\"Thesechildrenwillbethedeathofmeatlast!\"saidMrs。
Tetterby，afterbanishingtheculprit。\"Andthesoonerthebetter，Ithink。\"
\"Poorpeople，\"saidMr。Tetterby，\"oughtnottohavechildrenatall。TheygiveUSnopleasure。\"
HewasatthatmomenttakingupthecupwhichMrs。Tetterbyhadrudelypushedtowardshim，andMrs。Tetterbywasliftingherowncuptoherlips，whentheybothstopped，asiftheyweretransfixed。
\"Here!Mother!Father!\"criedJohnny，runningintotheroom。
\"Here’sMrs。Williamcomingdownthestreet!\"
Andifever，sincetheworldbegan，ayoungboytookababyfromacradlewiththecareofanoldnurse，andhushedandsoothedittenderly，andtotteredawaywithitcheerfully，Johnnywasthatboy，andMolochwasthatbaby，astheywentouttogether!
Mr。Tetterbyputdownhiscup；Mrs。Tetterbyputdownhercup。Mr。
Tetterbyrubbedhisforehead；Mrs。Tetterbyrubbedhers。Mr。
Tetterby’sfacebegantosmoothandbrighten；Mrs。Tetterby’sbegantosmoothandbrighten。
\"Why，Lordforgiveme，\"saidMr。Tetterbytohimself，\"whateviltempershaveIbeengivingwayto？Whathasbeenthematterhere!\"
\"HowcouldIevertreathimillagain，afterallIsaidandfeltlastnight!\"sobbedMrs。Tetterby，withheraprontohereyes。
\"AmIabrute，\"saidMr。Tetterby，\"oristhereanygoodinmeatall？Sophia!Mylittlewoman!\"
\"’Dolphusdear，\"returnedhiswife。
\"I—I’vebeeninastateofmind，\"saidMr。Tetterby，\"thatI
can’tabeartothinkof，Sophy。\"
\"Oh!It’snothingtowhatI’vebeenin，Dolf，\"criedhiswifeinagreatburstofgrief。
\"MySophia，\"saidMr。Tetterby，\"don’ttakeon。Inevershallforgivemyself。Imusthavenearlybrokeyourheart，Iknow。\"
\"No，Dolf，no。Itwasme!Me!\"criedMrs。Tetterby。
\"Mylittlewoman，\"saidherhusband，\"don’t。Youmakemereproachmyselfdreadful，whenyoushowsuchanoblespirit。Sophia，mydear，youdon’tknowwhatIthought。Ishoweditbadenough，nodoubt；butwhatIthought，mylittlewoman!—\"
\"Oh，dearDolf，don’t!Don’t!\"criedhiswife。
\"Sophia，\"saidMr。Tetterby，\"Imustrevealit。Icouldn’trestinmyconscienceunlessImentionedit。Mylittlewoman—\"
\"Mrs。William’sverynearlyhere!\"screamedJohnnyatthedoor。
\"Mylittlewoman，Iwonderedhow，\"gaspedMr。Tetterby，supportinghimselfbyhischair，\"IwonderedhowIhadeveradmiredyou—I
forgotthepreciouschildrenyouhavebroughtaboutme，andthoughtyoudidn’tlookasslimasIcouldwish。I—Inevergavearecollection，\"saidMr。Tetterby，withsevereself—accusation，\"tothecaresyou’vehadasmywife，andalongofmeandmine，whenyoumighthavehadhardlyanywithanotherman，whogotonbetterandwasluckierthanme（anybodymighthavefoundsuchamaneasilyI
amsure）；andIquarrelledwithyouforhavingagedalittleintheroughyearsyouhavelightenedforme。Canyoubelieveit，mylittlewoman？Ihardlycanmyself。\"
Mrs。Tetterby，inawhirlwindoflaughingandcrying，caughthisfacewithinherhands，andhelditthere。
\"Oh，Dolf!\"shecried。\"Iamsohappythatyouthoughtso；Iamsogratefulthatyouthoughtso!ForIthoughtthatyouwerecommon—
looking，Dolf；andsoyouare，mydear，andmayyoubethecommonestofallsightsinmyeyes，tillyouclosethemwithyourowngoodhands。Ithoughtthatyouweresmall；andsoyouare，andI’llmakemuchofyoubecauseyouare，andmoreofyoubecauseI
lovemyhusband。Ithoughtthatyoubegantostoop；andsoyoudo，andyoushallleanonme，andI’lldoallIcantokeepyouup。I
thoughttherewasnoairaboutyou；butthereis，andit’stheairofhome，andthat’sthepurestandthebestthereis，andGodblesshomeoncemore，andallbelongingtoit，Dolf!\"
\"Hurrah!Here’sMrs。William!\"criedJohnny。
Soshewas，andallthechildrenwithher；andsoshecamein，theykissedher，andkissedoneanother，andkissedthebaby，andkissedtheirfatherandmother，andthenranbackandflockedanddancedabouther，troopingonwithherintriumph。
Mr。andMrs。Tetterbywerenotabitbehind—handinthewarmthoftheirreception。Theywereasmuchattractedtoherasthechildrenwere；theyrantowardsher，kissedherhands，pressedroundher，couldnotreceiveherardentlyorenthusiasticallyenough。Shecameamongthemlikethespiritofallgoodness，affection，gentleconsideration，love，anddomesticity。
\"What!areYOUallsogladtoseeme，too，thisbrightChristmasmorning？\"saidMilly，clappingherhandsinapleasantwonder。\"Ohdear，howdelightfulthisis!\"
Moreshoutingfromthechildren，morekissing，moretroopingroundher，morehappiness，morelove，morejoy，morehonour，onallsides，thanshecouldbear。
\"Ohdear!\"saidMilly，\"whatdelicioustearsyoumakemeshed。HowcanIeverhavedeservedthis!WhathaveIdonetobesoloved？\"
\"Whocanhelpit!\"criedMr。Tetterby。
\"Whocanhelpit!\"criedMrs。Tetterby。
\"Whocanhelpit!\"echoedthechildren，inajoyfulchorus。Andtheydancedandtroopedaboutheragain，andclungtoher，andlaidtheirrosyfacesagainstherdress，andkissedandfondledit，andcouldnotfondleit，orher，enough。
\"Ineverwassomoved，\"saidMilly，dryinghereyes，\"asIhavebeenthismorning。Imusttellyou，assoonasIcanspeak。—Mr。
Redlawcametomeatsunrise，andwithatendernessinhismanner，moreasifIhadbeenhisdarlingdaughterthanmyself，imploredmetogowithhimtowhereWilliam’sbrotherGeorgeislyingill。Wewenttogether，andallthewayalonghewassokind，andsosubdued，andseemedtoputsuchtrustandhopeinme，thatIcouldnothelptryingwithpleasure。Whenwegottothehouse，wemetawomanatthedoor（somebodyhadbruisedandhurther，Iamafraid），whocaughtmebythehand，andblessedmeasIpassed。\"
\"Shewasright!\"saidMr。Tetterby。Mrs。Tetterbysaidshewasright。Allthechildrencriedoutthatshewasright。
\"Ah，butthere’smorethanthat，\"saidMilly。\"Whenwegotupstairs，intotheroom，thesickmanwhohadlainforhoursinastatefromwhichnoeffortcouldrousehim，roseupinhisbed，and，burstingintotears，stretchedouthisarmstome，andsaidthathehadledamis—spentlife，butthathewastrulyrepentantnow，inhissorrowforthepast，whichwasallasplaintohimasagreatprospect，fromwhichadenseblackcloudhadclearedaway，andthatheentreatedmetoaskhispooroldfatherforhispardonandhisblessing，andtosayaprayerbesidehisbed。AndwhenI
didso，Mr。Redlawjoinedinitsofervently，andthensothankedandthankedme，andthankedHeaven，thatmyheartquiteoverflowed，andIcouldhavedonenothingbutsobandcry，ifthesickmanhadnotbeggedmetositdownbyhim，—whichmademequietofcourse。
AsIsatthere，heheldmyhandinhisuntilhesankinadoze；andeventhen，whenIwithdrewmyhandtoleavehimtocomehere（whichMr。Redlawwasveryearnestindeedinwishingmetodo），hishandfeltformine，sothatsomeoneelsewasobligedtotakemyplaceandmakebelievetogivehimmyhandback。Ohdear，ohdear，\"saidMilly，sobbing。\"HowthankfulandhowhappyIshouldfeel，anddofeel，forallthis!\"
Whileshewasspeaking，Redlawhadcomein，and，afterpausingforamomenttoobservethegroupofwhichshewasthecentre，hadsilentlyascendedthestairs。Uponthosestairshenowappearedagain；remainingthere，whiletheyoungstudentpassedhim，andcamerunningdown。
\"Kindnurse，gentlest，bestofcreatures，\"hesaid，fallingonhiskneetoher，andcatchingatherhand，\"forgivemycruelingratitude!\"
\"Ohdear，ohdear!\"criedMillyinnocently，\"here’sanotherofthem!Ohdear，here’ssomebodyelsewholikesme。WhatshallI
everdo!\"
Theguileless，simplewayinwhichshesaidit，andinwhichsheputherhandsbeforehereyesandweptforveryhappiness，wasastouchingasitwasdelightful。
\"Iwasnotmyself，\"hesaid。\"Idon’tknowwhatitwas—itwassomeconsequenceofmydisorderperhaps—Iwasmad。ButIamsonolonger。AlmostasIspeak，Iamrestored。Iheardthechildrencryingoutyourname，andtheshadepassedfrommeattheverysoundofit。Oh，don’tweep!DearMilly，ifyoucouldreadmyheart，andonlyknewwithwhataffectionandwhatgratefulhomageitisglowing，youwouldnotletmeseeyouweep。Itissuchdeepreproach。\"
\"No，no，\"saidMilly，\"it’snotthat。It’snotindeed。It’sjoy。
It’swonderthatyoushouldthinkitnecessarytoaskmetoforgivesolittle，andyetit’spleasurethatyoudo。\"
\"Andwillyoucomeagain？andwillyoufinishthelittlecurtain？\"
\"No，\"saidMilly，dryinghereyes，andshakingherhead。\"Youwon’tcareformyneedleworknow。\"
\"Isitforgivingme，tosaythat？\"
Shebeckonedhimaside，andwhisperedinhisear。
\"Thereisnewsfromyourhome，Mr。Edmund。\"
\"News？How？\"
\"Eitheryournotwritingwhenyouwereveryill，orthechangeinyourhandwritingwhenyoubegantobebetter，createdsomesuspicionofthetruth；howeverthatis—butyou’resureyou’llnotbetheworseforanynews，ifit’snotbadnews？\"
\"Sure。\"
\"Thenthere’ssomeonecome!\"saidMilly。
\"Mymother？\"askedthestudent，glancingroundinvoluntarilytowardsRedlaw，whohadcomedownfromthestairs。
\"Hush!No，\"saidMilly。
\"Itcanbenooneelse。\"
\"Indeed？\"saidMilly，\"areyousure？\"
\"Itisnot—\"Beforehecouldsaymore，sheputherhanduponhismouth。
\"Yesitis!\"saidMilly。\"Theyounglady（sheisveryliketheminiature，Mr。Edmund，butsheisprettier）wastoounhappytorestwithoutsatisfyingherdoubts，andcameup，lastnight，withalittleservant—maid。Asyoualwaysdatedyourlettersfromthecollege，shecamethere；andbeforeIsawMr。Redlawthismorning，Isawher。SHElikesmetoo!\"saidMilly。\"Ohdear，that’sanother!\"
\"Thismorning!Whereisshenow？\"
\"Why，sheisnow，\"saidMilly，advancingherlipstohisear，\"inmylittleparlourintheLodge，andwaitingtoseeyou。\"
Hepressedherhand，andwasdartingoff，butshedetainedhim。
\"Mr。Redlawismuchaltered，andhastoldmethismorningthathismemoryisimpaired。Beveryconsideratetohim，Mr。Edmund；heneedsthatfromusall。\"
Theyoungmanassuredher，byalook，thathercautionwasnotill—
bestowed；andashepassedtheChemistonhiswayout，bentrespectfullyandwithanobviousinterestbeforehim。
Redlawreturnedthesalutationcourteouslyandevenhumbly，andlookedafterhimashepassedon。Hedroppedhisheaduponhishandtoo，astryingtoreawakensomethinghehadlost。Butitwasgone。
Theabidingchangethathadcomeuponhimsincetheinfluenceofthemusic，andthePhantom’sreappearance，was，thatnowhetrulyfelthowmuchhehadlost，andcouldcompassionatehisowncondition，andcontrastit，clearly，withthenaturalstateofthosewhowerearoundhim。Inthis，aninterestinthosewhowerearoundhimwasrevived，andameek，submissivesenseofhiscalamitywasbred，resemblingthatwhichsometimesobtainsinage，whenitsmentalpowersareweakened，withoutinsensibilityorsullennessbeingaddedtothelistofitsinfirmities。
Hewasconsciousthat，asheredeemed，throughMilly，moreandmoreoftheevilhehaddone，andashewasmoreandmorewithher，thischangeripeneditselfwithinhim。Therefore，andbecauseoftheattachmentsheinspiredhimwith（butwithoutotherhope），hefeltthathewasquitedependentonher，andthatshewashisstaffinhisaffliction。
So，whensheaskedhimwhethertheyshouldgohomenow，towheretheoldmanandherhusbandwere，andhereadilyreplied\"yes\"—
beinganxiousinthatregard—heputhisarmthroughhers，andwalkedbesideher；notasifhewerethewiseandlearnedmantowhomthewondersofNaturewereanopenbook，andhersweretheuninstructedmind，butasiftheirtwopositionswerereversed，andheknewnothing，andsheall。
Hesawthechildrenthrongabouther，andcaressher，asheandshewentawaytogetherthus，outofthehouse；heheardtheringingoftheirlaughter，andtheirmerryvoices；hesawtheirbrightfaces，clusteringaroundhimlikeflowers；hewitnessedtherenewedcontentmentandaffectionoftheirparents；hebreathedthesimpleairoftheirpoorhome，restoredtoitstranquillity；hethoughtoftheunwholesomeblighthehadsheduponit，andmight，butforher，havebeendiffusingthen；andperhapsitisnowonderthathewalkedsubmissivelybesideher，anddrewhergentlebosomnearertohisown。
WhentheyarrivedattheLodge，theoldmanwassittinginhischairinthechimney—corner，withhiseyesfixedontheground，andhissonwasleaningagainsttheoppositesideofthefire—place，lookingathim。Asshecameinatthedoor，bothstarted，andturnedroundtowardsher，andaradiantchangecameupontheirfaces。
\"Ohdear，dear，dear，theyareallpleasedtoseemeliketherest!\"criedMilly，clappingherhandsinanecstasy，andstoppingshort。\"Herearetwomore!\"
Pleasedtoseeher!Pleasurewasnowordforit。Sheranintoherhusband’sarms，thrownwideopentoreceiveher，andhewouldhavebeengladtohaveherthere，withherheadlyingonhisshoulder，throughtheshortwinter’sday。Buttheoldmancouldn’tspareher。Hehadarmsforhertoo，andhelockedherinthem。
\"Why，wherehasmyquietMousebeenallthistime？\"saidtheoldman。\"Shehasbeenalongwhileaway。Ifindthatit’simpossibleformetogetonwithoutMouse。I—where’smysonWilliam？—I
fancyIhavebeendreaming，William。\"
\"That’swhatIsaymyself，father，\"returnedhisson。\"Ihavebeeninanuglysortofdream，Ithink。—Howareyou，father？Areyouprettywell？\"
\"Strongandbrave，myboy，\"returnedtheoldman。
ItwasquiteasighttoseeMr。Williamshakinghandswithhisfather，andpattinghimontheback，andrubbinghimgentlydownwithhishand，asifhecouldnotpossiblydoenoughtoshowaninterestinhim。
\"Whatawonderfulmanyouare，father!—Howareyou，father？Areyoureallyprettyhearty，though？\"saidWilliam，shakinghandswithhimagain，andpattinghimagain，andrubbinghimgentlydownagain。
\"Ineverwasfresherorstouterinmylife，myboy。\"
\"Whatawonderfulmanyouare，father!Butthat’sexactlywhereitis，\"saidMr。William，withenthusiasm。\"WhenIthinkofallthatmyfather’sgonethrough，andallthechancesandchanges，andsorrowsandtroubles，thathavehappenedtohiminthecourseofhislonglife，andunderwhichhisheadhasgrowngrey，andyearsuponyearshavegatheredonit，Ifeelasifwecouldn’tdoenoughtohonourtheoldgentleman，andmakehisoldageeasy。—Howareyou，father？Areyoureallyprettywell，though？\"
Mr。Williammightneverhaveleftoffrepeatingthisinquiry，andshakinghandswithhimagain，andpattinghimagain，andrubbinghimdownagain，iftheoldmanhadnotespiedtheChemist，whomuntilnowhehadnotseen。
\"Iaskyourpardon，Mr。Redlaw，\"saidPhilip，\"butdidn’tknowyouwerehere，sir，orshouldhavemadelessfree。Itremindsme，Mr。
Redlaw，seeingyouhereonaChristmasmorning，ofthetimewhenyouwasastudentyourself，andworkedsohardthatyouwerebackwardsandforwardsinourLibraryevenatChristmastime。Ha!
ha!I’moldenoughtorememberthat；andIrememberitrightwell，Ido，thoughIameight—seven。Itwasafteryouleftherethatmypoorwifedied。Youremembermypoorwife，Mr。Redlaw？\"
TheChemistansweredyes。
\"Yes，\"saidtheoldman。\"Shewasadearcreetur。—IrecollectyoucomehereoneChristmasmorningwithayounglady—Iaskyourpardon，Mr。Redlaw，butIthinkitwasasisteryouwasverymuchattachedto？\"
TheChemistlookedathim，andshookhishead。\"Ihadasister，\"
hesaidvacantly。Heknewnomore。
\"OneChristmasmorning，\"pursuedtheoldman，\"thatyoucomeherewithher—anditbegantosnow，andmywifeinvitedtheladytowalkin，andsitbythefirethatisalwaysaburningonChristmasDayinwhatusedtobe，beforeourtenpoorgentlemencommuted，ourgreatDinnerHall。Iwasthere；andIrecollect，asIwasstirringuptheblazefortheyoungladytowarmherprettyfeetby，shereadthescrolloutloud，thatisunderneaththatpictur，’Lord，keepmymemorygreen!’Sheandmypoorwifefellatalkingaboutit；andit’sastrangethingtothinkof，now，thattheybothsaid（bothbeingsounliketodie）thatitwasagoodprayer，andthatitwasonetheywouldputupveryearnestly，iftheywerecalledawayyoung，withreferencetothosewhoweredearesttothem。’Mybrother，’saystheyounglady—’Myhusband，’saysmypoorwife。—
’Lord，keephismemoryofme，green，anddonotletmebeforgotten!’\"
Tearsmorepainful，andmorebitterthanhehadevershedinallhislife，courseddownRedlaw’sface。Philip，fullyoccupiedinrecallinghisstory，hadnotobservedhimuntilnow，norMilly’sanxietythatheshouldnotproceed。
\"Philip!\"saidRedlaw，layinghishanduponhisarm，\"Iamastrickenman，onwhomthehandofProvidencehasfallenheavily，althoughdeservedly。Youspeaktome，myfriend，ofwhatIcannotfollow；mymemoryisgone。\"
\"Mercifulpower!\"criedtheoldman。
\"Ihavelostmymemoryofsorrow，wrong，andtrouble，\"saidtheChemist，\"andwiththatIhavelostallmanwouldremember!\"
ToseeoldPhilip’spityforhim，toseehimwheelhisowngreatchairforhimtorestin，andlookdownuponhimwithasolemnsenseofhisbereavement，wastoknow，insomedegree，howprecioustooldagesuchrecollectionsare。
Theboycamerunningin，andrantoMilly。
\"Here’stheman，\"hesaid，\"intheotherroom。Idon’twantHIM。\"
\"Whatmandoeshemean？\"askedMr。William。
\"Hush!\"saidMilly。
Obedienttoasignfromher，heandhisoldfathersoftlywithdrew。
Astheywentout，unnoticed，Redlawbeckonedtotheboytocometohim。
\"Ilikethewomanbest，\"heanswered，holdingtoherskirts。
\"Youareright，\"saidRedlaw，withafaintsmile。\"Butyouneedn’tfeartocometome。IamgentlerthanIwas。Ofalltheworld，toyou，poorchild!\"
Theboystillheldbackatfirst，butyieldinglittlebylittletoherurging，heconsentedtoapproach，andeventositdownathisfeet。AsRedlawlaidhishandupontheshoulderofthechild，lookingonhimwithcompassionandafellow—feeling，heputouthisotherhandtoMilly。Shestoopeddownonthatsideofhim，sothatshecouldlookintohisface，andaftersilence，said：
\"Mr。Redlaw，mayIspeaktoyou？\"
\"Yes，\"heanswered，fixinghiseyesuponher。\"Yourvoiceandmusicarethesametome。\"
\"MayIaskyousomething？\"
\"Whatyouwill。\"
\"DoyourememberwhatIsaid，whenIknockedatyourdoorlastnight？Aboutonewhowasyourfriendonce，andwhostoodonthevergeofdestruction？\"
\"Yes。Iremember，\"hesaid，withsomehesitation。
\"Doyouunderstandit？\"
Hesmoothedtheboy’shair—lookingatherfixedlythewhile，andshookhishead。
\"Thisperson，\"saidMilly，inherclear，softvoice，whichhermildeyes，lookingathim，madeclearerandsofter，\"Ifoundsoonafterwards。Iwentbacktothehouse，and，withHeaven’shelp，tracedhim。Iwasnottoosoon。AverylittleandIshouldhavebeentoolate。\"
Hetookhishandfromtheboy，andlayingitonthebackofthathandofhers，whosetimidandyetearnesttouchaddressedhimnolessappealinglythanhervoiceandeyes，lookedmoreintentlyonher。
\"HeISthefatherofMr。Edmund，theyounggentlemanwesawjustnow。HisrealnameisLongford。—Yourecollectthename？\"
\"Irecollectthename。\"
\"Andtheman？\"
\"No，nottheman。Didheeverwrongme？\"
\"Yes!\"
\"Ah!Thenit’shopeless—hopeless。\"
Heshookhishead，andsoftlybeatuponthehandheheld，asthoughmutelyaskinghercommiseration。
\"IdidnotgotoMr。Edmundlastnight，\"saidMilly，—\"Youwilllistentomejustthesameasifyoudidrememberall？\"
\"Toeverysyllableyousay。\"
\"Both，becauseIdidnotknow，then，thatthisreallywashisfather，andbecauseIwasfearfuloftheeffectofsuchintelligenceuponhim，afterhisillness，ifitshouldbe。SinceI
haveknownwhothispersonis，Ihavenotgoneeither；butthatisforanotherreason。Hehaslongbeenseparatedfromhiswifeandson—hasbeenastrangertohishomealmostfromthisson’sinfancy，Ilearnfromhim—andhasabandonedanddesertedwhatheshouldhaveheldmostdear。Inallthattimehehasbeenfallingfromthestateofagentleman，moreandmore，until—\"sheroseup，hastily，andgoingoutforamoment，returned，accompaniedbythewreckthatRedlawhadbeheldlastnight。
\"Doyouknowme？\"askedtheChemist。
\"Ishouldbeglad，\"returnedtheother，\"andthatisanunwontedwordformetouse，ifIcouldanswerno。\"
TheChemistlookedattheman，standinginself—abasementanddegradationbeforehim，andwouldhavelookedlonger，inanineffectualstruggleforenlightenment，butthatMillyresumedherlatepositionbyhisside，andattractedhisattentivegazetoherownface。
\"Seehowlowheissunk，howlostheis!\"shewhispered，stretchingoutherarmtowardshim，withoutlookingfromtheChemist’sface。
\"Ifyoucouldrememberallthatisconnectedwithhim，doyounotthinkitwouldmoveyourpitytoreflectthatoneyoueverloved（donotletusmindhowlongago，orinwhatbeliefthathehasforfeited），shouldcometothis？\"
\"Ihopeitwould，\"heanswered。\"Ibelieveitwould。\"
Hiseyeswanderedtothefigurestandingnearthedoor，butcamebackspeedilytoher，onwhomhegazedintently，asifhestrovetolearnsomelessonfromeverytoneofhervoice，andeverybeamofhereyes。
\"Ihavenolearning，andyouhavemuch，\"saidMilly；\"Iamnotusedtothink，andyouarealwaysthinking。MayItellyouwhyitseemstomeagoodthingforus，torememberwrongthathasbeendoneus？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Thatwemayforgiveit。\"
\"Pardonme，greatHeaven!\"saidRedlaw，liftinguphiseyes，\"forhavingthrownawaythineownhighattribute!\"
\"Andif，\"saidMilly，\"ifyourmemoryshouldonedayberestored，aswewillhopeandprayitmaybe，woulditnotbeablessingtoyoutorecallatonceawronganditsforgiveness？\"
Helookedatthefigurebythedoor，andfastenedhisattentiveeyesonheragain；arayofclearerlightappearedtohimtoshineintohismind，fromherbrightface。
\"Hecannotgotohisabandonedhome。Hedoesnotseektogothere。
Heknowsthathecouldonlycarryshameandtroubletothosehehassocruellyneglected；andthatthebestreparationhecanmakethemnow，istoavoidthem。Averylittlemoneycarefullybestowed，wouldremovehimtosomedistantplace，wherehemightliveanddonowrong，andmakesuchatonementasisleftwithinhispowerforthewronghehasdone。Totheunfortunateladywhoishiswife，andtohisson，thiswouldbethebestandkindestboonthattheirbestfriendcouldgivethem—onetoothattheyneedneverknowof；
andtohim，shatteredinreputation，mind，andbody，itmightbesalvation。\"
Hetookherheadbetweenherhands，andkissedit，andsaid：\"Itshallbedone。Itrusttoyoutodoitforme，nowandsecretly；
andtotellhimthatIwouldforgivehim，ifIweresohappyastoknowforwhat。\"
Assherose，andturnedherbeamingfacetowardsthefallenman，implyingthathermediationhadbeensuccessful，headvancedastep，andwithoutraisinghiseyes，addressedhimselftoRedlaw。
\"Youaresogenerous，\"hesaid，\"—youeverwere—thatyouwilltrytobanishyourrisingsenseofretributioninthespectaclethatisbeforeyou。Idonottrytobanishitfrommyself，Redlaw。
Ifyoucan，believeme。\"
TheChemistentreatedMilly，byagesture，tocomenearertohim；
and，ashelistenedlookedinherface，asiftofindinitthecluetowhatheheard。
\"Iamtoodecayedawretchtomakeprofessions；Irecollectmyowncareertoowell，toarrayanysuchbeforeyou。ButfromthedayonwhichImademyfirststepdownward，indealingfalselybyyou，I
havegonedownwithacertain，steady，doomedprogression。That，I
say。\"
Redlaw，keepinghercloseathisside，turnedhisfacetowardsthespeaker，andtherewassorrowinit。Somethinglikemournfulrecognitiontoo。
\"Imighthavebeenanotherman，mylifemighthavebeenanotherlife，ifIhadavoidedthatfirstfatalstep。Idon’tknowthatitwouldhavebeen。Iclaimnothingforthepossibility。Yoursisterisatrest，andbetterthanshecouldhavebeenwithme，ifIhadcontinuedevenwhatyouthoughtme：evenwhatIoncesupposedmyselftobe。\"
Redlawmadeahastymotionwithhishand，asifhewouldhaveputthatsubjectononeside。
\"Ispeak，\"theotherwenton，\"likeamantakenfromthegrave。I
shouldhavemademyowngrave，lastnight，haditnotbeenforthisblessedhand。\"
\"Ohdear，helikesmetoo!\"sobbedMilly，underherbreath。
\"That’sanother!\"
\"Icouldnothaveputmyselfinyourway，lastnight，evenforbread。But，to—day，myrecollectionofwhathasbeenissostronglystirred，andispresentedtome，Idon’tknowhow，sovividly，thatIhavedaredtocomeathersuggestion，andtotakeyourbounty，andtothankyouforit，andtobegyou，Redlaw，inyourdyinghour，tobeasmercifultomeinyourthoughts，asyouareinyourdeeds。\"
Heturnedtowardsthedoor，andstoppedamomentonhiswayforth。
\"Ihopemysonmayinterestyou，forhismother’ssake。Ihopehemaydeservetodoso。Unlessmylifeshouldbepreservedalongtime，andIshouldknowthatIhavenotmisusedyouraid，Ishallneverlookuponhimmore。\"
Goingout，heraisedhiseyestoRedlawforthefirsttime。
Redlaw，whosesteadfastgazewasfixeduponhim，dreamilyheldouthishand。Hereturnedandtouchedit—littlemore—withbothhisown；andbendingdownhishead，wentslowlyout。
Inthefewmomentsthatelapsed，whileMillysilentlytookhimtothegate，theChemistdroppedintohischair，andcoveredhisfacewithhishands。Seeinghimthus，whenshecameback，accompaniedbyherhusbandandhisfather（whowerebothgreatlyconcernedforhim），sheavoideddisturbinghim，orpermittinghimtobedisturbed；andkneeleddownnearthechairtoputsomewarmclothingontheboy。
\"That’sexactlywhereitis。That’swhatIalwayssay，father!\"
exclaimedheradmiringhusband。\"There’samotherlyfeelinginMrs。William’sbreastthatmustandwillhavewent!\"
\"Ay，ay，\"saidtheoldman；\"you’reright。MysonWilliam’sright!\"
\"Ithappensallforthebest，Millydear，nodoubt，\"saidMr。
William，tenderly，\"thatwehavenochildrenofourown；andyetI
sometimeswishyouhadonetoloveandcherish。Ourlittledeadchildthatyoubuiltsuchhopesupon，andthatneverbreathedthebreathoflife—ithasmadeyouquiet—like，Milly。\"
\"Iamveryhappyintherecollectionofit，Williamdear，\"sheanswered。\"Ithinkofiteveryday。\"
\"Iwasafraidyouthoughtofitagooddeal。\"
\"Don’tsay，afraid；itisacomforttome；itspeakstomeinsomanyways。Theinnocentthingthatneverlivedonearth，islikeanangeltome，William。\"
\"Youarelikeanangeltofatherandme，\"saidMr。William，softly。
\"Iknowthat。\"
\"WhenIthinkofallthosehopesIbuiltuponit，andthemanytimesIsatandpicturedtomyselfthelittlesmilingfaceuponmybosomthatneverlaythere，andthesweeteyesturneduptominethatneveropenedtothelight，\"saidMilly，\"Icanfeelagreatertenderness，Ithink，forallthedisappointedhopesinwhichthereisnoharm。WhenIseeabeautifulchildinitsfondmother’sarms，Iloveitallthebetter，thinkingthatmychildmighthavebeenlikethat，andmighthavemademyheartasproudandhappy。\"
Redlawraisedhishead，andlookedtowardsher。
\"Allthroughlife，itseemsbyme，\"shecontinued，\"totellmesomething。Forpoorneglectedchildren，mylittlechildpleadsasifitwerealive，andhadavoiceIknew，withwhichtospeaktome。WhenIhearofyouthinsufferingorshame，Ithinkthatmychildmighthavecometothat，perhaps，andthatGodtookitfrommeinHismercy。Eveninageandgreyhair，suchasfather’s，itispresent：sayingthatittoomighthavelivedtobeold，longandlongafteryouandIweregone，andtohaveneededtherespectandloveofyoungerpeople。\"
Herquietvoicewasquieterthanever，asshetookherhusband’sarm，andlaidherheadagainstit。
\"Childrenlovemeso，thatsometimesIhalffancy—it’sasillyfancy，William—theyhavesomewayIdon’tknowof，offeelingformylittlechild，andme，andunderstandingwhytheirloveisprecioustome。IfIhavebeenquietsince，Ihavebeenmorehappy，William，inahundredways。Notleasthappy，dear，inthis—thatevenwhenmylittlechildwasbornanddeadbutafewdays，andIwasweakandsorrowful，andcouldnothelpgrievingalittle，thethoughtarose，thatifItriedtoleadagoodlife，IshouldmeetinHeavenabrightcreature，whowouldcallme，Mother!\"
Redlawfelluponhisknees，withaloudcry。
\"OThou，hesaid，\"whothroughtheteachingofpurelove，hastgraciouslyrestoredmetothememorywhichwasthememoryofChristupontheCross，andofallthegoodwhoperishedinHiscause，receivemythanks，andblessher!\"
Then，hefoldedhertohisheart；andMilly，sobbingmorethanever，cried，asshelaughed，\"Heiscomebacktohimself!Helikesmeverymuchindeed，too!Oh，dear，dear，dearme，here’sanother!\"
Then，thestudententered，leadingbythehandalovelygirl，whowasafraidtocome。AndRedlawsochangedtowardshim，seeinginhimandhisyouthfulchoice，thesoftenedshadowofthatchasteningpassageinhisownlife，towhich，astoashadytree，thedovesolongimprisonedinhissolitaryarkmightflyforrestandcompany，felluponhisneck，entreatingthemtobehischildren。
Then，asChristmasisatimeinwhich，ofalltimesintheyear，thememoryofeveryremediablesorrow，wrong，andtroubleintheworldaroundus，shouldbeactivewithus，notlessthanourownexperiences，forallgood，helaidhishandupontheboy，and，silentlycallingHimtowitnesswholaidHishandonchildreninoldtime，rebuking，inthemajestyofHispropheticknowledge，thosewhokeptthemfromHim，vowedtoprotecthim，teachhim，andreclaimhim。
Then，hegavehisrighthandcheerilytoPhilip，andsaidthattheywouldthatdayholdaChristmasdinnerinwhatusedtobe，beforethetenpoorgentlemencommuted，theirgreatDinnerHall；andthattheywouldbidtoitasmanyofthatSwidgerfamily，who，hissonhadtoldhim，weresonumerousthattheymightjoinhandsandmakearingroundEngland，ascouldbebroughttogetheronsoshortanotice。
Anditwasthatdaydone。ThereweresomanySwidgersthere，grownupandchildren，thatanattempttostatetheminroundnumbersmightengenderdoubts，inthedistrustful，oftheveracityofthishistory。Thereforetheattemptshallnotbemade。Buttheretheywere，bydozensandscores—andtherewasgoodnewsandgoodhopethere，readyforthem，ofGeorge，whohadbeenvisitedagainbyhisfatherandbrother，andbyMilly，andagainleftinaquietsleep。
There，presentatthedinner，too，weretheTetterbys，includingyoungAdolphus，whoarrivedinhisprismaticcomforter，ingoodtimeforthebeef。Johnnyandthebabyweretoolate，ofcourse，andcameinallononeside，theoneexhausted，theotherinasupposedstateofdouble—tooth；butthatwascustomary，andnotalarming。
Itwassadtoseethechildwhohadnonameorlineage，watchingtheotherchildrenastheyplayed，notknowinghowtotalkwiththem，orsportwiththem，andmorestrangetothewaysofchildhoodthanaroughdog。Itwassad，thoughinadifferentway，toseewhataninstinctiveknowledgetheyoungestchildrentherehadofhisbeingdifferentfromalltherest，andhowtheymadetimidapproachestohimwithsoftwordsandtouches，andwithlittlepresents，thathemightnotbeunhappy。ButhekeptbyMilly，andbegantoloveher—thatwasanother，asshesaid!—and，astheyalllikedherdearly，theyweregladofthat，andwhentheysawhimpeepingatthemfrombehindherchair，theywerepleasedthathewassoclosetoit。
Allthis，theChemist，sittingwiththestudentandhisbridethatwastobe，Philip，andtherest，saw。
Somepeoplehavesaidsince，thatheonlythoughtwhathasbeenhereinsetdown；others，thathereaditinthefire，onewinternightaboutthetwilighttime；others，thattheGhostwasbuttherepresentationofhisgloomythoughts，andMillytheembodimentofhisbetterwisdom。Isaynothing。
—Exceptthis。ThatastheywereassembledintheoldHall，bynootherlightthanthatofagreatfire（havingdinedearly），theshadowsoncemorestoleoutoftheirhiding—places，anddancedabouttheroom，showingthechildrenmarvellousshapesandfacesonthewalls，andgraduallychangingwhatwasrealandfamiliarthere，towhatwaswildandmagical。ButthattherewasonethingintheHall，towhichtheeyesofRedlaw，andofMillyandherhusband，andoftheoldman，andofthestudent，andhisbridethatwastobe，wereoftenturned，whichtheshadowsdidnotobscureorchange。
Deepenedinitsgravitybythefire—light，andgazingfromthedarknessofthepanelledwalllikelife，thesedatefaceintheportrait，withthebeardandruff，lookeddownatthemfromunderitsverdantwreathofholly，astheylookedupatit；and，clearandplainbelow，asifavoicehadutteredthem，werethewords。
LordkeepmyMemorygreen。