3。HALF-PASTELEVENTOTWELVEP。M。
　　AhazardouslengthoftimeelapsedbeforetheinmatesoftheThreeTrantersknewoftheirdanger。Whenatlengththediscoverywasmade，therushwasarushforbarelife。
　　Aman'svoicecalling，thenscreams，thenloudstampingandshoutswereheard。
　　Mr。Springroveranoutfirst。Twominuteslaterappearedtheostlerandchambermaid，whoweremanandwife。Theinn，ashasbeenstated，wasaquaintoldbuilding，andasinflammableasabee-hive；
　　itoverhungthebaseatthelevelofthefirstfloor，andagainoverhungattheeaves，whichwerefinishedwithheavyoakbarge-
　　boards；everyatominitssubstance，everyfeatureinitsconstruction，favouredthefire。
　　Theforkedflames，luridandsmoky，becamenearlylosttoview，burstingforthagainwithaboundandloudcrackle，increasedtenfoldinpowerandbrightness。Thecracklinggrewsharper。Longquiveringshadowsbegantobeflungfromthestatelytreesattheendofthehouse；thesquareoutlineofthechurchtower，ontheothersideoftheway，whichhadhithertobeenadarkmassagainstaskycomparativelylight，nowbegantoappearasalightobjectagainstaskyofdarkness；andeventhenarrowsurfaceoftheflag-
　　staffatthetopcouldbeseeninitsdarksurrounding，broughtoutfromitsobscuritybytheraysfromthedancinglight。
　　Shoutsandothernoisesincreasedinloudnessandfrequency。Thelapseoftenminutesbroughtmostoftheinhabitantsofthatendofthevillageintothestreet，followedinashorttimebytherector，Mr。Raunham。
　　Castingahastyglanceupanddown，hebeckonedtooneortwoofthemen，andvanishedagain。Inashorttimewheelswereheard，andMr。
　　Raunhamandthemenreappeared，withthegardenengine，theonlyoneinthevillage，exceptthatatKnapwaterHouse。Aftersomelittletroublethehosewasconnectedwithatankintheoldstable-yard，andthepunyinstrumentbegantoplay。
　　Severalseemedparalyzedatfirst，andstoodtransfixed，theirrigidfaceslookinglikered-hotironintheglaringlight。Intheconfusionawomancried，'Ringthebellsbackwards！'andthreeorfouroftheoldandsuperstitiousenteredthebelfryandjangledthemindescribably。Somewereonlyhalfdressed，and，toaddtothehorror，amongthemwasClerkCrickett，runningupanddownwithafacestreamingwithblood，ghastlyandpitifultosee，hisexcitementbeingsogreatthathehadnottheslightestconceptionofhow，when，orwherehecamebythewound。
　　Thecrowdwasnowbusyatwork，andtriedtosavealittleofthefurnitureoftheinn。Theonlyroomtheycouldenterwastheparlour，fromwhichtheymanagedtobringoutthebureau，afewchairs，someoldsilvercandlesticks，andhalf-a-dozenlightarticles；butthesewereall。
　　Fierymatsofthatchslidofftheroofandfellintotheroadwithadeadenedthud，whilstwhiteflakesofstrawandwood-ashwereflyinginthewindlikefeathers。Atthesametimetwoofthecottagesadjoining，uponwhichalittlewaterhadbeenbroughttoplayfromtherector'sengine，wereseentobeonfire。Theattenuatedspirtofwaterwasasnothingupontheheatedanddrysurfaceofthethatchedroof；thefireprevailedwithoutaminute'shindrance，anddivedthroughtotherafters。
　　Suddenlyaroseacry，'Where'sMr。Springrove？'
　　Hehadvanishedfromthespotbythechurchyardwall，wherehehadbeenstandingafewminutesearlier。
　　'Ifancyhe'sgoneinside，'saidavoice。
　　'Madnessandfolly！whatcanhesave？'saidanother。'GoodGod，findhim！Helphere！'
　　Awildrushwasmadeatthedoor，whichhadfallento，andindefianceofthescorchingflamethatburstforth，threemenforcedthemselvesthroughit。Immediatelyinsidethethresholdtheyfoundtheobjectoftheirsearchlyingsenselessonthefloorofthepassage。
　　Tobringhimoutandlayhimonabankwastheworkofaninstant；abasinofcoldwaterwasdashedinhisface，andhebegantorecoverconsciousness，butveryslowly。Hehadbeensavedbyamiracle。Nosoonerwerehispreserversoutofthebuildingthanthewindow-
　　frameslitupasifbymagicwithdeepandwavingfringesofflames。
　　Simultaneously，thejointsoftheboardsformingthefrontdoorstartedintoviewasglowingbarsoffire：astarofredlightpenetratedthecentre，graduallyincreasinginsizetilltheflamesrushedforth。
　　Thenthestaircasefell。
　　'Everybodyisoutsafe，'saidavoice。
　　'Yes，thankGod！'saidthreeorfourothers。
　　'O，weforgotthatastrangercame！Ithinksheissafe。'
　　'Ihopesheis，'saidtheweakvoiceofsomeonecomingupfrombehind。Itwasthechambermaid's。
　　Springroveatthatmomentarousedhimself；hestaggeredtohisfeet，andthrewhishandsupwildly。
　　'Everybody，no！no！Theladywhocamebytrain，Mrs。Manston！I
　　triedtofetchherout，butIfell。'
　　Anexclamationofhorrorburstfromthecrowd；itwascausedpartlybythisdisclosureofSpringrove，morebytheaddedperceptionwhichfollowedhiswords。
　　Anaverageintervalofaboutthreeminuteshadelapsedbetweenoneintenselyfiercegustofwindandthenext，andnowanotherpouredoverthem；theroofswayed，andamomentafterwardsfellinwithacrash，pullingthegableafterit，andthrustingoutwardsthefrontwallofwood-work，whichfellintotheroadwitharumblingecho；acloudofblackdust，myriadsofsparks，andagreatoutburstofflamefollowedtheuproarofthefall。
　　'Whoisshe？whatisshe？'burstfromeverylipagainandagain，incoherently，andwithoutleavingasufficientpauseforareply，hadareplybeenvolunteered。
　　Theautumnwind，tameless，andswift，andproud，stillblewuponthedyingoldhouse，whichwasconstructedsoentirelyofcombustiblematerialsthatitburntalmostasfiercelyasacorn-rick。Theheatintheroadincreased，andnowforaninstantattheheightoftheconflagrationallstoodstill，andgazedsilently，awestruckandhelpless，inthepresenceofsoirresistibleanenemy。Then，withmindsfullofthetragedyunfoldedtothem，theyrushedforwardagainwiththeobtusedirectnessofwaves，totheirlabourofsavinggoodsfromthehousesadjoining，whichitwasevidentwerealldoomedtodestruction。
　　Theminutespassedby。TheThreeTrantersInnsankintoamereheapofred-hotcharcoal：thefirepusheditswaydowntherowasthechurchclockoppositeslowlystruckthehourofmidnight，andthebewilderedchimes，scarcelyheardamidthecracklingoftheflames，wanderedthroughthewaywardairoftheOldHundred-and-ThirteenthPsalm。
　　4。NINETOELEVENP。M。
　　ManstonmountedhisgigandsetoutfromChettlewoodthateveninginnoveryenviableframeofmind。ThethoughtofdomesticlifeinKnapwaterOldHouse，withthenoweclipsedwifeofthepast，wasmorethandisagreeable，waspositivelydistastefultohim。
　　Yetheknewthattheinfluentialposition，which，fromwhateverfortunatecause，heheldonMissAldclyffe'smanor，wouldneveragainfalltohislotonanyother，andhetacitlyassentedtothisdilemma，hopingthatsomeconsolationorotherwouldsoonsuggestitselftohim；marriedashewas，hewasnearCytherea。
　　Heoccasionallylookedathiswatchashedrovealongthelanes，timingthepaceofhishorsebythehour，thathemightreachCarrifordRoadStationjustsoonenoughtomeetthelastLondontrain。
　　Hesoonbegantonoticeintheskyaslightyellowhalo，nearthehorizon。Itrapidlyincreased；itchangedcolour，andgrewredder；
　　thentheglarevisiblybrightenedanddimmedatintervals，showingthatitsoriginwasaffectedbythestrongwindprevailing。
　　Manstonreinedinhishorseonthesummitofahill，andconsidered。
　　'Itisarick-yardonfire，'hethought；'nohousecouldproducesucharagingflamesosuddenly。'
　　Hetrottedonagain，attemptingtoparticularizethelocalfeaturesintheneighbourhoodofthefire；butthisitwastoodarktodo，andtheexcessivewindingoftheroadsmisledhimastoitsdirection，notbeinganoldinhabitantofthedistrict，oracountrymanusedtoformingsuchjudgments；whilstthebrilliancyofthelightshorteneditsrealremotenesstoanapparentdistanceofnotmorethanhalf：itseemedsonearthatheagainstoppedhishorse，thistimetolisten；buthecouldhearnosound。
　　Enteringnowanarrowvalley，thesidesofwhichobscuredtheskytoanangleofperhapsthirtyorfortydegreesabovethemathematicalhorizon，hewasobligedtosuspendhisjudgmenttillhewasinpossessionoffurtherknowledge，havinghoweverassumedintheinterim，thatthefirewassomewherebetweenCarrifordRoadStationandthevillage。
　　Theself-sameglarehadjustarrestedtheeyesofanotherman。Hewasatthatminuteglidingalongseveralmilestotheeastofthesteward'sposition，butnearingthesamepointasthattowhichManstontended。TheyoungerEdwardSpringrovewasreturningfromLondontohisfather'shousebytheidenticaltrainwhichthestewardwasexpectingtobringhiswife，thetruthbeingthatEdward'slatenesswasowingtothesimplestofallcauses，histemporarywantofmoney，whichledhimtomakeaslowjourneyforthesakeoftravellingatthird-classfare。
　　SpringrovehadreceivedCytherea'sbitterandadmonitoryletter，andhewasclearlyawakenedtoaperceptionofthefalsepositioninwhichhehadplacedhimself，bykeepingsilenceatBudmouthonhislongengagement。AnincreasingreluctancetoputanendtothosefewdaysofecstasywithCythereahadoverruledhisconscience，andtiedhistonguetillspeakingwastoolate。
　　'WhydidIdoit？howcouldIdreamoflovingher？'heaskedhimselfashewalkedbyday，ashetossedonhisbedbynight：'miserablefolly！'
　　Animpressionablehearthadforyears——perhapsasmanyassixorsevenyears——beendistractinghim，byunconsciouslysettingitselftoyearnforsomebodywanting，hescarcelyknewwhom。Echoesofhimself，thoughrarely，henowandthenfound。Sometimestheyweremen，sometimeswomen，hiscousinAdelaidebeingoneofthese；forinspiteofafashionwhichpervadesthewholecommunityatthepresentday——thehabitofexclaimingthatwomanisnotundevelopedman，butdiverse，thefactremainsthat，afterall，womenareMankind，andthatinmanyofthesentimentsoflifethedifferenceofsexisbutadifferenceofdegree。
　　Buttheindefinablehelpmatetotheremotersidesofhimselfstillcontinuedinvisible。Hegrewolder，andconcludedthattheideas，orratheremotions，whichpossessedhimonthesubject，wereprobablytoounrealevertobefoundembodiedinthefleshofawoman。Thereupon，hedevelopedaplanofsatisfyinghisdreamsbywanderingawaytotheheroinesofpoeticalimagination，andtooknofurtherthoughtontheearthlyrealizationofhisformlessdesire，inmorehomelymatterssatisfyinghimselfwithhiscousin。
　　Cythereaappearedinthesky：hisheartstartedupandspoke：
　　'TisShe，andhereLo！IunclotheandclearMywishes'cloudycharacter。'
　　Somewomenkindleemotionsorapidlyinaman'sheartthatthejudgmentcannotkeeppacewithitsrise，andfinds，oncomprehendingthesituation，thatfaithfulnesstotheoldloveisalreadytreacherytothenew。Suchwomenarenotnecessarilythegreatestoftheirsex，butthereareveryfewofthem。Cythereawasone。
　　Onreceivingtheletterfromherhehadtakentothinkingoverthesethings，andhadnotanswereditatall。But'hungrygenerations'
　　soontreaddownthemuserinacity。Atlengthhethoughtofthestrongnecessityofliving。Afteradrearysearch，thenegligenceofwhichwasultimatelyovercomebymereconscientiousness，heobtainedasituationasassistanttoanarchitectintheneighbourhoodofCharingCross：thedutieswouldnotbegintillafterthelapseofamonth。
　　Hecouldnotatfirstdecidewhitherheshouldgotospendtheinterveningtime；butinthemidstofhisreasoningshefoundhimselfontheroadhomeward，impelledbyasecretandunownedhopeofgettingalastglimpseofCythereathere。
　　5。MIDNIGHT
　　ItwasaquartertotwelvewhenManstondroveintothestation-yard。
　　Thetrainwaspunctual，andthebell，announcingitsarrival，rangashecrossedthebooking-officetogooutupontheplatform。
　　TheporterwhohadaccompaniedMrs。ManstontoCarriford，andhadreturnedtothestationonhisnightduty，recognizedthestewardasheentered，andimmediatelycametowardshim。
　　'Mrs。Manstoncamebythenineo'clocktrain，sir，'hesaid。
　　Thestewardgaveventtoanexpressionofvexation。
　　'Herluggageishere，sir，'theportersaid。
　　'Putitupbehindmeinthegigifitisnottoomuch，'saidManston。
　　'Directlythistrainisinandgone，sir。'
　　Themanvanishedandcrossedthelinetomeettheenteringtrain。
　　'Whereisthatfire？'Manstonsaidtothebooking-clerk。
　　Beforetheclerkcouldspeak，anothermanraninandansweredthequestionwithouthavingheardit。
　　'HalfCarrifordisburntdown，orwillbe！'heexclaimed。'Youcan'tseetheflamesfromthisstationonaccountofthetrees，butsteponthebridge——'tistremendous！'
　　Healsocrossedthelinetoassistattheentryofthetrain，whichcameinthenextminute。
　　Thestewardstoodintheoffice。Onepassengeralighted，gaveuphisticket，andcrossedtheroominfrontofManston：ayoungmanwithablackbagandumbrellainhishand。Hepassedoutofthedoor，downthesteps，andstruckoutintothedarkness。
　　'Whowasthatyoungman？'saidManston，whentheporterhadreturned。Theyoungman，byakindofmagnetism，haddrawnthesteward'sthoughtsafterhim。
　　'He'sanarchitect。'
　　'Myownoldprofession。Icouldhaveswornitbythecutofhim，'
　　Manstonmurmured。'What'shisname？'hesaidagain。
　　'Springrove——FarmerSpringrove'sson，Edward。'
　　'FarmerSpringrove'sson，Edward，'thestewardrepeatedtohimself，andconsideredamattertowhichthewordshadpainfullyrecalledhismind。
　　ThematterwasMissAldclyffe'smentionoftheyoungmanasCytherea'slover，which，indeed，hadscarcelyeverbeenabsentfromhisthoughts。
　　'Butfortheexistenceofmywifethatmanmighthavebeenmyrival，'hepondered，followingtheporter，whohadnowcomebacktohim，intotheluggage-room。Andwhilstthemanwascarryingoutandputtinginonebox，whichwassufficientlyportableforthegig，Manstonstillthought，ashiseyeswatchedtheprocess——
　　'Butformywife，Springrovemighthavebeenmyrival。'
　　Heexaminedthelampsofhisgig，carefullylaidoutthereins，mountedtheseatanddrovealongtheturnpike-roadtowardsKnapwaterPark。
　　Theexactlocalityofthefirewasplaintohimashenearedhome。
　　Hesooncouldheartheshoutofmen，theflappingoftheflames，thecracklingofburningwood，andcouldsmellthesmokefromtheconflagration。
　　Ofasudden，afewyardsahead，withinthecompassoftheraysfromtheright-handlamp，burstforwardthefigureofaman。Havingbeenwalkingindarknessthenewcomerraisedhishandstohiseyes，onapproachingnearer，toscreenthemfromtheglareofthereflector。
　　Manstonsawthathewasoneofthevillagers：asmallfarmeroriginally，whohaddrunkhimselfdowntoaday-labourerandreputedpoacher。
　　'Hoy！'criedManston，aloud，thatthemanmightstepasideoutoftheway。
　　'IsthatMr。Manston？'saidtheman。
　　'Yes。'
　　'Somebodyha'cometoCarriford：andtherestofitmayconcernyou，sir。'
　　'Well，well。'
　　'DidyouexpectMrs。Manstonto-night，sir？'
　　'Yes，unfortunatelyshe'scome，Iknow，andasleeplongbeforethistime，Isuppose。'
　　Thelabourerleanthiselbowupontheshaftofthegigandturnedhisface，paleandsweatingfromhislateworkatthefire，uptoManston's。
　　'Yes，shedidcome，'hesaid……'Ibegpardon，sir，butI
　　shouldbegladof——of——'
　　'What？'
　　'Gladofatrifleforbringenyethenews。'
　　'Notafarthing！Ididn'twantyournews，Iknewshewascome。'
　　'Won'tyougivemeashillen，sir？'
　　'Certainlynot。'
　　'Thenwillyoulendmeashillen，sir？Ibetiredout，anddon'tknowwhattodo。IfIdon'tpayyoubacksomedayI'llbed——d。'
　　'Thedevilissocheatedthatperditionisn'tworthapennyasasecurity。'
　　'Oh！'
　　'Letmegoon，'saidManston。
　　'ThywifeisDEAD；that's'theresto'thenews，'saidthelabourerslowly。Hewaitedforareply；nonecame。
　　'ShewenttotheThreeTranters，becauseshecouldn'tgetintothyhouse，theburnenrooffellinuponherbeforeshecouldbecalledup，andshe'sacinder，asthou'ltbesomeday。'
　　'Thatwilldo，letmedriveon，'saidthestewardcalmly。
　　Expectationofaconcussionmaybesointensethatitsfailurestrikesthebrainwithmoreforcethanitsfulfilment。Thelabourersankbackintotheditch。SuchaCushicouldnotrealizethepossibilityofsuchanunmovedDavidasthis。
　　Manstondrovehastilytotheturningoftheroad，tiedhishorse，andranonfoottothesiteofthefire。
　　Thestagnationcausedbytheawfulaccidenthadbeenpassedthrough，andallhandswerehelpingtoremovefromtheremainingcottagewhatfurnituretheycouldlayholdof；thethatchoftheroofsbeingalreadyonfire。TheKnapwaterfire-enginehadarrivedonthespot，butitwassmall，andineffectual。Agroupwascollectedroundtherector，whoinacoatwhichhadbecomebespattered，scorched，andtorninhisexertions，wasdirectingononehandtheproceedingsrelativetotheremovalofgoodsintothechurch，andwiththeotherwaspointingoutthespotonwhichitwasmostdesirablethatthepunyenginesattheirdisposalshouldbemadetoplay。EverytonguewasinstantlysilentatthesightofManston'spaleandclearcountenance，whichcontrastedstrangelywiththegrimyandstreamingfacesofthetoilingvillagers。
　　'Wassheburnt？'hesaidinafirmthoughhuskyvoice，andsteppingintotheilluminatedarea。Therectorcametohim，andtookhimaside。'Issheburnt？'repeatedManston。
　　'Sheisdead：butthankGod，shewassparedthehorridagonyofburning，'therectorsaidsolemnly；'theroofandgablefellinuponher，andcrushedher。Instantdeathmusthavefollowed。'
　　'Whywasshehere？'saidManston。
　　'Fromwhatwecanhurriedlycollect，itseemsthatshefoundthedoorofyourhouselocked，andconcludedthatyouhadretired，thefactbeingthatyourservant，Mrs。Crickett，hadgoneouttosupper。
　　Shethencamebacktotheinnandwenttobed。'
　　'Where'sthelandlord？'saidManston。
　　Mr。Springrovecameup，walkingfeebly，andwrappedinacloak，andcorroboratedtheevidencegivenbytherector。
　　'Didshelookill，orannoyed，whenshecame？'saidthesteward。
　　'Ican'tsay。Ididn'tsee；butIthink——'
　　'Whatdoyouthink？'
　　'Shewasmuchputoutaboutsomething。'
　　'Mynotmeetingher，naturally，'murmuredtheother，lostinreverie。HeturnedhisbackonSpringroveandtherector，andretiredfromtheshininglight。
　　Everythinghadbeendonethatcouldbedonewiththelimitedmeansattheirdisposal。Thewholerowofhouseswasdestroyed，andeachpresenteditselfasonestageofaseries，progressingfromsmokingruinsattheendwheretheinnhadstood，toapartlyflamingmass——
　　glowingasnonebutwoodemberswillglow——attheother。
　　Afeatureinthedeclineoftownfireswasnoticeablyabsenthere——
　　steam。Therewaspresentwhatisnotobservableintowns——
　　incandescence。
　　Theheat，andthesmartingeffectupontheireyesofthestrongsmokefromtheburningoakanddeal，hadatlastdriventhevillagersbackfromtheroadinfrontofthehouses，andtheynowstoodingroupsinthechurchyard，thesurfaceofwhich，raisedbytheintermentsofgenerations，stoodfourorfivefeetabovetheleveloftheroad，andalmostevenwiththetopofthelowwalldividingonefromtheother。Theheadstonesstoodforthwhitelyagainstthedarkgrassandyews，theirbrightnessbeingrepeatedonthewhitesmock-frocksofsomeofthelabourers，andinamellower，ruddierformontheirfacesandhands，onthoseofthegrinninggargoyles，andonothersalientstoneworkoftheweather-beatenchurchinthebackground。
　　Therectorhaddecidedthat，underthedistressingcircumstancesofthecase，therewouldbenosacrilegeinplacinginthechurch，forthenight，thepiecesoffurnitureandutensilswhichhadbeensavedfromtheseveralhouses。Therewasnootherplaceofsafetyforthem，andtheyaccordinglyweregatheredthere。
　　6。HALF-PASTTWELVETOONEA。M。
　　Manston，whenheretiredtomeditate，hadwalkedroundthechurchyard，andnowenteredtheopeneddoorofthebuilding。
　　Hemechanicallypursuedhiswayroundthepiersintohisownseatinthenorthaisle。Theloweratmosphereofthisspotwasshadedbyitsownwallfromtheshinewhichstreamedinoverthewindow-sillsonthesameside。Theonlylightburninginsidethechurchwasasmalltallowcandle，standinginthefont，intheoppositeaisleofthebuildingtothatinwhichManstonhadsatdown，andnearwherethefurniturewaspiled。Thecandle'smildrayswereoverpoweredbytheruddierlightfromtheruins，makingtheweakflametoappearlikethemoonbyday。
　　SittingtherehesawFarmerSpringroveenterthedoor，followedbyhissonEdward，stillcarryinghistravelling-baginhishand。TheywerespeakingofthesaddeathofMrs。Manston，butthesubjectwasrelinquishedforthatofthehousesburnt。
　　Thisrowofhouses，runningfromtheinneastward，hadbeenbuiltunderthefollowingcircumstances：——
　　Fiftyyearsbeforethisdate，thespotuponwhichthecottagesafterwardsstoodwasablankstrip，alongthesideofthevillagestreet，difficulttocultivate，onaccountoftheoutcropthereonofalargebedofflintscalledlocallya'lanch'or'lanchet。'
　　TheAldclyffetheninpossessionoftheestateconceivedtheideathatarowofcottageswouldbeanimprovementtothespot，andaccordinglygrantedleasesofportionstoseveralrespectableinhabitants。Eachlesseewastobesubjecttothepaymentofamerelynominalrentforthewholetermoflives，onconditionthathebuilthisowncottage，anddelivereditupintactattheendoftheterm。
　　Thosewhohadbuilthad，onebyone，relinquishedtheirindentures，eitherbysaleorbarter，toFarmerSpringrove'sfather。Newliveswereaddedinsomecases，bypaymentofasumtothelordofthemanor，etc。，andalltheleaseswerenowheldbythefarmerhimself，asoneofthechiefprovisionsforhisoldage。
　　Thestewardhadbecomeinterestedinthefollowingconversation：——
　　'Trynottobesodepressed，father；theyareallinsured。'
　　ThewordscamefromEdwardinananxioustone。
　　'Youmistake，Edward；theyarenotinsured，'returnedtheoldmangloomily。
　　'Not？'thesonasked。
　　'Notone！'saidthefarmer。
　　'IntheHelmetFireOffice，surely？'
　　'Theywereinsuredthereeveryone。Sixmonthsagotheoffice，whichhadbeenraisingthepremiumsonthatchedpremiseshigherforsomeyears，gaveupinsuringthemaltogether，astwoorthreeotherfire-officeshaddonepreviously，onaccount，theysaid，oftheuncertaintyandgreatnessoftheriskofthatchundetached。EversincethenIhavebeencontinuallyintendingtogotoanotheroffice，buthavenevergone。Whoexpectsafire？'
　　'Doyourememberthetermsoftheleases？'saidEdward，stillmoreuneasily。
　　'No，notparticularly，'saidhisfatherabsently。
　　'Wherearethey？'
　　'Inthebureauthere；that'swhyItriedtosaveitfirst，amongotherthings。'
　　'Well，wemustseetothatatonce。'
　　'Whatdoyouwant？'
　　'Thekey。'
　　Theywentintothesouthaisle，tookthecandlefromthefont，andthenproceededtoopenthebureau，whichhadbeenplacedinacornerunderthegallery。Bothleantoverupontheflap；Edwardholdingthecandle，whilsthisfathertookthepiecesofparchmentfromoneofthedrawers，andspreadthefirstoutbeforehim。
　　'Youreadit，Ted。Ican'tseewithoutmyglasses。Thisonewillbesufficient。Thetermsofallarethesame。'
　　Edwardtooktheparchment，andreadquicklyandindistinctlyforsometime；thenaloudandslowlyasfollows：——
　　'AndthesaidJohnSpringroveforhimselfhisheirsexecutorsandadministratorsdothcovenantandagreewiththesaidGeraldFellcourtAldclyffehisheirsandassignsthathethesaidJohnSpringrovehisheirsandassignsduringthesaidtermshallpayuntothesaidGeraldFellcourtAldclyffehisheirsandassignstheclearyearlyrentoftenshillingsandsixpence……attheseveraltimeshereinbeforeappointedforthepaymentthereofrespectively。
　　AndalsoshallandatalltimesduringthesaidtermwellandsufficientlyrepairandkeepthesaidCottageorDwelling-houseandallotherthepremisesandallhousesorbuildingserectedortobeerectedthereuponingoodandproperrepairineveryrespectwithoutexceptionandthesaidpremisesinsuchgoodrepairuponthedeterminationofthisdemiseshallyieldupuntothesaidGeraldFellcourtAldclyffehisheirsandassigns。'
　　Theyclosedthebureauandturnedtowardsthedoorofthechurchwithoutspeaking。
　　Manstonalsohadcomeforwardoutofthegloom。Notwithstandingthefarmer'sowntroubles，aninstinctiverespectandgeneroussenseofsympathywiththestewardforhisawfullosscausedtheoldmantostepaside，thatManstonmightpassoutwithoutspeakingtothemifhechosetodoso。
　　'Whoishe？'whisperedEdwardtohisfather，asManstonapproached。
　　'Mr。Manston，thesteward。'
　　Manstoncamenear，andpasseddowntheaisleonthesideoftheyoungerman。Theirfacescamealmostclosetogether：onelargeflame，whichstilllingeredupontheruinsoutside，threwlongdancingshadowsofeachacrossthenavetilltheybentupwardsagainsttheaislewall，andalsoilluminatedtheireyes，aseachmetthoseoftheother。Edwardhadlearnt，byaletterfromhome，ofthesteward'spassionforCytherea，andhismysteriousrepressionofit，afterwardsexplainedbyhismarriage。Thatmarriagewasnownought。Edwardrealizedtheman'snewlyacquiredfreedom，andfeltaninstinctiveenmitytowardshim——hewouldhardlyowntohimselfwhy。Thesteward，too，knewCytherea'sattachmenttoEdward，andlookedkeenlyandinscrutablyathim。
　　7。ONETOTWOA。M。
　　Manstonwenthomewardalone，hisheartfullofstrangeemotions。
　　Enteringthehouse，anddismissingthewomantoherownhome，heatonceproceededupstairstohisbedroom。
　　Reasoningworldliness，especiallywhenalliedwithsensuousness，cannotrepressonsomeextremeoccasionsthehumaninstincttopouroutthesoultosomeBeingorPersonality，whoinfrigidmomentsisdismissedwiththetitleofChance，oratmostLaw。Manstonwasselfishlyandinhumanly，buthonestlyandunutterably，thankfulfortherecentcatastrophe。Besidehisbed，forthatfirsttimeduringaperiodofnearlytwentyyears，hefelldownuponhiskneesinapassionateoutburstoffeeling。
　　Manyminutespassedbeforehearose。Hewalkedtothewindow，andthenseemedtorememberforthefirsttimethatsomeactiononhispartwasnecessaryinconnectionwiththesadcircumstanceofthenight。
　　Leavingthehouseatonce，hewenttothesceneofthefire，arrivingthereintimetoheartherectormakinganarrangementwithacertainnumberofmentowatchthespottillmorning。Theasheswerestillred-hotandflaming。Manstonfoundthatnothingcouldbedonetowardssearchingthematthathourofthenight。Heturnedhomewardagain，inthecompanyoftherector，whohadconsideratelypersuadedhimtoretirefromthesceneforawhile，andpromisedthatassoonasamancouldliveamidtheembersoftheThreeTrantersInn，theyshouldbecarefullysearchedfortheremainsofhisunfortunatewife。
　　Manstonthenwentindoors，towaitformorning。
　　XI。THEEVENTSOFFIVEDAYS
　　1。NOVEMBERTHETWENTY-NINTH
　　Thesearchbeganatdawn，butaquarterpastnineo'clockcamewithoutbringinganyresult。Manstonatealittlebreakfast，andcrossedthehollowoftheparkwhichintervenedbetweentheoldandmodernmanor-houses，toaskforaninterviewwithMissAldclyffe。
　　Hemethermidway。Shewasabouttopayhimavisitofcondolence，andtoplaceeverymanontheestateathisdisposal，thatthesearchforanyrelicofhisdeadanddestroyedwifemightnotbedelayedaninstant。
　　Heaccompaniedherbacktothehouse。Atfirsttheyconversedasifthedeathofthepoorwomanwasaneventwhichthehusbandmustofnecessitydeeplylament；andwhenallunderthisheadthatsocialformseemedtorequirehadbeenuttered，theyspokeofthematerialdamagedone，andofthestepswhichhadbetterbetakentoremedyit。
　　Itwasnottillbothwereshutinsideherprivateroomthatshespoketohiminherbluntandcynicalmanner。Acertainnewnessofbearinginhim，peculiartothepresentmorning，hadhithertoforbiddenherthistone：thedemeanourofthesubjectofherfavouritismhadaltered，shecouldnottellinwhatway。Hewasentirelyachangedman。
　　'Areyoureallysorryforyourpoorwife，Mr。Manston？'shesaid。
　　'Well，Iam，'heansweredshortly。
　　'Butonlyasforanyhumanbeingwhohasmetwithaviolentdeath？'
　　Heconfessedit——'Forshewasnotagoodwoman，'headded。
　　'Ishouldbesorrytosaysuchathingnowthepoorcreatureisdead，'MissAldclyffereturnedreproachfully。
　　'Why？'heasked。'WhyshouldIpraiseherifshedoesn'tdeserveit？IsayexactlywhatIhaveoftenadmiredSterneforsayinginoneofhisletters——thatneitherreasonnorScriptureasksustospeaknothingbutgoodofthedead。Andnow，madam，'hecontinued，afterashortintervalofthought，'Imay，perhaps，hopethatyouwillassistme，orrathernotthwartme，inendeavouringtowintheloveofayoungladylivingaboutyou，oneinwhomIammuchinterestedalready。'
　　'Cytherea！'
　　'Yes，Cytherea。'
　　'YouhavebeenlovingCythereaallthewhile？'
　　'Yes。'
　　Surprisewasaprefacetomuchagitationinher，whichcausedhertorisefromherseat，andpacetothesideoftheroom。Thestewardquietlylookedonandadded，'Ihavebeenlovingandstillloveher。'
　　Shecamecloseuptohim，wistfullycontemplatinghisface，onehandmovingindecisivelyatherside。
　　'Andyoursecretmarriagewas，then，thetrueandonlyreasonforthatbackwardnessregardingthecourtshipofCytherea，which，theytellme，hasbeenthetalkofthevillage；notyourindifferencetoherattractions。'Hervoicehadatoneofconvictioninit，aswellasofinquiry；butnoneofjealousy。
　　'Yes，'hesaid；'andnotadishonourableone。Whatheldmebackwasjustthatonething——asenseofmoralitythatperhaps，madam，youdidnotgivemecreditfor。'Thelatterwordswerespokenwithamienandtoneofpride。
　　MissAldclyffepreservedsilence。
　　'Andnow，'hewenton，'Imayaswellsayawordinvindicationofmyconductlately，attherisk，too，ofoffendingyou。MyactualmotiveinsubmittingtoyourorderthatIshouldsendformylatewife，andlivewithher，wasnotthemercenarypolicyofwishingtoretainanofficewhichbringsmegreatercomfortsthananyIhaveenjoyedbefore，butthisunquenchablepassionforCytherea。ThoughIsawtheweakness，folly，andevenwickednessofitcontinually，itstillforcedmetotrytocontinuenearher，evenasthehusbandofanotherwoman。'
　　Hewaitedforhertospeak：shedidnot。
　　'There'sagreatobstacletomymakinganywayinwinningMissGraye'slove，'hewenton。
　　'Yes，EdwardSpringrove，'shesaidquietly。'Iknowit，Ididoncewanttoseethemmarried；theyhavehadaslightquarrel，anditwillsoonbemadeupagain，unless——'shespokeasifshehadonlyhalfattendedtoManston'slaststatement。
　　'Heisalreadyengagedtobemarriedtosomebodyelse，'saidthesteward。
　　'Pooh！'saidshe，'youmeantohiscousinatPeakhill；that'snothingtohelpus；he'snowcomehometobreakitoff。'
　　'Hemustnotbreakitoff，'saidManston，firmlyandcalmly。
　　Histoneattractedher，startledher。Recoveringherself，shesaidhaughtily，'Well，that'syouraffair，notmine。ThoughmywishhasbeentoseeherYOURwife，Ican'tdoanythingdishonourabletobringaboutsucharesult。'
　　'ButitmustbeMADEyouraffair，'hesaidinahard，steadyvoice，lookingintohereyes，asifhesawtherethewholepanoramaofherpast。
　　Oneofthemostdifficultthingstoportraybywrittenwordsisthatpeculiarmixtureofmoodsexpressedinawoman'scountenancewhen，afterhavingbeensedulouslyengagedinestablishinganother'sposition，shesuddenlysuspectshimofunderminingherown。ItwasthusthatMissAldclyffelookedatthesteward。
　　'You——know——something——ofme？'shefaltered。
　　'Iknowall，'hesaid。
　　'Thencursethatwifeofyours！Shewroteandsaidshewouldn'ttellyou！'sheburstout。'Couldn'tshekeepherwordforaday？'
　　Shereflectedandthensaid，butnomoreastoastranger，'Iwillnotyield。Ihavecommittednocrime。Iyieldedtoherthreatsinamomentofweakness，thoughIfeltinclinedtodefyheratthetime：itwaschieflybecauseIwasmystifiedastohowshegottoknowofit。Pooh！Iwillputupwiththreatsnomore。O，canYOU
　　threatenme？'sheaddedsoftly，asifshehadforthemomentforgottentowhomshehadbeenspeaking。
　　'Mylovemustbemadeyouraffair，'herepeated，withouttakinghiseyesfromher。
　　Anagony，whichwasnottheagonyofbeingdiscoveredinasecret，obstructedherutteranceforatime。'HowcanyouturnuponmesowhenIschemedtogetyouhere——schemedthatyoumightwinhertillIfoundyouweremarried。O，howcanyou！O！……O！'Shewept；
　　andtheweepingofsuchanaturewasasharrowingastheweepingofaman。
　　'Yourgettingmeherewasbadpolicyastoyoursecret——themostabsurdthingintheworld，'hesaid，notheedingherdistress。'I
　　knewall，excepttheidentityoftheindividual，longago。DirectlyIfoundthatmycomingherewasacontrivedthing，andnotamatterofchance，itfixedmyattentionuponyouatonce。Allthatwasrequiredwasthemeresparkoflife，tomakeofabundleofperceptionsanorganicwhole。'
　　'Policy，howcanyoutalkofpolicy？Think，dothink！Andhowcanyouthreatenmewhenyouknow——youknow——thatIwouldbefriendyoureadilywithoutathreat！'
　　'Yes，yes，Ithinkyouwould，'hesaidmorekindly；'butyourindifferenceforsomany，manyyearshasmademedoubtit。'
　　'No，notindifference——'twasenforcedsilence。Myfatherlived。'
　　Hetookherhand，andhelditgently。
　　***
　　'Nowlisten，'hesaid，morequietlyandhumanly，whenshehadbecomecalmer：'Springrovemustmarrythewomanhe'sengagedto。Youmaymakehim，butonlyinoneway。'
　　'Well：butdon'tspeaksternly，AEneas！'
　　'Doyouknowthathisfatherhasnotbeenparticularlythrivingforthelasttwoorthreeyears？'
　　'Ihaveheardsomethingofit，onceortwice，thoughhisrentshavebeenpromptlypaid，haven'tthey？'
　　'Oyes；anddoyouknowthetermsoftheleasesofthehouseswhichareburnt？'hesaid，explainingtoherthatbythosetermsshemightcompelhimeventorebuildeveryhouse。'ThecaseistheclearestcaseoffirebynegligencethatIhaveeverknown，inadditiontothat，'hecontinued。
　　'Idon'twantthemrebuilt；youknowitwasintendedbymyfather，directlytheyfellin，toclearthesiteforanewentrancetothepark？'
　　'Yes，butthatdoesn'taffecttheposition，whichisthatFarmerSpringroveisinyourpowertoanextentwhichisveryseriousforhim。'
　　'Iwon'tdoit——'tisaconspiracy。'
　　'Won'tyouforme？'hesaideagerly。
　　MissAldclyffechangedcolour。
　　'Idon'tthreatennow，Iimplore，'hesaid。
　　'Becauseyoumightthreatenifyouchose，'shemournfullyanswered。
　　'Butwhybeso——whenyourmarriagewithherwasmyownpetidealongbeforeitwasyours？WhatmustIdo？'
　　'Scarcelyanything：simplythis。WhenIhaveseenoldMr。
　　Springrove，whichIshalldoinadayortwo，andtoldhimthathewillbeexpectedtorebuildthehouses，doyouseetheyoungman。
　　Seehimyourself，inorderthattheproposalsmademaynotappeartobeanythingmorethananimpulseofyourown。Youorhewillbringupthesubjectofthehouses。Torebuildthemwouldbeamatterofatleastsixhundredpounds，andhewillalmostsurelysaythatwearehardininsistingupontheextremeletteroftheleases。Thentellhimthatscarcelycanyouyourselfthinkofcompellinganoldtenantlikehisfathertoanysuchpainfulextreme——thereshallbenocompulsiontobuild，simplyasurrenderoftheleases。Thenspeakfeelinglyofhiscousin，asawomanwhomyourespectandlove，andwhosesecretyouhavelearnttobethatsheisheart-sickwithhopedeferred。Beghimtomarryher，hisbetrothedandyourfriend，assomereturnforyourconsiderationtowardshisfather。Don'tsuggesttooearlyadayfortheirmarriage，orhewillsuspectyouofsomemotivebeyondwomanlysympathy。Coaxhimtomakeapromisetoherthatsheshallbehiswifeattheendofatwelvemonth，andgethim，onassentingtothis，towritetoCytherea，entirelyrenouncingher。'
　　'Shehasalreadyaskedhimtodothat。'
　　'Somuchthebetter——andtellingher，too，thatheisabouttofulfilhislong-standingpromisetomarryhiscousin。Ifyouthinkitworthwhile，youmaysayCythereawasnotindisposedtothinkofmebeforesheknewIwasmarried。IhaveathomeanoteshewrotemethefirsteveningIsawher，whichlooksratherwarm，andwhichI
　　couldshowyou。Trustme，hewillgiveherup。WhenheismarriedtoAdelaideHinton，Cythereawillbeinducedtomarryme——perhapsbefore；awoman'sprideissoonwounded。'
　　'Andhadn'tIbetterwritetoMr。Nyttleton，andinquiremoreparticularlywhat'sthelawuponthehouses？'
　　'Ono，there'snohurryforthat。Weknowwellenoughhowthecasestands——quitewellenoughtotalkingeneraltermsaboutit。AndI
　　wantthepressuretobeputuponyoungSpringrovebeforehegoesawayfromhomeagain。'
　　Shelookedathimfurtively，long，andsadly，asafterspeakinghebecamelostinthought，hiseyeslistlesslytracingthepatternofthecarpet。'Yes，yes，shewillbemine，'hewhispered，carelessofCythereaAldclyffe'spresence。Atlastheraisedhiseyesinquiringly。
　　'Iwilldomybest，AEneas，'sheanswered。
　　Talibusincusat。Manstonthenleftthehouse，andagainwenttowardstheblackenedruins，wheremenwerestillrakingandprobing。
　　2。FROMNOVEMBERTHETWENTY-NINTHTODECEMBERTHESECOND
　　ThesmoulderingremnantsoftheThreeTrantersInnseemedtopromisethat，evenwhenthesearchersshouldlightupontheremainsoftheunfortunateMrs。Manston，verylittlewouldbediscoverable。
　　Consistingsolargelyofthecharcoalandashesofharddryoakandchestnut，intermingledwiththatch，theinterioroftheheapwasoneglowingmassofembers，which，onbeingstirredabout，emittedsparksandflamelongafteritwasdeadandblackontheoutside。
　　Itwaspersistentlyhoped，however，thatsometracesofthebodywouldsurvivetheeffectofthehotcoals，andafterasearchpursueduninterruptedlyforthirtyhours，underthedirectionofManstonhimself，enoughwasfoundtosetatrestanydoubtsofherfate。
　　Themelancholygleaningsconsistedofherwatch，bunchofkeys，afewcoins，andtwocharredandblackenedbones。
　　TwodayslatertheofficialinquiryintothecauseofherdeathwasheldattheRisingSunInn，beforeMr。Floy，thecoroner，andajuryofthechiefinhabitantsofthedistrict。Thelittletavern——theonlyremainingoneinthevillage——wascrowdedtoexcessbytheneighbouringpeasantryaswellastheirricheremployers：allwhocouldbyanypossibilityobtainanhour'sreleasefromtheirdutiesbeingpresentaslisteners。
　　Thejuryviewedthesadandinfinitesimalremains，whichwerefoldedinawhitecambriccloth，andlaidinthemiddleofawell-finishedcoffinlinedwithwhitesilkbyManston'sorder，whichstoodinanadjoiningroom，thebulkofthecoffinbeingcompletelyfilledinwithcarefullyarrangedflowersandevergreens——alsothesteward'sowndoing。
　　AbrahamBrown，ofHoxton，London——anoldwhite-headedman，withouttheruddinesswhichmakeswhitehairssopleasing——wassworn，anddeposedthathekeptalodging-houseatanaddresshenamed。OnaSaturdayeveninglessthanamonthbeforethefire，aladycametohim，withverylittleluggage，andtookthefrontroomonthesecondfloor。Hedidnotinquirewhereshecamefrom，asshepaidaweekinadvance，butshegavehernameasMrs。Manston，referringhim，ifhewishedforanyguaranteeofherrespectability，toMr。Manston，KnapwaterPark。Hereshelivedforthreeweeks，rarelygoingout。
　　Shesleptawayfromherlodgingsonenightduringthetime。Attheendofthattime，onthetwenty-eighthofNovember，shelefthishouseinafour-wheeledcab，abouttwelveo'clockintheday，tellingthedrivertotakehertotheWaterlooStation。Shepaidallherlodgingexpenses，andnothavinggivennoticethefullweekprevioustohergoingaway，offeredtopayforthenext，butheonlytookhalf。Sheworeathickblackveil，andgreywaterproofcloak，whenshelefthim，andherluggagewastwoboxes，oneofplaindeal，withblackjapannedclamps，theothersewnupincanvas。
　　JosephChinney，porterattheCarrifordRoadStation，deposedthathesawMrs。Manston，dressedasthelastwitnesshaddescribed，getoutofasecond-classcarriageonthenightofthetwenty-eighth。
　　Shestoodbesidehimwhilstherluggagewastakenfromthevan。Theluggage，consistingoftheclampeddealboxandanothercoveredwithcanvas，wasplacedinthecloak-room。Sheseemedatalossatfindingnobodytheretomeether。Sheaskedhimforsomepersontoaccompanyher，andcarryherbagtoMr。Manston'shouse，KnapwaterPark。Hewasjustoffdutyatthattime，andofferedtogohimself。
　　ThewitnesshererepeatedtheconversationhehadhadwithMrs。
　　Manstonduringtheirwalk，andtestifiedtohavingleftheratthedooroftheThreeTrantersInn，Mr。Manston'shousebeingclosed。
　　Next，FarmerSpringrovewascalled。Amurmurofsurpriseandcommiserationpassedroundthecrowdedroomwhenhesteppedforward。
　　Theeventsofthefewprecedingdayshadsoworkeduponhisnervouslythoughtfulnaturethattheblueorbitsofhiseyes，andthemerespotofscarlettowhichtheruddinessofhischeekshadcontracted，seemedtheresultofaheavysickness。Aperfectsilencepervadedtheassemblywhenhespoke。
　　HisstatementwasthathereceivedMrs。Manstonatthethreshold，andaskedhertoentertheparlour。Shewouldnotdoso，andstoodinthepassagewhilstthemaidwentupstairstoseethattheroomwasinorder。Themaidcamedowntothemiddlelandingofthestaircase，whenMrs。Manstonfollowedheruptotheroom。Hedidnotspeaktenwordswithheraltogether。
　　Afterwards，whilsthewasstandingatthedoorlisteningforhissonEdward'sreturn，hesawherlightextinguished，havingfirstcaughtsightofhershadowmovingabouttheroom。
　　THECORONER：'Didhershadowappeartobethatofawomanundressing？'
　　SPRINGROVE：'Icannotsay，asIdidn'ttakeparticularnotice。Itmovedbackwardsandforwards；shemighthavebeenundressingormerelypacingupanddowntheroom。'
　　Mrs。Fitler，theostler'swifeandchambermaid，saidthatsheprecededMrs。Manstonintotheroom，putdownthecandle，andwentout。Mrs。Manstonscarcelyspoketoher，excepttoaskhertobringalittlebrandy。Witnesswentandfetcheditfromthebar，broughtitup，andputitonthedressing-table。
　　THECORONER：'HadMrs。Manstonbeguntoundress，whenyoucameback？'
　　'No，sir；shewassittingonthebed，witheverythingon，aswhenshecamein。'
　　'Didshebegintoundressbeforeyouleft？'
　　'NotexactlybeforeIhadleft；butwhenIhadclosedthedoor，andwasonthelandingIheardherbootdroponthefloor，asitdoessometimeswhenpulledoff？'
　　'Hadherfaceappearedwornandsleepy？'
　　'IcannotsayasherbonnetandveilwerestillonwhenIleft，forsheseemedrathershyandashamedtobeseenattheThreeTrantersatall。'
　　'Anddidyouhearorseeanymoreofher？'
　　'Nomore，sir。'
　　Mrs。Crickett，temporaryservanttoMr。Manston，saidthatinaccordancewithMr。Manston'sorders，everythinghadbeenmadecomfortableinthehouseforMrs。Manston'sexpectedreturnonMondaynight。Mr。ManstontoldherthathimselfandMrs。Manstonwouldbehomelate，nottillbetweenelevenandtwelveo'clock，andthatsupperwastobeready。NotexpectingMrs。Manstonsoearly，shehadgoneoutonaveryimportanterrandtoMrs。Leatthepostmistress。
　　Mr。ManstondeposedthatinlookingdownthecolumnsofBradshawhehadmistakenthetimeofthetrain'sarrival，andhencewasnotatthestationwhenshecame。Thebrokenwatchproducedwashiswife's——heknewitbyascratchontheinnerplate，andbyothersigns。Thebunchofkeysbelongedtoher：twoofthemfittedthelocksofhertwoboxes。
　　Mr。Flooks，agenttoLordClaydonfieldatChettlewood，saidthatMr。
　　Manstonhadpleadedashisexcuseforleavinghimratherearlyintheeveningaftertheirday'sbusinesshadbeensettled，thathewasgoingtomeethiswifeatCarrifordRoadStation，whereshewascomingbythelasttrainthatnight。
　　Thesurgeonsaidthattheremainswerethoseofahumanbeing。Thesmallfragmentseemedaportionofoneofthelumbarvertebrae——theothertheheadoftheosfemoris——buttheywerebothsofargonethatitwasimpossibletosaydefinitelywhethertheybelongedtothebodyofamaleorfemale。Therewasnomoraldoubtthattheywereawoman's。Hedidnotbelievethatdeathresultedfromburningbyfire。Hethoughtshewascrushedbythefallofthewestgable，whichbeingofwood，aswellasthefloor，burntafterithadfallen，andconsumedthebodywithit。
　　Twoorthreeadditionalwitnessesgaveunimportanttestimony。
　　Thecoronersummedup，andthejurywithouthesitationfoundthatthedeceasedMrs。ManstoncamebyherdeathaccidentallythroughtheburningoftheThreeTrantersInn。
　　3。DECEMBERTHESECOND。AFTERNOON
　　WhenMr。SpringrovecamefromthedooroftheRisingSunattheendoftheinquiry，Manstonwalkedbyhissideasfarasthestiletothepark，adistanceofaboutastone's-throw。
　　'Ah，Mr。Springrove，thisisasadaffairforeverybodyconcerned。'
　　'Everybody，'saidtheoldfarmer，withdeepsadness，''tisquiteamiserytome。IhardlyknowhowIshalllivethrougheachdayasitbreaks。Ithinkofthewords，“Inthemorningthoushaltsay，WouldGoditwereeven！andateventhoushaltsay，WouldGoditweremorning！forthefearofthineheartwherewiththoushaltfear，andforthesightofthineeyeswhichthoushaltsee。“'Hisvoicebecamebroken。
　　'Ah——true。IreadDeuteronomymyself，'saidManston。
　　'Butmylossisasnothingtoyours，'thefarmercontinued。
　　'Nothing；butIcancommiserateyou。IshouldbeworsethanunfeelingifIdidn't，althoughmyownafflictionisofsosadandsolemnakind。Indeedmyownlossmakesmemorekeenlyalivetoyours，differentinnatureasitis。'
　　'Whatsumdoyouthinkwouldberequiredofmetoputthehousesinplaceagain？'
　　'Ihaveroughlythoughtsixorsevenhundredpounds。'
　　'Iftheletterofthelawistobeactedupto，'saidtheoldman，withmoreagitationinhisvoice。
　　'Yes，exactly。'
　　'DoyouknowenoughofMissAldclyffe'smindtogivemeanideaofhowshemeanstotreatme？'
　　'Well，IamafraidImusttellyouthatthoughIknowverylittleofhermindasarule，inthismatterIbelieveshewillberatherperemptory；shemightsharetotheextentofasixthoraneighthperhaps，inconsiderationofhergettingnewlampsforold，butI
　　shouldhardlythinkmore。'
　　Thestewardsteppeduponthestile，andMr。Springrovewentalongtheroadwithabowedheadandheavyfootstepstowardshisniece'scottage，inwhich，ratheragainstthewishofEdward，theyhadtemporarilytakenrefuge。
　　Theadditionalweightofthisknowledgesoonmadeitselfperceptible。ThoughindoorswithEdwardorAdelaidenearlythewholeoftheafternoon，nothingmorethanmonosyllabicrepliescouldbedrawnfromhim。Edwardcontinuallydiscoveredhimlookingfixedlyatthewallorfloor，quiteunconsciousofanother'spresence。Atsupperheatejustasusual，butquitemechanically，andwiththesameabstraction。
　　4。DECEMBERTHETHIRD
　　Thenextmorninghewasinnobetterspirits。Afternooncame：hissonwasalarmed，andmanagedtodrawfromhimanaccountoftheconversationwiththesteward。
　　'Nonsense；heknowsnothingaboutit，'saidEdwardvehemently。
　　'I'llseeMissAldclyffemyself。Nowpromiseme，father，thatyou'llnotbelievetillIcomeback，andtellyoutobelieveit，thatMissAldclyffewilldoanysuchunjustthing。'
　　EdwardstartedatonceforKnapwaterHouse。Hestroderapidlyalongthehigh-road，tillhereachedawicketwhereafootpathallowedofashortcuttothemansion。Hereheleantdownuponthebarsforafewminutes，meditatingastothebestmannerofopeninghisspeech，andsurveyingthescenebeforehiminthatabsentmoodwhichtakescognizanceoflittlethingswithoutbeingconsciousofthematthetime，thoughtheyappearintheeyeafterwardsasvividimpressions。
　　Itwasayellow，lustrous，lateautumnday，oneofthosedaysofthequarterwhenmorningandeveningseemtomeettogetherwithouttheinterventionofanoon。TheclearyellowsunlighthadtemptedforthMissAldclyffeherself，whowasatthissametimetakingawalkinthedirectionofthevillage。AsSpringrovelingeredheheardbehindtheplantationawoman'sdressbrushingalongamidthepricklyhusksandleaveswhichhadfallenintothepathfromtheboughsofthechestnuttrees。Inanotherminuteshestoodinfrontofhim。
　　Heansweredhercasualgreetingrespectfully，andwasabouttorequestafewminutes'conversationwithher，whenshedirectlyaddressedhimonthesubjectofthefire。'Itisasadmisfortuneforyourfather'shesaid，'andIhearthathehaslatelylethisinsurancesexpire？'
　　'Hehas，madam，andyouareprobablyawarethateitherbythegeneraltermsofhisholding，orthesamecoupledwiththeoriginofthefire，thedisastermayinvolvethenecessityofhisrebuildingthewholerowofhouses，orelseofbecomingadebtortotheestate，totheextentofsomehundredsofpounds？'
　　Sheassented。'Ihavebeenthinkingofit，'shewenton，andthenrepeatedinsubstancethewordsputintohermouthbythesteward。
　　SomedisturbanceofthoughtmighthavebeenfanciedastakingplaceinSpringrove'smindduringherstatement，butbeforeshehadreachedtheend，hiseyeswereclear，anddirecteduponher。
　　'Idon'tacceptyourconditionsofrelease，'hesaid。
　　'Theyarenotconditionsexactly。'
　　'Well，whatevertheyarenot，theyareveryuncalled-forremarks。'
　　'Notatall——thehouseshavebeenburntbyyourfamily'snegligence。'
　　'Idon'trefertothehouses——youhaveofcoursethebestofallrightstospeakofthatmatter；butyou，astrangertomecomparatively，havenorightatalltovolunteeropinionsandwishesuponaverydelicatesubject，whichconcernsnolivingbeingsbutMissGraye，MissHinton，andmyself。'
　　MissAldclyffe，likeagoodmanyothersinherposition，hadplainlynotrealizedthatasonofhertenantandinferiorcouldhavebecomeaneducatedman，whohadlearnttofeelhisindividuality，toviewsocietyfromaBohemianstandpoint，faroutsidethefarminggradeinCarrifordparish，andthathencehehadalladevelopedman'sunorthodoxopinionaboutthesubordinationofclasses。AndfullyconsciousofthelabyrinthintowhichhehadwanderedbetweenhiswishtobehavehonourablyinthedilemmaofhisengagementtohiscousinAdelaideandtheintensityofhisloveforCytherea，Springrovewasadditionallysensitivetoanyallusiontothecase。
　　HehadspokentoMissAldclyffewithconsiderablewarmth。
　　AndMissAldclyffewasnotawomanlikelytobefarbehindanysecondpersoninwarmingtoamoodofdefiance。Itseemedasifshewerepreparedtoputupwithacoldrefusal，butthatherhaughtinessresentedacriticismofherconductendinginarebuke。
　　Bythis，Manston'sdiscreditableobject，whichhadbeenmadehersbycompulsiononly，wasnowadoptedbychoice。Sheflungherselfintothework。
　　Afierymaninsuchacasewouldhaverelinquishedpersuasionandtriedpalpableforce。Afierywomanaddedunscrupulousnessandevolveddaringstrategy；andinherobstinacy，andtosustainherselfasmistress，shedescendedtoanactionthemeannessofwhichhauntedherconsciencetoherdyinghour。
　　'Idon'tquitesee，Mr。Springrove，'shesaid，'thatIamaltogetherwhatyouarepleasedtocallastranger。Ihaveknownyourfamily，atanyrate，foragoodmanyyears，andIknowMissGrayeparticularlywell，andherstateofmindwithregardtothismatter。'
　　Perplexedlovemakesuscredulousandcuriousasoldwomen。Edwardwaswilling，heownedittohimself，togetatCytherea'sstateofmind，eventhroughsodangerousamedium。
　　'AletterIreceivedfromher'hesaid，withassumedcoldness，'tellsmeclearlyenoughwhatMissGraye'smindis。'
　　'Youthinkshestilllovesyou？Oyes，ofcourseyoudo——allmenarelikethat。'
　　'Ihavereasonto。'Hecouldfeignnofurtherthanthefirstspeech。
　　'Ishouldbeinterestedinknowingwhatreason？'shesaid，withsarcasticarchness。
　　Edwardfelthewasallowinghertodo，infractionalparts，whatherebelledagainstwhenregardingitasawhole；butthefactthathisantagonisthadthepresenceofaqueen，andfeaturesonlyintheearlyeveningoftheirbeauty，wasnotwithoutitsinfluenceuponakeenlyconsciousman。Herbearinghadcharmedhimintotoleration，asMaryStuart'scharmedtheindignantPuritanvisitors。Heagainansweredherhonestly。
　　'Thebestofreasons——thetoneofherletter。'
　　'Pooh，Mr。Springrove！'
　　'Notatall，MissAldclyffe！MissGrayedesiredthatweshouldbestrangerstoeachotherforthesimplepracticalreasonthatintimacycouldonlymakewretchedcomplicationsworse，notfromlackoflove——loveisonlysuppressed。'
　　'Don'tyouknowyet，thatinthusputtingasideaman，awoman'spityforthepainsheinflictsgivesherakindnessoftonewhichisoftenmistakenforsuppressedlove？'saidMissAldclyffe，withsoftinsidiousness。
　　ThiswasatranslationoftheambiguityofCytherea'stonewhichhehadcertainlyneverthoughtof；andhewastooingenuousnottoownit。
　　'Ihadneverthoughtofit，'hesaid。
　　'Anddon'tbelieveit？'
　　'Notunlesstherewassomeotherevidencetosupporttheview。'
　　Shepausedaminuteandthenbeganhesitatingly——
　　'Myintentionwas——whatIdidnotdreamofowningtoyou——myintentionwastotrytoinduceyoutofulfilyourpromisetoMissHintonnotsolelyonheraccountandyoursthoughpartly。IloveCythereaGrayewithallmysoul，andIwanttoseeherhappyevenmorethanIdoyou。Ididnotmeantodraghernameintotheaffairatall，butIamdriventosaythatshewrotethatletterofdismissaltoyou——foritwasamostpronounceddismissal——notonaccountofyourengagement。Sheisoldenoughtoknowthatengagementscanbebrokenaseasilyastheycanbemade。Shewroteitbecauseshelovedanotherman；verysuddenly，andnotwithanyideaorhopeofmarryinghim，butnonethelessdeeply。'
　　'Who？'
　　'Mr。Manston。'
　　'Good——！Ican'tlistentoyouforaninstant，madam；why，shehadn'tseenhim！'
　　'Shehad；hecameherethedaybeforeshewrotetoyou；andIcouldprovetoyou，ifitwereworthwhile，thatonthatdayshewentvoluntarilytohishouse，thoughnotartfullyorblamably；stayedfortwohoursplayingandsinging；thatnosoonerdidsheleavehimthanshewentstraighthome，andwrotethelettersayingsheshouldnotseeyouagain，entirelybecauseshehadseenhimandfallendesperatelyinlovewithhim——aperfectlynaturalthingforayounggirltodo，consideringthathe'sthehandsomestmaninthecounty。
　　Whyelseshouldshenothavewrittentoyoubefore？'
　　'BecauseIwassucha——becauseshedidnotknowoftheconnectionbetweenmeandmycousinuntilthen。'
　　'Imustthinkshedid。'
　　'Onwhatground？'
　　'Onthestronggroundofmyhavingtoldherso，distinctly，theveryfirstdayshecametolivewithme。'
　　'Well，whatdoyouseektoimpressuponmeafterall？This——thatthedayMissGrayewrotetome，sayingitwasbetterthatweshouldpart，coincidedwiththedayshehadseenacertainman——'
　　'Aremarkablyhandsomeandtalentedman。'
　　'Yes，Iadmitthat。'
　　'Andthatitcoincidedwiththehourjustsubsequenttoherseeinghim。'
　　'Yes，justwhenshehadseenhim。'
　　'Andbeentohishousealonewithhim。'
　　'Itisnothing。'
　　'Andstayedthereplayingandsingingwithhim。'
　　'Admitthat，too，'hesaid；'anaccidentmighthavecausedit。'
　　'Andatthesameinstantthatshewroteyourdismissalshewrotealetterreferringtoasecretappointmentwithhim。'
　　'Never，byGod，madam！never！'
　　'Whatdoyousay，sir？'
　　'Never。'
　　Shesneered。
　　'There'snoaccountingforbeliefs，andthewholehistoryisaverytrivialmatter；butIamresolvedtoprovethatalady'swordistruthful，thoughuponamatterwhichconcernsneitheryounorherself。YoushalllearnthatsheDIDwritehimaletterconcerninganassignation——thatis，ifMr。Manstonstillhasit，andwillbeconsiderateenoughtolenditme。'
　　'Butbesides，'continuedEdward，'amarriedmantodowhatwouldcauseayounggirltowriteanoteofthekindyoumention！'
　　Sheflushedalittle。
　　'ThatIdon'tknowanythingabout，'shestammered。'ButCythereadidn't，ofcourse，dreamanymorethanIdid，orothersintheparish，thathewasmarried。'
　　'Ofcourseshedidn't。'
　　'AndIhavereasontobelievethathetoldherofthefactdirectlyafterwards，thatshemightnotcompromiseherself，orallowhimto。
　　Itisnotoriousthathestruggledhonestlyandhardagainstherattractions，andsucceededinhidinghisfeelings，ifnotinquenchingthem。'
　　'We'llhopethathedid。'
　　'Butcircumstancesarechangednow。'
　　'Verygreatlychanged，'hemurmuredabstractedly。
　　'Youmustremember，'sheaddedmoresuasively，'thatMissGrayehasaperfectrighttodowhatshelikeswithherown——herheart，thatistosay。'
　　HerdescentfromirritationwascausedbyperceivingthatEdward'sfaithwasreallydisturbedbyherstrongassertions，anditgratifiedher。
　　Edward'sthoughtsflewtohisfather，andtheobjectofhisinterviewwithher。Tongue-fencingwasutterlydistastefultohim。
　　'Iwillnottroubleyoubyremaininglonger，madam，'heremarked，gloomily；'ourconversationhasendedsadlyforme。'
　　'Don'tthinkso，'shesaid，'anddon'tbemistaken。Iamolderthanyouare，manyyearsolder，andIknowmanythings。'
　　Fullofmiserabledoubt，andbitterlyregrettingthathehadraisedhisfather'sexpectationsbyanticipationsimpossibleoffulfilment，Edwardslowlywenthiswayintothevillage，andapproachedhiscousin'shouse。Thefarmerwasatthedoorlookingeagerlyforhim。
　　Hehadbeenwaitingthereformorethanhalf-an-hour。Hiseyekindledquickly。
　　'Well，Ted，whatdoesshesay？'heasked，intheintenselysanguinetoneswhichfallsadlyuponalistener'sear，because，antecedently，theyraisepicturesofinevitabledisappointmentforthespeaker，insomedirectionoranother。
　　'Nothingforustobealarmedat，'saidEdward，withaforcedcheerfulness。
　　'Butmustwerebuild？'
　　'Itseemswemust，father。'