Ascirclesinapondgrowwiderandwider，thenextfact，whichatfirsthadbeenpatentonlytoCythereaherself，induetimespreadtoherneighbours，andthey，too，wonderedthathemadenoovertadvances。BythemiddleofNovember，atheorymadeupofacombinationoftheothertwowasreceivedwithgeneralfavour：itssubstancebeingthataguiltyintriguehadbeencommencedbetweenManstonandMissAldclyffe，someyearsbefore，whenhewasaveryyoungman，andshestillintheenjoymentofsomewomanlybeauty，butnowthathersenioritybegantogrowemphaticshewasbecomingdistastefultohim。Hisfearoftheeffectofthelady'sjealousywould，theysaid，thusleadhimtoconcealfromherhisnewattachmenttoCytherea。AlmosttheonlywomanwhodidnotbelievethiswasCythereaherself，onunmistakablegrounds，whichwerehiddenfromallbesides。Itwasnotonlyinpublic，butevenmoremarkedlyinsecludedplaces，onoccasionswhengallantrywouldhavebeensafefromalldiscovery，thatthisguardedcourseofactionwaspursued，allthestrengthofaconsumingpassionburninginhiseyesthewhile。
　　2。NOVEMBERTHEEIGHTEENTH
　　ItwasonaFridayinthismonthofNovemberthatOwenGrayepaidavisittohissister。
　　HiszealousintegritystillretainedforhimthesituationatBudmouth，andinorderthatthereshouldbeaslittleinterruptionaspossibletohisdutiesthere，hehaddecidednottocometoKnapwatertilllateintheafternoon，andtoreturntoBudmouthbythefirsttrainthenextmorning，MissAldclyffehavingmadeapointoffrequentlyofferinghimlodgingforanunlimitedperiod，tothegreatpleasureofCytherea。
　　Hereachedthehouseaboutfouro'clock，andringingthebell，askedofthepagewhoanswereditforMissGraye。
　　WhenGrayespokethenameofhissister，Manston，whowasjustcomingoutfromaninterviewwithMissAldclyffe，passedhiminthevestibuleandheardthequestion。Thesteward'sfacegrewhot，andhesecretlyclenchedhishands。Hehalfcrossedthecourt，thenturnedhisheadandsawthattheladstillstoodatthedoor，thoughOwenhadbeenshownintothehouse。Manstonwentbacktohim。
　　'Whowasthatman？'hesaid。
　　'Idon'tknow，sir。'
　　'Hasheeverbeenherebefore？'
　　'Yes，sir。'
　　'Howmanytimes？'
　　'Three。'
　　'Youaresureyoudon'tknowhim？'
　　'IthinkheisMissGraye'sbrother，sir。'
　　'Then，whythedevildidn'tyousaysobefore！'Manstonexclaimed，andagainwentonhisway。
　　'Ofcourse，thatwasnotthemanofmydreams——ofcourse，itcouldn'tbe！'hesaidtohimself。'ThatIshouldbesuchafool——
　　suchanutterfool。GoodGod！toallowagirltoinfluencemelikethis，dayafterday，tillIamjealousofherverybrother。A
　　lady'sdependent，awaif，ahelplessthingentirelyatthemercyoftheworld；yes，curseit；thatisjustwhyitis；thatfactofherbeingsohelplessagainsttheblowsofcircumstanceswhichrendershersodeliciouslysweet！'
　　Hepausedoppositehishouse。Shouldhegethishorsesaddled？No。
　　Hewentdownthedriveandoutofthepark，havingstartedtoproceedtoanoutlyingspotontheestateconcerningsomedraining，andtocallatthepotter'syardtomakeanarrangementforthesupplyofpipes。ButaremarkwhichMissAldclyffehaddroppedinrelationtoCythereawaswhatstilloccupiedhismind，andhadbeentheimmediatecauseofhisexcitementatthesightofherbrother。
　　MissAldclyffehadmeaninglyremarkedduringtheirintercourse，thatCythereawaswildlyinlovewithEdwardSpringrove，inspiteofhisengagementtohiscousinAdelaide。
　　'HowIamharassed！'hesaidaloud，afterdeepthoughtforhalf-an-
　　hour，whilestillcontinuinghiswalkwiththegreatestvehemence。
　　'HowIamharassedbytheseemotionsofmine！'Hecalmedhimselfbyaneffort。'Well，dutyafterallitshallbe，asnearlyasIcaneffectit。“Honestyisthebestpolicy；“'withwhichvigorouslyutteredresolveheoncemoreattemptedtoturnhisattentiontotheprosyobjectofhisjourney。
　　Theeveninghadclosedintoadarkanddrearynightwhenthestewardcamefromthepotter'sdoortoproceedhomewardsagain。Thegloomdidnottendtoraisehisspirits，andinthetotallackofobjectstoattracthiseye，hesoonfelltointrospectionasbefore。
　　Itwasalongthemarginofturnipfieldsthathispathlay，andthelargeleavesofthecropstruckflatlyagainsthisfeetateverystep，pouringuponthemtherollingdropsofmoisturegatheredupontheirbroadsurfaces；buttheannoyancewasunheeded。Nextreachingafirplantation，hemountedthestileandfollowedthepathintothemidstofthedarknessproducedbytheoverhangingtrees。
　　Afterwalkingunderthedenseshadeoftheinkyboughsforafewminutes，hefanciedhehadmistakenthepath，whichasyetwasscarcelyfamiliartohim。Thiswasproveddirectlyafterwardsbyhiscomingatrightanglesuponsomeobstruction，whichcarefulfeelingwithoutstretchedhandssoontoldhimtobearailfence。
　　However，asthewoodwasnotlarge，heexperiencednoalarmaboutfindingthepathagain，andwithsomesenseofpleasurehaltedawhileagainsttherails，tolistentotheintenselymelancholyyetmusicalwailofthefir-tops，andasthewindpassedon，thepromptmoanofanadjacentplantationinreply。Hecouldjustdimlydiscerntheairysummitsofthetwoorthreetreesnearesthimwavingrestlesslybackwardsandforwards，andstretchingouttheirboughslikehairyarmsintothedullsky。Thescene，fromitsstrikingandemphaticloneliness，begantogrowcongenialtohismood；allofhumankindseemedattheantipodes。
　　Asuddenrattleonhisrighthandcausedhimtostartfromhisreverie，andturninthatdirection。There，beforehim，hesawriseupfromamongthetreesafountainofsparksandsmoke，thenaredglareoflightcomingforwardtowardshim；thenaflashingpanoramaofilluminatedoblongpictures；thentheolddarkness，moreimpressivethanever。
　　Thesurprise，whichhadoweditsorigintohisimperfectacquaintancewiththetopographicalfeaturesofthatendoftheestate，hadbeenbutmomentary；thedisturbance，awell-knownonetodwellersbyarailway，beingcausedbythe6。50down-trainpassingalongashallowcuttinginthemidstofthewoodimmediatelybelowwherehestood，thedriverhavingthefire-dooroftheengineopenattheminuteofgoingby。Thetrainhad，whenpassinghim，alreadyconsiderablyslackenedspeed，andnowawhistlewasheard，announcingthatCarrifordRoadStationwasnotfarinitsvan。
　　Butcontrarytothenaturalorderofthings，thediscoverythatitwasonlyacommonplacetrainhadnotcausedManstontostirfromhispositionoffacingtherailway。
　　Ifthe6。50down-trainhadbeenaflashofforkedlightningtransfixinghimtotheearth，hecouldscarcelyhaveremainedinamoretrance-likestate。Hestillleantagainsttherailings，hisrighthandstillcontinuedpressingonhiswalking-stick，hisweightononefoot，hisotherheelraised，hiseyeswideopentowardstheblacknessofthecutting。Theonlymovementinhimwasaslightdroppingofthelowerjaw，separatinghispreviouslyclosedlipsalittleway，aswhenastrangeconvictionrusheshomesuddenlyuponaman。Anewsurprise，notnearlysotrivialasthefirst，hadtakenpossessionofhim。
　　Itwasonthisaccount。Atoneoftheilluminatedwindowsofasecond-classcarriageintheseriesgoneby，hehadseenapaleface，recliningupononehand，thelightfromthelampfallingfulluponit。Thefacewasawoman's。
　　AtlastManstonmoved；gaveawhisperingkindofwhistle，adjustedhishat，andwalkedonagain，cross-questioninghimselfineverydirectionastohowapieceofknowledgehehadcarefullyconcealedhadfounditswaytoanotherperson'sintelligence。'Howcanmyaddresshavebecomeknown？'hesaidatlength，audibly。'Well，itisablessingIhavebeencircumspectandhonourable，inrelationtothat——yes，Iwillsayit，foronce，evenifthewordschokeme，thatdarlingofmine，Cytherea，nevertobemyown，never。Isupposeallwillcomeoutnow。All！'Thegreatsadnessofhisutteranceprovedthatnomeanforcehadbeenexerciseduponhimselftosustainthecircumspectionhehadjustclaimed。
　　Hewheeledtotheleft，pursuedtheditchbesidetherailwayfence，andpresentlyemergedfromthewood，steppingintoaroadwhichcrossedtherailwaybyabridge。
　　Ashenearedhome，theanxietylatelywritteninhisface，mergedbydegreesintoagrimlyhumoroussmile，whichhunglonguponhislips，andhequotedaloudalinefromthebookofJeremiah——
　　'Awomanshallcompassaman。'
　　3。NOVEMBERTHENINETEENTH。DAYBREAK
　　Beforeitwaslightthenextmorning，twolittlenakedfeetpatteredalongthepassageinKnapwaterHouse，fromwhichOwenGraye'sbedroomopened，andatapwasgivenuponhisdoor。
　　'Owen，Owen，areyouawake？'saidCythereainawhisperthroughthekeyhole。'Youmustgetupdirectly，oryou'llmissthetrain。'
　　Whenhedescendedtohissister'slittleroom，hefoundhertherealreadywaitingwithacupofcocoaandagrilledrasheronthetableforhim。Ahastymealwasdespatchedintheintervalsofputtingonhisovercoatandfindinghishat，andtheythenwentsoftlythroughthelongdesertedpassages，thekitchen-maidwhohadpreparedtheirbreakfastwalkingbeforethemwithalampheldhighaboveherhead，whichcastlongwheelingshadowsdowncorridorsintersectingtheonetheyfollowed，theirremoterendsbeinglostindarkness。Thedoorwasunboltedandtheysteppedout。
　　Owenhadpreferredwalkingtothestationtoacceptingthepony-
　　carriagewhichMissAldclyffehadplacedathisdisposal，havingamorbidhorrorofgivingtroubletopeoplericherthanhimself，andespeciallytotheirmen-servants，wholookeddownuponhimasahybridmonsterinsocialposition。Cythereaproposedtowalkalittlewaywithhim。
　　'IwanttotalktoyouaslongasIcan，'shesaidtenderly。
　　Brotherandsisterthenemergedbytheheavydoorintothedrive。
　　Thefeelingandaspectofthehourwerepreciselysimilartothoseunderwhichthestewardhadleftthehousetheeveningprevious，exceptingthatapparentlyunearthlyreversalofnaturalsequence，whichiscausedbytheworldgettinglighterinsteadofdarker。
　　'Thetearfulglimmerofthelanguiddawn'wasjustsufficienttorevealtothemthemelancholyredleaves，lyingthicklyinthechannelsbytheroadside，everandanonloudlytappedonbyheavydropsofwater，whichtheboughsabovehadcollectedfromthefoggyair。
　　TheypassedtheOldHouse，engagedinadeepconversation，andhadproceededabouttwentyyardsbyacrossroute，inthedirectionoftheturnpikeroad，whentheformofawomanemergedfromtheporchofthebuilding。
　　Shewaswrappedinagreywaterproofcloak，thehoodofwhichwasdrawnoverherheadandcloselyroundherface——socloselythathereyeswerethesolefeaturesuncovered。
　　Withthisoneexceptionofherappearancethere，themostperfectstillnessandsilencepervadedthesteward'sresidencefrombasementtochimney。Notashutterwasopen；notatwineofsmokecameforth。
　　Underneaththeivy-coveredgatewayshestoodstillandlistenedfortwo，orpossiblythreeminutes，tillshebecameconsciousofothersinthepark。Seeingthepairshesteppedback，withtheapparentintentionoflettingthempassoutofsight，andevidentlywishingtoavoidobservation。Butlookingatherwatch，andreturningitrapidlytoherpocket，asifsurprisedatthelatenessofthehour，shehurriedoutagain，andacrosstheparkbyastillmoreobliquelinethanthattracedbyOwenandhissister。
　　Theseinthemeantimehadgotintotheroad，andwerewalkingalongitasthewomancameupontheothersideoftheboundaryhedge，lookingforagateorstile，bywhichshe，too，mightgetoffthegrassuponthehardground。
　　Theirconversation，ofwhicheverywordwasclearanddistinct，inthestillairofthedawn，tothedistanceofaquarterofamile，reachedherears，andwithdrewherattentionfromallothermattersandsightswhatsoever。ThusarrestedshestoodforaninstantaspreciselyintheattitudeofImogenbythecaveofBelarius，asifshehadstudiedthepositionfromtheplay。Whentheyhadadvancedafewsteps，shefollowedtheminsomedoubt，stillscreenedbythehedge。
　　'Doyoubelieveinsuchoddcoincidences？'saidCytherea。
　　'Howdoyoumean，believeinthem？Theyoccursometimes。'
　　'Yes，onewilloccuroftenenough——thatis，twodisconnectedeventswillfallstrangelytogetherbychance，andpeoplescarcelynoticethefactbeyondsaying，“Oddlyenoughithappenedthatsoandsowerethesame，“andsoon。Butwhenthreesucheventscoincidewithoutanyapparentreasonforthecoincidence，itseemsasiftheremustbeinvisiblemeansatwork。Yousee，threethingsfallingtogetherinthatmanneraretentimesassingularastwocasesofcoincidencewhicharedistinct。'
　　'Well，ofcourse：whatamathematicalheadyouhave，Cytherea！ButIdon'tseesomuchtomarvelatinourcase。Thatthemanwhokeptthepublic-houseinwhichMissAldclyffefainted，andwhofoundouthernameandposition，livesinthisneighbourhood，isaccountedforbythefactthatshegothimtheberthtostophistongue。ThatyoucameherewassimplyowingtoSpringrove。'
　　'Ah，butlookatthis。MissAldclyffeisthewomanourfatherfirstloved，andIhavecometoMissAldclyffe's；youcan'tgetoverthat。'
　　Fromthesepremises，sheproceededtoarguelikeanelderlydivineonthedesignsofProvidencewhichwereapparentinsuchconjunctures，andwentintoavarietyofdetailsconnectedwithMissAldclyffe'shistory。
　　'HadIbettertellMissAldclyffethatIknowallthis？'sheinquiredatlast。
　　'What'stheuse？'hesaid。'Yourpossessingtheknowledgedoesnoharm；youareatanyratecomfortablehere，andaconfessiontoMissAldclyffemightonlyirritateher。No，holdyourtongue，Cytherea。'
　　'IfancyIshouldhavebeentemptedtotellhertoo，'Cythereawenton，'hadInotfoundoutthatthereexistsaveryodd，almostimperceptible，andyetrealconnectionofsomekindbetweenherandMr。Manston，whichismorethanthatofamutualinterestintheestate。'
　　'Sheisinlovewithhim！'exclaimedOwen；'fancythat！'
　　'Ah——that'swhateverybodysayswhohasbeenkeenenoughtonoticeanything。Isaidsoatfirst。AndyetnowIcannotpersuademyselfthatsheisinlovewithhimatall。'
　　'Whycan'tyou？'
　　'Shedoesn'tactasifshewere。Sheisn't——youwillknowIdon'tsayitfromanyvanity，Owen——sheisn'ttheleastjealousofme。'
　　'Perhapssheisinsomewayinhispower。'
　　'No——sheisnot。Hewasopenlyadvertisedfor，andchosenfromfortyorfiftywhoansweredtheadvertisement，withoutknowingwhoseitwas。Andsincehehasbeenhere，shehascertainlydonenothingtocompromiseherselfinanyway。Besides，whyshouldshehavebroughtanenemyhereatall？'
　　'Thenshemusthavefalleninlovewithhim。YouknowaswellasI
　　do，Cyth，thatwithwomenthere'snothingbetweenthetwopolesofemotiontowardsaninterestingmaleacquaintance。'Tiseitherloveoraversion。'
　　Theywalkedforafewminutesinsilence，whenCytherea'seyesaccidentallyfelluponherbrother'sfeet。
　　'Owen，'shesaid，'doyouknowthatthereissomethingunusualinyourmannerofwalking？'
　　'Whatisitlike？'heasked。
　　'Ican'tquitesay，exceptthatyoudon'twalksoregularlyasyouusedto。'
　　Thewomanbehindthehedge，whohadstillcontinuedtodogtheirfootsteps，madeanimpatientmovementatthischangeintheirconversation，andlookedatherwatchagain。Yetsheseemedreluctanttogiveoverlisteningtothem。
　　'Yes，'Owenreturnedwithassumedcarelessness，'Idoknowit。I
　　thinkthecauseofitisthatmysteriouspainwhichcomesjustabovemyanklesometimes。YourememberthefirsttimeIhadit？Thatdaywewentbysteam-packettoLulsteadCove，whenithinderedmefromcomingbacktoyou，andcompelledmetosleepwiththegatemanwehavebeentalkingabout。'
　　'Butisitanythingserious，dearOwen？'Cythereaexclaimed，withsomealarm。
　　'O，nothingatall。Itissuretogooffagain。IneverfindasignofitwhenIsitintheoffice。'
　　Againtheirunperceivedcompanionmadeagestureofvexation，andlookedatherwatchasiftimewereprecious。Butthedialoguestillflowedonuponthisnewsubject，andshowednosignofreturningtoitsoldchannel。
　　Gatheringupherskirtdecisivelysherenouncedallfurtherhope，andhurriedalongtheditchtillshehaddroppedintoavalley，andcametoagatewhichwasbeyondtheviewofthosecomingbehind。
　　Thisshesoftlyopened，andcameoutupontheroad，followingitinthedirectionoftherailwaystation。
　　PresentlysheheardOwenGraye'sfootstepsinherrear，hisquickenedpaceimplyingthathehadpartedfromhissister。Thewomanthereuponincreasedherrapidwalktoarun，andinafewminutessafelydistancedherfellow-traveller。
　　TherailwayatCarrifordRoadconsistedonlyofasinglelineofrails；andtheshortlocaldown-trainbywhichOwenwasgoingtoBudmouthwasshuntedontoasidingwhilstthefirstup-trainpassed。Grayeenteredthewaiting-room，andthedoorbeingopenhelistlesslyobservedthemovementsofawomanwearingalonggreycloak，andcloselyhooded，whohadaskedforaticketforLondon。
　　Hefollowedherwithhiseyesontotheplatform，sawherwaitingthereandafterwardssteppingintothetrain：hisrecollectionofherceasingwiththeperception。
　　4。EIGHTTOTENO'CLOCKA。M。
　　Mrs。Crickett，twiceawidow，andnowtheparishclerk'swife，afine-framed，scandal-lovingwoman，withapeculiarcornertohereyebywhich，withoutturningherhead，shecouldseewhatpeopleweredoingalmostbehindher，livedinacottagestandingnearertotheoldmanor-housethananyotherinthevillageofCarriford，andshehadonthataccountbeentemporarilyengagedbythesteward，asarespectablekindofcharwomanandgeneralservant，untilasettledarrangementcouldbemadewithsomepersonaspermanentdomestic。
　　Everymorning，therefore，Mrs。Crickett，immediatelyshehadlightedthefireinherowncottage，andpreparedthebreakfastforherselfandhusband，pacedherwaytotheOldHousetodothesameforMr。
　　Manston。Thenshewenthometobreakfast；andwhenthestewardhadeatenhis，andhadgoneoutonhisrounds，shereturnedagaintoclearaway，makehisbed，andputthehouseinorderfortheday。
　　OnthemorningofOwenGraye'sdeparture，shewentthroughtheoperationsofherfirstvisitasusual——proceededhometobreakfast，andwentbackagain，toperformthoseofthesecond。
　　EnteringManston'semptybedroom，withherhandsonherhips，sheindifferentlycasthereyesuponthebed，previouslytodismantlingit。
　　Whilstshelooked，shethoughtinaninattentivemanner，'WhataremarkablyquietsleeperMr。Manstonmustbe！'Theupperbed-
　　clotheswereflungback，certainly，butthebedwasscarcelydisarranged。'Anybodywouldalmostfancy，'shethought，'thathehadmadeithimselfafterrising。'
　　Buttheseevanescentthoughtsvanishedastheyhadcome，andMrs。
　　Crickettsettowork；shedraggedoffthecounterpane，blanketsandsheets，andstoopedtoliftthepillows。Thusstooping，somethingarrestedherattention；shelookedclosely——moreclosely——veryclosely。'Well，tobesure！'wasallshecouldsay。Theclerk'swifestoodasiftheairhadsuddenlysettoamber，andheldherfixedlikeaflyinit。
　　Theobjectofherwonderwasatrailingbrownhair，verylittlelessthanayardlong，whichproveditclearlytobeahairfromsomewoman'shead。Shedrewitoffthepillow，andtookittothewindow；thereholdingitoutshelookedfixedlyatit，andbecameutterlylostinmeditation：hergaze，whichhadatfirstactivelysettledonthehair，involuntarilydroppedpastitsobjectbydegreesandwaslostonthefloor，astheinnervisionobscuredtheouterone。
　　Sheatlengthmoistenedherlips，returnedhereyestothehair，wounditroundherfingers，putitinsomepaper，andsecretedthewholeinherpocket。Mrs。Crickett'sthoughtswerewithherworknomorethatmorning。
　　Shesearchedthehousefromroof-treetocellar，forsomeothertraceoffeminineexistenceorappurtenance；butnonewastobefound。
　　Shewentoutintotheyard，coal-hole，stable，hay-loft，green-
　　house，fowl-house，andpiggery，andstilltherewasnosign。Cominginagain，shesawabonnet，eagerlypounceduponit；andfoundittobeherown。
　　Hastilycompletingherarrangementsintheotherrooms，sheenteredthevillageagain，andcalledatonceonthepostmistress，ElizabethLeat，anintimatefriendofhers，andafemalewhosportedseveraluniquediseasesandafflictions。
　　Mrs。Crickettunfoldedthepaper，tookoutthehair，andwaveditonhighbeforetheperplexedeyesofElizabeth，whichimmediatelymoonedandwanderedafteritlikeacat's。
　　'Whatisit？'saidMrs。Leat，contractinghereyelids，andstretchingouttowardstheinvisibleobjectanarrowbonyhandthatwouldhavebeenanunmitigateddelighttothepencilofCarloCrivelli。
　　'Youshallhear，'saidMrs。Crickett，complacentlygatheringupthetreasureintoherownfathand；andthesecretwasthensolemnlyimparted，togetherwiththeaccidentofitsdiscovery。
　　Ashaving-glasswastakendownfromanail，laidonitsbackinthemiddleofatablebythewindow，andthehairspreadcarefullyoutuponit。Thepairthenbentoverthetablefromoppositesides，theirelbowsontheedge，theirhandssupportingtheirheads，theirforeheadsnearlytouching，andtheireyesuponthehair。
　　'Heha'beenmada'termyladyCytherea，'saidMrs。Crickett，'and'tismyverybeliefthehairis——'
　　'No'tidn'。Hersidn'sodarkasthat，'saidElizabeth。
　　'Elizabeth，youknowthatasthefaithfulwifeofaservantoftheChurch，Ishouldbegladtothinkasyoudoaboutthegirl。MindI
　　don'twishtosayanythingagainstMissGraye，butthisIdosay，thatIbelievehertobeanamelessthing，andshe'snorighttostickamoralclockinherface，anddeceivethecountryinsuchaway。Ifshewasn'tofabadstockattheoutsetshewasbadintheplanten，andifshewasn'tbadintheplanten，shewasbadinthegrowen，andifnotinthegrowen，she'smadebadbywhatshe'sgonethroughsince。'
　　'ButIhaveanotherreasonforknowingitidn'hers，'saidMrs。
　　Leat。
　　'Ah！Iknowwhoseitisthen——MissAldclyffe's，uponmysong！'
　　''Tisthecolourofhers，butIdon'tbelieveittobeherseither。'
　　'Don'tyoubelievewhattheyd'sayaboutherandhim？'
　　'Isaynothenaboutthat；butyoudon'tknowwhatIknowabouthisletters。'
　　'Whatabout'em？'
　　'Hed'postallhislettershereexceptthoseforoneperson，andtheyhed'taketoBudmouth。MysonisinBudmouthPostOffice，asyouknow，andashed'sitatdeskhecanseeovertheblindofthewindowallthepeoplewhod'postletters。Mr。Manstond'
　　unvariablygotherewi'lettersforthatperson；myboyd'know'embysightwellenoughnow。'
　　'Isitashe？'
　　''Tisashe。'
　　'What'shername？'
　　'Thelittlestunpollofafellowcouldn'tcalltomindmorethanthat'tisMissSomebody，ofLondon。However，that'sthewomanwhoha'beenhere，dependupon't——awickedone——somepoorstreet-wenchescapedfromSodom，Iwarrantye。'
　　'OnlytofindherselfinGomorrah，seemingly。'
　　'Thatmaybe。'
　　'No，no，Mrs。Leat，thisiscleartome。'Tisnomisswhocameheretoseeourstewardlastnight——whenevershecameorwherevershevanished。Doyouthinkhewouldha'letamissgetherehowshecould，goawayhowshewould，withoutbreakfastorhelpofanykind？'
　　Elizabethshookherhead——Mrs。Crickettlookedathersolemnly。
　　'IsayIknowshehadnohelpofanykind；Iknowitwasso，forthegratewasquitecoldwhenItoucheditthismorningwiththesefingers，andhewasstillinbed。No，hewouldn'ttakethetroubletowriteletterstoagirlandthentreathersooff-handasthat。
　　There'satiebetween'emstrongerthanfeelen。She'shiswife。'
　　'Hemarried！TheLordso's，whatshallwehearnext？Dohelookmarriednow？Hisarenottheabashedeyesandlipsofamarriedman。'
　　'Perhapsshe'satameone——butshe'shiswifestill。'
　　'No，no：he'snotamarriedman。'
　　'Yes，yes，heis。I'vehadthree，andIoughttoknow。'
　　'Well，well，'saidMrs。Leat，givingway。'Whatevermaybethetruthon'tItrustProvidencewillsettleitallforthebest，asHealwaysdo。'
　　'Ay，ay，Elizabeth，'rejoinedMrs。Crickettwithasatiricalsigh，assheturnedonherfoottogohome，'goodpeoplelikeyoumaysayso，butIhavealwaysfoundProvidenceadifferentsortoffeller。'
　　5。NOVEMBERTHETWENTIETH
　　ItwasMissAldclyffe'scustom，acustomoriginatedbyherfather，andnourishedbyherownexclusiveness，tounlockthepost-bagherselfeverymorning，insteadofallowingthedutytodevolveonthebutler，aswasthecaseinmostoftheneighbouringcountyfamilies。Thebagwasbroughtupstairseachmorningtoherdressing-room，whereshetookoutthecontents，mostlyinthepresenceofhermaidandCytherea，whohadtheentreeofthechamberatallhours，andattendedthereinthemorningatakindofreceptiononasmallscale，whichwasheldbyMissAldclyffeofhernamesakeonly。
　　Hereshereadherlettersbeforetheglass，whilstundergoingtheoperationofbeingbrushedanddressed。
　　'Whatwomancanthisbe，Iwonder？'shesaidonthemorningsucceedingthatofthelastsection。'“London，N。！”ItisthefirsttimeinmylifeIeverhadaletterfromthatoutlandishplace，theNorthsideofLondon。'
　　Cythereahadjustcomeintoherpresencetolearniftherewasanythingforherself；andonbeingthusaddressed，walkeduptoMissAldclyffe'scorneroftheroomtolookatthecuriositywhichhadraisedsuchanexclamation。Butthelady，havingopenedtheenvelopeandreadafewlines，putitquicklyinherpocket，beforeCythereacouldreachherside。
　　'O，'tisnothing，'shesaid。Sheproceededtomakegeneralremarksinanoticeablyforcedtoneofsang-froid，fromwhichshesoonlapsedintosilence。Notanotherwordwassaidabouttheletter：
　　sheseemedveryanxioustogetherdressingdone，andtheroomcleared。ThereuponCythereawentawaytotheotherwindow，andafewminuteslaterlefttheroomtofollowherownpursuits。
　　ItwaslatewhenMissAldclyffedescendedtothebreakfast-tableandthensheseemedtheretonopurpose；tea，coffee，eggs，cutlets，andalltheiraccessories，wereleftabsolutelyuntasted。Thenextthatwasseenofherwaswhenwalkingupanddownthesouthterrace，androundtheflower-beds；herfacewaspale，andhertreadwasfitful，andshecrumpledaletterinherhand。
　　Dinner-timecameroundasusual；shedidnotspeaktenwords，orindeedseemconsciousofthemeal；forallthatMissAldclyffedidinthewayofeating，dinnermighthavebeentakenoutasintactasitwastakenin。
　　InherownprivateapartmentMissAldclyffeagainpulledouttheletterofthemorning。Onepassageinitranthus：——
　　'Ofcourse，beinghiswife，Icouldpublishthefact，andcompelhimtoacknowledgemeatanymoment，notwithstandinghisthreats，andreasoningsthatitwillbebettertowait。Ihavewaited，andwaitedagain，andthetimeforsuchacknowledgmentseemsnonearerthanatfirst。ToshowyouhowpatientlyIhavewaitedIcantellyouthatnottillafortnightago，whenbystressofcircumstancesI
　　hadbeendriventonewlodgings，haveIeverassumedmymarriedname，solelyonaccountofitshavingbeenhisrequestallalongthatIshouldnotdoit。Thiswritingtoyou，madam，ismyfirstdisobedience，andIamjustifiedinit。Awomanwhoisdriventovisitherhusbandlikeathiefinthenightandthensentawaylikeastreetdog——lefttogetup，unbolt，unbar，andfindherwayoutofthehouseasshebestmay——isjustifiedindoinganything。
　　'ButshouldIdemandofhimarestitutionofrights，therewouldbeinvolvedapublicitywhichIcouldnotendure，andanoisyscandalflingingmynamethelengthandbreadthofthecountry。
　　'WhatIstillprefertoanysuchviolentmeansisthatyoureasonwithhimprivately，andcompelhimtobringmehometoyourparishinadecentandcarefulmanner，inthewaythatwouldbeadoptedbyanyrespectableman，whosewifehadbeenlivingawayfromhimforsometime，byreason，say，ofpeculiarfamilycircumstanceswhichhadcauseddisunion，butnotenmity，andwhoatlengthwasenabledtoreinstateherinhishouse。
　　'Youwill，Iknow，obligemeinthis，especiallyasknowledgeofapeculiartransactionofyourown，whichtookplacesomeyearsago，haslatelycometomeinasingularway。Iwillnotatpresenttroubleyoubydescribinghow。Itisenough，thatIalone，ofallpeopleliving，knowALLTHESIDESOFTHESTORY，thosefromwhomI
　　collectedithavingeachonlyapartialknowledgewhichconfusesthemandpointstonothing。Onepersonknowsofyourearlyengagementanditssuddentermination；another，ofthereasonofthosestrangemeetingsatinnsandcoffee-houses；another，ofwhatwassufficienttocauseallthis，andsoon。Iknowwhatfitsoneandallthecircumstanceslikeakey，andshowsthemtobethenaturaloutcropofarationalthoughratherrashlineofconductforayounglady。Youwillatonceperceivehowitwasthatsomeatleastofthesethingswererevealedtome。
　　'Thisknowledgethen，commonto，andsecretlytreasuredbyusboth，isthegrounduponwhichIbegforyourfriendshipandhelp，withafeelingthatyouwillbetoogeneroustorefuseittome。
　　'Imayaddthat，asyet，myhusbandknowsnothingofthis，neitherneedheifyouremembermyrequest。'
　　'Athreat——aflatstingingthreat！asdelicatelywrappedupinwordsasthewomancoulddoit；athreatfromamiserableunknowncreaturetoanAldclyffe，andnottheleastproudmemberofthefamilyeither！Athreatonhisaccount——O，O！shallitbe？'
　　Presentlythishumourofdefiancevanished，andthemembersofherbodybecamesuppleagain，herproceedingsprovingthatitwasabsolutelynecessarytogiveway，Aldclyffeasshewas。ShewroteashortanswertoMrs。Manston，sayingcivillythatMr。Manston'spossessionofsuchanearrelationwasafactquitenewtoherself，andthatshewouldseewhatcouldbedoneinsuchanunfortunateaffair。
　　6。NOVEMBERTHETWENTY-FIRST
　　ManstonreceivedamessagethenextdayrequestinghisattendanceattheHousepunctuallyateighto'clocktheensuingevening。MissAldclyffewasbraveandimperious，butwiththepurposeshehadinviewshecouldnotlookhiminthefacewhilstdaylightshoneuponher。
　　Thestewardwasshownintothelibrary。Onenteringit，hewasimmediatelystruckwiththeunusualgloomwhichpervadedtheapartment。Thefirewasdeadanddull，onelamp，andthatacomparativelysmallone，wasburningattheextremeend，leavingthemainproportionoftheloftyandsombreroominanartificialtwilight，scarcelypowerfulenoughtorendervisiblethetitlesofthefolioandquartovolumeswhichwerejammedintothelowertiersofthebookshelves。
　　AfterkeepinghimwaitingformorethantwentyminutesMissAldclyffeknewthatexcellentrecipefortakingthestiffnessoutofhumanflesh，andforextractingallpre-arrangementfromhumanspeechsheenteredtheroom。
　　Manstonsoughthereyedirectly。Thehueofherfeatureswasnotdiscernible，butthecalmglancesheflungathim，fromwhichallattemptatreturninghisscrutinywasabsent，awokehimtotheperceptionthatprobablyhissecretwasbysomemeansorotherknowntoher；howithadbecomeknownhecouldnottell。
　　Shedrewforththeletter，unfoldedit，andheldituptohim，lettingithangbyonecornerfrombetweenherfingerandthumb，sothatthelightfromthelamp，thoughremote，felldirectlyuponitssurface。
　　'Youknowwhosewritingthisis？'shesaid。
　　Hesawthestrokesplainly，instantlyresolvingtoburnhisshipsandhazardallonanadvance。
　　'Mywife's，'hesaidcalmly。
　　Hisquietanswerthrewheroffherbalance。Shehadnomoreexpectedananswerthandoesapreacherwhenheexclaimsfromthepulpit，'Doyoufeelyoursin？'Shehadclearlyexpectedasuddenalarm。
　　'Andwhyallthisconcealment？'shesaidagain，hervoicerising，asshevainlyendeavouredtocontrolherfeelings，whatevertheywere。
　　'Itdoesn'tfollowthat，becauseamanismarried，hemusttelleverystrangerofit，madam，'heanswered，justascalmlyasbefore。
　　'Stranger！well，perhapsnot；but，Mr。Manston，whydidyouchoosetoconcealit，Iaskagain？Ihaveaperfectrighttoaskthisquestion，asyouwillperceive，ifyouconsiderthetermsofmyadvertisement。'
　　'Iwilltellyou。Thereweretwosimplereasons。Thefirstwasthispracticalone；youadvertisedforanunmarriedman，ifyouremember？'
　　'OfcourseIremember。'
　　'Well，anincidentsuggestedtomethatIshouldtryforthesituation。Iwasmarried；but，knowingthatingettinganofficewherethereisarestrictionofthiskind，leavingone'swifebehindisalwaysacceptedasafulfilmentofthecondition，Ileftherbehindforawhile。Theotherreasonis，thatthesetermsofyoursaffordedmeaplausibleexcuseforescapingforashorttimethecompanyofawomanIhadbeenmistakeninmarrying。'
　　'Mistaken！whatwasshe？'theladyinquired。
　　'Athird-rateactress，whomImetwithduringmystayinLiverpoollastsummer，whereIhadgonetofulfilashortengagementwithanarchitect。'
　　'Wheredidshecomefrom？'
　　'SheisanAmericanbybirth，andIgrewtodislikeherwhenwehadbeenmarriedaweek。'
　　'Shewasugly，Iimagine？'
　　'Sheisnotanuglywomanbyanymeans。'
　　'Uptotheordinarystandard？'
　　'Quiteuptotheordinarystandard——indeed，handsome。Afterawhilewequarrelledandseparated。'
　　'Youdidnotill-useher，ofcourse？'saidMissAldclyffe，withalittlesarcasm。
　　'Ididnot。'
　　'Butatanyrate，yougotthoroughlytiredofher。'
　　Manstonlookedasifhebegantothinkherquestionsputofplace；
　　however，hesaidquietly，'Ididgettiredofher。Inevertoldherso，butweseparated；Itocomehere，bringingherwithmeasfarasLondonandleavingherthereinperfectlycomfortablequarters；andthoughyouradvertisementexpressedasingleman，Ihavealwaysintendedtotellyouthewholetruth；andthiswaswhenIwasgoingtotellit，whenyoursatisfactionwithmycarefulmanagementofyouraffairsshouldhaveprovedtherisktobeasafeonetorun。'
　　Shebowed。
　　'ThenIsawthatyouweregoodenoughtobeinterestedinmywelfaretoagreaterextentthanIcouldhaveanticipatedorhoped，judgingyoubythefrigidityofotheremployers，andthiscausedmetohesitate。Iwasvexedatthecomplicationofaffairs。Somattersstoodtillthreenightsago；Iwasthenwalkinghomefromthepottery，andcameuptotherailway。Thedown-traincamealongclosetome，andthere，sittingatacarriagewindow，Isawmywife：
　　shehadfoundoutmyaddress，andhadthereupondeterminedtofollowmehere。Ihadnotbeenhomemanyminutesbeforeshecamein，nextmorningearlysheleftagain——'
　　'Becauseyoutreatedhersocavalierly？'
　　'AndasIsuppose，wrotetoyoudirectly。That'sthewholestoryofher，madam。'WhateverwereManston'srealfeelingstowardstheladywhohadreceivedhisexplanationinthesesupercilioustones，theyremainedlockedwithinhimaswithinacasketofsteel。
　　'Didyourfriendsknowofyourmarriage，MrManston？'shecontinued。
　　'Nobodyatall；wekeptitasecretforvariousreasons。'
　　'Itistruethenthat，asyourwifetellsmeinthisletter，shehasnotpassedasMrs。Manstontillwithintheselastfewdays？'
　　'Itisquitetrue；Iwasinreceiptofaverysmallanduncertainincomewhenwemarried；andsoshecontinuedplayingatthetheatreasbeforeourmarriage，andinhermaidenname。'
　　'Hassheanyfriends？'
　　'IhaveneverheardthatshehasanyinEngland。Shecameoverhereonsometheatricalspeculation，asoneofacompanywhoweregoingtodomuch，butwhoneverdidanything；andhereshehasremained。'
　　Apauseensued，whichwasterminatedbyMissAldclyffe。
　　'Iunderstand，'shesaid。'Now，thoughIhavenodirectrighttoconcernmyselfwithyourprivateaffairsbeyondthosewhicharisefromyourmisleadingmeandgettingtheofficeyouhold——'
　　'Astothat，madam，'heinterrupted，ratherhotly，'astocominghere，Iamvexedasmuchasyou。Somebody，amemberoftheInstituteofArchitects——who，Icouldnevertell——senttomyoldaddressinLondonyouradvertisementcutfromthepaper；itwasforwardedtome；IwantedtogetawayfromLiverpool，anditseemedasifthiswasputinmywayonpurpose，bysomeoldfriendorother。Iansweredtheadvertisementcertainly，butIwasnotparticularlyanxioustocomehere，noramIanxioustostay。'
　　MissAldclyffedescendedfromhaughtysuperioritytowomanlypersuasionwithahastewhichwasalmostludicrous。Indeed，theQuosegoofthewholelecturehadbeenlessthegenuinemenaceoftheimperiousrulerofKnapwaterthananartificialutterancetohideafailingheart。
　　'Now，now，Mr。Manston，youwrongme；don'tsupposeIwishtobeoverbearing，oranythingofthekind；andyouwillallowmetosaythismuch，atanyrate，thatIhavebecomeinterestedinyourwife，aswellasinyourself。'
　　'Certainly，madam，'hesaid，slowly，likeamanfeelinghiswayinthedark。Manstonwasutterlyatfaultnow。Hispreviousexperienceoftheeffectofhisformandfeaturesuponwomankindenmasse，hadtaughthimtoflatterhimselfthathecouldaccountbythesamelawofnaturalselectionfortheextraordinaryinterestMissAldclyffehadhithertotakeninhim，asanunmarriedman；aninteresthedidnotatallobjectto，seeingthatitkepthimnearCytherea，andenabledhim，amanofnowealth，toruleontheestateasifhewereitslawfulowner。LikeCuriusathisSabinefarm，hehadcountedithisglorynottopossessgoldhimself，buttohavepoweroverherwhodid。Butatthishintofthelady'swishtotakehiswifeunderherwingalso，hewasperplexed：couldshehaveanysinistermotiveindoingso？Buthedidnotallowhimselftobetroubledwiththesedoubts，whichonlyconcernedhiswife'shappiness。
　　'Shetellsme，'continuedMissAldclyffe，'howutterlyaloneintheworldshestands，andthatisanadditionalreasonwhyIshouldsympathizewithher。Instead，then，ofrequestingthefavourofyourretirementfromthepost，anddismissingyourinterestsaltogether，Iwillretainyouasmystewardstill，onconditionthatyoubringhomeyourwife，andlivewithherrespectably，inshort，asifyoulovedher；youunderstand。IWISHyoutostayhereifyougrantthateverythingshallflowsmoothlybetweenyourselfandher。'
　　Thebreastandshouldersofthestewardrose，asifanexpressionofdefiancewasabouttobepouredforth；beforeittookform，hecontrolledhimselfandsaid，inhisnaturalvoice——
　　'Mypartoftheperformanceshallbecarriedout，madam。'
　　'Andheranxietytoobtainastandingintheworldensuresthatherswill，'repliedMissAldclyffe。'Thatwillbesatisfactory，then。'
　　Afterafewadditionalremarks，shegentlysignifiedthatshewishedtoputanendtotheinterview。Thestewardtookthehintandretired。
　　Hefeltvexedandmortified；yetinwalkinghomewardhewasconvincedthattellingthewholetruthashehaddone，withthesingleexceptionofhisloveforCythereawhichhetriedtohideevenfromhimself，hadneverservedhiminbettersteadthanithaddonethatnight。
　　ManstonwenttohisdeskandthoughtofCytherea'sbeautywiththebitterest，wildestregret。Afterthelapseofafewminuteshecalmedhimselfbyastoicaleffort，andwrotethesubjoinedlettertohiswife：——
　　'KNAPWATER，November21，1864。
　　'DEAREUNICE，——IhopeyoureachedLondonsafelyafteryourflightyvisittome。
　　'AsIpromised，Ihavethoughtoverourconversationthatnight，andyourwishthatyourcominghereshouldbenolongerdelayed。Afterall，itwasperfectlynaturalthatyoushouldhavespokenunkindlyasyoudid，ignorantasyouwereofthecircumstanceswhichboundme。
　　'SoIhavemadearrangementstofetchyouhomeatonce。Itishardlyworthwhileforyoutoattempttobringwithyouanyluggageyoumayhavegatheredaboutyoubeyondmereclothing。Disposeofsuperfluousthingsatabroker's；yourbringingthemwouldonlymakeatalkinthisparish，andleadpeopletobelievewehadlongbeenkeepinghouseseparately。
　　'WillnextMondaysuityouforcoming？Youhavenothingtodothatcanoccupyyouformorethanadayortwo，asfarasIcansee，andtheremainderofthisweekwillaffordampletime。IcanbeinLondonthenightbefore，andwewillcomedowntogetherbythemid-
　　daytrain——Yourveryaffectionatehusband，'AENEASMANSTON。
　　'Now，ofcourse，IshallnolongerwritetoyouasMrs。Rondley。'
　　Theaddressontheenvelopewas——
　　MRS。MANSTON，41CHARLESSQUARE，HOXTON，LONDON，N。
　　Hetookthelettertothehouse，anditbeingtoolateforthecountrypost，sentoneofthestablemenwithittoCasterbridge，insteadoftroublingtogotoBudmouthwithithimselfasheretofore。Hehadnolongeranynecessitytokeephisconditionasecret。
　　7。FROMTHETWENTY-SECONDTOTHETWENTY-SEVENTHOFNOVEMBER
　　ButthenextmorningManstonfoundthathehadbeenforgetfulofanothermatter，innamingthefollowingMondaytohiswifeforthejourney。
　　Thefactwasthis。Aletterhadjustcome，remindinghimthathehadleftthewholeofthesucceedingweekopenforanimportantbusinessengagementwithaneighbouringland-agent，atthatgentleman'sresidencethirteenmilesoff。Theparticulardayhehadsuggestedtohiswife，had，intheinterim，beenappropriatedbyhiscorrespondent。Themeetingcouldnotnowbeputoff。
　　Sohewroteagaintohiswife，statingthatbusiness，whichcouldnotbepostponed，calledhimawayfromhomeonMonday，andwouldentirelypreventhimcomingallthewaytofetchheronSundaynightashehadintended，butthathewouldmeetherattheCarrifordRoadStationwithaconveyancewhenshearrivedthereintheevening。
　　Thenextdaycamehiswife'sanswertohisfirstletter，inwhichshesaidthatshewouldbereadytobefetchedatthetimenamed。
　　Havingalreadywrittenhissecondletter，whichwasbythattimeinherhands，hemadenofurtherreply。
　　Theweekpassedaway。Thestewardhad，inthemeantime，letitbecomegenerallyknowninthevillagethathewasamarriedman，andbyalittlejudiciousmanagement，soundfamilyreasonsforhispastsecrecyuponthesubject，whichwerefloatedasadjunctstothestory，wereplacidlyreceived；theyseemedsonaturalandjustifiabletotheunsophisticatedmindsofnine-tenthsofhisneighbours，thatcuriosityinthematter，beyondastrongcuriositytoseethelady'sface，waswell-nighextinguished。
　　X。THEEVENTSOFADAYANDNIGHT
　　1。NOVEMBERTHETWENTY-EIGHTH。UNTILTENP。M。
　　Mondaycame，thedaynamedforMrs。Manston'sjourneyfromLondontoherhusband'shouse；adayofsingularandgreatevents，influencingthepresentandfutureofnearlyallthepersonageswhoseactionsinacomplexdramaformthesubjectofthisrecord。
　　Theproceedingsofthestewarddemandthefirstnotice。Whilsttakinghisbreakfastonthisparticularmorning，theclockpointingtoeight，thehorse-and-gigthatwastotakehimtoChettlewoodwaitingreadyatthedoor，ManstonhurriedlycasthiseyesdownthecolumnofBradshawwhichshowedthedetailsanddurationoftheselectedtrain'sjourney。
　　Theinspectionwascarelesslymade，theleafbeingkeptopenbytheaidofonehand，whilsttheotherstillheldhiscupofcoffee；muchmorecarelesslythanwouldhavebeenthecasehadtheexpectednew-
　　comerbeenCythereaGraye，insteadofhislawfulwife。
　　Hedidnotperceive，branchingfromthecolumndownwhichhisfingerran，asmalltwist，calledashunting-line，insertedataparticularplace，toimplythatatthatpointthetrainwasdividedintotwo。
　　BythisoversightheunderstoodthatthearrivalofhiswifeatCarrifordRoadStationwouldnotbetilllateintheevening：bythesecondhalfofthetrain，containingthethird-classpassengers，andpassingtwohoursandthree-quarterslaterthanthepreviousone，bywhichthelady，asasecond-classpassenger，wouldreallybebrought。
　　Hethenconsideredthattherewouldbeplentyoftimeforhimtoreturnfromhisday'sengagementtomeetthistrain。Hefinishedhisbreakfast，gaveproperandprecisedirectionstohisservantonthepreparationsthatweretobemadeforthelady'sreception，jumpedintohisgig，anddroveofftoLordClaydonfield's，atChettlewood。
　　HewentalongbythefrontofKnapwaterHouse。HecouldnothelpturningtolookatwhatheknewtobethewindowofCytherea'sroom。
　　Whilsthelooked，ahopelessexpressionofpassionateloveandsensuousanguishcameuponhisfaceandlingeredthereforafewseconds；then，asonpreviousoccasions，itwasresolutelyrepressed，andhetrottedalongthesmoothwhiteroad，againendeavouringtobanishallthoughtoftheyounggirlwhosebeautyandgracehadsoenslavedhim。
　　Thusitwasthatwhen，intheeveningofthesameday，Mrs。ManstonreachedCarrifordRoadStation，herhusbandwasstillatChettlewood，ignorantofherarrival，andonlookingupanddowntheplatform，drearywithautumngloomandwind，shecouldseenosignthatanypreparationwhateverhadbeenmadeforherreceptionandconducthome。
　　Thetrainwenton。Shewaited，fidgetedwiththehandleofherumbrella，walkedabout，strainedhereyesintothegloomofthechillynight，listenedforwheels，tappedwithherfoot，andshowedalltheusualsignsofannoyanceandirritation：shewasthemoreirritatedinthatthisseemedasecondandculminatinginstanceofherhusband'sneglect——thefirsthavingbeenshowninhisnotfetchingher。
　　Reflectingawhileuponthecourseitwouldbebesttotake，inordertosecureapassagetoKnapwater，shedecidedtoleaveallherluggage，exceptadressing-bag，inthecloak-room，andwalktoherhusband'shouse，asshehaddoneonherfirstvisit。Sheaskedoneoftheportersifhecouldfindaladtogowithherandcarryherbag：heofferedtodoithimself。
　　Theporterwasagood-tempered，shallow-minded，ignorantman。Mrs。
　　Manston，beingapparentlyinverygloomyspirits，wouldprobablyhavepreferredwalkingbesidehimwithoutsayingaword：buthercompanionwouldnotallowsilencetocontinuebetweenthemforalongerperiodthantwoorthreeminutestogether。
　　Hehadvolunteeredseveralremarksuponherarrival，chieflytotheeffectthatitwasveryunfortunateMr。Manstonhadnotcometothestationforher，whenshesuddenlyaskedhimconcerningtheinhabitantsoftheparish。
　　Hetoldhercategoricallythenamesofthechief——firstthechiefpossessorsofproperty；thenofbrains；thenofgoodlooks。AsfirstamongthelatterhementionedMissCythereaGraye。
　　Aftergettinghimtodescribeherappearanceascompletelyaslayinhispower，shewormedoutofhimthestatementthateverybodyhadbeensaying——beforeMrs。Manston'sexistencewasheardof——howwellthehandsomeMr。ManstonandthebeautifulMissGrayeweresuitedforeachotherasmanandwife，andthatMissAldclyffewastheonlyoneintheparishwhotooknointerestinbringingaboutthematch。
　　'Heratherlikedheryouthink？'
　　Theporterbegantothinkhehadbeentooexplicit，andhastenedtocorrecttheerror。
　　'Ono，hedon'tcareabitabouther，ma'am，'hesaidsolemnly。
　　'Notmorethanhedoesaboutme？'
　　'Notabit。'
　　'Thenthatmustbelittleindeed，'Mrs。Manstonmurmured。Shestoodstill，asifreflectinguponthepainfulneglectherwordshadrecalledtohermind；then，withasuddenimpulse，turnedround，andwalkedpetulantlyafewstepsbackagaininthedirectionofthestation。
　　Theporterstoodstillandlookedsurprised。
　　'I'llgobackagain；yes，indeed，I'llgobackagain！'shesaidplaintively。Thenshepausedandlookedanxiouslyupanddownthedesertedroad。
　　'No，Imustn'tgobacknow，'shecontinued，inatoneofresignation。Seeingthattheporterwaswatchingher，sheturnedaboutandcameonasbefore，givingventtoaslightlaugh。
　　Itwasalaughfullofcharacter；thelowforcedlaughwhichseekstohidethepainfulperceptionofahumiliatingpositionunderthemaskofindifference。
　　Altogetherherconducthadshownhertobewhatinfactshewas，aweak，thoughacalculatingwoman，oneclevertoconceive，weaktoexecute：onewhosebest-laidschemeswereforeverliabletobefrustratedbytheineradicableblightofvacillationatthecriticalhourofaction。
　　'O，ifIhadonlyknownthatallthiswasgoingtohappen！'shemurmuredagain，astheypacedalongupontherustlingleaves。
　　'Whatdidyousay，ma'am？'saidtheporter。
　　'O，nothingparticular；wearegettingneartheoldmanor-housebythistime，Iimagine？'
　　'Verynearnow，ma'am。'
　　TheysoonreachedManston'sresidence，roundwhichthewindblewmournfullyandchill。
　　Passingunderthedetachedgateway，theyenteredtheporch。Theportersteppedforward，knockedheavilyandwaited。
　　Nobodycame。
　　Mrs。Manstonthenadvancedtothedoorandgaveadifferentseriesofrappings——lessforcible，butmoresustained。
　　Therewasnotamovementofanykindinside，notarayoflightvisible；nothingbuttheechoofherownknocksthroughthepassages，andthedryscratchingofthewitheredleavesblownaboutherfeetupontheflooroftheporch。
　　Thesteward，ofcourse，wasnotathome。Mrs。Crickett，notexpectingthatanybodywouldarrivetillthetimeofthelatertrain，hadsettheplaceinorder，laidthesupper-table，andthenlockedthedoor，togointothevillageandconversewithherfriends。
　　'Isthereaninninthevillage？'saidMrs。Manston，afterthefourthandloudestrappingupontheiron-studdedolddoorhadresultedonlyinthefourthandloudestechofromthepassagesinside。
　　'Yes，ma'am。'
　　'Whokeepsit？'
　　'FarmerSpringrove。'
　　'Iwillgothereto-night，'shesaiddecisively。'Itistoocold，andaltogethertoobad，forawomantowaitintheopenroadonanybody'saccount，gentleorsimple。'
　　Theywentdowntheparkandthroughthegate，intothevillageofCarriford。BythetimetheyreachedtheThreeTranters，itwasverginguponteno'clock。There，onthespotwheretwomonthsearlierintheseasonthesunnyandlivelygroupofvillagersmakingciderunderthetreeshadgreetedCytherea'seyes，wasnothingnowintelligiblebutavastcloakofdarkness，fromwhichcamethelowsoughoftheelms，andtheoccasionalcreakoftheswingingsign。
　　Theywenttothedoor，Mrs。Manstonshivering；butlessfromthecold，thanfromthedrearinessofheremotions。Neglectisthecoldestofwinterwinds。
　　ItsohappenedthatEdwardSpringrovewasexpectedtoarrivefromLondoneitheronthateveningorthenext，andatthesoundofvoiceshisfathercametothedoorfullyexpectingtoseehim。A
　　pictureofdisappointmentseldomwitnessedinaman'sfacewasvisibleinoldMr。Springrove's，whenhesawthatthecomerwasastranger。
　　Mrs。Manstonaskedforaroom，andonethathadbeenpreparedforEdwardwasimmediatelynamedasbeingreadyforher，anotherbeingadaptableforEdward，shouldhecomein。
　　Withouttakinganyrefreshment，orenteringanyroomdownstairs，orevenliftingherveil，shewalkedstraightalongthepassageanduptoherapartment，thechambermaidprecedingher。
　　'IfMr。Manstoncomesto-night，'shesaid，sittingonthebedasshehadcomein，andaddressingthewoman，'tellhimIcannotseehim。'
　　'Yes，ma'am。'
　　Thewomanlefttheroom，andMrs。Manstonlockedthedoor。Beforetheservanthadgonedownmorethantwoorthreestairs，Mrs。
　　Manstonunfastenedthedooragain，andhelditajar。
　　'Bringmesomebrandy，'shesaid。
　　Thechambermaidwentdowntothebarandbroughtupthespiritinatumbler。Whenshecameintotheroom，Mrs。Manstonhadnotremovedasinglearticleofapparel，andwaswalkingupanddown，asifstillquiteundecideduponthecourseitwasbesttoadopt。
　　Outsidethedoor，whenitwascloseduponher，themaidpausedtolistenforaninstant。SheheardMrs。Manstontalkingtoherself。
　　'Thisiswelcomehome！'shesaid。
　　2。FROMTENTOHALF-PASTELEVENP。M。
　　Astrangeconcurrenceofphenomenanowconfrontsus。
　　Duringtheautumninwhichthepastsceneswereenacted，Mr。
　　Springrovehadploughed，harrowed，andcleanedanarrowandshadedpieceofground，lyingatthebackofhishouse，whichformanyyearshadbeenlookeduponasirreclaimablewaste。
　　Thecouch-grassextractedfromthesoilhadbeenlefttowitherinthesun；afterwardsitwasrakedtogether，lightedinthecustomaryway，andnowlaysmoulderinginalargeheapinthemiddleoftheplot。
　　IthadbeenkindledthreedaysprevioustoMrs。Manston'sarrival，andoneortwovillagers，ofamorecautiousandlesssanguinetemperamentthanSpringrove，hadsuggestedthatthefirewasalmosttoonearthebackofthehouseforitscontinuancetobeunattendedwithrisk；forthoughnodangercouldbeapprehendedwhilsttheairremainedmoderatelystill，abriskbreezeblowingtowardsthehousemightpossiblycarryasparkacross。
　　'Ay，that'strueenough，'saidSpringrove。'Imustlookroundbeforegoingtobedandseethateverything'ssafe；buttotellthetruthIamanxioustogettherubbishburntupbeforetheraincomestowashitintogroundagain。Astocarryingthecouchintothebackfieldtoburn，andbringingitbackagain，why，'tismorethantheasheswouldbeworth。'
　　'Well，that'sverytrue，'saidtheneighbours，andpassedon。
　　Twoorthreetimesduringthefirsteveningaftertheheapwaslit，hewenttothebackdoortotakeasurvey。Beforeboltingandbarringupforthenight，hemadeafinalandmorecarefulexamination。Theslowly-smokingpileshowednottheslightestsignsofactivity。Springrove'sperfectlysoundconclusionwas，thataslongastheheapwasnotstirred，andthewindcontinuedinthequarteritblewfromthen，thecouchwouldnotflame，andthattherecouldbenoshadowofdangertoanything，evenacombustiblesubstance，thoughitwerenomorethanayardoff。
　　Thenextmorningtheburningcouchwasdiscoveredinpreciselythesamestateaswhenhehadgonetobedtheprecedingnight。Theheapsmokedinthesamemannerthewholeofthatday：atbed-timethefarmerlookedtowardsit，butlesscarefullythanonthefirstnight。
　　Themorningandthewholeofthethirddaystillsawtheheapinitsoldsmoulderingcondition；indeed，thesmokewasless，andthereseemedaprobabilitythatitmighthavetobere-kindledonthemorrow。
　　AfteradmittingMrs。Manstontohishouseintheevening，andhearingherretire，Mr。Springrovereturntothefrontdoortolistenforasoundofhisson，andinquiredconcerninghimoftherailway-porter，whosatforawhileinthekitchen。TheporterhadnotnoticedyoungMr。Springrovegetoutofthetrain，atwhichintelligencetheoldmanconcludedthathewouldprobablynotseehissontillthenextday，asEdwardhadhithertomadeapointofcomingbythetrainwhichhadbroughtMrs。Manston。
　　Half-an-hourlatertheporterlefttheinn，Springroveatthesametimegoingtothedoortolistenagainaninstant，thenhewalkedroundandinatthebackofthehouse。
　　Thefarmerglancedattheheapcasuallyandindifferentlyinpassing；twonightsofsafetyseemedtoensurethethird；andhewasabouttoboltandbarasusual，whentheideastruckhimthattherewasjustapossibilityofhisson'sreturnbythelatesttrain，unlikelyasitwasthathewouldbesodelayed。Theoldmanthereuponleftthedoorunfastened，lookedtohisusualmattersindoors，andwenttobed，itbeingthenhalf-pastteno'clock。
　　Farmersandhorticulturistswellknowthatitisinthenatureofaheapofcouch-grass，whenkindledincalmweather，tosmoulderformanydays，andevenweeks，untilthewholemassisreducedtoapowderycharcoalash，displayingthewhilescarcelyasignofcombustionbeyondthevolcano-likesmokefromitssummit；butthecontinuanceofthisquietprocessisthroughoutitslengthatthemercyofoneparticularwhimofNature：thatis，asuddenbreeze，bywhichtheheapisliabletobefannedintoaflamesobriskastoconsumethewholeinanhourortwo。
　　Hadthefarmernarrowlywatchedthepilewhenhewenttoclosethedoor，hewouldhaveseen，besidesthefamiliartwineofsmokefromitssummit，aquiveringoftheairaroundthemass，showingthataconsiderableheathadariseninside。
　　Astherailway-porterturnedthecorneroftherowofhousesadjoiningtheThreeTranters，abrisknewwindgreetedhisface，andspreadpasthimintothevillage。Hewalkedalongthehigh-roadtillhecametoagate，aboutthreehundredyardsfromtheinn。
　　Overthegatecouldbediscernedthesituationofthebuildinghehadjustquitted。Hecarelesslyturnedhisheadinpassing，andsawbehindhimaclearredglowindicatingthepositionofthecouch-
　　heap：aglowwithoutaflame，increasinganddiminishinginbrightnessasthebreezequickenedorfell，likethecoalofanewlylightedcigar。Ifthosecottageshadbeenhis，hethought，heshouldnotcaretohaveafiresonearthemasthat——andthewindrising。Butthecottagesnotbeinghis，hewentonhiswaytothestation，wherehewasabouttoresumedutyforthenight。Theroadwasnowquitedeserted：tillfouro'clockthenextmorning，whenthecarterswouldgobytothestablestherewaslittleprobabilityofanyhumanbeingpassingtheThreeTrantersInn。
　　Byeleven，everybodyinthehousewasasleep。Ittrulyseemedasifthetreacherouselementknewtherehadarisenagrandopportunityfordevastation。
　　Ataquarterpastelevenaslightstealthycracklemadeitselfheardamidtheincreasingmoansofthenightwind；theheapglowedbrighterstill，andburstintoaflame；theflamesank，anotherbreezeenteredit，sustainedit，anditgrewtobefirstcontinuousandweak，thencontinuousandstrong。
　　Attwentyminutespastelevenablastofwindcarriedanairybitofignitedfernseveralyardsforward，inadirectionparalleltothehousesandinn，andtheredepositeditontheground。
　　Fiveminuteslateranotherpuffofwindcarriedasimilarpiecetoadistanceoffive-and-twentyyards，whereitalsowasdroppedsoftlyontheground。
　　Stillthewinddidnotblowinthedirectionofthehouses，andevennowtoacasualobservertheywouldhaveappearedsafe。ButNaturedoesfewthingsdirectly。Aminutelateryet，anignitedfragmentfelluponthestrawcoveringofalongthatchedheapor'grave'ofmangel-wurzel，lyinginadirectionatrightanglestothehouse，anddowntowardthehedge。Therethefragmentfadedtodarkness。
　　Ashorttimesubsequenttothis，aftermanyintermediatedepositsandseeminglybaffledattempts，anotherfragmentfellonthemangel-
　　wurzelgrave，andcontinuedtoglow；theglowwasincreasedbythewind；thestrawcaughtfireandburstintoflame。Itwasinevitablethattheflameshouldrunalongtheridgeofthethatchtowardsapiggeryattheend。Yethadthepiggerybeentiled，thetime-
　　honouredhostelwouldevennowatthislastmomenthavebeensafe；
　　butitwasconstructedaspiggeriesaremostlyconstructed，ofwoodandthatch。Thehurdlesandstrawroofofthefrailerectionbecameignitedintheirturn，andabuttingasthesheddidonthebackoftheinn，flameduptotheeavesofthemainroofinlessthanthirtyseconds。