Theygotwithinahundredyardsofit，andallsawitplainly，scarcebelievingtheirsenses。
　　Whentheycouldgetnonearerforthewind，thecaptainyieldedtothatinstinctwhichurgesmanalwaystokillacuriosity，"toencouragetherest，"assaiththewittyVoltaire。"Getreadyagun——bestshotintheshiplayandfireit。"
　　Thiswassoondone。Bangwentthegun。Theshotstruckthewaterclosetothebrute，andmayhavestruckhimunderwater，foraughtIknow。Anyway，itsorelydisturbedhim；forherearedintotheairacolumnofserpent'sfleshthatlookedasthickasthemaintopmastofaseventy-four，openedamouththatlookedcapaciousenoughtoswallowthelargestbuoyanchorintheship，and，withastrangegratingnoisebetweenabarkandahiss，dived，andwasseennomore。
　　Whenhewasgone，theyalllookedatoneanotherlikemenawakingfromadream。
　　Stainesalonetookitquitecoolly。Itdidnotsurprisehimintheleast。Hehadalwaysthoughtitincrediblethattheboa-
　　constrictorshouldbelargerthananysea-snake。Thatideastruckhimasmonstrousandabsurd。Henotedthesea-serpentinhisjournal，butwiththisdoubt，"Semble——morelikeaverylargeeel。"
　　Nextdaytheycrossedtheline。JustbeforenoonayounggentlemanburstintoStaines'scabin，apologizingforwantofceremony；butifDr。Staineswouldliketoseetheline，itwasnowinsightfromthemizzentop。
　　"Gladofit，sir，"saidStaines；"collectitformeintheship'sbuckets，ifyouplease。IwanttosendALINEtofriendsathome。"
　　Younggentlemanburiedhishandsinhispockets，walkedoutinsolemnsilence，andresumedhispositiononthelee-sideofthequarter-deck。
　　Nevertheless，thisopening，coupledwithwhathehadheardandread，madeStainesalittleuneasy，andhewenttohisfriendFitzroy，andsaid，"Now，lookhere:Iamattheserviceofyouexperiencedandhumorousmariners。Ipleadguiltyatoncetothecrimeofneverhavingpassedtheline；so，makereadyyourswabs，andlatherme；yourship'sscraper，andshaveme；andletusgetitover。ButLordTadcasterisnervous，sensitive，prouderthanheseems，andI'mnotgoingtohavehimdrivenintoafitforalltheNeptunesandAmphitritesincreation。"
　　Fitzroyheardhimout，thenburstoutlaughing。"Why，thereisnoneofthatgameintheRoyalNavy，"saidhe。"Hasn'tbeenthistwentyyears。"
　　"I'msosorry，"saidDr。Staines。"Ifthere'saformofwitI
　　revere，itispracticaljoking。"
　　"Doctor，youareasatiricalbeggar。"
　　StainestoldTadcaster，andhewentforwardandchaffedhisfriendthequartermaster，whowasoneoftheforecastlewits。
　　"Isay，quartermaster，whydoesn'tNeptunecomeonboard?"
　　Deadsilence。
　　"IwonderwhathasbecomeofpooroldNep?"
　　"Goneashore!"growledtheseaman。"LastseeninRateliffHighway。
　　Gotashopthere——lendsashillinginthepoundonseamen'sadvancetickets。"
　　"Oh!andAmphitrite?"
　　"MarriedthesextonatWapping。"
　　"AndtheNereids?"
　　"Neruds!"scratchinghishead。"Iharn'tkeptmyeyeonthemsmallcraft。ButIBELIEVEtheyaresellingoystersintheportofLeith。"
　　Alightbreezecarriedthemacrosstheequator；butsoonaftertheygotbecalmed，anditwasdrearywork，andtheshiprolledgently，butcontinuously，andupsetLordTadcaster'sstomachagain，andquenchedhismanlyspirit。
　　Atlasttheywerefortunateenoughtocatchthesoutheasttrade，butitwassolanguidatfirstthattheshipbarelymovedthroughthewater，thoughtheyseteverystitch，andstuddingsailsalowandaloft，tillreallyshewasacresofcanvas。
　　Whileshewassocreepingalong，amaninthemizzentopnoticedanenormoussharkglidingsteadilyinherwake。Thismayseemasmallincident，yetitranthroughtheshiplikewildfire，andcausedmoreorlessuneasinessinthreehundredstouthearts；soneariseveryseamantodeath，andsostrongthepersuasionintheirsuperstitiousminds，thatasharkdoesnotfollowashippertinaciouslywithoutapropheticinstinctofcalamity。
　　Unfortunately，thequartermasterconveyedthisideatoLordTadcaster，andconfirmeditbynumerousexamplestoprovethattherewasalwaysdeathathandwhenasharkfollowedtheship。
　　ThereuponTadcastertookitintohisheadthathewasunderarelapse，andthesharkwaswaitingforhisdeadbody:hegotquitelow-spirited。
　　StainestoldFitzroy。Fitzroysaid，"Sharkbehanged!I'llhavehimondeckinhalfanhour。"Hegotleavefromthecaptain:ahookwasbaitedwithalargepieceofpork，andtowedasternbyastoutline，experiencedoldhandsattendingtoitbyturns。
　　Thesharkcameupleisurely，surveyedthebait，and，Iapprehend，ascertainedthepositionofthehook。Atallevents，heturnedquietlyonhisback，suckedthebaitoff，andretiredtoenjoyit。
　　Everyofficerintheshiptriedhiminturn，butwithoutsuccess；
　　for，iftheygotreadyforhim，and，themomenthetookthebait，jerkedtheropehard，inthatcaseheopenedhisenormousmouthsowidethatthebaitandhookcameoutclear。But，soonerorlater，healwaysgotthebait，andlefthiscaptorsthehook。
　　Thiswentonfordays，andhishugedorsalfinalwaysintheship'swake。
　　ThenTadcaster，whohadwatchedtheseexperimentswithhope，losthisspiritandappetite。
　　Stainesreasonedwithhim，butinvain。Somebodywastodie；and，althoughtherewerethreehundredandmoreintheship，hemustbetheone。Atlastheactuallymadehiswill，andthrewhimselfintoStaines'sarms，andgavehimmessagestohismotherandLadyCicely；andendedbyfrighteninghimselfintoafit。
　　ThisrousedStaines'spity，andalsoputhimonhismettle。What，sciencebebeatenbyashark!
　　Heponderedthematterwithallhismight；andatlastanideacametohim。
　　Heaskedthecaptain'spermissiontotryhishand。Thiswasaccordedimmediately，andtheship'sstoresplacedathisdisposalverypolitely，butwithasly，comicalgrin。
　　Dr。Stainesgotfromthecarpentersomesheetsofzincandsparecopper，andsomeflannel:thesehecutintothree-inchsquares，andsoakedtheflannelinacidulatedwater。Hethenprocuredaquantityofbell-wire，thegreaterpartofwhichheinsulatedbywrappingitroundwithhotguttapercha。Soeagerwashe，thathedidnotturninallnight。
　　Inthemorninghepreparedwhathecalledanelectricfuse——hefilledasoda-waterbottlewithgunpowder，attachingsomecorktomakeitbuoyant，putinthefuseandbung，madeitwater-tight，connectedandinsulatedhismainwires——envelopedthebottleinpork——tiedalinetoit，andletthebottleoverboard。
　　Thecaptainandofficersshooktheirheadsmysteriously。Thetarspeepedandgrinnedfromeveryropetoseeadoctortryandcatchasharkwithasoda-waterbottleandnohook；butsomehowthedoctorseemedtoknowwhathewasabout，sotheyhoveredround，andawaitedtheresult，mystified，butcurious，andshowingtheirteethfromeartoear。
　　"TheonlythingIfear，"saidStaines，"isthat，themomenthetakesthebait，hewillcutthewirebeforeIcancompletethecircuit，andfirethefuse。"
　　Nevertheless，therewasanotherobjectiontothesuccessoftheexperiment。Thesharkhaddisappeared。
　　"Well，"saidthecaptain，"atallevents，youhavefrightenedhimaway。"
　　"No，"saidlittleTadcaster，whiteasaghost；"heisonlyunderwater，Iknow；waiting——waiting。"
　　"Thereheis，"criedoneintheratlines。
　　Therewasarushtothetaffrail——greatexcitement。
　　"Keepclearofme，"saidStainesquietlybutfirmly。"Itcanonlybedoneatthemomentbeforehecutsthewire。"
　　Theoldsharkswamslowlyroundthebait。
　　Hesawitwassomethingnew。
　　Heswamroundandroundit。
　　"Hewon'ttakeit，"saidone。
　　"Hesuspectssomething。"
　　"Oh，yes，hewilltakethemeatsomehow，andleavethepepper。Slyoldfox!"
　　"HehaseatenmanyapoorJack，thatone。"
　　Thesharkturnedslowlyonhisback，and，insteadofgrabbingatthebait，seemedtodrawitbygentlesuctionintothatcapaciousthroat，readytoblowitoutinamomentifitwasnotallright。
　　Themomentthebaitwasdrawnoutofsight，Stainescompletedthecircuit；thebottleexplodedwithafurythatsurprisedhimandeverybodywhosawit；atonofwaterflewintotheair，andcamedowninspray，andagorycarcassfloated，bellyuppermost，visiblystainingthebluewater。
　　Therewasaroarofamazementandapplause。
　　Thecarcasswastowedalongside，atTadcaster'surgentrequest，andthenthepoweroftheexplosionwasseen。Confined，firstbythebottle，thenbythemeat，thenbythefish，andlastlybythewater，ithadexplodedwithtenfoldpower，hadblownthebrute'sheadintoamillionatoms，andhadeventornagreatfurrowinitscarcass，exposingthreefeetofthebackbone。
　　Taddygloatedonhisenemy，andbegantopickupagainfromthathour。
　　Thewindimproved，and，asusualinthatlatitude，scarcelyvariedapoint。Theyhadapleasanttime，——privatetheatricalsandotheramusementstilltheygottolatitude26deg。S。andlongitude27
　　deg。W。Thenthetradewinddesertedthem。Lightandvariablewindssucceeded。
　　Themastercomplainedofthechronometers，andthecaptainthoughtithisdutytoverifyorcorrectthem；andsoshapedhiscoursefortheislandofTristand'Acunha，thenlyingalittlewayoutofhiscourse。Iought，perhaps，toexplaintothegeneralreaderthattheexactpositionofthisislandbeinglongagoestablishedandrecorded，itwasaninfallibleguidetogobyinverifyingaship'schronometers。
　　Nextdaytheglassfellallday，andthecaptainsaidheshoulddouble-reeftopsailsatnightfall，forsomethingwasbrewing。
　　Theweather，however，wasfine，andtheshipwassailingveryfast，when，abouthalfanhourbeforesunset，themast-headmanhailedthattherewasabulkoftimberinsight，broadontheweather-bow。
　　Thesignalmanwassentup，andsaiditlookedlikearaft。
　　Thecaptain，whowasondeck，levelledhisglassatit，andmadeitoutaraft，withasortofrailtoit，andthestumpofamast。
　　Heorderedtheofficerofthewatchtokeeptheshipasclosetothewindaspossible。Heshouldliketoexamineitifhecould。
　　Themasterrepresented，respectfully，thatitwouldbeunadvisabletobeattowindwardforthat。"Ihavenofaithinourchronometers，sir，anditisimportanttomaketheislandbeforedark；fogsriseheresosuddenly。"
　　"Verywell，Mr。Bolt；thenIsupposewemustlettheraftgo。"
　　"MANONTHERAFTTOWINDWARD!"hailedthesignalman。
　　Thiselectrifiedtheship。Thecaptainranupthemizzenrigging，andscannedtheraft，nownearlyabeam。
　　"ItISaman!"hecried，andwasabouttoaltertheship'scoursewhen，atthatmoment，thesignalmanhailedagain，——
　　"ITISACORPSE。"
　　"Howd'yeknow?"
　　"Bythegulls。"
　　Thensucceededanexcitingdialoguebetweenthecaptainandthemaster，who，beinginhisdepartment，wasveryfirm；andwentsofarastosayhewouldnotanswerforthesafetyoftheship，iftheydidnotsightthelandbeforedark。
　　Thecaptainsaid，"Verywell，"andtookaturnortwo。Butatlasthesaid，"No。HerMajesty'sshipmustnotpassaraftwithamanonit，deadoralive。"
　　Hethenbegantogivethenecessaryorders；butbeforetheywerealloutofhismouth，afatalinterruptionoccurred。
　　TadcasterranintoDr。Staines'scabin，crying，"Araftwithacorpsecloseby!"
　　Stainessprangtothequarterporttosee，andcraningeagerlyout，thelowerportchain，whichhadnotbeenwellsecured，slipped，theportgaveway，andashiswholeweightrestedonit，cantedhimheadlongintothesea。
　　Asmartseamanintheforechainssawtheaccident，andinstantlyroaredout，"MANOVERBOARD!"acrythatsendsathrillthroughaship'sveryribs。
　　Anothersmartfellowcutthelife-buoyadriftsoquicklythatitstruckthewaterwithintenyardsofStaines。
　　Theofficerofthewatch，withouttheintervalofhalfamoment，gavetherightorders，inthevoiceofastentor；
　　"Letgolife-buoy。
　　"Life-boat'screwaway。
　　"Handsshortensail。
　　"Mainselup。
　　"Maintopseltomast。"
　　Theseorderswereexecutedwithadmirableswiftness。Meantimetherewasamightyrushoffeetthroughoutthefrigate，everyhatchwaywascrammedwithmeneagertoforcetheirwayondeck。
　　Infivesecondsthemiddyofthewatchandhalfhercrewwereintheleecutter，fittedwithClifford'sapparatus。
　　"Loweraway!"criedtheexcitedofficer；"theotherswillcomedownbythependants。"
　　Themanstationed，sittingonthebottomboards，easedawayroundly，whensuddenlytherewasahitch——theboatwouldgonofarther。
　　"Lowerawaythereinthecutter!Whydon'tyoulower?"screamedthecaptain，whohadcomeovertoleewardexpectingtoseetheboatinthewater。
　　"Theropehasswollen，sir，andthependantswon'tunreeve，"criedthemiddyinagony。
　　"Volunteersfortheweather-boat!"shoutedthefirstlieutenant；
　　buttheorderwasunnecessary，formorethanthepropernumberwereinheralready。
　　"Plugin——loweraway。"
　　Butmishapsnevercomesingly。Scarcelyhadthisboatgoneafootfromthedavit，thanthevolunteerwhowasactingascoxswain，inreachingoutforsomething，inadvertentlyletgotheline，which，inKynaston'sapparatus，keepsthetackleshooked；consequently，downwenttheboatandcrewtwentyfeet，withaterrificcrash；themenwerestrugglingfortheirlives，andtheboatwasstove。
　　But，meantime，moremenhavingbeensentintotheleecutter，theirweightcausedthependantstorender，andtheboatgotafloat，andwassoonemployedpickingupthestrugglingcrew。
　　Seeingthis，LieutenantFitzroycollectedsomehands，andloweredthelife-boatgig，whichwasfittedwithcommontackles，gotdownintoherhimselfbythefalls，andpullingroundtowindward，shoutedtothesignalmanfordirections。
　　Thesignalmanwasathispost，andhadfixedhiseyeonthemanoverboard，ashisdutywas；buthismess-matewasinthestoveboat，andhehadcastoneanxiouslookdowntoseeifhewassaved，and，sadtorelate，inthatonemomenthehadlostsightofStaines；thesuddendarkness——therewasnotwilight——confusedhimmore，andtheshiphadincreasedherdrift。
　　Fitzroy，however，madearapidcalculation，andpulledtowindwardwithallhismight。Hewasfollowedinaboutaminutebytheothersoundboatpowerfullymanned，andbothboatsmeltedawayintothenight。
　　Therewasalongandanxioussuspense，duringwhichitbecamepitchdark，andtheshipburnedbluelightstomarkherpositionmoreplainlytothecrewsthatweregropingtheseaforthatbelovedpassenger。
　　CaptainHamiltonhadnodoubtthatthefateofStaineswasdecided，onewayorother，longbeforethis；buthekeptquietuntilhesawtheplainsignsofasquallathand。Then，ashewasresponsibleforthesafetyofboatsandship，hesentuprocketstorecallthem。
　　Thecuttercamealongsidefirst。Lightswerepouredonher，andquaveringvoicesasked，"Haveyougothim?"
　　Theanswerwasdeadsilence，andsorrowful，droopingheads。
　　Sadlyandreluctantlywastheordergiventohoisttheboatin。
　　Thenthegigcamealongside。Fitzroyseatedinher，withhishandsbeforehisface；themengloomyandsad。
　　"GONE!GONE!"
　　Soontheshipwasbattlingaheavysquall。
　　Atmidnightallquietagain，andhoveto。Then，attherequestofmany，thebellwastolled，andtheship'scompanymusteredbareheaded，andmanyastoutseamanintears，asthelastservicewasreadforChristopherStaines。
　　CHAPTERXIV。
　　Rosafellillwithgriefatthehotel，andcouldnotmoveforsomedays；butthemomentshewasstrongenough，sheinsistedonleavingPlymouth:likeallwoundedthings，shemustdragherselfhome。
　　Butwhatahome!Howemptyitstruck，andsheheart-sickanddesolate。Nowallthefamiliarplacesworeanewaspect:thelittleyard，wherehehadsowalkedandwaited，becameatempletoher，andshecameoutandsatinit，andnowfirstfelttothefullhowmuchhehadsufferedthere——withwhatfortitude。Shecreptaboutthehouse，andkissedthechairhehadsatin，andeverymuch-usedplaceandthingofthedeparted。
　　Hershallownaturedeepenedanddeepenedunderthisbereavement，ofwhich，shesaidtoherself，withashudder，shewasthecause。Andthisisthecourseofnature；thereisnothinglikesufferingtoenlightenthegiddybrain，widenthenarrowmind，improvethetrivialheart。
　　Asherregretsweretenderanddeep，sohervowsofrepentanceweresincere。Oh，whatawifeshewouldmakewhenhecameback!howthoughtful!howprudent!howloyal!andneverhaveasecret。Shewhohadoncesaid，"Whatistheuseofyourwriting?nobodywillpublishit，"nowcollectedandperusedeverywrittenscrap。Withsimpleaffectionsheevenlockeduphisverywaste-paperbasket，fulloffragmentshehadtorn，oruselesspapershehadthrownthere，beforehewenttoPlymouth。
　　Inthedrawerofhiswriting-tableshefoundhisdiary。Itwasathickquarto:itbeganwiththeirmarriage，andendedwithhisleavinghome——forthenhetookanothervolume。ThisdiarybecameherBible；shestudieditdaily，tillhertearshidhislines。Theentrieswereverymiscellaneous，veryexact；itwasamapoftheirmarriedlife。Butwhatshestudiedmostwashisobservationsonherowncharacter，soscientific，yetsokindly；andhisscholar-
　　likeandwisereflections。Thebookwasanunconsciouspictureofagreatmindshehadhithertobutglancedat:nowshesawitallplainbeforeher；sawit，understoodit，adoredit，mournedit。
　　Suchwomenareshallow，notforwantofaheadupontheirshoulders，butofATTENTION。Theydonotreallystudyanything:
　　theyhavebeentaughtattheirschoolsthebadartofskimming；butlettheirheartscompeltheirbrainstothinkandthink，theresultisconsiderable。Thedeepestphilosopherneverfathomedacharactermorethoroughlythanthispoorchildfathomedherphilosopher，whenshehadreadhisjournaltenoreleventimes，andbedeweditwithathousandtears。
　　Onepassagealmostcuthermoreintelligentheartintwain:——
　　"ThisdarkdayIhavedoneathingincredible。IhavespokenwithbrutalharshnesstotheinnocentcreatureIhavesworntoprotect。
　　Shehadrunindebt，throughinexperience，andthatunhappytimiditywhichmakeswomenconcealanerrortillitramifies，byconcealment，intoafault；andImuststormandraveather，tillsheactuallyfaintedaway。Brute!Ruffian!Monster!Andshe，howdidshepunishme，poorlamb?Bysoftandtenderwords——likealady，assheis。Oh，mysweetRosa，Iwishyoucouldknowhowyouareavenged。Talkofthescourge——thecat!Iwouldbethankfulfortwodozenlashes。Ah!thereisnoneed，Ithink，topunishamanwhohasbeencrueltoawoman。Lethimalone。Hewillpunishhimselfmorethanyoucan，ifheisreallyaman。"
　　Fromthedateofthatentry，thisself-reproachandself-torturekeptcroppingupeverynowandtheninthediary；anditappearedtohavebeennotentirelywithoutitsinfluenceinsendingStainestosea，thoughthemainreasonhegavewasthathisRosamighthavethecomfortsandluxuriesshehadenjoyedbeforeshemarriedhim。
　　Oneday，whileshewascryingoverthisdiary，UnclePhilipcalled；
　　butnottocomforther，Ipromiseyou。Heburstonher，irate，totakehertotask。Hehadreturned，learnedChristopher'sdeparture，andsettledthereasoninhisownmind:thatuxoriousfoolwasgonetoseabyanaturalreaction；hiseyeswereopentohiswifeatlast，andhewassickofherfolly；sohehadfledtodistantclimes，aswhowouldnot，thatcould?
　　"SO，ma'am，"saidhe，"mynephewisgonetosea，Ifind——allinahurry。PraymayIaskwhathehasdonethatfor?"
　　Itwasaverysimplequestion，yetitdidnotelicitaveryplainanswer。Sheonlystaredatthisabruptinquisitor，andthencried，piteously，"Oh，UnclePhilip!"andburstoutsobbing。
　　"Why，whatisthematter?"
　　"YouWILLhatemenow。HeisgonetomakemoneyforME；andI
　　wouldratherhavelivedonacrust。Uncle——don'thateme。I'mapoor，bereaved，heart-brokencreature，thatrepents。"
　　"Repents!heigho!why，whathaveyoubeenuptonow，ma'am?Nogreatharm，I'llbebound。FlirtingalittlewithsomeFOOL——eh?"
　　"Flirting!Me!amarriedwoman。"
　　"Oh，tobesure；Iforgot。Why，surelyhehasnotdesertedyou。"
　　"MyChristopherdesertme!Helovesmetoowell；farmorethanI
　　deserve；butnotmorethanIwill。UnclePhilip，Iamtooconfusedandwretchedtotellyouallthathashappened；butIknowyoulovehim，thoughyouhadatiff:uncle，hecalledonyou，toshakehandsandaskyourforgiveness，poorfellow!Hewassosorryyouwereaway。Pleasereadhisdeardiary:itwilltellyouall，betterthanhispoorfoolishwifecan。Iknowitbyheart。I'llshowyouwhereyouandhequarrelledaboutme。There，see。"Andsheshowedhimthepassagewithherfinger。"Henevertoldmeitwasthat，orIwouldhavecomeandbeggedyourpardononmyknees。Butseehowsorryhewas。There，see。AndnowI'llshowyouanotherplace，wheremyChristopherspeaksofyourmany，manyactsofkindness。
　　There，see。Andnowpleaseletmeshowyouhowhelongedforreconciliation。There，see。Anditisthesamethroughthebook。
　　AndnowI'llshowyouhowgrievedhewastogowithoutyourblessing。ItoldhimIwassureyouwouldgivehimthat，andhimgoingaway。Ah，me!willheeverreturn?Uncledear，don'thateme。WhatshallIdo，nowheisgone，ifyoudisownme?Why，youaretheonlyStainesleftmetolove。"
　　"Disownyou，ma'am!thatI'llneverdo。Youareagood-heartedyoungwoman，Ifind。There，runanddryyoureyes；andletmereadChristopher'sdiaryallthrough。ThenIshallseehowthelandlies。"
　　Rosacompliedwithhisproposal；andlefthimalonewhileshebathedhereyes，andtriedtocomposeherself，forshewasalltremblingatthissuddenirruption。
　　Whenshereturnedtothedrawing-room，hewaswalkingabout，lookinggraveandthoughtful。
　　"Itistheoldstory，"saidhe，rathergently:"aMISUNDERSTANDING。
　　Howwiseourancestorswerethatfirstusedthatwordtomeanaquarrel!for，lookintotwentyquarrels，andyoushalldetectascoreofmis-under-standings。YetourAmericancousinsmustgoandsubstitutetheun-ideaedword'difficulty'；thatiswonderful。I
　　hadnoquarrelwithhim:delightedtoseeeitherofyou。ButIhadcalledtwiceonhim；soIthoughtheoughttogetoverhistemper，andcallonatriedfriendlikeme。Amisunderstanding!Now，mydear，letushavenomoreofthesemisunderstandings。Youwillalwaysbewelcomeatmyhouse，andIshalloftencomehereandlookafteryouandyourinterests。Whatdoyoumeantodo，Iwonder?"
　　"Sir，Iamtogohometomyfather，ifhewillbetroubledwithme。
　　Ihavewrittentohim。"
　　"AndwhatistobecomeoftheBijou?"
　　"MyChristiethoughtIshouldliketopartwithit，andthefurniture——buthisownwriting-deskandhischair，no，Ineverwill，andhislittleclock。Oh!oh!oh!——ButIrememberwhatyousaidaboutagents，andIdon'tknowwhattodo；forIshallbeaway。"
　　"Then，leaveittome。I'llcomeandliveherewithoneservant；
　　andI'llsoonsellitforyou。"
　　"You，UnclePhilip!"
　　"Well，whynot?"saidheroughly。
　　"Thatwillbeagreattroubleanddiscomforttoyou，I'mafraid。"
　　"IfIfinditso，I'llsoondropit。I'mnotthefooltoputmyselfoutforanybody。Whenyouarereadytogoout，sendmeword，andI'llcomein。"
　　Soonafterthishebustledoff。Hegaveherasortofhurriedkissatparting，asifhewasashamedofit，andwanteditoverasquicklyaspossible。
　　Nextdayherfathercame，condoledwithherpolitely，assuredhertherewasnothingtocryabout；husbandswereasortoffunctionariesthatgenerallywenttoseaatsomepartoftheircareer，andnoharmevercameofit。Onthecontrary，"Absencemakestheheartgrowfonder，"saidthisjudiciousparent。
　　Thissentimenthappenedtobejustalittletootrue，andsetthedaughtercryingbitterly。Butshefoughtagainstit。"Ohno!"
　　saidshe，"IMUSTN'T。IwillnotbealwayscryinginKentVilla。"
　　"Lordforbid!"
　　"Ishallgetoveritintime——alittle。"
　　"Why，ofcourseyouwill。ButastoyourcomingtoKentVilla，I
　　amafraidyouwouldnotbeverycomfortablethere。YouknowIamsuperannuated。Onlygotmypensionnow。"
　　"Iknowthat，papa:and——why，thatisoneofthereasons。Ihaveagoodincomenow；andIthoughtifweputourmeanstogether"——
　　"Oh，thatisaverydifferentthing。Youwillwantacarriage，I
　　suppose。Ihaveputminedown。"
　　"Nocarriage；nohorse；nofootman；noluxuryofanykindtillmyChristiecomesback。Iabhordress；Iabhorexpense；IloatheeverythingIoncelikedtoowell；Idetesteveryfollythathaspartedus；andIhatemyselfworstofall。Oh!oh!oh!Forgivemeforcryingso。"
　　"Well，Idaresaythereareassociationsaboutthisplacethatupsetyou。Ishallgoandmakereadyforyou，dear；andthenyoucancomeassoonasyoulike。"
　　Hebestowedapaternalkissonherbrow，andglideddoucelyawaybeforeshecouldpossiblycryagain。
　　TheverynextweekRosawasatKentVilla，withtherelicsofherhusbandabouther；hischair，hiswriting-table，hisclock，hiswaste-paperbasket，averydeepandlargeone。ShehadthemallinherbedroomatKentVilla。
　　Herethedaysglidedquietlybutheavily。
　　ShederivedsomecomfortfromUnclePhilip。Hisrough，friendlywaywasatonic，andbracedher。HecalledseveraltimesabouttheBijou。Toldherhehadputupenormousboardsalloverthehouse，andpuffeditfinely。"Ihavehadahundredagentsatme，"saidhe；"andthenextthing，Ihope，willbeonecustomer；thatisabouttheproportion。"Atlasthewroteherhehadhookedavictim，andsoldtheleaseandfurnitureforninehundredguineas。
　　StaineshadassignedtheleasetoRosa，soshehadfullpowers；andPhilipinvestedthemoney，andtwohundredmoreshegavehim，inalittlemortgageatsixpercent。
　　NowcametheletterfromMadeira。Itgavehernewlife。
　　Christopherwaswell，contented，hopeful。Hisexampleshouldanimateher。Shewouldbravelybearthepresent，andsharehishopesofthefuture:withthesebrighterviewsNatureco-operated。
　　Theinstinctsofapproachingmaternitybrightenedthefuture。Shefellintogentlereveries，andsawherhusbandreturn，andsawherselfplacetheirinfantinhisarmswithallawife's，amother'spride。
　　Induecoursecameanotherlongletterfromtheequator，withafulljournal，andmorewordsofhope。Homeinlessthanayear，withreputationincreasedbythislastcure；home，topartnomore。
　　Ah!whatachangedwifeheshouldfind!howfrugal，howcandid，howfullofappreciation，admiration，andlove，ofthenoblest，dearesthusbandthateverbreathed!
　　LadyCicelyTrehernewaitedsomeweeks，toletkindersentimentsreturn。ShethencalledinDearStreet，butfoundMrs。StaineswasgonetoGravesend。Shewrotetoher。
　　Inafewdaysshereceivedareply，studiouslypoliteandcold。
　　Thispersistentinjusticemortifiedheratlast。Shesaidtoherself，"DoesshethinkhisdeparturewasnolosstoME?Itwastoherinterests，aswellashis，Isacrificedmyownselfishwishes。Iwillwritetohernomore。"
　　Thisresolutionshesteadilymaintained。Itwasshakenforamoment，whensheheard，byasidewind，thatMrs。Staineswasfastapproachingthegreatpainandperilofwomen。Thenshewavered。
　　Butno。SheprayedforherbynameintheLiturgy，butshetroubledhernomore。
　　Thisstateofthingslastedsomesixweeks，whenshereceivedaletterfromhercousinTadcaster，closeontheheelsofhislast，towhichshehadrepliedasIhaveindicated。Sheknewhishandwriting，andopeneditwithasmile。
　　Thatsmilesoondiedoffherhorror-strickenface。Theletterranthus:——
　　TRISTAND'ACUNHA，Jan。5。
　　DEARCICELY，——Aterriblethinghasjusthappened。Wesignalledaraft，withabodyonit，andpoorDr。Stainesleanedoutoftheport-hole，andfelloverboard。Threeboatswereletdownafterhim；butitallwentwrong，somehow，oritwastoolate。Theycouldneverfindhim，hewasdrowned；andthefuneralservicewasreadforthepoorfellow。
　　Weareallsadlycutup。Everybodylovedhim。Itwasdreadfulnextdayatdinner，whenhischairwasempty。Theverysailorscriedatnotfindinghim。
　　Firstofall，IthoughtIoughttowritetohiswife。Iknowwhereshelives；itiscalledKentVilla，Gravesend。ButIwasafraid；
　　itmightkillher:andyouaresogoodandsensible，IthoughtI
　　hadbetterwritetoyou，andperhapsyoucouldbreakittoherbydegrees，beforeitgetsinallthepapers。
　　Isendthisfromtheisland，byasmallvessel，andpaidhimtenpoundstotakeit。
　　Youraffectionatecousin，TADCASTER。
　　Wordsarepowerlesstodescribeablowlikethis:theamazement，thestupor，thereluctancetobelieve——therising，swelling，surginghorror。Shesatlikeawomanofstone，crumplingtheletter。"Dead!——dead?"
　　Foralongtimethiswasallhermindcouldrealize——thatChristopherStaineswasdead。Hewhohadbeensofulloflifeandthoughtandgenius，andworthiertolivethanalltheworld，wasdead；andamillionnobodieswerestillalive，andhewasdead。
　　Shelaybackonthesofa，andallthepowerleftherlimbs。Shecouldnotmoveahand。
　　Butsuddenlyshestartedup；foranobleinstincttoldherthisblowmustnotfallonthewifeasithadonher，andinhertimeofperil。
　　Shehadherbonnetoninamoment，andforthefirsttimeinherlife，dartedoutofthehousewithouthermaid。Sheflewalongthestreets，scarcelyfeelingtheground。ShegottoDearStreet，andobtainedPhilipStaines'saddress。Sheflewtoit，andtherelearnedhewasdownatKentVilla。InstantlyshetelegraphedtohermaidtocomedowntoheratGravesend，withthingsforashortvisit，andwaitforheratthestation；andshewentdownbytraintoGravesend。
　　Hithertoshehadwalkedonair，drivenbyoneoverpoweringimpulse。
　　Now，asshesatinthetrain，shethoughtalittleofherself。
　　Whatwasbeforeher?TobreaktoMrs。Stainesthatherhusbandwasdead。Totellherallhermisgivingsweremorethanjustified。Toencounterhercoldcivility，andletherknow，inchbyinch，itmustbeexchangedforcursesandtearingofhair；herhusbandwasdead。Totellherthis，andinthetellingofit，perhapsrevealthatitwasHERgreatbereavement，aswellasthewife's，forshehadadeeperaffectionforhimthansheought。
　　Well，shetrembledlikeanaspenleaf，trembledlikeoneinanague，evenasshesat。Butshepersevered。
　　Anoblewomanhashercourage；notexactlythesameasthatwhichleadsforlornhopesagainstbastionsbristlingwithriflesandtonguedwithflamesandthunderbolts；yetnotinferiortoit。
　　Tadcaster，smallanddull，butnoblebybirthandinstinct，hadseentherightthingforhertodo；andshe，ofthesamebreed，andnoblerfar，hadseenittoo；andthegreatsoulsteadilydrewtherecoilingheartandquiveringbodytothisfierytrial，thisactofhumanity——todowhichwasterribleandhard，toshirkit，cowardlyandcruel。
　　ShereachedGravesend，anddroveinaflytoKentVilla。