However，heturnedresolutelyawayfromthesubjectIhadintroducedandbegantodiscusstitlesforhisnovel。
\"It’simpossibletofindanythingnew，\"hesaid，\"absolutelyimpossible。IdeclareIshalltaketonumbers。\"
Ilaughedatthisprosaicnotion，andwewerestilldiscussingthetitlewhenwereachedhome。
\"Don’tsayanythingaboutitatlunch，\"hesaidasweentered。\"Myfatherdetestsmywriting。\"
Inoddedassentandopenedthesitting—roomdoor——astrongsmellofbrandyinstantlybecameapparent；theMajorsatinthegreenvelvetchair，whichhadbeenwheeledclosetothehearth。Hewasdrunk。
Derrickgaveanejaculationofutterhopelessness。
\"ThiswillundoallthegoodofBenRhydding!\"hesaid。\"Howonearthhashemanagedtogetit？\"
TheMajor，however，wasnotsofargoneashelooked；hecaughtuptheremarkandturnedtowardsuswithahideouslaugh。
\"Ah，yes，\"hesaid，\"that’sthequestion。Buttheoldmanhasstillsomebrains，yousee。I’llbeevenwithyouyet，Derrick。Youneedn’tthinkyou’retohaveitallyourownway。It’smyturnnow。
You’vedeprivedmeallthistimeoftheonlythingIcareforinlife，andnowIturnthetablesonyou。Titfortat。Oh!yes，I’veturnedyourd——dscribblingstoausefulpurpose，soyouneedn’tcomplain!\"
AllthishadbeenshoutedoutatthetopofhisvoiceandfreelyinterlardedwithexpressionswhichIwillnotrepeat；attheendhebrokeagainintoalaugh，andwithalook，halfidiotic，halfdevilish，pointedtowardsthegrate。
\"GoodHeavens!\"Isaid，\"whathaveyoudone？\"
BythesideofthechairIsawapieceofbrownpaper，and，catchingitup，readtheaddress——\"Messrs。Davison，PaternosterRow\"；inthefireplacewasahugecharredmass。Derrickcaughthisbreath；hestoopeddownandsnatchedfromthefenderafragmentofpaperslightlyburned，butstillnotcharredbeyondrecognitionliketherest。Thewritingwasquitelegible——itwashisownwriting——thedescriptionoftheRoyalists’attackandPaulWharncliffe’sdefenceofthebridge。Ilookedfromthehalf—burntscrapofpapertothesidetablewhere，onlythepreviousnight，wehadplacedthenovel，andthen，realisingasfarasanybutanauthorcouldrealisethefrightfulthingthathadhappened，IlookedinDerrick’sface。Itswhitefuryappalledme。WhathehadbornehithertofromtheMajor，Godonlyknows，butthiswasthelastdropinthecup。Dailyinsults，ceaselessprovocation，eventhehumiliationsofpersonalviolencehehadbornewithsuperhumanpatience；butthislastinjury，thiswantonlycrueloutrage，thisdeliberatedestructionofanamountofthought，andlabour，andsufferingwhichonlythewriterhimselfcouldfullyestimate——thiswasintolerable。
WhatmighthavehappenedhadtheMajorbeensoberandinthepossessionofordinaryphysicalstrengthIhardlycaretothink。Asitwas，hisweaknessprotectedhim。Derrick’swrathwasspeechless；
withonelookofloathingandcontemptatthedrunkenman，hestrodeoutoftheroom，caughtuphishat，andhurriedfromthehouse。
TheMajorsatchucklingtohimselfforaminuteortwo，butsoonhegrewdrowsy，andbeforelongwassnoringlikeagrampus。Theoldlandladybroughtinlunch，sawthestateofthingsprettyquickly，shookherheadandcommiseratedDerrick。Then，whenshehadlefttheroom，seeingnoprospectthateitherofmycompanionswouldbeinafitstateforlunch，Imadeasolitarymeal，andhadjustfinishedwhenacabstoppedatthedoorandoutsprangDerrick。I
wentintothepassagetomeethim。
\"TheMajorisasleep，\"Iremarked。
HetooknomorenoticethanifIhadspokenofthecat。
\"I’mgoingtoLondon，\"hesaid，makingforthestairs。\"Canyougetyourbagready？There’satrainat2。5。\"
Somehowthesuddennessandtheself—controlwithwhichhemadethisannouncementcarriedmebacktothehotelatSouthampton，where，afterlisteningtotheaccountoftheship’sdoctor，hehadannouncedhisintentionoflivingwithhisfather。Formorethantwoyearshehadbornethisawfullife；hehadlostprettynearlyallthattherewastobelostandhehadgainedtheMajor’svindictivehatred。Now，halfmaddenedbypain，andhaving，ashethought，sohopelesslyfailed，hesawnothingforitbuttogo——andthatatonce。
Ipackedmybag，andthenwenttohelphim。Hewascrammingallhispossessionsintoportmanteauxandboxes；theHoffmanwasalreadypacked，andthewalllookedcuriouslybarewithoutit。ClearlythiswasnovisittoLondon——hewasleavingBathforgood，andwhocouldwonderatit？
\"Ihavearrangedfortheattendantfromthehospitaltocomeinatnightaswellasinthemorning，\"hesaid，ashelockedaportmanteauthatwasstuffedalmosttobursting。\"What’sthetime？
Wemustmakehasteorweshalllosethetrain。Do，likeagoodfellow，cramthatheapofthingsintothecarpet—bagwhileIspeaktothelandlady。\"
Atlastwewereoff，rattlingthroughthequietstreetsofBath，andreachingthestationbarelyintimetorushupthelongflightofstairsandspringintoanemptycarriage。NevershallIforgetthatjourney。Thetrainstoppedateverysinglestation，andsometimesinbetween；wewerefivemortalhoursontheroad，andmorethanonceIthoughtDerrickwouldhavefainted。However，hewasnotofthefaintingorder，heonlygrewmoreandmoreghastlyincolourandrigidinexpression。
Ifeltveryanxiousabouthim，fortheshockandthesuddenangerfollowingonthetroubleaboutFredaseemedtomeenoughtounhingeevenalesssensitivenature。’AtStrife’wasthenovelwhichhad，Ifirmlybelieve，kepthimalivethroughthatawfultimeatBenRhydding，andIbegantofearthattheMajor’sfitofdrunkenmalicemightprovethedestructionoftheauthoraswellasofthebook。
Everythinghad，asitwere，comeatonceonpoorDerrick；yetI
don’tknowthathefaredworsethanotherpeopleinthisrespect。
Life，unfortunately，isformostofusnowell—arrangedstorywithahappytermination；itisachequeredaffairofshadeandsun，andforonebeamoflighttherecomeveryoftenwidepatchesofshadow。
MenseemtohaveknownthissofarbackasShakespeare’stime，andtohaveobservedthatonewoetrodonanother’sheels，tohavebattlednotwithasinglewave，butwitha’seaoftroubles，’andtohaveremarkedthat’sorrowscomenotsingly，butinbattalions。’
However，owingIbelievechieflytohisownself—command，andtohisuntiringfacultyfortakinginfinitepainsoverhiswork，Derrickdidnotbreakdown，butpleasantlycheatedmyexpectations。Iwasnotcalledontonursehimthroughafever，andconsumptiondidnotmarkhimforherown。Infact，inthematterofillness，hewasalwaysamostprosaic，unromanticfellow，andneverindulgedinanyoftheeuphoniousandinterestingailments。Inallhislife，I
believe，heneverwentinforanythingbutthemumps——ofallcomplaintstheleastinteresting——and，maybe，anoccasionalheadache。
However，allthisisadigression。WeatlengthreachedLondon，andDerricktookaroomabovemine，nowandthendisturbingmewithnocturnalpacingsoverthecreakingboards，but，onthewhole，provinghimselfthebestofcompanions。
IfIwrotetillDoomsday，Icouldnevermakeyouunderstandhowtheburningofhisnovelaffectedhim——tothisdayitisasubjectI
instinctivelyavoidwithhim——thoughthere—written’AtStrife’hasbeensuchagrandsuccess。Forhedidre—writethestory，andthatatonce。Hesaidlittle；buttheverynextmorning，inoneofthewindowsofourquietsitting—room，oftenenoughlookingdespairinglyatthegreymonotonyofMontagueStreet，hebeganat’PageI，ChapterI，’andsoworkedpatientlyonformanymonthstore—makeasfarashecouldwhathisdrunkenfatherhadmaliciouslydestroyed。
BeyondtheunburntparagraphabouttheattackonMondisfield，hehadnothingexceptafewhastilyscribbledideasinhisnote—book，andofcoursetheveryelaborateandcarefulhistoricalnoteswhichhehadmadeontheCivilWarduringmanyyearsofreadingandresearch—
—forthisperiodhadalwaysbeenafavouritestudywithhim。
But，asanyauthorwillunderstand，theeffortofre—writingwasimmense，andthis，combinedwithalltheothertroubles，triedDerricktotheutmost。However，hetoiledon，andIhavealwaysthoughtthathisresolute，unyieldingconductwithregardtothatbookprovedwhatamanhewas。
ChapterVIII。
\"HowoftFate’ssharpestblowshallleavetheestrong，Withsomere—risenecstacyofsong。\"
F。W。H。Myers。
Astheautumnworeon，weheardnowandthenfromoldMackrillthedoctor。HisreportsoftheMajorwereprettyuniform。Derrickusedtohandthemovertomewhenhehadreadthem；but，bytacitconsent，theMajor’snamewasnevermentioned。
Meantime，besidesre—writing’AtStrife，’hewasaccumulatingmaterialforhisnextbookandworkingtoverygoodpurpose。Notaminuteofhisdaywasidle；hereadmuch，sawvariousphasesoflifehithertounknowntohim，studied，observed，gainedexperience，andcontrived，Ibelieve，tothinkverylittleandveryguardedlyofFreda。
But，onChristmasEve，Inoticedachangeinhim——andthatverynighthespoketome。Forsuchanimpressionablefellow，hehadreallyextraordinarytenacity，and，spiteofthecourseofHerbertSpencerthatIhadputhimthrough，heretainedhisunshakenfaithinmanythingswhichtomewereatthattimethemerestlegends。I
rememberverywelltheargumentsweusedtohaveonthevexedquestionof’Free—will，’andbeingmyselfmoreorlessofafatalist，itannoyedmethatInevercouldintheveryslightestdegreeshakehisconvictionsonthatpoint。Moreover，whenI
plaguedhimtoomuchwithHerbertSpencer，hehadawayofretaliating，andwouldfoistuponmehisfavouriteauthors。Hewasneveraworshipperofanyonewriter，butalwayshadatleastadozenprophetsinwhosepraisehewasenthusiastic。
Well，onthisChristmasEve，wehadbeentoseedearoldRavenscroftandhisgrand—daughter，andwewerewalkingbackthroughthequietprecinctsoftheTemple，whenhesaidabruptly：
\"IhavedecidedtogobacktoBathto—morrow。\"
\"Haveyouhadaworseaccount？\"Iasked，muchstartledatthissuddenannouncement。
\"No，\"hereplied，\"buttheoneIhadaweekagowasfarfromgoodifyouremember，andIhaveafeelingthatIoughttobethere。\"
AtthatmomentweemergedintotheconfusionofFleetStreet；butwhenwehadcrossedtheroadIbegantoremonstratewithhim，andarguedthefollyoftheideaallthewaydownChanceryLane。
However，therewasnoshakinghispurpose；Christmasanditsassociationshadmadehislifeintownnolongerpossibleforhim。
\"Imustatanyratetryitagainandseehowitworks，\"hesaid。
AndallIcoulddowastopersuadehimtoleavethebulkofhispossessionsinLondon，\"incase，\"asheremarked，\"theMajorwouldnothavehim。\"
SothenextdayIwaslefttomyselfagainwithnothingtoremindmeofDerrick’sstaybuthispictureswhichstillhungonthewallofoursitting—room。Imadehimpromisetowriteafull，true，andparticularaccountofhisreturn，abona—fideold—fashionedletter，notthehalf—dozenlinesofthesedegeneratedays；andaboutaweeklaterIreceivedthefollowingbudget：
\"DearSydney，——IgotdowntoBathallright，and，thankstoyour’StudyofSociology，’enduredaslow，andcold，anddull，anddepressingjourneywiththethermometerdowntozero，andspiritstocorrespond，withthecountryamonotonouswhite，andtheskyamonotonousgrey，andacompanionwhosmokedthevilesttobaccoyoucanconceive。Theoldplacelooksasbeautifulasever，andtomygreatsatisfactionthehillsroundaboutaregreen。Snow，saveinpictures，isanabomination。MilsomStreetlookedasleep，andGayStreetdecidedlydreary，buttheinhabitantswererousedbymyknock，andtheoldlandladynearlyshookmyhandoff。Myfatherhasanattackofjaundiceandisinamiserablestate。HewasasleepwhenIgothere，andthegoodoldlandlady，thinkingthefrontsitting—roomwouldbefree，hadinvited’company，’i。e。，twoorthreemarrieddaughtersandtheirbelongings；oneofthechildrenbeatsMagnay’s’Carina’astobeauty——heoughttopainther。Happythought，sendhimandprettyMrs。Esperancedownhereonspec。HecanpaintthechildforthenextAcademy，andmeantimeIcouldenjoyhiscompany。Well，allthesegoodfolksbeingjustset—toatroastbeef，Inaturallywouldn’thearofdisturbingthem，andintheendwasobligedtositdowntooandeatatthathourofthedaythehugestdinneryoueversaw——anythingbutvoraciousappetitesoffendedthehostess。Magnay’sfuturemodel，forallitsangelicface，’atetorepletion，’likethefairAmericaninthestory。ThenIwentintomyfather’sroom，andshortlyafterhewokeupandaskedmetogivehimsomeFriedrichshallwater，makingnocommentatallonmyreturn，butjustbehavingasthoughIhadbeenherealltheautumn，sothatIfeltasifthewholeaffairwereadream。Exceptforthisattackofjaundice，hehasbeenmuchasusual，andwhenyounextcomedownyouwillfindussettledintoouroldgroove。ThequietofitafterLondonisextraordinary。ButIbelieveitsuitsthebook，whichgetsonprettyfast。ThisafternoonIwentupLansdowneandrightonpasttheGrandStandtoProspectStile，whichisattheedgeofahighbitoftableland，andlooksoverasplendidstretchofcountry，withtheBristolChannelandtheWelshhillsinthedistance。WhileIwastherethesunmostconsideratelysetingorgeousarray。Youneversawanythinglikeit。ItwasworththejourneyfromLondontoBath，Icanassureyou。TellMagnay，andmayitlurehimdown；alsonamethemodelaforementioned。
\"HowistheoldQ。C。andhisprettygrandchild？ThatquaintoldroomoftheirsintheTemplesomehowtookmyfancy，andthechildwasdivine。Doyouremembermyshowingyou，inagloomynarrowstreethere，ajollyoldwatchmakerwhositsinhisshop—windowandisforeverbendingoversickclocksandwatches？Well，he’sstillsittingthere，asifhehadnevermovedsincewesawhimthatSaturdaymonthsago。Imeantostudyhimforaportrait；hissallow，clean—shaved，wrinkledfacehasawholestoryinit。I
believeheismarriedtoaXantippewhothrowscoldwateroverhim，bothliterallyandmetaphorically；butheisaphilosopher——I’llstakemyreputationasanobserveronthat——hejustshrugshissturdyoldshoulders，andgoesonmendingclocksandwatches。Ondarkdaysheworksbyagasjet——andthenRembrandtwouldenjoypaintinghim。Ilookathimwhenevermyworldisparticularlyawry，andfindhimhighlybeneficial。Davisonhasforwardedmeto—daytwolettersfromreadersof’Lynwood。’Thefirstisfromaniratefemalewhotakesmetotaskforthedangeroustendencyofthestory，andinsiststhatIhavedrawnimpossiblecircumstancesandimpossiblecharacters。Thesecondisfromanoldclergyman，whowritesapatheticletterofthanks，andtellsmethatitisalmostwordforwordthestoryofasonofhiswhodiedfiveyearsago。
Query：shallIsendtheiratefemaletheoldman’sletter，andsavemyselfthetroubleofwriting？ButonthewholeIthinknot；itwouldbepearlsbeforeswine。Iwillwritetohermyself。Gladtoseeyouwheneveryoucanrundown。
\"Yoursever，\"D。V。\"
（\"Neverstruckmebeforewhatpiousinitialsmineare。\"）
TheveryeveningIreceivedthisletterIhappenedtobediningattheProbyn’s。Asluckwouldhaveit，prettyMissFredawasstayinginthehouse，andshefelltomyshare。Ialwayslikedher，thoughoflateIhadfeltratherangrywithherforbeingcarriedawaybythegeneralstormofadmirationandsweptbyitintoanengagementwithLawrenceVaughan。Shewasaverypleasant，naturalsortoftalker，andshealwaystreatedmeasanoldfriend。Butsheseemedtome，thatnight，alittlelesssatisfiedthanusualwithlife。
Perhapsitwasmerelytheeffectoftheblacklacedresswhichshewore，butIfanciedherpalerandthinner，andsomehowsheseemedalleyes。
\"WhereisLawrencenow？\"Iasked，aswewentdowntothedining—
room。
\"HeisstationedatDover，\"shereplied。\"Hewasuphereforafewhoursyesterday；hecametosaygood—byetome，forIamgoingtoBathnextMondaywithmyfather，whohasbeenveryrheumaticlately—
—andyouknowBathiscomingintofashionagain，allthedoctorsrecommendit。\"
\"MajorVaughanisthere，\"Isaid，\"andhasfoundthewatersverygood，Ibelieve；anyday，attwelveo’clock，youmayseehimgettingoutofhischairandgoingintothePumpRoomonDerrick’sarm。I
oftenwonderwhatoutsidersthinkofthem。Itisn’toften，isit，thatoneseesasonabsolutelygivinguphislifetohisinvalidfather？\"
Shelookedalittlestartled。
\"IwishLawrencecouldbemorewithMajorVaughan，\"shesaid；\"forheishisfather’sfavourite。Youseeheissuchagoodtalker，andDerrick——well，heisabsorbedinhisbooks；andthenhehassuchextravagantnotionsaboutwar，hemustbeaveryuncongenialcompaniontothepoorMajor。\"
Idevouredturbotinwrathfulsilence。Fredaglancedatme。
\"Itistrue，isn’tit，thathehasquitegivenuphislifetowriting，andcaresfornothingelse？\"
\"Well，hehasdeliberatelysacrificedhisbestchanceofsuccessbyleavingLondonandburyinghimselfintheprovinces，\"Ireplieddrily；\"andastocaringfornothingbutwriting，whyhenevergetsmorethantwoorthreehoursadayforit。\"AndthenIgaveheraminuteaccountofhisdailyroutine。
Shebegantolooktroubled。
\"Ihavebeenmisled，\"shesaid；\"Ihadgainedquiteawrongimpressionofhim。\"
\"Veryfewpeopleknowanythingatallabouthim，\"Isaidwarmly；
\"youarenotaloneinthat。\"
\"Isupposehisnextnovelisfinishednow？\"saidFreda；\"hetoldmehehadonlyoneortwomorechapterstowritewhenIsawhimafewmonthsagoonhiswayfromBenRhydding。Whatishewritingnow？\"
\"Heiswritingthatnoveloveragain，\"Ireplied。
\"Overagain？Whatfearfulwasteoftime!\"
\"Yes，ithascosthimhundredsofhours’work；itjustshowswhatamanheis，thathehasgonethroughwithitsobravely。\"
\"Buthowdoyoumean？Didn’titdo？\"
Rashly，perhaps，yetIthinkunavoidably，Itoldherthetruth。
\"Itwasthebestthinghehadeverwritten，butunfortunatelyitwasdestroyed，burnttoacinder。Thatwasnotverypleasant，wasit，foramanwhonevermakestwocopiesofhiswork？\"
\"Itwasfrightful!\"saidFreda，hereyesdilating。\"Ineverheardawordaboutit。DoesLawrenceknow？\"
\"No，hedoesnot；andperhapsIoughtnottohavetoldyou，butI
wasannoyedatyoursomisunderstandingDerrick。Praynevermentiontheaffair；hewouldwishitkeptperfectlyquiet。\"
\"Why？\"askedFreda，turninghercleareyesfulluponmine。
\"Because，\"Isaid，loweringmyvoice，\"becausehisfatherburntit。\"
Shealmostgasped。
\"Deliberately？\"
\"Yes，deliberately，\"Ireplied。\"Hisillnesshasaffectedhistemper，andheissometimeshardlyresponsibleforhisactions。\"
\"Oh，Iknewthathewasirritableandhasty，andthatDerrickannoyedhim。Lawrencetoldmethat，longago，\"saidFreda。\"Butthatheshouldhavedonesuchathingasthat!Itishorrible!
PoorDerrick，howsorryIamforhim。IhopeweshallseesomethingofthematBath。DoyouknowhowtheMajoris？\"
\"IhadaletterabouthimfromDerrickonlythisevening，\"I
replied；\"ifyoucaretoseeit，Iwillshowityoulateron。\"
Andby—and—by，inthedrawing—room，IputDerrick’sletterintoherhands，andexplainedtoherhowforafewmonthshehadgivenuphislifeatBath，indespair，butnowhadreturned。
\"Idon’tthinkLawrencecanunderstandthestateofthings，\"shesaidwistfully。\"Andyethehasbeendownthere。\"
Imadenoreply，andFreda，withasigh，turnedaway。
AmonthlaterIwentdowntoBathandfound，asmyfriendforetold，everythinggoingonintheoldgroove，exceptthatDerrickhimselfhadanodd，strainedlookabouthim，asifhewerefightingafoebeyondhisstrength。Freda’sarrivalatBathhadbeenveryhardonhim，itwasalmostmorethanhecouldendure。SirRichard，blindasabat，ofcourse，toanythingbelowthesurface，madeapointofseeingsomethingofLawrence’sbrother。AndonthedayofmyarrivalDerrickandIhadhardlysetoutforawalk，whenweranacrosstheoldman。
SirRichard，thoughrheumaticinthewrists，wasnimbleoffootandaninveteratewalker。HewasgoingwithhisdaughtertoseeoverBeckford’sTower，andinvitedustoaccompanyhim。Derrick，muchagainstthegrain，Ifancy，hadtotalktoFreda，who，inherwinterfursandclose—fittingvelvethat，lookedmorefascinatingthanever，whiletheoldmandescantedtomeonBathwaters，antiquities，etc。，inalong—windedwaythatlastedallupthehill。Wemadeourwayintothecemeteryandmountedthetowerstairs，thinkingofthepastwhenthisdrearyplacehadbeensogorgeouslyfurnished。HereDerrickcontrivedtogetaheadwithSirRichard，andFredalingeredinasortofalcovewithme。
\"Ihavebeensowantingtoseeyou，\"shesaid，inanagitatedvoice。
\"Oh，Mr。Wharncliffe，isittruewhatIhaveheardabouttheMajor？
Doeshedrink？\"
\"Whotoldyou？\"Isaid，alittleembarrassed。
\"Itwasourlandlady，\"saidFreda；\"sheisthedaughteroftheMajor’slandlady。AndyoushouldhearwhatshesaysofDerrick!
Why，hemustbeadownrighthero!AllthetimeIhavebeenhalfdespisinghim\"——shechokedbackasob——\"hehasbeentryingtosavehisfatherfromwhatwascertaindeathtohim——sotheytoldme。Doyouthinkitistrue？\"
\"Iknowitis，\"Irepliedgravely。
\"Andabouthisarm——wasthattrue？\"
Isignedanassent。
Hergreyeyesgrewmoist。
\"Oh，\"shecried，\"howIhavebeendeceivedandhowlittleLawrenceappreciateshim!IthinkhemustknowthatI’vemisjudgedhim，forheseemssooddandshy，andIdon’tthinkhelikestotalktome。\"
Ilookedsearchinglyintohertruthfulgreyeyes，thinkingofpoorDerrick’sunluckylove—story。
\"Youdonotunderstandhim，\"Isaid；\"andperhapsitisbestso。\"
Butthewordsandthelookwererash，forallatoncethecolourfloodedherface。Sheturnedquicklyaway，consciousatlastthatthemidsummerdreamofthoseyachtingdayshadtoDerrickbeennodreamatall，butalife—longreality。
IfeltverysorryforFreda，forshewasnotatallthesortofgirlwhowouldgloryinhavingafellowhopelesslyinlovewithher。I
knewthatthediscoveryshehadmadewouldbenothingbutasorrowtoher，andcouldguesshowshewouldreproachherselfforthatinnocentpastfancy，which，tillnow，hadseemedtohersofaintandfar—away——almostassomethingbelongingtoanotherlife。Allatonceweheardtheothersdescending，andsheturnedtomewithsuchafrightened，appealinglook，thatIcouldnotpossiblyhavehelpedgoingtotherescue。IplungedabruptlyintoadiscourseonBeckford，andtoldherhowheusedtokeepdiamondsinatea—cup，andamusedhimselfbyarrangingthemonapieceofvelvet。SirRichardfledfromthesoundofmyprosyvoice，and，needlesstosay，Derrickfollowedhim。Weletthemgetwellinadvanceandthenfollowed，Fredasilentanddistraite，buteverynowandthenaskingaquestionabouttheMajor。
AsforDerrick，evidentlyhewasonguard。HesawagooddealoftheMerrifieldsandwassedulouslyattentivetotheminmanysmallways；butwithFredahewascuriouslyreserved，andifbychancetheydidtalktogether，hetookgoodcaretobringLawrence’snameintotheconversation。Onthewhole，Ibelieveloyaltywashisstrongestcharacteristic，andwantofloyaltyinotherstriedhimmoreseverelythananythingintheworld。
Asthespringworeon，itbecameevidenttoeveryonethattheMajorcouldnotlastlong。Hisson’swatchfulnessandtheenforcedtemperancewhichthedoctorsinsistedonhadprolongedhislifetoacertainextent，butgraduallyhissufferingsincreasedandhisstrengthdiminished。Atlasthekepthisbedaltogether。
WhatDerrickboreatthistimenoonecaneverknow。When，onebrightsunshinySaturday，Iwentdowntoseehowhewasgettingon，Ifoundhimwornandhaggard，tooevidentlypayingthepenaltyofsleeplessnightsandthanklesscare。IwasalittleshockedtohearthatLawrencehadbeensummoned，butwhenIwastakenintothesickroomIrealisedthattheyhaddonewiselytosendforthefavouriteson。
TheMajorwasevidentlydying。
NevercanIforgetthecrueltyandmalevolencewithwhichhisbloodshoteyesrestedonDerrick，orthepatiencewithwhichthedearoldfellowborehisfather’sscathingsarcasms。ItwaswhileI
wassittingbythebedthatthelandladyenteredwithatelegram，whichsheputintoDerrick’shand。
\"FromLawrence!\"saidthedyingmantriumphantly，\"tosaybywhattrainwemayexpecthim。Well？\"asDerrickstillreadthemessagetohimself，\"can’tyouspeak，youd——didiot？Haveyoulostyourd—
—dtongue？Whatdoeshesay？\"
\"Iamafraidhecannotbeherejustyet，\"saidDerrick，tryingtotonedownthecurtmessage；\"itseemshecannotgetleave。\"
\"Notgetleavetoseehisdyingfather？Whatconfoundednonsense。
Givemethethinghere\"；andhesnatchedthetelegramfromDerrickandreaditinaquavering，hoarsevoice：
\"Impossibletogetaway。Amhopelesslytiedhere。Lovetomyfather。Greatlyregrettohearsuchbadnewsofhim。\"
IthinkthatmessagemadetheoldmanrealisetheworthofLawrence’softenexpressedaffectionforhim。Clearlyitwasagreatblowtohim。Hethrewdownthepaperwithoutawordandclosedhiseyes。Forhalfanhourhelaylikethat，andwedidnotdisturbhim。Atlasthelookedup；hisvoicewasfainterandhismannermoregentle。
\"Derrick，\"hesaid，\"IbelieveI’vedoneyouaninjustice；itisyouwhocaredforme，notLawrence，andI’vestruckyournameoutofmywill——haveleftalltohim。Afterall，thoughyouareoneofthoseconfoundednovelists，you’vedonewhatyoucouldforme。Letsomeonefetchasolicitor——I’llalterit——I’llalterit!\"
Iinstantlyhurriedouttofetchalawyer，butitwasSaturdayafternoon，theofficeswereclosed，andsometimepassedbeforeI
hadcaughtmyman。Itoldhimaswehastenedbacksomeofthefactsofthecase，andhebroughthiswritingmaterialsintothesickroomandtookdownfromtheMajor’sownlipsthewordswhichwouldhavetheeffectofdividingtheoldman’spossessionsbetweenhistwosons。Dr。Mackrillwasnowpresent；hestoodononesideofthebed，hisfingersonthedyingman’spulse。OntheothersidestoodDerrick，adegreepalerandgraverthanusual，butrevealinglittleofhisrealfeelings。
\"Worditasbrieflyasyoucan，\"saidthedoctor。
Andthelawyerscribbledawayasthoughforhislife，whiletherestofuswaitedinawretchedhushedstateoftension。Intheroomitselftherewasnosoundsavethescratchingofthepenandthelabouredbreathingoftheoldman；butinthenexthousewecouldhearsomeoneplayingawaltz。Somehowitdidnotseemtomeincongruous，foritwas’Sweethearts，’andthathadbeenthefavouritewaltzofBenRhydding，sothatIalwaysconnecteditwithDerrickandhistrouble，andnowthewordsranginmyears：
\"Oh，loveforayear，aweek，aday，Butalas!forthelovethatlovesalway。\"
IfithadnotbeenfortheMajor’sreturnfromIndia，IfirmlybelievedthatDerrickandFredawouldbythistimehavebeenbetrothed。Derrickhadtakenalinewhichnecessarilydividedthem，haddonewhathesawtobehisduty；yetwhatweretheresults？HehadlostFreda，hehadlosthisbook，hehaddamagedhischanceofsuccessasawriter，hehadbeenstruckoutofhisfather’swill，andhehadsufferedunspeakably。Hadanythingwhateverbeengained？
TheMajorwasdyingunrepentanttoallappearance，ashardandcynicalanoldworldlingasIeversaw。Theonlysparkofgraceheshowedwasthattardyendeavourtomakeafreshwill。Whatgoodhaditallbeen？Whatgood？
Icouldnotanswerthequestionthen，couldonlycryoutinasortofindignation，\"Whatprofitisthereinhisblood？\"Butlookingatitnow，IhaveasortofperceptionthattheverylackofapparentprofitablenesswaspartofDerrick’straining，whileif，asInowinclinetothink，thereisahereafterwherethetrainingbegunhereiscontinued，theoldMajorinthehellhemostrichlydeservedwouldhavetheremembranceofhisson’spatienceandconstancyanddevotiontoserveasaguidinglightintheouterdarkness。
Thelawyernolongerwroteatrailroadspeed；hepushedbackhischair，broughtthewilltothebed，andplacedthepeninthetremblingyellowhandoftheinvalid。
\"Youmustsignyournamehere，\"hesaid，pointingwithhisfinger；
andtheMajorraisedhimselfalittle，andbroughtthepenquaveringlydowntowardsthepaper。WithasortoffascinationI
watchedthefinely—pointedsteelnib；ittrembledforaninstantortwo，thenthependroppedfromtheconvulsedfingers，andwithacryofintolerableanguishtheMajorfellback。
Forsomeminutestherewasapainfulstruggle；presentlywecaughtawordortwobetweenthegroansofthedyingman。
\"Toolate!\"hegasped，\"toolate!\"Andthenadreadfulvisionofhorrorsseemedtorisebeforehim，andwithaterrorthatIcanneverforgetheturnedtohissonandclutchedfastholdofhishands：\"Derrick!\"heshrieked。
Derrickcouldnotspeak，buthebentlowoverthebedasthoughtoscreenthedyingeyesfromthosehorriblevisions，andwithanoddsortofthrillIsawhimembracehisfather。
WhenheraisedhisheadtheterrorhaddiedoutoftheMajor’sface；
allwasover。
ChapterIX。
\"Todutyfirm，toconsciencetrue，Howevertriedandpressed，InGod’sclearsighthighworkwedo，Ifwebutdooutbest。\"
Lawrencecamedowntothefuneral，andItookgoodcarethatheshouldhearallabouthisfather’slasthours，andImadethesolicitorshowhimtheunsignedwill。Hemadehardlyanycommentonittillwethreewerealonetogether。Thenwithasortofkindlypatronageheturnedtohisbrother——Derrick，itmustberemembered，wastheeldertwin——andsaidpityingly，\"Pooroldfellow!itwasratherroughonyouthatthegovernorcouldn’tsignthis；butnevermind，you’llsoon，nodoubt，beearningafortunebyyourbooks；andbesides，whatdoesabachelorwantwithmorethanyou’vealreadyinheritedfromourmother？Whereas，anofficerjustgoingtobemarried，andwiththisconfoundedreputationofherotokeepup，why，Icantellyouitneedseverypennyofit!\"
Derricklookedathisbrothersearchingly。Ihonestlybelievethathedidn’tverymuchcareaboutthemoney，butitcuthimtotheheartthatLawrenceshouldtreathimsoshabbily。Thesoulofgenerosityhimself，hecouldnotunderstandhowanyonecouldframeaspeechsoinfernallymean。
\"Ofcourse，\"Ibrokein，\"ifDerricklikedtogotolawhecouldnodoubtgethisrights，therearethreewitnesseswhocanprovewhatwastheMajor’srealwish。\"
\"Ishallnotgotolaw，\"saidDerrick，withadignityofwhichIhadhardlyimaginedhimcapable。\"Youspokeofyourmarriage，Lawrence；
isittobesoon？\"
\"Thisautumn，Ihope，\"saidLawrence；\"atleast，ifIcanovercomeSirRichard’sridiculousnotionthatagirloughtnottomarrytillshe’stwenty—one。He’samostcrotchetyoldfellow，thatfuturefather—in—lawofmine。\"
WhenLawrencehadfirstcomebackfromthewarIhadthoughthimwonderfullyimproved，butalongcourseofspoilingandflatteryhaddonehimaworldofharm。Helikedverymuchtobelionised，andtoseehimnowposingindrawing—rooms，surroundedbyaworshippingthrongofwomen，wasenoughtosickenanysensiblebeing。
AsforDerrick，thoughhecouldnotbeexpectedtofeelhisbereavementintheordinaryway，yethisfather’sdeathhadbeenagreatshocktohim。ItwasarrangedthataftersettlingvariousmattersinBathheshouldgodowntostaywithhissisterforatime，joiningmeinMontagueStreetlateron。WhilehewasawayinBirmingham，however，anextraordinarychangecameintomyhumdrumlife，andwhenherejoinedmeafewweekslater，I——selfishbrute——
wassooverwhelmedwiththetroublethathadbefallenmethatI
thoughtverylittleindeedofhisaffairs。Hetookthisquiteasamatterofcourse，andwhatIshouldhavedonewithouthimIcan’tconceive。However，thisstoryconcernshimandhasnothingtodowithmyextraordinarydilemma；Imerelymentionitasafactwhichbroughtadditionalcaresintohislife。Allthetimehewasdoingwhatcouldbedonetohelpmehewasalsogoingthroughamostbafflingandmiserabletimeamongthepublishers；for’AtStrife，’
unlikeitspredecessor，wasrejectedbyDavisonandbyfiveotherhouses。Thinkofthis，youcomfortablereaders，asyouliebackinyoureasychairsandleisurelyturnthepagesofthatpopularstory。
Thebookwhichrepresentedyearsofstudyandlonghoursofhardworkwasfirstburnttoacinder。Itwasre—writtenwithwhatinfinitepainsandtoilfewcanunderstand。Itwasthensixtimestiedupandcarriedwithanxietyandhopetoapublisher’soffice，onlytore—appearsixtimesinMontagueStreet，anunwelcomevisitor，bringingwithitdepressionanddisappointment。
Derricksaidlittle，butsufferedmuch。However，nothingdauntedhim。Whenitcamebackfromthesixthpublisherhetookittoaseventh，thenreturnedandwroteawaylikeaTrojanathisthirdbook。TheonethingthatneverfailedhimwasthatcuriousconsciousnessthatheHADtowrite；liketheprophetsofold，the’burden’cametohim，andspeakithemust。
Theseventhpublisherwroteasomewhatdubiousletter：thebook，hethought，hadgreatmerit，butunluckilypeoplewereprejudiced，andhistoricalnovelsrarelymetwithsuccess。However，hewaswillingtotakethestory，andofferedhalfprofits，candidlyadmittingthathehadnogreathopesofalargesale。Derrickinstantlyclosedwiththisoffer，proofscamein，thebookappeared，waswellreceivedlikeitspredecessor，fellintothehandsofoneoftheleadersofSociety，and，totheintensesurpriseofthepublisher，provedtobethenoveloftheyear。Speedilyasecondeditionwascalledfor；then，afterabriefinterval，athirdedition——thistimearationalone—volumeaffair；andthewholelot——6，000Ibelieve——
wentoffonthedayofpublication。Derrickwasamazed；butheenjoyedhissuccessveryheartily，andIthinknoonecouldsaythathehadleaptintofameatabound。
Havingdevoured’AtStrife，’peoplebegantodiscoverthemeritsof’Lynwood’sHeritage；’thelibrarieswerebesiegedforit，andacheapeditionwashastilypublished，andanotherandanother，tillthebook，whichatfirsthadbeensuchadeadfailure，rivalled’AtStrife。’Trulyanauthor’scareerisacuriousthing；andpreciselywhythefirstbookfailed，andthesecondsucceeded，noonecouldexplain。
ItamusedmeverymuchtoseeDerrickturnedintoalion——hewassoessentiallyun—lion—like。Peoplewereforeveraskinghimhowheworked，andIrememberaveryprettygirlsettinguponhimonceatadinner—partywiththeembarrassingrequest：
\"Now，dotellme，Mr。Vaughan，howdoyouwritestories？Iwishyouwouldgivemeagoodreceiptforanovel。\"
Derrickhesitateduneasilyforaminute；finally，withahumoroussmile，hesaid：
\"Well，Ican’texactlytellyou，because，moreorless，novelsgrow；
butifyouwantareceipt，youmightperhapstryafterthisfashion：——Conceiveyourhero，addasprinklingoffriendsandrelatives，flavourwithwhateversceneryorlocalcolouryouplease，carefullyconsiderwhatcircumstancesaremostlikelytodevelopyourmanintothebestheiscapableof，allowthewholetosimmerinyourbrainaslongasyoucan，andthenserve，whilehot，withinkuponwhiteorbluefoolscap，accordingtotaste。\"
Theyoungladyapplaudedthereceipt，butshesighedalittle，andprobablyrelinquishedallhopeofconcoctinganovelherself；onthewhole，itseemedtoinvolveincessanttakingoftrouble。
AboutthistimeIremember，too，anotherlittlescene，whichI
enjoyedamazingly。IlaughnowwhenIthinkofit。Ihappenedtobeatahugeeveningcrush，andrathertomysurprise，cameacrossLawrenceVaughan。Weweretalkingtogether，whenupcameConningtonoftheForeignOffice。\"Isay，Vaughan，\"hesaid，\"LordRemingtonwishestobeintroducedtoyou。\"IwatchedtheoldstatesmanalittlecuriouslyashegreetedLawrence，andlistenedtohisfirstwords：\"Verygladtomakeyouracquaintance，CaptainVaughan；I
understandthattheauthorofthatgrandnovel，’AtStrife，’isabrotherofyours。\"AndpoorLawrencespentamauvaisquartd’heure，inwardlyfuming，Iknow，attheideathathe，theheroofSaspatarasHill，shouldbeconsideredmerelyas’thebrotherofVaughan，thenovelist。’
Fate，orperhapsIshouldsaytheeffectofhisownperniciousactions，didnotdealkindlyjustnowwithLawrence。SomehowFredalearntaboutthatwill，and，beingnobread—and—buttermiss，contentmeeklytoadoreherfianceanddeemhimfaultless，she’upandspake’onthesubject，andIfancypoorLawrencemusthavehadanothermauvaisquartd’heure。Itwasnotthis，however，whichledtoafinalbreachbetweenthem；itwassomethingwhichSirRicharddiscoveredwithregardtoLawrence’slifeatDover。Theengagementwasinstantlybrokenoff，andFreda，Iamsure，feltnothingbutrelief。Shewentabroadforsometime，however，andwedidnotseehertilllongafterLawrencehadbeencomfortablymarriedto1，500
poundsayearandamiddle—agedwidow，whohadlongbeenahero—
worshipper，andwho，Iamtold，neverallowedanyvisitortoleavethehousewithoutmakingsomeallusiontothememorablebattleofSaspatarasHillandherLawrence’sgallantaction。
ForthetwoyearsfollowingaftertheMajor’sdeath，DerrickandI，asImentionedbefore，sharedtheroomsinMontagueStreet。Forme，owingtothetroubleIspokeof，theywereyearsofmaddeningsuspenseandpain；butwhatpleasureIdidmanagetoenjoycameentirelythroughthesuccessofmyfriend’sbooksandfromhiscompanionship。ItwasoddthatfromthecareofhisfatherheshouldimmediatelypassontothecareofonewhohadmadesuchadisastrousmistakeasIhadmade。ButIfeelthelesscompunctionatthethoughtoftheamountofsympathyIcalledforatthattime，becauseInoticethatthegivingofsympathyisanecessityforDerrick，andthatwhenthetroublesofotherfolkdonotimmediatelythrustthemselvesintohislifehecarefullyhuntsthemup。DuringthesetwoyearshewasreadingfortheBar——notthatheeverexpectedtodoverymuchasabarrister，buthethoughtitwelltohavesomethingtofallbackon，anddeclaredthatthedrudgeryofthereadingwoulddohimgood。Hewasalsowritingasusual，andheusedtospendtwoeveningsaweekatWhitechapel，wherehetaughtoneoftheclassesinconnectionwithToynbeeHall，andwherehegainedthatknowledgeofEast—endlifewhichisconspicuousinhisthirdbook——’DickCarew。’This，withaneverincreasingandoftenveryburdensomecorrespondence，broughttohimbyhisbooks，andwithafairshareofdinners，’AtHomes，’andsoforth，madehislifeafullone。InaquietsortofwayIbelievehewashappyduringthistime。Butlateron，when，mytroubleatanend，Ihadmigratedtoahouseofmyown，andhewasleftaloneintheMontagueStreetrooms，hisspiritssomehowflagged。
Fameis，afterall，ahollow，unsatisfyingthingtoamanofhisnature。Heheartilyenjoyedhissuccess，hedelightedinhearingthathisbookshadgivenpleasureorhadbeenofusetoanyone，butnopublicvictorycouldintheleastmakeuptohimforthelosshehadsufferedinhisprivatelife；indeed，Ialmostthinkthereweretimeswhenhistriumphsasanauthorseemedtohimutterlyworthless——daysofdepressionwhenthecongratulationsofhisfriendswerenothingbutamockery。Hehadgainedastrikingsuccess，itistrue，buthehadlostFreda；hewasinthepositionofthestarvingmanwhohasreceivedagiftofbon—bons，butsocravesforbreadthattheyhalfsickenhim。Iusednowandthentowatchhisfacewhen，asoftenhappened，someonesaid：\"Whatanenviablefellowyouare，Vaughan，togetonlikethis!\"or，\"Whatwouldn’tIgivetochangeplaceswithyou!\"Hewouldinvariablysmileandturntheconversation；buttherewasalookinhiseyesatsuchtimesthatIhatedtosee——italwaysmademethinkofMrs。
Browning’spoem，’TheMask’：
\"Behindnoprison—grate，shesaid，Whichslursthesunshinehalfamile，LivecaptivessouncomfortedAssoulsbehindasmile。\"
AstotheMerrifields，therewasnochanceofseeingthem，forSirRichardhadgonetoIndiainsomeofficialcapacity，andnodoubt，aseveryonesaid，theywouldtakegoodcaretomarryFredaoutthere。DerrickhadnotseenhersincethattryingFebruaryatBath，longago。YetIfancyshewasneveroutofhisthoughts。
Andsotheyearsrolledon，andDerrickworkedawaysteadily，givinghisbookstotheworld，acceptingthecomfortsanddiscomfortsofanauthor’slife，laughingattheoutrageousreportsthatwereincirculationabouthim，yetoccasionally，Ithink，inwardlywincingatthem，andlearningfromthenumberofbeggingletterswhichhereceived，andintowhichheusuallycausedsearchinginquirytobemade，thatthereareintheworldavastnumberofundeservingpoor。
OnedayIhappenedtomeetLadyProbynatagarden—party；itwasatthesamehouseonCampdenHillwhereIhadoncemetFreda，andperhapsitwastherecollectionofthiswhichpromptedmetoenquireafterher。
\"Shehasnotbeenwell，\"saidLadyProbyn，\"andtheyaresendingherbacktoEngland；theclimatedoesn’tsuither。Sheistomakeherhomewithusforthepresent，soIamthegainer。Fredahasalwaysbeenmyfavouriteniece。Idon’tknowwhatitisaboutherthatissotaking；sheisnothalfsoprettyastheothers。\"
\"Butsomuchmorecharming，\"Isaid。\"IwondershehasnotmarriedoutinIndia，aseveryoneprophesied。\"
\"AndsodoI，\"saidheraunt。\"However，poorchild，nodoubt，afterhavingbeentwoyearsengagedtothatverydisappointingheroofSaspatarasHill，shewillbeshyofventuringtotrustanyoneagain。\"
\"Doyouthinkthataffaireverwentverydeep？\"Iventuredtoask。
\"Itseemedtomethatshelookedmiserableduringherengagement，andhappywhenitwasbrokenoff。\"
\"Quiteso，\"saidLadyProbyn；\"Inoticedthesamething。Itwasnothingbutamistake。Theywerenotintheleastsuitedtoeachother。By—the—by，IhearthatDerrickVaughanismarried。\"
\"Derrick？\"Iexclaimed；\"oh，no，thatisamistake。Itismerelyoneofthehundredandonereportsthatareforeverbeingsetafloatabouthim。\"
\"ButIsawitinapaper，Iassureyou，\"saidLadyProbyn，bynomeansconvinced。
\"Ah，thatmayverywellbe；theywerehardupforaparagraph，nodoubt，andinsertedit。But，asforDerrick，why，howshouldhemarry？HehasbeenmadlyinlovewithMissMerrifieldeversinceourcruiseintheAurora。\"
LadyProbynmadeaninarticulateexclamation。
\"Poorfellow!\"shesaid，afteraminute’sthought；\"thatexplainsmuchtome。\"
Shedidnotexplainherratherambiguousremark，andbeforelongourtete—a—tetewasinterrupted。
Nowthatmyfriendwasafull—fledgedbarrister，heandIsharedchambers，andonemorningaboutamonthafterthisgardenparty，DerrickcameinwithafaceofsuchradianthappinessthatI
couldn’timaginewhatgoodluckhadbefallenhim。
\"Whatdoyouthink？\"heexclaimed；\"here’saninvitationforacruiseintheAuroraattheendofAugust——tobenearlythesamepartythatwehadyearsago，\"andhethrewdowntheletterformetoread。
Ofcoursetherewasspecialmentionof\"myniece，MissMerrifield，whohasjustreturnedfromIndia，andisorderedplentyofsea—air。\"
Icouldhavetoldthatwithoutreadingtheletter，foritwaswrittenquiteclearlyinDerrick’sface。Helookedtenyearsyounger，andifanyofhisadoringreaderscouldhaveseentheprankshewasuptothatmorninginourstaidandrespectablechambers，Iamafraidtheywouldnolongerhavespokenofhim\"with’batedbreathandwhisperinghumbleness。\"
Asithappened，I，too，wasabletoleavehomeforafortnightattheendofAugust；andsoourpartyintheAurorareallywasthesame，exceptthatwewereallseveralyearsolder，andletushopewiser，thanonthepreviousoccasion。Consideringallthathadintervened，IwassurprisedthatDerrickwasnotmorealtered；asforFreda，shewasdecidedlypalerthanwhenwefirstmether，butbeforelongsea—airandhappinesswroughtawonderfultransformationinher。
Inspiteofthepessimistswhoareforeverwritingbooks，evenwritingnovels（moreshametothem），toprovethatthereisnosuchthingashappinessintheworld，wemanagedeveryoneofusheartilytoenjoyourcruise。Itseemedindeedtruethat：
\"Greenleavesandblossoms，andsunnywarmweather，Andsingingandlovingallcomebacktogether。\"
Something，atanyrate，oftheglamourofthosepastdayscamebacktousall，Ifancy，aswelaughedanddozedandidledandtalkedbeneaththesnowywingsoftheAurora，andIcannotsayIwasintheleastsurprisedwhen，onroamingthroughthepleasantgardenwalksinthatuniquelittleislandofTresco，IcameoncemoreuponDerrickandFreda，with，ifyouwillbelieveit，anotherhandfulofwhiteheathergiventothembythatdiscerninggardener!Fredaoncemoreremindedmeofthegirlinthe’BiglowPapers，’andDerrick’sfacewasfullofsuchblissasoneseldomsees。
Hehadalwayshadtowaitforhisgoodthings，butintheendtheycametohim。However，youmaydependuponit，hedidn’tsaymuch。
Thatwasneverhisway。Heonlygrippedmyhand，and，withhiseyesallaglowwithhappiness，exclaimed\"Congratulateme，oldfellow!\"
