首页 >出版文学> Desperate Remedies>第12章
  2。EIGHTO'CLOCKA。M。
  Seatedinhisprivateofficehewettedtheflapofthestolenletter,andwaitedpatientlytilltheadhesivegumcouldbeloosened。HetookoutEdward'snote,theaccounts,therosebud,andthephotographs,regardingthemwiththekeenestinterestandanxiety。
  Thenote,theaccounts,therosebud,andhisownphotograph,herestoredtotheirplacesagain。Theotherphotographhetookbetweenhisfingerandthumb,andheldittowardsthebarsofthegrate。Therehehelditforhalf-a-minuteormore,meditating。
  'Itisagreatrisktorun,evenforsuchanend,'hemuttered。
  Suddenly,impregnatedwithabrightidea,hejumpedupandlefttheofficeforthefrontparlour。Takingupanalbumofportraits,whichlayonthetable,hesearchedforthreeorfourlikenessesoftheladywhohadsolatelydisplacedCytherea,whichwereinterspersedamongtherestofthecollection,andcarefullyregardedthem。Theyweretakenindifferentattitudesandstyles,andhecomparedeachsinglywiththatheheldinhishand。Oneofthem,theonemostresemblingthatabstractedfromtheletteringeneraltone,size,andattitude,heselectedfromtherest,andreturnedwithittohisoffice。
  Pouringsomewaterintoaplate,hesetthetwoportraitsafloatuponit,andsittingdowntriedtoread。
  Attheendofaquarterofanhour,afterseveralineffectualattempts,hefoundthateachphotographwouldpeelfromthecardonwhichitwasmounted。Thisdone,hethrewintothefiretheoriginallikenessandtherecentcard,stuckupontheoriginalcardtherecentlikenessfromthealbum,drieditbeforethefire,andplaceditintheenvelopewiththeotherscraps。
  Theresulthehadobtained,then,wasthis:intheenvelopewerenowtwophotographs,bothhavingthesamephotographer'snameonthebackandconsecutivenumbersattached。Atthebottomoftheonewhichshowedhisownlikeness,hisownnamewaswrittendown;ontheotherhiswife'snamewaswritten;whilstthecentralfeature,andwholemattertowhichthislattercardandwritingreferred,thelikenessofaladymounteduponit,hadbeenchanged。
  Mrs。Manstonenteredtheroom,andbeggedhimtocometobreakfast。
  Hefollowedherandtheysatdown。Duringthemealhetoldherwhathehaddone,withscrupulousregardtoeverydetail,andshowedhertheresult。
  'Itisindeedagreatrisktorun,'shesaid,sippinghertea。
  'Butitwouldbeagreaternottodoit。'
  'Yes。'
  Theenvelopewasagainfastenedupasbefore,andManstonputitinhispocketandwentout。Shortlyafterwardshewasseen,onhorseback,ridinginadirectiontowardsTolchurch。Keepingtothefields,aswellashecould,forthegreaterpartoftheway,hedroppedintotheroadbythevicarageletter-box,andlookingcarefullyabout,toascertainthatnopersonwasnear,herestoredthelettertoitsnook,placedthekeyinitshiding-place,ashehadpromisedthepostman,andagainrodehomewardsbyaroundaboutway,3。AFTERNOON
  TheletterwasbroughttoOwenGraye,thesameafternoon,byoneofthevicar'sservantswhohadbeentotheboxwithaduplicatekey,asusual,toleavelettersfortheeveningpost。Themanfoundthattheindexhadtoldfalselythatmorningforthefirsttimewithinhisrecollection;butnoparticularattentionwaspaidtothemistake,asitwasconsidered。ThecontentsoftheenvelopewerescrutinizedbyOwenandflungasideasuseless。
  ThenextmorningbroughtSpringrove'ssecondletter,theexistenceofwhichwasunknowntoManston。ThesightofEdward'shandwritingagainraisedtheexpectationsofbrotherandsister,tillOwenhadopenedtheenvelopeandpulledoutthetwigandverse。
  'Nothingthat'softheslightestuse,afterall,'hesaidtoher;
  'weareasfaraseverfromthemerestshadowoflegalproofthatwouldconvicthimofwhatIammorallycertainhedid,marryyou,suspecting,ifnotknowing,hertobealiveallthetime。'
  'WhathasEdwardsent?'saidCytherea。
  'AnoldamatoryverseinManston'swriting。Fancy,'hesaidbitterly,'thisisthestrainheaddressedherinwhentheywerecourting——ashedidyou,Isuppose。'
  Hehandedhertheverseandsheread——
  'EUNICE。
  'WhosoforhoursorlengthydaysShallcatchheraspect'schangefulrays,Thenturnaway,cannonerecallBeyondagalaxyofallInhazyportraiture;
  LitbythelightofazureeyesLikesummerdaysbysummerskies:
  HersweettransitionsseemtobeAkindofpicturedmelody,Andnotasetcontour。
  'AE。M。'
  AstrangeexpressionhadoverspreadCytherea'scountenance。Itrapidlyincreasedtothemostdeath-likeanguish。Sheflungdownthepaper,seizedOwen'shandtremblingly,andcoveredherface。
  'Cytherea!Whatisit,forHeaven'ssake?'
  'Owen——suppose——O,youdon'tknowwhatIthink。'
  'What?'
  '“THELIGHTOFAZUREEYES,“'sherepeatedwithashylips。
  'Well,“thelightofazureeyes“?'hesaid,astoundedathermanner。
  'Mrs。MorrissaidinherlettertomethathereyesareBLACK!'
  'H'm。Mrs。Morrismusthavemadeamistake——nothinglikelier。'
  'Shedidn't。'
  'Theymightbeeitherinthisphotograph,'saidOwen,lookingatthecardbearingMrs。Manston'sname。
  'Blueeyeswouldscarcelyphotographsodeepintoneasthat,'saidCytherea。'No,theyseemblackhere,certainly。'
  'Well,then,Manstonmusthaveblunderedinwritinghisverses。'
  'Butcouldhe?Sayamaninlovemayforgethisownname,butnotthatheforgetsthecolourofhismistress'seyes。Besidesshewouldhaveseenthemistakewhenshereadthem,andhavehaditcorrected。'
  'That'strue,shewould,'musedOwen。'Then,Cytherea,itcomestothis——youmusthavebeenmisinformedbyMrs。Morris,sincethereisnootheralternative。'
  'IsupposeImust。'
  Herlooksbeliedherwords。
  'Whatmakesyousostrange——ill?'saidOwenagain。
  'Ican'tbelieveMrs。Morriswrong。'
  'Butlookatthis,Cytherea。Ifitiscleartousthatthewomanhadblueeyestwoyearsago,sheMUSThaveblueeyesnow,whateverMrs。Morrisoranybodyelsemayfancy。AnyonewouldthinkthatManstoncouldchangethecolourofawoman'seyestohearyou。'
  'Yes,'shesaid,andpaused。
  'Yousayyes,asifhecould,'saidOwenimpatiently。
  'Bychangingthewomanherself,'sheexclaimed。'Owen,don'tyouseethehorrid——whatIdread?——thatthewomanheliveswithisnotMrs。Manston——thatshewasburntafterall——andthatIamHISWIFE!'
  Shetriedtosupportastoicismundertheweightofthisnewtrouble,butno!Theunexpectedrevulsionofideaswassooverwhelmingthatshecrepttohimandleantagainsthisbreast。
  BeforereflectinganyfurtheruponthesubjectGrayeledherupstairsandgothertoliedown。Thenhewenttothewindowandstaredoutofitupthelane,vainlyendeavouringtocometosomeconclusionuponthefantasticenigmathatconfrontedhim。
  Cytherea'snewviewseemedincredible,yetithadsuchaholduponherthatitwouldbenecessarytoclearitawaybypositiveproofbeforecontemplationofherfearshouldhavepreyedtoodeeplyuponher。
  'Cytherea,'hesaid,'thiswillnotdo。YoumuststayherealonealltheafternoonwhilstIgotoCarriford。IshallknowallwhenI
  return。'
  'No,no,don'tgo!'sheimplored。
  'Soon,then,notdirectly。'Hesawhersubtlereasoning——thatitwasfollytobewise。
  Reflectionstillconvincedhimthatgoodwouldcomeofperseveringinhisintentionanddispellinghissister'sidlefears。Anythingwasbetterthanthisabsurddoubtinhermind。ButheresolvedtowaittillSunday,thefirstdayonwhichhemightreckonuponseeingMrs。Manstonwithoutsuspicion。InthemeantimehewrotetoEdwardSpringrove,requestinghimtogoagaintoMrs。Manston'sformerlodgings。
  XVIII。THEEVENTSOFTHREEDAYS
  1。MARCHTHEEIGHTEENTH
  Sundaymorninghadcome,andOwenwastrudgingoverthesixmilesofhillanddalethatlaybetweenTolchurchandCarriford。
  EdwardSpringrove'sanswertothelastletter,afterexpressinghisamazementatthestrangecontradictionbetweentheversesandMrs。
  Morris'sletter,hadbeentotheeffectthathehadagainvisitedtheneighbourofthedeadMr。Brown,andhadreceivedasnearadescriptionofMrs。Manstonasitwaspossibletogetatsecond-
  hand,andbyhearsay。Shewasatallwoman,wideattheshoulders,andfull-chested,andshehadastraightandratherlargenose。Thecolourofhereyestheinformantdidnotknow,forshehadonlyseentheladyinthestreetasshewentinorout。Thisconfusingremarkwasadded。ThewomanhadalmostrecognizedMrs。Manstonwhenshehadcalledwithherhusbandlately,butshehadkeptherveildown。
  Herresidence,beforeshecametoHoxton,wasquiteunknowntothisnext-doorneighbour,andEdwardcouldgetnomannerofcluetoitfromanyothersource。
  Owenreachedthechurch-doorafewminutesbeforethebellsbeganchiming。Nobodywasyetinthechurch,andhewalkedroundtheaisles。FromCytherea'sfrequentdescriptionofhowandwhereherselfandothersusedtosit,heknewwheretolookforManston'sseat;andaftertwoorthreeerrorsofexaminationhetookupaprayer-bookinwhichwaswritten'EuniceManston。'Thebookwasnearlynew,andthedateofthewritingaboutamonthearlier。Onepointwasatanyrateestablished:thatthewomanlivingwithManstonwaspresentedtotheworldasnootherthanhislawfulwife。
  ThequietvillagersofCarrifordrequirednopew-openerintheirplaceofworship:nativesandin-dwellershadtheirownseats,andstrangerssatwheretheycould。Grayetookaseatinthenave,onthenorthside,closebehindapillardividingitfromthenorthaisle,whichwascompletelyallottedtoMissAldclyffe,herfarmers,andherretainers,Manston'spewbeinginthemidstofthem。Owen'spositionontheothersideofthepassagewasalittleinadvanceofManston'sseat,andsosituatedthatbyleaningforwardhecouldlookdirectlyintothefaceofanypersonsittingthere,though,ifhesatupright,hewaswhollyhiddenfromsuchaonebytheinterveningpillar。
  AimingtokeephispresenceunknowntoManstonifpossible,Owensat,withoutonceturninghishead,duringtheentranceofthecongregation。ArustlingofsilkroundbythenorthpassageandintoManston'sseat,toldhimthatsomewomanhadenteredthere,andasitseemedfromtheaccompanimentofheavierfootsteps,Manstonwaswithher。
  Immediatelyuponrisingup,helookedintentlyinthatdirection,andsawaladystandingattheendoftheseatnearesthimself。
  PortionsofManston'sfigureappearedontheothersideofher。IntwoglancesGrayereadthusmanyofhercharacteristics,andinthefollowingorder:——
  Shewasatallwoman。
  Shewasbroadattheshoulders。
  Shewasfull-bosomed。
  Shewaseasilyrecognizablefromthephotographbutnothingcouldbediscernedofthecolourofhereyes。
  Withapreoccupiedmindhewithdrewintohisnook,andheardtheservicecontinued——onlyconsciousofthefactthatinoppositiontothesuspicionwhichoneoddcircumstancehadbredinhissisterconcerningthiswoman,allostensibleandordinaryproofsandprobabilitiestendedtotheoppositeconclusion。Theresatthegenuineoriginaloftheportrait——couldhewishformore?Cythereawishedformore。EuniceManston'seyeswereblue,anditwasnecessarythatthiswoman'seyesshouldbebluealso。
  Unskilledlabourwastesinbeatingagainstthebarstentimestheenergyexertedbythepractisedhandintheeffectivedirection。
  OwenfeltthistobethecaseinhisownandEdward'sattemptstofollowuptheclueaffordedthem。Thinkashemight,hecouldnotthinkofacrucialtestinthematterabsorbinghim,whichshouldpossesstheindispensableattribute——acapabilityofbeingappliedprivately;thatintheeventofitsprovingtheladytobetherightfulownerofthenamesheused,hemightrecedewithoutobloquyfromanuntenableposition。
  ButtoseeMrs。Manston'seyesfromwherehesatwasimpossible,andhecoulddonothingintheshapeofadirectexaminationatpresent。
  MissAldclyffehadpossiblyrecognizedhim,butManstonhadnot,andfeelingthatitwasindispensabletokeepthepurportofhisvisitasecretfromthesteward,hethoughtitwouldbeaswell,too,tokeephispresenceinthevillageasecretfromhim;atanyrate,tillthedaywasover。
  Atthefirstopeningofthedoors,Grayeleftthechurchandwanderedawayintothefieldstoponderonanotherscheme。HecouldnotcallonFarmerSpringrove,ashehadintended,untilthismatterwassetatrest。Twohoursintervenedbetweenthemorningandafternoonservices。
  ThistimehadnearlyexpiredbeforeOwenhadstruckoutanymethodofproceeding,orcoulddecidetoruntheriskofcallingattheOldHouseandaskingtoseeMrs。Manstonpoint-blank。Buthehaddrawnneartheplace,andwasstandingstillinthepublicpath,fromwhichapartialviewofthefrontofthebuildingcouldbeobtained,whenthebellsbeganchimingforafternoonservice。WhilstGrayepaused,twopersonscamefromthefrontdoorofthehalf-hiddendwellingwhomhepresentlysawtobeManstonandhiswife。Manstonwaswearinghisoldgarden-hat,andcarriedoneofthemonthlymagazinesunderhisarm。Immediatelytheyhadpassedthegatewayhebranchedoffandwentoverthehillinadirectionawayfromthechurch,evidentlyintendingtoramblealong,andreadasthehumourmovedhim。Theladymeanwhileturnedintheotherdirection,andwentintothechurchpath。
  Owenresolvedtomakesomethingofthisopportunity。Hehurriedalongtowardsthechurch,doubledroundasharpangle,andcamebackupontheotherpath,bywhichMrs。Manstonmustarrive。
  Inaboutthreeminutessheappearedinsightwithoutaveil。Hediscovered,asshedrewnearer,adifficultywhichhadnotstruckhimatfirst——thatitisnotaneasymattertoparticularizethecolourofastranger'seyesinamerelycasualencounteronapathoutofdoors。ThatMrs。Manstonmustbebroughtclosetohim,andnotonlyso,buttolookcloselyathim,ifhispurposeweretobeaccomplished。
  Heshapedaplan。Itmightbychancebeeffectual;ifotherwise,itwouldnotrevealhisintentiontoher。WhenMrs。Manstonwaswithinspeakingdistance,hewentuptoherandsaid——
  'WillyoukindlytellmewhichturningwilltakemetoCasterbridge?'
  'Thesecondontheright,'saidMrs。Manston。
  Owenputonablanklook:heheldhishandtohisear——conveyingtotheladytheideathathewasdeaf。
  Shecamecloserandsaidmoredistinctly——
  'Thesecondturningontheright。'
  Owenflushedalittle。Hefanciedhehadbeheldtherevelationhewasinsearchof。Buthadhiseyesdeceivedhim?
  Oncemoreheusedtheruse,stilldrawingnearerandintimatingbyaglancethatthetroublehegaveherwasverydistressingtohim。
  'Howverydeaf!'shemurmured。Sheexclaimedloudly——
  'THESECONDTURNINGTOTHERIGHT。'
  Shehadadvancedherfacetowithinafootofhisown,andinspeakingmouthedveryemphatically,fixinghereyesintentlyuponhis。Andnowhisfirstsuspicionwasindubitablyconfirmed。Hereyeswereasblackasmidnight。
  AllthisfeigningwasmostdistastefultoGraye。Theriddlehavingbeensolved,heunconsciouslyassumedhisnaturallookbeforeshehadwithdrawnherface。Shefoundhimtobepeeringatherasifhewouldreadherverysoul——expressingwithhiseyesthenotificationofwhich,apartfromemotion,theeyesaremorecapablethananyother——inquiry。
  Herfacechangeditsexpression——thenitscolour。Thenaturaltintofthelighterportionssanktoanashygray;thepinkofhercheeksgrewpurpler。Itwasthepreciseresultwhichwouldremainafterbloodhadleftthefaceofonewhoseskinwasdark,andartificiallycoatedwithpearl-powderandcarmine。
  Sheturnedherheadandmovedaway,murmuringahastyreplytoOwen'sfarewellremarkof'Good-day,'andwithakindofnervoustwitchliftingherhandandsmoothingherhair,whichwasofalight-browncolour。
  'Shewearsfalsehair,'hethought,'orhaschangeditscolourartificially。Hertruehairmatchedhereyes。'
  Andnow,inspiteofwhatMr。Brown'sneighbourshadsaidaboutnearlyrecognizingMrs。Manstononherrecentvisit——whichmighthavemeantanythingornothing;inspiteofthephotograph,andinspiteofhispreviousincredulity;inconsequenceoftheverse,ofhersilenceandbackwardnessatthevisittoHoxtonwithManston,andofherappearanceanddistressatthepresentmoment,Grayehadaconvictionthatthewomanwasanimpostor。
  WhatcouldbeManston'sreasonforsuchanastoundingtrickhecouldbynostretchofimaginationdivine。
  Hechangedhisdirectionassoonasthewomanwasoutofsight,andploddedalongthelaneshomewardtoTolchurch。
  OnenewideawassuggestedtohimbyhisdesiretoallayCytherea'sdreadofbeingclaimed,andbythedifficultyofbelievingthatthefirstMrs。Manstonlostherlifeassupposed,notwithstandingtheinquestandverdict。WasitpossiblethattherealMrs。Manston,whowasknowntobeaPhiladelphianbybirth,hadreturnedbythetraintoLondon,astheporterhadsaid,andthenleftthecountryunderanassumedname,toescapethatworstkindofwidowhood——themiseryofbeingweddedtoafickle,faithless,andtruanthusband?
  Inhercomplicateddistressatthenewsbroughtbyherbrother,Cytherea'sthoughtsatlengthrevertedtoherfriend,theRectorofCarriford。ShetoldOwenofMr。Raunham'swarm-heartedbehaviourtowardsherself,andofhisstronglyexpressedwishtoaidher。
  'Heisnotonlyagood,butasensibleman。Weseemtowantanoldheadonourside。'
  'Andheisamagistrate,'saidOweninatoneofconcurrence。Hethought,too,thatnoharmcouldcomeofconfidingintherector,buttherewasadifficultyinbringingabouttheconfidence。HewishedthathissisterandhimselfmightbothbepresentataninterviewwithMr。Raunham,yetitwouldbeunwiseforthemtocallonhimtogether,inthesightofalltheservantsandparishofCarriford。
  Therecouldbenoobjectiontotheirwritinghimaletter。
  Nosoonerwasthethoughtbornthanitwascarriedout。Theywrotetohimatonce,askinghimtohavethegoodnesstogivethemsomeadvicetheysadlyneeded,andbeggingthathewouldaccepttheirassurancethattherewasarealjustificationfortheadditionalrequesttheymade——thatinsteadoftheircallinguponhim,hewouldanyeveningoftheweekcometotheircottageatTolchurch。
  2。MARCHTHETWENTIETH。SIXTONINEO'CLOCKP。M。
  Twoeveningslater,tothetotaldisarrangementofhisdinner-hour,Mr。RaunhamappearedatOwen'sdoor。Hisarrivalwashailedwithgenuinegratitude。Thehorsewastiedtothepalings,andtherectorusheredindoorsandputintotheeasy-chair。
  ThenGrayetoldhimthewholestory,remindinghimthattheirfirstsuspicionshadbeenofatotallydifferentnature,andthatinendeavouringtoobtainproofoftheirtruththeyhadstumbleduponmarkswhichhadsurprisedthemintothesenewuncertainties,thriceasmarvellousasthefirst,yetmoreprominent。
  Cytherea'sheartwassofullofanxietythatitsuperinducedamannerofconfidencewhichwasadeath-blowtoallformality。Mr。
  Raunhamtookherhandpityingly。
  'Itisaseriouscharge,'hesaid,asasortoforiginaltwigonwhichhisthoughtsmightprecipitatethemselves。
  'Assumingforamomentthatsuchasubstitutionwasrenderedaneasymatterbyfortuitousevents,'hecontinued,'thereisthisconsiderationtobeplacedbesideit——whatearthlymotivecanMr。
  Manstonhavehadwhichwouldbesufficientlypowerfultoleadhimtorunsuchaverygreatrisk?Themostabandonedrouecouldnot,atthatparticularcrisis,havetakensucharecklessstepforthemerepleasureofanewcompanion。'
  Owenhadseenthatdifficultyaboutthemotive;Cythereahadnot。
  'Unfortunatelyforus,'therectorresumed,'nomoreevidenceistobeobtainedfromtheporter,Chinney。Isupposeyouknowwhatbecameofhim?HegottoLiverpoolandembarked,intendingtoworkhiswaytoAmerica,butonthepassagehefelloverboardandwasdrowned。Butthereisnodoubtofthetruthofhisconfession——infact,hisconducttendstoproveittrue——andnomoraldoubtofthefactthattherealMrs。Manstonleftheretogobackbythatmorning'strain。Thisbeingthecase,then,why,ifthiswomanisnotshe,didshetakenonoticeoftheadvertisement——Imeannotnecessarilyafriendlynotice,butfromtheinformationitaffordedherhaverendereditimpossiblethatsheshouldbepersonifiedwithoutherownconnivance?'
  'Ithinkthatargumentisoverthrown,'Grayesaid,'bymyearliestassumptionofherhatredofhim,wearinessofthechainwhichboundhertohim,andaresolvetobegintheworldanew。Let'ssupposeshehasmarriedanotherman——somewhereabroad,say;shewouldbesilentforherownsake。'
  'You'vehittheonlygenuinepossibility,'saidMr。Raunham,tappinghisfingeruponhisknee。'Thatwoulddecidedlydisposeoftheseconddifficulty。Buthismotivewouldbeasmysteriousasever。'
  Cytherea'spictureddreadswouldnotallowhermindtofollowtheirconversation。'She'sburnt,'shesaid。'Oyes;Ifear——Ifearsheis!'
  'Idon'tthinkwecanseriouslybelievethatnow,afterwhathashappened,'saidtherector。
  Stillstrainingherthoughttowardstheworst,'Then,perhaps,thefirstMrs。Manstonwasnothiswife,'shereturned;'andthenI
  shouldbehiswifejustthesame,shouldn'tI?'
  'Theyweremarriedsafelyenough,'saidOwen。'Thereisabundanceofcircumstantialevidencetoprovethat。'
  'Uponthewhole,'saidMr。Raunham,'Ishouldadviseyouraskinginastraightforwardwayforlegalprooffromthestewardthatthepresentwomanisreallyhisoriginalwife——athingwhich,tomymind,youshouldhavedoneattheoutset。'HeturnedtoCythereakindly,andaskedherwhatmadehergiveupherhusbandsounceremoniously。
  ShecouldnottelltherectorofheraversiontoManston,andofherunquenchedloveforEdward。
  'Yourterrifiedstatenodoubt,'hesaid,answeringforher,inthemannerofthoseaccustomedtothepulpit。'Butintosuchasolemncompactasmarriage,all-importantconsiderations,bothlegallyandmorally,enter;itwasyourdutytohaveseeneverythingclearlyproved。DoubtlessMr。Manstonispreparedwithproofs,butasitconcernsnobodybutyourselfthatheridentityshouldbepubliclyestablishedandbyyourabsenteeismyouactasifyouweresatisfiedhehasnottroubledtoexhibitthem。Nobodyelsehastakenthetroubletoprovewhatdoesnotaffectthemintheleast——
  that'sthewayoftheworldalways。You,whoshouldhaverequiredallthingstobemadeclear,ranaway。'
  'Thatwaspartlymydoing,'saidOwen。
  Thesameexplanation——herwantofloveforManston——appliedheretoo,butsheshunnedtherevelation。
  'Butnevermind,'addedtherector,'itwasallthegreatercredittoyourwomanhood,perhaps。Isay,then,getyourbrothertowritealinetoMr。Manston,sayingyouwishtobesatisfiedthatallislegallyclearincaseyoushouldwanttomarryagain,forinstance,andIhavenodoubtthatyouwillbe。Or,ifyouwouldrather,I'llwritemyself?'
  'Ono,sir,no,'pleadedCytherea,beginningtoblanch,andbreathingquickly。'Pleasedon'tsayanything。LetmeliveherewithOwen。IamsoafraiditwillturnoutthatIshallhavetogotoKnapwaterandbehiswife,andIdon'twanttogo。Doconcealwhatwehavetoldyou。Lethimcontinuehisdeception——itismuchthebestforme。'
  Mr。RaunhamatlengthdivinedthatherloveforManston,ifithadeverexisted,hadtransmuteditselfintoaverydifferentfeelingnow。
  'Atanyrate,'hesaid,ashetookhisleaveandmountedhismare,'Iwillseeaboutit。Restcontent,MissGraye,anddependuponitthatIwillnotleadyouintodifficulty。'
  'Concealit,'shestillpleaded。
  'We'llsee——butofcourseImustdomyduty。'
  'No——don'tdoyourduty!'Shelookedupathimthroughthegloom,illuminatingherownfaceandeyeswiththecandlesheheld。
  'Iwillconsider,then,'saidMr。Raunham,sensiblymoved。Heturnedhishorse'shead,badethemawarmadieu,andleftthedoor。
  TherectorofCarrifordtrottedhomewardsunderthecoldandclearMarchsky,itscountlessstarsflutteringlikebrightbirds。Hewasunconsciousofthescene。RecoveringfromtheeffectofCytherea'svoiceandglanceofentreaty,helaidthesubjectoftheinterviewclearlybeforehimself。
  ThesuspicionsofCythereaandOwenwerehonest,andhadfoundation——
  thathemustown。Washe——aclergyman,magistrate,andconscientiousman——justifiedinyieldingtoCytherea'simportunitiestokeepsilence,becauseshedreadedthepossibilityofareturntoManston?Wasshewiseinherrequest?Holdingherpresentbelief,andwithnodefiniteevidenceeitherway,shecould,foronething,neverconscientiouslymarryanyoneelse。SupposethatCythereawereManston'swife——i。e。,thatthefirstwifewasreallyburnt?
  TheadulteryofManstonwouldbeproved,and,Mr。Raunhamthought,crueltysufficienttobringthecasewithinthemeaningofthestatute。Supposethenewwomanwas,asstated,Mr。Manston'srestoredwife?Cythereawasperfectlysafeasasinglewomanwhosemarriagehadbeenvoid。Andifitturnedoutthat,thoughthiswomanwasnotManston'swife,hiswifewasstillliving,asOwenhadsuggested,inAmericaorelsewhere,Cythereawassafe。
  Thefirstsuppositionopeneduptheworstcontingency。WasshereallysafeasManston'swife?Doubtful。But,howeverthatmightbe,thegentle,defencelessgirl,whomitseemednobody'sbusinesstohelpordefend,shouldbeputinatracktoproceedagainstthisman。Shehadbutonelife,andthesuperciliousnesswithwhichalltheworldnowregardedhershouldbecompensatedinsomemeasurebythemanwhosecarelessness——tosethiminthebestlight——hadcausedit。
  Mr。Raunhamfeltmoreandmorepositivelythathisdutymustbedone。Aninquirymustbemadeintothematter。Immediatelyonreachinghome,hesatdownandwroteaplainandfriendlylettertoMr。Manston,anddespatcheditatoncetohimbyhand。Thenheflunghimselfbackinhischair,andwentonwithhismeditation。
  Wasthereanythinginthesuspicion?Therecouldbenothing,surely。Nothingisdonebyaclevermanwithoutamotive,andwhatconceivablemotivecouldManstonhaveforsuchabnormalconduct?
  Corinthianthathemightbe,whohadpreyedonvirginitylikeSt。
  George'sdragon,hewouldneverhavebeenabsurdenoughtoventureonsuchacourseforthepossessionaloneofthewoman——therewasnoreasonforit——shewasinferiortoCythereaineveryrespect,physicalandmental。
  Ontheotherhand,itseemedratherodd,whenheanalyzedtheaction,thatawomanwhodeliberatelyhidherselffromherhusbandformorethanatwelvemonthshouldbebroughtbackbyamereadvertisement。Infact,thewholebusinesshadworkedalmosttoosmoothlyandeffectuallyforunpremeditatedsequence。Itwastoomuchliketheindiscriminaterightingofeverythingattheendofanoldplay。Andtherewasthatcuriousbusinessofthekeysandwatch。Herwayofaccountingfortheirbeingleftbehindbyforgetfulnesshadalwaysseemedtohimratherforced。Theonlyunforcedexplanationwasthatsuggestedbythenewspaperwriters——
  thatsheleftthembehindonpurposetoblindpeopleastoherescape,amotivewhichwouldhaveclashedwiththepossibilityofherbeingfishedbackbyanadvertisement,asthepresentwomanhadbeen。Again,therewerethetwocharredbones。Heshuffledthebooksandpapersinhisstudy,andwalkedabouttheroom,restlesslymusingonthesamesubject。Theparlour-maidentered。
  'CanyoungMr。SpringrovefromLondonseeyouto-night,sir?'
  'YoungMr。Springrove?'saidtherector,surprised。
  'Yes,sir。'
  'Yes,ofcoursehecanseeme。Tellhimtocomein。'
  Edwardcamesoimpatientlyintotheroom,astoshowthatthefewshortmomentshisannouncementhadoccupiedhadbeenirksometohim。
  Hestoodinthedoorwaywiththesameblackbaginhishand,andthesameoldgraycloakonhisshoulders,thathehadwornfifteenmonthsearlierwhenreturningonthenightofthefire。Thisappearanceofhisconveyedatrueimpression;hehadbecomeastagnantman。Buthewasexcitednow。
  'IhavethismomentcomefromLondon,'hesaid,asthedoorwasclosedbehindhim。
  Thepropheticinsight,whichsostrangelyaccompaniescriticalexperiences,promptedMr。Raunham'sreply。
  'AbouttheGrayesandManston?'
  'Yes。ThatwomanisnotMrs。Manston。'
  'Proveit。'
  'Icanprovethatsheissomebodyelse——thathernameisAnneSeaway。'
  'Andaretheirsuspicionstrueindeed!'
  'AndIcandowhat'smoretothepurposeatpresent。'
  'SuggestManston'smotive?'
  'Onlysuggestit,remember。Butmyassumptionfitssoperfectlywiththefactsthathavebeensecretlyunearthedandconveyedtome,thatIcanhardlyconceiveofanother。'
  TherewasinEdward'sbearingthatentireunconsciousnessofhimselfwhich,naturaltowildanimals,onlyprevailsinasensitivemanatmomentsofextremeintentness。Therectorsawthathehadnotrivialstorytocommunicate,whateverthestorywas。
  'Sitdown,'saidMr。Raunham。'Mymindhasbeenonthestretchalltheeveningtoformtheslightestguessatsuchanobject,andalltonopurpose——entirelytonopurpose。HaveyousaidanythingtoOwenGraye?'
  'Nothing——nortoanybody。Icouldnottrusttotheeffectalettermighthaveuponyourself,either;theintricacyofthecasebringsmetothisinterview。'
  WhilstSpringrovehadbeenspeakingthetwohadsatdowntogether。
  Theconversation,hithertodistincttoeverycorneroftheroom,wascarriedonnowintonessolowastobescarcelyaudibletotheinterlocutors,andinphraseswhichhesitatedtocompletethemselves。Three-quartersofanhourpassed。ThenEdwardarose,cameoutoftherector'sstudyandagainflunghiscloakaroundhim。
  Insteadofgoingthencehomeward,hewentfirsttotheCarrifordRoadStationwithatelegram,havingdespatchedwhichheproceededtohisfather'shouseforthefirsttimesincehisarrivalinthevillage。
  3。FROMNINETOTENO'CLOCKP。M。
  ThenextpresentationistheinterioroftheOldHouseontheeveningoftheprecedingsection。Thestewardwassittingbyhisparlourfire,andhadbeenreadingtheletterarrivedfromtherectory。OppositetohimsatthewomanknowntothevillageandneighbourhoodasMrs。Manston。
  'Thingsarelookingdesperatewithus,'hesaidgloomily。Hisgloomwasnotthatofthehypochondriac,butthelegitimategloomwhichhasitsorigininasyllogism。Asheutteredthewordshehandedthelettertoher。
  'Ialmostexpectedsomesuchnewsasthis,'shereplied,inatoneofmuchgreaterindifference。'Iknewsuspicionlurkedintheeyesofthatyoungmanwhostaredatmesointhechurchpath:Icouldhaveswornit。'
  Manstondidnotanswerforsometime。Hisfacewaswornandhaggard;latterlyhisheadhadnotbeencarriedsouprightlyasofold。'Iftheyproveyoutobe——whoyouare……Yes,iftheydo,'hemurmured。
  'Theymustnotfindthatout,'shesaid,inapositivevoice,andlookingathim。'Butsupposingtheydo,thetrickdoesnotseemtometobesoseriousastojustifythatwretched,miserable,horriblelookofyours。Itmakesmyfleshcreep;itisperfectlydeathlike。'
  Hedidnotreply,andshecontinued,'IftheysayandprovethatEuniceisindeedliving——anddear,youknowsheis——sheissuretocomeback。'
  Thisremarkseemedtoawakenandirritatehimtospeech。Again,ashehaddoneahundredtimesduringtheirresidencetogether,hecategorizedtheeventsconnectedwiththefireattheThreeTranters。Hedweltoneveryincidentofthatnight'shistory,andendeavoured,withananxietywhichwasextraordinaryintheapparentcircumstances,toprovethathiswifemust,bytheverynatureofthings,haveperishedintheflames。Shearosefromherseat,crossedthehearthrug,andsetherselftosoothehim;thenshewhisperedthatshewasstillasunbelievingasever。'Come,supposingsheescaped——justsupposingsheescaped——whereisshe?'
  coaxedthelady。
  'Whyareyousocuriouscontinually?'saidManston。
  'BecauseIamawomanandwanttoknow。Nowwhereisshe?'
  'IntheFlyingIsleofSanBorandan。'
  'Wittycrueltyisthecruellestofany。Ah,well——ifsheisinEngland,shewillcomeback。'
  'SheisnotinEngland。'
  'Butshewillcomeback?'
  'No,shewon't……Come,madam,'hesaid,arousinghimself,'I
  shallnotansweranymorequestions。'
  'Ah——ah——ah——sheisnotdead,'thewomanmurmuredagainpoutingly。
  'Sheis,Itellyou。'
  'Idon'tthinkso,love。'
  'Shewasburnt,Itellyou!'heexclaimed。
  'Nowtopleaseme,admitthebarepossibilityofherbeingalive——
  justthepossibility。'
  'Oyes——topleaseyouIwilladmitthat,'hesaidquickly。'Yes,I
  admitthepossibilityofherbeingalive,topleaseyou。'
  Shelookedathiminutterperplexity。Thewordscouldonlyhavebeensaidinjest,andyettheyseemedtosavourofatonethefurthestremovefromjesting。Therewashisfaceplaintohereyes,butnoinformationofanykindwastobereadthere。
  'ItisonlynaturalthatIshouldbecurious,'shemurmuredpettishly,'ifIresembleherasmuchasyousayIdo。'
  'Youarehandsomer,'hesaid,'thoughyouareaboutherownheightandsize。Butdon'tworryyourself。Youmustknowthatyouarebodyandsoulunitedwithme,thoughyouarebutmyhousekeeper。'
  Shebridledalittleattheremark。'Wife,'shesaid,'mostcertainlywife,sinceyoucannotdismissmewithoutlosingyourcharacterandposition,andincurringheavypenalties。'
  'Iownit——itwaswellsaid,thoughmistakenly——verymistakenly。'
  'Don'triddletomeaboutmistakenlyandsuchdarkthings。Nowwhatwasyourmotive,dearest,inrunningtheriskofhavingmehere?'
  'Yourbeauty,'hesaid。
  'Shethanksyoumuchforthecompliment,butwillnottakeit。
  Come,whatwasyourmotive?'
  'Yourwit。'
  'No,no;notmywit。WitwouldhavemadeawifeofmebythistimeinsteadofwhatIam。'
  'Yourvirtue。'
  'Orvirtueeither。'
  'Itellyouitwasyourbeauty——really。'
  'ButIcannothelpseeingandhearing,andifwhatpeoplesayistrue,Iamnotnearlysogood-lookingasCytherea,andseveralyearsolder。'
  TheaspectofManston'sfaceatthesewordsfromherwassoconfirmatoryofherhint,thathisforcedreplyof'Ono,'tendedtodevelopherchagrin。
  'Merelikingorloveforme,'sheresumed,'wouldnothavesprungupallofasudden,asyourpretendedpassiondid。YouhadbeentoLondonseveraltimesbetweenthetimeofthefireandyourmarriagewithCytherea——youhadnevervisitedmeorthoughtofmyexistenceorcaredthatIwasoutofasituationandpoor。Buttheweekafteryoumarriedherandwereseparatedfromher,offyourushtomakelovetome——notfirsttomeeither,foryouwenttoseveralplaces——
  '
  'No,notseveralplaces。'
  'Yes,youtoldmesoyourself——thatyouwentfirsttotheonlylodginginwhichyourwifehadbeenknownasMrs。Manston,andwhenyoufoundthatthelodging-house-keeperhadgoneawayanddied,andthatnobodyelseinthestreethadanydefiniteideasastoyourwife'spersonalappearance,andcameandproposedthearrangementwecarriedout——thatIshouldpersonateher。Yourtakingallthistroubleshowsthatsomethingmoreseriousthanlovehadtodowiththematter。'
  'Humbug——whattroubleafteralldidItake?WhenIfoundCythereawouldnotstaywithmeaftertheweddingIwasmuchputoutatbeingleftaloneagain。Wasthatunnatural?'
  'No。'
  'Andthosefavouringaccidentsyoumention——thatnobodyknewmyfirstwife——seemedanarrangementofProvidenceforourmutualbenefit,andmerelyperfectedahalf-formedimpulse——thatIshouldcallyoumyfirstwifetoescapethescandalthatwouldhavearisenifyouhadcomehereasanythingelse。'
  'Mylove,thatstorywon'tdo。IfMrs。Manstonwasburnt,Cytherea,whomyoulovebetterthanme,couldhavebeencompelledtolivewithyouasyourlawfulwife。Ifshewasnotburnt,whyshouldyouruntheriskofherturningupagainatanymomentandexposingyoursubstitutionofme,andruiningyournameandprospects?'
  'Why——becauseImighthavelovedyouwellenoughtoruntheriskassuminghernottobeburnt,whichIdeny。'
  'No——youwouldhaveruntherisktheotherway。YouwouldratherhaveriskedherfindingyouwithCythereaasasecondwife,thanwithmeasapersonatorofherself——thefirstone。'
  'Youcameeasiesttohand——rememberthat。'
  'Notsoveryeasyeither,consideringthelabouryoutooktoteachmeyourfirstwife'shistory。AllabouthowshewasanativeofPhiladelphia。Thenmakingmereaduptheguide-booktoPhiladelphia,anddetailsofAmericanlifeandmanners,incasethebirthplaceandhistoryofyourwife,Eunice,shouldeverbecomeknowninthisneighbourhood——unlikelyasitwas。Ah!andthenaboutthehandwritingofhersthatIhadtoimitate,andthedyingmyhair,androuging,tomakethetransformationcomplete?YoumeantosaythatthatwastakinglesstroublethantherewouldhavebeeninarrangingeventstomakeCythereabelieveherselfyourwife,andlivewithyou?'
  'Youwereaneedyadventuress,whowoulddareanythingforanewpleasureandaneasylife——andIwasfoolenoughtogiveintoyou——
  '
  'Goodheavensabove!——didIaskyoutoinsertthoseadvertisementsforyouroldwife,andtomakemeansweritasifIwasshe?DidI
  askyoutosendmetheletterformetocopyandsendbacktoyouwhenthethirdadvertisementappeared——purportingtocomefromthelong-lostwife,andgivingadetailedhistoryofherescapeandsubsequentlife——allwhichyouhadinventedyourself?Youdeludedmeintolovingyou,andthenenticedmehere!Ah,andthisisanotherthing。Howdidyouknowtherealwifewouldn'tanswerit,andupsetallyourplans?'
  'BecauseIknewshewasburnt。'
  'Whydidn'tyouforceCythereatocomeback,then?Now,mylove,I
  havecaughtyou,andyoumayjustaswelltellfirstaslast,WHAT
  WASYOURMOTIVEINHAVINGMEHEREASYOURFIRSTWIFE?'
  'Silence!'heexclaimed。
  Shewassilentforthespaceoftwominutes,andthenpersistedingoingontomutter,'AndwhywasitthatMissAldclyffeallowedherfavouriteyounglady,Cythie,tobeoverthrownandsupplantedwithoutanexpostulationoranyshowofsympathy?DoyouknowI
  oftenthinkyouexerciseasecretpoweroverMissAldclyffe。AndshealwaysshunsmeasifIsharedthepower。Apoor,ill-usedcreaturelikemesharingpower,indeed!'
  'ShethinksyouareMrs。Manston。'
  'Thatwouldn'tmakeheravoidme。'
  'Yesitwould,'heexclaimedimpatiently。'IwishIwasdead——
  dead!'Hehadjumpedupfromhisseatinutteringthewords,andnowwalkedwearilytotheendoftheroom。Comingbackmoredecisively,helookedinherface。
  'WemustleavethisplaceifRaunhamsuspectswhatIthinkhedoes,'
  hesaid。'TherequestofCythereaandherbrothermaysimplybeforasatisfactoryproof,tomakeherfeellegallyfree——butitmaymeanmore。'
  'Whatmayitmean?'
  'HowshouldIknow?'
  'Well,well,nevermind,oldboy,'shesaid,approachinghimtomakeupthequarrel。'Don'tbesoalarmed——anybodywouldthinkthatyouwerethewomanandItheman。SupposetheydofindoutwhatIam——
  wecangoawayfromhereandkeephouseasusual。Peoplewillsayofyou,“Hisfirstwifewasburnttodeath“or“ranawaytotheColonies,“asthecasemaybe;“Hemarriedasecond,anddesertedherforAnneSeaway。“Averyeverydaycase——nothingsohorrible,afterall。'
  Hemadeanimpatientmovement。'Whicheverwaywedoit,NOBODYMUST
  KNOWTHATYOUARENOTMYWIFEEUNICE。AndnowImustthinkaboutarrangingmatters。'
  Manstonthenretiredtohisoffice,andshuthimselfupfortheremainderoftheevening。
  XIX。THEEVENTSOFADAYANDNIGHT
  1。MARCHTHETWENTY-FIRST。MORNING
  Nextmorningthestewardwentoutasusual。Heshortlytoldhiscompanion,Anne,thathehadalmostmaturedtheirscheme,andthattheywouldenteruponthedetailsofitwhenhecamehomeatnight。
  Thefortunatefactthattherector'sletterdidnotrequireanimmediateanswerwouldgivehimtimetoconsider。
  AnneSeawaythenbeganherdutiesinthehouse。Besidesdailysuperintendingthecookandhousemaidoneofthesedutieswas,atrareintervals,todustManston'sofficewithherownhands,aservantbeingsupposedtodisturbthebooksandpapersunnecessarily。Shesoftlywanderedfromtabletoshelfwiththedusterinherhand,afterwardsstandinginthemiddleoftheroom,andglancingaroundtodiscoverifanynoteworthycollectionofdusthadstillescapedher。
  Hereyefelluponafaintlayerwhichrestedupontheledgeofanold-fashionedchestnutcabinetofFrenchRenaissanceworkmanship,placedinarecessbythefireplace。Ataheightofaboutfourfeetfromthefloortheupperportionofthefrontreceded,formingtheledgealludedto,onwhichopenedateachendtwosmalldoors,thecentrespacebetweenthembeingfilledoutbyapanelofsimilarsize,makingthethirdofthreesquares。Thedustontheledgewasnearlyonalevelwiththewoman'seye,and,thoughinsignificantinquantity,showeditselfdistinctlyonaccountofthisobliquityofvision。Nowoppositethecentralpanel,concentricquarter-circlesweretracedinthedepositedfilm,expressingtoherthatthispanel,too,wasadoorliketheothers;thatithadlatelybeenopened,andhadskimmedthedustwithitsloweredge。
  Atlast,then,hercuriositywasslightlyrewarded。FortherightofthematterwasthatAnnehadbeenincitedtothisexplorationofManston'sofficeratherbyawishtoknowthereasonofhislongseclusionhere,afterthearrivaloftherector'sletter,andtheirsubsequentdiscourse,thanbyanyimmediatedesireforcleanliness。
  Still,therewouldhavebeennothingremarkabletoAnneinthissightbutforonerecollection。Manstonhadoncecasuallytoldherthateachofthetwoside-lockersincludedhalfthemiddlespace,thepanelofwhichdidnotopen,andwasonlyputinforsymmetry。
  Itwaspossiblethathehadopenedthiscompartmentbycandlelighttheprecedingnight,orhewouldhaveseenthemarksinthedust,andeffacedthem,thathemightnotbeprovedguiltyoftellingheranuntruth。Shebalancedherselfononefootandstoodpondering。
  Sheconsideredthatitwasveryvexingandunfairinhimtorefuseherallknowledgeofhisremainingsecrets,underthepeculiarcircumstancesofherconnectionwithhim。Shewentclosetothecabinet。Astherewasnokeyhole,thedoormustbecapableofbeingopenedbytheunassistedhand。Thecirclesinthedusttoldheratwhichedgetoapplyherforce。Hereshepulledwiththetipsofherfingers,butthepanelwouldnotcomeforward。Shefetchedachairandlookedoverthetopofthecabinet,butnobolt,knob,orspringwastobeseen。
  'O,nevermind,'shesaid,withindifference;'I'llaskhimaboutit,andhewilltellme。'Downshecameandturnedaway。Thenlookingbackagainshethoughtitwasabsurdsuchatrifleshouldpuzzleher。Sheretracedhersteps,andopenedadrawerbeneaththeledgeofthecabinet,pushinginherhandandfeelingaboutontheundersideoftheboard。
  Hereshefoundasmallroundsinking,andpressedherfingerintoit。Nothingcameofthepressure。Shewithdrewherhandandlookedatthetipofherfinger:itwasmarkedwiththeimpressofthecircle,and,inaddition,alineranacrossitdiametrically。
  'Howstupidofme;itistheheadofascrew。'Whatevermysteriouscontrivancehadoriginallyexistedforopeningthepunycupboardofthecabinet,ithadatsometimebeenbroken,andthisroughsubstituteprovided。Stimulatedcuriositywouldnotallowhertorecedenow。Shefetchedascrewdriver,withdrewthescrew,pulledthedooropenwithapenknife,andfoundinsideacavityaboutteninchessquare。Thecavitycontained——
  Lettersfromdifferentwomen,withunknownsignatures,ChristiannamesonlysurnamesbeingdespisedinPaphos。LettersfromhiswifeEunice。LettersfromAnneherself,includingthatshewroteinanswertohisadvertisement。Asmallpocket-book。Sundryscrapsofpaper。
  Thelettersfromthestrangewomenwithpetnamessheglancedcarelesslythrough,andthenputthemaside。Theyweretoosimilartoherownregretteddelusion,andcuriosityrequirescontrasttoexciteit。
  Thelettersfromhiswifewerenextexamined。TheyweredatedbackasfarasEunice'sfirstmeetingwithManston,andtheearlyonesbeforetheirmarriagecontainedtheusualprettyeffusionsofwomenatsuchaperiodoftheirexistence。Somelittletimeafterhehadmadeherhiswife,andwhenhehadcometoKnapwater,theseriesbeganagain,andnowtheircontentsarrestedherattentionmoreforcibly。Sheclosedthecabinet,carriedthelettersintotheparlour,reclinedherselfonthesofa,andcarefullyperusedthemintheorderoftheirdates。
  'JOHNSTREET,October17,1864。
  'MYDEARESTHUSBAND,——Ireceivedyourhurriedlineofyesterday,andwasofcoursecontentwithit。Butwhydon'tyoutellmeyourexactaddressinsteadofthat“Post-Office,Budmouth?”Thismatterisallamysterytome,andIoughttobetoldeverydetail。Icannotfancyitisthesamekindofoccupationyouhavebeenusedtohitherto。YourcommandthatIamtostayhereawhileuntilyoucan“seehowthingslook“andcanarrangetosendforme,Imustnecessarilyabideby。Butif,asyousay,amarriedmanwouldhavebeenrejectedbythepersonwhoengagedyou,andthathencemyexistencemustbekeptasecretuntilyouhavesecuredyourposition,whydidyouthinkofgoingatall?
  'Thetruthis,thiskeepingourmarriageasecretistroublesome,vexing,andwearisometome。Iseethepoorestwomaninthestreetbearingherhusband'snameopenly——livingwithhiminthemostmatter-of-factease,andwhyshouldn'tI?IwishIwasbackagaininLiverpool。
  'To-dayIboughtagreywaterproofcloak。Ithinkitisalittletoolongforme,butitwascheapforoneofsuchaquality。Theweatherisgustyanddreary,andtillthismorningIhadhardlysetfootoutsidethedoorsinceyouleft。PleasedotellmewhenIamtocome——Veryaffectionatelyyours,EUNICE。'
  'JOHNSTREET,October25,1864。
  'MYDEARHUSBAND,——Whydon'tyouwrite?Doyouhateme?Ihavenothadthehearttodoanythingthislastweek。ThatI,yourwife,shouldbeinthisstrait,andmyhusbandwelltodo!Ihavebeenobligedtoleavemyfirstlodgingfordebt——amongotherthings,theychargedmeforalotofbrandywhichIamquitesureIdidnottaste。ThenIwenttoCamberwellandwasfoundoutbythem。Iwentawayprivatelyfromthence,andchangedmynamethesecondtime。I
  amnowMrs。Rondley。ButthenewlodgingwasthewretchedestanddearestIeversetfootin,andIleftitafterbeingthereonlyaday。IamnowatNo。2Ointhesamestreetthatyouleftmeinoriginally。AlllastnightthesashofmywindowrattledsodreadfullythatIcouldnotsleep,butIhadnotenergyenoughtogetoutofbedtostopit。ThismorningIhavebeenwalking——I
  don'tknowhowfar——butfarenoughtomakemyfeetache。Ihavebeenlookingattheoutsideoftwoorthreeofthetheatres,buttheyseemforbiddingifIregardthemwiththeeyeofanactressinsearchofanengagement。ThoughyousaidIwastothinknomoreofthestage,Ibelieveyouwouldnotcareifyoufoundmethere。ButIamnotanactressbynature,andartwillnevermakemeone。Iamtootimidandretiring;Iwasintendedforacottager'swife。I
  certainlyshallnottrytogoontheboardsagainwhilstIaminthisstrangeplace。TheideaofbeingbroughtonasfarasLondonandthenleftherealone!Whydidn'tyouleavemeinLiverpool?
  PerhapsyouthoughtImighthavetoldsomebodythatmyrealnamewasMrs。Manston。AsifIhadalivingfriendtowhomIcouldimpartit——nosuchgoodfortune!Infact,mynearestfriendisnonearerthanwhatmostpeoplewouldcallastranger。ButperhapsIoughttotellyouthataweekbeforeIwrotemylastlettertoyou,afterwishingthatmyuncleandauntinPhiladelphiatheonlynearrelativesIhadwerestillalive,IsuddenlyresolvedtosendalinetomycousinJames,who,Ibelieve,isstilllivinginthatneighbourhood。Hehasneverseenmesincewewerebabiestogether。
  Ididnottellhimofmymarriage,becauseIthoughtyoumightnotlikeit,andIgavemyrealmaidenname,andanaddressatthepost-
  officehere。ButGodknowsiftheletterwilleverreachhim。
  'Dowritemeananswer,andsendsomething——Youraffectionatewife,EUNICE。'
  'FRIDAY,October28。
  'MYDEARHUSBAND,——Theorderfortenpoundshasjustcome,andIamtrulygladtogetit。Butwhywillyouwritesobitterly?Ah——
  well,ifIhadonlyhadthemoneyIshouldhavebeenonmywaytoAmericabythistime,sodon'tthinkIwanttoboreyouofmyownfree-will。Whocanyouhavemetwithatthatnewplace?RememberI
  saythisinnomalignanttone,butcertainlythefactsgotoprovethatyouhavedesertedme!Youareinconstant——Iknowit。O,whyareyouso?NowIhavelostyou,Iloveyouinspiteofyourneglect。Iamweaklyfond——that'smynature。Ifearthatuponthewholemylifehasbeenwasted。Iknowthereisanotherwomansupplantingmeinyourheart——yes,Iknowit。Cometome——docome。
  EUNICE。'
  '41CHARLESSQUARE,HOXTON,November19。
  'DEARAENEAS,——HereIambackagainaftermyvisit。Whyshouldyouhavebeensoenragedatmyfindingyourexactaddress?Anywomanwouldhavetriedtodoit——youknowshewouldhave。AndnowomanwouldhavelivedunderassumednamessolongasIdid。IrepeatthatIdidnotcallmyselfMrs。ManstonuntilIcametothislodgingatthebeginningofthismonth——whatcouldyouexpect?
  'AhelplesscreatureI,hadnotfortunefavouredmeunexpectedly。
  BanishedasIwasfromyourhouseatdawn,Ididnotsupposetheindignitywasabouttoleadtoimportantresults。ButincrossingtheparkIoverheardtheconversationofayoungmanandwomanwhohadalsorisenearly。Ibelievehertobethegirlwhohaswonyouawayfromme。Well,theirconversationconcernedyouandMissAldclyffe,VERYPECULIARLY。Theremarkablethingisthatyouyourself,withoutknowingit,toldmeofwhat,addedtotheirconversation,completelyrevealsasecrettomethatneitherofyouunderstand。Twonegativesnevermadesuchatellingpositivebefore。Onecluemore,andyouwouldseeit。Asingleconsiderationpreventsmyrevealingit——justonedoubtastowhetheryourignorancewasreal,andwasnotfeignedtodeceiveme。
  Civilitynow,please。
  EUNICE。'
  '41CHARLESSQUARE,Tuesday,November22。
  'MYDARLINGHUSBAND,——Mondaywillsuitmeexcellentlyforcoming。I
  haveactedexactlyuptoyourinstructions,andhavesoldmyrubbishatthebroker'sinthenextstreet。AllthismovementandbustleisdelightfultomeaftertheweeksofmonotonyIhaveendured。Itisarelieftowishtheplacegood-bye——LondonalwayshasseemedsomuchmoreforeigntomethanLiverpoolThemid-daytrainonMondaywilldonicelyforme。IshallbeanxiouslylookingoutforyouonSundaynight。
  'IhopesomuchthatyouarenotangrywithmeforwritingtoMissAldclyffe。Youarenot,dear,areyou?Forgiveme——Yourlovingwife,EUNICE。'
  Thiswasthelastofthelettersfromthewifetothehusband。Oneother,inMrs。Manston'shandwriting,andinthesamepacket,wasdifferentlyaddressed。
  'THREETRANTERSINN,CARRIFORD,November28,1864。
  'DEARCOUSINJAMES,——Thankyouindeedforansweringmylettersopromptly。WhenIcalledatthepost-officeyesterdayIdidnotintheleastthinktherewouldbeone。ButImustleavethissubject。
  Iwriteagainatonceunderthestrangestandsaddestconditionsitispossibletoconceive。
  'IdidnottellyouinmylastthatIwasamarriedwoman。Don'tblameme——itwasmyhusband'sinfluence。Ihardlyknowwheretobeginmystory。Ihadbeenlivingapartfromhimforatime——thenhesentformethiswaslastweekandIwasgladtogotohim。
  Thenthisiswhathedid。Hepromisedtofetchme,anddidnot——
  leavingmetodothejourneyalone。Hepromisedtomeetmeatthestationhere——hedidnot。Iwentonthroughthedarknesstohishouse,andfoundhisdoorlockedandhimselfawayfromhome。Ihavebeenobligedtocomehere,andIwritetoyouinastrangeroominastrangevillageinn!Ichoosethepresentmomenttowritetodriveawaymymisery。Sorrowseemsasortofpleasurewhenyoudetailitonpaper——poorpleasurethough。
  'ButthisiswhatIwanttoknow——andIamashamedtotellit。I
  wouldgladlydoasyousay,andcometoyouasahousekeeper,butI
  havenotthemoneyevenforasteeragepassage。James,doyouwantmebadlyenough——doyoupitymeenoughtosendit?IcouldmanagetosubsistinLondonupontheproceedsofmysaleforanothermonthorsixweeks。Willyousendittothesameaddressatthepost-
  office?ButhowdoIknowthatyou……'
  Thustheletterended。Fromcreasesinthepaperitwasplainthatthewriter,havinggotsofar,hadbecomedissatisfiedwithherproduction,andhadcrumpleditinherhand。Wasittowriteanother,ornottowriteatall?
  ThenextthingAnneSeawayperceivedwasthatthefragmentarystoryshehadcoaxedoutofManston,totheeffectthathiswifehadleftEnglandforAmerica,mightbetruthful,accordingtotwooftheseletters,corroboratedbytheevidenceoftherailway-porter。Andyet,atfirst,hehadsworninapassionthathiswifewasmostcertainlyconsumedinthefire。
  Ifshehadbeenburnt,thisletter,writteninherbedroom,andprobablythrustintoherpocketwhensherelinquishedit,wouldhavebeenburntwithher。Nothingwassurerthanthat。Why,then,didhesayshewasburnt,andnevershowAnneherselfthisletter?
  Thequestionsuddenlyraisedanewandmuchstrangerone——kindlingaburstofamazementinher。HowdidManstonbecomepossessedofthisletter?
  Thatfactofpossessionwascertainlythemostremarkablerevelationofallinconnectionwiththisepistle,andperhapshadsomethingtodowithhisreasonfornevershowingittoher。
  Sheknewbyseveralproofs,thatbeforehismarriagewithCytherea,anduptothetimeoftheporter'sconfession,Manstonbelieved——
  honestlybelieved——thatCythereawouldbehislawfulwife,andhence,ofcourse,thathiswifeEunicewasdead。Sothatnocommunicationcouldpossiblyhavepassedbetweenhiswifeandhimselffromthefirstmomentthathebelievedherdeadonthenightofthefire,tothedayofhiswedding。Andyethehadthatletter。
  Howsoonafterwardscouldtheyhavecommunicatedwitheachother?
  Theexistenceoftheletter——asmuchas,ormorethanitscontents——
  implyingthatMrsManstonwasnotburnt,hisbeliefinthatcalamitymusthaveterminatedatthemomentheobtainedpossessionoftheletter,ifnoearlier。Was,then,theonlysolutiontotheriddlethatAnnecoulddiscern,thetrueone?——thathehadcommunicatedwithhiswifesomewhereaboutthecommencementofAnne'sresidencewithhim,oratanytimesince?