walkingaboutoutside，andstraininghereyesalongthehighwayfortheexpectedone。Buteachcloudofdustthatenlargedinthedistanceanddrewnearwasfoundtodiscloseaconveyanceotherthanhispost-chaise。Barbararemainedtilltheappointmentwastwohourspassed，andthenbegantofearthatowingtosomeadversewindintheChannelhewasnotcomingthatnight。
Whilewaitingshewasconsciousofacurioustrepidationthatwasnotentirelysolicitude，anddidnotamounttodread；hertensestateofincertitudeborderedbothondisappointmentandonrelief。
Shehadlivedsixorsevenweekswithanimperfectlyeducatedyethandsomehusbandwhomnowshehadnotseenforseventeenmonths，andwhowassochangedphysicallybyanaccidentthatshewasassuredshewouldhardlyknowhim。Canwewonderathercompoundstateofmind?
ButherimmediatedifficultywastogetawayfromLorntonInn，forhersituationwasbecomingembarrassing。LiketoomanyofBarbara\'sactions，thisdrivehadbeenundertakenwithoutmuchreflection。
Expectingtowaitnomorethanafewminutesforherhusbandinhispost-chaise，andtoenteritwithhim，shehadnothesitatedtoisolateherselfbysendingbackherownlittlevehicle。Shenowfoundthat，beingsowellknowninthisneighbourhood，herexcursiontomeetherlong-absenthusbandwasexcitinggreatinterest。Shewasconsciousthatmoreeyeswerewatchingherfromtheinn-windowsthanmetherowngaze。Barbarahaddecidedtogethomebyhiringwhateverkindofconveyancethetavernafforded，when，straininghereyesforthelasttimeoverthenowdarkeninghighway，sheperceivedyetanotherdust-clouddrawingnear。Shepaused；achariotascendedtotheinn，andwouldhavepassedhadnotitsoccupantcaughtsightofherstandingexpectantly。Thehorseswerecheckedontheinstant。
\'Youhere——andalone，mydearMrs。Willowes?\'saidLordUplandtowers，whosecarriageitwas。
Sheexplainedwhathadbroughtherintothislonelysituation；and，ashewasgoinginthedirectionofherownhome，sheacceptedhisofferofaseatbesidehim。Theirconversationwasembarrassedandfragmentaryatfirst；butwhentheyhaddrivenamileortwoshewassurprisedtofindherselftalkingearnestlyandwarmlytohim:herimpulsivenesswasintruthbutthenaturalconsequenceofherlateexistence——asomewhatdesolateonebyreasonofthestrangemarriageshehadmade；andthereisnomoreindiscreetmoodthanthatofawomansurprisedintotalkwhohaslongbeenimposinguponherselfapolicyofreserve。Thereforeheringenuousheartrosewithaboundintoherthroatwhen，inresponsetohisleadingquestions，orratherhints，sheallowedhertroublestoleakoutofher。LordUplandtowerstookherquitetoherowndoor，althoughhehaddriventhreemilesoutofhiswaytodoso；andinhandingherdownsheheardfromhimawhisperofsternreproach:\'Itneednothavebeenthusifyouhadlistenedtome!\'
Shemadenoreply，andwentindoors。There，astheeveningworeaway，sheregrettedmoreandmorethatshehadbeensofriendlywithLordUplandtowers。Buthehadlaunchedhimselfuponhersounexpectedly:ifshehadonlyforeseenthemeetingwithhim，whatacarefullineofconductshewouldhavemarkedout!Barbarabrokeintoaperspirationofdisquietwhenshethoughtofherunreserve，and，inself-chastisement，resolvedtosituptillmidnightonthebarechanceofEdmond\'sreturn；directingthatsuppershouldbelaidforhim，improbableashisarrivaltillthemorrowwas。
Thehourswentpast，andtherewasdeadsilenceinandroundaboutYewsholtLodge，exceptforthesoughingofthetrees；till，whenitwasnearuponmidnight，sheheardthenoiseofhoofsandwheelsapproachingthedoor。Knowingthatitcouldonlybeherhusband，Barbarainstantlywentintothehalltomeethim。Yetshestoodtherenotwithoutasensationoffaintness，somanywerethechangessincetheirparting!And，owingtohercasualencounterwithLordUplandtowers，hisvoiceandimagestillremainedwithher，excludingEdmond，herhusband，fromtheinnercircleofherimpressions。
Butshewenttothedoor，andthenextmomentafiguresteppedinside，ofwhichsheknewtheoutline，butlittlebesides。Herhusbandwasattiredinaflappingblackcloakandslouchedhat，appearingaltogetherasaforeigner，andnotastheyoungEnglishburgesswhohadleftherside。Whenhecameforwardintothelightofthelamp，sheperceivedwithsurprise，andalmostwithfright，thatheworeamask。Atfirstshehadnotnoticedthis——therebeingnothinginitscolourwhichwouldleadacasualobservertothinkhewaslookingonanythingbutarealcountenance。
Hemusthaveseenherstartofdismayattheunexpectednessofhisappearance，forhesaidhastily:\'Ididnotmeantocomeintoyoulikethis——Ithoughtyouwouldhavebeeninbed。Howgoodyouare，dearBarbara!\'Heputhisarmroundher，buthedidnotattempttokissher。
\'OEdmond——itISyou?——itmustbe?\'shesaid，withclaspedhands，forthoughhisfigureandmovementwerealmostenoughtoproveit，andthetoneswerenotunliketheoldtones，theenunciationwassoalteredastoseemthatofastranger。
\'Iamcoveredlikethistohidemyselffromthecuriouseyesoftheinn-servantsandothers，\'hesaid，inalowvoice。\'Iwillsendbackthecarriageandjoinyouinamoment。\'
\'Youarequitealone?\'
\'Quite。MycompanionstoppedatSouthampton。\'
Thewheelsofthepost-chaiserolledawayassheenteredthedining-
room，wherethesupperwasspread；andpresentlyherejoinedherthere。Hehadremovedhiscloakandhat，butthemaskwasstillretained；andshecouldnowseethatitwasofspecialmake，ofsomeflexiblemateriallikesilk，colouredsoastorepresentflesh；itjoinednaturallytothefronthair，andwasotherwisecleverlyexecuted。
\'Barbara——youlookill，\'hesaid，removinghisglove，andtakingherhand。
\'Yes——Ihavebeenill，\'saidshe。
\'Isthisprettylittlehouseours?\'
\'O——yes。\'Shewashardlyconsciousofherwords，forthehandhehadunglovedinordertotakeherswascontorted，andhadoneortwoofitsfingersmissing；whilethroughthemaskshediscernedthetwinkleofoneeyeonly。
\'Iwouldgiveanythingtokissyou，dearest，now，atthismoment!\'
hecontinued，withmournfulpassionateness。\'ButIcannot——inthisguise。Theservantsareabed，Isuppose?\'
\'Yes，\'saidshe。\'ButIcancallthem?Youwillhavesomesupper?\'
Hesaidhewouldhavesome，butthatitwasnotnecessarytocallanybodyatthathour。Thereupontheyapproachedthetable，andsatdown，facingeachother。
DespiteBarbara\'sscaredstateofmind，itwasforceduponhernoticethatherhusbandtrembled，asifhefearedtheimpressionhewasproducing，orwasabouttoproduce，asmuchas，ormorethan，she。Hedrewnearer，andtookherhandagain。
\'IhadthismaskmadeatVenice，\'hebegan，inevidentembarrassment。\'MydarlingBarbara——mydearestwife——doyouthinkyou——willmindwhenItakeitoff?Youwillnotdislikeme——willyou?\'
\'OEdmond，ofcourseIshallnotmind，\'saidshe。\'Whathashappenedtoyouisourmisfortune；butIampreparedforit。\'
\'Areyousureyouareprepared?\'
\'Oyes!Youaremyhusband。\'
\'Youreallyfeelquiteconfidentthatnothingexternalcanaffectyou?\'hesaidagain，inavoicerendereduncertainbyhisagitation。
\'IthinkIam——quite，\'sheansweredfaintly。
Hebenthishead。\'Ihope，Ihopeyouare，\'hewhispered。
Inthepausewhichfollowed，thetickingoftheclockinthehallseemedtogrowloud；andheturnedalittleasidetoremovethemask。Shebreathlesslyawaitedtheoperation，whichwasoneofsometediousness，watchinghimonemoment，avertingherfacethenext；
andwhenitwasdonesheshuthereyesatthehideousspectaclethatwasrevealed。Aquickspasmofhorrorhadpassedthroughher；butthoughshequailedsheforcedherselftoregardhimanew，repressingthecrythatwouldnaturallyhaveescapedfromherashylips。
Unabletolookathimlonger，Barbarasankdownonthefloorbesideherchair，coveringhereyes。
\'Youcannotlookatme!\'hegroanedinahopelessway。\'Iamtooterribleanobjectevenforyoutobear!Iknewit；yetIhopedagainstit。Oh，thisisabitterfate——cursetheskillofthoseVenetiansurgeonswhosavedmealive!……Lookup，Barbara，\'hecontinuedbeseechingly；\'viewmecompletely；sayyouloatheme，ifyoudoloatheme，andsettlethecasebetweenusforever!\'
Hisunhappywifepulledherselftogetherforadesperatestrain。HewasherEdmond；hehaddonehernowrong；hehadsuffered。A
momentarydevotiontohimhelpedher，andliftinghereyesasbiddensheregardedthishumanremnant，thisecorche，asecondtime。Butthesightwastoomuch。Sheagaininvoluntarilylookedasideandshuddered。
\'Doyouthinkyoucangetusedtothis?\'hesaid。\'Yesorno!Canyoubearsuchathingofthecharnel-housenearyou?Judgeforyourself；Barbara。YourAdonis，yourmatchlessman，hascometothis!\'
Thepoorladystoodbesidehimmotionless，savefortherestlessnessofhereyes。Allhernaturalsentimentsofaffectionandpityweredrivencleanoutofherbyasortofpanic；shehadjustthesamesenseofdismayandfearfulnessthatshewouldhavehadinthepresenceofanapparition。Shecouldnohowfancythistobeherchosenone——themanshehadloved；hewasmetamorphosedtoaspecimenofanotherspecies。\'Idonotloatheyou，\'shesaidwithtrembling。\'ButIamsohorrified——soovercome!Letmerecovermyself。Willyousupnow?AndwhileyoudosomayIgotomyroomto——regainmyoldfeelingforyou?Iwilltry，ifImayleaveyouawhile?Yes，Iwilltry!\'
Withoutwaitingforananswerfromhim，andkeepinghergazecarefullyaverted，thefrightenedwomancrepttothedoorandoutoftheroom。Sheheardhimsitdowntothetable，asiftobeginsupperthough，Heavenknows，hisappetitewasslightenoughafterareceptionwhichhadconfirmedhisworstsurmises。WhenBarbarahadascendedthestairsandarrivedinherchambershesankdown，andburiedherfaceinthecoverletofthebed。
Thussheremainedforsometime。Thebed-chamberwasoverthedining-room，andpresentlyasshekneltBarbaraheardWillowesthrustbackhischair，andrisetogointothehall。Infiveminutesthatfigurewouldprobablycomeupthestairsandconfrontheragain；it，——thisnewandterribleform，thatwasnotherhusband\'s。Inthelonelinessofthisnight，withneithermaidnorfriendbesideher，shelostallself-control，andatthefirstsoundofhisfootsteponthestairs，withoutsomuchasflingingacloakroundher，sheflewfromtheroom，ranalongthegallerytothebackstaircase，whichshedescended，and，unlockingthebackdoor，letherselfout。Shescarcelywasawarewhatshehaddonetillshefoundherselfinthegreenhouse，crouchingonaflower-stand。
Heresheremained，hergreattimideyesstrainedthroughtheglassuponthegardenwithout，andherskirtsgatheredup，infearofthefield-micewhichsometimescamethere。Everymomentshedreadedtohearfootstepswhichsheoughtbylawtohavelongedfor，andavoicethatshouldhavebeenasmusictohersoul。ButEdmondWillowescamenotthatway。Thenightsweregettingshortatthisseason，andsoonthedawnappeared，andthefirstraysofthesun。
Bydaylightshehadlessfearthaninthedark。Shethoughtshecouldmeethim，andaccustomherselftothespectacle。
Sothemuch-triedyoungwomanunfastenedthedoorofthehot-house，andwentbackbythewayshehademergedafewhoursago。Herpoorhusbandwasprobablyinbedandasleep，hisjourneyhavingbeenlong；andshemadeaslittlenoiseaspossibleinherentry。Thehousewasjustasshehadleftit，andshelookedaboutinthehallforhiscloakandhat，butshecouldnotseethem；nordidsheperceivethesmalltrunkwhichhadbeenallthathebroughtwithhim，hisheavierbaggagehavingbeenleftatSouthamptonfortheroad-waggon。Shesummonedcouragetomountthestairs；thebedroom-
doorwasopenasshehadleftit。Shefearfullypeepedround；thebedhadnotbeenpressed。Perhapshehadlaindownonthedining-
roomsofa。Shedescendedandentered；hewasnotthere。Onthetablebesidehisunsoiledplatelayanote，hastilywrittenontheleafofapocket-book。Itwassomethinglikethis:
\'MYEVER-BELOVEDWIFE——TheeffectthatmyforbiddingappearancehasproduceduponyouwasonewhichIforesawasquitepossible。I
hopedagainstit，butfoolishlyso。IwasawarethatnoHUMANlovecouldsurvivesuchacatastrophe。IconfessIthoughtyoursDIVINE；
but，aftersolonganabsence，therecouldnotbeleftsufficientwarmthtoovercomethetoonaturalfirstaversion。Itwasanexperiment，andithasfailed。Idonotblameyou；perhaps，even，itisbetterso。Good-bye。IleaveEnglandforoneyear。Youwillseemeagainattheexpirationofthattime，ifIlive。ThenIwillascertainyourtruefeeling；and，ifitbeagainstme，goawayforever。E。W。\'
Onrecoveringfromhersurprise，Barbara\'sremorsewassuchthatshefeltherselfabsolutelyunforgiveable。Sheshouldhaveregardedhimasanafflictedbeing，andnothavebeenthisslavetomereeyesight，likeachild。Tofollowhimandentreathimtoreturnwasherfirstthought。Butonmakinginquiriesshefoundthatnobodyhadseenhim:hehadsilentlydisappeared。
Morethanthis，toundothesceneoflastnightwasimpossible。Herterrorhadbeentooplain，andhewasamanunlikelytobecoaxedbackbyhereffortstodoherduty。Shewentandconfessedtoherparentsallthathadoccurred；which，indeed，soonbecameknowntomorepersonsthanthoseofherownfamily。
Theyearpassed，andhedidnotreturn；anditwasdoubtedifhewerealive。Barbara\'scontritionforherunconquerablerepugnancewasnowsuchthatshelongedtobuildachurch-aisle，orerectamonument，anddevoteherselftodeedsofcharityfortheremainderofherdays。TothatendshemadeinquiryoftheexcellentparsonunderwhomshesatonSundays，ataverticaldistanceoftwentyfeet。Buthecouldonlyadjusthiswigandtaphissnuff-box；forsuchwasthelukewarmstateofreligioninthosedays，thatnotanaisle，steeple，porch，eastwindow，Ten-Commandmentboard，lion-and-
unicorn，orbrasscandlestick，wasrequiredanywhereatallintheneighbourhoodasavotiveofferingfromadistractedsoul——thelastcenturycontrastinggreatlyinthisrespectwiththehappytimesinwhichwelive，whenurgentappealsforcontributionstosuchobjectspourinbyeverymorning\'spost，andnearlyallchurcheshavebeenmadetolooklikenewpennies。Asthepoorladycouldnoteaseherconsciencethisway，shedeterminedatleasttobecharitable，andsoonhadthesatisfactionoffindingherporchthrongedeverymorningbytheraggedest，idlest，mostdrunken，hypocritical，andworthlesstrampsinChristendom。
Buthumanheartsareaspronetochangeastheleavesofthecreeperonthewall，andinthecourseoftime，hearingnothingofherhusband，Barbaracouldsitunmovedwhilsthermotherandfriendssaidinherhearing，\'Well，whathashappenedisforthebest。\'Shebegantothinksoherself；forevennowshecouldnotsummonupthatloppedandmutilatedformwithoutashiver，thoughwheneverhermindflewbacktoherearlyweddeddays，andthemanwhohadstoodbesideherthen，athrilloftendernessmovedher，whichifquickenedbyhislivingpresencemighthavebecomestrong。Shewasyoungandinexperienced，andhadhardlyonhislatereturngrownoutofthecapriciousfanciesofgirlhood。
Buthedidnotcomeagain，andwhenshethoughtofhiswordthathewouldreturnoncemore，ifliving，andhowunlikelyhewastobreakhisword，shegavehimupfordead。Sodidherparents；soalsodidanotherperson——thatmanofsilence，ofirresistibleincisiveness，ofstillcountenance，whowasasawakeassevensentinelswhenheseemedtobeassoundasleepasthefiguresonhisfamilymonument。
LordUplandtowers，thoughnotyetthirty，hadchuckledlikeacausticfogeyofthreescorewhenheheardofBarbara\'sterrorandflightatherhusband\'sreturn，andofthelatter\'spromptdeparture。Hefeltprettysure，however，thatWillowes，despitehishurtfeelings，wouldhavereappearedtoclaimhisbright-eyedpropertyifhehadbeenaliveattheendofthetwelvemonths。
Astherewasnohusbandtolivewithher，Barbarahadrelinquishedthehousepreparedforthembyherfather，andtakenupherabodeanewatCheneManor，asinthedaysofhergirlhood。BydegreestheepisodewithEdmondWillowesseemedbutafevereddream，andasthemonthsgrewtoyearsLordUplandtowers\'friendshipwiththepeopleatChene——whichhadsomewhatcooledafterBarbara\'selopement——
revivedconsiderably，andheagainbecameafrequentvisitorthere。
HecouldnotmakethemosttrivialalterationorimprovementatKnollingwoodHall，wherehelived，withoutridingofftoconsultwithhisfriendSirJohnatChene；andthusputtinghimselffrequentlyunderhereyes，Barbaragrewaccustomedtohim，andtalkedtohimasfreelyastoabrother。Sheevenbegantolookuptohimasapersonofauthority，judgment，andprudence；andthoughhisseverityonthebenchtowardspoachers，smugglers，andturnip-
stealerswasmatterofcommonnotoriety，shetrustedthatmuchofwhatwassaidmightbemisrepresentation。
Thustheylivedontillherhusband\'sabsencehadstretchedtoyears，andtherecouldbenolongeranydoubtofhisdeath。A
passionlessmannerofrenewinghisaddressesseemednolongeroutofplaceinLordUplandtowers。Barbaradidnotlovehim，butherswasessentiallyoneofthosesweet-peaorwith-windnatureswhichrequireatwigofstouterfibrethanitsowntohanguponandbloom。
Now，too，shewasolder，andadmittedtoherselfthatamanwhoseancestorhadrunscoresofSaracensthroughandthroughinfightingforthesiteoftheHolySepulchrewasamoredesirablehusband，sociallyconsidered，thanonewhocouldonlyclaimwithcertaintytoknowthathisfatherandgrandfatherwererespectableburgesses。
SirJohntookoccasiontoinformherthatshemightlegallyconsiderherselfawidow；and，inbrief；LordUplandtowerscarriedhispointwithher，andshemarriedhim，thoughhecouldnevergethertoownthatshelovedhimasshehadlovedWillowes。InmychildhoodI
knewanoldladywhosemothersawthewedding，andshesaidthatwhenLordandLadyUplandtowersdroveawayfromherfather\'shouseintheeveningitwasinacoach-and-four，andthatmyladywasdressedingreenandsilver，andworethegayesthatandfeatherthateverwereseen；thoughwhetheritwasthatthegreendidnotsuithercomplexion，orotherwise，theCountesslookedpale，andthereverseofblooming。AftertheirmarriageherhusbandtookhertoLondon，andshesawthegaietiesofaseasonthere；thentheyreturnedtoKnollingwoodHall，andthusayearpassedaway。
Beforetheirmarriageherhusbandhadseemedtocarebutlittleaboutherinabilitytolovehimpassionately。\'Onlyletmewinyou，\'hehadsaid，\'andIwillsubmittoallthat。\'Butnowherlackofwarmthseemedtoirritatehim，andheconductedhimselftowardsherwitharesentfulnesswhichledtoherpassingmanyhourswithhiminpainfulsilence。Theheir-presumptivetothetitlewasaremoterelative，whomLordUplandtowersdidnotexcludefromthedislikeheentertainedtowardsmanypersonsandthingsbesides，andhehadsethisminduponalinealsuccessor。Heblamedhermuchthattherewasnopromiseofthis，andaskedherwhatshewasgoodfor。
Onaparticulardayinhergloomylifealetter，addressedtoherasMrs。Willowes，reachedLadyUplandtowersfromanunexpectedquarter。
AsculptorinPisa，knowingnothingofhersecondmarriage，informedherthatthelong-delayedlife-sizestatueofMr。Willowes，which，whenherhusbandleftthatcity，hehadbeendirectedtoretaintillitwassentfor，wasstillinhisstudio。Ashiscommissionhadnotwhollybeenpaid，andthestatuewastakinguproomhecouldillspare，heshouldbegladtohavethedebtclearedoff，anddirectionswheretoforwardthefigure。ArrivingatatimewhentheCountesswasbeginningtohavelittlesecrets(ofaharmlesskind，itistrue)fromherhusband，byreasonoftheirgrowingestrangement，sherepliedtothisletterwithoutsayingawordtoLordUplandtowers，sendingoffthebalancethatwasowingtothesculptor，andtellinghimtodespatchthestatuetoherwithoutdelay。
ItwassomeweeksbeforeitarrivedatKnollingwoodHall，and，byasingularcoincidence，duringtheintervalshereceivedthefirstabsolutelyconclusivetidingsofherEdmond\'sdeath。Ithadtakenplaceyearsbefore，inaforeignland，aboutsixmonthsaftertheirparting，andhadbeeninducedbythesufferingshehadalreadyundergone，coupledwithmuchdepressionofspirit，whichhadcausedhimtosuccumbtoaslightailment。ThenewswassentherinabriefandformalletterfromsomerelativeofWillowes\'sinanotherpartofEngland。
Hergrieftooktheformofpassionatepityforhismisfortunes，andofreproachtoherselfforneverhavingbeenabletoconquerheraversiontohislatterimagebyrecollectionofwhatNaturehadoriginallymadehim。ThesadspectaclethathadgonefromearthhadneverbeenherEdmondatalltoher。Othatshecouldhavemethimashewasatfirst!ThusBarbarathought。Itwasonlyafewdayslaterthatawaggonwithtwohorses，containinganimmensepacking-
case，wasseenatbreakfast-timebothbyBarbaraandherhusbandtodriveroundtothebackofthehouse，andby-and-bytheywereinformedthatacaselabelled\'Sculpture\'hadarrivedforherladyship。
\'Whatcanthatbe?\'saidLordUplandtowers。
\'ItisthestatueofpoorEdmond，whichbelongstome，buthasneverbeensenttillnow，\'sheanswered。
\'Whereareyougoingtoputit?\'askedhe。
\'Ihavenotdecided，\'saidtheCountess。\'Anywhere，sothatitwillnotannoyyou。\'
\'Oh，itwon\'tannoyme，\'sayshe。
Whenithadbeenunpackedinabackroomofthehouse，theywenttoexamineit。Thestatuewasafull-lengthfigure，inthepurestCarraramarble，representingEdmondWillowesinallhisoriginalbeauty，ashehadstoodatpartingfromherwhenabouttosetoutonhistravels；aspecimenofmanhoodalmostperfectineverylineandcontour。Theworkhadbeencarriedoutwithabsolutefidelity。
\'Phoebus-Apollo，sure，\'saidtheEarlofUplandtowers，whohadneverseenWillowes，realorrepresented，tillnow。
Barbaradidnothearhim。Shewasstandinginasortoftrancebeforethefirsthusband，asifshehadnoconsciousnessoftheotherhusbandatherside。ThemutilatedfeaturesofWilloweshaddisappearedfromhermind\'seye；thisperfectbeingwasreallythemanshehadloved，andnotthatlaterpitiablefigure；inwhomloveandtruthshouldhaveseenthisimagealways，buthadnotdoneso。
ItwasnottillLordUplandtowerssaidroughly，\'Areyougoingtostayhereallthemorningworshippinghim?\'thatsherousedherself。
HerhusbandhadnottillnowtheleastsuspicionthatEdmondWillowesoriginallylookedthus，andhethoughthowdeepwouldhavebeenhisjealousyyearsagoifWilloweshadbeenknowntohim。
ReturningtotheHallintheafternoonhefoundhiswifeinthegallery，whitherthestatuehadbeenbrought。
Shewaslostinreveriebeforeit，justasinthemorning。
\'Whatareyoudoing?\'heasked。
Shestartedandturned。\'Iamlookingatmyhusb-mystatue，toseeifitiswelldone，\'shestammered。\'WhyshouldInot?\'
\'There\'snoreasonwhy，\'hesaid。\'Whatareyougoingtodowiththemonstrousthing?Itcan\'tstandhereforever。\'
\'Idon\'twishit，\'shesaid。\'I\'llfindaplace。\'
Inherboudoirtherewasadeeprecess，andwhiletheEarlwasabsentfromhomeforafewdaysinthefollowingweek，shehiredjoinersfromthevillage，whounderherdirectionsenclosedtherecesswithapanelleddoor。Intothetabernaclethusformedshehadthestatueplaced，fasteningthedoorwithalock，thekeyofwhichshekeptinherpocket。
Whenherhusbandreturnedhemissedthestatuefromthegallery，and，concludingthatithadbeenputawayoutofdeferencetohisfeelings，madenoremark。Yetatmomentshenoticedsomethingonhislady\'sfacewhichhehadnevernoticedtherebefore。Hecouldnotconstrueit；itwasasortofsilentecstasy，areservedbeatification。Whathadbecomeofthestatuehecouldnotdivine，andgrowingmoreandmorecurious，lookedabouthereandthereforittill，thinkingofherprivateroom，hewenttowardsthatspot。
Afterknockingheheardtheshuttingofadoor，andtheclickofakey；butwhenheenteredhiswifewassittingatwork，onwhatwasinthosedayscalledknotting。LordUplandtowers\'eyefelluponthenewly-painteddoorwheretherecesshadformerlybeen。
\'Youhavebeencarpenteringinmyabsencethen，Barbara，\'hesaidcarelessly。
\'Yes，Uplandtowers。\'
\'Whydidyougoputtingupsuchatastelessenclosureasthat——
spoilingthehandsomearchofthealcove?\'
\'Iwantedmorecloset-room；andIthoughtthatasthiswasmyownapartment——\'
\'Ofcourse，\'hereturned。LordUplandtowersknewnowwherethestatueofyoungWilloweswas。
Onenight，orratherinthesmallesthoursofthemorning，hemissedtheCountessfromhisside。Notbeingamanofnervousimaginingshefellasleepagainbeforehehadmuchconsideredthematter，andthenextmorninghadforgottentheincident。Butafewnightslaterthesamecircumstancesoccurred。Thistimehefullyrousedhimself；
butbeforehehadmovedtosearchforher，sheenteredthechamberinherdressing-gown，carryingacandle，whichsheextinguishedassheapproached，deeminghimasleep。Hecoulddiscoverfromherbreathingthatshewasstrangelymoved；butnotonthisoccasioneitherdidherevealthathehadseenher。Presently，whenshehadlaindown，affectingtowake，heaskedhersometrivialquestions。
\'Yes，EDMOND，\'sherepliedabsently。
LordUplandtowersbecameconvincedthatshewasinthehabitofleavingthechamberinthisqueerwaymorefrequentlythanhehadobserved，andhedeterminedtowatch。Thenextmidnighthefeigneddeepsleep，andshortlyafterperceivedherstealthilyriseandletherselfoutoftheroominthedark。Heslippedonsomeclothingandfollowed。Atthefartherendofthecorridor，wheretheclashofflintandsteelwouldbeoutofthehearingofoneinthebed-
chamber，shestruckalight。Hesteppedasideintoanemptyroomtillshehadlitataperandhadpassedontoherboudoir。Inaminuteortwohefollowed。Arrivedatthedooroftheboudoir，hebeheldthedooroftheprivaterecessopen，andBarbarawithinit，standingwithherarmsclaspedtightlyroundtheneckofherEdmond，andhermouthonhis。Theshawlwhichshehadthrownroundhernightclotheshadslippedfromhershoulders，andherlongwhiterobeandpalefacelenthertheblanchedappearanceofasecondstatueembracingthefirst。Betweenherkisses，sheapostrophizeditinalowmurmurofinfantinetenderness:
\'Myonlylove——howcouldIbesocrueltoyou，myperfectone——sogoodandtrue——Iameverfaithfultoyou，despitemyseeminginfidelity!Ialwaysthinkofyou——dreamofyou——duringthelonghoursoftheday，andinthenight-watches!OEdmond，Iamalwaysyours!\'Suchwordsasthese，intermingledwithsobs，andstreamingtears，anddishevelledhair，testifiedtoanintensityoffeelinginhiswifewhichLordUplandtowershadnotdreamedofherpossessing。
\'Ha，ha!\'sayshetohimself。\'Thisiswhereweevaporate——thisiswheremyhopesofasuccessorinthetitledissolve——ha，ha!Thismustbeseento，verily!\'
LordUplandtowerswasasubtlemanwhenoncehesethimselftostrategy；thoughinthepresentinstanceheneverthoughtofthesimplestratagemofconstanttenderness。Nordidheentertheroomandsurprisehiswifeasablundererwouldhavedone，butwentbacktohischamberassilentlyashehadleftit。WhentheCountessreturnedthither，shakenbyspentsobsandsighs，heappearedtobesoundlysleepingasusual。Thenextdayhebeganhiscountermovesbymakinginquiriesastothewhereaboutsofthetutorwhohadtravelledwithhiswife\'sfirsthusband；thisgentleman，hefound，wasnowmasterofagrammar-schoolatnogreatdistancefromKnollingwood。AtthefirstconvenientmomentLordUplandtowerswentthitherandobtainedaninterviewwiththesaidgentleman。Theschoolmasterwasmuchgratifiedbyavisitfromsuchaninfluentialneighbour，andwasreadytocommunicateanythingthathislordshipdesiredtoknow。
Aftersomegeneralconversationontheschoolanditsprogress，thevisitorobservedthathebelievedtheschoolmasterhadoncetravelledagooddealwiththeunfortunateMr。Willowes，andhadbeenwithhimontheoccasionofhisaccident。He，LordUplandtowers，wasinterestedinknowingwhathadreallyhappenedatthattime，andhadoftenthoughtofinquiring。AndthentheEarlnotonlyheardbywordofmouthasmuchashewishedtoknow，but，theirchatbecomingmoreintimate，theschoolmasterdrewuponpaperasketchofthedisfiguredhead，explainingwithbatedbreathvariousdetailsintherepresentation。
\'Itwasverystrangeandterrible!\'saidLordUplandtowers，takingthesketchinhishand。\'Neithernosenorears!\'
ApoormaninthetownnearesttoKnollingwoodHall，whocombinedtheartofsign-paintingwithingeniousmechanicaloccupations，wassentforbyLordUplandtowerstocometotheHallonadayinthatweekwhentheCountesshadgoneonashortvisittoherparents。
Hisemployermadethemanunderstandthatthebusinessinwhichhisassistancewasdemandedwastobeconsideredprivate，andmoneyinsuredtheobservanceofthisrequest。Thelockofthecupboardwaspicked，andtheingeniousmechanicandpainter，assistedbytheschoolmaster\'ssketch，whichLordUplandtowershadputinhispocket，settoworkuponthegod-likecountenanceofthestatueundermylord\'sdirection。Whatthefirehadmaimedintheoriginalthechiselmaimedinthecopy。Itwasafiendishdisfigurement，ruthlesslycarriedout，andwasrenderedstillmoreshockingbybeingtintedtothehuesoflife，aslifehadbeenafterthewreck。
Sixhoursafter，whentheworkmanwasgone，LordUplandtowerslookedupontheresult，andsmiledgrimly，andsaid:
\'Astatueshouldrepresentamanasheappearedinlife，andthat\'sasheappeared。Ha!ha!But\'tisdonetogoodpurpose，andnotidly。\'
Helockedthedooroftheclosetwithaskeletonkey，andwenthiswaytofetchtheCountesshome。
Thatnightsheslept，buthekeptawake。Accordingtothetale，shemurmuredsoftwordsinherdream；andheknewthatthetenderconverseofherimaginingswasheldwithonewhomhehadsupplantedbutinname。AttheendofherdreamtheCountessofUplandtowersawokeandarose，andthentheenactmentofformernightswasrepeated。Herhusbandremainedstillandlistened。Twostrokessoundedfromtheclockinthepedimentwithout，when，leavingthechamber-doorajar，shepassedalongthecorridortotheotherend，where，asusual，sheobtainedalight。Sodeepwasthesilencethathecouldevenfromhisbedhearhersoftlyblowingthetindertoaglowafterstrikingthesteel。Shemovedonintotheboudoir，andheheard，orfanciedheheard，theturningofthekeyinthecloset-
door。Thenextmomenttherecamefromthatdirectionaloudandprolongedshriek，whichresoundedtothefarthestcornersofthehouse。Itwasrepeated，andtherewasthenoiseofaheavyfall。
LordUplandtowerssprangoutofbed。Hehastenedalongthedarkcorridortothedooroftheboudoir，whichstoodajar，and，bythelightofthecandlewithin，sawhispooryoungCountesslyinginaheapinhernightdressonthefloorofthecloset。Whenhereachedhersidehefoundthatshehadfainted，muchtothereliefofhisfearsthatmatterswereworse。Hequicklyshutupandlockedinthehatedimagewhichhaddonethemischief；andliftedhiswifeinhisarms，whereinafewinstantssheopenedhereyes。Pressingherfacetohiswithoutsayingaword，hecarriedherbacktoherroom，endeavouringashewenttodisperseherterrorsbyalaughinherear，oddlycompoundedofcausticity，predilection，andbrutality。
\'Ho——ho——ho!\'sayshe。\'Frightened，dearone，hey?Whatababy\'tis!Onlyajoke，sure，Barbara——asplendidjoke!Butababyshouldnotgotoclosetsatmidnighttolookfortheghostofthedeardeparted!Ifitdoitmustexpecttobeterrifiedathisaspect——ho——ho——ho!\'
Whenshewasinherbed-chamber，andhadquitecometoherself；
thoughhernerveswerestillmuchshaken，hespoketohermoresternly。\'Now，mylady，answerme:doyoulovehim——eh?\'
\'No——no!\'shefaltered，shuddering，withherexpandedeyesfixedonherhusband。\'Heistooterrible——no，no!\'
\'Youaresure?\'
\'Quitesure!\'repliedthepoorbroken-spiritedCountess。Buthernaturalelasticityasserteditself。Nextmorningheagaininquiredofher:\'Doyoulovehimnow?\'
Shequailedunderhisgaze，butdidnotreply。
\'Thatmeansthatyoudostill，byG-!\'hecontinued。
\'ItmeansthatIwillnottellanuntruth，anddonotwishtoincensemylord，\'sheanswered，withdignity。
\'Thensupposewegoandhaveanotherlookathim?\'Ashespoke，hesuddenlytookherbythewrist，andturnedasiftoleadhertowardstheghastlycloset。
\'No——no!Oh——no!\'shecried，andherdesperatewriggleoutofhishandrevealedthatthefrightofthenighthadleftmoreimpressionuponherdelicatesoulthansuperficiallyappeared。
\'Anotherdoseortwo，andshewillbecured，\'hesaidtohimself。
ItwasnowsogenerallyknownthattheEarlandCountesswerenotinaccord，thathetooknogreattroubletodisguisehisdeedsinrelationtothismatter。Duringthedayheorderedfourmenwithropesandrollerstoattendhimintheboudoir。Whentheyarrived，theclosetwasopen，andtheupperpartofthestatuetiedupincanvas。Hehadittakentothesleeping-chamber。Whatfollowedismoreorlessmatterofconjecture。Thestory，astoldtome，goesontosaythat，whenLadyUplandtowersretiredwithhimthatnight，shesawnearthefootoftheheavyoakfour-poster，atalldarkwardrobe，whichhadnotstoodtherebefore；butshedidnotaskwhatitspresencemeant。
\'Ihavehadalittlewhim，\'heexplainedwhentheywereinthedark。
\'Haveyou?\'saysshe。
\'Toerectalittleshrine，asitmaybecalled。\'
\'Alittleshrine?\'
\'Yes；toonewhomwebothequallyadore——eh?I\'llshowyouwhatitcontains。\'
Hepulledacordwhichhungcoveredbythebed-curtains，andthedoorsofthewardrobeslowlyopened，disclosingthattheshelveswithinhadbeenremovedthroughout，andtheinterioradaptedtoreceivetheghastlyfigure，whichstoodthereasithadstoodintheboudoir，butwithawax-candleburningoneachsideofittothrowthecroppedanddistortedfeaturesintorelief。Sheclutchedhim，utteredalowscream，andburiedherheadinthebedclothes。\'Oh，takeitaway——pleasetakeitaway!\'sheimplored。
\'Allingoodtimenamely，whenyoulovemebest，\'hereturnedcalmly。\'Youdon\'tquiteyet——eh?\'
\'Idon\'tknow——Ithink——OUplandtowers，havemercy——Icannotbearit——O，inpity，takeitaway!\'
\'Nonsense；onegetsaccustomedtoanything。Takeanothergaze。\'
Inshort，heallowedthedoorstoremainunclosedatthefootofthebed，andthewax-tapersburning；andsuchwasthestrangefascinationofthegrislyexhibitionthatamorbidcuriositytookpossessionoftheCountessasshelay，and，athisrepeatedrequest，shedidagainlookoutfromthecoverlet，shuddered，hidhereyes，andlookedagain，allthewhilebegginghimtotakeitaway，oritwoulddriveheroutofhersenses。Buthewouldnotdosoasyet，andthewardrobewasnotlockedtilldawn。
Thescenewasrepeatedthenextnight。Firminenforcinghisferociouscorrectives，hecontinuedthetreatmenttillthenervesofthepoorladywerequiveringinagonyunderthevirtuoustorturesinflictedbyherlord，tobringhertruantheartbacktofaithfulness。
Thethirdnight，whenthescenehadopenedasusual，andshelaystaringwithimmensewildeyesatthehorridfascination，onasuddenshegaveanunnaturallaugh；shelaughedmoreandmore，staringattheimage，tillsheliterallyshriekedwithlaughter:
thentherewassilence，andhefoundhertohavebecomeinsensible。
Hethoughtshehadfainted，butsoonsawthattheeventwasworse:
shewasinanepilepticfit。Hestartedup，dismayedbythesensethat，likemanyothersubtlepersonages，hehadbeentooexactingforhisowninterests。Suchloveashewascapableof，thoughratheraselfishgloatingthanacherishingsolicitude，wasfannedintolifeontheinstant。Heclosedthewardrobewiththepulley，claspedherinhisarms，tookhergentlytothewindow，anddidallhecouldtorestoreher。
ItwasalongtimebeforetheCountesscametoherself，andwhenshedidso，aconsiderablechangeseemedtohavetakenplaceinheremotions。Sheflungherarmsaroundhim，andwithgaspsoffearabjectlykissedhimmanytimes，atlastburstingintotears。Shehadneverweptinthisscenebefore。
\'You\'lltakeitaway，dearest——youwill!\'shebeggedplaintively。
\'Ifyouloveme。\'
\'Ido——oh，Ido!\'
\'Andhatehim，andhismemory?\'
\'Yes——yes!\'
\'Thoroughly?\'
\'Icannotendurerecollectionofhim!\'criedthepoorCountessslavishly。\'Itfillsmewithshame——howcouldIeverbesodepraved!I\'llneverbehavebadlyagain，Uplandtowers；andyouwillneverputthehatedstatueagainbeforemyeyes?\'
Hefeltthathecouldpromisewithperfectsafety。\'Never，\'saidhe。
\'AndthenI\'llloveyou，\'shereturnedeagerly，asifdreadinglestthescourgeshouldbeappliedanew。\'AndI\'llnever，neverdreamofthinkingasinglethoughtthatseemslikefaithlessnesstomymarriagevow。\'
Thestrangethingnowwasthatthisfictitiouslovewrungfromherbyterrortookon，throughmerehabitofenactment，acertainqualityofreality。AservilemoodofattachmenttotheEarlbecamedistinctlyvisibleinhercontemporaneouslywithanactualdislikeforherlatehusband\'smemory。Themoodofattachmentgrewandcontinuedwhenthestatuewasremoved。Apermanentrevulsionwasoperantinher，whichintensifiedastimeworeon。Howfrightcouldhaveeffectedsuchachangeofidiosyncrasylearnedphysiciansalonecansay；butIbelievesuchcasesofreactionaryinstinctarenotunknown。
Theupshotwasthatthecurebecamesopermanentastobeitselfanewdisease。Sheclungtohimsotightly，thatshewouldnotwillinglybeoutofhissightforamoment。Shewouldhavenositting-roomapartfromhis，thoughshecouldnothelpstartingwhenheenteredsuddenlytoher。Hereyeswerewell-nighalwaysfixeduponhim。Ifhedroveout，shewishedtogowithhim；hisslightestcivilitiestootherwomenmadeherfranticallyjealous；tillatlengthherveryfidelitybecameaburdentohim，absorbinghistime，andcurtailinghisliberty，andcausinghimtocurseandswear。Ifheeverspokesharplytohernow，shedidnotrevengeherselfbyflyingofftoamentalworldofherown；allthataffectionforanother，whichhadprovidedherwitharesource，wasnowacoldblackcinder。
Fromthattimethelifeofthisscaredandenervatedlady——whoseexistencemighthavebeendevelopedtosomuchhigherpurposebutfortheignobleambitionofherparentsandtheconventionsofthetime——wasoneofobsequiousamativenesstowardsaperverseandcruelman。Littlepersonaleventscametoherinquicksuccession——halfadozen，eight，nine，tensuchevents，——inbrief；sheborehimnolessthanelevenchildrenintheeightfollowingyears，buthalfofthemcameprematurelyintotheworld，ordiedafewdaysold；onlyone，agirl，attainedtomaturity；sheinafteryearsbecamethewifeoftheHonourableMr。Beltonleigh，whowascreatedLordD\'Almaine，asmayberemembered。
Therewasnolivingsonandheir。Atlength，completelywornoutinmindandbody，LadyUplandtowerswastakenabroadbyherhusband，totrytheeffectofamoregenialclimateuponherwastedframe。Butnothingavailedtostrengthenher，andshediedatFlorence，afewmonthsafterherarrivalinItaly。
Contrarytoexpectation，theEarlofUplandtowersdidnotmarryagain。Suchaffectionasexistedinhim——strange，hard，brutalasitwas——seemeduntransferable，andthetitle，asisknown，passedathisdeathtohisnephew。Perhapsitmaynotbesogenerallyknownthat，duringtheenlargementoftheHallforthesixthEarl，whiledigginginthegroundsforthenewfoundations，thebrokenfragmentsofamarblestatuewereunearthed。Theyweresubmittedtovariousantiquaries，whosaidthat，sofarasthedamagedpieceswouldallowthemtoformanopinion，thestatueseemedtobethatofamutilatedRomansatyr；orifnot，anallegoricalfigureofDeath。Onlyoneortwooldinhabitantsguessedwhosestatuethosefragmentshadcomposed。
Ishouldhaveaddedthat，shortlyafterthedeathoftheCountess，anexcellentsermonwaspreachedbytheDeanofMelchester，thesubjectofwhich，thoughnameswerenotmentioned，wasunquestionablysuggestedbytheaforesaidevents。Hedweltuponthefollyofindulgenceinsensuousloveforahandsomeformmerely；andshowedthattheonlyrationalandvirtuousgrowthsofthataffectionwerethosebaseduponintrinsicworth。InthecaseofthetenderbutsomewhatshallowladywhoselifeIhaverelated，thereisnodoubtthataninfatuationforthepersonofyoungWilloweswasthechieffeelingthatinducedhertomarryhim；whichwasthemoredeplorableinthathisbeauty，byalltradition，wastheleastofhisrecommendations，everyreportbearingouttheinferencethathemusthavebeenamanofsteadfastnature，brightintelligence，andpromisinglife。
Thecompanythankedtheoldsurgeonforhisstory，whichtheruraldeandeclaredtobeafarmorestrikingonethananythinghecouldhopetotell。AnelderlymemberoftheClub，whowasmostlycalledtheBookworm，saidthatawoman\'snaturalinstinctoffidelitywould，indeed，sendbackherhearttoamanafterhisdeathinatrulywonderfulmannersometimes——ifanythingoccurredtoputbeforeherforciblytheoriginalaffectionbetweenthem，andhisoriginalaspectinhereyes，——whateverhisinferioritymayhavebeen，socialorotherwise；andthenageneralconversationensueduponthepowerthatawomanhasofseeingtheactualintherepresentation，therealityinthedream——apowerwhich(accordingtothesentimentalmember)menhavenofacultyofequalling。
Theruraldeanthoughtthatsuchcasesasthatrelatedbythesurgeonwereratheranillustrationofpassionelectrifiedbacktolifethanofalatent，trueaffection。Thestoryhadsuggestedthatheshouldtrytorecounttothemonewhichhehadusedtohearinhisyouth，andwhichaffordedaninstanceofthelatterandbetterkindoffeeling，hisheroinebeingalsoaladywhohadmarriedbeneathher，thoughhefearedhisnarrativewouldbeofamuchslighterkindthanthesurgeon\'s。TheClubbeggedhimtoproceed，andtheparsonbegan。
DAMETHETHIRD:THEMARCHIONESSOFSTONEHENGE
BytheRuralDeanIwouldhaveyouknow，then，thatagreatmanyyearsagotherelivedinaclassicalmansionwithwhichIusedtobefamiliar，standingnotahundredmilesfromthecityofMelchester，aladywhosepersonalcharmsweresorareandunparalleledthatshewascourted，flattered，andspoiltbyalmostalltheyoungnoblemenandgentlemeninthatpartofWessex。Foratimetheseattentionspleasedherwell。Butas，inthewordsofgoodRobertSouth(whosesermonsmightbereadmuchmorethantheyare)，themostpassionateloverofsport，iftiedtofollowhishawksandhoundseverydayofhislife，wouldfindthepursuitthegreatesttormentandcalamity，andwouldflytotheminesandgalleysforhisrecreation，sodidthisloftyandbeautifulladyafterawhilebecomesatiatedwiththeconstantiterationofwhatshehadinitsnoveltyenjoyed；andbyanalmostnaturalrevulsionturnedherregardsabsolutelynetherward，sociallyspeaking。Sheperverselyandpassionatelycentredheraffectiononquiteaplain-lookingyoungmanofhumblebirthandnopositionatall；thoughitistruethathewasgentleanddelicateinnature，ofgoodaddress，andguilelessheart。Inshort，hewastheparish-
clerk\'sson，actingasassistanttotheland-stewardofherfather，theEarlofAvon，withthehopeofbecomingsomedayaland-stewardhimself。ItshouldbesaidthatperhapstheLadyCaroline(asshewascalled)wasalittlestimulatedinthispassionbythediscoverythatayounggirlofthevillagealreadylovedtheyoungmanfondly，andthathehadpaidsomeattentionstoher，thoughmerelyofacasualandgood-naturedkind。
Sincehisoccupationbroughthimfrequentlytothemanor-houseanditsenvirons，LadyCarolinecouldmakeampleopportunitiesofseeingandspeakingtohim。Shehad，inChaucer\'sphrase，\'allthecraftoffineloving\'atherfingers\'ends，andtheyoungman，beingofareadily-kindlingheart，wasquicktonoticethetendernessinhereyesandvoice。Hecouldnotatfirstbelieveinhisgoodfortune，havingnounderstandingofherwearinessofmoreartificialmen；butatimecomeswhenthestupidestseesinaneyetheglanceofhisotherhalf；anditcametohim，whowasquitethereverseofdull。
Ashegainedconfidenceaccidentalencountersledtoencountersbydesign；tillatlengthwhentheywerealonetogethertherewasnoreserveonthematter。Theywhisperedtenderwordsasotherloversdo，andwereasdevotedapairaseverwasseen。Butnotarayorsymptomofthisattachmentwasallowedtoshowitselftotheouterworld。
Now，asshebecamelessandlessscrupuloustowardshimundertheinfluenceofheraffection，andhebecamemoreandmorereverentialundertheinfluenceofhis，andtheylookedthesituationinthefacetogether，theirconditionseemedintolerableinitshopelessness。Thatshecouldeverasktobeallowedtomarryhim，orcouldholdhertongueandquietlyrenouncehim，wasequallybeyondconception。Theyresolveduponathirdcourse，possessingneitherofthedisadvantagesofthesetwo:towedsecretly，andliveoninoutwardappearancethesameasbefore。Inthistheydifferedfromtheloversofmyfriend\'sstory。
