'Noristhatprobable.'
　　'Thenhemayhavethoughtbetterofit.'
　　'Yes,hemayhavethoughtbetterofit;if,indeed,heisnothereallthetime——somewhereinthehollowbehindtheDevil'sDoor.Letusgoandsee;itwillservehimrighttosurprisehim.'
　　'O,he'snotthere.'
　　'Hemaybelyingveryquietbecauseofyou,'shesaidarchly.
　　'O,no——notbecauseofme!'
　　'Come,then.Ideclare,dearest,youlaglikeanunwillingschoolboyto-night,andthere'snoresponsivenessinyou!Youarejealousofthatpoorlad,anditisquiteabsurdofyou.'
　　'I'llcome!I'llcome!Saynomore,Harriet!'Andtheycrossedoverthegreen.
　　Wonderingwhattheywoulddo,theyoungshepherdleftthehut,anddoubledbehindthebeltoffurze,intendingtostandnearthetrilithonunperceived.But,incrossingthefewyardsofopengroundhewasforamomentexposedtoview.
　　'Ah,Iseehimatlast!'saidtheDuchess.
　　'Seehim!'saidtheDuke.'Where?'
　　'BytheDevil'sDoor;don'tyounoticeafigurethere?Ah,mypoorlover-cousin,won'tyoucatchitnow?'Andshelaughedhalf-
　　pityingly.'Butwhat'sthematter?'sheasked,turningtoherhusband.
　　'Itisnothe!'saidtheDukehoarsely.'Itcan'tbehe!'
　　'No,itisnothe.Itistoosmallforhim.Itisaboy.'
　　'Ah,Ithoughtso!Boy,comehere.'
　　Theyouthfulshepherdadvancedwithapprehension.
　　'Whatareyoudoinghere?'
　　'Keepingsheep,yourGrace.'
　　'Ah,youknowme!Doyoukeepsheephereeverynight?'
　　'Offandon,myLordDuke.'
　　'Andwhathaveyouseenhereto-nightorlastnight?'inquiredtheDuchess.'Anypersonwaitingorwalkingabout?'
　　Theboywassilent.
　　'Hehasseennothing,'interruptedherhusband,hiseyessoforbiddinglyfixedontheboythattheyseemedtoshinelikepointsoffire.'Come,letusgo.Theairistookeentostandinlong.'
　　Whentheyweregonetheboyretreatedtothehutandsheep,lessfearfulnowthanatfirst——familiaritywiththesituationhavinggraduallyoverpoweredhisthoughtsoftheburiedman.Buthewasnottobeleftalonelong.WhenanintervalhadelapsedofaboutsufficientlengthforwalkingtoandfromShakeforestTowers,thereappearedfromthatdirectiontheheavyformoftheDuke.Henowcamealone.
　　Thenobleman,onhispart,seemedtohaveeyesnolesssharpthantheboy's,forheinstantlyrecognizedthelatteramongtheewes,andcamestraighttowardshim.
　　'AreyoutheshepherdladIspoketoashorttimeago?'
　　'Ibe,myLordDuke.'
　　'Nowlistentome.HerGraceaskedyouwhatyouhadseenthislastnightortwouphere,andyoumadenoreply.Inowaskthesamething,andyouneednotbeafraidtoanswer.Haveyouseenanythingstrangethesenightsyouhavebeenwatchinghere?'
　　'MyLordDuke,Ibeapoorheedlessboy,andwhatIseeIdon'tbearinmind.'
　　'Iaskyouagain,'saidtheDuke,comingnearer,'haveyouseenanythingstrangethesenightsyouhavebeenwatchinghere?'
　　'O,myLordDuke!Ibebuttheunder-shepherdboy,andmyfatherhewasbutyourhumbleGrace'shedger,andmymotheronlythecinder-
　　womanintheback-yard!Ifallasleepwhenleftalone,andIseenothingatall!'
　　TheDukegraspedtheboybytheshoulder,and,directlyimpendingoverhim,stareddownintohisface,'Didyouseeanythingstrangedoneherelastnight,Isay?'
　　'O,myLordDuke,havemercy,anddon'tstabme!'criedtheshepherd,fallingonhisknees.'Ihaveneverseenyouwalkinghere,orridinghere,orlying-in-waitforaman,ordraggingaheavyload!'
　　'H'm!'saidhisinterrogator,grimly,relaxinghishold.'Itiswelltoknowthatyouhaveneverseenthosethings.Now,whichwouldyourather——SEEMEDOTHOSETHINGSNOW,orkeepasecretallyourlife?'
　　'Keepasecret,myLordDuke!'
　　'Sureyouareable?'
　　'O,yourGrace,tryme!'
　　'Verywell.Andnow,howdoyoulikesheep-keeping?'
　　'Notatall.'Tislonelyworkforthemthatthinkofspirits,andI'mbadlyused.'
　　'Ibelieveyou.Youaretooyoungforit.Imustdosomethingtomakeyoumorecomfortable.Youshallchangethissmock-frockforarealclothjacket,andyourthickbootsforpolishedshoes.Andyoushallbetaughtwhatyouhaveneveryetheardof;andbeputtoschool,andhavebatsandballsfortheholidays,andbemadeamanof.Butyoumustneversayyouhavebeenashepherdboy,andwatchedonthehillsatnight,forshepherdboysarenotlikedingoodcompany.
　　'Trustme,myLordDuke.'
　　'Theverymomentyouforgetyourself,andspeakofyourshepherddays——thisyear,nextyear,inschool,outofschool,orridinginyourcarriagetwentyyearshence——atthatmomentmyhelpwillbewithdrawn,andsmashdownyoucometoshepherdingforthwith.Youhaveparents,Ithinkyousay?'
　　'Awidowedmotheronly,myLordDuke.'
　　'I'llprovideforher,andmakeacomfortablewomanofher,untilyouspeakof——what?'
　　'Ofmyshepherddays,andwhatIsawhere.'
　　'Good.Ifyoudospeakofit?'
　　'Smashdownshecomestowidowingforthwith!'
　　'That'swell——verywell.Butit'snotenough.Comehere.'Hetooktheboyacrosstothetrilithon,andmadehimkneeldown.
　　'Now,thiswasonceaholyplace,'resumedtheDuke.'Analtarstoodhere,erectedtoavenerablefamilyofgods,whowereknownandtalkedoflongbeforetheGodweknownow.Sothatanoathswornhereisdoublyanoath.Saythisafterme:"Mayallthehostabove——
　　angelsandarchangels,andprincipalitiesandpowers——punishme;mayIbetormentedwhereverIam——inthehouseorinthegarden,inthefieldsorintheroads,inchurchorinchapel,athomeorabroad,onlandoratsea;mayIbeafflictedineatingandindrinking,ingrowingupandingrowingold,inlivinganddying,inwardlyandoutwardly,andforalways,ifIeverspeakofmylifeasashepherdboy,orofwhatIhaveseendoneonthisMarlburyDown.Sobeit,andsoletitbe.Amenandamen."Nowkissthestone.'
　　Thetremblingboyrepeatedthewords,andkissedthestone,asdesired.
　　TheDukeledhimoffbythehand.ThatnightthejuniorshepherdsleptinShakeforestTowers,andthenextdayhewassentawayfortuitiontoaremotevillage.Thencehewenttoapreparatoryestablishment,andinduecoursetoapublicschool.
　　FOURTHNIGHT
　　Onawintereveningmanyyearssubsequenttotheabove-mentionedoccurrences,theci-devantshepherdsatinawell-furnishedofficeinthenorthwingofShakeforestTowersintheguiseofanordinaryeducatedmanofbusiness.Heappearedatthistimeasapersonofthirty-eightorforty,thoughactuallyhewasseveralyearsyounger.
　　Awornandrestlessglanceoftheeyenowandthen,whenheliftedhisheadtosearchforsomeletterorpaperwhichhadbeenmislaid,seemedtodenotethathiswasnotamindsothoroughlyateaseashissurroundingsmighthaveledanobservertoexpect.
　　Hispallor,too,wasremarkableforacountryman.Hewasprofessedlyengagedinwriting,butheshapednotword.Hehadsatthereonlyafewminutes,when,layingdownhispenandpushingbackhischair,herestedahanduneasilyoneachofthechair-armsandlookedonthefloor.
　　Soonhearoseandlefttheroom.Hiscoursewasalongapassagewhichendedinacentraloctagonalhall;crossingthisheknockedatadoor.Afaint,thoughdeep,voicetoldhimtocomein.Theroomheenteredwasthelibrary,anditwastenantedbyasinglepersononly——hispatrontheDuke.
　　DuringthislongintervalofyearstheDukehadlostallhisheavinessofbuild.Hewas,indeed,almostaskeleton;hiswhitehairwasthin,andhishandswerenearlytransparent.'Oh——Mills?'
　　hemurmured.'Sitdown.Whatisit?'
　　'Nothingnew,yourGrace.Nobodytospeakofhaswritten,andnobodyhascalled.'
　　'Ah——whatthen?Youlookconcerned.'
　　'Oldtimeshavecometolife,owingtosomethingwakingthem.'
　　'Oldtimesbecursed——whicholdtimesarethey?'
　　'ThatChristmasweektwenty-twoyearsago,whenthelateDuchess'scousinFrederickimploredhertomeethimonMarlburyDowns.Isawthemeeting——itwasjustsuchanightasthis——andI,asyouknow,sawmore.Shemethimonce,butnotthesecondtime.'
　　'Mills,shallIrecallsomewordstoyou——thewordsofanoathtakenonthathillbyashepherd-boy?'
　　'Itisunnecessary.Hehasstrenuouslykeptthatoathandpromise.
　　Sincethatnightnosoundofhisshepherdlifehascrossedhislips——
　　eventoyourself.Butdoyouwishtohearmore,ordoyounot,yourGrace?'
　　'Iwishtohearnomore,'saidtheDukesullenly.
　　'Verywell;letitbeso.Butatimeseemscoming——maybequitenearathand——when,inspiteofmylips,thatepisodewillallowitselftogoundivulgednolonger.'
　　'Iwishtohearnomore!'repeatedtheDuke.
　　'Youneedbeundernofearoftreacheryfromme,'saidthesteward,somewhatbitterly.'Iamamantowhomyouhavebeenkind——nopatroncouldhavebeenkinder.Youhaveclothedandeducatedme;haveinstalledmehere;andIamnotunmindful.Butwhatofit——hasyourGracegainedmuchbymystanchness?Ithinknot.TherewasgreatexcitementaboutCaptainOgbourne'sdisappearance,butIspokenotaword.Andhisbodyhasneverbeenfound.Fortwenty-twoyearsI
　　havewonderedwhatyoudidwithhim.NowIknow.Acircumstancethatoccurredthisafternoonrecalledthetimetomemostforcibly.
　　Tomakeitcertaintomyselfthatallwasnotadream,Iwentuptherewithaspade;Isearched,andsawenoughtoknowthatsomethingdecaysthereinaclosedbadger'shole.'
　　'Mills,doyouthinktheDuchessguessed?'
　　'Sheneverdid,Iamsure,tothedayofherdeath.'
　　'Didyouleaveallasyoufounditonthehill?'
　　'Idid.'
　　'Whatmadeyouthinkofgoinguptherethisparticularafternoon?'
　　'WhatyourGracesaysyoudon'twishtobetold.'
　　TheDukewassilent;andthestillnessoftheeveningwassomarkedthattherereachedtheirearsfromtheouterairthesoundofatollingbell.
　　'Whatisthatbelltollingfor?'askedthenobleman.
　　'ForwhatIcametotellyouof,yourGrace.'
　　'Youtormentmeitisyourway!'saidtheDukequerulously.'Who'sdeadinthevillage?'
　　'Theoldestman——theoldshepherd.'
　　'Deadatlast——howoldishe?'
　　'Ninety-four.'
　　'AndIamonlyseventy.Ihavefour-and-twentyyearstothegood!'
　　'IservedunderthatoldmanwhenIkeptsheeponMarlburyDowns.
　　Andhewasonthehillthatsecondnight,whenIfirstexchangedwordswithyourGrace.Hewasonthehillallthetime;butIdidnotknowhewasthere——nordidyou.'
　　'Ah!'saidtheDuke,startingup.'Goon——Iyieldthepoint——youmaytell!'
　　'Iheardthisafternoonthathewasatthepointofdeath.Itwasthatwhichsetmethinkingofthatpasttime——andinducedmetosearchonthehillforwhatIhavetoldyou.ComingbackIheardthathewishedtoseetheVicartoconfesstohimasecrethehadkeptformorethantwentyyears——"outofrespecttomyLordtheDuke"——somethingthathehadseencommittedonMarlburyDownswhenreturningtotheflockonaDecembernighttwenty-twoyearsago.I
　　havethoughtitover.Hehadleftmeinchargethatevening;buthewasinthehabitofcomingbacksuddenly,lestIshouldhavefallenasleep.ThatnightIsawnothingofhim,thoughhehadpromisedtoreturn.Hemusthavereturned,and——foundreasontokeepinhiding.
　　Itisallplain.ThenextthingisthattheVicarwenttohimtwohoursago.FurtherthanthatIhavenotheard.'
　　'Itisquiteenough.IwillseetheVicaratdaybreakto-morrow.'
　　'Whattodo?'
　　'Stophistongueforfour-and-twentyyears——tillIamdeadatninety-
　　four,liketheshepherd.'
　　'YourGrace——whileyouimposesilenceonme,Iwillnotspeak,eventhoughnayneckshouldpaythepenalty.Ipromisedtobeyours,andIamyours.Butisthispersistenceofanyavail?'
　　'I'llstophistongue,Isay!'criedtheDukewithsomeofhisoldruggedforce.'Now,yougohometobed,Mills,andleavemetomanagehim.'
　　Theinterviewended,andthestewardwithdrew.Thenight,ashehadsaid,wasjustsuchanoneasthenightoftwenty-twoyearsbefore,andtheeventsoftheeveningdestroyedinhimallregardfortheseasonasoneofcheerfulnessandgoodwill.Hewentofftohisownhouseonthefurthervergeofthepark,whereheledalonelylife,scarcelycallinganymanfriend.Atelevenhepreparedtoretiretobed——butdidnotretire.Hesatdownandreflected.Twelveo'clockstruck;helookedoutatthecolourlessmoon,and,promptedbyheknewnotwhat,putonhishatandemergedintotheair.HereWilliamMillsstrolledonandon,tillhereachedthetopofMarlburyDowns,aspothehadnotvisitedatthishourofthenightduringthewholescore-and-oddyears.
　　Heplacedhimself,asnearlyashecouldguess,onthespotwheretheshepherd'shuthadstood.Nolambingwasinprogresstherenow,andtheoldshepherdwhohadusedhimsoroughlyhadceasedfromhislaboursthatveryday.Butthetrilithonstoodupwhiteasever;
　　and,crossingtheinterveningsward,thestewardfancifullyplacedhismouthagainstthestone.Restlessandself-reproachfulashewas,hecouldnotresistasmileashethoughtoftheterrifyingoathofcompact,sealedbyakissuponthestonesofaPagantemple.Buthehadkepthisword,ratherasapromisethanasaformalvow,withmuchworldlyadvantagetohimself,thoughnotmuchhappiness;tillincreaseofyearshadbredreactionaryfeelingswhichledhimtoreceivethenewsofto-nightwithemotionsakintorelief.
　　WhileleaningagainsttheDevil'sDoorandthinkingonthesethings,hebecameconsciousthathewasnottheonlyinhabitantofthedown.
　　Afigureinwhitewasmovingacrosshisfrontwithlong,noiselessstrides.Millsstoodmotionless,andwhentheformdrewquitenearheperceivedittobethatoftheDukehimselfinhisnightshirt——
　　apparentlywalkinginhissleep.Nottoalarmtheoldman,Millsclungclosetotheshadowofthestone.TheDukewentstraightonintothehollow.Therehekneltdown,andbeganscratchingtheearthwithhishandslikeabadger.Afterafewminuteshearose,sighedheavily,andretracedhisstepsashehadcome.
　　Fearingthathemightharmhimself,yetunwillingtoarousehim,thestewardfollowednoiselessly.TheDukekeptonhispathunerringly,enteredthepark,andmadeforthehouse,wherehelethimselfinbyawindowthatstoodopen——theoneprobablybywhichhehadcomeout.
　　Millssoftlyclosedthewindowbehindhispatron,andthenretiredhomewardtoawaittherevelationsofthemorning,deemingitunnecessarytoalarmthehouse.
　　However,hefeltuneasyduringtheremainderofthenight,nolessonaccountoftheDuke'spersonalconditionthanbecauseofthatwhichwasimminentnextday.EarlyinthemorninghecalledatShakeforestTowers.Theblindsweredown,andtherewassomethingsingularupontheporter'sfacewhenheopenedthedoor.ThestewardinquiredfortheDuke.
　　Theman'svoicewassubduedashereplied:'Sir,IamsorrytosaythathisGraceisdead!Helefthisroomsometimeinthenight,andwanderedaboutnobodyknowswhere.Onreturningtotheupperfloorhelosthisbalanceandfelldownstairs.'
　　ThestewardtoldthetaleoftheDownbeforetheVicarhadspoken.
　　MillshadalwaysintendedtodosoafterthedeathoftheDuke.Theconsequencestohimselfheunderwentcheerfully;buthislifewasnotprolonged.Hedied,afarmerattheCape,whenstillsomewhatunderforty-nineyearsofage.
　　ThesplendidMarlburybreedingflockisasrenownedasever,and,totheeye,seemsthesameineveryparticularthatitwasinearliertimes;buttheanimalswhichcomposeditontheoccasionoftheeventsgatheredfromtheJusticearedividedbymanyovinegenerationsfromitsmembersnow.LambingCornerhaslongsinceceasedtobeusedforlambingpurposes,thoughthenamestilllingersonastheappellationofthespot.Thisabandonmentofsitemaybepartlyowingtotheremovalofthehighfurzebusheswhichlentsuchconvenientshelteratthatdate.Partly,too,itmaybeduetoanothercircumstance.ForitissaidbypresentshepherdsinthatdistrictthatduringthenightsofChristmasweekflittingshapesareseenintheopenspacearoundthetrilithon,togetherwiththegleamofaweapon,andtheshadowofamandraggingaburdenintothehollow.Butofthesethingsthereisnocertaintestimony.
　　Christmas1881.
　　ACOMMITTEE-MANOF'THETERROR'
　　WehadbeentalkingoftheGeorgiangloriesofourold-fashionedwatering-place,whichnow,withitssubstantialrusset-redanddunbrickbuildingsinthestyleoftheyeareighteenhundred,lookslikeonesideofaSohoorBloomsburyStreettransportedtotheshore,anddrawsasmilefromthemoderntouristwhohasnoeyeforsolidityofbuild.Thewriter,quiteayouth,waspresentmerelyasalistener.
　　Theconversationproceededfromgeneralsubjectstoparticular,untiloldMrs.H——,whosememorywasasperfectateightyasithadeverbeeninherlife,interestedusallbytheobviousfidelitywithwhichsherepeatedastorymanytimesrelatedtoherbyhermotherwhenouragedfriendwasagirl——adomesticdramamuchaffectingthelifeofanacquaintanceofhersaidparent,oneMademoiselleV——,ateacherofFrench.Theincidentsoccurredinthetownduringtheheydayofitsfortunes,atthetimeofourbriefpeacewithFrancein1802-3.
　　'Iwroteitdownintheshapeofastorysomeyearsago,justaftermymother'sdeath,'saidMrs.H.'Itislockedupinmydesktherenow.'
　　'Readit!'saidwe.
　　'No,'saidshe;'thelightisbad,andIcanrememberitwellenough,wordforword,flourishesandall.'Wecouldnotbechoosersinthecircumstances,andshebegan.
　　'Therearetwoinit,ofcourse,themanandthewoman,anditwasonaneveninginSeptemberthatshefirstgottoknowhim.TherehadnotbeensuchagrandgatheringontheEsplanadealltheseason.HisMajestyKingGeorgetheThirdwaspresent,withalltheprincessesandroyaldukes,whileupwardsofthreehundredofthegeneralnobilityandotherpersonsofdistinctionwerealsointhetownatthetime.CarriagesandotherconveyanceswerearrivingeveryminutefromLondonandelsewhere;andwhenamongtherestashabbystage-
　　coachcameinbyaby-routealongthecoastfromHavenpool,anddrewupatasecond-ratetavern,itattractedcomparativelylittlenotice.
　　'Fromthisdustyvehicleamanalighted,lefthissmallquantityofluggagetemporarilyattheoffice,andwalkedalongthestreetasiftolookforlodgings.
　　'Hewasaboutforty-five——possiblyfifty——andworealongcoatoffadedsuperfinecloth,withaheavycollar,andahunched-upneckcloth.Heseemedtodesireobscurity.
　　'Butthedisplayappearedpresentlytostrikehim,andheaskedofarustichemetinthestreetwhatwasgoingon;hisaccentbeingthatofonetowhomEnglishpronunciationwasdifficult.
　　'Thecountrymanlookedathimwithaslightsurprise,andsaid,"KingJargeishereandhisroyalCwort."
　　'Thestrangerinquirediftheyweregoingtostaylong.
　　'"Don'tknow,Sir.Sameastheyalwaysdo,Isuppose."
　　'"Howlongisthat?"
　　'"TillsometimeinOctober.They'vecomehereeverysummersinceeighty-nine."
　　'ThestrangermovedonwarddownSt.ThomasStreet,andapproachedthebridgeovertheharbourbackwater,thatthen,asnow,connectedtheoldtownwiththemoremodernportion.Thespotwassweptwiththeraysofalowsun,whichlituptheharbourlengthwise,andshoneunderthebrimoftheman'shatandintohiseyesashelookedwestward.Againsttheradiancefigureswerecrossingintheoppositedirectiontohisown;amongthemthisladyofmymother'slateracquaintance,MademoiselleV.ShewasthedaughterofagoodoldFrenchfamily,andatthatdateapalewoman,twenty-eightorthirtyyearsofage,tallandelegantinfigure,butplainlydressedandwearingthateveningshesaidasmallmuslinshawlcrossedoverthebosominthefashionofthetime,andtiedbehind.
　　'Atsightofhisface,which,assheusedtotellus,wasunusuallydistinctinthepeeringsunlight,shecouldnothelpgivingalittleshriekofhorror,foraterriblereasonconnectedwithherhistory,andafterwalkingafewstepsfurther,shesankdownagainsttheparapetofthebridgeinafaintingfit.
　　'Inhispreoccupationtheforeigngentlemanhadhardlynoticedher,butherstrangecollapseimmediatelyattractedhisattention.Hequicklycrossedthecarriageway,pickedherup,andcarriedherintothefirstshopadjoiningthebridge,explainingthatshewasaladywhohadbeentakenilloutside.
　　'Shesoonrevived;but,clearlymuchpuzzled,herhelperperceivedthatshestillhadadreadofhimwhichwassufficienttohinderhercompleterecoveryofself-command.Shespokeinaquickandnervouswaytotheshopkeeper,askinghimtocallacoach.
　　'Thistheshopkeeperdid,MademoiselleV——andthestrangerremaininginconstrainedsilencewhilehewasgone.Thecoachcameup,andgivingthemantheaddress,sheentereditanddroveaway.
　　'"Whoisthatlady?"saidthenewlyarrivedgentleman.
　　'"She'sofyournation,asIshouldmakeboldtosuppose,"saidtheshopkeeper.AndhetoldtheotherthatshewasMademoiselleV——,governessatGeneralNewbold's,inthesametown.
　　'"Youhavemanyforeignershere?"thestrangerinquired.
　　'"Yes,thoughmostlyHanoverians.ButsincethepeacetheyarelearningFrenchagooddealingenteelsociety,andFrenchinstructorsareratherindemand."
　　'"Yes,Iteachit,"saidthevisitor."Iamlookingforatutorshipinanacademy."
　　'TheinformationgivenbytheburgesstotheFrenchmanseemedtoexplaintothelatternothingofhiscountrywoman'sconduct——which,indeed,wasthecase——andhelefttheshop,takinghiscourseagainoverthebridgeandalongthesouthquaytotheOldRoomsInn,whereheengagedabedchamber.
　　'Thoughtsofthewomanwhohadbetrayedsuchagitationatsightofhimlingerednaturallyenoughwiththenewcomer.Though,asI
　　stated,notmuchlessthanthirtyyearsofage,MademoiselleV——,oneofhisownnation,andofhighlyrefinedanddelicateappearance,hadkindledasingularinterestinthemiddle-agedgentleman'sbreast,andherlargedarkeyes,astheyhadopenedandshrunkfromhim,exhibitedapatheticbeautytowhichhardlyanymancouldhavebeeninsensible.
　　'Thenextday,havingwrittensomeletters,hewentoutandmadeknownattheofficeofthetown"Guide"andofthenewspaper,thatateacherofFrenchandcalligraphyhadarrived,leavingacardatthebookseller'stothesameeffect.Hethenwalkedonaimlessly,butatlengthinquiredthewaytoGeneralNewbold's.Atthedoor,withoutgivinghisname,heaskedtoseeMademoiselleV——,andwasshownintoalittlebackparlour,whereshecametohimwithagazeofsurprise.
　　'"MyGod!Whydoyouintrudehere,Monsieur?"shegaspedinFrenchassoonasshesawhisface.
　　'"Youweretakenillyesterday.Ihelpedyou.YoumighthavebeenrunoverifIhadnotpickedyouup.Itwasanactofsimplehumanitycertainly;butIthoughtImightcometoaskifyouhadrecovered?"
　　'Shehadturnedaside,andhadscarcelyheardawordofhisspeech.
　　"Ihateyou,infamousman!"shesaid."Icannotbearyourhelpingme.Goaway!"
　　'"Butyouareastrangertome."
　　'"Iknowyoutoowell!"
　　'"Youhavetheadvantagethen,Mademoiselle.Iamanewcomerhere.
　　Ineverhaveseenyoubeforetomyknowledge;andIcertainlydonot,couldnot,hateyou."
　　'"AreyounotMonsieurB——?"
　　'Heflinched."Iam——inParis,"hesaid."ButhereIamMonsieurG.
　　"
　　'"Thatistrivial.YouarethemanIsayyouare."
　　'"Howdidyouknowmyrealname,Mademoiselle?"
　　'"Isawyouinyearsgoneby,whenyoudidnotseeme.YouwereformerlyMemberoftheCommitteeofPublicSafety,undertheConvention."
　　"Iwas."
　　'"Youguillotinedmyfather,mybrother,myuncle——allmyfamily,nearly,andbrokemymother'sheart.Theyhaddonenothingbutkeepsilence.Theirsentimentswereonlyguessed.TheirheadlesscorpseswerethrownindiscriminatelyintotheditchoftheMousseauxCemetery,anddestroyedwithlime."
　　'Henodded.
　　'"Youleftmewithoutafriend,andhereIamnow,aloneinaforeignland."
　　'"Iamsorryforyou,"saidbe."Sorryfortheconsequence,notfortheintent.WhatIdidwasamatterofconscience,and,fromapointofviewindiscerniblebyyou,Ididright.Iprofitednotafarthing.ButIshallnotarguethis.Youhavethesatisfactionofseeingmehereanexilealso,inpoverty,betrayedbycomrades,asfriendlessasyourself."
　　'"Itisnosatisfactiontome,Monsieur."
　　'"Well,thingsdonecannotbealtered.Nowthequestion:areyouquiterecovered?"
　　'"Notfromdislikeanddreadofyou——otherwise,yes."
　　'"Goodmorning,Mademoiselle."
　　'"Goodmorning."
　　'Theydidnotmeetagaintilloneeveningatthetheatrewhichmymother'sfriendwaswithgreatdifficultyinducedtofrequent,toperfectherselfinEnglishpronunciation,theideasheentertainedatthattimebeingtobecomeateacherofEnglishinherowncountrylateron.Shefoundhimsittingnexttoher,anditmadeherpaleandrestless.
　　'"Youarestillafraidofme?"
　　'"Iam.Ocannotyouunderstand!"
　　'Hesignifiedtheaffirmative.
　　'"Ifollowtheplaywithdifficulty,"hesaid,presently.
　　'"SodoI——NOW,"saidshe.
　　'Heregardedherlong,andshewasconsciousofhislook;andwhileshekepthereyesonthestagetheyfilledwithtears.Stillshewouldnotmove,andthetearsranvisiblydownhercheek,thoughtheplaywasamerryone,beingnootherthanMr.Sheridan'scomedyof"TheRivals,"withMr.S.KembleasCaptainAbsolute.Hesawherdistress,andthathermindwaselsewhere;andabruptlyrisingfromhisseatatcandle-snuffingtimeheleftthetheatre.
　　'Thoughhelivedintheoldtown,andsheinthenew,theyfrequentlysaweachotheratadistance.Oneoftheseoccasionswaswhenshewasonthenorthsideoftheharbour,bytheferry,waitingfortheboattotakeheracross.HewasstandingbyCoveRow,onthequayopposite.Insteadofenteringtheboatwhenitarrivedshesteppedbackfromthequay;butlookingtoseeifheremainedshebeheldhimpointingwithhisfingertotheferry-boat.
　　'"Enter!"hesaid,inavoiceloudenoughtoreachher.
　　'MademoiselleV——stoodstill.
　　'"Enter!"hesaid,and,asshedidnotmove,herepeatedthewordathirdtime.
　　'Shehadreallybeengoingtocross,andnowapproachedandsteppeddownintotheboat.Thoughshedidnotraisehereyessheknewthathewaswatchingherover.Atthelandingstepsshesawfromunderthebrimofherhatahandstretcheddown.Thestepsweresteepandslippery.
　　'"No,Monsieur,"shesaid."Unless,indeed,youbelieveinGod,andrepentofyourevilpast!"
　　'"Iamsorryyouweremadetosuffer.ButIonlybelieveinthegodcalledReason,andIdonotrepent.Iwastheinstrumentofanationalprinciple.Yourfriendswerenotsacrificedforanyendsofmine."
　　'Shethereuponwithheldherhand,andclamberedupunassisted.Hewenton,ascendingtheLook-outHill,anddisappearingoverthebrow.
　　Herwaywasinthesamedirection,hererrandbeingtobringhomethetwoyounggirlsunderhercharge,whohadgonetothecliffforanairing.Whenshejoinedthematthetopshesawhissolitaryfigureatthefurtheredge,standingmotionlessagainstthesea.Allthewhilethatsheremainedwithherpupilshestoodwithoutturning,asiflookingatthefrigatesintheroadstead,butmoreprobablyinmeditation,unconsciouswherehewas.Inleavingthespotoneofthechildrenthrewawayhalfasponge-biscuitthatshehadbeeneating.
　　Passingnearithestooped,pickeditupcarefully,andputitinhispocket.
　　'MademoiselleV——camehomeward,askingherself,"Canhebestarving?"
　　'Fromthatdayhewasinvisibleforsolongatimethatshethoughthehadgoneawayaltogether.Butoneeveninganotecametoher,andsheopenedittrembling.
　　'"Iamhereill,"itsaid,"and,asyouknow,alone.ThereareoneortwolittlethingsIwantdone,incasemydeathshouldoccur,——andIshouldprefernottoaskthepeoplehere,ifitcouldbeavoided.
　　Haveyouenoughofthegiftofcharitytocomeandcarryoutmywishesbeforeitistoolate?"
　　'Nowsoitwasthat,sinceseeinghimpossesshimselfofthebrokencake,shehadinsensiblybeguntofeelsomethingthatwasmorethancuriosity,thoughperhapslessthananxiety,aboutthisfellow-
　　countrymanofhers;anditwasnotinhernervousandsensitivehearttoresisthisappeal.ShefoundhislodgingtowhichhehadremovedfromtheOldRoomsinnforeconomytobearoomoverashop,half-
　　wayupthesteepandnarrowstreetoftheoldtown,towhichthefashionablevisitorsseldompenetrated.Withsomemisgivingsheenteredthehouse,andwasadmittedtothechamberwherehelay.
　　'"Youaretoogood,toogood,"hemurmured.Andpresently,"Youneednotshutthedoor.Youwillfeelsafer,andtheywillnotunderstandwhatwesay."
　　'"Areyouinwant,Monsieur?CanIgiveyou——"
　　'"No,no.ImerelywantyoutodoatriflingthingortwothatI
　　havenotstrengthenoughtodomyself.NobodyinthetownbutyouknowswhoIreallyam——unlessyouhavetold?"
　　'"IhavenottoldIthoughtyouMIGHThaveactedfromprincipleinthosesaddays,even——"
　　'"Youarekindtoconcedethatmuch.However,tothepresent.IwasabletodestroymyfewpapersbeforeIbecamesoweakButinthedrawerthereyouwillfindsomepiecesoflinenclothing——onlytwoorthree——markedwithinitialsthatmayberecognized.Willyouripthemoutwithapenknife?"
　　'Shesearchedasbidden,foundthegarments,cutoutthestitchesofthelettering,andreplacedthelinenasbefore.Apromisetopost,intheeventofhisdeath,aletterheputinherhand,completedallthatherequiredofher.
　　'Hethankedher."Ithinkyouseemsorryforme,"hemurmured."AndIamsurprised.Youaresorry?"
　　'Sheevadedthequestion."Doyourepentandbelieve?"sheasked.
　　'"No."
　　'Contrarytoherexpectationsandhisownherecovered,thoughveryslowly;andhermannergrewmoredistantthenceforward,thoughhisinfluenceuponherwasdeeperthansheknew.Weekspassedaway,andthemonthofMayarrived.Onedayatthistimeshemethimwalkingslowlyalongthebeachtothenorthward.
　　'"Youknowthenews?"hesaid.
　　'"YoumeanoftherupturebetweenFranceandEnglandagain?"
　　'"Yes;andthefeelingofantagonismisstrongerthanitwasinthelastwar,owingtoBonaparte'shigh-handedarrestoftheinnocentEnglishwhoweretravellinginourcountryforpleasure.Ifeelthatthewarwillbelongandbitter;andthatmywishtoliveunknowninEnglandwillbefrustrated.Seehere."
　　'Hetookfromhispocketapieceofthesinglenewspaperwhichcirculatedinthecountyinthosedays,andsheread-
　　"ThemagistratesactingundertheAlienActhavebeenrequestedtodirectaveryscrutinizingeyetotheAcademiesinourtownsandotherplaces,inwhichFrenchtutorsareemployed,andtoallofthatnationalitywhoprofesstobeteachersinthiscountry.ManyofthemareknowntobeinveterateEnemiesandTraitorstothenationamongwhosepeopletheyhavefoundalivelihoodandahome."
　　'Hecontinued:"Ihaveobservedsincethedeclarationofwaramarkeddifferenceintheconductoftherougherclassofpeopleheretowardsme.Ifagreatbattleweretooccur——asitsoonwill,nodoubt——feelingwouldgrowtoapitchthatwouldmakeitimpossibleforme,adisguisedmanofnoknownoccupation,tostayhere.Withyou,whosedutiesandantecedentsareknown,itmaybelessdifficult,butstillunpleasant.NowIproposethis.Youhaveprobablyseenhowmydeepsympathywithyouhasquickenedtoawarmfeeling;andwhatIsayis,willyouagreetogivemeatitletoprotectyoubyhonouringmewithyourhand?Iamolderthanyou,itistrue,butashusbandandwifewecanleaveEnglandtogether,andmakethewholeworldourcountry.ThoughIwouldproposeQuebec,inCanada,astheplacewhichoffersthebestpromiseofahome."
　　'"MyGod!Yousurpriseme!"saidshe.
　　'"Butyouacceptmyproposal?"
　　'"No,no!"
　　'"AndyetIthinkyouwill,Mademoiselle,someday!"
　　'"Ithinknot."
　　'"Iwon'tdistressyoufurthernow."
　　'"MuchthanksIamgladtoseeyoulookingbetter,Monsieur;I
　　meanyouarelookingbetter."
　　'"Ah,yes.Iamimproving.Iwalkinthesuneveryday."
　　'Andalmosteverydayshesawhim——sometimesnoddingstifflyonly,sometimesexchangingformalcivilities."Youarenotgoneyet,"shesaidononeoftheseoccasions.
　　'"No.AtpresentIdon'tthinkofgoingwithoutyou."
　　'"Butyoufindituncomfortablehere?"
　　'"Somewhat.Sowhenwillyouhavepityonme?"
　　'Sheshookherheadandwentonherway.Yetshewasalittlemoved.
　　"Hediditonprinciple,"shewouldmurmur."Hehadnoanimositytowardsthem,andprofitednothing!"
　　'Shewonderedhowhelived.Itwasevidentthathecouldnotbesopoorasshehadthought;hispretendedpovertymightbetoescapenotice.Shecouldnottell,butsheknewthatshewasdangerouslyinterestedinhim.
　　'Andhestillmended,tillhisthin,palefacebecamemorefullandfirm.Ashemendedshehadtomeetthatrequestofhis,advancedwithevenstrongerinsistency.
　　'ThearrivaloftheKingandCourtfortheseasonasusualbroughtmatterstoaclimaxforthesetwolonelyexilesandfellowcountry-
　　people.TheKing'sawkwardpreferenceforapartofthecoastinsuchdangerousproximitytoFrancemadeitnecessarythatastrictmilitaryvigilanceshouldbeexercisedtoguardtheroyalresidents.
　　Half-a-dozenfrigateswereeverynightpostedinalineacrossthebay,andtwolinesofsentinels,oneatthewater'sedgeandanotherbehindtheEsplanade,occupiedthewholesea-frontaftereighteverynight.Thewatering-placewasgrowinganinconvenientresidenceevenforMademoiselleV——herself,herfriendshipforthisstrangeFrenchtutorandwriting-masterwhoneverhadanypupilshavingbeenobservedbymanywhoslightlyknewher.TheGeneral'swife,whosedependentshewas,repeatedlywarnedheragainsttheacquaintance;
　　whiletheHanoverianandothersoldiersoftheForeignLegion,whohaddiscoveredthenationalityofherfriend,weremoreaggressivethantheEnglishmilitarygallantswhomadeittheirbusinesstonoticeher.
　　'Inthistensestateofaffairsheranswersbecamemoreagitated."O
　　Heaven,howcanImarryyou!"shewouldsay.
　　'"Youwill;surelyyouwill!"heansweredagain."Idon'tleavewithoutyou.AndIshallsoonbeinterrogatedbeforethemagistratesifIstayhere;probablyimprisoned.Youwillcome?"
　　'Shefeltherdefencesbreakingdown.Contrarytoallreasonandsenseoffamilyhonourshewas,bysomeabnormalcraving,incliningtoatendernessforhimthatwasfoundedonitsopposite.Sometimesherwarmsentimentsburntlowerthanatothers,andthentheenormityofherconductshoweditselfinmorestaringhues.
　　'Shortlyafterthishecamewitharesignedlookonhisface."ItisasIexpected,"hesaid."Ihavereceivedahinttogo.Ingoodsooth,IamnoBonapartist——IamnoenemytoEngland;butthepresenceoftheKingmadeitimpossibleforaforeignerwithnovisibleoccupation,andwhomaybeaspy,toremainatlargeinthetown.Theauthoritiesarecivil,butfirm.Theyarenomorethanreasonable.Good.Imustgo.Youmustcomealso."
　　'Shedidnotspeak.Butshenoddedassent,hereyesdrooping.
　　'OnherwaybacktothehouseontheEsplanadeshesaidtoherself,"Iamglad,Iamglad!Icouldnotdootherwise.Itisrenderinggoodforevil!"Butsheknewhowshemockedherselfinthis,andthatthemoralprinciplehadnotoperatedonejotinheracceptanceofhim.Intruthshehadnotrealizedtillnowthefullpresenceoftheemotionwhichhadunconsciouslygrownupinherforthislonelyandsevereman,who,inhertradition,wasvengeanceandirreligionpersonified.Heseemedtoabsorbherwholenature,and,absorbing,tocontrolit.
　　'AdayortwobeforetheonefixedfortheweddingtherechancedtocometoheraletterfromtheonlyacquaintanceofherownsexandcountryshepossessedinEngland,onetowhomshehadsentintelligenceofherapproachingmarriage,withoutmentioningwithwhom.Thisfriend'smisfortuneshadbeensomewhatsimilartoherown,whichfacthadbeenonecauseoftheirintimacy;herfriend'ssister,anunoftheAbbeyofMontmartre,havingperishedonthescaffoldatthehandsofthesameComitedeSalutPublicwhichhadnumberedMademoiselleV——'saffiancedamongitsmembers.Thewriterhadfeltherpositionmuchagainoflate,sincetherenewalofthewar,shesaid;andtheletterwoundupwithafreshdenunciationoftheauthorsoftheirmutualbereavementandsubsequenttroubles.
　　'Comingjustthen,itscontentsproduceduponMademoiselleV——theeffectofapailofwateruponasomnambulist.Whathadshebeendoinginbetrothingherselftothisman!Wasshenotmakingherselfaparricideaftertheevent?Atthiscrisisinherfeelingsherlovercalled.Hebeheldhertrembling,and,inreplytohisquestion,shetoldhimofherscrupleswithimpulsivecandour.
　　'Shehadnotintendedtodothis,buthisattitudeoftendercommandcoercedherintofrankness.Thereuponheexhibitedanagitationneverbeforeapparentinhim.Hesaid,"Butallthatispast.YouarethesymbolofCharity,andwearepledgedtoletbygonesbe."
　　'Hiswordssoothedherforthemoment,butshewassadlysilent,andhewentaway.
　　'Thatnightshesawasshefirmlybelievedtotheendofherlifeadivinelysentvision.Aprocessionofherlostrelatives——father,brother,uncle,cousin——seemedtocrossherchamberbetweenherbedandthewindow,andwhensheendeavouredtotracetheirfeaturessheperceivedthemtobeheadless,andthatshehadrecognizedthembytheirfamiliarclothesonly.Inthemorningshecouldnotshakeofftheeffectsofthisappearanceonhernerves.Allthatdayshesawnothingofherwooer,hebeingoccupiedinmakingarrangementsfortheirdeparture.Itgrewtowardsevening——themarriageeve;but,inspiteofhisre-assuringvisit,hersenseoffamilydutywaxedstrongernowthatshewasleftalone.Yet,sheaskedherself,howcouldshe,aloneandunprotected,goatthiseleventhhourandreasserttoanaffiancedhusbandthatshecouldnotandwouldnotmarryhimwhileadmittingatthesametimethatshelovedhim?Thesituationdismayedher.Shehadrelinquishedherpostasgoverness,andwasstayingtemporarilyinaroomnearthecoach-office,wheresheexpectedhimtocallinthemorningtocarryoutthebusinessoftheirunionanddeparture.
　　'Wiselyorfoolishly,MademoiselleV——cametoaresolution:thatheronlysafetylayinflight.Hiscontiguityinfluencedhertoosensibly;shecouldnotreason.Sopackingupherfewpossessionsandplacingonthetablethesmallsumsheowed,shewentoutprivately,securedalastavailableseatintheLondoncoach,and,almostbeforeshehadfullyweighedheraction,shewasrollingoutofthetownintheduskoftheSeptemberevening.
　　'Havingtakenthisstartlingstepshebegantoreflectuponherreasons.HehadbeenoneofthattragicCommitteethesoundofwhosenamewasahorrortothecivilizedworld;yethehadbeenonlyoneofseveralmembers,and,itseemed,notthemostactive.Hehadmarkeddownnamesonprinciple,hadfeltnopersonalenmityagainsthisvictims,andhadenrichedhimselfnotasououtoftheofficehehadheld.Nothingcouldchangethepast.Meanwhilehelovedher,andherheartinclinedtoasmuchofhimasshecoulddetachfromthatpast.Whynot,ashehadsuggested,burymemories,andinaugurateanewerabythisunion?Inotherwords,whynotindulgehertenderness,sinceitsnullificationcoulddonogood.
　　'Thussheheldself-communioninherseatinthecoach,passingthroughCasterbridge,andShottsford,andontotheWhiteHartatMelchester,atwhichplacethewholefabricofherrecentintentionscrumbleddown.Betterbestaunchhavinggotsofar;letthingstaketheircourse,andmarryboldlythemanwhohadsoimpressedher.Howgreathewas;howsmallwasshe!Andshehadpresumedtojudgehim!
　　Abandoningherplaceinthecoachwiththeprecipitancythathadcharacterizedhertakingit,shewaitedtillthevehiclehaddrivenoff,somethinginthedepartingshapesoftheoutsidepassengersagainstthestarlitskygivingherastart,assheafterwardsremembered.Presentlythedowncoach,"TheMorningHerald,"enteredthecity,andshehastilyobtainedaplaceonthetop.
　　'"I'llbefirm——I'llbehis——ifitcostmemyimmortalsoul!"shesaid.Andwithtroubledbreathingsshejourneyedbackovertheroadshehadjusttraced.
　　'Shereachedourroyalwatering-placebythetimethedaybroke,andherfirstaimwastogetbacktothehiredroominwhichherlastfewdayshadbeenspent.WhenthelandladyappearedatthedoorinresponsetoMademoiselleV——'snervoussummons,sheexplainedhersuddendepartureandreturnasbestshecould;andnoobjectionbeingofferedtoherre-engagementoftheroomforonedaylongersheascendedtothechamberandsatdownpanting.Shewasbackoncemore,andherwildtergiversationswereasecretfromhimwhomalonetheyconcerned.
　　'Asealedletterwasonthemantelpiece."Yes,itisdirectedtoyou,Mademoiselle,"saidthewomanwhohadfollowedher."Butwewerewonderingwhattodowithit.Atownmessengerbroughtitafteryouhadgonelastnight."
　　'Whenthelandladyhadleft,MademoiselleV——openedtheletterandread-
　　"MYDEARANDHONOUREDFRIEND——Youhavebeenthroughoutouracquaintanceabsolutelycandidconcerningyourmisgivings.ButI
　　havebeenreservedconcerningmine.Thatisthedifferencebetweenus.Youprobablyhavenotguessedthateveryqualmyouhavefeltonthesubjectofourmarriagehasbeenparalleledinmyhearttothefull.Thusithappenedthatyourinvoluntaryoutburstofremorseyesterday,thoughmechanicallydeprecatedbymeinyourpresence,wasalastiteminmyowndoubtsonthewisdomofourunion,givingthemaforcethatIcouldnolongerwithstand.Icamehome;and,onreflection,muchasIhonourandadoreyou,Idecidetosetyoufree.
　　"Asonewhoselifehasbeendevoted,andImaysaysacrificed,tothecauseofLiberty,Icannotallowyourjudgmentprobablyapermanentonetobefetteredbeyondreleasebyafeelingwhichmaybetransientonly.
　　"ItwouldbenolessthanexcruciatingtoboththatIshouldannouncethisdecisiontoyoubywordofmouth.Ihavethereforetakenthelesspainfulcourseofwriting.BeforeyoureceivethisIshallhaveleftthetownbytheeveningcoachforLondon,onreachingwhichcitymymovementswillberevealedtonone.
　　"Regardme,Mademoiselle,asdead,andacceptmyrenewedassurancesofrespect,remembrance,andaffection."
　　'Whenshehadrecoveredfromhershockofsurpriseandgrief,sherememberedthatatthestartingofthecoachoutofMelchesterbeforedawn,theshapeofafigureamongtheoutsidepassengersagainstthestarlitskyhadcausedheramomentarystart,fromitsresemblancetothatofherfriend.Knowingnothingofeachother'sintentions,andscreenedfromeachotherbythedarkness,theyhadleftthetownbythesameconveyance."He,thegreater,persevered;I,thesmaller,returned!"shesaid.