“Haveyougotsomethingforyourtoothache，mydear？“
“Yes。“
“CanIdoanythingtohelpyou？“
“No。“
Mrs。Wraggestilllingereduneasilynearthedoor。Hermannershowedplainlythatshehadsomethingmoretosay。
“Whatisit？“askedMagdalen，sharply。
“Don\'tbeangry，“saidMrs。Wragge。“I\'mnotsettledinmymindaboutthecaptain。He\'sagreatwriter，andhehasn\'twritten。He\'sasquickaslightning，andhehasn\'tcomeback。Here\'sSaturday，andnosignsofhim。Hasherunaway，doyouthink？Hasanythinghappenedtohim？“
“Ishouldthinknot。Godownstairs；I\'llcomeandspeaktoyouaboutitdirectly。“
Assoonasshewasaloneagain，Magdalenrosefromherchair，advancedtowardacupboardintheroomwhichlocked，andpausedforamoment，withherhandonthekey，indoubt。Mrs。Wragge\'sappearancehaddisturbedthewholecurrentofherthoughts。Mrs。Wragge\'slastquestion，triflingasitwas，hadcheckedheronthevergeoftheprecipice——hadrousedtheoldvainhopeinheroncemoreofreleasebyaccident。
“Whynot？“shesaid。“Whymaysomethingnothavehappenedtooneofthem？“
Sheplacedthelaudanuminthecupboard，lockedit，andputthekeyinherpacket。“Timeenoughstill，“shethought，“beforeMonday。I\'llwaittillthecaptaincomesback。“
Aftersomeconsultationdownstairs，itwasagreedthattheservantshouldsitupthatnight，inexpectationofhermaster\'sreturn。Thedaypassedquietly，withouteventsofanykind。Magdalendreamedawaythehoursoverabook。Awearypatienceofexpectationwasallshefeltnow——thepoignanttormentofthoughtwasdulledandbluntedatlast。Shepassedthedayandtheeveningintheparlor，vaguelyconsciousofastrangefeelingofaversiontogoingbacktoherownroom。Asthenightadvanced，asthenoisesceasedindoorsandout，herrestlessnessbegantoreturn。Sheendeavoredtoquietherselfbyreading。Booksfailedtofixherattention。Thenewspaperwaslyinginacorneroftheroom:shetriedthenewspapernext。
Shelookedmechanicallyattheheadingsofthearticles；shelistlesslyturnedoverpageafterpage，untilherwanderingattentionwasarrestedbythenarrativeofanExecutioninadistantpartofEngland。Therewasnothingtostrikeherinthestoryofthecrime，andyetshereadit。Itwasacommon，horriblycommon，actofbloodshed——themurderofawomaninfarm-servicebyamaninthesameemploymentwhowasjealousofher。Hehadbeenconvictedonnoextraordinaryevidence，hehadbeenhangedundernounusualcircumstances。Hehadmadehisconfession，whenheknewtherewasnohopeforhim，likeothercriminalsofhisclass，andthenewspaperhadprinteditattheendofthearticle，intheseterms:
“Ikeptcompanywiththedeceasedforayearorthereabouts。IsaidIwouldmarryherwhenIhadmoneyenough。ShesaidIhadmoneyenoughnow。Wehadaquarrel。Sherefusedtowalkoutwithmeanymore；shewouldn\'tdrawmemybeer；shetookupwithmyfellow-servant，DavidCrouch。IwenttoherontheSaturday，andsaidIwouldmarryherassoonaswecouldbeaskedinchurchifshewouldgiveupCrouch。Shelaughedatme。Sheturnedmeoutofthewash-house，andtherestofthemsawherturnmeout。Iwasnoteasyinmymind。Iwentandsatonthegate——thegateinthemeadowtheycallPettit\'sPiece。IthoughtIwouldshoother。Iwentandfetchedmygunandloadedit。IwentoutintoPettit\'sPieceagain。Iwashardputtoittomakeupmymind。IthoughtIwouldtrymyluck——Imeantrywhethertokillherornot——bythrowinguptheSpudoftheplowintotheair。Isaidtomyself，ifitfallsflat，I\'llspareher；ifitfallspointintheearth，I\'llkillher。Itookagoodswingwithit，andshieditup。Itfellpointintheearth。Iwentandshother。Itwasabadjob，butIdidit。Ididit，astheysaidIdiditatthetrial。IhopetheLordwillhavemercyonme。Iwishmymothertohavemyoldclothes。Ihavenomoretosay。“
Inthehappierdaysofherlife，Magdalenwouldhavepassedoverthenarrativeoftheexecution，andtheprintedconfessionwhichaccompanieditunread；thesubjectwouldhavefailedtoattracther。Shereadthehorriblestorynow——readitwithaninterestunintelligibletoherself。Herattention，whichhadwanderedoverhigherandbetterthings，followedeverysentenceofthemurderer\'shideouslydirectconfessionfrombeginningtoend。Ifthemanorthewomanhadbeenknowntoher，iftheplacehadbeenfamiliartohermemory，shecouldhardlyhavefollowedthenarrativemoreclosely，orhavefeltamoredistinctimpressionofitleftonhermind。Shelaiddownthepaper，wonderingatherself；shetookituponcemore，andtriedtoreadsomeotherportionofthecontents。Theeffortwasuseless；herattentionwanderedagain。Shethrewthepaperaway，andwentoutintothegarden。Thenightwasdark；thestarswerefewandfaint。Shecouldjustseethegravel-walk——shecouldjustpacebackwardandforwardbetweenthehousedoorandthegate。
Theconfessioninthenewspaperhadtakenafearfulholdonhermind。Asshepacedthewalk，theblacknightopenedoverthesea，andshowedherthemurdererinthefieldhurlingtheSpudoftheplowintotheair。Sheran，shuddering，backtothehouse。Themurdererfollowedherintotheparlor。Sheseizedthecandleandwentupintoherroom。Thevisionofherowndistemperedfancyfollowedhertotheplacewherethelaudanumwashidden，andvanishedthere。
Itwasmidnight，andtherewasnosignyetofthecaptain\'sreturn。
Shetookfromthewriting-casethelongletterwhichshehadwrittentoNorah，andslowlyreaditthrough。Theletterquietedher。Whenshereachedtheblankspaceleftattheend，shehurriedlyturnedbackandbeganitoveragain。
Oneo\'clockstruckfromthechurchclock，andstillthecaptainneverappeared。
Shereadtheletterforthesecondtime；sheturnedbackobstinately，despairingly，andbeganitforthethirdtime。Assheoncemorereachedthelastpage，shelookedatherwatch。Itwasaquartertotwo。Shehadjustputthewatchbackinthebeltofherdress，whentherecametoher——faroffinthestillnessofthemorning——asoundofwheels。
Shedroppedtheletterandclaspedhercoldhandsinherlapandlistened。Thesoundcameon，fasterandfaster，nearerandnearer——thetrivialsoundtoallotherears；thesoundofDoomtohers。Itpassedthesideofthehouse；ittraveledalittlefurtheron；itstopped。Sheheardaloudknocking——thentheopeningofawindow——thenvoices——thenalongsilence——thanthewheelsagaincomingback——thentheopeningofthedoorbelow，andthesoundofthecaptain\'svoiceinthepassage。
Shecouldendureitnolonger。Sheopenedherdooralittlewayandcalledtohim。
Heranupstairsinstantly，astonishedthatshewasnotinbed。Shespoketohimthroughthenarrowopeningofthedoor，keepingherselfhiddenbehindit，forshewasafraidtolethimseeherface。
“Hasanythinggonewrong？“sheasked。
“Makeyourmindeasy，“heanswered。“Nothinghasgonewrong。“
“IsnoaccidentlikelytohappenbetweenthisandMonday？“
“Nonewhatever。Themarriageisacertainty。“
“Acertainty？“
“Yes。“
“Good-night。“
Sheputherhandoutthroughthedoor。Hetookitwithsomelittlesurprise；itwasnotofteninhisexperiencethatshegavehimherhandofherownaccord。
“Youhavesatuptoolong，“hesaid，ashefelttheclaspofhercoldfingers。“Iamafraidyouwillhaveabadnight——I\'mafraidyouwillnotsleep。“
Shesoftlyclosedthedoor。
“Ishallsleep，“shesaid，“sounderthanyouthinkfor。“
Itwaspasttwoo\'clockwhensheshutherselfupaloneinherroom。Herchairstoodinitscustomaryplacebythetoilet-table。Shesatdownforafewminutesthoughtfully，thenopenedherlettertoNorah，andturnedtotheendwheretheblankspacewasleft。Thelastlineswrittenabovethespaceranthus:“……Ihavelaidmywholeheartbaretoyou；Ihavehiddennothing。Ithascometothis。TheendIhavetoiledfor，atsuchterriblecosttomyself，isanendwhichImustreachordie。Itiswickedness，madness，whatyouwill——butitisso。Therearenowtwojourneysbeforemetochoosebetween。IfIcanmarryhim——thejourneytothechurch。IftheprofanationofmyselfismorethanIcanbear——thejourneytothegrave！“
Underthatlastsentence，shewrotetheselines:
“Mychoiceismade。Ifthecruellawwillletyou，laymewithmyfatherandmotherinthechurchyardathome。Farewell，mylove！Bealwaysinnocent；bealwayshappy。IfFrankeverasksaboutme，sayIdiedforgivinghim。Don\'tgrievelongforme，Norah——Iamnotworthit。“
Shesealedtheletter，andaddressedittohersister。Thetearsgatheredinhereyesasshelaiditonthetable。Shewaiteduntilhersightwasclearagain，andthentookthebanknotesoncemorefromthelittlebaginherbosom。Afterwrappingtheminasheetofnotepaper，shewroteCaptainWragge\'snameontheinclosure，andaddedthesewordsbelowit:“Lockthedoorofmyroom，andleavemetillmysistercomes。ThemoneyIpromisedyouisinthis。Youarenottoblame；itismyfault，andmineonly。Ifyouhaveanyfriendlyremembranceofme，bekindtoyourwifeformysake。“
AfterplacingtheinclosurebythelettertoNorah，sheroseandlookedroundtheroom。Somefewlittlethingsinitwerenotintheirplaces。Shesettheminorder，anddrewthecurtainsoneithersideattheheadofherbed。Herowndresswasthenextobjectofherscrutiny。Itwasallasneat，aspure，asprettilyarrangedasever。Nothingaboutherwasdisorderedbutherhair。Sometresseshadfallenlooseononesideofherhead；shecarefullyputthembackintheirplaceswiththehelpofherglass。“HowpaleIlook！“shethought，withafaintsmile。“ShallIbepalerstillwhentheyfindmeinthemorning？“
Shewentstraighttotheplacewherethelaudanumwashidden，andtookitout。Thebottlewassosmallthatitlayeasilyinthepalmofherhand。Sheletitremainthereforalittlewhile，andstoodlookingatit。
“DEATH！“shesaid。“Inthisdropofbrowndrink——DEATH！“
Asthewordspassedherlips，anagonyofunutterablehorrorseizedonherinaninstant。Shecrossedtheroomunsteadily，withamaddeningconfusioninherhead，withasuffocatinganguishatherheart。Shecaughtatthetabletosupportherself。Thefaintclinkofthebottle，asitfellharmlesslyfromherloosenedgraspandrolledagainstsomeporcelainobjectonthetable，struckthroughherbrainlikethestrokeofaknife。Thesoundofherownvoice，sunktoawhisper——hervoiceonlyutteringthatoneword，Death——rushedinherearsliketherushingofawind。Shedraggedherselftothebedside，andrestedherheadagainstit，sittingonthefloor。“Oh，mylife！mylife！“shethought；“whatismylifeworth，thatIclingtoitlikethis？“
Anintervalpassed，andshefeltherstrengthreturning。Sheraisedherselfonherkneesandhidherfaceonthebed。Shetriedtopray——topraytobeforgivenforseekingtherefugeofdeath。Franticwordsburstfromherlips——wordswhichwouldhaverisentocries，ifshehadnotstifledtheminthebed-clothes。Shestartedtoherfeet；despairstrengthenedherwithaheadlongfuryagainstherself。Inonemomentshewasbackatthetable；inanother，thepoisonwasoncemoreinherhand。
Sheremovedthecorkandliftedthebottletohermouth。
Atthefirstcoldtouchoftheglassonherlips，herstrongyounglifeleapedupinherleapingblood，andfoughtwiththewholefrenzyofitsloathingagainstthecloseterrorofDeath。Everyactivepowerintheexuberantvitalforcethatwasinherroseinrevoltagainstthedestructionwhichherownwillwouldfainhavewreakedonherownlife。Shepaused:forthesecondtime，shepausedinspiteofherself。There，inthegloriousperfectionofheryouthandhealth——there，tremblingonthevergeofhumanexistence，shestood；withthekissoftheDestroyercloseatherlips，andNature，faithfultoitssacredtrust，fightingforthesalvationofhertothelast。
Nowordpassedherlips。Hercheeksflusheddeep；herbreathcamethickandfast。Withthepoisonstillinherhand，withthesensethatshemightfaintinanothermoment，shemadeforthewindow，andthrewbackthecurtainthatcoveredit。
Thenewdayhadrisen。Thebroadgraydawnflowedinonher，overthequieteasternsea。
Shesawthewatersheaving，largeandsilent，inthemistycalm；shefeltthefreshbreathofthemorningfluttercoolonherface。Herstrengthreturned；hermindclearedalittle。Atthesightofthesea，hermemoryrecalledthewalkinthegardenovernight，andthepicturewhichherdistemperedfancyhadpaintedontheblackvoid。Inthought，shesawthepictureagain——themurdererhurlingtheSpudoftheplowintotheair，andsettingthelifeordeathofthewomanwhohaddesertedhimonthehazardofthefallingpoint。Theinfectionofthatterriblesuperstitionseizedonhermindassuddenlyasthenewdayhadburstonherview。Thepremiseofreleasewhichshesawinitfromthehorrorofherownhesitationrousedthelastenergiesofherdespair。Sheresolvedtoendthestrugglebysettingherlifeordeathonthehazardofachance。
Onwhatchance？
Theseashowedittoher。Dimlydistinguishablethroughthemist，shesawalittlefleetofcoasting-vesselsslowlydriftingtowardthehouse，allfollowingthesamedirectionwiththefavoringsetofthetide。Inhalfanhour——perhapsinless——thefleetwouldhavepassedherwindow。Thehandsofherwatchpointedtofouro\'clock。Sheseatedherselfcloseatthesideofthewindow，withherbacktowardthequarterfromwhichthevesselsweredriftingdownonher——withthepoisonplacedonthewindow-sillandthewatchonherlap。Foronehalf-hourtocomeshedeterminedtowaitthereandcountthevesselsastheywentby。Ifinthattimeanevennumberpassedher，thesigngivenshouldbeasigntolive。Iftheunevennumberprevailed，theendshouldbeDeath。
Withthatfinalresolution，sherestedherheadagainstthewindowandwaitedfortheshipstopass。
Thefirstcame，high，darkandnearinthemist，glidingsilentlyoverthesilentsea。Aninterval——andthesecondfollowed，withthethirdcloseafterit。Anotherinterval，longerandlongerdrawnout——andnothingpassed。Shelookedatherwatch。Twelveminutes，andthreeships。Three。
Thefourthcame，slowerthantherest，largerthantherest，furtheroffinthemistthantherest。Theintervalfollowed；alongintervaloncemore。Thenthenextvesselpassed，darkestandnearestofall。Five。Thenextunevennumber——Five。
Shelookedatherwatchagain。Nineteenminutes，andfiveships。Twentyminutes。Twenty-one，two，three——andnosixthvessel。Twenty-four，andthesixthcameby。Twenty-five，twenty-six，twenty-seven，twenty-eight，andthenextunevennumber——thefatalSeven——glidedintoview。Twominutestotheendofthehalf-hour。Andsevenships。
Twenty-nine，andnothingfollowedinthewakeoftheseventhship。Theminute-handofthewatchmovedonhalf-waytothirty，andstillthewhiteheavingseawasamistyblank。Withoutmovingherheadfromthewindow，shetookthepoisoninonehand，andraisedthewatchintheother。Asthequicksecondscountedeachotherout，hereyes，asquickasthey，lookedfromthewatchtothesea，fromtheseatothewatch——lookedforthelasttimeatthesea——andsawtheEIGHTHship。
Shenevermoved，sheneverspoke。Thedeathofthought，thedeathoffeeling，seemedtohavecometoheralready。Sheputbackthepoisonmechanicallyontheledgeofthewindowandwatched，asinadream，theshipglidingsmoothlyonitssilentway——glidingtillitmelteddimlyintoshadow——glidingtillitwaslostinthemist。
ThestrainonhermindrelaxedwhentheMessengerofLifehadpassedfromhersight。
“Providence？“shewhisperedfaintlytoherself。“Orchance？“
Hereyesclosed，andherheadfellback。Whenthesenseoflifereturnedtoher，themorningsunwaswarmonherface——theblueheavenlookeddownonher——andtheseawasaseaofgold。
Shefellonherkneesatthewindowandburstintotears。
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Towardnoonthatday，thecaptain，waitingbelowstairs，andhearingnomovementinMagdalen\'sroom，feltuneasyatthelongsilence。Hedesiredthenewmaidtofollowhimupstairs，and，pointingtothedoor，toldhertogoinsoftlyandseewhetherhermistresswasawake。
Themaidenteredtheroom，remainedthereamoment，andcameoutagain，closingthedoorgently。
“Shelooksbeautiful，sir，“saidthegirl；“andshe\'ssleepingasquietlyasanew-bornchild。“
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]NoName，Scene4，Chapter14CHAPTERXIV。
THEmorningofherhusband\'sreturntoNorthShingleswasamorningmemorableforeverinthedomesticcalendarofMrs。Wragge。ShedatedfromthatoccasionthefirstannouncementwhichreachedherofMagdalen\'smarriage。
IthadbeenMrs。Wragge\'searthlylottopassherlifeinastateofperpetualsurprise。Neveryet，however，hadshewanderedinsuchamazeofastonishmentasthemazeinwhichshelostherselfwhenthecaptaincoollytoldherthetruth。ShehadbeensharpenoughtosuspectMr。NoelVanstoneofcomingtothehouseinthecharacterofasweetheartonapproval；andshehaddimlyinterpretedcertainexpressionsofimpatiencewhichhadfallenfromMagdalen\'slipsasbodingillforthesuccessofhissuit，butherutmostpenetrationhadneverreachedasfarasasuspicionoftheimpendingmarriage。Sherosefromoneclimaxofamazementtoanother，asherhusbandproceededwithhisdisclosure。Aweddinginthefamilyataday\'snotice！andthatweddingMagdalen\'s！andnotasinglenewdressorderedforanybody，thebrideincluded！andtheOrientalCashmereRobetotallyunavailableontheoccasionwhenshemighthavewornittothegreatestadvantage！Mrs。Wraggedroppedcrookedlyintoachair，andbeatherdisorderlyhandsonherunsymmetricalknees，inutterforgetfulnessofthecaptain\'spresenceandthecaptain\'sterribleeye。Itwouldnothavesurprisedhertohearthattheworldhadcometoanend，andthattheonlymortalwhomDestinyhadoverlooked，inwindinguptheaffairsofthisearthlyplanet，washerself！
Leavinghiswifetorecoverhercomposurebyherownunaidedefforts，CaptainWraggewithdrewtowaitforMagdalen\'sappearanceinthelowerregionsofthehouse。Itwascloseononeo\'clockbeforethesoundoffootstepsintheroomabovewarnedhimthatshewasawakeandstirring。HecalledatonceforthemaidwhosenamehehadascertainedtobeLouisa，andsentherupstairstohermistressforthesecondtime。
Magdalenwasstandingbyherdressing-tablewhenafainttapatthedoorsuddenlyrousedher。Thetapwasfollowedbythesoundofameekvoice，whichannounceditselfasthevoiceof“hermaid，“andinquiredifMissBygraveneededanyassistancethatmorning。
“Notatpresent，“saidMagdalen，assoonasshehadrecoveredthesurpriseoffindingherselfunexpectedlyprovidedwithanattendant。“IwillringwhenIwantyou。“
Afterdismissingthewomanwiththatanswer，sheaccidentallylookedfromthedoortothewindow。Anyspeculationsonthesubjectofthenewservantinwhichshemightotherwisehaveengagedwereinstantlysuspendedbythesightofthebottleoflaudanum，stillstandingontheledgeofthewindow，whereshehadleftitatsunrise。Shetookitoncemoreinherhand，withastrangeconfusionoffeeling——withavaguedoubtevenyet，whetherthesightofitremindedherofaterriblerealityoraterribledream。Herfirstimpulsewastoridherselfofitonthespot。Sheraisedthebottletothrowthecontentsoutofthewindow，andpaused，insuddendistrustoftheimpulsethathadcometoher。“Ihaveacceptedmynewlife，“shethought。“HowdoIknowwhatthatlifemayhaveinstoreforme？“Sheturnedfromthewindowandwentbacktothetable。“Imaybeforcedtodrinkityet，“shesaid，andputthelaudanumintoherdressing-case。
Hermindwasnotateasewhenshehaddonethis:thereseemedtobesomeindefinableingratitudeintheact。Stillshemadenoattempttoremovethebottlefromitshiding-place。Shehurriedonhertoilet；shehastenedthetimewhenshecouldringforthemaid，andforgetherselfandherwakingthoughtsinanewsubject。Aftertouchingthebell，shetookfromthetableherlettertoNorahandherlettertothecaptain，putthembothintoherdressing-casewiththelaudanum，andlockeditsecurelywiththekeywhichshekeptattachedtoherwatch-chain。
Magdalen\'sfirstimpressionofherattendantwasnotanagreeableone。ShecouldnotinvestigatethegirlwiththeexperiencedeyeofthelandladyattheLondonhotel，whohadcharacterizedthestrangerasayoungpersonovertakenbymisfortune，andwhohadshowedplainly，byherlookandmanner，ofwhatnatureshesuspectedthatmisfortunetobe。Butwiththisdrawback，Magdalenwasperfectlycompetenttodetectthetokensofsicknessandsorrowlurkingunderthesurfaceofthenewmaid\'sactivityandpoliteness。Shesuspectedthegirlwasill-tempered；shedislikedhername；andshewasindisposedtowelcomeanyservantwhohadbeenengagedbyNoelVanstone。Butafterthefirstfewminutes，“Louisa“grewonherliking。Sheansweredallthequestionsputtoherwithperfectdirectness；sheappearedtounderstandherdutiesthoroughly；andsheneverspokeuntilshewasspokentofirst。Aftermakingalltheinquiriesthatoccurredtoheratthetime，andafterdeterminingtogivethemaidafairtrial，Magdalenrosetoleavetheroom。Theveryairinitwasstillheavytoherwiththeoppressionofthepastnight。
“Haveyouanythingmoretosaytome？“sheasked，turningtotheservant，withherhandonthedoor。
“Ibegyourpardon，miss，“saidLouisa，veryrespectfullyandveryquietly。“Ithinkmymastertoldmethatthemarriagewastobeto-morrow？“
Magdalenrepressedtheshudderthatstoleoverheratthatreferencetothemarriageonthelipsofastranger，andansweredintheaffirmative。
“It\'saveryshorttime，miss，topreparein。Ifyouwouldbesokindastogivememyordersaboutthepackingbeforeyougodownstairs——？“
“Therearenosuchpreparationstomakeasyousuppose，“saidMagdalen，hastily。“ThefewthingsIhaveherecanbeallpackedatonce，ifyoulike。Ishallwearthesamedressto-morrowwhichIhaveonto-day。Leaveoutthestrawbonnetandthelightshawl，andputeverythingelseintomyboxes。Ihavenonewdressestopack；Ihavenothingorderedfortheoccasionofanysort。“Shetriedtoaddsomecommonplacephrasesofexplanation，accountingasprobablyasmightbefortheabsenceoftheusualweddingoutfitandwedding-dress。Butnofurtherreferencetothemarriagewouldpassherlips，andwithoutanotherwordsheabruptlylefttheroom。
ThemeekandmelancholyLouisastoodlostinastonishment。“Somethingwronghere，“shethought。“I\'mhalfafraidofmynewplacealready。“Shesighedresignedly，shookherhead，andwenttothewardrobe。Shefirstexaminedthedrawersunderneath，tookoutthevariousarticlesoflinenlaidinside，andplacedthemonchairs。Openingtheupperpartofthewardrobenext，sherangedthedressesinitsidebysideonthebed。Herlastproceedingwastopushtheemptyboxesintothemiddleoftheroom，andtocomparethespaceatherdisposalwiththearticlesofdresswhichshehadtopack。Shecompletedherpreliminarycalculationswiththereadyself-relianceofawomanwhothoroughlyunderstoodherbusiness，andbeganthepackingforthwith。Justasshehadplacedthefirstarticleoflineninthesmallerbox，thedooroftheroomopened，andthehouse-servant，eagerforgossip，camein。
“Whatdoyouwant？“askedLouisa，quietly。
“Didyoueverhearofanythinglikethis！“saidthehouse-servant，enteringonhersubjectimmediately。
“Likewhat？“
“Likethismarriage，tobesure。You\'reLondonbred，theytellme。Didyoueverhearofayoungladybeingmarriedwithoutasinglenewthingtoherback？Noweddingveil，andnoweddingbreakfast，andnoweddingfavorsfortheservants。It\'sflyinginthefaceofProvidence——that\'swhatIsay。I\'monlyapoorservant，Iknow。Butit\'swicked，downrightwicked——andIdon\'tcarewhohearsme！“
Louisawentonwiththepacking。
“Lookatherdresses！“persistedthehouse-servant，wavingherhandindignantlyatthebed。“I\'monlyapoorgirl，butIwouldn\'tmarrythebestmanalivewithoutanewgowntomyback。Lookhere！lookatthisdowdybrownthinghere。Alpaca！You\'renotgoingtopackthisAlpacathing，areyou？Why，it\'shardlyfitforaservant！Idon\'tknowthatI\'dtakeagiftofitifitwasofferedme。ItwoulddoformeifItookitupintheskirt，andletitoutinthewaist——anditwouldn\'tlooksobadwithabitofbrighttrimming，wouldit？“
“Letthatdressalone，ifyouplease，“saidLouisa，asquietlyasever。
“Whatdidyousay？“inquiredtheother，doubtingwhetherherearshadnotdeceivedher。
“Isaid，letthatdressalone。Itbelongstomymistress，andIhavemymistress\'sorderstopackupeverythingintheroom。Youarenothelpingmebycominghere——youareverymuchinmyway。“
“Well！“saidthehouse-servant，“youmaybeLondonbred，astheysay。ButiftheseareyourLondonmanners，givemeSuffolk！“Sheopenedthedoorwithanangrysnatchatthehandle，shutitviolently，openeditagain，andlookedin。“GivemeSuffolk！“saidthehouse-servant，withapartingnodofherheadtopointtheedgeofhersarcasm。
Louisaproceededimpenetrablywithherpackingup。
Havingneatlydisposedofthelineninthesmallerbox，sheturnedherattentiontothedressesnext。Afterpassingthemcarefullyinreview，toascertainwhichwastheleastvaluableofthecollection，andtoplacethatoneatthebottomofthetrunkfortheresttolieon，shemadeherchoicewithverylittledifficulty。Thefirstgownwhichsheputintotheboxwas——thebrownAlpacadress。
MeanwhileMagdalenhadjoinedthecaptaindownstairs。Althoughhecouldnotfailtonoticethelanguorinherfaceandthelistlessnessofallhermovements，hewasrelievedtofindthatshemethimwithperfectcomposure。Shewasevenself-possessedenoughtoaskhimfornewsofhisjourney，withnoothersignsofagitationthanapassingchangeofcolorandalittletremblingofthelips。
“Somuchforthepast，“saidCaptainWragge，whenhisnarrativeoftheexpeditiontoLondonbywayofSt。Cruxhadcometoanend。“Nowforthepresent。Thebridegroom——“
“Ifitmakesnodifference，“sheinterposed，“callhimMr。NoelVanstone。“
“Withallmyheart。Mr。NoelVanstoneiscomingherethisafternoontodineandspendtheevening。Hewillbetiresomeinthelastdegree；but，likealltiresomepeople，heisnottobegotridofonanyterms。Beforehecomes，Ihavealastwordortwoofcautionforyourprivateear。Bythistimeto-morrowweshallhaveparted——withoutanycertainknowledge，oneitherside，ofourevermeetingagain。Iamanxioustoserveyourinterestsfaithfullytothelast；IamanxiousyoushouldfeelthatIhavedoneallIcouldforyourfuturesecuritywhenwesaygood-by。“
Magdalenlookedathiminsurprise。Hespokeinalteredtones。Hewasagitated；hewasstrangelyinearnest。SomethinginhislookandmannertookhermemorybacktothefirstnightatAldborough，whenshehadopenedhermindtohiminthedarkeningsolitude——whentheytwohadsattogetheraloneontheslopeofthemartellotower。“Ihavenoreasontothinkotherwisethankindlyofyou，“shesaid。
CaptainWraggesuddenlylefthischair，andtookaturnbackwardandforwardintheroom。Magdalen\'slastwordsseemedtohaveproducedsomeextraordinarydisturbanceinhim。
“Damnit！“hebrokeout；“Ican\'tletyousaythat。Youhavereasontothinkillofme。Ihavecheatedyou。YounevergotyourfairshareofprofitfromtheEntertainment，fromfirsttolast。There！nowthemurder\'sout！“
Magdalensmiled，andsignedtohimtocomebacktohischair。
“Iknowyoucheatedme，“shesaid，quietly。“Youwereintheexerciseofyourprofession，CaptainWragge。IexpecteditwhenIjoinedyou。Imadenocomplaintatthetime，andImakenonenow。IfthemoneyyoutookisanyrecompenseforallthetroubleIhavegivenyou，youareheartilywelcometoit。“
“Willyoushakehandsonthat？“askedthecaptain，withanawkwardnessandhesitationstronglyatvariancewithhiscustomaryeaseofmanner。
Magdalengavehimherhand。Hewrungithard。“Youareastrangegirl，“hesaid，tryingtospeaklightly。“YouhavelaidaholdonmethatIdon\'tquiteunderstand。I\'mhalfuncomfortableattakingthemoneyfromyounow；andyetyoudon\'twantit，doyou？“Hehesitated。“Ialmostwish，“hesaid，“IhadnevermetyouontheWallsofYork。“
“Itistoolatetowishthat，CaptainWragge。Saynomore。Youonlydistressme——saynomore。Wehaveothersubjectstotalkabout。Whatwerethosewordsofcautionwhichyouhadformyprivateear？“
Thecaptaintookanotherturnintheroom，andstruggledbackagainintohisevery-daycharacter。HeproducedfromhispocketbookMrs。Lecount\'slettertohermaster，andhandedittoMagdalen。
“Thereistheletterthatmighthaveruinedusifithadeverreacheditsaddress，“hesaid。“Readitcarefully。Ihaveaquestiontoaskyouwhenyouhavedone。“
Magdalenreadtheletter。“Whatisthisproof，“sheinquired，“whichMrs。Lecountreliesonsoconfidently！“
“TheveryquestionIwasgoingtoaskyou，“saidCaptainWragge。“ConsultyourmemoryofwhathappenedwhenyoutriedthatexperimentinVauxhallWalk。DidMrs。Lecountgetnootherchanceagainstyouthanthechancesyouhavetoldmeofalready？“
“Shediscoveredthatmyfacewasdisguised，andsheheardmespeakinmyownvoice。“
“Andnothingmore？“
“Nothingmore。“
“Verygood。Thenmyinterpretationoftheletterisclearlytherightone。TheproofMrs。Lecountreliesonismywife\'sinfernalghoststory——whichis，inplainEnglish，thestoryofMissBygravehavingbeenseeninMissVanstone\'sdisguise；thewitnessbeingtheverypersonwhoisafterwardpresentedatAldboroughinthecharacterofMissBygrave\'saunt。AnexcellentchanceforMrs。Lecount，ifshecanonlylayherhandattherighttimeonMrs。Wragge，andnochanceatall，ifshecan\'t。Makeyourmindeasyonthatpoint。Mrs。Lecountandmywifehaveseenthelastofeachother。Inthemeantime，don\'tneglectthewarningIgiveyou，ingivingyouthisletter。Tearitup，forfearofaccidents，butdon\'tforgetit。“
“Trustmetorememberit，“repliedMagdalen，destroyingtheletterwhileshespoke。“Haveyouanythingmoretotellme？“
“Ihavesomeinformationtogiveyou，“saidCaptainWragge，“whichmaybeuseful，becauseitrelatestoyourfuturesecurity。Mind，Iwanttoknownothingaboutyourproceedingswhento-morrowisover；wesettledthatwhenwefirstdiscussedthismatter。Iasknoquestions，andImakenoguesses。AllIwanttodonowistowarnyouofyourlegalpositionafteryourmarriage，andtoleaveyoutomakewhatuseyoupleaseofyourknowledge，atyourownsolediscretion。Itookalawyer\'sopiniononthepointwhenIwasinLondon，thinkingitmightbeusefultoyou。“
“Itissuretobeuseful。Whatdidthelawyersay？“
“Toputitplainly，thisiswhathesaid。IfMr。NoelVanstoneeverdiscoversthatyouhaveknowinglymarriedhimunderafalsename，hecanapplytotheEcclesiasticalCourttohavehismarriagedeclarednullandvoid。Theissueoftheapplicationwouldrestwiththejudges。Butifhecouldprovethathehadbeenintentionallydeceived，thelegalopinionisthathiscasewouldbeastrongone。“
“SupposeIchosetoapplyonmyside？“saidMagdalen，eagerly。“Whatthen？“
“Youmightmaketheapplication，“repliedthecaptain。“Butrememberonething——youwouldcomeintoCourtwiththeacknowledgmentofyourowndeception。Ileaveyoutoimaginewhatthejudgeswouldthinkofthat。“
“Didthelawyertellyouanythingelse？“
“Onethingbesides，“saidCaptainWragge。“Whateverthelawmightdowiththemarriageinthelifetimeofboththepartiestoit——onthedeathofeitheroneofthem，noapplicationmadebythesurvivorwouldavail；and，astothecaseofthatsurvivor，themarriagewouldremainvalid。Youunderstand？Ifhedies，orifyoudie——andifnoapplicationhasbeenmadetotheCourt——hethesurvivor，oryouthesurvivor，wouldhavenopowerofdisputingthemarriage。Butinthelifetimeofbothofyou，ifheclaimedtohavethemarriagedissolved，thechancesareallinfavorofhiscarryinghispoint。“
HelookedatMagdalenwithafurtivecuriosityashesaidthosewords。Sheturnedherheadaside，absentlytyingherwatch-chainintoaloopanduntyingitagain，evidentlythinkingwiththeclosestattentionoverwhathehadlastsaidtoher。CaptainWraggewalkeduneasilytothewindowandlookedout。ThefirstobjectthatcaughthiseyewasMr。NoelVanstoneapproachingfromSeaView。Hereturnedinstantlytohisformerplaceintheroom，andaddressedhimselftoMagdalenoncemore。
“HereisMr。NoelVanstone，“hesaid。“Onelastcautionbeforehecomesin。Beonyourguardwithhimaboutyourage。HeputthequestiontomebeforehegottheLicense。Itooktheshortestwayoutofthedifficulty，andtoldhimyouweretwenty-one，andhemadethedeclarationaccordingly。Nevermindaboutme；afterto-morrowIaminvisible。But，inyourowninterests，don\'tforget，ifthesubjectturnsup，thatyouwereofagewhenyouweremarried。Thereisnothingmore。YouareprovidedwitheverynecessarywarningthatIcangiveyou。Whateverhappensinthefuture，rememberIhavedonemybest。“
Hehurriedtothedoorwithoutwaitingforananswer，andwentoutintothegardentoreceivehisguest。
NoelVanstonemadehisappearanceatthegate，solemnlycarryinghisbridalofferingtoNorthShingleswithbothhands。Theobjectinquestionwasanancientcasketoneofhisfather\'sbargains；insidethecasketreposedanold-fashionedcarbunclebrooch，setinsilveranotherofhisfather\'sbargains——bridalpresentsboth，possessingtheinestimablemeritofleavinghismoneyundisturbedinhispocket。Heshookhisheadportentouslywhenthecaptaininquiredafterhishealthandspirits。Hehadpassedawakefulnight；ungovernableapprehensionsofLecount\'ssuddenre-appearancehadbesethimassoonashefoundhimselfaloneatSeaView。SeaViewwasredolentofLecount:SeaViewthoughbuiltonpiles，andthestrongesthouseinEnglandwashenceforthodioustohim。Hehadfeltthisallnight；hehadalsofelthisresponsibilities。Therewasthelady\'smaid，tobeginwith。Nowhehadhiredher，hebegantothinkshewouldn\'tdo。Shemightfallsickonhishands；shemighthavedeceivedhimbyafalsecharacter；sheandthelandladyofthehotelmighthavebeeninleaguetogether。Horrible！Reallyhorribletothinkof。Thentherewastheotherresponsibility——perhapstheheavierofthetwo——theresponsibilityofdecidingwherehewastogoandspendhishoneymoonto-morrow。Hewouldhavepreferredoneofhisfather\'semptyhouses:ButexceptatVauxhallWalkwhichhesupposedwouldbeobjectedto，andatAldboroughwhichwasofcourseoutofthequestionallthehouseswerelet。HewouldputhimselfinMr。Bygrave\'shands。WherehadMr。Bygravespenthisownhoneymoon？GiventheBritishIslandstochoosefrom，wherewouldMr。Bygravepitchhistent，onacarefulreviewofallthecircumstances？
Atthispointthebridegroom\'squestionssuddenlycametoanend，andthebridegroom\'sfaceexhibitedanexpressionofungovernableastonishment。Hisjudiciousfriend，whoseadvicehadbeenathisdisposalineveryotheremergency，suddenlyturnedroundonhim，intheemergencyofthehoneymoon，andflatlydeclineddiscussingthesubject。
“No！“saidthecaptain，asNoelVanstoneopenedhislipstopleadforahearing，“youmustreallyexcuseme。Mypointofviewinthismatteris，asusual，apeculiarone。ForsometimepastIhavebeenlivinginanatmosphereofdeception，tosuityourconvenience。Thatatmosphere，mygoodsir，isgettingclose；myMoralBeingrequiresventilation。Settlethechoiceofalocalitywithmyniece，andleaveme，atmyparticularrequest，intotalignoranceofthesubject。Mrs。LecountiscertaintocomehereonherreturnfromZurich，andiscertaintoaskmewhereyouaregone。Youmaythinkitstrange，Mr。Vanstone；butwhenItellherIdon\'tknow，Iwishtoenjoytheunaccustomedluxuryoffeeling，foronceinaway，thatIamspeakingthetruth！“
Withthosewords，heopenedthesitting-roomdoor，introducedNoelVanstonetoMagdalen\'spresence，bowedhimselfoutoftheroomagain，andsetforthalonetowhileawaytherestoftheafternoonbytakingawalk。Hisfaceshowedplaintokensofanxiety，andhisparty-coloredeyeslookedhitherandthitherdistrustfully，ashesaunteredalongtheshore。“Thetimehangsheavyonourhands，“thoughtthecaptain。“Iwishto-morrowwascomeandgone。“
Thedaypassedandnothinghappened；theeveningandthenightfollowed，placidlyanduneventfully。Mondaycame，acloudless，lovelyday；Mondayconfirmedthecaptain\'sassertionthatthemarriagewasacertainty。Towardteno\'clock，theclerk，ascendingthechurchstepsquotedtheoldproverbtothepew-opener，meetinghimundertheporch:“Happythebrideonwhomthesunshines！“
Inaquarterofanhourmorethewedding-partywasinthevestry，andtheclergymanledthewaytothealtar。Carefullyasthesecretofthemarriagehadbeenkept，theopeningofthechurchinthemorninghadbeenenoughtobetrayit。Asmallcongregation，almostentirelycomposedofwomen，werescatteredhereandthereamongthepews。Kirke\'ssisterandherchildrenwerestayingwithafriendatAldborough，andKirke\'ssisterwasoneofthecongregation。
Asthewedding-partyenteredthechurch，thehauntingterrorofMrs。LecountspreadfromNoelVanstonetothecaptain。Forthefirstfewminutes，theeyesofbothofthemlookedamongthewomeninthepewswiththesamesearchingscrutiny，andlookedawayagainwiththesamesenseofrelief。Theclergymannoticedthatlook，andinvestigatedtheLicensemorecloselythanusual。Theclerkbegantodoubtprivatelywhethertheoldproverbaboutthebridewasaproverbtobealwaysdependedon。Thefemalemembersofthecongregationmurmuredamongthemselvesattheinexcusabledisregardofappearancesimpliedinthebride\'sdress。Kirke\'ssisterwhisperedvenomouslyinherfriend\'sear，“ThankGodforto-dayforRobert\'ssake。“Mrs。Wraggecriedsilently，withthedreadofsomethreateningcalamitysheknewnotwhat。TheonepersonpresentwhoremainedoutwardlyundisturbedwasMagdalenherself。Shestood，withtearlessresignation，inherplacebeforethealtar——stood，asifallthesourcesofhumanemotionwerefrozenupwithinher。
TheclergymanopenedtheBook。
*******
Itwasdone。TheawfulwordswhichspeakfromearthtoHeavenwerepronounced。Thechildrenofthetwodeadbrothers——inheritorsoftheimplacableenmitywhichhadpartedtheirparents——wereManandWife。
Fromthatmomenteventshurriedwithaheadlongrapiditytothepartingscene。TheywerebackatthehousewhilethewordsoftheMarriageServiceseemedstillringingintheirears。Beforetheyhadbeenfiveminutesindoorsthecarriagedrewupatthegardengate。InaminutemoretheopportunitycameforwhichMagdalenandthecaptainhadbeenonthewatch——theopportunityofspeakingtogetherinprivateforthelasttime。Shestillpreservedhericyresignation；sheseemedbeyondallreachnowofthefearthathadoncemasteredher，oftheremorsethathadoncetorturedhersoul。Withafirmhandshegavehimthepromisedmoney。Withafirmfaceshelookedherlastathim。“I\'mnottoblame，“hewhispered，eagerly；“Ihaveonlydonewhatyouaskedme。“Shebowedherhead；shebentittowardhimkindlyandlethimtouchherfore-headwithhislips。“Takecare！“hesaid。“Mylastwordsare——forGod\'ssaketakecarewhenI\'mgone！“Sheturnedfromhimwithasmile，andspokeherfarewellwordstohiswife。Mrs。Wraggetriedhardtofaceherlossbravely——thelossofthefriendwhosepresencehadfallenlikelightfromHeavenoverthedimpathwayofherlife。“Youhavebeenverygoodtome，mydear；Ithankyoukindly；Ithankyouwithallmyheart。“Shecouldsaynomore；sheclungtoMagdaleninapassionoftears，ashermothermighthaveclungtoher，ifhermotherhadlivedtoseethathorribleday。“I\'mfrightenedforyou！“criedthepoorcreature，inawild，wailingvoice。“Oh，mydarling，I\'mfrightenedforyou！“Magdalendesperatelydrewherselffree——kissedher——andhurriedouttothedoor。Theexpressionofthatartlessgratitude，thecryofthatguilelesslove，shookherasnothingelsehadshakenherthatday。Itwasarefugetogettothecarriage——arefuge，thoughthemanshehadmarriedstoodtherewaitingforheratthedoor。
Mrs。Wraggetriedtofollowherintothegarden。ButthecaptainhadseenMagdalen\'sfaceassheranout，andhesteadilyheldhiswifebackinthepassage。Fromthatdistancethelastfarewellswereexchanged。Aslongasthecarriagewasinsight，Magdalenlookedbackatthem；shewavedherhandkerchiefassheturnedthecorner。Inamomentmorethelastthreadwhichboundhertothemwasbroken；thefamiliarcompanionshipofmanymonthswasathingofthepastalready！
CaptainWraggeclosedthehousedoorontheidlerswhowerelookinginfromtheParade。Heledhiswifebackintothesitting-room，andspoketoherwithaforbearancewhichshehadneveryetexperiencedfromhim。
“Shehasgoneherway，“hesaid，“andinanotherhourweshallhavegoneours。Cryyourcryout——Idon\'tdenyshe\'sworthcryingfor。“
Eventhen——evenwhenthedreadofMagdalen\'sfuturewasatitsdarkestinhismind——therulinghabitoftheman\'slifeclungtohim。Mechanicallyheunlockedhisdispatch-box。MechanicallyheopenedhisBookofAccounts，andmadetheclosingentry——theentryofhislasttransactionwithMagdalen——inblackandwhite。“ByRec\'dfromMissVanstone，“wrotethecaptain，withagloomybrow，“Twohundredpounds。“
“Youwon\'tbeangrywithme？“saidMrs。Wragge，lookingtimidlyatherhusbandthroughhertears。“Iwantawordofcomfort，captain。Oh，dotellme，whenshallIseeheragain？“
Thecaptainclosedthebook，andansweredinoneinexorableword:“Never！“
Betweenelevenandtwelveo\'clockthatnightMrs。LecountdroveintoZurich。
Herbrother\'shouse，whenshestoppedbeforeit，wasshutup。Withsomedifficultyanddelaytheservantwasaroused。Sheheldupherhandsinspeechlessamazementwhensheopenedthedoorandsawwhothevisitorwas。
“Ismybrotheralive？“askedMrs。Lecount，enteringthehouse。
“Alive！“echoedtheservant。“Hehasgoneholiday-makingintothecountry，tofinishhisrecoveryinthefinefreshair。“
Thehousekeeperstaggeredbackagainstthewallofthepassage。Thecoachmanandtheservantputherintoachair。Herfacewaslivid，andherteethchatteredinherhead。
“Sendformybrother\'sdoctor，“shesaid，assoonasshecouldspeak。
Thedoctorcame。Shehandedhimaletterbeforehecouldsayaword。
“Didyouwritethatletter？“
Helookeditoverrapidly，andansweredherwithouthesitation，“Certainlynot！“
“Itisyourhandwriting。“
“Itisaforgeryofmyhandwriting。“
Sherosefromthechairwithanewstrengthinher。
“WhendoesthereturnmailstartforParis？“sheasked。
“Inhalfanhour。“
“Sendinstantlyandtakemeaplaceinit！“
Theservanthesitated，thedoctorprotested。Sheturnedadeafeartothemboth。
“Send！“shereiterated，“orIwillgomyself。“
Theyobeyed。Theservantwenttotaketheplace:thedoctorremainedandheldaconversationwithMrs。Lecount。Whenthehalf-hourhadpassed，hehelpedherintoherplaceinthemail，andchargedtheconductorprivatelytotakecareofhispassenger。
“ShehastraveledfromEnglandwithoutstopping，“saidthedoctor；“andsheistravelingbackagainwithoutrest。Becarefulofher，orshewillbreakdownunderthedoublejourney。“
Themailstarted。BeforethefirsthourofthenewdaywasatanendMrs。LecountwasonherwaybacktoEngland。
THEENDOFTHEFOURTHSCENE。
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]NoName，BetweentheScenesBETWEENTHESCENES。PROGRESSOFTHESTORYTHROUGHTHEPOST。I。FromGeorgeBartramtoNoelVanstone。
“St。Crux，September4th，1847。
“MYDEARNOEL——Herearetwoplainquestionsatstarting。Inthenameofallthatismysterious，whatareyouhidingfor？Andwhyiseverythingrelatingtoyourmarriagekeptanimpenetrablesecretfromyouroldestfriends？
“IhavebeentoAldboroughtotryifIcouldtraceyoufromthatplace，andhavecomebackaswiseasIwent。IhaveappliedtoyourlawyerinLondon，andhavebeentold，inreply，thatyouhaveforbiddenhimtodisclosetheplaceofyourretreattoanyonewithoutfirstreceivingyourpermissiontodoso。AllIcouldprevailonhimtosaywas，thathewouldforwardanyletterwhichmightbesenttohiscare。Iwriteaccordingly，andmindthis，Iexpectananswer。
“Youmayask，inyourill-temperedway，whatbusinessIhavetomeddlewithaffairsofyourswhichitisyourpleasuretokeepprivate。MydearNoel，thereisaseriousreasonforouropeningcommunicationswithyoufromthishouse。Youdon\'tknowwhateventshavetakenplaceatSt。Cruxsinceyouranawaytogetmarried；andthoughIdetestwritingletters，Imustloseanhour\'sshootingto-dayintryingtoenlightenyou。
“Onthetwenty-thirdoflastmonth，theadmiralandIweredisturbedoverourwineafterdinnerbytheannouncementthatavisitorhadunexpectedlyarrivedatSt。Crux。Whodoyouthinkthevisitorwas？Mrs。Lecount！
“Myuncle，withthatold-fashionedbachelorgallantryofhiswhichpaysequalrespecttoallwearersofpetticoats，leftthetabledirectlytowelcomeMrs。Lecount。WhileIwasdebatingwhetherIshouldfollowhimornot，mymeditationsweresuddenlybroughttoanendbyaloudcallfromtheadmiral。Iranintothemorning-room，andtherewasyourunfortunatehousekeeperonthesofa，withallthewomenservantsabouther，moredeadthanalive。ShehadtraveledfromEnglandtoZurich，andfromZurichbackagaintoEngland，withoutstopping；andshelooked，seriouslyandliterally，atdeath\'sdoor。Iimmediatelyagreedwithmyunclethatthefirstthingtobedonewastosendformedicalhelp。Wedispatchedagroomonthespot，and，atMrs。Lecount\'sownrequest，sentalltheservantsinabodyoutoftheroom。
“Assoonaswewerealone，Mrs。Lecountsurprisedusbyasingularquestion。
SheaskedifyouhadreceivedaletterwhichshehadaddressedtoyoubeforeleavingEnglandatthishouse。Whenwetoldherthattheletterhadbeenforwarded，undercovertoyourfriendMr。Bygrave，byyourownparticularrequest，sheturnedaspaleasashes；andwhenweaddedthatyouhadleftusincompanywiththissameMr。Bygrave，sheclaspedherhandsandstaredatusasifshehadtakenleaveofhersenses。Hernextquestionwas，\'WhereisMr。Noelnow？\'Wecouldonlygiveheronereply——Mr。Noelhadnotinformedus。Shelookedperfectlythunderstruckatthatanswer。\'Hehasgonetohisruin！\'shesaid。\'HehasgoneawayincompanywiththegreatestvillaininEngland。Imustfindhim！ItellyouImustfindMr。Noel！IfIdon\'tfindhimatonce，itwillbetoolate。Hewillbemarried！\'sheburstoutquitefrantically。\'Onmyhonorandmyoath，hewillbemarried！\'Theadmiral，incautiouslyperhaps，butwiththebestintentions，toldheryouweremarriedalready。Shegaveascreamthatmadethewindowsringagainanddroppedbackonthesofainafainting-fit。Thedoctorcameinthenickoftime，andsoonbroughtherto。Butshewastakenillthesamenight；shehasgrownworseandworseeversince；andthelastmedicalreportis，thatthefeverfromwhichshehasbeensufferingisinafairwaytosettleonherbrain。
“Now，mydearNoel，neithermyunclenorIhaveanywishtointrudeourselvesonyourconfidence。Wearenaturallyastonishedattheextraordinarymysterywhichhangsoveryouandyourmarriage，andwecannotbeblindtothefactthatyourhousekeeperhas，apparently，somestrongreasonofherownforviewingMrs。NoelVanstonewithanenmityanddistrustwhichwearequitereadytobelievethatladyhasdonenothingtodeserve。Whateverstrangemisunderstandingtheremayhavebeeninyourhousehold，isyourbusinessifyouchoosetokeepittoyourself，andnotours。Allwehaveanyrighttodoistotellyouwhatthedoctorsays。Hispatienthasbeendelirious；hedeclinestoanswerforherlifeifshegoesonassheisgoingonnow；andhethinks——findingthatsheisperpetuallytalkingofhermaster——thatyourpresencewouldbeusefulinquietingher，ifyoucouldcomehereatonce，andexertyourinfluencebeforeitistoolate。
“Whatdoyousay？WillyouemergefromthedarknessthatsurroundsyouandcometoSt。Crux？Ifthiswasthecaseofanordinaryservant，Icouldunderstandyourhesitatingtoleavethedelightsofyourhoneymoonforanysuchobjectasishereproposedtoyou。But，mydearfellow，Mrs。Lecountisnotanordinaryservant。Youareunderobligationstoherfidelityandattachmentinyourfather\'stime，aswellasinyourown；andifyoucanquiettheanxietieswhichseemtobedrivingthisunfortunatewomanmad，Ireallythinkyououghttocomehereanddoso。YourleavingMrs。NoelVanstoneisofcourseoutofthequestion。Thereisnonecessityforanysuchhard-heartedproceeding。Theadmiraldesiresmetoremindyouthatheisyouroldestfriendliving，andthathishouseisatyourwife\'sdisposal，asithasalwaysbeenatyours。Inthisgreatrambling-placesheneeddreadnonearassociationwiththesick-room；and，withallmyuncle\'soddities，Iamsureshewillnotthinktheofferofhisfriendshipanoffertobedespised。
“HaveItoldyoualreadythatIwenttoAldboroughtotryandfindaclewtoyourwhereabouts？Ican\'tbeatthetroubleoflookingbacktosee；so，ifIhavetoldyou，Itellyouagain。Thetruthis，ImadeanacquaintanceatAldboroughofwhomyouknowsomething——atleastbyreport。
“AfterapplyingvainlyatSeaView，Iwenttothehoteltoinquireaboutyou。Thelandladycouldgivemenoinformation；butthemomentImentionedyourname，sheaskedifIwasrelatedtoyou；andwhenItoldherIwasyourcousin，shesaidtherewasayoungladythenatthehotelwhosenamewasVanstonealso，whowasingreatdistressaboutamissingrelative，andwhomightproveofsomeusetome——orItoher——ifweknewofeachother\'serrandatAldborough。Ihadnottheleastideawhoshewas，butIsentinmycardataventure；andinfiveminutesafterwardIfoundmyselfinthepresenceofoneofthemostcharmingwomentheseeyeseverlookedon。
“Ourfirstwordsofexplanationinformedmethatmyfamilynamewasknowntoherbyrepute。Whodoyouthinkshewas？Theeldestdaughterofmyuncleandyours——AndrewVanstone。IhadoftenheardmypoormotherinpastyearsspeakofherbrotherAndrew，andIknewofthatsadstoryatCombe-Raven。Butourfamilies，asyouareaware，hadalwaysbeenestranged，andIhadneverseenmycharmingcousinbefore。Shehasthedarkeyesandhair，andthegentle，retiringmannersthatIalwaysadmireinawoman。
Idon\'twanttorenewourolddisagreementaboutyourfather\'sconducttothosetwosisters，ortodenythathisbrotherAndrewmayhavebehavedbadlytohim；IamwillingtoadmitthatthehighmoralpositionhetookinthematterisquiteunassailablebysuchamiserablesinnerasIam；
andIwillnotdisputethatmyownspendthrifthabitsincapacitatemefromofferinganyopinionontheconductofotherpeople\'specuniaryaffairs。
But，withalltheseallowancesanddrawbacks，Icantellyouonething，Noel。IfyoueverseetheelderMissVanstone，Iventuretoprophesythat，forthefirsttimeinyourlife，youwilldoubttheproprietyoffollowingyourfather\'sexample。
“Shetoldmeherlittlestory，poorthing，mostsimplyandunaffectedly。
Sheisnowoccupyinghersecondsituationasagoverness——and，asusual，I，whoknoweverybody，knowthefamily。Theyarefriendsofmyuncle\'s，whomhehaslostsightoflatterly——theTyrrelsofPortlandPlace——andtheytreatMissVanstonewithasmuchkindnessandconsiderationasifshewasamemberofthefamily。OneoftheiroldservantsaccompaniedhertoAldborough，herobjectintravelingtothatplacebeingwhatthelandladyofthehotelhadstatedittobe。Thefamilyreverseshave，itseems，hadaseriouseffectonMissVanstone\'syoungersister，whohasleftherfriendsandwhohasbeenmissingfromhomeforsometime。ShehadbeenlastheardofatAldborough；andhereldersister，onherreturnfromtheContinentwiththeTyrrels，hadinstantlysetouttomakeinquiriesatthatplace。
“ThiswasallMissVanstonetoldme。Sheaskedwhetheryouhadseenanythingofhersister，orwhetherMrs。Lecountknewanythingofhersister——I
supposebecauseshewasawareyouhadbeenatAldborough。OfcourseIcouldtellhernothing。Sheenteredintonodetailsonthesubject，andIcouldnotpresumetoaskherforany。AllIdidwastosettoworkwithmightandmaintoassistherinquiries。Theattemptwasanutterfailure；nobodycouldgiveusanyinformation。Wetriedpersonaldescriptionofcourse；
andstrangetosay，theonlyyoungladyformerlystayingatAldboroughwhoansweredthedescriptionwas，ofallthepeopleintheworld，theladyyouhavemarried！Ifshehadnothadanuncleandauntbothofwhomhavelefttheplace，Ishouldhavebeguntosuspectthatyouhadmarriedyourcousinwithoutknowingit！Isthistheclewtothemystery？Don\'tbeangry；
Imusthavemylittlejoke，andIcan\'thelpwritingascarelesslyasI
talk。Theendofitwas，ourinquirieswereallbaffled，andItraveledbackwithMissVanstoneandherattendantasfarasourstationhere。I
thinkIshallcallontheTyrrelswhenIamnextinLondon。Ihavecertainlytreatedthatfamilywiththemostinexcusableneglect。
“HereIamattheendofmythirdsheetofnote-paper！Idon\'toftentakethepeninhand；butwhenIdo，youwillagreewithmethatIaminnohurrytolayitasideagain。Treattherestofmyletterasyoulike，butconsiderwhatIhavetoldyouaboutMrs。Lecount，andrememberthattimeisofconsequence。
“Everyours，GEORGEBARTRAM。\'
II。FromNorahVanstonetoMissGarth。
“PortlandPlace。
“MYDEARMISSGARTH——Moresorrow，moredisappointment！IhavejustreturnedfromAldborough，withoutmakinganydiscovery。Magdalenisstilllosttous。
“Icannotattributethisnewoverthrowofmyhopestoanywantofperseveranceorpenetrationinmakingthenecessaryinquiries。MyinexperienceinsuchmatterswasmostkindlyandunexpectedlyassistedbyMr。GeorgeBartram。
Byastrangecoincidence，hehappenedtobeatAldborough，inquiringafterMr。NoelVanstone，attheverytimewhenIwasthereinquiringafterMagdalen。
Hesentinhiscard，andknowing，whenIlookedatthename，thathewasmycousin——ifImaycallhimso——Ithoughttherewouldbenoimproprietyinmyseeinghimandaskinghisadvice。IabstainedfromenteringintoparticularsforMagdalen\'ssake，andImadenoallusiontothatletterofMrs。Lecount\'swhichyouansweredforme。IonlytoldhimMagdalenwasmissing，andhadbeenlastheardofatAldborough。Thekindnesswhichheshowedindevotinghimselftomyassistanceexceedsalldescription。Hetreatedme，inmyforlornsituation，withadelicacyandrespectwhichIshallremembergratefullylongafterhehashimselfperhapsforgottenourmeetingaltogether。Heisquiteyoung——notmorethanthirty，Ishouldthink。Infaceandfigure，heremindedmealittleoftheportraitofmyfatheratCombe-Raven——Imeantheportraitinthedining-room，ofmyfatherwhenhewasayoungman。
“Uselessasourinquirieswere，thereisoneresultofthemwhichhasleftaverystrangeandshockingimpressiononmymind。
“ItappearsthatMr。NoelVanstonehaslatelymarried，undermysteriouscircumstances，ayoungladywhomhemetwithatAldborough，namedBygrave。
Hehasgoneawaywithhiswife，tellingnobodybuthislawyerwherehehasgoneto。ThisIheardfromMr。GeorgeBartram，whowasendeavoringtotracehim，forthepurposeofcommunicatingthenewsofhishousekeeper\'sseriousillness——thehousekeeperbeingthesameMrs。Lecountwhoseletteryouanswered。Sofar，youmaysay，thereisnothingwhichneedparticularlyinteresteitherofus。ButIthinkyouwillbeasmuchsurprisedasIwaswhenItellyouthatthedescriptiongivenbythepeopleatAldboroughofMissBygrave\'sappearanceismoststartlinglyandunaccountablylikethedescriptionofMagdalen\'sappearance。Thisdiscovery，takeninconnectionwithallthecircumstancesweknowof，hashadaneffectonmymindwhichIcannotdescribetoyou——whichIdarenotrealizetomyself。Praycomeandseeme！IhaveneverfeltsowretchedaboutMagdalenasIfeelnow。
Suspensemusthaveweakenedmynervesinsomestrangeway。Ifeelsuperstitiousabouttheslightestthings。ThisaccidentalresemblanceofatotalstrangertoMagdalenfillsmeeverynowandthenwiththemosthorriblemisgivings——merelybecauseMr。NoelVanstone\'snamehappenstobemixedupwithit。Oncemore，praycometome；IhavesomuchtosaytoyouthatIcannot，anddarenot，sayinwriting。
“Gratefullyandaffectionatelyyours，“NORAH。“
III。FromMr。JohnLoscombeSolicitortoGeorgeBartram，Esq。
“Lincoln\'sInn，London，September6th，1847。
“SIR——Ibegtoacknowledgethereceiptofyournote，inclosingaletteraddressedtomyclient，Mr。NoelVanstone，andrequestingthatIwillforwardthesametoMr。Vanstone\'spresentaddress。
“SinceIlasthadthepleasureofcommunicatingwithyouonthissubject，mypositiontowardmyclientisentirelyaltered。ThreedaysagoIreceivedaletterfromhim，whichstatedhisintentionofchanginghisplaceofresidenceonthenextdaythenensuing，butwhichleftmeentirelyinignoranceonthesubjectofthelocalitytowhichitwashisintentiontoremove。
Ihavenotheardfromhimsince；and，ashehadpreviouslydrawnonmeforalargersumofmoneythanusual，therewouldbenopresentnecessityforhiswritingtomeagain——assumingthatitishiswishtokeephisplaceofresidenceconcealedfromeveryone，myselfincluded。
“Underthesecircumstances，Ithinkitrighttoreturnyouyourletter，withtheassurancethatIwillletyouknow，ifIhappentobeagainplacedinapositiontoforwardittoitsdestination。
Yourobedientservant，“JOHNLOSCOMBE。“
IV。FromNorahVanstonetoMissGarth。
“PortlandPlace。
“MYDEARMISSGARTH——ForgettheletterIwrotetoyouyesterday，andallthegloomyforebodingsthatitcontains。Thismorning\'sposthasbroughtnewlifetome。Ihavejustreceivedaletter，addressedtomeatyourhouse，andforwardedhere，inyourabsencefromhomeyesterday，byyoursister。Canyouguesswhothewriteris？——Magdalen！
“Theletterisveryshort；itseemstohavebeenwritteninahurry。
Shesaysshehasbeendreamingofmeforsomenightspast，andthedreamshavemadeherfearthatherlongsilencehascausedmemoredistressonheraccountthansheisworth。Shewrites，therefore，toassuremethatsheissafeandwell——thatshehopestoseemebeforelong——andthatshehassomethingtotellme，whenwemeet，whichwilltrymysisterlyloveforherasnothinghastriedityet。Theletterisnotdated；butthepostmarkis\'Allonby，\'whichIhavefound，onreferringtotheGazetteer，tobealittlesea-sideplaceinCumberland。Thereisnohopeofmybeingabletowriteback，forMagdalenexpresslysaysthatsheisontheeveofdeparturefromherpresentresidence，andthatsheisnotatlibertytosaywheresheisgoingtonext，ortoleaveinstructionsforforwardinganylettersafterher。
“InhappiertimesIshouldhavethoughtthisletterveryfarfrombeingasatisfactoryone，andIshouldhavebeenseriouslyalarmedbythatallusiontoafutureconfidenceonherpartwhichwilltrymyloveforherasnothinghastriedityet。ButafterallthesuspenseIhavesuffered，thehappinessofseeingherhandwritingagainseemstofillmyheartandtokeepallotherfeelingsoutofit。Idon\'tsendyouherletter，becauseIknowyouarecomingtomesoon，andIwanttohavethepleasureofseeingyoureadit。
“Everaffectionatelyyours，“NORAH。
“P。S——Mr。GeorgeBartramcalledonMrs。Tyrrelto-day。Heinsistedonbeingintroducedtothechildren。Whenhewasgone，Mrs。Tyrrellaughedinhergood-humoredway，andsaidthathisanxietytoseethechildrenlooked，tohermind，verymuchlikeananxietytoseeme。YoumayimaginehowmyspiritsareimprovedwhenIcanoccupymypeninwritingsuchnonsenseasthis！“
V。FromMrs。LecounttoMr。deBleriot，GeneralAgent，London。
“St。Crux，October23d，1847。
“DEARSIR——Ihavebeenlonginthankingyouforthekindletterwhichpromisesmeyourassistance，infriendlyremembranceofthecommercialrelationsformerlyexistingbetweenmybrotherandyourself。Thetruthis，Ihaveover-taxedmystrengthonmyrecoveryfromalonganddangerousillness；andforthelasttendaysIhavebeensufferingunderarelapse。
Iamnowbetteragain，andabletoenteronthebusinesswhichyousokindlyoffertoundertakeforme。
“ThepersonwhosepresentplaceofabodeitisoftheutmostimportancetometodiscoverisMr。NoelVanstone。Ihavelived，formanyyearspast，inthisgentleman\'sserviceashouse-keeper；andnothavingreceivedmyformaldismissal，Iconsidermyselfinhisservicestill。DuringmyabsenceontheContinenthewasprivatelymarriedatAldborough，inSuffolk，ontheeighteenthofAugustlast。HeleftAldboroughthesameday，takinghiswifewithhimtosomeplaceofretreatwhichwaskeptasecretfromeverybodyexcepthislawyer，Mr。Loscombe，ofLincoln\'sInn。Afterashorttimeheagainremoved，onthe4thofSeptember，withoutinformingMr。Loscombe，onthisoccasion，ofhisnewplaceofabode。Fromthatdatetothisthelawyerhasremainedorhaspretendedtoremainintotalignoranceofwherehenowis。ApplicationhasbeenmadetoMr。Loscombe，underthecircumstances，tomentionwhatthatformerplaceofresidencewas，ofwhichMr。Vanstoneisknowntohaveinformedhim。Mr。Loscombehasdeclinedaccedingtothisrequest，forwantofformalpermissiontodisclosehisclient\'sproceedingsafterleavingAldborough。IhavealltheselatterparticularsfromMr。
Loscombe\'scorrespondent——thenephewofthegentlemanwhoownsthishouse，andwhosecharityhasgivenmeanasylum，duringtheheavyafflictionofmysickness，underhisownroof。
“IbelievethereasonswhichhaveinducedMr。NoelVanstonetokeephimselfandhiswifeinhidingarereasonswhichrelateentirelytomyself。
Inthefirstplace，heisawarethatthecircumstancesunderwhichhehasmarriedaresuchastogivemetherightofregardinghimwithajustindignation。
Inthesecondplace，heknowsthatmyfaithfulservices，renderedthroughaperiodoftwentyyears，tohisfatherandtohimself，forbidhim，incommondecency，tocastmeouthelplessontheworldwithoutaprovisionfortheendofmylife。Heisthemeanestoflivingmen，andhiswifeisthevilestoflivingwomen。Aslongashecanavoidfulfillinghisobligationstome，hewill；andhiswife\'sencouragementmaybetrustedtofortifyhiminhisingratitude。
“Myobjectindeterminingtofindhimoutisbrieflythis。Hismarriagehasexposedhimtoconsequenceswhichamanoftentimeshiscouragecouldnotfacewithoutshrinking。Ofthoseconsequencesheknowsnothing。Hiswifeknows，andkeepshiminignorance。Iknow，andcanenlightenhim。
Hissecurityfromthedangerthatthreatenshimisinmyhandsalone；andheshallpaythepriceofhisrescuetothelastfarthingofthedebtthatjusticeclaimsformeasmydue——nomore，andnoless。
“Ihavenowlaidmymindbeforeyou，asyoutoldme，withoutreserve。
YouknowwhyIwanttofindthisman，andwhatImeantodowhenIfindhim。Ileaveittoyoursympathyformetoanswertheseriousquestionthatremains:Howisthediscoverytobemade？Ifafirsttraceofthemcanbefound，aftertheirdeparturefromAldborough，Ibelievecarefulinquirywillsufficefortherest。Thepersonalappearanceofthewife，andtheextraordinarycontrastbetweenherhusbandandherself，arecertaintoberemarked，andremembered，byeverystrangerwhoseesthem。
“Whenyoufavormewithyouranswer，pleaseaddressitto\'CareofAdmiralBartram，St。Crux-inthe-Marsh，nearOssory，Essex\'。YourmuchobligedVIRGINIELECOUNT。“
VI。FromMr。deBleriottoMrs。Lecount。
“Dark\'sBuildings，Kingsland，“October25th，1847。
“PrivateandConfidential。
“DEARMADAM——IhastentoreplytoyourfavorofSaturday\'sdate。Circumstanceshaveenabledmetoforwardyourinterests，byconsultingafriendofminepossessinggreatexperienceinthemanagementofprivateinquiriesofallsorts。Ihaveplacedyourcasebeforehimwithoutmentioningnames；andIamhappytoinformyouthatmyviewsandhisviewsofthepropercoursetotakeagreeineveryparticular。
“Bothmyselfandfriend，then，areofopinionthatlittleornothingcanbedonetowardtracingthepartiesyoumention，untiltheplaceoftheirtemporaryresidenceaftertheyleftAldboroughhasbeendiscoveredfirst。Ifthiscanbedone，thesooneritisdonethebetter。Judgingfromyourletter，someweeksmusthavepassedsincethelawyerreceivedhisinformationthattheyhadshiftedtheirquarters。Astheyarebothremarkable-lookingpeople，thestrangerswhomayhaveassistedthemontheirtravelshaveprobablynotforgottenthemyet。Nevertheless，expeditionisdesirable。
“Thequestionforyoutoconsideris，whethertheymaynotpossiblyhavecommunicatedtheaddressofwhichwestandinneedtosomeotherpersonbesidesthelawyer。Thehusbandmayhavewrittentomembersofhisfamily，orthewifemayhavewrittentomembersofherfamily。Bothmyselfandfriendareofopinionthatthelatterchanceisthelikelierofthetwo。
Ifyouhaveanymeansofaccessinthedirectionofthewife\'sfamily，westronglyrecommendyoutomakeuseofthem。Ifnot，pleasesupplyuswiththenamesofanyofhernearrelationsorintimatefemalefriendswhomyouknow，andwewillendeavortogetaccessforyou。
“Inanycase，werequestyouwillatoncefavoruswiththemostexactpersonaldescriptionthatcanbewrittenofboththeparties。Wemayrequireyourassistance，inthisimportantparticular，atfiveminutes\'notice。
Favorus，therefore，withthedescriptionbyreturnofpost。Inthemeantime，wewillendeavortoascertainonoursidewhetheranyinformationistobeprivatelyobtainedatMr。Loscombe\'soffice。Thelawyerhimselfisprobablyaltogetherbeyondourreach。Butifanyoneofhisclerkscanbeadvantageouslytreatedwithonsuchtermsasmaynotovertaxyourpecuniaryresources，acceptmyassurancethattheopportunityshallbemadethemostofby，dearmadam，yourfaithfulservant，ALFREDDEBLERIOT。“
VII。FromMr。PendriltoNorahVanstone。
“SerleStreet，October27th。1847。
“MYDEARMISSVANSTONE——AladynamedLecountformerlyattachedtoMr。
NoelVanstone\'sserviceinthecapacityofhousekeeperhascalledatmyofficethismorning，andhasaskedmetofurnishherwithyouraddress。
Ihavebeggedhertoexcusemyimmediatecompliancewithherrequest，andtofavormewithacallto-morrowmorning，whenIshallbepreparedtomeetherwithadefiniteanswer。
“MyhesitationinthismatterdoesnotproceedfromanydistrustofMrs。Lecountpersonally，forIknownothingwhatevertoherprejudice。
Butinmakingherrequesttome，shestatedthattheobjectofthedesiredinterviewwastospeaktoyouprivatelyonthesubjectofyoursister。
ForgivemeforacknowledgingthatIdeterminedtowithholdtheaddressassoonasIheardthis。Youwillmakeallowancesforyouroldfriend，andyoursincerewell-wisher？YouwillnottakeitamissifIexpressmystrongdisapprovalofyourallowingyourself，onanypretensewhatever，tobemixedupforthefuturewithyoursister\'sproceedings。
“Iwillnotdistressyoubysayingmorethanthis。ButIfeeltoodeepaninterestinyourwelfare，andtoosincereanadmirationofthepatiencewithwhichyouhaveborneallyourtrials，tosayless。
“IfIcannotprevailonyoutofollowmyadvice，youhaveonlytosayso，andMrs。Lecountshallhaveyouraddressto-morrow。InthiscasewhichIcannotcontemplatewithoutthegreatestunwillingness，letmeatleastrecommendyoutostipulatethatMissGarthshallbepresentattheinterview。
Inanymatterwithwhichyoursisterisconcerned，youmaywantanoldfriend\'sadvice，andanoldfriend\'sprotectionagainstyourowngenerousimpulses。IfIcouldhavehelpedyouinthisway，Iwould；butMrs。Lecountgavemeindirectlytounderstandthatthesubjecttobediscussedwasoftoodelicateanaturetopermitofmypresence。Whateverthisobjectionmaybereallyworth，itcannotapplytoMissGarth，whohasbroughtyoubothupfromchildhood。Isay，again，therefore，ifyouseeMrs。Lecount，seeherinMissGarth\'scompany。
Alwaysmosttrulyyours，“WILLIAMPENDRIL。“
VIII。FromNorahVanstonetoMr。Pendril。
“PortlandPlace，Wednesday。
“DEARMR。PENDRIL——Praydon\'tthinkIamungratefulforyourkindness。
Indeed，indeedIamnot！ButImustseeMrs。Lecount。YouwerenotawarewhenyouwrotetomethatIhadreceivedafewlinesfromMagdalen——nottellingmewheresheis，butholdingoutthehopeofourmeetingbeforelong。PerhapsMrs。Lecountmayhavesomethingtosaytomeonthisverysubject。Evenifitshouldnotbeso，mysister——dowhatshemay——isstillmysister。Ican\'tdeserther；Ican\'tturnmybackonanyonewhocomestomeinhername。Youknow，dearMr。Pendril，Ihavealwaysbeenobstinateonthissubject，andyouhavealwaysbornewithme。LetmeoweanotherobligationtoyouwhichIcanneverreturn，andbearwithmestill！
“NeedIsaythatIwillinglyacceptthatpartofyouradvicewhichreferstoMissGarth？Ihavealreadywrittentobegthatshewillcomehereatfourto-morrowafternoon。WhenyouseeMrs。Lecount，pleaseinformherthatMissGarthwillbewithme，andthatshewillfindusbothreadytoreceiveherhereto-morrowatfouro\'clock。Gratefullyyours，“NORAHVANSTONE。“