haveseenmyopponent’schest，inalonghardboutofwrestling。Formypart，Icoulddonomorethanholdmytongueandlookathim。
Withoutanotherwordwerosetothelevelofthemoorsandmires；neitherwouldMasterCarfaxspeak，asIledhimacrossthebarrows。Inthishewaswelcometohisownway，forIdolovesilence；solittleharmcancomeofit。AndthoughGwennywasnobeauty，herfathermightbefondofher。
SoIputhiminthecow-housenottofrightenthelittlemaid，andthefoldingshuttersoverhim，suchasweusedatthebeestings；andhelistenedtomyvoiceoutside，andheldon，andpreservedhimself。Fornowhewouldhavescoopedtheearth，ascattledoatyearning-time，andasmeeklyandaspatiently，tohavehischildrestoredtohim。Nottomakelongtaleofit——forthisthingisbeyondme，throughwantoftrueexperience——IwentandfetchedhisGwennyforthfromthebackkitchen，whereshewasfighting，asusual，withourBetty。
’Comealong，youlittleVick，’Isaid，forsowecalledher；’Ihaveamessagetoyou，Gwenny，fromtheLordinheaven。’
’Don’t’eetalkaboutHe，’sheanswered；’Herhavelongforgattenme。’
’ThatHehasneverdone，youstupid。Come，andseewhoisinthecowhouse。’
Gwennyknew；sheknewinamoment。Lookingintomyeyes，sheknew；andhangingbackfrommetosigh，sheknewitevenbetter。
Shehadnotmucheleganceofemotion，beingflatandsquareallover；butnonethelessforthatherheartcamequick，andherwordscameslowly。
’Oh，Jan，youaretoogoodtocheatme。Isitjokeyouareputtinguponme？’
Iansweredherwithagazealone；andshetuckedupherclothesandfollowedmebecausetheroadwasdirty。
ThenIopenedthedoorjustwideenoughforthechildtotogoherfather，andleftthosetwotohaveitout，asmightbemostnatural。Andtheytookalongtimeaboutit。
MeanwhileIneedsmustgoandtellmyLornaallthematter；andherjoywasalmostasgreatasifsheherselfhadfoundafather。Andthewonderofthewholewasthis，thatIgotallthecredit；ofwhichnotathousandthpartbelongedbyrightandreasontome。
Yetsoitalmostalwaysis。IfIworkforgooddesert，andslave，andlieawakeatnight，andspendmyunbornlifeindreams，notablink，norwink，norinklingofmylabourevertells。Itwouldhavebeenbettertoleaveunburned，andtokeepundevoured，thefuelandthefoodoflife。ButifIhavelabourednot，onlyactedbysomeimpulse，whim，caprice，oranything；orevenactingnotatall，onlylettingthingsfloatby；
pileduponmecommendations，bravoes，andapplauses，almostworkmeuptotemptonceagainthoughsickofittheillluckofdeserving。
Withoutintendinganyharm，andmeaningonlygoodindeed，IhadnowdoneseriouswrongtoUncleReuben’sprospects。ForCaptainCarfaxwasfullasangryatthetrickplayedonhimashewashappyindiscoveringthefalsehoodandthefraudofit。NorcouldIhelpagreeingwithhim，whenhetoldmeallofit，aswithtearsinhiseyeshedid，andreadytobemyslavehenceforth；Icouldnotforbearfromowningthatitwasalowandheartlesstrick，unworthyofmenwhohadfamilies；andtherecoilwhereofwaswelldeserved，whateveritmightendin。
Forwhenthispoormanlefthisdaughter，asleepashesupposed，andhavinghisfood，andchangeofclothes，andSundayhattoseeto，hemeanttoreturninanhourorso，andsettleabouthersustenanceinsomehouseoftheneighbourhood。Butthiswastheverythingofallthingswhichtheleadersoftheenterprise，whohadbroughthimupfromCornwall，forhisnotedskillinmetals，weredetermined，whetherbyfairmeansorfoul，tostopattheveryoutset。Secrecybeingtheirmainobject，whatchancecouldtherebeofit，iftheminerswereallowedtokeeptheirchildrenintheneighbourhood？Hence，onthepleaoffeastingSimon，theykepthimdrunkforthreedaysandthreenights，assuringhimwheneverhehadgleamsenoughtoaskforherthathisdaughterwasaswellascouldbe，andenjoyingherselfwiththechildren。Notwishingthemaidtoseehimtipsy，hepressedthematternofurther；butappliedhimselftothebottleagain，anddrankherhealthwithpleasure。
However，afterthreedaysofthis，hisconstitutionroseagainstit，andhebecamequitesober；withacertainlownessofheartmoreover，andasenseoferror。Andhisfirstdesiretorighthimself，andeasiestwaytodoit，wasbyexertingparentalauthorityuponGwenny。Possessedwiththisintentionforhewasnotasweettemperedman，andhisheadwasachingsadlyhesoughtforGwennyhighandlow；firstwiththreats，andthenwithfears，andthenwithtearsandwailing。Andsohebecametotheothermenawarningandagreatannoyance。Thereforetheycombinedtoswearwhatseemedaverylikelything，andmightbetrueforalltheyknew，towit，thatGwennyhadcometoseekforherfatherdowntheshaft-hole，andpeeringtooeagerlyintothedark，hadtoppledforward，andgonedown，andlainatthebottomasdeadasastone。
’Andthoubeingsohappywithdrink，’thevillainsfinisheduptohim，’andgettingdrunkereveryday，wethoughtitshametotroublethee；andweburiedthewenchinthelowerdrift；andnousetothinkmoreofher；butcomeandhaveaglass，Sim。’
ButSimonCarfaxsworethatdrinkhadlosthimhiswife，andnowhadlosthimthelastofhisfivechildren，andwouldlosehimhisownsoul，iffurtherhewentonwithit；andfromthatdaytohisdeathhenevertouchedstrongdrinkagain。Noronlythis；butbeingsoonappointedcaptainofthemine，heallowednomanonanypretexttobringcordialsthither；andtothisandhissternhardruleandstealthysecretmanagementasmuchastogoodluckandplacemightitbeattributedthatscarcelyanybutthemselveshaddreamedaboutthisExmoormine。
Asforme，Ihadnoambitiontobecomeaminer；andthestatetowhichgold-seekinghadbroughtpoorUncleBenwasnotatallencouraging。Mybusinesswastotilltheground，andtendthegrowththatcameofit，andstorethefruitinHeaven’sgoodtime，ratherthantoscoopandburrowlikeaweaseloraratfortheyellowrootofevil。Moreover，Iwasledfromhome，betweenthehayandcornharvestswhenweoftenhaveaweektospare，byacalltherewasnoresisting；unlessIgaveupallregardforwrestling，andformycounty。
Nowheremanypersonsmaytakemeamiss，andtherealwayshasbeensomeconfusion；whichpeoplewhooughttohaveknownbetterhavewroughtintosubjectofquarrelling。Bybirthitistrue，andcannotbedenied，thatIamamanofSomerset；neverthelessbybreedIam，aswellasbyeducation，asonofDevonalso。AndjustasbothofourtwocountiesvowedthatGlenDoonewasnoneoftheirs，butbelongedtotheotherone；sonow，eachwithhotclaimandjanglingleadingeventoblowssometimes，assertedandwouldsweartoitasIbecamemorefamousthatJohnRiddwasofitsownproducing，bredofitsowntrueblood，andbaselystolenbytheother。
NowIhavenotjudgeditinanywayneedfulorevenbecominganddelicate，toenterintomywrestlingadventures，ordescribemyprogress。ThewholethingissodifferentfromLorna，andhergentlemanners，andherstyleofwalking；moreoverImustseemeventokindpeopletomagnifymyselfsomuch，oratleastattempttodoit，thatIhavescratchedoutwrittenpages，throughmybettertasteandsense。
NeitherwillI，uponthishead，makeanydifferenceevennow；beingsimplybetrayedintomentioningthematterbecausebaretruthrequiresit，inthetaleofLorna’sfortunes。
ForamightygianthadariseninapartofCornwall：
andhiscalfwastwenty-fiveinchesround，andthebreadthofhisshoulderstwofeetandaquarter；andhisstaturesevenfeetandthree-quarters。Roundthechesthewasseventyinches，andhishandafootacross，andtherewerenoscalesstrongenoughtojudgeofhisweightinthemarket-place。Nowthisman——orI
shouldsay，hisbackersandhisboasters，forthegianthimselfwasmodest——sentmeabraveandhaughtychallenge，tomeethimintheringatBodmin-town，onthefirstdayofAugust，orelsetoreturnmychampion’sbelttothembythemessenger。
ItisnousetodenybutthatIwasgreatlydashedandscaredatfirst。Formypart，Iwasonly，whenmeasuredwithoutclotheson，sixtyinchesroundthebreast，androundthecalfscarcetwenty-one，onlytwofeetacrosstheshoulders，andinheightnotsixandthree-quarters。However，mymotherwouldneverbelievethatthismancouldbeatme；andLornabeingofthesamemind，Iresolvedtogoandtryhim，astheywouldpayallexpensesandahundredpounds，ifIconqueredhim；soconfidentwerethoseCornishmen。
Nowthisstoryistoowellknownformetogothroughitagainandagain。EverychildinDevonshireknows，andhisgrandsonwillknow，thesongwhichsomeclevermanmadeofit，afterIhadtreatedhimtowater，andtolemon，andalittlesugar，andadropofeau-de-vie。
EnoughthatIhadfoundthegiantquiteasbigastheyhaddescribedhim，andenoughtoterrifyanyone。Buttrustinginmypracticeandstudyoftheart，I
resolvedtotryabackwithhim；andwhenmyarmswereroundhimonce，thegiantwasbutafarthingaleputintotheviceofablacksmith。Themanhadnobones；
hisframesankin，andIwasafraidofcrushinghim。
Helayonhisback，andsmiledatme；andIbeggedhispardon。
Nowthisaffairmadeanoiseatthetime，andredoundedsomuchtomycredit，thatIwasdeeplygrievedatit，becausedeservingnone。ForIdolikeagoodstrifeandstruggle；andthedoubtmakesthejoyofvictory；
whereasinthiscase，Imightaswellhavebeensentforamatchwithahay-mow。However，Igotmyhundredpounds，andmadeupmymindtospendeveryfarthinginpresentsformotherandLorna。
ForAnniewasmarriedbythistime，andlongbeforeI
wentaway；asneedscarcelybesaid，perhaps；ifanyonefollowstheweeksandthemonths。Theweddingwasquietenough，exceptforeverybody’sgoodwishes；andI
desirenottodwelluponit，becauseitgrievedmeinmanyways。
ButnowthatIhadtriedtohopetheverybestfordearAnnie，adeeperblowthancouldhavecome，eventhroughher，awaitedme。ForafterthatvisittoCornwall，andwithmyprize-moneyaboutme，IcameonfootfromOkehamptontoOare，soastosavealittlesumtowardsmytimeofmarrying。ForLorna’sfortuneIwouldnothave；smallorgreatIwouldnothaveit；onlyiftherewerenodenyingwewoulddevotethewholeofittocharitableuses，asMasterPeterBlundellhaddone；andperhapsthefutureageswouldendeavourtobegrateful。
LornaandIhadsettledthisquestionatleasttwiceaday，ontheaverage；andeachtimewithmoresatisfaction。
Nowcomingintothekitchenwithallmycashinmybreechespocketgoldenguineas，withanelephantonthem，forthestampoftheGuineaCompany，Ifounddearmothermostheartilygladtoseemesafeandsoundagain——forshehaddreadedthatgiant，anddreamedofhim——andsheneveraskedmeaboutthemoney。Lizziealsowassofter，andmoregraciousthanusual；
especiallywhenshesawmepourguineas，likepeppercorns，intothepudding-basin。Butbythewaytheyhungabout，Iknewthatsomethingwasgonewrong。
’WhereisLorna？’Iaskedatlength，aftertryingnottoaskit；’Iwanthertocome，andseemymoney。Sheneversawsomuchbefore。’
’Alas!’saidmotherwithaheavysigh；’shewillseeagreatdealmore，Ifear；andadealmorethanisgoodforher。Whetheryoueverseeheragainwilldependuponhernature，John。’
’Whatdoyoumean，mother？Haveyouquarrelled？WhydoesnotLornacometome？AmInevertoknow？’
’Now，John，benotsoimpatient，’mymotherreplied，quitecalmly，forintruthshewasjealousofLorna，’youcouldwaitnow，verywell，John，ifitweretillthisdayweek，forthecomingofyourmother，John。
Andyetyourmotherisyourbestfriend。Whocaneverfillherplace？’
Thinkingofherfutureabsence，motherturnedawayandcried；andthebox-ironsingedtheblanket。
’Now，’saidI，beingwildbythistime；’Lizzie，youhavealittlesense；willyoutellmewhereisLorna？’
’TheLadyLornaDugal，’saidLizzie，screwingupherlipsasifthetitleweretoogrand，’isgonetoLondon，brotherJohn；andnotlikelytocomebackagain。Wemusttrytogetonwithouther。’
’Youlittle——[something]’Icried，whichIdarenotwritedownhere，asallyouaretoogoodforsuchlanguage；butLizzie’slipprovokedmeso——’myLornagone，myLornagone!Andwithoutgood-byetomeeven!
Itisyourspitehassickenedher。’
’Youarequitemistakenthere，’shereplied；’howcanfolkoflowdegreehaveeitherspiteorlikingtowardsthepeoplesofarabovethem？TheLadyLornaDugalisgone，becauseshecouldnothelpherself；andsheweptenoughtobreaktenhearts——ifheartsareeverbroken，John。’
’DarlingLizzie，howgoodyouare!’Icried，withoutnoticinghersneer；’tellmeallaboutit，dear；tellmeeverywordshesaid。’
’Thatwillnottakelong，’saidLizzie，quiteasunmovedbysoftcoaxingasbyurgentcursing；’theladyspokeverylittletoanyone，exceptindeedtomother，andtoGwennyCarfax；andGwennyisgonewithher，sothatthebenefitofthatislost。Butsheleftaletterfor“poorJohn，“asincharityshecalledhim。
Howgrandshelooked，tobesure，withthefineclothesonthatwerecomeforher!’
’Whereistheletter，youuttervixen!Oh，mayyouhaveahusband!’