ForsometimeafterMr。andMrs。ChadwickarrivedattheOpenshaws\'，therewasnoopportunityforwearingthisbrooch；butatlengththeyobtainedanordertoseeBuckinghamPalace，andthespiritofloyaltydemandedthatMrs。Chadwickshouldwearherbestclothesinvisitingtheabodeofhersovereign。Onherreturn，shehastilychangedherdress；forMr。OpenshawhadplannedthattheyshouldgotoRichmond，drinkteaandreturnbymoonlight。Accordingly，aboutfiveo\'clock，Mr。andMrs。OpenshawandMr。andMrs。Chadwicksetoff。
Thehousemaidandcooksatebelow，Norahhardlyknewwhere。Shewasalwaysengrossedinthenursery，intendinghertwochildren，andinsittingbytherestless，excitableAilsietillshefellasleep。
Bye-and-bye，thehousemaidBessytappedgentlyatthedoor。Norahwenttoher，andtheyspokeinwhispers。
\"Nurse!there\'ssomeonedown-stairswantsyou。\"
\"Wantsme!Whoisit?\"
\"Agentleman——\"
\"Agentleman?Nonsense!\"
\"Well!aman，then，andheasksforyou，andherungatthefrontdoorbell，andhaswalkedintothedining-room。\"
\"Youshouldneverhavelethim，\"exclaimedNorah，\"masterandmissusout——\"
\"Ididnotwanthimtocomein；butwhenheheardyoulivedhere，hewalkedpastme，andsatdownonthefirstchair，andsaid，\'Tellhertocomeandspeaktome。\'Thereisnogaslightedintheroom，andsupperisallsetout。\"
\"He\'llbeoffwiththespoons!\"exclaimedNorah，puttingthehousemaid\'sfearintowords，andpreparingtoleavetheroom，first，however，givingalooktoAilsie，sleepingsoundlyandcalmly。
Down-stairsshewent，uneasyfearsstirringinherbosom。Beforesheenteredthedining-roomsheprovidedherselfwithacandle，and，withitinherhand，shewentin，lookingroundherinthedarknessforhervisitor。
Hewasstandingup，holdingbythetable。Norahandhelookedateachother；gradualrecognitioncomingintotheireyes。
\"Norah?\"atlengthheasked。
\"Whoareyou?\"askedNorah，withthesharptonesofalarmandincredulity。\"Idon\'tknowyou:\"trying，byfutilewordsofdisbelief，todoawaywiththeterriblefactbeforeher。
\"AmIsochanged?\"hesaid，pathetically。\"IdaresayIam。But，Norah，tellme!\"hebreathedhard，\"whereismywife?Isshe——isshealive?\"
HecamenearertoNorah，andwouldhavetakenherhand；butshebackedawayfromhim；lookingathimallthetimewithstaringeyes，asifheweresomehorribleobject。Yethewasahandsome，bronzed，good-lookingfellow，withbeardandmoustache，givinghimaforeign-
lookingaspect；buthiseyes!therewasnomistakingthoseeager，beautifuleyes——theverysamethatNorahhadwatchednothalf-an-
hourago，tillsleepstolesoftlyoverthem。
\"Tellme，Norah——Icanbearit——Ihavefeareditsooften。Isshedead?\"Norahstillkeptsilence。\"Sheisdead!\"HehungonNorah\'swordsandlooks，asifforconfirmationorcontradiction。
\"WhatshallIdo?\"groanedNorah。\"O，sir!whydidyoucome?howdidyoufindmeout?wherehaveyoubeen?Wethoughtyoudead，wedid，indeed!\"Shepouredoutwordsandquestionstogaintime，asiftimewouldhelpher。
\"Norah!answermethisquestion，straight，byyesorno——Ismywifedead?\"
\"No，sheisnot!\"saidNorah，slowlyandheavily。
\"Owhatarelief!Didshereceivemyletters?Butperhapsyoudon\'tknow。Whydidyouleaveher?Whereisshe?ONorah，tellmeallquickly!\"
\"Mr。Frank!\"saidNorahatlast，almostdriventobaybyherterrorlesthermistressshouldreturnatanymoment，andfindhimthere——
unabletoconsiderwhatwasbesttobedoneorsaid-rushingatsomethingdecisive，becauseshecouldnotendureherpresentstate:
\"Mr。Frank!weneverheardalinefromyou，andtheshipownerssaidyouhadgonedown，youandeveryoneelse。Wethoughtyouweredead，ifevermanwas，andpoorMissAliceandherlittlesick，helplesschild!O，sir，youmustguessit，\"criedthepoorcreatureatlast，burstingoutintoapassionatefitofcrying，\"forindeedI
cannottellit。Butitwasnoone\'sfault。Godhelpusallthisnight!\"
Norahhadsatedown。Shetrembledtoomuchtostand。Hetookherhandsinhis。Hesqueezedthemhard，asifbyphysicalpressure，thetruthcouldbewrungout。
\"Norah!\"Thistimehistonewascalm，stagnantasdespair。\"Shehasmarriedagain!\"
Norahshookherheadsadly。Thegraspslowlyrelaxed。Themanhadfainted。
Therewasbrandyintheroom。NorahforcedsomedropsintoMr。
Frank\'smouth，chafedhishands，and——whenmereanimallifereturned，beforethemindpouredinitsfloodofmemoriesandthoughts——sheliftedhimup，andrestedhisheadagainstherknees。
Thensheputafewcrumbsofbreadtakenfromthesupper-table，soakedinbrandyintohismouth。Suddenlyhesprangtohisfeet。
\"Whereisshe?Tellmethisinstant。\"Helookedsowild，somad，sodesperate，thatNorahfeltherselftobeinbodilydanger；buthertimeofdreadhadgoneby。Shehadbeenafraidtotellhimthetruth，andthenshehadbeenacoward。Now，herwitsweresharpenedbythesenseofhisdesperatestate。Hemustleavethehouse。Shewouldpityhimafterwards；butnowshemustrathercommandandupbraid；forhemustleavethehousebeforehermistresscamehome。
Thatonenecessitystoodclearbeforeher。
\"Sheisnothere；thatisenoughforyoutoknow。NorcanIsayexactlywheresheis\"(whichwastruetotheletterifnottothespirit)。\"Goaway，andtellmewheretofindyouto-morrow，andI
willtellyouall。Mymasterandmistressmaycomebackatanyminute，andthenwhatwouldbecomeofmewithastrangemaninthehouse?\"
Suchanargumentwastoopettytotouchhisexcitedmind。
\"Idon\'tcareforyourmasterandmistress。Ifyourmasterisaman，hemustfeelformepoorshipwreckedsailorthatIam——keptforyearsaprisoneramongstsavages，always，always，alwaysthinkingofmywifeandmyhome——dreamingofherbynight，talkingtoher，thoughshecouldnothear，byday。Ilovedhermorethanallheavenandearthputtogether。Tellmewheresheis，thisinstant，youwretchedwoman，whosalvedoverherwickednesstoher，asyoudotome。\"
Theclockstruckten。Desperatepositionsrequiredesperatemeasures。
\"Ifyouwillleavethehousenow，Iwillcometoyouto-morrowandtellyouall。Whatismore，youshallseeyourchildnow。Sheliessleepingup-stairs。O，sir，youhaveachild，youdonotknowthatasyet——alittleweaklygirl——withjustaheartandsoulbeyondheryears。Wehaverearedherupwithsuchcare:Wewatchedher，forwethoughtformanyayearshemightdieanyday，andwetendedher，andnohardthinghascomenearher，andnoroughwordhaseverbeensaidtoher。Andnowyou，comeandwilltakeherlifeintoyourhand，andwillcrushit。Strangerstoherhavebeenkindtoher；
butherownfather——Mr。Frank，Iamhernurse，andIloveher，andI
tendher，andIwoulddoanythingforherthatIcould。Hermother\'sheartbeatsashersbeats；and，ifshesuffersapain，hermothertremblesallover。Ifsheishappy，itishermotherthatsmilesandisglad。Ifsheisgrowingstronger，hermotherishealthy:ifshedwindles，hermotherlanguishes。Ifshedies——
well，Idon\'tknow:itisnoteveryonecanliedownanddiewhentheywishit。Comeup-stairs，Mr。Frank，andseeyourchild。
Seeingherwilldogoodtoyourpoorheart。Thengoaway，inGod\'sname，justthisonenight-to-morrow，ifneedbe，youcandoanything——killusallifyouwill，orshowyourself——agreatgrandman，whomGodwillblessforeverandever。Come，Mr。Frank，thelookofasleepingchildissuretogivepeace。\"
Sheledhimup-stairs；atfirstalmosthelpinghissteps，tilltheycamenearthenurserydoor。ShehadalmostforgottentheexistenceoflittleEdwin。Itstruckuponherwithaffrightastheshadedlightfellupontheothercot；butsheskilfullythrewthatcorneroftheroomintodarkness，andletthelightfallonthesleepingAilsie。Thechildhadthrowndownthecoverings，andherdeformity，asshelaywithherbacktothem，wasplainlyvisiblethroughherslightnight-gown。Herlittleface，deprivedofthelustreofhereyes，lookedwanandpinched，andhadapatheticexpressioninit，evenassheslept。Thepoorfatherlookedandlookedwithhungry，wistfuleyes，intowhichthebigtearscameswellingupslowly，anddroppedheavilydown，ashestoodtremblingandshakingallover。
Norahwasangrywithherselfforgrowingimpatientofthelengthoftimethatlonglingeringgazelasted。Shethoughtthatshewaitedforfullhalf-an-hourbeforeFrankstirred。Andthen——insteadofgoingaway——hesankdownonhiskneesbythebedside，andburiedhisfaceintheclothes。LittleAilsiestirreduneasily。Norahpulledhimupinterror。Shecouldaffordnomoretimeevenforprayerinherextremityoffear；forsurelythenextmomentwouldbringhermistresshome。Shetookhimforciblybythearm；but，ashewasgoing，hiseyelightedontheotherbed:hestopped。Intelligencecamebackintohisface。Hishandsclenched。
\"Hischild?\"heasked。
\"Herchild，\"repliedNorah。\"Godwatchesoverhim，\"saidsheinstinctively；forFrank\'slooksexcitedherfears，andsheneededtoremindherselfoftheProtectorofthehelpless。
\"Godhasnotwatchedoverme，\"hesaid，indespair；histhoughtsapparentlyrecoilingonhisowndesolate，desertedstate。ButNorahhadnotimeforpity。To-morrowshewouldbeascompassionateasherheartprompted。Atlengthsheguidedhimdownstairsandshuttheouterdoorandboltedit——asifbyboltstokeepoutfacts。
Thenshewentbackintothedining-roomandeffacedalltracesofhispresenceasfarasshecould。Shewentupstairstothenurseryandsatethere，herheadonherhand，thinkingwhatwastocomeofallthismisery。Itseemedtoherverylongbeforetheydidreturn；
yetitwashardlyeleveno\'clock。Shesoheardtheloud，heartyLancashirevoicesonthestairs；and，forthefirsttime，sheunderstoodthecontrastofthedesolationofthepoormanwhohadsolatelygoneforthinlonelydespair。
ItalmostputheroutofpatiencetoseeMrs。Openshawcomein，calmlysmiling，handsomelydressed，happy，easy，toinquireafterherchildren。
\"DidAilsiegotosleepcomfortably?\"shewhisperedtoNorah。
\"Yes。\"
Hermotherbentoverher，lookingatherslumberswiththesofteyesoflove。Howlittleshedreamedwhohadlookedonherlast!ThenshewenttoEdwin，withperhapslesswistfulanxietyinhercountenance，butmoreofpride。Shetookoffherthings，togodowntosupper。Norahsawhernomorethatnight。
Besidethedoorintothepassage，thesleeping-nurseryopenedoutofMr。andMrs。Openshaw\'sroom，inorderthattheymighthavethechildrenmoreimmediatelyundertheirowneyes。EarlythenextsummermorningMrs。OpenshawwasawakenedbyAilsie\'sstartledcallof\"Mother!mother!\"Shesprangup，putonherdressing-gown，andwenttoherchild。Ailsiewasonlyhalfawake，andinanotuncommonstateofterror。
\"Whowashe，mother?Tellme!\"
\"Who，mydarling?Nooneishere。Youhavebeendreaminglove。
Wakenupquite。See，itisbroaddaylight。\"
\"Yes，\"saidAilsie，lookingroundher；thenclingingtohermother，said，\"butamanwashereinthenight，mother。\"
\"Nonsense，littlegoose。Nomanhasevercomenearyou!\"
\"Yes，hedid。Hestoodthere。JustbyNorah。Amanwithhairandabeard。Andhekneltdownandsaidhisprayers。Norahknowshewashere，mother\"(halfangrily，asMrs。Openshawshookherheadinsmilingincredulity)。
\"Well!wewillaskNorahwhenshecomes，\"saidMrs。Openshaw，soothingly。\"Butwewon\'ttalkanymoreabouthimnow。Itisnotfiveo\'clock；itistooearlyforyoutogetup。ShallIfetchyouabookandreadtoyou?\"
\"Don\'tleaveme，mother，\"saidthechild，clingingtoher。SoMrs。
OpenshawsateonthebedsidetalkingtoAilsie，andtellingherofwhattheyhaddoneatRichmondtheeveningbefore，untilthelittlegirl\'seyesslowlyclosedandsheoncemorefellasleep。
\"Whatwasthematter?\"askedMr。Openshaw，ashiswifereturnedtobed。\"Ailsiewakenedupinafright，withsomestoryofamanhavingbeenintheroomtosayhisprayers，——adream，Isuppose。\"
Andnomorewassaidatthetime。
Mrs。Openshawhadalmostforgottenthewholeaffairwhenshegotupaboutseveno\'clock。But，bye-and-bye，sheheardasharpaltercationgoingoninthenursery。NorahspeakingangrilytoAilsie，amostunusualthing。BothMr。andMrs。Openshawlistenedinastonishment。
\"Holdyourtongue，AilsieIletmehearnoneofyourdreams；neverletmehearyoutellthatstoryagain!\"Ailsiebegantocry。
Mr。Openshawopenedthedoorofcommunicationbeforehiswifecouldsayaword。
\"Norah，comehere!\"
Thenursestoodatthedoor，defiant。Sheperceivedshehadbeenheard，butshewasdesperate。
\"Don\'tletmehearyouspeakinthatmannertoAilsieagain，\"hesaidsternly，andshutthedoor。
Norahwasinfinitelyrelieved；forshehaddreadedsomequestioning；
andalittleblameforsharpspeakingwaswhatshecouldwellbear，ifcross-examinationwasletalone。
Down-stairstheywent，Mr。OpenshawcarryingAilsie；thesturdyEdwincomingstepbystep，rightfootforemost，alwaysholdinghismother\'shand。Eachchildwasplacedinachairbythebreakfast-
table，andthenMr。andMrs。Openshawstoodtogetheratthewindow，awaitingtheirvisitors\'appearanceandmakingplansfortheday。
Therewasapause。SuddenlyMr。OpenshawturnedtoAilsie，andsaid:
\"Whatalittlegoosysomebodyiswithherdreams，wakinguppoor，tiredmotherinthemiddleofthenightwithastoryofamanbeingintheroom。\"
\"Father!I\'msureIsawhim，\"saidAilsie，halfcrying。\"Idon\'twanttomakeNorahangry；butIwasnotasleep，forallshesaysI
was。Ihadbeenasleep，——andIawakenedupquitewideawakethoughIwassofrightened。Ikeptmyeyesnearlyshut，andIsawthemanquiteplain。Agreatbrownmanwithabeard。Hesaidhisprayers。
AndthenhelookedatEdwin。AndthenNorahtookhimbythearmandledhimaway，aftertheyhadwhisperedabittogether。\"
\"Now，mylittlewomanmustbereasonable，\"saidMr。Openshaw，whowasalwayspatientwithAilsie。\"Therewasnomaninthehouselastnightatall。Nomancomesintothehouseasyouknow，ifyouthink；muchlessgoesupintothenursery。Butsometimeswedreamsomethinghashappened，andthedreamissolikereality，thatyouarenotthefirstperson，littlewoman，whohasstoodoutthatthethinghasreallyhappened。\"
\"But，indeeditwasnotadream!\"saidAilsie，beginningtocry。
JustthenMr。andMrs。Chadwickcamedown，lookinggraveanddiscomposed。Allduringbreakfasttimetheyweresilentanduncomfortable。Assoonasthebreakfastthingsweretakenaway，andthechildrenhadbeencarriedup-stairs，Mr。Chadwickbeganinanevidentlypreconcertedmannertoinquireifhisnephewwascertainthatallhisservantswerehonest；for，thatMrs。Chadwickhadthatmorningmissedaveryvaluablebrooch，whichshehadwornthedaybefore。SherememberedtakingitoffwhenshecamehomefromBuckinghamPalace。Mr。Openshaw\'sfacecontractedintohardlines:
grewlikewhatitwasbeforehehadknownhiswifeandherchild。
Herangthebellevenbeforehisunclehaddonespeaking。Itwasansweredbythehousemaid。
\"Mary，wasanyoneherelastnightwhilewewereaway?\"
\"Aman，sir，cametospeaktoNorah。\"
\"TospeaktoNorah!Whowashe?Howlongdidhestay?\"
\"I\'msureIcan\'ttell，sir。Hecame——perhapsaboutnine。IwentuptotellNorahinthenursery，andshecamedowntospeaktohim。
Shelethimout，sir。Shewillknowwhohewas，andhowlonghestayed。\"
Shewaitedamomenttobeaskedanymorequestions，butshewasnot，soshewentaway。
AminuteafterwardsOpenshawmadeasthoughheweregoingoutoftheroom；buthiswifelaidherhandonhisarm:
\"Donotspeaktoherbeforethechildren，\"shesaid，inherlow，quietvoice。\"Iwillgoupandquestionher。\"
\"No!Imustspeaktoher。Youmustknow，\"saidhe，turningtohisuncleandaunt，\"mymissushasanoldservant，asfaithfulaseverwomanwas，Idobelieve，asfaraslovegoes，——but，atthesametime，whodoesnotalwaysspeaktruth，aseventhemissusmustallow。Now，mynotionis，thatthisNorahofourshasbeencomeoverbysomegood-for-nothinchap(forshe\'satthetimeo\'lifewhentheysaywomenprayforhusbands——\'any，goodLord，any，\')andhaslethimintoourhouse，andthechaphasmadeoffwithyourbrooch，andm\'appenmanyanotherthingbeside。It\'sonlysayingthatNorahissoft-hearted，anddoesnotstickatawhitelie——
that\'sall，missus。\"
Itwascurioustonoticehowhistone，hiseyes，hiswholefacechangedashespoketohiswife；buthewastheresolutemanthroughall。Sheknewbetterthantoopposehim；soshewentup-stairs，andtoldNorahhermasterwantedtospeaktoher，andthatshewouldtakecareofthechildreninthemeanwhile。
Norahrosetogowithoutaword。Herthoughtswerethese:
\"Iftheytearmetopiecestheyshallneverknowthroughme。Hemaycome，——andthenjustLordhavemercyuponusall:forsomeofusaredeadfolktoacertainty。Butheshalldoit；notme。\"
Youmayfancy，now，herlookofdeterminationasshefacedhermasteraloneinthedining-room；Mr。andMrs。Chadwickhavinglefttheaffairintheirnephew\'shands，seeingthathetookitupwithsuchvehemence。
\"Norah!Whowasthatmanthatcametomyhouselastnight?\"
\"Man，sir!\"Asifinfinitely；surprisedbutitwasonlytogaintime。
\"Yes；themanwhomMaryletin；whomshewentup-stairstothenurserytotellyouabout；whomyoucamedowntospeakto；thesamechap，Imakenodoubt，whomyoutookintothenurserytohaveyourtalkoutwith；whomAilsiesaw，andafterwardsdreamedabout；
thinking，poorwench!shesawhimsayhisprayers，whennothing，I\'llbebound，wasfartherfromhisthoughts；whotookMrs。
Chadwick\'sbrooch，valuetenpounds。Now，Norah!Don\'tgooff!I
amassureasthatmyname\'sThomasOpenshaw，thatyouknewnothingofthisrobbery。ButIdothinkyou\'vebeenimposedon，andthat\'sthetruth。Somegood-for-nothingchaphasbeenmakinguptoyou，andyou\'vebeenjustlikeallotherwomen，andhaveturnedasoftplaceinyourhearttohim；andhecamelastnighta-lovyering，andyouhadhimupinthenursery，andhemadeuseofhisopportunities，andmadeoffwithafewthingsonhiswaydown!Come，now，Norah:
it\'snoblametoyou，onlyyoumustnotbesuchafoolagain。Tellus，\"hecontinued，\"whatnamehegaveyou，Norah?I\'llbebounditwasnottherightone；butitwillbeaclueforthepolice。\"
Norahdrewherselfup。\"Youmayaskthatquestion，andtauntmewithmybeingsingle，andwithmycredulity，asyouwill，MasterOpenshaw。You\'llgetnoanswerfromme。Asforthebrooch，andthestoryoftheftandburglary；ifanyfriendevercametoseeme(whichIdefyyoutoprove，anddeny)，he\'dbejustasmuchabovedoingsuchathingasyouyourself，Mr。Openshaw，andmoreso，too；
forI\'mnotatallsureaseverythingyouhaveisrightlycomeby，orwouldbeyourslong，ifeverymanhadhisown。\"Shemeant，ofcourse，hiswife；butheunderstoodhertorefertohispropertyingoodsandchattels。
\"Now，mygoodwoman，\"saidhe，\"I\'lljusttellyoutruly，Inevertrustedyououtandout；butmywifelikedyou，andIthoughtyouhadmanyagoodpointaboutyou。Ifyouoncebegintosauceme，I\'llhavethepolicetoyou，andgetoutthetruthinacourtofjustice，ifyou\'llnottellitmequietlyandcivillyhere。Nowthebestthingyoucandoisquietlytotellmewhothefellowis。Lookhere!amancomestomyhouse；asksforyou；youtakehimup-stairs，avaluablebroochismissingnextday；weknowthatyou，andMary，andcook，arehonest；butyourefusetotelluswhothemanis。
Indeedyou\'vetoldoneliealreadyabouthim，sayingnoonewasherelastnight。NowIjustputittoyou，whatdoyouthinkapolicemanwouldsaytothis，oramagistrate?Amagistratewouldsoonmakeyoutellthetruth，mygoodwoman。\"
\"There\'sneverthecreaturebornthatshouldgetitoutofme，\"saidNorah。\"NotunlessIchoosetotell。\"
\"I\'veagreatmindtosee，\"saidMr。Openshaw，growingangryatthedefiance。Then，checkinghimself，hethoughtbeforehespokeagain:
\"Norah，foryourmissus\'ssakeIdon\'twanttogotoextremities。
Beasensiblewoman，ifyoucan。It\'snogreatdisgrace，afterall，tohavebeentakenin。Iaskyouoncemore——asafriend——whowasthismanwhomyouletintomyhouselastnight?\"
Noanswer。Herepeatedthequestioninanimpatienttone。Stillnoanswer。Norah\'slipsweresetindeterminationnottospeak。
\"Thenthereisbutonethingtobedone。Ishallsendforapoliceman。\"
\"Youwillnot，\"saidNorah，startingforwards。\"Youshallnot，sir!
Nopolicemanshalltouchme。Iknownothingofthebrooch，butI
knowthis:eversinceIwasfour-and-twentyIhavethoughtmoreofyourwifethanofmyself:eversinceIsawher，apoormotherlessgirlputuponinheruncle\'shouse，Ihavethoughtmoreofservingherthanofservingmyself!Ihavecaredforherandherchild，asnobodyevercaredforme。Idon\'tcastblameonyou，sir，butIsayit\'sillgivingupone\'slifetoanyone；for，attheend，theywillturnrounduponyou，andforsakeyou。Whydoesnotmymissuscomeherselftosuspectme?Maybesheisgoneforthepolice?ButI
don\'tstayhere，eitherforpolice，ormagistrate，ormaster。
You\'reanunluckylot。Ibelievethere\'sacurseonyou。I\'llleaveyouthisveryday。Yes!IleavethatpoorAilsie，too。I
will!Nogoodwillevercometoyou!\"
Mr。Openshawwasutterlyastonishedatthisspeech；mostofwhichwascompletelyunintelligibletohim，asmayeasilybesupposed。
Beforehecouldmakeuphismindwhattosay，orwhattodo，Norahhadlefttheroom。Idonotthinkhehadeverreallyintendedtosendforthepolicetothisoldservantofhiswife\'s；forhehadneverforamomentdoubtedherperfecthonesty。Buthehadintendedtocompelhertotellhimwhothemanwas，andinthishewasbaffled。Hewas，consequently，muchirritated。Hereturnedtohisuncleandauntinastateofgreatannoyanceandperplexity，andtoldthemhecouldgetnothingoutofthewoman；thatsomemanhadbeeninthehousethenightbefore；butthatsherefusedtotellwhohewas。Atthismomenthiswifecamein，greatlyagitated，andaskedwhathadhappenedtoNorah；forthatshehadputonherthingsinpassionatehaste，andhadleftthehouse。
\"Thislookssuspicious，\"saidMr。Chadwick。\"Itisnotthewayinwhichanhonestpersonwouldhaveacted。\"
Mr。Openshawkeptsilence。Hewassorelyperplexed。ButMrs。
OpenshawturnedroundonMr。Chadwickwithasuddenfiercenessnooneeversawinherbefore。
\"Youdon\'tknowNorah，uncle!Sheisgonebecausesheisdeeplyhurtatbeingsuspected。O，IwishIhadseenher——thatIhadspokentohermyself。Shewouldhavetoldmeanything。\"Alicewrungherhands。
\"Imustconfess，\"continuedMr。Chadwicktohisnephew，inalowervoice，\"Ican\'tmakeyouout。Youusedtobeawordandablow，andoftenesttheblowfirst；andnow，whenthereiseverycauseforsuspicion，youjustdonought。Yourmissusisaverygoodwoman，I
grant；butshemayhavebeenputuponaswellasotherfolk，I
suppose。Ifyoudon\'tsendforthepolice，Ishall。\"
\"Verywell，\"repliedMr。Openshaw，surlily。\"Ican\'tclearNorah。
Shewon\'tclearherself，asIbelieveshemightifshewould。OnlyIwashmyhandsofit；forIamsurethewomanherselfishonest，andshe\'slivedalongtimewithmywife，andIdon\'tlikehertocometoshame。\"
\"Butshewillthenbeforcedtoclearherself。That，atanyrate，willbeagoodthing。\"
\"Verywell，verywell!Iamheart-sickofthewholebusiness。
Come，Alice，comeuptothebabiesthey\'llbeinasoreway。Itellyou，uncle!\"hesaid，turningroundoncemoretoMr。Chadwick，suddenlyandsharply，afterhiseyehadfallenonAlice\'swan，tearful，anxiousface；\"I\'llhavenonesendingforthepoliceafterall。I\'llbuymyaunttwiceashandsomeabroochthisveryday；butI\'llnothaveNorahsuspected，andmymissusplagued。There\'sforyou。\"
Heandhiswifelefttheroom。Mr。Chadwickquietlywaitedtillhewasoutofhearing，andthenaidtohiswife；\"ForallTom\'sheroics，I\'mjustquietlygoingforadetective，wench。Thouneed\'stknownoughtaboutit。\"
Hewenttothepolice-station，andmadeastatementofthecase。HewasgratifiedbytheimpressionwhichtheevidenceagainstNorahseemedtomake。Themenallagreedinhisopinion，andstepsweretobeimmediatelytakentofindoutwhereshewas。Mostprobably，astheysuggested，shehadgoneatoncetotheman，who，toallappearance，washerlover。WhenMr。Chadwickaskedhowtheywouldfindherout?theysmiled，shooktheirheads，andspokeofmysteriousbutinfalliblewaysandmeans。Hereturnedtohisnephew\'shousewithaverycomfortableopinionofhisownsagacity。
Hewasmetbyhiswifewithapenitentface:
\"Omaster，I\'vefoundmybrooch!Itwasjuststickingbyitspinintheflounceofmybrownsilk，thatIworeyesterday。Itookitoffinahurry，anditmusthavecaughtinit；andIhungupmygowninthecloset。Justnow，whenIwasgoingtofolditup，therewasthebrooch!I\'mveryvexed，butIneverdreamtbutwhatitwaslost!\"
Herhusbandmutteringsomethingverylike\"Confoundtheeandthybroochtoo!IwishI\'dnevergivenitthee，\"snatcheduphishat，andrushedbacktothestation；hopingtobeintimetostopthepolicefromsearchingforNorah。Butadetectivewasalreadygoneoffontheerrand。
WherewasNorah?Halfmadwiththestrainofthefearfulsecret，shehadhardlysleptthroughthenightforthinkingwhatmustbedone。UponthisterriblestateofmindhadcomeAilsie\'squestions，showingthatshehadseentheMan，astheunconsciouschildcalledherfather。Lastlycamethesuspicionofherhonesty。Shewaslittlelessthancrazyassheranup-stairsanddashedonherbonnetandshawl；leavingallelse，evenherpurse，behindher。Inthathouseshewouldnotstay。Thatwasallshekneworwasclearabout。
Shewouldnotevenseethechildrenagain，forfearitshouldweakenher。ShefearedaboveeverythingMr。Frank\'sreturntoclaimhiswife。Shecouldnottellwhatremedytherewasforasorrowsotremendous，forhertostaytowitness。Thedesireofescapingfromthecomingeventwasastrongermotiveforherdeparturethanhersorenessaboutthesuspicionsdirectedagainsther；althoughthislasthadbeenthefinalgoadtothecourseshetook。Shewalkedawayalmostatheadlongspeed；sobbingasshewent，asshehadnotdaredtododuringthepastnightforfearofexcitingwonderinthosewhomighthearher。Thenshestopped。AnideacameintohermindthatshewouldleaveLondonaltogether，andbetakeherselftohernativetownofLiverpool。Shefeltinherpocketforherpurse，asshedrewneartheEustonSquarestationwiththisintention。Shehadleftitathome。Herpoorheadaching，hereyesswollenwithcrying，shehadtostandstill，andthink，aswellasshecould，wherenextsheshouldbendhersteps。SuddenlythethoughtflashedintohermindthatshewouldgoandfindoutpoorMr。Frank。Shehadbeenhardlykindtohimthenightbefore，thoughherhearthadbledforhimeversince。Sherememberedhistellingherassheinquiredforhisaddress，almostasshehadpushedhimoutofthedoor，ofsomehotelinastreetnotfardistantfromEustonSquare。
Thithershewent:withwhatintentionshehardlyknew，buttoassuageherconsciencebytellinghimhowmuchshepitiedhim。Inherpresentstateshefeltherselfunfittocounsel，orrestrain，orassist，ordooughtelsebutsympathiseandweep。Thepeopleoftheinnsaidsuchapersonhadbeenthere；hadarrivedonlythedaybefore；hadgoneoutsoonafterhisarrival，leavinghisluggageintheircare；buthadnevercomeback。Norahaskedforleavetositdown，andawaitthegentleman\'sreturn。Thelandlady——prettysecureinthedepositofluggageagainstanyprobableinjury——showedherintoaroom，andquietlylockedthedoorontheoutside。Norahwasutterlywornout，andfellasleep——ashivering，starting，uneasyslumber，whichlastedforhours。
Thedetective，meanwhile，hadcomeupwithhersometimebeforesheenteredthehotel，intowhichhefollowedher。Askingthelandladytodetainherforanhourorso，withoutgivinganyreasonbeyondshowinghisauthority(whichmadethelandladyapplaudherselfagooddealforhavinglockedherin)，hewentbacktothepolice-
