\"Everyright。Itistheonlymarkofesteem，worthanything，Icanshowyou。\"
Shehandedhimtheletter，andburiedherownfaceinherhands。
Hereadit，andactedthedeepestemotion。
Hehandeditback，withoutaword。
CHAPTERXXVIII。
FromthistimeFalconwasalwayswelcomeatKentVilla。Hefascinatedeverybodyinthehouse。HerenewedhisacquaintancewithMr。Lusignan，andgotaskedtostayaweekinthehouse。HeshowedRosaandherfatherthediamonds，and，thetruthmustbeowned，theymadeRosa\'seyessparkleforthefirsttimethiseighteenmonths。Heinsinuatedratherthandeclaredhisenormouswealth。
Inreplytotheoldman\'seagerquestions，asthelargediamondslayglitteringonthetable，andpointedeveryword，hesaidthatafewofhisHottentotshadfoundtheseforhim；hehadmadethemdigonadiamondiferouspartofhisestate，justbywayoftestingthematter；andthiswastheresult；this，andamuchlargerstone，forwhichhehadreceivedeightthousandpoundsfromPosno。
\"IfIwasayoungman，\"saidLusignan，\"Iwouldgooutdirectly，anddigonyourestate。\"
\"Iwouldnotletyoudoanythingsopaltry，\"said\"leMenteur。\"
\"Why，mydearsir，therearenofortunestobemadebygrubbingfordiamonds；thefortunesaremadeoutofthediamonds，butnotinthatway。Now，Ihavethirtythousandacres，andamjustconcludingabargainforthirtythousandmore，onwhichIhappentoknowtherearediamondsinaslycorner。Well，ofmythirtythousandtriedacres，ahundredonlyarediamondiferous。ButI
havefourthousandthirty-footclaimsleasedattenshillingspermonth。Countthatup。\"
\"Why，itistwenty-fourthousandpoundsayear。\"
\"Excuseme:youmustdeductathousandayearfortheexpensesofcollection。Butthisisonlyonephaseofthebusiness。Ihavealargeinnuponeachofthethreegreatroutesfromthediamondstothecoast；andtheseinnsaresuppliedwiththeproduceofmyownfarms。Marktheeffectofthediamondsonproperty。Mysixtythousandacres，whicharenotdiamondiferous，willverysoonbeworthasmuchassixtythousandEnglishacres，saytwopoundstheacreperannum。Thatisunderthemark，becauseinAfricathelandisnotburdenedwithpoor-rates，tithes，andalltheotheriniquitiesthatcrushtheEnglishland-owner，asIknowtomycost。
Butthatisnotall，sir。Wouldyoubelieveit?evenafterthediamondsweredeclared，thepeopleouttherehadsolittleforesightthattheyallowedmetobuylandallroundPortElizabeth，Natal，andCapeTown，thethreeportsthroughwhichtheworldgetatthediamonds，andthediamondsgetattheworld。I
havegotagirdleoflandroundthosethreeoutlets，boughtbytheacre；intwoyearsIshallsellitbytheyard。Believeme，sir，Englishfortunes，eventhelargest，aremerechild\'splay，comparedwiththecolossalwealthamancanaccumulate，ifhelooksbeyondthesegreatdiscoveriestotheirconsequences，andletsothersgrubforhim。Butwhatistheuseofitalltome?\"saidthisBohemian，withasigh。\"Ihavenotasteforluxuries；noloveofdisplay。I
havenotevencharitytodispenseonalargescale；fortherearenodeservingpooroutthere；andthepovertythatspringsfromvice，thatIneverwillencourage。\"
Johnheardnearlyallthis，andtookitintothekitchen；andhenceforthAdorationwastheonlywordforthisprinceofmen，thisrarecombinationoftheAdonisandthemillionnaire。
HeseldomheldsuchdiscoursesbeforeRosa；buttalkedherfatherintoanimpressionofhisboundlesswealth，andhalfreconciledhimtoRosa\'srefusalofLordTadcaster，sinceherewasanoldsuitor，who，doubtless，withalittleencouragement，wouldsooncomeonagain。
Underthisimpression，Mr。LusignangaveFalconmorethanalittleencouragement，and，asRosadidnotresist，hebecameaconstantvisitoratthevilla，andwasalwaystherefromSaturdaytoMonday。
Heexertedallhisartofpleasing，andhesucceeded。HewaswelcometoRosa，andshemadenosecretofit。
Emilythrewherselfinhisway，andhadmanyaslytalkwithhim，whilehewaspretendingtobeengagedwithyoungChristie。Heflatteredher，andmadehersweetonhim，butwastoomuchinlovewithRosa，afterhisfashion，toflirtseriouslywithher。Hethoughthemightwantherservices:soheworkeduponherafterthisfashion；askedherifshewouldliketokeepaninn。
\"Wouldn\'tIjust?\"saidshefrankly。
Thenhetoldherthat，ifallwenttohiswishinEngland，sheshouldbelandladyofoneofhisinnsintheCapeColony。\"Andyouwillgetagoodhusbandouttheredirectly，\"saidhe。\"Beautyisaveryuncommonthinginthoseparts。ButIshallaskyoutomarrysomebodywhocanhelpyouinthebusiness——ornottomarryatall。\"
\"IwishIhadtheinn，\"saidEmily。\"Husbandsaresoongotwhenagirlhasn\'therfaceonlytolookto。\"
\"Well，Ipromiseyoutheinn，\"saidhe，\"andagoodoutfitofclothes，andmoneyinbothpockets，ifyouwilldomeagoodturnhereinEngland。\"
\"ThatIwould，sir。But，laws，whatcanapoorgirllikemedoforarichgentlemanlikeyou?\"
\"Canyoukeepasecret，Emily?\"
\"Nobodybetter。Youtryme，sir。\"
Helookedatherwell；sawshewasoneofthosewhocouldkeepasecret，ifshechose，andheresolvedtoriskit。
\"Emily，mygirl，\"saidhesadly，\"Iamanunhappyman。\"
\"You，sir!Why，youdidn\'toughttobe。\"
\"Iamthen。Iaminlove；andcannotwinher。\"
Thenhetoldthegirlaprettytendertale，thathehadlovedMrs。
StaineswhenshewasMissLusignan，hadthoughthimselfbelovedinturn，butwasrejected；andnow，thoughshewasawidow，hehadnotthecouragetocourther，herheartwasinthegrave。Hespokeinsuchabrokenvoicethatthegirl\'sgood-naturefoughtagainstherlittlepiqueatfindinghowlittlehewassmittenwithHER，andFalconsoonfoundmeanstoarrayhercupidityonthesideofhergood-nature。Hegaveherafive-poundnotetobuygloves，andpromisedherafortune，andsheundertooktobesecretasthegrave，andsaycertainthingsadroitlytoMrs。Staines。
Accordingly，thisyoungwomanomittednoopportunityofdroppingawordinfavorofFalcon。Foronething，shesaidtoMrs。Staines，\"Mr。Falconmustbeveryfondofchildren，ma\'am。Why，heworshipsMasterChristie。\"
\"Indeed!Ihavenotobservedthat。\"
\"Why，no，ma\'am。Heisrathershyoverit；butwhenheseesusalone，heissuretocometous，andsay，\'Letmelookatmychild，nurse；\'andhedoseemfittoeathim。Onsthesaystome，\'Thisboyismyheir，nurse。\'Whatdidhemeanbythat，ma\'am?\"
\"Idon\'tknow。\"
\"Isheanykintoyou，ma\'am?\"
\"Nonewhatever。Youmusthavemisunderstoodhim。Youshouldnotrepeatallthatpeoplesay。\"
\"No，ma\'am；onlyIdidthinkitsoodd。Poorgentleman，Idon\'tthinkheishappy，forallhismoney。\"
\"Heistoogoodtobeunhappyallhislife。\"
\"SoIthink，ma\'am。\"
Theseconversationswerealwaysshort，forRosa，thoughshewastookindandgentletosnubthegirl，wasalsotoodelicatetogivetheleastencouragementtohergossip。
ButRosa\'swasamindthatcouldbeworkedupon，andtheseshortbutrepeatedeulogieswerenotaltogetherwithouteffect。
AtlasttheinsidiousFalcon，bynotmakinghisapproachesinawaytoalarmher，acquiredherfriendshipaswellashergratitude；
and，inshort，shegotusedtohimandlikedhim。Notbeingboundbyanylimitoffactwhatever，heentertainedher，andtookheroutofherselfalittlebyextemporaneouspictures；hetoldherallhisthrillingadventuresbyfloodandfield，notoneofwhichhadeveroccurred，yethemadethemallsoundliketruth；heinventedstrangecharacters，andsetthemtalking；hewentaftergreatwhales，andharpoonedone，whichslappedhisboatintofragmentswithonestrokeofitstail；thendied，andhehungonbytheharpoonprotrudingfromthecarcasstillashipcameandpickedhimup。HeshotalionthatwascarryingoffhisfavoriteHottentot。
Heencounteredanother，woundedhimwithbothbarrels，wasseized，anddraggedalongtheground，andgavehimselfupforlost，butkeptfiringhisrevolverdownthemonster\'sthroattillatlasthesickenedhim，andsoescapedoutofdeath\'smaw；hedidNOTsayhowhehadfiredintheair，andriddenfourteenmilesonend，atthebaresightofalion\'scub；but，tocompensatethatonereserve，plungedintoaragingtorrentandsavedadrowningwomanbyherlonghair，whichhecaughtinhisteeth；herodearaceonanostrichagainstafriendonazebra，whichwentfaster，butthrewhisrider，andscreamedwithrageatnotbeingabletoeathim；he，Falcon，havingdeclinedtorununlesshisfriend\'szebrawasmuzzled。Hefedthehungry，clothedthenaked，andshotawildelephantintheeye；andallthisheenlivenedwithpictorialdescriptionsofnomeanbeauty，andaslikeSouthAfricaasifithadbeenfeuGeorgeRobinsadvertisingthatcontinentforsale。
Inshort，neverwasthereamorevolubleandinterestingliarbywordofmouth，andneverwasthereamoreagreeablecreatureinterposedbetweenabereavedwidowandherdailygriefandregrets。Hedivertedhermindfromherself，anddidhergood。
Atlast，suchwasthecharmofinfinitelying，shemissedhimonthedayshedidnotcome，andwasbrighterwhenhedidcomeandlie。
Thingswentsmoothly，andsopleasantly，thathewouldgladlyhaveprolongedthisformofcourtshipforamonthortwolonger，soonerthanriskaprematuredeclaration。Butmorethanonecausedrovehimtoaboldercourse；hispassion，whichincreasedinviolencebycontactwithitsbeautifulobject，andalsoagreatuneasinesshefeltatnothearingfromPhoebe。Thissilencewasominous。Heandshekneweachother，andwhattheotherwascapableof。Heknewshewasthewomantocrosstheseasafterhim，ifStainesleftthediggings，andanyexplanationtookplacethatmightpointtohiswhereabouts。
Thesedoublecausesprecipitatedmatters，andatlasthebegantothrowmoredevotionintohismanner；andhavingsopreparedherforafewdays，hetookhisopportunityandsaid，oneday，\"Wearebothunhappy。Givemetherighttoconsoleyou。\"
Shecoloredhigh，andsaid，\"Youhaveconsoledmemorethanalltheworld。Butthereisalimit；alwayswillbe。\"
Onelessadroitwouldhavebroughthertothepoint；butthisartistonlysighed，andletthearrowrankle。Bythismeansheout-fencedher；fornowshehadlistenedtoadeclarationandnotstoppeditshort。
Heplayedmelancholyforadayortwo，andthenhetriedheranotherway。Hesaid，\"Ipromisedyourdyinghusbandtobeyourprotector，andafathertohischild。Iseebutonewaytokeepmyword，andthatgivesmecouragetospeak——withoutthatInevercould。Rosa，Ilovedyouyearsago，Iamunmarriedforyoursake。
Letmebeyourhusband，andafathertoyourchild。\"
Rosashookherhead。\"ICOULDnotmarryagain。Iesteemyou，Iamverygratefultoyou:andIknowIbehavedilltoyoubefore。IfI
couldmarryagain，itwouldbeyou。ButIcannot。Oh，never!never!\"
\"Thenwebotharetobeunhappyallourdays。\"
\"Ishall，asIoughttobe。Youwillnot，Ihope。Ishallmissyousadly；but，forallthat，Iadviseyoutoleaveme。Youwillcarrymyeverlastinggratitude，gowhereyouwill；thatandmyesteemareallIhavetogive。\"
\"Iwillgo，\"saidhe；\"andIhopehewhoisgonewillforgivemywantofcourage。\"
\"Hewhoisgonetookmypromisenevertomarryagain。\"
\"Dyingmenseeclearer。Iamsurehewished——nomatter；itistoodelicate。\"Hekissedherhandandwentout，apictureofdejection。
Mrs。Stainesshedatearforhim。
Nothingwasheardofhimforseveraldays；andRosapitiedhimmoreandmore，andfeltacertaindiscontentwithherself，anddoubtwhethershehaddoneright。
Matterswereinthisstate，whenonemorningEmilycamescreaminginfromthegarden，\"Thechild!——MasterChristie!——Whereishe?——
Whereishe?\"
Thehousewasalarmed。Thegardensearched，theadjoiningpaddock。
Thechildwasgone。
Emilywasexamined，andowned，withmanysobsandhystericalcries，thatshehadputhimdowninthesummer-houseforaminute，whileshewenttoaskthegardenerforsomebalm，balmteabeingafavoritedrinkofhers。\"ButtherewasnobodynearthatIsaw，\"
shesobbed。
Furtherinquiryproved，however，thatatallgypsywomanhadbeenseenprowlingaboutthatmorning；andsuspicioninstantlyfastenedonher。Servantsweresentoutrightandleft；butnothingdiscovered；andtheagonizedmother，terrifiedoutofherwits，hadFalcontelegraphedtoimmediately。
Hecamegallopingdownthatveryevening，andheardthestory。HegallopedintoGravesend，andafterseeingthepolice，sentwordoutheshouldadvertise。HeplacardedGravesendwithbills，offeringarewardofathousandpounds，thechildtobebroughttohim，andnoquestionsasked。
Meantimethepoliceandmanyoftheneighboringgentrycameaboutthemiserablemotherwiththeirvagueideas。
DowncomesFalconagainnextday；tellswhathehasdone，andtreatsthemallwithcontempt。\"Don\'tyoubeafraid，Mrs。
Staines，\"saidhe。\"Youwillgethimback。Ihavetakenthesureway。Thissortofroguesdarenotgonearthepolice，andthepolicecan\'tfindthem。Youhavenoenemies；itisonlysomewomanthathasfanciedabeautifulchild。Well，shecanhavethembythescore，forathousandpounds。\"
Hewastheonlyonewitharealidea；thewomansawit，andclungtohim。Heleftlateatnight。
Nextmorningoutcametheadvertisements，andhesentherahandfulbyspecialmessenger。Hiszealandactivitykeptherbereavedheartfromutterdespair。
Ateleventhatnightcameatelegraph:——
\"Ihavegothim。Comingdownbyspecialtrain。\"
Thenwhataburstofjoyandgratitude!Theverywallsofthehouseseemedtoringwithitasaharpringswithmusic。Aspecialtrain，too!hewouldnotletthemotheryearnallnight。
Atoneinthemorninghedroveupwiththechildandahirednurse。
Imaginethescene!Themother\'sscreamsofjoy，herfuriouskisses，hercooing，hertears，andallthemiraclesofnatureatsuchatime。Theservantsallmingledwiththeiremployersinthegeneralrapture，andEmily，whowaspaleasdeath，criedandsobbed，andsaid，\"Oh，ma\'am，I\'llneverlethimoutofmysightagain，no，notforoneminute。\"Falconmadeherasignal，andwentout。Shemethiminthegarden。
Shewasmuchagitated，andcried，\"Oh，youdidwelltobringhimto-day。Icouldnothavekeptitanotherhour。I\'mawretch。\"
\"Youareagoodkindgirl；andhere\'sthefiftypoundsIpromisedyou。\"
\"Well，andIhaveearnedit。\"
\"Ofcourseyouhave。Meetmeinthegardento-morrowmorning，andI\'llshowyouyouhavedoneakindthingtoyourmistress，aswellasme。Andasforthefiftypounds，thatisNOTHING；doyouhear?
itisnothingatall，comparedwithwhatIwilldoforyou，ifyouwillbetruetome，andholdyourtongue。\"
\"Oh!asforthat，mytongueshan\'tbetrayyou，norshameME。Youareagentleman，andIdothinkyouloveher，orIwouldnothelpyou。\"
Soshesalvedhernursemaid\'sconscience——withthehelpofthefiftypounds。
Themotherwaslefttoherrapturethatnight。InthemorningFalcontoldhistale。
\"AttwoP。M。amanhadcalledonhim，andhadproducedoneofhisadvertisements，andhadaskedhimifthatwasallsquare——nobobbiesonthelurk。\'Allsquare，myfinefellow。\'\'Well，\'saidhe，\'Isupposeyouareagentleman。\'\'Iamofthatopiniontoo。\'
\'Well，sir，\'sayshe，\'IknowapartyashasFOUNDayounggentascomeswerrynighyouradvertisement。\'\'Itwillbeaveryluckyfindtothatparty，\'Isaid，\'ifheisonthesquare。\'\'Oh，WEarealwaysonthesquare，whenthebluntisputdown。\'\'Thebluntforthechild，whenyoulike，andwhereyoulike，\'saidI。\'Youaretherightsort，\'saidhe。\'Iam，\'repliedI。\'Willyoucomeandseeifitisallright?\'saidhe。\'Inaminute，\'saidI。Steppedintomybedroom，andloadedmysix-shooter。\"
\"Whatisthat?\"saidLusignan。
\"Arevolverwithsixbarrels:bytheby，theverysameIkilledthelionwith。Ugh!Ineverthinkofthatscenewithoutfeelingalittlequiver；andmynervesareprettygood，too。Well，hetookmeintoanawfulpartofthetown，downafilthyclose，intosomeboozingken——Ibegpardon，somethieves\'public-house。\"
\"Oh，mydearfriend，\"saidRosa，\"wereyounotfrightened?\"
\"ShallItellyouthetruth，orplaythehero?IthinkI\'lltellYOUthetruth。Ifeltalittlefrightened，lesttheyshouldgetmymoneyandmylife，withoutmygettingmygodson:thatiswhatI
callhimnow。Well，twouglydogscamein，andsaid，\'Letusseetheflimsies，beforeyouseethekid。\'
\"\'Thatisrathersharppractice，Ithink，\'saidI；\'however，here\'stheswag，andhere\'sthewatch-dog。\'SoIputdownthenotes，andmyhandoverthemwithmyrevolvercocked，andreadytofire。\"
\"Yes，yes，\"saidRosapantingly。\"Ah，youwereamatchforthem。\"
\"Well，Mrs。Staines，ifIwaswritingyouanovel，IsupposeI
shouldtellyoutheroguesrecoiled；butthetruthistheyonlylaughed，andwerequitepleased。\'Swell\'sinearnest，\'saidone，\'Jem，showthekid。\'Jemwhistled，andincameagreattallblackgypsywoman，withthedarling。Myheartwasinmymouth，butI
wouldnotletthemseeit。Isaid，\'Itisallright。Takehalfthenoteshere，andhalfatthedoor。\'Theyagreed，andthenIdiditquick，walkedtothedoor，tookthechild，gavethemtheoddnotes，andmadeoffasfastasIcould，hiredanurseatthehospital——andtherestyouknow。\"
\"Papa，\"saidRosa，withenthusiasm，\"thereisbutonemaninEnglandwhowouldhavegotmebackmychild，andthisishe。\"
Whentheywerealone，Falcontoldhershehadsaidwordsthatgladdenedhisveryheart。\"YouadmitIcancarryoutonehalfofhiswishes?\"saidhe。
Mrs。Stainessaid\"Yes，\"thencoloredhigh；then，toturnitoff，said，\"ButIcannotallowyoutolosethatlargesumofmoney。Youmustletmerepayyou。\"
\"Largesumofmoney!\"saidhe。\"Itisnomoretomethansixpencetomostpeople。Idon\'tknowwhattodowithmymoney；andInevershallknow，unlessyouwillmakeasacrificeofyourownfeelingstothewishesofthedead。OMrs。Staines——Rosa，doprayconsiderthatamanofthatwisdomseesthefuture，andgiveswiseadvice。
SureamIthat，ifyoucouldovercomeyournaturalrepugnancetoasecondmarriage，itwouldbethebestthingforyourlittleboy——I
lovehimalreadyasifheweremyown——andintimewouldbringyoupeaceandcomfort，andsomeday，yearshence，evenhappiness。Youaremyonlylove；yetIshouldneverhavecometoyouagainifHE
hadnotsentme。Doconsiderhowstrangeitallis，andwhatitpointsto，anddon\'tletmehavethemiseryoflosingyouagain，whenyoucandonobetternow，alas!thanrewardmyfidelity。\"
Shewasmuchmovedatthisartfulappeal，andsaid，\"IfIwassureIwasobeyinghiswill。ButhowcanIfeelthat，whenwebothpromisednevertowedagain?\"
\"Aman\'sdyingwordsaremoresacredthananyother。Youhavehisletter。\"
\"Yes，buthedoesnotsay\'marryagain。\'\"
\"Thatiswhathemeant，though。\"
\"Howcanyousaythat?Howcanyouknow?\"
\"BecauseIputthewordshesaidtometogetherwiththatshortlinetoyou。Mind，Idon\'tsaythathedidnotexaggeratemypoormerits；onthecontrary，Ithinkhedid。ButIdeclaretoyouthathedidhopeIshouldtakecareofyouandyourchild。Rightorwrong，itwashiswish，sopraydonotdeceiveyourselfonthatpoint。\"
Thismademoreimpressiononherthananythingelsehecouldsay，andshesaid，\"Ipromiseyouonething，Iwillnevermarryanymanbutyou。\"
Insteadofpressingherfurther，asaninferiorartistwould，hebrokeintoraptures，kissedherhandtenderly，andwasinsuchhighspirits，andsovolubleallday，thatshesmiledsweetlyonhim，andthoughttoherself，\"Poorsoul!howhappyIcouldmakehimwithaword!\"
Ashewasalwayswatchingherface——apracticehecarriedfurtherthananypersonliving——hedivinedthatsentiment，andwroughtuponitso，thatatlasthetormentedherintosayingshewouldmarryhimSOMEDAY。
Whenhehadbroughthertothat，heragedinwardlytothinkhehadnottwoyearstoworkin；foritwasevidentshewouldmarryhimintime。Butno，ithadtakenhimmorethanfourmonths，closesiege，tobringhertothat。NowordfromPhoebe。Anominousdreadhungoverhisownsoul。Hiswifewouldbeuponhim，or，worsestill，herbrotherDick，whoheknewwouldbeathimtoamummyonthespot；or，worstofall，thehusbandofRosaStaines，whowouldkillhim，orflinghimintoaprison。HeMUSTmakeapush。
Inthisemergencyheusedhisally，Mr。Lusignan；hetoldhimMrs。
Staineshadpromisedtomarryhim，butatsomedistantdate。Thiswouldnotdo；hemustlookafterhisenormousinterestsinthecolony，andhewassomuchinlovehecouldnotleaveher。
TheoldgentlemanwasdesperatelyfondofFalcon，andbentonthematch，andheactuallyconsentedtogivehisdaughterwhatFalconcalledalittlepush。
Thelittlepushwasaverygreatone，Ithink。
ItconsistedindirectingtheclergymantocallinchurchthebannsofmarriagebetweenReginaldFalconandRosaStaines。
Theywerebothinchurchtogetherwhenthiswasdone。Rosaallbutscreamed，andthenturnedredasfireandwhiteasaghost，byturns。Sheneverstoodupagainalltheservice；andingoinghomerefusedFalcon\'sarm，andwalkedswiftlyhomebyherself。Notthatshehadtheslightestintentionofpassingthismonstrousthingbyinsilence。Onthecontrary，herwrathwasboilingover，andsohotthatsheknewsheshouldmakeasceneinthestreetifshesaidawordthere。
OnceinsidethehousesheturnedonFalcon，withawhitecheekandaflashingeye，andsaid，\"Followme，sir，ifyouplease。\"Sheledthewaytoherfather\'sstudy。\"Papa，\"saidshe，\"Ithrowmyselfonyourprotection。Mr。Falconhasaffrontedme。\"
\"Oh，Rosa!\"criedFalcon，affectingutterdismay。
\"Publicly——publicly:hehashadthebannsofmarriagecriedinthechurch，withoutmypermission。\"
\"Don\'traiseyourvoicesoloud，child。Allthehousewillhearyou。\"
\"Ichooseallthehousetohearme。Iwillnotendureit。Iwillnevermarryyounow——never!\"
\"Rosa，mychild，\"saidLusignan，\"youneednotscoldpoorFalcon，forIamtheculprit。ItwasIwhoorderedthebannstobecried。\"
\"Oh!papa，youhadnorighttodosuchathingasthat。\"
\"IthinkIhad。Iexercisedparentalauthorityforonce，andforyourgood，andforthegoodofatrueandfaithfulloverofyours，whomyoujiltedonce，andnowyoutriflewithhisaffectionandhisinterests。Helovesyoutoowelltoleaveyou；yetyouknowhisvastestatesandinterestsrequiresupervision。\"
\"Thatforhisvastestates!\"saidRosacontemptuously。\"Iamnottobedriventothealtarlikethis，whenmyheartisinthegrave。
Don\'tyoudoitagain，papa，orI\'llgetupandforbidthebanns；
affrontforaffront。\"
\"Ishouldliketoseethat，\"saidtheoldgentlemandryly。
Rosavouchsafednoreply，butsweptoutoftheroom，withburningcheeksandglitteringeyes，andwasnotseenallday，wouldnotdinewiththem，inspiteofthreehumble，deprecatingnotesFalconsenther。
\"Letthespitefulcatalone，\"saidoldLusignan。\"YouandIwilldinetogetherinpeaceandquiet。\"
Itwasadulldinner；butFalcontookadvantageoftheopportunity，impregnatedthefatherwithhisviews，andgothimtopromisetohavethebannscriednextSunday。Heconsented。
RosalearnednextSundaymorningthatthiswastobedone，andhercouragefailedher。Shedidnotgotochurchatall。
Shecriedagreatdeal，andsubmittedtoviolence，asyourtruewomenaretooapttodo。Theyhadcompromisedher，andsoconqueredher。Thepermanentfeelingsofgratitudeandesteemcausedareactionafterherpassion，andshegaveupopenresistanceashopeless。
Falconrenewedhisvisits，andwasreceivedwiththemeresullenlanguorofawomanwhohasgivenin。
Thebannswerecriedathirdtime。
ThenthepatientRosaboughtlaudanumenoughtoreunitehertoherChristopher，inspiteofthemall；andhavingprovidedherselfwiththisresource，becamemorecheerful，andevenkindandcaressing。
Shedeclinedtonamethedayatpresent，andthatwasawkward。
Neverthelesstheconspiratorsfeltsuretheyshouldtireheroutintodoingthat，beforelong；fortheysawtheirwayclear，andshewasperplexedintheextreme。
Inherperplexity，sheusedtotalktoacertainbeautifulstarshecalledherChristopher。Shelovedtofancyhewasnowaninhabitantofthatbrightstar；andoftenonaclearnightshewouldlookup，andbegforguidancefromthisstar。ThisI
considerfoolish:butthenIamoldandsceptical；shewasstillyoungandinnocent，andsorelypuzzledtoknowherhusband\'srealwill。
Idon\'tsupposethestarhadanythingtodowithit，exceptasafocusofherthoughts；butonefinenight，afteralonginspectionofChristopher\'sstar，shedreamedadream。Shethoughtthatalovelywedding-dresshungoverachair，thatacrownofdiamondsaslargeasalmondssparkledreadyforheronthedressing-table，andshewasundoingherblackgown，andabouttotakeitoff，whensuddenlythediamondsbegantopale，andthewhitesatindresstomeltaway，andinitsplacethereroseapalefaceandalongbeard，andChristopherStainesstoodbeforeher，andsaidquietly，\"Isthishowyoukeepyourvow?\"Thenhesankslowly，andthewhitedresswasblack，andthediamondswerejet；andsheawoke，withhisgentlewordsofremonstranceandhisverytonesringinginherear。
Thisdream，co-operatingwithherpreviousagitationandmisgivings，shookherverymuch；shedidnotcomedown-stairstillneardinner-time；andbothherfatherandFalcon，whocameasamatterofcoursetospendhisSunday，werestruckwithherappearance。Shewaspale，gloomy，morose，andhadanairofdesperationabouther。
Falconwouldnotseeit；heknewthatitissafesttolethersexalonewhentheylooklikethat；andthenthestormsometimessubsidesofitself。
Afterdinner，Rosaretiredearly；andsoonshewasheardwalkingrapidlyupanddownthedressing-room。
Thiswasquiteunusual，andmadeanoise。
PapaLusignanthoughtitinconsiderate；andafterawhile，remarkinggentlythathewasnotparticularlyfondofsound，heproposedtheyshouldsmokethepipeofpeaceonthelawn。
Theydidso；butafterawhile，findingthatFalconwasnotsmoking，hesaid，\"Don\'tletmedetainyou。Rosaisalone。\"
Falcontookthehint，andwenttothedrawing-room。Rosamethimonthestairs，withascarfoverhershoulders。\"Imustspeaktopapa，\"saidshe。\"Whereishe?\"
\"Heisonthelawn，dearRosa，\"saidFalcon，inhismostdulcettones。Hewassureofhisally，andverygladtousehimasabuffertoreceivethefirstshock。
Sohewentintothedrawing-room，whereallthelightswereburning，andquietlytookupabook。Buthedidnotreadaline；
hewastoooccupiedintryingtoreadhisownfuture。
Themeanvillain，whoisincapableofremorse，is，ofallmen，mostcapableoffear。Hisvillanyhad，toallappearance，reachedthegoal；forhefeltsurethatallRosa\'sstruggleswould，soonerorlater，succumbtohersenseofgratitudeandhisstrongwillandpatienttemper。Butwhenthevictorywaswon，whatalife!Hemustflywithhertosomeforeigncountry，pursuedfrompillartopostbyanenragedhusband，andbytheoffendedlaw。Andifheescapedthevindictivefoeayearortwo，howcouldheescapethatotherenemyheknew，anddreaded——poverty?Heforesawheshouldcometohatethewomanhewasabouttowrong，andshewouldinstantlyrevengeherself，bymakinghimanexileand，soonorlate，aprisoner，orapauper。
Whilethesemisgivingsbattledwithhisbasebutardentpassion，strangethingsweregoingonoutofdoors——buttheywillbebestrelatedinanothersequenceofevents，towhichindeedtheyfairlybelong。
CHAPTERXXIX。
StainesandMrs。FalconlandedatPlymouth，andwentuptotownbythesametrain。TheypartedinLondon，StainestogodowntoGravesend，Mrs。Falcontovisitherhusband\'soldhaunts，andseeifshecouldfindhim。
Shedidnotfindhim；butsheheardofhim，andlearnedthathealwayswentdowntoGravesendfromSaturdaytillMonday。
NotwithstandingallshehadsaidtoStaines，theactualinformationstartledher，andgaveheraturn。Shewasobligedtositdown，forherkneesseemedtogiveway。Itwasbutamomentaryweakness。
Shewasnowawifeandamother，andhadherrights。Shesaidtoherself，\"Myroguehasturnedthatpoorwoman\'sheadlongbeforethis，nodoubt。ButIshallgodownandjustbringhimawaybytheear。\"
Foronceherbitterindignationoverpoweredeveryothersentiment，andshelostnotime，butlateasitwaswentdowntoGravesend，orderedaprivatesitting-roomandbedroomforthenight，andtookaflytoKentVilla。
ButChristopherStaineshadthestartofher。HehadalreadygonedowntoGravesendwithhiscarpet-bag，leftitattheinn，andwalkedtoKentVillathatlovelysummernight，thehappiesthusbandinEngland。
HishearthadneverforoneinstantbeendisturbedbyMrs。Falcon\'smonstroussuspicion；helookedonherasamonomaniac；asensiblewomaninsaneononepoint，herhusband。
Whenhereachedthevilla，however，hethoughtitprudenttomakesurethatFalconhadcometoEnglandatall，anddischargedhiscommission。Hewouldnotruntherisk，smallashethoughtit，ofpouncingunexpectedonhisRosa，beingtakenforaghost，andterrifyingher，orexcitinghertomadness。
NowthepremisesofKentVillawereadmirablyadaptedtowhattheycallinwarareconnaissance。ThelawnwasstuddedwithlaurestinasandothershrubsthathadgrownmagnificentlyinthatKentishair。
Staineshadnosoonersethisfootonthelawn，thanheheardvoices；hecrepttowardsthemfrombushtobush；andstandinginimpenetrableshade，hesawintheclearmoonlighttwofigures——
Mr。LusignanandReginaldFalcon。
Thesetwodroppedoutonlyawordortwoatintervals；butwhattheydidsaystruckStainesasodd。Foronething，Lusignanremarked，\"IsupposeyouwillwanttogobacktotheCape。Suchenormousestatesasyourswillwantlookingafter。\"
\"Enormousestates!\"saidStainestohimself。\"Thentheymusthavegrownveryfastinafewmonths。\"
\"Oh，yes，\"saidFalcon；\"butIthinkofshowingheralittleofEuropefirst。\"
Stainesthoughtthisstillmoremysterious；hewaitedtohearmore，butthesucceedingremarkswereofanordinarykind。
Henoticed，however，thatFalconspokeofhiswifebyherChristianname，andthatneitherpartymentionedChristopherStaines。Heseemedquiteoutoftheirlittleworld。
Hebegantofeelastrangechillcreepdownhim。
PresentlyFalconwentofftojoinRosa；andStainesthoughtitwasquitetimetoasktheoldgentlemanwhetherFalconhadexecutedhiscommission，ornot。
Hewasonlyhesitatinghowtodoit，notlikingtopounceinthedarkonamanwhoabhorredeverythinglikeexcitement，whenRosaherselfcameflyingoutingreatagitation。
Oh!thethrillhefeltatthesightofher!Withallhisself-
possession，hewouldhavesprungforwardandtakenherinhisarmswithamightycryoflove，ifshehadnotimmediatelyspokenwordsthatrootedhimtothespotwithhorror。Butshecamewiththewordsinherverymouth；\"Papa，IamcometotellyouIcannot，andwillnot，marryMr。Falcon。\"
\"Oh，yes，youwill，mydear。\"
\"Never!I\'lldiesooner。Notthatyouwillcareforthat。ItellyouIsawmyChristopherlastnight——inadream。Hehadabeard；
butIsawhim，oh，soplain；andhesaid，\'Isthisthewayyoukeepyourpromise?\'Thatisenoughforme。Ihaveprayed，againandagain，tohisstar，forlight。Iamsoperplexedandharassedbyyouall，andyoumakemebelievewhatyoulike。Well，Ihavehadarevelation。Itisnotmypoorlostdarling\'swishIshouldwedagain。Idon\'tbelieveMr。Falconanymore。Ihearnothingbutliesbyday。Thetruthcomestomybedsideatnight。Iwillnotmarrythisman。\"
\"Consider，Rosa，yourcreditispledged。Youmustnotbealwaysjiltinghimheartlessly。Dreams!nonsense。There——Ilovepeace。
Itisnouseyourstormingatme；ravetothemoonandthestars，ifyoulike，andwhenyouhavedone，dopraycomein，andbehavelikearationalwoman，whohaspledgedherfaithtoanhonorableman，andamanofvastestates——amanthatnursedyourhusbandinhislastillness，foundyourchild，atagreatexpense，whenyouhadlosthim，andmeritseternalgratitude，noteternaljilting。I
havenopatiencewithyou。\"
Theoldgentlemanretiredinhighdudgeon。
Stainesstoodintheblackshadeofhiscedar-tree，rootedtothegroundbythisrevelationofmalevillanyandfemalecredulity。
Hedidnotknowwhatonearthtodo。HewantedtokillFalcon，butnottoterrifyhisownwifetodeath。Itwasnowtooclearshethoughthewasdead。
Rosawatchedherfather\'sretiringfigureoutofsight。\"Verywell，\"saidshe，clenchingherteeth；thensuddenlysheturned，andlookeduptoheaven。\"Doyouhear?\"saidshe，\"myChristie\'sstar?
Iamapoorperplexedcreature。Iaskedyouforasign，andthatverynightIsawhiminadream。WhyshouldImarryoutofgratitude?WhyshouldImarryoneman，whenIloveanother?Whatdoesitmatterhisbeingdead?Ilovehimtoowelltobewifetoanylivingman。Theypersuademe，theycoaxme，theypullme，theypushme。Iseetheywillmakeme。ButIwilloutwitthem。See——
see!\"andsheheldupalittlephialinthemoonlight。\"Thisshallcuttheknotforme；thisshallkeepmetruetomyChristie，andsavemefrombreakingpromisesIoughtnevertohavemade。ThisshallunitemeoncemorewithhimIkilled，andloved。\"
Shemeantshewouldkillherselfthenightbeforethewedding，whichperhapsshewouldnot，andperhapsshewould。Whocantell?
Theweakareviolent。ButChristopher，seeingthepoisonsonearherlips，wasperplexed，tooktwostrides，wrencheditoutofherhand，withasnarlofrage，andinstantlyplungedintotheshadeagain。
Rosautteredashriek，andflewintothehouse。
Thefarthershegot，themoreterrifiedshebecame，andsoonChristopherheardherscreaminginthedrawing-roominanalarmingway。Theywerelikethescreamsoftheinsane。
Hegotterriblyanxious，andfollowedher。Allthedoorswereopen。
Ashewentup-stairs，heheardhercry，\"Hisghost!hisghost!I
haveseenhisghost!No，no。Ifeelhishanduponmyarmnow。A
beard!andsohehadinthedream!Heisalive。Mydarlingisalive。Youhavedeceivedme。Youareanimpostor——avillain。Outofthehousethismoment，orheshallkillyou。\"
\"Areyoumad?\"criedFalcon。\"Howcanhebealive，whenIsawhimdead?\"
Thiswastoomuch。Stainesgavethedoorablowwithhisarm，andstrodeintotheapartment，lookingwhiteandtremendous。
