Shewentoutpasttheporter,nowfullyclothed.Hewassorryforherdisappointment,butcouldnothelpsaying,withaslighttoneofexultation:\"Well,youseeIwasright,ma\'am!\"
Shewalkedasnearlyroundthecastleasevershecould,lookingupatthefewhigh-barredwindowsshecouldsee,andwonderinginwhatpartofthebuildingDixonwasconfined.Thenshewentintotheadjoiningchurchyard,andsittingdownuponatombstone,shegazedidlyattheviewspreadbelowher——aviewwhichwasconsideredasthelionoftheplace,tobeshowntoallstrangersbytheinhabitantsofHellingford.Ellinordidnotseeit,however;sheonlysawtheblacknessofthatfatalnight,thehurriedwork——thelanternsglancingtoandfro.Sheonlyheardthehardbreathingofthosewhoareengageduponunwontedlabour;thefewhoarsemutteredwords;theswayingofthebranchestoandfro.Allatoncethechurchclockaboveherstruckeight,andthenpealedoutfordistantlabourerstoceasetheirworkforatime.Suchwastheoldcustomoftheplace.
Ellinorroseup,andmadeherwaybacktoMr.Johnson\'shouseinHighStreet.TheroomfeltcloseandconfinedinwhichsheawaitedherinterviewwithMr.Johnson,whohadsentdownanapologyforhavingoverslepthimself,andatlastmadehisappearanceinahurriedhalf-
awakenedstate,inconsequenceofhislatehospitalityofthenightbefore.
\"IamsosorryIgaveyouallsomuchtroublelastnight,\"saidEllinor,apologetically.\"Iwasovertired,andmuchshockedbythenewsIheard.\"
\"Notrouble,notrouble,Iamsure.NeitherMrs.JohnsonnorIfeltitintheleastatrouble.ManyladiesIknowfeelsuchthingsverytrying,thoughthereareothersthatcanstandajudge\'sputtingontheblackcapbetterthanmostmen.I\'msureIsawsomeascomposedascouldbeunderJudgeCorbet\'sspeech.\"
\"ButaboutDixon?Hemustnotdie,Mr.Johnson.\"
\"Well,Idon\'tknowthathewill,\"saidMr.Johnson,insomethingofthetoneofvoicehewouldhaveusedinsoothingachild.\"JudgeCorbetsaidsomethingaboutthepossibilityofapardon.Thejurydidnotrecommendhimtomercy:yousee,hislookswentsomuchagainsthim,andalltheevidencewassostrong,andnodefence,sotospeak,forhewouldnotfurnishanyinformationonwhichwecouldbasedefence.Butthejudgedidgivesomehope,tomymind,thoughthereareothersthatthinkdifferently.\"
\"Itellyou,Mr.Johnson,hemustnotdie,andheshallnot.TowhommustIgo?\"
\"Whew!Haveyougotadditionalevidence?\"withasuddensharpglanceofprofessionalinquiry.
\"Nevermind,\"Ellinoranswered.\"Ibegyourpardononlytellmeintowhosehandsthepoweroflifeanddeathhaspassed.\"
\"IntotheHomeSecretary\'s——SirPhillipHomes;butyoucannotgetaccesstohimonsuchanerrand.Itisthejudgewhotriedthecasethatmusturgeareprieve——JudgeCorbet.\"
\"JudgeCorbet?\"
\"Yes;andhewasratherinclinedtotakeamercifulviewofthewholecase.Isawitinhischarge.He\'llbethepersonforyoutosee.
Isupposeyoudon\'tliketogivemeyourconfidence,orelseIcouldarrangeanddrawupwhatwillhavetobesaid?\"
\"No.WhatIhavetosaymustbespokentothearbiter——tonooneelse.IamafraidIansweredyouimpatientlyjustnow.Youmustforgiveme;ifyouknewall,Iamsureyouwould.\"
\"Saynomore,mydearlady.Wewillsupposeyouhavesomeevidencenotadducedatthetrial.Well;youmustgoupandseethejudge,sinceyoudon\'tchoosetoimpartittoanyone,andlayitbeforehim.Hewilldoubtlesscompareitwithhisnotesofthetrial,andseehowfaritagreeswiththem.Ofcourseyoumustbepreparedwithsomekindofproof;forJudgeCorbetwillhavetotestyourevidence.\"
\"Itseemsstrangetothinkofhimasthejudge,\"saidEllinor,almosttoherself.
\"Why,yes.He\'sbutayoungjudge.YouknewhimatHamley,I
suppose?IrememberhisreadingtherewithMr.Ness.\"
\"Yes,butdonotletustalkmoreaboutthattime.TellmewhencanIseeDixon?Ihavebeentothecastlealready,buttheysaidImusthaveasheriff\'sorder.\"
\"Tobesure.IdesiredMrs.Johnsontotellyousolastnight.OldOrmerodwasdininghere;heisclerktothemagistrates,andItoldhimofyourwish.HesaidhewouldseeSirHenryCroper,andhavetheorderherebeforeten.ButallthistimeMrs.Johnsoniswaitingbreakfastforus.Letmetakeyouintothedining-room.\"
ItwasveryhardworkforEllinortodoherdutyasaguest,andtoallowherselftobeinterestedandtalkedtoonlocalaffairsbyherhostandhostess.ButshefeltasifshehadspokenshortlyandabruptlytoMr.Johnsonintheirpreviousconversation,andthatshemusttryandmakeamendsforit;sosheattendedtoallthedetailsabouttherestorationofthechurch,andthedifficultyofgettingagoodmusic-masterforthethreelittleMissJohnsons,withallherusualgentlegoodbreedingandpatience,thoughnoonecantellhowherheartandimaginationwerefullofthecominginterviewwithpooroldDixon.
By-and-byMr.JohnsonwascalledoutoftheroomtoseeMr.Ormerod,andreceivetheorderofadmissionfromhim.EllinorclaspedherhandstighttogetherasshelistenedwithapparentcomposuretoMrsJohnson\'snever-endingpraiseoftheHullahsystem.ButwhenMr.
Johnsonreturned,shecouldnothelpinterruptinghereulogy,andsaying-
\"ThenImaygonow?\"
Yes,theorderwasthere——shemightgo,andMr.Johnsonwouldaccompanyher,toseethatshemetwithnodifficultyorobstacle.
Astheywalkedthither,hetoldherthatsomeone——aturnkey,orsomeone——wouldhavetobepresentattheinterview;thatsuchwasalwaystheruleinthecaseofcondemnedprisoners;butthatifthisthirdpersonwas\"obliging,\"hewouldkeepoutofearshot.Mr.JohnsonquietlytookcaretoseethattheturnkeywhoaccompaniedEllinorwas\"obliging.\"
Themantookheracrosshigh-walledcourts,alongstonecorridors,andthroughmanylockeddoors,beforetheycametothecondemnedcells.
\"I\'vehadthreeatatimeinhere,\"saidhe,unlockingthefinaldoor,\"afterJudgeMortonhadbeenhere.Wealwayscalledhimthe\'HangingJudge.\'Butitsfiveyearssincehedied,andnowthere\'snevermorethanoneinatatime;thoughonceitwasawomanforpoisoningherhusband.MaryJoneswashername.\"
Thestonepassageoutofwhichthecellsopenedwaslight,andbare,andscrupulouslyclean.Overeachdoorwasasmallbarredwindow,andanouterwindowofthesamedescriptionwasplacedhighupinthecell,whichtheturnkeynowopened.
OldAbrahamDixonwassittingonthesideofhisbed,doingnothing.
Hisheadwasbent,hisframesunk,andhedidnotseemtocaretoturnroundandseewhoitwasthatentered.
Ellinortriedtokeepdownhersobswhilethemanwentuptohim,andlayinghishandonhisshoulder,andlightlyshakinghim,hesaid:
\"Here\'safriendcometoseeyou,Dixon.\"Then,turningtoEllinor,headded,\"There\'ssomeastakesitinthiskindo\'stunnedway,whileothersareasrestlessasawildbeastinacage,afterthey\'resentenced.\"Andthenhewithdrewintothepassage,leavingthedooropen,sothathecouldseeallthatpassedifhechosetolook,butostentatiouslykeepinghiseyesaverted,andwhistlingtohimself,sothathecouldnothearwhattheysaidtoeachother.
DixonlookedupatEllinor,butthenlethiseyesfallonthegroundagain;theincreasingtremblingofhisshrunkenframewastheonlysignhegavethathehadrecognisedher.
Shesatdownbyhim,andtookhislargehornyhandinhers.Shewantedtoovercomeherinclinationtosobhystericallybeforeshespoke.Shestrokedthebonyshrivelledfingers,onwhichherhotscaldingtearskeptdropping.
\"Dunnotdothat,\"saidhe,atlength,inahollowvoice.\"Dunnottakeonaboutit;it\'sbestasitis,missy.\"
\"No,Dixon,it\'snotbest.Itshallnotbe.Youknowitshallnot——
cannotbe.\"
\"I\'mrathertiredofliving.It\'sbeenagreatstrainandlabourforme.IthinkI\'dasliefbewithGodaswithmen.Andyousee,I
werefondonhimeversin\'hewerealittlelad,andtoldmewhathardtimeshehadatschool,hedid,justasifIwerehisbrother!
IlovedhimnexttoMollyGreaves.Dear!andIshallseeheragain,Ireckon,comenextSaturdayweek!They\'llthinkwellonme,upthere,I\'llbebound;thoughIcannotsayasI\'vedoneallasI
shoulddoherebelow.\"
\"But,Dixon,\"saidEllinor,\"youknowwhodidthis——this——\"
\"Guiltyo\'murder,\"saidhe.\"That\'swhattheycalledit.Murder!
Andthatitneverwere,choosewhodidit.\"
\"Mypoor,poorfatherdidit.IamgoinguptoLondonthisafternoon;Iamgoingtoseethejudge,andtellhimall.\"
\"Don\'tyoudemeanyourselftothatfellow,missy.It\'shimasleftyouinthelurchassoonassorrowandshamecamenighyou.\"
Helookedupathernow,forthefirsttime;butshewentonasifshehadnotnoticedthosewistful,wearyeyes.
\"Yes!Ishallgotohim.Iknowwhoitis;andIamresolved.
Afterall,hemaybebetterthanastranger,forrealhelp;andI
shallneverrememberany——anythingelse,whenIthinkofyou,goodfaithfulfriend.\"
\"Helooksbutawizenedoldfellowinhisgreywig.Ishouldhardlyha\'knownhim.Igavehimalook,asmuchastosay,\'Icouldtelltaleso\'you,mylordjudge,ifIchose.\'Idon\'tknowifheheededme,though.Isupposeitwereforasignofoldacquaintancethathesaidhe\'drecommendmetomercy.ButI\'dsoonerhavedeathnormercy,bylongodds.YonmanouttheresaysmercymeansBotanyBay.
It\'udbelikekillingmebyinches,thatwould.Itwould.I\'dliefergostraighttoHeaven,thanliveonamongtheblackfolk.\"
Hebegantoshakeagain:thisideaoftransportation,fromitsverymysteriousness,wasmoreterrifyingtohimthandeath.Hekeptonsayingplaintively,\"Missy,you\'llneverlet\'emsendmetoBotanyBay;Icouldn\'tstandthat.\"
\"No,no!\"saidshe.\"Youshallcomeoutofthisprison,andgohomewithmetoEastChester;Ipromiseyouyoushall.Ipromiseyou.I
don\'tyetquiteknowhow,buttrustinmypromise.Don\'tfretaboutBotanyBay.Ifyougothere,Igotoo.Iamsosureyouwillnotgo.Andyouknowifyouhavedoneanythingagainstthelawinconcealingthatfatalnight\'swork,Ididtoo,andifyouaretobepunished,Iwillbepunishedtoo.ButIfeelsureitwillberight;
Imean,asrightasanythingcanbe,withtherecollectionofthattimepresenttous,asitmustalwaysbe.\"Shealmostspoketheselastwordstoherself.Theysaton,handinhandforafewminutesmoreinsilence.
\"Ithoughtyou\'dcometome.Iknowedyouwerefarawayinforeignparts.ButIusedtopraytoGod.\'DearLordGod!\'Iusedtosay,\'letmeseeheragain.\'ItoldthechaplainasI\'dbegintoprayforrepentance,atafterI\'ddoneprayingthatImightseeyouonceagain:foritjustseemedtotakeallmystrengthtosaythosewordsasI\'venamed.AndIthoughtashowGodknewwhatwasinmyheartbetterthanIcouldtellHim:howIwasmainandsorryforallasI\'deverdonewrong;Iallayswere,atafteritwasdone;butI
thoughtasnoonecouldknowhowbitter-keenIwantedtoseeyou.\"
Againtheysankintosilence.Ellinorfeltasifshewouldfainbeawayandactiveinprocuringhisrelease;butshealsoperceivedhowpreciousherpresencewastohim;andshedidnotliketoleavehimamomentbeforethetimeallowedher.Hisvoicehadchangedtoaweak,pipingoldman\'squaver,andbetweenthetimesofhistalkingheseemedtorelapseintoadreamystate;butthroughitallheheldherhandtight,asthoughafraidthatshewouldleavehim.
Sothehourelapsed,withnomorespokenwordsthanthoseabove.
FromtimetotimeEllinor\'stearsdroppeddownuponherlap;shecouldnotrestrainthem,thoughshescarceknewwhyshecriedjustthen.
Atlengththeturnkeysaidthatthetimeallowedfortheinterviewwasended.Ellinorspokenoword;butrose,andbentdownandkissedtheoldman\'sforehead,saying-
\"Ishallcomebackto-morrow.Godkeepandcomfortyou!\"
Soalmostwithoutanarticulatewordfromhiminreply(heroseup,andstoodonhisshakinglegs,asshebadehimfarewell,puttinghishandtohisheadwiththeoldhabitualmarkofrespect),shewentherway,swiftlyoutoftheprison,swiftlybackwithMr.Johnsontohishouse,scarcelypatientorstrongenoughinherhurrytoexplaintohimfullyallthatshemeanttodo.Sheonlyaskedhimafewabsolutelyrequisitequestions;andinformedhimofherintentiontogostraighttoLondontoseeJudgeCorbet.
Justbeforetherailwaycarriageinwhichshewasseatedstartedonthejourney,shebentforward,andputoutherhandoncemoretoMr.
Johnson.\"To-morrowIwillthankyouforall,\"shesaid.\"Icannotnow.
ItwasaboutthesametimethatshehadreachedHellingfordonthepreviousnight,thatshearrivedattheGreatWesternstationonthisevening——pasteighto\'clock.Onthewayshehadrememberedandarrangedmanythings:oneimportantquestionshehadomittedtoaskMr.Johnson;butthatwaseasilyremedied.ShehadnotenquiredwhereshecouldfindJudgeCorbet;ifshehad,Mr.Johnsoncouldprobablyhavegivenherhisprofessionaladdress.Asitwas,sheaskedforaPost-OfficeDirectoryatthehotel,andlookedoutforhisprivatedwelling——128HydeParkGardens.
Sherangforawaiter.
\"CanIsendamessengertoHydeParkGardens?\"shesaid,hurryingontoherbusiness,tiredandwornoutasshewas.\"ItisonlytoaskifJudgeCorbetisathomethisevening.Ifheis,Imustgoandseehim.\"
Thewaiterwasalittlesurprised,andwouldgladlyhavehadhernametoauthorisetheenquirybutshecouldnotbeartosendit:itwouldbebadenoughthatfirstmeeting,withoutthefeelingthathe,too,hadhadtimetorecallallthepastdays.Bettertogoinuponhimunprepared,andplungeintothesubject.
Thewaiterreturnedwiththeanswerwhilesheyetwaspacingupanddowntheroomrestlessly,nervingherselffortheinterview.
\"ThemessengerhasbeentoHydeParkGardens,ma\'am.TheJudgeandLadyCorbetaregoneouttodinner.\"
LadyCorbet!OfcourseEllinorknewthathewasmarried.HadshenotbeenpresentattheweddinginEastChesterCathedral?But,somehow,theserecenteventshadsocarriedherbacktooldtimes,thattheintimateassociationofthenames,\"theJudgeandLadyCorbet,\"seemedtoawakenheroutofsomedream.
\"Oh,verywell,\"shesaid,justasifthesethoughtswerenotpassingrapidlythroughhermind.\"Letmebecalledatsevento-morrowmorning,andletmehaveacabatthedoortoHydeParkGardensateight.\"
Andsoshewenttobed;butscarcelytosleep.Allnightlongshehadthescenesofthoseoldtimes,thehappy,happydaysofheryouth,theoneterriblenightthatcutallhappinessshort,presentbeforeher.Shecouldalmosthavefanciedthatsheheardthelong-
silentsoundsofherfather\'sstep,herfather\'swayofbreathing,therustleofhisnewspaperashehastilyturneditover,comingthroughthelapseofyears;thesilenceofthenight.Sheknewthatshehadthelittlewriting-caseofhergirlhoodwithher,inherbox.
Thetreasuresofthedeadthatitcontained,themorselofdaintysewing,thelittlesister\'sgoldencurl,thehalf-finishedlettertoMr.Corbet,wereallthere.Shetookthemout,andlookedateachseparately;lookedatthemlong——longandwistfully.\"Willitbeofanyusetome?\"shequestionedofherself,asshewasabouttoputherfather\'sletterbackintoitsreceptacle.Shereadthelastwordsoveragain,oncemore:
\"Frommydeath-bedIadjureyoutostandherfriend;Iwillbegpardononmykneesforanything.\"
\"Iwilltakeit,\"thoughtshe.\"Ineednotbringitout;mostlikelytherewillbenoneedforit,afterwhatIshallhavetosay.Allissoaltered,sochangedbetweenus,asutterlyasifitneverhadbeen,thatIthinkIshallhavenoshameinshowingithim,formyownpartofit.While,ifheseespoorpapa\'s,dear,dearpapa\'ssufferinghumility,itmaymakehimthinkmoregentlyofonewholovedhimoncethoughtheypartedinwrathwitheachother,I\'mafraid.\"
SoshetooktheletterwithherwhenshedrovetoHydeParkGardens.
Everynerveinherbodywasinsuchahighstateoftensionthatshecouldhavescreamedoutatthecabman\'sboisterousknockatthedoor.
Shegotouthastily,beforeanyonewasreadyorwillingtoanswersuchanuntimelysummons;paidthemandoublewhatheoughttohavehad;andstoodthere,sick,trembling,andhumble.
CHAPTERXVIANDLAST.
\"IsJudgeCorbetathome?CanIseehim?\"sheaskedofthefootman,whoatlengthansweredthedoor.
Helookedathercuriously,andalittlefamiliarly,beforehereplied,\"Why,yes!He\'sprettysuretobeathomeatthistimeofday;butwhetherhe\'llseeyouisquiteanotherthing.\"
\"Wouldyoubesogoodastoaskhim?Itisonveryparticularbusiness.\"
\"Canyougivemeacard?yourname,perhaps,willdo,ifyouhavenotacard.Isay,Simmons\"(toalady\'s-maidcrossingthehall),\"isthejudgeupyet?\"
\"Oh,yes!he\'sinhisdressing-roomthishalf-hour.Myladyiscomingdowndirectly.Itisjustbreakfast-time.\"
\"Can\'tyouputitoffandcomeagain,alittlelater?\"saidhe,turningoncemoretoEllinor——whiteEllinor!tremblingEllinor!
\"No!pleaseletmecomein.Iwillwait.IamsureJudgeCorbetwillseeme,ifyouwilltellhimIamhere.MissWilkins.Hewillknowthename.\"
\"Well,then;willyouwaitheretillIhavegotbreakfastin?\"saidtheman,lettingherintothehall,andpointingtothebenchthere,hetookher,fromherdress,tobealady\'s-maidorgoverness,oratmostatradesman\'sdaughter;and,besides,hewasbehindhandwithallhispreparations.Shecameinandsatdown.
\"YouwilltellhimIamhere,\"shesaidfaintly.
\"Oh,yes,neverfear:I\'llsendupword,thoughIdon\'tbelievehe\'llcometoyoubeforebreakfast.\"
Hetoldapage,whoranupstairs,and,knockingatthejudge\'sdoor,saidthataMissJenkinswantedtospeaktohim.
\"Who?\"askedthejudgefromtheinside.
\"MissJenkins.Shesaidyouwouldknowthename,sir.\"
\"NotI.Tellhertowait.\"
SoEllinorwaited.Presentlydownthestairs,withslowdeliberatedignity,camethehandsomeLadyCorbet,inherrustlingsilksandamplepetticoats,carryingherfineboy,andfollowedbyhermajesticnurse.Shewasill-pleasedthatanyoneshouldcomeandtakeupherhusband\'stimewhenhewasathome,andsupposedtobeenjoyingdomesticleisure;andherimperious,inconsideratenaturedidnotprompthertoanycivilitytowardsthegentlecreaturesittingdown,wearyandheart-sick,inherhouse.Onthecontrary,shelookedheroverassheslowlydescended,tillEllinorshrankabashedfromthesteadygazeofthelargeblackeyes.Thenshe,herbabyandnurse,disappearedintothelargedining-room,intowhichallthepreparationsforbreakfasthadbeencarried.
Thenextpersontocomedownwouldbethejudge.Ellinorinstinctivelyputdownherveil.Sheheardhisquickdecidedstep;
shehadknownitwellofold.
Hegaveoneofhissharp,shrewdglancesatthepersonsittinginthehallandwaitingtospeaktohim,andhispractisedeyerecognisedtheladyatonce,inspiteofhertravel-worndress.
\"Willyoujustcomeintothisroom?\"saidhe,openingthedoorofhisstudy,tothefrontofthehouse:thedining-roomwastotheback;
theycommunicatedbyfolding-doors.
Theastutelawyerplacedhimselfwithhisbacktothewindow;itwasthenaturalpositionofthemasteroftheapartment;butitalsogavehimtheadvantageofseeinghiscompanion\'sfaceinfulllight.
Ellinorliftedherveil;ithadonlybeenadisliketoarecognitioninthehallwhichhadmadeherputitdown.
JudgeCorbet\'scountenancechangedmorethanhers;shehadbeenpreparedfortheinterview;hewasnot.Butheusuallyhadthefullcommandoftheexpressiononhisface.
\"Ellinor!MissWilkins!isityou?\"Andhewentforwards,holdingouthishandwithcordialgreeting,underwhichtheembarrassment,ifhefeltany,wascarefullyconcealed.Shecouldnotspeakallatonceinthewayshewished.
\"ThatstupidHenrytoldme\'Jenkins!\'Ibegyourpardon.Howcouldtheyputyoudowntositinthehall?Youmustcomeinandhavesomebreakfastwithus;LadyCorbetwillbedelighted,I\'msure.\"Hissenseoftheawkwardnessofthemeetingwiththewomanwhowasoncetohavebeenhiswife,andoftheprobableintroductionwhichwastofollowtothewomanwhowashisactualwifegrewuponhim,andmadehimspeakalittlehurriedly.Ellinor\'snextwordswereawonderfulrelief;andhersoftgentlewayofspeakingwaslikethetouchofacoolingbalsam.
\"Thankyou,youmustexcuseme.Iamcomestrictlyonbusiness,otherwiseIshouldneverhavethoughtofcallingonyouatsuchanhour.ItisaboutpoorDixon.\"
\"Ah!Ithoughtasmuch!\"saidthejudge,handingherachair,andsittingdownhimself.Hetriedtocomposehismindtobusiness,butinspiteofhisstrengthofcharacter,andhispresentefforts,theremembranceofoldtimeswouldcomebackatthesoundofhervoice.
Hewonderedifhewasasmuchchangedinappearanceasshestruckhimasbeinginthatfirstlookofrecognition;afterthatfirstglanceheratheravoidedmeetinghereyes.
\"Iknewhowmuchyouwouldfeelit.SomeoneatHellingfordtoldmeyouwereabroad,inRome,Ithink.Butyoumustnotdistressyourselfunnecessarily;thesentenceissuretobecommutedtotransportation,orsomethingequivalent.IwastalkingtotheHomeSecretaryaboutitonlylastnight.Lapseoftimeandsubsequentgoodcharacterquiteprecludeanyideaofcapitalpunishment.\"Allthetimethathesaidthishehadotherthoughtsatthebackofhismind——somecuriosity,alittleregret,atouchofremorse,awonderhowthemeeting(which,ofcourse,wouldhavetobesometime)
betweenLadyCorbetandEllinorwouldgooff;buthespokeclearlyenoughonthesubjectinhand,andnooutwardmarkofdistractionfromitappeared.
Elmeranswered:
\"Icametotellyou,whatIsupposemaybetoldtoanyjudge,inconfidenceandfullrelianceonhissecrecy,thatAbrahamDixonwasnotthemurderer.\"Shestoppedshort,andchokedalittle.
Thejudgelookedsharplyather.
\"Thenyouknowwhowas?\"saidhe.
\"Yes,\"shereplied,withalow,steadyvoice,lookinghimfullintheface,withsad,solemneyes.
Thetruthflashedintohismind.Heshadedhisface,anddidnotspeakforaminuteortwo.Thenhesaid,notlookingup,alittlehoarsely,\"This,then,wastheshameyoutoldmeoflongago?\"
\"Yes,\"saidshe.
Bothsatquitestill;quitesilentforsometime.Throughthesilenceasharp,clearvoicewasheardspeakingthroughthefolding-
doors.
\"Takethekedgereedown,andtellthecooktokeepithotforthejudge.Itissotiresomepeoplecomingonbusinesshere,asifthejudgehadnothisproperhoursforbeingatchambers.\"
Hegotuphastily,andwentintothedining-room;buthehadaudiblysomedifficultyincurbinghiswife\'sirritation.
Whenhecameback,Ellinorsaid:
\"IamafraidIoughtnottohavecomeherenow.\"
\"Oh!it\'sallnonsense!\"saidhe,inatoneofannoyance.\"You\'vedonequiteright.\"Heseatedhimselfwherehehadbeenbefore;andagainhalfcoveredhisfacewithhishand.
\"AndDixonknewofthis.IbelieveImustputthefactplainly——toyou——yourfatherwastheguiltyperson?hemurderedDunster?\"
\"Yes.Ifyoucallitmurder.Itwasdonebyablow,intheheatofpassion.NoonecanevertellhowDunsteralwaysirritatedpapa,\"
saidEllinor,inastupid,heavyway;andthenshesighed.
\"Howdoyouknowthis?\"Therewasakindoftenderreluctanceinthejudge\'svoice,asheputallthesequestions.Ellinorhadmadeuphermindbeforehandthatsomethinglikethemmustbeasked,andmustalsobeanswered;butshespokelikeasleep-walker.
\"Icameintopapa\'sroomjustafterhehadstruckMr.Dunstertheblow.Hewaslyinginsensible,aswethought——dead,ashereallywas.\"
\"WhatwasDixon\'spartinit?Hemusthaveknownagooddealaboutit.Andthehorse-lancetthatwasfoundwithhisnameuponit?\"
\"PapawenttowakeDixon,andhebroughthisfleam——Isupposetotryandbleedhim.Ihavesaidenough,haveInot?Iseemsoconfused.
ButIwillansweranyquestiontomakeitappearthatDixonisinnocent.\"
Thejudgehadbeennotingalldown.Hesatstillnowwithoutreplyingtoher.Thenhewroterapidly,referringtohispreviouspaper,fromtimetotime.InfiveminutesorsohereadthefactswhichEllinorhadstated,ashenowarrangedthem,inalegalandconnectedform.Hejustaskedheroneortwotrivialquestionsashedidso.Thenhereaditovertoher,andaskedhertosignit.Shetookupthepen,andheldit,hesitating.
\"Thiswillneverbemadepublic?\"saidshe.
\"No;IshalltakecarethatnoonebuttheHomeSecretaryseesit.\"
\"Thankyou.Icouldnothelpit,nowithascometothis.\"
\"TherearenotmanymenlikeDixon,\"saidthejudge,almosttohimself,ashesealedthepaperinanenvelope.
\"No,\"saidEllinor;\"Ineverknewanyonesofaithful.\"
Andjustatthesamemomentthereflectiononalessfaithfulpersonthatthesewordsmightseemtoimplystruckbothofthem,andeachinstinctivelyglancedattheother.
\"Ellinor!\"saidthejudge,afteramoment\'spause,\"wearefriends,I
hope?\"
\"Yes;friends,\"saidshe,quietlyandsadly.
Hefeltalittlechagrinedatheranswer.Why,hecouldhardlytell.
Tocoveranysignofhisfeelinghewentontalking.
\"Whereareyoulivingnow?\"
\"AtEastChester.\"
\"Butyoucomesometimestotown,don\'tyou?Letusknowalways——
wheneveryoucome;andLadyCorbetshallcallonyou.Indeed,Iwishyou\'dletmebringhertoseeyouto-day.\"
\"Thankyou.IamgoingstraightbacktoHellingford;atleast,assoonasyoucangetmethepardonforDixon.\"
Hehalfsmiledatherignorance.
\"Thepardonmustbesenttothesheriff,whoholdsthewarrantforhisexecution.But,ofcourse,youmayhaveeveryassurancethatitshallbesentassoonaspossible.Itisjustthesameasifhehaditnow.\"
\"Thankyouverymuch,\"saidEllinorrising.
\"Praydon\'tgowithoutbreakfast.IfyouwouldrathernotseeLadyCorbetjustnow,itshallbesentintoyouinthisroom,unlessyouhavealreadybreakfasted.\"
\"No,thankyou;Iwouldrathernot.Youareverykind,andIamverygladtohaveseenyouonceagain.Thereisjustonethingmore,\"
saidshe,colouringalittleandhesitating.\"Thisnotetoyouwasfoundunderpapa\'spillowafterhisdeath;someofitreferstopastthings;butIshouldbegladifyoucouldthinkaskindlyasyoucanofpoorpapa——andso——ifyouwillreadit——\"
Hetookitandreadit,notwithoutemotion.Thenhelaiditdownonhistable,andsaid-
\"Poorman!hemusthavesufferedagreatdealforthatnight\'swork.
Andyou,Ellinor,youhavesuffered,too.\"
Yes,shehadsuffered;andhewhospokehadbeenoneoftheinstrumentsofhersuffering,althoughheseemedforgetfulofit.
Sheshookherheadalittleforreply.Thenshelookedupathim——
theywerebothstandingatthetime——andsaid:
\"IthinkIshallbehappiernow.Ialwaysknewitmustbefoundout.
Oncemore,good-by,andthankyou.Imaytakethisletter,I
suppose?\"saidshe,castingenviouslovingeyesatherfather\'snote,lyingunregardedonthetable.
\"Oh!certainly,certainly,\"saidhe;andthenhetookherhand;heheldit,whilehelookedintoherface.Hehadthoughtitchangedwhenhehadfirstseenher,butitwasnowalmostthesametohimasofyore.Thesweetshyeyes,theindicateddimpleinthecheek,andsomethingoffeverhadbroughtafaintpinkflushintoherusuallycolourlesscheeks.Marriedjudgethoughhewas,hewasnotsureifshehadnotmorecharmsforhimstillinhersorrowandhershabbinessthanthehandsomestatelywifeinthenextroom,whoselookshadnotbeenofthepleasantestwhenheleftherafewminutesbefore.HesighedalittleregretfullyasEllinorwentaway.Hehadobtainedthepositionhehadstruggledfor,andsacrificedfor;butnowhecouldnothelpwishingthattheslaughteredcreaturelaidontheshrineofhisambitionwerealiveagain.
Thekedgereewasbroughtupagain,smokinghot,butitremaineduntastedbyhim;andthoughheappearedtobereadingtheTimes,hedidnotseeawordofthedistincttype.Hiswife,meanwhile,continuedhercomplaintsoftheuntimelyvisitor,whosenamehedidnotgivetoherinitscorrectedform,ashewasnotanxiousthatsheshouldhaveitinherpowertoidentifythecallofthismorningwithapossiblefutureacquaintance.
WhenEllinorreachedMr.Johnson\'shouseinHellingfordthatafternoon,shefoundMissMonrowasthere,andthatshehadbeenwithmuchdifficultyrestrainedbyMr.JohnsonfromfollowinghertoLondon.
MissMonrofondledandpurredinarticulatelythroughhertearsoverherrecovereddarling,beforeshecouldspeakintelligiblyenoughtotellherthatCanonLivingstonehadcomestraighttoseeherimmediatelyonhisreturntoEastChester,andhadsuggestedherjourneytoHellingford,inorderthatshemightbeofallthecomfortshecouldtoEllinor.ShedidnotatfirstletoutthathehadaccompaniedhertoHellingford;shewasalittleafraidofEllinor\'sdispleasureathisbeingthere;EllinorhadalwaysobjectedsomuchtoanyadvancetowardsintimacywithhimthatMissMonrohadwishedtomake.ButEllinorwasdifferentnow.
\"Howwhiteyouare,Nelly!\"saidMissMonro.\"Youhavebeentravellingtoomuchandtoofast,mychild.\"
\"Myheadaches!\"saidEllinor,wearily.\"ButImustgotothecastle,andtellmypoorDixonthatheisreprieved——Iamsotired!
WillyouaskMr.Johnsontogetmeleavetoseehim?Hewillknowallaboutit.\"
Shethrewherselfdownonthebedinthespareroom;thebedwiththeheavybluecurtains.Afteranunheededremonstrance,MissMonrowenttodoherbidding.Butitwasnowlateafternoon,andMr.Johnsonsaidthatitwouldbeimpossibleforhimtogetpermissionfromthesheriffthatnight.
\"Besides,\"saidhe,courteously,\"onescarcelyknowswhetherMissWilkinsmaynotgivetheoldmanfalsehopes——whethershehasnotbeenexcitedtohavefalsehopesherself;itmightbeacruelkindnesstoletherseehim,withoutmorelegalcertaintyastowhathissentence,orreprieve,istobe.Byto-morrowmorning,ifIhaveproperlyunderstoodherstory,whichwasalittleconfused——\"
\"Sheissodreadfullytired,poorcreature,\"putinMissMonro,whonevercouldbeartheshadowofasuspicionthatEllinorwasnotwisest,best,inallrelationsandsituationsoflife.
Mr.Johnsonwenton,withadeprecatorybow:\"Well,then——itreallyistheonlycourseopentoherbesides——persuadehertorestforthisevening.Byto-morrowmorningIwillhaveobtainedthesheriff\'sleave,andhewillmostlikelyhaveheardfromLondon.\"
\"Thankyou!Ibelievethatwillbebest.\"
\"Itistheonlycourse,\"saidhe.
WhenMissMonroreturnedtothebedroom,Ellinorwasinaheavyfeverishslumber;sofeverishandsouneasydidsheappear,that,afterthehesitationofamomentortwo,MissMonrohadnoscrupleinwakeningher.
Butshedidnotappeartounderstandtheanswertoherrequest;shedidnotseemeventorememberthatshehadmadeanyrequest.
ThejourneytoEngland,themisery,thesurprises,hadbeentoomuchforher.Themorrowmorningcame,bringingtheformalfreepardonforAbrahamDixon.Thesheriff\'sorderforheradmissiontoseetheoldmanlayawaitingherwishtouseit;butsheknewnothingofallthis.
Fordays,nayweeks,shehoveredbetweenlifeanddeath,tended,asofold,byMissMonro,whilegoodMrs.Johnsonwaseverwillingtoassist.
OnesummereveninginearlyJuneshewakenedintomemory,MissMonroheardthefaintpipingvoice,asshekeptherwatchbythebedside.
\"WhereisDixon?\"askedshe.
\"Atthecanon\'shouseatBromham.\"ThiswasthenameofDr.
Livingstone\'scountyparish.
\"Why?\"
\"Wethoughtitbettertogethimintocountryairandfreshscenesatonce.\"
\"Howishe?\"
\"Muchbetter.Getstrong,andheshallcometoseeyou.\"
\"Youaresureallisright?\"saidEllinor.
\"Sure,mydear.Allisquiteright.\"
ThenEllinorwenttosleepagainoutofveryweaknessandweariness.
Fromthattimesherecoveredprettysteadily.HergreatdesirewastoreturntoEastChesterassoonaspossible.Theassociationsofgrief,anxiety,andcomingillness,connectedwithHellingford,madeherwishtobeonceagaininthesolemn,quiet,sunnycloseofEastChester.
CanonLivingstonecameovertoassistMissMonroinmanagingthejourneywithherinvalid.ButhedidnotintrudehimselfuponEllinor,anymorethanhehaddoneincomingfromhome.
Themorningafterherreturn,MissMonrosaid:
\"DoyoufeelstrongenoughtoseeDixon?\"
\"Ishehere?\"
\"Heisatthecanon\'shouse.HesentforhimfromBromham,inorderthathemightbereadyforyoutoseehimwhenyouwished.\"
\"Pleaselethimcomedirectly,\"saidEllinor,flushingandtrembling.
Shewenttothedoortomeetthetotteringoldman;sheledhimtotheeasy-chairthathadbeenplacedandarrangedforherself;shekneltdownbeforehim,andputhishandsonherhead,hetremblingandshakingallthewhile.
\"Forgivemealltheshameandmisery,Dixon.Sayyouforgiveme;andgivemeyourblessing.Andthenletneverawordoftheterriblepastbespokenbetweenus.\"
\"It\'snotformetoforgiveyou,asneverdidharmtonoone——\"
\"Butsayyoudo——itwilleasemyheart.\"
\"Iforgivethee!\"saidhe.Andthenheraisedhimselftohisfeetwitheffort,and,standingupaboveher,heblessedhersolemnly.
Afterthathesatdown,shebyhim,gazingathim.
\"Yon\'sagoodman,missy,\"hesaid,atlength,liftinghissloweyesandlookingather.\"Betternort\'othereverwas.\"
\"Heisagoodman,\"saidEllinor.
Butnomorewasspokenonthesubject.Thenextday,CanonLivingstonemadehisformalcall.EllinorwouldfainhavekeptMissMonrointheroom,butthatworthyladyknewbetterthantostop.
Theywenton,forcingtalkonindifferentsubjects.Atlasthecouldspeaknolongeroneverythingbutthatwhichhehadmostatheart.
\"MissWilkins!\"(hehadgotup,andwasstandingbythemantelpiece,apparentlyexaminingtheornamentsuponit)——\"MissWilkins!isthereanychanceofyourgivingmeafavourableanswernow——youknowwhatI
mean——whatwespokeaboutattheGreatWesternHotel,thatday?\"
Ellinorhungherhead.
\"YouknowthatIwasonceengagedbefore?\"
\"Yes!Iknow;toMr.Corbet——hethatisnowthejudge;youcannotsupposethatwouldmakeanydifference,ifthatisall.Ihavelovedyou,andyouonly,eversincewemet,eighteenyearsago.MissWilkins——Ellinor——putmeoutofsuspense.\"
\"Iwill!\"saidshe,puttingoutherthinwhitehandforhimtotakeandkiss,almostwithtearsofgratitude,butsheseemedfrightenedathisimpetuosity,andtriedtocheckhim.\"Wait——youhavenotheardall——mypoor,poorfather,inafitofanger,irritatedbeyondhisbearing,strucktheblowthatkilledMr.Dunster——DixonandI
knewofit,justaftertheblowwasstruck——wehelpedtohideit——wekeptthesecret——mypoorfatherdiedofsorrowandremorse——younowknowall——canyoustillloveme?ItseemstomeasifIhadbeenanaccompliceinsuchaterriblething!\"
\"Poor,poorEllinor!\"saidhe,nowtakingherinhisarmsasashelter.\"HowIwishIhadknownofallthisyearsandyearsago:I
couldhavestoodbetweenyouandsomuch!\"
ThosewhopassthroughthevillageofBromham,andpausetolookoverthelaurel-hedgethatseparatestherectorygardenfromtheroad,mayoftensee,onsummerdays,anold,oldman,sittinginawicker-
chair,outuponthelawn.Heleansuponhisstick,andseldomraiseshisbenthead;butforallthathiseyesareonalevelwiththetwolittlefairychildrenwhocometohiminalltheirsmalljoysandsorrows,andwholearnttolisphisnamealmostassoonastheydidthatoftheirfatherandmother.
NorisMissMonrooftenabsent;andalthoughshepreferstoretaintheoldhouseintheCloseforwinterquarters,shegenerallymakesherwayacrosstoCanonLivingstone\'sresidenceeveryevening.
SOENDS\"ADARKNIGHT\'SWORK.\"
