Theygotwithinahundredyardsofit，andallsawitplainly，scarcebelievingtheirsenses。
Whentheycouldgetnonearerforthewind，thecaptainyieldedtothatinstinctwhichurgesmanalwaystokillacuriosity，\"toencouragetherest，\"assaiththewittyVoltaire。\"Getreadyagun——bestshotintheshiplayandfireit。\"
Thiswassoondone。Bangwentthegun。Theshotstruckthewaterclosetothebrute，andmayhavestruckhimunderwater，foraughtIknow。Anyway，itsorelydisturbedhim；forherearedintotheairacolumnofserpent\'sfleshthatlookedasthickasthemaintopmastofaseventy-four，openedamouththatlookedcapaciousenoughtoswallowthelargestbuoyanchorintheship，and，withastrangegratingnoisebetweenabarkandahiss，dived，andwasseennomore。
Whenhewasgone，theyalllookedatoneanotherlikemenawakingfromadream。
Stainesalonetookitquitecoolly。Itdidnotsurprisehimintheleast。Hehadalwaysthoughtitincrediblethattheboa-
constrictorshouldbelargerthananysea-snake。Thatideastruckhimasmonstrousandabsurd。Henotedthesea-serpentinhisjournal，butwiththisdoubt，\"Semble——morelikeaverylargeeel。\"
Nextdaytheycrossedtheline。JustbeforenoonayounggentlemanburstintoStaines\'scabin，apologizingforwantofceremony；butifDr。Staineswouldliketoseetheline，itwasnowinsightfromthemizzentop。
\"Gladofit，sir，\"saidStaines；\"collectitformeintheship\'sbuckets，ifyouplease。IwanttosendALINEtofriendsathome。\"
Younggentlemanburiedhishandsinhispockets，walkedoutinsolemnsilence，andresumedhispositiononthelee-sideofthequarter-deck。
Nevertheless，thisopening，coupledwithwhathehadheardandread，madeStainesalittleuneasy，andhewenttohisfriendFitzroy，andsaid，\"Now，lookhere:Iamattheserviceofyouexperiencedandhumorousmariners。Ipleadguiltyatoncetothecrimeofneverhavingpassedtheline；so，makereadyyourswabs，andlatherme；yourship\'sscraper，andshaveme；andletusgetitover。ButLordTadcasterisnervous，sensitive，prouderthanheseems，andI\'mnotgoingtohavehimdrivenintoafitforalltheNeptunesandAmphitritesincreation。\"
Fitzroyheardhimout，thenburstoutlaughing。\"Why，thereisnoneofthatgameintheRoyalNavy，\"saidhe。\"Hasn\'tbeenthistwentyyears。\"
\"I\'msosorry，\"saidDr。Staines。\"Ifthere\'saformofwitI
revere，itispracticaljoking。\"
\"Doctor，youareasatiricalbeggar。\"
StainestoldTadcaster，andhewentforwardandchaffedhisfriendthequartermaster，whowasoneoftheforecastlewits。
\"Isay，quartermaster，whydoesn\'tNeptunecomeonboard?\"
Deadsilence。
\"IwonderwhathasbecomeofpooroldNep?\"
\"Goneashore!\"growledtheseaman。\"LastseeninRateliffHighway。
Gotashopthere——lendsashillinginthepoundonseamen\'sadvancetickets。\"
\"Oh!andAmphitrite?\"
\"MarriedthesextonatWapping。\"
\"AndtheNereids?\"
\"Neruds!\"(scratchinghishead。)\"Iharn\'tkeptmyeyeonthemsmallcraft。ButIBELIEVEtheyaresellingoystersintheportofLeith。\"
Alightbreezecarriedthemacrosstheequator；butsoonaftertheygotbecalmed，anditwasdrearywork，andtheshiprolledgently，butcontinuously，andupsetLordTadcaster\'sstomachagain，andquenchedhismanlyspirit。
Atlasttheywerefortunateenoughtocatchthesoutheasttrade，butitwassolanguidatfirstthattheshipbarelymovedthroughthewater，thoughtheyseteverystitch，andstuddingsailsalowandaloft，tillreallyshewasacresofcanvas。
Whileshewassocreepingalong，amaninthemizzentopnoticedanenormoussharkglidingsteadilyinherwake。Thismayseemasmallincident，yetitranthroughtheshiplikewildfire，andcausedmoreorlessuneasinessinthreehundredstouthearts；soneariseveryseamantodeath，andsostrongthepersuasionintheirsuperstitiousminds，thatasharkdoesnotfollowashippertinaciouslywithoutapropheticinstinctofcalamity。
Unfortunately，thequartermasterconveyedthisideatoLordTadcaster，andconfirmeditbynumerousexamplestoprovethattherewasalwaysdeathathandwhenasharkfollowedtheship。
ThereuponTadcastertookitintohisheadthathewasunderarelapse，andthesharkwaswaitingforhisdeadbody:hegotquitelow-spirited。
StainestoldFitzroy。Fitzroysaid，\"Sharkbehanged!I\'llhavehimondeckinhalfanhour。\"Hegotleavefromthecaptain:ahookwasbaitedwithalargepieceofpork，andtowedasternbyastoutline，experiencedoldhandsattendingtoitbyturns。
Thesharkcameupleisurely，surveyedthebait，and，Iapprehend，ascertainedthepositionofthehook。Atallevents，heturnedquietlyonhisback，suckedthebaitoff，andretiredtoenjoyit。
Everyofficerintheshiptriedhiminturn，butwithoutsuccess；
for，iftheygotreadyforhim，and，themomenthetookthebait，jerkedtheropehard，inthatcaseheopenedhisenormousmouthsowidethatthebaitandhookcameoutclear。But，soonerorlater，healwaysgotthebait，andlefthiscaptorsthehook。
Thiswentonfordays，andhishugedorsalfinalwaysintheship\'swake。
ThenTadcaster，whohadwatchedtheseexperimentswithhope，losthisspiritandappetite。
Stainesreasonedwithhim，butinvain。Somebodywastodie；and，althoughtherewerethreehundredandmoreintheship，hemustbetheone。Atlastheactuallymadehiswill，andthrewhimselfintoStaines\'sarms，andgavehimmessagestohismotherandLadyCicely；andendedbyfrighteninghimselfintoafit。
ThisrousedStaines\'spity，andalsoputhimonhismettle。What，sciencebebeatenbyashark!
Heponderedthematterwithallhismight；andatlastanideacametohim。
Heaskedthecaptain\'spermissiontotryhishand。Thiswasaccordedimmediately，andtheship\'sstoresplacedathisdisposalverypolitely，butwithasly，comicalgrin。
Dr。Stainesgotfromthecarpentersomesheetsofzincandsparecopper，andsomeflannel:thesehecutintothree-inchsquares，andsoakedtheflannelinacidulatedwater。Hethenprocuredaquantityofbell-wire，thegreaterpartofwhichheinsulatedbywrappingitroundwithhotguttapercha。Soeagerwashe，thathedidnotturninallnight。
Inthemorninghepreparedwhathecalledanelectricfuse——hefilledasoda-waterbottlewithgunpowder，attachingsomecorktomakeitbuoyant，putinthefuseandbung，madeitwater-tight，connectedandinsulatedhismainwires——envelopedthebottleinpork——tiedalinetoit，andletthebottleoverboard。
Thecaptainandofficersshooktheirheadsmysteriously。Thetarspeepedandgrinnedfromeveryropetoseeadoctortryandcatchasharkwithasoda-waterbottleandnohook；butsomehowthedoctorseemedtoknowwhathewasabout，sotheyhoveredround，andawaitedtheresult，mystified，butcurious，andshowingtheirteethfromeartoear。
\"TheonlythingIfear，\"saidStaines，\"isthat，themomenthetakesthebait，hewillcutthewirebeforeIcancompletethecircuit，andfirethefuse。\"
Nevertheless，therewasanotherobjectiontothesuccessoftheexperiment。Thesharkhaddisappeared。
\"Well，\"saidthecaptain，\"atallevents，youhavefrightenedhimaway。\"
\"No，\"saidlittleTadcaster，whiteasaghost；\"heisonlyunderwater，Iknow；waiting——waiting。\"
\"Thereheis，\"criedoneintheratlines。
Therewasarushtothetaffrail——greatexcitement。
\"Keepclearofme，\"saidStainesquietlybutfirmly。\"Itcanonlybedoneatthemomentbeforehecutsthewire。\"
Theoldsharkswamslowlyroundthebait。
Hesawitwassomethingnew。
Heswamroundandroundit。
\"Hewon\'ttakeit，\"saidone。
\"Hesuspectssomething。\"
\"Oh，yes，hewilltakethemeatsomehow，andleavethepepper。Slyoldfox!\"
\"HehaseatenmanyapoorJack，thatone。\"
Thesharkturnedslowlyonhisback，and，insteadofgrabbingatthebait，seemedtodrawitbygentlesuctionintothatcapaciousthroat，readytoblowitoutinamomentifitwasnotallright。
Themomentthebaitwasdrawnoutofsight，Stainescompletedthecircuit；thebottleexplodedwithafurythatsurprisedhimandeverybodywhosawit；atonofwaterflewintotheair，andcamedowninspray，andagorycarcassfloated，bellyuppermost，visiblystainingthebluewater。
Therewasaroarofamazementandapplause。
Thecarcasswastowedalongside，atTadcaster\'surgentrequest，andthenthepoweroftheexplosionwasseen。Confined，firstbythebottle，thenbythemeat，thenbythefish，andlastlybythewater，ithadexplodedwithtenfoldpower，hadblownthebrute\'sheadintoamillionatoms，andhadeventornagreatfurrowinitscarcass，exposingthreefeetofthebackbone。
Taddygloatedonhisenemy，andbegantopickupagainfromthathour。
Thewindimproved，and，asusualinthatlatitude，scarcelyvariedapoint。Theyhadapleasanttime，——privatetheatricalsandotheramusementstilltheygottolatitude26deg。S。andlongitude27
deg。W。Thenthetradewinddesertedthem。Lightandvariablewindssucceeded。
Themastercomplainedofthechronometers，andthecaptainthoughtithisdutytoverifyorcorrectthem；andsoshapedhiscoursefortheislandofTristand\'Acunha，thenlyingalittlewayoutofhiscourse。Iought，perhaps，toexplaintothegeneralreaderthattheexactpositionofthisislandbeinglongagoestablishedandrecorded，itwasaninfallibleguidetogobyinverifyingaship\'schronometers。
Nextdaytheglassfellallday，andthecaptainsaidheshoulddouble-reeftopsailsatnightfall，forsomethingwasbrewing。
Theweather，however，wasfine，andtheshipwassailingveryfast，when，abouthalfanhourbeforesunset，themast-headmanhailedthattherewasabulkoftimberinsight，broadontheweather-bow。
Thesignalmanwassentup，andsaiditlookedlikearaft。
Thecaptain，whowasondeck，levelledhisglassatit，andmadeitoutaraft，withasortofrailtoit，andthestumpofamast。
Heorderedtheofficerofthewatchtokeeptheshipasclosetothewindaspossible。Heshouldliketoexamineitifhecould。
Themasterrepresented，respectfully，thatitwouldbeunadvisabletobeattowindwardforthat。\"Ihavenofaithinourchronometers，sir，anditisimportanttomaketheislandbeforedark；fogsriseheresosuddenly。\"
\"Verywell，Mr。Bolt；thenIsupposewemustlettheraftgo。\"
\"MANONTHERAFTTOWINDWARD!\"hailedthesignalman。
Thiselectrifiedtheship。Thecaptainranupthemizzenrigging，andscannedtheraft，nownearlyabeam。
\"ItISaman!\"hecried，andwasabouttoaltertheship\'scoursewhen，atthatmoment，thesignalmanhailedagain，——
\"ITISACORPSE。\"
\"Howd\'yeknow?\"
\"Bythegulls。\"
Thensucceededanexcitingdialoguebetweenthecaptainandthemaster，who，beinginhisdepartment，wasveryfirm；andwentsofarastosayhewouldnotanswerforthesafetyoftheship，iftheydidnotsightthelandbeforedark。
Thecaptainsaid，\"Verywell，\"andtookaturnortwo。Butatlasthesaid，\"No。HerMajesty\'sshipmustnotpassaraftwithamanonit，deadoralive。\"
Hethenbegantogivethenecessaryorders；butbeforetheywerealloutofhismouth，afatalinterruptionoccurred。
TadcasterranintoDr。Staines\'scabin，crying，\"Araftwithacorpsecloseby!\"
Stainessprangtothequarterporttosee，andcraningeagerlyout，thelowerportchain，whichhadnotbeenwellsecured，slipped，theportgaveway，andashiswholeweightrestedonit，cantedhimheadlongintothesea。
Asmartseamanintheforechainssawtheaccident，andinstantlyroaredout，\"MANOVERBOARD!\"acrythatsendsathrillthroughaship\'sveryribs。
Anothersmartfellowcutthelife-buoyadriftsoquicklythatitstruckthewaterwithintenyardsofStaines。
Theofficerofthewatch，withouttheintervalofhalfamoment，gavetherightorders，inthevoiceofastentor；
\"Letgolife-buoy。
\"Life-boat\'screwaway。
\"Handsshortensail。
\"Mainselup。
\"Maintopseltomast。\"
Theseorderswereexecutedwithadmirableswiftness。Meantimetherewasamightyrushoffeetthroughoutthefrigate，everyhatchwaywascrammedwithmeneagertoforcetheirwayondeck。
Infivesecondsthemiddyofthewatchandhalfhercrewwereintheleecutter，fittedwithClifford\'sapparatus。
\"Loweraway!\"criedtheexcitedofficer；\"theotherswillcomedownbythependants。\"
Themanstationed，sittingonthebottomboards，easedawayroundly，whensuddenlytherewasahitch——theboatwouldgonofarther。
\"Lowerawaythereinthecutter!Whydon\'tyoulower?\"screamedthecaptain，whohadcomeovertoleewardexpectingtoseetheboatinthewater。
\"Theropehasswollen，sir，andthependantswon\'tunreeve，\"criedthemiddyinagony。
\"Volunteersfortheweather-boat!\"shoutedthefirstlieutenant；
buttheorderwasunnecessary，formorethanthepropernumberwereinheralready。
\"Plugin——loweraway。\"
Butmishapsnevercomesingly。Scarcelyhadthisboatgoneafootfromthedavit，thanthevolunteerwhowasactingascoxswain，inreachingoutforsomething，inadvertentlyletgotheline，which，inKynaston\'sapparatus，keepsthetackleshooked；consequently，downwenttheboatandcrewtwentyfeet，withaterrificcrash；themenwerestrugglingfortheirlives，andtheboatwasstove。
But，meantime，moremenhavingbeensentintotheleecutter，theirweightcausedthependantstorender，andtheboatgotafloat，andwassoonemployedpickingupthestrugglingcrew。
Seeingthis，LieutenantFitzroycollectedsomehands，andloweredthelife-boatgig，whichwasfittedwithcommontackles，gotdownintoherhimselfbythefalls，andpullingroundtowindward，shoutedtothesignalmanfordirections。
Thesignalmanwasathispost，andhadfixedhiseyeonthemanoverboard，ashisdutywas；buthismess-matewasinthestoveboat，andhehadcastoneanxiouslookdowntoseeifhewassaved，and，sadtorelate，inthatonemomenthehadlostsightofStaines；thesuddendarkness——therewasnotwilight——confusedhimmore，andtheshiphadincreasedherdrift。
Fitzroy，however，madearapidcalculation，andpulledtowindwardwithallhismight。Hewasfollowedinaboutaminutebytheothersoundboatpowerfullymanned，andbothboatsmeltedawayintothenight。
Therewasalongandanxioussuspense，duringwhichitbecamepitchdark，andtheshipburnedbluelightstomarkherpositionmoreplainlytothecrewsthatweregropingtheseaforthatbelovedpassenger。
CaptainHamiltonhadnodoubtthatthefateofStaineswasdecided，onewayorother，longbeforethis；buthekeptquietuntilhesawtheplainsignsofasquallathand。Then，ashewasresponsibleforthesafetyofboatsandship，hesentuprocketstorecallthem。
Thecuttercamealongsidefirst。Lightswerepouredonher，andquaveringvoicesasked，\"Haveyougothim?\"
Theanswerwasdeadsilence，andsorrowful，droopingheads。
Sadlyandreluctantlywastheordergiventohoisttheboatin。
Thenthegigcamealongside。Fitzroyseatedinher，withhishandsbeforehisface；themengloomyandsad。
\"GONE!GONE!\"
Soontheshipwasbattlingaheavysquall。
Atmidnightallquietagain，andhoveto。Then，attherequestofmany，thebellwastolled，andtheship\'scompanymusteredbareheaded，andmanyastoutseamanintears，asthelastservicewasreadforChristopherStaines。
CHAPTERXIV。
Rosafellillwithgriefatthehotel，andcouldnotmoveforsomedays；butthemomentshewasstrongenough，sheinsistedonleavingPlymouth:likeallwoundedthings，shemustdragherselfhome。
Butwhatahome!Howemptyitstruck，andsheheart-sickanddesolate。Nowallthefamiliarplacesworeanewaspect:thelittleyard，wherehehadsowalkedandwaited，becameatempletoher，andshecameoutandsatinit，andnowfirstfelttothefullhowmuchhehadsufferedthere——withwhatfortitude。Shecreptaboutthehouse，andkissedthechairhehadsatin，andeverymuch-usedplaceandthingofthedeparted。
Hershallownaturedeepenedanddeepenedunderthisbereavement，ofwhich，shesaidtoherself，withashudder，shewasthecause。Andthisisthecourseofnature；thereisnothinglikesufferingtoenlightenthegiddybrain，widenthenarrowmind，improvethetrivialheart。
Asherregretsweretenderanddeep，sohervowsofrepentanceweresincere。Oh，whatawifeshewouldmakewhenhecameback!howthoughtful!howprudent!howloyal!andneverhaveasecret。Shewhohadoncesaid，\"Whatistheuseofyourwriting?nobodywillpublishit，\"nowcollectedandperusedeverywrittenscrap。Withsimpleaffectionsheevenlockeduphisverywaste-paperbasket，fulloffragmentshehadtorn，oruselesspapershehadthrownthere，beforehewenttoPlymouth。
Inthedrawerofhiswriting-tableshefoundhisdiary。Itwasathickquarto:itbeganwiththeirmarriage，andendedwithhisleavinghome——forthenhetookanothervolume。ThisdiarybecameherBible；shestudieditdaily，tillhertearshidhislines。Theentrieswereverymiscellaneous，veryexact；itwasamapoftheirmarriedlife。Butwhatshestudiedmostwashisobservationsonherowncharacter，soscientific，yetsokindly；andhisscholar-
likeandwisereflections。Thebookwasanunconsciouspictureofagreatmindshehadhithertobutglancedat:nowshesawitallplainbeforeher；sawit，understoodit，adoredit，mournedit。
Suchwomenareshallow，notforwantofaheadupontheirshoulders，butofATTENTION。Theydonotreallystudyanything:
theyhavebeentaughtattheirschoolsthebadartofskimming；butlettheirheartscompeltheirbrainstothinkandthink，theresultisconsiderable。Thedeepestphilosopherneverfathomedacharactermorethoroughlythanthispoorchildfathomedherphilosopher，whenshehadreadhisjournaltenoreleventimes，andbedeweditwithathousandtears。
Onepassagealmostcuthermoreintelligentheartintwain:——
\"ThisdarkdayIhavedoneathingincredible。IhavespokenwithbrutalharshnesstotheinnocentcreatureIhavesworntoprotect。
Shehadrunindebt，throughinexperience，andthatunhappytimiditywhichmakeswomenconcealanerrortillitramifies，byconcealment，intoafault；andImuststormandraveather，tillsheactuallyfaintedaway。Brute!Ruffian!Monster!Andshe，howdidshepunishme，poorlamb?Bysoftandtenderwords——likealady，assheis。Oh，mysweetRosa，Iwishyoucouldknowhowyouareavenged。Talkofthescourge——thecat!Iwouldbethankfulfortwodozenlashes。Ah!thereisnoneed，Ithink，topunishamanwhohasbeencrueltoawoman。Lethimalone。Hewillpunishhimselfmorethanyoucan，ifheisreallyaman。\"
Fromthedateofthatentry，thisself-reproachandself-torturekeptcroppingupeverynowandtheninthediary；anditappearedtohavebeennotentirelywithoutitsinfluenceinsendingStainestosea，thoughthemainreasonhegavewasthathisRosamighthavethecomfortsandluxuriesshehadenjoyedbeforeshemarriedhim。
Oneday，whileshewascryingoverthisdiary，UnclePhilipcalled；
butnottocomforther，Ipromiseyou。Heburstonher，irate，totakehertotask。Hehadreturned，learnedChristopher\'sdeparture，andsettledthereasoninhisownmind:thatuxoriousfoolwasgonetoseabyanaturalreaction；hiseyeswereopentohiswifeatlast，andhewassickofherfolly；sohehadfledtodistantclimes，aswhowouldnot，thatcould?
\"SO，ma\'am，\"saidhe，\"mynephewisgonetosea，Ifind——allinahurry。PraymayIaskwhathehasdonethatfor?\"
Itwasaverysimplequestion，yetitdidnotelicitaveryplainanswer。Sheonlystaredatthisabruptinquisitor，andthencried，piteously，\"Oh，UnclePhilip!\"andburstoutsobbing。
\"Why，whatisthematter?\"
\"YouWILLhatemenow。HeisgonetomakemoneyforME；andI
wouldratherhavelivedonacrust。Uncle——don\'thateme。I\'mapoor，bereaved，heart-brokencreature，thatrepents。\"
\"Repents!heigho!why，whathaveyoubeenuptonow，ma\'am?Nogreatharm，I\'llbebound。FlirtingalittlewithsomeFOOL——eh?\"
\"Flirting!Me!amarriedwoman。\"
\"Oh，tobesure；Iforgot。Why，surelyhehasnotdesertedyou。\"
\"MyChristopherdesertme!Helovesmetoowell；farmorethanI
deserve；butnotmorethanIwill。UnclePhilip，Iamtooconfusedandwretchedtotellyouallthathashappened；butIknowyoulovehim，thoughyouhadatiff:uncle，hecalledonyou，toshakehandsandaskyourforgiveness，poorfellow!Hewassosorryyouwereaway。Pleasereadhisdeardiary:itwilltellyouall，betterthanhispoorfoolishwifecan。Iknowitbyheart。I\'llshowyouwhereyouandhequarrelledaboutme。There，see。\"Andsheshowedhimthepassagewithherfinger。\"Henevertoldmeitwasthat，orIwouldhavecomeandbeggedyourpardononmyknees。Butseehowsorryhewas。There，see。AndnowI\'llshowyouanotherplace，wheremyChristopherspeaksofyourmany，manyactsofkindness。
There，see。Andnowpleaseletmeshowyouhowhelongedforreconciliation。There，see。Anditisthesamethroughthebook。
AndnowI\'llshowyouhowgrievedhewastogowithoutyourblessing。ItoldhimIwassureyouwouldgivehimthat，andhimgoingaway。Ah，me!willheeverreturn?Uncledear，don\'thateme。WhatshallIdo，nowheisgone，ifyoudisownme?Why，youaretheonlyStainesleftmetolove。\"
\"Disownyou，ma\'am!thatI\'llneverdo。Youareagood-heartedyoungwoman，Ifind。There，runanddryyoureyes；andletmereadChristopher\'sdiaryallthrough。ThenIshallseehowthelandlies。\"
Rosacompliedwithhisproposal；andlefthimalonewhileshebathedhereyes，andtriedtocomposeherself，forshewasalltremblingatthissuddenirruption。
Whenshereturnedtothedrawing-room，hewaswalkingabout，lookinggraveandthoughtful。
\"Itistheoldstory，\"saidhe，rathergently:\"aMISUNDERSTANDING。
Howwiseourancestorswerethatfirstusedthatwordtomeanaquarrel!for，lookintotwentyquarrels，andyoushalldetectascoreofmis-under-standings。YetourAmericancousinsmustgoandsubstitutetheun-ideaedword\'difficulty\'；thatiswonderful。I
hadnoquarrelwithhim:delightedtoseeeitherofyou。ButIhadcalledtwiceonhim；soIthoughtheoughttogetoverhistemper，andcallonatriedfriendlikeme。Amisunderstanding!Now，mydear，letushavenomoreofthesemisunderstandings。Youwillalwaysbewelcomeatmyhouse，andIshalloftencomehereandlookafteryouandyourinterests。Whatdoyoumeantodo，Iwonder?\"
\"Sir，Iamtogohometomyfather，ifhewillbetroubledwithme。
Ihavewrittentohim。\"
\"AndwhatistobecomeoftheBijou?\"
\"MyChristiethoughtIshouldliketopartwithit，andthefurniture——buthisownwriting-deskandhischair，no，Ineverwill，andhislittleclock。Oh!oh!oh!——ButIrememberwhatyousaidaboutagents，andIdon\'tknowwhattodo；forIshallbeaway。\"
\"Then，leaveittome。I\'llcomeandliveherewithoneservant；
andI\'llsoonsellitforyou。\"
\"You，UnclePhilip!\"
\"Well，whynot?\"saidheroughly。
\"Thatwillbeagreattroubleanddiscomforttoyou，I\'mafraid。\"
\"IfIfinditso，I\'llsoondropit。I\'mnotthefooltoputmyselfoutforanybody。Whenyouarereadytogoout，sendmeword，andI\'llcomein。\"
Soonafterthishebustledoff。Hegaveherasortofhurriedkissatparting，asifhewasashamedofit，andwanteditoverasquicklyaspossible。
Nextdayherfathercame，condoledwithherpolitely，assuredhertherewasnothingtocryabout；husbandswereasortoffunctionariesthatgenerallywenttoseaatsomepartoftheircareer，andnoharmevercameofit。Onthecontrary，\"Absencemakestheheartgrowfonder，\"saidthisjudiciousparent。
Thissentimenthappenedtobejustalittletootrue，andsetthedaughtercryingbitterly。Butshefoughtagainstit。\"Ohno!\"
saidshe，\"IMUSTN\'T。IwillnotbealwayscryinginKentVilla。\"
\"Lordforbid!\"
\"Ishallgetoveritintime——alittle。\"
\"Why，ofcourseyouwill。ButastoyourcomingtoKentVilla，I
amafraidyouwouldnotbeverycomfortablethere。YouknowIamsuperannuated。Onlygotmypensionnow。\"
\"Iknowthat，papa:and——why，thatisoneofthereasons。Ihaveagoodincomenow；andIthoughtifweputourmeanstogether\"——
\"Oh，thatisaverydifferentthing。Youwillwantacarriage，I
suppose。Ihaveputminedown。\"
\"Nocarriage；nohorse；nofootman；noluxuryofanykindtillmyChristiecomesback。Iabhordress；Iabhorexpense；IloatheeverythingIoncelikedtoowell；Idetesteveryfollythathaspartedus；andIhatemyselfworstofall。Oh!oh!oh!Forgivemeforcryingso。\"
\"Well，Idaresaythereareassociationsaboutthisplacethatupsetyou。Ishallgoandmakereadyforyou，dear；andthenyoucancomeassoonasyoulike。\"
Hebestowedapaternalkissonherbrow，andglideddoucelyawaybeforeshecouldpossiblycryagain。
TheverynextweekRosawasatKentVilla，withtherelicsofherhusbandabouther；hischair，hiswriting-table，hisclock，hiswaste-paperbasket，averydeepandlargeone。ShehadthemallinherbedroomatKentVilla。
Herethedaysglidedquietlybutheavily。
ShederivedsomecomfortfromUnclePhilip。Hisrough，friendlywaywasatonic，andbracedher。HecalledseveraltimesabouttheBijou。Toldherhehadputupenormousboardsalloverthehouse，andpuffeditfinely。\"Ihavehadahundredagentsatme，\"saidhe；\"andthenextthing，Ihope，willbeonecustomer；thatisabouttheproportion。\"Atlasthewroteherhehadhookedavictim，andsoldtheleaseandfurnitureforninehundredguineas。
StaineshadassignedtheleasetoRosa，soshehadfullpowers；andPhilipinvestedthemoney，andtwohundredmoreshegavehim，inalittlemortgageatsixpercent。
NowcametheletterfromMadeira。Itgavehernewlife。
Christopherwaswell，contented，hopeful。Hisexampleshouldanimateher。Shewouldbravelybearthepresent，andsharehishopesofthefuture:withthesebrighterviewsNatureco-operated。
Theinstinctsofapproachingmaternitybrightenedthefuture。Shefellintogentlereveries，andsawherhusbandreturn，andsawherselfplacetheirinfantinhisarmswithallawife\'s，amother\'spride。
Induecoursecameanotherlongletterfromtheequator，withafulljournal，andmorewordsofhope。Homeinlessthanayear，withreputationincreasedbythislastcure；home，topartnomore。
Ah!whatachangedwifeheshouldfind!howfrugal，howcandid，howfullofappreciation，admiration，andlove，ofthenoblest，dearesthusbandthateverbreathed!
LadyCicelyTrehernewaitedsomeweeks，toletkindersentimentsreturn。ShethencalledinDearStreet，butfoundMrs。StaineswasgonetoGravesend。Shewrotetoher。
Inafewdaysshereceivedareply，studiouslypoliteandcold。
Thispersistentinjusticemortifiedheratlast。Shesaidtoherself，\"DoesshethinkhisdeparturewasnolosstoME?Itwastoherinterests，aswellashis，Isacrificedmyownselfishwishes。Iwillwritetohernomore。\"
Thisresolutionshesteadilymaintained。Itwasshakenforamoment，whensheheard，byasidewind，thatMrs。Staineswasfastapproachingthegreatpainandperilofwomen。Thenshewavered。
Butno。SheprayedforherbynameintheLiturgy，butshetroubledhernomore。
Thisstateofthingslastedsomesixweeks，whenshereceivedaletterfromhercousinTadcaster，closeontheheelsofhislast，towhichshehadrepliedasIhaveindicated。Sheknewhishandwriting，andopeneditwithasmile。
Thatsmilesoondiedoffherhorror-strickenface。Theletterranthus:——
TRISTAND\'ACUNHA，Jan。5。
DEARCICELY，——Aterriblethinghasjusthappened。Wesignalledaraft，withabodyonit，andpoorDr。Stainesleanedoutoftheport-hole，andfelloverboard。Threeboatswereletdownafterhim；butitallwentwrong，somehow，oritwastoolate。Theycouldneverfindhim，hewasdrowned；andthefuneralservicewasreadforthepoorfellow。
Weareallsadlycutup。Everybodylovedhim。Itwasdreadfulnextdayatdinner，whenhischairwasempty。Theverysailorscriedatnotfindinghim。
Firstofall，IthoughtIoughttowritetohiswife。Iknowwhereshelives；itiscalledKentVilla，Gravesend。ButIwasafraid；
itmightkillher:andyouaresogoodandsensible，IthoughtI
hadbetterwritetoyou，andperhapsyoucouldbreakittoherbydegrees，beforeitgetsinallthepapers。
Isendthisfromtheisland，byasmallvessel，andpaidhimtenpoundstotakeit。
Youraffectionatecousin，TADCASTER。
Wordsarepowerlesstodescribeablowlikethis:theamazement，thestupor，thereluctancetobelieve——therising，swelling，surginghorror。Shesatlikeawomanofstone，crumplingtheletter。\"Dead!——dead?\"
Foralongtimethiswasallhermindcouldrealize——thatChristopherStaineswasdead。Hewhohadbeensofulloflifeandthoughtandgenius，andworthiertolivethanalltheworld，wasdead；andamillionnobodieswerestillalive，andhewasdead。
Shelaybackonthesofa，andallthepowerleftherlimbs。Shecouldnotmoveahand。
Butsuddenlyshestartedup；foranobleinstincttoldherthisblowmustnotfallonthewifeasithadonher，andinhertimeofperil。
Shehadherbonnetoninamoment，andforthefirsttimeinherlife，dartedoutofthehousewithouthermaid。Sheflewalongthestreets，scarcelyfeelingtheground。ShegottoDearStreet，andobtainedPhilipStaines\'saddress。Sheflewtoit，andtherelearnedhewasdownatKentVilla。InstantlyshetelegraphedtohermaidtocomedowntoheratGravesend，withthingsforashortvisit，andwaitforheratthestation；andshewentdownbytraintoGravesend。
Hithertoshehadwalkedonair，drivenbyoneoverpoweringimpulse。
Now，asshesatinthetrain，shethoughtalittleofherself。
Whatwasbeforeher?TobreaktoMrs。Stainesthatherhusbandwasdead。Totellherallhermisgivingsweremorethanjustified。Toencounterhercoldcivility，andletherknow，inchbyinch，itmustbeexchangedforcursesandtearingofhair；herhusbandwasdead。Totellherthis，andinthetellingofit，perhapsrevealthatitwasHERgreatbereavement，aswellasthewife\'s，forshehadadeeperaffectionforhimthansheought。
Well，shetrembledlikeanaspenleaf，trembledlikeoneinanague，evenasshesat。Butshepersevered。
Anoblewomanhashercourage；notexactlythesameasthatwhichleadsforlornhopesagainstbastionsbristlingwithriflesandtonguedwithflamesandthunderbolts；yetnotinferiortoit。
Tadcaster，smallanddull，butnoblebybirthandinstinct，hadseentherightthingforhertodo；andshe，ofthesamebreed，andnoblerfar，hadseenittoo；andthegreatsoulsteadilydrewtherecoilingheartandquiveringbodytothisfierytrial，thisactofhumanity——todowhichwasterribleandhard，toshirkit，cowardlyandcruel。
ShereachedGravesend，anddroveinaflytoKentVilla。
