IX。FromMr。deBleriottoMrs。Lecount。
“Dark\'sBuildings，October28th。
“Private。
“DEARMADAM——OneofMr。Loscombe\'sclerkshasprovedamenabletoasmallpecuniaryconsideration，andhasmentionedacircumstancewhichitmaybeofsomeimportancetoyoutoknow。
“Nearlyamonthsince，accidentgavetheclerkinquestionanopportunityoflookingintooneofthedocumentsonhismaster\'stable，whichhadattractedhisattentionfromaslightpeculiarityintheformandcolorofthepaper。
Hehadonlytime，duringMr。Loscombe\'smomentaryabsence，tosatisfyhiscuriositybylookingatthebeginningofthedocumentandattheend。Atthebeginninghesawthecustomaryformusedinmakingawill；attheendhediscoveredthesignatureofMr。NoelVanstone，withthenamesoftwoattestingwitnesses，andthedateofwhichheisquitecertain——thethirtiethofSeptemberlast。
“Beforetheclerkhadtimetomakeanyfurtherinvestigations，hismasterreturned，sortedthepapersonthetable，andcarefullylockedupthewillinthestrongboxdevotedtothecustodyofMr。NoelVanstone\'sdocuments。
Ithasbeenascertainedthat，atthecloseofSeptember，Mr。Loscombewasabsentfromtheoffice。Ifhewasthenemployedinsuperintendingtheexecutionofhisclient\'swill——whichisquitepossible——itfollowsclearlythathewasinthesecretofMr。Vanstone\'saddressaftertheremovalofthe4thofSeptember；andifyoucandonothingonyourside，itmaybedesirabletohavethelawyerwatchedonours。Inanycase，itiscertainlyascertainedthatMr。NoelVanstonehasmadehiswillsincehismarriage。Ileaveyoutodrawyourownconclusionsfromthatfact，andremain，inthehopeofhearingfromyoushortly，“Yourfaithfulservant，“ALFREDDEBLERIOT。“
X。FromMissGarthtoMr。Pendril。
“PortlandPlace，October28th。
“MYDEARSIR——Mrs。Lecounthasjustleftus。Ifitwasnottoolatetowish，Ishouldwish，fromthebottomofmyheart，thatNorahhadtakenyouradvice，andhadrefusedtoseeher。
“IwriteinsuchdistressofmindthatIcannothopetogiveyouaclearandcompleteaccountoftheinterview。IcanonlytellyoubrieflywhatMrs。Lecounthasdone，andwhatoursituationnowis。TherestmustbeleftuntilIammorecomposed，anduntilIcanspeaktoyoupersonally。
“YouwillremembermyinformingyouoftheletterwhichMrs。LecountaddressedtoNorahfromAldborough，andwhichIansweredforherinherabsence。WhenMrs。Lecountmadeherappearanceto-day，herfirstwordsannouncedtousthatshehadcometorenewthesubject。AswellasIcanrememberit，thisiswhatshesaid，addressingherselftoNorah:
“\'Iwrotetoyouonthesubjectofyoursister，MissVanstone，somelittletimesince，andMissGarthwassogoodastoanswertheletter。
WhatIfearedatthattimehascometrue。Yoursisterhasdefiedallmyeffortstocheckher；shehasdisappearedincompanywithmymaster，Mr。
NoelVanstone；andsheisnowinapositionofdangerwhichmayleadtoherdisgraceandruinatamoment\'snotice。Itismyinteresttorecovermymaster，itisyourinteresttosaveyoursister。Tellme——fortimeisprecious——haveyouanynewsofher？\'
“Norahanswered，aswellasherterroranddistresswouldallowher，\'Ihavehadaletter，buttherewasnoaddressonit。\'
“Mrs。Lecountasked，\'Wastherenopostmarkontheenvelope？\'
“Norahsaid，\'Yes；Allonby。\'
“\'Allonbyisbetterthannothing，\'saidMrs。Lecount。\'Allonbymayhelpyoutotraceher。WhereisAllonby？\'
“Norahtoldher。Itallpassedinaminute。Ihadbeentoomuchconfusedandstartledtointerferebefore，butIcomposedmyselfsufficientlytointerferenow。
“\'Youhaveenteredintonoparticulars，\'Isaid。\'Youhaveonlyfrightenedus——youhavetoldusnothing。\'
“\'Youshallheartheparticulars，ma\'am，\'saidMrs。Lecount；\'andyouandMissVanstoneshalljudgeforyourselvesifIhavefrightenedyouwithoutacause。\'
“Uponthis，sheenteredatonceuponalongnarrative，whichIcannot——I
mightalmostsay，whichIdarenot——repeat。YouwillunderstandthehorrorwebothfeltwhenItellyoutheend。IfMrs。Lecount\'sstatementistobereliedon，Magdalenhascarriedhermadresolutionofrecoveringherfather\'sfortunetothelastandmostdesperateextremity——shehasmarriedMichaelVanstone\'ssonunderafalsename。HerhusbandisatthismomentstillpersuadedthathermaidennamewasBygrave，andthatsheisreallythenieceofascoundrelwhoassistedherimposture，andwhomIrecognize，bythedescriptionofhim，tohavebeenCaptainWragge。
“IspareyouMrs。Lecount\'scoolavowal，whensherosetoleaveus，ofherownmercenarymotivesinwishingtodiscoverhermasterandtoenlightenhim。IspareyouthehintsshedroppedofMagdalen\'spurposeincontractingthisinfamousmarriage。TheoneaimandobjectofmyletteristoimploreyoutoassistmeinquietingNorah\'sanguishofmind。Theshockshehasreceivedathearingthisnewsofhersisterisnottheworstresultofwhathashappened。Shehaspersuadedherselfthattheanswerssheinnocentlygave，inherdistress，toMrs。Lecount\'squestionsonthesubjectofherletter——theanswerswrungfromherunderthesuddenpressureofconfusionandalarm——maybeusedtoMagdalen\'sprejudicebythewomanwhopurposelystartledherintogivingtheinformation。Icanonlypreventherfromtakingsomedesperatesteponherside——somestepbywhichshemayforfeitthefriendshipandprotectionoftheexcellentpeoplewithwhomsheisnowliving——byremindingherthatifMrs。Lecounttraceshermasterbymeansofthepostmarkontheletter，wemaytraceMagdalenatthesametime，andbythesamemeans。WhateverobjectionyoumaypersonallyfeeltorenewingtheeffortsfortherescueofthismiserablegirlwhichfailedsolamentablyatYork，Ientreatyou，forNorah\'ssake，totakethesamestepsnowwhichwetookthen。Sendmetheonlyassurancewhichwillquiether——theassurance，underyourownhand，thatthesearchonoursidehasbegun。Ifyouwilldothis，youmaytrustme，whenthetimecomes，tostandbetweenthesetwosisters，andtodefendNorah\'speace，character，andfutureprosperityatanyprice。
“Mostsincerelyyours，“HARRIETGARTH。“
XI。FromMrs。LecounttoMr。deBleriot。
“October28th。
“DEARSIR——Ihavefoundthetraceyouwanted。Mrs。NoelVanstonehaswrittentohersister。Thelettercontainsnoaddress，butthepostmarkisAllonby，inCumberland。FromAllonby，therefore，theinquiriesmustbegin。Youhavealreadyinyourpossessionthepersonaldescriptionofbothhusbandandwife。Iurgentlyrecommendyounottoloseoneunnecessarymoment。IfitispossibletosendtoCumberlandimmediatelyonreceiptofthisletter，Ibegyouwilldoso。
“IhaveanotherwordtosaybeforeIclosemynote——awordaboutthediscoveryinMr。Loscombe\'soffice。
“ItisnosurprisetometohearthatMr。NoelVanstonehasmadehiswillsincehismarriage，andIamatnolosstoguessinwhosefavorthewillismade。IfIsucceedinfindingmymaster，letthatpersongetthemoneyifthatpersoncan。AcoursetofollowinthismatterhaspresenteditselftomymindsinceIreceivedyourletter，butmyignoranceofdetailsofbusinessandintricaciesoflawleavesmestilluncertainwhethermyideaiscapableofreadyandcertainexecution。IknownoprofessionalpersonwhomIcantrustinthisdelicateanddangerousbusiness。Isyourlargeexperienceinothermatterslargeenoughtohelpmeinthis？Iwillcallatyourofficeto-morrowattwoo\'clock，forthepurposeofconsultingyouonthesubject。Itisofthegreatestimportance，whenInextseeMr。
NoelVanstone，thatheshouldfindmethoroughlypreparedbeforehandinthismatterofthewill。Yourmuchobligedservant，“VIRGINIELECOUNT。“
XII。FromMr。PendriltoMissGarth。
“SerleStreet，October29th。
“DEARMISSGARTH——IhaveonlyamomenttoassureyouofthesorrowwithwhichIhavereadyourletter。Thecircumstancesunderwhichyouurgeyourrequest，andthereasonsyougiveformakingit，aresufficienttosilenceanyobjectionImightotherwisefeeltothecourseyoupropose。
Atrustworthyperson，whomIhavemyselfinstructed，willstartforAllonbyto-day，andassoonasIreceiveanynewsfromhim，youshallhearofitbyspecialmessenger。TellMissVanstonethis，andprayaddthesincereexpressionofmysympathyandregard。
“Faithfullyyours，WILLIAMPENDRIL。“
XIII。FromMr。deBleriottoMrs。Lecount。
“Dark\'sBuildings。November1st。
“DEARMADAM——IhavethepleasureofinformingyouthatthediscoveryhasbeenmadewithfarlesstroublethanIhadanticipated。
“Mr。andMrs。NoelVanstonehavebeentracedacrosstheSolwayFirthtoDumfries，andthencetoacottageafewmilesfromthetown，onthebanksoftheNith。TheexactaddressisBaliolCottage，nearDumfries。
“Thisinformation，thougheasilyhuntedup，hasneverthelessbeenobtainedunderrathersingularcircumstances。
“BeforeleavingAllonby，thepersonsinmyemploydiscovered，totheirsurprise，thatastrangerwasintheplacepursuingthesameinquiryasthemselves。Intheabsenceofanyinstructionspreparingthemforsuchanoccurrenceasthis，theytooktheirownviewofthecircumstance。Consideringthemanasanintruderontheirbusiness，whosesuccessmightdeprivethemofthecreditandrewardofmakingthediscovery，theytookadvantageoftheirsuperiorityinnumbers，andoftheirbeingfirstinthefield，andcarefullymisledthestrangerbeforetheyventuredanyfurtherwiththeirowninvestigations。Iaminpossessionofthedetailsoftheirproceedings，withwhichIneednottroubleyou。Theendis，thatthisperson，whoeverhemaybe，wascleverlyturnedbacksouthwardonafalsescentbeforethemeninmyemploymentcrossedtheFirth。
“Imentionthecircumstance，asyoumaybebetterablethanIamtofindaclewtoit，andasitmaypossiblybeofanaturetoinduceyoutohastenyourjourney。
“Yourfaithfulservant，“ALFREDDEBLERIOT。“
XIV。FromMrs。LecounttoMr。deBleriot。
“November1st。
“DEARSIR——OnelinetosaythatyourletterhasjustreachedmeatmylodginginLondon。IthinkIknowwhosentthestrangemantoinquireatAllonby。Itmatterslittle。Beforehefindsouthismistake，IshallbeatDumfries。Myluggageispacked，andIstartfortheNorthbythenexttrain。
“Yourdeeplyobliged“VIRGINIELECOUNT。“
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]NoName，Scene5，Chapter1THEFIFTHSCENE
BALIOLCOTTAGE，DUMFRIES。
CHAPTERI。
TOWARDeleveno\'clock，onthemorningofthethirdofNovember，thebreakfast-tableatBaliolCottagepresentedthatessentiallycomfortlessappearancewhichiscausedbyamealinastateoftransition——thatistosay，byamealpreparedfortwopersons，whichhasbeenalreadyeatenbyone，andwhichhasnotyetbeenapproachedbytheother。Itmustbeahardyappetitewhichcancontemplatewithoutamomentarydiscouragementthebatteredegg-shell，thefishhalfstrippedtoaskeleton，thecrumbsintheplate，andthedregsinthecup。Thereissurelyawisesubmissiontothoseweaknessesinhumannaturewhichmustberespectedandnotreproved，inthesympathizingrapiditywithwhichservantsinplacesofpublicrefreshmentclearawayallsignsofthecustomerinthepast，fromtheeyesofthecustomerinthepresent。Althoughhispredecessormayhavebeenthewifeofhisbosomorthechildofhisloins，nomancanfindhimselfconfrontedattablebythetracesofavanishedeater，withoutapassingsenseofinjuryinconnectionwiththeideaofhisownmeal。
SomesuchimpressionasthisfounditswayintothemindofMr。NoelVanstonewhenheenteredthelonelybreakfast-parloratBaliolCottageshortlyaftereleveno\'clock。Helookedatthetablewithafrown，andrangthebellwithanexpressionofdisgust。
“Clearawaythismess，“hesaid，whentheservantappeared。“Hasyourmistressgone？“
“Yes，sir——nearlyanhourago。“
“IsLouisadownstairs？“
“Yes，sir。“
“Whenyouhaveputthetableright，sendLouisauptome。“
Hewalkedawaytothewindow。Themomentaryirritationpassedawayfromhisface；butitleftanexpressiontherewhichremained——anexpressionofpiningdiscontent。Personally，hismarriagehadalteredhimfortheworse。Hiswizenlittlecheekswerebeginningtoshrinkintohollows，hisfraillittlefigurehadalreadycontractedaslightstoop。Theformerdelicacyofhiscomplexionhadgone——thesicklypalenessofitwasallthatremained。Histhinflaxenmustacheswerenolongerpragmaticallywaxedandtwistedintoacurl:theirweakfeatheryendshungmeeklypendentoverthequerulouscornersofhismouth。Ifthetenortwelveweekssincehismarriagehadbeencountedbyhislocks，theymighthavereckonedastenortwelveyears。Hestoodatthewindowmechanicallypickingleavesfromapotofheathplacedinfrontofit，anddrearilyhummingtheforlornfragmentofatune。
TheprospectfromthewindowoverlookedthecourseoftheNithatabendoftheriverafewmilesaboveDumfries。Hereandthere，throughwintrygapsinthewoodedbank，broadtractsofthelevelcultivatedvalleymettheeye。Boatspassedontheriver，andcartsploddedalongthehigh-roadontheirwaytoDumfries。Theskywasclear；theNovembersunshoneaspleasantlyasiftheyearhadbeenyoungerbytwogoodmonths；andtheview，notedinScotlandforitsbrightandpeacefulcharm，waspresentedatthebestwhichitswintryaspectcouldassume。Ifithadbeenhiddeninmistordrenchedwithrain，Mr。NoelVanstonewould，toallappearance，havefounditasattractiveashefounditnow。HewaitedatthewindowuntilheheardLouisa\'sknockatthedoor，thenturnedbacksullenlytothebreakfast-tableandtoldhertocomein。
“Makethetea，“hesaid。“Iknownothingaboutit。I\'mlefthereneglected。Nobodyhelpsme。“
ThediscreetLouisasilentlyandsubmissivelyobeyed。
“Didyourmistressleaveanymessageforme，“heasked，“beforeshewentaway？“
“Nomessageinparticular，sir。Mymistressonlysaidsheshouldbetoolateifshewaitedbreakfastanylonger。“
“Didshesaynothingelse？“
“Shetoldmeatthecarriagedoor，sir，thatshewouldmostlikelybebackinaweek。“
“Wassheingoodspiritsatthecarriagedoor？“
“No，sir。Ithoughtmymistressseemedveryanxiousanduneasy。IsthereanythingmoreIcando，sir？“
“Idon\'tknow。Waitaminute。“
Heproceededdiscontentedlywithhisbreakfast。Louisawaitedresignedlyatthedoor。
“Ithinkyourmistresshasbeeninbadspiritslately，“heresumed，withasuddenoutbreakofpetulance。
“Mymistresshasnotbeenverycheerful，sir。“
“Whatdoyoumeanbynotverycheerful？Doyoumeantoprevaricate？AmInobodyinthehouse？AmItobekeptinthedarkabouteverything？Isyourmistresstogoawayonherownaffairs，andleavemeathomelikeachild——andamInoteventoaskaquestionabouther？AmItobeprevaricatedwithbyaservant？Iwon\'tbeprevaricatedwith！Notverycheerful？Whatdoyoumeanbynotverycheerful？“
“Ionlymeantthatmymistresswasnotingoodspirits，sir。“
“Whycouldn\'tyousayit，then？Don\'tyouknowthevalueofwords？Themostdreadfulconsequencessometimeshappenfromnotknowingthevalueofwords。DidyourmistresstellyoushewasgoingtoLondon？“
“Yes，sir。“
“WhatdidyouthinkwhenyourmistresstoldyoushewasgoingtoLondon？Didyouthinkitoddshewasgoingwithoutme？“
“Ididnotpresumetothinkitodd，sir——IsthereanythingmoreIcandoforyou，ifyouplease，sir？“
“Whatsortofamorningisitout？Isitwarm？Isthesunonthegarden？“
“Yes，sir。“
“Haveyouseenthesunyourselfonthegarden？“
“Yes，sir。“
“Getmemygreat-coat；I\'lltakealittleturn。Hasthemanbrushedit？Didyouseethemanbrushityourself？Whatdoyoumeanbysayinghehasbrushedit，whenyoudidn\'tseehim？Letmelookatthetails。Ifthere\'saspeckofdustonthetails，I\'llturnthemanoff！——Helpmeonwithit。“
Louisahelpedhimonwithhiscoat，andgavehimhishat。Hewentoutirritably。Thecoatwasalargeoneithadbelongedtohisfather；thehatwasalargeoneitwasamisfitpurchasedasabargainbyhimself。Hewassubmergedinhishatandcoat；helookedsingularlysmall，andfrail，andmiserable，asheslowlywendedhisway，inthewintrysunlight，downthegardenwalk。Thepathslopedgentlyfromthebackofthehousetothewaterside，fromwhichitwaspartedbyalowwoodenfence。Afterpacingbackwardandforwardslowlyforsomelittletime，hestoppedatthelowerextremityofthegarden，and，leaningonthefence，lookeddownlistlesslyatthesmoothflowoftheriver。
HisthoughtsstillranonthesubjectofhisfirstfretfulquestiontoLouisa——hewasstillbroodingoverthecircumstancesunderwhichhiswifehadleftthecottagethatmorning，andoverthewantofconsiderationtowardhimselfimpliedinthemannerofherdeparture。Thelongerhethoughtofhisgrievance，themoreacutelyheresentedit。Hewascapableofgreattendernessoffeelingwhereanyinjurytohissenseofhisownimportancewasconcerned。Hisheaddroopedlittlebylittleonhisarms，astheyrestedonthefence，and，inthedeepsincerityofhismortification，hesighedbitterly。
Thesighwasansweredbyavoicecloseathisside。
“Youwerehappierwithme，sir，“saidthevoice，inaccentsoftenderregret。
Helookedupwithascream——literally，withascream——andconfrontedMrs。Lecount。
Wasitthespecterofthewoman，orthewomanherself？Herhairwaswhite；herfacehadfallenaway；hereyeslookedoutlarge，bright，andhaggardoverherhollowcheeks。Shewaswitheredandold。Herdresshunglooseroundherwastedfigure；notatraceofitsbuxomautumnalbeautyremained。Thequietlyimpenetrableresolution，thesmoothlyinsinuatingvoice——theseweretheonlyrelicsofthepastwhichsicknessandsufferinghadleftinMrs。Lecount。
“Composeyourself，Mr。Noel，“shesaid，gently。“Youhavenocausetobealarmedatseeingme。Yourservant，whenIinquired，saidyouwereinthegarden，andIcameheretofindyou。Ihavetracedyouout，sir，withnoresentmentagainstyourself，withnowishtodistressyoubysomuchastheshadowofareproach。Icomehereonwhathasbeen，andisstill，thebusinessofmylife——yourservice。
Herecoveredhimselfalittle，buthewasstillincapableofspeech。Heheldfastbythefence，andstaredather。
“Trytopossessyourmind，sir，ofwhatIsay，“proceededMrs。Lecount。“Ihavecomeherenotasyourenemy，butasyourfriend。Ihavebeentriedbysickness，Ihavebeentriedbydistress。Nothingremainsofmebutmyheart。Myheartforgivesyou；myheart，inyoursoreneed——needwhichyouhaveyettofeel——placesmeatyourservice。Takemyarm，Mr。Noel。Alittleturninthesunwillhelpyoutorecoveryourself。“
Sheputhishandthroughherarmandmarchedhimslowlyupthegardenwalk。Beforeshehadbeenfiveminutesinhiscompany，shehadresumedfullpossessionofhiminherownright“Nowdownagain，Mr。Noel，“shesaid。“Gentlydownagain，inthisfinesunlight。Ihavemuchtosaytoyou，sir，whichyouneverexpectedtohearfromme。Letmeaskalittledomesticquestionfirst。TheytoldmeatthehousedoorMrs。NoelVanstonewasgoneawayonajourney。Hasshegoneforlong？“
Hermaster\'shandtrembledonherarmassheputthatquestion。Insteadofansweringit，hetriedfaintlytopleadforhimself。Thefirstwordsthatescapedhimwerepromptedbyhisfirstreturningsense——thesensethathishousekeeperhadtakenhimintocustody。HetriedtomakehispeacewithMrs。Lecount。
“Ialwaysmeanttodosomethingforyou，“hesaid，coaxingly。“Youwouldhaveheardfrommebeforelong。Uponmywordandhonor，Lecount，youwouldhaveheardfrommebeforelong！“
“Idon\'tdoubtit，sir，“repliedMrs。Lecount。“Butforthepresent，nevermindaboutMe。Youandyourinterestsfirst。“
“Howdidyoucomehere？“heasked，lookingatherinastonishment。“Howcameyoutofindmeout？“
“Itisalongstory，sir；Iwilltellityousomeothertime。LetitbeenoughtosaynowthatIhavefoundyou。WillMrs。Noelbebackagainatthehouseto-day？Alittlelouder，sir；Icanhardlyhearyou。So！so！Notbackagainforaweek！Andwherehasshegone？ToLondon，didyousay？Andwhatfor？——Iamnotinquisitive，Mr。Noel；Iamaskingseriousquestions，underseriousnecessity。Whyhasyourwifeleftyouhere，andgonetoLondonbyherself？“
Theyweredownatthefenceagainasshemadethatlastinquiry，andtheywaited，leaningagainstit，whileNoelVanstoneanswered。Herreiteratedassurancesthatsheborehimnomalicewereproducingtheireffect；hewasbeginningtorecoverhimself。Theoldhelplesshabitofaddressingallhiscomplaintstohishousekeeperwasreturningalreadywiththere-appearanceofMrs。Lecount——returninginsidiously，incompanywiththatbesettinganxietytotalkabouthisgrievances，whichhadgotthebetterofhimatthebreakfast-table，andwhichhadshownthewoundinflictedonhisvanitytohiswife\'smaid。
“Ican\'tanswerforMrs。NoelVanstone，“hesaid，spitefully。“Mrs。NoelVanstonehasnottreatedmewiththeconsiderationwhichismydue。Shehastakenmypermissionforgranted，andshehasonlythoughtpropertotellmethattheobjectofherjourneyistoseeherfriendsinLondon。Shewentawaythismorningwithoutbiddingmegood-by。ShetakesherownwayasifIwasnobody；shetreatsmelikeachild。Youmaynotbelieveit，Lecount，butIdon\'tevenknowwhoherfriendsare。Iamleftquiteinthedark；IamlefttoguessformyselfthatherfriendsinLondonareheruncleandaunt。“
Mrs。LecountprivatelyconsideredthequestionbythehelpofherownknowledgeobtainedinLondon。Shesoonreachedtheobviousconclusion。Afterwritingtohersisterinthefirstinstance，Magdalenhadnow，inallprobability，followedtheletterinperson。TherewaslittledoubtthatthefriendsshehadgonetovisitinLondonwerehersisterandMissGarth。
“Notheruncleandaunt，sir，“resumedMrs。Lecount，composedly。“Asecretforyourprivateear！Shehasnouncleandaunt。AnotherlittleturnbeforeIexplainmyself——anotherlittleturntocomposeyourspirits。“
Shetookhimintocustodyoncemore，andmarchedhimbacktowardthehouse。
“Mr。Noel！“shesaid，suddenlystoppinginthemiddleofthewalk。“Doyouknowwhatwastheworstmischiefyoueverdidyourselfinyourlife？Iwilltellyou。ThatworstmischiefwassendingmetoZurich。“
Hishandbegantotrembleonherarmoncemore。
“Ididn\'tdoit！“hecriedpiteously。“ItwasallMr。Bygrave。“
“Youacknowledge，sir，thatMr。Bygravedeceivedme？“proceededMrs。Lecount。“Iamgladtohearthat。Youwillbeallthereadiertomakethenextdiscoverywhichiswaitingforyou——thediscoverythatMr。Bygravehasdeceivedyou。Heisnotheretoslipthroughmyfingersnow，andIamnotthehelplesswomaninthisplacethatIwasatAldborough。ThankGod！“
Sheutteredthatdevoutexclamationthroughhersetteeth。AllherhatredofCaptainWraggehissedoutofherlipsinthosetwowords。
“Obligeme，sir，byholdingonesideofmytraveling-bag，“sheresumed，“whileIopenitandtakesomethingout。“
Theinteriorofthebagdisclosedaseriesofneatly-foldedpapers，alllaidtogetherinorder，andnumberedoutside。Mrs。Lecounttookoutoneofthepapers，andshutupthebagagainwithaloudsnapofthespringthatclosedit。
“AtAldborough，Mr。Noel，Ihadonlymyownopiniontosupportme，“sheremarked。“MyownopinionwasnothingagainstMissBygrave\'syouthandbeauty，andMr。Bygrave\'sreadywit。Icouldonlyhopetoattackyourinfatuationwithproofs，andatthattimeIhadnotgotthem。Ihavegotthemnow！Iamarmedatallpointswithproofs；Ibristlefromheadtofootwithproofs；Ibreakmyforcedsilence，andspeakwiththeemphasisofmyproofs。Doyouknowthiswriting，sir？“
Heshrankbackfromthepaperwhichsheofferedtohim。
“Idon\'tunderstandthis，“hesaid，nervously。“Idon\'tknowwhatyouwant，orwhatyoumean。“
Mrs。Lecountforcedthepaperintohishand。“YoushallknowwhatImean，sir，ifyouwillgivemeamoment\'sattention，“shesaid。“OnthedayafteryouwentawaytoSt。Crux，IobtainedadmissiontoMr。Bygrave\'shouse，andIhadsometalkinprivatewithMr。Bygrave\'swife。ThattalksuppliedmewiththemeanstoconvinceyouwhichIhadwantedtofindforweeksandweekspast。Iwroteyoualettertosayso——IwrotetotellyouthatIwouldforfeitmyplaceinyourservice，andmyexpectationsfromyourgenerosity，ifIdidnotprovetoyouwhenIcamebackfromSwitzerlandthatmyownprivatesuspicionofMissBygravewasthetruth。IdirectedthatlettertoyouatSt。Crux，andIposteditmyself。Now，Mr。Noel，readthepaperwhichIhaveforcedintoyourhand。ItisAdmiralBartram\'swrittenaffirmationthatmylettercametoSt。Crux，andthatheinclosedittoyou，undercovertoMr。Bygrave，atyourownrequest。DidMr。Bygraveevergiveyouthatletter？Don\'tagitateyourself，sir！Onewordofreplywilldo——YesorNo。“
Hereadthepaper，andlookedupatherwithgrowingbewildermentandfear。Sheobstinatelywaiteduntilhespoke。“No，“hesaid，faintly；“Inevergottheletter。“
“Firstproof！“saidMrs。Lecount，takingthepaperfromhim，andputtingitbackinthebag。“Onemore，withyourkindpermission，beforewecometothingsmoreseriousstill。Igaveyouawrittendescription，sir，atAldborough，ofapersonnotnamed，andIaskedyoutocompareitwithMissBygravethenexttimeyouwereinhercompany。AfterhavingfirstshownthedescriptiontoMr。Bygrave——itisuselesstodenyitnow，Mr。Noel；yourfriendatNorthShinglesisnotheretohelpyou！——afterhavingfirstshownmynotetoMr。Bygrave，youmadethecomparison，andyoufounditfailinthemostimportantparticular。Thereweretwolittlemolesplacedclosetogetherontheleftsideoftheneck，inmydescriptionoftheunknownlady，andtherewerenolittlemolesatallwhenyoulookedatMissBygrave\'sneck。Iamoldenoughtobeyourmother，Mr。Noel。Ifthequestionisnotindelicate，mayIaskwhatthepresentstateofyourknowledgeisonthesubjectofyourwife\'sneck？“
Shelookedathimwithamercilesssteadiness。Hedrewbackafewsteps，coweringunderhereye。“Ican\'tsay，“hestammered。“Idon\'tknow。Whatdoyoumeanbythesequestions？Ineverthoughtaboutthemolesafterward；Ineverlooked。Shewearsherhairlow——“
“Shehasexcellentreasonstowearitlow，sir，“remarkedMrs。Lecount。“Wewilltryandliftthathairbeforewehavedonewiththesubject。WhenIcameoutheretofindyouinthegarden，Isawaneatyoungpersonthroughthekitchenwindow，withherworkinherhand，wholookedtomyeyeslikealady\'smaid。Isthisyoungpersonyourwife\'smaid？Ibegyourpardon，sir，didyousayyes？Inthatcase，anotherquestion，ifyouplease。Didyouengageher，ordidyourwife？“
“Iengagedher——“
“WhileIwasaway？WhileIwasintotalignorancethatyoumeanttohaveawife，orawife\'smaid？“
“Yes。“
“Underthosecircumstances，Mr。Noel，youcannotpossiblysuspectmeofconspiringtodeceiveyou，withthemaidformyinstrument。Gointothehouse，sir，whileIwaithere。AskthewomanwhodressesMrs。NoelVanstone\'shairmorningandnightwhetherhermistresshasamarkontheleftsideofherneck，andifsowhatthatmarkis？“
Hewalkedafewstepstowardthehousewithoututteringaword，thenstopped，andlookedbackatMrs。Lecount。Hisblinkingeyesweresteady，andhiswizenfacehadbecomesuddenlycomposed。Mrs。Lecountadvancedalittleandjoinedhim。Shesawthechange；but，withallherexperienceofhim，shefailedtointerpretthetruemeaningofit。
“Areyouinwantofapretense，sir？“sheasked。“Areyouatalosstoaccounttoyourwife\'smaidforsuchaquestionasIwishyoutoputtoher？Pretensesareeasilyfoundwhichwilldoforpersonsinherstationoflife。SayIhavecomeherewithnewsofalegacyforMrs。NoelVanstone，andthatthereisaquestionofheridentitytosettlebeforeshecanreceivethemoney。“
Shepointedtothehouse。Hepaidnoattentiontothesign。Hisfacegrewpalerandpaler。Withoutmovingorspeakinghestoodandlookedather。
“Areyouafraid？“askedMrs。Lecount。
Thosewordsrousedhim；thosewordslitasparkofthefireofmanhoodinhimatlast。Heturnedonherlikeasheeponadog。
“Iwon\'tbequestionedandordered！“hebrokeout，tremblingviolentlyunderthenewsensationofhisowncourage。“Iwon\'tbethreatenedandmystifiedanylonger！Howdidyoufindmeoutatthisplace？Whatdoyoumeanbycomingherewithyourhintsandyourmysteries？Whathaveyougottosayagainstmywife？“
Mrs。Lecountcomposedlyopenedthetraveling-bagandtookouthersmellingbottle，incaseofemergency。
“Youhavespokentomeinplainwords，“shesaid。“Inplainwords，sir，youshallhaveyouranswer。Areyoutooangrytolisten？“
Herlooksandtonesalarmedhim，inspiteofhimself。Hiscouragebegantosinkagain；and，desperatelyashetriedtosteadyit，hisvoicetrembledwhenheansweredher。
“Givememyanswer，“hesaid，“andgiveitatonce。“
“Yourcommandsshallbeobeyed，sir，totheletter，“repliedMrs。Lecount。“Ihavecomeherewithtwoobjects。Toopenyoureyestoyourownsituation，andtosaveyourfortune——perhapsyourlife。Yoursituationisthis。MissBygravehasmarriedyouunderafalsecharacterandafalsename。Canyourouseyourmemory？CanyoucalltomindthedisguisedwomanwhothreatenedyouinVauxhallWalk？Thatwoman——ascertainlyasIstandhere——isnowyourwife。“
Helookedatherinbreathlesssilence，hislipsfallingapart，hiseyesfixedinvacantinquiry。Thesuddennessofthedisclosurehadoverreacheditsownend。Ithadstupefiedhim。
“Mywife？“herepeated，andburstintoanimbecilelaugh。
“Yourwife，“reiteratedMrs。Lecount。
Attherepetitionofthosetwowordsthestrainonhisfacultiesrelaxed。Athoughtdawnedonhimforthefirsttime。Hiseyesfixedonherwithafurtivealarm，andhedrewbackhastily。“Mad！“hesaidtohimself，withasuddenremembranceofwhathisfriendMr。BygravehadtoldhimatAldborough，sharpenedbyhisownsenseofthehaggardchangethathesawinherface。
Hespokeinawhisper，butMrs。Lecountheardhim。Shewascloseathissideagaininaninstant。Forthefirsttime，herself-possessionfailedher，andshecaughthimangrilybythearm。
“Willyouputmymadnesstotheproof，sir？“sheasked。
Heshookoffherhold；hebegantogathercourageagain，intheintensesincerityofhisdisbelief，couragetofacetheassertionwhichshepersistedinforcingonhim。
“Yes，“heanswered。“WhatmustIdo？“
“DowhatItoldyou，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Askthemaidthatquestionabouthermistressonthespot。Andifshetellsyouthemarkisthere，doonethingmore。Takemeupintoyourwife\'sroom，andopenherwardrobeinmypresencewithyourownhands。“
“Whatdoyouwantwithherwardrobe？“heasked。
“Youshallknowwhenyouopenit。“
“Verystrange！“hesaidtohimself，vacantly。“It\'slikeasceneinanovel——it\'slikenothinginreallife。“Hewentslowlyintothehouse，andMrs。Lecountwaitedforhiminthegarden。
Afteranabsenceofafewminutesonlyheappearedagain，onthetopoftheflightofstepswhichledintothegardenfromthehouse。Heheldbytheironrailwithonehand，whilewiththeotherhebeckonedtoMrs。Lecounttojoinhimonthesteps。
“Whatdoesthemaidsay？“sheasked，assheapproachedhim。“Isthemarkthere？“
Heansweredinawhisper，“Yes。“Whathehadheardfromthemaidhadproducedamarkedchangeinhim。Thehorrorofthecomingdiscoveryhadlaiditsparalyzingholdonhismind。Hemovedmechanically；helookedandspokelikeamaninadream。
“Willyoutakemyarm，sir？“
Heshookhishead，and，precedingheralongthepassageandupthestairs，ledthewayintohiswife\'sroom。Whenshejoinedhimandlockedthedoor，hestoodpassivelywaitingforhisdirections，withoutmakinganyremark，withoutshowinganyexternalappearanceofsurprise。Hehadnotremovedeitherhishatorcoat。Mrs。Lecounttookthemoffforhim。“Thankyou，“hesaid，withthedocilityofawell-trainedchild。“It\'slikeasceneinanovel——it\'slikenothinginreallife。“
Thebed-chamberwasnotverylarge，andthefurniturewasheavyandold-fashioned。ButevidencesofMagdalen\'snaturaltasteandrefinementwerevisibleeverywhere，inthelittleembellishmentsthatgracedandenlivenedtheaspectoftheroom。Theperfumeofdriedrose-leaveshungfragrantonthecoolair。Mrs。Lecountsniffedtheperfumewithadisparagingfrownandthrewthewindowuptoitsfullheight。“Pah！“shesaid，withashudderofvirtuousdisgust，“theatmosphereofdeceit！“
Sheseatedherselfnearthewindow。Thewardrobestoodagainstthewallopposite，andthebedwasatthesideoftheroomonherrighthand。“Openthewardrobe，Mr。Noel，“shesaid。“Idon\'tgonearit。Itouchnothinginitmyself。Takeoutthedresseswithyourownhandandputthemonthebed。TakethemoutonebyoneuntilItellyoutostop。“
Heobeyedher。“I\'lldoitaswellasIcan，“hesaid。“Myhandsarecold，andmyheadfeelshalfasleep。“
Thedressestoberemovedwerenotmany，forMagdalenhadtakensomeofthemawaywithher。Afterhehadputtwodressesonthebed，hewasobligedtosearchintheinnerrecessesofthewardrobebeforehecouldfindathird。Whenheproducedit，Mrs。Lecountmadeasigntohimtostop。Theendwasreachedalready；hehadfoundthebrownAlpacadress。
“Layitoutonthebed，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Youwillseeadoubleflouncerunningroundthebottomofit。Liftuptheouterflounce，andpasstheinneronethroughyourfingers，inchbyinch。Ifyoucometoaplacewherethereisamorselofthestuffmissing，stopandlookupatme。“
Hepassedtheflounceslowlythroughhisfingersforaminuteormore，thenstoppedandlookedup。Mrs。Lecountproducedherpocket-bookandopenedit。
“EverywordInowspeak，sir，isofseriousconsequencetoyouandtome，“shesaid。“Listenwithyourclosestattention。WhenthewomancallingherselfMissGarthcametoseeusinVauxhallWalk，IkneltdownbehindthechairinwhichshewassittingandIcutamorselofstufffromthedressshewore，whichmighthelpmetoknowthatdressifIeversawitagain。Ididthiswhilethewoman\'swholeattentionwasabsorbedintalkingtoyou。Themorselofstuffhasbeenkeptinmypocketbookfromthattimetothis。Seeforyourself，Mr。Noel，ifitfitsthegapinthatdresswhichyourownhandshavejusttakenfromyourwife\'swardrobe。“
Sheroseandhandedhimthefragmentofstuffacrossthebed。Heputitintothevacantspaceintheflounceaswellashistremblingfingerswouldlethim。
“Doesitfit，sir？“askedMrs。Lecount。
Thedressdroppedfromhishands，andthedeadlybluishpallor——whicheverydoctorwhoattendedhimhadwarnedhishousekeepertodread——overspreadhisfaceslowly。Mrs。Lecounthadnotreckonedonsuchananswertoherquestionasshenowsawinhischeeks。Shehurriedroundtohim，withthesmelling-bottleinherhand。Hedroppedtohiskneesandcaughtatherdresswiththegraspofadrowningman。“Saveme！“hegasped，inahoarse，breathlesswhisper。“Oh，Lecount，saveme！“
“Ipromisetosaveyou，“saidMrs。Lecount；“Iamherewiththemeansandtheresolutiontosaveyou。Comeawayfromthisplace——comenearertotheair。“Sheraisedhimasshespoke，andledhimacrosstheroomtothewindow。“Doyoufeelthechillpainagainonyourleftside？“sheasked，withthefirstsignsofalarmthatshehadshownyet。“Hasyourwifegotanyeau-de-cologne，anysal-volatileinherroom？Don\'texhaustyourselfbyspeaking——pointtotheplace！“
Hepointedtoalittletriangularcupboardofoldworm-eatenwalnut-woodfixedhighinacorneroftheroom。Mrs。Lecounttriedthedoor:itwaslocked。
Asshemadethatdiscovery，shesawhisheadsinkbackgraduallyontheeasy-chairinwhichshehadplacedhim。Thewarningofthedoctorsinpastyears——“Ifyoueverlethimfaint，youlethimdie“——recurredtohermemoryasifithadbeenspokenthedaybefore。Shelookedatthecupboardagain。Inarecessunderitlaysomeendsofcord，placedthereapparentlyforpurposesofpacking。Withoutaninstant\'shesitation，shesnatchedupamorselofcord，tiedoneendfastroundtheknobofthecupboarddoor，andseizingtheotherendinbothhands，pulleditsuddenlywiththeexertionofherwholestrength。Therottenwoodgaveway，thecupboarddoorsflewopen，andaheapoflittletriflespouredoutnoisilyonthefloor。Withoutstoppingtonoticethebrokenchinaandglassatherfeet，shelookedintothedarkrecessesofthecupboardandsawthegleamoftwoglassbottles。Onewasputawayattheextremebackoftheshelf，theotherwasalittleinadvance，almosthidingit。Shesnatchedthembothoutatonce，andtookthem，oneineachhand，tothewindow，whereshecouldreadtheirlabelsintheclearerlight。
Thebottleinherrighthandwasthefirstbottleshelookedat。Itwasmarked——Sal-volatile。
Sheinstantlylaidtheotherbottleasideonthetablewithoutlookingatit。Theotherbottlelaythere，waitingitsturn。Itheldadarkliquid，anditwaslabeled——POISON。
[NextChapter]
[TableofContents]NoName，Scene5，Chapter2CHAPTERII。
MRS。LECOUNTmixedthesal-volatilewithwater，andadministereditimmediately。Thestimulanthaditseffect。InafewminutesNoelVanstonewasabletoraisehimselfinthechairwithoutassistance；hiscolorchangedagainforthebetter，andhisbreathcameandwentmorefreely。
“Howdoyoufeelnow，sir？“askedMrs。Lecount。“Areyouwarmagainonyourleftside？“
Hepaidnoattentiontothatinquiry；hiseyes，wanderingabouttheroom，turnedbychancetowardthetable。ToMrs。Lecount\'ssurprise，insteadofansweringher，hebentforwardinhischair，andlookedwithstaringeyesandpointinghandatthesecondbottlewhichshehadtakenfromthecupboard，andwhichshehadhastilylaidasidewithoutpayingattentiontoit。Seeingthatsomenewalarmpossessedhim，sheadvancedtothetable，andlookedwherehelooked。Thelabeledsideofthebottlewasfullinview；andthere，intheplainhandwritingofthechemistatAldborough，wastheonestartlingwordconfrontingthemboth——“Poison。“
EvenMrs。Lecount\'sself-possessionwasshakenbythatdiscovery。Shewasnotpreparedtoseeherowndarkestforebodings——theunacknowledgedoffspringofherhatredforMagdalen——realizedasshesawthemrealizednow。Thesuicide-despairinwhichthepoisonhadbeenprocured；thesuicide-purposeforwhich，indistrustofthefuture，thepoisonhadbeenkept，hadbroughtwiththemtheirownretribution。Therethebottlelay，inMagdalen\'sabsence，afalsewitnessoftreasonwhichhadneverenteredhermind——treasonagainstherhusband\'slife！
WithhishandstillmechanicallypointingatthetableNoelVanstoneraisedhisheadandlookedupatMrs。Lecount。
“Itookitfromthecupboard，“shesaid，answeringthelook。“Itookbothbottlesouttogether，notknowingwhichmightbethebottleIwanted。Iamasmuchshocked，asmuchfrightened，asyouare。“
“Poison！“hesaidtohimself，slowly。“Poisonlockedupbymywifeinthecupboardinherownroom。“Hestopped，andlookedatMrs。Lecountoncemore。“Forme？“heasked，inavacant，inquiringtone。
“Wewillnottalkofit，sir，untilyourmindismoreatease，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Inthemeantime，thedangerthatlieswaitinginthisbottleshallbeinstantlydestroyedinyourpresence。“Shetookoutthecork，andthrewthelaudanumoutofwindow，andtheemptybottleafterit。“Letustrytoforgetthisdreadfuldiscoveryforthepresent，“sheresumed；“letusgodownstairsatonce。AllthatIhavenowtosaytoyoucanbesaidinanotherroom。“
Shehelpedhimtorisefromthechair，andtookhisarminherown。“Itiswellforhim；itiswellforme，“shethought，astheywentdownstairstogether，“thatIcamewhenIdid。“
Oncrossingthepassage，shesteppedtothefrontdoor，wherethecarriagewaswaitingwhichhadbroughtherfromDumfries，andinstructedthecoachmantoputuphishorsesatthenearestinn，andtocallagainforherintwohours\'time。Thisdone，sheaccompaniedNoelVanstoneintothesitting-room，stirredupthefire，andplacedhimbeforeitcomfortablyinaneasy-chair。Hesatforafewminutes，warminghishandsfeeblylikeanoldman，andstaringstraightintotheflame。Thenhespoke。
“WhenthewomancameandthreatenedmeinVauxhallWalk，“hebegan，stillstaringintothefire，“youcamebacktotheparloraftershewasgone，andyoutoldme——？“Hestopped，shiveredalittle，andlostthethreadofhisrecollectionsatthatpoint。
“Itoldyou，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount，“thatthewomanwas，inmyopinion，MissVanstoneherself。Don\'tstart，Mr。Noel！Yourwifeisaway，andIamheretotakecareofyou。Saytoyourself，ifyoufeelfrightened，\'Lecountishere；Lecountwilltakecareofme。\'Thetruthmustbetold，sir，howeverhardtobearthetruthmaybe。MissMagdalenVanstonewasthewomanwhocametoyouindisguise；andthewomanwhocametoyouindisguiseisthewomanyouhavemarried。TheconspiracywhichshethreatenedyouwithinLondonistheconspiracywhichhasmadeheryourwife。Thatistheplaintruth。Youhaveseenthedressupstairs。Ifthatdresshadbeennolongerinexistence，Ishouldstillhavehadmyproofstoconvinceyou。ThankstomyinterviewwithMrs。BygraveIhavediscoveredthehouseyourwifelodgedatinLondon；itwasoppositeourhouseinVauxhallWalk。Ihavelaidmyhandononeofthelandlady\'sdaughters，whowatchedyourwifefromaninnerroom，andsawherputonthedisguise；whocanspeaktoheridentity，andtotheidentityofhercompanion，Mrs。Bygrave；andwhohasfurnishedme，atmyownrequest，withawrittenstatementoffacts，whichsheisreadytoaffirmonoathifanypersonventurestocontradicther。Youshallreadthestatement，Mr。Noel，ifyoulike，whenyouarefittertounderstandit。YoushallalsoreadaletterinthehandwritingofMissGarth——whowillrepeattoyoupersonallyeverywordshehaswrittentome——aletterformallydenyingthatshewaseverinVauxhallWalk，andformallyassertingthatthosemolesonyourwife\'sneckaremarkspeculiartoMissMagdalenVanstone，whomshehasknownfromchildhood。Isayitwithajustpride——youwillfindnoweakplaceanywhereintheevidencewhichIbringyou。IfMr。Bygravehadnotstolenmyletter，youwouldhavehadyourwarningbeforeIwascruellydeceivedintogoingtoZurich；andtheproofswhichInowbringyou，afteryourmarriage，Ishouldthenhaveofferedtoyoubeforeit。Don\'tholdmeresponsible，sir，forwhathashappenedsinceIleftEngland。Blameyouruncle\'sbastarddaughter，andblamethatvillainwiththebrowneyeandthegreen！“
Shespokeherlastvenomouswordsasslowlyanddistinctlyasshehadspokenalltherest。NoelVanstonemadenoanswer——hestillsatcoweringoverthefire。Shelookedroundintohisface。Hewascryingsilently。“Iwassofondofher！“saidthemiserablelittlecreature；“andIthoughtshewassofondofMe！“
Mrs。Lecountturnedherbackonhimindisdainfulsilence。“Fondofher！“Assherepeatedthosewordstoherself，herhaggardfacebecamealmosthandsomeagaininthemagnificentintensityofitscontempt。
Shewalkedtoabook-caseatthelowerendoftheroom，andbeganexaminingthevolumesinit。Beforeshehadbeenlongengagedinthisway，shewasstartledbythesoundofhisvoice，affrightedlycallingherback。Thetearsweregonefromhisface；itwasblankagainwithterrorwhenhenowturnedittowardher。
“Lecount！“hesaid，holdingtoherwithbothhands。“Cananeggbepoisoned？Ihadaneggforbreakfastthismorning，andalittletoast。“
“Makeyourmindeasy，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Thepoisonofyourwife\'sdeceitistheonlypoisonyouhavetakenyet。Ifshehadresolvedalreadyonmakingyoupaythepriceofyourfollywithyourlife，shewouldnotbeabsentfromthehousewhileyouwereleftlivinginit。Dismissthethoughtfromyourmind。Itisthemiddleoftheday；youwantrefreshment。Ihavemoretosaytoyouintheinterestsofyourownsafety——Ihavesomethingforyoutodo，whichmustbedoneatonce。Recruityourstrength，andyouwilldoit。Iwillsetyoutheexampleofeating，ifyoustilldistrustthefoodinthishouse。Areyoucomposedenoughtogivetheservantherorders，ifIringthebell？ItisnecessarytotheobjectIhaveinviewforyou，thatnobodyshouldthinkyouillinbodyortroubledinmind。Tryfirstwithmebeforetheservantcomesin。Letusseehowyoulookandspeakwhenyousay，\'Bringupthelunch。\'“
Aftertworehearsals，Mrs。Lecountconsideredhimfittogivetheorder，withoutbetrayinghimself。
ThebellwasansweredbyLouisa——LouisalookedhardatMrs。Lecount。Theluncheonwasbroughtupbythehouse-maid——thehouse-maidlookedhardatMrs。Lecount。Whenluncheonwasover，thetablewasclearedbythecook——thecooklookedhardatMrs。Lecount。Thethreeservantswereplainlysuspiciousthatsomethingextraordinarywasgoingoninthehouse。Itwashardlypossibletodoubtthattheyhadarrangedtoshareamongthemselvesthethreeopportunitieswhichtheserviceofthetableaffordedthemofenteringtheroom。
ThecuriosityofwhichshewastheobjectdidnotescapethepenetrationofMrs。Lecount。“Ididwell，“shethought，“toarmmyselfingoodtimewiththemeansofreachingmyend。IfIletthegrassgrowundermyfeet，oneortheotherofthosewomenmightgetinmyway。“Rousedbythisconsideration，sheproducedhertraveling-bagfromacorner，assoonasthelastoftheservantshadenteredtheroom；andseatingherselfattheendofthetableoppositeNoelVanstone，lookedathimforamoment，withasteady，investigatingattention。Shehadcarefullyregulatedthequantityofwinewhichhehadtakenatluncheon——shehadlethimdrinkexactlyenoughtofortify，withoutconfusinghim；andshenowexaminedhisfacecritically，likeanartistexamininghispictureattheendoftheday\'swork。Theresultappearedtosatisfyher，andsheopenedtheseriousbusinessoftheinterviewonthespot。
“WillyoulookatthewrittenevidenceIhavementionedtoyou，Mr。Noel，beforeIsayanymore？“sheinquired。“OrareyousufficientlypersuadedofthetruthtoproceedatoncetothesuggestionwhichIhavenowtomaketoyou？“
“Letmehearyoursuggestion，“hesaid，sullenlyrestinghiselbowsonthetable，andleaninghisheadonhishands。
Mrs。Lecounttookfromhertraveling-bagthewrittenevidencetowhichshehadjustalluded，andcarefullyplacedthepapersononesideofhim，withineasyreach，ifhewishedtorefertothem。Farfrombeingdaunted，shewasvisiblyencouragedbytheungraciousnessofhismanner。Herexperienceofhiminformedherthatthesignwasapromisingone。Onthoserareoccasionswhenthelittleresolutionthathepossessedwasrousedinhim，itinvariablyasserteditself——liketheresolutionofmostotherweakmen——aggressively。Atsuchtimes，inproportionashewasoutwardlysullenanddiscourteoustothoseabouthim，hisresolutionrose；andinproportionashewasconsiderateandpolite，itfell。Thetoneoftheanswerhehadjustgiven，andtheattitudeheassumedatthetable，convincedMrs。LecountthatSpanishwineandScotchmuttonhaddonetheirduty，andhadralliedhissinkingcourage。
“Iwillputthequestiontoyouforform\'ssake，sir，ifyouwishit，“sheproceeded。“ButIamalreadycertain，withoutanyquestionatall，thatyouhavemadeyourwill？“
Henoddedhisheadwithoutlookingather。
“Youhavemadeitinyourwife\'sfavor？“
Henoddedagain。
“Youhavelefthereverythingyoupossess？“
“No。“
Mrs。Lecountlookedsurprised。
“Didyouexerciseareservetowardher，Mr。Noel，ofyourownaccord？“sheinquired；“orisitpossiblethatyourwifeputherownlimitstoherinterestinyourwill？“
Hewasuneasilysilent——hewasplainlyashamedtoanswerthequestion。Mrs。Lecountrepeateditinalessdirectform。
“Howmuchhaveyouleftyourwidow，Mr。Noel，intheeventofyourdeath？“
“Eightythousandpounds。“
Thatreplyansweredthequestion。EightythousandpoundswasexactlythefortunewhichMichaelVanstonehadtakenfromhisbrother\'sorphanchildrenathisbrother\'sdeath——exactlythefortuneofwhichMichaelVanstone\'ssonhadkeptpossession，inhisturn，aspitilesslyashisfatherbeforehim。NoelVanstone\'ssilencewaseloquentoftheconfessionwhichhewasashamedtomake。Hisdotingweaknesshad，beyondalldoubt，placedhiswholepropertyatthefeetofhiswife。Andthisgirl，whosevindictivedaringhaddefiedallrestraints——thisgirl，whohadnotshrunkfromherdesperatedeterminationevenatthechurchdoor——had，intheveryhourofhertriumph，takenpartonlyfromthemanwhowouldwillinglyhavegivenall！——hadrigorouslyexactedherfather\'sfortunefromhimtothelastfarthing；andhadthenturnedherbackonthehandthatwastemptingherwithtensofthousandsmore！Forthemoment，Mrs。Lecountwasfairlysilencedbyherownsurprise；Magdalenhadforcedtheastonishmentfromherwhichisakintoadmiration，theastonishmentwhichherenmitywouldfainhaverefused。ShehatedMagdalenwithatenfoldhatredfromthattime。
“Ihavenodoubt，sir，“sheresumed，afteramomentarysilence，“thatMrs。Noelgaveyouexcellentreasonswhytheprovisionforheratyourdeathshouldbenomore，andnoless，thaneightythousandpounds。And，ontheotherhand，Iamequallysurethatyou，inyourinnocenceofallsuspicion，foundthosereasonsconclusiveatthetime。Thattimehasnowgoneby。Youreyesareopened，sir；andyouwillnotfailtoremarkasIremarkthattheCombe-Ravenpropertyhappenstoreachthesamesumexactly，asthelegacywhichyourwife\'sowninstructionsdirectedyoutoleaveher。Ifyouarestillinanydoubtofthemotiveforwhichshemarriedyou，lookinyourownwill——andtherethemotiveis！“
Heraisedhisheadfromhishands，andbecamecloselyattentivetowhatshewassayingtohim，forthefirsttimesincetheyhadfacedeachotheratthetable。TheCombe-Ravenpropertyhadneverbeenclassedbyitselfinhisestimation。Ithadcometohimmergedinhisfather\'sotherpossessions，athisfather\'sdeath。Thediscoverywhichhadnowopenedbeforehimwasonetowhichhisordinaryhabitsofthought，aswellashisinnocenceofsuspicion，hadhithertoclosedhiseyes。Hesaidnothing；buthelookedlesssullenlyatMrs。Lecount。Hismannerwasmoreingratiating；thehightideofhiscouragewasalreadyontheebb。
“Yourposition，sir，mustbeasplainbythistimetoyouasitistome，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Thereisonlyoneobstaclenowleftbetweenthiswomanandtheattainmentofherend。Thatobstacleisyourlife。Afterthediscoverywehavemadeupstairs，Ileaveyoutoconsiderforyourselfwhatyourlifeisworth。“
Atthoseterriblewords，theebbingresolutioninhimranouttothelastdrop。“Don\'tfrightenme！“hepleaded；“Ihavebeenfrightenedenoughalready。“Herose，anddraggedhischairafterhim，roundthetabletoMrs。Lecount\'sside。Hesatdownandcaressinglykissedherhand。“Yougoodcreature！“hesaid，inasinkingvoice。“YouexcellentLecount！Tellmewhattodo。I\'mfullofresolution——I\'lldoanythingtosavemylife！“
“Haveyougotwritingmaterialsintheroom，sir？“askedMrs。Lecount。“Willyouputthemonthetable，ifyouplease？“
Whilethewritingmaterialswereinprocessofcollection，Mrs。Lecountmadeanewdemandontheresourcesofhertraveling-bag。Shetooktwopapersfromit，eachindorsedinthesameneatcommercialhandwriting。Onewasdescribedas“DraftforproposedWill，“andtheotheras“DraftforproposedLetter。“Whensheplacedthembeforeheronthetable，herhandshookalittle；andsheappliedthesmelling-salts，whichshehadbroughtwithherinNoelVanstone\'sinterests，toherownnostrils。
“Ihadhoped，whenIcamehere，Mr。Noel，“sheproceeded，“tohavegivenyoumoretimeforconsiderationthanitseemssafetogiveyounow。Whenyoufirsttoldmeofyourwife\'sabsenceinLondon，IthoughtitprobablethattheobjectofherjourneywastoseehersisterandMissGarth。Sincethehorriblediscoverywehavemadeupstairs，Iaminclinedtoalterthatopinion。Yourwife\'sdeterminationnottotellyouwhothefriendsarewhomshehasgonetosee，fillsmewithalarm。ShemayhaveaccomplicesinLondon——accomplices，foranythingweknowtothecontrary，inthishouse。Allthreeofyourservants，sir，havetakentheopportunity，inturn，ofcomingintotheroomandlookingatme。Idon\'tliketheirlooks！NeitheryounorIknowwhatmayhappenfromdaytoday，orevenfromhourtohour。Ifyoutakemyadvice，youwillgetthestartatonceofallpossibleaccidents；and，whenthecarriagecomesback，youwillleavethishousewithme！“
“Yes，yes！“hesaid，eagerly；“I\'llleavethehousewithyou。Iwouldn\'tstopherebymyselfforanysumofmoneythatcouldbeofferedme。Whatdowewantthepenandinkfor？Areyoutowrite，oramI？“
“Youaretowrite，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Themeanstakenforpromotingyourownsafetyaretobemeanssetinmotion，frombeginningtoend，byyourself。Isuggest，Mr。Noel——andyoudecide。Recognizeyourownposition，sir。Whatisyourfirstandforemostnecessity？Itisplainlythis。Youmustdestroyyourwife\'sinterestinyourdeathbymakinganotherwill。“
Hevehementlynoddedhisapproval；hiscolorrose，andhisblinkingeyesbrightenedinmalicioustriumph。“Sheshan\'thaveafarthing，“hesaidtohimself，inawhisper——“sheshan\'thaveafarthing！“
“Whenyourwillismade，sir，“proceededMrs。Lecount，“youmustplaceitinthehandsofatrustworthyperson——notmyhands，Mr。Noel；Iamonlyyourservant！Then，whenthewillissafe，andwhenyouaresafe，writetoyourwifeatthishouse。Tellherherinfamousimpostureisdiscovered；tellheryouhavemadeanewwill，whichleavesherpennilessatyourdeath；tellher，inyourrighteousindignation，thatsheentersyourdoorsnomore。Placeyourselfinthatstrongposition，anditisnolongeryouwhoareatyourwife\'smercy，butyourwifewhoisatyours。Assertyourownpower，sir，withthelawtohelpyou，andcrushthiswomanintosubmissiontoanytermsforthefuturethatyoupleasetoimpose。“
Heeagerlytookupthepen。“Yes，“hesaid，withavindictiveself-importance，“anytermsIpleasetoimpose。“Hesuddenlycheckedhimselfandhisfacebecamedejectedandperplexed。“HowcanIdoitnow？“heasked，throwingdownthepenasquicklyashehadtakenitup。
“Dowhat，sir？“inquiredMrs。Lecount。
“HowcanImakemywill，withMr。LoscombeawayinLondon，andnolawyerheretohelpme？“
Mrs。Lecountgentlytappedthepapersbeforeheronthetablewithherforefinger。
“Allthehelpyouneed，sir，iswaitingforyouhere，“shesaid。“IconsideredthismattercarefullybeforeIcametoyou；andIprovidedmyselfwiththeconfidentialassistanceofafriendtoguidemethroughthosedifficultieswhichIcouldnotpenetrateformyself。ThefriendtowhomIreferisagentlemanofSwissextraction，butbornandbredinEngland。Heisnotalawyerbyprofession——buthehashadhisownsufficientexperienceofthelaw，nevertheless；andhehassuppliedme，notonlywithamodelbywhichyoumaymakeyourwill，butwiththewrittensketchofaletterwhichitisasimportantforustohave，asthemodelofthewillitself。Thereisanothernecessitywaitingforyou，Mr。Noel，whichIhavenotmentionedyet，butwhichisnolessurgentinitswaythanthenecessityofthewill。“
“Whatisit？“heasked，withrousedcuriosity。
“Wewilltakeitinitsturn，sir，“answeredMrs。Lecount。“Itsturnhasnotcomeyet。Thewill，ifyouplease，first。Iwilldictatefromthemodelinmypossessionandyouwillwrite。“
NoelVanstonelookedatthedraftfortheWillandthedraftfortheLetterwithsuspiciouscuriosity。
“IthinkIoughttoseethepapersmyself，beforeyoudictate，“hesaid。“Itwouldbemoresatisfactorytomyownmind，Lecount。“
“Byallmeans，sir，“rejoinedMrs。Lecount，handinghimthepapersimmediately。
HereadthedraftfortheWillfirst，pausingandknittinghisbrowsdistrustfully，whereverhefoundblankspacesleftinthemanuscripttobefilledinwiththenamesofpersonsandtheenumerationofsumsbequeathedtothem。Twoorthreeminutesofreadingbroughthimtotheendofthepaper。HegaveitbacktoMrs。Lecountwithoutmakinganyobjectiontoit。
ThedraftfortheLetterwasamuchlongerdocument。Heobstinatelyreaditthroughtotheend，withanexpressionofperplexityanddiscontentwhichshowedthatitwasutterlyunintelligibletohim。“Imusthavethisexplained，“hesaid，withatouchofhisoldself-importance，“beforeItakeanystepsinthematter。“
“Itshallbeexplained，sir，aswegoon，“saidMrs。Lecount。
“Everywordofit？“
“Everywordofit，Mr。Noel，whenitsturncomes。Youhavenoobjectiontothewill？Tothewill，then，asIsaidbefore，letusdevoteourselvesfirst。Youhaveseenforyourselfthatitisshortenoughandsimpleenoughforachildtounderstandit。Butifanydoubtsremainonyourmind，byallmeanscomposethosedoubtsbyshowingyourwilltoalawyerbyprofession。Inthemeantime，letmenotbeconsideredintrusiveifIremindyouthatweareallmortal，andthatthelostopportunitycanneverberecalled。Whileyourtimeisyourown，sir，andwhileyourenemiesareunsuspiciousofyou，makeyourwill！“
Sheopenedasheetofnote-paperandsmootheditoutbeforehim；shedippedthepeninink，andplaceditinhishands。Hetookitfromherwithoutspeaking——hewas，toallappearance，sufferingundersometemporaryuneasinessofmind。Butthemainpointwasgained。Therehesat，withthepaperbeforehim，andthepeninhishand；readyatlast，inrightearnest，tomakehiswill。
“Thefirstquestionforyoutodecide，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount，afterapreliminaryglanceatherDraft，“isyourchoiceofanexecutor。Ihavenodesiretoinfluenceyourdecision；butImay，withoutimpropriety，remindyouthatawisechoicemeans，inotherwords，thechoiceofanoldandtriedfriendwhomyouknowthatyoucantrust。“
“Itmeanstheadmiral，Isuppose？“saidNoelVanstone。
Mrs。Lecountbowed。
“Verywell，“hecontinued。“Theadmiralletitbe。“
Therewasplainlysomeoppressionstillweighingonhismind。EvenunderthetryingcircumstancesinwhichhewasplaceditwasnotinhisnaturetotakeMrs。Lecount\'sperfectlysensibleanddisinterestedadvicewithoutawordofcavil，ashehadtakenitnow。
“Areyouready，sir？“
“Yes。“
Mrs。LecountdictatedthefirstparagraphfromtheDraft，asfollows:
“ThisisthelastWillandTestamentofme，NoelVanstone，nowlivingatBaliolCottage，nearDumfries。Irevoke，absolutelyandineveryparticular，myformerwillexecutedonthethirtiethofSeptember，eighteenhundredandforty-seven；andIherebyappointRear-AdmiralArthurEverardBartram，ofSt。Crux-in-the-Marsh，Essex，soleexecutorofthismywill。“
“Haveyouwrittenthosewords，sir？“
“Yes。“
Mrs。LecountlaiddowntheDraft；NoelVanstonelaiddownthepen。Theyneitherofthemlookedateachother。Therewasalongsilence。
“Iamwaiting，Mr。Noel，“saidMrs。Lecount，atlast，“tohearwhatyourwishesareinrespecttothedisposalofyourfortune。Yourlargefortune，“sheadded，withmercilessemphasis。
Hetookupthepenagain，andbeganpickingthefeathersfromthequillindeadsilence。
“Perhapsyourexistingwillmayhelpyoutoinstructme，sir，“pursuedMrs。Lecount。“MayIinquiretowhomyouleftallyoursurplusmoney，afterleavingtheeightythousandpoundstoyourwife？“
Ifhehadansweredthatquestionplainly，hemusthavesaid:“Ihaveleftthewholesurplustomycousin，GeorgeBartram“——andtheimpliedacknowledgmentthatMrs。Lecount\'snamewasnotmentionedinthewillmustthenhavefollowedinMrs。Lecount\'spresence。Amuchbolderman，inhissituation，mighthavefeltthesameoppressionandthesameembarrassmentwhichhewasfeelingnow。Hepickedthelastmorseloffeatherfromthequill；and，desperatelyleapingthepitfallunderhisfeet，advancedtomeetMrs。Lecount\'sclaimsonhimofhisownaccord。
“IwouldrathernottalkofanywillbutthewillIammakingnow，“hesaiduneasily。“Thefirstthing，Lecount——“Hehesitated——putthebareendofthequillintohismouth——gnawedatitthoughtfully——andsaidnomore。
“Yes，sir？“persistedMrs。Lecount。
“Thefirstthingis——“
“Yes，sir？“
“Thefirstthingis，to——tomakesomeprovisionforYou？“
Hespokethelastwordsinatoneofplaintiveinterrogation——asifallhopeofbeingmetbyamagnanimousrefusalhadnotdesertedhimevenyet。Mrs。Lecountenlightenedhismindonthispoint，withoutamoment\'slossoftime。
“Thankyou，Mr。Noel，“shesaid，withthetoneandmannerofawomanwhowasnotacknowledgingafavor，butreceivingaright。
Hetookanotherbiteatthequill。Theperspirationbegantoappearonhisface。
“Thedifficultyis，“heremarked，“tosayhowmuch。“
“Yourlamentedfather，sir，“rejoinedMrs。Lecount，“metthatdifficultyifyourememberatthetimeofhislastillness？“
“Idon\'tremember，“saidNoelVanstone，doggedly。
“Youwereononesideofhisbed，sir，andIwasontheother。Wewerevainlytryingtopersuadehimtomakehiswill。Aftertellingushewouldwaitandmakehiswillwhenhewaswellagain，helookedroundatme，andsaidsomekindandfeelingwordswhichmymemorywilltreasuretomydyingday。Haveyouforgottenthosewords，Mr。Noel？“
“Yes，“saidMr。Noel，withouthesitation。
“Inmypresentsituation，sir，“retortedMrs。Lecount，“delicacyforbidsmetoimproveyourmemory。“
Shelookedatherwatch，andrelapsedintosilence。Heclinchedhishands，andwrithedfromsidetosideofhischairinanagonyofindecision。Mrs。Lecountpassivelyrefusedtotaketheslightestnoticeofhim。
“Whatshouldyousay——？“hebegan，andsuddenlystoppedagain。
“Yes，sir？“
“Whatshouldyousayto——athousandpounds？“
Mrs。Lecountrosefromherchair，andlookedhimfullintheface，withthemajesticindignationofanoutragedwoman。
“AftertheserviceIhaverenderedyouto-day，Mr。Noel，“shesaid，“Ihaveatleastearnedaclaimonyourrespect，ifIhaveearnednothingmore。Iwishyougood-morning。“
“Twothousand！“criedNoelVanstone，withthecourageofdespair。
Mrs。Lecountfoldedupherpapersandhunghertraveling-bagoverherarmincontemptuoussilence。
“Threethousand！“
Mrs。Lecountmovedwithimpenetrabledignityfromthetabletothedoor。
“Fourthousand！“
Mrs。Lecountgatheredhershawlroundherwithashudder，andopenedthedoor。
“Fivethousand！“
Heclaspedhishands，andwrungthematherinafrenzyofrageandsuspense。“Fivethousand“wasthedeath-cryofhispecuniarysuicide。
Mrs。Lecountsoftlyshutthedooragain，andcamebackastep。
“Freeoflegacyduty，sir？“sheinquired。
“No。“
Mrs。Lecountturnedonherheelandopenedthedooragain。
“Yes。“
Mrs。Lecountcameback，andresumedherplaceatthetableasifnothinghadhappened。
“Fivethousandpounds，freeoflegacyduty，wasthesum，sir，whichyourfather\'sgratefulregardpromisedmeinhiswill，“shesaid，quietly。“Ifyouchoosetoexertyourmemory，asyouhavenotchosentoexertityet，yourmemorywilltellyouthatIspeakthetruth。Iacceptyourfilialperformanceofyourfather\'spromise，Mr。Noel——andthereIstop。Iscorntotakeameanadvantageofmypositiontowardyou；Iscorntograspanythingfromyourfears。Youareprotectedbymyrespectformyself，andfortheIllustriousNameIbear。YouarewelcometoallthatIhavedone，andtoallthatIhavesufferedinyourservice。ThewidowofProfessorLecompte，sir，takeswhatisjustlyhers——andtakesnomore！“
Asshespokethosewords，thetracesofsicknessseemed，forthemoment，todisappearfromherface；hereyesshonewithasteadyinnerlight；allthewomanwarmedandbrightenedintheradianceofherowntriumph——thetriumph，treblywon，ofcarryingherpoint，ofvindicatingherintegrity，andofmatchingMagdalen\'sincorruptibleself-denialonMagdalen\'sownground。
“Whenyouareyourselfagain，sir，wewillproceed。Letuswaitalittlefirst。“
Shegavehimtimetocomposehimself；andthen，afterfirstlookingatherDraft，dictatedthesecondparagraphofthewill，intheseterms:
“IgiveandbequeathtoMadameVirginieLecomptewidowofProfessorLecompte，lateofZurichthesumofFiveThousandPounds，freeofLegacyDuty。And，inmakingthisbequest，IwishtoplaceitonrecordthatIamnotonlyexpressingmyownsenseofMadameLecompte\'sattachmentandfidelityinthecapacityofmyhousekeeper，butthatIalsobelievemyselftobeexecutingtheintentionsofmydeceasedfather，who，butforthecircumstanceofhisdyingintestate，wouldhaveleftMadameLecompte，inhiswill，thesametokenofgratefulregardforherserviceswhichInowleaveherinmine。“
“Haveyouwrittenthelastwords，sir？“
“Yes。“
Mrs。LecountleanedacrossthetableandofferedNoelVanstoneherhand。
“Thankyou，Mr。Noel，“shesaid。“Thefivethousandpoundsistheacknowledgmentonyourfather\'ssideofwhatIhavedoneforhim。Thewordsinthewillaretheacknowledgmentonyours。“
Afaintsmileflickeredoverhisfaceforthefirsttime。Itcomfortedhim，onreflection，tothinkthatmattersmighthavebeenworse。Therewasbalmforhiswoundedspiritinpayingthedebtofgratitudebyasentencenotnegotiableathisbanker\'s。Whateverhisfathermighthavedone，hehadgotLecountabargain，afterall！
“Alittlemorewriting，sir，“resumedMrs。Lecount，“andyourpainfulbutnecessarydutywillbeperformed。Thetriflingmatterofmylegacybeingsettled，wemaycometotheimportantquestionthatisleft。Thefuturedirectionofalargefortuneisnowwaitingyourwordofcommand。Towhomisittogo？“
Hebegantowritheagaininhischair。Evenundertheall-powerfulfascinationofhiswifethepartingwithhismoneyonpaperhadnotbeenaccomplishedwithoutapang。Hehadenduredthepang；hehadresignedhimselftothesacrifice。Andnowherewasthedreadedordealagain，awaitinghimmercilesslyforthesecondtime！
“Perhapsitmayassistyourdecision，sir，ifIrepeataquestionwhichIhaveputtoyoualready，“observedMrs。Lecount。“Inthewillthatyoumadeunderyourwife\'sinfluence，towhomdidyouleavethesurplusmoneywhichremainedatyourowndisposal？“
Therewasnoharminansweringthequestionnow。HeacknowledgedthathehadleftthemoneytohiscousinGeorge。
“Youcouldhavedonenothingbetter，Mr。Noel；andyoucandonothingbetternow，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Mr。Georgeandhistwosistersareyouronlyrelationsleft。Oneofthosesistersisanincurableinvalid，withmorethanmoneyenoughalreadyforallthewantswhichherafflictionallowshertofeel。Theotheristhewifeofamanevenricherthanyourself。Toleavethemoneytothesesistersistowasteit。ToleavethemoneytotheirbrotherGeorgeistogiveyourcousinexactlytheassistancewhichhewillwantwhenheonedayinheritshisuncle\'sdilapidatedhouseandhisuncle\'simpoverishedestate。AwillwhichnamestheadmiralyourexecutorandMr。Georgeyourheiristherightwillforyoutomake。Itdoeshonortotheclaimsoffriendship，anditdoesjusticetotheclaimsofblood。“
Shespokewarmly；forshespokewithagratefulremembranceofallthatsheherselfowedtothehospitalityofSt。Crux。NoelVanstonetookupanotherpenandbegantostripthesecondquillofitsfeathersashehadstrippedthefirst。