CHAPTERIV
OnthedayofthemarriageAgnesLockwoodsataloneinthelittledrawing-roomofherLondonlodgings，burningtheletterswhichhadbeenwrittentoherbyMontbarryinthebygonetime。
TheCountess’smaliciouslysmartdescriptionofher，addressedtoDoctorWybrow，hadnotevenhintedatthecharmthatmostdistinguishedAgnes——theartlessexpressionofgoodnessandpuritywhichinstantlyattractedeveryonewhoapproachedher。
Shelookedbymanyyearsyoungerthanshereallywas。Withherfaircomplexionandhershymanner，itseemedonlynaturaltospeakofheras’agirl，’althoughshewasnowreallyadvancingtowardsthirtyyearsofage。Shelivedalonewithanoldnursedevotedtoher，onamodestlittleincomewhichwasjustenoughtosupportthetwo。
Therewerenoneoftheordinarysignsofgriefinherface，assheslowlytorethelettersofherfalseloverintwo，andthrewthepiecesintothesmallfirewhichhadbeenlittoconsumethem。
Unhappilyforherself，shewasoneofthosewomenwhofeeltoodeeplytofindreliefintears。Paleandquiet，withcoldtremblingfingers，shedestroyedthelettersonebyonewithoutdaringtoreadthemagain。
Shehadtornthelastoftheseries，andwasstillshrinkingfromthrowingitaftertherestintotheswiftlydestroyingflame，whentheoldnursecamein，andaskedifshewouldsee’MasterHenry，’——
meaningthatyoungestmemberoftheWestwickfamily，whohadpubliclydeclaredhiscontemptforhisbrotherinthesmoking-roomoftheclub。
Agneshesitated。Afainttingeofcolourstoleoverherface。
TherehadbeenalongpasttimewhenHenryWestwickhadownedthathelovedher。Shehadmadeherconfessiontohim，acknowledgingthatherheartwasgiventohiseldestbrother。
Hehadsubmittedtohisdisappointment；andtheyhadmetthenceforthascousinsandfriends。Neverbeforehadsheassociatedtheideaofhimwithembarrassingrecollections。
Butnow，ontheverydaywhenhisbrother’smarriagetoanotherwomanhadconsummatedhisbrother’streasontowardsher，therewassomethingvaguelyrepellentintheprospectofseeinghim。
Theoldnurse（whorememberedthembothintheircradles）
observedherhesitation；andsympathisingofcoursewiththeman，putinatimelywordforHenry。’Hesays，he’sgoingaway，mydear；
andheonlywantstoshakehands，andsaygood-bye。’Thisplainstatementofthecasehaditseffect。Agnesdecidedonreceivinghercousin。
HeenteredtheroomsorapidlythathesurprisedherintheactofthrowingthefragmentsofMontbarry’slastletterintothefire。
Shehurriedlyspokefirst。
’YouareleavingLondonverysuddenly，Henry。Isitbusiness？
orpleasure？’
Insteadofansweringher，hepointedtotheflamingletter，andtosomeblackashesofburntpaperlyinglightlyinthelowerpartofthefireplace。
’Areyouburningletters？’
’Yes。’
’Hisletters？’
’Yes。’
Hetookherhandgently。’IhadnoideaIwasintrudingonyou，atatimewhenyoumustwishtobealone。Forgiveme，Agnes——IshallseeyouwhenIreturn。’
Shesignedtohim，withafaintsmile，totakeachair。
’Wehaveknownoneanothersincewewerechildren，’shesaid。
’WhyshouldIfeelafoolishprideaboutmyselfinyourpresence？whyshouldIhaveanysecretsfromyou？Isentbackallyourbrother’sgiftstomesometimeago。Ihavebeenadvisedtodomore，tokeepnothingthatcanremindmeofhim——inshort，toburnhisletters。
Ihavetakentheadvice；butIownIshrankalittlefromdestroyingthelastoftheletters。No——notbecauseitwasthelast，butbecauseithadthisinit。’Sheopenedherhand，andshowedhimalockofMontbarry’shair，tiedwithamorselofgoldencord。
’Well！well！letitgowiththerest。’
Shedroppeditintotheflame。Forawhile，shestoodwithherbacktoHenry，leaningonthemantel-piece，andlookingintothefire。
Hetookthechairtowhichshehadpointed，withastrangecontradictionofexpressioninhisface：thetearswereinhiseyes，whilethebrowsabovewereknitcloseinanangryfrown。
Hemutteredtohimself，’Damnhim！’
Sheralliedhercourage，andlookedathimagainwhenshespoke。
’Well，Henry，andwhyareyougoingaway？’
’Iamoutofspirits，Agnes，andIwantachange。’
Shepausedbeforeshespokeagain。Hisfacetoldherplainlythathewasthinkingofherwhenhemadethatreply。Shewasgratefultohim，buthermindwasnotwithhim：hermindwasstillwiththemanwhohaddesertedher。Sheturnedroundagaintothefire。
’Isittrue，’sheasked，afteralongsilence，’thattheyhavebeenmarriedto-day？’
Heansweredungraciouslyintheonenecessaryword：——’Yes。’
’Didyougotothechurch？’
Heresentedthequestionwithanexpressionofindignantsurprise。
’Gotothechurch？’herepeated。’Iwouldassoongoto——’
Hecheckedhimselfthere。’Howcanyouask？’headdedinlowertones。
’IhaveneverspokentoMontbarry，Ihavenotevenseenhim，sincehetreatedyoulikethescoundrelandthefoolthatheis。’
Shelookedathimsuddenly，withoutsayingaword。
Heunderstoodher，andbeggedherpardon。Buthewasstillangry。
’Thereckoningcomestosomemen，’hesaid，’eveninthisworld。
Hewilllivetoruethedaywhenhemarriedthatwoman！’
Agnestookachairbyhisside，andlookedathimwithagentlesurprise。
’Isitquitereasonabletobesoangrywithher，becauseyourbrotherpreferredhertome？’sheasked。
Henryturnedonhersharply。’DoyoudefendtheCountess，ofallthepeopleintheworld？’
’Whynot？’Agnesanswered。’Iknownothingagainsther。
Ontheonlyoccasionwhenwemet，sheappearedtobeasingularlytimid，nervousperson，lookingdreadfullyill；andbeingindeedsoillthatshefaintedundertheheatofmyroom。Whyshouldwenotdoherjustice？
Weknowthatshewasinnocentofanyintentiontowrongme；weknowthatshewasnotawareofmyengagement——’
Henryliftedhishandimpatiently，andstoppedher。
’Thereissuchathingasbeingtoojustandtooforgiving！’
heinterposed。’Ican’tbeartohearyoutalkinthatpatientway，afterthescandalouslycruelmannerinwhichyouhavebeentreated。
Trytoforgetthemboth，Agnes。IwishtoGodIcouldhelpyoutodoit！’
Agneslaidherhandonhisarm。’Youareverygoodtome，Henry；
butyoudon’tquiteunderstandme。Iwasthinkingofmyselfandmytroubleinquiteadifferentway，whenyoucamein。
Iwaswonderingwhetheranythingwhichhassoentirelyfilledmyheart，andsoabsorbedallthatisbestandtruestinme，asmyfeelingforyourbrother，canreallypassawayasifithadneverexisted。
Ihavedestroyedthelastvisiblethingsthatremindmeofhim。
InthisworldIshallseehimnomore。Butisthetiethatonceboundus，completelybroken？AmIasentirelypartedfromthegoodandevilfortuneofhislifeasifwehadnevermetandneverloved？Whatdoyouthink，Henry？Icanhardlybelieveit。’
’Ifyoucouldbringtheretributiononhimthathehasdeserved，’
HenryWestwickansweredsternly，’Imightbeinclinedtoagreewithyou。’
Asthatreplypassedhislips，theoldnurseappearedagainatthedoor，announcinganothervisitor。
’I’msorrytodisturbyou，mydear。ButhereislittleMrs。Ferrariwantingtoknowwhenshemaysayafewwordstoyou。’
AgnesturnedtoHenry，beforeshereplied。’YourememberEmilyBidwell，myfavouritepupilyearsagoatthevillageschool，andafterwardsmymaid？Sheleftme，tomarryanItaliancourier，namedFerrari——andIamafraidithasnotturnedoutverywell。
Doyoumindmyhavingherinhereforaminuteortwo？’
Henryrosetotakehisleave。’IshouldbegladtoseeEmilyagainatanyothertime，’hesaid。’ButitisbestthatIshouldgonow。
Mymindisdisturbed，Agnes；Imightsaythingstoyou，ifI
stayedhereanylonger，which——whicharebetternotsaidnow。
IshallcrosstheChannelbythemailto-night，andseehowafewweeks’changewillhelpme。’Hetookherhand。
’IsthereanythingintheworldthatIcandoforyou？’heaskedveryearnestly。Shethankedhim，andtriedtoreleaseherhand。
Hehelditwithatremulouslingeringgrasp。’Godblessyou，Agnes！’
hesaidinfalteringtones，withhiseyesontheground。
Herfaceflushedagain，andthenextinstantturnedpalerthanever；sheknewhisheartaswellasheknewithimself——
shewastoodistressedtospeak。Heliftedherhandtohislips，kisseditfervently，and，withoutlookingatheragain，lefttheroom。
Thenursehobbledafterhimtotheheadofthestairs：shehadnotforgottenthetimewhentheyoungerbrotherhadbeentheunsuccessfulrivaloftheelderforthehandofAgnes。’Don’tbedown-hearted，MasterHenry，’whisperedtheoldwoman，withtheunscrupulouscommonsenseofpersonsinthelowerrankoflife。’Tryheragain，whenyoucomeback！’
Leftaloneforafewmoments，Agnestookaturnintheroom，tryingtocomposeherself。Shepausedbeforealittlewater-colourdrawingonthewall，whichhadbelongedtohermother：itwasherownportraitwhenshewasachild。’Howmuchhappierweshouldbe，’
shethoughttoherselfsadly，’ifwenevergrewup！’
Thecourier’swifewasshownin——alittlemeekmelancholywoman，withwhiteeyelashes，andwateryeyes，whocurtseyeddeferentiallyandwastroubledwithasmallchroniccough。Agnesshookhandswithherkindly。’Well，Emily，whatcanIdoforyou？’
Thecourier’swifemaderatherastrangeanswer：’I’mafraidtotellyou，Miss。’
’Isitsuchaverydifficultfavourtogrant？Sitdown，andletmehearhowyouaregoingon。Perhapsthepetitionwillslipoutwhilewearetalking。Howdoesyourhusbandbehavetoyou？’
Emily’slightgreyeyeslookedmorewaterythanever。
Sheshookherheadandsighedresignedly。’Ihavenopositivecomplainttomakeagainsthim，Miss。ButI’mafraidhedoesn’tcareaboutme；andheseemstotakenointerestinhishome——
Imayalmostsayhe’stiredofhishome。Itmightbebetterforbothofus，Miss，ifhewenttravellingforawhile——
nottomentionthemoney，whichisbeginningtobewantedsadly。’
Sheputherhandkerchieftohereyes，andsighedagainmoreresignedlythanever。
’Idon’tquiteunderstand，’saidAgnes。’IthoughtyourhusbandhadanengagementtotakesomeladiestoSwitzerlandandItaly？’
’Thatwashisill-luck，Miss。Oneoftheladiesfellill——
andtheotherswouldn’tgowithouther。Theypaidhimamonth’ssalaryascompensation。Buttheyhadengagedhimfortheautumnandwinter——
andthelossisserious。’
’Iamsorrytohearit，Emily。Letushopehewillsoonhaveanotherchance。’
’It’snothisturn，Miss，toberecommendedwhenthenextapplicationscometothecouriers’office。Yousee，therearesomanyofthemoutofemploymentjustnow。Ifhecouldbeprivatelyrecommended——’
Shestopped，andlefttheunfinishedsentencetospeakforitself。
Agnesunderstoodherdirectly。’Youwantmyrecommendation，’
sherejoined。’Whycouldn’tyousaysoatonce？’
Emilyblushed。’Itwouldbesuchachanceformyhusband，’
sheansweredconfusedly。’Aletter，inquiringforagoodcourier（asixmonths’engagement，Miss！）cametotheofficethismorning。
It’sanotherman’sturntobechosen——andthesecretarywillrecommendhim。Ifmyhusbandcouldonlysendhistestimonialsbythesamepost——withjustawordinyourname，Miss——itmightturnthescale，astheysay。Aprivaterecommendationbetweengentlefolksgoessofar。’
Shestoppedagain，andsighedagain，andlookeddownatthecarpet，asifshehadsomeprivatereasonforfeelingalittleashamedofherself。
Agnesbegantoberatherwearyofthepersistenttoneofmysteryinwhichhervisitorspoke。’Ifyouwantmyinterestwithanyfriendofmine，’shesaid，’whycan’tyoutellmethename？’
Thecourier’swifebegantocry。’I’mashamedtotellyou，Miss。’
Forthefirsttime，Agnesspokesharply。’Nonsense，Emily！
Tellmethenamedirectly——ordropthesubject——whicheveryoulikebest。’
Emilymadealastdesperateeffort。Shewrungherhandkerchiefhardinherlap，andletoffthenameasifshehadbeenlettingoffaloadedgun：——’LordMontbarry！’
Agnesroseandlookedather。
’Youhavedisappointedme，’shesaidveryquietly，butwithalookwhichthecourier’swifehadneverseeninherfacebefore。
’Knowingwhatyouknow，yououghttobeawarethatitisimpossibleformetocommunicatewithLordMontbarry。Ialwayssupposedyouhadsomedelicacyoffeeling。IamsorrytofindthatIhavebeenmistaken。’
Weakasshewas，Emilyhadspiritenoughtofeelthereproof。
Shewalkedinhermeeknoiselesswaytothedoor。’Ibegyourpardon，Miss。Iamnotquitesobadasyouthinkme。ButIbegyourpardon，allthesame。’
Sheopenedthedoor。Agnescalledherback。Therewassomethinginthewoman’sapologythatappealedirresistiblytoherjustandgenerousnature。’Come，’shesaid；’wemustnotpartinthisway。
Letmenotmisunderstandyou。Whatisitthatyouexpectedmetodo？’
Emilywaswiseenoughtoanswerthistimewithoutanyreserve。
’Myhusbandwillsendhistestimonials，Miss，toLordMontbarryinScotland。Ionlywantedyoutolethimsayinhisletterthathiswifehasbeenknowntoyousinceshewasachild，andthatyoufeelsomelittleinterestinhiswelfareonthataccount。
Idon’taskitnow，Miss。YouhavemademeunderstandthatI
waswrong。’
Hadshereallybeenwrong？Pastremembrances，aswellaspresenttroubles，pleadedpowerfullywithAgnesforthecourier’swife。
’Itseemsonlyasmallfavourtoask，’shesaid，speakingundertheimpulseofkindnesswhichwasthestrongestimpulseinhernature。
’ButIamnotsurethatIoughttoallowmynametobementionedinyourhusband’sletter。Letmehearagainexactlywhathewishestosay。’
Emilyrepeatedthewords——andthenofferedoneofthosesuggestions，whichhaveaspecialvalueoftheirowntopersonsunaccustomedtotheuseoftheirpens。’Supposeyoutry，Miss，howitlooksinwriting？’
Childishastheideawas，Agnestriedtheexperiment。’IfIletyoumentionme，’shesaid，’wemustatleastdecidewhatyouaretosay。’
Shewrotethewordsinthebriefestandplainestform：——’IventuretostatethatmywifehasbeenknownfromherchildhoodtoMissAgnesLockwood，whofeelssomelittleinterestinmywelfareonthataccount。’
Reducedtothisonesentence，therewassurelynothinginthereferencetohernamewhichimpliedthatAgneshadpermittedit，orthatshewasevenawareofit。Afteralaststrugglewithherself，shehandedthewrittenpapertoEmily。’Yourhusbandmustcopyitexactly，withoutalteringanything，’shestipulated。’Onthatcondition，Igrantyourrequest。’Emilywasnotonlythankful——shewasreallytouched。Agneshurriedthelittlewomanoutoftheroom。
’Don’tgivemetimetorepentandtakeitbackagain，’shesaid。
Emilyvanished。
’Isthetiethatoncebounduscompletelybroken？AmIasentirelypartedfromthegoodandevilfortuneofhislifeasifwehadnevermetandneverloved？’Agneslookedattheclockonthemantel-piece。
Nottenminutessince，thoseseriousquestionshadbeenonherlips。
Italmostshockedhertothinkofthecommon-placemannerinwhichtheyhadalreadymetwiththeirreply。ThemailofthatnightwouldappealoncemoretoMontbarry’sremembranceofher——
inthechoiceofaservant。
Twodayslater，thepostbroughtafewgratefullinesfromEmily。
Herhusbandhadgottheplace。Ferrariwasengaged，forsixmonthscertain，asLordMontbarry’scourier。
THESECONDPART
CHAPTERV
AfteronlyoneweekoftravellinginScotland，mylordandmyladyreturnedunexpectedlytoLondon。IntroducedtothemountainsandlakesoftheHighlands，herladyshippositivelydeclinedtoimproveheracquaintancewiththem。Whenshewasaskedforherreason，sheansweredwithaRomanbrevity，’IhaveseenSwitzerland。’
Foraweekmore，thenewly-marriedcoupleremainedinLondon，inthestrictestretirement。OnonedayinthatweekthenursereturnedinastateofmostuncustomaryexcitementfromanerrandonwhichAgneshadsenther。Passingthedoorofafashionabledentist，shehadmetLordMontbarryhimselfjustleavingthehouse。
Thegoodwoman’sreportdescribedhim，withmaliciouspleasure，aslookingwretchedlyill。’Hischeeksaregettinghollow，mydear，andhisbeardisturninggrey。Ihopethedentisthurthim！’
Knowinghowheartilyherfaithfuloldservanthatedthemanwhohaddesertedher，Agnesmadedueallowanceforalargeinfusionofexaggerationinthepicturepresentedtoher。Themainimpressionproducedonhermindwasanimpressionofnervousuneasiness。
IfshetrustedherselfinthestreetsbydaylightwhileLordMontbarryremainedinLondon，howcouldshebesurethathisnextchance-meetingmightnotbeameetingwithherself？Shewaitedathome，privatelyashamedofherownundignifiedconduct，forthenexttwodays。
OnthethirddaythefashionableintelligenceofthenewspapersannouncedthedepartureofLordandLadyMontbarryforParis，ontheirwaytoItaly。
Mrs。Ferrari，callingthesameevening，informedAgnesthatherhusbandhadleftherwithallreasonableexpressionofconjugalkindness；
histemperbeingimprovedbytheprospectofgoingabroad。
Butoneotherservantaccompaniedthetravellers——LadyMontbarry’smaid，ratherasilent，unsociablewoman，sofarasEmilyhadheard。
Herladyship’sbrother，BaronRivar，wasalreadyontheContinent。
IthadbeenarrangedthathewastomeethissisterandherhusbandatRome。
OnebyonethedullweekssucceededeachotherinthelifeofAgnes。
Shefacedherpositionwithadmirablecourage，seeingherfriends，keepingherselfoccupiedinherleisurehourswithreadinganddrawing，leavingnomeansuntriedofdivertinghermindfromthemelancholyremembranceofthepast。Butshehadlovedtoofaithfully，shehadbeenwoundedtoodeeply，tofeelinanyadequatedegreetheinfluenceofthemoralremedieswhichsheemployed。
Personswhometwithherintheordinaryrelationsoflife，deceivedbyheroutwardserenityofmanner，agreedthat’MissLockwoodseemedtobegettingoverherdisappointment。’
ButanoldfriendandschoolcompanionwhohappenedtoseeherduringabriefvisittoLondon，wasinexpressiblydistressedbythechangethatshedetectedinAgnes。ThisladywasMrs。Westwick，thewifeofthatbrotherofLordMontbarrywhocamenexttohiminage，andwhowasdescribedinthe’Peerage’aspresumptiveheirtothetitle。
Hewasthenaway，lookingafterhisinterestsinsomeminingpropertywhichhepossessedinAmerica。Mrs。WestwickinsistedontakingAgnesbackwithhertoherhomeinIreland。’Comeandkeepmecompanywhilemyhusbandisaway。Mythreelittlegirlswillmakeyoutheirplayfellow，andtheonlystrangeryouwillmeetisthegoverness，whomIanswerforyourlikingbeforehand。Packupyourthings，andIwillcallforyouto-morrowonmywaytothetrain。’
Inthoseheartytermstheinvitationwasgiven。Agnesthankfullyacceptedit。Forthreehappymonthsshelivedundertheroofofherfriend。Thegirlshungroundherintearsatherdeparture；
theyoungestofthemwantedtogobackwithAgnestoLondon。
Halfinjest，halfinearnest，shesaidtoheroldfriendatparting，’Ifyourgovernessleavesyou，keeptheplaceopenforme。’
Mrs。Westwicklaughed。Thewiserchildrentookitseriously，andpromisedtoletAgnesknow。
OntheverydaywhenMissLockwoodreturnedtoLondon，shewasrecalledtothoseassociationswiththepastwhichshewasmostanxioustoforget。
Afterthefirstkissingsandgreetingswereover，theoldnurse（whohadbeenleftinchargeatthelodgings）hadsomestartlinginformationtocommunicate，derivedfromthecourier’swife。
’HerehasbeenlittleMrs。Ferrari，mydear，inadreadfulstateofmind，inquiringwhenyouwouldbeback。HerhusbandhasleftLordMontbarry，withoutawordofwarning——andnobodyknowswhathasbecomeofhim。’
Agneslookedatherinastonishment。’Areyousureofwhatyouaresaying？’sheasked。
Thenursewasquitesure。’Why，Lordblessyou！thenewscomesfromthecouriers’officeinGoldenSquare——fromthesecretary，MissAgnes，thesecretaryhimself！’Hearingthis，Agnesbegantofeelalarmedaswellassurprised。Itwasstillearlyintheevening。
SheatoncesentamessagetoMrs。Ferrari，tosaythatshehadreturned。
Inanhourmorethecourier’swifeappeared，inastateofagitationwhichitwasnoteasytocontrol。Hernarrative，whenshewasatlastabletospeakconnectedly，entirelyconfirmedthenurse’sreportofit。
AfterhearingfromherhusbandwithtolerableregularityfromParis，Rome，andVenice，Emilyhadtwicewrittentohimafterwards——
andhadreceivednoreply。Feelinguneasy，shehadgonetotheofficeinGoldenSquare，toinquireifhehadbeenheardofthere。
ThepostofthemorninghadbroughtalettertothesecretaryfromacourierthenatVenice。ItcontainedstartlingnewsofFerrari。
Hiswifehadbeenallowedtotakeacopyofit，whichshenowhandedtoAgnestoread。
ThewriterstatedthathehadrecentlyarrivedinVenice。
HehadpreviouslyheardthatFerrariwaswithLordandLadyMontbarry，atoneoftheoldVenetianpalaceswhichtheyhadhiredforaterm。
BeingafriendofFerrari，hehadgonetopayhimavisit。
Ringingatthedoorthatopenedonthecanal，andfailingtomakeanyonehearhim，hehadgoneroundtoasideentranceopeningononeofthenarrowlanesofVenice。Here，standingatthedoor（asifshewaswaitingforhimtotrythatwaynext），hefoundapalewomanwithmagnificentdarkeyes，whoprovedtobenootherthanLadyMontbarryherself。
Sheasked，inItalian，whathewanted。HeansweredthathewantedtoseethecourierFerrari，ifitwasquiteconvenient。
SheatonceinformedhimthatFerrarihadleftthepalace，withoutassigninganyreason，andwithoutevenleavinganaddressatwhichhismonthlysalary（thenduetohim）couldbepaid。Amazedatthisreply，thecourierinquiredifanypersonhadoffendedFerrari，orquarrelledwithhim。Theladyanswered，’Tomyknowledge，certainlynot。IamLadyMontbarry；andIcanpositivelyassureyouthatFerrariwastreatedwiththegreatestkindnessinthishouse。
Weareasmuchastonishedasyouareathisextraordinarydisappearance。
Ifyoushouldhearofhim，prayletusknow，sothatwemayatleastpayhimthemoneywhichisdue。’
Afteroneortwomorequestions（quitereadilyanswered）relatingtothedateandthetimeofdayatwhichFerrarihadleftthepalace，thecouriertookhisleave。
Heatonceenteredonthenecessaryinvestigations——withouttheslightestresultsofarasFerrariwasconcerned。Nobodyhadseenhim。
Nobodyappearedtohavebeentakenintohisconfidence。
Nobodyknewanything（thatistosay，anythingoftheslightestimportance）
evenaboutpersonssodistinguishedasLordandLadyMontbarry。
Itwasreportedthatherladyship’sEnglishmaidhadlefther，beforethedisappearanceofFerrari，toreturntoherrelativesinherowncountry，andthatLadyMontbarryhadtakennostepstosupplyherplace。Hislordshipwasdescribedasbeingindelicatehealth。
Helivedinthestrictestretirement——nobodywasadmittedtohim，notevenhisowncountrymen。Astupidoldwomanwasdiscoveredwhodidthehouseworkatthepalace，arrivinginthemorningandgoingawayagainatnight。Shehadneverseenthelostcourier——
shehadneverevenseenLordMontbarry，whowasthenconfinedtohisroom。Herladyship，’amostgraciousandadorablemistress，’
wasinconstantattendanceonhernoblehusband。Therewasnootherservanttheninthehouse（sofarastheoldwomanknew）
butherself。Themealsweresentinfromarestaurant。Mylord，itwassaid，dislikedstrangers。Mylord’sbrother-in-law，theBaron，wasgenerallyshutupinaremotepartofthepalace，occupied（thegraciousmistresssaid）withexperimentsinchemistry。
Theexperimentssometimesmadeanastysmell。Adoctorhadlatterlybeencalledintohislordship——anItaliandoctor，longresidentinVenice。
Inquiriesbeingaddressedtothisgentleman（aphysicianofundoubtedcapacityandrespectability），itturnedoutthathealsohadneverseenFerrari，havingbeensummonedtothepalace（ashismemorandumbookshowed）atadatesubsequenttothecourier’sdisappearance。
ThedoctordescribedLordMontbarry’smaladyasbronchitis。
Sofar，therewasnoreasontofeelanyanxiety，thoughtheattackwasasharpone。Ifalarmingsymptomsshouldappear，hehadarrangedwithherladyshiptocallinanotherphysician。
Fortherest，itwasimpossibletospeaktoohighlyofmylady；
nightandday，shewasatherlord’sbedside。
WiththeseparticularsbeganandendedthediscoveriesmadebyFerrari’scourier-friend。Thepolicewereonthelook-outforthelostman——
andthatwastheonlyhopewhichcouldbeheldforthforthepresent，toFerrari’swife。
’Whatdoyouthinkofit，Miss？’thepoorwomanaskedeagerly。
’Whatwouldyouadvisemetodo？’
Agneswasatalosshowtoanswerher；itwasanefforteventolistentowhatEmilywassaying。Thereferencesinthecourier’slettertoMontbarry——thereportofhisillness，themelancholypictureofhissecludedlife——hadreopenedtheoldwound。
ShewasnoteventhinkingofthelostFerrari；hermindwasatVenice，bythesickman’sbedside。
’Ihardlyknowwhattosay，’sheanswered。’Ihavehadnoexperienceinseriousmattersofthiskind。’
’Doyouthinkitwouldhelpyou，Miss，ifyoureadmyhusband’sletterstome？Thereareonlythreeofthem——theywon’ttakelongtoread。’
Agnescompassionatelyreadtheletters。
Theywerenotwritteninaverytendertone。’DearEmily，’
and’Yoursaffectionately’——theseconventionalphrases，weretheonlyphrasesofendearmentwhichtheycontained。
Inthefirstletter，LordMontbarrywasnotveryfavourablyspokenof：——’WeleaveParisto-morrow。Idon’tmuchlikemylord。
Heisproudandcold，and，betweenourselves，stingyinmoneymatters。
Ihavehadtodisputesuchtriflesasafewcentimesinthehotelbill；
andtwicealready，somesharpremarkshavepassedbetweenthenewly-marriedcouple，inconsequenceofherladyship’sfreedominpurchasingprettytemptingthingsattheshopsinParis。
\"Ican’taffordit；youmustkeeptoyourallowance。\"Shehashadtohearthosewordsalready。Formypart，Ilikeher。Shehasthenice，easyforeignmanners——shetalkstomeasifIwasahumanbeinglikeherself。’
ThesecondletterwasdatedfromRome。
’Mylord’scaprices’（Ferrariwrote）’havekeptusperpetuallyonthemove。Heisbecomingincurablyrestless。Isuspectheisuneasyinhismind。Painfulrecollections，Ishouldsay——Ifindhimconstantlyreadingoldletters，whenherladyshipisnotpresent。
WeweretohavestoppedatGenoa，buthehurrieduson。ThesamethingatFlorence。Here，atRome，myladyinsistsonresting。
Herbrotherhasmetusatthisplace。Therehasbeenaquarrelalready（thelady’smaidtellsme）betweenmylordandtheBaron。Thelatterwantedtoborrowmoneyoftheformer。HislordshiprefusedinlanguagewhichoffendedBaronRivar。Myladypacifiedthem，andmadethemshakehands。’
Thethird，andlastletter，wasfromVenice。
’Moreofmylord’seconomy！Insteadofstayingatthehotel，wehavehiredadamp，mouldy，ramblingoldpalace。Myladyinsistsonhavingthebestsuitesofroomswhereverwego——andthepalacecomescheaperforatwomonths’term。Mylordtriedtogetitforlonger；hesaysthequietofVeniceisgoodforhisnerves。
Butaforeignspeculatorhassecuredthepalace，andisgoingtoturnitintoanhotel。TheBaronisstillwithus，andtherehavebeenmoredisagreementsaboutmoneymatters。Idon’tliketheBaron——
andIdon’tfindtheattractionsofmyladygrowonme。ShewasmuchnicerbeforetheBaronjoinedus。Mylordisapunctualpaymaster；
it’samatterofhonourwithhim；hehatespartingwithhismoney，buthedoesitbecausehehasgivenhisword。Ireceivemysalaryregularlyattheendofeachmonth——notafrancextra，thoughI
havedonemanythingswhicharenotpartofacourier’sproperwork。
FancytheBarontryingtoborrowmoneyofme！heisaninveterategambler。
Ididn’tbelieveitwhenmylady’smaidfirsttoldmeso——
butIhaveseenenoughsincetosatisfymethatshewasright。
Ihaveseenotherthingsbesides，which——well！whichdon’tincreasemyrespectformyladyandtheBaron。Themaidsaysshemeanstogivewarningtoleave。SheisarespectableBritishfemale，anddoesn’ttakethingsquitesoeasilyasIdo。Itisadulllifehere。
Nogoingintocompany——nocompanyathome——notacreatureseesmylord——
noteventheconsul，orthebanker。Whenhegoesout，hegoesalone，andgenerallytowardsnightfall。Indoors，heshutshimselfupinhisownroomwithhisbooks，andseesaslittleofhiswifeandtheBaronaspossible。Ifancythingsarecomingtoacrisishere。
Ifmylord’ssuspicionsareonceawakened，theconsequenceswillbeterrible。Undercertainprovocations，thenobleMontbarryisamanwhowouldstickatnothing。However，thepayisgood——
andIcan’taffordtotalkofleavingtheplace，likemylady’smaid。’
Agneshandedbacktheletters——sosuggestiveofthepenaltypaidalreadyforhisowninfatuationbythemanwhohaddesertedher！——
withfeelingsofshameanddistress，whichmadehernofitcounsellorforthehelplesswomanwhodependedonheradvice。
’TheonethingIcansuggest，’shesaid，afterfirstspeakingsomekindwordsofcomfortandhope，’isthatweshouldconsultapersonofgreaterexperiencethanours。SupposeIwriteandaskmylawyer（whoisalsomyfriendandtrustee）tocomeandadviseusto-morrowafterhisbusinesshours？’
Emilyeagerlyandgratefullyacceptedthesuggestion。Anhourwasarrangedforthemeetingonthenextday；thecorrespondencewasleftunderthecareofAgnes；andthecourier’swifetookherleave。
Wearyandheartsick，Agneslaydownonthesofa，torestandcomposeherself。Thecarefulnursebroughtinarevivingcupoftea。
HerquaintgossipaboutherselfandheroccupationswhileAgneshadbeenaway，actedasarelieftohermistress’soverburdenedmind。
Theywerestilltalkingquietly，whentheywerestartledbyaloudknockatthehousedoor。Hurriedfootstepsascendedthestairs。
Thedoorofthesitting-roomwasthrownopenviolently；
thecourier’swiferushedinlikeamadwoman。’He’sdead！
They’vemurderedhim！’Thosewildwordswereallshecouldsay。
Shedroppedonherkneesatthefootofthesofa——heldoutherhandwithsomethingclaspedinit——andfellbackinaswoon。
Thenurse，signingtoAgnestoopenthewindow，tookthenecessarymeasurestorestorethefaintingwoman。’What’sthis？’sheexclaimed。
’Here’saletterinherhand。Seewhatitis，Miss。’
Theopenenvelopewasaddressed（evidentlyinafeignedhand-writing）
to’Mrs。Ferrari。’Thepost-markwas’Venice。’Thecontentsoftheenvelopewereasheetofforeignnote-paper，andafoldedenclosure。
Onthenote-paper，onelineonlywaswritten。Itwasagaininafeignedhandwriting，anditcontainedthesewords：
’Toconsoleyouforthelossofyourhusband’
Agnesopenedtheenclosurenext。
ItwasaBankofEnglandnoteforathousandpounds。
CHAPTERVI
Thenextday，thefriendandlegaladviserofAgnesLockwood，Mr。Troy，calledonherbyappointmentintheevening。
Mrs。Ferrari——stillpersistingintheconvictionofherhusband’sdeath——
hadsufficientlyrecoveredtobepresentattheconsultation。
AssistedbyAgnes，shetoldthelawyerthelittlethatwasknownrelatingtoFerrari’sdisappearance，andthenproducedthecorrespondenceconnectedwiththatevent。Mr。Troyread（first）thethreelettersaddressedbyFerraritohiswife；
（secondly）theletterwrittenbyFerrari’scourier-friend，describinghisvisittothepalaceandhisinterviewwithLadyMontbarry；and（thirdly）theonelineofanonymouswritingwhichhadaccompaniedtheextraordinarygiftofathousandpoundstoFerrari’swife。
Wellknown，atalaterperiod，asthelawyerwhoactedforLadyLydiard，inthecaseoftheft，generallydescribedasthecaseof’MyLady’sMoney，’
Mr。Troywasnotonlyamanoflearningandexperienceinhisprofession——
hewasalsoamanwhohadseensomethingofsocietyathomeandabroad。
Hepossessedakeeneyeforcharacter，aquainthumour，andakindlynaturewhichhadnotbeendeterioratedevenbyalawyer’sprofessionalexperienceofmankind。Withallthesepersonaladvantages，itisaquestion，nevertheless，whetherhewasthefittestadviserwhomAgnescouldhavechosenunderthecircumstances。LittleMrs。Ferrari，withmanydomesticmerits，wasanessentiallycommonplacewoman。
Mr。Troywasthelastpersonlivingwhowaslikelytoattracthersympathies——hewastheexactoppositeofacommonplaceman。
’Shelooksveryill，poorthing！’Inthesewordsthelawyeropenedthebusinessoftheevening，referringtoMrs。Ferrariasunceremoniouslyasifshehadbeenoutoftheroom。
’Shehassufferedaterribleshock，’Agnesanswered。
Mr。TroyturnedtoMrs。Ferrari，andlookedatheragain，withtheinterestduetothevictimofashock。Hedrummedabsentlywithhisfingersonthetable。Atlasthespoketoher。
’Mygoodlady，youdon’treallybelievethatyourhusbandisdead？’
Mrs。Ferrariputherhandkerchieftohereyes。Theword’dead’wasineffectualtoexpressherfeelings。’Murdered！’shesaidsternly，behindherhandkerchief。
’Why？Andbywhom？’Mr。Troyasked。
Mrs。Ferrariseemedtohavesomedifficultyinanswering。
’Youhavereadmyhusband’sletters，sir，’shebegan。’Ibelievehediscovered——’Shegotasfarasthat，andthereshestopped。
’Whatdidhediscover？’
Therearelimitstohumanpatience——eventhepatienceofabereavedwife。
ThiscoolquestionirritatedMrs。Ferrariintoexpressingherselfplainlyatlast。
’HediscoveredLadyMontbarryandtheBaron！’sheanswered，withaburstofhystericalvehemence。’TheBaronisnomorethatvilewoman’sbrotherthanIam。Thewickednessofthosetwowretchescametomypoordearhusband’sknowledge。Thelady’smaidleftherplaceonaccountofit。IfFerrarihadgoneawaytoo，hewouldhavebeenaliveatthismoment。Theyhavekilledhim。
Isaytheyhavekilledhim，topreventitfromgettingtoLordMontbarry’sears。’So，inshortsharpsentences，andinlouderandlouderaccents，Mrs。Ferraristatedheropinionofthecase。
Stillkeepinghisownviewinreserve，Mr。Troylistenedwithanexpressionofsatiricalapproval。
’Verystronglystated，Mrs。Ferrari，’hesaid。’Youbuildupyoursentenceswell；youclinchyourconclusionsinaworkmanlikemanner。
Ifyouhadbeenaman，youwouldhavemadeagoodlawyer——
youwouldhavetakenjuriesbythescruffoftheirnecks。
Completethecase，mygoodlady——completethecase。
Tellusnextwhosentyouthisletter，enclosingthebank-note。
The\"twowretches\"whomurderedMr。Ferrariwouldhardlyputtheirhandsintheirpocketsandsendyouathousandpounds。
Whoisit——eh？Iseethepost-markontheletteris\"Venice。\"
Haveyouanyfriendinthatinterestingcity，withalargeheart，andapursetocorrespond，whohasbeenletintothesecretandwhowishestoconsoleyouanonymously？’
Itwasnoteasytoreplytothis。Mrs。FerraribegantofeelthefirstinwardapproachesofsomethinglikehatredtowardsMr。Troy。
’Idon’tunderstandyou，sir，’sheanswered。’Idon’tthinkthisisajokingmatter。’
Agnesinterfered，forthefirsttime。Shedrewherchairalittlenearertoherlegalcounsellorandfriend。
’Whatisthemostprobableexplanation，inyouropinion？’
sheasked。
’IshalloffendMrs。FerrariifItellyou，’Mr。Troyanswered。
’No，sir，youwon’t！’criedMrs。Ferrari，hatingMr。Troyundisguisedlybythistime。
Thelawyerleanedbackinhischair。’Verywell，’hesaid，inhismostgood-humouredmanner。’Let’shaveitout。Observe，madam，Idon’tdisputeyourviewofthepositionofaffairsatthepalaceinVenice。Youhaveyourhusband’sletterstojustifyyou；
andyouhavealsothesignificantfactthatLadyMontbarry’smaiddidreallyleavethehouse。Wewillsay，then，thatLordMontbarryhaspresumablybeenmadethevictimofafoulwrong——
thatMr。Ferrariwasthefirsttofinditout——andthattheguiltypersonshadreasontofear，notonlythathewouldacquaintLordMontbarrywithhisdiscovery，butthathewouldbeaprincipalwitnessagainstthemifthescandalwasmadepublicinacourtoflaw。
Nowmark！Admittingallthis，Idrawatotallydifferentconclusionfromtheconclusionatwhichyouhavearrived。
Hereisyourhusbandleftinthismiserablehouseholdofthree，underveryawkwardcircumstancesforhim。Whatdoeshedo？
Butforthebank-noteandthewrittenmessagesenttoyouwithit，Ishouldsaythathehadwiselywithdrawnhimselffromassociationwithadisgracefuldiscoveryandexposure，bytakingsecretlytoflight。