AnnabelBalchwas，ifnotthegirlHarneyoughttomarry，atleastthekindofgirlitwouldbenaturalforhimtomarry。Charityhadneverbeenabletopictureherselfashiswife;hadneverbeenabletoarrestthevisionandfollowitoutinitsdailyconsequences;butshecouldperfectlyimagineAnnabelBalchinthatrelationtohim。
Themoreshethoughtofthesethingsthemorethesenseoffatalityweighedonher：shefelttheuselessnessofstrugglingagainstthecircumstances。Shehadneverknownhowtoadaptherself;shecouldonlybreakandtearanddestroy。ThescenewithAllyhadleftherstrickenwithshameatherownchildishsavagery。WhatwouldHarneyhavethoughtifhehadwitnessedit？Butwhensheturnedtheincidentoverinherpuzzledmindshecouldnotimaginewhatacivilizedpersonwouldhavedoneinherplace。Shefeltherselftoounequallypittedagainstunknownforces……
Atlengththisfeelingmovedhertosuddenaction。ShetookasheetofletterpaperfromMr。Royall’soffice，andsittingbythekitchenlamp，onenightafterVerenahadgonetobed，beganherfirstlettertoHarney。Itwasveryshort：
IwantyoushouldmarryAnnabelBalchifyoupromisedto。IthinkmaybeyouwereafraidI’dfeeltoobadaboutit。IfeelI’dratheryouactedright。
YourlovingCHARITY。
Shepostedtheletterearlythenextmorning，andforafewdaysherheartfeltstrangelylight。Thenshebegantowonderwhyshereceivednoanswer。
Onedayasshesataloneinthelibraryponderingthesethingsthewallsofbooksbegantospinaroundher，andtherosewooddesktorockunderherelbows。ThedizzinesswasfollowedbyawaveofnausealikethatshehadfeltonthedayoftheexercisesintheTownHall。ButtheTownHallhadbeencrowdedandstiflinglyhot，andthelibrarywasempty，andsochillythatshehadkeptonherjacket。Fiveminutesbeforeshehadfeltperfectlywell;andnowitseemedasifsheweregoingtodie。Thebitoflaceatwhichshestilllanguidlyworkeddroppedfromherfingers，andthesteelcrochethookclatteredtothefloor。Shepressedhertempleshardbetweenherdamphands，steadyingherselfagainstthedeskwhilethewaveofsicknesssweptoverher。Littlebylittleitsubsided，andafterafewminutesshestoodup，shakenandterrified，gropedforherhat，andstumbledoutintotheair。Butthewholesunlitautumnwhirled，reeledandroaredaroundherasshedraggedherselfalongtheinterminablelengthoftheroadhome。
Assheapproachedtheredhouseshesawabuggystandingatthedoor，andherheartgavealeap。ButitwasonlyMr。Royallwhogotout，histravelling—baginhand。Hesawhercoming，andwaitedintheporch。
Shewasconsciousthathewaslookingatherintently，asiftherewassomethingstrangeinherappearance，andshethrewbackherheadwithadesperateeffortatease。Theireyesmet，andshesaid：\"Youback？\"asifnothinghadhappened，andheanswered：
\"Yes，I’mback，\"andwalkedinaheadofher，pushingopenthedoorofhisoffice。Sheclimbedtoherroom，everystepofthestairsholdingherfastasifherfeetwerelinedwithglue。
Twodayslater，shedescendedfromthetrainatNettleton，andwalkedoutofthestationintothedustysquare。Thebriefintervalofcoldweatherwasover，andthedaywasassoft，andalmostashot，aswhensheandHarneyhademergedonthesamesceneontheFourthofJuly。Inthesquarethesamebroken—downhacksandcarry—allsstooddrawnupinadespondentline，andthelankhorseswithfly—netsovertheirwithersswayedtheirheadsdrearilytoandfro。Sherecognizedthestaringsignsovertheeating—housesandbilliardsaloons，andthelonglinesofwiresonloftypolestaperingdownthemainstreettotheparkatitsotherend。Takingthewaythewirespointed，shewentonhastily，withbenthead，tillshereachedawidetransversestreetwithabrickbuildingatthecorner。
Shecrossedthisstreetandglancedfurtivelyupatthefrontofthebrickbuilding;thenshereturned，andenteredadooropeningonaflightofsteepbrass—rimmedstairs。Onthesecondlandingsherangabell，andamulattogirlwithabushyheadandafrilledapronletherintoahallwhereastuffedfoxonhishindlegsprofferedabrasscard—traytovisitors。Atthebackofthehallwasaglazeddoormarked：\"Office。\"Afterwaitingafewminutesinahandsomelyfurnishedroom，withplushsofassurmountedbylargegold—framedphotographsofshowyyoungwomen，Charitywasshownintotheoffice……
WhenshecameoutoftheglazeddoorDr。Merklefollowed，andledherintoanotherroom，smaller，andstillmorecrowdedwithplushandgoldframes。Dr。
Merklewasaplumpwomanwithsmallbrighteyes，animmensemassofblackhaircomingdownlowonherforehead，andunnaturallywhiteandeventeeth。Sheworearichblackdress，withgoldchainsandcharmshangingfromherbosom。Herhandswerelargeandsmooth，andquickinalltheirmovements;andshesmeltofmuskandcarbolicacid。
ShesmiledonCharitywithallherfaultlessteeth。
\"Sitdown，mydear。Wouldn’tyoulikealittledropofsomethingtopickyouup？……No……Well，justlaybackaminutethen……There’snothingtobedonejustyet;butinaboutamonth，ifyou’llsteproundagain……Icouldtakeyourightintomyownhousefortwoorthreedays，andtherewouldn’tbeamiteoftrouble。Mercyme！Thenexttimeyou’llknowbetter’ntofretlikethis……\"
Charitygazedatherwithwideningeyes。Thiswomanwiththefalsehair，thefalseteeth，thefalsemurderoussmile——whatwassheofferingherbutimmunityfromsomeunthinkablecrime？Charity，tillthen，hadbeenconsciousonlyofavagueself—disgustandafrighteningphysicaldistress;now，ofasudden，therecametoherthegravesurpriseofmotherhood。Shehadcometothisdreadfulplacebecausesheknewofnootherwayofmakingsurethatshewasnotmistakenaboutherstate;andthewomanhadtakenherforamiserablecreaturelikeJulia……Thethoughtwassohorriblethatshesprangup，whiteandshaking，oneofhergreatrushesofangersweepingoverher。
Dr。Merkle，stillsmiling，alsorose。\"Whydoyourunoffinsuchahurry？Youcanstretchoutrighthereonmysofa……\"Shepaused，andhersmilegrewmoremotherly。\"Afterwards——ifthere’sbeenanytalkathome，andyouwanttogetawayforawhile……IhavealadyfriendinBostonwho’slookingforacompanion……you’retheveryonetosuither，mydear……\"
Charityhadreachedthedoor。\"Idon’twanttostay。I
don’twanttocomebackhere，\"shestammered，herhandontheknob;butwithaswiftmovement，Dr。Merkleedgedherfromthethreshold。
\"Oh，verywell。Fivedollars，please。\"
Charitylookedhelplesslyatthedoctor’stightlipsandrigidface。HerlastsavingshadgoneinrepayingAllyforthecostofMissBalch’sruinedblouse，andshehadhadtoborrowfourdollarsfromherfriendtopayforherrailwayticketandcoverthedoctor’sfee。
Ithadneveroccurredtoherthatmedicaladvicecouldcostmorethantwodollars。
\"Ididn’tknow……Ihaven’tgotthatmuch……\"shefaltered，burstingintotears。
Dr。Merklegaveashortlaughwhichdidnotshowherteeth，andinquiredwithconcisionifCharitysupposedsherantheestablishmentforherownamusement？Sheleanedherfirmshouldersagainstthedoorasshespoke，likeagrimgaolermakingtermswithhercaptive。
\"Yousayyou’llcomeroundandsettlelater？I’veheardthatprettyoftentoo。Givemeyouraddress，andifyoucan’tpaymeI’llsendthebilltoyourfolks……What？Ican’tunderstandwhatyousay……Thatdon’tsuityoueither？My，you’reprettyparticularforagirlthatain’tgotenoughtosettleherownbills……\"Shepaused，andfixedhereyesonthebroochwithabluestonethatCharityhadpinnedtoherblouse。
\"Ain’tyouashamedtotalkthatwaytoaladythat’sgottoearnherliving，whenyougoaboutwithjewellerylikethatonyou？……Itain’tinmyline，andIdoitonlyasafavour……butifyou’reamindtoleavethatbroochasapledge，Idon’tsayno……Yes，ofcourse，youcangetitbackwhenyoubringmemymoney……\"
Onthewayhome，shefeltanimmenseandunexpectedquietude。IthadbeenhorribletohavetoleaveHarney’sgiftinthewoman’shands，butevenatthatpricethenewsshebroughtawayhadnotbeentoodearlybought。Shesatwithhalf—closedeyesasthetrainrushedthroughthefamiliarlandscape;andnowthememoriesofherformerjourney，insteadofflyingbeforeherlikedeadleaves，seemedtoberipeninginherbloodlikesleepinggrain。Shewouldneveragainknowwhatitwastofeelherselfalone。Everythingseemedtohavegrownsuddenlyclearandsimple。ShenolongerhadanydifficultyinpicturingherselfasHarney’swifenowthatshewasthemotherofhischild;
andcomparedtohersovereignrightAnnabelBalch’sclaimseemednomorethanagirl’ssentimentalfancy。
Thatevening，atthegateoftheredhouse，shefoundAllywaitinginthedusk。\"Iwasdownatthepost—
officejustastheywereclosingup，andWillTargattsaidtherewasaletterforyou，soIbroughtit。\"
Allyheldouttheletter，lookingatCharitywithpiercingsympathy。Sincethesceneofthetornblousetherehadbeenanewandfearfuladmirationintheeyesshebentonherfriend。
Charitysnatchedtheletterwithalaugh。\"Oh，thankyou——good—night，\"shecalledoutoverhershoulderassheranupthepath。IfshehadlingeredamomentsheknewshewouldhavehadAllyatherheels。
Shehurriedupstairsandfeltherwayintoherdarkroom。Herhandstrembledasshegropedforthematchesandlithercandle，andtheflapoftheenvelopewassocloselystuckthatshehadtofindherscissorsandslititopen。Atlengthsheread：
DEARCHARITY：
Ihaveyourletter，andittouchesmemorethanIcansay。Won’tyoutrustme，inreturn，todomybest？
Therearethingsitishardtoexplain，muchlesstojustify;butyourgenerositymakeseverythingeasier。
AllIcandonowistothankyoufrommysoulforunderstanding。Yourtellingmethatyouwantedmetodorighthashelpedmebeyondexpression。Ifeverthereisahopeofrealizingwhatwedreamedofyouwillseemebackontheinstant;andIhaven’tyetlostthathope。
Shereadtheletterwitharush;thenshewentoverandoverit，eachtimemoreslowlyandpainstakingly。Itwassobeautifullyexpressedthatshefounditalmostasdifficulttounderstandasthegentleman’sexplanationoftheBiblepicturesatNettleton;butgraduallyshebecameawarethatthegistofitsmeaninglayinthelastfewwords。\"Ifeverthereisahopeofrealizingwhatwedreamedof……\"
Butthenhewasn’tevensureofthat？SheunderstoodnowthateverywordandeveryreticencewasanavowalofAnnabelBalch’spriorclaim。Itwastruethathewasengagedtoher，andthathehadnotyetfoundawayofbreakinghisengagement。
AsshereadtheletteroverCharityunderstoodwhatitmusthavecosthimtowriteit。Hewasnottryingtoevadeanimportunateclaim;hewashonestlyandcontritelystrugglingbetweenopposingduties。Shedidnotevenreproachhiminherthoughtsforhavingconcealedfromherthathewasnotfree：shecouldnotseeanythingmorereprehensibleinhisconductthaninherown。Fromthefirstshehadneededhimmorethanhehadwantedher，andthepowerthathadsweptthemtogetherhadbeenasfarbeyondresistanceasagreatgalelooseningtheleavesoftheforest……Only，therestoodbetweenthem，fixedanduprightinthegeneralupheaval，theindestructiblefigureofAnnabelBalch……
Facetofacewithhisadmissionofthefact，shesatstaringattheletter。Acoldtremorranoverher，andthehardsobsstruggledupintoherthroatandshookherfromheadtofoot。Forawhileshewascaughtandtossedongreatwavesofanguishthatleftherhardlyconsciousofanythingbuttheblindstruggleagainsttheirassaults。Then，littlebylittle，shebegantorelive，withadreadfulpoignancy，eachseparatestageofherpoorromance。Foolishthingsshehadsaidcamebacktoher，gayanswersHarneyhadmade，hisfirstkissinthedarknessbetweenthefireworks，theirchoosingthebluebroochtogether，thewayhehadteasedheraboutthelettersshehaddroppedinherflightfromtheevangelist。Allthesememories，andathousandothers，hummedthroughherbraintillhisnearnessgrewsovividthatshefelthisfingersinherhair，andhiswarmbreathonhercheekashebentherheadbacklikeaflower。Thesethingswerehers;theyhadpassedintoherblood，andbecomeapartofher，theywerebuildingthechildinherwomb;itwasimpossibletotearasunderstrandsoflifesointerwoven。
Theconvictiongraduallystrengthenedher，andshebegantoforminhermindthefirstwordsofthelettershemeanttowritetoHarney。Shewantedtowriteitatonce，andwithfeverishhandsshebegantorummageinherdrawerforasheetofletterpaper。Buttherewasnoneleft;shemustgodownstairstogetit。
Shehadasuperstitiousfeelingthatthelettermustbewrittenontheinstant，thatsettingdownhersecretinwordswouldbringherreassuranceandsafety;andtakinguphercandleshewentdowntoMr。Royall’soffice。
Atthathourshewasnotlikelytofindhimthere：hehadprobablyhadhissupperandwalkedovertoCarrickFry’s。Shepushedopenthedooroftheunlitroom，andthelightofherliftedcandlefellonhisfigure，seatedinthedarknessinhishigh—backedchair。Hisarmslayalongthearmsofthechair，andhisheadwasbentalittle;buthelifteditquicklyasCharityentered。Shestartedbackastheireyesmet，rememberingthatherownwereredwithweeping，andthatherfacewaslividwiththefatigueandemotionofherjourney。Butitwastoolatetoescape，andshestoodandlookedathiminsilence。
Hehadrisenfromhischair，andcametowardherwithoutstretchedhands。Thegesturewassounexpectedthatshelethimtakeherhandsinhisandtheystoodthus，withoutspeaking，tillMr。Royallsaidgravely：
\"Charity——wasyoulookingforme？\"
Shefreedherselfabruptlyandfellback。\"Me？No————\"
Shesetdownthecandleonhisdesk。\"Iwantedsomeletter—paper，that’sall。\"Hisfacecontracted，andthebushybrowsjuttedforwardoverhiseyes。
Withoutansweringheopenedthedrawerofthedesk，tookoutasheetofpaperandanenvelope，andpushedthemtowardher。\"Doyouwantastamptoo？\"heasked。
Shenodded，andhegaveherthestamp。Ashedidsoshefeltthathewaslookingatherintently，andsheknewthatthecandlelightflickeringuponherwhitefacemustbedistortingherswollenfeaturesandexaggeratingthedarkringsabouthereyes。Shesnatchedupthepaper，herreassurancedissolvingunderhispitilessgaze，inwhichsheseemedtoreadthegrimperceptionofherstate，andtheironicrecollectionofthedaywhen，inthatveryroom，hehadofferedtocompelHarneytomarryher。Hislookseemedtosaythatheknewshehadtakenthepapertowritetoherlover，whohadleftherashehadwarnedhershewouldbeleft。Sherememberedthescornwithwhichshehadturnedfromhimthatday，andknew，ifheguessedthetruth，whatalistofoldscoresitmustsettle。Sheturnedandfledupstairs;butwhenshegotbacktoherroomallthewordsthathadbeenwaitinghadvanished……
IfshecouldhavegonetoHarneyitwouldhavebeendifferent;shewouldonlyhavehadtoshowherselftolethismemoriesspeakforher。Butshehadnomoneyleft，andtherewasnoonefromwhomshecouldhaveborrowedenoughforsuchajourney。Therewasnothingtodobuttowrite，andawaithisreply。Foralongtimeshesatbentabovetheblankpage;butshefoundnothingtosaythatreallyexpressedwhatshewasfeeling……
Harneyhadwrittenthatshehadmadeiteasierforhim，andshewasgladitwasso;shedidnotwanttomakethingshard。Sheknewshehaditinherpowertodothat;sheheldhisfateinherhands。Allshehadtodowastotellhimthetruth;butthatwastheveryfactthatheldherback……HerfiveminutesfacetofacewithMr。Royallhadstrippedherofherlastillusion，andbroughtherbacktoNorthDormer’spointofview。Distinctlyandpitilesslythererosebeforeherthefateofthegirlwhowasmarried\"tomakethingsright。\"Shehadseentoomanyvillagelove—
storiesendinthatway。PoorRoseColes’smiserablemarriagewasofthenumber;andwhatgoodhadcomeofitforherorforHalstonSkeff？Theyhadhatedeachotherfromthedaytheministermarriedthem;andwheneveroldMrs。Skeffhadafancytohumiliateherdaughter—in—lawshehadonlytosay：\"Who’deverthinkthebaby’sonlytwo？Andforasevenmonths’child——
ain’titawonderwhatasizeheis？\"NorthDormerhadtreasuresofindulgenceforbrandsintheburning，butonlyderisionforthosewhosucceededingettingsnatchedfromit;andCharityhadalwaysunderstoodJuliaHawes’srefusaltobesnatched……
Only——wastherenoalternativebutJulia’s？Hersoulrecoiledfromthevisionofthewhite—facedwomanamongtheplushsofasandgiltframes。Intheestablishedorderofthingsassheknewthemshesawnoplaceforherindividualadventure……
Shesatinherchairwithoutundressingtillfaintgreystreaksbegantodividetheblackslatsoftheshutters。Thenshestoodupandpushedthemopen，lettinginthelight。Thecomingofanewdaybroughtasharperconsciousnessofineluctablereality，andwithitasenseoftheneedofaction。Shelookedatherselfintheglass，andsawherface，whiteintheautumndawn，withpinchedcheeksanddark—ringedeyes，andallthemarksofherstatethatsheherselfwouldneverhavenoticed，butthatDr。Merkle’sdiagnosishadmadeplaintoher。Shecouldnothopethatthosesignswouldescapethewatchfulvillage;evenbeforeherfigurelostitsshapesheknewherfacewouldbetrayher。
Leaningfromherwindowshelookedoutonthedarkandemptyscene;theashenhouseswithshutteredwindows，thegreyroadclimbingtheslopetothehemlockbeltabovethecemetery，andtheheavymassoftheMountainblackagainstarainysky。Totheeastaspaceoflightwasbroadeningabovetheforest;butoverthatalsothecloudshung。Slowlyhergazetravelledacrossthefieldstotheruggedcurveofthehills。Shehadlookedoutsooftenonthatlifelesscircle，andwonderedifanythingcouldeverhappentoanyonewhowasenclosedinit……
Almostwithoutconsciousthoughtherdecisionhadbeenreached;ashereyeshadfollowedthecircleofthehillshermindhadalsotravelledtheoldround。ShesupposeditwassomethinginherbloodthatmadetheMountaintheonlyanswertoherquestioning，theinevitableescapefromallthathemmedherinandbesether。Atanyrateitbegantoloomagainsttherainydawn;andthelongershelookedatitthemoreclearlysheunderstoodthatnowatlastshewasreallygoingthere。
XVI
THErainheldoff，andanhourlater，whenshestarted，wildgleamsofsunlightwereblowingacrossthefields。
AfterHarney’sdepartureshehadreturnedherbicycletoitsowneratCreston，andshewasnotsureofbeingabletowalkallthewaytotheMountain。Thedesertedhousewasontheroad;buttheideaofspendingthenighttherewasunendurable，andshemeanttotrytopushontoHamblin，whereshecouldsleepunderawood—
shedifherstrengthshouldfailher。Herpreparationshadbeenmadewithquietforethought。Beforestartingshehadforcedherselftoswallowaglassofmilkandeatapieceofbread;andshehadputinhercanvassatchelalittlepacketofthechocolatethatHarneyalwayscarriedinhisbicyclebag。Shewantedabovealltokeepupherstrength，andreachherdestinationwithoutattractingnotice……
Milebymilesheretracedtheroadoverwhichshehadsooftenflowntoherlover。Whenshereachedtheturnwherethewood—roadbranchedofffromtheCrestonhighwaysherememberedtheGospeltent——longsincefoldedupandtransplanted——andherstartofinvoluntaryterrorwhenthefatevangelisthadsaid：
\"YourSaviourknowseverything。Comeandconfessyourguilt。\"Therewasnosenseofguiltinhernow，butonlyadesperatedesiretodefendhersecretfromirreverenteyes，andbeginlifeagainamongpeopletowhomtheharshcodeofthevillagewasunknown。Theimpulsedidnotshapeitselfinthought：sheonlyknewshemustsaveherbaby，andhideherselfwithitsomewherewherenoonewouldevercometotroublethem。
Shewalkedonandon，growingmoreheavy—footedasthedayadvanced。Itseemedacruelchancethatcompelledhertoretraceeverystepofthewaytothedesertedhouse;andwhenshecameinsightoftheorchard，andthesilver—grayroofslantingcrookedlythroughtheladenbranches，herstrengthfailedherandshesatdownbytheroad—side。Shesattherealongtime，tryingtogatherthecouragetostartagain，andwalkpastthebrokengateandtheuntrimmedrose—bushesstrungwithscarlethips。Afewdropsofrainwerefalling，andshethoughtofthewarmeveningswhensheandHarneyhadsatembracedintheshadowyroom，andthenoiseofsummershowersontheroofhadrustledthroughtheirkisses。Atlengthsheunderstoodthatifshestayedanylongertherainmightcompelhertotakeshelterinthehouseovernight，andshegotupandwalkedon，avertinghereyesasshecameabreastofthewhitegateandthetangledgarden。
Thehoursworeon，andshewalkedmoreandmoreslowly，pausingnowandthentorest，andtoeatalittlebreadandanapplepickedupfromtheroadside。Herbodyseemedtogrowheavierwitheveryyardoftheway，andshewonderedhowshewouldbeabletocarryherchildlater，ifalreadyhelaidsuchaburdenonher……A
freshwindhadsprungup，scatteringtherainandblowingdownkeenlyfromthemountain。Presentlythecloudsloweredagain，andafewwhitedartsstruckherintheface：itwasthefirstsnowfallingoverHamblin。Theroofsofthelonelyvillagewereonlyhalfamileahead，andshewasresolvedtopushbeyondit，andtrytoreachtheMountainthatnight。Shehadnoclearplanofaction，exceptthat，onceinthesettlement，shemeanttolookforLiffHyatt，andgethimtotakehertohermother。Sheherselfhadbeenbornasherownbabywasgoingtobeborn;andwhateverhermother’ssubsequentlifehadbeen，shecouldhardlyhelprememberingthepast，andreceivingadaughterwhowasfacingthetroubleshehadknown。
Suddenlythedeadlyfaintnesscameoverheroncemoreandshesatdownonthebankandleanedherheadagainstatree—trunk。Thelongroadandthecloudylandscapevanishedfromhereyes，andforatimesheseemedtobecirclingaboutinsometerriblewheelingdarkness。Thenthattoofaded。
Sheopenedhereyes，andsawabuggydrawnupbesideher，andamanwhohadjumpeddownfromitandwasgazingatherwithapuzzledface。Slowlyconsciousnesscameback，andshesawthatthemanwasLiffHyatt。
Shewasdimlyawarethathewasaskinghersomething，andshelookedathiminsilence，tryingtofindstrengthtospeak。Atlengthhervoicestirredinherthroat，andshesaidinawhisper：\"I’mgoinguptheMountain。\"
\"UptheMountain？\"herepeated，drawingasidealittle;
andashemovedshesawbehindhim，inthebuggy，aheavilycoatedfigurewithafamiliarpinkfaceandgoldspectaclesonthebridgeofaGreciannose。
\"Charity！Whatonearthareyoudoinghere？\"Mr。Milesexclaimed，throwingthereinsonthehorse’sbackandscramblingdownfromthebuggy。
Sheliftedherheavyeyestohis。\"I’mgoingtoseemymother。\"
Thetwomenglancedateachother，andforamomentneitherofthemspoke。
ThenMr。Milessaid：\"Youlookill，mydear，andit’salongway。Doyouthinkit’swise？\"
Charitystoodup。\"I’vegottogotoher。\"
AvaguemirthlessgrincontractedLiffHyatt’sface，andMr。Milesagainspokeuncertainly。\"Youknow，then——you’dbeentold？\"
Shestaredathim。\"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。I
wanttogotoher。\"
Mr。Mileswasexaminingherthoughtfully。Shefanciedshesawachangeinhisexpression，andthebloodrushedtoherforehead。\"Ijustwanttogotoher，\"
sherepeated。
Helaidhishandonherarm。\"Mychild，yourmotherisdying。LiffHyattcamedowntofetchme……Getinandcomewithus。\"
Hehelpedheruptotheseatathisside，LiffHyattclamberedinattheback，andtheydroveofftowardHamblin。AtfirstCharityhadhardlygraspedwhatMr。Mileswassaying;thephysicalreliefoffindingherselfseatedinthebuggy，andsecurelyonherroadtotheMountain，effacedtheimpressionofhiswords。Butasherheadclearedshebegantounderstand。SheknewtheMountainhadbutthemostinfrequentintercoursewiththevalleys;shehadoftenenoughhearditsaidthatnooneeverwentupthereexcepttheminister，whensomeonewasdying。Andnowitwashermotherwhowasdying……andshewouldfindherselfasmuchaloneontheMountainasanywhereelseintheworld。Thesenseofunescapableisolationwasallshecouldfeelforthemoment;thenshebegantowonderatthestrangenessofitsbeingMr。Mileswhohadundertakentoperformthisgrimerrand。HedidnotseemintheleastlikethekindofmanwhowouldcaretogouptheMountain。Butherehewasatherside，guidingthehorsewithafirmhand，andbendingonherthekindlygleamofhisspectacles，asiftherewerenothingunusualintheirbeingtogetherinsuchcircumstances。
Forawhileshefounditimpossibletospeak，andheseemedtounderstandthis，andmadenoattempttoquestionher。Butpresentlyshefelthertearsriseandflowdownoverherdrawncheeks;andhemusthaveseenthemtoo，forhelaidhishandonhers，andsaidinalowvoice：\"Won’tyoutellmewhatistroublingyou？\"
Sheshookherhead，andhedidnotinsist：butafterawhilehesaid，inthesamelowtone，sothattheyshouldnotbeoverheard：\"Charity，whatdoyouknowofyourchildhood，beforeyoucamedowntoNorthDormer？\"
Shecontrolledherself，andanswered：\"NothingonlywhatIheardMr。Royallsayoneday。Hesaidhebroughtmedownbecausemyfatherwenttoprison。\"
\"Andyou’veneverbeenuptheresince？\"
\"Never。\"
Mr。Mileswassilentagain，thenhesaid：\"I’mgladyou’recomingwithmenow。Perhapswemayfindyourmotheralive，andshemayknowthatyouhavecome。\"
TheyhadreachedHamblin，wherethesnow—flurryhadleftwhitepatchesintheroughgrassontheroadside，andintheanglesoftheroofsfacingnorth。ItwasapoorbleakvillageunderthegraniteflankoftheMountain，andassoonastheyleftittheybegantoclimb。Theroadwassteepandfullofruts，andthehorsesettleddowntoawalkwhiletheymountedandmounted，theworlddroppingawaybelowthemingreatmottledstretchesofforestandfield，andstormydarkbluedistances。
CharityhadoftenhadvisionsofthisascentoftheMountainbutshehadnotknownitwouldrevealsowideacountry，andthesightofthosestrangelandsreachingawayoneverysidegaveheranewsenseofHarney’sremoteness。Sheknewhemustbemilesandmilesbeyondthelastrangeofhillsthatseemedtobetheoutmostvergeofthings，andshewonderedhowshehadeverdreamedofgoingtoNewYorktofindhim……
Astheroadmountedthecountrygrewbleaker，andtheydroveacrossfieldsoffadedmountaingrassbleachedbylongmonthsbeneaththesnow。Inthehollowsafewwhitebirchestrembled，oramountainashlititsscarletclusters;butonlyascantgrowthofpinesdarkenedthegraniteledges。Thewindwasblowingfiercelyacrosstheopenslopes;thehorsefaceditwithbentheadandstrainingflanks，andnowandthenthebuggyswayedsothatCharityhadtoclutchitsside。
Mr。Mileshadnotspokenagain;heseemedtounderstandthatshewantedtobeleftalone。
Afterawhilethetracktheywerefollowingforked，andhepulledupthehorse，asifuncertainoftheway。
LiffHyattcranedhisheadaroundfromtheback，andshoutedagainstthewind：\"Left————\"andtheyturnedintoastuntedpine—woodandbegantodrivedowntheothersideoftheMountain。
Amileortwofartherontheycameoutonaclearingwheretwoorthreelowhouseslayinstonyfields，crouchingamongtherocksasiftobracethemselvesagainstthewind。Theywerehardlymorethansheds，builtoflogsandroughboards，withtinstove—pipesstickingoutoftheirroofs。Thesunwassetting，andduskhadalreadyfallenonthelowerworld，butayellowglarestilllayonthelonelyhillsideandthecrouchinghouses。Thenextmomentitfadedandleftthelandscapeindarkautumntwilight。
\"Overthere，\"Liffcalledout，stretchinghislongarmoverMr。Miles’sshoulder。Theclergymanturnedtotheleft，acrossabitofbaregroundovergrownwithdocksandnettles，andstoppedbeforethemostruinousofthesheds。Astove—pipereacheditscrookedarmoutofonewindow，andthebrokenpanesoftheotherwerestuffedwithragsandpaper。
Incontrasttosuchadwellingthebrownhouseintheswampmighthavestoodforthehomeofplenty。
Asthebuggydrewuptwoorthreemongreldogsjumpedoutofthetwilightwithagreatbarking，andayoungmanslouchedtothedoorandstoodtherestaring。InthetwilightCharitysawthathisfacehadthesamesoddenlookasBashHyatt’s，thedayshehadseenhimsleepingbythestove。Hemadenoefforttosilencethedogs，butleanedinthedoor，asifrousedfromadrunkenlethargy，whileMr。Milesgotoutofthebuggy。
\"Isithere？\"theclergymanaskedLiffinalowvoice;
andLiffnodded。
Mr。MilesturnedtoCharity。\"Justholdthehorseaminute，mydear：I’llgoinfirst，\"hesaid，puttingthereinsinherhands。Shetookthempassively，andsatstaringstraightaheadofheratthedarkeningscenewhileMr。MilesandLiffHyattwentuptothehouse。Theystoodafewminutestalkingwiththemaninthedoor，andthenMr。Milescameback。Ashecameclose，Charitysawthathissmoothpinkfaceworeafrightenedsolemnlook。
\"Yourmotherisdead，Charity;you’dbettercomewithme，\"hesaid。
ShegotdownandfollowedhimwhileLiffledthehorseaway。Assheapproachedthedoorshesaidtoherself：\"ThisiswhereIwasborn……thisiswhereI
belong……\"ShehadsaidittoherselfoftenenoughasshelookedacrossthesunlitvalleysattheMountain;
butithadmeantnothingthen，andnowithadbecomeareality。Mr。Milestookhergentlybythearm，andtheyenteredwhatappearedtobetheonlyroominthehouse。Itwassodarkthatshecouldjustdiscernagroupofadozenpeoplesittingorsprawlingaboutatablemadeofboardslaidacrosstwobarrels。TheylookeduplistlesslyasMr。MilesandCharitycamein，andawoman’sthickvoicesaid：\"Here’sthepreacher。\"
Butnoonemoved。
Mr。Milespausedandlookedabouthim;thenheturnedtotheyoungmanwhohadmetthematthedoor。
\"Isthebodyhere？\"heasked。
Theyoungman，insteadofanswering，turnedhisheadtowardthegroup。\"Where’sthecandle？Itoleyertobringacandle，\"hesaidwithsuddenharshnesstoagirlwhowaslollingagainstthetable。Shedidnotanswer，butanothermangotupandtookfromsomecorneracandlestuckintoabottle。
\"How’llIlightit？Thestove’sout，\"thegirlgrumbled。
Mr。Milesfumbledunderhisheavywrappingsanddrewoutamatch—box。Heheldamatchtothecandle，andinamomentortwoafaintcircleoflightfellonthepaleaguishheadsthatstartedoutoftheshadowliketheheadsofnocturnalanimals。
\"Mary’soverthere，\"someonesaid;andMr。Miles，takingthebottleinhishand，passedbehindthetable。
Charityfollowedhim，andtheystoodbeforeamattressonthefloorinacorneroftheroom。Awomanlayonit，butshedidnotlooklikeadeadwoman;sheseemedtohavefallenacrosshersqualidbedinadrunkensleep，andtohavebeenleftlyingwhereshefell，inherraggeddisorderedclothes。Onearmwasflungaboveherhead，onelegdrawnupunderatornskirtthatlefttheotherbaretotheknee：aswollenglisteninglegwitharaggedstockingrolleddownabouttheankle。Thewomanlayonherback，hereyesstaringupunblinkinglyatthecandlethattrembledinMr。Miles’shand。
\"Shejus’droppedoff，\"awomansaid，overtheshoulderoftheothers;andtheyoungmanadded：\"Ijus’comeinandfoundher。\"
Anelderlymanwithlankhairandafeeblegrinpushedbetweenthem。\"Itwaslikethis：Isaystoheron’ythenightbefore：ifyoudon’ttakeandquit，I
saystoher……\"
Someonepulledhimbackandsenthimreelingagainstabenchalongthewall，wherehedroppeddownmutteringhisunheedednarrative。
Therewasasilence;thentheyoungwomanwhohadbeenlollingagainstthetablesuddenlypartedthegroup，andstoodinfrontofCharity。Shewashealthierandrobusterlookingthantheothers，andherweather—
beatenfacehadacertainsullenbeauty。
\"Who’sthegirl？Whobroughtherhere？\"shesaid，fixinghereyesmistrustfullyontheyoungmanwhohadrebukedherfornothavingacandleready。
Mr。Milesspoke。\"Ibroughther;sheisMaryHyatt’sdaughter。\"
\"What？Hertoo？\"thegirlsneered;andtheyoungmanturnedonherwithanoath。\"Shutyourmouth，damnyou，orgetoutofhere，\"hesaid;thenherelapsedintohisformerapathy，anddroppeddownonthebench，leaninghisheadagainstthewall。
Mr。Mileshadsetthecandleonthefloorandtakenoffhisheavycoat。HeturnedtoCharity。\"Comeandhelpme，\"hesaid。
Hekneltdownbythemattress，andpressedthelidsoverthedeadwoman’seyes。Charity，tremblingandsick，kneltbesidehim，andtriedtocomposehermother’sbody。Shedrewthestockingoverthedreadfulglisteningleg，andpulledtheskirtdowntothebatteredupturnedboots。Asshedidso，shelookedathermother’sface，thinyetswollen，withlipspartedinafrozengaspabovethebrokenteeth。Therewasnosigninitofanythinghuman：shelaytherelikeadeaddoginaditchCharity’shandsgrewcoldastheytouchedher。
Mr。Milesdrewthewoman’sarmsacrossherbreastandlaidhiscoatoverher。Thenhecoveredherfacewithhishandkerchief，andplacedthebottlewiththecandleinitatherhead。Havingdonethishestoodup。
\"Istherenocoffin？\"heasked，turningtothegroupbehindhim。
Therewasamomentofbewilderedsilence;thenthefiercegirlspokeup。\"You’doughterbroughtitwithyou。Where’dwegetonehere，I’dliketerknow？\"
Mr。Miles，lookingattheothers，repeated：\"Isitpossibleyouhavenocoffinready？\"
\"That’swhatIsay：themthathasitsleepsbetter，\"anoldwomanmurmured。\"Butthensheneverhadnobed……\"
\"Andthestovewarn’thers，\"saidthelank—hairedman，onthedefensive。
Mr。Milesturnedawayfromthemandmovedafewstepsapart。Hehaddrawnabookfromhispocket，andafterapauseheopeneditandbegantoread，holdingthebookatarm’slengthandlowdown，sothatthepagescaughtthefeeblelight。Charityhadremainedonherkneesbythemattress：nowthathermother’sfacewascovereditwaseasiertostaynearher，andavoidthesightofthelivingfaceswhichtoohorriblyshowedbywhatstageshershadlapsedintodeath。
\"IamtheResurrectionandtheLife，\"Mr。Milesbegan;
\"hethatbelievethinme，thoughheweredead，yetshallhelive……Thoughaftermyskinwormsdestroymybody，yetinmyfleshshallIseeGod……\"
INMYFLESHSHALLISEEGOD！Charitythoughtofthegapingmouthandstonyeyesunderthehandkerchief，andoftheglisteninglegoverwhichshehaddrawnthestocking……
\"Webroughtnothingintothisworldandweshalltakenothingoutofit————\"
Therewasasuddenmutteringandascuffleatthebackofthegroup。\"Ibroughtthestove，\"saidtheelderlymanwithlankhair，pushinghiswaybetweentheothers。\"Iwen’downtoCreston’nboughtit……n’Igotarighttotakeitouterhere……n’I’lllickanyfellersaysIain’t……\"
\"Sitdown，damnyou！\"shoutedthetallyouthwhohadbeendrowsingonthebenchagainstthewall。
\"Formanwalkethinavainshadow，anddisquietethhimselfinvain;heheapethuprichesandcannottellwhoshallgatherthem……\"
\"Well，itAREhis，\"awomaninthebackgroundinterjectedinafrightenedwhine。
Thetallyouthstaggeredtohisfeet。\"Ifyoudon’tholdyourmouthsI’llturnyouallouto’here，thewholelotofyou，\"hecriedwithmanyoaths。\"G’wan，minister……don’tlet’emfazeyou……\"
\"NowisChristrisenfromthedeadandbecomethefirst—fruitsofthemthatslept……Behold，Ishowyouamystery。Weshallnotallsleep，butweshallallbechanged，inamoment，inthetwinklingofaneye，atthelasttrump……Forthiscorruptiblemustputonincorruptionandthismortalmustputonimmortality。
Sowhenthiscorruptionshallhaveputonincorruption，andwhenthismortalshallhaveputonimmortality，thenshallbebroughttopassthesayingthatiswritten，DeathisswallowedupinVictory……\"
OnebyonethemightywordsfellonCharity’sbowedhead，soothingthehorror，subduingthetumult，masteringherastheymasteredthedrink—dazedcreaturesatherback。Mr。Milesreadtothelastword，andthenclosedthebook。
\"Isthegraveready？\"heasked。
LiffHyatt，whohadcomeinwhilehewasreading，noddeda\"Yes，\"andpushedforwardtothesideofthemattress。Theyoungmanonthebenchwhoseemedtoassertsomesortofrightofkinshipwiththedeadwoman，gottohisfeetagain，andtheproprietorofthestovejoinedhim。Betweenthemtheyraisedupthemattress;buttheirmovementswereunsteady，andthecoatslippedtothefloor，revealingthepoorbodyinitshelplessmisery。Charity，pickingupthecoat，coveredhermotheroncemore。Liffhadbroughtalantern，andtheoldwomanwhohadalreadyspokentookitup，andopenedthedoortoletthelittleprocessionpassout。Thewindhaddropped，andthenightwasverydarkandbitterlycold。Theoldwomanwalkedahead，thelanternshakinginherhandandspreadingoutbeforeherapalepatchofdeadgrassandcoarse—leavedweedsenclosedinanimmensityofblackness。