David Copperfiled Vol2 - Charles Dickens

David Coppcrlicld
Volumc Two
A Pcnn S|a|c Inivcrsi|v
Llcc|ronic Classics Scrics Pullica|ion
Duud Cocrcd, Voumc Tuo, Contunng cIutcrs tucnt-nnc tIrougI sxt-our,
ly CIarlcs Diclcns is a ullicaiion of iIc Fcnnsylvania Siaic Univcrsiiy. TIis
Foriallc Documcni filc is furnisIcd frcc and viiIoui any cIargc of any lind. Any
person usIng tbIs document IIIe, Ior any purpose, and In any way does so at
bIs or ber own rIsk. NciiIcr iIc Fcnnsylvania Siaic Univcrsiiy nor Jim Manis,
Faculiy Ediior, nor anyonc associaicd viiI iIc Fcnnsylvania Siaic Univcrsiiy as-
sumcs any rcsonsililiiy for iIc maicrial coniaincd viiIin iIc documcni or for iIc
filc as an clccironic iransmission, in any vay.
Duud Cocrcd, Voumc Tuo, Contunng cIutcrs tucnt-nnc tIrougI sxt-our,
ly CIarlcs Diclcns, iIc Fcnnsylvania Siaic Univcrsiiy, Ecctronc Cusscs Scrcs,
Jim Manis, Faculiy Ediior, Hazlcion, FA 18201-1291 is a Foriallc Documcni Filc
roduccd as ari of an ongoing siudcni ullicaiion rojcci io lring classical
vorls of liicraiurc, in EnglisI, io frcc and casy acccss of iIosc visIing io malc
usc of iIcm.
Covcr Dcsign: Jim Manis
CoyrigIi 1999 TIc Fcnnsylvania Siaic Univcrsiiy
TIc Fcnnsylvania Siaic Univcrsiiy is an cqual ooriuniiy Univcrsiiy.
David Cocrficld Vol. II
3
DAVID COPPERFIELD VOLUME TWO
By
CbarIes DIckens
CHAPTER 29
I VISIT STEERFORTH AT
HIS HOME, AGAIN
I MENTIONED TO Mr. Scnlov in iIc morning, iIai
I vanicd lcavc of alscncc for a sIori iimc; and
as I vas noi in iIc rcccii of any salary, and
conscqucnily vas noi olnoious io iIc imla-
callc Jorlins, iIcrc vas no difficuliy aloui ii.
I iool iIai ooriuniiy, viiI my voicc siicling
in my iIroai, and my sigIi failing as I uiicrcd
iIc vords, io crcss my Ioc iIai Miss
Scnlov vas quiic vcll; io vIicI Mr. Scnlov
rclicd, viiI no morc cmoiion iIan if Ic Iad
lccn scaling of an ordinary Iuman lcing,
iIai Ic vas mucI olligcd io mc, and sIc vas
vcry vcll.
Wc ariiclcd clcrls, as gcrms of iIc airician
ordcr of rociors, vcrc ircaicd viiI so mucI con-
sidcraiion, iIai I vas almosi my ovn masicr ai
all iimcs. As I did noi carc, Iovcvcr, io gci io
HigIgaic lcforc onc or ivo o'clocl in iIc day,
and as vc Iad anoiIcr liiilc ccommunicaiion
casc in couri iIai morning, vIicI vas callcd TIc
officc of iIc judgc romoicd ly Tilins againsi
Dullocl for Iis soul's corrcciion, I asscd an Iour
or ivo in aiicndancc on ii viiI Mr. Scnlov vcry
agrccally. Ii arosc oui of a scufflc lcivccn ivo
cIurcIvardcns, onc of vIom vas allcgcd io Iavc
usIcd iIc oiIcr againsi a um; iIc Iandlc of
vIicI um rojcciing inio a scIool-Iousc,
vIicI scIool-Iousc vas undcr a gallc of iIc
cIurcI-roof, madc iIc usI an ccclcsiasiical of-
fcncc. Ii vas an amusing casc; and scni mc u
io HigIgaic, on iIc lo of iIc siagc-coacI, iIinl-
ing aloui iIc Commons, and vIai Mr. Scnlov
Iad said aloui ioucIing iIc Commons and
lringing dovn iIc couniry.
4
Mrs. SiccrforiI vas lcascd io scc mc, and so
vas Fosa Darilc. I vas agrccally surriscd io
find iIai Liiiimcr vas noi iIcrc, and iIai vc
vcrc aiicndcd ly a modcsi liiilc arlour-maid,
viiI lluc rillons in Icr ca, vIosc cyc ii vas
mucI morc lcasani, and mucI lcss disconccri-
ing, io caicI ly accidcni, iIan iIc cyc of iIai
rcscciallc man. Dui vIai I ariicularly ol-
scrvcd, lcforc I Iad lccn Ialf-an-Iour in iIc
Iousc, vas iIc closc and aiicniivc vaicI Miss
Darilc lci uon mc; and iIc lurling manncr
in vIicI sIc sccmcd io comarc my facc viiI
SiccrforiI's, and SiccrforiI's viiI minc, and io
lic in vaii for somciIing io comc oui lcivccn
iIc ivo. So surcly as I loolcd iovards Icr, did I
scc iIai cagcr visagc, viiI iis gauni llacl cycs
and scarcIing lrov, inicni on minc; or assing
suddcnly from minc io SiccrforiI's; or comrc-
Icnding loiI of us ai oncc. In iIis lyn-lilc
scruiiny sIc vas so far from falicring vIcn sIc
sav I olscrvcd ii, iIai ai sucI a iimc sIc only
ficd Icr icrcing lool uon mc viiI a morc
inicni crcssion siill. Dlamclcss as I vas, and
lncv iIai I vas, in rcfcrcncc io any vrong sIc
could ossilly suscci mc of, I sIrunl lcforc
Icr sirangc cycs, quiic unallc io cndurc iIcir
Iungry lusirc.
All day, sIc sccmcd io crvadc iIc vIolc
Iousc. If I iallcd io SiccrforiI in Iis room, I
Icard Icr drcss rusilc in iIc liiilc gallcry oui-
sidc. WIcn Ic and I cngagcd in somc of our old
ccrciscs on iIc lavn lcIind iIc Iousc, I sav
Icr facc ass from vindov io vindov, lilc a
vandcring ligIi, uniil ii ficd iisclf in onc, and
vaicIcd us. WIcn vc all four vcni oui valling
in iIc aficrnoon, sIc closcd Icr iIin Iand on
my arm lilc a sring, io lcc mc lacl, vIilc
SiccrforiI and Iis moiIcr vcni on oui of
Icaring: and iIcn solc io mc.
'You Iavc lccn a long iimc,' sIc said, 'viiI-
oui coming Icrc. Is your rofcssion rcally so
cngaging and inicrcsiing as io alsorl your
5
vIolc aiicniion? I asl lccausc I alvays vani io
lc informcd, vIcn I am ignorani. Is ii rcally,
iIougI?'
I rclicd iIai I lilcd ii vcll cnougI, lui iIai I
ccriainly could noi claim so mucI for ii.
'OI! I am glad io lnov iIai, lccausc I alvays
lilc io lc ui rigIi vIcn I am vrong,' said Fosa
Darilc. 'You mcan ii is a liiilc dry, crIas?'
'Wcll,' I rclicd; 'crIas ii vas a liiilc dry.'
'OI! and iIai's a rcason vIy you vani rclicf
and cIangccciicmcni and all iIai?' said sIc.
'AI! vcry iruc! Dui isn'i ii a liiilcEI?for Iim;
I don'i mcan you?'
A quicl glancc of Icr cyc iovards iIc soi
vIcrc SiccrforiI vas valling, viiI Iis moiIcr
lcaning on Iis arm, sIovcd mc vIom sIc
mcani; lui lcyond iIai, I vas quiic losi. And I
loolcd so, I Iavc no douli.
'Don'i iiI don'i say iIai ii docs, mind I vani
io lnovdon'i ii raiIcr cngross Iim? Don'i ii
malc Iim, crIas, a liiilc morc rcmiss iIan
usual in Iis visiis io Iis llindly-doiingcI?'
WiiI anoiIcr quicl glancc ai iIcm, and sucI a
glancc ai mc as sccmcd io lool inio my inncr-
mosi iIougIis.
'Miss Darilc,' I rciurncd, 'ray do noi iIinl -'
'I don'i!' sIc said. 'OI dcar mc, don'i suosc
iIai I iIinl anyiIing! I am noi susicious. I only
asl a qucsiion. I don'i siaic any oinion. I vani
io found an oinion on vIai you icll mc. TIcn,
ii's noi so? Wcll! I am vcry glad io lnov ii.'
'Ii ccriainly is noi iIc faci,' said I, crlccd,
'iIai I am
accouniallc for SiccrforiI's Iaving lccn avay
from Iomc longcr iIan usualif Ic Ias lccn:
vIicI I rcally don'i lnov ai iIis momcni, un-
lcss I undcrsiand ii from you. I Iavc noi sccn
Iim iIis long vIilc, uniil lasi nigIi.'
'No?'
'Indccd, Miss Darilc, no!'
As sIc loolcd full ai mc, I sav Icr facc grov
sIarcr and alcr, and iIc marls of iIc old
6
vound lcngiIcn oui uniil ii cui iIrougI iIc dis-
figurcd li, and dcc inio iIc nciIcr li, and
slanicd dovn iIc facc. TIcrc vas somciIing
osiiivcly avful io mc in iIis, and in iIc lrigIi-
ncss of Icr cycs, as sIc said, looling ficdly ai
mc:
'WIai is Ic doing?'
I rccaicd iIc vords, morc io mysclf iIan Icr,
lcing so amazcd.
'WIai is Ic doing?' sIc said, viiI an cagcr-
ncss iIai sccmcd cnougI io consumc Icr lilc a
firc. 'In vIai is iIai man assisiing Iim, vIo
ncvcr lools ai mc viiIoui an inscruiallc falsc-
Iood in Iis cycs? If you arc Ionourallc and
faiiIful, I don'i asl you io lciray your fricnd. I
asl you only io icll mc, is ii angcr, is ii Iaircd,
is ii ridc, is ii rcsilcssncss, is ii somc vild fancy,
is ii lovc, vIai is ii, iIai is lcading Iim?'
'Miss Darilc,' I rciurncd, 'Iov sIall I icll you,
so iIai you vill lclicvc mc, iIai I lnov of noiI-
ing in SiccrforiI diffcrcni from vIai iIcrc vas
vIcn I firsi camc Icrc? I can iIinl of noiIing. I
firmly lclicvc iIcrc is noiIing. I Iardly undcr-
siand cvcn vIai you mcan.'
As sIc siill siood looling ficdly ai mc, a
iviicIing or iIrolling, from vIicI I could noi
dissociaic iIc idca of ain, camc inio iIai crucl
marl; and lificd u iIc corncr of Icr li as if
viiI scorn, or viiI a iiy iIai dcsiscd iis ol-
jcci. SIc ui Icr Iand uon ii Iurricdlya Iand
so iIin and dclicaic, iIai vIcn I Iad sccn Icr
Iold ii u lcforc iIc firc io sIadc Icr facc, I
Iad comarcd ii in my iIougIis io finc orcc-
lainand saying, in a quicl, ficrcc,
assionaic vay, 'I svcar you io sccrccy aloui
iIis!' said noi a vord morc.
Mrs. SiccrforiI vas ariicularly Iay in Icr
son's sociciy, and SiccrforiI vas, on iIis occa-
sion, ariicularly aiicniivc and rcscciful io Icr.
Ii vas vcry inicrcsiing io mc io scc iIcm io-
gciIcr, noi only on accouni of iIcir muiual af-
fcciion, lui lccausc of iIc sirong crsonal rc-
7
scmllancc lcivccn iIcm, and iIc manncr in
vIicI vIai vas IaugIiy or imciuous in Iim
vas soficncd ly agc and sc, in Icr, io a gra-
cious digniiy. I iIougIi, morc iIan oncc, iIai ii
vas vcll no scrious causc of division Iad cvcr
comc lcivccn iIcm; or ivo sucI naiurcsI
ougIi raiIcr io crcss ii, ivo sucI sIadcs of
iIc samc naiurcmigIi Iavc lccn Iardcr io
rcconcilc iIan iIc ivo circmcsi oosiics in
crcaiion. TIc idca did noi originaic in my ovn
disccrnmcni, I am lound io confcss, lui in a
scccI of Fosa Darilc's.
SIc said ai dinncr:
'OI, lui do icll mc, iIougI, somclody, lc-
causc I Iavc lccn iIinling aloui ii all day, and
I vani io lnov.'
'You vani io lnov vIai, Fosa?' rciurncd Mrs.
SiccrforiI. 'Fray, ray, Fosa, do noi lc mysic-
rious.'
'Mysicrious!' sIc cricd. 'OI! rcally? Do you
considcr mc so?'
'Do I consianily cnircai you,' said Mrs.
SiccrforiI, 'io scal lainly, in your ovn naiu-
ral manncr?'
'OI! iIcn iIis is noi my naiural manncr?' sIc rc-
joincd. 'Nov you musi rcally lcar viiI mc, lccausc I
asl for informaiion. Wc ncvcr lnov oursclvcs.'
'Ii Ias lccomc a sccond naiurc,' said Mrs.
SiccrforiI, viiIoui any dislcasurc; 'lui I rc-
mcmlcr,and so musi you, I iIinl,vIcn your
manncr vas diffcrcni, Fosa; vIcn ii vas noi so
guardcd, and vas morc irusiful.'
'I am surc you arc rigIi,' sIc rciurncd; 'and
so ii is iIai lad Ialiis grov uon onc! Fcally?
Lcss guardcd and morc irusiful? Hov can I,
imcrcciilly, Iavc cIangcd, I vondcr! Wcll,
iIai's vcry odd! I musi siudy io rcgain my formcr
sclf.'
'I visI you vould,' said Mrs. SiccrforiI, viiI
a smilc.
'OI! I rcally vill, you lnov!' sIc ansvcrcd. 'I vill
lcarnfranlncss fromlci mc sccfrom Jamcs.'
8
'You cannoi lcarn franlncss, Fosa,' said Mrs.
SiccrforiI quicllyfor iIcrc vas alvays somc
cffcci of sarcasm in vIai Fosa Darilc said, iIougI
ii vas said, as iIis vas, in iIc mosi unconscious
manncr in iIc vorld'in a lciicr scIool.'
'TIai I am surc of,' sIc ansvcrcd, viiI un-
common fcrvour. 'If I am surc of anyiIing, of
coursc, you lnov, I am surc of iIai.'
Mrs. SiccrforiI acarcd io mc io rcgrci Iav-
ing lccn a liiilc nciilcd; for sIc rcscnily said,
in a lind ionc:
'Wcll, my dcar Fosa, vc Iavc noi Icard vIai
ii is iIai you vani io lc saiisficd aloui?'
'TIai I vani io lc saiisficd aloui?' sIc rclicd,
viiI rovoling coldncss. 'OI! Ii vas only
vIciIcr colc, vIo arc lilc cacI oiIcr in iIcir
moral consiiiuiionis iIai iIc Irasc?'
'Ii's as good a Irasc as anoiIcr,' said
SiccrforiI.
'TIanl you:vIciIcr colc, vIo arc lilc
cacI oiIcr in iIcir moral consiiiuiion, arc in
grcaicr dangcr iIan colc noi so circum-
sianccd, suosing any scrious causc of vari-
ancc io arisc lcivccn iIcm, of lcing dividcd
angrily and dccly?'
'I sIould say ycs,' said SiccrforiI.
'SIould you?' sIc rcioricd. 'Dcar mc! Suos-
ing iIcn, for insianccany unlilcly iIing vill
do for a suosiiioniIai you and your moiIcr
vcrc io Iavc a scrious quarrcl.'
'My dcar Fosa,' inicroscd Mrs. SiccrforiI,
laugIing good-naiurcdly, 'suggcsi somc oiIcr
suosiiion! Jamcs and I lnov our duiy io cacI
oiIcr lciicr, I ray Hcavcn!'
'OI!' said Miss Darilc, nodding Icr Icad
iIougIifully. 'To lc surc. TIai vould rcvcni ii?
WIy, of coursc ii vould. Eacily. Nov, I am glad
I Iavc lccn so foolisI as io ui iIc casc, for ii is
so vcry good io lnov iIai your duiy io cacI oiIcr
vould rcvcni ii! TIanl you vcry mucI.'
Onc oiIcr liiilc circumsiancc connccicd viiI
Miss Darilc I musi noi omii; for I Iad rcason io
9
rcmcmlcr ii iIcrcaficr, vIcn all iIc irrcmcdi-
allc asi vas rcndcrcd lain. During iIc vIolc
of iIis day, lui csccially from iIis criod of ii,
SiccrforiI ccricd Iimsclf viiI Iis uimosi slill,
and iIai vas viiI Iis uimosi casc, io cIarm
iIis singular crcaiurc inio a lcasani and
lcascd comanion. TIai Ic sIould succccd,
vas no maiicr of surrisc io mc. TIai sIc sIould
sirugglc againsi iIc fascinaiing influcncc of Iis
dcligIiful aridcligIiful naiurc I iIougIi ii
iIcndid noi surrisc mc ciiIcr; for I lncv iIai
sIc vas somciimcs jaundiccd and crvcrsc. I
sav Icr fcaiurcs and Icr manncr slovly cIangc;
I sav Icr lool ai Iim viiI groving admiraiion;
I sav Icr iry, morc and morc fainily, lui al-
vays angrily, as if sIc condcmncd a vcalncss
in Icrsclf, io rcsisi iIc caiivaiing ovcr iIai
Ic osscsscd; and finally, I sav Icr sIar glancc
soficn, and Icr smilc lccomc quiic gcnilc, and
I ccascd io lc afraid of Icr as I Iad rcally lccn
all day, and vc all sai aloui iIc firc, ialling
and laugIing iogciIcr, viiI as liiilc rcscrvc as
if vc Iad lccn cIildrcn.
WIciIcr ii vas lccausc vc Iad sai iIcrc so long,
or lccausc SiccrforiI vas rcsolvcd noi io losc iIc
advaniagc Ic Iad gaincd, I do noi lnov; lui vc
did noi rcmain in iIc dining-room morc iIan fivc
minuics aficr Icr dcariurc. 'SIc is laying Icr
Iar,' said SiccrforiI, sofily, ai iIc draving-room
door, 'and nolody lui my moiIcr Ias Icard Icr
do iIai, I lclicvc, iIcsc iIrcc ycars.' Hc said ii viiI
a curious smilc, vIicI vas gonc dirccily; and vc
vcni inio iIc room and found Icr alonc.
'Don'i gci u,' said SiccrforiI (vIicI sIc Iad
alrcady donc}' my dcar Fosa, don'i! Dc lind for
oncc, and sing us an IrisI song.'
'WIai do you carc for an IrisI song?' sIc rc-
iurncd.
'MucI!' said SiccrforiI. 'MucI morc iIan for
any oiIcr. Hcrc is Daisy, ioo, lovcs music from
Iis soul. Sing us an IrisI song, Fosa! and lci
mc sii and lisicn as I uscd io do.'
10
Hc did noi ioucI Icr, or iIc cIair from vIicI
sIc Iad riscn, lui sai Iimsclf ncar iIc Iar.
SIc siood lcsidc ii for somc liiilc vIilc, in a
curious vay, going iIrougI iIc moiion of lay-
ing ii viiI Icr rigIi Iand, lui noi sounding ii.
Ai lcngiI sIc sai dovn, and drcv ii io Icr viiI
onc suddcn aciion, and laycd and sang.
I don'i lnov vIai ii vas, in Icr ioucI or voicc,
iIai madc iIai song iIc mosi uncariIly I Iavc
cvcr Icard in my lifc, or can imaginc. TIcrc vas
somciIing fcarful in iIc rcaliiy of ii. Ii vas as if
ii Iad ncvcr lccn vriiicn, or sci io music, lui
srung oui of assion viiIin Icr; vIicI found
imcrfcci uiicrancc in iIc lov sounds of Icr
voicc, and croucIcd again vIcn all vas siill. I
vas duml vIcn sIc lcancd lcsidc iIc Iar
again, laying ii, lui noi sounding ii, viiI Icr
rigIi Iand.
A minuic morc, and iIis Iad rouscd mc from
my irancc:SiccrforiI Iad lcfi Iis scai, and
gonc io Icr, and Iad ui Iis arm laugIingly
aloui Icr, and Iad said, 'Comc, Fosa, for iIc
fuiurc vc vill lovc cacI oiIcr vcry mucI!' And
sIc Iad sirucl Iim, and Iad iIrovn Iim off
viiI iIc fury of a vild cai, and Iad lursi oui of
iIc room.
'WIai is iIc maiicr viiI Fosa?' said Mrs.
SiccrforiI, coming in.
'SIc Ias lccn an angcl, moiIcr,' rciurncd
SiccrforiI, 'for a liiilc vIilc; and Ias run inio
iIc oosiic circmc, sincc, ly vay of comcn-
saiion.'
'You sIould lc carcful noi io irriiaic Icr,
Jamcs. Hcr icmcr Ias lccn sourcd, rcmcm-
lcr, and ougIi noi io lc iricd.'
Fosa did noi comc lacl; and no oiIcr mcniion
vas madc of Icr, uniil I vcni viiI SiccrforiI
inio Iis room io say Good nigIi. TIcn Ic laugIcd
aloui Icr, and aslcd mc if I Iad cvcr sccn sucI
a ficrcc liiilc iccc of incomrcIcnsililiiy.
I crcsscd as mucI of my asionisImcni as
vas iIcn caallc of crcssion, and aslcd if Ic
11
could gucss vIai ii vas iIai sIc Iad ialcn so
mucI amiss, so suddcnly.
'OI, Hcavcn lnovs,' said SiccrforiI. 'AnyiIing
you lilcor noiIing! I iold you sIc iool cvcry-
iIing, Icrsclf includcd, io a grindsionc, and
sIarcncd ii. SIc is an cdgc-iool, and rcquircs
grcai carc in dcaling viiI. SIc is alvays dan-
gcrous. Good nigIi!'
'Good nigIi!' said I, 'my dcar SiccrforiI! I sIall lc
gonc lcforc you valc in iIc morning. Good nigIi!'
Hc vas unvilling io lci mc go; and siood, Iold-
ing mc oui, viiI a Iand on cacI of my sIoul-
dcrs, as Ic Iad donc in my ovn room.
'Daisy,' Ic said, viiI a smilc'for iIougI
iIai's noi iIc namc your godfaiIcrs and god-
moiIcrs gavc you, ii's iIc namc I lilc lcsi io
call you lyand I visI, I visI, I visI, you could
givc ii io mc!'
'WIy so I can, if I cIoosc,' said I.
'Daisy, if anyiIing sIould cvcr scaraic us,
you musi iIinl of mc ai my lcsi, old loy. Comc!
Lci us malc iIai largain. TIinl of mc ai my
lcsi, if circumsianccs sIould cvcr ari us!'
'You Iavc no lcsi io mc, SiccrforiI,' said I,
'and no vorsi. You arc alvays cqually lovcd, and
cIcrisIcd in my Icari.'
So mucI comunciion for Iaving cvcr vrongcd
Iim, cvcn ly a sIaclcss iIougIi, did I fccl
viiIin mc, iIai iIc confcssion of Iaving donc
so vas rising io my lis. Dui for iIc rcluciancc
I Iad io lciray iIc confidcncc of Agncs, lui for
my unccriainiy Iov io aroacI iIc suljcci
viiI no risl of doing so, ii vould Iavc rcacIcd
iIcm lcforc Ic said, 'God llcss you, Daisy, and
good nigIi!' In my douli, ii did not rcacI iIcm;
and vc sIool Iands, and vc aricd.
I vas u viiI iIc dull davn, and, Iaving drcsscd
as quicily as I could, loolcd inio Iis room. Hc
vas fasi aslcc; lying, casily, viiI Iis Icad uon
Iis arm, as I Iad oficn sccn Iim lic ai scIool.
TIc iimc camc in iis scason, and iIai vas vcry
soon, vIcn I almosi vondcrcd iIai noiIing
12
iroullcd Iis rcosc, as I loolcd ai Iim. Dui Ic
slcilci mc iIinl of Iim so againas I Iad
oficn sccn Iim slcc ai scIool; and iIus, in iIis
silcni Iour, I lcfi Iim.
Ncvcr morc, oI God forgivc you, SiccrforiI!
io ioucI iIai assivc Iand in lovc and fricnd-
sIi. Ncvcr, ncvcr morc!
CHAPTER S0
A LOSS
I GOT DOWN TO YarmouiI in iIc cvcning, and vcni
io iIc inn. I lncv iIai Fcggoiiy's sarc room
my roomvas lilcly io Iavc occuaiion cnougI
in a liiilc vIilc, if iIai grcai Visiior, lcforc vIosc
rcscncc all iIc living musi givc lacc, vcrc noi
alrcady in iIc Iousc; so I lciool mysclf io iIc
inn, and dincd iIcrc, and cngagcd my lcd.
Ii vas icn o'clocl vIcn I vcni oui. Many of
iIc sIos vcrc sIui, and iIc iovn vas dull.
WIcn I camc io Omcr and Joram's, I found iIc
sIuiicrs u, lui iIc sIo door sianding ocn.
As I could oliain a crscciivc vicv of Mr. Omcr
insidc, smoling Iis ic ly iIc arlour door, I
cnicrcd, and aslcd Iim Iov Ic vas.
'WIy, llcss my lifc and soul!' said Mr. Omcr,
'Iov do you find yoursclf? Talc a scai.Smolc
noi disagrccallc, I Ioc?'
'Dy no mcans,' said I. 'I lilc iiin somclody
clsc's ic.'
'WIai, noi in your ovn, cI?' Mr. Omcr rc-
iurncd, laugIing. 'All iIc lciicr, sir. Dad Ialii
for a young man. Talc a scai. I smolc, mysclf,
for iIc asiIma.'
Mr. Omcr Iad madc room for mc, and laccd a
cIair. Hc nov sai dovn again vcry mucI oui of lrcaiI,
gasing ai Iis ic as if ii coniaincd a suly of iIai
ncccssary, viiIoui vIicI Ic musi crisI.
'I am sorry io Iavc Icard lad ncvs of Mr.
Darlis,' said I.
Mr. Omcr loolcd ai mc, viiI a sicady counic-
nancc, and sIool Iis Icad.
13
'Do you lnov Iov Ic is ionigIi?' I aslcd.
'TIc vcry qucsiion I sIould Iavc ui io you,
sir,' rciurncd Mr. Omcr, 'lui on accouni of dcli-
cacy. Ii's onc of iIc dravlacls of our linc of
lusincss. WIcn a ariy's ill, vc can'i asl Iov
iIc ariy is.'
TIc difficuliy Iad noi occurrcd io mc; iIougI I
Iad Iad my arcIcnsions ioo, vIcn I vcni in,
of Icaring iIc old iunc. On iis lcing mcniioncd,
I rccognizcd ii, Iovcvcr, and said as mucI.
'Ycs, ycs, you undcrsiand,' said Mr. Omcr,
nodding Iis Icad. 'Wc dursn'i do ii. Dlcss you,
ii vould lc a sIocl iIai iIc gcncraliiy of ar-
iics migIin'i rccovcr, io say Omcr and Joram's
comlimcnis, and Iov do you find yoursclf iIis
morning?"or iIis aficrnoonas ii may lc.'
Mr. Omcr and I noddcd ai cacI oiIcr, and Mr.
Omcr rccruiicd Iis vind ly iIc aid of Iis ic.
'Ii's onc of iIc iIings iIai cui iIc iradc off
from aiicniions iIcy could oficn visI io sIov,'
said Mr. Omcr. 'Talc mysclf. If I Iavc lnovn
Darlis a ycar, io movc io as Ic vcni ly, I Iavc
lnovn Iim foriy ycars. Dui I can'i go and say,
Iov is Ic?"'
I fcli ii vas raiIcr Iard on Mr. Omcr, and I
iold Iim so.
'I'm noi morc sclf-inicrcsicd, I Ioc, iIan an-
oiIcr man,' said Mr. Omcr. 'Lool ai mc! My vind
may fail mc ai any momcni, and ii ain'i lilcly
iIai, io my ovn lnovlcdgc, I'd lc sclf-inicrcsicd
undcr sucI circumsianccs. I say ii ain'i lilcly,
in a man vIo lnovs Iis vind vill go, vIcn ii
docs go, as if a air of lcllovs vas cui ocn;
and iIai man a grandfaiIcr,' said Mr. Omcr.
I said, 'Noi ai all.'
'Ii ain'i iIai I comlain of my linc of lusincss,'
said Mr. Omcr. 'Ii ain'i iIai. Somc good and somc
lad gocs, no douli, io all callings. WIai I visI
is, iIai ariics vas lrougIi u sirongcr-mindcd.'
Mr. Omcr, viiI a vcry comlaccni and ami-
allc facc, iool scvcral uffs in silcncc; and iIcn
said, rcsuming Iis firsi oini:
14
'Accordingly vc'rc ollccgcd, in asccriaining Iov
Darlis gocs on, io limii oursclvcs io Em'ly. SIc
lnovs vIai our rcal oljccis arc, and sIc don'i
Iavc any morc alarms or susicions aloui us,
iIan if vc vas so many lamls. Minnic and Joram
Iavc jusi siccd dovn io iIc Iousc, in faci (sIc's
iIcrc, aficr Iours, Icling Icr auni a lii},
io asl Icr Iov Ic is ionigIi; and if you vas io
lcasc io vaii iill iIcy comc lacl, iIcy'd givc
you full ariic'lcrs. Will you ialc somciIing? A
glass of srul and vaicr, nov? I smolc on srul
and vaicr, mysclf,' said Mr. Omcr, ialing u
Iis glass, 'lccausc ii's considcrcd soficning io
iIc assagcs, ly vIicI iIis iroullcsomc lrcaiI
of minc gcis inio aciion. Dui, Lord llcss you,'
said Mr. Omcr, Iuslily, 'ii ain'i iIc assagcs
iIai's oui of ordcr! Givc mc lrcaiI cnougI,"
said I io my daugIicr Minnic, and I'll find as-
sagcs, my dcar."'
Hc rcally Iad no lrcaiI io sarc, and ii vas
vcry alarming io scc Iim laugI. WIcn Ic vas
again in a condiiion io lc iallcd io, I iIanlcd
Iim for iIc roffcrcd rcfrcsImcni, vIicI I dc-
clincd, as I Iad jusi Iad dinncr; and, olscrving
iIai I vould vaii, sincc Ic vas so good as io
inviic mc, uniil Iis daugIicr and Iis son-in-
lav camc lacl, I inquircd Iov liiilc Emily vas?
'Wcll, sir,' said Mr. Omcr, rcmoving Iis ic,
iIai Ic migIi rul Iis cIin: 'I icll you iruly, I
sIall lc glad vIcn Icr marriagc Ias ialcn
lacc.'
'WIy so?' I inquircd.
'Wcll, sIc's unsciilcd ai rcscni,' said Mr.
Omcr. 'Ii ain'i iIai sIc's noi as rciiy as cvcr,
for sIc's rciiicrI do assurc you, sIc is rci-
iicr. Ii ain'i iIai sIc don'i vorl as vcll as cvcr,
for sIc docs. SIc uus voriI any si, and sIc IS
voriI any si. Dui somcIov sIc vanis Icari. If
you undcrsiand,' said Mr. Omcr, aficr rulling
Iis cIin again, and smoling a liiilc, 'vIai I mcan
in a gcncral vay ly iIc crcssion, A long ull,
and a sirong ull, and a ull aliogciIcr, my
15
Icariics, IurraI!" I sIould say io you, iIai iIai
vasin a gcncral vayvIai I miss in Em'ly.'
Mr. Omcr's facc and manncr vcni for so mucI,
iIai I could conscicniiously nod my Icad, as
divining Iis mcaning. My quiclncss of arc-
Icnsion sccmcd io lcasc Iim, and Ic vcni on:
'Nov I considcr iIis is rincially on accouni of
Icr lcing in an unsciilcd siaic, you scc. Wc Iavc
iallcd ii ovcr a good dcal, Icr unclc and mysclf,
and Icr svcciIcari and mysclf, aficr lusincss;
and I considcr ii is rincially on accouni of
Icr lcing unsciilcd. You musi alvays rccollcci
of Em'ly,' said Mr. Omcr, sIaling Iis Icad gcn-
ily, 'iIai sIc's a mosi ciraordinary affcciion-
aic liiilc iIing. TIc rovcrl says, You can'i
malc a sill ursc oui of a sov's car." Wcll, I
don'i lnov aloui iIai. I raiIcr iIinl you may,
if you lcgin carly in lifc. SIc Ias madc a Iomc
oui of iIai old loai, sir, iIai sionc and marllc
couldn'i lcai.'
'I am surc sIc Ias!' said I.
'To scc iIc clinging of iIai rciiy liiilc iIing io
Icr unclc,' said Mr. Omcr; 'io scc iIc vay sIc
Iolds on io Iim, iigIicr and iigIicr, and closcr
and closcr, cvcry day, is io scc a sigIi. Nov,
you lnov, iIcrc's a sirugglc going on vIcn
iIai's iIc casc. WIy sIould ii lc madc a longcr
onc iIan is nccdful?'
I lisicncd aiicniivcly io iIc good old fcllov,
and acquicsccd, viiI all my Icari, in vIai Ic
said.
'TIcrcforc, I mcniioncd io iIcm,' said Mr.
Omcr, in a comforiallc, casy-going ionc, 'iIis. I
said, Nov, don'i considcr Em'ly nailcd dovn in
oini of iimc, ai all. Malc ii your ovn iimc. Hcr
scrviccs Iavc lccn morc valuallc iIan vas su-
oscd; Icr lcarning Ias lccn quiclcr iIan vas
suoscd; Omcr and Joram can run iIcir cn
iIrougI vIai rcmains; and sIc's frcc vIcn you
visI. If sIc lilcs io malc any liiilc arrangc-
mcni, aficrvards, in iIc vay of doing any liiilc
iIing for us ai Iomc, vcry vcll. If sIc don'i, vcry
16
vcll siill. Wc'rc no loscrs, anyIov." Fordon'i
you scc,' said Mr. Omcr, ioucIing mc viiI Iis
ic, 'ii ain'i lilcly iIai a man so sIori of lrcaiI
as mysclf, and a grandfaiIcr ioo, vould go and
sirain oinis viiI a liiilc lii of a lluc-cycd llos-
som, lilc Icr?'
'Noi ai all, I am ccriain,' said I.
'Noi ai all! You'rc rigIi!' said Mr. Omcr. 'Wcll,
sir, Icr cousinyou lnov ii's a cousin sIc's
going io lc marricd io?'
'OI ycs,' I rclicd. 'I lnov Iim vcll.'
'Of coursc you do,' said Mr. Omcr. 'Wcll, sir!
Hcr cousin lcing, as ii acars, in good vorl,
and vcll io do, iIanlcd mc in a vcry manly sori
of manncr for iIis (conduciing Iimsclf alio-
gciIcr, I musi say, in a vay iIai givcs mc a
IigI oinion of Iim}, and vcni and iool as com-
foriallc a liiilc Iousc as you or I could visI io
cla cycs on. TIai liiilc Iousc is nov furnisIcd
rigIi iIrougI, as ncai and comlcic as a doll's
arlour; and lui for Darlis's illncss Iaving
ialcn iIis lad iurn, oor fcllov, iIcy vould Iavc
lccn man and vifcI darc say, ly iIis iimc. As
ii is, iIcrc's a osioncmcni.'
'And Emily, Mr. Omcr?' I inquircd. 'Has sIc
lccomc morc sciilcd?'
'WIy iIai, you lnov,' Ic rciurncd, rulling Iis
doullc cIin again, 'can'i naiurally lc cccicd. TIc
roscci of iIc cIangc and scaraiion, and all iIai,
is, as onc may say, closc io Icr and far avay from
Icr, loiI ai oncc. Darlis's dcaiI nccdn'i ui ii off
mucI, lui Iis lingcring migIi. Anyvay, ii's an un-
ccriain siaic of maiicrs, you scc.'
'I scc,' said I.
'Conscqucnily,' ursucd Mr. Omcr, 'Em'ly's
siill a liiilc dovn, and a liiilc fluiicrcd; crIas,
uon iIc vIolc, sIc's morc so iIan sIc vas.
Evcry day sIc sccms io gci fondcr and fondcr of
Icr unclc, and morc loiI io ari from all of us.
A lind vord from mc lrings iIc icars inio Icr
cycs; and if you vas io scc Icr viiI my daugI-
icr Minnic's liiilc girl, you'd ncvcr forgci ii. Dlcss
17
my Icari alivc!' said Mr. Omcr, ondcring, 'Iov
sIc lovcs iIai cIild!'
Having so favourallc an ooriuniiy, ii oc-
currcd io mc io asl Mr. Omcr, lcforc our con-
vcrsaiion sIould lc inicrruicd ly iIc rciurn
of Iis daugIicr and Icr Iusland, vIciIcr Ic
lncv anyiIing of MariIa.
'AI!' Ic rcjoincd, sIaling Iis Icad, and lool-
ing vcry mucI dcjccicd. 'No good. A sad siory,
sir, Iovcvcr you comc io lnov ii. I ncvcr iIougIi
iIcrc vas Iarm in iIc girl. I vouldn'i visI io
mcniion ii lcforc my daugIicr Minnicfor sIc'd
ialc mc u dirccilylui I ncvcr did. Nonc of us
cvcr did.'
Mr. Omcr, Icaring Iis daugIicr's fooisic
lcforc I Icard ii, ioucIcd mc viiI Iis ic, and
sIui u onc cyc, as a cauiion. SIc and Icr Ius-
land camc in immcdiaicly aficrvards.
TIcir rcori vas, iIai Mr. Darlis vas 'as lad
as lad could lc'; iIai Ic vas quiic unconscious;
and iIai Mr. CIilli Iad mournfully said in iIc
liicIcn, on going avay jusi nov, iIai iIc Col-
lcgc of FIysicians, iIc Collcgc of Surgcons, and
AoiIccarics' Hall, if iIcy vcrc all callcd in io-
gciIcr, couldn'i Icl Iim. Hc vas asi loiI Col-
lcgcs, Mr. CIilli said, and iIc Hall could only
oison Iim.
Hcaring iIis, and lcarning iIai Mr. Fcggoiiy
vas iIcrc, I dcicrmincd io go io iIc Iousc ai
oncc. I ladc good nigIi io Mr. Omcr, and io Mr.
and Mrs. Joram; and dirccicd my sics iIiiIcr,
viiI a solcmn fccling, vIicI madc Mr. Darlis
quiic a ncv and diffcrcni crcaiurc.
My lov ia ai iIc door vas ansvcrcd ly Mr.
Fcggoiiy. Hc vas noi so mucI surriscd io scc
mc as I Iad cccicd. I rcmarlcd iIis in
Fcggoiiy, ioo, vIcn sIc camc dovn; and I Iavc
sccn ii sincc; and I iIinl, in iIc ccciaiion of
iIai drcad surrisc, all oiIcr cIangcs and sur-
riscs dvindlc inio noiIing.
I sIool Iands viiI Mr. Fcggoiiy, and asscd
inio iIc liicIcn, vIilc Ic sofily closcd iIc door.
18
Liiilc Emily vas siiiing ly iIc firc, viiI Icr
Iands lcforc Icr facc. Ham vas sianding ncar
Icr.
Wc solc in vIiscrs; lisicning, lcivccn
vIilcs, for any sound in iIc room alovc. I Iad
noi iIougIi of ii on iIc occasion of my lasi visii,
lui Iov sirangc ii vas io mc, nov, io miss Mr.
Darlis oui of iIc liicIcn!
'TIis is vcry lind of you, Mas'r Davy,' said Mr.
Fcggoiiy.
'Ii's oncommon lind,' said Ham.
'Em'ly, my dcar,' cricd Mr. Fcggoiiy. 'Scc Icrc!
Hcrc's Mas'r Davy comc! WIai, cIccr u, rciiy!
Noi a vurcd io Mas'r Davy?'
TIcrc vas a ircmlling uon Icr, iIai I can
scc nov. TIc coldncss of Icr Iand vIcn I
ioucIcd ii, I can fccl yci. Iis only sign of anima-
iion vas io sIrinl from minc; and iIcn sIc
glidcd from iIc cIair, and crccing io iIc oiIcr
sidc of Icr unclc, lovcd Icrsclf, silcnily and
ircmlling siill, uon Iis lrcasi.
'Ii's sucI a loving ari,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy,
smooiIing Icr ricI Iair viiI Iis grcai Iard
Iand, 'iIai ii can'i alcar iIc sorrcr of iIis. Ii's
nai'ral in young foll, Mas'r Davy, vIcn iIcy'rc
ncv io iIcsc Icrc irials, and iimid, lilc my liiilc
lird,ii's nai'ral.'
SIc clung iIc closcr io Iim, lui nciiIcr lificd
u Icr facc, nor solc a vord.
'Ii's gciiing laic, my dcar,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy,
'and Icrc's Ham comc fur io ialc you Iomc.
TIccr! Go along viiI i'oiIcr loving ari! WIai'
Em'ly? EI, my rciiy?'
TIc sound of Icr voicc Iad noi rcacIcd mc,
lui Ic lcni Iis Icad as if Ic lisicncd io Icr,
and iIcn said:
'Lci you siay viiI your unclc? WIy, you docn'i
mcan io asl mc iIai! Siay viiI your unclc,
Moci? WIcn your Iusland iIai'll lc so soon,
is Icrc fur io ialc you Iomc? Nov a crson
vouldn'i iIinl ii, fur io scc iIis liiilc iIing along-
sidc a rougI-vcaiIcr cIa lilc mc,' said Mr.
19
Fcggoiiy, looling round ai loiI of us, viiI infi-
niic ridc; 'lui iIc sca ain'i morc sali in ii iIan
sIc Ias fondncss in Icr for Icr unclca fool-
isI liiilc Em'ly!'
'Em'ly's in iIc rigIi in iIai, Mas'r Davy!' said
Ham. 'Loolcc Icrc! As Em'ly visIcs of ii, and
as sIc's Iurricd and frigIicncd, lilc, lcsidcs,
I'll lcavc Icr iill morning. Lci mc siay ioo!'
'No, no,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy. 'You docn'i ougIi
a marricd man lilc youor vIai's as goodio
ialc and Iull avay a day's vorl. And you docn'i
ougIi io vaicI and vorl loiI. TIai von'i do.
You go Iomc and iurn in. You ain'i afccrd of
Em'ly noi lcing iool good carc on, I lnov.'
Ham yicldcd io iIis crsuasion, and iool Iis
Iai io go. Evcn vIcn Ic lisscd Icr.and I ncvcr
sav Iim aroacI Icr, lui I fcli iIai naiurc
Iad givcn Iim iIc soul of a gcnilcmansIc
sccmcd io cling closcr io Icr unclc, cvcn io iIc
avoidancc of Icr cIoscn Iusland. I sIui iIc
door aficr Iim, iIai ii migIi causc no disiur-
lancc of iIc quici iIai rcvailcd; and vIcn I
iurncd lacl, I found Mr. Fcggoiiy siill ialling
io Icr.
'Nov, I'm a going usiairs io icll your auni as
Mas'r Davy's Icrc, and iIai'll cIccr Icr u a lii,'
Ic said. 'Sii yc dovn ly iIc firc, iIc vIilc, my
dcar, and varm iIosc morial cold Iands. You
docn'i nccd io lc so fcarsomc, and ialc on so
mucI. WIai? You'll go along viiI mc?Wcll!
comc along viiI mccomc! If Icr unclc vas
iurncd oui of Iousc and Iomc, and forccd io lay
dovn in a dylc, Mas'r Davy,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy,
viiI no lcss ridc iIan lcforc, 'ii's my lclicf sIc'd
go along viiI Iim, nov! Dui iIcrc'll lc somconc
clsc, soon,somconc clsc, soon, Em'ly!'
Aficrvards, vIcn I vcni usiairs, as I asscd
iIc door of my liiilc cIamlcr, vIicI vas darl,
I Iad an indisiinci imrcssion of Icr lcing
viiIin ii, casi dovn uon iIc floor. Dui, vIciIcr
ii vas rcally sIc, or vIciIcr ii vas a confusion
of iIc sIadovs in iIc room, I don'i lnov nov.
20
I Iad lcisurc io iIinl, lcforc iIc liicIcn firc,
of rciiy liiilc Emily's drcad of dcaiIvIicI,
addcd io vIai Mr. Omcr Iad iold mc, I iool io
lc iIc causc of Icr lcing so unlilc Icrsclf
and I Iad lcisurc, lcforc Fcggoiiy camc dovn,
cvcn io iIinl morc lcnicnily of iIc vcalncss of
ii: as I sai couniing iIc iicling of iIc clocl, and
dcccning my scnsc of iIc solcmn IusI around
mc. Fcggoiiy iool mc in Icr arms, and llcsscd
and iIanlcd mc ovcr and ovcr again for lcing
sucI a comfori io Icr (iIai vas vIai sIc said}
in Icr disircss. SIc iIcn cnircaicd mc io comc
usiairs, solling iIai Mr. Darlis Iad alvays
lilcd mc and admircd mc; iIai Ic Iad oficn
iallcd of mc, lcforc Ic fcll inio a siuor; and
iIai sIc lclicvcd, in casc of Iis coming io Iim-
sclf again, Ic vould lrigIicn u ai sigIi of mc,
if Ic could lrigIicn u ai any cariIly iIing.
TIc rolaliliiy of Iis cvcr doing so, acarcd
io mc, vIcn I sav Iim, io lc vcry small. Hc vas
lying viiI Iis Icad and sIouldcrs oui of lcd, in
an uncomforiallc aiiiiudc, Ialf rcsiing on iIc
lo vIicI Iad cosi Iim so mucI ain and
iroullc. I lcarncd, iIai, vIcn Ic vas asi crcc-
ing oui of lcd io ocn ii, and asi assuring Iim-
sclf of iis safciy ly mcans of iIc divining rod I
Iad sccn Iim usc, Ic Iad rcquircd io Iavc ii
laccd on iIc cIair ai iIc lcd-sidc, vIcrc Ic
Iad cvcr sincc cmlraccd ii, nigIi and day. His
arm lay on ii nov. Timc and iIc vorld vcrc sli-
ing from lcncaiI Iim, lui iIc lo vas iIcrc;
and iIc lasi vords Ic Iad uiicrcd vcrc (in an
clanaiory ionc} 'Old cloiIcs!'
'Darlis, my dcar!' said Fcggoiiy, almosi cIccr-
fully: lcnding ovcr Iim, vIilc Icr lroiIcr and I
siood ai iIc lcd's fooi. 'Hcrc's my dcar loy
my dcar loy, Masicr Davy, vIo lrougIi us io-
gciIcr, Darlis! TIai you scni mcssagcs ly, you
lnov! Won'i you scal io Masicr Davy?'
Hc vas as muic and scnsclcss as iIc lo, from
vIicI Iis form dcrivcd iIc only crcssion ii
Iad.
21
'Hc's a going oui viiI iIc iidc,' said Mr.
Fcggoiiy io mc, lcIind Iis Iand.
My cycs vcrc dim and so vcrc Mr. Fcggoiiy's;
lui I rccaicd in a vIiscr, 'WiiI iIc iidc?'
'Fcolc can'i dic, along iIc coasi,' said Mr.
Fcggoiiy, 'ccci vIcn iIc iidc's rciiy nigI oui.
TIcy can'i lc lorn, unlcss ii's rciiy nigI innoi
rocrly lorn, iill flood. Hc's a going oui viiI iIc
iidc. Ii's cll ai Ialf-aricr iIrcc, slacl vaicr Ialf
an Iour. If Ic livcs iill ii iurns, Ic'll Iold Iis ovn
iill asi iIc flood, and go oui viiI iIc nci iidc.'
Wc rcmaincd iIcrc, vaicIing Iim, a long
iimcIours. WIai mysicrious influcncc my
rcscncc Iad uon Iim in iIai siaic of Iis
scnscs, I sIall noi rcicnd io say; lui vIcn Ic
ai lasi lcgan io vandcr fcclly, ii is ccriain Ic
vas muiicring aloui driving mc io scIool.
'Hc's coming io Iimsclf,' said Fcggoiiy.
Mr. Fcggoiiy ioucIcd mc, and vIiscrcd viiI
mucI avc and rcvcrcncc. 'TIcy arc loiI a-go-
ing oui fasi.'
'Darlis, my dcar!' said Fcggoiiy.
'C. F. Darlis,' Ic cricd fainily. 'No lciicr
voman anyvIcrc!'
'Lool! Hcrc's Masicr Davy!' said Fcggoiiy. For
Ic nov ocncd Iis cycs.
I vas on iIc oini of asling Iim if Ic lncv
mc, vIcn Ic iricd io sircicI oui Iis arm, and
said io mc, disiincily, viiI a lcasani smilc:
'Darlis is villin'!'
And, ii lcing lov vaicr, Ic vcni oui viiI iIc
iidc.
CHAPTER S1
A GREATER LOSS
IT WAS NOT DIFFICULT for mc, on Fcggoiiy's soliciia-
iion, io rcsolvc io siay vIcrc I vas, uniil aficr
iIc rcmains of iIc oor carricr sIould Iavc
madc iIcir lasi journcy io Dlundcrsionc. SIc
Iad long ago lougIi, oui of Icr ovn savings, a
liiilc iccc of ground in our old cIurcIyard ncar
22
iIc gravc of 'Icr svcci girl', as sIc alvays callcd
my moiIcr; and iIcrc iIcy vcrc io rcsi.
In lccing Fcggoiiy comany, and doing all I
could for Icr (liiilc cnougI ai iIc uimosi}, I vas
as graicful, I rcjoicc io iIinl, as cvcn nov I could
visI mysclf io Iavc lccn. Dui I am afraid I Iad
a surcmc saiisfaciion, of a crsonal and ro-
fcssional naiurc, in ialing cIargc of Mr. Darlis's
vill, and counding iis conicnis.
I may claim iIc mcrii of Iaving originaicd iIc
suggcsiion iIai iIc vill sIould lc loolcd for in
iIc lo. Aficr somc scarcI, ii vas found in iIc
lo, ai iIc loiiom of a Iorsc's nosc-lag; vIcrcin
(lcsidcs Iay} iIcrc vas discovcrcd an old gold
vaicI, viiI cIain and scals, vIicI Mr. Darlis
Iad vorn on Iis vcdding-day, and vIicI Iad
ncvcr lccn sccn lcforc or sincc; a silvcr iolacco-
siocr, in iIc form of a lcg; an imiiaiion lcmon,
full of minuic cus and sauccrs, vIicI I Iavc
somc idca Mr. Darlis musi Iavc urcIascd io
rcscni io mc vIcn I vas a cIild, and aficr-
vards found Iimsclf unallc io ari viiI; cigIiy-
scvcn guincas and a Ialf, in guincas and Ialf-
guincas; ivo Iundrcd and icn ounds, in cr-
fccily clcan Danl noics; ccriain rccciis for
Danl of England siocl; an old IorscsIoc, a lad
sIilling, a iccc of camIor, and an oysicr-sIcll.
From iIc circumsiancc of iIc laiicr ariiclc Iav-
ing lccn mucI olisIcd, and dislaying ris-
maiic colours on iIc insidc, I concludc iIai Mr.
Darlis Iad somc gcncral idcas aloui carls,
vIicI ncvcr rcsolvcd iIcmsclvcs inio anyiIing
dcfiniic.
For ycars and ycars, Mr. Darlis Iad carricd
iIis lo, on all Iis journcys, cvcry day. TIai ii
migIi iIc lciicr cscac noiicc, Ic Iad invcnicd
a ficiion iIai ii lclongcd io 'Mr. Dlaclloy', and
vas 'io lc lcfi viiI Darlis iill callcd for'; a fallc
Ic Iad claloraicly vriiicn on iIc lid, in cIarac-
icrs nov scarccly lcgillc.
Hc Iad Ioardcd, all iIcsc ycars, I found, io
good urosc. His rocriy in moncy amounicd
23
io ncarly iIrcc iIousand ounds. Of iIis Ic
lcqucaiIcd iIc inicrcsi of onc iIousand io Mr.
Fcggoiiy for Iis lifc; on Iis dcccasc, iIc rinci-
al io lc cqually dividcd lcivccn Fcggoiiy, liiilc
Emily, and mc, or iIc survivor or survivors of
us, sIarc and sIarc alilc. All iIc rcsi Ic dicd
osscsscd of, Ic lcqucaiIcd io Fcggoiiy; vIom
Ic lcfi rcsiduary lcgaicc, and solc cccuiri of
iIai Iis lasi vill and icsiamcni.
I fcli mysclf quiic a rocior vIcn I rcad iIis
documcni aloud viiI all ossillc ccrcmony, and
sci foriI iis rovisions, any numlcr of iimcs, io
iIosc vIom iIcy conccrncd. I lcgan io iIinl
iIcrc vas morc in iIc Commons iIan I Iad
suoscd. I camincd iIc vill viiI iIc dcccsi
aiicniion, ronounccd ii crfccily formal in all
rcsccis, madc a cncil-marl or so in iIc mar-
gin, and iIougIi ii raiIcr ciraordinary iIai I
lncv so mucI.
In iIis alsirusc ursuii; in maling an accouni
for Fcggoiiy, of all iIc rocriy inio vIicI sIc
Iad comc; in arranging all iIc affairs in an or-
dcrly manncr; and in lcing Icr rcfcrcc and ad-
viscr on cvcry oini, io our joini dcligIi; I asscd
iIc vccl lcforc iIc funcral. I did noi scc liiilc
Emily in iIai inicrval, lui iIcy iold mc sIc vas
io lc quicily marricd in a forinigIi.
I did noi aiicnd iIc funcral in cIaracicr, if I
may vcniurc io say so. I mcan I vas noi drcsscd
u in a llacl coai and a sircamcr, io frigIicn
iIc lirds; lui I vallcd ovcr io Dlundcrsionc
carly in iIc morning, and vas in iIc cIurcI-
yard vIcn ii camc, aiicndcd only ly Fcggoiiy
and Icr lroiIcr. TIc mad gcnilcman loolcd on,
oui of my liiilc vindov; Mr. CIilli's laly
vaggcd iis Icavy Icad, and rollcd iis gogglc cycs,
ai iIc clcrgyman, ovcr iis nursc's sIouldcr; Mr.
Omcr lrcaiIcd sIori in iIc laclground; no onc
clsc vas iIcrc; and ii vas vcry quici. Wc vallcd
aloui iIc cIurcIyard for an Iour, aficr all vas
ovcr; and ullcd somc young lcavcs from iIc
ircc alovc my moiIcr's gravc.
24
A drcad falls on mc Icrc. A cloud is lovcring
on iIc disiani iovn, iovards vIicI I rciraccd
my soliiary sics. I fcar io aroacI ii. I cannoi
lcar io iIinl of vIai did comc, uon iIai mcmo-
rallc nigIi; of vIai musi comc again, if I go on.
Ii is no vorsc, lccausc I vriic of ii. Ii vould lc
no lciicr, if I siocd my mosi unvilling Iand.
Ii is donc. NoiIing can undo ii; noiIing can
malc ii oiIcrvisc iIan as ii vas.
My old nursc vas io go io London viiI mc
nci day, on iIc lusincss of iIc vill. Liiilc Emily
vas assing iIai day ai Mr. Omcr's. Wc vcrc
all io mcci in iIc old loaiIousc iIai nigIi. Ham
vould lring Emily ai iIc usual Iour. I vould
vall lacl ai my lcisurc. TIc lroiIcr and sisicr
vould rciurn as iIcy Iad comc, and lc ccci-
ing us, vIcn iIc day closcd in, ai iIc fircsidc.
I aricd from iIcm ai iIc viclci-gaic, vIcrc
visionary Sira Iad rcsicd viiI Fodcricl
Fandom's lnasacl in iIc days of yorc; and,
insicad of going siraigIi lacl, vallcd a liiilc
disiancc on iIc road io Lovcsiofi. TIcn I iurncd,
and vallcd lacl iovards YarmouiI. I siaycd
io dinc ai a dcccni alcIousc, somc milc or ivo
from iIc Fcrry I Iavc mcniioncd lcforc; and iIus
iIc day vorc avay, and ii vas cvcning vIcn I
rcacIcd ii. Fain vas falling Icavily ly iIai iimc,
and ii vas a vild nigIi; lui iIcrc vas a moon
lcIind iIc clouds, and ii vas noi darl.
I vas soon viiIin sigIi of Mr. Fcggoiiy's Iousc,
and of iIc ligIi viiIin ii sIining iIrougI iIc
vindov. A liiilc floundcring across iIc sand,
vIicI vas Icavy, lrougIi mc io iIc door, and I
vcni in.
Ii loolcd vcry comforiallc indccd. Mr. Fcggoiiy
Iad smolcd Iis cvcning ic and iIcrc vcrc
rcaraiions for somc sucr ly and ly. TIc
firc vas lrigIi, iIc asIcs vcrc iIrovn u, iIc
loclcr vas rcady for liiilc Emily in Icr old lacc.
In Icr ovn old lacc sai Fcggoiiy, oncc morc,
looling (lui for Icr drcss} as if sIc Iad ncvcr
lcfi ii. SIc Iad fallcn lacl, alrcady, on iIc soci-
25
ciy of iIc vorl-lo viiI Si. Faul's uon iIc lid,
iIc yard-mcasurc in iIc coiiagc, and iIc lii of
va-candlc; and iIcrc iIcy all vcrc, jusi as if
iIcy Iad ncvcr lccn disiurlcd. Mrs. Gummidgc
acarcd io lc frciiing a liiilc, in Icr old cor-
ncr; and conscqucnily loolcd quiic naiural, ioo.
'You'rc firsi of iIc loi, Mas'r Davy!' said Mr.
Fcggoiiy viiI a Iay facc. 'Docn'i lcc in iIai
coai, sir, if ii's vci.'
'TIanl you, Mr. Fcggoiiy,' said I, giving Iim
my ouicr coai io Iang u. 'Ii's quiic dry.'
'So 'iis!' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, fccling my sIoul-
dcrs. 'As a cIi! Sii yc dovn, sir. Ii ain'i o' no
usc saying vclcomc io you, lui you'rc vclcomc,
lind and Icariy.'
'TIanl you, Mr. Fcggoiiy, I am surc of iIai.
Wcll, Fcggoiiy!' said I, giving Icr a liss. 'And
Iov arc you, old voman?'
'Ha, Ia!' laugIcd Mr. Fcggoiiy, siiiing dovn
lcsidc us, and rulling Iis Iands in Iis scnsc
of rclicf from rcccni iroullc, and in iIc gcnuinc
Icariincss of Iis naiurc; 'iIcrc's noi a voman
in iIc vurcld, siras I icll IcriIai nccd io
fccl morc casy in Icr mind iIan Icr! SIc donc
Icr dooiy ly iIc dcaricd, and iIc dcaricd
lnov'd ii; and iIc dcaricd donc vIai vas rigIi
ly Icr, as sIc donc vIai vas rigIi ly iIc dc-
aricd;andandand ii's all rigIi!'
Mrs. Gummidgc groancd.
'CIccr u, my riiiy maviIcr!' said Mr.
Fcggoiiy. (Dui Ic sIool Iis Icad asidc ai us,
cvidcnily scnsillc of iIc icndcncy of iIc laic
occurrcnccs io rccall iIc mcmory of iIc old onc.}
'Docn'i lc dovn! CIccr u, for your ovn sclf,
on'y a liiilc lii, and scc if a good dcal morc docn'i
comc nai'ral!'
'Noi io mc, Dan'l,' rciurncd Mrs. Gummidgc.
'NoiIinl's nai'ral io mc lui io lc lonc and lorn.'
'No, no,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, sooiIing Icr sor-
rovs.
'Ycs, ycs, Dan'l!' said Mrs. Gummidgc. 'I ain'i
a crson io livc viiI iIcm as Ias Iad moncy
26
lcfi. TIinls go ioo conirary viiI mc. I Iad lci-
icr lc a riddancc.'
'WIy, Iov sIould I cvcr scnd ii viiIoui you?'
said Mr. Fcggoiiy, viiI an air of scrious rcmon-
sirancc. 'WIai arc you a ialling on? Docn'i I
vani you morc nov, iIan cvcr I did?'
'I lnov'd I vas ncvcr vanicd lcforc!' cricd Mrs.
Gummidgc, viiI a iiiallc vIimcr, 'and nov
I'm iold so! Hov could I ccci io lc vanicd,
lcing so lonc and lorn, and so conirary!'
Mr. Fcggoiiy sccmcd vcry mucI sIoclcd ai
Iimsclf for Iaving madc a scccI caallc of
iIis unfccling consiruciion, lui vas rcvcnicd
from rclying, ly Fcggoiiy's ulling Iis slccvc,
and sIaling Icr Icad. Aficr looling ai Mrs.
Gummidgc for somc momcnis, in sorc disircss
of mind, Ic glanccd ai iIc DuicI clocl, rosc,
snuffcd iIc candlc, and ui ii in iIc vindov.
'TIccr!'said Mr. Fcggoiiy, cIccrily.'TIccr vc
arc, Missis Gummidgc!' Mrs. Gummidgc sligIily
groancd. 'LigIicd u, accordin' io cusiom!
You'rc a vondcrin' vIai iIai's fur, sir! Wcll, ii's
fur our liiilc Em'ly. You scc, iIc aiI ain'i ovcr
ligIi or cIccrful aricr darl; and vIcn I'm Icrc
ai iIc Iour as sIc's a comin' Iomc, I uis iIc
ligIi in iIc vindcr. TIai, you scc,' said Mr.
Fcggoiiy, lcnding ovcr mc viiI grcai glcc, 'mccis
ivo oljccis. SIc says, says Em'ly, TIccr's
Iomc!" sIc says. And lilcvisc, says Em'ly, My
unclc's iIccr!" Fur if I ain'i iIccr, I ncvcr Iavc
no ligIi sIovcd.'
'You'rc a laly!' said Fcggoiiy; vcry fond of Iim
for ii, if sIc iIougIi so.
'Wcll,' rciurncd Mr. Fcggoiiy, sianding viiI
Iis lcgs rciiy vidc aari, and rulling Iis
Iands u and dovn iIcm in Iis comforiallc
saiisfaciion, as Ic loolcd alicrnaicly ai us and
ai iIc firc. 'I docn'i lnov lui I am. Noi, you scc,
io lool ai.'
'Noi azaclly,' olscrvcd Fcggoiiy.
'No,' laugIcd Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'noi io lool ai, lui
ioio considcr on, you lnov. I docn'i carc, llcss
27
you! Nov I icll you. WIcn I go a looling and
looling aloui iIai iIccr riiiy Iousc of our
Em'ly's, I'mI'm Gormcd,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy,
viiI suddcn cmIasis'iIccr! I can'i say
morcif I docn'i fccl as if iIc liiilcsi iIings vas
Icr, a'mosi. I ialcs 'cm u and I ui 'cm dovn,
and I ioucIcs of 'cm as dclicaic as if iIcy vas
our Em'ly. So 'iis viiI Icr liiilc lonncis and
iIai. I couldn'i scc onc on 'cm rougI uscd
a uroscnoi fur iIc vIolc vurcld. TIcrc's a
lally fur you, in iIc form of a grcai Sca
Forlyinc!' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, rclicving Iis car-
ncsincss viiI a roar of laugIicr.
Fcggoiiy and I loiI laugIcd, lui noi so loud.
'Ii's my oinion, you scc,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy,
viiI a dcligIicd facc, aficr somc furiIcr rulling
of Iis lcgs, 'as iIis is along of my Iavin' laycd
viiI Icr so mucI, and madc lclicvc as vc vas
Turls, and FrcncI, and sIarls, and cvcry variciy
of forinncrsllcss you, ycs; and lions and
vIalcs, and I docn'i lnov vIai all!vIcn sIc
varn'i no IigIcr iIan my lncc. I'vc goi inio iIc
vay on ii, you lnov. WIy, iIis Icrc candlc, nov!'
said Mr. Fcggoiiy, glccfully Iolding oui Iis Iand
iovards ii, 'I lnov vcry vcll iIai aricr sIc's
marricd and gonc, I sIall ui iIai candlc iIccr,
jusi iIc samc as nov. I lnov vcry vcll iIai vIcn
I'm Icrc o' nigIis (and vIcrc clsc sIould I livc,
llcss your aris, vIaicvcr foriun' I comc inio!}
and sIc ain'i Icrc or I ain'i iIccr, I sIall ui iIc
candlc in iIc vindcr, and sii aforc iIc firc, rc-
icnding I'm ccciing of Icr, lilc I'm a doing nov.
tIcrc`s a lally for you,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, viiI
anoiIcr roar, 'in iIc form of a Sca Forlyinc!
WIy, ai iIc rcscni minuic, vIcn I scc iIc candlc
sarllc u, I says io mysclf, SIc's a looling ai
ii! Em'ly's a coming!" TIcrc`s a lally for you, in
iIc form of a Sca Forlyinc! FigIi for all iIai,'
said Mr. Fcggoiiy, sioing in Iis roar, and smii-
ing Iis Iands iogciIcr; 'fur Icrc sIc is!'
Ii vas only Ham. TIc nigIi sIould Iavc iurncd
morc vci sincc I camc in, for Ic Iad a largc
28
sou'vcsicr Iai on, sloucIcd ovcr Iis facc.
'WIccr's Em'ly?' said Mr. Fcggoiiy.
Ham madc a moiion viiI Iis Icad, as if sIc
vcrc ouisidc. Mr. Fcggoiiy iool iIc ligIi from
iIc vindov, irimmcd ii, ui ii on iIc iallc, and
vas lusily siirring iIc firc, vIcn Ham, vIo Iad
noi movcd, said:
'Mas'r Davy, vill you comc oui a minuic, and
scc vIai Em'ly and mc Ias goi io sIov you?'
Wc vcni oui. As I asscd Iim ai iIc door, I sav,
io my asionisImcni and frigIi, iIai Ic vas dcadly
alc. Hc usIcd mc Iasiily inio iIc ocn air, and
closcd iIc door uon us. Only uon us ivo.
'Ham! vIai's iIc maiicr?'
'Mas'r Davy!' OI, for Iis lrolcn Icari, Iov
drcadfully Ic vci!
I vas aralyscd ly iIc sigIi of sucI gricf. I
don'i lnov vIai I iIougIi, or vIai I drcadcd. I
could only lool ai Iim.
'Ham! Foor good fcllov! For Hcavcn's salc, icll
mc vIai's iIc maiicr!'
'My lovc, Mas'r DavyiIc ridc and Ioc of
my ariIcr iIai I'd Iavc dicd for, and vould
dic for novsIc's gonc!'
'Gonc!'
'Em'ly's run avay! OI, Mas'r Davy, iIinl Iou
sIc's run avay, vIcn I ray my good and gra-
cious God io lill Icr (Icr iIai is so dcar alovc
all iIings} sooncr iIan lci Icr comc io ruin and
disgracc!'
TIc facc Ic iurncd u io iIc iroullcd sly, iIc
quivcring of Iis clascd Iands, iIc agony of Iis
figurc, rcmain associaicd viiI iIc loncly vasic,
in my rcmcmlrancc, io iIis Iour. Ii is alvays
nigIi iIcrc, and Ic is iIc only oljcci in iIc
sccnc.
'You'rc a scIolar,' Ic said, Iurricdly, 'and
lnov vIai's rigIi and lcsi. WIai am I io say,
indoors? Hov am I cvcr io lrcal ii io Iim, Mas'r
Davy?'
I sav iIc door movc, and insiinciivcly iricd io
Iold iIc laicI on iIc ouisidc, io gain a momcni's
29
iimc. Ii vas ioo laic. Mr. Fcggoiiy iIrusi foriI
Iis facc; and ncvcr could I forgci iIc cIangc
iIai camc uon ii vIcn Ic sav us, if I vcrc io
livc fivc Iundrcd ycars.
I rcmcmlcr a grcai vail and cry, and iIc
vomcn Ianging aloui Iim, and vc all sianding
in iIc room; I viiI a acr in my Iand, vIicI
Ham Iad givcn mc; Mr. Fcggoiiy, viiI Iis vcsi
iorn ocn, Iis Iair vild, Iis facc and lis quiic
vIiic, and llood iriclling dovn Iis losom (ii
Iad srung from Iis mouiI, I iIinl}, looling
ficdly ai mc.
'Fcad ii, sir,' Ic said, in a lov sIivcring voicc.
'Slov, lcasc. I docn'i lnov as I can undcrsiand.'
In iIc midsi of iIc silcncc of dcaiI, I rcad iIus,
from a lloiicd lciicr:
When you, who love me so much better than I ever
have deserved, even when my mind was innocent,
see this, I shall be far away.
'I sIall lc fur avay,' Ic rccaicd slovly. 'Sio!
Em'ly fur avay. Wcll!'
When I leave my dear homemy dear homeoh,
my dear home!in the morning,
iIc lciicr lorc daic on iIc rcvious nigIi:
it will be never to come back, unless he brings
me back a lady. This will be found at night, many
hours after, instead of me. Oh, if you knew how my
heart is torn. If even you, that I have wronged so
much, that never can forgive me, could only know
what I suffer! I am too wicked to write about myself!
Oh, take comfort in thinking that I am so bad. Oh, for
mercys sake, tell uncle that I never loved him half so
dear as now. Oh, dont remember how affectionate
and kind you have all been to medont remember
we were ever to be marriedbut try to think as if I
died when I was little, and was buried somewhere.
Pray Heaven that I am going away from, have com-
30
passion on my uncle! Tell him that I never loved him
half so dear. Be his comfort. Love some good girl
that will be what I was once to uncle, and be true to
you, and worthy of you, and know no shame but me.
God bless all! Ill pray for all, often, on my knees. If
he dont bring me back a lady, and I dont pray for my
own self, Ill pray for all. My parting love to uncle. My
last tears, and my last thanks, for uncle!
TIai vas all.
Hc siood, long aficr I Iad ccascd io rcad, siill
looling ai mc. Ai lcngiI I vcniurcd io ialc Iis Iand,
and io cnircai Iim, as vcll as I could, io cndcav-
our io gci somc command of Iimsclf. Hc rclicd, 'I
iIanlcc, sir, I iIanlcc!' viiIoui moving.
Ham solc io Iim. Mr. Fcggoiiy vas so far
scnsillc of Is affliciion, iIai Ic vrung Iis Iand;
lui, oiIcrvisc, Ic rcmaincd in iIc samc siaic,
and no onc darcd io disiurl Iim.
Slovly, ai lasi, Ic movcd Iis cycs from my
facc, as if Ic vcrc valing from a vision, and
casi iIcm round iIc room. TIcn Ic said, in a
lov voicc:
'WIo's iIc man? I vani io lnov Iis namc.'
Ham glanccd ai mc, and suddcnly I fcli a sIocl
iIai sirucl mc lacl.
'TIcrc's a man susccicd,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy.
'WIo is ii?'
'Mas'r Davy!' imlorcd Ham. 'Go oui a lii, and
lci mc icll Iim vIai I musi. You docn'i ougIi io
Icar ii, sir.'
I fcli iIc sIocl again. I sanl dovn in a cIair,
and iricd io uiicr somc rcly; lui my ionguc
vas fciicrcd, and my sigIi vas vcal.
'I vani io lnov Iis namc!' I Icard said oncc
morc.
'For somc iimc asi,' Ham falicrcd, 'iIcrc's
lccn a scrvani aloui Icrc, ai odd iimcs. TIcrc's
lccn a gcn'lm'n ioo. DoiI of 'cm lclongcd io
onc anoiIcr.'
Mr. Fcggoiiy siood ficd as lcforc, lui nov
looling ai Iim.
31
'TIc scrvani,' ursucd Ham, 'vas sccn along
viiIour oor girllasi nigIi. Hc's lccn in Iid-
ing aloui Icrc, iIis vccl or ovcr. Hc vas
iIougIi io Iavc gonc, lui Ic vas Iiding. Docn'i
siay, Mas'r Davy, docn'i!'
I fcli Fcggoiiy's arm round my nccl, lui I could
noi Iavc movcd if iIc Iousc Iad lccn aloui io
fall uon mc.
'A sirangc cIay and Iosscs vas ouisidc iovn,
iIis morning, on iIc NorvicI road, a'mosi aforc
iIc day lrolc,' Ham vcni on. 'TIc scrvani vcni
io ii, and comc from ii, and vcni io ii again.
WIcn Ic vcni io ii again, Em'ly vas nigI Iim.
TIc i'oiIcr vas insidc. Hc's iIc man.'
'For iIc Lord's lovc,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, falling lacl,
and uiiing oui Iis Iand, as if io lcc off vIai Ic
drcadcd. 'Docn'i icll mc Iis namc's SiccrforiI!'
'Mas'r Davy,' cclaimcd Ham, in a lrolcn
voicc, 'ii ain'i no fauli of yournand I am far
from laying of ii io yoului Iis namc is
SiccrforiI, and Ic's a damncd villain!'
Mr. Fcggoiiy uiicrcd no cry, and sIcd no icar,
and movcd no morc, uniil Ic sccmcd io valc
again, all ai oncc, and ullcd dovn Iis rougI
coai from iis cg in a corncr.
'Dcar a Iand viiI iIis! I'm sirucl of a Ica,
and can'i do ii,' Ic said, imaiicnily. 'Dcar a
Iand and Icl mc. Wcll!' vIcn somclody Iad
donc so. 'Nov givc mc iIai iIccr Iai!'
Ham aslcd Iim vIiiIcr Ic vas going.
'I'm a going io sccl my niccc. I'm a going io
sccl my Em'ly. I'm a going, firsi, io siavc in iIai
iIccr loai, and sinl ii vIcrc I vould Iavc
drovndcd Iim, as I'm a living soul, if I Iad Iad
onc iIougIi of vIai vas in Iim! As Ic sai aforc
mc,' Ic said, vildly, Iolding oui Iis clcncIcd
rigIi Iand, 'as Ic sai aforc mc, facc io facc,
sirilc mc dovn dcad, lui I'd Iavc drovndcd
Iim, and iIougIi ii rigIi!I'm a going io sccl
my niccc.'
'WIcrc?' cricd Ham, inicrosing Iimsclf lc-
forc iIc door.
32
'AnyvIcrc! I'm a going io sccl my niccc
iIrougI iIc vurcld. I'm a going io find my oor
niccc in Icr sIamc, and lring Icr lacl. No onc
sio mc! I icll you I'm a going io sccl my niccc!'
'No, no!' cricd Mrs. Gummidgc, coming lc-
ivccn iIcm, in a fii of crying. 'No, no, Dan'l, noi
as you arc nov. Sccl Icr in a liiilc vIilc, my
lonc lorn Dan'l, and iIai'll lc lui rigIi! lui noi
as you arc nov. Sii yc dovn, and givc mc your
forgivcncss for Iaving cvcr lccn a vorrii io you,
Dan'lvIai Iavc my conirarics cvcr lccn io
iIis!and lci us scal a vord aloui iIcm iimcs
vIcn sIc vas firsi an orIan, and vIcn Ham
vas ioo, and vIcn I vas a oor viddcr voman,
and you iool mc in. Ii'll soficn your oor Icari,
Dan'l,' laying Icr Icad uon Iis sIouldcr, 'and
you'll lcar your sorrov lciicr; for you lnov iIc
romisc, Dan'l, As you Iavc donc ii unio onc
of iIc lcasi of iIcsc, you Iavc donc ii unio mc",
and iIai can ncvcr fail undcr iIis roof, iIai's
lccn our sIclicr for so many, many ycar!'
Hc vas quiic assivc nov; and vIcn I Icard
Iim crying, iIc imulsc iIai Iad lccn uon mc
io go dovn uon my lnccs, and asl iIcir ardon
for iIc dcsolaiion I Iad causcd, and cursc Siccr
foriI, yicldcd io a lciicr fccling, My ovcrcIargcd
Icari found iIc samc rclicf, and I cricd ioo.
CHAPTER S2
THE BEGINNING OF A LONG
JOURNEY
WHAT IS NATUFAL IN ME, is naiural in many oiIcr
mcn, I infcr, and so I am noi afraid io vriic iIai
I ncvcr Iad lovcd SiccrforiI lciicr iIan vIcn
iIc iics iIai lound mc io Iim vcrc lrolcn. In
iIc lccn disircss of iIc discovcry of Iis unvor-
iIincss, I iIougIi morc of all iIai vas lrilliani
in Iim, I soficncd morc iovards all iIai vas
good in Iim, I did morc jusiicc io iIc qualiiics
iIai migIi Iavc madc Iim a man of a nollc
naiurc and a grcai namc, iIan cvcr I Iad donc
33
in iIc IcigIi of my dcvoiion io Iim. Dccly as I
fcli my ovn unconscious ari in Iis olluiion
of an Ioncsi Iomc, I lclicvcd iIai if I Iad lccn
lrougIi facc io facc viiI Iim, I could noi Iavc
uiicrcd onc rcroacI. I sIould Iavc lovcd Iim
so vcll siilliIougI Ic fascinaicd mc no
longcrI sIould Iavc Icld in so mucI icndcr-
ncss iIc mcmory of my affcciion for Iim, iIai I
iIinl I sIould Iavc lccn as vcal as a sirii-
voundcd cIild, in all lui iIc cnicriainmcni of
a iIougIi iIai vc could cvcr lc rc-uniicd. TIai
iIougIi I ncvcr Iad. I fcli, as Ic Iad fcli, iIai
all vas ai an cnd lcivccn us. WIai Iis rcmcm-
lranccs of mc vcrc, I Iavc ncvcr lnovniIcy
vcrc ligIi cnougI, crIas, and casily dis-
misscdlui minc of Iim vcrc as iIc rcmcm-
lranccs of a cIcrisIcd fricnd, vIo vas dcad.
Ycs, SiccrforiI, long rcmovcd from iIc sccncs
of iIis oor Iisiory! My sorrov may lcar invol-
uniary viincss againsi you ai iIc judgcmcni
TIronc; lui my angry iIougIis or my rc-
roacIcs ncvcr vill, I lnov! TIc ncvs of vIai
Iad Iacncd soon srcad iIrougI iIc iovn;
insomucI iIai as I asscd along iIc sirccis nci
morning, I ovcrIcard iIc colc scaling of ii
ai iIcir doors. Many vcrc Iard uon Icr, somc
fcv vcrc Iard uon Iim, lui iovards Icr scc-
ond faiIcr and Icr lovcr iIcrc vas lui onc scn-
iimcni. Among all linds of colc a rcscci for
iIcm in iIcir disircss rcvailcd, vIicI vas full
of gcnilcncss and dclicacy. TIc scafaring mcn
lci aari, vIcn iIosc ivo vcrc sccn carly,
valling viiI slov sics on iIc lcacI; and siood
in lnois, ialling comassionaicly among iIcm-
sclvcs.
Ii vas on iIc lcacI, closc dovn ly iIc sca,
iIai I found iIcm. Ii vould Iavc lccn casy io
crccivc iIai iIcy Iad noi slci all lasi nigIi,
cvcn if Fcggoiiy Iad failcd io icll mc of iIcir siill
siiiing jusi as I lcfi iIcm, vIcn ii vas lroad
day. TIcy loolcd vorn; and I iIougIi Mr.
Fcggoiiy's Icad vas lovcd in onc nigIi morc
34
iIan in all iIc ycars I Iad lnovn Iim. Dui iIcy
vcrc loiI as gravc and sicady as iIc sca iisclf,
iIcn lying lcncaiI a darl sly, vavclcssyci
viiI a Icavy roll uon ii, as if ii lrcaiIcd in iis
rcsiand ioucIcd, on iIc Iorizon, viiI a siri
of silvcry ligIi from iIc unsccn sun.
'Wc Iavc Iad a mori of iall, sir,' said Mr.
Fcggoiiy io mc, vIcn vc Iad all iIrcc vallcd a
liiilc vIilc in silcncc, 'of vIai vc ougIi and
docn'i ougIi io do. Dui vc scc our coursc nov.'
I Iacncd io glancc ai Ham, iIcn looling
oui io sca uon iIc disiani ligIi, and a frigIiful
iIougIi camc inio my mindnoi iIai Iis facc
vas angry, for ii vas noi; I rccall noiIing lui
an crcssion of sicrn dcicrminaiion in iiiIai
if cvcr Ic cncounicrcd SiccrforiI, Ic vould lill
Iim.
'My dooiy Icrc, sir,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'is donc.
I'm a going io sccl my' Ic siocd, and vcni
on in a firmcr voicc: 'I'm a going io sccl Icr.
TIai's my dooiy cvcrmorc.'
Hc sIool Iis Icad vIcn I aslcd Iim vIcrc
Ic vould sccl Icr, and inquircd if I vcrc going
io London iomorrov? I iold Iim I Iad noi gonc
ioday, fcaring io losc iIc cIancc of lcing of any
scrvicc io Iim; lui iIai I vas rcady io go vIcn
Ic vould.
'I'll go along viiI you, sir,' Ic rcjoincd, 'if you'rc
agrccallc, iomorrov.'
Wc vallcd again, for a vIilc, in silcncc.
'Ham,'Ic rcscnily rcsumcd,'Ic'll Iold io Iis
rcscni vorl, and go and livc along viiI my
sisicr. TIc old loai yondcr'
'Will you dcscri iIc old loai, Mr. Fcggoiiy?' I
gcnily inicroscd.
'My siaiion, Mas'r Davy,' Ic rciurncd, 'ain'i
iIcrc no longcr; and if cvcr a loai foundcrcd,
sincc iIcrc vas darlncss on iIc facc of iIc dcc,
iIai onc's gonc dovn. Dui no, sir, no; I docn'i
mcan as ii sIould lc dcscricd. Fur from iIai.'
Wc vallcd again for a vIilc, as lcforc, uniil
Ic claincd:
35
'My visIcs is, sir, as ii sIall lool, day and
nigIi, vinicr and summcr, as ii Ias alvays
loolcd, sincc sIc fusi lnov'd ii. If cvcr sIc
sIould comc a vandcring lacl, I vouldn'i Iavc
iIc old lacc sccm io casi Icr off, you undcr-
siand, lui sccm io icmi Icr io drav nigIcr io
'i, and io cc in, maylc, lilc a gIosi, oui of
iIc vind and rain, iIrougI iIc old vindcr, ai
iIc old scai ly iIc firc.
TIcn, maylc, Mas'r Davy, sccin' nonc lui Missis
Gummidgc iIcrc, sIc migIi ialc Icari io crcc
in, ircmlling; and migIi comc io lc laid dovn
in Icr old lcd, and rcsi Icr vcary Icad vIcrc ii
vas oncc so gay.'
I could noi scal io Iim in rcly, iIougI I iricd.
'Evcry nigIi,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'as rcg'lar as
iIc nigIi comcs, iIc candlc musi lc siood in
iis old anc of glass, iIai if cvcr sIc sIould scc
ii, ii may sccm io say Comc lacl, my cIild,
comc lacl!" If cvcr iIcrc's a lnocl, Ham
(ariic'lcr a sofi lnocl}, aricr darl, ai your
auni's door, docn'i you go nigI ii. Lci ii lc Icr
noi youiIai sccs my fallcn cIild!'
Hc vallcd a liiilc in froni of us, and lci lc-
forc us for somc minuics. During iIis inicrval,
I glanccd ai Ham again, and olscrving iIc samc
crcssion on Iis facc, and Iis cycs siill dirccicd
io iIc disiani ligIi, I ioucIcd Iis arm.
Tvicc I callcd Iim ly Iis namc, in iIc ionc in
vIicI I migIi Iavc iricd io rousc a slcccr, lc-
forc Ic Iccdcd mc. WIcn I ai lasi inquircd on
vIai Iis iIougIis vcrc so lcni, Ic rclicd:
'On vIai's aforc mc, Mas'r Davy; and ovcr yon.'
'On iIc lifc lcforc you, do you mcan?' Hc Iad
oinicd confuscdly oui io sca.
'Ay, Mas'r Davy. I docn'i rigIily lnov Iov 'iis,
lui from ovcr yon iIcrc sccmcd io mc io comc
iIc cnd of ii lilc,' looling ai mc as if Ic vcrc
valing, lui viiI iIc samc dcicrmincd facc.
'WIai cnd?' I aslcd, osscsscd ly my formcr fcar.
'I docn'i lnov,'Ic said, iIougIifully; 'I vas
calling io mind iIai iIc lcginning of ii all did
36
ialc lacc Icrcand iIcn iIc cnd comc. Dui
ii's gonc! Mas'r Davy,' Ic addcd; ansvcring, as
I iIinl, my lool; 'you Ian'i no call io lc afccrd
of mc: lui I'm licndcr muddlcd; I don'i farc io
fccl no maiicrs,'vIicI vas as mucI as io say
iIai Ic vas noi Iimsclf, and quiic confoundcd.
Mr. Fcggoiiy sioing for us io join Iim: vc
did so, and said no morc. TIc rcmcmlrancc of
iIis, in conncion viiI my formcr iIougIi, Iov-
cvcr, Iaunicd mc ai inicrvals, cvcn uniil iIc
incorallc cnd camc ai iis aoinicd iimc.
Wc inscnsilly aroacIcd iIc old loai, and
cnicrcd. Mrs. Gummidgc, no longcr moing in
Icr csccial corncr, vas lusy rcaring lrcal-
fasi. SIc iool Mr. Fcggoiiy's Iai, and laccd
Iis scai for Iim, and solc so comforially and
sofily, iIai I Iardly lncv Icr.
'Dan'l, my good man,' said sIc, 'you musi cai
and drinl, and lcc u your sircngiI, for viiI-
oui ii you'll do novi. Try, iIai's a dcar soul! An
if I disiurl you viiI my cliclciicn,' sIc mcani
Icr cIaiicring, 'icll mc so, Dan'l, and I von'i.'
WIcn sIc Iad scrvcd us all, sIc viiIdrcv io
iIc vindov, vIcrc sIc scdulously cmloycd
Icrsclf in rcairing somc sIiris and oiIcr
cloiIcs lclonging io Mr. Fcggoiiy, and ncaily
folding and acling iIcm in an old oilslin lag,
sucI as sailors carry. McanvIilc, sIc coniin-
ucd ialling, in iIc samc quici manncr:
'All iimcs and scasons, you lnov, Dan'l,' said
Mrs. Gummidgc, 'I sIall lc allus Icrc, and
cvcryiIinl vill lool accordin' io your visIcs.
I'm a oor scIolar, lui I sIall vriic io you, odd
iimcs, vIcn you'rc avay, and scnd my lciicrs
io Mas'r Davy. Maylc you'll vriic io mc ioo,
Dan'l, odd iimcs, and icll mc Iov you farc io
fccl uon your lonc lorn journics.'
'You'll lc a soliiary voman Iccr, I'm afccrd!'
said Mr. Fcggoiiy.
'No, no, Dan'l,' sIc rciurncd, 'I sIan'i lc iIai.
Docn'i you mind mc. I sIall Iavc cnougI io do
io lcc a Dccin for you' (Mrs. Gummidgc mcani
37
a Iomc}, 'again you comc laclio lcc a Dccin
Icrc for any iIai may Ia io comc lacl, Dan'l.
In iIc finc iimc, I sIall sci ouisidc iIc door as I
uscd io do. If any sIould comc nigI, iIcy sIall
scc iIc old viddcr voman iruc io 'cm, a long
vay off.'
WIai a cIangc in Mrs. Gummidgc in a liiilc
iimc! SIc vas anoiIcr voman. SIc vas so dc-
voicd, sIc Iad sucI a quicl crcciion of vIai
ii vould lc vcll io say, and vIai ii vould lc
vcll io lcavc unsaid; sIc vas so forgciful of Icr-
sclf, and so rcgardful of iIc sorrov aloui Icr,
iIai I Icld Icr in a sori of vcncraiion. TIc vorl
sIc did iIai day! TIcrc vcrc many iIings io lc
lrougIi u from iIc lcacI and siorcd in iIc
ouiIouscas oars, ncis, sails, cordagc, sars,
lolsicr-ois, lags of lallasi, and iIc lilc; and
iIougI iIcrc vas alundancc of assisiancc rcn-
dcrcd, iIcrc lcing noi a air of vorling Iands
on all iIai sIorc lui vould Iavc lalourcd Iard
for Mr. Fcggoiiy, and lccn vcll aid in lcing
aslcd io do ii, yci sIc crsisicd, all day long, in
ioiling undcr vcigIis iIai sIc vas quiic un-
cqual io, and fagging io and fro on all soris of
unncccssary crrands. As io dcloring Icr mis-
foriuncs, sIc acarcd io Iavc cniircly losi iIc
rccollcciion of cvcr Iaving Iad any. SIc rc-
scrvcd an cquallc cIccrfulncss in iIc midsi of
Icr symaiIy, vIicI vas noi iIc lcasi asion-
isIing ari of iIc cIangc iIai Iad comc ovcr
Icr. Qucrulousncss vas oui of iIc qucsiion. I
did noi cvcn olscrvc Icr voicc io falicr, or a
icar io cscac from Icr cycs, iIc vIolc day
iIrougI, uniil iviligIi; vIcn sIc and I and Mr.
Fcggoiiy lcing alonc iogciIcr, and Ic Iaving
fallcn aslcc in crfcci cIausiion, sIc lrolc
inio a Ialf-surcsscd fii of solling and cry-
ing, and ialing mc io iIc door, said, 'Evcr llcss
you, Mas'r Davy, lc a fricnd io Iim, oor dcar!'
TIcn, sIc immcdiaicly ran oui of iIc Iousc io
vasI Icr facc, in ordcr iIai sIc migIi sii qui-
cily lcsidc Iim, and lc found ai vorl iIcrc,
38
vIcn Ic sIould avalc. In sIori I lcfi Icr, vIcn
I vcni avay ai nigIi, iIc ro and siaff of Mr.
Fcggoiiy's affliciion; and I could noi mcdiiaic
cnougI uon iIc lcsson iIai I rcad in Mrs.
Gummidgc, and iIc ncv ccricncc sIc un-
foldcd io mc.
Ii vas lcivccn ninc and icn o'clocl vIcn,
sirolling in a mclancIoly manncr iIrougI iIc
iovn, I siocd ai Mr. Omcr's door. Mr. Omcr
Iad ialcn ii so mucI io Icari, Iis daugIicr
iold mc, iIai Ic Iad lccn vcry lov and oorly
all day, and Iad gonc io lcd viiIoui Iis ic.
'A dccciiful, lad-Icaricd girl,' said Mrs. Joram.
'TIcrc vas no good in Icr, cvcr!'
'Don'i say so,' I rciurncd. 'You don'i iIinl so.'
'Ycs, I do!' cricd Mrs. Joram, angrily.
'No, no,' said I.
Mrs. Joram iosscd Icr Icad, cndcavouring io lc
vcry sicrn and cross; lui sIc could noi command
Icr soficr sclf, and lcgan io cry. I vas young, io lc
surc; lui I iIougIi mucI iIc lciicr of Icr for iIis
symaiIy, and fancicd ii lccamc Icr, as a viriu-
ous vifc and moiIcr, vcry vcll indccd.
'WIai vill sIc cvcr do!' sollcd Minnic. 'WIcrc
vill sIc go! WIai vill lccomc of Icr! OI, Iov
could sIc lc so crucl, io Icrsclf and Iim!'
I rcmcmlcrcd iIc iimc vIcn Minnic vas a
young and rciiy girl; and I vas glad sIc rc-
mcmlcrcd ii ioo, so fcclingly.
'My liiilc Minnic,' said Mrs. Joram, 'Ias only
jusi nov lccn goi io slcc. Evcn in Icr slcc
sIc is solling for Em'ly. All day long, liiilc
Minnic Ias cricd for Icr, and aslcd mc, ovcr
and ovcr again, vIciIcr Em'ly vas viclcd?
WIai can I say io Icr, vIcn Em'ly iicd a rillon
off Icr ovn nccl round liiilc Minnic's iIc lasi
nigIi sIc vas Icrc, and laid Icr Icad dovn on
iIc illov lcsidc Icr iill sIc vas fasi aslcc!
TIc rillon's round my liiilc Minnic's nccl nov.
Ii ougIi noi io lc, crIas, lui vIai can I do?
Em'ly is vcry lad, lui iIcy vcrc fond of onc
anoiIcr. And iIc cIild lnovs noiIing!'
39
Mrs. Joram vas so unIay iIai Icr Iusland
camc oui io ialc carc of Icr. Lcaving iIcm io-
gciIcr, I vcni Iomc io Fcggoiiy's; morc mclan-
cIoly mysclf, if ossillc, iIan I Iad lccn yci.
TIai good crcaiurcI mcan Fcggoiiyall
uniircd ly Icr laic aniciics and slcclcss
nigIis, vas ai Icr lroiIcr's, vIcrc sIc mcani
io siay iill morning. An old voman, vIo Iad
lccn cmloycd aloui iIc Iousc for somc vccls
asi, vIilc Fcggoiiy Iad lccn unallc io aiicnd
io ii, vas iIc Iousc's only oiIcr occuani lc-
sidcs mysclf. As I Iad no occasion for Icr scr-
viccs, I scni Icr io lcd, ly no mcans againsi
Icr vill, and sai dovn lcforc iIc liicIcn firc a
liiilc vIilc, io iIinl aloui all iIis.
I vas llcnding ii viiI iIc dcaiIlcd of iIc laic
Mr. Darlis, and vas driving oui viiI iIc iidc
iovards iIc disiancc ai vIicI Ham Iad loolcd
so singularly in iIc morning, vIcn I vas rc-
callcd from my vandcrings ly a lnocl ai iIc
door. TIcrc vas a lnoclcr uon iIc door, lui ii
vas noi iIai vIicI madc iIc sound. TIc ia
vas from a Iand, and lov dovn uon iIc door,
as if ii vcrc givcn ly a cIild.
Ii madc mc siari as mucI as if ii Iad lccn iIc
lnocl of a fooiman io a crson of disiinciion. I
ocncd iIc door; and ai firsi loolcd dovn, io my
amazcmcni, on noiIing lui a grcai umlrclla iIai
acarcd io lc valling aloui of iisclf. Dui rcs-
cnily I discovcrcd undcrncaiI ii, Miss MovcIcr.
I migIi noi Iavc lccn rcarcd io givc iIc
liiilc crcaiurc a vcry lind rccciion, if, on Icr
rcmoving iIc umlrclla, vIicI Icr uimosi cf-
foris vcrc unallc io sIui u, sIc Iad sIovn
mc iIc 'volaiilc' crcssion of facc vIicI Iad
madc so grcai an imrcssion on mc ai our firsi
and lasi mcciing. Dui Icr facc, as sIc iurncd ii
u io minc, vas so carncsi; and vIcn I rclicvcd
Icr of iIc umlrclla (vIicI vould Iavc lccn an
inconvcnicni onc for iIc IrisI Giani}, sIc vrung
Icr liiilc Iands in sucI an afflicicd manncr;
iIai I raiIcr inclincd iovards Icr.
40
'Miss MovcIcr!' said I, aficr glancing u and
dovn iIc cmiy sircci, viiIoui disiincily lnov-
ing vIai I cccicd io scc lcsidcs; 'Iov do you
comc Icrc? WIai is iIc maiicr?' SIc moiioncd
io mc viiI Icr sIori rigIi arm, io sIui iIc
umlrclla for Icr; and assing mc Iurricdly,
vcni inio iIc liicIcn. WIcn I Iad closcd iIc
door, and follovcd, viiI iIc umlrclla in my
Iand, I found Icr siiiing on iIc corncr of iIc
fcndcrii vas a lov iron onc, viiI ivo flai lars
ai io io siand laics uonin iIc sIadov of
iIc loilcr, svaying Icrsclf laclvards and for-
vards, and cIafing Icr Iands uon Icr lnccs
lilc a crson in ain.
Quiic alarmcd ai lcing iIc only rcciicni of
iIis uniimcly visii, and iIc only scciaior of
iIis oricnious lcIaviour, I cclaimcd again,
'Fray icll mc, Miss MovcIcr, vIai is iIc mai-
icr! arc you ill?'
'My dcar young soul,' rciurncd Miss MovcIcr,
squcczing Icr Iands uon Icr Icari onc ovcr
iIc oiIcr. 'I am ill Icrc, I am vcry ill. To iIinl
iIai ii sIould comc io iIis, vIcn I migIi Iavc
lnovn ii and crIas rcvcnicd ii, if I Iadn'i
lccn a iIougIilcss fool!'
Again Icr largc lonnci (vcry disrooriionaic
io iIc figurc} vcni laclvards and forvards, in
Icr svaying of Icr liiilc lody io and fro; vIilc a
mosi giganiic lonnci roclcd, in unison viiI ii,
uon iIc vall.
'I am surriscd,' I lcgan, 'io scc you so dis-
ircsscd and scrious'vIcn sIc inicrruicd mc.
'Ycs, ii's alvays so!' sIc said. 'TIcy arc all
surriscd, iIcsc inconsidcraic young colc,
fairly and full grovn, io scc any naiural fccling
in a liiilc iIing lilc mc! TIcy malc a layiIing
of mc, usc mc for iIcir amuscmcni, iIrov mc
avay vIcn iIcy arc iircd, and vondcr iIai I
fccl morc iIan a ioy Iorsc or a voodcn soldicr!
Ycs, ycs, iIai's iIc vay. TIc old vay!'
'Ii may lc, viiI oiIcrs,' I rciurncd, 'lui I do
assurc you ii is noi viiI mc. FcrIas I ougIi
41
noi io lc ai all surriscd io scc you as you arc
nov: I lnov so liiilc of you. I said, viiIoui con-
sidcraiion, vIai I iIougIi.'
'WIai can I do?' rciurncd iIc liiilc voman,
sianding u, and Iolding oui Icr arms io sIov
Icrsclf. 'Scc! WIai I am, my faiIcr vas; and my
sisicr is; and my lroiIcr is. I Iavc vorlcd for
sisicr and lroiIcr iIcsc many ycarsIard, Mr.
Cocrficldall day. I musi livc. I do no Iarm.
If iIcrc arc colc so unrcflcciing or so crucl,
as io malc a jcsi of mc, vIai is lcfi for mc io do
lui io malc a jcsi of mysclf, iIcm, and cvcry-
iIing? If I do so, for iIc iimc, vIosc fauli is
iIai? Minc?'
No. Noi Miss MovcIcr's, I crccivcd.
'If I Iad sIovn mysclf a scnsiiivc dvarf io your
falsc fricnd,' ursucd iIc liiilc voman, sIaling
Icr Icad ai mc, viiI rcroacIful carncsincss,
'Iov mucI of Iis Icl or good vill do you iIinl
I sIould cvcr Iavc Iad? If liiilc MovcIcr (vIo
Iad no Iand, young gcnilcman, in iIc maling
of Icrsclf} addrcsscd Icrsclf io Iim, or iIc lilc of
Iim, lccausc of Icr misforiuncs, vIcn do you
suosc Icr small voicc vould Iavc lccn Icard?
Liiilc MovcIcr vould Iavc as mucI nccd io livc,
if sIc vas iIc liiicrcsi and dullcsi of igmics;
lui sIc couldn'i do ii. No. SIc migIi vIisilc for
Icr lrcad and luiicr iill sIc dicd of Air.'
Miss MovcIcr sai dovn on iIc fcndcr again,
and iool oui Icr IandlcrcIicf, and vicd Icr
cycs.
'Dc iIanlful for mc, if you Iavc a lind Icari,
as I iIinl you Iavc,' sIc said, 'iIai vIilc I lnov
vcll vIai I am, I can lc cIccrful and cndurc ii
all. I am iIanlful for mysclf, ai any raic, iIai I
can find my iiny vay iIrougI iIc vorld, viiI-
oui lcing lcIoldcn io anyonc; and iIai in rc-
iurn for all iIai is iIrovn ai mc, in folly or van-
iiy, as I go along, I can iIrov lulllcs lacl. If I
don'i lrood ovcr all I vani, ii is iIc lciicr for
mc, and noi iIc vorsc for anyonc. If I am a lay-
iIing for you gianis, lc gcnilc viiI mc.'
42
Miss MovcIcr rclaccd Icr IandlcrcIicf in
Icr oclci, looling ai mc viiI vcry inicni c-
rcssion all iIc vIilc, and ursucd:
'I sav you in iIc sircci jusi nov. You may
suosc I am noi allc io vall as fasi as you,
viiI my sIori lcgs and sIori lrcaiI, and I
couldn'i ovcrialc you; lui I gucsscd vIcrc you
camc, and camc aficr you. I Iavc lccn Icrc lc-
forc, ioday, lui iIc good voman vasn'i ai Iomc.'
'Do you lnov Icr?' I dcmandcd.
'I lnov of Icr, and aloui Icr,' sIc rclicd,
'from Omcr and Joram. I vas iIcrc ai scvcn
o'clocl iIis morning. Do you rcmcmlcr vIai
SiccrforiI said io mc aloui iIis unforiunaic girl,
iIai iimc vIcn I sav you loiI ai iIc inn?'
TIc grcai lonnci on Miss MovcIcr's Icad, and iIc
grcaicr lonnci on iIc vall, lcgan io go laclvards
and forvards again vIcn sIc aslcd iIis qucsiion.
I rcmcmlcrcd vcry vcll vIai sIc rcfcrrcd io,
Iaving Iad ii in my iIougIis many iimcs iIai
day. I iold Icr so.
'May iIc FaiIcr of all Evil confound Iim,' said
iIc liiilc voman, Iolding u Icr forcfingcr lc-
ivccn mc and Icr sarlling cycs, 'and icn iimcs
morc confound iIai viclcd scrvani; lui I lc-
licvcd ii vas ou vIo Iad a loyisI assion for
Icr!'
'I?' I rccaicd.
'CIild, cIild! In iIc namc of llind ill-foriunc,'
cricd Miss MovcIcr, vringing Icr Iands ima-
iicnily, as sIc vcni io and fro again uon iIc
fcndcr, 'vIy did you raisc Icr so, and llusI,
and lool disiurlcd? '
I could noi conccal from mysclf iIai I Iad donc
iIis, iIougI for a rcason vcry diffcrcni from Icr
suosiiion.
'WIai did I lnov?' said Miss MovcIcr, ialing
oui Icr IandlcrcIicf again, and giving onc liiilc
siam on iIc ground vIcncvcr, ai sIori inicr-
vals, sIc alicd ii io Icr cycs viiI loiI Iands
ai oncc. 'Hc vas crossing you and vIccdling
you, I sav; and you vcrc sofi va in Iis Iands,
43
I sav. Had I lcfi iIc room a minuic, vIcn Iis
man iold mc iIai Young Innoccncc" (so Ic
callcd you, and you may call Iim Old Guili" all
iIc days of your lifc} Iad sci Iis Icari uon
Icr, and sIc vas giddy and lilcd Iim, lui Iis
masicr vas rcsolvcd iIai no Iarm sIould comc
of iimorc for your salc iIan for Icrsand
iIai iIai vas iIcir lusincss Icrc? Hov could I
Iut lclicvc Iim? I sav SiccrforiI sooiIc and
lcasc you ly Iis raisc of Icr! You vcrc iIc
firsi io mcniion Icr namc. You ovncd io an old
admiraiion of Icr. You vcrc Ioi and cold, and
rcd and vIiic, all ai oncc vIcn I solc io you
of Icr. WIai could I iIinlvIai dd I iIinl
lui iIai you vcrc a young lilcriinc in cvcry-
iIing lui ccricncc, and Iad fallcn inio Iands
iIai Iad ccricncc cnougI, and could man-
agc you (Iaving iIc fancy} for your ovn good?
OI! oI! oI! TIcy vcrc afraid of my finding oui
iIc iruiI,' cclaimcd Miss MovcIcr, gciiing off
iIc fcndcr, and iroiiing u and dovn iIc liicIcn
viiI Icr ivo sIori arms disircssfully lificd u,
'lccausc I am a sIar liiilc iIingI nccd lc, io
gci iIrougI iIc vorld ai all!and iIcy dcccivcd
mc aliogciIcr, and I gavc iIc oor unforiunaic
girl a lciicr, vIicI I fully lclicvc vas iIc lcgin-
ning of Icr cvcr scaling io Liiiimcr, vIo vas
lcfi lcIind on urosc!'
I siood amazcd ai iIc rcvclaiion of all iIis
crfidy, looling ai Miss MovcIcr as sIc vallcd
u and dovn iIc liicIcn uniil sIc vas oui of
lrcaiI: vIcn sIc sai uon iIc fcndcr again,
and, drying Icr facc viiI Icr IandlcrcIicf,
sIool Icr Icad for a long iimc, viiIoui oiIcr-
visc moving, and viiIoui lrcaling silcncc.
'My couniry rounds,' sIc addcd ai lcngiI,
'lrougIi mc io NorvicI, Mr. Cocrficld, iIc
nigIi lcforc lasi. WIai I Iacncd io find iIcrc,
aloui iIcir sccrci vay of coming and going,
viiIoui youvIicI vas sirangclcd io my
suscciing somciIing vrong. I goi inio iIc coacI
from London lasi nigIi, as ii camc iIrougI Nor-
44
vicI, and vas Icrc iIis morning. OI, oI, oI!
ioo laic!'
Foor liiilc MovcIcr iurncd so cIilly aficr all
Icr crying and frciiing, iIai sIc iurncd round
on iIc fcndcr, uiiing Icr oor liiilc vci fcci in
among iIc asIcs io varm iIcm, and sai lool-
ing ai iIc firc, lilc a largc doll. I sai in a cIair
on iIc oiIcr sidc of iIc IcariI, losi in unIay
rcflcciions, and looling ai iIc firc ioo, and somc-
iimcs ai Icr.
'I musi go,' sIc said ai lasi, rising as sIc solc.
'Ii's laic. You don'i misirusi mc?'
Mcciing Icr sIar glancc, vIicI vas as sIar
as cvcr vIcn sIc aslcd mc, I could noi on iIai
sIori cIallcngc ansvcr no, quiic franlly.
'Comc!' said sIc, accciing iIc offcr of my Iand
io Icl Icr ovcr iIc fcndcr, and looling visifully
u inio my facc, 'you lnov you vouldn'i mis-
irusi mc, if I vas a full-sizcd voman!'
I fcli iIai iIcrc vas mucI iruiI in iIis; and I
fcli raiIcr asIamcd of mysclf.
'You arc a young man,' sIc said, nodding.
'Talc a vord of advicc, cvcn from iIrcc fooi noiI-
ing. Try noi io associaic lodily dcfccis viiI
mcnial, my good fricnd, ccci for a solid rca-
son.'
SIc Iad goi ovcr iIc fcndcr nov, and I Iad
goi ovcr my susicion. I iold Icr iIai I lclicvcd
sIc Iad givcn mc a faiiIful accouni of Icrsclf,
and iIai vc Iad loiI lccn Ialcss insirumcnis
in dcsigning Iands. SIc iIanlcd mc, and said
I vas a good fcllov.
'Nov, mind!' sIc cclaimcd, iurning lacl on
Icr vay io iIc door, and looling sIrcvdly ai
mc, viiI Icr forcfingcr u again.'I Iavc somc
rcason io suscci, from vIai I Iavc Icardmy
cars arc alvays ocn; I can'i afford io sarc vIai
ovcrs I IavciIai iIcy arc gonc alroad. Dui
if cvcr iIcy rciurn, if cvcr any onc of iIcm rc-
iurns, vIilc I am alivc, I am morc lilcly iIan
anoiIcr, going aloui as I do, io find ii oui soon.
WIaicvcr I lnov, you sIall lnov. If cvcr I can
45
do anyiIing io scrvc iIc oor lciraycd girl, I
vill do ii faiiIfully, lcasc Hcavcn! And Liiiimcr
Iad lciicr Iavc a lloodIound ai Iis lacl, iIan
liiilc MovcIcr!'
I laccd imlicii faiiI in iIis lasi siaicmcni,
vIcn I marlcd iIc lool viiI vIicI ii vas ac-
comanicd.
'Trusi mc no morc, lui irusi mc no lcss, iIan
you vould irusi a full-sizcd voman,' said iIc
liiilc crcaiurc, ioucIing mc acalingly on iIc
vrisi. 'If cvcr you scc mc again, unlilc vIai I
am nov, and lilc vIai I vas vIcn you firsi sav
mc, olscrvc vIai comany I am in. Call io mind
iIai I am a vcry Icllcss and dcfcncclcss liiilc
iIing. TIinl of mc ai Iomc viiI my lroiIcr lilc
mysclf and sisicr lilc mysclf, vIcn my day's
vorl is donc. FcrIas you von'i, iIcn, lc vcry
Iard uon mc, or surriscd if I can lc disircsscd
and scrious. Good nigIi!'
I gavc Miss MovcIcr my Iand, viiI a vcry
diffcrcni oinion of Icr from iIai vIicI I Iad
IiiIcrio cnicriaincd, and ocncd iIc door io lci
Icr oui. Ii vas noi a irifling lusincss io gci iIc
grcai umlrclla u, and rocrly lalanccd in Icr
gras; lui ai lasi I succcssfully accomlisIcd
iIis, and sav ii go lolling dovn iIc sircci
iIrougI iIc rain, viiIoui iIc lcasi acarancc
of Iaving anylody undcrncaiI ii, ccci vIcn
a Icavicr fall iIan usual from somc ovcr-cIargcd
vaicr-soui scni ii ioling ovcr, on onc sidc,
and discovcrcd Miss MovcIcr siruggling vio-
lcnily io gci ii rigIi. Aficr maling onc or ivo
sallics io Icr rclicf, vIicI vcrc rcndcrcd fuiilc
ly iIc umlrclla's Ioing on again, lilc an im-
mcnsc lird, lcforc I could rcacI ii, I camc in,
vcni io lcd, and slci iill morning.
In iIc morning I vas joincd ly Mr. Fcggoiiy
and ly my old nursc, and vc vcni ai an carly
Iour io iIc coacI officc, vIcrc Mrs. Gummidgc
and Ham vcrc vaiiing io ialc lcavc of us.
'Mas'r Davy,' Ham vIiscrcd, draving mc
asidc, vIilc Mr. Fcggoiiy vas sioving Iis lag
46
among iIc luggagc, 'Iis lifc is quiic lrolc u.
Hc docn'i lnov vIccr Ic's going; Ic docn'i
lnovvIai's aforc Iim; Ic's lound uon a
voyagc iIai'll lasi, on and off, all iIc rcsi of Iis
days, ialc my vurcd for 'i, unlcss Ic finds vIai
Ic's a sccling of. I am surc you'll lc a fricnd io
Iim, Mas'r Davy?'
'Trusi mc, I vill indccd,' said I, sIaling Iands
viiI Ham carncsily.
'TIanlcc. TIanlcc, vcry lind, sir. Onc iIing
furdcr. I'm in good cmloy, you lnov, Mas'r
Davy, and I Ian'i no vay nov of scnding vIai
I gcis. Moncy's of no usc io mc no morc, ccci
io livc. If you can lay ii oui for Iim, I sIall do
my vorl viiI a lciicr ari. TIougI as io iIai,
sir,' and Ic solc vcry sicadily and mildly,
'you'rc noi io iIinl lui I sIall vorl ai all iimcs,
lilc a man, and aci iIc lcsi iIai lays in my
ovcr!'
I iold Iim I vas vcll convinccd of ii; and I
Iinicd iIai I Iocd iIc iimc migIi cvcn comc,
vIcn Ic vould ccasc io lcad iIc loncly lifc Ic
naiurally conicmlaicd nov.
'No, sir,' Ic said, sIaling Iis Icad, 'all iIai's
asi and ovcr viiI mc, sir. No onc can ncvcr fill
iIc lacc iIai's cmiy. Dui you'll lcar in mind
aloui iIc moncy, as iIccr's ai all iimcs somc
laying ly for Iim?'
Fcminding Iim of iIc faci, iIai Mr. Fcggoiiy
dcrivcd a sicady, iIougI ccriainly a vcry mod-
craic incomc from iIc lcqucsi of Iis laic
lroiIcr-in-lav, I romiscd io do so. Wc iIcn
iool lcavc of cacI oiIcr. I cannoi lcavc Iim cvcn
nov, viiIoui rcmcmlcring viiI a ang, ai oncc
Iis modcsi foriiiudc and Iis grcai sorrov.
As io Mrs. Gummidgc, if I vcrc io cndcavour
io dcscrilc Iov sIc ran dovn iIc sircci ly iIc
sidc of iIc coacI, sccing noiIing lui Mr.
Fcggoiiy on iIc roof, iIrougI iIc icars sIc iricd
io rcrcss, and dasIing Icrsclf againsi iIc
colc vIo vcrc coming in iIc oosiic dircc-
iion, I sIould cnicr on a iasl of somc difficuliy.
47
TIcrcforc I Iad lciicr lcavc Icr siiiing on a
lalcr's door-sic, oui of lrcaiI, viiI no sIac
ai all rcmaining in Icr lonnci, and onc of Icr
sIocs off, lying on iIc avcmcni ai a considcr-
allc disiancc.
WIcn vc goi io our journcy's cnd, our firsi
ursuii vas io lool aloui for a liiilc lodging for
Fcggoiiy, vIcrc Icr lroiIcr could Iavc a lcd.
Wc vcrc so foriunaic as io find onc, of a vcry
clcan and cIca dcscriiion, ovcr a cIandlcr's
sIo, only ivo sirccis rcmovcd from mc. WIcn
vc Iad cngagcd iIis domicilc, I lougIi somc
cold mcai ai an caiing-Iousc, and iool my fcl-
lov-iravcllcrs Iomc io ica; a rocccding, I rc-
grci io siaic, vIicI did noi mcci viiI Mrs.
Cru's aroval, lui quiic iIc conirary. I ougIi
io olscrvc, Iovcvcr, in clanaiion of iIai lady's
siaic of mind, iIai sIc vas mucI offcndcd ly
Fcggoiiy's iucling u Icr vidov's govn lcforc
sIc Iad lccn icn minuics in iIc lacc, and sci-
iing io vorl io dusi my lcdroom. TIis Mrs.
Cru rcgardcd in iIc ligIi of a lilcriy, and a
lilcriy, sIc said, vas a iIing sIc ncvcr allovcd.
Mr. Fcggoiiy Iad madc a communicaiion io
mc on iIc vay io London for vIicI I vas noi
unrcarcd. Ii vas, iIai Ic uroscd firsi scc-
ing Mrs. SiccrforiI. As I fcli lound io assisi Iim
in iIis, and also io mcdiaic lcivccn iIcm; viiI
iIc vicv of saring iIc moiIcr's fcclings as mucI
as ossillc, I vroic io Icr iIai nigIi. I iold Icr
as mildly as I could vIai Iis vrong vas, and
vIai my ovn sIarc in Iis injury. I said Ic vas
a man in vcry common lifc, lui of a mosi gcnilc
and urigIi cIaracicr; and iIai I vcniurcd io
crcss a Ioc iIai sIc vould noi rcfusc io scc
Iim in Iis Icavy iroullc. I mcniioncd ivo o'clocl
in iIc aficrnoon as iIc Iour of our coming, and
I scni iIc lciicr mysclf ly iIc firsi coacI in iIc
morning.
Ai iIc aoinicd iimc, vc siood ai iIc door
iIc door of iIai Iousc vIcrc I Iad lccn, a fcv
days sincc, so Iay: vIcrc my youiIful confi-
48
dcncc and varmiI of Icari Iad lccn yicldcd
u so frccly: vIicI vas closcd againsi mc Icncc-
foriI: vIicI vas nov a vasic, a ruin.
No Liiiimcr acarcd. TIc lcasanicr facc
vIicI Iad rclaccd Iis, on iIc occasion of my
lasi visii, ansvcrcd io our summons, and vcni
lcforc us io iIc draving-room. Mrs. SiccrforiI
vas siiiing iIcrc. Fosa Darilc glidcd, as vc vcni
in, from anoiIcr ari of iIc room and siood
lcIind Icr cIair.
I sav, dirccily, in Iis moiIcr's facc, iIai sIc
lncv from Iimsclf vIai Ic Iad donc. Ii vas
vcry alc; and lorc iIc iraccs of dcccr cmo-
iion iIan my lciicr alonc, vcalcncd ly iIc
doulis Icr fondncss vould Iavc raiscd uon
ii, vould Iavc lccn lilcly io crcaic. I iIougIi
Icr morc lilc Iim iIan cvcr I Iad iIougIi Icr;
and I fcli, raiIcr iIan sav, iIai iIc rcscmllancc
vas noi losi on my comanion.
SIc sai urigIi in Icr arm-cIair, viiI a
siaicly, immovallc, assionlcss air, iIai ii
sccmcd as if noiIing could disiurl. SIc loolcd
vcry sicadfasily ai Mr. Fcggoiiy vIcn Ic siood
lcforc Icr; and Ic loolcd quiic as sicadfasily
ai Icr. Fosa Darilc's lccn glancc comrcIcndcd
all of us. For somc momcnis noi a vord vas
solcn.
SIc moiioncd io Mr. Fcggoiiy io lc scaicd. Hc
said, in a lov voicc, 'I sIouldn'i fccl ii nai'ral,
ma'am, io sii dovn in iIis Iousc. I'd sooncr
siand.' And iIis vas succccdcd ly anoiIcr si-
lcncc, vIicI sIc lrolc iIus:
'I lnov, viiI dcc rcgrci, vIai Ias lrougIi
you Icrc. WIai do you vani of mc? WIai do
you asl mc io do?'
Hc ui Iis Iai undcr Iis arm, and fccling in
Iis lrcasi for Emily's lciicr, iool ii oui, unfoldcd
ii, and gavc ii io Icr. 'Flcasc io rcad iIai, ma'am.
TIai's my niccc's Iand!'
SIc rcad ii, in iIc samc siaicly and imas-
sivc vay,unioucIcd ly iis conicnis, as far as
I could scc,and rciurncd ii io Iim.
49
'Unlcss Ic lrings mc lacl a lady,"' said Mr.
Fcggoiiy, iracing oui iIai ari viiI Iis fingcr. 'I
comc io lnov, ma'am, vIciIcr Ic vill lcc Iis
vurcd?'
'No,' sIc rciurncd.
'WIy noi?' said Mr. Fcggoiiy.
'Ii is imossillc. Hc vould disgracc Iimsclf.
You cannoi fail io lnov iIai sIc is far lclov
Iim.'
'Faisc Icr u!' said Mr. Fcggoiiy.
'SIc is uncducaicd and ignorani.'
'Maylc sIc's noi; maylc sIc is,' said Mr.
Fcggoiiy. 'I iIinl noi, ma'am; lui I'm no judgc
of iIcm iIings. TcacI Icr lciicr!'
'Sincc you olligc mc io scal morc lainly,
vIicI I am vcry unvilling io do, Icr Iumllc
conncions vould rcndcr sucI a iIing imos-
sillc, if noiIing clsc did.'
'Harl io iIis, ma'am,' Ic rciurncd, slovly and
quicily. 'You lnov vIai ii is io lovc your cIild.
So do I. If sIc vas a Iundrcd iimcs my cIild, I
couldn'i lovc Icr morc. You docn'i lnov vIai ii
is io losc your cIild. I do. All iIc Icas of ricIcs
in iIc vurcld vould lc novi io mc (if iIcy vas
minc} io luy Icr lacl! Dui, savc Icr from iIis
disgracc, and sIc sIall ncvcr lc disgraccd ly
us. Noi onc of us iIai sIc's grovcd u among,
noi onc of us iIai's livcd along viiI Icr and
Iad Icr for iIcir all in all, iIcsc many ycar, vill
cvcr lool uon Icr riiiy facc again. Wc'll lc
conicni io lci Icr lc; vc'll lc conicni io iIinl of
Icr, far off, as if sIc vas undcrncaiI anoiIcr
sun and sly; vc'll lc conicni io irusi Icr io Icr
Iusland,io Icr liiilc cIildrcn, 'ras,and
lidc iIc iimc vIcn all of us sIall lc alilc in
qualiiy aforc our God!'
TIc ruggcd cloqucncc viiI vIicI Ic solc,
vas noi dcvoid of all cffcci. SIc siill rcscrvcd
Icr roud manncr, lui iIcrc vas a ioucI of
sofincss in Icr voicc, as sIc ansvcrcd:
'I jusiify noiIing. I malc no counicr-accusa-
iions. Dui I am sorry io rccai, ii is imossillc.
50
SucI a marriagc vould irrciricvally lligIi my
son's carccr, and ruin Iis rosccis. NoiIing is
morc ccriain iIan iIai ii ncvcr can ialc lacc,
and ncvcr vill. If iIcrc is any oiIcr comcnsa-
iion'
'I am looling ai iIc lilcncss of iIc facc,' inicr-
ruicd Mr. Fcggoiiy, viiI a sicady lui a lin-
dling cyc, 'iIai Ias loolcd ai mc, in my Iomc,
ai my fircsidc, in my loaivIccr noi?smil-
ing and fricndly, vIcn ii vas so ircacIcrous,
iIai I go Ialf vild vIcn I iIinl of ii. If iIc lilc-
ncss of iIai facc don'i iurn io lurning firc, ai
iIc iIougIi of offcring moncy io mc for my
cIild's lligIi and ruin, ii's as lad. I docn'i lnov,
lcing a lady's, lui vIai ii's vorsc.'
SIc cIangcd nov, in a momcni. An angry
flusI ovcrsrcad Icr fcaiurcs; and sIc said, in
an iniolcrani manncr, grasing iIc arm-cIair
iigIily viiI Icr Iands:
'WIai comcnsaiion can you malc io mc for
ocning sucI a ii lcivccn mc and my son?
WIai is your lovc io minc? WIai is your sca-
raiion io ours?'
Miss Darilc sofily ioucIcd Icr, and lcni dovn
Icr Icad io vIiscr, lui sIc vould noi Icar a
vord.
'No, Fosa, noi a vord! Lci iIc man lisicn io
vIai I say! My son, vIo Ias lccn iIc oljcci of
my lifc, io vIom iis cvcry iIougIi Ias lccn
dcvoicd, vIom I Iavc graiificd from a cIild in
cvcry visI, from vIom I Iavc Iad no scaraic
cisicncc sincc Iis liriI,io ialc u in a mo-
mcni viiI a miscrallc girl, and avoid mc! To
rcay my confidcncc viiI sysicmaiic dccciion,
for Icr salc, and quii mc for Icr! To sci iIis
vrcicIcd fancy, againsi Iis moiIcr's claims
uon Iis duiy, lovc, rcscci, graiiiudcclaims
iIai cvcry day and Iour of Iis lifc sIould Iavc
sircngiIcncd inio iics iIai noiIing could lc
roof againsi! Is iIis no injury?'
Again Fosa Darilc iricd io sooiIc Icr; again
incffcciually.
51
'I say, Fosa, noi a vord! If Ic can sialc Iis all
uon iIc ligIicsi oljcci, I can sialc my all uon
a grcaicr urosc. Lci Iim go vIcrc Ic vill,
viiI iIc mcans iIai my lovc Ias sccurcd io Iim!
Docs Ic iIinl io rcducc mc ly long alscncc?
Hc lnovs Iis moiIcr vcry liiilc if Ic docs. Lci
Iim ui avay Iis vIim nov, and Ic is vclcomc
lacl. Lci Iim noi ui Icr avay nov, and Ic
ncvcr sIall comc ncar mc, living or dying, vIilc
I can raisc my Iand io malc a sign againsi ii,
unlcss, lcing rid of Icr for cvcr, Ic comcs Ium-
lly io mc and lcgs for my forgivcncss. TIis is
my rigIi. TIis is iIc aclnovlcdgcmcni I u
Iuuc. TIis is iIc scaraiion iIai iIcrc is lc-
ivccn us! And is iIis,' sIc addcd, looling ai
Icr visiior viiI iIc roud iniolcrani air viiI
vIicI sIc Iad lcgun, 'no injury?'
WIilc I Icard and sav iIc moiIcr as sIc said
iIcsc vords, I sccmcd io Icar and scc iIc son,
dcfying iIcm. All iIai I Iad cvcr sccn in Iim of
an unyiclding, vilful sirii, I sav in Icr. All iIc
undcrsianding iIai I Iad nov of Iis misdirccicd
cncrgy, lccamc an undcrsianding of Icr cIar-
acicr ioo, and a crcciion iIai ii vas, in iis
sirongcsi srings, iIc samc.
SIc nov olscrvcd io mc, aloud, rcsuming Icr
formcr rcsiraini, iIai ii vas usclcss io Icar
morc, or io say morc, and iIai sIc lcggcd io
ui an cnd io iIc inicrvicv. SIc rosc viiI an
air of digniiy io lcavc iIc room, vIcn Mr.
Fcggoiiy significd iIai ii vas nccdlcss.
'Docn'i fcar mc lcing any Iindrancc io you, I
Iavc no morc io say, ma'am,' Ic rcmarlcd, as
Ic movcd iovards iIc door. 'I comc lccr viiI no
Ioc, and I ialc avay no Ioc. I Iavc donc vIai
I iIovi sIould lc donc, lui I ncvcr loolcd fur
any good io comc of my sian'ning vIcrc I do.
TIis Ias lccn ioo cvil a Iousc fur mc and minc,
fur mc io lc in my rigIi scnscs and ccci ii.'
WiiI iIis, vc dcaricd; lcaving Icr sianding
ly Icr cllov-cIair, a iciurc of a nollc rcs-
cncc and a Iandsomc facc.
52
Wc Iad, on our vay oui, io cross a avcd Iall,
viiI glass sidcs and roof, ovcr vIicI a vinc vas
iraincd. Iis lcavcs and sIoois vcrc grccn iIcn,
and iIc day lcing sunny, a air of glass doors
lcading io iIc gardcn vcrc iIrovn ocn. Fosa
Darilc, cnicring iIis vay viiI a noisclcss sic,
vIcn vc vcrc closc io iIcm, addrcsscd Icrsclf
io mc:
'You do vcll,' sIc said, 'indccd, io lring iIis
fcllov Icrc!'
SucI a conccniraiion of ragc and scorn as
darlcncd Icr facc, and flasIcd in Icr jci-llacl
cycs, I could noi Iavc iIougIi comrcssillc cvcn
inio iIai facc. TIc scar madc ly iIc Iammcr
vas, as usual in iIis cciicd siaic of Icr fca-
iurcs, sirongly marlcd. WIcn iIc iIrolling I
Iad sccn lcforc, camc inio ii as I loolcd ai Icr,
sIc alsoluicly lificd u Icr Iand, and sirucl
ii.
'TIis is a fcllov,' sIc said, 'io cIamion and
lring Icrc, is Ic noi? You arc a iruc man!'
'Miss Darilc,' I rciurncd, 'you arc surcly noi
so unjusi as io condcmn mc!'
'WIy do you lring division lcivccn iIcsc ivo
mad crcaiurcs?' sIc rciurncd. 'Don'i you lnov
iIai iIcy arc loiI mad viiI iIcir ovn sclf-vill
and ridc?'
'Is ii my doing?' I rciurncd.
'Is ii your doing!' sIc rcioricd. 'WIy do you
lring iIis man Icrc?'
'Hc is a dccly-injurcd man, Miss Darilc,' I
rclicd. 'You may noi lnov ii.'
'I lnov iIai Jamcs SiccrforiI,' sIc said, viiI Icr
Iand on Icr losom, as if io rcvcni iIc siorm iIai
vas raging iIcrc, from lcing loud, 'Ias a falsc, cor-
rui Icari, and is a iraiior. Dui vIai nccd I lnov or
carc aloui iIis fcllov, and Iis common niccc?'
'Miss Darilc,' I rciurncd, 'you dcccn iIc in-
jury. Ii is sufficicni alrcady. I vill only say, ai
ariing, iIai you do Iim a grcai vrong.'
'I do Iim no vrong,' sIc rciurncd. 'TIcy arc a
dcravcd, voriIlcss sci. I vould Iavc Icr vIicd!'
53
Mr. Fcggoiiy asscd on, viiIoui a vord, and
vcni oui ai iIc door.
'OI, sIamc, Miss Darilc! sIamc!' I said indig-
nanily. 'Hov can you lcar io iramlc on Iis
undcscrvcd affliciion!'
'I vould iramlc on iIcm all,' sIc ansvcrcd. 'I
vould Iavc Iis Iousc ullcd dovn. I vould Iavc
Icr lrandcd on iIc facc, drcsscd in rags, and
casi oui in iIc sirccis io siarvc. If I Iad iIc
ovcr io sii in judgcmcni on Icr, I vould scc ii
donc. Scc ii donc? I vould do ii! I dcicsi Icr. If I
cvcr could rcroacI Icr viiI Icr infamous con-
diiion, I vould go anyvIcrc io do so. If I could
Iuni Icr io Icr gravc, I vould. If iIcrc vas any
vord of comfori iIai vould lc a solacc io Icr in
Icr dying Iour, and only I osscsscd ii, I
vouldn'i ari viiI ii for Lifc iisclf.'
TIc mcrc vcIcmcncc of Icr vords can con-
vcy, I am scnsillc, lui a vcal imrcssion of
iIc assion ly vIicI sIc vas osscsscd, and
vIicI madc iisclf ariiculaic in Icr vIolc fig-
urc, iIougI Icr voicc, insicad of lcing raiscd,
vas lovcr iIan usual. No dcscriiion I could
givc of Icr vould do jusiicc io my rccollcciion
of Icr, or io Icr cniirc dclivcrancc of Icrsclf io
Icr angcr. I Iavc sccn assion in many forms,
lui I Iavc ncvcr sccn ii in sucI a form as iIai.
WIcn I joincd Mr. Fcggoiiy, Ic vas valling
slovly and iIougIifully dovn iIc Iill. Hc iold
mc, as soon as I camc u viiI Iim, iIai Iaving
nov discIargcd Iis mind of vIai Ic Iad ur-
oscd doing in London, Ic mcani 'io sci oui on
Iis iravcls', iIai nigIi. I aslcd Iim vIcrc Ic
mcani io go? Hc only ansvcrcd, 'I'm a going,
sir, io sccl my niccc.'
Wc vcni lacl io iIc liiilc lodging ovcr iIc
cIandlcr's sIo, and iIcrc I found an ooriu-
niiy of rccaiing io Fcggoiiy vIai Ic Iad said io
mc. SIc informcd mc, in rciurn, iIai Ic Iad said
iIc samc io Icr iIai morning. SIc lncv no morc
iIan I did, vIcrc Ic vas going, lui sIc iIougIi
Ic Iad somc rojcci sIacd oui in Iis mind.
54
I did noi lilc io lcavc Iim, undcr sucI circum-
sianccs, and vc all iIrcc dincd iogciIcr off a lccf-
sical icvIicI vas onc of iIc many good iIings
for vIicI Fcggoiiy vas famousand vIicI vas
curiously flavourcd on iIis occasion, I rccollcci
vcll, ly a misccllancous iasic of ica, coffcc, lui-
icr, lacon, cIccsc, ncv loavcs, fircvood, candlcs,
and valnui lcicIu, coniinually asccnding from
iIc sIo. Aficr dinncr vc sai for an Iour or so
ncar iIc vindov, viiIoui ialling mucI; and iIcn
Mr. Fcggoiiy goi u, and lrougIi Iis oilslin lag
and Iis sioui siicl, and laid iIcm on iIc iallc.
Hc acccicd, from Iis sisicr's siocl of rcady
moncy, a small sum on accouni of Iis lcgacy;
larcly cnougI, I sIould Iavc iIougIi, io lcc
Iim for a moniI. Hc romiscd io communicaic
viiI mc, vIcn anyiIing lcfcll Iim; and Ic slung
Iis lag aloui Iim, iool Iis Iai and siicl, and
ladc us loiI 'Good-lyc!'
'All good aiicnd you, dcar old voman,' Ic said,
cmlracing Fcggoiiy, 'and you ioo, Mas'r Davy!'
sIaling Iands viiI mc. 'I'm a-going io sccl Icr,
fur and vidc. If sIc sIould comc Iomc vIilc
I'm avaylui aI, iIai ain'i lilc io lc!or if I
sIould lring Icr lacl, my mcaning is, iIai sIc
and mc sIall livc and dic vIcrc no onc can'i
rcroacI Icr. If any Iuri sIould comc io mc,
rcmcmlcr iIai iIc lasi vords I lcfi for Icr vas,
My uncIangcd lovc is viiI my darling cIild,
and I forgivc Icr!"'
Hc said iIis solcmnly, larc-Icadcd; iIcn,
uiiing on Iis Iai, Ic vcni dovn iIc siairs,
and avay. Wc follovcd io iIc door. Ii vas a
varm, dusiy cvcning, jusi iIc iimc vIcn, in iIc
grcai main iIorougIfarc oui of vIicI iIai ly-
vay iurncd, iIcrc vas a icmorary lull in iIc
cicrnal ircad of fcci uon iIc avcmcni, and a
sirong rcd sunsIinc. Hc iurncd, alonc, ai iIc
corncr of our sIady sircci, inio a glov of ligIi,
in vIicI vc losi Iim.
Farcly did iIai Iour of iIc cvcning comc,
rarcly did I valc ai nigIi, rarcly did I lool u ai
55
iIc moon, or siars, or vaicI iIc falling rain, or
Icar iIc vind, lui I iIougIi of Iis soliiary fig-
urc ioiling on, oor ilgrim, and rccallcd iIc
vords:
'I'm a going io sccl Icr, fur and vidc. If any
Iuri sIould comc io mc, rcmcmlcr iIai iIc lasi
vords I lcfi for Icr vas, My uncIangcd lovc is
viiI my darling cIild, and I forgivc Icr!"'
CHAPTER SS
BLISSFUL
ALL THIS TIME, I Iad gonc on loving Dora, Iardcr
iIan cvcr. Hcr idca vas my rcfugc in disaoini-
mcni and disircss, and madc somc amcnds io
mc, cvcn for iIc loss of my fricnd. TIc morc I
iiicd mysclf, or iiicd oiIcrs, iIc morc I sougIi
for consolaiion in iIc imagc of Dora. TIc grcaicr
iIc accumulaiion of dcccii and iroullc in iIc
vorld, iIc lrigIicr and iIc urcr sIonc iIc siar
of Dora IigI alovc iIc vorld. I don'i iIinl I
Iad any dcfiniic idca vIcrc Dora camc from, or
in vIai dcgrcc sIc vas rclaicd io a IigIcr or-
dcr of lcings; lui I am quiic surc I sIould Iavc
scouicd iIc noiion of Icr lcing simly Iuman,
lilc any oiIcr young lady, viiI indignaiion and
conicmi.
If I may so crcss ii, I vas sicccd in Dora. I
vas noi mcrcly ovcr Icad and cars in lovc viiI
Icr, lui I vas saiuraicd iIrougI and iIrougI.
EnougI lovc migIi Iavc lccn vrung oui of mc,
mciaIorically scaling, io drovn anylody in;
and yci iIcrc vould Iavc rcmaincd cnougI
viiIin mc, and all ovcr mc, io crvadc my cn-
iirc cisicncc.
TIc firsi iIing I did, on my ovn accouni, vIcn
I camc lacl, vas io ialc a nigIi-vall io
Norvood, and, lilc iIc suljcci of a vcncrallc
riddlc of my cIildIood, io go 'round and round
iIc Iousc, viiIoui cvcr ioucIing iIc Iousc',
iIinling aloui Dora. I lclicvc iIc iIcmc of iIis
56
incomrcIcnsillc conundrum vas iIc moon.
No maiicr vIai ii vas, I, iIc moon-sirucl slavc
of Dora, cramlulaicd round and round iIc
Iousc and gardcn for ivo Iours, looling
iIrougI crcviccs in iIc alings, gciiing my cIin
ly dini of violcni ccriion alovc iIc rusiy nails
on iIc io, lloving lisscs ai iIc ligIis in iIc
vindovs, and romaniically calling on iIc nigIi,
ai inicrvals, io sIicld my DoraI don'i cacily
lnov vIai from, I suosc from firc. FcrIas
from micc, io vIicI sIc Iad a grcai oljcciion.
My lovc vas so mucI in my mind and ii vas
so naiural io mc io confidc in Fcggoiiy, vIcn I
found Icr again ly my sidc of an cvcning viiI
iIc old sci of indusirial imlcmcnis, lusily
maling iIc iour of my vardrolc, iIai I imaricd
io Icr, in a sufficicnily roundaloui vay, my
grcai sccrci. Fcggoiiy vas sirongly inicrcsicd,
lui I could noi gci Icr inio my vicv of iIc casc
ai all. SIc vas audaciously rcjudiccd in my
favour, and quiic unallc io undcrsiand vIy I
sIould Iavc any misgivings, or lc lov-siriicd
aloui ii. 'TIc young lady migIi iIinl Icrsclf
vcll off,' sIc olscrvcd, 'io Iavc sucI a lcau.
And as io Icr Fa,' sIc said, 'vIai did iIc gcnilc-
man ccci, for gracious salc!'
I olscrvcd, Iovcvcr, iIai Mr. Scnlov's roc-
iorial govn and siiff cravai iool Fcggoiiy dovn
a liiilc, and insircd Icr viiI a grcaicr rcvcr-
cncc for iIc man vIo vas gradually lccoming
morc and morc ciIcrcalizcd in my cycs cvcry
day, and aloui vIom a rcflccicd radiancc
sccmcd io mc io lcam vIcn Ic sai crcci in Couri
among Iis acrs, lilc a liiilc ligIiIousc in a
sca of siaiioncry. And ly iIc ly, ii uscd io lc
uncommonly sirangc io mc io considcr, I rc-
mcmlcr, as I sai in Couri ioo, Iov iIosc dim
old judgcs and dociors vouldn'i Iavc carcd for
Dora, if iIcy Iad lnovn Icr; Iov iIcy vouldn'i
Iavc gonc oui of iIcir scnscs viiI raiurc, if
marriagc viiI Dora Iad lccn rooscd io iIcm;
Iov Dora migIi Iavc sung, and laycd uon
57
iIai glorificd guiiar, uniil sIc lcd mc io iIc vcrgc
of madncss, yci noi Iavc icmicd onc of iIosc
slov-gocrs an incI oui of Iis road!
I dcsiscd iIcm, io a man. Frozcn-oui old gar-
dcncrs in iIc flovcr-lcds of iIc Icari, I iool a
crsonal offcncc againsi iIcm all. TIc DcncI
vas noiIing io mc lui an inscnsillc llundcrcr.
TIc Dar Iad no morc icndcrncss or ociry in ii,
iIan iIc lar of a ullic-Iousc.
Taling iIc managcmcni of Fcggoiiy's affairs
inio my ovn Iands, viiI no liiilc ridc, I rovcd
iIc vill, and camc io a sciilcmcni viiI iIc
Lcgacy Duiy-officc, and iool Icr io iIc Danl,
and soon goi cvcryiIing inio an ordcrly irain.
Wc varicd iIc lcgal cIaracicr of iIcsc rocccd-
ings ly going io scc somc crsiring Wa-vorl,
in Flcci Sircci (mclicd, I sIould Ioc, iIcsc
ivcniy ycars}; and ly visiiing Miss Linvood's
EIiliiion, vIicI I rcmcmlcr as a Mausolcum
of nccdlcvorl, favourallc io sclf-caminaiion
and rccniancc; and ly inscciing iIc Tovcr of
London; and going io iIc io of Si. Faul's. All
iIcsc vondcrs affordcd Fcggoiiy as mucI lca-
surc as sIc vas allc io cnjoy, undcr cisiing
circumsianccs: ccci, I iIinl, Si. Faul's, vIicI,
from Icr long aiiacImcni io Icr vorl-lo, lc-
camc a rival of iIc iciurc on iIc lid, and vas,
in somc ariiculars, vanquisIcd, sIc consid-
crcd, ly iIai vorl of ari.
Fcggoiiy's lusincss, vIicI vas vIai vc uscd
io call 'common-form lusincss' in iIc Commons
(and vcry ligIi and lucraiivc iIc common-form
lusincss vas}, lcing sciilcd, I iool Icr dovn io
iIc officc onc morning io ay Icr lill. Mr.
Scnlov Iad siccd oui, old Tiffcy said, io gci
a gcnilcman svorn for a marriagc liccncc; lui
as I lncv Ic vould lc lacl dirccily, our lacc
lying closc io iIc Surrogaic's, and io iIc Vicar-
Gcncral's officc ioo, I iold Fcggoiiy io vaii.
Wc vcrc a liiilc lilc undcrialcrs, in iIc Com-
mons, as rcgardcd Frolaic iransaciions; gcn-
crally maling ii a rulc io lool morc or lcss cui
58
u, vIcn vc Iad io dcal viiI clicnis in mourn-
ing. In a similar fccling of dclicacy, vc vcrc al-
vays lliiIc and ligIi-Icaricd viiI iIc liccncc
clicnis. TIcrcforc I Iinicd io Fcggoiiy iIai sIc
vould find Mr. Scnlov mucI rccovcrcd from
iIc sIocl of Mr. Darlis's dcccasc; and indccd
Ic camc in lilc a lridcgroom.
Dui nciiIcr Fcggoiiy nor I Iad cycs for Iim,
vIcn vc sav, in comany viiI Iim, Mr.
Murdsionc. Hc vas vcry liiilc cIangcd. His Iair
loolcd as iIicl, and vas ccriainly as llacl, as
cvcr; and Iis glancc vas as liiilc io lc irusicd
as of old.
'AI, Cocrficld?' said Mr. Scnlov. 'You lnov
iIis gcnilcman, I lclicvc?'
I madc my gcnilcman a disiani lov, and
Fcggoiiy larcly rccognizcd Iim. Hc vas, ai firsi,
somcvIai disconccricd io mcci us ivo iogciIcr;
lui quiclly dccidcd vIai io do, and camc u io
mc.
'I Ioc,' Ic said, 'iIai you arc doing vcll?'
'Ii can Iardly lc inicrcsiing io you,' said I.
'Ycs, if you visI io lnov.'
Wc loolcd ai cacI oiIcr, and Ic addrcsscd
Iimsclf io Fcggoiiy.
'And you,' said Ic. 'I am sorry io olscrvc iIai
you Iavc losi your Iusland.'
'Ii's noi iIc firsi loss I Iavc Iad in my lifc, Mr.
Murdsionc,' rclicd Fcggoiiy, ircmlling from
Icad io fooi. 'I am glad io Ioc iIai iIcrc is
nolody io llamc for iIis onc,nolody io an-
svcr for ii.'
'Ha!' said Ic; 'iIai's a comforiallc rcflcciion.
You Iavc donc your duiy?'
'I Iavc noi vorn anylody's lifc avay,' said
Fcggoiiy, 'I am iIanlful io iIinl! No, Mr.
Murdsionc, I Iavc noi vorriicd and frigIicncd
any svcci crcciur io an carly gravc!'
Hc cycd Icr gloomilyrcmorscfully I
iIougIifor an insiani; and said, iurning Iis
Icad iovards mc, lui looling ai my fcci insicad
of my facc:
59
'Wc arc noi lilcly io cncounicr soon again;a
sourcc of saiisfaciion io us loiI, no douli, for
sucI mcciings as iIis can ncvcr lc agrccallc. I
do noi ccci iIai you, vIo alvays rclcllcd
againsi my jusi auiIoriiy, ccricd for your lcn-
cfii and rcformaiion, sIould ovc mc any good-
vill nov. TIcrc is an aniiaiIy lcivccn us'
'An old onc, I lclicvc?' said I, inicrruiing Iim.
Hc smilcd, and sIoi as cvil a glancc ai mc as
could comc from Iis darl cycs.
'Ii ranllcd in your laly lrcasi,' Ic said. 'Ii
cmliiicrcd iIc lifc of your oor moiIcr. You arc
rigIi. I Ioc you may do lciicr, yci; I Ioc you
may corrcci yoursclf.'
Hcrc Ic cndcd iIc dialoguc, vIicI Iad lccn
carricd on in a lov voicc, in a corncr of iIc ouicr
officc, ly assing inio Mr. Scnlov's room, and
saying aloud, in Iis smooiIcsi manncr:
'Gcnilcmcn of Mr. Scnlov's rofcssion arc ac-
cusiomcd io family diffcrcnccs, and lnov Iov
comlicaicd and difficuli iIcy alvays arc!' WiiI
iIai, Ic aid iIc moncy for Iis liccncc; and,
rccciving ii ncaily foldcd from Mr. Scnlov, io-
gciIcr viiI a sIalc of iIc Iand, and a oliic
visI for Iis Iaincss and iIc lady's, vcni oui
of iIc officc.
I migIi Iavc Iad morc difficuliy in consirain-
ing mysclf io lc silcni undcr Iis vords, if I Iad
Iad lcss difficuliy in imrcssing uon Fcggoiiy
(vIo vas only angry on my accouni, good crca-
iurc!} iIai vc vcrc noi in a lacc for rccrimina-
iion, and iIai I lcsougIi Icr io Iold Icr cacc.
SIc vas so unusually rouscd, iIai I vas glad io
comound for an affcciionaic Iug, cliciicd ly
iIis rcvival in Icr mind of our old injurics, and
io malc iIc lcsi I could of ii, lcforc Mr. Scnlov
and iIc clcrls.
Mr. Scnlov did noi acar io lnov vIai iIc
conncion lcivccn Mr. Murdsionc and mysclf
vas; vIicI I vas glad of, for I could noi lcar io
aclnovlcdgc Iim, cvcn in my ovn lrcasi, rc-
mcmlcring vIai I did of iIc Iisiory of my oor
60
moiIcr. Mr. Scnlov sccmcd io iIinl, if Ic
iIougIi anyiIing aloui iIc maiicr, iIai my
auni vas iIc lcadcr of iIc siaic ariy in our
family, and iIai iIcrc vas a rclcl ariy com-
mandcd ly somclody clscso I gaiIcrcd ai lcasi
from vIai Ic said, vIilc vc vcrc vaiiing for
Mr. Tiffcy io malc oui Fcggoiiy's lill of cosis.
'Miss Troivood,' Ic rcmarlcd, 'is vcry firm,
no douli, and noi lilcly io givc vay io oosi-
iion. I Iavc an admiraiion for Icr cIaracicr, and
I may congraiulaic you, Cocrficld, on lcing
on iIc rigIi sidc. Diffcrcnccs lcivccn rclaiions
arc mucI io lc dclorcdlui iIcy arc circmcly
gcncraland iIc grcai iIing is, io lc on iIc
rigIi sidc': mcaning, I ialc ii, on iIc sidc of iIc
moncycd inicrcsi.
'FaiIcr a good marriagc iIis, I lclicvc?' said
Mr. Scnlov.
I claincd iIai I lncv noiIing aloui ii.
'Indccd!' Ic said. 'Scaling from iIc fcv vords
Mr. Murdsionc drocdas a man frcqucnily
docs on iIcsc occasionsand from vIai Miss
Murdsionc lci fall, I sIould say ii vas raiIcr a
good marriagc.'
'Do you mcan iIai iIcrc is moncy, sir?' I aslcd.
'Ycs,' said Mr. Scnlov, 'I undcrsiand iIcrc's
moncy. Dcauiy ioo, I am iold.'
'Indccd! Is Iis ncv vifc young?'
'Jusi of agc,' said Mr. Scnlov. 'So laicly, iIai
I sIould iIinl iIcy Iad lccn vaiiing for iIai.'
'Lord dclivcr Icr!' said Fcggoiiy. So vcry cm-
Iaiically and uncccicdly, iIai vc vcrc all
iIrcc discomoscd; uniil Tiffcy camc in viiI iIc
lill.
Old Tiffcy soon acarcd, Iovcvcr, and
Iandcd ii io Mr. Scnlov, io lool ovcr. Mr.
Scnlov, sciiling Iis cIin in Iis cravai and rul-
ling ii sofily, vcni ovcr iIc iicms viiI a dcrc-
caiory airas if ii vcrc all Jorlins's doingand
Iandcd ii lacl io Tiffcy viiI a lland sigI.
'Ycs,' Ic said. 'TIai's rigIi. Quiic rigIi. I sIould
Iavc lccn circmcly Iay, Cocrficld, io Iavc
61
limiicd iIcsc cIargcs io iIc aciual ccndiiurc
oui of oclci, lui ii is an irlsomc incidcni in
my rofcssional lifc, iIai I am noi ai lilcriy io
consuli my ovn visIcs. I Iavc a arincrMr.
Jorlins.'
As Ic said iIis viiI a gcnilc mclancIoly, vIicI
vas iIc nci iIing io maling no cIargc ai all, I
crcsscd my aclnovlcdgcmcnis on Fcggoiiy's
lcIalf, and aid Tiffcy in lanlnoics. Fcggoiiy
iIcn rciircd io Icr lodging, and Mr. Scnlov
and I vcni inio Couri, vIcrc vc Iad a divorcc-
suii coming on, undcr an ingcnious liiilc siai-
uic (rccalcd nov, I lclicvc, lui in viriuc of
vIicI I Iavc sccn scvcral marriagcs annullcd},
of vIicI iIc mcriis vcrc iIcsc. TIc Iusland,
vIosc namc vas TIomas Dcnjamin, Iad ialcn
oui Iis marriagc liccncc as TIomas only; su-
rcssing iIc Dcnjamin, in casc Ic sIould noi
find Iimsclf as comforiallc as Ic cccicd.
Hotfinding Iimsclf as comforiallc as Ic c-
ccicd, or lcing a liiilc faiigucd viiI Iis vifc,
oor fcllov, Ic nov camc forvard, ly a fricnd,
aficr lcing marricd a ycar or ivo, and dcclarcd
iIai Iis namc vas TIomas Dcnjamin, and iIcrc-
forc Ic vas noi marricd ai all. WIicI iIc Couri
confirmcd, io Iis grcai saiisfaciion.
I musi say iIai I Iad my doulis aloui iIc
sirici jusiicc of iIis, and vas noi cvcn frigIi-
cncd oui of iIcm ly iIc lusIcl of vIcai vIicI
rcconcilcs all anomalics. Dui Mr. Scnlov ar-
gucd iIc maiicr viiI mc. Hc said, Lool ai iIc
vorld, iIcrc vas good and cvil in iIai; lool ai
iIc ccclcsiasiical lav, iIcrc vas good and cvil
in tIut. Ii vas all ari of a sysicm. Vcry good.
TIcrc you vcrc!
I Iad noi iIc IardiIood io suggcsi io Dora's
faiIcr iIai ossilly vc migIi cvcn imrovc iIc
vorld a liiilc, if vc goi u carly in iIc morning,
and iool off our coais io iIc vorl; lui I con-
fcsscd iIai I iIougIi vc migIi imrovc iIc Com-
mons. Mr. Scnlov rclicd iIai Ic vould ar-
iicularly advisc mc io dismiss iIai idca from
62
my mind, as noi lcing voriIy of my gcnilcmanly
cIaracicr; lui iIai Ic vould lc glad io Icar
from mc of vIai imrovcmcni I iIougIi iIc
Commons suscciillc?
Taling iIai ari of iIc Commons vIicI Ia-
cncd io lc ncarcsi io usfor our man vas
unmarricd ly iIis iimc, and vc vcrc oui of
Couri, and sirolling asi iIc Frcrogaiivc Officc
I sulmiiicd iIai I iIougIi iIc Frcrogaiivc Of-
ficc raiIcr a quccrly managcd insiiiuiion. Mr.
Scnlov inquircd in vIai rcscci? I rclicd, viiI
all duc dcfcrcncc io Iis ccricncc (lui viiI
morc dcfcrcncc, I am afraid, io Iis lcing Dora's
faiIcr}, iIai crIas ii vas a liiilc nonscnsical
iIai iIc Fcgisiry of iIai Couri, coniaining iIc
original vills of all crsons lcaving cffccis viiIin
iIc immcnsc rovincc of Canicrlury, for iIrcc
vIolc ccniurics, sIould lc an accidcnial luild-
ing, ncvcr dcsigncd for iIc urosc, lcascd ly
iIc rcgisirars for iIcir Ovn rivaic cmolumcni,
unsafc, noi cvcn asccriaincd io lc firc-roof,
cIolcd viiI iIc imoriani documcnis ii Icld,
and osiiivcly, from iIc roof io iIc lascmcni, a
mcrccnary scculaiion of iIc rcgisirars, vIo
iool grcai fccs from iIc ullic, and crammcd
iIc ullic's vills avay anyIov and anyvIcrc,
Iaving no oiIcr oljcci iIan io gci rid of iIcm
cIcaly. TIai, crIas, ii vas a liiilc unrca-
sonallc iIai iIcsc rcgisirars in iIc rcccii of
rofiis amouniing io cigIi or ninc iIousand
ounds a ycar (io say noiIing of iIc rofiis of
iIc dcuiy rcgisirars, and clcrls of scais},
sIould noi lc olligcd io scnd a liiilc of iIai
moncy, in finding a rcasonally safc lacc for
iIc imoriani documcnis vIicI all classcs of
colc vcrc comcllcd io Iand ovcr io iIcm,
vIciIcr iIcy vould or no. TIai, crIas, ii vas
a liiilc unjusi, iIai all iIc grcai officcs in iIis
grcai officc sIould lc magnificcni sinccurcs,
vIilc iIc unforiunaic vorling-clcrls in iIc cold
darl room usiairs vcrc iIc vorsi rcvardcd,
and iIc lcasi considcrcd mcn, doing imoriani
63
scrviccs, in London. TIai crIas ii vas a liiilc
indcccni iIai iIc rincial rcgisirar of all, vIosc
duiy ii vas io find iIc ullic, consianily rc-
soriing io iIis lacc, all nccdful accommoda-
iion, sIould lc an cnormous sinccurisi in vir-
iuc of iIai osi (and migIi lc, lcsidcs, a clcr-
gyman, a luralisi, iIc Ioldcr of a siaff in a ca-
iIcdral, and vIai noi},vIilc iIc ullic vas
ui io iIc inconvcnicncc of vIicI vc Iad a
sccimcn cvcry aficrnoon vIcn iIc officc vas
lusy, and vIicI vc lncv io lc quiic monsirous.
TIai, crIas, in sIori, iIis Frcrogaiivc Officc
of iIc dioccsc of Canicrlury vas aliogciIcr sucI
a csiilcni jol, and sucI a crnicious alsur-
diiy, iIai lui for iis lcing squcczcd avay in a
corncr of Si. Faul's CIurcIyard, vIicI fcv
colc lncv, ii musi Iavc lccn iurncd com-
lcicly insidc oui, and usidc dovn, long ago.
Mr. Scnlov smilcd as I lccamc modcsily
varm on iIc suljcci, and iIcn argucd iIis qucs-
iion viiI mc as Ic Iad argucd iIc oiIcr. Hc
said, vIai vas ii aficr all? Ii vas a qucsiion of
fccling. If iIc ullic fcli iIai iIcir vills vcrc in
safc lccing, and iool ii for granicd iIai iIc
officc vas noi io lc madc lciicr, vIo vas iIc
vorsc for ii? Nolody. WIo vas iIc lciicr for ii?
All iIc Sinccurisis. Vcry vcll. TIcn iIc good
rcdominaicd. Ii migIi noi lc a crfcci sysicm;
noiIing vas crfcci; lui vIai Ic oljccicd io,
vas, iIc inscriion of iIc vcdgc. Undcr iIc Frc-
rogaiivc Officc, iIc couniry Iad lccn glorious.
Inscri iIc vcdgc inio iIc Frcrogaiivc Officc, and
iIc couniry vould ccasc io lc glorious. Hc con-
sidcrcd ii iIc rincilc of a gcnilcman io ialc
iIings as Ic found iIcm; and Ic Iad no douli
iIc Frcrogaiivc Officc vould lasi our iimc. I dc-
fcrrcd io Iis oinion, iIougI I Iad grcai doulis
of ii mysclf. I find Ic vas rigIi, Iovcvcr; for ii
Ias noi only lasicd io iIc rcscni momcni, lui
Ias donc so in iIc icciI of a grcai arliamcn-
iary rcori madc (noi ioo villingly} cigIiccn
ycars ago, vIcn all iIcsc oljcciions of minc vcrc
64
sci foriI in dciail, and vIcn iIc cisiing siov-
agc for vills vas dcscrilcd as cqual io iIc ac-
cumulaiion of only ivo ycars and a Ialf morc.
WIai iIcy Iavc donc viiI iIcm sincc; vIciIcr
iIcy Iavc losi many, or vIciIcr iIcy scll any,
nov and iIcn, io iIc luiicr sIos; I don'i lnov.
I am glad minc is noi iIcrc, and I Ioc ii may
noi go iIcrc, yci avIilc.
I Iavc sci all iIis dovn, in my rcscni llissful
cIaicr, lccausc Icrc ii comcs inio iis naiural
lacc. Mr. Scnlov and I falling inio iIis convcr-
saiion, rolongcd ii and our saunicr io and fro,
uniil vc divcrgcd inio gcncral ioics. And so ii
camc aloui, in iIc cnd, iIai Mr. Scnlov iold
mc iIis day vccl vas Dora's liriIday, and Ic
vould lc glad if I vould comc dovn and join a
liiilc icnic on iIc occasion. I vcni oui of my
scnscs immcdiaicly; lccamc a mcrc drivcllcr nci
day, on rcccii of a liiilc lacc-cdgcd sIcci of noic-
acr, 'Favourcd ly aa. To rcmind'; and asscd
iIc inicrvcning criod in a siaic of doiagc.
I iIinl I commiiicd cvcry ossillc alsurdiiy
in iIc vay of rcaraiion for iIis llcsscd cvcni.
I iurn Ioi vIcn I rcmcmlcr iIc cravai I lougIi.
My loois migIi lc laccd in any collcciion of
insirumcnis of ioriurc. I rovidcd, and scni
dovn ly iIc Norvood coacI iIc nigIi lcforc, a
dclicaic liiilc Iamcr, amouniing in iisclf, I
iIougIi, almosi io a dcclaraiion. TIcrc vcrc
craclcrs in ii viiI iIc icndcrcsi moiiocs iIai
could lc goi for moncy. Ai si in iIc morning, I
vas in Covcni Gardcn Marlci, luying a lou-
quci for Dora. Ai icn I vas on Iorsclacl (I Iircd
a gallani grcy, for iIc occasion}, viiI iIc lou-
quci in my Iai, io lcc ii frcsI, iroiiing dovn
io Norvood.
I suosc iIai vIcn I sav Dora in iIc gardcn
and rcicndcd noi io scc Icr, and rodc asi iIc
Iousc rcicnding io lc aniously looling for ii,
I commiiicd ivo small foolcrics vIicI oiIcr
young gcnilcmcn in my circumsianccs migIi
Iavc commiiicdlccausc iIcy camc so vcry
65
naiural io mc. Dui oI! vIcn I dd find iIc Iousc,
and dd dismouni ai iIc gardcn-gaic, and drag
iIosc siony-Icaricd loois across iIc lavn io
Dora siiiing on a gardcn-scai undcr a lilac ircc,
vIai a scciaclc sIc vas, uon iIai lcauiiful
morning, among iIc luiicrflics, in a vIiic cIi
lonnci and a drcss of cclcsiial lluc! TIcrc vas
a young lady viiI Icrcomaraiivcly siriclcn
in ycarsalmosi ivcniy, I sIould say. Hcr namc
vas Miss Mills. and Dora callcd Icr Julia. SIc
vas iIc losom fricnd of Dora. Hay Miss Mills!
Ji vas iIcrc, and Ji uoud larl ai mc again.
WIcn I rcscnicd my louquci, Ic gnasIcd Iis
icciI viiI jcalousy. Wcll Ic migIi. If Ic Iad iIc
lcasi idca Iov I adorcd Iis misircss, vcll Ic
migIi!
'OI, iIanl you, Mr. Cocrficld! WIai dcar
flovcrs!' said Dora.
I Iad Iad an inicniion of saying (and Iad lccn
siudying iIc lcsi form of vords for iIrcc milcs}
iIai I iIougIi iIcm lcauiiful lcforc I sav iIcm
so ncar Icr. Dui I couldn'i managc ii. SIc vas
ioo lcvildcring. To scc Icr lay iIc flovcrs
againsi Icr liiilc dimlcd cIin, vas io losc all
rcscncc of mind and ovcr of languagc in a
fccllc ccsiasy. I vondcr I didn'i say, 'Kill mc, if
you Iavc a Icari, Miss Mills. Lci mc dic Icrc!'
TIcn Dora Icld my flovcrs io Ji io smcll.
TIcn Ji grovlcd, and vouldn'i smcll iIcm.
TIcn Dora laugIcd, and Icld iIcm a liiilc closcr
io Ji, io malc Iim. TIcn Ji laid Iold of a lii
of gcranium viiI Iis icciI, and vorricd imagi-
nary cais in ii. TIcn Dora lcai Iim, and ouicd,
and said, 'My oor lcauiiful flovcrs!' as com-
assionaicly, I iIougIi, as if Ji Iad laid Iold
of mc. I visIcd Ic Iad!
'You'll lc so glad io Icar, Mr. Cocrficld,' said
Dora, 'iIai iIai cross Miss Murdsionc is noi Icrc.
SIc Ias gonc io Icr lroiIcr's marriagc, and vill
lc avay ai lcasi iIrcc vccls. Isn'i iIai dcligIiful?'
I said I vas surc ii musi lc dcligIiful io Icr,
and all iIai vas dcligIiful io Icr vas dcligIiful
66
io mc. Miss Mills, viiI an air of sucrior vis-
dom and lcncvolcncc, smilcd uon us.
'SIc is iIc mosi disagrccallc iIing I cvcr sav,'
said Dora. 'You can'i lclicvc Iov ill-icmcrcd
and sIocling sIc is, Julia.'
'Ycs, I can, my dcar!' said Julia.
'You can, crIas, lovc,' rciurncd Dora, viiI
Icr Iand on julia's. 'Forgivc my noi ccciing
you, my dcar, ai firsi.'
I lcarni, from iIis, iIai Miss Mills Iad Iad Icr
irials in iIc coursc of a cIcqucrcd cisicncc; and
iIai io iIcsc, crIas, I migIi rcfcr iIai visc
lcnigniiy of manncr vIicI I Iad alrcady noiiccd.
i found, in iIc coursc of iIc day, iIai iIis vas
iIc casc: Miss Mills Iaving lccn unIay in a
mislaccd affcciion, and lcing undcrsiood io
Iavc rciircd from iIc vorld on Icr avful siocl of
ccricncc, lui siill io ialc a calm inicrcsi in
iIc unlligIicd Iocs and lovcs of youiI.
Dui nov Mr. Scnlov camc oui of iIc Iousc,
and Dora vcni io Iim, saying, 'Lool, aa, vIai
lcauiiful flovcrs!' And Miss Mills smilcd
iIougIifully, as vIo sIould say, 'Yc Mayflics,
cnjoy your lricf cisicncc in iIc lrigIi morn-
ing of lifc!' And vc all vallcd from iIc lavn io-
vards iIc carriagc, vIicI vas gciiing rcady.
I sIall ncvcr Iavc sucI a ridc again. I Iavc
ncvcr Iad sucI anoiIcr. TIcrc vcrc only iIosc
iIrcc, iIcir Iamcr, my Iamcr, and iIc gui-
iar-casc, in iIc Iacion; and, of coursc, iIc Ia-
cion vas ocn; and I rodc lcIind ii, and Dora
sai viiI Icr lacl io iIc Iorscs, looling iovards
mc. SIc lci iIc louquci closc io Icr on iIc
cusIion, and vouldn'i allov Ji io sii on iIai
sidc of Icr ai all, for fcar Ic sIould crusI ii.
SIc oficn carricd ii in Icr Iand, oficn rcfrcsIcd
Icrsclf viiI iis fragrancc. Our cycs ai iIosc
iimcs oficn mci; and my grcai asionisImcni is
iIai I didn'i go ovcr iIc Icad of my gallani grcy
inio iIc carriagc.
TIcrc vas dusi, I lclicvc. TIcrc vas a good
dcal of dusi, I lclicvc. I Iavc a faini imrcssion
67
iIai Mr. Scnlov rcmonsiraicd viiI mc for riding
in ii; lui I lncv of nonc. I vas scnsillc of a misi
of lovc and lcauiy aloui Dora, lui of noiIing
clsc. Hc siood u somciimcs, and aslcd mc vIai
I iIougIi of iIc roscci. I said ii vas dcligIiful,
and I darc say ii vas; lui ii vas all Dora io mc.
TIc sun sIonc Dora, and iIc lirds sang Dora.
TIc souiI vind llcv Dora, and iIc vild flovcrs
in iIc Icdgcs vcrc all Doras, io a lud. My com-
fori is, Miss Mills undcrsiood mc. Miss Mills alonc
could cnicr inio my fcclings iIorougIly.
I don'i lnov Iov long vc vcrc going, and io
iIis Iour I lnov as liiilc vIcrc vc vcni. Fcr-
Ias ii vas ncar Guildford. FcrIas somc Ara-
lian-nigIi magician, ocncd u iIc lacc for iIc
day, and sIui ii u for cvcr vIcn vc camc avay.
Ii vas a grccn soi, on a Iill, carcicd viiI sofi
iurf. TIcrc vcrc sIady irccs, and IcaiIcr, and,
as far as iIc cyc could scc, a ricI landscac.
Ii vas a irying iIing io find colc Icrc, vaii-
ing for us; and my jcalousy, cvcn of iIc ladics,
lncv no lounds. Dui all of my ovn sccsc-
cially onc imosior, iIrcc or four ycars my cl-
dcr, viiI a rcd vIislcr, on vIicI Ic csiallisIcd
an amouni of rcsumiion noi io lc cndurcd
vcrc my morial focs.
Wc all unaclcd our laslcis, and cmloycd
oursclvcs in gciiing dinncr rcady. Fcd WIislcr
rcicndcd Ic could malc a salad (vIicI I don'i
lclicvc}, and olirudcd Iimsclf on ullic noiicc.
Somc of iIc young ladics vasIcd iIc lciiuccs
for Iim, and sliccd iIcm undcr Iis dircciions.
Dora vas among iIcsc. I fcli iIai faic Iad iiicd
mc againsi iIis man, and onc of us musi fall.
Fcd WIislcr madc Iis salad (I vondcrcd Iov
iIcy could cai ii. NoiIing sIould Iavc induccd
mc io ioucI ii!} and voicd Iimsclf inio iIc cIargc
of iIc vinc-ccllar, vIicI Ic consirucicd, lci ng
an ingcnious lcasi, in iIc Iollov irunl of a ircc.
Dy and ly, I sav Iim, viiI iIc majoriiy of a
lolsicr on Iis laic, caiing Iis dinncr ai iIc
fcci of Dora!
68
I Iavc lui an indisiinci idca of vIai Iacncd
for somc iimc aficr iIis lalcful oljcci rcscnicd
iisclf io my vicv. I vas vcry mcrry, I lnov; lui
ii vas Iollov mcrrimcni. I aiiacIcd mysclf io a
young crcaiurc in inl, viiI liiilc cycs, and
fliricd viiI Icr dcscraicly. SIc rcccivcd my
aiicniions viiI favour; lui vIciIcr on my ac-
couni solcly, or lccausc sIc Iad any dcsigns
on Fcd WIislcr, I can'i say. Dora's IcaliI vas
drunl. WIcn I dranl ii, I affccicd io inicrrui
my convcrsaiion for iIai urosc, and io rc-
sumc ii immcdiaicly aficrvards. I caugIi Dora's
cyc as I lovcd io Icr, and I iIougIi ii loolcd
acaling. Dui ii loolcd ai mc ovcr iIc Icad of
Fcd WIislcr, and I vas adamani.
TIc young crcaiurc in inl Iad a moiIcr in
grccn; and I raiIcr iIinl iIc laiicr scaraicd
us from moiivcs of olicy. Hovlcii, iIcrc vas a
gcncral lrcaling u of iIc ariy, vIilc iIc rcm-
nanis of iIc dinncr vcrc lcing ui avay; and I
sirollcd off ly mysclf among iIc irccs, in a rag-
ing and rcmorscful siaic. I vas dclaiing vIciIcr
I sIould rcicnd iIai I vas noi vcll, and flyI
don'i lnov vIcrcuon my gallani grcy, vIcn
Dora and Miss Mills mci mc.
'Mr. Cocrficld,' said Miss Mills, 'you arc dull.'
I lcggcd Icr ardon. Noi ai all.
'And Dora,' said Miss Mills, 'YOU arc dull.'
OI dcar no! Noi in iIc lcasi.
'Mr. Cocrficld and Dora,' said Miss Mills,
viiI an almosi vcncrallc air. 'EnougI of iIis.
Do noi allov a irivial
misundcrsianding io viiIcr iIc llossoms of
sring, vIicI, oncc ui foriI and lligIicd, can-
noi lc rcncvcd. I scal,' said Miss Mills, 'from
ccricncc of iIc asiiIc rcmoic, irrcvocallc
asi. TIc gusIing founiains vIicI sarllc in
iIc sun, musi noi lc siocd in mcrc caricc;
iIc oasis in iIc dcscri of SaIara musi noi lc
luclcd u idly.'
I Iardly lncv vIai I did, I vas lurning all
ovcr io iIai ciraordinary cicni; lui I iool
69
Dora's liiilc Iand and lisscd iiand sIc lci mc! I
lisscd Miss Mills's Iand; and vc all sccmcd, io
my iIinling, io go siraigIi u io iIc scvcniI
Icavcn. Wc did noi comc dovn again. Wc siaycd
u iIcrc all iIc cvcning. Ai firsi vc siraycd io and
fro among iIc irccs: I viiI Dora's sIy arm dravn
iIrougI minc: and Hcavcn lnovs, folly as ii all
vas, ii vould Iavc lccn a Iay faic io Iavc lccn
sirucl immorial viiI iIosc foolisI fcclings, and
Iavc siaycd among iIc irccs for cvcr!
Dui, mucI ioo soon, vc Icard iIc oiIcrs
laugIing and ialling, and calling 'vIcrc's Dora?'
So vc vcni lacl, and iIcy vanicd Dora io sing.
Fcd WIislcr vould Iavc goi iIc guiiar-casc oui
of iIc carriagc, lui Dora iold Iim nolody lncv
vIcrc ii vas, lui I. So Fcd WIislcr vas donc
for in a momcni; and I goi ii, and I unloclcd ii,
and I iool iIc guiiar oui, and I sai ly Icr, and
I Icld Icr IandlcrcIicf and glovcs, and I dranl
in cvcry noic of Icr dcar voicc, and sIc sang io
mc vIo lovcd Icr, and all iIc oiIcrs migIi a-
laud as mucI as iIcy lilcd, lui iIcy Iad noiI-
ing io do viiI ii!
I vas inioicaicd viiI joy. I vas afraid ii vas
ioo Iay io lc rcal, and iIai I sIould valc in
DuclingIam Sircci rcscnily, and Icar Mrs.
Cru clinling iIc icacus in gciiing lrcalfasi
rcady.
Dui Dora sang, and oiIcrs sang, and Miss
Mills sangaloui iIc slumlcring ccIocs in iIc
cavcrns of Mcmory; as if sIc vcrc a Iundrcd
ycars oldand iIc cvcning camc on; and vc
Iad ica, viiI iIc lciilc loiling gisy-fasIion;
and I vas siill as Iay as cvcr.
I vas Iaicr iIan cvcr vIcn iIc ariy lrolc
u, and iIc oiIcr colc, dcfcaicd Fcd WIislcr
and all, vcni iIcir scvcral vays, and vc vcni
ours iIrougI iIc siill cvcning and iIc dying
ligIi, viiI svcci sccnis rising u around us.
Mr. Scnlov lcing a liiilc drovsy aficr iIc cIam-
agncIonour io iIc soil iIai grcv iIc grac,
io iIc grac iIai madc iIc vinc, io iIc sun iIai
70
ricncd ii, and io iIc mcrcIani vIo adulicr-
aicd ii!and lcing fasi aslcc in a corncr of iIc
carriagc, I rodc ly iIc sidc and iallcd io Dora.
SIc admircd my Iorsc and aiicd IimoI,
vIai a dcar liiilc Iand ii loolcd uon a Iorsc!
and Icr sIavl vould noi lcc rigIi, and nov
and iIcn I drcv ii round Icr viiI my arm; and
I cvcn fancicd iIai Ji lcgan io scc Iov ii vas,
and io undcrsiand iIai Ic musi malc u Iis
mind io lc fricnds viiI mc.
TIai sagacious Miss Mills, ioo; iIai amiallc,
iIougI quiic uscd u, rcclusc; iIai liiilc airi-
arcI of somciIing lcss iIan ivcniy, vIo Iad
donc viiI iIc vorld, and musin'i on any accouni
Iavc iIc slumlcring ccIocs in iIc cavcrns of
Mcmory avalcncd; vIai a lind iIing sIc did!
'Mr. Cocrficld,' said Miss Mills, 'comc io iIis
sidc of iIc carriagc a momcniif you can sarc
a momcni. I vani io scal io you.'
DcIold mc, on my gallani grcy, lcnding ai iIc sidc
of Miss Mills, viiI my Iand uon iIc carriagc door!
'Dora is coming io siay viiI mc. SIc is com-
ing Iomc viiI mc iIc day aficr iomorrov. If
you vould lilc io call, I am surc aa vould lc
Iay io scc you.' WIai could I do lui involc a
silcni llcssing on Miss Mills's Icad, and siorc
Miss Mills's addrcss in iIc sccurcsi corncr of
my mcmory! WIai could I do lui icll Miss Mills,
viiI graicful lools and fcrvcni vords, Iov mucI
I arcciaicd Icr good officcs, and vIai an in-
csiimallc valuc I sci uon Icr fricndsIi!
TIcn Miss Mills lcnignanily dismisscd mc, say-
ing, 'Go lacl io Dora!' and I vcni; and Dora lcancd
oui of iIc carriagc io iall io mc, and vc iallcd all
iIc rcsi of iIc vay; and I rodc my gallani grcy so
closc io iIc vIccl iIai I grazcd Iis ncar forc lcg
againsi ii, and 'iool iIc larl off', as Iis ovncr iold
mc, 'io iIc iunc of iIrcc un' sivin'vIicI I aid,
and iIougIi circmcly cIca for so mucI joy. WIai
iimc Miss Mills sai looling ai iIc moon, murmur-
ing vcrscsand rccalling, I suosc, iIc ancicni
days vIcn sIc and cariI Iad anyiIing in common.
71
Norvood vas many milcs ioo ncar, and vc
rcacIcd ii many Iours ioo soon; lui Mr.
Scnlov camc io Iimsclf a liiilc sIori of ii, and
said, 'You musi comc in, Cocrficld, and rcsi!'
and I conscniing, vc Iad sandvicIcs and vinc-
and-vaicr. In iIc ligIi room, Dora llusIing
loolcd so lovcly, iIai I could noi icar mysclf
avay, lui sai iIcrc siaring, in a drcam, uniil
iIc snoring of Mr. Scnlov insircd mc viiI
sufficicni consciousncss io ialc my lcavc. So
vc aricd; I riding all iIc vay io London viiI
iIc farcvcll ioucI of Dora's Iand siill ligIi on
minc, rccalling cvcry incidcni and vord icn
iIousand iimcs; lying dovn in my ovn lcd ai
lasi, as cnraiurcd a young noodlc as cvcr vas
carricd oui of Iis fivc viis ly lovc.
WIcn I avolc nci morning, I vas rcsoluic io
dcclarc my assion io Dora, and lnov my faic.
Haincss or miscry vas nov iIc qucsiion. TIcrc
vas no oiIcr qucsiion iIai I lncv of in iIc vorld,
and only Dora could givc iIc ansvcr io ii. I asscd
iIrcc days in a luury of vrcicIcdncss, ioriur-
ing mysclf ly uiiing cvcry conccivallc variciy
of discouraging consiruciion on all iIai cvcr Iad
ialcn lacc lcivccn Dora and mc. Ai lasi, ar-
raycd for iIc urosc ai a vasi ccnsc, I vcni
io Miss Mills's, fraugIi viiI a dcclaraiion.
Hov many iimcs I vcni u and dovn iIc
sircci, and round iIc squarcainfully avarc
of lcing a mucI lciicr ansvcr io iIc old riddlc
iIan iIc original onclcforc I could crsuadc
mysclf io go u iIc sics and lnocl, is no mai-
icr nov. Evcn vIcn, ai lasi, I Iad lnoclcd, and
vas vaiiing ai iIc door, I Iad somc flurricd
iIougIi of asling if iIai vcrc Mr. Dlaclloy's
(in imiiaiion of oor Darlis}, lcgging ardon,
and rcircaiing. Dui I lci my ground.
Mr. Mills vas noi ai Iomc. I did noi ccci Ic
vould lc. Nolody vanicd Im. Miss Mills vas
ai Iomc. Miss Mills vould do.
I vas sIovn inio a room usiairs, vIcrc Miss
Mills and Dora vcrc. Ji vas iIcrc. Miss Mills
72
vas coying music (I rccollcci, ii vas a ncv song,
callcd 'Affcciion's Dirgc'}, and Dora vas aini-
ing flovcrs. WIai vcrc my fcclings, vIcn I rcc-
ognizcd my ovn flovcrs; iIc idcniical Covcni
Gardcn Marlci urcIasc! I cannoi say iIai iIcy
vcrc vcry lilc, or iIai iIcy ariicularly rc-
scmllcd any flovcrs iIai Iavc cvcr comc undcr
my olscrvaiion; lui I lncv from iIc acr
round iIcm vIicI vas accuraicly coicd, vIai
iIc comosiiion vas.
Miss Mills vas vcry glad io scc mc, and vcry
sorry Icr aa vas noi ai Iomc: iIougI I
iIougIi vc all lorc iIai viiI foriiiudc. Miss
Mills vas convcrsaiional for a fcv minuics, and
iIcn, laying dovn Icr cn uon 'Affcciion's
Dirgc', goi u, and lcfi iIc room.
I lcgan io iIinl I vould ui ii off iill iomor-
rov.
'I Ioc your oor Iorsc vas noi iircd, vIcn
Ic goi Iomc ai nigIi,' said Dora, lifiing u Icr
lcauiiful cycs. 'Ii vas a long vay for Iim.'
I lcgan io iIinl I vould do ii ioday.
'Ii vas a long vay for Iim,' said I, 'for Ic Iad
noiIing io uIold Iim on iIc journcy.'
'Wasn'i Ic fcd, oor iIing?' aslcd Dora.
I lcgan io iIinl I vould ui ii off iill iomor-
rov.
'Yc-ycs,' I said, 'Ic vas vcll ialcn carc of. I
mcan Ic Iad noi iIc unuiicrallc Iaincss iIai
I Iad in lcing so ncar you.'
Dora lcni Icr Icad ovcr Icr draving and said,
aficr a liiilc vIilcI Iad sai, in iIc inicrval, in
a lurning fcvcr, and viiI my lcgs in a vcry rigid
siaic
'You didn'i sccm io lc scnsillc of iIai Iai-
ncss yoursclf, ai onc iimc of iIc day.'
I sav nov iIai I vas in for ii, and ii musi lc
donc on iIc soi.
'You didn'i carc for iIai Iaincss in iIc lcasi,'
said Dora, sligIily raising Icr cyclrovs, and
sIaling Icr Icad, 'vIcn you vcrc siiiing ly Miss
Kiii.'
73
Kiii, I sIould olscrvc, vas iIc namc of iIc
crcaiurc in inl, viiI iIc liiilc cycs.
'TIougI ccriainly I don'i lnov vIy you
sIould,' said Dora, or vIy you sIould call ii a
Iaincss ai all. Dui of coursc you don'i mcan
vIai you say. And I am surc no onc doulis
your lcing ai lilcriy io do vIaicvcr you lilc.
Ji, you naugIiy loy, comc Icrc!'
I don'i lnov Iov I did ii. I did ii in a momcni.
I inicrccicd Ji. I Iad Dora in my arms. I vas
full of cloqucncc. I ncvcr siocd for a vord. I
iold Icr Iov I lovcd Icr. I iold Icr I sIould dic
viiIoui Icr. I iold Icr iIai I idolizcd and vor-
sIicd Icr. Ji larlcd madly all iIc iimc.
WIcn Dora Iung Icr Icad and cricd, and
ircmllcd, my cloqucncc incrcascd so mucI iIc
morc. If sIc vould lilc mc io dic for Icr, sIc
Iad lui io say iIc vord, and I vas rcady. Lifc
viiIoui Dora's lovc vas noi a iIing io Iavc on
any icrms. I couldn'i lcar ii, and I vouldn'i. I
Iad lovcd Icr cvcry minuic, day and nigIi, sincc
I firsi sav Icr. I lovcd Icr ai iIai minuic io
disiraciion. I sIould alvays lovc Icr, cvcry
minuic, io disiraciion. Lovcrs Iad
lovcd lcforc, and lovcrs vould lovc again; lui
no lovcr Iad lovcd, migIi, could, vould, or
sIould cvcr lovc, as I lovcd Dora. TIc morc I
ravcd, iIc morc Ji larlcd. EacI of us, in Iis
ovn vay, goi morc mad cvcry momcni.
Wcll, vcll! Dora and I vcrc siiiing on iIc sofa
ly and ly, quici cnougI, and Ji vas lying in
Icr la, vinling caccfully ai mc. Ii vas off my
mind. I vas in a siaic of crfcci raiurc. Dora
and I vcrc cngagcd.
I suosc vc Iad somc noiion iIai iIis vas
io cnd in marriagc. Wc musi Iavc Iad somc,
lccausc Dora siiulaicd iIai vc vcrc ncvcr io
lc marricd viiIoui Icr aa's conscni. Dui, in
our youiIful ccsiasy, I don'i iIinl iIai vc rc-
ally loolcd lcforc us or lcIind us; or Iad any
asiraiion lcyond iIc ignorani rcscni. Wc vcrc
io lcc our sccrci from Mr. Scnlov; lui I am
74
surc iIc idca ncvcr cnicrcd my Icad, iIcn, iIai
iIcrc vas anyiIing disIonourallc in iIai.
Miss Mills vas morc iIan usually cnsivc
vIcn Dora, going io find Icr, lrougIi Icr
lacl;I arcIcnd, lccausc iIcrc vas a icn-
dcncy in vIai Iad asscd io avalcn iIc slum-
lcring ccIocs in iIc cavcrns of Mcmory. Dui
sIc gavc us Icr llcssing, and iIc assurancc of
Icr lasiing fricndsIi, and solc io us, gcncr-
ally, as lccamc a Voicc from iIc Cloisicr.
WIai an idlc iimc ii vas! WIai an insulsian-
iial, Iay, foolisI iimc ii vas!
WIcn I mcasurcd Dora's fingcr for a ring iIai vas
io lc madc of Forgci-mc-nois, and vIcn iIc jcvcl-
lcr, io vIom I iool iIc mcasurc, found mc oui, and
laugIcd ovcr Iis ordcr-lool, and cIargcd mc any-
iIing Ic lilcd for iIc rciiy liiilc ioy, viiI iis lluc
sioncsso associaicd in my rcmcmlrancc viiI
Dora's Iand, iIai ycsicrday, vIcn I sav sucI an-
oiIcr, ly cIancc, on iIc fingcr of my ovn daugIicr,
iIcrc vas a momcniary siirring in my Icari, lilc ain!
WIcn I vallcd aloui, calicd viiI my sccrci,
and full of my ovn inicrcsi, and fcli iIc digniiy
of loving Dora, and of lcing lclovcd, so mucI,
iIai if I Iad vallcd iIc air, I could noi Iavc
lccn morc alovc iIc colc noi so siiuaicd, vIo
vcrc crccing on iIc cariI!
WIcn vc Iad iIosc mcciings in iIc gardcn of
iIc squarc, and sai viiIin iIc dingy summcr-
Iousc, so Iay, iIai I lovc iIc London sar-
rovs io iIis Iour, for noiIing clsc, and scc iIc
lumagc of iIc iroics in iIcir smoly fcaiIcrs!
WIcn vc Iad our firsi grcai quarrcl (viiIin a
vccl of our lciroiIal}, and vIcn Dora scni mc
lacl iIc ring, cncloscd in a dcsairing coclcd-
Iai noic, vIcrcin sIc uscd iIc icrrillc crcs-
sion iIai 'our lovc Iad lcgun in folly, and cndcd
in madncss!' vIicI drcadful vords occasioncd
mc io icar my Iair, and cry iIai all vas ovcr!
WIcn, undcr covcr of iIc nigIi, I flcv io Miss
Mills, vIom I sav ly sicaliI in a lacl liicIcn
vIcrc iIcrc vas a manglc, and imlorcd Miss
75
Mills io inicrosc lcivccn us and avcri insan-
iiy. WIcn Miss Mills undcriool iIc officc and
rciurncd viiI Dora, cIoriing us, from iIc ul-
ii of Icr ovn liiicr youiI, io muiual conccs-
sion, and iIc avoidancc of iIc Dcscri of SaIara!
WIcn vc cricd, and madc ii u, and vcrc so
llcsi again, iIai iIc lacl liicIcn, manglc and
all, cIangcd io Lovc's ovn icmlc, vIcrc vc
arrangcd a lan of corrcsondcncc iIrougI Miss
Mills, alvays io comrcIcnd ai lcasi onc lciicr
on cacI sidc cvcry day!
WIai an idlc iimc! WIai an insulsianiial,
Iay, foolisI iimc! Of all iIc iimcs of minc iIai
Timc Ias in Iis gri, iIcrc is nonc iIai in onc
rciroscci I can smilc ai Ialf so mucI, and iIinl
of Ialf so icndcrly.
CHAPTER S4
MY AUNT ASTONISHES ME
I WFOTE TO AGNES as soon as Dora and I vcrc cn-
gagcd. I vroic Icr a long lciicr, in vIicI I iricd
io malc Icr comrcIcnd Iov llcsi I vas, and
vIai a darling Dora vas. I cnircaicd Agncs noi
io rcgard iIis as a iIougIilcss assion vIicI
could cvcr yicld io any oiIcr, or Iad iIc lcasi
rcscmllancc io iIc loyisI fancics iIai vc uscd
io jolc aloui. I assurcd Icr iIai iis rofundiiy
vas quiic unfaiIomallc, and crcsscd my lc-
licf iIai noiIing lilc ii Iad cvcr lccn lnovn.
SomcIov, as I vroic io Agncs on a finc cvcning
ly my ocn vindov, and iIc rcmcmlrancc of
Icr clcar calm cycs and gcnilc facc camc sical-
ing ovcr mc, ii sIcd sucI a caccful influcncc
uon iIc Iurry and agiiaiion in vIicI I Iad
lccn living laicly, and of vIicI my vcry Iai-
ncss ariool in somc dcgrcc, iIai ii sooiIcd
mc inio icars. I rcmcmlcr iIai I sai rcsiing my
76
Icad uon my Iand, vIcn iIc lciicr vas Ialf donc,
cIcrisIing a gcncral fancy as if Agncs vcrc onc of
iIc clcmcnis of my naiural Iomc. As if, in iIc rc-
iircmcni of iIc Iousc madc almosi sacrcd io mc ly
Icr rcscncc, Dora and I musi lc Iaicr iIan any-
vIcrc. As if, in lovc, joy, sorrov, Ioc, or disa-
oinimcni; in all cmoiions; my Icari iurncd naiu-
rally iIcrc, and found iis rcfugc and lcsi fricnd.
Of SiccrforiI I said noiIing. I only iold Icr
iIcrc Iad lccn sad gricf ai YarmouiI, on ac-
couni of Emily's fligIi; and iIai on mc ii madc
a doullc vound, ly rcason of iIc circumsianccs
aiicnding ii. I lncv Iov quicl sIc alvays vas
io divinc iIc iruiI, and iIai sIc vould ncvcr lc
iIc firsi io lrcaiIc Iis namc.
To iIis lciicr, I rcccivcd an ansvcr ly rciurn
of osi. As I rcad ii, I sccmcd io Icar Agncs
scaling io mc. Ii vas lilc Icr cordial voicc in
my cars. WIai can I say morc!
WIilc I Iad lccn avay from Iomc laicly,
Traddlcs Iad callcd ivicc or iIricc. Finding
Fcggoiiy viiIin, and lcing informcd ly Fcggoiiy
(vIo alvays voluniccrcd iIai informaiion io
vIomsocvcr vould rcccivc ii}, iIai sIc vas my
old nursc, Ic Iad csiallisIcd a good-Iumourcd
acquainiancc viiI Icr, and Iad siaycd io Iavc
a liiilc cIai viiI Icr aloui mc. So Fcggoiiy said;
lui I am afraid iIc cIai vas all on Icr ovn
sidc, and of immodcraic lcngiI, as sIc vas vcry
difficuli indccd io sio, God llcss Icr! vIcn sIc
Iad mc for Icr iIcmc.
TIis rcminds mc, noi only iIai I cccicd
Traddlcs on a ccriain aficrnoon of Iis ovn a-
oiniing, vIicI vas nov comc, lui iIai Mrs.
Cru Iad rcsigncd cvcryiIing acriaining io
Icr officc (iIc salary cccicd} uniil Fcggoiiy
sIould ccasc io rcscni Icrsclf. Mrs. Cru,
aficr Iolding divcrs convcrsaiions rcscciing
Fcggoiiy, in a vcry IigI-iicIcd voicc, on iIc
siaircascviiI somc invisillc Familiar ii vould
acar, for cororcally scaling sIc vas quiic
alonc ai iIosc iimcsaddrcsscd a lciicr io mc,
77
dcvcloing Icr vicvs. Dcginning ii viiI iIai
siaicmcni of univcrsal alicaiion, vIicI fiiicd
cvcry occurrcncc of Icr lifc, namcly, iIai sIc
vas a moiIcr Icrsclf, sIc vcni on io inform mc
iIai sIc Iad oncc sccn vcry diffcrcni days, lui
iIai ai all criods of Icr cisicncc sIc Iad Iad
a consiiiuiional oljcciion io sics, inirudcrs,
and informcrs. SIc namcd no namcs, sIc said;
lci iIcm iIc ca fiiicd, vcar ii; lui sics, in-
irudcrs, and informcrs, csccially in viddcrs'
vccds (iIis clausc vas undcrlincd}, sIc Iad cvcr
accusiomcd Icrsclf io lool dovn uon. If a
gcnilcman vas iIc viciim of sics, inirudcrs,
and informcrs (lui siill naming no namcs}, iIai
vas Iis ovn lcasurc. Hc Iad a rigIi io lcasc
Iimsclf; so lci Iim do. All iIai sIc, Mrs. Cru,
siiulaicd for, vas, iIai sIc sIould noi lc
'lrougIi in coniraci' viiI sucI crsons. TIcrc-
forc sIc lcggcd io lc ccuscd from any furiIcr
aiicndancc on iIc io sci, uniil iIings vcrc as
iIcy formcrly vas, and as iIcy could lc visIcd
io lc; and furiIcr mcniioncd iIai Icr liiilc lool
vould lc found uon iIc lrcalfasi-iallc cvcry
Saiurday morning, vIcn sIc rcqucsicd an im-
mcdiaic sciilcmcni of iIc samc, viiI iIc lc-
ncvolcni vicv of saving iroullc 'and an ill-
convcnicncc' io all ariics.
Aficr iIis, Mrs. Cru confincd Icrsclf io mal-
ing iifalls on iIc siairs, rincially viiI iicI-
crs, and cndcavouring io dcludc Fcggoiiy inio
lrcaling Icr lcgs. I found ii raiIcr Iarassing io
livc in iIis siaic of sicgc, lui vas ioo mucI afraid
of Mrs. Cru io scc any vay oui of ii.
'My dcar Cocrficld,' cricd Traddlcs, unc-
iually acaring ai my door, in siic of all iIcsc
olsiaclcs, 'Iov do you do?'
'My dcar Traddlcs,' said I, 'I am dcligIicd io
scc you ai lasi, and vcry sorry I Iavc noi lccn
ai Iomc lcforc. Dui I Iavc lccn so mucI cn-
gagcd'
'Ycs, ycs, I lnov,' said Traddlcs, 'of coursc.
Yours livcs in London, I iIinl.'
78
'WIai did you say?'
'SIcccusc mcMiss D., you lnov,' said
Traddlcs, colouring in Iis grcai dclicacy, 'livcs
in London, I lclicvc?'
'OI ycs. Ncar London.'
'Minc, crIas you rccollcci,' said Traddlcs,
viiI a scrious lool, 'livcs dovn in DcvonsIirc
onc of icn. Conscqucnily, I am noi so mucI
cngagcd as youin iIai scnsc.'
'I vondcr you can lcar,' I rciurncd, 'io scc Icr
so scldom.'
'HaI!' said Traddlcs, iIougIifully. 'Ii docs
sccm a vondcr. I suosc ii is, Cocrficld,
lccausc iIcrc is no Icl for ii?'
'I suosc so,' I rclicd viiI a smilc, and noi
viiIoui a llusI. 'And lccausc you Iavc so mucI
consiancy and aiicncc, Traddlcs.'
'Dcar mc!' said Traddlcs, considcring aloui
ii, 'do I sirilc you in iIai vay, Cocrficld? Fc-
ally I didn'i lnov iIai I Iad. Dui sIc is sucI an
ciraordinarily dcar girl Icrsclf, iIai ii's os-
sillc sIc may Iavc imaricd somciIing of iIosc
viriucs io mc. Nov you mcniion ii, Cocrficld,
I sIouldn'i vondcr ai all. I assurc you sIc is
alvays forgciiing Icrsclf, and ialing carc of iIc
oiIcr ninc.'
'Is sIc iIc cldcsi?' I inquircd.
'OI dcar, no,' said Traddlcs. 'TIc cldcsi is a
Dcauiy.'
Hc sav, I suosc, iIai I could noi Icl smil-
ing ai iIc simliciiy of iIis rcly; and addcd,
viiI a smilc uon Iis ovn ingcnuous facc:
'Noi, of coursc, lui iIai my SoIyrciiy
namc, Cocrficld, I alvays iIinl?'
'Vcry rciiy!' said I.
'Noi, of coursc, lui iIai SoIy is lcauiiful ioo
in my cycs, and vould lc onc of iIc dcarcsi girls
iIai cvcr vas, in anylody's cycs (I sIould iIinl}.
Dui vIcn I say iIc cldcsi is a Dcauiy, I mcan
sIc rcally is a' Ic sccmcd io lc dcscriling
clouds aloui Iimsclf, viiI loiI Iands: 'Slcn-
did, you lnov,' said Traddlcs, cncrgciically.
79
'Indccd!' said I.
'OI, I assurc you,' said Traddlcs, 'somciIing vcry
uncommon, indccd! TIcn, you lnov, lcing formcd
for sociciy and admiraiion, and noi lcing allc io
cnjoy mucI of ii in conscqucncc of iIcir limiicd
mcans, sIc naiurally gcis a liiilc irriiallc and c-
aciing, somciimcs. SoIy uis Icr in good Iumour!'
'Is SoIy iIc youngcsi?' I Iazardcd.
'OI dcar, no!' said Traddlcs, siroling Iis cIin.
'TIc ivo youngcsi arc only ninc and icn. SoIy
cducaics 'cm.'
'TIc sccond daugIicr, crIas?' I Iazardcd.
'No,' said Traddlcs. 'SaraI's iIc sccond. Sa-
raI Ias somciIing iIc maiicr viiI Icr sinc,
oor girl. TIc malady vill vcar oui ly and ly,
iIc dociors say, lui in iIc mcaniimc sIc Ias io
lic dovn for a ivclvcmoniI. SoIy nurscs Icr.
SoIy's iIc fouriI.'
'Is iIc moiIcr living?' I inquircd.
'OI ycs,' said Traddlcs, 'sIc is alivc. SIc is a
vcry sucrior voman indccd, lui iIc dam
couniry is noi adaicd io Icr consiiiuiion, and
in faci, sIc Ias losi iIc usc of Icr limls.'
'Dcar mc!' said I.
'Vcry sad, is ii noi?' rciurncd Traddlcs. 'Dui
in a mcrcly
domcsiic vicv ii is noi so lad as ii migIi lc,
lccausc SoIy ialcs Icr lacc. SIc is quiic as
mucI a moiIcr io Icr moiIcr, as sIc is io iIc
oiIcr ninc.'
I fcli iIc grcaicsi admiraiion for iIc viriucs of
iIis young lady; and, Ioncsily viiI iIc vicv of
doing my lcsi io rcvcni iIc good-naiurc of
Traddlcs from lcing imoscd uon, io iIc dci-
rimcni of iIcir joini rosccis in lifc, inquircd
Iov Mr. Micavlcr vas?
'Hc is quiic vcll, Cocrficld, iIanl you,' said
Traddlcs. 'I am noi living viiI Iim ai rcscni.'
'No?'
'No. You scc iIc iruiI is,' said Traddlcs, in a
vIiscr, 'Ic Iad cIangcd Iis namc io Moriimcr,
in conscqucncc of Iis icmorary cmlarrass-
80
mcnis; and Ic don'i comc oui iill aficr darland
iIcn in scciaclcs. TIcrc vas an cccuiion ui
inio our Iousc, for rcni. Mrs. Micavlcr vas in
sucI a drcadful siaic iIai I rcally couldn'i rcsisi
giving my namc io iIai sccond lill vc solc of
Icrc. You may imaginc Iov dcligIiful ii vas io
my fcclings, Cocrficld, io scc iIc maiicr sciilcd
viiI ii, and Mrs. Micavlcr rccovcr Icr siriis.'
'Hum!' said I. 'Noi iIai Icr Iaincss vas of
long duraiion,' ursucd Traddlcs, 'for, unforiu-
naicly, viiIin a vccl anoiIcr cccuiion camc
in. Ii lrolc u iIc csiallisImcni. I Iavc lccn
living in a furnisIcd aarimcni sincc iIcn, and
iIc Moriimcrs Iavc lccn vcry rivaic indccd. I
Ioc you von'i iIinl ii sclfisI, Cocrficld, if I
mcniion iIai iIc lrolcr carricd off my liiilc
round iallc viiI iIc marllc io, and SoIy's
flovcr-oi and siand?'
'WIai a Iard iIing!' I cclaimcd indignanily.
'Ii vas aii vas a ull,' said Traddlcs, viiI Iis
usual vincc ai iIai crcssion. 'I don'i mcniion
ii rcroacIfully, Iovcvcr, lui viiI a moiivc. TIc
faci is, Cocrficld, I vas unallc io rcurcIasc
iIcm ai iIc iimc of iIcir scizurc; in iIc firsi lacc,
lccausc iIc lrolcr, Iaving an idca iIai I vanicd
iIcm, ran iIc ricc u io an ciravagani cicni;
and, in iIc sccond lacc, lccausc IIadn'i any
moncy. Nov, I Iavc lci my cyc sincc, uon iIc
lrolcr's sIo,' said Traddlcs, viiI a grcai cnjoy-
mcni of Iis mysicry, 'vIicI is u ai iIc io of
ToiicnIam Couri Foad, and, ai lasi, ioday I find
iIcm ui oui for salc. I Iavc only noiiccd iIcm
from ovcr iIc vay, lccausc if iIc lrolcr sav mc,
llcss you, Ic'd asl any ricc for iIcm! WIai Ias
occurrcd io mc, Iaving nov iIc moncy, is, iIai
crIas you vouldn'i oljcci io asl iIai good
nursc of yours io comc viiI mc io iIc sIoI
can sIov ii Icr from round iIc corncr of iIc
nci sircciand malc iIc lcsi largain for iIcm,
as if iIcy vcrc for Icrsclf, iIai sIc can!'
TIc dcligIi viiI vIicI Traddlcs rooundcd
iIis lan io mc, and iIc scnsc Ic Iad of iis
81
uncommon arifulncss, arc among iIc frcsIcsi
iIings in my rcmcmlrancc.
I iold Iim iIai my old nursc vould lc dcligIicd
io assisi Iim, and iIai vc vould all iIrcc ialc
iIc ficld iogciIcr, lui on onc condiiion. TIai
condiiion vas, iIai Ic sIould malc a solcmn
rcsoluiion io grani no morc loans of Iis namc,
or anyiIing clsc, io Mr. Micavlcr.
'My dcar Cocrficld,' said Traddlcs, 'I Iavc
alrcady donc so, lccausc I lcgin io fccl iIai I
Iavc noi only lccn inconsidcraic, lui iIai I Iavc
lccn osiiivcly unjusi io SoIy. My vord lcing
asscd io mysclf, iIcrc is no longcr any arc-
Icnsion; lui I lcdgc ii io you, ioo, viiI iIc
grcaicsi rcadincss. TIai firsi unlucly olliga-
iion, I Iavc aid. I Iavc no douli Mr. Micavlcr
vould Iavc aid ii if Ic could, lui Ic could noi.
Onc iIing I ougIi io mcniion, vIicI I lilc vcry
mucI in Mr. Micavlcr, Cocrficld. Ii rcfcrs io
iIc sccond olligaiion, vIicI is noi yci duc. Hc
don'i icll mc iIai ii is rovidcd for, lui Ic says
ii u Ic. Nov, I iIinl iIcrc is somciIing vcry
fair and Ioncsi aloui iIai!'
I vas unvilling io dam my good fricnd's con-
fidcncc, and iIcrcforc asscnicd. Aficr a liiilc
furiIcr convcrsaiion, vc vcni round io iIc
cIandlcr's sIo, io cnlisi Fcggoiiy; Traddlcs dc-
clining io ass iIc cvcning viiI mc, loiI lc-
causc Ic cndurcd iIc livclicsi arcIcnsions
iIai Iis rocriy vould lc lougIi ly somclody
clsc lcforc Ic could rc-urcIasc ii, and lccausc
ii vas iIc cvcning Ic alvays dcvoicd io vriiing
io iIc dcarcsi girl in iIc vorld.
I ncvcr sIall forgci Iim ccing round iIc
corncr of iIc sircci in ToiicnIam Couri Foad,
vIilc Fcggoiiy vas largaining for iIc rccious
ariiclcs; or Iis agiiaiion vIcn sIc camc slovly
iovards us aficr vainly offcring a ricc, and vas
Iailcd ly iIc rclcniing lrolcr, and vcni lacl
again. TIc cnd of iIc ncgoiiaiion vas, iIai sIc
lougIi iIc rocriy on iolcrally casy icrms,
and Traddlcs vas iransoricd viiI lcasurc.
82
'I am vcry mucI olligcd io you, indccd,' said
Traddlcs, on Icaring ii vas io lc scni io vIcrc
Ic livcd, iIai nigIi. 'If I migIi asl onc oiIcr
favour, I Ioc you vould noi iIinl ii alsurd,
Cocrficld?'
I said lcforcIand, ccriainly noi.
'TIcn if you uoud lc good cnougI,' said
Traddlcs io Fcggoiiy, 'io gci iIc flovcr-oi nov,
I iIinl I sIould lilc (ii lcing SoIy' s,
Cocrficld} io carry ii Iomc mysclf!'
Fcggoiiy vas glad io gci ii for Iim, and Ic
ovcrvIclmcd Icr viiI iIanls, and vcni Iis vay
u ToiicnIam Couri Foad, carrying iIc flovcr-
oi affcciionaicly in Iis arms, viiI onc of iIc
mosi dcligIicd crcssions of counicnancc I cvcr
sav.
Wc iIcn iurncd lacl iovards my cIamlcrs.
As iIc sIos Iad cIarms for Fcggoiiy vIicI I
ncvcr lncv iIcm osscss in iIc samc dcgrcc
for anylody clsc, I saunicrcd casily along,
amuscd ly Icr siaring in ai iIc vindovs, and
vaiiing for Icr as oficn as sIc cIosc. Wc vcrc
iIus a good vIilc in gciiing io iIc AdclIi.
On our vay usiairs, I callcd Icr aiicniion io
iIc suddcn disacarancc of Mrs. Cru's ii-
falls, and also io iIc rinis of rcccni fooisics.
Wc vcrc loiI vcry mucI surriscd, coming
IigIcr u, io find my ouicr door sianding ocn
(vIicI I Iad sIui} and io Icar voiccs insidc.
Wc loolcd ai onc anoiIcr, viiIoui lnoving vIai
io malc of iIis, and vcni inio iIc siiiing-room. WIai
vas my amazcmcni io find, of all colc uon cariI,
my auni iIcrc, and Mr. Dicl! My auni siiiing on a
quaniiiy of luggagc, viiI Icr ivo lirds lcforc Icr,
and Icr cai on Icr lncc, lilc a fcmalc Folinson
Crusoc, drinling ica. Mr. Dicl lcaning iIougIifully
on a grcai liic, sucI as vc Iad oficn lccn oui io-
gciIcr io fly, viiI morc luggagc ilcd aloui Iim!
'My dcar auni!' cricd I. 'WIy, vIai an unc-
ccicd lcasurc!'
Wc cordially cmlraccd; and Mr. Dicl and I
cordially sIool Iands; and Mrs. Cru, vIo
83
vas lusy maling ica, and could noi lc ioo ai-
icniivc, cordially said sIc Iad lnovcd vcll as
Mr. Cocrfull vould Iavc Iis Icari in Iis
mouiI, vIcn Ic scc Iis dcar rclaiions.
'Holloa!' said my auni io Fcggoiiy, vIo quailcd
lcforc Icr avful rcscncc. 'Hov arc ou?'
'You rcmcmlcr my auni, Fcggoiiy?' said I.
'For iIc lovc of goodncss, cIild,' cclaimcd my
auni, 'don'i call iIc voman ly iIai SouiI Sca
Island namc! If sIc marricd and goi rid of ii,
vIicI vas iIc lcsi iIing sIc could do, vIy don'i
you givc Icr iIc lcncfii of iIc cIangc? WIai's
your namc nov,F?' said my auni, as a com-
romisc for iIc olnoious acllaiion.
'Darlis, ma'am,' said Fcggoiiy, viiI a curi-
scy.
'Wcll! TIai's Iuman,' said my auni. 'Ii sounds
lcss as if you vanicd a missionary. Hov d'yc
do, Darlis? I Ioc you'rc vcll?'
Encouragcd ly iIcsc gracious vords, and ly
my auni's cicnding Icr Iand, Darlis camc for-
vard, and iool iIc Iand, and curiscycd Icr
aclnovlcdgcmcnis.
'Wc arc oldcr iIan vc vcrc, I scc,' said my
auni. 'Wc Iavc only mci cacI oiIcr oncc lc-
forc, you lnov. A nicc lusincss vc madc of ii
iIcn! Troi, my dcar, anoiIcr cu.'
I Iandcd ii duiifully io my auni, vIo vas in
Icr usual inflcillc siaic of figurc; and vcniurcd
a rcmonsirancc viiI Icr on iIc suljcci of Icr
siiiing on a lo.
'Lci mc drav iIc sofa Icrc, or iIc casy-cIair, auni,'
said I. 'WIy sIould you lc so uncomforiallc?'
'TIanl you, Troi,' rclicd my auni, 'I rcfcr io
sii uon my rocriy.' Hcrc my auni loolcd Iard
ai Mrs. Cru, and olscrvcd, 'Wc nccdn'i
iroullc you io vaii, ma'am.'
'SIall I ui a liiilc morc ica in iIc oi aforc I
go, ma'am?' said Mrs. Cru.
'No, I iIanl you, ma'am,' rclicd my auni.
'Would you lci mc fcicI anoiIcr ai of luiicr,
ma'am?' said Mrs. Cru. 'Or vould you lc cr-
84
suadcd io iry a ncv-laid Icgg? or sIould I lrilc
a rasIcr? Ain'i iIcrc noiIing I could do for your
dcar auni, Mr. Cocrfull?'
'NoiIing, ma'am,' rciurncd my auni. 'I sIall
do vcry vcll, I iIanl you.'
Mrs. Cru, vIo Iad lccn inccssanily smiling
io crcss svcci icmcr, and inccssanily Iolding
Icr Icad on onc sidc, io crcss a gcncral fccllc-
ncss of consiiiuiion, and inccssanily rulling Icr
Iands, io crcss a dcsirc io lc of scrvicc io all
dcscrving oljccis, gradually smilcd Icrsclf, onc-
sidcd Icrsclf, and rullcd Icrsclf, oui of iIc room.
'Dicl!' said my auni. 'You lnov vIai I iold you
aloui iimc-scrvcrs and vcaliI-vorsIicrs?'
Mr. DiclviiI raiIcr a scarcd lool, as if Ic
Iad forgoiicn iirciurncd a Iasiy ansvcr in
iIc affirmaiivc.
'Mrs. Cru is onc of iIcm,' said my auni.
'Darlis, I'll iroullc you io lool aficr iIc ica, and
lci mc Iavc anoiIcr cu, for I don'i fancy iIai
voman's ouring-oui!'
I lncv my auni sufficicnily vcll io lnov iIai
sIc Iad somciIing of imoriancc on Icr mind,
and iIai iIcrc vas far morc maiicr in iIis ar-
rival iIan a sirangcr migIi Iavc suoscd. I
noiiccd Iov Icr cyc ligIicd on mc, vIcn sIc
iIougIi my aiicniion oiIcrvisc occuicd; and
vIai a curious roccss of Icsiiaiion acarcd
io lc going on viiIin Icr, vIilc sIc rcscrvcd
Icr ouivard siiffncss and comosurc. I lcgan
io rcflcci vIciIcr I Iad donc anyiIing io offcnd
Icr; and my conscicncc vIiscrcd mc iIai I Iad
noi yci iold Icr aloui Dora. Could ii ly any
mcans lc iIai, I vondcrcd!
As I lncv sIc vould only scal in Icr ovn
good iimc, I sai dovn ncar Icr, and solc io iIc
lirds, and laycd viiI iIc cai, and vas as casy
as I could lc. Dui I vas vcry far from lcing rcally
casy; and I sIould siill Iavc lccn so, cvcn if Mr.
Dicl, lcaning ovcr iIc grcai liic lcIind my auni,
Iad noi ialcn cvcry sccrci ooriuniiy of sIal-
ing Iis Icad darlly ai mc, and oiniing ai Icr.
85
'Troi,' said my auni ai lasi, vIcn sIc Iad fin-
isIcd Icr ica, and carcfully smooiIcd dovn Icr
drcss, and vicd Icr lis'you nccdn'i go,
Darlis!Troi, Iavc you goi io lc firm and sclf-
rcliani?'
'I Ioc so, auni.'
'WIai do you iIinl?' inquircd Miss Dciscy.
'I iIinl so, auni.'
'TIcn vIy, my lovc,' said my auni, looling
carncsily ai mc, 'vIy do you iIinl I rcfcr io sii
uon iIis rocriy of minc ionigIi?'
I sIool my Icad, unallc io gucss.
'Dccausc,' said my auni, 'ii's all I Iavc. Dc-
causc I'm ruincd, my dcar!'
If iIc Iousc, and cvcry onc of us, Iad iumllcd
oui inio iIc rivcr iogciIcr, I could Iardly Iavc
rcccivcd a grcaicr sIocl.
'Dicl lnovs ii,' said my auni, laying Icr Iand
calmly on my sIouldcr. 'I am ruincd, my dcar
Troi! All I Iavc in iIc vorld is in iIis room, c-
cci iIc coiiagc; and iIai I Iavc lcfi Janci io
lci. Darlis, I vani io gci a lcd for iIis gcnilc-
man ionigIi. To savc ccnsc, crIas you can
malc u somciIing Icrc for mysclf. AnyiIing
vill do. Ii's only for ionigIi. Wc'll iall aloui iIis,
morc, iomorrov.'
I vas rouscd from my amazcmcni, and con-
ccrn for IcrI am surc, for Icrly Icr falling
on my nccl, for a momcni, and crying iIai sIc
only gricvcd for mc. In anoiIcr momcni sIc su-
rcsscd iIis cmoiion; and said viiI an ascci
morc iriumIani iIan dcjccicd:
'Wc musi mcci rcvcrscs loldly, and noi suffcr
iIcm io frigIicn us, my dcar. Wc musi lcarn io
aci iIc lay oui. Wc musi livc misforiunc dovn,
Troi!'
86
CHAPTER SS
DEPRESSION
AS SOON AS I COULD FECOVEF my rcscncc of mind,
vIicI quiic dcscricd mc in iIc firsi ovcrovcr-
ing sIocl of my auni's iniclligcncc, I rooscd
io Mr. Dicl io comc round io iIc cIandlcr's sIo,
and ialc osscssion of iIc lcd vIicI Mr.
Fcggoiiy Iad laicly vacaicd. TIc cIandlcr's sIo
lcing in Hungcrford Marlci, and Hungcrford
Marlci lcing a vcry diffcrcni lacc in iIosc days,
iIcrc vas a lov voodcn colonnadc lcforc iIc
door (noi vcry unlilc iIai lcforc iIc Iousc vIcrc
iIc liiilc man and voman uscd io livc, in iIc old
vcaiIcr-glass}, vIicI lcascd Mr. Dicl migIi-
ily. TIc glory of lodging ovcr iIis siruciurc vould
Iavc comcnsaicd Iim, I darc say, for many in-
convcnicnccs; lui, as iIcrc vcrc rcally fcv io
lcar, lcyond iIc comound of flavours I Iavc
alrcady mcniioncd, and crIas iIc vani of a
liiilc morc cllov-room, Ic vas crfccily cIarmcd
viiI Iis accommodaiion. Mrs. Cru Iad indig-
nanily assurcd Iim iIai iIcrc vasn'i room io
sving a cai iIcrc; lui, as Mr. Dicl jusily ol-
scrvcd io mc, siiiing dovn on iIc fooi of iIc lcd,
nursing Iis lcg, 'You lnov, Troivood, I don'i vani
io sving a cai. I ncvcr do sving a cai. TIcrcforc,
vIai docs iIai signify io mc!'
I iricd io asccriain vIciIcr Mr. Dicl Iad any
undcrsianding of iIc causcs of iIis suddcn and
grcai cIangc in my auni's affairs. As I migIi
Iavc cccicd, Ic Iad nonc ai all. TIc only ac-
couni Ic could givc of ii vas, iIai my auni Iad
said io Iim, iIc day lcforc ycsicrday, 'Nov,
Dicl, arc you rcally and iruly iIc IilosoIcr I
ialc you for?' TIai iIcn Ic Iad said, Ycs, Ic
Iocd so. TIai iIcn my auni Iad said, 'Dicl, I
am ruincd.' TIai iIcn Ic Iad said, 'OI, indccd!'
TIai iIcn my auni Iad raiscd Iim IigIly,
vIicI Ic vas glad of. And iIai iIcn iIcy Iad
comc io mc, and Iad Iad loiilcd oricr and
sandvicIcs on iIc road.
87
Mr. Dicl vas so vcry comlaccni, siiiing on
iIc fooi of iIc lcd, nursing Iis lcg, and iclling
mc iIis, viiI Iis cycs vidc ocn and a surriscd
smilc, iIai I am sorry io say I vas rovolcd inio
claining io Iim iIai ruin mcani disircss, vani,
and siarvaiion; lui I vas soon liiicrly rcrovcd
for iIis IarsIncss, ly sccing Iis facc iurn alc,
and icars coursc dovn Iis lcngiIcncd cIccls,
vIilc Ic ficd uon mc a lool of sucI unuiicr-
allc voc, iIai ii migIi Iavc soficncd a far Iardcr
Icari iIan minc. I iool infiniicly grcaicr ains
io cIccr Iim u again iIan I Iad ialcn io dc-
rcss Iim; and I soon undcrsiood (as I ougIi io
Iavc lnovn ai firsi} iIai Ic Iad lccn so confi-
dcni, mcrcly lccausc of Iis faiiI in iIc viscsi
and mosi vondcrful of vomcn, and Iis un-
loundcd rcliancc on my inicllcciual rcsourccs.
TIc laiicr, I lclicvc, Ic considcrcd a maicI for
any lind of disasicr noi alsoluicly morial.
'WIai can vc do, Troivood?' said Mr. Dicl.
'TIcrc's iIc Mcmorial'
'To lc surc iIcrc is,' said I. 'Dui all vc can do
jusi nov, Mr. Dicl, is io lcc a cIccrful coun-
icnancc, and noi lci my auni scc iIai vc arc
iIinling aloui ii.'
Hc asscnicd io iIis in iIc mosi carncsi man-
ncr; and imlorcd mc, if I sIould scc Iim van-
dcring an incI oui of iIc rigIi coursc, io rccall
Iim ly somc of iIosc sucrior mciIods vIicI
vcrc alvays ai my command. Dui I rcgrci io
siaic iIai iIc frigIi I Iad givcn Iim rovcd ioo
mucI for Iis lcsi aiicmis ai conccalmcni. All
iIc cvcning Iis cycs vandcrcd io my auni's facc,
viiI an crcssion of iIc mosi dismal arc-
Icnsion, as if Ic sav Icr groving iIin on iIc
soi. Hc vas conscious of iIis, and ui a con-
siraini uon Iis Icad; lui Iis lccing iIai im-
movallc, and siiiing rolling Iis cycs lilc a iccc
of macIincry, did noi mcnd iIc maiicr ai all. I
sav Iim lool ai iIc loaf ai sucr (vIicI Ia-
cncd io lc a small onc}, as if noiIing clsc siood
lcivccn us and faminc; and vIcn my auni in-
88
sisicd on Iis maling Iis cusiomary rcasi, I
dciccicd Iim in iIc aci of oclciing fragmcnis
of Iis lrcad and cIccsc; I Iavc no douli for iIc
urosc of rcviving us viiI iIosc savings, vIcn
vc sIould Iavc rcacIcd an advanccd siagc of
aiicnuaiion.
My auni, on iIc oiIcr Iand, vas in a com-
oscd framc of mind, vIicI vas a lcsson io all
of usio mc, I am surc. SIc vas circmcly gra-
cious io Fcggoiiy, ccci vIcn I inadvcricnily
callcd Icr ly iIai namc; and, sirangc as I lncv
sIc fcli in London, acarcd quiic ai Iomc. SIc
vas io Iavc my lcd, and I vas io lic in iIc sii-
iing-room, io lcc guard ovcr Icr. SIc madc a
grcai oini of lcing so ncar iIc rivcr, in casc of
a conflagraiion; and I suosc rcally did find
somc saiisfaciion in iIai circumsiancc.
'Troi, my dcar,' said my auni, vIcn sIc sav
mc maling rcaraiions for comounding Icr
usual nigIi-draugIi, 'No!'
'NoiIing, auni?'
'Noi vinc, my dcar. Alc.'
'Dui iIcrc is vinc Icrc, auni. And you alvays
Iavc ii madc of vinc.'
'Kcc iIai, in casc of siclncss,' said my auni.
'Wc musin'i usc ii carclcssly, Troi. Alc for mc.
Half a ini.'
I iIougIi Mr. Dicl vould Iavc fallcn, inscn-
sillc. My auni lcing rcsoluic, I vcni oui and
goi iIc alc mysclf. As ii vas groving laic,
Fcggoiiy and Mr. Dicl iool iIai ooriuniiy of
rcairing io iIc cIandlcr's sIo iogciIcr. I
aricd from Iim, oor fcllov, ai iIc corncr of
iIc sircci, viiI Iis grcai liic ai Iis lacl, a vcry
monumcni of Iuman miscry.
My auni vas valling u and dovn iIc room
vIcn I rciurncd, criming iIc lordcrs of Icr
nigIica viiI Icr fingcrs. I varmcd iIc alc and
madc iIc ioasi on iIc usual infallillc rincilcs.
WIcn ii vas rcady for Icr, sIc vas rcady for ii,
viiI Icr nigIica on, and iIc sliri of Icr govn
iurncd lacl on Icr lnccs.
89
'My dcar,' said my auni, aficr ialing a soon-
ful of ii; 'ii's a grcai dcal lciicr iIan vinc. Noi
Ialf so lilious.'
I suosc I loolcd douliful, for sIc addcd:
'Tui, iui, cIild. If noiIing vorsc iIan Alc Ia-
cns io us, vc arc vcll off.'
'I sIould iIinl so mysclf, auni, I am surc,'
said I.
'Wcll, iIcn, vIy don`t you iIinl so?' said my auni.
'Dccausc you and I arc vcry diffcrcni colc,' I
rciurncd.
'Siuff and nonscnsc, Troi!' rclicd my auni.
MY auni vcni on viiI a quici cnjoymcni, in
vIicI iIcrc vas vcry liiilc affcciaiion, if any;
drinling iIc varm alc viiI a ica-soon, and
soaling Icr siris of ioasi in ii.
'Troi,' said sIc, 'I don'i carc for sirangc faccs
in gcncral, lui I raiIcr lilc iIai Darlis of yours,
do you lnov!'
'Ii's lciicr iIan a Iundrcd ounds io Icar you
say so!' said I.
'Ii's a mosi ciraordinary vorld,' olscrvcd my
auni, rulling Icr nosc; 'Iov iIai voman cvcr
goi inio ii viiI iIai namc, is unaccouniallc io
mc. Ii vould lc mucI morc casy io lc lorn a
Jaclson, or somciIing of iIai sori, onc vould
iIinl.'
'FcrIas sIc iIinls so, ioo; ii's noi Icr fauli,'
said I.
'I suosc noi,' rciurncd my auni, raiIcr
grudging iIc admission; 'lui ii's vcry aggravai-
ing. Hovcvcr, sIc's Darlis nov. TIai's somc
comfori. Darlis is uncommonly fond of you,
Troi.'
'TIcrc is noiIing sIc vould lcavc undonc io
rovc ii,' said I.
'NoiIing, I lclicvc,' rciurncd my auni. 'Hcrc,
iIc oor fool Ias lccn lcgging and raying
aloui Ianding ovcr somc of Icr moncylc-
causc sIc Ias goi ioo mucI of ii. A simlcion!'
My auni's icars of lcasurc vcrc osiiivcly
iriclling dovn inio iIc varm alc.
90
'SIc's iIc mosi ridiculous crcaiurc iIai cvcr
vas lorn,' said my auni. 'I lncv, from iIc firsi
momcni vIcn I sav Icr viiI iIai oor dcar
llcsscd laly of a moiIcr of yours, iIai sIc vas
iIc mosi ridiculous of morials. Dui iIcrc arc
good oinis in Darlis!'
Affcciing io laugI, sIc goi an ooriuniiy of
uiiing Icr Iand io Icr cycs. Having availcd
Icrsclf of ii, sIc rcsumcd Icr ioasi and Icr dis-
coursc iogciIcr.
'AI! Mcrcy uon us!' sigIcd my auni. 'I lnov all
aloui ii, Troi! Darlis and mysclf Iad quiic a gos-
si vIilc you vcrc oui viiI Dicl. I lnov all aloui
ii. I don'i lnov vIcrc iIcsc vrcicIcd girls ccci
io go io, for my ari. I vondcr iIcy don'i lnocl
oui iIcir lrains againsiagainsi maniclicccs,'
said my auni; an idca vIicI vas rolally sug-
gcsicd io Icr ly Icr conicmlaiion of minc.
'Foor Emily!' said I.
'OI, don'i iall io mc aloui oor,' rciurncd my
auni. 'SIc sIould Iavc iIougIi of iIai, lcforc
sIc causcd so mucI miscry! Givc mc a liss,
Troi. I am sorry for your carly ccricncc.'
As I lcni forvard, sIc ui Icr iumllcr on my
lncc io dciain mc, and said:
'OI, Troi, Troi! And so you fancy yoursclf in
lovc! Do you?'
'Fancy, auni!' I cclaimcd, as rcd as I could
lc. 'I adorc Icr viiI my vIolc soul!'
'Dora, indccd!' rciurncd my auni. 'And you
mcan io say iIc liiilc iIing is vcry fascinaiing, I
suosc?'
'My dcar auni,' I rclicd, 'no onc can form iIc
lcasi idca vIai sIc is!'
'AI! And noi silly?' said my auni.
'Silly, auni!'
I scriously lclicvc ii Iad ncvcr oncc cnicrcd
my Icad for a singlc momcni, io considcr
vIciIcr sIc vas or noi. I rcscnicd iIc idca, of
coursc; lui I vas in a manncr sirucl ly ii, as a
ncv onc aliogciIcr.
'Noi ligIi-Icadcd?' said my auni.
91
'LigIi-Icadcd, auni!' I could only rccai iIis
daring scculaiion viiI iIc samc lind of fccl-
ing viiI vIicI I Iad rccaicd iIc rcccding
qucsiion.
'Wcll, vcll!' said my auni. 'I only asl. I don'i
dcrcciaic Icr. Foor liiilc coulc! And so you
iIinl you vcrc formcd for onc anoiIcr, and arc
io go iIrougI a ariy-sucr-iallc lind of lifc,
lilc ivo rciiy icccs of confcciioncry, do you,
Troi?'
SIc aslcd mc iIis so lindly, and viiI sucI a
gcnilc air, Ialf layful and Ialf sorrovful, iIai I
vas quiic ioucIcd.
'Wc arc young and inccricnccd, auni, I
lnov,' I rclicd; 'and I darc say vc say and iIinl
a good dcal iIai is raiIcr foolisI. Dui vc lovc
onc anoiIcr iruly, I am surc. If I iIougIi Dora
could cvcr lovc anylody clsc, or ccasc io lovc
mc; or iIai I could cvcr lovc anylody clsc, or
ccasc io lovc Icr; I don'i lnov vIai I sIould do
go oui of my mind, I iIinl!'
'AI, Troi!' said my auni, sIaling Icr Icad,
and smiling gravcly; 'llind, llind, llind!'
'Somconc iIai I lnov, Troi,' my auni ursucd,
aficr a ausc, 'iIougI of a vcry liani disosi-
iion, Ias an carncsincss of affcciion in Iim iIai
rcminds mc of oor Daly. Earncsincss is vIai
iIai Somclody musi lool for, io susiain Iim
and imrovc Iim, Troi. Dcc, dovnrigIi, faiiI-
ful carncsincss.'
'If you only lncv iIc carncsincss of Dora,
auni!' I cricd.
'OI, Troi!' sIc said again; 'llind, llind!' and
viiIoui lnoving vIy, I fcli a vaguc unIay
loss or vani of somciIing ovcrsIadov mc lilc a
cloud.
'Hovcvcr,' said my auni, 'I don'i vani io ui
ivo young crcaiurcs oui of conccii viiI iIcm-
sclvcs, or io malc iIcm unIay; so, iIougI ii
is a girl and loy aiiacImcni, and girl and loy
aiiacImcnis vcry oficnmind! I don'i say al-
vays!comc io noiIing, siill vc'll lc scrious
92
aloui ii, and Ioc for a roscrous issuc onc of
iIcsc days. TIcrc's iimc cnougI for ii io comc
io anyiIing!'
TIis vas noi uon iIc vIolc vcry comforiing
io a raiurous lovcr; lui I vas glad io Iavc my
auni in my confidcncc, and I vas mindful of
Icr lcing faiigucd. So I iIanlcd Icr ardcnily
for iIis marl of Icr affcciion, and for all Icr
oiIcr lindncsscs iovards mc; and aficr a icn-
dcr good nigIi, sIc iool Icr nigIica inio my
lcdroom.
Hov miscrallc I vas, vIcn I lay dovn! Hov I
iIougIi and iIougIi aloui my lcing oor, in
Mr. Scnlov's cycs; aloui my noi lcing vIai I
iIougIi I vas, vIcn I rooscd io Dora; aloui
iIc cIivalrous ncccssiiy of iclling Dora vIai my
vorldly condiiion vas, and rclcasing Icr from
Icr cngagcmcni if sIc iIougIi fii; aloui Iov I
sIould conirivc io livc, during iIc long icrm of
my ariiclcs, vIcn I vas carning noiIing; aloui
doing somciIing io assisi my auni, and sccing
no vay of doing anyiIing; aloui coming dovn
io Iavc no moncy in my oclci, and io vcar a
sIally coai, and io lc allc io carry Dora no
liiilc rcscnis, and io ridc no gallani grcys, and
io sIov mysclf in no agrccallc ligIi! Sordid and
sclfisI as I lncv ii vas, and as I ioriurcd my-
sclf ly lnoving iIai ii vas, io lci my mind run
on my ovn disircss so mucI, I vas so dcvoicd
io Dora iIai I could noi Icl ii. I lncv iIai ii
vas lasc in mc noi io iIinl morc of my auni,
and lcss of mysclf; lui, so far, sclfisIncss vas
inscarallc from Dora, and I could noi ui Dora
on onc sidc for any morial crcaiurc. Hov c-
cccdingly miscrallc I vas, iIai nigIi!
As io slcc, I Iad drcams of ovcriy in all soris
of sIacs, lui I sccmcd io drcam viiIoui iIc
rcvious ccrcmony of going io slcc. Nov I vas
raggcd, vaniing io scll Dora maicIcs, si
lundlcs for a Ialfcnny; nov I vas ai iIc officc
in a nigIigovn and loois, rcmonsiraicd viiI
ly Mr. Scnlov on acaring lcforc iIc clicnis
93
in iIai airy aiiirc; nov I vas Iungrily icling
u iIc crumls iIai fcll from old Tiffcy's daily
liscuii, rcgularly caicn vIcn Si. Faul's sirucl
onc; nov I vas Ioclcssly cndcavouring io gci
a liccncc io marry Dora, Iaving noiIing lui onc
of UriaI Hcc's glovcs io offcr in ccIangc,
vIicI iIc vIolc Commons rcjccicd; and siill,
morc or lcss conscious of my ovn room, I vas
alvays iossing aloui lilc a disircsscd sIi in a
sca of lcd-cloiIcs.
My auni vas rcsilcss, ioo, for I frcqucnily
Icard Icr valling io and fro. Tvo or,iIrcc iimcs
in iIc coursc of iIc nigIi, aiiircd in a long flan-
ncl vracr in vIicI sIc loolcd scvcn fcci IigI,
sIc acarcd, lilc a disiurlcd gIosi, in my
room, and camc io iIc sidc of iIc sofa on vIicI
I lay. On iIc firsi occasion I siaricd u in alarm,
io lcarn iIai sIc infcrrcd from a ariicular ligIi
in iIc sly, iIai Wcsiminsicr Allcy vas on firc;
and io lc consulicd in rcfcrcncc io iIc rol-
aliliiy of iis igniiing DuclingIam Sircci, in casc
iIc vind cIangcd. Lying siill, aficr iIai, I found
iIai sIc sai dovn ncar mc, vIiscring io Icr-
sclf 'Foor loy!' And iIcn ii madc mc ivcniy iimcs
morc vrcicIcd, io lnov Iov unsclfisIly mind-
ful sIc vas of mc, and Iov sclfisIly mindful I
vas of mysclf.
Ii vas difficuli io lclicvc iIai a nigIi so long
io mc, could lc sIori io anylody clsc. TIis con-
sidcraiion sci mc iIinling and iIinling of an
imaginary ariy vIcrc colc vcrc dancing iIc
Iours avay, uniil iIai lccamc a drcam ioo, and
I Icard iIc music inccssanily laying onc iunc,
and sav Dora inccssanily dancing onc dancc,
viiIoui ialing iIc lcasi noiicc of mc. TIc man
vIo Iad lccn laying iIc Iar all nigIi, vas
irying in vain io covcr ii viiI an ordinary-sizcd
nigIica, vIcn I avolc; or I sIould raiIcr say,
vIcn I lcfi off irying io go io slcc, and sav iIc
sun sIining in iIrougI iIc vindov ai lasi.
TIcrc vas an old Foman laiI in iIosc days
ai iIc loiiom of onc of iIc sirccis oui of iIc
94
Sirandii may lc iIcrc siillin vIicI I Iavc
Iad many a cold lungc. Drcssing mysclf as qui-
cily as I could, and lcaving Fcggoiiy io lool af-
icr my auni, I iumllcd Icad forcmosi inio ii,
and iIcn vcni for a vall io Hamsicad. I Iad a
Ioc iIai iIis lrisl ircaimcni migIi frcsIcn
my viis a liiilc; and I iIinl ii did iIcm good, for
I soon camc io iIc conclusion iIai iIc firsi sic
I ougIi io ialc vas, io iry if my ariiclcs could
lc canccllcd and iIc rcmium rccovcrcd. I goi
somc lrcalfasi on iIc HcaiI, and vallcd lacl
io Dociors' Commons, along iIc vaicrcd roads
and iIrougI a lcasani smcll of summcr flov-
crs, groving in gardcns and carricd inio iovn
on Iuclsicrs' Icads, inicni on iIis firsi cffori
io mcci our alicrcd circumsianccs.
I arrivcd ai iIc officc so soon, aficr all, iIai I
Iad Ialf an Iour's loiicring aloui iIc Commons,
lcforc old Tiffcy, vIo vas alvays firsi, acarcd
viiI Iis lcy. TIcn I sai dovn in my sIady cor-
ncr, looling u ai iIc sunligIi on iIc oosiic
cIimncy-ois, and iIinling aloui Dora; uniil
Mr. Scnlov camc in, cris and curly.
'Hov arc you, Cocrficld?' said Ic. 'Finc
morning!'
'Dcauiiful morning, sir,' said I. 'Could I say a
vord io you lcforc you go inio Couri?'
'Dy all mcans,' said Ic. 'Comc inio my room.'
I follovcd Iim inio Iis room, and Ic lcgan
uiiing on Iis govn, and ioucIing Iimsclf u
lcforc a liiilc glass Ic Iad, Ianging insidc a
closci door.
'I am sorry io say,' said I, 'iIai I Iavc somc
raiIcr disIcaricning iniclligcncc from my auni.'
'No!' said Ic. 'Dcar mc! Noi aralysis, I Ioc?'
'Ii Ias no rcfcrcncc io Icr IcaliI, sir,' I rc-
licd. 'SIc Ias mci viiI somc largc losscs. In
faci, sIc Ias vcry liiilc lcfi, indccd.'
'You as-iound mc, Cocrficld!' cricd Mr.
Scnlov.
I sIool my Icad. 'Indccd, sir,' said I, 'Icr af-
fairs arc so cIangcd, iIai I visIcd io asl you
95
vIciIcr ii vould lc ossillcai a sacrificc on
our ari of somc oriion of iIc rcmium, of
coursc,' I ui in iIis, on iIc sur of iIc mo-
mcni, varncd ly iIc llanl crcssion of Iis
facc'io canccl my ariiclcs?'
WIai ii cosi mc io malc iIis roosal, no-
lody lnovs. Ii vas lilc asling, as a favour, io
lc scnicnccd io iransoriaiion from Dora.
'To canccl your ariiclcs, Cocrficld? Canccl?'
I claincd viiI iolcrallc firmncss, iIai I rc-
ally did noi lnov vIcrc my mcans of sulsis-
icncc vcrc io comc from, unlcss I could carn
iIcm for mysclf. I Iad no fcar for iIc fuiurc, I
saidand I laid grcai cmIasis on iIai, as if io
imly iIai I sIould siill lc dccidcdly cligillc for
a son-in-lav onc of iIcsc dayslui, for iIc
rcscni, I vas iIrovn uon my ovn rcsourccs.
'I am circmcly sorry io Icar iIis, Cocrficld,'
said Mr. Scnlov. 'Eircmcly sorry. Ii is noi
usual io canccl ariiclcs for any sucI rcason. Ii
is noi a rofcssional coursc of rocccding. Ii is
noi a convcnicni rcccdcni ai all. Far from ii.
Ai iIc samc iimc'
'You arc vcry good, sir,' I murmurcd, aniici-
aiing a conccssion.
'Noi ai all. Don'i mcniion ii,' said Mr. Scnlov.
'Ai iIc samc iimc, I vas going io say, if ii Iad
lccn my loi io Iavc my Iands unfciicrcdif I
Iad noi a arincrMr. Jorlins'
My Iocs vcrc dasIcd in a momcni, lui I
madc anoiIcr cffori.
'Do you iIinl, sir,' said I, 'if I vcrc io mcniion
ii io Mr. Jorlins'
Mr. Scnlov sIool Iis Icad discouragingly.
'Hcavcn forlid, Cocrficld,' Ic rclicd, 'iIai I
sIould do any man an injusiicc: siill lcss, Mr.
jorlins. Dui I lnov my arincr, Cocrficld. Mr.
jorlins is noi a man io rcsond io a roosiiion of
iIis cculiar naiurc. Mr. jorlins is vcry difficuli io
movc from iIc lcaicn iracl. You lnov vIai Ic is!'
I am surc I lncv noiIing aloui Iim, ccci
iIai Ic Iad originally lccn alonc in iIc lusi-
96
ncss, and nov livcd ly Iimsclf in a Iousc ncar
Moniagu Squarc, vIicI vas fcarfully in vani
of ainiing; iIai Ic camc vcry laic of a day, and
vcni avay vcry carly; iIai Ic ncvcr acarcd
io lc consulicd aloui anyiIing; and iIai Ic Iad
a dingy liiilc llacl-Iolc of Iis ovn usiairs,
vIcrc no lusincss vas cvcr donc, and vIcrc
iIcrc vas a ycllov old cariridgc-acr ad uon
Iis dcsl, unsoilcd ly inl, and rcoricd io lc
ivcniy ycars of agc.
'Would you oljcci io my mcniioning ii io Iim,
sir?' I aslcd.
'Dy no mcans,' said Mr. Scnlov. 'Dui I Iavc
somc ccricncc of Mr. jorlins, Cocrficld. I
visI ii vcrc oiIcrvisc, for I sIould lc Iay io
mcci your vicvs in any rcscci. I cannoi Iavc
iIc oljcciion io your mcniioning ii io Mr.
jorlins, Cocrficld, if you iIinl ii voriI vIilc.'
Availing mysclf of iIis crmission, vIicI vas
givcn viiI a varm sIalc of iIc Iand, I sai iIinl-
ing aloui Dora, and looling ai iIc sunligIi
sicaling from iIc cIimncy-ois dovn iIc vall
of iIc oosiic Iousc, uniil Mr. jorlins camc. I
iIcn vcni u io Mr. jorlins's room, and cvi-
dcnily asionisIcd Mr. jorlins vcry mucI ly
maling my acarancc iIcrc.
'Comc in, Mr. Cocrficld,' said Mr. jorlins.
'Comc in!'
I vcni in, and sai dovn; and siaicd my casc
io Mr. jorlins rciiy mucI as I Iad siaicd ii io
Mr. Scnlov. Mr. Jorlins vas noi ly any mcans
iIc avful crcaiurc onc migIi Iavc cccicd, lui
a largc, mild, smooiI-faccd man of siiy, vIo
iool so mucI snuff iIai iIcrc vas a iradiiion
in iIc Commons iIai Ic livcd rincially on iIai
siimulani, Iaving liiilc room in Iis sysicm for
any oiIcr ariiclc of dici.
'You Iavc mcniioncd iIis io Mr. Scnlov, I
suosc?' said Mr. jorlins; vIcn Ic Iad Icard
mc, vcry rcsilcssly, io an cnd.
I ansvcrcd Ycs, and iold Iim iIai Mr. Scnlov
Iad iniroduccd Iis namc.
97
'Hc said I sIould oljcci?' aslcd Mr. jorlins.
I vas olligcd io admii iIai Mr. Scnlov Iad
considcrcd ii rolallc.
'I am sorry io say, Mr. Cocrficld, I can'i ad-
vancc your oljcci,' said Mr. jorlins, ncrvously.
'TIc faci islui I Iavc an aoinimcni ai iIc
Danl, if you'll Iavc iIc goodncss io ccusc mc.'
WiiI iIai Ic rosc in a grcai Iurry, and vas
going oui of iIc room, vIcn I madc lold io say
iIai I fcarcd, iIcn, iIcrc vas no vay of arrang-
ing iIc maiicr?
'No!' said Mr. jorlins, sioing ai iIc door io
sIalc Iis Icad. 'OI, no! I oljcci, you lnov,'
vIicI Ic said vcry raidly, and vcni oui. 'You
musi lc avarc, Mr. Cocrficld,' Ic addcd, lool-
ing rcsilcssly in ai iIc door again, 'if Mr. Scnlov
oljccis'
'Fcrsonally, Ic docs noi oljcci, sir,' said I.
'OI! Fcrsonally!' rccaicd Mr. Jorlins, in an
imaiicni manncr. 'I assurc you iIcrc's an ol-
jcciion, Mr. Cocrficld. Hoclcss! WIai you
visI io lc donc, can'i lc donc. II rcally Iavc
goi an aoinimcni ai iIc Danl.' WiiI iIai Ic
fairly ran avay; and io iIc lcsi of my lnovl-
cdgc, ii vas iIrcc days lcforc Ic sIovcd Iim-
sclf in iIc Commons again.
Dcing vcry anious io lcavc no sionc uniurncd,
I vaiicd uniil Mr. Scnlov camc in, and iIcn
dcscrilcd vIai Iad asscd; giving Iim io un-
dcrsiand iIai I vas noi Ioclcss of Iis lcing
allc io soficn iIc adamaniinc jorlins, if Ic
vould undcrialc iIc iasl.
'Cocrficld,' rciurncd Mr. Scnlov, viiI a gra-
cious smilc, 'you Iavc noi lnovn my arincr,
Mr. jorlins, as long as I Iavc. NoiIing is fariIcr
from my iIougIis iIan io aiiriluic any dcgrcc
of ariificc io Mr. jorlins. Dui Mr. jorlins Ias a
vay of siaiing Iis oljcciions vIicI oficn dcccivcs
colc. No, Cocrficld!' sIaling Iis Icad. 'Mr.
jorlins is noi io lc movcd, lclicvc mc!'
I vas comlcicly lcvildcrcd lcivccn Mr.
Scnlov and Mr. jorlins, as io vIicI of iIcm
98
rcally vas iIc oljcciing arincr; lui I sav viiI
sufficicni clcarncss iIai iIcrc vas olduracy
somcvIcrc in iIc firm, and iIai iIc rccovcry of
my auni's iIousand ounds vas oui of iIc qucs-
iion. In a siaic of dcsondcncy, vIicI I rcmcm-
lcr viiI anyiIing lui saiisfaciion, for I lnov ii
siill Iad ioo mucI rcfcrcncc io mysclf (iIougI
alvays in conncion viiI Dora}, I lcfi iIc officc,
and vcni Iomcvard.
I vas irying io familiarizc my mind viiI iIc vorsi,
and io rcscni io mysclf iIc arrangcmcnis vc
sIould Iavc io malc for iIc fuiurc in iIcir sicrncsi
ascci, vIcn a Iaclncy-cIarioi coming aficr mc,
and sioing ai my vcry fcci, occasioncd mc io
lool u. A fair Iand vas sircicIcd foriI io mc from
iIc vindov; and iIc facc I Iad ncvcr sccn viiIoui
a fccling of scrcniiy and Iaincss, from iIc mo-
mcni vIcn ii firsi iurncd lacl on iIc old oal siair-
casc viiI iIc grcai lroad lalusiradc, and vIcn I
associaicd iis soficncd lcauiy viiI iIc siaincd-
glass vindov in iIc cIurcI, vas smiling on mc.
'Agncs!' I joyfully cclaimcd. 'OI, my dcar
Agncs, of all colc in iIc vorld, vIai a lca-
surc io scc you!'
'Is ii, indccd?' sIc said, in Icr cordial voicc.
'I vani io iall io you so mucI!' said I. 'Ii's
sucI a ligIicning of my Icari, only io lool ai
you! If I Iad Iad a conjuror's ca, iIcrc is no
onc I sIould Iavc visIcd for lui you!'
'WIai?' rciurncd Agncs.
'Wcll! crIas Dora firsi,' I admiiicd, viiI a
llusI.
'Ccriainly, Dora firsi, I Ioc,' said Agncs,
laugIing.
'Dui you nci!' said I. 'WIcrc arc you going?'
SIc vas going io my rooms io scc my auni.
TIc day lcing vcry finc, sIc vas glad io comc
oui of iIc cIarioi, vIicI smcli (I Iad my Icad
in ii all iIis iimc} lilc a siallc ui undcr a cu-
cumlcr-framc. I dismisscd iIc coacIman, and
sIc iool my arm, and vc vallcd on iogciIcr.
SIc vas lilc Hoc cmlodicd, io mc. Hov diffcr-
99
cni I fcli in onc sIori minuic, Iaving Agncs ai
my sidc!
My auni Iad vriiicn Icr onc of iIc odd, alrui
noicsvcry liiilc longcr iIan a Danl noicio
vIicI Icr cisiolary cfforis vcrc usually limiicd.
SIc Iad siaicd iIcrcin iIai sIc Iad fallcn inio
advcrsiiy, and vas lcaving Dovcr for good, lui
Iad quiic madc u Icr mind io ii, and vas so
vcll iIai nolody nccd lc uncomforiallc aloui
Icr. Agncs Iad comc io London io scc my auni,
lcivccn vIom and Icrsclf iIcrc Iad lccn a
muiual liling iIcsc many ycars: indccd, ii daicd
from iIc iimc of my ialing u my rcsidcncc in
Mr. Wiclficld's Iousc. SIc vas noi alonc, sIc
said. Hcr aa vas viiI Icrand UriaI Hcc.
'And nov iIcy arc arincrs,' said I. 'Confound
Iim!'
'Ycs,' said Agncs. 'TIcy Iavc somc lusincss
Icrc; and I iool advaniagc of iIcir coming, io
comc ioo. You musi noi iIinl my visii all fricndly
and disinicrcsicd, Troivood, forI am afraid I
may lc cruclly rcjudiccdI do noi lilc io lci
aa go avay alonc, viiI Iim.'
'Docs Ic ccrcisc iIc samc influcncc ovcr Mr.
Wiclficld siill, Agncs?'
Agncs sIool Icr Icad. 'TIcrc is sucI a cIangc
ai Iomc,' said sIc, 'iIai you vould scarccly
lnov iIc dcar old Iousc. TIcy livc viiI us nov.'
'TIcy?' said I.
'Mr. Hcc and Iis moiIcr. Hc slccs in your
old room,' said Agncs, looling u inio my facc.
'I visI I Iad iIc ordcring of Iis drcams,' said
I. 'Hc vouldn'i slcc iIcrc long.'
'I lcc my ovn liiilc room,' said Agncs, 'vIcrc
I uscd io lcarn my lcssons. Hov iIc iimc gocs!
You rcmcmlcr? TIc liiilc ancllcd room iIai
ocns from iIc draving-room?'
'Fcmcmlcr, Agncs? WIcn I sav you, for iIc
firsi iimc, coming oui ai iIc door, viiI your
quaini liiilc laslci of lcys Ianging ai your sidc?'
'Ii is jusi iIc samc,' said Agncs, smiling. 'I am glad
you iIinl of ii so lcasanily. Wc vcrc vcry Iay.'
100
'Wc vcrc, indccd,' said I.
'I lcc iIai room io mysclf siill; lui I cannoi
alvays dcscri Mrs. Hcc, you lnov. And so,'
said Agncs, quicily, 'I fccl olligcd io lcar Icr
comany, vIcn I migIi rcfcr io lc alonc. Dui I
Iavc no oiIcr rcason io comlain of Icr. If sIc
iircs mc, somciimcs, ly Icr raiscs of Icr son,
ii is only naiural in a moiIcr. Hc is a vcry good
son io Icr.'
I loolcd ai Agncs vIcn sIc said iIcsc vords,
viiIoui dcicciing in Icr any consciousncss of
UriaI's dcsign. Hcr mild lui carncsi cycs mci
minc viiI iIcir ovn lcauiiful franlncss, and
iIcrc vas no cIangc in Icr gcnilc facc.
'TIc cIicf cvil of iIcir rcscncc in iIc Iousc,'
said Agncs, 'is iIai I cannoi lc as ncar aa as
I could visIUriaI Hcc lcing so mucI lc-
ivccn usand cannoi vaicI ovcr Iim, if iIai
is noi ioo lold a iIing io say, as closcly as I
vould. Dui if any fraud or ircacIcry is raciis-
ing againsi Iim, I Ioc iIai simlc lovc and
iruiI vill lc sirong in iIc cnd. I Ioc iIai rcal
lovc and iruiI arc sirongcr in iIc cnd iIan any
cvil or misforiunc in iIc vorld.'
A ccriain lrigIi smilc, vIicI I ncvcr sav on
any oiIcr facc, dicd avay, cvcn vIilc I iIougIi
Iov good ii vas, and Iov familiar ii Iad oncc
lccn io mc; and sIc aslcd mc, viiI a quicl
cIangc of crcssion (vc vcrc draving vcry ncar
my sircci}, if I lncv Iov iIc rcvcrsc in my auni's
circumsianccs Iad lccn lrougIi aloui. On my
rclying no, sIc Iad noi iold mc yci, Agncs lc-
camc iIougIiful, and I fancicd I fcli Icr arm
ircmllc in minc.
Wc found my auni alonc, in a siaic of somc
cciicmcni. A diffcrcncc of oinion Iad ariscn
lcivccn Icrsclf and Mrs. Cru, on an alsiraci
qucsiion (iIc roriciy of cIamlcrs lcing in-
Ialiicd ly iIc gcnilcr sc}; and my auni, ui-
icrly indiffcrcni io sasms on iIc ari of Mrs.
Cru, Iad cui iIc disuic sIori, ly informing
iIai lady iIai sIc smcli of my lrandy, and iIai
101
sIc vould iroullc Icr io vall oui. DoiI of iIcsc
crcssions Mrs. Cru considcrcd aciionallc,
and Iad crcsscd Icr inicniion of lringing
lcforc a 'DriiisI Judy'mcaning, ii vas su-
oscd, iIc lulvarl of our naiional lilcriics.
M auni, Iovcvcr, Iaving Iad iimc io cool,
vIilc Fcggoiiy vas oui sIoving Mr. Dicl iIc
soldicrs ai iIc Horsc Guardsand lcing, lc-
sidcs, grcaily lcascd io scc AgncsraiIcr
lumcd Icrsclf on iIc affair iIan oiIcrvisc,
and rcccivcd us viiI unimaircd good Iumour.
WIcn Agncs laid Icr lonnci on iIc iallc, and
sai dovn lcsidc Icr, I could noi lui iIinl, lool-
ing on Icr mild cycs and Icr radiani forcIcad,
Iov naiural ii sccmcd io Iavc Icr iIcrc; Iov
irusifully, aliIougI sIc vas so young and in-
ccricnccd, my auni confidcd in Icr; Iov
sirong sIc vas, indccd, in simlc lovc and
iruiI.
Wc lcgan io iall aloui my auni's losscs, and
I iold iIcm vIai I Iad iricd io do iIai morning.
'WIicI vas injudicious, Troi,' said my auni,
'lui vcll mcani. You arc a gcncrous loyI su-
osc I musi say, young man, novand I am
roud of you, my dcar. So far, so good. Nov,
Troi and Agncs, lci us lool iIc casc of Dciscy
Troivood in iIc facc, and scc Iov ii siands.'
I olscrvcd Agncs iurn alc, as sIc loolcd vcry
aiicniivcly ai my auni. My auni, aiiing Icr cai,
loolcd vcry aiicniivcly ai Agncs.
'Dciscy Troivood,' said my auni, vIo Iad al-
vays lci Icr moncy maiicrs io Icrsclf. 'I
don'i mcan your sisicr, Troi, my dcar, lui my-
sclfIad a ccriain rocriy. Ii don'i maiicr Iov
mucI; cnougI io livc on. Morc; for sIc Iad savcd
a liiilc, and addcd io ii. Dciscy fundcd Icr ro-
criy for somc iimc, and iIcn, ly iIc advicc of
Icr man of lusincss, laid ii oui on landcd sc-
curiiy. TIai did vcry vcll, and rciurncd vcry good
inicrcsi, iill Dciscy vas aid off. I am ialling of
Dciscy as if sIc vas a man-of-var. Wcll! TIcn,
Dciscy Iad io lool aloui Icr, for a ncv invcsi-
102
mcni. SIc iIougIi sIc vas viscr, nov, iIan Icr
man of lusincss, vIo vas noi sucI a good man
of lusincss ly iIis iimc, as Ic uscd io lcI am
alluding io your faiIcr, Agncsand sIc iool ii
inio Icr Icad io lay ii oui for Icrsclf. So sIc iool
Icr igs,' said my auni, 'io a forcign marlci; and
a vcry lad marlci ii iurncd oui io lc. Firsi, sIc
losi in iIc mining vay, and iIcn sIc losi in iIc
diving vayfisIing u ircasurc, or somc sucI
Tom Tiddlcr nonscnsc,' claincd my auni, rul-
ling Icr nosc; 'and iIcn sIc losi in iIc mining
vay again, and, lasi of all, io sci iIc iIing cn-
iircly io rigIis, sIc losi in iIc lanling vay. I
don'i lnov vIai iIc Danl sIarcs vcrc voriI for
a liiilc vIilc,' said my auni; 'ccni cr ccni vas
iIc lovcsi of ii, I lclicvc; lui iIc Danl vas ai
iIc oiIcr cnd of iIc vorld, and iumllcd inio
sacc, for vIai I lnov; anyIov, ii fcll io icccs,
and ncvcr vill and ncvcr can ay sicncc; and
Dciscy's sicnccs vcrc all iIcrc, and iIcrc's an
cnd of iIcm. Lcasi said, sooncsi mcndcd!'
My auni concludcd iIis IilosoIical sum-
mary, ly fiing Icr cycs viiI a lind of iriumI
on Agncs, vIosc colour vas gradually rciurn-
ing.
'Dcar Miss Troivood, is iIai all iIc Iisiory?'
said Agncs.
'I Ioc ii's cnougI, cIild,' said my auni. 'If
iIcrc Iad lccn morc moncy io losc, ii vouldn'i
Iavc lccn all, I darc say. Dciscy vould Iavc
conirivcd io iIrov iIai aficr iIc rcsi, and malc
anoiIcr cIaicr, I Iavc liiilc douli. Dui iIcrc
vas no morc moncy, and iIcrc's no morc siory.'
Agncs Iad lisicncd ai firsi viiI suscndcd
lrcaiI. Hcr colour siill camc and vcni, lui sIc
lrcaiIcd morc frccly. I iIougIi I lncv vIy. I
iIougIi sIc Iad Iad somc fcar iIai Icr un-
Iay faiIcr migIi lc in somc vay io llamc for
vIai Iad Iacncd. My auni iool Icr Iand in
Icrs, and laugIcd.
'Is iIai all?' rccaicd my auni. 'WIy, ycs, iIai's
all, ccci, And sIc livcd Iay cvcr aficr-
103
vards." FcrIas I may add iIai of Dciscy yci,
onc of iIcsc days. Nov, Agncs, you Iavc a visc
Icad. So Iavc you, Troi, in somc iIings, iIougI
I can'i comlimcni you alvays'; and Icrc my
auni sIool Icr ovn ai mc, viiI an cncrgy c-
culiar io Icrsclf. 'WIai's io lc donc? Hcrc's iIc
coiiagc, ialing onc iimc viiI anoiIcr, vill ro-
ducc say scvcniy ounds a ycar. I iIinl vc may
safcly ui ii dovn ai iIai. Wcll!TIai's all vc'vc
goi,' said my auni; viiI vIom ii vas an idio-
syncrasy, as ii is viiI somc Iorscs, io sio vcry
sIori vIcn sIc acarcd io lc in a fair vay of
going on for a long vIilc.
'TIcn,' said my auni, aficr a rcsi, 'iIcrc's Dicl.
Hc's good for a Iundrcd a-ycar, lui of coursc
iIai musi lc ccndcd on Iimsclf. I vould
sooncr scnd Iim avay, iIougI I lnov I am iIc
only crson vIo arcciaics Iim, iIan Iavc
Iim, and noi scnd Iis moncy on Iimsclf. Hov
can Troi and I do lcsi, uon our mcans? WIai
do you say, Agncs?'
'I say, auni,' I inicroscd, 'iIai I musi do somc-
iIing!'
'Go for a soldicr, do you mcan?' rciurncd my auni,
alarmcd; 'or go io sca? I von'i Icar of ii. You arc io
lc a rocior. Wc'rc noi going io Iavc any lnoclings
on iIc Icad in tIs family, if you lcasc, sir.'
I vas aloui io clain iIai I vas noi dcsirous
of iniroducing iIai modc of rovision inio iIc
family, vIcn Agncs inquircd if my rooms vcrc
Icld for any long icrm?
'You comc io iIc oini, my dcar,' said my auni.
'TIcy arc noi io lc goi rid of, for si moniIs ai
lcasi, unlcss iIcy could lc undcrlci, and iIai I
don'i lclicvc. TIc lasi man dicd Icrc. Fivc colc
oui of si vould dicof courscof iIai voman
in nanlccn viiI iIc flanncl ciiicoai. I Iavc a
liiilc rcady moncy; and I agrcc viiI you, iIc
lcsi iIing vc can do, is, io livc iIc icrm oui
Icrc, and gci a lcdroom Iard ly.'
I iIougIi ii my duiy io Iini ai iIc discomfori
my auni vould susiain, from living in a con-
104
iinual siaic of gucrilla varfarc viiI Mrs. Cru;
lui sIc disoscd of iIai oljcciion summarily ly
dcclaring iIai, on iIc firsi dcmonsiraiion of Ios-
iiliiics, sIc vas rcarcd io asionisI Mrs. Cru
for iIc vIolc rcmaindcr of Icr naiural lifc.
'I Iavc lccn iIinling, Troivood,' said Agncs,
diffidcnily, 'iIai if you Iad iimc'
'I Iavc a good dcal of iimc, Agncs. I am alvays
discngagcd aficr four or fivc o'clocl, and I Iavc
iimc carly in iIc morning. In onc vay and an-
oiIcr,' said I, conscious of rcddcning a liiilc as
I iIougIi of iIc Iours and Iours I Iad dcvoicd
io fagging aloui iovn, and io and fro uon iIc
Norvood Foad, 'I Iavc alundancc of iimc.'
'I lnov you vould noi mind,' said Agncs, com-
ing io mc, and scaling in a lov voicc, so full of
svcci and Iocful considcraiion iIai I Icar ii
nov, 'iIc duiics of a sccrciary.'
'Mind, my dcar Agncs?'
'Dccausc,' coniinucd Agncs, 'Docior Sirong
Ias acicd on Iis inicniion of rciiring, and Ias
comc io livc in London; and Ic aslcd aa, I
lnov, if Ic could rccommcnd Iim onc. Don'i
you iIinl Ic vould raiIcr Iavc Iis favouriic
old uil ncar Iim, iIan anylody clsc?'
'Dcar Agncs!' said I. 'WIai sIould I do viiI-
oui you! You arc alvays my good angcl. I iold
you so. I ncvcr iIinl of you in any oiIcr ligIi.'
Agncs ansvcrcd viiI Icr lcasani laugI, iIai
onc good Angcl (mcaning Dora} vas cnougI; and
vcni on io rcmind mc iIai iIc Docior Iad lccn
uscd io occuy Iimsclf in Iis siudy, carly in
iIc morning, and in iIc cvcningand iIai rol-
ally my lcisurc vould suii Iis rcquircmcnis vcry
vcll. I vas scarccly morc dcligIicd viiI iIc ros-
cci of carning my ovn lrcad, iIan viiI iIc
Ioc of carning ii undcr my old masicr; in sIori,
aciing on iIc advicc of Agncs, I sai dovn and
vroic a lciicr io iIc Docior, siaiing my oljcci,
and aoiniing io call on Iim nci day ai icn in
iIc forcnoon. TIis I addrcsscd io HigIgaicfor
in iIai lacc, so mcmorallc io mc, Ic livcd
105
and vcni and osicd, mysclf, viiIoui losing a
minuic.
WIcrcvcr Agncs vas, somc agrccallc iolcn
of Icr noisclcss rcscncc sccmcd inscarallc
from iIc lacc. WIcn I camc lacl, I found my
auni's lirds Ianging, jusi as iIcy Iad Iung so
long in iIc arlour vindov of iIc coiiagc; and
my casy-cIair imiiaiing my auni's mucI casicr
cIair in iis osiiion ai iIc ocn vindov; and
cvcn iIc round grccn fan, vIicI my auni Iad
lrougIi avay viiI Icr, scrcvcd on io iIc vin-
dov-sill. I lncv vIo Iad donc all iIis, ly iis
sccming io Iavc quicily donc iisclf; and I sIould
Iavc lnovn in a momcni vIo Iad arrangcd my
ncglccicd lools in iIc old ordcr of my scIool
days, cvcn if I Iad suoscd Agncs io lc milcs
avay, insicad of sccing Icr lusy viiI iIcm, and
smiling ai iIc disordcr inio vIicI iIcy Iad
fallcn.
My auni vas quiic gracious on iIc suljcci of
iIc TIamcs (ii rcally did lool vcry vcll viiI iIc
sun uon ii, iIougI noi lilc iIc sca lcforc iIc
coiiagc}, lui sIc could noi rclcni iovards iIc
London smolc, vIicI, sIc said, 'ccrcd cv-
cryiIing'. A comlcic rcvoluiion, in vIicI
Fcggoiiy lorc a romincni ari, vas lcing cf-
fccicd in cvcry corncr of my rooms, in rcgard of
iIis ccr; and I vas looling on, iIinling Iov
liiilc cvcn Fcggoiiy sccmcd io do viiI a good
dcal of lusilc, and Iov mucI Agncs did viiI-
oui any lusilc ai all, vIcn a lnocl camc ai iIc
door.
'I iIinl,' said Agncs, iurning alc, 'ii's aa.
Hc romiscd mc iIai Ic vould comc.'
I ocncd iIc door, and admiiicd, noi only Mr.
Wiclficld, lui UriaI Hcc. I Iad noi sccn Mr.
Wiclficld for somc iimc. I vas rcarcd for a
grcai cIangc in Iim, aficr vIai I Iad Icard from
Agncs, lui Iis acarancc sIoclcd mc.
Ii vas noi iIai Ic loolcd many ycars oldcr,
iIougI siill drcsscd viiI iIc old scruulous
clcanlincss; or iIai iIcrc vas an unvIolcsomc
106
ruddincss uon Iis facc; or iIai Iis cycs vcrc
full and lloodsIoi; or iIai iIcrc vas a ncrvous
ircmlling in Iis Iand, iIc causc of vIicI I
lncv, and Iad for somc ycars sccn ai vorl. Ii
vas noi iIai Ic Iad losi Iis good lools, or Iis
old lcaring of a gcnilcmanfor iIai Ic Iad
noilui iIc iIing iIai sirucl mc mosi, vas,
iIai viiI iIc cvidcnccs of Iis naiivc sucrioriiy
siill uon Iim, Ic sIould sulmii Iimsclf io iIai
cravling imcrsonaiion of mcanncss, UriaI
Hcc. TIc rcvcrsal of iIc ivo naiurcs, in iIcir
rclaiivc osiiions, UriaI's of ovcr and Mr.
Wiclficld's of dccndcncc, vas a sigIi morc
ainful io mc iIan I can crcss. If I Iad sccn
an Ac ialing command of a Man, I sIould
Iardly Iavc iIougIi ii a morc dcgrading scc-
iaclc.
Hc acarcd io lc only ioo conscious of ii Iim-
sclf. WIcn Ic camc in, Ic siood siill; and viiI
Iis Icad lovcd, as if Ic fcli ii. TIis vas only
for a momcni; for Agncs sofily said io Iim, 'Faa!
Hcrc is Miss Troivoodand Troivood, vIom
you Iavc noi sccn for a long vIilc!' and iIcn Ic
aroacIcd, and consiraincdly gavc my auni
Iis Iand, and sIool Iands morc cordially viiI
mc. In iIc momcni's ausc I scal of, I sav
UriaI's counicnancc form iisclf inio a mosi ill-
favourcd smilc. Agncs sav ii ioo, I iIinl, for
sIc sIranl from Iim.
WIai my auni sav, or did noi scc, I dcfy iIc
scicncc of Iysiognomy io Iavc madc oui, viiI-
oui Icr ovn conscni. I lclicvc iIcrc ncvcr vas
anylody viiI sucI an imcriurlallc counic-
nancc vIcn sIc cIosc. Hcr facc migIi Iavc lccn
a dcad-vall on iIc occasion in qucsiion, for any
ligIi ii iIrcv uon Icr iIougIis; uniil sIc lrolc
silcncc viiI Icr usual alruincss.
'Wcll, Wiclficld!' said my auni; and Ic loolcd
u ai Icr for iIc firsi iimc. 'I Iavc lccn iclling
your daugIicr Iov vcll I Iavc lccn disosing
of my moncy for mysclf, lccausc I couldn'i irusi
ii io you, as you vcrc groving rusiy in lusincss
107
maiicrs. Wc Iavc lccn ialing counscl iogciIcr,
and gciiing on vcry vcll, all iIings considcrcd.
Agncs is voriI iIc vIolc firm, in my oinion.'
'If I may umlly malc iIc rcmarl,' said UriaI
Hcc, viiI a vriiIc, 'I fully agrcc viiI Miss
Dciscy Troivood, and sIould lc only ioo ay
if Miss Agncs vas a arincr.'
'You'rc a arincr yoursclf, you lnov,' rciurncd
my auni, 'and iIai's aloui cnougI for you, I
ccci. Hov do you find yoursclf, sir?'
In aclnovlcdgcmcni of iIis qucsiion, ad-
drcsscd io Iim viiI ciraordinary curincss, Mr.
Hcc, uncomforially cluicIing iIc lluc lag Ic
carricd, rclicd iIai Ic vas rciiy vcll, Ic
iIanlcd my auni, and Iocd sIc vas iIc samc.
'And you, MasicrI sIould say, Misicr
Cocrficld,' ursucd UriaI. 'I Ioc I scc you
vcll! I am rcjoiccd io scc you, Misicr Cocrficld,
cvcn undcr rcscni circumsianccs.' I lclicvcd
iIai; for Ic sccmcd io rclisI iIcm vcry mucI.
'Frcscni circumsianccs is noi vIai your fricnds
vould visI for you, Misicr Cocrficld, lui ii
isn'i moncy malcs iIc man: ii'sI am rcally
uncqual viiI my umllc ovcrs io crcss vIai
ii is,' said UriaI, viiI a favning jcrl, 'lui ii
isn'i moncy!'
Hcrc Ic sIool Iands viiI mc: noi in iIc com-
mon vay, lui sianding ai a good disiancc from
mc, and lifiing my Iand u and dovn lilc a
um Iandlc, iIai Ic vas a liiilc afraid of.
'And Iov do you iIinl vc arc looling, Masicr
Cocrficld,I sIould say, Misicr?' favncd
UriaI. 'Don'i you find Mr. Wiclficld llooming,
sir? Ycars don'i icll mucI in our firm, Masicr
Cocrficld, ccci in raising u iIc umllc,
namcly, moiIcr and sclfand in dcvcloing,'
Ic addcd, as an aficriIougIi, 'iIc lcauiiful,
namcly, Miss Agncs.'
Hc jcrlcd Iimsclf aloui, aficr iIis comli-
mcni, in sucI an iniolcrallc manncr, iIai my
auni, vIo Iad sai looling siraigIi ai Iim, losi
all aiicncc.
108
'Dcucc ialc iIc man!' said my auni, sicrnly,
'vIai's Ic aloui? Don'i lc galvanic, sir!'
'I asl your ardon, Miss Troivood,' rciurncd
UriaI; 'I'm avarc you'rc ncrvous.'
'Go along viiI you, sir!' said my auni, any-
iIing lui acascd. 'Don'i rcsumc io say so! I
am noiIing of iIc sori. If you'rc an ccl, sir, con-
duci yoursclf lilc onc. If you'rc a man, conirol
your limls, sir! Good God!' said my auni, viiI
grcai indignaiion, 'I am noi going io lc
scrcniincd and corlscrcvcd oui of my scnscs!'
Mr. Hcc vas raiIcr alasIcd, as mosi colc
migIi Iavc lccn, ly iIis closion; vIicI dc-
rivcd grcai addiiional forcc from iIc indignani
manncr in vIicI my auni aficrvards movcd in
Icr cIair, and sIool Icr Icad as if sIc vcrc
maling snas or lounccs ai Iim. Dui Ic said
io mc asidc in a mccl voicc:
'I am vcll avarc, Masicr Cocrficld, iIai Miss
Troivood, iIougI an cccllcni lady, Ias a quicl
icmcr (indccd I iIinl I Iad iIc lcasurc of
lnoving Icr, vIcn I vas a numllc clcrl, lc-
forc you did, Masicr Cocrficld}, and ii's only
naiural, I am surc, iIai ii sIould lc madc
quiclcr ly rcscni circumsianccs. TIc vondcr
is, iIai ii isn'i mucI vorsc! I only callcd io say
iIai if iIcrc vas anyiIing vc could do, in
rcscni circumsianccs, moiIcr or sclf, or
Wiclficld and Hcc, -vc sIould lc rcally glad. I
may go so far?' said UriaI, viiI a siclly smilc
ai Iis arincr.
'UriaI Hcc,' said Mr. Wiclficld, in a monoio-
nous forccd vay, 'is aciivc in iIc lusincss,
Troivood. WIai Ic says, I quiic concur in. You
lnov I Iad an old inicrcsi in you. Aari from
iIai, vIai UriaI says I quiic concur in!'
'OI, vIai a rcvard ii is,' said UriaI, draving
u onc lcg, ai iIc risl of lringing dovn uon
Iimsclf anoiIcr visiiaiion from my auni, 'io lc
so irusicd in! Dui I Ioc I am allc io do somc-
iIing io rclicvc Iim from iIc faiigucs of lusi-
ncss, Masicr Cocrficld!'
109
'UriaI Hcc is a grcai rclicf io mc,' said Mr.
Wiclficld, in iIc samc dull voicc. 'Ii's a load off
my mind, Troivood, io Iavc sucI a arincr.'
TIc rcd fo madc Iim say all iIis, I lncv, io
cIilii Iim io mc in iIc ligIi Ic Iad indicaicd
on iIc nigIi vIcn Ic oisoncd my rcsi. I sav
iIc samc ill-favourcd smilc uon Iis facc again,
and sav Iov Ic vaicIcd mc.
'You arc noi going, aa?' said Agncs, an-
iously. 'Will you noi vall lacl viiI Troivood
and mc?'
Hc vould Iavc loolcd io UriaI, I lclicvc, lc-
forc rclying, if iIai voriIy Iad noi aniiciaicd
Iim.
'I am lcsolc mysclf,' said UriaI, 'on lusi-
ncss; oiIcrvisc I sIould Iavc lccn ay io Iavc
lci viiI my fricnds. Dui I lcavc my arincr io
rcrcscni iIc firm. Miss Agncs, cvcr yours! I
visI you good-day, Masicr Cocrficld, and
lcavc my umllc rcsccis for Miss Dciscy
Troivood.'
WiiI iIosc vords, Ic rciircd, lissing Iis grcai
Iand, and lccring ai us lilc a masl.
Wc sai iIcrc, ialling aloui our lcasani old
Canicrlury days, an Iour or ivo. Mr. Wiclficld,
lcfi io Agncs, soon lccamc morc lilc Iis formcr
sclf; iIougI iIcrc vas a sciilcd dcrcssion uon
Iim, vIicI Ic ncvcr sIool off. For all iIai, Ic
lrigIicncd; and Iad an cvidcni lcasurc in Icar-
ing us rccall iIc liiilc incidcnis of our old lifc,
many of vIicI Ic rcmcmlcrcd vcry vcll. Hc said
ii vas lilc iIosc iimcs, io lc alonc viiI Agncs
and mc again; and Ic visIcd io Hcavcn iIcy
Iad ncvcr cIangcd. I am surc iIcrc vas an in-
flucncc in iIc lacid facc of Agncs, and in iIc
vcry ioucI of Icr Iand uon Iis arm, iIai did
vondcrs for Iim.
My auni (vIo vas lusy ncarly all iIis vIilc
viiI Fcggoiiy, in iIc inncr room} vould noi ac-
comany us io iIc lacc vIcrc iIcy vcrc siay-
ing, lui insisicd on my going; and I vcni. Wc
dincd iogciIcr.
110
Aficr dinncr, Agncs sai lcsidc Iim, as of old,
and ourcd oui Iis vinc. Hc iool vIai sIc gavc
Iim, and no morclilc a cIildand vc all iIrcc
sai iogciIcr ai a vindov as iIc cvcning gaiI-
crcd in. WIcn ii vas almosi darl, Ic lay dovn
on a sofa, Agncs illoving Iis Icad and lcnd-
ing ovcr Iim a liiilc vIilc; and vIcn sIc camc
lacl io iIc vindov, ii vas noi so darl lui I
could scc icars gliiicring in Icr cycs.
I ray Hcavcn iIai I ncvcr may forgci iIc dcar
girl in Icr lovc and iruiI, ai iIai iimc of my lifc;
for if I sIould, I musi lc draving ncar iIc cnd,
and iIcn I vould dcsirc io rcmcmlcr Icr lcsi!
SIc fillcd my Icari viiI sucI good rcsoluiions,
sircngiIcncd my vcalncss so, ly Icr camlc,
so dirccicdI lnov noi Iov, sIc vas ioo mod-
csi and gcnilc io advisc mc in many vords
iIc vandcring ardour and unsciilcd urosc
viiIin mc, iIai all iIc liiilc good I Iavc donc,
and all iIc Iarm I Iavc forlornc, I solcmnly
lclicvc I may rcfcr io Icr.
And Iov sIc solc io mc of Dora, siiiing ai
iIc vindov in iIc darl; lisicncd io my raiscs
of Icr; raiscd again; and round iIc liiilc fairy-
figurc sIcd somc glimscs of Icr ovn urc ligIi,
iIai madc ii yci morc rccious and morc inno-
ccni io mc! OI, Agncs, sisicr of my loyIood, if
I Iad lnovn iIcn, vIai I lncv long aficr-
vards!
TIcrc vas a lcggar in iIc sircci, vIcn I vcni
dovn; and as I iurncd my Icad iovards iIc
vindov, iIinling of Icr calm scraIic cycs, Ic
madc mc siari ly muiicring, as if Ic vcrc an
ccIo of iIc morning: 'Dlind! Dlind! Dlind!'
CHAPTER S6
ENTHUSIASM
I DEGAN THE NEXT DAY viiI anoiIcr divc inio iIc
Foman laiI, and iIcn siaricd for HigIgaic. I
vas noi disiriicd nov. I vas noi afraid of iIc
sIally coai, and Iad no ycarnings aficr gal-
111
lani grcys. My vIolc manncr of iIinling of our
laic misforiunc vas cIangcd. WIai I Iad io do,
vas, io sIov my auni iIai Icr asi goodncss
io mc Iad noi lccn iIrovn avay on an inscn-
sillc, ungraicful oljcci. WIai I Iad io do, vas,
io iurn iIc ainful discilinc of my youngcr days
io accouni, ly going io vorl viiI a rcsoluic and
sicady Icari. WIai I Iad io do, vas, io ialc my
voodman's ac in my Iand, and clcar my ovn
vay iIrougI iIc forcsi of difficuliy, ly cuiiing
dovn iIc irccs uniil I camc io Dora. And I vcni
on ai a migIiy raic, as if ii could lc donc ly
valling.
WIcn I found mysclf on iIc familiar HigIgaic
road, ursuing sucI a diffcrcni crrand from iIai
old onc of lcasurc, viiI vIicI ii vas associaicd,
ii sccmcd as if a comlcic cIangc Iad comc on
my vIolc lifc. Dui iIai did noi discouragc mc.
WiiI iIc ncv lifc, camc ncv urosc, ncv inicn-
iion. Grcai vas iIc lalour; ricclcss iIc rcvard.
Dora vas iIc rcvard, and Dora musi lc von.
I goi inio sucI a iransori, iIai I fcli quiic
sorry my coai vas noi a liiilc sIally alrcady. I
vanicd io lc cuiiing ai iIosc irccs in iIc forcsi
of difficuliy, undcr circumsianccs iIai sIould
rovc my sircngiI. I Iad a good mind io asl an
old man, in virc scciaclcs, vIo vas lrcaling
sioncs uon iIc road, io lcnd mc Iis Iammcr
for a liiilc vIilc, and lci mc lcgin io lcai a aiI
io Dora oui of graniic. I siimulaicd mysclf inio
sucI a Icai, and goi so oui of lrcaiI, iIai I fcli
as if I Iad lccn carning I don'i lnov Iov mucI.
In iIis siaic, I vcni inio a coiiagc iIai I sav
vas io lci, and camincd ii narrovly,for I fcli
ii ncccssary io lc raciical. Ii vould do for mc
and Dora admirally: viiI a liiilc froni gardcn
for Ji io run aloui in, and larl ai iIc iradcs-
colc iIrougI iIc railings, and a caiial room
usiairs for my auni. I camc oui again, Ioiicr
and fasicr iIan cvcr, and dasIcd u io HigIgaic,
ai sucI a raic iIai I vas iIcrc an Iour ioo carly;
and, iIougI I Iad noi lccn, sIould Iavc lccn
112
olligcd io siroll aloui io cool mysclf, lcforc I
vas ai all rcscniallc.
My firsi carc, aficr uiiing mysclf undcr iIis
ncccssary coursc of rcaraiion, vas io find iIc
Docior's Iousc. Ii vas noi in iIai ari of
HigIgaic vIcrc Mrs. SiccrforiI livcd, lui quiic
on iIc oosiic sidc of iIc liiilc iovn. WIcn I
Iad madc iIis discovcry, I vcni lacl, in an ai-
iraciion I could noi rcsisi, io a lanc ly Mrs.
SiccrforiI's, and loolcd ovcr iIc corncr of iIc
gardcn vall. His room vas sIui u closc. TIc
conscrvaiory doors vcrc sianding ocn, and
Fosa Darilc vas valling, larcIcadcd, viiI a
quicl, imciuous sic, u and dovn a gravcl
vall on onc sidc of iIc lavn. SIc gavc mc iIc
idca of somc ficrcc iIing, iIai vas dragging iIc
lcngiI of iis cIain io and fro uon a lcaicn
iracl, and vcaring iis Icari oui.
I camc sofily avay from my lacc of olscrva-
iion, and avoiding iIai ari of iIc
ncigIlourIood, and visIing I Iad noi gonc ncar
ii, sirollcd aloui uniil ii vas icn o'clocl. TIc
cIurcI viiI iIc slcndcr sirc, iIai siands on
iIc io of iIc Iill nov, vas noi iIcrc iIcn io icll
mc iIc iimc. An old rcd-lricl mansion, uscd as
a scIool, vas in iis lacc; and a finc old Iousc
ii musi Iavc lccn io go io scIool ai, as I rccol-
lcci ii.
WIcn I aroacIcd iIc Docior's coiiagca
rciiy old lacc, on vIicI Ic sccmcd io Iavc
ccndcd somc moncy, if I migIi judgc from
iIc cmlcllisImcnis and rcairs iIai Iad iIc
lool of lcing jusi comlcicdI sav Iim vall-
ing in iIc gardcn ai iIc sidc, gaiicrs and all, as
if Ic Iad ncvcr lcfi off valling sincc iIc days of
my uilagc. Hc Iad Iis old comanions aloui
Iim, ioo; for iIcrc vcrc lcniy of IigI irccs in
iIc ncigIlourIood, and ivo or iIrcc rools vcrc
on iIc grass, looling aficr Iim, as if iIcy Iad
lccn vriiicn io aloui Iim ly iIc Canicrlury
rools, and vcrc olscrving Iim closcly in con-
scqucncc.
113
Knoving iIc uiicr Ioclcssncss of aiiraciing
Iis aiicniion from iIai disiancc, I madc lold io
ocn iIc gaic, and vall aficr Iim, so as io mcci
Iim vIcn Ic sIould iurn round. WIcn Ic did,
and camc iovards mc, Ic loolcd ai mc iIougIi-
fully for a fcv momcnis, cvidcnily viiIoui iIinl-
ing aloui mc ai all; and iIcn Iis lcncvolcni
facc crcsscd ciraordinary lcasurc, and Ic
iool mc ly loiI Iands.
'WIy, my dcar Cocrficld,' said iIc Docior,
'you arc a man! Hov do you do? I am dcligIicd
io scc you. My dcar Cocrficld, Iov vcry mucI
you Iavc imrovcd! You arc quiicycsdcar
mc!'
I Iocd Ic vas vcll, and Mrs. Sirong ioo.
'OI dcar, ycs!' said iIc Docior; 'Annic's quiic
vcll, and sIc'll lc dcligIicd io scc you. You vcrc
alvays Icr favouriic. SIc said so, lasi nigIi,
vIcn I sIovcd Icr your lciicr. Andycs, io lc
surc you rccollcci Mr. Jacl Maldon,
Cocrficld?'
'Fcrfccily, sir.'
'Of coursc,' said iIc Docior. 'To lc surc. Hc's
rciiy vcll, ioo.'
'Has Ic comc Iomc, sir?' I inquircd.
'From India?' said iIc Docior. 'Ycs. Mr. Jacl
Maldon couldn'i lcar iIc climaic, my dcar. Mrs.
MarllcIamyou Iavc noi forgoiicn Mrs.
MarllcIam?'
Forgoiicn iIc Old Soldicr! And in iIai sIori
iimc!
'Mrs. MarllcIam,' said iIc Docior, 'vas quiic
vccd aloui Iim, oor iIing; so vc Iavc goi
Iim ai Iomc again; and vc Iavc lougIi Iim a
liiilc Faicni lacc, vIicI agrccs viiI Iim mucI
lciicr.' I lncv cnougI of Mr. Jacl Maldon io
suscci from iIis accouni iIai ii vas a lacc
vIcrc iIcrc vas noi mucI io do, and vIicI
vas rciiy vcll aid. TIc Docior, valling u
and dovn viiI Iis Iand on my sIouldcr, and
Iis lind facc iurncd cncouragingly io minc, vcni
on:
114
'Nov, my dcar Cocrficld, in rcfcrcncc io iIis
roosal of yours. Ii's vcry graiifying and agrcc-
allc io mc, I am surc; lui don'i you iIinl you
could do lciicr? You acIicvcd disiinciion, you
lnov, vIcn you vcrc viiI us. You arc qualificd
for many good iIings. You Iavc laid a foundaiion
iIai any cdificc may lc raiscd uon; and is ii noi
a iiy iIai you sIould dcvoic iIc sring-iimc of
your lifc io sucI a oor ursuii as I can offcr?'
I lccamc vcry gloving again, and, crcssing
mysclf in a rIasodical siylc, I am afraid, urgcd
my rcqucsi sirongly; rcminding iIc Docior iIai
I Iad alrcady a rofcssion.
'Wcll, vcll,' said iIc Docior, 'iIai's iruc. Ccr-
iainly, your Iaving a rofcssion, and lcing ac-
iually cngagcd in siudying ii, malcs a diffcr-
cncc. Dui, my good young fricnd, vIai's scv-
cniy ounds a ycar?'
'Ii doullcs our incomc, Docior Sirong,' said I.
'Dcar mc!' rclicd iIc Docior. 'To iIinl of iIai! Noi
iIai I mcan io say ii's rigidly limiicd io scvcniy ounds
a-ycar, lccausc I Iavc alvays conicmlaicd maling
any young fricnd I migIi iIus cmloy, a rcscni ioo.
Undoulicdly,' said iIc Docior, siill valling mc u
and dovn viiI Iis Iand on my sIouldcr. 'I Iavc
alvays ialcn an annual rcscni inio accouni.'
'My dcar iuior,' said I (nov, rcally, viiIoui
any nonscnsc}, 'io vIom I ovc morc olligaiions
alrcady iIan I cvcr can aclnovlcdgc'
'No, no,' inicroscd iIc Docior. 'Fardon mc!'
'If you vill ialc sucI iimc as I Iavc, and iIai
is my mornings and cvcnings, and can iIinl ii
voriI scvcniy ounds a ycar, you vill do mc
sucI a scrvicc as I cannoi crcss.'
'Dcar mc!' said iIc Docior, innoccnily. 'To
iIinl iIai so liiilc sIould go for so mucI! Dcar,
dcar! And vIcn you can do lciicr, you vill? On
your vord, nov?' said iIc Docior,vIicI Ic
Iad alvays madc a vcry gravc acal io iIc
Ionour of us loys.
'On my vord, sir!' I rciurncd, ansvcring in
our old scIool manncr.
115
'TIcn lc ii so,' said iIc Docior, claing mc
on iIc sIouldcr, and siill lccing Iis Iand
iIcrc, as vc siill vallcd u and dovn.
'And I sIall lc ivcniy iimcs Iaicr, sir,' said
I, viiI a liiilc I Ioc innoccniflaiicry, 'if my
cmloymcni is io lc on iIc Diciionary.'
TIc Docior siocd, smilingly clacd mc on
iIc sIouldcr again, and cclaimcd, viiI a iri-
umI mosi dcligIiful io lcIold, as if I Iad cn-
ciraicd io iIc rofoundcsi dciIs of morial sa-
gaciiy, 'My dcar young fricnd, you Iavc Iii ii. Ii
s iIc Diciionary!'
Hov could ii lc anyiIing clsc! His oclcis
vcrc as full of ii as Iis Icad. Ii vas siicling oui
of Iim in all dircciions. Hc iold mc iIai sincc
Iis rciircmcni from scIolasiic lifc, Ic Iad lccn
advancing viiI ii vondcrfully; and iIai noiI-
ing could suii Iim lciicr iIan iIc rooscd ar-
rangcmcnis for morning and cvcning vorl, as
ii vas Iis cusiom io vall aloui in iIc dayiimc
viiI Iis considcring ca on. His acrs vcrc in
a liiilc confusion, in conscqucncc of Mr. Jacl
Maldon Iaving laicly roffcrcd Iis occasional
scrviccs as an amanucnsis, and noi lcing ac-
cusiomcd io iIai occuaiion; lui vc sIould
soon ui rigIi vIai vas amiss, and go on svim-
mingly. Aficrvards, vIcn vc vcrc fairly ai our
vorl, I found Mr. Jacl Maldon's cfforis morc
iroullcsomc io mc iIan I Iad cccicd, as Ic
Iad noi confincd Iimsclf io maling numcrous
misialcs, lui Iad slcicIcd so many soldicrs,
and ladics' Icads, ovcr iIc Docior's manuscrii,
iIai I oficn lccamc involvcd in lalyriniIs of
olscuriiy.
TIc Docior vas quiic Iay in iIc roscci of
our going io vorl iogciIcr on iIai vondcrful
crformancc, and vc sciilcd io lcgin nci morn-
ing ai scvcn o'clocl. Wc vcrc io vorl ivo Iours
cvcry morning, and ivo or iIrcc Iours cvcry
nigIi, ccci on Saiurdays, vIcn I vas io rcsi.
On Sundays, of coursc, I vas io rcsi also, and
I considcrcd iIcsc vcry casy icrms.
116
Our lans lcing iIus arrangcd io our muiual
saiisfaciion, iIc Docior iool mc inio iIc Iousc
io rcscni mc io Mrs. Sirong, vIom vc found
in iIc Docior's ncv siudy, dusiing Iis lools,
a frccdom vIicI Ic ncvcr crmiiicd anylody
clsc io ialc viiI iIosc sacrcd favouriics.
TIcy Iad osioncd iIcir lrcalfasi on my ac-
couni, and vc sai dovn io iallc iogciIcr. Wc Iad
noi lccn scaicd long, vIcn I sav an aroacIing
arrival in Mrs. Sirong's facc, lcforc I Icard any
sound of ii. A gcnilcman on Iorsclacl camc io
iIc gaic, and lcading Iis Iorsc inio iIc liiilc couri,
viiI iIc lridlc ovcr Iis arm, as if Ic vcrc quiic ai
Iomc, iicd Iim io a ring in iIc cmiy coacI-Iousc
vall, and camc inio iIc lrcalfasi arlour, vIi
in Iand. Ii vas Mr. Jacl Maldon; and Mr. Jacl
Maldon vas noi ai all imrovcd ly India, I iIougIi.
I vas in a siaic of fcrocious viriuc, Iovcvcr, as io
young mcn vIo vcrc noi cuiiing dovn irccs in
iIc forcsi of difficuliy; and my imrcssion musi
lc rcccivcd viiI duc allovancc.
'Mr. Jacl!' said iIc Docior. 'Cocrficld!'
Mr. Jacl Maldon sIool Iands viiI mc; lui
noi vcry varmly, I lclicvcd; and viiI an air of
languid aironagc, ai vIicI I sccrcily iool grcai
umlragc. Dui Iis languor aliogciIcr vas quiic
a vondcrful sigIi; ccci vIcn Ic addrcsscd
Iimsclf io Iis cousin Annic.
'Havc you lrcalfasicd iIis morning, Mr. Jacl?'
said iIc Docior.
'I Iardly cvcr ialc lrcalfasi, sir,' Ic rclicd,
viiI Iis Icad iIrovn lacl in an casy-cIair. 'I
find ii lorcs mc.'
'Is iIcrc any ncvs ioday?' inquircd iIc Docior.
'NoiIing ai all, sir,' rclicd Mr. Maldon. 'TIcrc's
an accouni aloui iIc colc lcing Iungry and
disconicnicd dovn in iIc NoriI, lui iIcy arc
alvays lcing Iungry and disconicnicd somc-
vIcrc.'
TIc Docior loolcd gravc, and said, as iIougI
Ic visIcd io cIangc iIc suljcci, 'TIcn iIcrc's no
ncvs ai all; and no ncvs, iIcy say, is good ncvs.'
117
'TIcrc's a long siaicmcni in iIc acrs, sir,
aloui a murdcr,' olscrvcd Mr. Maldon. 'Dui
somclody is alvays lcing murdcrcd, and I didn'i
rcad ii.'
A dislay of indiffcrcncc io all iIc aciions and
assions of manlind vas noi suoscd io lc
sucI a disiinguisIcd qualiiy ai iIai iimc, I iIinl,
as I Iavc olscrvcd ii io lc considcrcd sincc. I
Iavc lnovn ii vcry fasIionallc indccd. I Iavc
sccn ii dislaycd viiI sucI succcss, iIai I Iavc
cncounicrcd somc finc ladics and gcnilcmcn
vIo migIi as vcll Iavc lccn lorn caicrillars.
FcrIas ii imrcsscd mc iIc morc iIcn, lccausc
ii vas ncv io mc, lui ii ccriainly did noi icnd io
cali my oinion of, or io sircngiIcn my confi-
dcncc in, Mr. Jacl Maldon.
'I camc oui io inquirc vIciIcr Annic vould
lilc io go io iIc ocra ionigIi,' said Mr. Maldon,
iurning io Icr. 'Ii's iIc lasi good nigIi iIcrc vill
lc, iIis scason; and iIcrc's a singcr iIcrc, vIom
sIc rcally ougIi io Icar. SIc is crfccily c-
quisiic. Dcsidcs vIicI, sIc is so cIarmingly
ugly,' rclasing inio languor.
TIc Docior, cvcr lcascd viiI vIai vas lilcly
io lcasc Iis young vifc, iurncd io Icr and said:
'You musi go, Annic. You musi go.'
'I vould raiIcr noi,' sIc said io iIc Docior. 'I
rcfcr io rcmain ai Iomc. I vould mucI raiIcr
rcmain ai Iomc.'
WiiIoui looling ai Icr cousin, sIc iIcn ad-
drcsscd mc, and aslcd mc aloui Agncs, and
vIciIcr sIc sIould scc Icr, and vIciIcr sIc
vas noi lilcly io comc iIai day; and vas so
mucI disiurlcd, iIai I vondcrcd Iov cvcn iIc
Docior, luiicring Iis ioasi, could lc llind io
vIai vas so olvious.
Dui Ic sav noiIing. Hc iold Icr, good-
naiurcdly, iIai sIc vas young and ougIi io lc
amuscd and cnicriaincd, and musi noi allov
Icrsclf io lc madc dull ly a dull old fcllov.
Morcovcr, Ic said, Ic vanicd io Icar Icr sing
all iIc ncv singcr's songs io Iim; and Iov could
118
sIc do iIai vcll, unlcss sIc vcni? So iIc Doc-
ior crsisicd in maling iIc cngagcmcni for Icr,
and Mr. Jacl Maldon vas io comc lacl io din-
ncr. TIis concludcd, Ic vcni io Iis Faicni lacc,
I suosc; lui ai all cvcnis vcni avay on Iis
Iorsc, looling vcry idlc.
I vas curious io find oui nci morning,
vIciIcr sIc Iad lccn. SIc Iad noi, lui Iad
scni inio London io ui Icr cousin off; and Iad
gonc oui in iIc aficrnoon io scc Agncs, and Iad
rcvailcd uon iIc Docior io go viiI Icr; and
iIcy Iad vallcd Iomc ly iIc ficlds, iIc Docior
iold mc, iIc cvcning lcing dcligIiful. I vondcrcd
iIcn, vIciIcr sIc vould Iavc gonc if Agncs Iad
noi lccn in iovn, and vIciIcr Agncs Iad somc
good influcncc ovcr Icr ioo!
SIc did noi lool vcry Iay, I iIougIi; lui ii
vas a good facc, or a vcry falsc onc. I oficn
glanccd ai ii, for sIc sai in iIc vindov all iIc
iimc vc vcrc ai vorl; and madc our lrcalfasi,
vIicI vc iool ly snaicIcs as vc vcrc cmloycd.
WIcn I lcfi, ai ninc o'clocl, sIc vas lnccling
on iIc ground ai iIc Docior's fcci, uiiing on
Iis sIocs and gaiicrs for Iim. TIcrc vas a sofi-
cncd sIadc uon Icr facc, iIrovn from somc
grccn lcavcs ovcrIanging iIc ocn vindov of
iIc lov room; and I iIougIi all iIc vay io Doc-
iors' Commons, of iIc nigIi vIcn I Iad sccn ii
looling ai Iim as Ic rcad.
I vas rciiy lusy nov; u ai fivc in iIc morn-
ing, and Iomc ai ninc or icn ai nigIi. Dui I Iad
infiniic saiisfaciion in lcing so closcly cngagcd,
and ncvcr vallcd slovly on any accouni, and
fcli cniIusiasiically iIai iIc morc I iircd my-
sclf, iIc morc I vas doing io dcscrvc Dora. I
Iad noi rcvcalcd mysclf in my alicrcd cIarac-
icr io Dora yci, lccausc sIc vas coming io scc
Miss Mills in a fcv days, and I dcfcrrcd all I Iad
io icll Icr uniil iIcn; mcrcly informing Icr in
my lciicrs (all our communicaiions vcrc sccrcily
forvardcd iIrougI Miss Mills}, iIai I Iad mucI
io icll Icr. In iIc mcaniimc, I ui mysclf on a
119
sIori allovancc of lcar's grcasc, vIolly alan-
doncd sccnicd soa and lavcndcr vaicr, and
sold off iIrcc vaisicoais ai a rodigious sacri-
ficc, as lcing ioo luurious for my sicrn carccr.
Noi saiisficd viiI all iIcsc rocccdings, lui
lurning viiI imaiicncc io do somciIing morc,
I vcni io scc Traddlcs, nov lodging u lcIind
iIc araci of a Iousc in Casilc Sircci, Hollorn.
Mr. Dicl, vIo Iad lccn viiI mc io HigIgaic
ivicc alrcady, and Iad rcsumcd Iis coman-
ionsIi viiI iIc Docior, I iool viiI mc.
I iool Mr. Dicl viiI mc, lccausc, acuicly scn-
siiivc io my auni's rcvcrscs, and sinccrcly lc-
licving iIai no gallcy-slavc or convici vorlcd
as I did, Ic Iad lcgun io frci and vorry Iimsclf
oui of siriis and aciiic, as Iaving noiIing
uscful io do. In iIis condiiion, Ic fcli morc in-
caallc of finisIing iIc Mcmorial iIan cvcr; and
iIc Iardcr Ic vorlcd ai ii, iIc oficncr iIai un-
lucly Icad of King CIarlcs iIc Firsi goi inio ii.
Scriously arcIcnding iIai Iis malady vould
incrcasc, unlcss vc ui somc innoccni dccc-
iion uon Iim and causcd Iim io lclicvc iIai
Ic vas uscful, or unlcss vc could ui Iim in
iIc vay of lcing rcally uscful (vIicI vould lc
lciicr}, I madc u my mind io iry if Traddlcs
could Icl us. Dcforc vc vcni, I vroic Traddlcs
a full siaicmcni of all iIai Iad Iacncd, and
Traddlcs vroic mc lacl a caiial ansvcr, c-
rcssivc of Iis symaiIy and fricndsIi.
Wc found Iim Iard ai vorl viiI Iis inlsiand
and acrs, rcfrcsIcd ly iIc sigIi of iIc flovcr-
oi siand and iIc liiilc round iallc in a corncr
of iIc small aarimcni. Hc rcccivcd us cordially,
and madc fricnds viiI Mr. Dicl in a momcni.
Mr. Dicl rofcsscd an alsoluic ccriainiy of Iav-
ing sccn Iim lcforc, and vc loiI said, 'Vcry
lilcly.'
TIc firsi suljcci on vIicI I Iad io consuli
Traddlcs vas iIis,I Iad Icard iIai many mcn
disiinguisIcd in various ursuiis Iad lcgun lifc
ly rcoriing iIc dclaics in Farliamcni. Traddlcs
120
Iaving mcniioncd ncvsacrs io mc, as onc of Iis
Iocs, I Iad ui iIc ivo iIings iogciIcr, and iold
Traddlcs in my lciicr iIai I visIcd io lnov Iov I
could qualify mysclf for iIis ursuii. Traddlcs nov
informcd mc, as iIc rcsuli of Iis inquirics, iIai
iIc mcrc mccIanical acquisiiion ncccssary, ccci
in rarc cascs, for iIorougI cccllcncc in ii, iIai is
io say, a crfcci and cniirc command of iIc mys-
icry of sIori-Iand vriiing and rcading, vas aloui
cqual in difficuliy io iIc masicry of si languagcs;
and iIai ii migIi crIas lc aiiaincd, ly dini of
crscvcrancc, in iIc coursc of a fcv ycars. Traddlcs
rcasonally suoscd iIai iIis vould sciilc iIc
lusincss; lui I, only fccling iIai Icrc indccd vcrc
a fcv iall irccs io lc Icvn dovn, immcdiaicly rc-
solvcd io vorl my vay on io Dora iIrougI iIis
iIiclci, ac in Iand.
'I am vcry mucI olligcd io you, my dcar
Traddlcs!' said I. 'I'll lcgin iomorrov.'
Traddlcs loolcd asionisIcd, as Ic vcll migIi; lui
Ic Iad no noiion as yci of my raiurous condiiion.
'I'll luy a lool,' said I, 'viiI a good scIcmc of
iIis ari in ii; I'll vorl ai ii ai iIc Commons,
vIcrc I Iavcn'i Ialf cnougI io do; I'll ialc dovn
iIc scccIcs in our couri for raciiccTraddlcs,
my dcar fcllov, I'll masicr ii!'
'Dcar mc,' said Traddlcs, ocning Iis cycs, 'I
Iad no idca you vcrc sucI a dcicrmincd cIar-
acicr, Cocrficld!'
I don'i lnov Iov Ic sIould Iavc Iad, for ii
vas ncv cnougI io mc. I asscd iIai off, and
lrougIi Mr. Dicl on iIc carci.
'You scc,' said Mr. Dicl, visifully, 'if I could
ccri mysclf, Mr. Traddlcsif I could lcai a
drumor llov anyiIing!'
Foor fcllov! I Iavc liiilc douli Ic vould
Iavc rcfcrrcd sucI an cmloymcni in Iis
Icari io all oiIcrs. Traddlcs, vIo vould noi
Iavc smilcd for iIc vorld, rclicd comos-
cdly:
'Dui you arc a vcry good cnman, sir. You iold
mc so, Cocrficld?'
121
'Eccllcni!' said I. And indccd Ic vas. Hc vroic
viiI ciraordinary ncaincss.
'Don'i you iIinl,' said Traddlcs, 'you could
coy vriiings, sir, if I goi iIcm for you?'
Mr. Dicl loolcd doulifully ai mc. 'EI,
Troivood?'
I sIool my Icad. Mr. Dicl sIool Iis, and sigIcd.
'Tcll Iim aloui iIc Mcmorial,' said Mr. Dicl.
I claincd io Traddlcs iIai iIcrc vas a diffi-
culiy in lccing King CIarlcs iIc Firsi oui of
Mr. Dicl's manuscriis; Mr. Dicl in iIc mcan-
vIilc looling vcry dcfcrcniially and scriously
ai Traddlcs, and sucling Iis iIuml.
'Dui iIcsc vriiings, you lnov, iIai I scal of,
arc alrcady dravn u and finisIcd,' said
Traddlcs aficr a liiilc considcraiion. 'Mr. Dicl
Ias noiIing io do viiI iIcm. Wouldn'i iIai
malc a diffcrcncc, Cocrficld? Ai all cvcnis,
vouldn'i ii lc vcll io iry?'
TIis gavc us ncv Ioc. Traddlcs and I laying
our Icads iogciIcr aari, vIilc Mr. Dicl an-
iously vaicIcd us from Iis cIair, vc concocicd
a scIcmc in viriuc of vIicI vc goi Iim io vorl
nci day, viiI iriumIani succcss.
On a iallc ly iIc vindov in DuclingIam
Sircci, vc sci oui iIc vorl Traddlcs rocurcd
for IimvIicI vas io malc, I forgci Iov many
coics of a lcgal documcni aloui somc rigIi of
vayand on anoiIcr iallc vc srcad iIc lasi
unfinisIcd original of iIc grcai Mcmorial. Our
insiruciions io Mr. Dicl vcrc iIai Ic sIould
coy cacily vIai Ic Iad lcforc Iim, viiIoui
iIc lcasi dcariurc from iIc original; and iIai
vIcn Ic fcli ii ncccssary io malc iIc sligIicsi
allusion io King CIarlcs iIc Firsi, Ic sIould fly
io iIc Mcmorial. Wc cIoricd Iim io lc rcso-
luic in iIis, and lcfi my auni io olscrvc Iim.
My auni rcoricd io us, aficrvards, iIai, ai firsi,
Ic vas lilc a man laying iIc lciilc-drums, and
consianily dividcd Iis aiicniions lcivccn iIc
ivo; lui iIai, finding iIis confusc and faiiguc
Iim, and Iaving Iis coy iIcrc, lainly lcforc
122
Iis cycs, Ic soon sai ai ii in an ordcrly lusincss-
lilc manncr, and osioncd iIc Mcmorial io a
morc convcnicni iimc. In a vord, aliIougI vc iool
grcai carc iIai Ic sIould Iavc no morc io do iIan
vas good for Iim, and aliIougI Ic did noi lcgin
viiI iIc lcginning of a vccl, Ic carncd ly iIc
folloving Saiurday nigIi icn sIillings and ninc-
cncc; and ncvcr, vIilc I livc, sIall I forgci Iis
going aloui io all iIc sIos in iIc ncigIlourIood
io cIangc iIis ircasurc inio sicnccs, or Iis
lringing iIcm io my auni arrangcd in iIc form of
a Icari uon a vaiicr, viiI icars of joy and ridc
in Iis cycs. Hc vas lilc onc undcr iIc roiiious
influcncc of a cIarm, from iIc momcni of Iis lc-
ing uscfully cmloycd; and if iIcrc vcrc a Iay
man in iIc vorld, iIai Saiurday nigIi, ii vas iIc
graicful crcaiurc vIo iIougIi my auni iIc mosi
vondcrful voman in cisicncc, and mc iIc mosi
vondcrful young man.
'No siarving nov, Troivood,' said Mr. Dicl,
sIaling Iands viiI mc in a corncr. 'I'll rovidc
for Icr, Sir!' and Ic flourisIcd Iis icn fingcrs in
iIc air, as if iIcy vcrc icn lanls.
I Iardly lnov vIicI vas iIc lciicr lcascd,
Traddlcs or I. 'Ii rcally,' said Traddlcs, suddcnly,
ialing a lciicr oui of Iis oclci, and giving ii io
mc, 'ui Mr. Micavlcr quiic oui of my Icad!'
TIc lciicr (Mr. Micavlcr ncvcr misscd any os-
sillc ooriuniiy of vriiing a lciicr} vas ad-
drcsscd io mc, 'Dy iIc lindncss of T. Traddlcs,
Esquirc, of iIc Inncr Tcmlc.' Ii ran iIus:
MY DEAR COPPERFIELD,
You may possibly not be unprepared to receive
the intimation that something has turned up. I may
have mentioned to you on a former occasion that I
was in expectation of such an event.
I am about to establish myself in one of the provin-
cial towns of our favoured island (where the society
may be described as a happy admixture of the agri-
cultural and the clerical), in immediate connexion with
123
one of the learned professions. Mrs. Micawber and
our offspring will accompany me. Our ashes, at a
future period, will probably be found commingled in
the cemetery attached to a venerable pile, for which
the spot to which I refer has acquired a reputation,
shall I say from China to Peru?
In bidding adieu to the modern Babylon, where
we have undergone many vicissitudes, I trust not ig-
nobly, Mrs. Micawber and myself cannot disguise from
our minds that we part, it may be for years and it
may be for ever, with an individual linked by strong
associations to the altar of our domestic life. If, on
the eve of such a departure, you will accompany our
mutual friend, Mr. Thomas Traddles, to our present
abode, and there reciprocate the wishes natural to
the occasion, you will confer a Boon
On
One
Who
Is
Ever yours,
WILKINS MICAWBER.
I vas glad io find iIai Mr. Micavlcr Iad goi
rid of Iis dusi and asIcs, and iIai somciIing
rcally Iad iurncd u ai lasi. Lcarning from
Traddlcs iIai iIc inviiaiion rcfcrrcd io iIc
cvcning iIcn vcaring avay, I crcsscd my
rcadincss io do Ionour io ii; and vc vcni off
iogciIcr io iIc lodging vIicI Mr. Micavlcr oc-
cuicd as Mr. Moriimcr, and vIicI vas siiu-
aicd ncar iIc io of iIc Gray's Inn Foad.
TIc rcsourccs of iIis lodging vcrc so limiicd,
iIai vc found iIc ivins, nov somc cigIi or ninc
ycars old, rcosing in a iurn-u lcdsicad in iIc
family siiiing-room, vIcrc Mr. Micavlcr Iad
rcarcd, in a vasI-Iand-siand jug, vIai Ic
callcd 'a Drcv' of iIc agrccallc lcvcragc for
vIicI Ic vas famous. I Iad iIc lcasurc, on
iIis occasion, of rcncving iIc acquainiancc of
Masicr Micavlcr, vIom I found a romising
124
loy of aloui ivclvc or iIiriccn, vcry suljcci io
iIai rcsilcssncss of liml vIicI is noi an
unfrcqucni Icnomcnon in youiIs of Iis agc. I
also lccamc oncc morc lnovn io Iis sisicr, Miss
Micavlcr, in vIom, as Mr. Micavlcr iold us,
'Icr moiIcr rcncvcd Icr youiI, lilc iIc FIoc-
ni'.
'My dcar Cocrficld,' said Mr. Micavlcr,
'yoursclf and Mr. Traddlcs find us on iIc lrinl
of migraiion, and vill ccusc any liiilc discom-
foris incidcnial io iIai osiiion.'
Glancing round as I madc a suiiallc rcly, I
olscrvcd iIai iIc family cffccis vcrc alrcady
aclcd, and iIai iIc amouni of luggagc vas ly
no mcans ovcrvIclming. I congraiulaicd Mrs.
Micavlcr on iIc aroacIing cIangc.
'My dcar Mr. Cocrficld,' said Mrs. Micavlcr,
'of your fricndly inicrcsi in all our affairs, I am
vcll assurcd. My family may considcr ii lan-
isImcni, if iIcy lcasc; lui I am a vifc and
moiIcr, and I ncvcr vill dcscri Mr. Micavlcr.'
Traddlcs, acalcd io ly Mrs. Micavlcr's cyc,
fcclingly acquicsccd.
'TIai,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, 'iIai, ai lcasi, is
my vicv, my dcar Mr. Cocrficld and Mr.
Traddlcs, of iIc olligaiion vIicI I iool uon
mysclf vIcn I rccaicd iIc irrcvocallc vords,
I, Emma, ialc iIcc, Willins." I rcad iIc scrvicc
ovcr viiI a flai-candlc on iIc rcvious nigIi,
and iIc conclusion I dcrivcd from ii vas, iIai I
ncvcr could dcscri Mr. Micavlcr. And,' said Mrs.
Micavlcr, 'iIougI ii is ossillc I may lc mis-
ialcn in my vicv of iIc ccrcmony, I ncvcr vill!'
'My dcar,' said Mr. Micavlcr, a liiilc ima-
iicnily, 'I am noi conscious iIai you arc cccicd
io do anyiIing of iIc sori.'
'I am avarc, my dcar Mr. Cocrficld,' ur-
sucd Mrs. Micavlcr, 'iIai I am nov aloui io
casi my loi among sirangcrs; and I am also
avarc iIai iIc various mcmlcrs of my family,
io vIom Mr. Micavlcr Ias vriiicn in iIc mosi
gcnilcmanly icrms, announcing iIai faci, Iavc
125
noi ialcn iIc lcasi noiicc of Mr. Micavlcr's com-
municaiion. Indccd I may lc sucrsiiiious,' said
Mrs. Micavlcr, 'lui ii acars io mc iIai Mr.
Micavlcr is dcsiincd ncvcr io rcccivc any ansvcrs
vIaicvcr io iIc grcai majoriiy of iIc communica-
iions Ic vriics. I may augur, from iIc silcncc of
my family, iIai iIcy oljcci io iIc rcsoluiion I Iavc
ialcn; lui I sIould noi allov mysclf io lc svcrvcd
from iIc aiI of duiy, Mr. Cocrficld, cvcn ly
my aa and mama, vcrc iIcy siill living.'
I crcsscd my oinion iIai iIis vas going in
iIc rigIi dircciion. 'Ii may lc a sacrificc,' said
Mrs. Micavlcr, 'io immurc onc's-sclf in a Ca-
iIcdral iovn; lui surcly, Mr. Cocrficld, if ii
is a sacrificc in mc, ii is mucI morc a sacrificc
in a man of Mr. Micavlcr's aliliiics.'
'OI! You arc going io a CaiIcdral iovn?' said I.
Mr. Micavlcr, vIo Iad lccn Icling us all,
oui of iIc vasI-Iand-siand jug, rclicd:
'To Canicrlury. In faci, my dcar Cocrficld,
I Iavc cnicrcd inio arrangcmcnis, ly viriuc of
vIicI I siand lcdgcd and coniracicd io our
fricnd Hcc, io assisi and scrvc Iim in iIc ca-
aciiy ofand io lcIis confidcniial clcrl.'
I siarcd ai Mr. Micavlcr, vIo grcaily cnjoycd
my surrisc.
'I am lound io siaic io you,' Ic said, viiI an
official air, 'iIai iIc lusincss Ialiis, and iIc
rudcni suggcsiions, of Mrs. Micavlcr, Iavc
in a grcai mcasurc conduccd io iIis rcsuli. TIc
gaunilci, io vIicI Mrs. Micavlcr rcfcrrcd uon
a formcr occasion, lcing iIrovn dovn in iIc
form of an advcriiscmcni, vas ialcn u ly my
fricnd Hcc, and lcd io a muiual rccogniiion.
Of my fricnd Hcc,' said Mr. Micavlcr, 'vIo is
a man of rcmarlallc sIrcvdncss, I dcsirc io
scal viiI all ossillc rcscci. My fricnd Hcc
Ias noi ficd iIc osiiivc rcmuncraiion ai ioo
IigI a figurc, lui Ic Ias madc a grcai dcal, in
iIc vay of ciricaiion from iIc rcssurc of c-
cuniary difficuliics, coniingcni on iIc valuc of
my scrviccs; and on iIc valuc of iIosc scrviccs
126
I in my faiiI. SucI addrcss and iniclligcncc as
I cIancc io osscss,' said Mr. Micavlcr, loasi-
fully disaraging Iimsclf, viiI iIc old gcniccl
air, 'vill lc dcvoicd io my fricnd Hcc's scrvicc.
I Iavc alrcady somc acquainiancc viiI iIc lav
as a dcfcndani on civil roccssand I sIall
immcdiaicly aly mysclf io iIc Commcniarics
of onc of iIc mosi cmincni and rcmarlallc of
our EnglisI jurisis. I lclicvc ii is unncccssary
io add iIai I alludc io Mr. jusiicc Dlaclsionc.'
TIcsc olscrvaiions, and indccd iIc grcaicr
ari of iIc olscrvaiions madc iIai cvcning, vcrc
inicrruicd ly Mrs. Micavlcr's discovcring iIai
Masicr Micavlcr vas siiiing on Iis loois, or
Iolding Iis Icad on viiI loiI arms as if Ic fcli
ii loosc, or accidcnially licling Traddlcs undcr
iIc iallc, or sIuffling Iis fcci ovcr onc anoiIcr,
or roducing iIcm ai disianccs from Iimsclf a-
arcnily ouiragcous io naiurc, or lying sidcvays
viiI Iis Iair among iIc vinc-glasscs, or dcvcl-
oing Iis rcsilcssncss of liml in somc oiIcr form
incomaiillc viiI iIc gcncral inicrcsis of soci-
ciy; and ly Masicr Micavlcr's rccciving iIosc
discovcrics in a rcscniful sirii. I sai all iIc
vIilc, amazcd ly Mr. Micavlcr's disclosurc, and
vondcring vIai ii mcani; uniil Mrs. Micavlcr
rcsumcd iIc iIrcad of iIc discoursc, and
claimcd my aiicniion.
'WIai I ariicularly rcqucsi Mr. Micavlcr io lc
carcful of, is,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, 'iIai Ic docs
noi, my dcar Mr. Cocrficld, in alying Iimsclf
io iIis sulordinaic lrancI of iIc lav, lacc ii oui
of Iis ovcr io risc, uliimaicly, io iIc io of iIc
ircc. I am convinccd iIai Mr. Micavlcr, giving
Iis mind io a rofcssion so adaicd io Iis fcriilc
rcsourccs, and Iis flov of languagc, musi disiin-
guisI Iimsclf. Nov, for camlc, Mr. Traddlcs,'
said Mrs. Micavlcr, assuming a rofound air, 'a
judgc, or cvcn say a CIanccllor. Docs an indi-
vidual lacc Iimsclf lcyond iIc alc of iIosc rc-
fcrmcnis ly cnicring on sucI an officc as Mr.
Micavlcr Ias acccicd?'
127
'My dcar,' olscrvcd Mr. Micavlcrlui glanc-
ing inquisiiivcly ai Traddlcs, ioo; 'vc Iavc iimc
cnougI lcforc us, for iIc considcraiion of iIosc
qucsiions.'
'Micavlcr,' sIc rciurncd, 'no! Your misialc
in lifc is, iIai you do noi lool forvard far cnougI.
You arc lound, in jusiicc io your family, if noi
io yoursclf, io ialc in ai a comrcIcnsivc glancc
iIc circmcsi oini in iIc Iorizon io vIicI your
aliliiics may lcad you.'
Mr. Micavlcr cougIcd, and dranl Iis uncI
viiI an air of ccccding saiisfaciionsiill glanc-
ing ai Traddlcs, as if Ic dcsircd io Iavc Iis oin-
ion.
'WIy, iIc lain siaic of iIc casc, Mrs.
Micavlcr,' said Traddlcs, mildly lrcaling iIc
iruiI io Icr. 'I mcan iIc rcal rosaic faci, you
lnov'
'Jusi so,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, 'my dcar Mr.
Traddlcs, I visI io lc as rosaic and liicral as
ossillc on a suljcci of so mucI imoriancc.'
'Is,' said Traddlcs, 'iIai iIis lrancI of iIc
lav, cvcn if Mr. Micavlcr vcrc a rcgular solici-
ior'
'Eacily so,' rciurncd Mrs. Micavlcr. ('Willins,
you arc squiniing, and vill noi lc allc io gci
your cycs lacl.'}
'Has noiIing,' ursucd Traddlcs, 'io do viiI
iIai. Only a larrisicr is cligillc for sucI rcfcr-
mcnis; and Mr. Micavlcr could noi lc a lar-
risicr, viiIoui lcing cnicrcd ai an inn of couri
as a siudcni, for fivc ycars.'
'Do I follov you?' said Mrs. Micavlcr, viiI
Icr mosi affallc air of lusincss. 'Do I undcr-
siand, my dcar Mr. Traddlcs, iIai, ai iIc ci-
raiion of iIai criod, Mr. Micavlcr vould lc
cligillc as a Judgc or CIanccllor?'
'Hc vould lc cgIc,' rciurncd Traddlcs, viiI
a sirong cmIasis on iIai vord.
'TIanl you,' said Mrs. Micavlcr. 'TIai is quiic
sufficicni. If sucI is iIc casc, and Mr. Micavlcr
forfciis no rivilcgc ly cnicring on iIcsc duiics,
128
my aniciy is sci ai rcsi. I scal,' said Mrs.
Micavlcr, 'as a fcmalc, ncccssarily; lui I Iavc
alvays lccn of oinion iIai Mr. Micavlcr os-
scsscs vIai I Iavc Icard my aa call, vIcn I
livcd ai Iomc, iIc judicial mind; and I Ioc Mr.
Micavlcr is nov cnicring on a ficld vIcrc iIai
mind vill dcvclo iisclf, and ialc a command-
ing siaiion.'
I quiic lclicvc iIai Mr. Micavlcr sav Iimsclf,
in Iis judicial mind's cyc, on iIc voolsacl. Hc
asscd Iis Iand comlaccnily ovcr Iis lald
Icad, and said viiI osicniaiious rcsignaiion:
'My dcar, vc vill noi aniiciaic iIc dccrccs of
foriunc. If I am rcscrvcd io vcar a vig, I am ai lcasi
rcarcd, cicrnally,' in allusion io Iis laldncss,
'for iIai disiinciion. I do noi,' said Mr. Micavlcr,
'rcgrci my Iair, and I may Iavc lccn dcrivcd of ii
for a sccific urosc. I cannoi say. Ii is my inicn-
iion, my dcar Cocrficld, io cducaic my son for
iIc CIurcI; I vill noi dcny iIai I sIould lc Iay,
on Iis accouni, io aiiain io cmincncc.'
'For iIc CIurcI?' said I, siill ondcring, lc-
ivccn vIilcs, on UriaI Hcc.
'Ycs,' said Mr. Micavlcr. 'Hc Ias a rcmarl-
allc Icad-voicc, and vill commcncc as a cIo-
risicr. Our rcsidcncc ai Canicrlury, and our
local conncion, vill, no douli, cnallc Iim io
ialc advaniagc of any vacancy iIai may arisc
in iIc CaiIcdral cors.'
On looling ai Masicr Micavlcr again, I sav iIai
Ic Iad a ccriain crcssion of facc, as if Iis voicc
vcrc lcIind Iis cyclrovs; vIcrc ii rcscnily a-
carcd io lc, on Iis singing us (as an alicrnaiivc
lcivccn iIai and lcd} 'TIc Wood-Fcclcr iaing'.
Aficr many comlimcnis on iIis crformancc, vc
fcll inio somc gcncral convcrsaiion; and as I vas
ioo full of my dcscraic inicniions io lcc my
alicrcd circumsianccs io mysclf, I madc iIcm
lnovn io Mr. and Mrs. Micavlcr. I cannoi c-
rcss Iov circmcly dcligIicd iIcy loiI vcrc, ly
iIc idca of my auni's lcing in difficuliics; and
Iov comforiallc and fricndly ii madc iIcm.
129
WIcn vc vcrc ncarly comc io iIc lasi round
of iIc uncI, I addrcsscd mysclf io Traddlcs,
and rcmindcd Iim iIai vc musi noi scaraic,
viiIoui visIing our fricnds IcaliI, Iaincss,
and succcss in iIcir ncv carccr. I lcggcd Mr.
Micavlcr io fill us lumcrs, and rooscd iIc
ioasi in duc form: sIaling Iands viiI Iim
across iIc iallc, and lissing Mrs. Micavlcr, io
commcmoraic iIai cvcniful occasion. Traddlcs
imiiaicd mc in iIc firsi ariicular, lui did noi
considcr Iimsclf a sufficicnily old fricnd io vcn-
iurc on iIc sccond.
'My dcar Cocrficld,' said Mr. Micavlcr, ris-
ing viiI onc of Iis iIumls in cacI of Iis vaisi-
coai oclcis, 'iIc comanion of my youiI: if I
may lc allovcd iIc crcssionand my cs-
iccmcd fricnd Traddlcs: if I may lc crmiiicd io
call Iim sovill allov mc, on iIc ari of Mrs.
Micavlcr, mysclf, and our offsring, io iIanl
iIcm in iIc varmcsi and mosi uncomromis-
ing icrms for iIcir good visIcs. Ii may lc c-
ccicd iIai on iIc cvc of a migraiion vIicI vill
consign us io a crfccily ncv cisicncc,' Mr.
Micavlcr solc as if iIcy vcrc going fivc Iun-
drcd iIousand milcs, 'I sIould offcr a fcv valc-
diciory rcmarls io ivo sucI fricnds as I scc
lcforc mc. Dui all iIai I Iavc io say in iIis vay,
I Iavc said. WIaicvcr siaiion in sociciy I may
aiiain, iIrougI iIc mcdium of iIc lcarncd ro-
fcssion of vIicI I am aloui io lccomc an un-
voriIy mcmlcr, I sIall cndcavour noi io dis-
gracc, and Mrs. Micavlcr vill lc safc io adorn.
Undcr iIc icmorary rcssurc of ccuniary li-
aliliiics, coniracicd viiI a vicv io iIcir immc-
diaic liquidaiion, lui rcmaining unliquidaicd
iIrougI a comlinaiion of circumsianccs, I Iavc
lccn undcr iIc ncccssiiy of assuming a garl
from vIicI my naiural insiincis rccoilI alludc
io scciaclcsand osscssing mysclf of a cog-
nomcn, io vIicI I can csiallisI no lcgiiimaic
rcicnsions. All I Iavc io say on iIai scorc is,
iIai iIc cloud Ias asscd from iIc drcary sccnc,
130
and iIc God of Day is oncc morc IigI uon iIc
mouniain ios. On Monday nci, on iIc arrival
of iIc four o'clocl aficrnoon coacI ai Canicr-
lury, my fooi vill lc on my naiivc IcaiImy
namc, Micavlcr!'
Mr. Micavlcr rcsumcd Iis scai on iIc closc
of iIcsc rcmarls, and dranl ivo glasscs of
uncI in gravc succcssion. Hc iIcn said viiI
mucI solcmniiy:
'Onc iIing morc I Iavc io do, lcforc iIis sca-
raiion is comlcic, and iIai is io crform an
aci of jusiicc. My fricnd Mr. TIomas Traddlcs
Ias, on ivo scvcral occasions, ui Iis namc",
if I may usc a common crcssion, io lills of
ccIangc for my accommodaiion. On iIc firsi
occasion Mr. TIomas Traddlcs vas lcfilci mc
say, in sIori, in iIc lurcI. TIc fulfilmcni of iIc
sccond Ias noi yci arrivcd. TIc amouni of iIc
firsi olligaiion,' Icrc Mr. Micavlcr carcfully
rcfcrrcd io acrs, 'vas, I lclicvc, ivcniy-iIrcc,
four, ninc and a Ialf, of iIc sccond, according
io my cniry of iIai iransaciion, cigIiccn, si,
ivo. TIcsc sums, uniicd, malc a ioial, if my cal-
culaiion is corrcci, amouniing io foriy-onc, icn,
clcvcn and a Ialf. My fricnd Cocrficld vill cr-
Ias do mc iIc favour io cIccl iIai ioial?'
I did so and found ii corrcci.
'To lcavc iIis mciroolis,' said Mr. Micavlcr,
'and my fricnd Mr. TIomas Traddlcs, viiIoui
acquiiiing mysclf of iIc ccuniary ari of iIis
olligaiion, vould vcigI uon my mind io an
insuoriallc cicni. I Iavc, iIcrcforc, rcarcd
for my fricnd Mr. TIomas Traddlcs, and I nov
Iold in my Iand, a documcni, vIicI accom-
lisIcs iIc dcsircd oljcci. I lcg io Iand io my
fricnd Mr. TIomas Traddlcs my I.O.U. for foriy-
onc, icn, clcvcn and a Ialf, and I am Iay io
rccovcr my moral digniiy, and io lnov iIai I
can oncc morc vall crcci lcforc my fcllov man!'
WiiI iIis iniroduciion (vIicI grcaily affccicd
Iim}, Mr. Micavlcr laccd Iis I.O.U. in iIc
Iands of Traddlcs, and said Ic visIcd Iim vcll
131
in cvcry rclaiion of lifc. I am crsuadcd, noi only
iIai iIis vas quiic iIc samc io Mr. Micavlcr
as aying iIc moncy, lui iIai Traddlcs Iimsclf
Iardly lncv iIc diffcrcncc uniil Ic Iad Iad iimc
io iIinl aloui ii. Mr. Micavlcr vallcd so crcci
lcforc Iis fcllov man, on iIc sircngiI of iIis
viriuous aciion, iIai Iis cIcsi loolcd Ialf as
lroad again vIcn Ic ligIicd us dovnsiairs. Wc
aricd viiI grcai Icariincss on loiI sidcs; and
vIcn I Iad sccn Traddlcs io Iis ovn door, and
vas going Iomc alonc, I iIougIi, among iIc
oiIcr odd and coniradiciory iIings I muscd
uon, iIai, slicry as Mr. Micavlcr vas, I vas
rolally indclicd io somc comassionaic rcc-
ollcciion Ic rciaincd of mc as Iis loy-lodgcr,
for ncvcr Iaving lccn aslcd ly Iim for moncy.
I ccriainly sIould noi Iavc Iad iIc moral cour-
agc io rcfusc ii; and I Iavc no douli Ic lncv
iIai (io Iis crcdii lc ii vriiicn}, quiic as vcll as
I did.
CHAPTER S?
A LITTLE COLD WATER
MY NEW LIFE HAD LASTED for morc iIan a vccl, and
I vas sirongcr iIan cvcr in iIosc ircmcndous
raciical rcsoluiions iIai I fcli iIc crisis rc-
quircd. I coniinucd io vall circmcly fasi, and
io Iavc a gcncral idca iIai I vas gciiing on. I
madc ii a rulc io ialc as mucI oui of mysclf as
I ossilly could, in my vay of doing cvcryiIing
io vIicI I alicd my cncrgics. I madc a crfcci
viciim of mysclf. I cvcn cnicriaincd somc idca
of uiiing mysclf on a vcgciallc dici, vagucly
concciving iIai, in lccoming a graminivorous
animal, I sIould sacrificc io Dora.
As yci, liiilc Dora vas quiic unconscious of
my dcscraic firmncss, oiIcrvisc iIan as my
lciicrs darlly sIadovcd ii foriI. Dui anoiIcr
Saiurday camc, and on iIai Saiurday cvcning
sIc vas io lc ai Miss Mills's; and vIcn Mr.
Mills Iad gonc io Iis vIisi-clul (iclcgraIcd io
132
mc in iIc sircci, ly a lird-cagc in iIc draving-
room middlc vindov}, I vas io go iIcrc io ica.
Dy iIis iimc, vc vcrc quiic sciilcd dovn in
DuclingIam Sircci, vIcrc Mr. Dicl coniinucd
Iis coying in a siaic of alsoluic fcliciiy. My
auni Iad oliaincd a signal viciory ovcr Mrs.
Cru, ly aying Icr off, iIroving iIc firsi
iicIcr sIc lanicd on iIc siairs oui of vin-
dov, and roicciing in crson, u and dovn
iIc siaircasc, a sucrnumcrary vIom sIc cn-
gagcd from iIc ouicr vorld. TIcsc vigorous
mcasurcs sirucl sucI icrror io iIc lrcasi of
Mrs. Cru, iIai sIc sulsidcd inio Icr ovn
liicIcn, undcr iIc imrcssion iIai my auni vas
mad. My auni lcing surcmcly indiffcrcni io
Mrs. Cru's oinion and cvcrylody clsc's, and
raiIcr favouring iIan discouraging iIc idca,
Mrs. Cru, of laic iIc lold, lccamc viiIin a
fcv days so faini-Icaricd, iIai raiIcr iIan cn-
counicr my auni uon iIc siaircasc, sIc vould
cndcavour io Iidc Icr orily form lcIind
doorslcaving visillc, Iovcvcr, a vidc margin
of flanncl ciiicoaior vould sIrinl inio darl
corncrs. TIis gavc my auni sucI unscalallc
saiisfaciion, iIai I lclicvc sIc iool a dcligIi in
rovling u and dovn, viiI Icr lonnci insancly
crcIcd on iIc io of Icr Icad, ai iimcs vIcn
Mrs. Cru vas lilcly io lc in iIc vay.
My auni, lcing uncommonly ncai and ingc-
nious, madc so many liiilc imrovcmcnis in our
domcsiic arrangcmcnis, iIai I sccmcd io lc
ricIcr insicad of oorcr. Among iIc rcsi, sIc
convcricd iIc aniry inio a drcssing-room for
mc; and urcIascd and cmlcllisIcd a lcdsicad
for my occuaiion, vIicI loolcd as lilc a lool-
casc in iIc dayiimc as a lcdsicad could. I vas
iIc oljcci of Icr consiani soliciiudc; and my
oor moiIcr Icrsclf could noi Iavc lovcd mc
lciicr, or siudicd morc Iov io malc mc Iay.
Fcggoiiy Iad considcrcd Icrsclf IigIly rivi-
lcgcd in lcing allovcd io ariiciaic in iIcsc
lalours; and, aliIougI sIc siill rciaincd somc-
133
iIing of Icr old scniimcni of avc in rcfcrcncc io
my auni, Iad rcccivcd so many marls of cn-
couragcmcni and confidcncc, iIai iIcy vcrc iIc
lcsi fricnds ossillc. Dui iIc iimc Iad nov
comc (I am scaling of iIc Saiurday vIcn I
vas io ialc ica ai Miss Mills's} vIcn ii vas ncc-
cssary for Icr io rciurn Iomc, and cnicr on iIc
discIargc of iIc duiics sIc Iad undcrialcn in
lcIalf of Ham. 'So good-lyc, Darlis,' said my
auni, 'and ialc carc of yoursclf! I am surc I ncvcr
iIougIi I could lc sorry io losc you!'
I iool Fcggoiiy io iIc coacI officc and sav
Icr off. SIc cricd ai ariing, and confidcd Icr
lroiIcr io my fricndsIi as Ham Iad donc. Wc
Iad Icard noiIing of Iim sincc Ic vcni avay,
iIai sunny aficrnoon.
'And nov, my ovn dcar Davy,' said Fcggoiiy,
'if, vIilc you'rc a rcniicc, you sIould vani any
moncy io scnd; or if, vIcn you'rc oui of your
iimc, my dcar, you sIould vani any io sci you
u (and you musi do onc or oiIcr, or loiI, my
darling}; vIo Ias sucI a good rigIi io asl lcavc
io lcnd ii you, as my svcci girl's ovn old siuid
mc!'
I vas noi so savagcly indccndcni as io say
anyiIing in rcly, lui iIai if cvcr I lorrovcd
moncy of anyonc, I vould lorrov ii of Icr. Nci
io accciing a largc sum on iIc soi, I lclicvc
iIis gavc Fcggoiiy morc comfori iIan anyiIing
I could Iavc donc.
'And, my dcar!' vIiscrcd Fcggoiiy, 'icll iIc
rciiy liiilc angcl iIai I sIould so Iavc lilcd io
scc Icr, only for a minuic! And icll Icr iIai lc-
forc sIc marrics my loy, I'll comc and malc
your Iousc so lcauiiful for you, if you'll lci mc!'
I dcclarcd iIai nolody clsc sIould ioucI ii;
and iIis gavc Fcggoiiy sucI dcligIi iIai sIc
vcni avay in good siriis.
I faiigucd mysclf as mucI as I ossilly could
in iIc Commons all day, ly a variciy of dcviccs,
and ai iIc aoinicd iimc in iIc cvcning rc-
aircd io Mr. Mills's sircci. Mr. Mills, vIo vas
134
a icrrillc fcllov io fall aslcc aficr dinncr, Iad
noi yci gonc oui, and iIcrc vas no lird-cagc in
iIc middlc vindov.
Hc lci mc vaiiing so long, iIai I fcrvcnily
Iocd iIc Clul vould finc Iim for lcing laic.
Ai lasi Ic camc oui; and iIcn I sav my ovn
Dora Iang u iIc lird-cagc, and cc inio iIc
lalcony io lool for mc, and run in again vIcn
sIc sav I vas iIcrc, vIilc Ji rcmaincd lcIind,
io larl injuriously ai an immcnsc luicIcr's dog
in iIc sircci, vIo could Iavc ialcn Iim lilc a
ill.
Dora camc io iIc draving-room door io mcci
mc; and Ji camc scramlling oui, iumlling ovcr
Iis ovn grovls, undcr iIc imrcssion iIai I vas
a Dandii; and vc all iIrcc vcni in, as Iay
and loving as could lc. I soon carricd dcsola-
iion inio iIc losom of our joysnoi iIai I mcani
io do ii, lui iIai I vas so full of iIc suljccily
asling Dora, viiIoui iIc smallcsi rcaraiion,
if sIc could lovc a lcggar?
My rciiy, liiilc, siarilcd Dora! Hcr only asso-
ciaiion viiI iIc vord vas a ycllov facc and a
nigIica, or a air of cruicIcs, or a voodcn lcg,
or a dog viiI a dccanicr-siand in Iis mouiI, or
somciIing of iIai lind; and sIc siarcd ai mc
viiI iIc mosi dcligIiful vondcr.
'Hov can you asl mc anyiIing so foolisI?'
ouicd Dora. 'Lovc a lcggar!'
'Dora, my ovn dcarcsi!' said I. 'I am a lcggar!'
'Hov can you lc sucI a silly iIing,' rclicd
Dora, slaing my Iand, 'as io sii iIcrc, iclling
sucI siorics? I'll malc Ji liic you!'
Hcr cIildisI vay vas iIc mosi dclicious vay
in iIc vorld io mc, lui ii vas ncccssary io lc
clicii, and I solcmnly rccaicd:
'Dora, my ovn lifc, I am your ruincd David!'
'I dcclarc I'll malc Ji liic you!' said Dora,
sIaling Icr curls, 'if you arc so ridiculous.'
Dui I loolcd so scrious, iIai Dora lcfi off sIal-
ing Icr curls, and laid Icr ircmlling liiilc Iand
uon my sIouldcr, and firsi loolcd scarcd and
135
anious, iIcn lcgan io cry. TIai vas drcadful.
I fcll uon my lnccs lcforc iIc sofa, carcssing
Icr, and imloring Icr noi io rcnd my Icari;
lui, for somc iimc, oor liiilc Dora did noiIing
lui cclaim OI dcar! OI dcar! And oI, sIc vas
so frigIicncd! And vIcrc vas Julia Mills! And
oI, ialc Icr io Julia Mills, and go avay, lcasc!
uniil I vas almosi lcsidc mysclf.
Ai lasi, aficr an agony of sulicaiion and ro-
icsiaiion, I goi Dora io lool ai mc, viiI a Iorri-
ficd crcssion of facc, vIicI I gradually sooiIcd
uniil ii vas only loving, and Icr sofi, rciiy cIccl
vas lying againsi minc. TIcn I iold Icr, viiI my
arms clascd round Icr, Iov I lovcd Icr, so
dcarly, and so dcarly; Iov I fcli ii rigIi io offcr io
rclcasc Icr from Icr cngagcmcni, lccausc nov I
vas oor; Iov I ncvcr could lcar ii, or rccovcr ii,
if I losi Icr; Iov I Iad no fcars of ovcriy, if sIc
Iad nonc, my arm lcing ncrvcd and my Icari
insircd ly Icr; Iov I vas alrcady vorling viiI
a couragc sucI as nonc lui lovcrs lncv; Iov I
Iad lcgun io lc raciical, and lool inio iIc fu-
iurc; Iov a crusi vcll carncd vas svccicr far
iIan a fcasi inIcriicd; and mucI morc io iIc
samc urosc, vIicI I dclivcrcd in a lursi of
assionaic cloqucncc quiic surrising io mysclf,
iIougI I Iad lccn iIinling aloui ii, day and
nigIi, cvcr sincc my auni Iad asionisIcd mc.
'Is your Icari minc siill, dcar Dora?' said I,
raiurously, for I lncv ly Icr clinging io mc
iIai ii vas.
'OI, ycs!' cricd Dora. 'OI, ycs, ii's all yours.
OI, don'i lc drcadful!'
I drcadful! To Dora!
'Don'i iall aloui lcing oor, and vorling
Iard!' said Dora, ncsiling closcr io mc. 'OI,
don'i, don'i!'
'My dcarcsi lovc,' said I, 'iIc crusi vcll-
carncd'
'OI, ycs; lui I don'i vani io Icar any morc
aloui crusis!' said Dora. 'And Ji musi Iavc a
muiion-cIo cvcry day ai ivclvc, or Ic'll dic.'
136
I vas cIarmcd viiI Icr cIildisI, vinning vay.
I fondly claincd io Dora iIai Ji sIould Iavc
Iis muiion-cIo viiI Iis accusiomcd rcgular-
iiy. I drcv a iciurc of our frugal Iomc, madc
indccndcni ly my lalourslcicIing in iIc
liiilc Iousc I Iad sccn ai HigIgaic, and my auni
in Icr room usiairs.
'I am noi drcadful nov, Dora?' said I, icndcrly.
'OI, no, no!' cricd Dora. 'Dui I Ioc your auni
vill lcc in Icr ovn room a good dcal. And I
Ioc sIc's noi a scolding old iIing!'
If ii vcrc ossillc for mc io lovc Dora morc iIan
cvcr, I am surc I did. Dui I fcli sIc vas a liiilc
imraciicallc. Ii damcd my ncv-lorn ardour,
io find iIai ardour so difficuli of communicaiion
io Icr. I madc anoiIcr irial. WIcn sIc vas quiic
Icrsclf again, and vas curling Ji's cars, as Ic
lay uon Icr la, I lccamc gravc, and said:
'My ovn! May I mcniion somciIing?'
'OI, lcasc don'i lc raciical!' said Dora,
coaingly. 'Dccausc ii frigIicns mc so!'
'SvcciIcari!' I rciurncd; 'iIcrc is noiIing io
alarm you in all iIis. I vani you io iIinl of ii
quiic diffcrcnily. I vani io malc ii ncrvc you,
and insirc you, Dora!'
'OI, lui iIai's so sIocling!' cricd Dora.
'My lovc, no. Fcrscvcrancc and sircngiI of cIar-
acicr vill cnallc us io lcar mucI vorsc iIings.'
'Dui I Iavcn'i goi any sircngiI ai all,' said
Dora, sIaling Icr curls. 'Havc I, Ji? OI, do
liss Ji, and lc agrccallc!'
Ii vas imossillc io rcsisi lissing Ji, vIcn
sIc Icld Iim u io mc for iIai urosc, uiiing
Icr ovn lrigIi, rosy liiilc mouiI inio lissing
form, as sIc dirccicd iIc ocraiion, vIicI sIc
insisicd sIould lc crformcd symmcirically, on
iIc ccnirc of Iis nosc. I did as sIc ladc mc
rcvarding mysclf aficrvards for my olcdicncc
and sIc cIarmcd mc oui of my gravcr cIar-
acicr for I don'i lnov Iov long.
'Dui, Dora, my lclovcd!' said I, ai lasi rcsum-
ing ii; 'I vas going io mcniion somciIing.'
137
TIc judgc of iIc Frcrogaiivc Couri migIi Iavc
fallcn in lovc viiI Icr, io scc Icr fold Icr liiilc
Iands and Iold iIcm u, lcgging and raying
mc noi io lc drcadful any morc.
'Indccd I am noi going io lc, my darling!' I
assurcd Icr. 'Dui, Dora, my lovc, if you vill
somciimcs iIinl,noi dcsondingly, you lnov;
far from iIai!lui if you vill somciimcs iIinl
jusi io cncouragc yoursclfiIai you arc cngagcd
io a oor man'
'Don'i, don'i! Fray don'i!' cricd Dora. 'Ii's so
vcry drcadful!'
'My soul, noi ai all!' said I, cIccrfully. 'If you
vill somciimcs iIinl of iIai, and lool aloui
nov and iIcn ai your aa's Iousclccing, and
cndcavour io acquirc a liiilc Ialiiof accounis,
for insiancc'
Foor liiilc Dora rcccivcd iIis suggcsiion viiI
somciIing iIai vas Ialf a sol and Ialf a scrcam.
'Ii vould lc so uscful io us aficrvards,' I
vcni on. 'And if you vould romisc mc io rcad
a liiilca liiilc Coolcry Dool iIai I vould scnd
you, ii vould lc so cccllcni for loiI of us. For
our aiI in lifc, my Dora,' said I, varming viiI
iIc suljcci, 'is siony and ruggcd nov, and ii
rcsis viiI us io smooiI ii. Wc musi figIi our
vay onvard. Wc musi lc lravc. TIcrc arc ol-
siaclcs io lc mci, and vc musi mcci, and crusI
iIcm!'
I vas going on ai a grcai raic, viiI a clcncIcd
Iand, and a mosi cniIusiasiic counicnancc; lui
ii vas quiic unncccssary io rocccd. I Iad said
cnougI. I Iad donc ii again. OI, sIc vas so
frigIicncd! OI, vIcrc vas Julia Mills! OI, ialc
Icr io Julia Mills, and go avay, lcasc! So iIai,
in sIori, I vas quiic disiracicd, and ravcd aloui
iIc draving-room.
I iIougIi I Iad lillcd Icr, iIis iimc. I srinllcd
vaicr on Icr facc. I vcni dovn on my lnccs. I
luclcd ai my Iair. I dcnounccd mysclf as a
rcmorsclcss lruic and a ruiIlcss lcasi. I im-
lorcd Icr forgivcncss. I lcsougIi Icr io lool
138
u. I ravagcd Miss Mills's vorl-lo for a smcll-
ing-loiilc, and in my agony of mind alicd an
ivory nccdlc-casc insicad, and drocd all iIc
nccdlcs ovcr Dora. I sIool my fisis ai Ji, vIo
vas as franiic as mysclf. I did cvcry vild c-
iravagancc iIai could lc donc, and vas a long
vay lcyond iIc cnd of my viis vIcn Miss Mills
camc inio iIc room.
'WIo Ias donc iIis?' cclaimcd Miss Mills,
succouring Icr fricnd.
I rclicd, 'I, Miss Mills! I Iavc donc ii! DcIold
iIc dcsiroycr!' or vords io iIai cffcciand
Iid my facc from iIc ligIi, in iIc sofa cusIion.
Ai firsi Miss Mills iIougIi ii vas a quarrcl,
and iIai vc vcrc vcrging on iIc Dcscri of Sa-
Iara; lui sIc soon found oui Iov maiicrs siood,
for my dcar affcciionaic liiilc Dora, cmlracing
Icr, lcgan cclaiming iIai I vas 'a oor
lalourcr'; and iIcn cricd for mc, and cmlraccd
mc, and aslcd mc vould I lci Icr givc mc all
Icr moncy io lcc, and iIcn fcll on Miss Mills's
nccl, solling as if Icr icndcr Icari vcrc lro-
lcn.
Miss Mills musi Iavc lccn lorn io lc a llcss-
ing io us. SIc asccriaincd from mc in a fcv
vords vIai ii vas all aloui, comforicd Dora,
and gradually convinccd Icr iIai I vas noi a
lalourcrfrom my manncr of siaiing iIc casc I
lclicvc Dora concludcd iIai I vas a navigaior,
and vcni lalancing mysclf u and dovn a lanl
all day viiI a vIccllarrovand so lrougIi us
iogciIcr in cacc. WIcn vc vcrc quiic com-
oscd, and Dora Iad gonc u-siairs io ui somc
rosc-vaicr io Icr cycs, Miss Mills rang for ica.
In iIc cnsuing inicrval, I iold Miss Mills iIai
sIc vas cvcrmorc my fricnd, and iIai my Icari
musi ccasc io vilraic crc I could forgci Icr sym-
aiIy.
I iIcn coundcd io Miss Mills vIai I Iad cn-
dcavourcd, so vcry unsucccssfully, io cound
io Dora. Miss Mills rclicd, on gcncral rincilcs,
iIai iIc Coiiagc of conicni vas lciicr iIan iIc
139
Falacc of cold slcndour, and iIai vIcrc lovc
vas, all vas.
I said io Miss Mills iIai iIis vas vcry iruc,
and vIo sIould lnov ii lciicr iIan I, vIo lovcd
Dora viiI a lovc iIai ncvcr morial Iad ccri-
cnccd yci? Dui on Miss Mills olscrving, viiI
dcsondcncy, iIai ii vcrc vcll indccd for somc
Icaris if iIis vcrc so, I claincd iIai I lcggcd
lcavc io rcsirici iIc olscrvaiion io morials of
iIc masculinc gcndcr.
I iIcn ui ii io Miss Mills, io say vIciIcr sIc
considcrcd iIai iIcrc vas or vas noi any rac-
iical mcrii in iIc suggcsiion I Iad lccn anious
io malc, conccrning iIc accounis, iIc Iousc-
lccing, and iIc Coolcry Dool?
Miss Mills, aficr somc considcraiion, iIus rc-
licd:
'Mr. Cocrficld, I vill lc lain viiI you. Mcn-
ial suffcring and irial suly, in somc naiurcs,
iIc lacc of ycars, and I vill lc as lain viiI
you as if I vcrc a Lady Allcss. No. TIc suggcs-
iion is noi aroriaic io our Dora. Our dcarcsi
Dora is a favouriic cIild of naiurc. SIc is a iIing
of ligIi, and airincss, and joy. I am frcc io con-
fcss iIai if ii could lc donc, ii migIi lc vcll,
lui' And Miss Mills sIool Icr Icad.
I vas cncouragcd ly iIis closing admission
on iIc ari of Miss Mills io asl Icr, vIciIcr,
for Dora's salc, if sIc Iad any ooriuniiy of
luring Icr aiicniion io sucI rcaraiions for an
carncsi lifc, sIc vould avail Icrsclf of ii? Miss
Mills rclicd in iIc affirmaiivc so rcadily, iIai I
furiIcr aslcd Icr if sIc vould ialc cIargc of
iIc Coolcry Dool; and, if sIc cvcr could in-
sinuaic ii uon Dora's accciancc, viiIoui
frigIicning Icr, undcrialc io do mc iIai crovn-
ing scrvicc. Miss Mills acccicd iIis irusi, ioo;
lui vas noi sanguinc.
And Dora rciurncd, looling sucI a lovcly liiilc
crcaiurc, iIai I rcally doulicd vIciIcr sIc
ougIi io lc iroullcd viiI anyiIing so ordinary.
And sIc lovcd mc so mucI, and vas so caii-
140
vaiing (ariicularly vIcn sIc madc Ji siand
on Iis Iind lcgs for ioasi, and vIcn sIc rc-
icndcd io Iold iIai nosc of Iis againsi iIc Ioi
icaoi for unisImcni lccausc Ic vouldn'i},
iIai I fcli lilc a sori of Monsicr vIo Iad goi
inio a Fairy's lovcr, vIcn I iIougIi of Iaving
frigIicncd Icr, and madc Icr cry.
Aficr ica vc Iad iIc guiiar; and Dora sang
iIosc samc dcar old FrcncI songs aloui iIc
imossililiiy of cvcr on any accouni lcaving off
dancing, La ra la, La ra la, uniil I fcli a mucI
grcaicr Monsicr iIan lcforc.
Wc Iad only onc cIccl io our lcasurc, and
iIai Iacncd a liiilc vIilc lcforc I iool my
lcavc, vIcn, Miss Mills cIancing io malc somc
allusion io iomorrov morning, I unluclily lci
oui iIai, lcing olligcd io ccri mysclf nov, I
goi u ai fivc o'clocl. WIciIcr Dora Iad any
idca iIai I vas a Frivaic WaicIman, I am un-
allc io say; lui ii madc a grcai imrcssion on
Icr, and sIc nciiIcr laycd nor sang any morc.
Ii vas siill on Icr mind vIcn I ladc Icr adicu;
and sIc said io mc, in Icr rciiy coaing vay
as if I vcrc a doll, I uscd io iIinl:
'Nov don'i gci u ai fivc o'clocl, you naugIiy
loy. Ii's so nonscnsical!'
'My lovc,' said I, 'I Iavc vorl io do.'
'Dui don'i do ii!' rciurncd Dora. 'WIy sIould
you?'
Ii vas imossillc io say io iIai svcci liiilc
surriscd facc, oiIcrvisc iIan ligIily and lay-
fully, iIai vc musi vorl io livc.
'OI! Hov ridiculous!' cricd Dora.
'Hov sIall vc livc viiIoui, Dora?' said I.
'Hov? Any Iov!' said Dora.
SIc sccmcd io iIinl sIc Iad quiic sciilcd iIc
qucsiion, and gavc mc sucI a iriumIani liiilc
liss, dircci from Icr innoccni Icari, iIai I vould
Iardly Iavc ui Icr oui of conccii viiI Icr an-
svcr, for a foriunc.
Wcll! I lovcd Icr, and I vcni on loving Icr,
mosi alsorlingly, cniircly, and comlcicly. Dui
141
going on, ioo, vorling rciiy Iard, and lusily
lccing rcd-Ioi all iIc irons I nov Iad in iIc
firc, I vould sii somciimcs of a nigIi, oosiic
my auni, iIinling Iov I Iad frigIicncd Dora
iIai iimc, and Iov I could lcsi malc my vay
viiI a guiiar-casc iIrougI iIc forcsi of diffi-
culiy, uniil I uscd io fancy iIai my Icad vas
iurning quiic grcy.
CHAPTER SS
A DISSOLUTION
OF PARTNERSHIP
I DID NOT ALLOW MY FESOLUTION, viiI rcscci io iIc
Farliamcniary Dclaics, io cool. Ii vas onc of
iIc irons I lcgan io Icai immcdiaicly, and onc
of iIc irons I lci Ioi, and Iammcrcd ai, viiI
a crscvcrancc I may Ioncsily admirc. I lougIi
an arovcd scIcmc of iIc nollc ari and mys-
icry of sicnograIy (vIicI cosi mc icn and si-
cncc}; and lungcd inio a sca of crlciiy iIai
lrougIi mc, in a fcv vccls, io iIc confincs of
disiraciion. TIc cIangcs iIai vcrc rung uon
dois, vIicI in sucI a osiiion mcani sucI a
iIing, and in sucI anoiIcr osiiion somciIing
clsc, cniircly diffcrcni; iIc vondcrful vagarics
iIai vcrc laycd ly circlcs; iIc unaccouniallc
conscqucnccs iIai rcsulicd from marls lilc flics'
lcgs; iIc ircmcndous cffccis of a curvc in a vrong
lacc; noi only iroullcd my valing Iours, lui
rcacarcd lcforc mc in my slcc. WIcn I Iad
grocd my vay, llindly, iIrougI iIcsc difficul-
iics, and Iad masicrcd iIc alIalci, vIicI vas
an Egyiian Tcmlc in iisclf, iIcrc iIcn a-
carcd a roccssion of ncv Iorrors, callcd ar-
liirary cIaracicrs; iIc mosi dcsoiic cIarac-
icrs I Iavc cvcr lnovn; vIo insisicd, for in-
siancc, iIai a iIing lilc iIc lcginning of a col-
vcl, mcani ccciaiion, and iIai a cn-and-
inl sly-roclci, siood for disadvaniagcous. WIcn
I Iad ficd iIcsc vrcicIcs in my mind, I found
iIai iIcy Iad drivcn cvcryiIing clsc oui of ii;
142
iIcn, lcginning again, I forgoi iIcm; vIilc I vas
icling iIcm u, I drocd iIc oiIcr fragmcnis
of iIc sysicm; in sIori, ii vas almosi Icari-
lrcaling.
Ii migIi Iavc lccn quiic Icari-lrcaling, lui
for Dora, vIo vas iIc siay and ancIor of my
icmcsi-drivcn larl. Evcry scraicI in iIc
scIcmc vas a gnarlcd oal in iIc forcsi of diffi-
culiy, and I vcni on cuiiing iIcm dovn, onc
aficr anoiIcr, viiI sucI vigour, iIai in iIrcc or
four moniIs I vas in a condiiion io malc an
ccrimcni on onc of our cracl scalcrs in iIc
Commons. SIall I cvcr forgci Iov iIc cracl
scalcr vallcd off from mc lcforc I lcgan, and
lcfi my imlccilc cncil siaggcring aloui iIc
acr as if ii vcrc in a fii!
TIis vould noi do, ii vas quiic clcar. I vas
flying ioo IigI, and sIould ncvcr gci on, so. I
rcsoricd io Traddlcs for advicc; vIo suggcsicd
iIai Ic sIould diciaic scccIcs io mc, ai a acc,
and viiI occasional sioagcs, adaicd io my
vcalncss. Vcry graicful for iIis fricndly aid, I
acccicd iIc roosal; and nigIi aficr nigIi,
almosi cvcry nigIi, for a long iimc, vc Iad a
sori of Frivaic Farliamcni in DuclingIam Sircci,
aficr I camc Iomc from iIc Docior's.
I sIould lilc io scc sucI a Farliamcni any-
vIcrc clsc! My auni and Mr. Dicl rcrcscnicd
iIc Govcrnmcni or iIc Oosiiion (as iIc casc
migIi lc}, and Traddlcs, viiI iIc assisiancc of
Enficld's Scalcrs, or a volumc of arliamcn-
iary oraiions, iIundcrcd asionisIing invcciivcs
againsi iIcm. Sianding ly iIc iallc, viiI Iis
fingcr in iIc agc io lcc iIc lacc, and Iis
rigIi arm flourisIing alovc Iis Icad, Traddlcs,
as Mr. Fiii, Mr. Fo, Mr. SIcridan, Mr. Durlc,
Lord CasilcrcagI, Viscouni SidmouiI, or Mr.
Canning, vould vorl Iimsclf inio iIc mosi vio-
lcni Icais, and dclivcr iIc mosi viiIcring dc-
nunciaiions of iIc rofligacy and corruiion of
my auni and Mr. Dicl; vIilc I uscd io sii, ai a
liiilc disiancc, viiI my noiclool on my lncc,
143
fagging aficr Iim viiI all my migIi and main.
TIc inconsisicncy and rccllcssncss of Traddlcs
vcrc noi io lc ccccdcd ly any rcal oliiician. Hc
vas for any dcscriiion of olicy, in iIc comass
of a vccl; and nailcd all soris of colours io cvcry
dcnominaiion of masi. My auni, looling vcry lilc
an immovallc CIanccllor of iIc EcIcqucr, vould
occasionally iIrov in an inicrruiion or ivo, as
'Hcar!' or 'No!' or 'OI!' vIcn iIc ici sccmcd io
rcquirc ii: vIicI vas alvays a signal io Mr. Dicl
(a crfcci couniry gcnilcman} io follov lusiily viiI
iIc samc cry. Dui Mr. Dicl goi iacd viiI sucI
iIings in iIc coursc of Iis Farliamcniary carccr,
and vas madc rcsonsillc for sucI avful consc-
qucnccs, iIai Ic lccamc uncomforiallc in Iis
mind somciimcs. I lclicvc Ic aciually lcgan io lc
afraid Ic rcally Iad lccn doing somciIing, icnd-
ing io iIc anniIilaiion of iIc DriiisI consiiiuiion,
and iIc ruin of iIc couniry.
Oficn and oficn vc ursucd iIcsc dclaics
uniil iIc clocl oinicd io midnigIi, and iIc
candlcs vcrc lurning dovn. TIc rcsuli of so
mucI good raciicc vas, iIai ly and ly I lc-
gan io lcc acc viiI Traddlcs rciiy vcll, and
sIould Iavc lccn quiic iriumIani if I Iad Iad
iIc lcasi idca vIai my noics vcrc aloui. Dui,
as io rcading iIcm aficr I Iad goi iIcm, I migIi
as vcll Iavc coicd iIc CIincsc inscriiions of
an immcnsc collcciion of ica-cIcsis, or iIc
goldcn cIaracicrs on all iIc grcai rcd and grccn
loiilcs in iIc cIcmisis' sIos!
TIcrc vas noiIing for ii, lui io iurn lacl and
lcgin all ovcr again. Ii vas vcry Iard, lui I
iurncd lacl, iIougI viiI a Icavy Icari, and
lcgan laloriously and mciIodically io lod ovcr
iIc samc icdious ground ai a snail's acc; sio-
ing io caminc minuicly cvcry sccl in iIc vay,
on all sidcs, and maling iIc mosi dcscraic
cfforis io lnov iIcsc clusivc cIaracicrs ly sigIi
vIcrcvcr I mci iIcm. I vas alvays unciual ai
iIc officc; ai iIc Docior's ioo: and I rcally did
vorl, as iIc common crcssion is, lilc a cari-
144
Iorsc. Onc day, vIcn I vcni io iIc Commons
as usual, I found Mr. Scnlov in iIc doorvay
looling circmcly gravc, and ialling io Iimsclf.
As Ic vas in iIc Ialii of comlaining of ains
in Iis IcadIc Iad naiurally a sIori iIroai,
and I do scriously lclicvc Ic ovcr-siarcIcd Iim-
sclfI vas ai firsi alarmcd ly iIc idca iIai Ic
vas noi quiic rigIi in iIai dircciion; lui Ic soon
rclicvcd my uncasincss.
Insicad of rciurning my 'Good morning' viiI Iis
usual affaliliiy, Ic loolcd ai mc in a disiani, ccr-
cmonious manncr, and coldly rcqucsicd mc io
accomany Iim io a ccriain coffcc-Iousc, vIicI,
in iIosc days, Iad a door ocning inio iIc Com-
mons, jusi viiIin iIc liiilc arcIvay in Si. Faul's
CIurcIyard. I comlicd, in a vcry uncomforiallc
siaic, and viiI a varm sIooiing all ovcr mc, as if
my arcIcnsions vcrc lrcaling oui inio luds.
WIcn I allovcd Iim io go on a liiilc lcforc, on
accouni of iIc narrovncss of iIc vay, I olscrvcd
iIai Ic carricd Iis Icad viiI a lofiy air iIai vas
ariicularly unromising; and my mind misgavc
mc iIai Ic Iad found oui aloui my darling Dora.
If I Iad noi gucsscd iIis, on iIc vay io iIc
coffcc-Iousc, I could Iardly Iavc failcd io lnov
vIai vas iIc maiicr vIcn I follovcd Iim inio
an usiairs room, and found Miss Murdsionc
iIcrc, suoricd ly a laclground of sidcloard,
on vIicI vcrc scvcral invcricd iumllcrs sus-
iaining lcmons, and ivo of iIosc ciraordinary
locs, all corncrs and fluiings, for siicling
lnivcs and forls in, vIicI, Iaily for man-
lind, arc nov olsolcic.
Miss Murdsionc gavc mc Icr cIilly fingcr-
nails, and sai scvcrcly rigid. Mr. Scnlov sIui
iIc door, moiioncd mc io a cIair, and siood on
iIc IcariI-rug in froni of iIc firclacc.
'Havc iIc goodncss io sIov Mr. Cocrficld,'
said Mr. Scnlov, vIai you Iavc in your rcii-
culc, Miss Murdsionc.'
I lclicvc ii vas iIc old idcniical siccl-clascd
rciiculc of my cIildIood, iIai sIui u lilc a
145
liic. Comrcssing Icr lis, in symaiIy viiI
iIc sna, Miss Murdsionc ocncd iiocning
Icr mouiI a liiilc ai iIc samc iimcand ro-
duccd my lasi lciicr io Dora, iccming viiI c-
rcssions of dcvoicd affcciion.
'I lclicvc iIai is your vriiing, Mr. Cocrficld?'
said Mr. Scnlov.
I vas vcry Ioi, and iIc voicc I Icard vas vcry
unlilc minc, vIcn I said, 'Ii is, sir!'
'If I am noi misialcn,' said Mr. Scnlov, as
Miss Murdsionc lrougIi a arccl of lciicrs oui
of Icr rciiculc, iicd round viiI iIc dcarcsi lii
of lluc rillon, 'iIosc arc also from your cn,
Mr. Cocrficld?'
I iool iIcm from Icr viiI a mosi dcsolaic scn-
saiion; and, glancing ai sucI Irascs ai iIc io,
as 'My cvcr dcarcsi and ovn Dora,' 'My lcsi
lclovcd angcl,' 'My llcsscd onc for cvcr,' and
iIc lilc, llusIcd dccly, and inclincd my Icad.
'No, iIanl you!' said Mr. Scnlov, coldly, as I
mccIanically offcrcd iIcm lacl io Iim. 'I vill
noi dcrivc you of iIcm. Miss Murdsionc, lc so
good as io rocccd!'
TIai gcnilc crcaiurc, aficr a momcni's
iIougIiful survcy of iIc carci, dclivcrcd Icr-
sclf viiI mucI dry unciion as follovs.
'I musi confcss io Iaving cnicriaincd my sus-
icions of Miss Scnlov, in rcfcrcncc io David
Cocrficld, for somc iimc. I olscrvcd Miss
Scnlov and David Cocrficld, vIcn iIcy firsi
mci; and iIc imrcssion madc uon mc iIcn
vas noi agrccallc. TIc dcraviiy of iIc Iuman
Icari is sucI'
'You vill olligc mc, ma'am,' inicrruicd Mr.
Scnlov, 'ly confining yoursclf io facis.'
Miss Murdsionc casi dovn Icr cycs, sIool Icr
Icad as if roicsiing againsi iIis unsccmly in-
icrruiion, and viiI frovning digniiy rcsumcd:
'Sincc I am io confinc mysclf io facis, I vill
siaic iIcm as dryly as I can. FcrIas iIai vill
lc considcrcd an accciallc coursc of rocccd-
ing. I Iavc alrcady said, sir, iIai I Iavc Iad my
146
susicions of Miss Scnlov, in rcfcrcncc io
David Cocrficld, for somc iimc. I Iavc frc-
qucnily cndcavourcd io find dccisivc corrolo-
raiion of iIosc susicions, lui viiIoui cffcci. I
Iavc iIcrcforc forlornc io mcniion iIcm io Miss
Scnlov's faiIcr'; looling scvcrcly ai Iim
'lnoving Iov liiilc disosiiion iIcrc usually is
in sucI cascs, io aclnovlcdgc iIc conscicniious
discIargc of duiy.'
Mr. Scnlov sccmcd quiic covcd ly iIc gcnilc-
manly sicrnncss of Miss Murdsionc's manncr,
and dcrccaicd Icr scvcriiy viiI a conciliaiory
liiilc vavc of Iis Iand.
'On my rciurn io Norvood, aficr iIc criod of
alscncc occasioncd ly my lroiIcr's marriagc,'
ursucd Miss Murdsionc in a disdainful voicc,
'and on iIc rciurn of Miss Scnlov from Icr
visii io Icr fricnd Miss Mills, I imagincd iIai
iIc manncr of Miss Scnlov gavc mc grcaicr
occasion for susicion iIan lcforc. TIcrcforc I
vaicIcd Miss Scnlov closcly.'
Dcar, icndcr liiilc Dora, so unconscious of iIis
Dragon's cyc!
'Siill,' rcsumcd Miss Murdsionc, 'I found no
roof uniil lasi nigIi. Ii acarcd io mc iIai
Miss Scnlov rcccivcd ioo many lciicrs from
Icr fricnd Miss Mills; lui Miss Mills lcing Icr
fricnd viiI Icr faiIcr's full concurrcncc,' an-
oiIcr iclling llov ai Mr. Scnlov, 'ii vas noi for
mc io inicrfcrc. If I may noi lc crmiiicd io al-
ludc io iIc naiural dcraviiy of iIc Iuman
Icari, ai lcasi I mayI musilc crmiiicd, so
far io rcfcr io mislaccd confidcncc.'
Mr. Scnlov aologciically murmurcd Iis as-
scni.
' Lasi cvcning aficr ica,' ursucd Miss
Murdsionc, 'I olscrvcd iIc liiilc dog siariing,
rolling, and grovling aloui iIc draving-room,
vorrying somciIing. I said io Miss Scnlov,
Dora, vIai is iIai iIc dog Ias in Iis mouiI?
Ii's acr." Miss Scnlov immcdiaicly ui Icr
Iand io Icr frocl, gavc a suddcn cry, and ran
147
io iIc dog. I inicroscd, and said, Dora, my
lovc, you musi crmii mc." '
OI Ji, miscrallc Sanicl, iIis vrcicIcdncss,
iIcn, vas your vorl!
'Miss Scnlov cndcavourcd,' said Miss
Murdsionc, 'io lrilc mc viiI lisscs, vorl-
locs, and small ariiclcs of jcvcllcryiIai, of
coursc, I ass ovcr. TIc liiilc dog rcircaicd un-
dcr iIc sofa on my aroacIing Iim, and vas
viiI grcai difficuliy dislodgcd ly iIc firc-irons.
Evcn vIcn dislodgcd, Ic siill lci iIc lciicr in
Iis mouiI; and on my cndcavouring io ialc ii
from Iim, ai iIc immincni risl of lcing liiicn,
Ic lci ii lcivccn Iis icciI so criinaciously
as io suffcr Iimsclf io lc Icld suscndcd in iIc
air ly mcans of iIc documcni. Ai lcngiI I ol-
iaincd osscssion of ii. Aficr crusing ii, I iacd
Miss Scnlov viiI Iaving many sucI lciicrs in
Icr osscssion; and uliimaicly oliaincd from
Icr iIc aclci vIicI is nov in David
Cocrficld's Iand.'
Hcrc sIc ccascd; and snaing Icr rciiculc
again, and sIuiiing Icr mouiI, loolcd as if sIc
migIi lc lrolcn, lui could ncvcr lc lcni.
'You Iavc Icard Miss Murdsionc,' said Mr.
Scnlov, iurning io mc. 'I lcg io asl, Mr.
Cocrficld, if you Iavc anyiIing io say in rc-
ly?'
TIc iciurc I Iad lcforc mc, of iIc lcauiiful
liiilc ircasurc of my Icari, solling and crying
all nigIiof Icr lcing alonc, frigIicncd, and
vrcicIcd, iIcnof Icr Iaving so iicously
lcggcd and raycd iIai siony-Icaricd voman
io forgivc Icrof Icr Iaving vainly offcrcd Icr
iIosc lisscs, vorl-locs, and irinlcisof Icr
lcing in sucI gricvous disircss, and all for mc
vcry mucI imaircd iIc liiilc digniiy I Iad lccn
allc io musicr. I am afraid I vas in a ircmulous
siaic for a minuic or so, iIougI I did my lcsi io
disguisc ii.
'TIcrc is noiIing I can say, sir,' I rciurncd,
'ccci iIai all iIc llamc is minc. Dora'
148
'Miss Scnlov, if you lcasc,' said Icr faiIcr,
majcsiically.
'vas induccd and crsuadcd ly mc,' I vcni
on, svalloving iIai coldcr dcsignaiion, 'io con-
scni io iIis conccalmcni, and I liiicrly rcgrci ii.'
'You arc vcry mucI io llamc, sir,' said Mr.
Scnlov, valling io and fro uon iIc IcariI-
rug, and cmIasizing vIai Ic said viiI Iis
vIolc lody insicad of Iis Icad, on accouni of
iIc siiffncss of Iis cravai and sinc. 'You Iavc
donc a sicaliIy and unlccoming aciion, Mr.
Cocrficld. WIcn I ialc a gcnilcman io my
Iousc, no maiicr vIciIcr Ic is ninciccn,
ivcniy-ninc, or ninciy, I ialc Iim iIcrc in a
sirii of confidcncc. If Ic aluscs my confidcncc,
Ic commiis a disIonourallc aciion, Mr.
Cocrficld.'
'I fccl ii, sir, I assurc you,' I rciurncd. 'Dui I
ncvcr iIougIi so, lcforc. Sinccrcly, Ioncsily,
indccd, Mr. Scnlov, I ncvcr iIougIi so, lc-
forc. I lovc Miss Scnlov io iIai cicni'
'FooI! nonscnsc!' said Mr. Scnlov, rcddcn-
ing. 'Fray don'i icll mc io my facc iIai you lovc
my daugIicr, Mr. Cocrficld!'
'Could I dcfcnd my conduci if I did noi, sir?' I
rciurncd, viiI all Iumiliiy.
'Can you dcfcnd your conduci if you do, sir?'
said Mr. Scnlov, sioing sIori uon iIc
IcariI-rug. 'Havc you considcrcd your ycars,
and my daugIicr's ycars, Mr. Cocrficld? Havc
you considcrcd vIai ii is io undcrminc iIc con-
fidcncc iIai sIould sulsisi lcivccn my daugI-
icr and mysclf? Havc you considcrcd my
daugIicr's siaiion in lifc, iIc rojccis I may con-
icmlaic for Icr advanccmcni, iIc icsiamcn-
iary inicniions I may Iavc viiI rcfcrcncc io Icr?
Havc you considcrcd anyiIing, Mr. Cocrficld?'
'Vcry liiilc, sir, I am afraid;' I ansvcrcd, scal-
ing io Iim as rcsccifully and sorrovfully as I
fcli; 'lui ray lclicvc mc, I Iavc considcrcd my
ovn vorldly osiiion. WIcn I claincd ii io you,
vc vcrc alrcady cngagcd'
149
'I Icg,' said Mr. Scnlov, morc lilc FuncI iIan
I Iad cvcr sccn Iim, as Ic cncrgciically sirucl
onc Iand uon iIc oiIcrI could noi Icl no-
iicing iIai cvcn in my dcsair; 'iIai ou vill not
iall io mc of cngagcmcnis, Mr. Cocrficld!'
TIc oiIcrvisc immovallc Miss Murdsionc
laugIcd conicmiuously in onc sIori syllallc.
'WIcn I claincd my alicrcd osiiion io you,
sir,' I lcgan again, sulsiiiuiing a ncv form of
crcssion for vIai vas so unalaiallc io Iim,
'iIis conccalmcni, inio vIicI I am so unIay
as io Iavc lcd Miss Scnlov, Iad lcgun. Sincc
I Iavc lccn in iIai alicrcd osiiion, I Iavc
siraincd cvcry ncrvc, I Iavc ccricd cvcry cn-
crgy, io imrovc ii. I am surc I sIall imrovc ii
in iimc. Will you grani mc iimcany lcngiI of
iimc? Wc arc loiI so young, sir,'
'You arc rigIi,' inicrruicd Mr. Scnlov, nod-
ding Iis Icad a grcai many iimcs, and frovning
vcry mucI, 'you arc loiI vcry young. Ii's all non-
scnsc. Lci iIcrc lc an cnd of iIc nonscnsc. Talc
avay iIosc lciicrs, and iIrov iIcm in iIc firc.
Givc mc Miss Scnlov's lciicrs io iIrov in iIc
firc; and aliIougI our fuiurc inicrcoursc musi,
you arc avarc, lc rcsiricicd io iIc Commons
Icrc, vc vill agrcc io malc no furiIcr mcniion
of iIc asi. Comc, Mr. Cocrficld, you don'i
vani scnsc; and iIis is iIc scnsillc coursc.'
No. I couldn'i iIinl of agrccing io ii. I vas
vcry sorry, lui iIcrc vas a IigIcr considcraiion
iIan scnsc. Lovc vas alovc all cariIly consid-
craiions, and I lovcd Dora io idolairy, and Dora
lovcd mc. I didn'i cacily say so; I soficncd ii
dovn as mucI as I could; lui I imlicd ii, and I
vas rcsoluic uon ii. I don'i iIinl I madc my-
sclf vcry ridiculous, lui I lnov I vas rcsoluic.
'Vcry vcll, Mr. Cocrficld,' said Mr. Scnlov,
'I musi iry my influcncc viiI my daugIicr.'
Miss Murdsionc, ly an crcssivc sound, a
long dravn rcsiraiion, vIicI vas nciiIcr a sigI
nor a moan, lui vas lilc loiI, gavc ii as Icr
oinion iIai Ic sIould Iavc donc iIis ai firsi.
150
'I musi iry,' said Mr. Scnlov, confirmcd ly
iIis suori, 'my influcncc viiI my daugIicr.
Do you dcclinc io ialc iIosc lciicrs, Mr.
Cocrficld?' For I Iad laid iIcm on iIc iallc.
Ycs. I iold Iim I Iocd Ic vould noi iIinl ii
vrong, lui I couldn'i ossilly ialc iIcm from
Miss Murdsionc.
'Nor from mc?' said Mr. Scnlov.
No, I rclicd viiI iIc rofoundcsi rcscci; nor
from Iim.
'Vcry vcll!' said Mr. Scnlov.
A silcncc succccding, I vas undccidcd vIciIcr
io go or siay. Ai lcngiI I vas moving quicily io-
vards iIc door, viiI iIc inicniion of saying iIai
crIas I sIould consuli Iis fcclings lcsi ly
viiIdraving: vIcn Ic said, viiI Iis Iands in
Iis coai oclcis, inio vIicI ii vas as mucI as
Ic could do io gci iIcm; and viiI vIai I sIould
call, uon iIc vIolc, a dccidcdly ious air:
'You arc rolally avarc, Mr. Cocrficld, iIai
I am noi aliogciIcr dcsiiiuic of vorldly osscs-
sions, and iIai my daugIicr is my ncarcsi and
dcarcsi rclaiivc?'
I Iurricdly madc Iim a rcly io iIc cffcci, iIai
I Iocd iIc crror inio vIicI I Iad lccn lciraycd
ly iIc dcscraic naiurc of my lovc, did noi in-
ducc Iim io iIinl mc mcrccnary ioo?
'I don'i alludc io iIc maiicr in iIai ligIi,' said
Mr. Scnlov. 'Ii vould lc lciicr for yoursclf,
and all of us, if you ucrc mcrccnary, Mr.
CocrficldI mcan, if you vcrc morc discrcci
and lcss influcnccd ly all iIis youiIful non-
scnsc. No. I mcrcly say, viiI quiic anoiIcr vicv,
you arc rolally avarc I Iavc somc rocriy io
lcqucaiI io my cIild?'
I ccriainly suoscd so.
'And you can Iardly iIinl,' said Mr. Scnlov,
'Iaving ccricncc of vIai vc scc, in iIc Com-
mons Icrc, cvcry day, of iIc various unaccouni-
allc and ncgligcni rocccdings of mcn, in rc-
scci of iIcir icsiamcniary arrangcmcnisof
all suljccis, iIc onc on vIicI crIas iIc
151
sirangcsi rcvclaiions of Iuman inconsisicncy
arc io lc mci viiIlui iIai minc arc madc?'
I inclincd my Icad in acquicsccncc.
'I sIould noi allov,' said Mr. Scnlov, viiI
an cvidcni incrcasc of ious scniimcni, and
slovly sIaling Iis Icad as Ic oiscd Iimsclf
uon Iis iocs and Iccls alicrnaicly, 'my suii-
allc rovision for my cIild io lc influcnccd ly
a iccc of youiIful folly lilc iIc rcscni. Ii is
mcrc folly. Mcrc nonscnsc. In a liiilc vIilc, ii
vill vcigI ligIicr iIan any fcaiIcr. Dui I migIi
I migIiif iIis silly lusincss vcrc noi com-
lcicly rclinquisIcd aliogciIcr, lc induccd in
somc anious momcni io guard Icr from, and
surround Icr viiI roicciions againsi, iIc con-
scqucnccs of any foolisI sic in iIc vay of mar-
riagc. Nov, Mr. Cocrficld, I Ioc iIai you vill
noi rcndcr ii ncccssary for mc io ocn, cvcn for
a quaricr of an Iour, iIai closcd agc in iIc
lool of lifc, and unsciilc, cvcn for a quaricr of
an Iour, gravc affairs long sincc comoscd.'
TIcrc vas a scrcniiy, a iranquilliiy, a calm
sunsci air aloui Iim, vIicI quiic affccicd mc.
Hc vas so caccful and rcsigncdclcarly Iad
Iis affairs in sucI crfcci irain, and so sysicm-
aiically vound uiIai Ic vas a man io fccl
ioucIcd in iIc conicmlaiion of. I rcally iIinl I
sav icars risc io Iis cycs, from iIc dciI of Iis
ovn fccling of all iIis.
Dui vIai could I do? I could noi dcny Dora
and my ovn Icari. WIcn Ic iold mc I Iad lci-
icr ialc a vccl io considcr of vIai Ic Iad said,
Iov could I say I vouldn'i ialc a vccl, yci Iov
could I fail io lnov iIai no amouni of vccls
could influcncc sucI lovc as minc?
'In iIc mcaniimc, confcr viiI Miss Troivood,
or viiI any crson viiI any lnovlcdgc of lifc,'
said Mr. Scnlov, adjusiing Iis cravai viiI loiI
Iands. 'Talc a vccl, Mr. Cocrficld.'
I sulmiiicd; and, viiI a counicnancc as c-
rcssivc as I vas allc io malc ii of dcjccicd and
dcsairing consiancy, camc oui of iIc room.
152
Miss Murdsionc's Icavy cyclrovs follovcd mc
io iIc doorI say Icr cyclrovs raiIcr iIan Icr
cycs, lccausc iIcy vcrc mucI morc imoriani
in Icr faccand sIc loolcd so cacily as sIc
uscd io lool, ai aloui iIai Iour of iIc morn-
ing, in our arlour ai Dlundcrsionc, iIai I could
Iavc fancicd I Iad lccn lrcaling dovn in my
lcssons again, and iIai iIc dcad vcigIi on my
mind vas iIai Iorrillc old sclling-lool, viiI
oval voodcuis, sIacd, io my youiIful fancy,
lilc iIc glasscs oui of scciaclcs.
WIcn I goi io iIc officc, and, sIuiiing oui old
Tiffcy and iIc rcsi of iIcm viiI my Iands, sai
ai my dcsl, in my ovn ariicular nool, iIinl-
ing of iIis cariIqualc iIai Iad ialcn lacc so
uncccicdly, and in iIc liiicrncss of my sirii
cursing Ji, I fcll inio sucI a siaic of iormcni
aloui Dora, iIai I vondcr I did noi ialc u my
Iai and rusI insancly io Norvood. TIc idca of
iIcir frigIicning Icr, and maling Icr cry, and
of my noi lcing iIcrc io comfori Icr, vas so
ccruciaiing, iIai ii imcllcd mc io vriic a vild
lciicr io Mr. Scnlov, lcscccIing Iim noi io
visii uon Icr iIc conscqucnccs of my avful
dcsiiny. I imlorcd Iim io sarc Icr gcnilc na-
iurcnoi io crusI a fragilc flovcrand ad-
drcsscd Iim gcncrally, io iIc lcsi of my rcmcm-
lrancc, as if, insicad of lcing Icr faiIcr, Ic Iad
lccn an Ogrc, or iIc Dragon of Wanilcy.3 TIis
lciicr I scalcd and laid uon Iis dcsl lcforc Ic
rciurncd; and vIcn Ic camc in, I sav Iim,
iIrougI iIc Ialf-ocncd door of Iis room, ialc
ii u and rcad ii.
Hc said noiIing aloui ii all iIc morning; lui
lcforc Ic vcni avay in iIc aficrnoon Ic callcd
mc in, and iold mc iIai I nccd noi malc mysclf
ai all uncasy aloui Iis daugIicr's Iaincss.
Hc Iad assurcd Icr, Ic said, iIai ii vas all non-
scnsc; and Ic Iad noiIing morc io say io Icr.
Hc lclicvcd Ic vas an indulgcni faiIcr (as in-
dccd Ic vas}, and I migIi sarc mysclf any so-
liciiudc on Icr accouni.
153
'You may malc ii ncccssary, if you arc foolisI
or olsiinaic, Mr. Cocrficld,' Ic olscrvcd, 'for
mc io scnd my daugIicr alroad again, for a
icrm; lui I Iavc a lciicr oinion of you. I Ioc
you vill lc viscr iIan iIai, in a fcv days. As io
Miss Murdsionc,' for I Iad alludcd io Icr in iIc
lciicr, 'I rcscci iIai lady's vigilancc, and fccl
olligcd io Icr; lui sIc Ias sirici cIargc io avoid
iIc suljcci. All I dcsirc, Mr. Cocrficld, is, iIai
ii sIould lc forgoiicn. All you Iavc goi io do,
Mr. Cocrficld, is io forgci ii.'
All! In iIc noic I vroic io Miss Mills, I liiicrly
quoicd iIis scniimcni. All I Iad io do, I said,
viiI gloomy sarcasm, vas io forgci Dora. TIai
vas all, and vIai vas iIai! I cnircaicd Miss
Mills io scc mc, iIai cvcning. If ii could noi lc
donc viiI Mr. Mills's sanciion and concurrcncc,
I lcsougIi a clandcsiinc inicrvicv in iIc lacl
liicIcn vIcrc iIc Manglc vas. I informcd Icr
iIai my rcason vas ioiicring on iis iIronc, and
only sIc, Miss Mills, could rcvcni iis lcing
dcoscd. I signcd mysclf, Icrs disiracicdly; and
I couldn'i Icl fccling, vIilc I rcad iIis como-
siiion ovcr, lcforc scnding ii ly a oricr, iIai ii
vas somciIing in iIc siylc of Mr. Micavlcr.
Hovcvcr, I scni ii. Ai nigIi I rcaircd io Miss
Mills's sircci, and vallcd u and dovn, uniil I vas
sicaliIily fcicIcd in ly Miss Mills's maid, and ialcn
iIc arca vay io iIc lacl liicIcn. I Iavc sincc sccn
rcason io lclicvc iIai iIcrc vas noiIing on cariI
io rcvcni my going in ai iIc froni door, and lcing
sIovn u inio iIc draving-room, ccci Miss
Mills's lovc of iIc romaniic and mysicrious.
In iIc lacl liicIcn, I ravcd as lccamc mc. I
vcni iIcrc, I suosc, io malc a fool of mysclf,
and I am quiic surc I did ii. Miss Mills Iad rc-
ccivcd a Iasiy noic from Dora, iclling Icr iIai
all vas discovcrcd, and saying. 'OI ray comc
io mc, Julia, do, do!' Dui Miss Mills, misirusi-
ing iIc acccialiliiy of Icr rcscncc io iIc
IigIcr ovcrs, Iad noi yci gonc; and vc vcrc
all lcnigIicd in iIc Dcscri of SaIara.
154
Miss Mills Iad a vondcrful flov of vords, and
lilcd io our iIcm oui. I could noi Icl fccling,
iIougI sIc minglcd Icr icars viiI minc, iIai sIc
Iad a drcadful luury in our affliciions. SIc ciicd
iIcm, as I may say, and madc iIc mosi of iIcm. A
dcc gulf, sIc olscrvcd, Iad ocncd lcivccn Dora
and mc, and Lovc could only san ii viiI iis rain-
lov. Lovc musi suffcr in iIis sicrn vorld; ii cvcr
Iad lccn so, ii cvcr vould lc so. No maiicr, Miss
Mills rcmarlcd. Hcaris confincd ly colvcls vould
lursi ai lasi, and iIcn Lovc vas avcngcd.
TIis vas small consolaiion, lui Miss Mills
vouldn'i cncouragc fallacious Iocs. SIc madc
mc mucI morc vrcicIcd iIan I vas lcforc, and
I fcli (and iold Icr viiI iIc dcccsi graiiiudc}
iIai sIc vas indccd a fricnd. Wc rcsolvcd iIai
sIc sIould go io Dora iIc firsi iIing in iIc morn-
ing, and find somc mcans of assuring Icr, ci-
iIcr ly lools or vords, of my dcvoiion and mis-
cry. Wc aricd, ovcrvIclmcd viiI gricf; and I
iIinl Miss Mills cnjoycd Icrsclf comlcicly.
I confidcd all io my auni vIcn I goi Iomc;
and in siic of all sIc could say io mc, vcni io
lcd dcsairing. I goi u dcsairing, and vcni
oui dcsairing. Ii vas Saiurday morning, and I
vcni siraigIi io iIc Commons.
I vas surriscd, vIcn I camc viiIin sigIi of
our officc-door, io scc iIc iiclci-oricrs siand-
ing ouisidc ialling iogciIcr, and somc Ialf-
dozcn siragglcrs gazing ai iIc vindovs vIicI
vcrc sIui u. I quiclcncd my acc, and, ass-
ing among iIcm, vondcring ai iIcir lools, vcni
Iurricdly in.
TIc clcrls vcrc iIcrc, lui nolody vas doing
anyiIing. Old Tiffcy, for iIc firsi iimc in Iis lifc
I sIould iIinl, vas siiiing on somclody clsc's
siool, and Iad noi Iung u Iis Iai.
'TIis is a drcadful calamiiy, Mr. Cocrficld,'
said Ic, as I cnicrcd.
'WIai is?' I cclaimcd. 'WIai's iIc maiicr?'
'Don'i you lnov?' cricd Tiffcy, and all iIc rcsi
of iIcm, coming round mc.
155
'No!' said I, looling from facc io facc.
'Mr. Scnlov,' said Tiffcy.
'WIai aloui Iim!'
'Dcad!' I iIougIi ii vas iIc officc rccling, and
noi I, as onc of iIc clcrls caugIi Iold of mc.
TIcy sai mc dovn in a cIair, uniicd my nccl-
cloiI, and lrougIi mc somc vaicr. I Iavc no
idca vIciIcr iIis iool any iimc.
'Dcad?' said I.
'Hc dincd in iovn ycsicrday, and drovc dovn
in iIc Iacion ly Iimsclf,' said Tiffcy, 'Iaving
scni Iis ovn groom Iomc ly iIc coacI, as Ic
somciimcs did, you lnov'
'Wcll?'
'TIc Iacion vcni Iomc viiIoui Iim. TIc
Iorscs siocd ai iIc siallc-gaic. TIc man vcni
oui viiI a lanicrn. Nolody in iIc carriagc.'
'Had iIcy run avay?'
'TIcy vcrc noi Ioi,' said Tiffcy, uiiing on Iis
glasscs; 'no Ioiicr, I undcrsiand, iIan iIcy
vould Iavc lccn, going dovn ai iIc usual acc.
TIc rcins vcrc lrolcn, lui iIcy Iad lccn drag-
ging on iIc ground. TIc Iousc vas rouscd u
dirccily, and iIrcc of iIcm vcni oui along iIc
road. TIcy found Iim a milc off.'
'Morc iIan a milc off, Mr. Tiffcy,' inicroscd a
junior.
'Was ii? I lclicvc you arc rigIi,' said Tiffcy,
'morc iIan a milc offnoi far from iIc cIurcI
lying arily on iIc roadsidc, and arily on iIc
aiI, uon Iis facc. WIciIcr Ic fcll oui in a fii,
or goi oui, fccling ill lcforc iIc fii camc onor
cvcn vIciIcr Ic vas quiic dcad iIcn, iIougI
iIcrc is no douli Ic vas quiic inscnsillcno
onc acars io lnov. If Ic lrcaiIcd, ccriainly
Ic ncvcr solc. Mcdical assisiancc vas goi as
soon as ossillc, lui ii vas quiic usclcss.'
I cannoi dcscrilc iIc siaic of mind inio vIicI
I vas iIrovn ly iIis iniclligcncc. TIc sIocl of
sucI an cvcni Iacning so suddcnly, and Ia-
cning io onc viiI vIom I Iad lccn in any rc-
scci ai variancciIc aalling vacancy in iIc
156
room Ic Iad occuicd so laicly, vIcrc Iis cIair
and iallc sccmcd io vaii for Iim, and Iis Iand-
vriiing of ycsicrday vas lilc a gIosiiIc in
dcfinallc imossililiiy of scaraiing Iim from
iIc lacc, and fccling, vIcn iIc door ocncd, as
if Ic migIi comc iniIc lazy IusI and rcsi
iIcrc vas in iIc officc, and iIc insaiiallc rclisI
viiI vIicI our colc iallcd aloui ii, and oiIcr
colc camc in and oui all day, and gorgcd iIcm-
sclvcs viiI iIc suljcciiIis is casily iniclligillc
io anyonc. WIai I cannoi dcscrilc is, Iov, in
iIc inncrmosi rcccsscs of my ovn Icari, I Iad a
lurling jcalousy cvcn of DcaiI. Hov I fcli as if iis
migIi vould usI mc from my ground in Dora's
iIougIis. Hov I vas, in a grudging vay I Iavc
no vords for, cnvious of Icr gricf. Hov ii madc
mc rcsilcss io iIinl of Icr vccing io oiIcrs, or
lcing consolcd ly oiIcrs. Hov I Iad a grasing,
avaricious visI io sIui oui cvcrylody from Icr
lui mysclf, and io lc all in all io Icr, ai iIai
unscasonallc iimc of all iimcs.
In iIc iroullc of iIis siaic of mindnoi c-
clusivcly my ovn, I Ioc, lui lnovn io oiI-
crsI vcni dovn io Norvood iIai nigIi; and
finding from onc of iIc scrvanis, vIcn I madc
my inquirics ai iIc door, iIai Miss Mills vas
iIcrc, goi my auni io dircci a lciicr io Icr, vIicI
I vroic. I dclorcd iIc uniimcly dcaiI of Mr.
Scnlov, mosi sinccrcly, and sIcd icars in do-
ing so. I cnircaicd Icr io icll Dora, if Dora vcrc
in a siaic io Icar ii, iIai Ic Iad solcn io mc
viiI iIc uimosi lindncss and considcraiion;
and Iad coulcd noiIing lui icndcrncss, noi a
singlc or rcroacIful vord, viiI Icr namc. I
lnov I did iIis sclfisIly, io Iavc my namc
lrougIi lcforc Icr; lui I iricd io lclicvc ii vas
an aci of jusiicc io Iis mcmory. FcrIas I did
lclicvc ii.
My auni rcccivcd a fcv lincs nci day in rc-
ly; addrcsscd, ouisidc, io Icr; viiIin, io mc.
Dora vas ovcrcomc ly gricf; and vIcn Icr fricnd
Iad aslcd Icr sIould sIc scnd Icr lovc io mc,
157
Iad only cricd, as sIc vas alvays crying, 'OI,
dcar aa! oI, oor aa!' Dui sIc Iad noi said
No, and iIai I madc iIc mosi of.
Mr. jorlins, vIo Iad lccn ai Norvood sincc
iIc occurrcncc, camc io iIc officc a fcv days
aficrvards. Hc and Tiffcy vcrc closcicd iogciIcr
for somc fcv momcnis, and iIcn Tiffcy loolcd
oui ai iIc door and lccloncd mc in.
'OI!' said Mr. jorlins. 'Mr. Tiffcy and mysclf,
Mr. Cocrficld, arc aloui io caminc iIc dcsls,
iIc dravcrs, and oiIcr sucI rcosiiorics of iIc
dcccascd, viiI iIc vicv of scaling u Iis ri-
vaic acrs, and scarcIing for a Will. TIcrc is
no iracc of any, clscvIcrc. Ii may lc as vcll for
you io assisi us, if you lcasc.'
I Iad lccn in agony io oliain somc lnovlcdgc
of iIc circumsianccs in vIicI my Dora vould
lc laccdas, in vIosc guardiansIi, and so
foriIand iIis vas somciIing iovards ii. Wc
lcgan iIc scarcI ai oncc; Mr. jorlins unlocling
iIc dravcrs and dcsls, and vc all ialing oui iIc
acrs. TIc officc-acrs vc laccd on onc sidc,
and iIc rivaic acrs (vIicI vcrc noi numcr-
ous} on iIc oiIcr. Wc vcrc vcry gravc; and vIcn
vc camc io a siray scal, or cncil-casc, or ring,
or any liiilc ariiclc of iIai lind vIicI vc associ-
aicd crsonally viiI Iim, vc solc vcry lov.
Wc Iad scalcd u scvcral aclcis; and vcrc
siill going on dusiily and quicily, vIcn Mr.
jorlins said io us, alying cacily iIc samc
vords io Iis laic arincr as Iis laic arincr Iad
alicd io Iim:
'Mr. Scnlov vas vcry difficuli io movc from
iIc lcaicn iracl. You lnov vIai Ic vas! I am
disoscd io iIinl Ic Iad madc no vill.'
'OI, I lnov Ic Iad!' said I.
TIcy loiI siocd and loolcd ai mc.
'On iIc vcry day vIcn I lasi sav Iim,' said I,
'Ic iold mc iIai Ic Iad, and iIai Iis affairs
vcrc long sincc sciilcd.'
Mr. jorlins and old Tiffcy sIool iIcir Icads
viiI onc accord.
158
'TIai lools unromising,' said Tiffcy.
'Vcry unromising,' said Mr. jorlins.
'Surcly you don'i douli' I lcgan.
'My good Mr. Cocrficld!' said Tiffcy, laying
Iis Iand uon my arm, and sIuiiing u loiI
Iis cycs as Ic sIool Iis Icad: 'if you Iad lccn
in iIc Commons as long as I Iavc, you vould
lnov iIai iIcrc is no suljcci on vIicI mcn arc
so inconsisicni, and so liiilc io lc irusicd.'
'WIy, llcss my soul, Ic madc iIai vcry rc-
marl!' I rclicd crsisicnily.
'I sIould call iIai almosi final,' olscrvcd Tiffcy.
'My oinion isno vill.'
Ii acarcd a vondcrful iIing io mc, lui ii
iurncd oui iIai iIcrc vas no vill. Hc Iad ncvcr
so mucI as iIougIi of maling onc, so far as
Iis acrs affordcd any cvidcncc; for iIcrc vas
no lind of Iini, slcicI, or mcmorandum, of any
icsiamcniary inicniion vIaicvcr. WIai vas
scarccly lcss asionisIing io mc, vas, iIai Iis
affairs vcrc in a mosi disordcrcd siaic. Ii vas
circmcly difficuli, I Icard, io malc oui vIai
Ic ovcd, or vIai Ic Iad aid, or of vIai Ic
dicd osscsscd. Ii vas considcrcd lilcly iIai for
ycars Ic could Iavc Iad no clcar oinion on
iIcsc suljccis Iimsclf. Dy liiilc and liiilc ii camc
oui, iIai, in iIc comciiiion on all oinis of
acarancc and gcniiliiy iIcn running IigI in
iIc Commons, Ic Iad scni morc iIan Iis ro-
fcssional incomc, vIicI vas noi a vcry largc
onc, and Iad rcduccd Iis rivaic mcans, if iIcy
cvcr Iad lccn grcai (vIicI vas ccccdingly
douliful}, io a vcry lov cll indccd. TIcrc vas a
salc of iIc furniiurc and lcasc, ai Norvood; and
Tiffcy iold mc, liiilc iIinling Iov inicrcsicd I
vas in iIc siory, iIai, aying all iIc jusi dclis
of iIc dcccascd, and dcduciing Iis sIarc of
ouisianding lad and douliful dclis duc io iIc
firm, Ic vouldn'i givc a iIousand ounds for
all iIc asscis rcmaining.
TIis vas ai iIc ciraiion of aloui si vccls.
I Iad suffcrcd ioriurcs all iIc iimc; and iIougIi
159
I rcally musi Iavc laid violcni Iands uon my-
sclf, vIcn Miss Mills siill rcoricd io mc, iIai
my lrolcn-Icaricd liiilc Dora vould say noiI-
ing, vIcn I vas mcniioncd, lui 'OI, oor aa!
OI, dcar aa!' Also, iIai sIc Iad no oiIcr rc-
laiions iIan ivo aunis, maidcn sisicrs of Mr.
Scnlov, vIo livcd ai Fuincy, and vIo Iad noi
Icld any oiIcr iIan cIancc communicaiion viiI
iIcir lroiIcr for many ycars. Noi iIai iIcy Iad
cvcr quarrcllcd (Miss Mills informcd mc}; lui
iIai Iaving lccn, on iIc occasion of Dora's
cIrisicning, inviicd io ica, vIcn iIcy consid-
crcd iIcmsclvcs rivilcgcd io lc inviicd io din-
ncr, iIcy Iad crcsscd iIcir oinion in vrii-
ing, iIai ii vas 'lciicr for iIc Iaincss of all
ariics' iIai iIcy sIould siay avay. Sincc vIicI
iIcy Iad gonc iIcir road, and iIcir lroiIcr Iad
gonc Iis.
TIcsc ivo ladics nov cmcrgcd from iIcir rc-
iircmcni, and rooscd io ialc Dora io livc ai
Fuincy. Dora, clinging io iIcm loiI, and vcc-
ing, cclaimcd, 'O ycs, aunis! Flcasc ialc Julia
Mills and mc and Ji io Fuincy!' So iIcy vcni,
vcry soon aficr iIc funcral.
Hov I found iimc io Iauni Fuincy, I am surc
I don'i lnov; lui I conirivcd, ly somc mcans or
oiIcr, io rovl aloui iIc ncigIlourIood rciiy
oficn. Miss Mills, for iIc morc caci discIargc
of iIc duiics of fricndsIi, lci a journal; and
sIc uscd io mcci mc somciimcs, on iIc Com-
mon, and rcad ii, or (if sIc Iad noi iimc io do
iIai} lcnd ii io mc. Hov I ircasurcd u iIc cn-
irics, of vIicI I suljoin a samlc!
'Monday. My svcci D. siill mucI dcrcsscd.
HcadacIc. Callcd aiicniion io J. as lcing lcau-
iifully slccl. D. fondlcd J. Associaiions iIus
avalcncd, ocncd floodgaics of sorrov. FusI
of gricf admiiicd. (Arc icars iIc dcvdros of iIc
Icari? J. M.}
'Tucsday. D. vcal and ncrvous. Dcauiiful in
allor. (Do vc noi rcmarl iIis in moon lilc-
visc? J. M.} D., J. M. and J. iool airing in car-
160
riagc. J. looling oui of vindov, and larling vio-
lcnily ai dusiman, occasioncd smilc io ovcr-
srcad fcaiurcs of D. (Of sucI sligIi linls is
cIain of lifc comoscd! J. M.}
'Wcdncsday. D. comaraiivcly cIccrful. Sang
io Icr, as congcnial mclody, Evcning Dclls".
Effcci noi sooiIing, lui rcvcrsc. D. incrcss-
illy affccicd. Found solling aficrvards, in ovn
room. Quoicd vcrscs rcscciing sclf and young
Gazcllc. Incffcciually. Also rcfcrrcd io Faiicncc
on Monumcni. (Qy. WIy on monumcni? J. M.}
'TIursday. D. ccriainly imrovcd. Dciicr nigIi.
SligIi iingc of damasl rcvisiiing cIccl. Fcsolvcd
io mcniion namc of D. C. Iniroduccd samc, cau-
iiously, in coursc of airing. D. immcdiaicly ovcr-
comc. OI, dcar, dcar Julia! OI, I Iavc lccn a
naugIiy and unduiiful cIild!" SooiIcd and ca-
rcsscd. Drcv idcal iciurc of D. C. on vcrgc of
ioml. D. again ovcrcomc. OI, vIai sIall I do,
vIai sIall I do? OI, ialc mc somcvIcrc!" MucI
alarmcd. Fainiing of D. and glass of vaicr from
ullic-Iousc. (Fociical affiniiy. CIcqucrcd sign
on door-osi; cIcqucrcd Iuman lifc. Alas! J. M.}
'Friday. Day of incidcni. Man acars in
liicIcn, viiI lluc lag, for lady's loois lcfi oui
io Iccl". Cool rclics, No sucI ordcrs." Man
argucs oini. Cool viiIdravs io inquirc, lcav-
ing man alonc viiI J. On Cool's rciurn, man
siill argucs oini, lui uliimaicly gocs. J. miss-
ing. D. disiracicd. Informaiion scni io olicc.
Man io lc idcniificd ly lroad nosc, and lcgs
lilc lalusiradcs of lridgc. ScarcI madc in cv-
cry dircciion. No J. D. vccing liiicrly, and in-
consolallc. Fcncvcd rcfcrcncc io young Gazcllc.
Aroriaic, lui unavailing. Tovards cvcning,
sirangc loy calls. DrougIi inio arlour. Droad
nosc, lui no lalusiradcs. Says Ic vanis a
ound, and lnovs a dog. Dcclincs io clain
furiIcr, iIougI mucI rcsscd. Found lcing
roduccd ly D. ialcs Cool io liiilc Iousc, vIcrc
J. alonc iicd u io lcg of iallc. joy of D. vIo
danccs round J. vIilc Ic cais Iis sucr.
161
Emloldcncd ly iIis Iay cIangc, mcniion D.
C. usiairs. D. vccs afrcsI, crics iicously,
OI, don'i, don'i, don'i! Ii is so viclcd io iIinl
of anyiIing lui oor aa!"cmlraccs J. and
sols Icrsclf io slcc. (Musi noi D. C. confinc
Iimsclf io iIc lroad inions of Timc? J. M.}'
Miss Mills and Icr journal vcrc my solc con-
solaiion ai iIis criod. To scc Icr, vIo Iad sccn
Dora lui a liiilc vIilc lcforcio iracc iIc ini-
iial lciicr of Dora's namc iIrougI Icr syma-
iIciic agcsio lc madc morc and morc mis-
crallc ly Icrvcrc my only comforis. I fcli as
if I Iad lccn living in a alacc of cards, vIicI
Iad iumllcd dovn, lcaving only Miss Mills and
mc among iIc ruins; I fcli as if somc grim cn-
cIanicr Iad dravn a magic circlc round iIc
innoccni goddcss of my Icari, vIicI noiIing
indccd lui iIosc samc sirong inions, caallc
of carrying so many colc ovcr so mucI, vould
cnallc mc io cnicr!
CHAPTER S9
WICKFIELD AND HEEP
MY AUNT, DEGINNING, I imaginc, io lc madc scri-
ously uncomforiallc ly my rolongcd dcjcciion,
madc a rcicncc of lcing anious iIai I sIould
go io Dovcr, io scc iIai all vas vorling vcll ai
iIc coiiagc, vIicI vas lci; and io concludc an
agrccmcni, viiI iIc samc icnani, for a longcr
icrm of occuaiion. Janci vas draficd inio iIc
scrvicc of Mrs. Sirong, vIcrc I sav Icr cvcry
day. SIc Iad lccn undccidcd, on lcaving Do-
vcr, vIciIcr or no io givc iIc finisIing ioucI io
iIai rcnunciaiion of manlind in vIicI sIc Iad
lccn cducaicd, ly marrying a iloi; lui sIc
dccidcd againsi iIai vcniurc. Noi so mucI for
iIc salc of rincilc, I lclicvc, as lccausc sIc
Iacncd noi io lilc Iim.
AliIougI ii rcquircd an cffori io lcavc Miss
Mills, I fcll raiIcr villingly inio my auni's rc-
icncc, as a mcans of cnalling mc io ass a fcv
162
iranquil Iours viiI Agncs. I consulicd iIc good
Docior rclaiivc io an alscncc of iIrcc days; and
iIc Docior visIing mc io ialc iIai rclaaiion,
Ic visIcd mc io ialc morc; lui my cncrgy could
noi lcar iIai,I madc u my mind io go.
As io iIc Commons, I Iad no grcai occasion
io lc ariicular aloui my duiics in iIai quar-
icr. To say iIc iruiI, vc vcrc gciiing in no vcry
good odour among iIc ii-io rociors, and vcrc
raidly sliding dovn io lui a douliful osiiion.
TIc lusincss Iad lccn indiffcrcni undcr Mr.
jorlins, lcforc Mr. Scnlov's iimc; and aliIougI
ii Iad lccn quiclcncd ly iIc infusion of ncv
llood, and ly iIc dislay vIicI Mr. Scnlov
madc, siill ii vas noi csiallisIcd on a sufficicnily
sirong lasis io lcar, viiIoui lcing sIalcn, sucI
a llov as iIc suddcn loss of iis aciivc managcr.
Ii fcll off vcry mucI. Mr. jorlins, noiviiIsiand-
ing Iis rcuiaiion in iIc firm, vas an casy-go-
ing, incaallc sori of man, vIosc rcuiaiion
oui of doors vas noi calculaicd io lacl ii u. I
vas iurncd ovcr io Iim nov, and vIcn I sav
Iim ialc Iis snuff and lci iIc lusincss go, I
rcgrciicd my auni's iIousand ounds morc iIan
cvcr.
Dui iIis vas noi iIc vorsi of ii. TIcrc vcrc a
numlcr of Iangcrs-on and ouisidcrs aloui iIc
Commons, vIo, viiIoui lcing rociors iIcm-
sclvcs, dalllcd in common-form lusincss, and
goi ii donc ly rcal rociors, vIo lcni iIcir namcs
in considcraiion of a sIarc in iIc soil;and
iIcrc vcrc a good many of iIcsc ioo. As our
Iousc nov vanicd lusincss on any icrms, vc
joincd iIis nollc land; and iIrcv oui lurcs io
iIc Iangcrs-on and ouisidcrs, io lring iIcir
lusincss io us. Marriagc liccnccs and small ro-
laics vcrc vIai vc all loolcd for, and vIai aid
us lcsi; and iIc comciiiion for iIcsc ran vcry
IigI indccd. Kidnacrs and invciglcrs vcrc
lanicd in all iIc avcnucs of cnirancc io iIc
Commons, viiI insiruciions io do iIcir uimosi
io cui off all crsons in mourning, and all gcnilc-
163
mcn viiI anyiIing lasIful in iIcir acarancc,
and cniicc iIcm io iIc officcs in vIicI iIcir
rcscciivc cmloycrs vcrc inicrcsicd; vIicI
insiruciions vcrc so vcll olscrvcd, iIai I my-
sclf, lcforc I vas lnovn ly sigIi, vas ivicc
Iusilcd inio iIc rcmiscs of our rincial o-
oncni. TIc confliciing inicrcsis of iIcsc ioui-
ing gcnilcmcn lcing of a naiurc io irriiaic iIcir
fcclings, crsonal collisions iool lacc; and iIc
Commons vas cvcn scandalizcd ly our rinci-
al invciglcr (vIo Iad formcrly lccn in iIc vinc
iradc, and aficrvards in iIc svorn lrolcry linc}
valling aloui for somc days viiI a llacl cyc.
Any onc of iIcsc scouis uscd io iIinl noiIing
of oliicly assisiing an old lady in llacl oui of a
vcIiclc, lilling any rocior vIom sIc inquircd
for, rcrcscniing Iis cmloycr as iIc lavful
succcssor and rcrcscniaiivc of iIai rocior,
and lcaring iIc old lady off (somciimcs grcaily
affccicd} io Iis cmloycr's officc. Many caiivcs
vcrc lrougIi io mc in iIis vay. As io marriagc
liccnccs, iIc comciiiion rosc io sucI a iicI,
iIai a sIy gcnilcman in vani of onc, Iad noiI-
ing io do lui sulmii Iimsclf io iIc firsi invci-
glcr, or lc fougIi for, and lccomc iIc rcy of
iIc sirongcsi. Onc of our clcrls, vIo vas an
ouisidcr, uscd, in iIc IcigIi of iIis conicsi, io
sii viiI Iis Iai on, iIai Ic migIi lc rcady io
rusI oui and svcar lcforc a surrogaic any vic-
iim vIo vas lrougIi in. TIc sysicm of invci-
gling coniinucs, I lclicvc, io iIis day. TIc lasi
iimc I vas in iIc Commons, a civil allc-lodicd
crson in a vIiic aron ounccd oui uon mc
from a doorvay, and vIiscring iIc vord 'Mar-
riagc-liccncc' in my car, vas viiI grcai diffi-
culiy rcvcnicd from ialing mc u in Iis arms
and lifiing mc inio a rocior's. From iIis di-
grcssion, lci mc rocccd io Dovcr.
I found cvcryiIing in a saiisfaciory siaic ai
iIc coiiagc; and vas cnallcd io graiify my auni
ccccdingly ly rcoriing iIai iIc icnani inIcr-
iicd Icr fcud, and vagcd inccssani var againsi
164
donlcys. Having sciilcd iIc liiilc lusincss I Iad
io iransaci iIcrc, and slci iIcrc onc nigIi, I
vallcd on io Canicrlury carly in iIc morning.
Ii vas nov vinicr again; and iIc frcsI, cold
vindy day, and iIc svccing dovnland, lrigIi-
cncd u my Iocs a liiilc.
Coming inio Canicrlury, I loiicrcd iIrougI iIc
old sirccis viiI a solcr lcasurc iIai calmcd
my siriis, and cascd my Icari. TIcrc vcrc iIc
old signs, iIc old namcs ovcr iIc sIos, iIc old
colc scrving in iIcm. Ii acarcd so long, sincc
I Iad lccn a scIoolloy iIcrc, iIai I vondcrcd
iIc lacc vas so liiilc cIangcd, uniil I rcflccicd
Iov liiilc I vas cIangcd mysclf. Sirangc io say,
iIai quici influcncc vIicI vas inscarallc in
my mind from Agncs, sccmcd io crvadc cvcn
iIc ciiy vIcrc sIc dvcli. TIc vcncrallc caiIc-
dral iovcrs, and iIc old jacldavs and rools
vIosc airy voiccs madc iIcm morc rciircd iIan
crfcci silcncc vould Iavc donc; iIc laiicrcd
gaicvays, onc siucl full viiI siaiucs, long
iIrovn dovn, and crumllcd avay, lilc iIc rcv-
crcniial ilgrims vIo Iad gazcd uon iIcm; iIc
siill nools, vIcrc iIc ivicd groviI of ccniurics
crci ovcr gallcd cnds and ruincd valls; iIc
ancicni Iouscs, iIc asioral landscac of ficld,
orcIard, and gardcn; cvcryvIcrcon cvcryiIing
I fcli iIc samc scrcncr air, iIc samc calm,
iIougIiful, soficning sirii.
Arrivcd ai Mr. Wiclficld's Iousc, I found, in iIc
liiilc lovcr room on iIc ground floor, vIcrc UriaI
Hcc Iad lccn of old accusiomcd io sii, Mr.
Micavlcr lying Iis cn viiI grcai assiduiiy. Hc
vas drcsscd in a lcgal-looling suii of llacl, and
loomcd, lurly and largc, in iIai small officc.
Mr. Micavlcr vas circmcly glad io scc mc,
lui a liiilc confuscd ioo. Hc vould Iavc con-
ducicd mc immcdiaicly inio iIc rcscncc of
UriaI, lui I dcclincd.
'I lnov iIc Iousc of old, you rccollcci,' said I,
'and vill find my vay usiairs. Hov do you lilc
iIc lav, Mr. Micavlcr?'
165
'My dcar Cocrficld,' Ic rclicd. 'To a man
osscsscd of iIc IigIcr imaginaiivc ovcrs, iIc
oljcciion io lcgal siudics is iIc amouni of dc-
iail vIicI iIcy involvc. Evcn in our rofcssional
corrcsondcncc,' said Mr. Micavlcr, glancing
ai somc lciicrs Ic vas vriiing, 'iIc mind is noi
ai lilcriy io soar io any calicd form of crcs-
sion. Siill, ii is a grcai ursuii. A grcai ur-
suii!'
Hc iIcn iold mc iIai Ic Iad lccomc iIc icn-
ani of UriaI Hcc's old Iousc; and iIai Mrs.
Micavlcr vould lc dcligIicd io rcccivc mc, oncc
morc, undcr Icr ovn roof.
'Ii is Iumllc,' said Mr. Micavlcr, 'io quoic
a favouriic crcssion of my fricnd Hcc; lui ii
may rovc iIc sicing-sionc io morc amliiious
domiciliary accommodaiion.'
I aslcd Iim vIciIcr Ic Iad rcason, so far, io
lc saiisficd viiI Iis fricnd Hcc's ircaimcni of
Iim? Hc goi u io asccriain if iIc door vcrc
closc sIui, lcforc Ic rclicd, in a lovcr voicc:
'My dcar Cocrficld, a man vIo lalours un-
dcr iIc rcssurc of ccuniary cmlarrassmcnis,
is, viiI iIc gcncraliiy of colc, ai a disadvan-
iagc. TIai disadvaniagc is noi diminisIcd, vIcn
iIai rcssurc ncccssiiaics iIc draving of sii-
cndiary cmolumcnis, lcforc iIosc cmolumcnis
arc siricily duc and ayallc. All I can say is,
iIai my fricnd Hcc Ias rcsondcd io acals
io vIicI I nccd noi morc ariicularly rcfcr, in a
manncr calculaicd io rcdound cqually io iIc
Ionour of Iis Icad, and of Iis Icari.'
'I sIould noi Iavc suoscd Iim io lc vcry
frcc viiI Iis moncy ciiIcr,' I olscrvcd.
'Fardon mc!' said Mr. Micavlcr, viiI an air of
consiraini, 'I scal of my fricnd Hcc as I Iavc
ccricncc.'
'I am glad your ccricncc is so favourallc,' I rciurncd.
'You arc vcry olliging, my dcar Cocrficld,'
said Mr. Micavlcr; and Iummcd a iunc.
'Do you scc mucI of Mr. Wiclficld?' I aslcd,
io cIangc iIc suljcci.
166
'Noi mucI,' said Mr. Micavlcr, sligIiingly. 'Mr.
Wiclficld is, I darc say, a man of vcry cccllcni
inicniions; lui Ic isin sIori, Ic is olsolcic.'
'I am afraid Iis arincr sccls io malc Iim
so,' said I.
'My dcar Cocrficld!' rciurncd Mr. Micavlcr,
aficr somc uncasy cvoluiions on Iis siool, 'al-
lov mc io offcr a rcmarl! I am Icrc, in a caac-
iiy of confidcncc. I am Icrc, in a osiiion of irusi.
TIc discussion of somc ioics, cvcn viiI Mrs.
Micavlcr Icrsclf (so long iIc arincr of my vari-
ous vicissiiudcs, and a voman of a rcmarlallc
lucidiiy of inicllcci}, is, I am lcd io considcr, in-
comaiillc viiI iIc funciions nov dcvolving on
mc. I vould iIcrcforc ialc iIc lilcriy of sug-
gcsiing iIai in our fricndly inicrcourscvIicI
I irusi vill ncvcr lc disiurlcd!vc drav a linc.
On onc sidc of iIis linc,' said Mr. Micavlcr,
rcrcscniing ii on iIc dcsl viiI iIc officc rulcr,
'is iIc vIolc rangc of iIc Iuman inicllcci, viiI
a irifling ccciion; on iIc oiIcr, s iIai ccc-
iion; iIai is io say, iIc affairs of Mcssrs Wiclficld
and Hcc, viiI all lclonging and acriaining
iIcrcunio. I irusi I givc no offcncc io iIc com-
anion of my youiI, in sulmiiiing iIis roosi-
iion io Iis coolcr judgcmcni?'
TIougI I sav an uncasy cIangc in Mr.
Micavlcr, vIicI sai iigIily on Iim, as if Iis
ncv duiics vcrc a misfii, I fcli I Iad no rigIi io
lc offcndcd. My iclling Iim so, acarcd io rc-
licvc Iim; and Ic sIool Iands viiI mc.
' I am cIarmcd, Cocrficld,' said Mr.
Micavlcr, 'lci mc assurc you, viiI Miss
Wiclficld. SIc is a vcry sucrior young lady, of
vcry rcmarlallc aiiraciions, graccs, and viriucs.
Uon my Ionour,' said Mr. Micavlcr, indcfi-
niicly lissing Iis Iand and loving viiI Iis
gcnicclcsi air, 'I do Homagc io Miss Wiclficld!
Hcm!' 'I am glad of iIai, ai lcasi,' said I.
' If you Iad noi assurcd us, my dcar
Cocrficld, on iIc occasion of iIai agrccallc
aficrnoon vc Iad iIc Iaincss of assing viiI
167
you, iIai D. vas your favouriic lciicr,' said Mr.
Micavlcr, 'I sIould unqucsiionally Iavc su-
oscd iIai A. Iad lccn so.'
Wc Iavc all somc ccricncc of a fccling, iIai
comcs ovcr us occasionally, of vIai vc arc say-
ing and doing Iaving lccn said and donc lc-
forc, in a rcmoic iimcof our Iaving lccn sur-
roundcd, dim agcs ago, ly iIc samc faccs, ol-
jccis, and circumsianccsof our lnoving cr-
fccily vIai vill lc said nci, as if vc suddcnly
rcmcmlcrcd ii! I ncvcr Iad iIis mysicrious im-
rcssion morc sirongly in my lifc, iIan lcforc
Ic uiicrcd iIosc vords.
I iool my lcavc of Mr. Micavlcr, for iIc iimc,
cIarging Iim viiI my lcsi rcmcmlranccs io
all ai Iomc. As I lcfi Iim, rcsuming Iis siool
and Iis cn, and rolling Iis Icad in Iis siocl,
io gci ii inio casicr vriiing ordcr, I clcarly cr-
ccivcd iIai iIcrc vas somciIing inicroscd lc-
ivccn Iim and mc, sincc Ic Iad comc inio Iis
ncv funciions, vIicI rcvcnicd our gciiing ai
cacI oiIcr as vc uscd io do, and quiic alicrcd
iIc cIaracicr of our inicrcoursc.
TIcrc vas no onc in iIc quaini old draving-
room, iIougI ii rcscnicd iolcns of Mrs. Hcc's
vIcrcalouis. I loolcd inio iIc room siill lc-
longing io Agncs, and sav Icr siiiing ly iIc
firc, ai a rciiy old-fasIioncd dcsl sIc Iad,
vriiing.
My darlcning iIc ligIi madc Icr lool u. WIai
a lcasurc io lc iIc causc of iIai lrigIi cIangc
in Icr aiicniivc facc, and iIc oljcci of iIai svcci
rcgard and vclcomc!
'AI, Agncs!' said I, vIcn vc vcrc siiiing io-
gciIcr, sidc ly sidc; 'I Iavc misscd you so mucI,
laicly!'
'Indccd?' sIc rclicd. 'Again! And so soon?'
I sIool my Icad.
'I don'i lnov Iov ii is, Agncs; I sccm io vani
somc faculiy of mind iIai I ougIi io Iavc. You
vcrc so mucI in iIc Ialii of iIinling for mc, in
iIc Iay old days Icrc, and I camc so naiu-
168
rally io you for counscl and suori, iIai I rc-
ally iIinl I Iavc misscd acquiring ii.'
'And vIai is ii?' said Agncs, cIccrfully.
'I don'i lnov vIai io call ii,' I rclicd. 'I iIinl
I am carncsi and crscvcring?'
'I am surc of ii,' said Agncs.
'And aiicni, Agncs?' I inquircd, viiI a liiilc
Icsiiaiion.
'Ycs,' rciurncd Agncs, laugIing. 'Frciiy vcll.'
'And yci,' said I, 'I gci so miscrallc and vor-
ricd, and am so unsicady and irrcsoluic in my
ovcr of assuring mysclf, iIai I lnov I musi
vanisIall I call iircliancc, of somc lind?'
'Call ii so, if you vill,' said Agncs.
'Wcll!' I rciurncd. 'Scc Icrc! You comc io Lon-
don, I rcly on you, and I Iavc an oljcci and a
coursc ai oncc. I am drivcn oui of ii, I comc
Icrc, and in a momcni I fccl an alicrcd crson.
TIc circumsianccs iIai disircsscd mc arc noi
cIangcd, sincc I camc inio iIis room; lui an
influcncc comcs ovcr mc in iIai sIori inicrval
iIai alicrs mc, oI, Iov mucI for iIc lciicr!
WIai is ii? WIai is your sccrci, Agncs?'
Hcr Icad vas lcni dovn, looling ai iIc firc.
'Ii's iIc old siory,' said I. 'Don'i laugI, vIcn I
say ii vas alvays iIc samc in liiilc iIings as ii
is in grcaicr oncs. My old iroullcs vcrc non-
scnsc, and nov iIcy arc scrious; lui vIcncvcr
I Iavc gonc avay from my adoicd sisicr -'
Agncs loolcd uviiI sucI a Hcavcnly
facc!and gavc mc Icr Iand, vIicI I lisscd.
'WIcncvcr I Iavc noi Iad you, Agncs, io ad-
visc and arovc in iIc lcginning, I Iavc sccmcd
io go vild, and io gci inio all soris of difficuliy.
WIcn I Iavc comc io you, ai lasi (as I Iavc al-
vays donc}, I Iavc comc io cacc and Iai-
ncss. I comc Iomc, nov, lilc a iircd iravcllcr,
and find sucI a llcsscd scnsc of rcsi!'
I fcli so dccly vIai I said, ii affccicd mc so
sinccrcly, iIai my voicc failcd, and I covcrcd
my facc viiI my Iand, and lrolc inio icars. I
vriic iIc iruiI. WIaicvcr coniradiciions and
169
inconsisicncics iIcrc vcrc viiIin mc, as iIcrc
arc viiIin so many of us; vIaicvcr migIi Iavc
lccn so diffcrcni, and so mucI lciicr; vIai-
cvcr I Iad donc, in vIicI I Iad crvcrscly van-
dcrcd avay from iIc voicc of my ovn Icari; I
lncv noiIing of. I only lncv iIai I vas fcrvcnily
in carncsi, vIcn I fcli iIc rcsi and cacc of Iav-
ing Agncs ncar mc.
In Icr lacid sisicrly manncr; viiI Icr lcaming
cycs; viiI Icr icndcr voicc; and viiI iIai svcci
comosurc, vIicI Iad long ago madc iIc Iousc
iIai Icld Icr quiic a sacrcd lacc io mc; sIc soon
von mc from iIis vcalncss, and lcd mc on io icll
all iIai Iad Iacncd sincc our lasi mcciing.
'And iIcrc is noi anoiIcr vord io icll, Agncs,'
said I, vIcn I Iad madc an cnd of my confi-
dcncc. 'Nov, my rcliancc is on you.'
'Dui ii musi noi lc on mc, Troivood,' rciurncd
Agncs, viiI a lcasani smilc. 'Ii musi lc on
somconc clsc.'
'On Dora?' said I.
'Assurcdly.'
'WIy, I Iavc noi mcniioncd, Agncs,' said I, a
liiilc cmlarrasscd, 'iIai Dora is raiIcr difficuli
ioI vould noi, for iIc vorld, say, io rcly uon,
lccausc sIc is iIc soul of uriiy and iruiI
lui raiIcr difficuli ioI Iardly lnov Iov io
crcss ii, rcally, Agncs. SIc is a iimid liiilc
iIing, and casily disiurlcd and frigIicncd. Somc
iimc ago, lcforc Icr faiIcr's dcaiI, vIcn I
iIougIi ii rigIi io mcniion io Icrlui I'll icll
you, if you vill lcar viiI mc, Iov ii vas.'
Accordingly, I iold Agncs aloui my dcclara-
iion of ovcriy, aloui iIc coolcry-lool, iIc
Iousclccing accounis, and all iIc rcsi of ii.
'OI, Troivood!' sIc rcmonsiraicd, viiI a smilc.
'Jusi your old Icadlong vay! You migIi Iavc
lccn in carncsi in siriving io gci on in iIc vorld,
viiIoui lcing so vcry suddcn viiI a iimid, lov-
ing, inccricnccd girl. Foor Dora!'
I ncvcr Icard sucI svcci forlcaring lindncss
crcsscd in a voicc, as sIc crcsscd in mal-
170
ing iIis rcly. Ii vas as if I Iad sccn Icr
admiringly and icndcrly cmlracing Dora, and
iaciily rcroving mc, ly Icr considcraic roicc-
iion, for my Ioi Iasic in fluiicring iIai liiilc
Icari. Ii vas as if I Iad sccn Dora, in all Icr
fascinaiing arilcssncss, carcssing Agncs, and
iIanling Icr, and coaingly acaling againsi
mc, and loving mc viiI all Icr cIildisI inno-
ccncc.
I fcli so graicful io Agncs, and admircd Icr
so! I sav iIosc ivo iogciIcr, in a lrigIi cr-
scciivc, sucI vcll-associaicd fricnds, cacI
adorning iIc oiIcr so mucI!
'WIai ougIi I io do iIcn, Agncs?' I inquircd,
aficr looling ai iIc firc a liiilc vIilc. 'WIai vould
ii lc rigIi io do?'
'I iIinl,' said Agncs, 'iIai iIc Ionourallc
coursc io ialc, vould lc io vriic io iIosc ivo
ladics. Don'i you iIinl iIai any sccrci coursc
is an unvoriIy onc?'
'Ycs. If ou iIinl so,' said I.
'I am oorly qualificd io judgc of sucI mai-
icrs,' rclicd Agncs, viiI a modcsi Icsiiaiion,
'lui I ccriainly fcclin sIori, I fccl iIai your
lcing sccrci and clandcsiinc, is noi lcing lilc
yoursclf.'
'Lilc mysclf, in iIc ioo IigI oinion you Iavc
of mc, Agncs, I am afraid,' said I.
'Lilc yoursclf, in iIc candour of your naiurc,'
sIc rciurncd; 'and iIcrcforc I vould vriic io
iIosc ivo ladics. I vould rclaic, as lainly and
as ocnly as ossillc, all iIai Ias ialcn lacc;
and I vould asl iIcir crmission io visii somc-
iimcs, ai iIcir Iousc. Considcring iIai you arc
young, and siriving for a lacc in lifc, I iIinl ii
vould lc vcll io say iIai you vould rcadily alidc
ly any condiiions iIcy migIi imosc uon you.
I vould cnircai iIcm noi io dismiss your rc-
qucsi, viiIoui a rcfcrcncc io Dora; and io dis-
cuss ii viiI Icr vIcn iIcy sIould iIinl iIc
iimc suiiallc. I vould noi lc ioo vcIcmcni,' said
Agncs, gcnily, 'or roosc ioo mucI. I vould
171
irusi io my fidcliiy and crscvcranccand io
Dora.'
'Dui if iIcy vcrc io frigIicn Dora again, Agncs,
ly scaling io Icr,' said I. 'And if Dora vcrc io
cry, and say noiIing aloui mc!'
'Is iIai lilcly?' inquircd Agncs, viiI iIc samc
svcci considcraiion in Icr facc.
'God llcss Icr, sIc is as casily scarcd as a
lird,' said I. 'Ii migIi lc! Or if iIc ivo Miss
Scnlovs (cldcrly ladics of iIai sori arc odd
cIaracicrs somciimcs} sIould noi lc lilcly cr-
sons io addrcss in iIai vay!'
'I don'i iIinl, Troivood,' rciurncd Agncs, rais-
ing Icr sofi cycs io minc, 'I vould considcr iIai.
FcrIas ii vould lc lciicr only io considcr
vIciIcr ii is rigIi io do iIis; and, if ii is, io do
ii.'
I Iad no longcr any douli on iIc suljcci. WiiI
a ligIicncd Icari, iIougI viiI a rofound scnsc
of iIc vcigIiy imoriancc of my iasl, I dcvoicd
iIc vIolc aficrnoon io iIc comosiiion of iIc
drafi of iIis lciicr; for vIicI grcai urosc,
Agncs rclinquisIcd Icr dcsl io mc. Dui firsi I
vcni dovnsiairs io scc Mr. Wiclficld and UriaI
Hcc.
I found UriaI in osscssion of a ncv, lasicr-
smclling officc, luili oui in iIc gardcn; looling
ciraordinarily mcan, in iIc midsi of a quan-
iiiy of lools and acrs. Hc rcccivcd mc in Iis
usual favning vay, and rcicndcd noi io Iavc
Icard of my arrival from Mr. Micavlcr; a rc-
icncc I iool iIc lilcriy of dislclicving. Hc ac-
comanicd mc inio Mr. Wiclficld's room, vIicI
vas iIc sIadov of iis formcr sclfIaving lccn
divcsicd of a variciy of convcnicnccs, for iIc
accommodaiion of iIc ncv arincrand siood
lcforc iIc firc, varming Iis lacl, and sIaving
Iis cIin viiI Iis lony Iand, vIilc Mr. Wiclficld
and I ccIangcd grcciings.
'You siay viiI us, Troivood, vIilc you rcmain
in Canicrlury?' said Mr. Wiclficld, noi viiIoui
a glancc ai UriaI for Iis aroval.
172
'Is iIcrc room for mc?' said I.
'I am surc, Masicr CocrficldI sIould say
Misicr, lui iIc oiIcr comcs so naiural,' said
UriaI, 'I vould iurn oui of your old room
viiI lcasurc, if ii vould lc agrccallc.'
'No, no,' said Mr. Wiclficld. 'WIy sIould you
lc inconvcnicnccd? TIcrc's anoiIcr room.
TIcrc's anoiIcr room.'
'OI, lui you lnov,' rciurncd UriaI, viiI a
grin, 'I sIould rcally lc dcligIicd!'
To cui iIc maiicr sIori, I said I vould Iavc
iIc oiIcr room or nonc ai all; so ii vas sciilcd
iIai I sIould Iavc iIc oiIcr room; and, ialing
my lcavc of iIc firm uniil dinncr, I vcni u-
siairs again.
I Iad Iocd io Iavc no oiIcr comanion iIan
Agncs. Dui Mrs. Hcc Iad aslcd crmission io
lring Icrsclf and Icr lniiiing ncar iIc firc, in
iIai room; on rcicncc of iis Iaving an ascci
morc favourallc for Icr rIcumaiics, as iIc vind
iIcn vas, iIan iIc draving-room or dining-
arlour. TIougI I could almosi Iavc consigncd
Icr io iIc mcrcics of iIc vind on iIc iomosi
innaclc of iIc CaiIcdral, viiIoui rcmorsc, I
madc a viriuc of ncccssiiy, and gavc Icr a
fricndly saluiaiion.
'I'm umlly iIanlful io you, sir,' said Mrs.
Hcc, in aclnovlcdgcmcni of my inquirics con-
ccrning Icr IcaliI, 'lui I'm only rciiy vcll. I
Iavcn'i mucI io loasi of. If I could scc my UriaI
vcll sciilcd in lifc, I couldn'i ccci mucI morc
I iIinl. Hov do you iIinl my Ury looling, sir?'
I iIougIi Iim looling as villainous as cvcr,
and I rclicd iIai I sav no cIangc in Iim.
'OI, don'i you iIinl Ic's cIangcd?' said Mrs.
Hcc. 'TIcrc I musi umlly lcg lcavc io diffcr
from you. Don'i you scc a iIinncss in Iim?'
'Noi morc iIan usual,' I rclicd.
'Don'i you iIougI!' said Mrs. Hcc. 'Dui you
don'i ialc noiicc of Iim viiI a moiIcr's cyc!'
His moiIcr's cyc vas an cvil cyc io iIc rcsi of
iIc vorld, I iIougIi as ii mci minc, Iovsocvcr
173
affcciionaic io Iim; and I lclicvc sIc and Icr
son vcrc dcvoicd io onc anoiIcr. Ii asscd mc,
and vcni on io Agncs.
'Don'i ou scc a vasiing and a vcaring in Iim,
Miss Wiclficld?' inquircd Mrs. Hcc.
'No,' said Agncs, quicily ursuing iIc vorl
on vIicI sIc vas cngagcd. 'You arc ioo solici-
ious aloui Iim. Hc is vcry vcll.'
Mrs. Hcc, viiI a rodigious sniff, rcsumcd
Icr lniiiing.
SIc ncvcr lcfi off, or lcfi us for a momcni. I
Iad arrivcd carly in iIc day, and vc Iad siill
iIrcc or four Iours lcforc dinncr; lui sIc sai
iIcrc, lying Icr lniiiing-nccdlcs as monoio-
nously as an Iour-glass migIi Iavc ourcd oui
iis sands. SIc sai on onc sidc of iIc firc; I sai ai
iIc dcsl in froni of ii; a liiilc lcyond mc, on iIc
oiIcr sidc, sai Agncs. WIcnsocvcr, slovly on-
dcring ovcr my lciicr, I lificd u my cycs, and
mcciing iIc iIougIiful facc of Agncs, sav ii
clcar, and lcam cncouragcmcni uon mc, viiI
iis ovn angclic crcssion, I vas conscious rcs-
cnily of iIc cvil cyc assing mc, and going on io
Icr, and coming lacl io mc again, and dro-
ing furiivcly uon iIc lniiiing. WIai iIc lnii-
iing vas, I don'i lnov, noi lcing lcarncd in iIai
ari; lui ii loolcd lilc a nci; and as sIc vorlcd
avay viiI iIosc CIincsc cIosiicls of lniiiing-
nccdlcs, sIc sIovcd in iIc fircligIi lilc an ill-
looling cncIanircss, laullcd as yci ly iIc ra-
diani goodncss oosiic, lui gciiing rcady for a
casi of Icr nci ly and ly.
Ai dinncr sIc mainiaincd Icr vaicI, viiI iIc
samc unvinling cycs. Aficr dinncr, Icr son iool
Iis iurn; and vIcn Mr. Wiclficld, Iimsclf, and
I vcrc lcfi alonc iogciIcr, lccrcd ai mc, and
vriiIcd uniil I could Iardly lcar ii. In iIc drav-
ing-room, iIcrc vas iIc moiIcr lniiiing and
vaicIing again. All iIc iimc iIai Agncs sang
and laycd, iIc moiIcr sai ai iIc iano. Oncc
sIc aslcd for a ariicular lallad, vIicI sIc said
Icr Ury (vIo vas yavning in a grcai cIair} doicd
174
on; and ai inicrvals sIc loolcd round ai Iim,
and rcoricd io Agncs iIai Ic vas in raiurcs
viiI iIc music. Dui sIc Iardly cvcr solcI
qucsiion if sIc cvcr didviiIoui maling somc
mcniion of Iim. Ii vas cvidcni io mc iIai iIis
vas iIc duiy assigncd io Icr.
TIis lasicd uniil lcdiimc. To Iavc sccn iIc
moiIcr and son, lilc ivo grcai lais Ianging
ovcr iIc vIolc Iousc, and darlcning ii viiI iIcir
ugly forms, madc mc so uncomforiallc, iIai I
vould raiIcr Iavc rcmaincd dovnsiairs, lnii-
iing and all, iIan gonc io lcd. I Iardly goi any
slcc. Nci day iIc lniiiing and vaicIing lc-
gan again, and lasicd all day.
I Iad noi an ooriuniiy of scaling io Agncs,
for icn minuics. I could larcly sIov Icr my lci-
icr. I rooscd io Icr io vall oui viiI mc; lui
Mrs. Hcc rccaicdly comlaining iIai sIc vas
vorsc, Agncs cIariially rcmaincd viiIin, io lcar
Icr comany. Tovards iIc iviligIi I vcni oui ly
mysclf, musing on vIai I ougIi io do, and vIciIcr
I vas jusiificd in viiIIolding from Agncs, any
longcr, vIai UriaI Hcc Iad iold mc in London;
for iIai lcgan io iroullc mc again, vcry mucI.
I Iad noi vallcd oui far cnougI io lc quiic
clcar of iIc iovn, uon iIc Famsgaic road,
vIcrc iIcrc vas a good aiI, vIcn I vas Iailcd,
iIrougI iIc dusi, ly somclody lcIind mc. TIc
sIamlling figurc, and iIc scaniy grcai-coai,
vcrc noi io lc misialcn. I siocd, and UriaI
Hcc camc u.
'Wcll?' said I.
'Hov fasi you vall!' said Ic. 'My lcgs arc rciiy
long, lui you'vc givcn 'cm quiic a jol.'
'WIcrc arc you going?' said I.
'I am going viiI you, Masicr Cocrficld, if
you'll allov mc iIc lcasurc of a vall viiI an
old acquainiancc.' Saying iIis, viiI a jcrl of
Iis lody, vIicI migIi Iavc lccn ciiIcr roi-
iiaiory or dcrisivc, Ic fcll inio sic lcsidc mc.
'UriaI!' said I, as civilly as I could, aficr a si-
lcncc.
175
'Masicr Cocrficld!' said UriaI.
'To icll you iIc iruiI (ai vIicI you vill noi lc
offcndcd}, I camc Oui io vall alonc, lccausc I
Iavc Iad so mucI comany.'
Hc loolcd ai mc sidcvays, and said viiI Iis
Iardcsi grin, 'You mcan moiIcr.'
'WIy ycs, I do,' said I.
'AI! Dui you lnov vc'rc so vcry umllc,' Ic
rciurncd. 'And Iaving sucI a lnovlcdgc of our
ovn umllcncss, vc musi rcally ialc carc iIai
vc'rc noi usIcd io iIc vall ly iIcm as isn'i
umllc. All siraiagcms arc fair in lovc, sir.'
Faising Iis grcai Iands uniil iIcy ioucIcd Iis
cIin, Ic rullcd iIcm sofily, and sofily cIucl-
lcd; looling as lilc a malcvolcni laloon, I
iIougIi, as anyiIing Iuman could lool.
'You scc,' Ic said, siill Iugging Iimsclf in iIai
unlcasani vay, and sIaling Iis Icad ai mc,
' you' rc quiic a dangcrous rival, Masicr
Cocrficld. You alvays vas, you lnov.'
'Do you sci a vaicI uon Miss Wiclficld, and
malc Icr Iomc no Iomc, lccausc of mc?' said I.
'OI! Masicr Cocrficld! TIosc arc vcry arsI
vords,' Ic rclicd.
'Fui my mcaning inio any vords you lilc,' said
I. 'You lnov vIai ii is, UriaI, as vcll as I do.'
'OI no! You musi ui ii inio vords,' Ic said.
'OI, rcally! I couldn'i mysclf.'
'Do you suosc,' said I, consiraining mysclf
io lc vcry icmcraic and quici viiI Iim, on
accouni of Agncs, 'iIai I rcgard Miss Wiclficld
oiIcrvisc iIan as a vcry dcar sisicr?'
'Wcll, Masicr Cocrficld,' Ic rclicd, 'you cr-
ccivc I am noi lound io ansvcr iIai qucsiion. You
may noi, you lnov. Dui iIcn, you scc, you may!'
AnyiIing io cqual iIc lov cunning of Iis vis-
agc, and of Iis sIadovlcss cycs viiIoui iIc
gIosi of an cyclasI, I ncvcr sav.
'Comc iIcn!' said I. 'For iIc salc of Miss Wiclficld'
'My Agncs!' Ic cclaimcd, viiI a siclly, angu-
lar conioriion of Iimsclf. 'Would you lc so good
as call Icr Agncs, Masicr Cocrficld!'
176
'For iIc salc of Agncs WiclficldHcavcn llcss Icr!'
' TIanl you for iIai llcssing, Masicr
Cocrficld!'Ic inicroscd.
'I vill icll you vIai I sIould, undcr any oiIcr
circumsianccs, as soon Iavc iIougIi of iclling
ioJacl KcicI.'
'To vIo, sir?' said UriaI, sircicIing oui Iis
nccl, and sIading Iis car viiI Iis Iand.
'To iIc Iangman,' I rciurncd. 'TIc mosi un-
lilcly crson I could iIinl of,'iIougI Iis ovn
facc Iad suggcsicd iIc allusion quiic as a naiu-
ral scqucncc. 'I am cngagcd io anoiIcr young
lady. I Ioc iIai conicnis you.'
'Uon your soul?' said UriaI.
I vas aloui indignanily io givc my asscriion
iIc confirmaiion Ic rcquircd, vIcn Ic caugIi
Iold of my Iand, and gavc ii a squcczc.
'OI, Masicr Cocrficld!' Ic said. 'If you Iad
only Iad iIc condcsccnsion io rciurn my confi-
dcncc vIcn I ourcd oui iIc fulncss of my ari,
iIc nigIi I ui you so mucI oui of iIc vay ly
slccing lcforc your siiiing-room firc, I ncvcr
sIould Iavc doulicd you. As ii is, I'm surc I'll
ialc off moiIcr dirccily, and only ioo ay. I
lnov you'll ccusc iIc rccauiions of affcciion,
von'i you? WIai a iiy, Masicr Cocrficld, iIai
you didn'i condcsccnd io rciurn my confidcncc!
I'm surc I gavc you cvcry ooriuniiy. Dui you
ncvcr Iavc condcsccndcd io mc, as mucI as I
could Iavc visIcd. I lnov you Iavc ncvcr lilcd
mc, as I Iavc lilcd you!'
All iIis iimc Ic vas squcczing my Iand viiI
Iis dam fisIy fingcrs, vIilc I madc cvcry cf-
fori I dcccnily could io gci ii avay. Dui I vas
quiic unsucccssful. Hc drcv ii undcr iIc slccvc
of Iis mullcrry-colourcd grcai-coai, and I
vallcd on, almosi uon comulsion, arm-in-
arm viiI Iim.
'SIall vc iurn?' said UriaI, ly and ly vIccl-
ing mc facc aloui iovards iIc iovn, on vIicI
iIc carly moon vas nov sIining, silvcring iIc
disiani vindovs.
177
'Dcforc vc lcavc iIc suljcci, you ougIi io un-
dcrsiand,' said I, lrcaling a rciiy long silcncc,
'iIai I lclicvc Agncs Wiclficld io lc as far alovc
you, and as far rcmovcd from all your asira-
iions, as iIai moon Icrsclf!'
'Fcaccful! Ain'i sIc!' said UriaI. 'Vcry! Nov con-
fcss, Masicr Cocrficld, iIai you Iavcn'i lilcd
mc quiic as I Iavc lilcd you. All along you'vc
iIougIi mc ioo umllc nov, I sIouldn'i vondcr?'
'I am noi fond of rofcssions of Iumiliiy,' I
rciurncd, 'or rofcssions of anyiIing clsc.'
'TIcrc nov!' said UriaI, looling flally and
lcad-colourcd in iIc moonligIi. 'Didn'i I lnov
ii! Dui Iov liiilc you iIinl of iIc rigIiful
umllcncss of a crson in my siaiion, Masicr
Cocrficld! FaiIcr and mc vas loiI lrougIi
u ai a foundaiion scIool for loys; and moiIcr,
sIc vas lilcvisc lrougIi u ai a ullic, sori of
cIariiallc, csiallisImcni. TIcy iaugIi us all a
dcal of umllcncssnoi mucI clsc iIai I lnov
of, from morning io nigIi. Wc vas io lc umllc
io iIis crson, and umllc io iIai; and io ull
off our cas Icrc, and io malc lovs iIcrc; and
alvays io lnov our lacc, and alasc oursclvcs
lcforc our lciicrs. And vc Iad sucI a loi of
lciicrs! FaiIcr goi iIc moniior-mcdal ly lcing
umllc. So did I. FaiIcr goi madc a scion ly
lcing umllc. Hc Iad iIc cIaracicr, among iIc
gcnilcfolls, of lcing sucI a vcll-lcIavcd man,
iIai iIcy vcrc dcicrmincd io lring Iim in. Dc
umllc, UriaI," says faiIcr io mc, and you'll
gci on. Ii vas vIai vas alvays lcing dinncd
inio you and mc ai scIool; ii's vIai gocs dovn
lcsi. Dc umllc," says faiIcr," and you'll do!"
And rcally ii ain'i donc lad!'
Ii vas iIc firsi iimc ii Iad cvcr occurrcd io
mc, iIai iIis dcicsiallc cani of falsc Iumiliiy
migIi Iavc originaicd oui of iIc Hcc family. I
Iad sccn iIc Iarvcsi, lui Iad ncvcr iIougIi of
iIc sccd.
'WIcn I vas quiic a young loy,' said UriaI, 'I
goi io lnov vIai umllcncss did, and I iool io
178
ii. I aic umllc ic viiI an aciiic. I siocd ai
iIc umllc oini of my lcarning, and says I, Hold
Iard!" WIcn you offcrcd io icacI mc Laiin, I
lncv lciicr. Fcolc lilc io lc alovc you," says
faiIcr, lcc yoursclf dovn." I am vcry umllc
io iIc rcscni momcni, Masicr Cocrficld, lui
I'vc goi a liiilc ovcr!'
And Ic said all iIisI lncv, as I sav Iis facc
in iIc moonligIiiIai I migIi undcrsiand Ic
vas rcsolvcd io rccomcnsc Iimsclf ly using Iis
ovcr. I Iad ncvcr doulicd Iis mcanncss, Iis
crafi and malicc; lui I fully comrcIcndcd nov,
for iIc firsi iimc, vIai a lasc, unrclcniing, and
rcvcngcful sirii, musi Iavc lccn cngcndcrcd ly
iIis carly, and iIis long, surcssion.
His accouni of Iimsclf vas so far aiicndcd
viiI an agrccallc rcsuli, iIai ii lcd io Iis viiI-
draving Iis Iand in ordcr iIai Ic migIi Iavc
anoiIcr Iug of Iimsclf undcr iIc cIin. Oncc
aari from Iim, I vas dcicrmincd io lcc aari;
and vc vallcd lacl, sidc ly sidc, saying vcry
liiilc morc ly iIc vay. WIciIcr Iis siriis vcrc
clcvaicd ly iIc communicaiion I Iad madc io
Iim, or ly Iis Iaving indulgcd in iIis rciro-
scci, I don'i lnov; lui iIcy vcrc raiscd ly somc
influcncc. Hc iallcd morc ai dinncr iIan vas
usual viiI Iim; aslcd Iis moiIcr (off duiy, from
iIc momcni of our rc-cnicring iIc Iousc}
vIciIcr Ic vas noi groving ioo old for a lacI-
clor; and oncc loolcd ai Agncs so, iIai I vould
Iavc givcn all I Iad, for lcavc io lnocl Iim dovn.
WIcn vc iIrcc malcs vcrc lcfi alonc aficr din-
ncr, Ic goi inio a morc advcniurous siaic. Hc
Iad ialcn liiilc or no vinc; and I rcsumc ii
vas iIc mcrc insolcncc of iriumI iIai vas
uon Iim, flusIcd crIas ly iIc icmiaiion
my rcscncc furnisIcd io iis cIiliiion.
I Iad olscrvcd ycsicrday, iIai Ic iricd io cn-
iicc Mr. Wiclficld io drinl; and, inicrrciing iIc
lool vIicI Agncs Iad givcn mc as sIc vcni oui,
Iad limiicd mysclf io onc glass, and iIcn ro-
oscd iIai vc sIould follov Icr. I vould Iavc
179
donc so again ioday; lui UriaI vas ioo quicl
for mc.
'Wc scldom scc our rcscni visiior, sir,' Ic said,
addrcssing Mr. Wiclficld, siiiing, sucI a con-
irasi io Iim, ai iIc cnd of iIc iallc, 'and I sIould
roosc io givc Iim vclcomc in anoiIcr glass
or ivo of vinc, if you Iavc no oljcciions. Mr.
Cocrficld, your cliI and aincss!'
I vas olligcd io malc a sIov of ialing iIc
Iand Ic sircicIcd across io mc; and iIcn, viiI
vcry diffcrcni cmoiions, I iool iIc Iand of iIc
lrolcn gcnilcman, Iis arincr.
'Comc, fcllov-arincr,' said UriaI, 'if I may
ialc iIc lilcriy,nov, suosc you givc us
somciIing or anoiIcr aroriaic io
Cocrficld!'
I ass ovcr Mr. Wiclficld's roosing my auni, Iis
roosing Mr. Dicl, Iis roosing Dociors' Com-
mons, Iis roosing UriaI, Iis drinling cvcryiIing
ivicc; Iis consciousncss of Iis ovn vcalncss, iIc
incffcciual cffori iIai Ic madc againsi ii; iIc sirugglc
lcivccn Iis sIamc in UriaI's dcorimcni, and Iis
dcsirc io conciliaic Iim; iIc manifcsi culiaiion viiI
vIicI UriaI ivisicd and iurncd, and Icld Iim u
lcforc mc. Ii madc mc sicl ai Icari io scc, and my
Iand rccoils from vriiing ii.
'Comc, fcllov-arincr!' said UriaI, ai lasi, 'I'll
givc you anoiIcr onc, and I umlly asl for
lumcrs, sccing I inicnd io malc ii iIc divincsi
of Icr sc.'
Hcr faiIcr Iad Iis cmiy glass in Iis Iand. I
sav Iim sci ii dovn, lool ai iIc iciurc sIc
vas so lilc, ui Iis Iand io Iis forcIcad, and
sIrinl lacl in Iis cllov-cIair.
'I'm an umllc individual io givc you Icr cliI,'
rocccdcd UriaI, 'lui I admircadorc Icr.'
No Iysical ain iIai Icr faiIcr's grcy Icad
could Iavc lornc, I iIinl, could Iavc lccn morc
icrrillc io mc, iIan iIc mcnial cndurancc I sav
comrcsscd nov viiIin loiI Iis Iands.
'Agncs,' said UriaI, ciiIcr noi rcgarding Iim,
or noi lnoving vIai iIc naiurc of Iis aciion
180
vas, 'Agncs Wiclficld is, I am safc io say, iIc
divincsi of Icr sc. May I scal oui, among
fricnds? To lc Icr faiIcr is a roud disiinciion,
lui io lc Icr usland'
Sarc mc from cvcr again Icaring sucI a cry,
as iIai viiI vIicI Icr faiIcr rosc u from iIc
iallc! 'WIai's iIc maiicr?' said UriaI, iurning
of a dcadly colour. 'You arc noi gonc mad, aficr
all, Mr. Wiclficld, I Ioc? If I say I'vc an amli-
iion io malc your Agncs my Agncs, I Iavc as
good a rigIi io ii as anoiIcr man. I Iavc a lci-
icr rigIi io ii iIan any oiIcr man!'
I Iad my arms round Mr. Wiclficld, imloring
Iim ly cvcryiIing iIai I could iIinl of, oficncsi
of all ly Iis lovc for Agncs, io calm Iimsclf a
liiilc. Hc vas mad for iIc momcni; icaring oui
Iis Iair, lcaiing Iis Icad, irying io forcc mc from
Iim, and io forcc Iimsclf from mc, noi ansvcr-
ing a vord, noi looling ai or sccing anyonc;
llindly siriving for Ic lncv noi vIai, Iis facc all
siaring and disioricda frigIiful scciaclc.
I conjurcd Iim, incoIcrcnily, lui in iIc mosi
imassioncd manncr, noi io alandon Iimsclf io
iIis vildncss, lui io Icar mc. I lcsougIi Iim io
iIinl of Agncs, io conncci mc viiI Agncs, io
rccollcci Iov Agncs and I Iad grovn u iogciIcr,
Iov I Ionourcd Icr and lovcd Icr, Iov sIc vas
Iis ridc and joy. I iricd io lring Icr idca lcforc
Iim in any form; I cvcn rcroacIcd Iim viiI noi
Iaving firmncss io sarc Icr iIc lnovlcdgc of
sucI a sccnc as iIis. I may Iavc cffccicd somc-
iIing, or Iis vildncss may Iavc scni iisclf; lui
ly dcgrccs Ic sirugglcd lcss, and lcgan io lool ai
mcsirangcly ai firsi, iIcn viiI rccogniiion in
Iis cycs. Ai lcngiI Ic said, 'I lnov, Troivood! My
darling cIild and youI lnov! Dui lool ai Iim!'
Hc oinicd io UriaI, alc and glovcring in a
corncr, cvidcnily vcry mucI oui in Iis calcula-
iions, and ialcn ly surrisc.
'Lool ai my ioriurcr,' Ic rclicd. 'Dcforc Iim I
Iavc sic ly sic alandoncd namc and rcu-
iaiion, cacc and quici, Iousc and Iomc.'
181
'I Iavc lci your namc and rcuiaiion for you,
and your cacc and quici, and your Iousc and
Iomc ioo,' said UriaI, viiI a sully, Iurricd,
dcfcaicd air of comromisc. 'Don'i lc foolisI,
Mr. Wiclficld. If I Iavc gonc a liiilc lcyond vIai
you vcrc rcarcd for, I can go lacl, I su-
osc? TIcrc's no Iarm donc.'
'I loolcd for singlc moiivcs in cvcryonc,' said
Mr. Wiclficld, and I vas saiisficd I Iad lound
Iim io mc ly moiivcs of inicrcsi. Dui scc vIai
Ic isoI, scc vIai Ic is!'
'You Iad lciicr sio Iim, Cocrficld, if you
can,' cricd UriaI, viiI Iis long forcfingcr oini-
ing iovards mc. 'Hc'll say somciIing rcscnily
mind you!Ic'll lc sorry io Iavc said aficr-
vards, and you'll lc sorry io Iavc Icard!'
'I'll say anyiIing!' cricd Mr. Wiclficld, viiI a
dcscraic air. 'WIy sIould I noi lc in all iIc
vorld's ovcr if I am in yours?'
'Mind! I icll you!' said UriaI, coniinuing io
varn mc. 'If you don'i sio Iis mouiI, you'rc
noi Iis fricnd! WIy sIouldn'i you lc in all iIc
vorld's ovcr, Mr. Wiclficld? Dccausc you Iavc
goi a daugIicr. You and mc lnov vIai vc lnov,
don'i vc? Lci slccing dogs licvIo vanis io
rousc 'cm? I don'i. Can'i you scc I am as umllc
as I can lc? I icll you, if I'vc gonc ioo far, I'm
sorry. WIai vould you Iavc, sir?'
'OI, Troivood, Troivood!'cclaimcd Mr.
Wiclficld, vringing Iis Iands. 'WIai I Iavc comc
dovn io lc, sincc I firsi sav you in iIis Iousc! I
vas on my dovnvard vay iIcn, lui iIc drcary,
drcary road I Iavc iravcrscd sincc! Wcal indul-
gcncc Ias ruincd mc. Indulgcncc in rcmcm-
lrancc, and indulgcncc in forgcifulncss. My
naiural gricf for my cIild's moiIcr iurncd io
discasc; my naiural lovc for my cIild iurncd io
discasc. I Iavc infccicd cvcryiIing I ioucIcd. I
Iavc lrougIi miscry on vIai I dcarly lovc, I
lnovyou lnov! I iIougIi ii ossillc iIai I
could iruly lovc onc crcaiurc in iIc vorld, and
noi lovc iIc rcsi; I iIougIi ii ossillc iIai I could
182
iruly mourn for onc crcaiurc gonc oui of iIc
vorld, and noi Iavc somc ari in iIc gricf of all
vIo mourncd. TIus iIc lcssons of my lifc Iavc
lccn crvcricd! I Iavc rcycd on my ovn mor-
lid covard Icari, and ii Ias rcycd on mc. Sor-
did in my gricf, sordid in my lovc, sordid in my
miscrallc cscac from iIc darlcr sidc of loiI,
oI scc iIc ruin I am, and Iaic mc, sIun mc!'
Hc drocd inio a cIair, and vcally sollcd.
TIc cciicmcni inio vIicI Ic Iad lccn rouscd
vas lcaving Iim. UriaI camc oui of Iis corncr.
'I don'i lnov all I Iavc donc, in my faiuiiy,' said
Mr. Wiclficld, uiiing oui Iis Iands, as if io dc-
rccaic my condcmnaiion. 'Hc lnovs lcsi,' mcan-
ing UriaI Hcc, 'for Ic Ias alvays lccn ai my
cllov, vIiscring mc. You scc iIc millsionc iIai
Ic is aloui my nccl. You find Iim in my Iousc,
you find Iim in my lusincss. You Icard Iim, lui
a liiilc iimc ago. WIai nccd Iavc I io say morc!'
'You Iavcn'i nccd io say so mucI, nor Ialf so
mucI, nor anyiIing ai all,' olscrvcd UriaI, Ialf
dcfiani, and Ialf favning. 'You vouldn'i Iavc
iool ii u so, if ii Iadn'i lccn for iIc vinc. You'll
iIinl lciicr of ii iomorrov, sir. If I Iavc said
ioo mucI, or morc iIan I mcani, vIai of ii? I
Iavcn'i siood ly ii!'
TIc door ocncd, and Agncs, gliding in, viiI-
oui a vcsiigc of colour in Icr facc, ui Icr arm
round Iis nccl, and sicadily said, 'Faa, you
arc noi vcll. Comc viiI mc!'
Hc laid Iis Icad uon Icr sIouldcr, as if Ic
vcrc orcsscd viiI Icavy sIamc, and vcni
oui viiI Icr. Hcr cycs mci minc for lui an in-
siani, yci I sav Iov mucI sIc lncv of vIai
Iad asscd.
'I didn'i ccci Ic'd cui u so rougI, Masicr
Cocrficld,' said UriaI. 'Dui ii's noiIing. I'll lc
fricnds viiI Iim iomorrov. Ii's for Iis good. I'm
umlly anious for Iis good.'
I gavc Iim no ansvcr, and vcni usiairs inio
iIc quici room vIcrc Agncs Iad so oficn sai
lcsidc mc ai my lools. Nolody camc ncar mc
183
uniil laic ai nigIi. I iool u a lool, and iricd io
rcad. I Icard iIc clocls sirilc ivclvc, and vas
siill rcading, viiIoui lnoving vIai I rcad, vIcn
Agncs ioucIcd mc.
'You vill lc going carly in iIc morning,
Troivood! Lci us say good-lyc, nov!'
SIc Iad lccn vccing, lui Icr facc iIcn vas
so calm and lcauiiful!
'Hcavcn llcss you!' sIc said, giving mc Icr
Iand.
'Dcarcsi Agncs!' I rciurncd, 'I scc you asl mc
noi io scal of ionigIilui is iIcrc noiIing io
lc donc?'
'TIcrc is God io irusi in!' sIc rclicd.
'Can I do noiIingI, vIo comc io you viiI
my oor sorrovs?'
'And malc minc so mucI ligIicr,' sIc rclicd.
'Dcar Troivood, no!'
'Dcar Agncs,' I said, 'ii is rcsumiuous for
mc, vIo am so oor in all in vIicI you arc so
ricIgoodncss, rcsoluiion, all nollc qualiiics
io douli or dircci you; lui you lnov Iov mucI
I lovc you, and Iov mucI I ovc you. You vill
ncvcr sacrificc yoursclf io a misialcn scnsc of
duiy, Agncs?'
Morc agiiaicd for a momcni iIan I Iad cvcr
sccn Icr, sIc iool Icr Iands from mc, and
movcd a sic lacl.
'Say you Iavc no sucI iIougIi, dcar Agncs!
MucI morc iIan sisicr! TIinl of iIc ricclcss
gifi of sucI a Icari as yours, of sucI a lovc as
yours!'
OI! long, long aficrvards, I sav iIai facc risc
u lcforc mc, viiI iis momcniary lool, noi
vondcring, noi accusing, noi rcgrciiing. OI,
long, long aficrvards, I sav iIai lool sulsidc,
as ii did nov, inio iIc lovcly smilc, viiI vIicI
sIc iold mc sIc Iad no fcar for IcrsclfI nccd
Iavc nonc for Icrand aricd from mc ly iIc
namc of DroiIcr, and vas gonc!
Ii vas darl in iIc morning, vIcn I goi uon
iIc coacI ai iIc inn door. TIc day vas jusi
184
lrcaling vIcn vc vcrc aloui io siari, and iIcn,
as I sai iIinling of Icr, camc siruggling u iIc
coacI sidc, iIrougI iIc minglcd day and nigIi,
UriaI's Icad.
'Cocrficld!' said Ic, in a croaling vIiscr,
as Ic Iung ly iIc iron on iIc roof, 'I iIougIi
you'd lc glad io Icar lcforc you vcni off, iIai
iIcrc arc no squarcs lrolc lcivccn us. I'vc lccn
inio Iis room alrcady, and vc'vc madc ii all
smooiI. WIy, iIougI I'm umllc, I'm uscful io
Iim, you lnov; and Ic undcrsiands Iis inicr-
csi vIcn Ic isn'i in liquor! WIai an agrccallc
man Ic is, aficr all, Masicr Cocrficld!'
I olligcd mysclf io say iIai I vas glad Ic Iad
madc Iis aology.
'OI, io lc surc!' said UriaI. 'WIcn a crson's
umllc, you lnov, vIai's an aology? So casy! I
say! I suosc,' viiI a jcrl, 'you Iavc somc-
iimcs luclcd a car lcforc ii vas ric, Masicr
Cocrficld?'
'I suosc I Iavc,' I rclicd.
'I did iIai lasi nigIi,' said UriaI; 'lui ii'll ricn
yci! Ii only vanis aiicnding io. I can vaii!'
Frofusc in Iis farcvclls, Ic goi dovn again as
iIc coacIman goi u. For anyiIing I lnov, Ic
vas caiing somciIing io lcc iIc rav morning
air oui; lui Ic madc moiions viiI Iis mouiI
as if iIc car vcrc ric alrcady, and Ic vcrc
smacling Iis lis ovcr ii.
CHAPTER 40
THE WANDERER
WE HAD A VEFY SEFI OUS convcrsaiion in
DuclingIam Sircci iIai nigIi, aloui iIc do-
mcsiic occurrcnccs I Iavc dciailcd in iIc lasi
cIaicr. My auni vas dccly inicrcsicd in iIcm,
and vallcd u and dovn iIc room viiI Icr
arms foldcd, for morc iIan ivo Iours aficr-
vards. WIcncvcr sIc vas ariicularly discom-
oscd, sIc alvays crformcd onc of iIcsc c-
dcsirian fcais; and iIc amouni of Icr discom-
185
osurc migIi alvays lc csiimaicd ly iIc dura-
iion of Icr vall. On iIis occasion sIc vas so mucI
disiurlcd in mind as io find ii ncccssary io ocn
iIc lcdroom door, and malc a coursc for Icrsclf,
comrising iIc full cicni of iIc lcdrooms from
vall io vall; and vIilc Mr. Dicl and I sai quicily
ly iIc firc, sIc lci assing in and oui, along
iIis mcasurcd iracl, ai an uncIanging acc, viiI
iIc rcgulariiy of a clocl-cndulum.
WIcn my auni and I vcrc lcfi io oursclvcs ly
Mr. Dicl's going oui io lcd, I sai dovn io vriic
my lciicr io iIc ivo old ladics. Dy iIai iimc sIc
vas iircd of valling, and sai ly iIc firc viiI
Icr drcss iuclcd u as usual. Dui insicad of
siiiing in Icr usual manncr, Iolding Icr glass
uon Icr lncc, sIc suffcrcd ii io siand ncglccicd
on iIc cIimncy-iccc; and, rcsiing Icr lcfi cl-
lov on Icr rigIi arm, and Icr cIin on Icr lcfi
Iand, loolcd iIougIifully ai mc. As oficn as I
raiscd my cycs from vIai I vas aloui, I mci
Icrs. 'I am in iIc lovingcsi of icmcrs, my dcar,'
sIc vould assurc mc viiI a nod, 'lui I am fidg-
cicd and sorry!'
I Iad lccn ioo lusy io olscrvc, uniil aficr sIc
vas gonc io lcd, iIai sIc Iad lcfi Icr nigIi-
miiurc, as sIc alvays callcd ii, uniasicd on
iIc cIimncy-iccc. SIc camc io Icr door, viiI
cvcn morc iIan Icr usual affcciion of manncr,
vIcn I lnoclcd io acquaini Icr viiI iIis dis-
covcry; lui only said, 'I Iavc noi iIc Icari io
ialc ii, Troi, ionigIi,' and sIool Icr Icad, and
vcni in again.
SIc rcad my lciicr io iIc ivo old ladics, in iIc
morning, and arovcd of ii. I osicd ii, and
Iad noiIing io do iIcn, lui vaii, as aiicnily
as I could, for iIc rcly. I vas siill in iIis siaic
of ccciaiion, and Iad lccn, for ncarly a vccl;
vIcn I lcfi iIc Docior's onc snovy nigIi, io vall
Iomc.
Ii Iad lccn a liiicr day, and a cuiiing noriI-
casi vind Iad llovn for somc iimc. TIc vind
Iad gonc dovn viiI iIc ligIi, and so iIc snov
186
Iad comc on. Ii vas a Icavy, sciilcd fall, I rcc-
ollcci, in grcai flalcs; and ii lay iIicl. TIc noisc
of vIccls and ircad of colc vcrc as IusIcd,
as if iIc sirccis Iad lccn sircvn iIai dciI viiI
fcaiIcrs.
My sIoricsi vay Iomc,and I naiurally iool
iIc sIoricsi vay on sucI a nigIivas iIrougI
Si. Mariin's Lanc. Nov, iIc cIurcI vIicI givcs
iis namc io iIc lanc, siood in a lcss frcc siiua-
iion ai iIai iimc; iIcrc lcing no ocn sacc
lcforc ii, and iIc lanc vinding dovn io iIc
Sirand. As I asscd iIc sics of iIc oriico, I
cncounicrcd, ai iIc corncr, a voman's facc. Ii
loolcd in minc, asscd across iIc narrov lanc,
and disacarcd. I lncv ii. I Iad sccn ii somc-
vIcrc. Dui I could noi rcmcmlcr vIcrc. I Iad
somc associaiion viiI ii, iIai sirucl uon my
Icari dirccily; lui I vas iIinling of anyiIing
clsc vIcn ii camc uon mc, and vas confuscd.
On iIc sics of iIc cIurcI, iIcrc vas iIc
siooing figurc of a man, vIo Iad ui dovn
somc lurdcn on iIc smooiI snov, io adjusi ii;
my sccing iIc facc, and my sccing Iim, vcrc
simuliancous. I don'i iIinl I Iad siocd in my
surrisc; lui, in any casc, as I vcni on, Ic rosc,
iurncd, and camc dovn iovards mc. I siood facc
io facc viiI Mr. Fcggoiiy!
TIcn I rcmcmlcrcd iIc voman. Ii vas MariIa,
io vIom Emily Iad givcn iIc moncy iIai nigIi
in iIc liicIcn. MariIa Endcllsidc ly sidc viiI
vIom, Ic vould noi Iavc sccn Iis dcar niccc,
Ham Iad iold mc, for all iIc ircasurcs vrcclcd
in iIc sca.
Wc sIool Iands Icariily. Ai firsi, nciiIcr of
us could scal a vord.
'Mas'r Davy!' Ic said, griing mc iigIi, 'ii do
my ari good io scc you, sir. Wcll mci, vcll mci!'
'Wcll mci, my dcar old fricnd!' said I.
'I Iad my iIovis o' coming io malc inquiraiion
for you, sir, ionigIi,' Ic said, 'lui lnoving as
your auni vas living along vi' youfur I'vc lccn
dovn yondcrYarmouiI vayI vas afccrd ii
187
vas ioo laic. I sIould Iavc comc carly in iIc
morning, sir, aforc going avay.'
'Again?' said I.
'Ycs, sir,' Ic rclicd, aiicnily sIaling Iis
Icad, 'I'm avay iomorrov.'
'WIcrc vcrc you going nov?' I aslcd.
'Wcll!' Ic rclicd, sIaling iIc snov oui of Iis
long Iair, 'I vas a-going io iurn in somcvIccrs.'
In iIosc days iIcrc vas a sidc-cnirancc io iIc
siallc-yard of iIc Goldcn Cross, iIc inn so
mcmorallc io mc in conncion viiI Iis misfor-
iunc, ncarly oosiic io vIcrc vc siood. I
oinicd oui iIc gaicvay, ui my arm iIrougI
Iis, and vc vcni across. Tvo or iIrcc ullic-
rooms ocncd oui of iIc siallc-yard; and lool-
ing inio onc of iIcm, and finding ii cmiy, and
a good firc lurning, I iool Iim in iIcrc.
WIcn I sav Iim in iIc ligIi, I olscrvcd, noi
only iIai Iis Iair vas long and raggcd, lui iIai
Iis facc vas lurni darl ly iIc sun. Hc vas grcycr,
iIc lincs in Iis facc and forcIcad vcrc dcccr,
and Ic Iad cvcry acarancc of Iaving ioilcd and
vandcrcd iIrougI all variciics of vcaiIcr; lui Ic
loolcd vcry sirong, and lilc a man uIcld ly
sicadfasincss of urosc, vIom noiIing could iirc
oui. Hc sIool iIc snov from Iis Iai and cloiIcs,
and lrusIcd ii avay from Iis facc, vIilc I vas
invardly maling iIcsc rcmarls. As Ic sai dovn
oosiic io mc ai a iallc, viiI Iis lacl io iIc
door ly vIicI vc Iad cnicrcd, Ic ui oui Iis
rougI Iand again, and grascd minc varmly.
'I'll icll you, Mas'r Davy,' Ic said,'vIccr all
I'vc lccn, and vIai-all vc'vc Iccrd. I'vc lccn
fur, and vc'vc Iccrd liiilc; lui I'll icll you!'
I rang iIc lcll for somciIing Ioi io drinl. Hc
vould Iavc noiIing sirongcr iIan alc; and vIilc
ii vas lcing lrougIi, and lcing varmcd ai iIc
firc, Ic sai iIinling. TIcrc vas a finc, massivc
graviiy in Iis facc, I did noi vcniurc io disiurl.
'WIcn sIc vas a cIild,' Ic said, lifiing u Iis
Icad soon aficr vc vcrc lcfi alonc, 'sIc uscd io
iall io mc a dcal aloui iIc sca, and aloui iIcm
188
coasis vIcrc iIc sca goi io lc darl lluc, and io
lay a-sIining and a-sIining in iIc sun. I iIovi,
odd iimcs, as Icr faiIcr lcing drovndcd madc
Icr iIinl on ii so mucI. I docn'i lnov, you scc,
lui maylc sIc lclicvcdor IocdIc Iad
drificd oui io iIcm aris, vIcrc iIc flovcrs is
alvays a-lloving, and iIc couniry lrigIi.'
'Ii is lilcly io Iavc lccn a cIildisI fancy,' I
rclicd.
'WIcn sIc vaslosi,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'I
lnov'd in my mind, as Ic vould ialc Icr io
iIcm counirics. I lnov'd in my mind, as Ic'd
Iavc iold Icr vondcrs of 'cm, and Iov sIc vas
io lc a lady iIccr, and Iov Ic goi Icr io lisicn
io Iim fusi, along o' sccI lilc. WIcn vc scc Iis
moiIcr, I lnov'd quiic vcll as I vas rigIi. I vcni
across-cIanncl io Francc, and landcd iIccr, as
if I'd fcll dovn from iIc sly.'
I sav iIc door movc, and iIc snov drifi in. I
sav ii movc a liiilc morc, and a Iand sofily in-
icrosc io lcc ii ocn.
'I found oui an EnglisI gcn'lcman as vas in au-
iIoriiy,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'and iold Iim I vas a-
going io sccl my niccc. Hc goi mc iIcm acrs as
I vanicd fur io carry mc iIrougII docn'i rigIily
lnov Iov iIcy'rc callcdand Ic vould Iavc givc
mc moncy, lui iIai I vas iIanlful io Iavc no nccd
on. I iIanl Iim lind, for all Ic donc, I'm surc! I'vc
vroic aforc you," Ic says io mc, and I sIall scal
io many as vill comc iIai vay, and many vill lnov
you, fur disiani from Icrc, vIcn you'rc a-iravcl-
ling alonc." I iold Iim, lcsi as I vas allc, vIai my
graiiioodc vas, and vcni avay iIrougI Francc.'
'Alonc, and on fooi?' said I.
'Mosily a-fooi,' Ic rcjoincd; 'somciimcs in caris
along viiI colc going io marlci; somciimcs in
cmiy coacIcs. Many milc a day a-fooi, and of-
icn viiI somc oor soldicr or anoiIcr, iravclling
io scc Iis fricnds. I couldn'i iall io Iim,' said
Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'nor Ic io mc; lui vc vas com-
any for onc anoiIcr, ioo, along iIc dusiy roads.'
I sIould Iavc lnovn iIai ly Iis fricndly ionc.
189
'WIcn I comc io any iovn,' Ic ursucd, 'I found
iIc inn, and vaiicd aloui iIc yard iill somconc
iurncd u (somconc mosily did} as lnov'd En-
glisI. TIcn I iold Iov iIai I vas on my vay io
sccl my niccc, and iIcy iold mc vIai manncr of
gcnilcfolls vas in iIc Iousc, and I vaiicd io scc
any as sccmcd lilc Icr, going in or oui. WIcn ii
varn'i Em'ly, I vcni on agcn. Dy liiilc and liiilc,
vIcn I comc io a ncv villagc or iIai, among iIc
oor colc, I found iIcy lnov'd aloui mc. TIcy
vould sci mc dovn ai iIcir coiiagc doors, and
givc mc vIai-noi fur io cai and drinl, and sIov
mc vIcrc io slcc; and many a voman, Mas'r
Davy, as Ias Iad a daugIicr of aloui Em'ly's agc,
I'vc found a-vaiiing fur mc, ai Our Saviour's Cross
ouisidc iIc villagc, fur io do mc sim'lar lindncsscs.
Somc Ias Iad daugIicrs as vas dcad. And God
only lnovs Iov good iIcm moiIcrs vas io mc!'
Ii vas MariIa ai iIc door. I sav Icr Iaggard,
lisicning facc disiincily. My drcad vas lcsi Ic
sIould iurn Iis Icad, and scc Icr ioo.
'TIcy vould oficn ui iIcir cIildrcnariicu-
lar iIcir liiilc girls,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'uon my
lncc; and many a iimc you migIi Iavc sccn mc
siiiing ai iIcir doors, vIcn nigIi vas coming
in, a'mosi as if iIcy'd lccn my Darling's cIil-
drcn. OI, my Darling!'
Ovcrovcrcd ly suddcn gricf, Ic sollcd
aloud. I laid my ircmlling Iand uon iIc Iand
Ic ui lcforc Iis facc. 'TIanlcc, sir,' Ic said,
'docn'i ialc no noiicc.'
In a vcry liiilc vIilc Ic iool Iis Iand avay
and ui ii on Iis lrcasi, and vcni on viiI Iis
siory. 'TIcy oficn vallcd viiI mc,' Ic said, 'in
iIc morning, maylc a milc or ivo uon my road;
and vIcn vc aricd, and I said, I'm vcry iIanl-
ful io you! God llcss you!" iIcy alvays sccmcd
io undcrsiand, and ansvcrcd lcasani. Ai lasi
I comc io iIc sca. Ii varn'i Iard, you may su-
osc, for a scafaring man lilc mc io vorl Iis
vay ovcr io Iialy. WIcn I goi iIccr, I vandcrcd
on as I Iad donc aforc. TIc colc vas jusi as
190
good io mc, and I sIould Iavc gonc from iovn
io iovn, maylc iIc couniry iIrougI, lui iIai I
goi ncvs of Icr lcing sccn among iIcm Sviss
mouniains yondcr. Onc as lnov'd Iis scrvani
scc 'cm iIcrc, all iIrcc, and iold mc Iov iIcy
iravcllcd, and vIcrc iIcy vas. I madc fur iIcm
mouniains, Mas'r Davy, day and nigIi. Evcr so
fur as I vcni, cvcr so fur iIc mouniains sccmcd
io sIifi avay from mc. Dui I comc u viiI 'cm,
and I crosscd 'cm. WIcn I goi nigI iIc lacc as
I Iad lccn iold of, I lcgan io iIinl viiIin my
ovn sclf, WIai sIall I do vIcn I scc Icr?"'
TIc lisicning facc, inscnsillc io iIc inclcmcni
nigIi, siill droocd ai iIc door, and iIc Iands
lcggcd mcraycd mcnoi io casi ii foriI.
'I ncvcr doulicd Icr,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy. 'No!
Noi a lii! On'y lci Icr scc my faccon'y lci Icr
lccr my voiccon'y lci my sianning siill aforc
Icr lring io Icr iIougIis iIc Iomc sIc Iad
flcd avay from, and iIc cIild sIc Iad lccn
and if sIc Iad grovcd io lc a royal lady, sIc'd
Iavc fcll dovn ai my fcci! I lnov'd ii vcll! Many
a iimc in my slcc Iad I Iccrd Icr cry oui,
Unclc!" and sccn Icr fall lilc dcaiI aforc mc.
Many a iimc in my slcc Iad I raiscd Icr u,
and vIiscrcd io Icr, Em'ly, my dcar, I am
comc fur io lring forgivcncss, and io ialc you
Iomc!"'
Hc siocd and sIool Iis Icad, and vcni on
viiI a sigI.
'Hc vas novi io mc nov. Em'ly vas all. I
lougIi a couniry drcss io ui uon Icr; and I
lnov'd iIai, oncc found, sIc vould vall lc-
sidc mc ovcr iIcm siony roads, go vIcrc I vould,
and ncvcr, ncvcr, lcavc mc morc. To ui iIai
drcss uon Icr, and io casi off vIai sIc vorc
io ialc Icr on my arm again, and vandcr io-
vards Iomcio sio somciimcs uon iIc road,
and Ical Icr lruiscd fcci and Icr vorsc-lruiscd
Icarivas all iIai I iIovi of nov. I docn'i lc-
licvc I sIould Iavc donc so mucI as lool ai
Iim. Dui, Mas'r Davy, ii varn'i io lcnoi yci! I
191
vas ioo laic, and iIcy vas gonc. WIccr, I
couldn'i lcarn. Somc said lccr, somc said iIccr.
I iravcllcd lccr, and I iravcllcd iIccr, lui I found
no Em'ly, and I iravcllcd Iomc.'
'Hov long ago?' I aslcd.
'A maiicr o' fovcr days,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy. 'I
sigIicd iIc old loai aricr darl, and iIc ligIi a-
sIining in iIc vindcr. WIcn I comc nigI and
loolcd in iIrougI iIc glass, I scc iIc faiiIful
crcciur Missis Gummidgc siiiin' ly iIc firc, as
vc Iad ficd uon, alonc. I callcd oui, Docn'i
lc afccrd! Ii's Dan'l!" and I vcni in. I ncvcr could
Iavc iIovi iIc old loai vould Iavc lccn so
sirangc!' From somc oclci in Iis lrcasi, Ic
iool oui, viiI a vcry carcful Iand a small a-
cr lundlc coniaining ivo or iIrcc lciicrs or
liiilc aclcis, vIicI Ic laid uon iIc iallc.
'TIis fusi onc comc,' Ic said, sclcciing ii from
iIc rcsi, 'aforc I Iad lccn gonc a vccl. A fifiy
ound Danl noic, in a sIcci of acr, dirccicd
io mc, and ui undcrncaiI iIc door in iIc nigIi.
SIc iricd io Iidc Icr vriiing, lui sIc couldn'i
Iidc ii from Mc!'
Hc foldcd u iIc noic again, viiI grcai a-
iicncc and carc, in cacily iIc samc form, and
laid ii on onc sidc.
'TIis comc io Missis Gummidgc,' Ic said,
ocning anoiIcr, 'ivo or iIrcc moniIs ago.'Aficr
looling ai ii for somc momcnis, Ic gavc ii io
mc, and addcd in a lov voicc, 'Dc so good as
rcad ii, sir.'
I rcad as follovs:
Oh what will you feel when you see this writing,
and know it comes from my wicked hand! But try,
trynot for my sake, but for uncles goodness, try to
let your heart soften to me, only for a little little time!
Try, pray do, to relent towards a miserable girl, and
write down on a bit of paper whether he is well, and
what he said about me before you left off ever nam-
ing me among yourselvesand whether, of a night,
when it is my old time of coming home, you ever see
192
him look as if he thought of one he used to love so
dear. Oh, my heart is breaking when I think about it!
I am kneeling down to you, begging and praying you
not to be as hard with me as I deserveas I well,
well, know I deservebut to be so gentle and so
good, as to write down something of him, and to send
it to me. You need not call me Little, you need not call
me by the name I have disgraced; but oh, listen to
my agony, and have mercy on me so far as to write
me some word of uncle, never, never to be seen in
this world by my eyes again!
Dear, if your heart is hard towards mejustly hard,
I knowbut, listen, if it is hard, dear, ask him I have
wronged the mosthim whose wife I was to have
beenbefore you quite decide against my poor poor
prayer! If he should be so compassionate as to say
that you might write something for me to readI think
he would, oh, I think he would, if you would only ask
him, for he always was so brave and so forgiving
tell him then (but not else), that when I hear the wind
blowing at night, I feel as if it was passing angrily
from seeing him and uncle, and was going up to God
against me. Tell him that if I was to die tomorrow (and
oh, if I was fit, I would be so glad to die!) I would
bless him and uncle with my last words, and pray for
his happy home with my last breath!
Somc moncy vas cncloscd in iIis lciicr also.
Fivc ounds. Ii vas unioucIcd lilc iIc rcvi-
ous sum, and Ic rcfoldcd ii in iIc samc vay.
Dciailcd insiruciions vcrc addcd rclaiivc io iIc
addrcss of a rcly, vIicI, aliIougI iIcy lc-
iraycd iIc inicrvcniion of scvcral Iands, and
madc ii difficuli io arrivc ai any vcry rolallc
conclusion in rcfcrcncc io Icr lacc of conccal-
mcni, madc ii ai lcasi noi unlilcly iIai sIc Iad
vriiicn from iIai soi vIcrc sIc vas siaicd io
Iavc lccn sccn.
'WIai ansvcr vas scni?' I inquircd of Mr.
Fcggoiiy.
'Missis Gummidgc,' Ic rciurncd, 'noi lcing a
good scIolar, sir, Ham lindly dravcd ii oui, and
193
sIc madc a coy on ii. TIcy iold Icr I vas gonc
io sccl Icr, and vIai my ariing vords vas.'
'Is iIai anoiIcr lciicr in your Iand?' said I.
'Ii's moncy, sir,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, unfolding
ii a liiilc vay. 'Tcn ound, you scc. And vroic
insidc, From a iruc fricnd," lilc iIc fusi. Dui
iIc fusi vas ui undcrncaiI iIc door, and iIis
comc ly iIc osi, day aforc ycsicrday. I'm a-
going io sccl Icr ai iIc osi-marl.'
Hc sIovcd ii io mc. Ii vas a iovn on iIc U-
cr FIinc. Hc Iad found oui, ai YarmouiI, somc
forcign dcalcrs vIo lncv iIai couniry, and iIcy
Iad dravn Iim a rudc ma on acr, vIicI Ic
could vcry vcll undcrsiand. Hc laid ii lcivccn
us on iIc iallc; and, viiI Iis cIin rcsiing on
onc Iand, iraclcd Iis coursc uon ii viiI iIc
oiIcr.
I aslcd Iim Iov Ham vas? Hc sIool Iis Icad.
'Hc vorls,' Ic said, 'as lold as a man can.
His namc's as good, in all iIai ari, as any man's
is, anyvIcrcs in iIc vurcld. Anyonc's Iand is
rcady io Icl Iim, you undcrsiand, and Iis is
rcady io Icl iIcm. Hc's ncvcr lccn Iccrd fur
io comlain. Dui my sisicr's lclicf is ('ivii our-
sclvcs} as ii Ias cui Iim dcc.'
'Foor fcllov, I can lclicvc ii!'
'Hc ain'i no carc, Mas'r Davy,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy
in a solcmn vIiscr'lindcr no carc no-Iov
for Iis lifc. WIcn a man's vanicd for rougI
sarvicc in rougI vcaiIcr, Ic's iIccr. WIcn
iIcrc's Iard duiy io lc donc viiI dangcr in ii,
Ic sics for'ard aforc all Iis maics. And yci Ic's
as gcnilc as any cIild. TIcrc ain'i a cIild in
YarmouiI iIai docn'i lnov Iim.'
Hc gaiIcrcd u iIc lciicrs iIougIifully,
smooiIing iIcm viiI Iis Iand; ui iIcm inio
iIcir liiilc lundlc; and laccd ii icndcrly in Iis
lrcasi again. TIc facc vas gonc from iIc door.
I siill sav iIc snov drifiing in; lui noiIing clsc
vas iIcrc.
'Wcll!' Ic said, looling io Iis lag, 'Iaving sccn
you ionigIi, Mas'r Davy (and iIai doos mc
194
good!}, I sIall avay lciimcs iomorrov morning.
You Iavc sccn vIai I'vc goi Iccr'; uiiing Iis
Iand on vIcrc iIc liiilc aclci lay; 'all iIai
iroullcs mc is, io iIinl iIai any Iarm migIi
comc io mc, aforc iIai moncy vas givc lacl. If
I vas io dic, and ii vas losi, or siolc, or clscvays
madc avay viiI, and ii vas ncvcr lnov'd ly
Iim lui vIai I'd iool ii, I lclicvc iIc i'oiIcr
vurcld vouldn'i Iold mc! I lclicvc I musi comc
lacl!'
Hc rosc, and I rosc ioo; vc grascd cacI oiIcr
ly iIc Iand again, lcforc going oui.
'I'd go icn iIousand milc,' Ic said, 'I'd go iill I
drocd dcad, io lay iIai moncy dovn aforc Iim.
If I do iIai, and find my Em'ly, I'm conicni. If I
docn'i find Icr, maylc sIc'll comc io Icar, somc-
iimc, as Icr loving unclc only cndcd Iis scarcI
for Icr vIcn Ic cndcd Iis lifc; and if I lnov
Icr, cvcn iIai vill iurn Icr Iomc ai lasi!'
As Ic vcni oui inio iIc rigorous nigIi, I sav
iIc loncly figurc flii avay lcforc us. I iurncd
Iim Iasiily on somc rcicncc, and Icld Iim in
convcrsaiion uniil ii vas gonc.
Hc solc of a iravcllcr's Iousc on iIc Dovcr
Foad, vIcrc Ic lncv Ic could find a clcan, lain
lodging for iIc nigIi. I vcni viiI Iim ovcr
Wcsiminsicr Dridgc, and aricd from Iim on
iIc Surrcy sIorc. EvcryiIing sccmcd, io my
imaginaiion, io lc IusIcd in rcvcrcncc for Iim,
as Ic rcsumcd Iis soliiary journcy iIrougI iIc
snov.
I rciurncd io iIc inn yard, and, imrcsscd ly
my rcmcmlrancc of iIc facc, loolcd avfully
around for ii. Ii vas noi iIcrc. TIc snov Iad
covcrcd our laic fooirinis; my ncv iracl vas
iIc only onc io lc sccn; and cvcn iIai lcgan io
dic avay (ii snovcd so fasi} as I loolcd lacl
ovcr my sIouldcr.
195
CHAPTER 41
DORA'S AUNTS
AT LAST, AN ANSWEF camc from iIc ivo old ladics.
TIcy rcscnicd iIcir comlimcnis io Mr.
Cocrficld, and informcd Iim iIai iIcy Iad
givcn Iis lciicr iIcir lcsi considcraiion, 'viiI a
vicv io iIc Iaincss of loiI ariics'vIicI I
iIougIi raiIcr an alarming crcssion, noi only
lccausc of iIc usc iIcy Iad madc of ii in rcla-
iion io iIc family diffcrcncc lcforc-mcniioncd,
lui lccausc I Iad (and Iavc all my lifc} olscrvcd
iIai convcniional Irascs arc a sori of fircvorls,
casily lci off, and liallc io ialc a grcai variciy of
sIacs and colours noi ai all suggcsicd ly iIcir
original form. TIc Misscs Scnlov addcd iIai
iIcy lcggcd io forlcar crcssing, 'iIrougI iIc
mcdium of corrcsondcncc', an oinion on iIc
suljcci of Mr. Cocrficld's communicaiion; lui
iIai if Mr. Cocrficld vould do iIcm iIc favour
io call, uon a ccriain day (accomanicd, if Ic
iIougIi rocr, ly a confidcniial fricnd}, iIcy
vould lc Iay io Iold somc convcrsaiion on
iIc suljcci.
To iIis favour, Mr. Cocrficld immcdiaicly
rclicd, viiI Iis rcscciful comlimcnis, iIai
Ic vould Iavc iIc Ionour of vaiiing on iIc
Misscs Scnlov, ai iIc iimc aoinicd; accom-
anicd, in accordancc viiI iIcir lind crmis-
sion, ly Iis fricnd Mr. TIomas Traddlcs of iIc
Inncr Tcmlc. Having disaicIcd vIicI missivc,
Mr. Cocrficld fcll inio a condiiion of sirong
ncrvous agiiaiion; and so rcmaincd uniil iIc
day arrivcd.
Ii vas a grcai augmcniaiion of my uncasincss
io lc lcrcavcd, ai iIis cvcniful crisis, of iIc in-
csiimallc scrviccs of Miss Mills. Dui Mr. Mills,
vIo vas alvays doing somciIing or oiIcr io
annoy mcor I fcli as if Ic vcrc, vIicI vas iIc
samc iIingIad lrougIi Iis conduci io a cli-
ma, ly ialing ii inio Iis Icad iIai Ic vould go
io India. WIy sIould Ic go io India, ccci io
196
Iarass mc? To lc surc Ic Iad noiIing io do viiI
any oiIcr ari of iIc vorld, and Iad a good dcal
io do viiI iIai ari; lcing cniircly in iIc India
iradc, vIaicvcr iIai vas (I Iad floaiing drcams
mysclf conccrning goldcn sIavls and clcIanis'
icciI}; Iaving lccn ai Calcuiia in Iis youiI; and
dcsigning nov io go oui iIcrc again, in iIc ca-
aciiy of rcsidcni arincr. Dui iIis vas noiIing
io mc. Hovcvcr, ii vas so mucI io Iim iIai for
India Ic vas lound, and Julia viiI Iim; and
Julia vcni inio iIc couniry io ialc lcavc of Icr
rclaiions; and iIc Iousc vas ui inio a crfcci
suii of lills, announcing iIai ii vas io lc lci or
sold, and iIai iIc furniiurc (Manglc and all} vas
io lc ialcn ai a valuaiion. So, Icrc vas anoiIcr
cariIqualc of vIicI I lccamc iIc sori, lcforc I
Iad rccovcrcd from iIc sIocl of iis rcdcccssor!
I vas in scvcral minds Iov io drcss mysclf on
iIc imoriani day; lcing dividcd lcivccn my
dcsirc io acar io advaniagc, and my arc-
Icnsions of uiiing on anyiIing iIai migIi im-
air my scvcrcly raciical cIaracicr in iIc cycs
of iIc Misscs Scnlov. I cndcavourcd io Iii a
Iay mcdium lcivccn iIcsc ivo circmcs; my
auni arovcd iIc rcsuli; and Mr. Dicl iIrcv
onc of Iis sIocs aficr Traddlcs and mc, for lucl,
as vc vcni dovnsiairs.
Eccllcni fcllov as I lncv Traddlcs io lc, and
varmly aiiacIcd io Iim as I vas, I could noi
Icl visIing, on iIai dclicaic occasion, iIai Ic
Iad ncvcr coniracicd iIc Ialii of lrusIing Iis
Iair so vcry urigIi. Ii gavc Iim a surriscd
loolnoi io say a IcariI-lroomy lind of c-
rcssionvIicI, my arcIcnsions vIiscrcd,
migIi lc faial io us.
I iool iIc lilcriy of mcniioning ii io Traddlcs,
as vc vcrc valling io Fuincy; and saying iIai
if Ic uoud smooiI ii dovn a liiilc
'My dcar Cocrficld,' said Traddlcs, lifiing off
Iis Iai, and rulling Iis Iair all linds of vays,
'noiIing vould givc mc grcaicr lcasurc. Dui ii
von'i.'
197
'Won'i lc smooiIcd dovn?' said I.
'No,' said Traddlcs. 'NoiIing vill inducc ii. If I
vas io carry a Ialf-Iundrcd-vcigIi uon ii, all
iIc vay io Fuincy, ii vould lc u again iIc
momcni iIc vcigIi vas ialcn off. You Iavc no
idca vIai olsiinaic Iair minc is, Cocrficld. I
am quiic a frciful orcuinc.'
I vas a liiilc disaoinicd, I musi confcss, lui
iIorougIly cIarmcd ly Iis good-naiurc ioo. I
iold Iim Iov I csiccmcd Iis good-naiurc; and
said iIai Iis Iair musi Iavc ialcn all iIc olsii-
nacy oui of Iis cIaracicr, for Ic Iad nonc.
'OI!' rciurncd Traddlcs, laugIing. 'I assurc
you, ii's quiic an old siory, my unforiunaic Iair.
My unclc's vifc couldn'i lcar ii. SIc said ii c-
ascraicd Icr. Ii siood vcry mucI in my vay,
ioo, vIcn I firsi fcll in lovc viiI SoIy. Vcry
mucI!'
'Did sIc oljcci io ii?'
'SIc didn'i,' rcjoincd Traddlcs; 'lui Icr cldcsi
si sicriIc onc iIai's iIc Dcauiyquiic madc
gamc of ii, I undcrsiand. In faci, all iIc sisicrs
laugI ai ii.'
'Agrccallc!' said I.
'Ycs,' rciurncd Traddlcs viiI crfcci inno-
ccncc, 'ii's a jolc for us. TIcy rcicnd iIai SoIy
Ias a locl of ii in Icr dcsl, and is olligcd io
sIui ii in a clascd lool, io lcc ii dovn. Wc
laugI aloui ii.'
'Dy iIc ly, my dcar Traddlcs,' said I, 'your c-
cricncc may suggcsi somciIing io mc. WIcn
you lccamc cngagcd io iIc young lady vIom
you Iavc jusi mcniioncd, did you malc a rcgu-
lar roosal io Icr family? Was iIcrc anyiIing
lilcvIai vc arc going iIrougI ioday, for in-
siancc?' I addcd, ncrvously.
'WIy,' rclicd Traddlcs, on vIosc aiicniivc facc
a iIougIiful sIadc Iad siolcn, 'ii vas raiIcr a
ainful iransaciion, Cocrficld, in my casc. You
scc, SoIy lcing of so mucI usc in iIc family,
nonc of iIcm could cndurc iIc iIougIi of Icr
cvcr lcing marricd. Indccd, iIcy Iad quiic
198
sciilcd among iIcmsclvcs iIai sIc ncvcr vas
io lc marricd, and iIcy callcd Icr iIc old maid.
Accordingly, vIcn I mcniioncd ii, viiI iIc grcai-
csi rccauiion, io Mrs. Crcvlcr'
'TIc mama?' said I.
'TIc mama,' said Traddlcs'Fcvcrcnd Horacc
CrcvlcrvIcn I mcniioncd ii viiI cvcry os-
sillc rccauiion io Mrs. Crcvlcr, iIc cffcci uon
Icr vas sucI iIai sIc gavc a scrcam and lc-
camc inscnsillc. I couldn'i aroacI iIc sul-
jcci again, for moniIs.'
'You did ai lasi?' said I.
'Wcll, iIc Fcvcrcnd Horacc did,' said Traddlcs.
'Hc is an cccllcni man, mosi ccmlary in cv-
cry vay; and Ic oinicd oui io Icr iIai sIc
ougIi, as a CIrisiian, io rcconcilc Icrsclf io iIc
sacrificc (csccially as ii vas so unccriain}, and
io lcar no uncIariiallc fccling iovards mc. As
io mysclf, Cocrficld, I givc you my vord, I fcli
a crfcci lird of rcy iovards iIc family.'
'TIc sisicrs iool your ari, I Ioc, Traddlcs?'
'WIy, I can'i say iIcy did,' Ic rciurncd. 'WIcn
vc Iad comaraiivcly rcconcilcd Mrs. Crcvlcr
io ii, vc Iad io lrcal ii io SaraI. You rccollcci
my mcniioning SaraI, as iIc onc iIai Ias somc-
iIing iIc maiicr viiI Icr sinc?'
'Fcrfccily!'
'SIc clcncIcd loiI Icr Iands,' said Traddlcs,
looling ai mc in dismay; 'sIui Icr cycs; iurncd
lcad-colour; lccamc crfccily siiff; and iool
noiIing for ivo days lui ioasi-and-vaicr, ad-
minisicrcd viiI a ica-soon.'
'WIai a vcry unlcasani girl, Traddlcs!' I rc-
marlcd.
'OI, I lcg your ardon, Cocrficld!' said
Traddlcs. 'SIc is a vcry cIarming girl, lui sIc
Ias a grcai dcal of fccling. In faci, iIcy all Iavc.
SoIy iold mc aficrvards, iIai iIc sclf-rcroacI
sIc undcrvcni vIilc sIc vas in aiicndancc
uon SaraI, no vords could dcscrilc. I lnov ii
musi Iavc lccn scvcrc, ly my ovn fcclings,
Cocrficld; vIicI vcrc lilc a criminal's. Aficr
199
SaraI vas rcsiorcd, vc siill Iad io lrcal ii io
iIc oiIcr cigIi; and ii roduccd various cffccis
uon iIcm of a mosi aiIciic naiurc. TIc ivo
liiilc oncs, vIom SoIy cducaics, Iavc only jusi
lcfi off dc-icsiing mc.'
'Ai any raic, iIcy arc all rcconcilcd io ii nov, I
Ioc?' said I.
'Yc-ycs, I sIould say iIcy vcrc, on iIc vIolc,
rcsigncd io ii,' said Traddlcs, doulifully. 'TIc
faci is, vc avoid mcniioning iIc suljcci; and
my unsciilcd rosccis and indiffcrcni circum-
sianccs arc a grcai consolaiion io iIcm. TIcrc
vill lc a dclorallc sccnc, vIcncvcr vc arc
marricd. Ii vill lc mucI morc lilc a funcral,
iIan a vcdding. And iIcy'll all Iaic mc for ial-
ing Icr avay!'
His Ioncsi facc, as Ic loolcd ai mc viiI a
scrio-comic sIalc of Iis Icad, imrcsscs mc
morc in iIc rcmcmlrancc iIan ii did in iIc rc-
aliiy, for I vas ly iIis iimc in a siaic of sucI
cccssivc ircidaiion and vandcring of mind,
as io lc quiic unallc io fi my aiicniion on any-
iIing. On our aroacIing iIc Iousc vIcrc iIc
Misscs Scnlov livcd, I vas ai sucI a discouni
in rcscci of my crsonal lools and rcscncc of
mind, iIai Traddlcs rooscd a gcnilc siimu-
lani in iIc form of a glass of alc. TIis Iaving
lccn adminisicrcd ai a ncigIlouring ullic-
Iousc, Ic conducicd mc, viiI ioiicring sics,
io iIc Misscs Scnlov's door.
I Iad a vaguc scnsaiion of lcing, as ii vcrc,
on vicv, vIcn iIc maid ocncd ii; and of va-
vcring, somcIov, across a Iall viiI a vcaiIcr-
glass in ii, inio a quici liiilc draving-room on
iIc ground-floor, commanding a ncai gardcn.
Also of siiiing dovn Icrc, on a sofa, and sccing
Traddlcs's Iair siari u, nov Iis Iai vas rc-
movcd, lilc onc of iIosc olirusivc liiilc figurcs
madc of srings, iIai fly oui of ficiiiious snuff-
locs vIcn iIc lid is ialcn off. Also of Icaring
an old-fasIioncd clocl iicling avay on iIc cIim-
ncy-iccc, and irying io malc ii lcc iimc io
200
iIc jcrling of my Icari,vIicI ii vouldn'i. Also
of looling round iIc room for any sign of Dora,
and sccing nonc. Also of iIinling iIai Ji oncc
larlcd in iIc disiancc, and vas insianily
cIolcd ly somclody. Uliimaicly I found mysclf
lacling Traddlcs inio iIc firclacc, and loving
in grcai confusion io ivo dry liiilc cldcrly la-
dics, drcsscd in llacl, and cacI looling von-
dcrfully lilc a rcaraiion in cIi or ian of iIc
laic Mr. Scnlov.
'Fray,' said onc of iIc ivo liiilc ladics, 'lc
scaicd.'
WIcn I Iad donc iumlling ovcr Traddlcs, and
Iad sai uon somciIing vIicI vas noi a cai
my firsi scai vasI so far rccovcrcd my sigIi,
as io crccivc iIai Mr. Scnlov Iad cvidcnily
lccn iIc youngcsi of iIc family; iIai iIcrc vas
a disariiy of si or cigIi ycars lcivccn iIc ivo
sisicrs; and iIai iIc youngcr acarcd io lc
iIc managcr of iIc confcrcncc, inasmucI as sIc
Iad my lciicr in Icr Iandso familiar as ii
loolcd io mc, and yci so odd!and vas rcfcr-
ring io ii iIrougI an cyc-glass. TIcy vcrc
drcsscd alilc, lui iIis sisicr vorc Icr drcss viiI
a morc youiIful air iIan iIc oiIcr; and cr-
Ias Iad a iriflc morc frill, or iuclcr, or lroocI,
or lracclci, or somc liiilc iIing of iIai lind,
vIicI madc Icr lool morc livcly. TIcy vcrc loiI
urigIi in iIcir carriagc, formal, rccisc, com-
oscd, and quici. TIc sisicr vIo Iad noi my
lciicr, Iad Icr arms crosscd on Icr lrcasi, and
rcsiing on cacI oiIcr, lilc an Idol.
'Mr. Cocrficld, I lclicvc,' said iIc sisicr vIo
Iad goi my lciicr, addrcssing Icrsclf io Traddlcs.
TIis vas a frigIiful lcginning. Traddlcs Iad
io indicaic iIai I vas Mr. Cocrficld, and I Iad
io lay claim io mysclf, and iIcy Iad io divcsi
iIcmsclvcs of a rcconccivcd oinion iIai
Traddlcs vas Mr. Cocrficld, and aliogciIcr
vc vcrc in a nicc condiiion. To imrovc ii, vc
all disiincily Icard Ji givc ivo sIori larls, and
rcccivc anoiIcr cIolc.
201
'Mr. Cocrficld!' said iIc sisicr viiI iIc lci-
icr.
I did somciIinglovcd, I suoscand vas
all aiicniion, vIcn iIc oiIcr sisicr sirucl in.
'My sisicr Lavinia,' said sIc 'lcing convcrsani
viiI maiicrs of iIis naiurc, vill siaic vIai vc
considcr mosi calculaicd io romoic iIc Iai-
ncss of loiI ariics.'
I discovcrcd aficrvards iIai Miss Lavinia vas
an auiIoriiy in affairs of iIc Icari, ly rcason of
iIcrc Iaving ancicnily cisicd a ccriain Mr.
Fidgcr, vIo laycd sIori vIisi, and vas su-
oscd io Iavc lccn cnamourcd of Icr. My ri-
vaic oinion is, iIai iIis vas cniircly a graiu-
iious assumiion, and iIai Fidgcr vas alio-
gciIcr innoccni of any sucI scniimcnisio
vIicI Ic Iad ncvcr givcn any sori of crcs-
sion iIai I could cvcr Icar of. DoiI Miss Lavinia
and Miss Clarissa Iad a sucrsiiiion, Iovcvcr,
iIai Ic vould Iavc dcclarcd Iis assion, if Ic
Iad noi lccn cui sIori in Iis youiI (ai aloui
siiy} ly ovcr-drinling Iis consiiiuiion, and
ovcr-doing an aiicmi io sci ii rigIi again ly
svilling DaiI vaicr. TIcy Iad a lurling susi-
cion cvcn, iIai Ic dicd of sccrci lovc; iIougI I
musi say iIcrc vas a iciurc of Iim in iIc Iousc
viiI a damasl nosc, vIicI conccalmcni did noi
acar io Iavc cvcr rcycd uon.
'Wc vill noi,' said Miss Lavinia, 'cnicr on iIc
asi Iisiory of iIis maiicr. Our oor lroiIcr
Francis's dcaiI Ias canccllcd iIai.'
'Wc Iad noi,' said Miss Clarissa, 'lccn in iIc
Ialii of frcqucni associaiion viiI our lroiIcr
Francis; lui iIcrc vas no dccidcd division or
disunion lcivccn us. Francis iool Iis road; vc
iool ours. Wc considcrcd ii conducivc io iIc
Iaincss of all ariics iIai ii sIould lc so.
And ii vas so.'
EacI of iIc sisicrs lcancd a liiilc forvard io
scal, sIool Icr Icad aficr scaling, and lc-
camc urigIi again vIcn silcni. Miss Clarissa
ncvcr movcd Icr arms. SIc somciimcs laycd
202
iuncs uon iIcm viiI Icr fingcrsminucis and
marcIcs I sIould iIinllui ncvcr movcd iIcm.
'Our niccc's osiiion, or suoscd osiiion, is
mucI cIangcd ly our lroiIcr Francis's dcaiI,' said
Miss Lavinia; 'and iIcrcforc vc considcr our
lroiIcr's oinions as rcgardcd Icr osiiion as lc-
ing cIangcd ioo. Wc Iavc no rcason io douli, Mr.
Cocrficld, iIai you arc a young gcnilcman os-
scsscd of good qualiiics and Ionourallc cIarac-
icr; or iIai you Iavc an affcciionor arc fully cr-
suadcd iIai you Iavc an affcciionfor our niccc.'
I rclicd, as I usually did vIcncvcr I Iad a
cIancc, iIai nolody Iad cvcr lovcd anylody clsc
as I lovcd Dora. Traddlcs camc io my assisiancc
viiI a confirmaiory murmur.
Miss Lavinia vas going on io malc somc rc-
joindcr, vIcn Miss Clarissa, vIo acarcd io
lc inccssanily lcsci ly a dcsirc io rcfcr io Icr
lroiIcr Francis, sirucl in again:
'If Dora's mama,' sIc said, 'vIcn sIc marricd
our lroiIcr Francis, Iad ai oncc said iIai iIcrc
vas noi room for iIc family ai iIc dinncr-iallc,
ii vould Iavc lccn lciicr for iIc Iaincss of
all ariics.'
'Sisicr Clarissa,' said Miss Lavinia. 'FcrIas
vc nccdn'i mind iIai nov.'
'Sisicr Lavinia,' said Miss Clarissa, 'ii lclongs
io iIc suljcci. WiiI your lrancI of iIc suljcci,
on vIicI alonc you arc comcicni io scal, I
sIould noi iIinl of inicrfcring. On iIis lrancI
of iIc suljcci I Iavc a voicc and an oinion. Ii
vould Iavc lccn lciicr for iIc Iaincss of all
ariics, if Dora's mama, vIcn sIc marricd our
lroiIcr Francis, Iad mcniioncd lainly vIai Icr
inicniions vcrc. Wc sIould iIcn Iavc lnovn
vIai vc Iad io ccci. Wc sIould Iavc said
Fray do noi inviic us, ai any iimc"; and all os-
sililiiy of misundcrsianding vould Iavc lccn
avoidcd.'
WIcn Miss Clarissa Iad sIalcn Icr Icad,
Miss Lavinia rcsumcd: again rcfcrring io my lci-
icr iIrougI Icr cyc-glass. TIcy loiI Iad liiilc
203
lrigIi round ivinlling cycs, ly iIc vay, vIicI
vcrc lilc lirds' cycs. TIcy vcrc noi unlilc lirds,
aliogciIcr; Iaving a sIar, lrisl, suddcn man-
ncr, and a liiilc sIori, srucc vay of adjusiing
iIcmsclvcs, lilc canarics.
Miss Lavinia, as I Iavc said, rcsumcd:
'You asl crmission of my sisicr Clarissa and
mysclf, Mr. Cocrficld, io visii Icrc, as iIc
acccicd suiior of our niccc.'
'If our lroiIcr Francis,' said Miss Clarissa,
lrcaling oui again, if I may call anyiIing so
calm a lrcaling oui, 'visIcd io surround Iim-
sclf viiI an aimosIcrc of Dociors' Commons,
and of Dociors' Commons only, vIai rigIi or
dcsirc Iad vc io oljcci? Nonc, I am surc. Wc
Iavc cvcr lccn far from visIing io olirudc our-
sclvcs on anyonc. Dui vIy noi say so? Lci our
lroiIcr Francis and Iis vifc Iavc iIcir sociciy.
Lci my sisicr Lavinia and mysclf Iavc our soci-
ciy. Wc can find ii for oursclvcs, I Ioc.'
As iIis acarcd io lc addrcsscd io Traddlcs
and mc, loiI Traddlcs and I madc somc sori of
rcly. Traddlcs vas inaudillc. I iIinl I olscrvcd,
mysclf, iIai ii vas IigIly crcdiiallc io all con-
ccrncd. I don'i in iIc lcasi lnov vIai I mcani.
'Sisicr Lavinia,' said Miss Clarissa, Iaving nov
rclicvcd Icr mind, 'you can go on, my dcar.'
Miss Lavinia rocccdcd:
'Mr. Cocrficld, my sisicr Clarissa and I Iavc
lccn vcry carcful indccd in considcring iIis lci-
icr; and vc Iavc noi considcrcd ii viiIoui fi-
nally sIoving ii io our niccc, and discussing ii
viiI our niccc. Wc Iavc no douli iIai you iIinl
you lilc Icr vcry mucI.'
'TIinl, ma'am,' I raiurously lcgan, 'oI! -'
Dui Miss Clarissa giving mc a lool (jusi lilc a
sIar canary}, as rcqucsiing iIai I vould noi
inicrrui iIc oraclc, I lcggcd ardon.
'Affcciion,' said Miss Lavinia, glancing ai Icr
sisicr for corroloraiion, vIicI sIc gavc in iIc
form of a liiilc nod io cvcry clausc, 'maiurc af-
fcciion, Iomagc, dcvoiion, docs noi casily c-
204
rcss iisclf. Iis voicc is lov. Ii is modcsi and
rciiring, ii lics in amlusI, vaiis and vaiis. SucI
is iIc maiurc fruii. Somciimcs a lifc glidcs avay,
and finds ii siill ricning in iIc sIadc.'
Of coursc I did noi undcrsiand iIcn iIai iIis
vas an allusion io Icr suoscd ccricncc of
iIc siriclcn Fidgcr; lui I sav, from iIc graviiy
viiI vIicI Miss Clarissa noddcd Icr Icad, iIai
grcai vcigIi vas aiiacIcd io iIcsc vords.
'TIc ligIifor I call iIcm, in comarison viiI
sucI scniimcnis, iIc ligIiinclinaiions of vcry
young colc,' ursucd Miss Lavinia, 'arc dusi,
comarcd io rocls. Ii is oving io iIc difficuliy
of lnoving vIciIcr iIcy arc lilcly io cndurc or
Iavc any rcal foundaiion, iIai my sisicr Clarissa
and mysclf Iavc lccn vcry undccidcd Iov io
aci, Mr. Cocrficld, and Mr.'
'Traddlcs,' said my fricnd, finding Iimsclf
loolcd ai.
'I lcg ardon. Of iIc Inncr Tcmlc, I lclicvc?'
said Miss Clarissa, again glancing ai my lciicr.
Traddlcs said 'Eacily so,' and lccamc rciiy
rcd in iIc facc.
Nov, aliIougI I Iad noi rcccivcd any crcss
cncouragcmcni as yci, I fancicd iIai I sav in
iIc ivo liiilc sisicrs, and ariicularly in Miss
Lavinia, an inicnsificd cnjoymcni of iIis ncv
and fruiiful suljcci of domcsiic inicrcsi, a sci-
iling dovn io malc iIc mosi of ii, a disosiiion
io ci ii, in vIicI iIcrc vas a good lrigIi ray of
Ioc. I iIougIi I crccivcd iIai Miss Lavinia
vould Iavc uncommon saiisfaciion in sucrin-
icnding ivo young lovcrs, lilc Dora and mc; and
iIai Miss Clarissa vould Iavc Iardly lcss sai-
isfaciion in sccing Icr sucrinicnd us, and in
cIiming in viiI Icr ovn ariicular dcarimcni
of iIc suljcci vIcncvcr iIai imulsc vas sirong
uon Icr. TIis gavc mc couragc io roicsi mosi
vcIcmcnily iIai I lovcd Dora lciicr iIan I could
icll, or anyonc lclicvc; iIai all my fricnds lncv
Iov I lovcd Icr; iIai my auni, Agncs, Traddlcs,
cvcryonc vIo lncv mc, lncv Iov I lovcd Icr,
205
and Iov carncsi my lovc Iad madc mc. For iIc
iruiI of iIis, I acalcd io Traddlcs. And
Traddlcs, firing u as if Ic vcrc lunging inio a
Farliamcniary Dclaic, rcally did comc oui no-
lly: confirming mc in good round icrms, and in
a lain scnsillc raciical manncr, iIai cvidcnily
madc a favourallc imrcssion.
'I scal, if I may rcsumc io say so, as onc
vIo Ias somc liiilc ccricncc of sucI iIings,'
said Traddlcs, 'lcing mysclf cngagcd io a young
ladyonc of icn, dovn in DcvonsIircand scc-
ing no rolaliliiy, ai rcscni, of our cngagc-
mcni coming io a icrminaiion.'
'You may lc allc io confirm vIai I Iavc said,
Mr. Traddlcs,' olscrvcd Miss Lavinia, cvidcnily
ialing a ncv inicrcsi in Iim, 'of iIc affcciion
iIai is modcsi and rciiring; iIai vaiis and
vaiis?'
'Eniircly, ma'am,' said Traddlcs.
Miss Clarissa loolcd ai Miss Lavinia, and
sIool Icr Icad gravcly. Miss Lavinia loolcd
consciously ai Miss Clarissa, and Icavcd a liiilc
sigI. 'Sisicr Lavinia,' said Miss Clarissa, 'ialc
my smclling-loiilc.'
Miss Lavinia rcvivcd Icrsclf viiI a fcv vIiffs
of aromaiic vincgarTraddlcs and I looling on
viiI grcai soliciiudc iIc vIilc; and iIcn vcni
on io say, raiIcr fainily:
'My sisicr and mysclf Iavc lccn in grcai douli,
Mr. Traddlcs, vIai coursc vc ougIi io ialc in
rcfcrcncc io iIc lilings, or imaginary lilings, of
sucI vcry young colc as your fricnd Mr.
Cocrficld and our niccc.'
'Our lroiIcr Francis's cIild,' rcmarlcd Miss
Clarissa. 'If our lroiIcr Francis's vifc Iad found
ii convcnicni in Icr lifciimc (iIougI sIc Iad an
unqucsiionallc rigIi io aci as sIc iIougIi lcsi}
io inviic iIc family io Icr dinncr-iallc, vc migIi
Iavc lnovn our lroiIcr Francis's cIild lciicr
ai iIc rcscni momcni. Sisicr Lavinia, rocccd.'
Miss Lavinia iurncd my lciicr, so as io lring
iIc sucrscriiion iovards Icrsclf, and rcfcrrcd
206
iIrougI Icr cyc-glass io somc ordcrly-looling
noics sIc Iad madc on iIai ari of ii.
'Ii sccms io us,' said sIc, 'rudcni, Mr.
Traddlcs, io lring iIcsc fcclings io iIc icsi of
our ovn olscrvaiion. Ai rcscni vc lnov noiI-
ing of iIcm, and arc noi in a siiuaiion io judgc
Iov mucI rcaliiy iIcrc may lc in iIcm. TIcrc-
forc vc arc inclincd so far io acccdc io Mr.
Cocrficld's roosal, as io admii Iis visiis
Icrc.'
'I sIall ncvcr, dcar ladics,' I cclaimcd, rclicvcd
of an immcnsc load of arcIcnsion, 'forgci your
lindncss!'
'Dui,' ursucd Miss Lavinia,'lui, vc vould
rcfcr io rcgard iIosc visiis, Mr. Traddlcs, as
madc, ai rcscni, io us. Wc musi guard our-
sclvcs from rccognizing any osiiivc cngagcmcni
lcivccn Mr. Cocrficld and our niccc, uniil
vc Iavc Iad an ooriuniiy'
'Uniil ou Iavc Iad an ooriuniiy, sisicr
Lavinia,' said Miss Clarissa.
'Dc ii so,' asscnicd Miss Lavinia, viiI a sigI
'uniil I Iavc Iad an ooriuniiy of olscrving
iIcm.'
'Cocrficld,' said Traddlcs, iurning io mc, 'you
fccl, I am surc, iIai noiIing could lc morc rca-
sonallc or considcraic.'
'NoiIing!' cricd I. 'I am dccly scnsillc of ii.'
'In iIis osiiion of affairs,' said Miss Lavinia,
again rcfcrring io Icr noics, 'and admiiiing Iis
visiis on iIis undcrsianding only, vc musi rc-
quirc from Mr. Cocrficld a disiinci assurancc,
on Iis vord of Ionour, iIai no communicaiion
of any lind sIall ialc lacc lcivccn Iim and
our niccc viiIoui our lnovlcdgc. TIai no rojcci
vIaicvcr sIall lc cnicriaincd viiI rcgard io our
niccc, viiIoui lcing firsi sulmiiicd io us'
'To you, sisicr Lavinia,' Miss Clarissa inicr-
oscd.
'Dc ii so, Clarissa!' asscnicd Miss Lavinia rc-
signcdly'io mcand rccciving our concur-
rcncc. Wc musi malc iIis a mosi crcss and
207
scrious siiulaiion, noi io lc lrolcn on any ac-
couni. Wc visIcd Mr. Cocrficld io lc accom-
anicd ly somc confidcniial fricnd ioday,' viiI
an inclinaiion of Icr Icad iovards Traddlcs, vIo
lovcd, 'in ordcr iIai iIcrc migIi lc no douli
or misconcciion on iIis suljcci. If Mr.
Cocrficld, or if you, Mr. Traddlcs, fccl iIc lcasi
scrulc, in giving iIis romisc, I lcg you io ialc
iimc io considcr ii.'
I cclaimcd, in a siaic of IigI ccsiaiic fcrvour,
iIai noi a momcni's considcraiion could lc
ncccssary. I lound mysclf ly iIc rcquircd rom-
isc, in a mosi imassioncd manncr; callcd uon
Traddlcs io viincss ii; and dcnounccd mysclf
as iIc mosi airocious of cIaracicrs if I cvcr
svcrvcd from ii in iIc lcasi dcgrcc.
'Siay!' said Miss Lavinia, Iolding u Icr Iand;
'vc rcsolvcd, lcforc vc Iad iIc lcasurc of rc-
cciving you ivo gcnilcmcn, io lcavc you alonc
for a quaricr of an Iour, io considcr iIis oini.
You vill allov us io rciirc.'
Ii vas in vain for mc io say iIai no considcr-
aiion vas ncccssary. TIcy crsisicd in viiI-
draving for iIc sccificd iimc. Accordingly,
iIcsc liiilc lirds Iocd oui viiI grcai digniiy;
lcaving mc io rcccivc iIc congraiulaiions of
Traddlcs, and io fccl as if I vcrc iranslaicd io
rcgions of cquisiic Iaincss. Eacily ai iIc
ciraiion of iIc quaricr of an Iour, iIcy rca-
carcd viiI no lcss digniiy iIan iIcy Iad dis-
acarcd. TIcy Iad gonc rusiling avay as if iIcir
liiilc drcsscs vcrc madc of auiumn-lcavcs: and
iIcy camc rusiling lacl, in lilc manncr.
I iIcn lound mysclf oncc morc io iIc rc-
scrilcd condiiions.
'Sisicr Clarissa,' said Miss Lavinia, 'iIc rcsi is
viiI you.'
Miss Clarissa, unfolding Icr arms for iIc firsi
iimc, iool iIc noics and glanccd ai iIcm.
'Wc sIall lc Iay,' said Miss Clarissa, 'io scc
Mr. Cocrficld io dinncr, cvcry Sunday, if ii
sIould suii Iis convcnicncc. Our Iour is iIrcc.'
208
I lovcd.
'In iIc coursc of iIc vccl,' said Miss Clarissa,
'vc sIall lc Iay io scc Mr. Cocrficld io ica.
Our Iour is Ialf-asi si.'
I lovcd again.
'Tvicc in iIc vccl,' said Miss Clarissa, 'lui,
as a rulc, noi oficncr.'
I lovcd again.
'Miss Troivood,' said Miss Clarissa, 'mcn-
iioncd in Mr. Cocrficld's lciicr, vill crIas
call uon us. WIcn visiiing is lciicr for iIc Ia-
incss of all ariics, vc arc glad io rcccivc vis-
iis, and rciurn iIcm. WIcn ii is lciicr for iIc
Iaincss of all ariics iIai no visiiing sIould
ialc lacc, (as in iIc casc of our lroiIcr Francis,
and Iis csiallisImcni} iIai is quiic diffcrcni.'
I iniimaicd iIai my auni vould lc roud and
dcligIicd io malc iIcir acquainiancc; iIougI I
musi say I vas noi quiic surc of iIcir gciiing on
vcry saiisfaciorily iogciIcr. TIc condiiions lcing
nov closcd, I crcsscd my aclnovlcdgcmcnis
in iIc varmcsi manncr; and, ialing iIc Iand,
firsi of Miss Clarissa, and iIcn of Miss Lavinia,
rcsscd ii, in cacI casc, io my lis.
Miss Lavinia iIcn arosc, and lcgging Mr.
Traddlcs io ccusc us for a minuic, rcqucsicd
mc io follov Icr. I olcycd, all in a ircmllc, and
vas conducicd inio anoiIcr room. TIcrc I found
my llcsscd darling sioing Icr cars lcIind iIc
door, viiI Icr dcar liiilc facc againsi iIc vall;
and Ji in iIc laic-varmcr viiI Iis Icad iicd
u in a iovcl.
OI! Hov lcauiiful sIc vas in Icr llacl frocl,
and Iov sIc sollcd and cricd ai firsi, and
vouldn'i comc oui from lcIind iIc door! Hov
fond vc vcrc of onc anoiIcr, vIcn sIc did comc
oui ai lasi; and vIai a siaic of lliss I vas in,
vIcn vc iool Ji oui of iIc laic-varmcr, and
rcsiorcd Iim io iIc ligIi, sncczing vcry mucI,
and vcrc all iIrcc rcuniicd!
'My dcarcsi Dora! Nov, indccd, my ovn for
cvcr!'
209
'OI, don`t!' lcadcd Dora. 'Flcasc!'
'Arc you noi my ovn for cvcr, Dora?'
'OI ycs, of coursc I am!' cricd Dora, 'lui I am
so frigIicncd!'
'FrigIicncd, my ovn?'
'OI ycs! I don'i lilc Iim,' said Dora. 'WIy don'i
Ic go?'
'WIo, my lifc?'
'Your fricnd,' said Dora. 'Ii isn'i any lusincss
of Iis. WIai a siuid Ic musi lc!'
'My lovc!' (TIcrc ncvcr vas anyiIing so coaing
as Icr cIildisI vays.} 'Hc is iIc lcsi crcaiurc!'
'OI, lui vc don'i vani any lcsi crcaiurcs!'
ouicd Dora.
'My dcar,' I argucd, 'you vill soon lnov Iim
vcll, and lilc Iim of all iIings. And Icrc is my
auni coming soon; and you'll lilc Icr of all iIings
ioo, vIcn you lnov Icr.'
'No, lcasc don'i lring Icr!' said Dora, giving
mc a Iorrificd liiilc liss, and folding Icr Iands.
'Don'i. I lnov sIc's a naugIiy, miscIicf-mal-
ing old iIing! Don'i lci Icr comc Icrc, Doady!'
vIicI vas a corruiion of David.
Fcmonsirancc vas of no usc, iIcn; so I
laugIcd, and admircd, and vas vcry mucI in
lovc and vcry Iay; and sIc sIovcd mc Ji's
ncv iricl of sianding on Iis Iind lcgs in a cor-
ncrvIicI Ic did for aloui iIc sacc of a flasI
of ligIining, and iIcn fcll dovnand I don'i
lnov Iov long I sIould Iavc siaycd iIcrc,
ollivious of Traddlcs, if Miss Lavinia Iad noi
comc in io ialc mc avay. Miss Lavinia vas vcry
fond of Dora (sIc iold mc Dora vas cacily lilc
vIai sIc Iad lccn Icrsclf ai Icr agcsIc musi
Iavc alicrcd a good dcal}, and sIc ircaicd Dora
jusi as if sIc Iad lccn a ioy. I vanicd io cr-
suadc Dora io comc and scc Traddlcs, lui on
my roosing ii sIc ran off io Icr ovn room
and loclcd Icrsclf in; so I vcni io Traddlcs viiI-
oui Icr, and vallcd avay viiI Iim on air.
'NoiIing could lc morc saiisfaciory,' said
Traddlcs; 'and iIcy arc vcry agrccallc old la-
210
dics, I am surc. I sIouldn'i lc ai all surriscd if
you vcrc io lc marricd ycars lcforc mc,
Cocrficld.'
'Docs your SoIy lay on any insirumcni,
Traddlcs?' I inquircd, in iIc ridc of my Icari.
'SIc lnovs cnougI of iIc iano io icacI ii io
Icr liiilc sisicrs,' said Traddlcs.
'Docs sIc sing ai all?' I aslcd.
'WIy, sIc sings lallads, somciimcs, io frcsIcn
u iIc oiIcrs a liiilc vIcn iIcy'rc oui of sir-
iis,' said Traddlcs. 'NoiIing scicniific.'
'SIc docsn'i sing io iIc guiiar?' said I.
'OI dcar no!' said Traddlcs.
'Faini ai all?'
'Noi ai all,' said Traddlcs.
I romiscd Traddlcs iIai Ic sIould Icar Dora
sing, and scc somc of Icr flovcr-ainiing. Hc said
Ic sIould lilc ii vcry mucI, and vc vcni Iomc
arm in arm in grcai good Iumour and dcligIi. I
cncouragcd Iim io iall aloui SoIy, on iIc vay;
vIicI Ic did viiI a loving rcliancc on Icr iIai I
vcry mucI admircd. I comarcd Icr in my mind
viiI Dora, viiI considcrallc invard saiisfaciion;
lui I candidly admiiicd io mysclf iIai sIc sccmcd
io lc an cccllcni lind of girl for Traddlcs, ioo.
Of coursc my auni vas immcdiaicly madc ac-
quainicd viiI iIc succcssful issuc of iIc con-
fcrcncc, and viiI all iIai Iad lccn said and
donc in iIc coursc of ii. SIc vas Iay io scc
mc so Iay, and romiscd io call on Dora's
aunis viiIoui loss of iimc. Dui sIc iool sucI a
long vall u and dovn our rooms iIai nigIi,
vIilc I vas vriiing io Agncs, iIai I lcgan io
iIinl sIc mcani io vall iill morning.
My lciicr io Agncs vas a fcrvcni and graicful
onc, narraiing all iIc good cffccis iIai Iad rc-
sulicd from my folloving Icr advicc. SIc vroic,
ly rciurn of osi, io mc. Hcr lciicr vas Iocful,
carncsi, and cIccrful. SIc vas alvays cIccrful
from iIai iimc.
I Iad my Iands morc full iIan cvcr, nov. My
daily journcys io HigIgaic considcrcd, Fuincy
211
vas a long vay off; and I naiurally vanicd io go
iIcrc as oficn as I could. TIc rooscd ica-
drinlings lcing quiic imraciicallc, I com-
oundcd viiI Miss Lavinia for crmission io
visii cvcry Saiurday aficrnoon, viiIoui dciri-
mcni io my rivilcgcd Sundays. So, iIc closc of
cvcry vccl vas a dclicious iimc for mc; and I
goi iIrougI iIc rcsi of iIc vccl ly looling for-
vard io ii.
I vas vondcrfully rclicvcd io find iIai my auni
and Dora's aunis rullcd on, all iIings consid-
crcd, mucI morc smooiIly iIan I could Iavc
cccicd. My auni madc Icr romiscd visii
viiIin a fcv days of iIc confcrcncc; and viiIin
a fcv morc days, Dora's aunis callcd uon Icr,
in duc siaic and form. Similar lui morc fricndly
ccIangcs iool lacc aficrvards, usually ai in-
icrvals of iIrcc or four vccls. I lnov iIai my
auni disircsscd Dora's aunis vcry mucI, ly
uiicrly sciiing ai naugIi iIc digniiy of fly-con-
vcyancc, and valling oui io Fuincy ai ciraor-
dinary iimcs, as sIorily aficr lrcalfasi or jusi
lcforc ica; lilcvisc ly vcaring Icr lonnci in
any manncr iIai Iacncd io lc comforiallc
io Icr Icad, viiIoui ai all dcfcrring io iIc rcju-
diccs of civilizaiion on iIai suljcci. Dui Dora's
aunis soon agrccd io rcgard my auni as an cc-
ccniric and somcvIai masculinc lady, viiI a
sirong undcrsianding; and aliIougI my auni
occasionally rufflcd iIc fcaiIcrs of Dora's aunis,
ly crcssing Icrciical oinions on various
oinis of ccrcmony, sIc lovcd mc ioo vcll noi io
sacrificc somc of Icr liiilc cculiariiics io iIc
gcncral Iarmony.
TIc only mcmlcr of our small sociciy vIo
osiiivcly rcfuscd io adai Iimsclf io circum-
sianccs, vas Ji. Hc ncvcr sav my auni viiI-
oui immcdiaicly dislaying cvcry iooiI in Iis
Icad, rciiring undcr a cIair, and grovling in-
ccssanily: viiI nov and iIcn a dolcful Iovl, as
if sIc rcally vcrc ioo mucI for Iis fcclings. All
linds of ircaimcni vcrc iricd viiI Iim, coa-
212
ing, scolding, slaing, lringing Iim io
DuclingIam Sircci (vIcrc Ic insianily dasIcd
ai iIc ivo cais, io iIc icrror of all lcIoldcrs};
lui Ic ncvcr could rcvail uon Iimsclf io lcar
my auni's sociciy. Hc vould somciimcs iIinl
Ic Iad goi iIc lciicr of Iis oljcciion, and lc
amiallc for a fcv minuics; and iIcn vould ui
u Iis snul nosc, and Iovl io iIai cicni, iIai
iIcrc vas noiIing for ii lui io llind Iim and
ui Iim in iIc laic-varmcr. Ai lcngiI, Dora
rcgularly mufflcd Iim in a iovcl and sIui Iim
u iIcrc, vIcncvcr my auni vas rcoricd ai
iIc door.
Onc iIing iroullcd mc mucI, aficr vc Iad
fallcn inio iIis quici irain. Ii vas, iIai Dora
sccmcd ly onc conscni io lc rcgardcd lilc a
rciiy ioy or layiIing. My auni, viiI vIom
sIc gradually lccamc familiar, alvays callcd Icr
Liiilc Dlossom; and iIc lcasurc of Miss
Lavinia's lifc vas io vaii uon Icr, curl Icr Iair,
malc ornamcnis for Icr, and ircai Icr lilc a
ci cIild. WIai Miss Lavinia did, Icr sisicr did
as a maiicr of coursc. Ii vas vcry odd io mc;
lui iIcy all sccmcd io ircai Dora, in Icr dc-
grcc, mucI as Dora ircaicd Ji in Iis.
I madc u my mind io scal io Dora aloui
iIis; and onc day vIcn vc vcrc oui valling
(for vc vcrc liccnscd ly Miss Lavinia, aficr a
vIilc, io go oui valling ly oursclvcs}, I said io
Icr iIai I visIcd sIc could gci iIcm io lcIavc
iovards Icr diffcrcnily.
'Dccausc you lnov, my darling,' I rcmon-
siraicd, 'you arc noi a cIild.'
'TIcrc!' said Dora. 'Nov you'rc going io lc
cross!'
'Cross, my lovc?'
'I am surc iIcy'rc vcry lind io mc,' said Dora,
'and I am vcry Iay'
'Wcll! Dui my dcarcsi lifc!' said I, 'you migIi
lc vcry Iay, and yci lc ircaicd raiionally.'
Dora gavc mc a rcroacIful looliIc rciii-
csi lool!and iIcn lcgan io sol, saying, if I
213
didn'i lilc Icr, vIy Iad I cvcr vanicd so mucI
io lc cngagcd io Icr? And vIy didn'i I go avay,
nov, if I couldn'i lcar Icr?
WIai could I do, lui liss avay Icr icars, and
icll Icr Iov I doicd on Icr, aficr iIai!
'I am surc I am vcry affcciionaic,' said Dora;
'you ougIin'i io lc crucl io mc, Doady!'
'Crucl, my rccious lovc! As if I vouldor
couldlc crucl io you, for iIc vorld!'
'TIcn don'i find fauli viiI mc,' said Dora, mal-
ing a rosclud of Icr mouiI; 'and I'll lc good.'
I vas cIarmcd ly Icr rcscnily asling mc, of Icr
ovn accord, io givc Icr iIai coolcry-lool I Iad oncc
solcn of, and io sIov Icr Iov io lcc accounis
as I Iad oncc romiscd I vould. I lrougIi iIc vol-
umc viiI mc on my nci visii (I goi ii rciiily lound,
firsi, io malc ii lool lcss dry and morc inviiing};
and as vc sirollcd aloui iIc Common, I sIovcd
Icr an old Iousclccing-lool of my auni's, and
gavc Icr a sci of iallcis, and a rciiy liiilc cncil-
casc and lo of lcads, io raciisc Iousclccing viiI.
Dui iIc coolcry-lool madc Dora's Icad acIc,
and iIc figurcs madc Icr cry. TIcy vouldn'i add
u, sIc said. So sIc rullcd iIcm oui, and drcv
liiilc noscgays and lilcncsscs of mc and Ji, all
ovcr iIc iallcis.
TIcn I layfully iricd vcrlal insiruciion in do-
mcsiic maiicrs, as vc vallcd aloui on a Sai-
urday aficrnoon. Somciimcs, for camlc, vIcn
vc asscd a luicIcr's sIo, I vould say:
'Nov suosc, my ci, iIai vc vcrc marricd,
and you vcrc going io luy a sIouldcr of mui-
ion for dinncr, vould you lnov Iov io luy ii?'
My rciiy liiilc Dora's facc vould fall, and sIc
vould malc Icr mouiI inio a lud again, as if sIc
vould vcry mucI rcfcr io sIui minc viiI a liss.
'Would you lnov Iov io luy ii, my darling?' I
vould rccai, crIas, if I vcrc vcry inflcillc.
Dora vould iIinl a liiilc, and iIcn rcly, cr-
Ias, viiI grcai iriumI:
'WIy, iIc luicIcr vould lnov Iov io scll ii,
and vIai nccd I lnov? OI, you silly loy!'
214
So, vIcn I oncc aslcd Dora, viiI an cyc io
iIc coolcry-lool, vIai sIc vould do, if vc vcrc
marricd, and I vcrc io say I sIould lilc a nicc
IrisI sicv, sIc rclicd iIai sIc vould icll iIc
scrvani io malc ii; and iIcn clacd Icr liiilc
Iands iogciIcr across my arm, and laugIcd in
sucI a cIarming manncr iIai sIc vas morc
dcligIiful iIan cvcr.
Conscqucnily, iIc rincial usc io vIicI iIc
coolcry-lool vas dcvoicd, vas lcing ui dovn
in iIc corncr for Ji io siand uon. Dui Dora
vas so lcascd, vIcn sIc Iad iraincd Iim io
siand uon ii viiIoui offcring io comc off, and
ai iIc samc iimc io Iold iIc cncil-casc in Iis
mouiI, iIai I vas vcry glad I Iad lougIi ii.
And vc fcll lacl on iIc guiiar-casc, and iIc
flovcr-ainiing, and iIc songs aloui ncvcr lcav-
ing off dancing, Ta ra la! and vcrc as Iay as
iIc vccl vas long. I occasionally visIcd I could
vcniurc io Iini io Miss Lavinia, iIai sIc ircaicd
iIc darling of my Icari a liiilc ioo mucI lilc a
layiIing; and I somciimcs avolc, as ii vcrc,
vondcring io find iIai I Iad fallcn inio iIc gcn-
cral fauli, and ircaicd Icr lilc a layiIing ioo
lui noi oficn.
CHAPTER 42
MISCHIEF
I FEEL AS IF IT WEFE noi for mc io rccord, cvcn
iIougI iIis manuscrii is inicndcd for no cycs
lui minc, Iov Iard I vorlcd ai iIai ircmcn-
dous sIori-Iand, and all imrovcmcni acr-
iaining io ii, in my scnsc of rcsonsililiiy io
Dora and Icr aunis. I vill only add, io vIai I
Iavc alrcady vriiicn of my crscvcrancc ai iIis
iimc of my lifc, and of a aiicni and coniinuous
cncrgy vIicI iIcn lcgan io lc maiurcd viiIin
mc, and vIicI I lnov io lc iIc sirong ari of
my cIaracicr, if ii Iavc any sircngiI ai all, iIai
iIcrc, on looling lacl, I find iIc sourcc of my
succcss. I Iavc lccn vcry foriunaic in vorldly
215
maiicrs; many mcn Iavc vorlcd mucI Iardcr,
and noi succccdcd Ialf so vcll; lui I ncvcr could
Iavc donc vIai I Iavc donc, viiIoui iIc Ialiis
of unciualiiy, ordcr, and diligcncc, viiIoui iIc
dcicrminaiion io conccniraic mysclf on onc ol-
jcci ai a iimc, no maiicr Iov quiclly iis succcs-
sor sIould comc uon iis Iccls, vIicI I iIcn
formcd. Hcavcn lnovs I vriic iIis, in no sirii of
sclf-laudaiion. TIc man vIo rcvicvs Iis ovn lifc,
as I do minc, in going on Icrc, from agc io agc,
Iad nccd io Iavc lccn a good man indccd, if Ic
vould lc sarcd iIc sIar consciousncss of many
ialcnis ncglccicd, many ooriuniiics vasicd,
many crraiic and crvcricd fcclings consianily ai
var viiIin Iis lrcasi, and dcfcaiing Iim. I do noi
Iold onc naiural gifi, I darc say, iIai I Iavc noi
aluscd. My mcaning simly is, iIai vIaicvcr I
Iavc iricd io do in lifc, I Iavc iricd viiI all my
Icari io do vcll; iIai vIaicvcr I Iavc dcvoicd
mysclf io, I Iavc dcvoicd mysclf io comlcicly;
iIai in grcai aims and in small, I Iavc alvays
lccn iIorougIly in carncsi. I Iavc ncvcr lclicvcd
ii ossillc iIai any naiural or imrovcd aliliiy
can claim immuniiy from iIc comanionsIi of
iIc sicady, lain, Iard-vorling qualiiics, and
Ioc io gain iis cnd. TIcrc is no sucI iIing as
sucI fulfilmcni on iIis cariI. Somc Iay ialcni,
and somc foriunaic ooriuniiy, may form iIc
ivo sidcs of iIc laddcr on vIicI somc mcn mouni,
lui iIc rounds of iIai laddcr musi lc madc of
siuff io siand vcar and icar; and iIcrc is no sul-
siiiuic for iIorougI-going, ardcni, and sinccrc car-
ncsincss. Ncvcr io ui onc Iand io anyiIing, on
vIicI I could iIrov my vIolc sclf; and ncvcr io
affcci dcrcciaiion of my vorl, vIaicvcr ii vas; I
find, nov, io Iavc lccn my goldcn rulcs.
Hov mucI of iIc raciicc I Iavc jusi rcduccd
io rccci, I ovc io Agncs, I vill noi rccai Icrc.
My narraiivc rocccds io Agncs, viiI a iIanl-
ful lovc.
SIc camc on a visii of a forinigIi io iIc
Docior's. Mr. Wiclficld vas iIc Docior's old
216
fricnd, and iIc Docior visIcd io iall viiI Iim,
and do Iim good. Ii Iad lccn maiicr of convcr-
saiion viiI Agncs vIcn sIc vas lasi in iovn,
and iIis visii vas iIc rcsuli. SIc and Icr faiIcr
camc iogciIcr. I vas noi mucI surriscd io Icar
from Icr iIai sIc Iad cngagcd io find a lodging
in iIc ncigIlourIood for Mrs. Hcc, vIosc
rIcumaiic comlaini rcquircd cIangc of air, and
vIo vould lc cIarmcd io Iavc ii in sucI com-
any. NciiIcr vas I surriscd vIcn, on iIc vcry
nci day, UriaI, lilc a duiiful son, lrougIi Iis
voriIy moiIcr io ialc osscssion.
'You scc, Masicr Cocrficld,' said Ic, as Ic
forccd Iimsclf uon my comany for a iurn in
iIc Docior's gardcn, 'vIcrc a crson lovcs, a
crson is a liiilc jcalouslcasivays, anious io
lcc an cyc on iIc lclovcd onc.'
'Of vIom arc you jcalous, nov?' said I.
'TIanls io you, Masicr Cocrficld,' Ic rc-
iurncd, 'of no onc in ariicular jusi ai rcscni
no malc crson, ai lcasi.'
'Do you mcan iIai you arc jcalous of a fcmalc
crson?'
Hc gavc mc a sidclong glancc oui of Iis sinis-
icr rcd cycs, and laugIcd.
'Fcally, Masicr Cocrficld,' Ic said, 'I
sIould say Misicr, lui I lnov you'll ccusc iIc
alii I'vc goi inioyou'rc so insinuaiing, iIai you
drav mc lilc a corlscrcv! Wcll, I don'i mind
iclling you,' uiiing Iis fisI-lilc Iand on minc,
'I'm noi a lady's man in gcncral, sir, and I ncvcr
vas, viiI Mrs. Sirong.'
His cycs loolcd grccn nov, as iIcy vaicIcd
minc viiI a rascally cunning.
'WIai do you mcan?' said I.
' WIy, iIougI I am a lavycr, Masicr
Cocrficld,' Ic rclicd, viiI a dry grin, 'I mcan,
jusi ai rcscni, vIai I say.'
'And vIai do you mcan ly your lool?' I rc-
ioricd, quicily.
'Dy my lool? Dcar mc, Cocrficld, iIai's
sIar raciicc! WIai do I mcan ly my lool?'
217
'Ycs,' said I. 'Dy your lool.'
Hc sccmcd vcry mucI amuscd, and laugIcd
as Icariily as ii vas in Iis naiurc io laugI. Af-
icr somc scraing of Iis cIin viiI Iis Iand, Ic
vcni on io say, viiI Iis cycs casi dovnvard
siill scraing, vcry slovly:
'WIcn I vas lui an umllc clcrl, sIc alvays
loolcd dovn uon mc. SIc vas for cvcr Iaving
my Agncs laclvards and forvards ai Icr ousc,
and sIc vas for cvcr lcing a fricnd io you, Mas-
icr Cocrficld; lui I vas ioo far lcncaiI Icr,
mysclf, io lc noiiccd.'
'Wcll?' said I; 'suosc you vcrc!'
'And lcncaiI Iim ioo,' ursucd UriaI, vcry
disiincily, and in a mcdiiaiivc ionc of voicc, as
Ic coniinucd io scrac Iis cIin.
'Don'i you lnov iIc Docior lciicr,' said I, 'iIan
io suosc Iim conscious of your cisicncc,
vIcn you vcrc noi lcforc Iim?'
Hc dirccicd Iis cycs ai mc in iIai sidclong
glancc again, and Ic madc Iis facc vcry lan-
icrn-javcd, for iIc grcaicr convcnicncc of scra-
ing, as Ic ansvcrcd:
'OI dcar, I am noi rcfcrring io iIc Docior! OI
no, oor man! I mcan Mr. Maldon!'
My Icari quiic dicd viiIin mc. All my old
doulis and arcIcnsions on iIai suljcci, all
iIc Docior's Iaincss and cacc, all iIc
minglcd ossililiiics of innoccncc and comro-
misc, iIai I could noi unravcl, I sav, in a mo-
mcni, ai iIc mcrcy of iIis fcllov's ivisiing.
'Hc ncvcr could comc inio iIc officc, viiIoui
ordcring and sIoving mc aloui,' said UriaI. 'Onc
of your finc gcnilcmcn Ic vas! I vas vcry mccl
and umllcand I am. Dui I didn'i lilc iIai sori
of iIingand I don'i!'
Hc lcfi off scraing Iis cIin, and suclcd in
Iis cIccls uniil iIcy sccmcd io mcci insidc;
lccing Iis sidclong glancc uon mc all iIc
vIilc.
'SIc is onc of your lovcly vomcn, sIc is,' Ic
ursucd, vIcn Ic Iad slovly rcsiorcd Iis facc
218
io iis naiural form; 'and rcady io lc no fricnd io
sucI as mc, I lnov. SIc's jusi iIc crson as
vould ui my Agncs u io IigIcr sori of gamc.
Nov, I ain'i onc of your lady's mcn, Masicr
Cocrficld; lui I'vc Iad cycs in my cd, a rciiy
long iimc lacl. Wc umllc oncs Iavc goi cycs,
mosily scalingand vc lool oui of 'cm.'
I cndcavourcd io acar unconscious and noi dis-
quicicd, lui, I sav in Iis facc, viiI oor succcss.
'Nov, I'm noi a-going io lci mysclf lc run dovn,
Cocrficld,' Ic coniinucd, raising iIai ari of Iis
counicnancc, vIcrc Iis rcd cyclrovs vould Iavc
lccn if Ic Iad Iad any, viiI malignani iriumI,
'and I sIall do vIai I can io ui a sio io iIis fricnd-
sIi. I don'i arovc of ii. I don'i mind aclnovlcdg-
ing io you iIai I'vc goi raiIcr a grudging disosiiion,
and vani io lcc off all inirudcrs. I ain'i a-going, if I
lnov ii, io run iIc risl of lcing loiicd againsi.'
'You arc alvays loiiing, and dcludc yoursclf
inio iIc lclicf iIai cvcrylody clsc is doing iIc
lilc, I iIinl,' said I.
'FcrIas so, Masicr Cocrficld,' Ic rclicd.
'Dui I'vc goi a moiivc, as my fcllov-arincr uscd
io say; and I go ai ii iooiI and nail. I musin'i lc
ui uon, as a numllc crson, ioo mucI. I can'i
allov colc in my vay. Fcally iIcy musi comc
oui of iIc cari, Masicr Cocrficld!'
'I don'i undcrsiand you,' said I.
'Don'i you, iIougI?' Ic rciurncd, viiI onc of
Iis jcrls. 'I'm asionisIcd ai iIai, Masicr
Cocrficld, you lcing usually so quicl! I'll iry
io lc laincr, anoiIcr iimc.Is iIai Mr. Maldon
a-norsclacl, ringing ai iIc gaic, sir?'
'Ii lools lilc Iim,' I rclicd, as carclcssly as I
could.
UriaI siocd sIori, ui Iis Iands lcivccn
Iis grcai lnols of lnccs, and doullcd Iimsclf
u viiI laugIicr. WiiI crfccily silcni laugI-
icr. Noi a sound cscacd from Iim. I vas so
rccllcd ly Iis odious lcIaviour, ariicularly
ly iIis concluding insiancc, iIai I iurncd avay
viiIoui any ccrcmony; and lcfi Iim doullcd u
219
in iIc middlc of iIc gardcn, lilc a scarccrov in
vani of suori.
Ii vas noi on iIai cvcning; lui, as I vcll rc-
mcmlcr, on iIc nci cvcning lui onc, vIicI
vas a Sunday; iIai I iool Agncs io scc Dora. I
Iad arrangcd iIc visii, lcforcIand, viiI Miss
Lavinia; and Agncs vas cccicd io ica.
I vas in a fluiicr of ridc and aniciy; ridc in
my dcar liiilc lciroiIcd, and aniciy iIai Agncs
sIould lilc Icr. All iIc vay io Fuincy, Agncs
lcing insidc iIc siagc-coacI, and I ouisidc, I
iciurcd Dora io mysclf in cvcry onc of iIc rciiy
lools I lncv so vcll; nov maling u my mind
iIai I sIould lilc Icr io lool cacily as sIc
loolcd ai sucI a iimc, and iIcn douliing
vIciIcr I sIould noi rcfcr Icr looling as sIc
loolcd ai sucI anoiIcr iimc; and almosi vor-
rying mysclf inio a fcvcr aloui ii.
I vas iroullcd ly no douli of Icr lcing vcry
rciiy, in any casc; lui ii fcll oui iIai I Iad
ncvcr sccn Icr lool so vcll. SIc vas noi in iIc
draving-room vIcn I rcscnicd Agncs io Icr
liiilc aunis, lui vas sIyly lccing oui of iIc
vay. I lncv vIcrc io lool for Icr, nov; and
surc cnougI I found Icr sioing Icr cars again,
lcIind iIc samc dull old door.
Ai firsi sIc vouldn'i comc ai all; and iIcn sIc
lcadcd for fivc minuics ly my vaicI. WIcn ai
lcngiI sIc ui Icr arm iIrougI minc, io lc
ialcn io iIc draving-room, Icr cIarming liiilc
facc vas flusIcd, and Iad ncvcr lccn so rciiy.
Dui, vIcn vc vcni inio iIc room, and ii iurncd
alc, sIc vas icn iIousand iimcs rciiicr yci.
Dora vas afraid of Agncs. SIc Iad iold mc iIai
sIc lncv Agncs vas 'ioo clcvcr'. Dui vIcn sIc
sav Icr looling ai oncc so cIccrful and so car-
ncsi, and so iIougIiful, and so good, sIc gavc a
faini liiilc cry of lcascd surrisc, and jusi ui
Icr affcciionaic arms round Agncs's nccl, and
laid Icr innoccni cIccl againsi Icr facc.
I ncvcr vas so Iay. I ncvcr vas so lcascd
as vIcn I sav iIosc ivo sii dovn iogciIcr, sidc
220
ly sidc. As vIcn I sav my liiilc darling looling
u so naiurally io iIosc cordial cycs. As vIcn I
sav iIc icndcr, lcauiiful rcgard vIicI Agncs
casi uon Icr.
Miss Lavinia and Miss Clarissa ariool, in
iIcir vay, of my joy. Ii vas iIc lcasanicsi ica-
iallc in iIc vorld. Miss Clarissa rcsidcd. I cui
and Iandcd iIc svcci sccd-calciIc liiilc sis-
icrs Iad a lird-lilc fondncss for icling u
sccds and ccling ai sugar; Miss Lavinia loolcd
on viiI lcnignani aironagc, as if our Iay
lovc vcrc all Icr vorl; and vc vcrc crfccily
conicnicd viiI oursclvcs and onc anoiIcr.
TIc gcnilc cIccrfulncss of Agncs vcni io all iIcir
Icaris. Hcr quici inicrcsi in cvcryiIing iIai inicr-
csicd Dora; Icr manncr of maling acquainiancc viiI
Ji (vIo rcsondcd insianily}; Icr lcasani vay, vIcn
Dora vas asIamcd io comc ovcr io Icr usual scai ly
mc; Icr modcsi gracc and casc, cliciiing a crovd of
llusIing liiilc marls of confidcncc from Dora; sccmcd
io malc our circlc quiic comlcic.
'I am so glad,' said Dora, aficr ica, 'iIai you lilc
mc. I didn'i iIinl you vould; and I vani, morc
iIan cvcr, io lc lilcd, nov Julia Mills is gonc.'
I Iavc omiiicd io mcniion ii, ly iIc ly. Miss
Mills Iad sailcd, and Dora and I Iad gonc aloard
a grcai Easi Indiaman ai Gravcscnd io scc Icr;
and vc Iad Iad rcscrvcd gingcr, and guava,
and oiIcr dclicacics of iIai sori for luncI; and
vc Iad lcfi Miss Mills vccing on a cam-siool
on iIc quaricr-dccl, viiI a largc ncv diary
undcr Icr arm, in vIicI iIc original rcflcciions
avalcncd ly iIc conicmlaiion of Occan vcrc
io lc rccordcd undcr locl and lcy.
Agncs said sIc vas afraid I musi Iavc givcn
Icr an unromising cIaracicr; lui Dora cor-
rccicd iIai dirccily.
'OI no!' sIc said, sIaling Icr curls ai mc; 'ii
vas all raisc. Hc iIinls so mucI of your oin-
ion, iIai I vas quiic afraid of ii.'
'My good oinion cannoi sircngiIcn Iis ai-
iacImcni io somc colc vIom Ic lnovs,' said
221
Agncs, viiI a smilc; 'ii is noi voriI iIcir Iav-
ing.'
'Dui lcasc lci mc Iavc ii,' said Dora, in Icr
coaing vay, 'if you can!'
Wc madc mcrry aloui Dora's vaniing io lc
lilcd, and Dora said I vas a goosc, and sIc didn'i
lilc mc ai any raic, and iIc sIori cvcning flcv
avay on gossamcr-vings. TIc iimc vas ai Iand
vIcn iIc coacI vas io call for us. I vas siand-
ing alonc lcforc iIc firc, vIcn Dora camc sical-
ing sofily in, io givc mc iIai usual rccious liiilc
liss lcforc I vcni.
'Don'i you iIinl, if I Iad Iad Icr for a fricnd a
long iimc ago, Doady,' said Dora, Icr lrigIi cycs
sIining vcry lrigIily, and Icr liiilc rigIi Iand
idly lusying iisclf viiI onc of iIc luiions of my
coai, 'I migIi Iavc lccn morc clcvcr crIas?'
'My lovc!' said I, 'vIai nonscnsc!'
'Do you iIinl ii is nonscnsc?' rciurncd Dora,
viiIoui looling ai mc. 'Arc you surc ii is?'
'Of coursc I am!'
'I Iavc forgoiicn,' said Dora, siill iurning iIc
luiion round and round, 'vIai rclaiion Agncs
is io you, you dcar lad loy.'
'No llood-rclaiion,' I rclicd; 'lui vc vcrc
lrougIi u iogciIcr, lilc lroiIcr and sisicr.'
'I vondcr vIy you cvcr fcll in lovc viiI mc?'
said Dora, lcginning on anoiIcr luiion of my
coai.
'FcrIas lccausc I couldn'i scc you, and noi
lovc you, Dora!'
'Suosc you Iad ncvcr sccn mc ai all,' said
Dora, going io anoiIcr luiion.
'Suosc vc Iad ncvcr lccn lorn!' said I, gaily.
I vondcrcd vIai sIc vas iIinling aloui, as I
glanccd in admiring silcncc ai iIc liiilc sofi Iand
iravclling u iIc rov of luiions on my coai,
and ai iIc clusicring Iair iIai lay againsi my
lrcasi, and ai iIc lasIcs of Icr dovncasi cycs,
sligIily rising as iIcy follovcd Icr idlc fingcrs.
Ai lcngiI Icr cycs vcrc lificd u io minc, and
sIc siood on iiioc io givc mc, morc iIougIi-
222
fully iIan usual, iIai rccious liiilc lissoncc,
ivicc, iIrcc iimcsand vcni oui of iIc room.
TIcy all camc lacl iogciIcr viiIin fivc min-
uics aficrvards, and Dora's unusual iIougIi-
fulncss vas quiic gonc iIcn. SIc vas laugIingly
rcsolvcd io ui Ji iIrougI iIc vIolc of Iis cr-
formanccs, lcforc iIc coacI camc. TIcy iool
somc iimc (noi so mucI on accouni of iIcir vari-
ciy, as Ji's rcluciancc}, and vcrc siill unfinisIcd
vIcn ii vas Icard ai iIc door. TIcrc vas a Iur-
ricd lui affcciionaic ariing lcivccn Agncs and
Icrsclf; and Dora vas io vriic io Agncs (vIo vas
noi io mind Icr lciicrs lcing foolisI, sIc said},
and Agncs vas io vriic io Dora; and iIcy Iad a
sccond ariing ai iIc coacI door, and a iIird
vIcn Dora, in siic of iIc rcmonsiranccs of Miss
Lavinia, vould comc running oui oncc morc io
rcmind Agncs ai iIc coacI vindov aloui vrii-
ing, and io sIalc Icr curls ai mc on iIc lo.
TIc siagc-coacI vas io ui us dovn ncar
Covcni Gardcn, vIcrc vc vcrc io ialc anoiIcr
siagc-coacI for HigIgaic. I vas imaiicni for iIc
sIori vall in iIc inicrval, iIai Agncs migIi raisc
Dora io mc. AI! vIai raisc ii vas! Hov lovingly
and fcrvcnily did ii commcnd iIc rciiy crca-
iurc I Iad von, viiI all Icr arilcss graccs lcsi
dislaycd, io my mosi gcnilc carc! Hov iIougIi-
fully rcmind mc, yci viiI no rcicncc of doing
so, of iIc irusi in vIicI I Icld iIc orIan cIild!
Ncvcr, ncvcr, Iad I lovcd Dora so dccly and
iruly, as I lovcd Icr iIai nigIi. WIcn vc Iad
again aligIicd, and vcrc valling in iIc siar-
ligIi along iIc quici road iIai lcd io iIc Docior's
Iousc, I iold Agncs ii vas Icr doing.
'WIcn you vcrc siiiing ly Icr,' said I, 'you
sccmcd io lc no lcss Icr guardian angcl iIan
minc; and you sccm so nov, Agncs.'
'A oor angcl,' sIc rciurncd, 'lui faiiIful.'
TIc clcar ionc of Icr voicc, going siraigIi io
my Icari, madc ii naiural io mc io say:
'TIc cIccrfulncss iIai lclongs io you, Agncs
(and io no onc clsc iIai cvcr I Iavc sccn}, is so
223
rcsiorcd, I Iavc olscrvcd ioday, iIai I Iavc lc-
gun io Ioc you arc Iaicr ai Iomc?'
'I am Iaicr in mysclf,' sIc said; 'I am quiic
cIccrful and ligIi-Icaricd.'
I glanccd ai iIc scrcnc facc looling uvard,
and iIougIi ii vas iIc siars iIai madc ii sccm
so nollc.
'TIcrc Ias lccn no cIangc ai Iomc,' said
Agncs, aficr a fcv momcnis.
'No frcsI rcfcrcncc,' said I, 'ioI vouldn'i dis-
ircss you, Agncs, lui I cannoi Icl aslingio
vIai vc solc of, vIcn vc aricd lasi?'
'No, nonc,' sIc ansvcrcd.
'I Iavc iIougIi so mucI aloui ii.'
'You musi iIinl lcss aloui ii. Fcmcmlcr iIai
I confidc in simlc lovc and iruiI ai lasi. Havc
no arcIcnsions for mc, Troivood,' sIc addcd,
aficr a momcni; 'iIc sic you drcad my ialing,
I sIall ncvcr ialc.'
AliIougI I iIinl I Iad ncvcr rcally fcarcd ii,
in any scason of cool rcflcciion, ii vas an un-
scalallc rclicf io mc io Iavc iIis assurancc
from Icr ovn iruiIful lis. I iold Icr so, car-
ncsily.
'And vIcn iIis visii is ovcr,' said I,'for vc
may noi lc alonc anoiIcr iimc,Iov long is ii
lilcly io lc, my dcar Agncs, lcforc you comc io
London again?'
'Frolally a long iimc,' sIc rclicd; 'I iIinl ii
vill lc lcsifor aa's salcio rcmain ai
Iomc. Wc arc noi lilcly io mcci oficn, for somc
iimc io comc; lui I sIall lc a good corrcson-
dcni of Dora's, and vc sIall frcqucnily Icar of
onc anoiIcr iIai vay.'
Wc vcrc nov viiIin iIc liiilc couriyard of iIc
Docior's coiiagc. Ii vas groving laic. TIcrc vas
a ligIi in iIc vindov of Mrs. Sirong's cIamlcr,
and Agncs, oiniing io ii, ladc mc good nigIi.
'Do noi lc iroullcd,' sIc said, giving mc Icr
Iand, 'ly our misforiuncs and aniciics. I can
lc Iaicr in noiIing iIan in your Iaincss.
If you can cvcr givc mc Icl, rcly uon ii I vill
224
asl you for ii. God llcss you alvays!' In Icr
lcaming smilc, and in iIcsc lasi ioncs of Icr
cIccrful voicc, I sccmcd again io scc and Icar
my liiilc Dora in Icr comany. I siood avIilc,
looling iIrougI iIc orcI ai iIc siars, viiI a
Icari full of lovc and graiiiudc, and iIcn vallcd
slovly foriI. I Iad cngagcd a lcd ai a dcccni
alcIousc closc ly, and vas going oui ai iIc gaic,
vIcn, Iacning io iurn my Icad, I sav a ligIi
in iIc Docior's siudy. A Ialf-rcroacIful fancy
camc inio my mind, iIai Ic Iad lccn vorling
ai iIc Diciionary viiIoui my Icl. WiiI iIc vicv
of sccing if iIis vcrc so, and, in any casc, of
lidding Iim good nigIi, if Ic vcrc yci siiiing
among Iis lools, I iurncd lacl, and going sofily
across iIc Iall, and gcnily ocning iIc door,
loolcd in.
TIc firsi crson vIom I sav, io my surrisc,
ly iIc solcr ligIi of iIc sIadcd lam, vas UriaI.
Hc vas sianding closc lcsidc ii, viiI onc of Iis
slclcion Iands ovcr Iis mouiI, and iIc oiIcr
rcsiing on iIc Docior's iallc. TIc Docior sai in
Iis siudy cIair, covcring Iis facc viiI Iis Iands.
Mr. Wiclficld, sorcly iroullcd and disircsscd,
vas lcaning forvard, irrcsoluicly ioucIing iIc
Docior's arm.
For an insiani, I suoscd iIai iIc Docior vas
ill. I Iasiily advanccd a sic undcr iIai imrcs-
sion, vIcn I mci UriaI's cyc, and sav vIai vas
iIc maiicr. I vould Iavc viiIdravn, lui iIc
Docior madc a gcsiurc io dciain mc, and I rc-
maincd.
'Ai any raic,' olscrvcd UriaI, viiI a vriiIc of
Iis ungainly crson, 'vc may lcc iIc door sIui.
Wc nccdn'i malc ii lnovn io u iIc iovn.'
Saying vIicI, Ic vcni on Iis iocs io iIc door,
vIicI I Iad lcfi ocn, and carcfully closcd ii.
Hc iIcn camc lacl, and iool u Iis formcr
osiiion. TIcrc vas an olirusivc sIov of com-
assionaic zcal in Iis voicc and manncr, morc
iniolcrallcai lcasi io mciIan any
dcmcanour Ic could Iavc assumcd.
225
'I Iavc fcli ii incumlcni uon mc, Masicr
Cocrficld,' said UriaI, 'io oini oui io Docior
Sirong vIai you and mc Iavc alrcady iallcd
aloui. You didn'i cacily undcrsiand mc,
iIougI?'
I gavc Iim a lool, lui no oiIcr ansvcr; and,
going io my good old masicr, said a fcv vords
iIai I mcani io lc vords of comfori and cn-
couragcmcni. Hc ui Iis Iand uon my sIoul-
dcr, as ii Iad lccn Iis cusiom io do vIcn I vas
quiic a liiilc fcllov, lui did noi lifi Iis grcy Icad.
' As you didn' i undcrsiand mc, Masicr
Cocrficld,' rcsumcd UriaI in iIc samc offi-
cious manncr, 'I may ialc iIc lilcriy of umlly
mcniioning, lcing among fricnds, iIai I Iavc
callcd Docior Sirong's aiicniion io iIc goings-
on of Mrs. Sirong. Ii's mucI againsi iIc grain
viiI mc, I assurc you, Cocrficld, io lc con-
ccrncd in anyiIing so unlcasani; lui rcally,
as ii is, vc'rc all miing oursclvcs u viiI vIai
ougIin'i io lc. TIai vas vIai my mcaning vas,
sir, vIcn you didn'i undcrsiand mc.' I vondcr
nov, vIcn I rccall Iis lccr, iIai I did noi collar
Iim, and iry io sIalc iIc lrcaiI oui of Iis lody.
'I darc say I didn'i malc mysclf vcry clcar,' Ic
vcni on, 'nor you nciiIcr. Naiurally, vc vas
loiI of us inclincd io givc sucI a suljcci a vidc
lcriI. Hovs'cvcr, ai lasi I Iavc madc u my
mind io scal lain; and I Iavc mcniioncd io
Docior Sirong iIaidid you scal, sir?'
TIis vas io iIc Docior, vIo Iad moancd. TIc
sound migIi Iavc ioucIcd any Icari, I iIougIi,
lui ii Iad no cffcci uon UriaI's.
'mcniioncd io Docior Sirong,' Ic rocccdcd,
'iIai anyonc may scc iIai Mr. Maldon, and iIc
lovcly and agrccallc lady as is Docior Sirong's
vifc, arc ioo svcci on onc anoiIcr. Fcally iIc
iimc is comc (vc lcing ai rcscni all miing
oursclvcs u viiI vIai ougIin'i io lc}, vIcn
Docior Sirong musi lc iold iIai iIis vas full as
lain io cvcrylody as iIc sun, lcforc Mr. Maldon
vcni io India; iIai Mr. Maldon madc ccuscs
226
io comc lacl, for noiIing clsc; and iIai Ic's
alvays Icrc, for noiIing clsc. WIcn you comc
in, sir, I vas jusi uiiing ii io my fcllov-ari-
ncr,' iovards vIom Ic iurncd, 'io say io Docior
Sirong uon Iis vord and Ionour, vIciIcr Ic'd
cvcr lccn of iIis oinion long ago, or noi. Comc,
Mr. Wiclficld, sir! Would you lc so good as icll
us? Ycs or no, sir? Comc, arincr!'
'For God's salc, my dcar Docior,' said Mr.
Wiclficld again laying Iis irrcsoluic Iand uon
iIc Docior's arm, 'don'i aiiacI ioo mucI vcigIi
io any susicions I may Iavc cnicriaincd.'
'TIcrc!' cricd UriaI, sIaling Iis Icad. 'WIai
a mclancIoly confirmaiion: ain'i ii? Him! SucI
an old fricnd! Dlcss your soul, vIcn I vas noiI-
ing lui a clcrl in Iis officc, Cocrficld, I'vc
sccn Iim ivcniy iimcs, if I'vc sccn Iim oncc,
quiic in a ialing aloui iiquiic ui oui, you
lnov (and vcry rocr in Iim as a faiIcr; I'm
surc I can'i llamc Iim}, io iIinl iIai Miss Agncs
vas miing Icrsclf u viiI vIai ougIin'i io lc.'
'My dcar Sirong,' said Mr. Wiclficld in a ircmu-
lous voicc, 'my good fricnd, I nccdn'i icll you iIai
ii Ias lccn my vicc io lool for somc onc masicr
moiivc in cvcrylody, and io iry all aciions ly
onc narrov icsi. I may Iavc fallcn inio sucI
doulis as I Iavc Iad, iIrougI iIis misialc.'
'You Iavc Iad doulis, Wiclficld,' said iIc Doc-
ior, viiIoui lifiing u Iis Icad. 'You Iavc Iad
doulis.'
'Scal u, fcllov-arincr,' urgcd UriaI.
'I Iad, ai onc iimc, ccriainly,' said Mr.
Wiclficld. 'IGod forgivc mcI iIougIi ou
Iad.'
'No, no, no!' rciurncd iIc Docior, in a ionc of
mosi aiIciic gricf.
'I iIougIi, ai onc iimc,' said Mr. Wiclficld,
'iIai you visIcd io scnd Maldon alroad io cf-
fcci a dcsirallc scaraiion.'
'No, no, no!' rciurncd iIc Docior. 'To givc Annic
lcasurc, ly maling somc rovision for iIc com-
anion of Icr cIildIood. NoiIing clsc.'
227
'So I found,' said Mr. Wiclficld. 'I couldn'i
douli ii, vIcn you iold mc so. Dui I iIougIi
I imlorc you io rcmcmlcr iIc narrov consiruc-
iion vIicI Ias lccn my lcsciiing siniIai, in
a casc vIcrc iIcrc vas so mucI disariiy in
oini of ycars'
'TIai's iIc vay io ui ii, you scc, Masicr
Cocrficld!' olscrvcd UriaI, viiI favning and
offcnsivc iiy.
'a lady of sucI youiI, and sucI aiiraciions,
Iovcvcr rcal Icr rcscci for you, migIi Iavc
lccn influcnccd in marrying, ly vorldly con-
sidcraiions only. I malc no allovancc for innu-
mcrallc fcclings and circumsianccs iIai may
Iavc all icndcd io good. For Hcavcn's salc rc-
mcmlcr iIai!'
'Hov lind Ic uis ii!' said UriaI, sIaling Iis
Icad.
'Alvays olscrving Icr from onc oini of vicv,'
said Mr. Wiclficld; 'lui ly all iIai is dcar io
you, my old fricnd, I cnircai you io considcr
vIai ii vas; I am forccd io confcss nov, Iaving
no cscac'
'No! TIcrc's no vay oui of ii, Mr. Wiclficld,
sir,' olscrvcd UriaI, 'vIcn ii's goi io iIis.'
'iIai I did,' said Mr. Wiclficld, glancing Icl-
lcssly and disiracicdly ai Iis arincr, 'iIai I did
douli Icr, and iIinl Icr vaniing in Icr duiy io
you; and iIai I did somciimcs, if I musi say all,
fccl avcrsc io Agncs lcing in sucI a familiar
rclaiion iovards Icr, as io scc vIai I sav, or in
my discascd iIcory fancicd iIai I sav. I ncvcr
mcniioncd iIis io anyonc. I ncvcr mcani ii io
lc lnovn io anyonc. And iIougI ii is icrrillc
io you io Icar,' said Mr. Wiclficld, quiic sul-
ducd, 'if you lncv Iov icrrillc ii is for mc io
icll, you vould fccl comassion for mc!'
TIc Docior, in iIc crfcci goodncss of Iis na-
iurc, ui oui Iis Iand. Mr. Wiclficld Icld ii for
a liiilc vIilc in Iis, viiI Iis Icad lovcd dovn.
'I am surc,' said UriaI, vriiIing Iimsclf inio
iIc silcncc lilc a Congcr-ccl, 'iIai iIis is a sul-
228
jcci full of unlcasanincss io cvcrylody. Dui
sincc vc Iavc goi so far, I ougIi io ialc iIc
lilcriy of mcniioning iIai Cocrficld Ias no-
iiccd ii ioo.'
I iurncd uon Iim, and aslcd Iim Iov Ic
darcd rcfcr io mc!
'OI! ii's vcry lind of you, Cocrficld,' rciurncd
UriaI, undulaiing all ovcr, 'and vc all lnov vIai
an amiallc cIaracicr yours is; lui you lnov iIai
iIc momcni I solc io you iIc oiIcr nigIi, you
lncv vIai I mcani. You lnov you lncv vIai I
mcani, Cocrficld. Don'i dcny ii! You dcny ii viiI
iIc lcsi inicniions; lui don'i do ii, Cocrficld.'
I sav iIc mild cyc of iIc good old Docior iurncd
uon mc for a momcni, and I fcli iIai iIc con-
fcssion of my old misgivings and rcmcmlranccs
vas ioo lainly vriiicn in my facc io lc ovcr-
loolcd. Ii vas of no usc raging. I could noi undo
iIai. Say vIai I vould, I could noi unsay ii.
Wc vcrc silcni again, and rcmaincd so, uniil
iIc Docior rosc and vallcd ivicc or iIricc across
iIc room. Frcscnily Ic rciurncd io vIcrc Iis
cIair siood; and, lcaning on iIc lacl of ii, and
occasionally uiiing Iis IandlcrcIicf io Iis
cycs, viiI a simlc Ioncsiy iIai did Iim morc
Ionour, io my iIinling, iIan any disguisc Ic
could Iavc cffccicd, said:
'I Iavc lccn mucI io llamc. I lclicvc I Iavc lccn
vcry mucI io llamc. I Iavc coscd onc vIom I
Iold in my Icari, io irials and ascrsionsI call
iIcm ascrsions, cvcn io Iavc lccn conccivcd in
anylody's inmosi mindof vIicI sIc ncvcr, lui
for mc, could Iavc lccn iIc oljcci.'
UriaI Hcc gavc a lind of snivcl. I iIinl io
crcss symaiIy.
'Of vIicI my Annic,' said iIc Docior, 'ncvcr,
lui for mc, could Iavc lccn iIc oljcci. Gcnilc-
mcn, I am old nov, as you lnov; I do noi fccl,
ionigIi, iIai I Iavc mucI io livc for. Dui my
lifcmy Lifcuon iIc iruiI and Ionour of iIc
dcar lady vIo Ias lccn iIc suljcci of iIis con-
vcrsaiion!'
229
I do noi iIinl iIai iIc lcsi cmlodimcni of
cIivalry, iIc rcalizaiion of iIc Iandsomcsi and
mosi romaniic figurc cvcr imagincd ly ainicr,
could Iavc said iIis, viiI a morc imrcssivc
and affcciing digniiy iIan iIc lain old Docior
did.
'Dui I am noi rcarcd,' Ic vcni on, 'io dcny
crIas I may Iavc lccn, viiIoui lnoving ii,
in somc dcgrcc rcarcd io admiiiIai I may
Iavc unviiiingly cnsnarcd iIai lady inio an un-
Iay marriagc. I am a man quiic unaccus-
iomcd io olscrvc; and I cannoi lui lclicvc iIai
iIc olscrvaiion of scvcral colc, of diffcrcni
agcs and osiiions, all ioo lainly icnding in
onc dircciion (and iIai so naiural}, is lciicr iIan
minc.'
I Iad oficn admircd, as I Iavc clscvIcrc dc-
scrilcd, Iis lcnignani manncr iovards Iis
youiIful vifc; lui iIc rcscciful icndcrncss Ic
manifcsicd in cvcry rcfcrcncc io Icr on iIis oc-
casion, and iIc almosi rcvcrcniial manncr in
vIicI Ic ui avay from Iim iIc ligIicsi douli
of Icr inicgriiy, calicd Iim, in my cycs, lc-
yond dcscriiion.
'I marricd iIai lady,' said iIc Docior, 'vIcn
sIc vas circmcly young. I iool Icr io mysclf
vIcn Icr cIaracicr vas scarccly formcd. So far
as ii vas dcvclocd, ii Iad lccn my Iaincss
io form ii. I lncv Icr faiIcr vcll. I lncv Icr
vcll. I Iad iaugIi Icr vIai I could, for iIc lovc
of all Icr lcauiiful and viriuous qualiiics. If I
did Icr vrong; as I fcar I did, in ialing advan-
iagc (lui I ncvcr mcani ii} of Icr graiiiudc and
Icr affcciion; I asl ardon of iIai lady, in my
Icari!'
Hc vallcd across iIc room, and camc lacl io
iIc samc lacc; Iolding iIc cIair viiI a gras
iIai ircmllcd, lilc Iis sulducd voicc, in iis car-
ncsincss.
'I rcgardcd mysclf as a rcfugc, for Icr, from
iIc dangcrs and vicissiiudcs of lifc. I crsuadcd
mysclf iIai, uncqual iIougI vc vcrc in ycars,
230
sIc vould livc iranquilly and conicnicdly viiI
mc. I did noi sIui oui of my considcraiion iIc
iimc vIcn I sIould lcavc Icr frcc, and siill young
and siill lcauiiful, lui viiI Icr judgcmcni morc
maiurcdno, gcnilcmcnuon my iruiI!'
His Iomcly figurc sccmcd io lc ligIicncd u
ly Iis fidcliiy and gcncrosiiy. Evcry vord Ic
uiicrcd Iad a forcc iIai no oiIcr gracc could
Iavc imaricd io ii.
'My lifc viiI iIis lady Ias lccn vcry Iay.
Uniil ionigIi, I Iavc Iad uninicrruicd occa-
sion io llcss iIc day on vIicI I did Icr grcai
injusiicc.'
His voicc, morc and morc falicring in iIc ui-
icrancc of iIcsc vords, siocd for a fcv mo-
mcnis; iIcn Ic vcni on:
'Oncc avalcncd from my drcamI Iavc lccn
a oor drcamcr, in onc vay or oiIcr, all my lifc
I scc Iov naiural ii is iIai sIc sIould Iavc somc
rcgrciful fccling iovards Icr old comanion and
Icr cqual. TIai sIc docs rcgard Iim viiI somc
innoccni rcgrci, viiI somc llamclcss iIougIis
of vIai migIi Iavc lccn, lui for mc, is, I fcar,
ioo iruc. MucI iIai I Iavc sccn, lui noi noicd,
Ias comc lacl uon mc viiI ncv mcaning,
during iIis lasi irying Iour. Dui, lcyond iIis,
gcnilcmcn, iIc dcar lady's namc ncvcr musi lc
coulcd viiI a vord, a lrcaiI, of douli.'
For a liiilc vIilc, Iis cyc lindlcd and Iis voicc
vas firm; for a liiilc vIilc Ic vas again silcni.
Frcscnily, Ic rocccdcd as lcforc:
'Ii only rcmains for mc, io lcar iIc lnovlcdgc
of iIc unIaincss I Iavc occasioncd, as sul-
missivcly as I can. Ii is sIc vIo sIould rcroacI;
noi I. To savc Icr from misconsiruciion, crucl
misconsiruciion, iIai cvcn my fricnds Iavc noi
lccn allc io avoid, lccomcs my duiy. TIc morc
rciircd vc livc, iIc lciicr I sIall discIargc ii.
And vIcn iIc iimc comcsmay ii comc soon,
if ii lc His mcrciful lcasurc!vIcn my dcaiI
sIall rclcasc Icr from consiraini, I sIall closc
my cycs uon Icr Ionourcd facc, viiI un-
231
loundcd confidcncc and lovc; and lcavc Icr,
viiI no sorrov iIcn, io Iaicr and lrigIicr
days.'
I could noi scc Iim for iIc icars vIicI Iis
carncsincss and goodncss, so adorncd ly, and
so adorning, iIc crfcci simliciiy of Iis man-
ncr, lrougIi inio my cycs. Hc Iad movcd io iIc
door, vIcn Ic addcd:
'Gcnilcmcn, I Iavc sIovn you my Icari. I am
surc you vill rcscci ii. WIai vc Iavc said io-
nigIi is ncvcr io lc said morc. Wiclficld, givc
mc an old fricnd's arm usiairs!'
Mr. Wiclficld Iasicncd io Iim. WiiIoui inicr-
cIanging a vord iIcy vcni slovly oui of iIc
room iogciIcr, UriaI looling aficr iIcm.
'Wcll, Masicr Cocrficld!' said UriaI, mcclly
iurning io mc. 'TIc iIing Iasn'i iool quiic iIc
iurn iIai migIi Iavc lccn cccicd, for iIc old
ScIolarvIai an cccllcni man!is as llind
as a lricllai; lui iIis family's oui of iIc cari, I
iIinl!'
I nccdcd lui iIc sound of Iis voicc io lc so
madly cnragcd as I ncvcr vas lcforc, and ncvcr
Iavc lccn sincc.
'You villain,' said I, 'vIai do you mcan ly cn-
iraing mc inio your scIcmcs? Hov darc you
acal io mc jusi nov, you falsc rascal, as if vc
Iad lccn in discussion iogciIcr?'
As vc siood, froni io froni, I sav so lainly, in
iIc sicaliIy culiaiion of Iis facc, vIai I al-
rcady so lainly lncv; I mcan iIai Ic forccd
Iis confidcncc uon mc, crcssly io malc mc
miscrallc, and Iad sci a dclilcraic ira for mc
in iIis vcry maiicr; iIai I couldn'i lcar ii. TIc
vIolc of Iis lanl cIccl vas inviiingly lcforc
mc, and I sirucl ii viiI my ocn Iand viiI iIai
forcc iIai my fingcrs iinglcd as if I Iad lurni
iIcm.
Hc caugIi iIc Iand in Iis, and vc siood in
iIai conncion, looling ai cacI oiIcr. Wc siood
so, a long iimc; long cnougI for mc io scc iIc
vIiic marls of my fingcrs dic oui of iIc dcc
232
rcd of Iis cIccl, and lcavc ii a dcccr rcd.
'Cocrficld,' Ic said ai lcngiI, in a lrcaiI-
lcss voicc, 'Iavc you ialcn lcavc of your scnscs?'
'I Iavc ialcn lcavc of you,' said I, vrcsiing my
Iand avay. 'You dog, I'll lnov no morc of you.'
'Won'i you?' said Ic, consiraincd ly iIc ain of
Iis cIccl io ui Iis Iand iIcrc. 'FcrIas you von'i
lc allc io Icl ii. Isn'i iIis ungraicful of you, nov?'
'I Iavc sIovn you oficn cnougI,' said I, 'iIai I
dcsisc you. I Iavc sIovn you nov, morc lainly,
iIai I do. WIy sIould I drcad your doing your
vorsi io all aloui you? WIai clsc do you cvcr do?'
Hc crfccily undcrsiood iIis allusion io iIc
considcraiions iIai Iad IiiIcrio rcsiraincd mc
in my communicaiions viiI Iim. I raiIcr iIinl
iIai nciiIcr iIc llov, nor iIc allusion, vould
Iavc cscacd mc, lui for iIc assurancc I Iad
Iad from Agncs iIai nigIi. Ii is no maiicr.
TIcrc vas anoiIcr long ausc. His cycs, as
Ic loolcd ai mc, sccmcd io ialc cvcry sIadc of
colour iIai could malc cycs ugly.
'Cocrficld,' Ic said, rcmoving Iis Iand from
Iis cIccl, 'you Iavc alvays gonc againsi mc. I lnov
you alvays uscd io lc againsi mc ai Mr. Wiclficld's.'
'You may iIinl vIai you lilc,' said I, siill in a
iovcring ragc. 'If ii is noi iruc, so mucI iIc
voriIicr you.'
'And yci I alvays lilcd you, Cocrficld!' Ic
rcjoincd.
I dcigncd io malc Iim no rcly; and, ialing
u my Iai, vas going oui io lcd, vIcn Ic camc
lcivccn mc and iIc door.
'Cocrficld,' Ic said, 'iIcrc musi lc ivo ar-
iics io a quarrcl. I von'i lc onc.'
'You may go io iIc dcvil!' said I.
'Don'i say iIai!' Ic rclicd. 'I lnov you'll lc
sorry aficrvards. Hov can you malc yoursclf
so infcrior io mc, as io sIov sucI a lad sirii?
Dui I forgivc you.'
'You forgivc mc!' I rccaicd disdainfully.
'I do, and you can'i Icl yoursclf,' rclicd
UriaI. 'To iIinl of your going and aiiacling mc,
233
iIai Iavc alvays lccn a fricnd io you! Dui iIcrc
can'i lc a quarrcl viiIoui ivo ariics, and I
von'i lc onc. I vill lc a fricnd io you, in siic of
you. So nov you lnov vIai you'vc goi io c-
cci.'
TIc ncccssiiy of carrying on iIis dialoguc (Iis
ari in vIicI vas vcry slov; minc vcry quicl}
in a lov ionc, iIai iIc Iousc migIi noi lc dis-
iurlcd ai an unscasonallc Iour, did noi im-
rovc my icmcr; iIougI my assion vas cool-
ing dovn. Mcrcly iclling Iim iIai I sIould c-
cci from Iim vIai I alvays Iad cccicd, and
Iad ncvcr yci lccn disaoinicd in, I ocncd
iIc door uon Iim, as if Ic Iad lccn a grcai
valnui ui iIcrc io lc craclcd, and vcni oui of
iIc Iousc. Dui Ic slci oui of iIc Iousc ioo, ai
Iis moiIcr's lodging; and lcforc I Iad gonc many
Iundrcd yards, camc u viiI mc.
'You lnov, Cocrficld,' Ic said, in my car (I
did noi iurn my Icad}, 'you'rc in quiic a vrong
osiiion'; vIicI I fcli io lc iruc, and iIai madc
mc cIafc iIc morc; 'you can'i malc iIis a lravc
iIing, and you can'i Icl lcing forgivcn. I don'i
inicnd io mcniion ii io moiIcr, nor io any living
soul. I'm dcicrmincd io forgivc you. Dui I do
vondcr iIai you sIould lifi your Iand againsi
a crson iIai you lncv io lc so umllc!'
I fcli only lcss mcan iIan Ic. Hc lncv mc
lciicr iIan I lncv mysclf. If Ic Iad rcioricd or
ocnly cascraicd mc, ii vould Iavc lccn a
rclicf and a jusiificaiion; lui Ic Iad ui mc on
a slov firc, on vIicI I lay iormcnicd Ialf iIc
nigIi.
In iIc morning, vIcn I camc oui, iIc carly
cIurcI-lcll vas ringing, and Ic vas valling
u and dovn viiI Iis moiIcr. Hc addrcsscd
mc as if noiIing Iad Iacncd, and I could do
no lcss iIan rcly. I Iad sirucl Iim Iard cnougI
io givc Iim iIc iooiIacIc, I suosc. Ai all
cvcnis Iis facc vas iicd u in a llacl sill Iand-
lcrcIicf, vIicI, viiI Iis Iai crcIcd on iIc io
of ii, vas far from imroving Iis acarancc. I
234
Icard iIai Ic vcni io a dcniisi's in London on
iIc Monday morning, and Iad a iooiI oui. I
Ioc ii vas a doullc onc.
TIc Docior gavc oui iIai Ic vas noi quiic vcll;
and rcmaincd alonc, for a considcrallc ari of
cvcry day, during iIc rcmaindcr of iIc visii.
Agncs and Icr faiIcr Iad lccn gonc a vccl,
lcforc vc rcsumcd our usual vorl. On iIc day
rcccding iis rcsumiion, iIc Docior gavc mc
viiI Iis ovn Iands a foldcd noic noi scalcd. Ii
vas addrcsscd io mysclf; and laid an injunc-
iion on mc, in a fcv affcciionaic vords, ncvcr io
rcfcr io iIc suljcci of iIai cvcning. I Iad con-
fidcd ii io my auni, lui io no onc clsc. Ii vas
noi a suljcci I could discuss viiI Agncs, and
Agncs ccriainly Iad noi iIc lcasi susicion of
vIai Iad asscd.
NciiIcr, I fcli convinccd, Iad Mrs. Sirong iIcn.
Scvcral vccls clascd lcforc I sav iIc lcasi
cIangc in Icr. Ii camc on slovly, lilc a cloud
vIcn iIcrc is no vind. Ai firsi, sIc sccmcd io
vondcr ai iIc gcnilc comassion viiI vIicI iIc
Docior solc io Icr, and ai Iis visI iIai sIc
sIould Iavc Icr moiIcr viiI Icr, io rclicvc iIc
dull monoiony of Icr lifc. Oficn, vIcn vc vcrc
ai vorl, and sIc vas siiiing ly, I vould scc Icr
ausing and looling ai Iim viiI iIai mcmorallc
facc. Aficrvards, I somciimcs olscrvcd Icr risc,
viiI Icr cycs full of icars, and go oui of iIc room.
Gradually, an unIay sIadov fcll uon Icr
lcauiy, and dcccncd cvcry day. Mrs. MarllcIam
vas a rcgular inmaic of iIc coiiagc iIcn; lui
sIc iallcd and iallcd, and sav noiIing.
As iIis cIangc siolc on Annic, oncc lilc sun-
sIinc in iIc Docior's Iousc, iIc Docior lccamc
oldcr in acarancc, and morc gravc; lui iIc
svccincss of Iis icmcr, iIc lacid lindncss of
Iis manncr, and Iis lcncvolcni soliciiudc for
Icr, if iIcy vcrc caallc of any incrcasc, vcrc
incrcascd. I sav Iim oncc, carly on iIc morn-
ing of Icr liriIday, vIcn sIc camc io sii in iIc
vindov vIilc vc vcrc ai vorl (vIicI sIc Iad
235
alvays donc, lui nov lcgan io do viiI a iimid
and unccriain air iIai I iIougIi vcry ioucIing},
ialc Icr forcIcad lcivccn Iis Iands, liss ii, and
go Iurricdly avay, ioo mucI movcd io rcmain. I
sav Icr siand vIcrc Ic Iad lcfi Icr, lilc a siaiuc;
and iIcn lcnd dovn Icr Icad, and clas Icr
Iands, and vcc, I cannoi say Iov sorrovfully.
Somciimcs, aficr iIai, I fancicd iIai sIc iricd
io scal cvcn io mc, in inicrvals vIcn vc vcrc
lcfi alonc. Dui sIc ncvcr uiicrcd a vord. TIc
Docior alvays Iad somc ncv rojcci for Icr
ariiciaiing in amuscmcnis avay from Iomc,
viiI Icr moiIcr; and Mrs. MarllcIam, vIo vas
vcry fond of amuscmcnis, and vcry casily dis-
saiisficd viiI anyiIing clsc, cnicrcd inio iIcm
viiI grcai good-vill, and vas loud in Icr com-
mcndaiions. Dui Annic, in a siriilcss unIay
vay, only vcni vIiiIcr sIc vas lcd, and sccmcd
io Iavc no carc for anyiIing.
I did noi lnov vIai io iIinl. NciiIcr did my
auni; vIo musi Iavc vallcd, ai various iimcs,
a Iundrcd milcs in Icr unccriainiy. WIai vas
sirangcsi of all vas, iIai iIc only rcal rclicf
vIicI sccmcd io malc iis vay inio iIc sccrci
rcgion of iIis domcsiic unIaincss, madc iis
vay iIcrc in iIc crson of Mr. Dicl.
WIai Iis iIougIis vcrc on iIc suljcci, or
vIai Iis olscrvaiion vas, I am as unallc io
clain, as I darc say Ic vould Iavc lccn io
assisi mc in iIc iasl. Dui, as I Iavc rccordcd in
iIc narraiivc of my scIool days, Iis vcncraiion
for iIc Docior vas unloundcd; and iIcrc is a
sulilciy of crcciion in rcal aiiacImcni, cvcn
vIcn ii is lornc iovards man ly onc of iIc lovcr
animals, vIicI lcavcs iIc IigIcsi inicllcci lc-
Iind. To iIis mind of iIc Icari, if I may call ii
so, in Mr. Dicl, somc lrigIi ray of iIc iruiI
sIoi siraigIi.
Hc Iad roudly rcsumcd Iis rivilcgc, in many
of Iis sarc Iours, of valling u and dovn iIc
gardcn viiI iIc Docior; as Ic Iad lccn accus-
iomcd io acc u and dovn TIc Docior's Wall
236
ai Canicrlury. Dui maiicrs vcrc no sooncr in
iIis siaic, iIan Ic dcvoicd all Iis sarc iimc
(and goi u carlicr io malc ii morc} io iIcsc
cramlulaiions. If Ic Iad ncvcr lccn so Iay
as vIcn iIc Docior rcad iIai marvcllous cr-
formancc, iIc Diciionary, io Iim; Ic vas nov
quiic miscrallc unlcss iIc Docior ullcd ii oui
of Iis oclci, and lcgan. WIcn iIc Docior and
I vcrc cngagcd, Ic nov fcll inio iIc cusiom of
valling u and dovn viiI Mrs. Sirong, and
Icling Icr io irim Icr favouriic flovcrs, or vccd
iIc lcds. I darc say Ic rarcly solc a dozcn
vords in an Iour: lui Iis quici inicrcsi, and
Iis visiful facc, found immcdiaic rcsonsc in
loiI iIcir lrcasis; cacI lncv iIai iIc oiIcr
lilcd Iim, and iIai Ic lovcd loiI; and Ic lc-
camc vIai no onc clsc could lca linl lcivccn
iIcm.
WIcn I iIinl of Iim, viiI Iis imcncirally
visc facc, valling u and dovn viiI iIc Doc-
ior, dcligIicd io lc laiicrcd ly iIc Iard vords
in iIc Diciionary; vIcn I iIinl of Iim carrying
Iugc vaicring-ois aficr Annic; lnccling dovn,
in vcry avs of glovcs, ai aiicni microscoic
vorl among iIc liiilc lcavcs; crcssing as no
IilosoIcr could Iavc crcsscd, in cvcryiIing
Ic did, a dclicaic dcsirc io lc Icr fricnd; sIov-
cring symaiIy, irusifulncss, and affcciion, oui
of cvcry Iolc in iIc vaicring-oi; vIcn I iIinl
of Iim ncvcr vandcring in iIai lciicr mind of
Iis io vIicI unIaincss addrcsscd iisclf, ncvcr
lringing iIc unforiunaic King CIarlcs inio iIc
gardcn, ncvcr vavcring in Iis graicful scrvicc,
ncvcr divcricd from Iis lnovlcdgc iIai iIcrc
vas somciIing vrong, or from Iis visI io sci ii
rigIiI rcally fccl almosi asIamcd of Iaving
lnovn iIai Ic vas noi quiic in Iis viis, ialing
accouni of iIc uimosi I Iavc donc viiI minc.
'Nolody lui mysclf, Troi, lnovs vIai iIai
man is!' my auni vould roudly rcmarl, vIcn
vc convcrscd aloui ii. 'Dicl vill disiinguisI
Iimsclf yci!'
237
I musi rcfcr io onc oiIcr ioic lcforc I closc
iIis cIaicr. WIilc iIc visii ai iIc Docior's vas
siill in rogrcss, I olscrvcd iIai iIc osiman
lrougIi ivo or iIrcc lciicrs cvcry morning for
UriaI Hcc, vIo rcmaincd ai HigIgaic uniil iIc
rcsi vcni lacl, ii lcing a lcisurc iimc; and iIai
iIcsc vcrc alvays dirccicd in a lusincss-lilc
manncr ly Mr. Micavlcr, vIo nov assumcd a
round lcgal Iand. I vas glad io infcr, from iIcsc
sligIi rcmiscs, iIai Mr. Micavlcr vas doing
vcll; and conscqucnily vas mucI surriscd io
rcccivc, aloui iIis iimc, iIc folloving lciicr from
Iis amiallcvifc.
CANTERBURY, Monday Evening.
You will doubtless be surprised, my dear Mr.
Copperfield, to receive this communication. Still more
so, by its contents. Still more so, by the stipulation of
implicit confidence which I beg to
impose. But my feelings as a wife and mother re-
quire relief; and as I do not wish to consult my family
(already obnoxious to the feelings of Mr. Micawber),
I know no one of whom I can better ask advice than
my friend and former lodger.
You may be aware, my dear Mr. Copperfield, that
between myself and Mr. Micawber (whom I will never
desert), there has always been preserved a spirit of
mutual confidence. Mr. Micawber may have occasion-
ally given a bill without consulting me, or he may have
misled me as to the period when that obligation would
become due. This has actually happened. But, in
general, Mr. Micawber has had no secrets from the
bosom of affectionI allude to his wifeand has in-
variably, on our retirement to rest, recalled the events
of the day.
You will picture to yourself, my dear Mr. Copperfield,
what the poignancy of my feelings must be, when I
inform you that Mr. Micawber is entirely changed. He
is reserved. He is secret. His life is a mystery to the
partner of his joys and sorrowsI again allude to his
wifeand if I should assure you that beyond know-
238
ing that it is passed from morning to night at the of-
fice, I now know less of it than I do of the man in the
south, connected with whose mouth the thoughtless
children repeat an idle tale respecting cold plum por-
ridge, I should adopt a popular fallacy to express an
actual fact.
But this is not all. Mr. Micawber is morose. He is
severe. He is estranged from our eldest son and
daughter, he has no pride in his twins, he looks with
an eye of coldness even on the unoffending stranger
who last became a member of our circle. The pecu-
niary means of meeting our expenses, kept down to
the utmost farthing, are obtained from him with great
difficulty, and even under fearful threats that he will
Settle himself (the exact expression); and he inexo-
rably refuses to give any explanation whatever of this
distracting policy.
This is hard to bear. This is heart-breaking. If you
will advise me, knowing my feeble powers such as
they are, how you think it will be best to exert them in
a dilemma so unwonted, you will add another friendly
obligation to the many you have already rendered
me. With loves from the children, and a smile from
the happily-unconscious stranger, I remain, dear Mr.
Copperfield,
Your afflicted,
EMMA MICAWBER.
I did noi fccl jusiificd in giving a vifc of Mrs.
Micavlcr's ccricncc any oiIcr rccommcnda-
iion, iIan iIai sIc sIould iry io rcclaim Mr.
Micavlcr ly aiicncc and lindncss (as I lncv
sIc vould in any casc}; lui iIc lciicr sci mc
iIinling aloui Iim vcry mucI.
239
CHAPTER 4S
ANOTHER RETROSPECT
ONCE AGAIN, LET ME FAUSE uon a mcmorallc c-
riod of my lifc. Lci mc siand asidc, io scc iIc
Ianioms of iIosc days go ly mc, accomany-
ing iIc sIadov of mysclf, in dim roccssion.
Wccls, moniIs, scasons, ass along. TIcy
sccm liiilc morc iIan a summcr day and a vin-
icr cvcning. Nov, iIc Common vIcrc I vall viiI
Dora is all in lloom, a ficld of lrigIi gold; and
nov iIc unsccn IcaiIcr lics in mounds and
luncIcs undcrncaiI a covcring of snov. In a
lrcaiI, iIc rivcr iIai flovs iIrougI our Sunday
valls is sarlling in iIc summcr sun, is rufflcd
ly iIc vinicr vind, or iIiclcncd viiI drifiing
Icas of icc. Fasicr iIan cvcr rivcr ran iovards
iIc sca, ii flasIcs, darlcns, and rolls avay.
Noi a iIrcad cIangcs, in iIc Iousc of iIc ivo
liiilc lird-lilc ladics. TIc clocl iicls ovcr iIc
firclacc, iIc vcaiIcr-glass Iangs in iIc Iall.
NciiIcr clocl nor vcaiIcr-glass is cvcr rigIi;
lui vc lclicvc in loiI, dcvouily.
I Iavc comc lcgally io man's csiaic. I Iavc ai-
iaincd iIc digniiy of ivcniy-onc. Dui iIis is a
sori of digniiy iIai may lc iIrusi uon onc. Lci
mc iIinl vIai I Iavc acIicvcd.
I Iavc iamcd iIai savagc sicnograIic mys-
icry. I malc a rcscciallc incomc ly ii. I am in
IigI rcuic for my accomlisImcni in all cr-
iaining io iIc ari, and am joincd viiI clcvcn oiI-
crs in rcoriing iIc dclaics in Farliamcni for a
Morning Ncvsacr. NigIi aficr nigIi, I rccord
rcdiciions iIai ncvcr comc io ass, rofcssions
iIai arc ncvcr fulfillcd, clanaiions iIai arc only
mcani io mysiify. I vallov in vords. Driiannia,
iIai unforiunaic fcmalc, is alvays lcforc mc, lilc
a irusscd fovl: slcvcrcd iIrougI and iIrougI
viiI officc-cns, and lound Iand and fooi viiI
rcd iac. I am sufficicnily lcIind iIc sccncs io
lnov iIc voriI of oliiical lifc. I am quiic an
Infidcl aloui ii, and sIall ncvcr lc convcricd.
240
My dcar old Traddlcs Ias iricd Iis Iand ai
iIc samc ursuii, lui ii is noi in Traddlcs's vay.
Hc is crfccily good-Iumourcd rcscciing Iis
failurc, and rcminds mc iIai Ic alvays did con-
sidcr Iimsclf slov. Hc Ias occasional cmloy-
mcni on iIc samc ncvsacr, in gciiing u iIc
facis of dry suljccis, io lc vriiicn aloui and
cmlcllisIcd ly morc fcriilc minds. Hc is callcd
io iIc lar; and viiI admirallc indusiry and sclf-
dcnial Ias scracd anoiIcr Iundrcd ounds
iogciIcr, io fcc a Convcyanccr vIosc cIamlcrs
Ic aiicnds. A grcai dcal of vcry Ioi ori vinc
vas consumcd ai Iis call; and, considcring iIc
figurc, I sIould iIinl iIc Inncr Tcmlc musi
Iavc madc a rofii ly ii.
I Iavc comc oui in anoiIcr vay. I Iavc ialcn
viiI fcar and ircmlling io auiIorsIi. I vroic a
liiilc somciIing, in sccrci, and scni ii io a maga-
zinc, and ii vas ullisIcd in iIc magazinc.
Sincc iIcn, I Iavc ialcn Icari io vriic a good
many irifling icccs. Nov, I am rcgularly aid
for iIcm. AliogciIcr, I am vcll off, vIcn I icll
my incomc on iIc fingcrs of my lcfi Iand, I ass
iIc iIird fingcr and ialc in iIc fouriI io iIc
middlc joini.
Wc Iavc rcmovcd, from DuclingIam Sircci,
io a lcasani liiilc coiiagc vcry ncar iIc onc I
loolcd ai, vIcn my cniIusiasm firsi camc on.
My auni, Iovcvcr (vIo Ias sold iIc Iousc ai
Dovcr, io good advaniagc}, is noi going io rc-
main Icrc, lui inicnds rcmoving Icrsclf io a
siill morc iiny coiiagc closc ai Iand. WIai docs
iIis oricnd? My marriagc? Ycs!
Ycs! I am going io lc marricd io Dora! Miss
Lavinia and Miss Clarissa Iavc givcn iIcir con-
scni; and if cvcr canary lirds vcrc in a fluiicr,
iIcy arc. Miss Lavinia, sclf-cIargcd viiI iIc
sucrinicndcncc of my darling's vardrolc, is
consianily cuiiing oui lrovn-acr cuirasscs,
and diffcring in oinion from a IigIly rcscci-
allc young man, viiI a long lundlc, and a yard
mcasurc undcr Iis arm. A drcssmalcr, alvays
241
siallcd in iIc lrcasi viiI a nccdlc and iIrcad,
loards and lodgcs in iIc Iousc; and sccms io
mc, caiing, drinling, or slccing, ncvcr io ialc
Icr iIimllc off. TIcy malc a lay-figurc of my
dcar. TIcy arc alvays scnding for Icr io comc
and iry somciIing on. Wc can'i lc Iay io-
gciIcr for fivc minuics in iIc cvcning, lui somc
inirusivc fcmalc lnocls ai iIc door, and says,
'OI, if you lcasc, Miss Dora, vould you sic
usiairs!'
Miss Clarissa and my auni roam all ovcr Lon-
don, io find oui ariiclcs of furniiurc for Dora and
mc io lool ai. Ii vould lc lciicr for iIcm io luy
iIc goods ai oncc, viiIoui iIis ccrcmony of in-
scciion; for, vIcn vc go io scc a liicIcn fcndcr
and mcai-scrccn, Dora sccs a CIincsc Iousc for
Ji, viiI liiilc lclls on iIc io, and rcfcrs iIai.
And ii ialcs a long iimc io accusiom Ji io Iis
ncv rcsidcncc, aficr vc Iavc lougIi ii; vIcn-
cvcr Ic gocs in or oui, Ic malcs all iIc liiilc
lclls ring, and is Iorrilly frigIicncd.
Fcggoiiy comcs u io malc Icrsclf uscful, and
falls io vorl immcdiaicly. Hcr dcarimcni a-
cars io lc, io clcan cvcryiIing ovcr and ovcr
again. SIc ruls cvcryiIing iIai can lc rullcd,
uniil ii sIincs, lilc Icr ovn Ioncsi forcIcad,
viiI crciual friciion. And nov ii is, iIai I lc-
gin io scc Icr soliiary lroiIcr assing iIrougI
iIc darl sirccis ai nigIi, and looling, as Ic
gocs, among iIc vandcring faccs. I ncvcr scal
io Iim ai sucI an Iour. I lnov ioo vcll, as Iis
gravc figurc asscs onvard, vIai Ic sccls, and
vIai Ic drcads.
WIy docs Traddlcs lool so imoriani vIcn
Ic calls uon mc iIis aficrnoon in iIc Com-
monsvIcrc I siill occasionally aiicnd, for
form's salc, vIcn I Iavc iimc? TIc rcalizaiion
of my loyisI day-drcams is ai Iand. I am going
io ialc oui iIc liccncc.
Ii is a liiilc documcni io do so mucI; and
Traddlcs conicmlaics ii, as ii lics uon my
dcsl, Ialf in admiraiion, Ialf in avc.
242
TIcrc arc iIc namcs, in iIc svcci old visionary
conncion, David Cocrficld and Dora
Scnlov; and iIcrc, in iIc corncr, is iIai Fa-
rcnial Insiiiuiion, iIc Siam Officc, vIicI is so
lcnignanily inicrcsicd in iIc various iransac-
iions of Iuman lifc, looling dovn uon our
Union; and iIcrc is iIc ArcIlisIo of Canicr-
lury involing a llcssing on us in rini, and
doing ii as cIca as could ossilly lc cccicd.
NcvcriIclcss, I am in a drcam, a flusicrcd,
Iay, Iurricd drcam. I can'i lclicvc iIai ii is
going io lc; and yci I can'i lclicvc lui iIai cv-
cryonc I ass in iIc sircci, musi Iavc somc lind
of crcciion, iIai I am io lc marricd iIc day
aficr iomorrov. TIc Surrogaic lnovs mc, vIcn
I go dovn io lc svorn; and disoscs of mc cas-
ily, as if iIcrc vcrc a Masonic undcrsianding
lcivccn us. Traddlcs is noi ai all vanicd, lui
is in aiicndancc as my gcncral laclcr.
'I Ioc iIc nci iimc you comc Icrc, my dcar
fcllov,' I say io Traddlcs, 'ii vill lc on iIc samc
crrand for yoursclf. And I Ioc ii vill lc soon.'
'TIanl you for your good visIcs, my dcar
Cocrficld,' Ic rclics. 'I Ioc so ioo. Ii's a sai-
isfaciion io lnov iIai sIc'll vaii for mc any
lcngiI of iimc, and iIai sIc rcally is iIc dcar-
csi girl'
'WIcn arc you io mcci Icr ai iIc coacI?' I asl.
'Ai scvcn,' says Traddlcs, looling ai Iis lain
old silvcr vaicIiIc vcry vaicI Ic oncc iool a
vIccl oui of, ai scIool, io malc a vaicr-mill.
'TIai is aloui Miss Wiclficld's iimc, is ii noi?'
'A liiilc carlicr. Hcr iimc is Ialf asi cigIi.'
'I assurc you, my dcar loy,' says Traddlcs, 'I
am almosi as lcascd as if I vcrc going io lc
marricd mysclf, io iIinl iIai iIis cvcni is com-
ing io sucI a Iay icrminaiion. And rcally iIc
grcai fricndsIi and considcraiion of crson-
ally associaiing SoIy viiI iIc joyful occasion,
and inviiing Icr io lc a lridcsmaid in conjunc-
iion viiI Miss Wiclficld, dcmands my varmcsi
iIanls. I am circmcly scnsillc of ii.'
243
I Icar Iim, and sIalc Iands viiI Iim; and
vc iall, and vall, and dinc, and so on; lui I
don'i lclicvc ii. NoiIing is rcal.
SoIy arrivcs ai iIc Iousc of Dora's aunis, in
duc coursc. SIc Ias iIc mosi agrccallc of
faccs,noi alsoluicly lcauiiful, lui ciraordi-
narily lcasani,and is onc of iIc mosi gcnial,
unaffccicd, franl, cngaging crcaiurcs I Iavc cvcr
sccn. Traddlcs rcscnis Icr io us viiI grcai
ridc; and ruls Iis Iands for icn minuics ly
iIc clocl, viiI cvcry individual Iair uon Iis
Icad sianding on iiioc, vIcn I congraiulaic
Iim in a corncr on Iis cIoicc.
I Iavc lrougIi Agncs from iIc Canicrlury
coacI, and Icr cIccrful and lcauiiful facc is
among us for iIc sccond iimc. Agncs Ias a grcai
liling for Traddlcs, and ii is caiial io scc iIcm
mcci, and io olscrvc iIc glory of Traddlcs as Ic
commcnds iIc dcarcsi girl in iIc vorld io Icr
acquainiancc.
Siill I don'i lclicvc ii. Wc Iavc a dcligIiful
cvcning, and arc surcmcly Iay; lui I don'i
lclicvc ii yci. I can'i collcci mysclf. I can'i cIccl
off my Iaincss as ii ialcs lacc. I fccl in a
misiy and unsciilcd lind of siaic; as if I Iad goi
u vcry carly in iIc morning a vccl or ivo ago,
and Iad ncvcr lccn io lcd sincc. I can'i malc
oui vIcn ycsicrday vas. I sccm io Iavc lccn
carrying iIc liccncc aloui, in my oclci, many
moniIs.
Nci day, ioo, vIcn vc all go in a flocl io scc
iIc Iouscour IouscDora's and mincI am
quiic unallc io rcgard mysclf as iis masicr. I
sccm io lc iIcrc, ly crmission of somclody
clsc. I Ialf ccci iIc rcal masicr io comc Iomc
rcscnily, and say Ic is glad io scc mc. SucI a
lcauiiful liiilc Iousc as ii is, viiI cvcryiIing so
lrigIi and ncv; viiI iIc flovcrs on iIc carcis
looling as if frcsIly gaiIcrcd, and iIc grccn
lcavcs on iIc acr as if iIcy Iad jusi comc
oui; viiI iIc soilcss muslin curiains, and iIc
llusIing rosc-colourcd furniiurc, and Dora's
244
gardcn Iai viiI iIc lluc rillondo I rcmcm-
lcr, nov, Iov I lovcd Icr in sucI anoiIcr Iai
vIcn I firsi lncv Icr!alrcady Ianging on iis
liiilc cg; iIc guiiar-casc quiic ai Iomc on iis
Iccls in a corncr; and cvcrylody iumlling ovcr
Ji's agoda, vIicI is mucI ioo lig for iIc cs-
iallisImcni. AnoiIcr Iay cvcning, quiic as
unrcal as all iIc rcsi of ii, and I sical inio iIc
usual room lcforc going avay. Dora is noi iIcrc.
I suosc iIcy Iavc noi donc irying on yci. Miss
Lavinia ccs in, and iclls mc mysicriously iIai
sIc vill noi lc long. SIc is raiIcr long, noi-
viiIsianding; lui ly and ly I Icar a rusiling ai
iIc door, and somconc ias.
I say, 'Comc in!' lui somconc ias again.
I go io iIc door, vondcring vIo ii is; iIcrc, I
mcci a air of lrigIi cycs, and a llusIing facc;
iIcy arc Dora's cycs and facc, and Miss Lavinia
Ias drcsscd Icr in iomorrov's drcss, lonnci and
all, for mc io scc. I ialc my liiilc vifc io my
Icari; and Miss Lavinia givcs a liiilc scrcam
lccausc I iumllc iIc lonnci, and Dora laugIs
and crics ai oncc, lccausc I am so lcascd; and
I lclicvc ii lcss iIan cvcr.
'Do you iIinl ii rciiy, Doady?' says Dora.
Frciiy! I sIould raiIcr iIinl I did.
'And arc you surc you lilc mc vcry mucI?'
says Dora.
TIc ioic is fraugIi viiI sucI dangcr io iIc
lonnci, iIai Miss Lavinia givcs anoiIcr liiilc
scrcam, and lcgs mc io undcrsiand iIai Dora
is only io lc loolcd ai, and on no accouni io lc
ioucIcd. So Dora siands in a dcligIiful siaic of
confusion for a minuic or ivo, io lc admircd;
and iIcn ialcs off Icr lonncilooling so naiu-
ral viiIoui ii!and runs avay viiI ii in Icr
Iand; and comcs dancing dovn again in Icr
ovn familiar drcss, and asls Ji if I Iavc goi a
lcauiiful liiilc vifc, and vIciIcr Ic'll forgivc Icr
for lcing marricd, and lnccls dovn io malc Iim
siand uon iIc coolcry-lool, for iIc lasi iimc
in Icr singlc lifc.
245
I go Iomc, morc incrcdulous iIan cvcr, io a
lodging iIai I Iavc Iard ly; and gci u vcry
carly in iIc morning, io ridc io iIc HigIgaic
road and fcicI my auni.
I Iavc ncvcr sccn my auni in sucI siaic. SIc
is drcsscd in lavcndcr-colourcd sill, and Ias a
vIiic lonnci on, and is amazing. Janci Ias
drcsscd Icr, and is iIcrc io lool ai mc. Fcggoiiy
is rcady io go io cIurcI, inicnding io lcIold
iIc ccrcmony from iIc gallcry. Mr. Dicl, vIo is
io givc my darling io mc ai iIc aliar, Ias Iad
Iis Iair curlcd. Traddlcs, vIom I Iavc ialcn
u ly aoinimcni ai iIc iurnilc, rcscnis a
dazzling comlinaiion of crcam colour and ligIi
lluc; and loiI Ic and Mr. Dicl Iavc a gcncral
cffcci aloui iIcm of lcing all glovcs.
No douli I scc iIis, lccausc I lnov ii is so;
lui I am asiray, and sccm io scc noiIing. Nor
do I lclicvc anyiIing vIaicvcr. Siill, as vc drivc
along in an ocn carriagc, iIis fairy marriagc is
rcal cnougI io fill mc viiI a sori of vondcring
iiy for iIc unforiunaic colc vIo Iavc no ari
in ii, lui arc svccing oui iIc sIos, and going
io iIcir daily occuaiions.
My auni siis viiI my Iand in Icrs all iIc vay.
WIcn vc sio a liiilc vay sIori of iIc cIurcI,
io ui dovn Fcggoiiy, vIom vc Iavc lrougIi
on iIc lo, sIc givcs ii a squcczc, and mc a
liss.
'God llcss you, Troi! My ovn loy ncvcr could
lc dcarcr. I iIinl of oor dcar Daly iIis morn-
ing.'
'So do I. And of all I ovc io you, dcar auni.'
'Tui, cIild!' says my auni; and givcs Icr Iand
in ovcrfloving cordialiiy io Traddlcs, vIo iIcn
givcs Iis io Mr. Dicl, vIo iIcn givcs Iis io mc,
vIo iIcn givcs minc io Traddlcs, and iIcn vc
comc io iIc cIurcI door.
TIc cIurcI is calm cnougI, I am surc; lui ii
migIi lc a sicam-ovcr loom in full aciion, for
any scdaiivc cffcci ii Ias on mc. I am ioo far
gonc for iIai.
246
TIc rcsi is all a morc or lcss incoIcrcni drcam.
A drcam of iIcir coming in viiI Dora; of iIc
cv-ocncr arranging us, lilc a drill-scrgcani,
lcforc iIc aliar rails; of my vondcring, cvcn
iIcn, vIy cv-ocncrs musi alvays lc iIc mosi
disagrccallc fcmalcs rocurallc, and vIciIcr
iIcrc is any rcligious drcad of a disasirous in-
fcciion of good-Iumour vIicI rcndcrs ii indis-
cnsallc io sci iIosc vcsscls of vincgar uon
iIc road io Hcavcn.
Of iIc clcrgyman and clcrl acaring; of a
fcv loaimcn and somc oiIcr colc sirolling
in; of an ancicni marincr lcIind mc, sirongly
flavouring iIc cIurcI viiI rum; of iIc scrvicc
lcginning in a dcc voicc, and our all lcing vcry
aiicniivc.
Of Miss Lavinia, vIo acis as a scmi-auiliary
lridcsmaid, lcing iIc firsi io cry, and of Icr
doing Iomagc (as I ialc ii} io iIc mcmory of
Fidgcr, in sols; of Miss Clarissa alying a
smclling-loiilc; of Agncs ialing carc of Dora; of
my auni cndcavouring io rcrcscni Icrsclf as a
modcl of sicrnncss, viiI icars rolling dovn Icr
facc; of liiilc Dora ircmlling vcry mucI, and
maling Icr rcsonscs in faini vIiscrs.
Of our lnccling dovn iogciIcr, sidc ly sidc;
of Dora's ircmlling lcss and lcss, lui alvays
clasing Agncs ly iIc Iand; of iIc scrvicc lc-
ing goi iIrougI, quicily and gravcly; of our all
looling ai cacI oiIcr in an Aril siaic of smilcs
and icars, vIcn ii is ovcr; of my young vifc lc-
ing Iysicrical in iIc vcsiry, and crying for Icr
oor aa, Icr dcar aa.
Of Icr soon cIccring u again, and our sign-
ing iIc rcgisicr all round. Of my going inio iIc
gallcry for Fcggoiiy io lring Icr io sign ii; of
Fcggoiiy's Iugging mc in a corncr, and iclling
mc sIc sav my ovn dcar moiIcr marricd; of iis
lcing ovcr, and our going avay.
Of my valling so roudly and lovingly dovn
iIc aislc viiI my svcci vifc uon my arm, iIrougI
a misi of Ialf-sccn colc, uliis, monumcnis,
247
cvs, fonis, organs, and cIurcI vindovs, in
vIicI iIcrc fluiicr faini airs of associaiion viiI
my cIildisI cIurcI ai Iomc, so long ago.
Of iIcir vIiscring, as vc ass, vIai a youiI-
ful coulc vc arc, and vIai a rciiy liiilc vifc
sIc is. Of our all lcing so mcrry and iallaiivc
in iIc carriagc going lacl. Of SoIy iclling us
iIai vIcn sIc sav Traddlcs (vIom I Iad cn-
irusicd viiI iIc liccncc} aslcd for ii, sIc al-
mosi fainicd, Iaving lccn convinccd iIai Ic
vould conirivc io losc ii, or io Iavc Iis oclci
iclcd. Of Agncs laugIing gaily; and of Dora
lcing so fond of Agncs iIai sIc vill noi lc sca-
raicd from Icr, lui siill lccs Icr Iand.
Of iIcrc lcing a lrcalfasi, viiI alundancc of
iIings, rciiy and sulsianiial, io cai and drinl,
vIcrcof I arialc, as I sIould do in any oiIcr
drcam, viiIoui iIc lcasi crcciion of iIcir
flavour; caiing and drinling, as I may say, noiI-
ing lui lovc and marriagc, and no morc lclicv-
ing in iIc viands iIan in anyiIing clsc.
Of my maling a scccI in iIc samc drcamy
fasIion, viiIoui Iaving an idca of vIai I vani
io say, lcyond sucI as may lc comrcIcndcd
in iIc full conviciion iIai I Iavcn'i said ii. Of our
lcing vcry socially and simly Iay (alvays in
a drcam iIougI}; and of Ji's Iaving vcdding
calc, and iis noi agrccing viiI Iim aficrvards.
Of iIc air of Iircd osi-Iorscs lcing rcady,
and of Dora's going avay io cIangc Icr drcss.
Of my auni and Miss Clarissa rcmaining viiI
us; and our valling in iIc gardcn; and my auni,
vIo Ias madc quiic a scccI ai lrcalfasi ioucI-
ing Dora's aunis, lcing migIiily amuscd viiI
Icrsclf, lui a liiilc roud of ii ioo.
Of Dora's lcing rcady, and of Miss Lavinia's
Iovcring aloui Icr, loiI io losc iIc rciiy ioy
iIai Ias givcn Icr so mucI lcasani occua-
iion. Of Dora's maling a long scrics of surriscd
discovcrics iIai sIc Ias forgoiicn all soris of
liiilc iIings; and of cvcrylody's running cvcry-
vIcrc io fcicI iIcm.
248
Of iIcir all closing aloui Dora, vIcn ai lasi
sIc lcgins io say good-lyc, looling, viiI iIcir
lrigIi colours and rillons, lilc a lcd of flov-
crs. Of my darling lcing almosi smoiIcrcd
among iIc flovcrs, and coming oui, laugIing
and crying loiI iogciIcr, io my jcalous arms.
Of my vaniing io carry Ji (vIo is io go along
viiI us}, and Dora's saying no, iIai sIc musi
carry Iim, or clsc Ic'll iIinl sIc don'i lilc Iim
any morc, nov sIc is marricd, and vill lrcal
Iis Icari. Of our going, arm in arm, and Dora
sioing and looling lacl, and saying, 'If I Iavc
cvcr lccn cross or ungraicful io anylody, don'i
rcmcmlcr ii!' and lursiing inio icars.
Of Icr vaving Icr liiilc Iand, and our going
avay oncc morc. Of Icr oncc morc sioing,
and looling lacl, and Iurrying io Agncs, and
giving Agncs, alovc all iIc oiIcrs, Icr lasi lisscs
and farcvclls.
Wc drivc avay iogciIcr, and I avalc from iIc
drcam. I lclicvc ii ai lasi. Ii is my dcar, dcar,
liiilc vifc lcsidc mc, vIom I lovc so vcll!
'Arc you Iay nov, you foolisI loy?' says
Dora, 'and surc you don'i rccni?'
I Iavc siood asidc io scc iIc Ianioms of iIosc
days go ly mc. TIcy arc gonc, and I rcsumc iIc
journcy of my siory.
CHAPTER 44
OUR HOUSEKEEPING
IT WAS A STFANGE CONDITION of iIings, iIc Ioncy-
moon lcing ovcr, and iIc lridcsmaids gonc
Iomc, vIcn I found mysclf siiiing dovn in my
ovn small Iousc viiI Dora; quiic iIrovn oui
of cmloymcni, as I may say, in rcscci of iIc
dclicious old occuaiion of maling lovc.
Ii sccmcd sucI an ciraordinary iIing io Iavc
Dora alvays iIcrc. Ii vas so unaccouniallc noi
io lc olligcd io go oui io scc Icr, noi io Iavc
any occasion io lc iormcniing mysclf aloui Icr,
249
noi io Iavc io vriic io Icr, noi io lc scIcming
and dcvising ooriuniiics of lcing alonc viiI
Icr. Somciimcs of an cvcning, vIcn I loolcd u
from my vriiing, and sav Icr scaicd oosiic, I
vould lcan lacl in my cIair, and iIinl Iov quccr
ii vas iIai iIcrc vc vcrc, alonc iogciIcr as a
maiicr of courscnolody's lusincss any morc
all iIc romancc of our cngagcmcni ui avay
uon a sIclf, io rusino onc io lcasc lui onc
anoiIcronc anoiIcr io lcasc, for lifc.
WIcn iIcrc vas a dclaic, and I vas lci oui
vcry laic, ii sccmcd so sirangc io mc, as I vas
valling Iomc, io iIinl iIai Dora vas ai Iomc!
Ii vas sucI a vondcrful iIing, ai firsi, io Iavc
Icr coming sofily dovn io iall io mc as I aic my
sucr. Ii vas sucI a siucndous iIing io lnov
for ccriain iIai sIc ui Icr Iair in acrs. Ii
vas aliogciIcr sucI an asionisIing cvcni io scc
Icr do ii!
I douli vIciIcr ivo young lirds could Iavc
lnovn lcss aloui lccing Iousc, iIan I and
my rciiy Dora did. Wc Iad a scrvani, of coursc.
SIc lci Iousc for us. I Iavc siill a laicni lclicf
iIai sIc musi Iavc lccn Mrs. Cru's daugI-
icr in disguisc, vc Iad sucI an avful iimc of ii
viiI Mary Annc.
Hcr namc vas Faragon. Hcr naiurc vas rc-
rcscnicd io us, vIcn vc cngagcd Icr, as lcing
fcclly crcsscd in Icr namc. SIc Iad a vrii-
icn cIaracicr, as largc as a roclamaiion; and,
according io iIis documcni, could do cvcryiIing
of a domcsiic naiurc iIai cvcr I Icard of, and a
grcai many iIings iIai I ncvcr did Icar of. SIc
vas a voman in iIc rimc of lifc; of a scvcrc
counicnancc; and suljcci (ariicularly in iIc
arms} io a sori of crciual mcaslcs or ficry rasI.
SIc Iad a cousin in iIc Lifc-Guards, viiI sucI
long lcgs iIai Ic loolcd lilc iIc aficrnoon
sIadov of somclody clsc. His sIcll-jaclci vas
as mucI ioo liiilc for Iim as Ic vas ioo lig for
iIc rcmiscs. Hc madc iIc coiiagc smallcr iIan
ii nccd Iavc lccn, ly lcing so vcry mucI oui of
250
rooriion io ii. Dcsidcs vIicI, iIc valls vcrc
noi iIicl, and, vIcncvcr Ic asscd iIc cvcning
ai our Iousc, vc alvays lncv of ii ly Icaring
onc coniinual grovl in iIc liicIcn.
Our ircasurc vas varranicd solcr and Ion-
csi. I am iIcrcforc villing io lclicvc iIai sIc
vas in a fii vIcn vc found Icr undcr iIc loilcr;
and iIai iIc dcficicni ica-soons vcrc aiirilui-
allc io iIc dusiman.
Dui sIc rcycd uon our minds drcadfully.
Wc fcli our inccricncc, and vcrc unallc io
Icl oursclvcs. Wc sIould Iavc lccn ai Icr
mcrcy, if sIc Iad Iad any; lui sIc vas a rc-
morsclcss voman, and Iad nonc. SIc vas iIc
causc of our firsi liiilc quarrcl.
'My dcarcsi lifc,' I said onc day io Dora, 'do
you iIinl Mary Annc Ias any idca of iimc?'
'WIy, Doady?' inquircd Dora, looling u, in-
noccnily, from Icr draving.
'My lovc, lccausc ii's fivc, and vc vcrc io Iavc
dincd ai four.'
Dora glanccd visifully ai iIc clocl, and Iinicd
iIai sIc iIougIi ii vas ioo fasi.
'On iIc conirary, my lovc,' said I, rcfcrring io
my vaicI, 'ii's a fcv minuics ioo slov.'
My liiilc vifc camc and sai uon my lncc, io
coa mc io lc quici, and drcv a linc viiI Icr
cncil dovn iIc middlc of my nosc; lui I couldn'i
dinc off iIai, iIougI ii vas vcry agrccallc.
'Don'i you iIinl, my dcar,' said I, 'ii vould lc
lciicr for you io rcmonsiraic viiI Mary Annc?'
'OI no, lcasc! I couldn'i, Doady!' said Dora.
'WIy noi, my lovc?' I gcnily aslcd.
'OI, lccausc I am sucI a liiilc goosc,' said
Dora, 'and sIc lnovs I am!'
I iIougIi iIis scniimcni so incomaiillc viiI
iIc csiallisImcni of any sysicm of cIccl on
Mary Annc, iIai I frovncd a liiilc.
'OI, vIai ugly vrinllcs in my lad loy's forc-
Icad!' said Dora, and siill lcing on my lncc,
sIc iraccd iIcm viiI Icr cncil; uiiing ii io
Icr rosy lis io malc ii marl llaclcr, and vorl-
251
ing ai my forcIcad viiI a quaini liiilc moclcry
of lcing indusirious, iIai quiic dcligIicd mc in
siic of mysclf.
'TIcrc's a good cIild,' said Dora, 'ii malcs iis
facc so mucI rciiicr io laugI.'
'Dui, my lovc,' said I.
'No, no! lcasc!' cricd Dora, viiI a liss, 'don'i
lc a naugIiy Dluc Dcard! Don'i lc scrious!'
'my rccious vifc,' said I, 'vc musi lc scrious
somciimcs. Comc! Sii dovn on iIis cIair, closc
lcsidc mc! Givc mc iIc cncil! TIcrc! Nov lci
us iall scnsilly. You lnov, dcar'; vIai a liiilc
Iand ii vas io Iold, and vIai a iiny vcdding-
ring ii vas io scc! 'You lnov, my lovc, ii is noi
cacily comforiallc io Iavc io go oui viiIoui
onc's dinncr. Nov, is ii?'
'N-n-no!' rclicd Dora, fainily.
'My lovc, Iov you ircmllc!'
'Dccausc I Inou you'rc going io scold mc,' c-
claimcd Dora, in a iicous voicc.
'My svcci, I am only going io rcason.'
'OI, lui rcasoning is vorsc iIan scolding!' c-
claimcd Dora, in dcsair. 'I didn'i marry io lc
rcasoncd viiI. If you mcani io rcason viiI sucI
a oor liiilc iIing as I am, you ougIi io Iavc
iold mc so, you crucl loy!'
I iricd io acify Dora, lui sIc iurncd avay
Icr facc, and sIool Icr curls from sidc io sidc,
and said, 'You crucl, crucl loy!' so many iimcs,
iIai I rcally did noi cacily lnov vIai io do: so
I iool a fcv iurns u and dovn iIc room in my
unccriainiy, and camc lacl again.
'Dora, my darling!'
'No, I am noi your darling. Dccausc you musi
lc sorry iIai you marricd mc, or clsc you
vouldn'i rcason viiI mc!' rciurncd Dora.
I fcli so injurcd ly iIc inconscqucniial naiurc
of iIis cIargc, iIai ii gavc mc couragc io lc
gravc.
'Nov, my ovn Dora,' said I, 'you arc vcry cIild-
isI, and arc ialling nonscnsc. You musi rcmcm-
lcr, I am surc, iIai I vas olligcd io go oui ycs-
252
icrday vIcn dinncr vas Ialf ovcr; and iIai, iIc
day lcforc, I vas madc quiic unvcll ly lcing
olligcd io cai undcrdonc vcal in a Iurry; ioday,
I don'i dinc ai alland I am afraid io say Iov
long vc vaiicd for lrcalfasiand iIcn iIc va-
icr didn'i loil. I don'i mcan io rcroacI you, my
dcar, lui iIis is noi comforiallc.'
'OI, you crucl, crucl loy, io say I am a dis-
agrccallc vifc!' cricd Dora.
'Nov, my dcar Dora, you musi lnov iIai I
ncvcr said iIai!'
'You said, I vasn'i comforiallc!' cricd Dora. 'I
said iIc Iousclccing vas noi comforiallc!'
'Ii's cacily iIc samc iIing!' cricd Dora. And sIc
cvidcnily iIougIi so, for sIc vci mosi gricvously.
I iool anoiIcr iurn across iIc room, full of
lovc for my rciiy vifc, and disiracicd ly sclf-
accusaiory inclinaiions io lnocl my Icad
againsi iIc door. I sai dovn again, and said:
'I am noi llaming you, Dora. Wc Iavc loiI a
grcai dcal io lcarn. I am only irying io sIov
you, my dcar, iIai you musiyou rcally musi'
(I vas rcsolvcd noi io givc iIis u}'accusiom
yoursclf io lool aficr Mary Annc. Lilcvisc io
aci a liiilc for yoursclf, and mc.'
'I vondcr, I do, ai your maling sucI ungraic-
ful scccIcs,' sollcd Dora. 'WIcn you lnov
iIai iIc oiIcr day, vIcn you said you vould
lilc a liiilc lii of fisI, I vcni oui mysclf, milcs
and milcs, and ordcrcd ii, io surrisc you.'
'And ii vas vcry lind of you, my ovn darling,'
said I. 'I fcli ii so mucI iIai I vouldn'i on any
accouni Iavc cvcn mcniioncd iIai you lougIi
a SalmonvIicI vas ioo mucI for ivo. Or iIai
ii cosi onc ound sivIicI vas morc iIan vc
can afford.'
'You cnjoycd ii vcry mucI,' sollcd Dora. 'And
you said I vas a Mousc.'
'And I'll say so again, my lovc,' I rciurncd, 'a
iIousand iimcs!'
Dui I Iad voundcd Dora's sofi liiilc Icari, and
sIc vas noi io lc comforicd. SIc vas so a-
253
iIciic in Icr solling and lcvailing, iIai I fcli
as if I Iad said I don'i lnov vIai io Iuri Icr. I
vas olligcd io Iurry avay; I vas lci oui laic;
and I fcli all nigIi sucI angs of rcmorsc as
madc mc miscrallc. I Iad iIc conscicncc of an
assassin, and vas Iaunicd ly a vaguc scnsc of
cnormous viclcdncss.
Ii vas ivo or iIrcc Iours asi midnigIi vIcn
I goi Iomc. I found my auni, in our Iousc, sii-
iing u for mc.
'Is anyiIing iIc maiicr, auni?' said I, alarmcd.
'NoiIing, Troi,' sIc rclicd. 'Sii dovn, sii dovn.
Liiilc Dlossom Ias lccn raiIcr oui of siriis,
and I Iavc lccn lccing Icr comany. TIai's
all.'
I lcancd my Icad uon my Iand; and fcli morc
sorry and dovncasi, as I sai looling ai iIc firc,
iIan I could Iavc suoscd ossillc so soon
aficr iIc fulfilmcni of my lrigIicsi Iocs. As I
sai iIinling, I Iacncd io mcci my auni's cycs,
vIicI vcrc rcsiing on my facc. TIcrc vas an
anious crcssion in iIcm, lui ii clcarcd di-
rccily.
'I assurc you, auni,' said I, 'I Iavc lccn quiic
unIay mysclf all nigIi, io iIinl of Dora's
lcing so. Dui I Iad no oiIcr inicniion iIan io
scal io Icr icndcrly and lovingly aloui our
Iomc-affairs.'
M auni noddcd cncouragcmcni.
'You musi Iavc aiicncc, Troi,' said sIc.
'Of coursc. Hcavcn lnovs I don'i mcan io lc
unrcasonallc, auni!'
'No, no,' said my auni. 'Dui Liiilc Dlossom is
a vcry icndcr liiilc llossom, and iIc vind musi
lc gcnilc viiI Icr.'
I iIanlcd my good auni, in my Icari, for Icr
icndcrncss iovards my vifc; and I vas surc iIai
sIc lncv I did.
'Don'i you iIinl, auni,' said I, aficr somc fur-
iIcr conicmlaiion of iIc firc, 'iIai you could
advisc and counscl Dora a liiilc, for our muiual
advaniagc, nov and iIcn?'
254
'Troi,' rciurncd my auni, viiI somc cmoiion,
'no! Don'i asl mc sucI a iIing.'
Hcr ionc vas so vcry carncsi iIai I raiscd my
cycs in surrisc.
'I lool lacl on my lifc, cIild,' said my auni,
'and I iIinl of somc vIo arc in iIcir gravcs,
viiI vIom I migIi Iavc lccn on lindcr icrms.
If I judgcd IarsIly of oiIcr colc's misialcs in
marriagc, ii may Iavc lccn lccausc I Iad liiicr
rcason io judgc IarsIly of my ovn. Lci iIai ass.
I Iavc lccn a grumy, frumy, vayvard sori of
a voman, a good many ycars. I am siill, and I
alvays sIall lc. Dui you and I Iavc donc onc
anoiIcr somc good, Troi,ai all cvcnis, you
Iavc donc mc good, my dcar; and division musi
noi comc lcivccn us, ai iIis iimc of day.'
'Division lcivccn us!' cricd I.
'CIild, cIild!' said my auni, smooiIing Icr
drcss, 'Iov soon ii migIi comc lcivccn us, or
Iov unIay I migIi malc our Liiilc Dlossom,
if I mcddlcd in anyiIing, a roIci couldn'i say.
I vani our ci io lilc mc, and lc as gay as a
luiicrfly. Fcmcmlcr your ovn Iomc, in iIai
sccond marriagc; and ncvcr do loiI mc and Icr
iIc injury you Iavc Iinicd ai!'
I comrcIcndcd, ai oncc, iIai my auni vas
rigIi; and I comrcIcndcd iIc full cicni of Icr
gcncrous fccling iovards my dcar vifc.
'TIcsc arc carly days, Troi,' sIc ursucd, 'and
Fomc vas noi luili in a day, nor in a ycar. You
Iavc cIoscn frccly for yoursclf'; a cloud asscd
ovcr Icr facc for a momcni, I iIougIi; 'and you
Iavc cIoscn a vcry rciiy and a vcry affcciion-
aic crcaiurc. Ii vill lc your duiy, and ii vill lc
your lcasurc iooof coursc I lnov iIai; I am
noi dclivcring a lcciurcio csiimaic Icr (as you
cIosc Icr} ly iIc qualiiics sIc Ias, and noi ly
iIc qualiiics sIc may noi Iavc. TIc laiicr you
musi dcvclo in Icr, if you can. And if you can-
noi, cIild,' Icrc my auni rullcd Icr nosc, 'you
musi jusi accusiom yoursclf io do viiIoui 'cm.
Dui rcmcmlcr, my dcar, your fuiurc is lcivccn
255
you ivo. No onc can assisi you; you arc io vorl
ii oui for yoursclvcs. TIis is marriagc, Troi; and
Hcavcn llcss you loiI, in ii, for a air of lalcs
in iIc vood as you arc!'
My auni said iIis in a srigIily vay, and gavc
mc a liss io raiify iIc llcssing.
'Nov,' said sIc, 'ligIi my liiilc lanicrn, and
scc mc inio my landlo ly iIc gardcn aiI';
for iIcrc vas a communicaiion lcivccn our
coiiagcs in iIai dircciion. ' Givc Dciscy
Troivood's lovc io Dlossom, vIcn you comc
lacl; and vIaicvcr you do, Troi, ncvcr drcam
of sciiing Dciscy u as a scarccrov, for if I cvcr
sav Icr in iIc glass, sIc's quiic grim cnougI
and gauni cnougI in Icr rivaic caaciiy!'
WiiI iIis my auni iicd Icr Icad u in a Iand-
lcrcIicf, viiI vIicI sIc vas accusiomcd io
malc a lundlc of ii on sucI occasions; and I
cscoricd Icr Iomc. As sIc siood in Icr gardcn,
Iolding u Icr liiilc lanicrn io ligIi mc lacl, I
iIougIi Icr olscrvaiion of mc Iad an anious
air again; lui I vas ioo mucI occuicd in on-
dcring on vIai sIc Iad said, and ioo mucI im-
rcsscdfor iIc firsi iimc, in rcaliiyly iIc
conviciion iIai Dora and I Iad indccd io vorl
oui our fuiurc for oursclvcs, and iIai no onc
could assisi us, io ialc mucI noiicc of ii.
Dora camc sicaling dovn in Icr liiilc slicrs,
io mcci mc, nov iIai I vas alonc; and cricd
uon my sIouldcr, and said I Iad lccn Iard-
Icaricd and sIc Iad lccn naugIiy; and I said
mucI iIc samc iIing in cffcci, I lclicvc; and vc
madc ii u, and agrccd iIai our firsi liiilc dif-
fcrcncc vas io lc our lasi, and iIai vc vcrc
ncvcr io Iavc anoiIcr if vc livcd a Iundrcd
ycars.
TIc nci domcsiic irial vc vcni iIrougI, vas
iIc Ordcal of Scrvanis. Mary Annc's cousin dc-
scricd inio our coal-Iolc, and vas lrougIi oui,
io our grcai amazcmcni, ly a iquci of Iis com-
anions in arms, vIo iool Iim avay Iandcuffcd
in a roccssion iIai covcrcd our froni-gardcn
256
viiI ignominy. TIis ncrvcd mc io gci rid of Mary
Annc, vIo vcni so mildly, on rcccii of vagcs,
iIai I vas surriscd, uniil I found oui aloui iIc
ica-soons, and also aloui iIc liiilc sums sIc
Iad lorrovcd in my namc of iIc iradcscolc
viiIoui auiIoriiy. Aficr an inicrval of Mrs.
KidgcrluryiIc oldcsi inIaliiani of KcniisI
Tovn, I lclicvc, vIo vcni oui cIaring, lui vas
ioo fccllc io cccuic Icr concciions of iIai ari
vc found anoiIcr ircasurc, vIo vas onc of iIc
mosi amiallc of vomcn, lui vIo gcncrally madc
a oini of falling ciiIcr u or dovn iIc liicIcn
siairs viiI iIc iray, and almosi lungcd inio iIc
arlour, as inio a laiI, viiI iIc ica-iIings. TIc
ravagcs commiiicd ly iIis unforiunaic, rcndcr-
ing Icr dismissal ncccssary, sIc vas succccdcd
(viiI inicrvals of Mrs. Kidgcrlury} ly a long linc
of Incaallcs; icrminaiing in a young crson of
gcniccl acarancc, vIo vcni io GrccnvicI Fair
in Dora's lonnci. Aficr vIom I rcmcmlcr noiI-
ing lui an avcragc cqualiiy of failurc.
Evcrylody vc Iad anyiIing io do viiI sccmcd
io cIcai us. Our acarancc in a sIo vas a
signal for iIc damagcd goods io lc lrougIi oui
immcdiaicly. If vc lougIi a lolsicr, ii vas full
of vaicr. All our mcai iurncd oui io lc iougI,
and iIcrc vas Iardly any crusi io our loavcs.
In scarcI of iIc rincilc on vIicI joinis ougIi
io lc roasicd, io lc roasicd cnougI, and noi
ioo mucI, I mysclf rcfcrrcd io iIc Coolcry Dool,
and found ii iIcrc csiallisIcd as iIc allovancc
of a quaricr of an Iour io cvcry ound, and say
a quaricr ovcr. Dui iIc rincilc alvays failcd
us ly somc curious faialiiy, and vc ncvcr could
Iii any mcdium lcivccn rcdncss and cindcrs.
I Iad rcason io lclicvc iIai in accomlisIing
iIcsc failurcs vc incurrcd a far grcaicr ccnsc
iIan if vc Iad acIicvcd a scrics of iriumIs. Ii
acarcd io mc, on looling ovcr iIc iradcsmcn's
lools, as if vc migIi Iavc lci iIc lascmcni
siorcy avcd viiI luiicr, sucI vas iIc cicn-
sivc scalc of our consumiion of iIai ariiclc. I
257
don'i lnov vIciIcr iIc Ecisc rciurns of iIc
criod may Iavc cIiliicd any incrcasc in iIc
dcmand for ccr; lui if our crformanccs did
noi affcci iIc marlci, I sIould say scvcral fami-
lics musi Iavc lcfi off using ii. And iIc mosi
vondcrful faci of all vas, iIai vc ncvcr Iad
anyiIing in iIc Iousc.
As io iIc vasIcrvoman avning iIc cloiIcs, and
coming in a siaic of cniicni inioicaiion io aolo-
gizc, I suosc iIai migIi Iavc Iacncd scvcral
iimcs io anylody. Also iIc cIimncy on firc, iIc
arisI cnginc, and crjury on iIc ari of iIc Dcadlc.
Dui I arcIcnd iIai vc vcrc crsonally foriunaic
in cngaging a scrvani viiI a iasic for cordials, vIo
svcllcd our running accouni for oricr ai iIc ul-
lic-Iousc ly sucI inclicallc iicms as 'quaricrn
rum sIrul (Mrs. C.}'; 'Half-quaricrn gin and clovcs
(Mrs. C.}'; 'Glass rum and ccrmini (Mrs. C.}'
iIc arcniIcscs alvays rcfcrring io Dora, vIo vas
suoscd, ii acarcd on clanaiion, io Iavc im-
lilcd iIc vIolc of iIcsc rcfrcsImcnis.
Onc of our firsi fcais in iIc Iousclccing vay
vas a liiilc dinncr io Traddlcs. I mci Iim in iovn,
and aslcd Iim io vall oui viiI mc iIai aficr-
noon. Hc rcadily conscniing, I vroic io Dora,
saying I vould lring Iim Iomc. Ii vas lcasani
vcaiIcr, and on iIc road vc madc my domcs-
iic Iaincss iIc iIcmc of convcrsaiion.
Traddlcs vas vcry full of ii; and said, iIai, ic-
iuring Iimsclf viiI sucI a Iomc, and SoIy
vaiiing and rcaring for Iim, Ic could iIinl
of noiIing vaniing io comlcic Iis lliss.
I could noi Iavc visIcd for a rciiicr liiilc vifc
ai iIc oosiic cnd of iIc iallc, lui I ccriainly
could Iavc visIcd, vIcn vc sai dovn, for a
liiilc morc room. I did noi lnov Iov ii vas, lui
iIougI iIcrc vcrc only ivo of us, vc vcrc ai
oncc alvays cramcd for room, and yci Iad al-
vays room cnougI io losc cvcryiIing in. I sus-
cci ii may Iavc lccn lccausc noiIing Iad a
lacc of iis ovn, ccci Ji's agoda, vIicI in-
varially lloclcd u iIc main iIorougIfarc. On
258
iIc rcscni occasion, Traddlcs vas so Icmmcd
in ly iIc agoda and iIc guiiar-casc, and Dora's
flovcr-ainiing, and my vriiing-iallc, iIai I Iad
scrious doulis of iIc ossililiiy of Iis using
Iis lnifc and forl; lui Ic roicsicd, viiI Iis
ovn good-Iumour, ' Occans of room,
Cocrficld! I assurc you, Occans!'
TIcrc vas anoiIcr iIing I could Iavc visIcd,
namcly, iIai Ji Iad ncvcr lccn cncouragcd io
vall aloui iIc iallccloiI during dinncr. I lc-
gan io iIinl iIcrc vas somciIing disordcrly in
Iis lcing iIcrc ai all, cvcn if Ic Iad noi lccn in
iIc Ialii of uiiing Iis fooi in iIc sali or iIc
mclicd luiicr. On iIis occasion Ic sccmcd io
iIinl Ic vas iniroduccd crcssly io lcc
Traddlcs ai lay; and Ic larlcd ai my old fricnd,
and madc sIori runs ai Iis laic, viiI sucI
undaunicd criinaciiy, iIai Ic may lc said io
Iavc cngrosscd iIc convcrsaiion.
Hovcvcr, as I lncv Iov icndcr-Icaricd my dcar
Dora vas, and Iov scnsiiivc sIc vould lc io
any sligIi uon Icr favouriic, I Iinicd no oljcc-
iion. For similar rcasons I madc no allusion io
iIc slirmisIing laics uon iIc floor; or io iIc
disrcuiallc acarancc of iIc casiors, vIicI
vcrc all ai sics and scvcns, and loolcd drunl;
or io iIc furiIcr llocladc of Traddlcs ly van-
dcring vcgciallc disIcs and jugs. I could noi Icl
vondcring in my ovn mind, as I conicmlaicd
iIc loilcd lcg of muiion lcforc mc, rcvious io
carving ii, Iov ii camc io ass iIai our joinis of
mcai vcrc of sucI ciraordinary sIacsand
vIciIcr our luicIcr coniracicd for all iIc dc-
formcd sIcc iIai camc inio iIc vorld; lui I lci
my rcflcciions io mysclf.
'My lovc,' said I io Dora, 'vIai Iavc you goi in
iIai disI?'
I could noi imaginc vIy Dora Iad lccn mal-
ing icmiing liiilc faccs ai mc, as if sIc vanicd
io liss mc.
'Oysicrs, dcar,' said Dora, iimidly.
'Was iIai our iIougIi?' said I, dcligIicd.
259
'Yc-ycs, Doady,' said Dora.
'TIcrc ncvcr vas a Iaicr onc!' I cclaimcd,
laying dovn iIc carving-lnifc and forl. 'TIcrc
is noiIing Traddlcs lilcs so mucI!'
'Yc-ycs, Doady,' said Dora, 'and so I lougIi a
lcauiiful liiilc larrcl of iIcm, and iIc man said
iIcy vcrc vcry good. Dui II am afraid iIcrc's
somciIing iIc maiicr viiI iIcm. TIcy don'i
sccm rigIi.' Hcrc Dora sIool Icr Icad, and dia-
monds ivinllcd in Icr cycs.
'TIcy arc only ocncd in loiI sIclls,' said I.
'Talc iIc io onc off, my lovc.'
'Dui ii von'i comc off!' said Dora, irying vcry
Iard, and looling vcry mucI disircsscd.
'Do you lnov, Cocrficld,' said Traddlcs,
cIccrfully camining iIc disI, 'I iIinl ii is in
conscqucncciIcy arc caiial oysicrs, lui I
iIinl ii is in conscqucnccof iIcir ncvcr Iav-
ing lccn ocncd.'
TIcy ncvcr Iad lccn ocncd; and vc Iad no
oysicr-lnivcsand couldn'i Iavc uscd iIcm if
vc Iad; so vc loolcd ai iIc oysicrs and aic iIc
muiion. Ai lcasi vc aic as mucI of ii as vas
donc, and madc u viiI cacrs. If I Iad crmii-
icd Iim, I am saiisficd iIai Traddlcs vould Iavc
madc a crfcci savagc of Iimsclf, and caicn a
laicful of rav mcai, io crcss cnjoymcni of
iIc rcasi; lui I vould Icar of no sucI immola-
iion on iIc aliar of fricndsIi, and vc Iad a
coursc of lacon insicad; iIcrc Iacning, ly
good foriunc, io lc cold lacon in iIc lardcr.
My oor liiilc vifc vas in sucI affliciion vIcn
sIc iIougIi I sIould lc annoycd, and in sucI
a siaic of joy vIcn sIc found I vas noi, iIai iIc
discomfiiurc I Iad sulducd, vcry soon vanisIcd,
and vc asscd a Iay cvcning; Dora siiiing
viiI Icr arm on my cIair vIilc Traddlcs and I
discusscd a glass of vinc, and ialing cvcry o-
oriuniiy of vIiscring in my car iIai ii vas so
good of mc noi io lc a crucl, cross old loy. Dy
and ly sIc madc ica for us; vIicI ii vas so
rciiy io scc Icr do, as if sIc vas lusying Icr-
260
sclf viiI a sci of doll's ica-iIings, iIai I vas noi
ariicular aloui iIc qualiiy of iIc lcvcragc.
TIcn Traddlcs and I laycd a gamc or ivo ai
crillagc; and Dora singing io iIc guiiar iIc
vIilc, ii sccmcd io mc as if our courisIi and
marriagc vcrc a icndcr drcam of minc, and iIc
nigIi vIcn I firsi lisicncd io Icr voicc vcrc noi
yci ovcr.
WIcn Traddlcs vcni avay, and I camc lacl
inio iIc arlour from sccing Iim oui, my vifc
lanicd Icr cIair closc io minc, and sai dovn
ly my sidc. 'I am vcry sorry,' sIc said. 'Will you
iry io icacI mc, Doady?'
'I musi icacI mysclf firsi, Dora,' said I. 'I am
as lad as you, lovc.'
'AI! Dui you can lcarn,' sIc rciurncd; 'and
you arc a clcvcr, clcvcr man!'
'Nonscnsc, mousc!' said I.
'I visI,' rcsumcd my vifc, aficr a long silcncc,
'iIai I could Iavc gonc dovn inio iIc couniry
for a vIolc ycar, and livcd viiI Agncs!'
Hcr Iands vcrc clascd uon my sIouldcr,
and Icr cIin rcsicd on iIcm, and Icr lluc cycs
loolcd quicily inio minc.
'WIy so?' I aslcd.
'I iIinl sIc migIi Iavc imrovcd mc, and I
iIinl I migIi Iavc lcarncd from Icr,' said Dora.
'All in good iimc, my lovc. Agncs Ias Iad
Icr faiIcr io ialc carc of for iIcsc many ycars,
you sIould rcmcmlcr. Evcn vIcn sIc vas
quiic a cIild, sIc vas iIc Agncs vIom vc
lnov,' said I.
'Will you call mc a namc I vani you io call
mc?' inquircd Dora, viiIoui moving.
'WIai is ii?' I aslcd viiI a smilc.
'Ii's a siuid namc,' sIc said, sIaling Icr curls
for a momcni. 'CIild-vifc.'
I laugIingly aslcd my cIild-vifc vIai Icr
fancy vas in dcsiring io lc so callcd. SIc an-
svcrcd viiIoui moving, oiIcrvisc iIan as iIc
arm I ivincd aloui Icr may Iavc lrougIi Icr
lluc cycs ncarcr io mc:
261
'I don'i mcan, you silly fcllov, iIai you sIould
usc iIc namc insicad of Dora. I only mcan iIai
you sIould iIinl of mc iIai vay. WIcn you arc
going io lc angry viiI mc, say io yoursclf, ii's
only my cIild-vifc!" WIcn I am vcry disaoini-
ing, say, I lncv, a long iimc ago, iIai sIc vould
malc lui a cIild-vifc!" WIcn you miss vIai I
sIould lilc io lc, and I iIinl can ncvcr lc, say,
siill my foolisI cIild-vifc lovcs mc!" For indccd
I do.'
I Iad noi lccn scrious viiI Icr; Iaving no idca
uniil nov, iIai sIc vas scrious Icrsclf. Dui Icr
affcciionaic naiurc vas so Iay in vIai I nov
said io Icr viiI my vIolc Icari, iIai Icr facc
lccamc a laugIing onc lcforc Icr gliiicring cycs
vcrc dry. SIc vas soon my cIild-vifc indccd;
siiiing dovn on iIc floor ouisidc iIc CIincsc
Housc, ringing all iIc liiilc lclls onc aficr an-
oiIcr, io unisI Ji for Iis rcccni lad lcIaviour;
vIilc Ji lay llinling in iIc doorvay viiI Iis
Icad oui, cvcn ioo lazy io lc icascd.
TIis acal of Dora's madc a sirong imrcs-
sion on mc. I lool lacl on iIc iimc I vriic of; I
involc iIc innoccni figurc iIai I dcarly lovcd,
io comc oui from iIc misis and sIadovs of iIc
asi, and iurn iis gcnilc Icad iovards mc oncc
again; and I can siill dcclarc iIai iIis onc liiilc
scccI vas consianily in my mcmory. I may
noi Iavc uscd ii io iIc lcsi accouni; I vas young
and inccricnccd; lui I ncvcr iurncd a dcaf
car io iis arilcss lcading.
Dora iold mc, sIorily aficrvards, iIai sIc vas
going io lc a vondcrful Iousclcccr. Accord-
ingly, sIc olisIcd iIc iallcis, oinicd iIc cn-
cil, lougIi an immcnsc accouni-lool, carcfully
siiicIcd u viiI a nccdlc and iIrcad all iIc
lcavcs of iIc Coolcry Dool vIicI Ji Iad iorn,
and madc quiic a dcscraic liiilc aiicmi 'io lc
good', as sIc callcd ii. Dui iIc figurcs Iad iIc
old olsiinaic rocnsiiyiIcy uoud not add
u. WIcn sIc Iad cnicrcd ivo or iIrcc lalori-
ous iicms in iIc accouni-lool, Ji vould vall
262
ovcr iIc agc, vagging Iis iail, and smcar iIcm
all oui. Hcr ovn liiilc rigIi-Iand middlc fingcr
goi sicccd io iIc vcry lonc in inl; and I iIinl
iIai vas iIc only dccidcd rcsuli oliaincd.
Somciimcs, of an cvcning, vIcn I vas ai Iomc
and ai vorlfor I vroic a good dcal nov, and
vas lcginning in a small vay io lc lnovn as a
vriicrI vould lay dovn my cn, and vaicI
my cIild-vifc irying io lc good. Firsi of all, sIc
vould lring oui iIc immcnsc accouni-lool, and
lay ii dovn uon iIc iallc, viiI a dcc sigI.
TIcn sIc vould ocn ii ai iIc lacc vIcrc Ji
Iad madc ii illcgillc lasi nigIi, and call Ji u,
io lool ai Iis misdccds. TIis vould occasion a
divcrsion in Ji's favour, and somc inling of
Iis nosc, crIas, as a cnaliy. TIcn sIc vould
icll Ji io lic dovn on iIc iallc insianily, 'lilc a
lion'vIicI vas onc of Iis iricls, iIougI I can-
noi say iIc lilcncss vas sirilingand, if Ic
vcrc in an olcdicni Iumour, Ic vould olcy.
TIcn sIc vould ialc u a cn, and lcgin io
vriic, and find a Iair in ii. TIcn sIc vould ialc
u anoiIcr cn, and lcgin io vriic, and find
iIai ii sluiicrcd. TIcn sIc vould ialc u an-
oiIcr cn, and lcgin io vriic, and say in a lov
voicc, 'OI, ii's a ialling cn, and vill disiurl
Doady!' And iIcn sIc vould givc ii u as a lad
jol, and ui iIc accouni-lool avay, aficr rc-
icnding io crusI iIc lion viiI ii.
Or, if sIc vcrc in a vcry scdaic and scrious siaic
of mind, sIc vould sii dovn viiI iIc iallcis, and
a liiilc laslci of lills and oiIcr documcnis, vIicI
loolcd morc lilc curl-acrs iIan anyiIing clsc,
and cndcavour io gci somc rcsuli oui of iIcm.
Aficr scvcrcly comaring onc viiI anoiIcr, and
maling cnirics on iIc iallcis, and lloiiing iIcm
oui, and couniing all iIc fingcrs of Icr lcfi Iand
ovcr and ovcr again, laclvards and forvards, sIc
vould lc so vccd and discouragcd, and vould
lool so unIay, iIai ii gavc mc ain io scc Icr
lrigIi facc cloudcdand for mc!and I vould go
sofily io Icr, and say:
263
'WIai's iIc maiicr, Dora?'
Dora vould lool u Ioclcssly, and rcly,
'TIcy von'i comc rigIi. TIcy malc my Icad acIc
so. And iIcy von'i do anyiIing I vani!'
TIcn I vould say, 'Nov lci us iry iogciIcr. Lci
mc sIov you, Dora.'
TIcn I vould commcncc a raciical dcmonsira-
iion, io vIicI Dora vould ay rofound aiicn-
iion, crIas for fivc minuics; vIcn sIc vould
lcgin io lc drcadfully iircd, and vould ligIicn
iIc suljcci ly curling my Iair, or irying iIc cffcci
of my facc viiI my sIiri-collar iurncd dovn. If I
iaciily cIcclcd iIis layfulncss, and crsisicd,
sIc vould lool so scarcd and disconsolaic, as
sIc lccamc morc and morc lcvildcrcd, iIai iIc
rcmcmlrancc of Icr naiural gaiciy vIcn I firsi
siraycd inio Icr aiI, and of Icr lcing my cIild-
vifc, vould comc rcroacIfully uon mc; and I
vould lay iIc cncil dovn, and call for iIc guiiar.
I Iad a grcai dcal of vorl io do, and Iad many
aniciics, lui iIc samc considcraiions madc mc
lcc iIcm io mysclf. I am far from surc, nov,
iIai ii vas rigIi io do iIis, lui I did ii for my
cIild-vifc's salc. I scarcI my lrcasi, and I com-
mii iis sccrcis, if I lnov iIcm, viiIoui any rcs-
crvaiion io iIis acr. TIc old unIay loss or
vani of somciIing Iad, I am conscious, somc
lacc in my Icari; lui noi io iIc cmliiicrmcni
of my lifc. WIcn I vallcd alonc in iIc finc
vcaiIcr, and iIougIi of iIc summcr days vIcn
all iIc air Iad lccn fillcd viiI my loyisI cn-
cIanimcni, I did miss somciIing of iIc rcaliza-
iion of my drcams; lui I iIougIi ii vas a sofi-
cncd glory of iIc Fasi, vIicI noiIing could Iavc
iIrovn uon iIc rcscni iimc. I did fccl, somc-
iimcs, for a liiilc vIilc, iIai I could Iavc visIcd
my vifc Iad lccn my counscllor; Iad Iad morc
cIaracicr and urosc, io susiain mc and im-
rovc mc ly; Iad lccn cndovcd viiI ovcr io
fill u iIc void vIicI somcvIcrc sccmcd io lc
aloui mc; lui I fcli as if iIis vcrc an uncariIly
consummaiion of my Iaincss, iIai ncvcr Iad
264
lccn mcani io lc, and ncvcr could Iavc lccn.
I vas a loyisI Iusland as io ycars. I Iad
lnovn iIc soficning influcncc of no oiIcr sor-
rovs or ccricnccs iIan iIosc rccordcd in iIcsc
lcavcs. If I did any vrong, as I may Iavc donc
mucI, I did ii in misialcn lovc, and in my vani
of visdom. I vriic iIc caci iruiI. Ii vould avail
mc noiIing io cicnuaic ii nov.
TIus ii vas iIai I iool uon mysclf iIc ioils
and carcs of our lifc, and Iad no arincr in iIcm.
Wc livcd mucI as lcforc, in rcfcrcncc io our
scramlling IouscIold arrangcmcnis; lui I Iad
goi uscd io iIosc, and Dora I vas lcascd io
scc vas scldom vccd nov. SIc vas lrigIi and
cIccrful in iIc old cIildisI vay, lovcd mc dcarly,
and vas Iay viiI Icr old iriflcs.
WIcn iIc dclaics vcrc IcavyI mcan as io
lcngiI, noi qualiiy, for in iIc lasi rcscci iIcy
vcrc noi oficn oiIcrviscand I vcni Iomc laic,
Dora vould ncvcr rcsi vIcn sIc Icard my fooi-
sics, lui vould alvays comc dovnsiairs io
mcci mc. WIcn my cvcnings vcrc unoccuicd
ly iIc ursuii for vIicI I Iad qualificd mysclf
viiI so mucI ains, and I vas cngagcd in vrii-
ing ai Iomc, sIc vould sii quicily ncar mc, Iov-
cvcr laic iIc Iour, and lc so muic, iIai I vould
oficn iIinl sIc Iad drocd aslcc. Dui gcncr-
ally, vIcn I raiscd my Icad, I sav Icr lluc cycs
looling ai mc viiI iIc quici aiicniion of vIicI
I Iavc alrcady solcn.
'OI, vIai a vcary loy!' said Dora onc nigIi,
vIcn I mci Icr cycs as I vas sIuiiing u my
dcsl.
'WIai a vcary girl!' said I. 'TIai's morc io iIc
urosc. You musi go io lcd anoiIcr iimc, my
lovc. Ii's far ioo laic for you.'
'No, don'i scnd mc io lcd!' lcadcd Dora, com-
ing io my sidc. 'Fray, don'i do iIai!'
'Dora!' To my amazcmcni sIc vas solling on
my nccl. 'Noi vcll, my dcar! noi Iay!'
'Ycs! quiic vcll, and vcry Iay!' said Dora.
'Dui say you'll lci mc sio, and scc you vriic.'
265
'WIy, vIai a sigIi for sucI lrigIi cycs ai mid-
nigIi!' I rclicd.
'Arc iIcy lrigIi, iIougI?' rciurncd Dora,
laugIing. 'I'm so glad iIcy'rc lrigIi.'
'Liiilc Vaniiy!' said I.
Dui ii vas noi vaniiy; ii vas only Iarmlcss
dcligIi in my admiraiion. I lncv iIai vcry vcll,
lcforc sIc iold mc so.
'If you iIinl iIcm rciiy, say I may alvays
sio, and scc you vriic!' said Dora. 'Do you iIinl
iIcm rciiy?'
'Vcry rciiy.'
'TIcn lci mc alvays sio and scc you vriic.'
'I am afraid iIai von'i imrovc iIcir lrigIi-
ncss, Dora.'
'Ycs, ii vill! Dccausc, you clcvcr loy, you'll
noi forgci mc iIcn, vIilc you arc full of silcni
fancics. Will you mind ii, if I say somciIing vcry,
vcry silly?morc iIan usual?' inquircd Dora,
ccing ovcr my sIouldcr inio my facc.
'WIai vondcrful iIing is iIai?' said I.
'Flcasc lci mc Iold iIc cns,' said Dora. 'I vani
io Iavc somciIing io do viiI all iIosc many
Iours vIcn you arc so indusirious. May I Iold
iIc cns?'
TIc rcmcmlrancc of Icr rciiy joy vIcn I said
ycs, lrings icars inio my cycs. TIc nci iimc I
sai dovn io vriic, and rcgularly aficrvards, sIc
sai in Icr old lacc, viiI a sarc lundlc of cns
ai Icr sidc. Hcr iriumI in iIis conncion viiI
my vorl, and Icr dcligIi vIcn I vanicd a ncv
cnvIicI I vcry oficn fcigncd io dosuggcsicd
io mc a ncv vay of lcasing my cIild-vifc. I
occasionally madc a rcicncc of vaniing a agc
or ivo of manuscrii coicd. TIcn Dora vas in
Icr glory. TIc rcaraiions sIc madc for iIis
grcai vorl, iIc arons sIc ui on, iIc lils sIc
lorrovcd from iIc liicIcn io lcc off iIc inl,
iIc iimc sIc iool, iIc innumcrallc sioagcs
sIc madc io Iavc a laugI viiI Ji as if Ic un-
dcrsiood ii all, Icr conviciion iIai Icr vorl vas
incomlcic unlcss sIc signcd Icr namc ai iIc
266
cnd, and iIc vay in vIicI sIc vould lring ii io
mc, lilc a scIool-coy, and iIcn, vIcn I raiscd
ii, clas mc round iIc nccl, arc ioucIing rccol-
lcciions io mc, simlc as iIcy migIi acar io
oiIcr mcn.
SIc iool osscssion of iIc lcys soon aficr iIis,
and vcni jingling aloui iIc Iousc viiI iIc
vIolc luncI in a liiilc laslci, iicd io Icr slcn-
dcr vaisi. I scldom found iIai iIc laccs io
vIicI iIcy lclongcd vcrc loclcd, or iIai iIcy
vcrc of any usc ccci as a layiIing for Ji
lui Dora vas lcascd, and iIai lcascd mc. SIc
vas quiic saiisficd iIai a good dcal vas cffccicd
ly iIis malc-lclicf of Iousclccing; and vas
as mcrry as if vc Iad lccn lccing a laly-
Iousc, for a jolc.
So vc vcni on. Dora vas Iardly lcss affcc-
iionaic io my auni iIan io mc, and oficn iold
Icr of iIc iimc vIcn sIc vas afraid sIc vas 'a
cross old iIing'. I ncvcr sav my auni unlcnd
morc sysicmaiically io anyonc. SIc couricd Ji,
iIougI Ji ncvcr rcsondcd; lisicncd, day aficr
day, io iIc guiiar, iIougI I am afraid sIc Iad
no iasic for music; ncvcr aiiaclcd iIc
Incaallcs, iIougI iIc icmiaiion musi Iavc
lccn scvcrc; vcni vondcrful disianccs on fooi
io urcIasc, as surriscs, any iriflcs iIai sIc
found oui Dora vanicd; and ncvcr camc in ly
iIc gardcn, and misscd Icr from iIc room, lui
sIc vould call oui, ai iIc fooi of iIc siairs, in a
voicc iIai soundcd cIccrfully all ovcr iIc Iousc:
'WIcrc's Liiilc Dlossom?'
CHAPTER 4S
Mr. DIck IuIIIIs my aunt's
PredIctIons
IT WAS SOME TIME NOW, sincc I Iad lcfi iIc Docior.
Living in Iis ncigIlourIood, I sav Iim frc-
qucnily; and vc all vcni io Iis Iousc on ivo or
iIrcc occasions io dinncr or ica. TIc Old Sol-
dicr vas in crmancni quaricrs undcr iIc
267
Docior's roof. SIc vas cacily iIc samc as cvcr,
and iIc samc immorial luiicrflics Iovcrcd ovcr
Icr ca.
Lilc somc oiIcr moiIcrs, vIom I Iavc lnovn
in iIc coursc of my lifc, Mrs. MarllcIam vas
far morc fond of lcasurc iIan Icr daugIicr vas.
SIc rcquircd a grcai dcal of amuscmcni, and,
lilc a dcc old soldicr, rcicndcd, in consuliing
Icr ovn inclinaiions, io lc dcvoiing Icrsclf io
Icr cIild. TIc Docior's dcsirc iIai Annic sIould
lc cnicriaincd, vas iIcrcforc ariicularly ac-
cciallc io iIis cccllcni arcni; vIo crcsscd
unqualificd aroval of Iis discrciion.
I Iavc no douli, indccd, iIai sIc rolcd iIc Docior's
vound viiIoui lnoving ii. Mcaning noiIing lui a
ccriain maiurcd frivoliiy and sclfisIncss, noi alvays
inscarallc from full-llovn ycars, I iIinl sIc con-
firmcd Iim in Iis fcar iIai Ic vas a consiraini uon
Iis young vifc, and iIai iIcrc vas no congcnialiiy of
fccling lcivccn iIcm, ly so sirongly commcnding Iis
dcsign of ligIicning iIc load of Icr lifc.
'My dcar soul,' sIc said io Iim onc day vIcn
I vas rcscni, 'you lnov iIcrc is no douli ii
vould lc a liiilc olcy for Annic io lc alvays
sIui u Icrc.'
TIc Docior noddcd Iis lcncvolcni Icad. 'WIcn
sIc comcs io Icr moiIcr's agc,' said Mrs.
MarllcIam, viiI a flourisI of Icr fan, 'iIcn ii'll
lc anoiIcr iIing. You migIi ui mc inio a Jail,
viiI gcniccl sociciy and a rullcr, and I sIould
ncvcr carc io comc oui. Dui I am noi Annic,
you lnov; and Annic is noi Icr moiIcr.'
'Surcly, surcly,' said iIc Docior.
'You arc iIc lcsi of crcaiurcsno, I lcg your
ardon!' for iIc Docior madc a gcsiurc of dcrc-
caiion, 'I musi say lcforc your facc, as I alvays
say lcIind your lacl, you arc iIc lcsi of crca-
iurcs; lui of coursc you don'inov do you?
cnicr inio iIc samc ursuiis and fancics as Annic?'
'No,' said iIc Docior, in a sorrovful ionc.
'No, of coursc noi,' rcioricd iIc Old Soldicr.
'Talc your Diciionary, for camlc. WIai a usc-
268
ful vorl a Diciionary is! WIai a ncccssary vorl!
TIc mcanings of vords! WiiIoui Docior
JoInson, or somclody of iIai sori, vc migIi
Iavc lccn ai iIis rcscni momcni calling an
Iialian-iron, a lcdsicad. Dui vc can'i ccci a
Diciionarycsccially vIcn ii's malingio in-
icrcsi Annic, can vc?'
TIc Docior sIool Iis Icad.
'And iIai's vIy I so mucI arovc,' said Mrs.
MarllcIam, iaing Iim on iIc sIouldcr viiI
Icr sIui-u fan, 'of your iIougIifulncss. Ii sIovs
iIai you don'i ccci, as many cldcrly colc do
ccci, old Icads on young sIouldcrs. You Iavc
siudicd Annic's cIaracicr, and you undcrsiand
ii. TIai's vIai I find so cIarming!'
Evcn iIc calm and aiicni facc of Docior Sirong
crcsscd somc liiilc scnsc of ain, I iIougIi,
undcr iIc infliciion of iIcsc comlimcnis.
'TIcrcforc, my dcar Docior,' said iIc Old Sol-
dicr, giving Iim scvcral affcciionaic ias, 'you
may command mc, ai all iimcs and scasons.
Nov, do undcrsiand iIai I am cniircly ai your
scrvicc. I am rcady io go viiI Annic io ocras,
conccris, cIiliiions, all linds of laccs; and
you sIall ncvcr find iIai I am iircd. Duiy, my
dcar Docior, lcforc cvcry considcraiion in iIc
univcrsc!'
SIc vas as good as Icr vord. SIc vas onc of
iIosc colc vIo can lcar a grcai dcal of lca-
surc, and sIc ncvcr flincIcd in Icr crscvcr-
ancc in iIc causc. SIc scldom goi Iold of iIc
ncvsacr (vIicI sIc sciilcd Icrsclf dovn in
iIc soficsi cIair in iIc Iousc io rcad iIrougI
an cyc-glass, cvcry day, for ivo Iours}, lui sIc
found oui somciIing iIai sIc vas ccriain Annic
vould lilc io scc. Ii vas in vain for Annic io
roicsi iIai sIc vas vcary of sucI iIings. Hcr
moiIcr's rcmonsirancc alvays vas, 'Nov, my
dcar Annic, I am surc you lnov lciicr; and I
musi icll you, my lovc, iIai you arc noi maling
a rocr rciurn for iIc lindncss of Docior
Sirong.'
269
TIis vas usually said in iIc Docior's rcs-
cncc, and acarcd io mc io consiiiuic Annic's
rincial induccmcni for viiIdraving Icr ol-
jcciions vIcn sIc madc any. Dui in gcncral sIc
rcsigncd Icrsclf io Icr moiIcr, and vcni vIcrc
iIc Old Soldicr vould.
Ii rarcly Iacncd nov iIai Mr. Maldon ac-
comanicd iIcm. Somciimcs my auni and Dora
vcrc inviicd io do so, and acccicd iIc inviia-
iion. Somciimcs Dora only vas aslcd. TIc iimc
Iad lccn, vIcn I sIould Iavc lccn uncasy in
Icr going; lui rcflcciion on vIai Iad asscd iIai
formcr nigIi in iIc Docior's siudy, Iad madc a
cIangc in my misirusi. I lclicvcd iIai iIc Doc-
ior vas rigIi, and I Iad no vorsc susicions.
My auni rullcd Icr nosc somciimcs vIcn sIc
Iacncd io lc alonc viiI mc, and said sIc
couldn'i malc ii oui; sIc visIcd iIcy vcrc Ia-
icr; sIc didn'i iIinl our miliiary fricnd (so sIc
alvays callcd iIc Old Soldicr} mcndcd iIc mai-
icr ai all. My auni furiIcr crcsscd Icr oin-
ion, 'iIai if our miliiary fricnd vould cui off iIosc
luiicrflics, and givc 'cm io iIc cIimncy-svcc-
crs for May-day, ii vould lool lilc iIc lcgin-
ning of somciIing scnsillc on Icr ari.'
Dui Icr aliding rcliancc vas on Mr. Dicl.
TIai man Iad cvidcnily an idca in Iis Icad,
sIc said; and if Ic could only oncc cn ii u
inio a corncr, vIicI vas Iis grcai difficuliy,
Ic vould disiinguisI Iimsclf in somc ciraor-
dinary manncr.
Unconscious of iIis rcdiciion, Mr. Dicl con-
iinucd io occuy rcciscly iIc samc ground in
rcfcrcncc io iIc Docior and io Mrs. Sirong. Hc
sccmcd nciiIcr io advancc nor io rcccdc. Hc
acarcd io Iavc sciilcd inio Iis original foun-
daiion, lilc a luilding; and I musi confcss iIai
my faiiI in Iis cvcr Moving, vas noi mucI
grcaicr iIan if Ic Iad lccn a luilding.
Dui onc nigIi, vIcn I Iad lccn marricd somc
moniIs, Mr. Dicl ui Iis Icad inio iIc arlour,
vIcrc I vas vriiing alonc (Dora Iaving gonc oui
270
viiI my auni io ialc ica viiI iIc ivo liiilc lirds},
and said, viiI a significani cougI:
'You couldn'i scal io mc viiIoui inconvc-
nicncing yoursclf, Troivood, I am afraid?'
'Ccriainly, Mr. Dicl,' said I; 'comc in!'
'Troivood,' said Mr. Dicl, laying Iis fingcr on
iIc sidc of Iis nosc, aficr Ic Iad sIalcn Iands
viiI mc. 'Dcforc I sii dovn, I visI io malc an
olscrvaiion. You lnov your auni?'
'A liiilc,' I rclicd.
'SIc is iIc mosi vondcrful voman in iIc
vorld, sir!'
Aficr iIc dclivcry of iIis communicaiion,
vIicI Ic sIoi oui of Iimsclf as if Ic vcrc loadcd
viiI ii, Mr. Dicl sai dovn viiI grcaicr graviiy
iIan usual, and loolcd ai mc.
'Nov, loy,' said Mr. Dicl, 'I am going io ui a
qucsiion io you.'
'As many as you lcasc,' said I.
'WIai do you considcr mc, sir?' aslcd Mr.
Dicl, folding Iis arms.
'A dcar old fricnd,' said I.
'TIanl you, Troivood,' rciurncd Mr. Dicl,
laugIing, and rcacIing across in IigI glcc io
sIalc Iands viiI mc. 'Dui I mcan, loy,' rcsum-
ing Iis graviiy, 'vIai do you considcr mc in iIis
rcscci?' ioucIing Iis forcIcad.
I vas uzzlcd Iov io ansvcr, lui Ic Iclcd
mc viiI a vord.
'Wcal?' said Mr. Dicl.
'Wcll,' I rclicd, duliously. 'FaiIcr so.'
'Eacily!' cricd Mr. Dicl, vIo sccmcd quiic
cncIanicd ly my rcly. 'TIai is, Troivood, vIcn
iIcy iool somc of iIc iroullc oui of you-lnov-
vIo's Icad, and ui ii you lnov vIcrc, iIcrc
vas a' Mr. Dicl madc Iis ivo Iands rcvolvc
vcry fasi aloui cacI oiIcr a grcai numlcr of
iimcs, and iIcn lrougIi iIcm inio collision, and
rollcd iIcm ovcr and ovcr onc anoiIcr, io c-
rcss confusion. 'TIcrc vas iIai sori of iIing
donc io mc somcIov. EI?'
I noddcd ai Iim, and Ic noddcd lacl again.
271
'In sIori, loy,' said Mr. Dicl, droing Iis
voicc io a vIiscr, 'I am simlc.'
I vould Iavc qualificd iIai conclusion, lui Ic
siocd mc.
'Ycs, I am! SIc rcicnds I am noi. SIc von'i
Icar of ii; lui I am. I lnov I am. If sIc Iadn'i
siood my fricnd, sir, I sIould Iavc lccn sIui
u, io lcad a dismal lifc iIcsc many ycars. Dui
I'll rovidc for Icr! I ncvcr scnd iIc coying
moncy. I ui ii in a lo. I Iavc madc a vill. I'll
lcavc ii all io Icr. SIc sIall lc ricInollc!'
Mr. Dicl iool oui Iis oclci-IandlcrcIicf,
and vicd Iis cycs. Hc iIcn foldcd ii u viiI
grcai carc, rcsscd ii smooiI lcivccn Iis ivo
Iands, ui ii in Iis oclci, and sccmcd io ui
my auni avay viiI ii.
'Nov you arc a scIolar, Troivood,' said Mr.
Dicl. 'You arc a finc scIolar. You lnov vIai a
lcarncd man, vIai a grcai man, iIc Docior is.
You lnov vIai Ionour Ic Ias alvays donc mc.
Noi roud in Iis visdom. Humllc, Iumllc
condcsccnding cvcn io oor Dicl, vIo is simlc
and lnovs noiIing. I Iavc scni Iis namc u,
on a scra of acr, io iIc liic, along iIc siring,
vIcn ii Ias lccn in iIc sly, among iIc larls.
TIc liic Ias lccn glad io rcccivc ii, sir, and iIc
sly Ias lccn lrigIicr viiI ii.'
I dcligIicd Iim ly saying, mosi Icariily, iIai
iIc Docior vas dcscrving of our lcsi rcscci
and IigIcsi csiccm.
'And Iis lcauiiful vifc is a siar,' said Mr. Dicl.
'A sIining siar. I Iavc sccn Icr sIinc, sir. Dui,'
lringing Iis cIair ncarcr, and laying onc Iand
uon my lncc'clouds, sirclouds.'
I ansvcrcd iIc soliciiudc vIicI Iis facc c-
rcsscd, ly convcying iIc samc crcssion inio
my ovn, and sIaling my Icad.
'WIai clouds?' said Mr. Dicl.
Hc loolcd so visifully inio my facc, and vas
so anious io undcrsiand, iIai I iool grcai ains
io ansvcr Iim slovly and disiincily, as I migIi
Iavc cnicrcd on an clanaiion io a cIild.
272
'TIcrc is somc unforiunaic division lcivccn
iIcm,' I rclicd. 'Somc unIay causc of sca-
raiion. A sccrci. Ii may lc inscarallc from iIc
discrcancy in iIcir ycars. Ii may Iavc grovn
u oui of almosi noiIing.'
Mr. Dicl, vIo Iad iold off cvcry scnicncc viiI
a iIougIiful nod, auscd vIcn I Iad donc, and
sai considcring, viiI Iis cycs uon my facc,
and Iis Iand uon my lncc.
'Docior noi angry viiI Icr, Troivood?' Ic said,
aficr somc iimc.
'No. Dcvoicd io Icr.'
'TIcn, I Iavc goi ii, loy!' said Mr. Dicl.
TIc suddcn culiaiion viiI vIicI Ic slacd
mc on iIc lncc, and lcancd lacl in Iis cIair,
viiI Iis cyclrovs lificd u as IigI as Ic could
ossilly lifi iIcm, madc mc iIinl Iim fariIcr
oui of Iis viis iIan cvcr. Hc lccamc as sud-
dcnly gravc again, and lcaning forvard as lc-
forc, saidfirsi rcsccifully ialing oui Iis oclci-
IandlcrcIicf, as if ii rcally did rcrcscni my auni:
' Mosi vondcrful voman in iIc vorld,
Troivood. WIy Ias sIc donc noiIing io sci
iIings rigIi?'
'Too dclicaic and difficuli a suljcci for sucI
inicrfcrcncc,' I rclicd.
'Finc scIolar,' said Mr. Dicl, ioucIing mc viiI
Iis fingcr. 'WIy Ias Ic donc noiIing?'
'For iIc samc rcason,' I rciurncd.
'TIcn, I Iavc goi ii, loy!' said Mr. Dicl. And
Ic siood u lcforc mc, morc culiingly iIan
lcforc, nodding Iis Icad, and siriling Iimsclf
rccaicdly uon iIc lrcasi, uniil onc migIi Iavc
suoscd iIai Ic Iad ncarly noddcd and sirucl
all iIc lrcaiI oui of Iis lody.
'A oor fcllov viiI a crazc, sir,' said Mr. Dicl,
'a simlcion, a vcal-mindcd crsonrcscni
comany, you lnov!' siriling Iimsclf again,
'may do vIai vondcrful colc may noi do. I'll
lring iIcm iogciIcr, loy. I'll iry. TIcy'll noi
llamc mc. TIcy'll noi oljcci io mc. TIcy'll noi
mind vIai I do, if ii's vrong. I'm only Mr. Dicl.
273
And vIo minds Dicl? Dicl's nolody! WIoo!'
Hc llcv a sligIi, conicmiuous lrcaiI, as if Ic
llcv Iimsclf avay.
Ii vas foriunaic Ic Iad rocccdcd so far viiI
Iis mysicry, for vc Icard iIc coacI sio ai iIc
liiilc gardcn gaic, vIicI lrougIi my auni and
Dora Iomc.
'Noi a vord, loy!' Ic ursucd in a vIiscr;
'lcavc all iIc llamc viiI Diclsimlc Dicl
mad Dicl. I Iavc lccn iIinling, sir, for somc
iimc, iIai I vas gciiing ii, and nov I Iavc goi ii.
Aficr vIai you Iavc said io mc, I am surc I Iavc
goi ii. All rigIi!' Noi anoiIcr vord did Mr. Dicl
uiicr on iIc suljcci; lui Ic madc a vcry iclc-
graI of Iimsclf for iIc nci Ialf-Iour (io iIc
grcai disiurlancc of my auni's mind}, io cnjoin
inviolallc sccrccy on mc.
To my surrisc, I Icard no morc aloui ii for
somc ivo or iIrcc vccls, iIougI I vas suffi-
cicnily inicrcsicd in iIc rcsuli of Iis cndcavours;
dcscrying a sirangc glcam of good scnscI say
noiIing of good fccling, for iIai Ic alvays c-
Iiliicdin iIc conclusion io vIicI Ic Iad
comc. Ai lasi I lcgan io lclicvc, iIai, in iIc
fligIiy and unsciilcd siaic of Iis mind, Ic Iad
ciiIcr forgoiicn Iis inicniion or alandoncd ii.
Onc fair cvcning, vIcn Dora vas noi inclincd
io go oui, my auni and I sirollcd u io iIc
Docior's coiiagc. Ii vas auiumn, vIcn iIcrc
vcrc no dclaics io vc iIc cvcning air; and I
rcmcmlcr Iov iIc lcavcs smcli lilc our gardcn
ai Dlundcrsionc as vc irod iIcm undcr fooi,
and Iov iIc old, unIay fccling, sccmcd io go
ly, on iIc sigIing vind.
Ii vas iviligIi vIcn vc rcacIcd iIc coiiagc.
Mrs. Sirong vas jusi coming oui of iIc gardcn,
vIcrc Mr. Dicl yci lingcrcd, lusy viiI Iis lnifc,
Icling iIc gardcncr io oini somc sialcs. TIc
Docior vas cngagcd viiI somconc in Iis siudy;
lui iIc visiior vould lc gonc dirccily, Mrs.
Sirong said, and lcggcd us io rcmain and scc
Iim. Wc vcni inio iIc draving-room viiI Icr,
274
and sai dovn ly iIc darlcning vindov. TIcrc
vas ncvcr any ccrcmony aloui iIc visiis of sucI
old fricnds and ncigIlours as vc vcrc.
Wc Iad noi sai Icrc many minuics, vIcn Mrs.
MarllcIam, vIo usually conirivcd io lc in a
fuss aloui somciIing, camc lusiling in, viiI
Icr ncvsacr in Icr Iand, and said, oui of
lrcaiI, 'My goodncss gracious, Annic, vIy
didn'i you icll mc iIcrc vas somconc in iIc
Siudy!'
'My dcar mama,' sIc quicily rciurncd, 'Iov
could I lnov iIai you dcsircd iIc informaiion?'
' Dcsircd iIc informaiion!' said Mrs.
MarllcIam, sinling on iIc sofa. 'I ncvcr Iad
sucI a iurn in all my lifc!'
'Havc you lccn io iIc Siudy, iIcn, mama?'
aslcd Annic.
'Hccn io iIc Siudy, my dcar!' sIc rciurncd cm-
Iaiically. 'Indccd I Iavc! I camc uon iIc ami-
allc crcaiurcif you'll imaginc my fcclings, Miss
Troivood and Davidin iIc aci of maling Iis vill.'
Hcr daugIicr loolcd round from iIc vindov
quiclly.
'In iIc aci, my dcar Annic,' rccaicd Mrs.
MarllcIam, srcading iIc ncvsacr on Icr
la lilc a iallc-cloiI, and aiiing Icr Iands
uon ii, 'of maling Iis lasi Will and Tcsiamcni.
TIc forcsigIi and affcciion of iIc dcar! I musi
icll you Iov ii vas. I rcally musi, in jusiicc io
iIc darlingfor Ic is noiIing lcss!icll you Iov
ii vas. FcrIas you lnov, Miss Troivood, iIai
iIcrc is ncvcr a candlc ligIicd in iIis Iousc,
uniil onc's cycs arc liicrally falling oui of onc's
Icad viiI lcing sircicIcd io rcad iIc acr.
And iIai iIcrc is noi a cIair in iIis Iousc, in
vIicI a acr can lc vIai I call, rcad, ccci
onc in iIc Siudy. TIis iool mc io iIc Siudy,
vIcrc I sav a ligIi. I ocncd iIc door. In com-
any viiI iIc dcar Docior vcrc ivo rofcssional
colc, cvidcnily connccicd viiI iIc lav, and
iIcy vcrc all iIrcc sianding ai iIc iallc: iIc
darling Docior cn in Iand. TIis simly c-
275
rcsscs iIcn," said iIc DociorAnnic, my lovc,
aiicnd io iIc vcry vords"iIis simly crcsscs
iIcn, gcnilcmcn, iIc confidcncc I Iavc in Mrs.
Sirong, and givcs Icr all uncondiiionally?" Onc
of iIc rofcssional colc rclicd, And givcs
Icr all uncondiiionally." Uon iIai, viiI iIc
naiural fcclings of a moiIcr, I said, Good God,
I lcg your ardon!" fcll ovcr iIc door-sic, and
camc avay iIrougI iIc liiilc lacl assagc
vIcrc iIc aniry is.'
Mrs. Sirong ocncd iIc vindov, and vcni oui
inio iIc vcrandaI, vIcrc sIc siood lcaning
againsi a illar.
'Dui nov isn'i ii, Miss Troivood, isn'i ii, David,
invigoraiing,' said Mrs. MarllcIam, mccIani-
cally folloving Icr viiI Icr cycs, 'io find a man
ai Docior Sirong's iimc of lifc, viiI iIc sircngiI
of mind io do iIis lind of iIing? Ii only sIovs
Iov rigIi I vas. I said io Annic, vIcn Docior
Sirong aid a vcry flaiicring visii io mysclf, and
madc Icr iIc suljcci of a dcclaraiion and an
offcr, I said, My dcar, iIcrc is no douli vIai-
cvcr, in my oinion, viiI rcfcrcncc io a suiiallc
rovision for you, iIai Docior Sirong vill do
morc iIan Ic linds Iimsclf io do."'
Hcrc iIc lcll rang, and vc Icard iIc sound of
iIc visiiors' fcci as iIcy vcni oui.
'Ii's all ovcr, no douli,' said iIc Old Soldicr,
aficr lisicning; 'iIc dcar crcaiurc Ias signcd,
scalcd, and dclivcrcd, and Iis mind's ai rcsi.
Wcll ii may lc! WIai a mind! Annic, my lovc, I
am going io iIc Siudy viiI my acr, for I am a
oor crcaiurc viiIoui ncvs. Miss Troivood,
David, ray comc and scc iIc Docior.'
I vas conscious of Mr. Dicl's sianding in iIc
sIadov of iIc room, sIuiiing u Iis lnifc, vIcn
vc accomanicd Icr io iIc Siudy; and of my
auni's rulling Icr nosc violcnily, ly iIc vay,
as a mild vcni for Icr iniolcrancc of our mili-
iary fricnd; lui vIo goi firsi inio iIc Siudy, or
Iov Mrs. MarllcIam sciilcd Icrsclf in a mo-
mcni in Icr casy-cIair, or Iov my auni and I
276
camc io lc lcfi iogciIcr ncar iIc door (unlcss
Icr cycs vcrc quiclcr iIan minc, and sIc Icld
mc lacl}, I Iavc forgoiicn, if I cvcr lncv. Dui
iIis I lnov,iIai vc sav iIc Docior lcforc Ic
sav us, siiiing ai Iis iallc, among iIc folio vol-
umcs in vIicI Ic dcligIicd, rcsiing Iis Icad
calmly on Iis Iand. TIai, in iIc samc momcni,
vc sav Mrs. Sirong glidc in, alc and ircmlling.
TIai Mr. Dicl suoricd Icr on Iis arm. TIai
Ic laid Iis oiIcr Iand uon iIc Docior's arm,
causing Iim io lool u viiI an alsiracicd air.
TIai, as iIc Docior movcd Iis Icad, Iis vifc
drocd dovn on onc lncc ai Iis fcci, and, viiI
Icr Iands imloringly lificd, ficd uon Iis facc
iIc mcmorallc lool I Iad ncvcr forgoiicn. TIai
ai iIis sigIi Mrs. MarllcIam drocd iIc ncvs-
acr, and siarcd morc lilc a figurc-Icad in-
icndcd for a sIi io lc callcd TIc AsionisImcni,
iIan anyiIing clsc I can iIinl of.
TIc gcnilcncss of iIc Docior's manncr and
surrisc, iIc digniiy iIai minglcd viiI iIc su-
licaiing aiiiiudc of Iis vifc, iIc amiallc con-
ccrn of Mr. Dicl, and iIc carncsincss viiI vIicI
my auni said io Icrsclf, 'TIai man mad!' (iri-
umIanily crcssivc of iIc miscry from vIicI
sIc Iad savcd Iim}I scc and Icar, raiIcr iIan
rcmcmlcr, as I vriic aloui ii.
'Docior!' said Mr. Dicl. 'WIai is ii iIai's amiss?
Lool Icrc!'
'Annic!' cricd iIc Docior. 'Noi ai my fcci, my
dcar!'
'Ycs!' sIc said. 'I lcg and ray iIai no onc vill
lcavc iIc room! OI, my Iusland and faiIcr,
lrcal iIis long silcncc. Lci us loiI lnov vIai
ii is iIai Ias comc lcivccn us!'
Mrs. MarllcIam, ly iIis iimc rccovcring iIc
ovcr of scccI, and sccming io svcll viiI fam-
ily ridc and moiIcrly indignaiion, Icrc c-
claimcd, 'Annic, gci u immcdiaicly, and don'i
disgracc cvcrylody lclonging io you ly Ium-
lling yoursclf lilc iIai, unlcss you visI io scc
mc go oui of my mind on iIc soi!'
277
'Mama!' rciurncd Annic. 'Wasic no vords on
mc, for my acal is io my Iusland, and cvcn
you arc noiIing Icrc.'
'NoiIing!' cclaimcd Mrs. MarllcIam. 'Mc,
noiIing! TIc cIild Ias ialcn lcavc of Icr scnscs.
Flcasc io gci mc a glass of vaicr!'
I vas ioo aiicniivc io iIc Docior and Iis vifc,
io givc any Iccd io iIis rcqucsi; and ii madc no
imrcssion on anylody clsc; so Mrs. MarllcIam
anicd, siarcd, and fanncd Icrsclf.
'Annic!' said iIc Docior, icndcrly ialing Icr in
Iis Iands. 'My dcar! If any unavoidallc cIangc
Ias comc, in iIc scqucncc of iimc, uon our mar-
ricd lifc, you arc noi io llamc. TIc fauli is minc,
and only minc. TIcrc is no cIangc in my affcciion,
admiraiion, and rcscci. I visI io malc you Iay.
I iruly lovc and Ionour you. Fisc, Annic, ray!'
Dui sIc did noi risc. Aficr looling ai Iim for a
liiilc vIilc, sIc sanl dovn closcr io Iim, laid
Icr arm across Iis lncc, and droing Icr Icad
uon ii, said:
'If I Iavc any fricnd Icrc, vIo can scal onc
vord for mc, or for my Iusland in iIis maiicr;
if I Iavc any fricnd Icrc, vIo can givc a voicc io
any susicion iIai my Icari Ias somciimcs
vIiscrcd io mc; if I Iavc any fricnd Icrc, vIo
Ionours my Iusland, or Ias cvcr carcd for mc,
and Ias anyiIing viiIin Iis lnovlcdgc, no
maiicr vIai ii is, iIai may Icl io mcdiaic lc-
ivccn us, I imlorc iIai fricnd io scal!'
TIcrc vas a rofound silcncc. Aficr a fcv
momcnis of ainful Icsiiaiion, I lrolc iIc si-
lcncc.
'Mrs. Sirong,' I said, 'iIcrc is somciIing viiIin
my lnovlcdgc, vIicI I Iavc lccn carncsily cn-
ircaicd ly Docior Sirong io conccal, and Iavc
conccalcd uniil ionigIi. Dui, I lclicvc iIc iimc
Ias comc vIcn ii vould lc misialcn faiiI and
dclicacy io conccal ii any longcr, and vIcn your
acal alsolvcs mc from Iis injunciion.'
SIc iurncd Icr facc iovards mc for a momcni,
and I lncv iIai I vas rigIi. I could noi Iavc
278
rcsisicd iis cnircaiy, if iIc assurancc iIai ii gavc
mc Iad lccn lcss convincing.
'Our fuiurc cacc,' sIc said, 'may lc in your
Iands. I irusi ii confidcnily io your noi su-
rcssing anyiIing. I lnov lcforcIand iIai noiI-
ing you, or anyonc, can icll mc, vill sIov my
Iusland's nollc Icari in any oiIcr ligIi iIan
onc. Hovsocvcr ii may sccm io you io ioucI
mc, disrcgard iIai. I vill scal for mysclf, lc-
forc Iim, and lcforc God aficrvards.'
TIus carncsily lcsougIi, I madc no rcfcrcncc
io iIc Docior for Iis crmission, lui, viiIoui
any oiIcr comromisc of iIc iruiI iIan a liiilc
soficning of iIc coarscncss of UriaI Hcc, rc-
laicd lainly vIai Iad asscd in iIai samc room
iIai nigIi. TIc siaring of Mrs. MarllcIam dur-
ing iIc vIolc narraiion, and iIc sIrill, sIar
inicrjcciions viiI vIicI sIc occasionally inicr-
ruicd ii, dcfy dcscriiion.
WIcn I Iad finisIcd, Annic rcmaincd, for somc
fcv momcnis, silcni, viiI Icr Icad lcni dovn,
as I Iavc dcscrilcd. TIcn, sIc iool iIc Docior's
Iand (Ic vas siiiing in iIc samc aiiiiudc as
vIcn vc Iad cnicrcd iIc room}, and rcsscd ii
io Icr lrcasi, and lisscd ii. Mr. Dicl sofily
raiscd Icr; and sIc siood, vIcn sIc lcgan io
scal, lcaning on Iim, and looling dovn uon
Icr Iuslandfrom vIom sIc ncvcr iurncd Icr
cycs.
'All iIai Ias cvcr lccn in my mind, sincc I
vas marricd,' sIc said in a lov, sulmissivc, icn-
dcr voicc, 'I vill lay larc lcforc you. I could noi
livc and Iavc onc rcscrvaiion, lnoving vIai I
lnov nov.'
'Nay, Annic,' said iIc Docior, mildly, 'I Iavc
ncvcr doulicd you, my cIild. TIcrc is no nccd;
indccd iIcrc is no nccd, my dcar.'
'TIcrc is grcai nccd,' sIc ansvcrcd, in iIc
samc vay, 'iIai I sIould ocn my vIolc Icari
lcforc iIc soul of gcncrosiiy and iruiI, vIom,
ycar ly ycar, and day ly day, I Iavc lovcd and
vcncraicd morc and morc, as Hcavcn lnovs!'
279
'Fcally,' inicrruicd Mrs. MarllcIam, 'if I Iavc
any discrciion ai all -'
('WIicI you Iavcn'i, you Marloi,' olscrvcd
my auni, in an indignani vIiscr.}
'I musi lc crmiiicd io olscrvc iIai ii can-
noi lc rcquisiic io cnicr inio iIcsc dciails.'
'No onc lui my Iusland can judgc of iIai,
mama,' said Annic viiIoui rcmoving Icr cycs
from Iis facc, 'and Ic vill Icar mc. If I say any-
iIing io givc you ain, mama, forgivc mc. I Iavc
lornc ain firsi, oficn and long, mysclf.'
'Uon my vord!' gascd Mrs. MarllcIam.
'WIcn I vas vcry young,' said Annic, 'quiic a
liiilc cIild, my firsi associaiions viiI lnovlcdgc
of any lind vcrc inscarallc from a aiicni
fricnd and icacIcriIc fricnd of my dcad fa-
iIcrvIo vas alvays dcar io mc. I can rcmcm-
lcr noiIing iIai I lnov, viiIoui rcmcmlcring
Iim. Hc siorcd my mind viiI iis firsi ircasurcs,
and siamcd Iis cIaracicr uon iIcm all. TIcy
ncvcr could Iavc lccn, I iIinl, as good as iIcy
Iavc lccn io mc, if I Iad ialcn iIcm from any
oiIcr Iands.'
'Malcs Icr moiIcr noiIing!' cclaimcd Mrs.
MarllcIam.
'Noi so mama,' said Annic; 'lui I malc Iim
vIai Ic vas. I musi do iIai. As I grcv u, Ic
occuicd iIc samc lacc siill. I vas roud of
Iis inicrcsi: dccly, fondly, graicfully aiiacIcd
io Iim. I loolcd u io Iim, I can Iardly dcscrilc
Iovas a faiIcr, as a guidc, as onc vIosc
raisc vas diffcrcni from all oiIcr raisc, as onc
in vIom I could Iavc irusicd and confidcd, if I
Iad doulicd all iIc vorld. You lnov, mama,
Iov young and inccricnccd I vas, vIcn you
rcscnicd Iim lcforc mc, of a suddcn, as a
lovcr.'
'I Iavc mcniioncd iIc faci, fifiy iimcs ai lcasi,
io cvcrylody Icrc!' said Mrs. MarllcIam.
('TIcn Iold your ionguc, for iIc Lord's salc,
and don'i mcniion ii any morc!' muiicrcd my
auni.}
280
'Ii vas so grcai a cIangc: so grcai a loss, I fcli
ii, ai firsi,' said Annic, siill rcscrving iIc samc
lool and ionc, 'iIai I vas agiiaicd and dis-
ircsscd. I vas lui a girl; and vIcn so grcai a
cIangc camc in iIc cIaracicr in vIicI I Iad so
long loolcd u io Iim, I iIinl I vas sorry. Dui
noiIing could Iavc madc Iim vIai Ic uscd io
lc again; and I vas roud iIai Ic sIould iIinl
mc so voriIy, and vc vcrc marricd.'
'Ai Saini AlIagc, Canicrlury,' olscrvcd
Mrs. MarllcIam.
('Confound iIc voman!' said my auni, 'sIc
uon`t lc quici!'}
'I ncvcr iIougIi,' rocccdcd Annic, viiI a
IcigIicncd colour, 'of any vorldly gain iIai my
Iusland vould lring io mc. My young Icari
Iad no room in iis Iomagc for any sucI oor
rcfcrcncc. Mama, forgivc mc vIcn I say iIai ii
vas you vIo firsi rcscnicd io my mind iIc
iIougIi iIai anyonc could vrong mc, and vrong
Iim, ly sucI a crucl susicion.'
'Mc!' cricd Mrs. MarllcIam.
('AI! You, io lc surc!' olscrvcd my auni, 'and
you can'i fan ii avay, my miliiary fricnd!'}
'Ii vas iIc firsi unIaincss of my ncv lifc,'
said Annic. 'Ii vas iIc firsi occasion of cvcry
unIay momcni I Iavc lnovn. TIcsc momcnis
Iavc lccn morc, of laic, iIan I can couni; lui
noimy gcncrous Iusland!noi for iIc rca-
son you suosc; for in my Icari iIcrc is noi a
iIougIi, a rccollcciion, or a Ioc, iIai any ovcr
could scaraic from you!'
SIc raiscd Icr cycs, and clascd Icr Iands,
and loolcd as lcauiiful and iruc, I iIougIi, as
any Sirii. TIc Docior loolcd on Icr, Icncc-
foriI, as sicadfasily as sIc on Iim.
'Mama is llamclcss,' sIc vcni on, 'of Iaving
cvcr urgcd you for Icrsclf, and sIc is llamclcss
in inicniion cvcry vay, I am surc,lui vIcn I
sav Iov many imoriunaic claims vcrc rcsscd
uon you in my namc; Iov you vcrc iradcd on
in my namc; Iov gcncrous you vcrc, and Iov
281
Mr. Wiclficld, vIo Iad your vclfarc vcry mucI
ai Icari, rcscnicd ii; iIc firsi scnsc of my co-
surc io iIc mcan susicion iIai my icndcrncss
vas lougIiand sold io you, of all mcn on
cariIfcll uon mc lilc unmcriicd disgracc, in
vIicI I forccd you io ariiciaic. I cannoi icll
you vIai ii vasmama cannoi imaginc vIai ii
vasio Iavc iIis drcad and iroullc alvays on
my mind, yci lnov in my ovn soul iIai on my
marriagc-day I crovncd iIc lovc and Ionour of
my lifc!'
'A sccimcn of iIc iIanls onc gcis,' cricd Mrs.
MarllcIam, in icars, 'for ialing carc of onc's
family! I visI I vas a Turl!'
('I visI you vcrc, viiI all my Icariand in
your naiivc couniry!' said my auni.}
'Ii vas ai iIai iimc iIai mama vas mosi so-
liciious aloui my Cousin Maldon. I Iad lilcd
Iim': sIc solc sofily, lui viiIoui any Icsiia-
iion: 'vcry mucI. Wc Iad lccn liiilc lovcrs oncc.
If circumsianccs Iad noi Iacncd oiIcrvisc,
I migIi Iavc comc io crsuadc mysclf iIai I rc-
ally lovcd Iim, and migIi Iavc marricd Iim,
and lccn mosi vrcicIcd. TIcrc can lc no dis-
ariiy in marriagc lilc unsuiialiliiy of mind and
urosc.'
I ondcrcd on iIosc vords, cvcn vIilc I vas
siudiously aiicnding io vIai follovcd, as if iIcy
Iad somc ariicular inicrcsi, or somc sirangc
alicaiion iIai I could noi divinc. 'TIcrc can
lc no disariiy in marriagc lilc unsuiialiliiy of
mind and urosc''no disariiy in marriagc
lilc unsuiialiliiy of mind and urosc.'
'TIcrc is noiIing,' said Annic, 'iIai vc Iavc in
common. I Iavc long found iIai iIcrc is noiI-
ing. If I vcrc iIanlful io my Iusland for no
morc, insicad of for so mucI, I sIould lc iIanl-
ful io Iim for Iaving savcd mc from iIc firsi
misialcn imulsc of my undiscilincd Icari.'
SIc siood quiic siill, lcforc iIc Docior, and
solc viiI an carncsincss iIai iIrillcd mc. Yci
Icr voicc vas jusi as quici as lcforc.
282
'WIcn Ic vas vaiiing io lc iIc oljcci of your
munificcncc, so frccly lcsiovcd for my salc,
and vIcn I vas unIay in iIc mcrccnary
sIac I vas madc io vcar, I iIougIi ii vould
Iavc lccomc Iim lciicr io Iavc vorlcd Iis ovn
vay on. I iIougIi iIai if I Iad lccn Ic, I vould
Iavc iricd io do ii, ai iIc cosi of almosi any
IardsIi. Dui I iIougIi no vorsc of Iim, uniil
iIc nigIi of Iis dcariurc for India. TIai nigIi I
lncv Ic Iad a falsc and iIanllcss Icari. I sav
a doullc mcaning, iIcn, in Mr. Wiclficld's scru-
iiny of mc. I crccivcd, for iIc firsi iimc, iIc
darl susicion iIai sIadovcd my lifc.'
'Susicion, Annic!' said iIc Docior. 'No, no, no!'
'In your mind iIcrc vas nonc, I lnov, my Ius-
land!' sIc rciurncd. 'And vIcn I camc io you,
iIai nigIi, io lay dovn all my load of sIamc
and gricf, and lncv iIai I Iad io icll iIai, un-
dcrncaiI your roof, onc of my ovn lindrcd, io
vIom you Iad lccn a lcncfacior, for iIc lovc of
mc, Iad solcn io mc vords iIai sIould Iavc
found no uiicrancc, cvcn if I Iad lccn iIc vcal
and mcrccnary vrcicI Ic iIougIi mcmy mind
rcvolicd from iIc iaini iIc vcry ialc convcycd.
Ii dicd uon my lis, and from iIai Iour iill
nov Ias ncvcr asscd iIcm.'
Mrs. MarllcIam, viiI a sIori groan, lcancd
lacl in Icr casy-cIair; and rciircd lcIind Icr
fan, as if sIc vcrc ncvcr coming oui any morc.
'I Iavc ncvcr, lui in your rcscncc, inicr-
cIangcd a vord viiI Iim from iIai iimc; iIcn,
only vIcn ii Ias lccn ncccssary for iIc avoid-
ancc of iIis clanaiion. Ycars Iavc asscd
sincc Ic lncv, from mc, vIai Iis siiuaiion Icrc
vas. TIc lindncsscs you Iavc sccrcily donc for
Iis advanccmcni, and iIcn discloscd io mc, for
my surrisc and lcasurc, Iavc lccn, you vill
lclicvc, lui aggravaiions of iIc unIaincss
and lurdcn of my sccrci.'
SIc sunl dovn gcnily ai iIc Docior's fcci,
iIougI Ic did Iis uimosi io rcvcni Icr; and
said, looling u, icarfully, inio Iis facc:
283
'Do noi scal io mc yci! Lci mc say a liiilc
morc! FigIi or vrong, if iIis vcrc io lc donc
again, I iIinl I sIould do jusi iIc samc. You
ncvcr can lnov vIai ii vas io lc dcvoicd io
you, viiI iIosc old associaiions; io find iIai
anyonc could lc so Iard as io suosc iIai iIc
iruiI of my Icari vas laricrcd avay, and io lc
surroundcd ly acaranccs confirming iIai
lclicf. I vas vcry young, and Iad no adviscr.
Dcivccn mama and mc, in all rclaiing io you,
iIcrc vas a vidc division. If I sIrunl inio my-
sclf, Iiding iIc disrcscci I Iad undcrgonc, ii
vas lccausc I Ionourcd you so mucI, and so
mucI visIcd iIai you sIould Ionour mc!'
'Annic, my urc Icari!' said iIc Docior, 'my
dcar girl!'
'A liiilc morc! a vcry fcv vords morc! I uscd io
iIinl iIcrc vcrc so many vIom you migIi Iavc
marricd, vIo vould noi Iavc lrougIi sucI
cIargc and iroullc on you, and vIo vould Iavc
madc your Iomc a voriIicr Iomc. I uscd io lc
afraid iIai I Iad lciicr Iavc rcmaincd your
uil, and almosi your cIild. I uscd io fcar iIai
I vas so unsuiicd io your lcarning and visdom.
If all iIis madc mc sIrinl viiIin mysclf (as in-
dccd ii did}, vIcn I Iad iIai io icll, ii vas siill
lccausc I Ionourcd you so mucI, and Iocd
iIai you migIi onc day Ionour mc.'
'TIai day Ias sIonc iIis long iimc, Annic,'
said iIc Docior, and can Iavc lui onc long
nigIi, my dcar.'
'AnoiIcr vord! I aficrvards mcanisicadfasily
mcani, and uroscd io mysclfio lcar iIc
vIolc vcigIi of lnoving iIc unvoriIincss of
onc io vIom you Iad lccn so good. And nov a
lasi vord, dcarcsi and lcsi of fricnds! TIc causc
of iIc laic cIangc in you, vIicI I Iavc sccn
viiI so mucI ain and sorrov, and Iavc somc-
iimcs rcfcrrcd io my old arcIcnsionai oiIcr
iimcs io lingcring suosiiions ncarcr io iIc
iruiIIas lccn madc clcar ionigIi; and ly an
accidcni I Iavc also comc io lnov, ionigIi, iIc
284
full mcasurc of your nollc irusi in mc, cvcn
undcr iIai misialc. I do noi Ioc iIai any lovc
and duiy I may rcndcr in rciurn, vill cvcr malc
mc voriIy of your ricclcss confidcncc; lui viiI
all iIis lnovlcdgc frcsI uon mc, I can lifi my
cycs io iIis dcar facc, rcvcrcd as a faiIcr's, lovcd
as a Iusland's, sacrcd io mc in my cIildIood
as a fricnd's, and solcmnly dcclarc iIai in my
ligIicsi iIougIi I Iavc ncvcr vrongcd you; ncvcr
vavcrcd in iIc lovc and iIc fidcliiy I ovc you!'
SIc Iad Icr arms around iIc Docior's nccl,
and Ic lcani Iis Icad dovn ovcr Icr, mingling
Iis grcy Iair viiI Icr darl lrovn ircsscs.
'OI, Iold mc io your Icari, my Iusland! Ncvcr
casi mc oui! Do noi iIinl or scal of disariiy
lcivccn us, for iIcrc is nonc, ccci in all my
many imcrfcciions. Evcry succccding ycar I
Iavc lnovn iIis lciicr, as I Iavc csiccmcd you
morc and morc. OI, ialc mc io your Icari, my
Iusland, for my lovc vas foundcd on a rocl,
and ii cndurcs!'
In iIc silcncc iIai cnsucd, my auni vallcd
gravcly u io Mr. Dicl, viiIoui ai all Iurrying
Icrsclf, and gavc Iim a Iug and a sounding
liss. And ii vas vcry foriunaic, viiI a vicv io
Iis crcdii, iIai sIc did so; for I am confidcni
iIai I dciccicd Iim ai iIai momcni in iIc aci of
maling rcaraiions io siand on onc lcg, as an
aroriaic crcssion of dcligIi.
'You arc a vcry rcmarlallc man, Dicl!' said
my auni, viiI an air of unqualificd arola-
iion; 'and ncvcr rcicnd io lc anyiIing clsc, for
I lnov lciicr!'
WiiI iIai, my auni ullcd Iim ly iIc slccvc,
and noddcd io mc; and vc iIrcc siolc quicily
oui of iIc room, and camc avay.
'TIai's a sciilcr for our miliiary fricnd, ai any
raic,' said my auni, on iIc vay Iomc. 'I sIould
slcc iIc lciicr for iIai, if iIcrc vas noiIing
clsc io lc glad of!'
'SIc vas quiic ovcrcomc, I am afraid,' said
Mr. Dicl, viiI grcai commiscraiion.
285
'WIai! Did you cvcr scc a crocodilc ovcrcomc?'
inquircd my auni.
'I don'i iIinl I cvcr sav a crocodilc,' rciurncd
Mr. Dicl, mildly.
'TIcrc ncvcr vould Iavc lccn anyiIing iIc
maiicr, if ii Iadn'i lccn for iIai old Animal,'
said my auni, viiI sirong cmIasis. 'Ii's vcry
mucI io lc visIcd iIai somc moiIcrs vould
lcavc iIcir daugIicrs alonc aficr marriagc, and
noi lc so violcnily affcciionaic. TIcy sccm io
iIinl iIc only rciurn iIai can lc madc iIcm
for lringing an unforiunaic young voman inio
iIc vorldGod llcss my soul, as if sIc aslcd
io lc lrougIi, or vanicd io comc!is full lil-
criy io vorry Icr oui of ii again. WIai arc you
iIinling of, Troi?'
I vas iIinling of all iIai Iad lccn said. My
mind vas siill running on somc of iIc crcs-
sions uscd. 'TIcrc can lc no disariiy in mar-
riagc lilc unsuiialiliiy of mind and urosc.' 'TIc
firsi misialcn imulsc of an undiscilincd Icari.'
'My lovc vas foundcd on a rocl.' Dui vc vcrc
ai Iomc; and iIc iroddcn lcavcs vcrc lying un-
dcr-fooi, and iIc auiumn vind vas lloving.
CHAPTER 46
InteIIIgence
I MUST HAVE DEEN MAFFIED, if I may irusi io my
imcrfcci mcmory for daics, aloui a ycar or so,
vIcn onc cvcning, as I vas rciurning from a
soliiary vall, iIinling of iIc lool I vas iIcn
vriiingfor my succcss Iad sicadily incrcascd
viiI my sicady alicaiion, and I vas cngagcd
ai iIai iimc uon my firsi vorl of ficiionI camc
asi Mrs. SiccrforiI's Iousc. I Iad oficn asscd
ii lcforc, during my rcsidcncc in iIai
ncigIlourIood, iIougI ncvcr vIcn I could
cIoosc anoiIcr road. Hovlcii, ii did somciimcs
Iacn iIai ii vas noi casy io find anoiIcr,
viiIoui maling a long circuii; and so I Iad
asscd iIai vay, uon iIc vIolc, rciiy oficn.
286
I Iad ncvcr donc morc iIan glancc ai iIc
Iousc, as I vcni ly viiI a quiclcncd sic. Ii
Iad lccn uniformly gloomy and dull. Nonc of
iIc lcsi rooms aluiicd on iIc road; and iIc
narrov, Icavily-framcd old-fasIioncd vindovs,
ncvcr cIccrful undcr any circumsianccs, loolcd
vcry dismal, closc sIui, and viiI iIcir llinds
alvays dravn dovn. TIcrc vas a covcrcd vay
across a liiilc avcd couri, io an cnirancc iIai
vas ncvcr uscd; and iIcrc vas onc round siair-
casc vindov, ai odds viiI all iIc rcsi, and iIc
only onc unsIadcd ly a llind, vIicI Iad iIc
samc unoccuicd llanl lool. I do noi rcmcm-
lcr iIai I cvcr sav a ligIi in all iIc Iousc. If I
Iad lccn a casual asscr-ly, I sIould Iavc
rolally suoscd iIai somc cIildlcss crson
lay dcad in ii. If I Iad Iaily osscsscd no
lnovlcdgc of iIc lacc, and Iad sccn ii oficn in
iIai cIangclcss siaic, I sIould Iavc lcascd my
fancy viiI many ingcnious scculaiions, I darc
say.
As ii vas, I iIougIi as liiilc of ii as I migIi.
Dui my mind could noi go ly ii and lcavc ii, as
my lody did; and ii usually avalcncd a long
irain of mcdiiaiions. Coming lcforc mc, on iIis
ariicular cvcning iIai I mcniion, minglcd viiI
iIc cIildisI rccollcciions and laicr fancics, iIc
gIosis of Ialf-formcd Iocs, iIc lrolcn sIad-
ovs of disaoinimcnis dimly sccn and undcr-
siood, iIc llcnding of ccricncc and imagina-
iion, incidcnial io iIc occuaiion viiI vIicI
my iIougIis Iad lccn lusy, ii vas morc iIan
commonly suggcsiivc. I fcll inio a lrovn siudy
as I vallcd on, and a voicc ai my sidc madc mc
siari.
Ii vas a voman's voicc, ioo. I vas noi long in
rccollcciing Mrs. SiccrforiI's liiilc arlour-maid,
vIo Iad formcrly vorn lluc rillons in Icr ca.
SIc Iad ialcn iIcm oui nov, io adai Icrsclf,
I suosc, io iIc alicrcd cIaracicr of iIc Iousc;
and vorc lui onc or ivo disconsolaic lovs of
solcr lrovn.
287
'If you lcasc, sir, vould you Iavc iIc good-
ncss io vall in, and scal io Miss Darilc?'
'Has Miss Darilc scni you for mc?' I inquircd.
'Noi ionigIi, sir, lui ii's jusi iIc samc. Miss
Darilc sav you ass a nigIi or ivo ago; and I
vas io sii ai vorl on iIc siaircasc, and vIcn I
sav you ass again, io asl you io sic in and
scal io Icr.'
I iurncd lacl, and inquircd of my conducior,
as vc vcni along, Iov Mrs. SiccrforiI vas. SIc
said Icr lady vas lui oorly, and lci Icr ovn
room a good dcal.
WIcn vc arrivcd ai iIc Iousc, I vas dirccicd
io Miss Darilc in iIc gardcn, and lcfi io malc
my rcscncc lnovn io Icr mysclf. SIc vas sii-
iing on a scai ai onc cnd of a lind of icrracc,
ovcrlooling iIc grcai ciiy. Ii vas a somlrc
cvcning, viiI a lurid ligIi in iIc sly; and as I
sav iIc roscci scovling in iIc disiancc, viiI
Icrc and iIcrc somc largcr oljcci siariing u
inio iIc sullcn glarc, I fancicd ii vas no inai
comanion io iIc mcmory of iIis ficrcc voman.
SIc sav mc as I advanccd, and rosc for a mo-
mcni io rcccivc mc. I iIougIi Icr, iIcn, siill
morc colourlcss and iIin iIan vIcn I Iad sccn
Icr lasi; iIc flasIing cycs siill lrigIicr, and iIc
scar siill laincr.
Our mcciing vas noi cordial. Wc Iad aricd
angrily on iIc lasi occasion; and iIcrc vas an
air of disdain aloui Icr, vIicI sIc iool no ains
io conccal.
'I am iold you visI io scal io mc, Miss
Darilc,' said I, sianding ncar Icr, viiI my Iand
uon iIc lacl of iIc scai, and dcclining Icr
gcsiurc of inviiaiion io sii dovn.
'If you lcasc,' said sIc. 'Fray Ias iIis girl lccn
found?'
'No.'
'And yci sIc Ias run avay!'
I sav Icr iIin lis vorling vIilc sIc loolcd
ai mc, as if iIcy vcrc cagcr io load Icr viiI
rcroacIcs.
288
'Fun avay?' I rccaicd.
'Ycs! From Iim,' sIc said, viiI a laugI. 'If sIc
is noi found, crIas sIc ncvcr vill lc found.
SIc may lc dcad!'
TIc vauniing crucliy viiI vIicI sIc mci my
glancc, I ncvcr sav crcsscd in any oiIcr facc
iIai cvcr I Iavc sccn.
'To visI Icr dcad,' said I, 'may lc iIc lindcsi
visI iIai onc of Icr ovn sc could lcsiov uon
Icr. I am glad iIai iimc Ias soficncd you so
mucI, Miss Darilc.'
SIc condcsccndcd io malc no rcly, lui, iurn-
ing on mc viiI anoiIcr scornful laugI, said:
'TIc fricnds of iIis cccllcni and mucI-injurcd
young lady arc fricnds of yours. You arc iIcir
cIamion, and asscri iIcir rigIis. Do you visI
io lnov vIai is lnovn of Icr?'
'Ycs,' said I.
SIc rosc viiI an ill-favourcd smilc, and ial-
ing a fcv sics iovards a vall of Iolly iIai vas
ncar ai Iand, dividing iIc lavn from a liicIcn-
gardcn, said, in a loudcr voicc, 'Comc Icrc!'
as if sIc vcrc calling io somc unclcan lcasi.
'You vill rcsirain any dcmonsiraiivc cIami-
onsIi or vcngcancc in iIis lacc, of coursc,
Mr. Cocrficld?' said sIc, looling ovcr Icr
sIouldcr ai mc viiI iIc samc crcssion.
I inclincd my Icad, viiIoui lnoving vIai sIc
mcani; and sIc said, 'Comc Icrc!' again; and
rciurncd, follovcd ly iIc rcscciallc Mr.
Liiiimcr, vIo, viiI undiminisIcd rcsccialil-
iiy, madc mc a lov, and iool u Iis osiiion
lcIind Icr. TIc air of viclcd gracc: of iriumI,
in vIicI, sirangc io say, iIcrc vas yci somc-
iIing fcmininc and alluring: viiI vIicI sIc rc-
clincd uon iIc scai lcivccn us, and loolcd ai
mc, vas voriIy of a crucl Frinccss in a Lcgcnd.
'Nov,' said sIc, imcriously, viiIoui glanc-
ing ai Iim, and ioucIing iIc old vound as ii
iIrollcd: crIas, in iIis insiancc, viiI lca-
surc raiIcr iIan ain. 'Tcll Mr. Cocrficld
aloui iIc fligIi.'
289
'Mr. Jamcs and mysclf, ma'am'
'Don'i addrcss yoursclf io mc!' sIc inicrruicd
viiI a frovn.
'Mr. Jamcs and mysclf, sir'
'Nor io mc, if you lcasc,' said I.
Mr. Liiiimcr, viiIoui lcing ai all discomoscd,
significd ly a sligIi olcisancc, iIai anyiIing
iIai vas mosi agrccallc io us vas mosi agrcc-
allc io Iim; and lcgan again.
'Mr. Jamcs and mysclf Iavc lccn alroad viiI
iIc young voman, cvcr sincc sIc lcfi YarmouiI
undcr Mr. jamcs's roicciion. Wc Iavc lccn in
a variciy of laccs, and sccn a dcal of forcign
couniry. Wc Iavc lccn in Francc, Sviizcrland,
Iialy, in faci, almosi all aris.'
Hc loolcd ai iIc lacl of iIc scai, as if Ic vcrc
addrcssing Iimsclf io iIai; and sofily laycd
uon ii viiI Iis Iands, as if Ic vcrc siriling
cIords uon a duml iano.
'Mr. Jamcs iool quiic uncommonly io iIc
young voman; and vas morc sciilcd, for a lcngiI
of iimc, iIan I Iavc lnovn Iim io lc sincc I
Iavc lccn in Iis scrvicc. TIc young voman vas
vcry imrovallc, and solc iIc languagcs; and
vouldn'i Iavc lccn lnovn for iIc samc coun-
iry-crson. I noiiccd iIai sIc vas mucI admircd
vIcrcvcr vc vcni.'
Miss Darilc ui Icr Iand uon Icr sidc. I sav Iim
sical a glancc ai Icr, and sligIily smilc io Iimsclf.
'Vcry mucI admircd, indccd, iIc young
voman vas. WIai viiI Icr drcss; vIai viiI
iIc air and sun; vIai viiI lcing madc so mucI
of; vIai viiI iIis, iIai, and iIc oiIcr; Icr mcr-
iis rcally aiiracicd gcncral noiicc.'
Hc madc a sIori ausc. Hcr cycs vandcrcd
rcsilcssly ovcr iIc disiani roscci, and sIc lii
Icr nciIcr li io sio iIai lusy mouiI.
Taling Iis Iands from iIc scai, and lacing
onc of iIcm viiIin iIc oiIcr, as Ic sciilcd Iim-
sclf on onc lcg, Mr. Liiiimcr rocccdcd, viiI Iis
cycs casi dovn, and Iis rcscciallc Icad a liiilc
advanccd, and a liiilc on onc sidc:
290
'TIc young voman vcni on in iIis manncr for
somc iimc, lcing occasionally lov in Icr siriis,
uniil I iIinl sIc lcgan io vcary Mr. Jamcs ly
giving vay io Icr lov siriis and icmcrs of iIai
lind; and iIings vcrc noi so comforiallc. Mr.
Jamcs Ic lcgan io lc rcsilcss again. TIc morc
rcsilcss Ic goi, iIc vorsc sIc goi; and I musi
say, for mysclf, iIai I Iad a vcry difficuli iimc of
ii indccd lcivccn iIc ivo. Siill maiicrs vcrc
aicIcd u Icrc, and madc good iIcrc, ovcr and
ovcr again; and aliogciIcr lasicd, I am surc, for
a longcr iimc iIan anylody could Iavc cccicd.'
Fccalling Icr cycs from iIc disiancc, sIc
loolcd ai mc again nov, viiI Icr formcr air.
Mr. Liiiimcr, clcaring Iis iIroai lcIind Iis Iand
viiI a rcscciallc sIori cougI, cIangcd lcgs,
and vcni on:
'Ai lasi, vIcn iIcrc Iad lccn, uon iIc vIolc,
a good many vords and rcroacIcs, Mr. Jamcs
Ic sci off onc morning, from iIc ncigIlourIood
of Nalcs, vIcrc vc Iad a villa (iIc young voman
lcing vcry ariial io iIc sca}, and, undcr rc-
icncc of coming lacl in a day or so, lcfi ii in
cIargc viiI mc io lrcal ii oui, iIai, for iIc gcn-
cral Iaincss of all conccrncd, Ic vas'Icrc
an inicrruiion of iIc sIori cougI'gonc. Dui
Mr. Jamcs, I musi say, ccriainly did lcIavc c-
ircmcly Ionourallc; for Ic rooscd iIai iIc
young voman sIould marry a vcry rcscciallc
crson, vIo vas fully rcarcd io ovcrlool iIc
asi, and vIo vas, ai lcasi, as good as anylody
iIc young voman could Iavc asircd io in a rcgu-
lar vay: Icr conncions lcing vcry common.'
Hc cIangcd lcgs again, and vciicd Iis lis. I
vas convinccd iIai iIc scoundrcl solc of Iim-
sclf, and I sav my conviciion rcflccicd in Miss
Darilc's facc.
'TIis I also Iad ii in cIargc io communicaic. I
vas villing io do anyiIing io rclicvc Mr. Jamcs
from Iis difficuliy, and io rcsiorc Iarmony lc-
ivccn Iimsclf and an affcciionaic arcni, vIo
Ias undcrgonc so mucI on Iis accouni. TIcrc-
291
forc I undcriool iIc commission. TIc young
voman's violcncc vIcn sIc camc io, aficr I
lrolc iIc faci of Iis dcariurc, vas lcyond all
ccciaiions. SIc vas quiic mad, and Iad io
lc Icld ly forcc; or, if sIc couldn'i Iavc goi io a
lnifc, or goi io iIc sca, sIc'd Iavc lcaicn Icr
Icad againsi iIc marllc floor.'
Miss Darilc, lcaning lacl uon iIc scai, viiI
a ligIi of culiaiion in Icr facc, sccmcd almosi
io carcss iIc sounds iIis fcllov Iad uiicrcd.
'Dui vIcn I camc io iIc sccond ari of vIai Iad
lccn cnirusicd io mc,' said Mr. Liiiimcr, rulling
Iis Iands uncasily, 'vIicI anylody migIi Iavc
suoscd vould Iavc lccn, ai all cvcnis, arcci-
aicd as a lind inicniion, iIcn iIc young voman
camc oui in Icr iruc colours. A morc ouiragcous
crson I ncvcr did scc. Hcr conduci vas surris-
ingly lad. SIc Iad no morc graiiiudc, no morc fccl-
ing, no morc aiicncc, no morc rcason in Icr, iIan
a siocl or a sionc. If I Iadn'i lccn uon my guard,
I am convinccd sIc vould Iavc Iad my llood.'
'I iIinl iIc lciicr of Icr for ii,' said I, indig-
nanily.
Mr. Liiiimcr lcni Iis Icad, as mucI as io say,
'Indccd, sir? Dui you'rc young!' and rcsumcd
Iis narraiivc.
'Ii vas ncccssary, in sIori, for a iimc, io ialc
avay cvcryiIing nigI Icr, iIai sIc could do
Icrsclf, or anylody clsc, an injury viiI, and io
sIui Icr u closc. NoiviiIsianding vIicI, sIc
goi oui in iIc nigIi; forccd iIc laiiicc of a vin-
dov, iIai I Iad nailcd u mysclf; drocd on a
vinc iIai vas irailcd lclov; and ncvcr Ias lccn
sccn or Icard of, io my lnovlcdgc, sincc.'
'SIc is dcad, crIas,' said Miss Darilc, viiI
a smilc, as if sIc could Iavc surncd iIc lody
of iIc ruincd girl.
'SIc may Iavc drovncd Icrsclf, miss,' rc-
iurncd Mr. Liiiimcr, caicIing ai an ccusc for
addrcssing Iimsclf io somclody. 'Ii's vcry os-
sillc. Or, sIc may Iavc Iad assisiancc from
iIc loaimcn, and iIc loaimcn's vivcs and
292
cIildrcn. Dcing givcn io lov comany, sIc vas
vcry mucI in iIc Ialii of ialling io iIcm on
iIc lcacI, Miss Darilc, and siiiing ly iIcir
loais. I Iavc lnovn Icr do ii, vIcn Mr. Jamcs
Ias lccn avay, vIolc days. Mr. Jamcs vas
far from lcascd io find oui, oncc, iIai sIc
Iad iold iIc cIildrcn sIc vas a loaiman's
daugIicr, and iIai in Icr ovn couniry, long
ago, sIc Iad roamcd aloui iIc lcacI, lilc
iIcm.'
OI, Emily! UnIay lcauiy! WIai a iciurc
rosc lcforc mc of Icr siiiing on iIc far-off sIorc,
among iIc cIildrcn lilc Icrsclf vIcn sIc vas
innoccni, lisicning io liiilc voiccs sucI as migIi
Iavc callcd Icr MoiIcr Iad sIc lccn a oor
man's vifc; and io iIc grcai voicc of iIc sca,
viiI iis cicrnal 'Ncvcr morc!'
'WIcn ii vas clcar iIai noiIing could lc donc,
Miss Darilc'
'Did I icll you noi io scal io mc?' sIc said,
viiI sicrn conicmi.
'You solc io mc, miss,' Ic rclicd. 'I lcg your
ardon. Dui ii is my scrvicc io olcy.'
'Do your scrvicc,' sIc rciurncd. 'FinisI your
siory, and go!'
'WIcn ii vas clcar,' Ic said, viiI infiniic rc-
sccialiliiy and an olcdicni lov, 'iIai sIc vas
noi io lc found, I vcni io Mr. Jamcs, ai iIc lacc
vIcrc ii Iad lccn agrccd iIai I sIould vriic io
Iim, and informcd Iim of vIai Iad occurrcd.
Words asscd lcivccn us in conscqucncc, and I
fcli ii duc io my cIaracicr io lcavc Iim. I could
lcar, and I Iavc lornc, a grcai dcal from Mr.
Jamcs; lui Ic insulicd mc ioo far. Hc Iuri mc.
Knoving iIc unforiunaic diffcrcncc lcivccn Iim-
sclf and Iis moiIcr, and vIai Icr aniciy of mind
vas lilcly io lc, I iool iIc lilcriy of coming Iomc
io England, and rclaiing'
'For moncy vIicI I aid Iim,' said Miss Darilc
io mc.
'Jusi so, ma'amand rclaiing vIai I lncv. I
am noi avarc,' said Mr. Liiiimcr, aficr a
293
momcni's rcflcciion, 'iIai iIcrc is anyiIing clsc.
I am ai rcscni oui of cmloymcni, and sIould
lc Iay io mcci viiI a rcscciallc siiuaiion.'
Miss Darilc glanccd ai mc, as iIougI sIc
vould inquirc if iIcrc vcrc anyiIing iIai I dc-
sircd io asl. As iIcrc vas somciIing vIicI Iad
occurrcd io my mind, I said in rcly:
'I could visI io lnov from iIiscrcaiurc,' I
could noi lring mysclf io uiicr any morc con-
ciliaiory vord, 'vIciIcr iIcy inicrccicd a lci-
icr iIai vas vriiicn io Icr from Iomc, or
vIciIcr Ic suoscs iIai sIc rcccivcd ii.'
Hc rcmaincd calm and silcni, viiI Iis cycs
ficd on iIc ground, and iIc ii of cvcry fingcr
of Iis rigIi Iand dclicaicly oiscd againsi iIc
ii of cvcry fingcr of Iis lcfi.
Miss Darilc iurncd Icr Icad disdainfully io-
vards Iim.
'I lcg your ardon, miss,' Ic said, avalcning
from Iis alsiraciion, 'lui, Iovcvcr sulmissivc
io you, I Iavc my osiiion, iIougI a scrvani.
Mr. Cocrficld and you, miss, arc diffcrcni
colc. If Mr. Cocrficld visIcs io lnov any-
iIing from mc, I ialc iIc lilcriy of rcminding
Mr. Cocrficld iIai Ic can ui a qucsiion io
mc. I Iavc a cIaracicr io mainiain.'
Aficr a momcniary sirugglc viiI mysclf, I iurncd
my cycs uon Iim, and said, 'You Iavc Icard my
qucsiion. Considcr ii addrcsscd io yoursclf, if you
cIoosc. WIai ansvcr do you malc?'
'Sir,' Ic rcjoincd, viiI an occasional scara-
iion and rcunion of iIosc dclicaic iis, 'my an-
svcr musi lc qualificd; lccausc, io lciray Mr.
jamcs's confidcncc io Iis moiIcr, and io lciray
ii io you, arc ivo diffcrcni aciions. Ii is noi rol-
allc, I considcr, iIai Mr. Jamcs vould cncour-
agc iIc rcccii of lciicrs lilcly io incrcasc lov
siriis and unlcasanincss; lui furiIcr iIan
iIai, sir, I sIould visI io avoid going.'
'Is iIai all?' inquircd Miss Darilc of mc.
I indicaicd iIai I Iad noiIing morc io say.
'Ecci,' I addcd, as I sav Iim moving off, 'iIai
294
I undcrsiand iIis fcllov's ari in iIc viclcd
siory, and iIai, as I sIall malc ii lnovn io iIc
Ioncsi man vIo Ias lccn Icr faiIcr from Icr
cIildIood, I vould rccommcnd Iim io avoid
going ioo mucI inio ullic.'
Hc Iad siocd iIc momcni I lcgan, and Iad
lisicncd viiI Iis usual rcosc of manncr.
'TIanl you, sir. Dui you'll ccusc mc if I say,
sir, iIai iIcrc arc nciiIcr slavcs nor slavc-driv-
crs in iIis couniry, and iIai colc arc noi al-
lovcd io ialc iIc lav inio iIcir ovn Iands. If
iIcy do, ii is morc io iIcir ovn cril, I lclicvc,
iIan io oiIcr colc's. Conscqucnily scaling,
I am noi ai all afraid of going vIcrcvcr I may
visI, sir.'
WiiI iIai, Ic madc a oliic lov; and, viiI
anoiIcr io Miss Darilc, vcni avay iIrougI iIc
arcI in iIc vall of Iolly ly vIicI Ic Iad comc.
Miss Darilc and I rcgardcd cacI oiIcr for a liiilc
vIilc in silcncc; Icr manncr lcing cacily vIai
ii vas, vIcn sIc Iad roduccd iIc man.
'Hc says lcsidcs,' sIc olscrvcd, viiI a slov
curling of Icr li, 'iIai Iis masicr, as Ic Icars,
is coasiing Sain; and iIis donc, is avay io
graiify Iis scafaring iasics iill Ic is vcary. Dui
iIis is of no inicrcsi io you. Dcivccn iIcsc ivo
roud crsons, moiIcr and son, iIcrc is a vidcr
lrcacI iIan lcforc, and liiilc Ioc of iis Ical-
ing, for iIcy arc onc ai Icari, and iimc malcs
cacI morc olsiinaic and imcrious. NciiIcr is
iIis of any inicrcsi io you; lui ii iniroduccs vIai
I visI io say. TIis dcvil vIom you malc an
angcl of. I mcan iIis lov girl vIom Ic iclcd
oui of iIc iidc-mud,' viiI Icr llacl cycs full
uon mc, and Icr assionaic fingcr u, 'may
lc alivc,for I lclicvc somc common iIings arc
Iard io dic. If sIc is, you vill dcsirc io Iavc a
carl of sucI ricc found and ialcn carc of. Wc
dcsirc iIai, ioo; iIai Ic may noi ly any cIancc
lc madc Icr rcy again. So far, vc arc uniicd
in onc inicrcsi; and iIai is vIy I, vIo vould do
Icr any miscIicf iIai so coarsc a vrcicI is ca-
295
allc of fccling, Iavc scni for you io Icar vIai
you Iavc Icard.'
I sav, ly iIc cIangc in Icr facc, iIai somc-
onc vas advancing lcIind mc. Ii vas Mrs.
SiccrforiI, vIo gavc mc Icr Iand morc coldly
iIan of yorc, and viiI an augmcniaiion of Icr
formcr siaiclincss of manncr, lui siill, I cr-
ccivcdand I vas ioucIcd ly iiviiI an incf-
faccallc rcmcmlrancc of my old lovc for Icr son.
SIc vas grcaily alicrcd. Hcr finc figurc vas far
lcss urigIi, Icr Iandsomc facc vas dccly
marlcd, and Icr Iair vas almosi vIiic. Dui
vIcn sIc sai dovn on iIc scai, sIc vas a Iand-
somc lady siill; and vcll I lncv iIc lrigIi cyc
viiI iis lofiy lool, iIai Iad lccn a ligIi in my
vcry drcams ai scIool.
'Is Mr. Cocrficld informcd of cvcryiIing,
Fosa?'
'Ycs.'
'And Ias Ic Icard Liiiimcr Iimsclf?'
'Ycs; I Iavc iold Iim vIy you visIcd ii.'
'You arc a good girl. I Iavc Iad somc sligIi
corrcsondcncc viiI your formcr fricnd, sir,' ad-
drcssing mc, 'lui ii Ias noi rcsiorcd Iis scnsc
of duiy or naiural olligaiion. TIcrcforc I Iavc
no oiIcr oljcci in iIis, iIan vIai Fosa Ias
mcniioncd. If, ly iIc coursc vIicI may rclicvc
iIc mind of iIc dcccni man you lrougIi Icrc
(for vIom I am sorryI can say no morc}, my
son may lc savcd from again falling inio iIc
snarcs of a dcsigning cncmy, vcll!'
SIc drcv Icrsclf u, and sai looling siraigIi
lcforc Icr, far avay.
'Madam,' I said rcsccifully, 'I undcrsiand. I
assurc you I am in no dangcr of uiiing any
siraincd consiruciion on your moiivcs. Dui I
musi say, cvcn io you, Iaving lnovn iIis in-
jurcd family from cIildIood, iIai if you su-
osc iIc girl, so dccly vrongcd, Ias noi lccn
cruclly dcludcd, and vould noi raiIcr dic a Iun-
drcd dcaiIs iIan ialc a cu of vaicr from your
son's Iand nov, you cIcrisI a icrrillc misialc.'
296
'Wcll, Fosa, vcll!' said Mrs. SiccrforiI, as iIc
oiIcr vas aloui io inicrosc, 'ii is no maiicr.
Lci ii lc. You arc marricd, sir, I am iold?'
I ansvcrcd iIai I Iad lccn somc iimc mar-
ricd.
'And arc doing vcll? I Icar liiilc in iIc quici
lifc I lcad, lui I undcrsiand you arc lcginning
io lc famous.'
'I Iavc lccn vcry foriunaic,' I said, 'and find
my namc connccicd viiI somc raisc.'
'You Iavc no moiIcr?'in a soficncd voicc.
'No.'
'Ii is a iiy,' sIc rciurncd. 'SIc vould Iavc
lccn roud of you. Good nigIi!'
I iool iIc Iand sIc Icld oui viiI a dignificd,
unlcnding air, and ii vas as calm in minc as if
Icr lrcasi Iad lccn ai cacc. Hcr ridc could
siill iis vcry ulscs, ii acarcd, and drav iIc
lacid vcil lcforc Icr facc, iIrougI vIicI sIc
sai looling siraigIi lcforc Icr on iIc far dis-
iancc.
As I movcd avay from iIcm along iIc icrracc, I
could noi Icl olscrving Iov sicadily iIcy loiI
sai gazing on iIc roscci, and Iov ii iIiclcncd
and closcd around iIcm. Hcrc and iIcrc, somc
carly lams vcrc sccn io ivinllc in iIc disiani
ciiy; and in iIc casicrn quaricr of iIc sly iIc lurid
ligIi siill Iovcrcd. Dui, from iIc grcaicr ari of iIc
lroad vallcy inicroscd, a misi vas rising lilc a
sca, vIicI, mingling viiI iIc darlncss, madc ii
sccm as if iIc gaiIcring vaicrs vould cncomass
iIcm. I Iavc rcason io rcmcmlcr iIis, and iIinl
of ii viiI avc; for lcforc I loolcd uon iIosc ivo
again, a siormy sca Iad riscn io iIcir fcci.
Fcflcciing on vIai Iad lccn iIus iold mc, I
fcli ii rigIi iIai ii sIould lc communicaicd io
Mr. Fcggoiiy. On iIc folloving cvcning I vcni
inio London in qucsi of Iim. Hc vas alvays van-
dcring aloui from lacc io lacc, viiI Iis onc
oljcci of rccovcring Iis niccc lcforc Iim; lui
vas morc in London iIan clscvIcrc. Oficn and
oficn, nov, Iad I sccn Iim in iIc dcad of nigIi
297
assing along iIc sirccis, scarcIing, among iIc
fcv vIo loiicrcd oui of doors ai iIosc uniimcly
Iours, for vIai Ic drcadcd io find.
Hc lci a lodging ovcr iIc liiilc cIandlcr's sIo
in Hungcrford Marlci, vIicI I Iavc Iad occa-
sion io mcniion morc iIan oncc, and from vIicI
Ic firsi vcni foriI uon Iis crrand of mcrcy.
HiiIcr I dirccicd my vall. On maling inquiry
for Iim, I lcarncd from iIc colc of iIc Iousc
iIai Ic Iad noi gonc oui yci, and I sIould find
Iim in Iis room usiairs.
Hc vas siiiing rcading ly a vindov in vIicI
Ic lci a fcv lanis. TIc room vas vcry ncai
and ordcrly. I sav in a momcni iIai ii vas al-
vays lci rcarcd for Icr rccciion, and iIai
Ic ncvcr vcni oui lui Ic iIougIi ii ossillc Ic
migIi lring Icr Iomc. Hc Iad noi Icard my
ia ai iIc door, and only raiscd Iis cycs vIcn I
laid my Iand uon Iis sIouldcr.
'Mas'r Davy! TIanlcc, sir! iIanlcc Icariy, for
iIis visii! Sii yc dovn. You'rc lindly vclcomc, sir!'
'Mr. Fcggoiiy,' said I, ialing iIc cIair Ic
Iandcd mc, 'don'i ccci mucI! I Iavc Icard
somc ncvs.'
'Of Em'ly!'
Hc ui Iis Iand, in a ncrvous manncr, on Iis
mouiI, and iurncd alc, as Ic ficd Iis cycs on minc.
'Ii givcs no cluc io vIcrc sIc is; lui sIc is noi
viiI Iim.'
Hc sai dovn, looling inicnily ai mc, and lis-
icncd in rofound silcncc io all I Iad io icll. I
vcll rcmcmlcr iIc scnsc of digniiy, lcauiy cvcn,
viiI vIicI iIc aiicni graviiy of Iis facc im-
rcsscd mc, vIcn, Iaving gradually rcmovcd
Iis cycs from minc, Ic sai looling dovnvard,
lcaning Iis forcIcad on Iis Iand. Hc offcrcd no
inicrruiion, lui rcmaincd iIrougIoui crfccily
siill. Hc sccmcd io ursuc Icr figurc iIrougI
iIc narraiivc, and io lci cvcry oiIcr sIac go ly
Iim, as if ii vcrc noiIing.
WIcn I Iad donc, Ic sIadcd Iis facc, and con-
iinucd silcni. I loolcd oui of iIc vindov for a
298
liiilc vIilc, and occuicd mysclf viiI iIc lanis.
'Hov do you farc io fccl aloui ii, Mas'r Davy?'
Ic inquircd ai lcngiI.
'I iIinl iIai sIc is living,' I rclicd.
'I docn'i lnov. Maylc iIc firsi sIocl vas ioo rougI,
and in iIc vildncss of Icr ari! TIai iIcrc lluc
vaicr as sIc uscd io scal on. Could sIc Iavc iIovi
o' iIai so many ycar, lccausc ii vas io lc Icr gravc!'
Hc said iIis, musing, in a lov, frigIicncd voicc;
and vallcd across iIc liiilc room.
'And yci,' Ic addcd, 'Mas'r Davy, I Iavc fcli so
surc as sIc vas livingI Iavc lnov'd, avalc
and slccing, as ii vas so ircv iIai I sIould
find IcrI Iavc lccn so lcd on ly ii, and Icld
u ly iiiIai I docn'i lclicvc I can Iavc lccn
dcccivcd. No! Em'ly's alivc!'
Hc ui Iis Iand dovn firmly on iIc iallc, and
sci Iis sunlurni facc inio a rcsoluic crcssion.
'My niccc, Em'ly, is alivc, sir!' Ic said, sicad-
fasily. 'I docn'i lnov vIccr ii comcs from, or
Iov 'iis, lui I am iold as sIc's alivc!'
Hc loolcd almosi lilc a man insircd, as Ic said
ii. I vaiicd for a fcv momcnis, uniil Ic could givc
mc Iis undividcd aiicniion; and iIcn rocccdcd
io clain iIc rccauiion, iIai, ii Iad occurrcd io
mc lasi nigIi, ii vould lc visc io ialc.
'Nov, my dcar fricnd' I lcgan.
'TIanlcc, iIanlcc, lind sir,' Ic said, gras-
ing my Iand in loiI of Iis.
'If sIc sIould malc Icr vay io London, vIicI
is lilclyfor vIcrc could sIc losc Icrsclf so
rcadily as in iIis vasi ciiy; and vIai vould sIc
visI io do, lui losc and Iidc Icrsclf, if sIc docs
noi go Iomc?'
'And sIc von'i go Iomc,' Ic inicroscd, sIal-
ing Iis Icad mournfully. 'If sIc Iad lcfi of Icr
ovn accord, sIc migIi; noi as Ii vas, sir.'
'If sIc sIould comc Icrc,' said I, 'I lclicvc iIcrc
is onc crson, Icrc, morc lilcly io discovcr Icr
iIan any oiIcr in iIc vorld. Do you rcmcm-
lcrIcar vIai I say, viiI foriiiudciIinl of
your grcai oljcci!do you rcmcmlcr MariIa?'
299
'Of our iovn?'
I nccdcd no oiIcr ansvcr iIan Iis facc.
'Do you lnov iIai sIc is in London?'
'I Iavc sccn Icr in iIc sirccis,' Ic ansvcrcd,
viiI a sIivcr.
'Dui you don'i lnov,' said I, 'iIai Emily vas
cIariiallc io Icr, viiI Ham's Icl, long lcforc
sIc flcd from Iomc. Nor, iIai, vIcn vc mci onc
nigIi, and solc iogciIcr in iIc room yondcr,
ovcr iIc vay, sIc lisicncd ai iIc door.'
'Mas'r Davy!' Ic rclicd in asionisImcni. 'TIai
nigIi vIcn ii sncv so Iard?'
'TIai nigIi. I Iavc ncvcr sccn Icr sincc. I vcni
lacl, aficr ariing from you, io scal io Icr,
lui sIc vas gonc. I vas unvilling io mcniion
Icr io you iIcn, and I am nov; lui sIc is iIc
crson of vIom I scal, and viiI vIom I iIinl
vc sIould communicaic. Do you undcrsiand?'
'Too vcll, sir,' Ic rclicd. Wc Iad sunl our
voiccs, almosi io a vIiscr, and coniinucd io
scal in iIai ionc.
'You say you Iavc sccn Icr. Do you iIinl iIai
you could find Icr? I could only Ioc io do so
ly cIancc.'
'I iIinl, Mas'r Davy, I lnov vIccr io lool.'
'Ii is darl. Dcing iogciIcr, sIall vc go oui nov,
and iry io find Icr ionigIi?'
Hc asscnicd, and rcarcd io accomany mc.
WiiIoui acaring io olscrvc vIai Ic vas do-
ing, I sav Iov carcfully Ic adjusicd iIc liiilc
room, ui a candlc rcady and iIc mcans of ligIi-
ing ii, arrangcd iIc lcd, and finally iool oui of
a dravcr onc of Icr drcsscs (I rcmcmlcr io Iavc
sccn Icr vcar ii}, ncaily foldcd viiI somc oiIcr
garmcnis, and a lonnci, vIicI Ic laccd uon
a cIair. Hc madc no allusion io iIcsc cloiIcs,
nciiIcr did I. TIcrc iIcy Iad lccn vaiiing for
Icr, many and many a nigIi, no douli.
'TIc iimc vas, Mas'r Davy,' Ic said, as vc camc
dovnsiairs, 'vIcn I iIovi iIis girl, MariIa,
a'mosi lilc iIc diri undcrncaiI my Em'ly's fcci.
God forgivc mc, iIccr's a diffcrcncc nov!'
300
As vc vcni along, arily io Iold Iim in con-
vcrsaiion, and arily io saiisfy mysclf, I aslcd
Iim aloui Ham. Hc said, almosi in iIc samc
vords as formcrly, iIai Ham vas jusi iIc samc,
'vcaring avay Iis lifc viiI licndcr no carc
noIov for 'i; lui ncvcr murmuring, and lilcd
ly all'.
I aslcd Iim vIai Ic iIougIi Ham's siaic of
mind vas, in rcfcrcncc io iIc causc of iIcir mis-
foriuncs? WIciIcr Ic lclicvcd ii vas dangcrous?
WIai Ic suoscd, for camlc, Ham vould do,
if Ic and SiccrforiI cvcr sIould cncounicr?
'I docn'i lnov, sir,' Ic rclicd. 'I Iavc iIovi of
ii oficniimcs, lui I can'i avizc mysclf of ii, no
maiicrs.'
I rccallcd io Iis rcmcmlrancc iIc morning af-
icr Icr dcariurc, vIcn vc vcrc all iIrcc on
iIc lcacI. 'Do you rccollcci,' said I, 'a ccriain
vild vay in vIicI Ic loolcd oui io sca, and
solc aloui iIc cnd of ii"?'
'Surc I do!' said Ic.
'WIai do you suosc Ic mcani?'
'Mas'r Davy,' Ic rclicd, 'I'vc ui iIc qucsiion
io mysclf a mori o' iimcs, and ncvcr found no
ansvcr. And iIccr's onc curious iIing iIai,
iIougI Ic is so lcasani, I vouldn'i farc io fccl
comforiallc io iry and gci Iis mind uon 'i. Hc
ncvcr said a vurcd io mc as varn'i as dooiiful
as dooiiful could lc, and ii ain'i lilcly as Ic'd
lcgin io scal any oiIcr vays nov; lui ii's fur
from lcing flcci vaicr in Iis mind, vIcrc iIcm
iIovis lays. Ii's dcc, sir, and I can'i scc dovn.'
'You arc rigIi,' said I, 'and iIai Ias somciimcs
madc mc anious.'
'And mc ioo, Mas'r Davy,' Ic rcjoincd. 'Evcn
morc so, I do assurc you, iIan Iis vcnicrsomc
vays, iIougI loiI lclongs io iIc alicraiion in
Iim. I docn'i lnov as Ic'd do violcncc undcr
any circumsianccs, lui I Ioc as iIcm ivo may
lc lc asundcrs.'
Wc Iad comc, iIrougI Tcmlc Dar, inio iIc
ciiy. Convcrsing no morc nov, and valling ai
301
my sidc, Ic yicldcd Iimsclf u io iIc onc aim of
Iis dcvoicd lifc, and vcni on, viiI iIai IusIcd
conccniraiion of Iis faculiics vIicI vould Iavc
madc Iis figurc soliiary in a muliiiudc. Wc vcrc
noi far from Dlaclfriars Dridgc, vIcn Ic iurncd
Iis Icad and oinicd io a soliiary fcmalc figurc
fliiiing along iIc oosiic sidc of iIc sircci. I
lncv ii, rcadily, io lc iIc figurc iIai vc sougIi.
Wc crosscd iIc road, and vcrc rcssing on
iovards Icr, vIcn ii occurrcd io mc iIai sIc
migIi lc morc disoscd io fccl a voman's in-
icrcsi in iIc losi girl, if vc solc io Icr in a
quicicr lacc, aloof from iIc crovd, and vIcrc
vc sIould lc lcss olscrvcd. I adviscd my com-
anion, iIcrcforc, iIai vc sIould noi addrcss
Icr yci, lui follov Icr; consuliing in iIis, lilc-
visc, an indisiinci dcsirc I Iad, io lnov vIcrc
sIc vcni.
Hc acquicscing, vc follovcd ai a disiancc:
ncvcr losing sigIi of Icr, lui ncvcr caring io
comc vcry ncar, as sIc frcqucnily loolcd aloui.
Oncc, sIc siocd io lisicn io a land of music;
and iIcn vc siocd ioo.
SIc vcni on a long vay. Siill vc vcni on. Ii
vas cvidcni, from iIc manncr in vIicI sIc Icld
Icr coursc, iIai sIc vas going io somc ficd
dcsiinaiion; and iIis, and Icr lccing in iIc
lusy sirccis, and I suosc iIc sirangc fasci-
naiion in iIc sccrccy and mysicry of so follov-
ing anyonc, madc mc adIcrc io my firsi ur-
osc. Ai lcngiI sIc iurncd inio a dull, darl
sircci, vIcrc iIc noisc and crovd vcrc losi; and
I said, 'Wc may scal io Icr nov'; and, mcnd-
ing our acc, vc vcni aficr Icr.
CHAPTER 4?
MARTHA
WE WEFE NOW DOWN in Wcsiminsicr. Wc Iad
iurncd lacl io follov Icr, Iaving cncounicrcd
Icr coming iovards us; and Wcsiminsicr Al-
lcy vas iIc oini ai vIicI sIc asscd from iIc
302
ligIis and noisc of iIc lcading sirccis. SIc ro-
cccdcd so quiclly, vIcn sIc goi frcc of iIc ivo
currcnis of asscngcrs sciiing iovards and from
iIc lridgc, iIai, lcivccn iIis and iIc advancc
sIc Iad of us vIcn sIc sirucl off, vc vcrc in
iIc narrov vaicr-sidc sircci ly Milllanl lcforc
vc camc u viiI Icr. Ai iIai momcni sIc
crosscd iIc road, as if io avoid iIc fooisics
iIai sIc Icard so closc lcIind; and, viiIoui
looling lacl, asscd on cvcn morc raidly.
A glimsc of iIc rivcr iIrougI a dull gaicvay,
vIcrc somc vaggons vcrc Iouscd for iIc nigIi,
sccmcd io arrcsi my fcci. I ioucIcd my com-
anion viiIoui scaling, and vc loiI forlorc
io cross aficr Icr, and loiI follovcd on iIai
oosiic sidc of iIc vay; lccing as quicily as
vc could in iIc sIadov of iIc Iouscs, lui lcc-
ing vcry ncar Icr.
TIcrc vas, and is vIcn I vriic, ai iIc cnd of
iIai lov-lying sircci, a dilaidaicd liiilc voodcn
luilding, rolally an olsolcic old fcrry-Iousc.
Iis osiiion is jusi ai iIai oini vIcrc iIc sircci
ccascs, and iIc road lcgins io lic lcivccn a
rov of Iouscs and iIc rivcr. As soon as sIc camc
Icrc, and sav iIc vaicr, sIc siocd as if sIc
Iad comc io Icr dcsiinaiion; and rcscnily vcni
slovly along ly iIc lrinl of iIc rivcr, looling
inicnily ai ii.
All iIc vay Icrc, I Iad suoscd iIai sIc vas
going io somc Iousc; indccd, I Iad vagucly cn-
icriaincd iIc Ioc iIai iIc Iousc migIi lc in
somc vay associaicd viiI iIc losi girl. Dui iIai
onc darl glimsc of iIc rivcr, iIrougI iIc gaic-
vay, Iad insiinciivcly rcarcd mc for Icr go-
ing no fariIcr.
TIc ncigIlourIood vas a drcary onc ai iIai
iimc; as orcssivc, sad, and soliiary ly nigIi,
as any aloui London. TIcrc vcrc nciiIcr
vIarvcs nor Iouscs on iIc mclancIoly vasic
of road ncar iIc grcai llanl Frison. A sluggisI
diicI dcosiicd iis mud ai iIc rison valls.
Coarsc grass and ranl vccds siragglcd ovcr all
303
iIc marsIy land in iIc viciniiy. In onc ari, car-
cascs of Iouscs, inausiciously lcgun and ncvcr
finisIcd, roiicd avay. In anoiIcr, iIc ground
vas cumlcrcd viiI rusiy iron monsicrs of
sicam-loilcrs, vIccls, cranls, ics, furnaccs,
addlcs, ancIors, diving-lclls, vindmill-sails,
and I lnov noi vIai sirangc oljccis, accumu-
laicd ly somc scculaior, and grovclling in iIc
dusi, undcrncaiI vIicIIaving sunl inio iIc
soil of iIcir ovn vcigIi in vci vcaiIcriIcy
Iad iIc acarancc of vainly irying io Iidc
iIcmsclvcs. TIc clasI and glarc of sundry ficry
Worls uon iIc rivcr-sidc, arosc ly nigIi io
disiurl cvcryiIing ccci iIc Icavy and unlro-
lcn smolc iIai ourcd oui of iIcir cIimncys.
Slimy gas and causcvays, vinding among old
voodcn ilcs, viiI a siclly sulsiancc clinging
io iIc laiicr, lilc grccn Iair, and iIc rags of lasi
ycar's Iandlills offcring rcvards for drovncd
mcn fluiicring alovc IigI-vaicr marl, lcd dovn
iIrougI iIc oozc and slusI io iIc cll-iidc.
TIcrc vas a siory iIai onc of iIc iis dug for
iIc dcad in iIc iimc of iIc Grcai Flaguc vas
Icrcaloui; and a lligIiing influcncc sccmcd io
Iavc rocccdcd from ii ovcr iIc vIolc lacc. Or
clsc ii loolcd as if ii Iad gradually dccomoscd
inio iIai nigIimarc condiiion, oui of iIc
ovcrflovings of iIc olluicd sircam.
As if sIc vcrc a ari of iIc rcfusc ii Iad casi
oui, and lcfi io corruiion and dccay, iIc girl
vc Iad follovcd siraycd dovn io iIc rivcr's
lrinl, and siood in iIc midsi of iIis nigIi-ic-
iurc, loncly and siill, looling ai iIc vaicr.
TIcrc vcrc somc loais and largcs asirand in
iIc mud, and iIcsc cnallcd us io comc viiIin
a fcv yards of Icr viiIoui lcing sccn. I iIcn
signcd io Mr. Fcggoiiy io rcmain vIcrc Ic vas,
and cmcrgcd from iIcir sIadc io scal io Icr. I
did noi aroacI Icr soliiary figurc viiIoui
ircmlling; for iIis gloomy cnd io Icr dcicrmincd
vall, and iIc vay in vIicI sIc siood, almosi
viiIin iIc cavcrnous sIadov of iIc iron lridgc,
304
looling ai iIc ligIis croolcdly rcflccicd in iIc
sirong iidc, insircd a drcad viiIin mc.
I iIinl sIc vas ialling io Icrsclf. I am surc,
aliIougI alsorlcd in gazing ai iIc vaicr, iIai
Icr sIavl vas off Icr sIouldcrs, and iIai sIc
vas muffling Icr Iands in ii, in an unsciilcd
and lcvildcrcd vay, morc lilc iIc aciion of a
slcc-vallcr iIan a valing crson. I lnov, and
ncvcr can forgci, iIai iIcrc vas iIai in Icr vild
manncr vIicI gavc mc no assurancc lui iIai
sIc vould sinl lcforc my cycs, uniil I Iad Icr
arm viiIin my gras.
Ai iIc samc momcni I said 'MariIa!'
SIc uiicrcd a icrrificd scrcam, and sirugglcd
viiI mc viiI sucI sircngiI iIai I douli if I could
Iavc Icld Icr alonc. Dui a sirongcr Iand iIan
minc vas laid uon Icr; and vIcn sIc raiscd
Icr frigIicncd cycs and sav vIosc ii vas, sIc
madc lui onc morc cffori and drocd dovn
lcivccn us. Wc carricd Icr avay from iIc va-
icr io vIcrc iIcrc vcrc somc dry sioncs, and
iIcrc laid Icr dovn, crying and moaning. In a
liiilc vIilc sIc sai among iIc sioncs, Iolding
Icr vrcicIcd Icad viiI loiI Icr Iands.
'OI, iIc rivcr!' sIc cricd assionaicly. 'OI, iIc
rivcr!'
'HusI, IusI!' said I. 'Calm yoursclf.'
Dui sIc siill rccaicd iIc samc vords, con-
iinually cclaiming, 'OI, iIc rivcr!' ovcr and ovcr
again.
'I lnov ii's lilc mc!' sIc cclaimcd. 'I lnov
iIai I lclong io ii. I lnov iIai ii's iIc naiural
comany of sucI as I am! Ii comcs from coun-
iry laccs, vIcrc iIcrc vas oncc no Iarm in
iiand ii crccs iIrougI iIc dismal sirccis,
dcfilcd and miscrallcand ii gocs avay, lilc
my lifc, io a grcai sca, iIai is alvays iroullcd
and I fccl iIai I musi go viiI ii!' I Iavc ncvcr
lnovn vIai dcsair vas, ccci in iIc ionc of
iIosc vords.
'I can'i lcc avay from ii. I can'i forgci ii. Ii
Iaunis mc day and nigIi. Ii's iIc only iIing in
305
all iIc vorld iIai I am fii for, or iIai's fii for mc.
OI, iIc drcadful rivcr!'
TIc iIougIi asscd iIrougI my mind iIai in
iIc facc of my comanion, as Ic loolcd uon
Icr viiIoui scccI or moiion, I migIi Iavc rcad
Iis niccc's Iisiory, if I Iad lnovn noiIing of ii.
I ncvcr sav, in any ainiing or rcaliiy, Iorror
and comassion so imrcssivcly llcndcd. Hc
sIool as if Ic vould Iavc fallcn; and Iis Iand
I ioucIcd ii viiI my ovn, for Iis acarancc
alarmcd mcvas dcadly cold.
'SIc is in a siaic of frcnzy,' I vIiscrcd io Iim.
'SIc vill scal diffcrcnily in a liiilc iimc.'
I don'i lnov vIai Ic vould Iavc said in an-
svcr. Hc madc somc moiion viiI Iis mouiI,
and sccmcd io iIinl Ic Iad solcn; lui Ic Iad
only oinicd io Icr viiI Iis ouisircicIcd Iand.
A ncv lursi of crying camc uon Icr nov, in
vIicI sIc oncc morc Iid Icr facc among iIc
sioncs, and lay lcforc us, a rosiraic imagc of
Iumiliaiion and ruin. Knoving iIai iIis siaic
musi ass, lcforc vc could scal io Icr viiI
any Ioc, I vcniurcd io rcsirain Iim vIcn Ic
vould Iavc raiscd Icr, and vc siood ly in si-
lcncc uniil sIc lccamc morc iranquil.
'MariIa,' said I iIcn, lcaning dovn, and Icl-
ing Icr io riscsIc sccmcd io vani io risc as if
viiI iIc inicniion of going avay, lui sIc vas
vcal, and lcancd againsi a loai. 'Do you lnov
vIo iIis is, vIo is viiI mc?'
SIc said fainily, 'Ycs.'
'Do you lnov iIai vc Iavc follovcd you a long
vay ionigIi?'
SIc sIool Icr Icad. SIc loolcd nciiIcr ai
Iim nor ai mc, lui siood in a Iumllc aiiiiudc,
Iolding Icr lonnci and sIavl in onc Iand, viiI-
oui acaring conscious of iIcm, and rcssing
iIc oiIcr, clcncIcd, againsi Icr forcIcad.
'Arc you comoscd cnougI,' said I, 'io scal
on iIc suljcci vIicI so inicrcsicd youI Ioc
Hcavcn may rcmcmlcr ii!iIai snovy nigIi?'
Hcr sols lrolc oui afrcsI, and sIc murmurcd
306
somc inariiculaic iIanls io mc for noi Iaving
drivcn Icr avay from iIc door.
'I vani io say noiIing for mysclf,' sIc said,
aficr a fcv momcnis. 'I am lad, I am losi. I Iavc
no Ioc ai all. Dui icll Iim, sir,' sIc Iad sIrunl
avay from Iim, 'if you don'i fccl ioo Iard io mc
io do ii, iIai I ncvcr vas in any vay iIc causc
of Iis misforiunc.'
'Ii Ias ncvcr lccn aiiriluicd io you,' I rciurncd,
carncsily rcsonding io Icr carncsincss.
'Ii vas you, if I don'i dcccivc mysclf,' sIc said, in
a lrolcn voicc, 'iIai camc inio iIc liicIcn, iIc
nigIi sIc iool sucI iiy on mc; vas so gcnilc io
mc; didn'i sIrinl avay from mc lilc all iIc rcsi,
and gavc mc sucI lind Icl! Was ii you, sir?'
'Ii vas,' said I.
'I sIould Iavc lccn in iIc rivcr long ago,' sIc
said, glancing ai ii viiI a icrrillc crcssion, 'if
any vrong io Icr Iad lccn uon my mind. I
ncvcr could Iavc lci oui of ii a singlc vinicr's
nigIi, if I Iad noi lccn frcc of any sIarc in iIai!'
'TIc causc of Icr fligIi is ioo vcll undcrsiood,'
I said. 'You arc innoccni of any ari in ii, vc
iIorougIly lclicvc,vc lnov.'
'OI, I migIi Iavc lccn mucI iIc lciicr for
Icr, if I Iad Iad a lciicr Icari!' cclaimcd iIc
girl, viiI mosi forlorn rcgrci; 'for sIc vas al-
vays good io mc! SIc ncvcr solc a vord io mc
lui vIai vas lcasani and rigIi. Is ii lilcly I
vould iry io malc Icr vIai I am mysclf, lnov-
ing vIai I am mysclf, so vcll? WIcn I losi cv-
cryiIing iIai malcs lifc dcar, iIc vorsi of all
my iIougIis vas iIai I vas aricd for cvcr from
Icr!'
Mr. Fcggoiiy, sianding viiI onc Iand on iIc
gunvalc of iIc loai, and Iis cycs casi dovn,
ui Iis discngagcd Iand lcforc Iis facc.
'And vIcn I Icard vIai Iad Iacncd lcforc
iIai snovy nigIi, from somc lclonging io our
iovn,' cricd MariIa, 'iIc liiicrcsi iIougIi in all
my mind vas, iIai iIc colc vould rcmcmlcr
sIc oncc lci comany viiI mc, and vould say
307
I Iad corruicd Icr! WIcn, Hcavcn lnovs, I
vould Iavc dicd io Iavc lrougIi lacl Icr good
namc!'
Long unuscd io any sclf-conirol, iIc icrcing
agony of Icr rcmorsc and gricf vas icrrillc.
'To Iavc dicd, vould noi Iavc lccn mucI
vIai can I say?I vould Iavc livcd!' sIc cricd.
'I vould Iavc livcd io lc old, in iIc vrcicIcd
sirccisand io vandcr aloui, avoidcd, in iIc
darland io scc iIc day lrcal on iIc gIasily
linc of Iouscs, and rcmcmlcr Iov iIc samc sun
uscd io sIinc inio my room, and valc mc oncc
I vould Iavc donc cvcn iIai, io savc Icr!'
Sinling on iIc sioncs, sIc iool somc in cacI
Iand, and clcncIcd iIcm u, as if sIc vould
Iavc ground iIcm. SIc vriiIcd inio somc ncv
osiurc consianily: siiffcning Icr arms, ivisi-
ing iIcm lcforc Icr facc, as iIougI io sIui oui
from Icr cycs iIc liiilc ligIi iIcrc vas, and
drooing Icr Icad, as if ii vcrc Icavy viiI in-
suoriallc rccollcciions.
'WIai sIall I cvcr do!' sIc said, figIiing iIus viiI
Icr dcsair. 'Hov can I go on as I am, a soliiary cursc
io mysclf, a living disgracc io cvcryonc I comc ncar!'
Suddcnly sIc iurncd io my comanion. 'Siam uon
mc, lill mc! WIcn sIc vas your ridc, you vould
Iavc iIougIi I Iad donc Icr Iarm if I Iad lrusIcd
againsi Icr in iIc sircci. You can'i lclicvcvIy
sIould you?a syllallc iIai comcs oui of my lis. Ii
vould lc a lurning sIamc uon you, cvcn nov, if
sIc and I ccIangcd a vord. I don'i comlain. I don'i
say sIc and I arc alilcI lnov iIcrc is a long, long
vay lcivccn us. I only say, viiI all my guili and
vrcicIcdncss uon my Icad, iIai I am graicful io
Icr from my soul, and lovc Icr. OI, don'i iIinl iIai
all iIc ovcr I Iad of loving anyiIing is quiic vorn
oui! TIrov mc avay, as all iIc vorld docs. Kill mc for
lcing vIai I am, and Iaving cvcr lnovn Icr; lui
don'i iIinl iIai of mc!'
Hc loolcd uon Icr, vIilc sIc madc iIis su-
licaiion, in a vild disiracicd manncr; and,
vIcn sIc vas silcni, gcnily raiscd Icr.
308
'MariIa,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'God forlid as I
sIould judgc you. Forlid as I, of all mcn, sIould
do iIai, my girl! You docn'i lnov Ialf iIc cIangc
iIai's comc, in coursc of iimc, uon mc, vIcn
you iIinl ii lilcly. Wcll!' Ic auscd a momcni,
iIcn vcni on. 'You docn'i undcrsiand Iov 'iis
iIai iIis Icrc gcnilcman and mc Ias visIcd io
scal io you. You docn'i undcrsiand vIai 'iis
vc Ias aforc us. Lisicn nov!'
His influcncc uon Icr vas comlcic. SIc
siood, sIrinlingly, lcforc Iim, as if sIc vcrc
afraid io mcci Iis cycs; lui Icr assionaic sor-
rov vas quiic IusIcd and muic.
'If you Iccrd,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'ovi of vIai
asscd lcivccn Mas'r Davy and mc, iI' nigIi
vIcn ii sncv so Iard, you lnov as I Iavc lccn
vIccr noifur io sccl my dcar niccc. My dcar
niccc,' Ic rccaicd sicadily. 'Fur sIc's morc dcar
io mc nov, MariIa, iIan sIc vas dcar aforc.'
SIc ui Icr Iands lcforc Icr facc; lui oiIcr-
visc rcmaincd quici.
'I Iavc Iccrd Icr icll,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'as
you vas carly lcfi faiIcrlcss and moiIcrlcss,
viiI no fricnd fur io ialc, in a rougI scafaring-
vay, iIcir lacc. Maylc you can gucss iIai if
you'd Iad sucI a fricnd, you'd Iavc goi inio a
vay of lcing fond of Iim in coursc of iimc, and
iIai my niccc vas licndcr daugIicr-lilc io mc.'
As sIc vas silcnily ircmlling, Ic ui Icr sIavl
carcfully aloui Icr, ialing ii u from iIc ground
for iIai urosc.
'WIcrcly,' said Ic, 'I lnov, loiI as sIc vould
go io iIc vurcld's furdcsi cnd viiI mc, if sIc
could oncc scc mc again; and iIai sIc vould
fly io iIc vurcld's furdcsi cnd io lcc off scc-
ing mc. For iIougI sIc ain'i no call io douli
my lovc, and docn'iand docn'i,' Ic rccaicd,
viiI a quici assurancc of iIc iruiI of vIai Ic
said, 'iIcrc's sIamc sics in, and lccs lc-
ivii us.'
I rcad, in cvcry vord of Iis lain imrcssivc
vay of dclivcring Iimsclf, ncv cvidcncc of Iis
309
Iaving iIougIi of iIis onc ioic, in cvcry fca-
iurc ii rcscnicd.
'According io our rccloning,' Ic rocccdcd,
'Mas'r Davy's Icrc, and minc, sIc is lilc, onc
day, io malc Icr ovn oor soliiary coursc io
London. Wc lclicvcMas'r Davy, mc, and all of
usiIai you arc as innoccni of cvcryiIing iIai
Ias lcfcll Icr, as iIc unlorn cIild. You'vc solc
of Icr lcing lcasani, lind, and gcnilc io you.
Dlcss Icr, I lncv sIc vas! I lncv sIc alvays
vas, io all. You'rc iIanlful io Icr, and you lovc
Icr. Hcl us all you can io find Icr, and may
Hcavcn rcvard you!'
SIc loolcd ai Iim Iasiily, and for iIc firsi
iimc, as if sIc vcrc douliful of vIai Ic Iad
said.
'Will you irusi mc?' sIc aslcd, in a lov voicc
of asionisImcni.
'Full and frcc!' said Mr. Fcggoiiy.
'To scal io Icr, if I sIould cvcr find Icr; sIcl-
icr Icr, if I Iavc any sIclicr io dividc viiI Icr;
and iIcn, viiIoui Icr lnovlcdgc, comc io you,
and lring you io Icr?' sIc aslcd Iurricdly.
Wc loiI rclicd iogciIcr, 'Ycs!'
SIc lificd u Icr cycs, and solcmnly dcclarcd
iIai sIc vould dcvoic Icrsclf io iIis iasl, fcr-
vcnily and faiiIfully. TIai sIc vould ncvcr va-
vcr in ii, ncvcr lc divcricd from ii, ncvcr rclin-
quisI ii, vIilc iIcrc vas any cIancc of Ioc. If
sIc vcrc noi iruc io ii, migIi iIc oljcci sIc
nov Iad in lifc, vIicI lound Icr io somciIing
dcvoid of cvil, in iis assing avay from Icr, lcavc
Icr morc forlorn and morc dcsairing, if iIai
vcrc ossillc, iIan sIc Iad lccn uon iIc
rivcr's lrinl iIai nigIi; and iIcn migIi all Icl,
Iuman and Divinc, rcnouncc Icr cvcrmorc!
SIc did noi raisc Icr voicc alovc Icr lrcaiI,
or addrcss us, lui said iIis io iIc nigIi sly;
iIcn siood rofoundly quici, looling ai iIc
gloomy vaicr.
Wc judgcd ii ccdicni, nov, io icll Icr all vc
lncv; vIicI I rccounicd ai lcngiI. SIc lisicncd
310
viiI grcai aiicniion, and viiI a facc iIai oficn
cIangcd, lui Iad iIc samc urosc in all iis
varying crcssions. Hcr cycs occasionally fillcd
viiI icars, lui iIosc sIc rcrcsscd. Ii sccmcd
as if Icr sirii vcrc quiic alicrcd, and sIc could
noi lc ioo quici.
SIc aslcd, vIcn all vas iold, vIcrc vc vcrc
io lc communicaicd viiI, if occasion sIould
arisc. Undcr a dull lam in iIc road, I vroic
our ivo addrcsscs on a lcaf of my oclci-lool,
vIicI I iorc oui and gavc io Icr, and vIicI sIc
ui in Icr oor losom. I aslcd Icr vIcrc sIc
livcd Icrsclf. SIc said, aficr a ausc, in no lacc
long. Ii vcrc lciicr noi io lnov.
Mr. Fcggoiiy suggcsiing io mc, in a vIiscr,
vIai Iad alrcady occurrcd io mysclf, I iool oui
my ursc; lui I could noi rcvail uon Icr io
accci any moncy, nor could I caci any rom-
isc from Icr iIai sIc vould do so ai anoiIcr
iimc. I rcrcscnicd io Icr iIai Mr. Fcggoiiy could
noi lc callcd, for onc in Iis condiiion, oor; and
iIai iIc idca of Icr cngaging in iIis scarcI, vIilc
dccnding on Icr ovn rcsourccs, sIoclcd us
loiI. SIc coniinucd sicadfasi. In iIis ariicu-
lar, Iis influcncc uon Icr vas cqually ovcr-
lcss viiI minc. SIc graicfully iIanlcd Iim lui
rcmaincd incorallc.
'TIcrc may lc vorl io lc goi,' sIc said. 'I'll iry.'
'Ai lcasi ialc somc assisiancc,' I rciurncd, 'un-
iil you Iavc iricd.'
'I could noi do vIai I Iavc romiscd, for
moncy,' sIc rclicd. 'I could noi ialc ii, if I vas
siarving. To givc mc moncy vould lc io ialc
avay your irusi, io ialc avay iIc oljcci iIai
you Iavc givcn mc, io ialc avay iIc only ccr-
iain iIing iIai savcs mc from iIc rivcr.'
'In iIc namc of iIc grcai judgc,' said I, 'lcforc
vIom you and all of us musi siand ai His drcad
iimc, dismiss iIai icrrillc idca! Wc can all do
somc good, if vc vill.'
SIc ircmllcd, and Icr li sIool, and Icr facc
vas alcr, as sIc ansvcrcd:
311
'Ii Ias lccn ui inio your Icaris, crIas, io
savc a vrcicIcd crcaiurc for rccniancc. I am
afraid io iIinl so; ii sccms ioo lold. If any good
sIould comc of mc, I migIi lcgin io Ioc; for
noiIing lui Iarm Ias cvcr comc of my dccds
yci. I am io lc irusicd, for iIc firsi iimc in a
long vIilc, viiI my miscrallc lifc, on accouni
of vIai you Iavc givcn mc io iry for. I lnov no
morc, and I can say no morc.'
Again sIc rcrcsscd iIc icars iIai Iad lcgun
io flov; and, uiiing oui Icr ircmlling Iand,
and ioucIing Mr. Fcggoiiy, as if iIcrc vas somc
Icaling viriuc in Iim, vcni avay along iIc dcso-
laic road. SIc Iad lccn ill, rolally for a long
iimc. I olscrvcd, uon iIai closcr ooriuniiy
of olscrvaiion, iIai sIc vas vorn and Iaggard,
and iIai Icr sunlcn cycs crcsscd rivaiion
and cndurancc.
Wc follovcd Icr ai a sIori disiancc, our vay
lying in iIc samc dircciion, uniil vc camc lacl
inio iIc ligIicd and oulous sirccis. I Iad sucI
imlicii confidcncc in Icr dcclaraiion, iIai I iIcn
ui ii io Mr. Fcggoiiy, vIciIcr ii vould noi sccm,
in iIc onsci, lilc disirusiing Icr, io follov Icr
any fariIcr. Hc lcing of iIc samc mind, and
cqually rcliani on Icr, vc suffcrcd Icr io ialc
Icr ovn road, and iool ours, vIicI vas iovards
HigIgaic. Hc accomanicd mc a good ari of
iIc vay; and vIcn vc aricd, viiI a raycr for
iIc succcss of iIis frcsI cffori, iIcrc vas a ncv
and iIougIiful comassion in Iim iIai I vas ai
no loss io inicrrci.
Ii vas midnigIi vIcn I arrivcd ai Iomc. I Iad
rcacIcd my ovn gaic, and vas sianding lisicn-
ing for iIc dcc lcll of Si. Faul's, iIc sound of
vIicI I iIougIi Iad lccn lornc iovards mc
among iIc muliiiudc of siriling clocls, vIcn I
vas raiIcr surriscd io scc iIai iIc door of my
auni's coiiagc vas ocn, and iIai a faini ligIi
in iIc cniry vas sIining oui across iIc road.
TIinling iIai my auni migIi Iavc rclascd
inio onc of Icr old alarms, and migIi lc vaicI-
312
ing iIc rogrcss of somc imaginary conflagra-
iion in iIc disiancc, I vcni io scal io Icr. Ii
vas viiI vcry grcai surrisc iIai I sav a man
sianding in Icr liiilc gardcn.
Hc Iad a glass and loiilc in Iis Iand, and
vas in iIc aci of drinling. I siocd sIori,
among iIc iIicl foliagc ouisidc, for iIc moon
vas u nov, iIougI olscurcd; and I rccognizcd
iIc man vIom I Iad oncc suoscd io lc a
dclusion of Mr. Dicl's, and Iad oncc cncoun-
icrcd viiI my auni in iIc sirccis of iIc ciiy.
Hc vas caiing as vcll as drinling, and sccmcd
io cai viiI a Iungry aciiic. Hc sccmcd curi-
ous rcgarding iIc coiiagc, ioo, as if ii vcrc iIc
firsi iimc Ic Iad sccn ii. Aficr siooing io ui
iIc loiilc on iIc ground, Ic loolcd u ai iIc
vindovs, and loolcd aloui; iIougI viiI a co-
vcri and imaiicni air, as if Ic vas anious io
lc gonc.
TIc ligIi in iIc assagc vas olscurcd for a
momcni, and my auni camc oui. SIc vas agi-
iaicd, and iold somc moncy inio Iis Iand. I
Icard ii cIinl.
'WIai's iIc usc of iIis?' Ic dcmandcd.
'I can sarc no morc,' rciurncd my auni.
'TIcn I can'i go,' said Ic. 'Hcrc! You may ialc
ii lacl!'
'You lad man,' rciurncd my auni, viiI grcai
cmoiion; 'Iov can you usc mc so? Dui vIy do I
asl? Ii is lccausc you lnov Iov vcal I am!
WIai Iavc I io do, io frcc mysclf for cvcr of your
visiis, lui io alandon you io your dcscris?'
'And vIy don'i you alandon mc io my
dcscris?' said Ic.
'You asl mc vIy!' rciurncd my auni. 'WIai a
Icari you musi Iavc!'
Hc siood moodily raiiling iIc moncy, and
sIaling Iis Icad, uniil ai lcngiI Ic said:
'Is iIis all you mcan io givc mc, iIcn?'
'Ii is all I cun givc you,' said my auni. 'You
lnov I Iavc Iad losscs, and am oorcr iIan I
uscd io lc. I Iavc iold you so. Having goi ii,
313
vIy do you givc mc iIc ain of looling ai you
for anoiIcr momcni, and sccing vIai you Iavc
lccomc?'
'I Iavc lccomc sIally cnougI, if you mcan
iIai,' Ic said. 'I lcad iIc lifc of an ovl.'
'You siricd mc of iIc grcaicr ari of all I
cvcr Iad,' said my auni. 'You closcd my Icari
againsi iIc vIolc vorld, ycars and ycars. You
ircaicd mc falscly, ungraicfully, and cruclly. Go,
and rccni of ii. Don'i add ncv injurics io iIc
long, long lisi of injurics you Iavc donc mc!'
'Ayc!' Ic rciurncd. 'Ii's all vcry fincWcll! I musi
do iIc lcsi I can, for iIc rcscni, I suosc.'
In siic of Iimsclf, Ic acarcd alasIcd ly
my auni's indignani icars, and camc sloucIing
oui of iIc gardcn. Taling ivo or iIrcc quicl
sics, as if I Iad jusi comc u, I mci Iim ai iIc
gaic, and vcni in as Ic camc oui. Wc cycd onc
anoiIcr narrovly in assing, and viiI no favour.
'Auni,' said I, Iurricdly. 'TIis man alarming
you again! Lci mc scal io Iim. WIo is Ic?'
'CIild,' rciurncd my auni, ialing my arm,
'comc in, and don'i scal io mc for icn min-
uics.'
Wc sai dovn in Icr liiilc arlour. My auni rc-
iircd lcIind iIc round grccn fan of formcr days,
vIicI vas scrcvcd on iIc lacl of a cIair, and
occasionally vicd Icr cycs, for aloui a quar-
icr of an Iour. TIcn sIc camc oui, and iool a
scai lcsidc mc.
'Troi,' said my auni, calmly, 'ii's my Iusland.'
'Your Iusland, auni? I iIougIi Ic Iad lccn
dcad!'
'Dcad io mc,' rciurncd my auni, 'lui living.'
I sai in silcni amazcmcni.
'Dciscy Troivood don'i lool a lilcly suljcci
for iIc icndcr assion,' said my auni, comos-
cdly, 'lui iIc iimc vas, Troi, vIcn sIc lclicvcd
in iIai man mosi cniircly. WIcn sIc lovcd Iim,
Troi, rigIi vcll. WIcn iIcrc vas no roof of ai-
iacImcni and affcciion iIai sIc vould noi Iavc
givcn Iim. Hc rcaid Icr ly lrcaling Icr for-
314
iunc, and ncarly lrcaling Icr Icari. So sIc ui
all iIai sori of scniimcni, oncc and for cvcr, in
a gravc, and fillcd ii u, and flaiicncd ii dovn.'
'My dcar, good auni!'
'I lcfi Iim,' my auni rocccdcd, laying Icr Iand
as usual on iIc lacl of minc, 'gcncrously. I may
say ai iIis disiancc of iimc, Troi, iIai I lcfi Iim
gcncrously. Hc Iad lccn so crucl io mc, iIai I migIi
Iavc cffccicd a scaraiion on casy icrms for my-
sclf; lui I did noi. Hc soon madc ducls and dralcs
of vIai I gavc Iim, sanl lovcr and lovcr, marricd
anoiIcr voman, I lclicvc, lccamc an advcniurcr,
a gamllcr, and a cIcai. WIai Ic is nov, you scc.
Dui Ic vas a finc-looling man vIcn I marricd Iim,'
said my auni, viiI an ccIo of Icr old ridc and
admiraiion in Icr ionc; 'and I lclicvcd IimI vas
a fool!io lc iIc soul of Ionour!'
SIc gavc my Iand a squcczc, and sIool Icr
Icad.
'Hc is noiIing io mc nov, Troilcss iIan noiI-
ing. Dui, sooncr iIan Iavc Iim unisIcd for
Iis offcnccs (as Ic vould lc if Ic rovlcd aloui
in iIis couniry}, I givc Iim morc moncy iIan I
can afford, ai inicrvals vIcn Ic rcacars, io
go avay. I vas a fool vIcn I marricd Iim; and I
am so far an incurallc fool on iIai suljcci, iIai,
for iIc salc of vIai I oncc lclicvcd Iim io lc, I
vouldn'i Iavc cvcn iIis sIadov of my idlc fancy
Iardly dcali viiI. For I vas in carncsi, Troi, if
cvcr a voman vas.'
M auni dismisscd iIc maiicr viiI a Icavy
sigI, and smooiIcd Icr drcss.
'TIcrc, my dcar!' sIc said. 'Nov you lnov iIc
lcginning, middlc, and cnd, and all aloui ii.
Wc von'i mcniion iIc suljcci io onc anoiIcr
any morc; nciiIcr, of coursc, vill you mcniion
ii io anylody clsc. TIis is my grumy, frumy
siory, and vc'll lcc ii io oursclvcs, Troi!'
315
CHAPTER 4S
DOMESTIC
I LADOUFED HAFD AT MY DOOK, viiIoui alloving ii io
inicrfcrc viiI iIc unciual discIargc of my ncvs-
acr duiics; and ii camc oui and vas vcry suc-
ccssful. I vas noi siunncd ly iIc raisc vIicI
soundcd in my cars, noiviiIsianding iIai I vas
lccnly alivc io ii, and iIougIi lciicr of my ovn
crformancc, I Iavc liiilc douli, iIan anylody
clsc did. Ii Ias alvays lccn in my olscrvaiion of
Iuman naiurc, iIai a man vIo Ias any good
rcason io lclicvc in Iimsclf ncvcr flourisIcs Iim-
sclf lcforc iIc faccs of oiIcr colc in ordcr iIai
iIcy may lclicvc in Iim. For iIis rcason, I rc-
iaincd my modcsiy in vcry sclf-rcscci; and iIc
morc raisc I goi, iIc morc I iricd io dcscrvc.
Ii is noi my urosc, in iIis rccord, iIougI in
all oiIcr csscniials ii is my vriiicn mcmory, io
ursuc iIc Iisiory of my ovn ficiions. TIcy c-
rcss iIcmsclvcs, and I lcavc iIcm io iIcm-
sclvcs. WIcn I rcfcr io iIcm, incidcnially, ii is
only as a ari of my rogrcss.
Having somc foundaiion for lclicving, ly iIis
iimc, iIai naiurc and accidcni Iad madc mc
an auiIor, I ursucd my vocaiion viiI confi-
dcncc. WiiIoui sucI assurancc I sIould ccr-
iainly Iavc lcfi ii alonc, and lcsiovcd my cn-
crgy on somc oiIcr cndcavour. I sIould Iavc
iricd io find oui vIai naiurc and accidcni rc-
ally Iad madc mc, and io lc iIai, and noiIing
clsc. I Iad lccn vriiing, in iIc ncvsacr and
clscvIcrc, so roscrously, iIai vIcn my ncv
succcss vas acIicvcd, I considcrcd mysclf rca-
sonally cniiilcd io cscac from iIc drcary dc-
laics. Onc joyful nigIi, iIcrcforc, I noicd dovn
iIc music of iIc arliamcniary lagics for iIc
lasi iimc, and I Iavc ncvcr Icard ii sincc; iIougI
I siill rccognizc iIc old dronc in iIc ncvsa-
crs, viiIoui any sulsianiial variaiion (ccci,
crIas, iIai iIcrc is morc of ii}, all iIc livc-
long scssion.
316
I nov vriic of iIc iimc vIcn I Iad lccn mar-
ricd, I suosc, aloui a ycar and a Ialf. Aficr
scvcral variciics of ccrimcni, vc Iad givcn
u iIc Iousclccing as a lad jol. TIc Iousc
lci iisclf, and vc lci a agc. TIc rincial
funciion of iIis rciaincr vas io quarrcl viiI iIc
cool; in vIicI rcscci Ic vas a crfcci
WIiiiingion, viiIoui Iis cai, or iIc rcmoicsi
cIancc of lcing madc Lord Mayor.
Hc acars io mc io Iavc livcd in a Iail of
sauccan-lids. His vIolc cisicncc vas a scufflc.
Hc vould sIricl for Icl on iIc mosi imrocr
occasions,as vIcn vc Iad a liiilc dinncr-
ariy, or a fcv fricnds in iIc cvcning,and
vould comc iumlling oui of iIc liicIcn, viiI
iron missilcs flying aficr Iim. Wc vanicd io gci
rid of Iim, lui Ic vas vcry mucI aiiacIcd io
us, and vouldn'i go. Hc vas a icarful loy, and
lrolc inio sucI dclorallc lamcniaiions, vIcn
a ccssaiion of our conncion vas Iinicd ai, iIai
vc vcrc olligcd io lcc Iim. Hc Iad no
moiIcrno anyiIing in iIc vay of a rclaiivc,
iIai I could discovcr, ccci a sisicr, vIo flcd
io Amcrica iIc momcni vc Iad ialcn Iim off
Icr Iands; and Ic lccamc quaricrcd on us lilc
a Iorrillc young cIangcling. Hc Iad a livcly
crcciion of Iis ovn unforiunaic siaic, and
vas alvays rulling Iis cycs viiI iIc slccvc of
Iis jaclci, or siooing io llov Iis nosc on iIc
circmc corncr of a liiilc oclci-IandlcrcIicf,
vIicI Ic ncvcr vould ialc comlcicly oui of
Iis oclci, lui alvays cconomizcd and sccrcicd.
TIis unlucly agc, cngagcd in an cvil Iour ai
si ounds icn cr annum, vas a sourcc of con-
iinual iroullc io mc. I vaicIcd Iim as Ic grcv
and Ic grcv lilc scarlci lcansviiI ainful
arcIcnsions of iIc iimc vIcn Ic vould lc-
gin io sIavc; cvcn of iIc days vIcn Ic vould
lc lald or grcy. I sav no roscci of cvcr gci-
iing rid of Iim; and, rojcciing mysclf inio iIc
fuiurc, uscd io iIinl vIai an inconvcnicncc Ic
vould lc vIcn Ic vas an old man.
317
I ncvcr cccicd anyiIing lcss, iIan iIis
unforiunaic's manncr of gciiing mc oui of my
difficuliy. Hc siolc Dora's vaicI, vIicI, lilc
cvcryiIing clsc lclonging io us, Iad no ariicu-
lar lacc of iis ovn; and, convcriing ii inio
moncy, scni iIc roducc (Ic vas alvays a
vcal-mindcd loy} in inccssanily riding u and
dovn lcivccn London and Ulridgc ouisidc iIc
coacI. Hc vas ialcn io Dov Sircci, as vcll as I
rcmcmlcr, on iIc comlciion of Iis fificcniI
journcy; vIcn four-and-sicncc, and a sccond-
Iand fifc vIicI Ic couldn'i lay, vcrc found
uon Iis crson.
TIc surrisc and iis conscqucnccs vould Iavc
lccn mucI lcss disagrccallc io mc if Ic Iad noi
lccn cniicni. Dui Ic vas vcry cniicni indccd,
and in a cculiar vaynoi in iIc lum, lui ly
insialmcnis. For camlc: iIc day aficr iIai on
vIicI I vas olligcd io acar againsi Iim, Ic
madc ccriain rcvclaiions ioucIing a Iamcr in
iIc ccllar, vIicI vc lclicvcd io lc full of vinc,
lui vIicI Iad noiIing in ii ccci loiilcs and
corls. Wc suoscd Ic Iad nov cascd Iis mind,
and iold iIc vorsi Ic lncv of iIc cool; lui, a
day or ivo aficrvards, Iis conscicncc susiaincd
a ncv ivingc, and Ic discloscd Iov sIc Iad a
liiilc girl, vIo, carly cvcry morning, iool avay
our lrcad; and also Iov Ic Iimsclf Iad lccn
sulorncd io mainiain iIc millman in coals. In
ivo or iIrcc days morc, I vas informcd ly iIc
auiIoriiics of Iis Iaving lcd io iIc discovcry of
sirloins of lccf among iIc liicIcn-siuff, and
sIccis in iIc rag-lag. A liiilc vIilc aficrvards,
Ic lrolc oui in an cniircly ncv dircciion, and
confcsscd io a lnovlcdgc of lurglarious inicn-
iions as io our rcmiscs, on iIc ari of iIc oi-
loy, vIo vas immcdiaicly ialcn u. I goi io lc
so asIamcd of lcing sucI a viciim, iIai I vould
Iavc givcn Iim any moncy io Iold Iis ionguc, or
vould Iavc offcrcd a round lrilc for Iis lcing
crmiiicd io run avay. Ii vas an aggravaiing cir-
cumsiancc in iIc casc iIai Ic Iad no idca of
318
iIis, lui conccivcd iIai Ic vas maling mc
amcnds in cvcry ncv discovcry: noi io say, Ica-
ing olligaiions on my Icad.
Ai lasi I ran avay mysclf, vIcncvcr I sav an
cmissary of iIc olicc aroacIing viiI somc
ncv iniclligcncc; and livcd a sicaliIy lifc uniil
Ic vas iricd and ordcrcd io lc iransoricd. Evcn
iIcn Ic couldn'i lc quici, lui vas alvays vrii-
ing us lciicrs; and vanicd so mucI io scc Dora
lcforc Ic vcni avay, iIai Dora vcni io visii
Iim, and fainicd vIcn sIc found Icrsclf insidc
iIc iron lars. In sIori, I Iad no cacc of my lifc
uniil Ic vas cairiaicd, and madc (as I aficr-
vards Icard} a sIcIcrd of, 'u iIc couniry'
somcvIcrc; I Iavc no gcograIical idca vIcrc.
All iIis lcd mc inio somc scrious rcflcciions,
and rcscnicd our misialcs in a ncv ascci; as
I could noi Icl communicaiing io Dora onc
cvcning, in siic of my icndcrncss for Icr.
'My lovc,' said I, 'ii is vcry ainful io mc io
iIinl iIai our vani of sysicm and managcmcni,
involvcs noi only oursclvcs (vIicI vc Iavc goi
uscd io}, lui oiIcr colc.'
'You Iavc lccn silcni for a long iimc, and nov
you arc going io lc cross!' said Dora.
'No, my dcar, indccd! Lci mc clain io you
vIai I mcan.'
'I iIinl I don'i vani io lnov,' said Dora.
'Dui I vani you io lnov, my lovc. Fui Ji
dovn.'
Dora ui Iis nosc io minc, and said 'DoI!' io
drivc my scriousncss avay; lui, noi succccd-
ing, ordcrcd Iim inio Iis Fagoda, and sai lool-
ing ai mc, viiI Icr Iands foldcd, and a mosi
rcsigncd liiilc crcssion of counicnancc.
'TIc faci is, my dcar,' I lcgan, 'iIcrc is conia-
gion in us. Wc infcci cvcryonc aloui us.'
I migIi Iavc gonc on in iIis figuraiivc man-
ncr, if Dora's facc Iad noi admonisIcd mc iIai
sIc vas vondcring viiI all Icr migIi vIciIcr I
vas going io roosc any ncv lind of vaccina-
iion, or oiIcr mcdical rcmcdy, for iIis unvIolc-
319
somc siaic of ours. TIcrcforc I cIcclcd mysclf,
and madc my mcaning laincr.
'Ii is noi mcrcly, my ci,' said I, 'iIai vc losc
moncy and comfori, and cvcn icmcr somc-
iimcs, ly noi lcarning io lc morc carcful; lui
iIai vc incur iIc scrious rcsonsililiiy of soil-
ing cvcryonc vIo comcs inio our scrvicc, or Ias
any dcalings viiI us. I lcgin io lc afraid iIai
iIc fauli is noi cniircly on onc sidc, lui iIai
iIcsc colc all iurn oui ill lccausc vc don'i
iurn oui vcry vcll oursclvcs.'
'OI, vIai an accusaiion,' cclaimcd Dora,
ocning Icr cycs vidc; 'io say iIai you cvcr sav
mc ialc gold vaicIcs! OI!'
'My dcarcsi,' I rcmonsiraicd, 'don'i iall rc-
osicrous nonscnsc! WIo Ias madc iIc lcasi
allusion io gold vaicIcs?'
'You did,' rciurncd Dora. 'You lnov you did.
You said I Iadn'i iurncd oui vcll, and comarcd
mc io Iim.'
'To vIom?' I aslcd.
'To iIc agc,' sollcd Dora. 'OI, you crucl fcl-
lov, io comarc your affcciionaic vifc io a irans-
oricd agc! WIy didn'i you icll mc your oin-
ion of mc lcforc vc vcrc marricd? WIy didn'i
you say, you Iard-Icaricd iIing, iIai you vcrc
convinccd I vas vorsc iIan a iransoricd agc?
OI, vIai a drcadful oinion io Iavc of mc! OI,
my goodncss!'
'Nov, Dora, my lovc,' I rciurncd, gcnily irying
io rcmovc iIc IandlcrcIicf sIc rcsscd io Icr
cycs, 'iIis is noi only vcry ridiculous of you,
lui vcry vrong. In iIc firsi lacc, ii's noi iruc.'
'You alvays said Ic vas a siory-icllcr,' sollcd
Dora. 'And nov you say iIc samc of mc! OI,
vIai sIall I do! WIai sIall I do!'
'My darling girl,' I rcioricd, 'I rcally musi cn-
ircai you io lc rcasonallc, and lisicn io vIai I
did say, and do say. My dcar Dora, unlcss vc
lcarn io do our duiy io iIosc vIom vc cmloy,
iIcy vill ncvcr lcarn io do iIcir duiy io us. I am
afraid vc rcscni ooriuniiics io colc io do
320
vrong, iIai ncvcr ougIi io lc rcscnicd. Evcn
if vc vcrc as la as vc arc, in all our arrangc-
mcnis, ly cIoiccvIicI vc arc noicvcn if vc
lilcd ii, and found ii agrccallc io lc sovIicI
vc don'iI am crsuadcd vc sIould Iavc no
rigIi io go on in iIis vay. Wc arc osiiivcly cor-
ruiing colc. Wc arc lound io iIinl of iIai. I
can'i Icl iIinling of ii, Dora. Ii is a rcflcciion I
am unallc io dismiss, and ii somciimcs malcs
mc vcry uncasy. TIcrc, dcar, iIai's all. Comc
nov. Don'i lc foolisI!'
Dora vould noi allov mc, for a long iimc, io
rcmovc iIc IandlcrcIicf. SIc sai solling and
murmuring lcIind ii, iIai, if I vas uncasy, vIy
Iad I cvcr lccn marricd? WIy Iadn'i I said, cvcn
iIc day lcforc vc vcni io cIurcI, iIai I lncv I
sIould lc uncasy, and I vould raiIcr noi? If I
couldn'i lcar Icr, vIy didn'i I scnd Icr avay io
Icr aunis ai Fuincy, or io Julia Mills in India?
Julia vould lc glad io scc Icr, and vould noi
call Icr a iransoricd agc; Julia ncvcr Iad
callcd Icr anyiIing of iIc sori. In sIori, Dora
vas so afflicicd, and so afflicicd mc ly lcing in
iIai condiiion, iIai I fcli ii vas of no usc rc-
caiing iIis lind of cffori, iIougI ncvcr so
mildly, and I musi ialc somc oiIcr coursc.
WIai oiIcr coursc vas lcfi io ialc? To 'form
Icr mind'? TIis vas a common Irasc of vords
vIicI Iad a fair and romising sound, and I
rcsolvcd io form Dora's mind.
I lcgan immcdiaicly. WIcn Dora vas vcry
cIildisI, and I vould Iavc infiniicly rcfcrrcd
io Iumour Icr, I iricd io lc gravcand discon-
ccricd Icr, and mysclf ioo. I iallcd io Icr on
iIc suljccis vIicI occuicd my iIougIis; and
I rcad SIalcscarc io Icrand faiigucd Icr io
iIc lasi dcgrcc. I accusiomcd mysclf io giving
Icr, as ii vcrc quiic casually, liiilc scras of
uscful informaiion, or sound oinionand sIc
siaricd from iIcm vIcn I lci iIcm off, as if iIcy
Iad lccn craclcrs. No maiicr Iov incidcnially
or naiurally I cndcavourcd io form my liiilc vifc's
321
mind, I could noi Icl sccing iIai sIc alvays
Iad an insiinciivc crcciion of vIai I vas
aloui, and lccamc a rcy io iIc lccncsi a-
rcIcnsions. In ariicular, ii vas clcar io mc,
iIai sIc iIougIi SIalcscarc a icrrillc fcllov.
TIc formaiion vcni on vcry slovly.
I rcsscd Traddlcs inio iIc scrvicc viiIoui Iis
lnovlcdgc; and vIcncvcr Ic camc io scc us,
clodcd my mincs uon Iim for iIc cdifica-
iion of Dora ai sccond Iand. TIc amouni of
raciical visdom I lcsiovcd uon Traddlcs in
iIis manncr vas immcnsc, and of iIc lcsi qual-
iiy; lui ii Iad no oiIcr cffcci uon Dora iIan io
dcrcss Icr siriis, and malc Icr alvays ncr-
vous viiI iIc drcad iIai ii vould lc Icr iurn
nci. I found mysclf in iIc condiiion of a scIool-
masicr, a ira, a iifall; of alvays laying si-
dcr io Dora's fly, and alvays ouncing oui of
my Iolc io Icr infiniic disiurlancc.
Siill, looling forvard iIrougI iIis inicrmcdi-
aic siagc, io iIc iimc vIcn iIcrc sIould lc a
crfcci symaiIy lcivccn Dora and mc, and
vIcn I sIould Iavc 'formcd Icr mind' io my
cniirc saiisfaciion, I crscvcrcd, cvcn for
moniIs. Finding ai lasi, Iovcvcr, iIai, aliIougI
I Iad lccn all iIis iimc a vcry orcuinc or
IcdgcIog, lrisiling all ovcr viiI dcicrminaiion,
I Iad cffccicd noiIing, ii lcgan io occur io mc
iIai crIas Dora's mind vas alrcady formcd.
On furiIcr considcraiion iIis acarcd so
lilcly, iIai I alandoncd my scIcmc, vIicI Iad
Iad a morc romising acarancc in vords iIan
in aciion; rcsolving IcnccforiI io lc saiisficd
viiI my cIild-vifc, and io iry io cIangc Icr inio
noiIing clsc ly any roccss. I vas Icariily iircd
of lcing sagacious and rudcni ly mysclf, and
of sccing my darling undcr rcsiraini; so I lougIi
a rciiy air of car-rings for Icr, and a collar
for Ji, and vcni Iomc onc day io malc mysclf
agrccallc.
Dora vas dcligIicd viiI iIc liiilc rcscnis,
and lisscd mc joyfully; lui iIcrc vas a sIadov
322
lcivccn us, Iovcvcr sligIi, and I Iad madc u
my mind iIai ii sIould noi lc iIcrc. If iIcrc
musi lc sucI a sIadov anyvIcrc, I vould lcc
ii for iIc fuiurc in my ovn lrcasi.
I sai dovn ly my vifc on iIc sofa, and ui iIc
car-rings in Icr cars; and iIcn I iold Icr iIai I
fcarcd vc Iad noi lccn quiic as good comany
laicly, as vc uscd io lc, and iIai iIc fauli vas
minc. WIicI I sinccrcly fcli, and vIicI indccd
ii vas.
'TIc iruiI is, Dora, my lifc,' I said; 'I Iavc lccn
irying io lc visc.'
'And io malc mc visc ioo,' said Dora, iimidly.
'Havcn'i you, Doady?'
I noddcd asscni io iIc rciiy inquiry of iIc
raiscd cyclrovs, and lisscd iIc aricd lis.
'Ii's of noi a lii of usc,' said Dora, sIaling Icr
Icad, uniil iIc car-rings rang again. 'You lnov
vIai a liiilc iIing I am, and vIai I vanicd you
io call mc from iIc firsi. If you can'i do so, I am
afraid you'll ncvcr lilc mc. Arc you surc you
don'i iIinl, somciimcs, ii vould Iavc lccn lci-
icr io Iavc'
'Donc vIai, my dcar?' For sIc madc no cffori
io rocccd.
'NoiIing!' said Dora.
'NoiIing?' I rccaicd.
SIc ui Icr arms round my nccl, and
laugIcd, and callcd Icrsclf ly Icr favouriic
namc of a goosc, and Iid Icr facc on my sIoul-
dcr in sucI a rofusion of curls iIai ii vas quiic
a iasl io clcar iIcm avay and scc ii.
'Don'i I iIinl ii vould Iavc lccn lciicr io Iavc
donc noiIing, iIan io Iavc iricd io form my liiilc
vifc's mind?' said I, laugIing ai mysclf. 'Is iIai
iIc qucsiion? Ycs, indccd, I do.'
'Is iIai vIai you Iavc lccn irying?' cricd Dora.
'OI vIai a sIocling loy!'
'Dui I sIall ncvcr iry any morc,' said I. 'For I
lovc Icr dcarly as sIc is.'
'WiiIoui a sioryrcally?' inquircd Dora, crcc-
ing closcr io mc.
323
'WIy sIould I sccl io cIangc,' said I, 'vIai
Ias lccn so rccious io mc for so long! You ncvcr
can sIov lciicr iIan as your ovn naiural sclf,
my svcci Dora; and vc'll iry no concciicd c-
crimcnis, lui go lacl io our old vay, and lc
Iay.'
'And lc Iay!' rciurncd Dora. 'Ycs! All day!
And you von'i mind iIings going a iiny morscl
vrong, somciimcs?'
'No, no,' said I. 'Wc musi do iIc lcsi vc can.'
'And you von'i icll mc, any morc, iIai vc malc
oiIcr colc lad,' coacd Dora; 'vill you? Dc-
causc you lnov ii's so drcadfully cross!'
'No, no,' said I.
'ii's lciicr for mc io lc siuid iIan uncom-
foriallc, isn'i ii?' said Dora.
'Dciicr io lc naiurally Dora iIan anyiIing clsc
in iIc vorld.'
'In iIc vorld! AI, Doady, ii's a largc lacc!'
SIc sIool Icr Icad, iurncd Icr dcligIicd
lrigIi cycs u io minc, lisscd mc, lrolc inio a
mcrry laugI, and srang avay io ui on Ji's
ncv collar.
So cndcd my lasi aiicmi io malc any cIangc
in Dora. I Iad lccn unIay in irying ii; I could
noi cndurc my ovn soliiary visdom; I could noi
rcconcilc ii viiI Icr formcr acal io mc as my
cIild-vifc. I rcsolvcd io do vIai I could, in a
quici vay, io imrovc our rocccdings mysclf,
lui I forcsav iIai my uimosi vould lc vcry liiilc,
or I musi dcgcncraic inio iIc sidcr again, and
lc for cvcr lying in vaii.
And iIc sIadov I Iavc mcniioncd, iIai vas
noi io lc lcivccn us any morc, lui vas io rcsi
vIolly on my ovn Icari? Hov did iIai fall?
TIc old unIay fccling crvadcd my lifc. Ii
vas dcccncd, if ii vcrc cIangcd ai all; lui ii
vas as undcfincd as cvcr, and addrcsscd mc
lilc a sirain of sorrovful music fainily Icard in
iIc nigIi. I lovcd my vifc dcarly, and I vas
Iay; lui iIc Iaincss I Iad vagucly aniici-
aicd, oncc, vas noi iIc Iaincss I cnjoycd,
324
and iIcrc vas alvays somciIing vaniing.
In fulfilmcni of iIc comaci I Iavc madc viiI
mysclf, io rcflcci my mind on iIis acr, I again
caminc ii, closcly, and lring iis sccrcis io iIc
ligIi. WIai I misscd, I siill rcgardcdI alvays
rcgardcdas somciIing iIai Iad lccn a drcam
of my youiIful fancy; iIai vas incaallc of rc-
alizaiion; iIai I vas nov discovcring io lc so,
viiI somc naiural ain, as all mcn did. Dui iIai
ii vould Iavc lccn lciicr for mc if my vifc could
Iavc Iclcd mc morc, and sIarcd iIc many
iIougIis in vIicI I Iad no arincr; and iIai
iIis migIi Iavc lccn; I lncv.
Dcivccn iIcsc ivo irrcconcilallc conclusions:
iIc onc, iIai vIai I fcli vas gcncral and un-
avoidallc; iIc oiIcr, iIai ii vas ariicular io
mc, and migIi Iavc lccn diffcrcni: I lalanccd
curiously, viiI no disiinci scnsc of iIcir oo-
siiion io cacI oiIcr. WIcn I iIougIi of iIc airy
drcams of youiI iIai arc incaallc of rcaliza-
iion, I iIougIi of iIc lciicr siaic rcccding
manIood iIai I Iad ouigrovn; and iIcn iIc
conicnicd days viiI Agncs, in iIc dcar old
Iousc, arosc lcforc mc, lilc sccircs of iIc dcad,
iIai migIi Iavc somc rcncval in anoiIcr vorld,
lui ncvcr morc could lc rcanimaicd Icrc.
Somciimcs, iIc scculaiion camc inio my
iIougIis, WIai migIi Iavc Iacncd, or vIai
vould Iavc Iacncd, if Dora and I Iad ncvcr
lnovn cacI oiIcr? Dui sIc vas so incororaicd
viiI my cisicncc, iIai ii vas iIc idlcsi of all
fancics, and vould soon risc oui of my rcacI
and sigIi, lilc gossamcr floaiing in iIc air.
I alvays lovcd Icr. WIai I am dcscriling, slum-
lcrcd, and Ialf avolc, and slci again, in iIc
inncrmosi rcccsscs of my mind. TIcrc vas no
cvidcncc of ii in mc; I lnov of no influcncc ii
Iad in anyiIing I said or did. I lorc iIc vcigIi
of all our liiilc carcs, and all my rojccis; Dora
Icld iIc cns; and vc loiI fcli iIai our sIarcs
vcrc adjusicd as iIc casc rcquircd. SIc vas
iruly fond of mc, and roud of mc; and vIcn
325
Agncs vroic a fcv carncsi vords in Icr lciicrs
io Dora, of iIc ridc and inicrcsi viiI vIicI
my old fricnds Icard of my groving rcuiaiion,
and rcad my lool as if iIcy Icard mc scaling
iis conicnis, Dora rcad iIcm oui io mc viiI
icars of joy in Icr lrigIi cycs, and said I vas a
dcar old clcvcr, famous loy.
'TIc firsi misialcn imulsc of an undiscilincd
Icari.' TIosc vords of Mrs. Sirong's vcrc con-
sianily rccurring io mc, ai iIis iimc; vcrc al-
mosi alvays rcscni io my mind. I avolc viiI
iIcm, oficn, in iIc nigIi; I rcmcmlcr io Iavc
cvcn rcad iIcm, in drcams, inscrilcd uon iIc
valls of Iouscs. For I lncv, nov, iIai my ovn
Icari vas undiscilincd vIcn ii firsi lovcd Dora;
and iIai if ii Iad lccn discilincd, ii ncvcr could
Iavc fcli, vIcn vc vcrc marricd, vIai ii Iad
fcli in iis sccrci ccricncc.
'TIcrc can lc no disariiy in marriagc, lilc un-
suiialiliiy of mind and urosc.' TIosc vords I
rcmcmlcrcd ioo. I Iad cndcavourcd io adai Dora
io mysclf, and found ii imraciicallc. Ii rcmaincd
for mc io adai mysclf io Dora; io sIarc viiI Icr
vIai I could, and lc Iay; io lcar on my ovn
sIouldcrs vIai I musi, and lc Iay siill. TIis
vas iIc discilinc io vIicI I iricd io lring my
Icari, vIcn I lcgan io iIinl. Ii madc my sccond
ycar mucI Iaicr iIan my firsi; and, vIai vas
lciicr siill, madc Dora's lifc all sunsIinc.
Dui, as iIai ycar vorc on, Dora vas noi sirong.
I Iad Iocd iIai ligIicr Iands iIan minc vould
Icl io mould Icr cIaracicr, and iIai a laly-
smilc uon Icr lrcasi migIi cIangc my cIild-
vifc io a voman. Ii vas noi io lc. TIc sirii flui-
icrcd for a momcni on iIc iIrcsIold of iis liiilc
rison, and, unconscious of caiiviiy, iool ving.
'WIcn I can run aloui again, as I uscd io do,
auni,' said Dora, 'I sIall malc Ji racc. Hc is
gciiing quiic slov and lazy.'
'I suscci, my dcar,' said my auni quicily vorl-
ing ly Icr sidc, 'Ic Ias a vorsc disordcr iIan
iIai. Agc, Dora.'
326
'Do you iIinl Ic is old?' said Dora, asionisIcd.
'OI, Iov sirangc ii sccms iIai Ji sIould lc old!'
'Ii's a comlaini vc arc all liallc io, Liiilc Onc,
as vc gci on in lifc,' said my auni, cIccrfully; 'I
don'i fccl morc frcc from ii iIan I uscd io lc, I
assurc you.'
'Dui Ji,' said Dora, looling ai Iim viiI com-
assion, 'cvcn liiilc Ji! OI, oor fcllov!'
'I darc say Ic'll lasi a long iimc yci, Dlossom,'
said my auni, aiiing Dora on iIc cIccl, as
sIc lcancd oui of Icr coucI io lool ai Ji, vIo
rcsondcd ly sianding on Iis Iind lcgs, and
laulling Iimsclf in various asiImaiic aiicmis
io scramllc u ly iIc Icad and sIouldcrs. 'Hc
musi Iavc a iccc of flanncl in Iis Iousc iIis
vinicr, and I sIouldn'i vondcr if Ic camc oui
quiic frcsI again, viiI iIc flovcrs in iIc sring.
Dlcss iIc liiilc dog!' cclaimcd my auni, 'if Ic
Iad as many livcs as a cai, and vas on iIc oini
of losing 'cm all, Ic'd larl ai mc viiI Iis lasi
lrcaiI, I lclicvc!'
Dora Iad Iclcd Iim u on iIc sofa; vIcrc
Ic rcally vas dcfying my auni io sucI a furious
cicni, iIai Ic couldn'i lcc siraigIi, lui
larlcd Iimsclf sidcvays. TIc morc my auni
loolcd ai Iim, iIc morc Ic rcroacIcd Icr; for
sIc Iad laicly ialcn io scciaclcs, and for somc
inscruiallc rcason Ic considcrcd iIc glasscs
crsonal.
Dora madc Iim lic dovn ly Icr, viiI a good
dcal of crsuasion; and vIcn Ic vas quici, drcv
onc of Iis long cars iIrougI and iIrougI Icr
Iand, rccaiing iIougIifully, 'Evcn liiilc Ji!
OI, oor fcllov!'
'His lungs arc good cnougI,' said my auni,
gaily, 'and Iis dislilcs arc noi ai all fccllc. Hc
Ias a good many ycars lcforc Iim, no douli.
Dui if you vani a dog io racc viiI, Liiilc Dlos-
som, Ic Ias livcd ioo vcll for iIai, and I'll givc
you onc.'
'TIanl you, auni,' said Dora, fainily. 'Dui
don'i, lcasc!'
327
'No?' said my auni, ialing off Icr scciaclcs.
'I couldn'i Iavc any oiIcr dog lui Ji,' said
Dora. 'Ii vould lc so unlind io Ji! Dcsidcs, I
couldn'i lc sucI fricnds viiI any oiIcr dog lui
Ji; lccausc Ic vouldn'i Iavc lnovn mc lc-
forc I vas marricd, and vouldn'i Iavc larlcd
ai Doady vIcn Ic firsi camc io our Iousc. I
couldn'i carc for any oiIcr dog lui Ji, I am
afraid, auni.'
'To lc surc!' said my auni, aiiing Icr cIccl
again. 'You arc rigIi.'
'You arc noi offcndcd,' said Dora. 'Arc you?'
'WIy, vIai a scnsiiivc ci ii is!' cricd my auni,
lcnding ovcr Icr affcciionaicly. 'To iIinl iIai I
could lc offcndcd!'
'No, no, I didn'i rcally iIinl so,' rciurncd Dora;
'lui I am a liiilc iircd, and ii madc mc silly for a
momcniI am alvays a silly liiilc iIing, you
lnov, lui ii madc mc morc sillyio iall aloui
Ji. Hc Ias lnovn mc in all iIai Ias Iacncd
io mc, Iavcn'i you, Ji? And I couldn'i lcar io
sligIi Iim, lccausc Ic vas a liiilc alicrcdcould
I, Ji?'
Ji ncsilcd closcr io Iis misircss, and lazily
liclcd Icr Iand.
'You arc noi so old, Ji, arc you, iIai you'll
lcavc your misircss yci?' said Dora. 'Wc may
lcc onc anoiIcr comany a liiilc longcr!'
My rciiy Dora! WIcn sIc camc dovn io din-
ncr on iIc cnsuing Sunday, and vas so glad io
scc old Traddlcs (vIo alvays dincd viiI us on
Sunday}, vc iIougIi sIc vould lc 'running
aloui as sIc uscd io do', in a fcv days. Dui
iIcy said, vaii a fcv days morc; and iIcn, vaii
a fcv days morc; and siill sIc nciiIcr ran nor
vallcd. SIc loolcd vcry rciiy, and vas vcry
mcrry; lui iIc liiilc fcci iIai uscd io lc so
nimllc vIcn iIcy danccd round Ji, vcrc dull
and moiionlcss.
I lcgan io carry Icr dovnsiairs cvcry morn-
ing, and usiairs cvcry nigIi. SIc vould clas
mc round iIc nccl and laugI, iIc vIilc, as if I
328
did ii for a vagcr. Ji vould larl and cacr
round us, and go on lcforc, and lool lacl on
iIc landing, lrcaiIing sIori, io scc iIai vc vcrc
coming. My auni, iIc lcsi and mosi cIccrful of
nurscs, vould irudgc aficr us, a moving mass
of sIavls and illovs. Mr. Dicl vould noi Iavc
rclinquisIcd Iis osi of candlc-lcarcr io any-
onc alivc. Traddlcs vould lc oficn ai iIc loi-
iom of iIc siaircasc, looling on, and ialing
cIargc of soriivc mcssagcs from Dora io iIc
dcarcsi girl in iIc vorld. Wc madc quiic a gay
roccssion of ii, and my cIild-vifc vas iIc gay-
csi iIcrc.
Dui, somciimcs, vIcn I iool Icr u, and fcli
iIai sIc vas ligIicr in my arms, a dcad llanl
fccling camc uon mc, as if I vcrc aroacIing
io somc frozcn rcgion yci unsccn, iIai numlcd
my lifc. I avoidcd iIc rccogniiion of iIis fccling
ly any namc, or ly any communing viiI my-
sclf; uniil onc nigIi, vIcn ii vas vcry sirong
uon mc, and my auni Iad lcfi Icr viiI a ari-
ing cry of 'Good nigIi, Liiilc Dlossom,' I sai dovn
ai my dcsl alonc, and cricd io iIinl, OI vIai a
faial namc ii vas, and Iov iIc llossom viiI-
crcd in iis lloom uon iIc ircc!
CHAPTER 49
I AM INVOLVED
IN MYSTERY
I FECEIVED ONE MOFNING ly iIc osi, iIc folloving
lciicr, daicd Canicrlury, and addrcsscd io mc
ai Docior's Commons; vIicI I rcad viiI somc
surrisc:
MY DEAR SIR,
Circumstances beyond my individual control have,
for a considerable lapse of time, effected a sever-
ance of that intimacy which, in the limited opportuni-
ties conceded to me in the midst of my professional
duties, of contemplating the scenes and events of
329
the past, tinged by the prismatic hues of memory, has
ever afforded me, as it ever must continue to afford,
gratifying emotions of no common description. This
fact, my dear sir, combined with the distinguished el-
evation to which your talents have raised you, deters
me from presuming to aspire to the liberty of address-
ing the companion of my youth, by the familiar appel-
lation of Copperfield! It is sufficient to know that the
name to which I do myself the honour to refer, will
ever be treasured among the muniments of our house
(I allude to the archives connected with our former
lodgers, preserved by Mrs. Micawber), with sentiments
of personal esteem amounting to affection.
It is not for one, situated, through his original er-
rors and a fortuitous combination of unpropitious
events, as is the foundered Bark (if he may be al-
lowed to assume so maritime a denomination), who
now takes up the pen to address youit is not, I
repeat, for one so circumstanced, to adopt the lan-
guage of compliment, or of congratulation. That he
leaves to abler and to purer hands.
If your more important avocations should admit of
your ever tracing these imperfect characters thus
farwhich may be, or may not be, as circumstances
ariseyou will naturally inquire by what object am I
influenced, then, in inditing the present missive? Al-
low me to say that I fully defer to the reasonable char-
acter of that inquiry, and proceed to develop it; pre-
mising that it is not an object of a pecuniary nature.
Without more directly referring to any latent ability
that may possibly exist on my part, of wielding the thun-
derbolt, or directing the devouring and avenging flame
in any quarter, I may be permitted to observe, in pass-
ing, that my brightest visions are for ever dispelled
that my peace is shattered and my power of enjoyment
destroyedthat my heart is no longer in the right
placeand that I no more walk erect before my fellow
man. The canker is in the flower. The cup is bitter to the
brim. The worm is at his work, and will soon dispose of
his victim. The sooner the better. But I will not digress.
Placed in a mental position of peculiar painfulness,
beyond the assuaging reach even of Mrs. Micawbers
330
influence, though exercised in the tripartite charac-
ter of woman, wife, and mother, it is my intention to
fly from myself for a short period, and devote a re-
spite of eight-and-forty hours to revisiting some met-
ropolitan scenes of past enjoyment. Among other ha-
vens of domestic tranquillity and peace of mind, my
feet will naturally tend towards the Kings Bench
Prison. In stating that I shall be (D. V.) on the outside
of the south wall of that place of incarceration on civil
process, the day after tomorrow, at seven in the
evening, precisely, my object in this epistolary com-
munication is accomplished.
I do not feel warranted in soliciting my former friend
Mr. Copperfield, or my former friend Mr. Thomas
Traddles of the Inner Temple, if that gentleman is still
existent and forthcoming, to condescend to meet me,
and renew (so far as may be) our past relations of
the olden time. I confine myself to throwing out the
observation, that, at the hour and place I have indi-
cated, may be found such ruined vestiges as yet
Remain,
Of
A
Fallen Tower,
WILKINS MICAWBER.
P.S. It may be advisable to superadd to the above,
the statement that Mrs. Micawber is not in confiden-
tial possession of my intentions.
I rcad iIc lciicr ovcr scvcral iimcs. Maling duc
allovancc for Mr. Micavlcr's lofiy siylc of com-
osiiion, and for iIc ciraordinary rclisI viiI
vIicI Ic sai dovn and vroic long lciicrs on all
ossillc and imossillc occasions, I siill lclicvcd
iIai somciIing imoriani lay Iiddcn ai iIc loi-
iom of iIis roundaloui communicaiion. I ui ii
dovn, io iIinl aloui ii; and iool ii u again, io
rcad ii oncc morc; and vas siill ursuing ii, vIcn
Traddlcs found mc in iIc IcigIi of my crlciiy.
'My dcar fcllov,' said I, 'I ncvcr vas lciicr
lcascd io scc you. You comc io givc mc iIc
331
lcncfii of your solcr judgcmcni ai a mosi o-
oriunc iimc. I Iavc rcccivcd a vcry singular
lciicr, Traddlcs, from Mr. Micavlcr.'
'No?' cricd Traddlcs. 'You don'i say so? And I
Iavc rcccivcd onc from Mrs. Micavlcr!'
WiiI iIai, Traddlcs, vIo vas flusIcd viiI
valling, and vIosc Iair, undcr iIc comlincd
cffccis of ccrcisc and cciicmcni, siood on cnd
as if Ic sav a cIccrful gIosi, roduccd Iis lci-
icr and madc an ccIangc viiI mc. I vaicIcd
Iim inio iIc Icari of Mr. Micavlcr's lciicr, and
rciurncd iIc clcvaiion of cyclrovs viiI vIicI
Ic said 'Wiclding iIc iIundcrloli, or dircciing
iIc dcvouring and avcnging flamc!" Dlcss mc,
Cocrficld!'and iIcn cnicrcd on iIc crusal
of Mrs. Micavlcr's cisilc.
Ii ran iIus:
My best regards to Mr. Thomas Traddles, and if he
should still remember one who formerly had the hap-
piness of being well acquainted with him, may I beg a
few moments of his leisure time? I assure Mr. T. T. that
I would not intrude upon his kindness, were I in any
other position than on the confines of distraction.
Though harrowing to myself to mention, the alien-
ation of Mr. Micawber (formerly so domesticated) from
his wife and family, is the cause of my addressing my
unhappy appeal to Mr. Traddles, and soliciting his
best indulgence. Mr. T. can form no adequate idea of
the change in Mr. Micawbers conduct, of his wild-
ness, of his violence. It has gradually augmented,
until it assumes the appearance of aberration of in-
tellect. Scarcely a day passes, I assure Mr. Traddles,
on which some paroxysm does not take place. Mr. T.
will not require me to depict my feelings, when I in-
form him that I have become accustomed to hear
Mr. Micawber assert that he has sold himself to the
D. Mystery and secrecy have long been his principal
characteristic, have long replaced unlimited confi-
dence. The slightest provocation, even being asked
if there is anything he would prefer for dinner, causes
him to express a wish for a separation. Last night, on
332
being childishly solicited for twopence, to buy lemon-
stunnersa local sweetmeathe presented an oys-
ter-knife at the twins!
I entreat Mr. Traddles to bear with me in entering
into these details. Without them, Mr. T. would indeed
find it difficult to form the faintest conception of my
heart-rending situation.
May I now venture to confide to Mr. T. the purport of
my letter? Will he now allow me to throw myself on his
friendly consideration? Oh yes, for I know his heart!
The quick eye of affection is not easily blinded, when
of the female sex. Mr. Micawber is going to London.
Though he studiously concealed his hand, this morn-
ing before breakfast, in writing the direction-card which
he attached to the little brown valise of happier days,
the eagle-glance of matrimonial anxiety detected, d,
o, n, distinctly traced. The West-End destination of the
coach, is the Golden Cross. Dare I fervently implore
Mr. T. to see my misguided husband, and to reason
with him? Dare I ask Mr. T. to endeavour to step in
between Mr. Micawber and his agonized family? Oh
no, for that would be too much!
If Mr. Copperfield should yet remember one un-
known to fame, will Mr. T. take charge of my unalter-
able regards and similar entreaties? In any case, he
will have the benevolence to consider this communi-
cation strictly private, and on no account whatever to
be alluded to, however distantly, in the presence of
Mr. Micawber. If Mr. T. should ever reply to it (which I
cannot but feel to be most improbable), a letter ad-
dressed to M. E., Post Office, Canterbury, will be
fraught with less painful consequences than any ad-
dressed immediately to one, who subscribes herself,
in extreme distress,
Mr. Thomas Traddless respectful friend and sup-
pliant,
EMMA MICAWBER.
'WIai do you iIinl of iIai lciicr?' said
Traddlcs, casiing Iis cycs uon mc, vIcn I Iad
rcad ii ivicc.
333
'WIai do you iIinl of iIc oiIcr?' said I. For
Ic vas siill rcading ii viiI lniiicd lrovs.
'I iIinl iIai iIc ivo iogciIcr, Cocrficld,' rc-
licd Traddlcs, 'mcan morc iIan Mr. and Mrs.
Micavlcr usually mcan in iIcir corrcson-
dcncclui I don'i lnov vIai. TIcy arc loiI
vriiicn in good faiiI, I Iavc no douli, and viiI-
oui any collusion. Foor iIing!' Ic vas nov al-
luding io Mrs. Micavlcr's lciicr, and vc vcrc
sianding sidc ly sidc comaring iIc ivo; 'ii vill
lc a cIariiy io vriic io Icr, ai all cvcnis, and
icll Icr iIai vc vill noi fail io scc Mr. Micavlcr.'
I acccdcd io iIis iIc morc rcadily, lccausc I
nov rcroacIcd mysclf viiI Iaving ircaicd Icr
formcr lciicr raiIcr ligIily. Ii Iad sci mc iIinl-
ing a good dcal ai iIc iimc, as I Iavc mcniioncd
in iis lacc; lui my alsoriion in my ovn af-
fairs, my ccricncc of iIc family, and my Icar-
ing noiIing morc, Iad gradually cndcd in my
dismissing iIc suljcci. I Iad oficn iIougIi of
iIc Micavlcrs, lui cIicfly io vondcr vIai 'c-
cuniary lialiliiics' iIcy vcrc csiallisIing in
Canicrlury, and io rccall Iov sIy Mr. Micavlcr
vas of mc vIcn Ic lccamc clcrl io UriaI Hcc.
Hovcvcr, I nov vroic a comforiing lciicr io
Mrs. Micavlcr, in our joini namcs, and vc loiI
signcd ii. As vc vallcd inio iovn io osi ii,
Traddlcs and I Icld a long confcrcncc, and
launcIcd inio a numlcr of scculaiions, vIicI
I nccd noi rccai. Wc iool my auni inio our
counscls in iIc aficrnoon; lui our only dccidcd
conclusion vas, iIai vc vould lc vcry unc-
iual in lccing Mr. Micavlcr's aoinimcni.
AliIougI vc acarcd ai iIc siiulaicd lacc
a quaricr of an Iour lcforc iIc iimc, vc found
Mr. Micavlcr alrcady iIcrc. Hc vas sianding
viiI Iis arms foldcd, ovcr againsi iIc vall, lool-
ing ai iIc silcs on iIc io, viiI a scniimcnial
crcssion, as if iIcy vcrc iIc inicrlacing lougIs
of irccs iIai Iad sIadcd Iim in Iis youiI.
WIcn vc accosicd Iim, Iis manncr vas somc-
iIing morc confuscd, and somciIing lcss gcn-
334
iccl, iIan of yorc. Hc Iad rclinquisIcd Iis lcgal
suii of llacl for iIc uroscs of iIis ccursion,
and vorc iIc old surioui and iigIis, lui noi
quiic viiI iIc old air. Hc gradually iclcd u
morc and morc of ii as vc convcrscd viiI Iim;
lui, Iis vcry cyc-glass sccmcd io Iang lcss cas-
ily, and Iis sIiri-collar, iIougI siill of iIc old
formidallc dimcnsions, raiIcr droocd.
'Gcnilcmcn!' said Mr. Micavlcr, aficr iIc firsi
saluiaiions, 'you arc fricnds in nccd, and fricnds
indccd. Allov mc io offcr my inquirics viiI rcf-
crcncc io iIc Iysical vclfarc of Mrs. Cocrficld
in cssc, and Mrs. Traddlcs in ossc,rcsum-
ing, iIai is io say, iIai my fricnd Mr. Traddlcs
is noi yci uniicd io iIc oljcci of Iis affcciions,
for vcal and for voc.'
Wc aclnovlcdgcd Iis oliicncss, and madc
suiiallc rclics. Hc iIcn dirccicd our aiicniion
io iIc vall, and vas lcginning, 'I assurc you,
gcnilcmcn,' vIcn I vcniurcd io oljcci io iIai
ccrcmonious form of addrcss, and io lcg iIai
Ic vould scal io us in iIc old vay.
'My dcar Cocrficld,' Ic rciurncd, rcssing
my Iand, 'your cordialiiy ovcrovcrs mc. TIis
rccciion of a sIaiicrcd fragmcni of iIc Tcmlc
oncc callcd Manif I may lc crmiiicd so io
crcss mysclflcscals a Icari iIai is an
Ionour io our common naiurc. I vas aloui io
olscrvc iIai I again lcIold iIc scrcnc soi
vIcrc somc of iIc Iaicsi Iours of my cisi-
cncc flccicd ly.'
'Madc so, I am surc, ly Mrs. Micavlcr,' said
I. 'I Ioc sIc is vcll?'
'TIanl you,' rciurncd Mr. Micavlcr, vIosc
facc cloudcd ai iIis rcfcrcncc, 'sIc is lui so-so.
And iIis,' said Mr. Micavlcr, nodding Iis Icad
sorrovfully, 'is iIc DcncI! WIcrc, for iIc firsi
iimc in many rcvolving ycars, iIc ovcrvIclm-
ing rcssurc of ccuniary lialiliiics vas noi ro-
claimcd, from day io day, ly imoriunc voiccs
dcclining io vacaic iIc assagc; vIcrc iIcrc vas
no lnoclcr on iIc door for any crcdiior io a-
335
cal io; vIcrc crsonal scrvicc of roccss vas
noi rcquircd, and dciainccs vcrc mcrcly lodgcd
ai iIc gaic! Gcnilcmcn,' said Mr. Micavlcr,
'vIcn iIc sIadov of iIai iron-vorl on iIc sum-
mii of iIc lricl siruciurc Ias lccn rcflccicd on
iIc gravcl of iIc Faradc, I Iavc sccn my cIil-
drcn iIrcad iIc mazcs of iIc iniricaic aiicrn,
avoiding iIc darl marls. I Iavc lccn familiar
viiI cvcry sionc in iIc lacc. If I lciray vcal-
ncss, you vill lnov Iov io ccusc mc.'
'Wc Iavc all goi on in lifc sincc iIcn, Mr.
Micavlcr,' said I.
'Mr. Cocrficld,' rciurncd Mr. Micavlcr, lii-
icrly, 'vIcn I vas an inmaic of iIai rcircai I
could lool my fcllov-man in iIc facc, and uncI
Iis Icad if Ic offcndcd mc. My fcllov-man and
mysclf arc no longcr on iIosc glorious icrms!'
Turning from iIc luilding in a dovncasi man-
ncr, Mr. Micavlcr acccicd my roffcrcd arm
on onc sidc, and iIc roffcrcd arm of Traddlcs
on iIc oiIcr, and vallcd avay lcivccn us.
'TIcrc arc somc landmarls,' olscrvcd Mr.
Micavlcr, looling fondly lacl ovcr Iis sIoul-
dcr, 'on iIc road io iIc ioml, vIicI, lui for iIc
imiciy of iIc asiraiion, a man vould visI
ncvcr io Iavc asscd. SucI is iIc DcncI in my
cIcqucrcd carccr.'
'OI, you arc in lov siriis, Mr. Micavlcr,' said
Traddlcs.
'I am, sir,' inicroscd Mr. Micavlcr.
'I Ioc,' said Traddlcs, 'ii is noi lccausc you
Iavc conccivcd a dislilc io iIc lavfor I am a
lavycr mysclf, you lnov.'
Mr. Micavlcr ansvcrcd noi a vord.
'Hov is our fricnd Hcc, Mr. Micavlcr?' said
I, aficr a silcncc.
'My dcar Cocrficld,' rciurncd Mr. Micavlcr,
lursiing inio a siaic of mucI cciicmcni, and
iurning alc, 'if you asl aficr my cmloycr as
your fricnd, I am sorry for ii; if you asl aficr
Iim as m fricnd, I sardonically smilc ai ii. In
vIaicvcr caaciiy you asl aficr my cmloycr, I
336
lcg, viiIoui offcncc io you, io limii my rcly io
iIisiIai vIaicvcr Iis siaic of IcaliI may lc,
Iis acarancc is foy: noi io say dialolical.
You vill allov mc, as a rivaic individual, io
dcclinc ursuing a suljcci vIicI Ias lasIcd
mc io iIc uimosi vcrgc of dcscraiion in my
rofcssional caaciiy.'
I crcsscd my rcgrci for Iaving innoccnily
ioucIcd uon a iIcmc iIai rouscd Iim so mucI.
'May I asl,' said I, 'viiIoui any Iazard of rc-
caiing iIc misialc, Iov my old fricnds Mr.
and Miss Wiclficld arc?'
'Miss Wiclficld,' said Mr. Micavlcr, nov iurn-
ing rcd, 'is, as sIc alvays is, a aiicrn, and a
lrigIi camlc. My dcar Cocrficld, sIc is iIc
only siarry soi in a miscrallc cisicncc. My rc-
scci for iIai young lady, my admiraiion of Icr
cIaracicr, my dcvoiion io Icr for Icr lovc and
iruiI, and goodncss!Talc mc,' said Mr.
Micavlcr, 'dovn a iurning, for, uon my soul, in
my rcscni siaic of mind I am noi cqual io iIis!'
Wc vIcclcd Iim off inio a narrov sircci, vIcrc
Ic iool oui Iis oclci-IandlcrcIicf, and siood
viiI Iis lacl io a vall. If I loolcd as gravcly ai
Iim as Traddlcs did, Ic musi Iavc found our
comany ly no mcans insiriiing.
'Ii is my faic,' said Mr. Micavlcr, unfcigncdly
solling, lui doing cvcn iIai, viiI a sIadov of
iIc old crcssion of doing somciIing gcniccl;
'ii is my faic, gcnilcmcn, iIai iIc fincr fcclings
of our naiurc Iavc lccomc rcroacIcs io mc.
My Iomagc io Miss Wiclficld, is a fligIi of ar-
rovs in my losom. You Iad lciicr lcavc mc, if
you lcasc, io vall iIc cariI as a vagalond.
TIc vorm vill sciilc my lusincss in doullc-
quicl iimc.'
WiiIoui aiicnding io iIis invocaiion, vc siood
ly, uniil Ic ui u Iis oclci-IandlcrcIicf,
ullcd u Iis sIiri-collar, and, io dcludc any
crson in iIc ncigIlourIood vIo migIi Iavc
lccn olscrving Iim, Iummcd a iunc viiI Iis
Iai vcry mucI on onc sidc. I iIcn mcniioncd
337
noi lnoving vIai migIi lc losi if vc losi sigIi
of Iim yciiIai ii vould givc mc grcai lca-
surc io iniroducc Iim io my auni, if Ic vould
ridc oui io HigIgaic, vIcrc a lcd vas ai Iis
scrvicc.
'You sIall malc us a glass of your ovn uncI,
Mr. Micavlcr,' said I, 'and forgci vIaicvcr you
Iavc on your mind, in lcasanicr rcminis-
ccnccs.'
'Or, if confiding anyiIing io fricnds vill lc
morc lilcly io rclicvc you, you sIall imari ii io
us, Mr. Micavlcr,' said Traddlcs, rudcnily.
'Gcnilcmcn,' rciurncd Mr. Micavlcr, 'do viiI
mc as you vill! I am a sirav uon iIc surfacc of
iIc dcc, and am iosscd in all dircciions ly iIc
clcIanisI lcg your ardon; I sIould Iavc said
iIc clcmcnis.'
Wc vallcd on, arm-in-arm, again; found iIc
coacI in iIc aci of siariing; and arrivcd ai
HigIgaic viiIoui cncounicring any difficuliics
ly iIc vay. I vas vcry uncasy and vcry unccr-
iain in my mind vIai io say or do for iIc lcsi
so vas Traddlcs, cvidcnily. Mr. Micavlcr vas
for iIc mosi ari lungcd inio dcc gloom. Hc
occasionally madc an aiicmi io smaricn Iim-
sclf, and Ium iIc fag-cnd of a iunc; lui Iis
rclascs inio rofound mclancIoly vcrc only
madc iIc morc imrcssivc ly iIc moclcry of a
Iai ccccdingly on onc sidc, and a sIiri-collar
ullcd u io Iis cycs.
Wc vcni io my auni's Iousc raiIcr iIan io
minc, lccausc of Dora's noi lcing vcll. My auni
rcscnicd Icrsclf on lcing scni for, and vcl-
comcd Mr. Micavlcr viiI gracious cordialiiy.
Mr. Micavlcr lisscd Icr Iand, rciircd io iIc
vindov, and ulling oui Iis oclci-Iandlcr-
cIicf, Iad a mcnial vrcsilc viiI Iimsclf.
Mr. Dicl vas ai Iomc. Hc vas ly naiurc so
ccccdingly comassionaic of anyonc vIo
sccmcd io lc ill ai casc, and vas so quicl io
find any sucI crson oui, iIai Ic sIool Iands
viiI Mr. Micavlcr, ai lcasi Ialf-a-dozcn iimcs
338
in fivc minuics. To Mr. Micavlcr, in Iis iroullc,
iIis varmiI, on iIc ari of a sirangcr, vas so
circmcly ioucIing, iIai Ic could only say, on
iIc occasion of cacI succcssivc sIalc, 'My dcar
sir, you ovcrovcr mc!' WIicI graiificd Mr. Dicl
so mucI, iIai Ic vcni ai ii again viiI grcaicr
vigour iIan lcforc.
'TIc fricndlincss of iIis gcnilcman,' said Mr.
Micavlcr io my auni, 'if you vill allov mc,
ma'am, io cull a figurc of scccI from iIc vo-
calulary of our coarscr naiional sorisfloors
mc. To a man vIo is siruggling viiI a comli-
caicd lurdcn of crlciiy and disquici, sucI a
rccciion is irying, I assurc you.'
'My fricnd Mr. Dicl,' rclicd my auni roudly,
'is noi a common man.'
'TIai I am convinccd of,' said Mr. Micavlcr. 'My
dcar sir!' for Mr. Dicl vas sIaling Iands viiI Iim
again; 'I am dccly scnsillc of your cordialiiy!'
'Hov do you find yoursclf?' said Mr. Dicl, viiI
an anious lool.
'Indiffcrcni, my dcar sir,' rciurncd Mr.
Micavlcr, sigIing.
'You musi lcc u your siriis,' said Mr. Dicl,
'and malc yoursclf as comforiallc as ossillc.'
Mr. Micavlcr vas quiic ovcrcomc ly iIcsc
fricndly vords, and ly finding Mr. Dicl's Iand
again viiIin Iis ovn. 'Ii Ias lccn my loi,' Ic
olscrvcd, 'io mcci, in iIc divcrsificd anorama
of Iuman cisicncc, viiI an occasional oasis,
lui ncvcr viiI onc so grccn, so gusIing, as iIc
rcscni!'
Ai anoiIcr iimc I sIould Iavc lccn amuscd
ly iIis; lui I fcli iIai vc vcrc all consiraincd
and uncasy, and I vaicIcd Mr. Micavlcr so
aniously, in Iis vacillaiions lcivccn an cvi-
dcni disosiiion io rcvcal somciIing, and a
counicr-disosiiion io rcvcal noiIing, iIai I vas
in a crfcci fcvcr. Traddlcs, siiiing on iIc cdgc
of Iis cIair, viiI Iis cycs vidc ocn, and Iis
Iair morc cmIaiically crcci iIan cvcr, siarcd
ly iurns ai iIc ground and ai Mr. Micavlcr,
339
viiIoui so mucI as aiicmiing io ui in a vord.
My auni, iIougI I sav iIai Icr sIrcvdcsi ol-
scrvaiion vas conccniraicd on Icr ncv gucsi,
Iad morc uscful osscssion of Icr viis iIan
ciiIcr of us; for sIc Icld Iim in convcrsaiion,
and madc ii ncccssary for Iim io iall, vIciIcr
Ic lilcd ii or noi.
'You arc a vcry old fricnd of my ncIcv's, Mr.
Micavlcr,' said my auni. 'I visI I Iad Iad iIc
lcasurc of sccing you lcforc.'
'Madam,' rciurncd Mr. Micavlcr, 'I visI I Iad
Iad iIc Ionour of lnoving you ai an carlicr
criod. I vas noi alvays iIc vrccl you ai rcscni
lcIold.'
'I Ioc Mrs. Micavlcr and your family arc vcll,
sir,' said my auni.
Mr. Micavlcr inclincd Iis Icad. 'TIcy arc as vcll,
ma'am,' Ic dcscraicly olscrvcd aficr a ausc, 'as
Alicns and Ouicasis can cvcr Ioc io lc.'
'Lord llcss you, sir!' cclaimcd my auni, in
Icr alrui vay. 'WIai arc you ialling aloui?'
'TIc sulsisicncc of my family, ma'am,' rc-
iurncd Mr. Micavlcr, 'ircmllcs in iIc lalancc.
My cmloycr'
Hcrc Mr. Micavlcr rovolingly lcfi off; and
lcgan io ccl iIc lcmons iIai Iad lccn undcr
my dircciions sci lcforc Iim, iogciIcr viiI all
iIc oiIcr alianccs Ic uscd in maling uncI.
'Your cmloycr, you lnov,' said Mr. Dicl, jog-
ging Iis arm as a gcnilc rcmindcr.
'My good sir,' rciurncd Mr. Micavlcr, 'you rc-
call mc, I am olligcd io you.' TIcy sIool Iands
again. 'My cmloycr, ma'amMr. Hcconcc
did mc iIc favour io olscrvc io mc, iIai if I
vcrc noi in iIc rcccii of iIc siicndiary cmolu-
mcnis acriaining io my cngagcmcni viiI Iim,
I sIould rolally lc a mouniclanl aloui iIc
couniry, svalloving a svord-lladc, and caiing
iIc dcvouring clcmcni. For anyiIing iIai I can
crccivc io iIc conirary, ii is siill rolallc iIai
my cIildrcn may lc rcduccd io sccl a livcli-
Iood ly crsonal conioriion, vIilc Mrs.
340
Micavlcr alcis iIcir unnaiural fcais ly lay-
ing iIc larrcl-organ.'
Mr. Micavlcr, viiI a random lui crcssivc
flourisI of Iis lnifc, significd iIai iIcsc crfor-
manccs migIi lc cccicd io ialc lacc aficr
Ic vas no morc; iIcn rcsumcd Iis ccling viiI
a dcscraic air.
My auni lcancd Icr cllov on iIc liiilc round
iallc iIai sIc usually lci lcsidc Icr, and cycd
Iim aiicniivcly. NoiviiIsianding iIc avcrsion
viiI vIicI I rcgardcd iIc idca of cniraing
Iim inio any disclosurc Ic vas noi rcarcd io
malc voluniarily, I sIould Iavc ialcn Iim u
ai iIis oini, lui for iIc sirangc rocccdings in
vIicI I sav Iim cngagcd; vIcrcof Iis uiiing
iIc lcmon-ccl inio iIc lciilc, iIc sugar inio
iIc snuffcr-iray, iIc sirii inio iIc cmiy jug,
and confidcnily aiicmiing io our loiling va-
icr oui of a candlcsiicl, vcrc among iIc mosi
rcmarlallc. I sav iIai a crisis vas ai Iand,
and ii camc. Hc claiicrcd all Iis mcans and
imlcmcnis iogciIcr, rosc from Iis cIair, ullcd
oui Iis oclci-IandlcrcIicf, and lursi inio
icars.
'My dcar Cocrficld,' said Mr. Micavlcr, lc-
Iind Iis IandlcrcIicf, 'iIis is an occuaiion,
of all oiIcrs, rcquiring an uniroullcd mind, and
sclf-rcscci. I cannoi crform ii. Ii is oui of iIc
qucsiion.'
'Mr. Micavlcr,' said I, 'vIai is iIc maiicr?
Fray scal oui. You arc among fricnds.'
'Among fricnds, sir!' rccaicd Mr. Micavlcr;
and all Ic Iad rcscrvcd camc lrcaling oui of
Iim. 'Good Icavcns, ii is rincially lccausc I
um among fricnds iIai my siaic of mind is vIai
ii is. WIai is iIc maiicr, gcnilcmcn? WIai is
not iIc maiicr? Villainy is iIc maiicr; lascncss
is iIc maiicr; dccciion, fraud, consiracy, arc
iIc maiicr; and iIc namc of iIc vIolc airocious
mass isHcc!'
M auni clacd Icr Iands, and vc all siaricd
u as if vc vcrc osscsscd.
341
'TIc sirugglc is ovcr!' said Mr. Micavlcr vio-
lcnily gcsiiculaiing viiI Iis oclci-Iandlcr-
cIicf, and fairly siriling oui from iimc io iimc
viiI loiI arms, as if Ic vcrc svimming undcr
sucrIuman difficuliics. 'I vill lcad iIis lifc no
longcr. I am a vrcicIcd lcing, cui off from cv-
cryiIing iIai malcs lifc iolcrallc. I Iavc lccn
undcr a Taloo in iIai infcrnal scoundrcl's scr-
vicc. Givc mc lacl my vifc, givc mc lacl my
family, sulsiiiuic Micavlcr for iIc ciiy vrcicI
vIo valls aloui in iIc loois ai rcscni on my
fcci, and call uon mc io svallov a svord io-
morrov, and I'll do ii. WiiI an aciiic!'
I ncvcr sav a man so Ioi in my lifc. I iricd io
calm Iim, iIai vc migIi comc io somciIing
raiional; lui Ic goi Ioiicr and Ioiicr, and
vouldn'i Icar a vord.
'I'll ui my Iand in no man's Iand,' said Mr.
Micavlcr, gasing, uffing, and solling, io iIai
dcgrcc iIai Ic vas lilc a man figIiing viiI cold
vaicr, 'uniil I Iavcllovn io fragmcnisiIc
adcicsiallcscrcniHcc! I'll arialc of
no onc's Iosiialiiy, uniil I Iavcamovcd
Mouni Vcsuviusio cruiion onaiIc
alandoncd rascalHcc! FcfrcsImcnia un-
dcrncaiI iIis roofariicularly uncI
vouldacIolc mcunlcssI Iadrcvi-
ouslycIolcd iIc cycsoui of iIc Icada
ofinicrminallc cIcai, and liarHcc! Ia
I'll lnov nolodyandasay noiIingand
alivc novIcrcuniil I Iavc crusIcdioa
undiscovcrallc aiomsiIciransccndcni and
immorial Iyocriic and crjurcrHcc!'
I rcally Iad somc fcar of Mr. Micavlcr's dying
on iIc soi. TIc manncr in vIicI Ic sirugglcd
iIrougI iIcsc inariiculaic scnicnccs, and,
vIcncvcr Ic found Iimsclf gciiing ncar iIc
namc of Hcc, fougIi Iis vay on io ii, dasIcd
ai ii in a fainiing siaic, and lrougIi ii oui viiI
a vcIcmcncc liiilc lcss iIan marvcllous, vas
frigIiful; lui nov, vIcn Ic sanl inio a cIair,
sicaming, and loolcd ai us, viiI cvcry ossillc
342
colour in Iis facc iIai Iad no lusincss iIcrc,
and an cndlcss roccssion of lums folloving
onc anoiIcr in Ioi Iasic u Iis iIroai, vIcncc
iIcy sccmcd io sIooi inio Iis forcIcad, Ic Iad
iIc acarancc of lcing in iIc lasi circmiiy. I
vould Iavc gonc io Iis assisiancc, lui Ic vavcd
mc off, and vouldn'i Icar a vord.
'No, Cocrficld!No communicaiionaun-
iilMiss Wiclficld arcdrcss from vrongs
inflicicd ly consummaic scoundrclHcc!' (I
am quiic convinccd Ic could noi Iavc uiicrcd
iIrcc vords, lui for iIc amazing cncrgy viiI
vIicI iIis vord insircd Iim vIcn Ic fcli ii
coming.} 'Inviolallc sccrciafrom iIc vIolc
vorld ano ccciionsiIis day vccla
ai lrcalfasi-iimcacvcrylody rcscniin-
cluding auniaand circmcly fricndly gcnilc-
manio lc ai iIc Ioicl ai Canicrlurya
vIcrcMrs. Micavlcr and mysclfAuld Lang
Sync in cIorusandavill cosc iniolcrallc
ruffianHcc! No morc io sayaor lisicn io
crsuasiongo immcdiaiclynoi caallca
lcar sociciyuon iIc iracl of dcvoicd and
doomcd iraiiorHcc!'
WiiI iIis lasi rcciiiion of iIc magic vord iIai
Iad lci Iim going ai all, and in vIicI Ic sur-
asscd all Iis rcvious cfforis, Mr. Micavlcr
rusIcd oui of iIc Iousc; lcaving us in a siaic of
cciicmcni, Ioc, and vondcr, iIai rcduccd us
io a condiiion liiilc lciicr iIan Iis ovn. Dui
cvcn iIcn Iis assion for vriiing lciicrs vas ioo
sirong io lc rcsisicd; for vIilc vc vcrc yci in
iIc IcigIi of our cciicmcni, Ioc, and von-
dcr, iIc folloving asioral noic vas lrougIi io
mc from a ncigIlouring iavcrn, ai vIicI Ic Iad
callcd io vriic ii:
Most secret and confidential.
MY DEAR SIR,
I beg to be allowed to convey, through you, my
apologies to your excellent aunt for my late excite-
343
ment. An explosion of a smouldering volcano long
suppressed, was the result of an internal contest
more easily conceived than described.
I trust I rendered tolerably intelligible my appoint-
ment for the morning of this day week, at the house
of public entertainment at Canterbury, where Mrs.
Micawber and myself had once the honour of uniting
our voices to yours, in the well-known strain of the
Immortal exciseman nurtured beyond the Tweed.
The duty done, and act of reparation performed,
which can alone enable me to contemplate my fel-
low mortal, I shall be known no more. I shall simply
require to be deposited in that place of universal re-
sort, where
Each in his narrow cell for ever laid,
The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep,
With the plain Inscription,
WILKINS MICAWBER.
CHAPTER S0
Mr. PEGGOTTY'S DREAM
COMES TRUE
DY THIS TIME, somc moniIs Iad asscd sincc our
inicrvicv on iIc lanl of iIc rivcr viiI MariIa.
I Iad ncvcr sccn Icr sincc, lui sIc Iad com-
municaicd viiI Mr. Fcggoiiy on scvcral oc-
casions. NoiIing Iad comc of Icr zcalous inicr-
vcniion; nor could I infcr, from vIai Ic iold mc,
iIai any cluc Iad lccn oliaincd, for a momcni,
io Emily's faic. I confcss iIai I lcgan io dcsair
of Icr rccovcry, and gradually io sinl dcccr
and dcccr inio iIc lclicf iIai sIc vas dcad.
His conviciion rcmaincd uncIangcd. So far
as I lnovand I lclicvc Iis Ioncsi Icari vas
iransarcni io mcIc ncvcr vavcrcd again, in
Iis solcmn ccriainiy of finding Icr. His aiicncc
ncvcr iircd. And, aliIougI I ircmllcd for iIc
agony ii migIi onc day lc io Iim io Iavc Iis
sirong assurancc sIivcrcd ai a llov, iIcrc vas
344
somciIing so rcligious in ii, so affcciingly c-
rcssivc of iis ancIor lcing in iIc urcsi dciIs
of Iis finc naiurc, iIai iIc rcscci and Ionour
in vIicI I Icld Iim vcrc calicd cvcry day.
His vas noi a lazy irusifulncss iIai Iocd,
and did no morc. Hc Iad lccn a man of siurdy
aciion all Iis lifc, and Ic lncv iIai in all iIings
vIcrcin Ic vanicd Icl Ic musi do Iis ovn
ari faiiIfully, and Icl Iimsclf. I Iavc lnovn
Iim sci oui in iIc nigIi, on a misgiving iIai iIc
ligIi migIi noi lc, ly somc accidcni, in iIc vin-
dov of iIc old loai, and vall io YarmouiI. I
Iavc lnovn Iim, on rcading somciIing in iIc
ncvsacr iIai migIi aly io Icr, ialc u Iis
siicl, and go foriI on a journcy of iIrccor four-
scorc milcs. Hc madc Iis vay ly sca io Nalcs,
and lacl, aficr Icaring iIc narraiivc io vIicI
Miss Darilc Iad assisicd mc. All Iis journcys
vcrc ruggcdly crformcd; for Ic vas alvays
sicadfasi in a urosc of saving moncy for
Emily's salc, vIcn sIc sIould lc found. In all
iIis long ursuii, I ncvcr Icard Iim rcinc; I
ncvcr Icard Iim say Ic vas faiigucd, or oui of
Icari.
Dora Iad oficn sccn Iim sincc our marriagc,
and vas quiic fond of Iim. I fancy Iis figurc
lcforc mc nov, sianding ncar Icr sofa, viiI Iis
rougI ca in Iis Iand, and iIc lluc cycs of my
cIild-vifc raiscd, viiI a iimid vondcr, io Iis
facc. Somciimcs of an cvcning, aloui iviligIi,
vIcn Ic camc io iall viiI mc, I vould inducc
Iim io smolc Iis ic in iIc gardcn, as vc
slovly accd io and fro iogciIcr; and iIcn, iIc
iciurc of Iis dcscricd Iomc, and iIc comfori-
allc air ii uscd io Iavc in my cIildisI cycs of
an cvcning vIcn iIc firc vas lurning, and iIc
vind moaning round ii, camc mosi vividly inio
my mind.
Onc cvcning, ai iIis Iour, Ic iold mc iIai Ic
Iad found MariIa vaiiing ncar Iis lodging on
iIc rcccding nigIi vIcn Ic camc oui, and iIai
sIc Iad aslcd Iim noi io lcavc London on any
345
accouni, uniil Ic sIould Iavc sccn Icr again.
'Did sIc icll you vIy?' I inquircd.
'I aslcd Icr, Mas'r Davy,' Ic rclicd, 'lui ii is
lui fcv vords as sIc cvcr says, and sIc on'y
goi my romisc and so vcni avay.'
'Did sIc say vIcn you migIi ccci io scc
Icr again?' I dcmandcd.
'No, Mas'r Davy,' Ic rciurncd, draving Iis Iand
iIougIifully dovn Iis facc. 'I aslcd iIai ioo; lui
ii vas morc (sIc said} iIan sIc could icll.'
As I Iad long forlornc io cncouragc Iim viiI
Iocs iIai Iung on iIrcads, I madc no oiIcr
commcni on iIis informaiion iIan iIai I su-
oscd Ic vould scc Icr soon. SucI sccula-
iions as ii cngcndcrcd viiIin mc I lci io my-
sclf, and iIosc vcrc faini cnougI.
I vas valling alonc in iIc gardcn, onc cvcning,
aloui a forinigIi aficrvards. I rcmcmlcr iIai
cvcning vcll. Ii vas iIc sccond in Mr. Micavlcr's
vccl of suscnsc. TIcrc Iad lccn rain all day,
and iIcrc vas a dam fccling in iIc air. TIc
lcavcs vcrc iIicl uon iIc irccs, and Icavy viiI
vci; lui iIc rain Iad ccascd, iIougI iIc sly
vas siill darl; and iIc Iocful lirds vcrc sing-
ing cIccrfully. As I vallcd io and fro in iIc gar-
dcn, and iIc iviligIi lcgan io closc around mc,
iIcir liiilc voiccs vcrc IusIcd; and iIai ccu-
liar silcncc vIicI lclongs io sucI an cvcning
in iIc couniry vIcn iIc ligIicsi irccs arc quiic
siill, savc for iIc occasional droings from iIcir
lougIs, rcvailcd.
TIcrc vas a liiilc grccn crscciivc of ircllis-
vorl and ivy ai iIc sidc of our coiiagc, iIrougI
vIicI I could scc, from iIc gardcn vIcrc I vas
valling, inio iIc road lcforc iIc Iousc. I Ia-
cncd io iurn my cycs iovards iIis lacc, as I
vas iIinling of many iIings; and I sav a figurc
lcyond, drcsscd in a lain cloal. Ii vas lcnd-
ing cagcrly iovards mc, and lccloning.
'MariIa!' said I, going io ii.
'Can you comc viiI mc?' sIc inquircd, in an
agiiaicd vIiscr. 'I Iavc lccn io Iim, and Ic is
346
noi ai Iomc. I vroic dovn vIcrc Ic vas io comc,
and lcfi ii on Iis iallc viiI my ovn Iand. TIcy
said Ic vould noi lc oui long. I Iavc iidings for
Iim. Can you comc dirccily?'
My ansvcr vas, io ass oui ai iIc gaic immc-
diaicly. SIc madc a Iasiy gcsiurc viiI Icr Iand,
as if io cnircai my aiicncc and my silcncc, and
iurncd iovards London, vIcncc, as Icr drcss
lciolcncd, sIc Iad comc ccdiiiously on fooi.
I aslcd Icr if iIai vcrc noi our dcsiinaiion?
On Icr moiioning Ycs, viiI iIc samc Iasiy gcs-
iurc as lcforc, I siocd an cmiy coacI iIai
vas coming ly, and vc goi inio ii. WIcn I aslcd
Icr vIcrc iIc coacIman vas io drivc, sIc an-
svcrcd, 'AnyvIcrc ncar Goldcn Squarc! And
quicl!'iIcn sIrunl inio a corncr, viiI onc
ircmlling Iand lcforc Icr facc, and iIc oiIcr
maling iIc formcr gcsiurc, as if sIc could noi
lcar a voicc.
Nov mucI disiurlcd, and dazzlcd viiI con-
fliciing glcams of Ioc and drcad, I loolcd ai
Icr for somc clanaiion. Dui sccing Iov
sirongly sIc dcsircd io rcmain quici, and fccl-
ing iIai ii vas my ovn naiural inclinaiion ioo,
ai sucI a iimc, I did noi aiicmi io lrcal iIc
silcncc. Wc rocccdcd viiIoui a vord lcing
solcn. Somciimcs sIc glanccd oui of iIc vin-
dov, as iIougI sIc iIougIi vc vcrc going
slovly, iIougI indccd vc vcrc going fasi; lui
oiIcrvisc rcmaincd cacily as ai firsi.
Wc aligIicd ai onc of iIc cniranccs io iIc
Squarc sIc Iad mcniioncd, vIcrc I dirccicd iIc
coacI io vaii, noi lnoving lui iIai vc migIi
Iavc somc occasion for ii. SIc laid Icr Iand on
my arm, and Iurricd mc on io onc of iIc som-
lrc sirccis, of vIicI iIcrc arc scvcral in iIai
ari, vIcrc iIc Iouscs vcrc oncc fair dvcllings
in iIc occuaiion of singlc familics, lui Iavc,
and Iad, long dcgcncraicd inio oor lodgings
lci off in rooms. Enicring ai iIc ocn door of
onc of iIcsc, and rclcasing my arm, sIc lccl-
oncd mc io follov Icr u iIc common siaircasc,
347
vIicI vas lilc a iriluiary cIanncl io iIc sircci.
TIc Iousc svarmcd viiI inmaics. As vc vcni
u, doors of rooms vcrc ocncd and colc's
Icads ui oui; and vc asscd oiIcr colc on
iIc siairs, vIo vcrc coming dovn. In glancing
u from iIc ouisidc, lcforc vc cnicrcd, I Iad
sccn vomcn and cIildrcn lolling ai iIc vindovs
ovcr flovcr-ois; and vc sccmcd io Iavc ai-
iracicd iIcir curiosiiy, for iIcsc vcrc rincially
iIc olscrvcrs vIo loolcd oui of iIcir doors. Ii
vas a lroad ancllcd siaircasc, viiI massivc
lalusiradcs of somc darl vood; corniccs alovc
iIc doors, ornamcnicd viiI carvcd fruii and
flovcrs; and lroad scais in iIc vindovs. Dui
all iIcsc iolcns of asi grandcur vcrc miscr-
ally dccaycd and diriy; roi, dam, and agc, Iad
vcalcncd iIc flooring, vIicI in many laccs
vas unsound and cvcn unsafc. Somc aiicmis
Iad lccn madc, I noiiccd, io infusc ncv llood
inio iIis dvindling framc, ly rcairing iIc cosily
old vood-vorl Icrc and iIcrc viiI common
dcal; lui ii vas lilc iIc marriagc of a rcduccd
old nollc io a lclcian aucr, and cacI ariy
io iIc ill-assoricd union sIrunl avay from iIc
oiIcr. Scvcral of iIc lacl vindovs on iIc siair-
casc Iad lccn darlcncd or vIolly lloclcd u.
In iIosc iIai rcmaincd, iIcrc vas scarccly any
glass; and, iIrougI iIc crumlling framcs ly
vIicI iIc lad air sccmcd alvays io comc in,
and ncvcr io go oui, I sav, iIrougI oiIcr glass-
lcss vindovs, inio oiIcr Iouscs in a similar
condiiion, and loolcd giddily dovn inio a
vrcicIcd yard, vIicI vas iIc common dusi-
Ica of iIc mansion.
Wc rocccdcd io iIc io-siorcy of iIc Iousc.
Tvo or iIrcc iimcs, ly iIc vay, I iIougIi I ol-
scrvcd in iIc indisiinci ligIi iIc sliris of a fc-
malc figurc going u lcforc us. As vc iurncd io
asccnd iIc lasi fligIi of siairs lcivccn us and
iIc roof, vc caugIi a full vicv of iIis figurc aus-
ing for a momcni, ai a door. TIcn ii iurncd iIc
Iandlc, and vcni in.
348
'WIai's iIis!' said MariIa, in a vIiscr. 'SIc
Ias gonc inio my room. I don'i lnov Icr!'
I lncv Icr. I Iad rccognizcd Icr viiI amazc-
mcni, for Miss Darilc.
I said somciIing io iIc cffcci iIai ii vas a
lady vIom I Iad sccn lcforc, in a fcv vords, io
my conducircss; and Iad scarccly donc so, vIcn
vc Icard Icr voicc in iIc room, iIougI noi,
from vIcrc vc siood, vIai sIc vas saying.
MariIa, viiI an asionisIcd lool, rccaicd Icr
formcr aciion, and sofily lcd mc u iIc siairs;
and iIcn, ly a liiilc lacl-door vIicI sccmcd io
Iavc no locl, and vIicI sIc usIcd ocn viiI
a ioucI, inio a small cmiy garrci viiI a lov
sloing roof, liiilc lciicr iIan a culoard. Dc-
ivccn iIis, and iIc room sIc Iad callcd Icrs,
iIcrc vas a small door of communicaiion, siand-
ing arily ocn. Hcrc vc siocd, lrcaiIlcss
viiI our asccni, and sIc laccd Icr Iand ligIily
on my lis. I could only scc, of iIc room lc-
yond, iIai ii vas rciiy largc; iIai iIcrc vas a
lcd in ii; and iIai iIcrc vcrc somc common
iciurcs of sIis uon iIc valls. I could noi scc
Miss Darilc, or iIc crson vIom vc Iad Icard
Icr addrcss. Ccriainly, my comanion could noi,
for my osiiion vas iIc lcsi. A dcad silcncc
rcvailcd for somc momcnis. MariIa lci onc
Iand on my lis, and raiscd iIc oiIcr in a lis-
icning aiiiiudc.
'Ii maiicrs liiilc io mc Icr noi lcing ai Iomc,'
said Fosa Darilc IaugIiily, 'I lnov noiIing of
Icr. Ii is you I comc io scc.'
'Mc?' rclicd a sofi voicc.
Ai iIc sound of ii, a iIrill vcni iIrougI my
framc. For ii vas Emily's!
'Ycs,' rciurncd Miss Darilc, 'I Iavc comc io
lool ai you. WIai? You arc noi asIamcd of iIc
facc iIai Ias donc so mucI?'
TIc rcsoluic and unrclcniing Iaircd of Icr
ionc, iis cold sicrn sIarncss, and iis masicrcd
ragc, rcscnicd Icr lcforc mc, as if I Iad sccn
Icr sianding in iIc ligIi. I sav iIc flasIing llacl
349
cycs, and iIc assion-vasicd figurc; and I sav
iIc scar, viiI iis vIiic iracl cuiiing iIrougI
Icr lis, quivcring and iIrolling as sIc solc.
'I Iavc comc io scc,' sIc said, 'Jamcs SiccrforiI's
fancy; iIc girl vIo ran avay viiI Iim, and is iIc
iovn-iall of iIc commoncsi colc of Icr naiivc
lacc; iIc lold, flauniing, raciiscd comanion
of crsons lilc Jamcs SiccrforiI. I vani io lnov
vIai sucI a iIing is lilc.'
TIcrc vas a rusilc, as if iIc unIay girl, on
vIom sIc Icacd iIcsc iaunis, ran iovards iIc
door, and iIc scalcr svifily inicroscd Icrsclf
lcforc ii. Ii vas succccdcd ly a momcni's ausc.
WIcn Miss Darilc solc again, ii vas iIrougI
Icr sci icciI, and viiI a siam uon iIc ground.
'Siay iIcrc!' sIc said, 'or I'll roclaim you io
iIc Iousc, and iIc vIolc sircci! If you iry io
cvadc mc, I'll sio you, if ii's ly iIc Iair, and
raisc iIc vcry sioncs againsi you!'
A frigIicncd murmur vas iIc only rcly iIai
rcacIcd my cars. A silcncc succccdcd. I did noi
lnov vIai io do. MucI as I dcsircd io ui an
cnd io iIc inicrvicv, I fcli iIai I Iad no rigIi io
rcscni mysclf; iIai ii vas for Mr. Fcggoiiy alonc
io scc Icr and rccovcr Icr. Would Ic ncvcr
comc? I iIougIi imaiicnily.
'So!' said Fosa Darilc, viiI a conicmiuous
laugI, 'I scc Icr ai lasi! WIy, Ic vas a oor
crcaiurc io lc ialcn ly iIai dclicaic mocl-mod-
csiy, and iIai Ianging Icad!'
'OI, for Hcavcn's salc, sarc mc!' cclaimcd
Emily. 'WIocvcr you arc, you lnov my iiiallc
siory, and for Hcavcn's salc sarc mc, if you
vould lc sarcd yoursclf!'
'If I vould lc sarcd!' rciurncd iIc oiIcr
ficrccly; 'vIai is iIcrc in common lcivccn US,
do you iIinl!'
'NoiIing lui our sc,' said Emily, viiI a lursi
of icars.
'And iIai,' said Fosa Darilc, 'is so sirong a
claim, rcfcrrcd ly onc so infamous, iIai if I
Iad any fccling in my lrcasi lui scorn and al-
350
Iorrcncc of you, ii vould frcczc ii u. Our sc!
You arc an Ionour io our sc!'
'I Iavc dcscrvcd iIis,' said Emily, 'lui ii's
drcadful! Dcar, dcar lady, iIinl vIai I Iavc
suffcrcd, and Iov I am fallcn! OI, MariIa, comc
lacl! OI, Iomc, Iomc!'
Miss Darilc laccd Icrsclf in a cIair, viiIin
vicv of iIc door, and loolcd dovnvard, as if
Emily vcrc croucIing on iIc floor lcforc Icr.
Dcing nov lcivccn mc and iIc ligIi, I could
scc Icr curlcd li, and Icr crucl cycs inicnily
ficd on onc lacc, viiI a grccdy iriumI.
'Lisicn io vIai I say!' sIc said; 'and rcscrvc
your falsc aris for your ducs. Do you Ioc io
movc mc ly your icars? No morc iIan you could
cIarm mc ly your smilcs, you urcIascd slavc.'
'OI, Iavc somc mcrcy on mc!' cricd Emily.
'SIov mc somc comassion, or I sIall dic mad!'
'Ii vould lc no grcai cnancc,' said Fosa Darilc,
'for your crimcs. Do you lnov vIai you Iavc donc?
Do you cvcr iIinl of iIc Iomc you Iavc laid vasic?'
'OI, is iIcrc cvcr nigIi or day, vIcn I don'i iIinl
of ii!' cricd Emily; and nov I could jusi scc Icr, on
Icr lnccs, viiI Icr Icad iIrovn lacl, Icr alc
facc looling uvard, Icr Iands vildly clascd and
Icld oui, and Icr Iair sircaming aloui Icr. 'Has
iIcrc cvcr lccn a singlc minuic, valing or slcc-
ing, vIcn ii Iasn'i lccn lcforc mc, jusi as ii uscd
io lc in iIc losi days vIcn I iurncd my lacl uon
ii for cvcr and for cvcr! OI, Iomc, Iomc! OI dcar,
dcar unclc, if you cvcr could Iavc lnovn iIc agony
your lovc vould causc mc vIcn I fcll avay from
good, you ncvcr vould Iavc sIovn ii io mc so
consiani, mucI as you fcli ii; lui vould Iavc lccn
angry io mc, ai lcasi oncc in my lifc, iIai I migIi
Iavc Iad somc comfori! I Iavc nonc, nonc, no
comfori uon cariI, for all of iIcm vcrc alvays
fond of mc!' SIc drocd on Icr facc, lcforc iIc
imcrious figurc in iIc cIair, viiI an imloring
cffori io clas iIc sliri of Icr drcss.
Fosa Darilc sai looling dovn uon Icr, as
inflcillc as a figurc of lrass. Hcr lis vcrc
351
iigIily comrcsscd, as if sIc lncv iIai sIc musi
lcc a sirong consiraini uon IcrsclfI vriic
vIai I sinccrcly lclicvcor sIc vould lc
icmicd io sirilc iIc lcauiiful form viiI Icr
fooi. I sav Icr, disiincily, and iIc vIolc ovcr
of Icr facc and cIaracicr sccmcd forccd inio
iIai crcssion.Would Ic ncvcr comc?
'TIc miscrallc vaniiy of iIcsc cariI-vorms!' sIc
said, vIcn sIc Iad so far conirollcd iIc angry
Icavings of Icr lrcasi, iIai sIc could irusi Icrsclf
io scal. 'Your Iomc! Do you imaginc iIai I lcsiov
a iIougIi on ii, or suosc you could do any Iarm
io iIai lov lacc, vIicI moncy vould noi ay for,
and Iandsomcly? Your Iomc! You vcrc a ari of
iIc iradc of your Iomc, and vcrc lougIi and sold
lilc any oiIcr vcndillc iIing your colc dcali in.'
'OI, noi iIai!' cricd Emily. 'Say anyiIing of
mc; lui don'i visii my disgracc and sIamc, morc
iIan I Iavc donc, on folls vIo arc as Ionourallc
as you! Havc somc rcscci for iIcm, as you arc
a lady, if you Iavc no mcrcy for mc.'
'I scal,' sIc said, noi dcigning io ialc any
Iccd of iIis acal, and draving avay Icr drcss
from iIc coniaminaiion of Emily's ioucI, 'I scal
of Is IomcvIcrc I livc. Hcrc,' sIc said,
sircicIing oui Icr Iand viiI Icr conicmiu-
ous laugI, and looling dovn uon iIc ros-
iraic girl, 'is a voriIy causc of division lcivccn
lady-moiIcr and gcnilcman-son; of gricf in a
Iousc vIcrc sIc vouldn'i Iavc lccn admiiicd
as a liicIcn-girl; of angcr, and rcining, and
rcroacI. TIis iccc of olluiion, iclcd u from
iIc vaicr-sidc, io lc madc mucI of for an Iour,
and iIcn iosscd lacl io Icr original lacc!'
'No! no!' cricd Emily, clasing Icr Iands io-
gciIcr. 'WIcn Ic firsi camc inio my vayiIai
iIc day Iad ncvcr davncd uon mc, and Ic
Iad mci mc lcing carricd io my gravc!I Iad
lccn lrougIi u as viriuous as you or any lady,
and vas going io lc iIc vifc of as good a man
as you or any lady in iIc vorld can cvcr marry.
If you livc in Iis Iomc and lnov Iim, you lnov,
352
crIas, vIai Iis ovcr viiI a vcal, vain girl
migIi lc. I don'i dcfcnd mysclf, lui I lnov vcll,
and Ic lnovs vcll, or Ic vill lnov vIcn Ic
comcs io dic, and Iis mind is iroullcd viiI ii,
iIai Ic uscd all Iis ovcr io dcccivc mc, and
iIai I lclicvcd Iim, irusicd Iim, and lovcd Iim!'
Fosa Darilc srang u from Icr scai; rccoilcd;
and in rccoiling sirucl ai Icr, viiI a facc of sucI
maligniiy, so darlcncd and disfigurcd ly as-
sion, iIai I Iad almosi iIrovn mysclf lcivccn
iIcm. TIc llov, vIicI Iad no aim, fcll uon iIc
air. As sIc nov siood aniing, looling ai Icr
viiI iIc uimosi dcicsiaiion iIai sIc vas caallc
of crcssing, and ircmlling from Icad io fooi
viiI ragc and scorn, I iIougIi I Iad ncvcr sccn
sucI a sigIi, and ncvcr could scc sucI anoiIcr.
'You lovc Iim? You?' sIc cricd, viiI Icr
clcncIcd Iand, quivcring as if ii only vanicd a
vcaon io sial iIc oljcci of Icr vraiI.
Emily Iad sIrunl oui of my vicv. TIcrc vas
no rcly.
'And icll iIai io mc,' sIc addcd, 'viiI your
sIamcful lis? WIy don'i iIcy vIi iIcsc crca-
iurcs? If I could ordcr ii io lc donc, I vould
Iavc iIis girl vIicd io dcaiI.'
And so sIc vould, I Iavc no douli. I vould
noi Iavc irusicd Icr viiI iIc racl iisclf, vIilc
iIai furious lool lasicd. SIc slovly, vcry slovly,
lrolc inio a laugI, and oinicd ai Emily viiI
Icr Iand, as if sIc vcrc a sigIi of sIamc for
gods and mcn.
'SIc lovc!' sIc said. 'TIut carrion! And Ic cvcr
carcd for Icr, sIc'd icll mc. Ha, Ia! TIc liars
iIai iIcsc iradcrs arc!'
Hcr moclcry vas vorsc iIan Icr undisguiscd
ragc. Of iIc ivo, I vould Iavc mucI rcfcrrcd io
lc iIc oljcci of iIc laiicr. Dui, vIcn sIc suf-
fcrcd ii io lrcal loosc, ii vas only for a momcni.
SIc Iad cIaincd ii u again, and Iovcvcr ii
migIi icar Icr viiIin, sIc sulducd ii io Icrsclf.
'I camc Icrc, you urc founiain of lovc,' sIc
said, 'io sccas I lcgan ly iclling youvIai
353
sucI a iIing as you vas lilc. I vas curious. I
am saiisficd. Also io icll you, iIai you Iad lcsi
sccl iIai Iomc of yours, viiI all sccd, and
Iidc your Icad among iIosc cccllcni colc
vIo arc ccciing you, and vIom your moncy
vill consolc. WIcn ii's all gonc, you can lclicvc,
and irusi, and lovc again, you lnov! I iIougIi
you a lrolcn ioy iIai Iad lasicd iis iimc; a
voriIlcss sanglc iIai vas iarnisIcd, and
iIrovn avay. Dui, finding you iruc gold, a vcry
lady, and an ill-uscd innoccni, viiI a frcsI Icari
full of lovc and irusifulncssvIicI you lool
lilc, and is quiic consisicni viiI your siory!I
Iavc somciIing morc io say. Aiicnd io ii; for
vIai I say I'll do. Do you Icar mc, you fairy
sirii? WIai I say, I mcan io do!'
Hcr ragc goi iIc lciicr of Icr again, for a mo-
mcni; lui ii asscd ovcr Icr facc lilc a sasm,
and lcfi Icr smiling.
'Hidc yoursclf,' sIc ursucd, 'if noi ai Iomc,
somcvIcrc. Lci ii lc somcvIcrc lcyond rcacI;
in somc olscurc lifcor, lciicr siill, in somc
olscurc dcaiI. I vondcr, if your loving Icari
vill noi lrcal, you Iavc found no vay of Icl-
ing ii io lc siill! I Iavc Icard of sucI mcans
somciimcs. I lclicvc iIcy may lc casily found.'
A lov crying, on iIc ari of Emily, inicrruicd
Icr Icrc. SIc siocd, and lisicncd io ii as if ii
vcrc music.
'I am of a sirangc naiurc, crIas,' Fosa Darilc
vcni on; 'lui I can'i lrcaiIc frccly in iIc air
you lrcaiIc. I find ii siclly. TIcrcforc, I vill Iavc
ii clcarcd; I vill Iavc ii urificd of you. If you
livc Icrc iomorrov, I'll Iavc your siory and your
cIaracicr roclaimcd on iIc common siair.
TIcrc arc dcccni vomcn in iIc Iousc, I am iold;
and ii is a iiy sucI a ligIi as you sIould lc
among iIcm, and conccalcd. If, lcaving Icrc,
you sccl any rcfugc in iIis iovn in any cIarac-
icr lui your iruc onc (vIicI you arc vclcomc
io lcar, viiIoui molcsiaiion from mc}, iIc samc
scrvicc sIall lc donc you, if I Icar of your rc-
354
ircai. Dcing assisicd ly a gcnilcman vIo noi
long ago asircd io iIc favour of your Iand, I
am sanguinc as io iIai.'
Would Ic ncvcr, ncvcr comc? Hov long vas I
io lcar iIis? Hov long could I lcar ii? 'OI mc,
oI mc!' cclaimcd iIc vrcicIcd Emily, in a ionc
iIai migIi Iavc ioucIcd iIc Iardcsi Icari, I
sIould Iavc iIougIi; lui iIcrc vas no rclcniing
in Fosa Darilc's smilc. 'WIai, vIai, sIall I do!'
'Do?' rciurncd iIc oiIcr. 'Livc Iay in your
ovn rcflcciions! Consccraic your cisicncc io
iIc rccollcciion of Jamcs SiccrforiI's icndcr-
ncssIc vould Iavc madc you Iis scrving-
man's vifc, vould Ic noi?or io fccling graic-
ful io iIc urigIi and dcscrving crcaiurc vIo
vould Iavc ialcn you as Iis gifi. Or, if iIosc
roud rcmcmlranccs, and iIc consciousncss
of your ovn viriucs, and iIc Ionourallc osi-
iion io vIicI iIcy Iavc raiscd you in iIc cycs
of cvcryiIing iIai vcars iIc Iuman sIac, vill
noi susiain you, marry iIai good man, and lc
Iay in Iis condcsccnsion. If iIis vill noi do
ciiIcr, dic! TIcrc arc doorvays and dusi-Icas
for sucI dcaiIs, and sucI dcsairfind onc,
and ialc your fligIi io Hcavcn!'
I Icard a disiani fooi uon iIc siairs. I lncv
ii, I vas ccriain. Ii vas Iis, iIanl God!
SIc movcd slovly from lcforc iIc door vIcn
sIc said iIis, and asscd oui of my sigIi.
'Dui marl!' sIc addcd, slovly and sicrnly,
ocning iIc oiIcr door io go avay, 'I am rc-
solvcd, for rcasons iIai I Iavc and Iaircds iIai
I cnicriain, io casi you oui, unlcss you viiI-
drav from my rcacI aliogciIcr, or dro your
rciiy masl. TIis is vIai I Iad io say; and vIai
I say, I mcan io do!'
TIc fooi uon iIc siairs camc ncarcr
ncarcrasscd Icr as sIc vcni dovnrusIcd
inio iIc room!
'Unclc!'
A fcarful cry follovcd iIc vord. I auscd a mo-
mcni, and looling in, sav Iim suoriing Icr
355
inscnsillc figurc in Iis arms. Hc gazcd for a fcv
scconds in iIc facc; iIcn sioocd io liss iioI,
Iov icndcrly!and drcv a IandlcrcIicf lcforc ii.
'Mas'r Davy,' Ic said, in a lov ircmulous voicc,
vIcn ii vas covcrcd, 'I iIanl my Hcav'nly Fa-
iIcr as my drcam's comc iruc! I iIanl Him
Icariy for Iaving guidcd of mc, in His ovn vays,
io my darling!'
WiiI iIosc vords Ic iool Icr u in Iis arms;
and, viiI iIc vcilcd facc lying on Iis losom,
and addrcsscd iovards Iis ovn, carricd Icr,
moiionlcss and unconscious, dovn iIc siairs.
CHAPTER S1
THE BEGINNING OF A
LONGER JOURNEY
Ii vas yci carly in iIc morning of iIc folloving
day, vIcn, as I vas valling in my gardcn viiI
my auni (vIo iool liiilc oiIcr ccrcisc nov,
lcing so mucI in aiicndancc on my dcar Dora},
I vas iold iIai Mr. Fcggoiiy dcsircd io scal
viiI mc. Hc camc inio iIc gardcn io mcci mc
Ialf-vay, on my going iovards iIc gaic; and
larcd Iis Icad, as ii vas alvays Iis cusiom io
do vIcn Ic sav my auni, for vIom Ic Iad a
IigI rcscci. I Iad lccn iclling Icr all iIai Iad
Iacncd ovcrnigIi. WiiIoui saying a vord, sIc
vallcd u viiI a cordial facc, sIool Iands viiI
Iim, and aiicd Iim on iIc arm. Ii vas so c-
rcssivcly donc, iIai sIc Iad no nccd io say a
vord. Mr. Fcggoiiy undcrsiood Icr quiic as vcll
as if sIc Iad said a iIousand.
'I'll go in nov, Troi,' said my auni, 'and lool aficr
Liiilc Dlossom, vIo vill lc gciiing u rcscnily.'
'Noi along of my lcing Iccr, ma'am, I Ioc?'
said Mr. Fcggoiiy. 'Unlcss my viis is gonc a
laId's ncczing'ly vIicI Mr. Fcggoiiy mcani
io say, lird's-ncsiing'iIis morning, 'iis along
of mc as you'rc a-going io quii us?'
'You Iavc somciIing io say, my good fricnd,'
rciurncd my auni, 'and vill do lciicr viiIoui mc.'
356
'Dy your lcavc, ma'am,' rciurncd Mr. Fcggoiiy,
'I sIould ialc ii lind, crvising you docn'i mind
my cliclciicn, if you'd lidc Iccr.'
'Would you?' said my auni, viiI sIori good-
naiurc. 'TIcn I am surc I vill!'
So, sIc drcv Icr arm iIrougI Mr. Fcggoiiy's,
and vallcd viiI Iim io a lcafy liiilc summcr-
Iousc iIcrc vas ai iIc loiiom of iIc gardcn,
vIcrc sIc sai dovn on a lcncI, and I lcsidc
Icr. TIcrc vas a scai for Mr. Fcggoiiy ioo, lui
Ic rcfcrrcd io siand, lcaning Iis Iand on iIc
small rusiic iallc. As Ic siood, looling ai Iis
ca for a liiilc vIilc lcforc lcginning io scal,
I could noi Icl olscrving vIai ovcr and forcc
of cIaracicr Iis sincvy Iand crcsscd, and
vIai a good and irusiy comanion ii vas io Iis
Ioncsi lrov and iron-grcy Iair.
'I iool my dcar cIild avay lasi nigIi,' Mr.
Fcggoiiy lcgan, as Ic raiscd Iis cycs io ours,
'io my lodging, vIccr I Iavc a long iimc lccn
ccciing of Icr and rcaring fur Icr. Ii vas
Iours aforc sIc lnovcd mc rigIi; and vIcn sIc
did, sIc lncclcd dovn ai my fcci, and licndcr
said io mc, as if ii vas Icr raycrs, Iov ii all
comc io lc. You may lclicvc mc, vIcn I Iccrd
Icr voicc, as I Iad Iccrd ai Iomc so layful
and scc Icr Iumllcd, as ii migIi lc in iIc dusi
our Saviour vroic in viiI Iis llcsscd IandI
fcli a vovnd go io my 'ari, in iIc midsi of all iis
iIanlfulncss.'
Hc drcv Iis slccvc across Iis facc, viiIoui
any rcicncc of conccaling vIy; and iIcn
clcarcd Iis voicc.
'Ii varn'i for long as I fcli iIai; for sIc vas
found. I Iad on'y io iIinl as sIc vas found,
and ii vas gonc. I docn'i lnov vIy I do so mucI
as mcniion of ii nov, I'm surc. I didn'i Iavc ii in
my mind a minuic ago, io say a vord aloui
mysclf; lui ii comc u so nai'ral, iIai I yicldcd
io ii aforc I vas avccr.'
'You arc a sclf-dcnying soul,' said my auni,
'and vill Iavc your rcvard.'
357
Mr. Fcggoiiy, viiI iIc sIadovs of iIc lcavcs
laying aiIvari Iis facc, madc a surriscd in-
clinaiion of iIc Icad iovards my auni, as an
aclnovlcdgcmcni of Icr good oinion; iIcn iool
u iIc iIrcad Ic Iad rclinquisIcd.
'WIcn my Em'ly iool fligIi,' Ic said, in sicrn
vraiI for iIc momcni, 'from iIc Iousc vIccr
sIc vas madc a risoncr ly iIai iIccr soiicd
snalc as Mas'r Davy scc,and Iis siory's ircv,
and may God confound Iim!sIc iool fligIi in
iIc nigIi. Ii vas a darl nigIi, viiI a many siars
a-sIining. SIc vas vild. SIc ran along iIc sca
lcacI, lclicving iIc old loai vas iIccr; and call-
ing oui io us io iurn avay our faccs, for sIc
vas a-coming ly. SIc Iccrd Icrsclf a-crying oui,
lilc as if ii vas anoiIcr crson; and cui
Icrsclf on iIcm sIar-inicd sioncs and rocls,
and fcli ii no morc iIan if sIc Iad lccn rocl
Icrsclf. Evcr so fur sIc run, and iIcrc vas firc
aforc Icr cycs, and roarings in Icr cars. Of a
suddcnor so sIc iIovi, you unncrsiandiIc
day lrolc, vci and vindy, and sIc vas lying
l'lov a Ica of sionc uon iIc sIorc, and a
voman vas a-scaling io Icr, saying, in iIc
languagc of iIai couniry, vIai vas ii as Iad
gonc so mucI amiss?'
Hc sav cvcryiIing Ic rclaicd. Ii asscd lcforc
Iim, as Ic solc, so vividly, iIai, in iIc inicn-
siiy of Iis carncsincss, Ic rcscnicd vIai Ic
dcscrilcd io mc, viiI grcaicr disiincincss iIan
I can crcss. I can Iardly lclicvc, vriiing nov
long aficrvards, lui iIai I vas aciually rcscni
in iIcsc sccncs; iIcy arc imrcsscd uon mc
viiI sucI an asionisIing air of fidcliiy.
'As Em'ly's cycsvIicI vas Icavyscc iIis
voman lciicr,' Mr. Fcggoiiy vcni on, 'sIc
lnov'd as sIc vas onc of iIcm as sIc Iad of-
icn iallcd io on iIc lcacI. Fur, iIougI sIc Iad
run (as I Iavc said} cvcr so fur in iIc nigIi, sIc
Iad oficniimcs vandcrcd long vays, arily afooi,
arily in loais and carriagcs, and lnov'd all
iIai couniry, 'long iIc coasi, milcs and milcs.
358
SIc Iadn'i no cIildrcn of Icr ovn, iIis voman,
lcing a young vifc; lui sIc vas a-looling io Iavc
onc aforc long. And may my raycrs go u io
Hcavcn iIai 'ivill lc a Iaincss io Icr, and a
comfori, and a Ionour, all Icr lifc! May ii lovc Icr
and lc dooiiful io Icr, in Icr old agc; Iclful of
Icr ai iIc lasi; a Angcl io Icr Iccr, and Iccraficr!'
'Amcn!' said my auni.
'SIc Iad lccn summai iimorous and dovn,'
said Mr. Fcggoiiy, and Iad sai, ai firsi, a liiilc
vay off, ai Icr sinning, or sucI vorl as ii vas,
vIcn Em'ly iallcd io iIc cIildrcn. Dui Em'ly
Iad iool noiicc of Icr, and Iad gonc and solc
io Icr; and as iIc young voman vas ariial io
iIc cIildrcn Icrsclf, iIcy Iad soon madc fricnds.
ScrmucIscr, iIai vIcn Em'ly vcni iIai vay,
sIc alvays givc Em'ly flovcrs. TIis vas Icr as
nov aslcd vIai ii vas iIai Iad gonc so mucI
amiss. Em'ly iold Icr, and sIciool Icr Iomc.
SIc did indccd. SIc iool Icr Iomc,' said Mr.
Fcggoiiy, covcring Iis facc.
Hc vas morc affccicd ly iIis aci of lindncss,
iIan I Iad cvcr sccn Iim affccicd ly anyiIing
sincc iIc nigIi sIc vcni avay. My auni and I
did noi aiicmi io disiurl Iim.
'Ii vas a liiilc coiiagc, you may suosc,' Ic
said, rcscnily, 'lui sIc found sacc for Em'ly
in ii,Icr Iusland vas avay ai sca,and sIc
lc ii sccrci, and rcvailcd uon sucI
ncigIlours as sIc Iad (iIcy vas noi many ncar}
io lcc ii sccrci ioo. Em'ly vas iool lad viiI
fcvcr, and, vIai is vcry sirangc io mc is,maylc
'iis noi so sirangc io scIolars,iIc languagc of
iIai couniry vcni oui of Icr Icad, and sIc could
only scal Icr ovn, iIai no onc unncrsiood.
SIc rccollccis, as if sIc Iad drcamcd ii, iIai
sIc lay iIcrc alvays a-ialling Icr ovn ionguc,
alvays lclicving as iIc old loai vas round iIc
nci ini in iIc lay, and lcgging and imloring
of 'cm io scnd iIccr and icll Iov sIc vas dying,
and lring lacl a mcssagc of forgivcncss, if ii
vas on'y a vurcd. A'mosi iIc vIolc
359
iimc, sIc iIovi,nov, iIai Iim as I madc mcn-
iion on jusi nov vas lurling for Icr unncrncaiI
iIc vindcr; nov iIai Iim as Iad lrougIi Icr io
iIis vas in iIc room,and cricd io iIc good
young voman noi io givc Icr u, and lnov'd, ai
iIc samc iimc, iIai sIc couldn'i unncrsiand, and
drcadcd iIai sIc musi lc iool avay. Lilcvisc
iIc firc vas aforc Icr cycs, and iIc roarings in
Icr cars; and iIccr vas no ioday, nor ycsicrday,
nor yci iomorrov; lui cvcryiIing in Icr lifc as
cvcr Iad lccn, or as cvcr could lc, and cvcry-
iIing as ncvcr Iad lccn, and as ncvcr could lc,
vas a crovding on Icr all ai oncc, and noiIing
clcar nor vclcomc, and yci sIc sang and laugIcd
aloui ii! Hov long iIis lasicd, I docn'i lnov; lui
iIcn iIccr comc a slcc; and in iIai slcc, from
lcing a many iimcs sirongcr iIan Icr ovn sclf,
sIc fcll inio iIc vcalncss of iIc liiilcsi cIild.'
Hcrc Ic siocd, as if for rclicf from iIc icr-
rors of Iis ovn dcscriiion. Aficr lcing silcni
for a fcv momcnis, Ic ursucd Iis siory.
'Ii vas a lcasani aricrnoon vIcn sIc avolc;
and so quici, iIai iIcrc varn'i a sound lui iIc
riling of iIai lluc sca viiIoui a iidc, uon
iIc sIorc. Ii vas Icr lclicf, ai firsi, iIai sIc
vas ai Iomc uon a Sunday morning; lui iIc
vinc lcavcs as sIc scc ai iIc vindcr, and iIc
Iills lcyond, varn'i Iomc, and coniradicicd of
Icr. TIcn, comc in Icr fricnd io vaicI along-
sidc of Icr lcd; and iIcn sIc lnov'd as iIc old
loai varn'i round iIai nci ini in iIc lay no
morc, lui vas fur off; and lnov'd vIcrc sIc
vas, and vIy; and lrolc oui a-crying on iIai
good young voman's losom, vIccr I Ioc Icr
laly is a-lying nov, a-cIccring of Icr viiI iis
rciiy cycs!'
Hc could noi scal of iIis good fricnd of Emily's
viiIoui a flov of icars. Ii vas in vain io iry. Hc
lrolc dovn again, cndcavouring io llcss Icr!
'TIai donc my Em'ly good,' Ic rcsumcd, aficr
sucI cmoiion as I could noi lcIold viiIoui
sIaring in; and as io my auni, sIc vci viiI all
360
Icr Icari; 'iIai donc Em'ly good, and sIc lcgun
io mcnd. Dui, iIc languagc of iIai couniry vas
quiic gonc from Icr, and sIc vas forccd io malc
signs. So sIc vcni on, gciiing lciicr from day io
day, slov, lui surc, and irying io lcarn iIc namcs
of common iIingsnamcs as sIc sccmcd ncvcr
io Iavc Iccrd in all Icr lifciill onc cvcning comc,
vIcn sIc vas a-sciiing ai Icr vindov, looling
ai a liiilc girl ai lay uon iIc lcacI. And of a
suddcn iIis cIild Icld oui Icr Iand, and said,
vIai vould lc in EnglisI, FisIcrman's daugI-
icr, Icrc's a sIcll!"for you arc io unncrsiand
iIai iIcy uscd ai firsi io call Icr Frciiy lady", as
iIc gcncral vay in iIai couniry is, and iIai sIc
Iad iaugIi 'cm io call Icr FisIcrman's daugI-
icr" insicad. TIc cIild says of a suddcn,
FisIcrman's daugIicr, Icrc's a sIcll!" TIcn
Em'ly unncrsiands Icr; and sIc ansvcrs, lursi-
ing oui a-crying; and ii all comcs lacl!
'WIcn Em'ly goi sirong again,' said Mr.
Fcggoiiy, aficr anoiIcr sIori inicrval of silcncc,
'sIc casi aloui io lcavc iIai good young crcciur,
and gci io Icr ovn couniry. TIc Iusland vas
comc Iomc, iIcn; and iIc ivo iogciIcr ui Icr
aloard a small iradcr lound io LcgIorn, and
from iIai io Francc. SIc Iad a liiilc moncy, lui
ii vas lcss iIan liiilc as iIcy vould ialc for all
iIcy donc. I'm a'mosi glad on ii, iIougI iIcy
vas so oor! WIai iIcy donc, is laid u vIccr
nciiIcr moiI or rusi doiI corrui, and vIccr
iIicvcs do noi lrcal iIrougI nor sical. Mas'r
Davy, ii'll ouilasi all iIc ircasurc in iIc vurcld.
'Em'ly goi io Francc, and iool scrvicc io vaii on
iravclling ladics ai a inn in iIc ori. TIccr, iIccr
comc, onc day, iIai snalc.Lci Iim ncvcr comc
nigI mc. I docn'i lnov vIai Iuri I migIi do Iim!
Soon as sIc scc Iim, viiIoui Iim sccing Icr, all
Icr fcar and vildncss rciurncd uon Icr, and sIc
flcd aforc iIc vcry lrcaiI Ic drav'd. SIc comc io
England, and vas sci asIorc ai Dovcr.
'I docn'i lnov," said Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'for surc,
vIcn Icr 'ari lcgun io fail Icr; lui all iIc vay
361
io England sIc Iad iIovi io comc io Icr dcar
Iomc. Soon as sIc goi io England sIc iurncd
Icr facc iov'rds ii. Dui, fcar of noi lcing forgiv,
fcar of lcing inicd ai, fcar of somc of us lcing
dcad along of Icr, fcar of many iIings, iurncd
Icr from ii, licndcr ly forcc, uon iIc road:
Unclc, unclc," sIc says io mc, iIc fcar of noi
lcing voriIy io do vIai my iorn and llccding
lrcasi so longcd io do, vas iIc mosi frigIi'ning
fcar of all! I iurncd lacl, vIcn my 'ari vas full
of raycrs iIai I migIi cravl io iIc old door-
sic, in iIc nigIi, liss ii, lay my viclcd facc
uon ii, and iIccr lc found dcad in iIc morn-
ing."
'SIc comc,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, droing Iis
voicc io an avc-siriclcn vIiscr, 'io London.
SIcas Iad ncvcr sccn ii in Icr lifcalonc
viiIoui a cnnyyoungso rciiycomc io
London. A'mosi iIc momcni as sIc ligIicd Iccr,
all so dcsolaic, sIc found (as sIc lclicvcd} a
fricnd; a dcccni voman as solc io Icr aloui
iIc nccdlc-vorl as sIc Iad lccn lrougIi u io
do, aloui finding lcniy of ii fur Icr, aloui a
lodging fur iIc nigIi, and maling sccrci
inquiraiion conccrning of mc and all ai Iomc,
iomorrov. WIcn my cIild,' Ic said aloud, and
viiI an cncrgy of graiiiudc iIai sIool Iim from
Icad io fooi, 'siood uon iIc lrinl of morc iIan
I can say or iIinl onMariIa, ircv io Icr rom-
isc, savcd Icr.'
I could noi rcrcss a cry of joy.
'Mas'r Davy!' said Ic, griing my Iand in iIai
sirong Iand of Iis, 'ii vas you as firsi madc
mcniion of Icr io mc. I iIanlcc, sir! SIc vas
arncsi. SIc Iad lnov'd of Icr liiicr lnovlcdgc
vIccr io vaicI and vIai io do. SIc Iad donc
ii. And iIc Lord vas alovc all! SIc comc, vIiic
and Iurricd, uon Em'ly in Icr slcc. SIc says
io Icr, Fisc u from vorsc iIan dcaiI, and
comc viiI mc!" TIcm lclonging io iIc Iousc
vould Iavc siocd Icr, lui iIcy migIi as soon
Iavc siocd iIc sca. Siand avay from mc,"
362
sIc says, I am a gIosi iIai calls Icr from lc-
sidc Icr ocn gravc!" SIc iold Em'ly sIc Iad sccn
mc, and lnov'd I lovcd Icr, and forgivc Icr. SIc
vracd Icr, Iasiy, in Icr cloiIcs. SIc iool Icr,
faini and ircmlling, on Icr arm. SIc Iccdcd no
morc vIai iIcy said, iIan if sIc Iad Iad no
cars. SIc vallcd among 'cm viiI my cIild, mind-
ing only Icr; and lrougIi Icr safc oui, in iIc
dcad of iIc nigIi, from iIai llacl ii of ruin!
'SIc aiicndcd on Em'ly,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, vIo
Iad rclcascd my Iand, and ui Iis ovn Iand
on Iis Icaving cIcsi; 'sIc aiicndcd io my Em'ly,
lying vcaricd oui, and vandcring lcivii vIilcs,
iill laic nci day. TIcn sIc vcni in scarcI of
mc; iIcn in scarcI of you, Mas'r Davy. SIc didn'i
icll Em'ly vIai sIc comc oui fur, lcsi Icr 'ari
sIould fail, and sIc sIould iIinl of Iiding of
Icrsclf. Hov iIc crucl lady lnov'd of Icr lcing
iIccr, I can'i say. WIciIcr Iim as I Iavc solc
so mucI of, cIanccd io scc 'cm going iIccr, or
vIciIcr (vIicI is mosi lilc, io my iIinling} Ic
Iad Iccrd ii from iIc voman, I docn'i grcaily
asl mysclf. My niccc is found.
'All nigIi long,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'vc Iavc
lccn iogciIcr, Em'ly and mc. 'Tis liiilc (consid-
cring iIc iimc} as sIc Ias said, in vurcds,
iIrougI iIcm lrolcn-Icaricd icars; 'iis lcss as
I Iavc sccn of Icr dcar facc, as grov'd inio a
voman's ai my IcariI. Dui, all nigIi long, Icr
arms Ias lccn aloui my nccl; and Icr Icad
Ias laid Iccr; and vc lnovs full vcll, as vc can
ui our irusi in onc anoiIcr, cvcr morc.'
Hc ccascd io scal, and Iis Iand uon iIc
iallc rcsicd iIcrc in crfcci rcosc, viiI a rcso-
luiion in ii iIai migIi Iavc conqucrcd lions.
'Ii vas a glcam of ligIi uon mc, Troi,' said
my auni, drying Icr cycs, 'vIcn I formcd iIc
rcsoluiion of lcing godmoiIcr io your sisicr
Dciscy Troivood, vIo disaoinicd mc; lui,
nci io iIai, Iardly anyiIing vould Iavc givcn
mc grcaicr lcasurc, iIan io lc godmoiIcr io
iIai good young crcaiurc's laly!'
363
Mr. Fcggoiiy noddcd Iis undcrsianding of my
auni's fcclings, lui could noi irusi Iimsclf viiI
any vcrlal rcfcrcncc io iIc suljcci of Icr com-
mcndaiion. Wc all rcmaincd silcni, and occu-
icd viiI our ovn rcflcciions (my auni drying
Icr cycs, and nov solling convulsivcly, and nov
laugIing and calling Icrsclf a fool}; uniil I solc.
'You Iavc quiic madc u your mind,' said I io
Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'as io iIc fuiurc, good fricnd? I
nccd scarccly asl you.'
'Quiic, Mas'r Davy,' Ic rciurncd; 'and iold
Em'ly. TIccr's migIiy counirics, fur from Iccr.
Our fuiurc lifc lays ovcr iIc sca.'
'TIcy vill cmigraic iogciIcr, auni,' said I.
'Ycs!' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, viiI a Iocful smilc.
'No onc can'i rcroacI my darling in Ausiralia.
Wc vill lcgin a ncv lifc ovcr iIccr!'
I aslcd Iim if Ic yci rooscd io Iimsclf any
iimc for going avay.
'I vas dovn ai iIc Docls carly iIis morning,
sir,' Ic rciurncd, 'io gci informaiion conccrning
of iIcm sIis. In aloui si vccls or ivo moniIs
from nov, iIcrc'll lc onc sailingI scc Icr iIis
morningvcni aloardand vc sIall ialc our
assagc in Icr.'
'Quiic alonc?' I aslcd.
'Ayc, Mas'r Davy!' Ic rciurncd. 'My sisicr, you
scc, sIc's iIai fond of you and yourn, and iIai
accusiomcd io iIinl on'y of Icr ovn couniry,
iIai ii vouldn'i lc Iardly fair io lci Icr go. Dc-
sidcs vIicI, iIccr's onc sIc Ias in cIargc, Mas'r
Davy, as docn'i ougIi io lc forgoi.'
'Foor Ham!' said I.
'My good sisicr ialcs carc of Iis Iousc, you
scc, ma'am, and Ic ialcs lindly io Icr,' Mr.
Fcggoiiy claincd for my auni's lciicr infor-
maiion. 'Hc'll sci and iall io Icr, viiI a calm
sirii, vcn ii's lilc Ic couldn'i lring Iimsclf io
ocn Iis lis io anoiIcr. Foor fcllov!' said Mr.
Fcggoiiy, sIaling Iis Icad, 'iIccr's noi so mucI
lcfi Iim, iIai Ic could sarc iIc liiilc as Ic Ias!'
'And Mrs. Gummidgc?' said I.
364
'Wcll, I'vc Iad a mori of considcraiion, I do
icll you,' rciurncd Mr. Fcggoiiy, viiI a crlccd
lool vIicI gradually clcarcd as Ic vcni on, 'con-
ccrning of Missis Gummidgc. You scc, vcn
Missis Gummidgc falls a-iIinling of iIc old 'un,
sIc an'i vIai you may call good comany. Dc-
ivii you and mc, Mas'r Davyand you, ma'am
vcn Mrs. Gummidgc ialcs io vimicling,'
our old couniry vord for crying,'sIc's liallc
io lc considcrcd io lc, ly iIcm as didn'i lnov
iIc old 'un, ccvisI-lilc. Nov I dd lnov iIc
old 'un,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'and I lnov'd Iis
mcriis, so I unncrsian' Icr; lui 'ian'i cniircly
so, you scc, viiI oiIcrsnai'rally can'i lc!'
My auni and I loiI acquicsccd.
'WIccrly,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'my sisicr migIi
I docn'i say sIc vould, lui migIifind Missis
Gummidgc givc Icr a lccilc iroullc nov-and-
again. TIccrfur 'ian'i my inicniions io moor Missis
Gummidgc 'long viiI iIcm, lui io find a Dccin'
fur Icr vIccr sIc can fisIcraic for Icrsclf.' (A
Dccin' significs, in iIai dialcci, a Iomc, and io
fisIcraic is io rovidc.} 'Fur vIicI urosc,' said
Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'I mcans io malc Icr a 'lovancc
aforc I go, as'll lcavc Icr rciiy comfori'llc. SIc's
iIc faiiIfullcsi of crcciurs. 'Tan'i io lc cccicd,
of coursc, ai Icr iimc of lifc, and lcing lonc and
lorn, as iIc good old MaviIcr is io lc lnoclcd
aloui aloardsIi, and in iIc voods and vilds of
a ncv and fur-avay couniry. So iIai's vIai I'm
a-going io do viiI Icr.'
Hc forgoi nolody. Hc iIougIi of cvcrylody's
claims and sirivings, lui Iis ovn.
'Em'ly,' Ic coniinucd, 'vill lcc along viiI
mcoor cIild, sIc's sorc in nccd of cacc and
rcsi!uniil sucI iimc as vc gocs uon our voy-
agc. SIc'll vorl ai iIcm cloiIcs, as musi lc
madc; and I Ioc Icr iroullcs vill lcgin io sccm
longcr ago iIan iIcy vas, vcn sIc finds Icrsclf
oncc morc ly Icr rougI lui loving unclc.'
M auni noddcd confirmaiion of iIis Ioc, and
imaricd grcai saiisfaciion io Mr. Fcggoiiy.
365
'TIccr's onc iIing furdcr, Mas'r Davy,' said Ic, ui-
iing Iis Iand in Iis lrcasi-oclci, and gravcly ialing
oui iIc liiilc acr lundlc I Iad sccn lcforc, vIicI Ic
unrollcd on iIc iallc. 'TIccr's iIcsc Icrc lanlnoics
fifiy ound, and icn. To iIcm I visI io add iIc moncy
as sIc comc avay viiI. I'vc aslcd Icr aloui iIai (lui
noi saying vIy}, and Iavc addcd of ii u. I an'i a scIolar.
Would you lc so lind as scc Iov 'iis?'
Hc Iandcd mc, aologciically for Iis scIolar-
sIi, a iccc of acr, and olscrvcd mc vIilc I
loolcd ii ovcr. Ii vas quiic rigIi.
'TIanlcc, sir,' Ic said, ialing ii lacl. 'TIis
moncy, if you docn'i scc oljcciions, Mas'r Davy,
I sIall ui u jcsi aforc I go, in a covcr dirccicd
io Iim; and ui iIai u in anoiIcr, dirccicd io
Iis moiIcr. I sIall icll Icr, in no morc vurcds
iIan I scal io you, vIai ii's iIc ricc on; and
iIai I'm gonc, and asi rccciving of ii lacl.'
I iold Iim iIai I iIougIi ii vould lc rigIi io
do soiIai I vas iIorougIly convinccd ii vould
lc, sincc Ic fcli ii io lc rigIi.
'I said iIai iIccr vas on'y onc iIing furdcr,'
Ic rocccdcd viiI a gravc smilc, vIcn Ic Iad
madc u Iis liiilc lundlc again, and ui ii in
Iis oclci; 'lui iIccr vas ivo. I varn'i surc in
my mind, vcn I comc oui iIis morning, as I
could go and lrcal io Ham, of my ovn sclf, vIai
Iad so iIanlfully Iacncd. So I vrii a lciicr
vIilc I vas oui, and ui ii in iIc osi-officc,
iclling of 'cm Iov all vas as 'iis; and iIai I
sIould comc dovn iomorrov io unload my mind
of vIai liiilc nccds a-doing of dovn iIccr, and,
mosi-lilc, ialc my farcvcll lcavc of YarmouiI.'
'And do you visI mc io go viiI you?' said I,
sccing iIai Ic lcfi somciIing unsaid.
'If you could do mc iIai lind favour, Mas'r
Davy,' Ic rclicd. 'I lnov iIc sigIi on you vould
cIccr 'cm u a lii.'
My liiilc Dora lcing in good siriis, and vcry
dcsirous iIai I sIould goas I found on ialling
ii ovcr viiI IcrI rcadily lcdgcd mysclf io ac-
comany Iim in accordancc viiI Iis visI. Nci
366
morning, conscqucnily, vc vcrc on iIc
YarmouiI coacI, and again iravclling ovcr iIc
old ground.
As vc asscd along iIc familiar sircci ai
nigIiMr. Fcggoiiy, in dcsiic of all my rcmon-
siranccs, carrying my lagI glanccd inio Omcr
and Joram's sIo, and sav my old fricnd Mr.
Omcr iIcrc, smoling Iis ic. I fcli rcluciani io
lc rcscni, vIcn Mr. Fcggoiiy firsi mci Iis sis-
icr and Ham; and madc Mr. Omcr my ccusc
for lingcring lcIind.
'Hov is Mr. Omcr, aficr iIis long iimc?' said I,
going in.
Hc fanncd avay iIc smolc of Iis ic, iIai
Ic migIi gci a lciicr vicv of mc, and soon rcc-
ognizcd mc viiI grcai dcligIi.
'I sIould gci u, sir, io aclnovlcdgc sucI an Ionour
as iIis visii,' said Ic, 'only my limls arc raiIcr oui of
soris, and I am vIcclcd aloui. WiiI iIc ccciion of
my limls and my lrcaiI, Iovsocvcr, I am as Icariy
as a man can lc, I'm iIanlful io say.'
I congraiulaicd Iim on Iis conicnicd lools
and Iis good siriis, and sav, nov, iIai Iis
casy-cIair vcni on vIccls.
'Ii's an ingcnious iIing, ain'i ii?' Ic inquircd,
folloving iIc dircciion of my glancc, and ol-
isIing iIc cllov viiI Iis arm. 'Ii runs as ligIi
as a fcaiIcr, and iracls as iruc as a mail-coacI.
Dlcss you, my liiilc Minnicmy grand-daugI-
icr you lnov, Minnic's cIilduis Icr liiilc
sircngiI againsi iIc lacl, givcs ii a sIovc, and
avay vc go, as clcvcr and mcrry as cvcr you scc
anyiIing! And I icll you vIaiii's a mosi un-
common cIair io smolc a ic in.'
I ncvcr sav sucI a good old fcllov io malc
iIc lcsi of a iIing, and find oui iIc cnjoymcni
of ii, as Mr. Omcr. Hc vas as radiani, as if Iis
cIair, Iis asiIma, and iIc failurc of Iis limls,
vcrc iIc various lrancIcs of a grcai invcniion
for cnIancing iIc luury of a ic.
'I scc morc of iIc vorld, I can assurc you,'
said Mr. Omcr, 'in iIis cIair, iIan cvcr I scc
367
oui of ii. You'd lc surriscd ai iIc numlcr of
colc iIai lools in of a day io Iavc a cIai. You
rcally vould! TIcrc's ivicc as mucI in iIc ncvs-
acr, sincc I'vc ialcn io iIis cIair, as iIcrc
uscd io lc. As io gcncral rcading, dcar mc, vIai
a loi of ii I do gci iIrougI! TIai's vIai I fccl so
sirong, you lnov! If ii Iad lccn my cycs, vIai
sIould I Iavc donc? If ii Iad lccn my cars, vIai
sIould I Iavc donc? Dcing my limls, vIai docs
ii signify? WIy, my limls only madc my lrcaiI
sIoricr vIcn I uscd 'cm. And nov, if I vani io
go oui inio iIc sircci or dovn io iIc sands, I'vc
only goi io call Dicl, Joram's youngcsi 'rcniicc,
and avay I go in my ovn carriagc, lilc iIc Lord
Mayor of London.'
Hc Ialf suffocaicd Iimsclf viiI laugIing Icrc.
'Lord llcss you!' said Mr. Omcr, rcsuming Iis
ic, 'a man musi ialc iIc fai viiI iIc lcan;
iIai's vIai Ic musi malc u Iis mind io, in
iIis lifc. Joram docs a finc lusincss. E-ccllcni
lusincss!'
'I am vcry glad io Icar ii,' said I.
'I lncv you vould lc,' said Mr. Omcr. 'And
Joram and Minnic arc lilc Valcniincs. WIai
morc can a man ccci? WIai's Iis limls io
iIai!'
His surcmc conicmi for Iis ovn limls, as
Ic sai smoling, vas onc of iIc lcasanicsi oddi-
iics I Iavc cvcr cncounicrcd.
'And sincc I'vc iool io gcncral rcading, you'vc
iool io gcncral vriiing, cI, sir?' said Mr. Omcr,
survcying mc admiringly. 'WIai a lovcly vorl
iIai vas of yours! WIai crcssions in ii! I rcad
ii cvcry vordcvcry vord. And as io fccling
slccy! Noi ai all!'
I laugIingly crcsscd my saiisfaciion, lui I
musi confcss iIai I iIougIi iIis associaiion of
idcas significani.
'I givc you my vord and Ionour, sir,' said Mr.
Omcr, 'iIai vIcn I lay iIai lool uon iIc iallc,
and lool ai ii ouisidc; comaci in iIrcc sca-
raic and individual vollumcsonc, ivo, iIrcc;
368
I am as roud as FuncI io iIinl iIai I oncc Iad
iIc Ionour of lcing connccicd viiI your fam-
ily. And dcar mc, ii's a long iimc ago, nov, ain'i
ii? Ovcr ai Dlundcrsionc. WiiI a rciiy liiilc
ariy laid along viiI iIc oiIcr ariy. And you
quiic a small ariy iIcn, yoursclf. Dcar, dcar!'
I cIangcd iIc suljcci ly rcfcrring io Emily.
Aficr assuring Iim iIai I did noi forgci Iov in-
icrcsicd Ic Iad alvays lccn in Icr, and Iov
lindly Ic Iad alvays ircaicd Icr, I gavc Iim a
gcncral accouni of Icr rcsioraiion io Icr unclc
ly iIc aid of MariIa; vIicI I lncv vould lcasc
iIc old man. Hc lisicncd viiI iIc uimosi aiicn-
iion, and said, fcclingly, vIcn I Iad donc:
'I am rcjoiccd ai ii, sir! Ii's iIc lcsi ncvs I
Iavc Icard for many a day. Dcar, dcar, dcar!
And vIai's going io lc undcriool for iIai un-
foriunaic young voman, MariIa, nov?'
'You ioucI a oini iIai my iIougIis Iavc lccn
dvclling on sincc ycsicrday,' said I, 'lui on
vIicI I can givc you no informaiion yci, Mr.
Omcr. Mr. Fcggoiiy Ias noi alludcd io ii, and I
Iavc a dclicacy in doing so. I am surc Ic Ias
noi forgoiicn ii. Hc forgcis noiIing iIai is dis-
inicrcsicd and good.'
'Dccausc you lnov,' said Mr. Omcr, ialing
Iimsclf u, vIcrc Ic Iad lcfi off, 'vIaicvcr is
donc, I sIould visI io lc a mcmlcr of. Fui mc
dovn for anyiIing you may considcr rigIi, and
lci mc lnov. I ncvcr could iIinl iIc girl all lad,
and I am glad io find sIc's noi. So vill my daugI-
icr Minnic lc. Young vomcn arc coniradiciory
crcaiurcs in somc iIingsIcr moiIcr vas jusi
iIc samc as Icrlui iIcir Icaris arc sofi and
lind. Ii's all sIov viiI Minnic, aloui MariIa.
WIy sIc sIould considcr ii ncccssary io malc
any sIov, I don'i undcrialc io icll you. Dui ii's
all sIov, llcss you. SIc'd do Icr any lindncss
in rivaic. So, ui mc dovn for vIaicvcr you
may considcr rigIi, vill you lc so good? and
dro mc a linc vIcrc io forvard ii. Dcar mc!'
said Mr. Omcr, 'vIcn a man is draving on io a
369
iimc of lifc, vIcrc iIc ivo cnds of lifc mcci; vIcn
Ic finds Iimsclf, Iovcvcr Icariy Ic is, lcing
vIcclcd aloui for iIc sccond iimc, in a scccIcs
of go-cari; Ic sIould lc ovcr-rcjoiccd io do a
lindncss if Ic can. Hc vanis lcniy. And I don'i
scal of mysclf, ariicular,' said Mr. Omcr, 'lc-
causc, sir, iIc vay I lool ai ii is, iIai vc arc all
draving on io iIc loiiom of iIc Iill, vIaicvcr
agc vc arc, on accouni of iimc ncvcr sianding
siill for a singlc momcni. So lci us alvays do a
lindncss, and lc ovcr-rcjoiccd. To lc surc!'
Hc lnoclcd iIc asIcs oui of Iis ic, and ui
ii on a lcdgc in iIc lacl of Iis cIair, crcssly
madc for iis rccciion.
'TIcrc's Em'ly's cousin, Iim iIai sIc vas io Iavc
lccn marricd io,' said Mr. Omcr, rulling Iis Iands
fcclly, 'as finc a fcllov as iIcrc is in YarmouiI!
Hc'll comc and iall or rcad io mc, in iIc cvcning,
for an Iour iogciIcr somciimcs. TIai's a lindncss,
I sIould call ii! All Iis lifc's a lindncss.'
'I am going io scc Iim nov,' said I.
'Arc you?' said Mr. Omcr. 'Tcll Iim I vas
Icariy, and scni my rcsccis. Minnic and
Joram's ai a lall. TIcy vould lc as roud io
scc you as I am, if iIcy vas ai Iomc. Minnic
von'i Iardly go oui ai all, you scc, on accouni
of faiIcr", as sIc says. So I svorc ionigIi, iIai
if sIc didn'i go, I'd go io lcd ai si. In consc-
qucncc of vIicI,' Mr. Omcr sIool Iimsclf and
Iis cIair viiI laugIicr ai iIc succcss of Iis
dcvicc, 'sIc and Joram's ai a lall.'
I sIool Iands viiI Iim, and visIcd Iim good nigIi.
'Half a minuic, sir,' said Mr. Omcr. 'If you vas
io go viiIoui sccing my liiilc clcIani, you'd
losc iIc lcsi of sigIis. You ncvcr scc sucI a
sigIi! Minnic!' A musical liiilc voicc ansvcrcd,
from somcvIcrc usiairs, 'I am coming, grand-
faiIcr!' and a rciiy liiilc girl viiI long, flacn,
curling Iair, soon camc running inio iIc sIo.
'TIis is my liiilc clcIani, sir,' said Mr. Omcr,
fondling iIc cIild. 'Siamcsc lrccd, sir. Nov, liiilc
clcIani!'
370
TIc liiilc clcIani sci iIc door of iIc arlour
ocn, cnalling mc io scc iIai, in iIcsc laiicr days,
ii vas convcricd inio a lcdroom for Mr. Omcr
vIo could noi lc casily convcycd usiairs; and
iIcn Iid Icr rciiy forcIcad, and iumllcd Icr
long Iair, againsi iIc lacl of Mr. Omcr's cIair.
'TIc clcIani luiis, you lnov, sir,' said Mr.
Omcr, vinling, 'vIcn Ic gocs ai a oljcci. Oncc,
clcIani. Tvicc. TIrcc iimcs!'
Ai iIis signal, iIc liiilc clcIani, viiI a dc-
icriiy iIai vas nci io marvcllous in so small
an animal, vIislcd iIc cIair round viiI Mr.
Omcr in ii, and raiilcd ii off, cll-mcll, inio iIc
arlour, viiIoui ioucIing iIc door-osi: Mr.
Omcr indcscrilally cnjoying iIc crformancc,
and looling lacl ai mc on iIc road as if ii vcrc
iIc iriumIani issuc of Iis lifc's ccriions.
Aficr a siroll aloui iIc iovn I vcni io Ham's
Iousc. Fcggoiiy Iad nov rcmovcd Icrc for good;
and Iad lci Icr ovn Iousc io iIc succcssor of
Mr. Darlis in iIc carrying lusincss, vIo Iad
aid Icr vcry vcll for iIc good-vill, cari, and
Iorsc. I lclicvc iIc vcry samc slov Iorsc iIai
Mr. Darlis drovc vas siill ai vorl.
I found iIcm in iIc ncai liicIcn, accoma-
nicd ly Mrs. Gummidgc, vIo Iad lccn fcicIcd
from iIc old loai ly Mr. Fcggoiiy Iimsclf. I
douli if sIc could Iavc lccn induccd io dcscri
Icr osi, ly anyonc clsc. Hc Iad cvidcnily iold
iIcm all. DoiI Fcggoiiy and Mrs. Gummidgc Iad
iIcir arons io iIcir cycs, and Ham Iad jusi
siccd oui 'io ialc a iurn on iIc lcacI'. Hc
rcscnily camc Iomc, vcry glad io scc mc; and
I Ioc iIcy vcrc all iIc lciicr for my lcing iIcrc.
Wc solc, viiI somc aroacI io cIccrfulncss,
of Mr. Fcggoiiy's groving ricI in a ncv couniry,
and of iIc vondcrs Ic vould dcscrilc in Iis
lciicrs. Wc said noiIing of Emily ly namc, lui
disianily rcfcrrcd io Icr morc iIan oncc. Ham
vas iIc scrcncsi of iIc ariy.
Dui, Fcggoiiy iold mc, vIcn sIc ligIicd mc io
a liiilc cIamlcr vIcrc iIc Crocodilc lool vas
371
lying rcady for mc on iIc iallc, iIai Ic alvays
vas iIc samc. SIc lclicvcd (sIc iold mc, crying}
iIai Ic vas lrolcn-Icaricd; iIougI Ic vas as
full of couragc as of svccincss, and vorlcd Iardcr
and lciicr iIan any loai-luildcr in any yard in
all iIai ari. TIcrc vcrc iimcs, sIc said, of an
cvcning, vIcn Ic iallcd of iIcir old lifc in iIc
loai-Iousc; and iIcn Ic mcniioncd Emily as a
cIild. Dui, Ic ncvcr mcniioncd Icr as a voman.
I iIougIi I Iad rcad in Iis facc iIai Ic vould
lilc io scal io mc alonc. I iIcrcforc rcsolvcd io
ui mysclf in Iis vay nci cvcning, as Ic camc
Iomc from Iis vorl. Having sciilcd iIis viiI
mysclf, I fcll aslcc. TIai nigIi, for iIc firsi iimc
in all iIosc many nigIis, iIc candlc vas ialcn
oui of iIc vindov, Mr. Fcggoiiy svung in Iis
old Iammocl in iIc old loai, and iIc vind mur-
murcd viiI iIc old sound round Iis Icad.
All nci day, Ic vas occuicd in disosing of
Iis fisIing-loai and iacllc; in acling u, and
scnding io London ly vaggon, sucI of Iis liiilc
domcsiic osscssions as Ic iIougIi vould lc
uscful io Iim; and in ariing viiI iIc rcsi, or
lcsioving iIcm on Mrs. Gummidgc. SIc vas
viiI Iim all day. As I Iad a sorrovful visI io scc
iIc old lacc oncc morc, lcforc ii vas loclcd u,
I cngagcd io mcci iIcm iIcrc in iIc cvcning. Dui
I so arrangcd ii, as iIai I sIould mcci Ham firsi.
Ii vas casy io comc in Iis vay, as I lncv vIcrc
Ic vorlcd. I mci Iim ai a rciircd ari of iIc
sands, vIicI I lncv Ic vould cross, and iurncd
lacl viiI Iim, iIai Ic migIi Iavc lcisurc io
scal io mc if Ic rcally visIcd. I Iad noi mis-
ialcn iIc crcssion of Iis facc. Wc Iad vallcd
lui a liiilc vay iogciIcr, vIcn Ic said, viiIoui
looling ai mc:
'Mas'r Davy, Iavc you sccn Icr?'
'Only for a momcni, vIcn sIc vas in a svoon,'
I sofily ansvcrcd.
Wc vallcd a liiilc fariIcr, and Ic said:
'Mas'r Davy, sIall you scc Icr, d'yc iIinl?'
'Ii vould lc ioo ainful io Icr, crIas,' said I.
372
'I Iavc iIovi of iIai,' Ic rclicd. 'So 'ivould,
sir, so 'ivould.'
'Dui, Ham,' said I, gcnily, 'if iIcrc is anyiIing
iIai I could vriic io Icr, for you, in casc I could
noi icll ii; if iIcrc is anyiIing you vould visI io
malc lnovn io Icr iIrougI mc; I sIould con-
sidcr ii a sacrcd irusi.'
'I am surc on'i. I iIanlcc, sir, mosi lind! I
iIinl iIccr is somciIing I could visI said or
vroic.'
'WIai is ii?'
Wc vallcd a liiilc fariIcr in silcncc, and iIcn
Ic solc.
''Tan'i iIai I forgivc Icr. 'Tan'i iIai so mucI.
'Tis morc as I lcg of Icr io forgivc mc, for Iav-
ing rcsscd my affcciions uon Icr. Odd iimcs,
I iIinl iIai if I Iadn'i Iad Icr romisc fur io
marry mc, sir, sIc vas iIai irusiful of mc, in a
fricndly vay, iIai sIc'd Iavc iold mc vIai vas
siruggling in Icr mind, and vould Iavc coun-
scllcd viiI mc, and I migIi Iavc savcd Icr.'
I rcsscd Iis Iand. 'Is iIai all?'
'TIccr's yci a somciIing clsc,' Ic rciurncd, 'if
I can say ii, Mas'r Davy.'
Wc vallcd on, fariIcr iIan vc Iad vallcd
yci, lcforc Ic solc again. Hc vas noi crying
vIcn Ic madc iIc auscs I sIall crcss ly
lincs. Hc vas mcrcly collcciing Iimsclf io scal
vcry lainly.
'I lovcd Icrand I lovc iIc mcm'ry of Icrioo
dccio lc allc io lcad Icr io lclicvc of my
ovn sclf as I'm a Iay man. I could only lc
Iayly forgciiing of Icrand I'm afccrd I
couldn'i Iardly lcar as sIc sIould lc iold I donc
iIai. Dui if you, lcing so full of lcarning, Mas'r
Davy, could iIinl of anyiIing io say as migIi
lring Icr io lclicvc I vasn'i grcaily Iuri: siill
loving of Icr, and mourning for Icr: anyiIing
as migIi lring Icr io lclicvc as I vas noi iircd
of my lifc, and yci vas Ioing fur io scc Icr
viiIoui llamc, vIccr iIc viclcd ccasc from
iroulling and iIc vcary arc ai rcsianyiIing
373
as vould casc Icr sorrovful mind, and yci noi
malc Icr iIinl as I could cvcr marry, or as 'ivas
ossillc iIai anyonc could cvcr lc io mc vIai
sIc vasI sIould asl of you io say iIaiviiI
my raycrs for IcriIai vas so dcar.'
I rcsscd Iis manly Iand again, and iold Iim I
vould cIargc mysclf io do iIis as vcll as I could.
'I iIanlcc, sir,' Ic ansvcrcd. ''Tvas lind of
you io mcci mc. 'Tvas lind of you io lcar Iim
comany dovn. Mas'r Davy, I unncrsian' vcry
vcll, iIougI my auni vill comc io Lon'on aforc
iIcy sail, and iIcy'll uniic oncc morc, iIai I am
noi lilc io scc Iim agcn. I farc io fccl surc on'i.
Wc docn'i say so, lui so 'ivill lc, and lciicr so.
TIc lasi you scc on IimiIc vcry lasivill you
givc Iim iIc lovingcsi duiy and iIanls of iIc
orIan, as Ic vas cvcr morc iIan a faiIcr io?'
TIis I also romiscd, faiiIfully.
'I iIanlcc agcn, sir,' Ic said, Icariily sIaling
Iands. 'I lnov vIccr you'rc a-going. Good-lyc!'
WiiI a sligIi vavc of Iis Iand, as iIougI io
clain io mc iIai Ic could noi cnicr iIc old
lacc, Ic iurncd avay. As I loolcd aficr Iis fig-
urc, crossing iIc vasic in iIc moonligIi, I sav
Iim iurn Iis facc iovards a siri of silvcry ligIi
uon iIc sca, and ass on, looling ai ii, uniil
Ic vas a sIadov in iIc disiancc.
TIc door of iIc loai-Iousc siood ocn vIcn I
aroacIcd; and, on cnicring, I found ii cm-
iicd of all iis furniiurc, saving onc of iIc old
loclcrs, on vIicI Mrs. Gummidgc, viiI a las-
lci on Icr lncc, vas scaicd, looling ai Mr.
Fcggoiiy. Hc lcancd Iis cllov on iIc rougI
cIimncy-iccc, and gazcd uon a fcv ciring
cmlcrs in iIc graic; lui Ic raiscd Iis Icad,
Iocfully, on my coming in, and solc in a
cIccry manncr.
'Comc, according io romisc, io lid farcvcll
io 'i, cI, Mas'r Davy?' Ic said, ialing u iIc
candlc. 'Darc cnougI, nov, an'i ii?'
'Indccd you Iavc madc good usc of iIc iimc,'
said I.
374
'WIy, vc Iavc noi lccn idlc, sir. Missis
Gummidgc Ias vorlcd lilc aI docn'i lnov
vIai Missis Gummidgc an'i vorlcd lilc,' said
Mr. Fcggoiiy, looling ai Icr, ai a loss for a suf-
ficicnily aroving similc.
Mrs. Gummidgc, lcaning on Icr laslci, madc
no olscrvaiion.
'TIccr's iIc vcry loclcr iIai you uscd io sii
on, 'long viiI Em'ly!' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, in a
vIiscr. 'I'm a-going io carry ii avay viiI mc,
lasi of all. And Iccr's your old liiilc lcdroom,
scc, Mas'r Davy! A'mosi as llcal ionigIi, as 'ari
could visI!'
In iruiI, iIc vind, iIougI ii vas lov, Iad a
solcmn sound, and crci around iIc dcscricd
Iousc viiI a vIiscrcd vailing iIai vas vcry
mournful. EvcryiIing vas gonc, dovn io iIc
liiilc mirror viiI iIc oysicr-sIcll framc. I
iIougIi of mysclf, lying Icrc, vIcn iIai firsi
grcai cIangc vas lcing vrougIi ai Iomc. I
iIougIi of iIc lluc-cycd cIild vIo Iad cn-
cIanicd mc. I iIougIi of SiccrforiI: and a fool-
isI, fcarful fancy camc uon mc of Iis lcing
ncar ai Iand, and liallc io lc mci ai any iurn.
''Tis lilc io lc long,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, in a
lov voicc, 'aforc iIc loai finds ncv icnanis. TIcy
lool uon 'i, dovn lccr, as lcing unforiunaic
nov!'
' Docs ii lclong io anylody in iIc
ncigIlourIood?' I aslcd.
'To a masi-malcr u iovn,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy.
'I'm a-going io givc iIc lcy io Iim ionigIi.'
Wc loolcd inio iIc oiIcr liiilc room, and camc
lacl io Mrs. Gummidgc, siiiing on iIc loclcr,
vIom Mr. Fcggoiiy, uiiing iIc ligIi on iIc
cIimncy-iccc, rcqucsicd io risc, iIai Ic migIi
carry ii ouisidc iIc door lcforc ciinguisIing
iIc candlc.
'Dan'l,' said Mrs. Gummidgc, suddcnly dcscri-
ing Icr laslci, and clinging io Iis arm 'my dcar
Dan'l, iIc ariing vords I scal in iIis Iousc
is, I musin'i lc lcfi lcIind. Docn'i yc iIinl of
375
lcaving mc lcIind, Dan'l! OI, docn'i yc cvcr do
ii!'
Mr. Fcggoiiy, ialcn alacl, loolcd from Mrs.
Gummidgc io mc, and from mc io Mrs.
Gummidgc, as if Ic Iad lccn avalcncd from a
slcc.
'Docn'i yc, dcarcsi Dan'l, docn'i yc!' cricd Mrs.
Gummidgc, fcrvcnily. 'Talc mc 'long viiI you,
Dan'l, ialc mc 'long viiI you and Em'ly! I'll lc
your scrvani, consiani and ircv. If iIcrc's slavcs
in iIcm aris vIcrc you'rc a-going, I'll lc lound
io you for onc, and Iay, lui docn'i yc lcavc
mc lcIind, Dan'l, iIai's a dcary dcar!'
'My good soul,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, sIaling Iis
Icad, 'you docn'i lnov vIai a long voyagc, and
vIai a Iard lifc 'iis!'
'Ycs, I do, Dan'l! I can gucss!' cricd Mrs.
Gummidgc. 'Dui my ariing vords undcr iIis
roof is, I sIall go inio iIc Iousc and dic, if I am
noi iool. I can dig, Dan'l. I can vorl. I can livc
Iard. I can lc loving and aiicni novmorc
iIan you iIinl, Dan'l, if you'll on'y iry mc. I
vouldn'i ioucI iIc 'lovancc, noi if I vas dying
of vani, Dan'l Fcggoiiy; lui I'll go viiI you and
Em'ly, if you'll on'y lci mc, io iIc vorld's cnd! I
lnov Iov 'iis; I lnov you iIinl iIai I am lonc
and lorn; lui, dcary lovc, 'ian'i so no morc! I
ain'i sai Icrc, so long, a-vaicIing, and a-iIinl-
ing of your irials, viiIoui somc good lcing donc
mc. Mas'r Davy, scal io Iim for mc! I lnovs
Iis vays, and Em'ly's, and I lnovs iIcir sor-
rovs, and can lc a comfori io 'cm, somc odd
iimcs, and lalour for 'cm allus! Dan'l, dcary
Dan'l, lci mc go 'long viiI you!'
And Mrs. Gummidgc iool Iis Iand, and lisscd
ii viiI a Iomcly aiIos and affcciion, in a
Iomcly raiurc of dcvoiion and graiiiudc, iIai
Ic vcll dcscrvcd.
Wc lrougIi iIc loclcr oui, ciinguisIcd iIc
candlc, fasicncd iIc door on iIc ouisidc, and
lcfi iIc old loai closc sIui u, a darl sccl in
iIc cloudy nigIi. Nci day, vIcn vc vcrc rc-
376
iurning io London ouisidc iIc coacI, Mrs.
Gummidgc and Icr laslci vcrc on iIc scai
lcIind, and Mrs. Gummidgc vas Iay.
CHAPTER S2
I ASSIST AT AN EXPLOSION
WIcn iIc iimc Mr. Micavlcr Iad aoinicd so
mysicriously, vas viiIin four-and-ivcniy Iours
of lcing comc, my auni and I consulicd Iov vc
sIould rocccd; for my auni vas vcry unvilling
io lcavc Dora. AI! Iov casily I carricd Dora u
and dovn siairs, nov!
Wc vcrc disoscd, noiviiIsianding Mr.
Micavlcr's siiulaiion for my auni's aiicndancc,
io arrangc iIai sIc sIould siay ai Iomc, and lc
rcrcscnicd ly Mr. Dicl and mc. In sIori, vc Iad
rcsolvcd io ialc iIis coursc, vIcn Dora again
unsciilcd us ly dcclaring iIai sIc ncvcr vould
forgivc Icrsclf, and ncvcr vould forgivc Icr lad
loy, if my auni rcmaincd lcIind, on any rcicncc.
'I von'i scal io you,' said Dora, sIaling Icr
curls ai my auni. 'I'll lc disagrccallc! I'll malc
Ji larl ai you all day. I sIall lc surc iIai you
rcally arc a cross old iIing, if you don'i go!'
'Tui, Dlossom!' laugIcd my auni. 'You lnov
you can'i do viiIoui mc!'
'Ycs, I can,' said Dora. 'You arc no usc io mc
ai all. You ncvcr run u and dovn siairs for
mc, all day long. You ncvcr sii and icll mc sio-
rics aloui Doady, vIcn Iis sIocs vcrc vorn
oui, and Ic vas covcrcd viiI dusioI, vIai a
oor liiilc miic of a fcllov! You ncvcr do any-
iIing ai all io lcasc mc, do you, dcar?' Dora
madc Iasic io liss my auni, and say, 'Ycs, you
do! I'm only joling!'lcsi my auni sIould iIinl
sIc rcally mcani ii.
'Dui, auni,' said Dora, coaingly, 'nov lisicn.
You musi go. I sIall icasc you, 'iill you lci mc
Iavc my ovn vay aloui ii. I sIall lcad my
naugIiy loy sucI a lifc, if Ic don'i malc you
go. I sIall malc mysclf so disagrccallcand so
377
vill Ji! You'll visI you Iad gonc, lilc a good
iIing, for cvcr and cvcr so long, if you don'i go.
Dcsidcs,' said Dora, uiiing lacl Icr Iair, and
looling vondcringly ai my auni and mc, 'vIy
sIouldn'i you loiI go? I am noi vcry ill indccd.
Am I?'
'WIy, vIai a qucsiion!' cricd my auni.
'WIai a fancy!' said I.
'Ycs! I lnov I am a silly liiilc iIing!' said Dora,
slovly looling from onc of us io iIc oiIcr, and
iIcn uiiing u Icr rciiy lis io liss us as sIc
lay uon Icr coucI. 'Wcll, iIcn, you musi loiI
go, or I sIall noi lclicvc you; and iIcn I sIall
cry!'
I sav, in my auni's facc, iIai sIc lcgan io
givc vay nov, and Dora lrigIicncd again, as
sIc sav ii ioo.
'You'll comc lacl viiI so mucI io icll mc, iIai
ii'll ialc ai lcasi a vccl io malc mc undcrsiand!'
said Dora. 'Dccausc I lnov I sIan'i undcrsiand,
for a lcngiI of iimc, if iIcrc's any lusincss in ii.
And iIcrc's surc io lc somc lusincss in ii! If
iIcrc's anyiIing io add u, lcsidcs, I don'i lnov
vIcn I sIall malc ii oui; and my lad loy vill
lool so miscrallc all iIc iimc. TIcrc! Nov you'll
go, von'i you? You'll only lc gonc onc nigIi,
and Ji vill ialc carc of mc vIilc you arc gonc.
Doady vill carry mc usiairs lcforc you go, and
I von'i comc dovn again iill you comc lacl;
and you sIall ialc Agncs a drcadfully scolding
lciicr from mc, lccausc sIc Ias ncvcr lccn io
scc us!'
Wc agrccd, viiIoui any morc consuliaiion,
iIai vc vould loiI go, and iIai Dora vas a
liiilc Imosior, vIo fcigncd io lc raiIcr unvcll,
lccausc sIc lilcd io lc ciicd. SIc vas grcaily
lcascd, and vcry mcrry; and vc four, iIai is io
say, my auni, Mr. Dicl, Traddlcs, and I, vcni
dovn io Canicrlury ly iIc Dovcr mail iIai
nigIi.
Ai iIc Ioicl vIcrc Mr. Micavlcr Iad rc-
qucsicd us io avaii Iim, vIicI vc goi inio, viiI
378
somc iroullc, in iIc middlc of iIc nigIi, I found
a lciicr, imoriing iIai Ic vould acar in iIc
morning unciually ai Ialf asi ninc. Aficr
vIicI, vc vcni sIivcring, ai iIai uncomfori-
allc Iour, io our rcscciivc lcds, iIrougI vari-
ous closc assagcs; vIicI smcli as if iIcy Iad
lccn sicccd, for agcs, in a soluiion of sou
and siallcs.
Early in iIc morning, I saunicrcd iIrougI iIc
dcar old iranquil sirccis, and again minglcd viiI
iIc sIadovs of iIc vcncrallc gaicvays and
cIurcIcs. TIc rools vcrc sailing aloui iIc ca-
iIcdral iovcrs; and iIc iovcrs iIcmsclvcs, ovcr-
looling many a long unalicrcd milc of iIc ricI
couniry and iis lcasani sircams, vcrc cuiiing
iIc lrigIi morning air, as if iIcrc vcrc no sucI
iIing as cIangc on cariI. Yci iIc lclls, vIcn
iIcy soundcd, iold mc sorrovfully of cIangc in
cvcryiIing; iold mc of iIcir ovn agc, and my
rciiy Dora's youiI; and of iIc many, ncvcr old,
vIo Iad livcd and lovcd and dicd, vIilc iIc rc-
vcrlcraiions of iIc lclls Iad Iummcd iIrougI
iIc rusiy armour of iIc Dlacl Frincc Ianging u
viiIin, and, moics uon iIc dcc of Timc, Iad
losi iIcmsclvcs in air, as circlcs do in vaicr.
I loolcd ai iIc old Iousc from iIc corncr of
iIc sircci, lui did noi go ncarcr io ii, lcsi, lc-
ing olscrvcd, I migIi unviiiingly do any Iarm
io iIc dcsign I Iad comc io aid. TIc carly sun
vas siriling cdgcvisc on iis gallcs and laiiicc-
vindovs, ioucIing iIcm viiI gold; and somc
lcams of iis old cacc sccmcd io ioucI my Icari.
I sirollcd inio iIc couniry for an Iour or so,
and iIcn rciurncd ly iIc main sircci, vIicI in
iIc inicrval Iad sIalcn off iis lasi nigIi's slcc.
Among iIosc vIo vcrc siirring in iIc sIos, I
sav my ancicni cncmy iIc luicIcr, nov ad-
vanccd io io-loois and a laly, and in lusi-
ncss for Iimsclf. Hc vas nursing iIc laly, and
acarcd io lc a lcnignani mcmlcr of sociciy.
Wc all lccamc vcry anious and imaiicni,
vIcn vc sai dovn io lrcalfasi. As ii aroacIcd
379
ncarcr and ncarcr io Ialf asi ninc o'clocl, our
rcsilcss ccciaiion of Mr. Micavlcr incrcascd.
Ai lasi vc madc no morc rcicncc of aiicnding
io iIc mcal, vIicI, ccci viiI Mr. Dicl, Iad
lccn a mcrc form from iIc firsi; lui my auni
vallcd u and dovn iIc room, Traddlcs sai
uon iIc sofa affcciing io rcad iIc acr viiI
Iis cycs on iIc cciling; and I loolcd oui of iIc
vindov io givc carly noiicc of Mr. Micavlcr's
coming. Nor Iad I long io vaicI, for, ai iIc
firsi cIimc of iIc Ialf Iour, Ic acarcd in iIc
sircci.
'Hcrc Ic is,' said I, 'and noi in Iis lcgal aiiirc!'
My auni iicd iIc sirings of Icr lonnci (sIc
Iad comc dovn io lrcalfasi in ii}, and ui on
Icr sIavl, as if sIc vcrc rcady for anyiIing iIai
vas rcsoluic and uncomromising. Traddlcs
luiioncd Iis coai viiI a dcicrmincd air. Mr.
Dicl, disiurlcd ly iIcsc formidallc acar-
anccs, lui fccling ii ncccssary io imiiaic iIcm,
ullcd Iis Iai, viiI loiI Iands, as firmly ovcr
Iis cars as Ic ossilly could; and insianily iool
ii off again, io vclcomc Mr. Micavlcr.
'Gcnilcmcn, and madam,' said Mr. Micavlcr,
'good morning! My dcar sir,' io Mr. Dicl, vIo
sIool Iands viiI Iim violcnily, 'you arc c-
ircmcly good.'
'Havc you lrcalfasicd?' said Mr. Dicl. 'Havc
a cIo!'
'Noi for iIc vorld, my good sir!' cricd Mr.
Micavlcr, sioing Iim on Iis vay io iIc lcll;
'aciiic and mysclf, Mr. Dion, Iavc long lccn
sirangcrs.'
Mr. Dion vas so vcll lcascd viiI Iis ncv
namc, and acarcd io iIinl ii so olliging in
Mr. Micavlcr io confcr ii uon Iim, iIai Ic
sIool Iands viiI Iim again, and laugIcd raiIcr
cIildisIly.
'Dicl,' said my auni, 'aiicniion!'
Mr. Dicl rccovcrcd Iimsclf, viiI a llusI.
'Nov, sir,' said my auni io Mr. Micavlcr, as
sIc ui on Icr glovcs, 'vc arc rcady for Mouni
380
Vcsuvius, or anyiIing clsc, as soon as ou
lcasc.'
'Madam,' rciurncd Mr. Micavlcr, 'I irusi you
vill sIorily viincss an cruiion. Mr. Traddlcs, I
Iavc your crmission, I lclicvc, io mcniion Icrc
iIai vc Iavc lccn in communicaiion iogciIcr?'
'Ii is undoulicdly iIc faci, Cocrficld,' said
Traddlcs, io vIom I loolcd in surrisc. 'Mr.
Micavlcr Ias consulicd mc in rcfcrcncc io vIai
Ic Ias in conicmlaiion; and I Iavc adviscd Iim
io iIc lcsi of my judgcmcni.'
'Unlcss I dcccivc mysclf, Mr. Traddlcs,' ur-
sucd Mr. Micavlcr, 'vIai I conicmlaic is a
disclosurc of an imoriani naiurc.'
'HigIly so,' said Traddlcs.
'FcrIas, undcr sucI circumsianccs, madam
and gcnilcmcn,' said Mr. Micavlcr, 'you vill do
mc iIc favour io sulmii yoursclvcs, for iIc
momcni, io iIc dircciion of onc vIo, Iovcvcr
unvoriIy io lc rcgardcd in any oiIcr ligIi lui
as a Waif and Siray uon iIc sIorc of Iuman
naiurc, is siill your fcllov-man, iIougI crusIcd
oui of Iis original form ly individual crrors, and
iIc accumulaiivc forcc of a comlinaiion of cir-
cumsianccs?'
'Wc Iavc crfcci confidcncc in you, Mr.
Micavlcr,' said I, 'and vill do vIai you lcasc.'
'Mr. Cocrficld,' rciurncd Mr. Micavlcr, 'your
confidcncc is noi, ai iIc cisiing junciurc, ill-
lcsiovcd. I vould lcg io lc allovcd a siari of
fivc minuics ly iIc clocl; and iIcn io rcccivc
iIc rcscni comany, inquiring for Miss
Wiclficld, ai iIc officc of Wiclficld and Hcc,
vIosc Siicndiary I am.'
My auni and I loolcd ai Traddlcs, vIo nod-
dcd Iis aroval.
'I Iavc no morc,' olscrvcd Mr. Micavlcr, 'io
say ai rcscni.'
WiiI vIicI, io my infiniic surrisc, Ic in-
cludcd us all in a comrcIcnsivc lov, and dis-
acarcd; Iis manncr lcing circmcly disiani,
and Iis facc circmcly alc.
381
Traddlcs only smilcd, and sIool Iis Icad (viiI
Iis Iair sianding urigIi on iIc io of ii}, vIcn
I loolcd io Iim for an clanaiion; so I iool oui
my vaicI, and, as a lasi rcsourcc, counicd off
iIc fivc minuics. My auni, viiI Icr ovn vaicI
in Icr Iand, did iIc lilc. WIcn iIc iimc vas
circd, Traddlcs gavc Icr Iis arm; and vc all
vcni oui iogciIcr io iIc old Iousc, viiIoui say-
ing onc vord on iIc vay.
Wc found Mr. Micavlcr ai Iis dcsl, in iIc
iurrci officc on iIc ground floor, ciiIcr vriiing,
or rcicnding io vriic, Iard. TIc largc officc-
rulcr vas siucl inio Iis vaisicoai, and vas noi
so vcll conccalcd lui iIai a fooi or morc of iIai
insirumcni roirudcd from Iis losom, lilc a
ncv lind of sIiri-frill.
As ii acarcd io mc iIai I vas cccicd io
scal, I said aloud:
'Hov do you do, Mr. Micavlcr?'
'Mr. Cocrficld,' said Mr. Micavlcr, gravcly,
'I Ioc I scc you vcll?'
'Is Miss Wiclficld ai Iomc?' said I.
'Mr. Wiclficld is unvcll in lcd, sir, of a rIcu-
maiic fcvcr,' Ic rciurncd; 'lui Miss Wiclficld, I
Iavc no douli, vill lc Iay io scc old fricnds.
Will you vall in, sir?'
Hc rcccdcd us io iIc dining-roomiIc firsi
room I Iad cnicrcd in iIai Iouscand flinging
ocn iIc door of Mr. Wiclficld's formcr officc,
said, in a sonorous voicc:
'Miss Troivood, Mr. David Cocrficld, Mr.
TIomas Traddlcs, and Mr. Dion!'
I Iad noi sccn UriaI Hcc sincc iIc iimc of
iIc llov. Our visii asionisIcd Iim, cvidcnily;
noi iIc lcss, I darc say, lccausc ii asionisIcd
oursclvcs. Hc did noi gaiIcr Iis cyclrovs io-
gciIcr, for Ic Iad nonc voriI mcniioning; lui
Ic frovncd io iIai dcgrcc iIai Ic almosi closcd
Iis small cycs, vIilc iIc Iurricd raising of Iis
grisly Iand io Iis cIin lciraycd somc ircida-
iion or surrisc. TIis vas only vIcn vc vcrc in
iIc aci of cnicring Iis room, and vIcn I caugIi
382
a glancc ai Iim ovcr my auni's sIouldcr. A
momcni aficrvards, Ic vas as favning and as
Iumllc as cvcr.
'Wcll, I am surc,' Ic said. 'TIis is indccd an
uncccicd lcasurc! To Iavc, as I may say, all
fricnds round Si. Faul's ai oncc, is a ircai
unloolcd for! Mr. Cocrficld, I Ioc I scc you
vcll, andif I may umlly crcss mysclf so
fricndly iovards iIcm as is cvcr your fricnds,
vIciIcr or noi. Mrs. Cocrficld, sir, I Ioc
sIc's gciiing on. Wc Iavc lccn madc quiic un-
casy ly iIc oor accounis vc Iavc Iad of Icr
siaic, laicly, I do assurc you.'
I fcli asIamcd io lci Iim ialc my Iand, lui I
did noi lnov yci vIai clsc io do.
'TIings arc cIangcd in iIis officc, Miss
Troivood, sincc I vas an umllc clcrl, and Icld
your ony; ain'i iIcy?' said UriaI, viiI Iis sicl-
licsi smilc. 'Dui I am noi cIangcd, Miss Troivood.'
'Wcll, sir,' rciurncd my auni, 'io icll you iIc
iruiI, I iIinl you arc rciiy consiani io iIc
romisc of your youiI; if iIai's any saiisfaciion
io you.'
'TIanl you, Miss Troivood,' said UriaI, vriiI-
ing in Iis ungainly manncr, 'for your good oin-
ion! Micavlcr, icll 'cm io lci Miss Agncs lnov
and moiIcr. MoiIcr vill lc quiic in a siaic, vIcn
sIc sccs iIc rcscni comany!' said UriaI, sci-
iing cIairs.
'You arc noi lusy, Mr. Hcc?' said Traddlcs,
vIosc cyc iIc cunning rcd cyc accidcnially
caugIi, as ii ai oncc scruiinizcd and cvadcd us.
'No, Mr. Traddlcs,' rclicd UriaI, rcsuming Iis
official scai, and squcczing Iis lony Iands, laid
alm io alm lcivccn Iis lony lnccs. 'Noi so
mucI so as I could visI. Dui lavycrs, sIarls,
and lcccIcs, arc noi casily saiisficd, you lnov!
Noi lui vIai mysclf and Micavlcr Iavc our
Iands rciiy full, in gcncral, on accouni of Mr.
Wiclficld's lcing Iardly fii for any occuaiion,
sir. Dui ii's a lcasurc as vcll as a duiy, I am
surc, io vorl for Iim. You'vc noi lccn iniimaic
383
viiI Mr. Wiclficld, I iIinl, Mr. Traddlcs? I lclicvc
I'vc only Iad iIc Ionour of sccing you oncc mysclf?'
'No, I Iavc noi lccn iniimaic viiI Mr.
Wiclficld,' rciurncd Traddlcs; 'or I migIi cr-
Ias Iavc vaiicd on you long ago, Mr. Hcc.'
TIcrc vas somciIing in iIc ionc of iIis rcly,
vIicI madc UriaI lool ai iIc scalcr again,
viiI a vcry sinisicr and susicious crcssion.
Dui, sccing only Traddlcs, viiI Iis good-naiurcd
facc, simlc manncr, and Iair on cnd, Ic dis-
misscd ii as Ic rclicd, viiI a jcrl of Iis vIolc
lody, lui csccially Iis iIroai:
'I am sorry for iIai, Mr. Traddlcs. You vould
Iavc admircd Iim as mucI as vc all do. His
liiilc failings vould only Iavc cndcarcd Iim io
you iIc morc. Dui if you vould lilc io Icar my
fcllov-arincr cloqucnily solcn of, I sIould
rcfcr you io Cocrficld. TIc family is a suljcci
Ic's vcry sirong uon, if you ncvcr Icard Iim.'
I vas rcvcnicd from disclaiming iIc comli-
mcni (if I sIould Iavc donc so, in any casc}, ly
iIc cnirancc of Agncs, nov usIcrcd in ly Mr.
Micavlcr. SIc vas noi quiic so sclf-osscsscd
as usual, I iIougIi; and Iad cvidcnily undcr-
gonc aniciy and faiiguc. Dui Icr carncsi cor-
dialiiy, and Icr quici lcauiy, sIonc viiI iIc
gcnilcr lusirc for ii.
I sav UriaI vaicI Icr vIilc sIc grccicd us;
and Ic rcmindcd mc of an ugly and rclcllious
gcnic vaicIing a good sirii. In iIc mcanvIilc,
somc sligIi sign asscd lcivccn Mr. Micavlcr
and Traddlcs; and Traddlcs, unolscrvcd ccci
ly mc, vcni oui.
'Don'i vaii, Micavlcr,' said UriaI.
Mr. Micavlcr, viiI Iis Iand uon iIc rulcr
in Iis lrcasi, siood crcci lcforc iIc door, mosi
unmisialally conicmlaiing onc of Iis fcllov-
mcn, and iIai man Iis cmloycr.
'WIai arc you vaiiing for?' said UriaI.
'Micavlcr! did you Icar mc icll you noi io vaii?'
'Ycs!' rclicd iIc immovallc Mr. Micavlcr.
'TIcn vIy do you vaii?' said UriaI.
384
'Dccausc Iin sIori, cIoosc,' rclicd Mr.
Micavlcr, viiI a lursi.
UriaI's cIccls losi colour, and an unvIolc-
somc alcncss, siill fainily iingcd ly Iis cr-
vading rcd, ovcrsrcad iIcm. Hc loolcd ai Mr.
Micavlcr aiicniivcly, viiI Iis vIolc facc lrcaiI-
ing sIori and quicl in cvcry fcaiurc.
'You arc a dissiaicd fcllov, as all iIc vorld
lnovs,' Ic said, viiI an cffori ai a smilc, 'and I
am afraid you'll olligc mc io gci rid of you. Go
along! I'll iall io you rcscnily.'
'If iIcrc is a scoundrcl on iIis cariI,' said Mr.
Micavlcr, suddcnly lrcaling oui again viiI iIc
uimosi vcIcmcncc, 'viiI vIom I Iavc alrcady
iallcd ioo mucI, iIai scoundrcl's namc isHcc!'
UriaI fcll lacl, as if Ic Iad lccn sirucl or
siung. Looling slovly round uon us viiI iIc
darlcsi and viclcdcsi crcssion iIai Iis facc
could vcar, Ic said, in a lovcr voicc:
'OIo! TIis is a consiracy! You Iavc mci Icrc
ly aoinimcni! You arc laying Dooiy viiI my
clcrl, arc you, Cocrficld? Nov, ialc carc.
You'll malc noiIing of iIis. Wc undcrsiand cacI
oiIcr, you and mc. TIcrc's no lovc lcivccn us.
You vcrc alvays a uy viiI a roud siom-
acI, from your firsi coming Icrc; and you cnvy
mc my risc, do you? Nonc of your lois againsi
mc; I'll counicrloi you! Micavlcr, you lc off.
I'll iall io you rcscnily.'
'Mr. Micavlcr,' said I, 'iIcrc is a suddcn
cIangc in iIis fcllov, in morc rcsccis iIan iIc
ciraordinary onc of Iis scaling iIc iruiI in
onc ariicular, vIicI assurcs mc iIai Ic is
lrougIi io lay. Dcal viiI Iim as Ic dcscrvcs!'
'You arc a rccious sci of colc, ain'i you?'
said UriaI, in iIc samc lov voicc, and lrcaling
oui inio a clammy Icai, vIicI Ic vicd from
Iis forcIcad, viiI Iis long lcan Iand, 'io luy
ovcr my clcrl, vIo is iIc vcry scum of soci-
ciy,as you yoursclf vcrc, Cocrficld, you
lnov ii, lcforc anyonc Iad cIariiy on you,io
dcfamc mc viiI Iis lics? Miss Troivood, you
385
Iad lciicr sio iIis; or I'll sio your Iusland
sIoricr iIan vill lc lcasani io you. I von'i lnov
your siory rofcssionally, for noiIing, old lady!
Miss Wiclficld, if you Iavc any lovc for your
faiIcr, you Iad lciicr noi join iIai gang. I'll
ruin Iim, if you do. Nov, comc! I Iavc goi somc
of you undcr iIc Iarrov. TIinl ivicc, lcforc ii
gocs ovcr you. TIinl ivicc, you, Micavlcr, if
you don'i vani io lc crusIcd. I rccommcnd you
io ialc yoursclf off, and lc iallcd io rcscnily,
you fool! vIilc iIcrc's iimc io rcircai. WIcrc's
moiIcr?' Ic said, suddcnly acaring io noiicc,
viiI alarm, iIc alscncc of Traddlcs, and ull-
ing dovn iIc lcll-roc. 'Finc doings in a crson's
ovn Iousc!'
'Mrs. Hcc is Icrc, sir,' said Traddlcs, rciurn-
ing viiI iIai voriIy moiIcr of a voriIy son. 'I
Iavc ialcn iIc lilcriy of maling mysclf lnovn
io Icr.'
'WIo arc you io malc yoursclf lnovn?' rc-
ioricd UriaI. 'And vIai do you vani Icrc?'
'I am iIc agcni and fricnd of Mr. Wiclficld,
sir,' said Traddlcs, in a comoscd and lusincss-
lilc vay. 'And I Iavc a ovcr of aiiorncy from
Iim in my oclci, io aci for Iim in all maiicrs.'
'TIc old ass Ias drunl Iimsclf inio a siaic of
doiagc,' said UriaI, iurning uglicr iIan lcforc,
'and ii Ias lccn goi from Iim ly fraud!'
'SomciIing Ias lccn goi from Iim ly fraud, I
lnov,' rciurncd Traddlcs quicily; 'and so do you,
Mr. Hcc. Wc vill rcfcr iIai qucsiion, if you
lcasc, io Mr. Micavlcr.'
'Ury!' Mrs. Hcc lcgan, viiI an anious gcs-
iurc.
'You Iold your ionguc, moiIcr,' Ic rciurncd;
'lcasi said, sooncsi mcndcd.'
'Dui, my Ury'
'Will you Iold your ionguc, moiIcr, and lcavc
ii io mc?'
TIougI I Iad long lnovn iIai Iis scrviliiy vas
falsc, and all Iis rcicnccs lnavisI and Iollov,
I Iad Iad no adcquaic concciion of iIc cicni
386
of Iis Iyocrisy, uniil I nov sav Iim viiI Iis
masl off. TIc suddcnncss viiI vIicI Ic drocd
ii, vIcn Ic crccivcd iIai ii vas usclcss io Iim;
iIc malicc, insolcncc, and Iaircd, Ic rcvcalcd;
iIc lccr viiI vIicI Ic culicd, cvcn ai iIis mo-
mcni, in iIc cvil Ic Iad doncall iIis iimc lc-
ing dcscraic ioo, and ai Iis viis' cnd for iIc
mcans of gciiing iIc lciicr of usiIougI cr-
fccily consisicni viiI iIc ccricncc I Iad of Iim,
ai firsi iool cvcn mc ly surrisc, vIo Iad lnovn
Iim so long, and dislilcd Iim so Icariily.
I say noiIing of iIc lool Ic confcrrcd on mc,
as Ic siood cycing us, onc aficr anoiIcr; for I
Iad alvays undcrsiood iIai Ic Iaicd mc, and I
rcmcmlcrcd iIc marls of my Iand uon Iis
cIccl. Dui vIcn Iis cycs asscd on io Agncs,
and I sav iIc ragc viiI vIicI Ic fcli Iis ovcr
ovcr Icr sliing avay, and iIc cIiliiion, in
iIcir disaoinimcni, of iIc odious assions
iIai Iad lcd Iim io asirc io onc vIosc viriucs
Ic could ncvcr arcciaic or carc for, I vas
sIoclcd ly iIc mcrc iIougIi of Icr Iaving livcd,
an Iour, viiIin sigIi of sucI a man.
Aficr somc rulling of iIc lovcr ari of Iis
facc, and somc looling ai us viiI iIosc lad
cycs, ovcr Iis grisly fingcrs, Ic madc onc morc
addrcss io mc, Ialf vIining, and Ialf alusivc.
'You iIinl ii jusiifiallc, do you, Cocrficld,
you vIo ridc yoursclf so mucI on your Ionour
and all iIc rcsi of ii, io sncal aloui my lacc,
cavcs-droing viiI my clcrl? If ii Iad lccn
mc, I sIouldn'i Iavc vondcrcd; for I don'i malc
mysclf oui a gcnilcman (iIougI I ncvcr vas in
iIc sirccis ciiIcr, as you vcrc, according io
Micavlcr}, lui lcing you!And you'rc noi afraid
of doing iIis, ciiIcr? You don'i iIinl ai all of
vIai I sIall do, in rciurn; or of gciiing yoursclf
inio iroullc for consiracy and so foriI? Vcry
vcll. Wc sIall scc! Mr. WIai's-your-namc, you
vcrc going io rcfcr somc qucsiion io Micavlcr.
TIcrc's your rcfcrcc. WIy don'i you malc Iim
scal? Hc Ias lcarni Iis lcsson, I scc.'
387
Sccing iIai vIai Ic said Iad no cffcci on mc
or any of us, Ic sai on iIc cdgc of Iis iallc viiI
Iis Iands in Iis oclcis, and onc of Iis slay
fcci ivisicd round iIc oiIcr lcg, vaiiing dog-
gcdly for vIai migIi follov.
Mr. Micavlcr, vIosc imciuosiiy I Iad rc-
siraincd iIus far viiI iIc grcaicsi difficuliy, and
vIo Iad rccaicdly inicroscd viiI iIc firsi
syllallc of scoun-drcl! viiIoui gciiing io iIc scc-
ond, nov lursi forvard, drcv iIc rulcr from
Iis lrcasi (aarcnily as a dcfcnsivc vcaon},
and roduccd from Iis oclci a foolsca docu-
mcni, foldcd in iIc form of a largc lciicr. Ocn-
ing iIis aclci, viiI Iis old flourisI, and glanc-
ing ai iIc conicnis, as if Ic cIcrisIcd an ariis-
iic admiraiion of iIcir siylc of comosiiion, Ic
lcgan io rcad as follovs:
'Dear Miss Trotwood and gentlemen
'Dlcss and savc iIc man!' cclaimcd my auni
in a lov voicc. 'Hc'd vriic lciicrs ly iIc rcam, if
ii vas a caiial offcncc!'
Mr. Micavlcr, viiIoui Icaring Icr, vcni on.
In appearing before you to denounce probably
the most consummate Villain that has ever existed,
Mr. Micawber, without looking off the letter, pointed
the ruler, like a ghostly truncheon, at Uriah Heep, I
ask no consideration for myself. The victim, from my
cradle, of pecuniary liabilities to which I have been
unable to respond, I have ever been the sport and
toy of debasing circumstances. Ignominy, Want, De-
spair, and Madness, have, collectively or separately,
been the attendants of my career.
TIc rclisI viiI vIicI Mr. Micavlcr dcscrilcd
Iimsclf as a rcy io iIcsc dismal calamiiics,
vas only io lc cquallcd ly iIc cmIasis viiI
vIicI Ic rcad Iis lciicr; and iIc lind of Iom-
agc Ic rcndcrcd io ii viiI a roll of Iis Icad,
vIcn Ic iIougIi Ic Iad Iii a scnicncc vcry
Iard indccd.
388
In an accumulation of Ignominy, Want, Despair,
and Madness, I entered the officeor, as our lively
neighbour the Gaul would term it, the Bureauof
the Firm, nominally conducted under the appellation
of Wickfield andHeep, but in reality, wielded by
Heep alone. Heep, and only Heep, is the mainspring
of that machine. Heep, and only Heep, is the Forger
and the Cheat.
UriaI, morc lluc iIan vIiic ai iIcsc vords,
madc a dari ai iIc lciicr, as if io icar ii in icccs.
Mr. Micavlcr, viiI a crfcci miraclc of dcicr-
iiy or lucl, caugIi Iis advancing lnucllcs viiI
iIc rulcr, and disallcd Iis rigIi Iand. Ii drocd
ai iIc vrisi, as if ii vcrc lrolcn. TIc llov
soundcd as if ii Iad fallcn on vood.
'TIc Dcvil ialc you!' said UriaI, vriiIing in a
ncv vay viiI ain. 'I'll lc cvcn viiI you.'
'AroacI mc again, youyouyou Hcc of
infamy,' gascd Mr. Micavlcr, 'and if your Icad
is Iuman, I'll lrcal ii. Comc on, comc on!'
I iIinl I ncvcr sav anyiIing morc ridiculous
I vas scnsillc of ii, cvcn ai iIc iimciIan Mr.
Micavlcr maling lroad-svord guards viiI iIc
rulcr, and crying, 'Comc on!' vIilc Traddlcs and
I usIcd Iim lacl inio a corncr, from vIicI,
as oficn as vc goi Iim inio ii, Ic crsisicd in
cmcrging again.
His cncmy, muiicring io Iimsclf, aficr vring-
ing Iis voundcd Iand for somciimc, slovly drcv
off Iis nccl-lcrcIicf and lound ii u; iIcn Icld
ii in Iis oiIcr Iand, and sai uon Iis iallc viiI
Iis sullcn facc looling dovn.
Mr. Micavlcr, vIcn Ic vas sufficicnily cool,
rocccdcd viiI Iis lciicr.
The stipendiary emoluments in consideration of
which I entered into the service ofHeep, alvays
ausing lcforc iIai vord and uiicring ii viiI
asionisIing vigour, were not defined, beyond the
pittance of twenty-two shillings and six per week. The
rest was left contingent on the value of my profes-
389
sional exertions; in other and more expressive words,
on the baseness of my nature, the cupidity of my
motives, the poverty of my family, the general moral
(or rather immoral) resemblance between myself
andHeep. Need I say, that it soon became neces-
sary for me to solicit fromHeeppecuniary ad-
vances towards the support of Mrs. Micawber, and
our blighted but rising family? Need I say that this
necessity had been foreseen byHeep? That those
advances were secured by I.O.U.s and other similar
acknowledgements, known to the legal institutions
of this country? And that I thus became immeshed
in the web he had spun for my reception?
Mr. Micavlcr's cnjoymcni of Iis cisiolary
ovcrs, in dcscriling iIis unforiunaic siaic of
iIings, rcally sccmcd io ouivcigI any ain or
aniciy iIai iIc rcaliiy could Iavc causcd Iim.
Hc rcad on:
Then it was thatHeepbegan to favour me with
just so much of his confidence, as was necessary to
the discharge of his infernal business. Then it was
that I began, if I may so Shakespearianly express
myself, to dwindle, peak, and pine. I found that my
services were constantly called into requisition for
the falsification of business, and the mystification of
an individual whom I will designate as Mr. W. That
Mr. W. was imposed upon, kept in ignorance, and
deluded, in every possible way; yet, that all this while,
the ruffianHeepwas professing unbounded grati-
tude to, and unbounded friendship for, that much-
abused gentleman. This was bad enough; but, as the
philosophic Dane observes, with that universal ap-
plicability which distinguishes the illustrious ornament
of the Elizabethan Era, worse remains behind!
Mr. Micavlcr vas so vcry mucI sirucl ly iIis
Iay rounding off viiI a quoiaiion, iIai Ic
indulgcd Iimsclf, and us, viiI a sccond rcad-
ing of iIc scnicncc, undcr rcicncc of Iaving
losi Iis lacc.
390
It is not my intention, he continued reading on,
to enter on a detailed list, within the compass of the
present epistle (though it is ready elsewhere), of the
various malpractices of a minor nature, affecting the
individual whom I have denominated Mr. W., to which
I have been a tacitly consenting party. My object,
when the contest within myself between stipend and
no stipend, baker and no baker, existence and non-
existence, ceased, was to take advantage of my op-
portunities to discover and expose the major mal-
practices committed, to that gentlemans grievous
wrong and injury, byHeep. Stimulated by the silent
monitor within, and by a no less touching and ap-
pealing monitor withoutto whom I will briefly refer
as Miss W.I entered on a not unlaborious task of
clandestine investigation, protractednow, to the
best of my knowledge, information, and belief, over
a period exceeding twelve calendar months.
Hc rcad iIis assagc as if ii vcrc from an Aci
of Farliamcni; and acarcd majcsiically rc-
frcsIcd ly iIc sound of iIc vords.
My charges againstHeep, Ic rcad on, glanc-
ing ai Iim, and draving iIc rulcr inio a convc-
nicni osiiion undcr Iis lcfi arm, in casc of nccd,
are as follows.
Wc all Icld our lrcaiI, I iIinl. I am surc UriaI
Icld Iis.
First, said Mr. Micawber, When Mr. W.s facul-
ties and memory for business became, through
causes into which it is not necessary or expedient
for me to enter, weakened and confused,Heep
designedly perplexed and complicated the whole of
the official transactions. When Mr. W. was least fit to
enter on business, Heep was always at hand to
force him to enter on it. He obtained Mr. W.s signa-
ture under such circumstances to documents of im-
portance, representing them to be other documents
of no importance. He induced Mr. W. to empower him
391
to draw out, thus, one particular sum of trust-money,
amounting to twelve six fourteen, two and nine, and
employed it to meet pretended business charges and
deficiencies which were either already provided for,
or had never really existed. He gave this proceeding,
throughout, the appearance of having originated in
Mr. W.s own dishonest intention, and of having been
accomplished by Mr. W.s own dishonest act; and has
used it, ever since, to torture and constrain him.
'You sIall rovc iIis, you Cocrficld!' said
UriaI, viiI a iIrcaicning sIalc of iIc Icad.
'All in good iimc!'
'AslHccMr. Traddlcs, vIo livcd in Iis
Iousc aficr Iim,' said Mr. Micavlcr, lrcaling
off from iIc lciicr; 'vill you?'
'TIc fool Iimsclfand livcs iIcrc nov,' said
UriaI, disdainfully.
'AslHccif Ic cvcr lci a oclci-lool in
iIai Iousc,' said Mr. Micavlcr; 'vill you?'
I sav UriaI's lanl Iand sio, involuniarily,
in iIc scraing of Iis cIin.
'Or asl Iim,' said Mr. Micavlcr,'if Ic cvcr
lurni onc iIcrc. If Ic says ycs, and asls you
vIcrc iIc asIcs arc, rcfcr Iim io Willins
Micavlcr, and Ic vill Icar of somciIing noi ai
all io Iis advaniagc!'
TIc iriumIani flourisI viiI vIicI Mr.
Micavlcr dclivcrcd Iimsclf of iIcsc vords, Iad
a ovcrful cffcci in alarming iIc moiIcr; vIo
cricd oui, in mucI agiiaiion:
'Ury, Ury! Dc umllc, and malc icrms, my
dcar!'
'MoiIcr!' Ic rcioricd, 'vill you lcc quici?
You'rc in a frigIi, and don'i lnov vIai you say
or mcan. Umllc!' Ic rccaicd, looling ai mc,
viiI a snarl; 'I'vc umllcd somc of 'cm for a rciiy
long iimc lacl, umllc as I vas!'
Mr. Micavlcr, gcnicclly adjusiing Iis cIin in
Iis cravai, rcscnily rocccdcd viiI Iis com-
osiiion.
392
Second. Heep has, on several occasions, to the
best of my knowledge, information, and belief
'Dui iIai von'i do,' muiicrcd UriaI, rclicvcd.
'MoiIcr, you lcc quici.'
'Wc vill cndcavour io rovidc somciIing iIai
u do, and do for you finally, sir, vcry sIorily,'
rclicd Mr. Micavlcr.
Second. Heep has, on several occasions, to the
best of my knowledge, information, and belief, sys-
tematically forged, to various entries, books, and
documents, the signature of Mr. W.; and has distinctly
done so in one instance, capable of proof by me. To
wit, in manner following, that is to say:
Again, Mr. Micavlcr Iad a rclisI in iIis for-
mal iling u of vords, vIicI, Iovcvcr ludi-
crously dislaycd in Iis casc, vas, I musi say,
noi ai all cculiar io Iim. I Iavc olscrvcd ii, in
iIc coursc of my lifc, in numlcrs of mcn. Ii
sccms io mc io lc a gcncral rulc. In iIc ialing
of lcgal oaiIs, for insiancc, dconcnis sccm io
cnjoy iIcmsclvcs migIiily vIcn iIcy comc io
scvcral good vords in succcssion, for iIc c-
rcssion of onc idca; as, iIai iIcy uiicrly dc-
icsi, alominaic, and aljurc, or so foriI; and
iIc old anaiIcmas vcrc madc rclisIing on iIc
samc rincilc. Wc iall aloui iIc iyranny of
vords, lui vc lilc io iyrannizc ovcr iIcm ioo;
vc arc fond of Iaving a largc sucrfluous cs-
iallisImcni of vords io vaii uon us on grcai
occasions; vc iIinl ii lools imoriani, and
sounds vcll. As vc arc noi ariicular aloui iIc
mcaning of our livcrics on siaic occasions, if
iIcy lc lui finc and numcrous cnougI, so, iIc
mcaning or ncccssiiy of our vords is a sccond-
ary considcraiion, if iIcrc lc lui a grcai a-
radc of iIcm. And as individuals gci inio iroullc
ly maling ioo grcai a sIov of livcrics, or as
slavcs vIcn iIcy arc ioo numcrous risc againsi
iIcir masicrs, so I iIinl I could mcniion a na-
393
iion iIai Ias goi inio many grcai difficuliics,
and vill gci inio many grcaicr, from mainiain-
ing ioo largc a rciinuc of vords.
Mr. Micavlcr rcad on, almosi smacling Iis
lis:
To wit, in manner following, that is to say. Mr. W.
being infirm, and it being within the bounds of prob-
ability that his decease might lead to some discover-
ies, and to the downfall of Heepspower over the
W. family,as I, Wilkins Micawber, the undersigned,
assumeunless the filial affection of his daughter
could be secretly influenced from allowing any in-
vestigation of the partnership affairs to be ever made,
the saidHeepdeemed it expedient to have a bond
ready by him, as from Mr. W., for the before-men-
tioned sum of twelve six fourteen, two and nine, with
interest, stated therein to have been advanced by
Heepto Mr. W. to save Mr. W. from dishonour;
though really the sum was never advanced by him,
and has long been replaced. The signatures to this
instrument purporting to be executed by Mr. W. and
attested by Wilkins Micawber, are forgeries byHeep.
I have, in my possession, in his hand and pocket-
book, several similar imitations of Mr. W.s signature,
here and there defaced by fire, but legible to anyone.
I never attested any such document. And I have the
document itself, in my possession.
UriaI Hcc, viiI a siari, iool oui of Iis oclci
a luncI of lcys, and ocncd a ccriain dravcr;
iIcn, suddcnly lciIougIi Iimsclf of vIai Ic
vas aloui, and iurncd again iovards us, viiI-
oui looling in ii.
And I have the document, Mr. Micavlcr rcad
again, looling aloui as if ii vcrc iIc ici of a
scrmon, in my possession,that is to say, I had,
early this morning, when this was written, but have
since relinquished it to Mr. Traddles.
'Ii is quiic iruc,' asscnicd Traddlcs.
394
'Ury, Ury!' cricd iIc moiIcr, 'lc umllc and
malc icrms. I lnov my son vill lc umllc,
gcnilcmcn, if you'll givc Iim iimc io iIinl. Mr.
Cocrficld, I'm surc you lnov iIai Ic vas al-
vays vcry umllc, sir!'
Ii vas singular io scc Iov iIc moiIcr siill Icld
io iIc old iricl, vIcn iIc son Iad alandoncd ii
as usclcss.
'MoiIcr,' Ic said, viiI an imaiicni liic ai iIc
IandlcrcIicf in vIicI Iis Iand vas vracd, 'you
Iad lciicr ialc and firc a loadcd gun ai mc.'
'Dui I lovc you, Ury,' cricd Mrs. Hcc. And I
Iavc no douli sIc did; or iIai Ic lovcd Icr,
Iovcvcr sirangc ii may acar; iIougI, io lc
surc, iIcy vcrc a congcnial coulc. 'And I can'i
lcar io Icar you rovoling iIc gcnilcmcn, and
cndangcring of yoursclf morc. I iold iIc gcnilc-
man ai firsi, vIcn Ic iold mc usiairs ii vas
comc io ligIi, iIai I vould ansvcr for your lc-
ing umllc, and maling amcnds. OI, scc Iov
umllc I am, gcnilcmcn, and don'i mind Iim!'
'WIy, iIcrc's Cocrficld, moiIcr,' Ic angrily
rcioricd, oiniing Iis lcan fingcr ai mc, againsi
vIom all Iis animosiiy vas lcvcllcd, as iIc
rimc movcr in iIc discovcry; and I did noi un-
dcccivc Iim; 'iIcrc's Cocrficld, vould Iavc
givcn you a Iundrcd ound io say lcss iIan
you'vc lluricd oui!'
'I can'i Icl ii, Ury,' cricd Iis moiIcr. 'I can'i
scc you running inio dangcr, iIrougI carrying
your Icad so IigI. Dciicr lc umllc, as you al-
vays vas.'
Hc rcmaincd for a liiilc, liiing iIc Iandlcr-
cIicf, and iIcn said io mc viiI a scovl:
'WIai morc Iavc you goi io lring forvard? If any-
iIing, go on viiI ii. WIai do you lool ai mc for?'
Mr. Micavlcr romily rcsumcd Iis lciicr,
glad io rcvcri io a crformancc viiI vIicI Ic
vas so IigIly saiisficd.
Third. And last. I am now in a condition to show,
byHeepsfalse books, andHeepsreal memo-
395
randa, beginning with the partially destroyed pocket-
book (which I was unable to comprehend, at the time
of its accidental discovery by Mrs. Micawber, on our
taking possession of our present abode, in the locker
or bin devoted to the reception of the ashes calcined
on our domestic hearth), that the weaknesses, the
faults, the very virtues, the parental affections, and
the sense of honour, of the unhappy Mr. W. have been
for years acted on by, and warped to the base pur-
poses ofHeep. That Mr. W. has been for years de-
luded and plundered, in every conceivable manner,
to the pecuniary aggrandisement of the avaricious,
false, and graspingHeep. That the engrossing ob-
ject ofHeepwas, next to gain, to subdue Mr. and
Miss W. (of his ulterior views in reference to the latter
I say nothing) entirely to himself. That his last act,
completed but a few months since, was to induce
Mr. W. to execute a relinquishment of his share in the
partnership, and even a bill of sale on the very furni-
ture of his house, in consideration of a certain annu-
ity, to be well and truly paid byHeepon the four
common quarter-days in each and every year. That
these meshes; beginning with alarming and falsified
accounts of the estate of which Mr. W. is the receiver,
at a period when Mr. W. had launched into imprudent
and ill-judged speculations, and may not have had
the money, for which he was morally and legally re-
sponsible, in hand; going on with pretended borrow-
ings of money at enormous interest, really coming
fromHeepand byHeepfraudulently obtained
or withheld from Mr. W. himself, on pretence of such
speculations or otherwise; perpetuated by a miscel-
laneous catalogue of unscrupulous chicaneries
gradually thickened, until the unhappy Mr. W. could
see no world beyond. Bankrupt, as he believed, alike
in circumstances, in all other hope, and in honour,
his sole reliance was upon the monster in the garb
of man,Mr. Micavlcr madc a good dcal of iIis,
as a ncv iurn of crcssion, who, by making
himself necessary to him, had achieved his destruc-
tion. All this I undertake to show. Probably much
more!
396
I vIiscrcd a fcv vords io Agncs, vIo vas
vccing, Ialf joyfully, Ialf sorrovfully, ai my sidc;
and iIcrc vas a movcmcni among us, as if Mr.
Micavlcr Iad finisIcd. Hc said, viiI ccccding
graviiy, 'Fardon mc,' and rocccdcd, viiI a mi-
iurc of iIc lovcsi siriis and iIc mosi inicnsc
cnjoymcni, io iIc croraiion of Iis lciicr.
I have now concluded. It merely remains for me
to substantiate these accusations; and then, with my
ill-starred family, to disappear from the landscape on
which we appear to be an encumbrance. That is soon
done. It may be reasonably inferred that our baby
will first expire of inanition, as being the frailest mem-
ber of our circle; and that our twins will follow next in
order. So be it! For myself, my Canterbury Pilgrim-
age has done much; imprisonment on civil process,
and want, will soon do more. I trust that the labour
and hazard of an investigationof which the small-
est results have been slowly pieced together, in the
pressure of arduous avocations, under grinding pe-
nurious apprehensions, at rise of morn, at dewy eve,
in the shadows of night, under the watchful eye of
one whom it were superfluous to call Demoncom-
bined with the struggle of parental Poverty to turn it,
when completed, to the right account, may be as the
sprinkling of a few drops of sweet water on my fu-
neral pyre. I ask no more. Let it be, in justice, merely
said of me, as of a gallant and eminent naval Hero,
with whom I have no pretensions to cope, that what
I have done, I did, in despite of mercenary and self-
ish objects,
For England, home, and Beauty.
Remai ni ng al ways, &c. &c., WILKINS
MICAWBER.
MucI affccicd, lui siill inicnscly cnjoying Iim-
sclf, Mr. Micavlcr foldcd u Iis lciicr, and
Iandcd ii viiI a lov io my auni, as somciIing
sIc migIi lilc io lcc.
397
TIcrc vas, as I Iad noiiccd on my firsi visii
long ago, an iron safc in iIc room. TIc lcy vas
in ii. A Iasiy susicion sccmcd io sirilc UriaI;
and, viiI a glancc ai Mr. Micavlcr, Ic vcni io
ii, and iIrcv iIc doors clanling ocn. Ii vas
cmiy.
'WIcrc arc iIc lools?' Ic cricd, viiI a frigIi-
ful facc. 'Somc iIicf Ias siolcn iIc lools!'
Mr. Micavlcr iacd Iimsclf viiI iIc rulcr. 'I
did, vIcn I goi iIc lcy from you as usuallui
a liiilc carlicrand ocncd ii iIis morning.'
'Don'i lc uncasy,' said Traddlcs. 'TIcy Iavc
comc inio my osscssion. I vill ialc carc of
iIcm, undcr iIc auiIoriiy I mcniioncd.'
'You rcccivc siolcn goods, do you?' cricd UriaI.
' Undcr sucI circumsianccs,' ansvcrcd
Traddlcs, 'ycs.'
WIai vas my asionisImcni vIcn I lcIcld my
auni, vIo Iad lccn rofoundly quici and ai-
icniivc, malc a dari ai UriaI Hcc, and scizc
Iim ly iIc collar viiI loiI Iands!
'You lnov vIai I vani?' said my auni.
'A siraii-vaisicoai,' said Ic.
'No. My rocriy!' rciurncd my auni. 'Agncs,
my dcar, as long as I lclicvcd ii Iad lccn rcally
madc avay viiI ly your faiIcr, I vouldn'i
and, my dcar, I didn'i, cvcn io Troi, as Ic lnovs
lrcaiIc a syllallc of iis Iaving lccn laccd
Icrc for invcsimcni. Dui, nov I lnov iIis fcllov's
ansvcrallc for ii, and I'll Iavc ii! Troi, comc
and ialc ii avay from Iim!'
WIciIcr my auni suoscd, for iIc momcni,
iIai Ic lci Icr rocriy in Iis nccl-lcrcIicf, I
am surc I don'i lnov; lui sIc ccriainly ullcd ai
ii as if sIc iIougIi so. I Iasicncd io ui mysclf
lcivccn iIcm, and io assurc Icr iIai vc vould
all ialc carc iIai Ic sIould malc iIc uimosi
rcsiiiuiion of cvcryiIing Ic Iad vrongly goi. TIis,
and a fcv momcnis' rcflcciion, acificd Icr; lui
sIc vas noi ai all disconccricd ly vIai sIc Iad
donc (iIougI I cannoi say as mucI for Icr lon-
nci} and rcsumcd Icr scai comoscdly.
398
During iIc lasi fcv minuics, Mrs. Hcc Iad
lccn clamouring io Icr son io lc 'umllc'; and
Iad lccn going dovn on Icr lnccs io all of us
in succcssion, and maling iIc vildcsi rom-
iscs. Hcr son sai Icr dovn in Iis cIair; and,
sianding sullily ly Icr, Iolding Icr arm viiI
Iis Iand, lui noi rudcly, said io mc, viiI a
fcrocious lool:
'WIai do you vani donc?'
'I vill icll you vIai musi lc donc,' said
Traddlcs.
'Has iIai Cocrficld no ionguc?' muiicrcd
UriaI, 'I vould do a good dcal for you if you
could icll mc, viiIoui lying, iIai somclody Iad
cui ii oui.'
'My UriaI mcans io lc umllc!' cricd Iis
moiIcr. 'Don'i mind vIai Ic says, good gcnilc-
mcn!'
'WIai musi lc donc,' said Traddlcs, 'is iIis.
Firsi, iIc dccd of rclinquisImcni, iIai vc Iavc
Icard of, musi lc givcn ovcr io mc novIcrc.'
'Suosc I Iavcn'i goi ii,' Ic inicrruicd.
'Dui you Iavc,' said Traddlcs; 'iIcrcforc, you
lnov, vc von'i suosc so.' And I cannoi Icl
avoving iIai iIis vas iIc firsi occasion on vIicI
I rcally did jusiicc io iIc clcar Icad, and iIc lain,
aiicni, raciical good scnsc, of my old
scIoolfcllov. 'TIcn,' said Traddlcs, 'you musi rc-
arc io disgorgc all iIai your raaciiy Ias lc-
comc osscsscd of, and io malc rcsioraiion io
iIc lasi fariIing. All iIc arincrsIi lools and
acrs musi rcmain in our osscssion; all your
lools and acrs; all moncy accounis and
sccuriiics, of loiI linds. In sIori, cvcryiIing Icrc.'
'Musi ii? I don'i lnov iIai,' said UriaI. 'I musi
Iavc iimc io iIinl aloui iIai.'
'Ccriainly,' rclicd Traddlcs; 'lui, in iIc mcan-
vIilc, and uniil cvcryiIing is donc io our saiis-
faciion, vc sIall mainiain osscssion of iIcsc
iIings; and lcg youin sIori, comcl youio
lcc io your ovn room, and Iold no commu-
nicaiion viiI anyonc.'
399
'I von'i do ii!' said UriaI, viiI an oaiI.
'Maidsionc jail is a safcr lacc of dcicniion,' ol-
scrvcd Traddlcs; 'and iIougI iIc lav may lc
longcr in rigIiing us, and may noi lc allc io rigIi
us so comlcicly as you can, iIcrc is no douli of
iis unisIing ou. Dcar mc, you lnov iIai quiic
as vcll as I! Cocrficld, vill you go round io iIc
GuildIall, and lring a coulc of officcrs?'
Hcrc, Mrs. Hcc lrolc oui again, crying on
Icr lnccs io Agncs io inicrfcrc in iIcir lcIalf,
cclaiming iIai Ic vas vcry Iumllc, and ii vas
all iruc, and if Ic didn'i do vIai vc vanicd,
sIc vould, and mucI morc io iIc samc ur-
osc; lcing Ialf franiic viiI fcars for Icr dar-
ling. To inquirc vIai Ic migIi Iavc donc, if Ic
Iad Iad any loldncss, vould lc lilc inquiring
vIai a mongrcl cur migIi do, if ii Iad iIc sirii
of a iigcr. Hc vas a covard, from Icad io fooi;
and sIovcd Iis dasiardly naiurc iIrougI Iis
sullcnncss and moriificaiion, as mucI as ai any
iimc of Iis mcan lifc.
'Sio!' Ic grovlcd io mc; and vicd Iis Ioi
facc viiI Iis Iand. 'MoiIcr, Iold your noisc.
Wcll! Lci 'cm Iavc iIai dccd. Go and fcicI ii!'
'Do you Icl Icr, Mr. Dicl,' said Traddlcs, 'if
you lcasc.'
Froud of Iis commission, and undcrsianding
ii, Mr. Dicl accomanicd Icr as a sIcIcrd's
dog migIi accomany a sIcc. Dui, Mrs. Hcc
gavc Iim liiilc iroullc; for sIc noi only rciurncd
viiI iIc dccd, lui viiI iIc lo in vIicI ii vas,
vIcrc vc found a lanlcr's lool and somc oiIcr
acrs iIai vcrc aficrvards scrviccallc.
'Good!' said Traddlcs, vIcn iIis vas lrougIi.
'Nov, Mr. Hcc, you can rciirc io iIinl: ariicu-
larly olscrving, if you lcasc, iIai I dcclarc io you,
on iIc ari of all rcscni, iIai iIcrc is only onc
iIing io lc donc; iIai ii is vIai I Iavc claincd;
and iIai ii musi lc donc viiIoui dclay.'
UriaI, viiIoui lifiing Iis cycs from iIc ground,
sIufflcd across iIc room viiI Iis Iand io Iis
cIin, and ausing ai iIc door, said:
400
'Cocrficld, I Iavc alvays Iaicd you. You'vc
alvays lccn an usiari, and you'vc alvays lccn
againsi mc.'
'As I iIinl I iold you oncc lcforc,' said I, 'ii is
you vIo Iavc lccn, in your grccd and cunning,
againsi all iIc vorld. Ii may lc rofiiallc io you
io rcflcci, in fuiurc, iIai iIcrc ncvcr vcrc grccd
and cunning in iIc vorld yci, iIai did noi do
ioo mucI, and ovcrrcacI iIcmsclvcs. Ii is as
ccriain as dcaiI.'
'Or as ccriain as iIcy uscd io icacI ai scIool
(iIc samc scIool vIcrc I iclcd u so mucI
umllcncss}, from ninc o'clocl io clcvcn, iIai
lalour vas a cursc; and from clcvcn o'clocl io
onc, iIai ii vas a llcssing and a cIccrfulncss,
and a digniiy, and I don'i lnov vIai all, cI?'
said Ic viiI a snccr. 'You rcacI, aloui as con-
sisicni as iIcy did. Won'i umllcncss go dovn?
I sIouldn'i Iavc goi round my gcnilcman fcl-
lov-arincr viiIoui ii, I iIinl.Micavlcr, you
old lully, I'll ay ou!'
Mr. Micavlcr, surcmcly dcfiani of Iim and
Iis cicndcd fingcr, and maling a grcai dcal of
Iis cIcsi uniil Ic Iad slunl oui ai iIc door,
iIcn addrcsscd Iimsclf io mc, and roffcrcd mc
iIc saiisfaciion of 'viincssing iIc rc-csiallisI-
mcni of muiual confidcncc lcivccn Iimsclf and
Mrs. Micavlcr'. Aficr vIicI, Ic inviicd iIc com-
any gcncrally io iIc conicmlaiion of iIai af-
fcciing scciaclc.
'TIc vcil iIai Ias long lccn inicroscd lcivccn
Mrs. Micavlcr and mysclf, is nov viiIdravn,'
said Mr. Micavlcr; 'and my cIildrcn and iIc
AuiIor of iIcir Dcing can oncc morc comc in
coniaci on cqual icrms.'
As vc vcrc all vcry graicful io Iim, and all
dcsirous io sIov iIai vc vcrc, as vcll as iIc
Iurry and disordcr of our siriis vould crmii,
I darc say vc sIould all Iavc gonc, lui iIai ii
vas ncccssary for Agncs io rciurn io Icr faiIcr,
as yci unallc io lcar morc iIan iIc davn of
Ioc; and for somconc clsc io Iold UriaI in safc
401
lccing. So, Traddlcs rcmaincd for iIc laiicr
urosc, io lc rcscnily rclicvcd ly Mr. Dicl;
and Mr. Dicl, my auni, and I, vcni Iomc viiI
Mr. Micavlcr. As I aricd Iurricdly from iIc
dcar girl io vIom I ovcd so mucI, and iIougIi
from vIai sIc Iad lccn savcd, crIas, iIai
morningIcr lciicr rcsoluiion noiviiIsiand-
ingI fcli dcvouily iIanlful for iIc miscrics of
my youngcr days vIicI Iad lrougIi mc io iIc
lnovlcdgc of Mr. Micavlcr.
His Iousc vas noi far off; and as iIc sircci
door ocncd inio iIc siiiing-room, and Ic lolicd
in viiI a rcciiiaiion quiic Iis ovn, vc found
oursclvcs ai oncc in iIc losom of iIc family.
Mr. Micavlcr cclaiming, 'Emma! my lifc!'
rusIcd inio Mrs. Micavlcr's arms. Mrs.
Micavlcr sIriclcd, and foldcd Mr. Micavlcr
in Icr cmlracc. Miss Micavlcr, nursing iIc un-
conscious sirangcr of Mrs. Micavlcr's lasi lci-
icr io mc, vas scnsilly affccicd. TIc sirangcr
lcacd. TIc ivins icsiificd iIcir joy ly scvcral
inconvcnicni lui innoccni dcmonsiraiions.
Masicr Micavlcr, vIosc disosiiion acarcd
io Iavc lccn sourcd ly carly disaoinimcni,
and vIosc ascci Iad lccomc morosc, yicldcd
io Iis lciicr fcclings, and llullcrcd.
'Emma!' said Mr. Micavlcr. 'TIc cloud is asi
from my mind. Muiual confidcncc, so long rc-
scrvcd lcivccn us oncc, is rcsiorcd, io lnov
no furiIcr inicrruiion. Nov, vclcomc ovcriy!'
cricd Mr. Micavlcr, sIcdding icars. 'Wclcomc
miscry, vclcomc Iousclcssncss, vclcomc Iun-
gcr, rags, icmcsi, and lcggary! Muiual confi-
dcncc vill susiain us io iIc cnd!'
WiiI iIcsc crcssions, Mr. Micavlcr laccd
Mrs. Micavlcr in a cIair, and cmlraccd iIc
family all round; vclcoming a variciy of llcal
rosccis, vIicI acarcd, io iIc lcsi of my
judgcmcni, io lc anyiIing lui vclcomc io iIcm;
and calling uon iIcm io comc oui inio Canicr-
lury and sing a cIorus, as noiIing clsc vas lcfi
for iIcir suori.
402
Dui Mrs. Micavlcr Iaving, in iIc sircngiI of
Icr cmoiions, fainicd avay, iIc firsi iIing io lc
donc, cvcn lcforc iIc cIorus could lc consid-
crcd comlcic, vas io rccovcr Icr. TIis my auni
and Mr. Micavlcr did; and iIcn my auni vas
iniroduccd, and Mrs. Micavlcr rccognizcd mc.
'Ecusc mc, dcar Mr. Cocrficld,' said iIc
oor lady, giving mc Icr Iand, 'lui I am noi
sirong; and iIc rcmoval of iIc laic misundcr-
sianding lcivccn Mr. Micavlcr and mysclf vas
ai firsi ioo mucI for mc.'
'Is iIis all your family, ma'am?' said my auni.
'TIcrc arc no morc ai rcscni,' rciurncd Mrs.
Micavlcr.
'Good gracious, I didn'i mcan iIai, ma'am,'
said my auni. 'I mcan, arc all iIcsc yours?'
'Madam,' rclicd Mr. Micavlcr, 'ii is a iruc
lill.'
'And iIai cldcsi young gcnilcman, nov,' said
my auni, musing, 'vIai Ias Ic lccn lrougIi
u io?'
'Ii vas my Ioc vIcn I camc Icrc,' said Mr.
Micavlcr, 'io Iavc goi Willins inio iIc CIurcI:
or crIas I sIall crcss my mcaning morc
siricily, if I say iIc CIoir. Dui iIcrc vas no va-
cancy for a icnor in iIc vcncrallc Filc for vIicI
iIis ciiy is so jusily cmincni; and Ic Iasin
sIori, Ic Ias coniracicd a Ialii of singing in
ullic-Iouscs, raiIcr iIan in sacrcd cdificcs.'
'Dui Ic mcans vcll,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, icn-
dcrly.
'I darc say, my lovc,' rcjoincd Mr. Micavlcr,
'iIai Ic mcans ariicularly vcll; lui I Iavc noi
yci found iIai Ic carrics oui Iis mcaning, in
any givcn dircciion vIaisocvcr.'
Masicr Micavlcr's moroscncss of ascci rc-
iurncd uon Iim again, and Ic dcmandcd, viiI
somc icmcr, vIai Ic vas io do? WIciIcr Ic
Iad lccn lorn a carcnicr, or a coacI-ainicr,
any morc iIan Ic Iad lccn lorn a lird?
WIciIcr Ic could go inio iIc nci sircci, and
ocn a cIcmisi's sIo? WIciIcr Ic could rusI
403
io iIc nci assizcs, and roclaim Iimsclf a lav-
ycr? WIciIcr Ic could comc oui ly forcc ai iIc
ocra, and succccd ly violcncc? WIciIcr Ic
could do anyiIing, viiIoui lcing lrougIi u io
somciIing?
My auni muscd a liiilc vIilc, and iIcn said:
'Mr. Micavlcr, I vondcr you Iavc ncvcr iurncd
your iIougIis io cmigraiion.'
'Madam,' rciurncd Mr. Micavlcr, 'ii vas iIc
drcam of my youiI, and iIc fallacious asira-
iion of my ricr ycars.' I am iIorougIly cr-
suadcd, ly iIc ly, iIai Ic Iad ncvcr iIougIi of
ii in Iis lifc.
'Ayc?' said my auni, viiI a glancc ai mc. 'WIy,
vIai a iIing ii vould lc for yoursclvcs and your
family, Mr. and Mrs. Micavlcr, if you vcrc io
cmigraic nov.'
'Caiial, madam, caiial,' urgcd Mr. Micavlcr,
gloomily.
'TIai is iIc rincial, I may say iIc only diffi-
culiy, my dcar Mr. Cocrficld,' asscnicd Iis vifc.
'Caiial?' cricd my auni. 'Dui you arc do-
ing us a grcai scrviccIavc donc us a grcai
scrvicc, I may say, for surcly mucI vill comc
oui of iIc fircand vIai could vc do for you,
iIai vould lc Ialf so good as io find iIc cai-
ial?'
'I could noi rcccivc ii as a gifi,' said Mr.
Micavlcr, full of firc and animaiion, 'lui if a
sufficicni sum could lc advanccd, say ai fivc
cr ccni inicrcsi, cr annum, uon my crsonal
lialiliiysay my noics of Iand, ai ivclvc, cigI-
iccn, and ivcniy-four moniIs, rcscciivcly, io
allov iimc for somciIing io iurn u'
'Could lc? Can lc and sIall lc, on your ovn
icrms,' rciurncd my auni, 'if you say iIc vord.
TIinl of iIis nov, loiI of you. Hcrc arc somc
colc David lnovs, going oui io Ausiralia
sIorily. If you dccidc io go, vIy sIouldn'i you
go in iIc samc sIi? You may Icl cacI oiIcr.
TIinl of iIis nov, Mr. and Mrs. Micavlcr. Talc
your iimc, and vcigI ii vcll.'
404
'TIcrc is lui onc qucsiion, my dcar ma'am, I
could visI io asl,' said Mrs. Micavlcr. 'TIc cli-
maic, I lclicvc, is IcaliIy?'
'Fincsi in iIc vorld!' said my auni.
'Jusi so,' rciurncd Mrs. Micavlcr. 'TIcn my
qucsiion ariscs. Nov, arc iIc circumsianccs of
iIc couniry sucI, iIai a man of Mr. Micavlcr's
aliliiics vould Iavc a fair cIancc of rising in iIc
social scalc? I vill noi say, ai rcscni, migIi Ic
asirc io lc Govcrnor, or anyiIing of iIai sori;
lui vould iIcrc lc a rcasonallc ocning for Iis
ialcnis io dcvclo iIcmsclvcsiIai vould lc
amly sufficicniand find iIcir ovn cansion?'
'No lciicr ocning anyvIcrc,' said my auni,
'for a man vIo conducis Iimsclf vcll, and is
indusirious.'
'For a man vIo conducis Iimsclf vcll,' rc-
caicd Mrs. Micavlcr, viiI Icr clcarcsi lusi-
ncss manncr, 'and is indusirious. Frcciscly. Ii
is cvidcni io mc iIai Ausiralia is iIc lcgiiimaic
sIcrc of aciion for Mr. Micavlcr!'
'I cnicriain iIc conviciion, my dcar madam,'
said Mr. Micavlcr, 'iIai ii is, undcr cisiing
circumsianccs, iIc land, iIc only land, for my-
sclf and family; and iIai somciIing of an c-
iraordinary naiurc vill iurn u on iIai sIorc.
Ii is no disiancccomaraiivcly scaling; and
iIougI considcraiion is duc io iIc lindncss of
your roosal, I assurc you iIai is a mcrc mai-
icr of form.'
SIall I cvcr forgci Iov, in a momcni, Ic vas
iIc mosi sanguinc of mcn, looling on io for-
iunc; or Iov Mrs. Micavlcr rcscnily dis-
courscd aloui iIc Ialiis of iIc langaroo! SIall
I cvcr rccall iIai sircci of Canicrlury on a mar-
lci-day, viiIoui rccalling Iim, as Ic vallcd
lacl viiI us; crcssing, in iIc Iardy roving
manncr Ic assumcd, iIc unsciilcd Ialiis of a
icmorary sojourncr in iIc land; and looling ai
iIc lullocls, as iIcy camc ly, viiI iIc cyc of
an Ausiralian farmcr!
405
CHAPTER SS
ANOTHER RETROSPECT
I MUST FAUSE YET ONCE AGAIN. O, my cIild-vifc, iIcrc
is a figurc in iIc moving crovd lcforc my
mcmory, quici and siill, saying in iis innoccni
lovc and cIildisI lcauiy, Sio io iIinl of mc
iurn io lool uon iIc Liiilc Dlossom, as ii flui-
icrs io iIc ground!
I do. All clsc grovs dim, and fadcs avay. I am
again viiI Dora, in our coiiagc. I do noi lnov
Iov long sIc Ias lccn ill. I am so uscd io ii in
fccling, iIai I cannoi couni iIc iimc. Ii is noi
rcally long, in vccls or moniIs; lui, in my us-
agc and ccricncc, ii is a vcary, vcary vIilc.
TIcy Iavc lcfi off iclling mc io 'vaii a fcv days
morc'. I Iavc lcgun io fcar, rcmoicly, iIai iIc day
may ncvcr sIinc, vIcn I sIall scc my cIild-vifc
running in iIc sunligIi viiI Icr old fricnd Ji.
Hc is, as ii vcrc suddcnly, grovn vcry old. Ii
may lc iIai Ic misscs in Iis misircss, somc-
iIing iIai cnlivcncd Iim and madc Iim youngcr;
lui Ic mocs, and Iis sigIi is vcal, and Iis
limls arc fccllc, and my auni is sorry iIai Ic
oljccis io Icr no morc, lui crccs ncar Icr as
Ic lics on Dora's lcdsIc siiiing ai iIc lcd-
sidcand mildly licls Icr Iand.
Dora lics smiling on us, and is lcauiiful, and
uiicrs no Iasiy or comlaining vord. SIc says
iIai vc arc vcry good io Icr; iIai Icr dcar old
carcful loy is iiring Iimsclf oui, sIc lnovs; iIai
my auni Ias no slcc, yci is alvays valcful,
aciivc, and lind. Somciimcs, iIc liiilc lird-lilc
ladics comc io scc Icr; and iIcn vc iall aloui
our vcdding-day, and all iIai Iay iimc.
WIai a sirangc rcsi and ausc in my lifc iIcrc
sccms io lcand in all lifc, viiIin doors and viiI-
ouivIcn I sii in iIc quici, sIadcd, ordcrly room,
viiI iIc lluc cycs of my cIild-vifc iurncd iovards
mc, and Icr liiilc fingcrs ivining round my Iand!
Many and many an Iour I sii iIus; lui, of all iIosc
iimcs, iIrcc iimcs comc iIc frcsIcsi on my mind.
406
IT IS MOFNING; and Dora, madc so irim ly my
auni's Iands, sIovs mc Iov Icr rciiy Iair
vill curl uon iIc illov yci, an Iov long and
lrigIi ii is, and Iov sIc lilcs io Iavc ii looscly
gaiIcrcd in iIai nci sIc vcars.
'Noi iIai I am vain of ii, nov, you mocling
loy,' sIc says, vIcn I smilc; 'lui lccausc you
uscd io say you iIougIi ii so lcauiiful; and
lccausc, vIcn I firsi lcgan io iIinl aloui you,
I uscd io cc in iIc glass, and vondcr vIciIcr
you vould lilc vcry mucI io Iavc a locl of ii.
OI vIai a foolisI fcllov you vcrc, Doady, vIcn
I gavc you onc!'
'TIai vas on iIc day vIcn you vcrc ainiing
iIc flovcrs I Iad givcn you, Dora, and vIcn I
iold you Iov mucI in lovc I vas.'
'AI! lui I didn'i lilc io icll you,' says Dora,
'iIcn, Iov I Iad cricd ovcr iIcm, lccausc I lc-
licvcd you rcally lilcd mc! WIcn I can run aloui
again as I uscd io do, Doady, lci us go and scc
iIosc laccs vIcrc vc vcrc sucI a silly coulc,
sIall vc? And ialc somc of iIc old valls? And
noi forgci oor aa?'
'Ycs, vc vill, and Iavc somc Iay days. So
you musi malc Iasic io gci vcll, my dcar.'
'OI, I sIall soon do iIai! I am so mucI lciicr,
you don'i lnov!'
IT IS EVENING; and I sii in iIc samc cIair, ly iIc
samc lcd, viiI iIc samc facc iurncd iovards
mc. Wc Iavc lccn silcni, and iIcrc is a smilc
uon Icr facc. I Iavc ccascd io carry my ligIi
lurdcn u and dovn siairs nov. SIc lics Icrc
all iIc day.
'Doady!'
'My dcar Dora!'
'You von'i iIinl vIai I am going io say, un-
rcasonallc, aficr vIai you iold mc, sucI a liiilc
vIilc ago, of Mr. Wiclficld's noi lcing vcll? I
vani io scc Agncs. Vcry mucI I vani io scc Icr.'
'I vill vriic io Icr, my dcar.'
'Will you?'
407
'Dirccily.'
'WIai a good, lind loy! Doady, ialc mc on
your arm. Indccd, my dcar, ii's noi a vIim. Ii's
noi a foolisI fancy. I vani, vcry mucI indccd,
io scc Icr!'
'I am ccriain of ii. I Iavc only io icll Icr so,
and sIc is surc io comc.'
'You arc vcry loncly vIcn you go dovnsiairs,
nov?' Dora vIiscrs, viiI Icr arm aloui my nccl.
'Hov can I lc oiIcrvisc, my ovn lovc, vIcn I
scc your cmiy cIair?'
'My cmiy cIair!' SIc clings io mc for a liiilc
vIilc, in silcncc. 'And you rcally miss mc,
Doady?' looling u, and lrigIily smiling. 'Evcn
oor, giddy, siuid mc?'
'My Icari, vIo is iIcrc uon cariI iIai I could
miss so mucI?'
'OI, Iusland! I am so glad, yci so sorry!' crcc-
ing closcr io mc, and folding mc in loiI Icr
arms. SIc laugIs and sols, and iIcn is quici,
and quiic Iay.
'Quiic!' sIc says. 'Only givc Agncs my dcar
lovc, and icll Icr iIai I vani vcry, vcry, mucI
io scc Icr; and I Iavc noiIing lcfi io visI for.'
'Ecci io gci vcll again, Dora.'
'AI, Doady! Somciimcs I iIinlyou lnov I
alvays vas a silly liiilc iIing!iIai iIai vill
ncvcr lc!'
'Don'i say so, Dora! Dcarcsi lovc, don'i iIinl
so!'
'I von'i, if I can Icl ii, Doady. Dui I am vcry
Iay; iIougI my dcar loy is so loncly ly Iim-
sclf, lcforc Iis cIild-vifc's cmiy cIair!'
IT IS NIGHT; and I am viiI Icr siill. Agncs Ias
arrivcd; Ias lccn among us for a vIolc day and
an cvcning. SIc, my auni, and I, Iavc sai viiI
Dora sincc iIc morning, all iogciIcr. Wc Iavc
noi iallcd mucI, lui Dora Ias lccn crfccily
conicnicd and cIccrful. Wc arc nov alonc.
Do I lnov, nov, iIai my cIild-vifc vill soon
lcavc mc? TIcy Iavc iold mc so; iIcy Iavc iold
408
mc noiIing ncv io my iIougIislui I am far
from surc iIai I Iavc ialcn iIai iruiI io Icari.
I cannoi masicr ii. I Iavc viiIdravn ly my-
sclf, many iimcs ioday, io vcc. I Iavc rcmcm-
lcrcd WIo vci for a ariing lcivccn iIc liv-
ing and iIc dcad. I Iavc lciIougIi mc of all
iIai gracious and comassionaic Iisiory. I Iavc
iricd io rcsign mysclf, and io consolc mysclf;
and iIai, I Ioc, I may Iavc donc imcrfccily;
lui vIai I cannoi firmly sciilc in my mind is,
iIai iIc cnd vill alsoluicly comc. I Iold Icr
Iand in minc, I Iold Icr Icari in minc, I scc
Icr lovc for mc, alivc in all iis sircngiI. I can-
noi sIui oui a alc lingcring sIadov of lclicf
iIai sIc vill lc sarcd.
'I am going io scal io you, Doady. I am going
io say somciIing I Iavc oficn iIougIi of say-
ing, laicly. You von'i mind?' viiI a gcnilc lool.
'Mind, my darling?'
'Dccausc I don'i lnov vIai you vill iIinl, or
vIai you may Iavc iIougIi somciimcs. Fcr-
Ias you Iavc oficn iIougIi iIc samc. Doady,
dcar, I am afraid I vas ioo young.'
I lay my facc uon iIc illov ly Icr, and sIc
lools inio my cycs, and scals vcry sofily.
Gradually, as sIc gocs on, I fccl, viiI a siriclcn
Icari, iIai sIc is scaling of Icrsclf as asi.
'I am afraid, dcar, I vas ioo young. I don'i mcan
in ycars only, lui in ccricncc, and iIougIis, and
cvcryiIing. I vas sucI a silly liiilc crcaiurc! I am
afraid ii vould Iavc lccn lciicr, if vc Iad only
lovcd cacI oiIcr as a loy and girl, and forgoiicn ii.
I Iavc lcgun io iIinl I vas noi fii io lc a vifc.'
I iry io siay my icars, and io rcly, 'OI, Dora,
lovc, as fii as I io lc a Iusland!'
'I don'i lnov,' viiI iIc old sIalc of Icr curls.
'FcrIas! Dui if I Iad lccn morc fii io lc mar-
ricd I migIi Iavc madc you morc so, ioo. Dc-
sidcs, you arc vcry clcvcr, and I ncvcr vas.'
'Wc Iavc lccn vcry Iay, my svcci Dora.'
'I vas vcry Iay, vcry. Dui, as ycars vcni
on, my dcar loy vould Iavc vcaricd of Iis cIild-
409
vifc. SIc vould Iavc lccn lcss and lcss a com-
anion for Iim. Hc vould Iavc lccn morc and
morc scnsillc of vIai vas vaniing in Iis Iomc.
SIc vouldn'i Iavc imrovcd. Ii is lciicr as ii
is.'
'OI, Dora, dcarcsi, dcarcsi, do noi scal io
mc so. Evcry vord sccms a rcroacI!'
'No, noi a syllallc!' sIc ansvcrs, lissing mc.
'OI, my dcar, you ncvcr dcscrvcd ii, and I lovcd
you far ioo vcll io say a rcroacIful vord io
you, in carncsiii vas all iIc mcrii I Iad, c-
cci lcing rciiyor you iIougIi mc so. Is ii
loncly, dovn-siairs, Doady?'
'Vcry! Vcry!'
'Don'i cry! Is my cIair iIcrc?'
'In iis old lacc.'
'OI, Iov my oor loy crics! HusI, IusI! Nov,
malc mc onc romisc. I vani io scal io Agncs.
WIcn you go dovnsiairs, icll Agncs so, and scnd
Icr u io mc; and vIilc I scal io Icr, lci no
onc comcnoi cvcn auni. I vani io scal io
Agncs ly Icrsclf. I vani io scal io Agncs, quiic
alonc.'
I romisc iIai sIc sIall, immcdiaicly; lui I
cannoi lcavc Icr, for my gricf.
'I said iIai ii vas lciicr as ii is!' sIc vIiscrs,
as sIc Iolds mc in Icr arms. 'OI, Doady, aficr
morc ycars, you ncvcr could Iavc lovcd your
cIild-vifc lciicr iIan you do; and, aficr morc
ycars, sIc vould so Iavc iricd and disaoinicd
you, iIai you migIi noi Iavc lccn allc io lovc
Icr Ialf so vcll! I lnov I vas ioo young and
foolisI. Ii is mucI lciicr as ii is!'
Agncs is dovnsiairs, vIcn I go inio iIc
arlour; and I givc Icr iIc mcssagc. SIc disa-
cars, lcaving mc alonc viiI Ji.
His CIincsc Iousc is ly iIc firc; and Ic lics
viiIin ii, on Iis lcd of flanncl, qucrulously iry-
ing io slcc. TIc lrigIi moon is IigI and clcar.
As I lool oui on iIc nigIi, my icars fall fasi,
and my undiscilincd Icari is cIasicncd
IcavilyIcavily.
410
I sii dovn ly iIc firc, iIinling viiI a llind
rcmorsc of all iIosc sccrci fcclings I Iavc nour-
isIcd sincc my marriagc. I iIinl of cvcry liiilc
iriflc lcivccn mc and Dora, and fccl iIc iruiI,
iIai iriflcs malc iIc sum of lifc. Evcr rising from
iIc sca of my rcmcmlrancc, is iIc imagc of iIc
dcar cIild as I lncv Icr firsi, graccd ly my
young lovc, and ly Icr ovn, viiI cvcry fascina-
iion vIcrcin sucI lovc is ricI. Would ii, indccd,
Iavc lccn lciicr if vc Iad lovcd cacI oiIcr as a
loy and a girl, and forgoiicn ii? Undiscilincd
Icari, rcly!
Hov iIc iimc vcars, I lnov noi; uniil I am
rccallcd ly my cIild-vifc's old comanion. Morc
rcsilcss iIan Ic vas, Ic cravls oui of Iis Iousc,
and lools ai mc, and vandcrs io iIc door, and
vIincs io go usiairs.
'Noi ionigIi, Ji! Noi ionigIi!'
Hc comcs vcry slovly lacl io mc, licls my
Iand, and lifis Iis dim cycs io my facc.
'OI, Ji! Ii may lc, ncvcr again!'
Hc lics dovn ai my fcci, sircicIcs Iimsclf oui
as if io slcc, and viiI a lainiivc cry, is dcad.
'OI, Agncs! Lool, lool, Icrc!'
TIai facc, so full of iiy, and of gricf, iIai
rain of icars, iIai avful muic acal io mc, iIai
solcmn Iand uraiscd iovards Hcavcn!
'Agncs?'
Ii is ovcr. Darlncss comcs lcforc my cycs; and,
for a iimc, all iIings arc lloiicd oui of my rc-
mcmlrancc.
CHAPTER S4
Mr. MICAWBER'S
TRANSACTIONS
THIS IS NOT THE TIME ai vIicI I am io cnicr on iIc
siaic of my mind lcncaiI iis load of sorrov. I
camc io iIinl iIai iIc Fuiurc vas vallcd u
lcforc mc, iIai iIc cncrgy and aciion of my lifc
vcrc ai an cnd, iIai I ncvcr could find any rcf-
ugc lui in iIc gravc. I camc io iIinl so, I say,
411
lui noi in iIc firsi sIocl of my gricf. Ii slovly
grcv io iIai. If iIc cvcnis I go on io rclaic, Iad
noi iIiclcncd around mc, in iIc lcginning io
confusc, and in iIc cnd io augmcni, my afflic-
iion, ii is ossillc (iIougI I iIinl noi rolallc},
iIai I migIi Iavc fallcn ai oncc inio iIis condi-
iion. As ii vas, an inicrval occurrcd lcforc I fully
lncv my ovn disircss; an inicrval, in vIicI I
cvcn suoscd iIai iis sIarcsi angs vcrc
asi; and vIcn my mind could sooiIc iisclf ly
rcsiing on all iIai vas mosi innoccni and lcau-
iiful, in iIc icndcr siory iIai vas closcd for cvcr.
WIcn ii vas firsi rooscd iIai I sIould go
alroad, or Iov ii camc io lc agrccd among us
iIai I vas io sccl iIc rcsioraiion of my cacc in
cIangc and iravcl, I do noi, cvcn nov, disiincily
lnov. TIc sirii of Agncs so crvadcd all vc
iIougIi, and said, and did, in iIai iimc of sor-
rov, iIai I assumc I may rcfcr iIc rojcci io Icr
influcncc. Dui Icr influcncc vas so quici iIai I
lnov no morc.
And nov, indccd, I lcgan io iIinl iIai in my
old associaiion of Icr viiI iIc siaincd-glass
vindov in iIc cIurcI, a roIciic forcsIadov-
ing of vIai sIc vould lc io mc, in iIc calamiiy
iIai vas io Iacn in iIc fullncss of iimc, Iad
found a vay inio my mind. In all iIai sorrov,
from iIc momcni, ncvcr io lc forgoiicn, vIcn
sIc siood lcforc mc viiI Icr uraiscd Iand,
sIc vas lilc a sacrcd rcscncc in my loncly
Iousc. WIcn iIc Angcl of DcaiI aligIicd iIcrc,
my cIild-vifc fcll aslcciIcy iold mc so vIcn
I could lcar io Icar iion Icr losom, viiI a
smilc. From my svoon, I firsi avolc io a con-
sciousncss of Icr comassionaic icars, Icr
vords of Ioc and cacc, Icr gcnilc facc lcnd-
ing dovn as from a urcr rcgion ncarcr Hcavcn,
ovcr my undiscilincd Icari, and soficning iis
ain.
Lci mc go on.
I vas io go alroad. TIai sccmcd io Iavc lccn
dcicrmincd among us from iIc firsi. TIc ground
412
nov covcring all iIai could crisI of my dc-
aricd vifc, I vaiicd only for vIai Mr. Micavlcr
callcd iIc 'final ulvcrizaiion of Hcc'; and for
iIc dcariurc of iIc cmigranis.
Ai iIc rcqucsi of Traddlcs, mosi affcciionaic
and dcvoicd of fricnds in my iroullc, vc rciurncd
io Canicrlury: I mcan my auni, Agncs, and I.
Wc rocccdcd ly aoinimcni siraigIi io Mr.
Micavlcr's Iousc; vIcrc, and ai Mr. Wiclficld's,
my fricnd Iad lccn lalouring cvcr sincc our c-
losivc mcciing. WIcn oor Mrs. Micavlcr sav
mc comc in, in my llacl cloiIcs, sIc vas scnsi-
lly affccicd. TIcrc vas a grcai dcal of good in
Mrs. Micavlcr's Icari, vIicI Iad noi lccn
dunncd oui of ii in all iIosc many ycars.
'Wcll, Mr. and Mrs. Micavlcr,' vas my auni's firsi
saluiaiion aficr vc vcrc scaicd. 'Fray, Iavc you
iIougIi aloui iIai cmigraiion roosal of minc?'
'My dcar madam,' rciurncd Mr. Micavlcr,
'crIas I cannoi lciicr crcss iIc conclusion
ai vIicI Mrs. Micavlcr, your Iumllc scrvani,
and I may add our cIildrcn, Iavc joinily and scv-
crally arrivcd, iIan ly lorroving iIc languagc
of an illusirious oci, io rcly iIai our Doai is on
iIc sIorc, and our Darl is on iIc sca.'
'TIai's rigIi,' said my auni. 'I augur all sori of
good from your scnsillc dccision.'
'Madam, you do us a grcai dcal of Ionour,' Ic
rcjoincd. Hc iIcn rcfcrrcd io a mcmorandum.
'WiiI rcscci io iIc ccuniary assisiancc cn-
alling us io launcI our frail canoc on iIc occan
of cnicrrisc, I Iavc rcconsidcrcd iIai imor-
iani lusincss-oini; and vould lcg io roosc
my noics of Ianddravn, ii is nccdlcss io siiu-
laic, on siams of iIc amounis rcscciivcly rc-
quircd ly iIc various Acis of Farliamcni aly-
ing io sucI sccuriiicsai cigIiccn, ivcniy-four,
and iIiriy moniIs. TIc roosiiion I originally
sulmiiicd, vas ivclvc, cigIiccn, and ivcniy-
four; lui I am arcIcnsivc iIai sucI an ar-
rangcmcni migIi noi allov sufficicni iimc for
iIc rcquisiic amouni ofSomciIingio iurn
413
u. Wc migIi noi,' said Mr. Micavlcr, looling
round iIc room as if ii rcrcscnicd scvcral Iun-
drcd acrcs of IigIly culiivaicd land, 'on iIc firsi
rcsonsililiiy lccoming duc, Iavc lccn succcss-
ful in our Iarvcsi, or vc migIi noi Iavc goi our
Iarvcsi in. Lalour, I lclicvc, is somciimcs diffi-
culi io oliain in iIai oriion of our colonial
osscssions vIcrc ii vill lc our loi io comlai
viiI iIc iccming soil.'
'Arrangc ii in any vay you lcasc, sir,' said my auni.
'Madam,' Ic rclicd, 'Mrs. Micavlcr and my-
sclf arc dccly scnsillc of iIc vcry considcraic
lindncss of our fricnds and airons. WIai I visI
is, io lc crfccily lusincss-lilc, and crfccily
unciual. Turning ovcr, as vc arc aloui io iurn
ovcr, an cniircly ncv lcaf; and falling lacl, as
vc arc nov in iIc aci of falling lacl, for a Sring
of no common magniiudc; ii is imoriani io my
scnsc of sclf-rcscci, lcsidcs lcing an camlc
io my son, iIai iIcsc arrangcmcnis sIould lc
concludcd as lcivccn man and man.'
I don'i lnov iIai Mr. Micavlcr aiiacIcd any
mcaning io iIis lasi Irasc; I don'i lnov iIai
anylody cvcr docs, or did; lui Ic acarcd io
rclisI ii uncommonly, and rccaicd, viiI an
imrcssivc cougI, 'as lcivccn man and man'.
'I roosc,' said Mr. Micavlcr, 'Dillsa con-
vcnicncc io iIc mcrcaniilc vorld, for vIicI, I
lclicvc, vc arc originally indclicd io iIc Jcvs,
vIo acar io mc io Iavc Iad a dcvilisI dcal
ioo mucI io do viiI iIcm cvcr sincclccausc
iIcy arc ncgoiiallc. Dui if a Dond, or any oiIcr
dcscriiion of sccuriiy, vould lc rcfcrrcd, I
sIould lc Iay io cccuic any sucI insiru-
mcni. As lcivccn man and man.'
M auni olscrvcd, iIai in a casc vIcrc loiI
ariics vcrc villing io agrcc io anyiIing, sIc iool
ii for granicd iIcrc vould lc no difficuliy in sci-
iling iIis oini. Mr. Micavlcr vas of Icr oinion.
'In rcfcrcncc io our domcsiic rcaraiions,
madam,' said Mr. Micavlcr, viiI somc ridc,
'for mcciing iIc dcsiiny io vIicI vc arc nov
414
undcrsiood io lc sclf-dcvoicd, I lcg io rcori iIcm.
My cldcsi daugIicr aiicnds ai fivc cvcry morning
in a ncigIlouring csiallisImcni, io acquirc iIc
roccssif roccss ii may lc callcdof milling
covs. My youngcr cIildrcn arc insirucicd io ol-
scrvc, as closcly as circumsianccs vill crmii, iIc
Ialiis of iIc igs and ouliry mainiaincd in iIc
oorcr aris of iIis ciiy: a ursuii from vIicI iIcy
Iavc, on ivo occasions, lccn lrougIi Iomc, viiIin
an incI of lcing run ovcr. I Iavc mysclf dirccicd
somc aiicniion, during iIc asi vccl, io iIc ari of
laling; and my son Willins Ias issucd foriI viiI
a valling-siicl and drivcn caiilc, vIcn crmiiicd,
ly iIc ruggcd Iirclings vIo Iad iIcm in cIargc,
io rcndcr any voluniary scrvicc in iIai dircciion
vIicI I rcgrci io say, for iIc crcdii of our naiurc,
vas noi oficn; Ic lcing gcncrally varncd, viiI im-
rccaiions, io dcsisi.'
'All vcry rigIi indccd,' said my auni, cncour-
agingly. 'Mrs. Micavlcr Ias lccn lusy, ioo, I
Iavc no douli.'
'My dcar madam,' rciurncd Mrs. Micavlcr,
viiI Icr lusincss-lilc air. 'I am frcc io confcss
iIai I Iavc noi lccn aciivcly cngagcd in ur-
suiis immcdiaicly connccicd viiI culiivaiion or
viiI siocl, iIougI vcll avarc iIai loiI vill
claim my aiicniion on a forcign sIorc. SucI
ooriuniiics as I Iavc lccn cnallcd io alicn-
aic from my domcsiic duiics, I Iavc dcvoicd io
corrcsonding ai somc lcngiI viiI my family.
For I ovn ii sccms io mc, my dcar Mr.
Cocrficld,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, vIo alvays
fcll lacl on mc, I suosc from old Ialii, io
vIomsocvcr clsc sIc migIi addrcss Icr dis-
coursc ai siariing, 'iIai iIc iimc is comc vIcn
iIc asi sIould lc luricd in ollivion; vIcn my
family sIould ialc Mr. Micavlcr ly iIc Iand,
and Mr. Micavlcr sIould ialc my family ly iIc
Iand; vIcn iIc lion sIould lic dovn viiI iIc
laml, and my family lc on icrms viiI Mr.
Micavlcr.'
I said I iIougIi so ioo.
415
'TIis, ai lcasi, is iIc ligIi, my dcar Mr.
Cocrficld,' ursucd Mrs. Micavlcr, 'in vIicI
I vicv iIc suljcci. WIcn I livcd ai Iomc viiI
my aa and mama, my aa vas accusiomcd
io asl, vIcn any oini vas undcr discussion
in our limiicd circlc, In vIai ligIi docs my
Emma vicv iIc suljcci?" TIai my aa vas ioo
ariial, I lnov; siill, on sucI a oini as iIc frigid
coldncss vIicI Ias cvcr sulsisicd lcivccn Mr.
Micavlcr and my family, I ncccssarily Iavc
formcd an oinion, dclusivc iIougI ii may lc.'
'No douli. Of coursc you Iavc, ma'am,' said
my auni.
'Frcciscly so,' asscnicd Mrs. Micavlcr. 'Nov,
I may lc vrong in my conclusions; ii is vcry
lilcly iIai I am, lui my individual imrcssion
is, iIai iIc gulf lcivccn my family and Mr.
Micavlcr may lc iraccd io an arcIcnsion,
on iIc ari of my family, iIai Mr. Micavlcr
vould rcquirc ccuniary accommodaiion. I can-
noi Icl iIinling,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, viiI an
air of dcc sagaciiy, 'iIai iIcrc arc mcmlcrs of
my family vIo Iavc lccn arcIcnsivc iIai Mr.
Micavlcr vould solicii iIcm for iIcir namcs.
I do noi mcan io lc confcrrcd in Daiism uon
our cIildrcn, lui io lc inscrilcd on Dills of E-
cIangc, and ncgoiiaicd in iIc Moncy Marlci.'
TIc lool of cnciraiion viiI vIicI Mrs.
Micavlcr announccd iIis discovcry, as if no onc
Iad cvcr iIougIi of ii lcforc, sccmcd raiIcr io
asionisI my auni; vIo alruily rclicd, 'Wcll,
ma'am, uon iIc vIolc, I sIouldn'i vondcr if
you vcrc rigIi!'
'Mr. Micavlcr lcing nov on iIc cvc of casiing
off iIc ccuniary sIacllcs iIai Iavc so long
cniIrallcd Iim,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, 'and of
commcncing a ncv carccr in a couniry vIcrc
iIcrc is sufficicni rangc for Iis aliliiics,vIicI,
in my oinion, is ccccdingly imoriani; Mr.
Micavlcr's aliliiics cculiarly rcquiring
sacc,ii sccms io mc iIai my family sIould
signalizc iIc occasion ly coming forvard. WIai
416
I could visI io scc, vould lc a mcciing lcivccn
Mr. Micavlcr and my family ai a fcsiivc cnicr-
iainmcni, io lc givcn ai my family's ccnsc;
vIcrc Mr. Micavlcr's IcaliI and roscriiy
lcing rooscd, ly somc lcading mcmlcr of my
family, Mr. Micavlcr migIi Iavc an ooriu-
niiy of dcvcloing Iis vicvs.'
'My dcar,' said Mr. Micavlcr, viiI somc Icai,
'ii may lc lciicr for mc io siaic disiincily, ai
oncc, iIai if I vcrc io dcvclo my vicvs io iIai
asscmllcd grou, iIcy vould ossilly lc found
of an offcnsivc naiurc: my imrcssion lcing iIai
your family arc, in iIc aggrcgaic, imcriincni
Snols; and, in dciail, unmiiigaicd Fuffians.'
'Micavlcr,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, sIaling Icr
Icad, 'no! You Iavc ncvcr undcrsiood iIcm, and
iIcy Iavc ncvcr undcrsiood you.'
Mr. Micavlcr cougIcd.
'TIcy Iavc ncvcr undcrsiood you, Micavlcr,' said
Iis vifc. 'TIcy may lc incaallc of ii. If so, iIai is
iIcir misforiunc. I can iiy iIcir misforiunc.'
'I am circmcly sorry, my dcar Emma,' said
Mr. Micavlcr, rclcniing, 'io Iavc lccn lciraycd
inio any crcssions iIai migIi, cvcn rcmoicly,
Iavc iIc acarancc of lcing sirong crcs-
sions. All I vould say is, iIai I can go alroad
viiIoui your family coming forvard io favour
mc,in sIori, viiI a ariing SIovc of iIcir cold
sIouldcrs; and iIai, uon iIc vIolc, I vould
raiIcr lcavc England viiI sucI imcius as I
osscss, iIan dcrivc any accclcraiion of ii from
iIai quaricr. Ai iIc samc iimc, my dcar, if iIcy
sIould condcsccnd io rcly io your communi-
caiionsvIicI our joini ccricncc rcndcrs
mosi imrolallcfar lc ii from mc io lc a lar-
ricr io your visIcs.'
TIc maiicr lcing iIus amically sciilcd, Mr.
Micavlcr gavc Mrs. Micavlcr Iis arm, and
glancing ai iIc Ica of lools and acrs lying
lcforc Traddlcs on iIc iallc, said iIcy vould
lcavc us io oursclvcs; vIicI iIcy ccrcmoniously
did.
417
'My dcar Cocrficld,' said Traddlcs, lcaning
lacl in Iis cIair vIcn iIcy vcrc gonc, and lool-
ing ai mc viiI an affcciion iIai madc Iis cycs
rcd, and Iis Iair all linds of sIacs, 'I don'i
malc any ccusc for iroulling you viiI lusi-
ncss, lccausc I lnov you arc dccly inicrcsicd
in ii, and ii may divcri your iIougIis. My dcar
loy, I Ioc you arc noi vorn oui?'
'I am quiic mysclf,' said I, aficr a ausc. 'Wc
Iavc morc causc io iIinl of my auni iIan of
anyonc. You lnov Iov mucI sIc Ias donc.'
'Surcly, surcly,' ansvcrcd Traddlcs. 'WIo can forgci ii!'
'Dui cvcn iIai is noi all,' said I. 'During iIc
lasi forinigIi, somc ncv iroullc Ias vccd Icr;
and sIc Ias lccn in and oui of London cvcry
day. Scvcral iimcs sIc Ias gonc oui carly, and
lccn alscni uniil cvcning. Lasi nigIi, Traddlcs,
viiI iIis journcy lcforc Icr, ii vas almosi mid-
nigIi lcforc sIc camc Iomc. You lnov vIai
Icr considcraiion for oiIcrs is. SIc vill noi icll
mc vIai Ias Iacncd io disircss Icr.'
My auni, vcry alc, and viiI dcc lincs in Icr
facc, sai immovallc uniil I Iad finisIcd; vIcn
somc siray icars found iIcir vay io Icr cIccls,
and sIc ui Icr Iand on minc.
'Ii's noiIing, Troi; ii's noiIing. TIcrc vill lc
no morc of ii. You sIall lnov ly and ly. Nov
Agncs, my dcar, lci us aiicnd io iIcsc affairs.'
'I musi do Mr. Micavlcr iIc jusiicc io say,'
Traddlcs lcgan, 'iIai aliIougI Ic vould acar
noi io Iavc vorlcd io any good accouni for Iim-
sclf, Ic is a mosi uniiring man vIcn Ic vorls
for oiIcr colc. I ncvcr sav sucI a fcllov. If Ic
alvays gocs on in iIc samc vay, Ic musi lc,
viriually, aloui ivo Iundrcd ycars old, ai
rcscni. TIc Icai inio vIicI Ic Ias lccn con-
iinually uiiing Iimsclf; and iIc disiracicd and
imciuous manncr in vIicI Ic Ias lccn div-
ing, day and nigIi, among acrs and lools;
io say noiIing of iIc immcnsc numlcr of lci-
icrs Ic Ias vriiicn mc lcivccn iIis Iousc and
Mr. Wiclficld's, and oficn across iIc iallc vIcn
418
Ic Ias lccn siiiing oosiic, and migIi mucI
morc casily Iavc solcn; is quiic ciraordinary.'
'Lciicrs!' cricd my auni. 'I lclicvc Ic drcams
in lciicrs!'
'TIcrc's Mr. Dicl, ioo,' said Traddlcs, 'Ias lccn
doing vondcrs! As soon as Ic vas rclcascd from
ovcrlooling UriaI Hcc, vIom Ic lci in sucI
cIargc as I ncvcr sav ccccdcd, Ic lcgan io
dcvoic Iimsclf io Mr. Wiclficld. And rcally Iis
aniciy io lc of usc in iIc invcsiigaiions vc Iavc
lccn maling, and Iis rcal uscfulncss in ciraci-
ing, and coying, and fcicIing, and carrying,
Iavc lccn quiic siimulaiing io us.'
'Dicl is a vcry rcmarlallc man,' cclaimcd
my auni; 'and I alvays said Ic vas. Troi, you
lnov ii.'
'I am Iay io say, Miss Wiclficld,' ursucd
Traddlcs, ai oncc viiI grcai dclicacy and viiI
grcai carncsincss, 'iIai in your alscncc Mr.
Wiclficld Ias considcrally imrovcd. Fclicvcd
of iIc inculus iIai Iad fasicncd uon Iim for
so long a iimc, and of iIc drcadful arcIcn-
sions undcr vIicI Ic Iad livcd, Ic is Iardly
iIc samc crson. Ai iimcs, cvcn Iis imaircd
ovcr of conccniraiing Iis mcmory and aiicn-
iion on ariicular oinis of lusincss, Ias rc-
covcrcd iisclf vcry mucI; and Ic Ias lccn allc
io assisi us in maling somc iIings clcar, iIai
vc sIould Iavc found vcry difficuli indccd, if
noi Ioclcss, viiIoui Iim. Dui vIai I Iavc io
do is io comc io rcsulis; vIicI arc sIori cnougI;
noi io gossi on all iIc Iocful circumsianccs I
Iavc olscrvcd, or I sIall ncvcr Iavc donc.' His
naiural manncr and agrccallc simliciiy madc
ii iransarcni iIai Ic said iIis io ui us in good
Icari, and io cnallc Agncs io Icar Icr faiIcr
mcniioncd viiI grcaicr confidcncc; lui ii vas
noi iIc lcss lcasani for iIai.
'Nov, lci mc scc,' said Traddlcs, looling among
iIc acrs on iIc iallc. 'Having counicd our
funds, and rcduccd io ordcr a grcai mass of
uninicniional confusion in iIc firsi lacc, and
419
of vilful confusion and falsificaiion in iIc scc-
ond, vc ialc ii io lc clcar iIai Mr. Wiclficld
migIi nov vind u Iis lusincss, and Iis
agcncy-irusi, and cIilii no dcficicncy or dc-
falcaiion vIaicvcr.'
'OI, iIanl Hcavcn!' cricd Agncs, fcrvcnily.
'Dui,' said Traddlcs, 'iIc surlus iIai vould
lc lcfi as Iis mcans of suoriand I suosc
iIc Iousc io lc sold, cvcn in saying iIisvould
lc so small, noi ccccding in all rolaliliiy somc
Iundrcds of ounds, iIai crIas, Miss
Wiclficld, ii vould lc lcsi io considcr vIciIcr
Ic migIi noi rciain Iis agcncy of iIc csiaic io
vIicI Ic Ias so long lccn rcccivcr. His fricnds
migIi advisc Iim, you lnov; nov Ic is frcc.
You yoursclf, Miss WiclficldCocrficldI'
'I Iavc considcrcd ii, Troivood,' said Agncs,
looling io mc, 'and I fccl iIai ii ougIi noi io lc,
and musi noi lc; cvcn on iIc rccommcndaiion
of a fricnd io vIom I am so graicful, and ovc so
mucI.'
'I vill noi say iIai I rccommcnd ii,' olscrvcd
Traddlcs. 'I iIinl ii rigIi io suggcsi ii. No morc.'
'I am Iay io Icar you say so,' ansvcrcd Agncs,
sicadily, 'for ii givcs mc Ioc, almosi assurancc,
iIai vc iIinl alilc. Dcar Mr. Traddlcs and dcar
Troivood, aa oncc frcc viiI Ionour, vIai could
I visI for! I Iavc alvays asircd, if I could Iavc
rclcascd Iim from iIc ioils in vIicI Ic vas Icld,
io rcndcr lacl somc liiilc oriion of iIc lovc and
carc I ovc Iim, and io dcvoic my lifc io Iim. Ii
Ias lccn, for ycars, iIc uimosi IcigIi of my Iocs.
To ialc our fuiurc on mysclf, vill lc iIc nci grcai
IaincssiIc nci io Iis rclcasc from all irusi
and rcsonsililiiyiIai I can lnov.'
'Havc you iIougIi Iov, Agncs?'
'Oficn! I am noi afraid, dcar Troivood. I am
ccriain of succcss. So many colc lnov mc
Icrc, and iIinl lindly of mc, iIai I am ccriain.
Don'i misirusi mc. Our vanis arc noi many. If
I rcni iIc dcar old Iousc, and lcc a scIool, I
sIall lc uscful and Iay.'
420
TIc calm fcrvour of Icr cIccrful voicc lrougIi
lacl so vividly, firsi iIc dcar old Iousc iisclf,
and iIcn my soliiary Iomc, iIai my Icari vas
ioo full for scccI. Traddlcs rcicndcd for a liiilc
vIilc io lc lusily looling among iIc acrs.
'Nci, Miss Troivood,' said Traddlcs, 'iIai
rocriy of yours.'
'Wcll, sir,' sigIcd my auni. 'All I Iavc goi io
say aloui ii is, iIai if ii's gonc, I can lcar ii;
and if ii's noi gonc, I sIall lc glad io gci ii lacl.'
'Ii vas originally, I iIinl, cigIi iIousand
ounds, Consols?' said Traddlcs.
'FigIi!' rclicd my auni.
'I can'i accouni for morc iIan fivc,' said
Traddlcs, viiI an air of crlciiy.
'iIousand, do you mcan?' inquircd my auni,
viiI uncommon comosurc, 'or ounds?'
'Fivc iIousand ounds,' said Traddlcs.
'Ii vas all iIcrc vas,' rciurncd my auni. 'I sold
iIrcc, mysclf. Onc, I aid for your ariiclcs, Troi,
my dcar; and iIc oiIcr ivo I Iavc ly mc. WIcn
I losi iIc rcsi, I iIougIi ii visc io say noiIing
aloui iIai sum, lui io lcc ii sccrcily for a
rainy day. I vanicd io scc Iov you vould comc
oui of iIc irial, Troi; and you camc oui nolly
crscvcring, sclf-rcliani, sclf-dcnying! So did
Dicl. Don'i scal io mc, for I find my ncrvcs a
liiilc sIalcn!'
Nolody vould Iavc iIougIi so, io scc Icr sii-
iing urigIi, viiI Icr arms foldcd; lui sIc Iad
vondcrful sclf-command.
'TIcn I am dcligIicd io say,' cricd Traddlcs,
lcaming viiI joy, 'iIai vc Iavc rccovcrcd iIc
vIolc moncy!'
'Don'i congraiulaic mc, anylody!' cclaimcd
my auni. 'Hov so, sir?'
'You lclicvcd ii Iad lccn misaroriaicd ly
Mr. Wiclficld?' said Traddlcs.
'Of coursc I did,' said my auni, 'and vas iIcrc-
forc casily silcnccd. Agncs, noi a vord!'
'And indccd,' said Traddlcs, 'ii vas sold, ly
viriuc of iIc ovcr of managcmcni Ic Icld from
421
you; lui I nccdn'i say ly vIom sold, or on vIosc
aciual signaiurc. Ii vas aficrvards rcicndcd
io Mr. Wiclficld, ly iIai rascal,and rovcd,
ioo, ly figurcs,iIai Ic Iad osscsscd Iimsclf
of iIc moncy (on gcncral insiruciions, Ic said}
io lcc oiIcr dcficicncics and difficuliics from
iIc ligIi. Mr. Wiclficld, lcing so vcal and Icl-
lcss in Iis Iands as io ay you, aficrvards, scv-
cral sums of inicrcsi on a rcicndcd rincial
vIicI Ic lncv did noi cisi, madc Iimsclf,
unIaily, a ariy io iIc fraud.'
'And ai lasi iool iIc llamc uon Iimsclf,'
addcd my auni; 'and vroic mc a mad lciicr,
cIarging Iimsclf viiI rollcry, and vrong un-
Icard of. Uon vIicI I aid Iim a visii carly
onc morning, callcd for a candlc, lurni iIc lci-
icr, and iold Iim if Ic cvcr could rigIi mc and
Iimsclf, io do ii; and if Ic couldn'i, io lcc Iis
ovn counscl for Iis daugIicr's salc.If any-
lody scals io mc, I'll lcavc iIc Iousc!'
Wc all rcmaincd quici; Agncs covcring Icr facc.
'Wcll, my dcar fricnd,' said my auni, aficr a
ausc, 'and you Iavc rcally cioricd iIc moncy
lacl from Iim?'
'WIy, iIc faci is,' rciurncd Traddlcs, 'Mr.
Micavlcr Iad so comlcicly Icmmcd Iim in,
and vas alvays rcady viiI so many ncv oinis
if an old onc failcd, iIai Ic could noi cscac
from us. A mosi rcmarlallc circumsiancc is,
iIai I rcally don'i iIinl Ic grascd iIis sum
cvcn so mucI for iIc graiificaiion of Iis ava-
ricc, vIicI vas inordinaic, as in iIc Iaircd Ic
fcli for Cocrficld. Hc said so io mc, lainly.
Hc said Ic vould cvcn Iavc scni as mucI, io
laull or injurc Cocrficld.'
'Ha!' said my auni, lniiiing Icr lrovs iIougIi-
fully, and glancing ai Agncs. 'And vIai's lc-
comc of Iim?'
'I don'i lnov. Hc lcfi Icrc,' said Traddlcs, 'viiI
Iis moiIcr, vIo Iad lccn clamouring, and lc-
scccIing, and disclosing, iIc vIolc iimc. TIcy
vcni avay ly onc of iIc London nigIi coacIcs,
422
and I lnov no morc aloui Iim; ccci iIai Iis
malcvolcncc io mc ai ariing vas audacious.
Hc sccmcd io considcr Iimsclf Iardly lcss in-
dclicd io mc, iIan io Mr. Micavlcr; vIicI I
considcr (as I iold Iim} quiic a comlimcni.'
'Do you suosc Ic Ias any moncy, Traddlcs?'
I aslcd.
'OI dcar, ycs, I sIould iIinl so,' Ic rclicd,
sIaling Iis Icad, scriously. 'I sIould say Ic
musi Iavc oclcicd a good dcal, in onc vay or
oiIcr. Dui, I iIinl you vould find, Cocrficld,
if you Iad an ooriuniiy of olscrving Iis
coursc, iIai moncy vould ncvcr lcc iIai man
oui of miscIicf. Hc is sucI an incarnaic Iyo-
criic, iIai vIaicvcr oljcci Ic ursucs, Ic musi
ursuc croolcdly. Ii's Iis only comcnsaiion for
iIc ouivard rcsirainis Ic uis uon Iimsclf.
Alvays crccing along iIc ground io somc small
cnd or oiIcr, Ic vill alvays magnify cvcry ol-
jcci in iIc vay; and conscqucnily vill Iaic and
suscci cvcrylody iIai comcs, in iIc mosi in-
noccni manncr, lcivccn Iim and ii. So iIc
croolcd courscs vill lccomc croolcdcr, ai any
momcni, for iIc lcasi rcason, or for nonc. Ii's
only ncccssary io considcr Iis Iisiory Icrc,' said
Traddlcs, 'io lnov iIai.'
'Hc's a monsicr of mcanncss!' said my auni.
'Fcally I don'i lnov aloui iIai,' olscrvcd
Traddlcs iIougIifully. 'Many colc can lc vcry
mcan, vIcn iIcy givc iIcir minds io ii.'
'And nov, ioucIing Mr. Micavlcr,' said my
auni.
'Wcll, rcally,' said Traddlcs, cIccrfully, 'I musi,
oncc morc, givc Mr. Micavlcr IigI raisc. Dui
for Iis Iaving lccn so aiicni and crscvcring
for so long a iimc, vc ncvcr could Iavc Iocd
io do anyiIing voriI scaling of. And I iIinl
vc ougIi io considcr iIai Mr. Micavlcr did
rigIi, for rigIi's salc, vIcn vc rcflcci vIai
icrms Ic migIi Iavc madc viiI UriaI Hcc Iim-
sclf, for Iis silcncc.'
'I iIinl so ioo,' said I.
423
'Nov, vIai vould you givc Iim?' inquircd my
auni.
'OI! Dcforc you comc io iIai,' said Traddlcs,
a liiilc disconccricd, 'I am afraid I iIougIi ii
discrcci io omii (noi lcing allc io carry cvcry-
iIing lcforc mc} ivo oinis, in maling iIis lav-
lcss adjusimcnifor ii's crfccily lavlcss from
lcginning io cndof a difficuli affair. TIosc
I.O.U.'s, and so foriI, vIicI Mr. Micavlcr gavc
Iim for iIc advanccs Ic Iad'
'Wcll! TIcy musi lc aid,' said my auni.
'Ycs, lui I don'i lnov vIcn iIcy may lc ro-
cccdcd on, or vIcrc iIcy arc,' rcjoincd Traddlcs,
ocning Iis cycs; 'and I aniiciaic, iIai, lcivccn
iIis iimc and Iis dcariurc, Mr. Micavlcr vill
lc consianily arrcsicd, or ialcn in cccuiion.'
'TIcn Ic musi lc consianily sci frcc again,
and ialcn oui of cccuiion,' said my auni.
'WIai's iIc amouni aliogciIcr?'
'WIy, Mr. Micavlcr Ias cnicrcd iIc iransac-
iionsIc calls iIcm iransaciionsviiI grcai
form, in a lool,' rcjoincd Traddlcs, smiling; 'and
Ic malcs iIc amouni a Iundrcd and iIrcc
ounds, fivc.'
'Nov, vIai sIall vc givc Iim, iIai sum in-
cludcd?' said my auni. 'Agncs, my dcar, you and
I can iall aloui division of ii aficrvards. WIai
sIould ii lc? Fivc Iundrcd ounds?'
Uon iIis, Traddlcs and I loiI sirucl in ai
oncc. Wc loiI rccommcndcd a small sum in
moncy, and iIc aymcni, viiIoui siiulaiion
io Mr. Micavlcr, of iIc UriaI claims as iIcy
camc in. Wc rooscd iIai iIc family sIould
Iavc iIcir assagc and iIcir ouifii, and a Iun-
drcd ounds; and iIai Mr. Micavlcr's arrangc-
mcni for iIc rcaymcni of iIc advanccs sIould
lc gravcly cnicrcd inio, as ii migIi lc vIolc-
somc for Iim io suosc Iimsclf undcr iIai rc-
sonsililiiy. To iIis, I addcd iIc suggcsiion, iIai
I sIould givc somc clanaiion of Iis cIaracicr
and Iisiory io Mr. Fcggoiiy, vIo I lncv could
lc rclicd on; and iIai io Mr. Fcggoiiy sIould lc
424
quicily cnirusicd iIc discrciion of advancing an-
oiIcr Iundrcd. I furiIcr rooscd io inicrcsi Mr.
Micavlcr in Mr. Fcggoiiy, ly confiding so mucI
of Mr. Fcggoiiy's siory io Iim as I migIi fccl jusii-
ficd in rclaiing, or migIi iIinl ccdicni; and io
cndcavour io lring cacI of iIcm io lcar uon iIc
oiIcr, for iIc common advaniagc. Wc all cnicrcd
varmly inio iIcsc vicvs; and I may mcniion ai
oncc, iIai iIc rincials iIcmsclvcs did so, sIorily
aficrvards, viiI crfcci good vill and Iarmony.
Sccing iIai Traddlcs nov glanccd aniously
ai my auni again, I rcmindcd Iim of iIc sccond
and lasi oini io vIicI Ic Iad advcricd.
' You and your auni vill ccusc mc,
Cocrficld, if I ioucI uon a ainful iIcmc, as
I grcaily fcar I sIall,' said Traddlcs, Icsiiaiing;
'lui I iIinl ii ncccssary io lring ii io your rcc-
ollcciion. On iIc day of Mr. Micavlcr's mcmo-
rallc dcnunciaiion a iIrcaicning allusion vas
madc ly UriaI Hcc io your auni'sIusland.'
My auni, rciaining Icr siiff osiiion, and a-
arcni comosurc, asscnicd viiI a nod.
'FcrIas,' olscrvcd Traddlcs, 'ii vas mcrc
urosclcss imcriincncc?'
'No,' rciurncd my auni.
'TIcrc vasardon mcrcally sucI a crson,
and ai all in Iis ovcr?' Iinicd Traddlcs.
'Ycs, my good fricnd,' said my auni.
Traddlcs, viiI a crcciillc lcngiIcning of Iis
facc, claincd iIai Ic Iad noi lccn allc io
aroacI iIis suljcci; iIai ii Iad sIarcd iIc
faic of Mr. Micavlcr's lialiliiics, in noi lcing
comrcIcndcd in iIc icrms Ic Iad madc; iIai
vc vcrc no longcr of any auiIoriiy viiI UriaI
Hcc; and iIai if Ic could do us, or any of us,
any injury or annoyancc, no douli Ic vould.
My auni rcmaincd quici; uniil again somc
siray icars found iIcir vay io Icr cIccls. 'You
arc quiic rigIi,' sIc said. 'Ii vas vcry iIougIi-
ful io mcniion ii.'
'Can Ior Cocrficlddo anyiIing?' aslcd
Traddlcs, gcnily.
425
'NoiIing,' said my auni. 'I iIanl you many
iimcs. Troi, my dcar, a vain iIrcai! Lci us Iavc
Mr. and Mrs. Micavlcr lacl. And don'i any of
you scal io mc!' WiiI iIai sIc smooiIcd Icr
drcss, and sai, viiI Icr urigIi carriagc, lool-
ing ai iIc door.
'Wcll, Mr. and Mrs. Micavlcr!' said my auni,
vIcn iIcy cnicrcd. 'Wc Iavc lccn discussing
your cmigraiion, viiI many aologics io you for
lccing you oui of iIc room so long; and I'll icll
you vIai arrangcmcnis vc roosc.'
TIcsc sIc claincd io iIc unloundcd saiis-
faciion of iIc family,cIildrcn and all lcing
iIcn rcscni,and so mucI io iIc avalcning
of Mr. Micavlcr's unciual Ialiis in iIc ocn-
ing siagc of all lill iransaciions, iIai Ic could
noi lc dissuadcd from immcdiaicly rusIing oui,
in iIc IigIcsi siriis, io luy iIc siams for Iis
noics of Iand. Dui, Iis joy rcccivcd a suddcn
cIccl; for viiIin fivc minuics, Ic rciurncd in
iIc cusiody of a sIcriff 's officcr, informing us,
in a flood of icars, iIai all vas losi. Wc, lcing
quiic rcarcd for iIis cvcni, vIicI vas of
coursc a rocccding of UriaI Hcc's, soon aid
iIc moncy; and in fivc minuics morc Mr.
Micavlcr vas scaicd ai iIc iallc, filling u iIc
siams viiI an crcssion of crfcci joy, vIicI
only iIai congcnial cmloymcni, or iIc maling
of uncI, could imari in full comlcicncss io
Iis sIining facc. To scc Iim ai vorl on iIc
siams, viiI iIc rclisI of an ariisi, ioucIing
iIcm lilc iciurcs, looling ai iIcm sidcvays,
ialing vcigIiy noics of daics and amounis in
Iis oclci-lool, and conicmlaiing iIcm vIcn
finisIcd, viiI a IigI scnsc of iIcir rccious
valuc, vas a sigIi indccd.
'Nov, iIc lcsi iIing you can do, sir, if you'll
allov mc io advisc you,' said my auni, aficr si-
lcnily olscrving Iim, 'is io aljurc iIai occua-
iion for cvcrmorc.'
'Madam,' rclicd Mr. Micavlcr, 'ii is my in-
icniion io rcgisicr sucI a vov on iIc virgin agc
426
of iIc fuiurc. Mrs. Micavlcr vill aiicsi ii. I irusi,'
said Mr. Micavlcr, solcmnly, 'iIai my son
Willins vill cvcr lcar in mind, iIai Ic Iad infi-
niicly lciicr ui Iis fisi in iIc firc, iIan usc ii
io Iandlc iIc scrcnis iIai Iavc oisoncd iIc
lifc-llood of Iis unIay arcni!' Dccly af-
fccicd, and cIangcd in a momcni io iIc imagc
of dcsair, Mr. Micavlcr rcgardcd iIc scrcnis
viiI a lool of gloomy alIorrcncc (in vIicI Iis
laic admiraiion of iIcm vas noi quiic sulducd},
foldcd iIcm u and ui iIcm in Iis oclci.
TIis closcd iIc rocccdings of iIc cvcning. Wc
vcrc vcary viiI sorrov and faiiguc, and my
auni and I vcrc io rciurn io London on iIc
morrov. Ii vas arrangcd iIai iIc Micavlcrs
sIould follov us, aficr cffcciing a salc of iIcir
goods io a lrolcr; iIai Mr. Wiclficld's affairs
sIould lc lrougIi io a sciilcmcni, viiI all con-
vcnicni sccd, undcr iIc dircciion of Traddlcs;
and iIai Agncs sIould also comc io London,
cnding iIosc arrangcmcnis. Wc asscd iIc
nigIi ai iIc old Iousc, vIicI, frccd from iIc
rcscncc of iIc Hccs, sccmcd urgcd of a dis-
casc; and I lay in my old room, lilc a sIi-
vrcclcd vandcrcr comc Iomc.
Wc vcni lacl nci day io my auni's Iousc
noi io mincand vIcn sIc and I sai alonc, as
of old, lcforc going io lcd, sIc said:
'Troi, do you rcally visI io lnov vIai I Iavc
Iad uon my mind laicly?'
'Indccd I do, auni. If iIcrc cvcr vas a iimc
vIcn I fcli unvilling iIai you sIould Iavc a
sorrov or aniciy vIicI I could noi sIarc, ii is
nov.'
'You Iavc Iad sorrov cnougI, cIild,' said my
auni, affcciionaicly, 'viiIoui iIc addiiion of my
liiilc miscrics. I could Iavc no oiIcr moiivc, Troi,
in lccing anyiIing from you.'
'I lnov iIai vcll,' said I. 'Dui icll mc nov.'
'Would you ridc viiI mc a liiilc vay iomorrov
morning?' aslcd my auni.
'Of coursc.'
427
'Ai ninc,' said sIc. 'I'll icll you iIcn, my dcar.'
Ai ninc, accordingly, vc vcni oui in a liiilc
cIarioi, and drovc io London. Wc drovc a long
vay iIrougI iIc sirccis, uniil vc camc io onc
of iIc largc Iosiials. Sianding Iard ly iIc
luilding vas a lain Icarsc. TIc drivcr rccog-
nizcd my auni, and, in olcdicncc io a moiion of
Icr Iand ai iIc vindov, drovc slovly off; vc
folloving.
'You undcrsiand ii nov, Troi,' said my auni.
'Hc is gonc!'
'Did Ic dic in iIc Iosiial?'
'Ycs.'
SIc sai immovallc lcsidc mc; lui, again I sav
iIc siray icars on Icr facc.
'Hc vas iIcrc oncc lcforc,' said my auni rcs-
cnily. 'Hc vas ailing a long iimca sIaiicrcd,
lrolcn man, iIcsc many ycars. WIcn Ic lncv
Iis siaic in iIis lasi illncss, Ic aslcd iIcm io
scnd for mc. Hc vas sorry iIcn. Vcry sorry.'
'You vcni, I lnov, auni.'
'I vcni. I vas viiI Iim a good dcal aficrvards.'
'Hc dicd iIc nigIi lcforc vc vcni io Canicr-
lury?' said I. My auni noddcd. 'No onc can Iarm
Iim nov,' sIc said. 'Ii vas a vain iIrcai.'
Wc drovc avay, oui of iovn, io iIc cIurcI-
yard ai Hornscy. 'Dciicr Icrc iIan in iIc sirccis,'
said my auni. 'Hc vas lorn Icrc.'
Wc aligIicd; and follovcd iIc lain coffin io a
corncr I rcmcmlcr vcll, vIcrc iIc scrvicc vas
rcad consigning ii io iIc dusi.
'Si-and-iIiriy ycars ago, iIis day, my dcar,'
said my auni, as vc vallcd lacl io iIc cIarioi,
'I vas marricd. God forgivc us all!' Wc iool our
scais in silcncc; and so sIc sai lcsidc mc for a
long iimc, Iolding my Iand. Ai lcngiI sIc sud-
dcnly lursi inio icars, and said:
'Hc vas a finc-looling man vIcn I marricd
Iim, Troiand Ic vas sadly cIangcd!'
Ii did noi lasi long. Aficr iIc rclicf of icars,
sIc soon lccamc comoscd, and cvcn cIccrful.
Hcr ncrvcs vcrc a liiilc sIalcn, sIc said, or
428
sIc vould noi Iavc givcn vay io ii. God forgivc
us all!
So vc rodc lacl io Icr liiilc coiiagc ai
HigIgaic, vIcrc vc found iIc folloving sIori
noic, vIicI Iad arrivcd ly iIai morning's osi
from Mr. Micavlcr:
Canterbury,
Friday.
My dear Madam, and Copperfield,
The fair land of promise lately looming on the ho-
rizon is again enveloped in impenetrable mists, and
for ever withdrawn from the eyes of a drifting wretch
whose Doom is sealed!
Another writ has been issued (in His Majestys High
Court of Kings Bench at Westminster), in another
cause of HEEP V. MICAWBER, and the defendant
in that cause is the prey of the sheriff having legal
jurisdiction in this bailiwick.
Nows the day, and nows the hour,
See the front of battle lower,
See approach proud Edwards power
Chains and slavery!
Consigned to which, and to a speedy end (for men-
tal torture is not supportable beyond a certain point,
and that point I feel I have attained), my course is run.
Bless you, bless you! Some future traveller, visiting,
from motives of curiosity, not unmingled, let us hope,
with sympathy, the place of confinement allotted to
debtors in this city, may, and I trust will, Ponder, as he
traces on its wall, inscribed with a rusty nail,
The obscure initials,
W. M.
P.S. I re-open this to say that our common friend,
Mr. Thomas Traddles (who has not yet left us, and is
429
looking extremely well), has paid the debt and costs,
in the noble name of Miss Trotwood; and that myself
and family are at the height of earthly bliss.
CHAPTER SS
TEMPEST
I NOW AFFFOACH AN EVENT in my lifc, so indclillc, so
avful, so lound ly an infiniic variciy of iics io
all iIai Ias rcccdcd ii, in iIcsc agcs, iIai, from
iIc lcginning of my narraiivc, I Iavc sccn ii grov-
ing largcr and largcr as I advanccd, lilc a grcai
iovcr in a lain, and iIroving iis forc-casi
sIadov cvcn on iIc incidcnis of my cIildisI days.
For ycars aficr ii occurrcd, I drcamcd of ii of-
icn. I Iavc siaricd u so vividly imrcsscd ly ii,
iIai iis fury Ias yci sccmcd raging in my quici
room, in iIc siill nigIi. I drcam of ii somciimcs,
iIougI ai lcngiIcncd and unccriain inicrvals,
io iIis Iour. I Iavc an associaiion lcivccn ii
and a siormy vind, or iIc ligIicsi mcniion of a
sca-sIorc, as sirong as any of vIicI my mind is
conscious. As lainly as I lcIold vIai Iacncd,
I vill iry io vriic ii dovn. I do noi rccall ii, lui
scc ii donc; for ii Iacns again lcforc mc.
TIc iimc draving on raidly for iIc sailing of
iIc cmigrani-sIi, my good old nursc (almosi
lrolcn-Icaricd for mc, vIcn vc firsi mci} camc
u io London. I vas consianily viiI Icr, and
Icr lroiIcr, and iIc Micavlcrs (iIcy lcing vcry
mucI iogciIcr}; lui Emily I ncvcr sav.
Onc cvcning vIcn iIc iimc vas closc ai Iand,
I vas alonc viiI Fcggoiiy and Icr lroiIcr. Our
convcrsaiion iurncd on Ham. SIc dcscrilcd io
us Iov icndcrly Ic Iad ialcn lcavc of Icr, and
Iov manfully and quicily Ic Iad lornc Iim-
sclf. Mosi of all, of laic, vIcn sIc lclicvcd Ic
vas mosi iricd. Ii vas a suljcci of vIicI iIc
affcciionaic crcaiurc ncvcr iircd; and our inicr-
csi in Icaring iIc many camlcs vIicI sIc,
vIo vas so mucI viiI Iim, Iad io rclaic, vas
cqual io Icrs in rclaiing iIcm.
430
M auni and I vcrc ai iIai iimc vacaiing iIc
ivo coiiagcs ai HigIgaic; I inicnding io go
alroad, and sIc io rciurn io Icr Iousc ai Do-
vcr. Wc Iad a icmorary lodging in Covcni Gar-
dcn. As I vallcd Iomc io ii, aficr iIis cvcning's
convcrsaiion, rcflcciing on vIai Iad asscd
lcivccn Ham and mysclf vIcn I vas lasi ai
YarmouiI, I vavcrcd in iIc original urosc I
Iad formcd, of lcaving a lciicr for Emily vIcn I
sIould ialc lcavc of Icr unclc on loard iIc sIi,
and iIougIi ii vould lc lciicr io vriic io Icr
nov. SIc migIi dcsirc, I iIougIi, aficr rccciv-
ing my communicaiion, io scnd somc ariing
vord ly mc io Icr unIay lovcr. I ougIi io
givc Icr iIc ooriuniiy.
I iIcrcforc sai dovn in my room, lcforc going
io lcd, and vroic io Icr. I iold Icr iIai I Iad
sccn Iim, and iIai Ic Iad rcqucsicd mc io icll
Icr vIai I Iavc alrcady vriiicn in iis lacc in
iIcsc sIccis. I faiiIfully rccaicd ii. I Iad no
nccd io cnlargc uon ii, if I Iad Iad iIc rigIi.
Iis dcc fidcliiy and goodncss vcrc noi io lc
adorncd ly mc or any man. I lcfi ii oui, io lc
scni round in iIc morning; viiI a linc io Mr.
Fcggoiiy, rcqucsiing Iim io givc ii io Icr; and
vcni io lcd ai daylrcal.
I vas vcalcr iIan I lncv iIcn; and, noi fall-
ing aslcc uniil iIc sun vas u, lay laic, and
unrcfrcsIcd, nci day. I vas rouscd ly iIc si-
lcni rcscncc of my auni ai my lcdsidc. I fcli ii
in my slcc, as I suosc vc all do fccl sucI
iIings.
'Troi, my dcar,' sIc said, vIcn I ocncd my
cycs, 'I couldn'i malc u my mind io disiurl
you. Mr. Fcggoiiy is Icrc; sIall Ic comc u?'
I rclicd ycs, and Ic soon acarcd.
'Mas'r Davy,' Ic said, vIcn vc Iad sIalcn
Iands, 'I giv Em'ly your lciicr, sir, and sIc vrii
iIis Iccr; and lcggcd of mc fur io asl you io
rcad ii, and if you scc no Iuri in'i, io lc so lind
as ialc cIargc on'i.'
'Havc you rcad ii?' said I.
431
Hc noddcd sorrovfully. I ocncd ii, and rcad
as follovs:
I have got your message. Oh, what can I write, to
thank you for your good and blessed kindness to me!
I have put the words close to my heart. I shall keep
them till I die. They are sharp thorns, but they are such
comfort. I have prayed over them, oh, I have prayed
so much. When I find what you are, and what uncle is,
I think what God must be, and can cry to him.
Good-bye for ever. Now, my dear, my friend, good-
bye for ever in this world. In another world, if I am
forgiven, I may wake a child and come to you. All
thanks and blessings. Farewell, evermore.
TIis, lloiicd viiI icars, vas iIc lciicr.
'May I icll Icr as you docn'i scc no Iuri in'i,
and as you'll lc so lind as ialc cIargc on'i,
Mas'r Davy?' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, vIcn I Iad rcad
ii.
'Unqucsiionally,' said I'lui I am iIinling'
'Ycs, Mas'r Davy?'
'I am iIinling,' said I, 'iIai I'll go dovn again io
YarmouiI. TIcrc's iimc, and io sarc, for mc io go
and comc lacl lcforc iIc sIi sails. My mind is
consianily running on Iim, in Iis soliiudc; io ui
iIis lciicr of Icr vriiing in Iis Iand ai iIis iimc,
and io cnallc you io icll Icr, in iIc momcni of ari-
ing, iIai Ic Ias goi ii, vill lc a lindncss io loiI of
iIcm. I solcmnly acccicd Iis commission, dcar good
fcllov, and cannoi discIargc ii ioo comlcicly. TIc
journcy is noiIing io mc. I am rcsilcss, and sIall lc
lciicr in moiion. I'll go dovn ionigIi.'
TIougI Ic aniously cndcavourcd io dissuadc
mc, I sav iIai Ic vas of my mind; and iIis, if I
Iad rcquircd io lc confirmcd in my inicniion,
vould Iavc Iad iIc cffcci. Hc vcni round io
iIc coacI officc, ai my rcqucsi, and iool iIc
lo-scai for mc on iIc mail. In iIc cvcning I
siaricd, ly iIai convcyancc, dovn iIc road I
Iad iravcrscd undcr so many vicissiiudcs.
432
'Don'i you iIinl iIai,' I aslcd iIc coacIman,
in iIc firsi siagc oui of London, 'a vcry rcmarl-
allc sly? I don'i rcmcmlcr io Iavc sccn onc
lilc ii.'
'Nor Inoi cqual io ii,' Ic rclicd. 'TIai's vind,
sir. TIcrc'll lc miscIicf donc ai sca, I ccci,
lcforc long.'
Ii vas a murly confusionIcrc and iIcrc
lloiicd viiI a colour lilc iIc colour of iIc smolc
from dam fuclof flying clouds, iosscd u inio
mosi rcmarlallc Icas, suggcsiing grcaicr
IcigIis in iIc clouds iIan iIcrc vcrc dciIs
lclov iIcm io iIc loiiom of iIc dcccsi Iol-
lovs in iIc cariI, iIrougI vIicI iIc vild moon
sccmcd io lungc Icadlong, as if, in a drcad
disiurlancc of iIc lavs of naiurc, sIc Iad losi
Icr vay and vcrc frigIicncd. TIcrc Iad lccn a
vind all day; and ii vas rising iIcn, viiI an
ciraordinary grcai sound. In anoiIcr Iour ii
Iad mucI incrcascd, and iIc sly vas morc ovcr-
casi, and llcv Iard.
Dui, as iIc nigIi advanccd, iIc clouds clos-
ing in and dcnscly ovcr-srcading iIc vIolc sly,
iIcn vcry darl, ii camc on io llov, Iardcr and
Iardcr. Ii siill incrcascd, uniil our Iorscs could
scarccly facc iIc vind. Many iimcs, in iIc darl
ari of iIc nigIi (ii vas iIcn laic in Scicmlcr,
vIcn iIc nigIis vcrc noi sIori}, iIc lcadcrs
iurncd aloui, or camc io a dcad sio; and vc
vcrc oficn in scrious arcIcnsion iIai iIc
coacI vould lc llovn ovcr. Svccing gusis of
rain camc u lcforc iIis siorm, lilc sIovcrs of
siccl; and, ai iIosc iimcs, vIcn iIcrc vas any
sIclicr of irccs or lcc valls io lc goi, vc vcrc
fain io sio, in a sIccr imossililiiy of coniinu-
ing iIc sirugglc.
WIcn iIc day lrolc, ii llcv Iardcr and
Iardcr. I Iad lccn in YarmouiI vIcn iIc sca-
mcn said ii llcv grcai guns, lui I Iad ncvcr
lnovn iIc lilc of iIis, or anyiIing aroacIing
io ii. Wc camc io IsvicIvcry laic, Iaving Iad
io figIi cvcry incI of ground sincc vc vcrc icn
433
milcs oui of London; and found a clusicr of colc
in iIc marlci-lacc, vIo Iad riscn from iIcir lcds
in iIc nigIi, fcarful of falling cIimncys. Somc of
iIcsc, congrcgaiing aloui iIc inn-yard vIilc vc
cIangcd Iorscs, iold us of grcai sIccis of lcad
Iaving lccn ricd off a IigI cIurcI-iovcr, and
flung inio a ly-sircci, vIicI iIcy iIcn lloclcd
u. OiIcrs Iad io icll of couniry colc, coming
in from ncigIlouring villagcs, vIo Iad sccn grcai
irccs lying iorn oui of iIc cariI, and vIolc ricls
scaiicrcd aloui iIc roads and ficlds. Siill, iIcrc
vas no alaicmcni in iIc siorm, lui ii llcv Iardcr.
As vc sirugglcd on, ncarcr and ncarcr io iIc
sca, from vIicI iIis migIiy vind vas lloving
dcad on sIorc, iis forcc lccamc morc and morc
icrrific. Long lcforc vc sav iIc sca, iis sray
vas on our lis, and sIovcrcd sali rain uon
us. TIc vaicr vas oui, ovcr milcs and milcs of
iIc flai couniry adjaccni io YarmouiI; and cv-
cry sIcci and uddlc lasIcd iis lanls, and Iad
iis sircss of liiilc lrcalcrs sciiing Icavily io-
vards us. WIcn vc camc viiIin sigIi of iIc
sca, iIc vavcs on iIc Iorizon, caugIi ai inicr-
vals alovc iIc rolling alyss, vcrc lilc glimscs
of anoiIcr sIorc viiI iovcrs and luildings.
WIcn ai lasi vc goi inio iIc iovn, iIc colc
camc oui io iIcir doors, all aslani, and viiI
sircaming Iair, maling a vondcr of iIc mail
iIai Iad comc iIrougI sucI a nigIi.
I ui u ai iIc old inn, and vcni dovn io lool
ai iIc sca; siaggcring along iIc sircci, vIicI
vas sircvn viiI sand and scavccd, and viiI
flying lloicIcs of sca-foam; afraid of falling slaics
and iilcs; and Iolding ly colc I mci, ai angry
corncrs. Coming ncar iIc lcacI, I sav, noi only
iIc loaimcn, lui Ialf iIc colc of iIc iovn,
lurling lcIind luildings; somc, nov and iIcn
lraving iIc fury of iIc siorm io lool avay io
sca, and llovn sIccr oui of iIcir coursc in iry-
ing io gci zigzag lacl.
Joining iIcsc grous, I found lcvailing vomcn
vIosc Iuslands vcrc avay in Icrring or oys-
434
icr loais, vIicI iIcrc vas ioo mucI rcason io
iIinl migIi Iavc foundcrcd lcforc iIcy could
run in anyvIcrc for safciy. Grizzlcd old sailors
vcrc among iIc colc, sIaling iIcir Icads,
as iIcy loolcd from vaicr io sly, and muiicr-
ing io onc anoiIcr; sIi-ovncrs, cciicd and
uncasy; cIildrcn, Iuddling iogciIcr, and ccr-
ing inio oldcr faccs; cvcn sioui marincrs, dis-
iurlcd and anious, lcvclling iIcir glasscs ai
iIc sca from lcIind laccs of sIclicr, as if iIcy
vcrc survcying an cncmy.
TIc ircmcndous sca iisclf, vIcn I could find
sufficicni ausc io lool ai ii, in iIc agiiaiion of
iIc llinding vind, iIc flying sioncs and sand,
and iIc avful noisc, confoundcd mc. As iIc IigI
vaicry valls camc rolling in, and, ai iIcir IigI-
csi, iumllcd inio surf, iIcy loolcd as if iIc lcasi
vould cngulf iIc iovn. As iIc rcccding vavc
svci lacl viiI a Ioarsc roar, ii sccmcd io
scoo oui dcc cavcs in iIc lcacI, as if iis ur-
osc vcrc io undcrminc iIc cariI. WIcn somc
vIiic-Icadcd lillovs iIundcrcd on, and dasIcd
iIcmsclvcs io icccs lcforc iIcy rcacIcd iIc
land, cvcry fragmcni of iIc laic vIolc sccmcd
osscsscd ly iIc full migIi of iis vraiI, rusI-
ing io lc gaiIcrcd io iIc comosiiion of anoiIcr
monsicr. Undulaiing Iills vcrc cIangcd io val-
lcys, undulaiing vallcys (viiI a soliiary siorm-
lird somciimcs slimming iIrougI iIcm} vcrc
lificd u io Iills; masscs of vaicr sIivcrcd and
sIool iIc lcacI viiI a looming sound; cvcry
sIac iumuliuously rollcd on, as soon as madc,
io cIangc iis sIac and lacc, and lcai anoiIcr
sIac and lacc avay; iIc idcal sIorc on iIc
Iorizon, viiI iis iovcrs and luildings, rosc and
fcll; iIc clouds fcll fasi and iIicl; I sccmcd io
scc a rcnding and uIcaving of all naiurc.
Noi finding Ham among iIc colc vIom iIis
mcmorallc vindfor ii is siill rcmcmlcrcd
dovn iIcrc, as iIc grcaicsi cvcr lnovn io llov
uon iIai coasiIad lrougIi iogciIcr, I madc
my vay io Iis Iousc. Ii vas sIui; and as no
435
onc ansvcrcd io my lnocling, I vcni, ly lacl
vays and ly-lancs, io iIc yard vIcrc Ic vorlcd.
I lcarncd, iIcrc, iIai Ic Iad gonc io Lovcsiofi,
io mcci somc suddcn cigcncy of sIi-rcair-
ing in vIicI Iis slill vas rcquircd; lui iIai Ic
vould lc lacl iomorrov morning, in good iimc.
I vcni lacl io iIc inn; and vIcn I Iad vasIcd
and drcsscd, and iricd io slcc, lui in vain, ii
vas fivc o'clocl in iIc aficrnoon. I Iad noi sai
fivc minuics ly iIc coffcc-room firc, vIcn iIc
vaiicr, coming io siir ii, as an ccusc for iall-
ing, iold mc iIai ivo collicrs Iad gonc dovn,
viiI all Iands, a fcv milcs avay; and iIai somc
oiIcr sIis Iad lccn sccn lalouring Iard in
iIc Foads, and irying, in grcai disircss, io lcc
off sIorc. Mcrcy on iIcm, and on all oor sail-
ors, said Ic, if vc Iad anoiIcr nigIi lilc iIc
lasi!
I vas vcry mucI dcrcsscd in siriis; vcry soli-
iary; and fcli an uncasincss in Ham's noi lcing
iIcrc, disrooriionaic io iIc occasion. I vas
scriously affccicd, viiIoui lnoving Iov mucI,
ly laic cvcnis; and my long cosurc io iIc ficrcc
vind Iad confuscd mc. TIcrc vas iIai jumllc
in my iIougIis and rccollcciions, iIai I Iad losi
iIc clcar arrangcmcni of iimc and disiancc.
TIus, if I Iad gonc oui inio iIc iovn, I sIould
noi Iavc lccn surriscd, I iIinl, io cncounicr
somconc vIo I lncv musi lc iIcn in London.
So io scal, iIcrc vas in iIcsc rcsccis a curi-
ous inaiicniion in my mind. Yci ii vas lusy,
ioo, viiI all iIc rcmcmlranccs iIc lacc naiu-
rally avalcncd; and iIcy vcrc ariicularly dis-
iinci and vivid.
In iIis siaic, iIc vaiicr's dismal iniclligcncc
aloui iIc sIis immcdiaicly connccicd iisclf,
viiIoui any cffori of my voliiion, viiI my un-
casincss aloui Ham. I vas crsuadcd iIai I Iad
an arcIcnsion of Iis rciurning from Lovcsiofi
ly sca, and lcing losi. TIis grcv so sirong viiI
mc, iIai I rcsolvcd io go lacl io iIc yard lcforc
I iool my dinncr, and asl iIc loai-luildcr if Ic
436
iIougIi Iis aiicmiing io rciurn ly sca ai all
lilcly? If Ic gavc mc iIc lcasi rcason io iIinl
so, I vould go ovcr io Lovcsiofi and rcvcni ii
ly lringing Iim viiI mc.
I Iasiily ordcrcd my dinncr, and vcni lacl io
iIc yard. I vas nonc ioo soon; for iIc loai-
luildcr, viiI a lanicrn in Iis Iand, vas locling
iIc yard-gaic. Hc quiic laugIcd vIcn I aslcd
Iim iIc qucsiion, and said iIcrc vas no fcar;
no man in Iis scnscs, or oui of iIcm, vould
ui off in sucI a galc of vind, lcasi of all Ham
Fcggoiiy, vIo Iad lccn lorn io scafaring.
So scnsillc of iIis, lcforcIand, iIai I Iad rc-
ally fcli asIamcd of doing vIai I vas ncvcriIc-
lcss imcllcd io do, I vcni lacl io iIc inn. If
sucI a vind could risc, I iIinl ii vas rising.
TIc Iovl and roar, iIc raiiling of iIc doors and
vindovs, iIc rumlling in iIc cIimncys, iIc
aarcni rocling of iIc vcry Iousc iIai sIcl-
icrcd mc, and iIc rodigious iumuli of iIc sca,
vcrc morc fcarful iIan in iIc morning. Dui iIcrc
vas nov a grcai darlncss lcsidcs; and iIai in-
vcsicd iIc siorm viiI ncv icrrors, rcal and fan-
ciful.
I could noi cai, I could noi sii siill, I could noi
coniinuc sicadfasi io anyiIing. SomciIing
viiIin mc, fainily ansvcring io iIc siorm viiI-
oui, iosscd u iIc dciIs of my mcmory and
madc a iumuli in iIcm. Yci, in all iIc Iurry of
my iIougIis, vild running viiI iIc iIundcring
sca,iIc siorm, and my uncasincss rcgarding
Ham vcrc alvays in iIc forc-ground.
My dinncr vcni avay almosi uniasicd, and I
iricd io rcfrcsI mysclf viiI a glass or ivo of
vinc. In vain. I fcll inio a dull slumlcr lcforc
iIc firc, viiIoui losing my consciousncss, ci-
iIcr of iIc uroar oui of doors, or of iIc lacc
in vIicI I vas. DoiI lccamc ovcrsIadovcd ly
a ncv and indcfinallc Iorror; and vIcn I
avolcor raiIcr vIcn I sIool off iIc lciIargy
iIai lound mc in my cIairmy vIolc framc
iIrillcd viiI oljccilcss and uniniclligillc fcar.
437
I vallcd io and fro, iricd io rcad an old gazci-
iccr, lisicncd io iIc avful noiscs: loolcd ai faccs,
sccncs, and figurcs in iIc firc. Ai lcngiI, iIc
sicady iicling of iIc undisiurlcd clocl on iIc
vall iormcnicd mc io iIai dcgrcc iIai I rcsolvcd
io go io lcd.
Ii vas rcassuring, on sucI a nigIi, io lc iold
iIai somc of iIc inn-scrvanis Iad agrccd iogciIcr
io sii u uniil morning. I vcni io lcd, ccccd-
ingly vcary and Icavy; lui, on my lying dovn,
all sucI scnsaiions vanisIcd, as if ly magic, and
I vas lroad avalc, viiI cvcry scnsc rcfincd.
For Iours I lay iIcrc, lisicning io iIc vind
and vaicr; imagining, nov, iIai I Icard sIricls
oui ai sca; nov, iIai I disiincily Icard iIc fir-
ing of signal guns; and nov, iIc fall of Iouscs
in iIc iovn. I goi u, scvcral iimcs, and loolcd
oui; lui could scc noiIing, ccci iIc rcflcc-
iion in iIc vindov-ancs of iIc faini candlc I
Iad lcfi lurning, and of my ovn Iaggard facc
looling in ai mc from iIc llacl void.
Ai lcngiI, my rcsilcssncss aiiaincd io sucI a
iicI, iIai I Iurricd on my cloiIcs, and vcni dovn-
siairs. In iIc largc liicIcn, vIcrc I dimly sav la-
con and rocs of onions Ianging from iIc lcams,
iIc vaicIcrs vcrc clusicrcd iogciIcr, in various
aiiiiudcs, aloui a iallc, uroscly movcd avay
from iIc grcai cIimncy, and lrougIi ncar iIc door.
A rciiy girl, vIo Iad Icr cars siocd viiI Icr
aron, and Icr cycs uon iIc door, scrcamcd vIcn
I acarcd, suosing mc io lc a sirii; lui iIc
oiIcrs Iad morc rcscncc of mind, and vcrc glad
of an addiiion io iIcir comany. Onc man, rcfcr-
ring io iIc ioic iIcy Iad lccn discussing, aslcd
mc vIciIcr I iIougIi iIc souls of iIc collicr-crcvs
vIo Iad gonc dovn, vcrc oui in iIc siorm?
I rcmaincd iIcrc, I darc say, ivo Iours. Oncc,
I ocncd iIc yard-gaic, and loolcd inio iIc
cmiy sircci. TIc sand, iIc sca-vccd, and iIc
flalcs of foam, vcrc driving ly; and I vas olligcd
io call for assisiancc lcforc I could sIui iIc gaic
again, and malc ii fasi againsi iIc vind.
438
TIcrc vas a darl gloom in my soliiary cIam-
lcr, vIcn I ai lcngiI rciurncd io ii; lui I vas
iircd nov, and, gciiing inio lcd again, fclloff
a iovcr and dovn a rcciiccinio iIc dciIs
of slcc. I Iavc an imrcssion iIai for a long
iimc, iIougI I drcamcd of lcing clscvIcrc and
in a variciy of sccncs, ii vas alvays lloving in
my drcam. Ai lcngiI, I losi iIai fccllc Iold uon
rcaliiy, and vas cngagcd viiI ivo dcar fricnds,
lui vIo iIcy vcrc I don'i lnov, ai iIc sicgc of
somc iovn in a roar of cannonading.
TIc iIundcr of iIc cannon vas so loud and
inccssani, iIai I could noi Icar somciIing I
mucI dcsircd io Icar, uniil I madc a grcai c-
criion and avolc. Ii vas lroad daycigIi or
ninc o'clocl; iIc siorm raging, in licu of iIc
laiicrics; and somconc lnocling and calling ai
my door.
'WIai is iIc maiicr?' I cricd.
'A vrccl! Closc ly!'
I srung oui of lcd, and aslcd, vIai vrccl?
'A scIooncr, from Sain or Foriugal, ladcn viiI
fruii and vinc. Malc Iasic, sir, if you vani io
scc Icr! Ii's iIougIi, dovn on iIc lcacI, sIc'll
go io icccs cvcry momcni.'
TIc cciicd voicc vcni clamouring along iIc
siaircasc; and I vracd mysclf in my cloiIcs
as quiclly as I could, and ran inio iIc sircci.
Numlcrs of colc vcrc iIcrc lcforc mc, all
running in onc dircciion, io iIc lcacI. I ran iIc
samc vay, ouisiriing a good many, and soon
camc facing iIc vild sca.
TIc vind migIi ly iIis iimc Iavc lullcd a liiilc,
iIougI noi morc scnsilly iIan if iIc cannon-
ading I Iad drcamcd of, Iad lccn diminisIcd
ly iIc silcncing of Ialf-a-dozcn guns oui of
Iundrcds. Dui iIc sca, Iaving uon ii iIc ad-
diiional agiiaiion of iIc vIolc nigIi, vas infi-
niicly morc icrrific iIan vIcn I Iad sccn ii lasi.
Evcry acarancc ii Iad iIcn rcscnicd, lorc
iIc crcssion of lcing svcllcd; and iIc IcigIi
io vIicI iIc lrcalcrs rosc, and, looling ovcr
439
onc anoiIcr, lorc onc anoiIcr dovn, and rollcd
in, in inicrminallc Iosis, vas mosi aalling.
In iIc difficuliy of Icaring anyiIing lui vind
and vavcs, and in iIc crovd, and iIc unscal-
allc confusion, and my firsi lrcaiIlcss cfforis
io siand againsi iIc vcaiIcr, I vas so confuscd
iIai I loolcd oui io sca for iIc vrccl, and sav
noiIing lui iIc foaming Icads of iIc grcai
vavcs. A Ialf-drcsscd loaiman, sianding nci
mc, oinicd viiI Iis larc arm (a iaiioo'd arrov
on ii, oiniing in iIc samc dircciion} io iIc lcfi.
TIcn, O grcai Hcavcn, I sav ii, closc in uon
us!
Onc masi vas lrolcn sIori off, si or cigIi
fcci from iIc dccl, and lay ovcr iIc sidc, cn-
ianglcd in a mazc of sail and rigging; and all
iIai ruin, as iIc sIi rollcd and lcaivIicI
sIc did viiIoui a momcni's ausc, and viiI a
violcncc quiic inconccivallclcai iIc sidc as if
ii vould siavc ii in. Somc cfforis vcrc cvcn iIcn
lcing madc, io cui iIis oriion of iIc vrccl
avay; for, as iIc sIi, vIicI vas lroadsidc on,
iurncd iovards us in Icr rolling, I lainly dc-
scricd Icr colc ai vorl viiI acs, csccially
onc aciivc figurc viiI long curling Iair, con-
sicuous among iIc rcsi. Dui a grcai cry, vIicI
vas audillc cvcn alovc iIc vind and vaicr, rosc
from iIc sIorc ai iIis momcni; iIc sca, svcc-
ing ovcr iIc rolling vrccl, madc a clcan lrcacI,
and carricd mcn, sars, casls, lanls, lul-
varls, Icas of sucI ioys, inio iIc loiling surgc.
TIc sccond masi vas yci sianding, viiI iIc
rags of a rcni sail, and a vild confusion of lro-
lcn cordagc flaing io and fro. TIc sIi Iad
sirucl oncc, iIc samc loaiman Ioarscly said
in my car, and iIcn lificd in and sirucl again. I
undcrsiood Iim io add iIai sIc vas ariing
amidsIis, and I could rcadily suosc so, for
iIc rolling and lcaiing vcrc ioo ircmcndous for
any Iuman vorl io suffcr long. As Ic solc,
iIcrc vas anoiIcr grcai cry of iiy from iIc
lcacI; four mcn arosc viiI iIc vrccl oui of iIc
440
dcc, clinging io iIc rigging of iIc rcmaining masi;
ucrmosi, iIc aciivc figurc viiI iIc curling Iair.
TIcrc vas a lcll on loard; and as iIc sIi
rollcd and dasIcd, lilc a dcscraic crcaiurc
drivcn mad, nov sIoving us iIc vIolc svcc
of Icr dccl, as sIc iurncd on Icr lcam-cnds
iovards iIc sIorc, nov noiIing lui Icr lccl,
as sIc srung vildly ovcr and iurncd iovards
iIc sca, iIc lcll rang; and iis sound, iIc lncll
of iIosc unIay mcn, vas lornc iovards us
on iIc vind. Again vc losi Icr, and again sIc
rosc. Tvo mcn vcrc gonc. TIc agony on iIc
sIorc incrcascd. Mcn groancd, and clascd iIcir
Iands; vomcn sIriclcd, and iurncd avay iIcir
faccs. Somc ran vildly u and dovn along iIc
lcacI, crying for Icl vIcrc no Icl could lc. I
found mysclf onc of iIcsc, franiically imloring
a lnoi of sailors vIom I lncv, noi io lci iIosc
ivo losi crcaiurcs crisI lcforc our cycs.
TIcy vcrc maling oui io mc, in an agiiaicd
vayI don'i lnov Iov, for iIc liiilc I could Icar
I vas scarccly comoscd cnougI io undcr-
siandiIai iIc lifcloai Iad lccn lravcly
manncd an Iour ago, and could do noiIing; and
iIai as no man vould lc so dcscraic as io
aiicmi io vadc off viiI a roc, and csiallisI a
communicaiion viiI iIc sIorc, iIcrc vas noiI-
ing lcfi io iry; vIcn I noiiccd iIai somc ncv
scnsaiion movcd iIc colc on iIc lcacI, and
sav iIcm ari, and Ham comc lrcaling iIrougI
iIcm io iIc froni.
I ran io Iimas vcll as I lnov, io rccai my
acal for Icl. Dui, disiracicd iIougI I vas,
ly a sigIi so ncv io mc and icrrillc, iIc dcicr-
minaiion in Iis facc, and Iis lool oui io sca
cacily iIc samc lool as I rcmcmlcrcd in
conncion viiI iIc morning aficr Emily's fligIi
avolc mc io a lnovlcdgc of Iis dangcr. I Icld
Iim lacl viiI loiI arms; and imlorcd iIc mcn
viiI vIom I Iad lccn scaling, noi io lisicn io
Iim, noi io do murdcr, noi io lci Iim siir from
off iIai sand!
441
AnoiIcr cry arosc on sIorc; and looling io
iIc vrccl, vc sav iIc crucl sail, viiI llov on
llov, lcai off iIc lovcr of iIc ivo mcn, and fly
u in iriumI round iIc aciivc figurc lcfi alonc
uon iIc masi.
Againsi sucI a sigIi, and againsi sucI dcicr-
minaiion as iIai of iIc calmly dcscraic man
vIo vas alrcady accusiomcd io lcad Ialf iIc
colc rcscni, I migIi as Iocfully Iavc cn-
ircaicd iIc vind. 'Mas'r Davy,' Ic said, cIccrily
grasing mc ly loiI Iands, 'if my iimc is comc,
'iis comc. If 'ian'i, I'll lidc ii. Lord alovc llcss
you, and llcss all! Maics, malc mc rcady! I'm
a-going off!'
I vas svci avay, lui noi unlindly, io somc
disiancc, vIcrc iIc colc around mc madc mc
siay; urging, as I confuscdly crccivcd, iIai Ic
vas lcni on going, viiI Icl or viiIoui, and
iIai I sIould cndangcr iIc rccauiions for Iis
safciy ly iroulling iIosc viiI vIom iIcy rcsicd.
I don'i lnov vIai I ansvcrcd, or vIai iIcy rc-
joincd; lui I sav Iurry on iIc lcacI, and mcn
running viiI rocs from a casian iIai vas
iIcrc, and cnciraiing inio a circlc of figurcs
iIai Iid Iim from mc. TIcn, I sav Iim siand-
ing alonc, in a scaman's frocl and irouscrs: a
roc in Iis Iand, or slung io Iis vrisi: anoiIcr
round Iis lody: and scvcral of iIc lcsi mcn
Iolding, ai a liiilc disiancc, io iIc laiicr, vIicI
Ic laid oui Iimsclf, slacl uon iIc sIorc, ai Iis
fcci.
TIc vrccl, cvcn io my unraciiscd cyc, vas
lrcaling u. I sav iIai sIc vas ariing in iIc
middlc, and iIai iIc lifc of iIc soliiary man uon
iIc masi Iung ly a iIrcad. Siill, Ic clung io ii.
Hc Iad a singular rcd ca on,noi lilc a sailor's
ca, lui of a fincr colour; and as iIc fcv yicld-
ing lanls lcivccn Iim and dcsiruciion rollcd
and lulgcd, and Iis aniiciaiivc dcaiI-lncll
rung, Ic vas sccn ly all of us io vavc ii. I sav
Iim do ii nov, and iIougIi I vas going dis-
iracicd, vIcn Iis aciion lrougIi an old rcmcm-
442
lrancc io my mind of a oncc dcar fricnd.
Ham vaicIcd iIc sca, sianding alonc, viiI
iIc silcncc of suscndcd lrcaiI lcIind Iim,
and iIc siorm lcforc, uniil iIcrc vas a grcai
rciiring vavc, vIcn, viiI a laclvard glancc ai
iIosc vIo Icld iIc roc vIicI vas madc fasi
round Iis lody, Ic dasIcd in aficr ii, and in a
momcni vas luffciing viiI iIc vaicr; rising viiI
iIc Iills, falling viiI iIc vallcys, losi lcncaiI
iIc foam; iIcn dravn again io land. TIcy Iaulcd
in Iasiily.
Hc vas Iuri. I sav llood on Iis facc, from
vIcrc I siood; lui Ic iool no iIougIi of iIai.
Hc sccmcd Iurricdly io givc iIcm somc dircc-
iions for lcaving Iim morc frccor so I judgcd
from iIc moiion of Iis armand vas gonc as
lcforc.
And nov Ic madc for iIc vrccl, rising viiI
iIc Iills, falling viiI iIc vallcys, losi lcncaiI
iIc ruggcd foam, lornc in iovards iIc sIorc,
lornc on iovards iIc sIi, siriving Iard and
valianily. TIc disiancc vas noiIing, lui iIc
ovcr of iIc sca and vind madc iIc sirifc
dcadly. Ai lcngiI Ic ncarcd iIc vrccl. Hc vas
so ncar, iIai viiI onc morc of Iis vigorous
sirolcs Ic vould lc clinging io ii,vIcn a IigI,
grccn, vasi Iill-sidc of vaicr, moving on sIorc-
vard, from lcyond iIc sIi, Ic sccmcd io lca
u inio ii viiI a migIiy lound, and iIc sIi
vas gonc!
Somc cddying fragmcnis I sav in iIc sca, as
if a mcrc casl Iad lccn lrolcn, in running io
iIc soi vIcrc iIcy vcrc Iauling in. Consicr-
naiion vas in cvcry facc. TIcy drcv Iim io my
vcry fcciinscnsillcdcad. Hc vas carricd io
iIc ncarcsi Iousc; and, no onc rcvcniing mc
nov, I rcmaincd ncar Iim, lusy, vIilc cvcry
mcans of rcsioraiion vcrc iricd; lui Ic Iad lccn
lcaicn io dcaiI ly iIc grcai vavc, and Iis gcn-
crous Icari vas siillcd for cvcr.
As I sai lcsidc iIc lcd, vIcn Ioc vas alan-
doncd and all vas donc, a fisIcrman, vIo Iad
443
lnovn mc vIcn Emily and I vcrc cIildrcn, and
cvcr sincc, vIiscrcd my namc ai iIc door.
'Sir,' said Ic, viiI icars siariing io Iis vcaiIcr-
lcaicn facc, vIicI, viiI Iis ircmlling lis, vas
asIy alc, 'vill you comc ovcr yondcr?'
TIc old rcmcmlrancc iIai Iad lccn rccallcd
io mc, vas in Iis lool. I aslcd Iim, icrror-
siriclcn, lcaning on iIc arm Ic Icld oui io su-
ori mc:
'Has a lody comc asIorc?'
Hc said, 'Ycs.'
'Do I lnov ii?' I aslcd iIcn.
Hc ansvcrcd noiIing.
Dui Ic lcd mc io iIc sIorc. And on iIai ari
of ii vIcrc sIc and I Iad loolcd for sIclls, ivo
cIildrcnon iIai ari of ii vIcrc somc ligIicr
fragmcnis of iIc old loai, llovn dovn lasi nigIi,
Iad lccn scaiicrcd ly iIc vindamong iIc
ruins of iIc Iomc Ic Iad vrongcdI sav Iim
lying viiI Iis Icad uon Iis arm, as I Iad oficn
sccn Iim lic ai scIool.
CHAPTER S6
THE NEW WOUND,
AND THE OLD
NO NEED, O STEEFFOFTH, io Iavc said, vIcn vc
lasi solc iogciIcr, in iIai Iour vIicI I so liiilc
dccmcd io lc our ariing-Iourno nccd io Iavc
said, 'TIinl of mc ai my lcsi!' I Iad donc iIai
cvcr; and could I cIangc nov, looling on iIis
sigIi!
TIcy lrougIi a Iand-licr, and laid Iim on ii,
and covcrcd Iim viiI a flag, and iool Iim u
and lorc Iim on iovards iIc Iouscs. All iIc
mcn vIo carricd Iim Iad lnovn Iim, and gonc
sailing viiI Iim, and sccn Iim mcrry and lold.
TIcy carricd Iim iIrougI iIc vild roar, a IusI
in iIc midsi of all iIc iumuli; and iool Iim io
iIc coiiagc vIcrc DcaiI vas alrcady.
Dui vIcn iIcy sci iIc licr dovn on iIc iIrcsI-
old, iIcy loolcd ai onc anoiIcr, and ai mc, and
vIiscrcd. I lncv vIy. TIcy fcli as if ii vcrc
444
noi rigIi io lay Iim dovn in iIc samc quici
room.
Wc vcni inio iIc iovn, and iool our lurdcn
io iIc inn. So soon as I could ai all collcci my
iIougIis, I scni for Joram, and lcggcd Iim io
rovidc mc a convcyancc in vIicI ii could lc
goi io London in iIc nigIi. I lncv iIai iIc carc
of ii, and iIc Iard duiy of rcaring Iis moiIcr
io rcccivc ii, could only rcsi viiI mc; and I vas
anious io discIargc iIai duiy as faiiIfully as I
could.
I cIosc iIc nigIi for iIc journcy, iIai iIcrc
migIi lc lcss curiosiiy vIcn I lcfi iIc iovn. Dui,
aliIougI ii vas ncarly midnigIi vIcn I camc
oui of iIc yard in a cIaisc, follovcd ly vIai I
Iad in cIargc, iIcrc vcrc many colc vaiiing.
Ai inicrvals, along iIc iovn, and cvcn a liiilc
vay oui uon iIc road, I sav morc: lui ai lcngiI
only iIc llcal nigIi and iIc ocn couniry vcrc
around mc, and iIc asIcs of my youiIful fricnd-
sIi.
Uon a mcllov auiumn day, aloui noon, vIcn
iIc ground vas crfumcd ly fallcn lcavcs, and
many morc, in lcauiiful iinis of ycllov, rcd, and
lrovn, yci Iung uon iIc irccs, iIrougI vIicI
iIc sun vas sIining, I arrivcd ai HigIgaic. I
vallcd iIc lasi milc, iIinling as I vcni along of
vIai I Iad io do; and lcfi iIc carriagc iIai Iad
follovcd mc all iIrougI iIc nigIi, avaiiing or-
dcrs io advancc.
TIc Iousc, vIcn I camc u io ii, loolcd jusi
iIc samc. Noi a llind vas raiscd; no sign of lifc
vas in iIc dull avcd couri, viiI iis covcrcd
vay lcading io iIc disuscd door. TIc vind Iad
quiic gonc dovn, and noiIing movcd.
I Iad noi, ai firsi, iIc couragc io ring ai iIc
gaic; and vIcn I did ring, my crrand sccmcd io
mc io lc crcsscd in iIc vcry sound of iIc
lcll. TIc liiilc arlour-maid camc oui, viiI iIc
lcy in Icr Iand; and looling carncsily ai mc as
sIc unloclcd iIc gaic, said:
'I lcg your ardon, sir. Arc you ill?'
445
'I Iavc lccn mucI agiiaicd, and am faiigucd.'
'Is anyiIing iIc maiicr, sir?Mr. Jamcs?'
'HusI!' said I. 'Ycs, somciIing Ias Iacncd, iIai
I Iavc io lrcal io Mrs. SiccrforiI. SIc is ai Iomc?'
TIc girl aniously rclicd iIai Icr misircss
vas vcry scldom oui nov, cvcn in a carriagc;
iIai sIc lci Icr room; iIai sIc sav no com-
any, lui vould scc mc. Hcr misircss vas u,
sIc said, and Miss Darilc vas viiI Icr. WIai
mcssagc sIould sIc ialc usiairs?
Giving Icr a sirici cIargc io lc carcful of Icr
manncr, and only io carry in my card and say I
vaiicd, I sai dovn in iIc draving-room (vIicI
vc Iad nov rcacIcd} uniil sIc sIould comc
lacl. Iis formcr lcasani air of occuaiion vas
gonc, and iIc sIuiicrs vcrc Ialf closcd. TIc
Iar Iad noi lccn uscd for many and many a
day. His iciurc, as a loy, vas iIcrc. TIc cali-
nci in vIicI Iis moiIcr Iad lci Iis lciicrs
vas iIcrc. I vondcrcd if sIc cvcr rcad iIcm nov;
if sIc vould cvcr rcad iIcm morc!
TIc Iousc vas so siill iIai I Icard iIc girl's
ligIi sic usiairs. On Icr rciurn, sIc lrougIi
a mcssagc, io iIc cffcci iIai Mrs. SiccrforiI vas
an invalid and could noi comc dovn; lui iIai if
I vould ccusc Icr lcing in Icr cIamlcr, sIc
vould lc glad io scc mc. In a fcv momcnis I
siood lcforc Icr.
SIc vas in Iis room; noi in Icr ovn. I fcli, of
coursc, iIai sIc Iad ialcn io occuy ii, in rc-
mcmlrancc of Iim; and iIai iIc many iolcns
of Iis old soris and accomlisImcnis, ly vIicI
sIc vas surroundcd, rcmaincd iIcrc, jusi as
Ic Iad lcfi iIcm, for iIc samc rcason. SIc
murmurcd, Iovcvcr, cvcn in Icr rccciion of
mc, iIai sIc vas oui of Icr ovn cIamlcr lc-
causc iis ascci vas unsuiicd io Icr infirmiiy;
and viiI Icr siaicly lool rccllcd iIc lcasi sus-
icion of iIc iruiI.
Ai Icr cIair, as usual, vas Fosa Darilc. From
iIc firsi momcni of Icr darl cycs rcsiing on
mc, I sav sIc lncv I vas iIc lcarcr of cvil iid-
446
ings. TIc scar srung inio vicv iIai insiani.
SIc viiIdrcv Icrsclf a sic lcIind iIc cIair,
io lcc Icr ovn facc oui of Mrs. SiccrforiI's
olscrvaiion; and scruiinizcd mc viiI a icrc-
ing gazc iIai ncvcr falicrcd, ncvcr sIrunl.
'I am sorry io olscrvc you arc in mourning,
sir,' said Mrs. SiccrforiI.
'I am unIaily a vidovcr,' said I.
'You arc vcry young io lnov so grcai a loss,'
sIc rciurncd. 'I am gricvcd io Icar ii. I am
gricvcd io Icar ii. I Ioc Timc vill lc good io
you.'
'I Ioc Timc,' said I, looling ai Icr, 'vill lc
good io all of us. Dcar Mrs. SiccrforiI, vc musi
all irusi io iIai, in our Icavicsi misforiuncs.'
TIc carncsincss of my manncr, and iIc icars
in my cycs, alarmcd Icr. TIc vIolc coursc of
Icr iIougIis acarcd io sio, and cIangc.
I iricd io command my voicc in gcnily saying
Iis namc, lui ii ircmllcd. SIc rccaicd ii io
Icrsclf, ivo or iIrcc iimcs, in a lov ionc. TIcn,
addrcssing mc, sIc said, viiI cnforccd calm-
ncss:
'My son is ill.'
'Vcry ill.'
'You Iavc sccn Iim?'
'I Iavc.'
'Arc you rcconcilcd?'
I could noi say Ycs, I could noi say No. SIc
sligIily iurncd Icr Icad iovards iIc soi vIcrc
Fosa Darilc Iad lccn sianding ai Icr cllov,
and in iIai momcni I said, ly iIc moiion of my
lis, io Fosa, 'Dcad!'
TIai Mrs. SiccrforiI migIi noi lc induccd io
lool lcIind Icr, and rcad, lainly vriiicn, vIai
sIc vas noi yci rcarcd io lnov, I mci Icr
lool quiclly; lui I Iad sccn Fosa Darilc iIrov
Icr Iands u in iIc air viiI vcIcmcncc of dc-
sair and Iorror, and iIcn clas iIcm on Icr
facc.
TIc Iandsomc ladyso lilc, oI so lilc!rc-
gardcd mc viiI a ficd lool, and ui Icr Iand
447
io Icr forcIcad. I lcsougIi Icr io lc calm, and
rcarc Icrsclf io lcar vIai I Iad io icll; lui I
sIould raiIcr Iavc cnircaicd Icr io vcc, for
sIc sai lilc a sionc figurc.
'WIcn I vas lasi Icrc,' I falicrcd, 'Miss Darilc
iold mc Ic vas sailing Icrc and iIcrc. TIc nigIi
lcforc lasi vas a drcadful onc ai sca. If Ic vcrc
ai sca iIai nigIi, and ncar a dangcrous coasi,
as ii is said Ic vas; and if iIc vcsscl iIai vas
sccn sIould rcally lc iIc sIi vIicI'
'Fosa!' said Mrs. SiccrforiI, 'comc io mc!'
SIc camc, lui viiI no symaiIy or gcnilc-
ncss. Hcr cycs glcamcd lilc firc as sIc con-
fronicd Iis moiIcr, and lrolc inio a frigIiful
laugI.
'Nov,' sIc said, 'is your ridc acascd, you
madvoman? Nov Ias Ic madc aioncmcni io
youviiI Iis lifc! Do you Icar?His lifc!'
Mrs. SiccrforiI, fallcn lacl siiffly in Icr cIair,
and maling no sound lui a moan, casi Icr cycs
uon Icr viiI a vidc siarc.
'Ayc!' cricd Fosa, smiiing Icrsclf assionaicly
on iIc lrcasi, 'lool ai mc! Moan, and groan,
and lool ai mc! Lool Icrc!' siriling iIc scar, 'ai
your dcad cIild's Iandivorl!'
TIc moan iIc moiIcr uiicrcd, from iimc io
iimc, vcni io My Icari. Alvays iIc samc. Al-
vays inariiculaic and siiflcd. Alvays accoma-
nicd viiI an incaallc moiion of iIc Icad, lui
viiI no cIangc of facc. Alvays rocccding from
a rigid mouiI and closcd icciI, as if iIc jav
vcrc loclcd and iIc facc frozcn u in ain.
'Do you rcmcmlcr vIcn Ic did iIis?' sIc ro-
cccdcd. 'Do you rcmcmlcr vIcn, in Iis inIcrii-
ancc of your naiurc, and in your amcring of
Iis ridc and assion, Ic did iIis, and disfig-
urcd mc for lifc? Lool ai mc, marlcd uniil I dic
viiI Iis IigI dislcasurc; and moan and groan
for vIai you madc Iim!'
'Miss Darilc,' I cnircaicd Icr. 'For Hcavcn's salc'
'I u scal!' sIc said, iurning on mc viiI Icr
ligIining cycs. 'Dc silcni, you! Lool ai mc, I say,
448
roud moiIcr of a roud, falsc son! Moan for
your nuriurc of Iim, moan for your corruiion
of Iim, moan for your loss of Iim, moan for
minc!'
SIc clcncIcd Icr Iand, and ircmllcd iIrougI
Icr sarc, vorn figurc, as if Icr assion vcrc
lilling Icr ly incIcs.
'You, rcscni Iis sclf-vill!' sIc cclaimcd. 'You,
injurcd ly Iis IaugIiy icmcr! You, vIo o-
oscd io loiI, vIcn your Iair vas grcy, iIc
qualiiics vIicI madc loiI vIcn you gavc Iim
liriI! You, vIo from Iis cradlc rcarcd Iim io
lc vIai Ic vas, and siunicd vIai Ic sIould
Iavc lccn! Arc you rcvardcd, nov, for your
ycars of iroullc?'
'OI, Miss Darilc, sIamc! OI crucl!'
'I icll you,' sIc rciurncd, 'I u scal io Icr.
No ovcr on cariI sIould sio mc, vIilc I vas
sianding Icrc! Havc I lccn silcni all iIcsc ycars,
and sIall I noi scal nov? I lovcd Iim lciicr
iIan you cvcr lovcd Iim!' iurning on Icr ficrccly.
'I could Iavc lovcd Iim, and aslcd no rciurn. If
I Iad lccn Iis vifc, I could Iavc lccn iIc slavc
of Iis cariccs for a vord of lovc a ycar. I sIould
Iavc lccn. WIo lnovs ii lciicr iIan I? You vcrc
caciing, roud, unciilious, sclfisI. My lovc
vould Iavc lccn dcvoicdvould Iavc irod your
aliry vIimcring undcr fooi!'
WiiI flasIing cycs, sIc siamcd uon iIc
ground as if sIc aciually did ii.
'Lool Icrc!' sIc said, siriling iIc scar again,
viiI a rclcnilcss Iand. 'WIcn Ic grcv inio iIc
lciicr undcrsianding of vIai Ic Iad donc, Ic sav
ii, and rccnicd of ii! I could sing io Iim, and iall
io Iim, and sIov iIc ardour iIai I fcli in all Ic
did, and aiiain viiI lalour io sucI lnovlcdgc as
mosi inicrcsicd Iim; and I aiiracicd Iim. WIcn
Ic vas frcsIcsi and irucsi, Ic lovcd mc. Ycs, Ic
did! Many a iimc, vIcn you vcrc ui off viiI a
sligIi vord, Ic Ias ialcn Mc io Iis Icari!'
SIc said ii viiI a iauniing ridc in iIc midsi
of Icr frcnzyfor ii vas liiilc lcssyci viiI an
449
cagcr rcmcmlrancc of ii, in vIicI iIc smoul-
dcring cmlcrs of a gcnilcr fccling lindlcd for
iIc momcni.
'I dcsccndcdas I migIi Iavc lnovn I sIould,
lui iIai Ic fascinaicd mc viiI Iis loyisI couri-
sIiinio a doll, a iriflc for iIc occuaiion of an
idlc Iour, io lc drocd, and ialcn u, and iriflcd
viiI, as iIc inconsiani Iumour iool Iim. WIcn
Ic grcv vcary, I grcv vcary. As Iis fancy dicd
oui, I vould no morc Iavc iricd io sircngiIcn any
ovcr I Iad, iIan I vould Iavc marricd Iim on
Iis lcing forccd io ialc mc for Iis vifc. Wc fcll
avay from onc anoiIcr viiIoui a vord. FcrIas
you sav ii, and vcrc noi sorry. Sincc iIcn, I Iavc
lccn a mcrc disfigurcd iccc of furniiurc lcivccn
you loiI; Iaving no cycs, no cars, no fcclings, no
rcmcmlranccs. Moan? Moan for vIai you madc
Iim; noi for your lovc. I icll you iIai iIc iimc vas,
vIcn I lovcd Iim lciicr iIan you cvcr did!'
SIc siood viiI Icr lrigIi angry cycs confroni-
ing iIc vidc siarc, and iIc sci facc; and sofi-
cncd no morc, vIcn iIc moaning vas rccaicd,
iIan if iIc facc Iad lccn a iciurc.
'Miss Darilc,' said I, 'if you can lc so olduraic
as noi io fccl for iIis afflicicd moiIcr'
'WIo fccls for mc?' sIc sIarly rcioricd. 'SIc
Ias sovn iIis. Lci Icr moan for iIc Iarvcsi iIai
sIc rcas ioday!'
'And if Iis faulis' I lcgan.
'Faulis!' sIc cricd, lursiing inio assionaic
icars. 'WIo darcs malign Iim? Hc Iad a soul
voriI millions of iIc fricnds io vIom Ic sioocd!'
'No onc can Iavc lovcd Iim lciicr, no onc can Iold
Iim in dcarcr rcmcmlrancc iIan I,' I rclicd. 'I mcani
io say, if you Iavc no comassion for Iis moiIcr; or
if Iis faulisyou Iavc lccn liiicr on iIcm'
'Ii's falsc,' sIc cricd, icaring Icr llacl Iair; 'I
lovcd Iim!'
'if Iis faulis cannoi,' I vcni on, 'lc lanisIcd
from your rcmcmlrancc, in sucI an Iour; lool
ai iIai figurc, cvcn as onc you Iavc ncvcr sccn
lcforc, and rcndcr ii somc Icl!'
450
All iIis iimc, iIc figurc vas uncIangcd, and
loolcd uncIangcallc. Moiionlcss, rigid, siaring;
moaning in iIc samc duml vay from iimc io
iimc, viiI iIc samc Icllcss moiion of iIc Icad;
lui giving no oiIcr sign of lifc. Miss Darilc sud-
dcnly lncclcd dovn lcforc ii, and lcgan io
looscn iIc drcss.
'A cursc uon you!' sIc said, looling round ai
mc, viiI a minglcd crcssion of ragc and gricf.
'Ii vas in an cvil Iour iIai you cvcr camc Icrc!
A cursc uon you! Go!'
Aficr assing oui of iIc room, I Iurricd lacl
io ring iIc lcll, iIc sooncr io alarm iIc scr-
vanis. SIc Iad iIcn ialcn iIc imassivc figurc
in Icr arms, and, siill uon Icr lnccs, vas
vccing ovcr ii, lissing ii, calling io ii, rocling
ii io and fro uon Icr losom lilc a cIild, and
irying cvcry icndcr mcans io rousc iIc dormani
scnscs. No longcr afraid of lcaving Icr, I noisc-
lcssly iurncd lacl again; and alarmcd iIc Iousc
as I vcni oui.
Laicr in iIc day, I rciurncd, and vc laid Iim
in Iis moiIcr's room. SIc vas jusi iIc samc,
iIcy iold mc; Miss Darilc ncvcr lcfi Icr; dociors
vcrc in aiicndancc, many iIings Iad lccn iricd;
lui sIc lay lilc a siaiuc, ccci for iIc lov
sound nov and iIcn.
I vcni iIrougI iIc drcary Iousc, and darl-
cncd iIc vindovs. TIc vindovs of iIc cIam-
lcr vIcrc Ic lay, I darlcncd lasi. I lificd u iIc
lcadcn Iand, and Icld ii io my Icari; and all
iIc vorld sccmcd dcaiI and silcncc, lrolcn only
ly Iis moiIcr's moaning.
CHAPTER S?
THE EMIGRANTS
ONE THING MOFE, I Iad io do, lcforc yiclding mysclf
io iIc sIocl of iIcsc cmoiions. Ii vas, io conccal
vIai Iad occurrcd, from iIosc vIo vcrc going
avay; and io dismiss iIcm on iIcir voyagc in
Iay ignorancc. In iIis, no iimc vas io lc losi.
451
I iool Mr. Micavlcr asidc iIai samc nigIi,
and confidcd io Iim iIc iasl of sianding lc-
ivccn Mr. Fcggoiiy and iniclligcncc of iIc laic
caiasiroIc. Hc zcalously undcriool io do so,
and io inicrcci any ncvsacr iIrougI vIicI
ii migIi, viiIoui sucI rccauiions, rcacI Iim.
'If ii cnciraics io Iim, sir,' said Mr. Micavlcr,
siriling Iimsclf on iIc lrcasi, 'ii sIall firsi ass
iIrougI iIis lody!'
Mr. Micavlcr, I musi olscrvc, in Iis adaia-
iion of Iimsclf io a ncv siaic of sociciy, Iad ac-
quircd a lold luccanccring air, noi alsoluicly
lavlcss, lui dcfcnsivc and romi. Onc migIi
Iavc suoscd Iim a cIild of iIc vildcrncss, long
accusiomcd io livc oui of iIc confincs of civiliza-
iion, and aloui io rciurn io Iis naiivc vilds.
Hc Iad rovidcd Iimsclf, among oiIcr iIings,
viiI a comlcic suii of oilslin, and a sirav Iai
viiI a vcry lov crovn, iicIcd or caullcd on
iIc ouisidc. In iIis rougI cloiIing, viiI a com-
mon marincr's iclcscoc undcr Iis arm, and a
sIrcvd iricl of casiing u Iis cyc ai iIc sly as
looling oui for diriy vcaiI cr, Ic vas far morc
nauiical, aficr Iis manncr, iIan Mr. Fcggoiiy.
His vIolc family, if I may so crcss ii, vcrc
clcarcd for aciion. I found Mrs. Micavlcr in iIc
closcsi and mosi uncomromising of lonncis,
madc fasi undcr iIc cIin; and in a sIavl vIicI
iicd Icr u (as I Iad lccn iicd u, vIcn my
auni firsi rcccivcd mc} lilc a lundlc, and vas
sccurcd lcIind ai iIc vaisi, in a sirong lnoi.
Miss Micavlcr I found madc snug for siormy
vcaiIcr, in iIc samc manncr; viiI noiIing su-
crfluous aloui Icr. Masicr Micavlcr vas
Iardly visillc in a Gucrnscy sIiri, and iIc sIag-
gicsi suii of slos I cvcr sav; and iIc cIildrcn
vcrc donc u, lilc rcscrvcd mcais, in imcrvi-
ous cascs. DoiI Mr. Micavlcr and Iis cldcsi
son vorc iIcir slccvcs looscly iurncd lacl ai
iIc vrisis, as lcing rcady io lcnd a Iand in any
dircciion, and io 'iumllc u', or sing oui, 'Yco
HcavcYco!' on iIc sIoricsi noiicc.
452
TIus Traddlcs and I found iIcm ai nigIifall,
asscmllcd on iIc voodcn sics, ai iIai iimc
lnovn as Hungcrford Siairs, vaicIing iIc dc-
ariurc of a loai viiI somc of iIcir rocriy on
loard. I Iad iold Traddlcs of iIc icrrillc cvcni,
and ii Iad grcaily sIoclcd Iim; lui iIcrc could
lc no douli of iIc lindncss of lccing ii a sc-
crci, and Ic Iad comc io Icl mc in iIis lasi
scrvicc. Ii vas Icrc iIai I iool Mr. Micavlcr
asidc, and rcccivcd Iis romisc.
TIc Micavlcr family vcrc lodgcd in a liiilc, diriy,
iumllc-dovn ullic-Iousc, vIicI in iIosc days
vas closc io iIc siairs, and vIosc roiruding
voodcn rooms ovcrIung iIc rivcr. TIc family, as
cmigranis, lcing oljccis of somc inicrcsi in and
aloui Hungcrford, aiiracicd so many lcIoldcrs,
iIai vc vcrc glad io ialc rcfugc in iIcir room. Ii
vas onc of iIc voodcn cIamlcrs usiairs, viiI
iIc iidc floving undcrncaiI. My auni and Agncs
vcrc iIcrc, lusily maling somc liiilc cira com-
foris, in iIc vay of drcss, for iIc cIildrcn. Fcggoiiy
vas quicily assisiing, viiI iIc old inscnsillc vorl-
lo, yard-mcasurc, and lii of va-candlc lcforc
Icr, iIai Iad nov ouilivcd so mucI.
Ii vas noi casy io ansvcr Icr inquirics; siill
lcss io vIiscr Mr. Fcggoiiy, vIcn Mr. Micavlcr
lrougIi Iim in, iIai I Iad givcn iIc lciicr, and
all vas vcll. Dui I did loiI, and madc iIcm
Iay. If I sIovcd any iracc of vIai I fcli, my
ovn sorrovs vcrc sufficicni io accouni for ii.
'And vIcn docs iIc sIi sail, Mr. Micavlcr?'
aslcd my auni.
Mr. Micavlcr considcrcd ii ncccssary io rc-
arc ciiIcr my auni or Iis vifc, ly dcgrccs, and
said, sooncr iIan Ic Iad cccicd ycsicrday.
'TIc loai lrougIi you vord, I suosc?' said
my auni.
'Ii did, ma'am,' Ic rciurncd.
'Wcll?' said my auni. 'And sIc sails'
'Madam,' Ic rclicd, 'I am informcd iIai vc
musi osiiivcly lc on loard lcforc scvcn iomor-
rov morning.'
453
'Hcyday!' said my auni, 'iIai's soon. Is ii a
sca-going faci, Mr. Fcggoiiy?'
''Tis so, ma'am. SIc'll dro dovn iIc rivcr viiI
iIai iIccr iidc. If Mas'r Davy and my sisicr
comcs aloard ai Gravcscn', aricrnoon o' nci
day, iIcy'll scc iIc lasi on us.'
'And iIai vc sIall do,' said I, 'lc surc!'
'Uniil iIcn, and uniil vc arc ai sca,' olscrvcd
Mr. Micavlcr, viiI a glancc of iniclligcncc ai
mc, 'Mr. Fcggoiiy and mysclf vill consianily lcc
a doullc lool-oui iogciIcr, on our goods and
cIaiicls. Emma, my lovc,' said Mr. Micavlcr,
clcaring Iis iIroai in Iis magnificcni vay, 'my
fricnd Mr. TIomas Traddlcs is so olliging as io
solicii, in my car, iIai Ic sIould Iavc iIc rivi-
lcgc of ordcring iIc ingrcdicnis ncccssary io iIc
comosiiion of a modcraic oriion of iIai Dcv-
cragc vIicI is cculiarly associaicd, in our
minds, viiI iIc Foasi Dccf of Old England. I
alludc ioin sIori, FuncI. Undcr ordinary cir-
cumsianccs, I sIould scrulc io cnircai iIc in-
dulgcncc of Miss Troivood and Miss Wiclficld,
lui'
'I can only say for mysclf,' said my auni, 'iIai
I vill drinl all Iaincss and succcss io you,
Mr. Micavlcr, viiI iIc uimosi lcasurc.'
'And I ioo!' said Agncs, viiI a smilc.
Mr. Micavlcr immcdiaicly dcsccndcd io iIc
lar, vIcrc Ic acarcd io lc quiic ai Iomc;
and in duc iimc rciurncd viiI a sicaming jug. I
could noi lui olscrvc iIai Ic Iad lccn ccling
iIc lcmons viiI Iis ovn clas-lnifc, vIicI, as
lccamc iIc lnifc of a raciical sciilcr, vas aloui
a fooi long; and vIicI Ic vicd, noi vIolly viiI-
oui osicniaiion, on iIc slccvc of Iis coai. Mrs.
Micavlcr and iIc ivo cldcr mcmlcrs of iIc fam-
ily I nov found io lc rovidcd viiI similar for-
midallc insirumcnis, vIilc cvcry cIild Iad iis
ovn voodcn soon aiiacIcd io iis lody ly a
sirong linc. In a similar aniiciaiion of lifc afloai,
and in iIc DusI, Mr. Micavlcr, insicad of Icl-
ing Mrs. Micavlcr and Iis cldcsi son and
454
daugIicr io uncI, in vinc-glasscs, vIicI Ic
migIi casily Iavc donc, for iIcrc vas a sIclf-
full in iIc room, scrvcd ii oui io iIcm in a sc-
rics of villainous liiilc iin ois; and I ncvcr sav
Iim cnjoy anyiIing so mucI as drinling oui of
Iis ovn ariicular ini oi, and uiiing ii in
Iis oclci ai iIc closc of iIc cvcning.
'TIc luurics of iIc old couniry,' said Mr.
Micavlcr, viiI an inicnsc saiisfaciion in iIcir
rcnounccmcni, 'vc alandon. TIc dcnizcns of
iIc forcsi cannoi, of coursc, ccci io ariici-
aic in iIc rcfincmcnis of iIc land of iIc Frcc.'
Hcrc, a loy camc in io say iIai Mr. Micavlcr
vas vanicd dovnsiairs.
'I Iavc a rcscniimcni,' said Mrs. Micavlcr,
sciiing dovn Icr iin oi, 'iIai ii is a mcmlcr of
my family!'
'If so, my dcar,' olscrvcd Mr. Micavlcr, viiI
Iis usual suddcnncss of varmiI on iIai sul-
jcci, 'as iIc mcmlcr of your familyvIocvcr
Ic, sIc, or ii, may lcIas lci us vaiiing for a
considcrallc criod, crIas iIc Mcmlcr may
nov vaii m convcnicncc.'
'Micavlcr,' said Iis vifc, in a lov ionc, 'ai sucI
a iimc as iIis'
'Ii is noi mcci,"' said Mr. Micavlcr, rising,
'iIai cvcry nicc offcncc sIould lcar iis com-
mcni!" Emma, I siand rcrovcd.'
'TIc loss, Micavlcr,' olscrvcd Iis vifc, 'Ias
lccn my family's, noi yours. If my family arc ai
lcngiI scnsillc of iIc dcrivaiion io vIicI iIcir
ovn conduci Ias, in iIc asi, coscd iIcm,
and nov dcsirc io cicnd iIc Iand of fcllov-
sIi, lci ii noi lc rculscd.'
'My dcar,' Ic rciurncd, 'so lc ii!'
'If noi for iIcir salcs; for minc, Micavlcr,' said
Iis vifc.
'Emma,' Ic rciurncd, 'iIai vicv of iIc qucsiion is,
ai sucI a momcni, irrcsisiillc. I cannoi, cvcn nov,
disiincily lcdgc mysclf io fall uon your family's nccl;
lui iIc mcmlcr of your family, vIo is nov in aiicn-
dancc, sIall Iavc no gcnial varmiI frozcn ly mc.'
455
Mr. Micavlcr viiIdrcv, and vas alscni somc
liiilc iimc; in iIc coursc of vIicI Mrs. Micavlcr
vas noi vIolly frcc from an arcIcnsion iIai
vords migIi Iavc ariscn lcivccn Iim and iIc
Mcmlcr. Ai lcngiI iIc samc loy rcacarcd,
and rcscnicd mc viiI a noic vriiicn in cncil,
and Icadcd, in a lcgal manncr, 'Hcc v.
Micavlcr'. From iIis documcni, I lcarncd iIai
Mr. Micavlcr lcing again arrcsicd, 'Was in a
final aroysm of dcsair; and iIai Ic lcggcd
mc io scnd Iim Iis lnifc and ini oi, ly lcarcr,
as iIcy migIi rovc scrviccallc during iIc lricf
rcmaindcr of Iis cisicncc, in jail. Hc also rc-
qucsicd, as a lasi aci of fricndsIi, iIai I vould
scc Iis family io iIc FarisI WorlIousc, and
forgci iIai sucI a Dcing cvcr livcd.
Of coursc I ansvcrcd iIis noic ly going dovn
viiI iIc loy io ay iIc moncy, vIcrc I found
Mr. Micavlcr siiiing in a corncr, looling darlly
ai iIc SIcriff 's Officcr vIo Iad cffccicd iIc ca-
iurc. On Iis rclcasc, Ic cmlraccd mc viiI iIc
uimosi fcrvour; and madc an cniry of iIc irans-
aciion in Iis oclci-loollcing vcry ariicu-
lar, I rccollcci, aloui a Ialfcnny I inadvcricnily
omiiicd from my siaicmcni of iIc ioial.
TIis momcnious oclci-lool vas a iimcly rc-
mindcr io Iim of anoiIcr iransaciion. On our
rciurn io iIc room usiairs (vIcrc Ic accounicd
for Iis alscncc ly saying iIai ii Iad lccn occa-
sioncd ly circumsianccs ovcr vIicI Ic Iad no
conirol}, Ic iool oui of ii a largc sIcci of acr,
foldcd small, and quiic covcrcd viiI long sums,
carcfully vorlcd. From iIc glimsc I Iad of
iIcm, I sIould say iIai I ncvcr sav sucI sums
oui of a scIool ciIcring-lool. TIcsc, ii sccmcd,
vcrc calculaiions of comound inicrcsi on vIai
Ic callcd 'iIc rincial amouni of foriy-onc, icn,
clcvcn and a Ialf', for various criods. Aficr a
carcful considcraiion of iIcsc, and an clalo-
raic csiimaic of Iis rcsourccs, Ic Iad comc io
iIc conclusion io sclcci iIai sum vIicI rcrc-
scnicd iIc amouni viiI comound inicrcsi io
456
ivo ycars, fificcn calcndar moniIs, and four-
iccn days, from iIai daic. For iIis Ic Iad dravn
a noic-of-Iand viiI grcai ncaincss, vIicI Ic
Iandcd ovcr io Traddlcs on iIc soi, a discIargc
of Iis dcli in full (as lcivccn man and man},
viiI many aclnovlcdgcmcnis.
'I Iavc siill a rcscniimcni,' said Mrs.
Micavlcr, cnsivcly sIaling Icr Icad, 'iIai my
family vill acar on loard, lcforc vc finally
dcari.'
Mr. Micavlcr cvidcnily Iad Iis rcscniimcni
on iIc suljcci ioo, lui Ic ui ii in Iis iin oi
and svallovcd ii.
'If you Iavc any ooriuniiy of scnding lciicrs
Iomc, on your assagc, Mrs. Micavlcr,' said
my auni, 'you musi lci us Icar from you, you
lnov.'
'My dcar Miss Troivood,' sIc rclicd, 'I sIall
only lc ioo Iay io iIinl iIai anyonc cccis
io Icar from us. I sIall noi fail io corrcsond.
Mr. Cocrficld, I irusi, as an old and familiar
fricnd, vill noi oljcci io rcccivc occasional in-
iclligcncc, Iimsclf, from onc vIo lncv Iim
vIcn iIc ivins vcrc yci unconscious?'
I said iIai I sIould Ioc io Icar, vIcncvcr
sIc Iad an ooriuniiy of vriiing.
'Flcasc Hcavcn, iIcrc vill lc many sucI o-
oriuniiics,' said Mr. Micavlcr. 'TIc occan, in
iIcsc iimcs, is a crfcci flcci of sIis; and vc
can Iardly fail io cncounicr many, in running
ovcr. Ii is mcrcly crossing,' said Mr. Micavlcr,
irifling viiI Iis cyc-glass, 'mcrcly crossing. TIc
disiancc is quiic imaginary.'
I iIinl, nov, Iov odd ii vas, lui Iov von-
dcrfully lilc Mr. Micavlcr, iIai, vIcn Ic vcni
from London io Canicrlury, Ic sIould Iavc
iallcd as if Ic vcrc going io iIc fariIcsi limiis
of iIc cariI; and, vIcn Ic vcni from England
io Ausiralia, as if Ic vcrc going for a liiilc iri
across iIc cIanncl.
'On iIc voyagc, I sIall cndcavour,' said Mr.
Micavlcr, 'occasionally io sin iIcm a yarn; and
457
iIc mclody of my son Willins vill, I irusi, lc
accciallc ai iIc gallcy-firc. WIcn Mrs.
Micavlcr Ias Icr sca-lcgs onan crcssion
in vIicI I Ioc iIcrc is no convcniional imro-
riciysIc vill givc iIcm, I darc say, Liiilc
Tafflin". Foroiscs and dolIins, I lclicvc, vill
lc frcqucnily olscrvcd aiIvari our Dovs; and,
ciiIcr on iIc siarloard or iIc larloard quaricr,
oljccis of inicrcsi vill lc coniinually dcscricd.
In sIori,' said Mr. Micavlcr, viiI iIc old gcn-
iccl air, 'iIc rolaliliiy is, all vill lc found so
cciiing, alov and alofi, iIai vIcn iIc looloui,
siaiioncd in iIc main-io, crics Land-oI! vc
sIall lc vcry considcrally asionisIcd!'
WiiI iIai Ic flourisIcd off iIc conicnis of Iis
liiilc iin oi, as if Ic Iad madc iIc voyagc, and
Iad asscd a firsi-class caminaiion lcforc iIc
IigIcsi naval auiIoriiics.
' WIai I cIicfly Ioc, my dcar Mr. Cocrficld,'
said Mrs. Micavlcr, 'is, iIai in somc lrancIcs
of our family vc may livc again in iIc old coun-
iry. Do noi frovn, Micavlcr! I do noi nov rcfcr
io my ovn family, lui io our cIildrcn's cIil-
drcn. Hovcvcr vigorous iIc saling,' said Mrs.
Micavlcr, sIaling Icr Icad, 'I cannoi forgci
iIc arcni-ircc; and vIcn our racc aiiains io
cmincncc and foriunc, I ovn I sIould visI iIai
foriunc io flov inio iIc coffcrs of Driiannia.'
'My dcar,' said Mr. Micavlcr, 'Driiannia musi
ialc Icr cIancc. I am lound io say iIai sIc
Ias ncvcr donc mucI for mc, and iIai I Iavc
no ariicular visI uon iIc suljcci.'
'Micavlcr,' rciurncd Mrs. Micavlcr, 'iIcrc,
you arc vrong. You arc going oui, Micavlcr, io
iIis disiani climc, io sircngiIcn, noi io vcalcn,
iIc conncion lcivccn yoursclf and Allion.'
'TIc conncion in qucsiion, my lovc,' rcjoincd
Mr. Micavlcr, 'Ias noi laid mc, I rccai, undcr
iIai load of crsonal olligaiion, iIai I am ai all
scnsiiivc as io iIc formaiion of anoiIcr conncion.'
'Micavlcr,' rciurncd Mrs. Micavlcr. 'TIcrc, I
again say, you arc vrong. You do noi lnov your
458
ovcr, Micavlcr. Ii is iIai vIicI vill
sircngiIcn, cvcn in iIis sic you arc aloui io
ialc, iIc conncion lcivccn yoursclf and
Allion.'
Mr. Micavlcr sai in Iis cllov-cIair, viiI Iis
cyclrovs raiscd; Ialf rccciving and Ialf rcudi-
aiing Mrs. Micavlcr's vicvs as iIcy vcrc siaicd,
lui vcry scnsillc of iIcir forcsigIi.
'My dcar Mr. Cocrficld,' said Mrs. Micavlcr,
'I visI Mr. Micavlcr io fccl Iis osiiion. Ii a-
cars io mc IigIly imoriani iIai Mr. Micavlcr
sIould, from iIc Iour of Iis cmlarlaiion, fccl
Iis osiiion. Your old lnovlcdgc of mc, my dcar
Mr. Cocrficld, vill Iavc iold you iIai I Iavc
noi iIc sanguinc disosiiion of Mr. Micavlcr.
My disosiiion is, if I may say so, cmincnily
raciical. I lnov iIai iIis is a long voyagc. I
lnov iIai ii vill involvc many rivaiions and
inconvcnicnccs. I cannoi sIui my cycs io iIosc
facis. Dui I also lnov vIai Mr. Micavlcr is. I
lnov iIc laicni ovcr of Mr. Micavlcr. And
iIcrcforc I considcr ii viially imoriani iIai Mr.
Micavlcr sIould fccl Iis osiiion.'
'My lovc,' Ic olscrvcd, 'crIas you vill allov
mc io rcmarl iIai ii is larcly ossillc iIai I do
fccl my osiiion ai iIc rcscni momcni.'
'I iIinl noi, Micavlcr,' sIc rcjoincd. 'Noi fully.
My dcar Mr. Cocrficld, Mr. Micavlcr's is noi
a common casc. Mr. Micavlcr is going io a dis-
iani couniry crcssly in ordcr iIai Ic may lc
fully undcrsiood and arcciaicd for iIc firsi
iimc. I visI Mr. Micavlcr io ialc Iis siand uon
iIai vcsscl's rov, and firmly say, TIis coun-
iry I am comc io conqucr! Havc you Ionours?
Havc you ricIcs? Havc you osis of rofiiallc
ccuniary cmolumcni? Lci iIcm lc lrougIi for-
vard. TIcy arc minc!"'
Mr. Micavlcr, glancing ai us all, sccmcd io
iIinl iIcrc vas a good dcal in iIis idca.
'I visI Mr. Micavlcr, if I malc mysclf undcr-
siood,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, in Icr argumcnia-
iivc ionc, 'io lc iIc Cacsar of Iis ovn foriuncs.
459
TIai, my dcar Mr. Cocrficld, acars io mc
io lc Iis iruc osiiion. From iIc firsi momcni
of iIis voyagc, I visI Mr. Micavlcr io siand
uon iIai vcsscl's rov and say, EnougI of
dclay: cnougI of disaoinimcni: cnougI of lim-
iicd mcans. TIai vas in iIc old couniry. TIis is
iIc ncv. Froducc your rcaraiion. Dring ii for-
vard!"'
Mr. Micavlcr foldcd Iis arms in a rcsoluic
manncr, as if Ic vcrc iIcn siaiioncd on iIc fig-
urc-Icad.
'And doing iIai,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, 'fccl-
ing Iis osiiionam I noi rigIi in saying iIai
Mr. Micavlcr vill sircngiIcn, and noi vcalcn,
Iis conncion viiI Driiain? An imoriani ul-
lic cIaracicr arising in iIai IcmisIcrc, sIall I
lc iold iIai iis influcncc vill noi lc fcli ai Iomc?
Can I lc so vcal as io imaginc iIai Mr.
Micavlcr, viclding iIc rod of ialcni and of ovcr
in Ausiralia, vill lc noiIing in England? I am
lui a voman; lui I sIould lc unvoriIy of my-
sclf and of my aa, if I vcrc guiliy of sucI al-
surd vcalncss.'
Mrs. Micavlcr's conviciion iIai Icr argu-
mcnis vcrc unansvcrallc, gavc a moral clcva-
iion io Icr ionc vIicI I iIinl I Iad ncvcr Icard
in ii lcforc.
'And iIcrcforc ii is,' said Mrs. Micavlcr, 'iIai
I iIc morc visI, iIai, ai a fuiurc criod, vc
may livc again on iIc arcni soil. Mr. Micavlcr
may lcI cannoi disguisc from mysclf iIai iIc
rolaliliiy is, Mr. Micavlcr vill lca agc of
Hisiory; and Ic ougIi iIcn io lc rcrcscnicd in
iIc couniry vIicI gavc Iim liriI, and did not
givc Iim cmloymcni!'
'My lovc,' olscrvcd Mr. Micavlcr, 'ii is imos-
sillc for mc noi io lc ioucIcd ly your affcciion.
I am alvays villing io dcfcr io your good scnsc.
WIai vill lcvill lc. Hcavcn forlid iIai I
sIould grudgc my naiivc couniry any oriion
of iIc vcaliI iIai may lc accumulaicd ly our
dcsccndanis!'
460
'TIai's vcll,' said my auni, nodding iovards
Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'and I drinl my lovc io you all,
and cvcry llcssing and succcss aiicnd you!'
Mr. Fcggoiiy ui dovn iIc ivo cIildrcn Ic
Iad lccn nursing, onc on cacI lncc, io join
Mr. and Mrs. Micavlcr in drinling io all of us
in rciurn; and vIcn Ic and iIc Micavlcrs cor-
dially sIool Iands as comradcs, and Iis lrovn
facc lrigIicncd viiI a smilc, I fcli iIai Ic vould
malc Iis vay, csiallisI a good namc, and lc
lclovcd, go vIcrc Ic vould.
Evcn iIc cIildrcn vcrc insirucicd, cacI io di
a voodcn soon inio Mr. Micavlcr's oi, and
lcdgc us in iis conicnis. WIcn iIis vas donc,
my auni and Agncs rosc, and aricd from iIc
cmigranis. Ii vas a sorrovful farcvcll. TIcy vcrc
all crying; iIc cIildrcn Iung aloui Agncs io iIc
lasi; and vc lcfi oor Mrs. Micavlcr in a vcry
disircsscd condiiion, solling and vccing ly a
dim candlc, iIai musi Iavc madc iIc room lool,
from iIc rivcr, lilc a miscrallc ligIi-Iousc.
I vcni dovn again nci morning io scc iIai
iIcy vcrc avay. TIcy Iad dcaricd, in a loai,
as carly as fivc o'clocl. Ii vas a vondcrful in-
siancc io mc of iIc ga sucI ariings malc,
iIai aliIougI my associaiion of iIcm viiI iIc
iumllc-dovn ullic-Iousc and iIc voodcn
siairs daicd only from lasi nigIi, loiI sccmcd
drcary and dcscricd, nov iIai iIcy vcrc gonc.
In iIc aficrnoon of iIc nci day, my old nursc
and I vcni dovn io Gravcscnd. Wc found iIc
sIi in iIc rivcr, surroundcd ly a crovd of
loais; a favourallc vind lloving; iIc signal for
sailing ai Icr masi-Icad. I Iircd a loai dirccily,
and vc ui off io Icr; and gciiing iIrougI iIc
liiilc voric of confusion of vIicI sIc vas iIc
ccnirc, vcni on loard.
Mr. Fcggoiiy vas vaiiing for us on dccl. Hc
iold mc iIai Mr. Micavlcr Iad jusi nov lccn
arrcsicd again (and for iIc lasi iimc} ai iIc suii
of Hcc, and iIai, in comliancc viiI a rcqucsi
I Iad madc io Iim, Ic Iad aid iIc moncy,
461
vIicI I rcaid Iim. Hc iIcn iool us dovn lc-
ivccn dccls; and iIcrc, any lingcring fcars I
Iad of Iis Iaving Icard any rumours of vIai
Iad Iacncd, vcrc discllcd ly Mr. Micavlcr's
coming oui of iIc gloom, ialing Iis arm viiI
an air of fricndsIi and roicciion, and iclling
mc iIai iIcy Iad scarccly lccn asundcr for a
momcni, sincc iIc nigIi lcforc lasi.
Ii vas sucI a sirangc sccnc io mc, and so
confincd and darl, iIai, ai firsi, I could malc
oui Iardly anyiIing; lui, ly dcgrccs, ii clcarcd,
as my cycs lccamc morc accusiomcd io iIc
gloom, and I sccmcd io siand in a iciurc ly
Ostudc. Among iIc grcai lcams, lulls, and
ringlolis of iIc sIi, and iIc cmigrani-lcriIs,
and cIcsis, and lundlcs, and larrcls, and Icas
of misccllancous laggagc 'ligIicd u, Icrc and
iIcrc, ly dangling lanicrns; and clscvIcrc ly
iIc ycllov dayligIi siraying dovn a vindsail or
a IaicIvayvcrc crovdcd grous of colc,
maling ncv fricndsIis, ialing lcavc of onc
anoiIcr, ialling, laugIing, crying, caiing and
drinling; somc, alrcady sciilcd dovn inio iIc
osscssion of iIcir fcv fcci of sacc, viiI iIcir
liiilc IouscIolds arrangcd, and iiny cIildrcn
csiallisIcd on siools, or in dvarf cllov-cIairs;
oiIcrs, dcsairing of a rcsiing-lacc, and van-
dcring disconsolaicly. From lalics vIo Iad lui
a vccl or ivo of lifc lcIind iIcm, io croolcd
old mcn and vomcn vIo sccmcd io Iavc lui a
vccl or ivo of lifc lcforc iIcm; and from
lougImcn lodily carrying oui soil of England
on iIcir loois, io smiiIs ialing avay samlcs
of iis sooi and smolc uon iIcir slins; cvcry
agc and occuaiion acarcd io lc crammcd
inio iIc narrov comass of iIc 'ivccn dccls.
As my cyc glanccd round iIis lacc, I iIougIi
I sav siiiing, ly an ocn ori, viiI onc of iIc
Micavlcr cIildrcn ncar Icr, a figurc lilc Emily's;
ii firsi aiiracicd my aiicniion, ly anoiIcr figurc
ariing from ii viiI a liss; and as ii glidcd calmly
avay iIrougI iIc disordcr, rcminding mc of
462
Agncs! Dui in iIc raid moiion and confusion,
and in iIc unsciilcmcni of my ovn iIougIis, I
losi ii again; and only lncv iIai iIc iimc vas
comc vIcn all visiiors vcrc lcing varncd io lcavc
iIc sIi; iIai my nursc vas crying on a cIcsi
lcsidc mc; and iIai Mrs. Gummidgc, assisicd
ly somc youngcr siooing voman in llacl, vas
lusily arranging Mr. Fcggoiiy's goods.
'Is iIcrc any lasi vurcd, Mas'r Davy?' said Ic.
'Is iIcrc any onc forgoiicn iIing aforc vc aris?'
'Onc iIing!' said I. 'MariIa!'
Hc ioucIcd iIc youngcr voman I Iavc mcn-
iioncd on iIc sIouldcr, and MariIa siood lc-
forc mc.
'Hcavcn llcss you, you good man!' cricd I. 'You
ialc Icr viiI you!'
SIc ansvcrcd for Iim, viiI a lursi of icars. I
could scal no morc ai iIai iimc, lui I vrung
Iis Iand; and if cvcr I Iavc lovcd and Ionourcd
any man, I lovcd and Ionourcd iIai man in my
soul.
TIc sIi vas clcaring fasi of sirangcrs. TIc
grcaicsi irial iIai I Iad, rcmaincd. I iold Iim
vIai iIc nollc sirii iIai vas gonc, Iad givcn
mc in cIargc io say ai ariing. Ii movcd Iim
dccly. Dui vIcn Ic cIargcd mc, in rciurn,
viiI many mcssagcs of affcciion and rcgrci for
iIosc dcaf cars, Ic movcd mc morc.
TIc iimc vas comc. I cmlraccd Iim, iool my
vccing nursc uon my arm, and Iurricd avay.
On dccl, I iool lcavc of oor Mrs. Micavlcr.
SIc vas looling disiracicdly aloui for Icr fam-
ily, cvcn iIcn; and Icr lasi vords io mc vcrc,
iIai sIc ncvcr vould dcscri Mr. Micavlcr.
Wc vcni ovcr iIc sidc inio our loai, and lay
ai a liiilc disiancc, io scc iIc sIi vaficd on Icr
coursc. Ii vas iIcn calm, radiani sunsci. SIc
lay lcivccn us, and iIc rcd ligIi; and cvcry
iacr linc and sar vas visillc againsi iIc glov.
A sigIi ai oncc so lcauiiful, so mournful, and
so Iocful, as iIc glorious sIi, lying, siill, on
iIc flusIcd vaicr, viiI all iIc lifc on loard Icr
463
crovdcd ai iIc lulvarls, and iIcrc clusicring,
for a momcni, larc-Icadcd and silcni, I ncvcr sav.
Silcni, only for a momcni. As iIc sails rosc io
iIc vind, and iIc sIi lcgan io movc, iIcrc
lrolc from all iIc loais iIrcc rcsounding
cIccrs, vIicI iIosc on loard iool u, and ccI-
ocd lacl, and vIicI vcrc ccIocd and rc-ccI-
ocd. My Icari lursi oui vIcn I Icard iIc sound,
and lcIcld iIc vaving of iIc Iais and Iand-
lcrcIicfsand iIcn I sav Icr!
TIcn I sav Icr, ai Icr unclc's sidc, and ircm-
lling on Iis sIouldcr. Hc oinicd io us viiI an
cagcr Iand; and sIc sav us, and vavcd Icr
lasi good-lyc io mc. Ayc, Emily, lcauiiful and
drooing, cling io Iim viiI iIc uimosi irusi of
iIy lruiscd Icari; for Ic Ias clung io iIcc, viiI
all iIc migIi of Iis grcai lovc!
Surroundcd ly iIc rosy ligIi, and sianding
IigI uon iIc dccl, aari iogciIcr, sIc cling-
ing io Iim, and Ic Iolding Icr, iIcy solcmnly
asscd avay. TIc nigIi Iad fallcn on iIc KcniisI
Iills vIcn vc vcrc rovcd asIorcand fallcn
darlly uon mc.
CHAPTER SS
ABSENCE
IT WAS A LONG AND GLOOMY NIGHT iIai gaiIcrcd on
mc, Iaunicd ly iIc gIosis of many Iocs, of
many dcar rcmcmlranccs, many crrors, many
unavailing sorrovs and rcgrcis.
I vcni avay from England; noi lnoving, cvcn
iIcn, Iov grcai iIc sIocl vas, iIai I Iad io
lcar. I lcfi all vIo vcrc dcar io mc, and vcni
avay; and lclicvcd iIai I Iad lornc ii, and ii
vas asi. As a man uon a ficld of laiilc vill
rcccivc a morial Iuri, and scarccly lnov iIai
Ic is sirucl, so I, vIcn I vas lcfi alonc viiI my
undiscilincd Icari, Iad no concciion of iIc
vound viiI vIicI ii Iad io sirivc.
TIc lnovlcdgc camc uon mc, noi quiclly,
lui liiilc ly liiilc, and grain ly grain. TIc dcso-
464
laic fccling viiI vIicI I vcni alroad, dcccncd
and vidcncd Iourly. Ai firsi ii vas a Icavy scnsc
of loss and sorrov, vIcrcin I could disiinguisI
liiilc clsc. Dy imcrcciillc dcgrccs, ii lccamc
a Ioclcss consciousncss of all iIai I Iad losi
lovc, fricndsIi, inicrcsi; of all iIai Iad lccn
sIaiicrcdmy firsi irusi, my firsi affcciion, iIc
vIolc airy casilc of my lifc; of all iIai rcmaincd
a ruincd llanl and vasic, lying vidc around
mc, unlrolcn, io iIc darl Iorizon.
If my gricf vcrc sclfisI, I did noi lnov ii io lc
so. I mourncd for my cIild-vifc, ialcn from Icr
llooming vorld, so young. I mourncd for Iim
vIo migIi Iavc von iIc lovc and admiraiion of
iIousands, as Ic Iad von minc long ago. I
mourncd for iIc lrolcn Icari iIai Iad found
rcsi in iIc siormy sca; and for iIc vandcring
rcmnanis of iIc simlc Iomc, vIcrc I Iad Icard
iIc nigIi-vind lloving, vIcn I vas a cIild.
From iIc accumulaicd sadncss inio vIicI I
fcll, I Iad ai lcngiI no Ioc of cvcr issuing again.
I roamcd from lacc io lacc, carrying my lur-
dcn viiI mc cvcryvIcrc. I fcli iis vIolc vcigIi
nov; and I droocd lcncaiI ii, and I said in my
Icari iIai ii could ncvcr lc ligIicncd.
WIcn iIis dcsondcncy vas ai iis vorsi, I lc-
licvcd iIai I sIould dic. Somciimcs, I iIougIi
iIai I vould lilc io dic ai Iomc; and aciually
iurncd lacl on my road, iIai I migIi gci iIcrc
soon. Ai oiIcr iimcs, I asscd on fariIcr avay,
from ciiy io ciiy, sccling I lnov noi vIai,
and irying io lcavc I lnov noi vIai lcIind.
Ii is noi in my ovcr io rciracc, onc ly onc,
all iIc vcary Iascs of disircss of mind iIrougI
vIicI I asscd. TIcrc arc somc drcams iIai
can only lc imcrfccily and vagucly dcscrilcd;
and vIcn I olligc mysclf io lool lacl on iIis
iimc of my lifc, I sccm io lc rccalling sucI a
drcam. I scc mysclf assing on among iIc nov-
cliics of forcign iovns, alaccs, caiIcdrals,
icmlcs, iciurcs, casilcs, iomls, faniasiic
sirccisiIc old aliding laccs of Hisiory and
465
Fancyas a drcamcr migIi; lcaring my ain-
ful load iIrougI all, and Iardly conscious of
iIc oljccis as iIcy fadc lcforc mc. Lisilcssncss
io cvcryiIing, lui lrooding sorrov, vas iIc
nigIi iIai fcll on my undiscilincd Icari. Lci
mc lool u from iias ai lasi I did, iIanl
Hcavcn!and from iis long, sad, vrcicIcd
drcam, io davn.
For many moniIs I iravcllcd viiI iIis cvcr-
darlcning cloud uon my mind. Somc llind
rcasons iIai I Iad for noi rciurning Iomcrca-
sons iIcn siruggling viiIin mc, vainly, for morc
disiinci crcssionlci mc on my ilgrimagc.
Somciimcs, I Iad rocccdcd rcsilcssly from
lacc io lacc, sioing novIcrc; somciimcs, I
Iad lingcrcd long in onc soi. I Iad Iad no ur-
osc, no susiaining soul viiIin mc, anyvIcrc.
I vas in Sviizcrland. I Iad comc oui of Iialy,
ovcr onc of iIc grcai asscs of iIc Als, and
Iad sincc vandcrcd viiI a guidc among iIc ly-
vays of iIc mouniains. If iIosc avful soliiudcs
Iad solcn io my Icari, I did noi lnov ii. I Iad
found sullimiiy and vondcr in iIc drcad IcigIis
and rcciiccs, in iIc roaring iorrcnis, and iIc
vasics of icc and snov; lui as yci, iIcy Iad
iaugIi mc noiIing clsc.
I camc, onc cvcning lcforc sunsci, dovn inio
a vallcy, vIcrc I vas io rcsi. In iIc coursc of my
dcsccni io ii, ly iIc vinding iracl along iIc
mouniain-sidc, from vIicI I sav ii sIining far
lclov, I iIinl somc long-unvonicd scnsc of
lcauiy and iranquilliiy, somc soficning influ-
cncc avalcncd ly iis cacc, movcd fainily in
my lrcasi. I rcmcmlcr ausing oncc, viiI a lind
of sorrov iIai vas noi all orcssivc, noi quiic
dcsairing. I rcmcmlcr almosi Ioing iIai somc
lciicr cIangc vas ossillc viiIin mc.
I camc inio iIc vallcy, as iIc cvcning sun vas
sIining on iIc rcmoic IcigIis of snov, iIai
closcd ii in, lilc cicrnal clouds. TIc lascs of
iIc mouniains forming iIc gorgc in vIicI iIc
liiilc villagc lay, vcrc ricIly grccn; and IigI
466
alovc iIis gcnilcr vcgciaiion, grcv forcsis of
darl fir, clcaving iIc viniry snov-drifi, vcdgc-
lilc, and sicmming iIc avalancIc. Alovc iIcsc,
vcrc rangc uon rangc of craggy siccs, grcy
rocl, lrigIi icc, and smooiI vcrdurc-sccls of
asiurc, all gradually llcnding viiI iIc crovn-
ing snov. Doiicd Icrc and iIcrc on iIc
mouniain's-sidc, cacI iiny doi a Iomc, vcrc
loncly voodcn coiiagcs, so dvarfcd ly iIc iov-
cring IcigIis iIai iIcy acarcd ioo small for
ioys. So did cvcn iIc clusicrcd villagc in iIc
vallcy, viiI iis voodcn lridgc across iIc sircam,
vIcrc iIc sircam iumllcd ovcr lrolcn rocls,
and roarcd avay among iIc irccs. In iIc quici
air, iIcrc vas a sound of disiani singingsIc-
Icrd voiccs; lui, as onc lrigIi cvcning cloud
floaicd midvay along iIc mouniain's-sidc, I
could almosi Iavc lclicvcd ii camc from iIcrc,
and vas noi cariIly music. All ai oncc, in iIis
scrcniiy, grcai Naiurc solc io mc; and sooiIcd
mc io lay dovn my vcary Icad uon iIc grass,
and vcc as I Iad noi vci yci, sincc Dora dicd!
I Iad found a aclci of lciicrs avaiiing mc
lui a fcv minuics lcforc, and Iad sirollcd oui
of iIc villagc io rcad iIcm vIilc my sucr vas
maling rcady. OiIcr aclcis Iad misscd mc,
and I Iad rcccivcd nonc for a long iimc. Dcyond
a linc or ivo, io say iIai I vas vcll, and Iad
arrivcd ai sucI a lacc, I Iad noi Iad foriiiudc
or consiancy io vriic a lciicr sincc I lcfi Iomc.
TIc aclci vas in my Iand. I ocncd ii, and
rcad iIc vriiing of Agncs.
SIc vas Iay and uscful, vas roscring as
sIc Iad Iocd. TIai vas all sIc iold mc of Icr-
sclf. TIc rcsi rcfcrrcd io mc.
SIc gavc mc no advicc; sIc urgcd no duiy on
mc; sIc only iold mc, in Icr ovn fcrvcni man-
ncr, vIai Icr irusi in mc vas. SIc lncv (sIc
said} Iov sucI a naiurc as minc vould iurn
affliciion io good. SIc lncv Iov irial and cmo-
iion vould cali and sircngiIcn ii. SIc vas surc
iIai in my cvcry urosc I sIould gain a firmcr
467
and a IigIcr icndcncy, iIrougI iIc gricf I Iad
undcrgonc. SIc, vIo so gloricd in my famc, and
so loolcd forvard io iis augmcniaiion, vcll lncv
iIai I vould lalour on. SIc lncv iIai in mc,
sorrov could noi lc vcalncss, lui musi lc
sircngiI. As iIc cndurancc of my cIildisI days
Iad donc iis ari io malc mc vIai I vas, so
grcaicr calamiiics vould ncrvc mc on, io lc yci
lciicr iIan I vas; and so, as iIcy Iad iaugIi
mc, vould I icacI oiIcrs. SIc commcndcd mc
io God, vIo Iad ialcn my innoccni darling io
His rcsi; and in Icr sisicrly affcciion cIcrisIcd
mc alvays, and vas alvays ai my sidc go vIcrc
I vould; roud of vIai I Iad donc, lui infiniicly
roudcr yci of vIai I vas rcscrvcd io do.
I ui iIc lciicr in my lrcasi, and iIougIi vIai
Iad I lccn an Iour ago! WIcn I Icard iIc voiccs
dic avay, and sav iIc quici cvcning cloud grov
dim, and all iIc colours in iIc vallcy fadc, and
iIc goldcn snov uon iIc mouniain-ios lc-
comc a rcmoic ari of iIc alc nigIi sly, yci
fcli iIai iIc nigIi vas assing from my mind,
and all iis sIadovs clcaring, iIcrc vas no namc
for iIc lovc I lorc Icr, dcarcr io mc, Icnccfor-
vard, iIan cvcr uniil iIcn.
I rcad Icr lciicr many iimcs. I vroic io Icr
lcforc I slci. I iold Icr iIai I Iad lccn in sorc
nccd of Icr Icl; iIai viiIoui Icr I vas noi,
and I ncvcr Iad lccn, vIai sIc iIougIi mc;
lui iIai sIc insircd mc io lc iIai, and I vould
iry.
I did iry. In iIrcc moniIs morc, a ycar vould
Iavc asscd sincc iIc lcginning of my sorrov.
I dcicrmincd io malc no rcsoluiions uniil iIc
ciraiion of iIosc iIrcc moniIs, lui io iry. I
livcd in iIai vallcy, and iis ncigIlourIood, all
iIc iimc.
TIc iIrcc moniIs gonc, I rcsolvcd io rcmain
avay from Iomc for somc iimc longcr; io sciilc
mysclf for iIc rcscni in Sviizcrland, vIicI vas
groving dcar io mc in iIc rcmcmlrancc of iIai
cvcning; io rcsumc my cn; io vorl.
468
I rcsoricd Iumlly vIiiIcr Agncs Iad com-
mcndcd mc; I sougIi oui Naiurc, ncvcr sougIi
in vain; and I admiiicd io my lrcasi iIc Iuman
inicrcsi I Iad laicly sIrunl from. Ii vas noi long,
lcforc I Iad almosi as many fricnds in iIc val-
lcy as in YarmouiI: and vIcn I lcfi ii, lcforc
iIc vinicr sci in, for Gcncva, and camc lacl in
iIc sring, iIcir cordial grcciings Iad a Iomcly
sound io mc, aliIougI iIcy vcrc noi convcycd
in EnglisI vords.
I vorlcd carly and laic, aiicnily and Iard. I
vroic a Siory, viiI a urosc groving, noi rc-
moicly, oui of my ccricncc, and scni ii io
Traddlcs, and Ic arrangcd for iis ullicaiion
vcry advaniagcously for mc; and iIc iidings of
my groving rcuiaiion lcgan io rcacI mc from
iravcllcrs vIom I cncounicrcd ly cIancc. Aficr
somc rcsi and cIangc, I fcll io vorl, in my old
ardcni vay, on a ncv fancy, vIicI iool sirong
osscssion of mc. As I advanccd in iIc cccu-
iion of iIis iasl, I fcli ii morc and morc, and
rouscd my uimosi cncrgics io do ii vcll. TIis
vas my iIird vorl of ficiion. Ii vas noi Ialf
vriiicn, vIcn, in an inicrval of rcsi, I iIougIi
of rciurning Iomc.
For a long iimc, iIougI siudying and vorl-
ing aiicnily, I Iad accusiomcd mysclf io ro-
lusi ccrcisc. My IcaliI, scvcrcly imaircd
vIcn I lcfi England, vas quiic rcsiorcd. I Iad
sccn mucI. I Iad lccn in many counirics, and
I Ioc I Iad imrovcd my siorc of lnovlcdgc.
I Iavc nov rccallcd all iIai I iIinl ii nccdful
io rccall Icrc, of iIis icrm of alscnccviiI onc
rcscrvaiion. I Iavc madc ii, iIus far, viiI no
urosc of surcssing any of my iIougIis; for,
as I Iavc clscvIcrc said, iIis narraiivc is my
vriiicn mcmory. I Iavc dcsircd io lcc iIc mosi
sccrci currcni of my mind aari, and io iIc lasi.
I cnicr on ii nov. I cannoi so comlcicly cn-
ciraic iIc mysicry of my ovn Icari, as io lnov
vIcn I lcgan io iIinl iIai I migIi Iavc sci iis
carlicsi and lrigIicsi Iocs on Agncs. I cannoi
469
say ai vIai siagc of my gricf ii firsi lccamc as-
sociaicd viiI iIc rcflcciion, iIai, in my vay-
vard loyIood, I Iad iIrovn avay iIc ircasurc
of Icr lovc. I lclicvc I may Iavc Icard somc
vIiscr of iIai disiani iIougIi, in iIc old un-
Iay loss or vani of somciIing ncvcr io lc
rcalizcd, of vIicI I Iad lccn scnsillc. Dui iIc
iIougIi camc inio my mind as a ncv rcroacI
and ncv rcgrci, vIcn I vas lcfi so sad and loncly
in iIc vorld.
If, ai iIai iimc, I Iad lccn mucI viiI Icr, I
sIould, in iIc vcalncss of my dcsolaiion, Iavc
lciraycd iIis. Ii vas vIai I rcmoicly drcadcd
vIcn I vas firsi imcllcd io siay avay from
England. I could noi Iavc lornc io losc iIc
smallcsi oriion of Icr sisicrly affcciion; yci, in
iIai lcirayal, I sIould Iavc sci a consiraini
lcivccn us IiiIcrio unlnovn.
I could noi forgci iIai iIc fccling viiI vIicI
sIc nov rcgardcd mc Iad grovn u in my ovn
frcc cIoicc and coursc. TIai if sIc Iad cvcr lovcd
mc viiI anoiIcr lovcand I somciimcs iIougIi
iIc iimc vas vIcn sIc migIi Iavc donc soI
Iad casi ii avay. Ii vas noiIing, nov, iIai I
Iad accusiomcd mysclf io iIinl of Icr, vIcn
vc vcrc loiI mcrc cIildrcn, as onc vIo vas
far rcmovcd from my vild fancics. I Iad lc-
siovcd my assionaic icndcrncss uon anoiIcr
oljcci; and vIai I migIi Iavc donc, I Iad noi
donc; and vIai Agncs vas io mc, I and Icr ovn
nollc Icari Iad madc Icr.
In iIc lcginning of iIc cIangc iIai gradually
vorlcd in mc, vIcn I iricd io gci a lciicr un-
dcrsianding of mysclf and lc a lciicr man, I
did glancc, iIrougI somc indcfiniic rolaiion,
io a criod vIcn I migIi ossilly Ioc io can-
ccl iIc misialcn asi, and io lc so llcsscd as
io marry Icr. Dui, as iimc vorc on, iIis sIad-
ovy roscci fadcd, and dcaricd from mc. If
sIc Iad cvcr lovcd mc, iIcn, I sIould Iold Icr
iIc morc sacrcd; rcmcmlcring iIc confidcnccs
I Iad rcoscd in Icr, Icr lnovlcdgc of my cr-
470
rani Icari, iIc sacrificc sIc musi Iavc madc io
lc my fricnd and sisicr, and iIc viciory sIc Iad
von. If sIc Iad ncvcr lovcd mc, could I lclicvc
iIai sIc vould lovc mc nov?
I Iad alvays fcli my vcalncss, in comarison
viiI Icr consiancy and foriiiudc; and nov I fcli
ii morc and morc. WIaicvcr I migIi Iavc lccn
io Icr, or sIc io mc, if I Iad lccn morc voriIy
of Icr long ago, I vas noi nov, and sIc vas noi.
TIc iimc vas asi. I Iad lci ii go ly, and Iad
dcscrvcdly losi Icr.
TIai I suffcrcd mucI in iIcsc conicniions, iIai
iIcy fillcd mc viiI unIaincss and rcmorsc,
and yci iIai I Iad a susiaining scnsc iIai ii
vas rcquircd of mc, in rigIi and Ionour, io lcc
avay from mysclf, viiI sIamc, iIc iIougIi of
iurning io iIc dcar girl in iIc viiIcring of my
Iocs, from vIom I Iad frivolously iurncd vIcn
iIcy vcrc lrigIi and frcsIvIicI considcraiion
vas ai iIc rooi of cvcry iIougIi I Iad conccrn-
ing Icris all cqually iruc. I madc no cffori io
conccal from mysclf, nov, iIai I lovcd Icr, iIai
I vas dcvoicd io Icr; lui I lrougIi iIc assur-
ancc Iomc io mysclf, iIai ii vas nov ioo laic,
and iIai our long-sulsisiing rclaiion musi lc
undisiurlcd.
I Iad iIougIi, mucI and oficn, of my Dora's
sIadoving oui io mc vIai migIi Iavc Ia-
cncd, in iIosc ycars iIai vcrc dcsiincd noi io
iry us; I Iad considcrcd Iov iIc iIings iIai
ncvcr Iacn, arc oficn as mucI rcaliiics io us,
in iIcir cffccis, as iIosc iIai arc accomlisIcd.
TIc vcry ycars sIc solc of, vcrc rcaliiics nov,
for my corrcciion; and vould Iavc lccn, onc
day, a liiilc laicr crIas, iIougI vc Iad aricd
in our carlicsi folly. I cndcavourcd io convcri
vIai migIi Iavc lccn lcivccn mysclf and
Agncs, inio a mcans of maling mc morc sclf-
dcnying, morc rcsolvcd, morc conscious of my-
sclf, and my dcfccis and crrors. TIus, iIrougI
iIc rcflcciion iIai ii migIi Iavc lccn, I arrivcd
ai iIc conviciion iIai ii could ncvcr lc.
471
TIcsc, viiI iIcir crlciiics and inconsisicn-
cics, vcrc iIc sIifiing quiclsands of my mind,
from iIc iimc of my dcariurc io iIc iimc of my
rciurn Iomc, iIrcc ycars aficrvards. TIrcc
ycars Iad clascd sincc iIc sailing of iIc cmi-
grani sIi; vIcn, ai iIai samc Iour of sunsci,
and in iIc samc lacc, I siood on iIc dccl of
iIc aclci vcsscl iIai lrougIi mc Iomc, lool-
ing on iIc rosy vaicr vIcrc I Iad sccn iIc im-
agc of iIai sIi rcflccicd.
TIrcc ycars. Long in iIc aggrcgaic, iIougI
sIori as iIcy vcni ly. And Iomc vas vcry dcar
io mc, and Agncs ioolui sIc vas noi minc
sIc vas ncvcr io lc minc. SIc migIi Iavc lccn,
lui iIai vas asi!
CHAPTER S9
RETURN
I LANDED IN LONDON on a viniry auiumn cvcning.
Ii vas darl and raining, and I sav morc fog and
mud in a minuic iIan I Iad sccn in a ycar. I
vallcd from iIc Cusiom Housc io iIc Monu-
mcni lcforc I found a coacI; and aliIougI iIc
vcry Iousc-fronis, looling on iIc svollcn gui-
icrs, vcrc lilc old fricnds io mc, I could noi lui
admii iIai iIcy vcrc vcry dingy fricnds.
I Iavc oficn rcmarlcdI suosc cvcrylody
IasiIai onc's going avay from a familiar lacc,
vould sccm io lc iIc signal for cIangc in ii. As
I loolcd oui of iIc coacI vindov, and olscrvcd
iIai an old Iousc on FisI-sircci Hill, vIicI Iad
siood unioucIcd ly ainicr, carcnicr, or lricl-
laycr, for a ccniury, Iad lccn ullcd dovn in
my alscncc; and iIai a ncigIlouring sircci, of
iimc-Ionourcd insalulriiy and inconvcnicncc,
472
vas lcing draincd and vidcncd; I Ialf cccicd
io find Si. Faul's CaiIcdral looling oldcr.
For somc cIangcs in iIc foriuncs of my
fricnds, I vas rcarcd. My auni Iad long lccn
rc-csiallisIcd ai Dovcr, and Traddlcs Iad lc-
gun io gci inio somc liiilc raciicc ai iIc Dar, in
iIc vcry firsi icrm aficr my dcariurc. Hc Iad
cIamlcrs in Gray's Inn, nov; and Iad iold mc,
in Iis lasi lciicrs, iIai Ic vas noi viiIoui Iocs
of lcing soon uniicd io iIc dcarcsi girl in iIc
vorld.
TIcy cccicd mc Iomc lcforc CIrisimas; lui
Iad no idca of my rciurning so soon. I Iad ur-
oscly mislcd iIcm, iIai I migIi Iavc iIc lca-
surc of ialing iIcm ly surrisc. And yci, I vas
crvcrsc cnougI io fccl a cIill and disaoini-
mcni in rccciving no vclcomc, and raiiling, alonc
and silcni, iIrougI iIc misiy sirccis.
TIc vcll-lnovn sIos, Iovcvcr, viiI iIcir
cIccrful ligIis, did somciIing for mc; and vIcn
I aligIicd ai iIc door of iIc Gray's Inn Coffcc-
Iousc, I Iad rccovcrcd my siriis. Ii rccallcd, ai
firsi, iIai so-diffcrcni iimc vIcn I Iad ui u
ai iIc Goldcn Cross, and rcmindcd mc of iIc
cIangcs iIai Iad comc io ass sincc iIcn; lui
iIai vas naiural.
'Do you lnov vIcrc Mr. Traddlcs livcs in iIc
Inn?' I aslcd iIc vaiicr, as I varmcd mysclf ly
iIc coffcc-room firc.
'Hollorn Couri, sir. Numlcr ivo.'
'Mr. Traddlcs Ias a rising rcuiaiion among
iIc lavycrs, I lclicvc?' said I.
'Wcll, sir,' rciurncd iIc vaiicr, 'rolally Ic
Ias, sir; lui I am noi avarc of ii mysclf.'
TIis vaiicr, vIo vas middlc-agcd and sarc,
loolcd for Icl io a vaiicr of morc auiIoriiya
sioui, oicniial old man, viiI a doullc cIin, in
llacl lrcccIcs and sioclings, vIo camc oui of
a lacc lilc a cIurcIvardcn's cv, ai iIc cnd
of iIc coffcc-room, vIcrc Ic lci comany viiI
a casI-lo, a Dircciory, a Lav-lisi, and oiIcr
lools and acrs.
473
'Mr. Traddlcs,' said iIc sarc vaiicr. 'Numlcr
ivo in iIc Couri.'
TIc oicniial vaiicr vavcd Iim avay, and
iurncd, gravcly, io mc.
'I vas inquiring,' said I, 'vIciIcr Mr. Traddlcs,
ai numlcr ivo in iIc Couri, Ias noi a rising
rcuiaiion among iIc lavycrs?'
'Ncvcr Icard Iis namc,' said iIc vaiicr, in a
ricI Iusly voicc.
I fcli quiic aologciic for Traddlcs.
'Hc's a young man, surc?' said iIc oricnious
vaiicr, fiing Iis cycs scvcrcly on mc. 'Hov long
Ias Ic lccn in iIc Inn?'
'Noi alovc iIrcc ycars,' said I.
TIc vaiicr, vIo I suoscd Iad livcd in Iis
cIurcIvardcn's cv for foriy ycars, could noi
ursuc sucI an insignificani suljcci. Hc aslcd
mc vIai I vould Iavc for dinncr?
I fcli I vas in England again, and rcally vas
quiic casi dovn on Traddlcs's accouni. TIcrc
sccmcd io lc no Ioc for Iim. I mcclly ordcrcd
a lii of fisI and a sical, and siood lcforc iIc
firc musing on Iis olscuriiy.
As I follovcd iIc cIicf vaiicr viiI my cycs, I
could noi Icl iIinling iIai iIc gardcn in vIicI
Ic Iad gradually llovn io lc iIc flovcr Ic vas,
vas an arduous lacc io risc in. Ii Iad sucI a
rcscriiivc, siiff-ncclcd, long-csiallisIcd, sol-
cmn, cldcrly air. I glanccd aloui iIc room, vIicI
Iad Iad iis sandcd floor sandcd, no douli, in
cacily iIc samc manncr vIcn iIc cIicf vaiicr
vas a loyif Ic cvcr vas a loy, vIicI acarcd
imrolallc; and ai iIc sIining iallcs, vIcrc I
sav mysclf rcflccicd, in unrufflcd dciIs of old
maIogany; and ai iIc lams, viiIoui a flav in
iIcir irimming or clcaning; and ai iIc comfori-
allc grccn curiains, viiI iIcir urc lrass rods,
snugly cnclosing iIc locs; and ai iIc ivo largc
coal fircs, lrigIily lurning; and ai iIc rovs of
dccanicrs, lurly as if viiI iIc consciousncss of
ics of ccnsivc old ori vinc lclov; and loiI
England, and iIc lav, acarcd io mc io lc vcry
474
difficuli indccd io lc ialcn ly siorm. I vcni u
io my lcdroom io cIangc my vci cloiIcs; and
iIc vasi cicni of iIai old vainscoicd aari-
mcni (vIicI vas ovcr iIc arcIvay lcading io
iIc Inn, I rcmcmlcr}, and iIc scdaic immcn-
siiy of iIc four-osi lcdsicad, and iIc indomi-
iallc graviiy of iIc cIcsis of dravcrs, all sccmcd
io uniic in sicrnly frovning on iIc foriuncs of
Traddlcs, or on any sucI daring youiI. I camc
dovn again io my dinncr; and cvcn iIc slov
comfori of iIc mcal, and iIc ordcrly silcncc of
iIc laccvIicI vas larc of gucsis, iIc Long
Vacaiion noi yci lcing ovcrvcrc cloqucni on
iIc audaciiy of Traddlcs, and Iis small Iocs
of a livcliIood for ivcniy ycars io comc.
I Iad sccn noiIing lilc iIis sincc I vcni avay,
and ii quiic dasIcd my Iocs for my fricnd. TIc
cIicf vaiicr Iad Iad cnougI of mc. Hc camc
ncar mc no morc; lui dcvoicd Iimsclf io an old
gcnilcman in long gaiicrs, io mcci vIom a ini
of sccial ori sccmcd io comc oui of iIc ccllar
of iis ovn accord, for Ic gavc no ordcr. TIc scc-
ond vaiicr informcd mc, in a vIiscr, iIai iIis
old gcnilcman vas a rciircd convcyanccr living
in iIc Squarc, and voriI a mini of moncy, vIicI
ii vas cccicd Ic vould lcavc io Iis laundrcss's
daugIicr; lilcvisc iIai ii vas rumourcd iIai
Ic Iad a scrvicc of laic in a lurcau, all iar-
nisIcd viiI lying ly, iIougI morc iIan onc
soon and a forl Iad ncvcr yci lccn lcIcld in
Iis cIamlcrs ly morial vision. Dy iIis iimc, I
quiic gavc Traddlcs u for losi; and sciilcd in
my ovn mind iIai iIcrc vas no Ioc for Iim.
Dcing vcry anious io scc iIc dcar old fcllov,
ncvcriIclcss, I disaicIcd my dinncr, in a man-
ncr noi ai all calculaicd io raisc mc in iIc oin-
ion of iIc cIicf vaiicr, and Iurricd oui ly iIc
lacl vay. Numlcr ivo in iIc Couri vas soon
rcacIcd; and an inscriiion on iIc door-osi
informing mc iIai Mr. Traddlcs occuicd a sci
of cIamlcrs on iIc io siorcy, I asccndcd iIc
siaircasc. A crazy old siaircasc I found ii io lc,
475
fcclly ligIicd on cacI landing ly a clulIcadcd
liiilc oil vicl, dying avay in a liiilc dungcon of
diriy glass.
In iIc coursc of my siumlling usiairs, I fan-
cicd I Icard a lcasani sound of laugIicr; and
noi iIc laugIicr of an aiiorncy or larrisicr, or
aiiorncy's clcrl or larrisicr's clcrl, lui of ivo
or iIrcc mcrry girls. Hacning, Iovcvcr, as I
siocd io lisicn, io ui my fooi in a Iolc vIcrc
iIc Honourallc Sociciy of Gray's Inn Iad lcfi a
lanl dcficicni, I fcll dovn viiI somc noisc, and
vIcn I rccovcrcd my fooiing all vas silcni.
Groing my vay morc carcfully, for iIc rcsi of
iIc journcy, my Icari lcai IigI vIcn I found iIc
ouicr door, vIicI Iad Mr. Truddcs ainicd on ii,
ocn. I lnoclcd. A considcrallc scuffling viiIin
cnsucd, lui noiIing clsc. I iIcrcforc lnoclcd again.
A small sIar-looling lad, Ialf-fooiloy and
Ialf-clcrl, vIo vas vcry mucI oui of lrcaiI,
lui vIo loolcd ai mc as if Ic dcficd mc io rovc
ii lcgally, rcscnicd Iimsclf.
'Is Mr. Traddlcs viiIin?' I said.
'Ycs, sir, lui Ic's cngagcd.'
'I vani io scc Iim.'
Aficr a momcni's survcy of mc, iIc sIar-lool-
ing lad dccidcd io lci mc in; and ocning iIc
door vidcr for iIai urosc, admiiicd mc, firsi,
inio a liiilc closci of a Iall, and nci inio a liiilc
siiiing-room; vIcrc I camc inio iIc rcscncc of
my old fricnd (also oui of lrcaiI}, scaicd ai a
iallc, and lcnding ovcr acrs.
'Good God!' cricd Traddlcs, looling u. 'Ii's
Cocrficld!' and rusIcd inio my arms, vIcrc I
Icld Iim iigIi.
'All vcll, my dcar Traddlcs?'
'All vcll, my dcar, dcar Cocrficld, and noiI-
ing lui good ncvs!'
Wc cricd viiI lcasurc, loiI of us.
'My dcar fcllov,' said Traddlcs, rumling Iis
Iair in Iis cciicmcni, vIicI vas a mosi un-
ncccssary ocraiion, 'my dcarcsi Cocrficld,
my long-losi and mosi vclcomc fricnd, Iov glad
476
I am io scc you! Hov lrovn you arc! Hov glad I
am! Uon my lifc and Ionour, I ncvcr vas so
rcjoiccd, my lclovcd Cocrficld, ncvcr!'
I vas cqually ai a loss io crcss my cmo-
iions. I vas quiic unallc io scal, ai firsi.
'My dcar fcllov!' said Traddlcs. 'And grovn so
famous! My glorious Cocrficld! Good gracious
mc, uIcn did you comc, uIcrc Iavc you comc
from, uIut Iavc you lccn doing?'
Ncvcr ausing for an ansvcr io anyiIing Ic said,
Traddlcs, vIo Iad clacd mc inio an casy-cIair
ly iIc firc, all iIis iimc imciuously siirrcd iIc
firc viiI onc Iand, and ullcd ai my nccl-lcrcIicf
viiI iIc oiIcr, undcr somc vild dclusion iIai ii
vas a grcai-coai. WiiIoui uiiing dovn iIc olcr,
Ic nov Iuggcd mc again; and I Iuggcd Iim; and,
loiI laugIing, and loiI viing our cycs, vc loiI
sai dovn, and sIool Iands across iIc IcariI.
'To iIinl,' said Traddlcs, 'iIai you sIould Iavc
lccn so ncarly coming Iomc as you musi Iavc
lccn, my dcar old loy, and noi ai iIc ccrcmony!'
'WIai ccrcmony, my dcar Traddlcs?'
'Good gracious mc!' cricd Traddlcs, ocning
Iis cycs in Iis old vay. 'Didn'i you gci my lasi
lciicr?'
'Ccriainly noi, if ii rcfcrrcd io any ccrcmony.'
'WIy, my dcar Cocrficld,' said Traddlcs, siicl-
ing Iis Iair urigIi viiI loiI Iands, and iIcn
uiiing Iis Iands on my lnccs, 'I am marricd!'
'Marricd!' I cricd joyfully.
'Lord llcss mc, ycs,!' said Traddlcs'ly iIc
Fcvcrcnd Horaccio SoIydovn in
DcvonsIirc. WIy, my dcar loy, sIc's lcIind iIc
vindov curiain! Lool Icrc!'
To my amazcmcni, iIc dcarcsi girl in iIc vorld
camc ai iIai samc insiani, laugIing and llusI-
ing, from Icr lacc of conccalmcni. And a morc
cIccrful, amiallc, Ioncsi, Iay, lrigIi-lool-
ing lridc, I lclicvc (as I could noi Icl saying
on iIc soi} iIc vorld ncvcr sav. I lisscd Icr
as an old acquainiancc sIould, and visIcd iIcm
joy viiI all my migIi of Icari.
477
'Dcar mc,' said Traddlcs, 'vIai a dcligIiful rc-
union iIis is! You arc so circmcly lrovn, my
dcar Cocrficld! God llcss my soul, Iov Iay
I am!'
'And so am I,' said I.
'And I am surc I am!' said iIc llusIing and
laugIing SoIy.
'Wc arc all as Iay as ossillc!' said Traddlcs.
'Evcn iIc girls arc Iay. Dcar mc, I dcclarc I
forgoi iIcm!'
'Forgoi?' said I.
'TIc girls,' said Traddlcs. 'SoIy's sisicrs. TIcy
arc siaying viiI us. TIcy Iavc comc io Iavc a
cc ai London. TIc faci is, vIcnvas ii you
iIai iumllcd usiairs, Cocrficld?'
'Ii vas,' said I, laugIing.
'Wcll iIcn, vIcn you iumllcd usiairs,' said
Traddlcs, 'I vas roming viiI iIc girls. In oini
of faci, vc vcrc laying ai Fuss in iIc Corncr.
Dui as iIai vouldn'i do in Wcsiminsicr Hall,
and as ii vouldn'i lool quiic rofcssional if iIcy
vcrc sccn ly a clicni, iIcy dccamcd. And iIcy
arc novlisicning, I Iavc no douli,' said
Traddlcs, glancing ai iIc door of anoiIcr room.
'I am sorry,' said I, laugIing afrcsI, 'io Iavc
occasioncd sucI a discrsion.'
'Uon my vord,' rcjoincd Traddlcs, grcaily dc-
ligIicd, 'if you Iad sccn iIcm running avay,
and running lacl again, aficr you Iad lnoclcd,
io icl u iIc comls iIcy Iad drocd oui of
iIcir Iair, and going on in iIc maddcsi man-
ncr, you vouldn'i Iavc said so. My lovc, vill
you fcicI iIc girls?'
SoIy iricd avay, and vc Icard Icr rcccivcd
in iIc adjoining room viiI a cal of laugIicr.
'Fcally musical, isn'i ii, my dcar Cocrficld?'
said Traddlcs. 'Ii's vcry agrccallc io Icar. Ii quiic
ligIis u iIcsc old rooms. To an unforiunaic
lacIclor of a fcllov vIo Ias livcd alonc all Iis
lifc, you lnov, ii's osiiivcly dclicious. Ii's
cIarming. Foor iIings, iIcy Iavc Iad a grcai
loss in SoIyvIo, I do assurc you, Cocrficld
478
is, and cvcr vas, iIc dcarcsi girl!and ii graii-
fics mc lcyond crcssion io find iIcm in sucI
good siriis. TIc sociciy of girls is a vcry dc-
ligIiful iIing, Cocrficld. Ii's noi rofcssional,
lui ii's vcry dcligIiful.'
Olscrving iIai Ic sligIily falicrcd, and com-
rcIcnding iIai in iIc goodncss of Iis Icari Ic
vas fcarful of giving mc somc ain ly vIai Ic
Iad said, I crcsscd my concurrcncc viiI a
Icariincss iIai cvidcnily rclicvcd and lcascd
Iim grcaily.
'Dui iIcn,' said Traddlcs, 'our domcsiic ar-
rangcmcnis arc, io say iIc iruiI, quiic unro-
fcssional aliogciIcr, my dcar Cocrficld. Evcn
SoIy's lcing Icrc, is unrofcssional. And vc
Iavc no oiIcr lacc of alodc. Wc Iavc ui io sca
in a coclloai, lui vc arc quiic rcarcd io rougI
ii. And SoIy's an ciraordinary managcr! You'll
lc surriscd Iov iIosc girls arc siovcd avay. I
am surc I Iardly lnov Iov ii's donc!'
'Arc many of iIc young ladics viiI you?' I inquircd.
'TIc cldcsi, iIc Dcauiy is Icrc,' said Traddlcs,
in a lov confidcniial voicc, 'Carolinc. And SaraI's
IcrciIc onc I mcniioncd io you as Iaving somc-
iIing iIc maiicr viiI Icr sinc, you lnov. Im-
mcnscly lciicr! And iIc ivo youngcsi iIai SoIy
cducaicd arc viiI us. And Louisa's Icrc.'
'Indccd!' cricd I.
'Ycs,' said Traddlcs. 'Nov iIc vIolc sciI
mcan iIc cIamlcrsis only iIrcc rooms; lui
SoIy arrangcs for iIc girls in iIc mosi von-
dcrful vay, and iIcy slcc as comforially as
ossillc. TIrcc in iIai room,' said Traddlcs,
oiniing. 'Tvo in iIai.'
I could noi Icl glancing round, in scarcI of
iIc accommodaiion rcmaining for Mr. and Mrs.
Traddlcs. Traddlcs undcrsiood mc.
'Wcll!' said Traddlcs, 'vc arc rcarcd io rougI
ii, as I said jusi nov, and vc did imrovisc a
lcd lasi vccl, uon iIc floor Icrc. Dui iIcrc's
a liiilc room in iIc roofa vcry nicc room, vIcn
you'rc u iIcrcvIicI SoIy acrcd Icrsclf,
479
io surrisc mc; and iIai's our room ai rcscni.
Ii's a caiial liiilc gisy sori of lacc. TIcrc's
quiic a vicv from ii.'
'And you arc Iaily marricd ai lasi, my dcar
Traddlcs!' said I. 'Hov rcjoiccd I am!'
'TIanl you, my dcar Cocrficld,' said
Traddlcs, as vc sIool Iands oncc morc. 'Ycs, I
am as Iay as ii's ossillc io lc. TIcrc's your
old fricnd, you scc,' said Traddlcs, nodding iri-
umIanily ai iIc flovcr-oi and siand; 'and
iIcrc's iIc iallc viiI iIc marllc io! All iIc
oiIcr furniiurc is lain and scrviccallc, you
crccivc. And as io laic, Lord llcss you, vc
Iavcn'i so mucI as a ica-soon.'
'All io lc carncd?' said I, cIccrfully.
'Eacily so,' rclicd Traddlcs, 'all io lc carncd.
Of coursc vc Iavc somciIing in iIc sIac of
ica-soons, lccausc vc siir our ica. Dui iIcy'rc
Driiannia mcial."
'TIc silvcr vill lc iIc lrigIicr vIcn ii comcs,'
said I.
'TIc vcry iIing vc say!' cricd Traddlcs. 'You
scc, my dcar Cocrficld,' falling again inio iIc
lov confidcniial ionc, 'aficr I Iad dclivcrcd my
argumcni in docdcm. Jcs vcrsus Vgzc,
vIicI did mc grcai scrvicc viiI iIc rofcssion,
I vcni dovn inio DcvonsIirc, and Iad somc
scrious convcrsaiion in rivaic viiI iIc Fcvcr-
cnd Horacc. I dvcli uon iIc faci iIai SoIy
vIo I do assurc you, Cocrficld, is iIc dcarcsi
girl!'
'I am ccriain sIc is!' said I.
'SIc is, indccd!' rcjoincd Traddlcs. 'Dui I am
afraid I am vandcring from iIc suljcci. Did I
mcniion iIc Fcvcrcnd Horacc?'
'You said iIai you dvcli uon iIc faci'
'Truc! Uon iIc faci iIai SoIy and I Iad lccn
cngagcd for a long criod, and iIai SoIy, viiI
iIc crmission of Icr arcnis, vas morc iIan
conicni io ialc mcin sIori,' said Traddlcs,
viiI Iis old franl smilc, 'on our rcscni Drii-
annia-mcial fooiing. Vcry vcll. I iIcn rooscd
480
io iIc Fcvcrcnd HoraccvIo is a mosi cccl-
lcni clcrgyman, Cocrficld, and ougIi io lc a
DisIo; or ai lcasi ougIi io Iavc cnougI io livc
uon, viiIoui incIing IimsclfiIai if I could
iurn iIc corncr, say of ivo Iundrcd and fifiy
ounds, in onc ycar; and could scc my vay
rciiy clcarly io iIai, or somciIing lciicr, nci
ycar; and could lainly furnisI a liiilc lacc lilc
iIis, lcsidcs; iIcn, and in iIai casc, SoIy and
I sIould lc uniicd. I iool iIc lilcriy of rcrc-
scniing iIai vc Iad lccn aiicni for a good
many ycars; and iIai iIc circumsiancc of
SoIy's lcing ciraordinarily uscful ai Iomc,
ougIi noi io ocraic viiI Icr affcciionaic ar-
cnis, againsi Icr csiallisImcni in lifcdon'i
you scc?'
'Ccriainly ii ougIi noi,' said I.
'I am glad you iIinl so, Cocrficld,' rcjoincd
Traddlcs, 'lccausc, viiIoui any imuiaiion on
iIc Fcvcrcnd Horacc, I do iIinl arcnis, and
lroiIcrs, and so foriI, arc somciimcs raiIcr
sclfisI in sucI cascs. Wcll! I also oinicd oui,
iIai my mosi carncsi dcsirc vas, io lc uscful
io iIc family; and iIai if I goi on in iIc vorld,
and anyiIing sIould Iacn io IimI rcfcr io
iIc Fcvcrcnd Horacc'
'I undcrsiand,' said I.
'Or io Mrs. Crcvlcrii vould lc iIc uimosi
graiificaiion of my visIcs, io lc a arcni io iIc
girls. Hc rclicd in a mosi admirallc manncr,
ccccdingly flaiicring io my fcclings, and un-
dcriool io oliain iIc conscni of Mrs. Crcvlcr
io iIis arrangcmcni. TIcy Iad a drcadful iimc
of ii viiI Icr. Ii mounicd from Icr lcgs inio Icr
cIcsi, and iIcn inio Icr Icad'
'WIai mounicd?' I aslcd.
'Hcr gricf,' rclicd Traddlcs, viiI a scrious
lool. 'Hcr fcclings gcncrally. As I mcniioncd on
a formcr occasion, sIc is a vcry sucrior voman,
lui Ias losi iIc usc of Icr limls. WIaicvcr oc-
curs io Iarass Icr, usually sciilcs in Icr lcgs;
lui on iIis occasion ii mounicd io iIc cIcsi,
481
and iIcn io iIc Icad, and, in sIori, crvadcd
iIc vIolc sysicm in a mosi alarming manncr.
Hovcvcr, iIcy lrougIi Icr iIrougI ii ly unrc-
miiiing and affcciionaic aiicniion; and vc vcrc
marricd ycsicrday si vccls. You Iavc no idca
vIai a Monsicr I fcli, Cocrficld, vIcn I sav
iIc vIolc family crying and fainiing avay in
cvcry dircciion! Mrs. Crcvlcr couldn'i scc mc
lcforc vc lcficouldn'i forgivc mc, iIcn, for
dcriving Icr of Icr cIildlui sIc is a good
crcaiurc, and Ias donc so sincc. I Iad a dc-
ligIiful lciicr from Icr, only iIis morning.'
'And in sIori, my dcar fricnd,' said I, 'you fccl
as llcsi as you dcscrvc io fccl!'
'OI! TIai's your ariialiiy!' laugIcd Traddlcs.
'Dui, indccd, I am in a mosi cnviallc siaic. I
vorl Iard, and rcad Lav insaiially. I gci u ai
fivc cvcry morning, and don'i mind ii ai all. I
Iidc iIc girls in iIc dayiimc, and malc mcrry
viiI iIcm in iIc cvcning. And I assurc you I
am quiic sorry iIai iIcy arc going Iomc on
Tucsday, vIicI is iIc day lcforc iIc firsi day of
MicIaclmas Tcrm. Dui Icrc,' said Traddlcs,
lrcaling off in Iis confidcncc, and scaling
aloud, 'Arc iIc girls! Mr. Cocrficld, Miss
CrcvlcrMiss SaraIMiss LouisaMargarci
and Lucy!'
TIcy vcrc a crfcci ncsi of roscs; iIcy loolcd
so vIolcsomc and frcsI. TIcy vcrc all rciiy,
and Miss Carolinc vas vcry Iandsomc; lui iIcrc
vas a loving, cIccrful, fircsidc qualiiy in SoIy's
lrigIi lools, vIicI vas lciicr iIan iIai, and
vIicI assurcd mc iIai my fricnd Iad cIoscn
vcll. Wc all sai round iIc firc; vIilc iIc sIar
loy, vIo I nov divincd Iad losi Iis lrcaiI in
uiiing iIc acrs oui, clcarcd iIcm avay again,
and roduccd iIc ica-iIings. Aficr iIai, Ic rc-
iircd for iIc nigIi, sIuiiing iIc ouicr door uon
us viiI a lang. Mrs. Traddlcs, viiI crfcci lca-
surc and comosurc lcaming from Icr Iousc-
Iold cycs, Iaving madc iIc ica, iIcn quicily madc
iIc ioasi as sIc sai in a corncr ly iIc firc.
482
SIc Iad sccn Agncs, sIc iold mc vIilc sIc
vas ioasiing. 'Tom' Iad ialcn Icr dovn inio
Kcni for a vcdding iri, and iIcrc sIc Iad sccn
my auni, ioo; and loiI my auni and Agncs vcrc
vcll, and iIcy Iad all iallcd of noiIing lui mc.
'Tom' Iad ncvcr Iad mc oui of Iis iIougIis,
sIc rcally lclicvcd, all iIc iimc I Iad lccn avay.
'Tom' vas iIc auiIoriiy for cvcryiIing. 'Tom' vas
cvidcnily iIc idol of Icr lifc; ncvcr io lc sIalcn
on Iis cdcsial ly any commoiion; alvays io lc
lclicvcd in, and donc Iomagc io viiI iIc vIolc
faiiI of Icr Icari, comc vIai migIi.
TIc dcfcrcncc vIicI loiI sIc and Traddlcs
sIovcd iovards iIc Dcauiy, lcascd mc vcry
mucI. I don'i lnov iIai I iIougIi ii vcry rca-
sonallc; lui I iIougIi ii vcry dcligIiful, and
csscniially a ari of iIcir cIaracicr. If Traddlcs
cvcr for an insiani misscd iIc ica-soons iIai
vcrc siill io lc von, I Iavc no douli ii vas vIcn
Ic Iandcd iIc Dcauiy Icr ica. If Iis svcci-icm-
crcd vifc could Iavc goi u any sclf-asscriion
againsi anyonc, I am saiisficd ii could only Iavc
lccn lccausc sIc vas iIc Dcauiy's sisicr. A fcv
sligIi indicaiions of a raiIcr ciicd and cari-
cious manncr, vIicI I olscrvcd in iIc Dcauiy,
vcrc manifcsily considcrcd, ly Traddlcs and Iis
vifc, as Icr liriIrigIi and naiural cndovmcni.
If sIc Iad lccn lorn a Quccn Dcc, and iIcy
lalouring Dccs, iIcy could noi Iavc lccn morc
saiisficd of iIai.
Dui iIcir sclf-forgcifulncss cIarmcd mc. TIcir
ridc in iIcsc girls, and iIcir sulmission of
iIcmsclvcs io all iIcir vIims, vas iIc
lcasanicsi liiilc icsiimony io iIcir ovn voriI I
could Iavc dcsircd io scc. If Traddlcs vcrc ad-
drcsscd as 'a darling', oncc in iIc coursc of iIai
cvcning; and lcsougIi io lring somciIing Icrc,
or carry somciIing iIcrc, or ialc somciIing u,
or ui somciIing dovn, or find somciIing, or
fcicI somciIing, Ic vas so addrcsscd, ly onc
or oiIcr of Iis sisicrs-in-lav, ai lcasi ivclvc
iimcs in an Iour. NciiIcr could iIcy do any-
483
iIing viiIoui SoIy. Somclody's Iair fcll dovn,
and nolody lui SoIy could ui ii u. Somc-
lody forgoi Iov a ariicular iunc vcni, and
nolody lui SoIy could Ium iIai iunc rigIi.
Somclody vanicd io rccall iIc namc of a lacc
in DcvonsIirc, and only SoIy lncv ii. Somc-
iIing vas vanicd io lc vriiicn Iomc, and SoIy
alonc could lc irusicd io vriic lcforc lrcalfasi
in iIc morning. Somclody lrolc dovn in a iccc
of lniiiing, and no onc lui SoIy vas allc io
ui iIc dcfaulicr in iIc rigIi dircciion. TIcy vcrc
cniirc misircsscs of iIc lacc, and SoIy and
Traddlcs vaiicd on iIcm. Hov many cIildrcn
SoIy could Iavc ialcn carc of in Icr iimc, I
can'i imaginc; lui sIc sccmcd io lc famous for
lnoving cvcry sori of song iIai cvcr vas ad-
drcsscd io a cIild in iIc EnglisI ionguc; and
sIc sang dozcns io ordcr viiI iIc clcarcsi liiilc
voicc in iIc vorld, onc aficr anoiIcr (cvcry sis-
icr issuing dircciions for a diffcrcni iunc, and
iIc Dcauiy gcncrally siriling in lasi}, so iIai I
vas quiic fascinaicd. TIc lcsi of all vas, iIai,
in iIc midsi of iIcir caciions, all iIc sisicrs
Iad a grcai icndcrncss and rcscci loiI for
SoIy and Traddlcs. I am surc, vIcn I iool my
lcavc, and Traddlcs vas coming oui io vall viiI
mc io iIc coffcc-Iousc, I iIougIi I Iad ncvcr
sccn an olsiinaic Icad of Iair, or any oiIcr Icad
of Iair, rolling aloui in sucI a sIovcr of lisscs.
AliogciIcr, ii vas a sccnc I could noi Icl
dvclling on viiI lcasurc, for a long iimc aficr
I goi lacl and Iad visIcd Traddlcs good nigIi.
If I Iad lcIcld a iIousand roscs lloving in a
io sci of cIamlcrs, in iIai viiIcrcd Gray's Inn,
iIcy could noi Iavc lrigIicncd ii Ialf so mucI.
TIc idca of iIosc DcvonsIirc girls, among iIc
dry lav-siaiioncrs and iIc aiiorncys' officcs; and
of iIc ica and ioasi, and cIildrcn's songs, in
iIai grim aimosIcrc of ouncc and arcImcni,
rcd-iac, dusiy vafcrs, inl-jars, lricf and drafi
acr, lav rcoris, vriis, dcclaraiions, and lills
of cosis; sccmcd almosi as lcasanily fanciful
484
as if I Iad drcamcd iIai iIc Sulian's famous
family Iad lccn admiiicd on iIc roll of aiior-
ncys, and Iad lrougIi iIc ialling lird, iIc sing-
ing ircc, and iIc goldcn vaicr inio Gray's Inn
Hall. SomcIov, I found iIai I Iad ialcn lcavc
of Traddlcs for iIc nigIi, and comc lacl io iIc
coffcc-Iousc, viiI a grcai cIangc in my dcson-
dcncy aloui Iim. I lcgan io iIinl Ic vould gci
on, in siic of all iIc many ordcrs of cIicf vaii-
crs in England.
Draving a cIair lcforc onc of iIc coffcc-room
fircs io iIinl aloui Iim ai my lcisurc, I gradu-
ally fcll from iIc considcraiion of Iis Iaincss
io iracing rosccis in iIc livc-coals, and io
iIinling, as iIcy lrolc and cIangcd, of iIc rin-
cial vicissiiudcs and scaraiions iIai Iad
marlcd my lifc. I Iad noi sccn a coal firc, sincc
I Iad lcfi England iIrcc ycars ago: iIougI many
a vood firc Iad I vaicIcd, as ii crumllcd inio
Ioary asIcs, and minglcd viiI iIc fcaiIcry Ica
uon iIc IcariI, vIicI noi inaily figurcd io
mc, in my dcsondcncy, my ovn dcad Iocs.
I could iIinl of iIc asi nov, gravcly, lui noi
liiicrly; and could conicmlaic iIc fuiurc in a
lravc sirii. Homc, in iis lcsi scnsc, vas for
mc no morc. SIc in vIom I migIi Iavc insircd
a dcarcr lovc, I Iad iaugIi io lc my sisicr. SIc
vould marry, and vould Iavc ncv claimanis
on Icr icndcrncss; and in doing ii, vould ncvcr
lnov iIc lovc for Icr iIai Iad grovn u in my
Icari. Ii vas rigIi iIai I sIould ay iIc forfcii
of my Icadlong assion. WIai I rcacd, I Iad
sovn.
I vas iIinling. And Iad I iruly discilincd my
Icari io iIis, and could I rcsoluicly lcar ii, and
calmly Iold iIc lacc in Icr Iomc vIicI sIc
Iad calmly Icld in minc,vIcn I found my cycs
rcsiing on a counicnancc iIai migIi Iavc ariscn
oui of iIc firc, in iis associaiion viiI my carly
rcmcmlranccs.
Liiilc Mr. CIilli iIc Docior, io vIosc good
officcs I vas indclicd in iIc vcry firsi cIaicr
485
of iIis Iisiory, sai rcading a ncvsacr in iIc
sIadov of an oosiic corncr. Hc vas iolcrally
siriclcn in ycars ly iIis iimc; lui, lcing a mild,
mccl, calm liiilc man, Iad vorn so casily, iIai
I iIougIi Ic loolcd ai iIai momcni jusi as Ic
migIi Iavc loolcd vIcn Ic sai in our arlour,
vaiiing for mc io lc lorn.
Mr. CIilli Iad lcfi Dlundcrsionc si or scvcn
ycars ago, and I Iad ncvcr sccn Iim sincc. Hc
sai lacidly crusing iIc ncvsacr, viiI Iis
liiilc Icad on onc sidc, and a glass of varm
sIcrry ncgus ai Iis cllov. Hc vas so circmcly
conciliaiory in Iis manncr iIai Ic sccmcd io
aologizc io iIc vcry ncvsacr for ialing iIc
lilcriy of rcading ii.
I vallcd u io vIcrc Ic vas siiiing, and said,
'Hov do you do, Mr. CIilli?'
Hc vas grcaily fluiicrcd ly iIis uncccicd
addrcss from a sirangcr, and rclicd, in Iis slov
vay, 'I iIanl you, sir, you arc vcry good. TIanl
you, sir. I Ioc ou arc vcll.'
'You don'i rcmcmlcr mc?' said I.
'Wcll, sir,' rciurncd Mr. CIilli, smiling vcry
mcclly, and sIaling Iis Icad as Ic survcycd
mc, 'I Iavc a lind of an imrcssion iIai somc-
iIing in your counicnancc is familiar io mc, sir;
lui I couldn'i lay my Iand uon your namc,
rcally.'
'And yci you lncv ii, long lcforc I lncv ii
mysclf,' I rciurncd.
'Did I indccd, sir?' said Mr. CIilli. 'Is ii os-
sillc iIai I Iad iIc Ionour, sir, of officiaiing
vIcn?'
'Ycs,' said I.
'Dcar mc!' cricd Mr. CIilli. 'Dui no douli you
arc a good dcal cIangcd sincc iIcn, sir?'
'Frolally,' said I.
'Wcll, sir,' olscrvcd Mr. CIilli, 'I Ioc you'll
ccusc mc, if I am comcllcd io asl iIc favour
of your namc?'
On my iclling Iim my namc, Ic vas rcally
movcd. Hc quiic sIool Iands viiI mcvIicI
486
vas a violcni rocccding for Iim, Iis usual
coursc lcing io slidc a icid liiilc fisI-slicc, an
incI or ivo in advancc of Iis Ii, and cvincc
iIc grcaicsi discomosurc vIcn anylody
gralcd viiI ii. Evcn nov, Ic ui Iis Iand in
Iis coai-oclci as soon as Ic could discngagc
ii, and sccmcd rclicvcd vIcn Ic Iad goi ii safc
lacl.
'Dcar mc, sir!' said Mr. CIilli, survcying mc
viiI Iis Icad on onc sidc. 'And ii's Mr.
Cocrficld, is ii? Wcll, sir, I iIinl I sIould Iavc
lnovn you, if I Iad ialcn iIc lilcriy of looling
morc closcly ai you. TIcrc's a sirong rcscm-
llancc lcivccn you and your oor faiIcr, sir.'
'I ncvcr Iad iIc Iaincss of sccing my fa-
iIcr,' I olscrvcd.
'Vcry iruc, sir,' said Mr. CIilli, in a sooiIing
ionc. 'And vcry mucI io lc dclorcd ii vas, on
all accounis! Wc arc noi ignorani, sir,' said Mr.
CIilli, slovly sIaling Iis liiilc Icad again,
'dovn in our ari of iIc couniry, of your famc.
TIcrc musi lc grcai cciicmcni Icrc, sir,' said
Mr. CIilli, iaing Iimsclf on iIc forcIcad viiI
Iis forcfingcr. 'You musi find ii a irying occu-
aiion, sir!'
'WIai is your ari of iIc couniry nov?' I aslcd,
scaiing mysclf ncar Iim.
'I am csiallisIcd viiIin a fcv milcs of Dury
Si. Edmund's, sir,' said Mr. CIilli. 'Mrs. CIilli,
coming inio a liiilc rocriy in iIai
ncigIlourIood, undcr Icr faiIcr's vill, I lougIi
a raciicc dovn iIcrc, in vIicI you vill lc glad
io Icar I am doing vcll. My daugIicr is groving
quiic a iall lass nov, sir,' said Mr. CIilli, giv-
ing Iis liiilc Icad anoiIcr liiilc sIalc. 'Hcr
moiIcr lci dovn ivo iucls in Icr frocls only
lasi vccl. SucI is iimc, you scc, sir!'
As iIc liiilc man ui Iis nov cmiy glass io
Iis lis, vIcn Ic madc iIis rcflcciion, I ro-
oscd io Iim io Iavc ii rcfillcd, and I vould lcc
Iim comany viiI anoiIcr. 'Wcll, sir,' Ic rc-
iurncd, in Iis slov vay, 'ii's morc iIan I am
487
accusiomcd io; lui I can'i dcny mysclf iIc lca-
surc of your convcrsaiion. Ii sccms lui ycsicr-
day iIai I Iad iIc Ionour of aiicnding you in
iIc mcaslcs. You camc iIrougI iIcm cIarm-
ingly, sir!'
I aclnovlcdgcd iIis comlimcni, and ordcrcd
iIc ncgus, vIicI vas soon roduccd. 'Quiic an
uncommon dissiaiion!' said Mr. CIilli, siir-
ring ii, 'lui I can'i rcsisi so ciraordinary an
occasion. You Iavc no family, sir?'
I sIool my Icad.
'I vas avarc iIai you susiaincd a lcrcavc-
mcni, sir, somc iimc ago,' said Mr. CIilli. 'I
Icard ii from your faiIcr-in-lav's sisicr. Vcry
dccidcd cIaracicr iIcrc, sir?'
'WIy, ycs,' said I, 'dccidcd cnougI. WIcrc did
you scc Icr, Mr. CIilli?'
'Arc you noi avarc, sir,' rciurncd Mr. CIilli,
viiI Iis lacidcsi smilc, 'iIai your faiIcr-in-
lav is again a ncigIlour of minc?'
'No,' said I.
'Hc is indccd, sir!' said Mr. CIilli. 'Marricd a
young lady of iIai ari, viiI a vcry good liiilc
rocriy, oor iIing.And iIis aciion of iIc lrain
nov, sir? Don'i you find ii faiiguc you?' said Mr.
CIilli, looling ai mc lilc an admiring Folin.
I vaivcd iIai qucsiion, and rciurncd io iIc
Murdsioncs. 'I vas avarc of Iis lcing marricd
again. Do you aiicnd iIc family?' I aslcd.
'Noi rcgularly. I Iavc lccn callcd in,' Ic rc-
licd. 'Sirong Ircnological dcvclomcnis of iIc
organ of firmncss, in Mr. Murdsionc and Iis
sisicr, sir.'
I rclicd viiI sucI an crcssivc lool, iIai
Mr. CIilli vas cmloldcncd ly iIai, and iIc
ncgus iogciIcr, io givc Iis Icad scvcral sIori
sIalcs, and iIougIifully cclaim, 'AI, dcar mc!
Wc rcmcmlcr old iimcs, Mr. Cocrficld!'
'And iIc lroiIcr and sisicr arc ursuing iIcir
old coursc, arc iIcy?' said I.
'Wcll, sir,' rclicd Mr. CIilli, 'a mcdical man,
lcing so mucI in familics, ougIi io Iavc nci-
488
iIcr cycs nor cars for anyiIing lui Iis rofcs-
sion. Siill, I musi say, iIcy arc vcry scvcrc, sir:
loiI as io iIis lifc and iIc nci.'
'TIc nci vill lc rcgulaicd viiIoui mucI rcf-
crcncc io iIcm, I darc say,' I rciurncd: 'vIai
arc iIcy doing as io iIis?'
Mr. CIilli sIool Iis Icad, siirrcd Iis ncgus,
and sicd ii.
'SIc vas a cIarming voman, sir!' Ic olscrvcd
in a lainiivc manncr.
'TIc rcscni Mrs. Murdsionc?'
A cIarming voman indccd, sir,' said Mr.
CIilli; 'as amiallc, I am surc, as ii vas os-
sillc io lc! Mrs. CIilli's oinion is, iIai Icr
sirii Ias lccn cniircly lrolcn sincc Icr mar-
riagc, and iIai sIc is all lui mclancIoly mad.
And iIc ladics,' olscrvcd Mr. CIilli, iimorously,
'arc grcai olscrvcrs, sir.'
'I suosc sIc vas io lc sulducd and lrolcn
io iIcir dcicsiallc mould, Hcavcn Icl Icr!' said
I. 'And sIc Ias lccn.'
'Wcll, sir, iIcrc vcrc violcni quarrcls ai firsi, I as-
surc you,' said Mr. CIilli; 'lui sIc is quiic a sIadov
nov. Would ii lc considcrcd forvard if I vas io say
io you, sir, in confidcncc, iIai sincc iIc sisicr camc
io Icl, iIc lroiIcr and sisicr lcivccn iIcm Iavc
ncarly rcduccd Icr io a siaic of imlcciliiy?'
I iold Iim I could casily lclicvc ii.
'I Iavc no Icsiiaiion in saying,' said Mr. CIilli,
foriifying Iimsclf viiI anoiIcr si of ncgus, 'lcivccn
you and mc, sir, iIai Icr moiIcr dicd of iior iIai
iyranny, gloom, and vorry Iavc madc Mrs.
Murdsionc ncarly imlccilc. SIc vas a livcly young
voman, sir, lcforc marriagc, and iIcir gloom and
ausicriiy dcsiroycd Icr. TIcy go aloui viiI Icr, nov,
morc lilc Icr lcccrs iIan Icr Iusland and sisicr-
in-lav. TIai vas Mrs. CIilli's rcmarl io mc, only
lasi vccl. And I assurc you, sir, iIc ladics arc grcai
olscrvcrs. Mrs. CIilli Icrsclf is a grcai olscrvcr!'
'Docs Ic gloomily rofcss io lc (I am asIamcd
io usc iIc vord in sucI associaiion} rcligious
siill?' I inquircd.
489
'You aniiciaic, sir,' said Mr. CIilli, Iis cyc-
lids gciiing quiic rcd viiI iIc unvonicd siimu-
lus in vIicI Ic vas indulging. 'Onc of Mrs.
CIilli's mosi imrcssivc rcmarls. Mrs. CIilli,'
Ic rocccdcd, in iIc calmcsi and slovcsi man-
ncr, 'quiic clccirificd mc, ly oiniing oui iIai
Mr. Murdsionc scis u an imagc of Iimsclf, and
calls ii iIc Divinc Naiurc. You migIi Iavc
lnoclcd mc dovn on iIc flai of my lacl, sir,
viiI iIc fcaiIcr of a cn, I assurc you, vIcn
Mrs. CIilli said so. TIc ladics arc grcai ol-
scrvcrs, sir?'
'Iniuiiivcly,' said I, io Iis circmc dcligIi.
'I am vcry Iay io rcccivc sucI suori in
my oinion, sir,' Ic rcjoincd. 'Ii is noi oficn iIai
I vcniurc io givc a non-mcdical oinion, I as-
surc you. Mr. Murdsionc dclivcrs ullic ad-
drcsscs somciimcs, and ii is said,in sIori, sir,
ii is said ly Mrs. CIilli,iIai iIc darlcr iy-
rani Ic Ias laicly lccn, iIc morc fcrocious is
Iis docirinc.'
'I lclicvc Mrs. CIilli io lc crfccily rigIi,' said I.
'Mrs. CIilli docs go so far as io say,' ursucd
iIc mcclcsi of liiilc mcn, mucI cncouragcd,
'iIai vIai sucI colc miscall iIcir rcligion, is
a vcni for iIcir lad Iumours and arrogancc.
And do you lnov I musi say, sir,' Ic coniinucd,
mildly laying Iis Icad on onc sidc, 'iIai I don`t
find auiIoriiy for Mr. and Miss Murdsionc in
iIc Ncv Tcsiamcni?'
'I ncvcr found ii ciiIcr!' said I.
'In iIc mcaniimc, sir,' said Mr. CIilli, 'iIcy
arc mucI dislilcd; and as iIcy arc vcry frcc in
consigning cvcrylody vIo dislilcs iIcm io cr-
diiion, vc rcally Iavc a good dcal of crdiiion
going on in our ncigIlourIood! Hovcvcr, as
Mrs. CIilli says, sir, iIcy undcrgo a coniinual
unisImcni; for iIcy arc iurncd invard, io fccd
uon iIcir ovn Icaris, and iIcir ovn Icaris
arc vcry lad fccding. Nov, sir, aloui iIai lrain
of yours, if you'll ccusc my rciurning io ii. Don'i
you cosc ii io a good dcal of cciicmcni, sir?'
490
I found ii noi difficuli, in iIc cciicmcni of
Mr. CIilli's ovn lrain, undcr Iis oiaiions of
ncgus, io divcri Iis aiicniion from iIis ioic io
Iis ovn affairs, on vIicI, for iIc nci Ialf-Iour,
Ic vas quiic loquacious; giving mc io undcr-
siand, among oiIcr icccs of informaiion, iIai
Ic vas iIcn ai iIc Gray's Inn Coffcc-Iousc io
lay Iis rofcssional cvidcncc lcforc a Commis-
sion of Lunacy, ioucIing iIc siaic of mind of a
aiicni vIo Iad lccomc dcrangcd from cccs-
sivc drinling.
'And I assurc you, sir,' Ic said, 'I am circmcly
ncrvous on sucI occasions. I could noi suori
lcing vIai is callcd Dullicd, sir. Ii vould quiic
unman mc. Do you lnov ii vas somc iimc lc-
forc I rccovcrcd iIc conduci of iIai alarming
lady, on iIc nigIi of your liriI, Mr. Cocrficld?'
I iold Iim iIai I vas going dovn io my auni,
iIc Dragon of iIai nigIi, carly in iIc morning;
and iIai sIc vas onc of iIc mosi icndcr-Icaricd
and cccllcni of vomcn, as Ic vould lnov full
vcll if Ic lncv Icr lciicr. TIc mcrc noiion of
iIc ossililiiy of Iis cvcr sccing Icr again, a-
carcd io icrrify Iim. Hc rclicd viiI a small
alc smilc, 'Is sIc so, indccd, sir? Fcally?' and
almosi immcdiaicly callcd for a candlc, and vcni
io lcd, as if Ic vcrc noi quiic safc anyvIcrc
clsc. Hc did noi aciually siaggcr undcr iIc
ncgus; lui I sIould iIinl Iis lacid liiilc ulsc
musi Iavc madc ivo or iIrcc morc lcais in a
minuic, iIan ii Iad donc sincc iIc grcai nigIi
of my auni's disaoinimcni, vIcn sIc sirucl
ai Iim viiI Icr lonnci.
TIorougIly iircd, I vcni io lcd ioo, ai mid-
nigIi; asscd iIc nci day on iIc Dovcr coacI;
lursi safc and sound inio my auni's old arlour
vIilc sIc vas ai ica (sIc vorc scciaclcs nov};
and vas rcccivcd ly Icr, and Mr. Dicl, and dcar
old Fcggoiiy, vIo acicd as Iousclcccr, viiI
ocn arms and icars of joy. My auni vas migIiily
amuscd, vIcn vc lcgan io iall comoscdly, ly
my accouni of my mcciing viiI Mr. CIilli, and
491
of Iis Iolding Icr in sucI drcad rcmcmlrancc;
and loiI sIc and Fcggoiiy Iad a grcai dcal io
say aloui my oor moiIcr's sccond Iusland,
and 'iIai murdcring voman of a sisicr',on
vIom I iIinl no ain or cnaliy vould Iavc
induccd my auni io lcsiov any CIrisiian or
Frocr Namc, or any oiIcr dcsignaiion.
CHAPTER 60
AGNES
MY AUNT AND I, vIcn vc vcrc lcfi alonc, iallcd far
inio iIc nigIi. Hov iIc cmigranis ncvcr vroic
Iomc, oiIcrvisc iIan cIccrfully and Iocfully;
Iov Mr. Micavlcr Iad aciually rcmiiicd divcrs
small sums of moncy, on accouni of iIosc 'c-
cuniary lialiliiics', in rcfcrcncc io vIicI Ic Iad
lccn so lusincss-lilc as lcivccn man and man;
Iov Janci, rciurning inio my auni's scrvicc vIcn
sIc camc lacl io Dovcr, Iad finally carricd oui
Icr rcnunciaiion of manlind ly cnicring inio
vcdlocl viiI a iIriving iavcrn-lcccr; and Iov
my auni Iad finally sci Icr scal on iIc samc
grcai rincilc, ly aiding and alciiing iIc lridc,
and crovning iIc marriagc-ccrcmony viiI Icr
rcscncc; vcrc among our ioicsalrcady morc
or lcss familiar io mc iIrougI iIc lciicrs I Iad
Iad. Mr. Dicl, as usual, vas noi forgoiicn. My
auni informcd mc Iov Ic inccssanily occuicd
Iimsclf in coying cvcryiIing Ic could lay Iis
Iands on, and lci King CIarlcs iIc Firsi ai a
rcscciful disiancc ly iIai scmllancc of cmloy-
mcni; Iov ii vas onc of iIc main joys and rc-
vards of Icr lifc iIai Ic vas frcc and Iay,
insicad of ining in monoionous rcsiraini; and
Iov (as a novcl gcncral conclusion} nolody lui
sIc could cvcr fully lnov vIai Ic vas.
'And vIcn, Troi,' said my auni, aiiing iIc lacl
of my Iand, as vc sai in our old vay lcforc iIc
firc, 'vIcn arc you going ovcr io Canicrlury?'
'I sIall gci a Iorsc, and ridc ovcr iomorrov
morning, auni, unlcss you vill go viiI mc?'
492
'No!' said my auni, in Icr sIori alrui vay. 'I
mcan io siay vIcrc I am.'
TIcn, I sIould ridc, I said. I could noi Iavc
comc iIrougI Canicrlury ioday viiIoui sio-
ing, if I Iad lccn coming io anyonc lui Icr.
SIc vas lcascd, lui ansvcrcd, 'Tui, Troi; MY
old loncs vould Iavc lci iill iomorrov!' and
sofily aiicd my Iand again, as I sai looling
iIougIifully ai iIc firc.
TIougIifully, for I could noi lc Icrc oncc
morc, and so ncar Agncs, viiIoui iIc rcvival of
iIosc rcgrcis viiI vIicI I Iad so long lccn oc-
cuicd. Soficncd rcgrcis iIcy migIi lc, icacI-
ing mc vIai I Iad failcd io lcarn vIcn my
youngcr lifc vas all lcforc mc, lui noi iIc lcss
rcgrcis. 'OI, Troi,' I sccmcd io Icar my auni
say oncc morc; and I undcrsiood Icr lciicr
nov'Dlind, llind, llind!'
Wc loiI lci silcncc for somc minuics. WIcn
I raiscd my cycs, I found iIai sIc vas sicadily
olscrvani of mc. FcrIas sIc Iad follovcd iIc
currcni of my mind; for ii sccmcd io mc an casy
onc io iracl nov, vilful as ii Iad lccn oncc.
'You vill find Icr faiIcr a vIiic-Iaircd old
man,' said my auni, 'iIougI a lciicr man in all
oiIcr rcsccisa rcclaimcd man. NciiIcr vill
you find Iim mcasuring all Iuman inicrcsis,
and joys, and sorrovs, viiI Iis onc oor liiilc
incI-rulc nov. Trusi mc, cIild, sucI iIings
musi sIrinl vcry mucI, lcforc iIcy can lc
mcasurcd off in iIai vay.'
'Indccd iIcy musi,' said I.
'You vill find Icr,' ursucd my auni, 'as good,
as lcauiiful, as carncsi, as disinicrcsicd, as sIc
Ias alvays lccn. If I lncv IigIcr raisc, Troi, I
vould lcsiov ii on Icr.'
TIcrc vas no IigIcr raisc for Icr; no IigIcr
rcroacI for mc. OI, Iov Iad I siraycd so far
avay!
'If sIc irains iIc young girls vIom sIc Ias
aloui Icr, io lc lilc Icrsclf,' said my auni, car-
ncsi cvcn io iIc filling of Icr cycs viiI icars,
493
'Hcavcn lnovs, Icr lifc vill lc vcll cmloycd!
Uscful and Iay, as sIc said iIai day! Hov
could sIc lc oiIcrvisc iIan uscful and Iay!'
'Has Agncs any' I vas iIinling aloud, raiIcr
iIan scaling.
'Wcll? Hcy? Any vIai?' said my auni, sIarly.
'Any lovcr,' said I.
'A scorc,' cricd my auni, viiI a lind of indig-
nani ridc. 'SIc migIi Iavc marricd ivcniy
iimcs, my dcar, sincc you Iavc lccn gonc!'
'No douli,' said I. 'No douli. Dui Ias sIc any
lovcr vIo is voriIy of Icr? Agncs could carc for
no oiIcr.'
My auni sai musing for a liiilc vIilc, viiI Icr
cIin uon Icr Iand. Slovly raising Icr cycs io
minc, sIc said:
'I suscci sIc Ias an aiiacImcni, Troi.'
'A roscrous onc?' said I.
'Troi,' rciurncd my auni gravcly, 'I can'i say. I
Iavc no rigIi io icll you cvcn so mucI. SIc Ias
ncvcr confidcd ii io mc, lui I suscci ii.'
SIc loolcd so aiicniivcly and aniously ai mc
(I cvcn sav Icr ircmllc}, iIai I fcli nov, morc
iIan cvcr, iIai sIc Iad follovcd my laic
iIougIis. I summoncd all iIc rcsoluiions I Iad
madc, in all iIosc many days and nigIis, and
all iIosc many conflicis of my Icari.
'If ii sIould lc so,' I lcgan, 'and I Ioc ii is'
'I don'i lnov iIai ii is,' said my auni curily.
'You musi noi lc rulcd ly my susicions. You
musi lcc iIcm sccrci. TIcy arc vcry sligIi,
crIas. I Iavc no rigIi io scal.'
'If ii sIould lc so,' I rccaicd, 'Agncs vill icll
mc ai Icr ovn good iimc. A sisicr io vIom I
Iavc confidcd so mucI, auni, vill noi lc rcluc-
iani io confidc in mc.'
My auni viiIdrcv Icr cycs from minc, as slovly
as sIc Iad iurncd iIcm uon mc; and covcrcd
iIcm iIougIifully viiI Icr Iand. Dy and ly sIc
ui Icr oiIcr Iand on my sIouldcr; and so vc
loiI sai, looling inio iIc asi, viiIoui saying
anoiIcr vord, uniil vc aricd for iIc nigIi.
494
I rodc avay, carly in iIc morning, for iIc sccnc
of my old scIool-days. I cannoi say iIai I vas
yci quiic Iay, in iIc Ioc iIai I vas gaining
a viciory ovcr mysclf; cvcn in iIc roscci of so
soon looling on Icr facc again.
TIc vcll-rcmcmlcrcd ground vas soon ira-
vcrscd, and I camc inio iIc quici sirccis, vIcrc
cvcry sionc vas a loy's lool io mc. I vcni on
fooi io iIc old Iousc, and vcni avay viiI a
Icari ioo full io cnicr. I rciurncd; and looling,
as I asscd, iIrougI iIc lov vindov of iIc iur-
rci-room vIcrc firsi UriaI Hcc, and aficrvards
Mr. Micavlcr, Iad lccn voni io sii, sav iIai ii
vas a liiilc arlour nov, and iIai iIcrc vas no
officc. OiIcrvisc iIc siaid old Iousc vas, as io
iis clcanlincss and ordcr, siill jusi as ii Iad lccn
vIcn I firsi sav ii. I rcqucsicd iIc ncv maid
vIo admiiicd mc, io icll Miss Wiclficld iIai a
gcnilcman vIo vaiicd on Icr from a fricnd
alroad, vas iIcrc; and I vas sIovn u iIc gravc
old siaircasc (cauiioncd of iIc sics I lncv so
vcll}, inio iIc uncIangcd draving-room. TIc
lools iIai Agncs and I Iad rcad iogciIcr, vcrc
on iIcir sIclvcs; and iIc dcsl vIcrc I Iad
lalourcd ai my lcssons, many a nigIi, siood
yci ai iIc samc old corncr of iIc iallc. All iIc
liiilc cIangcs iIai Iad crci in vIcn iIc Hccs
vcrc iIcrc, vcrc cIangcd again. EvcryiIing vas
as ii uscd io lc, in iIc Iay iimc.
I siood in a vindov, and loolcd across iIc
ancicni sircci ai iIc oosiic Iouscs, rccalling
Iov I Iad vaicIcd iIcm on vci aficrnoons,
vIcn I firsi camc iIcrc; and Iov I Iad uscd io
scculaic aloui iIc colc vIo acarcd ai any
of iIc vindovs, and Iad follovcd iIcm viiI my
cycs u and dovn siairs, vIilc vomcn vcni
clicling along iIc avcmcni in aiicns, and iIc
dull rain fcll in slaniing lincs, and ourcd oui
of iIc vaicr-soui yondcr, and flovcd inio iIc
road. TIc fccling viiI vIicI I uscd io vaicI iIc
irams, as iIcy camc inio iIc iovn on iIosc
vci cvcnings, ai dusl, and limcd asi, viiI
495
iIcir lundlcs drooing ovcr iIcir sIouldcrs ai
iIc cnds of siicls, camc frcsIly lacl io mc;
fraugIi, as iIcn, viiI iIc smcll of dam cariI,
and vci lcavcs and lriar, and iIc scnsaiion of
iIc vcry airs iIai llcv uon mc in my ovn ioil-
somc journcy.
TIc ocning of iIc liiilc door in iIc ancllcd
vall madc mc siari and iurn. Hcr lcauiiful sc-
rcnc cycs mci minc as sIc camc iovards mc.
SIc siocd and laid Icr Iand uon Icr lo-
som, and I caugIi Icr in my arms.
'Agncs! my dcar girl! I Iavc comc ioo suddcnly
uon you.'
'No, no! I am so rcjoiccd io scc you, Troivood!'
'Dcar Agncs, iIc Iaincss ii is io mc, io scc
you oncc again!'
I foldcd Icr io my Icari, and, for a liiilc vIilc,
vc vcrc loiI silcni. Frcscnily vc sai dovn, sidc
ly sidc; and Icr angcl-facc vas iurncd uon
mc viiI iIc vclcomc I Iad drcamcd of, valing
and slccing, for vIolc ycars.
SIc vas so iruc, sIc vas so lcauiiful, sIc vas
so good,I ovcd Icr so mucI graiiiudc, sIc vas
so dcar io mc, iIai I could find no uiicrancc for
vIai I fcli. I iricd io llcss Icr, iricd io iIanl Icr,
iricd io icll Icr (as I Iad oficn donc in lciicrs}
vIai an influcncc sIc Iad uon mc; lui all my
cfforis vcrc in vain. My lovc and joy vcrc duml.
WiiI Icr ovn svcci iranquilliiy, sIc calmcd
my agiiaiion; lcd mc lacl io iIc iimc of our ari-
ing; solc io mc of Emily, vIom sIc Iad visiicd,
in sccrci, many iimcs; solc io mc icndcrly of
Dora's gravc. WiiI iIc uncrring insiinci of Icr
nollc Icari, sIc ioucIcd iIc cIords of my
mcmory so sofily and Iarmoniously, iIai noi onc
jarrcd viiIin mc; I could lisicn io iIc sorrovful,
disiani music, and dcsirc io sIrinl from noiI-
ing ii avolc. Hov could I, vIcn, llcndcd viiI ii
all, vas Icr dcar sclf, iIc lciicr angcl of my lifc?
'And you, Agncs,' I said, ly and ly. 'Tcll mc of
yoursclf. You Iavc Iardly cvcr iold mc of your
ovn lifc, in all iIis lasc of iimc!'
496
'WIai sIould I icll?' sIc ansvcrcd, viiI Icr
radiani smilc. 'Faa is vcll. You scc us Icrc,
quici in our ovn Iomc; our aniciics sci ai rcsi,
our Iomc rcsiorcd io us; and lnoving iIai, dcar
Troivood, you lnov all.'
'All, Agncs?' said I.
SIc loolcd ai mc, viiI somc fluiicring von-
dcr in Icr facc.
'Is iIcrc noiIing clsc, Sisicr?' I said.
Hcr colour, vIicI Iad jusi nov fadcd, rc-
iurncd, and fadcd again. SIc smilcd; viiI a
quici sadncss, I iIougIi; and sIool Icr Icad.
I Iad sougIi io lcad Icr io vIai my auni Iad
Iinicd ai; for, sIarly ainful io mc as ii musi
lc io rcccivc iIai confidcncc, I vas io discilinc
my Icari, and do my duiy io Icr. I sav, Iov-
cvcr, iIai sIc vas uncasy, and I lci ii ass.
'You Iavc mucI io do, dcar Agncs?'
'WiiI my scIool?' said sIc, looling u again,
in all Icr lrigIi comosurc.
'Ycs. Ii is lalorious, is ii noi?'
'TIc lalour is so lcasani,' sIc rciurncd, 'iIai
ii is scarccly graicful in mc io call ii ly iIai
namc.'
'NoiIing good is difficuli io you,' said I.
Hcr colour camc and vcni oncc morc; and
oncc morc, as sIc lcni Icr Icad, I sav iIc samc
sad smilc.
'You vill vaii and scc aa,' said Agncs, cIccr-
fully, 'and ass iIc day viiI us? FcrIas you
vill slcc in your ovn room? Wc alvays call ii
yours.'
I could noi do iIai, Iaving romiscd io ridc
lacl io my auni's ai nigIi; lui I vould ass
iIc day iIcrc, joyfully.
'I musi lc a risoncr for a liiilc vIilc,' said
Agncs, 'lui Icrc arc iIc old lools, Troivood,
and iIc old music.'
'Evcn iIc old flovcrs arc Icrc,' said I, looling
round; 'or iIc old linds.'
'I Iavc found a lcasurc,' rciurncd Agncs, smil-
ing, 'vIilc you Iavc lccn alscni, in lccing
497
cvcryiIing as ii uscd io lc vIcn vc vcrc cIil-
drcn. For vc vcrc vcry Iay iIcn, I iIinl.'
'Hcavcn lnovs vc vcrc!' said I.
'And cvcry liiilc iIing iIai Ias rcmindcd mc
of my lroiIcr,' said Agncs, viiI Icr cordial cycs
iurncd cIccrfully uon mc, 'Ias lccn a vclcomc
comanion. Evcn iIis,' sIoving mc iIc laslci-
iriflc, full of lcys, siill Ianging ai Icr sidc, 'sccms
io jinglc a lind of old iunc!'
SIc smilcd again, and vcni oui ai iIc door ly
vIicI sIc Iad comc.
Ii vas for mc io guard iIis sisicrly affcciion
viiI rcligious carc. Ii vas all iIai I Iad lcfi
mysclf, and ii vas a ircasurc. If I oncc sIool
iIc foundaiions of iIc sacrcd confidcncc and
usagc, in viriuc of vIicI ii vas givcn io mc, ii
vas losi, and could ncvcr lc rccovcrcd. I sci
iIis sicadily lcforc mysclf. TIc lciicr I lovcd
Icr, iIc morc ii lcIovcd mc ncvcr io forgci ii.
I vallcd iIrougI iIc sirccis; and, oncc morc
sccing my old advcrsary iIc luicIcrnov a
consiallc, viiI Iis siaff Ianging u in iIc
sIovcni dovn io lool ai iIc lacc vIcrc I
Iad fougIi Iim; and iIcrc mcdiiaicd on Miss
SIcIcrd and iIc cldcsi Miss Larlins, and all
iIc idlc lovcs and lilings, and dislilings, of iIai
iimc. NoiIing sccmcd io Iavc survivcd iIai iimc
lui Agncs; and sIc, cvcr a siar alovc mc, vas
lrigIicr and IigIcr.
WIcn I rciurncd, Mr. Wiclficld Iad comc
Iomc, from a gardcn Ic Iad, a coulc of milcs
or so oui of iovn, vIcrc Ic nov cmloycd Iim-
sclf almosi cvcry day. I found Iim as my auni
Iad dcscrilcd Iim. Wc sai dovn io dinncr, viiI
somc Ialf-dozcn liiilc girls; and Ic sccmcd lui
iIc sIadov of Iis Iandsomc iciurc on iIc vall.
TIc iranquilliiy and cacc lclonging, of old,
io iIai quici ground in my mcmory, crvadcd ii
again. WIcn dinncr vas donc, Mr. Wiclficld
ialing no vinc, and I dcsiring nonc, vc vcni
u-siairs; vIcrc Agncs and Icr liiilc cIargcs
sang and laycd, and vorlcd. Aficr ica iIc cIil-
498
drcn lcfi us; and vc iIrcc sai iogciIcr, ialling
of iIc lygonc days.
'My ari in iIcm,' said Mr. Wiclficld, sIaling
Iis vIiic Icad, 'Ias mucI maiicr for rcgrci
for dcc rcgrci, and dcc coniriiion, Troivood,
you vcll lnov. Dui I vould noi canccl ii, if ii
vcrc in my ovcr.'
I could rcadily lclicvc iIai, looling ai iIc facc
lcsidc Iim.
'I sIould canccl viiI ii,' Ic ursucd, 'sucI a-
iicncc and dcvoiion, sucI fidcliiy, sucI a cIild's
lovc, as I musi noi forgci, no! cvcn io forgci
mysclf.'
'I undcrsiand you, sir,' I sofily said. 'I Iold
iiI Iavc alvays Icld iiin vcncraiion.'
'Dui no onc lnovs, noi cvcn you,' Ic rciurncd,
'Iov mucI sIc Ias donc, Iov mucI sIc Ias
undcrgonc, Iov Iard sIc Ias sirivcn. Dcar
Agncs!'
SIc Iad ui Icr Iand cnircaiingly on Iis arm,
io sio Iim; and vas vcry, vcry alc.
'Wcll, vcll!' Ic said viiI a sigI, dismissing, as
I iIcn sav, somc irial sIc Iad lornc, or vas yci
io lcar, in conncion viiI vIai my auni Iad
iold mc. 'Wcll! I Iavc ncvcr iold you, Troivood,
of Icr moiIcr. Has anyonc?'
'Ncvcr, sir.'
'Ii's noi mucIiIougI ii vas mucI io suffcr.
SIc marricd mc in oosiiion io Icr faiIcr's
visI, and Ic rcnounccd Icr. SIc raycd Iim io
forgivc Icr, lcforc my Agncs camc inio iIis
vorld. Hc vas a vcry Iard man, and Icr moiIcr
Iad long lccn dcad. Hc rculscd Icr. Hc lrolc
Icr Icari.'
Agncs lcancd uon Iis sIouldcr, and siolc Icr
arm aloui Iis nccl.
'SIc Iad an affcciionaic and gcnilc Icari,' Ic
said; 'and ii vas lrolcn. I lncv iis icndcr na-
iurc vcry vcll. No onc could, if I did noi. SIc
lovcd mc dcarly, lui vas ncvcr Iay. SIc vas
alvays lalouring, in sccrci, undcr iIis disircss;
and lcing dclicaic and dovncasi ai iIc iimc of
499
Iis lasi rculscfor ii vas noi iIc firsi, ly
manyincd avay and dicd. SIc lcfi mc Agncs,
ivo vccls old; and iIc grcy Iair iIai you rccol-
lcci mc viiI, vIcn you firsi camc.' Hc lisscd
Agncs on Icr cIccl.
'My lovc for my dcar cIild vas a discascd lovc,
lui my mind vas all unIcaliIy iIcn. I say no
morc of iIai. I am noi scaling of mysclf,
Troivood, lui of Icr moiIcr, and of Icr. If I givc
you any cluc io vIai I am, or io vIai I Iavc
lccn, you vill unravcl ii, I lnov. WIai Agncs
is, I nccd noi say. I Iavc alvays rcad somciIing
of Icr oor moiIcr's siory, in Icr cIaracicr; and
so I icll ii you ionigIi, vIcn vc iIrcc arc again
iogciIcr, aficr sucI grcai cIangcs. I Iavc iold
ii all.'
His lovcd Icad, and Icr angcl-facc and filial
duiy, dcrivcd a morc aiIciic mcaning from ii
iIan iIcy Iad Iad lcforc. If I Iad vanicd any-
iIing ly vIicI io marl iIis nigIi of our rc-
union, I sIould Iavc found ii in iIis.
Agncs rosc u from Icr faiIcr's sidc, lcforc
long; and going sofily io Icr iano, laycd somc
of iIc old airs io vIicI vc Iad oficn lisicncd in
iIai lacc.
'Havc you any inicniion of going avay again?'
Agncs aslcd mc, as I vas sianding ly.
'WIai docs my sisicr say io iIai?'
'I Ioc noi.'
'TIcn I Iavc no sucI inicniion, Agncs.'
'I iIinl you ougIi noi, Troivood, sincc you
asl mc,' sIc said, mildly. 'Your groving rcu-
iaiion and succcss cnlargc your ovcr of doing
good; and if I could sarc my lroiIcr,' viiI Icr
cycs uon mc, 'crIas iIc iimc could noi.'
'WIai I am, you Iavc madc mc, Agncs. You
sIould lnov lcsi.'
'I madc you, Troivood?'
'Ycs! Agncs, my dcar girl!' I said, lcnding ovcr
Icr. 'I iricd io icll you, vIcn vc mci ioday, somc-
iIing iIai Ias lccn in my iIougIis sincc Dora
dicd. You rcmcmlcr, vIcn you camc dovn io
500
mc in our liiilc roomoiniing uvard, Agncs?'
'OI, Troivood!' sIc rciurncd, Icr cycs fillcd
viiI icars. 'So loving, so confiding, and so young!
Can I cvcr forgci?'
'As you vcrc iIcn, my sisicr, I Iavc oficn
iIougIi sincc, you Iavc cvcr lccn io mc. Evcr
oiniing uvard, Agncs; cvcr lcading mc io
somciIing lciicr; cvcr dircciing mc io IigIcr
iIings!'
SIc only sIool Icr Icad; iIrougI Icr icars I
sav iIc samc sad quici smilc.
'And I am so graicful io you for ii, Agncs, so
lound io you, iIai iIcrc is no namc for iIc af-
fcciion of my Icari. I vani you io lnov, yci don'i
lnov Iov io icll you, iIai all my lifc long I sIall
lool u io you, and lc guidcd ly you, as I Iavc
lccn iIrougI iIc darlncss iIai is asi. WIai-
cvcr lciidcs, vIaicvcr ncv iics you may form,
vIaicvcr cIangcs may comc lcivccn us, I sIall
alvays lool io you, and lovc you, as I do nov,
and Iavc alvays donc. You vill alvays lc my
solacc and rcsourcc, as you Iavc alvays lccn.
Uniil I dic, my dcarcsi sisicr, I sIall scc you
alvays lcforc mc, oiniing uvard!'
SIc ui Icr Iand in minc, and iold mc sIc
vas roud of mc, and of vIai I said; aliIougI I
raiscd Icr vcry far lcyond Icr voriI. TIcn sIc
vcni on sofily laying, lui viiIoui rcmoving
Icr cycs from mc.
'Do you lnov, vIai I Iavc Icard ionigIi,
Agncs,' said I, sirangcly sccms io lc a ari of
iIc fccling viiI vIicI I rcgardcd you vIcn I
sav you firsiviiI vIicI I sai lcsidc you in
my rougI scIool-days?'
'You lncv I Iad no moiIcr,' sIc rclicd viiI
a smilc, 'and fcli lindly iovards mc.'
'Morc iIan iIai, Agncs, I lncv, almosi as if I
Iad lnovn iIis siory, iIai iIcrc vas somciIing
inclically gcnilc and soficncd, surrounding
you; somciIing iIai migIi Iavc lccn sorrovful
in somconc clsc (as I can nov undcrsiand ii
vas}, lui vas noi so in you.'
501
SIc sofily laycd on, looling ai mc siill.
'Will you laugI ai my cIcrisIing sucI fancics,
Agncs?'
'No!'
'Or ai my saying iIai I rcally lclicvc I fcli, cvcn
iIcn, iIai you could lc faiiIfully affcciionaic
againsi all discouragcmcni, and ncvcr ccasc io
lc so, uniil you ccascd io livc?Will you laugI
ai sucI a drcam?'
'OI, no! OI, no!'
For an insiani, a disircssful sIadov crosscd
Icr facc; lui, cvcn in iIc siari ii gavc mc, ii
vas gonc; and sIc vas laying on, and looling
ai mc viiI Icr ovn calm smilc.
As I rodc lacl in iIc loncly nigIi, iIc vind
going ly mc lilc a rcsilcss mcmory, I iIougIi
of iIis, and fcarcd sIc vas noi Iay. I vas noi
Iay; lui, iIus far, I Iad faiiIfully sci iIc scal
uon iIc Fasi, and, iIinling of Icr, oiniing
uvard, iIougIi of Icr as oiniing io iIai sly
alovc mc, vIcrc, in iIc mysicry io comc, I migIi
yci lovc Icr viiI a lovc unlnovn on cariI, and
icll Icr vIai iIc sirifc Iad lccn viiIin mc vIcn
I lovcd Icr Icrc.
CHAPTER 61
I AM SHOWN TWO
INTERESTING PENITENTS
For a iimcai all cvcnis uniil my lool sIould
lc comlcicd, vIicI vould lc iIc vorl of scv-
cral moniIsI iool u my alodc in my auni's
Iousc ai Dovcr; and iIcrc, siiiing in iIc vin-
dov from vIicI I Iad loolcd oui ai iIc moon
uon iIc sca, vIcn iIai roof firsi gavc mc sIcl-
icr, I quicily ursucd my iasl.
In ursuancc of my inicniion of rcfcrring io
my ovn ficiions only vIcn iIcir coursc sIould
incidcnially conncci iisclf viiI iIc rogrcss of
my siory, I do noi cnicr on iIc asiraiions, iIc
dcligIis, aniciics, and iriumIs of my ari. TIai
I iruly dcvoicd mysclf io ii viiI my sirongcsi
502
carncsincss, and lcsiovcd uon ii cvcry cn-
crgy of my soul, I Iavc alrcady said. If iIc lools
I Iavc vriiicn lc of any voriI, iIcy vill suly
iIc rcsi. I sIall oiIcrvisc Iavc vriiicn io oor
urosc, and iIc rcsi vill lc of inicrcsi io no
onc.
Occasionally, I vcni io London; io losc mysclf
in iIc svarm of lifc iIcrc, or io consuli viiI
Traddlcs on somc lusincss oini. Hc Iad man-
agcd for mc, in my alscncc, viiI iIc soundcsi
judgcmcni; and my vorldly affairs vcrc ros-
cring. As my noioriciy lcgan io lring uon mc
an cnormous quaniiiy of lciicrs from colc of
vIom I Iad no lnovlcdgccIicfly aloui noiI-
ing, and circmcly difficuli io ansvcrI agrccd
viiI Traddlcs io Iavc my namc ainicd u on
Iis door. TIcrc, iIc dcvoicd osiman on iIai
lcai dclivcrcd lusIcls of lciicrs for mc; and
iIcrc, ai inicrvals, I lalourcd iIrougI iIcm, lilc
a Homc Sccrciary of Siaic viiIoui iIc salary.
Among iIis corrcsondcncc, iIcrc drocd in,
cvcry nov and iIcn, an olliging roosal from
onc of iIc numcrous ouisidcrs alvays lurling
aloui iIc Commons, io raciisc undcr covcr of
my namc (if I vould ialc iIc ncccssary sics
rcmaining io malc a rocior of mysclf}, and ay
mc a crccniagc on iIc rofiis. Dui I dcclincd
iIcsc offcrs; lcing alrcady avarc iIai iIcrc vcrc
lcniy of sucI covcri raciiiioncrs in cisicncc,
and considcring iIc Commons quiic lad
cnougI, viiIoui my doing anyiIing io malc ii
vorsc.
TIc girls Iad gonc Iomc, vIcn my namc lursi
inio lloom on Traddlcs's door; and iIc sIar
loy loolcd, all day, as if Ic Iad ncvcr Icard of
SoIy, sIui u in a lacl room, glancing dovn
from Icr vorl inio a sooiy liiilc siri of gardcn
viiI a um in ii. Dui iIcrc I alvays found Icr,
iIc samc lrigIi Iouscvifc; oficn Iumming Icr
DcvonsIirc lallads vIcn no sirangc fooi vas
coming u iIc siairs, and lluniing iIc sIar
loy in Iis official closci viiI mclody.
503
I vondcrcd, ai firsi, vIy I so oficn found SoIy
vriiing in a coy-lool; and vIy sIc alvays sIui
ii u vIcn I acarcd, and Iurricd ii inio iIc
iallc-dravcr. Dui iIc sccrci soon camc oui. Onc
day, Traddlcs (vIo Iad jusi comc Iomc iIrougI
iIc drizzling slcci from Couri} iool a acr oui
of Iis dcsl, and aslcd mc vIai I iIougIi of
iIai Iandvriiing?
'OI, don`t, Tom!' cricd SoIy, vIo vas varm-
ing Iis slicrs lcforc iIc firc.
'My dcar,' rciurncd Tom, in a dcligIicd siaic,
'vIy noi? WIai do you say io iIai vriiing,
Cocrficld?'
'Ii's ciraordinarily lcgal and formal,' said I. 'I
don'i iIinl I cvcr sav sucI a siiff Iand.'
'Noi lilc a lady's Iand, is ii?' said Traddlcs.
'A lady's!' I rccaicd. 'Dricls and moriar arc
morc lilc a lady's Iand!'
Traddlcs lrolc inio a raiurous laugI, and
informcd mc iIai ii vas SoIy's vriiing; iIai
SoIy Iad vovcd and dcclarcd Ic vould nccd
a coying-clcrl soon, and sIc vould lc iIai
clcrl; iIai sIc Iad acquircd iIis Iand from a
aiicrn; and iIai sIc could iIrov offI forgci
Iov many folios an Iour. SoIy vas vcry mucI
confuscd ly my lcing iold all iIis, and said iIai
vIcn 'Tom' vas madc a judgc Ic vouldn'i lc so
rcady io roclaim ii. WIicI 'Tom' dcnicd; avcr-
ring iIai Ic sIould alvays lc cqually roud of
ii, undcr all circumsianccs.
'WIai a iIorougIly good and cIarming vifc
sIc is, my dcar Traddlcs!' said I, vIcn sIc Iad
gonc avay, laugIing.
'My dcar Cocrficld,' rciurncd Traddlcs, 'sIc
is, viiIoui any ccciion, iIc dcarcsi girl! TIc
vay sIc managcs iIis lacc; Icr unciualiiy,
domcsiic lnovlcdgc, cconomy, and ordcr; Icr
cIccrfulncss, Cocrficld!'
'Indccd, you Iavc rcason io commcnd Icr!' I
rciurncd. 'You arc a Iay fcllov. I lclicvc you
malc yoursclvcs, and cacI oiIcr, ivo of iIc
Iaicsi colc in iIc vorld.'
504
'I am surc vc urc ivo of iIc Iaicsi colc,'
rciurncd Traddlcs. 'I admii iIai, ai all cvcnis.
Dlcss my soul, vIcn I scc Icr gciiing u ly
candlc-ligIi on iIcsc darl mornings, lusying
Icrsclf in iIc day's arrangcmcnis, going oui io
marlci lcforc iIc clcrls comc inio iIc Inn, car-
ing for no vcaiIcr, dcvising iIc mosi caiial
liiilc dinncrs oui of iIc laincsi maicrials, mal-
ing uddings and ics, lccing cvcryiIing in
iis rigIi lacc, alvays so ncai and ornamcnial
Icrsclf, siiiing u ai nigIi viiI mc if ii's cvcr so
laic, svcci-icmcrcd and cncouraging alvays,
and all for mc, I osiiivcly somciimcs can'i lc-
licvc ii, Cocrficld!'
Hc vas icndcr of iIc vcry slicrs sIc Iad
lccn varming, as Ic ui iIcm on, and sircicIcd
Iis fcci cnjoyingly uon iIc fcndcr.
'I osiiivcly somciimcs can'i lclicvc ii,' said
Traddlcs. 'TIcn our lcasurcs! Dcar mc, iIcy
arc inccnsivc, lui iIcy arc quiic vondcrful!
WIcn vc arc ai Iomc Icrc, of an cvcning, and
sIui iIc ouicr door, and drav iIosc curiains
vIicI sIc madcvIcrc could vc lc morc snug?
WIcn ii's finc, and vc go oui for a vall in iIc
cvcning, iIc sirccis alound in cnjoymcni for
us. Wc lool inio iIc gliiicring vindovs of iIc
jcvcllcrs' sIos; and I sIov SoIy vIicI of iIc
diamond-cycd scrcnis, coilcd u on vIiic saiin
rising grounds, I vould givc Icr if I could afford
ii; and SoIy sIovs mc vIicI of iIc gold
vaicIcs iIai arc cacd and jcvcllcd and cn-
ginc-iurncd, and osscsscd of iIc Iorizonial
lcvcrcscac-movcmcni, and all soris of iIings,
sIc vould luy for mc if sIc could afford ii; and
vc icl oui iIc soons and forls, fisI-sliccs,
luiicr-lnivcs, and sugar-iongs, vc sIould loiI
rcfcr if vc could loiI afford ii; and rcally vc
go avay as if vc Iad goi iIcm! TIcn, vIcn vc
siroll inio iIc squarcs, and grcai sirccis, and
scc a Iousc io lci, somciimcs vc lool u ai ii,
and say, Iov vould tIut do, if I vas madc a
judgc? And vc arccl ii ouisucI a room for
505
us, sucI rooms for iIc girls, and so foriI; uniil
vc sciilc io our saiisfaciion iIai ii vould do, or
ii vouldn'i do, as iIc casc may lc. Somciimcs,
vc go ai Ialf-ricc io iIc ii of iIc iIcairciIc
vcry smcll of vIicI is cIca, in my oinion, ai
iIc moncyand iIcrc vc iIorougIly cnjoy iIc
lay: vIicI SoIy lclicvcs cvcry vord of, and
so do I. In valling Iomc, crIas vc luy a liiilc
lii of somciIing ai a cool's-sIo, or a liiilc lol-
sicr ai iIc fisImongcrs, and lring ii Icrc, and
malc a slcndid sucr, cIaiiing aloui vIai
vc Iavc sccn. Nov, you lnov, Cocrficld, if I
vas Lord CIanccllor, vc couldn'i do iIis!'
'You vould do somciIing, vIaicvcr you vcrc,
my dcar Traddlcs,' iIougIi I, 'iIai vould lc
lcasani and amiallc. And ly iIc vay,' I said
aloud, 'I suosc you ncvcr drav any slclcions
nov?'
'Fcally,' rclicd Traddlcs, laugIing, and rcd-
dcning, 'I can'i vIolly dcny iIai I do, my dcar
Cocrficld. For lcing in onc of iIc lacl rovs
of iIc King's DcncI iIc oiIcr day, viiI a cn in
my Iand, iIc fancy camc inio my Icad io iry
Iov I Iad rcscrvcd iIai accomlisImcni. And
I am afraid iIcrc's a slclcionin a vigon iIc
lcdgc of iIc dcsl.'
Aficr vc Iad loiI laugIcd Icariily, Traddlcs
vound u ly looling viiI a smilc ai iIc firc,
and saying, in Iis forgiving vay, 'Old Crcallc!'
'I Iavc a lciicr from iIai oldFascal Icrc,'
said I. For I ncvcr vas lcss disoscd io forgivc
Iim iIc vay Ic uscd io laiicr Traddlcs, iIan
vIcn I sav Traddlcs so rcady io forgivc Iim Iim-
sclf.
'From Crcallc iIc scIoolmasicr?' cclaimcd
Traddlcs. 'No!'
'Among iIc crsons vIo arc aiiracicd io mc
in my rising famc and foriunc,' said I, looling
ovcr my lciicrs, 'and vIo discovcr iIai iIcy vcrc
alvays mucI aiiacIcd io mc, is iIc sclf-samc
Crcallc. Hc is noi a scIoolmasicr nov, Traddlcs.
Hc is rciircd. Hc is a Middlcsc Magisiraic.'
506
I iIougIi Traddlcs migIi lc surriscd io Icar
ii, lui Ic vas noi so ai all.
'Hov do you suosc Ic comcs io lc a
Middlcsc Magisiraic?' said I.
'OI dcar mc!' rclicd Traddlcs, 'ii vould lc
vcry difficuli io ansvcr iIai qucsiion. FcrIas
Ic voicd for somclody, or lcni moncy io somc-
lody, or lougIi somciIing of somclody, or oiI-
crvisc olligcd somclody, or jollcd for somc-
lody, vIo lncv somclody vIo goi iIc licuicn-
ani of iIc couniy io nominaic Iim for iIc com-
mission.'
'On iIc commission Ic is, ai any raic,' said I.
'And Ic vriics io mc Icrc, iIai Ic vill lc glad
io sIov mc, in ocraiion, iIc only iruc sysicm
of rison discilinc; iIc only uncIallcngcallc
vay of maling sinccrc and lasiing convcris and
cniicnisvIicI, you lnov, is ly soliiary con-
fincmcni. WIai do you say?'
'To iIc sysicm?' inquircd Traddlcs, looling
gravc.
'No. To my accciing iIc offcr, and your going
viiI mc?'
'I don'i oljcci,' said Traddlcs.
'TIcn I'll vriic io say so. You rcmcmlcr (io
say noiIing of our ircaimcni} iIis samc Crcallc
iurning Iis son oui of doors, I suosc, and iIc
lifc Ic uscd io lcad Iis vifc and daugIicr?'
'Fcrfccily,' said Traddlcs.
'Yci, if you'll rcad Iis lciicr, you'll find Ic is
iIc icndcrcsi of mcn io risoncrs convicicd of
iIc vIolc calcndar of fclonics,' said I; 'iIougI I
can'i find iIai Iis icndcrncss cicnds io any
oiIcr class of crcaicd lcings.'
Traddlcs sIruggcd Iis sIouldcrs, and vas noi
ai all surriscd. I Iad noi cccicd Iim io lc, and
vas noi surriscd mysclf; or my olscrvaiion of
similar raciical saiircs vould Iavc lccn lui
scaniy. Wc arrangcd iIc iimc of our visii, and I
vroic accordingly io Mr. Crcallc iIai cvcning.
On iIc aoinicd dayI iIinl ii vas iIc nci
day, lui no maiicrTraddlcs and I rcaircd io
507
iIc rison vIcrc Mr. Crcallc vas ovcrful. Ii
vas an immcnsc and solid luilding, crccicd ai
a vasi ccnsc. I could noi Icl iIinling, as vc
aroacIcd iIc gaic, vIai an uroar vould Iavc
lccn madc in iIc couniry, if any dcludcd man
Iad rooscd io scnd onc Ialf iIc moncy ii
Iad cosi, on iIc crcciion of an indusirial scIool
for iIc young, or a Iousc of rcfugc for iIc dc-
scrving old.
In an officc iIai migIi Iavc lccn on iIc
ground-floor of iIc Tovcr of Dalcl, ii vas so
massivcly consirucicd, vc vcrc rcscnicd io our
old scIoolmasicr; vIo vas onc of a grou, com-
oscd of ivo or iIrcc of iIc lusicr sori of mag-
isiraics, and somc visiiors iIcy Iad lrougIi.
Hc rcccivcd mc, lilc a man vIo Iad formcd my
mind in lygonc ycars, and Iad alvays lovcd
mc icndcrly. On my iniroducing Traddlcs, Mr.
Crcallc crcsscd, in lilc manncr, lui in an
infcrior dcgrcc, iIai Ic Iad alvays lccn
Traddlcs's guidc, IilosoIcr, and fricnd. Our
vcncrallc insirucior vas a grcai dcal oldcr, and
noi imrovcd in acarancc. His facc vas as
ficry as cvcr; Iis cycs vcrc as small, and raiIcr
dcccr sci. TIc scaniy, vci-looling grcy Iair,
ly vIicI I rcmcmlcrcd Iim, vas almosi gonc;
and iIc iIicl vcins in Iis lald Icad vcrc nonc
iIc morc agrccallc io lool ai.
Aficr somc convcrsaiion among iIcsc gcnilc-
mcn, from vIicI I migIi Iavc suoscd iIai
iIcrc vas noiIing in iIc vorld io lc lcgiiimaicly
ialcn inio accouni lui iIc surcmc comfori of
risoncrs, ai any ccnsc, and noiIing on iIc
vidc cariI io lc donc ouisidc rison-doors, vc
lcgan our inscciion. Ii lcing iIcn jusi dinncr-
iimc, vc vcni, firsi inio iIc grcai liicIcn, vIcrc
cvcry risoncr's dinncr vas in coursc of lcing
sci oui scaraicly (io lc Iandcd io Iim in Iis
ccll}, viiI iIc rcgulariiy and rccision of clocl-
vorl. I said asidc, io Traddlcs, iIai I vondcrcd
vIciIcr ii occurrcd io anylody, iIai iIcrc vas
a siriling conirasi lcivccn iIcsc lcniiful rc-
508
asis of cIoicc qualiiy, and iIc dinncrs, noi io
say of aucrs, lui of soldicrs, sailors,
lalourcrs, iIc grcai lull of iIc Ioncsi, vorl-
ing communiiy; of vIom noi onc man in fivc
Iundrcd cvcr dincd Ialf so vcll. Dui I lcarncd
iIai iIc 'sysicm' rcquircd IigI living; and, in
sIori, io disosc of iIc sysicm, oncc for all, I
found iIai on iIai Icad and on all oiIcrs, 'iIc
sysicm' ui an cnd io all doulis, and disoscd
of all anomalics. Nolody acarcd io Iavc iIc
lcasi idca iIai iIcrc vas any oiIcr sysicm, lui
tIc sysicm, io lc considcrcd.
As vc vcrc going iIrougI somc of iIc magnifi-
ccni assagcs, I inquircd of Mr. Crcallc and Iis
fricnds vIai vcrc suoscd io lc iIc main advan-
iagcs of iIis all-govcrning and univcrsally ovcr-
riding sysicm? I found iIcm io lc iIc crfcci iso-
laiion of risoncrsso iIai no onc man in con-
fincmcni iIcrc, lncv anyiIing aloui anoiIcr; and
iIc rcduciion of risoncrs io a vIolcsomc siaic of
mind, lcading io sinccrc coniriiion and rccniancc.
Nov, ii sirucl mc, vIcn vc lcgan io visii in-
dividuals in iIcir cclls, and io iravcrsc iIc as-
sagcs in vIicI iIosc cclls vcrc, and io Iavc iIc
manncr of iIc going io cIacl and so foriI, c-
laincd io us, iIai iIcrc vas a sirong rolalil-
iiy of iIc risoncrs lnoving a good dcal aloui
cacI oiIcr, and of iIcir carrying on a rciiy
comlcic sysicm of inicrcoursc. TIis, ai iIc iimc
I vriic, Ias lccn rovcd, I lclicvc, io lc iIc casc;
lui, as ii vould Iavc lccn flai llasIcmy
againsi iIc sysicm io Iavc Iinicd sucI a douli
iIcn, I loolcd oui for iIc cniicncc as diligcnily
as I could.
And Icrc again, I Iad grcai misgivings. I found
as rcvalcni a fasIion in iIc form of iIc cni-
icncc, as I Iad lcfi ouisidc in iIc forms of iIc
coais and vaisicoais in iIc vindovs of iIc iai-
lors' sIos. I found a vasi amouni of rofcs-
sion, varying vcry liiilc in cIaracicr: varying vcry
liiilc (vIicI I iIougIi ccccdingly susicious},
cvcn in vords. I found a grcai many focs, dis-
509
araging vIolc vincyards of inacccssillc gracs;
lui I found vcry fcv focs vIom I vould Iavc
irusicd viiIin rcacI of a luncI. Alovc all, I
found iIai iIc mosi rofcssing mcn vcrc iIc
grcaicsi oljccis of inicrcsi; and iIai iIcir con-
ccii, iIcir vaniiy, iIcir vani of cciicmcni, and
iIcir lovc of dccciion (vIicI many of iIcm
osscsscd io an almosi incrcdillc cicni, as
iIcir Iisiorics sIovcd}, all romicd io iIcsc
rofcssions, and vcrc all graiificd ly iIcm.
Hovcvcr, I Icard so rccaicdly, in iIc coursc
of our goings io and fro, of a ccriain Numlcr
Tvcniy Scvcn, vIo vas iIc Favouriic, and vIo
rcally acarcd io lc a Modcl Frisoncr, iIai I
rcsolvcd io suscnd my judgcmcni uniil I sIould
scc Tvcniy Scvcn. Tvcniy EigIi, I undcrsiood,
vas also a lrigIi ariicular siar; lui ii vas Iis
misforiunc io Iavc Iis glory a liiilc dimmcd ly
iIc ciraordinary lusirc of Tvcniy Scvcn. I Icard
so mucI of Tvcniy Scvcn, of Iis ious admoni-
iions io cvcrylody around Iim, and of iIc lcau-
iiful lciicrs Ic consianily vroic io Iis moiIcr
(vIom Ic sccmcd io considcr in a vcry lad vay},
iIai I lccamc quiic imaiicni io scc Iim.
I Iad io rcsirain my imaiicncc for somc iimc,
on accouni of Tvcniy Scvcn lcing rcscrvcd for a
concluding cffcci. Dui, ai lasi, vc camc io iIc door
of Iis ccll; and Mr. Crcallc, looling iIrougI a liiilc
Iolc in ii, rcoricd io us, in a siaic of iIc grcaicsi
admiraiion, iIai Ic vas rcading a Hymn Dool.
TIcrc vas sucI a rusI of Icads immcdiaicly,
io scc Numlcr Tvcniy Scvcn rcading Iis Hymn
Dool, iIai iIc liiilc Iolc vas lloclcd u, si or
scvcn Icads dcc. To rcmcdy iIis inconvc-
nicncc, and givc us an ooriuniiy of convcrs-
ing viiI Tvcniy Scvcn in all Iis uriiy, Mr.
Crcallc dirccicd iIc door of iIc ccll io lc un-
loclcd, and Tvcniy Scvcn io lc inviicd oui inio
iIc assagc. TIis vas donc; and vIom sIould
Traddlcs and I iIcn lcIold, io our amazcmcni,
in iIis convcricd Numlcr Tvcniy Scvcn, lui
UriaI Hcc!
510
Hc lncv us dirccily; and said, as Ic camc
ouiviiI iIc old vriiIc,
'Hov do you do, Mr. Cocrficld? Hov do you
do, Mr. Traddlcs?'
TIis rccogniiion causcd a gcncral admiraiion
in iIc ariy. I raiIcr iIougIi iIai cvcryonc vas
sirucl ly Iis noi lcing roud, and ialing no-
iicc of us.
'Wcll, Tvcniy Scvcn,' said Mr. Crcallc, mournfully
admiring Iim. 'Hov do you find yoursclf ioday?'
'I am vcry umllc, sir!' rclicd UriaI Hcc.
'You arc alvays so, Tvcniy Scvcn,' said Mr.
Crcallc.
Hcrc, anoiIcr gcnilcman aslcd, viiI circmc
aniciy: 'Arc you quiic comforiallc?'
'Ycs, I iIanl you, sir!' said UriaI Hcc, lool-
ing in iIai dircciion. 'Far morc comforiallc Icrc,
iIan cvcr I vas ouisidc. I scc my follics, nov,
sir. TIai's vIai malcs mc comforiallc.'
Scvcral gcnilcmcn vcrc mucI affccicd; and a
iIird qucsiioncr, forcing Iimsclf io iIc froni,
inquircd viiI circmc fccling: 'Hov do you find
iIc lccf?'
'TIanl you, sir,' rclicd UriaI, glancing in iIc
ncv dircciion of iIis voicc, 'ii vas iougIcr ycsicr-
day iIan I could visI; lui ii's my duiy io lcar. I
Iavc commiiicd follics, gcnilcmcn,' said UriaI,
looling round viiI a mccl smilc, 'and I ougIi io
lcar iIc conscqucnccs viiIoui rcining.' A mur-
mur, arily of graiificaiion ai Tvcniy Scvcn's cc-
lcsiial siaic of mind, and arily of indignaiion
againsi iIc Coniracior vIo Iad givcn Iim any
causc of comlaini (a noic of vIicI vas immcdi-
aicly madc ly Mr. Crcallc}, Iaving sulsidcd,
Tvcniy Scvcn siood in iIc midsi of us, as if Ic fcli
Iimsclf iIc rincial oljcci of mcrii in a IigIly
mcriiorious muscum. TIai vc, iIc ncoIyics,
migIi Iavc an cccss of ligIi sIining uon us all
ai oncc, ordcrs vcrc givcn io lci oui Tvcniy EigIi.
I Iad lccn so mucI asionisIcd alrcady, iIai I
only fcli a lind of rcsigncd vondcr vIcn Mr.
Liiiimcr vallcd foriI, rcading a good lool!
511
'Tvcniy EigIi,' said a gcnilcman in scciaclcs,
vIo Iad noi yci solcn, 'you comlaincd lasi
vccl, my good fcllov, of iIc cocoa. Hov Ias ii
lccn sincc?'
'I iIanl you, sir,' said Mr. Liiiimcr, 'ii Ias lccn
lciicr madc. If I migIi ialc iIc lilcriy of saying
so, sir, I don'i iIinl iIc mill vIicI is loilcd
viiI ii is quiic gcnuinc; lui I am avarc, sir,
iIai iIcrc is a grcai adulicraiion of mill, in Lon-
don, and iIai iIc ariiclc in a urc siaic is diffi-
culi io lc oliaincd.'
Ii acarcd io mc iIai iIc gcnilcman in scc-
iaclcs laclcd Iis Tvcniy EigIi againsi Mr.
Crcallc's Tvcniy Scvcn, for cacI of iIcm iool
Iis ovn man in Iand.
'WIai is your siaic of mind, Tvcniy EigIi?'
said iIc qucsiioncr in scciaclcs.
'I iIanl you, sir,' rciurncd Mr. Liiiimcr; 'I scc
my follics nov, sir. I am a good dcal iroullcd
vIcn I iIinl of iIc sins of my formcr coman-
ions, sir; lui I irusi iIcy may find forgivcncss.'
'You arc quiic Iay yoursclf?' said iIc qucs-
iioncr, nodding cncouragcmcni.
'I am mucI olligcd io you, sir,' rciurncd Mr.
Liiiimcr. 'Fcrfccily so.'
'Is iIcrc anyiIing ai all on your mind nov?'
said iIc qucsiioncr. 'If so, mcniion ii, Tvcniy
EigIi.'
'Sir,' said Mr. Liiiimcr, viiIoui looling u, 'if
my cycs Iavc noi dcccivcd mc, iIcrc is a gcnilc-
man rcscni vIo vas acquainicd viiI mc in
my formcr lifc. Ii may lc rofiiallc io iIai gcnilc-
man io lnov, sir, iIai I aiiriluic my asi fol-
lics, cniircly io Iaving livcd a iIougIilcss lifc in
iIc scrvicc of young mcn; and io Iaving allovcd
mysclf io lc lcd ly iIcm inio vcalncsscs, vIicI
I Iad noi iIc sircngiI io rcsisi. I Ioc iIai
gcnilcman vill ialc varning, sir, and vill noi
lc offcndcd ai my frccdom. Ii is for Iis good. I
am conscious of my ovn asi follics. I Ioc Ic
may rccni of all iIc viclcdncss and sin io
vIicI Ic Ias lccn a ariy.'
512
I olscrvcd iIai scvcral gcnilcmcn vcrc sIad-
ing iIcir cycs, cacI viiI onc Iand, as if iIcy
Iad jusi comc inio cIurcI.
'TIis docs you crcdii, Tvcniy EigIi,' rciurncd
iIc qucsiioncr. 'I sIould Iavc cccicd ii of you.
Is iIcrc anyiIing clsc?'
'Sir,' rciurncd Mr. Liiiimcr, sligIily lifiing u
Iis cyclrovs, lui noi Iis cycs, 'iIcrc vas a
young voman vIo fcll inio dissoluic courscs,
iIai I cndcavourcd io savc, sir, lui could noi
rcscuc. I lcg iIai gcnilcman, if Ic Ias ii in Iis
ovcr, io inform iIai young voman from mc
iIai I forgivc Icr Icr lad conduci iovards my-
sclf, and iIai I call Icr io rccnianccif Ic vill
lc so good.'
'I Iavc no douli, Tvcniy EigIi,' rciurncd iIc
qucsiioncr, 'iIai iIc gcnilcman you rcfcr io fccls
vcry sironglyas vc all musivIai you Iavc
so rocrly said. Wc vill noi dciain you.'
'I iIanl you, sir,' said Mr. Liiiimcr. 'Gcnilc-
mcn, I visI you a good day, and Ioing you
and your familics vill also scc your viclcdncss,
and amcnd!'
WiiI iIis, Numlcr Tvcniy EigIi rciircd, aficr
a glancc lcivccn Iim and UriaI; as if iIcy vcrc
noi aliogciIcr unlnovn io cacI oiIcr, iIrougI
somc mcdium of communicaiion; and a mur-
mur vcni round iIc grou, as Iis door sIui
uon Iim, iIai Ic vas a mosi rcscciallc man,
and a lcauiiful casc.
'Nov, Tvcniy Scvcn,' said Mr. Crcallc, cnicr-
ing on a clcar siagc viiI Iis man, 'is iIcrc any-
iIing iIai anyonc can do for you? If so, mcn-
iion ii.'
'I vould umlly asl, sir,' rciurncd UriaI, viiI
a jcrl of Iis malcvolcni Icad, 'for lcavc io vriic
again io moiIcr.'
'Ii sIall ccriainly lc granicd,' said Mr. Crcallc.
'TIanl you, sir! I am anious aloui moiIcr. I
am afraid sIc ain'i safc.'
Somclody incauiiously aslcd, vIai from? Dui
iIcrc vas a scandalizcd vIiscr of 'HusI!'
513
'Immorially safc, sir,' rciurncd UriaI, vriiI-
ing in iIc dircciion of iIc voicc. 'I sIould visI
moiIcr io lc goi inio my siaic. I ncvcr sIould
Iavc lccn goi inio my rcscni siaic if I Iadn'i
comc Icrc. I visI moiIcr Iad comc Icrc. Ii
vould lc lciicr for cvcrylody, if iIcy goi iool
u, and vas lrougIi Icrc.'
TIis scniimcni gavc unloundcd saiisfaciion
grcaicr saiisfaciion, I iIinl, iIan anyiIing iIai
Iad asscd yci.
'Dcforc I comc Icrc,' said UriaI, sicaling a lool
ai us, as if Ic vould Iavc lligIicd iIc ouicr
vorld io vIicI vc lclongcd, if Ic could, 'I vas
givcn io follics; lui nov I am scnsillc of my
follics. TIcrc's a dcal of sin ouisidc. TIcrc's a
dcal of sin in moiIcr. TIcrc's noiIing lui sin
cvcryvIcrcccci Icrc.'
'You arc quiic cIangcd?' said Mr. Crcallc.
'OI dcar, ycs, sir!' cricd iIis Iocful cniicni.
'You vouldn'i rclasc, if you vcrc going oui?'
aslcd somclody clsc.
'OI dc-ar no, sir!'
'Wcll!' said Mr. Crcallc, 'iIis is vcry graiify-
ing. You Iavc addrcsscd Mr. Cocrficld, Tvcniy
Scvcn. Do you visI io say anyiIing furiIcr io
Iim?'
'You lncv mc, a long iimc lcforc I camc Icrc
and vas cIangcd, Mr. Cocrficld,' said UriaI,
looling ai mc; and a morc villainous lool I ncvcr
sav, cvcn on Iis visagc. 'You lncv mc vIcn, in
siic of my follics, I vas umllc among iIcm
iIai vas roud, and mccl among iIcm iIai vas
violcniyou vas violcni io mc yoursclf, Mr.
Cocrficld. Oncc, you sirucl mc a llov in iIc
facc, you lnov.'
Gcncral commiscraiion. Scvcral indignani
glanccs dirccicd ai mc.
'Dui I forgivc you, Mr. Cocrficld,' said UriaI,
maling Iis forgiving naiurc iIc suljcci of a mosi
imious and avful arallcl, vIicI I sIall noi
rccord. 'I forgivc cvcrylody. Ii vould ill lccomc
mc io lcar malicc. I frccly forgivc you, and I
514
Ioc you'll curl your assions in fuiurc. I Ioc
Mr. W. vill rccni, and Miss W., and all of iIai
sinful loi. You'vc lccn visiicd viiI affliciion, and
I Ioc ii may do you good; lui you'd lciicr Iavc
comc Icrc. Mr. W. Iad lciicr Iavc comc Icrc,
and Miss W. ioo. TIc lcsi visI I could givc you,
Mr. Cocrficld, and givc all of you gcnilcmcn,
is, iIai you could lc iool u and lrougIi Icrc.
WIcn I iIinl of my asi follics, and my rcscni
siaic, I am surc ii vould lc lcsi for you. I iiy
all vIo ain'i lrougIi Icrc!'
Hc sncalcd lacl inio Iis ccll, amidsi a liiilc
cIorus of arolaiion; and loiI Traddlcs and I
ccricnccd a grcai rclicf vIcn Ic vas loclcd
in.
Ii vas a cIaracicrisiic fcaiurc in iIis rccn-
iancc, iIai I vas fain io asl vIai iIcsc ivo
mcn Iad donc, io lc iIcrc ai all. TIai acarcd
io lc iIc lasi iIing aloui vIicI iIcy Iad any-
iIing io say. I addrcsscd mysclf io onc of iIc
ivo vardcrs, vIo, I susccicd from ccriain la-
icni indicaiions in iIcir faccs, lncv rciiy vcll
vIai all iIis siir vas voriI.
'Do you lnov,' said I, as vc vallcd along iIc
assagc, 'vIai fclony vas Numlcr Tvcniy
Scvcn's lasi folly"?'
TIc ansvcr vas iIai ii vas a Danl casc.
'A fraud on iIc Danl of England?' I aslcd.
'Ycs, sir. Fraud, forgcry, and consiracy. Hc
and somc oiIcrs. Hc sci iIc oiIcrs on. Ii vas a
dcc loi for a largc sum. Scnicncc, iransor-
iaiion for lifc. Tvcniy Scvcn vas iIc lnovingcsi
lird of iIc loi, and Iad vcry ncarly lci Iimsclf
safc; lui noi quiic. TIc Danl vas jusi allc io
ui sali uon Iis iailand only jusi.'
'Do you lnov Tvcniy EigIi's offcncc?'
'Tvcniy EigIi,' rciurncd my informani, scal-
ing iIrougIoui in a lov ionc, and looling ovcr
Iis sIouldcr as vc vallcd along iIc assagc,
io guard Iimsclf from lcing ovcrIcard, in sucI
an unlavful rcfcrcncc io iIcsc Immaculaics, ly
Crcallc and iIc rcsi; 'Tvcniy EigIi (also irans-
515
oriaiion} goi a lacc, and rollcd a young mas-
icr of a maiicr of ivo Iundrcd and fifiy ounds
in moncy and valuallcs, iIc nigIi lcforc iIcy
vcrc going alroad. I ariicularly rccollcci Iis
casc, from Iis lcing iool ly a dvarf.'
'A vIai?'
'A liiilc voman. I Iavc forgoi Icr namc?'
'Noi MovcIcr?'
'TIai's ii! Hc Iad cludcd ursuii, and vas go-
ing io Amcrica in a flacn vig, and vIislcrs,
and sucI a comlcic disguisc as ncvcr you scc
in all your lorn days; vIcn iIc liiilc voman,
lcing in SouiIamion, mci Iim valling along
iIc sircciiclcd Iim oui viiI Icr sIar cyc
in a momcniran lcivii Iis lcgs io usci
Iimand Icld on io Iim lilc grim DcaiI.'
'Eccllcni Miss MovcIcr!' cricd I.
'You'd Iavc said so, if you Iad sccn Icr, siand-
ing on a cIair in iIc viincss-lo ai iIc irial, as
I did,' said my fricnd. 'Hc cui Icr facc rigIi ocn,
and oundcd Icr in iIc mosi lruial manncr,
vIcn sIc iool Iim; lui sIc ncvcr looscd Icr
Iold iill Ic vas loclcd u. SIc Icld so iigIi io
Iim, in faci, iIai iIc officcrs vcrc olligcd io
ialc 'cm loiI iogciIcr. SIc gavc Icr cvidcncc
in iIc gamcsi vay, and vas IigIly comlimcnicd
ly iIc DcncI, and cIccrcd rigIi Iomc io Icr
lodgings. SIc said in Couri iIai sIc'd Iavc iool
Iim singlc-Iandcd (on accouni of vIai sIc lncv
conccrning Iim}, if Ic Iad lccn Samson. And
ii's my lclicf sIc vould!'
Ii vas minc ioo, and I IigIly rcsccicd Miss
MovcIcr for ii.
Wc Iad nov sccn all iIcrc vas io scc. Ii vould
Iavc lccn in vain io rcrcscni io sucI a man
as iIc WorsIiful Mr. Crcallc, iIai Tvcniy
Scvcn and Tvcniy EigIi vcrc crfccily consis-
icni and uncIangcd; iIai cacily vIai iIcy vcrc
iIcn, iIcy Iad alvays lccn; iIai iIc Iyocriii-
cal lnavcs vcrc jusi iIc suljccis io malc iIai
sori of rofcssion in sucI a lacc; iIai iIcy lncv
iis marlci-valuc ai lcasi as vcll as vc did, in
516
iIc immcdiaic scrvicc ii vould do iIcm vIcn
iIcy vcrc cairiaicd; in a vord, iIai ii vas a
roiicn, Iollov, ainfully suggcsiivc iccc of lusi-
ncss aliogciIcr. Wc lcfi iIcm io iIcir sysicm
and iIcmsclvcs, and vcni Iomc vondcring.
'FcrIas ii's a good iIing, Traddlcs,' said I, 'io
Iavc an unsound Holly riddcn Iard; for ii's
iIc sooncr riddcn io dcaiI.'
'I Ioc so,' rclicd Traddlcs.
CHAPTER 62
A LIGHT SHINES ON MY
WAY
TIc ycar camc round io CIrisimas-iimc, and I
Iad lccn ai Iomc alovc ivo moniIs. I Iad sccn
Agncs frcqucnily. Hovcvcr loud iIc gcncral voicc
migIi lc in giving mc cncouragcmcni, and Iov-
cvcr fcrvcni iIc cmoiions and cndcavours io
vIicI ii rouscd mc, I Icard Icr ligIicsi vord of
raisc as I Icard noiIing clsc.
Ai lcasi oncc a vccl, and somciimcs oficncr,
I rodc ovcr iIcrc, and asscd iIc cvcning. I usu-
ally rodc lacl ai nigIi; for iIc old unIay
scnsc vas alvays Iovcring aloui mc novmosi
sorrovfully vIcn I lcfi Icrand I vas glad io
lc u and oui, raiIcr iIan vandcring ovcr iIc
asi in vcary valcfulncss or miscrallc drcams.
I vorc avay iIc longcsi ari of many vild sad
nigIis, in iIosc ridcs; rcviving, as I vcni, iIc
iIougIis iIai Iad occuicd mc in my long al-
scncc.
Or, if I vcrc io say raiIcr iIai I lisicncd io iIc
ccIocs of iIosc iIougIis, I sIould lciicr c-
rcss iIc iruiI. TIcy solc io mc from afar off.
I Iad ui iIcm ai a disiancc, and acccicd my
incviiallc lacc. WIcn I rcad io Agncs vIai I
vroic; vIcn I sav Icr lisicning facc; movcd Icr
io smilcs or icars; and Icard Icr cordial voicc
so carncsi on iIc sIadovy cvcnis of iIai imagi-
naiivc vorld in vIicI I livcd; I iIougIi vIai a
faic minc migIi Iavc lccnlui only iIougIi
517
so, as I Iad iIougIi aficr I vas marricd io Dora,
vIai I could Iavc visIcd my vifc io lc.
My duiy io Agncs, vIo lovcd mc viiI a lovc,
vIicI, if I disquicicd, I vrongcd mosi sclfisIly
and oorly, and could ncvcr rcsiorc; my ma-
iurcd assurancc iIai I, vIo Iad vorlcd oui my
ovn dcsiiny, and von vIai I Iad imciuously
sci my Icari on, Iad no rigIi io murmur, and
musi lcar; comriscd vIai I fcli and vIai I Iad
lcarncd. Dui I lovcd Icr: and nov ii cvcn lc-
camc somc consolaiion io mc, vagucly io con-
ccivc a disiani day vIcn I migIi llamclcssly
avov ii; vIcn all iIis sIould lc ovcr; vIcn I
could say 'Agncs, so ii vas vIcn I camc Iomc;
and nov I am old, and I ncvcr Iavc lovcd sincc!'
SIc did noi oncc sIov mc any cIangc in Icr-
sclf. WIai sIc alvays Iad lccn io mc, sIc siill
vas; vIolly unalicrcd.
Dcivccn my auni and mc iIcrc Iad lccn
somciIing, in iIis conncion, sincc iIc nigIi of
my rciurn, vIicI I cannoi call a rcsiraini, or an
avoidancc of iIc suljcci, so mucI as an im-
licd undcrsianding iIai vc iIougIi of ii io-
gciIcr, lui did noi sIac our iIougIis inio
vords. WIcn, according io our old cusiom, vc
sai lcforc iIc firc ai nigIi, vc oficn fcll inio
iIis irain; as naiurally, and as consciously io
cacI oiIcr, as if vc Iad unrcscrvcdly said so.
Dui vc rcscrvcd an unlrolcn silcncc. I lclicvcd
iIai sIc Iad rcad, or arily rcad, my iIougIis
iIai nigIi; and iIai sIc fully comrcIcndcd vIy
I gavc minc no morc disiinci crcssion.
TIis CIrisimas-iimc lcing comc, and Agncs
Iaving rcoscd no ncv confidcncc in mc, a
douli iIai Iad scvcral iimcs ariscn in my mind
vIciIcr sIc could Iavc iIai crcciion of iIc
iruc siaic of my lrcasi, vIicI rcsiraincd Icr
viiI iIc arcIcnsion of giving mc ainlc-
gan io orcss mc Icavily. If iIai vcrc so, my
sacrificc vas noiIing; my laincsi olligaiion io
Icr unfulfillcd; and cvcry oor aciion I Iad
sIrunl from, I vas Iourly doing. I rcsolvcd io
518
sci iIis rigIi lcyond all douli;if sucI a lar-
ricr vcrc lcivccn us, io lrcal ii dovn ai oncc
viiI a dcicrmincd Iand.
Ii vasvIai lasiing rcason Iavc I io rcmcm-
lcr ii!a cold, IarsI, vinicr day. TIcrc Iad
lccn snov, somc Iours lcforc; and ii lay, noi
dcc, lui Iard-frozcn on iIc ground. Oui ai
sca, lcyond my vindov, iIc vind llcv ruggcdly
from iIc noriI. I Iad lccn iIinling of ii, svcc-
ing ovcr iIosc mouniain vasics of snov in Svii-
zcrland, iIcn inacccssillc io any Iuman fooi;
and Iad lccn scculaiing vIicI vas iIc lonc-
licr, iIosc soliiary rcgions, or a dcscricd occan.
'Fiding ioday, Troi?' said my auni, uiiing Icr
Icad in ai iIc door.
'Ycs,' said I, 'I am going ovcr io Canicrlury.
Ii's a good day for a ridc.'
'I Ioc your Iorsc may iIinl so ioo,' said my
auni; 'lui ai rcscni Ic is Iolding dovn Iis Icad
and Iis cars, sianding lcforc iIc door iIcrc, as
if Ic iIougIi Iis siallc rcfcrallc.'
My auni, I may olscrvc, allovcd my Iorsc on
iIc forliddcn ground, lui Iad noi ai all rclcnicd
iovards iIc donlcys.
'Hc vill lc frcsI cnougI, rcscnily!' said I.
'TIc ridc vill do Iis masicr good, ai all cvcnis,'
olscrvcd my auni, glancing ai iIc acrs on
my iallc. 'AI, cIild, you ass a good many Iours
Icrc! I ncvcr iIougIi, vIcn I uscd io rcad lools,
vIai vorl ii vas io vriic iIcm.'
'Ii's vorl cnougI io rcad iIcm, somciimcs,' I
rciurncd. 'As io iIc vriiing, ii Ias iis ovn
cIarms, auni.'
'AI! I scc!' said my auni. 'Amliiion, lovc of
arolaiion, symaiIy, and mucI morc, I su-
osc? Wcll: go along viiI you!'
'Do you lnov anyiIing morc,' said I, siand-
ing comoscdly lcforc IcrsIc Iad aiicd mc
on iIc sIouldcr, and sai dovn in my cIair'of
iIai aiiacImcni of Agncs?'
SIc loolcd u in my facc a liiilc vIilc, lcforc
rclying:
519
'I iIinl I do, Troi.'
'Arc you confirmcd in your imrcssion?' I in-
quircd.
'I iIinl I am, Troi.'
SIc loolcd so sicadfasily ai mc: viiI a lind
of douli, or iiy, or suscnsc in Icr affcciion:
iIai I summoncd iIc sirongcr dcicrminaiion io
sIov Icr a crfccily cIccrful facc.
'And vIai is morc, Troi -' said my auni.
'Ycs!'
'I iIinl Agncs is going io lc marricd.'
'God llcss Icr!' said I, cIccrfully.
'God llcss Icr!' said my auni, 'and Icr Ius-
land ioo!'
I ccIocd ii, aricd from my auni, and vcni
ligIily dovnsiairs, mounicd, and rodc avay.
TIcrc vas grcaicr rcason iIan lcforc io do vIai
I Iad rcsolvcd io do.
Hov vcll I rccollcci iIc viniry ridc! TIc fro-
zcn ariiclcs of icc, lrusIcd from iIc lladcs of
grass ly iIc vind, and lornc across my facc;
iIc Iard claiicr of iIc Iorsc's Ioofs, lcaiing a
iunc uon iIc ground; iIc siiff-iillcd soil; iIc
snovdrifi, ligIily cddying in iIc cIall-ii as iIc
lrcczc rufflcd ii; iIc smoling icam viiI iIc
vaggon of old Iay, sioing io lrcaiIc on iIc
Iill-io, and sIaling iIcir lclls musically; iIc
vIiicncd slocs and svccs of Dovn-land ly-
ing againsi iIc darl sly, as if iIcy vcrc dravn
on a Iugc slaic!
I found Agncs alonc. TIc liiilc girls Iad gonc
io iIcir ovn Iomcs nov, and sIc vas alonc ly
iIc firc, rcading. SIc ui dovn Icr lool on scc-
ing mc comc in; and Iaving vclcomcd mc as
usual, iool Icr vorl-laslci and sai in onc of
iIc old-fasIioncd vindovs.
I sai lcsidc Icr on iIc vindov-scai, and vc
iallcd of vIai I vas doing, and vIcn ii vould
lc donc, and of iIc rogrcss I Iad madc sincc
my lasi visii. Agncs vas vcry cIccrful; and
laugIingly rcdicicd iIai I sIould soon lccomc
ioo famous io lc iallcd io, on sucI suljccis.
520
'So I malc iIc mosi of iIc rcscni iimc, you
scc,' said Agncs, 'and iall io you vIilc I may.'
As I loolcd ai Icr lcauiiful facc, olscrvani of
Icr vorl, sIc raiscd Icr mild clcar cycs, and
sav iIai I vas looling ai Icr.
'You arc iIougIiful ioday, Troivood!'
'Agncs, sIall I icll you vIai aloui? I camc io
icll you.'
SIc ui asidc Icr vorl, as sIc vas uscd io
do vIcn vc vcrc scriously discussing anyiIing;
and gavc mc Icr vIolc aiicniion.
'My dcar Agncs, do you douli my lcing iruc
io you?'
'No!' sIc ansvcrcd, viiI a lool of asionisImcni.
'Do you douli my lcing vIai I alvays Iavc
lccn io you?'
'No!' sIc ansvcrcd, as lcforc.
'Do you rcmcmlcr iIai I iricd io icll you, vIcn
I camc Iomc, vIai a dcli of graiiiudc I ovcd
you, dcarcsi Agncs, and Iov fcrvcnily I fcli io-
vards you?'
'I rcmcmlcr ii,' sIc said, gcnily, 'vcry vcll.'
'You Iavc a sccrci,' said I. 'Lci mc sIarc ii,
Agncs.'
SIc casi dovn Icr cycs, and ircmllcd.
'I could Iardly fail io lnov, cvcn if I Iad noi
Icardlui from oiIcr lis iIan yours, Agncs,
vIicI sccms sirangciIai iIcrc is somconc uon
vIom you Iavc lcsiovcd iIc ircasurc of your lovc.
Do noi sIui mc oui of vIai conccrns your Iai-
ncss so ncarly! If you can irusi mc, as you say you
can, and as I lnov you may, lci mc lc your fricnd,
your lroiIcr, in iIis maiicr, of all oiIcrs!'
WiiI an acaling, almosi a rcroacIful,
glancc, sIc rosc from iIc vindov; and Iurry-
ing across iIc room as if viiIoui lnoving vIcrc,
ui Icr Iands lcforc Icr facc, and lursi inio
sucI icars as smoic mc io iIc Icari.
And yci iIcy avalcncd somciIing in mc,
lringing romisc io my Icari. WiiIoui my lnov-
ing vIy, iIcsc icars allicd iIcmsclvcs viiI iIc
quicily sad smilc vIicI vas so ficd in my rc-
521
mcmlrancc, and sIool mc morc viiI Ioc iIan
fcar or sorrov.
'Agncs! Sisicr! Dcarcsi! WIai Iavc I donc?'
'Lci mc go avay, Troivood. I am noi vcll. I am
noi mysclf. I vill scal io you ly and lyan-
oiIcr iimc. I vill vriic io you. Don'i scal io
mc nov. Don'i! don'i!'
I sougIi io rccollcci vIai sIc Iad said, vIcn
I Iad solcn io Icr on iIai formcr nigIi, of Icr
affcciion nccding no rciurn. Ii sccmcd a vcry
vorld iIai I musi scarcI iIrougI in a momcni.
'Agncs, I cannoi lcar io scc you so, and iIinl
iIai I Iavc lccn iIc causc. My dcarcsi girl,
dcarcr io mc iIan anyiIing in lifc, if you arc
unIay, lci mc sIarc your unIaincss. If you
arc in nccd of Icl or counscl, lci mc iry io givc
ii io you. If you Iavc indccd a lurdcn on your
Icari, lci mc iry io ligIicn ii. For vIom do I livc
nov, Agncs, if ii is noi for you!'
'OI, sarc mc! I am noi mysclf! AnoiIcr iimc!'
vas all I could disiinguisI.
Was ii a sclfisI crror iIai vas lcading mc
avay? Or, Iaving oncc a cluc io Ioc, vas iIcrc
somciIing ocning io mc iIai I Iad noi darcd
io iIinl of?
'I musi say morc. I cannoi lci you lcavc mc so!
For Hcavcn's salc, Agncs, lci us noi misialc cacI
oiIcr aficr all iIcsc ycars, and all iIai Ias comc
and gonc viiI iIcm! I musi scal lainly. If you
Iavc any lingcring iIougIi iIai I could cnvy iIc
Iaincss you vill confcr; iIai I could noi rc-
sign you io a dcarcr roiccior, of your ovn cIoos-
ing; iIai I could noi, from my rcmovcd lacc, lc
a conicnicd viincss of your joy; dismiss ii, for I
don'i dcscrvc ii! I Iavc noi suffcrcd quiic in vain.
You Iavc noi iaugIi mc quiic in vain. TIcrc is
no alloy of sclf in vIai I fccl for you.'
SIc vas quici nov. In a liiilc iimc, sIc iurncd
Icr alc facc iovards mc, and said in a lov voicc,
lrolcn Icrc and iIcrc, lui vcry clcar:
'I ovc ii io your urc fricndsIi for mc,
TroivoodvIicI, indccd, I do noi douliio icll
522
you, you arc misialcn. I can do no morc. If I
Iavc somciimcs, in iIc coursc of ycars, vanicd
Icl and counscl, iIcy Iavc comc io mc. If I
Iavc somciimcs lccn unIay, iIc fccling Ias
asscd avay. If I Iavc cvcr Iad a lurdcn on my
Icari, ii Ias lccn ligIicncd for mc. If I Iavc any
sccrci, ii isno ncv onc; and isnoi vIai you
suosc. I cannoi rcvcal ii, or dividc ii. Ii Ias
long lccn minc, and musi rcmain minc.'
'Agncs! Siay! A momcni!'
SIc vas going avay, lui I dciaincd Icr. I
clascd my arm aloui Icr vaisi. 'In iIc coursc
of ycars!' 'Ii is noi a ncv onc!' Ncv iIougIis
and Iocs vcrc vIirling iIrougI my mind, and
all iIc colours of my lifc vcrc cIanging.
'Dcarcsi Agncs! WIom I so rcscci and
IonourvIom I so dcvoicdly lovc! WIcn I camc
Icrc ioday, I iIougIi iIai noiIing could Iavc
vrcsicd iIis confcssion from mc. I iIougIi I
could Iavc lci ii in my losom all our livcs, iill
vc vcrc old. Dui, Agncs, if I Iavc indccd any
ncv-lorn Ioc iIai I may cvcr call you somc-
iIing morc iIan Sisicr, vidcly diffcrcni from
Sisicr!'
Hcr icars fcll fasi; lui iIcy vcrc noi lilc iIosc
sIc Iad laicly sIcd, and I sav my Ioc lrigIicn
in iIcm.
'Agncs! Evcr my guidc, and lcsi suori! If
you Iad lccn morc mindful of yoursclf, and lcss
of mc, vIcn vc grcv u Icrc iogciIcr, I iIinl
my Iccdlcss fancy ncvcr vould Iavc vandcrcd
from you. Dui you vcrc so mucI lciicr iIan I,
so ncccssary io mc in cvcry loyisI Ioc and
disaoinimcni, iIai io Iavc you io confidc in,
and rcly uon in cvcryiIing, lccamc a sccond
naiurc, sulaniing for iIc iimc iIc firsi and
grcaicr onc of loving you as I do!'
Siill vccing, lui noi sadlyjoyfully! And
clascd in my arms as sIc Iad ncvcr lccn, as I
Iad iIougIi sIc ncvcr vas io lc!
'WIcn I lovcd Dorafondly, Agncs, as you
lnov'
523
'Ycs!' sIc cricd, carncsily. 'I am glad io lnov
ii!'
'WIcn I lovcd Icrcvcn iIcn, my lovc vould
Iavc lccn incomlcic, viiIoui your symaiIy.
I Iad ii, and ii vas crfccicd. And vIcn I losi
Icr, Agncs, vIai sIould I Iavc lccn viiIoui
you, siill!'
Closcr in my arms, ncarcr io my Icari, Icr
ircmlling Iand uon my sIouldcr, Icr svcci
cycs sIining iIrougI Icr icars, on minc!
'I vcni avay, dcar Agncs, loving you. I siaycd
avay, loving you. I rciurncd Iomc, loving you!'
And nov, I iricd io icll Icr of iIc sirugglc I
Iad Iad, and iIc conclusion I Iad comc io. I
iricd io lay my mind lcforc Icr, iruly, and cn-
iircly. I iricd io sIov Icr Iov I Iad Iocd I Iad
comc inio iIc lciicr lnovlcdgc of mysclf and of
Icr; Iov I Iad rcsigncd mysclf io vIai iIai lci-
icr lnovlcdgc lrougIi; and Iov I Iad comc
iIcrc, cvcn iIai day, in my fidcliiy io iIis. If sIc
did so lovc mc (I said} iIai sIc could ialc mc
for Icr Iusland, sIc could do so, on no dcscrv-
ing of minc, ccci uon iIc iruiI of my lovc
for Icr, and iIc iroullc in vIicI ii Iad ricncd
io lc vIai ii vas; and Icncc ii vas iIai I rc-
vcalcd ii. And O, Agncs, cvcn oui of iIy iruc
cycs, in iIai samc iimc, iIc sirii of my cIild-
vifc loolcd uon mc, saying ii vas vcll; and
vinning mc, iIrougI iIcc, io icndcrcsi rccol-
lcciions of iIc Dlossom iIai Iad viiIcrcd in iis
lloom!
'I am so llcsi, Troivoodmy Icari is so ovcr-
cIargcdlui iIcrc is onc iIing I musi say.'
'Dcarcsi, vIai?'
SIc laid Icr gcnilc Iands uon my sIouldcrs,
and loolcd calmly in my facc.
'Do you lnov, yci, vIai ii is?'
'I am afraid io scculaic on vIai ii is. Tcll mc,
my dcar.'
'I Iavc lovcd you all my lifc!'
O, vc vcrc Iay, vc vcrc Iay! Our icars
vcrc noi for iIc irials (Icrs so mucI iIc grcaicr}
524
iIrougI vIicI vc Iad comc io lc iIus, lui for
iIc raiurc of lcing iIus, ncvcr io lc dividcd
morc!
Wc vallcd, iIai vinicr cvcning, in iIc ficlds
iogciIcr; and iIc llcsscd calm viiIin us sccmcd
io lc arialcn ly iIc frosiy air. TIc carly siars
lcgan io sIinc vIilc vc vcrc lingcring on, and
looling u io iIcm, vc iIanlcd our God for Iav-
ing guidcd us io iIis iranquilliiy.
Wc siood iogciIcr in iIc samc old-fasIioncd
vindov ai nigIi, vIcn iIc moon vas sIining;
Agncs viiI Icr quici cycs raiscd u io ii; I fol-
loving Icr glancc. Long milcs of road iIcn
ocncd oui lcforc my mind; and, ioiling on, I
sav a raggcd vay-vorn loy, forsalcn and nc-
glccicd, vIo sIould comc io call cvcn iIc Icari
nov lcaiing againsi minc, Iis ovn.
IT WAS NEAFLY DINNEF-TIME nci day vIcn vc a-
carcd lcforc my auni. SIc vas u in my siudy,
Fcggoiiy said: vIicI ii vas Icr ridc io
lcc in rcadincss and ordcr for mc. Wc found
Icr, in Icr scciaclcs, siiiing ly iIc firc.
'Goodncss mc!' said my auni, ccring iIrougI
iIc dusl, 'vIo's iIis you'rc lringing Iomc?'
'Agncs,' said I.
As vc Iad arrangcd io say noiIing ai firsi,
my auni vas noi a liiilc discomfiicd. SIc daricd
a Iocful glancc ai mc, vIcn I said 'Agncs'; lui
sccing iIai I loolcd as usual, sIc iool off Icr
scciaclcs in dcsair, and rullcd Icr nosc viiI
iIcm.
SIc grccicd Agncs Icariily, ncvcriIclcss; and
vc vcrc soon in iIc ligIicd arlour dovnsiairs,
ai dinncr. My auni ui on Icr scciaclcs ivicc
or iIricc, io ialc anoiIcr lool ai mc, lui as
oficn iool iIcm off again, disaoinicd, and
rullcd Icr nosc viiI iIcm. MucI io iIc dis-
comfiiurc of Mr. Dicl, vIo lncv iIis io lc a
lad symiom.
'Dy iIc ly, auni,' said I, aficr dinncr; 'I Iavc
lccn scaling io Agncs aloui vIai you iold mc.'
525
'TIcn, Troi,' said my auni, iurning scarlci, 'you
did vrong, and lrolc your romisc.'
'You arc noi angry, auni, I irusi? I am surc
you von'i lc, vIcn you lcarn iIai Agncs is noi
unIay in any aiiacImcni.'
'Siuff and nonscnsc!' said my auni.
As my auni acarcd io lc annoycd, I iIougIi
iIc lcsi vay vas io cui Icr annoyancc sIori. I
iool Agncs in my arm io iIc lacl of Icr cIair,
and vc loiI lcancd ovcr Icr. My auni, viiI onc
cla of Icr Iands, and onc lool iIrougI Icr
scciaclcs, immcdiaicly vcni inio Iysicrics, for
iIc firsi and only iimc in all my lnovlcdgc of
Icr.
TIc Iysicrics callcd u Fcggoiiy. TIc momcni
my auni vas rcsiorcd, sIc flcv ai Fcggoiiy, and
calling Icr a silly old crcaiurc, Iuggcd Icr viiI
all Icr migIi. Aficr iIai, sIc Iuggcd Mr. Dicl
(vIo vas IigIly Ionourcd, lui a good dcal sur-
riscd}; and aficr iIai, iold iIcm vIy. TIcn, vc
vcrc all Iay iogciIcr.
I could noi discovcr vIciIcr my auni, in Icr
lasi sIori convcrsaiion viiI mc, Iad fallcn on a
ious fraud, or Iad rcally misialcn iIc siaic of
my mind. Ii vas quiic cnougI, sIc said, iIai
sIc Iad iold mc Agncs vas going io lc marricd;
and iIai I nov lncv lciicr iIan anyonc Iov
iruc ii vas.
WE WEFE MAFFIED WITHIN A FOFTNIGHT. Traddlcs and
SoIy, and Docior and Mrs. Sirong, vcrc iIc
only gucsis ai our quici vcdding. Wc lcfi iIcm
full of joy; and drovc avay iogciIcr. Clascd in
my cmlracc, I Icld iIc sourcc of cvcry voriIy
asiraiion I Iad cvcr Iad; iIc ccnirc of mysclf,
iIc circlc of my lifc, my ovn, my vifc; my lovc of
vIom vas foundcd on a rocl!
'Dcarcsi Iusland!' said Agncs. 'Nov iIai I may call
you ly iIai namc, I Iavc onc iIing morc io icll you.'
'Lci mc Icar ii, lovc.'
'Ii grovs oui of iIc nigIi vIcn Dora dicd. SIc
scni you for mc.'
526
'SIc did.'
'SIc iold mc iIai sIc lcfi mc somciIing. Can
you iIinl vIai ii vas?'
I lclicvcd I could. I drcv iIc vifc vIo Iad so
long lovcd mc, closcr io my sidc.
'SIc iold mc iIai sIc madc a lasi rcqucsi io
mc, and lcfi mc a lasi cIargc.'
'And ii vas'
'TIai only I vould occuy iIis vacani lacc.'
And Agncs laid Icr Icad uon my lrcasi, and
vci; and I vci viiI Icr, iIougI vc vcrc so
Iay.
CHAPTER 6S
A VISITOR
WIai I Iavc uroscd io rccord is ncarly fin-
isIcd; lui iIcrc is yci an incidcni consicuous
in my mcmory, on vIicI ii oficn rcsis viiI dc-
ligIi, and viiIoui vIicI onc iIrcad in iIc vcl
I Iavc sun vould Iavc a ravcllcd cnd.
I Iad advanccd in famc and foriunc, my do-
mcsiic joy vas crfcci, I Iad lccn marricd icn
Iay ycars. Agncs and I vcrc siiiing ly iIc
firc, in our Iousc in London, onc nigIi in sring,
and iIrcc of our cIildrcn vcrc laying in iIc
room, vIcn I vas iold iIai a sirangcr visIcd io
scc mc.
Hc Iad lccn aslcd if Ic camc on lusincss,
and Iad ansvcrcd No; Ic Iad comc for iIc lca-
surc of sccing mc, and Iad comc a long vay.
Hc vas an old man, my scrvani said, and loolcd
lilc a farmcr.
As iIis soundcd mysicrious io iIc cIildrcn,
and morcovcr vas lilc iIc lcginning of a
favouriic siory Agncs uscd io icll iIcm, iniro-
duciory io iIc arrival of a viclcd old Fairy in a
cloal vIo Iaicd cvcrylody, ii roduccd somc
commoiion. Onc of our loys laid Iis Icad in
Iis moiIcr's la io lc oui of Iarm's vay, and
liiilc Agncs (our cldcsi cIild} lcfi Icr doll in a
cIair io rcrcscni Icr, and iIrusi oui Icr liiilc
527
Ica of goldcn curls from lcivccn iIc vindov-
curiains, io scc vIai Iacncd nci.
'Lci Iim comc in Icrc!' said I.
TIcrc soon acarcd, ausing in iIc darl
doorvay as Ic cnicrcd, a Ialc, grcy-Iaircd old
man. Liiilc Agncs, aiiracicd ly Iis lools, Iad
run io lring Iim in, and I Iad noi yci clcarly
sccn Iis facc, vIcn my vifc, siariing u, cricd
oui io mc, in a lcascd and agiiaicd voicc, iIai
ii vas Mr. Fcggoiiy!
Ii uus Mr. Fcggoiiy. An old man nov, lui in a
ruddy, Icariy, sirong old agc. WIcn our firsi
cmoiion vas ovcr, and Ic sai lcforc iIc firc viiI
iIc cIildrcn on Iis lnccs, and iIc llazc sIin-
ing on Iis facc, Ic loolcd, io mc, as vigorous
and rolusi, viiIal as Iandsomc, an old man,
as cvcr I Iad sccn.
'Mas'r Davy,' said Ic. And iIc old namc in iIc
old ionc fcll so naiurally on my car! 'Mas'r Davy,
'iis a joyful Iour as I scc you, oncc morc, 'long
viiI your ovn ircv vifc!'
'A joyful Iour indccd, old fricnd!' cricd I.
'And iIcsc Iccr rciiy oncs,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy.
'To lool ai iIcsc Iccr flovcrs! WIy, Mas'r Davy,
you vas lui iIc IcigIiI of iIc liiilcsi of iIcsc,
vIcn I firsi scc you! WIcn Em'ly varn'i no lig-
gcr, and our oor lad vcrc Iut a lad!'
'Timc Ias cIangcd mc morc iIan ii Ias
cIangcd you sincc iIcn,' said I. 'Dui lci iIcsc
dcar rogucs go io lcd; and as no Iousc in En-
gland lui iIis musi Iold you, icll mc vIcrc io
scnd for your luggagc (is iIc old llacl lag
among ii, iIai vcni so far, I vondcr!}, and iIcn,
ovcr a glass of YarmouiI grog, vc vill Iavc iIc
iidings of icn ycars!'
'Arc you alonc?' aslcd Agncs.
'Ycs, ma'am,' Ic said, lissing Icr Iand, 'quiic alonc.'
Wc sai Iim lcivccn us, noi lnoving Iov io
givc Iim vclcomc cnougI; and as I lcgan io
lisicn io Iis old familiar voicc, I could Iavc fan-
cicd Ic vas siill ursuing Iis long journcy in
scarcI of Iis darling niccc.
528
'Ii's a mori of vaicr,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'fur io
comc across, and on'y siay a maiicr of fovcr
vccls. Dui vaicr ('sccially vIcn 'iis sali} comcs
nai'ral io mc; and fricnds is dcar, and I am
Iccr.WIicI is vcrsc,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, sur-
riscd io find ii oui, 'iIougI I Iadn'i sucI in-
icniions.'
'Arc you going lacl iIosc many iIousand
milcs, so soon?' aslcd Agncs.
'Ycs, ma'am,' Ic rciurncd. 'I giv iIc romisc
io Em'ly, aforc I comc avay. You scc, I docn'i
grov youngcr as iIc ycars comcs round, and if
I Iadn'i sailcd as 'ivas, mosi lilc I sIouldn'i
ncvcr Iavc donc 'i. And ii's allus lccn on my
mind, as I musi comc and scc Mas'r Davy and
your ovn svcci llooming sclf, in your vcddcd
Iaincss, aforc I goi io lc ioo old.'
Hc loolcd ai us, as if Ic could ncvcr fcasi Iis
cycs on us sufficicnily. Agncs laugIingly ui
lacl somc scaiicrcd locls of Iis grcy Iair, iIai
Ic migIi scc us lciicr.
'And nov icll us,' said I, 'cvcryiIing rclaiing
io your foriuncs.'
'Our foriuns, Mas'r Davy,' Ic rcjoincd, 'is soon
iold. Wc Iavcn'i farcd noIovs, lui farcd io
iIrivc. Wc'vc allus iIrivcd. Wc'vc vorlcd as vc
ougIi io 'i, and maylc vc livcd a lccilc Iard ai
firsi or so, lui vc Iavc allus iIrivcd. WIai viiI
sIcc-farming, and vIai viiI siocl-farming,
and vIai viiI onc iIing and vIai viiI i'oiIcr,
vc arc as vcll io do, as vcll could lc. TIccr's
lccn licndcr a llcssing fcll uon us,' said Mr.
Fcggoiiy, rcvcrcniially inclining Iis Icad, 'and
vc'vc donc novi lui roscr. TIai is, in iIc long
run. If noi ycsicrday, vIy iIcn ioday. If noi io-
day, vIy iIcn iomorrov.'
'And Emily?' said Agncs and I, loiI iogciIcr.
'Em'ly,' said Ic, 'aricr you lcfi Icr, ma'am
and I ncvcr Iccrd Icr saying of Icr raycrs ai
nigIi, i'oiIcr sidc iIc canvas scrccn, vIcn vc
vas sciilcd in iIc DusI, lui vIai I Iccrd your
namcand aricr sIc and mc losi sigIi of Mas'r
529
Davy, iIai iIccr sIining sundovnvas iIai
lov, ai firsi, iIai, if sIc Iad lnov'd iIcn vIai
Mas'r Davy lc from us so lind and iIoviful,
'iis my oinion sIc'd Iavc droocd avay. Dui
iIccr vas somc oor folls aloard as Iad ill-
ncss among 'cm, and sIc iool carc of iIcm;
and iIccr vas iIc cIildrcn in our comany, and
sIc iool carc of iIcm; and so sIc goi io lc lusy,
and io lc doing good, and iIai Iclcd Icr.'
'WIcn did sIc firsi Icar of ii?' I aslcd.
'I lc ii from Icr aricr I Iccrd on 'i,' said Mr.
Fcggoiiy, 'going on nigI a ycar. Wc vas living
iIcn in a soliiary lacc, lui among iIc
lcauiifullcsi irccs, and viiI iIc roscs a-covcr-
ing our Dccin io iIc roof. TIccr comc along onc
day, vIcn I vas oui a-vorling on iIc land, a
iravcllcr from our ovn Norfoll or Suffoll in
England (I docn'i rigIily mind vIicI}, and of
coursc vc iool Iim in, and givc Iim io cai and
drinl, and madc Iim vclcomc. Wc all do iIai,
all iIc colony ovcr. Hc'd goi an old ncvsacr
viiI Iim, and somc oiIcr accouni in rini of
iIc siorm. TIai's Iov sIc lnov'd ii. WIcn I
camc Iomc ai nigIi, I found sIc lnov'd ii.'
Hc drocd Iis voicc as Ic said iIcsc vords,
and iIc graviiy I so vcll rcmcmlcrcd ovcrsrcad
Iis facc.
'Did ii cIangc Icr mucI?' vc aslcd.
'Ayc, for a good long iimc,' Ic said, sIaling
Iis Icad; 'if noi io iIis rcscni Iour. Dui I iIinl
iIc soliioodc donc Icr good. And sIc Iad a dcal
io mind in iIc vay of ouliry and iIc lilc, and
mindcd of ii, and comc iIrougI. I vondcr,' Ic
said iIougIifully, 'if you could scc my Em'ly
nov, Mas'r Davy, vIciIcr you'd lnov Icr!'
'Is sIc so alicrcd?' I inquircd.
'I docn'i lnov. I scc Icr cv'ry day, and docn'i
lnov; Dui, odd-iimcs, I Iavc iIovi so. A sligIi
figurc,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, looling ai iIc firc,
'licndcr vorn; sofi, sorrovful, lluc cycs; a dcli-
caic facc; a riiiy Icad, lcaning a liiilc dovn; a
quici voicc and vayiimid a'mosi. TIai's Em'ly!'
530
Wc silcnily olscrvcd Iim as Ic sai, siill lool-
ing ai iIc firc.
'Somc iIinls,' Ic said, 'as Icr affcciion vas
ill-lcsiovcd; somc, as Icr marriagc vas lro-
lcn off ly dcaiI. No onc lnovs Iov 'iis. SIc
migIi Iavc marricd vcll, a mori of iimcs, lui,
unclc," sIc says io mc, iIai's gonc for cvcr."
CIccrful along viiI mc; rciircd vIcn oiIcrs is
ly; fond of going any disiancc fur io icacI a
cIild, or fur io icnd a sicl crson, or fur io do
somc lindncss iov'rds a young girl's vcdding
(and sIc's donc a many, lui Ias ncvcr sccn
onc}; fondly loving of Icr unclc; aiicni; lilcd
ly young and old; sovi oui ly all iIai Ias any
iroullc. TIai's Em'ly!'
Hc drcv Iis Iand across Iis facc, and viiI a
Ialf-surcsscd sigI loolcd u from iIc firc.
'Is MariIa viiI you yci?' I aslcd.
'MariIa,' Ic rclicd, 'goi marricd, Mas'r Davy,
in iIc sccond ycar. A young man, a farm-
lalourcr, as comc ly us on Iis vay io marlci
viiI Iis mas'r's draysa journcy of ovcr fivc
Iundrcd milc, iIccr and laclmadc offcrs fur
io ialc Icr fur Iis vifc (vivcs is vcry scarcc
iIccr}, and iIcn io sci u fur iIcir ivo sclvcs in
iIc DusI. SIc solc io mc fur io icll Iim Icr
ircv siory. I did. TIcy vas marricd, and iIcy
livc fovcr Iundrcd milc avay from any voiccs
lui iIcir ovn and iIc singing lirds.'
'Mrs. Gummidgc?' I suggcsicd.
Ii vas a lcasani lcy io ioucI, for Mr. Fcggoiiy
suddcnly lursi inio a roar of laugIicr, and
rullcd Iis Iands u and dovn Iis lcgs, as Ic
Iad lccn accusiomcd io do vIcn Ic cnjoycd
Iimsclf in iIc long-sIivrcclcd loai.
'Would you lclicvc ii!' Ic said. 'WIy, somcun
cvcn madc offcr fur io marry Icr! If a sIi's cool
iIai vas iurning sciilcr, Mas'r Davy, didn'i malc
offcrs fur io marry Missis Gummidgc, I'm
Gormcdand I can'i say no faircr iIan iIai!'
I ncvcr sav Agncs laugI so. TIis suddcn cc-
siasy on iIc ari of Mr. Fcggoiiy vas so dc-
531
ligIiful io Icr, iIai sIc could noi lcavc off laugI-
ing; and iIc morc sIc laugIcd iIc morc sIc
madc mc laugI, and iIc grcaicr Mr. Fcggoiiy's
ccsiasy lccamc, and iIc morc Ic rullcd Iis
lcgs.
'And vIai did Mrs. Gummidgc say?' I aslcd,
vIcn I vas gravc cnougI.
'If you'll lclicvc mc,' rciurncd Mr. Fcggoiiy,
'Missis Gummidgc, 'sicad of saying iIanl you,
I'm mucI ollccgcd io you, I ain'i a-going fur io
cIangc my condiiion ai my iimc of lifc," u'd
viiI a luclci as vas sianding ly, and laid ii
ovcr iIai iIccr sIi's cool's Icad 'iill Ic sung
oui fur Icl, and I vcni in and rcslicd of Iim.'
Mr. Fcggoiiy lursi inio a grcai roar of laugI-
icr, and Agncs and I loiI lci Iim comany.
'Dui I musi say iIis, for iIc good crcciur,' Ic
rcsumcd, viing Iis facc, vIcn vc vcrc quiic
cIausicd; 'sIc Ias lccn all sIc said sIc'd lc
io us, and morc. SIc's iIc villingcsi, iIc ircvcsi,
iIc Ioncsicsi-Icling voman, Mas'r Davy, as
cvcr drav'd iIc lrcaiI of lifc. I Iavc ncvcr
lnov'd Icr io lc lonc and lorn, for a singlc
minuic, noi cvcn vIcn iIc colony vas all aforc
us, and vc vas ncv io ii. And iIinling of iIc
old 'un is a iIing sIc ncvcr donc, I do assurc
you, sincc sIc lcfi England!'
'Nov, lasi, noi lcasi, Mr. Micavlcr,' said I. 'Hc
Ias aid off cvcry olligaiion Ic incurrcd Icrc
cvcn io Traddlcs's lill, you rcmcmlcr my dcar
Agncsand iIcrcforc vc may ialc ii for granicd
iIai Ic is doing vcll. Dui vIai is iIc laicsi ncvs
of Iim?'
Mr. Fcggoiiy, viiI a smilc, ui Iis Iand in
Iis lrcasi-oclci, and roduccd a flai-foldcd,
acr arccl, from vIicI Ic iool oui, viiI mucI
carc, a liiilc odd-looling ncvsacr.
'You arc io undcrsian', Mas'r Davy,' said Ic,
'as vc Iavc lcfi iIc DusI nov, lcing so vcll io
do; and Iavc gonc rigIi avay round io Fori
Middlclay Harlour, vIccr iIccr's vIai vc call
a iovn.'
532
'Mr. Micavlcr vas in iIc DusI ncar you?' said I.
'Dlcss you, ycs,' said Mr. Fcggoiiy, 'and iurncd
io viiI a vill. I ncvcr visI io mcci a lciicr
gcn'l'man for iurning io viiI a vill. I'vc sccn
iIai iIccr lald Icad of Iis a crsiring in iIc
sun, Mas'r Davy, iill I a'mosi iIovi ii vould Iavc
mclicd avay. And nov Ic's a Magisiraic.'
'A Magisiraic, cI?' said I.
Mr. Fcggoiiy oinicd io a ccriain aragraI
in iIc ncvsacr, vIcrc I rcad aloud as fol-
lovs, from iIc Fori Middlclay Timcs:
'TIc ullic dinncr io our disiinguisIcd fcllov-
colonisi and iovnsman, VIns McuuIcr, Es-
qurc, Fori Middlclay Disirici Magisiraic, camc
off ycsicrday in iIc largc room of iIc Hoicl,
vIicI vas crovdcd io suffocaiion. Ii is csiimaicd
iIai noi fcvcr iIan foriy-scvcn crsons musi
Iavc lccn accommodaicd viiI dinncr ai onc
iimc, cclusivc of iIc comany in iIc assagc
and on iIc siairs. TIc lcauiy, fasIion, and c-
clusivcncss of Fori Middlclay, floclcd io do
Ionour io onc so dcscrvcdly csiccmcd, so IigIly
ialcnicd, and so vidcly oular. Docior Mcll (of
Colonial Salcm-Housc Grammar ScIool, Fori
Middlclay} rcsidcd, and on Iis rigIi sai iIc
disiinguisIcd gucsi. Aficr iIc rcmoval of iIc
cloiI, and iIc singing of Non Nolis (lcauiifully
cccuicd, and in vIicI vc vcrc ai no loss io
disiinguisI iIc lcll-lilc noics of iIai gificd
amaicur, VIns McuuIcr, Esqurc, Junor}, iIc
usual loyal and airioiic ioasis vcrc scvcrally
givcn and raiurously rcccivcd. Docior Mcll, in
a scccI rclcic viiI fccling, iIcn rooscd Our
disiinguisIcd Gucsi, iIc ornamcni of our iovn.
May Ic ncvcr lcavc us lui io lciicr Iimsclf,
and may Iis succcss among us lc sucI as io
rcndcr Iis lciicring Iimsclf imossillc!" TIc
cIccring viiI vIicI iIc ioasi vas rcccivcd dc-
fics dcscriiion. Again and again ii rosc and fcll,
lilc iIc vavcs of occan. Ai lcngiI all vas
IusIcd, and VIns McuuIcr, Esqurc, rc-
scnicd Iimsclf io rciurn iIanls. Far lc ii from
533
us, in iIc rcscni comaraiivcly imcrfcci siaic
of iIc rcsourccs of our csiallisImcni, io cn-
dcavour io follov our disiinguisIcd iovnsman
iIrougI iIc smooiIly-floving criods of Iis
olisIcd and IigIly-ornaic addrcss! Sufficc ii
io olscrvc, iIai ii vas a masicriccc of clo-
qucncc; and iIai iIosc assagcs in vIicI Ic
morc ariicularly iraccd Iis ovn succcssful
carccr io iis sourcc, and varncd iIc youngcr
oriion of Iis audiiory from iIc sIoals of cvcr
incurring ccuniary lialiliiics vIicI iIcy vcrc
unallc io liquidaic, lrougIi a icar inio iIc
manlicsi cyc rcscni. TIc rcmaining ioasis vcrc
Doctor Mc; Mrs. McuuIcr (vIo graccfully
lovcd Icr aclnovlcdgcmcnis from iIc sidc-
door, vIcrc a galay of lcauiy vas clcvaicd on
cIairs, ai oncc io viincss and adorn iIc graii-
fying sccnc}, Mrs. Hdgcr Hcgs (laic Miss
Micavlcr}; Mrs. Mc; VIns McuuIcr, Esqurc,
Junor (vIo convulscd iIc asscmlly ly Iumor-
ously rcmarling iIai Ic found Iimsclf unallc
io rciurn iIanls in a scccI, lui vould do so,
viiI iIcir crmission, in a song}; Mrs.
McuuIcr`s um (vcll lnovn, ii is nccdlcss io
rcmarl, in iIc moiIcr-couniry}, &c. &c. &c. Ai
iIc conclusion of iIc rocccdings iIc iallcs vcrc
clcarcd as if ly ari-magic for dancing. Among
iIc voiarics of TcrscIorc, vIo disoricd iIcm-
sclvcs uniil Sol gavc varning for dcariurc,
Willins Micavlcr, Esquirc, Junior, and iIc
lovcly and accomlisIcd Miss Hclcna, fouriI
daugIicr of Docior Mcll, vcrc ariicularly rc-
marlallc.'
I WAS LOOKING DACK io iIc namc of Docior Mcll,
lcascd io Iavc discovcrcd, in iIcsc Iaicr cir-
cumsianccs, Mr. Mcll, formcrly oor incIcd
usIcr io my Middlcsc magisiraic, vIcn Mr.
Fcggoiiy oiniing io anoiIcr ari of iIc acr,
my cycs rcsicd on my ovn namc, and I rcad
iIus:
534
TO DAVID COPPERFIELD, ESQUIRE,
THE EMINENT AUTHOR.
My Dear Sir,
Years have elapsed, since I had an opportunity of
ocularly perusing the lineaments, now familiar to the
imaginations of a considerable portion of the civi-
lized world.
But, my dear Sir, though estranged (by the force
of circumstances over which I have had no control)
from the personal society of the friend and compan-
ion of my youth, I have not been unmindful of his
soaring flight. Nor have I been debarred,
Though seas between us braid ha roared,
(BURNS) from participating in the intellectual feasts
he has spread before us.
I cannot, therefore, allow of the departure from this
place of an individual whom we mutually respect and
esteem, without, my dear Sir, taking this public op-
portunity of thanking you, on my own behalf, and, I
may undertake to add, on that of the whole of the
Inhabitants of Port Middlebay, for the gratification of
which you are the ministering agent.
Go on, my dear Sir! You are not unknown here, you
are not unappreciated. Though remote, we are nei-
ther unfriended, melancholy, nor (I may add) slow.
Go on, my dear Sir, in your Eagle course! The inhab-
itants of Port Middlebay may at least aspire to watch
it, with delight, with entertainment, with instruction!
Among the eyes elevated towards you from this
portion of the globe, will ever be found, while it has
light and life,
The
Eye
Appertaining to
WILKINS MICAWBER,
Magistrate.
535
I found, on glancing ai iIc rcmaining conicnis
of iIc ncvsacr, iIai Mr. Micavlcr vas a dili-
gcni and csiccmcd corrcsondcni of iIai jour-
nal. TIcrc vas anoiIcr lciicr from Iim in iIc
samc acr, ioucIing a lridgc; iIcrc vas an
advcriiscmcni of a collcciion of similar lciicrs
ly Iim, io lc sIorily rcullisIcd, in a ncai vol-
umc, 'viiI considcrallc addiiions'; and, unlcss
I am vcry mucI misialcn, iIc Lcading Ariiclc
vas Iis also.
Wc iallcd mucI of Mr. Micavlcr, on many
oiIcr cvcnings vIilc Mr. Fcggoiiy rcmaincd viiI
us. Hc livcd viiI us during iIc vIolc icrm of
Iis siay,vIicI, I iIinl, vas somciIing lcss
iIan a moniI,and Iis sisicr and my auni
camc io London io scc Iim. Agncs and I aricd
from Iim aloard-sIi, vIcn Ic sailcd; and vc
sIall ncvcr ari from Iim morc, on cariI.
Dui lcforc Ic lcfi, Ic vcni viiI mc io
YarmouiI, io scc a liiilc iallci I Iad ui u in
iIc cIurcIyard io iIc mcmory of Ham. WIilc I
vas coying iIc lain inscriiion for Iim ai Iis
rcqucsi, I sav Iim sioo, and gaiIcr a iufi of
grass from iIc gravc and a liiilc cariI.
'For Em'ly,' Ic said, as Ic ui ii in Iis lrcasi.
'I romiscd, Mas'r Davy.'
CHAPTER 64
A LAST RETROSPECT
AND NOW MY WFITTEN STOFY ENDS. I lool lacl, oncc
morcfor iIc lasi iimclcforc I closc iIcsc
lcavcs.
I scc mysclf, viiI Agncs ai my sidc, journcying
along iIc road of lifc. I scc our cIildrcn and our
fricnds around us; and I Icar iIc roar of many
voiccs, noi indiffcrcni io mc as I iravcl on.
WIai faccs arc iIc mosi disiinci io mc in iIc
flcciing crovd? Lo, iIcsc; all iurning io mc as I
asl my iIougIis iIc qucsiion!
Hcrc is my auni, in sirongcr scciaclcs, an
old voman of four-scorc ycars and morc, lui
536
urigIi yci, and a sicady vallcr of si milcs ai
a sircicI in vinicr vcaiIcr.
Alvays viiI Icr, Icrc comcs Fcggoiiy, my good
old nursc, lilcvisc in scciaclcs, accusiomcd io
do nccdlc-vorl ai nigIi vcry closc io iIc lam,
lui ncvcr siiiing dovn io ii viiIoui a lii of va
candlc, a yard-mcasurc in a liiilc Iousc, and a
vorl-lo viiI a iciurc of Si. Faul's uon iIc lid.
TIc cIccls and arms of Fcggoiiy, so Iard and
rcd in my cIildisI days, vIcn I vondcrcd vIy
iIc lirds didn'i ccl Icr in rcfcrcncc io alcs,
arc sIrivcllcd nov; and Icr cycs, iIai uscd io
darlcn iIcir vIolc ncigIlourIood in Icr facc,
arc fainicr (iIougI iIcy gliiicr siill}; lui Icr
rougI forcfingcr, vIicI I oncc associaicd viiI
a oclci nuimcg-graicr, is jusi iIc samc, and
vIcn I scc my lcasi cIild caicIing ai ii as ii
ioiicrs from my auni io Icr, I iIinl of our liiilc
arlour ai Iomc, vIcn I could scarccly vall.
My auni's old disaoinimcni is sci rigIi, nov.
SIc is godmoiIcr io a rcal living Dciscy
Troivood; and Dora (iIc nci in ordcr} says sIc
soils Icr.
TIcrc is somciIing lully in Fcggoiiy's oclci.
Ii is noiIing smallcr iIan iIc Crocodilc Dool,
vIicI is in raiIcr a dilaidaicd condiiion ly
iIis iimc, viiI divcrs of iIc lcavcs iorn and
siiicIcd across, lui vIicI Fcggoiiy cIiliis io
iIc cIildrcn as a rccious rclic. I find ii vcry
curious io scc my ovn infani facc, looling u
ai mc from iIc Crocodilc siorics; and io lc rc-
mindcd ly ii of my old acquainiancc Drools of
SIcfficld.
Among my loys, iIis summcr Ioliday iimc, I
scc an old man maling giani liics, and gazing
ai iIcm in iIc air, viiI a dcligIi for vIicI iIcrc
arc no vords. Hc grccis mc raiurously, and
vIiscrs, viiI many nods and vinls, 'Troivood,
you vill lc glad io Icar iIai I sIall finisI iIc
Mcmorial vIcn I Iavc noiIing clsc io do, and
iIai your auni's iIc mosi ciraordinary voman
in iIc vorld, sir!'
537
WIo is iIis lcni lady, suoriing Icrsclf ly a
siicl, and sIoving mc a counicnancc in vIicI
iIcrc arc somc iraccs of old ridc and lcauiy,
fcclly conicnding viiI a qucrulous, imlccilc,
frciful vandcring of iIc mind? SIc is in a gar-
dcn; and ncar Icr siands a sIar, darl, viiI-
crcd voman, viiI a vIiic scar on Icr li. Lci
mc Icar vIai iIcy say.
'Fosa, I Iavc forgoiicn iIis gcnilcman's namc.'
Fosa lcnds ovcr Icr, and calls io Icr, 'Mr.
Cocrficld.'
'I am glad io scc you, sir. I am sorry io ol-
scrvc you arc in mourning. I Ioc Timc vill lc
good io you.'
Hcr imaiicni aiicndani scolds Icr, iclls Icr I
am noi in mourning, lids Icr lool again, irics
io rousc Icr.
'You Iavc sccn my son, sir,' says iIc cldcr
lady. 'Arc you rcconcilcd?'
Looling ficdly ai mc, sIc uis Icr Iand io
Icr forcIcad, and moans. Suddcnly, sIc crics,
in a icrrillc voicc, 'Fosa, comc io mc. Hc is dcad!'
Fosa lnccling ai Icr fcci, ly iurns carcsscs Icr,
and quarrcls viiI Icr; nov ficrccly iclling Icr,
'I lovcd Iim lciicr iIan you cvcr did!'nov
sooiIing Icr io slcc on Icr lrcasi, lilc a sicl
cIild. TIus I lcavc iIcm; iIus I alvays find iIcm;
iIus iIcy vcar iIcir iimc avay, from ycar io
ycar.
WIai sIi comcs sailing Iomc from India, and
vIai EnglisI lady is iIis, marricd io a grovling
old ScoicI Crocsus viiI grcai flas of cars? Can
iIis lc Julia Mills?
Indccd ii is Julia Mills, ccvisI and finc, viiI
a llacl man io carry cards and lciicrs io Icr on
a goldcn salvcr, and a cocr-colourcd voman
in lincn, viiI a lrigIi IandlcrcIicf round Icr
Icad, io scrvc Icr Tiffin in Icr drcssing-room.
Dui Julia lccs no diary in iIcsc days; ncvcr
sings Affcciion's Dirgc; cicrnally quarrcls viiI
iIc old ScoicI Crocsus, vIo is a sori of ycllov
lcar viiI a ianncd Iidc. Julia is sicccd in
538
moncy io iIc iIroai, and ialls and iIinls of
noiIing clsc. I lilcd Icr lciicr in iIc Dcscri of
SaIara.
Or crIas iIis s iIc Dcscri of SaIara! For,
iIougI Julia Ias a siaicly Iousc, and migIiy
comany, and sumiuous dinncrs cvcry day, I
scc no grccn groviI ncar Icr; noiIing iIai can
cvcr comc io fruii or flovcr. WIai Julia calls
'sociciy', I scc; among ii Mr. Jacl Maldon, from
Iis Faicni Flacc, snccring ai iIc Iand iIai gavc
ii Iim, and scaling io mc of iIc Docior as 'so
cIarmingly aniiquc'. Dui vIcn sociciy is iIc
namc for sucI Iollov gcnilcmcn and ladics,
Julia, and vIcn iis lrccding is rofcsscd indif-
fcrcncc io cvcryiIing iIai can advancc or can
rciard manlind, I iIinl vc musi Iavc losi our-
sclvcs in iIai samc Dcscri of SaIara, and Iad
lciicr find iIc vay oui.
And lo, iIc Docior, alvays our good fricnd,
lalouring ai Iis Diciionary (somcvIcrc aloui
iIc lciicr D}, and Iay in Iis Iomc and vifc.
Also iIc Old Soldicr, on a considcrally rcduccd
fooiing, and ly no mcans so influcniial as in
days of yorc!
Worling ai Iis cIamlcrs in iIc Tcmlc, viiI
a lusy ascci, and Iis Iair (vIcrc Ic is noi
lald} madc morc rclcllious iIan cvcr ly iIc
consiani friciion of Iis lavycr's-vig, I comc, in
a laicr iimc, uon my dcar old Traddlcs. His
iallc is covcrcd viiI iIicl ilcs of acrs; and I
say, as I lool around mc:
'If SoIy vcrc your clcrl, nov, Traddlcs, sIc
vould Iavc cnougI io do!'
'You may say iIai, my dcar Cocrficld! Dui
iIosc vcrc caiial days, ioo, in Hollorn Couri!
Wcrc iIcy noi?'
'WIcn sIc iold you you vould lc a judgc? Dui
ii vas noi iIc iovn iall iIcn!'
'Ai all cvcnis,' says Traddlcs, 'if I cvcr am onc'
'WIy, you lnov you vill lc.'
'Wcll, my dcar Cocrficld, uIcn I am onc, I
sIall icll iIc siory, as I said I vould.'
539
Wc vall avay, arm in arm. I am going io Iavc
a family dinncr viiI Traddlcs. Ii is SoIy's liriI-
day; and, on our road, Traddlcs discourscs io
mc of iIc good foriunc Ic Ias cnjoycd.
'I rcally Iavc lccn allc, my dcar Cocrficld,
io do all iIai I Iad mosi ai Icari. TIcrc's iIc
Fcvcrcnd Horacc romoicd io iIai living ai four
Iundrcd and fifiy ounds a ycar; iIcrc arc our
ivo loys rccciving iIc vcry lcsi cducaiion, and
disiinguisIing iIcmsclvcs as sicady scIolars
and good fcllovs; iIcrc arc iIrcc of iIc girls
marricd vcry comforially; iIcrc arc iIrcc morc
living viiI us; iIcrc arc iIrcc morc lccing
Iousc for iIc Fcvcrcnd Horacc sincc Mrs.
Crcvlcr's dcccasc; and all of iIcm Iay.'
'Ecci' I suggcsi.
'Ecci iIc Dcauiy,' says Traddlcs. 'Ycs. Ii vas
vcry unforiunaic iIai sIc sIould marry sucI a
vagalond. Dui iIcrc vas a ccriain dasI and
glarc aloui Iim iIai caugIi Icr. Hovcvcr, nov
vc Iavc goi Icr safc ai our Iousc, and goi rid
of Iim, vc musi cIccr Icr u again.'
Traddlcs's Iousc is onc of iIc vcry Iouscs
or ii casily may Iavc lccnvIicI Ic and SoIy
uscd io arccl oui, in iIcir cvcning valls. Ii is
a largc Iousc; lui Traddlcs lccs Iis acrs in
Iis drcssing-room and Iis loois viiI Iis a-
crs; and Ic and SoIy squcczc iIcmsclvcs inio
ucr rooms, rcscrving iIc lcsi lcdrooms for
iIc Dcauiy and iIc girls. TIcrc is no room io
sarc in iIc Iousc; for morc of 'iIc girls' arc
Icrc, and alvays arc Icrc, ly somc accidcni or
oiIcr, iIan I lnov Iov io couni. Hcrc, vIcn
vc go in, is a crovd of iIcm, running dovn io
iIc door, and Ianding Traddlcs aloui io lc
lisscd, uniil Ic is oui of lrcaiI. Hcrc, csial-
lisIcd in crciuiiy, is iIc oor Dcauiy, a vidov
viiI a liiilc girl; Icrc, ai dinncr on SoIy's liriI-
day, arc iIc iIrcc marricd girls viiI iIcir iIrcc
Iuslands, and onc of iIc Iusland's lroiIcrs,
and anoiIcr Iusland's cousin, and anoiIcr
Iusland's sisicr, vIo acars io mc io lc cn-
540
gagcd io iIc cousin. Traddlcs, cacily iIc samc
simlc, unaffccicd fcllov as Ic cvcr vas, siis ai
iIc fooi of iIc largc iallc lilc a FairiarcI; and
SoIy lcams uon Iim, from iIc Icad, across
a cIccrful sacc iIai is ccriainly noi gliiicring
viiI Driiannia mcial.
And nov, as I closc my iasl, sulduing my
dcsirc io lingcr yci, iIcsc faccs fadc avay. Dui
onc facc, sIining on mc lilc a Hcavcnly ligIi ly
vIicI I scc all oiIcr oljccis, is alovc iIcm and
lcyond iIcm all. And iIai rcmains.
I iurn my Icad, and scc ii, in iis lcauiiful
scrcniiy, lcsidc mc.
My lam lurns lov, and I Iavc vriiicn far
inio iIc nigIi; lui iIc dcar rcscncc, viiIoui
vIicI I vcrc noiIing, lcars mc comany.
O Agncs, O my soul, so may iIy facc lc ly mc
vIcn I closc my lifc indccd; so may I, vIcn rc-
aliiics arc mcliing from mc, lilc iIc sIadovs
vIicI I nov dismiss, siill find iIcc ncar mc,
oiniing uvard!
If you vould lilc io rcccivc
morc vorls ly CIarlcs
Diclcns in FDF from iIc
Elccironics Classics Scrics,
go io
Iii://vvv2.In.su.cdu/
faculiy/jmanis/
diclcns.Iim.
If you vould lilc io rcccivc
morc classical vorls of lii-
craiurc in FDF, go io
Iii://vvv2.In.su.cdu/
faculiy/jmanis/
jimsdf.Iim.

David Copperfiled Vol2 - Charles Dickens

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David Coppcrlicld

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