\"HowlongIlaylisteningtothecreakingsandgroaningsofthericketyoldhouse，Icannotsay，norhowlongIremainedinthedozewhichfinallyseizedmeasIbecameaccustomedtothesoundsaroundandoverme。Enoughthatbeforethestormhadpasseditsheight，I
awokeasifatthetouchofahand，andleapingwithaboundoutofthebed，beheldtomyincredibleamazememt，thealert，nervousformofLuttrastandingbeforeme。Shehadmycoatinherhand，anditwashertouchthathadevidentlyawakenedme。
\"\'Iwantyoutoputthison，\'saidsheinalowthrillingtonetotallynewinmyexperience，\'andcomewithme。Thehouseisunsafeforyoutoremainin。Hearhowitcracksandtrembles。Anotherblastlikethatandweshallberoofless。\'
\"Shewasmovingtowardthedoor，whichtomyamazementstoodajar，butmyhesitationstoppedher。
\"\'Won\'tyoucome?\'shewhispered，turningherfacetowardsmewithalookofsuchpotentdetermination，Ifollowedinspiteofmyself\'I
darenotletyoustayhere，yourbloodwillbeuponmyhead。\'
\"\'Youexaggerate，\'Ireplied，shrinkingbackwithalonginglookatthecomfortablebedIhadjustleft。\'Theseoldhousesarealwaysstrong。Itwilltakemanysuchagustasthatyouhear，tooverturnit，Iassureyou。\'
\"\'Iexaggerate!\'shereturnedwithalookofscornimpossibletodescribe。\'Hark!\'shesaid，\'hearthat。\'
\"Ididhear，andImustacknowledgethatitseemedisifwewereabouttobesweptfromourfoundations。
\"\'Yes，\'saidI，\'butitisafearfulnighttobeoutin。\'
\"\'Ishallgowithyou，\'saidshe。
\"\'Inthatcase——\'Ibeganwithanill-advisedattemptatgallantrywhichshecutshortwithagesture。
\"\'Hereisyourhat，\'remarkedshe，\'andhereisyourbag。Thefishing-polemustremain，youcannotcarryit。\'
\"\'But，——\'Iexpostulated。
\"\'Hush!\'saidshewithherearturnedtowardsthedepthsofthestaircaseatthetopofwhichwestood。\'Myfatherandbrotherwillthinkasyoudothatitisfollytoleavetheshelterofarooffortheuncertaintiesoftheroadonsuchanightasthis，butyoumustnotheedthem。Itellyoushelterthisnightisdanger，andthattheonlysafetytobefoundisonthestormyhighway。\'
\"Andwithoutwaitingformyreply，shepassedrapidlydownstairs，pushedopenadooratthebottom，andsteppedatonceintotheroomwehadleftanhourorsobefore。
\"Whatwasthereinthatroomthatforthefirsttimestruckanominouschillasofdistinctperilthroughmyveins?Nothingatfirstsight，everythingatthesecond。Thefirewhichhadnotbeenallowedtodieout，stillburnedbrightlyontheruddyhearthstone，butitwasnotthatwhichawakenedmyapprehension。Norwasittheloudtickingclockonthemantlepiecewithitshandpointingsilentlytothehourofeleven。Noryettheheavyquietofthescantily-furnishedroomwithitsonelampburningonthedealtableagainstthesideofthewall。
Itwasthesightofthosetwopowerfulmendrawnupingrimsilence，theoneagainstthedoorleadingtothefronthall，theotheragainstthatopeningintothekitchen。
\"AglanceatLuttrastandingsilentandundismayedatmyside，however，instantlyreassuredme。Withthatwillexercisedinmyfavor，Icouldnotbutwinthroughwhateveritwasthatmenacedme。
Slingingmybagovermyshoulder，Imadeamovetowardsthedoorandthesilentfigureofmyhost。Butwithaquickoutreachingofherhand，shedrewmeback。
\"\'Standstill!\'saidshe。\'Karl，\'shewenton，turningherfacetowardsthemoresullenbutlessintentcountenanceofherbrother，\'openthedoorandletthisgentlemanpass。Hefindsthehouseunsafeinsuchagaleanddesirestoleaveit。Atonce!\'shecontinuedasherbrothersettledhimselfmoredeterminedlyagainstthelock:\'I
don\'toftenaskfavors。\'
\"\'Themanisafoolthatwantstogooutinanightlikethis，\'quoththefellowwithadoggedmove；\'andsoareyoutoencourageit。I
thinktoomuchofyourhealthtoallowit。\'
\"Shedidnotseemtohear。\'Willyouopenthedoor?\'shewenton，notadvancingastepfromthefire，beforewhichshehadplacedherselfandme。\'
\"\'No，Iwon\'t，\'wasthebrutalreply。\'Itsbeenlockedforthenightanditsnotmenoronelikeme，thatwillopenit。\'
\"Withasuddenwhiteningofheralreadypaleface，sheturnedtowardsherfather。Hewasnotevenlookingather。
\"\'Someonemustopenthehouse，\'saidshe，glancingbackatherbrother。\'Thisgentlemanpurposestoleaveandhiswhimmustbehumored。WillyouunlockthatdoororshallI?\'
\"Anangrysnarlinterruptedher。Herfatherhadboundedfromthedoorwherehestoodandwasstridinghastilytowardsher。InmyapprehensionIputupmyarmforashield，forhelookedreadytomurderher，butIletitdropagainaslcaughtherglancewhichwaslikewhiteflameundisturbedbytheleastbreezeofpersonalterror。
\"\'Youwillstopthere，\'saidshe，pointingtoaspotafewfeetfromwhereshestood。\'AnotherstepandIletthatforwhichIhaveheardyoudeclareyouwouldperilyourverysoul，fallintotheheartoftheflames。\'Anddrawingfromherbreastarollofbills，shestretchedthemoutabovethefirebeforewhichshewasstanding。
\"\'You——\'brokefromthegray-beardedlipsoftheoldman，buthestoppedwherehewas，eyeingthosebillsasiffascinated。
\"\'Iamnotagirlofmanywords，asyouknow，\'continuedsheinaloftytoneinexpressiblycommanding。\'Youmaystrangleme，youmaykillme，itmatterslittle；butthisgentlemanleavesthehousethisnight，orIdestroythemoneywithagesture。\'
\"\'You——\'againbrokefromthosequiveringlips，buttheoldmandidnotmove。
\"Notsotheyounger。Witharushhelefthispostandinanotherinstantwouldhavehadhispowerfularmsaboutherslenderform，onlythatImethimhalfwaywithablowthatlaidhimontheflooratherfeet。Shesaidnothing，butoneofthebillsimmediatelyleftherhandandflutteredintothefirewhereitinstantlyshrivelledintonothing。
\"Withtheyellofamadbeastwoundedinhismostvulnerablespot，theoldmanbeforeusstampedwithhisheeluponthefloor。
\"\'Stop!\'criedhe；andgoingrapidlytothefrontdoorheopenedit。
\'There!\'shriekedhe，\'ifyouwillbefools，go!andmaythelightningblastyou。Butfirstgivemethemoney。\'
\"\'Comefromthedoor，\'saidshe，reachingoutherlefthandforthelanternhangingatthesideofthefireplace，\'andletKarllightthisandkeephimselfoutoftheway。\'
\"Itwasalldone。InlesstimethanIcantellit，theoldmanhadsteppedfromthedoor，theyoungeronehadlitthelanternandwewereinreadinesstodepart。
\"\'Nowdoyouproceed，\'saidshetome，\'Iwillfollow。\'
\"\'No，\'saidI，\'wewillgotogether。\'
\"\'Butthemoney?\'growledtheheavyvoiceofmyhostovermyshoulder。
\"\'Iwillgiveittoyouonmyreturn，\'saidthegirl。
CHAPTERXII
AWOMAN\'SLOVE
\"ShallIeverforgettheblastofdrivingrainthatstruckourfacesandenvelopedusinacloudofwet，asthedoorswungonitshingesandletusforthintothenight；ortheelectricthrillthatshotthroughmeasthatslendergirlgraspedmyhandanddrewmeawaythroughtheblindingdarkness。ItwasnotthatIwassomuchaffectedbyherbeautyasinfluencedbyherpowerandenergy。Thefuryofthegaleseemedtobendtoherwill，thewindlendwingstoherfeet。Ibegantorealizewhatintellectwas。Arrivedattheroadside，shepausedandlookedback。Thetwoburlyformsofthemenwehadleftbehinduswerestandinginthedooroftheinn；inanothermomenttheyhadplungedforthandtowardsus。WithalowcrytheyounggirlleapedtowardsatreewheretomyunboundedastonishmentIbeheldmyhorsestandingreadysaddled。Draggingthemarefromherfastenings，shehungthelantern，burningasitwas，onthepommelofthesaddle，struckthepantingcreatureasmartblowupontheflank，anddrewbackwithaleaptomyside。
\"Thestartledhorsesnorted，gaveaplungeofdismayandstartedawayfromusdowntheroad。
\"\'Wewillwait，\'saidLuttra。
\"Thewordswerenosooneroutofhermouththanherfatherandbrotherrushedby。
\"\'Theywillfollowthelight，\'whisperedshe；andseizingmeagainbythehand，shehurriedmeawayinthedirectionoppositetothatwhichthehorsehadtaken。\'Ifyouwilltrustme，Iwillbringyoutoshelter，\'shemurmured，bendingherslightformtothegustywindbutrelaxingnotawhitofherspeed。
\"\'Youaretookind，\'Imurmuredinreturn。\'Whyshouldyouexposeyourselftosuchanextentforastranger?\'
\"Herhandtightenedonmine，butshedidnotreply，andwehastenedonasspeedilyasthewindandrainwouldallow。Afterashortbutdeterminedbreastingofthestorm，duringwhichmybreathhadnearlyfailedme，shesuddenlystopped。
\"\'Doyouknow，\'sheexclaimedinalowimpressivetone，\'thatweareonthevergeofasteepanddreadfulprecipice?Itrunsalonghereforaquarterofamileanditisnotanuncommonthingforahorseandridertobedashedoveritinanightlikethis。\'
\"TherewassomethinginhermannerthatawakenedachillinmyveinsalmostasifshehadpointedoutsomedreadfuldoomwhichIhadunwittinglyescaped。
\"\'Thisis，then，adangerousroad，\'Imurmured。
\"\'Very，\'washerhurriedandalmostincoherentreply。
\"HowfarwetravelledthroughthemudandtangledgrassesofthathorribleroadIdonotknow。Itseemedalongdistance；itwasprobablynotmorethanthreequartersofamile。Atlastshepausedwithashort\'Hereweare；\'andlookingup，Isawthatwewereinfrontofasmallunlightedcottage。
\"NorefugeeverappearedmorewelcometoapairofsinkingwanderersI
amsure。Wettotheskin，bedrabbledwithmud，exhaustedwithbreastingthegale，westoodforamomentundertheporchtoregainourbreath，thenwithhercharacteristicenergysheliftedtheknockerandstruckasmartblowonthedoor。
\"\'Wewillfindshelterhere，\'saidshe。
\"Shewasnotmistaken。Inafewmomentswewerestandingoncemorebeforeacomfortablefirehastilybuiltbytheworthycouplewhoseslumberswehadthusinterrupted。AsIbegantorealizethesweetnessofconscioussafety，allthatthisyoung，heroiccreaturehaddoneformesweptwarmlyacrossmymind。Lookingupfromthefirethatwasbeginingtoinfuseitsheatthroughmygratefulsystem，Isurveyedherassheslowlyundidherlongbraidsandshookthemdryovertheblaze，andalmoststartedtoseehowyoungshewas。NotmorethansixteenIshouldsay，andyetwhataninvinciblewillshonefromherdarkeyesanddignifiedherslenderform；awillgentleasitwasstrong，elevatedasitwasunbending。IbowedmyheadasIwatchedher，ingratefulthankfulnesswhichIpresentlyputintowords。
\"Atonceshedrewherselferect。\'Ididbutmyduty，\'saidshequietly。\'IamgladIwasprosperedinit。\'Thenslowly。\'Ifyouaregrateful，sir，willyoupromisetosaynothingof——ofwhattookplaceattheinn?\'
\"InstantlyIrememberedasuspicionwhichhadcrossedmymindwhilethere，andmyhandwentinvoluntarilytomyvestpocket。Therollofbillswasgone。
\"Shedidnotfalter。\'Iwouldberelievedifyouwould，\'continuedshe。
\"Idrewoutmyemptyhand，lookedatit，butsaidnothing。
\"\'Haveyoulostanything?\'askedshe。\'Searchinyourovercoatpockets。\'
\"Iplungedmyhandintotheonenearestheranddrewitoutwithsatisfaction；therollofbillswasthere。\'Igiveyoumypromise，\'
saidI。
\"\'Youwillfindabillmissing，\'shemurmured；\'forwhatamountIdonotknow；thesacrificeofsomethingwasinevitable。\'
\"\'Icanonlywonderovertheingenuityyoudisplayed，aswellasexpressmyappreciationforyourbravery，\'returnedIwithenthusiasm。\'Youareanoblegirl。\'
\"Sheputoutherhandasifcomplimentshurther。\'Itisthefirsttimetheyhaveeverattemptedanythinglikethat，\'criedsheinaquicklowtonefullofshameandsuffering。\'Theyhaveshownadispositionto——totakemoneysometimes，buttheyneverthreatenedlifebefore。Andtheydidthreatenyours。Theysawyoutakeoutyourmoney，throughaholepiercedinthewalloftheroomyouoccupied，andthesightmadethemmad。Theyweregoingtokillyouandthentumbleyouandyourhorseovertheprecipicebelowthere。ButI
overheardthemtalkingandwhentheywentouttosaddlethehorse，I
hurrieduptoyourroomtowakeyou。Ihadtotakepossessionofthebills；youwerenotsafewhileyouheldthem。ItookthemquietlybecauseIhopedtosaveyouwithoutbetrayingthem。ButIfailedinthat。Youmustremembertheyaremyfatherandmybrother。\'
\"\'Iwillnotbetraythem，\'saidI。
\"Shesmiled。Itwasawintrygleambutitineffablysoftenedherface。
Ibecameconsciousofamovementofpitytowardsher。
\"\'Youhaveahardlot，\'remarkedI。\'Yourlifemustbeasadone。\'
\"Sheflasheduponmeoneglanceofherdarkeye。\'Iwasbornforhardship，\'saidshe，\'but——\'andasuddenwildshudderseizedher，\'butnotforcrime。\'
\"Thewordfelllikeadropofbloodwrungfromherheart。
\"\'Goodheavens!\'criedI，\'andmustyou——\'
\"\'No，\'rangfromherlipsinaclarion-likepeal；\'somethingscuttheverybondsofnature。Iamnotcalledupontocleavetowhatwilldragmeintoinfamy。\'Thencalmly，asifspeakingofthemostordinarymatterintheworld，\'Ishallnevergobacktothathousewehaveleftbehindus，sir。\'
\"\'But，\'criedI，glancingatherscantygarments，\'wherewillyougo?
Whatwillyoudo?Youareyoung——\'
\"\'Andverystrong，\'sheinterrupted。\'Donotfearforme。\'Andhersmilewaslikeaburstofsuddensunshine。
\"Isaidnomorethatnight。
\"ButwheninthemorningIstumbleduponhersittinginthekitchenreadingabooknotonlyaboveherpositionbutbeyondheryears，asuddenimpulseseizedmeandIaskedherifshewouldliketobeeducated。Theinstantaneousilluminingofherwholefacewassufficientreplywithoutherlowemphaticwords，\"\'Iwouldbecontenttostudyonmykneestoknowwhatsomewomendo，whomIhaveseen。\'
\"ItisnotnecessaryformetorelatewithwhatpleasureIcaughtattheideathatherewasachancetorepayinsomeslightmeasuretheinestimablefavorshehaddoneme；norbywhatargumentsIfinallywonhertoacceptaneducationatmyhandsassomesortofrecompenseforthelifeshehadsaved。Theadvantagewhichitwouldgiveherinherstrugglewiththeworldsheseemeddulytoappreciate，butthatsogreatafavorcouldbeshownherwithoutcausingmemuchtroubleandanunwarrantableexpense，shecouldnotatoncebebroughttocomprehend，andtillshecould，sheheldoutwiththatgentlebutinflexiblewillofhers。Thebattle，however，waswonatlastandI
leftherinthatlittlecottage，withtheunderstandingthatassoonasthemattercouldbearranged，shewastoenteracertainboarding-schoolinTroywiththemistressofwhichIwasacquainted。
MeanwhileshewastogoouttoserviceatMelvilleandearnenoughmoneytoprovideherselfwithclothes。
\"IwasacarelessfellowinthosedaysbutIkeptmypromisetothatgirl。Inotonlyenteredherintothatschoolforacourseofthreeyears，butactingthroughitsmistresswhohadtakenagreatfancytoher，suppliedherwiththenecessitiesherpositionrequired。Itwassoeasy；merelythesigningofacheckfromtimetotime，anditwasdone。IsaythisbecauseIreallythinkifithadinvolvedanypersonalsacrificeonmypart，evenofanhourofmytime，orthelaborofathought，Ishouldnothavedoneit。Forwithmyreturntothecitymyinterestinmycousinrevived，absorbingmetosuchanextentthatanymatterdisconnectedwithhersoonlostallcharmforme。
\"Twoyearspassed；IwastheslaveofEvelynBlake，buttherewasnoengagementbetweenus。Myfather\'sdeterminedoppositionwasenoughtopreventthat。ButtherewasanunderstandingwhichIfondlyhopedwouldonedayopenformethewayofhappiness。ButIdidnotknowmyfather。Sickashewas——hewasatthattimelaboringunderthediseasewhichinacoupleofmonthslaterborehimtothetomb——hekeptaneyeuponmymovementsandseemedtoprobemyinmostheart。Atlasthecametoadefinitedecisionandspoke。
\"Hiswordsopenedaworldofdismaybeforeme。Iwashisonlychild，asheremarked，andithadbeenandwasthedesireofhishearttoleavemeasrichandindependentamanashimself。ButIseemeddisposedtocommitoneofthoseactsagainstwhichhehadthemostdeterminedprejudice；marriagebetweencousinsbeinginhiseyesanunsanctifiedanddangerousproceeding，liabletoconsequencesthemostunhappy。IfIpersisted，hemustwillhispropertyelsewhere。TheBlakeestateshouldneverdescendwiththesealofhisapprobationtoaraceofprobableimbeciles。
\"Norwasthisenough。HenotonlyrobbedmeofthewomanIloved，butwithaclearinsightintothefuture，Ipresume，insisteduponmymarryingsomeoneelseofrespectabilityandworthbeforehedied。
\'Anyonewhoseappearancewilldoyoucreditandwhosevirtueisbeyondreproach，\'saidhe。\'Idon\'taskhertoberichoreventheoffspringofoneofouroldfamilies。Letherbegoodandpureandofnoconnectiontous，andIwillblessherandyouwithmydyingbreath。\'
\"Theideahadseizeduponhimwithgreatforce，andIsoonsawhewasnottobeshakenoutofit。Toallmyobjectionshereturnedbuttheoneword，\"\'Idon\'trestrictyourchoiceandIgiveyouamonthinwhichtomakeit。Ifattheendofthattimeyoucannotbringyourbridetomybedside，Imustlookaroundforanheirwhowillnotthwartmydyingwishes。\'\"
\"Amonth!Isurveyedthefashionablebellesthatnightlythrongedtheparlorsofmyfriendsandfeltmyheartsinkwithinme。Takeoneofthemformywife，lovinganotherwoman?Impossible。Womenlikethesedemandedsomethinginreturnforthehonortheyconferreduponamanbymarryinghim。Wealth?theyhadit。Position?thatwastheirsalso。Consideration?ah，whatconsiderationhadItogive?Iturnedfromthemwithdistaste。
\"MycousinEvelyngavemenohelp。Shewasaproudwomanandlovedmymoneyandmyexpectationsasmuchasshedidme。
\"\'Ifyoumustmarryanotherwomantoretainyourwealth，marry，saidshe，\'butdonotmarryoneofmyassociates。Iwillhavenorivalinmyownempire；yourwifemustbeaplainerandalessaspiringwomanthanEvelynBlake。Yetdonotdiscredityourname，——whichismine，\'
shewouldalwaysadd。
\"Meanwhilethedaysflewby。Ifmyownconsciencehadallowedmetoforgetthefact，myfather\'seagerlyinquiring，butsternlyunrelentinggazeasIcameeacheveningtohisbedside，wouldhavekeptitsufficientlyinmymind。Ibegantofeellikeoneinthepowerofsomehugecrushingmachinewhoseslowlydescendingweightheinvainendeavorstoescape。
\"HoworwhenthethoughtofLuttrafirstcrossedmymindIcannotsay。
AtfirstIrecoiledatthesuggestionandputitawayfrommeindisdain；butiteverrecurredandwithitsomanyargumentsinherfavorthatbeforelongIfoundmyselfregardingitasarefuge。Tobesureshewasawaifandastray，butthatseemedtobethekindofwifedemandedofme。Shewasalliedtoroguesifnotvillains，I
knew；butthenhadshenotcutallconnectionwiththem，droppedawayfromthem，plantedherfeetonnewgroundwhichtheywouldneverinvade?Icommencedtocherishtheidea。Withthisfriendless，grateful，unassumingprotegeeofmineforawife，Iwouldbeaslittleboundasmightbe。Shewouldasknothing，andIneedgivenothing，beyondahomeandthecommonattentionsrequiredofagentlemanandafriend。Thenshewasnotdisagreeable，norwasherbeautyofatypetosuggestthecharmsofherIhadlost。Noneofthegracesofthehaughtypatricianladywhoselightestgesturewasacommand，wouldappearinthishumblegirl，tomockandconstrainme。
No，Ishouldhaveafairwifeandanobedientone，butnovulgarizedshadowofEvelyn，thankGod，orofanyofherfashionablydressedfriends。
\"Advancedthusfartowardstheend，IwenttoseeLuttraIhadnotbeheldhersincethemorningwepartedatthedoorofthatlittlecottageinVermont，andherpresencecausedmeashock。This，thehumblewaifwiththeappealinggratefuleyesIhadexpectedtoencounter?thistallandslendercreaturewithanaureolaofgoldenhairaboutafacethatitwasaneducationtobehold!IfeltahalfmovementofangerasIsurveyedher。Ihadbeencheated；Ihadplantedagrapeseedandapalmtreehadsprungupinitsplace。I
wassotakenaback，mysalutelostsomethingofthebenevolentcondescensionIhadintendedtoinfuseintoit。Sheseemedtofeelmyembarassmentandahalfsmileflutteredtoherlips。Thatsmiledecidedme。Itwassweetbutaboveallelseitwasappealing。
\"HowIwonthatwomantomarrymeintendaystimeIcarenottostate。Notbyholdingupmywealthandpositionbeforeher。
Somethingrestrainedmefromthat。Iwasresolved，andperhapsitwastheonlypointoflightinmyconductatthattime，nottobuythisyounggirl。Ineverspokeofmyexpectations，IneveralludedtomypresentadvantagesyetIwonher。
\"Weweremarried，there，inTroyinthequietestandmostunpretendingmanner。WhythefacthasnevertranspiredIcannotsay。Icertainlytooknoespecialpainstoconcealitatthetime，thoughI
acknowledgethatafterourseparationIdidresorttosuchmeasuresasIthoughtnecessary，tosuppresswhathadbecomegallandwormwoodtomypride。
\"MyfirstmoveaftertheceremonywastobringherimmediatelytoNewYorkandtothishouse。Withperhapsapardonablebitternessofspirit，Ihadrefrainedfromanynotificationofmyintentions，anditwasasstrangersmightenteranunprepareddwelling，thatwesteppedacrossthethresholdofthishouseandpassedimmediatelytomyfather\'sroom。
\"\'Icangiveyounoweddingandnohoneymoon，\'Ihadtoldher。\'Myfatherisdyinganddemandsmycare。Fromthealtartoadeath-bedmaybesadforyou，butitisaninevitableconditionofyourmarriagewithme。\'Andshehadacceptedherfatewithadeepunspeakablesmileithastakenmelongmonthsoflonelinessandsufferingtounderstand。
\"\'Father，Ibringyoumybride，\'weremyfirstwordstohimasthedoorclosedbehindusshuttingusinwiththedread，invisiblePresencethatforsolongatimehadbeenrelentlesslyadvancinguponourhome。
\"Ishallneverforgethowherousedhimselfinhisbed，norwithwhateagereyeshereadheryoungfaceandsurveyedherslightformswayingtowardshiminhersuddenemotionlikeaflameinabreeze。
NorwhileIliveshallIlosesightofthespasmofuncontrollablejoywithwhichheliftedhisagedarmstowardsher，northelookwithwhichshesprangfrommysideandnestled，yesnestled，onthebreastthatnevertomyremembrancehadopeneditselftomeevenintheyearsofmyearliestchildhood。Formyfatherwasasternmanwhobelievedinholdingloveatarm\'slengthandmeasuredaffectionbythedepthofaweitinspired。
\"\'Mydaughter!\'brokefromhislips，andheneverinquiredwhoshewasorwhat；no，notevenwhenafteramomentofsilencesheraisedherheadandwithasuddenlowcryofpassionatelonginglookedinhisfaceandmurmured，\"\'Ineverhadafather。\'
\"Sirs，itisimpossibleformetocontinuewithoutrevealingdepthsofprideandbitternessinmyownnature，fromwhichInowshrinkwithunspeakablepain。Sofarfrombeingtouchedbythisscene，Ifeltmyselfgrowhardunderit。Ifhehadbeendisappointedinmychoice，queriedatitorevenbeensimplypleasedatmyobedience，ImighthaveacceptedthewifeIhadwon，andbeentolerablygrateful。Buttoloveher，admireher，gloryinherwhenEvelynBlakehadneversucceededinwinningaglancefromhiseyesthatwasnotapublicdisapprobation!Icouldnotendureit；mywholebeingrebelled，andamovementlikehatetookpossessionofme。
\"Biddingmywifetoleavemewithmyfatheralone，Iscarcelywaitedforthedoortocloseuponthepooryoungthingbeforeallthathadbeenseethinginmybreastforamonth，burstfrommeintheonecry，\"\'Ihavebroughtyouadaughterasyoucommandedme。Nowgivemetheblessingyoupromisedandletmego；forIcannotlivewithawomanI
donotlove。\'
\"Instantly，andbeforehislipscouldmove，thedooropenedandthewomanIthusrepudiatedinthefirstdawninghourofheryoungbliss，stoodbeforeus。MyGod!whataface!WhenIthinkofitnowinthenightseason——whenfromdreamsthatgloomyastheyare，areoftenelysiantothethoughtswhichbesetmeinmywakinghours，Isuddenlyarousetoseestartinguponmefromthesurroundingshadowsthatyoungfairbrowwithitshaloofgoldentresses，blotted，ayblottedbytheagonythatturnedherthatinstantintostone，IwonderIdidnottakeoutthepistolthatlayinthetablenearwhichIstood，andshootherlifelessonthespotassomesortofacompensationforthemiseryIhadcausedher。IsayIwondernow:thenIonlythoughtofbravingitout。
\"Straightasadart，butwiththatlookonherface，shecametowardsus。\'DidIheararight?\'werethewordsthatcamefromherlips。
\'Haveyoumarriedme，awomanbeneathyourstationasInowperceive，becauseyouwerecommandedtodoso?Haveyounotlovedme?givenmethatwhichalonemakesmarriageasacramentorevenapossibility?
andmustyouleavethishousemadesacredbytherecumbentformofyourdyingfatherifIremainwithinit?\'
\"Isawmyfather\'sstiffandpallidlipsmovesilentlyasthoughhewouldanswerformeifhecould，andsummoningupwhatcourageI
possessed，ItoldherthatIdeeplyregrettedshehadoverheardmyinconsideratewords。ThatIhadnevermeanttowoundher，whateverbitternesslayinmyhearttowardsonewhohadthwartedmeinmydearestandmostcherishedhopes。ThatIhumblybeggedherpardonandwouldsofaracknowledgeherclaimuponmeastopromisethatIwouldnotleavemyhomeatthistime，ifitdistressedher；mydesirebeingnottoinjureher，onlytoprotectmyself。
\"Othescornthatmountedtoherbrowattheseweakwords。Notscornofme，thankGod，worthyasIwasofitthathour，butscornofmyslightopinionofher。
\"\'ThenIheardaright，\'shemurmured，andwaitedwithalookthatwouldnotbegainsaid。
\"Icouldonlybowmyhead，cursingthedayIwasborn。
\"\'Holman!Holman!\'cameinagonizedentreatyfromthebed，\'youwillnotrobmeofmydaughternow?\'
\"Startled，Ilookedup。Luttrawashalfwaytothedoor。
\"\'Whatareyougoingtodo?\'criedI，boundingtowardsher。
\"Shestoppedmewithalook。\'Thesonmustneverforsakethefather，\'
saidshe。\'Ifeitherofusmustleavethehousethisday，letitbeI。\'Theninasoftertone，\'Whenyouaskedmetobeyourwife，Iwhohadworshippedyoufromthemomentyouenteredmyfather\'shouseonthememorablenightIleftit，wassoovercomeatyourcondescensionthatIforgotyoudidnotprefaceitbytheusualpassionate，\'Iloveyou，\'whichmorethanthemarriageringbindstwoheartstogether。Intheglamourandglowofmyjoy，Ididnotseethatthesmilethatwasinmyheart，wasmissingfromyourface。Iwastobeyourwifeandthatwasenough，orsoIthoughtthen，forIlovedyou。Ah，andIdonow，myhusband，loveyousothatIleaveyou。WereitforyourhappinessIwoulddomorethanthat，Iwouldgiveyoubackyourfreedom，butfromwhatIhear，itseemsthatyouneedawifeinnameandIwillbebutfulfillingyourdesireinholdingthatplaceforyou。Iwillneverdisgracethepositionhighasitisabovemypoordeserts。Whenthedaycomes——ifthedaycomes——thatyouneedorfeelyouneedthesustainmentofmypresenceorthedevotionofmyheart，nopoweronearthsavethatofdeathitself，shallkeepmefromyourside。TillthatdayarrivesIremainwhatyouhavemademe，abridewholaysnoclaimtothenameyouthismorningbestoweduponher。\'Andwithagesturethatwaslikeabenediction，sheturned，andnoiselessly，breathlesslyasadreamthatvanishes，lefttheroom。
\"Sirs，IbelieveIutteredacryandstumbledtowardsher。Someoneinthatroomutteredacry，butitmaybethatitonlyroseinmyheartandthattheoneIheardcamefrommyfather\'slips。ForwhenatthedoorIturned，startledatthedeathlysilence，Isawhehadfaintedonhispillow。Icouldnotleavehimso。CallingtoMrs。Daniels，whowasneverfarfrommyfatherinthosedays，Ibadeherstopthelady——IbelieveIcalledhermywife——whowasgoingdownthestairs，andthenrushedtohisside。Ittookminutestorevivehim。Whenhecametohimselfitwastoaskforthecreaturewhohadflashedlikeabeaconoflightuponhisdarkeningpath。IroseasiftofetchherbutbeforeIcouldadvanceIheardavoicesay，\'Sheisnothere，\'
andlookingupIsawMrs。Danielsglideintotheroom。
\"\'Mrs。Blakehasgone，sir，Icouldnotkeepher。\'
CHAPTERXIII
AMAN\'SHEART
\"ThatwasthelasttimemyeyeseverIresteduponmywife。Whithershewentorwhatrefugeshegained，Ineverknew。Myfatherwhohadreceivedinthissceneagreatshock，begantofailsorapidly，hedemandedmyconstantcare；andthoughfromtimetotimeasI
ministeredtohimandnotedwithwhatayearningpersistencyhewouldeyethedoorandthenturnandmeetmygazewithalookIcouldnotunderstand，IcaughtmyselfaskingwhetherIhaddoneadeeddestinedtohangforeveraboutmelikeapall；itwasnottillafterhisdeaththatthedespairingimageofthebrightyoungcreaturetowhomIhadgivenmyname，returnedwithanystartlingdistinctnesstomymind，orthatIallowedmyselftoaskwhethertheheavygloomwhichInowfeltsettlinguponmewasowingtothesenseofshamethatoverpoweredmeattheremembranceofthepast，ortothepossiblelossIhadsustainedinthedepartureofmyyoungunlovedbride。
\"TheannouncementatthistimeoftheengagementbetweenEvelynBlakeandtheCountDeMiracmayhavehadsomethingtodowiththis。ThoughIhadneverinthemostpassionatehoursofmyloveforher，lostsightofthatsideofhernaturewhichdemandedasherrighttheluxuryofgreatwealth；andthoughinmytacitabandonmentofherandsecretmarriagewithanotherIhadcertainlylosttherighttocomplainofheractionswhatevertheymightbe，thismanifestsurrenderingofherselftothepowerofwealthandshowatthepriceofallthatwomenarebelievedtoholddear，wasanundoubtedblowtomyprideandtheconfidenceIhadtillnowunconsciouslyreposedinherinherentwomanlinessandaffection。Thatshehadbutmadeonamoreconspicuousscale，thesamesacrificeasmyselftothegodofWealthandPosition，wasinmyeyesatthattime，nopalliationofherconduct。Iwasamannonetoogoodorexaltedatthebest；she，awoman，shouldhavebeensuperiortothetemptationsthatoverpoweredme。Thatshewasnot，seemedtodragallwomanhoodalittlenearerthedust；fashionablewomanhoodIoughttosay，forsomehowevenatthatearlydayherconductdidnotseemtoaffectthevividimageofLuttrastandinguponmythreshold，shornofherjoybutburningwithadevotionIdidnotcomprehend，andsaying，\"\'Ilovedyou。Ah，andIdoyet，myhusband，loveyousothatIleaveyou。Whenthedaycomes——ifthedaycomes——youneedorfeelyouneedthesustainmentofmypresenceorthedevotionofmyheart，nopoweronearthsavethatofdeathitself，shallkeepmefromyourside。\'
\"Yes，withthefadingawayofotherfacesandotherforms，thatfaceandthatformnowbegantousurpthechiefplaceinmythoughts。Nottomyreliefandpleasure。Thatcouldscarcelybe，rememberingallthathadoccurred；rathertomyincreasingdistressandpassionateresentment。IlongedtoforgetIwasheldbyatie，thatknowntotheworldwouldcausemethebitterestshame。ForbythistimethetruecharacterofherfatherandbrotherhadbeenrevealedandI
foundmyselfboundtothedaughterofaconvictedcriminal。
\"ButIcouldnotforgether。Thelookwithwhichshehadleftmewasbrandedintomyconsciousness。Nightanddayitfloatedbeforeme，tilltoescapeitIresolvedtofastenituponcanvas，ifbythatmeansImightsucceedineliminatingitfrommydreams。
\"Thepaintingyouhaveseenthisnightistheresult。Bornwithanartist\'stouchandinsightthatunderothercircumstancesmight，perhaps，haveraisedmeintothecolddryatmosphereoffame，theexecutionofthispieceofwork，presentedbutfewdifficultiestomysomewhataccustomedhand。Daybydayherbeautygrewbeneathmybrush，startlingmeoftenwithitsspiritualforceandsignificancetillmymindgrewfeverishoveritswork，andIcouldscarcelyrefrainfromrisingatnighttogiveatouchhereortheretothefloatinggoldenhairorthepiercing，tendereyesturned，ah，everturnedupontheinmostcitadelofmyheartwiththatlookthatslewmyfatherbeforehistimeandmademe，yesme，oldinspiritevenintheardentyearsofmyfirstmanhood。
