Ascirclesinapondgrowwiderandwider，thenextfact，whichatfirsthadbeenpatentonlytoCythereaherself，induetimespreadtoherneighbours，andthey，too，wonderedthathemadenoovertadvances。BythemiddleofNovember，atheorymadeupofacombinationoftheothertwowasreceivedwithgeneralfavour：itssubstancebeingthataguiltyintriguehadbeencommencedbetweenManstonandMissAldclyffe，someyearsbefore，whenhewasaveryyoungman，andshestillintheenjoymentofsomewomanlybeauty，butnowthathersenioritybegantogrowemphaticshewasbecomingdistastefultohim。Hisfearoftheeffectofthelady\'sjealousywould，theysaid，thusleadhimtoconcealfromherhisnewattachmenttoCytherea。AlmosttheonlywomanwhodidnotbelievethiswasCythereaherself，onunmistakablegrounds，whichwerehiddenfromallbesides。Itwasnotonlyinpublic，butevenmoremarkedlyinsecludedplaces，onoccasionswhengallantrywouldhavebeensafefromalldiscovery，thatthisguardedcourseofactionwaspursued，allthestrengthofaconsumingpassionburninginhiseyesthewhile。
2。NOVEMBERTHEEIGHTEENTH
ItwasonaFridayinthismonthofNovemberthatOwenGrayepaidavisittohissister。
HiszealousintegritystillretainedforhimthesituationatBudmouth，andinorderthatthereshouldbeaslittleinterruptionaspossibletohisdutiesthere，hehaddecidednottocometoKnapwatertilllateintheafternoon，andtoreturntoBudmouthbythefirsttrainthenextmorning，MissAldclyffehavingmadeapointoffrequentlyofferinghimlodgingforanunlimitedperiod，tothegreatpleasureofCytherea。
Hereachedthehouseaboutfouro\'clock，andringingthebell，askedofthepagewhoanswereditforMissGraye。
WhenGrayespokethenameofhissister，Manston，whowasjustcomingoutfromaninterviewwithMissAldclyffe，passedhiminthevestibuleandheardthequestion。Thesteward\'sfacegrewhot，andhesecretlyclenchedhishands。Hehalfcrossedthecourt，thenturnedhisheadandsawthattheladstillstoodatthedoor，thoughOwenhadbeenshownintothehouse。Manstonwentbacktohim。
\'Whowasthatman？\'hesaid。
\'Idon\'tknow，sir。\'
\'Hasheeverbeenherebefore？\'
\'Yes，sir。\'
\'Howmanytimes？\'
\'Three。\'
\'Youaresureyoudon\'tknowhim？\'
\'IthinkheisMissGraye\'sbrother，sir。\'
\'Then，whythedevildidn\'tyousaysobefore！\'Manstonexclaimed，andagainwentonhisway。
\'Ofcourse，thatwasnotthemanofmydreams——ofcourse，itcouldn\'tbe！\'hesaidtohimself。\'ThatIshouldbesuchafool——
suchanutterfool。GoodGod！toallowagirltoinfluencemelikethis，dayafterday，tillIamjealousofherverybrother。A
lady\'sdependent，awaif，ahelplessthingentirelyatthemercyoftheworld；yes，curseit；thatisjustwhyitis；thatfactofherbeingsohelplessagainsttheblowsofcircumstanceswhichrendershersodeliciouslysweet！\'
Hepausedoppositehishouse。Shouldhegethishorsesaddled？No。
Hewentdownthedriveandoutofthepark，havingstartedtoproceedtoanoutlyingspotontheestateconcerningsomedraining，andtocallatthepotter\'syardtomakeanarrangementforthesupplyofpipes。ButaremarkwhichMissAldclyffehaddroppedinrelationtoCythereawaswhatstilloccupiedhismind，andhadbeentheimmediatecauseofhisexcitementatthesightofherbrother。
MissAldclyffehadmeaninglyremarkedduringtheirintercourse，thatCythereawaswildlyinlovewithEdwardSpringrove，inspiteofhisengagementtohiscousinAdelaide。
\'HowIamharassed！\'hesaidaloud，afterdeepthoughtforhalf-an-
hour，whilestillcontinuinghiswalkwiththegreatestvehemence。
\'HowIamharassedbytheseemotionsofmine！\'Hecalmedhimselfbyaneffort。\'Well，dutyafterallitshallbe，asnearlyasIcaneffectit。“Honestyisthebestpolicy；“\'withwhichvigorouslyutteredresolveheoncemoreattemptedtoturnhisattentiontotheprosyobjectofhisjourney。
Theeveninghadclosedintoadarkanddrearynightwhenthestewardcamefromthepotter\'sdoortoproceedhomewardsagain。Thegloomdidnottendtoraisehisspirits，andinthetotallackofobjectstoattracthiseye，hesoonfelltointrospectionasbefore。
Itwasalongthemarginofturnipfieldsthathispathlay，andthelargeleavesofthecropstruckflatlyagainsthisfeetateverystep，pouringuponthemtherollingdropsofmoisturegatheredupontheirbroadsurfaces；buttheannoyancewasunheeded。Nextreachingafirplantation，hemountedthestileandfollowedthepathintothemidstofthedarknessproducedbytheoverhangingtrees。
Afterwalkingunderthedenseshadeoftheinkyboughsforafewminutes，hefanciedhehadmistakenthepath，whichasyetwasscarcelyfamiliartohim。Thiswasproveddirectlyafterwardsbyhiscomingatrightanglesuponsomeobstruction，whichcarefulfeelingwithoutstretchedhandssoontoldhimtobearailfence。
However，asthewoodwasnotlarge，heexperiencednoalarmaboutfindingthepathagain，andwithsomesenseofpleasurehaltedawhileagainsttherails，tolistentotheintenselymelancholyyetmusicalwailofthefir-tops，andasthewindpassedon，thepromptmoanofanadjacentplantationinreply。Hecouldjustdimlydiscerntheairysummitsofthetwoorthreetreesnearesthimwavingrestlesslybackwardsandforwards，andstretchingouttheirboughslikehairyarmsintothedullsky。Thescene，fromitsstrikingandemphaticloneliness，begantogrowcongenialtohismood；allofhumankindseemedattheantipodes。
Asuddenrattleonhisrighthandcausedhimtostartfromhisreverie，andturninthatdirection。There，beforehim，hesawriseupfromamongthetreesafountainofsparksandsmoke，thenaredglareoflightcomingforwardtowardshim；thenaflashingpanoramaofilluminatedoblongpictures；thentheolddarkness，moreimpressivethanever。
Thesurprise，whichhadoweditsorigintohisimperfectacquaintancewiththetopographicalfeaturesofthatendoftheestate，hadbeenbutmomentary；thedisturbance，awell-knownonetodwellersbyarailway，beingcausedbythe6。50down-trainpassingalongashallowcuttinginthemidstofthewoodimmediatelybelowwherehestood，thedriverhavingthefire-dooroftheengineopenattheminuteofgoingby。Thetrainhad，whenpassinghim，alreadyconsiderablyslackenedspeed，andnowawhistlewasheard，announcingthatCarrifordRoadStationwasnotfarinitsvan。
Butcontrarytothenaturalorderofthings，thediscoverythatitwasonlyacommonplacetrainhadnotcausedManstontostirfromhispositionoffacingtherailway。
Ifthe6。50down-trainhadbeenaflashofforkedlightningtransfixinghimtotheearth，hecouldscarcelyhaveremainedinamoretrance-likestate。Hestillleantagainsttherailings，hisrighthandstillcontinuedpressingonhiswalking-stick，hisweightononefoot，hisotherheelraised，hiseyeswideopentowardstheblacknessofthecutting。Theonlymovementinhimwasaslightdroppingofthelowerjaw，separatinghispreviouslyclosedlipsalittleway，aswhenastrangeconvictionrusheshomesuddenlyuponaman。Anewsurprise，notnearlysotrivialasthefirst，hadtakenpossessionofhim。
Itwasonthisaccount。Atoneoftheilluminatedwindowsofasecond-classcarriageintheseriesgoneby，hehadseenapaleface，recliningupononehand，thelightfromthelampfallingfulluponit。Thefacewasawoman\'s。
AtlastManstonmoved；gaveawhisperingkindofwhistle，adjustedhishat，andwalkedonagain，cross-questioninghimselfineverydirectionastohowapieceofknowledgehehadcarefullyconcealedhadfounditswaytoanotherperson\'sintelligence。\'Howcanmyaddresshavebecomeknown？\'hesaidatlength，audibly。\'Well，itisablessingIhavebeencircumspectandhonourable，inrelationtothat——yes，Iwillsayit，foronce，evenifthewordschokeme，thatdarlingofmine，Cytherea，nevertobemyown，never。Isupposeallwillcomeoutnow。All！\'Thegreatsadnessofhisutteranceprovedthatnomeanforcehadbeenexerciseduponhimselftosustainthecircumspectionhehadjustclaimed。
Hewheeledtotheleft，pursuedtheditchbesidetherailwayfence，andpresentlyemergedfromthewood，steppingintoaroadwhichcrossedtherailwaybyabridge。
Ashenearedhome，theanxietylatelywritteninhisface，mergedbydegreesintoagrimlyhumoroussmile，whichhunglonguponhislips，andhequotedaloudalinefromthebookofJeremiah——
\'Awomanshallcompassaman。\'
3。NOVEMBERTHENINETEENTH。DAYBREAK
Beforeitwaslightthenextmorning，twolittlenakedfeetpatteredalongthepassageinKnapwaterHouse，fromwhichOwenGraye\'sbedroomopened，andatapwasgivenuponhisdoor。
\'Owen，Owen，areyouawake？\'saidCythereainawhisperthroughthekeyhole。\'Youmustgetupdirectly，oryou\'llmissthetrain。\'
Whenhedescendedtohissister\'slittleroom，hefoundhertherealreadywaitingwithacupofcocoaandagrilledrasheronthetableforhim。Ahastymealwasdespatchedintheintervalsofputtingonhisovercoatandfindinghishat，andtheythenwentsoftlythroughthelongdesertedpassages，thekitchen-maidwhohadpreparedtheirbreakfastwalkingbeforethemwithalampheldhighaboveherhead，whichcastlongwheelingshadowsdowncorridorsintersectingtheonetheyfollowed，theirremoterendsbeinglostindarkness。Thedoorwasunboltedandtheysteppedout。
Owenhadpreferredwalkingtothestationtoacceptingthepony-
carriagewhichMissAldclyffehadplacedathisdisposal，havingamorbidhorrorofgivingtroubletopeoplericherthanhimself，andespeciallytotheirmen-servants，wholookeddownuponhimasahybridmonsterinsocialposition。Cythereaproposedtowalkalittlewaywithhim。
\'IwanttotalktoyouaslongasIcan，\'shesaidtenderly。
Brotherandsisterthenemergedbytheheavydoorintothedrive。
Thefeelingandaspectofthehourwerepreciselysimilartothoseunderwhichthestewardhadleftthehousetheeveningprevious，exceptingthatapparentlyunearthlyreversalofnaturalsequence，whichiscausedbytheworldgettinglighterinsteadofdarker。
\'Thetearfulglimmerofthelanguiddawn\'wasjustsufficienttorevealtothemthemelancholyredleaves，lyingthicklyinthechannelsbytheroadside，everandanonloudlytappedonbyheavydropsofwater，whichtheboughsabovehadcollectedfromthefoggyair。
TheypassedtheOldHouse，engagedinadeepconversation，andhadproceededabouttwentyyardsbyacrossroute，inthedirectionoftheturnpikeroad，whentheformofawomanemergedfromtheporchofthebuilding。
Shewaswrappedinagreywaterproofcloak，thehoodofwhichwasdrawnoverherheadandcloselyroundherface——socloselythathereyeswerethesolefeaturesuncovered。
Withthisoneexceptionofherappearancethere，themostperfectstillnessandsilencepervadedthesteward\'sresidencefrombasementtochimney。Notashutterwasopen；notatwineofsmokecameforth。
Underneaththeivy-coveredgatewayshestoodstillandlistenedfortwo，orpossiblythreeminutes，tillshebecameconsciousofothersinthepark。Seeingthepairshesteppedback，withtheapparentintentionoflettingthempassoutofsight，andevidentlywishingtoavoidobservation。Butlookingatherwatch，andreturningitrapidlytoherpocket，asifsurprisedatthelatenessofthehour，shehurriedoutagain，andacrosstheparkbyastillmoreobliquelinethanthattracedbyOwenandhissister。
Theseinthemeantimehadgotintotheroad，andwerewalkingalongitasthewomancameupontheothersideoftheboundaryhedge，lookingforagateorstile，bywhichshe，too，mightgetoffthegrassuponthehardground。
Theirconversation，ofwhicheverywordwasclearanddistinct，inthestillairofthedawn，tothedistanceofaquarterofamile，reachedherears，andwithdrewherattentionfromallothermattersandsightswhatsoever。ThusarrestedshestoodforaninstantaspreciselyintheattitudeofImogenbythecaveofBelarius，asifshehadstudiedthepositionfromtheplay。Whentheyhadadvancedafewsteps，shefollowedtheminsomedoubt，stillscreenedbythehedge。
\'Doyoubelieveinsuchoddcoincidences？\'saidCytherea。
\'Howdoyoumean，believeinthem？Theyoccursometimes。\'
\'Yes，onewilloccuroftenenough——thatis，twodisconnectedeventswillfallstrangelytogetherbychance，andpeoplescarcelynoticethefactbeyondsaying，“Oddlyenoughithappenedthatsoandsowerethesame，“andsoon。Butwhenthreesucheventscoincidewithoutanyapparentreasonforthecoincidence，itseemsasiftheremustbeinvisiblemeansatwork。Yousee，threethingsfallingtogetherinthatmanneraretentimesassingularastwocasesofcoincidencewhicharedistinct。\'
\'Well，ofcourse：whatamathematicalheadyouhave，Cytherea！ButIdon\'tseesomuchtomarvelatinourcase。Thatthemanwhokeptthepublic-houseinwhichMissAldclyffefainted，andwhofoundouthernameandposition，livesinthisneighbourhood，isaccountedforbythefactthatshegothimtheberthtostophistongue。ThatyoucameherewassimplyowingtoSpringrove。\'
\'Ah，butlookatthis。MissAldclyffeisthewomanourfatherfirstloved，andIhavecometoMissAldclyffe\'s；youcan\'tgetoverthat。\'
Fromthesepremises，sheproceededtoarguelikeanelderlydivineonthedesignsofProvidencewhichwereapparentinsuchconjunctures，andwentintoavarietyofdetailsconnectedwithMissAldclyffe\'shistory。
\'HadIbettertellMissAldclyffethatIknowallthis？\'sheinquiredatlast。
\'What\'stheuse？\'hesaid。\'Yourpossessingtheknowledgedoesnoharm；youareatanyratecomfortablehere，andaconfessiontoMissAldclyffemightonlyirritateher。No，holdyourtongue，Cytherea。\'
\'IfancyIshouldhavebeentemptedtotellhertoo，\'Cythereawenton，\'hadInotfoundoutthatthereexistsaveryodd，almostimperceptible，andyetrealconnectionofsomekindbetweenherandMr。Manston，whichismorethanthatofamutualinterestintheestate。\'
\'Sheisinlovewithhim！\'exclaimedOwen；\'fancythat！\'
\'Ah——that\'swhateverybodysayswhohasbeenkeenenoughtonoticeanything。Isaidsoatfirst。AndyetnowIcannotpersuademyselfthatsheisinlovewithhimatall。\'
\'Whycan\'tyou？\'
\'Shedoesn\'tactasifshewere。Sheisn\'t——youwillknowIdon\'tsayitfromanyvanity，Owen——sheisn\'ttheleastjealousofme。\'
\'Perhapssheisinsomewayinhispower。\'
\'No——sheisnot。Hewasopenlyadvertisedfor，andchosenfromfortyorfiftywhoansweredtheadvertisement，withoutknowingwhoseitwas。Andsincehehasbeenhere，shehascertainlydonenothingtocompromiseherselfinanyway。Besides，whyshouldshehavebroughtanenemyhereatall？\'
\'Thenshemusthavefalleninlovewithhim。YouknowaswellasI
do，Cyth，thatwithwomenthere\'snothingbetweenthetwopolesofemotiontowardsaninterestingmaleacquaintance。\'Tiseitherloveoraversion。\'
Theywalkedforafewminutesinsilence，whenCytherea\'seyesaccidentallyfelluponherbrother\'sfeet。
\'Owen，\'shesaid，\'doyouknowthatthereissomethingunusualinyourmannerofwalking？\'
\'Whatisitlike？\'heasked。
\'Ican\'tquitesay，exceptthatyoudon\'twalksoregularlyasyouusedto。\'
Thewomanbehindthehedge，whohadstillcontinuedtodogtheirfootsteps，madeanimpatientmovementatthischangeintheirconversation，andlookedatherwatchagain。Yetsheseemedreluctanttogiveoverlisteningtothem。
\'Yes，\'Owenreturnedwithassumedcarelessness，\'Idoknowit。I
thinkthecauseofitisthatmysteriouspainwhichcomesjustabovemyanklesometimes。YourememberthefirsttimeIhadit？Thatdaywewentbysteam-packettoLulsteadCove，whenithinderedmefromcomingbacktoyou，andcompelledmetosleepwiththegatemanwehavebeentalkingabout。\'
\'Butisitanythingserious，dearOwen？\'Cythereaexclaimed，withsomealarm。
\'O，nothingatall。Itissuretogooffagain。IneverfindasignofitwhenIsitintheoffice。\'
Againtheirunperceivedcompanionmadeagestureofvexation，andlookedatherwatchasiftimewereprecious。Butthedialoguestillflowedonuponthisnewsubject，andshowednosignofreturningtoitsoldchannel。
Gatheringupherskirtdecisivelysherenouncedallfurtherhope，andhurriedalongtheditchtillshehaddroppedintoavalley，andcametoagatewhichwasbeyondtheviewofthosecomingbehind。
Thisshesoftlyopened，andcameoutupontheroad，followingitinthedirectionoftherailwaystation。
PresentlysheheardOwenGraye\'sfootstepsinherrear，hisquickenedpaceimplyingthathehadpartedfromhissister。Thewomanthereuponincreasedherrapidwalktoarun，andinafewminutessafelydistancedherfellow-traveller。
TherailwayatCarrifordRoadconsistedonlyofasinglelineofrails；andtheshortlocaldown-trainbywhichOwenwasgoingtoBudmouthwasshuntedontoasidingwhilstthefirstup-trainpassed。Grayeenteredthewaiting-room，andthedoorbeingopenhelistlesslyobservedthemovementsofawomanwearingalonggreycloak，andcloselyhooded，whohadaskedforaticketforLondon。
Hefollowedherwithhiseyesontotheplatform，sawherwaitingthereandafterwardssteppingintothetrain：hisrecollectionofherceasingwiththeperception。
4。EIGHTTOTENO\'CLOCKA。M。
Mrs。Crickett，twiceawidow，andnowtheparishclerk\'swife，afine-framed，scandal-lovingwoman，withapeculiarcornertohereyebywhich，withoutturningherhead，shecouldseewhatpeopleweredoingalmostbehindher，livedinacottagestandingnearertotheoldmanor-housethananyotherinthevillageofCarriford，andshehadonthataccountbeentemporarilyengagedbythesteward，asarespectablekindofcharwomanandgeneralservant，untilasettledarrangementcouldbemadewithsomepersonaspermanentdomestic。
Everymorning，therefore，Mrs。Crickett，immediatelyshehadlightedthefireinherowncottage，andpreparedthebreakfastforherselfandhusband，pacedherwaytotheOldHousetodothesameforMr。
Manston。Thenshewenthometobreakfast；andwhenthestewardhadeatenhis，andhadgoneoutonhisrounds，shereturnedagaintoclearaway，makehisbed，andputthehouseinorderfortheday。
OnthemorningofOwenGraye\'sdeparture，shewentthroughtheoperationsofherfirstvisitasusual——proceededhometobreakfast，andwentbackagain，toperformthoseofthesecond。
EnteringManston\'semptybedroom，withherhandsonherhips，sheindifferentlycasthereyesuponthebed，previouslytodismantlingit。
Whilstshelooked，shethoughtinaninattentivemanner，\'WhataremarkablyquietsleeperMr。Manstonmustbe！\'Theupperbed-
clotheswereflungback，certainly，butthebedwasscarcelydisarranged。\'Anybodywouldalmostfancy，\'shethought，\'thathehadmadeithimselfafterrising。\'
Buttheseevanescentthoughtsvanishedastheyhadcome，andMrs。
Crickettsettowork；shedraggedoffthecounterpane，blanketsandsheets，andstoopedtoliftthepillows。Thusstooping，somethingarrestedherattention；shelookedclosely——moreclosely——veryclosely。\'Well，tobesure！\'wasallshecouldsay。Theclerk\'swifestoodasiftheairhadsuddenlysettoamber，andheldherfixedlikeaflyinit。
Theobjectofherwonderwasatrailingbrownhair，verylittlelessthanayardlong，whichproveditclearlytobeahairfromsomewoman\'shead。Shedrewitoffthepillow，andtookittothewindow；thereholdingitoutshelookedfixedlyatit，andbecameutterlylostinmeditation：hergaze，whichhadatfirstactivelysettledonthehair，involuntarilydroppedpastitsobjectbydegreesandwaslostonthefloor，astheinnervisionobscuredtheouterone。
Sheatlengthmoistenedherlips，returnedhereyestothehair，wounditroundherfingers，putitinsomepaper，andsecretedthewholeinherpocket。Mrs。Crickett\'sthoughtswerewithherworknomorethatmorning。
Shesearchedthehousefromroof-treetocellar，forsomeothertraceoffeminineexistenceorappurtenance；butnonewastobefound。
Shewentoutintotheyard，coal-hole，stable，hay-loft，green-
house，fowl-house，andpiggery，andstilltherewasnosign。Cominginagain，shesawabonnet，eagerlypounceduponit；andfoundittobeherown。
Hastilycompletingherarrangementsintheotherrooms，sheenteredthevillageagain，andcalledatonceonthepostmistress，ElizabethLeat，anintimatefriendofhers，andafemalewhosportedseveraluniquediseasesandafflictions。
Mrs。Crickettunfoldedthepaper，tookoutthehair，andwaveditonhighbeforetheperplexedeyesofElizabeth，whichimmediatelymoonedandwanderedafteritlikeacat\'s。
\'Whatisit？\'saidMrs。Leat，contractinghereyelids，andstretchingouttowardstheinvisibleobjectanarrowbonyhandthatwouldhavebeenanunmitigateddelighttothepencilofCarloCrivelli。
\'Youshallhear，\'saidMrs。Crickett，complacentlygatheringupthetreasureintoherownfathand；andthesecretwasthensolemnlyimparted，togetherwiththeaccidentofitsdiscovery。
Ashaving-glasswastakendownfromanail，laidonitsbackinthemiddleofatablebythewindow，andthehairspreadcarefullyoutuponit。Thepairthenbentoverthetablefromoppositesides，theirelbowsontheedge，theirhandssupportingtheirheads，theirforeheadsnearlytouching，andtheireyesuponthehair。
\'Heha\'beenmada\'termyladyCytherea，\'saidMrs。Crickett，\'and\'tismyverybeliefthehairis——\'
\'No\'tidn\'。Hersidn\'sodarkasthat，\'saidElizabeth。
\'Elizabeth，youknowthatasthefaithfulwifeofaservantoftheChurch，Ishouldbegladtothinkasyoudoaboutthegirl。MindI
don\'twishtosayanythingagainstMissGraye，butthisIdosay，thatIbelievehertobeanamelessthing，andshe\'snorighttostickamoralclockinherface，anddeceivethecountryinsuchaway。Ifshewasn\'tofabadstockattheoutsetshewasbadintheplanten，andifshewasn\'tbadintheplanten，shewasbadinthegrowen，andifnotinthegrowen，she\'smadebadbywhatshe\'sgonethroughsince。\'
\'ButIhaveanotherreasonforknowingitidn\'hers，\'saidMrs。
Leat。
\'Ah！Iknowwhoseitisthen——MissAldclyffe\'s，uponmysong！\'
\'\'Tisthecolourofhers，butIdon\'tbelieveittobeherseither。\'
\'Don\'tyoubelievewhattheyd\'sayaboutherandhim？\'
\'Isaynothenaboutthat；butyoudon\'tknowwhatIknowabouthisletters。\'
\'Whatabout\'em？\'
\'Hed\'postallhislettershereexceptthoseforoneperson，andtheyhed\'taketoBudmouth。MysonisinBudmouthPostOffice，asyouknow，andashed\'sitatdeskhecanseeovertheblindofthewindowallthepeoplewhod\'postletters。Mr。Manstond\'
unvariablygotherewi\'lettersforthatperson；myboyd\'know\'embysightwellenoughnow。\'
\'Isitashe？\'
\'\'Tisashe。\'
\'What\'shername？\'
\'Thelittlestunpollofafellowcouldn\'tcalltomindmorethanthat\'tisMissSomebody，ofLondon。However，that\'sthewomanwhoha\'beenhere，dependupon\'t——awickedone——somepoorstreet-wenchescapedfromSodom，Iwarrantye。\'
\'OnlytofindherselfinGomorrah，seemingly。\'
\'Thatmaybe。\'
\'No，no，Mrs。Leat，thisiscleartome。\'Tisnomisswhocameheretoseeourstewardlastnight——whenevershecameorwherevershevanished。Doyouthinkhewouldha\'letamissgetherehowshecould，goawayhowshewould，withoutbreakfastorhelpofanykind？\'
Elizabethshookherhead——Mrs。Crickettlookedathersolemnly。
\'IsayIknowshehadnohelpofanykind；Iknowitwasso，forthegratewasquitecoldwhenItoucheditthismorningwiththesefingers，andhewasstillinbed。No，hewouldn\'ttakethetroubletowriteletterstoagirlandthentreathersooff-handasthat。
There\'satiebetween\'emstrongerthanfeelen。She\'shiswife。\'
\'Hemarried！TheLordso\'s，whatshallwehearnext？Dohelookmarriednow？Hisarenottheabashedeyesandlipsofamarriedman。\'
\'Perhapsshe\'satameone——butshe\'shiswifestill。\'
\'No，no：he\'snotamarriedman。\'
\'Yes，yes，heis。I\'vehadthree，andIoughttoknow。\'
\'Well，well，\'saidMrs。Leat，givingway。\'Whatevermaybethetruthon\'tItrustProvidencewillsettleitallforthebest，asHealwaysdo。\'
\'Ay，ay，Elizabeth，\'rejoinedMrs。Crickettwithasatiricalsigh，assheturnedonherfoottogohome，\'goodpeoplelikeyoumaysayso，butIhavealwaysfoundProvidenceadifferentsortoffeller。\'
5。NOVEMBERTHETWENTIETH
ItwasMissAldclyffe\'scustom，acustomoriginatedbyherfather，andnourishedbyherownexclusiveness，tounlockthepost-bagherselfeverymorning，insteadofallowingthedutytodevolveonthebutler，aswasthecaseinmostoftheneighbouringcountyfamilies。Thebagwasbroughtupstairseachmorningtoherdressing-room，whereshetookoutthecontents，mostlyinthepresenceofhermaidandCytherea，whohadtheentreeofthechamberatallhours，andattendedthereinthemorningatakindofreceptiononasmallscale，whichwasheldbyMissAldclyffeofhernamesakeonly。
Hereshereadherlettersbeforetheglass，whilstundergoingtheoperationofbeingbrushedanddressed。
\'Whatwomancanthisbe，Iwonder？\'shesaidonthemorningsucceedingthatofthelastsection。\'“London，N。！”ItisthefirsttimeinmylifeIeverhadaletterfromthatoutlandishplace，theNorthsideofLondon。\'
Cythereahadjustcomeintoherpresencetolearniftherewasanythingforherself；andonbeingthusaddressed，walkeduptoMissAldclyffe\'scorneroftheroomtolookatthecuriositywhichhadraisedsuchanexclamation。Butthelady，havingopenedtheenvelopeandreadafewlines，putitquicklyinherpocket，beforeCythereacouldreachherside。
\'O，\'tisnothing，\'shesaid。Sheproceededtomakegeneralremarksinanoticeablyforcedtoneofsang-froid，fromwhichshesoonlapsedintosilence。Notanotherwordwassaidabouttheletter：
sheseemedveryanxioustogetherdressingdone，andtheroomcleared。ThereuponCythereawentawaytotheotherwindow，andafewminuteslaterlefttheroomtofollowherownpursuits。
ItwaslatewhenMissAldclyffedescendedtothebreakfast-tableandthensheseemedtheretonopurpose；tea，coffee，eggs，cutlets，andalltheiraccessories，wereleftabsolutelyuntasted。Thenextthatwasseenofherwaswhenwalkingupanddownthesouthterrace，androundtheflower-beds；herfacewaspale，andhertreadwasfitful，andshecrumpledaletterinherhand。
Dinner-timecameroundasusual；shedidnotspeaktenwords，orindeedseemconsciousofthemeal；forallthatMissAldclyffedidinthewayofeating，dinnermighthavebeentakenoutasintactasitwastakenin。
InherownprivateapartmentMissAldclyffeagainpulledouttheletterofthemorning。Onepassageinitranthus：——
\'Ofcourse，beinghiswife，Icouldpublishthefact，andcompelhimtoacknowledgemeatanymoment，notwithstandinghisthreats，andreasoningsthatitwillbebettertowait。Ihavewaited，andwaitedagain，andthetimeforsuchacknowledgmentseemsnonearerthanatfirst。ToshowyouhowpatientlyIhavewaitedIcantellyouthatnottillafortnightago，whenbystressofcircumstancesI
hadbeendriventonewlodgings，haveIeverassumedmymarriedname，solelyonaccountofitshavingbeenhisrequestallalongthatIshouldnotdoit。Thiswritingtoyou，madam，ismyfirstdisobedience，andIamjustifiedinit。Awomanwhoisdriventovisitherhusbandlikeathiefinthenightandthensentawaylikeastreetdog——lefttogetup，unbolt，unbar，andfindherwayoutofthehouseasshebestmay——isjustifiedindoinganything。
\'ButshouldIdemandofhimarestitutionofrights，therewouldbeinvolvedapublicitywhichIcouldnotendure，andanoisyscandalflingingmynamethelengthandbreadthofthecountry。
\'WhatIstillprefertoanysuchviolentmeansisthatyoureasonwithhimprivately，andcompelhimtobringmehometoyourparishinadecentandcarefulmanner，inthewaythatwouldbeadoptedbyanyrespectableman，whosewifehadbeenlivingawayfromhimforsometime，byreason，say，ofpeculiarfamilycircumstanceswhichhadcauseddisunion，butnotenmity，andwhoatlengthwasenabledtoreinstateherinhishouse。
\'Youwill，Iknow，obligemeinthis，especiallyasknowledgeofapeculiartransactionofyourown，whichtookplacesomeyearsago，haslatelycometomeinasingularway。Iwillnotatpresenttroubleyoubydescribinghow。Itisenough，thatIalone，ofallpeopleliving，knowALLTHESIDESOFTHESTORY，thosefromwhomI
collectedithavingeachonlyapartialknowledgewhichconfusesthemandpointstonothing。Onepersonknowsofyourearlyengagementanditssuddentermination；another，ofthereasonofthosestrangemeetingsatinnsandcoffee-houses；another，ofwhatwassufficienttocauseallthis，andsoon。Iknowwhatfitsoneandallthecircumstanceslikeakey，andshowsthemtobethenaturaloutcropofarational(thoughratherrash)lineofconductforayounglady。Youwillatonceperceivehowitwasthatsomeatleastofthesethingswererevealedtome。
\'Thisknowledgethen，commonto，andsecretlytreasuredbyusboth，isthegrounduponwhichIbegforyourfriendshipandhelp，withafeelingthatyouwillbetoogeneroustorefuseittome。
\'Imayaddthat，asyet，myhusbandknowsnothingofthis，neitherneedheifyouremembermyrequest。\'
\'Athreat——aflatstingingthreat！asdelicatelywrappedupinwordsasthewomancoulddoit；athreatfromamiserableunknowncreaturetoanAldclyffe，andnottheleastproudmemberofthefamilyeither！Athreatonhisaccount——O，O！shallitbe？\'
Presentlythishumourofdefiancevanished，andthemembersofherbodybecamesuppleagain，herproceedingsprovingthatitwasabsolutelynecessarytogiveway，Aldclyffeasshewas。ShewroteashortanswertoMrs。Manston，sayingcivillythatMr。Manston\'spossessionofsuchanearrelationwasafactquitenewtoherself，andthatshewouldseewhatcouldbedoneinsuchanunfortunateaffair。
6。NOVEMBERTHETWENTY-FIRST
ManstonreceivedamessagethenextdayrequestinghisattendanceattheHousepunctuallyateighto\'clocktheensuingevening。MissAldclyffewasbraveandimperious，butwiththepurposeshehadinviewshecouldnotlookhiminthefacewhilstdaylightshoneuponher。
Thestewardwasshownintothelibrary。Onenteringit，hewasimmediatelystruckwiththeunusualgloomwhichpervadedtheapartment。Thefirewasdeadanddull，onelamp，andthatacomparativelysmallone，wasburningattheextremeend，leavingthemainproportionoftheloftyandsombreroominanartificialtwilight，scarcelypowerfulenoughtorendervisiblethetitlesofthefolioandquartovolumeswhichwerejammedintothelowertiersofthebookshelves。
Afterkeepinghimwaitingformorethantwentyminutes(MissAldclyffeknewthatexcellentrecipefortakingthestiffnessoutofhumanflesh，andforextractingallpre-arrangementfromhumanspeech)sheenteredtheroom。
Manstonsoughthereyedirectly。Thehueofherfeatureswasnotdiscernible，butthecalmglancesheflungathim，fromwhichallattemptatreturninghisscrutinywasabsent，awokehimtotheperceptionthatprobablyhissecretwasbysomemeansorotherknowntoher；howithadbecomeknownhecouldnottell。
Shedrewforththeletter，unfoldedit，andheldituptohim，lettingithangbyonecornerfrombetweenherfingerandthumb，sothatthelightfromthelamp，thoughremote，felldirectlyuponitssurface。
\'Youknowwhosewritingthisis？\'shesaid。
Hesawthestrokesplainly，instantlyresolvingtoburnhisshipsandhazardallonanadvance。
\'Mywife\'s，\'hesaidcalmly。
Hisquietanswerthrewheroffherbalance。Shehadnomoreexpectedananswerthandoesapreacherwhenheexclaimsfromthepulpit，\'Doyoufeelyoursin？\'Shehadclearlyexpectedasuddenalarm。
\'Andwhyallthisconcealment？\'shesaidagain，hervoicerising，asshevainlyendeavouredtocontrolherfeelings，whatevertheywere。
\'Itdoesn\'tfollowthat，becauseamanismarried，hemusttelleverystrangerofit，madam，\'heanswered，justascalmlyasbefore。
\'Stranger！well，perhapsnot；but，Mr。Manston，whydidyouchoosetoconcealit，Iaskagain？Ihaveaperfectrighttoaskthisquestion，asyouwillperceive，ifyouconsiderthetermsofmyadvertisement。\'
\'Iwilltellyou。Thereweretwosimplereasons。Thefirstwasthispracticalone；youadvertisedforanunmarriedman，ifyouremember？\'
\'OfcourseIremember。\'
\'Well，anincidentsuggestedtomethatIshouldtryforthesituation。Iwasmarried；but，knowingthatingettinganofficewherethereisarestrictionofthiskind，leavingone\'swifebehindisalwaysacceptedasafulfilmentofthecondition，Ileftherbehindforawhile。Theotherreasonis，thatthesetermsofyoursaffordedmeaplausibleexcuseforescaping(forashorttime)thecompanyofawomanIhadbeenmistakeninmarrying。\'
\'Mistaken！whatwasshe？\'theladyinquired。
\'Athird-rateactress，whomImetwithduringmystayinLiverpoollastsummer，whereIhadgonetofulfilashortengagementwithanarchitect。\'
\'Wheredidshecomefrom？\'
\'SheisanAmericanbybirth，andIgrewtodislikeherwhenwehadbeenmarriedaweek。\'
\'Shewasugly，Iimagine？\'
\'Sheisnotanuglywomanbyanymeans。\'
\'Uptotheordinarystandard？\'
\'Quiteuptotheordinarystandard——indeed，handsome。Afterawhilewequarrelledandseparated。\'
\'Youdidnotill-useher，ofcourse？\'saidMissAldclyffe，withalittlesarcasm。
\'Ididnot。\'
\'Butatanyrate，yougotthoroughlytiredofher。\'
Manstonlookedasifhebegantothinkherquestionsputofplace；
however，hesaidquietly，\'Ididgettiredofher。Inevertoldherso，butweseparated；Itocomehere，bringingherwithmeasfarasLondonandleavingherthereinperfectlycomfortablequarters；andthoughyouradvertisementexpressedasingleman，Ihavealwaysintendedtotellyouthewholetruth；andthiswaswhenIwasgoingtotellit，whenyoursatisfactionwithmycarefulmanagementofyouraffairsshouldhaveprovedtherisktobeasafeonetorun。\'
Shebowed。
\'ThenIsawthatyouweregoodenoughtobeinterestedinmywelfaretoagreaterextentthanIcouldhaveanticipatedorhoped，judgingyoubythefrigidityofotheremployers，andthiscausedmetohesitate。Iwasvexedatthecomplicationofaffairs。Somattersstoodtillthreenightsago；Iwasthenwalkinghomefromthepottery，andcameuptotherailway。Thedown-traincamealongclosetome，andthere，sittingatacarriagewindow，Isawmywife：
shehadfoundoutmyaddress，andhadthereupondeterminedtofollowmehere。Ihadnotbeenhomemanyminutesbeforeshecamein，nextmorningearlysheleftagain——\'
\'Becauseyoutreatedhersocavalierly？\'
\'AndasIsuppose，wrotetoyoudirectly。That\'sthewholestoryofher，madam。\'WhateverwereManston\'srealfeelingstowardstheladywhohadreceivedhisexplanationinthesesupercilioustones，theyremainedlockedwithinhimaswithinacasketofsteel。
\'Didyourfriendsknowofyourmarriage，MrManston？\'shecontinued。
\'Nobodyatall；wekeptitasecretforvariousreasons。\'
\'Itistruethenthat，asyourwifetellsmeinthisletter，shehasnotpassedasMrs。Manstontillwithintheselastfewdays？\'
\'Itisquitetrue；Iwasinreceiptofaverysmallanduncertainincomewhenwemarried；andsoshecontinuedplayingatthetheatreasbeforeourmarriage，andinhermaidenname。\'
\'Hassheanyfriends？\'
\'IhaveneverheardthatshehasanyinEngland。Shecameoverhereonsometheatricalspeculation，asoneofacompanywhoweregoingtodomuch，butwhoneverdidanything；andhereshehasremained。\'
Apauseensued，whichwasterminatedbyMissAldclyffe。
\'Iunderstand，\'shesaid。\'Now，thoughIhavenodirectrighttoconcernmyselfwithyourprivateaffairs(beyondthosewhicharisefromyourmisleadingmeandgettingtheofficeyouhold)——\'
\'Astothat，madam，\'heinterrupted，ratherhotly，\'astocominghere，Iamvexedasmuchasyou。Somebody，amemberoftheInstituteofArchitects——who，Icouldnevertell——senttomyoldaddressinLondonyouradvertisementcutfromthepaper；itwasforwardedtome；IwantedtogetawayfromLiverpool，anditseemedasifthiswasputinmywayonpurpose，bysomeoldfriendorother。Iansweredtheadvertisementcertainly，butIwasnotparticularlyanxioustocomehere，noramIanxioustostay。\'
MissAldclyffedescendedfromhaughtysuperioritytowomanlypersuasionwithahastewhichwasalmostludicrous。Indeed，theQuosegoofthewholelecturehadbeenlessthegenuinemenaceoftheimperiousrulerofKnapwaterthananartificialutterancetohideafailingheart。
\'Now，now，Mr。Manston，youwrongme；don\'tsupposeIwishtobeoverbearing，oranythingofthekind；andyouwillallowmetosaythismuch，atanyrate，thatIhavebecomeinterestedinyourwife，aswellasinyourself。\'
\'Certainly，madam，\'hesaid，slowly，likeamanfeelinghiswayinthedark。Manstonwasutterlyatfaultnow。Hispreviousexperienceoftheeffectofhisformandfeaturesuponwomankindenmasse，hadtaughthimtoflatterhimselfthathecouldaccountbythesamelawofnaturalselectionfortheextraordinaryinterestMissAldclyffehadhithertotakeninhim，asanunmarriedman；aninteresthedidnotatallobjectto，seeingthatitkepthimnearCytherea，andenabledhim，amanofnowealth，toruleontheestateasifhewereitslawfulowner。LikeCuriusathisSabinefarm，hehadcountedithisglorynottopossessgoldhimself，buttohavepoweroverherwhodid。Butatthishintofthelady\'swishtotakehiswifeunderherwingalso，hewasperplexed：couldshehaveanysinistermotiveindoingso？Buthedidnotallowhimselftobetroubledwiththesedoubts，whichonlyconcernedhiswife\'shappiness。
\'Shetellsme，\'continuedMissAldclyffe，\'howutterlyaloneintheworldshestands，andthatisanadditionalreasonwhyIshouldsympathizewithher。Instead，then，ofrequestingthefavourofyourretirementfromthepost，anddismissingyourinterestsaltogether，Iwillretainyouasmystewardstill，onconditionthatyoubringhomeyourwife，andlivewithherrespectably，inshort，asifyoulovedher；youunderstand。IWISHyoutostayhereifyougrantthateverythingshallflowsmoothlybetweenyourselfandher。\'
Thebreastandshouldersofthestewardrose，asifanexpressionofdefiancewasabouttobepouredforth；beforeittookform，hecontrolledhimselfandsaid，inhisnaturalvoice——
\'Mypartoftheperformanceshallbecarriedout，madam。\'
\'Andheranxietytoobtainastandingintheworldensuresthatherswill，\'repliedMissAldclyffe。\'Thatwillbesatisfactory，then。\'
Afterafewadditionalremarks，shegentlysignifiedthatshewishedtoputanendtotheinterview。Thestewardtookthehintandretired。
Hefeltvexedandmortified；yetinwalkinghomewardhewasconvincedthattellingthewholetruthashehaddone，withthesingleexceptionofhisloveforCytherea(whichhetriedtohideevenfromhimself)，hadneverservedhiminbettersteadthanithaddonethatnight。
ManstonwenttohisdeskandthoughtofCytherea\'sbeautywiththebitterest，wildestregret。Afterthelapseofafewminuteshecalmedhimselfbyastoicaleffort，andwrotethesubjoinedlettertohiswife：——
\'KNAPWATER，November21，1864。
\'DEAREUNICE，——IhopeyoureachedLondonsafelyafteryourflightyvisittome。
\'AsIpromised，Ihavethoughtoverourconversationthatnight，andyourwishthatyourcominghereshouldbenolongerdelayed。Afterall，itwasperfectlynaturalthatyoushouldhavespokenunkindlyasyoudid，ignorantasyouwereofthecircumstanceswhichboundme。
\'SoIhavemadearrangementstofetchyouhomeatonce。Itishardlyworthwhileforyoutoattempttobringwithyouanyluggageyoumayhavegatheredaboutyou(beyondmereclothing)。Disposeofsuperfluousthingsatabroker\'s；yourbringingthemwouldonlymakeatalkinthisparish，andleadpeopletobelievewehadlongbeenkeepinghouseseparately。
\'WillnextMondaysuityouforcoming？Youhavenothingtodothatcanoccupyyouformorethanadayortwo，asfarasIcansee，andtheremainderofthisweekwillaffordampletime。IcanbeinLondonthenightbefore，andwewillcomedowntogetherbythemid-
daytrain——Yourveryaffectionatehusband，\'AENEASMANSTON。
\'Now，ofcourse，IshallnolongerwritetoyouasMrs。Rondley。\'
Theaddressontheenvelopewas——
MRS。MANSTON，41CHARLESSQUARE，HOXTON，LONDON，N。
Hetookthelettertothehouse，anditbeingtoolateforthecountrypost，sentoneofthestablemenwithittoCasterbridge，insteadoftroublingtogotoBudmouthwithithimselfasheretofore。Hehadnolongeranynecessitytokeephisconditionasecret。
7。FROMTHETWENTY-SECONDTOTHETWENTY-SEVENTHOFNOVEMBER
ButthenextmorningManstonfoundthathehadbeenforgetfulofanothermatter，innamingthefollowingMondaytohiswifeforthejourney。
Thefactwasthis。Aletterhadjustcome，remindinghimthathehadleftthewholeofthesucceedingweekopenforanimportantbusinessengagementwithaneighbouringland-agent，atthatgentleman\'sresidencethirteenmilesoff。Theparticulardayhehadsuggestedtohiswife，had，intheinterim，beenappropriatedbyhiscorrespondent。Themeetingcouldnotnowbeputoff。
Sohewroteagaintohiswife，statingthatbusiness，whichcouldnotbepostponed，calledhimawayfromhomeonMonday，andwouldentirelypreventhimcomingallthewaytofetchheronSundaynightashehadintended，butthathewouldmeetherattheCarrifordRoadStationwithaconveyancewhenshearrivedthereintheevening。
Thenextdaycamehiswife\'sanswertohisfirstletter，inwhichshesaidthatshewouldbereadytobefetchedatthetimenamed。
Havingalreadywrittenhissecondletter，whichwasbythattimeinherhands，hemadenofurtherreply。
Theweekpassedaway。Thestewardhad，inthemeantime，letitbecomegenerallyknowninthevillagethathewasamarriedman，andbyalittlejudiciousmanagement，soundfamilyreasonsforhispastsecrecyuponthesubject，whichwerefloatedasadjunctstothestory，wereplacidlyreceived；theyseemedsonaturalandjustifiabletotheunsophisticatedmindsofnine-tenthsofhisneighbours，thatcuriosityinthematter，beyondastrongcuriositytoseethelady\'sface，waswell-nighextinguished。
X。THEEVENTSOFADAYANDNIGHT
1。NOVEMBERTHETWENTY-EIGHTH。UNTILTENP。M。
Mondaycame，thedaynamedforMrs。Manston\'sjourneyfromLondontoherhusband\'shouse；adayofsingularandgreatevents，influencingthepresentandfutureofnearlyallthepersonageswhoseactionsinacomplexdramaformthesubjectofthisrecord。
Theproceedingsofthestewarddemandthefirstnotice。Whilsttakinghisbreakfastonthisparticularmorning，theclockpointingtoeight，thehorse-and-gigthatwastotakehimtoChettlewoodwaitingreadyatthedoor，ManstonhurriedlycasthiseyesdownthecolumnofBradshawwhichshowedthedetailsanddurationoftheselectedtrain\'sjourney。
Theinspectionwascarelesslymade，theleafbeingkeptopenbytheaidofonehand，whilsttheotherstillheldhiscupofcoffee；muchmorecarelesslythanwouldhavebeenthecasehadtheexpectednew-
comerbeenCythereaGraye，insteadofhislawfulwife。
Hedidnotperceive，branchingfromthecolumndownwhichhisfingerran，asmalltwist，calledashunting-line，insertedataparticularplace，toimplythatatthatpointthetrainwasdividedintotwo。
BythisoversightheunderstoodthatthearrivalofhiswifeatCarrifordRoadStationwouldnotbetilllateintheevening：bythesecondhalfofthetrain，containingthethird-classpassengers，andpassingtwohoursandthree-quarterslaterthanthepreviousone，bywhichthelady，asasecond-classpassenger，wouldreallybebrought。
Hethenconsideredthattherewouldbeplentyoftimeforhimtoreturnfromhisday\'sengagementtomeetthistrain。Hefinishedhisbreakfast，gaveproperandprecisedirectionstohisservantonthepreparationsthatweretobemadeforthelady\'sreception，jumpedintohisgig，anddroveofftoLordClaydonfield\'s，atChettlewood。
HewentalongbythefrontofKnapwaterHouse。HecouldnothelpturningtolookatwhatheknewtobethewindowofCytherea\'sroom。
Whilsthelooked，ahopelessexpressionofpassionateloveandsensuousanguishcameuponhisfaceandlingeredthereforafewseconds；then，asonpreviousoccasions，itwasresolutelyrepressed，andhetrottedalongthesmoothwhiteroad，againendeavouringtobanishallthoughtoftheyounggirlwhosebeautyandgracehadsoenslavedhim。
Thusitwasthatwhen，intheeveningofthesameday，Mrs。ManstonreachedCarrifordRoadStation，herhusbandwasstillatChettlewood，ignorantofherarrival，andonlookingupanddowntheplatform，drearywithautumngloomandwind，shecouldseenosignthatanypreparationwhateverhadbeenmadeforherreceptionandconducthome。
Thetrainwenton。Shewaited，fidgetedwiththehandleofherumbrella，walkedabout，strainedhereyesintothegloomofthechillynight，listenedforwheels，tappedwithherfoot，andshowedalltheusualsignsofannoyanceandirritation：shewasthemoreirritatedinthatthisseemedasecondandculminatinginstanceofherhusband\'sneglect——thefirsthavingbeenshowninhisnotfetchingher。
Reflectingawhileuponthecourseitwouldbebesttotake，inordertosecureapassagetoKnapwater，shedecidedtoleaveallherluggage，exceptadressing-bag，inthecloak-room，andwalktoherhusband\'shouse，asshehaddoneonherfirstvisit。Sheaskedoneoftheportersifhecouldfindaladtogowithherandcarryherbag：heofferedtodoithimself。
Theporterwasagood-tempered，shallow-minded，ignorantman。Mrs。
Manston，beingapparentlyinverygloomyspirits，wouldprobablyhavepreferredwalkingbesidehimwithoutsayingaword：buthercompanionwouldnotallowsilencetocontinuebetweenthemforalongerperiodthantwoorthreeminutestogether。
Hehadvolunteeredseveralremarksuponherarrival，chieflytotheeffectthatitwasveryunfortunateMr。Manstonhadnotcometothestationforher，whenshesuddenlyaskedhimconcerningtheinhabitantsoftheparish。
Hetoldhercategoricallythenamesofthechief——firstthechiefpossessorsofproperty；thenofbrains；thenofgoodlooks。AsfirstamongthelatterhementionedMissCythereaGraye。
Aftergettinghimtodescribeherappearanceascompletelyaslayinhispower，shewormedoutofhimthestatementthateverybodyhadbeensaying——beforeMrs。Manston\'sexistencewasheardof——howwellthehandsomeMr。ManstonandthebeautifulMissGrayeweresuitedforeachotherasmanandwife，andthatMissAldclyffewastheonlyoneintheparishwhotooknointerestinbringingaboutthematch。
\'Heratherlikedheryouthink？\'
Theporterbegantothinkhehadbeentooexplicit，andhastenedtocorrecttheerror。
\'Ono，hedon\'tcareabitabouther，ma\'am，\'hesaidsolemnly。
\'Notmorethanhedoesaboutme？\'
\'Notabit。\'
\'Thenthatmustbelittleindeed，\'Mrs。Manstonmurmured。Shestoodstill，asifreflectinguponthepainfulneglectherwordshadrecalledtohermind；then，withasuddenimpulse，turnedround，andwalkedpetulantlyafewstepsbackagaininthedirectionofthestation。
Theporterstoodstillandlookedsurprised。
\'I\'llgobackagain；yes，indeed，I\'llgobackagain！\'shesaidplaintively。Thenshepausedandlookedanxiouslyupanddownthedesertedroad。
\'No，Imustn\'tgobacknow，\'shecontinued，inatoneofresignation。Seeingthattheporterwaswatchingher，sheturnedaboutandcameonasbefore，givingventtoaslightlaugh。
Itwasalaughfullofcharacter；thelowforcedlaughwhichseekstohidethepainfulperceptionofahumiliatingpositionunderthemaskofindifference。
Altogetherherconducthadshownhertobewhatinfactshewas，aweak，thoughacalculatingwoman，oneclevertoconceive，weaktoexecute：onewhosebest-laidschemeswereforeverliabletobefrustratedbytheineradicableblightofvacillationatthecriticalhourofaction。
\'O，ifIhadonlyknownthatallthiswasgoingtohappen！\'shemurmuredagain，astheypacedalongupontherustlingleaves。
\'Whatdidyousay，ma\'am？\'saidtheporter。
\'O，nothingparticular；wearegettingneartheoldmanor-housebythistime，Iimagine？\'
\'Verynearnow，ma\'am。\'
TheysoonreachedManston\'sresidence，roundwhichthewindblewmournfullyandchill。
Passingunderthedetachedgateway，theyenteredtheporch。Theportersteppedforward，knockedheavilyandwaited。
Nobodycame。
Mrs。Manstonthenadvancedtothedoorandgaveadifferentseriesofrappings——lessforcible，butmoresustained。
Therewasnotamovementofanykindinside，notarayoflightvisible；nothingbuttheechoofherownknocksthroughthepassages，andthedryscratchingofthewitheredleavesblownaboutherfeetupontheflooroftheporch。
Thesteward，ofcourse，wasnotathome。Mrs。Crickett，notexpectingthatanybodywouldarrivetillthetimeofthelatertrain，hadsettheplaceinorder，laidthesupper-table，andthenlockedthedoor，togointothevillageandconversewithherfriends。
\'Isthereaninninthevillage？\'saidMrs。Manston，afterthefourthandloudestrappingupontheiron-studdedolddoorhadresultedonlyinthefourthandloudestechofromthepassagesinside。
\'Yes，ma\'am。\'
\'Whokeepsit？\'
\'FarmerSpringrove。\'
\'Iwillgothereto-night，\'shesaiddecisively。\'Itistoocold，andaltogethertoobad，forawomantowaitintheopenroadonanybody\'saccount，gentleorsimple。\'
Theywentdowntheparkandthroughthegate，intothevillageofCarriford。BythetimetheyreachedtheThreeTranters，itwasverginguponteno\'clock。There，onthespotwheretwomonthsearlierintheseasonthesunnyandlivelygroupofvillagersmakingciderunderthetreeshadgreetedCytherea\'seyes，wasnothingnowintelligiblebutavastcloakofdarkness，fromwhichcamethelowsoughoftheelms，andtheoccasionalcreakoftheswingingsign。
Theywenttothedoor，Mrs。Manstonshivering；butlessfromthecold，thanfromthedrearinessofheremotions。Neglectisthecoldestofwinterwinds。
ItsohappenedthatEdwardSpringrovewasexpectedtoarrivefromLondoneitheronthateveningorthenext，andatthesoundofvoiceshisfathercametothedoorfullyexpectingtoseehim。A
pictureofdisappointmentseldomwitnessedinaman\'sfacewasvisibleinoldMr。Springrove\'s，whenhesawthatthecomerwasastranger。
Mrs。Manstonaskedforaroom，andonethathadbeenpreparedforEdwardwasimmediatelynamedasbeingreadyforher，anotherbeingadaptableforEdward，shouldhecomein。
Withouttakinganyrefreshment，orenteringanyroomdownstairs，orevenliftingherveil，shewalkedstraightalongthepassageanduptoherapartment，thechambermaidprecedingher。
\'IfMr。Manstoncomesto-night，\'shesaid，sittingonthebedasshehadcomein，andaddressingthewoman，\'tellhimIcannotseehim。\'
\'Yes，ma\'am。\'
Thewomanlefttheroom，andMrs。Manstonlockedthedoor。Beforetheservanthadgonedownmorethantwoorthreestairs，Mrs。
Manstonunfastenedthedooragain，andhelditajar。
\'Bringmesomebrandy，\'shesaid。
Thechambermaidwentdowntothebarandbroughtupthespiritinatumbler。Whenshecameintotheroom，Mrs。Manstonhadnotremovedasinglearticleofapparel，andwaswalkingupanddown，asifstillquiteundecideduponthecourseitwasbesttoadopt。
Outsidethedoor，whenitwascloseduponher，themaidpausedtolistenforaninstant。SheheardMrs。Manstontalkingtoherself。
\'Thisiswelcomehome！\'shesaid。
2。FROMTENTOHALF-PASTELEVENP。M。
Astrangeconcurrenceofphenomenanowconfrontsus。
Duringtheautumninwhichthepastsceneswereenacted，Mr。
Springrovehadploughed，harrowed，andcleanedanarrowandshadedpieceofground，lyingatthebackofhishouse，whichformanyyearshadbeenlookeduponasirreclaimablewaste。
Thecouch-grassextractedfromthesoilhadbeenlefttowitherinthesun；afterwardsitwasrakedtogether，lightedinthecustomaryway，andnowlaysmoulderinginalargeheapinthemiddleoftheplot。
IthadbeenkindledthreedaysprevioustoMrs。Manston\'sarrival，andoneortwovillagers，ofamorecautiousandlesssanguinetemperamentthanSpringrove，hadsuggestedthatthefirewasalmosttoonearthebackofthehouseforitscontinuancetobeunattendedwithrisk；forthoughnodangercouldbeapprehendedwhilsttheairremainedmoderatelystill，abriskbreezeblowingtowardsthehousemightpossiblycarryasparkacross。
\'Ay，that\'strueenough，\'saidSpringrove。\'Imustlookroundbeforegoingtobedandseethateverything\'ssafe；buttotellthetruthIamanxioustogettherubbishburntupbeforetheraincomestowashitintogroundagain。Astocarryingthecouchintothebackfieldtoburn，andbringingitbackagain，why，\'tismorethantheasheswouldbeworth。\'
\'Well，that\'sverytrue，\'saidtheneighbours，andpassedon。
Twoorthreetimesduringthefirsteveningaftertheheapwaslit，hewenttothebackdoortotakeasurvey。Beforeboltingandbarringupforthenight，hemadeafinalandmorecarefulexamination。Theslowly-smokingpileshowednottheslightestsignsofactivity。Springrove\'sperfectlysoundconclusionwas，thataslongastheheapwasnotstirred，andthewindcontinuedinthequarteritblewfromthen，thecouchwouldnotflame，andthattherecouldbenoshadowofdangertoanything，evenacombustiblesubstance，thoughitwerenomorethanayardoff。
Thenextmorningtheburningcouchwasdiscoveredinpreciselythesamestateaswhenhehadgonetobedtheprecedingnight。Theheapsmokedinthesamemannerthewholeofthatday：atbed-timethefarmerlookedtowardsit，butlesscarefullythanonthefirstnight。
Themorningandthewholeofthethirddaystillsawtheheapinitsoldsmoulderingcondition；indeed，thesmokewasless，andthereseemedaprobabilitythatitmighthavetobere-kindledonthemorrow。
AfteradmittingMrs。Manstontohishouseintheevening，andhearingherretire，Mr。Springrovereturntothefrontdoortolistenforasoundofhisson，andinquiredconcerninghimoftherailway-porter，whosatforawhileinthekitchen。TheporterhadnotnoticedyoungMr。Springrovegetoutofthetrain，atwhichintelligencetheoldmanconcludedthathewouldprobablynotseehissontillthenextday，asEdwardhadhithertomadeapointofcomingbythetrainwhichhadbroughtMrs。Manston。
Half-an-hourlatertheporterlefttheinn，Springroveatthesametimegoingtothedoortolistenagainaninstant，thenhewalkedroundandinatthebackofthehouse。
Thefarmerglancedattheheapcasuallyandindifferentlyinpassing；twonightsofsafetyseemedtoensurethethird；andhewasabouttoboltandbarasusual，whentheideastruckhimthattherewasjustapossibilityofhisson\'sreturnbythelatesttrain，unlikelyasitwasthathewouldbesodelayed。Theoldmanthereuponleftthedoorunfastened，lookedtohisusualmattersindoors，andwenttobed，itbeingthenhalf-pastteno\'clock。
Farmersandhorticulturistswellknowthatitisinthenatureofaheapofcouch-grass，whenkindledincalmweather，tosmoulderformanydays，andevenweeks，untilthewholemassisreducedtoapowderycharcoalash，displayingthewhilescarcelyasignofcombustionbeyondthevolcano-likesmokefromitssummit；butthecontinuanceofthisquietprocessisthroughoutitslengthatthemercyofoneparticularwhimofNature：thatis，asuddenbreeze，bywhichtheheapisliabletobefannedintoaflamesobriskastoconsumethewholeinanhourortwo。
Hadthefarmernarrowlywatchedthepilewhenhewenttoclosethedoor，hewouldhaveseen，besidesthefamiliartwineofsmokefromitssummit，aquiveringoftheairaroundthemass，showingthataconsiderableheathadariseninside。
Astherailway-porterturnedthecorneroftherowofhousesadjoiningtheThreeTranters，abrisknewwindgreetedhisface，andspreadpasthimintothevillage。Hewalkedalongthehigh-roadtillhecametoagate，aboutthreehundredyardsfromtheinn。
Overthegatecouldbediscernedthesituationofthebuildinghehadjustquitted。Hecarelesslyturnedhisheadinpassing，andsawbehindhimaclearredglowindicatingthepositionofthecouch-
heap：aglowwithoutaflame，increasinganddiminishinginbrightnessasthebreezequickenedorfell，likethecoalofanewlylightedcigar。Ifthosecottageshadbeenhis，hethought，heshouldnotcaretohaveafiresonearthemasthat——andthewindrising。Butthecottagesnotbeinghis，hewentonhiswaytothestation，wherehewasabouttoresumedutyforthenight。Theroadwasnowquitedeserted：tillfouro\'clockthenextmorning，whenthecarterswouldgobytothestablestherewaslittleprobabilityofanyhumanbeingpassingtheThreeTrantersInn。
Byeleven，everybodyinthehousewasasleep。Ittrulyseemedasifthetreacherouselementknewtherehadarisenagrandopportunityfordevastation。
Ataquarterpastelevenaslightstealthycracklemadeitselfheardamidtheincreasingmoansofthenightwind；theheapglowedbrighterstill，andburstintoaflame；theflamesank，anotherbreezeenteredit，sustainedit，anditgrewtobefirstcontinuousandweak，thencontinuousandstrong。
Attwentyminutespastelevenablastofwindcarriedanairybitofignitedfernseveralyardsforward，inadirectionparalleltothehousesandinn，andtheredepositeditontheground。
Fiveminuteslateranotherpuffofwindcarriedasimilarpiecetoadistanceoffive-and-twentyyards，whereitalsowasdroppedsoftlyontheground。
Stillthewinddidnotblowinthedirectionofthehouses，andevennowtoacasualobservertheywouldhaveappearedsafe。ButNaturedoesfewthingsdirectly。Aminutelateryet，anignitedfragmentfelluponthestrawcoveringofalongthatchedheapor\'grave\'ofmangel-wurzel，lyinginadirectionatrightanglestothehouse，anddowntowardthehedge。Therethefragmentfadedtodarkness。
Ashorttimesubsequenttothis，aftermanyintermediatedepositsandseeminglybaffledattempts，anotherfragmentfellonthemangel-
wurzelgrave，andcontinuedtoglow；theglowwasincreasedbythewind；thestrawcaughtfireandburstintoflame。Itwasinevitablethattheflameshouldrunalongtheridgeofthethatchtowardsapiggeryattheend。Yethadthepiggerybeentiled，thetime-
honouredhostelwouldevennowatthislastmomenthavebeensafe；
butitwasconstructedaspiggeriesaremostlyconstructed，ofwoodandthatch。Thehurdlesandstrawroofofthefrailerectionbecameignitedintheirturn，andabuttingasthesheddidonthebackoftheinn，flameduptotheeavesofthemainroofinlessthanthirtyseconds。
