第4章

ItstruckmethatmysafestwayofintroducingmyselfwouldbetotellDoctorDulciferthatIhadcometotheneighborhoodforalittlefishing，andsotopreventhimfromfancyingthatIwassuspiciouslypromptinavailingmyselfofhisofferedhospitality。Iputup，ofcourse，attheinn——stuckalargeparchmentbookofflieshalfinandhalfoutofthepocketofmyshooting-jacket——andsetoffatoncetothedoctor\'s。ThewaiterofwhomIaskedmywaystareddistrustfullywhilehedirectedme。 Thepeopleattheinnhadevidentlyheardofmynewfriend，andwerenotfavorablydisposedtowardthecauseofscientificinvestigation。 Thehousestoodaboutamileoutofthetown，inadipofgroundnearthefamousfishing-stream。Itwasalonely，old-fashionedred-brickbuilding，surroundedbyhighwalls，withagardenandplantationbehindit。 AsIrangatthegate-bell，Ilookedupatthehouse。Sureenoughallthetopwindowsinfrontwereclosedwithshuttersandbarred。Iwasletinbyamaninlivery；who，however，inmannersandappearance，lookedmuchmorelikeaworkmanindisguisethanafootman。Hehadaverysuspiciouseye，andhefixeditonmeunpleasantlywhenIhandedhimmycard。 Iwasshownintoamorning-roomexactlylikeothermorning-roomsincountryhouses。 Afteralongdelaythedoctorcamein，withscientificbutchers\' sleevesonhisarms，andanaprontiedroundhisportlywaist。Heapologizedforcomingdowninhisworkingdress，andsaideverythingthatwascivilandproperaboutthepleasureofunexpectedlyseeingmeagainsosoon。Therewassomethingratherpreoccupied，Ithought，inthosebrightlyresoluteeyesofhis； butInaturallyattributedittotheengrossinginfluenceofhisscientificinquiries。HewasevidentlynotatalltakeninbymystoryaboutcomingtoBarkinghamtofish；buthesaw，aswellasIdid，thatitwoulddotokeepupappearances，andcontrivedtolookhighlyinterestedimmediatelyinmyparchment-book。Iaskedafterhisdaughter。Hesaidshewasinthegarden，andproposedthatweshouldgoandfindher。Wedidfindher，withapairofscissorsinherhand，outbloomingtheflowersthatshewastrimming。Shelookedreallygladtoseeme——herbrowneyesbeamedclearandkindly——shegavemyhandanotherinestimableshake——thesummerbreezeswavedherblackcurlsgentlyupwardfromherwaist——shehadonastrawhatandabrownHollandgardeningdress。Ieyeditwithallthepracticalinterestofalinendraper。OBrownHollandyouarebutacoarseandcheapfabric，yethowsoftandpricelessyoulookwhenclothingthefigureofAlicia! Ilunchedwiththem。Thedoctorrecurredtothesubjectofmyanglingintentions，andaskedhisdaughterifshehadheardwhatpartsofthestreamatBarkinghamwerebestforfishingin。 Shereplied，withamixtureofmodestevasivenessandadorablesimplicity，thatshehadsometimesseengentlemenanglingfromameadow-bankaboutaquarterofamilebelowherflower-garden。I riskedeverythinginmyusualventuresomeway，andaskedifshewouldshowmewheretheplacewas，incaseIcalledthenextmorningwithmyfishing-rod。Shelookeddutifullyatherfather。 Hesmiledandnodded。Inestimableparent! Onrisingtotakeleave，Iwasrathercurioustoknowwhetherhewouldoffermeabedinthehouse，ornot。Hedetectedthedirectionofmythoughtsinmyfaceandmanner，andapologizedfornothavingabedtoofferme；everyspareroominthehousebeingoccupiedbyhischemicalassistants，andbythelumberoflaboratories。Evenwhilehewasspeakingthosefewwords，Alicia\'sfacechangedjustasIhadseenitchangeatourfirstinterview。Thedowncast，gloomyexpressionoverspreaditagain。 Herfather\'seyewanderedtowardherwhenminedid，andsuddenlyassumedthesamedistrustfullookwhichIremembereddetectinginit，undersimilarcircumstances，atDuskydale。Whatcouldthismean？ Thedoctorshookhandswithmeinthehall，leavingtheworkman-likefootmantoopenthedoor。 Istoppedtoadmireafinepairofstag\'santlers。Thefootmancoughedimpatiently。Istilllingered，hearingthedoctor\'sfootstepsascendingthestairs。Theysuddenlystopped；andthentherewasalowheavyclang，likethesoundofaclosingdoormadeofiron，orofsomeotherunusuallystrongmaterial；thentotalsilence，interruptedbyanotherimpatientcoughfromtheworkman-likefootman。Afterthat，Ithoughtmywisestproceedingwouldbetogoawaybeforemymysteriousattendantwasdriventopracticalextremities。 BetweenthoughtsofAlicia，andinquisitiveyearningstoknowmoreaboutthedoctor\'sexperiments，Ipassedratherarestlessnightatmyinn。 Thenextmorning，Ifoundthelovelymistressofmydestiny，withthesoftestofshawlsonhershoulders，thebrightestofparasolsinherhand，andthesmartlittlestrawhatofthedaybeforeonherhead，readytoshowmethewaytothefishing-place。IfI couldbesurebeforehandthatthesepageswouldonlybereadbypersonsactuallyoccupiedinthemakingoflove——thatoldestandlongest-establishedofallbranchesofmanufacturingindustry——I couldgointosomeverytenderandinterestingparticularsonthesubjectofmyfirstday\'sfishing，undertheadorableauspicesofAlicia。ButasIcannothopeforawhollysympatheticaudience——astheremaybemonks，misogynists，politicaleconomists，andotherprofessedlyhard-heartedpersonspresentamongthosewhomInowaddress——Ithinkitbesttokeeptosafegeneralities，andtodescribemylove-makinginasfewsentencesasthevast，thoughsoft，importanceofthesubjectwillallowmetouse。 Letmeconfess，then，thatIassumedthecharacterofafastidiousangler，andmanagedtobeaweekindiscoveringtherightplacetofishin——always，itisunnecessarytosay，underAlicia\'sguidance。Wewentupthestreamanddownthestream，ononeside。Wecrossedthebridge，andwentupthestreamanddownthestreamontheother。Wegotintoapunt，andwentupthestream(withgreatdifficulty)，anddownthestream(withgreatease)。Welandedonalittleisland，andwalkedallroundit，andinspectedthestreamattentivelyfromacentralpointofview。Wefoundtheislanddamp，andwentbacktothebank，andupthestream，andoverthebridge，anddownthestreamagain；andthen，forthefirsttime，thesweetgirlturnedappealinglytome，andconfessedthatshehadexhaustedherartlessknowledgeofthelocality。ItwasexactlyaweekfromthedaywhenIhadfirstfollowedherintothefieldswithmyfishing-rodovermyshoulder；andIhadneveryetcaughtanythingbutAlicia\'shand，andthatnotwithmyhook。 Wesatdownclosetogetheronthebank，entirelyinconsequenceofourdespairatnotfindingagoodfishing-place。Ilookedatthebrowneyes，andtheyturnedawayobservantlydownthestream。 Ifollowedthem，andtheyturnedawayinquiringlyupthestream。 Wasthisangelofpatienceandkindnessstilllookingforafishingplace？Andwasit_up_thestream，afterall？No!——shesmiledandshookherheadwhenIaskedthequestion，andthebrowneyessuddenlystolealookatme。IcouldholdoutnolongerInonebreathlessmomentIcaughtholdofbothherhands——inonestammeringsentenceIaskedherifshewouldbemywife。 Shetriedfaintlytofreeherhands——gaveuptheattempt——smiled——madeanefforttolookgrave——gavethatup，too——sighedsuddenly——checkedherselfsuddenly——saidnothing。 PerhapsIoughttohavetakenmyanswerforgranted；buttheleastbusiness-likemanthateverlivedbecomesaneminentlypracticalcharacterinmattersoflove。Irepeatedmyquestion。 Shelookedawayconfusedly；hereyelightedonacornerofherfather\'sred-brickhouse，peepingthroughagapintheplantationalreadymentioned；andherblushingcheekslosttheircolorinstantly。Ifeltherhandsgrowcold；shedrewthemresolutelyoutofmine，androsewiththetearsinhereyes。HadIoffendedher？ \"No，\"shesaidwhenIaskedherthequestion，andturnedtomeagain，andheldoutherhandwithsuchfrank，fearlesskindness，thatIalmostfellonmykneestothankherforit。 MightIhopeevertohearhersay\"Yes\"tothequestionthatI hadaskedontheriverbank？ Shesighedbitterly，andturnedagaintowardthered-brickhouse。 Wasthereanyfamilyreasonagainsthersaying\"Yes\"？AnythingthatImustnotinquireinto？Anyoppositiontobedreadedfromherfather？ ThemomentImentionedherfather，sheshrankawayfrommeandburstintoaviolentfitofcrying。 \"Don\'tspeakofitagain!\"shesaidinabrokenvoice。\"I mustn\'t——youmustn\'t——ah，don\'t，don\'tsayawordmoreaboutit! I\'mnotdistressedwithyou——itisnotyourfault。Don\'tsayanything——leavemequietforaminute。Ishallsoonbebetterityouleavemequiet。” Shedriedhereyesdirectly，withashiverasifitwascold，andtookmyarm。Iledherbacktothehouse-gate；andthen，feelingthatIcouldnotgointolunchasusual，afterwhathadhappened，saidIwouldreturntothefishing-place。 \"ShallIcometodinnerthisevening？\"Iasked，asIrangthegate-bellforher。 \"Oh，yes——yes!——docome，orhe——\" Themysteriousman-servantopenedthedoor，andwepartedbeforeshecouldsaythenextwords。 CHAPTERVIII。 IWENTbacktothefishing-placewithaheavyheart，overcomebymournfulthoughts，forthefirsttimeinmylife。Itwasplainthatshedidnotdislikeme，andequallyplainthattherewassomeobstacleconnectedwithherfather，whichforbadehertolistentomyofferofmarriage。Fromthetimewhenshehadaccidentallylookedtowardthered-brickhouse，somethinginhermannerwhichitisquiteimpossibletodescribe，hadsuggestedtomymindthatthisobstaclewasnotonlysomethingshecouldnotmention，butsomethingthatshewaspartlyashamedof，partlyafraidof，andpartlydoubtfulabout。Whatcoulditbe？Howhadshefirstknownit？Inwhatwaywasherfatherconnectedwithit？ Inthecourseofourwalksshehadtoldmenothingaboutherselfwhichwasnotperfectlysimpleandunsuggestive。 HerchildhoodhadbeenpassedinEngland。Afterthat，shehadlivedwithherfatherandmotheratParis，wherethedoctorhadmanyfriends——forallofwhomsherememberedfeelingmoreorlessdislike，withoutbeingabletotellwhy。TheyhadthencometoEngland，andhadlivedinlodgingsinLondon。Foratimetheyhadbeenmiserablypoor。But，afterhermother\'sdeath——asuddendeathfromheartdisease——therehadcomeachangeintheiraffairs，whichshewasquiteunabletoexplain。Theyhadremovedtotheirpresentabode，togivethedoctorfullaccommodationforthecarryingonofhisscientificpursuits。HeoftenhadoccasiontogotoLondon；butnevertookherwithhim。Theonlywomanathomenow，besideherself，wasanelderlyperson，whoactedascookandhousekeeper，andwhohadbeenintheirserviceformanyyears。Itwasverylonelysometimesnothavingacompanionofherownageandsex；butshehadgottolerablyusedtobearit，andtoamuseherselfwithherbooks，andmusic，andflowers。 Thusfarshechattedaboutherselfquitefreely；butwhenI tried，eveninthevaguestmanner，toleadherintodiscussingthecausesofherstrangelysecludedlife，shelookedsodistressed，andbecamesosuddenlysilent，thatInaturallyrefrainedfromsayinganotherwordonthattopic。Oneconclusion，however，IfelttolerablysurethatIhaddrawncorrectlyfromwhatshesaid:herfather\'sconducttowardher，thoughnotabsolutelyblamableorgrosslyneglectfulonanypoint，hadstillneverbeenofanaturetomakeherardentlyfondofhim。Heperformedtheordinaryparentaldutiesrigidlyandrespectablyenough；buthehadapparentlynotcaredtowinallthefiliallovewhichhisdaughterwouldhavebestowedonamoreaffectionateman。 When，afterreflectingonwhatAliciahadtoldme，IbegantocalltomindwhatIhadbeenabletoobserveformyself，Ifoundamplematerialstoexcitemycuriosityinrelationtothedoctor，ifnotmydistrust。 IhavealreadydescribedhowIheardtheclangoftheheavydoor，ontheoccasionofmyfirstvisittothered-brickhouse。Thenextday，whenthedoctoragaintookleaveofmeinthehall，I hitonaplanforseeingthedooraswellashearingit。I dawdledonmywayout，tillIheardtheclangagain；thenpretendedtoremembersomeimportantmessagewhichIhadforgottentogivetothedoctor，andwithalookofinnocenthurryranupstairstoovertakehim。Thedisguisedworkmanranaftermewithashoutof\"Stop!\"Iwasconvenientlydeaftohim——reachedthefirstfloorlanding——andarrivedatadoorwhichshutoffthewholestaircasehigherup；anirondoor，assolidasifitbelongedtoabanker\'sstrong-room，andguardedmillionsofmoney。Ireturnedtothehall，inattentivetotheservant\'snotover-civilremonstrances，and，sayingthatIwouldwaittillI sawthedoctoragain，leftthehouse。 Thenextdaytwopale-lookingmen，inartisancostume，cameuptothegateatthesametimeasIdid，eachcarryingalongwoodenboxunderhisarm，stronglyboundwithiron。Itriedtomakethemtalkwhilewewerewaitingforadmission，butneitherofthemwouldgobeyond\"Yes，\"or\"No\"；andbothhad，tomyeyes，someunmistakablysinisterlinesintheirfaces。Thenextdaythehouskeepingcookcametothedoor——abuxomoldwomanwithalookandareadysmile，andsomethinginhermannerwhichsuggestedthatshehadnotbegunlifequitesorespectablyasshewasnowendingit。Sheseemedtobedecidedlysatisfiedwithmypersonalappearance；talkedtomeonindifferentmatterswithgreatglibness；butsuddenlybecamesilentanddiplomaticthemomentI lookedtowardthestairandaskedinnocentlyifshehadtogoupanddownthemofteninthecourseoftheday。Asforthedoctorhimselfhewasunapproachableonthesubjectofthemysteriousupperregions。IfIintroducedchemistryingeneralintotheconversationhebeggedmenottospoilhishappyholidayhourswithhisdaughterandme，byleadinghimbacktohiswork-a-daythoughts。IfIreferredtohisownexperimentsinparticularhealwaysmadeajokeaboutbeingafraidofmychemicalknowledge，andofmywishingtoanticipatehiminhisdiscoveries。Inbrief，afteraweek\'srunofthelowerregions，theupperpartofthered-brickhouseandtheactualnatureofitsowner\'soccupationsstillremainedimpenetrablemysteriestome，pry，ponder，andquestionasImight。 Thinkingofthisontheriver-bank，inconnectionwiththedistressingscenewhichIhadjusthadwithAlicia，Ifoundthatthemysteriousobstacleatwhichshehadhinted，themysteriouslifeledbyherfather，andthemysterioustopofthehousethathadhithertodefiedmycuriosity，allthreeconnectedthemselvesinmymindaslinksofthesamechain。TheobstacletomymarryingAliciawasthethingthatmosttroubledme。IfIonlyfoundoutwhatitwas，andifImadelightofit(whichIwasresolvedbeforehandtodo，letitbewhatitmight)，Ishouldmostprobablyendbyovercomingherscruples，andtakingherawayfromtheominousred-brickhouseinthecharacterofmywife。ButhowwasItomaketheall-importantdiscovery？ Cudgelingmybrainsforananswertothisquestion，Ifellatlastintoreasoninguponit，byaprocessofnaturallogic，somethingafterthisfashion:Themysterioustopofthehouseisconnectedwiththedoctor，andthedoctorisconnectedwiththeobstaclewhichhasmadewretchednessbetweenAliciaandme。IfI canonlygettothetopofthehouse，Imaygetalsototherootoftheobstacle。Itisadangerousandanuncertainexperiment； but，comewhatmayofit，Iwilltryandfindout，ifhumaningenuitycancompassthemeans，whatDoctorDulcifer\'soccupationreallyis，ontheothersideofthatirondoor。 Havingcometothisresolution(andderiving，letmeadd，parenthetically，greatconsolationfromit)，thenextsubjectofconsiderationwasthebestmethodofgettingsafelyintothetopregionsofthehouse。 Pickingthelockoftheirondoorwasoutofthequestion，fromtheexposednatureofthesituationwhichthatmysteriousironbarrieroccupied。Myonlypossiblewaytothesecondfloorlaybythebackofthehouse。Ihadlookedupatittwoorthreetimes，whilewalkinginthegardenafterdinnerwithAlicia。WhathadI broughtawayinmymemoryastheresultofthatcasualinspectionofmyhost\'sbackpremises？Severalfragmentsofusefulinformation。 Inthefirstplace，oneofthemostmagnificentvinesIhadeverseengrewagainstthebackwallofthehouse，trainedcarefullyonastrongtrellis-work。Inthesecondplace，themiddlefirst-floorbackwindowlookedoutonalittlestonebalcony，builtonthetopoftheporchoverthegardendoor。Inthethirdplace，thebackwindowsofthesecondfloorhadbeenopen，oneachoccasionwhenIhadseenthem——mostprobablytoairthehouse，whichcouldnotbeventilatedfromthefrontduringthehotsummerweather，inconsequenceoftheshut-upconditionofallthewindowsthereabouts。Inthefourthplace，hardbythecoach-houseinwhichDoctorDulcifer\'sneatgigwasputup，therewasatool-shed，inwhichthegardenerkepthisshortpruning-ladder。Inthefifthandlastplace，outsidethestableinwhichDoctorDulcifer\'sbloodmarelivedinluxurioussolitude，wasadog-kennelwithalargemastiffchainedtoitnightandday。IfIcouldonlyridmyselfofthedog——agaunt，half-starvedbrute，madesavageandmangybyperpetualconfinement——Ididnotseeanyreasontodespairofgettinginundiscoveredatoneofthesecond-floorwindows——providedI waiteduntilasufficientlylatehour，andsucceededinscalingthegardenwallatthebackofthehouse。 LifewithoutAliciabeingnotworthhaving，Ideterminedtoriskthethingthatverynight。 GoingbackatoncetothetownofBarkingham，Iprovidedmyselfwithashortbitofrope，alittlebull\'s-eyelantern，asmallscrewdriver，andanicebitofbeefchemicallyadaptedforthesoothingoftroublesomedogs。Ithendressed，disposedofthesethingsneatlyinmycoatpockets，andwenttothedoctor\'stodinner。Inonerespect，Fortunefavoredmyaudacity。Itwasthesultriestdayofthewholeseason——surelytheycouldnotthinkofshuttingupthesecond-floorbackwindowsto-night! Aliciawaspaleandsilent。Thelovelybrowneyes，whentheylookedatme，saidasplainlyasinwords，\"Wehavebeencryingagreatdeal，Frank，sincewesawyoulast。”Thelittlewhitefingersgavemineasignificantsqueeze——andthatwasallthereferencethatpassedbetweenustowhathappenedinthemorning。 Shesatthroughthedinnerbravely；but，whenthedessertcame，leftusforthenight，withafewshy，hurriedwordsabouttheexcessiveheatoftheweatherbeingtoomuchforher。Irosetoopenthedoor，andexchangedalastmeaninglookwithher，asshebowedandwentbyme。LittledidIthinkthatIshouldhavetoliveuponnothingbuttheremembranceofthatlookformanywearydaysthatwereyettocome。 Thedoctorwasinexcellentspirits，andalmostoppressivelyhospitable。Wesatsociablychattingoverourclarettillpasteighto\'clock。Thenmyhostturnedtohisdesktowritealetterbeforethepostwantout；andIstrolledawaytosmokeacigarinthegarden。 Second-floorbackwindowsallopen，atmosphereassultryasever，gardener\'spruning-ladderquitesafeinthetool-shed，savagemastiffinhiskennelcrunchinghisbonesforsupper。Good。Thedogwillnotbevisitedagaintonight:Imaythrowmymedicatedbitofbeefatonceintohiskennel。Iactedontheideaimmediately；thedogseizedhispieceofbeef；Iheardasnap，awheeze，achoke，andagroan——andtherewasthemastiffdisposedof，insidethekennel，wherenobodycouldfindoutthathewasdeadtillthetimecameforfeedinghimthenextmorning。 Iwentbacktothedoctor；wehadasocialglassofcoldbrandy-and-watertogether；Ilightedanothercigar，andtookmyleave。Myhostbeingtoorespectableamannottokeepearlycountryhours，Iwentaway，asusual，aboutten。Themysteriousman-servantlockedthegatebehindme。IsaunteredontheroadbacktoBarkinghamforaboutfiveminutes，thenstruckoffsharpfortheplantation，lightedmylanternwiththehelpofmycigarandabrimstonematchofthatbarbarousperiod，shutdowntheslideagain，andmadeforthegardenwall。 Itwasformidablyhigh，andgarnishedhorriblywithbrokenbottles；butitwasalsoold，andwhenIcametopickatthemortarwithmyscrew-driver，Ifounditreasonablyrottenwithageanddamp。 Iremovedfourbrickstomakefootholesindifferentpositionsupthewall。Itwasdesperatelyhardandlongwork，easyasitmaysoundindescription——especiallywhenIhadtoholdonbythetopofthewall，withmyflatoperahat(asweusedtocallitinthosedays)laid，asaguard，betweenmyhandandtheglass，whileIclearedawaythroughthesharpbottle-endsformyotherhandandmyknees。Thisdone，mygreatdifficultywasvanquished； andIhadonlytodropluxuriouslyintoaflower-bedontheothersideofthewall。 Perfectstillnessinthegarden:nosignofalightanywhereatthebackofthehouse:first-floorwindowsallshut:second-floorwindowsstillopen。Ifetchedthepruning-ladder；putitagainstthesideoftheporch；tiedoneendofmybitofropetothetoproundofit；tooktheotherendinmymouth，andpreparedtoclimbtothebalconyovertheporchbythethickvinebranchesandthetrellis-work。 Nomanwhohashadanyrealexperienceoflifecanhavefailedtoobservehowamazinglyclose，incriticalsituations，thegrotesqueandtheterrible，thecomicandtheserious，contrivetotreadoneachother\'sheels。Atsuchtimes，thelastthingweoughtproperlytothinkofcomesintoourheads，ortheleastconsistenteventthatcouldpossiblybeexpectedtohappendoesactuallyoccur。WhenIputmylifeindangeronthatmemorablenight，byputtingmyfootonthetrellis-work，Iabsolutelythoughtofthenever-dyingLadyMalkinshawplungedinrefreshingslumber，andofthefranticexclamationsMr。Batterburywouldutterifhesawwhatherladyship\'sgrandsonwasdoingwithhispreciouslifeandlimbsatthatcriticalmoment。Iamnohero——I wasfullyawareofthedangertowhichIwasexposingmyself；andyetIprotestthatIcaughtmyselflaughingundermybreath，withthemostoutrageousinconsistency，attheinstantwhenIbegantheascentofthetrellis-work。 Ireachedthebalconyovertheporchinsafety，dependingmoreuponthetoughvinebranchesthanthetrellis-workduringmyascent。Mynextemploymentwastopullupthepruning-ladder，assoftlyaspossible，bytheropewhichIheldattachedtoit。Thisdone，Iputtheladderagainstthehousewall，listened，measuredthedistancetotheopensecond-floorwindowwithmyeye，listenedagain——and，findingallquiet，beganmysecondandlastascent。Theladderwascomfortablylong，andIwasconvenientlytall；myhandwasonthewindow-sill——Imountedanothertworounds——andmyeyeswerelevelwiththeinterioroftheroom。 Supposeanyoneshouldbesleepingthere! IlistenedatthewindowattentivelybeforeIventuredontakingmylanternoutofmycoatpocket。Thenightwassoquiteandairlessthattherewasnotthefaintestrustleamongtheleavesinthegardenbeneathmetodistractmyattention。Ilistened。 Thebreathingofthelightestofsleepersmusthavereachedmyear，throughthatintensestillness，iftheroomhadbeenabedroom，andthebedwereoccupied。Iheardnothingbutthequickbeatofmyownheart。Theminutesofsuspensewerepassingheavily——Ilaidmyotherhandoverthewindow-sill，thenamomentofdoubtcame——doubtwhetherIshouldcarrytheadventureanyfurther。Imasteredmyhesitationdirectly——itwastoolateforsecondthoughts。\"Nowforit!\"Iwhisperedtomyself，andgotinatthewindow。 Towait，listeningagain，inthedarknessofthatunknownregion，wasmorethanIhadcouragefor。ThemomentIwasdownonthefloor，Ipulledthelanternoutofmypocketandraisedtheshade。 Sofar，sogood——Ifoundmyselfinadirtylumber-room。Largepans，someofthemcrackedandmoreofthembroken；emptyboxesboundwithiron，ofthesamesortasthoseIhadseentheworkmenbringinginatthefrontgate；oldcoalsacks；apacking-casefullofcoke；andahuge，cracked，mouldyblacksmith\'sbellows——theseweretheprincipalobjectsthatIobservedinthelumber-room。Theonedoorleadingoutofitwasopen，asIhadexpecteditwouldbe，inordertolettheairthroughthebackwindowintothehouse。Itookoffmyshoes，andstoleintothepassage。Myfirstimpulse，themomentIlookedalongit，wastoshutdownmylantern-shade，andlistenagain。 StillIheardnothing；butatthefarendofthepassageIsawabrightlightpouringthroughthehalf-openeddoorofoneofthemysteriousfrontrooms。 Icreptsoftlytowardit。Adecidedlychemicalsmellbegantostealintomynostrils——and，listeningagain，IthoughtIheardaboveme，andinsomedistantroom，anoiselikethelowgrowlofalargefurnace，muffledinsomepeculiarmanner。ShouldI retracemystepsinthatdirection？No——nottillIhadseensomethingoftheroomwiththebrightlight，outsideofwhichI wasnowstanding。Ibentforwardsoftly；lookingbylittleandlittlefurtherandfurtherthroughtheopeningofthedoor，untilmyheadandshoulderswerefairlyinsidetheroom，andmyeyeshadconvincedmethatnolivingsoul，sleepingorwaking，wasinanypartofitatthatparticularmoment。Impelledbyafatalcuriosity，Ienteredimmediately，andbegantolookaboutmewitheagereyes。 Isawironladles，pansfullofwhitesand，fileswithwhitemetalleftglitteringintheirteeth，moldsofplasterofParis，bagscontainingthesamematerialinpowder，apowerfulmachinewiththenameanduseofwhichIwastheoreticallynotunacquainted，whitemetalinapartially-fusedstate，bottlesofaquafortis，diesscatteredoveradresser，crucibles，sandpaper，barsofmetal，andedgedtoolsinplenty，ofthestrangestconstruction。Iwasnotatallascrupulousman，asthereaderknowsbythistime；butwhenIlookedattheseobjects，andthoughtofAlicia，Icouldnotforthelifeofmehelpshuddering。Therewasnottheleastdoubtaboutit，evenafterthelittleIhadseen:theimportantchemicalpursuitstowhichDoctorDulciferwasdevotinghimself，meant，inplainEnglishandinoneword——Coining。 DidAliciaknowwhatIknewnow，ordidsheonlysuspectit？ WhicheverwayIansweredthatquestioninmyownmind，Icouldbenolongeratanylossforanexplanationofherbehaviorinthemeadowbythestream，orofthatunnaturallygloomy，downcastlookwhichoverspreadherfacewhenherfather\'spursuitswerethesubjectofconversation。DidIfalterinmyresolutiontomarryher，nowthatIhaddiscoveredwhattheobstaclewaswhichhadmademysteryandwretchednessbetweenus？Certainlynot。I wasaboveallprejudices。Iwastheleastparticularofmankind。 Ihadnofamilyaffectioninmyway——and，greatestfactofall，I wasinlove。UnderthosecircumstanceswhatRogueofanyspiritwouldhavefaltered？Afterthefirstshockofthediscoverywasover，myresolutiontobeAlicia\'shusbandwassettledmorefirmlythanever。 Therewasalittleroundtableinacorneroftheroomfurthestfromthedoor，whichIhadnotyetexamined。Afeverishlongingtolookateverythingwithinmyreach——topenetratetotheinnermostrecessesofthelabyrinthinwhichIhadinvolvedmyself——consumedme。Iwenttothetable，andsawuponit，rangedsymmetricallysidebyside，fourobjectswhichlookedlikethickrulerswrappedupinsilverpaper。Iopenedthepaperattheendofoneoftherulers，andfoundthatitwascomposedofhalf-crowns。Ihadclosedthepaperagain，andwasjustraisingmyheadfromthetableoverwhichithadbeenbent，whenmyrightcheekcameincontactwithsomethinghardandcold。Istartedback——lookedup——andconfrontedDoctorDulcifer，holdingapistolatmyrighttemple。 CHAPTERIX。 THEdoctor(likeme)hadhisshoesoff。Thedoctor(likeme)hadcomeinwithoutmakingtheleastnoise。Hecockedthepistolwithoutsayingaword。IfeltthatIwasprobablystandingfacetofacewithdeath，andItoosaidnotaword。WetwoRogueslookedeachothersteadilyandsilentlyintheface——he，themightyandprosperousvillain，withmylifeinhishands:I，theabjectandpoorscamp，waitinghismercy。 ItmusthavebeenatleastaminuteafterIheardtheclickofthecockedpistolbeforehespoke。 \"Howdidyougethere？\"heasked。 Thequietcommonplacetermsinwhichheputhisquestion，andtheperfectcomposureandpolitenessofhismanner，remindedmealittleofGentlemanJones。Butthedoctorwasmuchthemorerespectable-lookingmanofthetwo；hisbaldnesswasmoreintellectualandbenevolent；therewasadelicacyandproprietyinthepulpinessofhisfatwhitechin，ablandbagginessinhisunwhiskeredcheeks，areverentroughnessabouthiseyebrowsandafullnessinhislowereyelids，whichraisedhimfarhigher，physiognomicallyspeaking，inthesocialscale，thanmyoldprisonacquaintance。Putashovel-hatonGentlemanJones，andtheeffectwouldonlyhavebeeneccentric；putthesamecoveringontheheadofDoctorDulcifer，andtheeffectwouldhavebeenstrictlyepiscopal。 \"Howdidyougethere？\"herepeated，stillwithoutshowingtheleastirritation。 ItoldhimhowIhadgotinatthesecond-floorwindow，withoutconcealingawordofthetruth。Thegravityofthesituation，andthesharpnessofthedoctor\'sintellects，asexpressedinhiseyes，madeanythinglikeasuppressionoffactsonmypartadesperatelydangerousexperiment。 \"YouwantedtoseewhatIwasaboutuphere，didyou？\"saidhe，whenIhadendedmyconfession。\"Doyouknow？\" Thepistolbarreltouchedmycheekashesaidthelastwords。I thoughtofallthesuspiciousobjectsscatteredabouttheroom，oftheprobabilitythathewasonlyputtingthisquestiontotrymycourage，oftheverylikelychancethathewouldshootmeforthwith，ifIbegantoprevaricate。Ithoughtofthesethings，andboldlyanswered: \"Yes，Idoknow。” Helookedatmereflectively；thensaid，inlow，thoughtfultones，speaking，nottome，butentirelytohimself: \"SupposeIshoothim？\" Isawinhiseye，thatifIflinched，hewoulddrawthetrigger。 \"Supposeyoutrustme？\"Isaid，withoutmovingamuscle。 \"Itrustedyou，asanhonestman，downstairs，andIfindyou，likeathief，uphere，\"returnedthedoctor，withaself-satisfiedsmileattheneatnessofhisownretort。\"No，\"hecontinued，relapsingintosoliloquy:\"thereisriskeveryway； buttheleastriskperhapsistoshoothim。” \"Wrong，\"saidI。\"Therearerelationsofminewhohaveapecuniaryinterestinmylife。Iamthemainconditionofacontingentreversionintheirfavor。IfIammissed，Ishallbeinquiredafter。”Ihavewonderedsinceatmyowncoolnessinthefaceofthedoctor\'spistol；butmylifedependedonmykeepingmyself-possession，andthedesperatenatureofthesituationlentmeadesperatecourage。 \"HowdoIknowyouarenotlying？\"heasked。 \"HaveInotspokenthetruth，hitherto？\" Thosewordsmadehimhesitate。Heloweredthepistolslowlytohisside。Ibegantobreathefreely。 \"Trustme，\"Irepeated。\"Ifyoudon\'tbelieveIwouldholdmytongueaboutwhatIhaveseenhere，foryoursake，youmaybecertainthatIwouldfor——\" \"Formydaughter\'s，\"heinterposed，withasarcasticsmile。 Ibowedwithallimaginablecordiality。Thedoctorwavedhispistolintheaircontemptuously。 \"Therearetwowaysofmakingyouholdyourtongue，\"hesaid。 \"Thefirstisshootingyou；thesecondismakingafelonofyou。 Onconsideration，afterwhatyouhavesaid，theriskineithercaseseemsaboutequal。Iamnaturallyahumaneman；yourfamilyhavedonemenoinjury；Iwillnotbethecauseoftheirlosingmoney；Iwon\'ttakeyourlife，I\'llhaveyourcharacter。Weareallfelonsonthisfloorofthehouse。Youhavecomeamongus——youshallbeoneofus。Ringthatbell。” Hepointedwiththepistoltoabell-handlebehindme。Ipulleditinsilence。 Felon!Thewordhasanuglysound——averyuglysound。But，consideringhowneartheblackcurtainhadbeentofallingovertheadventurousdramaofmylife，hadIanyrighttocomplainoftheprolongationofthescene，howeverdarklyitmightlookatfirst？Besides，someofthebestfeelingsofourcommonnature(puttingoutofallquestionthevaluewhichmensounaccountablypersistinsettingontheirownlives)，impelledme，ofnecessity，tochoosethealternativeoffeloniousexistenceinpreferencetothatofrespectabledeath。LoveandHonorbademelivetomarryAlicia；andasenseoffamilydutymademeshrinkfromoccasioningalossofthreethousandpoundstomyaffectionatesister。Perishthefar-fetchedscrupleswhichwouldbreaktheheartofonelovelywoman，andscattertothewindsthepin-moneyofanother! \"IfyouutteronewordincontradictionofanythingIsaywhenmyworkmencomeintotheroom，\"saidthedoctor，uncockinghispistolassoonasIhadrungthebell，\"Ishallchangemymindaboutleavingyourlifeandtakingyourcharacter。Rememberthat；