somuchso，indeed，thathefeltashamedofhismomentarysuspicion，anddroopedhisownwhenMrHaredalelookedtowardshim，asifhefearedtheywouldbetrayhisthoughts。
’Willyouwalkthroughthehouse？’saidMrHaredale，withaglancetowardsthewindow，thecrazyshuttersofwhichwereclosedandfastened。’Speaklow。’
Therewasakindofaweabouttheplace，whichwouldhaverendereditdifficulttospeakinanyothermanner。Gabrielwhispered’Yes，’andfollowedhimupstairs。
Everythingwasjustastheyhadseenitlast。Therewasasenseofclosenessfromtheexclusionoffreshair，andagloomandheavinessaround，asthoughlongimprisonmenthadmadetheverysilencesad。Thehomelyhangingsofthebedsandwindowshadbeguntodroop;thedustlaythickupontheirdwindlingfolds;anddampshadmadetheirwaythroughceiling，wall，andfloor。Theboardscreakedbeneaththeirtread，asifresentingtheunaccustomedintrusion;nimblespiders，paralysedbythetaper’sglare，checkedthemotionoftheirhundredlegsuponthewall，ordroppedlikelifelessthingsupontheground;thedeath-watchticked;andthescamperingfeetofratsandmicerattledbehindthewainscot。
Astheylookedaboutthemonthedecayingfurniture，itwasstrangetofindhowvividlyitpresentedthosetowhomithadbelonged，andwithwhomitwasoncefamiliar。Gripseemedtoperchagainuponhishigh-backedchair;Barnabytocrouchinhisoldfavouritecornerbythefire;themothertoresumeherusualseat，andwatchhimasofold。Evenwhentheycouldseparatetheseobjectsfromthephantomsofthemindwhichtheyinvoked，thelatteronlyglidedoutofsight，butlingerednearthemstill;forthentheyseemedtolurkinclosetsandbehindthedoors，readytostartoutandsuddenlyaccosttheminwell-rememberedtones。
Theywentdownstairs，andagainintotheroomtheyhadjustnowleft。MrHaredaleunbuckledhisswordandlaiditonthetable，withapairofpocketpistols;thentoldthelocksmithhewouldlighthimtothedoor。
’Butthisisadullplace，sir，’saidGabriellingering;’maynooneshareyourwatch？’
Heshookhishead，andsoplainlyevincedhiswishtobealone，thatGabrielcouldsaynomore。Inanothermomentthelocksmithwasstandinginthestreet，whencehecouldseethatthelightoncemoretravelledupstairs，andsoonreturningtotheroombelow，shonebrightlythroughthechinksoftheshutters。
Ifevermanweresorelypuzzledandperplexed，thelocksmithwas，thatnight。Evenwhensnuglyseatedbyhisownfireside，withMrsVardenoppositeinanightcapandnight-jacket，andDollybesidehim(inamostdistractingdishabille)curlingherhair，andsmilingasifshehadnevercriedinallherlifeandnevercould——
eventhen，withTobyathiselbowandhispipeinhismouth，andMiggs(butthatperhapswasnotmuch)fallingasleepinthebackground，hecouldnotquitediscardhiswonderanduneasiness。
Soinhisdreams——stilltherewasMrHaredale，haggardandcareworn，listeninginthesolitaryhousetoeverysoundthatstirred，withthetapershiningthroughthechinksuntilthedayshouldturnitpaleandendhislonelywatching。
Chapter43
Nextmorningbroughtnosatisfactiontothelocksmith’sthoughts，nornextday，northenext，normanyothers。Oftenafternightfallheenteredthestreet，andturnedhiseyestowardsthewell-knownhouse;andassurelyashedidso，therewasthesolitarylight，stillgleamingthroughthecrevicesofthewindow-shutter，whileallwithinwasmotionless，noiseless，cheerless，asagrave。
UnwillingtohazardMrHaredale’sfavourbydisobeyinghisstrictinjunction，heneverventuredtoknockatthedoorortomakehispresenceknowninanyway。Butwheneverstronginterestandcuriosityattractedhimtothespot——whichwasnotseldom——thelightwasalwaysthere。
Ifhecouldhaveknownwhatpassedwithin，theknowledgewouldhaveyieldedhimnocluetothismysteriousvigil。Attwilight，MrHaredaleshuthimselfup，andatdaybreakhecameforth。Henevermissedanight，alwayscameandwentalone，andnevervariedhisproceedingsintheleastdegree。
Themannerofhiswatchwasthis。Atdusk，heenteredthehouseinthesamewayaswhenthelocksmithborehimcompany，kindledalight，wentthroughtherooms，andnarrowlyexaminedthem。Thatdone，hereturnedtothechamberontheground-floor，andlayinghisswordandpistolsonthetable，satbyituntilmorning。
Heusuallyhadabookwithhim，andoftentriedtoread，butneverfixedhiseyesorthoughtsuponitforfiveminutestogether。Theslightestnoisewithoutdoors，caughthisear;astepuponthepavementseemedtomakehisheartleap。
Hewasnotwithoutsomerefreshmentduringthelonglonelyhours;
generallycarryinginhispocketasandwichofbreadandmeat，andasmallflaskofwine。Thelatterdilutedwithlargequantitiesofwater，hedrankinaheated，feverishway，asthoughhisthroatweredried;buthescarcelyeverbrokehisfast，bysomuchasacrumbofbread。
Ifthisvoluntarysacrificeofsleepandcomforthaditsorigin，asthelocksmithonconsiderationwasdisposedtothink，inanysuperstitiousexpectationofthefulfilmentofadreamorvisionconnectedwiththeeventonwhichhehadbroodedforsomanyyears，andifhewaitedforsomeghostlyvisitorwhowalkedabroadwhenmenlaysleepingintheirbeds，heshowednotraceoffearorwavering。Hissternfeaturesexpressedinflexibleresolution;hisbrowswerepuckered，andhislipscompressed，withdeepandsettledpurpose;andwhenhestartedatanoiseandlistened，itwasnotwiththestartoffearbuthope，andcatchinguphisswordasthoughthehourhadcomeatlast，hewouldclutchitinhistight-
clenchedhand，andlistenwithsparklingeyesandeagerlooks，untilitdiedaway。
Thesedisappointmentswerenumerous，fortheyensuedonalmosteverysound，buthisconstancywasnotshaken。Still，everynighthewasathispost，thesamestern，sleepless，sentinel;andstillnightpassed，andmorningdawned，andhemustwatchagain。
Thiswentonforweeks;hehadtakenalodgingatVauxhallinwhichtopassthedayandresthimself;andfromthisplace，whenthetideserved，heusuallycametoLondonBridgefromWestminsterbywater，inorderthathemightavoidthebusystreets。
Oneevening，shortlybeforetwilight，hecamehisaccustomedroadupontheriver’sbank，intendingtopassthroughWestminsterHallintoPalaceYard，andtheretakeboattoLondonBridgeasusual。
TherewasaprettylargeconcourseofpeopleassembledroundtheHousesofParliament，lookingatthemembersastheyenteredanddeparted，andgivingventtorathernoisydemonstrationsofapprovalordislike，accordingtotheirknownopinions。Ashemadehiswayamongthethrong，heheardonceortwicetheNo-Poperycry，whichwasthenbecomingprettyfamiliartotheearsofmostmen;
butholdingitinveryslightregard，andobservingthattheidlerswereofthelowestgrade，heneitherthoughtnorcaredaboutit，butmadehiswayalong，withperfectindifference。
ThereweremanylittleknotsandgroupsofpersonsinWestminsterHall:somefewlookingupwardatitsnobleceiling，andattheraysofeveninglight，tintedbythesettingsun，whichstreamedinaslantthroughitssmallwindows，andgrowingdimmerbydegrees，werequenchedinthegatheringgloombelow;some，noisypassengers，mechanicsgoinghomefromwork，andotherwise，whohurriedquicklythrough，wakingtheechoeswiththeirvoices，andsoondarkeningthesmalldoorinthedistance，astheypassedintothestreetbeyond;some，inbusyconferencetogetheronpoliticalorprivatematters，pacingslowlyupanddownwitheyesthatsoughttheground，andseeming，bytheirattitudes，tolistenearnestlyfromheadtofoot。Here，adozensquabblingurchinsmadeaveryBabelintheair;there，asolitaryman，halfclerk，halfmendicant，pacedupanddownwithhungrydejectioninhislookandgait;athiselbowpassedanerrand-lad，swinginghisbasketroundandround，andwithhisshrillwhistlerivingtheverytimbersoftheroof;whileamoreobservantschoolboy，half-waythrough，pocketedhisball，andeyedthedistantbeadleashecameloomingon。Itwasthattimeofeveningwhen，ifyoushutyoureyesandopenthemagain，thedarknessofanhourappearstohavegatheredinasecond。Thesmooth-wornpavement，dustywithfootsteps，stillcalledupontheloftywallstoreiteratetheshuffleandthetreadoffeetunceasingly，savewhentheclosingofsomeheavydoorresoundedthroughthebuildinglikeaclapofthunder，anddrownedallothernoisesinitsrollingsound。
MrHaredale，glancingonlyatsuchofthesegroupsashepassednearestto，andtheninamannerbetokeningthathisthoughtswereelsewhere，hadnearlytraversedtheHall，whentwopersonsbeforehimcaughthisattention。Oneofthese，agentlemaninelegantattire，carriedinhishandacane，whichhetwirledinajauntymannerasheloiteredon;theother，anobsequious，crouching，fawningfigure，listenedtowhathesaid——attimesthrowinginahumblewordhimself——and，withhisshouldersshruggeduptohisears，rubbedhishandssubmissively，oransweredatintervalsbyaninclinationofthehead，half-waybetweenanodofacquiescence，andabowofmostprofoundrespect。
Intheabstracttherewasnothingveryremarkableinthispair，forservilitywaitingonahandsomesuitofclothesandacane——nottospeakofgoldandsilversticks，orwandsofoffice——iscommonenough。Buttherewasthataboutthewell-dressedman，yes，andabouttheotherlikewise，whichstruckMrHaredalewithnopleasantfeeling。Hehesitated，stopped，andwouldhavesteppedasideandturnedoutofhispath，butatthemoment，theothertwofacedaboutquickly，andstumbleduponhimbeforehecouldavoidthem。
Thegentlemanwiththecaneliftedhishatandhadbeguntotenderanapology，whichMrHaredalehadbegunashastilytoacknowledgeandwalkaway，whenhestoppedshortandcried，’Haredale！Gadblessme，thisisstrangeindeed！’
’Itis，’hereturnedimpatiently;’yes——a——’
’Mydearfriend，’criedtheother，detaininghim，’whysuchgreatspeed？Oneminute，Haredale，forthesakeofoldacquaintance。’
’Iaminhaste，’hesaid。’Neitherofushassoughtthismeeting。
Letitbeabriefone。Goodnight！’
’Fie，fie！’repliedSirJohn(foritwashe)，’howverychurlish！
Wewerespeakingofyou。Yournamewasonmylips——perhapsyouheardmementionit？No？Iamsorryforthat。Iamreallysorry——Youknowourfriendhere，Haredale？Thisisreallyamostremarkablemeeting！’
Thefriend，plainlyveryillatease，hadmadeboldtopressSirJohn’sarm，andtogivehimothersignificanthintsthathewasdesirousofavoidingthisintroduction。AsitdidnotsuitSirJohn’spurpose，however，thatitshouldbeevaded，heappearedquiteunconsciousofthesesilentremonstrances，andinclinedhishandtowardshim，ashespoke，tocallattentiontohimmoreparticularly。
Thefriend，therefore，hadnothingforit，buttomusterupthepleasantestsmilehecould，andtomakeaconciliatorybow，asMrHaredaleturnedhiseyesuponhim。Seeingthathewasrecognised，heputouthishandinanawkwardandembarrassedmanner，whichwasnotmendedbyitscontemptuousrejection。
’MrGashford！’saidHaredale，coldly。’ItisasIhaveheardthen。
Youhaveleftthedarknessforthelight，sir，andhatethosewhoseopinionsyouformerlyheld，withallthebitternessofarenegade。
Youareanhonour，sir，toanycause。Iwishtheoneyouespouseatpresent，muchjoyoftheacquisitionithasmade。’
Thesecretaryrubbedhishandsandbowed，asthoughhewoulddisarmhisadversarybyhumblinghimselfbeforehim。SirJohnChesteragainexclaimed，withanairofgreatgaiety，’Now，really，thisisamostremarkablemeeting！’andtookapinchofsnuffwithhisusualself-possession。
’MrHaredale，’saidGashford，stealthilyraisinghiseyes，andlettingthemdropagainwhentheymettheother’ssteadygaze，istooconscientious，toohonourable，toomanly，Iamsure，toattachunworthymotivestoanhonestchangeofopinions，eventhoughitimpliesadoubtofthoseheholdshimself。MrHaredaleistoojust，toogenerous，tooclear-sightedinhismoralvision，to——’
’Yes，sir？’herejoinedwithasarcasticsmile，findingthesecretarystopped。’Youweresaying’——
Gashfordmeeklyshruggedhisshoulders，andlookingonthegroundagain，wassilent。
’No，butletusreally，’interposedSirJohnatthisjuncture，’letusreally，foramoment，contemplatetheveryremarkablecharacterofthismeeting。Haredale，mydearfriend，pardonmeifIthinkyouarenotsufficientlyimpressedwithitssingularity。Herewestand，bynopreviousappointmentorarrangement，threeoldschoolfellows，inWestminsterHall;threeoldboardersinaremarkablydullandshadyseminaryatSaintOmer’s，whereyou，beingCatholicsandofnecessityeducatedoutofEngland，werebroughtup;andwhereI，beingapromisingyoungProtestantatthattime，wassenttolearntheFrenchtonguefromanativeofParis！’
’Addtothesingularity，SirJohn，’saidMrHaredale，’thatsomeofyouProtestantsofpromiseareatthismomentleaguedinyonderbuilding，topreventourhavingthesurpassingandunheard-ofprivilegeofteachingourchildrentoreadandwrite——here——inthisland，wherethousandsofusenteryourserviceeveryyear，andtopreservethefreedomofwhich，wedieinbloodybattlesabroad，inheaps:andthatothersofyou，tothenumberofsomethousandsasIlearn，areledontolookonallmenofmycreedaswolvesandbeastsofprey，bythismanGashford。Addtoitbesidesthebarefactthatthismanlivesinsociety，walksthestreetsinbroadday——Iwasabouttosay，holdsuphishead，butthathedoesnot——
anditwillbestrange，andverystrange，Igrantyou。’
’Oh！youareharduponourfriend，’repliedSirJohn，withanengagingsmile。’Youarereallyveryharduponourfriend！’
’Lethimgoon，SirJohn，’saidGashford，fumblingwithhisgloves。
’Lethimgoon。Icanmakeallowances，SirJohn。Iamhonouredwithyourgoodopinion，andIcandispensewithMrHaredale’s。MrHaredaleisasuffererfromthepenallaws，andIcan’texpecthisfavour。’
’Youhavesomuchofmyfavour，sir，’retortedMrHaredale，withabitterglanceatthethirdpartyintheirconversation，’thatIamgladtoseeyouinsuchgoodcompany。YouaretheessenceofyourgreatAssociation，inyourselves。’
’Now，thereyoumistake，’saidSirJohn，inhismostbenignantway。
’There——whichisamostremarkablecircumstanceforamanofyourpunctualityandexactness，Haredale——youfallintoerror。Idon’tbelongtothebody;Ihaveanimmenserespectforitsmembers，butIdon’tbelongtoit;althoughIam，itiscertainlytrue，theconscientiousopponentofyourbeingrelieved。Ifeelitmydutytobeso;itisamostunfortunatenecessity;andcostmeabitterstruggle——Willyoutrythisbox？Ifyoudon’tobjecttoatriflinginfusionofaverychastescent，you’llfinditsflavourexquisite。’
’Iaskyourpardon，SirJohn，’saidMrHaredale，decliningtheprofferwithamotionofhishand，’forhavingrankedyouamongthehumbleinstrumentswhoareobviousandinallmen’ssight。I
shouldhavedonemorejusticetoyourgenius。Menofyourcapacityplotinsecrecyandsafety，andleaveexposedpoststothedullerwits。’
’Don’tapologise，fortheworld，’repliedSirJohnsweetly;’oldfriendslikeyouandI，maybeallowedsomefreedoms，orthedeuceisinit。’
Gashford，whohadbeenveryrestlessallthistime，buthadnotoncelookedup，nowturnedtoSirJohn，andventuredtomuttersomethingtotheeffectthathemustgo，ormylordwouldperhapsbewaiting。
’Don’tdistressyourself，goodsir，’saidMrHaredale，’I’lltakemyleave，andputyouatyourease——’whichhewasabouttodowithoutceremony，whenhewasstayedbyabuzzandmurmurattheupperendofthehall，and，lookinginthatdirection，sawLordGeorgeGordoncomingin，withacrowdofpeopleroundhim。
Therewasalurkinglookoftriumph，thoughverydifferentlyexpressed，inthefacesofhistwocompanions，whichmadeitanaturalimpulseonMrHaredale’spartnottogivewaybeforethisleader，buttostandtherewhilehepassed。Hedrewhimselfupand，claspinghishandsbehindhim，lookedonwithaproudandscornfulaspect，whileLordGeorgeslowlyadvanced(forthepresswasgreatabouthim)towardsthespotwheretheywerestanding。
HehadlefttheHouseofCommonsbutthatmoment，andhadcomestraightdownintotheHall，bringingwithhim，ashiscustomwas，intelligenceofwhathadbeensaidthatnightinreferencetothePapists，andwhatpetitionshadbeenpresentedintheirfavour，andwhohadsupportedthem，andwhenthebillwastobebroughtin，andwhenitwouldbeadvisabletopresenttheirownGreatProtestantpetition。Allthishetoldthepersonsabouthiminaloudvoice，andwithgreatabundanceofungainlygesture。Thosewhowerenearesthimmadecommentstoeachother，andventedthreatsandmurmurings;thosewhowereoutsidethecrowdcried，’Silence，’andStandback，’orclosedinupontherest，endeavouringtomakeaforcibleexchangeofplaces:andsotheycamedrivingoninaverydisorderlyandirregularway，asitisthemannerofacrowdtodo。
Whentheywereveryneartowherethesecretary，SirJohn，andMrHaredalestood，LordGeorgeturnedroundand，makingafewremarksofasuflicientlyviolentandincoherentkind，concludedwiththeusualsentiment，andcalledforthreecheerstobackit。Whilethesewereintheactofbeinggivenwithgreatenergy，heextricatedhimselffromthepress，andsteppeduptoGashford’sside。BothheandSirJohnbeingwellknowntothepopulace，theyfellbackalittle，andleftthefourstandingtogether。
’MrHaredale，LordGeorge，’saidSirJohnChester，seeingthatthenoblemanregardedhimwithaninquisitivelook。’ACatholicgentlemanunfortunately——mostunhappilyaCatholic——butanesteemedacquaintanceofmine，andonceofMrGashford’s。MydearHaredale，thisisLordGeorgeGordon。’
’Ishouldhaveknownthat，hadIbeenignorantofhislordship’sperson，’saidMrHaredale。’IhopethereisbutonegentlemaninEnglandwho，addressinganignorantandexcitedthrong，wouldspeakofalargebodyofhisfellow-subjectsinsuchinjuriouslanguageasIheardthismoment。Forshame，mylord，forshame！’
’Icannottalktoyou，sir，’repliedLordGeorgeinaloudvoice，andwavinghishandinadisturbedandagitatedmanner;’wehavenothingincommon。’
’Wehavemuchincommon——manythings——allthattheAlmightygaveus，’saidMrHaredale;’andcommoncharity，nottosaycommonsenseandcommondecency，shouldteachyoutorefrainfromtheseproceedings。Ifeveryoneofthosemenhadarmsintheirhandsatthismoment，astheyhavethemintheirheads，Iwouldnotleavethisplacewithouttellingyouthatyoudisgraceyourstation。’
’Idon’thearyou，sir，’herepliedinthesamemannerasbefore;
’Ican’thearyou。Itisindifferenttomewhatyousay。Don’tretort，Gashford，’forthesecretaryhadmadeashowofwishingtodoso;’Icanholdnocommunionwiththeworshippersofidols。’
Ashesaidthis，heglancedatSirJohn，wholiftedhishandsandeyebrows，asifdeploringtheintemperateconductofMrHaredale，andsmiledinadmirationofthecrowdandoftheirleader。
’HEretort！’criedHaredale。’Lookyouhere，mylord。Doyouknowthisman？’
LordGeorgerepliedbylayinghishandupontheshoulderofhiscringingsecretary，andviewinghimwithasmileofconfidence。
’Thisman，’saidMrHaredale，eyeinghimfromtoptotoe，’whoinhisboyhoodwasathief，andhasbeenfromthattimetothis，aservile，false，andtrucklingknave:thisman，whohascrawledandcreptthroughlife，woundingthehandshelicked，andbitingthosehefawnedupon:thissycophant，whoneverknewwhathonour，truth，orcouragemeant;whorobbedhisbenefactor’sdaughterofhervirtue，andmarriedhertobreakherheart，anddidit，withstripesandcruelty:thiscreature，whohaswhinedatkitchenwindowsforthebrokenfood，andbeggedforhalfpenceatourchapeldoors:thisapostleofthefaith，whosetenderconsciencecannotbearthealtarswherehisviciouslifewaspubliclydenounced——Doyouknowthisman？’
’Oh，really——youarevery，veryharduponourfriend！’exclaimedSirJohn。
’LetMrHaredalegoon，’saidGashford，uponwhoseunwholesomefacetheperspirationhadbrokenoutduringthisspeech，inblotchesofwet;’Idon’tmindhim，SirJohn;it’squiteasindifferenttomewhathesays，asitistomylord。Ifherevilesmylord，asyouhaveheard，SirJohn，howcanIhopetoescape？’
’Isitnotenough，mylord，’MrHaredalecontinued，’thatI，asgoodagentlemanasyou，mustholdmyproperty，suchasitis，byatrickatwhichthestateconnivesbecauseofthesehardlaws;andthatwemaynotteachouryouthinschoolsthecommonprinciplesofrightandwrong;butmustwebedenouncedandriddenbysuchmenasthis！HereisamantoheadyourNo-Poperycry！Forshame。Forshame！’
TheinfatuatednoblemanhadglancedmorethanonceatSirJohnChester，asiftoinquirewhethertherewasanytruthinthesestatementsconcerningGashford，andSirJohnhadasoftenplainlyansweredbyashrugorlook，’Ohdearme！no。’Henowsaid，inthesameloudkey，andinthesamestrangemannerasbefore:
’Ihavenothingtosay，sir，inreply，andnodesiretohearanythingmore。Ibegyouwon’tobtrudeyourconversation，orthesepersonalattacks，uponme。Ishallnotbedeterredfromdoingmydutytomycountryandmycountrymen，byanysuchattempts，whethertheyproceedfromemissariesofthePopeornot，Iassureyou。
Come，Gashford！’
Theyhadwalkedonafewpaceswhilespeaking，andwerenowattheHall-door，throughwhichtheypassedtogether。MrHaredale，withoutanyleave-taking，turnedawaytotheriverstairs，whichwerecloseathand，andhailedtheonlyboatmanwhoremainedthere。
Butthethrongofpeople——theforemostofwhomhadheardeverywordthatLordGeorgeGordonsaid，andamongallofwhomtherumourhadbeenrapidlydispersedthatthestrangerwasaPapistwhowasbeardinghimforhisadvocacyofthepopularcause——camepouringoutpell-mell，and，forcingthenobleman，hissecretary，andSirJohnChesteronbeforethem，sothattheyappearedtobeattheirhead，crowdedtothetopofthestairswhereMrHaredalewaiteduntiltheboatwasready，andtherestoodstill，leavinghimonalittleclearspacebyhimself。
Theywerenotsilent，however，thoughinactive。Atfirstsomeindistinctmutteringsaroseamongthem，whichwerefollowedbyahissortwo，andtheseswelledbydegreesintoaperfectstorm。
Thenonevoicesaid，’DownwiththePapists！’andtherewasaprettygeneralcheer，butnothingmore。Afteralullofafewmoments，onemancriedout，’Stonehim;’another，’Duckhim;’
another，inastentorianvoice，’NoPopery！’Thisfavouritecrytherestre-echoed，andthemob，whichmighthavebeentwohundredstrong，joinedinageneralshout。
MrHaredalehadstoodcalmlyonthebrinkofthesteps，untiltheymadethisdemonstration，whenhelookedroundcontemptuously，andwalkedataslowpacedownthestairs。Hewasprettyneartheboat，whenGashford，asifwithoutintention，turnedabout，anddirectlyafterwardsagreatstonewasthrownbysomehand，inthecrowd，whichstruckhimonthehead，andmadehimstaggerlikeadrunkenman。
Thebloodsprungfreelyfromthewound，andtrickleddownhiscoat。
Heturneddirectly，andrushingupthestepswithaboldnessandpassionwhichmadethemallfallback，demanded:
’Whodidthat？Showmethemanwhohitme。’
Notasoulmoved;exceptsomeintherearwhoslunkoff，and，escapingtotheothersideoftheway，lookedonlikeindifferentspectators。
’Whodidthat？’herepeated。’Showmethemanwhodidit。Dog，wasityou？Itwasyourdeed，ifnotyourhand——Iknowyou。’
HethrewhimselfonGashfordashesaidthewords，andhurledhimtotheground。Therewasasuddenmotioninthecrowd，andsomelaidhandsuponhim，buthisswordwasout，andtheyfelloffagain。
’Mylord——SirJohn，’——hecried，’draw，oneofyou——youareresponsibleforthisoutrage，andIlooktoyou。Draw，ifyouaregentlemen。’WiththathestruckSirJohnuponthebreastwiththeflatofhisweapon，andwithaburningfaceandflashingeyesstooduponhisguard;alone，beforethemall。
Foraninstant，forthebriefestspaceoftimethemindcanreadilyconceive，therewasachangeinSirJohn’ssmoothface，suchasnomaneversawthere。Thenextmoment，hesteppedforward，andlaidonehandonMrHaredale’sarm，whilewiththeotherheendeavouredtoappeasethecrowd。
’Mydearfriend，mygoodHaredale，youareblindedwithpassion——
it’sverynatural，extremelynatural——butyoudon’tknowfriendsfromfoes。’
’Iknowthemall，sir，Icandistinguishwell——’heretorted，almostmadwithrage。’SirJohn，LordGeorge——doyouhearme？Areyoucowards？’
’Nevermind，sir，’saidaman，forcinghiswaybetweenandpushinghimtowardsthestairswithfriendlyviolence，’nevermindaskingthat。ForGod’ssake，getaway。WhatCANyoudoagainstthisnumber？Andthereareasmanymoreinthenextstreet，who’llberounddfrectly，’——indeedtheybegantopourinashesaidthewords——’you’dbegiddyfromthatcut，inthefirstheatofascuffle。Nowdoretire，sir，ortakemywordforityou’llbeworseusedthanyouwouldbeifeverymaninthecrowdwasawoman，andthatwomanBloodyMary。Come，sir，makehaste——asquickasyoucan。’
MrHaredale，whobegantoturnfaintandsick，felthowsensiblethisadvicewas，anddescendedthestepswithhisunknownfriend’sassistance。JohnGrueby(forJohnitwas)helpedhimintotheboat，andgivingherashoveoff，whichsentherthirtyfeetintothetide，badethewatermanpullawaylikeaBriton;andwalkedupagainascomposedlyasifhehadjustlanded。
Therewasatfirstaslightdispositiononthepartofthemobtoresentthisinterference;butJohnlookingparticularlystrongandcool，andwearingbesidesLordGeorge’slivery，theythoughtbetterofit，andcontentedthemselveswithsendingashowerofsmallmissilesaftertheboat，whichplashedharmlesslyinthewater;
forshehadbythistimeclearedthebridge，andwasdartingswiftlydownthecentreofthestream。
Fromthisamusement，theyproceededtogivingProtestantknocksatthedoorsofprivatehouses，breakingafewlamps，andassaultingsomestrayconstables。But，itbeingwhisperedthatadetachmentofLifeGuardshadbeensentfor，theytooktotheirheelswithgreatexpedition，andleftthestreetquiteclear。
Chapter44
Whentheconcourseseparated，and，dividingintochanceclusters，drewoffinvariousdirections，therestillremaineduponthesceneofthelatedisturbance，oneman。ThismanwasGashford，who，bruisedbyhislatefall，andhurtinamuchgreaterdegreebytheindignityhehadundergone，andtheexposureofwhichhehadbeenthevictim，limpedupanddown，breathingcursesandthreatsofvengeance。
Itwasnotthesecretary’snaturetowastehiswrathinwords。
Whileheventedthefrothofhismalevolenceinthoseeffusions，hekeptasteadyeyeontwomen，who，havingdisappearedwiththerestwhenthealarmwasspread，hadsincereturned，andwerenowvisibleinthemoonlight，atnogreatdistance，astheywalkedtoandfro，andtalkedtogether。
Hemadenomovetowardsthem，butwaitedpatientlyonthedarksideofthestreet，untiltheyweretiredofstrollingbackwardsandforwardsandwalkedawayincompany。Thenhefollowed，butatsomedistance:keepingtheminview，withoutappearingtohavethatobject，orbeingseenbythem。
TheywentupParliamentStreet，pastSaintMartin’schurch，andawaybySaintGiles’stoTottenhamCourtRoad，atthebackofwhich，uponthewesternside，wasthenaplacecalledtheGreenLanes。Thiswasaretiredspot，notofthechoicestkind，leadingintothefields。Greatheapsofashes;stagnantpools，overgrownwithrankgrassandduckweed;brokenturnstiles;andtheuprightpostsofpalingslongsincecarriedoffforfirewood，whichmenacedallheedlesswalkerswiththeirjaggedandrustynails;weretheleadingfeaturesofthelandscape:whilehereandthereadonkey，oraraggedhorse，tetheredtoastake，andcroppingoffawretchedmealfromthecoarsestuntedturf，werequiteinkeepingwiththescene，andwouldhavesuggested(ifthehouseshadnotdoneso，sufficiently，ofthemselves)howverypoorthepeoplewerewholivedinthecrazyhutsadjacent，andhowfoolhardyitmightproveforonewhocarriedmoney，orworedecentclothes，towalkthatwayalone，unlessbydaylight。
Povertyhasitswhimsandshowsoftaste，aswealthhas。Someofthesecabinswereturreted，somehadfalsewindowspaintedontheirrottenwalls;onehadamimicclock，uponacrazytoweroffourfeethigh，whichscreenedthechimney;eachinitslittlepatchofgroundhadarudeseatorarbour。Thepopulationdealtinbones，inrags，inbrokenglass，inoldwheels，inbirds，anddogs。
These，intheirseveralwaysofstowage，filledthegardens;andsheddingaperfume，notofthemostdeliciousnature，intheair，filleditbesideswithyelps，andscreams，andhowling。
Intothisretreat，thesecretaryfollowedthetwomenwhomhehadheldinsight;andherehesawthemsafelylodged，inoneofthemeanesthouses，whichwasbutaroom，andthatofsmalldimensions。
Hewaitedwithout，untilthesoundoftheirvoices，joinedinadiscordantsong，assuredhimtheyweremakingmerry;andthenapproachingthedoor，bymeansofatotteringplankwhichcrossedtheditchinfront，knockedatitwithhishand。
’MusterGashfordl’saidthemanwhoopenedit，takinghispipefromhismouth，inevidentsurprise。’Why，who’dhavethoughtofthisherehonour！Walkin，MusterGashford——walkin，sir。’
Gashfordrequirednosecondinvitation，andenteredwithagraciousair。Therewasafireintherustygrate(forthoughthespringwasprettyfaradvanced，thenightswerecold)，andonastoolbesideitHughsatsmoking。Dennisplacedachair，hisonlyone，forthesecretary，infrontofthehearth;andtookhisseatagainuponthestoolhehadleftwhenherosetogivethevisitoradmission。
’What’sinthewindnow，MusterGashford？’hesaid，asheresumedhispipe，andlookedathimaskew。’Anyordersfromhead-quarters？
Arewegoingtobegin？Whatisit，MusterGashford？’
’Oh，nothing，nothing，’rejoinedthesecretary，withafriendlynodtoHugh。’Wehavebrokentheice，though。Wehadalittlespurtto-day——eh，Dennis？’
’Averylittleone，’growledthehangman。’Nothalfenoughforme。’
’Normeneither！’criedHugh。’Giveussomethingtodowithlifeinit——withlifeinit，master。Ha，ha！’
’Why，youwouldn’t，’saidthesecretary，withhisworstexpressionofface，andinhismildesttones，’haveanythingtodo，with——withdeathinit？’
’Idon’tknowthat，’repliedHugh。’I’mopentoorders。Idon’tcare;notI。’
’NorI！’vociferatedDennis。
’Bravefellows！’saidthesecretary，inaspastor-likeavoiceasifhewerecommendingthemforsomeuncommonactofvalourandgenerosity。’Bythebye’——andherehestoppedandwarmedhishands:thensuddenlylookedup——’whothrewthatstoneto-day？’
MrDenniscoughedandshookhishead，aswhoshouldsay，’Amysteryindeed！’Hughsatandsmokedinsilence。
’Itwaswelldone！’saidthesecretary，warminghishandsagain。
’Ishouldliketoknowthatman。’
’Wouldyou？’saidDennis，afterlookingathisfacetoassurehimselfthathewasserious。’Wouldyouliketoknowthatman，MusterGashford？’
’Ishouldindeed，’repliedthesecretary。
’Whythen，Lordloveyou，’saidthehangman，inhishoarestchuckle，ashepointedwithhispipetoHugh，’therehesits。
That’stheman。Mystarsandhalters，MusterGashford，’headdedinawhisper，ashedrewhisstoolclosetohimandjoggedhimwithhiselbow，’whatainterestingbladeheis！Hewantsasmuchholdinginasathorough-bredbulldog。Ifithadn’tbeenformeto-day，he’dhavehadthat’ereRomandown，andmadeariotofit，inanotherminute。’
’Andwhynot？’criedHughinasurlyvoice，asheoverheardthislastremark。’Where’sthegoodofputtingthingsoff？Strikewhiletheiron’shot;that’swhatIsay。’
’Ah！’retortedDennis，shakinghishead，withakindofpityforhisfriend’singenuousyouth;’butsupposetheironan’thot，brother！Youmustgetpeople’sbloodupaforeyoustrike，andhave’eminthehumour。Therewasn’tquiteenoughtoprovoke’emto-
day，Itellyou。Ifyou’dhadyourway，you’dhavespoiltthefuntocome，andruinedus。’
’Dennisisquiteright，’saidGashford，smoothly。’Heisperfectlycorrect。Dennishasgreatknowledgeoftheworld。’
’Ioughttohave，MusterGashford，seeingwhatamanypeopleI’vehelpedoutofit，eh？’grinnedthehangman，whisperingthewordsbehindhishand。
ThesecretarylaughedatthisjestasmuchasDenniscoulddesire，andwhenhehaddone，said，turningtoHugh:
’Dennis’spolicywasmine，asyoumayhaveobserved。Yousaw，forinstance，howIfellwhenIwassetupon。Imadenoresistance。I
didnothingtoprovokeanoutbreak。Ohdearno！’
’No，bytheLordHarry！’criedDenniswithanoisylaugh，’youwentdownveryquiet，MusterGashford——andveryflatbesides。Ithinkstomyselfatthetime“it’sallupwithMusterGashford！“Ineverseeamanlayflatternormorestill——withthelifeinhim——thanyoudidto-day。He’sarough’untoplaywith，isthat’erePapist，andthat’sthefact。’
Thesecretary’sface，asDennisroaredwithlaughter，andturnedhiswrinkledeyesonHughwhodidthelike，mighthavefurnishedastudyforthedevil’spicture。Hesatquitesilentuntiltheywereseriousagain，andthensaid，lookinground:
’Weareverypleasanthere;soverypleasant，Dennis，thatbutformylord’sparticulardesirethatIshouldsupwithhim，andthetimebeingverynearathand，Ishouldheinclinedtostay，untilitwouldbehardlysafetogohomeward。Icomeuponalittlebusiness——yes，Ido——asyousupposed。It’sveryflatteringtoyou;
beingthis。Ifweevershouldbeobliged——andwecan’ttell，youknow——thisisaveryuncertainworld’——
’Ibelieveyou，MusterGashford，’interposedthehangmanwithagravenod。’TheuncertaintiesasI’veseeninreferencetothisherestateofexistence，theunexpectedcontingenciesashavecomeabout！——Ohmyeye！’Feelingthesubjectmuchtoovastforexpression，hepuffedathispipeagain，andlookedtherest。
’Isay，’resumedthesecretary，inaslow，impressiveway;’wecan’ttellwhatmaycometopass;andifweshouldbeobliged，againstourwills，tohaverecoursetoviolence，mylord(whohassufferedterriblyto-day，asfaraswordscango)consignstoyoutwo——bearinginmindmyrecommendationofyouboth，asgoodstaunchmen，beyondalldoubtandsuspicion——thepleasanttaskofpunishingthisHaredale。Youmaydoasyoupleasewithhim，orhis，providedthatyoushownomercy，andnoquarter，andleavenotwobeamsofhishousestandingwherethebuilderplacedthem。Youmaysackit，burnit，dowithitasyoulike，butitmustcomedown;itmustberazedtotheground;andhe，andallbelongingtohim，leftasshelterlessasnew-borninfantswhomtheirmothershaveexposed。Doyouunderstandme？’saidGashford，pausing，andpressinghishandstogethergently。
’Understandyou，master！’criedHugh。’Youspeakplainnow。Why，thisishearty！’
’Iknewyouwouldlikeit，’saidGashford，shakinghimbythehand;
’Ithoughtyouwould。Goodnight！Don’trise，Dennis:Iwouldratherfindmywayalone。Imayhavetomakeothervisitshere，andit’spleasanttocomeandgowithoutdisturbingyou。Icanfindmywayperfectlywell。Goodnight！’
Hewasgone，andhadshutthedoorbehindhim。Theylookedateachother，andnoddedapprovingly:Dennisstirredupthefire。
’Thislooksalittlemorelikebusiness！’hesaid。
’Ay，indeed！’criedHugh;’thissuitsme！’
’I’veheerditsaidofMusterGashford，’saidthehangman，’thathe’dasurprisingmemoryandwonderfulfirmness——thatheneverforgot，andneverforgave——Let’sdrinkhishealth！’
Hughreadilycomplied——pouringnoliquoronthefloorwhenhedrankthistoast——andtheypledgedthesecretaryasamanaftertheirownhearts，inabumper。
Chapter45
Whiletheworstpassionsoftheworstmenwerethusworkinginthedark，andthemantleofreligion，assumedtocovertheugliestdeformities，threatenedtobecometheshroudofallthatwasgoodandpeacefulinsociety，acircumstanceoccurredwhichoncemorealteredthepositionoftwopersonsfromwhomthishistoryhaslongbeenseparated，andtowhomitmustnowreturn。
InasmallEnglishcountrytown，theinhabitantsofwhichsupportedthemselvesbythelabouroftheirhandsinplaitingandpreparingstrawforthosewhomadebonnetsandotherarticlesofdressandornamentfromthatmaterial，——concealedunderanassumedname，andlivinginaquietpovertywhichknewnochange，nopleasures，andfewcaresbutthatofstrugglingonfromdaytodayinonegreattoilforbread，——dweltBarnabyandhismother。Theirpoorcottagehadknownnostranger’sfootsincetheysoughttheshelterofitsrooffiveyearsbefore;norhadtheyinallthattimeheldanycommerceorcommunicationwiththeoldworldfromwhichtheyhadfled。Tolabourinpeace，anddevoteherlabourandherlifetoherpoorson，wasallthewidowsought。Ifhappinesscanbesaidatanytimetobethelotofoneonwhomasecretsorrowpreys，shewashappynow。Tranquillity，resignation，andherstrongloveofhimwhoneededitsomuch，formedthesmallcircleofherquietjoys;andwhilethatremainedunbroken，shewascontented。
ForBarnabyhimself，thetimewhichhadflownby，hadpassedhimlikethewind。Thedailysunsofyearshadshednobrightergleamofreasononhismind;nodawnhadbrokenonhislong，darknight。
Hewouldsitsometimes——oftenfordaystogetheronalowseatbythefireorbythecottagedoor，busyatwork(forhehadlearntthearthismotherplied)，andlistening，Godhelphim，tothetalesshewouldrepeat，asaluretokeephiminhersight。Hehadnorecollectionoftheselittlenarratives;thetaleofyesterdaywasnewtohimuponthemorrow;buthelikedthematthemoment;
andwhenthehumourheldhim，wouldremainpatientlywithindoors，hearingherstorieslikealittlechild，andworkingcheerfullyfromsunriseuntilitwastoodarktosee。
Atothertimes，——andthentheirscantyearningswerebarelysufficienttofurnishthemwithfood，thoughofthecoarsestsort，——
hewouldwanderabroadfromdawnofdayuntilthetwilightdeepenedintonight。Fewinthatplace，evenofthechildren，couldbeidle，andhehadnocompanionsofhisownkind。Indeedtherewerenotmanywhocouldhavekeptupwithhiminhisrambles，hadtherebeenalegion。Buttherewereascoreofvagabonddogsbelongingtotheneighbours，whoservedhispurposequiteaswell。
Withtwoorthreeofthese，orsometimeswithafullhalf-dozenbarkingathisheels，hewouldsallyforthonsomelongexpeditionthatconsumedtheday;andthough，ontheirreturnatnightfall，thedogswouldcomehomelimpingandsore-footed，andalmostspentwiththeirfatigue，Barnabywasupandoffagainatsunrisewithsomenewattendantsofthesameclass，withwhomhewouldreturninlikemanner。Onallthesetravels，Grip，inhislittlebasketathismaster’sback，wasaconstantmemberoftheparty，andwhentheysetoffinfineweatherandinhighspirits，nodogbarkedlouderthantheraven。
Theirpleasuresontheseexcursionsweresimpleenough。Acrustofbreadandscrapofmeat，withwaterfromthebrookorspring，sufficedfortheirrepast。Barnaby’senjoymentswere，towalk，andrun，andleap，tillhewastired;thentoliedowninthelonggrass，orbythegrowingcorn，orintheshadeofsometalltree，lookingupwardatthelightcloudsastheyfloatedoverthebluesurfaceofthesky，andlisteningtothelarkasshepouredoutherbrilliantsong。Therewerewild-flowerstopluck——thebrightredpoppy，thegentleharebell，thecowslip，andtherose。Therewerebirdstowatch;fish;ants;worms;haresorrabbits，astheydartedacrossthedistantpathwayinthewoodandsoweregone:millionsoflivingthingstohaveaninterestin，andlieinwaitfor，andclaphandsandshoutinmemoryof，whentheyhaddisappeared。Indefaultofthese，orwhentheywearied，therewasthemerrysunlighttohuntout，asitcreptinaslantthroughleavesandboughsoftrees，andhidfardown——deep，deep，inhollowplaces——
likeasilverpool，wherenoddingbranchesseemedtobatheandsport;sweetscentsofsummerairbreathingoverfieldsofbeansorclover;theperfumeofwetleavesormoss;thelifeofwavingtrees，andshadowsalwayschanging。Whentheseoranyofthemtired，orinexcessofpleasingtemptedhimtoshuthiseyes，therewasslumberinthemidstofallthesesoftdelights，withthegentlewindmurmuringlikemusicinhisears，andeverythingaroundmeltingintoonedeliciousdream。
Theirhut——foritwaslittlemore——stoodontheoutskirtsofthetown，atashortdistancefromthehighroad，butinasecludedplace，wherefewchancepassengersstrayedatanyseasonoftheyear。Ithadaplotofgarden-groundattached，whichBarnaby，infitsandstartsofworking，trimmed，andkeptinorder。Withindoorsandwithout，hismotherlabouredfortheircommongood;andhail，rain，snow，orsunshine，foundnodifferenceinher。
Thoughsofarremovedfromthescenesofherpastlife，andwithsolittlethoughtorhopeofevervisitingthemagain，sheseemedtohaveastrangedesiretoknowwhathappenedinthebusyworld。Anyoldnewspaper，orscrapofintelligencefromLondon，shecaughtatwithavidity。Theexcitementitproducedwasnotofapleasurablekind，forhermanneratsuchtimesexpressedthekeenestanxietyanddread;butitneverfadedintheleastdegree。Then，andinstormywinternights，whenthewindblewloudandstrong，theoldexpressioncameintoherface，andshewouldbeseizedwithafitoftrembling，likeonewhohadanague。ButBarnabynotedlittleofthis;andputtingagreatconstraintuponherself，sheusuallyrecoveredheraccustomedmannerbeforethechangehadcaughthisobservation。
Gripwasbynomeansanidleorunprofitablememberofthehumblehousehold。PartlybydintofBarnaby’stuition，andpartlybypursuingaspeciesofself-instructioncommontohistribe，andexertinghispowersofobservationtotheutmost，hehadacquiredadegreeofsagacitywhichrenderedhimfamousformilesround。Hisconversationalpowersandsurprisingperformancesweretheuniversaltheme:andasmanypersonscametoseethewonderfulraven，andnonelefthisexertionsunrewarded——whenhecondescendedtoexhibit，whichwasnotalways，forgeniusiscapricious——hisearningsformedanimportantiteminthecommonstock。Indeed，thebirdhimselfappearedtoknowhisvaluewell;forthoughhewasperfectlyfreeandunrestrainedinthepresenceofBarnabyandhismother，hemaintainedinpublicanamazinggravity，andneverstoopedtoanyothergratuitousperformancesthanbitingtheanklesofvagabondboys(anexerciseinwhichhemuchdelighted)，killingafowlortwooccasionally，andswallowingthedinnersofvariousneighbouringdogs，ofwhomtheboldestheldhimingreataweanddread。
Timehadglidedoninthisway，andnothinghadhappenedtodisturborchangetheirmodeoflife，when，onesummer’snightinJune，theywereintheirlittlegarden，restingfromthelaboursoftheday。Thewidow’sworkwasyetuponherknee，andstrewnuponthegroundabouther;andBarnabystoodleaningonhisspade，gazingatthebrightnessinthewest，andsingingsoftlytohimself。
’Abraveevening，mother！Ifwehad，chinkinginourpockets，butafewspecksofthatgoldwhichispiledupyonderinthesky，weshouldberichforlife。’
’Wearebetterasweare，’returnedthewidowwithaquietsmile。
’Letusbecontented，andwedonotwantandneednotcaretohaveit，thoughitlayshiningatourfeet。’
’Ay！’saidBarnaby，restingwithcrossedarmsonhisspade，andlookingwistfullyatthesunset，that’swellenough，mother;butgold’sagoodthingtohave。IwishthatIknewwheretofindit。
GripandIcoulddomuchwithgold，besureofthat。’
’Whatwouldyoudo？’sheasked。
’What！Aworldofthings。We’ddressfinely——youandI，Imean;
notGrip——keephorses，dogs，wearbrightcoloursandfeathers，donomorework，livedelicatelyandatourease。Oh，we’dfindusesforit，mother，andusesthatwoulddousgood。IwouldIknewwheregoldwasburied。HowhardI’dworktodigitup！’
’Youdonotknow，’saidhismother，risingfromherseatandlayingherhanduponhisshoulder，’whatmenhavedonetowinit，andhowtheyhavefound，toolate，thatitglittersbrightestatadistance，andturnsquitedimanddullwhenhandled。’
’Ay，ay;soyousay;soyouthink，’heanswered，stilllookingeagerlyinthesamedirection。’Forallthat，mother，Ishouldliketotry。’
’Doyounotsee，’shesaid，’howreditis？Nothingbearssomanystainsofblood，asgold。Avoidit。Nonehavesuchcausetohateitsnameaswehave。Donotsomuchasthinkofit，dearlove。Ithasbroughtsuchmiseryandsufferingonyourheadandmineasfewhaveknown，andGodgrantfewmayhavetoundergo。Iwouldratherweweredeadandlaiddowninourgraves，thanyoushouldevercometoloveit。’
ForamomentBarnabywithdrewhiseyesandlookedatherwithwonder。Then，glancingfromtherednessintheskytothemarkuponhiswristasifhewouldcomparethetwo，heseemedabouttoquestionherwithearnestness，whenanewobjectcaughthiswanderingattention，andmadehimquiteforgetfulofhispurpose。
Thiswasamanwithdustyfeetandgarments，whostood，bare-
headed，behindthehedgethatdividedtheirpatchofgardenfromthepathway，andleantmeeklyforwardasifhesoughttominglewiththeirconversation，andwaitedforhistimetospeak。Hisfacewasturnedtowardsthebrightness，too，butthelightthatfelluponitshowedthathewasblind，andsawitnot。
’Ablessingonthosevoices！’saidthewayfarer。’Ifeelthebeautyofthenightmorekeenly，whenIhearthem。Theyarelikeeyestome。Willtheyspeakagain，andcheertheheartofapoortraveller？’
’Haveyounoguide？’askedthewidow，afteramoment’spause。
’Nonebutthat，’heanswered，pointingwithhisstafftowardsthesun;’andsometimesamilderoneatnight，butsheisidlenow。’
’Haveyoutravelledfar？’
’Awearywayandlong，’rejoinedthetravellerasheshookhishead。’Aweary，weary，way。Istruckmystickjustnowuponthebucketofyourwell——bepleasedtoletmehaveadraughtofwater，lady。’
’Whydoyoucallmelady？’shereturned。’Iamaspoorasyou。’
’Yourspeechissoftandgentle，andIjudgebythat，’repliedtheman。’Thecoarseststuffsandfinestsilks，are——apartfromthesenseoftouch——aliketome。Icannotjudgeyoubyyourdress。’
’Comeroundthisway，’saidBarnaby，whohadpassedoutatthegarden-gateandnowstoodclosebesidehim。’Putyourhandinmine。You’reblindandalwaysinthedark，eh？Areyoufrightenedinthedark？Doyouseegreatcrowdsoffaces，now？Dotheygrinandchatter？’
’Alas！’returnedtheother，’Iseenothing。Wakingorsleeping，nothing。’
Barnabylookedcuriouslyathiseyes，andtouchingthemwithhisfingers，asaninquisitivechildmight，ledhimtowardsthehouse。
’Youhavecomealongdistance，’saidthewidow，meetinghimatthedoor。’Howhaveyoufoundyourwaysofar？’
’Useandnecessityaregoodteachers，asIhaveheard——thebestofany，’saidtheblindman，sittingdownuponthechairtowhichBarnabyhadledhim，andputtinghishatandstickuponthered-
tiledfloor。’Mayneitheryounoryoursoneverlearnunderthem。
Theyareroughmasters。’
’Youhavewanderedfromtheroad，too，’saidthewidow，inatoneofpity。
’Maybe，maybe，’returnedtheblindmanwithasigh，andyetwithsomethingofasmileuponhisface，’that’slikely。Handpostsandmilestonesaredumb，indeed，tome。Thankyouthemoreforthisrest，andthisrefreshingdrink！’
Ashespoke，heraisedthemugofwatertohismouth。Itwasclear，andcold，andsparkling，butnottohistastenevertheless，orhisthirstwasnotverygreat，forheonlywettedhislipsandputitdownagain。
Hewore，hangingwithalongstraproundhisneck，akindofscriporwallet，inwhichtocarryfood。Thewidowsetsomebreadandcheesebeforehim，buthethankedher，andsaidthatthroughthekindnessofthecharitablehehadbrokenhisfastoncesincemorning，andwasnothungry。Whenhehadmadeherthisreply，heopenedhiswallet，andtookoutafewpence，whichwasallitappearedtocontain。
’MightImakeboldtoask，’hesaid，turningtowardswhereBarnabystoodlookingon，’thatonewhohasthegiftofsight，wouldlaythisoutformeinbreadtokeepmeonmyway？Heaven’sblessingontheyoungfeetthatwillbestirthemselvesinaidofonesohelplessasasightlessman！’
Barnabylookedathismother，whonoddedassent;inanothermomenthewasgoneuponhischaritableerrand。Theblindmansatlisteningwithanattentiveface，untillongafterthesoundofhisretreatingfootstepswasinaudibletothewidow，andthensaid，suddenly，andinaveryalteredtone:
’Therearevariousdegreesandkindsofblindness，widow。Thereistheconnubialblindness，ma’am，whichperhapsyoumayhaveobservedinthecourseofyourownexperience，andwhichisakindofwilfulandself-bandagingblindness。Thereistheblindnessofparty，ma’am，andpublicmen，whichistheblindnessofamadbullinthemidstofaregimentofsoldiersclothedinred。Thereistheblindconfidenceofyouth，whichistheblindnessofyoungkittens，whoseeyeshavenotyetopenedontheworld;andthereisthatphysicalblindness，ma’am，ofwhichIam，contrairytomyowndesire，amostillustriousexample。Addedtothese，ma’am，isthatblindnessoftheintellect，ofwhichwehaveaspecimeninyourinterestingson，andwhich，havingsometimesglimmeringsanddawningsofthelight，isscarcelytobetrustedasatotaldarkness。Therefore，ma’am，Ihavetakenthelibertytogethimoutofthewayforashorttime，whileyouandIconfertogether，andthisprecautionarisingoutofthedelicacyofmysentimentstowardsyourself，youwillexcuseme，ma’am，Iknow。’
Havingdeliveredhimselfofthisspeechwithmanyflourishesofmanner，hedrewfrombeneathhiscoataflatstonebottle，andholdingthecorkbetweenhisteeth，qualifiedhismugofwaterwithaplentifulinfusionoftheliquoritcontained。Hepolitelydrainedthebumpertoherhealth，andtheladies，andsettingitdownempty，smackedhislipswithinfiniterelish。
’Iamacitizenoftheworld，ma’am，’saidtheblindman，corkinghisbottle，’andifIseemtoconductmyselfwithfreedom，itistherefore。YouwonderwhoIam，ma’am，andwhathasbroughtmehere。SuchexperienceofhumannatureasIhave，leadsmetothatconclusion，withouttheaidofeyesbywhichtoreadthemovementsofyoursoulasdepictedinyourfemininefeatures。Iwillsatisfyyourcuriosityimmediately，ma’am;immediately。’Withthatheslappedhisbottleonitsbroadback，andhavingputitunderhisgarmentasbefore，crossedhislegsandfoldedhishands，andsettledhimselfinhischair，previoustoproceedinganyfurther。
Thechangeinhismannerwassounexpected，thecraftandwickednessofhisdeportmentweresomuchaggravatedbyhiscondition——forweareaccustomedtoseeinthosewhohavelostahumansense，somethinginitsplacealmostdivine——andthisalterationbredsomanyfearsinherwhomheaddressed，thatshecouldnotpronounceoneword。Afterwaiting，asitseemed，forsomeremarkoranswer，andwaitinginvain，thevisitorresumed:
’Madam，mynameisStagg。Afriendofminewhohasdesiredthehonourofmeetingwithyouanytimethesefiveyearspast，hascommissionedmetocalluponyou。Ishouldbegladtowhisperthatgentleman’snameinyourear——Zounds，ma’am，areyoudeaf？DoyouhearmesaythatIshouldbegladtowhispermyfriend’snameinyourear？’
’Youneednotrepeatit，’saidthewidow，withastifledgroan;’I
seetoowellfromwhomyoucome。’
’Butasamanofhonour，ma’am，’saidtheblindman，strikinghimselfonthebreast，’whosecredentialsmustnotbedisputed，I
takeleavetosaythatIWILLmentionthatgentleman’sname。Ay，ay，’headded，seemingtocatchwithhisquickeartheverymotionofherhand，’butnotaloud。Withyourleave，ma’am，Idesirethefavourofawhisper。’
Shemovedtowardshim，andstoopeddown。Hemutteredawordinherear;and，wringingherhands，shepacedupanddowntheroomlikeonedistracted。Theblindman，withperfectcomposure，producedhisbottleagain，mixedanotherglassful;putitupasbefore;and，drinkingfromtimetotime，followedherwithhisfaceinsilence。
’Youareslowinconversation，widow，’hesaidafteratime，pausinginhisdraught。’Weshallhavetotalkbeforeyourson。’
’Whatwouldyouhavemedo？’sheanswered。’Whatdoyouwant？’
’Wearepoor，widow，wearepoor，’heretorted，stretchingouthisrighthand，andrubbinghisthumbuponitspalm。
’Poor！’shecried。’AndwhatamI？’
’Comparisonsareodious，’saidtheblindman。’Idon’tknow，I
don’tcare。Isaythatwearepoor。Myfriend’scircumstancesareindifferent，andsoaremine。Wemusthaveourrights，widow，orwemustbeboughtoff。Butyouknowthat，aswellasI，sowhereistheuseoftalking？’
Shestillwalkedwildlytoandfro。Atlength，stoppingabruptlybeforehim，shesaid:
’Ishenearhere？’
’Heis。Closeathand。’
’ThenIamlost！’
’Notlost，widow，’saidtheblindman，calmly;’onlyfound。ShallIcallhim？’
’Notfortheworld，’sheanswered，withashudder。
’Verygood，’hereplied，crossinghislegsagain，forhehadmadeasthoughhewouldriseandwalktothedoor。’Asyouplease，widow。HispresenceisnotnecessarythatIknowof。ButbothheandImustlive;tolive，wemusteatanddrink;toeatanddrink，wemusthavemoney:——Isaynomore。’
’DoyouknowhowpinchedanddestituteIam？’sheretorted。’Idonotthinkyoudo，orcan。Ifyouhadeyes，andcouldlookaroundyouonthispoorplace，youwouldhavepityonme。Oh！letyourheartbesoftenedbyyourownaffliction，friend，andhavesomesympathywithmine。’
Theblindmansnappedhisfingersasheanswered:
’——Besidethequestion，ma’am，besidethequestion。Ihavethesoftestheartintheworld，butIcan’tliveuponit。Manyagentlemanliveswelluponasofthead，whowouldfindaheartofthesamequalityaverygreatdrawback。Listentome。Thisisamatterofbusiness，withwhichsympathiesandsentimentshavenothingtodo。Asamutualfriend，Iwishtoarrangeitinasatisfactorymanner，ifpossible;andthusthecasestands——Ifyouareverypoornow，it’syourownchoice。Youhavefriendswho，incaseofneed，arealwaysreadytohelpyou。Myfriendisinamoredestituteanddesolatesituationthanmostmen，and，youandhebeinglinkedtogetherinacommoncause，henaturallylookstoyoutoassisthim。Hehasboardedandlodgedwithmealongtime(forasIsaidjustnow，Iamverysoft-hearted)，andIquiteapproveofhisentertainingthisopinion。Youhavealwayshadaroofoveryourhead;hehasalwaysbeenanoutcast。Youhaveyoursontocomfortandassistyou;hehasnobodyatall。Theadvantagesmustnotbealloneside。Youareinthesameboat，andwemustdividetheballastalittlemoreequally。’
Shewasabouttospeak，buthecheckedher，andwenton。
’Theonlywayofdoingthis，isbymakingupalittlepursenowandthenformyfriend;andthat’swhatIadvise。HebearsyounomalicethatIknowof，ma’am:solittle，thatalthoughyouhavetreatedhimharshlymorethanonce，anddrivenhim，Imaysay，outofdoors，hehasthatregardforyouthatIbelieveevenifyoudisappointedhimnow，hewouldconsenttotakechargeofyourson，andtomakeamanofhim。’
Helaidagreatstressontheselatterwords，andpausedasiftofindoutwhateffecttheyhadproduced。Sheonlyansweredbyhertears。
’Heisalikelylad，’saidtheblindman，thoughtfully，’formanypurposes，andnotill-disposedtotryhisfortuneinalittlechangeandbustle，ifImayjudgefromwhatIheardofhistalkwithyouto-night——Come。Inaword，myfriendhaspressingnecessityfortwentypounds。You，whocangiveupanannuity，cangetthatsumforhim。It’sapityyoushouldbetroubled。Youseemverycomfortablehere，andit’sworththatmuchtoremainso。
Twentypounds，widow，isamoderatedemand。Youknowwheretoapplyforit;apostwillbringityou——Twentypounds！’
Shewasabouttoanswerhimagain，butagainhestoppedher。
’Don’tsayanythinghastily;youmightbesorryforit。Thinkofitalittlewhile。Twentypounds——ofotherpeople’smoney——howeasy！Turnitoverinyourmind。I’minnohurry。Night’scomingon，andifIdon’tsleephere，Ishallnotgofar。Twentypounds！
Considerofit，ma’am，fortwentyminutes;giveeachpoundaminute;that’safairallowance。I’llenjoytheairthewhile，whichisverymildandpleasantintheseparts。’
Withthesewordshegropedhiswaytothedoor，carryinghischairwithhim。Thenseatinghimself，underaspreadinghoneysuckle，andstretchinghislegsacrossthethresholdsothatnopersoncouldpassinoroutwithouthisknowledge，hetookfromhispocketapipe，flint，steelandtinder-box，andbegantosmoke。Itwasalovelyevening，ofthatgentlekind，andatthattimeofyear，whenthetwilightismostbeautiful。Pausingnowandthentolethissmokecurlslowlyoff，andtosniffthegratefulfragranceoftheflowers，hesatthereathisease——asthoughthecottagewerehisproperdwelling，andhehadheldundisputedpossessionofitallhislife——waitingforthewidow’sanswerandforBarnaby’sreturn。
Chapter46
WhenBarnabyreturnedwiththebread，thesightofthepiousoldpilgrimsmokinghispipeandmakinghimselfsothoroughlyathome，appearedtosurpriseevenhim;themoreso，asthatworthyperson，insteadofputtinguptheloafinhiswalletasascarceandpreciousarticle，tosseditcarelesslyonthetable，andproducinghisbottle，badehimsitdownanddrink。
’ForIcarrysomecomfort，yousee，’hesaid。’Tastethat。Isitgood？’
ThewaterstoodinBarnaby’seyesashecoughedfromthestrengthofthedraught，andansweredintheaffirmative。
’Drinksomemore，’saidtheblindman;’don’tbeafraidofit。
Youdon’ttasteanythinglikethat，often，eh？’
’Often！’criedBarnaby。’Never！’
’Toopoor？’returnedtheblindmanwithasigh。’Ay。That’sbad。
Yourmother，poorsoul，wouldbehappierifshewasricher，Barnaby。’
’Why，soItellher——theverythingItoldherjustbeforeyoucameto-night，whenallthatgoldwasinthesky，’saidBarnaby，drawinghischairnearertohim，andlookingeagerlyinhisface。’Tellme。Isthereanywayofbeingrich，thatIcouldfindout？’
’Anyway！Ahundredways。’
’Ay，ay？’hereturned。’Doyousayso？Whatarethey？——Nay，mother，it’sforyoursakeIask;notmine;——foryours，indeed。
Whatarethey？’
Theblindmanturnedhisface，onwhichtherewasasmileoftriumph，towherethewidowstoodingreatdistress;andanswered，’Why，theyarenottobefoundoutbystay-at-homes，mygoodfriend。’
’Bystay-at-homes！’criedBarnaby，pluckingathissleeve。’ButI
amnotone。Now，thereyoumistake。Iamoftenoutbeforethesun，andtravelhomewhenhehasgonetorest。Iamawayinthewoodsbeforethedayhasreachedtheshadyplaces，andamoftentherewhenthebrightmoonispeepingthroughtheboughs，andlookingdownupontheothermoonthatlivesinthewater。AsI
walkalong，Itrytofind，amongthegrassandmoss，someofthatsmallmoneyforwhichsheworkssohardandusedtoshedsomanytears。AsIlieasleepintheshade，Idreamofit——dreamofdiggingitupinheaps;andspyingitout，hiddenunderbushes;andseeingitsparkle，asthedew-dropsdo，amongtheleaves。ButI
neverfindit。Tellmewhereitis。I’dgothere，ifthejourneywereawholeyearlong，becauseIknowshewouldbehappierwhenI
camehomeandbroughtsomewithme。Speakagain。I’lllistentoyouifyoutalkallnight。’
