Hekissedheronce，twice，threetimes，andarosetohisfeet，slowlywithdrawinghimselffromhersidetowardsthedoor。Cytherearemainedwithhergazefixedonthefire。Edwardwentoutgrieving，buthopewasnotextinguishedevennow。
Hesmeltthefragranceofacigar，andimmediatelyafterwardssawasmallredstaroffireagainstthedarknessofthehedge。Grayewaspacingupanddownthelane，smokingashewalked。Springrovetoldhimtheresultoftheinterview。
\'Youareagoodfellow，Edward，\'hesaid；\'butIthinkmysisterisright。\'
\'IwishyouwouldbelieveManstonavillain，asIdo，\'saidSpringrove。
\'ItwouldbeabsurdofmetosaythatIlikehimnow——familyfeelingpreventsit，butIcannotinhonestysaydeliberatelythatheisabadman。\'
EdwardcouldkeepthesecretofManston\'scoercionofMissAldclyffeinthematterofthehousesasecretnolonger。HetoldOwenthewholestory。
\'That\'sonething，\'hecontinued，\'butnotall。Whatdoyouthinkofthis——IhavediscoveredthathewenttoBudmouthpost-officeforaletterthedaybeforethefirstadvertisementforhiswifeappearedinthepapers。Onewasthereforhim，anditwasdirectedinhiswife\'shandwriting，asIcanprove。ThiswasnottillafterthemarriagewithCytherea，itistrue，butifasitseemstoshow
theadvertisingwasafarce，thereisastrongpresumptionthattherestofthepiecewas。\'
Owenwastooastoundedtospeak。Hedroppedhiscigar，andfixedhiseyesuponhiscompanion。
\'Collusion！\'
\'Yes。\'
\'Withhisfirstwife？\'
\'Yes——withhiswife。Iamfirmlypersuadedofit。\'
\'Whatdidyoudiscover？\'
\'Thathefetchedfromthepost-officeatBudmouthaletterfromherthedayBEFOREthefirstadvertisementappeared。\'
Grayewaslostinalongconsideration。\'Ah！\'hesaid，\'itwouldbedifficulttoproveanythingofthatsortnow。Thewritingcouldnotbeswornto，andifheisguiltytheletterisdestroyed。\'
\'Ihaveothersuspicions——\'
\'Yes——asyousaid\'interruptedOwen，whohadnottillnowbeenabletoformthecomplicatedsetofideasnecessaryforpicturingtheposition。\'Yes，thereisthistoberemembered——Cythereahadbeentakenfromhimbeforethatlettercame——andhisknowledgeofhiswife\'sexistencecouldnothaveoriginatedtillafterthewedding。
Icouldhaveswornhebelievedherdeadthen。Hismannerwasunmistakable。\'
\'Well，Ihaveothersuspicions，\'repeatedEdward；\'andifIonlyhadtheright——ifIwereherhusbandorbrother，heshouldbeconvictedofbigamyyet。\'
\'Thereproofwasnotneeded，\'saidOwen，withalittlebitterness。
\'WhatcanIdo——amanwithneithermoneynorfriends——whilstManstonhasMissAldclyffeandallherfortunetobackhimup？Godonlyknowswhatliesbetweenthemistressandhersteward，butsincethishastranspired——ifitistrue——Icanbelievetheconnectiontobeevenanunworthyone——athingIcertainlyneversomuchasownedtomyselfbefore。\'
3。THEFIFTHOFMARCH
Edward\'sdisclosurehadtheeffectofdirectingOwenGraye\'sthoughtsintoanentirelynewanduncommonchannel。
OntheMondayafterSpringrove\'svisit，OwenhadwalkedtothetopofahillintheneighbourhoodofTolchurch——awildhillthathadnoname，besideabarrendownwhereitneverlookedlikesummer。Intheintensityofhismeditationsontheever-presentsubject，hesatdownonaweather-beatenboundary-stonegazingtowardsthedistantvalleys——seeingonlyManston\'simaginedform。
Hadhisdefencelesssisterbeentrifledwith？thatwasthequestionwhichaffectedhim。HerrefusalofEdwardasahusbandwas，heknew，dictatedsolelybyahumiliatedsenseofinadequacytohiminrepute，andhadnotbeenformedtillsincetheslanderoustaleaccountingforherseclusionhadbeencirculated。Wasitnottrue，asEdwardhadhinted，thathe，herbrother，wasneglectinghisdutytowardsherinallowingManstontothriveunquestioned，whilstshewashidingherheadfornofaultatall？
WasitpossiblethatManstonwassensuousvillainenoughtohavecontemplated，atanymomentbeforethemarriagewithCytherea，thereturnofhisfirstwife，whenheshouldhavegrownwearyofhisnewtoy？Hadhebelievedthat，byaskilfulmanipulationofsuchcircumstancesaschancewouldthrowinhisway，hecouldescapeallsuspicionofhavingknownthatshelived？Onlyonefactwithinhisowndirectknowledgeaffordedtheleastgroundforsuchasupposition。Itwasthat，possessedbyawomanonlyinthehumbleandunprotectedstationofalady\'shiredcompanion，hissister\'sbeautymightscarcelyhavebeensufficienttoinduceaselfishmanlikeManstontomakeherhiswife，unlesshehadforeseenthepossibilityofgettingridofheragain。
\'ButforthatstratagemofManston\'sinrelationtotheSpringroves，\'Owenthought，\'CythiemightnowhavebeenthehappywifeofEdward。True，thatheinfluencedMissAldclyffeonlyrestsonEdward\'ssuspicions，butthegroundsaregood——theprobabilityisstrong。\'
HewentindoorsandquestionedCytherea。
\'Onthenightofthefire，whofirstsaidthatMrs。Manstonwasburnt？\'heasked。
\'Idon\'tknowwhostartedthereport。\'
\'WasitManston？\'
\'Itwascertainlynothe。Alldoubtonthesubjectwasremovedbeforehecametothespot——thatIamcertainof。EverybodyknewthatshedidnotescapeAFTERthehousewasonfire，andthusalloverlookedthefactthatshemighthaveleftbefore——ofcoursethatwouldhaveseemedsuchanimprobablethingforanybodytodo。\'
\'Yes，untiltheporter\'sstoryofherirritationanddoubtastohercoursemadeitnatural。\'
\'Whatsettledthematterattheinquest，\'saidCytherea，\'wasMr。
Manston\'sevidencethatthewatchwashiswife\'s。\'
\'Hewassureofthat，wasn\'the？\'
\'Ibelievehesaidhewascertainofit。\'
\'Itmighthavebeenhers——leftbehindinherperturbation，astheysayitwas——impossibleasthatseemsatfirstsight。Yes——onthewhole，hemighthavebelievedinherdeath。\'
\'Iknowbyseveralproofsthatthen，andatleastforsometimeafter，hehadnootherthoughtthanthatshewasdead。Inowthinkthatbeforetheporter\'sconfessionheknewsomethingabouther——
thoughnotthatshelived。\'
\'Whydoyou？\'
\'Fromwhathesaidtomeontheeveningofthewedding-day，whenI
hadfastenedmyselfintheroomatthehotel，afterEdward\'svisit。
HemusthavesuspectedthatIknewsomething，forhewasirritated，andinapassionofuneasydoubt。Hesaid，“Youdon\'tsupposemyfirstwifeiscometolightagain，madam，surely？”Directlyhehadlettheremarkslipout，heseemedanxioustowithdrawit。\'
\'That\'sodd，\'saidOwen。
\'Ithoughtitveryodd。\'
\'Stillwemustrememberhemightonlyhavehituponthethoughtbyaccident，indoubtastoyourmotive。Yes，thegreatpointtodiscoverremainsthesameasever——didhedoubthisfirstimpressionofherdeathBEFOREhemarriedyou。Ican\'thelpthinkinghedid，althoughhewassoastoundedatournewsthatnight。Edwardswearshedid。\'
\'Itwasperhapsonlyashorttimebefore，\'saidCytherea；\'whenhecouldhardlyrecedefromhavingme。
\'Seasoningjusticewithmercyasusual，Cytherea。\'Tisunfairtoyourselftotalklikethat。IfIcouldonlybringhimtoruinasabigamist——supposinghimtobeone——Ishoulddiehappy。That\'swhatwemustfindoutbyfairmeansorfoul——washeawilfulbigamist？\'
\'Itisnousetrying，Owen。Youwouldhavetoemployasolicitor，andhowcanyoudothat？\'
\'Ican\'tatall——Iknowthatverywell。ButneitherdoIaltogetherwishtoatpresent——alawyermusthaveacase——factstogoupon，thatmeans。Nowtheyarescarceatpresent——asscarceasmoneyiswithus，andtillwehavefoundmoremoneythereisnohurryforalawyer。Perhapsbythetimewehavethefactsweshallhavethemoney。Theonlythingweloseinworkingaloneinthisway，istime——nottheissue：forthefruitthatonemindmaturesinatwelvemonthformsamoreperfectlyorganizedwholethanthatoftwelvemindsinonemonth，especiallyiftheinterestsofthesingleonearevitallyconcerned，andthoseofthetwelveareonlyhired。
Butthereisnotonlymymindavailable——youareashrewdwoman，Cythie，andEdwardisanearnestally。Then，ifwereallygetasurefootingforacriminalprosecution，theCrownwilltakeupthecase。\'
\'Idon\'tmuchcaretopressoninthematter，\'shemurmured。\'Whatgoodcanitdous，Owen，afterall？\'
\'Selfishlyspeaking，itwilldothisgood——thatallthefactsofyourjourneytoSouthamptonwillbecomeknown，andthescandalwilldie。Besides，Manstonwillhavetosuffer——it\'sanactofjusticetoyouandtootherwomen，andtoEdwardSpringrove。\'
HenowthoughtitnecessarytotellheroftherealnatureoftheSpringroves\'obligationtoMissAldclyffe——andtheirnearlycertainknowledgethatManstonwastheprimemoverineffectingtheirembarrassment。Herfaceflushedasshelistened。
\'Andnow，\'hesaid，\'ourfirstundertakingistofindoutwhereMrs。
Manstonlivedduringtheseparation；next，whenthefirstcommunicationspassedbetweenthemafterthefire。\'
\'IfweonlyhadMissAldclyffe\'scountenanceandassistanceasI
usedtohavethem，\'Cythereareturned，\'howstrongweshouldbe！O，whatpowerisitthatheexercisesoverher，swayingherjustashewishes！Shelovesmenow。Mrs。MorrisinherlettersaidthatMissAldclyffeprayedforme——yes，sheheardherprayingforme，andcrying。MissAldclyffedidnotmindanoldfriendlikeMrs。Morrisknowingit，either。Yetinoppositiontothis，noticeherdeadsilenceandinactionthroughoutthisproceeding。\'
\'Itisamystery；butnevermindthatnow，\'saidOwenimpressively。
\'AboutwhereMrs。Manstonhasbeenliving。Wemustgetthispartofitfirst——learntheplaceofherstayintheearlystageoftheirseparation，duringtheperiodofManston\'sarrivalhere，andsoon，forthatwaswhereshewasfirstcommunicatedwithonthesubjectofcomingtoKnapwater，beforethefire；andthataddress，too，washerpointofdeparturewhenshecametoherhusbandbystealthinthenight——youknow——thetimeIvisitedyouintheeveningandwenthomeearlyinthemorning，anditwasfoundthathehadbeenvisitedtoo。
Ah！couldn\'tweinquireofMrs。Leat，whokeepsthepost-officeatCarriford，ifsherememberswheretheletterstoMrs。Manstonweredirected？\'
\'Heneverpostedhisletterstoherintheparish——itwasremarkedatthetime。IwasthinkingifsomethingrelatingtoheraddressmightnotbefoundinthereportoftheinquestintheCasterbridgeChronicleofthedate。Somefactsabouttheinquestweregiveninthepaperstoacertainty。\'
Herbrothercaughteagerlyatthesuggestion。\'WhohasafileoftheChronicles？\'hesaid。
\'Mr。Raunhamusedtofilethem，\'saidCytherea。\'Hewasratherfriendly-disposedtowardsme，too。\'
Owencouldnot，onanyconsideration，escapefromhisattendanceatthechurch-buildingtillSaturdayevening；andthusitbecamenecessary，unlesstheyactuallywastedtime，thatCythereaherselfshouldassist。\'Iactunderyourorders，Owen，\'shesaid。
XVI。THEEVENTSOFONEWEEK
1。MARCHTHESIXTH
Thenextmorningtheopeningmoveofthegamewasmade。Cytherea，undercoverofathickveil，hiredaconveyanceanddrovetowithinamileorsoofCarriford。ItwaswitharenewedsenseofdepressionthatshesawagaintheobjectswhichhadbecomefamiliartohereyeduringhersojournunderMissAldclyffe\'sroof——theoutlineofthehills，themeadowstreams，theoldparktrees。Shehastenedbyalonelypathtotherectory-house，andaskedifMr。
Raunhamwasathome。
Nowtherector，thoughasolitarybachelor，wasasgallantandcourteoustowomankindasanancientIberian；and，moreover，hewasCytherea\'sfriendinparticular，toanextentfargreaterthanshehadeversurmised。Rarelyvisitinghisrelative，MissAldclyffe，exceptonparishmatters，morerarelystillbeingcalleduponbyMissAldclyffe，CythereahadlearntverylittleofhimwhilstshelivedatKnapwater。Therelationshipwasontheimpecuniouspaternalside，andforthisbranchofherfamilytheladyoftheestatehadneverevincedmuchsympathy。Inlookingbackuponourlineofdescentitisaninstinctwithustofeelthatallourvitalitywasdrawnfromthericherpartytoanyunequalmarriageinthechain。
Sincethedeathoftheoldcaptain，therector\'sbearinginKnapwaterHousehadbeenalmostthatofastranger，acircumstancewhichhehimselfwasthelastmanintheworldtoregret。Thispoliteindifferencewassofrigidonbothsidesthattherectordidnotconcernhimselftopreachather，whichwasagreatdealinarector；andshedidnottakethetroubletothinkhissermonspoorstuff，whichinacynicalwomanwasagreatdealmore。
Thoughbarelyfiftyyearsofage，hishairwasaswhiteassnow，contrastingstrangelywiththerednessofhisskin，whichwasasfreshandhealthyasalad\'s。Cytherea\'sbrighteyes，mutelyanddemurelyglancingupathimSundayafterSunday，hadbeenthemeansofdrivingawaymanyofthesaturninehumoursthatcreepintoanemptyheartduringthehoursofasolitarylife；inthiscase，however，tosupplantthem，whenshelefthisparish，bythoseothersofamoreachingnaturewhichaccompanyanover-fullone。Inshort，hehadbeenonthevergeoffeelingtowardsherthatpassiontowhichhisdignifiedself-respectwouldnotgiveitstruename，evenintheprivacyofhisownthought。
Hereceivedherkindly；butshewasnotdisposedtobefrankwithhim。Hesawherwishtobereserved，andwithgenuinegoodtasteandgoodnaturemadenocommentwhateveruponherrequesttobeallowedtoseetheChroniclefortheyearbeforethelast。Heplacedthepapersbeforeheronhisstudytable，withatimidityasgreatasherown，andthenleftherentirelytoherself。
Sheturnedthemovertillshecametothefirstheadingconnectedwiththesubjectofhersearch——\'DisastrousFireandLossofLifeatCarriford。\'
Thesight，anditscalamitousbearinguponherownlife，madehersodizzythatshecould，forawhile，hardlydeciphertheletters。
Stiflingrecollectionbyaneffortshenervedherselftoherwork，andcarefullyreadthecolumn。Theaccountremindedherofnootherfactthanwasrememberedalready。
Sheturnedontothefollowingweek\'sreportoftheinquest。AfteramiserableperusalshecouldfindnomorepertainingtoMrs。
Manston\'saddressthanthis：——
\'ABRAHAMBROWN，ofHoxton，London，atwhosehousethedeceasedwomanhadbeenliving，deposed，\'etc。
NobodyelsefromLondonhadattendedtheinquest。Shearosetodepart，firstsendingamessageofthankstoMr。Raunham，whowasoutofdoorsgardening。
Hestuckhisspadeintotheground，andaccompaniedhertothegate。
\'CanIhelpyouinanything，Cytherea？\'hesaid，usingherChristiannamebyanintuitionthatunpleasantmemoriesmightberevivedifhecalledherMissGrayeafterwishinghergood-byeasMrs。Manstonatthewedding。Cythereasawthemotiveandappreciatedit，neverthelessreplyingevasively——
\'Ionlyguessandfear。\'
Heearnestlylookedatheragain。
\'Promisemethatifyouwantassistance，andyouthinkIcangiveit，youwillcometome。\'
\'Iwill，\'shesaid。
Thegateclosedbetweenthem。
\'Youdon\'twantmetohelpyouinanythingnow，Cytherea？\'herepeated。
Ifhehadspokenwhathefelt，\'Iwantverymuchtohelpyou，Cytherea，andhavebeenwatchingManstononyouraccount，\'shewouldgladlyhaveacceptedhisoffer。Asitwas，shewasperplexed，andraisedhereyestohis，notsofearlesslyasbeforehertrouble，butasmodestly，andwithstillenoughbrightnessinthemtodofearfulexecutionasshesaidoverthegate——
\'No，thankyou。\'
ShereturnedtoTolchurchwearywithherday\'swork。Owen\'sgreetingwasanxious——
\'Well，Cytherea？\'
Shegavehimthewordsfromthereportoftheinquest，pencilledonaslipofpaper。
\'Nowtofindoutthenameofthestreetandnumber，\'Owenremarked。
\'Owen，\'shesaid，\'willyouforgivemeforwhatIamgoingtosay？
Idon\'tthinkIcan——indeedIdon\'tthinkIcan——takeanyfurtherstepstowardsdisentanglingthemystery。Istillthinkitauselesstask，anditdoesnotseemanydutyofminetoberevengeduponMr。
Manstoninanyway。\'Sheaddedmoregravely，\'Itisbeneathmydignityasawomantolabourforthis；Ihavefeltitsoallday。\'
\'Verywell，\'hesaid，somewhatshortly；\'Ishallworkwithoutyouthen。There\'sdignityinjustice。\'Hecaughtsightofherpaletiredface，andthedilatedeyewhichalwaysappearedinherwithweariness。\'Darling，\'hecontinuedwarmly，andkissingher，\'youshallnotworksohardagain——youarewornoutquite。ButyoumustletmedoasIlike。\'
2。MARCHTHETENTH
OnSaturdayeveningGrayehurriedofftoCasterbridge，andcalledatthehouseofthereportertotheChronicle。Thereporterwasathome，andcameouttoGrayeinthepassage。Owenexplainedwhoandwhathewas，andaskedthemanifhewouldobligehimbyturningtohisnotesoftheinquestatCarrifordintheDecemberoftheyearprecedingthelast——justaddingthatafamilyentanglement，ofwhichthereporterprobablyknewsomething，madehimanxioustoascertainsomeadditionaldetailsoftheevent，ifanyexisted。
\'Certainly，\'saidtheother，withouthesitation；\'thoughIamafraidIhaven\'tmuchbeyondwhatweprintedatthetime。Letmesee——myoldnote-booksareinmydrawerattheofficeofthepaper：ifyouwillcomewithmeIcanrefertothemthere。\'Hiswifeandfamilywereatteainsidetheroom，andwiththetimidityofdecentpovertyeverywhereheseemedgladtogetastrangeroutofhisdomesticgroove。
Theycrossedthestreet，enteredtheoffice，andwentthencetoaninnerroom。Here，afterashortsearch，wasfoundthebookrequired。Thepreciseaddress，notgiveninthecondensedreportthatwasprinted，butwrittendownbythereporter，wasasfollows：——
\'ABRAHAMBROWN，LODGING-HOUSEKEEPER，41CHARLESSQUARE，HOXTON。\'
Owencopiedit，andgavethereporterasmallfee。\'Iwanttokeepthisinquiryprivateforthepresent，\'hesaidhesitatingly。\'Youwillperhapsunderstandwhy，andobligeme。\'
Thereporterpromised。\'Newsisshopwithme，\'hesaid，\'andtoescapefromhandlingitismygreatestsocialenjoyment。\'
Itwasevening，andtheouterroomofthepublishing-officewaslightedupwithflaringjetsofgas。Aftermakingtheaboveremark，thereportercameoutfromtheinnerapartmentinGraye\'scompany，answeringanexpressionofobligationfromOwenwiththewordsthatitwasnotrouble。Atthemomentofhisspeech，heclosedbehindhimthedoorbetweenthetworooms，stillholdinghisnote-bookinhishand。
Beforethecounterofthefrontroomstoodatallman，whowasalsospeaking，whentheyemerged。Hesaidtotheyouthinattendance，\'I
willtakemypaperforthisweeknowIamhere，sothatyouneedn\'tpostittome。\'
Thestrangerthenslightlyturnedhishead，sawOwen，andrecognizedhim。OwenpassedoutwithoutrecognizingtheotherasManston。
Manstonthenlookedatthereporter，who，afterwalkingtothedoorwithOwen，hadcomebackagaintolockuphisbooks。Manstondidnotneedtobetoldthattheshabbymarble-coveredbookwhichheheldinhishand，openingendwaysandinterleavedwithblotting-
paper，wasanoldreporting-book。Heraisedhiseyestothereporter\'sface，whoseexperiencehadnotsoschooledhisfeaturesbutthattheybetrayedaconsciousness，toonehalfinitiatedastheotherwas，thathislateproceedinghadbeenconnectedwitheventsinthelifeofthesteward。Manstonsaidnomore，but，takinghisnewspaper，followedOwenfromtheoffice，anddisappearedinthegloomofthestreet。
EdwardSpringrovewasnowinLondonagain，andonthissameevening，beforeleavingCasterbridge，Owenwroteacarefullettertohim，statingthereinallthefactsthathadcometohisknowledge，andbegginghim，ashevaluedCytherea，tomakecautiousinquiries。A
tallmanwasstandingunderthelamp-post，abouthalf-a-dozenyardsabovethepost-office，whenhedroppedtheletterintothebox。
Thatsamenight，too，forareasonconnectedwiththerencounterwithOwenGraye，thestewardentertainedtheideaofrushingoffsuddenlytoLondonbythemail-train，whichleftCasterbridgeatteno\'clock。ButrememberingthatletterspostedafterthehouratwhichOwenhadobtainedhisinformation——whateverthatwas——couldnotbedeliveredinLondontillMondaymorning，hechangedhismindandwenthometoKnapwater。Makingaconfidentialexplanationtohiswife，arrangementsweresetonfootforhisdeparturebythemailonSundaynight。
3。MARCHTHEELEVENTH
Startingforchurchthenextmorningseveralminutesearlierthanwasusualwithhim，thestewardintentionallyloiteredalongtheroadfromthevillagetilloldMr。Springroveovertookhim。Manstonspokeverycivillyofthemorning，andoftheweather，askinghowthefarmer\'sbarometerstood，andwhenitwasprobablethatthewindmightchange。ItwasnotinMr。Springrove\'snature——goingtochurchashewas，too——toreturnanythingbutacivilanswertosuchcivilquestions，howeverhisfeelingsmighthavebeenbiassedbylateevents。Theconversationwascontinuedontermsofgreaterfriendliness。
\'Youmustbefeelingsettledagainbythistime，Mr。Springrove，aftertheroughturn-outyouhadonthatterriblenightinNovember。\'
\'Ay，butIdon\'tknowaboutfeelingsettled，either，Mr。Manston。
Theoldwindowinthechimney-corneroftheoldhouseIshallneverforget。Nowindowinthechimney-cornerwhereIamnow，andIhadbeenusedtoitformorethanfiftyyears。Tedsays\'tisagreatlosstome，andheknowsexactlywhatIfeel。\'
\'Yoursonisagaininagoodsituation，Ibelieve？\'saidManston，imitatingthatinquisitivenessintotheprivateaffairsofthenativeswhichpassesforhighbreedingincountryvillages。
\'Yes，sir。Ihopehe\'llkeepit，ordosomethingelseandsticktoit。\'
\'\'Tistobehopedhe\'llbesteadynow。\'
\'He\'salwaysbeenthat，Iassure\'ee，\'saidtheoldmantartly。
\'Yes——yes——Imeanintellectuallysteady。Intellectualwildoatswillthriveinasoilofthestrictestmorality。\'
\'Intellectualgingerbread！Ted\'ssteadyenough——that\'sallIknowaboutit。\'
\'Ofcourse——ofcourse。Hasherespectablelodgings？Myownexperiencehasshownmethatthat\'sagreatthingtoayoungmanlivingaloneinLondon。\'
\'WarwickStreet，CharingCross——that\'swhereheis。\'
\'Well，tobesure——strange！Averydearfriendofmineusedtoliveatnumberfifty-twointhatverysamestreet。\'
\'Edwardlivesatnumberforty-nine——howverynearbeingthesamehouse！\'saidtheoldfarmer，pleasedinspiteofhimself。
\'Very，\'saidManston。\'Well，Isupposewehadbetterstepalongalittlequicker，Mr。Springrove；theparson\'sbellhasjustbegun。\'
\'Numberforty-nine，\'hemurmured。
4。MARCHTHETWELFTH
EdwardreceivedOwen\'sletterinduetime，butonaccountofhisdailyengagementshecouldnotattendtoanyrequesttilltheclockhadstruckfiveintheafternoon。RushingthenfromhisofficeinWestminster，hecalledahansomandproceededtoHoxton。Afewminuteslaterheknockedatthedoorofnumberforty-one，CharlesSquare，theoldlodgingofMrs。Manston。
Atallmanwhowouldhavelookedextremelyhandsomehadhenotbeenclumsilyandcloselywrappedupingarmentsthatweremuchtooelderlyinstyleforhisyears，stoodatthecornerofthequietsquareatthesameinstant，having，too，alightedfromacab，thathadbeendrivenalongOldStreetinEdward\'srear。HesmiledconfidentlywhenSpringroveknocked。
Nobodycametothedoor。Springroveknockedagain。
Thisbroughtouttwopeople——oneatthedoorhehadbeenknockingupon，theotherfromthenextontheright。
\'IsMr。Brownathome？\'saidSpringrove。
\'No，sir。\'
\'Whenwillhebein？\'
\'Quiteuncertain。\'
\'CanyoutellmewhereImayfindhim？\'
\'No。O，hereheiscoming，sir。That\'sMr。Brown。\'
Edwardlookeddownthepavementinthedirectionpointedoutbythewoman，andsawamanapproaching。Heproceededafewstepstomeethim。
Edwardwasimpatient，andtoacertainextentstillacountryman，whohadnot，afterthemannerofcitymen，subduedthenaturalimpulsetospeakouttherulingthoughtwithoutpreface。Hesaidinaquiettonetothestranger，\'Onewordwithyou——doyourememberaladylodgerofyoursofthenameofMrs。Manston？\'
Mr。BrownhalfclosedhiseyesatSpringrove，somewhatasifhewerelookingintoatelescopeatthewrongend。
\'Ihaveneverletlodgingsinmylife，\'hesaid，afterhissurvey。
\'Didn\'tyouattendaninquestayearandahalfago，atCarriford？\'
\'Neverknewtherewassuchaplaceintheworld，sir；andastolodgings，Ihavetakenacresfirstandlastduringthelastthirtyyears，butIhaveneverletaninch。\'
\'Isupposethereissomemistake，\'Edwardmurmured，andturnedaway。
HeandMr。Brownwerenowoppositethedoornexttotheonehehadknockedat。Thewomanwhowasstillstandingtherehadheardtheinquiryandtheresultofit。
\'IexpectitistheotherMr。Brown，whousedtolivethere，thatyouwant，sir，\'shesaid。\'TheMr。Brownthatwasinquiredfortheotherday？\'
\'Verylikelythatistheman，\'saidEdward，hisinterestreawakening。
\'Hecouldn\'tmakeadooflodging-lettinghere，andatlasthewenttoCornwall，wherehecamefrom，andwherehisbrotherstilllived，whohadoftenaskedhimtocomehomeagain。Buttherewaslittleluckinthechange；forafterLondontheysayhecouldn\'tstandtherainywestwindstheygetthere，andhediedintheDecemberfollowing。Willyoustepintothepassage？\'
\'That\'sunfortunate，\'saidEdward，goingin。\'ButperhapsyourememberaMrs。Manstonlivingnextdoortoyou？\'
\'Oyes，\'saidthelandlady，closingthedoor。\'Theladywhowassupposedtohavemetwithsuchahorriblefate，andwasaliveallthetime。Isawhertheotherday。\'
\'SincethefireatCarriford？\'
\'Yes。HerhusbandcametoaskifMr。Brownwasstilllivinghere——
justasyoumight。Heseemedanxiousaboutit；andthenoneevening，aweekorfortnightafterwards，whenhecameagaintomakefurtherinquiries，shewaswithhim。ButIdidnotspeaktoher——
shestoodback，asifshewereshy。Iwasinterested，however，foroldMr。Brownhadtoldmeallaboutherwhenhecamebackfromtheinquest。\'
\'DidyouknowMrs。Manstonbeforeshecalledtheotherday？\'
\'No。YouseeshewasonlyMr。Brown\'slodgerfortwoorthreeweeks，andIdidn\'tknowshewaslivingtheretillshewasnearuponleavingagain——wedon\'tnoticenext-doorpeoplemuchhereinLondon。
ImuchregrettedIhadnotknownherwhenIheardwhathadhappened。
ItledmeandMr。Browntotalkaboutheragreatdealafterwards。
IlittlethoughtIshouldseeheraliveafterall。\'
\'Andwhendoyousaytheycameheretogether？\'
\'Idon\'texactlyremembertheday——thoughIrememberaverybeautifuldreamIhadthatsamenight——ah，Ishallneverforgetit！
Shoalsoflodgerscomingalongthesquarewithangels\'wingsandbrightgoldensovereignsintheirhandswantingapartmentsatWestEndprices。Theywouldnotgiveanyless；no，notifyou——\'
\'Yes。DidMrs。Manstonleaveanything，suchaspapers，whenshelefttheselodgingsoriginally？\'saidEdward，thoughhisheartsankasheasked。Hefeltthathewasoutwitted。Manstonandhiswifehadbeentherebeforehim，clearingthegroundofalltraces。
\'Ihavealwayssaid“No“hitherto，\'repliedthewoman，\'consideringIcouldsaynomoreifputuponmyoath，asIexpectedtobe。Butspeakinginacommoneverydaywaynowtheoccurrenceispast，I
believeafewthingsofsomekindthoughIdoubtiftheywerepaperswereleftinaworkboxshehad，becauseshetalkedaboutittoMr。Brown，andwasratherangryatwhatoccurred——yousee，shehadatemperbyallaccount，andsoIdidn\'tliketoremindtheladyofthisworkboxwhenshecametheotherdaywithherhusband。\'
\'Andabouttheworkbox？\'
\'Well，fromwhatwascasuallydropped，IthinkMrs。Manstonhadafewarticlesoffurnitureshedidn\'twant，andwhenshewasleavingtheywereputinasalejustby。Amongstherthingsweretwoworkboxesverymuchalike。Oneofthesesheintendedtosell，theothershedidn\'t，andMr。Brown，whocollectedthethingstogether，tookthewrongonetothesale。\'
\'Whatwasinit？\'
\'O，nothinginparticular，orofanyvalue——someaccounts，andherusualsewingmaterialsIthink——nothingmore。Shedidn\'ttakemuchtroubletogetitback——shesaidthebillswereworthnothingtoheroranybodyelse，butthatsheshouldhavelikedtokeeptheboxbecauseherhusbandgaveitherwhentheywerefirstmarried，andifhefoundshehadpartedwithit，hewouldbevexed。\'
\'DidMrs。Manston，whenshecalledrecentlywithherhusband，alludetothis，orinquireforit，ordidMr。Manston？\'
\'No——andIratherwonderedatit。Butsheseemedtohaveforgottenit——indeed，shedidn\'tmakeanyinquiryatall，onlystandingbehindhim，listeningtohis；andheprobablyhadneverbeentoldanythingaboutit。\'
\'Whosesalewerethesearticlesofherstakento？\'
\'Whowastheauctioneer？Mr。Halway。Hisplaceisthethirdturningfromtheendofthatstreetyouseethere。Anybodywilltellyoutheshop——hisnameiswrittenup。\'
Edwardwentofftofollowuphiscluewithapromptnesswhichwasdictatedmorebyadoggedwilltodohisutmostthanbyahopeofdoingmuch。Whenhewasoutofsight，thetallandcloakedman，whohadwatchedhim，cameuptothewoman\'sdoor，withanappearanceofbeinginbreathlesshaste。
\'HasagentlemanbeenhereinquiringaboutMrs。Manston？\'
\'Yes；he\'sjustgone。\'
\'Dearme！Iwanthim。\'
\'He\'sgonetoMr。Halway\'s。\'
\'IthinkIcangivehimsomeinformationuponthesubject。Doeshepayprettyliberally？\'
\'Hegavemehalf-a-crown。\'
\'Thatscalewilldo。I\'mapoorman，andwillseewhatmylittlecontributiontohisknowledgewillfetch。But，bytheway，perhapsyoutoldhimallIknow——whereshelivedbeforecomingtolivehere？\'
\'Ididn\'tknowwhereshelivedbeforecominghere。Ono——IonlysaidwhatMr。Brownhadtoldme。Heseemedanice，gentleyoungman，orIshouldn\'thavebeensoopenasIwas。\'
\'IshallnowaboutcatchhimatMr。Halway\'s，\'saidtheman，andwentawayashastilyashehadcome。
Edwardinthemeantimehadreachedtheauction-room。Hefoundsomedifficulty，onaccountoftheinertnessofthosewhoseonlyinducementtoanactionisamerewishfromanother，ingettingtheinformationhestoodinneedof，butitwasatlastaccordedhim。
Theauctioneer\'sbookgavethenameofMrs。Higgins，3CanleyPassage，asthepurchaserofthelotwhichhadincludedMrs。
Manston\'sworkbox。
ThitherEdwardwent，followedbytheman。Fourbellpulls，oneabovetheotherlikewaistcoat-buttons，appearedonthedoor-post。
Edwardseizedthefirsthecameto。
\'Whodidyouwoant？\'saidathinvoicefromsomewhere。
Edwardlookedaboveandaroundhim；nobodywasvisible。
\'Whodidyouwoant？\'saidthethinvoiceagain。
Hefoundnowthatthesoundproceededfrombelowthegratingcoveringthebasementwindow。Hedroppedhisglancethroughthebars，andsawachild\'swhiteface。
\'Whodidyouwoant？\'saidthevoicethethirdtime，withpreciselythesamelanguidinflection。
\'Mrs。Higgins，\'saidEdward。
\'Thirdbellup，\'saidtheface，anddisappeared。
Hepulledthethirdbellfromthebottom，andwasadmittedbyanotherchild，thedaughterofthewomanhewasinsearchof。Hegavethelittlethingsixpence，andaskedforhermamma。Thechildledhimupstairs。
Mrs。Higginswasthewifeofacarpenterwhofromwantofemploymentonewinterhaddecidedtomarry。Afterwardstheybothtooktodrink，andsankintodesperatecircumstances。Afewchairsandatablewerethechiefarticlesoffurnitureinthethird-floorbackroomwhichtheyoccupied。Arollofbaby-linenlayonthefloor；
besideitapap-cloggedspoonandanoverturnedtinpap-cup。
AgainstthewallaDutchclockwasfixedoutoflevel，andtickedwildlyinlongsandshorts，itsentrailshangingdownbeneathitswhitefaceandwiryhands，likethefaecesofaHarpy\'foedissimaventrisproluvies，uncaequemanus，etpallidasemperora\'。Ababywascryingagainsteverychair-leg，thewholefamilyofsixorsevenbeingsmallenoughtobecoveredbyawashing-tub。Mrs。Higginssathelpless，clothedinadresswhichhadhooksandeyesinplenty，butneveroneoppositetheother，therebyrenderingthedressalmostuselessasascreentothebosom。Noworkboxwasvisibleanywhere。
Itwasadepressingpictureofmarriedlifeamongtheverypoorofacity。Onlyforoneshorthourinthewholetwenty-fourdidhusbandandwifetastegenuinehappiness。Itwasintheevening，when，afterthesaleofsomenecessaryarticleoffurniture，theywereundertheinfluenceofaquarternofgin。
Ofalltheingeniousandcruelsatiresthatfromthebeginningtillnowhavebeenstucklikeknivesintowomankind，surelythereisnotonesolaceratingtothem，andtouswholovethem，asthetriteoldfact，thatthemostwretchedofmencan，inthetwinklingofaneye，findawifereadytobemorewretchedstillforthesakeofhiscompany。
Edwardhastenedtodespatchhiserrand。
Mrs。Higginshadlatelypawnedtheworkboxwithotheruselessarticlesoflumber，shesaid。Edwardboughttheduplicateofher，andwentdownstairstothepawnbroker\'s。
Inthebackdivisionofamustyshop，amidtheheterogeneouscollectionofarticlesandodoursinvariablycrowdingsuchplaces，heproducedhisticket，andwithasenseofsatisfactionoutofallproportiontotheprobableworthofhisacquisition，tooktheboxandcarrieditoffunderhisarm。Heattemptedtoliftthecoverashewalked，butfounditlocked。
ItwasduskwhenSpringrovereachedhislodging。Enteringhissmallsitting-room，thefrontapartmentonthegroundfloor，hestruckalight，andproceededtolearnifanyscrapormarkwithinoruponhispurchaserendereditofmomenttothebusinessinhand。
Breakingopenthecoverwithasmallchisel，andliftingthetray，heglancedeagerlybeneath，andfound——nothing。
Henextdiscoveredthatapocketorportfoliowasformedontheundersideofthecover。Thisheunfastened，andslippinghishandwithin，foundthatitreallycontainedsomesubstance。Firsthepulledoutaboutadozentangledsilkandcottonthreads。Underthemwereashorthouseholdaccount，adrymoss-rosebud，andanoldpairofcarte-de-visitephotographs。OneofthesewasalikenessofMrs。Manston——\'Eunice\'beingwrittenunderitinink——theotherofManstonhimself。
Hesatdowndispirited。Thiswasallthefruitofhistask——notasingleletter，date，oraddressofanykindtohelphim——andwasitlikelytherewouldbe？
However，thinkinghewouldsendthefragments，suchastheywere，toGraye，inordertosatisfyhimthathehaddonehisbestsofar，hescribbledaline，andputallexceptthesilkandcottonintoanenvelope。Lookingathiswatch，hefounditwasthentwentyminutestoseven；byaffixinganextrastamphewouldbeenabledtodespatchthembythatevening\'spost。Hehastilydirectedthepacket，andranwithitatoncetothepost-officeatCharingCross。
Onhisreturnhetookuptheworkboxagaintoexamineitmoreleisurely。Hethenfoundtherewasalsoasmallcavityinthetrayunderthepincushion，whichwasmovablebyabitofribbon。Liftingthisheuncoveredaflattenedsprigofmyrtle，andasmallscrapofcrumpledpaper。Thepapercontainedaverseortwoinaman\'shandwriting。HerecognizeditasManston\'s，havingseennotesandbillsfromhimathisfather\'shouse。Thestanzawasofacomplimentarycharacter，descriptiveoftheladywhowasnowManston\'swife。
\'EUNICE。
\'WhosoforhoursorlengthydaysShallcatchheraspect\'schangefulrays，Thenturnaway，cannonerecallBeyondagalaxyofallInhazyportraiture；
LitbythelightofazureeyesLikesummerdaysbysummerskies：
HersweettransitionsseemtobeAkindofpicturedmelody，Andnotasetcontour。
\'AE。M。\'
Toshake，pull，andransacktheboxtillhehadalmostdestroyeditwasnowhisnaturalaction。Butitcontainedabsolutelynothingmore。
\'Disappointedagain，\'hesaid，flingingdownthebox，thebitofpaper，andthewitheredtwigthathadlainwithit。
Yetvaluelessasthenewacquisitionwas，onsecondthoughtsheconsideredthatitwouldbeworthwhiletomakegoodthestatementinhislatenotetoGraye——thathehadsenteverythingtheboxcontainedexceptthesewing-thread。Thereuponheenclosedtheverseandmyrtle-twiginanotherenvelope，witharemarkthathehadoverlookedtheminhisfirstsearch，andputitonthetableforthenextday\'spost。
Inhishurryandconcentrationuponthematterthatoccupiedhim，Springrove，onenteringhislodgingandobtainingalight，hadnotwaitedtopulldowntheblindorclosetheshutters。Consequentlyallthathehaddonehadbeenvisiblefromthestreet。Butasonanaveragenotonepersonaminutepassedalongthequietpavementatthistimeoftheevening，thediscoveryoftheomissiondidnotmuchconcernhismind。
Buttherealstateofthecasewasthatatallmanhadstoodagainsttheoppositewallandwatchedthewholeofhisproceeding。WhenEdwardcameoutandwenttotheCharingCrosspost-office，themanfollowedhimandsawhimdroptheletterintothebox。ThestrangerdidnotfurthertroublehimselftofollowSpringrovebacktohislodgingagain。
Manstonnowknewthattherehadbeenphotographsofsomekindinhiswife\'sworkbox，andthoughhehadnotbeennearenoughtoseethem，heguessedwhosetheywere。Theleastreflectiontoldhimtowhomtheyhadbeensent。
Hepausedaminuteundertheporticoofthepost-office，lookingatthetwoorthreeomnibusesstoppingandstartinginfrontofhim。
ThenherushedalongtheStrand，throughHolywellStreet，andontoOldBoswellCourt。Kickingasidetheshoeblackswhobegantoimportunehimashepassedunderthecolonnade，heturnedupthenarrowpassagetothepublishing-officeofthePost-OfficeDirectory。HebeggedtobeallowedtoseetheDirectoryofthesouth-westcountiesofEnglandforamoment。
Theshopmanimmediatelyhandeddownthevolumefromashelf，andManstonretiredwithittothewindow-bench。Heturnedtothecounty，andthentotheparishofTolchurch。Attheendofthehistoricalandtopographicaldescriptionofthevillageheread：——
\'Postmistress——Mrs。Hurston。Lettersreceivedat6。3OA。M。byfoot-
postfromAnglebury。\'
Returninghisthanks，hehandedbackthebookandquittedtheoffice，thencepursuinghiswaytoanobscurecoffee-housebytheStrand，wherehenowpartookofalightdinner。Butrestseemedimpossiblewithhim。Someabsorbingintentionkepthisbodycontinuallyonthemove。Hepaidhisbill，tookhisbaginhishand，andwentouttoidleaboutthestreetsandovertherivertillthetimeshouldhavearrivedatwhichthenight-maillefttheWaterlooStation，bywhichtrainheintendedtoreturnhomeward。
Thereexists，asitwere，anouterchambertothemind，inwhich，whenamanisoccupiedcentrallywiththemostmomentousquestionofhislife，casualandtriflingthoughtsarejustallowedtowandersoftlyforaninterval，beforebeingbanishedaltogether。Thus，amidhisconcentrationdidManstonreceiveperceptionsoftheindividualsabouthiminthelivelythoroughfareoftheStrand；tallmenlookinginsignificant；littlemenlookinggreatandprofound；
lostwomenofmiserablereputelookingashappyasthedaysarelong；wives，happybyassumption，lookingcarewornandmiserable。
Eachandallwerealikeinthisonerespect，thattheyfollowedasolitarytrailliketheinwoventhreadswhichformabanner，andallwereequallyunconsciousofthesignificantwholetheycollectivelyshowedforth。
Atteno\'clockheturnedintoLancasterPlace，crossedtheriver，andenteredtherailway-station，wherehetookhisseatinthedownmail-train，whichborehim，andEdwardSpringrove\'slettertoGraye，farawayfromLondon。
XVII。THEEVENTSOFONEDAY
1。MARCHTHETHIRTEENTH。THREETOSIXO\'CLOCKA。M。
TheyenteredAngleburyStationinthedead，stilltimeofearlymorning，theclockoverthebooking-officepointingtotwenty-fiveminutestothree。Manstonlingeredontheplatformandsawthemail-bagsbroughtout，noticing，asapertinentpastime，themanyshabbyblotchesofwaxfrominnumerablesealsthathadbeensetupontheirmouths。Theguardtookthemintoafly，andwasdrivendowntheroadtothepost-office。
Itwasaraw，damp，uncomfortablemorning，though，asyet，littlerainwasfalling。Manstondrankamouthfulfromhisflaskandwalkedatonceawayfromthestation，pursuinghiswaythroughthegloomtillhestoodonthesideofthetownadjoining，atadistancefromthelasthouseinthestreetofabouttwohundredyards。
Thestationroadwasalsotheturnpike-roadintothecountry，thefirstpartofitscoursebeingacrossaheath。Havingsurveyedthehighwayupanddowntomakesureofitsbearing，Manstonmethodicallysethimselftowalkbackwardsandforwardsastone\'sthrowineachdirection。Althoughthespringwastemperate，thetimeofday，andtheconditionofsuspenseinwhichthestewardfoundhimself，causedasensationofchillinesstopervadehisframeinspiteoftheovercoathewore。Thedrizzlingrainincreased，anddropsfromthetreesatthewaysidefellnoisilyuponthehardroadbeneaththem，whichreflectedfromitsglassysurfacethefainthalooflighthangingoverthelampsoftheadjacenttown。
Herehewalkedandlingeredfortwohours，withoutseeingorhearingalivingsoul。Thenheheardthemarket-houseclockstrikefive，andsoonafterwards，quickhardfootstepssmoteuponthepavementofthestreetleadingtowardshim。TheywerethoseofthepostmanfortheTolchurchbeat。Hereachedthebottomofthestreet，gavehisbagsafinalhitch-up，steppedoffthepavement，andstruckoutforthecountrywithabriskshuffle。
Manstonthenturnedhisbackuponthetown，andwalkedslowlyon。
Intwominutesaflickeringlightshoneuponhisform，andthepostmanovertookhim。
Thenew-comerwasashort，stoopingindividualofabovefive-and-
forty，ladenonbothsideswithleatherbagslargeandsmall，andcarryingalittlelanternstrappedtohisbreast，whichcastatinypatchoflightupontheroadahead。
\'Atryenmornenfortravellers！\'thepostmancried，inacheerfulvoice，withoutturninghisheadorslackeninghistrot。
\'Itis，indeed，\'saidManston，steppingoutabreastofhim。\'Youhavealongwalkeveryday。\'
\'Yes——alongwalk——forthoughthedistanceisonlysixteenmilesonthestraight——thatis，eighttothefurthestplaceandeightback，whatwiththeinsandoutstothegentlemen\'shouses，itmakestwo-
and-twentyformylegs。Two-and-twentymilesaday，howmanyayear？Iusedtoreckonit，butIneverdonow。Idon\'tcaretothinko\'mywearandtear，nowitdobegintotelluponme。\'
Thustheconversationwasbegun，andthepostmanproceededtonarratethedifferentstrangeeventsthatmarkedhisexperience。
Manstongrewveryfriendly。
\'Postman，Idon\'tknowwhatyourcustomis，\'hesaid，afterawhile；
\'butbetweenyouandme，IalwayscarryadropofsomethingwarminmypocketwhenIamoutonsuchamorningasthis。Tryit。\'Hehandedthebottleofbrandy。
\'Ifyou\'llexcuseme，please。Ihaven\'ttooknostimmilentsthesefiveyears。\'
\'\'Tisnevertoolatetomend。\'
\'Againsttheregulations，Ibeafraid。\'
\'Who\'llknowit？\'
\'That\'strue——nobodywillknowit。Still，honesty\'sthebestpolicy。\'
\'Ah——itiscertainly。But，thankGod，I\'vebeenabletogetonwithoutityet。You\'llsurelydrinkwithme？\'
\'Really，\'tisa\'mosttooearlyforthatsorto\'thing——however，toobligeafriend，Idon\'tobjecttothefaintestshadderofadrop。\'
Thepostmandrank，andManstondidthesametoaveryslightdegree。
Fiveminuteslater，whentheycametoagate，theflaskwaspulledoutagain。
\'Welldone！\'saidthepostman，beginningtofeelitseffect；\'butguidemysoul，Ibeafraid\'twillhardlydo！\'
\'Notunless\'tiswellfollowed，likeanyotherlineyoutakeup，\'
saidManston。\'Besides，there\'sawayoflikingadropofliquor，andofbeinggood——evenreligious——atthesametime。\'
\'Ay，forsomethimble-and-buttonin-an-outfellers；butIcouldnevergetintotheknacko\'it；notI。\'
\'Well，youneedn\'tbetroubled；itisn\'tnecessaryforthehigherclassofmindtobereligious——theyhavesomuchcommon-sensethattheycanriskplayingwithfire。\'
\'Thathitsmeexactly。\'
\'Infact，amanIknow，whoalwayshadnoothergodbut“Me；“anddevoutlylovedhisneighbour\'swife，saysnowthatbelievingisamistake。\'
\'Well，tobesure！However，believinginGodisamistakemadebyveryfewpeople，afterall。\'
\'Atrueremark。\'
\'NotoneChristianinourparishwouldwalkhalfamileinarainlikethistoknowwhethertheScripturehadconcludedhimundersinorgrace。\'
\'Norinmine。\'
\'Ah，youmaydependuponitthey\'lldoawaywi\'Goddymityaltogetheraforelong，althoughwe\'vehadhimoverussomanyyears。\'
\'There\'snoknowing。\'
\'AndIsupposetheQueen\'illbedoneawaywi\'then。Aprettyconcernthat\'llbe！Nobody\'sheadtoputonyourletters；andthenyourhonestmanwhodopayhispennywillneverbeknownfromyourscampwhodon\'t。O，\'tisanation！\'
\'Warmthecocklesofyourheart，however。Here\'sthebottlewaiting。\'
\'I\'llobligeyou，myfriend。\'
Thedrinkingwasrepeated。Thepostmangrewlivelierashewenton，andatlengthfavouredthestewardwithasong，Manstonhimselfjoininginthechorus。
\'Heflunghismalletagainstthewall，Said，“TheLordmakechurchesandchapelstofall，Andthere\'llbeworkfortradesmenall！”
WhenJoan\'salewasnew，Myboys，WhenJoan\'salewasnew。\'
\'Youunderstand，friend，\'thepostmanadded，\'Iwasoriginallyamasonbytrade：nooffencetoyouifyoubeaparson？\'
\'Noneatall，\'saidManston。
Therainnowcamedownheavily，buttheypursuedtheirpathwithalacrity，theproduceoftheseveralfieldsbetweenwhichthelanewounditswaybeingindicatedbythepeculiarcharacterofthesoundemittedbythefallingdrops。Sometimesasoakinghissproclaimedthattheywerepassingbyapasture，thenapatterwouldshowthattherainfelluponsomelarge-leafedrootcrop，thenapaddlingplashannouncedthenakedarable，thelowsoundofthewindintheirearsrisingandfallingwitheachpacetheytook。
Besidesthesmallprivatebagsofthecountyfamilies，whichwerealllocked，thepostmanborethelargegeneralbudgetfortheremaininginhabitantsalonghisbeat。Ateachvillageorhamlettheycameto，thepostmansearchedforthepacketoflettersdestinedforthatplace，andthrustitintoanordinaryletter-holecutinthedoorofthereceiver\'scottage——thevillagepost-officesbeingmostlykeptbyoldwomenwhohadnotyetrisen，thoughlightsmovinginothercottagewindowsshowedthatsuchpeopleascarters，woodmen，andstablemenhadlongbeenstirring。
Thepostmanhadbythistimebecomemarkedlyunsteady，buthestillcontinuedtobetooconsciousofhisdutiestosufferthestewardtosearchthebag。Manstonwasperplexed，andatlonelypointsintheroadcasthiseyeskeenlyupontheshortbowedfigureofthemantrottingthroughthemudbyhisside，asifhewerehalfinclinedtorunaverygreatriskindeed。
Itfrequentlyhappenedthatthehousesoffarmers，clergymen，etc。，layashortdistanceupordownalaneorpathbranchingfromthedirecttrackofthepostman\'sjourney。Tosavetimeanddistance，atthepointofjunctionofsomeofthesepathswiththemainroad，thegate-postwashollowedouttoformaletter-box，inwhichthepostmandepositedhismissivesinthemorning，lookingintheboxagainintheeveningtocollectthoseplacedthereforthereturnpost。TolchurchVicarageandFarmstead，lyingbackfromthevillagestreet，wereservedonthisprinciple。Thisfactthestewardnowlearntbyconversingwiththepostman，andthediscoveryrelievedManstongreatly，makinghisintentionsmuchclearertohimselfthantheyhadbeenintheearlierstagesofhisjourney。
Theyhadreachedtheoutskirtsofthevillage。Manstoninsistedupontheflaskbeingemptiedbeforetheyproceededfurther。Thiswasdone，andtheyapproachedthechurch，thevicarage，andthefarmhouseinwhichOwenandCythereawereliving。
Thepostmanpaused，fumbledinhisbag，tookoutbythelightofhislanternsomehalf-dozenletters，andtriedtosortthem。Hecouldnotperformthetask。
\'Webecrippleddisciplesab\'lieve，\'hesaid，withasighandastagger。
\'Notdrunk，butmarket-merry，\'saidManstoncheerfully。
\'Welldone！IfIbaintsoweakthatIcan\'tseetheclouds——muchlessletters。Guidemysoul，ifsobeanybodyshouldtelltheQueen\'spostmaster-generalofme！ThewholestorywillhavetogothroughParliamentHouse，andIshallbehigh-treasoned——assafeashouses——andbefined，andwho\'llpayforapoormartel！O，\'tisaworld！\'
\'TrustintheLord——he\'llpay。\'
\'Hepayab\'lieve！whyshouldhewhenhedidn\'tdrinkthedrink？Hepayab\'lieve！D\'yethinktheman\'safool？\'
\'Well，well，Ihadnointentionofhurtingyourfeelings——buthowwasItoknowyouweresosensitive？\'
\'True——youwerenottoknowIwassosensitive。Here\'sacaddlewi\'
theseletters！Guidemysoul，whatwillBillydo！\'
Manstonofferedhisservices。
\'Theyaretobedivided，\'themansaid。
\'How？\'saidManston。
\'These，forthevillage，tobecarriedonintoit：anyforthevicarageorvicaragefarmmustbeleftintheboxofthegate-postjusthere。There\'snoneforthevicarage-housethismornen，butI
sawwhenIstartedtherewasonefortheclerko\'worksatthenewchurch。Thisisit，isn\'tit？\'
Heheldupalargeenvelope，directedinEdwardSpringrove\'shandwriting：——
\'MR。O。GRAYE，CLERKOFWORKS，TOLCHURCH，NEARANGLEBURY。\'
Theletter-boxwasscoopedinanoakgate-postaboutafootsquare。
Therewasnoslitforinsertingtheletters，byreasonoftheopportunitysuchalonelyspotwouldhaveaffordedmischievouspeasant-boysofdoingdamagehadsuchbeenthecase；butatthesidewasasmallirondoor，keptclosebyanironreversiblestraplockedacrossit。Onesideofthisstrapwaspaintedblack，theotherwhite，andwhiteorblackoutwardsimpliedrespectivelythattherewerelettersinside，ornone。
Thepostmanhadtakenthekeyfromhispocketandwasattemptingtoinsertitinthekeyholeofthebox。Hetouchedoneside，theother，above，below，butnevermadeastraighthit。
\'Letmeunlockit，\'saidManston，takingthekeyfromthepostman。
HeopenedtheboxandreachedoutwithhisotherhandforOwen\'sletter。
\'No，no。Ono——no，\'thepostmansaid。\'Asoneof——Majesty\'sservants——care——Majesty\'smails——duty——putletters——ownhands。\'Heslowlyandsolemnlyplacedtheletterinthesmallcavity。
\'Nowlockit，\'hesaid，closingthedoor。
Thestewardplacedthebaracross，withtheblacksideoutwards，signifying\'empty，\'andturnedthekey。
\'You\'veputthewrongsideoutwards！\'saidthepostman。\'\'Tisn\'tempty。\'
\'Anddroppedthekeyinthemud，sothatIcan\'talterit，\'saidthesteward，lettingsomethingfall。
\'Whatanawkwardthing！\'
\'Itisanawkwardthing。\'
Theybothwentsearchinginthemud，whichtheirowntramplinghadreducedtotheconsistencyofpap，thepostmanunstrappinghislittlelanternfromhisbreast，andthrustingitabout，closetotheground，therainstilldrizzlingdown，andthedawnsotardyonaccountoftheheavycloudsthatdaylightseemeddelayedindefinitely。Theraysofthelanternwererenderedindividuallyvisibleuponthethickmist，andseemedalmosttangibleastheypassedoffintoit，afterilluminatingthefacesandkneesofthetwostoopingfiguresdrippingwithwet；thepostman\'scapeandprivatebags，andthesteward\'svalise，glisteningasiftheyhadbeenvarnished。
\'Itfellonthegrass，\'saidthepostman。
\'No；itfellinthemud，\'saidManston。Theysearchedagain。
\'I\'mafraidweshan\'tfinditbythislight，\'saidthestewardatlength，washinghismuddyfingersinthewetgrassofthebank。
\'I\'mafraidweshan\'t，\'saidtheother，standingup。
\'I\'lltellyouwhatwehadbetterdo，\'saidManston。\'Ishallbebackthiswayinanhourorso，andsinceitwasallmyfault，I\'lllookagain，andshallbesuretofinditinthedaylight。AndI\'llhidethekeyhereforyou。\'Hepointedtoaspotbehindthepost。
\'Itwillbetoolatetoturntheindexthen，asthepeoplewillhavebeenhere，sothattheboxhadbetterstayasitis。Theletterwillonlybedelayedaday，andthatwillnotbenoticed；ifitis，youcansayyouplacedtheironthewrongwaywithoutknowingit，andallwillbewell。\'
Thiswasagreedtobythepostmanasthebestthingtobedoneunderthecircumstances，andthepairwenton。Theyhadpassedthevillageandcometoacrossroad，whenthesteward，tellinghiscompanionthattheirpathsnowdiverged，turnedofftothelefttowardsCarriford。
NosoonerwasthepostmanoutofsightandhearingthanManstonstalkedbacktothevicarageletter-boxbykeepinginsideafence，andthusavoidingthevillage；arrivedhere，hetookthekeyfromhispocket，whereithadbeenconcealedallthetime，andabstractedOwen\'sletter。Thisdone，heturnedtowardshome，bythehelpofwhathecarriedinhisvaliseadjustinghimselftohisordinaryappearanceashenearedthequarterinwhichhewasknown。
Anhourandhalf\'ssharpwalkingbroughthimtohisowndoorinKnapwaterPark。