Hekissedheronce，twice，threetimes，andarosetohisfeet，slowlywithdrawinghimselffromhersidetowardsthedoor。Cytherearemainedwithhergazefixedonthefire。Edwardwentoutgrieving，buthopewasnotextinguishedevennow。
　　Hesmeltthefragranceofacigar，andimmediatelyafterwardssawasmallredstaroffireagainstthedarknessofthehedge。Grayewaspacingupanddownthelane，smokingashewalked。Springrovetoldhimtheresultoftheinterview。
　　'Youareagoodfellow，Edward，'hesaid；'butIthinkmysisterisright。'
　　'IwishyouwouldbelieveManstonavillain，asIdo，'saidSpringrove。
　　'ItwouldbeabsurdofmetosaythatIlikehimnow——familyfeelingpreventsit，butIcannotinhonestysaydeliberatelythatheisabadman。'
　　EdwardcouldkeepthesecretofManston'scoercionofMissAldclyffeinthematterofthehousesasecretnolonger。HetoldOwenthewholestory。
　　'That'sonething，'hecontinued，'butnotall。Whatdoyouthinkofthis——IhavediscoveredthathewenttoBudmouthpost-officeforaletterthedaybeforethefirstadvertisementforhiswifeappearedinthepapers。Onewasthereforhim，anditwasdirectedinhiswife'shandwriting，asIcanprove。ThiswasnottillafterthemarriagewithCytherea，itistrue，butifasitseemstoshow
　　theadvertisingwasafarce，thereisastrongpresumptionthattherestofthepiecewas。'
　　Owenwastooastoundedtospeak。Hedroppedhiscigar，andfixedhiseyesuponhiscompanion。
　　'Collusion！'
　　'Yes。'
　　'Withhisfirstwife？'
　　'Yes——withhiswife。Iamfirmlypersuadedofit。'
　　'Whatdidyoudiscover？'
　　'Thathefetchedfromthepost-officeatBudmouthaletterfromherthedayBEFOREthefirstadvertisementappeared。'
　　Grayewaslostinalongconsideration。'Ah！'hesaid，'itwouldbedifficulttoproveanythingofthatsortnow。Thewritingcouldnotbeswornto，andifheisguiltytheletterisdestroyed。'
　　'Ihaveothersuspicions——'
　　'Yes——asyousaid'interruptedOwen，whohadnottillnowbeenabletoformthecomplicatedsetofideasnecessaryforpicturingtheposition。'Yes，thereisthistoberemembered——Cythereahadbeentakenfromhimbeforethatlettercame——andhisknowledgeofhiswife'sexistencecouldnothaveoriginatedtillafterthewedding。
　　Icouldhaveswornhebelievedherdeadthen。Hismannerwasunmistakable。'
　　'Well，Ihaveothersuspicions，'repeatedEdward；'andifIonlyhadtheright——ifIwereherhusbandorbrother，heshouldbeconvictedofbigamyyet。'
　　'Thereproofwasnotneeded，'saidOwen，withalittlebitterness。
　　'WhatcanIdo——amanwithneithermoneynorfriends——whilstManstonhasMissAldclyffeandallherfortunetobackhimup？Godonlyknowswhatliesbetweenthemistressandhersteward，butsincethishastranspired——ifitistrue——Icanbelievetheconnectiontobeevenanunworthyone——athingIcertainlyneversomuchasownedtomyselfbefore。'
　　3。THEFIFTHOFMARCH
　　Edward'sdisclosurehadtheeffectofdirectingOwenGraye'sthoughtsintoanentirelynewanduncommonchannel。
　　OntheMondayafterSpringrove'svisit，OwenhadwalkedtothetopofahillintheneighbourhoodofTolchurch——awildhillthathadnoname，besideabarrendownwhereitneverlookedlikesummer。Intheintensityofhismeditationsontheever-presentsubject，hesatdownonaweather-beatenboundary-stonegazingtowardsthedistantvalleys——seeingonlyManston'simaginedform。
　　Hadhisdefencelesssisterbeentrifledwith？thatwasthequestionwhichaffectedhim。HerrefusalofEdwardasahusbandwas，heknew，dictatedsolelybyahumiliatedsenseofinadequacytohiminrepute，andhadnotbeenformedtillsincetheslanderoustaleaccountingforherseclusionhadbeencirculated。Wasitnottrue，asEdwardhadhinted，thathe，herbrother，wasneglectinghisdutytowardsherinallowingManstontothriveunquestioned，whilstshewashidingherheadfornofaultatall？
　　WasitpossiblethatManstonwassensuousvillainenoughtohavecontemplated，atanymomentbeforethemarriagewithCytherea，thereturnofhisfirstwife，whenheshouldhavegrownwearyofhisnewtoy？Hadhebelievedthat，byaskilfulmanipulationofsuchcircumstancesaschancewouldthrowinhisway，hecouldescapeallsuspicionofhavingknownthatshelived？Onlyonefactwithinhisowndirectknowledgeaffordedtheleastgroundforsuchasupposition。Itwasthat，possessedbyawomanonlyinthehumbleandunprotectedstationofalady'shiredcompanion，hissister'sbeautymightscarcelyhavebeensufficienttoinduceaselfishmanlikeManstontomakeherhiswife，unlesshehadforeseenthepossibilityofgettingridofheragain。
　　'ButforthatstratagemofManston'sinrelationtotheSpringroves，'Owenthought，'CythiemightnowhavebeenthehappywifeofEdward。True，thatheinfluencedMissAldclyffeonlyrestsonEdward'ssuspicions，butthegroundsaregood——theprobabilityisstrong。'
　　HewentindoorsandquestionedCytherea。
　　'Onthenightofthefire，whofirstsaidthatMrs。Manstonwasburnt？'heasked。
　　'Idon'tknowwhostartedthereport。'
　　'WasitManston？'
　　'Itwascertainlynothe。Alldoubtonthesubjectwasremovedbeforehecametothespot——thatIamcertainof。EverybodyknewthatshedidnotescapeAFTERthehousewasonfire，andthusalloverlookedthefactthatshemighthaveleftbefore——ofcoursethatwouldhaveseemedsuchanimprobablethingforanybodytodo。'
　　'Yes，untiltheporter'sstoryofherirritationanddoubtastohercoursemadeitnatural。'
　　'Whatsettledthematterattheinquest，'saidCytherea，'wasMr。
　　Manston'sevidencethatthewatchwashiswife's。'
　　'Hewassureofthat，wasn'the？'
　　'Ibelievehesaidhewascertainofit。'
　　'Itmighthavebeenhers——leftbehindinherperturbation，astheysayitwas——impossibleasthatseemsatfirstsight。Yes——onthewhole，hemighthavebelievedinherdeath。'
　　'Iknowbyseveralproofsthatthen，andatleastforsometimeafter，hehadnootherthoughtthanthatshewasdead。Inowthinkthatbeforetheporter'sconfessionheknewsomethingabouther——
　　thoughnotthatshelived。'
　　'Whydoyou？'
　　'Fromwhathesaidtomeontheeveningofthewedding-day，whenI
　　hadfastenedmyselfintheroomatthehotel，afterEdward'svisit。
　　HemusthavesuspectedthatIknewsomething，forhewasirritated，andinapassionofuneasydoubt。Hesaid，“Youdon'tsupposemyfirstwifeiscometolightagain，madam，surely？”Directlyhehadlettheremarkslipout，heseemedanxioustowithdrawit。'
　　'That'sodd，'saidOwen。
　　'Ithoughtitveryodd。'
　　'Stillwemustrememberhemightonlyhavehituponthethoughtbyaccident，indoubtastoyourmotive。Yes，thegreatpointtodiscoverremainsthesameasever——didhedoubthisfirstimpressionofherdeathBEFOREhemarriedyou。Ican'thelpthinkinghedid，althoughhewassoastoundedatournewsthatnight。Edwardswearshedid。'
　　'Itwasperhapsonlyashorttimebefore，'saidCytherea；'whenhecouldhardlyrecedefromhavingme。
　　'Seasoningjusticewithmercyasusual，Cytherea。'Tisunfairtoyourselftotalklikethat。IfIcouldonlybringhimtoruinasabigamist——supposinghimtobeone——Ishoulddiehappy。That'swhatwemustfindoutbyfairmeansorfoul——washeawilfulbigamist？'
　　'Itisnousetrying，Owen。Youwouldhavetoemployasolicitor，andhowcanyoudothat？'
　　'Ican'tatall——Iknowthatverywell。ButneitherdoIaltogetherwishtoatpresent——alawyermusthaveacase——factstogoupon，thatmeans。Nowtheyarescarceatpresent——asscarceasmoneyiswithus，andtillwehavefoundmoremoneythereisnohurryforalawyer。Perhapsbythetimewehavethefactsweshallhavethemoney。Theonlythingweloseinworkingaloneinthisway，istime——nottheissue：forthefruitthatonemindmaturesinatwelvemonthformsamoreperfectlyorganizedwholethanthatoftwelvemindsinonemonth，especiallyiftheinterestsofthesingleonearevitallyconcerned，andthoseofthetwelveareonlyhired。
　　Butthereisnotonlymymindavailable——youareashrewdwoman，Cythie，andEdwardisanearnestally。Then，ifwereallygetasurefootingforacriminalprosecution，theCrownwilltakeupthecase。'
　　'Idon'tmuchcaretopressoninthematter，'shemurmured。'Whatgoodcanitdous，Owen，afterall？'
　　'Selfishlyspeaking，itwilldothisgood——thatallthefactsofyourjourneytoSouthamptonwillbecomeknown，andthescandalwilldie。Besides，Manstonwillhavetosuffer——it'sanactofjusticetoyouandtootherwomen，andtoEdwardSpringrove。'
　　HenowthoughtitnecessarytotellheroftherealnatureoftheSpringroves'obligationtoMissAldclyffe——andtheirnearlycertainknowledgethatManstonwastheprimemoverineffectingtheirembarrassment。Herfaceflushedasshelistened。
　　'Andnow，'hesaid，'ourfirstundertakingistofindoutwhereMrs。
　　Manstonlivedduringtheseparation；next，whenthefirstcommunicationspassedbetweenthemafterthefire。'
　　'IfweonlyhadMissAldclyffe'scountenanceandassistanceasI
　　usedtohavethem，'Cythereareturned，'howstrongweshouldbe！O，whatpowerisitthatheexercisesoverher，swayingherjustashewishes！Shelovesmenow。Mrs。MorrisinherlettersaidthatMissAldclyffeprayedforme——yes，sheheardherprayingforme，andcrying。MissAldclyffedidnotmindanoldfriendlikeMrs。Morrisknowingit，either。Yetinoppositiontothis，noticeherdeadsilenceandinactionthroughoutthisproceeding。'
　　'Itisamystery；butnevermindthatnow，'saidOwenimpressively。
　　'AboutwhereMrs。Manstonhasbeenliving。Wemustgetthispartofitfirst——learntheplaceofherstayintheearlystageoftheirseparation，duringtheperiodofManston'sarrivalhere，andsoon，forthatwaswhereshewasfirstcommunicatedwithonthesubjectofcomingtoKnapwater，beforethefire；andthataddress，too，washerpointofdeparturewhenshecametoherhusbandbystealthinthenight——youknow——thetimeIvisitedyouintheeveningandwenthomeearlyinthemorning，anditwasfoundthathehadbeenvisitedtoo。
　　Ah！couldn'tweinquireofMrs。Leat，whokeepsthepost-officeatCarriford，ifsherememberswheretheletterstoMrs。Manstonweredirected？'
　　'Heneverpostedhisletterstoherintheparish——itwasremarkedatthetime。IwasthinkingifsomethingrelatingtoheraddressmightnotbefoundinthereportoftheinquestintheCasterbridgeChronicleofthedate。Somefactsabouttheinquestweregiveninthepaperstoacertainty。'
　　Herbrothercaughteagerlyatthesuggestion。'WhohasafileoftheChronicles？'hesaid。
　　'Mr。Raunhamusedtofilethem，'saidCytherea。'Hewasratherfriendly-disposedtowardsme，too。'
　　Owencouldnot，onanyconsideration，escapefromhisattendanceatthechurch-buildingtillSaturdayevening；andthusitbecamenecessary，unlesstheyactuallywastedtime，thatCythereaherselfshouldassist。'Iactunderyourorders，Owen，'shesaid。
　　XVI。THEEVENTSOFONEWEEK
　　1。MARCHTHESIXTH
　　Thenextmorningtheopeningmoveofthegamewasmade。Cytherea，undercoverofathickveil，hiredaconveyanceanddrovetowithinamileorsoofCarriford。ItwaswitharenewedsenseofdepressionthatshesawagaintheobjectswhichhadbecomefamiliartohereyeduringhersojournunderMissAldclyffe'sroof——theoutlineofthehills，themeadowstreams，theoldparktrees。Shehastenedbyalonelypathtotherectory-house，andaskedifMr。
　　Raunhamwasathome。
　　Nowtherector，thoughasolitarybachelor，wasasgallantandcourteoustowomankindasanancientIberian；and，moreover，hewasCytherea'sfriendinparticular，toanextentfargreaterthanshehadeversurmised。Rarelyvisitinghisrelative，MissAldclyffe，exceptonparishmatters，morerarelystillbeingcalleduponbyMissAldclyffe，CythereahadlearntverylittleofhimwhilstshelivedatKnapwater。Therelationshipwasontheimpecuniouspaternalside，andforthisbranchofherfamilytheladyoftheestatehadneverevincedmuchsympathy。Inlookingbackuponourlineofdescentitisaninstinctwithustofeelthatallourvitalitywasdrawnfromthericherpartytoanyunequalmarriageinthechain。
　　Sincethedeathoftheoldcaptain，therector'sbearinginKnapwaterHousehadbeenalmostthatofastranger，acircumstancewhichhehimselfwasthelastmanintheworldtoregret。Thispoliteindifferencewassofrigidonbothsidesthattherectordidnotconcernhimselftopreachather，whichwasagreatdealinarector；andshedidnottakethetroubletothinkhissermonspoorstuff，whichinacynicalwomanwasagreatdealmore。
　　Thoughbarelyfiftyyearsofage，hishairwasaswhiteassnow，contrastingstrangelywiththerednessofhisskin，whichwasasfreshandhealthyasalad's。Cytherea'sbrighteyes，mutelyanddemurelyglancingupathimSundayafterSunday，hadbeenthemeansofdrivingawaymanyofthesaturninehumoursthatcreepintoanemptyheartduringthehoursofasolitarylife；inthiscase，however，tosupplantthem，whenshelefthisparish，bythoseothersofamoreachingnaturewhichaccompanyanover-fullone。Inshort，hehadbeenonthevergeoffeelingtowardsherthatpassiontowhichhisdignifiedself-respectwouldnotgiveitstruename，evenintheprivacyofhisownthought。
　　Hereceivedherkindly；butshewasnotdisposedtobefrankwithhim。Hesawherwishtobereserved，andwithgenuinegoodtasteandgoodnaturemadenocommentwhateveruponherrequesttobeallowedtoseetheChroniclefortheyearbeforethelast。Heplacedthepapersbeforeheronhisstudytable，withatimidityasgreatasherown，andthenleftherentirelytoherself。
　　Sheturnedthemovertillshecametothefirstheadingconnectedwiththesubjectofhersearch——'DisastrousFireandLossofLifeatCarriford。'
　　Thesight，anditscalamitousbearinguponherownlife，madehersodizzythatshecould，forawhile，hardlydeciphertheletters。
　　Stiflingrecollectionbyaneffortshenervedherselftoherwork，andcarefullyreadthecolumn。Theaccountremindedherofnootherfactthanwasrememberedalready。
　　Sheturnedontothefollowingweek'sreportoftheinquest。AfteramiserableperusalshecouldfindnomorepertainingtoMrs。
　　Manston'saddressthanthis：——
　　'ABRAHAMBROWN，ofHoxton，London，atwhosehousethedeceasedwomanhadbeenliving，deposed，'etc。
　　NobodyelsefromLondonhadattendedtheinquest。Shearosetodepart，firstsendingamessageofthankstoMr。Raunham，whowasoutofdoorsgardening。
　　Hestuckhisspadeintotheground，andaccompaniedhertothegate。
　　'CanIhelpyouinanything，Cytherea？'hesaid，usingherChristiannamebyanintuitionthatunpleasantmemoriesmightberevivedifhecalledherMissGrayeafterwishinghergood-byeasMrs。Manstonatthewedding。Cythereasawthemotiveandappreciatedit，neverthelessreplyingevasively——
　　'Ionlyguessandfear。'
　　Heearnestlylookedatheragain。
　　'Promisemethatifyouwantassistance，andyouthinkIcangiveit，youwillcometome。'
　　'Iwill，'shesaid。
　　Thegateclosedbetweenthem。
　　'Youdon'twantmetohelpyouinanythingnow，Cytherea？'herepeated。
　　Ifhehadspokenwhathefelt，'Iwantverymuchtohelpyou，Cytherea，andhavebeenwatchingManstononyouraccount，'shewouldgladlyhaveacceptedhisoffer。Asitwas，shewasperplexed，andraisedhereyestohis，notsofearlesslyasbeforehertrouble，butasmodestly，andwithstillenoughbrightnessinthemtodofearfulexecutionasshesaidoverthegate——
　　'No，thankyou。'
　　ShereturnedtoTolchurchwearywithherday'swork。Owen'sgreetingwasanxious——
　　'Well，Cytherea？'
　　Shegavehimthewordsfromthereportoftheinquest，pencilledonaslipofpaper。
　　'Nowtofindoutthenameofthestreetandnumber，'Owenremarked。
　　'Owen，'shesaid，'willyouforgivemeforwhatIamgoingtosay？
　　Idon'tthinkIcan——indeedIdon'tthinkIcan——takeanyfurtherstepstowardsdisentanglingthemystery。Istillthinkitauselesstask，anditdoesnotseemanydutyofminetoberevengeduponMr。
　　Manstoninanyway。'Sheaddedmoregravely，'Itisbeneathmydignityasawomantolabourforthis；Ihavefeltitsoallday。'
　　'Verywell，'hesaid，somewhatshortly；'Ishallworkwithoutyouthen。There'sdignityinjustice。'Hecaughtsightofherpaletiredface，andthedilatedeyewhichalwaysappearedinherwithweariness。'Darling，'hecontinuedwarmly，andkissingher，'youshallnotworksohardagain——youarewornoutquite。ButyoumustletmedoasIlike。'
　　2。MARCHTHETENTH
　　OnSaturdayeveningGrayehurriedofftoCasterbridge，andcalledatthehouseofthereportertotheChronicle。Thereporterwasathome，andcameouttoGrayeinthepassage。Owenexplainedwhoandwhathewas，andaskedthemanifhewouldobligehimbyturningtohisnotesoftheinquestatCarrifordintheDecemberoftheyearprecedingthelast——justaddingthatafamilyentanglement，ofwhichthereporterprobablyknewsomething，madehimanxioustoascertainsomeadditionaldetailsoftheevent，ifanyexisted。
　　'Certainly，'saidtheother，withouthesitation；'thoughIamafraidIhaven'tmuchbeyondwhatweprintedatthetime。Letmesee——myoldnote-booksareinmydrawerattheofficeofthepaper：ifyouwillcomewithmeIcanrefertothemthere。'Hiswifeandfamilywereatteainsidetheroom，andwiththetimidityofdecentpovertyeverywhereheseemedgladtogetastrangeroutofhisdomesticgroove。
　　Theycrossedthestreet，enteredtheoffice，andwentthencetoaninnerroom。Here，afterashortsearch，wasfoundthebookrequired。Thepreciseaddress，notgiveninthecondensedreportthatwasprinted，butwrittendownbythereporter，wasasfollows：——
　　'ABRAHAMBROWN，LODGING-HOUSEKEEPER，41CHARLESSQUARE，HOXTON。'
　　Owencopiedit，andgavethereporterasmallfee。'Iwanttokeepthisinquiryprivateforthepresent，'hesaidhesitatingly。'Youwillperhapsunderstandwhy，andobligeme。'
　　Thereporterpromised。'Newsisshopwithme，'hesaid，'andtoescapefromhandlingitismygreatestsocialenjoyment。'
　　Itwasevening，andtheouterroomofthepublishing-officewaslightedupwithflaringjetsofgas。Aftermakingtheaboveremark，thereportercameoutfromtheinnerapartmentinGraye'scompany，answeringanexpressionofobligationfromOwenwiththewordsthatitwasnotrouble。Atthemomentofhisspeech，heclosedbehindhimthedoorbetweenthetworooms，stillholdinghisnote-bookinhishand。
　　Beforethecounterofthefrontroomstoodatallman，whowasalsospeaking，whentheyemerged。Hesaidtotheyouthinattendance，'I
　　willtakemypaperforthisweeknowIamhere，sothatyouneedn'tpostittome。'
　　Thestrangerthenslightlyturnedhishead，sawOwen，andrecognizedhim。OwenpassedoutwithoutrecognizingtheotherasManston。
　　Manstonthenlookedatthereporter，who，afterwalkingtothedoorwithOwen，hadcomebackagaintolockuphisbooks。Manstondidnotneedtobetoldthattheshabbymarble-coveredbookwhichheheldinhishand，openingendwaysandinterleavedwithblotting-
　　paper，wasanoldreporting-book。Heraisedhiseyestothereporter'sface，whoseexperiencehadnotsoschooledhisfeaturesbutthattheybetrayedaconsciousness，toonehalfinitiatedastheotherwas，thathislateproceedinghadbeenconnectedwitheventsinthelifeofthesteward。Manstonsaidnomore，but，takinghisnewspaper，followedOwenfromtheoffice，anddisappearedinthegloomofthestreet。
　　EdwardSpringrovewasnowinLondonagain，andonthissameevening，beforeleavingCasterbridge，Owenwroteacarefullettertohim，statingthereinallthefactsthathadcometohisknowledge，andbegginghim，ashevaluedCytherea，tomakecautiousinquiries。A
　　tallmanwasstandingunderthelamp-post，abouthalf-a-dozenyardsabovethepost-office，whenhedroppedtheletterintothebox。
　　Thatsamenight，too，forareasonconnectedwiththerencounterwithOwenGraye，thestewardentertainedtheideaofrushingoffsuddenlytoLondonbythemail-train，whichleftCasterbridgeatteno'clock。ButrememberingthatletterspostedafterthehouratwhichOwenhadobtainedhisinformation——whateverthatwas——couldnotbedeliveredinLondontillMondaymorning，hechangedhismindandwenthometoKnapwater。Makingaconfidentialexplanationtohiswife，arrangementsweresetonfootforhisdeparturebythemailonSundaynight。
　　3。MARCHTHEELEVENTH
　　Startingforchurchthenextmorningseveralminutesearlierthanwasusualwithhim，thestewardintentionallyloiteredalongtheroadfromthevillagetilloldMr。Springroveovertookhim。Manstonspokeverycivillyofthemorning，andoftheweather，askinghowthefarmer'sbarometerstood，andwhenitwasprobablethatthewindmightchange。ItwasnotinMr。Springrove'snature——goingtochurchashewas，too——toreturnanythingbutacivilanswertosuchcivilquestions，howeverhisfeelingsmighthavebeenbiassedbylateevents。Theconversationwascontinuedontermsofgreaterfriendliness。
　　'Youmustbefeelingsettledagainbythistime，Mr。Springrove，aftertheroughturn-outyouhadonthatterriblenightinNovember。'
　　'Ay，butIdon'tknowaboutfeelingsettled，either，Mr。Manston。
　　Theoldwindowinthechimney-corneroftheoldhouseIshallneverforget。Nowindowinthechimney-cornerwhereIamnow，andIhadbeenusedtoitformorethanfiftyyears。Tedsays'tisagreatlosstome，andheknowsexactlywhatIfeel。'
　　'Yoursonisagaininagoodsituation，Ibelieve？'saidManston，imitatingthatinquisitivenessintotheprivateaffairsofthenativeswhichpassesforhighbreedingincountryvillages。
　　'Yes，sir。Ihopehe'llkeepit，ordosomethingelseandsticktoit。'
　　''Tistobehopedhe'llbesteadynow。'
　　'He'salwaysbeenthat，Iassure'ee，'saidtheoldmantartly。
　　'Yes——yes——Imeanintellectuallysteady。Intellectualwildoatswillthriveinasoilofthestrictestmorality。'
　　'Intellectualgingerbread！Ted'ssteadyenough——that'sallIknowaboutit。'
　　'Ofcourse——ofcourse。Hasherespectablelodgings？Myownexperiencehasshownmethatthat'sagreatthingtoayoungmanlivingaloneinLondon。'
　　'WarwickStreet，CharingCross——that'swhereheis。'
　　'Well，tobesure——strange！Averydearfriendofmineusedtoliveatnumberfifty-twointhatverysamestreet。'
　　'Edwardlivesatnumberforty-nine——howverynearbeingthesamehouse！'saidtheoldfarmer，pleasedinspiteofhimself。
　　'Very，'saidManston。'Well，Isupposewehadbetterstepalongalittlequicker，Mr。Springrove；theparson'sbellhasjustbegun。'
　　'Numberforty-nine，'hemurmured。
　　4。MARCHTHETWELFTH
　　EdwardreceivedOwen'sletterinduetime，butonaccountofhisdailyengagementshecouldnotattendtoanyrequesttilltheclockhadstruckfiveintheafternoon。RushingthenfromhisofficeinWestminster，hecalledahansomandproceededtoHoxton。Afewminuteslaterheknockedatthedoorofnumberforty-one，CharlesSquare，theoldlodgingofMrs。Manston。
　　Atallmanwhowouldhavelookedextremelyhandsomehadhenotbeenclumsilyandcloselywrappedupingarmentsthatweremuchtooelderlyinstyleforhisyears，stoodatthecornerofthequietsquareatthesameinstant，having，too，alightedfromacab，thathadbeendrivenalongOldStreetinEdward'srear。HesmiledconfidentlywhenSpringroveknocked。
　　Nobodycametothedoor。Springroveknockedagain。
　　Thisbroughtouttwopeople——oneatthedoorhehadbeenknockingupon，theotherfromthenextontheright。
　　'IsMr。Brownathome？'saidSpringrove。
　　'No，sir。'
　　'Whenwillhebein？'
　　'Quiteuncertain。'
　　'CanyoutellmewhereImayfindhim？'
　　'No。O，hereheiscoming，sir。That'sMr。Brown。'
　　Edwardlookeddownthepavementinthedirectionpointedoutbythewoman，andsawamanapproaching。Heproceededafewstepstomeethim。
　　Edwardwasimpatient，andtoacertainextentstillacountryman，whohadnot，afterthemannerofcitymen，subduedthenaturalimpulsetospeakouttherulingthoughtwithoutpreface。Hesaidinaquiettonetothestranger，'Onewordwithyou——doyourememberaladylodgerofyoursofthenameofMrs。Manston？'
　　Mr。BrownhalfclosedhiseyesatSpringrove，somewhatasifhewerelookingintoatelescopeatthewrongend。
　　'Ihaveneverletlodgingsinmylife，'hesaid，afterhissurvey。
　　'Didn'tyouattendaninquestayearandahalfago，atCarriford？'
　　'Neverknewtherewassuchaplaceintheworld，sir；andastolodgings，Ihavetakenacresfirstandlastduringthelastthirtyyears，butIhaveneverletaninch。'
　　'Isupposethereissomemistake，'Edwardmurmured，andturnedaway。
　　HeandMr。Brownwerenowoppositethedoornexttotheonehehadknockedat。Thewomanwhowasstillstandingtherehadheardtheinquiryandtheresultofit。
　　'IexpectitistheotherMr。Brown，whousedtolivethere，thatyouwant，sir，'shesaid。'TheMr。Brownthatwasinquiredfortheotherday？'
　　'Verylikelythatistheman，'saidEdward，hisinterestreawakening。
　　'Hecouldn'tmakeadooflodging-lettinghere，andatlasthewenttoCornwall，wherehecamefrom，andwherehisbrotherstilllived，whohadoftenaskedhimtocomehomeagain。Buttherewaslittleluckinthechange；forafterLondontheysayhecouldn'tstandtherainywestwindstheygetthere，andhediedintheDecemberfollowing。Willyoustepintothepassage？'
　　'That'sunfortunate，'saidEdward，goingin。'ButperhapsyourememberaMrs。Manstonlivingnextdoortoyou？'
　　'Oyes，'saidthelandlady，closingthedoor。'Theladywhowassupposedtohavemetwithsuchahorriblefate，andwasaliveallthetime。Isawhertheotherday。'
　　'SincethefireatCarriford？'
　　'Yes。HerhusbandcametoaskifMr。Brownwasstilllivinghere——
　　justasyoumight。Heseemedanxiousaboutit；andthenoneevening，aweekorfortnightafterwards，whenhecameagaintomakefurtherinquiries，shewaswithhim。ButIdidnotspeaktoher——
　　shestoodback，asifshewereshy。Iwasinterested，however，foroldMr。Brownhadtoldmeallaboutherwhenhecamebackfromtheinquest。'
　　'DidyouknowMrs。Manstonbeforeshecalledtheotherday？'
　　'No。YouseeshewasonlyMr。Brown'slodgerfortwoorthreeweeks，andIdidn'tknowshewaslivingtheretillshewasnearuponleavingagain——wedon'tnoticenext-doorpeoplemuchhereinLondon。
　　ImuchregrettedIhadnotknownherwhenIheardwhathadhappened。
　　ItledmeandMr。Browntotalkaboutheragreatdealafterwards。
　　IlittlethoughtIshouldseeheraliveafterall。'
　　'Andwhendoyousaytheycameheretogether？'
　　'Idon'texactlyremembertheday——thoughIrememberaverybeautifuldreamIhadthatsamenight——ah，Ishallneverforgetit！
　　Shoalsoflodgerscomingalongthesquarewithangels'wingsandbrightgoldensovereignsintheirhandswantingapartmentsatWestEndprices。Theywouldnotgiveanyless；no，notifyou——'
　　'Yes。DidMrs。Manstonleaveanything，suchaspapers，whenshelefttheselodgingsoriginally？'saidEdward，thoughhisheartsankasheasked。Hefeltthathewasoutwitted。Manstonandhiswifehadbeentherebeforehim，clearingthegroundofalltraces。
　　'Ihavealwayssaid“No“hitherto，'repliedthewoman，'consideringIcouldsaynomoreifputuponmyoath，asIexpectedtobe。Butspeakinginacommoneverydaywaynowtheoccurrenceispast，I
　　believeafewthingsofsomekindthoughIdoubtiftheywerepaperswereleftinaworkboxshehad，becauseshetalkedaboutittoMr。Brown，andwasratherangryatwhatoccurred——yousee，shehadatemperbyallaccount，andsoIdidn'tliketoremindtheladyofthisworkboxwhenshecametheotherdaywithherhusband。'
　　'Andabouttheworkbox？'
　　'Well，fromwhatwascasuallydropped，IthinkMrs。Manstonhadafewarticlesoffurnitureshedidn'twant，andwhenshewasleavingtheywereputinasalejustby。Amongstherthingsweretwoworkboxesverymuchalike。Oneofthesesheintendedtosell，theothershedidn't，andMr。Brown，whocollectedthethingstogether，tookthewrongonetothesale。'
　　'Whatwasinit？'
　　'O，nothinginparticular，orofanyvalue——someaccounts，andherusualsewingmaterialsIthink——nothingmore。Shedidn'ttakemuchtroubletogetitback——shesaidthebillswereworthnothingtoheroranybodyelse，butthatsheshouldhavelikedtokeeptheboxbecauseherhusbandgaveitherwhentheywerefirstmarried，andifhefoundshehadpartedwithit，hewouldbevexed。'
　　'DidMrs。Manston，whenshecalledrecentlywithherhusband，alludetothis，orinquireforit，ordidMr。Manston？'
　　'No——andIratherwonderedatit。Butsheseemedtohaveforgottenit——indeed，shedidn'tmakeanyinquiryatall，onlystandingbehindhim，listeningtohis；andheprobablyhadneverbeentoldanythingaboutit。'
　　'Whosesalewerethesearticlesofherstakento？'
　　'Whowastheauctioneer？Mr。Halway。Hisplaceisthethirdturningfromtheendofthatstreetyouseethere。Anybodywilltellyoutheshop——hisnameiswrittenup。'
　　Edwardwentofftofollowuphiscluewithapromptnesswhichwasdictatedmorebyadoggedwilltodohisutmostthanbyahopeofdoingmuch。Whenhewasoutofsight，thetallandcloakedman，whohadwatchedhim，cameuptothewoman'sdoor，withanappearanceofbeinginbreathlesshaste。
　　'HasagentlemanbeenhereinquiringaboutMrs。Manston？'
　　'Yes；he'sjustgone。'
　　'Dearme！Iwanthim。'
　　'He'sgonetoMr。Halway's。'
　　'IthinkIcangivehimsomeinformationuponthesubject。Doeshepayprettyliberally？'
　　'Hegavemehalf-a-crown。'
　　'Thatscalewilldo。I'mapoorman，andwillseewhatmylittlecontributiontohisknowledgewillfetch。But，bytheway，perhapsyoutoldhimallIknow——whereshelivedbeforecomingtolivehere？'
　　'Ididn'tknowwhereshelivedbeforecominghere。Ono——IonlysaidwhatMr。Brownhadtoldme。Heseemedanice，gentleyoungman，orIshouldn'thavebeensoopenasIwas。'
　　'IshallnowaboutcatchhimatMr。Halway's，'saidtheman，andwentawayashastilyashehadcome。
　　Edwardinthemeantimehadreachedtheauction-room。Hefoundsomedifficulty，onaccountoftheinertnessofthosewhoseonlyinducementtoanactionisamerewishfromanother，ingettingtheinformationhestoodinneedof，butitwasatlastaccordedhim。
　　Theauctioneer'sbookgavethenameofMrs。Higgins，3CanleyPassage，asthepurchaserofthelotwhichhadincludedMrs。
　　Manston'sworkbox。
　　ThitherEdwardwent，followedbytheman。Fourbellpulls，oneabovetheotherlikewaistcoat-buttons，appearedonthedoor-post。
　　Edwardseizedthefirsthecameto。
　　'Whodidyouwoant？'saidathinvoicefromsomewhere。
　　Edwardlookedaboveandaroundhim；nobodywasvisible。
　　'Whodidyouwoant？'saidthethinvoiceagain。
　　Hefoundnowthatthesoundproceededfrombelowthegratingcoveringthebasementwindow。Hedroppedhisglancethroughthebars，andsawachild'swhiteface。
　　'Whodidyouwoant？'saidthevoicethethirdtime，withpreciselythesamelanguidinflection。
　　'Mrs。Higgins，'saidEdward。
　　'Thirdbellup，'saidtheface，anddisappeared。
　　Hepulledthethirdbellfromthebottom，andwasadmittedbyanotherchild，thedaughterofthewomanhewasinsearchof。Hegavethelittlethingsixpence，andaskedforhermamma。Thechildledhimupstairs。
　　Mrs。Higginswasthewifeofacarpenterwhofromwantofemploymentonewinterhaddecidedtomarry。Afterwardstheybothtooktodrink，andsankintodesperatecircumstances。Afewchairsandatablewerethechiefarticlesoffurnitureinthethird-floorbackroomwhichtheyoccupied。Arollofbaby-linenlayonthefloor；
　　besideitapap-cloggedspoonandanoverturnedtinpap-cup。
　　AgainstthewallaDutchclockwasfixedoutoflevel，andtickedwildlyinlongsandshorts，itsentrailshangingdownbeneathitswhitefaceandwiryhands，likethefaecesofaHarpy'foedissimaventrisproluvies，uncaequemanus，etpallidasemperora'。Ababywascryingagainsteverychair-leg，thewholefamilyofsixorsevenbeingsmallenoughtobecoveredbyawashing-tub。Mrs。Higginssathelpless，clothedinadresswhichhadhooksandeyesinplenty，butneveroneoppositetheother，therebyrenderingthedressalmostuselessasascreentothebosom。Noworkboxwasvisibleanywhere。
　　Itwasadepressingpictureofmarriedlifeamongtheverypoorofacity。Onlyforoneshorthourinthewholetwenty-fourdidhusbandandwifetastegenuinehappiness。Itwasintheevening，when，afterthesaleofsomenecessaryarticleoffurniture，theywereundertheinfluenceofaquarternofgin。
　　Ofalltheingeniousandcruelsatiresthatfromthebeginningtillnowhavebeenstucklikeknivesintowomankind，surelythereisnotonesolaceratingtothem，andtouswholovethem，asthetriteoldfact，thatthemostwretchedofmencan，inthetwinklingofaneye，findawifereadytobemorewretchedstillforthesakeofhiscompany。
　　Edwardhastenedtodespatchhiserrand。
　　Mrs。Higginshadlatelypawnedtheworkboxwithotheruselessarticlesoflumber，shesaid。Edwardboughttheduplicateofher，andwentdownstairstothepawnbroker's。
　　Inthebackdivisionofamustyshop，amidtheheterogeneouscollectionofarticlesandodoursinvariablycrowdingsuchplaces，heproducedhisticket，andwithasenseofsatisfactionoutofallproportiontotheprobableworthofhisacquisition，tooktheboxandcarrieditoffunderhisarm。Heattemptedtoliftthecoverashewalked，butfounditlocked。
　　ItwasduskwhenSpringrovereachedhislodging。Enteringhissmallsitting-room，thefrontapartmentonthegroundfloor，hestruckalight，andproceededtolearnifanyscrapormarkwithinoruponhispurchaserendereditofmomenttothebusinessinhand。
　　Breakingopenthecoverwithasmallchisel，andliftingthetray，heglancedeagerlybeneath，andfound——nothing。
　　Henextdiscoveredthatapocketorportfoliowasformedontheundersideofthecover。Thisheunfastened，andslippinghishandwithin，foundthatitreallycontainedsomesubstance。Firsthepulledoutaboutadozentangledsilkandcottonthreads。Underthemwereashorthouseholdaccount，adrymoss-rosebud，andanoldpairofcarte-de-visitephotographs。OneofthesewasalikenessofMrs。Manston——'Eunice'beingwrittenunderitinink——theotherofManstonhimself。
　　Hesatdowndispirited。Thiswasallthefruitofhistask——notasingleletter，date，oraddressofanykindtohelphim——andwasitlikelytherewouldbe？
　　However，thinkinghewouldsendthefragments，suchastheywere，toGraye，inordertosatisfyhimthathehaddonehisbestsofar，hescribbledaline，andputallexceptthesilkandcottonintoanenvelope。Lookingathiswatch，hefounditwasthentwentyminutestoseven；byaffixinganextrastamphewouldbeenabledtodespatchthembythatevening'spost。Hehastilydirectedthepacket，andranwithitatoncetothepost-officeatCharingCross。
　　Onhisreturnhetookuptheworkboxagaintoexamineitmoreleisurely。Hethenfoundtherewasalsoasmallcavityinthetrayunderthepincushion，whichwasmovablebyabitofribbon。Liftingthisheuncoveredaflattenedsprigofmyrtle，andasmallscrapofcrumpledpaper。Thepapercontainedaverseortwoinaman'shandwriting。HerecognizeditasManston's，havingseennotesandbillsfromhimathisfather'shouse。Thestanzawasofacomplimentarycharacter，descriptiveoftheladywhowasnowManston'swife。
　　'EUNICE。
　　'WhosoforhoursorlengthydaysShallcatchheraspect'schangefulrays，Thenturnaway，cannonerecallBeyondagalaxyofallInhazyportraiture；
　　LitbythelightofazureeyesLikesummerdaysbysummerskies：
　　HersweettransitionsseemtobeAkindofpicturedmelody，Andnotasetcontour。
　　'AE。M。'
　　Toshake，pull，andransacktheboxtillhehadalmostdestroyeditwasnowhisnaturalaction。Butitcontainedabsolutelynothingmore。
　　'Disappointedagain，'hesaid，flingingdownthebox，thebitofpaper，andthewitheredtwigthathadlainwithit。
　　Yetvaluelessasthenewacquisitionwas，onsecondthoughtsheconsideredthatitwouldbeworthwhiletomakegoodthestatementinhislatenotetoGraye——thathehadsenteverythingtheboxcontainedexceptthesewing-thread。Thereuponheenclosedtheverseandmyrtle-twiginanotherenvelope，witharemarkthathehadoverlookedtheminhisfirstsearch，andputitonthetableforthenextday'spost。
　　Inhishurryandconcentrationuponthematterthatoccupiedhim，Springrove，onenteringhislodgingandobtainingalight，hadnotwaitedtopulldowntheblindorclosetheshutters。Consequentlyallthathehaddonehadbeenvisiblefromthestreet。Butasonanaveragenotonepersonaminutepassedalongthequietpavementatthistimeoftheevening，thediscoveryoftheomissiondidnotmuchconcernhismind。
　　Buttherealstateofthecasewasthatatallmanhadstoodagainsttheoppositewallandwatchedthewholeofhisproceeding。WhenEdwardcameoutandwenttotheCharingCrosspost-office，themanfollowedhimandsawhimdroptheletterintothebox。ThestrangerdidnotfurthertroublehimselftofollowSpringrovebacktohislodgingagain。
　　Manstonnowknewthattherehadbeenphotographsofsomekindinhiswife'sworkbox，andthoughhehadnotbeennearenoughtoseethem，heguessedwhosetheywere。Theleastreflectiontoldhimtowhomtheyhadbeensent。
　　Hepausedaminuteundertheporticoofthepost-office，lookingatthetwoorthreeomnibusesstoppingandstartinginfrontofhim。
　　ThenherushedalongtheStrand，throughHolywellStreet，andontoOldBoswellCourt。Kickingasidetheshoeblackswhobegantoimportunehimashepassedunderthecolonnade，heturnedupthenarrowpassagetothepublishing-officeofthePost-OfficeDirectory。HebeggedtobeallowedtoseetheDirectoryofthesouth-westcountiesofEnglandforamoment。
　　Theshopmanimmediatelyhandeddownthevolumefromashelf，andManstonretiredwithittothewindow-bench。Heturnedtothecounty，andthentotheparishofTolchurch。Attheendofthehistoricalandtopographicaldescriptionofthevillageheread：——
　　'Postmistress——Mrs。Hurston。Lettersreceivedat6。3OA。M。byfoot-
　　postfromAnglebury。'
　　Returninghisthanks，hehandedbackthebookandquittedtheoffice，thencepursuinghiswaytoanobscurecoffee-housebytheStrand，wherehenowpartookofalightdinner。Butrestseemedimpossiblewithhim。Someabsorbingintentionkepthisbodycontinuallyonthemove。Hepaidhisbill，tookhisbaginhishand，andwentouttoidleaboutthestreetsandovertherivertillthetimeshouldhavearrivedatwhichthenight-maillefttheWaterlooStation，bywhichtrainheintendedtoreturnhomeward。
　　Thereexists，asitwere，anouterchambertothemind，inwhich，whenamanisoccupiedcentrallywiththemostmomentousquestionofhislife，casualandtriflingthoughtsarejustallowedtowandersoftlyforaninterval，beforebeingbanishedaltogether。Thus，amidhisconcentrationdidManstonreceiveperceptionsoftheindividualsabouthiminthelivelythoroughfareoftheStrand；tallmenlookinginsignificant；littlemenlookinggreatandprofound；
　　lostwomenofmiserablereputelookingashappyasthedaysarelong；wives，happybyassumption，lookingcarewornandmiserable。
　　Eachandallwerealikeinthisonerespect，thattheyfollowedasolitarytrailliketheinwoventhreadswhichformabanner，andallwereequallyunconsciousofthesignificantwholetheycollectivelyshowedforth。
　　Atteno'clockheturnedintoLancasterPlace，crossedtheriver，andenteredtherailway-station，wherehetookhisseatinthedownmail-train，whichborehim，andEdwardSpringrove'slettertoGraye，farawayfromLondon。
　　XVII。THEEVENTSOFONEDAY
　　1。MARCHTHETHIRTEENTH。THREETOSIXO'CLOCKA。M。
　　TheyenteredAngleburyStationinthedead，stilltimeofearlymorning，theclockoverthebooking-officepointingtotwenty-fiveminutestothree。Manstonlingeredontheplatformandsawthemail-bagsbroughtout，noticing，asapertinentpastime，themanyshabbyblotchesofwaxfrominnumerablesealsthathadbeensetupontheirmouths。Theguardtookthemintoafly，andwasdrivendowntheroadtothepost-office。
　　Itwasaraw，damp，uncomfortablemorning，though，asyet，littlerainwasfalling。Manstondrankamouthfulfromhisflaskandwalkedatonceawayfromthestation，pursuinghiswaythroughthegloomtillhestoodonthesideofthetownadjoining，atadistancefromthelasthouseinthestreetofabouttwohundredyards。
　　Thestationroadwasalsotheturnpike-roadintothecountry，thefirstpartofitscoursebeingacrossaheath。Havingsurveyedthehighwayupanddowntomakesureofitsbearing，Manstonmethodicallysethimselftowalkbackwardsandforwardsastone'sthrowineachdirection。Althoughthespringwastemperate，thetimeofday，andtheconditionofsuspenseinwhichthestewardfoundhimself，causedasensationofchillinesstopervadehisframeinspiteoftheovercoathewore。Thedrizzlingrainincreased，anddropsfromthetreesatthewaysidefellnoisilyuponthehardroadbeneaththem，whichreflectedfromitsglassysurfacethefainthalooflighthangingoverthelampsoftheadjacenttown。
　　Herehewalkedandlingeredfortwohours，withoutseeingorhearingalivingsoul。Thenheheardthemarket-houseclockstrikefive，andsoonafterwards，quickhardfootstepssmoteuponthepavementofthestreetleadingtowardshim。TheywerethoseofthepostmanfortheTolchurchbeat。Hereachedthebottomofthestreet，gavehisbagsafinalhitch-up，steppedoffthepavement，andstruckoutforthecountrywithabriskshuffle。
　　Manstonthenturnedhisbackuponthetown，andwalkedslowlyon。
　　Intwominutesaflickeringlightshoneuponhisform，andthepostmanovertookhim。
　　Thenew-comerwasashort，stoopingindividualofabovefive-and-
　　forty，ladenonbothsideswithleatherbagslargeandsmall，andcarryingalittlelanternstrappedtohisbreast，whichcastatinypatchoflightupontheroadahead。
　　'Atryenmornenfortravellers！'thepostmancried，inacheerfulvoice，withoutturninghisheadorslackeninghistrot。
　　'Itis，indeed，'saidManston，steppingoutabreastofhim。'Youhavealongwalkeveryday。'
　　'Yes——alongwalk——forthoughthedistanceisonlysixteenmilesonthestraight——thatis，eighttothefurthestplaceandeightback，whatwiththeinsandoutstothegentlemen'shouses，itmakestwo-
　　and-twentyformylegs。Two-and-twentymilesaday，howmanyayear？Iusedtoreckonit，butIneverdonow。Idon'tcaretothinko'mywearandtear，nowitdobegintotelluponme。'
　　Thustheconversationwasbegun，andthepostmanproceededtonarratethedifferentstrangeeventsthatmarkedhisexperience。
　　Manstongrewveryfriendly。
　　'Postman，Idon'tknowwhatyourcustomis，'hesaid，afterawhile；
　　'butbetweenyouandme，IalwayscarryadropofsomethingwarminmypocketwhenIamoutonsuchamorningasthis。Tryit。'Hehandedthebottleofbrandy。
　　'Ifyou'llexcuseme，please。Ihaven'ttooknostimmilentsthesefiveyears。'
　　''Tisnevertoolatetomend。'
　　'Againsttheregulations，Ibeafraid。'
　　'Who'llknowit？'
　　'That'strue——nobodywillknowit。Still，honesty'sthebestpolicy。'
　　'Ah——itiscertainly。But，thankGod，I'vebeenabletogetonwithoutityet。You'llsurelydrinkwithme？'
　　'Really，'tisa'mosttooearlyforthatsorto'thing——however，toobligeafriend，Idon'tobjecttothefaintestshadderofadrop。'
　　Thepostmandrank，andManstondidthesametoaveryslightdegree。
　　Fiveminuteslater，whentheycametoagate，theflaskwaspulledoutagain。
　　'Welldone！'saidthepostman，beginningtofeelitseffect；'butguidemysoul，Ibeafraid'twillhardlydo！'
　　'Notunless'tiswellfollowed，likeanyotherlineyoutakeup，'
　　saidManston。'Besides，there'sawayoflikingadropofliquor，andofbeinggood——evenreligious——atthesametime。'
　　'Ay，forsomethimble-and-buttonin-an-outfellers；butIcouldnevergetintotheknacko'it；notI。'
　　'Well，youneedn'tbetroubled；itisn'tnecessaryforthehigherclassofmindtobereligious——theyhavesomuchcommon-sensethattheycanriskplayingwithfire。'
　　'Thathitsmeexactly。'
　　'Infact，amanIknow，whoalwayshadnoothergodbut“Me；“anddevoutlylovedhisneighbour'swife，saysnowthatbelievingisamistake。'
　　'Well，tobesure！However，believinginGodisamistakemadebyveryfewpeople，afterall。'
　　'Atrueremark。'
　　'NotoneChristianinourparishwouldwalkhalfamileinarainlikethistoknowwhethertheScripturehadconcludedhimundersinorgrace。'
　　'Norinmine。'
　　'Ah，youmaydependuponitthey'lldoawaywi'Goddymityaltogetheraforelong，althoughwe'vehadhimoverussomanyyears。'
　　'There'snoknowing。'
　　'AndIsupposetheQueen'illbedoneawaywi'then。Aprettyconcernthat'llbe！Nobody'sheadtoputonyourletters；andthenyourhonestmanwhodopayhispennywillneverbeknownfromyourscampwhodon't。O，'tisanation！'
　　'Warmthecocklesofyourheart，however。Here'sthebottlewaiting。'
　　'I'llobligeyou，myfriend。'
　　Thedrinkingwasrepeated。Thepostmangrewlivelierashewenton，andatlengthfavouredthestewardwithasong，Manstonhimselfjoininginthechorus。
　　'Heflunghismalletagainstthewall，Said，“TheLordmakechurchesandchapelstofall，Andthere'llbeworkfortradesmenall！”
　　WhenJoan'salewasnew，Myboys，WhenJoan'salewasnew。'
　　'Youunderstand，friend，'thepostmanadded，'Iwasoriginallyamasonbytrade：nooffencetoyouifyoubeaparson？'
　　'Noneatall，'saidManston。
　　Therainnowcamedownheavily，buttheypursuedtheirpathwithalacrity，theproduceoftheseveralfieldsbetweenwhichthelanewounditswaybeingindicatedbythepeculiarcharacterofthesoundemittedbythefallingdrops。Sometimesasoakinghissproclaimedthattheywerepassingbyapasture，thenapatterwouldshowthattherainfelluponsomelarge-leafedrootcrop，thenapaddlingplashannouncedthenakedarable，thelowsoundofthewindintheirearsrisingandfallingwitheachpacetheytook。
　　Besidesthesmallprivatebagsofthecountyfamilies，whichwerealllocked，thepostmanborethelargegeneralbudgetfortheremaininginhabitantsalonghisbeat。Ateachvillageorhamlettheycameto，thepostmansearchedforthepacketoflettersdestinedforthatplace，andthrustitintoanordinaryletter-holecutinthedoorofthereceiver'scottage——thevillagepost-officesbeingmostlykeptbyoldwomenwhohadnotyetrisen，thoughlightsmovinginothercottagewindowsshowedthatsuchpeopleascarters，woodmen，andstablemenhadlongbeenstirring。
　　Thepostmanhadbythistimebecomemarkedlyunsteady，buthestillcontinuedtobetooconsciousofhisdutiestosufferthestewardtosearchthebag。Manstonwasperplexed，andatlonelypointsintheroadcasthiseyeskeenlyupontheshortbowedfigureofthemantrottingthroughthemudbyhisside，asifhewerehalfinclinedtorunaverygreatriskindeed。
　　Itfrequentlyhappenedthatthehousesoffarmers，clergymen，etc。，layashortdistanceupordownalaneorpathbranchingfromthedirecttrackofthepostman'sjourney。Tosavetimeanddistance，atthepointofjunctionofsomeofthesepathswiththemainroad，thegate-postwashollowedouttoformaletter-box，inwhichthepostmandepositedhismissivesinthemorning，lookingintheboxagainintheeveningtocollectthoseplacedthereforthereturnpost。TolchurchVicarageandFarmstead，lyingbackfromthevillagestreet，wereservedonthisprinciple。Thisfactthestewardnowlearntbyconversingwiththepostman，andthediscoveryrelievedManstongreatly，makinghisintentionsmuchclearertohimselfthantheyhadbeenintheearlierstagesofhisjourney。
　　Theyhadreachedtheoutskirtsofthevillage。Manstoninsistedupontheflaskbeingemptiedbeforetheyproceededfurther。Thiswasdone，andtheyapproachedthechurch，thevicarage，andthefarmhouseinwhichOwenandCythereawereliving。
　　Thepostmanpaused，fumbledinhisbag，tookoutbythelightofhislanternsomehalf-dozenletters，andtriedtosortthem。Hecouldnotperformthetask。
　　'Webecrippleddisciplesab'lieve，'hesaid，withasighandastagger。
　　'Notdrunk，butmarket-merry，'saidManstoncheerfully。
　　'Welldone！IfIbaintsoweakthatIcan'tseetheclouds——muchlessletters。Guidemysoul，ifsobeanybodyshouldtelltheQueen'spostmaster-generalofme！ThewholestorywillhavetogothroughParliamentHouse，andIshallbehigh-treasoned——assafeashouses——andbefined，andwho'llpayforapoormartel！O，'tisaworld！'
　　'TrustintheLord——he'llpay。'
　　'Hepayab'lieve！whyshouldhewhenhedidn'tdrinkthedrink？Hepayab'lieve！D'yethinktheman'safool？'
　　'Well，well，Ihadnointentionofhurtingyourfeelings——buthowwasItoknowyouweresosensitive？'
　　'True——youwerenottoknowIwassosensitive。Here'sacaddlewi'
　　theseletters！Guidemysoul，whatwillBillydo！'
　　Manstonofferedhisservices。
　　'Theyaretobedivided，'themansaid。
　　'How？'saidManston。
　　'These，forthevillage，tobecarriedonintoit：anyforthevicarageorvicaragefarmmustbeleftintheboxofthegate-postjusthere。There'snoneforthevicarage-housethismornen，butI
　　sawwhenIstartedtherewasonefortheclerko'worksatthenewchurch。Thisisit，isn'tit？'
　　Heheldupalargeenvelope，directedinEdwardSpringrove'shandwriting：——
　　'MR。O。GRAYE，CLERKOFWORKS，TOLCHURCH，NEARANGLEBURY。'
　　Theletter-boxwasscoopedinanoakgate-postaboutafootsquare。
　　Therewasnoslitforinsertingtheletters，byreasonoftheopportunitysuchalonelyspotwouldhaveaffordedmischievouspeasant-boysofdoingdamagehadsuchbeenthecase；butatthesidewasasmallirondoor，keptclosebyanironreversiblestraplockedacrossit。Onesideofthisstrapwaspaintedblack，theotherwhite，andwhiteorblackoutwardsimpliedrespectivelythattherewerelettersinside，ornone。
　　Thepostmanhadtakenthekeyfromhispocketandwasattemptingtoinsertitinthekeyholeofthebox。Hetouchedoneside，theother，above，below，butnevermadeastraighthit。
　　'Letmeunlockit，'saidManston，takingthekeyfromthepostman。
　　HeopenedtheboxandreachedoutwithhisotherhandforOwen'sletter。
　　'No，no。Ono——no，'thepostmansaid。'Asoneof——Majesty'sservants——care——Majesty'smails——duty——putletters——ownhands。'Heslowlyandsolemnlyplacedtheletterinthesmallcavity。
　　'Nowlockit，'hesaid，closingthedoor。
　　Thestewardplacedthebaracross，withtheblacksideoutwards，signifying'empty，'andturnedthekey。
　　'You'veputthewrongsideoutwards！'saidthepostman。''Tisn'tempty。'
　　'Anddroppedthekeyinthemud，sothatIcan'talterit，'saidthesteward，lettingsomethingfall。
　　'Whatanawkwardthing！'
　　'Itisanawkwardthing。'
　　Theybothwentsearchinginthemud，whichtheirowntramplinghadreducedtotheconsistencyofpap，thepostmanunstrappinghislittlelanternfromhisbreast，andthrustingitabout，closetotheground，therainstilldrizzlingdown，andthedawnsotardyonaccountoftheheavycloudsthatdaylightseemeddelayedindefinitely。Theraysofthelanternwererenderedindividuallyvisibleuponthethickmist，andseemedalmosttangibleastheypassedoffintoit，afterilluminatingthefacesandkneesofthetwostoopingfiguresdrippingwithwet；thepostman'scapeandprivatebags，andthesteward'svalise，glisteningasiftheyhadbeenvarnished。
　　'Itfellonthegrass，'saidthepostman。
　　'No；itfellinthemud，'saidManston。Theysearchedagain。
　　'I'mafraidweshan'tfinditbythislight，'saidthestewardatlength，washinghismuddyfingersinthewetgrassofthebank。
　　'I'mafraidweshan't，'saidtheother，standingup。
　　'I'lltellyouwhatwehadbetterdo，'saidManston。'Ishallbebackthiswayinanhourorso，andsinceitwasallmyfault，I'lllookagain，andshallbesuretofinditinthedaylight。AndI'llhidethekeyhereforyou。'Hepointedtoaspotbehindthepost。
　　'Itwillbetoolatetoturntheindexthen，asthepeoplewillhavebeenhere，sothattheboxhadbetterstayasitis。Theletterwillonlybedelayedaday，andthatwillnotbenoticed；ifitis，youcansayyouplacedtheironthewrongwaywithoutknowingit，andallwillbewell。'
　　Thiswasagreedtobythepostmanasthebestthingtobedoneunderthecircumstances，andthepairwenton。Theyhadpassedthevillageandcometoacrossroad，whenthesteward，tellinghiscompanionthattheirpathsnowdiverged，turnedofftothelefttowardsCarriford。
　　NosoonerwasthepostmanoutofsightandhearingthanManstonstalkedbacktothevicarageletter-boxbykeepinginsideafence，andthusavoidingthevillage；arrivedhere，hetookthekeyfromhispocket，whereithadbeenconcealedallthetime，andabstractedOwen'sletter。Thisdone，heturnedtowardshome，bythehelpofwhathecarriedinhisvaliseadjustinghimselftohisordinaryappearanceashenearedthequarterinwhichhewasknown。
　　Anhourandhalf'ssharpwalkingbroughthimtohisowndoorinKnapwaterPark。