Inshort，theyforcedthetenpoundsonhim，andnextdaywenttoworkonanotherkopje。
　　Butthesimplefarmer'sconsciencesmotehim。Itwasaslacktime；
　　sohesentfourHotteatots，withshovels，tohelpthesefriendlymaniacs。Theseworkedawaygayly，andthewhitemensetupasortingtable，andsortedthestuff，andhammeredthenodules，andatlastfoundalittlestoneasbigasapeathatrefractedthelight。StainesshowedthistotheHottentots，andtheirquickeyesdiscoveredtwomorethatday，onlysmaller。
　　Nextday，nothingbutasplinterortwo。
　　ThenStainesdeterminedtodigdeeper，contrarytothegeneralimpression。Hegavehisreason:"Diamondsdon'tfallfromthesky。
　　Theyworkupfromtheground；andclearlytheheatmustbegreaterfartherdown。"
　　Actingonthis，theytriedthenextstrata，butfounditentirelybarren。Afterthat，however，theycametoafreshlayerofcarbonate，andhere，Falconhammeringalargelumpofconglomerate，outleaped，allofasudden，adiamondbigasanut，thatranalongtheearth，gleaminglikeastar。Ithadpolishedanglesandnaturalfacets，andevenanovice，withaneyeinhishead，couldseeitwasadiamondofthepurestwater。StainesandFalconshoutedwithdelight，andmadetheblacksapresentonthespot。
　　Theyshowedtheprize，atnight，andbeggedthefarmertotaketodigging。Therewastentimesmoremoneybeneathhissoilthanonit。
　　Nothe。Hewasafarmer:didnotbelieveindiamonds。Twodaysafterwards，anothergreatfind。Sevensmalldiamonds。
　　Nextday，astoneaslargeasacob-nut，andwithstrangeandbeautifulstreaks。Theycarriedithometodinner，andsetitonthetable，andtoldthefamilyitwasworthathousandpounds。
　　Bulteelscarcelylookedatit；butthevrowtrembledandalltheyoungfolkgloweredatit。
　　Inthemiddleofdinner，itexplodedlikeacracker，andwentliterallyintodiamond-dust。
　　"Deregoesvontousandpounds，"saidBulteel，withoutmovingamuscle。
　　Falconswore。ButStainesshowedfortitude。"Itwaslaminated，"
　　saidhe，"andexposuretotheairwasfatal。"
　　OwingtotheinvaluableassistanceoftheHottentots，theyhadinlessthanamonthcollectedfourlargestonesofpurewater，andawineglassfulofsmallstones，when，onefineday，goingtoworkcalmlyafterbreakfast，theyfoundsometentspitched，andatleastascoreofdirtydiggers，beardedlikethepard，atworkontheground。StainessentFalconbacktotellBulteel，andsuggestthatheshouldatonceorderthemoff，or，betterstill，maketermswiththem。ThephlegmaticBoerdidneither。
　　Intwenty-fourhoursitwastoolate。Theplacewasrushed。Inotherwords，diggersswarmedtothespot，withnoideaoflawbutdigger'slaw。
　　Athousandtentsroselikemushrooms；andpoorBulteelstoodsmoking，andstaringamazed，athisowndoor，andsawaveritableprocessionofwagons，Capecarts，andpowderedtravellersfilepasthimtotakepossessionofhishillocks。Him，theproprietor，theysimplyignored；theyhadacommitteewhoweretodealwithallobstructions，landlordsandtenantsincluded。TheythemselvesmeasuredoutBulteel'sfarmintothirty-footclaims，andwenttoworkwithshovelandpick。TheyheldStaines'sclaimsacred——thatwasdiggers'law；buttheyconfineditstrictlytothirtyfeetsquare。
　　Hadthefriendsresisted，theirbrainswouldhavebeenknockedout。
　　However，theygainedthis，thatdealerspouredin，andthemarketnotbeingyetglutted，thepricewasgood。Stainessoldafewofthesmallstonesfortwohundredpounds。Heshowedoneofthelargerstones。Thedealer'seyeglittered，butheofferedonlythreehundredpounds，andthiswassowideoftheascendingscale，onwhichastoneofthatimportanceispriced，thatStainesreserveditforsaleatCapeTown。
　　Nevertheless，heafterwardsdoubtedwhetherhehadnotbetterhavetakenit；forthemultitudeofdiggersturnedoutsuchaprodigiousnumberofdiamondsatBulteel'span，thatasortofpanicfellonthemarket。
　　Thesedrydiggingswerearevelationtotheworld。Menbegantothinkthediamondperhapswasacommonerstonethananyonehaddreamedittobe。
　　Astothediscoveryofstones，StainesandFalconlostnothingbybeingconfinedtoathirty-footclaim。Compelledtodigdeeper，theygotintoarichstrata，wheretheyfoundgarnetsbythepint，andsomesmalldiamonds，andatlast，oneluckyday，theirlargestdiamond。Itweighedthirty-sevencarats，andwasarichyellow。
　　Now，whenadiamondiscloudedoroffcolor，itisterriblydepreciated；butadiamondwithapositivecoloriscalledafancystone，andrankswiththepureststones。
　　"IwishIhadthisinCapeTown，"saidStaines。
　　"Why，I'lltakeittoCapeTown，ifyoulike，"saidthechangeableFalcon。
　　"Youwill?"saidChristopher，surprised。
　　"Whynot?I'mnotmuchofadigger。Icanserveourinterestbetterbyselling。IcouldgetathousandpoundsforthisatCapeTown。"
　　"Wewilltalkofthatquietly，"saidChristopher。
　　Now，thefactis，Falcon，asadigger，wasnotworthapin。Hecouldnotsort。Hiseyeswouldnotbeartheblindingglareofatropicalsunuponlimeanddazzlingbitsofmica，quartz，crystal，whitetopaz，etc。，inthemidstofwhichthetrueglintoftheroyalstonehadtobecaughtinamoment。Hecouldnotsort，andhehadnotthehearttodig。Theonlywaytomakehimearnhishalfwastoturnhimintothetravellingandsellingpartner。
　　Christopherwastoogeneroustotellhimthis；butheactedonit，andsaidhethoughthiswasanexcellentproposal；indeed，hehadbettertakeallthediamondstheyhadgottoDale'sKlooffirst，andshowthemtohiswife，forherconsolation:"Andperhaps，"saidhe，"inamatterofthisimportance，shewillgotoCapeTownwithyou，andtrythemarketthere。"
　　"Allright，"saidFalcon。
　　Hesatandbroodedoverthematteralongtime，andsaid，"Whymaketwobitesofacherry?TheywillonlygiveushalfthevalueatCapeTown；whynotgobythesteamertoEngland，beforetheLondonmarketisglutted，andalltheworldfindsoutthatdiamondsareascommonasdirt?"
　　"GotoEngland!What!withoutyourwife?I'llneverbeapartytothat。Mepartmanandwife!Ifyouknewmyownstory"——
　　"Why，whowantsyou?"saidReginald。"Youdon'tunderstand。
　　PhoebeisdyingtovisitEnglandagain；butshehasgotnoexcuse。
　　Ifyouliketogiveherone，shewillbemuchobligedtoyou，Icantellyou。"
　　"Oh，thatisaverydifferentmatter。IfMrs。Falconcanleaveherfarm——"
　　"Oh，thatbruteofabrotherofhersisaveryhonestfellow，forthatmatter。Shecantrustthefarmtohim。Besides，itisonlyamonth'svoyagebythemailsteamer。"
　　ThissuggestionofFalcon'ssetChristopher'sheartbounding，andhiseyesglistening。Butherestrainedhimself，andsaid，"Thistakesmebysurprise；letmesmokeapipeoverit。"
　　Henotonlydidthat，buthelayawakeallnight。
　　Thefactisthatforsometimepast，Christopherhadfeltsharptwingesofconscience，anddeepmisgivingsastothecoursehehadpursuedinleavinghiswifeasingledayinthedark。Completeconvalescencehadclearedhismoralsentiments，andperhaps，afterall，thediscoveryofthediamondshadco-operated；sincenowtheinsurancemoneywasnolongernecessarytokeephiswifefromstarving。
　　"Ah!"saidhe；"faithisagreatquality；andhowIhavelackedit!"
　　Todohimjustice，heknewhiswife'sexcitablenature，andwasnotwithoutfearsofsomedisaster，shouldthenewsbecommunicatedtoherunskilfully。
　　ButthisproposalofFalcon'smadethewayclearer。Mrs。Falcon，thoughnotalady，hadallalady'sdelicacy，andallawoman'stactandtenderness。HeknewnooneintheworldmorefittobetrustedwiththedelicatetaskofbreakingtohisRosathatthegrave，foronce，wasbaffled，andherhusbandlived。HenowbecamequiteanxiousforFalcon'sdeparture，andardentlyhopedthatworthyhadnotdeceivedhimselfastoMrs。Falcon'sdesiretovisitEngland。
　　Inshort，itwassettledthatFalconshouldstartforDale'sKloof，takingwithhimthediamonds，believedtobeworthaltogetherthreethousandpoundsatCapeTown，andnearlyasmuchagaininEngland，andalonglettertoMrs。Falcon，inwhichStainesrevealedhistruestory，toldherwheretofindhiswife，orhearofher，viz。，atKentVilla，Gravesend，andsketchedanoutlineofinstructionsastotheway，andcunningdegrees，bywhichthejoyfulnewsshouldbebrokentoher。WiththishesentalonglettertobegiventoRosaherself，butnottillsheshouldknowall:andinthisletterheenclosedtherubyringshehadgivenhim。Thatringhadneverlefthisfinger，byseaorland，insicknessorhealth。
　　ThelettertoRosawassealed。Thetwolettersmadequiteapacket；for，inthelettertohisbelovedRosa，hetoldhereverythingthathadbefallenhim。Itwasaromance，andapictureoflove；alettertoliftalovingwomantoheaven，andalmostreconcilehertoallherbereavedhearthadsuffered。
　　Thisletter，writtenwithmanytearsfromtheheartthathadsosuffered，andwasnowsoftenedbygoodfortuneandboundingwithjoy，StainesentrustedtoFalcon，togetherwiththeotherdiamonds，andwithmanywarmshakingsofthehand，startedhimonhisway。
　　"Butmind，Falcon，"saidChristopher，"IshallexpectananswerfromMrs。Falconintwentydaysatfarthest。IdonotfeelsosureasyoudothatshewantstogotoEngland；and，ifnot，ImustwritetoUnclePhilip。Givemeyoursolemnpromise，oldfellow，ananswerintwentydays——ifyouhavetosendaKafironhorseback。"
　　"Igiveyoumyhonor，"saidFalconsuperbly。
　　"SendittomeatBulteel'sFarm。"
　　"Allright。'Dr。Christie，Bulteel'sFarm。'"
　　"Well——no。WhyshouldIconcealmyrealnameanylongerfromsuchfriendsasyouandyourwife?ChristieisshortforChristopher——
　　thatISmyChristianname；butmysurnameisStaines。Writeto'Dr。Staines。'"
　　"Dr。Staines!"
　　"Yes。Didyoueverhearofme?"
　　Falconworeastrangelook。"IalmostthinkIhave。DownatGravesend，orsomewhere。"
　　"Thatiscurious。Yes，ImarriedmyRosathere；poorthing!Godblessher；Godcomforther。Shethinksmedead。"
　　Hisvoicetrembled，hegraspedFalcon'scoldhandtillthelatterwincedagain，andsotheyparted，andFalconrodeoffmuttering，"Dr。Staines!sothenYOUareDr。Staines。"
　　CHAPTERXXII。
　　RosaStaineshadyouthonherside，anditisanoldsayingthatyouthwillnotbedenied。Youthstruggledwithdeathforher，andwonthebattle。
　　Butshecameoutofthatterriblefightweakasachild。Thesweetpaleface，thewidow'scap，thesuitofdeepblack——itwaslongerethesecamedownfromthesickroom。Andwhentheydid，oh，thedeadblank!Theweary，listlesslife!Thedaysspentinsighs，andtears，anddesolation。Solitude!solitude!Herhusbandwasgone，andastrangewomanplayedthemothertoherchildbeforehereyes。
　　UnclePhilipwasdevotedlykindtoher，andsowasherfather；buttheycoulddonothingforher。
　　Monthsrolledon，andskinnedthewoundover。Monthscouldnotheal。Herboybecamedeareranddearer，anditwasfromhimcamethefirstrealdropsofcomfort，howeverfeeble。
　　Sheusedtoreadherlostone'sdiaryeveryday，andworship，indeepsorrow，themindshehadscarcelyrespecteduntilitwastoolate。Shesearchedinhisdiarytofindhiswill，andoftenshemournedthathehadwrittenonitsofewthingsshecouldobey。
　　Herdesiretoobeythedead，whom，living，shehadoftendisobeyed，wasreallysimpleandtouching。Shewouldmourntoherfatherthatthereweresofewcommandstoherinhisdiary。"But，"saidshe，"memorybringsmebackhiswillinmanythings，andtoobeyisnowtheonlysadcomfortIhave。"
　　Itwasinthisspiritshenowforcedherselftokeepaccounts。Nofearofherwearingstaysnow；nopowder；notrimmings；nowaste。
　　Aftertheusualdelay，herfathertoldhersheshouldinstructasolicitortoapplytotheinsurancecompanyforthesixthousandpounds。Sherefusedwithaburstofagony。"Thepriceofhislife，"shescreamed。"Never!I'dliveonbreadandwatersoonerthantouchthatvilemoney。"
　　Herfatherremonstratedgently。Butshewasimmovable。"No。Itwouldbelikeconsentingtohisdeath。"
　　ThenUnclePhilipwassentfor。
　　Hesetherchildonherknee；andgaveherapen。"Come，"saidhe，sternly，"beawoman，anddoyourdutytolittleChristie。"
　　Shekissedtheboy，cried，anddidherdutymeekly。Butwhenthemoneywasbroughther，sheflewtoUnclePhilip，andsaid，"There!
　　there!"andthrewitallbeforehim，andcriedasifherheartwouldbreak。Hewaitedpatiently，andaskedherwhathewastodowithallthat:investit?
　　"Yes，yes；formylittleChristie。"
　　"Andpayyoutheinterestquarterly。"
　　"Oh，no，no。Dribbleusoutalittleaswewantit。Thatisthewaytobetrulykindtoasimpleton。Ihatethatword。"
　　"AndsupposeIrunoffwithit?Suchconfidinggeeseasyoucorruptaman。"
　　"Ishallnevercorruptyou。Crustypeoplearethesoulofhonor。"
　　"Crustypeople!"criedPhilip，affectingamazement。"Whatarethey?"
　　Shebitherlipandcoloredalittle；butansweredadroitly，"Theyarepeoplethatpretendnottohavegoodhearts，buthavethebestintheworld；farbetteronesthanyoursmoothones:that'scrustypeople。"
　　"Verywell，"saidPhilip；"andI'lltellyouwhatsimpletonsare。
　　Theyarelittletransparent-lookingcreaturesthatlookshallow，butareasdeepasOldNick，andmakeyoulovetheminspiteofyourjudgment。Theyarethemostartfuloftheirsex；fortheyalwaysachieveitsgreatobject，tobeloved——theverythingthatcleverwomensometimesfailin。"
　　"Well，andifwearenottobeloved，whyliveatall——suchuselessthingsasIam?"saidRosasimply。
　　SoPhiliptookchargeofhermoney，andagreedtohelphersavemoneyforherlittleChristopher。Povertyshouldneverdestroyhim，asithadhisfather。
　　Asmonthsrolledon，shecreptoutintopublicalittle；butalwaysonfoot，andaverylittlewayfromhome。
　　Youthandsoberlifegraduallyrestoredherstrength，butnothercolor，norherbuoyancy。
　　Yetshewasperhapsmorebeautifulthanever；foraholysorrowchastenedandsublimedherfeatures:itwasnowasweet，angelic，pensivebeauty，thatinterestedeveryfeelingpersonataglance。
　　Shewouldvisitnoone；butatwelvemonthafterherbereavement，shereceivedafewchosenvisitors。
　　Onedayayounggentlemancalled，andsentuphiscard，"LordTadcaster，"withanotefromLadyCicelyTreherne，fullofkindlyfeeling。UnclePhiliphadreconciledhertoLadyCicely；buttheyhadnevermet。
　　Mrs。StaineswasmuchagitatedattheverynameofLordTadcaster；
　　butshewouldnothavemissedseeinghimfortheworld。
　　Shereceivedhimwithherbeautifuleyeswideopen，todrinkineverylineamentofonewhohadseenthelastofherChristopher。
　　Tadcasterwaswonderfullyimproved:hehadgrownsixinchesoutatsea，andthoughstillshort，wasnotdiminutive；hewasasmallApollo，amodelofsymmetry，andhadanengaging，girlishbeauty，redeemedfromdownrighteffeminacybyagoldenmustachelikesilk，andatannedcheekthatbecamehimwonderfully。
　　HeseemeddazzledatfirstbyMrs。Staines，butmurmuredthatLadyCicelyhadtoldhimtocome，orhewouldnothaveventured。
　　"Whocanbesowelcometomeasyou?"saidshe，andthetearscamethickinhereyesdirectly。
　　Soon，hehardlyknewhow，hefoundhimselftalkingofStaines，andtellingherwhatafavoritehewas，andallthecleverthingshehaddone。
　　Thetearsstreameddownhercheeks，butshebeggedhimtogoontellingher，andomitnothing。
　　Hecompliedheartily，andwasevensomovedbythetellingofhisfriend'svirtues，andhertearsandsobs，thathemingledhistearswithhers。Sherewardedhimbygivinghimherhandassheturnedawayhertearfulfacetoindulgethefreshburstofgriefhissympathyevoked。
　　Whenhewasleaving，shesaid，inhersimpleway，"Blessyou"——
　　"Comeagain，"shesaid:"youhavedoneapoorwidowgood。"
　　LordTadcasterwassointerestedandcharmed，hewouldgladlyhavecomebacknextdaytoseeher；butherestrainedthatextravagance，andwaitedaweek。
　　Thenhevisitedheragain。Hehadobservedthevillawasnotrichinflowers，andhetookherdownamagnificentbouquet，cutfromhisfather'shot-houses。Atsightofhim，oratsightofit，orboth，thecolorroseforonceinherpalecheek，andherpensivefaceworeasweetexpressionofsatisfaction。Shetookhisflowers，andthankedhimforthem，andforcomingtoseeher。
　　Soontheygotontheonlytopicshecaredfor，and，inthecourseofthissecondconversation，hetookherintohisconfidence，andtoldherheowedeverythingtoDr。Staines。"Iwasonthewrongroadaltogether，andheputmeright。Totellyouthetruth，I
　　usedtodisobeyhimnowandthen，whilehewasalive，andIwasalwaystheworseforit；nowheisgone，Ineverdisobeyhim。I
　　havewrittendownalotofwise，kindthingshesaidtome，andI
　　nevergoagainstanyoneofthem。Icallitmybookoforacles。
　　Dearme，Imighthavebroughtitwithme。"
　　"Oh，yes!whydidn'tyou?"ratherreproachfully。
　　"Iwillbringitnexttime。"
　　"Praydo。"
　　Thenshelookedathimwithherlovelyswimmingeyes，andsaidtenderly，"Andsohereisanotherthatdisobeyedhimliving，butobeyshimdead。WhatwillyouthinkwhenItellyouthatI，hiswife，whonowworshiphimwhenitistoolate，oftenthwartedandvexedhimwhenhewasalive?"
　　"No，no。Hetoldmeyouwereanangel，andIbelieveit。"
　　"Anangel!agood-for-nothing，foolishwoman，whoseeseverythingtoolate。"
　　"Nobodyelseshouldsaysobeforeme，"saidthelittlegentlemangrandly。"IshalltakeHISwordbeforeyoursonthisonesubject。
　　Ifevertherewasanangel，youareone；andoh，whatwouldIgiveifIcouldbutsayordoanythingintheworldtocomfortyou!"
　　"YoucandonothingforME，dear，butcomeandseemeoften，andtalktomeasyoudo——ontheonesadthememybrokenhearthasroomfor。"
　　ThisinvitationdelightedLordTadcaster，andthesweetword"dear，"fromherlovelylips，enteredhisheart，andranthroughallhisveinslikesomerapturousbutdangerouselixir。Hedidnotsaytohimself，"Sheisawidowwithachild，feelsoldwithgrief，andlooksonmeasaboywhohasbeenkindtoher。"Suchprudenceandwarinesswerehardlytobeexpectedfromhisage。Hehadadmiredheratfirstsight，verynearlylovedherattheirfirstinterview，andnowthissweetwordopenedaheavenlyvista。Thegenerousheartthatbeatinhissmallframeburnedtoconsoleherwithalife-longdevotionandallthesweetofficesoflove。
　　HeorderedhisyachttoGravesend——forhehadbecomeasailor——andthenhecalledonMrs。Staines，andtoldher，withasortofsheepishcunning，thatnow，ashisyachtHAPPENEDtobeatGravesend，hecouldcomeandseeherveryoften。Hewatchedhertimidly，toseehowshewouldtakethatproposition。
　　Shesaid，withtheutmostsimplicity，"I'mverygladofit。"
　　Thenheproducedhisoracles；andshedevouredthem。SuchpreceptstoTadcasterasshecouldapplytoherowncasesheinstantlynotedinhermemory，andtheybecameherlawfromthatmoment。
　　Then，inhersimplicity，shesaid，"AndIwillshowyousomethings，inhisownhandwriting，thatmaybegoodforyou；butI
　　can'tshowyouthewholebook:someofitissacredfromeveryeyebuthiswife's。Hiswife's?Ahme!hiswidow's。"
　　Thenshepointedoutpassagesinthediarythatshethoughtmightbeforhisgood；andhenestledtoherside，andfollowedherwhitefingerwithlovingeyes，andwasinanelysium——whichshewouldcertainlyhaveputastoptoatthattime，hadshedivinedit。Butallwisdomdoesnotcomeatoncetoanunguardedwoman。RosaStaineswaswiseraboutherhusbandthanshehadbeen，butshehadplentytolearn。
　　LordTadcasteranchoredoffGravesend，andvisitedMrs。Stainesnearlyeveryday。Shereceivedhimwithapleasurethatwasnotatalllively，butquiteundisguised。Hecouldnotdoubthiswelcome；
　　foronce，whenhecame，shesaidtotheservant，"Notathome，"aplainproofshedidnotwishhisvisittobecutshortbyanyoneelse。
　　AndsothesevisitsanddevotedattentionsofeverykindwentonunobservedbyLordTadcaster'sfriends，becauseRosawouldnevergoout，evenwithhim；butatlastMr。Lusignansawplainlyhowthiswouldend，unlessheinterfered。
　　Well，hedidnotinterfere；onthecontrary，hewascarefultoavoidputtinghisdaughteronherguard:hesaidtohimself，"LordTadcasterdoeshergood。I'mafraidshewouldnotmarryhim，ifhewastoaskhernow；butintimeshemight。Shelikeshimagreatdealbetterthananyoneelse。"
　　AsforPhilip，hewasabroadforhisownhealth，somewhatimpairedbyhislongandfaithfulattendanceonRosa。
　　SonowLordTadcasterwasinconstantattendanceonRosa。Shewaslanguid，butgentleandkind；and，asmourners，likeinvalids，areapttobeegotistical，shesawnothingbutthathewasacomforttoherinheraffliction。
　　Whilematterswereso，theEarlofMiltshire，whohadlongbeensinking，died，andTadcastersucceededtohishonorsandestates。
　　Rosaheardofit，and，thinkingitwasagreatbereavement，wrotehimoneofthoseexquisitelettersofcondolencealadyalonecanwrite。HetookittoLadyCicely，andshowedither。Shehighlyapprovedit。
　　Hesaid，"Theonlything——itmakesmeashamed，Idonotfeelmypoorfather'sdeathmore；butyouknowithasbeensolongexpected。"Thenhewassilentalongtime；andthenheaskedherifsuchawomanasthatwouldnotmakehimhappy，ifhecouldwinher。
　　Itwasonherladyship'stonguetosay，"Shedidnotmakeherfirsthappy；"butsheforbore，andsaidcoldly，thatwasmawthanshecouldsay。
　　Tadcasterseemeddisappointedbythat，andbyandbyCicelytookherselftotask。SheaskedherselfwhatwereTadcaster'schancesinthelotteryofwives。Theheavyarmyofschemingmothers，andthelightcavalryofartfuldaughters，rosebeforehercousinlyanddisinterestedeyes，andsheaskedherselfwhatchancepoorlittleTadcasterwouldhaveofcatchingatruelove，withahundredfemaleartistsmanoeuvring，wheeling，ambuscading，andcharginguponhiswealthandtitles。Shereturnedtothesubjectofherownaccord，andtoldhimshesawbutoneobjectiontosuchamatch:theladyhadasonbyamanofraremeritandmisfortune。Couldhe，athisage，undertaketobeafathertothatson?"Othahwise，"saidLadyCicely，"markmywords，youwillqualloverthatpoorchild；andyouwillhavetwotoquallwith，becauseIshallbeonherside。"
　　Tadcasterdeclaredtoherthatchildshouldbequitetheoppositeofaboneofcontention。"Ihavethoughtofthat，"saidhe，"andI
　　meantobesokindtothatboy，IshallMAKEherlovemeforthat。"
　　OnthesetermsLadyCicelygaveherconsent。
　　Thenheaskedhershouldhewrite，oraskherinperson。
　　LadyCicelyreflected。"Ifyouwrite，Ithinkshewillsayno。"
　　"ButifIgo?"
　　"Then，itwilldependonhowyoudoit。RosaStainesisatruemourner。Whateveryoumaythink，Idon'tbelievetheideaofasecondunionhaseverenteredherhead。Butthensheisveryunselfish:andshelikesyoubetterthananyoneelse，Idaresay。
　　Idon'tthinkyourtitleoryourmoneywillweighwithhernow。
　　But，ifyoushowheryourhappinessdependsonit，shemay，perhaps，cwyandsobattheveryideaofit，andthen，afterall，say，'Well，whynot——ifIcanmakethepoorsoulhappy?'"
　　So，onthisadvice，TadcasterwentdowntoGravesend，andLadyCicelyfeltacertainself-satisfaction；for，herwell-meantinterferencehavinglostRosaonehusband，shewaspleasedtothinkshehaddonesomethingtogiveheranother。
　　LordTadcastercametoRosaStaines；hefoundherseatedwithherheaduponherwhitehand，thinkingsadlyofthepast。
　　Atsightofhimindeepmourning，shestarted，andsaid，"Oh!"
　　Thenshesaidtenderly，"Weareofonecolornow，"andgavehimherhand。
　　Hesatdownbesideher，notknowinghowtobegin。
　　"IamnotTadcasternow。IamEarlofMiltshire。"
　　"Ah，yes；Iforgot，"saidsheindifferently。
　　"Thisismyfirstvisittoanyoneinthatcharacter。"
　　"Thankyou。"
　　"Itisanawfullyimportantvisittome。Icouldnotfeelmyselfindependent，andabletosecureyourcomfortandlittleChristie's，withoutcomingtothelady，theonlyladyIeversaw，that——oh，Mrs。Staines——Rosa——whocouldseeyou，asIhavedone——minglehistearswithyours，asIhavedone，andnotloveyou，andlongtoofferyouhislove?"
　　"Love!tome，abroken-heartedwoman，withnothingtoliveforbuthismemoryandhischild。"
　　Shelookedathimwithasortofscaredamazement。
　　"Hischildshallbemine。Hismemoryisalmostasdeartomeastoyou。"
　　"Nonsense，child，nonsense!"saidshe，almoststernly。
　　"Washenotmybestfriend?ShouldIhavethehealthIenjoy，orevenbealive，butforhim?Oh，Mrs。Staines——Rosa，youwillnotliveallyourlifeunmarried；andwhowillloveyouasIdo?Youaremyfirstandonlylove。Myhappinessdependsonyou。"
　　"Yourhappinessdependonme!Heavenforbid——awomanofmyage，thatfeelssoold，old，old。"
　　"Youarenotold；youareyoung，andsad，andbeautiful，andmyhappinessdependsonyou。"Shebegantotremblealittle。Thenhekneeledatherknees，andimploredher，andhishottearsfelluponthehandsheputouttostophim，whilesheturnedherheadaway，andthetearsbegantorun。
　　Oh!nevercanthecolddissectingpentellwhatrushesovertheheartthathaslovedandlost，whenanothertruelovefirstkneelsandimploresforlove，orpity，oranythingthebereavedcangive。
　　CHAPTERXXIII。
　　WhenFalconwent，luckseemedtodeserttheirclaim:dayafterdaywentbywithoutafind；andthediscoveriesoneverysidemadethisthemoremortifying。
　　BythistimethediggersatBulteel'spanwereasmiscellaneousastheaudienceatDruryLaneTheatre，onlymixedmoreclosely；thegalleryfolkandthestallsworkedcheekbyjowl。Hereagentlemanwithanaffectedlisp，andclosebyanhonestfellow，whocouldnotdeliverasentencewithoutanoath，orsomestillmorehorribleexpletivethatmeantnothingatallinreality，butservedtomakerespectablefleshcreep:interspersedwiththese，Hottentots，Kafirs，andwildblueblacksgaylycladinanostrichfeather，ascarletribbon，andaTowermusketsoldthembysomegoodChristianforamodernrifle。
　　OnonesideofStainesweretwoswells，wholayontheirbacksandtalkedoperahalftheday，butseldomcondescendedtoworkwithoutfindingadiamondofsomesort。
　　Afteraweek'sdeplorableluck，hisKafirboystruckworkonaccountofasoreinhisleg；thesorewasduetoaverycommoncause，theburningsandhadgotintoascratch，andfestered。
　　Staines，outofhumanity，examinedthesore；andproceedingtocleanit，beforebandaging，outpoppedadiamondworthfortypounds，eveninthedepreciatedmarket。Stainesquietlypocketedit，andbandagedtheleg。Thismadehimsuspecthisblackshadbeencheatinghimonalargescale，andheborrowedHansBulteeltowatchthem，givinghimathird，withwhichMasterHanswasmightilypleased。Buttheycouldonlyfindsmalldiamonds，andbythistimeprodigiousslicesofluckwerereportedoneveryside。KafirsandBoersthatwouldnotdig，buttraversedlargetractsofgroundwhenthesunwasshining，stumbledoverdiamonds。OneBoerpointedtoawagonandeightoxen，andsaidthatoneluckyglanceonthesandhadgivenhimthatlot:butdayafterdayStainesreturnedhome，coveredwithdust，andalmostblinded，yetwithlittleornothingtoshowforit。
　　Oneevening，complainingofhischangeofluck，Bulteelquietlyproposedtohimmigration。"Iamgoing，"saidheresignedly:"andyoucancomewithme。"
　　"Youleaveyourfarm，sir?Why，theypayyoutenshillingsaclaim，andthatmustmakealargereturn；thepanisfifteenacres。"
　　"Yes，minevriend，"saidthepoorHollander，"theypay；butdeirmoneyitcosttoodear。Vereisminepeace?Disfarmissixtousandacres。Ifdecurseddiamondswasfartheroff，denitvasvell。Butdeyaretoonear。OnceIcouldsmokeinpeace，andzleep。Nowdiamondsiscome，andzleepandpeaceisfled。Dereisfourtousandtents，andtoeachtentadawg；datdawgbarkatfourtousandotherdawgsallnight，anddeybarkathimandateachoder。Dendemastersofdedawgsdeygetangry，andfirefourtousandpistoleatdefourtousanddawgs，andmakemybedshakewidthetremblingofminevrow。Myvamilyiswithdiamondsinfected。
　　Deyvillnotvork。Deytakeslongvalks，andalwayslooksondeground。Minechildreshallbehump-backed，round-shouldered，lookingdownfordiamonds。DeyshallforgetGott。Heisonhigh:
　　dereeyesarealwaysondeearth。Dediggersfoundadiamondinmineplasterofminewallofminehouse。Datplastervaslimestone；itcomefromdosekopjesdegoodGottmadeinHisangeragainstmanforhisvickedness。Izayso。Deynotbelieveme。
　　Deytinkdemabominablestonesgrowinminehouse，andbreakoutinmineplasterlikedemeasle:deyvaunttodiginminewall，inminegarden，inminefloor。Onedaydeyshalldiginminebody。Ivillgo。BetterIlovepeacedanmoney。HereisEnglishcompanymakemeofferforminevarm。Deyforgivedediamonds。"
　　"Youhavenotacceptedit?"criedStainesinalarm。
　　"No，butIvill。IhavesaidIshalltinkofit。Datismyvay。
　　SoIsayyah。"
　　"AnEnglishcompany?Theywillcheatyouwithoutmercy。No，theyshallnot，though，forIwillhaveahandinthebargain。"
　　Hesettoworkdirectly，addedupthevalueoftheclaims，attenshillingspermonth，andamazedthepoorHollanderbyhisstatementofthevalueofthosefifteenacres，capitalized。
　　Andtoclosethispartofthesubject，theobnoxiousdiamondsobtainedhimthreetimesasmuchashisfatherhadgivenforthewholesixthousandacres。
　　Thecompanygotagreatbargain，butBulteelreceivedwhatforhimwasalargecapital，andsettlingfartothesouth，thislinealdescendantoflephilosophesanssavoircarriedhisgodliness，hiscleanliness，andhisloveofpeace，outoftheturmoil，andwashappierthanever，sincenowhecouldcomparehisplacidexistencewithoneyearofnoiseandclamor。
　　Butlongbeforethis，eventsmorepertinenttomystoryhadoccurred。
　　Oneday，aHottentotcameintoBulteel'sfarmandwentoutamongthediggers，tillbefoundStaines。TheHottentotwasoneemployedatDale'sKloof，andknewhim。HebroughtStainesaletter。
　　Stainesopenedtheletter，andanotherletterfellout；itwasdirectedto"ReginaldFalcon，Esq。"
　　"Why，"thoughtStaines，"whatatimethislettermusthavebeenontheroad!Somuchforprivatemessengers。"
　　Theletterranthus:——
　　DEARSIR，——ThisleavesusallwellatDale'sKloof，asIhopeitshallfindyouandmydearhusbandatthediggings。Sir，IamhappytosayIhavegoodnewsforyou。WhenyougotwellbyGod'smercy，Iwrotetothedoctoratthehospitalandtoldhimso。I
　　wroteunbeknowntoyou，becauseIhadpromisedhim。Well，sir，hehaswrittenbacktosayyouhavetwohundredpoundsinmoney，andagreatmanyvaluablethings，suchasgoldandjewels。TheyareallattheoldbankinCapeTown，andthecashierhasseenyou，andwilldeliverthemondemand。Sothatisthefirstofmygoodnews，becauseitisgoodnewstoyou。But，dearsir，IthinkyouwillbepleasedtohearthatDickandIarethrivingwonderfully，thankstoyourgoodadvice。Thewoodenhouseitisbuilt，andagreatoven。
　　But，sir，thetrafficcamealmostbeforewewereready，andtheminersthatcallhere，comingandgoing，everyday，youwouldnotbelieve，likewisewagonsandcarts。Itisallbustle，morntillnight，anddearReginaldwillneverbedullherenow；Ihopeyouwillbesokindastellhimso，forIdolongtoseeyoubothhomeagain。
　　Sir，wearemakingourfortunes。Thegrainwecouldnotsellatafairprice，wesellasbread，andhigherthaninEnglandeversomuch。Teaandcoffeethesame；andthepoorthingspraiseus，too，forbeingsomoderate。So，sir，Dickbidsmesaythatweowethistoyou，andifsobeyouaremindedtoshare，whynothingwouldpleaseusbetter。Head-pieceisalwaysworthmoneyintheseparts；
　　andifithurtsyourpridetobeourpartnerwithoutmoney，whyyoucanthrowinwhatyouhaveattheCape，thoughwedon'taskthat。
　　And，besides，weareoffereddiamondsabargaineveryday，butareafraidtodeal，forwantofexperience；butifyouwereinitwithus，youmustknowthemwellbythistime，andwemightturnmanyagoodpoundthatway。Dearsir，Ihopeyouwillnotbeoffended，butIthinkthisistheonlywaywehave，DickandI，toshowourrespectandgood-will。
　　Dearsir，diggingishardwork，andnotfitforyouandReginald，thataregentlemen，amongstalotofroughfellows，thattheirtalkmakesmyhairstandonend，thoughIdaresaytheymeannoharm。
　　Yourbedroomisalwaysready，sir。Ineverwillletittoanyofthem，hopingnowtoseeyoueveryday。Youthatknoweverything，canguesshowIlongtoseeyoubothhome。Myverygoodfortuneseemsnottotastelikegoodfortune，withoutthoseIloveandesteemtoshareit。Ishallcounthowmanydaysthisletterwilltaketoreachyou，andthenIshallprayforyoursafetyharderthanever，tilltheblessedhourcomeswhenIseemyhusband，andmygoodfriend，nevertopartagain，Ihope，inthisworld。
　　Iamsir，yourdutifulservantandfriend，PHOEBEDALE。
　　P。S。ThereisregulartravellingtoandfromCapeTown，andapostnowtoPniel，butIthoughtitsuresttosendbyonethatknowsyou。
　　Stainesreadthisletterwithgreatsatisfaction。Herememberedhistwohundredpounds，buthisgoldandjewelspuzzledhim。Stillitwasgoodnews，andpleasedhimnotalittle。Phoebe'sgoodfortunegratifiedhimtoo，andherofferofapartnership，especiallyinthepurchaseofdiamondsfromreturningdiggers。Hesawalargefortunetobemade；andweariedanddisgustedwithrecentill-luck，blear-eyedandalmostblindedwithsortingintheblazingsun，heresolvedtogoatoncetoDale'sKloof。ShouldMrs。FalconbegonetoEnglandwiththediamonds，hewouldstaythere，andRosashouldcomeouttohim，orhewouldgoandfetchher。