitplaintoyou。Hemarriedyoubelievingthatthegirl-wifehehadleftinFrancewasdead。
Forfearitshouldcometohisfather\'sknowledge，hekeptthatmarriagesecretfromall。Hedurstnotownhismarriagetohisfather。
Hewasnot-asyoumayhaveappreciatedintheyearsyoulivedwithhim-amanofanyprofoundfeelingforothers。
Forhimselfhehadaprodigiouslyprofoundfeeling，asyoumayalsohavegathered。ThatmarriageinFrancewastroublesome。
Hehadcometolookuponitasoneofhisyouth\'sfollies-ashe，himself，describedittomeinthishouse，littleknowingtowhomhespoke。Whenhereceivedthefalsenewsofherdeath-forhedidreceivesuchnewsfromtheverycousinwhocrossedfromFrancetoavengeher，believingherdeadhimself-herejoicedathisnearescapefromtheconsequencesofhisfolly。Norwasheeverdisabusedofhiserror。Forshehadceasedtowritetohimbythen。Andsohemarriedyou，madam，ingoodfaith。ThatistheargumentIshallusewithmyLordCarterettomakehimunderstandthatrespectformyfather\'smemoryurgesmetodepartinsilence-saveforwhatImusthavesaidtoescapetheimpeachmentwithwhichyouthreatenedme。
\"LordCarteretisamanoftheworld。Hewillunderstandthefar-reachingdisturbancethatmustresultfromthedisclosureofthetruthofthisaffair。HewillpledgeMr。Templetontosilence，andthetruth，madam，willneverbedisclosed。That，Ithink，isall，madam。\"
\"ByGod，sir，\"criedRotherby，\"that\'sdamnedhandsomeofyou！\"
\"Youepitomizeitbeautifully，\"saidMr。Caryll，withareversiontohishabitualmanner。
Hismother，however，hadnowordsatall。SheadvancedasteptowardsMr。Caryll，putouthehands，andthen-portentofportents！-twotearswereseentotrickledownhercheeks，playinghavoc，ploughingfurrowsinthepaintthatoverlaidthem。
Mr。Caryllsteppedforwardquickly。Thesightofthosetears，springingfromthatdried-upheart-witheredbyGodaloneknewwhatblight-washingtheirwaydownthosepoorbedaubedcheeks，movedhimtoakeenerpitythananythinghehadeverlookedupon。Hetookherhands，andpressedthemamoment，givingwayforoncetoanimpulsehecouldnotmaster。
Shewouldhavekissedhisownintheabasementandgratitudeofthemoment。Butherestrainedher。
\"Nomore，yourladyship，\"saidhe，andbythusgivingheroncemorethetitleshehadworn，heseemedtoreinstateherinthestationfromwhichinself-defencehehadpulledherdown。
\"Promisethatyou\'llbearnowitnessagainstmeshouldsomuchbeneeded，andI\'llcryquitswithyou。Withoutyourtestimony，theycannothurtme，eventhoughtheyweredisposedtodoso，whichisscarcelylikely。\"
\"Sir-sir-\"shefalteredbrokenly。\"Couldyou-couldyousuppose-\"
\"Indeed，no。Sonomore，ma\'am。Youdobutharassyourself。
Fareyouwell，mylady。IfImaytrespassforafewmomentslongeruponthehospitalityofStrettonHouse，I\'llbeyourdebtor。\"
\"Thehouse-andall-isyours，sir，\"sheremindedhim。
\"There\'sbutonethinginitthatI\'llcarryoffwithme，\"
saidhe。Heheldthedoorforher。
Shelookedintohisfaceamoment。\"Godkeepyou！\"saidshe，withasurprisingfervorinonenotover-fluentatherprayers。\"Godrewardyouforshowingthismercytoanoldwoman-whodoesnotdeservesomuch。\"
\"Fareyouwell，madam，\"hesaidagain，bowinggravely。\"Andfareyouwell，LordOstermore，\"headdedtoherson。
Hisbrotherlookedathimamoment；seemedonthepointofspeaking，andthen-takinghiscue，nodoubt，fromhismother\'sattitude-heheldouthishand。
Mr。Carylltookit，shookit，andletitgo。Afterall，hebethoughthim，themanwashisbrother。Andifhisbearingwasnotaltogethercordial，itwas，atleast，aclementimitationofcordiality。
Heclosedthedooruponthem，andsighedsupremerelief。HeturnedtofaceHortensia，andasmilebrokelikesunshineuponhisface，anddispelledtheseriousgloomofhisexpression。
Shesprangtowardshim。
\"Comenow，thouchattel，thatIamresolvedtocarrywithmefrommyfather\'shouse，\"saidhe。
Shecheckedinherapproach。\"\'TisnotinsuchwordsthatI\'llbewooed，\"saidshe。
\"Afigforwords！\"hecried。\"Artwooedandwon。Confessit。\"
\"Youwantnothingforself-esteem，\"sheinformedhimgravely。
\"Onething，Hortensia，\"heamended。\"OnethingIwant-I
lack-toesteemmyselfgreaterthananykingthatrules。\"
\"Ilikethatbetter，\"shelaughed，andsuddenlyshewasintears。\"Oh，whydoyoumock，andmake-believethatyourheartisonyourlipsandnowhereelse？\"sheaskedhim。\"Isityouraimtobeaccountedtriflingandshallow-youwhocandosuchthingsasyouhavedonebutnow？Oh，itwasnoble！Youmademeveryproud。\"
\"Proud？\"heechoed。\"Ah！Thenitmustbethatyouareresolvedtotakethisimpudent，fleeringcoxcombforahusband，\"hesaid，rallyingherwiththewordsshehadflungathimthatnightinthemoonlitCroydongarden。
\"HowIwasmistookinyou！\"quothshe。
Hemadephilosophy。\"\'Tiseverthoseinwhomwearemistookthatarebestworthknowing，\"heinformedher。\"Themanorwomanwhomyoucanreadatsight，isreadanddonewith。\"
\"Yetyouwerenotmistookinme，\"saidshe。
\"Iwas，\"heanswered，\"forIdeemedyouwoman。\"
\"Whatotherhaveyoufoundme？\"sheinquired。
Heflungwidehisarms，andbadeherintothem。\"Heretomyheart，\"hecried，\"andinyourearI\'llwhisperit。\"
End