“Now，then，“hesaid，“tellClydewhatyoucan；buttheletterkilleth。“
Hesankdown，hishandshangingonthearmofthesettleliketheclawsofadeadbird，hiseyesfixedonWyant\'snotebookwiththeobviousintentionofdetectinganyattemptatasurreptitioussketch。
Wyant，nettledatthissurveillance，anddisturbedbythespeculationswhichDoctorLombard\'sstrangehouseholdexcited，satmotionlessforafewminutes，staringfirstatthepictureandthenattheblankpagesofthenote-book。ThethoughtthatDoctorLombardwasenjoyinghisdiscomfitureatlengthrousedhim，andhebegantowrite。
Hewasinterruptedbyaknockontheirondoor。DoctorLombardrosetounlockit，andhisdaughterentered。
ShebowedhurriedlytoWyant，withoutlookingathim。
“Father，hadyouforgottenthatthemanfromMonteAmiatowastocomebackthismorningwithanansweraboutthebas-relief？Heisherenow；hesayshecan\'twait。“
“Thedevil！”criedherfatherimpatiently。“Didn\'tyoutellhim——“
“Yes；buthesayshecan\'tcomeback。Ifyouwanttoseehimyoumustcomenow。“
“Thenyouthinkthere\'sachance？——“
Shenodded。
HeturnedandlookedatWyant，whowaswritingassiduously。
“Youwillstayhere，Sybilla；Ishallbebackinamoment。“
Hehurriedout，lockingthedoorbehindhim。
Wyanthadlookedup，wonderingifMissLombardwouldshowanysurpriseatbeinglockedinwithhim；butitwashisturntobesurprised，forhardlyhadtheyheardthekeywithdrawnwhenshemovedclosetohim，hersmallfacepaleandtumultuous。
“Iarrangedit——Imustspeaktoyou，“shegasped。“He\'llbebackinfiveminutes。“
Hercourageseemedtofail，andshelookedathimhelplessly。
Wyanthadasenseofsteppingamongexplosives。Heglancedabouthimattheduskyvaultedroom，atthehauntingsmileofthestrangepictureoverhead，andatthepink-and-whitegirlwhisperingofconspiraciesinavoicemeanttoexchangeplatitudeswithacurate。
“HowcanIhelpyou？”hesaidwitharushofcompassion。
“Oh，ifyouwould！Ineverhaveachancetospeaktoanyone；
it\'ssodifficult——hewatchesme——he\'llbebackimmediately。“
“TrytotellmewhatIcando。“
“Idon\'tdare；Ifeelasifhewerebehindme。“Sheturnedaway，fixinghereyesonthepicture。Asoundstartledher。“Therehecomes，andIhaven\'tspoken！Itwasmyonlychance；butitbewildersmesotobehurried。“
“Idon\'thearanyone，“saidWyant，listening。“Trytotellme。“
“HowcanImakeyouunderstand？Itwouldtakesolongtoexplain。“Shedrewadeepbreath，andthenwithaplunge——“Willyoucomehereagainthisafternoon——ataboutfive？”shewhispered。
“Comehereagain？”
“Yes——youcanasktoseethepicture，——makesomeexcuse。Hewillcomewithyou，ofcourse；Iwillopenthedoorforyou——and——andlockyoubothin“——shegasped。
“Lockusin？”
“Yousee？Youunderstand？It\'stheonlywayformetoleavethehouse——ifIamevertodoit“——Shedrewanotherdifficultbreath。“Thekeywillbereturned——byasafeperson——inhalfanhour，——perhapssooner——“
Shetrembledsomuchthatshewasobligedtoleanagainstthesettleforsupport。
“Wyantlookedathersteadily；hewasverysorryforher。
“Ican\'t，MissLombard，“hesaidatlength。
“Youcan\'t？”
“I\'msorry；Imustseemcruel；butconsider——“
Hewasstoppedbythefutilityoftheword：aswellaskahuntedrabbittopauseinitsdashforahole！
Wyanttookherhand；itwascoldandnerveless。
“IwillserveyouinanywayIcan；butyoumustseethatthiswayisimpossible。Can\'tItalktoyouagain？Perhaps——“
“Oh，“shecried，startingup，“therehecomes！”
DoctorLombard\'sstepsoundedinthepassage。
Wyantheldherfast。“Tellmeonething：hewon\'tletyousellthepicture？”
“No——hush！”
“Makenopledgesforthefuture，then；promisemethat。“
“Thefuture？”
“Incaseheshoulddie：yourfatherisanoldman。Youhaven\'tpromised？”
Sheshookherhead。
“Don\'t，then；rememberthat。“
Shemadenoanswer，andthekeyturnedinthelock。
Ashepassedoutofthehouse，itsscowlingcorniceandfacadeofravagedbricklookeddownonhimwiththestartlingnessofastrangeface，seenmomentarilyinacrowd，andimpressingitselfonthebrainaspartofaninevitablefuture。Abovethedoorway，themarblehandreachedoutlikethecryofanimprisonedanguish。
Wyantturnedawayimpatiently。
“Rubbish！”hesaidtohimself。“SHEisn\'twalledin；shecangetoutifshewantsto。“
IV
WyanthadanynumberofplansforcomingtoMissLombard\'said：
hewaselaboratingthetwentiethwhen，onthesameafternoon，hesteppedintotheexpresstrainforFlorence。BythetimethetrainreachedCertaldohewasconvincedthat，inthushasteninghisdeparture，hehadfollowedtheonlyreasonablecourse；atEmpoli，hebegantoreflectthatthepriestandtheLevitehadprobablyjustifiedthemselvesinmuchthesamemanner。
Amonthlater，afterhisreturntoEngland，hewasunexpectedlyrelievedfromthesealternativesofextenuationandapproval。A
paragraphinthemorningpaperannouncedthesuddendeathofDoctorLombard，thedistinguishedEnglishdilettantewhohadlongresidedinSiena。Wyant\'sjustificationwascomplete。Ourblindestimpulsesbecomeevidenceofperspicacitywhentheyfallinwiththecourseofevents。
Wyantcouldnowcomfortablyspeculateontheparticularcomplicationsfromwhichhisforesighthadprobablysavedhim。
Theclimaxwasunexpectedlydramatic。MissLombard，onthebrinkofastepwhich，whateveritsissue，wouldhaveburdenedherwithretrospectivecompunction，hadbeensetfreebeforehersuitor\'sardorcouldhavehadtimetocool，andwasnowdoubtlessplanningalifeofdomesticfelicityontheproceedsoftheLeonardo。Onething，however，struckWyantasodd——hesawnomentionofthesaleofthepicture。Hehadscannedthepapersforanimmediateannouncementofitstransfertooneofthegreatmuseums；butpresentlyconcludingthatMissLombard，outoffilialpiety，hadwishedtoavoidanappearanceofunseemlyhasteinthedisposalofhertreasure，hedismissedthematterfromhismind。Otheraffairshappenedtoengagehim；themonthsslippedby，andgraduallytheladyandthepicturedweltlessvividlyinhismind。
Itwasnottillfiveorsixyearslater，whenchancetookhimagaintoSiena，thattherecollectionstartedfromsomeinnerfoldofmemory。Hefoundhimself，asithappened，attheheadofDoctorLombard\'sstreet，andglancingdownthatgrimthoroughfare，caughtanobliqueglimpseofthedoctor\'shousefront，withtheDeadHandprojectingaboveitsthreshold。
Thesightrevivedhisinterest，andthatevening，overanadmirablefrittata，hequestionedhislandladyaboutMissLombard\'smarriage。
“ThedaughteroftheEnglishdoctor？Butshehasnevermarried，signore。“
“Nevermarried？What，then，becameofCountOttaviano？”
“Foralongtimehewaited；butlastyearhemarriedanobleladyoftheMaremma。“
“Butwhathappened——whywasthemarriagebroken？”
Thelandladyenactedapantomimeofbaffledinterrogation。
“AndMissLombardstilllivesinherfather\'shouse？”
“Yes，signore；sheisstillthere。“
“AndtheLeonardo——“
“TheLeonardo，also，isstillthere。“
Thenextday，asWyantenteredtheHouseoftheDeadHand，herememberedCountOttaviano\'sinjunctiontoringtwice，andsmiledmournfullytothinkthatsomuchsubtletyhadbeenvain。Butwhatcouldhavepreventedthemarriage？IfDoctorLombard\'sdeathhadbeenlongdelayed，timemighthaveactedasadissolvent，ortheyounglady\'sresolvehavefailed；butitseemedimpossiblethatthewhiteheatofardorinwhichWyanthadlefttheloversshouldhavecooledinafewshortweeks。
Asheascendedthevaultedstairwaytheatmosphereoftheplaceseemedareplytohisconjectures。Thesamenumbingairfellonhim，likeanemanationfromsomepersistentwill-power，asomethingfierceandimminentwhichmightreducetoimpotenceeveryimpulsewithinitsrange。Wyantcouldalmostfancyahandonhisshoulder，guidinghimupwardwiththeironicalintentofconfrontinghimwiththeevidenceofitswork。
Astrangeservantopenedthedoor，andhewaspresentlyintroducedtothetapestriedroom，where，fromtheirusualseatsinthewindow，Mrs。Lombardandherdaughteradvancedtowelcomehimwithfaintejaculationsofsurprise。
Bothhadgrownoddlyold，butinadry，smoothway，asfruitsmightshrivelonashelfinsteadofripeningonthetree。Mrs。
Lombardwasstillknitting，andpausingnowandthentowarmherswollenhandsabovethebrazier；andMissLombard，inrising，hadlaidasideastripofneedle-workwhichmighthavebeenthesameonwhichWyanthadfirstseenherengaged。
Theirvisitorinquireddiscreetlyhowtheyhadfaredintheinterval，andlearnedthattheyhadthoughtofreturningtoEngland，buthadsomehowneverdoneso。
“Iamsorrynottoseemyauntsagain，“Mrs。Lombardsaidresignedly；“butSybillathinksitbestthatweshouldnotgothisyear。“
“Nextyear，perhaps，“murmuredMissLombard，inavoicewhichseemedtosuggestthattheyhadagreatwasteoftimetofill。
Shehadreturnedtoherseat，andsatbendingoverherwork。Herhairenvelopedherheadinthesamethickbraids，buttherosecolorofhercheekshadturnedtoblotchesofdullred，likesomepigmentwhichhasdarkenedindrying。
“AndProfessorClyde——ishewell？”Mrs。Lombardaskedaffably；
continuing，asherdaughterraisedastartledeye：“Surely，Sybilla，Mr。WyantwasthegentlemanwhowassentbyProfessorClydetoseetheLeonardo？”
MissLombardwassilent，butWyanthastenedtoassuretheelderladyofhisfriend\'swell-being。
“Ah——perhaps，then，hewillcomebacksomedaytoSiena，“shesaid，sighing。Wyantdeclaredthatitwasmorethanlikely；andthereensuedapause，whichhepresentlybrokebysayingtoMissLombard：“Andyoustillhavethepicture？”
Sheraisedhereyesandlookedathim。“Shouldyouliketoseeit？”sheasked。
Onhisassenting，sherose，andextractingthesamekeyfromthesamesecretdrawer，unlockedthedoorbeneaththetapestry。Theywalkeddownthepassageinsilence，andshestoodasidewithagravegesture，makingWyantpassbeforeherintotheroom。Thenshecrossedoveranddrewthecurtainbackfromthepicture。
Thelightoftheearlyafternoonpouredfullonit：itssurfaceappearedtorippleandheavewithafluidsplendor。Thecolorshadlostnoneoftheirwarmth，theoutlinesnoneoftheirpureprecision；itseemedtoWyantlikesomemagicalflowerwhichhadburstsuddenlyfromthemouldofdarknessandoblivion。
HeturnedtoMissLombardwithamovementofcomprehension。
“Ah，Iunderstand——youcouldn\'tpartwithit，afterall！”hecried。
“No——Icouldn\'tpartwithit，“sheanswered。
“It\'stoobeautiful，——toobeautiful，“——heassented。
“Toobeautiful？”Sheturnedonhimwithacuriousstare。“I
haveneverthoughtitbeautiful，youknow。“
Hegavebackthestare。“Youhavenever——“
Sheshookherhead。“It\'snotthat。Ihateit；I\'vealwayshatedit。Buthewouldn\'tletme——hewillneverletmenow。“
Wyantwasstartledbyheruseofthepresenttense。Herlooksurprisedhim，too：therewasastrangefixityofresentmentinherinnocuouseye。Wasitpossiblethatshewaslaboringundersomedelusion？Ordidthepronounnotrefertoherfather？
“YoumeanthatDoctorLombarddidnotwishyoutopartwiththepicture？”
“No——hepreventedme；hewillalwayspreventme。“
Therewasanotherpause。“Youpromisedhim，then，beforehisdeath——“
“No；Ipromisednothing。Hediedtoosuddenlytomakeme。“Hervoicesanktoawhisper。“Iwasfree——perfectlyfree——orI
thoughtIwastillItried。“
“Tillyoutried？”
“Todisobeyhim——tosellthepicture。ThenIfounditwasimpossible。Itriedagainandagain；buthewasalwaysintheroomwithme。“
Sheglancedoverhershoulderasthoughshehadheardastep；andtoWyant，too，foramoment，theroomseemedfullofathirdpresence。
“Andyoucan\'t“——hefaltered，unconsciouslydroppinghisvoicetothepitchofhers。
Sheshookherhead，gazingathimmystically。“Ican\'tlockhimout；Icanneverlockhimoutnow。ItoldyouIshouldneverhaveanotherchance。“
Wyantfeltthechillofherwordslikeacoldbreathinhishair。
“Oh“——hegroaned；butshecuthimoffwithagravegesture。
“Itistoolate，“shesaid；“butyououghttohavehelpedmethatday。“
I
“Oh，thereISone，ofcourse，butyou\'llneverknowit。“
Theassertion，laughinglyflungoutsixmonthsearlierinabrightJunegarden，camebacktoMaryBoynewithasharpperceptionofitslatentsignificanceasshestood，intheDecemberdusk，waitingforthelampstobebroughtintothelibrary。
ThewordshadbeenspokenbytheirfriendAlidaStair，astheysatatteaonherlawnatPangbourne，inreferencetotheveryhouseofwhichthelibraryinquestionwasthecentral，thepivotal“feature。“MaryBoyneandherhusband，inquestofacountryplaceinoneofthesouthernorsouthwesterncounties，had，ontheirarrivalinEngland，carriedtheirproblemstraighttoAlidaStair，whohadsuccessfullysolveditinherowncase；
butitwasnotuntiltheyhadrejected，almostcapriciously，severalpracticalandjudicioussuggestionsthatshethrewitout：“Well，there\'sLyng，inDorsetshire。ItbelongstoHugo\'scousins，andyoucangetitforasong。“
Thereasonsshegaveforitsbeingobtainableontheseterms——itsremotenessfromastation，itslackofelectriclight，hot-waterpipes，andothervulgarnecessities——wereexactlythosepleadinginitsfavorwithtworomanticAmericansperverselyinsearchoftheeconomicdrawbackswhichwereassociated，intheirtradition，withunusualarchitecturalfelicities。
“IshouldneverbelieveIwaslivinginanoldhouseunlessIwasthoroughlyuncomfortable，“NedBoyne，themoreextravagantofthetwo，hadjocoselyinsisted；“theleasthintof\'convenience\'
wouldmakemethinkithadbeenboughtoutofanexhibition，withthepiecesnumbered，andsetupagain。“Andtheyhadproceededtoenumerate，withhumorousprecision，theirvarioussuspicionsandexactions，refusingtobelievethatthehousetheircousinrecommendedwasREALLYTudortilltheylearnedithadnoheatingsystem，orthatthevillagechurchwasliterallyinthegroundstillsheassuredthemofthedeplorableuncertaintyofthewater-
supply。
“It\'stoouncomfortabletobetrue！”EdwardBoynehadcontinuedtoexultastheavowalofeachdisadvantagewassuccessivelywrungfromher；buthehadcutshorthisrhapsodytoask，withasuddenrelapsetodistrust：“Andtheghost？You\'vebeenconcealingfromusthefactthatthereisnoghost！”
Mary，atthemoment，hadlaughedwithhim，yetalmostwithherlaugh，beingpossessedofseveralsetsofindependentperceptions，hadnotedasuddenflatnessoftoneinAlida\'sansweringhilarity。
“Oh，Dorsetshire\'sfullofghosts，youknow。“
“Yes，yes；butthatwon\'tdo。Idon\'twanttohavetodrivetenmilestoseesomebodyelse\'sghost。Iwantoneofmyownonthepremises。ISthereaghostatLyng？”
HisrejoinderhadmadeAlidalaughagain，anditwasthenthatshehadflungbacktantalizingly：“Oh，thereISone，ofcourse，butyou\'llneverknowit。“
“Neverknowit？”Boynepulledherup。“Butwhatintheworldconstitutesaghostexceptthefactofitsbeingknownforone？”
“Ican\'tsay。Butthat\'sthestory。“
“Thatthere\'saghost，butthatnobodyknowsit\'saghost？”
“Well——nottillafterward，atanyrate。“
“Tillafterward？”
“Nottilllong，longafterward。“
“Butifit\'soncebeenidentifiedasanunearthlyvisitant，whyhasn\'titssignalementbeenhandeddowninthefamily？Howhasitmanagedtopreserveitsincognito？”
Alidacouldonlyshakeherhead。“Don\'taskme。Butithas。“
“Andthensuddenly——“Maryspokeupasiffromsomecavernousdepthofdivination——“suddenly，longafterward，onesaystoone\'sself，\'THATWASit？\'“
Shewasoddlystartledatthesepulchralsoundwithwhichherquestionfellonthebanteroftheothertwo，andshesawtheshadowofthesamesurpriseflitacrossAlida\'sclearpupils。
“Isupposeso。Onejusthastowait。“
“Oh，hangwaiting！”Nedbrokein。“Life\'stooshortforaghostwhocanonlybeenjoyedinretrospect。Can\'twedobetterthanthat，Mary？”
Butitturnedoutthatintheeventtheywerenotdestinedto，forwithinthreemonthsoftheirconversationwithMrs。StairtheywereestablishedatLyng，andthelifetheyhadyearnedfortothepointofplanningitoutinallitsdailydetailshadactuallybegunforthem。
Itwastosit，inthethickDecemberdusk，byjustsuchawide-
hoodedfireplace，underjustsuchblackoakrafters，withthesensethatbeyondthemullionedpanesthedownsweredarkeningtoadeepersolitude：itwasfortheultimateindulgenceinsuchsensationsthatMaryBoynehadenduredfornearlyfourteenyearsthesoul-deadeninguglinessoftheMiddleWest，andthatBoynehadgroundondoggedlyathisengineeringtill，withasuddennessthatstillmadeherblink，theprodigiouswindfalloftheBlueStarMinehadputthematastrokeinpossessionoflifeandtheleisuretotasteit。Theyhadneverforamomentmeanttheirnewstatetobeoneofidleness；buttheymeanttogivethemselvesonlytoharmoniousactivities。Shehadhervisionofpaintingandgardeningagainstabackgroundofgraywalls，hedreamedoftheproductionofhislong-plannedbookonthe“EconomicBasisofCulture“；andwithsuchabsorbingworkaheadnoexistencecouldbetoosequestered；theycouldnotgetfarenoughfromtheworld，orplungedeepenoughintothepast。
Dorsetshirehadattractedthemfromthefirstbyasemblanceofremotenessoutofallproportiontoitsgeographicalposition。
ButtotheBoynesitwasoneoftheever-recurringwondersofthewholeincrediblycompressedisland——anestofcounties，astheyputit——thatfortheproductionofitseffectssolittleofagivenqualitywentsofar：thatsofewmilesmadeadistance，andsoshortadistanceadifference。
“It\'sthat，“Nedhadonceenthusiasticallyexplained，“thatgivessuchdepthtotheireffects，suchrelieftotheirleastcontrasts。They\'vebeenabletolaythebuttersothickoneveryexquisitemouthful。“
ThebutterhadcertainlybeenlaidonthickatLyng：theoldgrayhouse，hiddenunderashoulderofthedowns，hadalmostallthefinermarksofcommercewithaprotractedpast。Themerefactthatitwasneitherlargenorexceptionalmadeit，totheBoynes，aboundthemorerichlyinitsspecialsense——thesenseofhavingbeenforcenturiesadeep，dimreservoiroflife。Thelifehadprobablynotbeenofthemostvividorder：forlongperiods，nodoubt，ithadfallenasnoiselesslyintothepastasthequietdrizzleofautumnfell，hourafterhour，intothegreenfish-pondbetweentheyews；buttheseback-watersofexistencesometimesbreed，intheirsluggishdepths，strangeacuitiesofemotion，andMaryBoynehadfeltfromthefirsttheoccasionalbrushofanintensermemory。
ThefeelinghadneverbeenstrongerthanontheDecemberafternoonwhen，waitinginthelibraryforthebelatedlamps，sherosefromherseatandstoodamongtheshadowsofthehearth。
Herhusbandhadgoneoff，afterluncheon，foroneofhislongtrampsonthedowns。Shehadnoticedoflatethathepreferredtobeunaccompaniedontheseoccasions；and，inthetriedsecurityoftheirpersonalrelations，hadbeendriventoconcludethathisbookwasbotheringhim，andthatheneededtheafternoonstoturnoverinsolitudetheproblemsleftfromthemorning\'swork。Certainlythebookwasnotgoingassmoothlyasshehadimagineditwould，andthelinesofperplexitybetweenhiseyeshadneverbeenthereinhisengineeringdays。Thenhehadoftenlookedfaggedtothevergeofillness，butthenativedemonof“worry“hadneverbrandedhisbrow。Yetthefewpageshehadsofarreadtoher——theintroduction，andasynopsisoftheopeningchapter——gaveevidencesofafirmpossessionofhissubject，andadeepeningconfidenceinhispowers。
Thefactthrewherintodeeperperplexity，since，nowthathehaddonewith“business“anditsdisturbingcontingencies，theoneotherpossibleelementofanxietywaseliminated。Unlessitwerehishealth，then？ButphysicallyhehadgainedsincetheyhadcometoDorsetshire，grownrobuster，ruddier，andfresher-eyed。
Itwasonlywithinaweekthatshehadfeltinhimtheundefinablechangethatmadeherrestlessinhisabsence，andastongue-tiedinhispresenceasthoughitwereSHEwhohadasecrettokeepfromhim！
ThethoughtthatthereWASasecretsomewherebetweenthemstruckherwithasuddensmartrapofwonder，andshelookedaboutherdownthedim，longroom。
“Canitbethehouse？”shemused。
Theroomitselfmighthavebeenfullofsecrets。Theyseemedtobepilingthemselvesup，aseveningfell，likethelayersandlayersofvelvetshadowdroppingfromthelowceiling，theduskywallsofbooks，thesmoke-blurredsculptureofthehoodedhearth。
“Why，ofcourse——thehouseishaunted！”shereflected。
Theghost——Alida\'simperceptibleghost——afterfiguringlargelyinthebanteroftheirfirstmonthortwoatLyng，hadbeengraduallydiscardedastooineffectualforimaginativeuse。Maryhad，indeed，asbecamethetenantofahauntedhouse，madethecustomaryinquiriesamongherfewruralneighbors，but，beyondavague，“Theydusayso，Ma\'am，“thevillagershadnothingtoimpart。Theelusivespecterhadapparentlyneverhadsufficientidentityforalegendtocrystallizeaboutit，andafteratimetheBoyneshadlaughinglysetthematterdowntotheirprofit-
and-lossaccount，agreeingthatLyngwasoneofthefewhousesgoodenoughinitselftodispensewithsupernaturalenhancements。
“AndIsuppose，poor，ineffectualdemon，that\'swhyitbeatsitsbeautifulwingsinvaininthevoid，“Maryhadlaughinglyconcluded。
“Or，rather，“Nedanswered，inthesamestrain，“why，amidsomuchthat\'sghostly，itcanneveraffirmitsseparateexistenceasTHEghost。“Andthereupontheirinvisiblehousematehadfinallydroppedoutoftheirreferences，whichwerenumerousenoughtomakethempromptlyunawareoftheloss。
Now，asshestoodonthehearth，thesubjectoftheirearliercuriosityrevivedinherwithanewsenseofitsmeaning——asensegraduallyacquiredthroughclosedailycontactwiththesceneofthelurkingmystery。Itwasthehouseitself，ofcourse，thatpossessedtheghost-seeingfaculty，thatcommunedvisuallybutsecretlywithitsownpast；andifonecouldonlygetintocloseenoughcommunionwiththehouse，onemightsurpriseitssecret，andacquiretheghost-sightonone\'sownaccount。Perhaps，inhislongsolitaryhoursinthisveryroom，whereshenevertrespassedtilltheafternoon，herhusbandHADacquireditalready，andwassilentlycarryingthedreadweightofwhateverithadrevealedtohim。Marywastoowell-versedinthecodeofthespectralworldnottoknowthatonecouldnottalkabouttheghostsonesaw：todosowasalmostasgreatabreachofgood-
breedingastonamealadyinaclub。Butthisexplanationdidnotreallysatisfyher。“What，afterall，exceptforthefunofthefrisson，“shereflected，“wouldhereallycareforanyoftheiroldghosts？”Andthenceshewasthrownbackoncemoreonthefundamentaldilemma：thefactthatone\'sgreaterorlesssusceptibilitytospectralinfluenceshadnoparticularbearingonthecase，since，whenoneDIDseeaghostatLyng，onedidnotknowit。
“Nottilllongafterward，“AlidaStairhadsaid。Well，supposingNedHADseenonewhentheyfirstcame，andhadknownonlywithinthelastweekwhathadhappenedtohim？Moreandmoreunderthespellofthehour，shethrewbackhersearchingthoughtstotheearlydaysoftheirtenancy，butatfirstonlytorecallagayconfusionofunpacking，settling，arrangingofbooks，andcallingtoeachotherfromremotecornersofthehouseastreasureaftertreasureoftheirhabitationrevealeditselftothem。ItwasinthisparticularconnectionthatshepresentlyrecalledacertainsoftafternoonofthepreviousOctober，when，passingfromthefirstrapturousflurryofexplorationtoadetailedinspectionoftheoldhouse，shehadpressedlikeanovelheroineapanelthatopenedathertouch，onanarrowflightofstairsleadingtoanunsuspectedflatledgeoftheroof——theroofwhich，frombelow，seemedtoslopeawayonallsidestooabruptlyforanybutpractisedfeettoscale。
Theviewfromthishiddencoignwasenchanting，andshehadflowndowntosnatchNedfromhispapersandgivehimthefreedomofherdiscovery。Sherememberedstillhow，standingonthenarrowledge，hehadpassedhisarmaboutherwhiletheirgazeflewtothelong，tossedhorizon-lineofthedowns，andthendroppedcontentedlybacktotracethearabesqueofyewhedgesaboutthefish-pond，andtheshadowofthecedaronthelawn。
“Andnowtheotherway，“hehadsaid，gentlyturningheraboutwithinhisarm；andcloselypressedtohim，shehadabsorbed，likesomelong，satisfyingdraft，thepictureofthegray-walledcourt，thesquatlionsonthegates，andthelime-avenuereachinguptothehighroadunderthedowns。
Itwasjustthen，whiletheygazedandheldeachother，thatshehadfelthisarmrelax，andheardasharp“Hullo！”thatmadeherturntoglanceathim。
Distinctly，yes，shenowrecalledshehadseen，assheglanced，ashadowofanxiety，ofperplexity，rather，fallacrosshisface；
and，followinghiseyes，hadbeheldthefigureofaman——amaninloose，grayishclothes，asitappearedtoher——whowassaunteringdownthelime-avenuetothecourtwiththetentativegaitofastrangerseekinghisway。Hershort-sightedeyeshadgivenherbutablurredimpressionofslightnessandgrayness，withsomethingforeign，oratleastunlocal，inthecutofthefigureoritsgarb；butherhusbandhadapparentlyseenmore——seenenoughtomakehimpushpastherwithasharp“Wait！”anddashdownthetwistingstairswithoutpausingtogiveherahandforthedescent。
Aslighttendencytodizzinessobligedher，afteraprovisionalclutchatthechimneyagainstwhichtheyhadbeenleaning，tofollowhimdownmorecautiously；andwhenshehadreachedtheatticlandingshepausedagainforalessdefinitereason，leaningovertheoakbanistertostrainhereyesthroughthesilenceofthebrown，sun-fleckeddepthsbelow。Shelingeredtheretill，somewhereinthosedepths，sheheardtheclosingofadoor；then，mechanicallyimpelled，shewentdowntheshallowflightsofstepstillshereachedthelowerhall。
Thefrontdoorstoodopenonthemildsunlightofthecourt，andhallandcourtwereempty。Thelibrarydoorwasopen，too，andafterlisteninginvainforanysoundofvoiceswithin，shequicklycrossedthethreshold，andfoundherhusbandalone，vaguelyfingeringthepapersonhisdesk。
Helookedup，asifsurprisedatherprecipitateentrance，buttheshadowofanxietyhadpassedfromhisface，leavingiteven，asshefancied，alittlebrighterandclearerthanusual。
“Whatwasit？Whowasit？”sheasked。
“Who？”herepeated，withthesurprisestillallonhisside。
“Themanwesawcomingtowardthehouse。“
Heseemedhonestlytoreflect。“Theman？Why，IthoughtIsawPeters；Idashedafterhimtosayawordaboutthestable-drains，buthehaddisappearedbeforeIcouldgetdown。“
“Disappeared？Why，heseemedtobewalkingsoslowlywhenwesawhim。“
Boyneshruggedhisshoulders。“SoIthought；buthemusthavegotupsteamintheinterval。WhatdoyousaytoourtryingascrambleupMeldonSteepbeforesunset？”
Thatwasall。Atthetimetheoccurrencehadbeenlessthannothing，had，indeed，beenimmediatelyobliteratedbythemagicoftheirfirstvisionfromMeldonSteep，aheightwhichtheyhaddreamedofclimbingeversincetheyhadfirstseenitsbarespineheavingitselfabovethelowroofofLyng。Doubtlessitwasthemerefactoftheotherincident\'shavingoccurredontheverydayoftheirascenttoMeldonthathadkeptitstoredawayintheunconsciousfoldofassociationfromwhichitnowemerged；forinitselfithadnomarkoftheportentous。AtthemomenttherecouldhavebeennothingmorenaturalthanthatNedshoulddashhimselffromtheroofinthepursuitofdilatorytradesmen。Itwastheperiodwhentheywerealwaysonthewatchforoneortheotherofthespecialistsemployedabouttheplace；alwayslyinginwaitforthem，anddashingoutatthemwithquestions，reproaches，orreminders。AndcertainlyinthedistancethegrayfigurehadlookedlikePeters。
Yetnow，asshereviewedtherapidscene，shefeltherhusband\'sexplanationofittohavebeeninvalidatedbythelookofanxietyonhisface。WhyhadthefamiliarappearanceofPetersmadehimanxious？Why，aboveall，ifitwasofsuchprimenecessitytoconferwiththatauthorityonthesubjectofthestable-drains，hadthefailuretofindhimproducedsuchalookofrelief？Marycouldnotsaythatanyoneoftheseconsiderationshadoccurredtoheratthetime，yet，fromthepromptnesswithwhichtheynowmarshaledthemselvesathersummons，shehadasuddensensethattheymustallalonghavebeenthere，waitingtheirhour。
II
Wearywithherthoughts，shemovedtowardthewindow。Thelibrarywasnowcompletelydark，andshewassurprisedtoseehowmuchfaintlighttheouterworldstillheld。
Asshepeeredoutintoitacrossthecourt，afigureshapeditselfinthetaperingperspectiveofbarelines：itlookedamereblotofdeepergrayinthegrayness，andforaninstant，asitmovedtowardher，herheartthumpedtothethought，“It\'stheghost！”
Shehadtime，inthatlonginstant，tofeelsuddenlythatthemanofwhom，twomonthsearlier，shehadabriefdistantvisionfromtheroofwasnow，athispredestinedhour，abouttorevealhimselfasNOThavingbeenPeters；andherspiritsankundertheimpendingfearofthedisclosure。Butalmostwiththenexttickoftheclocktheambiguousfigure，gainingsubstanceandcharacter，showeditselfeventoherweaksightasherhusband\'s；
andsheturnedawaytomeethim，asheentered，withtheconfessionofherfolly。
“It\'sreallytooabsurd，“shelaughedoutfromthethreshold，“butIneverCANremember！”
“Rememberwhat？”Boynequestionedastheydrewtogether。
“ThatwhenoneseestheLyngghostoneneverknowsit。“
Herhandwasonhissleeve，andhekeptitthere，butwithnoresponseinhisgestureorinthelinesofhisfagged，preoccupiedface。
“Didyouthinkyou\'dseenit？”heasked，afteranappreciableinterval。
“Why，IactuallytookYOUforit，mydear，inmymaddeterminationtospotit！”
“Me——justnow？”Hisarmdroppedaway，andheturnedfromherwithafaintechoofherlaugh。“Really，dearest，you\'dbettergiveitup，ifthat\'sthebestyoucando。“
“Yes，Igiveitup——Igiveitup。HaveYOU？”sheasked，turningroundonhimabruptly。
Theparlor-maidhadenteredwithlettersandalamp，andthelightstruckupintoBoyne\'sfaceashebentabovethetrayshepresented。
“HaveYOU？”Maryperverselyinsisted，whentheservanthaddisappearedonhererrandofillumination。
“HaveIwhat？”herejoinedabsently，thelightbringingoutthesharpstampofworrybetweenhisbrowsasheturnedovertheletters。
“Givenuptryingtoseetheghost。“Herheartbeatalittleattheexperimentshewasmaking。
Herhusband，layinghislettersaside，movedawayintotheshadowofthehearth。
“Inevertried，“hesaid，tearingopenthewrapperofanewspaper。
“Well，ofcourse，“Marypersisted，“theexasperatingthingisthatthere\'snousetrying，sinceonecan\'tbesuretillsolongafterward。“
Hewasunfoldingthepaperasifhehadhardlyheardher；butafterapause，duringwhichthesheetsrustledspasmodicallybetweenhishands，heliftedhisheadtosayabruptly，“HaveyouanyideaHOWLONG？”
Maryhadsunkintoalowchairbesidethefireplace。Fromherseatshelookedup，startled，atherhusband\'sprofile，whichwasdarklyprojectedagainstthecircleoflamplight。
“No；none。HaveYOU？”sheretorted，repeatingherformerphrasewithanaddedkeennessofintention。
Boynecrumpledthepaperintoabunch，andtheninconsequentlyturnedbackwithittowardthelamp。
“Lord，no！Ionlymeant，“heexplained，withafainttingeofimpatience，“isthereanylegend，anytradition，astothat？”
“NotthatIknowof，“sheanswered；buttheimpulsetoadd，“Whatmakesyouask？”wascheckedbythereappearanceoftheparlor-
maidwithteaandasecondlamp。
Withthedispersalofshadows，andtherepetitionofthedailydomesticoffice，MaryBoynefeltherselflessoppressedbythatsenseofsomethingmutelyimminentwhichhaddarkenedhersolitaryafternoon。Forafewmomentsshegaveherselfsilentlytothedetailsofhertask，andwhenshelookedupfromitshewasstrucktothepointofbewildermentbythechangeinherhusband\'sface。Hehadseatedhimselfnearthefartherlamp，andwasabsorbedintheperusalofhisletters；butwasitsomethinghehadfoundinthem，ormerelytheshiftingofherownpointofview，thathadrestoredhisfeaturestotheirnormalaspect？Thelongershelooked，themoredefinitelythechangeaffirmeditself。Thelinesofpainfultensionhadvanished，andsuchtracesoffatigueaslingeredwereofthekindeasilyattributabletosteadymentaleffort。Heglancedup，asifdrawnbyhergaze，andmethereyeswithasmile。
“I\'mdyingformytea，youknow；andhere\'saletterforyou，“hesaid。
Shetooktheletterheheldoutinexchangeforthecupsheprofferedhim，and，returningtoherseat，brokethesealwiththelanguidgestureofthereaderwhoseinterestsareallinclosedinthecircleofonecherishedpresence。
Hernextconsciousmotionwasthatofstartingtoherfeet，theletterfallingtothemassherose，whilesheheldouttoherhusbandalongnewspaperclipping。
“Ned！What\'sthis？Whatdoesitmean？”
Hehadrisenatthesameinstant，almostasifhearinghercrybeforesheutteredit；andforaperceptiblespaceoftimeheandshestudiedeachother，likeadversarieswatchingforanadvantage，acrossthespacebetweenherchairandhisdesk。
“What\'swhat？Youfairlymademejump！”Boynesaidatlength，movingtowardherwithasudden，half-exasperatedlaugh。Theshadowofapprehensionwasonhisfaceagain，notnowalookoffixedforeboding，butashiftingvigilanceoflipsandeyesthatgaveherthesenseofhisfeelinghimselfinvisiblysurrounded。
Herhandshooksothatshecouldhardlygivehimtheclipping。
“Thisarticle——fromthe\'WaukeshaSentinel\'——thatamannamedElwellhasbroughtsuitagainstyou——thattherewassomethingwrongabouttheBlueStarMine。Ican\'tunderstandmorethanhalf。“
Theycontinuedtofaceeachotherasshespoke，andtoherastonishment，shesawthatherwordshadthealmostimmediateeffectofdissipatingthestrainedwatchfulnessofhislook。
“Oh，THAT！”Heglanceddowntheprintedslip，andthenfoldeditwiththegestureofonewhohandlessomethingharmlessandfamiliar。“What\'sthematterwithyouthisafternoon，Mary？I
thoughtyou\'dgotbadnews。“
Shestoodbeforehimwithherundefinableterrorsubsidingslowlyunderthereassuringtouchofhiscomposure。
“Youknewaboutthis，then——it\'sallright？”
“CertainlyIknewaboutit；andit\'sallright。“
“ButwhatISit？Idon\'tunderstand。Whatdoesthismanaccuseyouof？”
“Oh，prettynearlyeverycrimeinthecalendar。“Boynehadtossedtheclippingdown，andthrownhimselfcomfortablyintoanarm-chairnearthefire。“Doyouwanttohearthestory？It\'snotparticularlyinteresting——justasquabbleoverinterestsintheBlueStar。“
“ButwhoisthisElwell？Idon\'tknowthename。“
“Oh，he\'safellowIputintoit——gavehimahandup。Itoldyouallabouthimatthetime。“
“Idaresay。Imusthaveforgotten。“Vainlyshestrainedbackamonghermemories。“Butifyouhelpedhim，whydoeshemakethisreturn？”
“Oh，probablysomeshysterlawyergotholdofhimandtalkedhimover。It\'sallrathertechnicalandcomplicated。Ithoughtthatkindofthingboredyou。“
Hiswifefeltastingofcompunction。Theoretically，shedeprecatedtheAmericanwife\'sdetachmentfromherhusband\'sprofessionalinterests，butinpracticeshehadalwaysfounditdifficulttofixherattentiononBoyne\'sreportofthetransactionsinwhichhisvariedinterestsinvolvedhim。
Besides，shehadfeltfromthefirstthat，inacommunitywheretheamenitiesoflivingcouldbeobtainedonlyatthecostofeffortsasarduousasherhusband\'sprofessionallabors，suchbriefleisureastheycouldcommandshouldbeusedasanescapefromimmediatepreoccupations，aflighttothelifetheyalwaysdreamedofliving。Onceortwice，nowthatthisnewlifehadactuallydrawnitsmagiccircleaboutthem，shehadaskedherselfifshehaddoneright；buthithertosuchconjectureshadbeennomorethantheretrospectiveexcursionsofanactivefancy。Now，forthefirsttime，itstartledheralittletofindhowlittlesheknewofthematerialfoundationonwhichherhappinesswasbuilt。
Sheglancedagainatherhusband，andwasreassuredbythecomposureofhisface；yetshefelttheneedofmoredefinitegroundsforherreassurance。
“Butdoesn\'tthissuitworryyou？Whyhaveyouneverspokentomeaboutit？”
Heansweredbothquestionsatonce：“Ididn\'tspeakofitatfirstbecauseitDIDworryme——annoyedme，rather。Butit\'sallancienthistorynow。Yourcorrespondentmusthavegotholdofabacknumberofthe\'Sentinel。\'“
Shefeltaquickthrillofrelief。“Youmeanit\'sover？He\'slosthiscase？”
TherewasajustperceptibledelayinBoyne\'sreply。“Thesuit\'sbeenwithdrawn——that\'sall。“
Butshepersisted，asiftoexonerateherselffromtheinwardchargeofbeingtooeasilyputoff。“Withdrawnbecausehesawhehadnochance？”
“Oh，hehadnochance，“Boyneanswered。
Shewasstillstrugglingwithadimlyfeltperplexityatthebackofherthoughts。
“Howlongagowasitwithdrawn？”
Hepaused，asifwithaslightreturnofhisformeruncertainty。
“I\'vejusthadthenewsnow；butI\'vebeenexpectingit。“
“Justnow——inoneofyourletters？”
“Yes；inoneofmyletters。“
Shemadenoanswer，andwasawareonly，afterashortintervalofwaiting，thathehadrisen，andstrollingacrosstheroom，hadplacedhimselfonthesofaatherside。Shefelthim，ashedidso，passanarmabouther，shefelthishandseekhersandclaspit，andturningslowly，drawnbythewarmthofhischeek，shemetthesmilingclearnessofhiseyes。
“It\'sallright——it\'sallright？”shequestioned，throughthefloodofherdissolvingdoubts；and“Igiveyoumyworditneverwasrighter！”helaughedbackather，holdingherclose。
III
Oneofthestrangestthingsshewasafterwardtorecalloutofallthenextday\'sincrediblestrangenesswasthesuddenandcompleterecoveryofhersenseofsecurity。
Itwasintheairwhenshewokeinherlow-ceilinged，duskyroom；
itaccompaniedherdown-stairstothebreakfast-table，flashedoutatherfromthefire，andre-duplicateditselfbrightlyfromtheflanksoftheurnandthesturdyflutingsoftheGeorgianteapot。Itwasasif，insomeroundaboutway，allherdiffusedapprehensionsofthepreviousday，withtheirmomentofsharpconcentrationaboutthenewspaperarticle，——asifthisdimquestioningofthefuture，andstartledreturnuponthepast，——
hadbetweenthemliquidatedthearrearsofsomehauntingmoralobligation。Ifshehadindeedbeencarelessofherhusband\'saffairs，itwas，hernewstateseemedtoprove，becauseherfaithinhiminstinctivelyjustifiedsuchcarelessness；andhisrighttoherfaithhadoverwhelminglyaffirmeditselfintheveryfaceofmenaceandsuspicion。Shehadneverseenhimmoreuntroubled，morenaturallyandunconsciouslyinpossessionofhimself，thanafterthecross-examinationtowhichshehadsubjectedhim：itwasalmostasifhehadbeenawareofherlurkingdoubts，andhadwantedtheairclearedasmuchasshedid。
Itwasasclear，thankHeaven！asthebrightouterlightthatsurprisedheralmostwithatouchofsummerwhensheissuedfromthehouseforherdailyroundofthegardens。ShehadleftBoyneathisdesk，indulgingherself，asshepassedthelibrarydoor，byalastpeepathisquietface，wherehebent，pipeinhismouth，abovehispapers，andnowshehadherownmorning\'stasktoperform。Thetaskinvolvedonsuchcharmedwinterdaysalmostasmuchdelightedloiteringaboutthedifferentquartersofherdemesneasifspringwerealreadyatworkonshrubsandborders。
Thereweresuchinexhaustiblepossibilitiesstillbeforeher，suchopportunitiestobringoutthelatentgracesoftheoldplace，withoutasingleirreverenttouchofalteration，thatthewintermonthswerealltooshorttoplanwhatspringandautumnexecuted。Andherrecoveredsenseofsafetygave，onthisparticularmorning，apeculiarzesttoherprogressthroughthesweet，stillplace。Shewentfirsttothekitchen-garden，wheretheespalieredpear-treesdrewcomplicatedpatternsonthewalls，andpigeonswereflutteringandpreeningaboutthesilvery-slatedroofoftheircot。Therewassomethingwrongaboutthepipingofthehothouse，andshewasexpectinganauthorityfromDorchester，whowastodriveoutbetweentrainsandmakeadiagnosisoftheboiler。Butwhenshedippedintothedampheatofthegreenhouses，amongthespicedscentsandwaxypinksandredsofold-fashionedexotics，——eventhefloraofLyngwasinthenote！——
shelearnedthatthegreatmanhadnotarrived，andthedaybeingtooraretowasteinanartificialatmosphere，shecameoutagainandpacedslowlyalongthespringyturfofthebowling-greentothegardensbehindthehouse。Attheirfartherendroseagrassterrace，commanding，overthefish-pondandtheyewhedges，aviewofthelonghouse-front，withitstwistedchimney-stacksandtheblueshadowsofitsroofangles，alldrenchedinthepalegoldmoistureoftheair。
Seenthus，acrosstheleveltraceryoftheyews，underthesuffused，mildlight，itsenther，fromitsopenwindowsandhospitablysmokingchimneys，thelookofsomewarmhumanpresence，ofamindslowlyripenedonasunnywallofexperience。
Shehadneverbeforehadsodeepasenseofherintimacywithit，suchaconvictionthatitssecretswereallbeneficent，kept，astheysaidtochildren，“forone\'sgood，“socompleteatrustinitspowertogatherupherlifeandNed\'sintotheharmoniouspatternofthelong，longstoryitsatthereweavinginthesun。
Sheheardstepsbehindher，andturned，expectingtoseethegardener，accompaniedbytheengineerfromDorchester。Butonlyonefigurewasinsight，thatofayoungish，slightlybuiltman，who，forreasonsshecouldnotonthespothavespecified，didnotremotelyresembleherpreconceivednotionofanauthorityonhot-houseboilers。Thenew-comer，onseeingher，liftedhishat，andpausedwiththeairofagentleman——perhapsatraveler——
desirousofhavingitimmediatelyknownthathisintrusionisinvoluntary。ThelocalfameofLyngoccasionallyattractedthemoreintelligentsight-seer，andMaryhalf-expectedtoseethestrangerdissembleacamera，orjustifyhispresencebyproducingit。Buthemadenogestureofanysort，andafteramomentsheasked，inatonerespondingtothecourteousdeprecationofhisattitude：“Isthereanyoneyouwishtosee？”
“IcametoseeMr。Boyne，“hereplied。Hisintonation，ratherthanhisaccent，wasfaintlyAmerican，andMary，atthefamiliarnote，lookedathimmoreclosely。Thebrimofhissoftfelthatcastashadeonhisface，which，thusobscured，woretohershort-sightedgazealookofseriousness，asofapersonarriving“onbusiness，“andcivillybutfirmlyawareofhisrights。
PastexperiencehadmadeMaryequallysensibletosuchclaims；
butshewasjealousofherhusband\'smorninghours，anddoubtfulofhishavinggivenanyonetherighttointrudeonthem。
“HaveyouanappointmentwithMr。Boyne？”sheasked。
Hehesitated，asifunpreparedforthequestion。
“Notexactlyanappointment，“hereplied。
“ThenI\'mafraid，thisbeinghisworking-time，thathecan\'treceiveyounow。Willyougivemeamessage，orcomebacklater？”
Thevisitor，againliftinghishat，brieflyrepliedthathewouldcomebacklater，andwalkedaway，asiftoregainthefrontofthehouse。Ashisfigurerecededdownthewalkbetweentheyewhedges，Marysawhimpauseandlookupaninstantatthepeacefulhouse-frontbathedinfaintwintersunshine；anditstruckher，withatardytouchofcompunction，thatitwouldhavebeenmorehumanetoaskifhehadcomefromadistance，andtooffer，inthatcase，toinquireifherhusbandcouldreceivehim。Butasthethoughtoccurredtoherhepassedoutofsightbehindapyramidalyew，andatthesamemomentherattentionwasdistractedbytheapproachofthegardener，attendedbythebeardedpepper-and-saltfigureoftheboiler-makerfromDorchester。
Theencounterwiththisauthorityledtosuchfar-reachingissuesthattheyresultedinhisfindingitexpedienttoignorehistrain，andbeguiledMaryintospendingtheremainderofthemorninginabsorbedconfabulationamongthegreenhouses。Shewasstartledtofind，whenthecolloquyended，thatitwasnearlyluncheon-time，andshehalfexpected，asshehurriedbacktothehouse，toseeherhusbandcomingouttomeether。Butshefoundnooneinthecourtbutanunder-gardenerrakingthegravel，andthehall，whensheenteredit，wassosilentthatsheguessedBoynetobestillatworkbehindthecloseddoorofthelibrary。
Notwishingtodisturbhim，sheturnedintothedrawing-room，andthere，atherwriting-table，lostherselfinrenewedcalculationsoftheoutlaytowhichthemorning\'sconferencehadcommittedher。Theknowledgethatshecouldpermitherselfsuchfollieshadnotyetlostitsnovelty；andsomehow，incontrasttothevagueapprehensionsofthepreviousdays，itnowseemedanelementofherrecoveredsecurity，ofthesensethat，asNedhadsaid，thingsingeneralhadneverbeen“righter。“
Shewasstillluxuriatinginalavishplayoffigureswhentheparlor-maid，fromthethreshold，rousedherwithadubiouslywordedinquiryastotheexpediencyofservingluncheon。ItwasoneoftheirjokesthatTrimmleannouncedluncheonasifsheweredivulgingastatesecret，andMary，intentuponherpapers，merelymurmuredanabsent-mindedassent。
ShefeltTrimmlewaveringexpressivelyonthethresholdasifinrebukeofsuchoffhandacquiescence；thenherretreatingstepssoundeddownthepassage，andMary，pushingawayherpapers，crossedthehall，andwenttothelibrarydoor。Itwasstillclosed，andshewaveredinherturn，dislikingtodisturbherhusband，yetanxiousthatheshouldnotexceedhisnormalmeasureofwork。Asshestoodthere，balancingherimpulses，theesotericTrimmlereturnedwiththeannouncementofluncheon，andMary，thusimpelled，openedthedoorandwentintothelibrary。
Boynewasnotathisdesk，andshepeeredabouther，expectingtodiscoverhimatthebook-shelves，somewheredownthelengthoftheroom；buthercallbroughtnoresponse，andgraduallyitbecamecleartoherthathewasnotinthelibrary。
Sheturnedbacktotheparlor-maid。
“Mr。Boynemustbeup-stairs。Pleasetellhimthatluncheonisready。“
Theparlor-maidappearedtohesitatebetweentheobviousdutyofobeyingordersandanequallyobviousconvictionofthefoolishnessoftheinjunctionlaiduponher。Thestruggleresultedinhersayingdoubtfully，“Ifyouplease，Madam，Mr。
Boyne\'snotup-stairs。“
“Notinhisroom？Areyousure？”
“I\'msure，Madam。“
Maryconsultedtheclock。“Whereishe，then？”
“He\'sgoneout，“Trimmleannounced，withthesuperiorairofonewhohasrespectfullywaitedforthequestionthatawell-orderedmindwouldhavefirstpropounded。
Mary\'spreviousconjecturehadbeenright，then。Boynemusthavegonetothegardenstomeether，andsinceshehadmissedhim，itwasclearthathehadtakentheshorterwaybythesouthdoor，insteadofgoingroundtothecourt。Shecrossedthehalltotheglassportalopeningdirectlyontheyewgarden，buttheparlor-
maid，afteranothermomentofinnerconflict，decidedtobringoutrecklessly，“Please，Madam，Mr。Boynedidn\'tgothatway。“
Maryturnedback。“WhereDIDhego？Andwhen？”
“Hewentoutofthefrontdoor，upthedrive，Madam。“ItwasamatterofprinciplewithTrimmlenevertoanswermorethanonequestionatatime。
“Upthedrive？Atthishour？”Marywenttothedoorherself，andglancedacrossthecourtthroughthelongtunnelofbarelimes。Butitsperspectivewasasemptyaswhenshehadscanneditonenteringthehouse。
“DidMr。Boyneleavenomessage？”sheasked。
Trimmleseemedtosurrenderherselftoalaststrugglewiththeforcesofchaos。
“No，Madam。Hejustwentoutwiththegentleman。“
“Thegentleman？Whatgentleman？”Marywheeledabout，asiftofrontthisnewfactor。
“Thegentlemanwhocalled，Madam，“saidTrimmle，resignedly。
“Whendidagentlemancall？Doexplainyourself，Trimmle！”
OnlythefactthatMarywasveryhungry，andthatshewantedtoconsultherhusbandaboutthegreenhouses，wouldhavecausedhertolaysounusualaninjunctiononherattendant；andevennowshewasdetachedenoughtonoteinTrimmle\'seyethedawningdefianceoftherespectfulsubordinatewhohasbeenpressedtoohard。
“Icouldn\'texactlysaythehour，Madam，becauseIdidn\'tletthegentlemanin，“shereplied，withtheairofmagnanimouslyignoringtheirregularityofhermistress\'scourse。
“Youdidn\'tlethimin？”
“No，Madam。WhenthebellrangIwasdressing，andAgnes——“
“GoandaskAgnes，then，“Maryinterjected。Trimmlestillworeherlookofpatientmagnanimity。“Agneswouldnotknow，Madam，forshehadunfortunatelyburntherhandintryingthewickofthenewlampfromtown——“Trimmle，asMarywasaware，hadalwaysbeenopposedtothenewlamp——“andsoMrs。Dockettsentthekitchen-maidinstead。“
Marylookedagainattheclock。“It\'saftertwo！Goandaskthekitchen-maidifMr。Boyneleftanyword。“
Shewentintoluncheonwithoutwaiting，andTrimmlepresentlybroughthertherethekitchen-maid\'sstatementthatthegentlemanhadcalledaboutoneo\'clock，thatMr。Boynehadgoneoutwithhimwithoutleavinganymessage。Thekitchen-maiddidnotevenknowthecaller\'sname，forhehadwrittenitonaslipofpaper，whichhehadfoldedandhandedtoher，withtheinjunctiontodeliveritatoncetoMr。Boyne。
Maryfinishedherluncheon，stillwondering，andwhenitwasover，andTrimmlehadbroughtthecoffeetothedrawing-room，herwonderhaddeepenedtoafirstfainttingeofdisquietude。ItwasunlikeBoynetoabsenthimselfwithoutexplanationatsounwontedanhour，andthedifficultyofidentifyingthevisitorwhosesummonshehadapparentlyobeyedmadehisdisappearancethemoreunaccountable。MaryBoyne\'sexperienceasthewifeofabusyengineer，subjecttosuddencallsandcompelledtokeepirregularhours，hadtrainedhertothephilosophicacceptanceofsurprises；butsinceBoyne\'swithdrawalfrombusinesshehadadoptedaBenedictineregularityoflife。Asiftomakeupforthedispersedandagitatedyears，withtheir“stand-up“lunchesanddinnersrattleddowntothejoltingsofthedining-car，hecultivatedthelastrefinementsofpunctualityandmonotony，discouraginghiswife\'sfancyfortheunexpected；anddeclaringthattoadelicatetastetherewereinfinitegradationsofpleasureinthefixedrecurrencesofhabit。
Still，sincenolifecancompletelydefenditselffromtheunforeseen，itwasevidentthatallBoyne\'sprecautionswouldsoonerorlaterproveunavailable，andMaryconcludedthathehadcutshortatiresomevisitbywalkingwithhiscallertothestation，oratleastaccompanyinghimforpartoftheway。
Thisconclusionrelievedherfromfartherpreoccupation，andshewentoutherselftotakeupherconferencewiththegardener。
Thenceshewalkedtothevillagepost-office，amileorsoaway；
andwhensheturnedtowardhome，theearlytwilightwassettingin。
Shehadtakenafoot-pathacrossthedowns，andasBoyne，meanwhile，hadprobablyreturnedfromthestationbythehighroad，therewaslittlelikelihoodoftheirmeetingontheway。Shefeltsure，however，ofhishavingreachedthehousebeforeher；sosurethat，whensheentereditherself，withoutevenpausingtoinquireofTrimmle，shemadedirectlyforthelibrary。Butthelibrarywasstillempty，andwithanunwontedprecisionofvisualmemorysheimmediatelyobservedthatthepapersonherhusband\'sdesklaypreciselyastheyhadlainwhenshehadgoneintocallhimtoluncheon。
Thenofasuddenshewasseizedbyavaguedreadoftheunknown。
Shehadclosedthedoorbehindheronentering，andasshestoodaloneinthelong，silent，shadowyroom，herdreadseemedtotakeshapeandsound，tobethereaudiblybreathingandlurkingamongtheshadows。Hershort-sightedeyesstrainedthroughthem，half-
discerninganactualpresence，somethingaloof，thatwatchedandknew；andintherecoilfromthatintangiblepropinquityshethrewherselfsuddenlyonthebell-ropeandgaveitadesperatepull。
Thelong，quaveringsummonsbroughtTrimmleinprecipitatelywithalamp，andMarybreathedagainatthissoberingreappearanceoftheusual。
“YoumaybringteaifMr。Boyneisin，“shesaid，tojustifyherring。
“Verywell，Madam。ButMr。Boyneisnotin，“saidTrimmle，puttingdownthelamp。
“Notin？Youmeanhe\'scomebackandgoneoutagain？”
“No，Madam。He\'sneverbeenback。“
Thedreadstirredagain，andMaryknewthatnowithadherfast。
“Notsincehewentoutwith——thegentleman？”
“Notsincehewentoutwiththegentleman。“
“ButwhoWASthegentleman？”Marygaspedout，withthesharpnoteofsomeonetryingtobeheardthroughaconfusionofmeaninglessnoises。
“ThatIcouldn\'tsay，Madam。“Trimmle，standingtherebythelamp，seemedsuddenlytogrowlessroundandrosy，asthougheclipsedbythesamecreepingshadeofapprehension。
“Butthekitchen-maidknows——wasn\'titthekitchen-maidwholethimin？”
“Shedoesn\'tknoweither，Madam，forhewrotehisnameonafoldedpaper。“
Mary，throughheragitation，wasawarethattheywerebothdesignatingtheunknownvisitorbyavaguepronoun，insteadoftheconventionalformulawhich，tillthen，hadkepttheirallusionswithintheboundsofcustom。Andatthesamemomenthermindcaughtatthesuggestionofthefoldedpaper。
“Buthemusthaveaname！Whereisthepaper？”
Shemovedtothedesk，andbegantoturnoverthescattereddocumentsthatlitteredit。Thefirstthatcaughthereyewasanunfinishedletterinherhusband\'shand，withhispenlyingacrossit，asthoughdroppedthereatasuddensummons。
“MydearParvis，“——whowasParvis？——“IhavejustreceivedyourletterannouncingElwell\'sdeath，andwhileIsupposethereisnownofartherriskoftrouble，itmightbesafer——“
Shetossedthesheetaside，andcontinuedhersearch；butnofoldedpaperwasdiscoverableamongthelettersandpagesofmanuscriptwhichhadbeenswepttogetherinapromiscuousheap，asifbyahurriedorastartledgesture。
“Butthekitchen-maidSAWhim。Sendherhere，“shecommanded，wonderingatherdullnessinnotthinkingsoonerofsosimpleasolution。
Trimmle，atthebehest，vanishedinaflash，asifthankfultobeoutoftheroom，andwhenshereappeared，conductingtheagitatedunderling，Maryhadregainedherself-possession，andhadherquestionspat。
Thegentlemanwasastranger，yes——thatsheunderstood。Butwhathadhesaid？And，aboveall，whathadhelookedlike？Thefirstquestionwaseasilyenoughanswered，forthedisconcertingreasonthathehadsaidsolittle——hadmerelyaskedforMr。Boyne，and，scribblingsomethingonabitofpaper，hadrequestedthatitshouldatoncebecarriedintohim。