Brown,onefromMissMonro;ofcoursethelastmentionedwasthefirstread.ShespokeoftheshockofthediscoveryofMr.Dunster\'sbody,foundinthecuttingofthenewlineofrailroadfromHamleytothenearestrailwaystation;thebodysohastilyburiedlongago,initsclothes,bywhichitwasnowrecognised——arecognitionconfirmedbyoneortwomorepersonalandindestructiblethings,suchashiswatchandsealwithhisinitials;oftheshocktoeveryone,theOsbaldistonesinparticular,onthefurtherdiscoveryofafleamorhorse-lancet,havingthenameofAbrahamDixonengravedonthehandle;howDixonhadgoneonMr.Osbaldistone\'sbusinesstoahorse-
fairinIrelandsomeweeksbeforethis,andhadhadhislegbrokenbyakickfromanunrulymare,sothathewasbarelyabletomoveaboutwhentheofficersofjusticewenttoapprehendhiminTralee.
AtthispointEllinorcriedoutloudandshrill.
\"Oh,Dixon!Dixon!andIwasawayenjoyingmyself.\"
Theyheardhercry,andcametothedoor,butitwasboltedinside.
\"Please,goaway,\"shesaid;\"please,go.Iwillbeveryquiet;
only,please,go.\"
ShecouldnotbearjustthentoreadanymoreofMissMonro\'sletter;
shetoreopenMr.Johnson\'s——thedatewasafortnightearlierthanMissMonro\'s;healsoexpressedhiswonderatnothearingfromher,inreplytohisletterofJanuary9;butheadded,thathethoughtthathertrusteeshadjudgedrightly;thehandsomesumtherailwaycompanyhadofferedforthelandwhentheirsurveyordecidedonthealterationoftheline,Mr.Osbaldistone,&c.&c.Shecouldnotreadanymore;itwasFatepursuingher.Thenshetooktheletterupagainandtriedtoread;butallthatreachedherunderstandingwasthefactthatMr.JohnsonhadsenthispresentlettertoMissMonro,thinkingthatshemightknowofsomeprivateopportunitysaferthanthepost.Mr.Brown\'swasjustsuchaletterasheoccasionallysentherfromtimetotime;acorrespondencethataroseoutoftheirmutualregardfortheirdeadfriendMr.Ness.It,too,hadbeensenttoMissMonrotodirect.Ellinorwasonthepointofputtingitasideentirely,whenthenameofCorbetcaughthereye:\"Youwillbeinterestedtohearthattheoldpupilofourdepartedfriend,whowassoanxioustoobtainthefolioVirgilwiththeItaliannotes,isappointedthenewjudgeinroomofMr.JusticeJenkin.AtleastI
concludethatMr.RalphCorbet,Q.C.,isthesameastheVirgilfancier.\"
\"Yes,\"saidEllinor,bitterly;\"hejudgedwell;itwouldneverhavedone.\"Theywerethefirstwordsofanythinglikereproachwhichsheeverformedinherownmindduringalltheseyears.Shethoughtforafewmomentsoftheoldtimes;itseemedtosteadyherbraintothinkofthem.ThenshetookupandfinishedMissMonro\'sletter.
ThatexcellentfriendhaddoneallwhichshethoughtEllinorwouldhavewishedwithoutdelay.ShehadwrittentoMr.Johnson,andchargedhimtodoeverythinghecouldtodefendDixonandtosparenoexpense.Shewasthinkingofgoingtotheprisoninthecountytown,toseetheoldmanherself,butEllinorcouldperceivethatalltheseendeavoursandpurposesofMissMonro\'swerebasedonloveforherownpupil,andadesiretosethermindateaseasfarasshecould,ratherthanfromanyideathatDixonhimselfcouldbeinnocent.
Ellinorputdowntheletters,andwenttothedoor,thenturnedback,andlockedthemupinherwriting-casewithtremblinghands;andafterthatsheenteredthedrawing-room,lookinglikertoaghostthantoalivingwoman.
\"CanIspeaktoyouforaminutealone?\"Herstill,tunelessvoicemadethewordsintoacommand.CanonLivingstonearoseandfollowedherintothelittledining-room.\"Willyoutellmeallyouknow——allyouhaveheardaboutmy——youknowwhat?\"
\"MissMonrowasmyinformant——atleastatfirst——itwasintheTimesthedaybeforeIleft.MissMonrosaysitcouldonlyhavebeendoneinamomentofangeriftheoldservantisreallyguilty;thathewasassteadyandgoodamanassheeverknew,andsheseemstohaveastrongfeelingagainstMr.Dunster,asalwaysgivingyourfathermuchunnecessarytrouble;infact,shehintsthathisdisappearanceatthetimewassupposedtobethecauseofaconsiderablelossofpropertytoMr.Wilkins.\"
\"No!\"saidEllinor,eagerly,feelingthatsomejusticeoughttobedonetothedeadman;andthenshestoppedshort,fearfulofsayinganythingthatshouldbetrayherfullknowledge.\"Imeanthis,\"shewenton;\"Mr.Dunsterwasaverydisagreeablemanpersonally——andpapa——wenoneofuslikedhim;buthewasquitehonest——pleaserememberthat.\"
Thecanonbowed,andsaidafewacquiescingwords.Hewaitedforhertospeakagain.
\"MissMonrosayssheisgoingtoseeDixonin——\"
\"Oh,Mr.Livingstone,Ican\'tbearit!\"
Heletheralone,lookingatherpitifully,asshetwistedandwrungherhandstogetherinherendeavourtoregainthequietmannershehadstriventomaintainthroughtheinterview.Shelookedupathimwithapoorattemptatanapologeticsmile:
\"Itissoterribletothinkofthatgoodoldmaninprison!\"
\"Youdonotbelievehimguilty!\"saidCanonLivingstone,insomesurprise.\"Iamafraid,fromallIheardandread,thereisbutlittledoubtthathedidkilltheman;Itrustinsomemomentofirritation,withnopremeditatedmalice.\"
Ellinorshookherhead.
\"HowsooncanIgettoEngland?\"askedshe.\"Imuststartatonce.\"
\"Mrs.Forbessentoutwhileyouwerelyingdown.IamafraidthereisnoboattoMarseillestillThursday,thedayafterto-morrow.\"
\"ButImustgosooner!\"saidEllinor,startingup.\"Imustgo;
pleasehelpme.HemaybetriedbeforeIcangetthere!\"
\"Alas!Ifearthatwillbethecase,whateverhasteyoumake.ThetrialwastocomeonattheHellingfordAssizes,andthattownstandsfirstontheMidlandCircuitlist.To-dayisthe27thofFebruary;
theassizesbeginonthe7thofMarch.\"
\"Iwillstartto-morrowmorningearlyforCivita;theremaybeaboattheretheydonotknowofhere.Atanyrate,Ishallbeonmyway.
Ifhedies,Imustdietoo.Oh!Idon\'tknowwhatIamsaying,Iamsoutterlycrusheddown!Itwouldbesuchakindnessifyouwouldgoaway,andletnoonecometome.IknowMrs.Forbesissogood,shewillforgiveme.Iwillsaygood-bytoyouallbeforeIgoto-morrowmorning;butImustthinknow.\"
Foronemomenthestoodlookingatherasifhelongedtocomfortherbymorewords.Hethoughtbetterofit,however,andsilentlylefttheroom.
ForalongtimeEllinorsatstill;nowandthentakingupMissMonro\'sletter,andre-readingthefewterribledetails.ThenshebethoughtherthatpossiblythecanonmighthavebroughtacopyoftheTimes,containingtheexaminationofDixonbeforethemagistrates,andsheopenedthedoorandcalledtoapassingservanttomaketheinquiry.Shewasquiterightinherconjecture;Dr.
Livingstonehadhadthepaperinhispocketduringhisinterviewwithher;buthethoughttheevidencesoconclusive,thattheperusalofitwouldonlybeaddingtoherextremedistressbyacceleratingtheconvictionofDixon\'sguilt,whichhebelievedshemustarriveatsoonerorlater.
HehadbeenreadingthereportoverwithMrs.Forbesandherdaughters,afterhisreturnfromEllinor\'sroom,andtheywereallparticipatinginhisopinionuponit,whenherrequestfortheTimeswasbrought.Theyhadreluctantlyagreed,sayingtheredidnotappeartobeashadowofdoubtonthefactofDixon\'shavingkilledMr.Dunster,onlyhopingtheremightprovetobesomeextenuatingcircumstances,whichEllinorhadprobablyrecollected,andwhichshewasdesirousofproducingontheapproachingtrial.
CHAPTERXIII.
Ellinor,havingreadthereportofDixon\'sexaminationinthenewspaper,bathedhereyesandforeheadincoldwater,andtriedtostillherpoorheart\'sbeating,thatshemightbeclearandcollectedenoughtoweightheevidence.
Everylineofitwascondemnatory.OneortwowitnessesspokeofDixon\'sunconcealeddislikeofDunster,adislikewhichEllinorknewhadbeenentertainedbytheoldservantoutofaspeciesofloyaltytohismaster,aswellasfrompersonaldistaste.ThefleamwasprovedbeyondalldoubttobeDixon\'s;andaman,whohadbeenstable-boyinMr.Wilkins\'sservice,sworethatonthedaywhenMr.
Dunsterwasmissed,andwhenthewholetownwaswonderingwhathadbecomeofhim,acertaincoltofMr.Wilkins\'shadneededbleeding,andthathehadbeensentbyDixontothefarrier\'sforahorse-
lancet,anerrandwhichhehadremarkeduponatthetime,asheknewthatDixonhadafleamofhisown.
Mr.Osbaldistonewasexamined.Hekeptinterruptinghimselfperpetuallytoexpresshissurpriseatthefactofsosteadyandwell-conductedamanasDixonbeingguiltyofsoheinousacrime,andwaswillingenoughtotestifytotheexcellentcharacterwhichhehadborneduringallthemanyyearshehadbeeninhis(Mr.
Osbaldistone\'s)service;butheappearedtobequiteconvincedbytheevidencepreviouslygivenoftheprisoner\'sguiltinthematter,andstrengthenedthecaseagainsthimmateriallybystatingthecircumstanceoftheoldman\'sdoggedunwillingnesstohavetheslightestinterferencebycultivationwiththatparticularpieceofground.
HereEllinorshuddered.Beforeher,inthatRomanbed-chamber,rosethefataloblongsheknewbyheart——alittlegreenmossorlichen,andthinly-growingbladesofgrassscarcelycoveringthecakedandundisturbedsoilundertheoldtree.Oh,thatshehadbeeninEnglandwhenthesurveyorsoftherailwaybetweenAshcombeandHamleyhadalteredtheirline;shewouldhaveentreated,implored,compelledhertrusteesnottohavesoldthatpieceofgroundforanysumofmoneywhatever.Shewouldhavebribedthesurveyors,donesheknewnotwhat——butnowitwastoolate;shewouldnotlethermindwanderofftowhatmighthavebeen;shewouldforceherselfagaintoattendtothenewspapercolumns.Therewaslittlemore:theprisonerhadbeenaskedifhecouldsayanythingtoclearhimself,andproperlycautionednottosayanythingtoincriminatehimself.Thepooroldman\'spersonwasdescribed,andhisevidentemotion.\"Theprisonerwasobservedtoclutchattherailbeforehimtosteadyhimself,andhiscolourchangedsomuchatthispartoftheevidencethatoneoftheturnkeysofferedhimaglassofwater,whichhedeclined.Heisamanofastrongly-builtframe,andwithratheramoroseandsullencastofcountenance.\"
\"Mypoor,poorDixon!\"saidEllinor,layingdownthepaperforaninstant,andshewasnearcrying,onlyshehadresolvedtoshednotearstillshehadfinishedall,andcouldjudgeofthechances.
Therewerebutafewlinesmore:\"Atonetimetheprisonerseemedtobedesirousofallegingsomethinginhisdefence,buthechangedhismind,ifsuchhadbeenthecase,andinreplytoMr.Gordon(themagistrate)heonlysaid,\'You\'vemadeaprettystrongcaseoutagainme,gentlemen,anditseemsfortosatisfyyou;soIthinkI\'llnotdisturbyourmindsbysayinganythingmore.\'Accordingly,DixonnowstandscommittedfortrialformurderatthenextHellingfordAssizes,whichcommenceonMarchtheseventh,beforeBaronRushtonandMr.JusticeCorbet.\"
\"Mr.JusticeCorbet!\"ThewordsranthroughEllinorasthoughshehadbeenstabbedwithaknife,andbyanirrepressiblemovementshestooduprigid.Theyoungman,herloverinheryouth,theoldservantwhointhosedayswasperpetuallyabouther——thetwowhohadsooftenmetinfamiliarifnotfriendlyrelations,nowtofaceeachotherasjudgeandaccused!ShecouldnottellhowmuchMr.Corbethadconjecturedfromthepartialrevelationshehadmadetohimoftheimpendingshamethathungoverherandhers.Adayortwoagoshecouldhaverememberedtheexactwordsshehadusedinthatmemorableinterview;butnow,striveasshewould,shecouldonlyrecallfacts,notwords.Afterall,theMr.JusticeCorbetmightnotbeRalph.Therewasonechanceinahundredagainsttheidentityofthetwo.
Whileshewasweighingprobabilitiesinhersickdizzymind,sheheardsoftstepsoutsideherbolteddoor,andlowvoiceswhispering.
Itwasthebedtimeofhappypeoplewithheartsatease.Someofthefootstepspassedlightlyon;buttherewasagentlerapatEllinor\'sdoor.Shepressedhertwohothandshardagainsthertemplesforaninstantbeforeshewenttoopenthedoor.TherestoodMrs.Forbesinherhandsomeeveningdress,holdingalightedlampinherhand.
\"MayIcomein,mydear?\"sheasked.Ellinor\'sstiffdrylipsrefusedtoutterthewordsofassentwhichindeeddidnotcomereadilyfromherheart.
\"Iamsogrievedatthissadnewswhichthecanonbrings.Icanwellunderstandwhatashockitmustbetoyou;wehavejustbeensayingitmustbeasbadforyouasitwouldbetousifouroldDonaldshouldturnouttohavebeenahiddenmurdereralltheseyearsthathehaslivedwithus;IreallycouldhaveassoonsuspectedDonaldasthatwhite-hairedrespectableoldmanwhousedtocomeandseeyouatEastChester.\"
Ellinorfeltthatshemustsaysomething.\"Itisaterribleshock——
pooroldman!andnofriendnearhim,evenMr.Osbaldistonegivingevidenceagainhim.Oh,dear,dear!whydidIevercometoRome?\"
\"Now,mydear,youmustnotletyourselftakeanexaggeratedviewofthecase.Sadandshockingasitistohavebeensodeceived,itiswhathappenstomanyofus,thoughnottosoterribleadegree;andastoyourcomingtoRomehavinganythingtodowithit——\"
(Mrs.Forbesalmostsmiledattheidea,soanxiouswasshetobanishtheideaofself-reproachfromEllinor\'ssensitivemind,butEllinorinterruptedherabruptly:)
\"Mrs.Forbes!didhe——didCanonLivingstonetellyouthatImustleaveto-morrow?ImustgotoEnglandasfastaspossibletodowhatIcanforDixon.\"
\"Yes,hetoldusyouwerethinkingofit,anditwaspartlythatmademeforcemyselfinuponyouto-night.Ithink,mylove,youaremistakeninfeelingasifyouwerecalledupontodomorethanwhatthecanontellsmeMissMonrohasalreadydoneinyourname——engagedthebestlegaladvice,andsparednoexpensetogivethesuspectedmaneverychance.Whatcouldyoudomoreevenifyouwereonthespot?Anditisverypossiblethatthetrialmayhavecomeonbeforeyougethome.Thenwhatcouldyoudo?Hewouldeitherhavebeenacquittedorcondemned;iftheformer,hewouldfindpublicsympathyallinhisfavour;italwaysisfortheunjustlyaccused.Andifheturnsouttobeguilty,mydearEllinor,itwillbefarbetterforyoutohaveallthesofteningwhichdistancecangivetosuchadreadfulterminationtothelifeofapoormanwhomyouhaverespectedsolong.\"
ButEllinorspokeagainwithakindofirritateddetermination,veryforeigntoherusualsoftdocility:
\"Pleasejustletmejudgeformyselfthisonce.Iamnotungrateful.
GodknowsIdon\'twanttovexonewhohasbeensokindtomeasyouhavebeen,dearMrs.Forbes;butImustgo——andeverywordyousaytodissuademeonlymakesmemoreconvinced.IamgoingtoCivitato-
morrow.Ishallbethatmuchontheway.Icannotresthere.\"
Mrs.Forbeslookedatheringravesilence.Ellinorcouldnotbeartheconsciousnessofthatfixedgaze.YetitsfixityonlyarosefromMrs.Forbes\'perplexityastohowbesttoassistEllinor,whethertorestrainherbyfurtheradvice——ofwhichthefirstdosehadprovedsouseless——ortospeedherdeparture.Ellinorbrokeonhermeditations:
\"Youhavealwaysbeensokindandgoodtome,——goonbeingso——
please,do!Leavemealonenow,dearMrs.Forbes,forIcannotbeartalkingaboutit,andhelpmetogoto-morrow,andyoudonotknowhowIwillpraytoGodtoblessyou!\"
Suchanappealwasirresistible.Mrs.Forbeskissedherverytenderly,andwenttorejoinherdaughters,whowereclusteredtogetherintheirmother\'sbedroomawaitinghercoming.
\"Well,mamma,howisshe?Whatdoesshesay?\"
\"Sheisinaveryexcitedstate,poorthing!andhasgotsostronganimpressionthatitisherdutytogobacktoEnglandanddoallshecanforthiswretchedoldman,thatIamafraidwemustnotopposeher.IamafraidthatshereallymustgoonThursday.\"
AlthoughMrs.Forbessecuredtheservicesofatravelling-maid,Dr.
LivingstoneinsistedonaccompanyingEllinortoEngland,anditwouldhaverequiredmoreenergythanshepossessedatthistimetocombataresolutionwhichbothwordsandmannerexpressedasdetermined.Shewouldmuchratherhavetravelledalonewithhermaid;shedidnotfeeltheneedoftheservicesheoffered;butshewasutterlylistlessandbrokendown;allherinterestwascentredinthethoughtofDixonandhisapproachingtrial,andperplexityastothemodeinwhichshemustdoherduty.
TheyembarkedlatethateveninginthetardySantaLucia,andEllinorimmediatelywenttoherberth.Shewasnotsea-sick;thatmightpossiblyhavelessenedhermentalsufferings,whichallnightlongtormentedher.High-perchedinanupperberth,shedidnotlikedisturbingtheotheroccupantsofthecabintilldaylightappeared.
Thenshedescendedanddressed,andwentondeck;thevesselwasjustpassingtherockycoastofElba,andtheskywasflushedwithrosylight,thatmadetheshadowsontheislandofthemostexquisitepurple.Theseastillheavedwithyesterday\'sstorm,butthemotiononlyaddedtothebeautyofthesparklesandwhitefoamthatdimpledandcurledonthebluewaters.Theairwasdelicious,aftertheclosenessofthecabin,andEllinoronlywonderedthatmorepeoplewerenotondecktoenjoyit.Oneortwostragglerscameup,timeaftertime,andbeganpacingthedeck.Dr.Livingstonecameupbeforeverylong;butheseemedtohavemadearuleofnotobtrudinghimselfonEllinor,exceptingwhenhecouldbeofsomeuse.Afterafewwordsofcommon-placemorninggreeting,he,too,begantowalkbackwardsandforwards,whileEllinorsatquietlywatchingthelovelyislandrecedingfastfromherview——abeautifulvisionnevertobeseenagainbyhermortaleyes.
Suddenlytherewasashockandstoundalloverthevessel,herprogresswasstopped,andarockingvibrationwasfelteverywhere.
Thequarter-deckwasfilledwithblastsofsteam,whichobscuredeverything.Sickpeoplecamerushingupoutoftheirberthsinstrangeundress;thesteeragepassengers——amotleyandpicturesquesetofpeople,inmanyvarietiesofgaycostume——tookrefugeonthequarter-deck,speakingloudlyinallvarietiesofFrenchandItalianpatois.Ellinorstoodupinsilent,wonderingdismay.WastheSantaLuciagoingdownonthegreatdeep,andDixonunaidedinhisperil?
Dr.Livingstonewasbyhersideinamoment.Shecouldscarcelyseehimforthevapour,norhearhimfortheroaroftheescapingsteam.
\"Donotbeunnecessarilyfrightened,\"herepeated,alittlelouder.
\"Someaccidenthasoccurredtotheengines.Iwillgoandmakeinstantinquiry,andcomebacktoyouassoonasIcan.Trusttome.\"
Hecamebacktowhereshesattrembling.
\"Apartoftheengineisbroken,throughthecarelessnessoftheseNeapolitanengineers;theysaywemustmakeforthenearestport——
returntoCivita,infact.\"
\"ButElbaisnotmanymilesaway,\"saidEllinor.\"Ifthissteamwerebutaway,youcouldseeitstill.\"
\"Andifwewerelandedtherewemightstayontheislandformanydays;nosteamertouchesthere;butifwereturntoCivita,weshallbeintimefortheSundayboat.\"
\"Oh,dear,dear!\"saidEllinor.\"To-dayisthesecond——Sundaywillbethefourth——theassizesbeginontheseventh;howmiserablyunfortunate!\"
\"Yes!\"hesaid,\"itis.Andthesethingsalwaysappearsodoublyunfortunatewhentheyhinderourservingothers!ButitdoesnotfollowthatbecausetheassizesbeginatHellingfordontheseventh,Dixon\'strialwillcomeonsosoon.WemaystillgettoMarseillesonMondayevening;onbydiligencetoLyons;itwill——itmust,I
fear,beThursday,attheearliest,beforewereachParis——Thursday,theeighth——andIsupposeyouknowofsomeexculpatoryevidencethathastobehuntedup?\"
Headdedthisunwillingly;forhesawthatEllinorwasjealousofthesecresyshehadhithertomaintainedastoherreasonsforbelievingDixoninnocent;buthecouldnothelpthinkingthatshe,agentle,timidwoman,unaccustomedtoactionorbusiness,wouldrequiresomeoftheassistancewhichhewouldhavebeensothankfultogiveher;
especiallyasthisuntowardaccidentwouldincreasethepressoftimeinwhichwhatwastobedonewouldhavetobedone.
Butno.Ellinorscarcelyrepliedtohishalf-inquiryastoherreasonsforhasteningtoEngland.Sheyieldedtoallhisdirections,agreedtohisplans,butgavehimnoneofherconfidence,andhehadtosubmittothisexclusionfromsympathyintheexactcausesofheranxiety.
Oncemoreinthedrearysala,withthegaudypaintedceiling,thebaredirtyfloor,theinnumerablerattlingdoorsandwindows!
Ellinorwassubmissiveandpatientindemeanour,becausesosickanddespairingatheart.Hermaidwastentimesasdemonstrativeofannoyanceanddisgust;shewhohadnoparticularreasonforwantingtoreachEngland,butwhothoughtitbecameherdignitytomakeitseemasthoughshehad.
Atlengththewearytimewasover;andagaintheysailedpastElba,andarrivedatMarseilles.NowEllinorbegantofeelhowmuchassistanceitwastohertohaveDr.Livingstonefora\"courier,\"ashehadseveraltimescalledhimself.
CHAPTERXIV.
\"Wherenow?\"saidthecanon,astheyapproachedtheLondonBridgestation.
\"TotheGreatWestern,\"saidshe;\"Hellingfordisonthatline,I
see.But,please,nowwemustpart.\"
\"ThenImaynotgowithyoutoHellingford?Atanyrate,youwillallowmetogowithyoutotherailwaystation,anddomylastofficeascourieringettingyouyourticketandplacingyouinthecarriage.\"
Sotheywenttogethertothestation,andlearntthatnotrainwasleavingforHellingfordfortwohours.Therewasnothingforitbuttogotothehotelcloseby,andpassawaythetimeasbesttheycould.
Ellinorcalledforhermaid\'saccounts,anddismissedher.Somerefreshmentthatthecanonhadorderedwaseaten,andthetablecleared.Hebeganwalkingupanddowntheroom,hisarmsfolded,hiseyescastdown.Everynowandthenhelookedattheclockonthemantelpiece.Whenthatshowedthatitonlywantedaquarterofanhourtothetimeappointedforthetraintostart,hecameuptoEllinor,whosatleaningherheaduponherhand,herhandrestingonthetable.
\"MissWilkins,\"hebegan——andtherewassomethingpeculiarinhistonewhichstartledEllinor——\"IamsureyouwillnotscrupletoapplytomeifinanypossiblewayIcanhelpyouinthissadtroubleofyours?\"
\"NoindeedIwon\'t!\"saidEllinor,gratefully,andputtingoutherhandasatoken.Hetookit,andheldit;shewenton,alittlemorehastilythanbefore:\"YouknowyouweresogoodastosayyouwouldgoatonceandseeMissMonro,andtellherallyouknow,andthatI
willwritetoherassoonasIcan.\"
\"MayInotaskforoneline?\"hecontinued,stillholdingherhand.
\"Certainly:sokindafriendasyoushallhearallIcantell;thatis,allIamatlibertytotell.\"
\"Afriend!Yes,Iamafriend;andIwillnoturgeanyotherclaimjustnow.Perhaps——\"
Ellinorcouldnotaffecttomisunderstandhim.Hismannerimpliedevenmorethanhiswords.
\"No!\"shesaid,eagerly.\"Wearefriends.Thatisit.Ithinkweshallalwaysbefriends,thoughIwilltellyounow——something——thismuch——itisasadsecret.Godhelpme!IamasguiltyaspoorDixon,if,indeed,heisguilty——butheisinnocent——indeedheis!\"
\"Ifheisnomoreguiltythanyou,Iamsureheis!Letmebemorethanyourfriend,Ellinor——letmeknowall,andhelpyouallthatI
can,withtherightofanaffiancedhusband.\"
\"No,no!\"saidshe,frightenedbothatwhatshehadrevealed,andhiseager,warm,imploringmanner.\"Thatcanneverbe.Youdonotknowthedisgracethatmaybehangingoverme.\"
\"Ifthatisall,\"saidhe,\"Itakemyrisk——ifthatisall——ifyouonlyfearthatImayshrinkfromsharinganyperilyoumaybeexposedto.\"
\"Itisnotperil——itisshameandobloquy——\"shemurmured.
\"Well!shameandobloquy.Perhaps,ifIknewallIcouldshieldyoufromit.\"
\"Don\'t,pray,speakanymoreaboutitnow;ifyoudo,Imustsay\'No.\'\"
Shedidnotperceivetheimpliedencouragementinthesewords;buthedid,andtheysufficedtomakehimpatient.
Thetimewasup,andhecouldonlyrenderherhislastservicesas\"courier,\"andnoneotherbutthenecessarywordsatstartingpassedbetweenthem.
Buthewentawayfromthestationwithacheerfulheart;whileshe,sittingaloneandquiet,andatlastapproachingneartotheplacewheresomuchwastobedecided,feltsadderandsadder,heavierandheavier.
AlltheintelligenceshehadgainedsinceshehadseentheGalignaniinParis,hadbeenfromthewaiterattheGreatWesternHotel,who,afterreturningfromavainsearchforanunoccupiedTimes,hadvolunteeredtheinformationthattherewasanunusualdemandforthepaperbecauseofHellingfordAssizes,andthetrialthereformurderthatwasgoingon.
Therewasnoelectrictelegraphinthosedays;ateverystationEllinorputherheadout,andenquiredifthemurdertrialatHellingfordwasended.Someporterstoldheronething,someanother,intheirhurry;shefeltthatshecouldnotrelyonthem.
\"DrivetoMr.Johnson\'sintheHighstreet——quick,quick.Iwillgiveyouhalf-a-crownifyouwillgoquick.\"
For,indeed,herendurance,herpatience,wasstrainedalmosttosnapping;yetatHellingfordstation,wheredoubtlesstheycouldhavetoldherthetruth,shedarednotaskthequestion.Itwaspasteighto\'clockatnight.Inmanyhousesinthelittlecountrytowntherewereunusuallightsandsounds.Theinhabitantswereshowingtheirhospitalitytosuchofthestrangersbroughtbytheassizes,aswerelingeringtherenowthatthebusinesswhichhaddrawnthemwasover.TheJudgeshadleftthetownthatafternoon,towindupthecircuitbytheshortlistofaneighbouringcountytown.
Mr.Johnsonwasentertainingadinner-partyofattorneyswhenhewassummonedfromdessertbytheannouncementofa\"ladywhowantedtospeaktohimimmediateandparticular.\"
Hewentintohisstudyinnotthebestoftempers.Therehefoundhisclient,MissWilkins,whiteandghastly,standingbythefireplace,withhereyesfixedonthedoor.
\"Itisyou,MissWilkins!Iamveryglad——\"
\"Dixon!\"saidshe.Itwasallshecouldutter.
Mr.Johnsonshookhishead.
\"Ah;that\'sasadpieceofbusiness,andI\'mafraidithasshortenedyourvisitatRome.\"
\"Ishe——?\"
\"Ay,I\'mafraidthere\'snodoubtofhisguilt.Atanyrate,thejuryfoundhimguilty,and——\"
\"And!\"sherepeated,quickly,sittingdown,thebettertohearthewordsthatsheknewwerecoming-
\"Heiscondemnedtodeath.\"
\"When?\"
\"TheSaturdaybutoneaftertheJudgesleftthetown,Isuppose——it\'stheusualtime.\"
\"Whotriedhim?\"
\"JudgeCorbet;and,foranewjudge,ImustsayIneverknewonewhogotthroughhisbusinesssowell.ItwasreallyasmuchasIcouldstandtohearhimcondemningtheprisonertodeath.Dixonwasundoubtedlyguilty,andhewasasstubbornascouldbe——asullenoldfellowwhowouldletnoonehelphimthrough.I\'msureIdidmybestforhimatMissMonro\'sdesireandforyoursake.Buthewouldfurnishmewithnoparticulars,helpustonoevidence.Ihadthehardestworktokeephimfromconfessingallbeforewitnesses,whowouldhavebeenboundtorepeatitasevidenceagainsthim.Indeed,Ineverthoughthewouldhavepleaded\'NotGuilty.\'IthinkitwasonlywithadesiretojustifyhimselfintheeyesofsomeoldHamleyacquaintances.GoodGod,MissWilkins!What\'sthematter?You\'renotfainting!\"Herangthebelltilltheroperemainedinhishands.
\"Here,Esther!Jerry!Whoeveryouare,comequick!MissWilkinshasfainted!Water!Wine!TellMrs.Johnsontocomeheredirectly!\"
Mrs.Johnson,akind,motherlywoman,whohadbeenexcludedfromthe\"gentleman\'sdinnerparty,\"andhaddevotedhertimetosuperintendingthedinnerherhusbandhadordered,cameinanswertohiscallforassistance,andfoundEllinorlyingbackinherchairwhiteandsenseless.
\"Bessy,MissWilkinshasfainted;shehashadalongjourney,andisinafidgetaboutDixon,theoldfellowwhowassentencedtobehungforthatmurder,youknow.Ican\'tstophere,Imustgobacktothosemen.Youbringherround,andseehertobed.TheblueroomisemptysinceHornerleft.Shemuststophere,andI\'llseeherinthemorning.Takecareofher,andkeephermindaseasyasyoucan,willyou,forshecandonogoodbyfidgeting.\"
And,knowingthatheleftEllinoringoodhands,andwithplentyofassistanceabouther,hereturnedtohisfriends.
Ellinorcametoherselfbeforelong.
\"Itwasveryfoolishofme,butIcouldnothelpit,\"saidshe,apologetically.
\"No;tobesurenot,dear.Here,drinkthis;itissomeofMr.
Johnson\'sbestportwinethathehassentoutonpurposeforyou.Orwouldyouratherhavesomewhitesoup——orwhat?We\'vehadeverythingyoucouldthinkoffordinner,andyou\'veonlytoaskandhave.Andthenyoumustgotobed,mydear——Mr.Johnsonsaysyoumust;andthere\'sawell-airedroom,forMr.Horneronlyleftusthismorning.\"
\"ImustseeMr.Johnsonagain,please.\"
\"Butindeedyoumustnot.Youmustnotworryyourpoorheadwithbusinessnow;andJohnsonwouldonlytalktoyouonbusiness.No;gotobed,andsleepsoundly,andthenyou\'llgetupquitebrightandstrong,andfittotalkaboutbusiness.\"
\"Icannotsleep——IcannotresttillIhaveaskedMr.Johnsononeortwomorequestions;indeedIcannot,\"pleadedEllinor.
Mrs.Johnsonknewthatherhusband\'sordersonsuchoccasionswereperemptory,andthatsheshouldcomeinforagoodconjugalscoldingif,afterwhathehadsaid,sheventuredtosendforhimagain.YetEllinorlookedsoentreatingandwistfulthatshecouldhardlyfindinherhearttorefuseher.Abrightthoughtstruckher.
\"Hereispenandpaper,mydear.Couldyounotwritethequestionsyouwantedtoask?andhe\'lljustjotdowntheanswersuponthesamepieceofpaper.I\'llsenditinbyJerry.Hehasgotfriendstodinnerwithhim,yousee.\"
Ellinoryielded.Shesat,restingherwearyheadonherhand,andwonderingwhatwerethequestionswhichwouldhavecomesoreadilytohertonguecouldshehavebeenfacetofacewithhim.Asitwas,sheonlywrotethis:
\"HowearlycanIseeyouto-morrowmorning?WillyoutakeallthenecessarystepsformygoingtoDixonassoonaspossible?CouldI
beadmittedtohimto-night?\"
Thepencilledanswerswere:
\"Eighto\'clock.Yes.No.\"
\"Isupposeheknowsbest,\"saidEllinor,sighing,asshereadthelastword.\"Butitseemswickedinmetobegoingtobed——andhesonear,inprison.\"
Whensheroseupandstood,shefelttheformerdizzinessreturn,andthatreconciledhertoseekingrestbeforesheentereduponthedutieswhichwerebecomingclearerbeforeher,nowthatsheknewallandwasonthesceneofaction.Mrs.Johnsonbroughtherwhite-winewheyinsteadoftheteashehadaskedfor;andperhapsitwasowingtothisthatshesleptsosoundly.
CHAPTERXV.
WhenEllinorawoketheclearlightofdawnwasfullyintheroom.
Shecouldnotrememberwhereshewas;forsomanymorningsshehadwakenedupinstrangeplacesthatittookherseveralminutesbeforeshecouldmakeoutthegeographicalwhereaboutsoftheheavybluemoreencurtains,theprintofthelord-lieutenantofthecountyonthewall,andallthehandsomeponderousmahoganyfurniturethatstuffeduptheroom.Assoonasfullmemorycameintohermind,shestartedup;nordidshegotobedagain,althoughshesawbyherwatchonthedressing-tablethatitwasnotyetsixo\'clock.Shedressedherselfwiththedaintycompletenesssohabitualtoherthatithadbecomeanunconscioushabit,andthen——theinstinctwasirrepressible——sheputonherbonnetandshawl,andwentdown,pasttheservantonherkneescleaningthedoorstep,outintothefreshopenair;andsoshefoundherwaydowntheHighStreettoHellingfordCastle,thebuildinginwhichthecourtsofassizewereheld——theprisoninwhichDixonlaycondemnedtodie.Shealmostknewshecouldnotseehim;yetitseemedlikesomeamendstoherconscienceforhavingsleptthroughsomanyhoursofthenightifshemadetheattempt.Shewentuptotheporter\'slodge,andaskedthelittlegirlsweepingouttheplaceifshemightseeAbrahamDixon.
Thechildstaredather,andranintothehouse,bringingoutherfather,agreatburlyman,whohadnotyetdonnedeithercoatorwaistcoat,andwho,consequently,feltthemorningairasrathernipping.TohimEllinorrepeatedherquestion.
\"HimasistobehungcomeSaturdayse\'nnight?Why,ma\'am,I\'venoughttodowithit.Youmaygotothegovernor\'shouseandtry;
but,ifyou\'llexcuseme,you\'llhaveyourwalkforyourpains.Theminthecondemnedcellsisneverseenbynobodywithoutthesheriff\'sorder.Youmaygouptothegovernor\'shouseandwelcome;butthey\'llonlytellyouthesame.Yon\'sthegovernor\'shouse.\"
Ellinorfullybelievedtheman,andyetshewentontothehouseindicated,asifshestillhopedthatinhercasetheremightbesomeexceptiontotherule,whichshenowrememberedtohaveheardofbefore,indayswhensuchapossibledesireastoseeacondemnedprisonerwastreatedbyherasawishthatsomepeoplemighthave,didhave——peopleasfarremovedfromhercircleofcircumstancesastheinhabitantsofthemoon.Ofcourseshemetwiththesamereply,alittlemoreabruptlygiven,asifeverymanwasfromhisbirthboundtoknowsuchanobviousregulation.
