Baggs，ifamanandwomanaccepteachotherashusbandandwife，beforeonewitness，itisalawfulmarriage；andthatkindofweddingis，asyouseeplainlyenough，theonlysaferefugeforabridegroominmysituation。IfyouconsenttocomewithustoScotland，andserveaswitnesstothemarriage，IshallbedelightedtoacknowledgemysenseofyourkindnessintheeloquentlanguageoftheBankofEngland，asexpressedtotheworldingeneralonthesurfaceofafive-poundnote。”
　　IcautiouslysnatchedawaythebrandybottleasIspoke，andwasinthedrawing-roomwithitinaninstant。AsIsuppose，Mrs。
　　Baggstriedtofollowme，forIheardthedoorrattle，asifshehadgotoutofherchair，andsuddenlyslippedbackintoitagain。Ifeltcertainofherdecidingtohelpus，ifshewasonlysoberenoughtoreflectonwhatIhadsaidtoher。ThejourneytoScotlandwasatedious，andperhapsadangerous，undertaking。ButIhadnootheralternativetochoose。
　　Inthoseuncivilizeddays，theMarriageActhadnotbeenpassed，andtherewasnoconvenienthymenealregistrarinEnglandtochangeavagabondrunawaycoupleintoarespectablemanandwifeatamoment'snotice。ThetroubleandexpenseoftakingMrs。
　　Baggswithus，Iencountered，ofcourse，solelyoutofregardforAlicia'snaturalprejudices。Shehadledpreciselythatkindoflifewhichmakesanywomanbutabadonemorbidlysensitiveonthesubjectofsmallproprieties。Ifshehadbeenagirlwitharecognizedpositioninsociety，Ishouldhaveproposedtohertorunawaywithmealone。Asitwas，theverydefenselessnessofhersituationgaveher，inmyopinion，therighttoexpectfrommeeventheabsurdestsacrificestothenarrowestconventionalities。Mrs。Baggswasnotquitesosoberinherhabits，perhaps，asmatronsingeneralareexpectedtobe；but，formyparticularpurpose，thiswasonlyaslightblemish；ittakessolittle，afterall，torepresenttheabstractprincipleofproprietyintheshort-sightedeyeoftheworld。
　　AsIreachedthedrawing-roomdoor，Ilookedatmywatch。
　　Nineo'clock!andnothingdoneyettofacilitateourescapingfromCrickgellytotheregionsofcivilizedlifethenextmorning。Iwaspleasedtohear，whenIknockedatthedoor，thatAlicia'svoicesoundedfirmerasshetoldmetocomein。ShewasmoreconfusedthanastonishedorfrightenedwhenIsatdownbyheronthesofa，andrepeatedtheprincipaltopicsofmyconversionwithMrs。Baggs。
　　"Now，myownlove，"Isaid，inconclusion——suitingmygestures，itisunnecessarytosay，tothetendernessofmylanguage——"thereisnottheleastdoubtthatMrs。Baggswillendbyagreeingtomyproposals。Nothingremains，therefore，butforyoutogivemetheanswernow，whichIhavebeenwaitingforeversincethatlastdaywhenwemetbytheriverside。Ididnotknowthenwhatthemotivewasforyoursilenceanddistress。Iknownow，andIloveyoubetterafterthatknowledgethanIdidbeforeit。”
　　Herheaddroppedintoitsformerpositiononmybosom，andshemurmuredafewwords，buttoofaintlyformetohearthem。
　　"Youknewmoreaboutyourfather，then，thanIdid？"Iwhispered。
　　"Lessthanyouhavetoldmesince，"sheinterposedquickly，withoutraisingherface。
　　"Enoughtoconvinceyouthathewasbreakingthelaws，"I
　　suggested；"and，tomakeyou，ashisdaughter，shrinkfromsaying'yes'tomewhenwesattogetherontheriverbank？"
　　Shedidnotanswer。Oneofherarms，whichwashangingovermyshoulder，stoleroundmyneck，andclaspeditgently。
　　"Sincethattime，"Iwenton，"yourfatherhascompromisedme。I
　　aminsomedanger，notmuch，fromthelaw。Ihavenoprospectsthatarenotofthemostdoubtfulkind；andIhavenoexcuseforaskingyoutosharethem，exceptthatIhavefallenintomypresentmisfortunethroughtryingtodiscovertheobstaclethatkeptusapart。Ifthereisanyprotectionintheworldthatyoucanturnto，lessdoubtfulthanmine，IsupposeIoughttosaynomore，andleavethehouse。Butifthereshouldbenone，surelyI
　　amnotsoveryselfishinaskingyoutotakeyourchancewithme？
　　IhonestlybelievethatIshallhavelittledifficulty，withordinarycaution，inescapingfrompursuit，andfindingasafehomesomewheretobeginlifeinagainwithnewinterests。Willyoushareitwithme，Alicia？Icantrynofreshpersuasions——I
　　havenoright，perhaps，inmypresentsituationtohaveaddressedsomanytoyoualready。”
　　Herotherarmstoleroundmyneck；shelaidhercheekagainstmine，andwhispered——
　　"Bekindtome，Frank——Ihavenobodyintheworldwholovesmebutyou!"
　　Ifelthertearsonmyface；myowneyesmoistenedasItriedtoanswerher。Wesatforsomeminutesinperfectsilence——withoutmoving，withoutathoughtbeyondthemoment。Therisingofthewind，andthesplashingoftherainoutsidewerethefirstsoundsthatstirredmeintoactionagain。
　　Isummonedmyresolution，rosefromthesofa，andinafewhastywordstoldAliciawhatIproposedforthenextday，andmentionedthehouratwhichIwouldcomeinthemorning。AsIhadanticipated，sheseemedrelievedandreassuredattheprospectevenofsuchslightsanctionandencouragement，onthepartofanotherwoman，aswouldbeimpliedbythecompanionshipofMrs。
　　BaggsonthejourneytoScotland。
　　ThenextandlastdifficultyIhadtoencounterwasnecessarilyconnectedwithherfather。Hehadneverbeenveryaffectionate；
　　andhewasnow，foraughtsheorIknewtothecontrary，partedfromherforever。Still，theinstinctiverecognitionofhispositionmadehershrink，atthelastmoment，whenshespokeofhim，andthoughtoftheseriousnatureofherengagementwithme。
　　Aftersomevainarguingandremonstrating，Icontrivedtoquietherscruples，bypromisingthatanaddressshouldbeleftatCrickgelly，towhichanysecondletterthatmightarrivefromthedoctorcouldbeforwarded。WhenIsawthatthisprospectofbeingabletocommunicatewithhim，ifhewroteorwishedtoseeher，hadsufficientlycomposedhermind，Ileftthedrawing-room。ItwasvitallyimportantthatIshouldgetbacktotheinnandmakethenecessaryarrangementsforourdeparturethenextmorning，beforetheprimitivepeopleoftheplacehadretiredtobed。
　　AsIpassedthebackparlordooronmywayout，IheardthevoiceofMrs。Baggsraisedindignantly。Thewords"bottle!""audacity!"
　　and"nerves!"reachedmyeardisjointedly。Icalledout"Good-by!
　　tillto-morrow；"heardaresponsivegroanofdisgust；thenopenedthefrontdoor，andplungedoutintothedarkandrainynight。
　　ItmighthavebeenthedroppingofwaterfromthecottageroofswhileIpassedthroughthevillage，orthegroundlessalarmofmyownsuspiciousfancy，butIthoughtIwasbeingfollowedasI
　　walkedbacktotheinn。TwoorthreetimesIturnedroundabruptly。Iftwentymenhadbeenatmyheels，itwastoodarktoseethem。Iwentontotheinn。
　　Thepeopletherewerenotgonetobed；andIsentforthelandlordtoconsultwithhimaboutaconveyance。Perhapsitwasmysuspiciousfancyagain；butIthoughthismannerwasaltered。
　　Heseemedhalfdistrustful，halfafraidofme，whenIaskedhimiftherehadbeenanysigns，duringmyabsence，ofthosetwogentlemen，forwhomIhadalreadyinquiredonarrivingathisdoorthatevening。Hegaveananswerinthenegative，lookingawayfrommewhilehespoke。
　　Thinkingitadvisable，onthewhole，nottolethimseethatI
　　noticedachangeinhim，Iproceededatoncetothequestionoftheconveyance，andwastoldthatIcouldhirethelandlord'slightcart，inwhichhewasaccustomedtodrivetothemarkettown。Iappointedanhourforstartingthenextday，andretiredatoncetomybedroom。Theremythoughtswereenough。IwasanxiousaboutScrewandtheBowStreetrunner。IwasuncertainaboutthestrangerwhohadcalledatNumberTwo，ZionPlace。I
　　wasindoubtevenaboutthelandlordoftheinn。NeverdidIknowwhatrealsufferingfromsuspensewas，untilthatnight，Whatevermyapprehensionsmighthavebeen，theywerenoneofthemrealizedthenextmorning。
　　NobodyfollowedmeonmywaytoZionPlace，andnostrangerhadcalledtherebeforemeasecondtime，whenImadeinquiriesonenteringthehouse。IfoundAliciablushing，andMrs。Baggsimpenetrablywrappedupindignifiedsulkiness。AfterinformingmewithaloftylookthatsheintendedtogotoScotlandwithus，andtotakemyfive-poundnote——partlyunderprotest，andpartlyoutofexcessiveaffectionforAlicia——sheretiredtopackup。
　　Thetimeconsumedinperformingthisprocess，andthefurtherdelayoccasionedbypayingsmalloutstandingdebtstotradespeople，andsettlingwiththeownerofthehouse，detainedustillnearlynoonbeforewewerereadytogetintothelandlord'scart。
　　Ilookedbehindmeanxiouslyatstarting，andoftenafterwardontheroad；butneversawanythingtoexcitemysuspicions。Insettlingmatterswiththelandlordovernight，Ihadarrangedthatweshouldbedriventothenearesttownatwhichapost-chaisecouldbeobtained。Myresourceswerejustaslikelytoholdoutagainsttheexpensesofposting，wherepublicconveyancescouldnotbeobtained，asagainsttheexpenseofwaitingprivatelyathotels，untiltherightcoachesmightstart。
　　Accordingtomycalculations，mymoneywouldlasttillwegottoScotland。Afterthat，Ihadmywatch，rings，shirtpin，andMr。
　　Batterbury，tohelpinreplenishingmypurse。Anxious，therefore，asIwasaboutotherthings，moneymatters，foronceinaway，didnotcausemethesmallestuneasiness。
　　CHAPTERXV。
　　WEpostedfive-and-thirtymiles，thenstoppedforacoupleofhourstorest，andwaitforanightcoachrunningnorthward。
　　Ongettingintothisvehiclewewerefortunateenoughtofindthefourthinsideplacenotoccupied。Mrs。Baggsshowedhersenseofthefreedomfromrestraintthusobtainedbytyingahugeredcomforterroundherheadlikeaturban，andimmediatelyfallingfastasleep。ThisgaveAliciaandmefulllibertytotalkaswepleased。Ourconversationwasforthemostpartofthatparticularkindwhichisnotofthesmallestimportancetoanythirdpersoninthewholeworld。Oneportionofit，however，wasanexceptiontothisgeneralrule。Ithadaverypositiveinfluenceonmyfortunes，anditis，therefore，Ihope，ofsufficientimportancetobearbeingcommunicatedtothereader。
　　Wehadchangedhorsesforthefourthtime，hadseatedourselvescomfortablyinourplaces，andhadheardMrs。Baggsresumethekindredoccupationsofsleepingandsnoring，whenAliciawhisperedtome:
　　"Imusthavenosecrets，now，fromyou——mustI，Frank？"
　　"Youmusthaveanythingyoulike，doanythingyoulike，andsayanythingyoulike。Youmustneveraskleave——butonlygrantit!"
　　"Shallyoualwaystellmethat，Frank？"
　　Ididnotanswerinwords，buttheconversationsufferedamomentaryinterruption。Ofwhatnature，susceptiblepeoplewilleasilyimagine。Asforthehard-heartedIdon'twriteforthem。
　　"Mysecretneednotalarmyou，"Aliciawenton，intonesthatbegantosoundrathersadly；"itisonlyaboutatinypasteboardboxthatIcancarryinthebosomofmydress。Butithasgotthreediamondsinit，Frank，andonebeautifulruby。Didyouevergivemecreditforhavingsomuchthatwasvaluableaboutme？——shallIgiveityoutokeepforme？"
　　IremembereddirectlyOldFile'sstoryofMrs。Dulcifer'selopement，andofthejewelsshehadtakenwithher。Itwaseasytoguess，afterwhatIhadheard，thatthepoorwomanhadsecretlypreservedsomeofherlittlepropertyforthebenefitofherchild。
　　"Ihavenopresentneedofmoney，darling，"Ianswered；"keeptheboxinitspresentenviableposition。”Istoppedthere，sayingnothingofthethoughtthatwasreallyuppermostinmymind。Ifanyunforeseenaccidentplacedmewithinthegripofthelaw，I
　　shouldnotnowhavethedoubletrialtoendureofleavingmywifeforaprison，andleavingherhelpless。
　　Morningdawnedandfoundusstillawake。Thesunrose，Mrs。Baggsleftoffsnoring，andwearrivedatthelaststagebeforethecoachstopped。
　　Igotouttoseeaboutsometeaformytravelingcompanions，andlookedupattheoutsidepassengers。Oneofthemseatedinthedickeylookeddownatme。Hewasacountrymaninasmock-frock，withagreenpatchoveroneofhiseyes。Somethingintheexpressionofhisuncoveredeyemademepause——reflect——turnawayuneasily——andthenlookagainathimfurtively。Asuddenshudderranthroughmefromtoptotoe；myheartsank；andmyheadbegantofeelgiddy。ThecountrymaninthedickeywasnootherthantheBowStreetrunnerindisguise。
　　Ikeptawayfromthecoachtillthefreshhorseswereonthepointofstarting，forIwasafraidtoletAliciaseemyface，aftermakingthatfataldiscovery。ShenoticedhowpaleIwaswhenIgotin。ImadethebestexcuseIcould；andgentlyinsistedonhertryingtosleepalittleafterbeingawakeallnight。Shelaybackinhercorner；andMrs。Baggs，comfortedwithamorningdraminhertea，fellasleepagain。Ihadthusanhour'sleisurebeforemetothinkwhatIshoulddonext。
　　Screwwasnotincompanywiththerunnerthistime。Hemusthavemanagedtoidentifymesomewhere，andtheofficerdoubtlessknewmypersonalappearancewellenoughnowtofollowandmakesureofmewithouthelp。ThatIwasthemanwhomhewastrackingcouldnotbedoubted:hisdisguiseandhispositiononthetopofthecoachproveditonlytooplainly。
　　Butwhyhadhenotseizedmeatonce？Probablybecausehehadsomeulteriorpurposetoserve，whichwouldhavebeenthwartedbymyimmediateapprehension。WhatthatpurposewasIdidmybesttofathom，and，asIthought，succeededintheattempt。WhatIwastodowhenthecoachstoppedwasamoredifficultpointtosettle。Togivetherunnertheslip，withtwowomentotakecareof，wassimplyimpossible。Totreathim，asIhadtreatedScrewatthered-brickhouse，wasequallyoutofthequestion，forhewascertaintogivemenochanceofcatchinghimalone。Tokeephiminignoranceoftherealobjectofmyjourney，andtherebytodelayhisdiscoveringhimselfandattemptingtomakemeaprisoner，seemedtheonlyplanonthesafetyofwhichIcouldplacethesmallestreliance。IfIhadeverhadanyideaoffollowingtheexampleofotherrunawaylovers，andgoingtoGretnaGreen，Ishouldnowhaveabandonedit。AllroadsinthatdirectionwouldbetraywhatthepurposeofmyjourneywasifI
　　tookthem。SomelargetowninScotlandwouldbethesafestdestinationthatIcouldpubliclyadvertisemyselfasboundfor。
　　WhynotboldlysaythatIwasgoingwiththetwoladiestoEdinburgh？
　　SuchwastheplanofactionwhichInowadopted。
　　TogiveanyideaofthedistractedconditionofmymindatthetimewhenIwasformingit，issimplyimpossible。AsfordoubtingwhetherIoughttomarryatallunderthesedangerouscircumstances，ImustfranklyownthatIwastooselfishlyandviolentlyinlovetolookthequestionfairlyinthefaceatfirst。WhenIsubsequentlyforcedmyselftoconsiderit，themostdistinctprojectIcouldframeforovercomingalldifficultywas，tomarrymyselfthephraseisstrictlydescriptiveoftheScotchceremonyatthefirstinnwecameto，overtheBorder；tohireachaise，ortakeplacesinapublicconveyancetoEdinburgh，asablind；toletAliciaandMrs。Baggsoccupythoseplaces；toremainbehindmyself；andtotrusttomyaudacityandcunning，whenleftalone，togivetherunnertheslip。Writingofitnow，incoolblood，thisseemsaswildandhopelessaplanaseverwasimagined。But，intheconfusedanddistractedstateofallmyfacultiesatthatperiod，itseemedquiteeasytoexecute，andnotintheleastdoubtfulastoanyoneofitsprobableresults。
　　Onreachingthetownatwhichthecoachstopped，wefoundourselvesobligedtohireanotherchaiseforashortdistance，inordertogettothestarting-pointofasecondcoach。Againwetookinsideplaces，andagain，atthefirststageswhenIgotdowntolookattheoutsidepassengers，therewasthecountrymanwiththegreenshadeoverhiseye。Whateverconveyancewetraveledbyonournorthwardroad，weneverescapedhim。Heneverattemptedtospeaktome，neverseemedtonoticeme，andneverlostsightofme。Onandonwewent，overroadsthatseemedinterminable，andstillthedreadfulswordofjusticehungalways，byitssinglehair，overmyhead。Myhaggardface，myfeverishhands，myconfusedmanner，myinexpressibleimpatience，allbeliedtheexcuseswithwhichIdesperatelycontinuedtowardoffAlicia'sgrowingfears，andMrs。Baggs'sindignantsuspicions。"Oh!Frank，somethinghashappened!ForGod'ssake，tellmewhat!"——"Mr。Softly，Icanseethroughadealboardasfarasmostpeople。Youarefollowingthedoctor'swickedexample，andshowingawantofconfidenceinme。”TheseweretheremonstrancesofAliciaandthehousekeeper。
　　AtlastwegotoutofEngland，andIwasstillafreeman。Thechaisewewerepostingagainbroughtusintoadirtytown，anddrewupatthedoorofashabbyinn。Ashock-headedgirlreceivedus。
　　"AreweinScotland？"Iasked。
　　"Mon!whar'elseshouldyebe？"Theaccentrelievedmeofalldoubt。
　　"Aprivateroom——somethingtoeat，readyinanhour'stime——chaiseafterwardtothenearestplacefromwhichacoachrunstoEdinburgh。”Givingtheseordersrapidly，Ifollowedthegirlwithmytravelingcompanionsintoastuffylittleroom。Assoonasourattendanthadleftus，Ilockedthedoor，putthekeyinmypocket，andtookAliciabythehand。
　　"Now，Mrs。Baggs，"saidI，"bearwitness——"
　　"You'renotgoingtomarryhernow!"interposedMrs。Baggs，indignantly。"Bearwitness，indeed!Iwon'tbearwitnesstillI'vetakenoffmybonnet，andputmyhairtidy!"
　　"Theceremonywon'ttakeaminute，"Ianswered；"andI'llgiveyouyourfive-poundnoteandopenthedoorthemomentit'sover。
　　Bearwitness，"Iwenton，drowningMrs。Baggs'sexpostulationswiththeall-importantmarriage-words，"thatItakethiswoman，AliciaDulciferformylawfulweddedwife。”
　　"Insicknessandinhealth，inpovertyandwealth，"brokeinMrs。
　　Baggs，determiningtorepresenttheclergymanaswellastobethewitness。
　　"Alicia，dear，"Isaid，interruptinginmyturn，"repeatmywords。Say'Itakethisman，FrancisSoftly，formylawfulweddedhusband。'"
　　Sherepeatedthesentence，withherfaceverypale，withherdearhandcoldandtremblinginmine。
　　"Forbetterforworse，"continuedtheindomitableMrs。Baggs。
　　"LittleenoughoftheBetter，I'mafraid，andLordknowshowmuchoftheWorse。”
　　Istoppedheragainwiththepromisedfive-poundnote，andopenedtheroomdoor。"Now，ma'am，"Isaid，"gotoyourroom；takeoffyourbonnet，andputyourhairastidyasyouplease。”
　　Mrs。Baggsraisedhereyesandhandstoheaven，exclaimed"Disgraceful!"andflouncedoutoftheroominapassion。SuchwasmyScotchmarriage——aslawfulaceremony，remember，asthefinestfamilyweddingatthelargestparishchurchinallEngland。
　　Anhourpassed；andIhadnotyetsummonedthecruelcouragetocommunicatemyrealsituationtoAlicia。Theentryoftheshock-headedservant-girltolaythecloth，followedbyMrs。
　　Baggs，whowasneveroutofthewaywhereeatinganddrinkingappearedinprospect，helpedmetorousemyself。Iresolvedtogooutforafewminutestoreconnoiter，andmakemyselfacquaintedwithanyfacilitiesforflightorhidingwhichthesituationofthehousemightpresent。NodoubttheBowStreetrunnerwaslurkingsomewhere；buthemust，asamatterofcourse，haveheard，orinformedhimself，oftheordersIhadgivenrelatingtoourconveyanceontoEdinburgh；and，inthatcase，Iwasstillnomoreindangerofhisavowinghimselfandcapturingme，thanI
　　hadbeenatanypreviousperiodofourjourney。
　　"Iamgoingoutforamoment，love，toseeaboutthechaise，"I
　　saidtoAlicia。Shesuddenlylookedupatmewithananxioussearchingexpression。Wasmyfacebetrayinganythingofmyrealpurpose？Ihurriedtothedoorbeforeshecouldaskmeasinglequestion。
　　Thefrontoftheinnstoodnearlyinthemiddleoftheprincipalstreetofthetown。Nochanceofgivinganyonetheslipinthatdirection；andnosign，either，oftheBowStreetrunner。I
　　saunteredround，withthemostunconcernedmannerIcouldassume，tothebackofthehouse，bytheinnyard。Adoorinonepartofitstoodhalf-open。Insidewasabitofkitchen-garden，boundedbyapaling；beyondthatsomebacksofdetachedhouses；beyondthem，again，aplotofweedyground，afewwretchedcottages，andtheopen，heatherymoor。Goodenoughforrunningaway，butterriblybadforhiding。
　　Ireturneddisconsolatelytotheinn。Walkingalongthepassagetowardthestaircase，Isuddenlyheardfootstepsbehindme——turnedround，andsawtheBowStreetrunnerclothedagaininhisordinarycostume，andaccompaniedbytwostrangemen
　　standingbetweenmeandthedoor。
　　"SorrytostopyoufromgoingtoEdinburgh，Mr。Softly，"hesaid。
　　"Butyou'rewantedbackatBarkingham。I'vejustfoundoutwhatyouhavebeentravelingallthewaytoScotlandfor；andItakeyouprisoner，asoneofthecoininggang。Takeiteasy，sir。I'vegothelp，yousee；andyoucan'tthrottlethreemen，whateveryoumayhavedoneatBarkinghamwithone。”
　　Hehandcuffedmeashespoke。Resistancewashopeless。Icouldonlymakeanappealtohismercy，onAlicia'saccount。
　　"Givemetenminutes，"Isaid，"tobreakwhathashappenedtomywife。Wewereonlymarriedanhourago。Ifsheknowsthissuddenly，itmaybethedeathofher。”
　　"You'veledmeanicedanceonawrongscent，"answeredtherunner，sulkily。"ButIneverwasahardmanwherewomenareconcerned。Goupstairs，andleavethedooropen，sothatIcanseeinthroughitifIlike。Holdyourhatoveryourwrists，ifyoudon'twanthertoseethehandcuffs。”
　　Iascendedthefirstflightofstairs，andmyheartgaveasuddenboundasifitwouldburst。Istopped，speechlessandhelpless，atthesightofAlicia，standingaloneonthelanding。Myfirstlookatherfacetoldmeshehadheardallthathadpassedinthepassage。ShepassionatelystruckthehatwithwhichIhadbeentryingtohidethehandcuffsoutofmyfingers，andclaspedmeinherarmswithsuchsuddenanddesperateenergythatsheabsolutelyhurtme。
　　"Iwasafraidofsomething，Frank，"shewhispered。"Ifollowedyoualittleway。Istoppedhere；Ihaveheardeverything。Don'tletusbeparted!Iamstrongerthanyouthinkme。Iwon'tbefrightened。Iwon'tcry。Iwon'ttroubleanybody，ifthatmanwillonlytakemewithyou!"
　　Itisbestformysake，ifnotforthereader's，tohurryoverthescenethatfollowed。
　　Itendedwithaslittleadditionalwretchednessascouldbeexpected。Therunnerwasresoluteaboutkeepingmehandcuffed，andtakingmeback，withoutamoment'sunnecessarywasteoftimetoBarkingham；butherelentedonotherpoints。
　　Wherehewasobligedtoorderaprivateconveyance，therewasnoobjectiontoAliciaandMrs。Baggsfollowingit。Wherewegotintoacoach，therewasnoharmintheirhiringtwoinsideplaces。Igavemywatch，rings，andlastguineatoAlicia，enjoiningher，onnoaccount，toletherboxofjewelsseethelightuntilwecouldgetproperadviceonthebestmeansofturningthemtoaccount。Shelistenedtotheseandotherdirectionswithacalmnessthatastonishedme。
　　"Youshan'tsay，mydear，thatyourwifehashelpedtomakeyouuneasybysomuchasawordoralook，"shewhisperedtomeaswelefttheinn。
　　Andshekeptthehardpromiseimpliedinthatoneshortsentencethroughoutthejourney。OnceonlydidIseeherloseherself-possession。Atstartingonourwaysouth，Mrs。Baggs——takingthesameincomprehensiblepersonaloffenseatmymisfortunewhichshehadpreviouslytakenatthedoctor's——upbraidedmewithmywantofconfidenceinher，anddeclaredthatitwasthemaincauseofallmypresenttrouble。Aliciaturnedonherasshewasutteringthewords，withalookandawarningthatsilencedherinaninstant:
　　"Ifyousayanothersyllablethatisn'tkindtohim，youshallfindyourwaybackbyyourself!"
　　Thewordsmaynotseemofmuchimportancetoothers；butI
　　thought，asIoverheardthem，thattheyjustifiedeverysacrificeIhadmadeformywife'ssake。
　　CHAPTERXVI。
　　ONourwaybackIreceivedfromtherunnersomeexplanationofhisapparentlyunaccountableproceedingsinreferencetomyself。
　　Tobeginatthebeginning，itturnedoutthatthefirstactoftheofficers，ontheirreleasefromtheworkroominthered-brickhouse，wastoinstituteacarefulsearchforpapersinthedoctor'sstudyandbedroom。Amongtheotherdocumentsthathehadnothadtimetodestroy，wasalettertohimfromAlicia，whichtheytookfromoneofthepocketsofhisdressing-gown。Finding，fromthereportofthemenwhohadfollowedthegig，thathehaddistancedallpursuit，andhavingthereforenodirectclewtohiswhereabout，theyhadbeenobligedtohuntafterhiminvariousdirections，onpurespeculation。Alicia'slettertoherfathergavetheaddressofthehouseatCrickgelly；andtothistherunnerrepaired，onthechanceofinterceptingordiscoveringanycommunicationswhichthedoctormightmaketohisdaughter，Screwbeingtakenwiththeofficertoidentifytheyounglady。Afterleavingthelastcoach，theypostedtowithinamileofCrickgelly，andthenwalkedintothevillage，inordertoexcitenospecialattention，shouldthedoctorbelurkingintheneighborhood。TherunnerhadtriedineffectuallytogainadmissionasavisitoratZionPlace。Afterhavingthedoorshutonhim，heandScrewhadwatchedthehouseandvillage，andhadseenmeapproachNumberTwo。Theirsuspicionsweredirectlyexcited。
　　Thusfar，Screwhadnotrecognized，norevenobservedme；butheimmediatelyidentifiedmebymyvoice，whileIwasparleyingwiththestupidservantatthedoor。Therunner，hearingwhoIwas，reasonablyenoughconcludedthatImustbetherecognizedmediumofcommunicationbetweenthedoctorandhisdaughter，especiallywhenhefoundthatIwasadmitted，instantlyaftercalling，pasttheservant，tosomeoneinsidethehouse。
　　LeavingScrewonthewatch，hewenttotheinn，discoveredhimselfprivatelytothelandlord，andmadesureinmorewaysthanone，asIconjecturedofknowingwhen，andinwhatdirection，IshouldleaveCrickgelly。OnfindingthatIwastoleaveitthenextmorning，withAliciaandMrs。Baggs，heimmediatelysuspectedthatIwaschargedwiththedutyoftakingthedaughterto，ornear，theplacechosenforthefather'sretreat；andhadthereforeabstainedfrominterferingprematurelywithmymovements。Knowingwhitherwewereboundinthecart，hehadriddenafterus，welloutofsight，withhiscountryman'sdisguisereadyforuseinthesaddle-bags——Screw，incaseofanymistakesormystifications，beingleftbehindonthewatchatCrickgelly。
　　ThepossibilitythatImightberunningawaywithAliciahadsuggesteditselftohim；buthedismisseditasimprobable，firstwhenhesawthatMrs。Baggsaccompaniedus，andagain，when，onnearingScotland，hefoundthatwedidnottaketheroadtoGretnaGreen。Heacknowledged，inconclusion，thatheshouldhavefollowedustoEdinburgh，oreventotheContinentitself，onthechanceofourleadinghimtothedoctor'sretreat，butfortheservantgirlattheinn，whohadlistenedoutsidethedoorwhileourbriefmarriageceremonywasproceeding，andfromwhom，withgreattroubleanddelay，hehadextractedalltheinformationherequired。Afurtherlossofhalfanhour'stimehadoccurredwhilehewasgettingthenecessaryhelptoassisthim，intheeventofmyresisting，ortryingtogivehimtheslip，inmakingmeaprisoner。Thesesmallfactsaccountedforthehour'srespitewehadenjoyedattheinn，andterminatedtherunner'snarrativeofhisownproceedings。
　　OnarrivingatourdestinationIwas，ofcourse，immediatelytakentothejail。
　　Alicia，bymyadvice，engagedamodestlodginginasuburbofBarkingham。Inthedaysofthered-brickhouse，shehadseldombeenseeninthetown，andshewasnotatallknownbysightinthesuburb。Wearrangedthatshewastovisitmeasoftenastheauthoritieswouldlether。Shehadnocompanion，andwantednone。
　　Mrs。Baggs，whohadneverforgiventherebukeadministeredtoheratthestarting-pointofourjourney，leftusatthecloseofit。
　　Herleave-takingwasdignifiedandpathetic。ShekindlyinformedAliciathatshewishedherwell，thoughshecouldnotconscientiouslylookuponherasalawfulmarriedwoman；andshebeggedmeincaseIgotoff，thenexttimeImetwitharespectablepersonwhowaskindtome，toprofitbyrememberingmypasterrors，andtotreatmynextbenefactresswithmoreconfidencethanIhadtreatedher。
　　MyfirstbusinessintheprisonwastowritetoMr。Batterbury。
　　Ihadamagnificenteasetopresenttohim，thistime。AlthoughI
　　believedmyself，andhadsucceededinpersuadingAlicia，thatI
　　wassureofbeingrecommendedtomercy，itwasnotthelessthefactthatIwaschargedwithanoffensestillpunishablebydeath，inthethenbarbarousstateofthelaw。IdelicatelystatedjustenoughofmycasetomakeonethingcleartothemindofMr。Batterbury。Myaffectionatesister'sinterestinthecontingentreversionwasnowunlessLadyMalkinshawperverselyandsuddenlyexpiredactuallythreatenedbytheGallows!
　　Whilecalmlyawaitingtheanswer，IwasbynomeanswithoutsubjectstooccupymyattentionwhenAliciawasnotattheprison。Therewasmyfellow-workman——Mill——thefirstmemberofoursocietybetrayedbyScrewtocomparenoteswith；andtherewasacertainprisonerwhohadbeentransported，andwhohadsomeveryimportantandinterestingparticularstocommunicate，relativetolifeanditschancesinourfelon-settlementsattheAntipodes。Italkedagreatdealwiththisman；forIfeltthathisexperiencemightbeofthegreatestpossiblebenefittome。
　　Mr。Batterbury'sanswerwasspeedy，short，andpunctual。Ihadshatteredhisnervoussystemforever，hewrote，buthadonlystimulatedhisdevotiontomyfamily，andhisChristianreadinesstolookpityinglyonmytransgressions。Hehadengagedtheleaderofthecircuittodefendme；andhewouldhavecometoseeme，butforMrs。Batterbury；whohadimploredhimnottoexposehimselftoagitation。OfLadyMalkinshawthelettersaidnothing；
　　butIafterwarddiscoveredthatshewasthenatCheltenham，drinkingthewatersandplayingwhistintherudesthealthandspirits。
　　Itisaboldthingtosay，butnothingwilleverpersuademethatSocietyhasnotasneakingkindnessforaRogue。
　　Forexample，myfatherneverhadhalftheattentionshowntohiminhisownhouse，whichwasshowntomeinmyprison。IhaveseenHighSheriffsinthegreatworld，whommyfatherwenttosee，givehimtwofingers——theHighSheriffofBarkinghamshirecametoseeme，andshookhandscordially。Nobodyeverwantedmyfather'sautograph——dozensofpeopleaskedformine。Nobodyeverputmyfather'sportraitinthefrontispieceofamagazine，ordescribedhispersonalappearanceandmannerswithanxiouselaboration，inthelargetypeofagreatnewspaper——Ienjoyedboththosehonors。
　　Threeofficialindividualspolitelybeggedmetobesureandmakecomplaintsifmypositionwasnotperfectlycomfortable。Noofficialindividualevertroubledhisheadwhethermyfatherwascomfortableornot。Whenthedayofmytrialcame，thecourtwasthrongedbymylovelycountrywomen，whostooduppantinginthecrowdandcrushingtheirbeautifuldresses，ratherthanmissthepleasureofseeingthedearRogueinthedock。Whenmyfatheroncestoodonthelecturer'srostrum，anddeliveredhisexcellentdiscourse，called"MedicalHintstoMaidsandMothersonTightLacingandTeething，"thebencheswereleftemptybytheungratefulwomenofEngland，whowerenotintheslightestdegreeanxioustofeasttheireyesonthesightofalearnedadviserandrespectableman。Ifthesefactsledtooneinevitableconclusion，itisnotmyfault。WeRoguesarethespoiledchildrenofSociety。WemaynotbeopenlyacknowledgedasPets，butweallknow，bypleasantexperience，thatwearetreatedlikethem。
　　Thetrialwasdeeplyaffecting。Mydefense——orrathermybarrister's——wasthesimpletruth。Itwasimpossibletooverthrowthefactsagainstus；sowehonestlyownedthatIgotintothescrapethroughloveforAlicia。Mycounselturnedthistothebestpossiblesentimentalaccount。Hecried；theladiescried；
　　thejurycried；thejudgecried；andMr。Batterbury，whohaddesperatelycometoseethetrial，andknowtheworst，sobbedwithsuchprominentvehemence，thatIbelievehim，tothisday，tohavegreatlyinfluencedtheverdict。Iwasstronglyrecommendedtomercyandgotoffwithfourteenyears'
　　transportation。TheunfortunateMill，whowastriedafterme，withameredry-eyedbarristertodefendhim，washanged。
　　POSTSCRIPT。
　　WITHtherecordofmysentenceoftransportation，mylifeasaRogueends，andmyexistenceasarespectablemanbegins。Iamsorrytosayanythingwhichmaydisturbpopulardelusionsonthesubjectofpoeticaljustice，butthisisstrictlythetruth。
　　Myfirstanxietywasaboutmywife'sfuture。
　　Mr。Batterburygavemenochanceofaskinghisadviceafterthetrial。Themomentsentencehadbeenpronounced，heallowedhimselftobehelpedoutofcourtinamelancholystateofprostration，andthenextmorningheleftforLondon。Isuspecthewasafraidtofaceme，andnervouslyimpatient，besides，totellAnnabellathathehadsavedthelegacyagainbyanotheralarmingsacrifice。Myfatherandmother，towhomIhadwrittenonthesubjectofAlicia，werenomoretobedependedonthanMr。
　　Batterbury。Myfather，inansweringmyletter，toldmethatheconscientiouslybelievedhehaddoneenoughinforgivingmeforthrowingawayanexcellenteducation，anddisgracingarespectablename。Headdedthathehadnotallowedmyletterformymothertoreachher，outofpityingregardforherbrokenhealthandspirits；andheendedbytellingmewhatwasperhapsverytruethatthewifeofsuchasonasIhadbeen，hadnoclaimuponherfather-in-law'sprotectionandhelp。Therewasanend，then，ofanyhopeoffindingresourcesforAliciaamongthemembersofmyownfamily。
　　Thenextthingwastodiscoverameansofprovidingforherwithoutassistance。Ihadformedaprojectforthis，aftermeditatingovermyconversationswiththereturnedtransportinBarkinghamjail，andIhadtakenareliableopiniononthechancesofsuccessfullyexecutingmydesignfromthesolicitorwhohadpreparedmydefense。
　　Aliciaherselfwassoearnestlyinfavorofassistinginmyexperiment，thatshedeclaredshewouldpreferdeathtoitsabandonment。Accordingly，thenecessarypreliminarieswerearranged；and，whenweparted，itwassomemitigationofourgrieftoknowthattherewasatimeappointedformeetingagain。
　　Aliciawastolodgewithadistantrelativeofhermother'sinasuburbofLondon；wastoconcertmeasureswiththisrelativeonthebestmethodofturningherjewelsintomoney；andwastofollowherconvicthusbandtotheAntipodes，underafeignedname，insixmonths'time。
　　Ifmyfamilyhadnotabandonedme，Ineednothavethuslefthertohelpherself。Asitwas，Ihadnochoice。Oneconsolationsupportedmeatparting——shewasinnodangerofpersecutionfromherfather。AsecondletterfromhimhadarrivedatCrickgelly，andhadbeenforwardedtotheaddressIhadleftforit。ItwasdatedHamburg，andbrieflytoldhertoremainatCrickgelly，andexpectfreshinstructions，explanations，andasupplyofmoney，assoonashehadsettledtheimportantbusinessmatterswhichhadtakenhimabroad。Hisdaughteransweredtheletter，tellinghimofhermarriage，andgivinghimanaddressatapost-officetowriteto，ifhechosetoreplytohercommunication。Therethematterrested。
　　WhatwasItodoonmyside？Nothingbutestablishareputationformildbehavior。Ibegantomanufactureacharacterformyselfforthefirstdaysofourvoyageoutintheconvict-ship；andI
　　landedatthepenalsettlementwiththereputationofbeingthemeekestandmostbiddableoffeloniousmankind。
　　Afterashortprobationaryexperienceofsuchlowconvictemploymentsaslime-burningandroad-mending，Iwasadvancedtooccupationsmoreinharmonywithmyeducation。WhateverIdid，I
　　neverneglectedthefirstgreatobligationofmakingmyselfagreeableandamusingtoeverybody。Mysocialreputationasagoodfellowbegantostandashighatoneendoftheworldaseveritstoodattheother。ThemonthspassedmorequicklythanI
　　haddaredtohope。Theexpirationofmyfirstyearoftransportationwasapproaching，andalreadypleasanthintsofmybeingsoonassignedtoprivateservicebegantoreachmyears。
　　ThiswasthefirstofthemanyendsIwasnowworkingfor；andthenextpleasantrealizationofmyhopesthatIhadtoexpect，wasthearrivalofAlicia。
　　Shecame，amonthlaterthanIhadanticipated；safeandblooming，withfivehundredpoundsastheproduceofherjewels，andwiththeoldCrickgellyaliaschangedfromMisstoMrs。
　　Giles，topreventanysuspicionsoftheconnectionbetweenus。
　　HerstoryconcoctedbymebeforeIleftEnglandwas，thatshewasawidowlady，whohadcometosettleinAustralia，andmakethemostofherlittlepropertyintheNewWorld。OneofthefirstthingsMrs。Gileswantedwasnecessarilyatrustworthyservant，andshehadtomakeherchoiceofoneamongtheconvictsofgoodcharacter，tobeassignedtoprivateservice。Beingoneofthathonorablebodymyselfatthetime，itisneedlesstosaythatI
　　wasthefortunatemanonwhomMrs。Giles'schoicefell。ThefirstsituationIgotinAustraliawasasservanttomyownwife。
　　Aliciamadeaveryindulgentmistress。
　　Ifshehadbeenmischievouslyinclined，shemight，byapplicationtoamagistrate，havehadmefloggedorsettoworkinchainsontheroads，wheneverIbecameidleorinsubordinate，whichhappenedoccasionally。Butinsteadofcomplaining，thekindcreaturekissedandmademuchofherfootmanbystealth，afterhisday'swork。Sheallowedhimnofemalefollowers，andonlyemployedonewoman-servantoccasionally，whowasbotholdandugly。ThenameofthefootmanwasDearinprivate，andFrancisincompany；andwhenthewidowedmistress，upstairs，refusedeligibleoffersofmarriagewhichwasprettyoften，thefavoreddomesticinthekitchenwasalwaysinformedofit，andasked，withthesweetesthumility，ifheapprovedoftheproceeding。
　　Nottodwellonthisanomalousperiodofmyexistence，letmesaybrieflythatmynewpositionwithmywifewasofthegreatestadvantageinenablingmetodirectinsecrettheprofitableusestowhichherlittlefortunewasput。
　　Webeganinthiswaywithanexcellentspeculationincattle——buyingthemforshillingsandsellingthemforpounds。
　　Withtheprofitsthusobtained，wenexttriedourhandsathouses——firstbuyinginasmallway，thenboldlybuilding，andlettingagainandsellingtogreatadvantage。Whilethesespeculationswereinprogress，mybehaviorinmywife'sservicewassoexemplary，andshegavemesoexcellentacharacterwhentheusualofficialinquirieswereinstituted，thatIsoongotthenextprivilegeaccordedtopersonsinmysituation——aticket-of-leave。BythetimethishadbeenagainexchangedforaconditionalpardonwhichallowedmetogoaboutwhereIpleasedinAustralia，andtotradeinmyownnamelikeanyunconvictedmerchantourhouse-propertyhadincreasedenormously，ourlandhadbeensoldforpublicbuildings，andwehadsharesinthefamousEmancipist'sBank，whichproducedquitealittleincomeofthemselves。
　　Therewasnownoneedtokeepthemaskonanylonger。
　　IwentthroughthesuperfluousceremonyofasecondmarriagewithAlicia；tookstoresinthecity；builtavillainthecountry；
　　andhereIamatthispresentmomentofwriting，aconvictaristocrat——aprosperous，wealthy，highlyrespectablemercantileman，withtwoyearsofmysentenceoftransportationstilltoexpire。Ihaveabaroucheandtwobayhorses，acoachmanandpageinneatliveries，threecharmingchildren，andaFrenchgoverness，aboudoirandlady's-maidformywife。Sheisashandsomeasever，butgettingalittlefat。SoamI，asaworthyfriendremarkedwhenIrecentlyappearedholdingtheplate，atourlastcharitysermon。
　　WhatwouldmysurvivingrelativesandassociatesinEnglandsay，iftheycouldseemenow？Ihaveheardofthematdifferenttimesandthroughvariouschannels。LadyMalkinshaw，afterlivingtothevergeofahundred，andsurvivingallsortsofaccidents，diedquietlyoneafternoon，inherchair，withanemptydishbeforeher，andwithoutgivingtheslightestnoticetoanybody。
　　Mr。Batterbury，havingsacrificedsomuchtohiswife'sreversion，profitednothingbyitsfallinginatlast。Hisquarrelswithmyamiablesister——whichtooktheirrisefromhisinterestedcharitiestowardme——endedinproducingaseparation。
　　And，farfromsavinganythingbyAnnabella'sinheritanceofherpin-money，hehadapositivelosstoputupwith，intheshapeofsomehundredsextractedyearlyfromhisincome，asalimonytohisuncongenialwife。Heissaidtomakeuseofshockinglanguagewhenevermynameismentioned，andtowishthathehadbeencarriedoffbytheyellowfeverbeforeheeverseteyesontheSoftlyfamily。
　　Myfatherhasretiredfrompractice。Heandmymotherhavegonetoliveinthecountry，nearthemansionoftheonlymarquiswithwhommyfatherwasactuallyandpersonallyacquaintedinhisprofessionaldays。Themarquisaskshimtodinneronceayear，andleavesacardformymotherbeforehereturnstotownfortheseason。AportraitofLadyMalkinshawhangsinthedining-room。
　　Inthisway，myparentsareendingtheirdayscontentedly。IcanhonestlysaythatIamgladtohearit。
　　DoctorDulcifer，whenIlastheardofhim，waseditinganewspaperinAmerica。OldFile，whosharedhisflight，stillshareshisfortunes，beingpublisherofhisnewspaper。YoungFileresumedcoiningoperationsinLondon；and，havingbravedhisfateasecondtime，threadedhisway，induecourse，uptothestepsofthescaffold。Screwcarriesontheprofitabletradeofinformer，inLondon。ThedismaldisappearanceofMillIhavealreadyrecorded。
　　Somuchonthesubjectofmyrelativesandassociates。Onthesubjectofmyself，Imightstillwriteonatconsiderablelength。
　　Butwhilethelibeloustitleof"AROGUE'SLIFE"staresmeinthefaceatthetopofthepage，howcanI，asarichandreputableman，beexpectedtocommunicateanyfurtherautobiographicalparticulars，inthisplace，toadiscerningpublicofreaders？
　　No，no，myfriends!Iamnolongerinteresting——Iamonlyrespectablelikeyourselves。Itistimetosay"Good-by。”