THEFIRSTPART
CHAPTERI
Intheyear1860，thereputationofDoctorWybrowasaLondonphysicianreacheditshighestpoint。Itwasreportedongoodauthoritythathewasinreceiptofoneofthelargestincomesderivedfromthepracticeofmedicineinmoderntimes。
Oneafternoon，towardsthecloseoftheLondonseason，theDoctorhadjusttakenhisluncheonafteraspeciallyhardmorning’sworkinhisconsulting-room，andwithaformidablelistofvisitstopatientsattheirownhousestofilluptherestofhisday——
whentheservantannouncedthataladywishedtospeaktohim。
’Whoisshe？’theDoctorasked。’Astranger？’
’Yes，sir。’
’Iseenostrangersoutofconsulting-hours。Tellherwhatthehoursare，andsendheraway。’
’Ihavetoldher，sir。’
’Well？’
’Andshewon’tgo。’
’Won’tgo？’TheDoctorsmiledasherepeatedthewords。Hewasahumouristinhisway；andtherewasanabsurdsidetothesituationwhichratheramusedhim。’Hasthisobstinateladygivenyouhername？’
heinquired。
’No，sir。Sherefusedtogiveanyname——shesaidshewouldn’tkeepyoufiveminutes，andthematterwastooimportanttowaittillto-morrow。Theresheisintheconsulting-room；andhowtogetheroutagainismorethanIknow。’
DoctorWybrowconsideredforamoment。Hisknowledgeofwomen（professionallyspeaking）restedontheripeexperienceofmorethanthirtyyears；hehadmetwiththeminalltheirvarieties——
especiallythevarietywhichknowsnothingofthevalueoftime，andneverhesitatesatshelteringitselfbehindtheprivilegesofitssex。
Aglanceathiswatchinformedhimthathemustsoonbeginhisroundsamongthepatientswhowerewaitingforhimattheirownhouses。
Hedecidedforthwithontakingtheonlywisecoursethatwasopenunderthecircumstances。Inotherwords，hedecidedontakingtoflight。
’Isthecarriageatthedoor？’heasked。
’Yes，sir。’
’Verywell。Openthehouse-doorformewithoutmakinganynoise，andleavetheladyinundisturbedpossessionoftheconsulting-room。
Whenshegetstiredofwaiting，youknowwhattotellher。
IfsheaskswhenIamexpectedtoreturn，saythatIdineatmyclub，andspendtheeveningatthetheatre。Nowthen，softly，Thomas！
Ifyourshoescreak，Iamalostman。’
Henoiselesslyledthewayintothehall，followedbytheservantontip-toe。
Didtheladyintheconsulting-roomsuspecthim？ordidThomas’sshoescreak，andwashersenseofhearingunusuallykeen？
Whatevertheexplanationmaybe，theeventthatactuallyhappenedwasbeyondalldoubt。ExactlyasDoctorWybrowpassedhisconsulting-room，thedooropened——theladyappearedonthethreshold——
andlaidherhandonhisarm。
’Ientreatyou，sir，nottogoawaywithoutlettingmespeaktoyoufirst。’
Theaccentwasforeign；thetonewaslowandfirm。Herfingersclosedgently，andyetresolutely，ontheDoctor’sarm。
Neitherherlanguagenorheractionhadtheslightesteffectininclininghimtograntherrequest。Theinfluencethatinstantlystoppedhim，onthewaytohiscarriage，wasthesilentinfluenceofherface。
Thestartlingcontrastbetweenthecorpse-likepallorofhercomplexionandtheoverpoweringlifeandlight，theglitteringmetallicbrightnessinherlargeblackeyes，heldhimliterallyspell-bound。Shewasdressedindarkcolours，withperfecttaste；
shewasofmiddleheight，and（apparently）ofmiddleage——sayayearortwooverthirty。Herlowerfeatures——thenose，mouth，andchin——
possessedthefinenessanddelicacyofformwhichisoftenerseenamongwomenofforeignracesthanamongwomenofEnglishbirth。
Shewasunquestionablyahandsomeperson——withtheoneseriousdrawbackofherghastlycomplexion，andwiththelessnoticeabledefectofatotalwantoftendernessintheexpressionofhereyes。
Apartfromhisfirstemotionofsurprise，thefeelingsheproducedintheDoctormaybedescribedasanoverpoweringfeelingofprofessionalcuriosity。Thecasemightprovetobesomethingentirelynewinhisprofessionalexperience。’Itlookslikeit，’hethought；
’andit’sworthwaitingfor。’
Sheperceivedthatsheshehadproducedastrongimpressionofsomekinduponhim，anddroppedherholdonhisarm。
’Youhavecomfortedmanymiserablewomeninyourtime，’shesaid。
’Comfortonemore，to-day。’
Withoutwaitingtobeanswered，sheledthewaybackintotheroom。
TheDoctorfollowedher，andclosedthedoor。Heplacedherinthepatients’chair，oppositethewindows。EveninLondonthesun，onthatsummerafternoon，wasdazzlinglybright。
Theradiantlightflowedinonher。Hereyesmetitunflinchingly，withthesteelysteadinessoftheeyesofaneagle。Thesmoothpallorofherunwrinkledskinlookedmorefearfullywhitethanever。
Forthefirsttime，formanyalongyearpast，theDoctorfelthispulsequickenitsbeatinthepresenceofapatient。
Havingpossessedherselfofhisattention，sheappeared，strangelyenough，tohavenothingtosaytohim。Acuriousapathyseemedtohavetakenpossessionofthisresolutewoman。Forcedtospeakfirst，theDoctormerelyinquired，intheconventionalphrase，whathecoulddoforher。
Thesoundofhisvoiceseemedtorouseher。Stilllookingstraightatthelight，shesaidabruptly：’Ihaveapainfulquestiontoask。’
’Whatisit？’
HereyestravelledslowlyfromthewindowtotheDoctor’sface。
Withouttheslightestoutwardappearanceofagitation，sheputthe’painfulquestion’intheseextraordinarywords：
’Iwanttoknow，ifyouplease，whetherIamindangerofgoingmad？’
Somemenmighthavebeenamused，andsomemighthavebeenalarmed。
DoctorWybrowwasonlyconsciousofasenseofdisappointment。
Wasthistherarecasethathehadanticipated，judgingrashlybyappearances？Wasthenewpatientonlyahypochondriacalwoman，whosemaladywasadisorderedstomachandwhosemisfortunewasaweakbrain？’Whydoyoucometome？’heaskedsharply。’Whydon’tyouconsultadoctorwhosespecialemploymentisthetreatmentoftheinsane？’
Shehadheranswerreadyontheinstant。
’Idon’tgotoadoctorofthatsort，’shesaid，’fortheveryreasonthatheisaspecialist：hehasthefatalhabitofjudgingeverybodybylinesandrulesofhisownlayingdown。Icometoyou，becausemycaseisoutsideofalllinesandrules，andbecauseyouarefamousinyourprofessionforthediscoveryofmysteriesindisease。
Areyousatisfied？’
Hewasmorethansatisfied——hisfirstideahadbeentherightidea，afterall。Besides，shewascorrectlyinformedastohisprofessionalposition。Thecapacitywhichhadraisedhimtofameandfortunewashiscapacity（unrivalledamonghisbrethren）
forthediscoveryofremotedisease。
’Iamatyourdisposal，’heanswered。’LetmetryifIcanfindoutwhatisthematterwithyou。’
Heputhismedicalquestions。Theywerepromptlyandplainlyanswered；
andtheyledtonootherconclusionthanthatthestrangeladywas，mentallyandphysically，inexcellenthealth。Notsatisfiedwithquestions，hecarefullyexaminedthegreatorgansoflife。
Neitherhishandnorhisstethoscopecoulddiscoveranythingthatwasamiss。Withtheadmirablepatienceanddevotiontohisartwhichhaddistinguishedhimfromthetimewhenhewasastudent，hestillsubjectedhertoonetestafteranother。Theresultwasalwaysthesame。Notonlywastherenotendencytobraindisease——
therewasnotevenaperceptiblederangementofthenervoussystem。
’Icanfindnothingthematterwithyou，’hesaid。’Ican’tevenaccountfortheextraordinarypallorofyourcomplexion。Youcompletelypuzzleme。’
’Thepallorofmycomplexionisnothing，’sheansweredalittleimpatiently。’InmyearlylifeIhadanarrowescapefromdeathbypoisoning。Ihaveneverhadacomplexionsince——andmyskinissodelicate，Icannotpaintwithoutproducingahideousrash。
Butthatisofnoimportance。Iwantedyouropiniongivenpositively。
Ibelievedinyou，andyouhavedisappointedme。’Herheaddroppedonherbreast。’Andsoitends！’shesaidtoherselfbitterly。
TheDoctor’ssympathiesweretouched。Perhapsitmightbemorecorrecttosaythathisprofessionalpridewasalittlehurt。
’Itmayendintherightwayyet，’heremarked，’ifyouchoosetohelpme。’
Shelookedupagainwithflashingeyes，’Speakplainly，’shesaid。
’HowcanIhelpyou？’
’Plainly，madam，youcometomeasanenigma，andyouleavemetomaketherightguessbytheunaidedeffortsofmyart。Myartwilldomuch，butnotall。Forexample，somethingmusthaveoccurred——
somethingquiteunconnectedwiththestateofyourbodilyhealth——
tofrightenyouaboutyourself，oryouwouldneverhavecomeheretoconsultme。Isthattrue？’
Sheclaspedherhandsinherlap。’Thatistrue！’shesaideagerly。
’Ibegintobelieveinyouagain。’
’Verywell。Youcan’texpectmetofindoutthemoralcausewhichhasalarmedyou。Icanpositivelydiscoverthatthereisnophysicalcauseofalarm；and（unlessyouadmitmetoyourconfidence）
Icandonomore。’
Sherose，andtookaturnintheroom。’SupposeItellyou？’shesaid。
’But，mind，Ishallmentionnonames！’
’Thereisnoneedtomentionnames。ThefactsareallIwant。’
’Thefactsarenothing，’sherejoined。’Ihaveonlymyownimpressionstoconfess——andyouwillverylikelythinkmeafancifulfoolwhenyouhearwhattheyare。Nomatter。Iwilldomybesttocontentyou——
Iwillbeginwiththefactsthatyouwant。Takemywordforit，theywon’tdomuchtohelpyou。’
Shesatdownagain。Intheplainestpossiblewords，shebeganthestrangestandwildestconfessionthathadeverreachedtheDoctor’sears。
CHAPTERII
’Itisonefact，sir，thatIamawidow，’shesaid。’Itisanotherfact，thatIamgoingtobemarriedagain。’
Thereshepaused，andsmiledatsomethoughtthatoccurredtoher。
DoctorWybrowwasnotfavourablyimpressedbyhersmile——
therewassomethingatoncesadandcruelinit。Itcameslowly，anditwentawaysuddenly。Hebegantodoubtwhetherhehadbeenwiseinactingonhisfirstimpression。Hismindrevertedtothecommonplacepatientsandthediscoverablemaladiesthatwerewaitingforhim，withacertaintenderregret。
Theladywenton。
’Myapproachingmarriage，’shesaid，’hasoneembarrassingcircumstanceconnectedwithit。ThegentlemanwhosewifeIamtobe，wasengagedtoanotherladywhenhehappenedtomeetwithme，abroad：
thatlady，mind，beingofhisownbloodandfamily，relatedtohimashiscousin。Ihaveinnocentlyrobbedherofherlover，anddestroyedherprospectsinlife。Innocently，Isay——becausehetoldmenothingofhisengagementuntilafterIhadacceptedhim。
WhenwenextmetinEngland——andwhentherewasdanger，nodoubt，oftheaffaircomingtomyknowledge——hetoldmethetruth。
Iwasnaturallyindignant。Hehadhisexcuseready；heshowedmealetterfromtheladyherself，releasinghimfromhisengagement。
Amorenoble，amorehigh-mindedletter，Ineverreadinmylife。
Icriedoverit——Iwhohavenotearsinmeforsorrowsofmyown！
Iftheletterhadlefthimanyhopeofbeingforgiven，Iwouldhavepositivelyrefusedtomarryhim。Butthefirmnessofit——
withoutanger，withoutawordofreproach，withheartfeltwishesevenforhishappiness——thefirmnessofit，Isay，lefthimnohope。
Heappealedtomycompassion；heappealedtohisloveforme。
Youknowwhatwomenare。Itoowassoft-hearted——Isaid，Verywell：yes！Inaweekmore（ItrembleasIthinkofit）
wearetobemarried。’
Shedidreallytremble——shewasobligedtopauseandcomposeherself，beforeshecouldgoon。TheDoctor，waitingformorefacts，begantofearthathestoodcommittedtoalongstory。’ForgivemeforremindingyouthatIhavesufferingpersonswaitingtoseeme，’
hesaid。’Thesooneryoucancometothepoint，thebetterformypatientsandforme。’
Thestrangesmile——atoncesosadandsocruel——showeditselfagainonthelady’slips。’EverywordIhavesaidistothepoint，’
sheanswered。’Youwillseeityourselfinamomentmore。’
Sheresumedhernarrative。
’Yesterday——youneedfearnolongstory，sir；onlyyesterday——
IwasamongthevisitorsatoneofyourEnglishluncheonparties。
Alady，aperfectstrangertome，cameinlate——afterwehadleftthetable，andhadretiredtothedrawing-room。Shehappenedtotakeachairnearme；andwewerepresentedtoeachother。
Iknewherbyname，assheknewme。ItwasthewomanwhomIhadrobbedofherlover，thewomanwhohadwrittenthenobleletter。
Nowlisten！YouwereimpatientwithmefornotinterestingyouinwhatIsaidjustnow。IsaidittosatisfyyourmindthatIhadnoenmityoffeelingtowardsthelady，onmyside。
Iadmiredher，Ifeltforher——Ihadnocausetoreproachmyself。
Thisisveryimportant，asyouwillpresentlysee。Onherside，Ihavereasontobeassuredthatthecircumstanceshadbeentrulyexplainedtoher，andthatsheunderstoodIwasinnowaytoblame。
Now，knowingallthesenecessarythingsasyoudo，explaintome，ifyoucan，why，whenIroseandmetthatwoman’seyeslookingatme，Iturnedcoldfromheadtofoot，andshuddered，andshivered，andknewwhatadeadlypanicoffearwas，forthefirsttimeinmylife。’
TheDoctorbegantofeelinterestedatlast。
’Wasthereanythingremarkableinthelady’spersonalappearance？’
heasked。
’Nothingwhatever！’wasthevehementreply。’Hereisthetruedescriptionofher：——TheordinaryEnglishlady；theclearcoldblueeyes，thefinerosycomplexion，theinanimatelypolitemanner，thelargegood-humouredmouth，thetooplumpcheeksandchin：
these，andnothingmore。’
’Wasthereanythinginherexpression，whenyoufirstlookedather，thattookyoubysurprise？’
’Therewasnaturalcuriositytoseethewomanwhohadbeenpreferredtoher；andperhapssomeastonishmentalso，nottoseeamoreengagingandmorebeautifulperson；boththosefeelingsrestrainedwithinthelimitsofgoodbreeding，andbothnotlastingformorethanafewmoments——sofarasIcouldsee。Isay，\"sofar，\"
becausethehorribleagitationthatshecommunicatedtomedisturbedmyjudgment。IfIcouldhavegottothedoor，Iwouldhaverunoutoftheroom，shefrightenedmeso！Iwasnotevenabletostandup——
Isankbackinmychair；Istaredhorror-struckatthecalmblueeyesthatwereonlylookingatmewithagentlesurprise。
Tosaytheyaffectedmeliketheeyesofaserpentistosaynothing。
Ifelthersoulinthem，lookingintomine——looking，ifsuchathingcanbe，unconsciouslytoherownmortalself。Itellyoumyimpression，inallitshorrorandinallitsfolly！Thatwomanisdestined（withoutknowingitherself）tobetheevilgeniusofmylife。
HerinnocenteyessawhiddencapabilitiesofwickednessinmethatI
wasnotawareofmyself，untilIfeltthemstirringunderherlook。
IfIcommitfaultsinmylifetocome——ifIamevenguiltyofcrimes——
shewillbringtheretribution，without（asIfirmlybelieve）
anyconsciousexerciseofherownwill。InoneindescribablemomentIfeltallthis——andIsupposemyfaceshowedit。
Thegoodartlesscreaturewasinspiredbyasortofgentlealarmforme。\"Iamafraidtheheatoftheroomistoomuchforyou；
willyoutrymysmellingbottle？\"Iheardhersaythosekindwords；
andIremembernothingelse——Ifainted。WhenIrecoveredmysenses，thecompanyhadallgone；onlytheladyofthehousewaswithme。
ForthemomentIcouldsaynothingtoher；thedreadfulimpressionthatIhavetriedtodescribetoyoucamebacktomewiththecomingbackofmylife。AssoonIcouldspeak，IimploredhertotellmethewholetruthaboutthewomanwhomIhadsupplanted。Yousee，Ihadafainthopethathergoodcharactermightnotreallybedeserved，thathernobleletterwasaskilfulpieceofhypocrisy——inshort，thatshesecretlyhatedme，andwascunningenoughtohideit。
No！theladyhadbeenherfriendfromhergirlhood，wasasfamiliarwithherasiftheyhadbeensisters——knewherpositivelytobeasgood，asinnocent，asincapableofhatinganybody，asthegreatestsaintthateverlived。Myonelasthope，thatIhadonlyfeltanordinaryforewarningofdangerinthepresenceofanordinaryenemy，wasahopedestroyedforever。TherewasonemoreeffortIcouldmake，andImadeit。IwentnexttothemanwhomIamtomarry。
Iimploredhimtoreleasemefrommypromise。Herefused。
IdeclaredIwouldbreakmyengagement。Heshowedmelettersfromhissisters，lettersfromhisbrothers，andhisdearfriends——
allentreatinghimtothinkagainbeforehemademehiswife；
allrepeatingreportsofmeinParis，Vienna，andLondon，whicharesomanyvilelies。\"Ifyourefusetomarryme，\"hesaid，\"youadmitthatthesereportsaretrue——youadmitthatyouareafraidtofacesocietyinthecharacterofmywife。\"WhatcouldIanswer？
Therewasnocontradictinghim——hewasplainlyright：ifIpersistedinmyrefusal，theutterdestructionofmyreputationwouldbetheresult。
Iconsentedtolettheweddingtakeplaceaswehadarrangedit——
andlefthim。Thenighthaspassed。Iamhere，withmyfixedconviction——
thatinnocentwomanisordainedtohaveafatalinfluenceovermylife。
Iamherewithmyonequestiontoput，totheonemanwhocananswerit。
Forthelasttime，sir，whatamI——ademonwhohasseentheavengingangel？oronlyapoormadwoman，misledbythedelusionofaderangedmind？’
DoctorWybrowrosefromhischair，determinedtoclosetheinterview。
Hewasstronglyandpainfullyimpressedbywhathehadheard。
Thelongerhehadlistenedtoher，themoreirresistiblytheconvictionofthewoman’swickednesshadforceditselfonhim。
Hetriedvainlytothinkofherasapersontobepitied——apersonwithamorbidlysensitiveimagination，consciousofthecapacitiesforevilwhichliedormantinusall，andstrivingearnestlytoopenherhearttothecounter-influenceofherownbetternature；theeffortwasbeyondhim。Aperverseinstinctinhimsaid，asifinwords，Bewarehowyoubelieveinher！
’Ihavealreadygivenyoumyopinion，’hesaid。’Thereisnosignofyourintellectbeingderanged，orbeinglikelytobederanged，thatmedicalsciencecandiscover——asIunderstandit。
Asfortheimpressionsyouhaveconfidedtome，Icanonlysaythatyoursisacase（asIventuretothink）forspiritualratherthanformedicaladvice。Ofonethingbeassured：
whatyouhavesaidtomeinthisroomshallnotpassoutofit。
Yourconfessionissafeinmykeeping。’
Sheheardhim，withacertaindoggedresignation，totheend。
’Isthatall？’sheasked。
’Thatisall，’heanswered。
Sheputalittlepaperpacketofmoneyonthetable。
’Thankyou，sir。Thereisyourfee。’
Withthosewordssherose。Herwildblackeyeslookedupward，withanexpressionofdespairsodefiantandsohorribleinitssilentagonythattheDoctorturnedawayhishead，unabletoendurethesightofit。Thebareideaoftakinganythingfromher——notmoneyonly，butanythingeventhatshehadtouched——suddenlyrevoltedhim。
Stillwithoutlookingather，hesaid，’Takeitback；Idon’twantmyfee。’
Sheneitherheedednorheardhim。Stilllookingupward，shesaidslowlytoherself，’Lettheendcome。Ihavedonewiththestruggle：
Isubmit。’
Shedrewherveiloverherface，bowedtotheDoctor，andlefttheroom。
Herangthebell，andfollowedherintothehall。Astheservantclosedthedooronher，asuddenimpulseofcuriosity——
utterlyunworthyofhim，andatthesametimeutterlyirresistible——
sprangupintheDoctor’smind。Blushinglikeaboy，hesaidtotheservant，’Followherhome，andfindouthername。’
Foronemomentthemanlookedathismaster，doubtingifhisownearshadnotdeceivedhim。DoctorWybrowlookedbackathiminsilence。
Thesubmissiveservantknewwhatthatsilencemeant——hetookhishatandhurriedintothestreet。
TheDoctorwentbacktotheconsulting-room。Asuddenrevulsionoffeelingsweptoverhismind。Hadthewomanleftaninfectionofwickednessinthehouse，andhadhecaughtit？Whatdevilhadpossessedhimtodegradehimselfintheeyesofhisownservant？
Hehadbehavedinfamously——hehadaskedanhonestman，amanwhohadservedhimfaithfullyforyears，toturnspy！Stungbythebarethoughtofit，heranoutintothehallagain，andopenedthedoor。
Theservanthaddisappeared；itwastoolatetocallhimback。
Butonerefugefromhiscontemptforhimselfwasnowopentohim——
therefugeofwork。Hegotintohiscarriageandwenthisroundsamonghispatients。
Ifthefamousphysiciancouldhaveshakenhisownreputation，hewouldhavedoneitthatafternoon。Neverbeforehadhemadehimselfsolittlewelcomeatthebedside。Neverbeforehadheputoffuntilto-morrowtheprescriptionwhichoughttohavebeenwritten，theopinionwhichoughttohavebeengiven，to-day。Hewenthomeearlierthanusual——unutterablydissatisfiedwithhimself。
Theservanthadreturned。Dr。Wybrowwasashamedtoquestionhim。
Themanreportedtheresultofhiserrand，withoutwaitingtobeasked。
’Thelady’snameistheCountessNarona。Shelivesat——’
Withoutwaitingtohearwhereshelived，theDoctoracknowledgedtheall-importantdiscoveryofhernamebyasilentbendofthehead，andenteredhisconsulting-room。Thefeethathehadvainlyrefusedstilllayinitslittlewhitepapercoveringonthetable。
Hesealeditupinanenvelope；addressedittothe’Poor-box’
ofthenearestpolice-court；and，callingtheservantin，directedhimtotakeittothemagistratethenextmorning。
Faithfultohisduties，theservantwaitedtoaskthecustomaryquestion，’Doyoudineathometo-day，sir？’
Afteramoment’shesitationhesaid，’No：Ishalldineattheclub。’
Themosteasilydeterioratedofallthemoralqualitiesisthequalitycalled’conscience。’Inonestateofaman’smind，hisconscienceistheseverestjudgethatcanpasssentenceonhim。
Inanotherstate，heandhisconscienceareonthebestpossibletermswitheachotherinthecomfortablecapacityofaccomplices。
WhenDoctorWybrowlefthishouseforthesecondtime，hedidnotevenattempttoconcealfromhimselfthathissoleobject，indiningattheclub，wastohearwhattheworldsaidoftheCountessNarona。
CHAPTERIII
Therewasatimewhenamaninsearchofthepleasuresofgossipsoughtthesocietyofladies。Themanknowsbetternow。
Hegoestothesmoking-roomofhisclub。
DoctorWybrowlithiscigar，andlookedroundhimathisbrethreninsocialconclaveassembled。Theroomwaswellfilled；
buttheflowoftalkwasstilllanguid。TheDoctorinnocentlyappliedthestimulantthatwaswanted。WhenheinquiredifanybodyknewtheCountessNarona，hewasansweredbysomethinglikeashoutofastonishment。Never（theconclaveagreed）
hadsuchanabsurdquestionbeenaskedbefore！Everyhumancreature，withtheslightestclaimtoaplaceinsociety，knewtheCountessNarona。
AnadventuresswithaEuropeanreputationoftheblackestpossiblecolour——
suchwasthegeneraldescriptionofthewomanwiththedeathlikecomplexionandtheglitteringeyes。
Descendingtoparticulars，eachmemberoftheclubcontributedhisownlittlestockofscandaltothememoirsoftheCountess。
Itwasdoubtfulwhethershewasreally，whatshecalledherself，aDalmatianlady。ItwasdoubtfulwhethershehadeverbeenmarriedtotheCountwhosewidowsheassumedtobe。
Itwasdoubtfulwhetherthemanwhoaccompaniedherinhertravels（underthenameofBaronRivar，andinthecharacterofherbrother）
washerbrotheratall。ReportpointedtotheBaronasagambleratevery’table’ontheContinent。Reportwhisperedthathisso-calledsisterhadnarrowlyescapedbeingimplicatedinafamoustrialforpoisoningatVienna——thatshehadbeenknownatMilanasaspyintheinterestsofAustria——thather’apartment’inParishadbeendenouncedtothepoliceasnothinglessthanaprivategambling-house——
andthatherpresentappearanceinEnglandwasthenaturalresultofthediscovery。Onlyonememberoftheassemblyinthesmoking-roomtookthepartofthismuch-abusedwoman，anddeclaredthathercharacterhadbeenmostcruellyandmostunjustlyassailed。
Butasthemanwasalawyer，hisinterferencewentfornothing：
itwasnaturallyattributedtothespiritofcontradictioninherentinhisprofession。HewasaskedderisivelywhathethoughtofthecircumstancesunderwhichtheCountesshadbecomeengagedtobemarried；andhemadethecharacteristicanswer，thathethoughtthecircumstanceshighlycreditabletobothparties，andthathelookedonthelady’sfuturehusbandasamostenviableman。
Hearingthis，theDoctorraisedanothershoutofastonishmentbyinquiringthenameofthegentlemanwhomtheCountesswasabouttomarry。
Hisfriendsinthesmoking-roomdecidedunanimouslythatthecelebratedphysicianmustbeasecond’Rip-van-Winkle，’andthathehadjustawakenedfromasupernaturalsleepoftwentyyears。
Itwasallverywelltosaythathewasdevotedtohisprofession，andthathehadneithertimenorinclinationtopickupfragmentsofgossipatdinner-partiesandballs。AmanwhodidnotknowthattheCountessNaronahadborrowedmoneyatHomburgofnolessapersonthanLordMontbarry，andhadthendeludedhimintomakingheraproposalofmarriage，wasamanwhohadprobablyneverheardofLordMontbarryhimself。Theyoungermembersoftheclub，humouringthejoke，sentawaiterforthe’Peerage’；andreadaloudthememoirofthenoblemaninquestion，fortheDoctor’sbenefit——
withillustrativemorselsofinformationinterpolatedbythemselves。
’HerbertJohnWestwick。FirstBaronMontbarry，ofMontbarry，King’sCounty，Ireland。CreatedaPeerfordistinguishedmilitaryservicesinIndia。Born，1812。Forty-eightyearsold，Doctor，atthepresenttime。Notmarried。Willbemarriednextweek，Doctor，tothedelightfulcreaturewehavebeentalkingabout。
Heirpresumptive，hislordship’snextbrother，StephenRobert，marriedtoElla，youngestdaughteroftheReverendSilasMarden，RectorofRunnigate，andhasissue，threedaughters。Youngerbrothersofhislordship，FrancisandHenry，unmarried。Sistersofhislordship，LadyBarville，marriedtoSirTheodoreBarville，Bart。；andAnne，widowofthelatePeterNorbury，Esq。，ofNorburyCross。
Bearhislordship’srelationswellinmind，Doctor。ThreebrothersWestwick，Stephen，Francis，andHenry；andtwosisters，LadyBarvilleandMrs。Norbury。Notoneofthefivewillbepresentatthemarriage；
andnotoneofthefivewillleaveastoneunturnedtostopit，iftheCountesswillonlygivethemachance。Addtothesehostilemembersofthefamilyanotheroffendedrelativenotmentionedinthe’Peerage，’ayounglady——’
Asuddenoutburstofprotestinmorethanonepartoftheroomstoppedthecomingdisclosure，andreleasedtheDoctorfromfurtherpersecution。
’Don’tmentionthepoorgirl’sname；it’stoobadtomakeajokeofthatpartofthebusiness；shehasbehavednoblyundershamefulprovocation；
thereisbutoneexcuseforMontbarry——heiseitheramadmanorafool。’
Inthesetermstheprotestexpresseditselfonallsides。
Speakingconfidentiallytohisnextneighbour，theDoctordiscoveredthattheladyreferredtowasalreadyknowntohim（throughtheCountess’sconfession）astheladydesertedbyLordMontbarry。HernamewasAgnesLockwood。ShewasdescribedasbeingthesuperioroftheCountessinpersonalattraction，andasbeingalsobysomeyearstheyoungerwomanofthetwo。
Makingallallowanceforthefolliesthatmencommittedeverydayintheirrelationswithwomen，Montbarry’sdelusionwasstillthemostmonstrousdelusiononrecord。Inthisexpressionofopinioneverymanpresentagreed——thelawyerevenincluded。
Notoneofthemcouldcalltomindtheinnumerableinstancesinwhichthesexualinfluencehasprovedirresistibleinthepersonsofwomenwithouteventhepretensiontobeauty。TheverymembersoftheclubwhomtheCountess（inspiteofherpersonaldisadvantages）
couldhavemosteasilyfascinated，ifshehadthoughtitworthherwhile，werethememberswhowonderedmostloudlyatMontbarry’schoiceofawife。
WhilethetopicoftheCountess’smarriagewasstilltheonetopicofconversation，amemberoftheclubenteredthesmoking-roomwhoseappearanceinstantlyproducedadeadsilence。
DoctorWybrow’snextneighbourwhisperedtohim，’Montbarry’sbrother——
HenryWestwick！’
Thenew-comerlookedroundhimslowly，withabittersmile。
’Youarealltalkingofmybrother，’hesaid。’Don’tmindme。
NotoneofyoucandespisehimmoreheartilythanIdo。
Goon，gentlemen——goon！’
Butonemanpresenttookthespeakerathisword。ThatmanwasthelawyerwhohadalreadyundertakenthedefenceoftheCountess。
’Istandaloneinmyopinion，’hesaid，’andIamnotashamedofrepeatingitinanybody’shearing。IconsidertheCountessNaronatobeacruelly-treatedwoman。Whyshouldn’tshebeLordMontbarry’swife？
Whocansayshehasamercenarymotiveinmarryinghim？’
Montbarry’sbrotherturnedsharplyonthespeaker。’Isayit！’
heanswered。
Thereplymighthaveshakensomemen。Thelawyerstoodonhisgroundasfirmlyasever。
’IbelieveIamright，’herejoined，’instatingthathislordship’sincomeisnotmorethansufficienttosupporthisstationinlife；
alsothatitisanincomederivedalmostentirelyfromlandedpropertyinIreland，everyacreofwhichisentailed。’
Montbarry’sbrothermadeasign，admittingthathehadnoobjectiontooffersofar。
’Ifhislordshipdiesfirst，’thelawyerproceeded，’Ihavebeeninformedthattheonlyprovisionhecanmakeforhiswidowconsistsinarent-chargeonthepropertyofnomorethanfourhundredayear。
Hisretiringpensionandallowances，itiswellknown，diewithhim。
FourhundredayearisthereforeallthathecanleavetotheCountess，ifheleavesherawidow。’
’Fourhundredayearisnotall，’wasthereplytothis。
’Mybrotherhasinsuredhislifefortenthousandpounds；
andhehassettledthewholeofitontheCountess，intheeventofhisdeath。’
Thisannouncementproducedastrongsensation。Menlookedateachother，andrepeatedthethreestartlingwords，’Tenthousandpounds！’
Drivenfairlytothewall，thelawyermadealastefforttodefendhisposition。
’MayIaskwhomadethatsettlementaconditionofthemarriage？’
hesaid。’SurelyitwasnottheCountessherself？。’
HenryWestwickanswered，’itwastheCountess’sbrother’；andadded，’whichcomestothesamething。’
Afterthat，therewasnomoretobesaid——solong，atleast，asMontbarry’sbrotherwaspresent。Thetalkflowedintootherchannels；
andtheDoctorwenthome。
ButhismorbidcuriosityabouttheCountesswasnotsetatrestyet。
InhisleisuremomentshefoundhimselfwonderingwhetherLordMontbarry’sfamilywouldsucceedinstoppingthemarriageafterall。
Andmorethanthis，hewasconsciousofagrowingdesiretoseetheinfatuatedmanhimself。Everydayduringthebriefintervalbeforethewedding，helookedinattheclub，onthechanceofhearingsomenews。
Nothinghadhappened，sofarastheclubknew。TheCountess’spositionwassecure；Montbarry’sresolutiontobeherhusbandwasunshaken。
TheywerebothRomanCatholics，andtheyweretobemarriedatthechapelinSpanishPlace。SomuchtheDoctordiscoveredaboutthem——
andnomore。
Onthedayofthewedding，afterafeeblestrugglewithhimself，heactuallysacrificedhispatientsandtheirguineas，andslippedawaysecretlytoseethemarriage。Totheendofhislife，hewasangrywithanybodywhoremindedhimofwhathehaddoneonthatday！
Theweddingwasstrictlyprivate。Aclosecarriagestoodatthechurchdoor；afewpeople，mostlyofthelowerclass，andmostlyoldwomen，werescatteredabouttheinteriorofthebuilding。
HereandthereDoctorWybrowdetectedthefacesofsomeofhisbrethrenoftheclub，attractedbycuriosity，likehimself。
Fourpersonsonlystoodbeforethealtar——thebrideandbridegroomandtheirtwowitnesses。Oneoftheselastwasanelderlywoman，whomighthavebeentheCountess’scompanionormaid；theotherwasundoubtedlyherbrother，BaronRivar。Thebridalparty（thebrideherselfincluded）woretheirordinarymorningcostume。
LordMontbarry，personallyviewed，wasamiddle-agedmilitarymanoftheordinarytype：nothingintheleastremarkabledistinguishedhimeitherinfaceorfigure。BaronRivar，again，inhiswaywasanotherconventionalrepresentativeofanotherwell-knowntype。
Oneseeshisfinely-pointedmoustache，hisboldeyes，hiscrisply-curlinghair，andhisdashingcarriageofthehead，repeatedhundredsoftimesoverontheBoulevardsofParis。
Theonlynoteworthypointabouthimwasofthenegativesort——
hewasnotintheleastlikehissister。Eventheofficiatingpriestwasonlyaharmless，humble-lookingoldman，whowentthroughhisdutiesresignedly，andfeltvisiblerheumaticdifficultieseverytimehebenthisknees。Theoneremarkableperson，theCountessherself，onlyraisedherveilatthebeginningoftheceremony，andpresentednothinginherplaindressthatwasworthasecondlook。Never，onthefaceofit，wastherealessinterestingandlessromanticmarriagethanthis。FromtimetotimetheDoctorglancedroundatthedoororupatthegalleries，vaguelyanticipatingtheappearanceofsomeprotestingstranger，inpossessionofsometerriblesecret，commissionedtoforbidtheprogressoftheservice。Nothingintheshapeofaneventoccurred——
nothingextraordinary，nothingdramatic。Boundfasttogetherasmanandwife，thetwodisappeared，followedbytheirwitnesses，tosigntheregisters；andstillDoctorWybrowwaited，andstillhecherishedtheobstinatehopethatsomethingworthseeingmustcertainlyhappenyet。
Theintervalpassed，andthemarriedcouple，returningtothechurch，walkedtogetherdownthenavetothedoor。DoctorWybrowdrewbackastheyapproached。Tohisconfusionandsurprise，theCountessdiscoveredhim。Heheardhersaytoherhusband，’Onemoment；Iseeafriend。’LordMontbarrybowedandwaited。
ShesteppeduptotheDoctor，tookhishand，andwrungithard。
Hefeltheroverpoweringblackeyeslookingathimthroughherveil。’Onestepmore，yousee，onthewaytotheend！’
Shewhisperedthosestrangewords，andreturnedtoherhusband。
BeforetheDoctorcouldrecoverhimselfandfollowher，LordandLadyMontbarryhadsteppedintotheircarriage，andhaddrivenaway。
Outsidethechurchdoorstoodthethreeorfourmembersoftheclubwho，likeDoctorWybrow，hadwatchedtheceremonyoutofcuriosity。
Nearthemwasthebride’sbrother，waitingalone。Hewasevidentlybentonseeingthemanwhomhissisterhadspokento，inbroaddaylight。
HisboldeyesrestedontheDoctor’sface，withamomentaryflashofsuspicioninthem。Thecloudsuddenlyclearedaway；theBaronsmiledwithcharmingcourtesy，liftedhishattohissister’sfriend，andwalkedoff。
Themembersconstitutedthemselvesintoaclubconclaveonthechurchsteps。TheybeganwiththeBaron。’Damnedill-lookingrascal！’
TheywentonwithMontbarry。’IshegoingtotakethathorridwomanwithhimtoIreland？’’Nothe！hecan’tfacethetenantry；
theyknowaboutAgnesLockwood。’’Well，butwhereishegoing？’
’ToScotland。’’Doesshelikethat？’’It’sonlyforafortnight；
theycomebacktoLondon，andgoabroad。’’AndtheywillneverreturntoEngland，eh？’’Whocantell？DidyouseehowshelookedatMontbarry，whenshehadtoliftherveilatthebeginningoftheservice？
Inhisplace，Ishouldhavebolted。Didyouseeher，Doctor？’
Bythistime，DoctorWybrowhadrememberedhispatients，andhadheardenoughoftheclubgossip。HefollowedtheexampleofBaronRivar，andwalkedoff。
’Onestepmore，yousee，onthewaytotheend，’herepeatedtohimself，onhiswayhome。’Whatend？’