"HowlongIlaylisteningtothecreakingsandgroaningsofthericketyoldhouse，Icannotsay，norhowlongIremainedinthedozewhichfinallyseizedmeasIbecameaccustomedtothesoundsaroundandoverme。Enoughthatbeforethestormhadpasseditsheight，I
awokeasifatthetouchofahand，andleapingwithaboundoutofthebed，beheldtomyincredibleamazememt，thealert，nervousformofLuttrastandingbeforeme。Shehadmycoatinherhand，anditwashertouchthathadevidentlyawakenedme。
"'Iwantyoutoputthison，'saidsheinalowthrillingtonetotallynewinmyexperience，'andcomewithme。Thehouseisunsafeforyoutoremainin。Hearhowitcracksandtrembles。Anotherblastlikethatandweshallberoofless。'
"Shewasmovingtowardthedoor，whichtomyamazementstoodajar，butmyhesitationstoppedher。
"'Won'tyoucome?'shewhispered，turningherfacetowardsmewithalookofsuchpotentdetermination，Ifollowedinspiteofmyself'I
darenotletyoustayhere，yourbloodwillbeuponmyhead。'
"'Youexaggerate，'Ireplied，shrinkingbackwithalonginglookatthecomfortablebedIhadjustleft。'Theseoldhousesarealwaysstrong。Itwilltakemanysuchagustasthatyouhear，tooverturnit，Iassureyou。'
"'Iexaggerate!'shereturnedwithalookofscornimpossibletodescribe。'Hark!'shesaid，'hearthat。'
"Ididhear，andImustacknowledgethatitseemedisifwewereabouttobesweptfromourfoundations。
"'Yes，'saidI，'butitisafearfulnighttobeoutin。'
"'Ishallgowithyou，'saidshe。
"'Inthatcase——'Ibeganwithanill-advisedattemptatgallantrywhichshecutshortwithagesture。
"'Hereisyourhat，'remarkedshe，'andhereisyourbag。Thefishing-polemustremain，youcannotcarryit。'
"'But，——'Iexpostulated。
"'Hush!'saidshewithherearturnedtowardsthedepthsofthestaircaseatthetopofwhichwestood。'Myfatherandbrotherwillthinkasyoudothatitisfollytoleavetheshelterofarooffortheuncertaintiesoftheroadonsuchanightasthis，butyoumustnotheedthem。Itellyoushelterthisnightisdanger，andthattheonlysafetytobefoundisonthestormyhighway。'
"Andwithoutwaitingformyreply，shepassedrapidlydownstairs，pushedopenadooratthebottom，andsteppedatonceintotheroomwehadleftanhourorsobefore。
"Whatwasthereinthatroomthatforthefirsttimestruckanominouschillasofdistinctperilthroughmyveins?Nothingatfirstsight，everythingatthesecond。Thefirewhichhadnotbeenallowedtodieout，stillburnedbrightlyontheruddyhearthstone，butitwasnotthatwhichawakenedmyapprehension。Norwasittheloudtickingclockonthemantlepiecewithitshandpointingsilentlytothehourofeleven。Noryettheheavyquietofthescantily-furnishedroomwithitsonelampburningonthedealtableagainstthesideofthewall。
Itwasthesightofthosetwopowerfulmendrawnupingrimsilence，theoneagainstthedoorleadingtothefronthall，theotheragainstthatopeningintothekitchen。
"AglanceatLuttrastandingsilentandundismayedatmyside，however，instantlyreassuredme。Withthatwillexercisedinmyfavor，Icouldnotbutwinthroughwhateveritwasthatmenacedme。
Slingingmybagovermyshoulder，Imadeamovetowardsthedoorandthesilentfigureofmyhost。Butwithaquickoutreachingofherhand，shedrewmeback。
"'Standstill!'saidshe。'Karl，'shewenton，turningherfacetowardsthemoresullenbutlessintentcountenanceofherbrother，'openthedoorandletthisgentlemanpass。Hefindsthehouseunsafeinsuchagaleanddesirestoleaveit。Atonce!'shecontinuedasherbrothersettledhimselfmoredeterminedlyagainstthelock:'I
don'toftenaskfavors。'
"'Themanisafoolthatwantstogooutinanightlikethis，'quoththefellowwithadoggedmove；'andsoareyoutoencourageit。I
thinktoomuchofyourhealthtoallowit。'
"Shedidnotseemtohear。'Willyouopenthedoor?'shewenton，notadvancingastepfromthefire，beforewhichshehadplacedherselfandme。'
"'No，Iwon't，'wasthebrutalreply。'Itsbeenlockedforthenightanditsnotmenoronelikeme，thatwillopenit。'
"Withasuddenwhiteningofheralreadypaleface，sheturnedtowardsherfather。Hewasnotevenlookingather。
"'Someonemustopenthehouse，'saidshe，glancingbackatherbrother。'Thisgentlemanpurposestoleaveandhiswhimmustbehumored。WillyouunlockthatdoororshallI?'
"Anangrysnarlinterruptedher。Herfatherhadboundedfromthedoorwherehestoodandwasstridinghastilytowardsher。InmyapprehensionIputupmyarmforashield，forhelookedreadytomurderher，butIletitdropagainaslcaughtherglancewhichwaslikewhiteflameundisturbedbytheleastbreezeofpersonalterror。
"'Youwillstopthere，'saidshe，pointingtoaspotafewfeetfromwhereshestood。'AnotherstepandIletthatforwhichIhaveheardyoudeclareyouwouldperilyourverysoul，fallintotheheartoftheflames。'Anddrawingfromherbreastarollofbills，shestretchedthemoutabovethefirebeforewhichshewasstanding。
"'You——'brokefromthegray-beardedlipsoftheoldman，buthestoppedwherehewas，eyeingthosebillsasiffascinated。
"'Iamnotagirlofmanywords，asyouknow，'continuedsheinaloftytoneinexpressiblycommanding。'Youmaystrangleme，youmaykillme，itmatterslittle；butthisgentlemanleavesthehousethisnight，orIdestroythemoneywithagesture。'
"'You——'againbrokefromthosequiveringlips，buttheoldmandidnotmove。
"Notsotheyounger。Witharushhelefthispostandinanotherinstantwouldhavehadhispowerfularmsaboutherslenderform，onlythatImethimhalfwaywithablowthatlaidhimontheflooratherfeet。Shesaidnothing，butoneofthebillsimmediatelyleftherhandandflutteredintothefirewhereitinstantlyshrivelledintonothing。
"Withtheyellofamadbeastwoundedinhismostvulnerablespot，theoldmanbeforeusstampedwithhisheeluponthefloor。
"'Stop!'criedhe；andgoingrapidlytothefrontdoorheopenedit。
'There!'shriekedhe，'ifyouwillbefools，go!andmaythelightningblastyou。Butfirstgivemethemoney。'
"'Comefromthedoor，'saidshe，reachingoutherlefthandforthelanternhangingatthesideofthefireplace，'andletKarllightthisandkeephimselfoutoftheway。'
"Itwasalldone。InlesstimethanIcantellit，theoldmanhadsteppedfromthedoor，theyoungeronehadlitthelanternandwewereinreadinesstodepart。
"'Nowdoyouproceed，'saidshetome，'Iwillfollow。'
"'No，'saidI，'wewillgotogether。'
"'Butthemoney?'growledtheheavyvoiceofmyhostovermyshoulder。
"'Iwillgiveittoyouonmyreturn，'saidthegirl。
CHAPTERXII
AWOMAN'SLOVE
"ShallIeverforgettheblastofdrivingrainthatstruckourfacesandenvelopedusinacloudofwet，asthedoorswungonitshingesandletusforthintothenight；ortheelectricthrillthatshotthroughmeasthatslendergirlgraspedmyhandanddrewmeawaythroughtheblindingdarkness。ItwasnotthatIwassomuchaffectedbyherbeautyasinfluencedbyherpowerandenergy。Thefuryofthegaleseemedtobendtoherwill，thewindlendwingstoherfeet。Ibegantorealizewhatintellectwas。Arrivedattheroadside，shepausedandlookedback。Thetwoburlyformsofthemenwehadleftbehinduswerestandinginthedooroftheinn；inanothermomenttheyhadplungedforthandtowardsus。WithalowcrytheyounggirlleapedtowardsatreewheretomyunboundedastonishmentIbeheldmyhorsestandingreadysaddled。Draggingthemarefromherfastenings，shehungthelantern，burningasitwas，onthepommelofthesaddle，struckthepantingcreatureasmartblowupontheflank，anddrewbackwithaleaptomyside。
"Thestartledhorsesnorted，gaveaplungeofdismayandstartedawayfromusdowntheroad。
"'Wewillwait，'saidLuttra。
"Thewordswerenosooneroutofhermouththanherfatherandbrotherrushedby。
"'Theywillfollowthelight，'whisperedshe；andseizingmeagainbythehand，shehurriedmeawayinthedirectionoppositetothatwhichthehorsehadtaken。'Ifyouwilltrustme，Iwillbringyoutoshelter，'shemurmured，bendingherslightformtothegustywindbutrelaxingnotawhitofherspeed。
"'Youaretookind，'Imurmuredinreturn。'Whyshouldyouexposeyourselftosuchanextentforastranger?'
"Herhandtightenedonmine，butshedidnotreply，andwehastenedonasspeedilyasthewindandrainwouldallow。Afterashortbutdeterminedbreastingofthestorm，duringwhichmybreathhadnearlyfailedme，shesuddenlystopped。
"'Doyouknow，'sheexclaimedinalowimpressivetone，'thatweareonthevergeofasteepanddreadfulprecipice?Itrunsalonghereforaquarterofamileanditisnotanuncommonthingforahorseandridertobedashedoveritinanightlikethis。'
"TherewassomethinginhermannerthatawakenedachillinmyveinsalmostasifshehadpointedoutsomedreadfuldoomwhichIhadunwittinglyescaped。
"'Thisis，then，adangerousroad，'Imurmured。
"'Very，'washerhurriedandalmostincoherentreply。
"HowfarwetravelledthroughthemudandtangledgrassesofthathorribleroadIdonotknow。Itseemedalongdistance；itwasprobablynotmorethanthreequartersofamile。Atlastshepausedwithashort'Hereweare；'andlookingup，Isawthatwewereinfrontofasmallunlightedcottage。
"NorefugeeverappearedmorewelcometoapairofsinkingwanderersI
amsure。Wettotheskin，bedrabbledwithmud，exhaustedwithbreastingthegale，westoodforamomentundertheporchtoregainourbreath，thenwithhercharacteristicenergysheliftedtheknockerandstruckasmartblowonthedoor。
"'Wewillfindshelterhere，'saidshe。
"Shewasnotmistaken。Inafewmomentswewerestandingoncemorebeforeacomfortablefirehastilybuiltbytheworthycouplewhoseslumberswehadthusinterrupted。AsIbegantorealizethesweetnessofconscioussafety，allthatthisyoung，heroiccreaturehaddoneformesweptwarmlyacrossmymind。Lookingupfromthefirethatwasbeginingtoinfuseitsheatthroughmygratefulsystem，Isurveyedherassheslowlyundidherlongbraidsandshookthemdryovertheblaze，andalmoststartedtoseehowyoungshewas。NotmorethansixteenIshouldsay，andyetwhataninvinciblewillshonefromherdarkeyesanddignifiedherslenderform；awillgentleasitwasstrong，elevatedasitwasunbending。IbowedmyheadasIwatchedher，ingratefulthankfulnesswhichIpresentlyputintowords。
"Atonceshedrewherselferect。'Ididbutmyduty，'saidshequietly。'IamgladIwasprosperedinit。'Thenslowly。'Ifyouaregrateful，sir，willyoupromisetosaynothingof——ofwhattookplaceattheinn?'
"InstantlyIrememberedasuspicionwhichhadcrossedmymindwhilethere，andmyhandwentinvoluntarilytomyvestpocket。Therollofbillswasgone。
"Shedidnotfalter。'Iwouldberelievedifyouwould，'continuedshe。
"Idrewoutmyemptyhand，lookedatit，butsaidnothing。
"'Haveyoulostanything?'askedshe。'Searchinyourovercoatpockets。'
"Iplungedmyhandintotheonenearestheranddrewitoutwithsatisfaction；therollofbillswasthere。'Igiveyoumypromise，'
saidI。
"'Youwillfindabillmissing，'shemurmured；'forwhatamountIdonotknow；thesacrificeofsomethingwasinevitable。'
"'Icanonlywonderovertheingenuityyoudisplayed，aswellasexpressmyappreciationforyourbravery，'returnedIwithenthusiasm。'Youareanoblegirl。'
"Sheputoutherhandasifcomplimentshurther。'Itisthefirsttimetheyhaveeverattemptedanythinglikethat，'criedsheinaquicklowtonefullofshameandsuffering。'Theyhaveshownadispositionto——totakemoneysometimes，buttheyneverthreatenedlifebefore。Andtheydidthreatenyours。Theysawyoutakeoutyourmoney，throughaholepiercedinthewalloftheroomyouoccupied，andthesightmadethemmad。Theyweregoingtokillyouandthentumbleyouandyourhorseovertheprecipicebelowthere。ButI
overheardthemtalkingandwhentheywentouttosaddlethehorse，I
hurrieduptoyourroomtowakeyou。Ihadtotakepossessionofthebills；youwerenotsafewhileyouheldthem。ItookthemquietlybecauseIhopedtosaveyouwithoutbetrayingthem。ButIfailedinthat。Youmustremembertheyaremyfatherandmybrother。'
"'Iwillnotbetraythem，'saidI。
"Shesmiled。Itwasawintrygleambutitineffablysoftenedherface。
Ibecameconsciousofamovementofpitytowardsher。
"'Youhaveahardlot，'remarkedI。'Yourlifemustbeasadone。'
"Sheflasheduponmeoneglanceofherdarkeye。'Iwasbornforhardship，'saidshe，'but——'andasuddenwildshudderseizedher，'butnotforcrime。'
"Thewordfelllikeadropofbloodwrungfromherheart。
"'Goodheavens!'criedI，'andmustyou——'
"'No，'rangfromherlipsinaclarion-likepeal；'somethingscuttheverybondsofnature。Iamnotcalledupontocleavetowhatwilldragmeintoinfamy。'Thencalmly，asifspeakingofthemostordinarymatterintheworld，'Ishallnevergobacktothathousewehaveleftbehindus，sir。'
"'But，'criedI，glancingatherscantygarments，'wherewillyougo?
Whatwillyoudo?Youareyoung——'
"'Andverystrong，'sheinterrupted。'Donotfearforme。'Andhersmilewaslikeaburstofsuddensunshine。
"Isaidnomorethatnight。
"ButwheninthemorningIstumbleduponhersittinginthekitchenreadingabooknotonlyaboveherpositionbutbeyondheryears，asuddenimpulseseizedmeandIaskedherifshewouldliketobeeducated。Theinstantaneousilluminingofherwholefacewassufficientreplywithoutherlowemphaticwords，"'Iwouldbecontenttostudyonmykneestoknowwhatsomewomendo，whomIhaveseen。'
"ItisnotnecessaryformetorelatewithwhatpleasureIcaughtattheideathatherewasachancetorepayinsomeslightmeasuretheinestimablefavorshehaddoneme；norbywhatargumentsIfinallywonhertoacceptaneducationatmyhandsassomesortofrecompenseforthelifeshehadsaved。Theadvantagewhichitwouldgiveherinherstrugglewiththeworldsheseemeddulytoappreciate，butthatsogreatafavorcouldbeshownherwithoutcausingmemuchtroubleandanunwarrantableexpense，shecouldnotatoncebebroughttocomprehend，andtillshecould，sheheldoutwiththatgentlebutinflexiblewillofhers。Thebattle，however，waswonatlastandI
leftherinthatlittlecottage，withtheunderstandingthatassoonasthemattercouldbearranged，shewastoenteracertainboarding-schoolinTroywiththemistressofwhichIwasacquainted。
MeanwhileshewastogoouttoserviceatMelvilleandearnenoughmoneytoprovideherselfwithclothes。
"IwasacarelessfellowinthosedaysbutIkeptmypromisetothatgirl。Inotonlyenteredherintothatschoolforacourseofthreeyears，butactingthroughitsmistresswhohadtakenagreatfancytoher，suppliedherwiththenecessitiesherpositionrequired。Itwassoeasy；merelythesigningofacheckfromtimetotime，anditwasdone。IsaythisbecauseIreallythinkifithadinvolvedanypersonalsacrificeonmypart，evenofanhourofmytime，orthelaborofathought，Ishouldnothavedoneit。Forwithmyreturntothecitymyinterestinmycousinrevived，absorbingmetosuchanextentthatanymatterdisconnectedwithhersoonlostallcharmforme。
"Twoyearspassed；IwastheslaveofEvelynBlake，buttherewasnoengagementbetweenus。Myfather'sdeterminedoppositionwasenoughtopreventthat。ButtherewasanunderstandingwhichIfondlyhopedwouldonedayopenformethewayofhappiness。ButIdidnotknowmyfather。Sickashewas——hewasatthattimelaboringunderthediseasewhichinacoupleofmonthslaterborehimtothetomb——hekeptaneyeuponmymovementsandseemedtoprobemyinmostheart。Atlasthecametoadefinitedecisionandspoke。
"Hiswordsopenedaworldofdismaybeforeme。Iwashisonlychild，asheremarked，andithadbeenandwasthedesireofhishearttoleavemeasrichandindependentamanashimself。ButIseemeddisposedtocommitoneofthoseactsagainstwhichhehadthemostdeterminedprejudice；marriagebetweencousinsbeinginhiseyesanunsanctifiedanddangerousproceeding，liabletoconsequencesthemostunhappy。IfIpersisted，hemustwillhispropertyelsewhere。TheBlakeestateshouldneverdescendwiththesealofhisapprobationtoaraceofprobableimbeciles。
"Norwasthisenough。HenotonlyrobbedmeofthewomanIloved，butwithaclearinsightintothefuture，Ipresume，insisteduponmymarryingsomeoneelseofrespectabilityandworthbeforehedied。
'Anyonewhoseappearancewilldoyoucreditandwhosevirtueisbeyondreproach，'saidhe。'Idon'taskhertoberichoreventheoffspringofoneofouroldfamilies。Letherbegoodandpureandofnoconnectiontous，andIwillblessherandyouwithmydyingbreath。'
"Theideahadseizeduponhimwithgreatforce，andIsoonsawhewasnottobeshakenoutofit。Toallmyobjectionshereturnedbuttheoneword，"'Idon'trestrictyourchoiceandIgiveyouamonthinwhichtomakeit。Ifattheendofthattimeyoucannotbringyourbridetomybedside，Imustlookaroundforanheirwhowillnotthwartmydyingwishes。'"
"Amonth!Isurveyedthefashionablebellesthatnightlythrongedtheparlorsofmyfriendsandfeltmyheartsinkwithinme。Takeoneofthemformywife，lovinganotherwoman?Impossible。Womenlikethesedemandedsomethinginreturnforthehonortheyconferreduponamanbymarryinghim。Wealth?theyhadit。Position?thatwastheirsalso。Consideration?ah，whatconsiderationhadItogive?Iturnedfromthemwithdistaste。
"MycousinEvelyngavemenohelp。Shewasaproudwomanandlovedmymoneyandmyexpectationsasmuchasshedidme。
"'Ifyoumustmarryanotherwomantoretainyourwealth，marry，saidshe，'butdonotmarryoneofmyassociates。Iwillhavenorivalinmyownempire；yourwifemustbeaplainerandalessaspiringwomanthanEvelynBlake。Yetdonotdiscredityourname，——whichismine，'
shewouldalwaysadd。
"Meanwhilethedaysflewby。Ifmyownconsciencehadallowedmetoforgetthefact，myfather'seagerlyinquiring，butsternlyunrelentinggazeasIcameeacheveningtohisbedside，wouldhavekeptitsufficientlyinmymind。Ibegantofeellikeoneinthepowerofsomehugecrushingmachinewhoseslowlydescendingweightheinvainendeavorstoescape。
"HoworwhenthethoughtofLuttrafirstcrossedmymindIcannotsay。
AtfirstIrecoiledatthesuggestionandputitawayfrommeindisdain；butiteverrecurredandwithitsomanyargumentsinherfavorthatbeforelongIfoundmyselfregardingitasarefuge。Tobesureshewasawaifandastray，butthatseemedtobethekindofwifedemandedofme。Shewasalliedtoroguesifnotvillains，I
knew；butthenhadshenotcutallconnectionwiththem，droppedawayfromthem，plantedherfeetonnewgroundwhichtheywouldneverinvade?Icommencedtocherishtheidea。Withthisfriendless，grateful，unassumingprotegeeofmineforawife，Iwouldbeaslittleboundasmightbe。Shewouldasknothing，andIneedgivenothing，beyondahomeandthecommonattentionsrequiredofagentlemanandafriend。Thenshewasnotdisagreeable，norwasherbeautyofatypetosuggestthecharmsofherIhadlost。Noneofthegracesofthehaughtypatricianladywhoselightestgesturewasacommand，wouldappearinthishumblegirl，tomockandconstrainme。
No，Ishouldhaveafairwifeandanobedientone，butnovulgarizedshadowofEvelyn，thankGod，orofanyofherfashionablydressedfriends。
"Advancedthusfartowardstheend，IwenttoseeLuttraIhadnotbeheldhersincethemorningwepartedatthedoorofthatlittlecottageinVermont，andherpresencecausedmeashock。This，thehumblewaifwiththeappealinggratefuleyesIhadexpectedtoencounter?thistallandslendercreaturewithanaureolaofgoldenhairaboutafacethatitwasaneducationtobehold!IfeltahalfmovementofangerasIsurveyedher。Ihadbeencheated；Ihadplantedagrapeseedandapalmtreehadsprungupinitsplace。I
wassotakenaback，mysalutelostsomethingofthebenevolentcondescensionIhadintendedtoinfuseintoit。Sheseemedtofeelmyembarassmentandahalfsmileflutteredtoherlips。Thatsmiledecidedme。Itwassweetbutaboveallelseitwasappealing。
"HowIwonthatwomantomarrymeintendaystimeIcarenottostate。Notbyholdingupmywealthandpositionbeforeher。
Somethingrestrainedmefromthat。Iwasresolved，andperhapsitwastheonlypointoflightinmyconductatthattime，nottobuythisyounggirl。Ineverspokeofmyexpectations，IneveralludedtomypresentadvantagesyetIwonher。
"Weweremarried，there，inTroyinthequietestandmostunpretendingmanner。WhythefacthasnevertranspiredIcannotsay。Icertainlytooknoespecialpainstoconcealitatthetime，thoughI
acknowledgethatafterourseparationIdidresorttosuchmeasuresasIthoughtnecessary，tosuppresswhathadbecomegallandwormwoodtomypride。
"MyfirstmoveaftertheceremonywastobringherimmediatelytoNewYorkandtothishouse。Withperhapsapardonablebitternessofspirit，Ihadrefrainedfromanynotificationofmyintentions，anditwasasstrangersmightenteranunprepareddwelling，thatwesteppedacrossthethresholdofthishouseandpassedimmediatelytomyfather'sroom。
"'Icangiveyounoweddingandnohoneymoon，'Ihadtoldher。'Myfatherisdyinganddemandsmycare。Fromthealtartoadeath-bedmaybesadforyou，butitisaninevitableconditionofyourmarriagewithme。'Andshehadacceptedherfatewithadeepunspeakablesmileithastakenmelongmonthsoflonelinessandsufferingtounderstand。
"'Father，Ibringyoumybride，'weremyfirstwordstohimasthedoorclosedbehindusshuttingusinwiththedread，invisiblePresencethatforsolongatimehadbeenrelentlesslyadvancinguponourhome。
"Ishallneverforgethowherousedhimselfinhisbed，norwithwhateagereyeshereadheryoungfaceandsurveyedherslightformswayingtowardshiminhersuddenemotionlikeaflameinabreeze。
NorwhileIliveshallIlosesightofthespasmofuncontrollablejoywithwhichheliftedhisagedarmstowardsher，northelookwithwhichshesprangfrommysideandnestled，yesnestled，onthebreastthatnevertomyremembrancehadopeneditselftomeevenintheyearsofmyearliestchildhood。Formyfatherwasasternmanwhobelievedinholdingloveatarm'slengthandmeasuredaffectionbythedepthofaweitinspired。
"'Mydaughter!'brokefromhislips，andheneverinquiredwhoshewasorwhat；no，notevenwhenafteramomentofsilencesheraisedherheadandwithasuddenlowcryofpassionatelonginglookedinhisfaceandmurmured，"'Ineverhadafather。'
"Sirs，itisimpossibleformetocontinuewithoutrevealingdepthsofprideandbitternessinmyownnature，fromwhichInowshrinkwithunspeakablepain。Sofarfrombeingtouchedbythisscene，Ifeltmyselfgrowhardunderit。Ifhehadbeendisappointedinmychoice，queriedatitorevenbeensimplypleasedatmyobedience，ImighthaveacceptedthewifeIhadwon，andbeentolerablygrateful。Buttoloveher，admireher，gloryinherwhenEvelynBlakehadneversucceededinwinningaglancefromhiseyesthatwasnotapublicdisapprobation!Icouldnotendureit；mywholebeingrebelled，andamovementlikehatetookpossessionofme。
"Biddingmywifetoleavemewithmyfatheralone，Iscarcelywaitedforthedoortocloseuponthepooryoungthingbeforeallthathadbeenseethinginmybreastforamonth，burstfrommeintheonecry，"'Ihavebroughtyouadaughterasyoucommandedme。Nowgivemetheblessingyoupromisedandletmego；forIcannotlivewithawomanI
donotlove。'
"Instantly，andbeforehislipscouldmove，thedooropenedandthewomanIthusrepudiatedinthefirstdawninghourofheryoungbliss，stoodbeforeus。MyGod!whataface!WhenIthinkofitnowinthenightseason——whenfromdreamsthatgloomyastheyare，areoftenelysiantothethoughtswhichbesetmeinmywakinghours，Isuddenlyarousetoseestartinguponmefromthesurroundingshadowsthatyoungfairbrowwithitshaloofgoldentresses，blotted，ayblottedbytheagonythatturnedherthatinstantintostone，IwonderIdidnottakeoutthepistolthatlayinthetablenearwhichIstood，andshootherlifelessonthespotassomesortofacompensationforthemiseryIhadcausedher。IsayIwondernow:thenIonlythoughtofbravingitout。
"Straightasadart，butwiththatlookonherface，shecametowardsus。'DidIheararight?'werethewordsthatcamefromherlips。
'Haveyoumarriedme，awomanbeneathyourstationasInowperceive，becauseyouwerecommandedtodoso?Haveyounotlovedme?givenmethatwhichalonemakesmarriageasacramentorevenapossibility?
andmustyouleavethishousemadesacredbytherecumbentformofyourdyingfatherifIremainwithinit?'
"Isawmyfather'sstiffandpallidlipsmovesilentlyasthoughhewouldanswerformeifhecould，andsummoningupwhatcourageI
possessed，ItoldherthatIdeeplyregrettedshehadoverheardmyinconsideratewords。ThatIhadnevermeanttowoundher，whateverbitternesslayinmyhearttowardsonewhohadthwartedmeinmydearestandmostcherishedhopes。ThatIhumblybeggedherpardonandwouldsofaracknowledgeherclaimuponmeastopromisethatIwouldnotleavemyhomeatthistime，ifitdistressedher；mydesirebeingnottoinjureher，onlytoprotectmyself。
"Othescornthatmountedtoherbrowattheseweakwords。Notscornofme，thankGod，worthyasIwasofitthathour，butscornofmyslightopinionofher。
"'ThenIheardaright，'shemurmured，andwaitedwithalookthatwouldnotbegainsaid。
"Icouldonlybowmyhead，cursingthedayIwasborn。
"'Holman!Holman!'cameinagonizedentreatyfromthebed，'youwillnotrobmeofmydaughternow?'
"Startled，Ilookedup。Luttrawashalfwaytothedoor。
"'Whatareyougoingtodo?'criedI，boundingtowardsher。
"Shestoppedmewithalook。'Thesonmustneverforsakethefather，'
saidshe。'Ifeitherofusmustleavethehousethisday，letitbeI。'Theninasoftertone，'Whenyouaskedmetobeyourwife，Iwhohadworshippedyoufromthemomentyouenteredmyfather'shouseonthememorablenightIleftit，wassoovercomeatyourcondescensionthatIforgotyoudidnotprefaceitbytheusualpassionate，'Iloveyou，'whichmorethanthemarriageringbindstwoheartstogether。Intheglamourandglowofmyjoy，Ididnotseethatthesmilethatwasinmyheart，wasmissingfromyourface。Iwastobeyourwifeandthatwasenough，orsoIthoughtthen，forIlovedyou。Ah，andIdonow，myhusband，loveyousothatIleaveyou。WereitforyourhappinessIwoulddomorethanthat，Iwouldgiveyoubackyourfreedom，butfromwhatIhear，itseemsthatyouneedawifeinnameandIwillbebutfulfillingyourdesireinholdingthatplaceforyou。Iwillneverdisgracethepositionhighasitisabovemypoordeserts。Whenthedaycomes——ifthedaycomes——thatyouneedorfeelyouneedthesustainmentofmypresenceorthedevotionofmyheart，nopoweronearthsavethatofdeathitself，shallkeepmefromyourside。TillthatdayarrivesIremainwhatyouhavemademe，abridewholaysnoclaimtothenameyouthismorningbestoweduponher。'Andwithagesturethatwaslikeabenediction，sheturned，andnoiselessly，breathlesslyasadreamthatvanishes，lefttheroom。
"Sirs，IbelieveIutteredacryandstumbledtowardsher。Someoneinthatroomutteredacry，butitmaybethatitonlyroseinmyheartandthattheoneIheardcamefrommyfather'slips。ForwhenatthedoorIturned，startledatthedeathlysilence，Isawhehadfaintedonhispillow。Icouldnotleavehimso。CallingtoMrs。Daniels，whowasneverfarfrommyfatherinthosedays，Ibadeherstopthelady——IbelieveIcalledhermywife——whowasgoingdownthestairs，andthenrushedtohisside。Ittookminutestorevivehim。Whenhecametohimselfitwastoaskforthecreaturewhohadflashedlikeabeaconoflightuponhisdarkeningpath。IroseasiftofetchherbutbeforeIcouldadvanceIheardavoicesay，'Sheisnothere，'
andlookingupIsawMrs。Danielsglideintotheroom。
"'Mrs。Blakehasgone，sir，Icouldnotkeepher。'
CHAPTERXIII
AMAN'SHEART
"ThatwasthelasttimemyeyeseverIresteduponmywife。Whithershewentorwhatrefugeshegained，Ineverknew。Myfatherwhohadreceivedinthissceneagreatshock，begantofailsorapidly，hedemandedmyconstantcare；andthoughfromtimetotimeasI
ministeredtohimandnotedwithwhatayearningpersistencyhewouldeyethedoorandthenturnandmeetmygazewithalookIcouldnotunderstand，IcaughtmyselfaskingwhetherIhaddoneadeeddestinedtohangforeveraboutmelikeapall；itwasnottillafterhisdeaththatthedespairingimageofthebrightyoungcreaturetowhomIhadgivenmyname，returnedwithanystartlingdistinctnesstomymind，orthatIallowedmyselftoaskwhethertheheavygloomwhichInowfeltsettlinguponmewasowingtothesenseofshamethatoverpoweredmeattheremembranceofthepast，ortothepossiblelossIhadsustainedinthedepartureofmyyoungunlovedbride。
"TheannouncementatthistimeoftheengagementbetweenEvelynBlakeandtheCountDeMiracmayhavehadsomethingtodowiththis。ThoughIhadneverinthemostpassionatehoursofmyloveforher，lostsightofthatsideofhernaturewhichdemandedasherrighttheluxuryofgreatwealth；andthoughinmytacitabandonmentofherandsecretmarriagewithanotherIhadcertainlylosttherighttocomplainofheractionswhatevertheymightbe，thismanifestsurrenderingofherselftothepowerofwealthandshowatthepriceofallthatwomenarebelievedtoholddear，wasanundoubtedblowtomyprideandtheconfidenceIhadtillnowunconsciouslyreposedinherinherentwomanlinessandaffection。Thatshehadbutmadeonamoreconspicuousscale，thesamesacrificeasmyselftothegodofWealthandPosition，wasinmyeyesatthattime，nopalliationofherconduct。Iwasamannonetoogoodorexaltedatthebest；she，awoman，shouldhavebeensuperiortothetemptationsthatoverpoweredme。Thatshewasnot，seemedtodragallwomanhoodalittlenearerthedust；fashionablewomanhoodIoughttosay，forsomehowevenatthatearlydayherconductdidnotseemtoaffectthevividimageofLuttrastandinguponmythreshold，shornofherjoybutburningwithadevotionIdidnotcomprehend，andsaying，"'Ilovedyou。Ah，andIdoyet，myhusband，loveyousothatIleaveyou。Whenthedaycomes——ifthedaycomes——youneedorfeelyouneedthesustainmentofmypresenceorthedevotionofmyheart，nopoweronearthsavethatofdeathitself，shallkeepmefromyourside。'
"Yes，withthefadingawayofotherfacesandotherforms，thatfaceandthatformnowbegantousurpthechiefplaceinmythoughts。Nottomyreliefandpleasure。Thatcouldscarcelybe，rememberingallthathadoccurred；rathertomyincreasingdistressandpassionateresentment。IlongedtoforgetIwasheldbyatie，thatknowntotheworldwouldcausemethebitterestshame。ForbythistimethetruecharacterofherfatherandbrotherhadbeenrevealedandI
foundmyselfboundtothedaughterofaconvictedcriminal。
"ButIcouldnotforgether。Thelookwithwhichshehadleftmewasbrandedintomyconsciousness。Nightanddayitfloatedbeforeme，tilltoescapeitIresolvedtofastenituponcanvas，ifbythatmeansImightsucceedineliminatingitfrommydreams。
"Thepaintingyouhaveseenthisnightistheresult。Bornwithanartist'stouchandinsightthatunderothercircumstancesmight，perhaps，haveraisedmeintothecolddryatmosphereoffame，theexecutionofthispieceofwork，presentedbutfewdifficultiestomysomewhataccustomedhand。Daybydayherbeautygrewbeneathmybrush，startlingmeoftenwithitsspiritualforceandsignificancetillmymindgrewfeverishoveritswork，andIcouldscarcelyrefrainfromrisingatnighttogiveatouchhereortheretothefloatinggoldenhairorthepiercing，tendereyesturned，ah，everturnedupontheinmostcitadelofmyheartwiththatlookthatslewmyfatherbeforehistimeandmademe，yesme，oldinspiritevenintheardentyearsofmyfirstmanhood。