’Youmayhaveseeninthenewspapers，sir，’saidGabriel，pointingtotheonewhichlaybyhisside，’thatIwasawitnessagainstthismanuponhistrialsomedayssince;andthatitwasnothisfaultIwasalive，andabletospeaktowhatIknew。’
’MAYhaveseen！’criedSirJohn。’MydearMrVarden，youarequiteapubliccharacter，andliveinallmen’sthoughtsmostdeservedly。
NothingcanexceedtheinterestwithwhichIreadyourtestimony，andrememberedthatIhadthepleasureofaslightacquaintancewithyou——Ihopeweshallhaveyourportraitpublished？’
’Thismorning，sir，’saidthelocksmith，takingnonoticeofthesecompliments，’earlythismorning，amessagewasbroughttomefromNewgate，atthisman’srequest，desiringthatIwouldgoandseehim，forhehadsomethingparticulartocommunicate。Ineedn’ttellyouthatheisnofriendofmine，andthatIhadneverseenhim，untiltheriotersbesetmyhouse。’
SirJohnfannedhimselfgentlywiththenewspaper，andnodded。
’Iknew，however，fromthegeneralreport，’resumedGabriel，’thattheorderforhisexecutionto-morrow，wentdowntotheprisonlastnight;andlookinguponhimasadyingman，Icompliedwithhisrequest。’
’YouarequiteaChristian，MrVarden，’saidSirJohn;’andinthatamiablecapacity，youincreasemydesirethatyoushouldtakeachair。’
’Hesaid，’continuedGabriel，lookingsteadilyattheknight，’thathehadsenttome，becausehehadnofriendorcompanioninthewholeworld(beingthecommonhangman)，andbecausehebelieved，fromthewayinwhichIhadgivenmyevidence，thatIwasanhonestman，andwouldacttrulybyhim。Hesaidthat，beingshunnedbyeveryonewhoknewhiscalling，evenbypeopleofthelowestandmostwretchedgrade，andfinding，whenhejoinedtherioters，thatthemenheactedwithhadnosuspicionofit(whichIbelieveistrueenough，forapoorfoolofanold’prenticeofminewasoneofthem)，hehadkepthisowncounsel，uptothetimeofhisbeingtakenandputinjail。’
’VerydiscreetofMrDennis，’observedSirJohnwithaslightyawn，thoughstillwiththeutmostaffability，’but——exceptforyouradmirableandlucidmanneroftellingit，whichisperfect——notveryinterestingtome。’
’When，’pursuedthelocksmith，quiteunabashedandwhollyregardlessoftheseinterruptions，’whenhewastakentothejail，hefoundthathisfellow-prisoner，inthesameroom，wasayoungman，Hughbyname，aleaderintheriots，whohadbeenbetrayedandgivenupbyhimself。Fromsomethingwhichfellfromthisunhappycreatureinthecourseoftheangrywordstheyhadatmeeting，hediscoveredthathismotherhadsufferedthedeathtowhichtheybotharenowcondemned——Thetimeisveryshort，SirJohn。’
Theknightlaiddownhispaperfan，replacedhiscupuponthetableathisside，and，savingforthesmilethatlurkedabouthismouth，lookedatthelocksmithwithasmuchsteadinessasthelocksmithlookedathim。
’Theyhavebeeninprisonnow，amonth。Oneconversationledtomanymore;andthehangmansoonfound，fromacomparisonoftime，andplace，anddates，thathehadexecutedthesentenceofthelawuponthiswoman，himself。Shehadbeentemptedbywant——assomanypeopleare——intotheeasycrimeofpassingforgednotes。Shewasyoungandhandsome;andthetraderswhoemploymen，women，andchildreninthistraffic，lookeduponherasonewhowaswelladaptedfortheirbusiness，andwhowouldprobablygoonwithoutsuspicionforalongtime。Buttheyweremistaken;forshewasstoppedinthecommissionofherveryfirstoffence，anddiedforit。Shewasofgipsyblood，SirJohn——’
Itmighthavebeentheeffectofapassingcloudwhichobscuredthesun，andcastashadowonhisface;buttheknightturneddeadlypale。Stillhemetthelocksmith’seye，asbefore。
’Shewasofgipsyblood，SirJohn，’repeatedGabriel，’andhadahigh，freespirit。This，andhergoodlooks，andherloftymanner，interestedsomegentlemenwhowereeasilymovedbydarkeyes;andeffortsweremadetosaveher。Theymighthavebeensuccessful，ifshewouldhavegiventhemanycluetoherhistory。Butsheneverwould，ordid。Therewasreasontosuspectthatshewouldmakeanattemptuponherlife。Awatchwassetuponhernightandday;andfromthattimesheneverspokeagain——’
SirJohnstretchedouthishandtowardshiscup。Thelocksmithgoingon，arrestedithalf-way——
’Untilshehadbutaminutetolive。Thenshebrokesilence，andsaid，inalowfirmvoicewhichnooneheardbutthisexecutioner，forallotherlivingcreatureshadretiredandlefthertoherfate，“IfIhadadaggerwithinthesefingersandhewaswithinmyreach，Iwouldstrikehimdeadbeforeme，evennow！“Themanasked“Who？”Shesaid，“Thefatherofherboy。”’
SirJohndrewbackhisoutstretchedhand，andseeingthatthelocksmithpaused，signedtohimwitheasypolitenessandwithoutanynewappearanceofemotion，toproceed。
’Itwasthefirstwordshehadeverspoken，fromwhichitcouldbeunderstoodthatshehadanyrelativeonearth。“Wasthechildalive？”heasked。“Yes。”Heaskedherwhereitwas，itsname，andwhethershehadanywishrespectingit。Shehadbutone，shesaid。
Itwasthattheboymightliveandgrow，inutterignoranceofhisfather，sothatnoartsmightteachhimtobegentleandforgiving。Whenhebecameaman，shetrustedtotheGodoftheirtribetobringthefatherandthesontogether，andrevengeherthroughherchild。Heaskedherotherquestions，butshespokenomore。Indeed，hesays，shescarcelysaidthismuch，tohim，butstoodwithherfaceturnedupwardstothesky，andneverlookedtowardshimonce。’
SirJohntookapinchofsnuff;glancedapprovinglyatanelegantlittlesketch，entitled’Nature，’onthewall;andraisinghiseyestothelocksmith’sfaceagain，said，withanairofcourtesyandpatronage，’Youwereobserving，MrVarden——’
’Thatshenever，’returnedthelocksmith，whowasnottobedivertedbyanyartificefromhisfirmmanner，andhissteadygaze，’thatsheneverlookedtowardshimonce，SirJohn;andsoshedied，andheforgother。But，someyearsafterwards，amanwassentencedtodiethesamedeath，whowasagipsytoo;asunburnt，swarthyfellow，almostawildman;andwhilehelayinprison，undersentence，he，whohadseenthehangmanmorethanoncewhilehewasfree，cutanimageofhimonhisstick，bywayofbravingdeath，andshowingthosewhoattendedonhim，howlittlehecaredorthoughtaboutit。HegavethisstickintohishandsatTyburn，andtoldhimthen，thatthewomanIhavespokenofhadleftherownpeopletojoinafinegentleman，andthat，beingdesertedbyhim，andcastoffbyheroldfriends，shehadswornwithinherownproudbreast，thatwhateverhermiserymightbe，shewouldasknohelpofanyhumanbeing。Hetoldhimthatshehadkeptherwordtothelast;andthat，meetingevenhiminthestreets——hehadbeenfondofheronce，itseems——shehadslippedfromhimbyatrick，andheneversawheragain，until，beinginoneofthefrequentcrowdsatTyburn，withsomeofhisroughcompanions，hehadbeendrivenalmostmadbyseeing，inthecriminalunderanothername，whosedeathhehadcometowitness，herself。Standinginthesameplaceinwhichshehadstood，hetoldthehangmanthis，andtoldhim，too，herrealname，whichonlyherownpeopleandthegentlemanforwhosesakeshehadleftthem，knew。Thatnamehewilltellagain，SirJohn，tononebutyou。’
’Tononebutme！’exclaimedtheknight，pausingintheactofraisinghiscuptohislipswithaperfectlysteadyhand，andcurlinguphislittlefingerforthebetterdisplayofabrilliantringwithwhichitwasornamented:’butme！——MydearMrVarden，howverypreposterous，toselectmeforhisconfidence！Withyouathiselbow，too，whoaresoperfectlytrustworthy！’
’SirJohn，SirJohn，’returnedthelocksmith，’attwelvetomorrow，thesemendie。HearthefewwordsIhavetoadd，anddonothopetodeceiveme;forthoughIamaplainmanofhumblestation，andyouareagentlemanofrankandlearning，thetruthraisesmetoyourlevel，andIKNOWthatyouanticipatethedisclosurewithwhichIamabouttoend，andthatyoubelievethisdoomedman，Hugh，tobeyourson。’
’Nay，’saidSirJohn，banteringhimwithagayair;’thewildgentleman，whodiedsosuddenly，scarcelywentasfarasthat，I
think？’
’Hedidnot，’returnedthelocksmith，’forshehadboundhimbysomepledge，knownonlytothesepeople，andwhichtheworstamongthemrespect，nottotellyourname:but，inafantasticpatternonthestick，hehadcarvedsomeletters，andwhenthehangmanaskedit，hebadehim，especiallyifheshouldevermeetwithhersoninafterlife，rememberthatplacewell。’
’Whatplace？’
’Chester。’
Theknightfinishedhiscupofchocolatewithanappearanceofinfiniterelish，andcarefullywipedhislipsuponhishandkerchief。
’SirJohn，’saidthelocksmith，’thisisallthathasbeentoldtome;butsincethesetwomenhavebeenleftfordeath，theyhaveconferredtogetherclosely。Seethem，andhearwhattheycanadd。
SeethisDennis，andlearnfromhimwhathehasnottrustedtome。
Ifyou，whoholdthecluetoall，wantcorroboration(whichyoudonot)，themeansareeasy。’
’Andtowhat，’saidSirJohnChester，risingonhiselbow，aftersmoothingthepillowforitsreception;’mydear，good-natured，estimableMrVarden——withwhomIcannotbeangryifIwould——towhatdoesallthistend？’
’Itakeyouforaman，SirJohn，andIsupposeittendstosomepleadingofnaturalaffectioninyourbreast，’returnedthelocksmith。’Isupposetothestrainingofeverynerve，andtheexertionofalltheinfluenceyouhave，orcanmake，inbehalfofyourmiserableson，andthemanwhohasdisclosedhisexistencetoyou。Attheworst，Isupposetoyourseeingyourson，andawakeninghimtoasenseofhiscrimeanddanger。Hehasnosuchsensenow。Thinkwhathislifemusthavebeen，whenhesaidinmyhearing，thatifImovedyoutoanything，itwouldbetohasteninghisdeath，andensuringhissilence，ifyouhaditinyourpower！’
’Andhaveyou，mygoodMrVarden，’saidSirJohninatoneofmildreproof，’haveyoureallylivedtoyourpresentage，andremainedsoverysimpleandcredulous，astoapproachagentlemanofestablishedcharacterwithsuchcredentialsasthese，fromdesperatemenintheirlastextremity，catchingatanystraw？Ohdear！Ohfie，fie！’
Thelocksmithwasgoingtointerpose，buthestoppedhim:
’Onanyothersubject，MrVarden，Ishallbedelighted——Ishallbecharmed——toconversewithyou，butIoweittomyowncharacternottopursuethistopicforanothermoment。’
’Thinkbetterofit，sir，whenIamgone，’returnedthelocksmith;
’thinkbetterofit，sir。Althoughyouhave，thricewithinasmanyweeks，turnedyourlawfulson，MrEdward，fromyourdoor，youmayhavetime，youmayhaveyearstomakeyourpeacewithHIM，SirJohn:butthattwelveo’clockwillsoonbehere，andsoonbepastforever。’
’Ithankyouverymuch，’returnedtheknight，kissinghisdelicatehandtothelocksmith，’foryourguilelessadvice;andIonlywish，mygoodsoul，althoughyoursimplicityisquitecaptivating，thatyouhadalittlemoreworldlywisdom。IneversomuchregrettedthearrivalofmyhairdresserasIdoatthismoment。Godblessyou！Goodmorning！You’llnotforgetmymessagetotheladies，MrVarden？Peak，showMrVardentothedoor。’
Gabrielsaidnomore，butgavetheknightapartinglook，andlefthim。Ashequittedtheroom，SirJohn’sfacechanged;andthesmilegaveplacetoahaggardandanxiousexpression，likethatofawearyactorjadedbytheperformanceofadifficultpart。Herosefromhisbedwithaheavysigh，andwrappedhimselfinhismorning-gown。
’Soshekeptherword，’hesaid，’andwasconstanttoherthreat！
IwouldIhadneverseenthatdarkfaceofhers，——Imighthavereadtheseconsequencesinit，fromthefirst。Thisaffairwouldmakeanoiseabroad，ifitrestedonbetterevidence;but，asitis，andbynotjoiningthescatteredlinksofthechain，Icanaffordtoslightit——Extremelydistressingtobetheparentofsuchanuncouthcreature！Still，Igavehimverygoodadvice。Itoldhimhewouldcertainlybehanged。IcouldhavedonenomoreifIhadknownofourrelationship;andthereareagreatmanyfatherswhohaveneverdoneasmuchforTHEIRnaturalchildren——Thehairdressermaycomein，Peak！’
Thehairdressercamein;andsawinSirJohnChester(whoseaccommodatingconsciencewassoonquietedbythenumerousprecedentsthatoccurredtohiminsupportofhislastobservation)，thesameimperturbable，fascinating，elegantgentlemanhehadseenyesterday，andmanyyesterdaysbefore。
Chapter76
AsthelocksmithwalkedslowlyawayfromSirJohnChester’schambers，helingeredunderthetreeswhichshadedthepath，almosthopingthathemightbesummonedtoreturn。Hehadturnedbackthrice，andstillloiteredatthecorner，whentheclockstrucktwelve。
Itwasasolemnsound，andnotmerelyforitsreferencetoto-
morrow;forheknewthatinthatchimethemurderer’sknellwasrung。Hehadseenhimpassalongthecrowdedstreet，amidsttheexecrationofthethrong;andmarkedhisquiveringlip，andtremblinglimbs;theashyhueuponhisface，hisclammybrow，thewilddistractionofhiseye——thefearofdeaththatswallowedupallotherthoughts，andgnawedwithoutcessationathisheartandbrain。Hehadmarkedthewanderinglook，seekingforhope，andfinding，turnwhereitwould，despair。Hehadseentheremorseful，pitiful，desolatecreature，riding，withhiscoffinbyhisside，tothegibbet。Heknewthat，tothelast，hehadbeenanunyielding，obdurateman;thatinthesavageterrorofhisconditionhehadhardened，ratherthanrelented，tohiswifeandchild;andthatthelastwordswhichhadpassedhiswhitelipswerecursesonthemashisenemies。
MrHaredalehaddeterminedtobethere，andseeitdone。Nothingbuttheevidenceofhisownsensescouldsatisfythatgloomythirstforretributionwhichhadbeengatheringuponhimforsomanyyears。Thelocksmithknewthis，andwhenthechimeshadceasedtovibrate，hurriedawaytomeethim。
’Forthesetwomen，’hesaid，ashewent，’Icandonomore。
Heavenhavemercyonthem！——Alas！IsayIcandonomoreforthem，butwhomcanIhelp？MaryRudgewillhaveahome，andafirmfriendwhenshemostwantsone;butBarnaby——poorBarnaby——willingBarnaby——whataidcanIrenderhim？Therearemany，manymenofsense，Godforgiveme，’criedthehonestlocksmith，stoppinginanarrowcounttopasshishandacrosshiseyes，’IcouldbetteraffordtolosethanBarnaby。Wehavealwaysbeengoodfriends，butIneverknew，tillnow，howmuchIlovedthelad。’
TherewerenotmanyinthegreatcitywhothoughtofBarnabythatday，otherwisethanasanactorinashowwhichwastotakeplaceto-morrow。Butifthewholepopulationhadhadhimintheirminds，andhadwishedhislifetobespared，notoneamongthemcouldhavedonesowithapurerzealorgreatersinglenessofheartthanthegoodlocksmith。
Barnabywastodie。Therewasnohope。Itisnottheleastevilattendantuponthefrequentexhibitionofthislastdreadpunishment，ofDeath，thatithardensthemindsofthosewhodealitout，andmakesthem，thoughtheybeamiablemeninotherrespects，indifferentto，orunconsciousof，theirgreatresponsibility。ThewordhadgoneforththatBarnabywastodie。
Itwentforth，everymonth，forlightercrimes。Itwasathingsocommon，thatveryfewwerestartledbytheawfulsentence，orcaredtoquestionitspropriety。Justthen，too，whenthelawhadbeensoflagrantlyoutraged，itsdignitymustbeasserted。Thesymbolofitsdignity，——stampeduponeverypageofthecriminalstatute-book，——wasthegallows;andBarnabywastodie。
Theyhadtriedtosavehim。Thelocksmithhadcarriedpetitionsandmemorialstothefountain-head，withhisownhands。Butthewellwasnotoneofmercy，andBarnabywastodie。
Fromthefirsthismotherhadneverlefthim，saveatnight;andwithherbesidehim，hewasasusualcontented。Onthislastday，hewasmoreelatedandmoreproudthanhehadbeenyet;andwhenshedroppedthebookshehadbeenreadingtohimaloud，andfelluponhisneck，hestoppedinhisbusytaskoffoldingapieceofcrapeabouthishat，andwonderedatheranguish。Griputteredafeeblecroak，halfinencouragement，itseemed，andhalfinremonstrance，buthewantedhearttosustainit，andlapsedabruptlyintosilence。
Withthemwhostooduponthebrinkofthegreatgulfwhichnonecanseebeyond，Time，sosoontoloseitselfinvastEternity，rolledonlikeamightyriver，swollenandrapidasitnearsthesea。Itwasmorningbutnow;theyhadsatandtalkedtogetherinadream;
andherewasevening。Thedreadfulhourofseparation，whichevenyesterdayhadseemedsodistant，wasathand。
Theywalkedoutintothecourtyard，clingingtoeachother，butnotspeaking。Barnabyknewthatthejailwasadull，sad，miserableplace，andlookedforwardtoto-morrow，astoapassagefromittosomethingbrightandbeautiful。Hehadavagueimpressiontoo，thathewasexpectedtobebrave——thathewasamanofgreatconsequence，andthattheprisonpeoplewouldbegladtomakehimweep。Hetrodthegroundmorefirmlyashethoughtofthis，andbadehertakeheartandcrynomore，andfeelhowsteadyhishandwas。’Theycallmesilly，mother。Theyshallseeto-morrow！’
DennisandHughwereinthecourtyard。Hughcameforthfromhiscellastheydid，stretchinghimselfasthoughhehadbeensleeping。Dennissatuponabenchinacorner，withhiskneesandchinhuddledtogether，androckedhimselftoandfrolikeapersoninseverepain。
Themotherandsonremainedononesideofthecourt，andthesetwomenupontheother。Hughstrodeupanddown，glancingfiercelyeverynowandthenatthebrightsummersky，andlookinground，whenhehaddoneso，atthewalls。
’Noreprieve，noreprieve！Nobodycomesnearus。There’sonlythenightleftnow！’moanedDennisfaintly，ashewrunghishands。’Doyouthinkthey’llreprievemeinthenight，brother？I’veknownreprievescomeinthenight，aforenow。I’veknown’emcomeaslateasfive，six，andseveno’clockinthemorning。Don’tyouthinkthere’sagoodchanceyet，——don’tyou？Sayyoudo。Sayyoudo，youngman，’whinedthemiserablecreature，withanimploringgesturetowardsBarnaby，’orIshallgomad！’
’Betterbemadthansane，here，’saidHugh。’GOmad。’
’Buttellmewhatyouthink。Somebodytellmewhathethinks！’
criedthewretchedobject，——somean，andwretched，anddespicable，thatevenPity’sselfmighthaveturnedaway，atsightofsuchabeinginthelikenessofaman——’isn’tthereachanceforme，——
isn’tthereagoodchanceforme？Isn’titlikelytheymaybedoingthistofrightenme？Don’tyouthinkitis？Oh！’healmostshrieked，ashewrunghishands，’won’tanybodygivemecomfort！’
’Yououghttobethebest，insteadoftheworst，’saidHugh，stoppingbeforehim。’Ha，ha，ha！Seethehangman，whenitcomeshometohim！’
’Youdon’tknowwhatitis，’criedDennis，actuallywrithingashespoke:’Ido。ThatIshouldcometobeworkedoff！I！I！ThatI
shouldcome！’
’Andwhynot？’saidHugh，ashethrustbackhismattedhairtogetabetterviewofhislateassociate。’Howoften，beforeIknewyourtrade，didIhearyoutalkingofthisasifitwasatreat？’
’Ian’tunconsistent，’screamedthemiserablecreature;’I’dtalksoagain，ifIwashangman。Someothermanhasgotmyoldopinionsatthisminute。Thatmakesitworse。Somebody’slongingtoworkmeoff。Iknowbymyselfthatsomebodymustbe！’
’He’llsoonhavehislonging，’saidHugh，resuminghiswalk。
’Thinkofthat，andbequiet。’
Althoughoneofthesemendisplayed，inhisspeechandbearing，themostrecklesshardihood;andtheother，inhiseverywordandaction，testifiedsuchanextremeofabjectcowardicethatitwashumiliatingtoseehim;itwouldbedifficulttosaywhichofthemwouldmosthaverepelledandshockedanobserver。Hugh’swasthedoggeddesperationofasavageatthestake;thehangmanwasreducedtoaconditionlittlebetter，ifany，thanthatofahoundwiththehalterroundhisneck。Yet，asMrDennisknewandcouldhavetoldthem，thesewerethetwocommoneststatesofmindinpersonsbroughttotheirpass。Suchwasthewholesomegrowthoftheseedsownbythelaw，thatthiskindofharvestwasusuallylookedfor，asamatterofcourse。
Inonerespecttheyallagreed。Thewanderinganduncontrollabletrainofthought，suggestingsuddenrecollectionsofthingsdistantandlongforgottenandremotefromeachother——thevaguerestlesscravingforsomethingundefined，whichnothingcouldsatisfy——theswiftflightoftheminutes，fusingthemselvesintohours，asifbyenchantment——therapidcomingofthesolemnnight——theshadowofdeathalwaysuponthem，andyetsodimandfaint，thatobjectsthemeanestandmosttrivialstartedfromthegloombeyond，andforcedthemselvesupontheview——theimpossibilityofholdingthemind，eveniftheyhadbeensodisposed，topenitenceandpreparation，orofkeepingittoanypointwhileonehideousfascinationtempteditaway——thesethingswerecommontothemall，andvariedonlyintheiroutwardtokens。
’FetchmethebookIleftwithin——uponyourbed，’shesaidtoBarnaby，astheclockstruck。’Kissmefirst。’
Helookedinherface，andsawthere，thatthetimewascome。
Afteralongembrace，hetorehimselfaway，andrantobringittoher;biddinghernotstirtillhecameback。Hesoonreturned，forashriekrecalledhim，——butshewasgone。
Herantotheyard-gate，andlookedthrough。Theywerecarryingheraway。Shehadsaidherheartwouldbreak。Itwasbetterso。
’Don’tyouthink，’whimperedDennis，creepinguptohim，ashestoodwithhisfeetrootedtotheground，gazingattheblankwalls——’don’tyouthinkthere’sstillachance？It’sadreadfulend;it’saterribleendforamanlikeme。Don’tyouthinkthere’sachance？Idon’tmeanforyou，Imeanforme。Don’tletHIMhearus(meaningHugh);’he’ssodesperate。’
Nowthen，’saidtheofficer，whohadbeenlounginginandoutwithhishandsinhispockets，andyawningasifhewereinthelastextremityforsomesubjectofinterest:’it’stimetoturnin，boys。’
’Notyet，’criedDennis，’notyet。Notforanhouryet。’
’Isay，——yourwatchgoesdifferentfromwhatitusedto，’returnedtheman。’Onceuponatimeitwasalwaystoofast。It’sgottheotherfaultnow。’
’Myfriend，’criedthewretchedcreature，fallingonhisknees，’mydearfriend——youalwaysweremydearfriend——there’ssomemistake。
Someletterhasbeenmislaid，orsomemessengerhasbeenstoppedupontheway。Hemayhavefallendead。Isawamanonce，falldowndeadinthestreet，myself，andhehadpapersinhispocket。
Sendtoinquire。Letsomebodygotoinquire。Theyneverwillhangme。Theynevercan——Yes，theywill，’hecried，startingtohisfeetwithaterriblescream。’They’llhangmebyatrick，andkeepthepardonback。It’saplotagainstme。Ishalllosemylife！’
Andutteringanotheryell，hefellinafitupontheground。
’Seethehangmanwhenitcomeshometohim！’criedHughagain，astheyborehimaway——’Hahaha！Courage，boldBarnaby，whatcarewe？Yourhand！Theydowelltoputusoutoftheworld，forifwegotlooseasecondtime，wewouldn’tletthemoffsoeasy，eh？
Anothershake！Amancandiebutonce。Ifyouwakeinthenight，singthatoutlustily，andfallasleepagain。Hahaha！’
Barnabyglancedoncemorethroughthegrateintotheemptyyard;
andthenwatchedHughashestrodetothestepsleadingtohissleeping-cell。Heheardhimshout，andburstintoaroaroflaughter，andsawhimflourishhishat。Thenheturnedawayhimself，likeonewhowalkedinhissleep;and，withoutanysenseoffearorsorrow，laydownonhispallet，listeningfortheclocktostrikeagain。
Chapter77
Thetimeworeon。Thenoisesinthestreetsbecamelessfrequentbydegrees，untilsilencewasscarcelybrokensavebythebellsinchurchtowers，markingtheprogress——softerandmorestealthywhilethecityslumbered——ofthatGreatWatcherwiththehoaryhead，whoneversleepsorrests。Inthebriefintervalofdarknessandreposewhichfeverishtownsenjoy，allbusysoundswerehushed;
andthosewhoawokefromdreamslaylisteningintheirbeds，andlongedfordawn，andwishedthedeadofthenightwerepast。
Intothestreetoutsidethejail’smainwall，workmencamestragglingatthissolemnhour，ingroupsoftwoorthree，andmeetinginthecentre，casttheirtoolsuponthegroundandspokeinwhispers。Otherssoonissuedfromthejailitself，bearingontheirshouldersplanksandbeams:thesematerialsbeingallbroughtforth，therestbestirredthemselves，andthedullsoundofhammersbegantoechothroughthestillness。
Hereandthereamongthisknotoflabourers，one，withalanternorasmokylink，stoodbytolighthisfellowsattheirwork;andbyitsdoubtfulaid，somemightbedimlyseentakingupthepavementoftheroad，whileothersheldgreatuprightposts，orfixedthemintheholesthusmadefortheirreception。Somedraggedslowlyon，towardstherest，anemptycart，whichtheybroughtrumblingfromtheprison-yard;whileotherserectedstrongbarriersacrossthestreet。Allwerebusilyengaged。Theirduskyfiguresmovingtoandfro，atthatunusualhour，soactiveandsosilent，mighthavebeentakenforthoseofshadowycreaturestoilingatmidnightonsomeghostlyunsubstantialwork，which，likethemselves，wouldvanishwiththefirstgleamofday，andleavebutmorningmistandvapour。
Whileitwasyetdark，afewlookers-oncollected，whohadplainlycomethereforthepurposeandintendedtoremain:eventhosewhohadtopassthespotontheirwaytosomeotherplace，lingered，andlingeredyet，asthoughtheattractionofthatwereirresistible。Meanwhilethenoiseofsawandmalletwentonbriskly，mingledwiththeclatteringofboardsonthestonepavementoftheroad，andsometimeswiththeworkmen’svoicesastheycalledtooneanother。Wheneverthechimesoftheneighbouringchurchwereheard——andthatwaseveryquarterofanhour——astrangesensation，instantaneousandindescribable，butperfectlyobvious，seemedtopervadethemall。
Gradually，afaintbrightnessappearedintheeast，andtheair，whichhadbeenverywarmallthroughthenight，feltcoolandchilly。Thoughtherewasnodaylightyet，thedarknesswasdiminished，andthestarslookedpale。Theprison，whichhadbeenamereblackmasswithlittleshapeorform，putonitsusualaspect;andeverandanonasolitarywatchmancouldbeseenuponitsroof，stoppingtolookdownuponthepreparationsinthestreet。Thisman，fromforming，asitwere，apartofthejail，andknowingorbeingsupposedtoknowallthatwaspassingwithin，becameanobjectofasmuchinterest，andwasaseagerlylookedfor，andasawfullypointedout，asifhehadbeenaspirit。
Byandby，thefeeblelightgrewstronger，andthehouseswiththeirsignboardsandinscriptions，stoodplainlyout，inthedullgreymorning。Heavystagewaggonscrawledfromtheinn-yardopposite;andtravellerspeepedout;andastheyrolledsluggishlyaway，castmanyabackwardlooktowardsthejail。Andnow，thesun’sfirstbeamscameglancingintothestreet;andthenight’swork，which，initsvariousstagesandinthevariedfanciesofthelookers-onhadtakenahundredshapes，woreitsownproperform——ascaffold，andagibbet。
Asthewarmthofthecheerfuldaybegantosheditselfuponthescantycrowd，themurmuroftongueswasheard，shutterswerethrownopen，andblindsdrawnup，andthosewhohadsleptinroomsoveragainsttheprison，whereplacestoseetheexecutionwereletathighprices，rosehastilyfromtheirbeds。Insomeofthehouses，peoplewerebusytakingoutthewindow-sashesforthebetteraccommodationofspectators;inothers，thespectatorswerealreadyseated，andbeguilingthetimewithcards，ordrink，orjokesamongthemselves。Somehadpurchasedseatsuponthehouse-tops，andwerealreadycrawlingtotheirstationsfromparapetandgarret-
window。Somewereyetbargainingforgoodplaces，andstoodintheminastateofindecision:gazingattheslowly-swellingcrowd，andattheworkmenastheyrestedlistlesslyagainstthescaffold——
affectingtolistenwithindifferencetotheproprietor’seulogyofthecommandingviewhishouseafforded，andthesurpassingcheapnessofhisterms。
Afairermorningnevershone。Fromtheroofsandupperstoriesofthesebuildings，thespiresofcitychurchesandthegreatcathedraldomewerevisible，risingupbeyondtheprison，intothebluesky，andcladinthecolouroflightsummerclouds，andshowingintheclearatmospheretheireveryscrapoftraceryandfretwork，andeverynicheandloophole。Allwasbrightnessandpromise，exceptinginthestreetbelow，intowhich(forityetlayinshadow)theeyelookeddownasintoadarktrench，where，inthemidstofsomuchlife，andhope，andrenewalofexistence，stoodtheterribleinstrumentofdeath。Itseemedasiftheverysunforboretolookuponit。
Butitwasbetter，grimandsombreintheshade，thanwhen，thedaybeingmoreadvanced，itstoodconfessedinthefullglareandgloryofthesun，withitsblackpaintblistering，anditsnoosesdanglinginthelightlikeloathsomegarlands。Itwasbetterinthesolitudeandgloomofmidnightwithafewformsclusteringaboutit，thaninthefreshnessandthestirofmorning:thecentreofaneagercrowd。Itwasbetterhauntingthestreetlikeaspectre，whenmenwereintheirbeds，andinfluencingperchancethecity’sdreams，thanbravingthebroadday，andthrustingitsobscenepresenceupontheirwakingsenses。
Fiveo’clockhadstruck——six——seven——andeight。Alongthetwomainstreetsateitherendofthecross-way，alivingstreamhadnowsetin，rollingtowardsthemartsofgainandbusiness。Carts，coaches，waggons，trucks，andbarrows，forcedapassagethroughtheoutskirtsofthethrong，andclatteredonwardinthesamedirection。Someofthesewhichwerepublicconveyancesandhadcomefromashortdistanceinthecountry，stopped;andthedriverpointedtothegibbetwithhiswhip，thoughhemighthavesparedhimselfthepains，fortheheadsofallthepassengerswereturnedthatwaywithouthishelp，andthecoach-windowswerestuckfullofstaringeyes。Insomeofthecartsandwaggons，womenmightbeseen，glancingfearfullyatthesameunsightlything;andevenlittlechildrenwereheldupabovethepeople’sheadstoseewhatkindofatoyagallowswas，andlearnhowmenwerehanged。
Tworiotersweretodiebeforetheprison，whohadbeenconcernedintheattackuponit;andonedirectlyafterwardsinBloomsburySquare。Atnineo’clock，astrongbodyofmilitarymarchedintothestreet，andformedandlinedanarrowpassageintoHolborn，whichhadbeenindifferentlykeptallnightbyconstables。Throughthis，anothercartwasbrought(theonealreadymentionedhadbeenemployedintheconstructionofthescaffold)，andwheeleduptotheprison-gate。Thesepreparationsmade，thesoldiersstoodatease;theofficersloungedtoandfro，inthealleytheyhadmade，ortalkedtogetheratthescaffold’sfoot;andtheconcourse，whichhadbeenrapidlyaugmentingforsomehours，andstillreceivedadditionseveryminute，waitedwithanimpatiencewhichincreasedwitheverychimeofStSepulchre’sclock，fortwelveatnoon。
Uptothistimetheyhadbeenveryquiet，comparativelysilent，savewhenthearrivalofsomenewpartyatawindow，hithertounoccupied，gavethemsomethingnewtolookatortotalkof。But，asthehourapproached，abuzzandhumarose，which，deepeningeverymoment，soonswelledintoaroar，andseemedtofilltheair。
Nowordsorevenvoicescouldbedistinguishedinthisclamour，nordidtheyspeakmuchtoeachother;thoughsuchaswerebetterinformeduponthetopicthantherest，wouldtelltheirneighbours，perhaps，thattheymightknowthehangmanwhenhecameout，byhisbeingtheshorterone:andthatthemanwhowastosufferwithhimwasnamedHugh:andthatitwasBarnabyRudgewhowouldbehangedinBloomsburySquare。
Thehumgrew，asthetimedrewnear，soloud，thatthosewhowereatthewindowscouldnothearthechurch-clockstrike，thoughitwascloseathand。Norhadtheyanyneedtohearit，either，fortheycouldseeitinthepeople’sfaces。Sosurelyasanotherquarterchimed，therewasamovementinthecrowd——asifsomethinghadpassedoverit——asifthelightuponthemhadbeenchanged——inwhichthefactwasreadableasonabrazendial，figuredbyagiant’shand。
Threequarterspasteleven！Themurmurnowwasdeafening，yeteverymanseemedmute。Lookwhereyouwouldamongthecrowd，yousawstrainedeyesandlipscompressed;itwouldhavebeendifficultforthemostvigilantobservertopointthiswayorthat，andsaythatyondermanhadcriedout。Itwereaseasytodetectthemotionoflipsinasea-shell。
Threequarterspasteleven！Manyspectatorswhohadretiredfromthewindows，camebackrefreshed，asthoughtheirwatchhadjustbegun。Thosewhohadfallenasleep，rousedthemselves;andeverypersoninthecrowdmadeonelastefforttobetterhisposition——
whichcausedapressagainstthesturdybarriersthatmadethembendandyieldliketwigs。Theofficers，whountilnowhadkepttogether，fellintotheirseveralpositions，andgavethewordsofcommand。Swordsweredrawn，musketsshouldered，andthebrightsteelwindingitswayamongthecrowd，gleamedandglitteredinthesunlikeariver。Alongthisshiningpath，twomencamehurryingon，leadingahorse，whichwasspeedilyharnessedtothecartattheprison-door。Then，aprofoundsilencereplacedthetumultthathadsolongbeengathering，andabreathlesspauseensued。Everywindowwasnowchokedupwithheads;thehouse-topsteemedwithpeople——clingingtochimneys，peeringovergable-ends，andholdingonwherethesuddenlooseningofanybrickorstonewoulddashthemdownintothestreet。Thechurchtower，thechurchroof，thechurchyard，theprisonleads，theverywater-spoutsandlampposts——everyinchofroom——swarmedwithhumanlife。
Atthefirststrokeoftwelvetheprison-bellbegantotoll。Thentheroar——minglednowwithcriesof’Hatsoff！’and’Poorfellows！’
and，fromsomespecksinthegreatconcourse，withashriekorgroan——burstforthagain。Itwasterribletosee——ifanyoneinthatdistractionofexcitementcouldhaveseen——theworldofeagereyes，allstraineduponthescaffoldandthebeam。
Thehollowmurmuringwasheardwithinthejailasplainlyaswithout。Thethreewerebroughtforthintotheyard，together，asitresoundedthroughtheair。Theyknewitsimportwell。
’D’yehear？’criedHugh，undauntedbythesound。’Theyexpectus！
IheardthemgatheringwhenIwokeinthenight，andturnedoveront’othersideandfellasleepagain。Weshallseehowtheywelcomethehangman，nowthatitcomeshometohim。Ha，ha，ha！’
TheOrdinarycomingupatthismoment，reprovedhimforhisindecentmirth，andadvisedhimtoalterhisdemeanour。
’Andwhy，master？’saidHugh。’CanIdobetterthanbeariteasily？YOUbeariteasilyenough。Oh！nevertellme，’hecried，astheotherwouldhavespoken，’forallyoursadlookandyoursolemnair，youthinklittleenoughofit！Theysayyou’rethebestmakeroflobstersaladsinLondon。Ha，ha！I’veheardthat，yousee，beforenow。Isitagoodone，thismorning——isyourhandin？Howdoesthebreakfastlook？Ihopethere’senough，andtospare，forallthishungrycompanythat’llsitdowntoit，whenthesight’sover。’
’Ifear，’observedtheclergyman，shakinghishead，’thatyouareincorrigible。’
’You’reright。Iam，’rejoinedHughsternly。’Benohypocrite，master！Youmakeamerry-makingofthis，everymonth;letmebemerry，too。Ifyouwantafrightenedfellowthere’sonethat’llsuityou。Tryyourhanduponhim。’
Hepointed，ashespoke，toDennis，who，withhislegstrailingontheground，washeldbetweentwomen;andwhotrembledso，thatallhisjointsandlimbsseemedrackedbyspasms。Turningfromthiswretchedspectacle，hecalledtoBarnaby，whostoodapart。
’Whatcheer，Barnaby？Don’tbedowncast，lad。LeavethattoHIM。’
’Blessyou，’criedBarnaby，steppinglightlytowardshim，’I’mnotfrightened，Hugh。I’mquitehappy。Iwouldn’tdesiretolivenow，ifthey’dletme。Lookatme！AmIafraidtodie？WilltheyseeMEtremble？’
Hughgazedforamomentathisface，onwhichtherewasastrange，unearthlysmile;andathiseye，whichsparkledbrightly;andinterposingbetweenhimandtheOrdinary，grufflywhisperedtothelatter:
’Iwouldn’tsaymuchtohim，master，ifIwasyou。Hemayspoilyourappetiteforbreakfast，thoughyouAREusedtoit。’
Hewastheonlyoneofthethreewhohadwashedortrimmedhimselfthatmorning。Neitheroftheothershaddoneso，sincetheirdoomwaspronounced。Hestillworethebrokenpeacock’sfeathersinhishat;andallhisusualscrapsoffinerywerecarefullydisposedabouthisperson。Hiskindlingeye，hisfirmstep，hisproudandresolutebearing，mighthavegracedsomeloftyactofheroism;somevoluntarysacrifice，bornofanoblecauseandpureenthusiasm;
ratherthanthatfelon’sdeath。
Butallthesethingsincreasedhisguilt。Theyweremereassumptions。Thelawhaddeclareditso，andsoitmustbe。Thegoodministerhadbeengreatlyshocked，notaquarterofanhourbefore，athispartingwithGrip。Foroneinhiscondition，tofondleabird！——Theyardwasfilledwithpeople;bluffcivicfunctionaries，officersofjustice，soldiers，thecuriousinsuchmatters，andguestswhohadbeenbiddenastoawedding。Hughlookedabouthim，noddedgloomilytosomepersoninauthority，whoindicatedwithhishandinwhatdirectionhewastoproceed;andclappingBarnabyontheshoulder，passedoutwiththegaitofalion。
Theyenteredalargeroom，soneartothescaffoldthatthevoicesofthosewhostoodaboutit，couldbeplainlyheard:somebeseechingthejavelin-mentotakethemoutofthecrowd:otherscryingtothosebehind，tostandback，fortheywerepressedtodeath，andsuffocatingforwantofair。
Inthemiddleofthischamber，twosmiths，withhammers，stoodbesideananvil。Hughwalkedstraightuptothem，andsethisfootuponitwithasoundasthoughithadbeenstruckbyaheavyweapon。Then，withfoldedarms，hestoodtohavehisironsknockedoff:scowlinghaughtilyround，asthosewhowerepresenteyedhimnarrowlyandwhisperedtoeachother。
IttooksomuchtimetodragDennisin，thatthisceremonywasoverwithHugh，andnearlyoverwithBarnaby，beforeheappeared。Henosoonercameintotheplaceheknewsowell，however，andamongfaceswithwhichhewassofamiliar，thanherecoveredstrengthandsenseenoughtoclasphishandsandmakealastappeal。
’Gentlemen，goodgentlemen，’criedtheabjectcreature，grovellingdownuponhisknees，andactuallyprostratinghimselfuponthestonefloor:’Governor，deargovernor——honourablesheriffs——worthygentlemen——havemercyuponawretchedmanthathasservedHisMajesty，andtheLaw，andParliament，forsomanyyears，anddon’t——
don’tletmedie——becauseofamistake。’
’Dennis，’saidthegovernorofthejail，’youknowwhatthecourseis，andthattheordercamewiththerest。Youknowthatwecoulddonothing，evenifwewould。’
’AllIask，sir，——allIwantandbeg，istime，tomakeitsure，’
criedthetremblingwretch，lookingwildlyroundforsympathy。
’TheKingandGovernmentcan’tknowit’sme;I’msuretheycan’tknowit’sme;ortheyneverwouldbringmetothisdreadfulslaughterhouse。Theyknowmyname，buttheydon’tknowit’sthesameman。Stopmyexecution——forcharity’ssakestopmyexecution，gentlemen——tilltheycanbetoldthatI’vebeenhangmanhere，nighthirtyyear。Willnoonegoandtellthem？’heimplored，clenchinghishandsandglaringround，andround，androundagain——’willnocharitablepersongoandtellthem！’
’MrAkerman，’saidagentlemanwhostoodby，afteramoment’spause，’sinceitmaypossiblyproduceinthisunhappymanabetterframeofmind，evenatthislastminute，letmeassurehimthathewaswellknowntohavebeenthehangman，whenhissentencewasconsidered。’
’——Butperhapstheythinkonthataccountthatthepunishment’snotsogreat，’criedthecriminal，shufflingtowardsthisspeakeronhisknees，andholdinguphisfoldedhands;’whereasit’sworse，it’sworseahundredtimes，tomethananyman。Letthemknowthat，sir。Letthemknowthat。They’vemadeitworsetomebygivingmesomuchtodo。Stopmyexecutiontilltheyknowthat！’
Thegovernorbeckonedwithhishand，andthetwomen，whohadsupportedhimbefore，approached。Heutteredapiercingcry:
’Wait！Wait。Onlyamoment——onlyonemomentmore！Givemealastchanceofreprieve。OneofusthreeistogotoBloomsburySquare。
Letmebetheone。Itmaycomeinthattime;it’ssuretocome。
IntheLord’snameletmebesenttoBloomsburySquare。Don’thangmehere。It’smurder。’
Theytookhimtotheanvil:buteventhenhecouldheheardabovetheclinkingofthesmiths’hammers，andthehoarseragingofthecrowd，cryingthatheknewofHugh’sbirth——thathisfatherwasliving，andwasagentlemanofinfluenceandrank——thathehadfamilysecretsinhispossession——thathecouldtellnothingunlesstheygavehimtime，butmustdiewiththemonhismind;andhecontinuedtoraveinthissortuntilhisvoicefailedhim，andhesankdownamereheapofclothesbetweenthetwoattendants。
Itwasatthismomentthattheclockstruckthefirststrokeoftwelve，andthebellbegantotoll。Thevariousofficers，withthetwosheriffsattheirhead，movedtowardsthedoor。Allwasreadywhenthelastchimecameupontheear。
TheytoldHughthis，andaskedifhehadanythingtosay。
’Tosay！’hecried。’NotI。I’mready——Yes，’headded，ashiseyefelluponBarnaby，’Ihaveawordtosay，too。Comehither，lad。’
Therewas，forthemoment，somethingkind，andeventender，strugglinginhisfierceaspect，ashewrunghispoorcompanionbythehand。
’I’llsaythis，’hecried，lookingfirmlyround，’thatifIhadtenlivestolose，andthelossofeachwouldgivemetentimestheagonyofthehardestdeath，I’dlaythemalldown——ay，Iwould，thoughyougentlemenmaynotbelieveit——tosavethisone。Thisone，’headded，wringinghishandagain，’thatwillbelostthroughme。’
’Notthroughyou，’saidtheidiot，mildly。’Don’tsaythat。Youwerenottoblame。Youhavealwaysbeenverygoodtome——Hugh，weshallknowwhatmakesthestarsshine，NOW！’
’Itookhimfromherinarecklessmood，anddidn’tthinkwhatharmwouldcomeofit，’saidHugh，layinghishanduponhishead，andspeakinginalowervoice。’Iaskherpardon;andhis——Lookhere，’headdedroughly，inhisformertone。’Youseethislad？’
Theymurmured’Yes，’andseemedtowonderwhyheasked。
’Thatgentlemanyonder——’pointingtotheclergyman——’hasofteninthelastfewdaysspokentomeoffaith，andstrongbelief。YouseewhatIam——morebrutethanman，asIhavebeenoftentold——butIhadfaithenoughtobelieve，anddidbelieveasstronglyasanyofyougentlemencanbelieveanything，thatthisonelifewouldbespared。Seewhatheis！——Lookathim！’
Barnabyhadmovedtowardsthedoor，andstoodbeckoninghimtofollow。
’Ifthiswasnotfaith，andstrongbelief！’criedHugh，raisinghisrightarmaloft，andlookingupwardlikeasavageprophetwhomthenearapproachofDeathhadfilledwithinspiration，’wherearethey！Whatelseshouldteachme——me，bornasIwasborn，andrearedasIhavebeenreared——tohopeforanymercyinthishardened，cruel，unrelentingplace！Uponthesehumanshambles，I，whoneverraisedthishandinprayertillnow，calldownthewrathofGod！Onthatblacktree，ofwhichIamtheripenedfruit，Idoinvokethecurseofallitsvictims，past，andpresent，andtocome。Ontheheadofthatman，who，inhisconscience，ownsmeforhisson，Ileavethewishthathemayneversickenonhisbedofdown，butdieaviolentdeathasIdonow，andhavethenight-windforhisonlymourner。TothisIsay，Amen，amen！’
Hisarmfelldownwardbyhisside;heturned;andmovedtowardsthemwithasteadystep，themanhehadbeenbefore。
’Thereisnothingmore？’saidthegovernor。
HughmotionedBarnabynottocomenearhim(thoughwithoutlookinginthedirectionwherehestood)andanswered，’Thereisnothingmore。’
’Moveforward！’
’——Unless，’saidHugh，glancinghurriedlyback，——’unlessanypersonherehasafancyforadog;andnotthen，unlesshemeanstousehimwell。There’sone，belongstome，atthehouseIcamefrom，anditwouldn’tbeeasytofindabetter。He’llwhineatfirst，buthe’llsoongetoverthat——YouwonderthatIthinkaboutadogjustnow，headded，withakindoflaugh。’Ifanymandeserveditofmehalfaswell，I’dthinkofHIM。’
Hespokenomore，butmovedonwardinhisplace，withacarelessair，thoughlisteningatthesametimetotheServicefortheDead，withsomethingbetweensullenattention，andquickenedcuriosity。
Assoonashehadpassedthedoor，hismiserableassociatewascarriedout;andthecrowdbeheldtherest。
Barnabywouldhavemountedthestepsatthesametime——indeedhewouldhavegonebeforethem，butinbothattemptshewasrestrained，ashewastoundergothesentenceelsewhere。Inafewminutesthesheriffsreappeared，thesameprocessionwasagainformed，andtheypassedthroughvariousroomsandpassagestoanotherdoor——thatatwhichthecartwaswaiting。Hehelddownhisheadtoavoidseeingwhatheknewhiseyesmustotherwiseencounter，andtookhisseatsorrowfully，——andyetwithsomethingofachildishprideandpleasure，——inthevehicle。Theofficersfellintotheirplacesatthesides，infrontandintherear;thesheriffs’carriagesrolledon;aguardofsoldierssurroundedthewhole;andtheymovedslowlyforwardthroughthethrongandpressuretowardLordMansfield’sruinedhouse。
Itwasasadsight——alltheshow，andstrength，andglitter，assembledroundonehelplesscreature——andsadderyettonote，asherodealong，howhiswanderingthoughtsfoundstrangeencouragementinthecrowdedwindowsandtheconcourseinthestreets;andhow，eventhen，hefelttheinfluenceofthebrightsky，andlookedup，smiling，intoitsdeepunfathomableblue。Buttherehadbeenmanysuchsightssincetheriotswereover——somesomovingintheirnature，andsorepulsivetoo，thattheywerefarmorecalculatedtoawakenpityforthesufferers，thanrespectforthatlawwhosestrongarmseemedinmorethanonecasetobeaswantonlystretchedforthnowthatallwassafe，asithadbeenbaselyparalysedintimeofdanger。
Twocripples——bothmereboys——onewithalegofwood，onewhodraggedhistwistedlimbsalongbythehelpofacrutch，werehangedinthissameBloomsburySquare。Asthecartwasabouttoglidefromunderthem，itwasobservedthattheystoodwiththeirfacesfrom，notto，thehousetheyhadassistedtodespoil;andtheirmiserywasprotractedthatthisomissionmightberemedied。
AnotherboywashangedinBowStreet;otheryoungladsinvariousquartersofthetown。Fourwretchedwomen，too，wereputtodeath。Inaword，thosewhosufferedasrioterswere，forthemostpart，theweakest，meanest，andmostmiserableamongthem。Itwasamostexquisitesatireuponthefalsereligiouscrywhichhadledtosomuchmisery，thatsomeofthesepeopleownedthemselvestobeCatholics，andbeggedtobeattendedbytheirownpriests。
OneyoungmanwashangedinBishopsgateStreet，whoseagedgrey-
headedfatherwaitedforhimatthegallows，kissedhimatitsfootwhenhearrived，andsatthere，ontheground，tilltheytookhimdown。Theywouldhavegivenhimthebodyofhischild;buthehadnohearse，nocoffin，nothingtoremoveitin，beingtoopoor——andwalkedmeeklyawaybesidethecartthattookitbacktoprison，trying，ashewent，totouchitslifelesshand。
Butthecrowdhadforgottenthesematters，orcaredlittleaboutthemiftheylivedintheirmemory:andwhileonegreatmultitudefoughtandhustledtogetnearthegibbetbeforeNewgate，forapartinglook，anotherfollowedinthetrainofpoorlostBarnaby，toswellthethrongthatwaitedforhimonthespot。
Chapter78
Onthissameday，andaboutthisveryhour，MrWillettheeldersatsmokinghispipeinachamberattheBlackLion。Althoughitwashotsummerweather，MrWilletsatclosetothefire。Hewasinastateofprofoundcogitation，withhisownthoughts，anditwashiscustomatsuchtimestostewhimselfslowly，undertheimpressionthatthatprocessofcookerywasfavourabletothemeltingoutofhisideas，which，whenhebegantosimmer，sometimesoozedforthsocopiouslyastoastonishevenhimself。
MrWillethadbeenseveralthousandtimescomfortedbyhisfriendsandacquaintance，withtheassurancethatforthelosshehadsustainedinthedamagedonetotheMaypole，hecould’comeuponthecounty。’Butasthisphrasehappenedtobearanunfortunateresemblancetothepopularexpressionof’comingontheparish，’itsuggestedtoMrWillet’smindnomoreconsolatoryvisionsthanpauperismonanextensivescale，andruininacapaciousaspect。
Consequently，hehadneverfailedtoreceivetheintelligencewitharuefulshakeofthehead，oradrearystare，andhadbeenalwaysobservedtoappearmuchmoremelancholyafteravisitofcondolencethanatanyothertimeinthewholefour-and-twentyhours。
Itchanced，however，thatsittingoverthefireonthisparticularoccasion——perhapsbecausehewas，asitwere，donetoaturn;
perhapsbecausehewasinanunusuallybrightstateofmind;
perhapsbecausehehadconsideredthesubjectsolong;perhapsbecauseofallthesefavouringcircumstances，takentogether——itchancedthat，sittingoverthefireonthisparticularoccasion，MrWilletdid，afaroffandintheremotestdepthsofhisintellect，perceiveakindoflurkinghintorfaintsuggestion，thatoutofthepublicpursetheremightissuefundsfortherestorationoftheMaypoletoitsformerhighplaceamongthetavernsoftheearth。
Andthisdimrayoflightdidsodiffuseitselfwithinhim，anddidsokindleupandshine，thatatlasthehaditasplainlyandvisiblybeforehimastheblazebywhichhesat;and，fullypersuadedthathewasthefirsttomakethediscovery，andthathehadstarted，hunteddown，fallenupon，andknockedonthehead，aperfectlyoriginalideawhichhadneverpresenteditselftoanyotherman，aliveordead，helaiddownhispipe，rubbedhishands，andchuckledaudibly。
’Why，father！’criedJoe，enteringatthemoment，’you’reinspiritsto-day！’
’It’snothingpartickler，’saidMrWillet，chucklingagain。’It’snothingatallpartickler，Joseph。TellmesomethingabouttheSalwanners。’Havingpreferredthisrequest，MrWilletchuckledathirdtime，andaftertheseunusualdemonstrationsoflevity，heputhispipeinhismouthagain。
’WhatshallItellyou，father？’askedJoe，layinghishanduponhissire’sshoulder，andlookingdownintohisface。’ThatIhavecomeback，poorerthanachurchmouse？Youknowthat。ThatIhavecomeback，maimedandcrippled？Youknowthat。’
’Itwastookoff，’mutteredMrWillet，withhiseyesuponthefire，’atthedefenceoftheSalwanners，inAmerica，wherethewaris。’
’Quiteright，’returnedJoe，smiling，andleaningwithhisremainingelbowonthebackofhisfather’schair;’theverysubjectIcametospeaktoyouabout。Amanwithonearm，father，isnotofmuchuseinthebusyworld。’
ThiswasoneofthosevastpropositionswhichMrWillethadneverconsideredforaninstant，andrequiredtimeto’tackle。’
Whereforehemadenoanswer。
’Atallevents，’saidJoe，’hecan’tpickandchoosehismeansofearningalivelihood，asanothermanmay。Hecan’tsay“Iwillturnmyhandtothis。”or“Iwon’tturnmyhandtothat。”butmusttakewhathecando，andbethankfulit’snoworse——Whatdidyousay？’
MrWillethadbeensoftlyrepeatingtohimself，inamusingtone，thewords’defenceoftheSalwanners:’butheseemedembarrassedathavingbeenoverheard，andanswered’Nothing。’
’Nowlookhere，father——MrEdwardhascometoEnglandfromtheWestIndies。Whenhewaslostsightof(Iranawayonthesameday，father)，hemadeavoyagetooneoftheislands，whereaschool-friendofhishadsettled;and，findinghim，wasn’ttooproudtobeemployedonhisestate，and——andinshort，gotonwell，andisprospering，andhascomeoverhereonbusinessofhisown，andisgoingbackagainspeedily。Ourreturningnearlyatthesametime，andmeetinginthecourseofthelatetroubles，hasbeenagoodthingeveryway;forithasnotonlyenabledustodooldfriendssomeservice，buthasopenedapathinlifeformewhichI
maytreadwithoutbeingaburdenuponyou。Tobeplain，father，hecanemployme;IhavesatisfiedmyselfthatIcanbeofrealusetohim;andIamgoingtocarrymyonearmawaywithhim，andtomakethemostofit。
Inthemind’seyeofMrWillet，theWestIndies，andindeedallforeigncountries，wereinhabitedbysavagenations，whowereperpetuallyburyingpipesofpeace，flourishingtomahawks，andpuncturingstrangepatternsintheirbodies。Henosoonerheardthisannouncement，therefore，thanheleanedbackinhischair，tookhispipefromhislips，andstaredathissonwithasmuchdismayasifhealreadybeheldhimtiedtoastake，andtorturedfortheentertainmentofalivelypopulation。Inwhatformofexpressionhisfeelingswouldhavefoundavent，itisimpossibletosay。Norisitnecessary:for，beforeasyllableoccurredtohim，DollyVardencamerunningintotheroom，intears，threwherselfonJoe’sbreastwithoutawordofexplanation，andclaspedherwhitearmsroundhisneck。
’Dolly！’criedJoe。’Dolly！’
’Ay，callmethat;callmethatalways，’exclaimedthelocksmith’slittledaughter;’neverspeakcoldlytome，neverbedistant，neveragainreprovemeforthefolliesIhavelongrepented，orIshalldie，Joe。’
’Ireproveyou！’saidJoe。
’Yes——foreverykindandhonestwordyouuttered，wenttomyheart。
Foryou，whohavebornesomuchfromme——foryou，whooweyoursufferingsandpaintomycaprice——foryoutobesokind——sonobletome，Joe——’
Hecouldsaynothingtoher。Notasyllable。Therewasanoddsortofeloquenceinhisonearm，whichhadcreptroundherwaist:
buthislipsweremute。
’Ifyouhadremindedmebyaword——onlybyoneshortword，’sobbedDolly，clingingyetclosertohim，’howlittleIdeservedthatyoushouldtreatmewithsomuchforbearance;ifyouhadexultedonlyforonemomentinyourtriumph，Icouldhaveborneitbetter。’
’Triumph！’repeatedJoe，withasmilewhichseemedtosay，’Iamaprettyfigureforthat。’
’Yes，triumph，’shecried，withherwholeheartandsoulinherearnestvoice，andgushingtears;’foritisone。Iamgladtothinkandknowitis。Iwouldn’tbelesshumbled，dear——Iwouldn’tbewithouttherecollectionofthatlasttimewespoketogetherinthisplace——no，notifIcouldrecallthepast，andmakeourparting，yesterday。’
DideverloverlookasJoelookednow！
’DearJoe，’saidDolly，’Ialwayslovedyou——inmyownheartI
alwaysdid，althoughIwassovainandgiddy。Ihopedyouwouldcomebackthatnight。Imadequitesureyouwould。Iprayedforitonmyknees。Throughalltheselong，longyears，Ihaveneveronceforgottenyou，orleftoffhopingthatthishappytimemightcome。’
TheeloquenceofJoe’sarmsurpassedthemostimpassionedlanguage;
andsodidthatofhislips——yethesaidnothing，either。
’Andnow，atlast，’criedDolly，tremblingwiththefervourofherspeech，’ifyouweresick，andshatteredinyoureverylimb;ifyouwereailing，weak，andsorrowful;if，insteadofbeingwhatyouare，youwereineverybody’seyesbutminethewreckandruinofaman;Iwouldbeyourwife，dearlove，withgreaterprideandjoy，thanifyouwerethestateliestlordinEngland！’
’WhathaveIdone，’criedJoe，’whathaveIdonetomeetwiththisreward？’
’Youhavetaughtme，’saidDolly，raisingherprettyfacetohis，’toknowmyself，andyourworth;tobesomethingbetterthanI
was;tobemoredeservingofyourtrueandmanlynature。Inyearstocome，dearJoe，youshallfindthatyouhavedoneso;forIwillbe，notonlynow，whenweareyoungandfullofhope，butwhenwehavegrownoldandweary，yourpatient，gentle，never-tiringwife。Iwillneverknowawishorcarebeyondourhomeandyou，andIwillalwaysstudyhowtopleaseyouwithmybestaffectionandmymostdevotedlove。Iwill:indeedIwill！’
Joecouldonlyrepeathisformereloquence——butitwasverymuchtothepurpose。
’Theyknowofthis，athome，’saidDolly。’Foryoursake，Iwouldleaveeventhem;buttheyknowit，andaregladofit，andareasproudofyouasIam，andasfullofgratitude——You’llnotcomeandseemeasapoorfriendwhoknewmewhenIwasagirl，willyou，dearJoe？’
Well，well！Itdon’tmatterwhatJoesaidinanswer，buthesaidagreatdeal;andDollysaidagreatdealtoo:andhefoldedDollyinhisonearmprettytight，consideringthatitwasbutone;andDollymadenoresistance:andifevertwopeoplewerehappyinthisworld——whichisnotanutterlymiserableone，withallitsfaults——
wemay，withsomeappearanceofcertainty，concludethattheywere。
TosaythatduringtheseproceedingsMrWillettheelderunderwentthegreatestemotionsofastonishmentofwhichourcommonnatureissusceptible——tosaythathewasinaperfectparalysisofsurprise，andthathewanderedintothemoststupendousandtheretoforeunattainableheightsofcomplicatedamazement——wouldbetoshadowforthhisstateofmindinthefeeblestandlamestterms。Ifaroc，aneagle，agriffin，aflyingelephant，awingedsea-horse，hadsuddenlyappeared，and，takinghimonitsback，carriedhimbodilyintotheheartofthe’Salwanners，’itwouldhavebeentohimasaneverydayoccurrence，incomparisonwithwhathenowbeheld。Tobesittingquietlyby，seeingandhearingthesethings;
tobecompletelyoverlooked，unnoticed，anddisregarded，whilehissonandayoungladyweretalkingtoeachotherinthemostimpassionedmanner，kissingeachother，andmakingthemselvesinallrespectsperfectlyathome;wasapositionsotremendous，soinexplicable，soutterlybeyondthewidestrangeofhiscapacityofcomprehension，thathefellintoalethargyofwonder，andcouldnomorerousehimselfthananenchantedsleeperinthefirstyearofhisfairylease，acenturylong。
’Father，’saidJoe，presentingDolly。’Youknowwhothisis？’
MrWilletlookedfirstather，thenathisson，thenbackagainatDolly，andthenmadeanineffectualefforttoextractawhifffromhispipe，whichhadgoneoutlongago。
’Sayaword，father，ifit’sonly“howd’yedo。”’urgedJoe。
’Certainly，Joseph，’answeredMrWillet。’Ohyes！Whynot？’
’Tobesure，’saidJoe。’Whynot？’
’Ah！’repliedhisfather。’Whynot？’andwiththisremark，whichheutteredinalowvoiceasthoughhewerediscussingsomegravequestionwithhimself，heusedthelittlefinger——ifanyofhisfingerscanbesaidtohavecomeunderthatdenomination——ofhisrighthandasatobacco-stopper，andwassilentagain。
Andsohesatforhalfanhouratleast，althoughDolly，inthemostendearingofmanners，hoped，adozentimes，thathewasnotangrywithher。Sohesatforhalfanhour，quitemotionless，andlookingallthewhilelikenothingsomuchasagreatDutchPinorSkittle。Attheexpirationofthatperiod，hesuddenly，andwithouttheleastnotice，burst(tothegreatconsternationoftheyoungpeople)intoaveryloudandveryshortlaugh;andrepeating，’Certainly，Joseph。Ohyes！Whynot？’wentoutforawalk。
