Youenterthegirl\'sroom；whatisthefirstthingyouobserve?Whythatitisnotonlyoneofthebestinthehouse，butthatitisconspicuousforitscomfortsifnotforitselegancies。Morethanthat，thattherearebooksofpoetryandhistorylyingaround，showingthatthewomanwhoinhabiteditwasaboveherstation；afactwhichthehousekeeperispresentlybroughttoacknowledge。Younoticealsothatthewildsurmiseofherabductionbymeansofthewindow，hassomegroundinappearance，thoughthefactthatshewentwithentireunwillingnessisnotmadesoapparent。Thehousekeeper，however，insistsinawaythatmusthavehadsomespecialknowledgeofthegirl\'scharacterorcircumstancestobackit，thatsheneverwentwithoutcompulsion；astatementwhichthetorncurtainsandthetrackofbloodovertheroofoftheextension，wouldseemtoemphasize。Afewotherfactsaremadeknown。First，apen-knifeispickedupfromthegrassplotintheyardbeneath，showingwithwhatinstrumentthewoundwasinflicted，whosedrippingsmadethosemarksofbloodalludedto。Itwasapearl-handledknifebelongingtothewritingdeskfoundopenonhertable，anditsfrailanddaintycharacterprovedindisputably，thatitwasemployedbythegirlherself，andthatagainstmanifestenemies；
nomanbeinglikelytosnatchupanysuchpunyweaponforthepurposeeitherofoffenceordefence。Thattheseenemiesweretwoandwerebothmen，wasinsisteduponbyMrs。Danielswhooverheardtheirvoicesthenightbefore。
\"Mr。Blake，suchfactsasthesearousecuriosity，especiallywhenthemasterofthehousebeingintroduceduponthescene，hefailstomanifestcommonhumaninterest，whilehishousekeeperbetraysineveryinvoluntarygestureandexpressionshemakesuseof，herhorrorifnotherfearofhispresence，andherreliefathisdeparture。
Yes，\"heexclaimed，unheedingthesuddenlookherecasthimbyMr。
Blake，\"andcuriositybegetsinquiry，andinquiryelucidatedfurtherfactssuchasthese，thatthemysteriousmasterofthehousewasinhisgardenatthehourofthegirl\'sdeparture，wasevenlookingthroughthebarsofhisgatewhenshe，havingevidentlyescapedfromhercaptors，camebackwitheveryapparentdesiretoreenterherhome，butseeinghim，betrayedanunreasonableamountoffearandfledbackevenintotheveryarmsofthemenshehadendeavoredtoavoid。
Didyouspeaksir?\"askedMr。Grycesuddenlystopping，withaslylookathisleftboottip。
Mr。Blakeshookhishead。\"No，\"saidheshortly，\"goon。\"ButthatlastremarkofMr。Grycehadevidentlymadeitsimpression。
\"Inquiryrevealed，also，twoorthreeotherinterestingfacts。First，thatthisgentlemanqualifiedthoughhewastoshineinladies\'
society，neverobtrudedhimselfthere，butemployedhisleisuretimeinstead，inwalkingthelowerstreetsofthecity，wherehewasseenmorethanonceconversingwithcertainpoorgirlsatstreetcornersandinblindalleys。Thelastonehetalkedwith，believedfromhercharacteristicstobethesameonethatwasabductedfromhishouse——\"
\"Holdthere，\"saidMr。Blakewithsomeauthorityinhistone，\"thereyouaremistaken；thatisimpossible。\"
\"Ah，andwhy?\"
\"Thegirlyoualludetohadbrightgoldenhair，somethingwhichthewomanwholivedinmyhousedidnotpossess。\"
\"Indeed。Ithoughtyouhadnevernoticedthewomanwhosewedforyou，sir，——didnotknowhowshelooked?\"
\"Ishouldhavenoticedherifshehadhadsuchhairasthegirlyouspeakof。\"
Mr。Grycesmiledandopenedhispocketbook。
\"Thereisasampleofherhair，sir，\"saidhe，takingoutathinstrandofbrillianthairandshowingittothegentlemanbeforehim。
\"Brightyousee，andgoldenasthatoftheunfortunatecreatureyoutalkedwiththeothernight。\"
Mr。Blakestoopedforwardandlifteditwithahandthatvisiblytrembled。\"Wheredidyougetthis?\"askedheatlast，clenchingittohisbreastwithsuddenpassion。
\"Fromoutofthecombwhichthegirlhadbeenusingthenightbefore。\"
Theimperiousmanflungithastilyfromhim。
\"Wewasteourtime，\"saidhe，lookingMr。Gryceintentlyintheface。
\"Allthatyouhavesaiddoesnotaccountforyourpresenceherenorthetoneyouhaveusedwhileaddressingme。Whatareyoukeepingback?Iamnotamantobetrifledwith。\"
Mr。Grycerosetohisfeet。\"Youareright，\"saidhe，andhegaveashortglanceinmydirection。\"AllthatIhavesaidwouldnotperhapsjustifymeinthisintrusion，if——\"helookedagaintowardsme。\"Doyouwishmetocontinue?\"heasked。
Mr。Blake\'sintentlookdeepened。\"Iseenoreasonwhyyoushouldnotutterthewhole，\"saidhe。\"Agoodstorylosesnothingbybeingtoldtotheend。YouwishtosaysomethingaboutmyjourneytoSchoenmaker\'shouse，Isuppose。\"
Mr。Grycegravelyshookhishead。
\"What，youcanletsuchamysteryasthatgowithoutaword?\"
\"Iamnotheretodiscussmysteriesthathavenoconnectionwiththesewing-girlinwhosecauseIaminterested。\"
\"Then，\"saidMr。Blake，turningforthefirsttimeuponmysuperiorwithallthedignifiedcomposureforwhichhewaseminent，\"itisnolongernecessaryforustoprolongthisinterview。Ihaveallowed，nayencouragedyoutostateintheplainesttermswhatitwasyouhadorimaginedyouhadagainstme，knowingthatmyactionsoflate，seenbythosewhodidnotpossessthekeytothem，musthaveseemedalittlepeculiar。Butwhenyousayyouhavenointerestinanymysterydisconnectedwiththegirlwhohaslivedthelastfewmonthsinmyhouse，Icanwithassurancesaythatitistimewequittedthisunprofitableconversation，asnothingwhichIhavelatelydone，saidorthoughthereorelsewherehasinanywayhadeventheremotestbearinguponthatindividual；shehavingbeenastrangertomewhileinmyhouse，andquiteforgottenbyme，afterherunaccountabledeparturehence。\"
Mr。Gryce\'shandwhichhadbeenstretchedouttowardsthehithertountoucheddecanterbeforehim，suddenlydropped。\"Youdenythen，\"
saidhe，\"allconnectionbetweenyourselfandthewoman，ladyorsewing-girl，whooccupiedthatroomaboveourheadsforelevenmonthsprevioustotheSundaymorningIfirsthadthehonortomakeyouracquaintance。\"
\"Iamnotinthehabitofrepeatingmyassertions，\"saidMr。Blakewithsomeseverity，\"evenwhentheyrelatetoalessdisagreeablematterthantheoneunderdiscussion。\"
Mr。Grycebowed，andslowlyreachedoutforhishat；Ihadneverseenhimsodisturbed。\"Iamsorry，\"hebeganandstopped，fingeringhishat-brimnervously。Suddenlyhelaidhishatback，anddrewuphisformintoasnearasemblanceofdignityasitsportlinesswouldallow。
\"Mr。Blake，\"saidhe，\"IhavetoomuchrespectforthemanIbelievedyoutobewhenIenteredthishouseto-night，togowiththethingunsaidwhichislyingatpresentlikeadeadweightuponmylips。I
darenotleaveyoutotheconsequenceofmysilence；fordutywillcompelmetospeaksomedayandinsomepresencewhereyoumaynothavetheopportunitywhichyoucanhavehere，toexplainyourselfwithsatisfaction。Mr。BlakeIcannotbelieveyouwhenyousaythegirlwholivedinthishousewasastrangertoyou。\"
Mr。Blakedrewhisproudformupinadisdainthatwasonlyheldincheckbytheveryevidenthonestyofthemanbeforehim。\"Youarecourageousatleast，\"saidhe。\"Iregretyouarenotequallydiscriminating。\"AndraisingMr。Gryce\'shatheplaceditinhishand。
\"Pardonme，\"saidthatgentleman，\"IwouldliketojustifymyselfbeforeIgo。Notwithwords，\"heproceededastheotherfoldedhisarmswithasarcasticbow。\"Iamdonewithwords；actionaccomplishestherest。Mr。BlakeIbelieveyouconsidermeanhonestofficerandareliableman。Willyouaccompanymetoyourprivateroomforamoment?ThereissomethingtherewhichmayconvinceyouIwasneitherplayingthefoolnorthebravadowhenIutteredthephraseIdidaninstantago。\"
Iexpectedtohearthehaughtymasterofthehouserefusearequestsopeculiar。Butheonlybowed，thoughinasurprisedwaythatshowedhiscuriosityifnomorewasaroused。\"Myroomandcompanyareatyourdisposal，\"saidhe，\"butyouwillfindnothingtheretojustifyyouinyourassertions。\"
\"Letmeatleastmaketheeffort，\"entreatedmysuperior。
Mr。Blakesmilingbitterlyimmediatelyledthewaytothedoor。\"Themanmaycome，\"heremarkedcarelesslyasMr。Grycewavedhishandinmydirection。\"Yourjustificationifnotminemayneedwitnesses。\"
Rejoicedatthepermission，formycuriositywasbythistimeraisedtofeverpitch，Iatoncefollowed。Notwithoutanxiety。TheassuredpoiseofMr。Blake\'sheadseemedtoarguethattheconfidencebetrayedbymysuperiormightreceiveashock；andIfeltitwouldbeaseriousblowtohispridetofailnow。Butoncewithintheroomabove，mydoubtsspeedilyfled。TherewasthatinMr。Gryce\'sfacewhichanyoneacquaintedwithhimcouldnoteasilymistake。Whatevermightbethemysterioussomethingwhichtheroomcontained，itwasevidentlysufficientinhiseyestojustifyhiswholeconduct。
\"Nowsir，\"saidMr。Blake，turninguponmysuperiorwithhissternestexpression，\"theroomanditscontentsarebeforeyou；whathaveyoutosayforyourself。\"
Mr。Gryceequallystern，ifnotequallycomposed，castoneofhisinscrutableglancesroundtheapartmentandwithoutawordsteppedbeforethepicturethatwasasIhavesaid，theonlyornamentationoftheotherwisebareandunattractiveroom。
IthoughtMr。Blakelookedsurprised，buthisfacewasnotonethatlightlyexpressedemotion。
\"AportraitofmycousintheCountessDeMirac，\"saidhewithacertaindrynessoftonehardtointerpret。
Mr。Grycebowedandforamomentstoodlookingwithastrangelackofinterestattheproudlybrilliantfaceofthepaintingbeforehim，thentoourgreatamazementsteppedforwardandwithaquickgestureturnedthepicturerapidlytothewall，when——Graciousheavens!whatavisionstartedoutbeforeusfromthereversesideofthatpaintedcanvas!Noluxuriousbrunettecountenancenow，steepedinprideandlanguor，butaface——LetmeseeifIcandescribeit。Butno，itwasoneofthosefacesthatareindescribable。Youdrawyourbreathasyouviewit；youfeelasifyouhadhadanelectricshock；butasforknowingtenminuteslaterwhethertheeyesthatsoenthralledyouwereblueorblack，orthelocksthatclusteredhalo-likeaboutaforeheadalmostawfulinitsexpressionofweird，unfathomablepower，werebrownorred，youcouldnotnorwouldyoupretendtosay。Itwasthecharacterofthecountenanceitselfthatimpressedyou。Youdidnotevenknowifthiswomanwhomighthavebeenanythingwonderfulorgrandyoueverreadof，werebeautifulornot。Youdidnotcare；itwasasifyouhadbeengazingonatranquileveningskyandalightningflashhadsuddenlystartledyou。Isthelightningbeautiful?
Whoasks!ButIknowfromwhatpresentlytranspired，thatthefacewasivorypaleincomplexion，theeyesdeeplydark，andthehair，——
strangeanduncannycombination，——ofabrightandpeculiargoldenhue。
\"Youdare!\"cameforthinstrangebrokentonesfromMr。Blake\'slips。
Iinstantlyturnedtowardshim。Hewasgazingwithalookthatwashalfindignant，halfmenacingatthesilentdetectivewhowitheyesdroopedandfingerdirectedtowardsthepicture，seemedtobewaitingforhimtofinish。
\"Idonotunderstandanaudacitythatallowsyouto——to——\"Wasthisthehaughtygentlemanwehadknown，thishesitatingtroubledmanwithbloodlesslipsandtremblinghands?
\"Ideclaredmydesiretojustifymyself，\"saidmyprincipalwitharespectfulbow。\"Thisismyjustification。Doyounotethecolorofthewoman\'shairwhoseportraithangswithitsfaceturnedtothewallinyourroom?Isitlikeorunlikethatofthestrandyouheldinyourhandafewmomentsago；astrandtakenasIswear，hairbyhairfromthecombofthepoorcreaturewhooccupiedtheroomabove。
Butthatisnotall，\"hecontinuedasMr。Blakefellatrifleaback；
\"justobservethedressinwhichthiswomanispainted；bluesilkyousee，darkandrich；awidecollarcunninglyexecuted，youcanalmosttracethepattern；abrooch；thentherosesinthehand，doyousee?
Nowcomewithmeupstairs。\"
Toomuchstartledtospeak，Mr。Blake，haughtyaristocratashewas，turnedlikealittlechildandfollowedthedetectivewhowithanassuredstepandunembarassedmienledthewayintothedesertedroomabove。
\"Youaccusemeofinsultingyou，whenIexpressdisbeliefofyourassertionthattherewasnoconnectionbetweenyouandthegirlEmily，\"saidMr。Gryceashelitthegasandunlockedthatfamousbureaudrawer。\"Willyoudosoanylongerinfaceofthese?\"Anddrawingoffthetowelthatlayuppermost，herevealedtheneatlyfoldeddress，widecollar，broochandfadedrosesthatlaybeneath。
\"Mrs。Danielsassuresusthesearticlesbelongedtothesewing-womanEmily；werebroughtherebyher。Dareyousaytheyarenottheonesreproducedintheportraitbelow?\"
Mr。Blakeutteringacrysankonhiskneesbeforethedrawer。\"MyGod!
MyGod!\"washisonlyreply，\"whatarethese?\"Suddenlyherose，hiswholeformquivering，hiseyesburning。\"WhereisMrs。Daniels?\"hecried，hastilyadvancingandpullingthebell。\"Imustseeheratonce。Sendthehouse-keeperhere，\"heorderedasFannysmilingdemurelymadeherappearanceatthedoor。
\"Mrs。Danielsisout，\"returnedthegirl，\"wentoutassoonaseveryougotupfromdinner，sir。\"
\"Goneoutatthishour?\"
\"Yessir；shegoesoutveryoftennowadays，sir。\"
Hermasterfrowned。\"Sendhertomeassoonasshereturns，\"hecommanded，anddismissedthegirl。
\"Idon\'tknowwhattomakeofthis，\"henowsaidinastrangetone，approachingagainthetouchingcontentsofthatopenbureaudrawerwithalookinwhichlonginganddoubtseemedinsomewaytobestrangelycommingled。\"Icannotexplainthepresenceofthesearticlesinthisroom；butifyouwillcomebelowIwillseewhatIcandotomakeothermattersintelligibletoyou。Disagreeableasitisformetotakeanyoneintomyconfidence，affairshavegonetoofarformetohopeanylongertopreservesecrecyastomyprivateconcerns。\"
CHAPTERXI
LUTTRA
\"Gentlemen，\"saidheasheusheredusoncemoreintohisstudio，\"youhavepresumed，andnotwithoutreasonIshouldsay，toinferthattheoriginalofthisportraitandthewomanwhohassolongoccupiedthepositionofsewing-womaninmyhouse，areoneandthesame。YouwillnolongerretainthatopinionwhenIinformyouthatthispicture，strangeasitmayappeartoyou，isthelikenessofmywife。\"
\"Wife!\"WebothwereastonishedasItakeit，butitwasmyvoicewhichspoke。\"Wewereignorantyoueverhadawife。\"
\"Nodoubt，\"continuedourhostsmilingbitterly，\"thatatleasthasevadedtheknowledgeevenofthedetectives。\"Thenwithareturntohisnaturallycourteousmanner，\"Shewasneveracknowledgedbymeasmywife，norhaveweeverlivedtogether，butifpriestlybenedictioncanmakeamanandwomanone，thatwomanasyouseeherthereismylawfulwife。\"
Rising，hesoftlyturnedthelovely，potentfacebacktothewall，leavingusoncemoreconfrontedbythedarkandglowingcountenanceofhiscousin。
\"Iamnotcalledupon，\"saidhe，\"togoanyfurtherwithyouthanthis。Ihavetoldyouwhatnomantillthishourhaseverheardfrommylips，anditshouldservetoexoneratemefromanyunjustsuspicionsyoumayhaveentertained。Buttooneofmytemperament，secretscandalandthegossipitengendersisonlylesspainfulthanopennotoriety。IfIleavethesubjecthere，athousandconjectureswillatonceseizeuponyou，andmynameifnotherswillbecome，beforeIknowit，thefootballofgossipifnotofworseanddeepersuspicionthanhasyetassailedme。GentlemanItakeyoutobehonestmen；husbands，perhaps，andfathers；proud，too，inyourwayandjealousofyourownreputationandthatofthosewithwhomyouareconnected。IfIsucceedinconvincingyouthatmymovementsoflatehavebeentotallydisconnectedwiththegirlwhosecauseyouprofesssolelytobeinterestedin，mayIcountuponyoursilenceasregardsthoseactionsandtherealmotivethatledtothem?\"
\"Youmaycountuponmydiscretionasregardsallmattersthatdonotcomeunderthescopeofpoliceduty，\"returnedMr。Gryce。\"Ihaven\'tmuchtimeforgossip。\"
\"Andyourmanhere?\"
\"O，he\'ssafewhereitprofitshimtobe。\"
\"Verywell，then，Ishallcountuponyou。\"
Andwiththeknittedbrowsandclinchedhandsofaproudlyreticentmanwho，perhapsforthefirsttimeinhislifefindshimselfforcedtorevealhisinnernaturetotheworld，hebeganhisstoryinthesewords:
\"Difficultasitisformetointroduceintoarelationlikethisthenameofmyfather，Ishallbeobligedtodosoinordertomakemyconductatamomentouscrisisofmylifeintelligibletoyou。Myfather，then，wasamanofstrongwillandafewbutdeterminedprejudices。ResolvedthatIshouldsustainthereputationofthefamilyforwealthandrespectability，hegavemetounderstandfrommyearliestyears，thataslongasIpreservedmymanhoodfromreproach，Ihadonlytomakemywishesknown，tohavethemimmediatelygratified；whileifIcrossedhiswilleitherbyindulgingindissipationorengaginginpursuitsunworthyofmyname，Inolongerneedexpectthefavorofhiscountenanceortheassistanceofhispurse。
\"When，therefore，atacertainperiodofmylife，IfoundthatthecharmsofmycousinEvelynweremakingrathertoostronganimpressionuponmyfancyforasecuredpeaceofmind，Ifirstinquiredhowsuchaunionwouldaffectmyfather，andlearningthatitwouldbeindirectoppositiontohisviews，castaboutinmymindwhatI
shoulddotoovercomemypassion。Travelsuggesteditself，andItookatriptoEurope。Butthesightofnewfacesonlyawakenedinmecomparisonsanythingbutdetrimentaltothebeautyofherwhowasatthattimemystandardoffeminineloveliness。Natureandthesportsconnectedwithawildlifeweremynextresort。IwentoverlandtoCalifornia，roamedtheorangegrovesofFlorida，andprobedthewildernessesofCanadaandourNorthernstates。Itwasduringtheselastexcursionsthataneventoccurredwhichhasexercisedthemostmaterialinfluenceuponmyfate，thoughatthetimeitseemedtomenomorethanthematterofaday。
\"IhadjustreturnedfromCanadaandwasrestingintolerableenjoymentofaverybeautifulautumnatLakeGeorge，whenaletterreachedmefromafriendthenloiteringinthevicinity，urgingmetojoinhiminacertainsmalltowninVermontwheretroutstreamsaboundedandwhatisnotsooftenthecaseunderthecircumstances，fisherswerefew。
\"BeinginasomewhatrecklessmoodIatoncewroteaconsent，andbeforeanotherdaywasover，startedfortheremotevillagewhencehisletterwaspostmarked。Ifounditbynomeanseasyofaccess。
Situatedinthemidstofhillssometwentymilesorsodistantfromanyrailroad，Idiscoveredthatinordertoreachit，alongrideinastage-coachwasnecessary，followedbyasomewhatshorterjourneyonhorseback。Notbeingacquaintedwiththeroute，Itimedmyconnectionswrong，sothatwheneveningcameIfoundmyselfridingoverastrangeroadinthedarkestnightIhadeverknown。Asifthiswasnotenough，myhorsesuddenlybegantolimpandpresentlybecamesolameIfounditimpossibletourgeherbeyondaslowwalk。ItwasthereforewithnoordinarysatisfactionthatIpresentlybeheldalightedbuildinginthedistance，whichasIapproachedresolveditselfintoaninn。Stoppinginfrontofthehouse，whichwasclosedagainstthechillnightair，Icalledoutlustilyforsomeonetotakemyhorse，whereuponthedooropenedandamanappearedonthethresholdwithalanterninhishand。Iatoncemademywishesknown，receivinginturnasomewhatgruff，\"\'Wellitisanastynightanditwillbenastierbeforeit\'sover；\'
anopinioninstantlyendorsedbyasuddenswoopofwindthatrushedbyatthatmoment，slammingthedoorbehindhimandawakeningovermyheadalugubriousgroaningasfromthetwistingboughsofsomeoldtree，thatwasalmostthreateninginitscharacter。
\"\'Youhadbettergoin，\'saidhe，\'therainwillcomenext。\'
\"Iatonceleapedfrommyhorseandpushingopenthedoorwithmainstrength，enteredthehouse。Anothermanmetmeonthethresholdwhomerelypointingoverhisshouldertoalightedroominhisrear，passedoutwithoutaword，tohelpthesomewhatyoungerman，whohadfirstappeared，inputtingupmyhorse。Iatonceacceptedhissilentinvitationandsteppedintotheroombeforeme。InstantlyI
foundmyselfconfrontedbytheratherstartlingvisionofayounggirlofauniqueandhauntingstyleofbeauty，whorisingatmyapproachnowstoodwithhereyesonmyfaceandherhandsrestingonthedealtablebeforewhichshehadbeensitting，inanattitudeexpressiveofmingledsurpriseandalarm。Toseeawomaninthatplacewasnotsostrange；butsuchawoman!EveninthefirstcasualglanceIgaveher，Iatonceacknowledgedtomyselfherextraordinarypower。Nottheslightnessofherform，thepalorofhercountenance，orthefairnessofthelocksofgoldenredhairthatfellintwolongbraidsoverherbosom，couldforamomentcounteracttheeffectofherdarkglanceorthevividalmostunearthlyforceofherexpression。Itwasasifyousawaflameupstartingbeforeyou，wavingtremulouslyhereandthere，butburningandresistlessinitswhiteheat。Itookoffmyhatwithdeference。
\"Ashudderpassedoverher，butshemadenoefforttoreturnmyacknowledgement。Aswecastoureyesdilatingwithhorror，downsomehorriblepituponwhosevergewesuddenlyfindourselves，sheallowedhergazeforamomenttodwelluponmyface，thenwithasuddenliftingofherhand，pointedtowardsthedoorasiftobidmedepart——whenitswungopenwiththatshrillrushingofwindthatinvoluntarilyawakesashudderwithinyou，andthetwomenenteredandcamestampinguptomyside。Instantlyherhandsunk，notfeeblyaswithfear，butcalmlyasifatthebiddingofherwill，andwithoutwaitingforthemtospeak，sheturnedawayandquietlylefttheroom。
AsthedoorcloseduponherInoticedthatsheworeacalicofrockandthatherfacedidnotownoneperfectfeature。
\"\'GoafterLuttraandtellhertomakeupthebedinthenorthwestroom，\'saidtheelderofthetwoindeepgutteraltonesunmistakablyGermanintheiraccent，totheotherwhostoodshakingthewetoffhiscoatintotheleapingflamesofasmallwoodfirethatburnedonthehearthbeforeus。
\"\'O，she\'lldowithoutmybothering，\'wasthesullenreturn。\'I\'mwetthrough。\'
\"Theelderman，alargepowerfullyframedfellowofsomefiftyyearsorso，frowned。Itwasanevilfrown，andtheyoungeroneseemedtofeelit。Heimmediatelytossedhiscoatontoachairandlefttheroom。
\"\'Boysaresoobstropolousnow-a-days，\'remarkedhiscompaniontomewithwhatheevidentlyintendedforaconciliatorynod。\'Inmytimetheywerebrokein，didwhattheyweretoldandaskednoquestions。\'
\"Ismiledtomyselfathiscallingthebroadshoulderedsix-footerwhohadjustleftusaboy，butmerelyremarking，\'Heisyoursonishenot!\'seatedmyselfbeforetheblazewhichshotupatongueofwhiteflameatmyapproach，thatirresistiblyrecalledtomyfancytheappearanceofthegirlwhohadgoneoutamomentbefore。
\"\'O，yes，heismyson，andthatgirlyousawherewasmydaughter；I
keepthisinnandtheyhelpme，butitisaslowwaytolive，Icantellyou。Travelontheseroadsisslim。\'
\"\'Ishouldthinklikely，\'Ireturned，rememberingthehalfdozenorsohillsupwhichIhadclamberedsinceItooktomyhorse。\'HowfararewefromPentonville?\'
\"\'O，twoorthreemiles，\'hereplied，butinahurriedkindofaway。
\'Notfarinthedaytimebutaregularjourneyinanightlikethis?\'
\"\'Yes，\'saidI，asthehouseshookunderafreshgust；\'itisfortunateIhaveaplaceinwhichtoputup。\'
\"Heglanceddownatmybaggagewhichconsistedofasmallhandbag，anover-coatandafishingpole，withsomethinglikeagleamofdisappointment。
\"\'Goingfishing?\'heasked。
\"\'Yes，\'Ireturned。
\"\'Goodtroutupthosestreamsandplentyofthem，\'hewenton。\'Goingalone?\'
\"Ididnothalflikehisimportunity，butconsideringIhadnothingbettertodo，repliedasaffablyaspossible。\'No，IexpecttomeetafriendinPentonvillewhowillaccompanyme。\"
\"Hishandwenttohisbeardinathoughtfulattitudeandhecastmewhat，withmyincreasedexperienceoftheworld，Ishouldnowconsiderasinisterglance。\'Thenyouareexpected?\'saidhe。
\"Notconsideringthisworthreply，Istretchedoutmyfeettotheblazeandbegantowarmthem，forIfeltchilledthrough。
\"\'Beenontheroadlong?\'henowasked，glancingattheblueflannelsuitIwore。
\"\'Allsummer，\'Ireturned，\"Iagainthoughthelookeddisappointed。
\"\'FromTroyorNewYork?\'hewentonwithavagueendeavortoappeargoodnaturallyoffhand。
\"\'NewYork。\'
\"\'Abigplacethat，\'hecontinued。\'Iwasthereonce，lotsofmoneystoredawayinthembigbuildingsdowninWallStreet，eh?\'
\"Iassented，andhedrewachairuptomyside，aproceedingthatwasinterrupted，however，bythereentranceofhisson，whowithoutanyapologycrowdedintotheothersideofthefire-placeinawaytosandwichmebetweenthem。NotfancyingthisarrangementwhichI，however，imputedtoignorance，Idrewbackandaskedifmyroomwasready。Itseemeditwasnot，andunpleasantlyasitpromised，Ifeltforcedtoreseatmyselfandjoinin，ifnotsupport，theconversationthatfollowed。
\"Ahalfhourpassedaway，duringwhichthewindincreasedtillitalmostamountedtoagale。Spurtsofraindashedagainstthewindowswithasharpcracklingsoundthatsuggestedhail，whileeverandanonadistantrollasofrousingthunder，rumbledawayamongthehillsinalongandreverberatingpeal，thatmademefeelgladtobehousedevenundertheroofoftheserudeanduncongenialcreatures。
Suddenlytheconversationturneduponthetimeandtime-pieces，wheninaloweventoneIheardmurmuredbehindme，\"\'Thegentleman\'sroomisready；\'andturning，Isawstandinginthedoorwaytheslightfigureoftheyounggirlwhoseappearancehadpreviouslysoimpressedme。
\"Iimmediatelyarose。\'ThenIwillproceedtoitatonce，\'saidI，takingupmytrapsandadvancingtowardsher。
\"\'Donotbealarmedifyouhearcreaksandcracklingsalloverthehouse，\'observedthelandlordasIdeparted。\'Thewindowsarelooseandthedoorsill-fitting。Insuchastormasthistheymakenoiseenoughtokeepanarmyawake。Thehouseissafeenoughthoughandifyoudon\'tmindnoise——\'
\"\'OIdon\'tmindnoise，\'rejoinedI，feelingatthatmomenttiredenoughtofallintoadozeonthestaircase。\'Ishallsleep，neverfear，\'andwithoutfurtheradofollowedthegirlupstairsintoalargeclumsilyfurnishedroomwhoseenormousbeddrapedwithheavycurtainsatonceattractedmyattention。
\"\'OIcannotsleepunderthosethings，\'remarkedI，withagesturetowardsthedismaldraperieswhichtomewereanothernameforsuffocation。
\"Withasinglearm-sweepshethrewthemback。\'IsthereanythingmoreIcandoforyou?\'askedshe，glancinghastilyabouttheroom。
\"Ithankedherandsaid\'no，\'atwhichsheatoncedepartedwithalookofstilldeterminationuponhercountenancethatIfoundithardtoexplain。
Leftaloneinthatlarge，bareanddimlylightedroom，withthewindshriekinginthechimneyandthepowerfullimbsofsomehugetreebeatingagainstthewallswithout，withaheavythudinexpressiblymournful，Ifoundtomysurpriseandsomethinglikedismay，thatthesleepinesswhichhadhithertooppressedme，hadinsomeunaccountablewayentirelyfled。InvainIcontemplatedthebed，comfortableenoughnowinitsappearancethatthestiflingcurtainswerewithdrawn；notemptationtoinvadeitcametoarousemefromthechairintowhichI
hadthrownmyself。ItwasasifIfeltmyselfunderthespellofsomeinvisibleinfluencethatliketheeyeofabasilisk，heldmeenchained。IrememberturningmyheadtowardsacertainquarterofthewallasifIhalfexpectedtoencountertherethebewilderingglanceofaserpent。Yetfarfrombeingapprehensiveofanydanger，I
onlywonderedovertheweaknessofmindthatmadesuchfanciespossible。
\"Anextraloudswirlofthefoliagewithout，accompaniedbyaquickvibrationofthehouse，arousedmeatlast。IfIwastolosethesenseofthisfuriousstormcareeringovermyhead，Imustcourtsleepatonce。Rising，Idrewoffmycoat，unloosenedmyvestandwasabouttothrowitoff，whenIbethoughtmeofacertainwalletitcontained。GoingtothedoorinsomeunconsciousimpulseofprecautionIsuppose，Ilockedmyselfin，andthendrawingoutmywallet，tookfromitarollofbillswhichIputintoasmallsidepocket，returningthewallettoitsoldplace。
\"WhyIdidthisIcanscarcelysay。AsIhavebeforeintimated，Iwasundernospecialapprehension。Iwasatthattimeanythingbutasuspiciousman，andthemannerandappearanceofthemenbelowstruckmeasunpleasantlydisagreeablebutnothingmore。ButInotonlydidwhatIhaverelated，butallowedthelamptoremainlighted，lyingdownfinallyinmyclothes；analmostunprecedentedactonmypart，warrantedhoweverasIsaidtomyself，bythefuryofthegalewhichatthattimeseemedasifitwouldtumbletheroofoverourheads。
