IX。FromMr。deBleriottoMrs。Lecount。
　　“Dark'sBuildings，October28th。
　　“Private。
　　“DEARMADAM——OneofMr。Loscombe'sclerkshasprovedamenabletoasmallpecuniaryconsideration，andhasmentionedacircumstancewhichitmaybeofsomeimportancetoyoutoknow。
　　“Nearlyamonthsince，accidentgavetheclerkinquestionanopportunityoflookingintooneofthedocumentsonhismaster'stable，whichhadattractedhisattentionfromaslightpeculiarityintheformandcolorofthepaper。
　　Hehadonlytime，duringMr。Loscombe'smomentaryabsence，tosatisfyhiscuriositybylookingatthebeginningofthedocumentandattheend。Atthebeginninghesawthecustomaryformusedinmakingawill；attheendhediscoveredthesignatureofMr。NoelVanstone，withthenamesoftwoattestingwitnesses，andthedateofwhichheisquitecertain——thethirtiethofSeptemberlast。
　　“Beforetheclerkhadtimetomakeanyfurtherinvestigations，hismasterreturned，sortedthepapersonthetable，andcarefullylockedupthewillinthestrongboxdevotedtothecustodyofMr。NoelVanstone'sdocuments。
　　Ithasbeenascertainedthat，atthecloseofSeptember，Mr。Loscombewasabsentfromtheoffice。Ifhewasthenemployedinsuperintendingtheexecutionofhisclient'swill——whichisquitepossible——itfollowsclearlythathewasinthesecretofMr。Vanstone'saddressaftertheremovalofthe4thofSeptember；andifyoucandonothingonyourside，itmaybedesirabletohavethelawyerwatchedonours。Inanycase，itiscertainlyascertainedthatMr。NoelVanstonehasmadehiswillsincehismarriage。Ileaveyoutodrawyourownconclusionsfromthatfact，andremain，inthehopeofhearingfromyoushortly，“Yourfaithfulservant，“ALFREDDEBLERIOT。“
　　X。FromMissGarthtoMr。Pendril。
　　“PortlandPlace，October28th。
　　“MYDEARSIR——Mrs。Lecounthasjustleftus。Ifitwasnottoolatetowish，Ishouldwish，fromthebottomofmyheart，thatNorahhadtakenyouradvice，andhadrefusedtoseeher。
　　“IwriteinsuchdistressofmindthatIcannothopetogiveyouaclearandcompleteaccountoftheinterview。IcanonlytellyoubrieflywhatMrs。Lecounthasdone，andwhatoursituationnowis。TherestmustbeleftuntilIammorecomposed，anduntilIcanspeaktoyoupersonally。
　　“YouwillremembermyinformingyouoftheletterwhichMrs。LecountaddressedtoNorahfromAldborough，andwhichIansweredforherinherabsence。WhenMrs。Lecountmadeherappearanceto-day，herfirstwordsannouncedtousthatshehadcometorenewthesubject。AswellasIcanrememberit，thisiswhatshesaid，addressingherselftoNorah:
　　“'Iwrotetoyouonthesubjectofyoursister，MissVanstone，somelittletimesince，andMissGarthwassogoodastoanswertheletter。
　　WhatIfearedatthattimehascometrue。Yoursisterhasdefiedallmyeffortstocheckher；shehasdisappearedincompanywithmymaster，Mr。
　　NoelVanstone；andsheisnowinapositionofdangerwhichmayleadtoherdisgraceandruinatamoment'snotice。Itismyinteresttorecovermymaster，itisyourinteresttosaveyoursister。Tellme——fortimeisprecious——haveyouanynewsofher？'
　　“Norahanswered，aswellasherterroranddistresswouldallowher，'Ihavehadaletter，buttherewasnoaddressonit。'
　　“Mrs。Lecountasked，'Wastherenopostmarkontheenvelope？'
　　“Norahsaid，'Yes；Allonby。'
　　“'Allonbyisbetterthannothing，'saidMrs。Lecount。'Allonbymayhelpyoutotraceher。WhereisAllonby？'
　　“Norahtoldher。Itallpassedinaminute。Ihadbeentoomuchconfusedandstartledtointerferebefore，butIcomposedmyselfsufficientlytointerferenow。
　　“'Youhaveenteredintonoparticulars，'Isaid。'Youhaveonlyfrightenedus——youhavetoldusnothing。'
　　“'Youshallheartheparticulars，ma'am，'saidMrs。Lecount；'andyouandMissVanstoneshalljudgeforyourselvesifIhavefrightenedyouwithoutacause。'
　　“Uponthis，sheenteredatonceuponalongnarrative，whichIcannot——I
　　mightalmostsay，whichIdarenot——repeat。YouwillunderstandthehorrorwebothfeltwhenItellyoutheend。IfMrs。Lecount'sstatementistobereliedon，Magdalenhascarriedhermadresolutionofrecoveringherfather'sfortunetothelastandmostdesperateextremity——shehasmarriedMichaelVanstone'ssonunderafalsename。HerhusbandisatthismomentstillpersuadedthathermaidennamewasBygrave，andthatsheisreallythenieceofascoundrelwhoassistedherimposture，andwhomIrecognize，bythedescriptionofhim，tohavebeenCaptainWragge。
　　“IspareyouMrs。Lecount'scoolavowal，whensherosetoleaveus，ofherownmercenarymotivesinwishingtodiscoverhermasterandtoenlightenhim。IspareyouthehintsshedroppedofMagdalen'spurposeincontractingthisinfamousmarriage。TheoneaimandobjectofmyletteristoimploreyoutoassistmeinquietingNorah'sanguishofmind。Theshockshehasreceivedathearingthisnewsofhersisterisnottheworstresultofwhathashappened。Shehaspersuadedherselfthattheanswerssheinnocentlygave，inherdistress，toMrs。Lecount'squestionsonthesubjectofherletter——theanswerswrungfromherunderthesuddenpressureofconfusionandalarm——maybeusedtoMagdalen'sprejudicebythewomanwhopurposelystartledherintogivingtheinformation。Icanonlypreventherfromtakingsomedesperatesteponherside——somestepbywhichshemayforfeitthefriendshipandprotectionoftheexcellentpeoplewithwhomsheisnowliving——byremindingherthatifMrs。Lecounttraceshermasterbymeansofthepostmarkontheletter，wemaytraceMagdalenatthesametime，andbythesamemeans。WhateverobjectionyoumaypersonallyfeeltorenewingtheeffortsfortherescueofthismiserablegirlwhichfailedsolamentablyatYork，Ientreatyou，forNorah'ssake，totakethesamestepsnowwhichwetookthen。Sendmetheonlyassurancewhichwillquiether——theassurance，underyourownhand，thatthesearchonoursidehasbegun。Ifyouwilldothis，youmaytrustme，whenthetimecomes，tostandbetweenthesetwosisters，andtodefendNorah'speace，character，andfutureprosperityatanyprice。
　　“Mostsincerelyyours，“HARRIETGARTH。“
　　XI。FromMrs。LecounttoMr。deBleriot。
　　“October28th。
　　“DEARSIR——Ihavefoundthetraceyouwanted。Mrs。NoelVanstonehaswrittentohersister。Thelettercontainsnoaddress，butthepostmarkisAllonby，inCumberland。FromAllonby，therefore，theinquiriesmustbegin。Youhavealreadyinyourpossessionthepersonaldescriptionofbothhusbandandwife。Iurgentlyrecommendyounottoloseoneunnecessarymoment。IfitispossibletosendtoCumberlandimmediatelyonreceiptofthisletter，Ibegyouwilldoso。
　　“IhaveanotherwordtosaybeforeIclosemynote——awordaboutthediscoveryinMr。Loscombe'soffice。
　　“ItisnosurprisetometohearthatMr。NoelVanstonehasmadehiswillsincehismarriage，andIamatnolosstoguessinwhosefavorthewillismade。IfIsucceedinfindingmymaster，letthatpersongetthemoneyifthatpersoncan。AcoursetofollowinthismatterhaspresenteditselftomymindsinceIreceivedyourletter，butmyignoranceofdetailsofbusinessandintricaciesoflawleavesmestilluncertainwhethermyideaiscapableofreadyandcertainexecution。IknownoprofessionalpersonwhomIcantrustinthisdelicateanddangerousbusiness。Isyourlargeexperienceinothermatterslargeenoughtohelpmeinthis？Iwillcallatyourofficeto-morrowattwoo'clock，forthepurposeofconsultingyouonthesubject。Itisofthegreatestimportance，whenInextseeMr。
　　NoelVanstone，thatheshouldfindmethoroughlypreparedbeforehandinthismatterofthewill。Yourmuchobligedservant，“VIRGINIELECOUNT。“
　　XII。FromMr。PendriltoMissGarth。
　　“SerleStreet，October29th。
　　“DEARMISSGARTH——IhaveonlyamomenttoassureyouofthesorrowwithwhichIhavereadyourletter。Thecircumstancesunderwhichyouurgeyourrequest，andthereasonsyougiveformakingit，aresufficienttosilenceanyobjectionImightotherwisefeeltothecourseyoupropose。
　　Atrustworthyperson，whomIhavemyselfinstructed，willstartforAllonbyto-day，andassoonasIreceiveanynewsfromhim，youshallhearofitbyspecialmessenger。TellMissVanstonethis，andprayaddthesincereexpressionofmysympathyandregard。
　　“Faithfullyyours，WILLIAMPENDRIL。“
　　XIII。FromMr。deBleriottoMrs。Lecount。
　　“Dark'sBuildings。November1st。
　　“DEARMADAM——IhavethepleasureofinformingyouthatthediscoveryhasbeenmadewithfarlesstroublethanIhadanticipated。
　　“Mr。andMrs。NoelVanstonehavebeentracedacrosstheSolwayFirthtoDumfries，andthencetoacottageafewmilesfromthetown，onthebanksoftheNith。TheexactaddressisBaliolCottage，nearDumfries。
　　“Thisinformation，thougheasilyhuntedup，hasneverthelessbeenobtainedunderrathersingularcircumstances。
　　“BeforeleavingAllonby，thepersonsinmyemploydiscovered，totheirsurprise，thatastrangerwasintheplacepursuingthesameinquiryasthemselves。Intheabsenceofanyinstructionspreparingthemforsuchanoccurrenceasthis，theytooktheirownviewofthecircumstance。Consideringthemanasanintruderontheirbusiness，whosesuccessmightdeprivethemofthecreditandrewardofmakingthediscovery，theytookadvantageoftheirsuperiorityinnumbers，andoftheirbeingfirstinthefield，andcarefullymisledthestrangerbeforetheyventuredanyfurtherwiththeirowninvestigations。Iaminpossessionofthedetailsoftheirproceedings，withwhichIneednottroubleyou。Theendis，thatthisperson，whoeverhemaybe，wascleverlyturnedbacksouthwardonafalsescentbeforethemeninmyemploymentcrossedtheFirth。
　　“Imentionthecircumstance，asyoumaybebetterablethanIamtofindaclewtoit，andasitmaypossiblybeofanaturetoinduceyoutohastenyourjourney。
　　“Yourfaithfulservant，“ALFREDDEBLERIOT。“
　　XIV。FromMrs。LecounttoMr。deBleriot。
　　“November1st。
　　“DEARSIR——OnelinetosaythatyourletterhasjustreachedmeatmylodginginLondon。IthinkIknowwhosentthestrangemantoinquireatAllonby。Itmatterslittle。Beforehefindsouthismistake，IshallbeatDumfries。Myluggageispacked，andIstartfortheNorthbythenexttrain。
　　“Yourdeeplyobliged“VIRGINIELECOUNT。“
　　[NextChapter]
　　[TableofContents]NoName，Scene5，Chapter1THEFIFTHSCENE
　　BALIOLCOTTAGE，DUMFRIES。
　　CHAPTERI。
　　TOWARDeleveno'clock，onthemorningofthethirdofNovember，thebreakfast-tableatBaliolCottagepresentedthatessentiallycomfortlessappearancewhichiscausedbyamealinastateoftransition——thatistosay，byamealpreparedfortwopersons，whichhasbeenalreadyeatenbyone，andwhichhasnotyetbeenapproachedbytheother。Itmustbeahardyappetitewhichcancontemplatewithoutamomentarydiscouragementthebatteredegg-shell，thefishhalfstrippedtoaskeleton，thecrumbsintheplate，andthedregsinthecup。Thereissurelyawisesubmissiontothoseweaknessesinhumannaturewhichmustberespectedandnotreproved，inthesympathizingrapiditywithwhichservantsinplacesofpublicrefreshmentclearawayallsignsofthecustomerinthepast，fromtheeyesofthecustomerinthepresent。Althoughhispredecessormayhavebeenthewifeofhisbosomorthechildofhisloins，nomancanfindhimselfconfrontedattablebythetracesofavanishedeater，withoutapassingsenseofinjuryinconnectionwiththeideaofhisownmeal。
　　SomesuchimpressionasthisfounditswayintothemindofMr。NoelVanstonewhenheenteredthelonelybreakfast-parloratBaliolCottageshortlyaftereleveno'clock。Helookedatthetablewithafrown，andrangthebellwithanexpressionofdisgust。
　　“Clearawaythismess，“hesaid，whentheservantappeared。“Hasyourmistressgone？“
　　“Yes，sir——nearlyanhourago。“
　　“IsLouisadownstairs？“
　　“Yes，sir。“
　　“Whenyouhaveputthetableright，sendLouisauptome。“
　　Hewalkedawaytothewindow。Themomentaryirritationpassedawayfromhisface；butitleftanexpressiontherewhichremained——anexpressionofpiningdiscontent。Personally，hismarriagehadalteredhimfortheworse。Hiswizenlittlecheekswerebeginningtoshrinkintohollows，hisfraillittlefigurehadalreadycontractedaslightstoop。Theformerdelicacyofhiscomplexionhadgone——thesicklypalenessofitwasallthatremained。Histhinflaxenmustacheswerenolongerpragmaticallywaxedandtwistedintoacurl:theirweakfeatheryendshungmeeklypendentoverthequerulouscornersofhismouth。Ifthetenortwelveweekssincehismarriagehadbeencountedbyhislocks，theymighthavereckonedastenortwelveyears。Hestoodatthewindowmechanicallypickingleavesfromapotofheathplacedinfrontofit，anddrearilyhummingtheforlornfragmentofatune。
　　TheprospectfromthewindowoverlookedthecourseoftheNithatabendoftheriverafewmilesaboveDumfries。Hereandthere，throughwintrygapsinthewoodedbank，broadtractsofthelevelcultivatedvalleymettheeye。Boatspassedontheriver，andcartsploddedalongthehigh-roadontheirwaytoDumfries。Theskywasclear；theNovembersunshoneaspleasantlyasiftheyearhadbeenyoungerbytwogoodmonths；andtheview，notedinScotlandforitsbrightandpeacefulcharm，waspresentedatthebestwhichitswintryaspectcouldassume。Ifithadbeenhiddeninmistordrenchedwithrain，Mr。NoelVanstonewould，toallappearance，havefounditasattractiveashefounditnow。HewaitedatthewindowuntilheheardLouisa'sknockatthedoor，thenturnedbacksullenlytothebreakfast-tableandtoldhertocomein。
　　“Makethetea，“hesaid。“Iknownothingaboutit。I'mlefthereneglected。Nobodyhelpsme。“
　　ThediscreetLouisasilentlyandsubmissivelyobeyed。
　　“Didyourmistressleaveanymessageforme，“heasked，“beforeshewentaway？“
　　“Nomessageinparticular，sir。Mymistressonlysaidsheshouldbetoolateifshewaitedbreakfastanylonger。“
　　“Didshesaynothingelse？“
　　“Shetoldmeatthecarriagedoor，sir，thatshewouldmostlikelybebackinaweek。“
　　“Wassheingoodspiritsatthecarriagedoor？“
　　“No，sir。Ithoughtmymistressseemedveryanxiousanduneasy。IsthereanythingmoreIcando，sir？“
　　“Idon'tknow。Waitaminute。“
　　Heproceededdiscontentedlywithhisbreakfast。Louisawaitedresignedlyatthedoor。
　　“Ithinkyourmistresshasbeeninbadspiritslately，“heresumed，withasuddenoutbreakofpetulance。
　　“Mymistresshasnotbeenverycheerful，sir。“
　　“Whatdoyoumeanbynotverycheerful？Doyoumeantoprevaricate？AmInobodyinthehouse？AmItobekeptinthedarkabouteverything？Isyourmistresstogoawayonherownaffairs，andleavemeathomelikeachild——andamInoteventoaskaquestionabouther？AmItobeprevaricatedwithbyaservant？Iwon'tbeprevaricatedwith！Notverycheerful？Whatdoyoumeanbynotverycheerful？“
　　“Ionlymeantthatmymistresswasnotingoodspirits，sir。“
　　“Whycouldn'tyousayit，then？Don'tyouknowthevalueofwords？Themostdreadfulconsequencessometimeshappenfromnotknowingthevalueofwords。DidyourmistresstellyoushewasgoingtoLondon？“
　　“Yes，sir。“
　　“WhatdidyouthinkwhenyourmistresstoldyoushewasgoingtoLondon？Didyouthinkitoddshewasgoingwithoutme？“
　　“Ididnotpresumetothinkitodd，sir——IsthereanythingmoreIcandoforyou，ifyouplease，sir？“
　　“Whatsortofamorningisitout？Isitwarm？Isthesunonthegarden？“
　　“Yes，sir。“
　　“Haveyouseenthesunyourselfonthegarden？“
　　“Yes，sir。“
　　“Getmemygreat-coat；I'lltakealittleturn。Hasthemanbrushedit？Didyouseethemanbrushityourself？Whatdoyoumeanbysayinghehasbrushedit，whenyoudidn'tseehim？Letmelookatthetails。Ifthere'saspeckofdustonthetails，I'llturnthemanoff！——Helpmeonwithit。“
　　Louisahelpedhimonwithhiscoat，andgavehimhishat。Hewentoutirritably。Thecoatwasalargeoneithadbelongedtohisfather；thehatwasalargeoneitwasamisfitpurchasedasabargainbyhimself。Hewassubmergedinhishatandcoat；helookedsingularlysmall，andfrail，andmiserable，asheslowlywendedhisway，inthewintrysunlight，downthegardenwalk。Thepathslopedgentlyfromthebackofthehousetothewaterside，fromwhichitwaspartedbyalowwoodenfence。Afterpacingbackwardandforwardslowlyforsomelittletime，hestoppedatthelowerextremityofthegarden，and，leaningonthefence，lookeddownlistlesslyatthesmoothflowoftheriver。
　　HisthoughtsstillranonthesubjectofhisfirstfretfulquestiontoLouisa——hewasstillbroodingoverthecircumstancesunderwhichhiswifehadleftthecottagethatmorning，andoverthewantofconsiderationtowardhimselfimpliedinthemannerofherdeparture。Thelongerhethoughtofhisgrievance，themoreacutelyheresentedit。Hewascapableofgreattendernessoffeelingwhereanyinjurytohissenseofhisownimportancewasconcerned。Hisheaddroopedlittlebylittleonhisarms，astheyrestedonthefence，and，inthedeepsincerityofhismortification，hesighedbitterly。
　　Thesighwasansweredbyavoicecloseathisside。
　　“Youwerehappierwithme，sir，“saidthevoice，inaccentsoftenderregret。
　　Helookedupwithascream——literally，withascream——andconfrontedMrs。Lecount。
　　Wasitthespecterofthewoman，orthewomanherself？Herhairwaswhite；herfacehadfallenaway；hereyeslookedoutlarge，bright，andhaggardoverherhollowcheeks。Shewaswitheredandold。Herdresshunglooseroundherwastedfigure；notatraceofitsbuxomautumnalbeautyremained。Thequietlyimpenetrableresolution，thesmoothlyinsinuatingvoice——theseweretheonlyrelicsofthepastwhichsicknessandsufferinghadleftinMrs。Lecount。
　　“Composeyourself，Mr。Noel，“shesaid，gently。“Youhavenocausetobealarmedatseeingme。Yourservant，whenIinquired，saidyouwereinthegarden，andIcameheretofindyou。Ihavetracedyouout，sir，withnoresentmentagainstyourself，withnowishtodistressyoubysomuchastheshadowofareproach。Icomehereonwhathasbeen，andisstill，thebusinessofmylife——yourservice。
　　Herecoveredhimselfalittle，buthewasstillincapableofspeech。Heheldfastbythefence，andstaredather。
　　“Trytopossessyourmind，sir，ofwhatIsay，“proceededMrs。Lecount。“Ihavecomeherenotasyourenemy，butasyourfriend。Ihavebeentriedbysickness，Ihavebeentriedbydistress。Nothingremainsofmebutmyheart。Myheartforgivesyou；myheart，inyoursoreneed——needwhichyouhaveyettofeel——placesmeatyourservice。Takemyarm，Mr。Noel。Alittleturninthesunwillhelpyoutorecoveryourself。“
　　Sheputhishandthroughherarmandmarchedhimslowlyupthegardenwalk。Beforeshehadbeenfiveminutesinhiscompany，shehadresumedfullpossessionofhiminherownright“Nowdownagain，Mr。Noel，“shesaid。“Gentlydownagain，inthisfinesunlight。Ihavemuchtosaytoyou，sir，whichyouneverexpectedtohearfromme。Letmeaskalittledomesticquestionfirst。TheytoldmeatthehousedoorMrs。NoelVanstonewasgoneawayonajourney。Hasshegoneforlong？“
　　Hermaster'shandtrembledonherarmassheputthatquestion。Insteadofansweringit，hetriedfaintlytopleadforhimself。Thefirstwordsthatescapedhimwerepromptedbyhisfirstreturningsense——thesensethathishousekeeperhadtakenhimintocustody。HetriedtomakehispeacewithMrs。Lecount。
　　“Ialwaysmeanttodosomethingforyou，“hesaid，coaxingly。“Youwouldhaveheardfrommebeforelong。Uponmywordandhonor，Lecount，youwouldhaveheardfrommebeforelong！“
　　“Idon'tdoubtit，sir，“repliedMrs。Lecount。“Butforthepresent，nevermindaboutMe。Youandyourinterestsfirst。“
　　“Howdidyoucomehere？“heasked，lookingatherinastonishment。“Howcameyoutofindmeout？“
　　“Itisalongstory，sir；Iwilltellityousomeothertime。LetitbeenoughtosaynowthatIhavefoundyou。WillMrs。Noelbebackagainatthehouseto-day？Alittlelouder，sir；Icanhardlyhearyou。So！so！Notbackagainforaweek！Andwherehasshegone？ToLondon，didyousay？Andwhatfor？——Iamnotinquisitive，Mr。Noel；Iamaskingseriousquestions，underseriousnecessity。Whyhasyourwifeleftyouhere，andgonetoLondonbyherself？“
　　Theyweredownatthefenceagainasshemadethatlastinquiry，andtheywaited，leaningagainstit，whileNoelVanstoneanswered。Herreiteratedassurancesthatsheborehimnomalicewereproducingtheireffect；hewasbeginningtorecoverhimself。Theoldhelplesshabitofaddressingallhiscomplaintstohishousekeeperwasreturningalreadywiththere-appearanceofMrs。Lecount——returninginsidiously，incompanywiththatbesettinganxietytotalkabouthisgrievances，whichhadgotthebetterofhimatthebreakfast-table，andwhichhadshownthewoundinflictedonhisvanitytohiswife'smaid。
　　“Ican'tanswerforMrs。NoelVanstone，“hesaid，spitefully。“Mrs。NoelVanstonehasnottreatedmewiththeconsiderationwhichismydue。Shehastakenmypermissionforgranted，andshehasonlythoughtpropertotellmethattheobjectofherjourneyistoseeherfriendsinLondon。Shewentawaythismorningwithoutbiddingmegood-by。ShetakesherownwayasifIwasnobody；shetreatsmelikeachild。Youmaynotbelieveit，Lecount，butIdon'tevenknowwhoherfriendsare。Iamleftquiteinthedark；IamlefttoguessformyselfthatherfriendsinLondonareheruncleandaunt。“
　　Mrs。LecountprivatelyconsideredthequestionbythehelpofherownknowledgeobtainedinLondon。Shesoonreachedtheobviousconclusion。Afterwritingtohersisterinthefirstinstance，Magdalenhadnow，inallprobability，followedtheletterinperson。TherewaslittledoubtthatthefriendsshehadgonetovisitinLondonwerehersisterandMissGarth。
　　“Notheruncleandaunt，sir，“resumedMrs。Lecount，composedly。“Asecretforyourprivateear！Shehasnouncleandaunt。AnotherlittleturnbeforeIexplainmyself——anotherlittleturntocomposeyourspirits。“
　　Shetookhimintocustodyoncemore，andmarchedhimbacktowardthehouse。
　　“Mr。Noel！“shesaid，suddenlystoppinginthemiddleofthewalk。“Doyouknowwhatwastheworstmischiefyoueverdidyourselfinyourlife？Iwilltellyou。ThatworstmischiefwassendingmetoZurich。“
　　Hishandbegantotrembleonherarmoncemore。
　　“Ididn'tdoit！“hecriedpiteously。“ItwasallMr。Bygrave。“
　　“Youacknowledge，sir，thatMr。Bygravedeceivedme？“proceededMrs。Lecount。“Iamgladtohearthat。Youwillbeallthereadiertomakethenextdiscoverywhichiswaitingforyou——thediscoverythatMr。Bygravehasdeceivedyou。Heisnotheretoslipthroughmyfingersnow，andIamnotthehelplesswomaninthisplacethatIwasatAldborough。ThankGod！“
　　Sheutteredthatdevoutexclamationthroughhersetteeth。AllherhatredofCaptainWraggehissedoutofherlipsinthosetwowords。
　　“Obligeme，sir，byholdingonesideofmytraveling-bag，“sheresumed，“whileIopenitandtakesomethingout。“
　　Theinteriorofthebagdisclosedaseriesofneatly-foldedpapers，alllaidtogetherinorder，andnumberedoutside。Mrs。Lecounttookoutoneofthepapers，andshutupthebagagainwithaloudsnapofthespringthatclosedit。
　　“AtAldborough，Mr。Noel，Ihadonlymyownopiniontosupportme，“sheremarked。“MyownopinionwasnothingagainstMissBygrave'syouthandbeauty，andMr。Bygrave'sreadywit。Icouldonlyhopetoattackyourinfatuationwithproofs，andatthattimeIhadnotgotthem。Ihavegotthemnow！Iamarmedatallpointswithproofs；Ibristlefromheadtofootwithproofs；Ibreakmyforcedsilence，andspeakwiththeemphasisofmyproofs。Doyouknowthiswriting，sir？“
　　Heshrankbackfromthepaperwhichsheofferedtohim。
　　“Idon'tunderstandthis，“hesaid，nervously。“Idon'tknowwhatyouwant，orwhatyoumean。“
　　Mrs。Lecountforcedthepaperintohishand。“YoushallknowwhatImean，sir，ifyouwillgivemeamoment'sattention，“shesaid。“OnthedayafteryouwentawaytoSt。Crux，IobtainedadmissiontoMr。Bygrave'shouse，andIhadsometalkinprivatewithMr。Bygrave'swife。ThattalksuppliedmewiththemeanstoconvinceyouwhichIhadwantedtofindforweeksandweekspast。Iwroteyoualettertosayso——IwrotetotellyouthatIwouldforfeitmyplaceinyourservice，andmyexpectationsfromyourgenerosity，ifIdidnotprovetoyouwhenIcamebackfromSwitzerlandthatmyownprivatesuspicionofMissBygravewasthetruth。IdirectedthatlettertoyouatSt。Crux，andIposteditmyself。Now，Mr。Noel，readthepaperwhichIhaveforcedintoyourhand。ItisAdmiralBartram'swrittenaffirmationthatmylettercametoSt。Crux，andthatheinclosedittoyou，undercovertoMr。Bygrave，atyourownrequest。DidMr。Bygraveevergiveyouthatletter？Don'tagitateyourself，sir！Onewordofreplywilldo——YesorNo。“
　　Hereadthepaper，andlookedupatherwithgrowingbewildermentandfear。Sheobstinatelywaiteduntilhespoke。“No，“hesaid，faintly；“Inevergottheletter。“
　　“Firstproof！“saidMrs。Lecount，takingthepaperfromhim，andputtingitbackinthebag。“Onemore，withyourkindpermission，beforewecometothingsmoreseriousstill。Igaveyouawrittendescription，sir，atAldborough，ofapersonnotnamed，andIaskedyoutocompareitwithMissBygravethenexttimeyouwereinhercompany。AfterhavingfirstshownthedescriptiontoMr。Bygrave——itisuselesstodenyitnow，Mr。Noel；yourfriendatNorthShinglesisnotheretohelpyou！——afterhavingfirstshownmynotetoMr。Bygrave，youmadethecomparison，andyoufounditfailinthemostimportantparticular。Thereweretwolittlemolesplacedclosetogetherontheleftsideoftheneck，inmydescriptionoftheunknownlady，andtherewerenolittlemolesatallwhenyoulookedatMissBygrave'sneck。Iamoldenoughtobeyourmother，Mr。Noel。Ifthequestionisnotindelicate，mayIaskwhatthepresentstateofyourknowledgeisonthesubjectofyourwife'sneck？“
　　Shelookedathimwithamercilesssteadiness。Hedrewbackafewsteps，coweringunderhereye。“Ican'tsay，“hestammered。“Idon'tknow。Whatdoyoumeanbythesequestions？Ineverthoughtaboutthemolesafterward；Ineverlooked。Shewearsherhairlow——“
　　“Shehasexcellentreasonstowearitlow，sir，“remarkedMrs。Lecount。“Wewilltryandliftthathairbeforewehavedonewiththesubject。WhenIcameoutheretofindyouinthegarden，Isawaneatyoungpersonthroughthekitchenwindow，withherworkinherhand，wholookedtomyeyeslikealady'smaid。Isthisyoungpersonyourwife'smaid？Ibegyourpardon，sir，didyousayyes？Inthatcase，anotherquestion，ifyouplease。Didyouengageher，ordidyourwife？“
　　“Iengagedher——“
　　“WhileIwasaway？WhileIwasintotalignorancethatyoumeanttohaveawife，orawife'smaid？“
　　“Yes。“
　　“Underthosecircumstances，Mr。Noel，youcannotpossiblysuspectmeofconspiringtodeceiveyou，withthemaidformyinstrument。Gointothehouse，sir，whileIwaithere。AskthewomanwhodressesMrs。NoelVanstone'shairmorningandnightwhetherhermistresshasamarkontheleftsideofherneck，andifsowhatthatmarkis？“
　　Hewalkedafewstepstowardthehousewithoututteringaword，thenstopped，andlookedbackatMrs。Lecount。Hisblinkingeyesweresteady，andhiswizenfacehadbecomesuddenlycomposed。Mrs。Lecountadvancedalittleandjoinedhim。Shesawthechange；but，withallherexperienceofhim，shefailedtointerpretthetruemeaningofit。
　　“Areyouinwantofapretense，sir？“sheasked。“Areyouatalosstoaccounttoyourwife'smaidforsuchaquestionasIwishyoutoputtoher？Pretensesareeasilyfoundwhichwilldoforpersonsinherstationoflife。SayIhavecomeherewithnewsofalegacyforMrs。NoelVanstone，andthatthereisaquestionofheridentitytosettlebeforeshecanreceivethemoney。“
　　Shepointedtothehouse。Hepaidnoattentiontothesign。Hisfacegrewpalerandpaler。Withoutmovingorspeakinghestoodandlookedather。
　　“Areyouafraid？“askedMrs。Lecount。
　　Thosewordsrousedhim；thosewordslitasparkofthefireofmanhoodinhimatlast。Heturnedonherlikeasheeponadog。
　　“Iwon'tbequestionedandordered！“hebrokeout，tremblingviolentlyunderthenewsensationofhisowncourage。“Iwon'tbethreatenedandmystifiedanylonger！Howdidyoufindmeoutatthisplace？Whatdoyoumeanbycomingherewithyourhintsandyourmysteries？Whathaveyougottosayagainstmywife？“
　　Mrs。Lecountcomposedlyopenedthetraveling-bagandtookouthersmellingbottle，incaseofemergency。
　　“Youhavespokentomeinplainwords，“shesaid。“Inplainwords，sir，youshallhaveyouranswer。Areyoutooangrytolisten？“
　　Herlooksandtonesalarmedhim，inspiteofhimself。Hiscouragebegantosinkagain；and，desperatelyashetriedtosteadyit，hisvoicetrembledwhenheansweredher。
　　“Givememyanswer，“hesaid，“andgiveitatonce。“
　　“Yourcommandsshallbeobeyed，sir，totheletter，“repliedMrs。Lecount。“Ihavecomeherewithtwoobjects。Toopenyoureyestoyourownsituation，andtosaveyourfortune——perhapsyourlife。Yoursituationisthis。MissBygravehasmarriedyouunderafalsecharacterandafalsename。Canyourouseyourmemory？CanyoucalltomindthedisguisedwomanwhothreatenedyouinVauxhallWalk？Thatwoman——ascertainlyasIstandhere——isnowyourwife。“
　　Helookedatherinbreathlesssilence，hislipsfallingapart，hiseyesfixedinvacantinquiry。Thesuddennessofthedisclosurehadoverreacheditsownend。Ithadstupefiedhim。
　　“Mywife？“herepeated，andburstintoanimbecilelaugh。
　　“Yourwife，“reiteratedMrs。Lecount。
　　Attherepetitionofthosetwowordsthestrainonhisfacultiesrelaxed。Athoughtdawnedonhimforthefirsttime。Hiseyesfixedonherwithafurtivealarm，andhedrewbackhastily。“Mad！“hesaidtohimself，withasuddenremembranceofwhathisfriendMr。BygravehadtoldhimatAldborough，sharpenedbyhisownsenseofthehaggardchangethathesawinherface。
　　Hespokeinawhisper，butMrs。Lecountheardhim。Shewascloseathissideagaininaninstant。Forthefirsttime，herself-possessionfailedher，andshecaughthimangrilybythearm。
　　“Willyouputmymadnesstotheproof，sir？“sheasked。
　　Heshookoffherhold；hebegantogathercourageagain，intheintensesincerityofhisdisbelief，couragetofacetheassertionwhichshepersistedinforcingonhim。
　　“Yes，“heanswered。“WhatmustIdo？“
　　“DowhatItoldyou，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Askthemaidthatquestionabouthermistressonthespot。Andifshetellsyouthemarkisthere，doonethingmore。Takemeupintoyourwife'sroom，andopenherwardrobeinmypresencewithyourownhands。“
　　“Whatdoyouwantwithherwardrobe？“heasked。
　　“Youshallknowwhenyouopenit。“
　　“Verystrange！“hesaidtohimself，vacantly。“It'slikeasceneinanovel——it'slikenothinginreallife。“Hewentslowlyintothehouse，andMrs。Lecountwaitedforhiminthegarden。
　　Afteranabsenceofafewminutesonlyheappearedagain，onthetopoftheflightofstepswhichledintothegardenfromthehouse。Heheldbytheironrailwithonehand，whilewiththeotherhebeckonedtoMrs。Lecounttojoinhimonthesteps。
　　“Whatdoesthemaidsay？“sheasked，assheapproachedhim。“Isthemarkthere？“
　　Heansweredinawhisper，“Yes。“Whathehadheardfromthemaidhadproducedamarkedchangeinhim。Thehorrorofthecomingdiscoveryhadlaiditsparalyzingholdonhismind。Hemovedmechanically；helookedandspokelikeamaninadream。
　　“Willyoutakemyarm，sir？“
　　Heshookhishead，and，precedingheralongthepassageandupthestairs，ledthewayintohiswife'sroom。Whenshejoinedhimandlockedthedoor，hestoodpassivelywaitingforhisdirections，withoutmakinganyremark，withoutshowinganyexternalappearanceofsurprise。Hehadnotremovedeitherhishatorcoat。Mrs。Lecounttookthemoffforhim。“Thankyou，“hesaid，withthedocilityofawell-trainedchild。“It'slikeasceneinanovel——it'slikenothinginreallife。“
　　Thebed-chamberwasnotverylarge，andthefurniturewasheavyandold-fashioned。ButevidencesofMagdalen'snaturaltasteandrefinementwerevisibleeverywhere，inthelittleembellishmentsthatgracedandenlivenedtheaspectoftheroom。Theperfumeofdriedrose-leaveshungfragrantonthecoolair。Mrs。Lecountsniffedtheperfumewithadisparagingfrownandthrewthewindowuptoitsfullheight。“Pah！“shesaid，withashudderofvirtuousdisgust，“theatmosphereofdeceit！“
　　Sheseatedherselfnearthewindow。Thewardrobestoodagainstthewallopposite，andthebedwasatthesideoftheroomonherrighthand。“Openthewardrobe，Mr。Noel，“shesaid。“Idon'tgonearit。Itouchnothinginitmyself。Takeoutthedresseswithyourownhandandputthemonthebed。TakethemoutonebyoneuntilItellyoutostop。“
　　Heobeyedher。“I'lldoitaswellasIcan，“hesaid。“Myhandsarecold，andmyheadfeelshalfasleep。“
　　Thedressestoberemovedwerenotmany，forMagdalenhadtakensomeofthemawaywithher。Afterhehadputtwodressesonthebed，hewasobligedtosearchintheinnerrecessesofthewardrobebeforehecouldfindathird。Whenheproducedit，Mrs。Lecountmadeasigntohimtostop。Theendwasreachedalready；hehadfoundthebrownAlpacadress。
　　“Layitoutonthebed，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Youwillseeadoubleflouncerunningroundthebottomofit。Liftuptheouterflounce，andpasstheinneronethroughyourfingers，inchbyinch。Ifyoucometoaplacewherethereisamorselofthestuffmissing，stopandlookupatme。“
　　Hepassedtheflounceslowlythroughhisfingersforaminuteormore，thenstoppedandlookedup。Mrs。Lecountproducedherpocket-bookandopenedit。
　　“EverywordInowspeak，sir，isofseriousconsequencetoyouandtome，“shesaid。“Listenwithyourclosestattention。WhenthewomancallingherselfMissGarthcametoseeusinVauxhallWalk，IkneltdownbehindthechairinwhichshewassittingandIcutamorselofstufffromthedressshewore，whichmighthelpmetoknowthatdressifIeversawitagain。Ididthiswhilethewoman'swholeattentionwasabsorbedintalkingtoyou。Themorselofstuffhasbeenkeptinmypocketbookfromthattimetothis。Seeforyourself，Mr。Noel，ifitfitsthegapinthatdresswhichyourownhandshavejusttakenfromyourwife'swardrobe。“
　　Sheroseandhandedhimthefragmentofstuffacrossthebed。Heputitintothevacantspaceintheflounceaswellashistremblingfingerswouldlethim。
　　“Doesitfit，sir？“askedMrs。Lecount。
　　Thedressdroppedfromhishands，andthedeadlybluishpallor——whicheverydoctorwhoattendedhimhadwarnedhishousekeepertodread——overspreadhisfaceslowly。Mrs。Lecounthadnotreckonedonsuchananswertoherquestionasshenowsawinhischeeks。Shehurriedroundtohim，withthesmelling-bottleinherhand。Hedroppedtohiskneesandcaughtatherdresswiththegraspofadrowningman。“Saveme！“hegasped，inahoarse，breathlesswhisper。“Oh，Lecount，saveme！“
　　“Ipromisetosaveyou，“saidMrs。Lecount；“Iamherewiththemeansandtheresolutiontosaveyou。Comeawayfromthisplace——comenearertotheair。“Sheraisedhimasshespoke，andledhimacrosstheroomtothewindow。“Doyoufeelthechillpainagainonyourleftside？“sheasked，withthefirstsignsofalarmthatshehadshownyet。“Hasyourwifegotanyeau-de-cologne，anysal-volatileinherroom？Don'texhaustyourselfbyspeaking——pointtotheplace！“
　　Hepointedtoalittletriangularcupboardofoldworm-eatenwalnut-woodfixedhighinacorneroftheroom。Mrs。Lecounttriedthedoor:itwaslocked。
　　Asshemadethatdiscovery，shesawhisheadsinkbackgraduallyontheeasy-chairinwhichshehadplacedhim。Thewarningofthedoctorsinpastyears——“Ifyoueverlethimfaint，youlethimdie“——recurredtohermemoryasifithadbeenspokenthedaybefore。Shelookedatthecupboardagain。Inarecessunderitlaysomeendsofcord，placedthereapparentlyforpurposesofpacking。Withoutaninstant'shesitation，shesnatchedupamorselofcord，tiedoneendfastroundtheknobofthecupboarddoor，andseizingtheotherendinbothhands，pulleditsuddenlywiththeexertionofherwholestrength。Therottenwoodgaveway，thecupboarddoorsflewopen，andaheapoflittletriflespouredoutnoisilyonthefloor。Withoutstoppingtonoticethebrokenchinaandglassatherfeet，shelookedintothedarkrecessesofthecupboardandsawthegleamoftwoglassbottles。Onewasputawayattheextremebackoftheshelf，theotherwasalittleinadvance，almosthidingit。Shesnatchedthembothoutatonce，andtookthem，oneineachhand，tothewindow，whereshecouldreadtheirlabelsintheclearerlight。
　　Thebottleinherrighthandwasthefirstbottleshelookedat。Itwasmarked——Sal-volatile。
　　Sheinstantlylaidtheotherbottleasideonthetablewithoutlookingatit。Theotherbottlelaythere，waitingitsturn。Itheldadarkliquid，anditwaslabeled——POISON。
　　[NextChapter]
　　[TableofContents]NoName，Scene5，Chapter2CHAPTERII。
　　MRS。LECOUNTmixedthesal-volatilewithwater，andadministereditimmediately。Thestimulanthaditseffect。InafewminutesNoelVanstonewasabletoraisehimselfinthechairwithoutassistance；hiscolorchangedagainforthebetter，andhisbreathcameandwentmorefreely。
　　“Howdoyoufeelnow，sir？“askedMrs。Lecount。“Areyouwarmagainonyourleftside？“
　　Hepaidnoattentiontothatinquiry；hiseyes，wanderingabouttheroom，turnedbychancetowardthetable。ToMrs。Lecount'ssurprise，insteadofansweringher，hebentforwardinhischair，andlookedwithstaringeyesandpointinghandatthesecondbottlewhichshehadtakenfromthecupboard，andwhichshehadhastilylaidasidewithoutpayingattentiontoit。Seeingthatsomenewalarmpossessedhim，sheadvancedtothetable，andlookedwherehelooked。Thelabeledsideofthebottlewasfullinview；andthere，intheplainhandwritingofthechemistatAldborough，wastheonestartlingwordconfrontingthemboth——“Poison。“
　　EvenMrs。Lecount'sself-possessionwasshakenbythatdiscovery。Shewasnotpreparedtoseeherowndarkestforebodings——theunacknowledgedoffspringofherhatredforMagdalen——realizedasshesawthemrealizednow。Thesuicide-despairinwhichthepoisonhadbeenprocured；thesuicide-purposeforwhich，indistrustofthefuture，thepoisonhadbeenkept，hadbroughtwiththemtheirownretribution。Therethebottlelay，inMagdalen'sabsence，afalsewitnessoftreasonwhichhadneverenteredhermind——treasonagainstherhusband'slife！
　　WithhishandstillmechanicallypointingatthetableNoelVanstoneraisedhisheadandlookedupatMrs。Lecount。
　　“Itookitfromthecupboard，“shesaid，answeringthelook。“Itookbothbottlesouttogether，notknowingwhichmightbethebottleIwanted。Iamasmuchshocked，asmuchfrightened，asyouare。“
　　“Poison！“hesaidtohimself，slowly。“Poisonlockedupbymywifeinthecupboardinherownroom。“Hestopped，andlookedatMrs。Lecountoncemore。“Forme？“heasked，inavacant，inquiringtone。
　　“Wewillnottalkofit，sir，untilyourmindismoreatease，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Inthemeantime，thedangerthatlieswaitinginthisbottleshallbeinstantlydestroyedinyourpresence。“Shetookoutthecork，andthrewthelaudanumoutofwindow，andtheemptybottleafterit。“Letustrytoforgetthisdreadfuldiscoveryforthepresent，“sheresumed；“letusgodownstairsatonce。AllthatIhavenowtosaytoyoucanbesaidinanotherroom。“
　　Shehelpedhimtorisefromthechair，andtookhisarminherown。“Itiswellforhim；itiswellforme，“shethought，astheywentdownstairstogether，“thatIcamewhenIdid。“
　　Oncrossingthepassage，shesteppedtothefrontdoor，wherethecarriagewaswaitingwhichhadbroughtherfromDumfries，andinstructedthecoachmantoputuphishorsesatthenearestinn，andtocallagainforherintwohours'time。Thisdone，sheaccompaniedNoelVanstoneintothesitting-room，stirredupthefire，andplacedhimbeforeitcomfortablyinaneasy-chair。Hesatforafewminutes，warminghishandsfeeblylikeanoldman，andstaringstraightintotheflame。Thenhespoke。
　　“WhenthewomancameandthreatenedmeinVauxhallWalk，“hebegan，stillstaringintothefire，“youcamebacktotheparloraftershewasgone，andyoutoldme——？“Hestopped，shiveredalittle，andlostthethreadofhisrecollectionsatthatpoint。
　　“Itoldyou，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount，“thatthewomanwas，inmyopinion，MissVanstoneherself。Don'tstart，Mr。Noel！Yourwifeisaway，andIamheretotakecareofyou。Saytoyourself，ifyoufeelfrightened，'Lecountishere；Lecountwilltakecareofme。'Thetruthmustbetold，sir，howeverhardtobearthetruthmaybe。MissMagdalenVanstonewasthewomanwhocametoyouindisguise；andthewomanwhocametoyouindisguiseisthewomanyouhavemarried。TheconspiracywhichshethreatenedyouwithinLondonistheconspiracywhichhasmadeheryourwife。Thatistheplaintruth。Youhaveseenthedressupstairs。Ifthatdresshadbeennolongerinexistence，Ishouldstillhavehadmyproofstoconvinceyou。ThankstomyinterviewwithMrs。BygraveIhavediscoveredthehouseyourwifelodgedatinLondon；itwasoppositeourhouseinVauxhallWalk。Ihavelaidmyhandononeofthelandlady'sdaughters，whowatchedyourwifefromaninnerroom，andsawherputonthedisguise；whocanspeaktoheridentity，andtotheidentityofhercompanion，Mrs。Bygrave；andwhohasfurnishedme，atmyownrequest，withawrittenstatementoffacts，whichsheisreadytoaffirmonoathifanypersonventurestocontradicther。Youshallreadthestatement，Mr。Noel，ifyoulike，whenyouarefittertounderstandit。YoushallalsoreadaletterinthehandwritingofMissGarth——whowillrepeattoyoupersonallyeverywordshehaswrittentome——aletterformallydenyingthatshewaseverinVauxhallWalk，andformallyassertingthatthosemolesonyourwife'sneckaremarkspeculiartoMissMagdalenVanstone，whomshehasknownfromchildhood。Isayitwithajustpride——youwillfindnoweakplaceanywhereintheevidencewhichIbringyou。IfMr。Bygravehadnotstolenmyletter，youwouldhavehadyourwarningbeforeIwascruellydeceivedintogoingtoZurich；andtheproofswhichInowbringyou，afteryourmarriage，Ishouldthenhaveofferedtoyoubeforeit。Don'tholdmeresponsible，sir，forwhathashappenedsinceIleftEngland。Blameyouruncle'sbastarddaughter，andblamethatvillainwiththebrowneyeandthegreen！“
　　Shespokeherlastvenomouswordsasslowlyanddistinctlyasshehadspokenalltherest。NoelVanstonemadenoanswer——hestillsatcoweringoverthefire。Shelookedroundintohisface。Hewascryingsilently。“Iwassofondofher！“saidthemiserablelittlecreature；“andIthoughtshewassofondofMe！“
　　Mrs。Lecountturnedherbackonhimindisdainfulsilence。“Fondofher！“Assherepeatedthosewordstoherself，herhaggardfacebecamealmosthandsomeagaininthemagnificentintensityofitscontempt。
　　Shewalkedtoabook-caseatthelowerendoftheroom，andbeganexaminingthevolumesinit。Beforeshehadbeenlongengagedinthisway，shewasstartledbythesoundofhisvoice，affrightedlycallingherback。Thetearsweregonefromhisface；itwasblankagainwithterrorwhenhenowturnedittowardher。
　　“Lecount！“hesaid，holdingtoherwithbothhands。“Cananeggbepoisoned？Ihadaneggforbreakfastthismorning，andalittletoast。“
　　“Makeyourmindeasy，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Thepoisonofyourwife'sdeceitistheonlypoisonyouhavetakenyet。Ifshehadresolvedalreadyonmakingyoupaythepriceofyourfollywithyourlife，shewouldnotbeabsentfromthehousewhileyouwereleftlivinginit。Dismissthethoughtfromyourmind。Itisthemiddleoftheday；youwantrefreshment。Ihavemoretosaytoyouintheinterestsofyourownsafety——Ihavesomethingforyoutodo，whichmustbedoneatonce。Recruityourstrength，andyouwilldoit。Iwillsetyoutheexampleofeating，ifyoustilldistrustthefoodinthishouse。Areyoucomposedenoughtogivetheservantherorders，ifIringthebell？ItisnecessarytotheobjectIhaveinviewforyou，thatnobodyshouldthinkyouillinbodyortroubledinmind。Tryfirstwithmebeforetheservantcomesin。Letusseehowyoulookandspeakwhenyousay，'Bringupthelunch。'“
　　Aftertworehearsals，Mrs。Lecountconsideredhimfittogivetheorder，withoutbetrayinghimself。
　　ThebellwasansweredbyLouisa——LouisalookedhardatMrs。Lecount。Theluncheonwasbroughtupbythehouse-maid——thehouse-maidlookedhardatMrs。Lecount。Whenluncheonwasover，thetablewasclearedbythecook——thecooklookedhardatMrs。Lecount。Thethreeservantswereplainlysuspiciousthatsomethingextraordinarywasgoingoninthehouse。Itwashardlypossibletodoubtthattheyhadarrangedtoshareamongthemselvesthethreeopportunitieswhichtheserviceofthetableaffordedthemofenteringtheroom。
　　ThecuriosityofwhichshewastheobjectdidnotescapethepenetrationofMrs。Lecount。“Ididwell，“shethought，“toarmmyselfingoodtimewiththemeansofreachingmyend。IfIletthegrassgrowundermyfeet，oneortheotherofthosewomenmightgetinmyway。“Rousedbythisconsideration，sheproducedhertraveling-bagfromacorner，assoonasthelastoftheservantshadenteredtheroom；andseatingherselfattheendofthetableoppositeNoelVanstone，lookedathimforamoment，withasteady，investigatingattention。Shehadcarefullyregulatedthequantityofwinewhichhehadtakenatluncheon——shehadlethimdrinkexactlyenoughtofortify，withoutconfusinghim；andshenowexaminedhisfacecritically，likeanartistexamininghispictureattheendoftheday'swork。Theresultappearedtosatisfyher，andsheopenedtheseriousbusinessoftheinterviewonthespot。
　　“WillyoulookatthewrittenevidenceIhavementionedtoyou，Mr。Noel，beforeIsayanymore？“sheinquired。“OrareyousufficientlypersuadedofthetruthtoproceedatoncetothesuggestionwhichIhavenowtomaketoyou？“
　　“Letmehearyoursuggestion，“hesaid，sullenlyrestinghiselbowsonthetable，andleaninghisheadonhishands。
　　Mrs。Lecounttookfromhertraveling-bagthewrittenevidencetowhichshehadjustalluded，andcarefullyplacedthepapersononesideofhim，withineasyreach，ifhewishedtorefertothem。Farfrombeingdaunted，shewasvisiblyencouragedbytheungraciousnessofhismanner。Herexperienceofhiminformedherthatthesignwasapromisingone。Onthoserareoccasionswhenthelittleresolutionthathepossessedwasrousedinhim，itinvariablyasserteditself——liketheresolutionofmostotherweakmen——aggressively。Atsuchtimes，inproportionashewasoutwardlysullenanddiscourteoustothoseabouthim，hisresolutionrose；andinproportionashewasconsiderateandpolite，itfell。Thetoneoftheanswerhehadjustgiven，andtheattitudeheassumedatthetable，convincedMrs。LecountthatSpanishwineandScotchmuttonhaddonetheirduty，andhadralliedhissinkingcourage。
　　“Iwillputthequestiontoyouforform'ssake，sir，ifyouwishit，“sheproceeded。“ButIamalreadycertain，withoutanyquestionatall，thatyouhavemadeyourwill？“
　　Henoddedhisheadwithoutlookingather。
　　“Youhavemadeitinyourwife'sfavor？“
　　Henoddedagain。
　　“Youhavelefthereverythingyoupossess？“
　　“No。“
　　Mrs。Lecountlookedsurprised。
　　“Didyouexerciseareservetowardher，Mr。Noel，ofyourownaccord？“sheinquired；“orisitpossiblethatyourwifeputherownlimitstoherinterestinyourwill？“
　　Hewasuneasilysilent——hewasplainlyashamedtoanswerthequestion。Mrs。Lecountrepeateditinalessdirectform。
　　“Howmuchhaveyouleftyourwidow，Mr。Noel，intheeventofyourdeath？“
　　“Eightythousandpounds。“
　　Thatreplyansweredthequestion。EightythousandpoundswasexactlythefortunewhichMichaelVanstonehadtakenfromhisbrother'sorphanchildrenathisbrother'sdeath——exactlythefortuneofwhichMichaelVanstone'ssonhadkeptpossession，inhisturn，aspitilesslyashisfatherbeforehim。NoelVanstone'ssilencewaseloquentoftheconfessionwhichhewasashamedtomake。Hisdotingweaknesshad，beyondalldoubt，placedhiswholepropertyatthefeetofhiswife。Andthisgirl，whosevindictivedaringhaddefiedallrestraints——thisgirl，whohadnotshrunkfromherdesperatedeterminationevenatthechurchdoor——had，intheveryhourofhertriumph，takenpartonlyfromthemanwhowouldwillinglyhavegivenall！——hadrigorouslyexactedherfather'sfortunefromhimtothelastfarthing；andhadthenturnedherbackonthehandthatwastemptingherwithtensofthousandsmore！Forthemoment，Mrs。Lecountwasfairlysilencedbyherownsurprise；Magdalenhadforcedtheastonishmentfromherwhichisakintoadmiration，theastonishmentwhichherenmitywouldfainhaverefused。ShehatedMagdalenwithatenfoldhatredfromthattime。
　　“Ihavenodoubt，sir，“sheresumed，afteramomentarysilence，“thatMrs。Noelgaveyouexcellentreasonswhytheprovisionforheratyourdeathshouldbenomore，andnoless，thaneightythousandpounds。And，ontheotherhand，Iamequallysurethatyou，inyourinnocenceofallsuspicion，foundthosereasonsconclusiveatthetime。Thattimehasnowgoneby。Youreyesareopened，sir；andyouwillnotfailtoremarkasIremarkthattheCombe-Ravenpropertyhappenstoreachthesamesumexactly，asthelegacywhichyourwife'sowninstructionsdirectedyoutoleaveher。Ifyouarestillinanydoubtofthemotiveforwhichshemarriedyou，lookinyourownwill——andtherethemotiveis！“
　　Heraisedhisheadfromhishands，andbecamecloselyattentivetowhatshewassayingtohim，forthefirsttimesincetheyhadfacedeachotheratthetable。TheCombe-Ravenpropertyhadneverbeenclassedbyitselfinhisestimation。Ithadcometohimmergedinhisfather'sotherpossessions，athisfather'sdeath。Thediscoverywhichhadnowopenedbeforehimwasonetowhichhisordinaryhabitsofthought，aswellashisinnocenceofsuspicion，hadhithertoclosedhiseyes。Hesaidnothing；buthelookedlesssullenlyatMrs。Lecount。Hismannerwasmoreingratiating；thehightideofhiscouragewasalreadyontheebb。
　　“Yourposition，sir，mustbeasplainbythistimetoyouasitistome，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Thereisonlyoneobstaclenowleftbetweenthiswomanandtheattainmentofherend。Thatobstacleisyourlife。Afterthediscoverywehavemadeupstairs，Ileaveyoutoconsiderforyourselfwhatyourlifeisworth。“
　　Atthoseterriblewords，theebbingresolutioninhimranouttothelastdrop。“Don'tfrightenme！“hepleaded；“Ihavebeenfrightenedenoughalready。“Herose，anddraggedhischairafterhim，roundthetabletoMrs。Lecount'sside。Hesatdownandcaressinglykissedherhand。“Yougoodcreature！“hesaid，inasinkingvoice。“YouexcellentLecount！Tellmewhattodo。I'mfullofresolution——I'lldoanythingtosavemylife！“
　　“Haveyougotwritingmaterialsintheroom，sir？“askedMrs。Lecount。“Willyouputthemonthetable，ifyouplease？“
　　Whilethewritingmaterialswereinprocessofcollection，Mrs。Lecountmadeanewdemandontheresourcesofhertraveling-bag。Shetooktwopapersfromit，eachindorsedinthesameneatcommercialhandwriting。Onewasdescribedas“DraftforproposedWill，“andtheotheras“DraftforproposedLetter。“Whensheplacedthembeforeheronthetable，herhandshookalittle；andsheappliedthesmelling-salts，whichshehadbroughtwithherinNoelVanstone'sinterests，toherownnostrils。
　　“Ihadhoped，whenIcamehere，Mr。Noel，“sheproceeded，“tohavegivenyoumoretimeforconsiderationthanitseemssafetogiveyounow。Whenyoufirsttoldmeofyourwife'sabsenceinLondon，IthoughtitprobablethattheobjectofherjourneywastoseehersisterandMissGarth。Sincethehorriblediscoverywehavemadeupstairs，Iaminclinedtoalterthatopinion。Yourwife'sdeterminationnottotellyouwhothefriendsarewhomshehasgonetosee，fillsmewithalarm。ShemayhaveaccomplicesinLondon——accomplices，foranythingweknowtothecontrary，inthishouse。Allthreeofyourservants，sir，havetakentheopportunity，inturn，ofcomingintotheroomandlookingatme。Idon'tliketheirlooks！NeitheryounorIknowwhatmayhappenfromdaytoday，orevenfromhourtohour。Ifyoutakemyadvice，youwillgetthestartatonceofallpossibleaccidents；and，whenthecarriagecomesback，youwillleavethishousewithme！“
　　“Yes，yes！“hesaid，eagerly；“I'llleavethehousewithyou。Iwouldn'tstopherebymyselfforanysumofmoneythatcouldbeofferedme。Whatdowewantthepenandinkfor？Areyoutowrite，oramI？“
　　“Youaretowrite，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Themeanstakenforpromotingyourownsafetyaretobemeanssetinmotion，frombeginningtoend，byyourself。Isuggest，Mr。Noel——andyoudecide。Recognizeyourownposition，sir。Whatisyourfirstandforemostnecessity？Itisplainlythis。Youmustdestroyyourwife'sinterestinyourdeathbymakinganotherwill。“
　　Hevehementlynoddedhisapproval；hiscolorrose，andhisblinkingeyesbrightenedinmalicioustriumph。“Sheshan'thaveafarthing，“hesaidtohimself，inawhisper——“sheshan'thaveafarthing！“
　　“Whenyourwillismade，sir，“proceededMrs。Lecount，“youmustplaceitinthehandsofatrustworthyperson——notmyhands，Mr。Noel；Iamonlyyourservant！Then，whenthewillissafe，andwhenyouaresafe，writetoyourwifeatthishouse。Tellherherinfamousimpostureisdiscovered；tellheryouhavemadeanewwill，whichleavesherpennilessatyourdeath；tellher，inyourrighteousindignation，thatsheentersyourdoorsnomore。Placeyourselfinthatstrongposition，anditisnolongeryouwhoareatyourwife'smercy，butyourwifewhoisatyours。Assertyourownpower，sir，withthelawtohelpyou，andcrushthiswomanintosubmissiontoanytermsforthefuturethatyoupleasetoimpose。“
　　Heeagerlytookupthepen。“Yes，“hesaid，withavindictiveself-importance，“anytermsIpleasetoimpose。“Hesuddenlycheckedhimselfandhisfacebecamedejectedandperplexed。“HowcanIdoitnow？“heasked，throwingdownthepenasquicklyashehadtakenitup。
　　“Dowhat，sir？“inquiredMrs。Lecount。
　　“HowcanImakemywill，withMr。LoscombeawayinLondon，andnolawyerheretohelpme？“
　　Mrs。Lecountgentlytappedthepapersbeforeheronthetablewithherforefinger。
　　“Allthehelpyouneed，sir，iswaitingforyouhere，“shesaid。“IconsideredthismattercarefullybeforeIcametoyou；andIprovidedmyselfwiththeconfidentialassistanceofafriendtoguidemethroughthosedifficultieswhichIcouldnotpenetrateformyself。ThefriendtowhomIreferisagentlemanofSwissextraction，butbornandbredinEngland。Heisnotalawyerbyprofession——buthehashadhisownsufficientexperienceofthelaw，nevertheless；andhehassuppliedme，notonlywithamodelbywhichyoumaymakeyourwill，butwiththewrittensketchofaletterwhichitisasimportantforustohave，asthemodelofthewillitself。Thereisanothernecessitywaitingforyou，Mr。Noel，whichIhavenotmentionedyet，butwhichisnolessurgentinitswaythanthenecessityofthewill。“
　　“Whatisit？“heasked，withrousedcuriosity。
　　“Wewilltakeitinitsturn，sir，“answeredMrs。Lecount。“Itsturnhasnotcomeyet。Thewill，ifyouplease，first。Iwilldictatefromthemodelinmypossessionandyouwillwrite。“
　　NoelVanstonelookedatthedraftfortheWillandthedraftfortheLetterwithsuspiciouscuriosity。
　　“IthinkIoughttoseethepapersmyself，beforeyoudictate，“hesaid。“Itwouldbemoresatisfactorytomyownmind，Lecount。“
　　“Byallmeans，sir，“rejoinedMrs。Lecount，handinghimthepapersimmediately。
　　HereadthedraftfortheWillfirst，pausingandknittinghisbrowsdistrustfully，whereverhefoundblankspacesleftinthemanuscripttobefilledinwiththenamesofpersonsandtheenumerationofsumsbequeathedtothem。Twoorthreeminutesofreadingbroughthimtotheendofthepaper。HegaveitbacktoMrs。Lecountwithoutmakinganyobjectiontoit。
　　ThedraftfortheLetterwasamuchlongerdocument。Heobstinatelyreaditthroughtotheend，withanexpressionofperplexityanddiscontentwhichshowedthatitwasutterlyunintelligibletohim。“Imusthavethisexplained，“hesaid，withatouchofhisoldself-importance，“beforeItakeanystepsinthematter。“
　　“Itshallbeexplained，sir，aswegoon，“saidMrs。Lecount。
　　“Everywordofit？“
　　“Everywordofit，Mr。Noel，whenitsturncomes。Youhavenoobjectiontothewill？Tothewill，then，asIsaidbefore，letusdevoteourselvesfirst。Youhaveseenforyourselfthatitisshortenoughandsimpleenoughforachildtounderstandit。Butifanydoubtsremainonyourmind，byallmeanscomposethosedoubtsbyshowingyourwilltoalawyerbyprofession。Inthemeantime，letmenotbeconsideredintrusiveifIremindyouthatweareallmortal，andthatthelostopportunitycanneverberecalled。Whileyourtimeisyourown，sir，andwhileyourenemiesareunsuspiciousofyou，makeyourwill！“
　　Sheopenedasheetofnote-paperandsmootheditoutbeforehim；shedippedthepeninink，andplaceditinhishands。Hetookitfromherwithoutspeaking——hewas，toallappearance，sufferingundersometemporaryuneasinessofmind。Butthemainpointwasgained。Therehesat，withthepaperbeforehim，andthepeninhishand；readyatlast，inrightearnest，tomakehiswill。
　　“Thefirstquestionforyoutodecide，sir，“saidMrs。Lecount，afterapreliminaryglanceatherDraft，“isyourchoiceofanexecutor。Ihavenodesiretoinfluenceyourdecision；butImay，withoutimpropriety，remindyouthatawisechoicemeans，inotherwords，thechoiceofanoldandtriedfriendwhomyouknowthatyoucantrust。“
　　“Itmeanstheadmiral，Isuppose？“saidNoelVanstone。
　　Mrs。Lecountbowed。
　　“Verywell，“hecontinued。“Theadmiralletitbe。“
　　Therewasplainlysomeoppressionstillweighingonhismind。EvenunderthetryingcircumstancesinwhichhewasplaceditwasnotinhisnaturetotakeMrs。Lecount'sperfectlysensibleanddisinterestedadvicewithoutawordofcavil，ashehadtakenitnow。
　　“Areyouready，sir？“
　　“Yes。“
　　Mrs。LecountdictatedthefirstparagraphfromtheDraft，asfollows:
　　“ThisisthelastWillandTestamentofme，NoelVanstone，nowlivingatBaliolCottage，nearDumfries。Irevoke，absolutelyandineveryparticular，myformerwillexecutedonthethirtiethofSeptember，eighteenhundredandforty-seven；andIherebyappointRear-AdmiralArthurEverardBartram，ofSt。Crux-in-the-Marsh，Essex，soleexecutorofthismywill。“
　　“Haveyouwrittenthosewords，sir？“
　　“Yes。“
　　Mrs。LecountlaiddowntheDraft；NoelVanstonelaiddownthepen。Theyneitherofthemlookedateachother。Therewasalongsilence。
　　“Iamwaiting，Mr。Noel，“saidMrs。Lecount，atlast，“tohearwhatyourwishesareinrespecttothedisposalofyourfortune。Yourlargefortune，“sheadded，withmercilessemphasis。
　　Hetookupthepenagain，andbeganpickingthefeathersfromthequillindeadsilence。
　　“Perhapsyourexistingwillmayhelpyoutoinstructme，sir，“pursuedMrs。Lecount。“MayIinquiretowhomyouleftallyoursurplusmoney，afterleavingtheeightythousandpoundstoyourwife？“
　　Ifhehadansweredthatquestionplainly，hemusthavesaid:“Ihaveleftthewholesurplustomycousin，GeorgeBartram“——andtheimpliedacknowledgmentthatMrs。Lecount'snamewasnotmentionedinthewillmustthenhavefollowedinMrs。Lecount'spresence。Amuchbolderman，inhissituation，mighthavefeltthesameoppressionandthesameembarrassmentwhichhewasfeelingnow。Hepickedthelastmorseloffeatherfromthequill；and，desperatelyleapingthepitfallunderhisfeet，advancedtomeetMrs。Lecount'sclaimsonhimofhisownaccord。
　　“IwouldrathernottalkofanywillbutthewillIammakingnow，“hesaiduneasily。“Thefirstthing，Lecount——“Hehesitated——putthebareendofthequillintohismouth——gnawedatitthoughtfully——andsaidnomore。
　　“Yes，sir？“persistedMrs。Lecount。
　　“Thefirstthingis——“
　　“Yes，sir？“
　　“Thefirstthingis，to——tomakesomeprovisionforYou？“
　　Hespokethelastwordsinatoneofplaintiveinterrogation——asifallhopeofbeingmetbyamagnanimousrefusalhadnotdesertedhimevenyet。Mrs。Lecountenlightenedhismindonthispoint，withoutamoment'slossoftime。
　　“Thankyou，Mr。Noel，“shesaid，withthetoneandmannerofawomanwhowasnotacknowledgingafavor，butreceivingaright。
　　Hetookanotherbiteatthequill。Theperspirationbegantoappearonhisface。
　　“Thedifficultyis，“heremarked，“tosayhowmuch。“
　　“Yourlamentedfather，sir，“rejoinedMrs。Lecount，“metthatdifficultyifyourememberatthetimeofhislastillness？“
　　“Idon'tremember，“saidNoelVanstone，doggedly。
　　“Youwereononesideofhisbed，sir，andIwasontheother。Wewerevainlytryingtopersuadehimtomakehiswill。Aftertellingushewouldwaitandmakehiswillwhenhewaswellagain，helookedroundatme，andsaidsomekindandfeelingwordswhichmymemorywilltreasuretomydyingday。Haveyouforgottenthosewords，Mr。Noel？“
　　“Yes，“saidMr。Noel，withouthesitation。
　　“Inmypresentsituation，sir，“retortedMrs。Lecount，“delicacyforbidsmetoimproveyourmemory。“
　　Shelookedatherwatch，andrelapsedintosilence。Heclinchedhishands，andwrithedfromsidetosideofhischairinanagonyofindecision。Mrs。Lecountpassivelyrefusedtotaketheslightestnoticeofhim。
　　“Whatshouldyousay——？“hebegan，andsuddenlystoppedagain。
　　“Yes，sir？“
　　“Whatshouldyousayto——athousandpounds？“
　　Mrs。Lecountrosefromherchair，andlookedhimfullintheface，withthemajesticindignationofanoutragedwoman。
　　“AftertheserviceIhaverenderedyouto-day，Mr。Noel，“shesaid，“Ihaveatleastearnedaclaimonyourrespect，ifIhaveearnednothingmore。Iwishyougood-morning。“
　　“Twothousand！“criedNoelVanstone，withthecourageofdespair。
　　Mrs。Lecountfoldedupherpapersandhunghertraveling-bagoverherarmincontemptuoussilence。
　　“Threethousand！“
　　Mrs。Lecountmovedwithimpenetrabledignityfromthetabletothedoor。
　　“Fourthousand！“
　　Mrs。Lecountgatheredhershawlroundherwithashudder，andopenedthedoor。
　　“Fivethousand！“
　　Heclaspedhishands，andwrungthematherinafrenzyofrageandsuspense。“Fivethousand“wasthedeath-cryofhispecuniarysuicide。
　　Mrs。Lecountsoftlyshutthedooragain，andcamebackastep。
　　“Freeoflegacyduty，sir？“sheinquired。
　　“No。“
　　Mrs。Lecountturnedonherheelandopenedthedooragain。
　　“Yes。“
　　Mrs。Lecountcameback，andresumedherplaceatthetableasifnothinghadhappened。
　　“Fivethousandpounds，freeoflegacyduty，wasthesum，sir，whichyourfather'sgratefulregardpromisedmeinhiswill，“shesaid，quietly。“Ifyouchoosetoexertyourmemory，asyouhavenotchosentoexertityet，yourmemorywilltellyouthatIspeakthetruth。Iacceptyourfilialperformanceofyourfather'spromise，Mr。Noel——andthereIstop。Iscorntotakeameanadvantageofmypositiontowardyou；Iscorntograspanythingfromyourfears。Youareprotectedbymyrespectformyself，andfortheIllustriousNameIbear。YouarewelcometoallthatIhavedone，andtoallthatIhavesufferedinyourservice。ThewidowofProfessorLecompte，sir，takeswhatisjustlyhers——andtakesnomore！“
　　Asshespokethosewords，thetracesofsicknessseemed，forthemoment，todisappearfromherface；hereyesshonewithasteadyinnerlight；allthewomanwarmedandbrightenedintheradianceofherowntriumph——thetriumph，treblywon，ofcarryingherpoint，ofvindicatingherintegrity，andofmatchingMagdalen'sincorruptibleself-denialonMagdalen'sownground。
　　“Whenyouareyourselfagain，sir，wewillproceed。Letuswaitalittlefirst。“
　　Shegavehimtimetocomposehimself；andthen，afterfirstlookingatherDraft，dictatedthesecondparagraphofthewill，intheseterms:
　　“IgiveandbequeathtoMadameVirginieLecomptewidowofProfessorLecompte，lateofZurichthesumofFiveThousandPounds，freeofLegacyDuty。And，inmakingthisbequest，IwishtoplaceitonrecordthatIamnotonlyexpressingmyownsenseofMadameLecompte'sattachmentandfidelityinthecapacityofmyhousekeeper，butthatIalsobelievemyselftobeexecutingtheintentionsofmydeceasedfather，who，butforthecircumstanceofhisdyingintestate，wouldhaveleftMadameLecompte，inhiswill，thesametokenofgratefulregardforherserviceswhichInowleaveherinmine。“
　　“Haveyouwrittenthelastwords，sir？“
　　“Yes。“
　　Mrs。LecountleanedacrossthetableandofferedNoelVanstoneherhand。
　　“Thankyou，Mr。Noel，“shesaid。“Thefivethousandpoundsistheacknowledgmentonyourfather'ssideofwhatIhavedoneforhim。Thewordsinthewillaretheacknowledgmentonyours。“
　　Afaintsmileflickeredoverhisfaceforthefirsttime。Itcomfortedhim，onreflection，tothinkthatmattersmighthavebeenworse。Therewasbalmforhiswoundedspiritinpayingthedebtofgratitudebyasentencenotnegotiableathisbanker's。Whateverhisfathermighthavedone，hehadgotLecountabargain，afterall！
　　“Alittlemorewriting，sir，“resumedMrs。Lecount，“andyourpainfulbutnecessarydutywillbeperformed。Thetriflingmatterofmylegacybeingsettled，wemaycometotheimportantquestionthatisleft。Thefuturedirectionofalargefortuneisnowwaitingyourwordofcommand。Towhomisittogo？“
　　Hebegantowritheagaininhischair。Evenundertheall-powerfulfascinationofhiswifethepartingwithhismoneyonpaperhadnotbeenaccomplishedwithoutapang。Hehadenduredthepang；hehadresignedhimselftothesacrifice。Andnowherewasthedreadedordealagain，awaitinghimmercilesslyforthesecondtime！
　　“Perhapsitmayassistyourdecision，sir，ifIrepeataquestionwhichIhaveputtoyoualready，“observedMrs。Lecount。“Inthewillthatyoumadeunderyourwife'sinfluence，towhomdidyouleavethesurplusmoneywhichremainedatyourowndisposal？“
　　Therewasnoharminansweringthequestionnow。HeacknowledgedthathehadleftthemoneytohiscousinGeorge。
　　“Youcouldhavedonenothingbetter，Mr。Noel；andyoucandonothingbetternow，“saidMrs。Lecount。“Mr。Georgeandhistwosistersareyouronlyrelationsleft。Oneofthosesistersisanincurableinvalid，withmorethanmoneyenoughalreadyforallthewantswhichherafflictionallowshertofeel。Theotheristhewifeofamanevenricherthanyourself。Toleavethemoneytothesesistersistowasteit。ToleavethemoneytotheirbrotherGeorgeistogiveyourcousinexactlytheassistancewhichhewillwantwhenheonedayinheritshisuncle'sdilapidatedhouseandhisuncle'simpoverishedestate。AwillwhichnamestheadmiralyourexecutorandMr。Georgeyourheiristherightwillforyoutomake。Itdoeshonortotheclaimsoffriendship，anditdoesjusticetotheclaimsofblood。“
　　Shespokewarmly；forshespokewithagratefulremembranceofallthatsheherselfowedtothehospitalityofSt。Crux。NoelVanstonetookupanotherpenandbegantostripthesecondquillofitsfeathersashehadstrippedthefirst。