Tosoftenherrefusalshesaidindeclaringit，’Oneconcession，Swithin，Icertainlywillmake。Iwillseeyouoftener。Iwillcometothecabinandtowerfrequently;andwillcontrive，too，thatyoucometothehouseoccasionally。Duringthelastwinterwepassedwholeweekswithoutmeeting;don’tletusallowthattohappenagain。’
　　’Verywell，dearest，’saidSwithingood—humouredly。’Idon’tcaresoterriblymuchfortheoldman’sopinionofme，afterall。Forthepresent，then，letthingsbeastheyare。’
　　Nevertheless，theyouthfeltherrefusalmorethanheowned;buttheunequaltemperamentofSwithin’sage，sosoondepressedonhisownaccount，wasalsosoontorecoveronhers，anditwaswithalmostachild’sforgetfulnessofthepastthathetookherviewofthecase。
　　Whenhewasgoneshehastilyre—enteredthehouse。Herbrotherhadnotreappearedfromupstairs;butshewasinformedthatTabithaLarkwaswaitingtoseeher，ifherladyshipwouldpardonthesaidTabithaforcomingsolate。LadyConstantinemadenoobjection，andsawtheyounggirlatonce。
　　WhenLadyConstantineenteredthewaiting—roombehold，inTabitha’soutstretchedhandlaythecoralornamentwhichhadbeencausingViviettesomuchanxiety。
　　’Iguessed，onsecondthoughts，thatitwasyours，mylady，’saidTabitha，withratherafrightenedface;’andsoIhavebroughtitback。’
　　’Buthowdidyoucomebyit，Tabitha？’
　　’Mr。Glanvillegaveittome;hemusthavethoughtitwasmine。I
　　tookit，fancyingatthemomentthathehandedittomebecauseI
　　happenedtocomebyfirstafterhehadfoundit。’
　　LadyConstantinesawhowthesituationmightbeimprovedsoastoeffectherdeliverancefromthistroublesomelittlewebofevidence。
　　’Oh，youcankeepit，’shesaidbrightly。’Itwasverygoodofyoutobringitback。Butkeepitforyourveryown。TakeMr。
　　Glanvilleathisword，anddon’texplain。And，Tabitha，dividethestrandsintotwobracelets;thereareenoughofthemtomakeapair。’
　　Thenextmorning，inpursuanceofhisresolution，Louiswanderedroundthegroundstillhesawthegirlforwhomhewaswaitingenterthechurch。Heaccostedheroverthewall。But，puzzlingtoview，acoralbraceletblushedoneachofheryoungarms，forshehadpromptlycarriedoutthesuggestionofLadyConstantine。
　　’Youarewearingit，Isee，Tabitha，withtheother，’hemurmured。
　　’Thenyoumeantokeepit？’
　　’Yes，Imeantokeepit。’
　　’YouaresureitisnotLadyConstantine’s？Ifindshehasonelikeit。’
　　’Quitesure。Butyouhadbettertakeittoher，sir，andaskher，’
　　saidthesaucygirl。
　　’Oh，no;that’snotnecessary，’repliedLouis，considerablyshakeninhisconvictions。
　　WhenLouismethissister，ashorttimeafter，hedidnotcatchher，ashehadintendedtodo，bysayingsuddenly，’Ihavefoundyourbracelet。Iknowwhohasgotit。’
　　’Youcannothavefoundit，’sherepliedquietly，’forIhavediscoveredthatitwasneverlost，’andstretchingoutbothherhandssherevealedoneoneach，ViviettehavingperformedthesameoperationwithherremainingbraceletthatshehadadvisedTabithatodowiththeother。
　　Louiswasmystified，butbynomeansconvinced。Inspiteofthisattempttohoodwinkhimhismindreturnedtothesubjecteveryhouroftheday。TherewasnodoubtthateitherTabithaorViviettehadbeenwithSwithininthecabin。HerecapitulatedeverycasethathadoccurredduringhisvisittoWellandinwhichhissister’smannerhadbeenofacolourtojustifythesuspicionthatitwasshe。Therewasthatstrangeincidentinthecorridor，whenshehadscreamedatwhatshedescribedtobeashadowyresemblancetoherlatehusband;howveryimprobablethatthisfancyshouldhavebeentheonlycauseofheragitation！Thenhehadnoticed，duringSwithin’sconfirmation，ablushuponhercheekwhenhepassedheronhiswaytotheBishop，andthefervourinherglanceduringthefewmomentsoftheimpositionofhands。Thenhesuddenlyrecalledthenightattherailwaystation，whentheaccidentwiththewhiptookplace，andhow，whenhereachedWellandHouseanhourlater，hehadfoundnoViviettethere。Runningthusfromincidenttoincidentheincreasedhissuspicionswithoutbeingabletocullfromthecircumstancesanythingamountingtoevidence;butevidencehenowdeterminedtoacquirewithoutsayingawordtoanyone。
　　Hisplanwasofacruelkind:tosetatrapintowhichthepairwouldblindlywalkifanysecretunderstandingexistedbetweenthemofthenaturehesuspected。
　　XXX
　　Louisbeganhisstratagembycallingatthetoweroneafternoon，asifontheimpulseofthemoment。
　　AfterafriendlychatwithSwithin，whomhefoundthere（havingwatchedhimenter），LouisinvitedtheyoungmantodinethesameeveningattheHouse，thathemighthaveanopportunityofshowinghimsomeinterestingoldscientificworksinfolio，which，accordingtoLouis’saccount，hehadstumbledoninthelibrary。LouissetnogreatbaitforSt。Cleeveinthisstatement，foroldsciencewasnotoldartwhich，havingperfecteditself，hasdiedandleftitssecrethiddeninitsremains。ButSwithinwasaresponsivefellow，andreadilyagreedtocome;being，moreover，alwaysgladofachanceofmeetingVivietteenfamille。Hehopedtotellherofaschemethathadlatelysuggesteditselftohimaslikelytobenefitthemboth:
　　thatheshouldgoawayforawhile，andendeavourtoraisesufficientfundstovisitthegreatobservatoriesofEurope，withaneyetoapostinoneofthem。Hithertotheonlybartotheplanhadbeentheexceedingnarrownessofhisincome，which，thoughsufficientforhispresentlife，wasabsolutelyinadequatetotherequirementsofatravellingastronomer。
　　MeanwhileLouisGlanvillehadreturnedtotheHouseandtoldhissisterinthemostinnocentmannerthathehadbeeninthecompanyofSt。Cleevethatafternoon，gettingafewwrinklesonastronomy;
　　thattheyhadgrownsofriendlyoverthefascinatingsubjectastoleavehimnoalternativebuttoinviteSt。CleevetodineatWellandthesameevening，withaviewtocertainresearchesinthelibraryafterwards。
　　’Icouldquitemakeallowancesforanyyouthfulerrorsintowhichhemayhavebeenbetrayed，’Louiscontinuedsententiously，’since，forascientist，heisreallyadmirable。NodoubttheBishop’scautionwillnotbelostuponhim;andasforhisbirthandconnexions，——
　　thosehecan’thelp。’
　　LadyConstantineshowedsuchalacrityinadoptingtheideaofhavingSwithintodinner，andsheignoredhis’youthfulerrors’socompletely，asalmosttobetrayherself。InfulfilmentofherpromisetoseehimoftenershehadbeenintendingtorunacrosstoSwithinonthatidenticalevening。Nowthetroublewouldbesavedinaverydelightfulway，bytheexerciseofalittlehospitalitywhichVivietteherselfwouldnothavedaredtosuggest。
　　Dinner—timecameandwithitSwithin，exhibitingratherablushingandnervousmannerthatwas，unfortunately，morelikelytobetraytheircausethanwasViviette’sownmorepractisedbearing。
　　ThroughoutthemealLouissatlikeaspiderinthecornerofhisweb，observingthemnarrowly，andatmomentsflingingoutanartfulthreadhereandthere，withaviewtotheirentanglement。Buttheyunderwenttheordealmarvellouslywell。Perhapstheactualtiebetweenthem，throughbeingsomuchcloserandofsomuchmorepracticalanaturethaneventheircriticsupposedit，wasinitselfaprotectionagainsttheirexhibitingthatultra—reciprocityofmannerwhich，iftheyhadbeenmerelylovers，mighthavebetrayedthem。
　　Afterdinnerthetriodulyadjournedtothelibraryashadbeenplanned，andthevolumeswerebroughtforthbyLouiswiththezestofabibliophilist。Swithinhadseenmostofthembefore，andthoughtbutlittleofthem;butthepleasureofstayinginthehousemadehimwelcomeanyreasonfordoingso，andhewillinglylookedatwhateverwasputbeforehim，fromBertius’sPtolemytoRees’sCyclopaedia。
　　Theeveningthuspassedaway，anditbegantogrowlate。Swithinwho，amongotherthings，hadplannedtogotoGreenwichnextdaytoviewtheRoyalObservatory，wouldeverynowandthenstartupandpreparetoleaveforhome，whenGlanvillewouldunearthsomeothervolumeandsodetainhimyetanotherhalf—hour。
　　’ByGeorge！’hesaid，lookingattheclockwhenSwithinwasatlastreallyabouttodepart。’Ididn’tknowitwassolate。Whynotstayhereto—night，St。Cleeve？Itisverydark，andthewaytoyourplaceisanawkwardcross—cutoverthefields。’
　　’Itwouldnotinconvenienceusatall，Mr。St。Cleeve，ifyouwouldcaretostay，’saidLadyConstantine。
　　’Iamafraid——thefactis，Iwantedtotakeanobservationattwentyminutespasttwo，’beganSwithin。
　　’Oh，now，nevermindyourobservation，’saidLouis。’That’sonlyanexcuse。Dothatto—morrownight。Nowyouwillstay。Itissettled。Viviette，sayhemuststay，andwe’llhaveanotherhourofthesecharmingintellectualresearches。’
　　Vivietteobeyedwithdelightfulease。’Dostay，MrSt。Cleeve！’shesaidsweetly。
　　’Well，intruthIcandowithouttheobservation，’repliedtheyoungman，ashegaveway。’Itisnotofthegreatestconsequence。’
　　Thusitwasarranged;buttheresearchesamongthetomeswerenotprolongedtotheextentthatLouishadsuggested。Inthree—quartersofanhourfromthattimetheyhadallretiredtotheirrespectiverooms;LadyConstantine’sbeingononesideofthewestcorridor，Swithin’sopposite，andLouis’satthefurtherend。
　　HadapersonfollowedLouiswhenhewithdrew，thatwatcherwouldhavediscovered，onpeepingthroughthekey—holeofhisdoor，thathewasengagedinoneoftheoddestofoccupationsforsuchaman，——
　　sweepingdownfromtheceiling，bymeansofawalking—cane，alongcobwebwhichlingeredonhighinthecorner。Keepingitstretcheduponthecanehegentlyopenedthedoor，andsetthecandleinsuchapositiononthematthatthelightshonedownthecorridor。Thusguidedbyitsrayshepassedoutslipperless，tillhereachedthedoorofSt。Cleeve’sroom，whereheappliedthedanglingspider’sthreadinsuchamannerthatitstretchedacrosslikeatight—ropefromjambtojamb，barring，initsfragileway，entranceandegress。
　　Theoperationcompletedheretiredagain，and，extinguishinghislight，wentthroughhisbedroomwindowoutupontheflatroofoftheporticotowhichitgaveaccess。
　　HereLouismadehimselfcomfortableinhischairandsmoking—cap，enjoyingthefragranceofacigarforsomethinglikehalf—an—hour。
　　HispositioncommandedaviewofthetwowindowsofLadyConstantine’sroom，andfromtheseadimlightshonecontinuously。
　　Havingthewindowpartlyopenathisback，andthedoorofhisroomalsoscarcelyclosed，hisearretainedafaircommandofanynoisesthatmightbemade。
　　Induetimefaintmovementsbecameaudible;whereupon，returningtohisroom，here—enteredthecorridorandlistenedintently。Allwassilentagain，anddarknessreignedfromendtoend。Glanville，however，gropedhiswayalongthepassagetillheagainreachedSwithin’sdoor，whereheexamined，bythelightofawax—matchhehadbrought，theconditionofthespider’sthread。Itwasgone;
　　somebodyhadcarrieditoffbodily，asSamsoncarriedoffthepinandtheweb。Inotherwords，apersonhadpassedthroughthedoor。
　　Stillholdingthefaintwax—lightinhishandLouisturnedtothedoorofLadyConstantine’schamber，whereheobservedfirstthat，thoughitwaspushedtogethersoastoappearfastenedtocursoryview，thedoorwasnotreallyclosedbyaboutaquarterofaninch。
　　Hedroppedhislightandextinguisheditwithhisfoot。Listening，heheardavoicewithin，——Viviette’svoice，inasubduedmurmur，thoughspeakingearnestly。
　　WithoutanyhesitationLouisthenreturnedtoSwithin’sdoor，openedit，andwalkedin。Thestarlightfromwithoutwassufficient，nowthathiseyeshadbecomeaccustomedtothedarkness，torevealthattheroomwasunoccupied，andthatnothingthereinhadbeendisturbed。
　　WithaheavytreadLouiscameforth，walkedloudlyacrossthecorridor，knockedatLadyConstantine’sdoor，andcalled’Viviette！’
　　Sheheardhiminstantly，replying’Yes’instartledtones。
　　Immediatelyafterwardssheopenedherdoor，andconfrontedhiminherdressing—gown，withalightinherhand。’Whatisthematter，Louis？’shesaid。
　　’Iamgreatlyalarmed。Ourvisitorismissing。’
　　’Missing？What，Mr。St。Cleeve？’
　　’Yes。Iwassittinguptofinishacigar，whenIthoughtIheardanoiseinthisdirection。OncomingtohisroomIfindheisnotthere。’
　　’GoodHeaven！Iwonderwhathashappened！’sheexclaimed，inapparentlyintensealarm。
　　’Iwonder，’saidGlanvillegrimly。
　　’Supposeheisasomnambulist！Ifso，hemayhavegoneoutandbrokenhisneck。Ihaveneverheardthatheisone，buttheysaythatsleepinginstrangeplacesdisturbsthemindsofpeoplewhoaregiventothatsortofthing，andprovokesthemtoit。’
　　’Unfortunatelyforyourtheoryhisbedhasnotbeentouched。’
　　’Oh，whatthencanitbe？’
　　Herbrotherlookedherfullintheface。’Viviette！’hesaidsternly。
　　Sheseemedpuzzled。’Well？’shereplied，insimpletones。
　　’Iheardvoicesinyourroom，’hecontinued。
　　’Voices？’
　　’Avoice，——yours。’
　　’Yes，youmayhavedoneso。Itwasmine。’
　　’Alistenerisrequiredforaspeaker。’
　　’True，Louis。’
　　’Well，towhomwereyouspeaking？’
　　’God。’
　　’Viviette！Iamashamedofyou。’
　　’Iwassayingmyprayers。’
　　’Prayers——toGod！ToSt。Swithin，rather！’
　　’Whatdoyoumean，Louis？’sheasked，flushingupwarm，anddrawingbackfromhim。’ItwasaformofprayerIuse，particularlywhenI
　　amintrouble。ItwasrecommendedtomebytheBishop，andMr。
　　Torkinghamcommendsitveryhighly。’
　　’Onyourhonour，ifyouhaveany，’hesaidbitterly，’whomhaveyouthereinyourroom？’
　　’Nohumanbeing。’
　　’Flatly，Idon’tbelieveyou。’
　　Shegaveadignifiedlittlebow，and，wavingherhandintotheapartment，said，’Verywell;thensearchandsee。’
　　Louisentered，andglancedroundtheroom，behindthecurtains，underthebed，outofthewindow——aviewfromwhichshowedthatescapethencewouldhavebeenimpossible，——everywhere，inshort，capableorincapableofaffordingaretreattohumanity;butdiscoverednobody。Allheobservedwasthatalightstoodonthelowtablebyherbedside;thatonthebedlayanopenPrayer—Book，thecounterpanebeingunpressed，exceptintoalittlepitbesidethePrayerBook，apparentlywhereherheadhadrestedinkneeling。
　　’ButwhereisSt。Cleeve？’hesaid，turninginbewildermentfromtheseevidencesofinnocentdevotion。
　　’Wherecanhebe？’shechimedin，withrealdistress。’Ishouldsomuchliketoknow。Lookaboutforhim。Iamquiteuneasy！’
　　’Iwill，ononecondition:thatyouownthatyoulovehim。’
　　’Whyshouldyouforcemetothat？’shemurmured。’ItwouldbenosuchwonderifIdid。’
　　’Come，youdo。’
　　’Well，Ido。’
　　’NowI’lllookforhim。’
　　Louistookalight，andturnedaway，astonishedthatshehadnotindignantlyresentedhisintrusionandthenatureofhisquestioning。
　　Atthismomentaslightnoisewasheardonthestaircase，andtheycouldseeafigurerisingstepbystep，andcomingforwardagainstthelonglightsofthestaircasewindow。ItwasSwithin，inhisordinarydress，andcarryinghisbootsinhishand。Whenhebeheldthemstandingtheresomotionless，helookedratherdisconcerted，butcameontowardshisroom。
　　LadyConstantinewastooagitatedtospeak，butLouissaid，’Iamgladtoseeyouagain。Hearinganoise，afewminutesago，Icameouttolearnwhatitcouldbe。Ifoundyouabsent，andwehavebeenverymuchalarmed。’
　　’Iamverysorry，’saidSwithin，withcontrition。’Ioweyouahundredapologies:butthetruthisthatonenteringmybedroomI
　　foundtheskyremarkablyclear，andthoughItoldyouthattheobservationIwastomakewasofnogreatconsequence，onthinkingitoveraloneIfeltitoughtnottobeallowedtopass;soIwastemptedtorunacrosstotheobservatory，andmakeit，asIhadhoped，withoutdisturbinganybody。IfIhadknownthatIshouldalarmyouIwouldnothavedoneitfortheworld。’
　　SwithinspokeveryearnestlytoLouis，anddidnotobservethetenderreproachinViviette’seyeswhenheshowedbyhistalehisdecidednotionthattheprimeuseofdarknightslayintheirfurtheranceofpracticalastronomy。
　　Everythingbeingnowsatisfactorilyexplainedthethreeretiredtotheirseveralchambers，andLouisheardnomorenoisesthatnight，orrathermorning;hisattemptstosolvethemysteryofViviette’slifehereandherrelationswithSt。Cleevehavingthusfarresultedchieflyinperplexity。True，anadmissionhadbeenwrungfromher;
　　andevenwithoutsuchanadmissionitwasclearthatshehadatenderfeelingforSwithin。Howtoextinguishthatromanticfollyitnowbecamehisobjecttoconsider。
　　XXXI
　　Swithin’smidnightexcursiontothetowerinthecauseofscienceledhimtooversleephimself，andwhenthebrotherandsistermetatbreakfastinthemorninghedidnotappear。
　　’Don’tdisturbhim，——don’tdisturbhim，’saidLouislaconically。
　　’Hullo，Viviette，whatareyoureadingtherethatmakesyouflameupso？’
　　Shewasglancingoveraletterthatshehadjustopened，andathiswordslookedupwithmisgiving。
　　Theincidentofthepreviousnightleftheringreatdoubtastowhatherbearingtowardshimoughttobe。Shehadmadenoshowofresentinghisconductatthetime，fromamomentarysuppositionthathemustknowallhersecret;andafterwards，findingthathedidnotknowit，itseemedtoolatetoaffectindignationathissuspicions。
　　Soshepreservedaquietneutrality。Evenhadsheresolvedonanartificialpartshemighthaveforgottentoplayitatthisinstant，theletterbeingofakindtobanishpreviousconsiderations。
　　’ItisaletterfromBishopHelmsdale，’shefaltered。
　　’Welldone！Ihopeforyoursakeitisanoffer。’
　　’That’sjustwhatitis。’
　　’No，——surely？’saidLouis，beginningalaughofsurprise。
　　’Yes，’shereturnedindifferently。’Youcanreadit，ifyoulike。’
　　’Idon’twishtopryintoacommunicationofthatsort。’
　　’Oh，youmayreadit，’shesaid，tossingtheletteracrosstohim。
　　Louisthereuponreadasunder:——
　　’THEPALACE，MELCHESTER，June28，18——。
　　’MYDEARLADYCONSTANTINE，——DuringthetwoorthreeweeksthathaveelapsedsinceIexperiencedthegreatpleasureofrenewingmyacquaintancewithyou，thevariedagitationofmyfeelingshasclearlyprovedthatmyonlycourseistoaddressyoubyletter，andatonce。Whetherthesubjectofmycommunicationbeacceptabletoyouornot，Icanatleastassureyouthattosuppressitwouldbefarlessnatural，anduponthewholelessadvisable，thantospeakoutfrankly，evenifafterwardsIholdmypeaceforever。
　　’Thegreatchangeinmyexperienceduringthepastyearortwo——thechange，thatis，whichhasresultedfrommyadvancementtoabishopric——hasfrequentlysuggestedtome，oflate，thatadiscontinuanceinmydomesticlifeofthesolitudeofpastyearswasaquestionwhichoughttobeseriouslycontemplated。ButwhetherI
　　shouldeverhavecontemplateditwithoutthegreatgoodfortuneofmymeetingwithyouisdoubtful。However，thethinghasbeenconsideredatlast，andwithoutmoreadoIcandidlyaskifyouwouldbewillingtogiveupyourlifeatWelland，andrelievemyhouseholdlonelinessherebybecomingmywife。
　　’Iamfarfromdesiringtoforceahurrieddecisiononyourpart，andwillwaityourgoodpleasurepatiently，shouldyoufeelanyuncertaintyatthemomentastothestep。Iamquitedisqualified，byhabitsandexperience，forthedelightfulprocedureofurgingmysuitintheardenttermswhichwouldbesoappropriatetowardssuchalady，andsoexpressiveofmyinmostfeeling。Intruth，aprosyclericoffive—and—fortywantsencouragementtomakehimeloquent。
　　Ofthis，however，Icanassureyou:thatifadmiration，esteem，anddevotioncancompensateinanywayforthelackofthosequalitieswhichmightbefoundtoburnwithmoreoutwardbrightnessinayoungerman，thoseitisinmypowertobestowforthetermofmyearthlylife。Yoursteadyadherencetochurchprinciplesandyourinterestinecclesiasticalpolity（aswasshownbyyourbrightquestioningonthosesubjectsduringourmorningwalkroundyourgrounds）haveindicatedstronglytomethegraceandappropriatenesswithwhichyouwouldfillthepositionofabishop’swife，andhowgreatlyyouwouldaddtohisreputation，shouldyoubedisposedtohonourhimwithyourhand。FormerlytherehavebeentimeswhenI
　　wasofopinion——andyouwillrightlyappreciatemycandourinowningit——thatawifewasanimpedimenttoabishop’sdueactivities;butconstantobservationhasconvincedmethat，farfromthisbeingthetruth，ameetconsortinfuseslifeintoepiscopalinfluenceandteaching。
　　’ShouldyoureplyintheaffirmativeIwillatoncecometoseeyou，andwithyourpermissionwill，amongotherthings，showyouafewplain，practicalruleswhichIhaveinterestedmyselfindrawingupforourfutureguidance。Shouldyourefusetochangeyourconditiononmyaccount，yourdecisionwill，asIneedhardlysay，beagreatblowtome。Inanyevent，IcouldnotdolessthanIhavedone，aftergivingthesubjectmyfullconsideration。Eveniftherebeaslightdeficiencyofwarmthonyourpart，myearnesthopeisthatamindcomprehensiveasyourswillperceivetheimmensepowerforgoodthatyoumightexerciseinthepositioninwhichaunionwithmewouldplaceyou，andallowthatperceptiontoweighindeterminingyouranswer。
　　’Iremain，mydearLadyConstantine，withthehighestrespectandaffection，——Yoursalways，’C。MELCHESTER。’
　　’Well，youwillnothavethefoolhardinesstodecline，nowthatthequestionhasactuallybeenpopped，Ishouldhope，’saidLouis，whenhehaddonereading。
　　’CertainlyIshall，’shereplied。
　　’Youwillreallybesuchaflat，Viviette？’
　　’Youspeakwithoutmuchcompliment。Ihavenottheleastideaofacceptinghim。’
　　’Surelyyouwillnotletyourinfatuationforthatyoungfellowcarryyousofar，aftermyacquaintingyouwiththeshadysideofhischaracter？Youcallyourselfareligiouswoman，sayyourprayersoutloud，followuptherevivedmethodsinchurchpractice，andwhatnot;andyetyoucanthinkwithpartialityofapersonwho，farfromhavinganyreligioninhim，breaksthemostelementarycommandmentsinthedecalogue。’
　　’Icannotagreewithyou，’shesaid，turningherfaceaskance，forsheknewnothowmuchofherbrother’slanguagewassincere，andhowmuchassumed，theextentofhisdiscoverieswithregardtohersecrettiesbeingamystery。Atmomentsshewasdisposedtodeclarethewholetruth，andhavedonewithit。Butshehesitated，andleftthewordsunsaid;andLouiscontinuedhisbreakfastinsilence。
　　Whenhehadfinished，andshehadeatenlittleornothing，heaskedoncemore，’Howdoyouintendtoanswerthatletter？Hereyouare，thepoorestwomaninthecounty，abandonedbypeoplewhousedtobegladtoknowyou，andleadingalifeasdismalanddrearyasanun’s，whenanopportunityisofferedyouofleapingatonceintoaleadingpositioninthispartofEngland。Bishopsaregiventohospitality;youwouldbewelcomedeverywhere。Inshort，youranswermustbeyes。’
　　’Andyetitwillbeno，’shesaid，inalowvoice。Shehadatlengthlearnt，fromthetoneofherbrother’slatterremarks，thatatanyratehehadnoknowledgeofheractualmarriage，whateverindirecttieshemightsuspectherguiltyof。
　　Louiscouldrestrainhimselfnolongeratheranswer。’Thenconductyouraffairsyourownway。Iknowyoutobeleadingalifethatwon’tbearinvestigation，andI’mhangedifI’llstayhereanylonger！’
　　Sayingwhich，Glanvillejerkedbackhischair，andstrodeoutoftheroom。Inlessthanaquarterofanhour，andbeforeshehadmovedastepfromthetable，sheheardhimleavingthehouse。
　　XXXII
　　Whattodoshecouldnottell。ThestepwhichSwithinhadentreatedhertotake，objectionableandprematureasithadseemedinacountyaspect，wouldatalleventshavesavedherfromthisdilemma。
　　HadsheallowedhimtotelltheBishophissimplestoryinitsfulness，whocouldsaybutthatthatdivinemighthavegenerouslybridledhisownimpulses，enteredintothecasewithsympathy，andforwardedwithzesttheirdesignsforthefuture，owingtohisinterestofoldinSwithin’sfather，andinthenaturallyattractivefeaturesoftheyoungman’scareer。
　　Apuffofwindfromtheopenwindow，waftingtheBishop’slettertothefloor，arousedherfromherreverie。Withasighshestoopedandpickeditup，glancedatitagain;thenarose，andwiththedeliberatenessofinevitableactionwroteherreply:——
　　’WELLANDHOUSE，June29，18——。
　　’MYDEARBISHOPOFMELCHESTER，——Iconfesstoyouthatyourletter，sograciousandflatteringasitis，hastakenyourfriendsomewhatunawares。TheleastIcandoinreturnforitscontentsistoreplyasquicklyaspossible。
　　’Thereisnooneintheworldwhoesteemsyourhighqualitiesmorethanmyself，orwhohasgreaterfaithinyourabilitytoadorntheepiscopalseatthatyouhavebeencalledontofill。ButtoyourquestionIcangiveonlyonereply，andthatisanunqualifiednegative。Tostatethisunavoidabledecisiondistressesme，withoutaffectation;andItrustyouwillbelievethat，thoughIdeclinethedistinctionofbecomingyourwife，Ishallneverceasetointerestmyselfinallthatpertainstoyouandyouroffice;andshallfeelthekeenestregretifthisrefusalshouldoperatetopreventalifelongfriendshipbetweenus。——Iam，mydearBishopofMelchester，eversincerelyyours，’VIVIETTECONSTANTINE。’
　　Asuddenrevulsionfromthesubterfugeofwritingasifshewerestillawidow，wroughtinhermindafeelingofdissatisfactionwiththewholeschemeofconcealment;andpushingasidethelettersheallowedittoremainunfoldedandunaddressed。InafewminutessheheardSwithinapproaching，whensheputtheletteroutofthewayandturnedtoreceivehim。