I
“Yououghttobuyit，“saidmyhost；“it\'sjusttheplaceforasolitary-mindeddevillikeyou。AnditwouldberatherworthwhiletoownthemostromantichouseinBrittany。Thepresentpeoplearedeadbroke，andit\'sgoingforasong——yououghttobuyit。“
ItwasnotwiththeleastideaoflivinguptothecharactermyfriendLanrivainascribedtomeasamatteroffact，undermyunsociableexteriorIhavealwayshadsecretyearningsfordomesticitythatItookhishintoneautumnafternoonandwenttoKerfol。MyfriendwasmotoringovertoQuimperonbusiness：
hedroppedmeontheway，atacross-roadonaheath，andsaid：
“Firstturntotherightandsecondtotheleft。Thenstraightaheadtillyouseeanavenue。Ifyoumeetanypeasants，don\'taskyourway。Theydon\'tunderstandFrench，andtheywouldpretendtheydidandmixyouup。I\'llbebackforyouherebysunset——anddon\'tforgetthetombsinthechapel。“
IfollowedLanrivain\'sdirectionswiththehesitationoccasionedbytheusualdifficultyofrememberingwhetherhehadsaidthefirstturntotherightandsecondtotheleft，orthecontrary。
IfIhadmetapeasantIshouldcertainlyhaveasked，andprobablybeensentastray；butIhadthedesertlandscapetomyself，andsostumbledontherightturnandwalkedonacrosstheheathtillIcametoanavenue。ItwassounlikeanyotheravenueIhaveeverseenthatIinstantlyknewitmustbeTHE
avenue。Thegrey-trunkedtreessprangupstraighttoagreatheightandtheninterwovetheirpale-greybranchesinalongtunnelthroughwhichtheautumnlightfellfaintly。Iknowmosttreesbyname，butIhaven\'ttothisdaybeenabletodecidewhatthosetreeswere。Theyhadthetallcurveofelms，thetenuityofpoplars，theashencolourofolivesunderarainysky；andtheystretchedaheadofmeforhalfamileormorewithoutabreakintheirarch。IfeverIsawanavenuethatunmistakeablyledtosomething，itwastheavenueatKerfol。MyheartbeatalittleasIbegantowalkdownit。
PresentlythetreesendedandIcametoafortifiedgateinalongwall。Betweenmeandthewallwasanopenspaceofgrass，withothergreyavenuesradiatingfromit。Behindthewallweretallslateroofsmossedwithsilver，achapelbelfry，thetopofakeep。Amoatfilledwithwildshrubsandbramblessurroundedtheplace；thedrawbridgehadbeenreplacedbyastonearch，andtheportcullisbyanirongate。Istoodforalongtimeonthehithersideofthemoat，gazingaboutme，andlettingtheinfluenceoftheplacesinkin。Isaidtomyself：“IfIwaitlongenough，theguardianwillturnupandshowmethetombs——“
andIratherhopedhewouldn\'tturnuptoosoon。
Isatdownonastoneandlitacigarette。AssoonasIhaddoneit，itstruckmeasapuerileandportentousthingtodo，withthatgreatblindhouselookingdownatme，andalltheemptyavenuesconvergingonme。Itmayhavebeenthedepthofthesilencethatmademesoconsciousofmygesture。Thesqueakofmymatchsoundedasloudasthescrapingofabrake，andIalmostfanciedIhearditfallwhenItosseditontothegrass。Buttherewasmorethanthat：asenseofirrelevance，oflittleness，ofchildishbravado，insittingtherepuffingmycigarette-smokeintothefaceofsuchapast。
IknewnothingofthehistoryofKerfol——IwasnewtoBrittany，andLanrivainhadnevermentionedthenametometillthedaybefore——butonecouldn\'tasmuchasglanceatthatpilewithoutfeelinginitalongaccumulationofhistory。WhatkindofhistoryIwasnotpreparedtoguess：perhapsonlythesheerweightofmanyassociatedlivesanddeathswhichgivesakindofmajestytoalloldhouses。ButtheaspectofKerfolsuggestedsomethingmore——aperspectiveofsternandcruelmemoriesstretchingaway，likeitsowngreyavenues，intoablurofdarkness。
Certainlynohousehadevermorecompletelyandfinallybrokenwiththepresent。Asitstoodthere，liftingitsproudroofsandgablestothesky，itmighthavebeenitsownfuneralmonument。
“Tombsinthechapel？Thewholeplaceisatomb！”Ireflected。
Ihopedmoreandmorethattheguardianwouldnotcome。Thedetailsoftheplace，howeverstriking，wouldseemtrivialcomparedwithitscollectiveimpressiveness；andIwantedonlytositthereandbepenetratedbytheweightofitssilence。
“It\'stheveryplaceforyou！”Lanrivainhadsaid；andIwasovercomebythealmostblasphemousfrivolityofsuggestingtoanylivingbeingthatKerfolwastheplaceforhim。“IsitpossiblethatanyonecouldNOTsee——？”Iwondered。Ididnotfinishthethought：whatImeantwasundefinable。Istoodupandwanderedtowardthegate。Iwasbeginningtowanttoknowmore；nottoSEEmore——Iwasbynowsosureitwasnotaquestionofseeing——
buttofeelmore：feelalltheplacehadtocommunicate。“Buttogetinonewillhavetoroutoutthekeeper，“Ithoughtreluctantly，andhesitated。FinallyIcrossedthebridgeandtriedtheirongate。Ityielded，andIwalkedunderthetunnelformedbythethicknessofthecheminderonde。Atthefartherend，awoodenbarricadehadbeenlaidacrosstheentrance，andbeyonditIsawacourtenclosedinnoblearchitecture。Themainbuildingfacedme；andInowdiscoveredthatonehalfwasamereruinedfront，withgapingwindowsthroughwhichthewildgrowthsofthemoatandthetreesoftheparkwerevisible。Therestofthehousewasstillinitsrobustbeauty。Oneendabuttedontheroundtower，theotheronthesmalltraceriedchapel，andinanangleofthebuildingstoodagracefulwell-headadornedwithmossyurns。Afewrosesgrewagainstthewalls，andonanupperwindow-sillIremembernoticingapotoffuchsias。
Mysenseofthepressureoftheinvisiblebegantoyieldtomyarchitecturalinterest。ThebuildingwassofinethatIfeltadesiretoexploreitforitsownsake。Ilookedaboutthecourt，wonderinginwhichcornertheguardianlodged。ThenIpushedopenthebarrierandwentin。AsIdidso，alittledogbarredmyway。Hewassucharemarkablybeautifullittledogthatforamomenthemademeforgetthesplendidplacehewasdefending。I
wasnotsureofhisbreedatthetime，buthavesincelearnedthatitwasChinese，andthathewasofararevarietycalledthe“Sleeve-dog。“Hewasverysmallandgoldenbrown，withlargebrowneyesandaruffledthroat：helookedratherlikealargetawnychrysanthemum。Isaidtomyself：“Theselittlebeastsalwayssnapandscream，andsomebodywillbeoutinaminute。“
Thelittleanimalstoodbeforeme，forbidding，almostmenacing：
therewasangerinhislargebrowneyes。Buthemadenosound，hecamenonearer。Instead，asIadvanced，hegraduallyfellback，andInoticedthatanotherdog，avagueroughbrindledthing，hadlimpedup。“There\'llbeahubbubnow，“Ithought；foratthesamemomentathirddog，along-hairedwhitemongrel，slippedoutofadoorwayandjoinedtheothers。Allthreestoodlookingatmewithgraveeyes；butnotasoundcamefromthem。
AsIadvancedtheycontinuedtofallbackonmuffledpaws，stillwatchingme。“Atagivenpoint，they\'llallchargeatmyankles：
it\'soneofthedodgesthatdogswholivetogetherputuponone，“Ithought。Iwasnotmuchalarmed，fortheywereneitherlargenorformidable。ButtheyletmewanderaboutthecourtasIpleased，followingmeatalittledistance——alwaysthesamedistance——andalwayskeepingtheireyesonme。PresentlyI
lookedacrossattheruinedfacade，andsawthatinoneofitswindow-framesanotherdogstood：alargewhitepointerwithonebrownear。Hewasanoldgravedog，muchmoreexperiencedthantheothers；andheseemedtobeobservingmewithadeeperintentness。
“I\'llhearfromHIM，“Isaidtomyself；buthestoodintheemptywindow-frame，againstthetreesofthepark，andcontinuedtowatchmewithoutmoving。Ilookedbackathimforatime，toseeifthesensethathewasbeingwatchedwouldnotrousehim。Halfthewidthofthecourtlaybetweenus，andwestaredateachothersilentlyacrossit。Buthedidnotstir，andatlastI
turnedaway。BehindmeIfoundtherestofthepack，withanewcomeradded：asmallblackgreyhoundwithpaleagate-colouredeyes。Hewasshiveringalittle，andhisexpressionwasmoretimidthanthatoftheothers。Inoticedthathekeptalittlebehindthem。Andstilltherewasnotasound。
Istoodthereforfullyfiveminutes，thecircleaboutme——
waiting，astheyseemedtobewaiting。AtlastIwentuptothelittlegolden-browndogandstoopedtopathim。AsIdidso，I
heardmyselflaugh。Thelittledogdidnotstart，orgrowl，ortakehiseyesfromme——hesimplyslippedbackaboutayard，andthenpausedandcontinuedtolookatme。“Oh，hangit！”I
exclaimedaloud，andwalkedacrossthecourttowardthewell。
AsIadvanced，thedogsseparatedandslidawayintodifferentcornersofthecourt。Iexaminedtheurnsonthewell，triedalockeddoorortwo，andupanddownthedumbfacade；thenIfacedabouttowardthechapel。WhenIturnedIperceivedthatallthedogshaddisappearedexcepttheoldpointer，whostillwatchedmefromtheemptywindow-frame。Itwasratherarelieftoberidofthatcloudofwitnesses；andIbegantolookaboutmeforawaytothebackofthehouse。“Perhapsthere\'llbesomebodyinthegarden，“Ithought。Ifoundawayacrossthemoat，scrambledoverawallsmotheredinbrambles，andgotintothegarden。A
fewleanhydrangeasandgeraniumspinedintheflower-beds，andtheancienthouselookeddownonthemindifferently。Itsgardensidewasplainerandsevererthantheother：thelonggranitefront，withitsfewwindowsandsteeproof，lookedlikeafortress-prison。Iwalkedaroundthefartherwing，wentupsomedisjointedsteps，andenteredthedeeptwilightofanarrowandincrediblyoldbox-walk。Thewalkwasjustwideenoughforonepersontoslipthrough，anditsbranchesmetoverhead。Itwasliketheghostofabox-walk，itslustrousgreenallturningtotheshadowygreynessoftheavenues。Iwalkedonandon，thebrancheshittingmeinthefaceandspringingbackwithadryrattle；andatlengthIcameoutonthegrassytopofthecheminderonde。Iwalkedalongittothegate-tower，lookingdownintothecourt，whichwasjustbelowme。Notahumanbeingwasinsight；andneitherwerethedogs。Ifoundaflightofstepsinthethicknessofthewallandwentdownthem；andwhenIemergedagainintothecourt，therestoodthecircleofdogs，thegolden-
brownonealittleaheadoftheothers，theblackgreyhoundshiveringintherear。
“Oh，hangit——youuncomfortablebeasts，you！”Iexclaimed，myvoicestartlingmewithasuddenecho。Thedogsstoodmotionless，watchingme。Iknewbythistimethattheywouldnottrytopreventmyapproachingthehouse，andtheknowledgeleftmefreetoexaminethem。Ihadafeelingthattheymustbehorriblycowedtobesosilentandinert。Yettheydidnotlookhungryorill-treated。Theircoatsweresmoothandtheywerenotthin，excepttheshiveringgreyhound。Itwasmoreasiftheyhadlivedalongtimewithpeoplewhoneverspoketothemorlookedatthem：asthoughthesilenceoftheplacehadgraduallybenumbedtheirbusyinquisitivenatures。Andthisstrangepassivity，thisalmosthumanlassitude，seemedtomesadderthanthemiseryofstarvedandbeatenanimals。Ishouldhavelikedtorousethemforaminute，tocoaxthemintoagameorascamper；
butthelongerIlookedintotheirfixedandwearyeyesthemorepreposteroustheideabecame。Withthewindowsofthathouselookingdownonus，howcouldIhaveimaginedsuchathing？Thedogsknewbetter：THEYknewwhatthehousewouldtolerateandwhatitwouldnot。Ievenfanciedthattheyknewwhatwaspassingthroughmymind，andpitiedmeformyfrivolity。Buteventhatfeelingprobablyreachedthemthroughathickfogoflistlessness。Ihadanideathattheirdistancefrommewasasnothingtomyremotenessfromthem。Inthelastanalysis，theimpressiontheyproducedwasthatofhavingincommononememorysodeepanddarkthatnothingthathadhappenedsincewaswortheitheragrowlorawag。
“Isay，“Ibrokeoutabruptly，addressingmyselftothedumbcircle，“doyouknowwhatyoulooklike，thewholelotofyou？
Youlookasifyou\'dseenaghost——that\'showyoulook！IwonderifthereISaghosthere，andnobodybutyouleftforittoappearto？”Thedogscontinuedtogazeatmewithoutmoving……
ItwasdarkwhenIsawLanrivain\'smotorlampsatthecross-
roads——andIwasn\'texactlysorrytoseethem。Ihadthesenseofhavingescapedfromtheloneliestplaceinthewholeworld，andofnotlikingloneliness——tothatdegree——asmuchasIhadimaginedIshould。MyfriendhadbroughthissolicitorbackfromQuimperforthenight，andseatedbesideafatandaffablestrangerIfeltnoinclinationtotalkofKerfol……
Butthatevening，whenLanrivainandthesolicitorwereclosetedinthestudy，MadamedeLanrivainbegantoquestionmeinthedrawing-room。
“Well——areyougoingtobuyKerfol？”sheasked，tiltinguphergaychinfromherembroidery。
“Ihaven\'tdecidedyet。Thefactis，Icouldn\'tgetintothehouse，“Isaid，asifIhadsimplypostponedmydecision，andmeanttogobackforanotherlook。
“Youcouldn\'tgetin？Why，whathappened？Thefamilyaremadtoselltheplace，andtheoldguardianhasorders——“
“Verylikely。Buttheoldguardianwasn\'tthere。“
“Whatapity！Hemusthavegonetomarket。Buthisdaughter——？”
“Therewasnobodyabout。AtleastIsawnoone。“
“Howextraordinary！Literallynobody？”
“Nobodybutalotofdogs——awholepackofthem——whoseemedtohavetheplacetothemselves。“
MadamedeLanrivainlettheembroiderysliptoherkneeandfoldedherhandsonit。Forseveralminutesshelookedatmethoughtfully。
“Apackofdogs——youSAWthem？”
“Sawthem？Isawnothingelse！”
“Howmany？”Shedroppedhervoicealittle。“I\'vealwayswondered——“
Ilookedatherwithsurprise：Ihadsupposedtheplacetobefamiliartoher。“HaveyouneverbeentoKerfol？”Iasked。
“Oh，yes：often。Butneveronthatday。“
“Whatday？”
“I\'dquiteforgotten——andsohadHerve，I\'msure。Ifwe\'dremembered，wenevershouldhavesentyoutoday——butthen，afterall，onedoesn\'thalfbelievethatsortofthing，doesone？”
“Whatsortofthing？”Iasked，involuntarilysinkingmyvoicetothelevelofhers。InwardlyIwasthinking：“IKNEWtherewassomething……“
MadamedeLanrivainclearedherthroatandproducedareassuringsmile。“Didn\'tHervetellyouthestoryofKerfol？Anancestorofhiswasmixedupinit。YouknoweveryBretonhousehasitsghost-story；andsomeofthemareratherunpleasant。“
“Yes——butthosedogs？”Iinsisted。
“Well，thosedogsaretheghostsofKerfol。Atleast，thepeasantssaythere\'sonedayintheyearwhenalotofdogsappearthere；andthatdaythekeeperandhisdaughtergoofftoMorlaixandgetdrunk。ThewomeninBrittanydrinkdreadfully。“
Shestoopedtomatchasilk；thensheliftedhercharminginquisitiveParisianface：“DidyouREALLYseealotofdogs？
Thereisn\'toneatKerfol，“shesaid。
II
Lanrivain，thenextday，huntedoutashabbycalfvolumefromthebackofanuppershelfofhislibrary。
“Yes——hereitis。Whatdoesitcallitself？AHistoryoftheAssizesoftheDuchyofBrittany。Quimper，1702。ThebookwaswrittenaboutahundredyearslaterthantheKerfolaffair；butI
believetheaccountistranscribedprettyliterallyfromthejudicialrecords。Anyhow，it\'squeerreading。Andthere\'saHervedeLanrivainmixedupinit——notexactlyMYstyle，asyou\'llsee。Butthenhe\'sonlyacollateral。Here，takethebookuptobedwithyou。Idon\'texactlyrememberthedetails；
butafteryou\'vereaditI\'llbetanythingyou\'llleaveyourlightburningallnight！”
Ileftmylightburningallnight，ashehadpredicted；butitwaschieflybecause，tillneardawn，Iwasabsorbedinmyreading。TheaccountofthetrialofAnnedeCornault，wifeofthelordofKerfol，waslongandcloselyprinted。Itwas，asmyfriendhadsaid，probablyanalmostliteraltranscriptionofwhattookplaceinthecourt-room；andthetriallastednearlyamonth。Besides，thetypeofthebookwasdetestable……
AtfirstIthoughtoftranslatingtheoldrecordliterally。Butitisfullofwearisomerepetitions，andthemainlinesofthestoryareforeverstrayingoffintosideissues。SoIhavetriedtodisentangleit，andgiveithereinasimplerform。Attimes，however，IhaverevertedtothetextbecausenootherwordscouldhaveconveyedsoexactlythesenseofwhatIfeltatKerfol；andnowherehaveIaddedanythingofmyown。
III
Itwasintheyear16——thatYvesdeCornault，lordofthedomainofKerfol，wenttothepardonofLocronantoperformhisreligiousduties。Hewasarichandpowerfulnoble，theninhissixty-secondyear，buthaleandsturdy，agreathorsemanandhunterandapiousman。Soallhisneighboursattested。Inappearanceheseemstohavebeenshortandbroad，withaswarthyface，legsslightlybowedfromthesaddle，ahangingnoseandbroadhandswithblackhairsonthem。Hehadmarriedyoungandlosthiswifeandsonsoonafter，andsincethenhadlivedaloneatKerfol。TwiceayearhewenttoMorlaix，wherehehadahandsomehousebytheriver，andspentaweekortendaysthere；
andoccasionallyherodetoRennesonbusiness。WitnesseswerefoundtodeclarethatduringtheseabsencesheledalifedifferentfromtheonehewasknowntoleadatKerfol，wherehebusiedhimselfwithhisestate，attendedmassdaily，andfoundhisonlyamusementinhuntingthewildboarandwater-fowl。Buttheserumoursarenotparticularlyrelevant，anditiscertainthatamongpeopleofhisownclassintheneighbourhoodhepassedforasternandevenaustereman，observantofhisreligiousobligations，andkeepingstrictlytohimself。Therewasnotalkofanyfamiliaritywiththewomenonhisestate，thoughatthattimethenobilitywereveryfreewiththeirpeasants。Somepeoplesaidhehadneverlookedatawomansincehiswife\'sdeath；butsuchthingsarehardtoprove，andtheevidenceonthispointwasnotworthmuch。
Well，inhissixty-secondyear，YvesdeCornaultwenttothepardonatLocronan，andsawthereayoungladyofDouarnenez，whohadriddenoverpillionbehindherfathertodoherdutytothesaint。HernamewasAnnedeBarrigan，andshecameofgoodoldBretonstock，butmuchlessgreatandpowerfulthanthatofYvesdeCornault；andherfatherhadsquanderedhisfortuneatcards，andlivedalmostlikeapeasantinhislittlegranitemanoronthemoors……IhavesaidIwouldaddnothingofmyowntothisbaldstatementofastrangecase；butImustinterruptmyselfheretodescribetheyoungladywhorodeuptothelych-gateofLocronanattheverymomentwhentheBarondeCornaultwasalsodismountingthere。Itakemydescriptionfromaratherrarething：afadeddrawinginredcrayon，soberandtruthfulenoughtobebyalatepupiloftheClouets，whichhangsinLanrivain\'sstudy，andissaidtobeaportraitofAnnedeBarrigan。ItisunsignedandhasnomarkofidentitybuttheinitialsA。B。，andthedate16——，theyearafterhermarriage。Itrepresentsayoungwomanwithasmallovalface，almostpointed，yetwideenoughforafullmouthwithatenderdepressionatthecorners。
Thenoseissmall，andtheeyebrowsaresetratherhigh，farapart，andaslightlypencilledastheeyebrowsinaChinesepainting。Theforeheadishighandserious，andthehair，whichonefeelstobefineandthickandfair，drawnoffitandlyingcloselikeacap。Theeyesareneitherlargenorsmall，hazelprobably，withalookatonceshyandsteady。Apairofbeautifullonghandsarecrossedbelowthelady\'sbreast……
ThechaplainofKerfol，andotherwitnesses，averredthatwhentheBaroncamebackfromLocronanhejumpedfromhishorse，orderedanothertobeinstantlysaddled，calledtoayoungpagecomewithhim，androdeawaythatsameeveningtothesouth。Hisstewardfollowedthenextmorningwithcoffersladenonapairofpackmules。ThefollowingweekYvesdeCornaultrodebacktoKerfol，sentforhisvassalsandtenants，andtoldthemhewastobemarriedatAllSaintstoAnnedeBarriganofDouarnenez。AndonAllSaints\'Daythemarriagetookplace。
Astothenextfewyears，theevidenceonbothsidesseemstoshowthattheypassedhappilyforthecouple。NoonewasfoundtosaythatYvesdeCornaulthadbeenunkindtohiswife，anditwasplaintoallthathewascontentwithhisbargain。Indeed，itwasadmittedbythechaplainandotherwitnessesfortheprosecutionthattheyoungladyhadasofteninginfluenceonherhusband，andthathebecamelessexactingwithhistenants，lessharshtopeasantsanddependents，andlesssubjecttothefitsofgloomysilencewhichhaddarkenedhiswidow-hood。Astohiswife，theonlygrievanceherchampionscouldcallupinherbehalfwasthatKerfolwasalonelyplace，andthatwhenherhusbandwasawayonbusinessatRennesorMorlaix——whithershewasnevertaken——shewasnotallowedsomuchastowalkintheparkunaccompanied。Butnooneassertedthatshewasunhappy，thoughoneservant-womansaidshehadsurprisedhercrying，andhadheardhersaythatshewasawomanaccursedtohavenochild，andnothinginlifetocallherown。Butthatwasanaturalenoughfeelinginawifeattachedtoherhusband；andcertainlyitmusthavebeenagreatgrieftoYvesdeCornaultthatshegavehimnoson。Yethenevermadeherfeelherchildlessnessasareproach——sheherselfadmitsthisinherevidence——butseemedtotrytomakeherforgetitbyshoweringgiftsandfavoursonher。
Richthoughhewas，hehadneverbeenopen-handed；butnothingwastoofineforhiswife，inthewayofsilksorgemsorlinen，orwhateverelseshefancied。EverywanderingmerchantwaswelcomeatKerfol，andwhenthemasterwascalledawayhenevercamebackwithoutbringinghiswifeahandsomepresent——somethingcuriousandparticular——fromMorlaixorRennesorQuimper。Oneofthewaiting-womengave，incross-examination，aninterestinglistofoneyear\'sgifts，whichIcopy。FromMorlaix，acarvedivoryjunk，withChinamenattheoars，thatastrangesailorhadbroughtbackasavotiveofferingforNotreDamedelaClarte，abovePloumanac\'h；fromQuimper，anembroideredgown，workedbythenunsoftheAssumption；fromRennes，asilverrosethatopenedandshowedanamberVirginwithacrownofgarnets；fromMorlaix，again，alengthofDamascusvelvetshotwithgold，boughtofaJewfromSyria；andforMichaelmasthatsameyear，fromRennes，aneckletorbraceletofroundstones——emeraldsandpearlsandrubies——strunglikebeadsonagoldwire。Thiswasthepresentthatpleasedtheladybest，thewomansaid。Lateron，asithappened，itwasproducedatthetrial，andappearstohavestrucktheJudgesandthepublicasacuriousandvaluablejewel。
Theverysamewinter，theBaronabsentedhimselfagain，thistimeasfarasBordeaux，andonhisreturnhebroughthiswifesomethingevenodderandprettierthanthebracelet。ItwasawintereveningwhenherodeuptoKerfoland，walkingintothehall，foundhersittinglistlesslybythefire，herchinonherhand，lookingintothefire。Hecarriedavelvetboxinhishandand，settingitdownonthehearth，liftedthelidandletoutalittlegolden-browndog。
AnnedeCornaultexclaimedwithpleasureasthelittlecreatureboundedtowardher。“Oh，itlookslikeabirdorabutterfly！”
shecriedasshepickeditup；andthedogputitspawsonhershouldersandlookedatherwitheyes“likeaChristian\'s。“
Afterthatshewouldneverhaveitoutofhersight，andpettedandtalkedtoitasifithadbeenachild——asindeeditwasthenearestthingtoachildshewastoknow。YvesdeCornaultwasmuchpleasedwithhispurchase。ThedoghadbeenbroughttohimbyasailorfromanEastIndiamerchantman，andthesailorhadboughtitofapilgriminabazaaratJaffa，whohadstolenitfromanobleman\'swifeinChina：aperfectlypermissiblethingtodo，sincethepilgrimwasaChristianandthenoblemanaheathendoomedtohellfire。YvesdeCornaulthadpaidalongpriceforthedog，fortheywerebeginningtobeindemandattheFrenchcourt，andthesailorknewhehadgotholdofagoodthing；butAnne\'spleasurewassogreatthat，toseeherlaughandplaywiththelittleanimal，herhusbandwoulddoubtlesshavegiventwicethesum。
Sofar，alltheevidenceisatone，andthenarrativeplainsailing；butnowthesteeringbecomesdifficult。IwilltrytokeepasnearlyaspossibletoAnne\'sownstatements；thoughtowardtheend，poorthing……
Well，togoback。TheveryyearafterthelittlebrowndogwasbroughttoKerfol，YvesdeCornault，onewinternight，wasfounddeadattheheadofanarrowflightofstairsleadingdownfromhiswife\'sroomstoadooropeningonthecourt。Itwashiswifewhofoundhimandgavethealarm，sodistracted，poorwretch，withfearandhorror——forhisbloodwasalloverher——thatatfirsttherousedhouseholdcouldnotmakeoutwhatshewassaying，andthoughtshehadgonesuddenlymad。Butthere，sureenough，atthetopofthestairslayherhusband，stonedead，andheadforemost，thebloodfromhiswoundsdrippingdowntothestepsbelowhim。Hehadbeendreadfullyscratchedandgashedaboutthefaceandthroat，asifwithadullweapon；andoneofhislegshadadeeptearinitwhichhadcutanartery，andprobablycausedhisdeath。Buthowdidhecomethere，andwhohadmurderedhim？
Hiswifedeclaredthatshehadbeenasleepinherbed，andhearinghiscryhadrushedouttofindhimlyingonthestairs；
butthiswasimmediatelyquestioned。Inthefirstplace，itwasprovedthatfromherroomshecouldnothaveheardthestruggleonthestairs，owingtothethicknessofthewallsandthelengthoftheinterveningpassage；thenitwasevidentthatshehadnotbeeninbedandasleep，sinceshewasdressedwhensherousedthehouse，andherbedhadnotbeensleptin。Moreover，thedooratthebottomofthestairswasajar，andthekeyinthelock；anditwasnoticedbythechaplainanobservantmanthatthedresssheworewasstainedwithbloodabouttheknees，andthatthereweretracesofsmallblood-stainedhandslowdownonthestaircasewalls，sothatitwasconjecturedthatshehadreallybeenatthepostern-doorwhenherhusbandfelland，feelingherwayuptohiminthedarknessonherhandsandknees，hadbeenstainedbyhisblooddrippingdownonher。Ofcourseitwasarguedontheothersidethattheblood-marksonherdressmighthavebeencausedbyherkneelingdownbyherhusbandwhensherushedoutofherroom；buttherewastheopendoorbelow，andthefactthatthefingermarksinthestaircaseallpointedupward。
Theaccusedheldtoherstatementforthefirsttwodays，inspiteofitsimprobability；butonthethirddaywordwasbroughttoherthatHervedeLanrivain，ayoungnoblemanoftheneighbourhood，hadbeenarrestedforcomplicityinthecrime。
TwoorthreewitnessesthereuponcameforwardtosaythatitwasknownthroughoutthecountrythatLanrivainhadformerlybeenongoodtermswiththeladyofCornault；butthathehadbeenabsentfromBrittanyforoverayear，andpeoplehadceasedtoassociatetheirnames。Thewitnesseswhomadethisstatementwerenotofaveryreputablesort。Onewasanoldherb-gatherersuspectedofwitch-craft，anotheradrunkenclerkfromaneighbouringparish，thethirdahalf-wittedshepherdwhocouldbemadetosayanything；anditwasclearthattheprosecutionwasnotsatisfiedwithitscase，andwouldhavelikedtofindmoredefiniteproofofLanrivain\'scomplicitythanthestatementoftheherb-
gatherer，whosworetohavingseenhimclimbingthewalloftheparkonthenightofthemurder。Onewayofpatchingoutincompleteproofsinthosedayswastoputsomesortofpressure，moralorphysical，ontheaccusedperson。ItisnotclearwhatpressurewasputonAnnedeCornault；butonthethirdday，whenshewasbroughtintocourt，she“appearedweakandwandering，“
andafterbeingencouragedtocollectherselfandspeakthetruth，onherhonourandthewoundsofherBlessedRedeemer，sheconfessedthatshehadinfactgonedownthestairstospeakwithHervedeLanrivainwhodeniedeverything，andhadbeensurprisedtherebythesoundofherhusband\'sfall。Thatwasbetter；andtheprosecutionrubbeditshandswithsatisfaction。
ThesatisfactionincreasedwhenvariousdependentslivingatKerfolwereinducedtosay——withapparentsincerity——thatduringtheyearortwoprecedinghisdeaththeirmasterhadoncemoregrownuncertainandirascible，andsubjecttothefitsofbroodingsilencewhichhishouseholdhadlearnedtodreadbeforehissecondmarriage。ThisseemedtoshowthatthingshadnotbeengoingwellatKerfol；thoughnoonecouldbefoundtosaythattherehadbeenanysignsofopendisagreementbetweenhusbandandwife。
AnnedeCornault，whenquestionedastoherreasonforgoingdownatnighttoopenthedoortoHervedeLanrivain，madeananswerwhichmusthavesentasmilearoundthecourt。Shesaiditwasbecauseshewaslonelyandwantedtotalkwiththeyoungman。
Wasthistheonlyreason？shewasasked；andreplied：“Yes，bytheCrossoveryourLordships\'heads。““Butwhyatmidnight？”
thecourtasked。“BecauseIcouldseehiminnootherway。“I
canseetheexchangeofglancesacrosstheerminecollarsundertheCrucifix。
AnnedeCornault，furtherquestioned，saidthathermarriedlifehadbeenextremelylonely：“desolate“wasthewordsheused。Itwastruethatherhusbandseldomspokeharshlytoher；butthereweredayswhenhedidnotspeakatall。Itwastruethathehadneverstruckorthreatenedher；buthekeptherlikeaprisoneratKerfol，andwhenherodeawaytoMorlaixorQuimperorRenneshesetsocloseawatchonherthatshecouldnotpickaflowerinthegardenwithouthavingawaiting-womanatherheels。“IamnoQueen，toneedsuchhonours，“sheoncesaidtohim；andhehadansweredthatamanwhohasatreasuredoesnotleavethekeyinthelockwhenhegoesout。“Thentakemewithyou，“sheurged；
buttothishesaidthattownswereperniciousplaces，andyoungwivesbetteroffattheirownfiresides。
“ButwhatdidyouwanttosaytoHervedeLanrivain？”thecourtasked；andsheanswered：“Toaskhimtotakemeaway。“
“Ah——youconfessthatyouwentdowntohimwithadulterousthoughts？”
“No。“
“Thenwhydidyouwanthimtotakeyouaway？”
“BecauseIwasafraidformylife。“
“Ofwhomwereyouafraid？”
“Ofmyhusband。“
“Whywereyouafraidofyourhusband？”
“Becausehehadstrangledmylittledog。“
Anothersmilemusthavepassedaroundthecourt-room：indayswhenanynoblemanhadarighttohanghispeasants——andmostofthemexercisedit——pinchingapetanimal\'swind-pipewasnothingtomakeafussabout。
AtthispointoneoftheJudges，whoappearstohavehadacertainsympathyfortheaccused，suggestedthatsheshouldbeallowedtoexplainherselfinherownway；andshethereuponmadethefollowingstatement。
Thefirstyearsofhermarriagehadbeenlonely；butherhusbandhadnotbeenunkindtoher。Ifshehadhadachildshewouldnothavebeenunhappy；butthedayswerelong，anditrainedtoomuch。
Itwastruethatherhusband，wheneverhewentawayandlefther，broughtherahandsomepresentonhisreturn；butthisdidnotmakeupfortheloneliness。Atleastnothinghad，tillhebroughtherthelittlebrowndogfromtheEast：afterthatshewasmuchlessunhappy。Herhusbandseemedpleasedthatshewassofondofthedog；hegaveherleavetoputherjewelledbraceletarounditsneck，andtokeepitalwayswithher。
Onedayshehadfallenasleepinherroom，withthedogatherfeet，ashishabitwas。Herfeetwerebareandrestingonhisback。Suddenlyshewaswakedbyherhusband：hestoodbesideher，smilingnotunkindly。
“Youlooklikemygreat-grandmother，JulianedeCornault，lyinginthechapelwithherfeetonalittledog，“hesaid。
Theanalogysentachillthroughher，butshelaughedandanswered：“Well，whenIamdeadyoumustputmebesideher，carvedinmarble，withmydogatmyfeet。“
“Oho——we\'llwaitandsee，“hesaid，laughingalso，butwithhisblackbrowsclosetogether。“Thedogistheemblemoffidelity。“
“Anddoyoudoubtmyrighttoliewithmineatmyfeet？”
“WhenI\'mindoubtIfindout，“heanswered。“Iamanoldman，“
headded，“andpeoplesayImakeyouleadalonelylife。ButI
swearyoushallhaveyourmonumentifyouearnit。“
“AndIsweartobefaithful，“shereturned，“ifonlyforthesakeofhavingmylittledogatmyfeet。“
NotlongafterwardhewentonbusinesstotheQuimperAssizes；
andwhilehewasawayhisaunt，thewidowofagreatnoblemanoftheduchy，cametospendanightatKerfolonherwaytothepardonofSte。Barbe。Shewasawomanofgreatpietyandconsequence，andmuchrespectedbyYvesdeCornault，andwhensheproposedtoAnnetogowithhertoSte。Barbenoonecouldobject，andeventhechaplaindeclaredhimselfinfavourofthepilgrimage。SoAnnesetoutforSte。Barbe，andthereforthefirsttimeshetalkedwithHervedeLanrivain。HehadcomeonceortwicetoKerfolwithhisfather，butshehadneverbeforeexchangedadozenwordswithhim。Theydidnottalkformorethanfiveminutesnow：itwasunderthechestnuts，astheprocessionwascomingoutofthechapel。Hesaid：“Ipityyou，“
andshewassurprised，forshehadnotsupposedthatanyonethoughtheranobjectofpity。Headded：“Callformewhenyouneedme，“andshesmiledalittle，butwasgladafterward，andthoughtoftenofthemeeting。
Sheconfessedtohavingseenhimthreetimesafterward：notmore。
Howorwhereshewouldnotsay——onehadtheimpressionthatshefearedtoimplicatesomeone。Theirmeetingshadbeenrareandbrief；andatthelasthehadtoldherthathewasstartingthenextdayforaforeigncountry，onamissionwhichwasnotwithoutperilandmightkeephimformanymonthsabsent。Heaskedherforaremembrance，andshehadnonetogivehimbutthecollaraboutthelittledog\'sneck。Shewassorryafterwardthatshehadgivenit，buthewassounhappyatgoingthatshehadnothadthecouragetorefuse。
Herhusbandwasawayatthetime。Whenhereturnedafewdayslaterhepickedupthelittledogtopetit，andnoticedthatitscollarwasmissing。Hiswifetoldhimthatthedoghadlostitintheundergrowthofthepark，andthatsheandhermaidshadhuntedawholedayforit。Itwastrue，sheexplainedtothecourt，thatshehadmadethemaidssearchforthenecklet——theyallbelievedthedoghadlostitinthepark……
Herhusbandmadenocomment，andthateveningatsupperhewasinhisusualmood，betweengoodandbad：youcouldnevertellwhich。
Hetalkedagooddeal，describingwhathehadseenanddoneatRennes；butnowandthenhestoppedandlookedhardather；andwhenshewenttobedshefoundherlittledogstrangledonherpillow。Thelittlethingwasdead，butstillwarm；shestoopedtoliftit，andherdistressturnedtohorrorwhenshediscoveredthatithadbeenstrangledbytwistingtwicerounditsthroattheneckletshehadgiventoLanrivain。
Thenextmorningatdawnsheburiedthedoginthegarden，andhidtheneckletinherbreast。Shesaidnothingtoherhusband，thenorlater，andhesaidnothingtoher；butthatdayhehadapeasanthangedforstealingafaggotinthepark，andthenextdayhenearlybeattodeathayounghorsehewasbreaking。
Wintersetin，andtheshortdayspassed，andthelongnights，onebyone；andsheheardnothingofHervedeLanrivain。Itmightbethatherhusbandhadkilledhim；ormerelythathehadbeenrobbedofthenecklet。Dayafterdaybythehearthamongthespinningmaids，nightafternightaloneonherbed，shewonderedandtrembled。Sometimesattableherhusbandlookedacrossatherandsmiled；andthenshefeltsurethatLanrivainwasdead。Shedarednottrytogetnewsofhim，forshewassureherhusbandwouldfindoutifshedid：shehadanideathathecouldfindoutanything。Evenwhenawitch-womanwhowasanotedseer，andcouldshowyouthewholeworldinhercrystal，cametothecastleforanight\'sshelter，andthemaidsflockedtoher，Anneheldback。Thewinterwaslongandblackandrainy。Oneday，inYvesdeCornault\'sabsence，somegypsiescametoKerfolwithatroopofperformingdogs。Anneboughtthesmallestandcleverest，awhitedogwithafeatherycoatandoneblueandonebrowneye。Itseemedtohavebeenill-treatedbythegypsies，andclungtoherplaintivelywhenshetookitfromthem。Thateveningherhusbandcameback，andwhenshewenttobedshefoundthedogstrangledonherpillow。
Afterthatshesaidtoherselfthatshewouldneverhaveanotherdog；butonebittercoldeveningapoorleangreyhoundwasfoundwhiningatthecastle-gate，andshetookhiminandforbadethemaidstospeakofhimtoherhusband。Shehidhiminaroomthatnoonewentto，smuggledfoodtohimfromherownplate，madehimawarmbedtolieonandpettedhimlikeachild。
YvesdeCornaultcamehome，andthenextdayshefoundthegreyhoundstrangledonherpillow。Sheweptinsecret，butsaidnothing，andresolvedthatevenifshemetadogdyingofhungershewouldneverbringhimintothecastle；butonedayshefoundayoungsheep-dog，abrindledpuppywithgoodblueeyes，lyingwithabrokenleginthesnowofthepark。YvesdeCornaultwasatRennes，andshebroughtthedogin，warmedandfedit，tiedupitslegandhiditinthecastletillherhusband\'sreturn。Thedaybefore，shegaveittoapeasantwomanwholivedalongwayoff，andpaidherhandsomelytocareforitandsaynothing；butthatnightsheheardawhiningandscratchingatherdoor，andwhensheopeneditthelamepuppy，drenchedandshivering，jumpeduponherwithlittlesobbingbarks。Shehidhiminherbed，andthenextmorningwasabouttohavehimtakenbacktothepeasantwomanwhensheheardherhusbandrideintothecourt。Sheshutthedoginachestandwentdowntoreceivehim。Anhourortwolater，whenshereturnedtoherroom，thepuppylaystrangledonherpillow……
Afterthatshedarednotmakeapetofanyotherdog；andherlonelinessbecamealmostunendurable。Sometimes，whenshecrossedthecourtofthecastle，andthoughtnoonewaslooking，shestoppedtopattheoldpointeratthegate。Butonedayasshewascaressinghimherhusbandcameoutofthechapel；andthenextdaytheolddogwasgone……
Thiscuriousnarrativewasnottoldinonesittingofthecourt，orreceivedwithoutimpatienceandincredulouscomment。ItwasplainthattheJudgesweresurprisedbyitspuerility，andthatitdidnothelptheaccusedintheeyesofthepublic。Itwasanoddtale，certainly；butwhatdiditprove？ThatYvesdeCornaultdislikeddogs，andthathiswife，togratifyherownfancy，persistentlyignoredthisdislike。Asforpleadingthistrivialdisagreementasanexcuseforherrelations——whatevertheirnature——withhersupposedaccomplice，theargumentwassoabsurdthatherownlawyermanifestlyregrettedhavinglethermakeuseofit，andtriedseveraltimestocutshortherstory。
Butshewentontotheend，withakindofhypnotizedinsistence，asthoughthescenessheevokedweresorealtoherthatshehadforgottenwhereshewasandimaginedherselftobere-livingthem。
AtlengththeJudgewhohadpreviouslyshownacertainkindnesstohersaidleaningforwardalittle，onemaysuppose，fromhisrowofdozingcolleagues：“Thenyouwouldhaveusbelievethatyoumurderedyourhusbandbecausehewouldnotletyoukeepapetdog？”
“Ididnotmurdermyhusband。“
“Whodid，then？HervedeLanrivain？”
“No。“
“Whothen？Canyoutellus？”
“Yes，Icantellyou。Thedogs——“Atthatpointshewascarriedoutofthecourtinaswoon……
Itwasevidentthatherlawyertriedtogethertoabandonthislineofdefense。Possiblyherexplanation，whateveritwas，hadseemedconvincingwhenshepoureditouttohimintheheatoftheirfirstprivatecolloquy；butnowthatitwasexposedtothecolddaylightofjudicialscrutiny，andthebanterofthetown，hewasthoroughlyashamedofit，andwouldhavesacrificedherwithoutascrupletosavehisprofessionalreputation。ButtheobstinateJudge——whoperhaps，afterall，wasmoreinquisitivethankindly——evidentlywantedtohearthestoryout，andshewasordered，thenextday，tocontinueherdeposition。
Shesaidthatafterthedisappearanceoftheoldwatch-dognothingparticularhappenedforamonthortwo。Herhusbandwasmuchasusual：shedidnotrememberanyspecialincident。Butoneeveningapedlarwomancametothecastleandwassellingtrinketstothemaids。Shehadnoheartfortrinkets，butshestoodlookingonwhilethewomenmadetheirchoice。Andthen，shedidnotknowhow，butthepedlarcoaxedherintobuyingforherselfanoddpear-shapedpomanderwithastrongscentinit——
shehadonceseensomethingofthekindonagypsywoman。Shehadnodesireforthepomander，anddidnotknowwhyshehadboughtit。Thepedlarsaidthatwhoeverworeithadthepowertoreadthefuture；butshedidnotreallybelievethat，orcaremucheither。However，sheboughtthethingandtookituptoherroom，whereshesatturningitaboutinherhand。Thenthestrangescentattractedherandshebegantowonderwhatkindofspicewasinthebox。Sheopeneditandfoundagreybeanrolledinastripofpaper；andonthepapershesawasignsheknew，andamessagefromHervedeLanrivain，sayingthathewasathomeagainandwouldbeatthedoorinthecourtthatnightafterthemoonhadset……
Sheburnedthepaperandthensatdowntothink。Itwasnightfall，andherhusbandwasathome……ShehadnowayofwarningLanrivain，andtherewasnothingtodobuttowait……
AtthispointIfancythedrowsycourtroombeginningtowakeup。
Eventotheoldesthandonthebenchtheremusthavebeenacertainaestheticrelishinpicturingthefeelingsofawomanonreceivingsuchamessageatnight-fallfromamanlivingtwentymilesaway，towhomshehadnomeansofsendingawarning……
Shewasnotacleverwoman，Iimagine；andasthefirstresultofhercogitationsheappearstohavemadethemistakeofbeing，thatevening，tookindtoherhusband。Shecouldnotplyhimwithwine，accordingtothetraditionalexpedient，forthoughhedrankheavilyattimeshehadastronghead；andwhenhedrankbeyonditsstrengthitwasbecausehechoseto，andnotbecauseawomancoaxedhim。Nothiswife，atanyrate——shewasanoldstorybynow。AsIreadthecase，Ifancytherewasnofeelingforherleftinhimbutthehatredoccasionedbyhissupposeddishonour。
Atanyrate，shetriedtocallupheroldgraces；butearlyintheeveninghecomplainedofpainsandfever，andleftthehalltogouptohisroom。Hisservantcarriedhimacupofhotwine，andbroughtbackwordthathewassleepingandnottobedisturbed；andanhourlater，whenAnneliftedthetapestryandlistenedathisdoor，sheheardhisloudregularbreathing。Shethoughtitmightbeafeint，andstayedalongtimebarefootedinthecoldpassage，hereartothecrack；butthebreathingwentontoosteadilyandnaturallytobeotherthanthatofamaninasoundsleep。Shecreptbacktoherroomreassured，andstoodinthewindowwatchingthemoonsetthroughthetreesofthepark。
Theskywasmistyandstarless，andafterthemoonwentdownthenightwaspitchblack。Sheknewthetimehadcome，andstolealongthepassage，pastherhusband\'sdoor——whereshestoppedagaintolistentohisbreathing——tothetopofthestairs。
Thereshepausedamoment，andassuredherselfthatnoonewasfollowingher；thenshebegantogodownthestairsinthedarkness。Theyweresosteepandwindingthatshehadtogoveryslowly，forfearofstumbling。Heronethoughtwastogetthedoorunbolted，tellLanrivaintomakehisescape，andhastenbacktoherroom。Shehadtriedtheboltearlierintheevening，andmanagedtoputalittlegreaseonit；butnevertheless，whenshedrewit，itgaveasqueak……notloud，butitmadeherheartstop；andthenextminute，overhead，sheheardanoise……
“Whatnoise？”theprosecutioninterposed。
“Myhusband\'svoicecallingoutmynameandcursingme。“
“Whatdidyouhearafterthat？”
“Aterriblescreamandafall。“
“WherewasHervedeLanrivainatthistime？”
“Hewasstandingoutsideinthecourt。Ijustmadehimoutinthedarkness。ItoldhimforGod\'ssaketogo，andthenIpushedthedoorshut。“
“Whatdidyoudonext？”
“Istoodatthefootofthestairsandlistened。“
“Whatdidyouhear？”
“Ihearddogssnarlingandpanting。“Visiblediscouragementofthebench，boredomofthepublic，andexasperationofthelawyerforthedefense。Dogsagain——！ButtheinquisitiveJudgeinsisted。
“Whatdogs？”
Shebentherheadandspokesolowthatshehadtobetoldtorepeatheranswer：“Idon\'tknow。“
“Howdoyoumean——youdon\'tknow？”
“Idon\'tknowwhatdogs……“
TheJudgeagainintervened：“Trytotellusexactlywhathappened。Howlongdidyouremainatthefootofthestairs？”
“Onlyafewminutes。“
“Andwhatwasgoingonmeanwhileoverhead？”
“Thedogskeptonsnarlingandpanting。Onceortwicehecriedout。Ithinkhemoanedonce。Thenhewasquiet。“
“Thenwhathappened？”
“ThenIheardasoundlikethenoiseofapackwhenthewolfisthrowntothem——gulpingandlapping。“
Therewasagroanofdisgustandrepulsionthroughthecourt，andanotherattemptedinterventionbythedistractedlawyer。ButtheinquisitiveJudgewasstillinquisitive。
“Andallthewhileyoudidnotgoup？”
“Yes——Iwentupthen——todrivethemoff。“
“Thedogs？”
“Yes。“
“Well——？”
“WhenIgotthereitwasquitedark。Ifoundmyhusband\'sflintandsteelandstruckaspark。Isawhimlyingthere。Hewasdead。“
“Andthedogs？”
“Thedogsweregone。“
“Gone——whereto？”
“Idon\'tknow。Therewasnowayout——andtherewerenodogsatKerfol。“
Shestraightenedherselftoherfullheight，threwherarmsaboveherhead，andfelldownonthestonefloorwithalongscream。
Therewasamomentofconfusioninthecourt-room。Someoneonthebenchwasheardtosay：“Thisisclearlyacasefortheecclesiasticalauthorities“——andtheprisoner\'slawyerdoubtlessjumpedatthesuggestion。
Afterthis，thetriallosesitselfinamazeofcross-questioningandsquabbling。EverywitnesswhowascalledcorroboratedAnnedeCornault\'sstatementthattherewerenodogsatKerfol：hadbeennoneforseveralmonths。Themasterofthehousehadtakenadisliketodogs，therewasnodenyingit。But，ontheotherhand，attheinquest，therehadbeenlongandbitterdiscussionastothenatureofthedeadman\'swounds。Oneofthesurgeonscalledinhadspokenofmarksthatlookedlikebites。Thesuggestionofwitchcraftwasrevived，andtheopposinglawyershurledtomesofnecromancyateachother。
AtlastAnnedeCornaultwasbroughtbackintocourt——attheinstanceofthesameJudge——andaskedifsheknewwherethedogsshespokeofcouldhavecomefrom。OnthebodyofherRedeemershesworethatshedidnot。ThentheJudgeputhisfinalquestion：“Ifthedogsyouthinkyouheardhadbeenknowntoyou，doyouthinkyouwouldhaverecognizedthembytheirbarking？”
“Yes。“
“Didyourecognizethem？”
“Yes。“
“Whatdogsdoyoutakethemtohavebeen？”
“Mydeaddogs，“shesaidinawhisper……Shewastakenoutofcourt，nottoreappearthereagain。Therewassomekindofecclesiasticalinvestigation，andtheendofthebusinesswasthattheJudgesdisagreedwitheachother，andwiththeecclesiasticalcommittee，andthatAnnedeCornaultwasfinallyhandedovertothekeepingofherhusband\'sfamily，whoshutherupinthekeepofKerfol，wheresheissaidtohavediedmanyyearslater，aharmlessmadwoman。
Soendsherstory。AsforthatofHervedeLanrivain，Ihadonlytoapplytohiscollateraldescendantforitssubsequentdetails。
Theevidenceagainsttheyoungmanbeinginsufficient，andhisfamilyinfluenceintheduchyconsiderable，hewassetfree，andleftsoonafterwardforParis。Hewasprobablyinnomoodforaworldlylife，andheappearstohavecomealmostimmediatelyundertheinfluenceofthefamousM。Arnauldd\'AndillyandthegentlemenofPortRoyal。AyearortwolaterhewasreceivedintotheirOrder，andwithoutachievinganyparticulardistinctionhefolloweditsgoodandevilfortunestillhisdeathsometwentyyearslater。LanrivainshowedmeaportraitofhimbyapupilofPhilippedeChampaigne：sadeyes，animpulsivemouthandanarrowbrow。PoorHervedeLanrivain：itwasagreyending。YetasIlookedathisstiffandsalloweffigy，inthedarkdressoftheJansenists，Ialmostfoundmyselfenvyinghisfate。Afterall，inthecourseofhislifetwogreatthingshadhappenedtohim：hehadlovedromantically，andhemusthavetalkedwithPascal……
TheEndMRS。MANSTEY\'SVIEW
asfirstpublishedinScribner\'sMagazine，July，1891
TheviewfromMrs。Manstey\'swindowwasnotastrikingone，buttoheratleastitwasfullofinterestandbeauty。Mrs。MansteyoccupiedthebackroomonthethirdfloorofaNewYorkboarding-
house，inastreetwheretheash-barrelslingeredlateonthesidewalkandthegapsinthepavementwouldhavestaggeredaQuintusCurtius。Shewasthewidowofaclerkinalargewholesalehouse，andhisdeathhadleftheralone，forheronlydaughterhadmarriedinCalifornia，andcouldnotaffordthelongjourneytoNewYorktoseehermother。Mrs。Manstey，perhaps，mighthavejoinedherdaughterintheWest，buttheyhadnowbeensomanyyearsapartthattheyhadceasedtofeelanyneedofeachother\'ssociety，andtheirintercoursehadlongbeenlimitedtotheexchangeofafewperfunctoryletters，writtenwithindifferencebythedaughter，andwithdifficultybyMrs。
Manstey，whoserighthandwasgrowingstiffwithgout。Evenhadshefeltastrongerdesireforherdaughter\'scompanionship，Mrs。
Manstey\'sincreasinginfirmity，whichcausedhertodreadthethreeflightsofstairsbetweenherroomandthestreet，wouldhavegivenherpauseontheeveofundertakingsolongajourney；
andwithoutperhaps，formulatingthesereasonsshehadlongsinceacceptedasamatterofcoursehersolitarylifeinNewYork。
Shewas，indeed，notquitelonely，forafewfriendsstilltoiledupnowandthentoherroom；buttheirvisitsgrewrareastheyearswentby。Mrs。Mansteyhadneverbeenasociablewoman，andduringherhusband\'slifetimehiscompanionshiphadbeenall-
sufficienttoher。Formanyyearsshehadcherishedadesiretoliveinthecountry，tohaveahen-houseandagarden；butthislonginghadfadedwithage，leavingonlyinthebreastoftheuncommunicativeoldwomanavaguetendernessforplantsandanimals。Itwas，perhaps，thistendernesswhichmadeherclingsoferventlytoherviewfromherwindow，aviewinwhichthemostoptimisticeyewouldatfirsthavefailedtodiscoveranythingadmirable。
Mrs。Manstey，fromhercoignofvantageaslightlyprojectingbow-windowwhereshenursedanivyandasuccessionofunwholesome-lookingbulbs，lookedoutfirstupontheyardofherowndwelling，ofwhich，however，shecouldgetbutarestrictedglimpse。Still，hergazetookinthetopmostboughsoftheailanthusbelowherwindow，andsheknewhowearlyeachyeartheclumpofdicentrastrungitsbendingstalkwithheartsofpink。
Butofgreaterinterestweretheyardsbeyond。Beingforthemostpartattachedtoboarding-housestheywereinastateofchronicuntidinessandfluttering，oncertaindaysoftheweek，withmiscellaneousgarmentsandfrayedtable-cloths。InspiteofthisMrs。Mansteyfoundmuchtoadmireinthelongvistawhichshecommanded。Someoftheyardswere，indeed，butstonywastes，withgrassinthecracksofthepavementandnoshadeinspringsavethataffordedbytheintermittentleafageoftheclothes-
lines。TheseyardsMrs。Mansteydisapprovedof，buttheothers，thegreenones，sheloved。Shehadgrownusedtotheirdisorder；
thebrokenbarrels，theemptybottlesandpathsunsweptnolongerannoyedher；herswasthehappyfacultyofdwellingonthepleasantersideoftheprospectbeforeher。
IntheverynextenclosuredidnotamagnoliaopenitshardwhiteflowersagainstthewateryblueofApril？Andwastherenot，alittlewaydowntheline，afencefoamedovereveryMaybelilacwavesofwistaria？Fartherstill，ahorse-chestnutlifteditscandelabraofbuffandpinkblossomsabovebroadfansoffoliage；
whileintheoppositeyardJunewassweetwiththebreathofaneglectedsyringa，whichpersistedingrowinginspiteofthecountlessobstaclesopposedtoitswelfare。
ButifnatureoccupiedthefrontrankinMrs。Manstey\'sview，therewasmuchofamorepersonalcharactertointerestherintheaspectofthehousesandtheirinmates。Shedeeplydisapprovedofthemustard-coloredcurtainswhichhadlatelybeenhunginthedoctor\'swindowopposite；butsheglowedwithpleasurewhenthehousefartherdownhaditsoldbrickswashedwithacoatofpaint。Theoccupantsofthehousesdidnotoftenshowthemselvesatthebackwindows，buttheservantswerealwaysinsight。Noisyslatterns，Mrs。Mansteypronouncedthegreaternumber；sheknewtheirwaysandhatedthem。Buttothequietcookinthenewlypaintedhouse，whosemistressbulliedher，andwhosecretlyfedthestraycatsatnightfall，Mrs。Manstey\'swarmestsympathiesweregiven。Ononeoccasionherfeelingswererackedbytheneglectofahousemaid，whofortwodaysforgottofeedtheparrotcommittedtohercare。Onthethirdday，Mrs。
Manstey，inspiteofhergoutyhand，hadjustpennedaletter，beginning：“Madam，itisnowthreedayssinceyourparrothasbeenfed，“whentheforgetfulmaidappearedatthewindowwithacupofseedinherhand。
ButinMrs。Manstey\'smoremeditativemoodsitwasthenarrowingperspectiveoffar-offyardswhichpleasedherbest。Sheloved，attwilight，whenthedistantbrown-stonespireseemedmeltinginthefluidyellowofthewest，toloseherselfinvaguememoriesofatriptoEurope，madeyearsago，andnowreducedinhermind\'seyetoapalephantasmagoriaofindistinctsteeplesanddreamyskies。PerhapsatheartMrs。Mansteywasanartist；atalleventsshewassensibleofmanychangesofcolorunnoticedbytheaverageeye，anddeartoherasthegreenofearlyspringwastheblacklatticeofbranchesagainstacoldsulphurskyatthecloseofasnowyday。Sheenjoyed，also，thesunnythawsofMarch，whenpatchesofearthshowedthroughthesnow，likeink-
spotsspreadingonasheetofwhiteblotting-paper；and，betterstill，thehazeofboughs，leaflessbutswollen，whichreplacedtheclear-cuttraceryofwinter。Sheevenwatchedwithacertaininterestthetrailofsmokefromafar-offfactorychimney，andmissedadetailinthelandscapewhenthefactorywasclosedandthesmokedisappeared。
Mrs。Manstey，inthelonghourswhichshespentatherwindow，wasnotidle。Shereadalittle，andknittednumberlessstockings；buttheviewsurroundedandshapedherlifeastheseadoesalonelyisland。Whenherrarecallerscameitwasdifficultforhertodetachherselffromthecontemplationoftheoppositewindow-washing，orthescrutinyofcertaingreenpointsinaneighboringflower-bedwhichmight，ormightnot，turnintohyacinths，whileshefeignedaninterestinhervisitor\'sanecdotesaboutsomeunknowngrandchild。Mrs。Manstey\'srealfriendswerethedenizensoftheyards，thehyacinths，themagnolia，thegreenparrot，themaidwhofedthecats，thedoctorwhostudiedlatebehindhismustard-coloredcurtains；andtheconfidantofhertenderermusingswasthechurch-spirefloatinginthesunset。
OneAprilday，asshesatinherusualplace，withknittingcastasideandeyesfixedontheblueskymottledwithroundclouds，aknockatthedoorannouncedtheentranceofherlandlady。Mrs。
Mansteydidnotcareforherlandlady，butshesubmittedtohervisitswithladylikeresignation。To-day，however，itseemedharderthanusualtoturnfromtheblueskyandtheblossomingmagnoliatoMrs。Sampson\'sunsuggestiveface，andMrs。Mansteywasconsciousofadistincteffortasshedidso。
“Themagnoliaisoutearlierthanusualthisyear，Mrs。Sampson，“
sheremarked，yieldingtoarareimpulse，forsheseldomalludedtotheabsorbinginterestofherlife。Inthefirstplaceitwasatopicnotlikelytoappealtohervisitorsand，besides，shelackedthepowerofexpressionandcouldnothavegivenutterancetoherfeelingshadshewishedto。
“Thewhat，Mrs。Manstey？”inquiredthelandlady，glancingabouttheroomasiftofindtheretheexplanationofMrs。Manstey\'sstatement。
“Themagnoliainthenextyard——inMrs。Black\'syard，“Mrs。
Mansteyrepeated。
“Isit，indeed？Ididn\'tknowtherewasamagnoliathere，“saidMrs。Sampson，carelessly。Mrs。Mansteylookedather；shedidnotknowthattherewasamagnoliainthenextyard！
“Bytheway，“Mrs。Sampsoncontinued，“speakingofMrs。Blackremindsmethattheworkontheextensionistobeginnextweek。“
“Thewhat？”itwasMrs。Manstey\'sturntoask。
“Theextension，“saidMrs。Sampson，noddingherheadinthedirectionoftheignoredmagnolia。“Youknew，ofcourse，thatMrs。Blackwasgoingtobuildanextensiontoherhouse？Yes，ma\'am。Ihearitistorunrightbacktotheendoftheyard。
HowshecanaffordtobuildanextensioninthesehardtimesI
don\'tsee；butshealwayswascrazyaboutbuilding。Sheusedtokeepaboarding-houseinSeventeenthStreet，andshenearlyruinedherselfthenbystickingoutbow-windowsandwhatnot；I
shouldhavethoughtthatwouldhavecuredherofbuilding，butI
guessit\'sadisease，likedrink。Anyhow，theworkistobeginonMonday。“
Mrs。Mansteyhadgrownpale。Shealwaysspokeslowly，sothelandladydidnotheedthelongpausewhichfollowed。AtlastMrs。Mansteysaid：“Doyouknowhowhightheextensionwillbe？”
“That\'sthemostabsurdpartofit。Theextensionistobebuiltrightuptotheroofofthemainbuilding；now，didyouever？”
“Mrs。Mansteypausedagain。“Won\'titbeagreatannoyancetoyou，Mrs。Sampson？”sheasked。
“Ishouldsayitwould。Butthere\'snohelpforit；ifpeoplehavegotamindtobuildextensionsthere\'snolawtoprevent\'em，thatI\'mawareof。“Mrs。Manstey，knowingthis，wassilent。