Nello’seyesleftherfaceandwanderedtothedistance,where,intheredandgoldoftheFlemishnight,thecathedralspirerose。TherewasasmileonhisfacesosweetandyetsosadthatlittleAloiswasawedbyit。\"Iwillbegreatstill,\"hesaidunderhisbreath——\"greatstill,ordie,Alois。\"
\"Youdonotloveme,\"saidthelittlespoiledchild,pushinghimaway;
buttheboyshookhisheadandsmiled,andwentonhiswaythroughthetallyellowcorn,seeingasinavisionsomedayinafairfuturewhenheshouldcomeintothatoldfamiliarlandandaskAloisofherpeople,andbenotrefusedordenied,butreceivedinhonour;whilethevillagefolkshouldthrongtolookuponhimandsayinoneanother’sears,\"Dostseehim?Heisakingamongmen;forheisagreatartistandtheworldspeakshisname;andyethewasonlyourpoorlittleNello,whowasabeggar,asonemaysay,andonlygothisbreadbythehelpofhisdog。\"Andhethoughthowhewouldfoldhisgrandsireinfursandpurples,andportrayhimastheoldmanisportrayedintheFamilyinthechapelofSt。Jacques;andofhowhewouldhangthethroatofPatraschewithacollarofgold,andplacehimonhisrighthand,andsaytothepeople,\"Thiswasoncemyonlyfriend;\"andofhowhewouldbuildhimselfagreatwhitemarblepalace,andmaketohimselfluxuriantgardensofpleasure,ontheslopelookingoutwardtowherethecathedralspirerose,andnotdwellinithimself,butsummontoit,astoahome,allmenyoungandpoorandfriendless,butofthewilltodomightythings;andofhowhewouldsaytothemalways,iftheysoughttoblesshisname,\"Nay,donotthankme——thankRubens。Withouthim,whatshouldIhavebeen?\"Andthesedreams——beautiful,impossible,innocent,freeofallselfishness,fullofheroicalworship——weresocloselyabouthimashewentthathewashappy——happyevenonthissadanniversaryofAlois’ssaint’sday,whenheandPatraschewenthomebythemselvestothelittledarkhutandthemealofblackbread,whileinthemill-houseallthechildrenofthevillagesangandlaughed,andatethebigroundcakesofDijonandthealmondgingerbreadofBrabant,anddancedinthegreatbarntothelightofthestarsandthemusicoffluteandfiddle。
\"Nevermind,Patrasche,\"hesaid,withhisarmsroundthedog’sneck,astheybothsatinthedoorofthehut,wherethesoundsofthemirthatthemillcamedowntothemonthenightair;\"nevermind。Itshallallbechangedby-and-by。\"
Hebelievedinthefuture;Patrasche,ofmoreexperienceandofmorephilosophy,thoughtthatthelossofthemillsupperinthepresentwasillcompensatedbydreamsofmilkandhoneyinsomevaguehereafter。AndPatraschegrowledwheneverhepassedbyBaasCogez。
\"ThisisAlois’sname-day,isitnot?\"saidtheoldmanDaasthatnight,fromthecornerwherehewasstretcheduponhisbedofsacking。
Theboygaveagestureofassent;hewishedthattheoldman’smemoryhaderredalittle,insteadofkeepingsuchsureaccount。
\"Andwhynotthere?\"hisgrandfatherpursued。\"Thouhastnevermissedayearbefore,Nello。\"
\"Thouarttoosicktoleave,\"murmuredthelad,bendinghishandsomeheadoverthebed。
\"Tut!tut!MotherNulettewouldhavecomeandsatwithme,asshedoesscoresoftimes。Whatisthecause,Nello?\"theoldmanpersisted。
\"Thousurelyhastnothadillwordswiththelittleone?\"
\"Nay,grandfather,never,\"saidtheboyquickly,withahotcolourinhisbentface。\"Simplyandtruly,BaasCogezdidnothavemeaskedthisyear。Hehastakensomewhimagainstme。\"
\"Butthouhastdonenothingwrong?\"
\"ThatIknow——nothing。ItooktheportraitofAloisonapieceofpine;thatisall。\"
\"Ah!\"Theoldmanwassilent;thetruthsuggesteditselftohimwiththeboy’sinnocentanswer。Hewastiedtoabedofdriedleavesinthecornerofawattlehut,buthehadnotwhollyforgottenwhatthewaysoftheworldwerelike。
HedrewNello’sfairheadfondlytohisbreastwithatenderergesture。\"Thouartverypoor,mychild,\"hesaid,withaquiverthemoreinhisaged,tremblingvoice;\"sopoor!Itisveryhardforthee。\"
\"Nay,Iamrich,\"murmuredNello;andinhisinnocencehethoughtso;
richwiththeimperishablepowersthataremightierthanthemightofkings。Andhewentandstoodbythedoorofthehutinthequietautumnnight,andwatchedthestarstroopbyandthetallpoplarsbendandshiverinthewind。Allthecasementsofthemill-housewerelighted,andeverynowandthenthenotesoftheflutecametohim。
Thetearsfelldownhischeeks,forhewasbutachild;yethesmiled,forhesaidtohimself,\"Inthefuture!\"Hestayedthereuntilallwasquitestillanddark;thenheandPatraschewentwithinandslepttogether,longanddeeply,sidebyside。
NowhehadasecretwhichonlyPatrascheknew。Therewasalittleouthousetothehutwhichnooneenteredbuthimself——adrearyplace,butwithabundantclearlightfromthenorth。Herehehadfashionedhimselfrudelyaneaselinroughlumber,andhere,onagreatgrayseaofstretchedpaper,hehadgivenshapetooneoftheinnumerablefancieswhichpossessedhisbrain。Noonehadevertaughthimanything;colourshehadnomeanstobuy;hehadgonewithoutbreadmanyatimetoprocureeventhefewrudevehiclesthathehadhere;
anditwasonlyinblackorwhitethathecouldfashionthethingshesaw。Thisgreatfigurewhichhehaddrawnhereinchalkwasonlyanoldmansittingonafallentree——onlythat。HehadseenoldMichel,thewoodman,sittingsoateveningmanyatime。Hehadneverhadasoultotellhimofoutlineorperspective,ofanatomyorofshadow;
andyethehadgivenalltheweary,worn-outage,allthesad,quietpatience,alltherugged,care-wornpathosofhisoriginal,andgiventhemsothattheold,lonelyfigurewasapoem,sittingtheremeditativeandalone,onthedeadtree,withthedarknessofthedescendingnightbehindhim。
Itwasrude,ofcourse,inaway,andhadmanyfaults,nodoubt;andyetitwasreal,trueinnature,trueinart,andverymournful,andinamannerbeautiful。
Patraschehadlainquietcountlesshourswatchingitsgradualcreationafterthelaborofeachdaywasdone,andheknewthatNellohadahope——vainandwildperhaps,butstronglycherished——ofsendingthisgreatdrawingtocompeteforaprizeoftwohundredfrancsayearwhichitwasannouncedinAntwerpwouldbeopentoeveryladoftalent,scholarorpeasant,undereighteen,whowouldattempttowinitwithsomeunaidedworkofchalkorpencil。ThreeoftheforemostartistsinthetownofRubensweretobethejudgesandelectthevictoraccordingtohismerits。
AllthespringandsummerandautumnNellohadbeenatworkuponthistreasure,whichiftriumphant,wouldbuildhimhisfirststeptowardindependenceandthemysteriesoftheartwhichheblindly,ignorantly,andyetpassionatelyadored。
Hesaidnothingtoanyone;hisgrandfatherwouldnothaveunderstood,andlittleAloiswaslosttohim。OnlytoPatraschehetoldall,andwhispered,\"Rubenswouldgiveitme,Ithink,ifheknew。\"
Patraschethoughtsotoo,forheknewthatRubenshadloveddogsorhehadneverpaintedthemwithsuchexquisitefidelity;andmenwholoveddogswere,asPatrascheknew,alwayspitiful。
ThedrawingsweretogoinonthefirstdayofDecember,andthedecisionbegivenonthetwenty-fourth,sothathewhoshouldwinmightrejoicewithallhispeopleattheChristmasseason。
Inthetwilightofabitterwintryday,andwithabeatingheart,nowquickwithhope,nowfaintwithfear,Nelloplacedthegreatpictureonhislittlegreenmilk-cart,andtookit,withthehelpofPatrasche,intothetown,andthereleftit,asenjoined,atthedoorsofapublicbuilding。
\"Perhapsitisworthnothingatall。HowcanItell?\"hethought,withtheheart-sicknessofagreattimidity。Nowthathehadleftitthere,itseemedtohimsohazardous,sovain,sofoolish,todreamthathe,alittleladwithbarefeetwhobarelyknewhisletters,coulddoanythingatwhichgreatpainters,realartists,couldeverdeigntolook。Yethetookheartashewentbythecathedral;thelordlyformofRubensseemedtorisefromthefogandthedarkness,andtoloominitsmagnificencebeforehim,whilethelips,withtheirkindlysmile,seemedtohimtomurmur,\"Nay,havecourage!ItwasnotbyaweakheartandbyfaintfearsthatIwrotemynameforalltimeuponAntwerp。\"
Nelloranhomethroughthecoldnight,comforted。Hehaddonehisbest;therestmustbeasGodwilled,hethought,inthatinnocent,unquestioningfaithwhichhadbeentaughthiminthelittlegraychapelamongthewillowsandthepoplar-trees。
Thewinterwasverysharpalready。Thatnight,aftertheyreachedthehut,snowfell,andfellforverymanydaysafterthat;sothatthepathsandthedivisionsinthefieldswereallobliterated,andallthesmallerstreamswerefrozenover,andthecoldwasintenseupontheplains。Then,indeed,itbecamehardworktogoroundforthemilkwhiletheworldwasalldark,andcarryitthroughthedarknesstothesilenttown。Hardwork,especiallyforPatrasche,forthepassageoftheyearsthatwereonlybringingNelloastrongeryouthwerebringinghimoldage,andhisjointswerestiffandhisbonesachedoften。Buthewouldnevergiveuphisshareofthelabour。Nellowouldfainhavesparedhimanddrawnthecarthimself,butPatraschewouldnotallowit。Allhewouldeverpermitoracceptwasthehelpofathrustfrombehindtothetruckasitlumberedalongthroughtheice-ruts。
Patraschehadlivedinharness,andhewasproudofit。Hesufferedagreatdealsometimesfromfrostandtheterribleroadsandtherheumaticpainsofhislimbs;butheonlydrewhisbreathhardandbenthisstoutneck,andtrodonwardwithsteadypatience。
\"Resttheeathome,Patrasche;itistimethoudidstrest,andIcanquitewellpushinthecartbymyself,\"urgedNellomanyamorning;
butPatrasche,whounderstoodhimaright,wouldnomorehaveconsentedtostayathomethanaveteransoldiertoshirkwhenthechargewassounding;andeverydayhewouldriseandplacehimselfinhisshafts,andplodalongoverthesnowthroughthefieldsthathisfourroundfeethadlefttheirprintuponsomany,manyyears。
\"Onemustneverresttillonedies,\"thoughtPatrasche;andsometimesitseemedtohimthatthattimeofrestforhimwasnotveryfaroff。
Hissightwaslessclearthanithadbeen,anditgavehimpaintoriseafterthenight’ssleep,thoughhewouldneverlieamomentinhisstrawwhenoncethebellofthechapeltollingfivelethimknowthatthedaybreakoflaborhadbegun。
\"MypoorPatrasche,weshallsoonliequiettogether,youandI,\"saidoldJehanDaas,stretchingouttostroketheheadofPatraschewiththeoldwitheredhandwhichhadalwayssharedwithhimitsonepoorcrustofbread;andtheheartsoftheoldmanandtheolddogachedtogetherwithonethought:Whentheyweregonewhowouldcarefortheirdarling?
Oneafternoon,astheycamebackfromAntwerpoverthesnow,whichhadbecomehardandsmoothasmarbleoveralltheFlemishplains,theyfounddroppedintheroadaprettylittlepuppet,atambourineplayer,allscarletandgold,aboutsixincheshigh,and,unlikegreaterpersonageswhenFortuneletsthemdrop,quiteunspoiledandunhurtbyitsfall。Itwasaprettytoy。Nellotriedtofinditsowner,and,failing,thoughtthatitwasjustthethingtopleaseAlois。
Itwasquitenightwhenhepassedthemill-house;heknewthelittlewindowofherroom;itcouldbenoharm,hethought,ifhegaveherhislittlepieceoftreasure-trove——theyhadbeenplay-fellowssolong。Therewasashedwithaslopingroofbeneathhercasement;heclimbeditandtappedsoftlyatthelattice;therewasalittlelightwithin。Thechildopeneditandlookedouthalffrightened。
Nelloputthetambourineplayerintoherhands。\"HereisadollI
foundinthesnow,Alois。Takeit,\"hewhispered;\"takeit,andGodblessthee,dear!\"
Hesliddownfromtheshedroofbeforeshehadtimetothankhim,andranoffthroughthedarkness。
Thatnighttherewasafireatthemill。Out-buildingsandmuchcornweredestroyed,althoughthemillitselfandthedwelling-housewereunharmed。Allthevillagewasoutinterror,andenginescametearingthroughthesnowfromAntwerp。Themillerwasinsured,andwouldlosenothing;nevertheless,hewasinfuriouswrath,anddeclaredaloudthatthefirewasduetonoaccident,buttosomefoulintent。
Nello,awakenedfromhissleep,rantohelpwiththerest。BaasCogezthrusthimangrilyaside。\"Thouwertloiteringhereafterdark,\"hesaidroughly。\"Ibelieve,onmysoul,thatthoudostknowmoreofthefirethananyone。\"
Nelloheardhiminsilence,stupefied,notsupposingthatanyonecouldsaysuchthingsexceptinjest,andnotcomprehendinghowanyonecouldpassajestatsuchatime。
Nevertheless,themillersaidthebrutalthingopenlytomanyofhisneighboursinthedaythatfollowed;andthoughnoseriouschargewaseverpreferredagainstthelad,itgotbruitedaboutthatNellohadbeenseeninthemill-yardafterdarkonsomeunspokenerrand,andthatheboreBaasCogezagrudgeforforbiddinghisintercoursewithlittleAlois;andsothehamlet,whichfollowedthesayingsofitsrichestlandownerservilely,andwhosefamiliesallhopedtosecuretherichesofAloisinsomefuturetimefortheirsons,tookthehinttogivegravelooksandcoldwordstooldJehanDaas’sgrandson。Noonesaidanythingtohimopenly,butallthevillageagreedtogethertohumourthemiller’sprejudice,andatthecottagesandfarmswhereNelloandPatraschecalledeverymorningforthemilkforAntwerp,downcastglancesandbriefphrasesreplacedtothemthebroadsmilesandcheerfulgreetingstowhichtheyhadbeenalwaysused。Noonereallycreditedthemiller’sabsurdsuspicions,northeoutrageousaccusationsbornofthem;butthepeoplewereallverypoorandveryignorant,andtheonerichmanoftheplacehadpronouncedagainsthim。Nello,inhisinnocenceandhisfriendlessness,hadnostrengthtostemthepopulartide。
\"Thouartverycrueltothelad,\"themiller’swifedaredtosay,weeping,toherlord。\"Sure,heisaninnocentladandafaithful,andwouldneverdreamofanysuchwickedness,howeversorehisheartmightbe。\"
ButBaasCogezbeinganobstinateman,havingoncesaidathing,heldtoitdoggedly,thoughinhisinnermostsoulheknewwelltheinjusticethathewascommitting。
Meanwhile,Nelloenduredtheinjurydoneagainsthimwithacertainproudpatiencethatdisdainedtocomplain;heonlygavewayalittlewhenhewasquitealonewitholdPatrasche。Besides,hethought,\"Ifitshouldwin!Theywillbesorrythen,perhaps。\"
Still,toaboynotquitesixteen,andwhohaddweltinonelittleworldallhisshortlife,andinhischildhoodhadbeencaressedandapplaudedonallsides,itwasahardtrialtohavethewholeofthatlittleworldturnagainsthimfornaught。Especiallyhardinthatbleak,snow-bound,famine-strickenwinter-time,whentheonlylightandwarmththerecouldbefoundabodebesidethevillagehearthsandinthekindlygreetingsofneighbours。Inthewinter-timealldrewnearertoeachother,alltoall,excepttoNelloandPatrasche,withwhomnonenowwouldhaveanythingtodo,andwhowerelefttofareastheymightwiththeoldparalyzed,bedriddenmaninthelittlecabin,whosefirewasoftenlow,andwhoseboardwasoftenwithoutbread;fortherewasabuyerfromAntwerpwhohadtakentodrivehismuleinofadayforthemilkofthevariousdairies,andtherewereonlythreeorfourofthepeoplewhohadrefusedhistermsofpurchaseandremainedfaithfultothelittlegreencart。SothattheburdenwhichPatraschedrewhadbecomeverylight,andthecentimepiecesinNello’spouchhadbecome,alas!verysmalllikewise。
Thedogwouldstop,asusual,atallthefamiliargateswhichwerenowclosedtohim,andlookupatthemwithwistful,muteappeal;anditcosttheneighboursapangtoshuttheirdoorsandtheirhearts,andletPatraschedrawhiscartonagain,empty。Nevertheless,theydidit,fortheydesiredtopleaseBaasCogez。
Noelwascloseathand。
Theweatherwasverywildandcold;thesnowwassixfeetdeep,andtheicewasfirmenoughtobearoxenandmenuponiteverywhere。Atthisseasonthelittlevillagewasalwaysgayandcheerful。Atthepoorestdwellingtherewerepossetsandcakes,jokinganddancing,sugaredsaintsandgildedJesus。ThemerryFlemishbellsjingledeverywhereonthehorses;everywherewithindoorssomewell-filledsoup-potsangandsmokedoverthestove;andeverywhereoverthesnowwithoutlaughingmaidenspatteredinbrightkerchiefsandstoutkirtles,goingtoandfromthemass。Onlyinthelittlehutitwasverydarkandverycold。
NelloandPatraschewereleftutterlyalone,foronenightintheweekbeforetheChristmasDay,deathenteredthere,andtookawayfromlifeforeveroldJehanDaas,whohadneverknownlifeaughtsaveitspovertyanditspains。Hehadlongbeenhalfdead,incapableofanymovementexceptafeeblegesture,andpowerlessforanythingbeyondagentleword;andyethislossfellonthembothwithagreathorrorinit;theymournedhimpassionately。Hehadpassedawayfromtheminhissleep,andwheninthegraydawntheylearnedtheirbereavement,unutterablesolitudeanddesolationseemedtoclosearoundthem。Hehadlongbeenonlyapoor,feeble,paralyzedoldman,whocouldnotraiseahandintheirdefence;buthehadlovedthemwell,hissmilehadalwayswelcomedtheirreturn。Theymournedforhimunceasingly,refusingtobecomforted,asinthewhitewinterdaytheyfollowedthedealshellthatheldhisbodytothenamelessgravebythelittlegraychurch。Theywerehisonlymourners,thesetwowhomhehadleftfriendlessuponearth——theyoungboyandtheolddog。
\"Surely,hewillrelentnowandletthepoorladcomehither?\"thoughtthemiller’swife,glancingatherhusbandwherehesmokedbythehearth。
BaasCogezknewherthought,buthehardenedhisheart,andwouldnotunbarhisdoorasthelittle,humblefuneralwentby。\"Theboyisabeggar,\"hesaidtohimself;\"heshallnotbeaboutAlois。\"
Thewomandarednotsayanythingaloud,butwhenthegravewasclosedandthemournershadgone,sheputawreathofimmortellesintoAlois’shandsandbadehergoandlayitreverentlyonthedark,unmarkedmoundwherethesnowwasdisplaced。
NelloandPatraschewenthomewithbrokenhearts。Butevenofthatpoor,melancholy,cheerlesshometheyweredeniedtheconsolation。
Therewasamonth’srentoverduefortheirlittlehome,andwhenNellohadpaidthelastsadservicetothedeadhehadnotacoinleft。Hewentandbeggedgraceoftheownerofthehut,acobblerwhowenteverySundaynighttodrinkhispintofwineandsmokewithBaasCogez。Thecobblerwouldgrantnomercy。Hewasaharsh,miserlyman,andlovedmoney。Heclaimedindefaultofhisrenteverystickandstone,everypotandpan,inthehut,andbadeNelloandPatraschebeoutofitonthemorrow。
Now,thecabinwaslowlyenough,andinsomesensemiserableenough,andyettheirheartsclovetoitwithagreataffection。Theyhadbeensohappythere,andinthesummer,withitsclamberingvineanditsfloweringbeans,itwassoprettyandbrightinthemidstofthesun-
lightedfields!Theirlifeinithadbeenfulloflaborandprivation,andyettheyhadbeensowellcontent,sogayofheart,runningtogethertomeettheoldman’snever-failingsmileofwelcome!
Allnightlongtheboyandthedogsatbythefirelesshearthinthedarkness,drawnclosetogetherforwarmthandsorrow。Theirbodieswereinsensibletothecold,buttheirheartsseemedfrozeninthem。
Whenthemorningbrokeoverthewhite,chillearthitwasthemorningofChristmasEve。Withashudder,Nelloclaspedclosetohimhisonlyfriend,whilehistearsfellhotandfastonthedog’sfrankforehead。
\"Letusgo,Patrasche——dear,dearPatrasche,\"hemurmured。\"Wewillnotwaittobekickedout;letusgo。\"
Patraschehadnowillbuthis,andtheywentsadly,sidebyside,outfromthelittleplacewhichwassodeartothemboth,andinwhicheveryhumble,homelythingwastothempreciousandbeloved。Patraschedroopedhisheadwearilyashepassedbyhisowngreencart;itwasnolongerhis,——ithadtogowiththeresttopaytherent,——andhisbrassharnesslayidleandglitteringonthesnow。Thedogcouldhavelaindownbesideitanddiedforveryheart-sicknessashewent,butwhiletheladlivedandneededhimPatraschewouldnotyieldandgiveway。
TheytooktheoldaccustomedroadintoAntwerp。Thedayhadyetscarcemorethandawned;mostoftheshutterswerestillclosed,butsomeofthevillagerswereabout。Theytooknonoticewhilethedogandtheboypassedbythem。AtonedoorNellopausedandlookedwistfullywithin;hisgrandfatherhaddonemanyakindlyturninneighbour’sservicetothepeoplewhodweltthere。
\"WouldyougivePatrascheacrust?\"hesaid,timidly。\"Heisold,andhehashadnothingsincelastforenoon。\"
Thewomanshutthedoorhastily,murmuringsomevaguesayingaboutwheatandryebeingverydearthatseason。Theboyandthedogwentonagainwearily;theyaskednomore。
ByslowandpainfulwaystheyreachedAntwerpasthechimestolledten。
\"IfIhadanythingaboutmeIcouldselltogethimbread!\"thoughtNello;buthehadnothingexceptthewispoflinenandsergethatcoveredhim,andhispairofwoodenshoes。
Patrascheunderstood,andnestledhisnoseintothelad’shandasthoughtoprayhimnottobedisquietedforanywoeorwantofhis。
Thewinnerofthedrawingprizewastobeproclaimedatnoon,andtothepublicbuildingwherehehadlefthistreasureNellomadehisway。
Onthestepsandintheentrance-halltherewasacrowdofyouths,——
someofhisage,someolder,allwithparentsorrelativesorfriends。
HisheartwassickwithfearashewentamongthemholdingPatrascheclosetohim。Thegreatbellsofthecityclashedoutthehourofnoonwithbrazenclamour。Thedoorsoftheinnerhallwereopened;theeager,pantingthrongrushedin。Itwasknownthattheselectedpicturewouldberaisedabovetherestuponawoodendais。
AmistobscuredNello’ssight,hisheadswam,hislimbsalmostfailedhim。Whenhisvisionclearedhesawthedrawingraisedonhigh;itwasnothisown!Aslow,sonorousvoicewasproclaimingaloudthatvictoryhadbeenadjudgedtoStephenKiesslinger,bornintheburgofAntwerp,sonofawharfingerinthattown。
WhenNellorecoveredhisconsciousnesshewaslyingonthestoneswithout,andPatraschewastryingwitheveryartheknewtocallhimbacktolife。InthedistanceathrongoftheyouthsofAntwerpwereshoutingaroundtheirsuccessfulcomrade,andescortinghimwithacclamationstohishomeuponthequay。
Theboystaggeredtohisfeetanddrewthedogintohisembrace。\"Itisallover,dearPatrasche,\"hemurmured——\"allover!\"
Heralliedhimselfasbesthecould,forhewasweakfromfasting,andretracedhisstepstothevillage。Patraschepacedbyhissidewithhisheaddroopingandhisoldlimbsfeeblefromhungerandsorrow。
Thesnowwasfallingfast;akeenhurricaneblewfromthenorth;itwasbitterasdeathontheplains。Ittookthemlongtotraversethefamiliarpath,andthebellsweresoundingfouroftheclockastheyapproachedthehamlet。SuddenlyPatraschepaused,arrestedbyascentinthesnow,scratched,whined,anddrewoutwithhisteethasmallcaseofbrownleather。HeheldituptoNellointhedarkness。WheretheyweretherestoodalittleCalvary,andalampburneddullyunderthecross;theboymechanicallyturnedthecasetothelight;onitwasthenameofBaasCogez,andwithinitwerenotesfortwothousandfrancs。
Thesightrousedtheladalittlefromhisstupor。Hethrustitinhisshirt,andstrokedPatrascheanddrewhimonward。Thedoglookedupwistfullyinhisface。
Nellomadestraightforthemill-house,andwenttothehousedoorandstruckonitspanels。Themiller’swifeopeneditweeping,withlittleAloisclingingclosetoherskirts。\"Isitthee,thoupoorlad?\"shesaidkindly,throughhertears。\"GettheegoneeretheBaasseethee。
Weareinsoretroubleto-night。Heisoutseekingforapowerofmoneythathehasletfallridinghomeward,andinthissnowheneverwillfindit;andGodknowsitwillgonightoruinus。ItisHeaven’sownjudgmentforthethingswehavedonetothee。\"
Nelloputthenote-caseinherhandandcalledPatraschewithinthehouse。\"Patraschefoundthemoneyto-night,\"hesaidquickly。\"TellBaasCogezso;Ithinkhewillnotdenythedogshelterandfoodinhisoldage。Keephimfrompursuingme,andIprayofyoutobegoodtohim。\"
EreeitherwomanordogknewwhathemeanthehadstoopedandkissedPatrasche,thenclosedthedoorhurriedly,anddisappearedinthegloomofthefast-fallingnight。
Thewomanandthechildstoodspeechlesswithjoyandfear;Patraschevainlyspentthefuryofhisanguishagainsttheiron-boundoakofthebarredhousedoor。Theydidnotdareunbarthedoorandlethimforth;
theytriedalltheycouldtosolacehim。Theybroughthimsweetcakesandjuicymeats;theytemptedhimwiththebesttheyhad;theytriedtolurehimtoabidebythewarmthofthehearth;butitwasofnoavail。Patrascherefusedtobecomfortedortostirfromthebarredportal。
Itwassixo’clockwhenfromanoppositeentrancethemilleratlastcame,jadedandbroken,intohiswife’spresence。\"Itislostforever,\"hesaid,withanashencheekandaquiverinhissternvoice。\"Wehavelookedwithlanternseverywhere;itisgone——thelittlemaiden’sportionandall!\"
Hiswifeputthemoneyintohishand,andtoldhimhowithadcometoher。Thestrongmansanktremblingintoaseatandcoveredhisface,ashamedandalmostafraid。\"Ihavebeencrueltothelad,\"hemutteredatlength;\"Ideservednottohavegoodathishands。\"
LittleAlois,takingcourage,creptclosetoherfatherandnestledagainsthimherfaircurlyhead。\"Nellomaycomehereagain,father?\"
shewhispered。\"Hemaycometo-morrowasheusedtodo?\"
Themillerpressedherinhisarms;hishard,sunburntfacewasverypaleandhismouthtrembled。\"Surely,surely,\"heansweredhischild。
\"HeshallbidehereonChristmasDay,andanyotherdayhewill。Godhelpingme,Iwillmakeamendstotheboy——Iwillmakeamends。\"
LittleAloiskissedhimingratitudeandjoy;thenslidfromhiskneesandrantowherethedogkeptwatchbythedoor。\"Andto-nightImayfeastPatrasche?\"shecriedinachild’sthoughtlessglee。
Herfatherbenthisheadgravely:\"Ay,ay!letthedoghavethebest;\"
forthesternoldmanwasmovedandshakentohisheart’sdepths。
ItwasChristmaseve,andthemill-housewasfilledwithoaklogsandsquaresofturf,withcreamandhoney,withmeatandbread,andtherafterswerehungwithwreathsofevergreen,andtheCalvaryandthecuckooclocklookedoutfromamassofholly。Therewerelittlepaperlanterns,too,forAlois,andtoysofvariousfashionsandsweetmeatsinbright-picturedpapers。Therewerelightandwarmthandabundanceeverywhere,andthechildwouldfainhavemadethedogaguesthonouredandfeasted。
ButPatraschewouldneitherlieinthewarmthnorshareinthecheer。
Famishedhewasandverycold,butwithoutNellohewouldpartakeneitherofcomfortnorfood。Againstalltemptationhewasproof,andcloseagainstthedoorheleanedalways,watchingonlyforameansofescape。
\"Hewantsthelad,\"saidBaasCogez。\"Gooddog!gooddog!Iwillgoovertotheladthefirstthingatday-dawn。\"FornoonebutPatrascheknewthatNellohadleftthehut,andnoonebutPatraschedivinedthatNellohadgonetofacestarvationandmiseryalone。
Themillkitchenwasverywarm;greatlogscrackledandflamedonthehearth;neighbourscameinforaglassofwineandasliceofthefatgoosebakingforsupper。Alois,gleefulandsureofherplaymatebackonthemorrow,boundedandsangandtossedbackheryellowhair。BaasCogez,inthefulnessofhisheart,smiledonherthroughmoistenedeyes,andspokeofthewayinwhichhewouldbefriendherfavouritecompanion;thehouse-mothersatwithcalm,contentedfaceatthespinning-wheel;thecuckoointheclockchirpedmirthfulhours。AmidstitallPatraschewasbiddenwithathousandwordsofwelcometotarrythereacherishedguest。ButneitherpeacenorplentycouldallurehimwhereNellowasnot。
Whenthesuppersmokedontheboard,andthevoiceswereloudestandgladdest,andtheChrist-childbroughtchoicestgiftstoAlois,Patrasche,watchingalwaysanoccasion,glidedoutwhenthedoorwasunlatchedbyacarelessnew-comer,and,asswiftlyashisweakandtiredlimbswouldbearhimspedoverthesnowinthebitter,blacknight。Hehadonlyonethought——tofollowNello。Ahumanfriendmighthavepausedforthepleasantmeal,thecheerywarmth,thecoseyslumber;butthatwasnotthefriendshipofPatrasche。Herememberedabygonetime,whenanoldmanandalittlechildhadfoundhimsickuntodeathinthewaysideditch。
Snowhadfallenfreshlyalltheeveninglong;itwasnownearlyten;
thetrailoftheboy’sfootstepswasalmostobliterated。IttookPatraschelongtodiscoveranyscent。Whenatlasthefoundit,itwaslostagainquickly,andlostandrecovered,andagainlostandagainrecovered,ahundredtimesormore。
Thenightwasverywild。Thelampsunderthewaysidecrosseswereblownout;theroadsweresheetsofice;theimpenetrabledarknesshideverytraceofhabitations;therewasnolivingthingabroad。Allthecattlewerehoused,andinallthehutsandhomesteadsmenandwomenrejoicedandfeasted。TherewasonlyPatrascheoutinthecruelcold——
oldandfamishedandfullofpain,butwiththestrengthandthepatienceofagreatlovetosustainhiminhissearch。
ThetrailofNello’ssteps,faintandobscureasitwasunderthenewsnow,wentstraightlyalongtheaccustomedtracksintoAntwerp。ItwaspastmidnightwhenPatraschetraceditovertheboundariesofthetownandintothenarrow,tortuous,gloomystreets。Itwasallquitedarkinthetown,savewheresomelightgleamedruddilythroughthecrevicesofhouseshutters,orsomegroupwenthomewardwithlanternschantingdrinking-songs。Thestreetswereallwhitewithice;thehighwallsandroofsloomedblackagainstthem。Therewasscarceasoundsavetheriotofthewindsdownthepassagesastheytossedthecreakingsignsandshookthetalllamp-irons。
Somanypassers-byhadtroddenthroughandthroughthesnow,somanydiversepathshadcrossedandrecrossedeachother,thatthedoghadahardtasktoretainanyholdonthetrackhefollowed。Buthekeptonhisway,thoughthecoldpiercedhimtothebone,andthejaggedicecuthisfeet,andthehungerinhisbodygnawedlikearat’steeth。Hekeptonhisway,——apoorgaunt,shiveringthing,——andbylongpatiencetracedthestepshelovedintotheveryheartoftheburganduptothestepsofthegreatcathedral。
\"Heisgonetothethingsthatheloved,\"thoughtPatrasche;hecouldnotunderstand,buthewasfullofsorrowandofpityfortheartpassionthattohimwassoincomprehensibleandyetsosacred。
Theportalsofthecathedralwereunclosedafterthemidnightmass。
Someheedlessnessinthecustodians,tooeagertogohomeandfeastorsleep,ortoodrowsytoknowwhethertheyturnedthekeysaright,hadleftoneofthedoorsunlocked。BythataccidentthefootfallsPatraschesoughthadpassedthroughintothebuilding,leavingthewhitemarksofsnowuponthedarkstonefloor。Bythatslenderwhitethread,frozenasitfell,hewasguidedthroughtheintensesilence,throughtheimmensityofthevaultedspace——guidedstraighttothegatesofthechancel,and,stretchedthereuponthestones,hefoundNello。Hecreptup,andtouchedthefaceoftheboy。\"DidstthoudreamthatIshouldbefaithlessandforsakethee?I——adog?\"saidthatmutecaress。
Theladraisedhimselfwithalowcryandclaspedhimclose。\"Letusliedownanddietogether,\"hemurmured。\"Menhavenoneedofus,andweareallalone。\"
Inanswer,Patraschecreptcloseryet,andlaidhisheadupontheyoungboy’sbreast。Thegreattearsstoodinhisbrown,sadeyes;notforhimself——forhimselfhewashappy。
Theylayclosetogetherinthepiercingcold。TheblaststhatblewovertheFlemishdikesfromthenorthernseaswerelikewavesofice,whichfrozeeverylivingthingtheytouched。Theinterioroftheimmensevaultofstoneinwhichtheywerewasevenmorebitterlychillthanthesnow-coveredplainswithout。Nowandthenabatmovedintheshadows;nowandthenagleamoflightcameontheranksofcarvenfigures。UndertheRubenstheylaytogetherquitestill,andsoothedalmostintoadreamingslumberbythenumbingnarcoticofthecold。
Togethertheydreamedoftheoldgladdayswhentheyhadchasedeachotherthroughthefloweringgrassesofthesummermeadows,orsathiddeninthetallbulrushesbythewater’sside,watchingtheboatsgoseawardinthesun。
Suddenlythroughthedarknessagreatwhiteradiancestreamedthroughthevastnessoftheaisles;themoon,thatwasatherheight,hadbrokenthroughtheclouds;thesnowhadceasedtofall;thelightreflectedfromthesnowwithoutwasclearasthelightofdawn。Itfellthroughthearchesfulluponthetwopicturesabove,fromwhichtheboyonhisentrancehadflungbacktheveil:the\"Elevation\"andthe\"DescentoftheCross\"wereforoneinstantvisible。
Nellorosetohisfeetandstretchedhisarmstothem;thetearsofapassionateecstasyglistenedonthepalenessofhisface。\"Ihaveseenthematlast!\"hecriedaloud。\"OGod,itisenough!\"
Hislimbsfailedunderhim,andhesankuponhisknees,stillgazingupwardatthemajestythatheadored。Forafewbriefmomentsthelightilluminedthedivinevisionsthathadbeendeniedtohimsolong——lightclearandsweetandstrongasthoughitstreamedfromthethroneofHeaven。Thensuddenlyitpassedaway;oncemoreagreatdarknesscoveredthefaceofChrist。
Thearmsoftheboydrewcloseagainthebodyofthedog。\"WeshallseeHisface——/there/,\"hemurmured;\"andHewillnotpartus,I
think。\"
Onthemorrow,bythechancelofthecathedral,thepeopleofAntwerpfoundthemboth。Theywerebothdead;thecoldofthenighthadfrozenintostillnessaliketheyounglifeandtheold。WhentheChristmasmorningbrokeandthepriestscametothetemple,theysawthemlyingthusonthestonestogether。Above,theveilsweredrawnbackfromthegreatvisionsofRubens,andthefreshraysofthesunrisetouchedthethorn-crownedheadoftheChrist。
Asthedaygrewontherecameanold,hard-featuredmanwhoweptaswomenweep。\"Iwascrueltothelad,\"hemuttered;\"andnowIwouldhavemadeamends,——yea,tothehalfofmysubstance,——andheshouldhavebeentomeasason。\"
Therecamealso,asthedaygrewapace,apainterwhohadfameintheworld,andwhowasliberalofhandandofspirit。\"Iseekonewhoshouldhavehadtheprizeyesterdayhadworthwon,\"hesaidtothepeople——\"aboyofrarepromiseandgenius。Anoldwood-cutteronafallentreeateventide——thatwasallhistheme;buttherewasgreatnessforthefutureinit。Iwouldfainfindhim,andtakehimwithmeandteachhimart。\"
Andalittlechildwithcurlingfairhair,sobbingbitterlyassheclungtoherfather’sarm,criedaloud,\"Oh,Nello,come!Wehaveallreadyforthee。TheChrist-child’shandsarefullofgifts,andtheoldpiperwillplayforus;andthemothersaysthoushaltstaybythehearthandburnnutswithusalltheNoelweeklong——yes,eventotheFeastoftheKings!AndPatraschewillbesohappy!Oh,Nello,wakeandcome!\"
Buttheyoungpaleface,turnedupwardtothelightofthegreatRubenswithasmileuponitsmouth,answeredthemall,\"Itistoolate。\"
Forthesweet,sonorousbellswentringingthroughthefrost,andthesunlightshoneupontheplainsofsnow,andthepopulacetroopedgayandgladthroughthestreets,butNelloandPatraschenomoreaskedcharityattheirhands。AlltheyneedednowAntwerpgaveunbidden。
Deathhadbeenmorepitifultothemthanlongerlifewouldhavebeen。
Ithadtakentheoneintheloyaltyoflove,andtheotherintheinnocenceoffaith,fromaworldwhichforlovehasnorecompenseandforfaithnofulfilment。
Alltheirlivestheyhadbeentogether,andintheirdeathstheywerenotdivided;forwhentheywerefoundthearmsoftheboywerefoldedtoocloselyaroundthedogtobeseveredwithoutviolence,andthepeopleoftheirlittlevillage,contriteandashamed,imploredaspecialgraceforthem,and,makingthemonegrave,laidthemtoresttheresidebyside——forever!
MARKHEIM
byROBERTLOUISSTEVENSON
\"Yes,\"saidthedealer,\"ourwindfallsareofvariouskinds。Somecustomersareignorant,andthenItouchadividendonmysuperiorknowledge。Somearedishonest,\"andhereheheldupthecandle,sothatthelightfellstronglyonhisvisitor,\"andinthatcase,\"hecontinued,\"Iprofitbymyvirtue。\"
Markheimhadbutjustenteredfromthedaylightstreets,andhiseyeshadnotyetgrownfamiliarwiththemingledshineanddarknessintheshop。Atthesepointedwords,andbeforethenearpresenceoftheflame,heblinkedpainfullyandlookedaside。
Thedealerchuckled。\"YoucometomeonChristmasDay,\"heresumed,\"whenyouknowthatIamaloneinmyhouse,putupmyshutters,andmakeapointofrefusingbusiness。Well,youwillhavetopayforthat;youwillhavetopayformylossoftime,whenIshouldbebalancingmybooks;youwillhavetopay,besides,forakindofmannerthatIremarkinyouto-dayverystrongly。Iamtheessenceofdiscretion,andasknoawkwardquestions;butwhenacustomercannotlookmeintheeye,hehastopayforit。\"Thedealeroncemorechuckled;andthen,changingtohisusualbusinessvoice,thoughstillwithanoteofirony,\"Youcangive,asusual,aclearaccountofhowyoucameintothepossessionoftheobject?\"hecontinued。\"Stillyouruncle’scabinet?Aremarkablecollector,sir!\"
Andthelittlepale,round-shouldereddealerstoodalmostontip-toe,lookingoverthetopofhisgoldspectacles,andnoddinghisheadwitheverymarkofdisbelief。Markheimreturnedhisgazewithoneofinfinitepity,andatouchofhorror。
\"Thistime,\"saidhe,\"youareinerror。Ihavenotcometosell,buttobuy。Ihavenocuriostodisposeof;myuncle’scabinetisbaretothewainscot;evenwereitstillintact,IhavedonewellontheStockExchange,andshouldmorelikelyaddtoitthanotherwise,andmyerrandto-dayissimplicityitself。IseekaChristmaspresentforalady,\"hecontinued,waxingmorefluentashestruckintothespeechhehadprepared;\"andcertainlyIoweyoueveryexcuseforthusdisturbingyouuponsosmallamatter。Butthethingwasneglectedyesterday;Imustproducemylittlecomplimentatdinner;and,asyouverywellknow,arichmarriageisnotathingtobeneglected。\"
Therefollowedapause,duringwhichthedealerseemedtoweighthisstatementincredulously。Thetickingofmanyclocksamongthecuriouslumberoftheshop,andthefaintrushingofthecabsinanearthoroughfare,filleduptheintervalofsilence。
\"Well,sir,\"saidthedealer,\"beitso。Youareanoldcustomerafterall;andif,asyousay,youhavethechanceofagoodmarriage,farbeitfrommetobeanobstacle。Hereisanicethingforaladynow,\"
hewenton,\"thishand-glass——fifteenthcentury,warranted;comesfromagoodcollection,too;butIreservethename,intheinterestsofmycustomer,whowasjustlikeyourself,mydearsir,thenephewandsoleheirofaremarkablecollector。\"
Thedealer,whilehethusranoninhisdryandbitingvoice,hadstoopedtotaketheobjectfromitsplace;and,ashehaddoneso,ashockhadpassedthroughMarkheim,astartbothofhandandfoot,asuddenleapofmanytumultuouspassionstotheface。Itpassedasswiftlyasitcame,andleftnotracebeyondacertaintremblingofthehandthatnowreceivedtheglass。
\"Aglass,\"hesaidhoarsely,andthenpaused,andrepeateditmoreclearly。\"Aglass?ForChristmas?Surelynot?\"
\"Andwhynot?\"criedthedealer。\"Whynotaglass?\"
Markheimwaslookinguponhimwithanindefinableexpression。\"Youaskmewhynot?\"hesaid。\"Why,lookhere——lookinit——lookatyourself!
Doyouliketoseeit?No!norI——noranyman。\"
ThelittlemanhadjumpedbackwhenMarkheimhadsosuddenlyconfrontedhimwiththemirror;butnow,perceivingtherewasnothingworseonhand,hechuckled。\"Yourfuturelady,sir,mustbeprettyhardfavoured,\"saidhe。
\"Iaskyou,\"saidMarkheim,\"foraChristmaspresent,andyougivemethis——thisdamnedreminderofyears,andsinsandfollies——thishand-
conscience!Didyoumeanit?Hadyouathoughtinyourmind?Tellme。
Itwillbebetterforyouifyoudo。Come,tellmeaboutyourself。I
hazardaguessnow,thatyouareinsecretaverycharitableman。\"
Thedealerlookedcloselyathiscompanion。Itwasveryodd,Markheimdidnotappeartobelaughing;therewassomethinginhisfacelikeaneagersparkleofhope,butnothingofmirth。
\"Whatareyoudrivingat?\"thedealerasked。
\"Notcharitable?\"returnedtheother,gloomily。\"Notcharitable;notpious;notscrupulous;unloving,unbeloved;ahandtogetmoney,asafetokeepit。Isthatall?DearGod,man,isthatall?\"
\"Iwilltellyouwhatitis,\"beganthedealer,withsomesharpness,andthenbrokeoffagainintoachuckle。\"ButIseethisisalovematchofyours,andyouhavebeendrinkingthelady’shealth。\"
\"Ah!\"criedMarkheim,withastrangecuriosity。\"Ah,haveyoubeeninlove?Tellmeaboutthat。\"
\"I,\"criedthedealer。\"Iinlove!Ineverhadthetime,norhaveI
thetimeto-dayforallthisnonsense。Willyoutaketheglass?\"
\"Whereisthehurry?\"returnedMarkheim。\"Itisverypleasanttostandheretalking;andlifeissoshortandinsecurethatIwouldnothurryawayfromanypleasure——no,notevenfromsomildaoneasthis。Weshouldrathercling,clingtowhatlittlewecanget,likeamanatacliff’sedge。Everysecondisacliff,ifyouthinkuponit——acliffamilehigh——highenough,ifwefall,todashusoutofeveryfeatureofhumanity。Henceitisbesttotalkpleasantly。Letustalkofeachother;whyshouldwewearthismask?Letusbeconfidential。Whoknows?wemightbecomefriends。\"
\"Ihavejustonewordtosaytoyou,\"saidthedealer。\"Eithermakeyourpurchase,orwalkoutofmyshop。\"
\"True,true,\"saidMarkheim。\"Enoughfooling。Tobusiness。Showmesomethingelse。\"
Thedealerstoopedoncemore,thistimetoreplacetheglassupontheshelf,histhinblondhairfallingoverhiseyesashedidso。
Markheimmovedalittlenearer,withonehandinthepocketofhisgreatcoat;hedrewhimselfupandfilledhislungs;atthesametimemanydifferentemotionsweredepictedtogetheronhisface——terror,horror,andresolve,fascinationandaphysicalrepulsion;andthroughahaggardliftofhisupperlip,histeethlookedout。
\"This,perhaps,maysuit,\"observedthedealer。Andthen,ashebegantorearise,Markheimboundedfrombehinduponhisvictim。Thelong,skewer-likedaggerflashedandfell。Thedealerstruggledlikeahen,strikinghistempleontheshelf,andthentumbledonthefloorinaheap。
Timehadsomescoreofsmallvoicesinthatshop——somestatelyandslowaswasbecomingtotheirgreatage;othersgarrulousandhurried。
Allthesetoldoutthesecondsinanintricatechorusoftickings。
Thenthepassageofalad’sfeet,heavilyrunningonthepavement,brokeinuponthesesmallervoicesandstartledMarkheimintotheconsciousnessofhissurroundings。Helookedabouthimawfully。Thecandlestoodonthecounter,itsflamesolemnlywagginginadraught;
andbythatinconsiderablemovementthewholeroomwasfilledwithnoiselessbustleandkeptheavinglikeasea:thetallshadowsnodding,thegrossblotsofdarknessswellinganddwindlingaswithrespiration,thefacesoftheportraitsandthechinagodschangingandwaveringlikeimagesinwater。Theinnerdoorstoodajar,andpeeredintothatleaguerofshadowswithalongslitofdaylightlikeapointingfinger。
Fromthesefear-strickenrovings,Markheim’seyesreturnedtothebodyofhisvictim,whereitlay,bothhumpedandsprawling,incrediblysmallandstrangelymeanerthaninlife。Inthesepoor,miserlyclothes,inthatungainlyattitude,thedealerlaylikesomuchsawdust。Markheimhadfearedtoseeit,and,lo!itwasnothing。Andyet,ashegazed,thisbundleofoldclothesandpoolofbloodbegantofindeloquentvoices。Thereitmustlie;therewasnonetoworkthecunninghingesordirectthemiracleoflocomotion;thereitmustlietillitwasfound。Found!ay,andthen?ThenwouldthisdeadfleshliftupacrythatwouldringoverEngland,andfilltheworldwiththeechoesofpursuit。Ay,deadornot,thiswasstilltheenemy。
\"Timewasthatwhenthebrainswereout,\"hethought;andthefirstwordstruckintohismind。Time,nowthatthedeedwasaccomplished——
time,whichhadclosedforthevictim,hadbecomeinstantandmomentousfortheslayer。
Thethoughtwasyetinhismind,when,firstoneandthenanother,witheveryvarietyofpaceandvoice——onedeepasthebellfromacathedralturret,anotherringingonitstreblenotesthepreludeofawaltz,——theclocksbegantostrikethehourofthreeintheafternoon。
Thesuddenoutbreakofsomanytonguesinthatdumbchamberstaggeredhim。Hebegantobestirhimself,goingtoandfrowiththecandle,beleagueredbymovingshadows,andstartledtothesoulbychancereflections。Inmanyrichmirrors,someofhomedesign,somefromVeniceorAmsterdam,hesawhisfacerepeatedandrepeated,asitwereanarmyofspies;hisowneyesmetanddetectedhim;andthesoundofhisownsteps,lightlyastheyfell,vexedthesurroundingquiet。Andstill,ashecontinuedtofillhispockets,hismindaccusedhimwithasickeningiteration,ofthethousandfaultsofhisdesign。Heshouldhavechosenamorequiethour;heshouldhavepreparedanalibi;heshouldnothaveusedaknife;heshouldhavebeenmorecautious,andonlyboundandgaggedthedealer,andnotkilledhim;heshouldhavebeenmorebold,andkilledtheservantalso;heshouldhavedoneallthingsotherwise。Poignantregrets,weary,incessanttoilingofthemindtochangewhatwasunchangeable,toplanwhatwasnowuseless,tobethearchitectoftheirrevocablepast。Meanwhile,andbehindallthisactivity,bruteterrors,likethescurryingofratsinadesertedattic,filledthemoreremotechambersofhisbrainwithriot;thehandoftheconstablewouldfallheavyonhisshoulder,andhisnerveswouldjerklikeahookedfish;orhebeheld,ingallopingdefile,thedock,theprison,thegallows,andtheblackcoffin。
Terrorofthepeopleinthestreetsatdownbeforehismindlikeabesiegingarmy。Itwasimpossible,hethought,butthatsomerumourofthestrugglemusthavereachedtheirearsandsetonedgetheircuriosity;andnow,inalltheneighbouringhouses,hedivinedthemsittingmotionlessandwithupliftedear——solitarypeople,condemnedtospendChristmasdwellingaloneonmemoriesofthepast,andnowstartinglyrecalledfromthattenderexercise;happyfamilypartiesstruckintosilenceroundthetable,themotherstillwithraisedfinger——everydegreeandageandhumour,butall,bytheirownhearths,pryingandhearkeningandweavingtheropethatwastohanghim。Sometimesitseemedtohimhecouldnotmovetoosoftly;theclinkofthetallBohemiangobletsrangoutloudlylikeabell;andalarmedbythebignessoftheticking,hewastemptedtostoptheclocks。Andthen,again,withaswifttransitionofhisterrors,theverysilenceoftheplaceappearedasourceofperil,andathingtostrikeandfreezethepasser-by;andhewouldstepmoreboldly,andbustlealoudamongthecontentsoftheshop,andimitate,withelaboratebravado,themovementsofabusymanateaseinhisownhouse。
Buthewasnowsopulledaboutbydifferentalarmsthat,whileoneportionofhismindwasstillalertandcunning,anothertrembledonthebrinkoflunacy。Onehallucinationinparticulartookastrongholdonhiscredulity。Theneighbourhearkeningwithwhitefacebesidehiswindow,thepasser-byarrestedbyahorriblesurmiseonthepavement——thesecouldatworstsuspect,theycouldnotknow;throughthebrickwallsandshutteredwindowsonlysoundscouldpenetrate。Buthere,withinthehouse,washealone?Heknewhewas;hehadwatchedtheservantsetforthsweet-hearting,inherpoorbest,\"outfortheday\"writtenineveryribbonandsmile。Yes,hewasalone,ofcourse;
andyet,inthebulkofemptyhouseabovehim,hecouldsurelyhearastirofdelicatefooting;hewassurelyconscious,inexplicablyconsciousofsomepresence。Ay,surely;toeveryroomandcornerofthehousehisimaginationfollowedit;andnowitwasafacelessthing,andyethadeyestoseewith;andagainitwasashadowofhimself;andyetagainbeholdtheimageofthedeaddealer,reinspiredwithcunningandhatred。
Attimes,withastrongeffort,hewouldglanceattheopendoorwhichstillseemedtorepelhiseyes。Thehousewastall,theskylightsmallanddirty,thedayblindwithfog;andthelightthatfiltereddowntothegroundstorywasexceedinglyfaint,andshoweddimlyonthethresholdoftheshop。Andyet,inthatstripofdoubtfulbrightness,didtherenothangwaveringashadow?
Suddenly,fromthestreetoutside,averyjovialgentlemanbegantobeatwithastaffontheshopdoor,accompanyinghisblowswithshoutsandrailleriesinwhichthedealerwascontinuallycalleduponbyname。Markheim,smittenintoice,glancedatthedeadman。Butno!helayquitestill;hewasfledawayfarbeyondearshotoftheseblowsandshoutings;hewassunkbeneathseasofsilence;andhisname,whichwouldoncehavecaughthisnoticeabovethehowlingofastorm,hadbecomeanemptysound。Andpresentlythejovialgentlemandesistedfromhisknockinganddeparted。
Herewasabroadhinttohurrywhatremainedtobedone,togetforthfromthisaccusingneighbourhood,toplungeintoabathofLondonmultitudes,andtoreach,ontheothersideofday,thathavenofsafetyandapparentinnocence——hisbed。Onevisitorhadcome;atanymomentanothermightfollowandbemoreobstinate。Tohavedonethedeed,andyetnottoreaptheprofit,wouldbetooabhorrentafailure。Themoney——thatwasnowMarkheim’sconcern;andasameanstothat,thekeys。
Heglancedoverhisshoulderattheopendoor,wheretheshadowwasstilllingeringandshivering;andwithnoconsciousrepugnanceofthemind,yetwithatremorofthebelly,hedrewnearthebodyofhisvictim。Thehumancharacterhadquitedeparted。Likeasuithalf-
stuffedwithbran,thelimbslayscattered,thetrunkdoubled,onthefloor;andyetthethingrepelledhim。Althoughsodingyandinconsiderabletotheeye,hefeareditmighthavemoresignificancetothetouch。Hetookthebodybytheshoulders,andturneditonitsback。Itwasstrangelylightandsupple,andthelimbs,asiftheyhadbeenbroken,fellintotheoddestpostures。Thefacewasrobbedofallexpression;butitwasaspaleaswax,andshockinglysmearedwithbloodaboutonetemple。Thatwas,forMarkheim,theonedispleasingcircumstance。Itcarriedhimback,upontheinstant,toacertainfair-dayinafishers’village:agrayday,apipingwind,acrowduponthestreet,theblareofbrasses,theboomingofdrums,thenasalvoiceofaballadsinger;andaboygoingtoandfro,buriedoverheadinthecrowdanddividedbetweeninterestandfear,until,comingoutuponthechiefplaceofconcourse,hebeheldaboothandagreatscreenwithpictures,dismallydesigned,garishlycoloured——Brownriggwithherapprentice,theManningswiththeirmurderedguest,Weareinthedeath-gripofThurtell,andascorebesidesoffamouscrimes。ThethingwasasclearasanillusionHewasonceagainthatlittleboy;
hewaslookingonceagain,andwiththesamesenseofphysicalrevolt,atthesevilepictures;hewasstillstunnedbythethumpingofthedrums。Abarofthatday’smusicreturneduponhismemory;andatthat,forthefirsttime,aqualmcameoverhim,abreathofnausea,asuddenweaknessofthejoints,whichhemustinstantlyresistandconquer。
Hejudgeditmoreprudenttoconfrontthantofleefromtheseconsiderations,lookingthemorehardilyinthedeadface,bendinghismindtorealisethenatureandgreatnessofhiscrime。Solittleawhileagothatfacehadmovedwitheverychangeofsentiment,thatpalemouthhadspoken,thatbodyhadbeenallonfirewithgovernableenergies;andnow,andbyhisact,thatpieceoflifehadbeenarrested,asthehorologist,withinterjectedfinger,arreststhebeatingoftheclock。Sohereasonedinvain;hecouldrisetonomoreremorsefulconsciousness;thesameheartwhichhadshudderedbeforethepaintedeffigiesofcrime,lookedonitsrealityunmoved。Atbest,hefeltagleamofpityforonewhohadbeenendowedinvainwithallthosefacultiesthatcanmaketheworldagardenofenchantment,onewhohadneverlivedandwhowasnowdead。Butofpenitence,no,notatremor。
Withthat,shakinghimselfclearoftheseconsiderations,hefoundthekeysandadvancedtowardtheopendooroftheshop。Outside,ithadbeguntorainsmartly,andthesoundoftheshowerupontheroofhadbanishedsilence。Likesomedrippingcavern,thechambersofthehousewerehauntedbyanincessantechoing,whichfilledtheearandmingledwiththetickingoftheclocks。And,asMarkheimapproachedthedoor,heseemedtohear,inanswertohisowncautioustread,thestepsofanotherfootwithdrawingupthestair。Theshadowstillpalpitatedlooselyonthethreshold。Hethrewaton’sweightofresolveuponhismuscles,anddrewbackthedoor。
Thefaint,foggydaylightglimmereddimlyonthebarefloorandstairs;onthebrightsuitofarmourposted,halbertinhand,uponthelanding;andonthedarkwood-carvings,andframedpicturesthathungagainsttheyellowpanelsofthewainscot。Soloudwasthebeatingoftherainthroughallthehousethat,inMarkheim’sears,itbegantobedistinguishedintomanydifferentsounds。Footstepsandsighs,thetreadofregimentsmarchinginthedistance,thechinkofmoneyinthecounting,andthecreakingofdoorsheldstealthilyajar,appearedtominglewiththepatterofthedropsuponthecupolaandthegushingofthewaterinthepipes。Thesensethathewasnotalonegrewuponhimtothevergeofmadness。Oneverysidehewashauntedandbegirtbypresences。Heheardthemmovingintheupperchambers;fromtheshop,heheardthedeadmangettingtohislegs;andashebeganwithagreatefforttomountthestairs,feetfledquietlybeforehimandfollowedstealthilybehind。Ifhewerebutdeaf,hethought,howtranquillyhewouldpossesshissoul!Andthenagain,andhearkeningwitheverfreshattention,heblessedhimselfforthatunrestingsensewhichheldtheoutpostsandstoodatrustysentineluponhislife。Hisheadturnedcontinuallyonhisneck;hiseyes,whichseemedstartingfromtheirorbits,scoutedoneveryside,andoneverysidewerehalfrewardedaswiththetailofsomethingnamelessvanishing。Thefourandtwentystepstothefirstfloorwerefourandtwentyagonies。
Onthatfirststory,thedoorsstoodajar——threeofthem,likethreeambushes,shakinghisnerveslikethethroatsofcannon。Hecouldneveragain,hefelt,besufficientlyimmuredandfortifiedfrommen’sobservingeyes;helongedtobehome,girtinbywalls,buriedamongbedclothes,andinvisibletoallbutGod。Andatthatthoughthewonderedalittle,recollectingtalesofothermurderersandthefeartheyweresaidtoentertainofheavenlyavengers。Itwasnotso,atleast,withhim。Hefearedthelawsofnature,lest,intheircallousandimmutableprocedure,theyshouldpreservesomedamningevidenceofhiscrime。Hefearedtenfoldmore,withaslavish,superstitiousterror,somescissioninthecontinuityofman’sexperience,somewilfulillegalityofnature。Heplayedagameofskill,dependingontherules,calculatingconsequencefromcause;andwhatifnature,asthedefeatedtyrantoverthrewthechess-board,shouldbreakthemouldoftheirsuccession?ThelikehadbefallenNapoleon(sowriterssaid)
whenthewinterchangedthetimeofitsappearance。ThelikemightbefallMarkheim:thesolidwallsmightbecometransparentandrevealhisdoingslikethoseofbeesinaglasshive;thestoutplanksmightyieldunderhisfootlikequicksandsanddetainhimintheirclutch。
Ay,andthereweresobereraccidentsthatmightdestroyhim;if,forinstance,thehouseshouldfallandimprisonhimbesidethebodyofhisvictim,orthehousenextdoorshouldflyonfire,andthefiremeninvadehimfromallsides。Thesethingshefeared;and,inasense,thesethingsmightbecalledthehandsofGodreachedforthagainstsin。ButaboutGodhimselfhewasatease;hisactwasdoubtlessexceptional,butsowerehisexcuses,whichGodknew;itwasthere,andnotamongmen,thathefeltsureofjustice。
Whenhehadgotsafeintothedrawing-room,andshutthedoorbehindhim,hewasawareofarespitefromalarms。Theroomwasquitedismantled,uncarpetedbesides,andstrewnwithpacking-casesandincongruousfurniture;severalgreatpier-glasses,inwhichhebeheldhimselfatvariousangles,likeanactoronastage;manypictures,framedandunframed,standing,withtheirfacestothewall;afineSheratonsideboard,acabinetofmarquetry,andagreatoldbed,withtapestryhangings。Thewindowsopenedtothefloor;butbygreatgoodfortunethelowerpartoftheshuttershadbeenclosed,andthisconcealedhimfromtheneighbours。Here,then,Markheimdrewinapacking-casebeforethecabinet,andbegantosearchamongthekeys。
Itwasalongbusiness,forthereweremany;anditwasirksome,besides;for,afterall,theremightbenothinginthecabinet,andtimewasonthewing。Buttheclosenessoftheoccupationsoberedhim。