ThelasttimeIcalledonhimtoconcludethetransactionwewereinterruptedbyaperson，somethinglikeacrossbetweenabookmakerandaprivatesecretary，who，enteringthroughadoorwhichwasnottheanteroomdoor，walkedupandstoopedtowhisperintohisear。”Eh？What？Who，didyousay？”
Thenondescriptpersonstoopedandwhisperedagain，addingalittlelouder:”Sayshewon’tdetainyouamoment。”
Mylittlemanglancedatme，said”Ah！Well，”irresolutely。Igotupfrommychairandofferedtocomeagainlater。Helookedwhimsicallyalarmed。”No，no。It’sbadenoughtolosemymoneybutIdon’twanttowasteanymoreofmytimeoveryourfriend。Wemustbedonewiththisto-day。Justgoandhavealookatthatgarnituredechemineeyonder。There’sanother，somethinglikeit，inthecastleofLaeken，butmine’smuchsuperiorindesign。”
Imovedaccordinglytotheothersideofthatbigroom。Thegarniturewasveryfine。ButwhilepretendingtoexamineitI
watchedmymangoingforwardtomeetatallvisitor，whosaid，”I
thoughtyouwouldbedisengagedsoearly。It’sonlyawordortwo”——
andafterawhisperedconfabulationofnomorethanaminute，reconducthimtothedoorandshakehandsceremoniously。”Notatall，notatall。Verypleasedtobeofuse。Youcandependabsolutelyonmyinformation”——”Ohthankyou，thankyou。Ijustlookedin。””Certainly，quiteright。Anytime……Goodmorning。”
Ihadagoodlookatthevisitorwhiletheywereexchangingthesecivilities。Hewascladinblack。Irememberperfectlythatheworeaflat，broad，blacksatintieinwhichwasstuckalargecameopin；andasmallturndowncollar。Hishair，discolouredandsilky，curledslightlyoverhisears。Hischeekswerehairlessandround，andapparentlysoft。Heheldhimselfveryupright，walkedwithsmallstepsandspokegentlyinaninwardvoice。Perhapsfromcontrastwiththemagnificentpolishoftheroomandtheneatnessofitsowner，hestruckmeasdingy，indigent，and，ifnotexactlyhumble，thenmuchsubduedbyevilfortune。
Iwonderedgreatlyatmyfatlittlefinancier’scivilitytothatdubiouspersonagewhenheaskedme，asweresumedourrespectiveseats，whetherIknewwhoitwasthathadjustgoneout。Onmyshakingmyheadnegativelyhesmiledqueerly，said”DeBarral，”andenjoyedmysurprise。Thenbecominggrave:”That’sadeepfellow，ifyoulike。Weallknowwherehestartedfromandwherehegotto；
butnobodyknowswhathemeanstodo。”Hebecamethoughtfulforamomentandaddedasifspeakingtohimself，”Iwonderwhathisgameis。”
And，youknow，therewasnogame，nogameofanysort，orshapeorkind。Itcameoutplainlyatthetrial。AsI’vetoldyoubefore，hewasaclerkinabank，likethousandsofothers。Hegotthatberthasasecondstartinlifeandtherehestuckagain，givingperfectsatisfaction。Thenonedayasthoughasupernaturalvoicehadwhisperedintohisearorsomeinvisibleflyhadstunghim，heputonhishat，wentoutintothestreetandbeganadvertising。
That’sabsolutelyallthattherewastoit。Hecaughtinthestreetthewordofthetimeandharnessedittohispreposterouschariot。
OneremembershisfirstmodestadvertisementsheadedwiththemagicwordThrift，Thrift，Thrift，thricerepeated；promisingtenpercent。onalldepositsandgivingtheaddressoftheThriftandIndependenceAidAssociationinVauxhallBridgeRoad。Apparentlynothingmorewasnecessary。Hedidn’tevenexplainwhathemeanttodowiththemoneyheaskedthepublictopourintohislap。Ofcoursehemeanttolenditoutathighratesofinterest。Hedidso——buthediditwithoutsystem，plan，foresightorjudgment。Andashefritteredawaythesumsthatflowedin，headvertisedformore——andgotit。DuringaperiodofgeneralbusinessprosperityhesetupTheOrbBankandTheSceptreTrust，simply，itseemsforadvertisingpurposes。Theyweremerenames。Hewastotallyunabletoorganizeanything，topromoteanysortofenterpriseifitwereonlyforthepurposeofjugglingwiththeshares。AtthattimehecouldhavehadfortheaskinganynumberofDukes，retiredGenerals，activeM。P。’s，ex-ambassadorsandsoonasDirectorstositatthewildestboardsofhisinvention。Buthenevertried。Hehadnorealimagination。AllhecoulddowastopublishmoreadvertisementsandopenmorebranchofficesoftheThriftandIndependence，ofTheOrb，ofTheSceptre，forthereceiptofdeposits；firstinthistown，theninthattown，northandsouth——
everywherewherehecouldfindsuitablepremisesatamoderaterent。
Forthiswasthegreatcharacteristicofthemanagement。Modesty，moderation，simplicity。NeitherTheOrbnorTheSceptrenoryettheirparenttheThriftandIndependencehadbuiltforthemselvestheusualpalaces。ForthisabstentiontheywerepraisedinsillypublicprintsasillustratingintheirmanagementtheprincipleofThriftforwhichtheywerefounded。ThefactisthatdeBarralsimplydidn’tthinkofit。OfcoursehehadsoonmovedfromVauxhallBridgeRoad。Heknewenoughforthat。Whathegotholdofnextwasanold，enormous，rat-infestedbrickhouseinasmallstreetofftheStrand。Strangersweretakeninfrontofthemeanestpossible，begrimed，yellowy，flatbrickwall，withtworowsofunadornedwindow-holesoneabovetheother，andwereexhortedwithbatedbreathtobeholdandadmirethesimplicityofthehead-
quartersofthegreatfinancialforceoftheday。ThewordTHRIFT
perchedrightupontheroofingiantgiltletters，andtwoenormousshield-likebrass-platescurvedroundthecornersoneachsideofthedoorwayweretheonlyshiningspotsindeBarral’sbusinessoutfit。Nobodyknewwhatoperationswerecarriedoninsideexceptthis——thatifyouwalkedinandtenderedyourmoneyoverthecounteritwouldbecalmlytakenfromyoubysomebodywhowouldgiveyouaprintedreceipt。Thatandnomore。Itappearsthatsuchknowledgeisirresistible。Peoplewentinandtendered；andonceitwastakenfromtheirhandstheirmoneywasmoreirretrievablygonefromthemthaniftheyhadthrownitintothesea。Thisthen，andnothingelsewasbeingcarriedoninthere……””Come，Marlow，”Isaid，”youexaggeratesurely——ifonlybyyourwayofputtingthings。It’stoostartling。””Iexaggerate！”hedefendedhimself。”Mywayofputtingthings！MydearfellowIhavemerelystrippedtheragsofbusinessverbiageandfinancialjargonoffmystatements。Andyouarestartled！Iamgivingyouthenakedtruth。It’struetoothatnothinglaysitselfopentothechargeofexaggerationmorethanthelanguageofnakedtruth。Whatcomeswithashockisadmittedwithdifficulty。Butwhatwillyousaytotheendofhiscareer？
Itwasofcoursesensationalandtolerablysudden。ItbeganwiththeOrbDepositBank。UnderthenameofthatinstitutiondeBarralwiththefranticobstinacyofanunimaginativemanhadbeenfinancinganIndianprincewhowasprosecutingaclaimforimmensesumsofmoneyagainstthegovernment。Itwasanenormousnumberofscoresoflakhs——amiserableremnantofhisancestors’treasures——
thatsortofthing。Anditwasallauthenticenough。Therewasarealprince；andtheclaimtoowassufficientlyreal——onlyunfortunatelyitwasnotavalidclaim。SotheprincelosthiscaseonthelastappealandthebeginningofdeBarral’sendbecamemanifesttothepublicintheshapeofahalf-sheetofnotepaperwaferedbythefourcornersonthecloseddoorofTheOrbofficesnotifyingthatpaymentwasstoppedatthatestablishment。
ItsconsortTheSceptrecollapsedwithintheweek。Iwon’tsayinAmericanparlancethatsuddenlythebottomfelloutofthewholeofdeBarralconcerns。Thereneverhadbeenanybottomtoit。ItwaslikethecaskofDanaidesintowhichthepublichadbeenpleasedtopouritsdeposits。Thattheyweregonewasclear；andthebankruptcyproceedingswhichfollowedwerelikeasinisterfarce，burstsoflaughterinasettingofmuteanguish——thatofthedepositors；hundredsofthousandsofthem。Thelaughterwasirresistible；theaccompanimentofthebankrupt’spublicexamination。
Idon’tknowifitwasfromutterlackofallimaginationorfromthepossessioninundueproportionofaparticularkindofit，orfromboth——andthethreealternativesarepossible——butitwasdiscoveredthatthismanwhohadbeenraisedtosuchaheightbythecredulityofthepublicwashimselfmoregulliblethananyofhisdepositors。Hehadbeenthepreyofallsortsofswindlers，adventurers，visionariesandevenlunatics。Wrappinghimselfupindeepandimbecilesecrecyhehadgoneinforthemostfantasticschemes:aharbouranddocksonthecoastofPatagonia，quarriesinLabrador——suchlikespeculations。FisheriestofeedacanningFactoryonthebanksoftheAmazonwasoneofthem。AprincipalitytobeboughtinMadagascarwasanother。Asthegrotesquedetailsoftheseincredibletransactionscameoutonebyoneripplesoflaughterranoverthecloselypackedcourt——eachonealittlelouderthantheother。Theaudienceendedbyfairlyroaringunderthecumulativeeffectofabsurdity。TheRegistrarlaughed，thebarristerslaughed，thereporterslaughed，theserriedranksofthemiserabledepositorswatchinganxiouslyeveryword，laughedlikeoneman。Theylaughedhysterically——thepoorwretches——onthevergeoftears。
Therewasonlyonepersonwhoremainedunmoved。ItwasdeBarralhimself。Hepreservedhisserene，gentleexpression，Iamtold(forIhavenotwitnessedthosescenesmyself)，andlookedaroundatthepeoplewithanairofplacidsufficiencywhichwasthefirsthinttotheworldoftheman’soverweening，unmeasurableconceit，hiddenhithertounderadiffidentmanner。Itcouldbeseentooinhisdoggedassertionthatifhehadbeengivenenoughtimeandalotmoremoneyeverythingwouldhavecomeright。Andthereweresomepeople(yes，amongsthisveryvictims)whomorethanhalfbelievedhim，evenafterthecriminalprosecutionwhichsoonfollowed。Whenplacedinthedockhelosthissteadinessasifsomesustainingillusionhadgonetopieceswithinhimsuddenly。Heceasedtobehimselfinmannercompletely，andevenindisposition，insofarthathisfadedneutraleyesmatchinghisdiscolouredhairsowell，werediscoveredthentobecapableofexpressingasortofunderhandhate。Hewasatfirstdefiant，theninsolent，thenbrokedownandburstintotears；butitmighthavebeenfromrage。Thenhecalmeddown，returnedtohissoftmannerofspeechandtothatunassumingquietbearingwhichhadbeenusualwithhimeveninhisgreatestdays。Butitseemedasthoughinthismomentofchangehehadatlastperceivedwhatapowerhehadbeen；forheremarkedtooneoftheprosecutingcounselwhohadassumedaloftymoraltoneinquestioninghim，that——yes，hehadgambled——helikedcards。Butthatonlyayearagoahostofsmartpeoplewouldhavebeenonlytoopleasedtotakeahandatcardswithhim。Yes——hewenton——someoftheverypeoplewhowerethereaccommodatedwithseatsonthebench；
andturninguponthecounsel”Youyourselfaswell，”hecried。Hecouldhavehadhalfthetownathisroomstofawnuponhimifhehadcaredforthatsortofthing。”Why，nowIthinkofit，ittookmemostofmytimetokeeppeople，justofyoursort，offme，”heendedwithagoodhumoured——quiteunobtrusive，contempt，asthoughthefacthaddawneduponhimforthefirsttime。
Thiswasthemoment，theonlymoment，whenhehadperhapsalltheaudienceinCourtwithhim，inahushofdrearysilence。Andthenthedrearyproceedingswereresumed。Foralltheoutsideexcitementitwasthemostdrearyofallcelebratedtrials。Thebankruptcyproceedingshadexhaustedallthelaughtertherewasinit。Onlythefactofwide-spreadruinremained，andtheresentmentofamassofpeopleforhavingbeenfooledbymeanstoosimpletosavetheirself-respectfromadeepwoundwhichtheclevernessofaconsummatescoundrelwouldnothaveinflicted。AshamefacedamazementattendedtheseproceedingsinwhichdeBarralwasnotbeingexposedalone。
Forhimselfhisonlycrywas:Time！Time！Timewouldhaveseteverythingright。Intimesomeofthesespeculationsofhiswerecertaintohavesucceeded。Herepeatedthisdefence，thisexcuse，thisconfessionoffaith，withwearisomeiteration。Everythinghehaddoneorleftundonehadbeentogaintime。Hehadhypnotizedhimselfwiththeword。Sometimes，Iamtold，hisappearancewasecstatic，hismotionlesspaleeyesseemedtobegazingdownthevistaoffutureages。Time——andofcourse，moremoney。”Ah！Ifonlyyouhadleftmealoneforacoupleofyearsmore，”hecriedonceinaccentsofpassionatebelief。”Themoneywascominginallright。”Thedepositsyouunderstand——thesavingsofThrift。Ohyestheyhadbeencomingintotheverylastmoment。Andheregrettedthem。Hehadarrivedtoregardthemashisownbyasortofmysticalpersuasion。Andyetitwasaperfectlytruecry，whenheturnedoncemoreonthecounselwhowasbeginningaquestionwiththewords”Youhavehadalltheseimmensesums……”withtheindignantretort”WHAThaveIhadoutofthem？””Itwasperfectlytrue。Hehadhadnothingoutofthem——nothingoftheprestigiousorthedesirablethingsoftheearth，cravedforbypredatorynatures。Hehadgratifiednotastes，hadknownnoluxury；
hehadbuiltnogorgeouspalaces，hadformednosplendidgalleriesoutofthese”immensesums。”Hehadnotevenahome。Hehadgoneintotheseroomsinanhotelandhadstuckthereforyears，givingnodoubtperfectsatisfactiontothemanagement。TheyhadtwiceraisedhisrenttoshowIsupposetheirhighsenseofhisdistinguishedpatronage。Hehadboughtforhimselfoutofallthewealthstreamingthroughhisfingersneitheradulationnorlove，neithersplendournorcomfort。Therewassomethingperfectinhisconsistentmediocrity。Hisveryvanityseemedtomissthegratificationofeventhemereshowofpower。Inthedayswhenhewasmostfullyinthepubliceyetheinvincibleobscurityofhisoriginsclungtohimlikeashadowygarment。Hehadhandledmillionswithouteverenjoyinganythingofwhatiscountedaspreciousinthecommunityofmen，becausehehadneitherthebrutalityoftemperamentnorthefinenessofmindtomakehimdesirethemwiththewillpowerofamasterfuladventurer……””Youseemtohavestudiedtheman，”Iobserved。，”Studied，”repeatedMarlowthoughtfully。”No！Notstudied。Ihadnoopportunities。YouknowthatIsawhimonlyonthatoneoccasionItoldyouof。Butitmaybethataglimpseandnomoreistheproperwayofseeinganindividuality；anddeBarralwasthat，invirtueofhisverydeficienciesfortheymadeofhimsomethingquiteunlikeone’spreconceivedideas。Therewerealsoveryfewmaterialsaccessibletoamanlikemetoformajudgmentfrom。ButinsuchacaseIverifybelievethatalittleisasgoodasafeast——perhapsbetter。Ifonehasatasteforthatkindofthingthemereststarting-pointbecomesacoignofvantage，andthenbyaseriesoflogicallydeductedverisimilitudesonearrivesattruth——orverynearthetruth——asnearasanycircumstantialevidencecando。I
havenotstudieddeBarralbutthatishowIunderstandhimsofarashecouldbeunderstoodthroughthedinofthecrash；thewailingandgnashingofteeth，thenewspapercontentsbills，”TheThriftFrauds。Cross-examinationoftheaccused。Extraspecial”——blazingfiercely；thecharitableappealsforthevictims，thegravetonesofthedailiesrumblingwithcompassionasiftheywerethenationalbowels。Allthislastedawholeweekofindustrioussittings。A
pressmanwhomIknewtoldme”He’sanidiot。”Whichwaspossible。
BeforethatIoverheardoncesomebodydeclaringthathehadacriminaltypeofface；whichIknewwasuntrue。Thesentencewaspronouncedbyartificiallightinastiflingpoisonousatmosphere。
Somethingedifyingwassaidbythejudgeweightily，abouttheretributionovertakingtheperpetratorof”themostheartlessfraudsonanunprecedentedscale。”Idon’tunderstandthesethingsmuch，butitappearsthathehadjuggledwithaccounts，cookedbalancesheets，hadgatheredindepositsmonthsafterheoughttohaveknownhimselftobehopelesslyinsolvent，anddoneenoughofotherthings，highlyreprehensibleintheeyesofthelaw，toearnforhimselfsevenyears’penalservitude。Thesentencemakingitswayoutsidemetwithagoodreception。Asmallmobcomposedmainlyofpeoplewhothemselvesdidnotlookparticularlycleverandscrupulous，leavenedbyaslightsprinklingofgenuinepickpocketsamuseditselfbycheeringinthemostpenetrating，abominablecolddrizzlethatI
remember。IhappenedtobepassingthereonmywayfromtheEastEndwhereIhadspentmydayabouttheDockswithanoldchumwhowaslookingafterthefittingoutofanewship。Iamalwayseager，whenallowed，tocallonanewship。Theyinterestmelikecharmingyoungpersons。
Igotmixedupinthatcrowdseethingwithananimosityassenselessasthingsofthestreetalwaysare，anditwaswhileIwaslaboriouslymakingmywayoutofitthatthepressmanofwhomI
spokewasjostledagainstme。Hedidmethejusticetobesurprised。”What？Youhere！Thelastpersonintheworld……IfIhadknownIcouldhavegotyouinside。Plentyofroom。Interestbeenoverforthelastthreedays。Gotsevenyears。Well，Iamglad。””Whyareyouglad？Becausehe’sgotsevenyears？”Iasked，greatlyincommodedbythepressureofahulkingfellowwhowasremarkingtosomeofhisequallyoppressivefriendsthatthe”beggaroughttohavebeenpoleaxed。”Idon’tknowwhetherhehadeverconfidedhissavingstodeBarralbutifso，judgingfromhisappearance，theymusthavebeentheproceedsofsomesuccessfulburglary。Thepressmanbymysidesaid’No，’tomyquestion。Hewasgladbecauseitwasallover。Hehadsufferedgreatlyfromtheheatandthebadairofthecourt。Theclammy，raw，chillofthestreetsseemedtoaffecthisliverinstantly。Hebecamecontemptuousandirritableandpliedhiselbowsviciouslymakingwayforhimselfandme。
Adullaffairthis。Allsuchcasesweredull。Noreallydramaticmoments。Thebook-keepingofTheOrbandalltherestofthemwascertainlyaburlesquerevelationbutthepublicdidnotcareforrevelationsofthatkind。DulldogthatdeBarral——hegrumbled。Hecouldnotorwouldnottakethetroubletocharacterizeformetheappearanceofthatmannowofficiallyacriminal(wehadgoneacrosstheroadforadrink)buttoldmewithasourly，derisivesniggerthat，afterthesentencehadbeenpronouncedthefellowclungtothedocklongenoughtomakeasortofprotest。’Youhaven’tgivenmetime。IfIhadbeengiventimeIwouldhaveendedbybeingmadeapeerlikesomeofthem。’Andhehadpermittedhimselfhisveryfirstandlastgestureinallthesedays，raisingahard-clenchedfistabovehishead。
Thepressmandisapprovedofthatmanifestation。Itwasnothisbusinesstounderstandit。Isiteverthebusinessofanypressmantounderstandanything？Iguessnot。Itwouldleadhimtoofarawayfromtheactualitieswhicharethedailybreadofthepublicmind。Heprobablythoughtthedisplayworthverylittlefromapicturesquepointofview；theweakvoice；thecolourlesspersonalityasincapableofanattitudeasabed-post，theveryfatuityoftheclenchedhandsoineffectualatthattimeandplace——
no，itwasn’tworthmuch。Andthen，forhim，anaccomplishedcraftsmaninhistrade，thinkingwasdistinctly”badbusiness。”Hisbusinesswastowriteareadableaccount。ButIwhohadnothingtowrite，Ipermittedmyselftousemymindaswesatbeforeourstilluntouchedglasses。Andthedisclosurewhichsooftenrewardsamomentofdetachmentfrommerevisualimpressionsgavemeathrillverymuchapproachingashudder。Iseemedtounderstandthat，withtheshockoftheagoniesandperplexitiesofhistrial，theimaginationofthatman，whosemoods，notionsandmotivesworefrequentlyanairofgrotesquemystery——thathisimaginationhadbeenatlastrousedintoactivity。Andthiswasawful。Justtrytoenterintothefeelingsofamanwhoseimaginationwakesupattheverymomentheisabouttoenterthetomb……””Youmustnotthink，”wentonMarlowafterapause，”thatonthatmorningwithFyneIwentconsciouslyinmymindoverallthis，letuscallitinformation；no，bettersay，thisfundofknowledgewhichIhad，orratherwhichexisted，inmeinregardtodeBarral。
Informationissomethingonegoesouttoseekandputsawaywhenfoundasyoumightdoapieceoflead:ponderous，useful，unvibrating，dull。Whereasknowledgecomestoone，thissortofknowledge，achanceacquisitionpreservinginitsreposeafineresonantquality……ButassuchdistinctionstouchuponthetranscendentalIshallspareyouthepainoflisteningtothem。
Therearelimitstomycruelty。No！Ididn’treckonupcarefullyinmymindallthisIhavebeentellingyou。HowcouldIhavedoneso，withFynerightthereintheroom？Hesatperfectlystill，statuesqueinhomelyfashion，afterhavingdeliveredhimselfofhiseffectiveassent:”Yes。Theconvict，”andI，farfromindulginginareminiscentexcursionintothepast，remainedsufficientlyinthepresenttomuseinavague，absent-mindedwayontherespectableproportionsandonthe(uponthewhole)comelyshapeofhisgreatpedestrian’scalves，forhehadthrownonelegoverhisknee，carelessly，toconcealthetroubleofhismindbyanairofease。
Butallthesametheknowledgewasinme，theawakenedresonanceofwhichIspokejustnow；Iwasawareofitonthatbeautifulday，sofresh，sowarmandfriendly，soaccomplished——anexquisitecourtesyofthemuchabusedEnglishclimatewhenitmakesupitsmeteorologicalmindtobehavelikeaperfectgentleman。OfcoursetheEnglishclimateisneverarough。Itsuffersfromspleensomewhatfrequently——butthatisgentlemanlytoo，andIdon’tmindgoingtomeethiminthatmood。Hehashisdaysofgrey，veiled，politemelancholy，inwhichheisveryfascinating。Howseldomhelapsesintoablusteringmanner，afterall！Andthenitismostlyinaseasonwhen，appropriatelyenough，onemaygooutandkillsomething。Buthisfinedaysarethebestforstoppingathome，toread，tothink，tomuse——eventodream；infacttolivefully，intenselyandquietly，inthebrightnessofcomprehension，inthatreceptiveglowofthemind，thegiftoftheclear，luminousandsereneweather。
ThatdayIhadintendedtoliveintenselyandquietly，baskingintheweather’sglorywhichwouldhavelentenchantmenttothemostunpromisingofintellectualprospects。ForacompanionIhadfoundabook，notbemusedwiththeclevernessoftheday——afine-weatherbook，simpleandsincerelikethetalkofanunselfishfriend。ButlookingatlittleFyneseatedintheroomIunderstoodthatnothingwouldcomeofmycontemplativeaspirations；thatinonewayoranotherIshouldbeletinforsomeformofsevereexercise。
Walking，itwouldbe，Ifeared，since，forme，thatideawasinseparablyassociatedwiththevisualimpressionofFyne。Where，why，how，arapidstridingrushcouldbebroughtinhelpfulrelationtothegoodFyne’spresenttroubleandperplexityIcouldnotimagine；exceptontheprinciplethatsenselesspedestrianismwasFyne’spanaceaforalltheillsandevilsbodilyandspiritualoftheuniverse。Itcouldbeofnouseformetosayordoanything。
Itwasboundtocome。Contemplatinghismuscularlimbencasedinagolf-stocking，andunderthestrongimpressionoftheinformationhehadjustimpartedIsaidwondering，ratherirrationally:”AndsodeBarralhadawifeandchild！Thatgirl’shisdaughter。
Andhow……”
Fyneinterruptedmebystatingagainearnestly，asthoughitweresomethingnoteasytobelieve，thathiswifeandhimselfhadtriedtobefriendthegirlineveryway——indeedtheyhad！Ididnotdoubthimforamoment，ofcourse，butmywonderatthiswasmorerational。Atthathourofthemorning，youmustn’tforget，IknewnothingasyetofMrs。Fyne’scontact(itwashardlymore)withdeBarral’swifeandchildduringtheirexileatthePriory，intheculminatingdaysofthatman’sfame。
Fynewhohadcomeover，itwasclear，solelytotalktomeonthatsubject，gavemethefirsthintofthisinitial，merelyoutofdoors，connection。”Thegirlwasquiteachildthen，”hecontinued。”LateronshewasremovedoutofMrs。Fyne’sreachinchargeofagoverness——averyunsatisfactoryperson，”heexplained。Hiswifehadthen——h’m——methim；andonhermarriageshelostsightofthechildcompletely。ButafterthebirthofPolly(PollywasthethirdFynegirl)shedidnotgetonverywell，andwenttoBrightonforsomemonthstorecoverherstrength——andthere，onedayinthestreet，thechild(sheworeherhairdownherbackstill)recognizedheroutsideashopandrushed，actuallyrushed，intoMrs。Fyne’sarms。Rathertouchingthis。Andso，disregardingthecoldimpertinenceofthat……h’m……governess，hiswifenaturallyresponded。
Hewassolemnlyfragmentary。Ibrokeinwiththeobservationthatitmusthavebeenbeforethecrash。
Fynenoddedwithdeepenedgravity，statinginhisbasstone-”Justbefore，”andindulgedhimselfwithaweightyperiodofsolemnsilence。
DeBarral，heresumedsuddenly，wasnotcomingtoBrightonforweek-
endsregularly，then。Musthavebeenconsciousalreadyoftheapproachingdisaster。Mrs。Fyneavoidedbeingdrawnintomakinghisacquaintance，andthissuitedtheviewsofthegovernessperson，veryjealousofanyoutsideinfluence。Butinanycaseitwouldnothavebeenaneasymatter。Extraordinary，stiff-backed，thinfigureallinblack，theobservedofall，whilewalkinghand-in-handwiththegirl；apparentlyshy，but——andhereFynecameverynearshowingsomethinglikeinsight——probablynursingunderadiffidentmanneraconsiderableamountofsecretarrogance。Mrs。FynepitiedFloradeBarral’sfatelongbeforethecatastrophe。Mostunfortunateguidance。Veryunsatisfactorysurroundings。Thegirlwasknowninthestreets，wasstaredatinpublicplacesasifshehadbeenasortofprincess，butshewaskeptwithaveryominousconsistency，frommakinganyacquaintances——thoughofcoursethereweremanypeoplenodoubtwhowouldhavebeenmorethanwillingto——h’m——makethemselvesagreeabletoMissdeBarral。Butthisdidnotenterintotheplansofthegoverness，anintriguingpersonhatchingamostsinisterplotunderhersevereairofdistant，fashionableexclusiveness。GoodlittleFyne’seyesbulgedwithsolemnhorrorasherevealedtome，inagitatedspeech，hiswife’smorethansuspicions，atthetime，ofthat，Mrs。，Mrs。What’shername’sperfidiousconduct。Sheactuallyseemedtohave——Mrs。Fyneasserted——formedaplotalreadytomarryeventuallyherchargetoanimpecuniousrelationofherown——ayoungmanwithfurtiveeyesandsomethingimpudentinhismanner，whomthatwomancalledhernephew，andwhomshewasalwayshavingdowntostaywithher。”Andperhapsnothernephew。Norelationatall”——Fyneemittedwithaconvulsiveeffortthis，themostawfulpartofthesuspicionsMrs。
Fyneusedtoimparttohimpiecemealwhenhecamedowntospendhisweek-endsgravelywithherandthechildren。TheFynes，intheirgood-naturedconcernfortheunluckychildofthemanbusiedinstirringcasuallysomanymillions，spentthemomentsoftheirweeklyreunioninwonderingearnestlywhatcouldbedonetodefeatthemostwickedofconspiracies，tryingtoinventsometactfullineofconductinsuchextraordinarycircumstances。Icouldseethem，simple，andscrupulous，worryinghonestlyaboutthatunprotectedbiggirlwhilelookingattheirownlittlegirlsplayingonthesea-
shore。Fyneassuredmethathiswife’srestwasdisturbedbythegreatproblemofinterference。”ItwasveryacuteofMrs。Fynetospotsuchadeepgame，”Isaid，wonderingtomyselfwhereheracutenesshadgonetonow，toletherbetakenunawaresbyagamesomuchsimplerandplayedtotheendunderherverynose。Butthen，atthattime，whenhernightlyrestwasdisturbedbythedreadofthefatepreparingfordeBarral’sunprotectedchild，shewasnotengagedinwritingacompendiousandruthlesshand-bookonthetheoryandpracticeoflife，fortheuseofwomenwithagrievance。Shecouldasyet，beforethetaskofevolvingthephilosophyofrebelliousactionhadaffectedherintuitivesharpness，perceivethingswhichwere，Isuspect，moderatelyplain。ForIaminclinedtobelievethatthewomanwhomchancehadputincommandofFloradeBarral’sdestinytooknoverysubtlepainstoconcealhergame。Shewasconsciousofbeingacompletemasterofthesituation，havingonceforallestablishedherascendancyoverdeBarral。Shehadtakenallhermeasuresagainstoutsideobservationofherconduct；andIcouldnothelpsmilingatthethoughtwhataghastlynuisancetheserious，innocentFynesmusthavebeentoher。HowexasperatedshemusthavebeenbythatcouplefallingintoBrightonascompletelyunforeseenasaboltfromtheblue——ifnotsoprompt。Howshemusthavehatedthem！
ButIconcludeshewouldhavecarriedoutwhateverplanshemighthaveformed。IcanimaginedeBarralaccustomedforyearstodefertoherwishesand，eitherthrougharrogance，orshyness，orsimplybecauseofhisunimaginativestupidity，remainingoutsidethesocialpale，knowingnoonebutsomecard-playingcronies；Icanpicturehimtomyselfterrifiedattheprospectofhavingthecareofamarriageablegirlthrustonhishands，forcingonhimacompletechangeofhabitsandthenecessityofanotherkindofexistencewhichhewouldnotevenhaveknownhowtobegin。ItisevidenttomethatMrs。What’shernamewouldhavehadheratrociouswaywithverylittletroubleeveniftheexcellentFyneshadbeenabletodosomething。ShewouldsimplyhavebullieddeBarralinaloftystyle。There’snothingmoresubservientthananarrogantmanwhenhisarrogancehasoncebeenbrokeninsomeparticularinstance。
Howevertherewasnotimeandnonecessityforanyonetodoanything。Thesituationitselfvanishedinthefinancialcrashasabuildingvanishesinanearthquake——hereonemomentandgonethenextwithonlyanill-omened，slight，preliminaryrumble。Well，tosay’inamoment’isanexaggerationperhaps；butthateverythingwasoverinjusttwenty-fourhoursisanexactstatement。Fynewasabletotellmeallaboutit；andthephrasethatwoulddepictthenatureofthechangebestis:aninstantandcompletedestitution。
Idon’tunderstandthesemattersverywell，butfromFyne’snarrativeitseemedasifthecreditorsorthedepositors，orthecompetentauthorities，hadgotholdinthetwinklingofaneyeofeverythingdeBarralpossessedintheworld，downtohiswatchandchain，themoneyinhistrousers’pocket，hissparesuitsofclothes，andIsupposethecameopinoutofhisblacksatincravat。
Everything！Ibelievehegaveuptheveryweddingringofhislatewife。ThegloomyPriorywithitsdampparkandacoupleoffarmshadbeenmadeovertoMrs。deBarral；butwhenshedied(withoutmakingawill)itrevertedtohim，Iimagine。Theygotthatofcourse；butitwasamerecrumbinaSaharaofstarvation，adropinthethirstyocean。Idaresaythatnotasinglesoulintheworldgotthecomfortofasmuchasarecoveredthreepennybitoutoftheestate。Then，lessthancrumbs，lessthandrops，thereweretobegrabbed，theleaseofthebigBrightonhouse，thefurnituretherein，thecarriageandpair，thegirl’sridinghorse，hercostlytrinkets；
downtotheheavilygold-mountedcollarofherpedigreeSt。Bernard。
Thedogtoowent:themostnoble-lookingiteminthebeggarlyassets。
Whathoweverwentfirstofallorrathervanishedwasnothinginthenatureofanasset。Itwasthatplottinggovernesswiththetrickofa”perfectlady”manner(severelyconventional)andthesoulofaremorselessbrigand。Whenawomantakestoanysortofunlawfulman-trade，there’snothingtobeatherinthewayofthoroughness。
It’struethatyouwillfindpeoplewho’lltellyouthatthisterrificvirulenceinbreakingthroughallestablishedthings，isaltogetherthefaultofmen。Suchpeoplewillaskyouwithacleverairwhytheservilewarswerealwaysthemostfierce，desperateandatrociousofallwars。Andyoumaymakesuchanswerasyoucan——
eventheeminentlyfeminineone，ifyouchoose，sotypicalofthewomen’sliteralmind”Idon’tseewhatthishastodowithit！”Howmanyargumentshavebeenknockedover(Iwon’tsayknockeddown)bythesefewwords！ForifwementrytoputthespaciousnessofallexperiencesintoourreasoningandwouldfainputtheInfiniteitselfintoourlove，itisn’t，assomewriterhasremarked，”Itisn’twomen’sdoing。”Ohno。Theydon’tcareforthesethings。
Thatsortofaspirationisnotmuchintheirway；anditshallbeafunnyworld，theworldoftheirarranging，wheretheIrrelevantwouldfantasticallystepintotaketheplaceofthesoberhumdrumImaginative……”
IraisedmyhandtostopmyfriendMarlow。”Doyoureallybelievewhatyouhavesaid？”Iasked，meaningnooffence，becausewithMarlowonenevercouldbesure。”Onlyoncertaindaysoftheyear，”saidMarlowreadilywithamalicioussmile。”To-dayIhavebeensimplytryingtobespaciousandIperceiveI’vemanagedtohurtyoursusceptibilitieswhichareconsecratedtowomen。Whenyousitaloneandsilentyouaredefendinginyourmindthepoorwomenfromattackswhichcannotpossiblytouchthem。Iwonderwhatcantouchthem？ButtosootheyouruneasinessIwillpointoutagainthatanIrrelevantworldwouldbeveryamusing，ifthewomentakecaretomakeitascharmingastheyalonecan，bypreservingforuscertainwell-known，well-
established，I’llalmostsayhackneyed，illusions，withoutwhichtheaveragemalecreaturecannotgeton。Andthatconditionisveryimportant。ForthereisnothingmoreprovokingthantheIrrelevantwhenithasceasedtoamuseandcharm；andthenthedangerwouldbeofthesubjugatedmasculinityinitsexasperation，makingsomebrusque，unguardedmovementandaccidentallyputtingitselbowthroughthefinetissueoftheworldofwhichIspeak。Andthatwouldbefataltoit。Fornothinglooksmoreirretrievablydeplorablethanfinetissuewhichhasbeendamaged。Thewomenthemselveswouldbethefirsttobecomedisgustedwiththeirowncreation。
Therewassomethingofwomen’shighlypracticalsanityandalsooftheirirrelevancyintheconductofMissdeBarral’samazinggoverness。ItappearedfromFyne’snarrativethatthedaybeforethefirstrumbleofthecataclysmthequestionableyoungmanarrivedunexpectedlyinBrightontostaywithhis”Aunt。”Toalloutwardappearanceeverythingwasgoingonnormally；thefellowwentoutridingwiththegirlintheafternoonasheoftenusedtodo——asightwhichneverfailedtofillMrs。Fynewithindignation。Fynehimselfwasdowntherewithhisfamilyforawholeweekandwascalledtothewindowtobeholdtheiniquityinitsprogressandtoshareinhiswife’sfeelings。Therewasnotevenagroomwiththem。
AndMrs。Fyne’sdistresswassostrongatthisglimpseoftheunluckygirlallunconsciousofherdangerridingsmilinglyby，thatFynebegantoconsiderseriouslywhetheritwasn’ttheirplaindutytointerfereatallrisks——simplybywritingalettertodeBarral。
HesaidtohiswifewithasolemnityIcaneasilyimagine”Yououghttoundertakethattask，mydear。Youhaveknownhiswifeafterall。
That’ssomethingatanyrate。”OntheotherhandthefearofexposingMrs。Fynetosomenastyrebuffworriedhimexceedingly。
Mrs。Fyneonhersidegavewaytodespondency。Successseemedimpossible。Herewasawomanformorethanfiveyearsinchargeofthegirlandapparentlyenjoyingthecompleteconfidenceofthefather。What，thatwouldbeeffective，couldonesay，withoutproofs，without……ThisMr。deBarralmustbe，Mrs。Fynepronounced，eitheraverystupidoradownrightbadman，toneglecthischildso。
YouwillnoticethatperhapsbecauseofFyne’ssolemnviewofourtransientlifeandMrs。Fyne’snaturalcapacityforresponsibility，ithadneveroccurredtothemthatthesimplestwayoutofthedifficultywastodonothinganddismissthematterasnoconcernoftheirs。Whichinastrictworldlysenseitcertainlywasnot。Buttheyspent，Fynetoldme，amostdisturbedafternoon，consideringthewaysandmeansofdealingwiththedangerhangingovertheheadofthegirloutforaride(andnodoubtenjoyingherself)withanabominablescamp。
CHAPTERFOUR——THEGOVERNESS
Andthebestofitwasthatthedangerwasalloveralready。Therewasnodangeranymore。Thesupposednephew’sappearancehadapurpose。Hehadcome，full，fulltotrembling——withthebignessofhisnews。TheremusthavebeenrumoursalreadyastotheshakypositionofthedeBarral’sconcerns；butonlyamongstthoseintheveryinmostknow。NorumourorechoofrumourhadreachedtheprofaneintheWest-End——letaloneintheguilelessmarinesuburbofHove。TheFyneshadnosuspicion；thegoverness，playingwithcold，distinguishedexclusivenessthepartofmothertothefabulouslywealthyMissdeBarral，hadnosuspicion；themastersofmusic，ofdrawing，ofdancingtoMissdeBarral，hadnoidea；themindsofhermedicalman，ofherdentist，oftheservantsinthehouse，ofthetradesmenproudofhavingthenameofdeBarralontheirbooks，wereinastateofabsoluteserenity。Thus，thatfellow，whohadunexpectedlyreceivedamostalarmingstraighttipfromsomebodyintheCityarrivedinBrighton，ataboutlunch-time，withsomethingverymuchinthenatureofadeadlybombinhispossession。Butheknewbetterthantothrowitonthepublicpavement。Heatehislunchimpenetrably，sittingoppositeFloradeBarral，andthen，onsomeexcuse，closetedhimselfwiththewomanwhomlittleFyne’scharitydescribed(withaslighthesitationofspeechhowever)ashis”Aunt。”
Whattheysaidtoeachotherinprivatewecanimagine。Shecameoutofherownsitting-roomwithredspotsonhercheek-bones，whichhavingprovokedaquestionfromher”beloved”charge，wereaccountedforbyacurt”Ihaveaheadachecomingon。”Butwemaybecertainthatthetalkbeingovershemusthavesaidtothatyoungblackguard:”Youhadbettertakeheroutforarideasusual。”WehaveproofpositiveofthisinFyneandMrs。Fyneobservingthemmountatthedoorandpassunderthewindowsoftheirsitting-room，talkingtogether，andthepoorgirlallsmiles；becausesheenjoyedinallinnocencethecompanyofCharley。ShemadenosecretofitwhatevertoMrs。Fyne；infact，shehadconfidedtoher，longbefore，thatshelikedhimverymuch:aconfidencewhichhadfilledMrs。Fynewithdesolationandthatsenseofpowerlessanguishwhichisexperiencedincertainkindsofnightmare。Forhowcouldshewarnthegirl？Shedidventuretotellheroncethatshedidn’tlikeMr。Charley。MissdeBarralheardherwithastonishment。HowwasitpossiblenottolikeCharley？AfterwardswithnaiveloyaltyshetoldMrs。Fynethat，immenselyasshewasfondofhershecouldnothearawordagainstCharley——thewonderfulCharley。
ThedaughterofdeBarralprobablyenjoyedherjollyridewiththejollyCharley(infinitelymorejollythangoingoutwithastupidoldriding-master)，verymuchindeed，becausetheFynessawthemcomingbackatalaterhourthanusual。Infactitwasgettingnearlydark。Ondismounting，helpedoffbythedelightfulCharley，shepattedtheneckofherhorseandwentupthesteps。Herlastride。Shewasthenwithinafewdaysofhersixteenthbirthday，aslightfigureinaridinghabit，rathershorterthantheaverageheightforherage，inablackbowlerhatfromunderwhichherfineripplingdarkhaircutsquareattheendswashangingwelldownherback。ThedelightfulCharleymountedagaintotakethetwohorsesroundtothemews。Mrs。FyneremainingatthewindowsawthehousedoorcloseonMissdeBarralreturningfromherlastride。
Andmeantimewhathadthegoverness(outofanobleman’sfamily)sojudiciouslyselected(alady，andconnectedwithwell-knowncountypeopleasshesaid)todirectthestudies，guardthehealth，formthemind，polishthemanners，andgenerallyplaytheperfectmothertothatlucklesschild——whathadshebeendoing？Well，havinggotridofherchargebythemostnaturaldevicepossible，whichprovedherpracticalsense，shestartedpackingherbelongings，anactwhichshowedherclearviewofthesituation。Shehadworkedmethodically，rapidly，andwell，emptyingthedrawers，clearingthetablesinherspecialapartmentofthatbighouse，withsomethingsilentlypassionateinherthoroughness；takingeverythingbelongingtoherandsomethingsoflessunquestionableownership，ajewelledpenholder，anivoryandgoldpaperknife(thehousewasfullofcommon，costlyobjects)，somechasedsilverboxespresentedbydeBarralandothertrifles；butthephotographofFloradeBarral，withthelovinginscription，whichstoodonherwritingdesk，ofthemostmodernandexpensivestyle，inasilver-giltframe，sheneglectedtotake。Havingaccidentally，inthecourseoftheoperations，knockeditoffonthefloorsheletitliethereafteradownwardglance。Thusit，ortheframeatleast，became，Isuppose，partoftheassetsinthedeBarralbankruptcy。
Atdinnerthateveningthechildfoundhercompanydullandbrusque。
Itwasuncommonlyslow。Shecouldgetnothingfromhergovernessbutmonosyllables，andthejollyCharleyactuallysnubbedthevariouscheeryopeningsofhis”littlechum”——asheusedtocallherattimes，——butnotatthattime。Nodoubtthecouplewerenervousandpreoccupied。Forallthiswehaveevidence，andforthefactthatFlorabeingoffendedwiththedelightfulnephewofherprofoundlyrespectedgovernesssulkedthroughtherestoftheeveningandwasgladtoretireearly。Mrs。，Mrs——I’vereallyforgottenhername——thegoverness，invitedhernephewtohersitting-room，mentioningaloudthatitwastotalkoversomefamilymatters。ThiswasmeantforFloratohear，andsheheardit——
withouttheslightestinterest。Infacttherewasnothingsufficientlyunusualinsuchaninvitationtoarouseinhermindevenapassingwonder。Shewentboredtobedandbeingtiredwithherlongridesleptsoundlyallnight。Herlastsleep，Iwon’tsayofinnocence——thatwordwouldnotrendermyexactmeaning，becauseithasaspecialmeaningofitsown——butIwillsay:ofthatignorance，orbetterstill，ofthatunconsciousnessoftheworld’sways，theunconsciousnessofdanger，ofpain，ofhumiliation，ofbitterness，offalsehood。Anunconsciousnesswhichinthecaseofotherbeingslikeherselfisremovedbyagradualprocessofexperienceandinformation，oftenonlypartialatthat，withsavingreserves，softeningdoubts，veilingtheories。Herunconsciousnessoftheevilwhichlivesinthesecretthoughtsandthereforeintheopenactsofmankind，wheneverithappensthatevilthoughtmeetsevilcourage；herunconsciousnesswastobebrokenintowithprofaneviolencewithdesecratingcircumstances，likeatempleviolatedbyamad，vengefulimpiety。Yes，thatveryyounggirl，almostnomorethanachild——thiswaswhatwasgoingtohappentoher。Andifyouaskme，how，wherefore，forwhatreason？Iwillansweryou:Why，bychance！Bythemerestchance，asthingsdohappen，luckyandunlucky，terribleortender，importantorunimportant；andeventhingswhichareneither，thingssocompletelyneutralincharacterthatyouwouldwonderwhytheydohappenatallifyoudidn’tknowthatthey，too，carryintheirinsignificancetheseedsoffurtherincalculablechances。
Ofcourse，allthechanceswerethatdeBarralshouldhavefallenuponaperfectlyharmless，naive，usual，inefficientspecimenofrespectablegovernessforhisdaughter；oronacommonplacesillyadventuresswhowouldhavetried，say，tomarryhimorworksomeothersortofcommonmischiefinasmallway。Oragainhemighthavechancedonamodelofallthevirtues，ortherepositoryofallknowledge，oranythingequallyharmless，conventional，andmiddleclass。Allcalculationswereinhisfavour；but，chancebeingincalculable，hefelluponanindividualitywhomitismucheasiertodefinebyopprobriousnamesthantoclassifyinacalmandscientificspirit——butanindividualitycertainly，andatemperamentaswell。Rare？No。ThereisacertainamountofwhatIwouldpolitelycallunscrupulousnessinallofus。ThinkforinstanceoftheexcellentMrs。Fyne，whoherself，andinthebosomofherfamily，resembledagovernessofaconventionaltype。Only，hermentalexcessesweretheoretical，hedgedinbysomuchhumanefeelingandconventionalreserves，thattheyamountedtonomorethanmerelibertinageofthought；whereastheotherwoman，thegovernessofFloradeBarral，was，asyoumayhavenoticed，severelypractical——terriblypractical。No！Herswasnotararetemperament，exceptinitsfierceresentmentofrepression；afeelingwhichlikegeniusorlunacyisapttodrivepeopleintosuddenirrelevancy。Herswasfeminineirrelevancy。Amalegenius，amaleruffian，orevenamalelunatic，wouldnothavebehavedexactlyasshedidbehave。Thereisasoftnessinmasculinenature，eventhemostbrutal，whichactsasacheck。
Whilethegirlsleptthosetwo，thewomanofforty，anageinitselfterrible，andthathopelessyoung”wrong’un”oftwenty-three(alsowellconnectedIbelieve)hadsomesortofsubduedrowintheclearedrooms:wardrobesopen，drawershalfpulledoutandempty，trunkslockedandstrapped，furnitureinidledisarray，andnotsomuchasasinglescrapofpaperleftbehindonthetables。Themaid，whomthegovernessandthepupilsharedbetweenthem，afterfinishingwithFlora，cametothedoorasusual，butwasnotadmitted。Sheheardthetwovoicesindisputebeforesheknocked，andthenbeingsentawayretreatedatonce——theonlypersoninthehouseconvincedatthattimethattherewas”somethingup。”
Darkand，sotospeak，inscrutablespacesbeingmetwithinlifetheremustbesuchplacesinanystatementdealingwithlife。InwhatIamtellingyouofnow——anepisodeofoneofmyhumdrumholidaysinthegreencountry，recalledquitenaturallyafteralltheyearsbyourmeetingamanwhohasbeenablue-watersailor——
thiseveningconfabulationisadark，inscrutablespot。Andwemayconjecturewhatwelike。Ihavenodifficultyinimaginingthatthewoman——offorty，andthechiefoftheenterprise——musthaveragedatlarge。Andperhapstheotherdidnotrageenough。Youthfeelsdeeplyitistrue，butithasnotthesamevividsenseoflostopportunities。Itbelievesintheabsoluterealityoftime。Andthen，inthatabominablescampwithhisyouthalreadysoiled，witheredlikeapluckedflowerreadytobeflungonsomerottingheapofrubbish，noverygenuinefeelingaboutanythingcouldexist——
notevenaboutthehazardsofhisownuncleanexistence。A
sneeringhalf-laughwithsomesuchremarkas:”Weareproperlysoldandnomistake”wouldhavebeenenoughtomaketroubleinthatway。
Andthenanothersneer，”Wastetimeenoughoverittoo，”followedperhapsbythebitterretortfromtheotherparty”Youseemedtolikeitwellenoughthough，playingthefoolwiththatchitofagirl。”Somethingofthatsort。Don’tyouseeit——eh……”
Marlowlookedatmewithhisdarkpenetratingglance。Iwasstruckbytheabsoluteverisimilitudeofthissuggestion。Butwewerealwaystiltingateachother。Isawanopeningandpushedmyuncandidthrust。”Youhaveaghastlyimagination，”Isaidwithacheerfullyscepticalsmile。”Well，andifIhave，”hereturnedunabashed。”Butletmeremindyouthatthissituationcametomeunasked。Iamlikeapuzzle-
headedchief-matewehadonceinthedearoldSamarcandwhenIwasayoungster。Thefellowwentgravelyabouttryingto”accounttohimself”——hisfavouriteexpression——foralotofthingsnoonewouldcaretobotherone’sheadabout。Hewasanoldidiotbuthewasalsoanaccomplishedpracticalseaman。Iwasquiteaboyandheimpressedme。Imusthavecaughtthedispositionfromhim。””Well——goonwithyouraccountingthen，”Isaid，assuminganairofresignation。”That’sjustit。”Marlowfellintohisstrideatonce。”That’sjustit。Meredisappointedcupiditycannotaccountfortheproceedingsofthenextmorning；proceedingswhichIshallnotdescribetoyou——butwhichIshalltellyouofpresently，notasamatterofconjecturebutofactualfact。MeantimereturningtothateveningaltercationindeadenedtoneswithintheprivateapartmentofMissdeBarral’sgoverness，whatifIweretotellyouthatdisappointmenthadmostlikelymadethemtouchywitheachother，butthatperhapsthesecretofhiscareless，railingbehaviour，wasinthethought，springingupwithinhimwithanemphaticoathofrelief”Nowthere’snothingtopreventmefrombreakingawayfromthatoldwoman。”Andthatthesecretofherenvenomedrage，notagainstthismiserableandattractivewretch，butagainstfate，accidentandthewholecourseofhumanlife，concentratingitsvenomondeBarralandincludingtheinnocentgirlherself，wasinthethought，inthefearcryingwithinher”NowIhavenothingtoholdhimwith……”
Icouldn’trefuseMarlowthetributeofaprolongedwhistle”Phew！
Soyousupposethat……”
Hewavedhishandimpatiently。”Idon’tsuppose。Itwasso。Andanyhowwhyshouldn’tyouacceptthesupposition。Doyoulookupongovernessesascreaturesabovesuspicionornecessarilyofmoralperfection？Isupposetheirheartswouldnotstandlookingintomuchbetterthanotherpeople’s。
Whyshouldn’tagovernesshavepassions，allthepassions，eventhatoflibertinage，andevenungovernablepassions；yetsuppressedbytheverysamemeanswhichkeeptherestofusinorder:earlytraining——necessity——circumstances——fearofconsequences；tilltherecomesanage，atimewhentherestraintofyearsbecomesintolerable——andinfatuationirresistible……””Butifinfatuation——quitepossibleIadmit，”Iargued，”howdoyouaccountforthenatureoftheconspiracy。””Youexpectacogencyofconductnotusualinwomen，”saidMarlow。”Thesubterfugesofamenacedpassionarenottobefathomed。Youthinkitisgoingonthewayitlooks，whereasitiscapable，foritsownends，ofwalkingbackwardsintoaprecipice。
Whenoneonceacknowledgesthatshewasnotacommonwoman，thenallthisiseasilyunderstood。Shewasabominablebutshewasnotcommon。Shehadsufferedinherlifenotfromitsconstantinferioritybutfromconstantself-repression。AcommonwomanfindingherselfplacedinacommandingpositionmighthaveformedthedesigntobecomethesecondMrs。deBarral。Whichwouldhavebeenimpracticable。DeBarralwouldnothaveknownwhattodowithawife。Butevenifbysomeimpossiblechancehehadmadeadvances，thisgovernesswouldhaverepulsedhimwithscorn。Shehadtreatedhimalwaysasaninferiorbeingwithanassured，distantpoliteness。
Inhercomposed，schooledmannershedespisedanddislikedbothfatheranddaughterexceedingly。Ihaveanotionthatshehadalwaysdislikedintenselyallherchargesincludingthetwoducal(iftheywereducal)littlegirlswithwhomshehaddazzleddeBarral。Whatanodious，ungratifiedexistenceitmusthavebeenforawomanasavidofallthesensuousemotionswhichlifecangiveasmostofherbetters。
Shehadseenheryouthvanish，herfreshnessdisappear，herhopesdie，andnowshefeltherflamingmiddle-ageslippingawayfromher。
Nowonderthatwithheradmirablydressed，abundanthair，thicklysprinkledwithwhitethreadsandaddingtoherelegantaspectthepiquantdistinctionofapowderedcoiffure——nowonder，Isay，thatsheclungdesperatelytoherlastinfatuationforthatgracelessyoungscamp，eventotheextentofhatchingforhimthatamazingplot。Hewasnotsofargoneindegradationastomakehimutterlyhopelessforsuchanattempt。Shehopedtokeephimstraightwiththatenormousbribe。Shewasclearlyawomanuncommonenoughtolivewithoutillusions——which，ofcourse，doesnotmeanthatshewasreasonable。Shehadsaidtoherself，perhapswithafuryofself-
contempt”InafewyearsIshallbetoooldforanybody。MeantimeI
shallhavehim——andIshallholdhimbythrowingtohimthemoneyofthatordinary，silly，littlegirlofnoaccount。”Well，itwasadesperateexpedient——butshethoughtitworthwhile。Andbesidesthereishardlyawomanintheworld，nomatterhowhard，depravedorfrantic，inwhomsomethingofthematernalinstinctdoesnotsurvive，unconsumedlikeasalamander，inthefiresofthemostabandonedpassion。Yestheremighthavebeenthatsentimentforhimtoo。ThereWASnodoubt。SoIsayagain:Nowonder！Nowonderthatsheragedateverything——andperhapsevenathim，withcontradictoryreproaches:forregrettingthegirl，alittlefoolwhowouldneverinherlifebeworthanybody’sattention，andfortakingthedisasteritselfwithacynicallevityinwhichsheperceivedaflavourofrevolt。
Andsothealtercationinthenightwenton，overtheirremediable。
Hearguing”What’sthehurry？Whyclearoutlikethis？”perhapsalittlesorryforthegirlandasusualwithoutapennyinhispocket，appreciatingthecomfortablequarters，wishingtolingeronaslongaspossibleintheshamelessenjoymentofthisalreadydoomedluxury。Therewasreallynohurryforafewdays。Alwaystimeenoughtovanish。And，withthat，atouchofmasculinesoftness，asortofregardforappearancessurvivinghisdegradation:”Youmightbehavedecentlyatthelast，Eliza。”Buttherewasnosoftnessinthesallowfaceunderthegalaeffectofpowderedhair，itsformalcalmnessgone，thedark-ringedeyesglaringathimwithasortofhunger。”No！No！Ifitisasyousaythennotaday，notanhour，notamoment。”Shestucktoit，verydeterminedthatthereshouldbenomoreofthatboyandgirlphilanderingsincetheobjectofitwasgone；angrywithherselfforhavingsufferedfromitsomuchinthepast，furiousatitshavingbeenallinvain。
Butshewasreasonableenoughnottoquarrelwithhimfinally。Whatwasthegood？Shefoundmeanstoplacatehim。Theonlymeans。Aslongastherewassomemoneytobegotshehadholdofhim。”Nowgoaway。Weshalldonogoodbyanymoreofthissortoftalk。Iwanttobealoneforabit。”Hewentaway，sulkilyacquiescent。Therewasaroomalwayskeptreadyforhimonthesamefloor，atthefurtherendofashortthicklycarpetedpassage。
Howshepassedthenight，thiswomanwithnoillusionstohelpherthroughthehourswhichmusthavebeensleeplessIshouldn’tliketosay。Itendedatlast；andthisstrangevictimofthedeBarralfailure，whosenamewouldneverbeknowntotheOfficialReceiver，camedowntobreakfast，impenetrableinhereverydayperfection。
Fromtheveryfirst，somehow，shehadacceptedthefatalnewsfortrue。Allherlifeshehadneverbelievedinherluck，withthatpessimismofthepassionatewhoatbottomfeelthemselvestobetheoutcastsofamorallyrestraineduniverse。Butthisdidnotmakeitanyeasier，onopeningthemorningpaperfeverishly，toseethethingconfirmed。Ohyes！Itwasthere。TheOrbhadsuspendedpayment——thefirstgrowlofthestormfaintasyet，buttotheinitiatedtheforerunnerofadeluge。Asanitemofnewsitwasnotindecentlydisplayed。Itwasnotdisplayedatallinasense。Theseriouspaper，theonlyoneofthegreatdailieswhichhadalwaysmaintainedanattitudeofreservetowardsthedeBarralgroupofbanks，hadits”manner。”Yes！amodestitemofnews！Buttherewasalso，onanotherpage，aspecialfinancialarticleinahostiletonebeginningwiththewords”Wehavealwaysfeared”andaguarded，half-columnleader，openingwiththephrase:”Itisadeplorablesignofthetimes”whatwas，ineffect，anaustere，generalrebuketotheabsurdinfatuationsoftheinvestingpublic。Sheglancedthroughthesearticles，alinehereandalinethere——nomorewasnecessarytocatchbeyonddoubtthemurmuroftheoncomingflood。
SeveralslightingreferencesbynametodeBarralrevivedheranimosityagainsttheman，suddenly，asbytheeffectofunforeseenmoralsupport。Themiserablewretch！……””——Youunderstand，”Marlowinterruptedthecurrentofhisnarrative，”thatinordertobeconsecutiveinmyrelationofthisaffairIamtellingyouatoncethedetailswhichIheardfromMrs。Fynelaterintheday，aswellaswhatlittleFyneimpartedtomewithhisusualsolemnityduringthatmorningcall。AsyoumayeasilyguesstheFynes，intheirapartments，hadreadthenewsatthesametime，and，asamatteroffact，inthesameaugustandhighlymoralnewspaper，asthegovernessintheluxuriousmansionafewdoorsdownontheoppositesideofthestreet。Buttheyreadthemwithdifferentfeelings。Theywerethunderstruck。FynehadtoexplainthefullpurportoftheintelligencetoMrs。Fynewhosefirstcrywasthatofrelief。Thenthatpoorchildwouldbesafefromthesedesigning，horridpeople。Mrs。Fynedidnotknowwhatitmightmeantobesuddenlyreducedfromrichestoabsolutepenury。Fynewithhismasculineimaginationwaslessinclinedtorejoiceextravagantlyatthegirl’sescapefromthemoraldangerswhichhadbeenmenacingherdefencelessexistence。Itwasaconfoundedlybigpricetopay。
Whatanunfortunatelittlethingshewas！”Wemightbeabletodosomethingtocomfortthatpoorchildatanyrateforthetimesheishere，”saidMrs。Fyne。Shefeltunderasortofmoralobligationnottobeindifferent。Butnocomfortforanyonecouldbegotbyrushingoutintothestreetatthisearlyhour；andso，followingtheadviceofFynenottoacthastily，theybothsatdownatthewindowandstaredfeelinglyatthegreathouse，awfultotheireyesinitsstolid，prosperous，expensiverespectabilitywithruinabsolutelystandingatthedoor。
Bythattime，orverysoonafter，allBrightonhadtheinformationandformedamoreorlessjustappreciationofitsgravity。ThebutlerinMissdeBarral’sbighousehadseenthenews，perhapsearlierthananybodywithinamileoftheParade，inthecourseofhismorningdutiesofwhichonewastodrythefreshlydeliveredpaperbeforethefire——anoccasiontoglanceatitwhichnointelligentmancouldhaveneglected。Hecommunicatedtotherestofthehouseholdhisvaguelyforcibleimpressionthatsomethinghadgoned-blywrongwiththeaffairsof”herfatherinLondon。”
Thisbroughtanatmosphereofconstraintthroughthehouse，whichFloradeBarralcomingdownsomewhatlaterthanusualcouldnothelpnoticinginherownway。Everybodyseemedtostaresostupidlysomehow；shefearedadullday。
Inthedining-roomthegovernessinherplace，anewspaperhalf-
concealedundertheclothonherlap，afterafewwordsexchangedwithlipsthatseemedhardlytomove，remainingmotionless，hereyesfixedbeforeherinanenduringsilence；andpresentlyCharleycomingintowhomshedidnotevengiveaglance。Hehardlysaidgoodmorning，thoughhehadahalf-heartedtrytosmileatthegirl，andsittingoppositeherwithhiseyesonhisplateandslightquiverspassingalongthelineofhisclean-shavenjaw，hetoohadnothingtosay。Itwasdull，horriblydulltobeginone’sdaylikethis；butsheknewwhatitwas。Thesenever-endingfamilyaffairs！
Itwasnotforthefirsttimethatshehadsufferedfromtheirdepressingafter-effectsonthesetwo。ItwasashamethatthedelightfulCharleyshouldbemadedullbythesestupidtalks，anditwasperfectlystupidofhimtolethimselfbeupsetlikethisbyhisaunt。
Whenafteraperiodofstill，asifcalculating，immobility，hergovernessgotupabruptlyandwentoutwiththepaperinherhand，almostimmediatelyafterwardsfollowedbyCharleywholefthisbreakfasthalfeaten，thegirlwaspositivelyrelieved。Theywouldhaveitoutthatmorningwhateveritwas，andbethemselvesagainintheafternoon。AtleastCharleywouldbe。Tothemoodsofhergovernessshedidnotattachsomuchimportance。
ForthefirsttimethatmorningtheFynessawthefrontdooroftheawfulhouseopenandtheobjectionableyoungmanissueforth，hisrascalityvisibletotheirprejudicedeyesinhisverybowlerhatandinthesmartcutofhisshortfawnovercoat。Hewalkedawayrapidlylikeamanhurryingtocatchatrain，glancingfromsidetosideasthoughhewerecarryingsomethingoff。Couldhebedepartingforgood？Undoubtedly，undoubtedly！ButMrs。Fyne’sfervent”thankgoodness”turnedouttobeabit，astheAmericans——
someAmericans——say”previous。”Inaveryshorttimetheodiousfellowappearedagain，strolling，absolutelystrollingback，hishatnowtiltedalittleononeside，withanairofleisureandsatisfaction。Mrs。Fynegroanednotonlyinthespirit，atthissight，butintheflesh，audibly；andaskedherhusbandwhatitmightmean。Fynenaturallycouldn’tsay。Mrs。Fynebelievedthattherewassomethinghorridinprogressandmeantimetheobjectofherdetestationhadgoneupthestepsandhadknockedatthedoorwhichatonceopenedtoadmithim。
Hehadbeenonlyasfarasthebank。
HisreasonforleavinghisbreakfastunfinishedtorunafterMissdeBarral’sgoverness，wastospeaktoherinreferencetothatveryerrandpossessingtheutmostpossibleimportanceinhiseyes。Heshruggedhisshouldersatthenervousnessofhereyesandhands，atthehalf-strangledwhisper”Ihadtogoout。Icouldhardlycontainmyself。”Thatwasheraffair。Hewas，withayoungman’ssqueamishness，rathersickofherferocity。Hedidnotunderstandit。Mendonotaccumulatehateagainsteachotherintinyamounts，treasuringeverypinchcarefullytillitgrowsatlastintoamonstrousandexplosivehoard。Hehadrunoutafterhertoremindherofthebalanceatthebank。Whataboutliftingthatmoneywithoutwastinganymoretime？Shehadpromisedhimtoleavenothingbehind。
AnaccountopenedinhernamefortheexpensesoftheestablishmentinBrighton，hadbeenfedbydeBarralwithdeferentiallavishness。
Thegovernesscrossedthewidehallintoalittleroomatthesidewhereshesatdowntowritethecheque，whichhehastenedouttogoandcashasifitwerestolenoraforgery。AsobservedbytheFynes，hisuneasyappearanceonleavingthehousearosefromthefactthathisfirsttroublehavingbeencausedbyachequeofdoubtfulauthenticity，thepossessionofadocumentofthesortmadehimunreasonablyuncomfortabletillthisonewassafelycashed。Andafterall，youknowitwasstealingofanindirectsort；forthemoneywasdeBarral’smoneyiftheaccountwasinthenameoftheaccomplishedlady。Atanyratethechequewascashed。Ongettingholdofthenotesandgoldherecoveredhisjauntybearing，itbeingwellknownthatwithcertainnaturesthepresenceofmoney(evenstolen)inthepocket，actsasatonic，oratleastasastimulant。
Hecockedhishatalittleononesideasthoughhehadhadadrinkortwo——whichindeedhemighthavehadinreality，tocelebratetheoccasion。
Thegovernesshadbeenwaitingforhisreturninthehall，disregardingtheside-glancesofthebutlerashewentinandoutofthedining-roomclearingawaythebreakfastthings。Itwasshe，herself，whohadopenedthedoorsopromptly。”It’sallright，”hesaidtouchinghisbreast-pocket；andshedidnotdare，themiserablewretchwithoutillusions，shedidnotdareaskhimtohanditover。
Theylookedateachotherinsilence。Henoddedsignificantly:”Whereisshenow？”andshewhispered”Goneintothedrawing-room。
Wanttoseeheragain？”withanarchlyblacklookwhichheacknowledgedbyamuttered，surly:”IamdamnedifIdo。Well，asyouwanttoboltlikethis，whydon’twegonow？”
Shesetherlipswithcruelobstinacyandshookherhead。Shehadheridea，hercompletedplan。AtthatmomenttheFynes，stillatthewindowandwatchinglikeapairofprivatedetectives，sawamanwithalonggreybeardandajovialfacegoupthestepshelpinghimselfwithathickstick，andknockatthedoor。Whocouldhebe？
HewasoneofMissdeBarral’smasters。Shehadlatelytakenuppaintinginwater-colours，havingreadinahigh-classwoman’sweeklypaperthatagreatmanyprincessesoftheEuropeanroyalhouseswerecultivatingthatart。Thiswasthewater-colourmorning；andtheteacher，aveteranofmanyexhibitions，ofavenerableandjovialaspect，hadturnedupwithhisusualpunctuality。Hewasnogreatreaderofmorningpapers，andevenhadheseenthenewsitisverylikelyhewouldnothaveunderstooditsrealpurport。Atanyrateheturnedup，asthegovernessexpectedhimtodo，andtheFynessawhimpassthroughthefatefuldoor。
HebowedcordiallytotheladyinchargeofMissdeBarral’seducation，whomhesawinthehallengagedinconversationwithaverygood-lookingbutsomewhatraffishyounggentleman。Sheturnedtohimgraciously:”Floraisalreadywaitingforyouinthedrawing-room。”
Thecultivationoftheartsaidtobepatronizedbyprincesseswaspursuedinthedrawing-roomfromconsiderationsoftherightkindoflight。ThegovernessprecededthemasterupthestairsandintotheroomwhereMissdeBarralwasfoundarrayedinahollandpinafore(alsooftherightkindforthepursuitoftheart)andsmilinglyexpectant。Thewater-colourlessonenlivenedbythejocularconversationofthekindly，humorous，oldmanwasalwaysgreatfun；
andshefeltshewouldbecompensatedforthetiresomebeginningoftheday。
Hergovernessgenerallywaspresentatthelesson；butonthisoccasionsheonlysatdowntillthemasterandpupilhadgonetoworkinearnest，andthenasthoughshehadsuddenlyrememberedsomeordertogive，rosequietlyandwentoutoftheroom。
Onceoutside，theservantssummonedbythepassingmaidwithoutabellbeingrung，andquick，quick，letallthisluggagebetakendownintothehall，andletoneofyoucallacab。Shestoodoutsidethedrawing-roomdooronthelanding，lookingateachpiece，trunk，leathercases，portmanteaus，beingcarriedpasther，herbrowsknittedandheraspectsosombreandabsorbedthatittooksomelittletimeforthebutlertomustercourageenoughtospeaktoher。Buthereflectedthathewasafree-bornBritonandhadhisrights。Hespokestraighttothepointbutintheusualrespectfulmanner。”Begyoupardon，ma’am——butareyougoingawayforgood？”
Hewasstartledbyhertone。Itsunexpected，unlady-likeharshnessfellonhistrainedearwiththedisagreeableeffectofafalsenote。”Yes。Iamgoingaway。Andthebestthingforallofyouistogoawaytoo，assoonasyoulike。Youcangonow，to-day，thismoment。Youhadyourwagespaidyouonlylastweek。Thelongeryoustaythegreateryourloss。ButIhavenothingtodowithitnow。
YouaretheservantsofMr。deBarral——youknow。”
Thebutlerwasastoundedbythemannerofthisadvice，andashiseyeswanderedtothedrawing-roomdoorthegovernessextendedherarmasiftobartheway。”Nobodygoesinthere。”Andthatwassaidstillinanothertone，suchatonethatalltraceofthetrainedrespectfulnessvanishedfromthebutler’sbearing。Hestaredatherwithafrankwonderinggaze。”NottillIamgone，”
sheadded，andtherewassuchanexpressiononherfacethatthemanwasdauntedbythemysteryofit。Heshruggedhisshouldersslightlyandwithoutanotherwordwentdownthestairsonhiswaytothebasement，brushinginthehallpastMr。Charleswhohatonheadandbothhandsrammeddeepintohisovercoatpocketspacedupanddownasthoughonsentrydutythere。
Theladies’maidwastheonlyservantupstairs，hoveringinthepassageonthefirstfloor，curiousandasiffascinatedbythewomanwhostoodthereguardingthedoor。Beingbeckonedcloserimperiouslyandaskedbythegovernesstobringoutofthenowemptyroomsthehatandveil，theonlyobjectsbesidesthefurniturestilltobefoundthere，shedidsoinsilencebutinwardlyfluttered。
Andwhilewaitinguneasily，withtheveil，beforethatwomanwho，withoutmovingastepawayfromthedrawing-roomdoorwaspinningwithcarelesshasteherhatonherhead，sheheardwithinasuddenburstoflaughterfromMissdeBarralenjoyingthefunofthewater-
colourlessongivenherforthelasttimebythecheeryoldman。
Mr。andMrs。Fyneambushedattheirwindow——amostincredibleoccupationforpeopleoftheirkind——sawwithrenewedanxietyacabcometothedoor，andwatchedsomeluggagebeingcarriedoutandputonitsroof。Thebutlerappearedforamoment，thenwentinagain。
Whatdiditmean？WasFloragoingtobetakentoherfather；orwerethesepeople，thatwomanandherhorriblenephew，abouttocarryheroffsomewhere？Fynecouldn’ttell。Hedoubtedthelast，Florahavingnow，hejudged，novalue，eitherpositiveorspeculative。Thoughnogreatreaderofcharacterhedidnotcreditthegovernesswithhumaneintentions。Heconfessedtomenaivelythathewasexcitedasifwatchingsomeactiononthestage。Thenthethoughtstruckhimthatthegirlmighthavehadsomemoneysettledonher，bepossessedofsomemeans，ofsomelittlefortuneofherownandtherefore-
Heimpartedthistheorytohiswifewhosharedfullyhisconsternation。”Ican’tbelievethechildwillgoawaywithoutrunningintosaygood-byetous，”shemurmured。”Wemustfindout！
Ishallaskher。”Butatthatverymomentthecabrolledaway，emptyinside，andthedoorofthehousewhichhadbeenstandingslightlyajartillthenwaspushedto。
TheyremainedsilentstaringatittillMrs。Fynewhispereddoubtfully”IreallythinkImustgoover。”Fynedidn’tanswerforawhile(hisisareflectivemind，youknow)，andthenasifMrs。
Fyne’swhispershadanoccultpoweroverthatdooritopenedwideagainandthewhite-beardedmanissued，astonishinglyactiveinhismovements，usinghisstickalmostlikealeaping-poletogetdownthesteps；andhobbledawaybrisklyalongthepavement。NaturallytheFynesweretoofarofftomakeouttheexpressionofhisface。
Butitwouldnothavehelpedthemverymuchtoaguessattheconditionsinsidethehouse。Theexpressionwashumorouslypuzzled——
nothingmore。
For，attheendofhislesson，seizinghistrustystickandcomingoutwithhishabitualvivacity，heverynearlycannonedjustoutsidethedrawing-roomdoorintothebackofMissdeBarral’sgoverness。
Hestoppedhimselfintimeandsheturnedroundswiftly。Itwasembarrassing；heapologised；butherfacewasnotstartled；itwasnotawareofhim；itworeasingularexpressionofresolution。A
