Itwasthemostunlikelythingonearththatawomanwhohadforsakenherhusbandshouldcountenancehisschemetopersonifyher——
whethershewereinAmerica，inLondon，orintheneighbourhoodofKnapwater。
Thencametheoldandharassingquestion，whatwasManston\'srealmotiveinriskinghisnameonthedeceptionhewaspractisingasregardedAnne。Itcouldnotbe，ashehadalwayspretended，merepassion。HerthoughtshadrevertedtoMr。Raunham\'sletter，askingforproofsofheridentitywiththeoriginalMrs。Manston。Shecouldseenoloopholeofescapeforthemanwhosupportedher。
True，inherownestimation，hisworstalternativewasnotsoverybadafterall——thegettingthenameoflibertine，apossibleappearanceinthedivorceorsomeothercourtoflaw，andaquestionofdamages。Suchanexposuremighthinderhisworldlyprogressforsometime。Yettohimthisalternativewas，apparently，terribleasdeathitself。
Sherestoredtheletterstotheirhiding-place，scannedanewtheotherlettersandmemoranda，fromwhichshecouldgainnofreshinformation，fastenedupthecabinet，andlefteverythinginitsformercondition。
Hermindwasillatease。MorethanevershewishedthatshehadneverseenManston。Wherethepersonsuspectedofmysteriousmoralobliquityisthepossessorofgreatphysicalandintellectualattractions，themeresenseofincongruityaddsanextrashuddertodread。Theman\'sstrangebearingterrifiedAnneasithadterrifiedCytherea；forwithallthewomanAnne\'sfaults，shehadnotdescendedtosuchdepthsofdepravityastowillinglyparticipateincrime。ShehadnotevenknownthatalivingwifewasbeingdisplacedtillherarrivalatKnapwaterputretreatoutofthequestion，andhadlookeduponpersonationsimplyasamodeofsubsistenceadegreebetterthantoilinginpovertyandalone，afterabustlingandsomewhatpamperedlifeashousekeeperinagaymansion。
\'NonillacolocalathisveMinervaeFoemineasassuetamanus。\'
2。AFTERNOON
Mr。RaunhamandEdwardSpringrovehadbythistimesetinmotionamachinerywhichtheyhopedtofindworkingoutimportantresults。
Therectorwasrestlessandfullofmeditationallthefollowingmorning。Itwasplain，eventotheservantsabouthim，thatSpringrove\'scommunicationworeadeepercomplexionthananythathadbeenmadetotheoldmagistrateformanymonthsoryearspast。
Thefactwasthat，havingarrivedatthestageofexistenceinwhichthedifficultintellectualfeatofsuspendingone\'sjudgmentbecomespossible，hewasnowputtingitinpractice，thoughnotwithoutthepenaltyofwatchfuleffort。
Itwasnottilltheafternoonthathedeterminedtocallonhisrelative，MissAldclyffe，andcautiouslyprobeherknowledgeofthesubjectoccupyinghimsothoroughly。Cytherea，heknew，wasstillbelovedbythissolitarywoman。MissAldclyffehadmadeseveralprivateinquiriesconcerningherformercompanion，andtherewaseverasadnessinhertonewhentheyounglady\'snamewasmentioned，whichshowedthatfromwhatevercausetheelderCytherea\'srenunciationofherfavouriteandnamesakeproceeded，itwasnotfromindifferencetoherfate。
\'Haveyoueverhadanyreasonforsupposingyourstewardanythingbutanuprightman？\'hesaidtothelady。
\'Nevertheslightest。Haveyou？\'saidshereservedly。
\'Well——Ihave。\'
\'Whatisit？\'
\'Icansaynothingplainly，becausenothingisproved。Butmysuspicionsareverystrong。\'
\'Doyoumeanthathewasrathercooltowardshiswifewhentheywerefirstmarried，andthatitwasunfairinhimtoleaveher？Iknowhewas；butIthinkhisrecentconducttowardsherhasamplyatonedfortheneglect。\'
HelookedMissAldclyffefullintheface。Itwasplainthatshespokehonestly。ShehadnottheslightestnotionthatthewomanwholivedwiththestewardmightbeotherthanMrs。Manston——muchlessthatagreatermattermightbebehind。
\'That\'snotit——Iwishitwasnomore。Mysuspicionis，first，thatthewomanlivingattheOldHouseisnotMr。Manston\'swife。\'
\'Not——Mr。Manston\'swife？\'
\'Thatisit。\'
MissAldclyffelookedblanklyattherector。\'NotMr。Manston\'swife——whoelsecanshebe？\'shesaidsimply。
\'AnimproperwomanofthenameofAnneSeaway。\'
Mr。Raunhamhad，incommonwithotherpeople，noticedtheextraordinaryinterestofMissAldclyffeinthewell-beingofhersteward，andhadendeavouredtoaccountforitinvariousways。Theextenttowhichshewasshakenbyhisinformation，whilstitprovedthattheunderstandingbetweenherselfandManstondidnotmakeherasharerofhissecrets，alsoshowedthatthetiewhichboundhertohimwasstillunbroken。Mr。Raunhamhadlatelybeguntodoubtthelatterfact，andnow，onfindinghimselfmistaken，regrettedthathehadnotkepthisowncounselinthematter。Thisitwastoolatetodo，andhepushedonwithhisproofs。HegaveMissAldclyffeindetailthegroundsofhisbelief。
Beforehehaddone，sherecoveredthecloakofreservethatshehadadoptedonhisopeningthesubject。
\'Imightpossiblybeconvincedthatyouwereintheright，aftersuchanelaborateargument，\'shereplied，\'wereitnotforonefact，whichbearsinthecontrarydirectionsopointedly，thatnothingbutabsoluteproofcanturnit。Itisthatthereisnoconceivablemotivewhichcouldinduceanysaneman——leavingaloneamanofMr。
Manston\'sclear-headednessandintegrity——toventureuponsuchanextraordinarycourseofconduct——nomotiveonearth。\'
\'Thatwasmyownopiniontillafterthevisitofafriendlastnight——afriendofmineandpoorlittleCytherea\'s。\'
\'Ah——andCytherea，\'saidMissAldclyffe，catchingattheidearaisedbythename。\'ThathelovedCytherea——yesandloveshernow，wildlyanddevotedly，IamaspositiveasthatIbreathe。CythereaisyearsyoungerthanMrs。Manston——asIshallcallher——twiceassweetindisposition，threetimesasbeautiful。Wouldhehavegivenherupquietlyandsuddenlyforacommon——Mr。Raunham，yourstoryismonstrous，andIdon\'tbelieveit！\'Sheglowedinherearnestness。
Therectormightnowhaveadvancedhissecondproposition——thepossiblemotive——butforreasonsofhisownhedidnot。
\'Verywell，madam。Ionlyhopethatfactswillsustainyouinyourbelief。Askhimthequestiontohisface，whetherthewomanishiswifeorno，andseehowhereceivesit。\'
\'Iwillto-morrow，mostcertainly，\'shesaid。\'Ialwaysletthesethingsdieofwholesomeventilation，aseveryfungusdoes。\'
Butnosoonerhadtherectorleftherpresence，thanthegrainofmustard-seedhehadsowngrewtoatree。Herimpatiencetosethermindatrestcouldnotbrookanight\'sdelay。Itwaswiththeutmostdifficultythatshecouldwaittilleveningarrivedtoscreenhermovements。Immediatelythesunhaddroppedbehindthehorizon，andbeforeitwasquitedark，shewrappedhercloakaroundher，softlyleftthehouse，andwalkederectthroughthegloomyparkinthedirectionoftheoldmanor-house。
Thesameminutesawtwopersonssitdownintherectory-housetosharetherector\'susuallysolitarydinner。Onewasamanofofficialappearance，commonplaceinallexcepthiseyes。TheotherwasEdwardSpringrove。
Thediscoveryofthecarefully-concealedlettersrankledinthemindofAnneSeaway。Herwoman\'snatureinsistedthatManstonhadnorighttokeepallmattersconnectedwithhislostwifeasecretfromherself。Perplexityhadbredvexation；vexation，resentment；
curiosityhadbeencontinuous。Thewholemorningthisresentmentandcuriosityincreased。
Thestewardsaidverylittletohiscompanionduringtheirluncheonatmid-day。Heseemedrecklessofappearances——almostindifferenttowhateverfateawaitedhim。Allhisactionsbetrayedthatsomethingportentouswasimpending，andstillheexplainednothing。
Bycarefullyobservingeverytriflingaction，asonlyawomancanobservethem，thethoughtatlengthdawneduponherthathewasgoingtorunawaysecretly。Shefearedforherself；herknowledgeoflawandjusticewasvague，andshefanciedshemightinsomewaybemaderesponsibleforhim。
Intheafternoonhewentoutofthehouseagain，andshewatchedhimdriveawayinthedirectionofthecounty-town。Shefeltadesiretogothereherself，and，afteranintervalofhalf-an-hour，followedhimonfootnotwithstandingthedistance——ostensiblytodosomeshopping。
Oneamongherseveraltrivialerrandswastomakeasmallpurchaseatthedruggist\'s。Nearthedruggist\'sstoodtheCountyBank。
Lookingoutoftheshopwindow，betweenthecolouredbottles，shesawManstoncomedownthestepsofthebank，intheactofwithdrawinghishandfromhispocket，andpullinghiscoatcloseoveritsmouth。
Itisanalmostuniversalhabitwithpeople，whenleavingabank，tobecarefullyadjustingtheirpocketsiftheyhavebeenreceivingmoney；iftheyhavebeenpayingitin，theirhandsswinglaxly。Thestewardhadinalllikelihoodbeentakingmoney——possiblyonMissAldclyffe\'saccount——thatwascontinualwithhim。Andhemighthavebeenremovinghisown，asamanwoulddowhowasintendingtoleavethecountry。
3。FROMFIVETOEIGHTO\'CLOCKP。M。
Annereachedhomeagainintimetopresideoverpreparationsfordinner。Manstoncameinhalf-an-hourlater。Thelampwaslighted，theshutterswereclosed，andtheysatdowntogether。Hewaspaleandworn——almosthaggard。
Themealpassedoffinalmostunbrokensilence。Whenpreoccupationwithstandstheinfluenceofasocialmealwithonepleasantcompanion，thementalscenemustbesurpassinglyvivid。Justasshewasrisingatapcametothedoor。
Beforeamaidcouldattendtotheknock，Manstoncrossedtheroomandansweredithimself。ThevisitorwasMissAldclyffe。
ManstoninstantlycamebackandspoketoAnneinanundertone。\'I
shouldbegladifyoucouldretiretoyourroomforashorttime。\'
\'Itisadry，starlightevening，\'shereplied。\'IwillgoforalittlewalkifyourobjectismerelyaprivateconversationwithMissAldclyffe。\'
\'Verywell，do；there\'snoaccountingfortastes，\'hesaid。AfewcommonplacesthenpassedbetweenherandMissAldclyffe，andAnnewentupstairstobonnetandcloakherself。Shecamedown，openedthefrontdoor，andwentout。
Shelookedaroundtorealizethenight。Itwasdark，mournful，andquiet。Thenshestoodstill。FromthemomentthatManstonhadrequestedherabsence，astrongandburningdesirehadprevailedinhertoknowthesubjectofMissAldclyffe\'sconversationwithhim。
Simplecuriositywasnotentirelywhatinspiredher。Hersuspicionshadbeenthoroughlyarousedbythediscoveryofthemorning。A
convictionthatherfuturedependedonherpowertocombatamanwho，indesperatecircumstances，wouldbefarfromafriendtoher，promptedastrategicmovementtoacquiretheimportantsecretthatwasinhandlingnow。Thewomanthoughtandthought，andregardedthedulldarktrees，anxiouslydebatinghowthethingcouldbedone。
Stealthilyre-openingthefrontdoorsheenteredthehall，andadvancingandpausingalternately，cameclosetothedooroftheroominwhichMissAldclyffeandManstonconversed。Nothingcouldbeheardthroughthekeyholeorpanels。Atagreatriskshesoftlyturnedtheknobandopenedthedoortoawidthofabouthalf-an-
inch，performingtheactsodelicatelythatthreeminutes，atleast，wereoccupiedincompletingit。AtthatinstantMissAldclyffesaid——
\'There\'sadraughtsomewhere。Thedoorisajar，Ithink。\'
Anneglidedbackunderthestaircase。Manstoncameforwardandclosedthedoor。Thischancewasnowcutoff，andsheconsideredagain。Theparlour，orsitting-room，inwhichtheconferencetookplace，hadthewindow-shuttersfixedontheoutsideofthewindow，asisusualinthebackportionsofoldcountry-houses。Theshutterswerehingedoneoneachsideoftheopening，andmetinthemiddle，wheretheywerefastenedbyaboltpassingcontinuouslythroughthemandthewoodmullionwithin，theboltbeingsecuredontheinsidebyapin，whichwasseldominsertedtillManstonandherselfwereabouttoretireforthenight；sometimesnotatall。
Ifshereturnedtothedooroftheroomshemightbediscoveredatanymoment，butcouldshelistenatthewindow，whichoverlookedapartofthegardennevervisitedafternightfall，shewouldbesafefromdisturbance。Theideawasworthatrial。
Sheglidedroundtothewindow，tooktheheadoftheboltbetweenherfingerandthumb，andsoftlyscreweditrounduntilitwasentirelywithdrawnfromitsposition。Theshuttersremainedasbefore，whilst，wherethebolthadcomeout，wasnowashiningholethree-quartersofaninchindiameter，throughwhichonemightseeintothemiddleoftheroom。Sheappliedhereyetotheorifice。
MissAldclyffeandManstonwerebothstanding；Manstonwithhisbacktothewindow，hiscompanionfacingit。Thelady\'sdemeanourwassevere，condemnatory，andhaughty。Nomorewastobeseen；Annethenturnedsideways，leantwithhershoulderagainsttheshuttersandplacedherearuponthehole。
\'Youknowwhere，\'saidMissAldclyffe。\'Andhowcouldyou，aman，actadoubledeceitlikethis？\'
\'Mendostrangethingssometimes。\'
\'Whatwasyourreason——come？\'
\'Amerewhim。\'
\'Imightevenbelievethat，ifthewomanwerehandsomerthanCytherea，orifyouhadbeenmarriedsometimetoCythereaandhadgrowntiredofher。\'
\'Andcan\'tyoubelieveit，too，undertheseconditions；thatI
marriedCytherea，gaveherupbecauseIheardthatmywifewasalive，foundthatmywifewouldnotcometolivewithme，andthen，nottoletanywomanIlovesowellasCytherearunanyriskofbeingdisplacedandruinedinreputation，shouldmywifeeverthinkfittoreturn，inducedthiswomantocometome，asbeingbetterthannocompanionatall？\'
\'Icannotbelieveit。YourloveforCythereawasnotofsuchakindasthatexcusewouldimply。ItwasCythereaornobodywithyou。Asanobjectofpassion，youdidnotdesirethecompanyofthisAnneSeawayatall，andcertainlynotsomuchastomadlyriskyourreputationbybringingherhereinthewayyouhavedone。Iamsureyoudidn\'t，AEneas。\'
\'SoamI，\'hesaidbluntly。
MissAldclyffeutteredanexclamationofastonishment；theconfessionwaslikeablowinitssuddenness。Shebegantoreproachhimbitterly，andwithtears。
\'Howcouldyouoverthrowmyplans，disgracetheonlygirlIeverhadanyrespectfor，bysuchinexplicabledoings！……Thatwomanmustleavethisplace——thecountryperhaps。Heavens！thetruthwillleakoutinadayortwo！\'
\'Shemustdonosuchthing，andthetruthmustbestifledsomehow——
nobodyknowshow。IfIstayhere，oronanyspotofthecivilizedglobe，asAEneasManston，thiswomanmustlivewithmeasmywife，orIamdamnedpastredemption！\'
\'Iwillnotcountenanceyourkeepingher，whateveryourmotivemaybe。\'
\'Youmustdosomething，\'hemurmured。\'Youmust。Yes，youmust。\'
\'Ineverwill，\'shesaid。\'Itisacriminalact。\'
Helookedatherearnestly。\'Willyounotsupportmethroughthisdeceptionifmyverylifedependsuponit？Willyounot？\'
\'Nonsense！Life！Itwillbeascandaltoyou，butshemustleavethisplace。Itwilloutsoonerorlater，andtheexposurehadbettercomenow。\'
Manstonrepeatedgloomilythesamewords。\'Mylifedependsuponyoursupportingme——myverylife。\'
Hethencameclosetoher，andspokeintoherear。Whilsthespokeheheldherheadtohismouthwithbothhishands。Strangeexpressionscameoverherface；theworkingsofhermouthwerepainfultoobserve。Stillheheldherandwhisperedon。
TheonlywordsthatcouldbecaughtbyAnneSeaway，confusedasherhearingfrequentlywasbythemoanofthewindandthewaterfallinherouterear，weretheseofMissAldclyffe，intoneswhichabsolutelyquivered：\'Theyhavenomoney。Whatcantheyprove？\'
Thelistenertaskedherselftotheutmosttocatchhisanswer，butitwasinvain。OftheremainderofthecolloquyonefactalonewasplaintoAnne，andthatonlyinductively——thatMissAldclyffe，fromwhathehadrevealedtoher，wasgoingtoschemebodyandsoulonManston\'sbehalf。
MissAldclyffeseemednowtohavenofurtherreasonforremaining，yetshelingeredawhileasiflothtoleavehim。When，finally，thecrestfallenandagitatedladymadepreparationsfordeparture，Annequicklyinsertedthebolt，ranroundtotheentrancearchway，anddownthestepsintothepark。Hereshestoodclosetothetrunkofahugelime-tree，whichabsorbedherdarkoutlineintoitsown。
InafewminutesshesawManston，withMissAldclyffeleaningonhisarm，crossthegladebeforeherandproceedinthedirectionofthehouse。Shewatchedthemascendtheriseandadvance，astwoblackspots，towardsthemansion。Theappearanceofanoblongspaceoflightinthedarkmassofwallsdenotedthatthedoorwasopened。
MissAldclyffe\'soutlinebecamevisibleuponit；thedoorshutherin，andallwasdarknessagain。TheformofManstonreturningalonearosefromthegloom，andpassedbyAnneinherhiding-place。
Waitingoutsideaquarterofanhourlonger，thatnosuspicionofanykindmightbeexcited，Annereturnedtotheoldmanor-house。
4。FROMEIGHTTOELEVENO\'CLOCKP。M。
Manstonwasveryfriendlythatevening。Itwasevidenttoher，nowthatshewasbehindthescenes，thathewasmakingdesperateeffortstodisguisetherealstateofhismind。
Herterrorofhimdidnotdecrease。Theysatdowntosupper，Manstonstilltalkingcheerfully。Butwhatiskeenerthantheeyeofamistrustfulwoman？Aman\'scunningistoitaswasthearmourofSiseratothethintent-nail。Shefound，inspiteofhisadroitness，thathewasattemptingsomethingmorethanadisguiseofhisfeeling。Hewastryingtodistractherattention，thathemightbeunobservedinsomespecialmovementofhishands。
Whatamomentitwasforherthen！Thewholesurfaceofherbodybecameattentive。Sheallowedhimnochancewhatever。Weknowtheduplicatedconditionatsuchtimes——whentheexistencedividesitselfintotwo，andtheostensiblyinnocentchattererstandsinfront，likeanotherperson，tohidethetimorousspy。
Manstonplayedthesamegame，butmorepalpably。Themealwasnearlyoverwhenheseemedpossessedofanewideaofhowhisobjectmightbeaccomplished。Hetiltedbackhischairwithareflectiveair，andlookedsteadilyattheclockstandingagainstthewalloppositetohim。Hesaidsententiously，\'Fewfacesarecapableofexpressingmorebydumbshowthanthefaceofaclock。Youmayseeiniteveryvarietyofincentive——fromthesoftestseductionstonegligencetothestrongesthintsforaction。\'
\'Well，inwhatway？\'sheinquired。Hisdriftwas，asyet，quiteunintelligibletoher。
\'Why，forinstance：lookatthecold，methodical，unromantic，business-likeairofalltheright-angledpositionsofthehands。
Theymakeamansetaboutworkinspiteofhimself。Thenlookatthepiquantshynessofitsfacewhenthetwohandsareovereachother。Severalattitudesimply“Makeready。“The“makeready“oftenminutestoonediffersfromthe“makeready“oftenminutestotwelve，asyouthdiffersfromage。“Upwardandonward“saystwenty-
fiveminutestoeleven。Mid-dayormidnightexpressesdistinctly“Itisdone。“Yousurelyhavenoticedthat？\'
\'Yes，Ihave。\'
Hecontinuedwithaffectedquaintness：——
\'Theeasydashoftenminutespastseven，therakishrecklessnessofaquarterpast，thedroopingwearinessoftwenty-fiveminutespast，musthavebeenobservedbyeverybody。\'
\'Whateveramountoftruththeremaybe，thereisagooddealofimaginationinyourfancy，\'shesaid。
Hestillcontemplatedtheclock。
\'Then，again，thegeneralfinishofthefacehasagreateffectupontheeye。Thisold-fashionedbrass-facedonewehavehere，withitsarchedtop，half-moonslitforthedayofthemonth，andshiprockingattheupperpart，impressesmewiththenotionofitsbeinganoldcynic，elevatinghisbrows，whosethoughtscanbeseenwaveringbetweengoodandevil。\'
Athoughtnowenlightenedher：theclockwasbehindher，andhewantedtogetherbackturned。Shedreadedturning，yet，nottoexcitehissuspicion，shewasonherguard；shequicklylookedbehindherattheclockashespoke，recoveringheroldpositionagaininstantly。Thetimehadnotbeenlongenoughforanyactionwhateveronhispart。
\'Ah，\'hecasuallyremarked，andatthesameminutebegantopourheroutaglassofwine。\'Speakingoftheclockhasremindedmethatitmustnearlywantwindingup。Rememberthatitiswoundto-night。
Supposeyoudoitatonce，mydear。\'
Therewasnopossiblewayofevadingtheact。Sheresolutelyturnedtoperformtheoperation：anythingwasbetterthanthatheshouldsuspecther。Itwasanold-fashionedeight-dayclock，ofworkmanshipsuitedtotherestoftheantiquefurniturethatManstonhadcollectedthere，andgroundheavilyduringwinding。
Annehadgivenupallideaofbeingabletowatchhimduringtheinterval，andthenoiseofthewheelspreventedherlearninganythingbyherears。But，asshewound，shecaughtsightofhisshadowonthewallatherrighthand。
Whatwashedoing？Hewasintheveryactofpouringsomethingintoherglassofwine。
Hehadcompletedthemanoeuvrebeforeshehaddonewinding。Shemethodicallyclosedtheclock-caseandturnedroundagain。Whenshefacedhimhewassittinginhischairasbeforeshehadrisen。
Inafamiliarscenewhichhashithertobeenpleasantitisdifficulttorealizethatanaddedcondition，whichdoesnotalteritsaspect，canhavemadeitterrible。Thewomanthoughtthathisactionmusthavebeenpromptedbynootherintentthanthatofpoisoningher，andyetshecouldnotinstantlyputonafearofherposition。
Andbeforeshehadgraspedtheseconsequences，anothersuppositionservedtomakeherregardthefirstasunlikely，ifnotabsurd。Itwastheactofamadmantotakeherlifeinamannersoeasyofdiscovery，unlesstherewerefarmorereasonforthecrimethananythatManstoncouldpossiblyhave。
Wasitnotmerelyhisintention，intamperingwithherwine，tomakehersleepsoundlythatnight？Thiswasinharmonywithheroriginalsuspicion，thatheintendedsecretlytoabscond。Atanyrate，hewasgoingtosetaboutsomestealthyproceeding，astowhichshewastobekeptinutterdarkness。Thedifficultynowwastoavoiddrinkingthewine。
Bymeansofonepretextandanothersheputofftakingherglassfornearlyfiveminutes，butheeyedhertoofrequentlytoallowhertothrowthepotionunderthegrate。Itbecamenecessarytotakeonesip。Thisshedid，andfoundanopportunityofabsorbingitinherhandkerchief。
Plainlyhehadnoideaofhercountermoves。Theschemeseemedtohiminpropertrain，andheturnedtopokeoutthefire。Sheinstantlyseizedtheglass，andpoureditscontentsdownherbosom。
Whenhefacedroundagainshewasholdingtheglasstoherlips，empty。
Induecoursehelockedthedoorsandsawthattheshutterswerefastened。Sheattendedtoafewclosingdetailsofhousewifery，andafewminuteslatertheyretiredforthenight。
5。FROMELEVENO\'CLOCKTOMIDNIGHT
WhenManstonwaspersuaded，bythefeignedheavinessofherbreathing，thatAnneSeawaywasasleep，hesoftlyarose，anddressedhimselfinthegloom。Withearsstrainedtotheirutmostsheheardhimcompletethisoperation；thenhetooksomethingfromhispocket，putitinthedrawerofthedressing-table，wenttothedoor，anddownthestairs。Sheglidedoutofbedandlookedinthedrawer。
Hehadonlyrestoredtoitsplaceasmallphialshehadseentherebefore。Itwaslabelled\'Battley\'sSolutionofOpium。\'Shefeltrelievedthatherlifehadnotbeenattempted。Thatwastohavebeenhersleeping-draught。Notimewastobelostifshemeanttobeamatchforhim。Shefollowedhiminhernightdress。Whenshereachedthefootofthestaircasehewasintheofficeandhadclosedthedoor，underwhichafaintgleamshowedthathehadobtainedalight。Shecrepttothedoor，butcouldnotventuretoopenit，howeverslightly。Placinghereartothepanel，shecouldhearhimtearinguppapersofsomesort，andabrighterandquiveringrayoflightcomingfromthethresholdaninstantlater，impliedthathewasburningthem。Bytheslightnoiseofhisfootstepsontheuncarpetedfloor，sheatlengthimaginedthathewasapproachingthedoor。Sheflittedupstairsagainandcreptintobed。
Manstonreturnedtothebedroomcloseuponherheels，andenteredit——againwithoutalight。Standingmotionlessforaninstanttoassurehimselfthatshestillslept，hewenttothedrawerinwhichtheirready-moneywaskept，andremovedthecasketthatcontainedit。Anne\'seardistinctlycaughttherustleofnotes，andthechinkofthegoldashehandledit。Someheplacedinhispocket，somehereturnedtoitsplace。Hestoodthinking，asitwereweighingapossibility。Whilelingeringthus，henoticedthereflectedimageofhisownfaceintheglass——paleandspectre-likeinitsindistinctness。Thesightseemedtobethefeatherwhichturnedthebalanceofindecision：hedrewaheavybreath，retiredfromtheroom，andpasseddownstairs。Sheheardhimunbartheback-door，andgooutintotheyard。
Feelingsafeinaconclusionthathedidnotintendtoreturntothebedroomagain，shearose，andhastilydressedherself。Ongoingtothedooroftheapartmentshefoundthathehadlockeditbehindhim。\'Aprecaution——itcanbenomore，\'shemuttered。Yetshewasallthemoreperplexedandexcitedonthisaccount。Hadhebeengoingtoleavehomeimmediately，hewouldscarcelyhavetakenthetroubletolockherin，holdingthebeliefthatshewasinadruggedsleep。Thelockshotintoamortice，sothattherewasnopossibilityofherpushingbackthebolt。Howshouldshefollowhim？Easily。Aninnerclosetopenedfromthebedroom：itwaslarge，andhadsometimeheretoforebeenusedasadressingorbathroom，buthadbeenfoundinconvenientfromhavingnootheroutlettothelanding。Thewindowofthislittleroomlookedoutupontheroofoftheporch，whichwasflatandcoveredwithlead。Annetookapillowfromthebed，gentlyopenedthecasementoftheinnerroomandsteppedforthontheflat。There，leaningovertheedgeofthesmallparapetthatornamentedtheporch，shedroppedthepillowuponthegravelpath，andletherselfdownovertheparapetbyherhandstillhertoesswungabouttwofeetfromtheground。Fromthispositionsheadroitlyalighteduponthepillow，andstoodinthepath。
Sinceshehadcomeindoorsfromherwalkintheearlypartoftheeveningthemoonhadrisen。Butthethickcloudsoverspreadingthewholelandscaperenderedthedimlightpervasiveandgrey：itappearedasanattributeoftheair。Annecreptroundtothebackofthehouse，listeningintently。Thestewardhadhadatleasttenminutes\'startofher。Shehadwaitedherewhilstonemightcountfifty，whensheheardamovementintheouthouse——afragmentonceattachedtothemainbuilding。Thisouthousewaspartitionedintoanouterandaninnerroom，whichhadbeenakitchenandascullerybeforetheconnectingerectionswerepulleddown，buttheywerenowusedrespectivelyasabrewhouseandworkshop，theonlymeansofaccesstothelatterbeingthroughthebrewhouse。Theouterdoorofthisfirstapartmentwasusuallyfastenedbyapadlockontheexterior。Itwasnowclosed，butnotfastened。Manstonwasevidentlyintheouthouse。
Sheslightlymovedthedoor。Theinteriorofthebrewhousewaswrappedingloom，butastreakoflightfelltowardsherinalineacrossthefloorfromtheinnerorworkshopdoor，whichwasnotquiteclosed。Thislightwasunexpected，nonehavingbeenvisiblethroughholeorcrevice。Glancingin，thewomanfoundthathehadplacedclothsandmatsatthevariousapertures，andhungasackatthewindowtopreventtheegressofasingleray。Shecouldalsoperceivefromwhereshestoodthatthebaroflightfellacrossthebrewing-copperjustoutsidetheinnerdoor，andthatuponitlaythekeyofherbedroom。Theilluminatedinterioroftheworkshopwasalsopartlyvisiblefromherpositionthroughthetwohalf-opendoors。Manstonwasengagedinemptyingalargecupboardofthetools，gallipots，andoldironitcontained。Whenitwasquiteclearedhetookachisel，andwithitbegantowithdrawthehooksandshoulder-nailsholdingthecupboardtothewall。Allthesebeingloosened，heextendedhisarms，liftedthecupboardbodilyfromthebracketsunderit，anddepositeditonthefloorbesidehim。
Thatportionofthewallwhichhadbeenscreenedbythecupboardwasnowlaidbare。This，itappeared，hadbeenplasteredmorerecentlythanthebulkoftheouthouse。Manstonloosenedtheplasterwithsomekindoftool，flingingthepiecesintoabasketastheyfell。
Havingnowstrippedclearabouttwofeetareaofwall，heinsertedacrowbarbetweenthejointsofthebricksbeneath，softlywrigglingituntilseveralwereloosened。Therewasnowdisclosedthemouthofanoldoven，whichwasapparentlycontrivedinthethicknessofthewall，andhavingfallenintodisuse，hadbeenclosedupwithbricksinthismanner。Itwasformedafterthesimpleold-fashionedplanofoven-building——amereoblatecavitywithoutaflue。
Manstonnowstretchedhisarmintotheoven，draggedforthaheavyweightofgreatbulk，andletitslidetotheground。Thewomanwhowatchedhimcouldseetheobjectplainly。Itwasacommoncorn-
sack，nearlyfull，andwastiedatthemouthintheusualway。
Thestewardhadonceortwicestartedup，asifhehadheardsounds，andhismotionsnowbecamemorecat-likestill。Onasuddenheputoutthelight。Annehadmadenonoise，yetaforeignnoiseofsomekindhadcertainlybeenmadeintheinterveningportionofthehouse。Sheheardit。\'Oneoftherats，\'shethought。
Heseemedsoontorecoverfromhisalarm，butchangedhistacticscompletely。Hedidnotlighthiscandle——goingonwithhisworkinthedark。Shehadonlysoundstogobynow，and，judgingaswellasshecouldfromthese，hewaspilingupthebrickswhichclosedtheoven\'smouthastheyhadbeenbeforehedisturbedthem。Thequerythathadnotleftherbrainalltheintervalofherinspection——howshouldshegetbackintoherbedroomagain？——nowreceivedasolution。Whilsthewasreplacingthecupboard，shewouldglideacrossthebrewhouse，takethekeyfromthetopofthecopper，runupstairs，unlockthedoor，andbringbackthekeyagain：ifhereturnedtobed，whichwasunlikely，hewouldthinkthelockhadfailedtocatchinthestaple。Thisthoughtandintention，occupyingsuchlengthofwords，flasheduponherinaninstant，andhardlydisturbedherstrongcuriositytostayandlearnthemeaningofhisactionsintheworkshop。
Slippingsidewaysthroughthefirstdoorandclosingitbehindher，sheadvancedintothedarknesstowardsthesecond，makingeveryindividualfootfallwiththegreatestcare，lestthefragmentsofrubbishonthefloorshouldcracklebeneathhertread。Shesoonstoodclosebythecopper，andnotmorethanafootfromthedooroftheroomoccupiedbyManstonhimself，fromwhichpositionshecoulddistinctlyhearhimbreathebetweeneachexertion，althoughitwasfartoodarktodiscernanythingofhim。
Tosecurethekeyofherchamberwasherfirstanxiety，andaccordinglyshecautiouslyreachedoutwithherhandtowhereitlay。Insteadoftouchingit，herfingerscameincontactwiththebootofahumanbeing。
Shedroopedfaintinacoldsweat。Itwasthefooteitherofamanorwoman，standingonthebrewing-copperwherethekeyhadlain。A
warmfoot，coveredwithapolishedboot。
Thestartlingdiscoverysoterrifiedherthatshecouldhardlyrepressasound。Shewithdrewherhandwithamotionliketheflightofanarrow。Hertouchwassolightthattheleatherseemedtohavebeenthickenoughtokeeptheownerofthefootinentireignoranceofit，andthenoiseofManston\'sscrapingmighthavebeenquitesufficienttodrowntheslightrustleofherdress。
Thepersonwasobviouslynotthesteward：hewasstillbusy。Itwassomebodywho，sincethelighthadbeenextinguished，hadtakenadvantageofthegloom，tocomefromsomedarkrecessinthebrewhouseandstanduponthebrickworkofthecopper。Thefearwhichhadatfirstparalyzedherlessenedwiththebirthofasensethatfearnowwasutterfailure：shewasinadesperatepositionandmustabidebytheconsequences。Themotionlesspersononthecopperwas，equallywithManston，quiteunconsciousofherproximity，andsheventuredtoadvanceherhandagain，feelingbehindthefeet，tillshefoundthekey。Onitsreturntoherside，herfinger-tipskimmedthelowervergeofatrousers-leg。
Itwasaman，then，whostoodthere。Togotothedoorjustatthistimewasimpolitic，andsheshrankbackintoaninnercornertowait。Thecomparativesecurityfromdiscoverythathernewpositionensuredresuscitatedreasonalittle，andempoweredhertoformsomelogicalinferences：——
1。Themanwhostoodonthecopperhadtakenadvantageofthedarknesstogetthere，asshehadtoenter。
2。Themanmusthavebeenhiddenintheouthousebeforeshehadreachedthedoor。
3。HemustbewatchingManstonwithmuchcalculationandsystem，andforpurposesofhisown。
ShecouldnowtellbythenoisesthatManstonhadcompletedhisre-
erectionofthecupboard。Sheheardhimreplacingthearticlesithadcontained——bottlebybottle，toolbytool——afterwhichhecameintothebrewhouse，wenttothewindow，andpulleddowntheclothscoveringit；butthewindowbeingrathersmall，thisunveilingscarcelyrelievedthedarknessoftheinterior。Hereturnedtotheworkshop，hoistedsomethingtohisbackbyajerk，andfeltabouttheroomforsomeotherarticle。Havingfoundit，heemergedfromtheinnerdoor，crossedthebrewhouse，andwentintotheyard。
Directlyhesteppedoutshecouldseehisoutlinebythelightofthecloudedandweaklymoon。Thesackwasslungathisback，andinhishandhecarriedaspade。
Annenowwaitedinhercornerinbreathlesssuspensefortheproceedingsoftheotherman。Inabouthalf-a-minutesheheardhimdescendfromthecopper，andthenthesquareopeningofthedoorwayshowedtheoutlineofthisotherwatcherpassingthroughitlikewise。Theformwasthatofabroad-shoulderedmanenvelopedinalongcoat。Hevanishedafterthesteward。
Thewomanventedasighofrelief，andmovedforwardtofollow。
Simultaneously，shediscoveredthatthewatcherwhosefootshehadtouchedwas，inhisturn，watchedandfollowedalso。
Itwasbyoneofherownsex。AnneSeawayshrankbackwardagain。
Theunknownwomancameforwardfromthefurthersideoftheyard，andponderedawhileinhesitation。Tall，dark，andcloselywrapped，shestoodupfromtheearthlikeacypress。Shemoved，crossedtheyardwithoutproducingtheslightestdisturbancebyherfootsteps，andwentinthedirectiontheothershadtaken。
Annewaitedyetanotherminute——theninherturnnoiselesslyfollowedthelastwoman。
Butsoimpressedwasshewiththesensationofpeopleinhiding，thatincomingoutoftheyardsheturnedherheadtoseeifanypersonwerefollowingher，inthesameway。Nobodywasvisible，butshediscerned，standingbehindtheangleofthestable，Manston\'shorseandgig，readyharnessed。
Hedidintendtoflyafterall，then，shethought。Hemusthaveplacedthehorseinreadiness，intheintervalbetweenhisleavingthehouseandherexitbythewindow。However，therewasnottimetoweighthisbranchofthenight\'sevents。Sheturnedaboutagain，andcontinuedonthetrailoftheotherthree。
6。FROMMIDNIGHTTOHALF-PASTONEA。M。
Intentnesspervadedeverything；Nightherselfseemedtohavebecomeawatcher。
Thefourpersonsproceededacrosstheglade，andintotheparkplantation，atequi-distancesofaboutseventyyards。Heretheground，completelyoverhungbythefoliage，wascoatedwithathickmosswhichwasassoftasvelvetbeneaththeirfeet。Thefirstwatcher，thatis，themanwalkingimmediatelybehindManston，nowfellback，whenManston\'shousekeeper，knowingthegroundprettywell，divedcircuitouslyamongthetreesandgotdirectlybehindthesteward，who，encumberedwithhisload，hadproceededbutslowly。
TheotherwomanseemednowtobeaboutoppositetoAnne，oralittleinadvance，butonManston\'sotherhand。
Hereachedapit，midwaybetweenthewaterfallandtheengine-house。
Therehestopped，wipedhisface，andlistened。
Intothispithaddrifteduncountedgenerationsofwitheredleaves，halffillingit。Oak，beech，andchestnut，rottenandbrownalike，mingledthemselvesinonefibrousmass。Manstondescendedintothemidstofthem，placedhissackontheground，andrakingtheleavesasideintoalargeheap，begandigging。Annesoftlydrewnearer，creptintoabush，andturningherheadtosurveytherest，missedthemanwhohaddroppedbehind，andwhomwehavecalledthefirstwatcher。Concludingthathe，too，hadhiddenhimself，sheturnedherattentiontothesecondwatcher，theotherwoman，whohadmeanwhileadvancedneartowhereAnnelayinhiding，andnowseatedherselfbehindatree，stillclosertothestewardthanwasAnneSeaway。
HereandthusAnneremainedconcealed。Thecrunchofthesteward\'sspade，asitcutintothesoftvegetablemould，wasplainlyperceptibletoherearswhentheperiodiccessationsbetweenthecreaksoftheengineconcurredwithalullinthebreeze，whichotherwisebroughtthesubduedroarofthecascadefromthefurthersideofthebankthatscreenedit。Alargehole——somefourorfivefeetdeep——hadbeenexcavatedbyManstoninabouttwentyminutes。
Intothisheimmediatelyplacedthesack，andthenbeganfillingintheearth，andtreadingitdown。Lastlyhecarefullyrakedthewholemassofdeadanddryleavesintothemiddleofthepit，buryingthegroundwiththemastheyhadburieditbefore。
Forahiding-placethespotwasunequalled。Thethickaccumulationofleaves，whichhadnotbeendisturbedforcenturies，mightnotbedisturbedagainforcenturiestocome，whilsttheirlowerlayersstilldecayedandaddedtothemouldbeneath。
Bythetimethisworkwasendedtheskyhadgrownclearer，andAnnecouldnowseedistinctlythefaceoftheotherwoman，stretchingfrombehindthetree，seeminglyforgetfulofherpositioninherintensecontemplationoftheactionsofthesteward。Hercountenancewaswhiteandmotionless。
ItwasimpossiblethatManstonshouldnotsoonnoticeher。Atthecompletionofhislabourheturned，anddidso。
\'Ho——youhere！\'heexclaimed。
\'Don\'tthinkIamaspyuponyou，\'shesaid，inanimploringwhisper。AnnerecognizedthevoiceasMissAldclyffe\'s。
Thetremblingladyaddedhastilyanotherremark，whichwasdrownedintherecurringcreakoftheenginecloseathandThefirstwatcher，ifhehadcomenonearerthanhisoriginalposition，wastoofarofftohearanypartofthisdialogue，onaccountoftheroarofthefallingwater，whichcouldreachhimunimpededbythebank。
TheremarkofMissAldclyffetoManstonhadplainlybeenconcerningthefirstwatcher，forManston，withhisspadeinhishand，instantlyrushedtowherethemanwasconcealed，and，beforethelattercoulddisengagehimselffromtheboughs，thestewardstruckhimontheheadwiththebladeoftheinstrument。Themanfelltotheground。
\'Fly！\'saidMissAldclyffetoManston。Manstonvanishedamidstthetrees。MissAldclyffewentoffinacontrarydirection。
AnneSeawaywasabouttorunawaylikewise，whensheturnedandlookedatthefallenman。Helayonhisface，motionless。
Manyofthesewomenwhoowntonomoralcodeshowconsiderablemagnanimitywhentheyseepeopleintrouble。Toactrightsimplybecauseitisone\'sdutyisproper；butagoodactionwhichistheresultofnolawofreflectionshinesmorethanany。Shewentuptohimandgentlyturnedhimover，uponwhichhebegantoshowsignsoflife。Byherassistancehewassoonabletostandupright。
Helookedabouthimwithabewilderedair，endeavouringtocollecthisideas。\'Whoareyou？\'hesaidtothewoman，mechanically。
Itwasbadpolicynowtoattemptdisguise。\'IamthesupposedMrs。
Manston，\'shesaid。\'Whoareyou？\'
\'IamtheofficeremployedbyMr。Raunhamtosiftthismystery——
whichmaybecriminal。\'Hestretchedhislimbs，pressedhishead，andseemedgraduallytoawaketoasenseofhavingbeenincautiousinhisutterance。\'NeveryoumindwhoIam，\'hecontinued。\'Well，itdoesn\'tmatternow，either——itwillnolongerbeasecret。\'
Hestoopedforhishatandraninthedirectionthestewardhadtaken——comingbackagainafterthelapseofaminute。
\'It\'sonlyanaggravatedassault，afterall，\'hesaidhastily，\'untilwehavefoundoutforcertainwhat\'sburiedhere。Itmaybeonlyabagofbuildingrubbish；butitmaybemore。Comeandhelpmedig。\'Heseizedthespadewiththeawkwardnessofatownman，andwentintothepit，continuingamuttereddiscourse。\'It\'snousemyrunningafterhimsingle-handed，\'hesaid。\'He\'seversofaroffbythistime。Thebeststepistoseewhatishere。\'
Itwasfareasierforthedetectivetore-opentheholethanithadbeenforManstontoformit。Theleaveswererakedaway，theloamthrownout，andthesackdraggedforth。
\'Holdthis，\'hesaidtoAnne，whosecuriositystillkeptherstandingnear。Heturnedonthelightofadarklanternhehadbrought，andgaveitintoherhand。
Thestringwhichboundthemouthofthesackwasnowcut。Theofficerlaidthebagonitsside，seizeditbythebottom，andjerkedforththecontents。Alargepackagewasdisclosed，carefullywrappedupinimpervioustarpaulin，alsowelltied。Hewasonthepointofpullingopenthefoldsatoneend，whenalightcolouredthreadofsomething，hangingontheoutside，arrestedhiseye。Heputhishanduponit；itfeltstringy，andadheredtohisfingers。
\'Holdthelightclose，\'hesaid。
Shehelditclose。Heraisedhishandtotheglass，andtheybothpeeredatanalmostintangiblefilamentheheldbetweenhisfingerandthumb。Itwasalonghair；thehairofawoman。
\'God！Icouldn\'tbelieveit——no，Icouldn\'tbelieveit！\'thedetectivewhispered，horror-struck。\'AndIhavelostthemanforthepresentthroughmyunbelief。Let\'sgetintoashelteredplace……NowwaitaminutewhilstIproveit。\'
Hethrusthishandintohiswaistcoatpocket，andwithdrewthenceaminutepacketofbrownpaper。Spreadingitouthedisclosed，coiledinthemiddle，anotherlonghair。Itwasthehairtheclerk\'swifehadfoundonManston\'spillowninedaysbeforetheCarrifordfire。
Heheldthetwohairstothelight：theywerebothofapale-brownhue。Helaidthemparallelandstretchedouthisarms：theywereofthesamelengthtoanicety。ThedetectiveturnedtoAnne。
\'Itisthebodyofhisfirstwife，\'hesaidquietly。\'Hemurderedher，asMr。Springroveandtherectorsuspected——buthowandwhen，Godonlyknows。\'
\'AndI！\'exclaimedAnneSeaway，aprobableandnaturalsequenceofeventsandmotivesexplanatoryofthewholecrime——eventsandmotivesshadowedforthbytheletter，Manston\'spossessionofit，hisrenunciationofCytherea，andinstalmentofherself——flashinguponhermindwiththerapidityoflightning。
\'Ah——Isee，\'saidthedetective，standingunusuallyclosetoher：
andahandcuffwasonherwrist。\'Youmustcomewithme，madam。
KnowingasmuchaboutasecretmurderasGodknowsisaverysuspiciousthing：itdoesn\'tmakeyouagoddess——farfromit。\'Hedirectedthebull\'s-eyeintoherface。
\'Pooh——leadon，\'shesaidscornfully，\'anddon\'tloseyourprincipalactorforthesakeoftorturingapoorsubordinatelikeme。\'
Heloosenedherhand，gaveherhisarm，anddraggedheroutofthegrove——makingherrunbesidehimtilltheyhadreachedtherectory。
Alightwasburninghere，andanauxiliaryofthedetective\'sawaitinghim：ahorsereadyharnessedtoaspring-cartwasstandingoutside。
\'Youhavecome——IwishIhadknownthat，\'thedetectivesaidtohisassistant，hurriedlyandangrily。\'Well，we\'veblundered——he\'sgone——youshouldhavebeenhere，asIsaid！Iwassoldbythatwoman，MissAldclyffe——shewatchedme。\'Hehastilygavedirectionsinanundertonetothisman。Theconcludingwordswere，\'Gointotherector——he\'sup。DetainMissAldclyffe。I，inthemeantime，amdrivingtoCasterbridgewiththisone，andforhelp。Weshallbesuretohavehimwhenitgetslight。\'
HeassistedAnneintothevehicle，anddroveoffwithher。Astheywent，theclear，dryroadshowedbeforethem，betweenthegrassyquartersateachside，likeawhiteriband，andmadetheirprogresseasy。Theycametoaspotwherethehighwaywasoverhungbydensefirsforsomedistanceonbothsides。Itwastotallydarkhere。
Therewasasmash；andarudeshock。Intheverymidstofitslength，atthepointwheretheroadbegantodropdownahill，thedetectivedroveagainstsomethingwithajerkwhichnearlyflungthembothtotheground。
Themanrecoveredhimself，placedAnneontheseat，andreachedouthishand。Hefoundthattheoff-wheelofhisgigwaslockedinthatofanotherconveyanceofsomekind。
\'Hoy！\'saidtheofficer。
Nobodyanswered。
\'Hoy，youmanasleepthere！\'hesaidagain。
Noreply。
\'Well，that\'sodd——thiscomesofthefollyoftravellingwithoutgig-lampsbecauseyouexpectthedawn。\'Hejumpedtothegroundandturnedonhislantern。
Therewasthegigwhichhadobstructedhim，standinginthemiddleoftheroad；ajadedhorseharnessedtoit，butnohumanbeinginornearthevehicle。
\'Doyouknowwhosegigthisis？\'hesaidtothewoman。
\'No，\'shesaidsullenly。Butshedidrecognizeitasthesteward\'s。
\'I\'llswearit\'sManston\'s！Come，Icanhearitbyyourtone。
However，youneedn\'tsayanythingwhichmaycriminateyou。Whatforethoughtthemanmusthavehad——howcarefullyhemusthaveconsideredpossiblecontingencies！Why，hemusthavegotthehorseandgigreadybeforehebeganshiftingthebody。\'
Helistenedforasoundamongthetrees。Nonewastobeheardbuttheoccasionalscamperofarabbitoverthewitheredleaves。Hethrewthelightofhislanternthroughagapinthehedge，butcouldseenothingbeyondanimpenetrablethicket。ItwasclearthatManstonwasnotmanyyardsoff，butthequestionwashowtofindhim。Nothingcouldbedonebythedetectivejustthen，encumberedashewasbythehorseandAnne。Ifhehadenteredthethicketonasearchunaided，Manstonmighthavesteppedunobservedfrombehindabushandmurderedhimwiththegreatestease。Indeed，thereweresuchstrongreasonsfortheexploitinManston\'scircumstancesatthatmomentthatwithoutshowingcowardice，hispursuerfeltithazardoustoremainanylongerwherehestood。
HehastilytiedtheheadofManston\'shorsetothebackofhisownvehicle，thatthestewardmightbedeprivedoftheuseofanymeansofescapeotherthanhisownlegs，anddroveonthuswithhisprisonertothecounty-town。Arrivedthere，helodgedherinthepolice-station，andthentookimmediatestepsforthecaptureofManston。
XX。THEEVENTSOFTHREEHOURS
1。MARCHTHETWENTY-THIRD。MIDDAY
Thirty-sixhourshadelapsedsinceManston\'sescape。
Itwasmarket-dayatthecounty-town。Thefarmersoutsideandinsidethecorn-exchangelookedattheirsamplesofwheat，andpouredthemcriticallyasusualfromonepalmtoanother，buttheythoughtandspokeofManston。Grocersservingbehindtheircounters，insteadofusingtheirconstantphrase，\'Thenextarticle，please？\'substituted，\'Haveyouheardifhe\'scaught？\'Dairymenanddroversstandingbesidethesheepandcattlepens，spreadtheirlegsfirmly，readjustedtheirhats，thrusttheirhandsintothelowestdepthsoftheirpockets，regardedtheanimalswiththeutmostkeennessofwhichtheeyewascapable，andsaid，\'Ay，ay，so\'s：
they\'llhavehimavorenight。\'
LaterinthedayEdwardSpringrovepassedalongthestreethurriedlyandanxiously。\'Well，haveyouheardanymore？\'hesaidtoanacquaintancewhoaccostedhim。
\'Theytrackedhiminthisway，\'saidtheotheryoungman。\'A
vagrantfirsttoldthemthatManstonhadpassedarickatdaybreak，underwhichthismanwaslying。Theyfollowedthetrackhepointedoutandultimatelycametoastile。Ontheothersidewasaheapofhalf-hardenedmud，scrapedfromtheroad。Onthesurfaceoftheheap，whereithadbeensmoothedbytheshovel，wasdistinctlyimprintedtheformofaman\'shand，thebuttonsofhiswaistcoat，andhiswatch-chain，showingthathehadstumbledinhurryingoverthestile，andfallenthere。ThepatternofthechainprovedthemantohavebeenManston。Theyfollowedontilltheyreachedafordcrossedbystepping-stones——onthefurtherbankwerethesamefootmarksthathadshownthemselvesbesidethestile。ThewholeofthiscoursehadbeeninthedirectionofBudmouth。Ontheywent，andthenextcluewasfurnishedthembyashepherd。Hesaidthatwhereveraclearspacethreeorfouryardswideraninalinethroughaflockofsheeplyingaboutaewe-lease，itwasaproofthatsomebodyhadpassedtherenotmorethanhalf-an-hourearlier。
Attwelveo\'clockthatdayhehadnoticedsuchafeatureinhisflock。Nothingmorecouldbeheardofhim，andtheygotintoBudmouth。Thesteam-packettotheChannelIslandswastostartatelevenlastnight，andtheyatonceconcludedthathishopewastogettoFrancebywayofJerseyandSt。Malo——hisonlychance，alltherailway-stationsbeingwatched。
\'Well，theywenttotheboat：hewasnotonboardthen。Theywentagainathalf-pastten：hehadnotcome。Twomennowplacedthemselvesunderthelampimmediatelybesidethegangway。Anotherstayedbytheofficedoor，andoneortwomoreupMaryStreet——thestraightcuttothequay。Ataquartertoeleventhemail-bagswereputonboard。Whilsttheattentionoftheidlerswasdirectedtothemails，downMaryStreetcameamanasboldlyaspossible。ThegaitwasManston\'s，butnottheclothes。Hepassedovertotheshadedpartofthestreet：headswereturned。Isupposethiswarnedhim，forheneveremergedfromtheshadow。Theywatchedandwaited，butthestewarddidnotreappear。Thealarmwasraised——
theysearchedthetownhighandlow——noManston。Allthismorningtheyhavebeensearching，butthere\'snotasignofhimanywhere。
However，hehaslosthislastchanceofgettingacrosstheChannel。
Itisreportedthathehassincechangedclotheswithalabourer。\'
Duringthisnarration，Edward，lostinthought，hadlethiseyesfollowashabbymaninasmock-frock，butwearinglightboots——whowasstalkingdownthestreetunderabundleofstrawwhichoverhungandconcealedhishead。Itwasaveryordinarycircumstanceforamanwithabundleofstrawonhisshouldersandoverhanginghishead，togodowntheHighStreet。Edwardsawhimcrossthebridgewhichdividedthetownfromthecountry，placehisshaggyencumbrancebythesideoftheroad，andleaveitthere。
Springrovenowpartedfromhisacquaintance，andwentalsointhedirectionofthebridge，andsomewaybeyondit。Asfarashecouldseestretchedtheturnpikeroad，and，whilehewaslooking，henoticedamantoleapfromthehedgeatapointtwohundred，ortwohundredandfiftyyardsahead，crosstheroad，andgothroughawicketontheotherside。Thisfigureseemedlikethatofthemanwhohadbeencarryingthebundleofstraw。Helookedatthestraw：
itstillstoodalone。
Thesubjoinedfactssprang，asitwere，intojuxtapositioninhisbrain：——
Manstonhadbeenseenwearingtheclothesofalabouringman——abrownsmock-frock。Sohadthisman，whoseemedotherthanalabourer，onsecondthoughts：andhehadconcealedhisfacebyhisbundleofstrawwiththegreatesteaseandnaturalness。
Thepaththemanhadtakenled，amongotherplaces，toTolchurch，whereCythereawasliving。
IfMrs。Manstonwasmurdered，assomesaid，onthenightofthefire，Cythereawasthesteward\'slawfulwife。Manstonatbay，andrecklessofresults，mightrushtohiswifeandharmher。
ItwasahorriblesuppositionforamanwholovedCythereatoentertain；butSpringrovecouldnotresistitsinfluence。HestartedoffforTolchurch。
2。ONETOTWOO\'CLOCKP。M。
Onthatself-samemid-day，whilstEdwardwasproceedingtoTolchurchbythefootpathacrossthefields，OwenGrayehadleftthevillageandwasridingalongtheturnpikeroadtothecounty-town，thathemightascertaintheexacttruthofthestrangerumourwhichhadreachedhimconcerningManston。Nottodisquiethissister，hehadsaidnothingtoherofthematter。
Shesatbythewindowreading。Fromherpositionshecouldseeupthelaneforadistanceofatleastahundredyards。Passers-byweresorareinthisretirednook，thattheeyesofthosewhodweltbythewaysidewereinvariablyliftedtoeveryoneontheroad，greatandsmall，astoanovelty。
Amaninabrownsmock-frockturnedthecornerandcametowardsthehouse。Itbeingmarket-dayatCasterbridge，thevillagewasnearlydeserted，andmorethanthis，theoldfarm-houseinwhichOwenandhissisterwerestaying，stood，ashasbeenstated，apartfromthebodyofcottages。Themandidnotlookrespectable；Cythereaaroseandboltedthedoor。
Unfortunatelyhewasnearenoughtoseehercrosstheroom。Headvancedtothedoor，knocked，and，receivingnoanswer，cametothewindow；henextpressedhisfaceagainsttheglass，peeringin。
Cytherea\'sexperienceatthatmomentwasprobablyastryingaoneaseverfelltothelotofagentlewomantoendure。Sherecognizedinthepeeringfacethatofthemanshehadmarried。
Butnotamovementwasmadebyher，notasoundescapedher。Herfearwasgreat；buthadsheknownthetruth——thatthemanoutside，feelinghehadnothingonearthtolosebyanyact，wasinthelaststageofrecklessness，terrifiednaturemusthavegivenway。
\'Cytherea，\'hesaid，\'letmecomein：Iamyourhusband。\'
\'No，\'shereplied，stillnotrealizingthemagnitudeofherperil。
\'Ifyouwanttospeaktous，waittillmybrothercomes。\'
\'O，he\'snotathome？Cytherea，Ican\'tlivewithoutyou！AllmysinhasbeenbecauseIloveyouso！Willyouflywithme？Ihavemoneyenoughforusboth——onlycomewithme。\'
\'Notnow——notnow。\'
\'Iamyourhusband，Itellyou，andImustcomein。\'
\'Youcannot，\'shesaidfaintly。Hiswordsbegantoterrifyher。
\'Iwill，Isay！\'heexclaimed。\'Willyouletmein，Iaskoncemore？\'
\'No——Iwillnot，\'saidCytherea。
\'ThenIwillletmyselfin！\'heansweredresolutely。\'Iwill，ifI
dieforit！\'
Thewindowswereglazedinlatticepanesofleadwork，hungincasements。Hebrokeoneofthepaneswithastone，thrusthishandthroughthehole，unfastenedthelatchwhichheldthecasementclose，andbeganopeningthewindow。
Instantlytheshuttersflewtogetherwithaslam，andwerebarredwithdesperatequicknessbyCythereaontheinside。
\'Damnyou！\'heexclaimed。
Heranroundtothebackofthehouse。Hisimpatiencewasgreaternow：hethrusthisfistthroughthepantrywindowatoneblow，andopeneditinthesamewayastheformeronehadbeenopened，beforetheterror-strickengirlwasawarethathehadgoneround。Inaninstanthestoodinthepantry，advancedtothefrontroomwhereshewas，flungbacktheshutters，andheldouthisarmstoembraceher。
Inextremelytryingmomentsofbodilyormentalpain，Cythereaeitherflushedhotorfadedpale，accordingtothestateofherconstitutionatthemoment。Nowsheburnedlikefirefromheadtofoot，andthispreservedherconsciousness。
Neverbeforehadthepoorchild\'snaturalagilityservedherinsuchgoodsteadasnow。Aheavyoblongtablestoodinthemiddleoftheroom。Roundthistablesheflew，keepingitbetweenherselfandManston，herlargeeyeswideopenwithterror，theirdilatedpupilsconstantlyfixeduponManston\'s，toreadbyhisexpressionwhetherhisnextintentionwastodarttotherightortheleft。
Evenhe，atthatheatedmoment，couldnotenduretheexpressionofunutterableagonywhichshonefromthatextraordinarygazeofhers。
IthadsurelybeengivenherbyGodasameansofdefence。Manstoncontinuedhispursuitwithaloweredeye。
Thepantingandmaddeneddesperado——blindtoeverythingbutthecaptureofhiswife——wentwitharushunderthetable：shewentoveritlikeabird。Hewentheavilyoverit：sheflewunderit，andwasoutattheotherside。
\'Oneonheryouthandpliantlimbsrelies，Oneonhissinewsandhisgiantsize。\'
Buthissuperiorstrengthwassuretotireherdowninthelong-run。
Shefeltherweaknessincreasingwiththequicknessofherbreath；
sheutteredawildscream，whichinitsheartrendingintensityseemedtoechoformiles。
Atthesamejunctureherhairbecameunfastened，androlleddownabouthershoulders。Theleastaccidentatsuchcriticalperiodsissufficienttoconfusetheoverwroughtintelligence。Shelostsightofhisintendeddirectionforoneinstant，andheimmediatelyoutmanoeuvredher。
\'Atlast！myCytherea！\'hecried，overturningthetable，springingoverit，seizingoneofthelongbrowntresses，pullinghertowardshim，andclaspingherround。Shewritheddownwardsbetweenhisarmsandbreast，andfellfaintingonthefloor。Forthefirsttimehisactionwasleisurely。Heliftedheruponthesofa，exclaiming，\'Restthereforawhile，myfrightenedlittlebird！\'
Andthentherewasanendofhistriumph。Hefelthimselfclutchedbythecollar，andwhizzedbackwardswiththeforceofabattering-
ramagainstthefireplace。Springrove，wild，red，andbreathless，hadsprunginattheopenwindow，andstoodoncemorebetweenmanandwife。
Manstonwasonhislegsagaininaninstant。Afieryglanceontheoneside，aglanceofpitilessjusticeontheother，passedbetweenthem。ItwasagainthemeetinginthevineyardofNaboththeJezreelite：\'Hastthoufoundme，Omineenemy？Andheanswered，I
havefoundthee：becausethouhastsoldthyselftoworkevilinthesightoftheLord。\'
Adesperatewrestlenowbeganbetweenthetwomen。Manstonwasthetaller，buttherewasinEdwardmuchhardtoughmusclewhichthedelicatefleshofthestewardlacked。Theyflewtogetherlikethejawsofagin。Inaminutetheywerebothonthefloor，rollingoverandover，lockedineachother\'sgraspastightlyasiftheyhadbeenoneorganicbeingatwarwithitself——EdwardtryingtosecureManston\'sarmswithasmallthonghehaddrawnfromhispocket，Manstontryingtoreachhisknife。
Twocharacteristicnoisespervadedtheapartmentthroughthismomentousspaceoftime。Onewasthesharppantingofthetwocombatants，sosimilarineachastobeundistinguishable；theotherwasthestrokeoftheirheelsandtoes，astheysmotethefloorateverycontortionofbodyorlimbs。
Cythereahadnotlostconsciousnessformorethanhalf-a-minute。
ShehadthenleaptupwithoutrecognizingthatEdwardwasherdeliverer，unfastenedthedoor，andrushedout，screamingwildly，\'Come！Help！O，help！\'
Threemenstoodnottwentyyardsoff，lookingperplexed。Theydashedforwardatherwords。\'Haveyouseenashabbymanwithasmock-frockonlately？\'theyinquired。Shepointedtothedoor，andranonthesameasbefore。
Manston，whohadjustloosenedhimselffromEdward\'sgrasp，seemedatthismomenttorenouncehisintentionofpushingtheconflicttoadesperateend。\'Igiveitallupforlife——dearlife！\'hecried，withahoarselaugh。\'Arecklessmanhasadozenlives——seehowI\'llbaffleyouallyet！\'
Herushedoutofthehouse，butnofurther。Theboastwashislast。
Inonehalf-minutemorehewashelplessinthehandsofhispursuers。
Edwardstaggeredtohisfeet，andpausedtorecoverbreath。HisthoughtshadneverforsakenCytherea，andhisfirstactnowwastohastenupthelaneafterher。Shehadnotgonefar。Hefoundherleaninguponabankbytheroadside，whereshehadflungherselfdowninsheerexhaustion。Heranupandliftedherinhisarms，andthusaidedshewasenabledtostandupright——clingingtohim。WhatwouldSpringrovehavegiventoimprintakissuponherlipsthen！
Theywalkedslowlytowardsthehouse。Thedistressingsensationofwhosewifeshewascouldnotentirelyquenchtheresuscitatedpleasurehefeltathergratefulrecognitionofhim，andherconfidingseizureofhisarmforsupport。Heconveyedhercarefullyintothehouse。
Aquarterofanhourlater，whilstshewassittinginapartiallyrecovered，half-dozingstateinanarm-chair，EdwardbesideherwaitinganxiouslytillGrayeshouldarrive，theysawaspring-cartpassthedoor。Oldanddrymud-splashesfromlong-forgottenrainsdisfigureditswheelsandsides；thevarnishandpainthadbeenscratchedanddimmed；ornamenthadlongbeenforgotteninarestlesscontemplationofuse。Threemensatontheseat，themiddleonebeingManston。Hishandswereboundinfrontofhim，hiseyesweresetdirectlyforward，hiscountenancepallid，hard，andfixed。
SpringrovehadtoldCythereaofManston\'scrimeinafewshortwords。Henowsaidsolemnly，\'Heistodie。\'
\'AndIcannotmournforhim，\'sherepliedwithashudder，leaningbackandcoveringherfacewithherhands。
Inthesilencethatfollowedthetwoshortremarks，Springrovewatchedthecartroundthecorner，andheardtherattleofitswheelsgraduallydyingawayasitrolledinthedirectionofthecounty-town。
