"No，sir。Anditisverycurious。No，Iwon'ttellyou。Yes，I
　　will。HemI——IthinkIhavenoticedone。"
　　"Onewhat?"
　　"OneIwishman——danglingafterme。"
　　"Thenyourladyshiphasonlytotightenthecord——andHE'Sdonefor。"
　　Havingadministeredthisprescription，ourlaughingphilosopherwentofftoItaly，andtherefellinwithsomecountrymentohismind，soheaccompaniedthemtoEgyptandPalestine。
　　Hisabsence，andLordTadcaster's，madeRosaStaines'slifeextremelymonotonous。Dayfollowedday，andweekfollowedweek，eachsounvarying，that，onaretrospect，threemonthsseemedlikeoneday。
　　AndIthinkatlastyouthandnaturebegantorebel，andsecretlytocravesomelittlechangeorincidenttorufflethestagnantpool。Yetshewouldnotgointosociety，andwouldonlyreceivetwoorthreedullpeopleatthevilla；soshemadetheverymonotonywhichwasbeginningtotireher，andnursedasacredgriefshehadnoneedtonurse，itwassotrulygenuine。
　　Shewasinthisforlorncondition，when，onemorning，acarriagedrovetothedoor，andacardwasbroughtuptoher——"Mr。ReginaldFalcon。"
　　Falcon'shistory，betweenthisandourlastadvices，issoondisposedof。
　　When，afteralittlestrugglewithhisbetterangel，herodepasthiswife'sgate，heintended，atfirst，onlytogotoCapeTown，sellthediamonds，havealark，andbringhomethebalance:but，asherodesouth，hisviewsexpanded。HecouldhavetentimesthefuninLondon，andcheaper；sincehecouldsellthediamondsformoremoney，andalsoconcealthetrueprice。ThiswastheBohemian'swholemindinthebusiness。HehadnodesignswhateveronMrs。
　　Staines，nordidheintendtostealthediamonds，buttoembezzleaportionofthepurchase-money，andenjoythepleasuresandvicesofthecapitalforafewmonths；thenbacktohismilchcow，Phoebe，andleadaquietlifetillthenextuncontrollablefitshouldcomeuponhimalongwiththemeansofsatisfyingit。
　　Ontheway，hereadStaines'slettertoMrs。Falcon，verycarefully。HeneverbrokethesealofthelettertoMrs。Staines。
　　Thatwastobegivenherwhenhehadbrokenthegoodnewstoher；
　　andthishedeterminedtodowithsuchskill，asshouldmakeDr。
　　Stainesveryunwillingtolooksuspiciouslyorill-naturedlyintomoneyaccounts。
　　HereachedLondon；andbeingathoroughegotist，attendedfirsttohisowninterests；heneverwentnearMrs。Stainesuntilhehadvisitedeverydiamondmerchantanddealerinthemetropolis；heshowedthesmallstonestothemallbutheshowednomorethanonelargestonetoeach。
　　Atlasthegotanofferoftwelvehundredpoundsforthesmallstones，andthesameforthelargeyellowstone，andninehundredpoundsforthesecondlargeststone。Hetookthisninehundredpounds，andinstantlywrotetoPhoebe，tellingherhehadasuddeninspirationtobringthediamondstoEngland，whichhecouldnotregret，sincehehadneverdoneawiserthing。Hehadsoldasinglestoneforeighthundredpounds，andhadsentthedoctor'sfourhundredpoundstoheraccountinCapeTown；andaseachsalewaseffected，thehalfwouldbesoremitted。Shewouldseebythat，hewaswiserthaninformerdays。Heshouldonlystaysolongasmightbenecessarytosellthemallequallywell。Hisownsharehewouldapplytopayingoffmortgagesonthefamilyestate，ofwhichhehopedsomedaytoseeherthemistress，orhewouldsenditdirecttoher，whichevershemightprefer。
　　NowthemainobjectofthisartfulletterwastokeepPhoebequiet，andnothavehercomingafterhim，ofwhichhefeltshewasverycapable。
　　ThemoneygotsafetoCapeTown，butthelettertoPhoebemiscarried。Howthishappenedwasneverpositivelyknown；buttheservantofthelodging-housewasafterwardsdetectedcuttingstampsoffaletter；soperhapsshehadplayedthatgameonthisoccasion。
　　Bythismeans，matterstookacuriousturn。Falcon，intendingtolullhiswifeintoafalsesecurity，lulledhimselfintothatstateinstead。
　　Whenhehadtakencareofhimself，andgotfivehundredpoundstoplaythefoolwith，thenhecondescendedtorememberhiserrandofmercy；andhecamedowntoGravesend，toseeMrs。Staines。
　　Ontheroad，hegavehismindseriouslytothedelicateanddangeroustask。Itdidnot，however，disquiethimasitwouldyou，sir，oryou，madam。Hehadagreatadvantageoveryou。Hewasaliar——asmooth，ready，accomplishedliar——andheknewit。
　　Thiswastheoutlinehehadtracedinhismind:heshouldappearverysubduedandsad；shouldwearanairofcondolence。But，afterawhile，shouldsay，"Andyetmenhavebeenlostlikethat，andescaped。Amanwaspickeduponaraftinthoseverylatitudes，andbroughtintoCapeTown。Afriendofminesawhim，monthsafter，atthehospital。Hismemorywasshaken——couldnottellhisname；butinotherrespectshewasallrightagain。"
　　IfMrs。Stainestookfireatthis，hewouldsayhisfriendknewalltheparticulars，andhewouldaskhim，andsoleavethattorankletillnextvisit。Andhavingplantedhisgermofhope，hewouldgrowit，andwaterit，byvisitsandcorrespondence，tillhecouldthrowoffthemask，andsayhewasconvincedStaineswasalive:andfromthat，byotherdegrees，tillhecouldsay，onhiswife'sauthority，thatthemanpickedupatsea，andcuredatherhouse，wastheveryphysicianwhohadsavedherbrother'slife:andsoontotheoverwhelmingproofhecarriedintherubyringandtheletter。
　　Iamafraidthecunninganddexterity，thesubtletyandtactrequired，interestedhimmoreinthecommissionthandidthebenevolence。Hecalled，sentuphiscard，andcomposedhiscountenanceforhispart，likeanactorattheWing。
　　"Notathome。"
　　Hestaredwithamazement。
　　Thehistoryofa"Notathome"isnot，ingeneral，worthrecording:
　　butthisisanexception。
　　OnreceivingFalcon'scard，Mrs。Stainesgavealittlestart，andcoloredfaintly。Sheinstantlyresolvednottoseehim。What!themanshehadflirtedwith，almostjilted，andrefusedtomarry——hedaredtobealivewhenherChristopherwasdead，andhadcometheretoshowherHEwasalive!
　　Shesaid"Notathome"withatoneofunusualsharpnessanddecision，whichlefttheservantinnodoubthemustbeequallydecidedatthehalldoor。
　　Falconreceivedthesuddenfreezerwithamazement。"Nonsense，"
　　saidhe。"Notathomeatthistimeofthemorning——toanoldfriend!"
　　"Notathome，"saidthemandoggedly。
　　"Oh，verywell，"saidFalconwithabittersneer，andreturnedtoLondon。
　　Hefeltsureshewasathome；andbeingatremendousegotist，hesaid，"Oh!allright。Ifshewouldrathernotknowherhusbandisalive，itisallonetome；"andheactuallytooknomorenoticeofherforafullweek，andneverthoughtofher，excepttochuckleoverthepenaltyshewaspayingfordaringtoaffronthisvanity。
　　However，Sundaycame；hesawadulldaybeforehim，andsoherelented，andthoughthewouldgiveheranothertrial。
　　HewentdowntoGravesendbyboat，andstrolledtowardsthevilla。
　　Whenhewasaboutahundredyardsfromthevilla，alady，allinblack，cameoutwithanurseandchild。
　　Falconknewherfigureallthatwayoff，anditgavehimacuriousthrillthatsurprisedhim。Hefollowedher，andwasnotveryfarbehindherwhenshereachedthechurch。Sheturnedattheporch，kissedthechildearnestly，andgavethenursesomedirections；
　　thenenteredthechurch。
　　"Come，"saidFalcon，"I'llhavealookather，anyway。"
　　Hewentintothechurch，andwalkedupasideaisletoapillar，fromwhichhethoughthemightbeabletoseethewholecongregation；and，sureenough，thereshesat，afewyardsfromhim。Shewaslovelierthanever。Mindhadgrownonherfacewithtrouble。Anangelicexpressionilluminatedherbeauty；hegazedonher，fascinated。Hedrankanddrankherbeautytwomortalhours，andwhenthechurchbrokeup，andshewenthome，hewashalfafraidtofollowher，forhefelthowharditwouldbetosayanythingtoherbutthattheoldlovehadreturnedonhimwithdoubleforce。
　　However，havingwatchedherhome，hewalkedslowlytoandfrocomposinghimselffortheinterview。
　　Henowdeterminedtomaketheprocessofinformingheraverylongone:hewouldspinitout，andsosecuremanyasweetinterviewwithher:and，whoknows?hemightfascinateherasshehadhim，andripengratitudeintolove，asheunderstoodthatword。
　　Hecalled，hesentinhiscard。Themanwentin，andcamebackwithasonorous"Notathome。"
　　"Notathome?nonsense。Why，sheisjustcomeinfromchurch。"
　　"Notathome，"saidtheman，evidentlystronginhisinstructions。
　　Falconturnedwhitewithrageatthissecondaffront。"Alltheworseforher，"saidhe，andturnedonhisheel。
　　Hewenthome，ragingwithdisappointmentandwoundedvanity，and——
　　sincesuchloveashisisseldomveryfarfromhate——hesworesheshouldneverknowfromhimthatherhusbandwasalive。Heevenmoralized。"Thiscomesofbeingsounselfish，"saidhe。"I'llgivethatgameupforever。"
　　Byandby，amerenegativerevengewasnotenoughforhim，andhesethiswitstoworktomakehersmart。
　　Hewrotetoherfromhislodgings:——
　　DEARMADAM，——Whatapityyouareneverathometome。Ihadsomethingtosayaboutyourhusband，thatIthoughtmightinterestyou。
　　Yourstruly，R。FALCON。
　　Imaginetheeffectofthisabominablenote。Itwaslikearockflungintoaplacidpool。ItsetRosatremblingallover。Whatcouldhemean?
　　Sheranwithittoherfather，andaskedhimwhatMr。Falconcouldmean。
　　"Ihavenoidea，"saidhe。"Youhadbetteraskhim，notme。"
　　"Iamafraiditisonlytogettoseeme。Youknowheadmiredmeonce。Ah，howsuspiciousIamgetting。"
　　RosawrotetoFalcon:——
　　DEARSIR，——SincemybereavementIseescarcelyanybody。Myservantdidnotknowyou；soIhopeyouwillexcuseme。Ifitistoomuchtroubletocallagain，wouldyoukindlyexplainyournotetome?
　　Yoursrespectfully，ROSASTAINES。
　　Falconchuckledbitterlyoverthis。"No，mylady，"saidhe。"I'llserveyouout。Youshallrunaftermelikealittledog。Ihavegotthebonethatwilldrawyou。"
　　Hewrotebackcoldlytosaythatthematterhehadwishedtocommunicatewastoodelicateandimportanttoputonpaper；thathewouldtryandgetdowntoGravesendagainsomedayorother，butwasmuchoccupied，andhadalreadyputhimselftoinconvenience。
　　Headded，inapostscript，thathewasalwaysathomefromfourtofive。
　　Nextdayhegotholdoftheservant，andgaveherminuteinstructions，andaguinea。
　　Thenthewretchgotsometoolsandboredaholeinthepartitionwallofhissitting-room。Thepaperhadlargeflowers。Hewasartistenoughtoconcealthetrickwithwater-colors。Inhisbed-
　　roomtheholecamebehindthecurtains。
　　Thatveryafternoon，ashehadforeseen，Mrs。Stainescalledonhim。Themaid，dulyinstructed，saidMr。Falconwasout，butwouldsoonreturn，andcouldshewaithisreturn?Themaidbeingsoverycivil，Mrs。Stainessaidshewouldwaitalittlewhile，andwasimmediatelyusheredintoFalcon'ssitting-room。Thereshesatdown；butwasevidentlyillatease，restless，flushed。Shecouldnotsitquiet，andatlastbegantowalkupanddowntheroom，almostwildly。Herbeautifuleyesglittered，andthewholewomanseemedonfire。Thecaitiff，whowaswatchingher，sawandgloatedonallthis，andenjoyedtothefullherbeautyandagitation，andhisrevengeforher"Notathomes。"
　　Butafteralongtime，therewasareaction:shesatdownandutteredsomeplaintivesoundsinarticulate，ornearly；andatlastshebegantocry。
　　ThenitcostFalconaneffortnottocomeinandcomforther；buthecontrolledhimselfandkeptquiet。
　　Sherangthebell。Sheaskedforwritingpaper，andshewroteherunseentormentorahumblenote，begginghim，foroldacquaintance，tocallonher，andtellherwhathismysteriouswordsmeantthathadfilledherwithagitation。
　　Thisdone，shewentaway，withadeepsigh，andFalconemerged，andpounceduponherletter。
　　Hekissedit；hereaditadozentimes:hesatdownwhereshehadsat，andhisbasepassionoverpoweredhim。Herbeauty，heragitation，herfear，hertears，allcombinedtomaddenhim，anddothedevil'sworkinhisfalse，selfishheart，soopentoviolentpassions，sodeadtoconscience。
　　Foronceinhislifehewasviolentlyagitated，andtornbyconflictingfeelings:hewalkedabouttheroommorewildlythanhisvictimhad；andifitbetruethat，incertaingreattemptations，goodandbadangelsfightforaman，hereyoumighthaveseenasfierceabattleofthatkindaseverwas。
　　Atlastherushedoutintotheair，anddidnotreturntillteno'clockatnight。Hecamebackpaleandhaggard，andwithalookofcrimeuponhisface。
　　TrueBohemianashewas，hesentforapintofbrandy。
　　Sothenthediewascast，andsomethingwastobedonethatcalledforbrandy。
　　Heboltedhimselfin，anddrankawine-glassofitneat；thenanother；thenanother。
　　Nowhispalecheekisflushed，andhiseyeglitters。Drinkforever!greatruinofEnglishsoulsaswellasbodies。
　　Heputthepokerinthefire，andheateditredhot。
　　HebroughtStaines'sletter，andsoftenedthesealing-waxwiththehotpoker；thenwithhispen-knifemadeaneatincisioninthewax，andopenedtheletter。Hetookoutthering，andputitcarefullyaway。Thenhelightedacigar，andreadtheletter，andstudiedit。Manyaman，capableofmurderinheatofpassion，couldnothaveresistedthepathosofthisletter。ManyaNewgatethief，afterreadingit，wouldhavefeltsuchpityforthelovinghusbandwhohadsufferedtothevergeofdeath，andthentothebrinkofmadness，andforthepoorbereavedwife，thathewouldhavetakentheletterdowntoGravesendthatverynight，thoughhepickedtwofreshpocketstodefraytheexpensesoftheroad。
　　Butthiswasanegotist。Goodnaturehadcurbedhisegotismalittlewhile；butnowvanityandpassionhadsweptawayallunselfishfeelings，andthepureegotistaloneremained。
　　Now，thepureegotisthasbeendefinedasamanwhowillburndownhisNEIGHBOR'ShousetocookHIMSELFanegg。Murderisbutegotismcarriedouttoitsnaturalclimax。Whatismurdertoapureegotist，especiallyabrandiedone?
　　IknewanegotistwhometafemaleacquaintanceinNewhavenvillage。Shehadaone-poundnote，andofferedtotreathim。Shechangedthisnotetotreathim。Fishshegavehim，andmuchwhiskey。Costherfourshillings。Heateanddrankwithher，atherexpense；andhisaorta，orprincipalblood-vessel，beingwarmedwithherwhiskey，hemurderedherforthechange，theoddsixteenshillings。
　　Ihadthepleasureofseeingthategotisthung，withtheseeyes。
　　Itwasasliceofluckthat，Igrievetosay，hasnotoccurredagaintome。
　　Somuchforawhiskiedegotist。
　　Hislesstruculentbutequallyremorselessbrotherinvillany，thebrandiedegotist，Falcon，couldreadthatpoorhusband'sletterwithoutblenching；theloveandtheanticipationsofrapture，thesemadehimwrithealittlewithjealousy，buttheyrousednotagrainofpity。Hewasatrueegotist，blind，remorseless。
　　Inthis，histruecharacter，hestudiedtheletterprofoundly，andmasteredallthefacts，anddigestedthemwell。
　　Allmannerofdiabolicalartificespresentedthemselvestohisbrain，barrenoftrueintellect，yetfertileinfraud；inthat，andalllowcunningandsubtlety，farmorethanamatchforSolomonorBacon。
　　Hissinisterstudieswerepursuedfarintothenight。Thenhewenttobed，andhisunboundedegotismgavehimthesleepagrandercriminalwouldhavecourtedinvainonthevergeofamonstrousanddeliberatecrime。
　　Nextdayhewenttoafashionabletailor，andorderedacompletesuitofblack。Thiswasmadeinforty-eighthours；theintervalwasspentmainlyinconcoctingliestobeincorporatedwiththenumberofminutefactshehadgainedfromStaines'sletter，andinmakingcloseimitationsofhishandwriting。
　　Thusarmed，andcrammedwithmoreliesthanthe"Menteur"ofCorneille，butnotsuchinnocentones，hewentdowntoGravesend，allindeepmourning，withcraperoundhishat。
　　Hepresentedhimselfatthevilla。
　　Theservantwasallobsequiousness。Yes，Mrs。Stainesreceivedfewvisitors；butshewasathometoHIM。Heevenbegantofalterexcuses。"Nonsense，"saidFalcon，andslippedasovereignintohishand；"youareagoodservant，andobeyorders。"
　　Theservant'srespectdoubled，andheusheredthevisitorintothedrawing-room，asonewhosenamewasapassport。"Mr。ReginaldFalcon，madam。"
　　Mrs。Staineswasalone。Sherosetomeethim。Hercolorcameandwent，herfulleyefellonhim，andtookinallataglance——thathewasallinblack，andthathehadabeard，andlookedpale，andillatease。
　　Littledreamingthatthiswastheanxietyofafelonabouttotaketheactualplungeintoanovelcrime，shewasratherprepossessedbyit。Thebeardgavehimdignity，andhidhismean，cruelmouth。
　　Hisblacksuitseemedtosayhe，too，hadlostsomeonedeartohim；andthatwasagroundofsympathy。
　　Shereceivedhimkindly，andthankedhimfortakingthetroubletocomeagain。Shebeggedhimtobeseated；andthen，womanlike，shewaitedforhimtoexplain。
　　Buthewasinnohurry，andwaitedforher。Heknewshewouldspeakifhewassilent。
　　Shecouldnotkeephimwaitinglong。"Mr。Falcon，"saidshe，hesitatingalittle，"youhavesomethingtosaytomeabouthimI
　　havelost。"
　　"Yes，"saidhesoftly。"IhavesomethingIcouldsay，andIthinkIoughttosayit；butIamafraid:becauseIdon'tknowwhatwillbetheresult。Ifeartomakeyoumoreunhappy。"
　　"Me!moreunhappy?Me，whosedearhusbandliesatthebottomoftheocean。Otherpoorwoundedcreatureshavethewretchedcomfortofknowingwherehelies——ofcarryingflowerstohistomb。ButI——
　　oh，Mr。Falcon，Iambereavedofall:evenhispoorremainslost，——
　　lost"——shecouldsaynomore。
　　Thenthatcravenheartbegantoquakeatwhathewasdoing；quaked，yetpersevered；buthisownvoicequivered，andhischeekgrewashypale。Nowonder。IfeverGodcondescendedtopourlightningonaskunk，surelynowwasthetime。
　　Shakingandsweatingwithterrorathisownact，hestammeredout，"Woulditbetheleastcomforttoyoutoknowthatyouarenotdeniedthatpoorconsolation?Supposehediednotsomiserablyasyouthink?Supposehewaspickedupatsea，inadyingstate?"
　　"Ah!"
　　"Supposehelingered，nursedbykindandsympathizinghands，thatalmostsavedhim?Supposehewaslaidinhallowedground，andagreatmanytearsshedoverhisgrave?"
　　"Ah，thatwouldindeedbeacomfort。Anditwastosaythisyoucame。Ithankyou。Iblessyou。But，mygood，kindfriend，youaredeceived。Youdon'tknowmyhusband。Youneversawhim。Heperishedatsea。"
　　"Willitbekindorunkind，totellyouwhyIthinkhediedasI
　　tellyou，andnotatsea?"
　　"Kind，butimpossible。Youdeceiveyourself。Ah，Isee。Youfoundsomepoorsufferer，andweregoodtohim；butitwasnotmypoorChristie。Oh，ifitwere，Ishouldworshipyou。ButIthankyouasitis。Itwasverykindtowanttogivemethislittle，littlecrumbofcomfort；forIknowIdidnotbehavewelltoyou，sir:butyouaregenerous，andhaveforgivenapoorheart-brokencreature，thatneverwasverywise。"
　　Hegavehertimetocry，andthensaidtoher，"IonlywantedtobesureitWOULDbeanycomforttoyou。Mrs。Staines，itistrueI
　　didnotevenknowhisname；noryours。WhenImet，inthisveryroom，thegreatdisappointmentthathassaddenedmyownlife，I
　　leftEnglanddirectly。Icollectedfunds，wenttoNatal，andturnedland-ownerandfarmer。Ihavemadealargefortune，butI
　　neednottellyouIamnothappy。Well，Ihadayacht，andsailingfromCapeTowntoAlgoaBay，Ipickeduparaft，withadyingmanonit。Hewasperishingfromexhaustionandexposure。Igotalittlebrandybetweenhislips，andkepthimalive。Ilandedwithhimatonce:andwenursedhimonshore。Wehadtobeverycautious。Heimproved。Wegothimtotakeegg-flip。Hesmiledonusatfirst，andthenhethankedus。Inursedhimdayandnightfortendays。Hegotmuchstronger。Hespoketome，thankedmeagainandagain，andtoldmehisnamewasChristopherStaines。Hetoldmethatheshouldnevergetwell。Iimploredhimtohavecourage。Hesaidhedidnotwantforcourage；butnaturehadbeentriedtoohard。Wegotsofondofeachother。Oh!"——andthecaitiffpretendedtobreakdown；andhisfeignedgriefmingledwithRosa'sdespairingsobs。
　　Hemadeanapparenteffort，andsaid，"Hespoketomeofhiswife，hisdarlingRosa。Thenamemademestart，butIcouldnotknowitwasyou。Atlasthewasstrongenoughtowriteafewlines，andhemademepromisetotakethemtohiswife。"
　　"Ah!"saidRosa。"Showthemme。"
　　"Iwill。"
　　"Thismoment。"Andherhandsbegantoworkconvulsively。
　　"Icannot，"saidFalcon。"Ihavenotbroughtthemwithme。"
　　Rosacastakeeneyeofsuspicionandterroronhim。Hisnotbringingtheletterseemedmonstrous；andsoindeeditwas。Thefactis，theletterwasnotwritten。
　　Falconaffectednottonoticeherkeenlook。Heflowedon，"Theaddressheputonthatletterastonishedme。'KentVilla。'OfcourseIknewKentVilla:andhecalledyou'Rosa。'"
　　"Howcouldyoucometomewithoutthatletter?"criedRosa，wringingherhands。"HowamItoknow?Itisallsostrange，soincredible。"
　　"Don'tyoubelieveme?"saidFalconsadly。"WhyshouldIdeceiveyou?ThefirsttimeIcamedowntotellyouallthis，IdidnotKNOWwhoMrs。Staineswas。Isuspected；butnomore。ThesecondtimeIsawyouinthechurch，andthenIknew；andfollowedyoutotryandtellyouallthis；andyouwerenotathometome。"
　　"Forgiveme，"saidRosacarelessly:thenearnestly，"Theletter!
　　whencanIseeit?"
　　"Iwillsend，orbringit。"
　　"Bringit!IaminagonytillIseeit。Oh，mydarling!mydarling!Itcan'tbetrue。ItwasnotmyChristie。Heliesinthedepthsoftheocean。LordTadcasterwasintheship，andhesaysso；everybodysaysso。"
　　"AndIsayhesleepsinhallowedground，andthesehandslaidhimthere。"
　　Rosaliftedherhandstoheaven，andcriedpiteously，"Idon'tknowwhattothink。Youwouldnotwillinglydeceiveme。Buthowcanthisbe?Oh，UnclePhilip，whyareyouawayfromme?Sir，yousayhegaveyoualetter?"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Oh，why，whydidyounotbringit?"
　　"Becausehetoldmethecontents；andIthoughtheprizedmypooreffortstoohighly。Itdidnotoccurtomeyouwoulddoubtmyword。"
　　"Oh，no:nomoreIdo:butIfearitwasnotmyChristie。"
　　"I'llgofortheletteratonce，Mrs。Staines。"
　　"Oh，thankyou!Blessyou!Yes，thisminute!"
　　Theartfulroguedidnotgo；neverintended。
　　HeroseTOGO；buthadasuddeninspiration；verysudden，ofcourse。"Hadhenothingabouthimyoucouldrecognizehimby?"
　　"Yes，hehadaringIgavehim。"
　　Falcontookablack-edgedenvelopeoutofhispocket。
　　"Arubyring，"saidshe，beginningtotrembleathisquietaction。
　　"Isthatit?"andhehandedherarubyring。
　　CHAPTERXXVII。
　　Mrs。Stainesutteredasharpcryandseizedthering。Hereyesdilatedoverit，andshebegantotrembleineverylimb；andatlastshesankslowlyback，andherheadfellononesidelikeabrokenlily。Thesuddensightoftheringoverpoweredheralmosttofainting。
　　Falconrosetocallforassistance；butshemadehimafeeblemotionnottodoso。
　　Shegotthebetterofherfaintness，andthenshefelltokissingthering，inanagonyoflove，andweptoverit，andstillheldit，andgazedatitthroughherblindingtears。
　　Falconeyedheruneasily。
　　Buthesoonfoundhehadnothingtofear。Foralongtimesheseemedscarcelyawareofhispresence；andwhenshenoticedhim，itwastothankhim，almostpassionately。
　　"ItwasmyChristieyouweresogoodto:mayHeavenblessyouforit:andyouwillbringmehisletter，willyounot?"
　　"OfcourseIwill。"
　　"Oh，donotgoyet。Itisallsostrange:sosad。IseemtohavelostmypoorChristieagain，sincehedidnotdieatsea。Butno，IamungratefultoGod，andungratefultothekindfriendthatnursedhimtothelast。Ah，Ienvyyouthat。Tellmeall。Nevermindmycrying。IhaveseenthetimeIcouldnotcry。Itwasworsethenthannow。IshallalwayscrywhenIspeakofhim，ay，tomydyingday。Tellme，tellmeall。"
　　Herpassionfrightenedtheegotist，butdidnotturnhim。Hehadgonetoofar。Hetoldherthat，afterraisingalltheirhopes，Dr。
　　Staineshadsuddenlychangedfortheworse，andsunkrapidly；thathislastwordshadbeenabouther，andhehadsaid，"MypoorRosa，whowillprotecther?"That，tocomforthim，hehadsaidhewouldprotecther。Thenthedyingmanhadmanagedtowritealineortwo，andtoaddressit。Almosthislastwordshadbeen，"Beafathertomychild。"
　　"Thatisstrange。"
　　"Youhavenochild?Thenitmusthavebeenyouhemeant。Hespokeofyouasachildmorethanonce。"
　　"Mr。Falcon，Ihaveachild；butbornsinceIlostmypoorchild'sfather。"
　　"ThenIthinkheknewit。Theysaythatdyingmencanseeallovertheworld:andIremember，whenhesaidit，hiseyesseemedfixedverystrangely，asifonsomethingdistant。Oh，howwonderfulallthisis。MayIseehischild，towhomIpromised"——
　　Theartistinlieslefthissentencehalfcompleted。
　　Rosarang，andsentforherlittleboy。
　　Mr。Falconadmiredhisbeauty，andsaidquietly，"Ishallkeepmyvow。"
　　Hethenlefther，withapromisetocomebackearlynextmorningwiththeletter。
　　Shelethimgoonlyonthoseconditions。
　　Assoonasherfathercamein，sherantohimwiththisstrangestory。
　　"Idon'tbelieveit，"saidhe。"Itisimpossible。"
　　Sheshowedhimtheproof，therubyring。
　　Thenhebecameveryuneasy，andbeggedhernottotellasoul。Hedidnottellherthereason，buthefearedtheinsuranceofficewouldhearofit，andrequireproofsofChristopher'sdecease，whereastheyhadaccepteditwithoutamurmur，ontheevidenceofCaptainHamiltonandtheAmphitrite'slog-book。
　　AsforFalcon，hewentcarefullythroughStaines'stwoletters，andwhereverhefoundawordthatsuitedhispurpose，hetraceditbytheusualprocess，andso，inthecourseofafewhours，heconcoctedashortletter，allthewordsinwhich，exceptthree，werefacsimiles，onlyhereandtherealittleshaky；thethreeoddwordshehadtoimitatebyobservationoftheletters。Thesignaturehegottoperfectionbytracing。
　　Heinsertedthisletterintheoriginalenvelope，andsealeditverycarefully，soastohidethatthesealhadbeentamperedwith。
　　Thusarmed，hewentdowntoGravesend。TherehehiredahorseandrodetoKentVilla。
　　Whyhehiredahorse，heknewhowharditistoforgehandwriting，andhechosetohavethemeansofescapeathand。
　　Hecameintothedrawing-room，ghastlypale，andalmostimmediatelygavehertheletter；thenturnedhisback，feigningdelicacy。Inrealityhewasquakingwithfearlestsheshouldsuspectthehandwriting。ButtheenvelopewasaddressedbyStaines，andpavedthewayfortheletter；shewasunsuspiciousandgood，andherheartcriedoutforherhusband'slastwrittenwords:atsuchamoment，whatchancehadjudgmentandsuspicioninaninnocentandlovingsoul?
　　Hereloquentsighsandsobssoontoldthecaitiffhehadnothingtofear。
　　Theletterranthus:——
　　MYOWNROSA，——Allthatabrothercoulddoforabelovedbrother，Falconhasdone。Henursedmenightandday。Butitisvain。I
　　shallneverseeyouagaininthisworld。Isendyouaprotector，andafathertoyourchild。Valuehim。Hehaspromisedtobeyourstayonearth，andmyspiritshallwatchoveryou——Tomylastbreath，yourlovinghusband，CHRISTOPHERSTAINES。
　　Falconrose，andbegantostealontiptoeoutoftheroom。
　　Rosastoppedhim。"Youneednotgo，"saidshe。"Youareourfriend。ByandbyIhopeIshallfindwordstothankyou。"
　　"Prayletmeretireamoment，"saidthehypocrite。"Ahusband'slastwords:toosacred——astranger:"andhewentoutintothegarden。TherehefoundthenursemaidEmily，andthelittleboy。
　　Hestoppedthechild，andmadelovetothenursemaid；showedherhisdiamonds——hecarriedthemallabouthim——toldherhehadthirtythousandacresinCapeColony，anddiamondsonthem；andwasgoingtobuythirtythousandmoreofthegovernment。"Here，takeone，"
　　saidhe。"Oh，youneedn'tbeshy。Theyarecommonenoughonmyestates。I'lltellyouwhat，though，youcouldnotbuythatforlessthanthirtypoundsatanyshopinLondon。Couldshe，mylittleduck?Nevermind，itisnobrighterthanhereyes。Nowdoyouknowwhatshewilldowiththat，MasterChristie?Shewillgiveittosomeduffertoputinapin。"
　　"Shewon'tdonothingofthekind，"saidEmily，flushingallover。
　　"Sheisnotsuchafool。"Shethenvolunteeredtotellhimshehadnosweetheart，anddidnottroubleherheadaboutyoungmenatall。
　　Heinterpretedthistomeanshewaslookingoutforone。SodoI。
　　"Nosweetheart!"saidhe；"andtheprettiestgirlIhaveseensinceIlanded:thenIputinforthesituation。"
　　Here，seeingthefootmancoming，hebestowedamostpaternalkissonlittleChristie，andsaying，"NotawordtoJohn，ornomorediamondsfromme；"hemovedcarefullyaway，leavingthegirlallinaflutterwithextravaganthopes。
　　Thenextmomentthiswolfinthesheep-foldenteredthedrawing-
　　room。Mrs。Staineswasnotthere。Hewaited，andwaited，andbegantogetratheruneasy，asmenwillwhowalkamongpitfalls。
　　PresentlythefootmancametosaythatMrs。Staineswaswithherfather，inhisstudy，butshewouldcometohiminfiveminutes。
　　Thisincreasedhisanxiety。What!Shewastakingadviceofanolderhead。Hebegantobeveryseriouslyalarmed，and，indeed，hadprettywellmadeuphismindtogodownandgallopoff，whenthedooropened，andRosacamehastilyin。Hereyeswereveryredwithweeping。Shecametohimwithbothhandsextendedtohim；hegaveherhis，timidly。Shepressedthemwithsuchearnestnessandpowerashecouldnothavesuspected；andthankedhim，andblessedhim，withsuchatorrentofeloquence，thathehunghisheadwithshame；and，beingunabletofaceitout，villainashewas，yetstillartfultothecore，hepretendedtoburstoutcrying，andranoutoftheroom，androdeaway。
　　Hewaitedtwodays，andthencalledagain。Rosareproachedhimsweetlyforgoingbeforeshehadhalfthankedhim。
　　"Allthebetter，"saidhe。"Ihavebeenthankedagreatdealtoomuchalready。Whowouldnotdohisbestforadyingcountryman，andfightnightanddaytosavehimforhiswifeandchildathome?
　　IfIhadsucceeded，thenIwouldbegreedyofpraise:butnowitmakesmeblush；itmakesmeverysad。"
　　"Youdidyourbest，"saidRosatearfully。
　　"Ah!thatIdid。Indeed，Iwasillforweeksafter，myself，throughthestrainuponmymind，andthedisappointment，andgoingsomanynightswithoutsleep。Butdon'tletustalkofthat。"
　　"Doyouknowwhatmydarlingsaystomeinmyletter?"
　　"No。"
　　"Wouldyouliketoseeit?"
　　"IndeedIshould；butIhavenoright。"