ForsometimeafterMr。andMrs。ChadwickarrivedattheOpenshaws'，therewasnoopportunityforwearingthisbrooch；butatlengththeyobtainedanordertoseeBuckinghamPalace，andthespiritofloyaltydemandedthatMrs。Chadwickshouldwearherbestclothesinvisitingtheabodeofhersovereign。Onherreturn，shehastilychangedherdress；forMr。OpenshawhadplannedthattheyshouldgotoRichmond，drinkteaandreturnbymoonlight。Accordingly，aboutfiveo'clock，Mr。andMrs。OpenshawandMr。andMrs。Chadwicksetoff。
　　Thehousemaidandcooksatebelow，Norahhardlyknewwhere。Shewasalwaysengrossedinthenursery，intendinghertwochildren，andinsittingbytherestless，excitableAilsietillshefellasleep。
　　Bye-and-bye，thehousemaidBessytappedgentlyatthedoor。Norahwenttoher，andtheyspokeinwhispers。
　　"Nurse!there'ssomeonedown-stairswantsyou。"
　　"Wantsme!Whoisit?"
　　"Agentleman——"
　　"Agentleman?Nonsense!"
　　"Well!aman，then，andheasksforyou，andherungatthefrontdoorbell，andhaswalkedintothedining-room。"
　　"Youshouldneverhavelethim，"exclaimedNorah，"masterandmissusout——"
　　"Ididnotwanthimtocomein；butwhenheheardyoulivedhere，hewalkedpastme，andsatdownonthefirstchair，andsaid，'Tellhertocomeandspeaktome。'Thereisnogaslightedintheroom，andsupperisallsetout。"
　　"He'llbeoffwiththespoons!"exclaimedNorah，puttingthehousemaid'sfearintowords，andpreparingtoleavetheroom，first，however，givingalooktoAilsie，sleepingsoundlyandcalmly。
　　Down-stairsshewent，uneasyfearsstirringinherbosom。Beforesheenteredthedining-roomsheprovidedherselfwithacandle，and，withitinherhand，shewentin，lookingroundherinthedarknessforhervisitor。
　　Hewasstandingup，holdingbythetable。Norahandhelookedateachother；gradualrecognitioncomingintotheireyes。
　　"Norah?"atlengthheasked。
　　"Whoareyou?"askedNorah，withthesharptonesofalarmandincredulity。"Idon'tknowyou:"trying，byfutilewordsofdisbelief，todoawaywiththeterriblefactbeforeher。
　　"AmIsochanged?"hesaid，pathetically。"IdaresayIam。But，Norah，tellme!"hebreathedhard，"whereismywife?Isshe——isshealive?"
　　HecamenearertoNorah，andwouldhavetakenherhand；butshebackedawayfromhim；lookingathimallthetimewithstaringeyes，asifheweresomehorribleobject。Yethewasahandsome，bronzed，good-lookingfellow，withbeardandmoustache，givinghimaforeign-
　　lookingaspect；buthiseyes!therewasnomistakingthoseeager，beautifuleyes——theverysamethatNorahhadwatchednothalf-an-
　　hourago，tillsleepstolesoftlyoverthem。
　　"Tellme，Norah——Icanbearit——Ihavefeareditsooften。Isshedead?"Norahstillkeptsilence。"Sheisdead!"HehungonNorah'swordsandlooks，asifforconfirmationorcontradiction。
　　"WhatshallIdo?"groanedNorah。"O，sir!whydidyoucome?howdidyoufindmeout?wherehaveyoubeen?Wethoughtyoudead，wedid，indeed!"Shepouredoutwordsandquestionstogaintime，asiftimewouldhelpher。
　　"Norah!answermethisquestion，straight，byyesorno——Ismywifedead?"
　　"No，sheisnot!"saidNorah，slowlyandheavily。
　　"Owhatarelief!Didshereceivemyletters?Butperhapsyoudon'tknow。Whydidyouleaveher?Whereisshe?ONorah，tellmeallquickly!"
　　"Mr。Frank!"saidNorahatlast，almostdriventobaybyherterrorlesthermistressshouldreturnatanymoment，andfindhimthere——
　　unabletoconsiderwhatwasbesttobedoneorsaid-rushingatsomethingdecisive，becauseshecouldnotendureherpresentstate:
　　"Mr。Frank!weneverheardalinefromyou，andtheshipownerssaidyouhadgonedown，youandeveryoneelse。Wethoughtyouweredead，ifevermanwas，andpoorMissAliceandherlittlesick，helplesschild!O，sir，youmustguessit，"criedthepoorcreatureatlast，burstingoutintoapassionatefitofcrying，"forindeedI
　　cannottellit。Butitwasnoone'sfault。Godhelpusallthisnight!"
　　Norahhadsatedown。Shetrembledtoomuchtostand。Hetookherhandsinhis。Hesqueezedthemhard，asifbyphysicalpressure，thetruthcouldbewrungout。
　　"Norah!"Thistimehistonewascalm，stagnantasdespair。"Shehasmarriedagain!"
　　Norahshookherheadsadly。Thegraspslowlyrelaxed。Themanhadfainted。
　　Therewasbrandyintheroom。NorahforcedsomedropsintoMr。
　　Frank'smouth，chafedhishands，and——whenmereanimallifereturned，beforethemindpouredinitsfloodofmemoriesandthoughts——sheliftedhimup，andrestedhisheadagainstherknees。
　　Thensheputafewcrumbsofbreadtakenfromthesupper-table，soakedinbrandyintohismouth。Suddenlyhesprangtohisfeet。
　　"Whereisshe?Tellmethisinstant。"Helookedsowild，somad，sodesperate，thatNorahfeltherselftobeinbodilydanger；buthertimeofdreadhadgoneby。Shehadbeenafraidtotellhimthetruth，andthenshehadbeenacoward。Now，herwitsweresharpenedbythesenseofhisdesperatestate。Hemustleavethehouse。Shewouldpityhimafterwards；butnowshemustrathercommandandupbraid；forhemustleavethehousebeforehermistresscamehome。
　　Thatonenecessitystoodclearbeforeher。
　　"Sheisnothere；thatisenoughforyoutoknow。NorcanIsayexactlywheresheis"whichwastruetotheletterifnottothespirit。"Goaway，andtellmewheretofindyouto-morrow，andI
　　willtellyouall。Mymasterandmistressmaycomebackatanyminute，andthenwhatwouldbecomeofmewithastrangemaninthehouse?"
　　Suchanargumentwastoopettytotouchhisexcitedmind。
　　"Idon'tcareforyourmasterandmistress。Ifyourmasterisaman，hemustfeelformepoorshipwreckedsailorthatIam——keptforyearsaprisoneramongstsavages，always，always，alwaysthinkingofmywifeandmyhome——dreamingofherbynight，talkingtoher，thoughshecouldnothear，byday。Ilovedhermorethanallheavenandearthputtogether。Tellmewheresheis，thisinstant，youwretchedwoman，whosalvedoverherwickednesstoher，asyoudotome。"
　　Theclockstruckten。Desperatepositionsrequiredesperatemeasures。
　　"Ifyouwillleavethehousenow，Iwillcometoyouto-morrowandtellyouall。Whatismore，youshallseeyourchildnow。Sheliessleepingup-stairs。O，sir，youhaveachild，youdonotknowthatasyet——alittleweaklygirl——withjustaheartandsoulbeyondheryears。Wehaverearedherupwithsuchcare:Wewatchedher，forwethoughtformanyayearshemightdieanyday，andwetendedher，andnohardthinghascomenearher，andnoroughwordhaseverbeensaidtoher。Andnowyou，comeandwilltakeherlifeintoyourhand，andwillcrushit。Strangerstoherhavebeenkindtoher；
　　butherownfather——Mr。Frank，Iamhernurse，andIloveher，andI
　　tendher，andIwoulddoanythingforherthatIcould。Hermother'sheartbeatsashersbeats；and，ifshesuffersapain，hermothertremblesallover。Ifsheishappy，itishermotherthatsmilesandisglad。Ifsheisgrowingstronger，hermotherishealthy:ifshedwindles，hermotherlanguishes。Ifshedies——
　　well，Idon'tknow:itisnoteveryonecanliedownanddiewhentheywishit。Comeup-stairs，Mr。Frank，andseeyourchild。
　　Seeingherwilldogoodtoyourpoorheart。Thengoaway，inGod'sname，justthisonenight-to-morrow，ifneedbe，youcandoanything——killusallifyouwill，orshowyourself——agreatgrandman，whomGodwillblessforeverandever。Come，Mr。Frank，thelookofasleepingchildissuretogivepeace。"
　　Sheledhimup-stairs；atfirstalmosthelpinghissteps，tilltheycamenearthenurserydoor。ShehadalmostforgottentheexistenceoflittleEdwin。Itstruckuponherwithaffrightastheshadedlightfellupontheothercot；butsheskilfullythrewthatcorneroftheroomintodarkness，andletthelightfallonthesleepingAilsie。Thechildhadthrowndownthecoverings，andherdeformity，asshelaywithherbacktothem，wasplainlyvisiblethroughherslightnight-gown。Herlittleface，deprivedofthelustreofhereyes，lookedwanandpinched，andhadapatheticexpressioninit，evenassheslept。Thepoorfatherlookedandlookedwithhungry，wistfuleyes，intowhichthebigtearscameswellingupslowly，anddroppedheavilydown，ashestoodtremblingandshakingallover。
　　Norahwasangrywithherselfforgrowingimpatientofthelengthoftimethatlonglingeringgazelasted。Shethoughtthatshewaitedforfullhalf-an-hourbeforeFrankstirred。Andthen——insteadofgoingaway——hesankdownonhiskneesbythebedside，andburiedhisfaceintheclothes。LittleAilsiestirreduneasily。Norahpulledhimupinterror。Shecouldaffordnomoretimeevenforprayerinherextremityoffear；forsurelythenextmomentwouldbringhermistresshome。Shetookhimforciblybythearm；but，ashewasgoing，hiseyelightedontheotherbed:hestopped。Intelligencecamebackintohisface。Hishandsclenched。
　　"Hischild?"heasked。
　　"Herchild，"repliedNorah。"Godwatchesoverhim，"saidsheinstinctively；forFrank'slooksexcitedherfears，andsheneededtoremindherselfoftheProtectorofthehelpless。
　　"Godhasnotwatchedoverme，"hesaid，indespair；histhoughtsapparentlyrecoilingonhisowndesolate，desertedstate。ButNorahhadnotimeforpity。To-morrowshewouldbeascompassionateasherheartprompted。Atlengthsheguidedhimdownstairsandshuttheouterdoorandboltedit——asifbyboltstokeepoutfacts。
　　Thenshewentbackintothedining-roomandeffacedalltracesofhispresenceasfarasshecould。Shewentupstairstothenurseryandsatethere，herheadonherhand，thinkingwhatwastocomeofallthismisery。Itseemedtoherverylongbeforetheydidreturn；
　　yetitwashardlyeleveno'clock。Shesoheardtheloud，heartyLancashirevoicesonthestairs；and，forthefirsttime，sheunderstoodthecontrastofthedesolationofthepoormanwhohadsolatelygoneforthinlonelydespair。
　　ItalmostputheroutofpatiencetoseeMrs。Openshawcomein，calmlysmiling，handsomelydressed，happy，easy，toinquireafterherchildren。
　　"DidAilsiegotosleepcomfortably?"shewhisperedtoNorah。
　　"Yes。"
　　Hermotherbentoverher，lookingatherslumberswiththesofteyesoflove。Howlittleshedreamedwhohadlookedonherlast!ThenshewenttoEdwin，withperhapslesswistfulanxietyinhercountenance，butmoreofpride。Shetookoffherthings，togodowntosupper。Norahsawhernomorethatnight。
　　Besidethedoorintothepassage，thesleeping-nurseryopenedoutofMr。andMrs。Openshaw'sroom，inorderthattheymighthavethechildrenmoreimmediatelyundertheirowneyes。EarlythenextsummermorningMrs。OpenshawwasawakenedbyAilsie'sstartledcallof"Mother!mother!"Shesprangup，putonherdressing-gown，andwenttoherchild。Ailsiewasonlyhalfawake，andinanotuncommonstateofterror。
　　"Whowashe，mother?Tellme!"
　　"Who，mydarling?Nooneishere。Youhavebeendreaminglove。
　　Wakenupquite。See，itisbroaddaylight。"
　　"Yes，"saidAilsie，lookingroundher；thenclingingtohermother，said，"butamanwashereinthenight，mother。"
　　"Nonsense，littlegoose。Nomanhasevercomenearyou!"
　　"Yes，hedid。Hestoodthere。JustbyNorah。Amanwithhairandabeard。Andhekneltdownandsaidhisprayers。Norahknowshewashere，mother"halfangrily，asMrs。Openshawshookherheadinsmilingincredulity。
　　"Well!wewillaskNorahwhenshecomes，"saidMrs。Openshaw，soothingly。"Butwewon'ttalkanymoreabouthimnow。Itisnotfiveo'clock；itistooearlyforyoutogetup。ShallIfetchyouabookandreadtoyou?"
　　"Don'tleaveme，mother，"saidthechild，clingingtoher。SoMrs。
　　OpenshawsateonthebedsidetalkingtoAilsie，andtellingherofwhattheyhaddoneatRichmondtheeveningbefore，untilthelittlegirl'seyesslowlyclosedandsheoncemorefellasleep。
　　"Whatwasthematter?"askedMr。Openshaw，ashiswifereturnedtobed。"Ailsiewakenedupinafright，withsomestoryofamanhavingbeenintheroomtosayhisprayers，——adream，Isuppose。"
　　Andnomorewassaidatthetime。
　　Mrs。Openshawhadalmostforgottenthewholeaffairwhenshegotupaboutseveno'clock。But，bye-and-bye，sheheardasharpaltercationgoingoninthenursery。NorahspeakingangrilytoAilsie，amostunusualthing。BothMr。andMrs。Openshawlistenedinastonishment。
　　"Holdyourtongue，AilsieIletmehearnoneofyourdreams；neverletmehearyoutellthatstoryagain!"Ailsiebegantocry。
　　Mr。Openshawopenedthedoorofcommunicationbeforehiswifecouldsayaword。
　　"Norah，comehere!"
　　Thenursestoodatthedoor，defiant。Sheperceivedshehadbeenheard，butshewasdesperate。
　　"Don'tletmehearyouspeakinthatmannertoAilsieagain，"hesaidsternly，andshutthedoor。
　　Norahwasinfinitelyrelieved；forshehaddreadedsomequestioning；
　　andalittleblameforsharpspeakingwaswhatshecouldwellbear，ifcross-examinationwasletalone。
　　Down-stairstheywent，Mr。OpenshawcarryingAilsie；thesturdyEdwincomingstepbystep，rightfootforemost，alwaysholdinghismother'shand。Eachchildwasplacedinachairbythebreakfast-
　　table，andthenMr。andMrs。Openshawstoodtogetheratthewindow，awaitingtheirvisitors'appearanceandmakingplansfortheday。
　　Therewasapause。SuddenlyMr。OpenshawturnedtoAilsie，andsaid:
　　"Whatalittlegoosysomebodyiswithherdreams，wakinguppoor，tiredmotherinthemiddleofthenightwithastoryofamanbeingintheroom。"
　　"Father!I'msureIsawhim，"saidAilsie，halfcrying。"Idon'twanttomakeNorahangry；butIwasnotasleep，forallshesaysI
　　was。Ihadbeenasleep，——andIawakenedupquitewideawakethoughIwassofrightened。Ikeptmyeyesnearlyshut，andIsawthemanquiteplain。Agreatbrownmanwithabeard。Hesaidhisprayers。
　　AndthenhelookedatEdwin。AndthenNorahtookhimbythearmandledhimaway，aftertheyhadwhisperedabittogether。"
　　"Now，mylittlewomanmustbereasonable，"saidMr。Openshaw，whowasalwayspatientwithAilsie。"Therewasnomaninthehouselastnightatall。Nomancomesintothehouseasyouknow，ifyouthink；muchlessgoesupintothenursery。Butsometimeswedreamsomethinghashappened，andthedreamissolikereality，thatyouarenotthefirstperson，littlewoman，whohasstoodoutthatthethinghasreallyhappened。"
　　"But，indeeditwasnotadream!"saidAilsie，beginningtocry。
　　JustthenMr。andMrs。Chadwickcamedown，lookinggraveanddiscomposed。Allduringbreakfasttimetheyweresilentanduncomfortable。Assoonasthebreakfastthingsweretakenaway，andthechildrenhadbeencarriedup-stairs，Mr。Chadwickbeganinanevidentlypreconcertedmannertoinquireifhisnephewwascertainthatallhisservantswerehonest；for，thatMrs。Chadwickhadthatmorningmissedaveryvaluablebrooch，whichshehadwornthedaybefore。SherememberedtakingitoffwhenshecamehomefromBuckinghamPalace。Mr。Openshaw'sfacecontractedintohardlines:
　　grewlikewhatitwasbeforehehadknownhiswifeandherchild。
　　Herangthebellevenbeforehisunclehaddonespeaking。Itwasansweredbythehousemaid。
　　"Mary，wasanyoneherelastnightwhilewewereaway?"
　　"Aman，sir，cametospeaktoNorah。"
　　"TospeaktoNorah!Whowashe?Howlongdidhestay?"
　　"I'msureIcan'ttell，sir。Hecame——perhapsaboutnine。IwentuptotellNorahinthenursery，andshecamedowntospeaktohim。
　　Shelethimout，sir。Shewillknowwhohewas，andhowlonghestayed。"
　　Shewaitedamomenttobeaskedanymorequestions，butshewasnot，soshewentaway。
　　AminuteafterwardsOpenshawmadeasthoughheweregoingoutoftheroom；buthiswifelaidherhandonhisarm:
　　"Donotspeaktoherbeforethechildren，"shesaid，inherlow，quietvoice。"Iwillgoupandquestionher。"
　　"No!Imustspeaktoher。Youmustknow，"saidhe，turningtohisuncleandaunt，"mymissushasanoldservant，asfaithfulaseverwomanwas，Idobelieve，asfaraslovegoes，——but，atthesametime，whodoesnotalwaysspeaktruth，aseventhemissusmustallow。Now，mynotionis，thatthisNorahofourshasbeencomeoverbysomegood-for-nothinchapforshe'satthetimeo'lifewhentheysaywomenprayforhusbands——'any，goodLord，any，'andhaslethimintoourhouse，andthechaphasmadeoffwithyourbrooch，andm'appenmanyanotherthingbeside。It'sonlysayingthatNorahissoft-hearted，anddoesnotstickatawhitelie——
　　that'sall，missus。"
　　Itwascurioustonoticehowhistone，hiseyes，hiswholefacechangedashespoketohiswife；buthewastheresolutemanthroughall。Sheknewbetterthantoopposehim；soshewentup-stairs，andtoldNorahhermasterwantedtospeaktoher，andthatshewouldtakecareofthechildreninthemeanwhile。
　　Norahrosetogowithoutaword。Herthoughtswerethese:
　　"Iftheytearmetopiecestheyshallneverknowthroughme。Hemaycome，——andthenjustLordhavemercyuponusall:forsomeofusaredeadfolktoacertainty。Butheshalldoit；notme。"
　　Youmayfancy，now，herlookofdeterminationasshefacedhermasteraloneinthedining-room；Mr。andMrs。Chadwickhavinglefttheaffairintheirnephew'shands，seeingthathetookitupwithsuchvehemence。
　　"Norah!Whowasthatmanthatcametomyhouselastnight?"
　　"Man，sir!"Asifinfinitely；surprisedbutitwasonlytogaintime。
　　"Yes；themanwhomMaryletin；whomshewentup-stairstothenurserytotellyouabout；whomyoucamedowntospeakto；thesamechap，Imakenodoubt，whomyoutookintothenurserytohaveyourtalkoutwith；whomAilsiesaw，andafterwardsdreamedabout；
　　thinking，poorwench!shesawhimsayhisprayers，whennothing，I'llbebound，wasfartherfromhisthoughts；whotookMrs。
　　Chadwick'sbrooch，valuetenpounds。Now，Norah!Don'tgooff!I
　　amassureasthatmyname'sThomasOpenshaw，thatyouknewnothingofthisrobbery。ButIdothinkyou'vebeenimposedon，andthat'sthetruth。Somegood-for-nothingchaphasbeenmakinguptoyou，andyou'vebeenjustlikeallotherwomen，andhaveturnedasoftplaceinyourhearttohim；andhecamelastnighta-lovyering，andyouhadhimupinthenursery，andhemadeuseofhisopportunities，andmadeoffwithafewthingsonhiswaydown!Come，now，Norah:
　　it'snoblametoyou，onlyyoumustnotbesuchafoolagain。Tellus，"hecontinued，"whatnamehegaveyou，Norah?I'llbebounditwasnottherightone；butitwillbeaclueforthepolice。"
　　Norahdrewherselfup。"Youmayaskthatquestion，andtauntmewithmybeingsingle，andwithmycredulity，asyouwill，MasterOpenshaw。You'llgetnoanswerfromme。Asforthebrooch，andthestoryoftheftandburglary；ifanyfriendevercametoseemewhichIdefyyoutoprove，anddeny，he'dbejustasmuchabovedoingsuchathingasyouyourself，Mr。Openshaw，andmoreso，too；
　　forI'mnotatallsureaseverythingyouhaveisrightlycomeby，orwouldbeyourslong，ifeverymanhadhisown。"Shemeant，ofcourse，hiswife；butheunderstoodhertorefertohispropertyingoodsandchattels。
　　"Now，mygoodwoman，"saidhe，"I'lljusttellyoutruly，Inevertrustedyououtandout；butmywifelikedyou，andIthoughtyouhadmanyagoodpointaboutyou。Ifyouoncebegintosauceme，I'llhavethepolicetoyou，andgetoutthetruthinacourtofjustice，ifyou'llnottellitmequietlyandcivillyhere。Nowthebestthingyoucandoisquietlytotellmewhothefellowis。Lookhere!amancomestomyhouse；asksforyou；youtakehimup-stairs，avaluablebroochismissingnextday；weknowthatyou，andMary，andcook，arehonest；butyourefusetotelluswhothemanis。
　　Indeedyou'vetoldoneliealreadyabouthim，sayingnoonewasherelastnight。NowIjustputittoyou，whatdoyouthinkapolicemanwouldsaytothis，oramagistrate?Amagistratewouldsoonmakeyoutellthetruth，mygoodwoman。"
　　"There'sneverthecreaturebornthatshouldgetitoutofme，"saidNorah。"NotunlessIchoosetotell。"
　　"I'veagreatmindtosee，"saidMr。Openshaw，growingangryatthedefiance。Then，checkinghimself，hethoughtbeforehespokeagain:
　　"Norah，foryourmissus'ssakeIdon'twanttogotoextremities。
　　Beasensiblewoman，ifyoucan。It'snogreatdisgrace，afterall，tohavebeentakenin。Iaskyouoncemore——asafriend——whowasthismanwhomyouletintomyhouselastnight?"
　　Noanswer。Herepeatedthequestioninanimpatienttone。Stillnoanswer。Norah'slipsweresetindeterminationnottospeak。
　　"Thenthereisbutonethingtobedone。Ishallsendforapoliceman。"
　　"Youwillnot，"saidNorah，startingforwards。"Youshallnot，sir!
　　Nopolicemanshalltouchme。Iknownothingofthebrooch，butI
　　knowthis:eversinceIwasfour-and-twentyIhavethoughtmoreofyourwifethanofmyself:eversinceIsawher，apoormotherlessgirlputuponinheruncle'shouse，Ihavethoughtmoreofservingherthanofservingmyself!Ihavecaredforherandherchild，asnobodyevercaredforme。Idon'tcastblameonyou，sir，butIsayit'sillgivingupone'slifetoanyone；for，attheend，theywillturnrounduponyou，andforsakeyou。Whydoesnotmymissuscomeherselftosuspectme?Maybesheisgoneforthepolice?ButI
　　don'tstayhere，eitherforpolice，ormagistrate，ormaster。
　　You'reanunluckylot。Ibelievethere'sacurseonyou。I'llleaveyouthisveryday。Yes!IleavethatpoorAilsie，too。I
　　will!Nogoodwillevercometoyou!"
　　Mr。Openshawwasutterlyastonishedatthisspeech；mostofwhichwascompletelyunintelligibletohim，asmayeasilybesupposed。
　　Beforehecouldmakeuphismindwhattosay，orwhattodo，Norahhadlefttheroom。Idonotthinkhehadeverreallyintendedtosendforthepolicetothisoldservantofhiswife's；forhehadneverforamomentdoubtedherperfecthonesty。Buthehadintendedtocompelhertotellhimwhothemanwas，andinthishewasbaffled。Hewas，consequently，muchirritated。Hereturnedtohisuncleandauntinastateofgreatannoyanceandperplexity，andtoldthemhecouldgetnothingoutofthewoman；thatsomemanhadbeeninthehousethenightbefore；butthatsherefusedtotellwhohewas。Atthismomenthiswifecamein，greatlyagitated，andaskedwhathadhappenedtoNorah；forthatshehadputonherthingsinpassionatehaste，andhadleftthehouse。
　　"Thislookssuspicious，"saidMr。Chadwick。"Itisnotthewayinwhichanhonestpersonwouldhaveacted。"
　　Mr。Openshawkeptsilence。Hewassorelyperplexed。ButMrs。
　　OpenshawturnedroundonMr。Chadwickwithasuddenfiercenessnooneeversawinherbefore。
　　"Youdon'tknowNorah，uncle!Sheisgonebecausesheisdeeplyhurtatbeingsuspected。O，IwishIhadseenher——thatIhadspokentohermyself。Shewouldhavetoldmeanything。"Alicewrungherhands。
　　"Imustconfess，"continuedMr。Chadwicktohisnephew，inalowervoice，"Ican'tmakeyouout。Youusedtobeawordandablow，andoftenesttheblowfirst；andnow，whenthereiseverycauseforsuspicion，youjustdonought。Yourmissusisaverygoodwoman，I
　　grant；butshemayhavebeenputuponaswellasotherfolk，I
　　suppose。Ifyoudon'tsendforthepolice，Ishall。"
　　"Verywell，"repliedMr。Openshaw，surlily。"Ican'tclearNorah。
　　Shewon'tclearherself，asIbelieveshemightifshewould。OnlyIwashmyhandsofit；forIamsurethewomanherselfishonest，andshe'slivedalongtimewithmywife，andIdon'tlikehertocometoshame。"
　　"Butshewillthenbeforcedtoclearherself。That，atanyrate，willbeagoodthing。"
　　"Verywell，verywell!Iamheart-sickofthewholebusiness。
　　Come，Alice，comeuptothebabiesthey'llbeinasoreway。Itellyou，uncle!"hesaid，turningroundoncemoretoMr。Chadwick，suddenlyandsharply，afterhiseyehadfallenonAlice'swan，tearful，anxiousface；"I'llhavenonesendingforthepoliceafterall。I'llbuymyaunttwiceashandsomeabroochthisveryday；butI'llnothaveNorahsuspected，andmymissusplagued。There'sforyou。"
　　Heandhiswifelefttheroom。Mr。Chadwickquietlywaitedtillhewasoutofhearing，andthenaidtohiswife；"ForallTom'sheroics，I'mjustquietlygoingforadetective，wench。Thouneed'stknownoughtaboutit。"
　　Hewenttothepolice-station，andmadeastatementofthecase。HewasgratifiedbytheimpressionwhichtheevidenceagainstNorahseemedtomake。Themenallagreedinhisopinion，andstepsweretobeimmediatelytakentofindoutwhereshewas。Mostprobably，astheysuggested，shehadgoneatoncetotheman，who，toallappearance，washerlover。WhenMr。Chadwickaskedhowtheywouldfindherout?theysmiled，shooktheirheads，andspokeofmysteriousbutinfalliblewaysandmeans。Hereturnedtohisnephew'shousewithaverycomfortableopinionofhisownsagacity。
　　Hewasmetbyhiswifewithapenitentface:
　　"Omaster，I'vefoundmybrooch!Itwasjuststickingbyitspinintheflounceofmybrownsilk，thatIworeyesterday。Itookitoffinahurry，anditmusthavecaughtinit；andIhungupmygowninthecloset。Justnow，whenIwasgoingtofolditup，therewasthebrooch!I'mveryvexed，butIneverdreamtbutwhatitwaslost!"
　　Herhusbandmutteringsomethingverylike"Confoundtheeandthybroochtoo!IwishI'dnevergivenitthee，"snatcheduphishat，andrushedbacktothestation；hopingtobeintimetostopthepolicefromsearchingforNorah。Butadetectivewasalreadygoneoffontheerrand。
　　WherewasNorah?Halfmadwiththestrainofthefearfulsecret，shehadhardlysleptthroughthenightforthinkingwhatmustbedone。UponthisterriblestateofmindhadcomeAilsie'squestions，showingthatshehadseentheMan，astheunconsciouschildcalledherfather。Lastlycamethesuspicionofherhonesty。Shewaslittlelessthancrazyassheranup-stairsanddashedonherbonnetandshawl；leavingallelse，evenherpurse，behindher。Inthathouseshewouldnotstay。Thatwasallshekneworwasclearabout。
　　Shewouldnotevenseethechildrenagain，forfearitshouldweakenher。ShefearedaboveeverythingMr。Frank'sreturntoclaimhiswife。Shecouldnottellwhatremedytherewasforasorrowsotremendous，forhertostaytowitness。Thedesireofescapingfromthecomingeventwasastrongermotiveforherdeparturethanhersorenessaboutthesuspicionsdirectedagainsther；althoughthislasthadbeenthefinalgoadtothecourseshetook。Shewalkedawayalmostatheadlongspeed；sobbingasshewent，asshehadnotdaredtododuringthepastnightforfearofexcitingwonderinthosewhomighthearher。Thenshestopped。AnideacameintohermindthatshewouldleaveLondonaltogether，andbetakeherselftohernativetownofLiverpool。Shefeltinherpocketforherpurse，asshedrewneartheEustonSquarestationwiththisintention。Shehadleftitathome。Herpoorheadaching，hereyesswollenwithcrying，shehadtostandstill，andthink，aswellasshecould，wherenextsheshouldbendhersteps。SuddenlythethoughtflashedintohermindthatshewouldgoandfindoutpoorMr。Frank。Shehadbeenhardlykindtohimthenightbefore，thoughherhearthadbledforhimeversince。Sherememberedhistellingherassheinquiredforhisaddress，almostasshehadpushedhimoutofthedoor，ofsomehotelinastreetnotfardistantfromEustonSquare。
　　Thithershewent:withwhatintentionshehardlyknew，buttoassuageherconsciencebytellinghimhowmuchshepitiedhim。Inherpresentstateshefeltherselfunfittocounsel，orrestrain，orassist，ordooughtelsebutsympathiseandweep。Thepeopleoftheinnsaidsuchapersonhadbeenthere；hadarrivedonlythedaybefore；hadgoneoutsoonafterhisarrival，leavinghisluggageintheircare；buthadnevercomeback。Norahaskedforleavetositdown，andawaitthegentleman'sreturn。Thelandlady——prettysecureinthedepositofluggageagainstanyprobableinjury——showedherintoaroom，andquietlylockedthedoorontheoutside。Norahwasutterlywornout，andfellasleep——ashivering，starting，uneasyslumber，whichlastedforhours。
　　Thedetective，meanwhile，hadcomeupwithhersometimebeforesheenteredthehotel，intowhichhefollowedher。Askingthelandladytodetainherforanhourorso，withoutgivinganyreasonbeyondshowinghisauthoritywhichmadethelandladyapplaudherselfagooddealforhavinglockedherin，hewentbacktothepolice-