English
June18th.—Themiseryofself-reproachwhichIsufferedyesterdayevening,onhearingwhatLauratoldmeintheboat-house,returnedinthelonelinessofthenight,andkeptmewakingandwretchedforhours.
Ilightedmycandleatlast,andsearchedthroughmyoldjournalstoseewhatmyshareinthefatalerrorofhermarriagehadreallybeen,andwhatImighthaveoncedonetosaveherfromit.
Theresultsoothedmealittleforitshowedthat,howeverblindlyandignorantlyIacted,Iactedforthebest.
Cryinggenerallydoesmeharm;butitwasnotsolastnight—Ithinkitrelievedme.
Irosethismorningwithasettledresolutionandaquietmind.
NothingSirPercivalcansayordoshalleverirritatemeagain,ormakemeforgetforonemomentthatIamstayinghereindefianceofmortifications,insults,andthreats,forLaura’sserviceandforLaura’ssake.
Thespeculationsinwhichwemighthaveindulgedthismorning,onthesubjectofthefigureatthelakeandthefoot-stepsintheplantation,havebeenallsuspendedbyatriflingaccidentwhichhascausedLauragreatregret.
ShehaslostthelittlebroochIgaveherforakeepsakeonthedaybeforehermarriage.
Assheworeitwhenwewentoutyesterdayeveningwecanonlysupposethatitmusthavedroppedfromherdress,eitherintheboat-houseoronourwayback.
Theservantshavebeensenttosearch,andhavereturnedunsuccessful.
AndnowLauraherselfhasgonetolookforit.
Whethershefindsitornotthelosswillhelptoexcuseherabsencefromthehouse.
ifSirPercivalreturnsbeforetheletterfromMr.Gilmore’spartnerisplacedinmyhands.
Oneo’clockhasjuststruck.IamconsideringwhetherIhadbetterwaithereforthearrivalofthemessengerfromLondon,orslipawayquietly,andwatchforhimoutsidethelodgegate.
Mysuspicionofeverybodyandeverythinginthishouseinclinesmetothinkthatthesecondplanmaybethebest.
TheCountissafeinthebreakfast-room.
Iheardhim,throughthedoor,asIranupstairstenminutessince,exercisinghiscanary-birdsattheirtricks:—“Comeoutonmylittlefinger,mypret-pret-pretties!Comeout,andhopupstairs!One,two,three—andup!Three,two,one—anddown!One,two,three—twit-twit-twit-tweet!”
Thebirdsburstintotheirusualecstasyofsinging,andtheCountchirrupedandwhistledattheminreturn,asifhewasabirdhimself.
Myroomdoorisopen,andIcanheartheshrillsingingandwhistlingatthisverymoment.
IfIamreallytoslipoutwithoutbeingobserved,nowismytime.
FOURO’CLOCK.ThethreehoursthathavepassedsinceImademylastentryhaveturnedthewholemarchofeventsatBlackwaterParkinanewdirection.
Whetherforgoodorforevil,Icannotanddarenotdecide.
LetmegetbackfirsttotheplaceatwhichIleftoff,orIshalllosemyselfintheconfusionofmyownthoughts.
Iwentout,asIhadproposed,tomeetthemessengerwithmyletterfromLondonatthelodgegate.OnthestairsIsawnoone.
InthehallIheardtheCountstillexercisinghisbirds.
Butoncrossingthequadrangleoutside,IpassedMadameFosco,walkingbyherselfinherfavouritecircle,roundandroundthegreatfish-pond.
Iatonceslackenedmypace,soastoavoidallappearanceofbeinginahurry,andevenwentthelength,forcaution’ssake,ofinquiringifshethoughtofgoingoutbeforelunch.
Shesmiledatmeinthefriendliestmanner—saidshepreferredremainingnearthehouse,noddedpleasantly,andre-enteredthehall.
Ilookedback,andsawthatshehadclosedthedoorbeforeIhadopenedthewicketbythesideofthecarriagegates.
InlessthanaquarterofanhourIreachedthelodge.
Thelaneoutsidetookasuddenturntotheleft,ranonstraightforahundredyardsorso,andthentookanothersharpturntotherighttojointhehigh-road.
Betweenthesetwoturns,hiddenfromthelodgeononeside,andfromthewaytothestationontheother,Iwaited,walkingbackwardsandforwards.
Highhedgeswereoneithersideofme,andfortwentyminutes,bymywatch,Ineithersawnorheardanything.
Attheendofthattimethesoundofacarriagecaughtmyear,andIwasmet,asIadvancedtowardsthesecondturning,byaflyfromtherailway.Imadeasigntothedrivertostop.
Asheobeyedmearespectable-lookingmanputhisheadoutofthewindowtoseewhatwasthematter.
“Ibegyourpardon,”Isaid,“butamIrightinsupposingthatyouaregoingtoBlackwaterPark?”
“Yes,ma’am.”
“Withaletterforanyone?”
“WithaletterforMissHalcombe,ma’am.”
“Youmaygivemetheletter.IamMissHalcombe.”
Themantouchedhishat,gotoutoftheflyimmediately,andgavemetheletter.
Iopeneditatonceandreadtheselines.Icopythemhere,thinkingitbesttodestroytheoriginalforcaution’ssake.
“DEARMADAM,—Yourletterreceivedthismorninghascausedmeverygreatanxiety.Iwillreplytoitasbrieflyandplainlyaspossible.
“Mycarefulconsiderationofthestatementmadebyyourself,andmyknowledgeofLadyGlyde’sposition,asdefinedinthesettlement,leadme,Iregrettosay,totheconclusionthataloanofthetrustmoneytoSirPercival(or,inotherwords,aloanofsomeportionofthetwentythousandpoundsofLadyGlyde’sfortune)isincontemplation,andthatsheismadeapartytothedeed,inordertosecureherapprovalofaflagrantbreachoftrust,andtohavehersignatureproducedagainstherifsheshouldcomplainhereafter.
Itisimpossible,onanyothersupposition,toaccount,situatedassheis,forherexecutiontoadeedofanykindbeingwantedatall.
“IntheeventofLadyGlyde’ssigningsuchadocument,asIamcompelledtosupposethedeedinquestiontobe,hertrusteeswouldbeatlibertytoadvancemoneytoSirPercivaloutofhertwentythousandpounds.
Iftheamountsolentshouldnothepaidback,andifLadyGlydeshouldhavechildren,theirfortunewillthenbediminishedbythesum,largeorsmall,soadvanced.
Inplainertermsstill,thetransaction,foranythingthatLadyGlydeknowstothecontrary,maybeafrauduponherunbornchildren.
“Undertheseseriouscircumstances,IwouldrecommendLadyGlydetoassignasareasonforwithholdinghersignature,thatshewishesthedeedtobefirstsubmittedtomyself,asherfamilysolicitor(intheabsenceofmypartner,Mr.Gilmore).
Noreasonableobjectioncanbemadetotakingthiscourse—for,ifthetransactionisanhonourableone,therewillnecessarilybenodifficultyinmygivingmyapproval.
“Sincerelyassuringyouofmyreadinesstoaffordanyadditionalhelporadvicethatmaybewanted,Ibegtoremain,Madam,yourfaithfulservant,
WILLIAMKYRLE.
Ireadthiskindandsensibleletterverythankfully.
ItsuppliedLaurawithareasonforobjectingtothesignaturewhichwasunanswerable,andwhichwecouldbothofusunderstand.
ThemessengerwaitednearmewhileIwasreadingtoreceivehisdirectionswhenIhaddone,
“WillyoubegoodenoughtosaythatIunderstandtheletter,andthatIamverymuchobliged?”Isaid.“Thereisnootherreplynecessaryatpresent.”
ExactlyatthemomentwhenIwasspeakingthosewords,holdingtheletteropeninmyhand,CountFoscoturnedthecornerofthelanefromthehigh-road,andstoodbeforemeasifhehadsprungupoutoftheearth.
Thesuddennessofhisappearance,intheverylastplaceunderheaveninwhichIshouldhaveexpectedtoseehim,tookmecompletelybysurprise.
Themessengerwishedmegood-morning,andgotintotheflyagain.
Icouldnotsayawordtohim—Iwasnotevenabletoreturnhisbow.
TheconvictionthatIwasdiscovered—andbythatman,ofallothers—absolutelypetrifiedme.
“Areyougoingbacktothehouse,MissHalcombe?”heinquired,withoutshowingtheleastsurpriseonhisside,andwithoutevenlookingafterthefly,whichdroveoffwhilehewasspeakingtome.
Icollectedmyselfsufficientlytomakeasignintheaffirmative.
“Iamgoingbacktoo,”hesaid.“Prayallowmethepleasureofaccompanyingyou.Willyoutakemyarm?Youlooksurprisedatseeingme!”
Itookhisarm.Thefirstofmyscatteredsensesthatcamebackwasthesensethatwarnedmetosacrificeanythingratherthanmakeanenemyofhim.
“Youlooksurprisedatseeingme!”herepeatedinhisquietlypertinaciousway.
“Ithought,Count,Iheardyouwithyourbirdsinthebreakfast-room,”Ianswered,asquietlyandfirmlyasIcould.
“Surely.Butmylittlefeatheredchildren,dearlady,areonlytoolikeotherchildren.
Theyhavetheirdaysofperversity,andthismorningwasoneofthem.
MywifecameinasIwasputtingthembackintheircage,andsaidshehadleftyougoingoutaloneforawalk.Youtoldherso,didyounot?”
“Certainly.”
“Well,MissHalcombe,thepleasureofaccompanyingyouwastoogreatatemptationformetoresist.
Atmyagethereisnoharminconfessingsomuchasthat,isthere?
Iseizedmyhat,andsetofftooffermyselfasyourescort.
EvensofatanoldmanasFoscoissurelybetterthannoescortatall?
Itookthewrongpath—Icamebackindespair,andhereIam,arrived(mayIsayit?)attheheightofmywishes.”
Hetalkedoninthiscomplimentarystrainwithafluencywhichleftmenoexertiontomakebeyondtheeffortofmaintainingmycomposure.
Heneverreferredinthemostdistantmannertowhathehadseeninthelane,ortotheletterwhichIstillhadinmyhand.
Thisominousdiscretionhelpedtoconvincemethathemusthavesurprised,bythemostdishonourablemeans,thesecretofmyapplicationinLaura’sinteresttothelawyer;andthat,havingnowassuredhimselfoftheprivatemannerinwhichIhadreceivedtheanswer,hehaddiscoveredenoughtosuithispurposes,andwasonlybentontryingtoquietthesuspicionswhichheknewhemusthavearousedinmymind.
Iwaswiseenough,underthesecircumstances,nottoattempttodeceivehimbyplausibleexplanations,andwomanenough,notwithstandingmydreadofhim,tofeelasifmyhandwastaintedbyrestingonhisarm.
Onthedriveinfrontofthehousewemetthedog-cartbeingtakenroundtothestables.SirPercivalhadjustreturned.
Hecameouttomeetusatthehouse-door.
Whateverotherresultshisjourneymighthavehad,ithadnotendedinsofteninghissavagetemper.
“Oh!herearetwoofyoucomeback,”hesaid,withaloweringface.“Whatisthemeaningofthehousebeingdesertedinthisway?WhereisLadyGlyde?”
Itoldhimofthelossofthebrooch,andsaidthatLaurahadgoneintotheplantationtolookforit.
“Broochornobrooch,”hegrowledsulkily,“Irecommendhernottoforgetherappointmentinthelibrarythisafternoon.Ishallexpecttoseeherinhalfanhour.”
ItookmyhandfromtheCount’sarm,andslowlyascendedthesteps.Hehonouredmewithoneofhismagnificentbows,andthenaddressedhimselfgailytothescowlingmasterofthehouse.
“Tellme,Percival,”hesaid,“haveyouhadapleasantdrive?AndhasyourprettyshiningBrownMollycomebackatalltired?”
“BrownMollybehanged—andthedrivetoo!Iwantmylunch.”
“AndIwantfiveminutes’talkwithyou,Percival,first,”returnedtheCount.“Fiveminutes’talk,myfriend,hereonthegrass.”
“Whatabout?”
“Aboutbusinessthatverymuchconcernsyou.”
Ilingeredlongenoughinpassingthroughthehall-doortohearthisquestionandanswer,andtoseeSirPercivalthrusthishandsintohispocketsinsullenhesitation.
“Ifyouwanttobadgermewithanymoreofyourinfernalscruples,”hesaid,“Iforonewon’thearthem.Iwantmylunch.”
“Comeouthereandspeaktome,”repeatedtheCount,stillperfectlyuninfluencedbytherudestspeechthathisfriendcouldmaketohim.
SirPercivaldescendedthesteps.TheCounttookhimbythearm,andwalkedhimawaygently.
The“business,”Iwassure,referredtothequestionofthesignature.
TheywerespeakingofLauraandofmebeyondadoubt.
Ifeltheart-sickandfaintwithanxiety.
Itmightbeofthelastimportancetobothofustoknowwhattheyweresayingtoeachotheratthatmoment,andnotonewordofitcouldbyanypossibilityreachmyears.
Iwalkedaboutthehouse,fromroomtoroom,withthelawyer’sletterinmybosom(Iwasafraidbythistimeeventotrustitunderlockandkey),tilltheoppressionofmysuspensehalfmaddenedme.
TherewerenosignsofLaura’sreturn,andIthoughtofgoingouttolookforher.
Butmystrengthwassoexhaustedbythetrialsandanxietiesofthemorningthattheheatofthedayquiteoverpoweredme,andafteranattempttogettothedoorIwasobligedtoreturntothedrawing-roomandliedownonthenearestsofatorecover.
IwasjustcomposingmyselfwhenthedooropenedsoftlyandtheCountlookedin.
“Athousandpardons,MissHalcombe,”hesaid;“IonlyventuretodisturbyoubecauseIamthebearerofgoodnews.
Percival—whoiscapriciousineverything,asyouknow—hasseenfittoalterhismindatthelastmoment,andthebusinessofthesignatureisputoffforthepresent.
Agreatrelieftoallofus,MissHalcombe,asIseewithpleasureinyourface.
Praypresentmybestrespectsandfelicitations,whenyoumentionthispleasantchangeofcircumstancestoLadyGlyde.”
HeleftmebeforeIhadrecoveredmyastonishment.
Therecouldbenodoubtthatthisextraordinaryalterationofpurposeinthematterofthesignaturewasduetohisinfluence,andthathisdiscoveryofmyapplicationtoLondonyesterday,andofmyhavingreceivedananswertoitto-day,hadofferedhimthemeansofinterferingwithcertainsuccess.
Ifelttheseimpressions,butmymindseemedtosharetheexhaustionofmybody,andIwasinnoconditiontodwellonthemwithanyusefulreferencetothedoubtfulpresentorthethreateningfuture.
ItriedasecondtimetorunoutandfindLaura,butmyheadwasgiddyandmykneestrembledunderme.
Therewasnochoicebuttogiveitupagainandreturntothesofa,sorelyagainstmywill.
Thequietinthehouse,andthelowmurmuringhumofsummerinsectsoutsidetheopenwindow,soothedme.
Myeyesclosedofthemselves,andIpassedgraduallyintoastrangecondition,whichwasnotwaking—forIknewnothingofwhatwasgoingonaboutme,andnotsleeping—forIwasconsciousofmyownrepose.
Inthisstatemyfeveredmindbrokeloosefromme,whilemywearybodywasatrest,andinatrance,orday-dreamofmyfancy—Iknownotwhattocallit—IsawWalterHartright.
IhadnotthoughtofhimsinceIrosethatmorning—Laurahadnotsaidonewordtomeeitherdirectlyorindirectlyreferringtohim—andyetIsawhimnowasplainlyasifthepasttimehadreturned,andwewerebothtogetheragainatLimmeridgeHouse.
Heappearedtomeasoneamongmanyothermen,noneofwhosefacesIcouldplainlydiscern.
Theywerealllyingonthestepsofanimmenseruinedtemple.
Colossaltropicaltrees—withrankcreeperstwiningendlesslyabouttheirtrunks,andhideousstoneidolsglimmeringandgrinningatintervalsbehindleavesandstalksandbranches—surroundedthetempleandshutoutthesky,andthrewadismalshadowovertheforlornbandofmenonthesteps.
Whiteexhalationstwistedandcurledupstealthilyfromtheground,approachedthemeninwreathslikesmoke,touchedthem,andstretchedthemoutdead,onebyone,intheplaceswheretheylay.
AnagonyofpityandfearforWalterloosenedmytongue,andIimploredhimtoescape.“Comeback,comeback!”Isaid.
“RememberyourpromisetoHERandtoME.
ComebacktousbeforethePestilencereachesyouandlaysyoudeadliketherest!”
Helookedatmewithanunearthlyquietinhisface.“Wait,”hesaid,“Ishallcomeback.
ThenightwhenImetthelostWomanonthehighwaywasthenightwhichsetmylifeaparttobetheinstrumentofaDesignthatisyetunseen.
Here,lostinthewilderness,orthere,welcomedbackinthelandofmybirth,Iamstillwalkingonthedarkroadwhichleadsme,andyou,andthesisterofyourloveandmine,totheunknownRetributionandtheinevitableEnd.Waitandlook.
ThePestilencewhichtouchestherestwillpassME.”
Isawhimagain.Hewasstillintheforest,andthenumbersofhislostcompanionshaddwindledtoveryfew.
Thetemplewasgone,andtheidolsweregone—andintheirplacethefiguresofdark,dwarfishmenlurkedmurderouslyamongthetrees,withbowsintheirhands,andarrowsfittedtothestring.
OncemoreIfearedforWalter,andcriedouttowarnhim.
Oncemoreheturnedtome,withtheimmovablequietinhisface.
“Anotherstep,”hesaid,“onthedarkroad.Waitandlook.Thearrowsthatstriketherestwillspareme.”
Isawhimforthethirdtimeinawreckedship,strandedonawild,sandyshore.
Theoverloadedboatsweremakingawayfromhimfortheland,andhealonewaslefttosinkwiththeship.
Icriedtohimtohailthehindmostboat,andtomakealasteffortforhislife.
Thequietfacelookedatmeinreturn,andtheunmovedvoicegavemebackthechangelessreply.“Anothersteponthejourney.Waitandlook.
TheSeawhichdrownstherestwillspareme.”
Isawhimforthelasttime.Hewaskneelingbyatombofwhitemarble,andtheshadowofaveiledwomanroseoutofthegravebeneathandwaitedbyhisside.
Theunearthlyquietofhisfacehadchangedtoanunearthlysorrow.
Buttheterriblecertaintyofhiswordsremainedthesame.
“Darkeranddarker,”hesaid;“fartherandfartheryet.
Deathtakesthegood,thebeautiful,andtheyoung—andsparesme.
ThePestilencethatwastes,theArrowthatstrikes,theSeathatdrowns,theGravethatclosesoverLoveandHope,arestepsofmyjourney,andtakemenearerandnearertotheEnd.”
Myheartsankunderadreadbeyondwords,underagriefbeyondtears.
Thedarknessclosedroundthepilgrimatthemarbletomb—closedroundtheveiledwomanfromthegrave—closedroundthedreamerwholookedonthem.Isawandheardnomore.
Iwasarousedbyahandlaidonmyshoulder.ItwasLaura’s.
Shehaddroppedonherkneesbythesideofthesofa.Herfacewasflushedandagitated,andhereyesmetmineinawildbewilderedmanner.IstartedtheinstantIsawher.
“Whathashappened?”Iasked.“Whathasfrightenedyou?”
Shelookedroundatthehalf-opendoor,putherlipsclosetomyear,andansweredinawhisper—
“Marian!—thefigureatthelake—thefootstepslastnight—I’vejustseenher!I’vejustspokentoher!”
“Who,forHeaven’ssake?”
“AnneCatherick.”
IwassostartledbythedisturbanceinLaura’sfaceandmanner,andsodismayedbythefirstwakingimpressionsofmydream,thatIwasnotfittobeartherevelationwhichburstuponmewhenthatnamepassedherlips.
Icouldonlystandrootedtothefloor,lookingatherinbreathlesssilence.
Shewastoomuchabsorbedbywhathadhappenedtonoticetheeffectwhichherreplyhadproducedonme.“IhaveseenAnneCatherick!IhavespokentoAnneCatherick!”sherepeatedasifIhadnotheardher.
“Oh,Marian,Ihavesuchthingstotellyou!
Comeaway—wemaybeinterruptedhere—comeatonceintomyroom.”
Withthoseeagerwordsshecaughtmebythehand,andledmethroughthelibrary,totheendroomonthegroundfloor,whichhadbeenfittedupforherownespecialuse.
Nothirdperson,excepthermaid,couldhaveanyexcuseforsurprisingushere.
Shepushedmeinbeforeher,lockedthedoor,anddrewthechintzcurtainsthathungovertheinside.
Thestrange,stunnedfeelingwhichhadtakenpossessionofmestillremained.
Butagrowingconvictionthatthecomplicationswhichhadlongthreatenedtogatherabouther,andtogatheraboutme,hadsuddenlyclosedfastroundusboth,wasnowbeginningtopenetratemymind.
Icouldnotexpressitinwords—Icouldhardlyevenrealiseitdimlyinmyownthoughts.“AnneCatherick!”
Iwhisperedtomyself,withuseless,helplessreiteration—“AnneCatherick!”
Lauradrewmetothenearestseat,anottomaninthemiddleoftheroom.“Look!”shesaid,“lookhere!”—andpointedtothebosomofherdress.
Isaw,forthefirsttime,thatthelostbroochwaspinnedinitsplaceagain.
Therewassomethingrealinthesightofit,somethingrealinthetouchingofitafterwards,whichseemedtosteadythewhirlandconfusioninmythoughts,andtohelpmetocomposemyself.
“Wheredidyoufindyourbrooch?”ThefirstwordsIcouldsaytoherwerethewordswhichputthattrivialquestionatthatimportantmoment.
“SHEfoundit,Marian.”
“Where?”
“Ontheflooroftheboat-house.Oh,howshallIbegin—howshallItellyouaboutit!Shetalkedtomesostrangely—shelookedsofearfullyill—sheleftmesosuddenly!”
Hervoiceroseasthetumultofherrecollectionspresseduponhermind.
Theinveteratedistrustwhichweighs,nightandday,onmyspiritsinthishouse,instantlyrousedmetowarnher—justasthesightofthebroochhadrousedmetoquestionher,themomentbefore.
“Speaklow,”Isaid.“Thewindowisopen,andthegardenpathrunsbeneathit.Beginatthebeginning,Laura.Tellme,wordforword,whatpassedbetweenthatwomanandyou.”
“ShallIclosethewindow?”
“No,onlyspeaklow—onlyrememberthatAnneCatherickisadangeroussubjectunderyourhusband’sroof.Wheredidyoufirstseeher?”
“Attheboat-house,Marian.Iwentout,asyouknow,tofindmybrooch,andIwalkedalongthepaththroughtheplantation,lookingdownonthegroundcarefullyateverystep.
InthatwayIgoton,afteralongtime,totheboat-house,andassoonasIwasinsideit,Iwentonmykneestohuntoverthefloor.
Iwasstillsearchingwithmybacktothedoorway,whenIheardasoft,strangevoicebehindmesay,‘MissFairlie.’”
“MissFairlie!”
“Yes,myoldname—thedear,familiarnamethatIthoughtIhadpartedfromforever.
Istartedup—notfrightened,thevoicewastookindandgentletofrightenanybody—butverymuchsurprised.
There,lookingatmefromthedoorway,stoodawoman,whosefaceIneverrememberedtohaveseenbefore—”
“Howwasshedressed?”
“Shehadaneat,prettywhitegownon,andoveritapoorwornthindarkshawl.
Herbonnetwasofbrownstraw,aspoorandwornastheshawl.
Iwasstruckbythedifferencebetweenhergownandtherestofherdress,andshesawthatInoticedit.
‘Don’tlookatmybonnetandshawl,’shesaid,speakinginaquick,breathless,suddenway;‘ifImustn’twearwhite,Idon’tcarewhatIwear.
Lookatmygownasmuchasyouplease—I’mnotashamedofthat.’Verystrange,wasitnot?
BeforeIcouldsayanythingtosootheher,sheheldoutoneofherhands,andIsawmybroochinit.
Iwassopleasedandsograteful,thatIwentquiteclosetohertosaywhatIreallyfelt.
‘Areyouthankfulenoughtodomeonelittlekindness?’sheasked.
‘Yes,indeed,’Ianswered,‘anykindnessinmypowerIshallbegladtoshowyou.’
‘Thenletmepinyourbroochonforyou,nowIhavefoundit.’
Herrequestwassounexpected,Marian,andshemadeitwithsuchextraordinaryeagerness,thatIdrewbackasteportwo,notwellknowingwhattodo.‘Ah!’
shesaid,‘yourmotherwouldhaveletmepinonthebrooch.’
Therewassomethinginhervoiceandherlook,aswellasinhermentioningmymotherinthatreproachfulmanner,whichmademeashamedofmydistrust.
Itookherhandwiththebroochinit,andputitupgentlyonthebosomofmydress.‘Youknewmymother?’Isaid.‘Wasitverylongago?haveIeverseenyoubefore?’
Herhandswerebusyfasteningthebrooch:shestoppedandpressedthemagainstmybreast.
‘Youdon’trememberafinespringdayatLimmeridge,’shesaid,‘andyourmotherwalkingdownthepaththatledtotheschool,withalittlegirloneachsideofher?
Ihavehadnothingelsetothinkofsince,andIrememberit.
Youwereoneofthelittlegirls,andIwastheother.
Pretty,cleverMissFairlie,andpoordazedAnneCatherickwerenearertoeachotherthenthantheyarenow!’”
“Didyourememberher,Laura,whenshetoldyouhername?”
“Yes,IrememberedyouraskingmeaboutAnneCatherickatLimmeridge,andyoursayingthatshehadoncebeenconsideredlikeme.”
“Whatremindedyouofthat,Laura?”
“SHEremindedme.WhileIwaslookingather,whileshewasveryclosetome,itcameovermymindsuddenlythatwewerelikeeachother!
Herfacewaspaleandthinandweary—butthesightofitstartledme,asifithadbeenthesightofmyownfaceintheglassafteralongillness.
Thediscovery—Idon’tknowwhy—gavemesuchashock,thatIwasperfectlyincapableofspeakingtoherforthemoment.”
“Didsheseemhurtbyyoursilence?”
“Iamafraidshewashurtbyit.‘Youhavenotgotyourmother’sface,’shesaid,‘oryourmother’sheart.
Yourmother’sfacewasdark,andyourmother’sheart,MissFairlie,wastheheartofanangel.’
‘IamsureIfeelkindlytowardsyou,’Isaid,‘thoughImaynotbeabletoexpressitasIought.WhydoyoucallmeMissFairlie?
——’‘BecauseIlovethenameofFairlieandhatethenameofGlyde,’shebrokeoutviolently.
Ihadseennothinglikemadnessinherbeforethis,butIfanciedIsawitnowinhereyes.
‘IonlythoughtyoumightnotknowIwasmarried,’Isaid,rememberingthewildlettershewrotetomeatLimmeridge,andtryingtoquiether.
Shesighedbitterly,andturnedawayfromme.‘Notknowyouweremarried?’sherepeated.‘IamhereBECAUSEyouaremarried.
Iamheretomakeatonementtoyou,beforeImeetyourmotherintheworldbeyondthegrave.’
Shedrewfartherandfartherawayfromme,tillshewasoutoftheboat-house,andthenshewatchedandlistenedforalittlewhile.
Whensheturnedroundtospeakagain,insteadofcomingback,shestoppedwhereshewas,lookinginatme,withahandoneachsideoftheentrance.
‘Didyouseemeatthelakelastnight?’shesaid.
‘Didyouhearmefollowingyouinthewood?
Ihavebeenwaitingfordaystogethertospeaktoyoualone—IhavelefttheonlyfriendIhaveintheworld,anxiousandfrightenedaboutme—Ihaveriskedbeingshutupagaininthemad-house—andallforyoursake,MissFairlie,allforyoursake.’
Herwordsalarmedme,Marian,andyettherewassomethinginthewayshespokethatmademepityherwithallmyheart.
Iamsuremypitymusthavebeensincere,foritmademeboldenoughtoaskthepoorcreaturetocomein,andsitdownintheboat-house,bymyside.”
“Didshedoso?”
“No.Sheshookherhead,andtoldmeshemuststopwhereshewas,towatchandlisten,andseethatnothirdpersonsurprisedus.
Andfromfirsttolast,thereshewaitedattheentrance,withahandoneachsideofit,sometimesbendinginsuddenlytospeaktome,sometimesdrawingbacksuddenlytolookabouther.
‘Iwashereyesterday,’shesaid,‘beforeitcamedark,andIheardyou,andtheladywithyou,talkingtogether.
Iheardyoutellheraboutyourhusband.
Iheardyousayyouhadnoinfluencetomakehimbelieveyou,andnoinfluencetokeephimsilent.Ah!
Iknewwhatthosewordsmeant—myconsciencetoldmewhileIwaslistening.WhydidIeverletyoumarryhim!
Oh,myfear—mymad,miserable,wickedfear!
—‘Shecoveredupherfaceinherpoorwornshawl,andmoanedandmurmuredtoherselfbehindit.
IbegantobeafraidshemightbreakoutintosometerribledespairwhichneithershenorIcouldmaster.
‘Trytoquietyourself,’Isaid;‘trytotellmehowyoumighthavepreventedmymarriage.’
Shetooktheshawlfromherface,andlookedatmevacantly.
‘IoughttohavehadheartenoughtostopatLimmeridge,’sheanswered.
‘Ioughtnevertohaveletthenewsofhiscomingtherefrightenmeaway.
Ioughttohavewarnedyouandsavedyoubeforeitwastoolate.
WhydidIonlyhavecourageenoughtowriteyouthatletter?
WhydidIonlydoharm,whenIwantedandmeanttodogood?
Oh,myfear—mymad,miserable,wickedfear!
‘Sherepeatedthosewordsagain,andhidherfaceagainintheendofherpoorwornshawl.
Itwasdreadfultoseeher,anddreadfultohearher.”
“Surely,Laura,youaskedwhatthefearwaswhichshedweltonsoearnestly?”
“Yes,Iaskedthat.”
“Andwhatdidshesay?”
“Sheaskedmeinreturn,ifIshouldnotbeafraidofamanwhohadshutmeupinamad-house,andwhowouldshutmeupagain,ifhecould?Isaid,‘Areyouafraidstill?
Surelyyouwouldnotbehereifyouwereafraidnow?’‘No,’shesaid,‘Iamnotafraidnow.’Iaskedwhynot.
Shesuddenlybentforwardintotheboat-house,andsaid,‘Can’tyouguesswhy?’Ishookmyhead.‘Lookatme,’shewenton.
ItoldherIwasgrievedtoseethatshelookedverysorrowfulandveryill.Shesmiledforthefirsttime.‘Ill?’sherepeated;‘I’mdying.YouknowwhyI’mnotafraidofhimnow.
DoyouthinkIshallmeetyourmotherinheaven?WillsheforgivemeifIdo?’
Iwassoshockedandsostartled,thatIcouldmakenoreply.
‘Ihavebeenthinkingofit,’shewenton,‘allthetimeIhavebeeninhidingfromyourhusband,allthetimeIlayill.
Mythoughtshavedrivenmehere—Iwanttomakeatonement—IwanttoundoallIcanoftheharmIoncedid.’
IbeggedherasearnestlyasIcouldtotellmewhatshemeant.
Shestilllookedatmewithfixedvacanteyes.‘SHALLIundotheharm?’shesaidtoherselfdoubtfully.‘Youhavefriendstotakeyourpart.
IfYOUknowhisSecret,hewillbeafraidofyou,hewon’tdareuseyouasheusedme.
Hemusttreatyoumercifullyforhisownsake,ifheisafraidofyouandyourfriends.
Andifhetreatsyoumercifully,andifIcansayitwasmydoing——’Ilistenedeagerlyformore,butshestoppedatthosewords.”
“Youtriedtomakehergoon?”
“Itried,butsheonlydrewherselfawayfrommeagain,andleanedherfaceandarmsagainstthesideoftheboat-house.‘Oh!’
Iheardhersay,withadreadful,distractedtendernessinhervoice,‘oh!
ifIcouldonlybeburiedwithyourmother!
IfIcouldonlywakeatherside,whentheangel’strumpetsounds,andthegravesgiveuptheirdeadattheresurrection!’—Marian!
Itrembledfromheadtofoot—itwashorribletohearher.
‘Butthereisnohopeofthat,’shesaid,movingalittle,soastolookatmeagain,‘nohopeforapoorstrangerlikeme.
IshallnotrestunderthemarblecrossthatIwashedwithmyownhands,andmadesowhiteandpureforhersake.Ohno!ohno!
God’smercy,notman’s,willtakemetoher,wherethewickedceasefromtroublingandthewearyareatrest.’
Shespokethosewordsquietlyandsorrowfully,withaheavy,hopelesssigh,andthenwaitedalittle.
Herfacewasconfusedandtroubled,sheseemedtobethinking,ortryingtothink.‘WhatwasitIsaidjustnow?’sheaskedafterawhile.
‘Whenyourmotherisinmymind,everythingelsegoesoutofit.WhatwasIsaying?whatwasIsaying?’
Iremindedthepoorcreature,askindlyanddelicatelyasIcould.
‘Ah,yes,yes,’shesaid,stillinavacant,perplexedmanner.
‘Youarehelplesswithyourwickedhusband.Yes.
AndImustdowhatIhavecometodohere—Imustmakeituptoyouforhavingbeenafraidtospeakoutatabettertime.’‘WhatISityouhavetotellme?’Iasked.
‘TheSecretthatyourcruelhusbandisafraidof,’sheanswered.
‘IoncethreatenedhimwiththeSecret,andfrightenedhim.
YoushallthreatenhimwiththeSecret,andfrightenhimtoo.’
Herfacedarkened,andahard,angrystarefixeditselfinhereyes.
Shebeganwavingherhandatmeinavacant,unmeaningmanner.‘MymotherknowstheSecret,’shesaid.
‘MymotherhaswastedundertheSecrethalfherlifetime.
Oneday,whenIwasgrownup,shesaidsomethingtoME.Andthenextdayyourhusband——’”
“Yes!yes!Goon.Whatdidshetellyouaboutyourhusband?”
“Shestoppedagain,Marian,atthatpoint——”
“Andsaidnomore?”
“Andlistenedeagerly.‘Hush!’
shewhispered,stillwavingherhandatme.‘Hush!’
Shemovedasideoutofthedoorway,movedslowlyandstealthily,stepbystep,tillIlostherpasttheedgeoftheboat-house.”
“Surelyyoufollowedher?”
“Yes,myanxietymademeboldenoughtoriseandfollowher.
JustasIreachedtheentrance,sheappearedagainsuddenly,roundthesideoftheboat-house.
‘TheSecret,’Iwhisperedtoher—‘waitandtellmetheSecret!’
Shecaughtholdofmyarm,andlookedatmewithwildfrightenedeyes.
‘Notnow,’shesaid,‘wearenotalone—wearewatched.
Comehereto-morrowatthistime—byyourself—mind—byyourself.’
Shepushedmeroughlyintotheboat-houseagain,andIsawhernomore.”
“Oh,Laura,Laura,anotherchancelost!IfIhadonlybeennearyousheshouldnothaveescapedus.Onwhichsidedidyoulosesightofher?”
“Ontheleftside,wherethegroundsinksandthewoodisthickest.”
“Didyourunoutagain?didyoucallafterher?”
“HowcouldI?Iwastooterrifiedtomoveorspeak.”
“ButwhenyouDIDmove—whenyoucameout?”
“Iranbackhere,totellyouwhathadhappened.”
“Didyouseeanyone,orhearanyone,intheplantation?”
“No,itseemedtobeallstillandquietwhenIpassedthroughit.”
Iwaitedforamomenttoconsider.Wasthisthirdperson,supposedtohavebeensecretlypresentattheinterview,areality,orthecreatureofAnneCatherick’sexcitedfancy?Itwasimpossibletodetermine.
Theonethingcertainwas,thatwehadfailedagainontheverybrinkofdiscovery—failedutterlyandirretrievably,unlessAnneCatherickkeptherappointmentattheboat-houseforthenextday.
“Areyouquitesureyouhavetoldmeeverythingthatpassed?Everywordthatwassaid?”Iinquired.
“Ithinkso,”sheanswered.“Mypowersofmemory,Marian,arenotlikeyours.ButIwassostronglyimpressed,sodeeplyinterested,thatnothingofanyimportancecanpossiblyhaveescapedme.”
“MydearLaura,themeresttriflesareofimportancewhereAnneCatherickisconcerned.Thinkagain.Didnochancereferenceescapeherastotheplaceinwhichsheislivingatthepresenttime?”
“NonethatIcanremember.”
“Didshenotmentionacompanionandfriend—awomannamedMrs.Clements?”
“Ohyes!yes!Iforgotthat.ShetoldmeMrs.Clementswantedsadlytogowithhertothelakeandtakecareofher,andbeggedandprayedthatshewouldnotventureintothisneighbourhoodalone.”
“WasthatallshesaidaboutMrs.Clements?”
“Yes,thatwasall.”
“ShetoldyounothingabouttheplaceinwhichshetookrefugeafterleavingTodd’sCorner?”
“Nothing—Iamquitesure.”
“Norwhereshehaslivedsince?Norwhatherillnesshadbeen?”
“No,Marian,notaword.Tellme,praytellme,whatyouthinkaboutit.Idon’tknowwhattothink,orwhattodonext.”
“Youmustdothis,mylove:Youmustcarefullykeeptheappointmentattheboat-houseto-morrow.
Itisimpossibletosaywhatinterestsmaynotdependonyourseeingthatwomanagain.
Youshallnotbelefttoyourselfasecondtime.Iwillfollowyouatasafedistance.
Nobodyshallseeme,butIwillkeepwithinhearingofyourvoice,ifanythinghappens.
AnneCatherickhasescapedWalterHartright,andhasescapedyou.
Whateverhappens,sheshallnotescapeME.”
Laura’seyesreadmineattentively.
“Youbelieve,”shesaid,“inthissecretthatmyhusbandisafraidof?
Suppose,Marian,itshouldonlyexistafterallinAnneCatherick’sfancy?
Supposesheonlywantedtoseemeandtospeaktome,forthesakeofoldremembrances?
Hermannerwassostrange—Ialmostdoubtedher.Wouldyoutrustherinotherthings?”
“Itrustnothing,Laura,butmyownobservationofyourhusband’sconduct.IjudgeAnneCatherick’swordsbyhisactions,andIbelievethereisasecret.”
Isaidnomore,andgotuptoleavetheroomThoughtsweretroublingmewhichImighthavetoldherifwehadspokentogetherlonger,andwhichitmighthavebeendangerousforhertoknow.
Theinfluenceoftheterribledreamfromwhichshehadawakenedmehungdarklyandheavilyovereveryfreshimpressionwhichtheprogressofhernarrativeproducedonmymind.
Ifelttheominousfuturecomingclose,chillingmewithanunutterableawe,forcingonmetheconvictionofanunseendesigninthelongseriesofcomplicationswhichhadnowfastenedroundus.
IthoughtofHartright—asIsawhiminthebodywhenhesaidfarewell;asIsawhiminthespiritinmydream—andItoobegantodoubtnowwhetherwewerenotadvancingblindfoldtoanappointedandaninevitableend.
LeavingLauratogoupstairsalone,Iwentouttolookaboutmeinthewalksnearthehouse.
ThecircumstancesunderwhichAnneCatherickhadpartedfromherhadmademesecretlyanxioustoknowhowCountFoscowaspassingtheafternoon,andhadrenderedmesecretlydistrustfuloftheresultsofthatsolitaryjourneyfromwhichSirPercivalhadreturnedbutafewhourssince.
Afterlookingforthemineverydirectionanddiscoveringnothing,Ireturnedtothehouse,andenteredthedifferentroomsonthegroundflooroneafteranother.Theywereallempty.
Icameoutagainintothehall,andwentupstairstoreturntoLaura.
MadameFoscoopenedherdoorasIpasseditinmywayalongthepassage,andIstoppedtoseeifshecouldinformmeofthewhereaboutsofherhusbandandSirPercival.
Yes,shehadseenthembothfromherwindowmorethananhoursince.
TheCounthadlookedupwithhiscustomarykindness,andhadmentionedwithhishabitualattentiontoherinthesmallesttrifles,thatheandhisfriendweregoingouttogetherforalongwalk.
Foralongwalk!Theyhadneveryetbeenineachother’scompanywiththatobjectinmyexperienceofthem.
SirPercivalcaredfornoexercisebutriding,andtheCount(exceptwhenhewaspoliteenoughtobemyescort)caredfornoexerciseatall.
WhenIjoinedLauraagain,Ifoundthatshehadcalledtomindinmyabsencetheimpendingquestionofthesignaturetothedeed,which,intheinterestofdiscussingherinterviewwithAnneCatherick,wehadhithertooverlooked.
HerfirstwordswhenIsawherexpressedhersurpriseattheabsenceoftheexpectedsummonstoattendSirPercivalinthelibrary.
“Youmaymakeyourmindeasyonthatsubject,”Isaid.
“Forthepresent,atleast,neitheryourresolutionnorminewillbeexposedtoanyfurthertrial.
SirPercivalhasalteredhisplans—thebusinessofthesignatureisputoff.”
“Putoff?”Laurarepeatedamazedly.“Whotoldyouso?”
“MyauthorityisCountFosco.Ibelieveitistohisinterferencethatweareindebtedforyourhusband’ssuddenchangeofpurpose.”
“Itseemsimpossible,Marian.Iftheobjectofmysigningwas,aswesuppose,toobtainmoneyforSirPercivalthatheurgentlywanted,howcanthematterbeputoff?”
“Ithink,Laura,wehavethemeansathandofsettingthatdoubtatrest.HaveyouforgottentheconversationthatIheardbetweenSirPercivalandthelawyerastheywerecrossingthehall?”
“No,butIdon’tremember——”
“Ido.Thereweretwoalternativesproposed.
Onewastoobtainyoursignaturetotheparchment.
Theotherwastogaintimebygivingbillsatthreemonths.
Thelastresourceisevidentlytheresourcenowadopted,andwemayfairlyhopetoberelievedfromourshareinSirPercival’sembarrassmentsforsometimetocome.”
“Oh,Marian,itsoundstoogoodtobetrue!”
“Doesit,mylove?Youcomplimentedmeonmyreadymemorynotlongsince,butyouseemtodoubtitnow.Iwillgetmyjournal,andyoushallseeifIamrightorwrong.”
Iwentawayandgotthebookatonce.
Onlookingbacktotheentryreferringtothelawyer’svisit,wefoundthatmyrecollectionofthetwoalternativespresentedwasaccuratelycorrect.
ItwasalmostasgreatarelieftomymindastoLaura’s,tofindthatmymemoryhadservedme,onthisoccasion,asfaithfullyasusual.
Intheperilousuncertaintyofourpresentsituation,itishardtosaywhatfutureinterestsmaynotdependupontheregularityoftheentriesinmyjournal,anduponthereliabilityofmyrecollectionatthetimewhenImakethem.
Laura’sfaceandmannersuggestedtomethatthislastconsiderationhadoccurredtoheraswellastomyself.
Anyway,itisonlyatriflingmatter,andIamalmostashamedtoputitdownhereinwriting—itseemstosettheforlornnessofoursituationinsuchamiserablyvividlight.
Wemusthavelittleindeedtodependon,whenthediscoverythatmymemorycanstillbetrustedtoserveusishailedasifitwasthediscoveryofanewfriend!
Thefirstbellfordinnerseparatedus.Justasithaddoneringing,SirPercivalandtheCountreturnedfromtheirwalk.
Weheardthemasterofthehousestormingattheservantsforbeingfiveminuteslate,andthemaster’sguestinterposing,asusual,intheinterestsofpropriety,patience,andpeace.
**********
Theeveninghascomeandgone.Noextraordinaryeventhashappened.
ButIhavenoticedcertainpeculiaritiesintheconductofSirPercivalandtheCount,whichhavesentmetomybedfeelingveryanxiousanduneasyaboutAnneCatherick,andabouttheresultswhichto-morrowmayproduce.
Iknowenoughbythistime,tobesure,thattheaspectofSirPercivalwhichisthemostfalse,andwhich,therefore,meanstheworst,ishispoliteaspect.
Thatlongwalkwithhisfriendhadendedinimprovinghismanners,especiallytowardshiswife.
ToLaura’ssecretsurpriseandtomysecretalarm,hecalledherbyherChristianname,askedifshehadheardlatelyfromheruncle.
inquiredwhenMrs.VeseywastoreceiveherinvitationtoBlackwater,andshowedhersomanyotherlittleattentionsthathealmostrecalledthedaysofhishatefulcourtshipatLimmeridgeHouse.
Thiswasabadsigntobeginwith,andIthoughtitmoreominousstillthatheshouldpretendafterdinnertofallasleepinthedrawing-room,andthathiseyesshouldcunninglyfollowLauraandmewhenhethoughtweneitherofussuspectedhim.
IhaveneverhadanydoubtthathissuddenjourneybyhimselftookhimtoWelminghamtoquestionMrs.Catherick—buttheexperienceofto-nighthasmademefearthattheexpeditionwasnotundertakeninvain,andthathehasgottheinformationwhichheunquestionablyleftustocollect.
IfIknewwhereAnneCatherickwastobefound,Iwouldbeupto-morrowwithsunriseandwarnher.
WhiletheaspectunderwhichSirPercivalpresentedhimselfto-nightwasunhappilybuttoofamiliartome,theaspectunderwhichtheCountappearedwas,ontheotherhand,entirelynewinmyexperienceofhim.
Hepermittedme,thisevening,tomakehisacquaintance,forthefirsttime,inthecharacterofaManofSentiment—ofsentiment,asIbelieve,reallyfelt,notassumedfortheoccasion.
Forinstance,hewasquietandsubdued—hiseyesandhisvoiceexpressedarestrainedsensibility.
Hewore(asiftherewassomehiddenconnectionbetweenhisshowiestfineryandhisdeepestfeeling)themostmagnificentwaistcoathehasyetappearedin—itwasmadeofpalesea-greensilk,anddelicatelytrimmedwithfinesilverbraid.
Hisvoicesankintothetenderestinflections,hissmileexpressedathoughtful,fatherlyadmiration,wheneverhespoketoLauraortome.
Hepressedhiswife’shandunderthetablewhenshethankedhimfortriflinglittleattentionsatdinner.Hetookwinewithher.“Yourhealthandhappiness,myangel!”hesaid,withfondglisteningeyes.
Heatelittleornothing,andsighed,andsaid“GoodPercival!”whenhisfriendlaughedathim.
Afterdinner,hetookLaurabythehand,andaskedherifshewouldbe“sosweetastoplaytohim.”
Shecomplied,throughsheerastonishment.
Hesatbythepiano,withhiswatch-chainrestinginfolds,likeagoldenserpent,onthesea-greenprotuberanceofhiswaistcoat.
Hisimmenseheadlaylanguidlyononeside,andhegentlybeattimewithtwoofhisyellow-whitefingers.
Hehighlyapprovedofthemusic,andtenderlyadmiredLaura’smannerofplaying—notaspoorHartrightusedtopraiseit,withaninnocentenjoymentofthesweetsounds,butwithaclear,cultivated,practicalknowledgeofthemeritsofthecomposition,inthefirstplace,andofthemeritsoftheplayer’stouchinthesecond.
Astheeveningclosedin,hebeggedthatthelovelydyinglightmightnotbeprofaned,justyet,bytheappearanceofthelamps.
Hecame,withhishorriblysilenttread,tothedistantwindowatwhichIwasstanding,tobeoutofhiswayandtoavoidtheverysightofhim—hecametoaskmetosupporthisprotestagainstthelamps.
Ifanyoneofthemcouldonlyhaveburnthimupatthatmoment,Iwouldhavegonedowntothekitchenandfetcheditmyself.
“Surelyyoulikethismodest,tremblingEnglishtwilight?”hesaidsoftly.“Ah!Iloveit.
Ifeelmyinbornadmirationofallthatisnoble,andgreat,andgood,purifiedbythebreathofheavenonaneveninglikethis.
Naturehassuchimperishablecharms,suchinextinguishabletendernessforme!
—Iamanold,fatman—talkwhichwouldbecomeyourlips,MissHalcombe,soundslikeaderisionandamockeryonmine.
Itishardtobelaughedatinmymomentsofsentiment,asifmysoulwaslikemyself,oldandovergrown.
Observe,dearlady,whatalightisdyingonthetrees!
Doesitpenetrateyourheart,asitpenetratesmine?”
Hepaused,lookedatme,andrepeatedthefamouslinesofDanteontheEvening-time,withamelodyandtendernesswhichaddedacharmoftheirowntothematchlessbeautyofthepoetryitself.
“Bah!”hecriedsuddenly,asthelastcadenceofthosenobleItalianwordsdiedawayonhislips;“Imakeanoldfoolofmyself,andonlywearyyouall!
Letusshutupthewindowinourbosomsandgetbacktothematter-of-factworld.Percival!Isanctiontheadmissionofthelamps.
LadyGlyde—MissHalcombe—Eleanor,mygoodwife—whichofyouwillindulgemewithagameatdominoes?”
Headdressedusall,buthelookedespeciallyatLaura.
Shehadlearnttofeelmydreadofoffendinghim,andsheacceptedhisproposal.
ItwasmorethanIcouldhavedoneatthatmoment.
Icouldnothavesatdownatthesametablewithhimforanyconsideration.
Hiseyesseemedtoreachmyinmostsoulthroughthethickeningobscurityofthetwilight.
Hisvoicetrembledalongeverynerveinmybody,andturnedmehotandcoldalternately.
Themysteryandterrorofmydream,whichhadhauntedmeatintervalsallthroughtheevening,nowoppressedmymindwithanunendurableforebodingandanunutterableawe.
Isawthewhitetombagain,andtheveiledwomanrisingoutofitbyHartright’sside.
ThethoughtofLaurawelleduplikeaspringinthedepthsofmyheart,andfilleditwithwatersofbitterness,never,neverknowntoitbefore.
Icaughtherbythehandasshepassedmeonherwaytothetable,andkissedherasifthatnightwastopartusforever.
Whiletheywereallgazingatmeinastonishment,Iranoutthroughthelowwindowwhichwasopenbeforemetotheground—ranouttohidefromtheminthedarkness,tohideevenfrommyself.
Weseparatedthateveninglaterthanusual.
Towardsmid-nightthesummersilencewasbrokenbytheshudderingofalow,melancholywindamongthetrees.
Weallfeltthesuddenchillintheatmosphere,buttheCountwasthefirsttonoticethestealthyrisingofthewind.
Hestoppedwhilehewaslightingmycandleforme,andhelduphishandwarningly—
“Listen!”hesaid.“Therewillbeachangeto-morrow.”
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