2。EIGHTO\'CLOCKA。M。
Seatedinhisprivateofficehewettedtheflapofthestolenletter,andwaitedpatientlytilltheadhesivegumcouldbeloosened。HetookoutEdward\'snote,theaccounts,therosebud,andthephotographs,regardingthemwiththekeenestinterestandanxiety。
Thenote,theaccounts,therosebud,andhisownphotograph,herestoredtotheirplacesagain。Theotherphotographhetookbetweenhisfingerandthumb,andheldittowardsthebarsofthegrate。Therehehelditforhalf-a-minuteormore,meditating。
\'Itisagreatrisktorun,evenforsuchanend,\'hemuttered。
Suddenly,impregnatedwithabrightidea,hejumpedupandlefttheofficeforthefrontparlour。Takingupanalbumofportraits,whichlayonthetable,hesearchedforthreeorfourlikenessesoftheladywhohadsolatelydisplacedCytherea,whichwereinterspersedamongtherestofthecollection,andcarefullyregardedthem。Theyweretakenindifferentattitudesandstyles,andhecomparedeachsinglywiththatheheldinhishand。Oneofthem,theonemostresemblingthatabstractedfromtheletteringeneraltone,size,andattitude,heselectedfromtherest,andreturnedwithittohisoffice。
Pouringsomewaterintoaplate,hesetthetwoportraitsafloatuponit,andsittingdowntriedtoread。
Attheendofaquarterofanhour,afterseveralineffectualattempts,hefoundthateachphotographwouldpeelfromthecardonwhichitwasmounted。Thisdone,hethrewintothefiretheoriginallikenessandtherecentcard,stuckupontheoriginalcardtherecentlikenessfromthealbum,drieditbeforethefire,andplaceditintheenvelopewiththeotherscraps。
Theresulthehadobtained,then,wasthis:intheenvelopewerenowtwophotographs,bothhavingthesamephotographer\'snameonthebackandconsecutivenumbersattached。Atthebottomoftheonewhichshowedhisownlikeness,hisownnamewaswrittendown;ontheotherhiswife\'snamewaswritten;whilstthecentralfeature,andwholemattertowhichthislattercardandwritingreferred,thelikenessofaladymounteduponit,hadbeenchanged。
Mrs。Manstonenteredtheroom,andbeggedhimtocometobreakfast。
Hefollowedherandtheysatdown。Duringthemealhetoldherwhathehaddone,withscrupulousregardtoeverydetail,andshowedhertheresult。
\'Itisindeedagreatrisktorun,\'shesaid,sippinghertea。
\'Butitwouldbeagreaternottodoit。\'
\'Yes。\'
Theenvelopewasagainfastenedupasbefore,andManstonputitinhispocketandwentout。Shortlyafterwardshewasseen,onhorseback,ridinginadirectiontowardsTolchurch。Keepingtothefields,aswellashecould,forthegreaterpartoftheway,hedroppedintotheroadbythevicarageletter-box,andlookingcarefullyabout,toascertainthatnopersonwasnear,herestoredthelettertoitsnook,placedthekeyinitshiding-place,ashehadpromisedthepostman,andagainrodehomewardsbyaroundaboutway,3。AFTERNOON
TheletterwasbroughttoOwenGraye,thesameafternoon,byoneofthevicar\'sservantswhohadbeentotheboxwithaduplicatekey,asusual,toleavelettersfortheeveningpost。Themanfoundthattheindexhadtoldfalselythatmorningforthefirsttimewithinhisrecollection;butnoparticularattentionwaspaidtothemistake,asitwasconsidered。ThecontentsoftheenvelopewerescrutinizedbyOwenandflungasideasuseless。
ThenextmorningbroughtSpringrove\'ssecondletter,theexistenceofwhichwasunknowntoManston。ThesightofEdward\'shandwritingagainraisedtheexpectationsofbrotherandsister,tillOwenhadopenedtheenvelopeandpulledoutthetwigandverse。
\'Nothingthat\'softheslightestuse,afterall,\'hesaidtoher;
\'weareasfaraseverfromthemerestshadowoflegalproofthatwouldconvicthimofwhatIammorallycertainhedid,marryyou,suspecting,ifnotknowing,hertobealiveallthetime。\'
\'WhathasEdwardsent?\'saidCytherea。
\'AnoldamatoryverseinManston\'swriting。Fancy,\'hesaidbitterly,\'thisisthestrainheaddressedherinwhentheywerecourting——ashedidyou,Isuppose。\'
Hehandedhertheverseandsheread——
\'EUNICE。
\'WhosoforhoursorlengthydaysShallcatchheraspect\'schangefulrays,Thenturnaway,cannonerecallBeyondagalaxyofallInhazyportraiture;
LitbythelightofazureeyesLikesummerdaysbysummerskies:
HersweettransitionsseemtobeAkindofpicturedmelody,Andnotasetcontour。
\'AE。M。\'
AstrangeexpressionhadoverspreadCytherea\'scountenance。Itrapidlyincreasedtothemostdeath-likeanguish。Sheflungdownthepaper,seizedOwen\'shandtremblingly,andcoveredherface。
\'Cytherea!Whatisit,forHeaven\'ssake?\'
\'Owen——suppose——O,youdon\'tknowwhatIthink。\'
\'What?\'
\'“THELIGHTOFAZUREEYES,“\'sherepeatedwithashylips。
\'Well,“thelightofazureeyes“?\'hesaid,astoundedathermanner。
\'Mrs。MorrissaidinherlettertomethathereyesareBLACK!\'
\'H\'m。Mrs。Morrismusthavemadeamistake——nothinglikelier。\'
\'Shedidn\'t。\'
\'Theymightbeeitherinthisphotograph,\'saidOwen,lookingatthecardbearingMrs。Manston\'sname。
\'Blueeyeswouldscarcelyphotographsodeepintoneasthat,\'saidCytherea。\'No,theyseemblackhere,certainly。\'
\'Well,then,Manstonmusthaveblunderedinwritinghisverses。\'
\'Butcouldhe?Sayamaninlovemayforgethisownname,butnotthatheforgetsthecolourofhismistress\'seyes。Besidesshewouldhaveseenthemistakewhenshereadthem,andhavehaditcorrected。\'
\'That\'strue,shewould,\'musedOwen。\'Then,Cytherea,itcomestothis——youmusthavebeenmisinformedbyMrs。Morris,sincethereisnootheralternative。\'
\'IsupposeImust。\'
Herlooksbeliedherwords。
\'Whatmakesyousostrange——ill?\'saidOwenagain。
\'Ican\'tbelieveMrs。Morriswrong。\'
\'Butlookatthis,Cytherea。Ifitiscleartousthatthewomanhadblueeyestwoyearsago,sheMUSThaveblueeyesnow,whateverMrs。Morrisoranybodyelsemayfancy。AnyonewouldthinkthatManstoncouldchangethecolourofawoman\'seyestohearyou。\'
\'Yes,\'shesaid,andpaused。
\'Yousayyes,asifhecould,\'saidOwenimpatiently。
\'Bychangingthewomanherself,\'sheexclaimed。\'Owen,don\'tyouseethehorrid——whatIdread?——thatthewomanheliveswithisnotMrs。Manston——thatshewasburntafterall——andthatIamHISWIFE!\'
Shetriedtosupportastoicismundertheweightofthisnewtrouble,butno!Theunexpectedrevulsionofideaswassooverwhelmingthatshecrepttohimandleantagainsthisbreast。
BeforereflectinganyfurtheruponthesubjectGrayeledherupstairsandgothertoliedown。Thenhewenttothewindowandstaredoutofitupthelane,vainlyendeavouringtocometosomeconclusionuponthefantasticenigmathatconfrontedhim。
Cytherea\'snewviewseemedincredible,yetithadsuchaholduponherthatitwouldbenecessarytoclearitawaybypositiveproofbeforecontemplationofherfearshouldhavepreyedtoodeeplyuponher。
\'Cytherea,\'hesaid,\'thiswillnotdo。YoumuststayherealonealltheafternoonwhilstIgotoCarriford。IshallknowallwhenI
return。\'
\'No,no,don\'tgo!\'sheimplored。
\'Soon,then,notdirectly。\'Hesawhersubtlereasoning——thatitwasfollytobewise。
Reflectionstillconvincedhimthatgoodwouldcomeofperseveringinhisintentionanddispellinghissister\'sidlefears。Anythingwasbetterthanthisabsurddoubtinhermind。ButheresolvedtowaittillSunday,thefirstdayonwhichhemightreckonuponseeingMrs。Manstonwithoutsuspicion。InthemeantimehewrotetoEdwardSpringrove,requestinghimtogoagaintoMrs。Manston\'sformerlodgings。
XVIII。THEEVENTSOFTHREEDAYS
1。MARCHTHEEIGHTEENTH
Sundaymorninghadcome,andOwenwastrudgingoverthesixmilesofhillanddalethatlaybetweenTolchurchandCarriford。
EdwardSpringrove\'sanswertothelastletter,afterexpressinghisamazementatthestrangecontradictionbetweentheversesandMrs。
Morris\'sletter,hadbeentotheeffectthathehadagainvisitedtheneighbourofthedeadMr。Brown,andhadreceivedasnearadescriptionofMrs。Manstonasitwaspossibletogetatsecond-
hand,andbyhearsay。Shewasatallwoman,wideattheshoulders,andfull-chested,andshehadastraightandratherlargenose。Thecolourofhereyestheinformantdidnotknow,forshehadonlyseentheladyinthestreetasshewentinorout。Thisconfusingremarkwasadded。ThewomanhadalmostrecognizedMrs。Manstonwhenshehadcalledwithherhusbandlately,butshehadkeptherveildown。
Herresidence,beforeshecametoHoxton,wasquiteunknowntothisnext-doorneighbour,andEdwardcouldgetnomannerofcluetoitfromanyothersource。
Owenreachedthechurch-doorafewminutesbeforethebellsbeganchiming。Nobodywasyetinthechurch,andhewalkedroundtheaisles。FromCytherea\'sfrequentdescriptionofhowandwhereherselfandothersusedtosit,heknewwheretolookforManston\'sseat;andaftertwoorthreeerrorsofexaminationhetookupaprayer-bookinwhichwaswritten\'EuniceManston。\'Thebookwasnearlynew,andthedateofthewritingaboutamonthearlier。Onepointwasatanyrateestablished:thatthewomanlivingwithManstonwaspresentedtotheworldasnootherthanhislawfulwife。
ThequietvillagersofCarrifordrequirednopew-openerintheirplaceofworship:nativesandin-dwellershadtheirownseats,andstrangerssatwheretheycould。Grayetookaseatinthenave,onthenorthside,closebehindapillardividingitfromthenorthaisle,whichwascompletelyallottedtoMissAldclyffe,herfarmers,andherretainers,Manston\'spewbeinginthemidstofthem。Owen\'spositionontheothersideofthepassagewasalittleinadvanceofManston\'sseat,andsosituatedthatbyleaningforwardhecouldlookdirectlyintothefaceofanypersonsittingthere,though,ifhesatupright,hewaswhollyhiddenfromsuchaonebytheinterveningpillar。
AimingtokeephispresenceunknowntoManstonifpossible,Owensat,withoutonceturninghishead,duringtheentranceofthecongregation。ArustlingofsilkroundbythenorthpassageandintoManston\'sseat,toldhimthatsomewomanhadenteredthere,andasitseemedfromtheaccompanimentofheavierfootsteps,Manstonwaswithher。
Immediatelyuponrisingup,helookedintentlyinthatdirection,andsawaladystandingattheendoftheseatnearesthimself。
PortionsofManston\'sfigureappearedontheothersideofher。IntwoglancesGrayereadthusmanyofhercharacteristics,andinthefollowingorder:——
Shewasatallwoman。
Shewasbroadattheshoulders。
Shewasfull-bosomed。
Shewaseasilyrecognizablefromthephotographbutnothingcouldbediscernedofthecolourofhereyes。
Withapreoccupiedmindhewithdrewintohisnook,andheardtheservicecontinued——onlyconsciousofthefactthatinoppositiontothesuspicionwhichoneoddcircumstancehadbredinhissisterconcerningthiswoman,allostensibleandordinaryproofsandprobabilitiestendedtotheoppositeconclusion。Theresatthegenuineoriginaloftheportrait——couldhewishformore?Cythereawishedformore。EuniceManston\'seyeswereblue,anditwasnecessarythatthiswoman\'seyesshouldbebluealso。
Unskilledlabourwastesinbeatingagainstthebarstentimestheenergyexertedbythepractisedhandintheeffectivedirection。
OwenfeltthistobethecaseinhisownandEdward\'sattemptstofollowuptheclueaffordedthem。Thinkashemight,hecouldnotthinkofacrucialtestinthematterabsorbinghim,whichshouldpossesstheindispensableattribute——acapabilityofbeingappliedprivately;thatintheeventofitsprovingtheladytobetherightfulownerofthenamesheused,hemightrecedewithoutobloquyfromanuntenableposition。
ButtoseeMrs。Manston\'seyesfromwherehesatwasimpossible,andhecoulddonothingintheshapeofadirectexaminationatpresent。
MissAldclyffehadpossiblyrecognizedhim,butManstonhadnot,andfeelingthatitwasindispensabletokeepthepurportofhisvisitasecretfromthesteward,hethoughtitwouldbeaswell,too,tokeephispresenceinthevillageasecretfromhim;atanyrate,tillthedaywasover。
Atthefirstopeningofthedoors,Grayeleftthechurchandwanderedawayintothefieldstoponderonanotherscheme。HecouldnotcallonFarmerSpringrove,ashehadintended,untilthismatterwassetatrest。Twohoursintervenedbetweenthemorningandafternoonservices。
ThistimehadnearlyexpiredbeforeOwenhadstruckoutanymethodofproceeding,orcoulddecidetoruntheriskofcallingattheOldHouseandaskingtoseeMrs。Manstonpoint-blank。Buthehaddrawnneartheplace,andwasstandingstillinthepublicpath,fromwhichapartialviewofthefrontofthebuildingcouldbeobtained,whenthebellsbeganchimingforafternoonservice。WhilstGrayepaused,twopersonscamefromthefrontdoorofthehalf-hiddendwellingwhomhepresentlysawtobeManstonandhiswife。Manstonwaswearinghisoldgarden-hat,andcarriedoneofthemonthlymagazinesunderhisarm。Immediatelytheyhadpassedthegatewayhebranchedoffandwentoverthehillinadirectionawayfromthechurch,evidentlyintendingtoramblealong,andreadasthehumourmovedhim。Theladymeanwhileturnedintheotherdirection,andwentintothechurchpath。
Owenresolvedtomakesomethingofthisopportunity。Hehurriedalongtowardsthechurch,doubledroundasharpangle,andcamebackupontheotherpath,bywhichMrs。Manstonmustarrive。
Inaboutthreeminutessheappearedinsightwithoutaveil。Hediscovered,asshedrewnearer,adifficultywhichhadnotstruckhimatfirst——thatitisnotaneasymattertoparticularizethecolourofastranger\'seyesinamerelycasualencounteronapathoutofdoors。ThatMrs。Manstonmustbebroughtclosetohim,andnotonlyso,buttolookcloselyathim,ifhispurposeweretobeaccomplished。
Heshapedaplan。Itmightbychancebeeffectual;ifotherwise,itwouldnotrevealhisintentiontoher。WhenMrs。Manstonwaswithinspeakingdistance,hewentuptoherandsaid——
\'WillyoukindlytellmewhichturningwilltakemetoCasterbridge?\'
\'Thesecondontheright,\'saidMrs。Manston。
Owenputonablanklook:heheldhishandtohisear——conveyingtotheladytheideathathewasdeaf。
Shecamecloserandsaidmoredistinctly——
\'Thesecondturningontheright。\'
Owenflushedalittle。Hefanciedhehadbeheldtherevelationhewasinsearchof。Buthadhiseyesdeceivedhim?
Oncemoreheusedtheruse,stilldrawingnearerandintimatingbyaglancethatthetroublehegaveherwasverydistressingtohim。
\'Howverydeaf!\'shemurmured。Sheexclaimedloudly——
\'THESECONDTURNINGTOTHERIGHT。\'
Shehadadvancedherfacetowithinafootofhisown,andinspeakingmouthedveryemphatically,fixinghereyesintentlyuponhis。Andnowhisfirstsuspicionwasindubitablyconfirmed。Hereyeswereasblackasmidnight。
AllthisfeigningwasmostdistastefultoGraye。Theriddlehavingbeensolved,heunconsciouslyassumedhisnaturallookbeforeshehadwithdrawnherface。Shefoundhimtobepeeringatherasifhewouldreadherverysoul——expressingwithhiseyesthenotificationofwhich,apartfromemotion,theeyesaremorecapablethananyother——inquiry。
Herfacechangeditsexpression——thenitscolour。Thenaturaltintofthelighterportionssanktoanashygray;thepinkofhercheeksgrewpurpler。Itwasthepreciseresultwhichwouldremainafterbloodhadleftthefaceofonewhoseskinwasdark,andartificiallycoatedwithpearl-powderandcarmine。
Sheturnedherheadandmovedaway,murmuringahastyreplytoOwen\'sfarewellremarkof\'Good-day,\'andwithakindofnervoustwitchliftingherhandandsmoothingherhair,whichwasofalight-browncolour。
\'Shewearsfalsehair,\'hethought,\'orhaschangeditscolourartificially。Hertruehairmatchedhereyes。\'
Andnow,inspiteofwhatMr。Brown\'sneighbourshadsaidaboutnearlyrecognizingMrs。Manstononherrecentvisit——whichmighthavemeantanythingornothing;inspiteofthephotograph,andinspiteofhispreviousincredulity;inconsequenceoftheverse,ofhersilenceandbackwardnessatthevisittoHoxtonwithManston,andofherappearanceanddistressatthepresentmoment,Grayehadaconvictionthatthewomanwasanimpostor。
WhatcouldbeManston\'sreasonforsuchanastoundingtrickhecouldbynostretchofimaginationdivine。
Hechangedhisdirectionassoonasthewomanwasoutofsight,andploddedalongthelaneshomewardtoTolchurch。
OnenewideawassuggestedtohimbyhisdesiretoallayCytherea\'sdreadofbeingclaimed,andbythedifficultyofbelievingthatthefirstMrs。Manstonlostherlifeassupposed,notwithstandingtheinquestandverdict。WasitpossiblethattherealMrs。Manston,whowasknowntobeaPhiladelphianbybirth,hadreturnedbythetraintoLondon,astheporterhadsaid,andthenleftthecountryunderanassumedname,toescapethatworstkindofwidowhood——themiseryofbeingweddedtoafickle,faithless,andtruanthusband?
Inhercomplicateddistressatthenewsbroughtbyherbrother,Cytherea\'sthoughtsatlengthrevertedtoherfriend,theRectorofCarriford。ShetoldOwenofMr。Raunham\'swarm-heartedbehaviourtowardsherself,andofhisstronglyexpressedwishtoaidher。
\'Heisnotonlyagood,butasensibleman。Weseemtowantanoldheadonourside。\'
\'Andheisamagistrate,\'saidOweninatoneofconcurrence。Hethought,too,thatnoharmcouldcomeofconfidingintherector,buttherewasadifficultyinbringingabouttheconfidence。HewishedthathissisterandhimselfmightbothbepresentataninterviewwithMr。Raunham,yetitwouldbeunwiseforthemtocallonhimtogether,inthesightofalltheservantsandparishofCarriford。
Therecouldbenoobjectiontotheirwritinghimaletter。
Nosoonerwasthethoughtbornthanitwascarriedout。Theywrotetohimatonce,askinghimtohavethegoodnesstogivethemsomeadvicetheysadlyneeded,andbeggingthathewouldaccepttheirassurancethattherewasarealjustificationfortheadditionalrequesttheymade——thatinsteadoftheircallinguponhim,hewouldanyeveningoftheweekcometotheircottageatTolchurch。
2。MARCHTHETWENTIETH。SIXTONINEO\'CLOCKP。M。
Twoeveningslater,tothetotaldisarrangementofhisdinner-hour,Mr。RaunhamappearedatOwen\'sdoor。Hisarrivalwashailedwithgenuinegratitude。Thehorsewastiedtothepalings,andtherectorusheredindoorsandputintotheeasy-chair。
ThenGrayetoldhimthewholestory,remindinghimthattheirfirstsuspicionshadbeenofatotallydifferentnature,andthatinendeavouringtoobtainproofoftheirtruththeyhadstumbleduponmarkswhichhadsurprisedthemintothesenewuncertainties,thriceasmarvellousasthefirst,yetmoreprominent。
Cytherea\'sheartwassofullofanxietythatitsuperinducedamannerofconfidencewhichwasadeath-blowtoallformality。Mr。
Raunhamtookherhandpityingly。
\'Itisaseriouscharge,\'hesaid,asasortoforiginaltwigonwhichhisthoughtsmightprecipitatethemselves。
\'Assumingforamomentthatsuchasubstitutionwasrenderedaneasymatterbyfortuitousevents,\'hecontinued,\'thereisthisconsiderationtobeplacedbesideit——whatearthlymotivecanMr。
Manstonhavehadwhichwouldbesufficientlypowerfultoleadhimtorunsuchaverygreatrisk?Themostabandonedrouecouldnot,atthatparticularcrisis,havetakensucharecklessstepforthemerepleasureofanewcompanion。\'
Owenhadseenthatdifficultyaboutthemotive;Cythereahadnot。
\'Unfortunatelyforus,\'therectorresumed,\'nomoreevidenceistobeobtainedfromtheporter,Chinney。Isupposeyouknowwhatbecameofhim?HegottoLiverpoolandembarked,intendingtoworkhiswaytoAmerica,butonthepassagehefelloverboardandwasdrowned。Butthereisnodoubtofthetruthofhisconfession——infact,hisconducttendstoproveittrue——andnomoraldoubtofthefactthattherealMrs。Manstonleftheretogobackbythatmorning\'strain。Thisbeingthecase,then,why,ifthiswomanisnotshe,didshetakenonoticeoftheadvertisement——Imeannotnecessarilyafriendlynotice,butfromtheinformationitaffordedherhaverendereditimpossiblethatsheshouldbepersonifiedwithoutherownconnivance?\'
\'Ithinkthatargumentisoverthrown,\'Grayesaid,\'bymyearliestassumptionofherhatredofhim,wearinessofthechainwhichboundhertohim,andaresolvetobegintheworldanew。Let\'ssupposeshehasmarriedanotherman——somewhereabroad,say;shewouldbesilentforherownsake。\'
\'You\'vehittheonlygenuinepossibility,\'saidMr。Raunham,tappinghisfingeruponhisknee。\'Thatwoulddecidedlydisposeoftheseconddifficulty。Buthismotivewouldbeasmysteriousasever。\'
Cytherea\'spictureddreadswouldnotallowhermindtofollowtheirconversation。\'She\'sburnt,\'shesaid。\'Oyes;Ifear——Ifearsheis!\'
\'Idon\'tthinkwecanseriouslybelievethatnow,afterwhathashappened,\'saidtherector。
Stillstrainingherthoughttowardstheworst,\'Then,perhaps,thefirstMrs。Manstonwasnothiswife,\'shereturned;\'andthenI
shouldbehiswifejustthesame,shouldn\'tI?\'
\'Theyweremarriedsafelyenough,\'saidOwen。\'Thereisabundanceofcircumstantialevidencetoprovethat。\'
\'Uponthewhole,\'saidMr。Raunham,\'Ishouldadviseyouraskinginastraightforwardwayforlegalprooffromthestewardthatthepresentwomanisreallyhisoriginalwife——athingwhich,tomymind,youshouldhavedoneattheoutset。\'HeturnedtoCythereakindly,andaskedherwhatmadehergiveupherhusbandsounceremoniously。
ShecouldnottelltherectorofheraversiontoManston,andofherunquenchedloveforEdward。
\'Yourterrifiedstatenodoubt,\'hesaid,answeringforher,inthemannerofthoseaccustomedtothepulpit。\'Butintosuchasolemncompactasmarriage,all-importantconsiderations,bothlegallyandmorally,enter;itwasyourdutytohaveseeneverythingclearlyproved。DoubtlessMr。Manstonispreparedwithproofs,butasitconcernsnobodybutyourselfthatheridentityshouldbepubliclyestablishedandbyyourabsenteeismyouactasifyouweresatisfiedhehasnottroubledtoexhibitthem。Nobodyelsehastakenthetroubletoprovewhatdoesnotaffectthemintheleast——
that\'sthewayoftheworldalways。You,whoshouldhaverequiredallthingstobemadeclear,ranaway。\'
\'Thatwaspartlymydoing,\'saidOwen。
Thesameexplanation——herwantofloveforManston——appliedheretoo,butsheshunnedtherevelation。
\'Butnevermind,\'addedtherector,\'itwasallthegreatercredittoyourwomanhood,perhaps。Isay,then,getyourbrothertowritealinetoMr。Manston,sayingyouwishtobesatisfiedthatallislegallyclearincaseyoushouldwanttomarryagain,forinstance,andIhavenodoubtthatyouwillbe。Or,ifyouwouldrather,I\'llwritemyself?\'
\'Ono,sir,no,\'pleadedCytherea,beginningtoblanch,andbreathingquickly。\'Pleasedon\'tsayanything。LetmeliveherewithOwen。IamsoafraiditwillturnoutthatIshallhavetogotoKnapwaterandbehiswife,andIdon\'twanttogo。Doconcealwhatwehavetoldyou。Lethimcontinuehisdeception——itismuchthebestforme。\'
Mr。RaunhamatlengthdivinedthatherloveforManston,ifithadeverexisted,hadtransmuteditselfintoaverydifferentfeelingnow。
\'Atanyrate,\'hesaid,ashetookhisleaveandmountedhismare,\'Iwillseeaboutit。Restcontent,MissGraye,anddependuponitthatIwillnotleadyouintodifficulty。\'
\'Concealit,\'shestillpleaded。
\'We\'llsee——butofcourseImustdomyduty。\'
\'No——don\'tdoyourduty!\'Shelookedupathimthroughthegloom,illuminatingherownfaceandeyeswiththecandlesheheld。
\'Iwillconsider,then,\'saidMr。Raunham,sensiblymoved。Heturnedhishorse\'shead,badethemawarmadieu,andleftthedoor。
TherectorofCarrifordtrottedhomewardsunderthecoldandclearMarchsky,itscountlessstarsflutteringlikebrightbirds。Hewasunconsciousofthescene。RecoveringfromtheeffectofCytherea\'svoiceandglanceofentreaty,helaidthesubjectoftheinterviewclearlybeforehimself。
ThesuspicionsofCythereaandOwenwerehonest,andhadfoundation——
thathemustown。Washe——aclergyman,magistrate,andconscientiousman——justifiedinyieldingtoCytherea\'simportunitiestokeepsilence,becauseshedreadedthepossibilityofareturntoManston?Wasshewiseinherrequest?Holdingherpresentbelief,andwithnodefiniteevidenceeitherway,shecould,foronething,neverconscientiouslymarryanyoneelse。SupposethatCythereawereManston\'swife——i。e。,thatthefirstwifewasreallyburnt?
TheadulteryofManstonwouldbeproved,and,Mr。Raunhamthought,crueltysufficienttobringthecasewithinthemeaningofthestatute。Supposethenewwomanwas,asstated,Mr。Manston\'srestoredwife?Cythereawasperfectlysafeasasinglewomanwhosemarriagehadbeenvoid。Andifitturnedoutthat,thoughthiswomanwasnotManston\'swife,hiswifewasstillliving,asOwenhadsuggested,inAmericaorelsewhere,Cythereawassafe。
Thefirstsuppositionopeneduptheworstcontingency。WasshereallysafeasManston\'swife?Doubtful。But,howeverthatmightbe,thegentle,defencelessgirl,whomitseemednobody\'sbusinesstohelpordefend,shouldbeputinatracktoproceedagainstthisman。Shehadbutonelife,andthesuperciliousnesswithwhichalltheworldnowregardedhershouldbecompensatedinsomemeasurebythemanwhosecarelessness——tosethiminthebestlight——hadcausedit。
Mr。Raunhamfeltmoreandmorepositivelythathisdutymustbedone。Aninquirymustbemadeintothematter。Immediatelyonreachinghome,hesatdownandwroteaplainandfriendlylettertoMr。Manston,anddespatcheditatoncetohimbyhand。Thenheflunghimselfbackinhischair,andwentonwithhismeditation。
Wasthereanythinginthesuspicion?Therecouldbenothing,surely。Nothingisdonebyaclevermanwithoutamotive,andwhatconceivablemotivecouldManstonhaveforsuchabnormalconduct?
Corinthianthathemightbe,whohadpreyedonvirginitylikeSt。
George\'sdragon,hewouldneverhavebeenabsurdenoughtoventureonsuchacourseforthepossessionaloneofthewoman——therewasnoreasonforit——shewasinferiortoCythereaineveryrespect,physicalandmental。
Ontheotherhand,itseemedratherodd,whenheanalyzedtheaction,thatawomanwhodeliberatelyhidherselffromherhusbandformorethanatwelvemonthshouldbebroughtbackbyamereadvertisement。Infact,thewholebusinesshadworkedalmosttoosmoothlyandeffectuallyforunpremeditatedsequence。Itwastoomuchliketheindiscriminaterightingofeverythingattheendofanoldplay。Andtherewasthatcuriousbusinessofthekeysandwatch。Herwayofaccountingfortheirbeingleftbehindbyforgetfulnesshadalwaysseemedtohimratherforced。Theonlyunforcedexplanationwasthatsuggestedbythenewspaperwriters——
thatsheleftthembehindonpurposetoblindpeopleastoherescape,amotivewhichwouldhaveclashedwiththepossibilityofherbeingfishedbackbyanadvertisement,asthepresentwomanhadbeen。Again,therewerethetwocharredbones。Heshuffledthebooksandpapersinhisstudy,andwalkedabouttheroom,restlesslymusingonthesamesubject。Theparlour-maidentered。
\'CanyoungMr。SpringrovefromLondonseeyouto-night,sir?\'
\'YoungMr。Springrove?\'saidtherector,surprised。
\'Yes,sir。\'
\'Yes,ofcoursehecanseeme。Tellhimtocomein。\'
Edwardcamesoimpatientlyintotheroom,astoshowthatthefewshortmomentshisannouncementhadoccupiedhadbeenirksometohim。
Hestoodinthedoorwaywiththesameblackbaginhishand,andthesameoldgraycloakonhisshoulders,thathehadwornfifteenmonthsearlierwhenreturningonthenightofthefire。Thisappearanceofhisconveyedatrueimpression;hehadbecomeastagnantman。Buthewasexcitednow。
\'IhavethismomentcomefromLondon,\'hesaid,asthedoorwasclosedbehindhim。
Thepropheticinsight,whichsostrangelyaccompaniescriticalexperiences,promptedMr。Raunham\'sreply。
\'AbouttheGrayesandManston?\'
\'Yes。ThatwomanisnotMrs。Manston。\'
\'Proveit。\'
\'Icanprovethatsheissomebodyelse——thathernameisAnneSeaway。\'
\'Andaretheirsuspicionstrueindeed!\'
\'AndIcandowhat\'smoretothepurposeatpresent。\'
\'SuggestManston\'smotive?\'
\'Onlysuggestit,remember。Butmyassumptionfitssoperfectlywiththefactsthathavebeensecretlyunearthedandconveyedtome,thatIcanhardlyconceiveofanother。\'
TherewasinEdward\'sbearingthatentireunconsciousnessofhimselfwhich,naturaltowildanimals,onlyprevailsinasensitivemanatmomentsofextremeintentness。Therectorsawthathehadnotrivialstorytocommunicate,whateverthestorywas。
\'Sitdown,\'saidMr。Raunham。\'Mymindhasbeenonthestretchalltheeveningtoformtheslightestguessatsuchanobject,andalltonopurpose——entirelytonopurpose。HaveyousaidanythingtoOwenGraye?\'
\'Nothing——nortoanybody。Icouldnottrusttotheeffectalettermighthaveuponyourself,either;theintricacyofthecasebringsmetothisinterview。\'
WhilstSpringrovehadbeenspeakingthetwohadsatdowntogether。
Theconversation,hithertodistincttoeverycorneroftheroom,wascarriedonnowintonessolowastobescarcelyaudibletotheinterlocutors,andinphraseswhichhesitatedtocompletethemselves。Three-quartersofanhourpassed。ThenEdwardarose,cameoutoftherector\'sstudyandagainflunghiscloakaroundhim。
Insteadofgoingthencehomeward,hewentfirsttotheCarrifordRoadStationwithatelegram,havingdespatchedwhichheproceededtohisfather\'shouseforthefirsttimesincehisarrivalinthevillage。
3。FROMNINETOTENO\'CLOCKP。M。
ThenextpresentationistheinterioroftheOldHouseontheeveningoftheprecedingsection。Thestewardwassittingbyhisparlourfire,andhadbeenreadingtheletterarrivedfromtherectory。OppositetohimsatthewomanknowntothevillageandneighbourhoodasMrs。Manston。
\'Thingsarelookingdesperatewithus,\'hesaidgloomily。Hisgloomwasnotthatofthehypochondriac,butthelegitimategloomwhichhasitsorigininasyllogism。Asheutteredthewordshehandedthelettertoher。
\'Ialmostexpectedsomesuchnewsasthis,\'shereplied,inatoneofmuchgreaterindifference。\'Iknewsuspicionlurkedintheeyesofthatyoungmanwhostaredatmesointhechurchpath:Icouldhaveswornit。\'
Manstondidnotanswerforsometime。Hisfacewaswornandhaggard;latterlyhisheadhadnotbeencarriedsouprightlyasofold。\'Iftheyproveyoutobe——whoyouare……Yes,iftheydo,\'hemurmured。
\'Theymustnotfindthatout,\'shesaid,inapositivevoice,andlookingathim。\'Butsupposingtheydo,thetrickdoesnotseemtometobesoseriousastojustifythatwretched,miserable,horriblelookofyours。Itmakesmyfleshcreep;itisperfectlydeathlike。\'
Hedidnotreply,andshecontinued,\'IftheysayandprovethatEuniceisindeedliving——anddear,youknowsheis——sheissuretocomeback。\'
Thisremarkseemedtoawakenandirritatehimtospeech。Again,ashehaddoneahundredtimesduringtheirresidencetogether,hecategorizedtheeventsconnectedwiththefireattheThreeTranters。Hedweltoneveryincidentofthatnight\'shistory,andendeavoured,withananxietywhichwasextraordinaryintheapparentcircumstances,toprovethathiswifemust,bytheverynatureofthings,haveperishedintheflames。Shearosefromherseat,crossedthehearthrug,andsetherselftosoothehim;thenshewhisperedthatshewasstillasunbelievingasever。\'Come,supposingsheescaped——justsupposingsheescaped——whereisshe?\'
coaxedthelady。
\'Whyareyousocuriouscontinually?\'saidManston。
\'BecauseIamawomanandwanttoknow。Nowwhereisshe?\'
\'IntheFlyingIsleofSanBorandan。\'
\'Wittycrueltyisthecruellestofany。Ah,well——ifsheisinEngland,shewillcomeback。\'
\'SheisnotinEngland。\'
\'Butshewillcomeback?\'
\'No,shewon\'t……Come,madam,\'hesaid,arousinghimself,\'I
shallnotansweranymorequestions。\'
\'Ah——ah——ah——sheisnotdead,\'thewomanmurmuredagainpoutingly。
\'Sheis,Itellyou。\'
\'Idon\'tthinkso,love。\'
\'Shewasburnt,Itellyou!\'heexclaimed。
\'Nowtopleaseme,admitthebarepossibilityofherbeingalive——
justthepossibility。\'
\'Oyes——topleaseyouIwilladmitthat,\'hesaidquickly。\'Yes,I
admitthepossibilityofherbeingalive,topleaseyou。\'
Shelookedathiminutterperplexity。Thewordscouldonlyhavebeensaidinjest,andyettheyseemedtosavourofatonethefurthestremovefromjesting。Therewashisfaceplaintohereyes,butnoinformationofanykindwastobereadthere。
\'ItisonlynaturalthatIshouldbecurious,\'shemurmuredpettishly,\'ifIresembleherasmuchasyousayIdo。\'
\'Youarehandsomer,\'hesaid,\'thoughyouareaboutherownheightandsize。Butdon\'tworryyourself。Youmustknowthatyouarebodyandsoulunitedwithme,thoughyouarebutmyhousekeeper。\'
Shebridledalittleattheremark。\'Wife,\'shesaid,\'mostcertainlywife,sinceyoucannotdismissmewithoutlosingyourcharacterandposition,andincurringheavypenalties。\'
\'Iownit——itwaswellsaid,thoughmistakenly——verymistakenly。\'
\'Don\'triddletomeaboutmistakenlyandsuchdarkthings。Nowwhatwasyourmotive,dearest,inrunningtheriskofhavingmehere?\'
\'Yourbeauty,\'hesaid。
\'Shethanksyoumuchforthecompliment,butwillnottakeit。
Come,whatwasyourmotive?\'
\'Yourwit。\'
\'No,no;notmywit。WitwouldhavemadeawifeofmebythistimeinsteadofwhatIam。\'
\'Yourvirtue。\'
\'Orvirtueeither。\'
\'Itellyouitwasyourbeauty——really。\'
\'ButIcannothelpseeingandhearing,andifwhatpeoplesayistrue,Iamnotnearlysogood-lookingasCytherea,andseveralyearsolder。\'
TheaspectofManston\'sfaceatthesewordsfromherwassoconfirmatoryofherhint,thathisforcedreplyof\'Ono,\'tendedtodevelopherchagrin。
\'Merelikingorloveforme,\'sheresumed,\'wouldnothavesprungupallofasudden,asyourpretendedpassiondid。YouhadbeentoLondonseveraltimesbetweenthetimeofthefireandyourmarriagewithCytherea——youhadnevervisitedmeorthoughtofmyexistenceorcaredthatIwasoutofasituationandpoor。Buttheweekafteryoumarriedherandwereseparatedfromher,offyourushtomakelovetome——notfirsttomeeither,foryouwenttoseveralplaces——
\'
\'No,notseveralplaces。\'
\'Yes,youtoldmesoyourself——thatyouwentfirsttotheonlylodginginwhichyourwifehadbeenknownasMrs。Manston,andwhenyoufoundthatthelodging-house-keeperhadgoneawayanddied,andthatnobodyelseinthestreethadanydefiniteideasastoyourwife\'spersonalappearance,andcameandproposedthearrangementwecarriedout——thatIshouldpersonateher。Yourtakingallthistroubleshowsthatsomethingmoreseriousthanlovehadtodowiththematter。\'
\'Humbug——whattroubleafteralldidItake?WhenIfoundCythereawouldnotstaywithmeaftertheweddingIwasmuchputoutatbeingleftaloneagain。Wasthatunnatural?\'
\'No。\'
\'Andthosefavouringaccidentsyoumention——thatnobodyknewmyfirstwife——seemedanarrangementofProvidenceforourmutualbenefit,andmerelyperfectedahalf-formedimpulse——thatIshouldcallyoumyfirstwifetoescapethescandalthatwouldhavearisenifyouhadcomehereasanythingelse。\'
\'Mylove,thatstorywon\'tdo。IfMrs。Manstonwasburnt,Cytherea,whomyoulovebetterthanme,couldhavebeencompelledtolivewithyouasyourlawfulwife。Ifshewasnotburnt,whyshouldyouruntheriskofherturningupagainatanymomentandexposingyoursubstitutionofme,andruiningyournameandprospects?\'
\'Why——becauseImighthavelovedyouwellenoughtoruntheriskassuminghernottobeburnt,whichIdeny。\'
\'No——youwouldhaveruntherisktheotherway。YouwouldratherhaveriskedherfindingyouwithCythereaasasecondwife,thanwithmeasapersonatorofherself——thefirstone。\'
\'Youcameeasiesttohand——rememberthat。\'
\'Notsoveryeasyeither,consideringthelabouryoutooktoteachmeyourfirstwife\'shistory。AllabouthowshewasanativeofPhiladelphia。Thenmakingmereaduptheguide-booktoPhiladelphia,anddetailsofAmericanlifeandmanners,incasethebirthplaceandhistoryofyourwife,Eunice,shouldeverbecomeknowninthisneighbourhood——unlikelyasitwas。Ah!andthenaboutthehandwritingofhersthatIhadtoimitate,andthedyingmyhair,androuging,tomakethetransformationcomplete?YoumeantosaythatthatwastakinglesstroublethantherewouldhavebeeninarrangingeventstomakeCythereabelieveherselfyourwife,andlivewithyou?\'
\'Youwereaneedyadventuress,whowoulddareanythingforanewpleasureandaneasylife——andIwasfoolenoughtogiveintoyou——
\'
\'Goodheavensabove!——didIaskyoutoinsertthoseadvertisementsforyouroldwife,andtomakemeansweritasifIwasshe?DidI
askyoutosendmetheletterformetocopyandsendbacktoyouwhenthethirdadvertisementappeared——purportingtocomefromthelong-lostwife,andgivingadetailedhistoryofherescapeandsubsequentlife——allwhichyouhadinventedyourself?Youdeludedmeintolovingyou,andthenenticedmehere!Ah,andthisisanotherthing。Howdidyouknowtherealwifewouldn\'tanswerit,andupsetallyourplans?\'
\'BecauseIknewshewasburnt。\'
\'Whydidn\'tyouforceCythereatocomeback,then?Now,mylove,I
havecaughtyou,andyoumayjustaswelltellfirstaslast,WHAT
WASYOURMOTIVEINHAVINGMEHEREASYOURFIRSTWIFE?\'
\'Silence!\'heexclaimed。
Shewassilentforthespaceoftwominutes,andthenpersistedingoingontomutter,\'AndwhywasitthatMissAldclyffeallowedherfavouriteyounglady,Cythie,tobeoverthrownandsupplantedwithoutanexpostulationoranyshowofsympathy?DoyouknowI
oftenthinkyouexerciseasecretpoweroverMissAldclyffe。AndshealwaysshunsmeasifIsharedthepower。Apoor,ill-usedcreaturelikemesharingpower,indeed!\'
\'ShethinksyouareMrs。Manston。\'
\'Thatwouldn\'tmakeheravoidme。\'
\'Yesitwould,\'heexclaimedimpatiently。\'IwishIwasdead——
dead!\'Hehadjumpedupfromhisseatinutteringthewords,andnowwalkedwearilytotheendoftheroom。Comingbackmoredecisively,helookedinherface。
\'WemustleavethisplaceifRaunhamsuspectswhatIthinkhedoes,\'
hesaid。\'TherequestofCythereaandherbrothermaysimplybeforasatisfactoryproof,tomakeherfeellegallyfree——butitmaymeanmore。\'
\'Whatmayitmean?\'
\'HowshouldIknow?\'
\'Well,well,nevermind,oldboy,\'shesaid,approachinghimtomakeupthequarrel。\'Don\'tbesoalarmed——anybodywouldthinkthatyouwerethewomanandItheman。SupposetheydofindoutwhatIam——
wecangoawayfromhereandkeephouseasusual。Peoplewillsayofyou,“Hisfirstwifewasburnttodeath“or“ranawaytotheColonies,“asthecasemaybe;“Hemarriedasecond,anddesertedherforAnneSeaway。“Averyeverydaycase——nothingsohorrible,afterall。\'
Hemadeanimpatientmovement。\'Whicheverwaywedoit,NOBODYMUST
KNOWTHATYOUARENOTMYWIFEEUNICE。AndnowImustthinkaboutarrangingmatters。\'
Manstonthenretiredtohisoffice,andshuthimselfupfortheremainderoftheevening。
XIX。THEEVENTSOFADAYANDNIGHT
1。MARCHTHETWENTY-FIRST。MORNING
Nextmorningthestewardwentoutasusual。Heshortlytoldhiscompanion,Anne,thathehadalmostmaturedtheirscheme,andthattheywouldenteruponthedetailsofitwhenhecamehomeatnight。
Thefortunatefactthattherector\'sletterdidnotrequireanimmediateanswerwouldgivehimtimetoconsider。
AnneSeawaythenbeganherdutiesinthehouse。Besidesdailysuperintendingthecookandhousemaidoneofthesedutieswas,atrareintervals,todustManston\'sofficewithherownhands,aservantbeingsupposedtodisturbthebooksandpapersunnecessarily。Shesoftlywanderedfromtabletoshelfwiththedusterinherhand,afterwardsstandinginthemiddleoftheroom,andglancingaroundtodiscoverifanynoteworthycollectionofdusthadstillescapedher。
Hereyefelluponafaintlayerwhichrestedupontheledgeofanold-fashionedchestnutcabinetofFrenchRenaissanceworkmanship,placedinarecessbythefireplace。Ataheightofaboutfourfeetfromthefloortheupperportionofthefrontreceded,formingtheledgealludedto,onwhichopenedateachendtwosmalldoors,thecentrespacebetweenthembeingfilledoutbyapanelofsimilarsize,makingthethirdofthreesquares。Thedustontheledgewasnearlyonalevelwiththewoman\'seye,and,thoughinsignificantinquantity,showeditselfdistinctlyonaccountofthisobliquityofvision。Nowoppositethecentralpanel,concentricquarter-circlesweretracedinthedepositedfilm,expressingtoherthatthispanel,too,wasadoorliketheothers;thatithadlatelybeenopened,andhadskimmedthedustwithitsloweredge。
Atlast,then,hercuriositywasslightlyrewarded。FortherightofthematterwasthatAnnehadbeenincitedtothisexplorationofManston\'sofficeratherbyawishtoknowthereasonofhislongseclusionhere,afterthearrivaloftherector\'sletter,andtheirsubsequentdiscourse,thanbyanyimmediatedesireforcleanliness。
Still,therewouldhavebeennothingremarkabletoAnneinthissightbutforonerecollection。Manstonhadoncecasuallytoldherthateachofthetwoside-lockersincludedhalfthemiddlespace,thepanelofwhichdidnotopen,andwasonlyputinforsymmetry。
Itwaspossiblethathehadopenedthiscompartmentbycandlelighttheprecedingnight,orhewouldhaveseenthemarksinthedust,andeffacedthem,thathemightnotbeprovedguiltyoftellingheranuntruth。Shebalancedherselfononefootandstoodpondering。
Sheconsideredthatitwasveryvexingandunfairinhimtorefuseherallknowledgeofhisremainingsecrets,underthepeculiarcircumstancesofherconnectionwithhim。Shewentclosetothecabinet。Astherewasnokeyhole,thedoormustbecapableofbeingopenedbytheunassistedhand。Thecirclesinthedusttoldheratwhichedgetoapplyherforce。Hereshepulledwiththetipsofherfingers,butthepanelwouldnotcomeforward。Shefetchedachairandlookedoverthetopofthecabinet,butnobolt,knob,orspringwastobeseen。
\'O,nevermind,\'shesaid,withindifference;\'I\'llaskhimaboutit,andhewilltellme。\'Downshecameandturnedaway。Thenlookingbackagainshethoughtitwasabsurdsuchatrifleshouldpuzzleher。Sheretracedhersteps,andopenedadrawerbeneaththeledgeofthecabinet,pushinginherhandandfeelingaboutontheundersideoftheboard。
Hereshefoundasmallroundsinking,andpressedherfingerintoit。Nothingcameofthepressure。Shewithdrewherhandandlookedatthetipofherfinger:itwasmarkedwiththeimpressofthecircle,and,inaddition,alineranacrossitdiametrically。
\'Howstupidofme;itistheheadofascrew。\'Whatevermysteriouscontrivancehadoriginallyexistedforopeningthepunycupboardofthecabinet,ithadatsometimebeenbroken,andthisroughsubstituteprovided。Stimulatedcuriositywouldnotallowhertorecedenow。Shefetchedascrewdriver,withdrewthescrew,pulledthedooropenwithapenknife,andfoundinsideacavityaboutteninchessquare。Thecavitycontained——
Lettersfromdifferentwomen,withunknownsignatures,ChristiannamesonlysurnamesbeingdespisedinPaphos。LettersfromhiswifeEunice。LettersfromAnneherself,includingthatshewroteinanswertohisadvertisement。Asmallpocket-book。Sundryscrapsofpaper。
Thelettersfromthestrangewomenwithpetnamessheglancedcarelesslythrough,andthenputthemaside。Theyweretoosimilartoherownregretteddelusion,andcuriosityrequirescontrasttoexciteit。
Thelettersfromhiswifewerenextexamined。TheyweredatedbackasfarasEunice\'sfirstmeetingwithManston,andtheearlyonesbeforetheirmarriagecontainedtheusualprettyeffusionsofwomenatsuchaperiodoftheirexistence。Somelittletimeafterhehadmadeherhiswife,andwhenhehadcometoKnapwater,theseriesbeganagain,andnowtheircontentsarrestedherattentionmoreforcibly。Sheclosedthecabinet,carriedthelettersintotheparlour,reclinedherselfonthesofa,andcarefullyperusedthemintheorderoftheirdates。
\'JOHNSTREET,October17,1864。
\'MYDEARESTHUSBAND,——Ireceivedyourhurriedlineofyesterday,andwasofcoursecontentwithit。Butwhydon\'tyoutellmeyourexactaddressinsteadofthat“Post-Office,Budmouth?”Thismatterisallamysterytome,andIoughttobetoldeverydetail。Icannotfancyitisthesamekindofoccupationyouhavebeenusedtohitherto。YourcommandthatIamtostayhereawhileuntilyoucan“seehowthingslook“andcanarrangetosendforme,Imustnecessarilyabideby。Butif,asyousay,amarriedmanwouldhavebeenrejectedbythepersonwhoengagedyou,andthathencemyexistencemustbekeptasecretuntilyouhavesecuredyourposition,whydidyouthinkofgoingatall?
\'Thetruthis,thiskeepingourmarriageasecretistroublesome,vexing,andwearisometome。Iseethepoorestwomaninthestreetbearingherhusband\'snameopenly——livingwithhiminthemostmatter-of-factease,andwhyshouldn\'tI?IwishIwasbackagaininLiverpool。
\'To-dayIboughtagreywaterproofcloak。Ithinkitisalittletoolongforme,butitwascheapforoneofsuchaquality。Theweatherisgustyanddreary,andtillthismorningIhadhardlysetfootoutsidethedoorsinceyouleft。PleasedotellmewhenIamtocome——Veryaffectionatelyyours,EUNICE。\'
\'JOHNSTREET,October25,1864。
\'MYDEARHUSBAND,——Whydon\'tyouwrite?Doyouhateme?Ihavenothadthehearttodoanythingthislastweek。ThatI,yourwife,shouldbeinthisstrait,andmyhusbandwelltodo!Ihavebeenobligedtoleavemyfirstlodgingfordebt——amongotherthings,theychargedmeforalotofbrandywhichIamquitesureIdidnottaste。ThenIwenttoCamberwellandwasfoundoutbythem。Iwentawayprivatelyfromthence,andchangedmynamethesecondtime。I
amnowMrs。Rondley。ButthenewlodgingwasthewretchedestanddearestIeversetfootin,andIleftitafterbeingthereonlyaday。IamnowatNo。2Ointhesamestreetthatyouleftmeinoriginally。AlllastnightthesashofmywindowrattledsodreadfullythatIcouldnotsleep,butIhadnotenergyenoughtogetoutofbedtostopit。ThismorningIhavebeenwalking——I
don\'tknowhowfar——butfarenoughtomakemyfeetache。Ihavebeenlookingattheoutsideoftwoorthreeofthetheatres,buttheyseemforbiddingifIregardthemwiththeeyeofanactressinsearchofanengagement。ThoughyousaidIwastothinknomoreofthestage,Ibelieveyouwouldnotcareifyoufoundmethere。ButIamnotanactressbynature,andartwillnevermakemeone。Iamtootimidandretiring;Iwasintendedforacottager\'swife。I
certainlyshallnottrytogoontheboardsagainwhilstIaminthisstrangeplace。TheideaofbeingbroughtonasfarasLondonandthenleftherealone!Whydidn\'tyouleavemeinLiverpool?
PerhapsyouthoughtImighthavetoldsomebodythatmyrealnamewasMrs。Manston。AsifIhadalivingfriendtowhomIcouldimpartit——nosuchgoodfortune!Infact,mynearestfriendisnonearerthanwhatmostpeoplewouldcallastranger。ButperhapsIoughttotellyouthataweekbeforeIwrotemylastlettertoyou,afterwishingthatmyuncleandauntinPhiladelphiatheonlynearrelativesIhadwerestillalive,IsuddenlyresolvedtosendalinetomycousinJames,who,Ibelieve,isstilllivinginthatneighbourhood。Hehasneverseenmesincewewerebabiestogether。
Ididnottellhimofmymarriage,becauseIthoughtyoumightnotlikeit,andIgavemyrealmaidenname,andanaddressatthepost-
officehere。ButGodknowsiftheletterwilleverreachhim。
\'Dowritemeananswer,andsendsomething——Youraffectionatewife,EUNICE。\'
\'FRIDAY,October28。
\'MYDEARHUSBAND,——Theorderfortenpoundshasjustcome,andIamtrulygladtogetit。Butwhywillyouwritesobitterly?Ah——
well,ifIhadonlyhadthemoneyIshouldhavebeenonmywaytoAmericabythistime,sodon\'tthinkIwanttoboreyouofmyownfree-will。Whocanyouhavemetwithatthatnewplace?RememberI
saythisinnomalignanttone,butcertainlythefactsgotoprovethatyouhavedesertedme!Youareinconstant——Iknowit。O,whyareyouso?NowIhavelostyou,Iloveyouinspiteofyourneglect。Iamweaklyfond——that\'smynature。Ifearthatuponthewholemylifehasbeenwasted。Iknowthereisanotherwomansupplantingmeinyourheart——yes,Iknowit。Cometome——docome。
EUNICE。\'
\'41CHARLESSQUARE,HOXTON,November19。
\'DEARAENEAS,——HereIambackagainaftermyvisit。Whyshouldyouhavebeensoenragedatmyfindingyourexactaddress?Anywomanwouldhavetriedtodoit——youknowshewouldhave。AndnowomanwouldhavelivedunderassumednamessolongasIdid。IrepeatthatIdidnotcallmyselfMrs。ManstonuntilIcametothislodgingatthebeginningofthismonth——whatcouldyouexpect?
\'AhelplesscreatureI,hadnotfortunefavouredmeunexpectedly。
BanishedasIwasfromyourhouseatdawn,Ididnotsupposetheindignitywasabouttoleadtoimportantresults。ButincrossingtheparkIoverheardtheconversationofayoungmanandwomanwhohadalsorisenearly。Ibelievehertobethegirlwhohaswonyouawayfromme。Well,theirconversationconcernedyouandMissAldclyffe,VERYPECULIARLY。Theremarkablethingisthatyouyourself,withoutknowingit,toldmeofwhat,addedtotheirconversation,completelyrevealsasecrettomethatneitherofyouunderstand。Twonegativesnevermadesuchatellingpositivebefore。Onecluemore,andyouwouldseeit。Asingleconsiderationpreventsmyrevealingit——justonedoubtastowhetheryourignorancewasreal,andwasnotfeignedtodeceiveme。
Civilitynow,please。
EUNICE。\'
\'41CHARLESSQUARE,Tuesday,November22。
\'MYDARLINGHUSBAND,——Mondaywillsuitmeexcellentlyforcoming。I
haveactedexactlyuptoyourinstructions,andhavesoldmyrubbishatthebroker\'sinthenextstreet。AllthismovementandbustleisdelightfultomeaftertheweeksofmonotonyIhaveendured。Itisarelieftowishtheplacegood-bye——LondonalwayshasseemedsomuchmoreforeigntomethanLiverpoolThemid-daytrainonMondaywilldonicelyforme。IshallbeanxiouslylookingoutforyouonSundaynight。
\'IhopesomuchthatyouarenotangrywithmeforwritingtoMissAldclyffe。Youarenot,dear,areyou?Forgiveme——Yourlovingwife,EUNICE。\'
Thiswasthelastofthelettersfromthewifetothehusband。Oneother,inMrs。Manston\'shandwriting,andinthesamepacket,wasdifferentlyaddressed。
\'THREETRANTERSINN,CARRIFORD,November28,1864。
\'DEARCOUSINJAMES,——Thankyouindeedforansweringmylettersopromptly。WhenIcalledatthepost-officeyesterdayIdidnotintheleastthinktherewouldbeone。ButImustleavethissubject。
Iwriteagainatonceunderthestrangestandsaddestconditionsitispossibletoconceive。
\'IdidnottellyouinmylastthatIwasamarriedwoman。Don\'tblameme——itwasmyhusband\'sinfluence。Ihardlyknowwheretobeginmystory。Ihadbeenlivingapartfromhimforatime——thenhesentformethiswaslastweekandIwasgladtogotohim。
Thenthisiswhathedid。Hepromisedtofetchme,anddidnot——
leavingmetodothejourneyalone。Hepromisedtomeetmeatthestationhere——hedidnot。Iwentonthroughthedarknesstohishouse,andfoundhisdoorlockedandhimselfawayfromhome。Ihavebeenobligedtocomehere,andIwritetoyouinastrangeroominastrangevillageinn!Ichoosethepresentmomenttowritetodriveawaymymisery。Sorrowseemsasortofpleasurewhenyoudetailitonpaper——poorpleasurethough。
\'ButthisiswhatIwanttoknow——andIamashamedtotellit。I
wouldgladlydoasyousay,andcometoyouasahousekeeper,butI
havenotthemoneyevenforasteeragepassage。James,doyouwantmebadlyenough——doyoupitymeenoughtosendit?IcouldmanagetosubsistinLondonupontheproceedsofmysaleforanothermonthorsixweeks。Willyousendittothesameaddressatthepost-
office?ButhowdoIknowthatyou……\'
Thustheletterended。Fromcreasesinthepaperitwasplainthatthewriter,havinggotsofar,hadbecomedissatisfiedwithherproduction,andhadcrumpleditinherhand。Wasittowriteanother,ornottowriteatall?
ThenextthingAnneSeawayperceivedwasthatthefragmentarystoryshehadcoaxedoutofManston,totheeffectthathiswifehadleftEnglandforAmerica,mightbetruthful,accordingtotwooftheseletters,corroboratedbytheevidenceoftherailway-porter。Andyet,atfirst,hehadsworninapassionthathiswifewasmostcertainlyconsumedinthefire。
Ifshehadbeenburnt,thisletter,writteninherbedroom,andprobablythrustintoherpocketwhensherelinquishedit,wouldhavebeenburntwithher。Nothingwassurerthanthat。Why,then,didhesayshewasburnt,andnevershowAnneherselfthisletter?
Thequestionsuddenlyraisedanewandmuchstrangerone——kindlingaburstofamazementinher。HowdidManstonbecomepossessedofthisletter?
Thatfactofpossessionwascertainlythemostremarkablerevelationofallinconnectionwiththisepistle,andperhapshadsomethingtodowithhisreasonfornevershowingittoher。
Sheknewbyseveralproofs,thatbeforehismarriagewithCytherea,anduptothetimeoftheporter\'sconfession,Manstonbelieved——
honestlybelieved——thatCythereawouldbehislawfulwife,andhence,ofcourse,thathiswifeEunicewasdead。Sothatnocommunicationcouldpossiblyhavepassedbetweenhiswifeandhimselffromthefirstmomentthathebelievedherdeadonthenightofthefire,tothedayofhiswedding。Andyethehadthatletter。
Howsoonafterwardscouldtheyhavecommunicatedwitheachother?
Theexistenceoftheletter——asmuchas,ormorethanitscontents——
implyingthatMrsManstonwasnotburnt,hisbeliefinthatcalamitymusthaveterminatedatthemomentheobtainedpossessionoftheletter,ifnoearlier。Was,then,theonlysolutiontotheriddlethatAnnecoulddiscern,thetrueone?——thathehadcommunicatedwithhiswifesomewhereaboutthecommencementofAnne\'sresidencewithhim,oratanytimesince?