Inshort，theyforcedthetenpoundsonhim，andnextdaywenttoworkonanotherkopje。
Butthesimplefarmer\'sconsciencesmotehim。Itwasaslacktime；
sohesentfourHotteatots，withshovels，tohelpthesefriendlymaniacs。Theseworkedawaygayly，andthewhitemensetupasortingtable，andsortedthestuff，andhammeredthenodules，andatlastfoundalittlestoneasbigasapeathatrefractedthelight。StainesshowedthistotheHottentots，andtheirquickeyesdiscoveredtwomorethatday，onlysmaller。
Nextday，nothingbutasplinterortwo。
ThenStainesdeterminedtodigdeeper，contrarytothegeneralimpression。Hegavehisreason:\"Diamondsdon\'tfallfromthesky。
Theyworkupfromtheground；andclearlytheheatmustbegreaterfartherdown。\"
Actingonthis，theytriedthenextstrata，butfounditentirelybarren。Afterthat，however，theycametoafreshlayerofcarbonate，andhere，Falconhammeringalargelumpofconglomerate，outleaped，allofasudden，adiamondbigasanut，thatranalongtheearth，gleaminglikeastar。Ithadpolishedanglesandnaturalfacets，andevenanovice，withaneyeinhishead，couldseeitwasadiamondofthepurestwater。StainesandFalconshoutedwithdelight，andmadetheblacksapresentonthespot。
Theyshowedtheprize，atnight，andbeggedthefarmertotaketodigging。Therewastentimesmoremoneybeneathhissoilthanonit。
Nothe。Hewasafarmer:didnotbelieveindiamonds。Twodaysafterwards，anothergreatfind。Sevensmalldiamonds。
Nextday，astoneaslargeasacob-nut，andwithstrangeandbeautifulstreaks。Theycarriedithometodinner，andsetitonthetable，andtoldthefamilyitwasworthathousandpounds。
Bulteelscarcelylookedatit；butthevrowtrembledandalltheyoungfolkgloweredatit。
Inthemiddleofdinner，itexplodedlikeacracker，andwentliterallyintodiamond-dust。
\"Deregoesvontousandpounds，\"saidBulteel，withoutmovingamuscle。
Falconswore。ButStainesshowedfortitude。\"Itwaslaminated，\"
saidhe，\"andexposuretotheairwasfatal。\"
OwingtotheinvaluableassistanceoftheHottentots，theyhadinlessthanamonthcollectedfourlargestonesofpurewater，andawineglassfulofsmallstones，when，onefineday，goingtoworkcalmlyafterbreakfast，theyfoundsometentspitched，andatleastascoreofdirtydiggers，beardedlikethepard，atworkontheground。StainessentFalconbacktotellBulteel，andsuggestthatheshouldatonceorderthemoff，or，betterstill，maketermswiththem。ThephlegmaticBoerdidneither。
Intwenty-fourhoursitwastoolate。Theplacewasrushed。Inotherwords，diggersswarmedtothespot，withnoideaoflawbutdigger\'slaw。
Athousandtentsroselikemushrooms；andpoorBulteelstoodsmoking，andstaringamazed，athisowndoor，andsawaveritableprocessionofwagons，Capecarts，andpowderedtravellersfilepasthimtotakepossessionofhishillocks。Him，theproprietor，theysimplyignored；theyhadacommitteewhoweretodealwithallobstructions，landlordsandtenantsincluded。TheythemselvesmeasuredoutBulteel\'sfarmintothirty-footclaims，andwenttoworkwithshovelandpick。TheyheldStaines\'sclaimsacred——thatwasdiggers\'law；buttheyconfineditstrictlytothirtyfeetsquare。
Hadthefriendsresisted，theirbrainswouldhavebeenknockedout。
However，theygainedthis，thatdealerspouredin，andthemarketnotbeingyetglutted，thepricewasgood。Stainessoldafewofthesmallstonesfortwohundredpounds。Heshowedoneofthelargerstones。Thedealer\'seyeglittered，butheofferedonlythreehundredpounds，andthiswassowideoftheascendingscale，onwhichastoneofthatimportanceispriced，thatStainesreserveditforsaleatCapeTown。
Nevertheless，heafterwardsdoubtedwhetherhehadnotbetterhavetakenit；forthemultitudeofdiggersturnedoutsuchaprodigiousnumberofdiamondsatBulteel\'span，thatasortofpanicfellonthemarket。
Thesedrydiggingswerearevelationtotheworld。Menbegantothinkthediamondperhapswasacommonerstonethananyonehaddreamedittobe。
Astothediscoveryofstones，StainesandFalconlostnothingbybeingconfinedtoathirty-footclaim。Compelledtodigdeeper，theygotintoarichstrata，wheretheyfoundgarnetsbythepint，andsomesmalldiamonds，andatlast，oneluckyday，theirlargestdiamond。Itweighedthirty-sevencarats，andwasarichyellow。
Now，whenadiamondiscloudedoroffcolor，itisterriblydepreciated；butadiamondwithapositivecoloriscalledafancystone，andrankswiththepureststones。
\"IwishIhadthisinCapeTown，\"saidStaines。
\"Why，I\'lltakeittoCapeTown，ifyoulike，\"saidthechangeableFalcon。
\"Youwill?\"saidChristopher，surprised。
\"Whynot?I\'mnotmuchofadigger。Icanserveourinterestbetterbyselling。IcouldgetathousandpoundsforthisatCapeTown。\"
\"Wewilltalkofthatquietly，\"saidChristopher。
Now，thefactis，Falcon，asadigger，wasnotworthapin。Hecouldnotsort。Hiseyeswouldnotbeartheblindingglareofatropicalsunuponlimeanddazzlingbitsofmica，quartz，crystal，whitetopaz，etc。，inthemidstofwhichthetrueglintoftheroyalstonehadtobecaughtinamoment。Hecouldnotsort，andhehadnotthehearttodig。Theonlywaytomakehimearnhishalfwastoturnhimintothetravellingandsellingpartner。
Christopherwastoogeneroustotellhimthis；butheactedonit，andsaidhethoughthiswasanexcellentproposal；indeed，hehadbettertakeallthediamondstheyhadgottoDale\'sKlooffirst，andshowthemtohiswife，forherconsolation:\"Andperhaps，\"saidhe，\"inamatterofthisimportance，shewillgotoCapeTownwithyou，andtrythemarketthere。\"
\"Allright，\"saidFalcon。
Hesatandbroodedoverthematteralongtime，andsaid，\"Whymaketwobitesofacherry?TheywillonlygiveushalfthevalueatCapeTown；whynotgobythesteamertoEngland，beforetheLondonmarketisglutted，andalltheworldfindsoutthatdiamondsareascommonasdirt?\"
\"GotoEngland!What!withoutyourwife?I\'llneverbeapartytothat。Mepartmanandwife!Ifyouknewmyownstory\"——
\"Why，whowantsyou?\"saidReginald。\"Youdon\'tunderstand。
PhoebeisdyingtovisitEnglandagain；butshehasgotnoexcuse。
Ifyouliketogiveherone，shewillbemuchobligedtoyou，Icantellyou。\"
\"Oh，thatisaverydifferentmatter。IfMrs。Falconcanleaveherfarm——\"
\"Oh，thatbruteofabrotherofhersisaveryhonestfellow，forthatmatter。Shecantrustthefarmtohim。Besides，itisonlyamonth\'svoyagebythemailsteamer。\"
ThissuggestionofFalcon\'ssetChristopher\'sheartbounding，andhiseyesglistening。Butherestrainedhimself，andsaid，\"Thistakesmebysurprise；letmesmokeapipeoverit。\"
Henotonlydidthat，buthelayawakeallnight。
Thefactisthatforsometimepast，Christopherhadfeltsharptwingesofconscience，anddeepmisgivingsastothecoursehehadpursuedinleavinghiswifeasingledayinthedark。Completeconvalescencehadclearedhismoralsentiments，andperhaps，afterall，thediscoveryofthediamondshadco-operated；sincenowtheinsurancemoneywasnolongernecessarytokeephiswifefromstarving。
\"Ah!\"saidhe；\"faithisagreatquality；andhowIhavelackedit!\"
Todohimjustice，heknewhiswife\'sexcitablenature，andwasnotwithoutfearsofsomedisaster，shouldthenewsbecommunicatedtoherunskilfully。
ButthisproposalofFalcon\'smadethewayclearer。Mrs。Falcon，thoughnotalady，hadallalady\'sdelicacy，andallawoman\'stactandtenderness。HeknewnooneintheworldmorefittobetrustedwiththedelicatetaskofbreakingtohisRosathatthegrave，foronce，wasbaffled，andherhusbandlived。HenowbecamequiteanxiousforFalcon\'sdeparture，andardentlyhopedthatworthyhadnotdeceivedhimselfastoMrs。Falcon\'sdesiretovisitEngland。
Inshort，itwassettledthatFalconshouldstartforDale\'sKloof，takingwithhimthediamonds，believedtobeworthaltogetherthreethousandpoundsatCapeTown，andnearlyasmuchagaininEngland，andalonglettertoMrs。Falcon，inwhichStainesrevealedhistruestory，toldherwheretofindhiswife，orhearofher，viz。，atKentVilla，Gravesend，andsketchedanoutlineofinstructionsastotheway，andcunningdegrees，bywhichthejoyfulnewsshouldbebrokentoher。WiththishesentalonglettertobegiventoRosaherself，butnottillsheshouldknowall:andinthisletterheenclosedtherubyringshehadgivenhim。Thatringhadneverlefthisfinger，byseaorland，insicknessorhealth。
ThelettertoRosawassealed。Thetwolettersmadequiteapacket；for，inthelettertohisbelovedRosa，hetoldhereverythingthathadbefallenhim。Itwasaromance，andapictureoflove；alettertoliftalovingwomantoheaven，andalmostreconcilehertoallherbereavedhearthadsuffered。
Thisletter，writtenwithmanytearsfromtheheartthathadsosuffered，andwasnowsoftenedbygoodfortuneandboundingwithjoy，StainesentrustedtoFalcon，togetherwiththeotherdiamonds，andwithmanywarmshakingsofthehand，startedhimonhisway。
\"Butmind，Falcon，\"saidChristopher，\"IshallexpectananswerfromMrs。Falconintwentydaysatfarthest。IdonotfeelsosureasyoudothatshewantstogotoEngland；and，ifnot，ImustwritetoUnclePhilip。Givemeyoursolemnpromise，oldfellow，ananswerintwentydays——ifyouhavetosendaKafironhorseback。\"
\"Igiveyoumyhonor，\"saidFalconsuperbly。
\"SendittomeatBulteel\'sFarm。\"
\"Allright。\'Dr。Christie，Bulteel\'sFarm。\'\"
\"Well——no。WhyshouldIconcealmyrealnameanylongerfromsuchfriendsasyouandyourwife?ChristieisshortforChristopher——
thatISmyChristianname；butmysurnameisStaines。Writeto\'Dr。Staines。\'\"
\"Dr。Staines!\"
\"Yes。Didyoueverhearofme?\"
Falconworeastrangelook。\"IalmostthinkIhave。DownatGravesend，orsomewhere。\"
\"Thatiscurious。Yes，ImarriedmyRosathere；poorthing!Godblessher；Godcomforther。Shethinksmedead。\"
Hisvoicetrembled，hegraspedFalcon\'scoldhandtillthelatterwincedagain，andsotheyparted，andFalconrodeoffmuttering，\"Dr。Staines!sothenYOUareDr。Staines。\"
CHAPTERXXII。
RosaStaineshadyouthonherside，anditisanoldsayingthatyouthwillnotbedenied。Youthstruggledwithdeathforher，andwonthebattle。
Butshecameoutofthatterriblefightweakasachild。Thesweetpaleface，thewidow\'scap，thesuitofdeepblack——itwaslongerethesecamedownfromthesickroom。Andwhentheydid，oh，thedeadblank!Theweary，listlesslife!Thedaysspentinsighs，andtears，anddesolation。Solitude!solitude!Herhusbandwasgone，andastrangewomanplayedthemothertoherchildbeforehereyes。
UnclePhilipwasdevotedlykindtoher，andsowasherfather；buttheycoulddonothingforher。
Monthsrolledon，andskinnedthewoundover。Monthscouldnotheal。Herboybecamedeareranddearer，anditwasfromhimcamethefirstrealdropsofcomfort，howeverfeeble。
Sheusedtoreadherlostone\'sdiaryeveryday，andworship，indeepsorrow，themindshehadscarcelyrespecteduntilitwastoolate。Shesearchedinhisdiarytofindhiswill，andoftenshemournedthathehadwrittenonitsofewthingsshecouldobey。
Herdesiretoobeythedead，whom，living，shehadoftendisobeyed，wasreallysimpleandtouching。Shewouldmourntoherfatherthatthereweresofewcommandstoherinhisdiary。\"But，\"saidshe，\"memorybringsmebackhiswillinmanythings，andtoobeyisnowtheonlysadcomfortIhave。\"
Itwasinthisspiritshenowforcedherselftokeepaccounts。Nofearofherwearingstaysnow；nopowder；notrimmings；nowaste。
Aftertheusualdelay，herfathertoldhersheshouldinstructasolicitortoapplytotheinsurancecompanyforthesixthousandpounds。Sherefusedwithaburstofagony。\"Thepriceofhislife，\"shescreamed。\"Never!I\'dliveonbreadandwatersoonerthantouchthatvilemoney。\"
Herfatherremonstratedgently。Butshewasimmovable。\"No。Itwouldbelikeconsentingtohisdeath。\"
ThenUnclePhilipwassentfor。
Hesetherchildonherknee；andgaveherapen。\"Come，\"saidhe，sternly，\"beawoman，anddoyourdutytolittleChristie。\"
Shekissedtheboy，cried，anddidherdutymeekly。Butwhenthemoneywasbroughther，sheflewtoUnclePhilip，andsaid，\"There!
there!\"andthrewitallbeforehim，andcriedasifherheartwouldbreak。Hewaitedpatiently，andaskedherwhathewastodowithallthat:investit?
\"Yes，yes；formylittleChristie。\"
\"Andpayyoutheinterestquarterly。\"
\"Oh，no，no。Dribbleusoutalittleaswewantit。Thatisthewaytobetrulykindtoasimpleton。Ihatethatword。\"
\"AndsupposeIrunoffwithit?Suchconfidinggeeseasyoucorruptaman。\"
\"Ishallnevercorruptyou。Crustypeoplearethesoulofhonor。\"
\"Crustypeople!\"criedPhilip，affectingamazement。\"Whatarethey?\"
Shebitherlipandcoloredalittle；butansweredadroitly，\"Theyarepeoplethatpretendnottohavegoodhearts，buthavethebestintheworld；farbetteronesthanyoursmoothones:that\'scrustypeople。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidPhilip；\"andI\'lltellyouwhatsimpletonsare。
Theyarelittletransparent-lookingcreaturesthatlookshallow，butareasdeepasOldNick，andmakeyoulovetheminspiteofyourjudgment。Theyarethemostartfuloftheirsex；fortheyalwaysachieveitsgreatobject，tobeloved——theverythingthatcleverwomensometimesfailin。\"
\"Well，andifwearenottobeloved，whyliveatall——suchuselessthingsasIam?\"saidRosasimply。
SoPhiliptookchargeofhermoney，andagreedtohelphersavemoneyforherlittleChristopher。Povertyshouldneverdestroyhim，asithadhisfather。
Asmonthsrolledon，shecreptoutintopublicalittle；butalwaysonfoot，andaverylittlewayfromhome。
Youthandsoberlifegraduallyrestoredherstrength，butnothercolor，norherbuoyancy。
Yetshewasperhapsmorebeautifulthanever；foraholysorrowchastenedandsublimedherfeatures:itwasnowasweet，angelic，pensivebeauty，thatinterestedeveryfeelingpersonataglance。
Shewouldvisitnoone；butatwelvemonthafterherbereavement，shereceivedafewchosenvisitors。
Onedayayounggentlemancalled，andsentuphiscard，\"LordTadcaster，\"withanotefromLadyCicelyTreherne，fullofkindlyfeeling。UnclePhiliphadreconciledhertoLadyCicely；buttheyhadnevermet。
Mrs。StaineswasmuchagitatedattheverynameofLordTadcaster；
butshewouldnothavemissedseeinghimfortheworld。
Shereceivedhimwithherbeautifuleyeswideopen，todrinkineverylineamentofonewhohadseenthelastofherChristopher。
Tadcasterwaswonderfullyimproved:hehadgrownsixinchesoutatsea，andthoughstillshort，wasnotdiminutive；hewasasmallApollo，amodelofsymmetry，andhadanengaging，girlishbeauty，redeemedfromdownrighteffeminacybyagoldenmustachelikesilk，andatannedcheekthatbecamehimwonderfully。
HeseemeddazzledatfirstbyMrs。Staines，butmurmuredthatLadyCicelyhadtoldhimtocome，orhewouldnothaveventured。
\"Whocanbesowelcometomeasyou?\"saidshe，andthetearscamethickinhereyesdirectly。
Soon，hehardlyknewhow，hefoundhimselftalkingofStaines，andtellingherwhatafavoritehewas，andallthecleverthingshehaddone。
Thetearsstreameddownhercheeks，butshebeggedhimtogoontellingher，andomitnothing。
Hecompliedheartily，andwasevensomovedbythetellingofhisfriend\'svirtues，andhertearsandsobs，thathemingledhistearswithhers。Sherewardedhimbygivinghimherhandassheturnedawayhertearfulfacetoindulgethefreshburstofgriefhissympathyevoked。
Whenhewasleaving，shesaid，inhersimpleway，\"Blessyou\"——
\"Comeagain，\"shesaid:\"youhavedoneapoorwidowgood。\"
LordTadcasterwassointerestedandcharmed，hewouldgladlyhavecomebacknextdaytoseeher；butherestrainedthatextravagance，andwaitedaweek。
Thenhevisitedheragain。Hehadobservedthevillawasnotrichinflowers，andhetookherdownamagnificentbouquet，cutfromhisfather\'shot-houses。Atsightofhim，oratsightofit，orboth，thecolorroseforonceinherpalecheek，andherpensivefaceworeasweetexpressionofsatisfaction。Shetookhisflowers，andthankedhimforthem，andforcomingtoseeher。
Soontheygotontheonlytopicshecaredfor，and，inthecourseofthissecondconversation，hetookherintohisconfidence，andtoldherheowedeverythingtoDr。Staines。\"Iwasonthewrongroadaltogether，andheputmeright。Totellyouthetruth，I
usedtodisobeyhimnowandthen，whilehewasalive，andIwasalwaystheworseforit；nowheisgone，Ineverdisobeyhim。I
havewrittendownalotofwise，kindthingshesaidtome，andI
nevergoagainstanyoneofthem。Icallitmybookoforacles。
Dearme，Imighthavebroughtitwithme。\"
\"Oh，yes!whydidn\'tyou?\"ratherreproachfully。
\"Iwillbringitnexttime。\"
\"Praydo。\"
Thenshelookedathimwithherlovelyswimmingeyes，andsaidtenderly，\"Andsohereisanotherthatdisobeyedhimliving，butobeyshimdead。WhatwillyouthinkwhenItellyouthatI，hiswife，whonowworshiphimwhenitistoolate，oftenthwartedandvexedhimwhenhewasalive?\"
\"No，no。Hetoldmeyouwereanangel，andIbelieveit。\"
\"Anangel!agood-for-nothing，foolishwoman，whoseeseverythingtoolate。\"
\"Nobodyelseshouldsaysobeforeme，\"saidthelittlegentlemangrandly。\"IshalltakeHISwordbeforeyoursonthisonesubject。
Ifevertherewasanangel，youareone；andoh，whatwouldIgiveifIcouldbutsayordoanythingintheworldtocomfortyou!\"
\"YoucandonothingforME，dear，butcomeandseemeoften，andtalktomeasyoudo——ontheonesadthememybrokenhearthasroomfor。\"
ThisinvitationdelightedLordTadcaster，andthesweetword\"dear，\"fromherlovelylips，enteredhisheart，andranthroughallhisveinslikesomerapturousbutdangerouselixir。Hedidnotsaytohimself，\"Sheisawidowwithachild，feelsoldwithgrief，andlooksonmeasaboywhohasbeenkindtoher。\"Suchprudenceandwarinesswerehardlytobeexpectedfromhisage。Hehadadmiredheratfirstsight，verynearlylovedherattheirfirstinterview，andnowthissweetwordopenedaheavenlyvista。Thegenerousheartthatbeatinhissmallframeburnedtoconsoleherwithalife-longdevotionandallthesweetofficesoflove。
HeorderedhisyachttoGravesend——forhehadbecomeasailor——andthenhecalledonMrs。Staines，andtoldher，withasortofsheepishcunning，thatnow，ashisyachtHAPPENEDtobeatGravesend，hecouldcomeandseeherveryoften。Hewatchedhertimidly，toseehowshewouldtakethatproposition。
Shesaid，withtheutmostsimplicity，\"I\'mverygladofit。\"
Thenheproducedhisoracles；andshedevouredthem。SuchpreceptstoTadcasterasshecouldapplytoherowncasesheinstantlynotedinhermemory，andtheybecameherlawfromthatmoment。
Then，inhersimplicity，shesaid，\"AndIwillshowyousomethings，inhisownhandwriting，thatmaybegoodforyou；butI
can\'tshowyouthewholebook:someofitissacredfromeveryeyebuthiswife\'s。Hiswife\'s?Ahme!hiswidow\'s。\"
Thenshepointedoutpassagesinthediarythatshethoughtmightbeforhisgood；andhenestledtoherside，andfollowedherwhitefingerwithlovingeyes，andwasinanelysium——whichshewouldcertainlyhaveputastoptoatthattime，hadshedivinedit。Butallwisdomdoesnotcomeatoncetoanunguardedwoman。RosaStaineswaswiseraboutherhusbandthanshehadbeen，butshehadplentytolearn。
LordTadcasteranchoredoffGravesend，andvisitedMrs。Stainesnearlyeveryday。Shereceivedhimwithapleasurethatwasnotatalllively，butquiteundisguised。Hecouldnotdoubthiswelcome；
foronce，whenhecame，shesaidtotheservant，\"Notathome，\"aplainproofshedidnotwishhisvisittobecutshortbyanyoneelse。
AndsothesevisitsanddevotedattentionsofeverykindwentonunobservedbyLordTadcaster\'sfriends，becauseRosawouldnevergoout，evenwithhim；butatlastMr。Lusignansawplainlyhowthiswouldend，unlessheinterfered。
Well，hedidnotinterfere；onthecontrary，hewascarefultoavoidputtinghisdaughteronherguard:hesaidtohimself，\"LordTadcasterdoeshergood。I\'mafraidshewouldnotmarryhim，ifhewastoaskhernow；butintimeshemight。Shelikeshimagreatdealbetterthananyoneelse。\"
AsforPhilip，hewasabroadforhisownhealth，somewhatimpairedbyhislongandfaithfulattendanceonRosa。
SonowLordTadcasterwasinconstantattendanceonRosa。Shewaslanguid，butgentleandkind；and，asmourners，likeinvalids，areapttobeegotistical，shesawnothingbutthathewasacomforttoherinheraffliction。
Whilematterswereso，theEarlofMiltshire，whohadlongbeensinking，died，andTadcastersucceededtohishonorsandestates。
Rosaheardofit，and，thinkingitwasagreatbereavement，wrotehimoneofthoseexquisitelettersofcondolencealadyalonecanwrite。HetookittoLadyCicely，andshowedither。Shehighlyapprovedit。
Hesaid，\"Theonlything——itmakesmeashamed，Idonotfeelmypoorfather\'sdeathmore；butyouknowithasbeensolongexpected。\"Thenhewassilentalongtime；andthenheaskedherifsuchawomanasthatwouldnotmakehimhappy，ifhecouldwinher。
Itwasonherladyship\'stonguetosay，\"Shedidnotmakeherfirsthappy；\"butsheforbore，andsaidcoldly，thatwasmawthanshecouldsay。
Tadcasterseemeddisappointedbythat，andbyandbyCicelytookherselftotask。SheaskedherselfwhatwereTadcaster\'schancesinthelotteryofwives。Theheavyarmyofschemingmothers，andthelightcavalryofartfuldaughters，rosebeforehercousinlyanddisinterestedeyes，andsheaskedherselfwhatchancepoorlittleTadcasterwouldhaveofcatchingatruelove，withahundredfemaleartistsmanoeuvring，wheeling，ambuscading，andcharginguponhiswealthandtitles。Shereturnedtothesubjectofherownaccord，andtoldhimshesawbutoneobjectiontosuchamatch:theladyhadasonbyamanofraremeritandmisfortune。Couldhe，athisage，undertaketobeafathertothatson?\"Othahwise，\"saidLadyCicely，\"markmywords，youwillqualloverthatpoorchild；andyouwillhavetwotoquallwith，becauseIshallbeonherside。\"
Tadcasterdeclaredtoherthatchildshouldbequitetheoppositeofaboneofcontention。\"Ihavethoughtofthat，\"saidhe，\"andI
meantobesokindtothatboy，IshallMAKEherlovemeforthat。\"
OnthesetermsLadyCicelygaveherconsent。
Thenheaskedhershouldhewrite，oraskherinperson。
LadyCicelyreflected。\"Ifyouwrite，Ithinkshewillsayno。\"
\"ButifIgo?\"
\"Then，itwilldependonhowyoudoit。RosaStainesisatruemourner。Whateveryoumaythink，Idon\'tbelievetheideaofasecondunionhaseverenteredherhead。Butthensheisveryunselfish:andshelikesyoubetterthananyoneelse，Idaresay。
Idon\'tthinkyourtitleoryourmoneywillweighwithhernow。
But，ifyoushowheryourhappinessdependsonit，shemay，perhaps，cwyandsobattheveryideaofit，andthen，afterall，say，\'Well，whynot——ifIcanmakethepoorsoulhappy?\'\"
So，onthisadvice，TadcasterwentdowntoGravesend，andLadyCicelyfeltacertainself-satisfaction；for，herwell-meantinterferencehavinglostRosaonehusband，shewaspleasedtothinkshehaddonesomethingtogiveheranother。
LordTadcastercametoRosaStaines；hefoundherseatedwithherheaduponherwhitehand，thinkingsadlyofthepast。
Atsightofhimindeepmourning，shestarted，andsaid，\"Oh!\"
Thenshesaidtenderly，\"Weareofonecolornow，\"andgavehimherhand。
Hesatdownbesideher，notknowinghowtobegin。
\"IamnotTadcasternow。IamEarlofMiltshire。\"
\"Ah，yes；Iforgot，\"saidsheindifferently。
\"Thisismyfirstvisittoanyoneinthatcharacter。\"
\"Thankyou。\"
\"Itisanawfullyimportantvisittome。Icouldnotfeelmyselfindependent，andabletosecureyourcomfortandlittleChristie\'s，withoutcomingtothelady，theonlyladyIeversaw，that——oh，Mrs。Staines——Rosa——whocouldseeyou，asIhavedone——minglehistearswithyours，asIhavedone，andnotloveyou，andlongtoofferyouhislove?\"
\"Love!tome，abroken-heartedwoman，withnothingtoliveforbuthismemoryandhischild。\"
Shelookedathimwithasortofscaredamazement。
\"Hischildshallbemine。Hismemoryisalmostasdeartomeastoyou。\"
\"Nonsense，child，nonsense!\"saidshe，almoststernly。
\"Washenotmybestfriend?ShouldIhavethehealthIenjoy，orevenbealive，butforhim?Oh，Mrs。Staines——Rosa，youwillnotliveallyourlifeunmarried；andwhowillloveyouasIdo?Youaremyfirstandonlylove。Myhappinessdependsonyou。\"
\"Yourhappinessdependonme!Heavenforbid——awomanofmyage，thatfeelssoold，old，old。\"
\"Youarenotold；youareyoung，andsad，andbeautiful，andmyhappinessdependsonyou。\"Shebegantotremblealittle。Thenhekneeledatherknees，andimploredher，andhishottearsfelluponthehandsheputouttostophim，whilesheturnedherheadaway，andthetearsbegantorun。
Oh!nevercanthecolddissectingpentellwhatrushesovertheheartthathaslovedandlost，whenanothertruelovefirstkneelsandimploresforlove，orpity，oranythingthebereavedcangive。
CHAPTERXXIII。
WhenFalconwent，luckseemedtodeserttheirclaim:dayafterdaywentbywithoutafind；andthediscoveriesoneverysidemadethisthemoremortifying。
BythistimethediggersatBulteel\'spanwereasmiscellaneousastheaudienceatDruryLaneTheatre，onlymixedmoreclosely；thegalleryfolkandthestallsworkedcheekbyjowl。Hereagentlemanwithanaffectedlisp，andclosebyanhonestfellow，whocouldnotdeliverasentencewithoutanoath，orsomestillmorehorribleexpletivethatmeantnothingatallinreality，butservedtomakerespectablefleshcreep:interspersedwiththese，Hottentots，Kafirs，andwildblueblacksgaylycladinanostrichfeather，ascarletribbon，andaTowermusketsoldthembysomegoodChristianforamodernrifle。
OnonesideofStainesweretwoswells，wholayontheirbacksandtalkedoperahalftheday，butseldomcondescendedtoworkwithoutfindingadiamondofsomesort。
Afteraweek\'sdeplorableluck，hisKafirboystruckworkonaccountofasoreinhisleg；thesorewasduetoaverycommoncause，theburningsandhadgotintoascratch，andfestered。
Staines，outofhumanity，examinedthesore；andproceedingtocleanit，beforebandaging，outpoppedadiamondworthfortypounds，eveninthedepreciatedmarket。Stainesquietlypocketedit，andbandagedtheleg。Thismadehimsuspecthisblackshadbeencheatinghimonalargescale，andheborrowedHansBulteeltowatchthem，givinghimathird，withwhichMasterHanswasmightilypleased。Buttheycouldonlyfindsmalldiamonds，andbythistimeprodigiousslicesofluckwerereportedoneveryside。KafirsandBoersthatwouldnotdig，buttraversedlargetractsofgroundwhenthesunwasshining，stumbledoverdiamonds。OneBoerpointedtoawagonandeightoxen，andsaidthatoneluckyglanceonthesandhadgivenhimthatlot:butdayafterdayStainesreturnedhome，coveredwithdust，andalmostblinded，yetwithlittleornothingtoshowforit。
Oneevening，complainingofhischangeofluck，Bulteelquietlyproposedtohimmigration。\"Iamgoing，\"saidheresignedly:\"andyoucancomewithme。\"
\"Youleaveyourfarm，sir?Why，theypayyoutenshillingsaclaim，andthatmustmakealargereturn；thepanisfifteenacres。\"
\"Yes，minevriend，\"saidthepoorHollander，\"theypay；butdeirmoneyitcosttoodear。Vereisminepeace?Disfarmissixtousandacres。Ifdecurseddiamondswasfartheroff，denitvasvell。Butdeyaretoonear。OnceIcouldsmokeinpeace，andzleep。Nowdiamondsiscome，andzleepandpeaceisfled。Dereisfourtousandtents，andtoeachtentadawg；datdawgbarkatfourtousandotherdawgsallnight，anddeybarkathimandateachoder。Dendemastersofdedawgsdeygetangry，andfirefourtousandpistoleatdefourtousanddawgs，andmakemybedshakewidthetremblingofminevrow。Myvamilyiswithdiamondsinfected。
Deyvillnotvork。Deytakeslongvalks，andalwayslooksondeground。Minechildreshallbehump-backed，round-shouldered，lookingdownfordiamonds。DeyshallforgetGott。Heisonhigh:
dereeyesarealwaysondeearth。Dediggersfoundadiamondinmineplasterofminewallofminehouse。Datplastervaslimestone；itcomefromdosekopjesdegoodGottmadeinHisangeragainstmanforhisvickedness。Izayso。Deynotbelieveme。
Deytinkdemabominablestonesgrowinminehouse，andbreakoutinmineplasterlikedemeasle:deyvaunttodiginminewall，inminegarden，inminefloor。Onedaydeyshalldiginminebody。Ivillgo。BetterIlovepeacedanmoney。HereisEnglishcompanymakemeofferforminevarm。Deyforgivedediamonds。\"
\"Youhavenotacceptedit?\"criedStainesinalarm。
\"No，butIvill。IhavesaidIshalltinkofit。Datismyvay。
SoIsayyah。\"
\"AnEnglishcompany?Theywillcheatyouwithoutmercy。No，theyshallnot，though，forIwillhaveahandinthebargain。\"
Hesettoworkdirectly，addedupthevalueoftheclaims，attenshillingspermonth，andamazedthepoorHollanderbyhisstatementofthevalueofthosefifteenacres，capitalized。
Andtoclosethispartofthesubject，theobnoxiousdiamondsobtainedhimthreetimesasmuchashisfatherhadgivenforthewholesixthousandacres。
Thecompanygotagreatbargain，butBulteelreceivedwhatforhimwasalargecapital，andsettlingfartothesouth，thislinealdescendantoflephilosophesanssavoircarriedhisgodliness，hiscleanliness，andhisloveofpeace，outoftheturmoil，andwashappierthanever，sincenowhecouldcomparehisplacidexistencewithoneyearofnoiseandclamor。
Butlongbeforethis，eventsmorepertinenttomystoryhadoccurred。
Oneday，aHottentotcameintoBulteel\'sfarmandwentoutamongthediggers，tillbefoundStaines。TheHottentotwasoneemployedatDale\'sKloof，andknewhim。HebroughtStainesaletter。
Stainesopenedtheletter，andanotherletterfellout；itwasdirectedto\"ReginaldFalcon，Esq。\"
\"Why，\"thoughtStaines，\"whatatimethislettermusthavebeenontheroad!Somuchforprivatemessengers。\"
Theletterranthus:——
DEARSIR，——ThisleavesusallwellatDale\'sKloof，asIhopeitshallfindyouandmydearhusbandatthediggings。Sir，IamhappytosayIhavegoodnewsforyou。WhenyougotwellbyGod\'smercy，Iwrotetothedoctoratthehospitalandtoldhimso。I
wroteunbeknowntoyou，becauseIhadpromisedhim。Well，sir，hehaswrittenbacktosayyouhavetwohundredpoundsinmoney，andagreatmanyvaluablethings，suchasgoldandjewels。TheyareallattheoldbankinCapeTown，andthecashierhasseenyou，andwilldeliverthemondemand。Sothatisthefirstofmygoodnews，becauseitisgoodnewstoyou。But，dearsir，IthinkyouwillbepleasedtohearthatDickandIarethrivingwonderfully，thankstoyourgoodadvice。Thewoodenhouseitisbuilt，andagreatoven。
But，sir，thetrafficcamealmostbeforewewereready，andtheminersthatcallhere，comingandgoing，everyday，youwouldnotbelieve，likewisewagonsandcarts。Itisallbustle，morntillnight，anddearReginaldwillneverbedullherenow；Ihopeyouwillbesokindastellhimso，forIdolongtoseeyoubothhomeagain。
Sir，wearemakingourfortunes。Thegrainwecouldnotsellatafairprice，wesellasbread，andhigherthaninEnglandeversomuch。Teaandcoffeethesame；andthepoorthingspraiseus，too，forbeingsomoderate。So，sir，Dickbidsmesaythatweowethistoyou，andifsobeyouaremindedtoshare，whynothingwouldpleaseusbetter。Head-pieceisalwaysworthmoneyintheseparts；
andifithurtsyourpridetobeourpartnerwithoutmoney，whyyoucanthrowinwhatyouhaveattheCape，thoughwedon\'taskthat。
And，besides，weareoffereddiamondsabargaineveryday，butareafraidtodeal，forwantofexperience；butifyouwereinitwithus，youmustknowthemwellbythistime，andwemightturnmanyagoodpoundthatway。Dearsir，Ihopeyouwillnotbeoffended，butIthinkthisistheonlywaywehave，DickandI，toshowourrespectandgood-will。
Dearsir，diggingishardwork，andnotfitforyouandReginald，thataregentlemen，amongstalotofroughfellows，thattheirtalkmakesmyhairstandonend，thoughIdaresaytheymeannoharm。
Yourbedroomisalwaysready，sir。Ineverwillletittoanyofthem，hopingnowtoseeyoueveryday。Youthatknoweverything，canguesshowIlongtoseeyoubothhome。Myverygoodfortuneseemsnottotastelikegoodfortune，withoutthoseIloveandesteemtoshareit。Ishallcounthowmanydaysthisletterwilltaketoreachyou，andthenIshallprayforyoursafetyharderthanever，tilltheblessedhourcomeswhenIseemyhusband，andmygoodfriend，nevertopartagain，Ihope，inthisworld。
Iamsir，yourdutifulservantandfriend，PHOEBEDALE。
P。S。ThereisregulartravellingtoandfromCapeTown，andapostnowtoPniel，butIthoughtitsuresttosendbyonethatknowsyou。
Stainesreadthisletterwithgreatsatisfaction。Herememberedhistwohundredpounds，buthisgoldandjewelspuzzledhim。Stillitwasgoodnews，andpleasedhimnotalittle。Phoebe\'sgoodfortunegratifiedhimtoo，andherofferofapartnership，especiallyinthepurchaseofdiamondsfromreturningdiggers。Hesawalargefortunetobemade；andweariedanddisgustedwithrecentill-luck，blear-eyedandalmostblindedwithsortingintheblazingsun，heresolvedtogoatoncetoDale\'sKloof。ShouldMrs。FalconbegonetoEnglandwiththediamonds，hewouldstaythere，andRosashouldcomeouttohim，orhewouldgoandfetchher。
