Therewasanofficerattheirhead，encouraginghismen，——acourageous，handsome，gallantofficeroffive—and—thirty，whomDoubledicksawhurriedly，almostmomentarily，butsawwell。Heparticularlynoticedthisofficerwavinghissword，andrallyinghismenwithaneagerandexcitedcry，whentheyfiredinobediencetohisgesture，andMajorTauntondropped。
　　Itwasoverintenminutesmore，andDoubledickreturnedtothespotwherehehadlaidthebestfriendmaneverhadonacoatspreaduponthewetclay。MajorTaunton’suniformwasopenedatthebreast，andonhisshirtwerethreelittlespotsofblood。
　　"DearDoubledick，"saidhe，"Iamdying。"
　　"FortheloveofHeaven，no！"exclaimedtheother，kneelingdownbesidehim，andpassinghisarmroundhisnecktoraisehishead。
　　"Taunton！Mypreserver，myguardianangel，mywitness！Dearest，truest，kindestofhumanbeings！Taunton！ForGod’ssake！"
　　Thebright，darkeyes——sovery，verydarknow，inthepaleface——
　　smileduponhim；andthehandhehadkissedthirteenyearsagolaiditselffondlyonhisbreast。
　　"Writetomymother。YouwillseeHomeagain。Tellherhowwebecamefriends。Itwillcomforther，asitcomfortsme。"
　　Hespokenomore，butfaintlysignedforamomenttowardshishairasitflutteredinthewind。TheEnsignunderstoodhim。Hesmiledagainwhenhesawthat，and，gentlyturninghisfaceoveronthesupportingarmasifforrest，died，withhishanduponthebreastinwhichhehadrevivedasoul。
　　NodryeyelookedonEnsignRichardDoubledickthatmelancholyday。
　　Heburiedhisfriendonthefield，andbecamealone，bereavedman。
　　Beyondhisdutyheappearedtohavebuttworemainingcaresinlife，——one，topreservethelittlepacketofhairhewastogivetoTaunton’smother；theother，toencounterthatFrenchofficerwhohadralliedthemenunderwhosefireTauntonfell。Anewlegendnowbegantocirculateamongourtroops；anditwas，thatwhenheandtheFrenchofficercamefacetofaceoncemore，therewouldbeweepinginFrance。
　　Thewarwenton——andthroughitwenttheexactpictureoftheFrenchofficerontheoneside，andthebodilyrealityupontheother——
　　untiltheBattleofToulousewasfought。Inthereturnssenthomeappearedthesewords:"Severelywounded，butnotdangerously，LieutenantRichardDoubledick。"
　　AtMidsummer—time，intheyeareighteenhundredandfourteen，LieutenantRichardDoubledick，nowabrownedsoldier，seven—and—
　　thirtyyearsofage，camehometoEnglandinvalided。Hebroughtthehairwithhim，nearhisheart。ManyaFrenchofficerhadheseensincethatday；manyadreadfulnight，insearchingwithmenandlanternsforhiswounded，hadherelievedFrenchofficerslyingdisabled；butthementalpictureandtherealityhadnevercometogether。
　　Thoughhewasweakandsufferedpain，helostnotanhouringettingdowntoFromeinSomersetshire，whereTaunton’smotherlived。Inthesweet，compassionatewordsthatnaturallypresentthemselvestothemindto—night，"hewastheonlysonofhismother，andshewasawidow。"
　　ItwasaSundayevening，andtheladysatatherquietgarden—
　　window，readingtheBible；readingtoherself，inatremblingvoice，thatverypassageinit，asIhaveheardhimtell。Heheardthewords:"Youngman，Isayuntothee，arise！"
　　Hehadtopassthewindow；andthebright，darkeyesofhisdebasedtimeseemedtolookathim。Herhearttoldherwhohewas；shecametothedoorquickly，andfelluponhisneck。
　　"Hesavedmefromruin，mademeahumancreature，wonmefrominfamyandshame。O，Godforeverblesshim！AsHewill，HeWill！"
　　"Hewill！"theladyanswered。"Iknowheisinheaven！"Thenshepiteouslycried，"ButO，mydarlingboy，mydarlingboy！"
　　NeverfromthehourwhenPrivateRichardDoubledickenlistedatChathamhadthePrivate，Corporal，Sergeant，Sergeant—Major，Ensign，orLieutenantbreathedhisrightname，orthenameofMaryMarshall，orawordofthestoryofhislife，intoanyearexcepthisreclaimer’s。Thatprevioussceneinhisexistencewasclosed。Hehadfirmlyresolvedthathisexpiationshouldbetoliveunknown；todisturbnomorethepeacethathadlonggrownoverhisoldoffences；
　　toletitberevealed，whenhewasdead，thathehadstrivenandsuffered，andhadneverforgotten；andthen，iftheycouldforgivehimandbelievehim——well，itwouldbetimeenough——timeenough！
　　Butthatnight，rememberingthewordshehadcherishedfortwoyears，"Tellherhowwebecamefriends。Itwillcomforther，asitcomfortsme，"herelatedeverything。Itgraduallyseemedtohimasifinhismaturityhehadrecoveredamother；itgraduallyseemedtoherasifinherbereavementshehadfoundason。DuringhisstayinEngland，thequietgardenintowhichhehadslowlyandpainfullycrept，astranger，becametheboundaryofhishome；whenhewasabletorejoinhisregimentinthespring，heleftthegarden，thinkingwasthisindeedthefirsttimehehadeverturnedhisfacetowardstheoldcolourswithawoman’sblessing！
　　Hefollowedthem——soragged，soscarredandpiercednow，thattheywouldscarcelyholdtogether——toQuatreBrasandLigny。Hestoodbesidethem，inanawfulstillnessofmanymen，shadowythroughthemistanddrizzleofawetJuneforenoon，onthefieldofWaterloo。
　　AnddowntothathourthepictureinhismindoftheFrenchofficerhadneverbeencomparedwiththereality。
　　Thefamousregimentwasinactionearlyinthebattle，andreceiveditsfirstcheckinmanyaneventfulyear，whenhewasseentofall。
　　Butitsweptontoavengehim，andleftbehinditnosuchcreatureintheworldofconsciousnessasLieutenantRichardDoubledick。
　　Throughpitsofmire，andpoolsofrain；alongdeepditches，onceroads，thatwerepoundedandploughedtopiecesbyartillery，heavywaggons，trampofmenandhorses，andthestruggleofeverywheeledthingthatcouldcarrywoundedsoldiers；joltedamongthedyingandthedead，sodisfiguredbybloodandmudastobehardlyrecognisableforhumanity；undisturbedbythemoaningofmenandtheshriekingofhorses，which，newlytakenfromthepeacefulpursuitsoflife，couldnotendurethesightofthestragglerslyingbythewayside，nevertoresumetheirtoilsomejourney；dead，astoanysentientlifethatwasinit，andyetalive，——theformthathadbeenLieutenantRichardDoubledick，withwhosepraisesEnglandrang，wasconveyedtoBrussels。Thereitwastenderlylaiddowninhospital；
　　andthereitlay，weekafterweek，throughthelongbrightsummerdays，untiltheharvest，sparedbywar，hadripenedandwasgatheredin。
　　Overandoveragainthesunroseandsetuponthecrowdedcity；overandoveragainthemoonlightnightswerequietontheplainsofWaterloo:andallthattimewasablanktowhathadbeenLieutenantRichardDoubledick。RejoicingtroopsmarchedintoBrussels，andmarchedout；brothersandfathers，sisters，mothers，andwives，camethrongingthither，drewtheirlotsofjoyoragony，anddeparted；somanytimesadaythebellsrang；somanytimestheshadowsofthegreatbuildingschanged；somanylightssprangupatdusk；somanyfeetpassedhereandthereuponthepavements；somanyhoursofsleepandcoolerairofnightsucceeded:indifferenttoall，amarblefacelayonabed，likethefaceofarecumbentstatueonthetombofLieutenantRichardDoubledick。
　　Slowlylabouring，atlast，throughalongheavydreamofconfusedtimeandplace，presentingfaintglimpsesofarmysurgeonswhomheknew，andoffacesthathadbeenfamiliartohisyouth，——dearestandkindestamongthem，MaryMarshall’s，withasolicitudeuponitmorelikerealitythananythinghecoulddiscern，——LieutenantRichardDoubledickcamebacktolife。Tothebeautifullifeofacalmautumneveningsunset，tothepeacefullifeofafreshquietroomwithalargewindowstandingopen；abalconybeyond，inwhichweremovingleavesandsweet—smellingflowers；beyond，again，theclearsky，withthesunfullinhissight，pouringitsgoldenradianceonhisbed。
　　Itwassotranquilandsolovelythathethoughthehadpassedintoanotherworld。Andhesaidinafaintvoice，"Taunton，areyounearme？"
　　Afacebentoverhim。Nothis，hismother’s。
　　"Icametonurseyou。Wehavenursedyoumanyweeks。Youweremovedherelongago。Doyouremembernothing？"
　　"Nothing。"
　　Theladykissedhischeek，andheldhishand，soothinghim。
　　"Whereistheregiment？Whathashappened？Letmecallyoumother。
　　Whathashappened，mother？"
　　"Agreatvictory，dear。Thewarisover，andtheregimentwasthebravestinthefield。"
　　Hiseyeskindled，hislipstrembled，hesobbed，andthetearsrandownhisface。Hewasveryweak，tooweaktomovehishand。
　　"Wasitdarkjustnow？"heaskedpresently。
　　"No。"
　　"Itwasonlydarktome？Somethingpassedaway，likeablackshadow。Butasitwent，andthesun——Otheblessedsun，howbeautifulitis！——touchedmyface，IthoughtIsawalightwhitecloudpassoutatthedoor。Wastherenothingthatwentout？"
　　Sheshookherhead，andinalittlewhilehefellasleep，shestillholdinghishand，andsoothinghim。
　　Fromthattime，herecovered。Slowly，forhehadbeendesperatelywoundedinthehead，andhadbeenshotinthebody，butmakingsomelittleadvanceeveryday。Whenhehadgainedsufficientstrengthtoconverseashelayinbed，hesoonbegantoremarkthatMrs。Tauntonalwaysbroughthimbacktohisownhistory。Thenherecalledhispreserver’sdyingwords，andthought，"Itcomfortsher。"
　　Onedayheawokeoutofasleep，refreshed，andaskedhertoreadtohim。Butthecurtainofthebed，softeningthelight，whichshealwaysdrewbackwhenheawoke，thatshemightseehimfromhertableatthebedsidewhereshesatatwork，washeldundrawn；andawoman’svoicespoke，whichwasnothers。
　　"Canyoubeartoseeastranger？"itsaidsoftly。"Willyouliketoseeastranger？"
　　"Stranger！"herepeated。Thevoiceawokeoldmemories，beforethedaysofPrivateRichardDoubledick。
　　"Astrangernow，butnotastrangeronce，"itsaidintonesthatthrilledhim。"Richard，dearRichard，lostthroughsomanyyears，myname——"
　　Hecriedouthername，"Mary，"andsheheldhiminherarms，andhisheadlayonherbosom。
　　"Iamnotbreakingarashvow，Richard。ThesearenotMaryMarshall’slipsthatspeak。Ihaveanothername。"
　　Shewasmarried。
　　"Ihaveanothername，Richard。Didyoueverhearit？"
　　"Never！"
　　Helookedintoherface，sopensivelybeautiful，andwonderedatthesmileuponitthroughhertears。
　　"Thinkagain，Richard。Areyousureyouneverheardmyalteredname？"
　　"Never！"
　　"Don’tmoveyourheadtolookatme，dearRichard。Letitliehere，whileItellmystory。Ilovedagenerous，nobleman；lovedhimwithmywholeheart；lovedhimforyearsandyears；lovedhimfaithfully，devotedly；lovedhimwithouthopeofreturn；lovedhim，knowingnothingofhishighestqualities——notevenknowingthathewasalive。Hewasabravesoldier。Hewashonouredandbelovedbythousandsofthousands，whenthemotherofhisdearfriendfoundme，andshowedmethatinallhistriumphshehadneverforgottenme。
　　Hewaswoundedinagreatbattle。Hewasbrought，dying，here，intoBrussels。Icametowatchandtendhim，asIwouldhavejoyfullygone，withsuchapurpose，tothedreariestendsoftheearth。Whenheknewnooneelse，heknewme。Whenhesufferedmost，heborehissufferingsbarelymurmuring，contenttoresthisheadwhereyourrestsnow。Whenhelayatthepointofdeath，hemarriedme，thathemightcallmeWifebeforehedied。Andthename，mydearlove，thatItookonthatforgottennight——"
　　"Iknowitnow！"hesobbed。"Theshadowyremembrancestrengthens。
　　Itiscomeback。IthankHeaventhatmymindisquiterestored！MyMary，kissme；lullthiswearyheadtorest，orIshalldieofgratitude。Hispartingwordswerefulfilled。IseeHomeagain！"
　　Well！Theywerehappy。Itwasalongrecovery，buttheywerehappythroughitall。Thesnowhadmeltedontheground，andthebirdsweresingingintheleaflessthicketsoftheearlyspring，whenthosethreewerefirstabletorideouttogether，andwhenpeopleflockedabouttheopencarriagetocheerandcongratulateCaptainRichardDoubledick。
　　ButeventhenitbecamenecessaryfortheCaptain，insteadofreturningtoEngland，tocompletehisrecoveryintheclimateofSouthernFrance。TheyfoundaspotupontheRhone，withinarideoftheoldtownofAvignon，andwithinviewofitsbrokenbridge，whichwasalltheycoulddesire；theylivedthere，together，sixmonths；
　　thenreturnedtoEngland。Mrs。Taunton，growingoldafterthreeyears——thoughnotsooldasthatherbright，darkeyesweredimmed——
　　andrememberingthatherstrengthhadbeenbenefitedbythechangeresolvedtogobackforayeartothoseparts。Soshewentwithafaithfulservant，whohadoftencarriedhersoninhisarms；andshewastoberejoinedandescortedhome，attheyear’send，byCaptainRichardDoubledick。
　　Shewroteregularlytoherchildren（asshecalledthemnow），andtheytoher。ShewenttotheneighbourhoodofAix；andthere，intheirownchateaunearthefarmer’shousesherented，shegrewintointimacywithafamilybelongingtothatpartofFrance。Theintimacybeganinheroftenmeetingamongthevineyardsaprettychild，agirlwithamostcompassionateheart，whowasnevertiredoflisteningtothesolitaryEnglishlady’sstoriesofherpoorsonandthecruelwars。Thefamilywereasgentleasthechild，andatlengthshecametoknowthemsowellthatsheacceptedtheirinvitationtopassthelastmonthofherresidenceabroadundertheirroof。Allthisintelligenceshewrotehome，piecemealasitcameabout，fromtimetotime；andatlastenclosedapolitenote，fromtheheadofthechateau，soliciting，ontheoccasionofhisapproachingmissiontothatneighbourhood，thehonourofthecompanyofcethommesijustementcelebre，MonsieurleCapitaineRichardDoubledick。
　　CaptainDoubledick，nowahardy，handsomemaninthefullvigouroflife，broaderacrossthechestandshouldersthanhehadeverbeenbefore，dispatchedacourteousreply，andfolloweditinperson。
　　TravellingthroughallthatextentofcountryafterthreeyearsofPeace，heblessedthebetterdaysonwhichtheworldhadfallen。
　　Thecornwasgolden，notdrenchedinunnaturalred；wasboundinsheavesforfood，nottroddenunderfootbymeninmortalfight。Thesmokeroseupfrompeacefulhearths，notblazingruins。Thecartswereladenwiththefairfruitsoftheearth，notwithwoundsanddeath。Tohimwhohadsooftenseentheterriblereverse，thesethingswerebeautifulindeed；andtheybroughthiminasoftenedspirittotheoldchateaunearAixuponadeepblueevening。
　　Itwasalargechateauofthegenuineoldghostlykind，withroundtowers，andextinguishers，andahighleadenroof，andmorewindowsthanAladdin’sPalace。Thelatticeblindswereallthrownopenaftertheheatoftheday，andtherewereglimpsesoframblingwallsandcorridorswithin。Thentherewereimmenseout—buildingsfallenintopartialdecay，massesofdarktrees，terrace—gardens，balustrades；tanksofwater，tooweaktoplayandtoodirtytowork；
　　statues，weeds，andthicketsofironrailingthatseemedtohaveovergrownthemselvesliketheshrubberies，andtohavebranchedoutinallmannerofwildshapes。Theentrancedoorsstoodopen，asdoorsoftendointhatcountrywhentheheatofthedayispast；andtheCaptainsawnobellorknocker，andwalkedin。
　　Hewalkedintoaloftystonehall，refreshinglycoolandgloomyaftertheglareofaSouthernday’stravel。Extendingalongthefoursidesofthishallwasagallery，leadingtosuitesofrooms；
　　anditwaslightedfromthetop。Stillnobellwastobeseen。
　　"Faith，"saidtheCaptainhalting，ashamedoftheclankingofhisboots，"thisisaghostlybeginning！"
　　Hestartedback，andfelthisfaceturnwhite。Inthegallery，lookingdownathim，stoodtheFrenchofficer——theofficerwhosepicturehehadcarriedinhismindsolongandsofar。Comparedwiththeoriginal，atlast——ineverylineamenthowlikeitwas！
　　Hemoved，anddisappeared，andCaptainRichardDoubledickheardhisstepscomingquicklydownownintothehall。Heenteredthroughanarchway。Therewasabright，suddenlookuponhisface，muchsuchalookasithadworninthatfatalmoment。
　　MonsieurleCapitaineRichardDoubledick？Enchantedtoreceivehim！
　　Athousandapologies！Theservantswerealloutintheair。Therewasalittlefeteamongtheminthegarden。Ineffect，itwasthefetedayofmydaughter，thelittlecherishedandprotectedofMadameTaunton。
　　HewassograciousandsofrankthatMonsieurleCapitaineRichardDoubledickcouldnotwithholdhishand。"ItisthehandofabraveEnglishman，"saidtheFrenchofficer，retainingitwhilehespoke。
　　"IcouldrespectabraveEnglishman，evenasmyfoe，howmuchmoreasmyfriend！Ialsoamasoldier。"
　　"Hehasnotrememberedme，asIhaverememberedhim；hedidnottakesuchnoteofmyface，thatday，asItookofhis，"thoughtCaptainRichardDoubledick。"HowshallItellhim？"
　　TheFrenchofficerconductedhisguestintoagardenandpresentedhimtohiswife，anengagingandbeautifulwoman，sittingwithMrs。
　　Tauntoninawhimsicalold—fashionedpavilion。Hisdaughter，herfairyoungfacebeamingwithjoy，camerunningtoembracehim；andtherewasaboy—babytotumbledownamongtheorangetreesonthebroadsteps，inmakingforhisfather’slegs。Amultitudeofchildrenvisitorsweredancingtosprightlymusic；andalltheservantsandpeasantsaboutthechateauweredancingtoo。ItwasasceneofinnocenthappinessthatmighthavebeeninventedfortheclimaxofthescenesofpeacewhichhadsoothedtheCaptain’sjourney。
　　Helookedon，greatlytroubledinhismind，untilaresoundingbellrang，andtheFrenchofficerbeggedtoshowhimhisrooms。Theywentupstairsintothegalleryfromwhichtheofficerhadlookeddown；andMonsieurleCapitaineRichardDoubledickwascordiallywelcomedtoagrandouterchamber，andasmalleronewithin，allclocksanddraperies，andhearths，andbrazendogs，andtiles，andcooldevices，andelegance，andvastness。
　　"YouwereatWaterloo，"saidtheFrenchofficer。
　　"Iwas，"saidCaptainRichardDoubledick。"AndatBadajos。"
　　Leftalonewiththesoundofhisownsternvoiceinhisears，hesatdowntoconsider，WhatshallIdo，andhowshallItellhim？Atthattime，unhappily，manydeplorableduelshadbeenfoughtbetweenEnglishandFrenchofficers，arisingoutoftherecentwar；andtheseduels，andhowtoavoidthisofficer’shospitality，weretheuppermostthoughtinCaptainRichardDoubledick’smind。
　　Hewasthinking，andlettingthetimerunoutinwhichheshouldhavedressedfordinner，whenMrs。Tauntonspoketohimoutsidethedoor，askingifhecouldgivehertheletterhehadbroughtfromMary。"Hismother，aboveall，"theCaptainthought。"HowshallI
　　tellher？"
　　"Youwillformafriendshipwithyourhost，Ihope，"saidMrs。
　　Taunton，whomhehurriedlyadmitted，"thatwilllastforlife。Heissotrue—heartedandsogenerous，Richard，thatyoucanhardlyfailtoesteemoneanother。IfHehadbeenspared，"shekissed（notwithouttears）thelocketinwhichsheworehishair，"hewouldhaveappreciatedhimwithhisownmagnanimity，andwouldhavebeentrulyhappythattheevildayswerepastwhichmadesuchamanhisenemy。"
　　Shelefttheroom；andtheCaptainwalked，firsttoonewindow，whencehecouldseethedancinginthegarden，thentoanotherwindow，whencehecouldseethesmilingprospectandthepeacefulvineyards。
　　"Spiritofmydepartedfriend，"saidhe，"isitthroughtheethesebetterthoughtsarerisinginmymind？Isitthouwhohastshownme，allthewayIhavebeendrawntomeetthisman，theblessingsofthealteredtime？Isitthouwhohastsentthystrickenmothertome，tostaymyangryhand？Isitfromtheethewhispercomes，thatthismandidhisdutyasthoudidst，——andasIdid，throughthyguidance，whichhaswhollysavedmehereonearth，——andthathedidnomore？"
　　Hesatdown，withhisheadburiedinhishands，and，whenheroseup，madethesecondstrongresolutionofhislife，——thatneithertotheFrenchofficer，nortothemotherofhisdepartedfriend，nortoanysoul，whileeitherofthetwowasliving，wouldhebreathewhatonlyheknew。AndwhenhetouchedthatFrenchofficer’sglasswithhisown，thatdayatdinner，hesecretlyforgavehiminthenameoftheDivineForgiverofinjuries。
　　HereIendedmystoryasthefirstPoorTraveller。But，ifIhadtolditnow，IcouldhaveaddedthatthetimehassincecomewhenthesonofMajorRichardDoubledick，andthesonofthatFrenchofficer，friendsastheirfatherswerebeforethem，foughtsidebysideinonecause，withtheirrespectivenations，likelong—dividedbrotherswhomthebettertimeshavebroughttogether，fastunited。
　　CHAPTERIII——THEROAD
　　Mystorybeingfinished，andtheWassailtoo，webrokeupastheCathedralbellstruckTwelve。Ididnottakeleaveofmytravellersthatnight；forithadcomeintomyheadtoreappear，inconjunctionwithsomehotcoffee，atseveninthemorning。
　　AsIpassedalongtheHighStreet，IheardtheWaitsatadistance，andstruckofftofindthem。TheywereplayingnearoneoftheoldgatesoftheCity，atthecornerofawonderfullyquaintrowofred—
　　bricktenements，whichtheclarionetobliginglyinformedmewereinhabitedbytheMinor—Canons。Theyhadoddlittleporchesoverthedoors，likesounding—boardsoveroldpulpits；andIthoughtIshouldliketoseeoneoftheMinor—Canonscomeoutuponhistopstop，andfavouruswithalittleChristmasdiscourseaboutthepoorscholarsofRochester；takingforhistextthewordsofhisMasterrelativetothedevouringofWidows’houses。
　　Theclarionetwassocommunicative，andmyinclinationswere（astheygenerallyare）ofsovagabondatendency，thatIaccompaniedtheWaitsacrossanopengreencalledtheVines，andassisted——intheFrenchsense——attheperformanceoftwowaltzes，twopolkas，andthreeIrishmelodies，beforeIthoughtofmyinnanymore。However，Ireturnedtoitthen，andfoundafiddleinthekitchen，andBen，thewall—eyedyoungman，andtwochambermaids，circlingroundthegreatdealtablewiththeutmostanimation。
　　Ihadaverybadnight。Itcannothavebeenowingtotheturkeyorthebeef，——andtheWassailisoutofthequestion——butineveryendeavourthatImadetogettosleepIfailedmostdismally。Iwasneverasleep；andinwhatsoeverunreasonabledirectionmymindrambled，theeffigyofMasterRichardWattsperpetuallyembarrassedit。
　　Inaword，IonlygotoutoftheWorshipfulMasterRichardWatts’swaybygettingoutofbedinthedarkatsixo’clock，andtumbling，asmycustomis，intoallthecoldwaterthatcouldbeaccumulatedforthepurpose。Theouterairwasdullandcoldenoughinthestreet，whenIcamedownthere；andtheonecandleinoursupper—
　　roomatWatts’sCharitylookedaspaleintheburningasifithadhadabadnighttoo。ButmyTravellershadallsleptsoundly，andtheytooktothehotcoffee，andthepilesofbread—and—butter，whichBenhadarrangedlikedealsinatimber—yard，askindlyasI
　　coulddesire。
　　Whileitwasyetscarcelydaylight，weallcameoutintothestreettogether，andthereshookhands。ThewidowtookthelittlesailortowardsChatham，wherehewastofindasteamboatforSheerness；thelawyer，withanextremelyknowinglook，wenthisownway，withoutcommittinghimselfbyannouncinghisintentions；twomorestruckoffbythecathedralandoldcastleforMaidstone；andthebook—pedleraccompaniedmeoverthebridge。Asforme，IwasgoingtowalkbyCobhamWoods，asfaruponmywaytoLondonasIfancied。
　　WhenIcametothestileandfootpathbywhichIwastodivergefromthemainroad，IbadefarewelltomylastremainingPoorTraveller，andpursuedmywayalone。Andnowthemistsbegantoriseinthemostbeautifulmanner，andthesuntoshine；andasIwentonthroughthebracingair，seeingthehoarfrostsparkleeverywhere，I
　　feltasifallNaturesharedinthejoyofthegreatBirthday。
　　Goingthroughthewoods，thesoftnessofmytreaduponthemossygroundandamongthebrownleavesenhancedtheChristmassacrednessbywhichIfeltsurrounded。Asthewhitenedstemsenvironedme，I
　　thoughthowtheFounderofthetimehadneverraisedhisbenignanthand，savetoblessandheal，exceptinthecaseofoneunconscioustree。ByCobhamHall，Icametothevillage，andthechurchyardwherethedeadhadbeenquietlyburied，"inthesureandcertainhope"whichChristmastimeinspired。WhatchildrencouldIseeatplay，andnotbelovingof，recallingwhohadlovedthem！NogardenthatIpassedwasoutofunisonwiththeday，forIrememberedthatthetombwasinagarden，andthat"she，supposinghimtobethegardener，"hadsaid，"Sir，ifthouhavebornehimhence，tellmewherethouhastlaidhim，andIwilltakehimaway。"Intime，thedistantriverwiththeshipscamefullinview，andwithitpicturesofthepoorfishermen，mendingtheirnets，whoaroseandfollowedhim，——oftheteachingofthepeoplefromashippushedoffalittlewayfromshore，byreasonofthemultitude，——ofamajesticfigurewalkingonthewater，inthelonelinessofnight。MyveryshadowonthegroundwaseloquentofChristmas；fordidnotthepeoplelaytheirsickwherethemoreshadowsofthemenwhohadheardandseenhimmightfallastheypassedalong？
　　ThusChristmasbegirtme，farandnear，untilIhadcometoBlackheath，andhadwalkeddownthelongvistaofgnarledoldtreesinGreenwichPark，andwasbeingsteam—rattledthroughthemistsnowclosinginoncemore，towardsthelightsofLondon。Brightlytheyshone，butnotsobrightlyasmyownfire，andthebrighterfacesaroundit，whenwecametogethertocelebratetheday。AndthereI
　　toldofworthyMasterRichardWatts，andofmysupperwiththeSixPoorTravellerswhowereneitherRoguesnorProctors，andfromthathourtothisIhaveneverseenoneofthemagain。