3。HALF-PASTELEVENTOTWELVEP。M。
AhazardouslengthoftimeelapsedbeforetheinmatesoftheThreeTrantersknewoftheirdanger。Whenatlengththediscoverywasmade，therushwasarushforbarelife。
Aman\'svoicecalling，thenscreams，thenloudstampingandshoutswereheard。
Mr。Springroveranoutfirst。Twominuteslaterappearedtheostlerandchambermaid，whoweremanandwife。Theinn，ashasbeenstated，wasaquaintoldbuilding，andasinflammableasabee-hive；
itoverhungthebaseatthelevelofthefirstfloor，andagainoverhungattheeaves，whichwerefinishedwithheavyoakbarge-
boards；everyatominitssubstance，everyfeatureinitsconstruction，favouredthefire。
Theforkedflames，luridandsmoky，becamenearlylosttoview，burstingforthagainwithaboundandloudcrackle，increasedtenfoldinpowerandbrightness。Thecracklinggrewsharper。Longquiveringshadowsbegantobeflungfromthestatelytreesattheendofthehouse；thesquareoutlineofthechurchtower，ontheothersideoftheway，whichhadhithertobeenadarkmassagainstaskycomparativelylight，nowbegantoappearasalightobjectagainstaskyofdarkness；andeventhenarrowsurfaceoftheflag-
staffatthetopcouldbeseeninitsdarksurrounding，broughtoutfromitsobscuritybytheraysfromthedancinglight。
Shoutsandothernoisesincreasedinloudnessandfrequency。Thelapseoftenminutesbroughtmostoftheinhabitantsofthatendofthevillageintothestreet，followedinashorttimebytherector，Mr。Raunham。
Castingahastyglanceupanddown，hebeckonedtooneortwoofthemen，andvanishedagain。Inashorttimewheelswereheard，andMr。
Raunhamandthemenreappeared，withthegardenengine，theonlyoneinthevillage，exceptthatatKnapwaterHouse。Aftersomelittletroublethehosewasconnectedwithatankintheoldstable-yard，andthepunyinstrumentbegantoplay。
Severalseemedparalyzedatfirst，andstoodtransfixed，theirrigidfaceslookinglikered-hotironintheglaringlight。Intheconfusionawomancried，\'Ringthebellsbackwards！\'andthreeorfouroftheoldandsuperstitiousenteredthebelfryandjangledthemindescribably。Somewereonlyhalfdressed，and，toaddtothehorror，amongthemwasClerkCrickett，runningupanddownwithafacestreamingwithblood，ghastlyandpitifultosee，hisexcitementbeingsogreatthathehadnottheslightestconceptionofhow，when，orwherehecamebythewound。
Thecrowdwasnowbusyatwork，andtriedtosavealittleofthefurnitureoftheinn。Theonlyroomtheycouldenterwastheparlour，fromwhichtheymanagedtobringoutthebureau，afewchairs，someoldsilvercandlesticks，andhalf-a-dozenlightarticles；butthesewereall。
Fierymatsofthatchslidofftheroofandfellintotheroadwithadeadenedthud，whilstwhiteflakesofstrawandwood-ashwereflyinginthewindlikefeathers。Atthesametimetwoofthecottagesadjoining，uponwhichalittlewaterhadbeenbroughttoplayfromtherector\'sengine，wereseentobeonfire。Theattenuatedspirtofwaterwasasnothingupontheheatedanddrysurfaceofthethatchedroof；thefireprevailedwithoutaminute\'shindrance，anddivedthroughtotherafters。
Suddenlyaroseacry，\'Where\'sMr。Springrove？\'
Hehadvanishedfromthespotbythechurchyardwall，wherehehadbeenstandingafewminutesearlier。
\'Ifancyhe\'sgoneinside，\'saidavoice。
\'Madnessandfolly！whatcanhesave？\'saidanother。\'GoodGod，findhim！Helphere！\'
Awildrushwasmadeatthedoor，whichhadfallento，andindefianceofthescorchingflamethatburstforth，threemenforcedthemselvesthroughit。Immediatelyinsidethethresholdtheyfoundtheobjectoftheirsearchlyingsenselessonthefloorofthepassage。
Tobringhimoutandlayhimonabankwastheworkofaninstant；abasinofcoldwaterwasdashedinhisface，andhebegantorecoverconsciousness，butveryslowly。Hehadbeensavedbyamiracle。Nosoonerwerehispreserversoutofthebuildingthanthewindow-
frameslitupasifbymagicwithdeepandwavingfringesofflames。
Simultaneously，thejointsoftheboardsformingthefrontdoorstartedintoviewasglowingbarsoffire：astarofredlightpenetratedthecentre，graduallyincreasinginsizetilltheflamesrushedforth。
Thenthestaircasefell。
\'Everybodyisoutsafe，\'saidavoice。
\'Yes，thankGod！\'saidthreeorfourothers。
\'O，weforgotthatastrangercame！Ithinksheissafe。\'
\'Ihopesheis，\'saidtheweakvoiceofsomeonecomingupfrombehind。Itwasthechambermaid\'s。
Springroveatthatmomentarousedhimself；hestaggeredtohisfeet，andthrewhishandsupwildly。
\'Everybody，no！no！Theladywhocamebytrain，Mrs。Manston！I
triedtofetchherout，butIfell。\'
Anexclamationofhorrorburstfromthecrowd；itwascausedpartlybythisdisclosureofSpringrove，morebytheaddedperceptionwhichfollowedhiswords。
Anaverageintervalofaboutthreeminuteshadelapsedbetweenoneintenselyfiercegustofwindandthenext，andnowanotherpouredoverthem；theroofswayed，andamomentafterwardsfellinwithacrash，pullingthegableafterit，andthrustingoutwardsthefrontwallofwood-work，whichfellintotheroadwitharumblingecho；acloudofblackdust，myriadsofsparks，andagreatoutburstofflamefollowedtheuproarofthefall。
\'Whoisshe？whatisshe？\'burstfromeverylipagainandagain，incoherently，andwithoutleavingasufficientpauseforareply，hadareplybeenvolunteered。
Theautumnwind，tameless，andswift，andproud，stillblewuponthedyingoldhouse，whichwasconstructedsoentirelyofcombustiblematerialsthatitburntalmostasfiercelyasacorn-rick。Theheatintheroadincreased，andnowforaninstantattheheightoftheconflagrationallstoodstill，andgazedsilently，awestruckandhelpless，inthepresenceofsoirresistibleanenemy。Then，withmindsfullofthetragedyunfoldedtothem，theyrushedforwardagainwiththeobtusedirectnessofwaves，totheirlabourofsavinggoodsfromthehousesadjoining，whichitwasevidentwerealldoomedtodestruction。
Theminutespassedby。TheThreeTrantersInnsankintoamereheapofred-hotcharcoal：thefirepusheditswaydowntherowasthechurchclockoppositeslowlystruckthehourofmidnight，andthebewilderedchimes，scarcelyheardamidthecracklingoftheflames，wanderedthroughthewaywardairoftheOldHundred-and-ThirteenthPsalm。
4。NINETOELEVENP。M。
ManstonmountedhisgigandsetoutfromChettlewoodthateveninginnoveryenviableframeofmind。ThethoughtofdomesticlifeinKnapwaterOldHouse，withthenoweclipsedwifeofthepast，wasmorethandisagreeable，waspositivelydistastefultohim。
Yetheknewthattheinfluentialposition，which，fromwhateverfortunatecause，heheldonMissAldclyffe\'smanor，wouldneveragainfalltohislotonanyother，andhetacitlyassentedtothisdilemma，hopingthatsomeconsolationorotherwouldsoonsuggestitselftohim；marriedashewas，hewasnearCytherea。
Heoccasionallylookedathiswatchashedrovealongthelanes，timingthepaceofhishorsebythehour，thathemightreachCarrifordRoadStationjustsoonenoughtomeetthelastLondontrain。
Hesoonbegantonoticeintheskyaslightyellowhalo，nearthehorizon。Itrapidlyincreased；itchangedcolour，andgrewredder；
thentheglarevisiblybrightenedanddimmedatintervals，showingthatitsoriginwasaffectedbythestrongwindprevailing。
Manstonreinedinhishorseonthesummitofahill，andconsidered。
\'Itisarick-yardonfire，\'hethought；\'nohousecouldproducesucharagingflamesosuddenly。\'
Hetrottedonagain，attemptingtoparticularizethelocalfeaturesintheneighbourhoodofthefire；butthisitwastoodarktodo，andtheexcessivewindingoftheroadsmisledhimastoitsdirection，notbeinganoldinhabitantofthedistrict，oracountrymanusedtoformingsuchjudgments；whilstthebrilliancyofthelightshorteneditsrealremotenesstoanapparentdistanceofnotmorethanhalf：itseemedsonearthatheagainstoppedhishorse，thistimetolisten；buthecouldhearnosound。
Enteringnowanarrowvalley，thesidesofwhichobscuredtheskytoanangleofperhapsthirtyorfortydegreesabovethemathematicalhorizon，hewasobligedtosuspendhisjudgmenttillhewasinpossessionoffurtherknowledge，havinghoweverassumedintheinterim，thatthefirewassomewherebetweenCarrifordRoadStationandthevillage。
Theself-sameglarehadjustarrestedtheeyesofanotherman。Hewasatthatminuteglidingalongseveralmilestotheeastofthesteward\'sposition，butnearingthesamepointasthattowhichManstontended。TheyoungerEdwardSpringrovewasreturningfromLondontohisfather\'shousebytheidenticaltrainwhichthestewardwasexpectingtobringhiswife，thetruthbeingthatEdward\'slatenesswasowingtothesimplestofallcauses，histemporarywantofmoney，whichledhimtomakeaslowjourneyforthesakeoftravellingatthird-classfare。
SpringrovehadreceivedCytherea\'sbitterandadmonitoryletter，andhewasclearlyawakenedtoaperceptionofthefalsepositioninwhichhehadplacedhimself，bykeepingsilenceatBudmouthonhislongengagement。AnincreasingreluctancetoputanendtothosefewdaysofecstasywithCythereahadoverruledhisconscience，andtiedhistonguetillspeakingwastoolate。
\'WhydidIdoit？howcouldIdreamoflovingher？\'heaskedhimselfashewalkedbyday，ashetossedonhisbedbynight：\'miserablefolly！\'
Animpressionablehearthadforyears——perhapsasmanyassixorsevenyears——beendistractinghim，byunconsciouslysettingitselftoyearnforsomebodywanting，hescarcelyknewwhom。Echoesofhimself，thoughrarely，henowandthenfound。Sometimestheyweremen，sometimeswomen，hiscousinAdelaidebeingoneofthese；forinspiteofafashionwhichpervadesthewholecommunityatthepresentday——thehabitofexclaimingthatwomanisnotundevelopedman，butdiverse，thefactremainsthat，afterall，womenareMankind，andthatinmanyofthesentimentsoflifethedifferenceofsexisbutadifferenceofdegree。
Buttheindefinablehelpmatetotheremotersidesofhimselfstillcontinuedinvisible。Hegrewolder，andconcludedthattheideas，orratheremotions，whichpossessedhimonthesubject，wereprobablytoounrealevertobefoundembodiedinthefleshofawoman。Thereupon，hedevelopedaplanofsatisfyinghisdreamsbywanderingawaytotheheroinesofpoeticalimagination，andtooknofurtherthoughtontheearthlyrealizationofhisformlessdesire，inmorehomelymatterssatisfyinghimselfwithhiscousin。
Cythereaappearedinthesky：hisheartstartedupandspoke：
\'TisShe，andhereLo！IunclotheandclearMywishes\'cloudycharacter。\'
Somewomenkindleemotionsorapidlyinaman\'sheartthatthejudgmentcannotkeeppacewithitsrise，andfinds，oncomprehendingthesituation，thatfaithfulnesstotheoldloveisalreadytreacherytothenew。Suchwomenarenotnecessarilythegreatestoftheirsex，butthereareveryfewofthem。Cythereawasone。
Onreceivingtheletterfromherhehadtakentothinkingoverthesethings，andhadnotanswereditatall。But\'hungrygenerations\'
soontreaddownthemuserinacity。Atlengthhethoughtofthestrongnecessityofliving。Afteradrearysearch，thenegligenceofwhichwasultimatelyovercomebymereconscientiousness，heobtainedasituationasassistanttoanarchitectintheneighbourhoodofCharingCross：thedutieswouldnotbegintillafterthelapseofamonth。
Hecouldnotatfirstdecidewhitherheshouldgotospendtheinterveningtime；butinthemidstofhisreasoningshefoundhimselfontheroadhomeward，impelledbyasecretandunownedhopeofgettingalastglimpseofCythereathere。
5。MIDNIGHT
ItwasaquartertotwelvewhenManstondroveintothestation-yard。
Thetrainwaspunctual，andthebell，announcingitsarrival，rangashecrossedthebooking-officetogooutupontheplatform。
TheporterwhohadaccompaniedMrs。ManstontoCarriford，andhadreturnedtothestationonhisnightduty，recognizedthestewardasheentered，andimmediatelycametowardshim。
\'Mrs。Manstoncamebythenineo\'clocktrain，sir，\'hesaid。
Thestewardgaveventtoanexpressionofvexation。
\'Herluggageishere，sir，\'theportersaid。
\'Putitupbehindmeinthegigifitisnottoomuch，\'saidManston。
\'Directlythistrainisinandgone，sir。\'
Themanvanishedandcrossedthelinetomeettheenteringtrain。
\'Whereisthatfire？\'Manstonsaidtothebooking-clerk。
Beforetheclerkcouldspeak，anothermanraninandansweredthequestionwithouthavingheardit。
\'HalfCarrifordisburntdown，orwillbe！\'heexclaimed。\'Youcan\'tseetheflamesfromthisstationonaccountofthetrees，butsteponthebridge——\'tistremendous！\'
Healsocrossedthelinetoassistattheentryofthetrain，whichcameinthenextminute。
Thestewardstoodintheoffice。Onepassengeralighted，gaveuphisticket，andcrossedtheroominfrontofManston：ayoungmanwithablackbagandumbrellainhishand。Hepassedoutofthedoor，downthesteps，andstruckoutintothedarkness。
\'Whowasthatyoungman？\'saidManston，whentheporterhadreturned。Theyoungman，byakindofmagnetism，haddrawnthesteward\'sthoughtsafterhim。
\'He\'sanarchitect。\'
\'Myownoldprofession。Icouldhaveswornitbythecutofhim，\'
Manstonmurmured。\'What\'shisname？\'hesaidagain。
\'Springrove——FarmerSpringrove\'sson，Edward。\'
\'FarmerSpringrove\'sson，Edward，\'thestewardrepeatedtohimself，andconsideredamattertowhichthewordshadpainfullyrecalledhismind。
ThematterwasMissAldclyffe\'smentionoftheyoungmanasCytherea\'slover，which，indeed，hadscarcelyeverbeenabsentfromhisthoughts。
\'Butfortheexistenceofmywifethatmanmighthavebeenmyrival，\'hepondered，followingtheporter，whohadnowcomebacktohim，intotheluggage-room。Andwhilstthemanwascarryingoutandputtinginonebox，whichwassufficientlyportableforthegig，Manstonstillthought，ashiseyeswatchedtheprocess——
\'Butformywife，Springrovemighthavebeenmyrival。\'
Heexaminedthelampsofhisgig，carefullylaidoutthereins，mountedtheseatanddrovealongtheturnpike-roadtowardsKnapwaterPark。
Theexactlocalityofthefirewasplaintohimashenearedhome。
Hesooncouldheartheshoutofmen，theflappingoftheflames，thecracklingofburningwood，andcouldsmellthesmokefromtheconflagration。
Ofasudden，afewyardsahead，withinthecompassoftheraysfromtheright-handlamp，burstforwardthefigureofaman。Havingbeenwalkingindarknessthenewcomerraisedhishandstohiseyes，onapproachingnearer，toscreenthemfromtheglareofthereflector。
Manstonsawthathewasoneofthevillagers：asmallfarmeroriginally，whohaddrunkhimselfdowntoaday-labourerandreputedpoacher。
\'Hoy！\'criedManston，aloud，thatthemanmightstepasideoutoftheway。
\'IsthatMr。Manston？\'saidtheman。
\'Yes。\'
\'Somebodyha\'cometoCarriford：andtherestofitmayconcernyou，sir。\'
\'Well，well。\'
\'DidyouexpectMrs。Manstonto-night，sir？\'
\'Yes，unfortunatelyshe\'scome，Iknow，andasleeplongbeforethistime，Isuppose。\'
Thelabourerleanthiselbowupontheshaftofthegigandturnedhisface，paleandsweatingfromhislateworkatthefire，uptoManston\'s。
\'Yes，shedidcome，\'hesaid……\'Ibegpardon，sir，butI
shouldbegladof——of——\'
\'What？\'
\'Gladofatrifleforbringenyethenews。\'
\'Notafarthing！Ididn\'twantyournews，Iknewshewascome。\'
\'Won\'tyougivemeashillen，sir？\'
\'Certainlynot。\'
\'Thenwillyoulendmeashillen，sir？Ibetiredout，anddon\'tknowwhattodo。IfIdon\'tpayyoubacksomedayI\'llbed——d。\'
\'Thedevilissocheatedthatperditionisn\'tworthapennyasasecurity。\'
\'Oh！\'
\'Letmegoon，\'saidManston。
\'ThywifeisDEAD；that\'s\'theresto\'thenews，\'saidthelabourerslowly。Hewaitedforareply；nonecame。
\'ShewenttotheThreeTranters，becauseshecouldn\'tgetintothyhouse，theburnenrooffellinuponherbeforeshecouldbecalledup，andshe\'sacinder，asthou\'ltbesomeday。\'
\'Thatwilldo，letmedriveon，\'saidthestewardcalmly。
Expectationofaconcussionmaybesointensethatitsfailurestrikesthebrainwithmoreforcethanitsfulfilment。Thelabourersankbackintotheditch。SuchaCushicouldnotrealizethepossibilityofsuchanunmovedDavidasthis。
Manstondrovehastilytotheturningoftheroad，tiedhishorse，andranonfoottothesiteofthefire。
Thestagnationcausedbytheawfulaccidenthadbeenpassedthrough，andallhandswerehelpingtoremovefromtheremainingcottagewhatfurnituretheycouldlayholdof；thethatchoftheroofsbeingalreadyonfire。TheKnapwaterfire-enginehadarrivedonthespot，butitwassmall，andineffectual。Agroupwascollectedroundtherector，whoinacoatwhichhadbecomebespattered，scorched，andtorninhisexertions，wasdirectingononehandtheproceedingsrelativetotheremovalofgoodsintothechurch，andwiththeotherwaspointingoutthespotonwhichitwasmostdesirablethatthepunyenginesattheirdisposalshouldbemadetoplay。EverytonguewasinstantlysilentatthesightofManston\'spaleandclearcountenance，whichcontrastedstrangelywiththegrimyandstreamingfacesofthetoilingvillagers。
\'Wassheburnt？\'hesaidinafirmthoughhuskyvoice，andsteppingintotheilluminatedarea。Therectorcametohim，andtookhimaside。\'Issheburnt？\'repeatedManston。
\'Sheisdead：butthankGod，shewassparedthehorridagonyofburning，\'therectorsaidsolemnly；\'theroofandgablefellinuponher，andcrushedher。Instantdeathmusthavefollowed。\'
\'Whywasshehere？\'saidManston。
\'Fromwhatwecanhurriedlycollect，itseemsthatshefoundthedoorofyourhouselocked，andconcludedthatyouhadretired，thefactbeingthatyourservant，Mrs。Crickett，hadgoneouttosupper。
Shethencamebacktotheinnandwenttobed。\'
\'Where\'sthelandlord？\'saidManston。
Mr。Springrovecameup，walkingfeebly，andwrappedinacloak，andcorroboratedtheevidencegivenbytherector。
\'Didshelookill，orannoyed，whenshecame？\'saidthesteward。
\'Ican\'tsay。Ididn\'tsee；butIthink——\'
\'Whatdoyouthink？\'
\'Shewasmuchputoutaboutsomething。\'
\'Mynotmeetingher，naturally，\'murmuredtheother，lostinreverie。HeturnedhisbackonSpringroveandtherector，andretiredfromtheshininglight。
Everythinghadbeendonethatcouldbedonewiththelimitedmeansattheirdisposal。Thewholerowofhouseswasdestroyed，andeachpresenteditselfasonestageofaseries，progressingfromsmokingruinsattheendwheretheinnhadstood，toapartlyflamingmass——
glowingasnonebutwoodemberswillglow——attheother。
Afeatureinthedeclineoftownfireswasnoticeablyabsenthere——
steam。Therewaspresentwhatisnotobservableintowns——
incandescence。
Theheat，andthesmartingeffectupontheireyesofthestrongsmokefromtheburningoakanddeal，hadatlastdriventhevillagersbackfromtheroadinfrontofthehouses，andtheynowstoodingroupsinthechurchyard，thesurfaceofwhich，raisedbytheintermentsofgenerations，stoodfourorfivefeetabovetheleveloftheroad，andalmostevenwiththetopofthelowwalldividingonefromtheother。Theheadstonesstoodforthwhitelyagainstthedarkgrassandyews，theirbrightnessbeingrepeatedonthewhitesmock-frocksofsomeofthelabourers，andinamellower，ruddierformontheirfacesandhands，onthoseofthegrinninggargoyles，andonothersalientstoneworkoftheweather-beatenchurchinthebackground。
Therectorhaddecidedthat，underthedistressingcircumstancesofthecase，therewouldbenosacrilegeinplacinginthechurch，forthenight，thepiecesoffurnitureandutensilswhichhadbeensavedfromtheseveralhouses。Therewasnootherplaceofsafetyforthem，andtheyaccordinglyweregatheredthere。
6。HALF-PASTTWELVETOONEA。M。
Manston，whenheretiredtomeditate，hadwalkedroundthechurchyard，andnowenteredtheopeneddoorofthebuilding。
Hemechanicallypursuedhiswayroundthepiersintohisownseatinthenorthaisle。Theloweratmosphereofthisspotwasshadedbyitsownwallfromtheshinewhichstreamedinoverthewindow-sillsonthesameside。Theonlylightburninginsidethechurchwasasmalltallowcandle，standinginthefont，intheoppositeaisleofthebuildingtothatinwhichManstonhadsatdown，andnearwherethefurniturewaspiled。Thecandle\'smildrayswereoverpoweredbytheruddierlightfromtheruins，makingtheweakflametoappearlikethemoonbyday。
SittingtherehesawFarmerSpringroveenterthedoor，followedbyhissonEdward，stillcarryinghistravelling-baginhishand。TheywerespeakingofthesaddeathofMrs。Manston，butthesubjectwasrelinquishedforthatofthehousesburnt。
Thisrowofhouses，runningfromtheinneastward，hadbeenbuiltunderthefollowingcircumstances：——
Fiftyyearsbeforethisdate，thespotuponwhichthecottagesafterwardsstoodwasablankstrip，alongthesideofthevillagestreet，difficulttocultivate，onaccountoftheoutcropthereonofalargebedofflintscalledlocallya\'lanch\'or\'lanchet。\'
TheAldclyffetheninpossessionoftheestateconceivedtheideathatarowofcottageswouldbeanimprovementtothespot，andaccordinglygrantedleasesofportionstoseveralrespectableinhabitants。Eachlesseewastobesubjecttothepaymentofamerelynominalrentforthewholetermoflives，onconditionthathebuilthisowncottage，anddelivereditupintactattheendoftheterm。
Thosewhohadbuilthad，onebyone，relinquishedtheirindentures，eitherbysaleorbarter，toFarmerSpringrove\'sfather。Newliveswereaddedinsomecases，bypaymentofasumtothelordofthemanor，etc。，andalltheleaseswerenowheldbythefarmerhimself，asoneofthechiefprovisionsforhisoldage。
Thestewardhadbecomeinterestedinthefollowingconversation：——
\'Trynottobesodepressed，father；theyareallinsured。\'
ThewordscamefromEdwardinananxioustone。
\'Youmistake，Edward；theyarenotinsured，\'returnedtheoldmangloomily。
\'Not？\'thesonasked。
\'Notone！\'saidthefarmer。
\'IntheHelmetFireOffice，surely？\'
\'Theywereinsuredthereeveryone。Sixmonthsagotheoffice，whichhadbeenraisingthepremiumsonthatchedpremiseshigherforsomeyears，gaveupinsuringthemaltogether，astwoorthreeotherfire-officeshaddonepreviously，onaccount，theysaid，oftheuncertaintyandgreatnessoftheriskofthatchundetached。EversincethenIhavebeencontinuallyintendingtogotoanotheroffice，buthavenevergone。Whoexpectsafire？\'
\'Doyourememberthetermsoftheleases？\'saidEdward，stillmoreuneasily。
\'No，notparticularly，\'saidhisfatherabsently。
\'Wherearethey？\'
\'Inthebureauthere；that\'swhyItriedtosaveitfirst，amongotherthings。\'
\'Well，wemustseetothatatonce。\'
\'Whatdoyouwant？\'
\'Thekey。\'
Theywentintothesouthaisle，tookthecandlefromthefont，andthenproceededtoopenthebureau，whichhadbeenplacedinacornerunderthegallery。Bothleantoverupontheflap；Edwardholdingthecandle，whilsthisfathertookthepiecesofparchmentfromoneofthedrawers，andspreadthefirstoutbeforehim。
\'Youreadit，Ted。Ican\'tseewithoutmyglasses。Thisonewillbesufficient。Thetermsofallarethesame。\'
Edwardtooktheparchment，andreadquicklyandindistinctlyforsometime；thenaloudandslowlyasfollows：——
\'AndthesaidJohnSpringroveforhimselfhisheirsexecutorsandadministratorsdothcovenantandagreewiththesaidGeraldFellcourtAldclyffehisheirsandassignsthathethesaidJohnSpringrovehisheirsandassignsduringthesaidtermshallpayuntothesaidGeraldFellcourtAldclyffehisheirsandassignstheclearyearlyrentoftenshillingsandsixpence……attheseveraltimeshereinbeforeappointedforthepaymentthereofrespectively。
AndalsoshallandatalltimesduringthesaidtermwellandsufficientlyrepairandkeepthesaidCottageorDwelling-houseandallotherthepremisesandallhousesorbuildingserectedortobeerectedthereuponingoodandproperrepairineveryrespectwithoutexceptionandthesaidpremisesinsuchgoodrepairuponthedeterminationofthisdemiseshallyieldupuntothesaidGeraldFellcourtAldclyffehisheirsandassigns。\'
Theyclosedthebureauandturnedtowardsthedoorofthechurchwithoutspeaking。
Manstonalsohadcomeforwardoutofthegloom。Notwithstandingthefarmer\'sowntroubles，aninstinctiverespectandgeneroussenseofsympathywiththestewardforhisawfullosscausedtheoldmantostepaside，thatManstonmightpassoutwithoutspeakingtothemifhechosetodoso。
\'Whoishe？\'whisperedEdwardtohisfather，asManstonapproached。
\'Mr。Manston，thesteward。\'
Manstoncamenear，andpasseddowntheaisleonthesideoftheyoungerman。Theirfacescamealmostclosetogether：onelargeflame，whichstilllingeredupontheruinsoutside，threwlongdancingshadowsofeachacrossthenavetilltheybentupwardsagainsttheaislewall，andalsoilluminatedtheireyes，aseachmetthoseoftheother。Edwardhadlearnt，byaletterfromhome，ofthesteward\'spassionforCytherea，andhismysteriousrepressionofit，afterwardsexplainedbyhismarriage。Thatmarriagewasnownought。Edwardrealizedtheman\'snewlyacquiredfreedom，andfeltaninstinctiveenmitytowardshim——hewouldhardlyowntohimselfwhy。Thesteward，too，knewCytherea\'sattachmenttoEdward，andlookedkeenlyandinscrutablyathim。
7。ONETOTWOA。M。
Manstonwenthomewardalone，hisheartfullofstrangeemotions。
Enteringthehouse，anddismissingthewomantoherownhome，heatonceproceededupstairstohisbedroom。
Reasoningworldliness，especiallywhenalliedwithsensuousness，cannotrepressonsomeextremeoccasionsthehumaninstincttopouroutthesoultosomeBeingorPersonality，whoinfrigidmomentsisdismissedwiththetitleofChance，oratmostLaw。Manstonwasselfishlyandinhumanly，buthonestlyandunutterably，thankfulfortherecentcatastrophe。Besidehisbed，forthatfirsttimeduringaperiodofnearlytwentyyears，hefelldownuponhiskneesinapassionateoutburstoffeeling。
Manyminutespassedbeforehearose。Hewalkedtothewindow，andthenseemedtorememberforthefirsttimethatsomeactiononhispartwasnecessaryinconnectionwiththesadcircumstanceofthenight。
Leavingthehouseatonce，hewenttothesceneofthefire，arrivingthereintimetoheartherectormakinganarrangementwithacertainnumberofmentowatchthespottillmorning。Theasheswerestillred-hotandflaming。Manstonfoundthatnothingcouldbedonetowardssearchingthematthathourofthenight。Heturnedhomewardagain，inthecompanyoftherector，whohadconsideratelypersuadedhimtoretirefromthesceneforawhile，andpromisedthatassoonasamancouldliveamidtheembersoftheThreeTrantersInn，theyshouldbecarefullysearchedfortheremainsofhisunfortunatewife。
Manstonthenwentindoors，towaitformorning。
XI。THEEVENTSOFFIVEDAYS
1。NOVEMBERTHETWENTY-NINTH
Thesearchbeganatdawn，butaquarterpastnineo\'clockcamewithoutbringinganyresult。Manstonatealittlebreakfast，andcrossedthehollowoftheparkwhichintervenedbetweentheoldandmodernmanor-houses，toaskforaninterviewwithMissAldclyffe。
Hemethermidway。Shewasabouttopayhimavisitofcondolence，andtoplaceeverymanontheestateathisdisposal，thatthesearchforanyrelicofhisdeadanddestroyedwifemightnotbedelayedaninstant。
Heaccompaniedherbacktothehouse。Atfirsttheyconversedasifthedeathofthepoorwomanwasaneventwhichthehusbandmustofnecessitydeeplylament；andwhenallunderthisheadthatsocialformseemedtorequirehadbeenuttered，theyspokeofthematerialdamagedone，andofthestepswhichhadbetterbetakentoremedyit。
Itwasnottillbothwereshutinsideherprivateroomthatshespoketohiminherbluntandcynicalmanner。Acertainnewnessofbearinginhim，peculiartothepresentmorning，hadhithertoforbiddenherthistone：thedemeanourofthesubjectofherfavouritismhadaltered，shecouldnottellinwhatway。Hewasentirelyachangedman。
\'Areyoureallysorryforyourpoorwife，Mr。Manston？\'shesaid。
\'Well，Iam，\'heansweredshortly。
\'Butonlyasforanyhumanbeingwhohasmetwithaviolentdeath？\'
Heconfessedit——\'Forshewasnotagoodwoman，\'headded。
\'Ishouldbesorrytosaysuchathingnowthepoorcreatureisdead，\'MissAldclyffereturnedreproachfully。
\'Why？\'heasked。\'WhyshouldIpraiseherifshedoesn\'tdeserveit？IsayexactlywhatIhaveoftenadmiredSterneforsayinginoneofhisletters——thatneitherreasonnorScriptureasksustospeaknothingbutgoodofthedead。Andnow，madam，\'hecontinued，afterashortintervalofthought，\'Imay，perhaps，hopethatyouwillassistme，orrathernotthwartme，inendeavouringtowintheloveofayoungladylivingaboutyou，oneinwhomIammuchinterestedalready。\'
\'Cytherea！\'
\'Yes，Cytherea。\'
\'YouhavebeenlovingCythereaallthewhile？\'
\'Yes。\'
Surprisewasaprefacetomuchagitationinher，whichcausedhertorisefromherseat，andpacetothesideoftheroom。Thestewardquietlylookedonandadded，\'Ihavebeenlovingandstillloveher。\'
Shecamecloseuptohim，wistfullycontemplatinghisface，onehandmovingindecisivelyatherside。
\'Andyoursecretmarriagewas，then，thetrueandonlyreasonforthatbackwardnessregardingthecourtshipofCytherea，which，theytellme，hasbeenthetalkofthevillage；notyourindifferencetoherattractions。\'Hervoicehadatoneofconvictioninit，aswellasofinquiry；butnoneofjealousy。
\'Yes，\'hesaid；\'andnotadishonourableone。Whatheldmebackwasjustthatonething——asenseofmoralitythatperhaps，madam，youdidnotgivemecreditfor。\'Thelatterwordswerespokenwithamienandtoneofpride。
MissAldclyffepreservedsilence。
\'Andnow，\'hewenton，\'Imayaswellsayawordinvindicationofmyconductlately，attherisk，too，ofoffendingyou。MyactualmotiveinsubmittingtoyourorderthatIshouldsendformylatewife，andlivewithher，wasnotthemercenarypolicyofwishingtoretainanofficewhichbringsmegreatercomfortsthananyIhaveenjoyedbefore，butthisunquenchablepassionforCytherea。ThoughIsawtheweakness，folly，andevenwickednessofitcontinually，itstillforcedmetotrytocontinuenearher，evenasthehusbandofanotherwoman。\'
Hewaitedforhertospeak：shedidnot。
\'There\'sagreatobstacletomymakinganywayinwinningMissGraye\'slove，\'hewenton。
\'Yes，EdwardSpringrove，\'shesaidquietly。\'Iknowit，Ididoncewanttoseethemmarried；theyhavehadaslightquarrel，anditwillsoonbemadeupagain，unless——\'shespokeasifshehadonlyhalfattendedtoManston\'slaststatement。
\'Heisalreadyengagedtobemarriedtosomebodyelse，\'saidthesteward。
\'Pooh！\'saidshe，\'youmeantohiscousinatPeakhill；that\'snothingtohelpus；he\'snowcomehometobreakitoff。\'
\'Hemustnotbreakitoff，\'saidManston，firmlyandcalmly。
Histoneattractedher，startledher。Recoveringherself，shesaidhaughtily，\'Well，that\'syouraffair，notmine。ThoughmywishhasbeentoseeherYOURwife，Ican\'tdoanythingdishonourabletobringaboutsucharesult。\'
\'ButitmustbeMADEyouraffair，\'hesaidinahard，steadyvoice，lookingintohereyes，asifhesawtherethewholepanoramaofherpast。
Oneofthemostdifficultthingstoportraybywrittenwordsisthatpeculiarmixtureofmoodsexpressedinawoman\'scountenancewhen，afterhavingbeensedulouslyengagedinestablishinganother\'sposition，shesuddenlysuspectshimofunderminingherown。ItwasthusthatMissAldclyffelookedatthesteward。
\'You——know——something——ofme？\'shefaltered。
\'Iknowall，\'hesaid。
\'Thencursethatwifeofyours！Shewroteandsaidshewouldn\'ttellyou！\'sheburstout。\'Couldn\'tshekeepherwordforaday？\'
Shereflectedandthensaid，butnomoreastoastranger，\'Iwillnotyield。Ihavecommittednocrime。Iyieldedtoherthreatsinamomentofweakness，thoughIfeltinclinedtodefyheratthetime：itwaschieflybecauseIwasmystifiedastohowshegottoknowofit。Pooh！Iwillputupwiththreatsnomore。O，canYOU
threatenme？\'sheaddedsoftly，asifshehadforthemomentforgottentowhomshehadbeenspeaking。
\'Mylovemustbemadeyouraffair，\'herepeated，withouttakinghiseyesfromher。
Anagony，whichwasnottheagonyofbeingdiscoveredinasecret，obstructedherutteranceforatime。\'HowcanyouturnuponmesowhenIschemedtogetyouhere——schemedthatyoumightwinhertillIfoundyouweremarried。O，howcanyou！O！……O！\'Shewept；
andtheweepingofsuchanaturewasasharrowingastheweepingofaman。
\'Yourgettingmeherewasbadpolicyastoyoursecret——themostabsurdthingintheworld，\'hesaid，notheedingherdistress。\'I
knewall，excepttheidentityoftheindividual，longago。DirectlyIfoundthatmycomingherewasacontrivedthing，andnotamatterofchance，itfixedmyattentionuponyouatonce。Allthatwasrequiredwasthemeresparkoflife，tomakeofabundleofperceptionsanorganicwhole。\'
\'Policy，howcanyoutalkofpolicy？Think，dothink！Andhowcanyouthreatenmewhenyouknow——youknow——thatIwouldbefriendyoureadilywithoutathreat！\'
\'Yes，yes，Ithinkyouwould，\'hesaidmorekindly；\'butyourindifferenceforsomany，manyyearshasmademedoubtit。\'
\'No，notindifference——\'twasenforcedsilence。Myfatherlived。\'
Hetookherhand，andhelditgently。
***
\'Nowlisten，\'hesaid，morequietlyandhumanly，whenshehadbecomecalmer：\'Springrovemustmarrythewomanhe\'sengagedto。Youmaymakehim，butonlyinoneway。\'
\'Well：butdon\'tspeaksternly，AEneas！\'
\'Doyouknowthathisfatherhasnotbeenparticularlythrivingforthelasttwoorthreeyears？\'
\'Ihaveheardsomethingofit，onceortwice，thoughhisrentshavebeenpromptlypaid，haven\'tthey？\'
\'Oyes；anddoyouknowthetermsoftheleasesofthehouseswhichareburnt？\'hesaid，explainingtoherthatbythosetermsshemightcompelhimeventorebuildeveryhouse。\'ThecaseistheclearestcaseoffirebynegligencethatIhaveeverknown，inadditiontothat，\'hecontinued。
\'Idon\'twantthemrebuilt；youknowitwasintendedbymyfather，directlytheyfellin，toclearthesiteforanewentrancetothepark？\'
\'Yes，butthatdoesn\'taffecttheposition，whichisthatFarmerSpringroveisinyourpowertoanextentwhichisveryseriousforhim。\'
\'Iwon\'tdoit——\'tisaconspiracy。\'
\'Won\'tyouforme？\'hesaideagerly。
MissAldclyffechangedcolour。
\'Idon\'tthreatennow，Iimplore，\'hesaid。
\'Becauseyoumightthreatenifyouchose，\'shemournfullyanswered。
\'Butwhybeso——whenyourmarriagewithherwasmyownpetidealongbeforeitwasyours？WhatmustIdo？\'
\'Scarcelyanything：simplythis。WhenIhaveseenoldMr。
Springrove，whichIshalldoinadayortwo，andtoldhimthathewillbeexpectedtorebuildthehouses，doyouseetheyoungman。
Seehimyourself，inorderthattheproposalsmademaynotappeartobeanythingmorethananimpulseofyourown。Youorhewillbringupthesubjectofthehouses。Torebuildthemwouldbeamatterofatleastsixhundredpounds，andhewillalmostsurelysaythatwearehardininsistingupontheextremeletteroftheleases。Thentellhimthatscarcelycanyouyourselfthinkofcompellinganoldtenantlikehisfathertoanysuchpainfulextreme——thereshallbenocompulsiontobuild，simplyasurrenderoftheleases。Thenspeakfeelinglyofhiscousin，asawomanwhomyourespectandlove，andwhosesecretyouhavelearnttobethatsheisheart-sickwithhopedeferred。Beghimtomarryher，hisbetrothedandyourfriend，assomereturnforyourconsiderationtowardshisfather。Don\'tsuggesttooearlyadayfortheirmarriage，orhewillsuspectyouofsomemotivebeyondwomanlysympathy。Coaxhimtomakeapromisetoherthatsheshallbehiswifeattheendofatwelvemonth，andgethim，onassentingtothis，towritetoCytherea，entirelyrenouncingher。\'
\'Shehasalreadyaskedhimtodothat。\'
\'Somuchthebetter——andtellingher，too，thatheisabouttofulfilhislong-standingpromisetomarryhiscousin。Ifyouthinkitworthwhile，youmaysayCythereawasnotindisposedtothinkofmebeforesheknewIwasmarried。IhaveathomeanoteshewrotemethefirsteveningIsawher，whichlooksratherwarm，andwhichI
couldshowyou。Trustme，hewillgiveherup。WhenheismarriedtoAdelaideHinton，Cythereawillbeinducedtomarryme——perhapsbefore；awoman\'sprideissoonwounded。\'
\'Andhadn\'tIbetterwritetoMr。Nyttleton，andinquiremoreparticularlywhat\'sthelawuponthehouses？\'
\'Ono，there\'snohurryforthat。Weknowwellenoughhowthecasestands——quitewellenoughtotalkingeneraltermsaboutit。AndI
wantthepressuretobeputuponyoungSpringrovebeforehegoesawayfromhomeagain。\'
Shelookedathimfurtively，long，andsadly，asafterspeakinghebecamelostinthought，hiseyeslistlesslytracingthepatternofthecarpet。\'Yes，yes，shewillbemine，\'hewhispered，carelessofCythereaAldclyffe\'spresence。Atlastheraisedhiseyesinquiringly。
\'Iwilldomybest，AEneas，\'sheanswered。
Talibusincusat。Manstonthenleftthehouse，andagainwenttowardstheblackenedruins，wheremenwerestillrakingandprobing。
2。FROMNOVEMBERTHETWENTY-NINTHTODECEMBERTHESECOND
ThesmoulderingremnantsoftheThreeTrantersInnseemedtopromisethat，evenwhenthesearchersshouldlightupontheremainsoftheunfortunateMrs。Manston，verylittlewouldbediscoverable。
Consistingsolargelyofthecharcoalandashesofharddryoakandchestnut，intermingledwiththatch，theinterioroftheheapwasoneglowingmassofembers，which，onbeingstirredabout，emittedsparksandflamelongafteritwasdeadandblackontheoutside。
Itwaspersistentlyhoped，however，thatsometracesofthebodywouldsurvivetheeffectofthehotcoals，andafterasearchpursueduninterruptedlyforthirtyhours，underthedirectionofManstonhimself，enoughwasfoundtosetatrestanydoubtsofherfate。
Themelancholygleaningsconsistedofherwatch，bunchofkeys，afewcoins，andtwocharredandblackenedbones。
TwodayslatertheofficialinquiryintothecauseofherdeathwasheldattheRisingSunInn，beforeMr。Floy，thecoroner，andajuryofthechiefinhabitantsofthedistrict。Thelittletavern——theonlyremainingoneinthevillage——wascrowdedtoexcessbytheneighbouringpeasantryaswellastheirricheremployers：allwhocouldbyanypossibilityobtainanhour\'sreleasefromtheirdutiesbeingpresentaslisteners。
Thejuryviewedthesadandinfinitesimalremains，whichwerefoldedinawhitecambriccloth，andlaidinthemiddleofawell-finishedcoffinlinedwithwhitesilk(byManston\'sorder)，whichstoodinanadjoiningroom，thebulkofthecoffinbeingcompletelyfilledinwithcarefullyarrangedflowersandevergreens——alsothesteward\'sowndoing。
AbrahamBrown，ofHoxton，London——anoldwhite-headedman，withouttheruddinesswhichmakeswhitehairssopleasing——wassworn，anddeposedthathekeptalodging-houseatanaddresshenamed。OnaSaturdayeveninglessthanamonthbeforethefire，aladycametohim，withverylittleluggage，andtookthefrontroomonthesecondfloor。Hedidnotinquirewhereshecamefrom，asshepaidaweekinadvance，butshegavehernameasMrs。Manston，referringhim，ifhewishedforanyguaranteeofherrespectability，toMr。Manston，KnapwaterPark。Hereshelivedforthreeweeks，rarelygoingout。
Shesleptawayfromherlodgingsonenightduringthetime。Attheendofthattime，onthetwenty-eighthofNovember，shelefthishouseinafour-wheeledcab，abouttwelveo\'clockintheday，tellingthedrivertotakehertotheWaterlooStation。Shepaidallherlodgingexpenses，andnothavinggivennoticethefullweekprevioustohergoingaway，offeredtopayforthenext，butheonlytookhalf。Sheworeathickblackveil，andgreywaterproofcloak，whenshelefthim，andherluggagewastwoboxes，oneofplaindeal，withblackjapannedclamps，theothersewnupincanvas。
JosephChinney，porterattheCarrifordRoadStation，deposedthathesawMrs。Manston，dressedasthelastwitnesshaddescribed，getoutofasecond-classcarriageonthenightofthetwenty-eighth。
Shestoodbesidehimwhilstherluggagewastakenfromthevan。Theluggage，consistingoftheclampeddealboxandanothercoveredwithcanvas，wasplacedinthecloak-room。Sheseemedatalossatfindingnobodytheretomeether。Sheaskedhimforsomepersontoaccompanyher，andcarryherbagtoMr。Manston\'shouse，KnapwaterPark。Hewasjustoffdutyatthattime，andofferedtogohimself。
ThewitnesshererepeatedtheconversationhehadhadwithMrs。
Manstonduringtheirwalk，andtestifiedtohavingleftheratthedooroftheThreeTrantersInn，Mr。Manston\'shousebeingclosed。
Next，FarmerSpringrovewascalled。Amurmurofsurpriseandcommiserationpassedroundthecrowdedroomwhenhesteppedforward。
Theeventsofthefewprecedingdayshadsoworkeduponhisnervouslythoughtfulnaturethattheblueorbitsofhiseyes，andthemerespotofscarlettowhichtheruddinessofhischeekshadcontracted，seemedtheresultofaheavysickness。Aperfectsilencepervadedtheassemblywhenhespoke。
HisstatementwasthathereceivedMrs。Manstonatthethreshold，andaskedhertoentertheparlour。Shewouldnotdoso，andstoodinthepassagewhilstthemaidwentupstairstoseethattheroomwasinorder。Themaidcamedowntothemiddlelandingofthestaircase，whenMrs。Manstonfollowedheruptotheroom。Hedidnotspeaktenwordswithheraltogether。
Afterwards，whilsthewasstandingatthedoorlisteningforhissonEdward\'sreturn，hesawherlightextinguished，havingfirstcaughtsightofhershadowmovingabouttheroom。
THECORONER：\'Didhershadowappeartobethatofawomanundressing？\'
SPRINGROVE：\'Icannotsay，asIdidn\'ttakeparticularnotice。Itmovedbackwardsandforwards；shemighthavebeenundressingormerelypacingupanddowntheroom。\'
Mrs。Fitler，theostler\'swifeandchambermaid，saidthatsheprecededMrs。Manstonintotheroom，putdownthecandle，andwentout。Mrs。Manstonscarcelyspoketoher，excepttoaskhertobringalittlebrandy。Witnesswentandfetcheditfromthebar，broughtitup，andputitonthedressing-table。
THECORONER：\'HadMrs。Manstonbeguntoundress，whenyoucameback？\'
\'No，sir；shewassittingonthebed，witheverythingon，aswhenshecamein。\'
\'Didshebegintoundressbeforeyouleft？\'
\'NotexactlybeforeIhadleft；butwhenIhadclosedthedoor，andwasonthelandingIheardherbootdroponthefloor，asitdoessometimeswhenpulledoff？\'
\'Hadherfaceappearedwornandsleepy？\'
\'IcannotsayasherbonnetandveilwerestillonwhenIleft，forsheseemedrathershyandashamedtobeseenattheThreeTrantersatall。\'
\'Anddidyouhearorseeanymoreofher？\'
\'Nomore，sir。\'
Mrs。Crickett，temporaryservanttoMr。Manston，saidthatinaccordancewithMr。Manston\'sorders，everythinghadbeenmadecomfortableinthehouseforMrs。Manston\'sexpectedreturnonMondaynight。Mr。ManstontoldherthathimselfandMrs。Manstonwouldbehomelate，nottillbetweenelevenandtwelveo\'clock，andthatsupperwastobeready。NotexpectingMrs。Manstonsoearly，shehadgoneoutonaveryimportanterrandtoMrs。Leatthepostmistress。
Mr。ManstondeposedthatinlookingdownthecolumnsofBradshawhehadmistakenthetimeofthetrain\'sarrival，andhencewasnotatthestationwhenshecame。Thebrokenwatchproducedwashiswife\'s——heknewitbyascratchontheinnerplate，andbyothersigns。Thebunchofkeysbelongedtoher：twoofthemfittedthelocksofhertwoboxes。
Mr。Flooks，agenttoLordClaydonfieldatChettlewood，saidthatMr。
Manstonhadpleadedashisexcuseforleavinghimratherearlyintheeveningaftertheirday\'sbusinesshadbeensettled，thathewasgoingtomeethiswifeatCarrifordRoadStation，whereshewascomingbythelasttrainthatnight。
Thesurgeonsaidthattheremainswerethoseofahumanbeing。Thesmallfragmentseemedaportionofoneofthelumbarvertebrae——theothertheheadoftheosfemoris——buttheywerebothsofargonethatitwasimpossibletosaydefinitelywhethertheybelongedtothebodyofamaleorfemale。Therewasnomoraldoubtthattheywereawoman\'s。Hedidnotbelievethatdeathresultedfromburningbyfire。Hethoughtshewascrushedbythefallofthewestgable，whichbeingofwood，aswellasthefloor，burntafterithadfallen，andconsumedthebodywithit。
Twoorthreeadditionalwitnessesgaveunimportanttestimony。
Thecoronersummedup，andthejurywithouthesitationfoundthatthedeceasedMrs。ManstoncamebyherdeathaccidentallythroughtheburningoftheThreeTrantersInn。
3。DECEMBERTHESECOND。AFTERNOON
WhenMr。SpringrovecamefromthedooroftheRisingSunattheendoftheinquiry，Manstonwalkedbyhissideasfarasthestiletothepark，adistanceofaboutastone\'s-throw。
\'Ah，Mr。Springrove，thisisasadaffairforeverybodyconcerned。\'
\'Everybody，\'saidtheoldfarmer，withdeepsadness，\'\'tisquiteamiserytome。IhardlyknowhowIshalllivethrougheachdayasitbreaks。Ithinkofthewords，“Inthemorningthoushaltsay，WouldGoditwereeven！andateventhoushaltsay，WouldGoditweremorning！forthefearofthineheartwherewiththoushaltfear，andforthesightofthineeyeswhichthoushaltsee。“\'Hisvoicebecamebroken。
\'Ah——true。IreadDeuteronomymyself，\'saidManston。
\'Butmylossisasnothingtoyours，\'thefarmercontinued。
\'Nothing；butIcancommiserateyou。IshouldbeworsethanunfeelingifIdidn\'t，althoughmyownafflictionisofsosadandsolemnakind。Indeedmyownlossmakesmemorekeenlyalivetoyours，differentinnatureasitis。\'
\'Whatsumdoyouthinkwouldberequiredofmetoputthehousesinplaceagain？\'
\'Ihaveroughlythoughtsixorsevenhundredpounds。\'
\'Iftheletterofthelawistobeactedupto，\'saidtheoldman，withmoreagitationinhisvoice。
\'Yes，exactly。\'
\'DoyouknowenoughofMissAldclyffe\'smindtogivemeanideaofhowshemeanstotreatme？\'
\'Well，IamafraidImusttellyouthatthoughIknowverylittleofhermindasarule，inthismatterIbelieveshewillberatherperemptory；shemightsharetotheextentofasixthoraneighthperhaps，inconsiderationofhergettingnewlampsforold，butI
shouldhardlythinkmore。\'
Thestewardsteppeduponthestile，andMr。Springrovewentalongtheroadwithabowedheadandheavyfootstepstowardshisniece\'scottage，inwhich，ratheragainstthewishofEdward，theyhadtemporarilytakenrefuge。
Theadditionalweightofthisknowledgesoonmadeitselfperceptible。ThoughindoorswithEdwardorAdelaidenearlythewholeoftheafternoon，nothingmorethanmonosyllabicrepliescouldbedrawnfromhim。Edwardcontinuallydiscoveredhimlookingfixedlyatthewallorfloor，quiteunconsciousofanother\'spresence。Atsupperheatejustasusual，butquitemechanically，andwiththesameabstraction。
4。DECEMBERTHETHIRD
Thenextmorninghewasinnobetterspirits。Afternooncame：hissonwasalarmed，andmanagedtodrawfromhimanaccountoftheconversationwiththesteward。
\'Nonsense；heknowsnothingaboutit，\'saidEdwardvehemently。
\'I\'llseeMissAldclyffemyself。Nowpromiseme，father，thatyou\'llnotbelievetillIcomeback，andtellyoutobelieveit，thatMissAldclyffewilldoanysuchunjustthing。\'
EdwardstartedatonceforKnapwaterHouse。Hestroderapidlyalongthehigh-road，tillhereachedawicketwhereafootpathallowedofashortcuttothemansion。Hereheleantdownuponthebarsforafewminutes，meditatingastothebestmannerofopeninghisspeech，andsurveyingthescenebeforehiminthatabsentmoodwhichtakescognizanceoflittlethingswithoutbeingconsciousofthematthetime，thoughtheyappearintheeyeafterwardsasvividimpressions。
Itwasayellow，lustrous，lateautumnday，oneofthosedaysofthequarterwhenmorningandeveningseemtomeettogetherwithouttheinterventionofanoon。TheclearyellowsunlighthadtemptedforthMissAldclyffeherself，whowasatthissametimetakingawalkinthedirectionofthevillage。AsSpringrovelingeredheheardbehindtheplantationawoman\'sdressbrushingalongamidthepricklyhusksandleaveswhichhadfallenintothepathfromtheboughsofthechestnuttrees。Inanotherminuteshestoodinfrontofhim。
Heansweredhercasualgreetingrespectfully，andwasabouttorequestafewminutes\'conversationwithher，whenshedirectlyaddressedhimonthesubjectofthefire。\'Itisasadmisfortuneforyourfather\'shesaid，\'andIhearthathehaslatelylethisinsurancesexpire？\'
\'Hehas，madam，andyouareprobablyawarethateitherbythegeneraltermsofhisholding，orthesamecoupledwiththeoriginofthefire，thedisastermayinvolvethenecessityofhisrebuildingthewholerowofhouses，orelseofbecomingadebtortotheestate，totheextentofsomehundredsofpounds？\'
Sheassented。\'Ihavebeenthinkingofit，\'shewenton，andthenrepeatedinsubstancethewordsputintohermouthbythesteward。
SomedisturbanceofthoughtmighthavebeenfanciedastakingplaceinSpringrove\'smindduringherstatement，butbeforeshehadreachedtheend，hiseyeswereclear，anddirecteduponher。
\'Idon\'tacceptyourconditionsofrelease，\'hesaid。
\'Theyarenotconditionsexactly。\'
\'Well，whatevertheyarenot，theyareveryuncalled-forremarks。\'
\'Notatall——thehouseshavebeenburntbyyourfamily\'snegligence。\'
\'Idon\'trefertothehouses——youhaveofcoursethebestofallrightstospeakofthatmatter；butyou，astrangertomecomparatively，havenorightatalltovolunteeropinionsandwishesuponaverydelicatesubject，whichconcernsnolivingbeingsbutMissGraye，MissHinton，andmyself。\'
MissAldclyffe，likeagoodmanyothersinherposition，hadplainlynotrealizedthatasonofhertenantandinferiorcouldhavebecomeaneducatedman，whohadlearnttofeelhisindividuality，toviewsocietyfromaBohemianstandpoint，faroutsidethefarminggradeinCarrifordparish，andthathencehehadalladevelopedman\'sunorthodoxopinionaboutthesubordinationofclasses。AndfullyconsciousofthelabyrinthintowhichhehadwanderedbetweenhiswishtobehavehonourablyinthedilemmaofhisengagementtohiscousinAdelaideandtheintensityofhisloveforCytherea，Springrovewasadditionallysensitivetoanyallusiontothecase。
HehadspokentoMissAldclyffewithconsiderablewarmth。
AndMissAldclyffewasnotawomanlikelytobefarbehindanysecondpersoninwarmingtoamoodofdefiance。Itseemedasifshewerepreparedtoputupwithacoldrefusal，butthatherhaughtinessresentedacriticismofherconductendinginarebuke。
Bythis，Manston\'sdiscreditableobject，whichhadbeenmadehersbycompulsiononly，wasnowadoptedbychoice。Sheflungherselfintothework。
Afierymaninsuchacasewouldhaverelinquishedpersuasionandtriedpalpableforce。Afierywomanaddedunscrupulousnessandevolveddaringstrategy；andinherobstinacy，andtosustainherselfasmistress，shedescendedtoanactionthemeannessofwhichhauntedherconsciencetoherdyinghour。
\'Idon\'tquitesee，Mr。Springrove，\'shesaid，\'thatIamaltogetherwhatyouarepleasedtocallastranger。Ihaveknownyourfamily，atanyrate，foragoodmanyyears，andIknowMissGrayeparticularlywell，andherstateofmindwithregardtothismatter。\'
Perplexedlovemakesuscredulousandcuriousasoldwomen。Edwardwaswilling，heownedittohimself，togetatCytherea\'sstateofmind，eventhroughsodangerousamedium。
\'AletterIreceivedfromher\'hesaid，withassumedcoldness，\'tellsmeclearlyenoughwhatMissGraye\'smindis。\'
\'Youthinkshestilllovesyou？Oyes，ofcourseyoudo——allmenarelikethat。\'
\'Ihavereasonto。\'Hecouldfeignnofurtherthanthefirstspeech。
\'Ishouldbeinterestedinknowingwhatreason？\'shesaid，withsarcasticarchness。
Edwardfelthewasallowinghertodo，infractionalparts，whatherebelledagainstwhenregardingitasawhole；butthefactthathisantagonisthadthepresenceofaqueen，andfeaturesonlyintheearlyeveningoftheirbeauty，wasnotwithoutitsinfluenceuponakeenlyconsciousman。Herbearinghadcharmedhimintotoleration，asMaryStuart\'scharmedtheindignantPuritanvisitors。Heagainansweredherhonestly。
\'Thebestofreasons——thetoneofherletter。\'
\'Pooh，Mr。Springrove！\'
\'Notatall，MissAldclyffe！MissGrayedesiredthatweshouldbestrangerstoeachotherforthesimplepracticalreasonthatintimacycouldonlymakewretchedcomplicationsworse，notfromlackoflove——loveisonlysuppressed。\'
\'Don\'tyouknowyet，thatinthusputtingasideaman，awoman\'spityforthepainsheinflictsgivesherakindnessoftonewhichisoftenmistakenforsuppressedlove？\'saidMissAldclyffe，withsoftinsidiousness。
ThiswasatranslationoftheambiguityofCytherea\'stonewhichhehadcertainlyneverthoughtof；andhewastooingenuousnottoownit。
\'Ihadneverthoughtofit，\'hesaid。
\'Anddon\'tbelieveit？\'
\'Notunlesstherewassomeotherevidencetosupporttheview。\'
Shepausedaminuteandthenbeganhesitatingly——
\'Myintentionwas——whatIdidnotdreamofowningtoyou——myintentionwastotrytoinduceyoutofulfilyourpromisetoMissHintonnotsolelyonheraccountandyours(thoughpartly)。IloveCythereaGrayewithallmysoul，andIwanttoseeherhappyevenmorethanIdoyou。Ididnotmeantodraghernameintotheaffairatall，butIamdriventosaythatshewrotethatletterofdismissaltoyou——foritwasamostpronounceddismissal——notonaccountofyourengagement。Sheisoldenoughtoknowthatengagementscanbebrokenaseasilyastheycanbemade。Shewroteitbecauseshelovedanotherman；verysuddenly，andnotwithanyideaorhopeofmarryinghim，butnonethelessdeeply。\'
\'Who？\'
\'Mr。Manston。\'
\'Good——！Ican\'tlistentoyouforaninstant，madam；why，shehadn\'tseenhim！\'
\'Shehad；hecameherethedaybeforeshewrotetoyou；andIcouldprovetoyou，ifitwereworthwhile，thatonthatdayshewentvoluntarilytohishouse，thoughnotartfullyorblamably；stayedfortwohoursplayingandsinging；thatnosoonerdidsheleavehimthanshewentstraighthome，andwrotethelettersayingsheshouldnotseeyouagain，entirelybecauseshehadseenhimandfallendesperatelyinlovewithhim——aperfectlynaturalthingforayounggirltodo，consideringthathe\'sthehandsomestmaninthecounty。
Whyelseshouldshenothavewrittentoyoubefore？\'
\'BecauseIwassucha——becauseshedidnotknowoftheconnectionbetweenmeandmycousinuntilthen。\'
\'Imustthinkshedid。\'
\'Onwhatground？\'
\'Onthestronggroundofmyhavingtoldherso，distinctly，theveryfirstdayshecametolivewithme。\'
\'Well，whatdoyouseektoimpressuponmeafterall？This——thatthedayMissGrayewrotetome，sayingitwasbetterthatweshouldpart，coincidedwiththedayshehadseenacertainman——\'
\'Aremarkablyhandsomeandtalentedman。\'
\'Yes，Iadmitthat。\'
\'Andthatitcoincidedwiththehourjustsubsequenttoherseeinghim。\'
\'Yes，justwhenshehadseenhim。\'
\'Andbeentohishousealonewithhim。\'
\'Itisnothing。\'
\'Andstayedthereplayingandsingingwithhim。\'
\'Admitthat，too，\'hesaid；\'anaccidentmighthavecausedit。\'
\'Andatthesameinstantthatshewroteyourdismissalshewrotealetterreferringtoasecretappointmentwithhim。\'
\'Never，byGod，madam！never！\'
\'Whatdoyousay，sir？\'
\'Never。\'
Shesneered。
\'There\'snoaccountingforbeliefs，andthewholehistoryisaverytrivialmatter；butIamresolvedtoprovethatalady\'swordistruthful，thoughuponamatterwhichconcernsneitheryounorherself。YoushalllearnthatsheDIDwritehimaletterconcerninganassignation——thatis，ifMr。Manstonstillhasit，andwillbeconsiderateenoughtolenditme。\'
\'Butbesides，\'continuedEdward，\'amarriedmantodowhatwouldcauseayounggirltowriteanoteofthekindyoumention！\'
Sheflushedalittle。
\'ThatIdon\'tknowanythingabout，\'shestammered。\'ButCythereadidn\'t，ofcourse，dreamanymorethanIdid，orothersintheparish，thathewasmarried。\'
\'Ofcourseshedidn\'t。\'
\'AndIhavereasontobelievethathetoldherofthefactdirectlyafterwards，thatshemightnotcompromiseherself，orallowhimto。
Itisnotoriousthathestruggledhonestlyandhardagainstherattractions，andsucceededinhidinghisfeelings，ifnotinquenchingthem。\'
\'We\'llhopethathedid。\'
\'Butcircumstancesarechangednow。\'
\'Verygreatlychanged，\'hemurmuredabstractedly。
\'Youmustremember，\'sheaddedmoresuasively，\'thatMissGrayehasaperfectrighttodowhatshelikeswithherown——herheart，thatistosay。\'
HerdescentfromirritationwascausedbyperceivingthatEdward\'sfaithwasreallydisturbedbyherstrongassertions，anditgratifiedher。
Edward\'sthoughtsflewtohisfather，andtheobjectofhisinterviewwithher。Tongue-fencingwasutterlydistastefultohim。
\'Iwillnottroubleyoubyremaininglonger，madam，\'heremarked，gloomily；\'ourconversationhasendedsadlyforme。\'
\'Don\'tthinkso，\'shesaid，\'anddon\'tbemistaken。Iamolderthanyouare，manyyearsolder，andIknowmanythings。\'
Fullofmiserabledoubt，andbitterlyregrettingthathehadraisedhisfather\'sexpectationsbyanticipationsimpossibleoffulfilment，Edwardslowlywenthiswayintothevillage，andapproachedhiscousin\'shouse。Thefarmerwasatthedoorlookingeagerlyforhim。
Hehadbeenwaitingthereformorethanhalf-an-hour。Hiseyekindledquickly。
\'Well，Ted，whatdoesshesay？\'heasked，intheintenselysanguinetoneswhichfallsadlyuponalistener\'sear，because，antecedently，theyraisepicturesofinevitabledisappointmentforthespeaker，insomedirectionoranother。
\'Nothingforustobealarmedat，\'saidEdward，withaforcedcheerfulness。
\'Butmustwerebuild？\'
\'Itseemswemust，father。\'
