"Ifyouwillexcuseme，"hesaid，"Iwilltelltheboythathecango."
　　Weheardhim，amomentlater，turnthekeyintheouterdoor;andwhenhecamebackandhadmadeupthefire，hetoldusthebeginningofthestory.
　　ThenameofthemanburiedinHighgateCemeterywasHepworth，afterall.NotMichael，butAlex，theelderbrother.
　　Fromboyhoodhehadbeenviolent，brutal，unscrupulous.JudgingfromEllenby’sstory，itwasdifficulttoaccepthimasaproductofmoderncivilisation.Ratherhewouldseemtohavebeenathrowbacktosomesavage，buccaneeringancestor.Toexpecthimtowork，whilehecouldliveinviciousidlenessatsomebodyelse’sexpense，wasfoundtobehopeless.Hisdebtswerepaidforaboutthethirdorfourthtime，andhewasshippedofftotheColonies.Unfortunately，therewerenomeansofkeepinghimthere.Sosoonasthemoneyprovidedhimhadbeensquandered，hereturned，demandingmorebymenacesandthreats.Meetingwithunexpectedfirmness，heseemstohaveregardedtheftandforgeryastheonlyalternativelefttohim.
　　Tosavehimfrompunishmentandthefamilynamefromdisgrace，hisparents’savingsweresacrificed.Itwasgriefandshamethat，accordingtoEllenby，killedthembothwithinafewmonthsofoneanother.
　　Deprivedbythisblowofwhathenodoubthadcometoconsiderhisnaturalmeansofsupport，andhissister，fortunatelyforherself，beingwelloutofhisreach，henextfixeduponhisbrotherMichaelashisstay—by.Michael，weak，timid，andnotperhapswithoutsomeremainsofboyishaffectionforastrong，handsome，elderbrother，foolishlyyielded.Thedemands，ofcourse，increased，until，intheend，itcamealmostasareliefwhentheman’sviciouslifeledtohisgettingmixedupwithacrimeofaparticularlyodiousnature.
　　Hewasanxiousnowforhisownsaketogetaway，andMichael，withlittleenoughtospareforhimself，providedhimwiththemeans，onthesolemnunderstandingthathewouldneverreturn.
　　ButtheworryandmiseryofitallhadleftyoungMichaelabrokenman.Unabletoconcentratehismindanylongeruponhisprofession，hiscravingwastogetawayfromallhisoldassociations——tomakeafreshstartinlife.ItwasEllenbywhosuggestedLondonandtheshipfurnishingbusiness，whereMichael’ssmallremainingcapitalwouldbeofservice.ThenameofHepworthwouldbevaluableinshippingcircles，andEllenby，arguingthisconsideration，butchieflywiththehopeofgivingyoungMichaelmoreinterestinthebusiness，hadinsistedthatthefirmshouldbeHepworthandCo.
　　Theyhadnotbeenstartedayearbeforethemanreturned，asusualdemandingmoremoney.Michael，actingunderEllenby’sguidance，refusedintermsthatconvincedhisbrotherthatthegameofbullyingwasup.Hewaitedawhile，andthenwrotepatheticallythathewasillandstarving.Ifonlyforthesakeofhisyoungwife，wouldnotMichaelcomeandseethem？
　　Thiswasthefirsttheyhadheardofhismarriage.Therewasjustafainthopethatitmighthaveeffectedachange，andMichael，againstEllenby’sadvice，decidedtogo.Inamiserablelodging—houseintheEastEndhefoundtheyoungwife，butnothisbrother，whodidnotreturntillhewasonthepointofleaving.IntheintervalthegirlseemstohaveconfidedherstorytoMichael.
　　Shehadbeenasinger，engagedatamusic—hallinRotterdam.ThereAlexHepworth，callinghimselfCharlieMartin，hadmetherandmadelovetoher.Whenhechose，hecouldbeagreeableenough，andnodoubtheryouthandbeautyhadgiventohisprotestations，forthetimebeing，agenuineringofadmirationanddesire.Itwastoescapefromhersurroundings，morethananythingelse，thatshehadconsented.Shewaslittlemorethanachild，andanythingseemedpreferabletothenightlyhorrortowhichherlifeexposedher.
　　Hehadnevermarriedher.Atleast，thatwasherbeliefatthetime.Duringhisfirstdrunkenbouthehadflungitinherfacethattheformtheyhadgonethroughwasmerebunkum.Unfortunatelyforher，thiswasalie.Hehadalwaysbeencoollycalculating.Itwasprobablywiththeideaofasafeinvestmentthathehadseentoitthattheceremonyhadbeenstrictlylegal.
　　Herlifewithhim，sosoonasthefirstnoveltyofherhadwornoff，hadbeenunspeakable.Thebandthatsheworeroundherneckwastohidewhere，inafitofsavagery，becauseshehadrefusedtoearnmoneyforhimonthestreets，hehadtriedtocutherthroat.NowthatshehadgotbacktoEnglandsheintendedtoleavehim.Ifhefollowedandkilledhershedidnotcare.
　　ItwasforhersakethatyoungHepwortheventuallyofferedtohelphisbrotheragain，ontheconditionthathewouldgoawaybyhimself.Tothistheotheragreed.Heseemstohavegivenashortdisplayofremorse.Theremusthavebeenagrinonhisfaceasheturnedaway.Hiscunningeyeshadforeseenwhatwaslikelytohappen.Theideaofblackmailwasnodoubtinhismindfromthebeginning.Withthechargeofbigamyasaweaponinhishand，hemightrelyfortherestofhislifeuponasteadyandincreasingincome.
　　Michaelsawhisbrotheroffasasecond—classpassengeronashipboundfortheCape.Ofcourse，therewaslittlechanceofhiskeepinghisword，buttherewasalwaysthechanceofhisgettinghimselfknockedontheheadinsomebrawl.Anyhow，hewouldbeoutofthewayforaseason，andthegirl，Lola，wouldbeleft.Amonthlaterhemarriedher，andfourmonthsafterthatreceivedaletterfromhisbrothercontainingmessagestoMrs.Martin，"fromherlovinghusband，Charlie，"whohopedbeforelongtohavethepleasureofseeingheragain.
　　InquiriesthroughtheEnglishConsulinRotterdamprovedthatthethreatwasnomerebluff.Themarriagehadbeenlegalandbinding.
　　Whathappenedonthenightofthemurder，wasverymuchasmyfriendhadreconstructedit.Ellenby，reachingtheofficeathisusualtimethenextmorning，hadfoundHepworthwaitingforhim.Therehehadremainedinhidinguntilonemorning，withdyedhairandaslightmoustache，hehadventuredforth.
　　Hadtheman’sdeathbeenbroughtaboutbyanyothermeans，Ellenbywouldhavecounselledhiscomingforwardandfacinghistrial，ashehimselfwasanxioustodo;but，viewedinconjunctionwiththerelieftheman’sdeathmusthavebeentobothofthem，thatloadedrevolverwastoosuggestiveofpremeditation.Theisolationofthehouse，thatconvenientlynearpond，wouldlookasifthoughtofbeforehand.Evenifpleadingextremeprovocation，Michaelescapedtherope，alongtermofpenalservitudewouldbeinevitable.
　　Norwasitcertainthateventhenthewomanwouldgofree.Themurderedmanwouldstill，byastrangefreak，beherhusband;themurderer——intheeyeofthelaw——herlover.
　　Herpassionatewillhadprevailed.YoungHepworthhadsailedforAmerica.Therehehadnodifficultyinobtainingemployment——ofcourse，underanothername——inanarchitectsoffice;andlaterhadsetupforhimself.Sincethenightofthemurdertheyhadnotseeneachothertillsomethreeweeksago.
　　***
　　Ineversawthewomanagain.Myfriend，Ibelieve，calledonher.
　　HepworthhadalreadyreturnedtoAmerica，andmyfriendhadsucceededinobtainingforhersomesortofapolicepermitthatpracticallyleftherfree.
　　SometimesofaneveningIfindmyselfpassingthroughthestreet.
　　AndalwaysIhavethefeelingofhavingblunderedintoanemptytheatre——wheretheplayisended.
　　HISEVENINGOUT.
　　Theevidenceofthepark—keeper，DavidBristow，ofGilderStreet，CamdenTown，isasfollows：
　　IwasondutyinSt.James’sParkonThursdayevening，mysphereextendingfromtheMalltothenorthernshoreoftheornamentalwatereastofthesuspensionbridge.Atfive—and—twentytosevenI
　　tookupapositionbetweenthepeninsulaandthebridgetoawaitmycolleague.Heoughttohaverelievedmeathalf—pastsix，butdidnotarriveuntilafewminutesbeforeseven，owing，soheexplained，tothebreakingdownofhismotor—’bus——whichmayhavebeentrueormaynot，asthesayingis.
　　Ihadjustcometoahalt，whenmyattentionwasarrestedbyalady.
　　IamunabletoexplainwhythepresenceofaladyinSt.James’sParkshouldhaveseemedinanywayworthyofnoticeexceptthat，forcertainreasons，sheremindedmeofmyfirstwife.Iobservedthatshehesitatedbetweenoneofthepublicseatsandtwovacantchairsstandingbythemselvesalittlefarthertotheeast.Eventuallysheselectedoneofthechairs，and，havingcleaneditwithaneveningpaper——thebirdsinthisportionoftheParkbeingextremelyprolific——satdownuponit.Therewasplentyofroomuponthepublicseatclosetoit，exceptforsomechildrenwhowereplayingtouch;andinconsequenceofthisIjudgedhertobeapersonofmeans.
　　IwalkedtoapointfromwhereIcouldcommandthesouthernapproachestothebridge，mycolleaguearrivingsometimesbywayofBirdcageWalkandsometimesbywayoftheHorseGuardsParade.Notseeinganysignsofhiminthedirectionofthebridge，Iturnedback.AlittlewaypastthechairwheretheladywassittingImetMr.Parable.IknowMr.Parablequitewellbysight.Hewaswearingtheusualgreysuitandsoftfelthatwithwhichthepicturesinthenewspapershavemadeusallfamiliar.IjudgedthatMr.ParablehadcomefromtheHousesofParliament，andthenextmorningmysuspicionswereconfirmedbyreadingthathehadbeenpresentatatea—partygivenontheterracebyMr.WillCrooks.Mr.
　　Parableconveyedtomethesuggestionofamanabsorbedinthought，andnotquiteawareofwhathewasdoing;butinthis，ofcourse，I
　　mayhavebeenmistaken.Hepausedforamomenttolookovertherailingsatthepelican.Mr.ParablesaidsomethingtothepelicanwhichIwasnotnearenoughtooverhear;andthen，stillapparentlyinastateofabstraction，crossedthepathandseatedhimselfonthechairnexttothatoccupiedbytheyounglady.
　　FromthetreeagainstwhichIwasstandingIwasabletowatchthesubsequentproceedingsunobserved.TheladylookedatMr.Parableandthenturnedawayandsmiledtoherself.Itwasapeculiarsmile，and，againinsomewayIamunabletoexplain，remindedmeofmyfirstwife.ItwasnottillthepelicanputdownhisotherlegandwalkedawaythatMr.Parable，turninghisgazewestward，becameawareofthelady’spresence.
　　Frominformationthathassubsequentlycometomyknowledge，IampreparedtobelievethatMr.Parable，fromthebeginning，reallythoughttheladywasafriendofhis.Whattheladythoughtisamatterforconjecture;Icanonlyspeaktothefacts.Mr.Parablelookedattheladyonceortwice.Indeed，onemightsaywithtruththathekeptondoingit.Thelady，itmustbeadmitted，behavedforawhilewithextremepropriety;butafteratime，asIfeltmusthappen，theireyesmet，andthenitwasIheardhersay：
　　"Goodevening，Mr.Parable."
　　SheaccompaniedthewordswiththesamepeculiarsmiletowhichI
　　havealreadyalluded.TheexactwordsofMr.Parable’sreplyI
　　cannotremember.Butitwastotheeffectthathehadthoughtfromthefirstthathehadknownherbuthadnotbeenquitesure.Itwasatthispointthat，thinkingIsawmycolleagueapproaching，Iwenttomeethim.IfoundIwasmistaken，andslowlyretracedmysteps.
　　IpassedMr.Parableandthelady.TheyweretalkingtogetherwithwhatIshoulddescribeasanimation.Iwentasfarasthesouthernextremityofthesuspensionbridge，andmusthavewaitedtherequitetenminutesbeforereturningeastward.ItwaswhileIwaspassingbehindthemonthegrass，partiallyscreenedbytherhododendrons，thatIheardMr.Parablesaytothelady：
　　"Whyshouldn’twehaveittogether？"
　　Towhichtheladyreplied：
　　"ButwhataboutMissClebb？"
　　Icouldnotoverhearwhatfollowed，owingtotheirsinkingtheirvoices.Itseemedtobeanargument.Itendedwiththeyoungladylaughingandthenrising.Mr.Parablealsorose，andtheywalkedofftogether.AstheypassedmeIheardtheladysay：
　　"Iwonderifthere’sanyplaceinLondonwhereyou’renotlikelytoberecognised."
　　Mr.Parable，whogavemetheideaofbeinginastateofgrowingexcitement，repliedquiteloudly：
　　"Oh，let’em！"
　　Iwasfollowingbehindthemwhentheladysuddenlystopped.
　　"Iknow！"shesaid."ThePopularCafe."
　　Thepark—keepersaidhewasconvincedhewouldknowtheladyagain，havingtakenparticularnoticeofher.Shehadbrowneyesandwaswearingablackhatsupplementedwithpoppies.
　　***
　　ArthurHorton，waiteratthePopularCafe，statesasfollows：
　　IknowMr.JohnParablebysight.Haveoftenheardhimspeakatpublicmeetings.AmabitofaSocialistmyself.RememberhisdiningatthePopularCafeontheeveningofThursday.Didn’trecognisehimimmediatelyonhisentrancefortworeasons.Onewashishat，andtheotherwashisgirl.Itookitfromhimandhungitup.Imean，ofcourse，thehat.Itwasabrand—newbowler，atrifleikeyaboutthebrim.Havealwaysassociatedhimwithasoftgreyfelt.Butneverwithgirls.Females，yes，toanyextent.Butthiswastherealarticle.YouknowwhatImean——thesortofgirlthatyouturnroundtolookafter.Itwasshewhoselectedthetableinthecornerbehindthedoor.Beentherebefore，Ishouldsay.
　　Ishould，intheordinarycourseofbusiness，haveaddressedMr.
　　Parablebyname，suchbeingourinstructionsinthecaseofcustomersknowntous.But，puttingthehatandthegirltogether，Idecidednotto.Mr.Parablewasallforourthree—and—six—pennytabled’hote;heevidentlynotwantingtothink.Buttheladywouldn’thearofit.
　　"RememberMissClebb，"sheremindedhim.
　　Ofcourse，atthetimeIdidnotknowwhatwasmeant.Sheorderedthinsoup，agrilledsole，andcutletsaugratin.Itcertainlycouldn’thavebeenthedinner.Withregardtothechampagne，hewouldhavehisownway.Ipickedhimoutadry’94，thatyoumighthaveweanedababyon.Isupposeitwasthewholethingcombined.
　　ItwasafterthesolethatIheardMr.Parablelaugh.Icouldhardlycreditmyears，buthalf—waythroughthecutletshediditagain.
　　Therearetwokindsofwomen.Thereisthewomanwho，themoresheeatsanddrinks，thestodgiershegets，andthewomanwholightsupafterit.IsuggestedapecheMelbabetweenthem，andwhenI
　　returnedwithit，Mr.ParablewassittingwithhiselbowsonthetablegazingacrossatherwithanexpressionthatIcanonlydescribeasquitehuman.ItwaswhenIbroughtthecoffeethatheturnedtomeandasked：
　　"What’sdoing？Nothingstuffy，"headded."IsthereanExhibitionanywhere——somethingintheopenair？"
　　"YouareforgettingMissClebb，"theladyremindedhim.
　　"Fortwopins，"saidMr.Parable，"IwouldgetupatthemeetingandtellMissClebbwhatIreallythinkabouther."
　　IsuggestedtheEarl’sCourtExhibition，littlethinkingatthetimewhatitwasgoingtoleadto;buttheladyatfirstwouldn’thearofit，andthepartyatthenexttablecallingfortheirbill（theyhadaskedforitonceortwicebefore，whenIcametothinkofit），I
　　hadtogoacrosstothem.
　　WhenIgotbacktheargumenthadjustconcluded，andtheladywasholdingupherfinger.
　　"Onconditionthatweleaveathalf—pastnine，andthatyougostraighttoCaxtonHall，"shesaid.
　　"We’llseeaboutit，"saidMr.Parable，andofferedmehalfacrown.
　　Tipsbeingagainsttherules，Icouldn’ttakeit.Besides，oneofthejumpershadhiseyeonme.Iexplainedtohim，jocosely，thatI
　　wasdoingitforabet.HewassurprisedwhenIhandedhimhishat，but，theladywhisperingtohim，herememberedhimselfintime.
　　AstheywentouttogetherIheardMr.Parablesaytothelady：
　　"It’sfunnywhatashockingmemoryIhavefornames."
　　Towhichtheladyreplied：
　　"You’llthinkitfunnierstillto—morrow."Andthenshelaughed.
　　Mr.Hortonthoughthewouldknowtheladyagain.Heputsdownherageatabouttwenty—six，describingher——tousehisownpiquantexpression——as"abitofallright."Shehadbrowneyesandatakingwaywithher.
　　***
　　MissIdaJenks，inchargeoftheEasternCigaretteKioskattheEarl’sCourtExhibition，givesthefollowingparticulars：
　　FromwhereIgenerallystandIcaneasilycommandaviewoftheinterioroftheVictoriaHall;thatis，ofcourse，tosaywhenthedoorsareopen，asonawarmnightisusuallythecase.
　　OntheeveningofThursday，thetwenty—seventh，itwasfairlywelloccupied，butnottoanygreatextent.Onecoupleattractedmyattentionbyreasonofthegentleman’serraticsteering.HadhebeenmypartnerIshouldhavesuggestedapolka，thetangonotbeingthesortofdancethatcanbepickedupinanevening.WhatImeantosayis，thathestruckmeasbeingmorewillingthanexperienced.
　　Someofthebumpsshegotwouldhavemademecross;butweallhaveourfancies，and，sofarasIcouldjudge，theybothappearedtobeenjoyingthemselves.Itwasafterthe"HitchyKoo"thattheycameoutside.
　　Theseattotheleftofthedoorispopularbyreasonofitsbeingpartlyscreenedbybushes，butbyleaningforwardalittleitisquitepossibleformetoseewhatgoesonthere.Theywerethefirstcoupleout，havinghadabadcollisionnearthebandstand，soeasilysecuredit.Thegentlemanwaslaughing.
　　TherewassomethingabouthimfromthefirstthatmademethinkI
　　knewhim，andwhenhetookoffhishattowipehisheaditcametomeallofasudden，hebeingtheexactimageofhiseffigyatMadameTussaud’s，which，byacuriouscoincidence，Ihappenedtohavevisitedwithafriendthatveryafternoon.Theladywaswhatsomepeoplewouldcallgood—looking，andothersmightn’t.
　　Iwaswatchingthem，naturallyalittleinterested.Mr.Parable，inhelpingtheladytoadjusthercloak，drewher——itmayhavebeenbyaccident——towardshim;andthenitwasthatafloridgentlemanwithashortpipeinhismouthsteppedforwardandaddressedthelady.
　　Heraisedhishatand，remarking"Goodevening，"addedthathehopedshewas"havingapleasanttime."Histone，Ishouldexplain，wassarcastic.
　　Theyoungwoman，whateverelsemaybesaidofher，struckmeasbehavingquitecorrectly.Replyingtohissalutationwithacoldanddistantbow，sherose，and，turningtoMr.Parable，observedthatshethoughtitwasperhapstimeforthemtobegoing.
　　Thegentleman，whohadtakenhispipefromhismouth，said——againinasarcastictone——thathethoughtsotoo，andofferedtheladyhisarm.
　　"Idon’tthinkweneedtroubleyou，"saidMr.Parable，andsteppedbetweenthem.
　　TodescribewhatfollowedI，beingalady，amhamperedforwords.I
　　rememberseeingMr.Parable’shatgoupintotheair，andthenthenextmomentthefloridgentleman’sheadwaslyingonmycountersmotheredincigarettes.Inaturallyscreamedforthepolice，butthecrowdwasdeadagainstme;anditwasonlyafterwhatIbelieveintechnicallanguagewouldbetermed"thefourthround"thattheyappeareduponthescene.
　　ThelastIsawofMr.Parablehewasshakingayoungconstablewhohadlosthishelmet，whilethreeotherpolicemenhadholdofhimfrombehind.Thefloridgentleman’shatIfoundonthefloorofmykioskandreturnedtohim;butafterauselessattempttogetitonhishead，hedisappearedwithitinhishand.Theladywasnowheretobeseen.
　　MissJenksthinksshewouldknowheragain.Shewaswearingahattrimmedwithblackchiffonandasprayofpoppies，andwasslightlyfreckled.
　　***
　　SuperintendentS.Wade，inanswertoquestionsputtohimbyourrepresentative，vouchsafedthefollowingreplies：
　　Yes.IwasinchargeattheVineStreetPoliceStationonthenightofThursday，thetwenty—seventh.
　　No.IhavenorecollectionofachargeofanydescriptionbeingpreferredagainstanygentlemanofthenameofParable.
　　Yes.Agentlemanwasbroughtinaboutteno’clockchargedwithbrawlingattheEarl’sCourtExhibitionandassaultingaconstableinthedischargeofhisduty.
　　ThegentlemangavethenameofMr.ArchibaldQuincey，HarcourtBuildings，Temple.
　　No.Thegentlemanmadenoapplicationrespectingbail，electingtopassthenightinthecells.Acertainamountofdiscretionispermittedtous，andwemadehimascomfortableaspossible.
　　Yes.Alady.
　　No.AboutagentlemanwhohadgothimselfintotroubleattheEarl’sCourtExhibition.Shementionednoname.
　　Ishowedherthechargesheet.Shethankedmeandwentaway.
　　ThatIcannotsay.Icanonlytellyouthatatnine—fifteenonFridaymorningbailwastendered，and，afterinquiries，acceptedinthepersonofJuliusAddisonTupp，oftheSunnybrookSteamLaundry，Twickenham.
　　Thatisnobusinessofours.
　　Theaccusedwho，Ihadseentoit，hadhadacupofteaandalittletoastatseven—thirty，leftincompanywithMr.Tuppsoonafterten.
　　SuperintendentWadeadmittedhehadknowncaseswhereaccusedparties，toavoidunpleasantness，hadstatedtheirnamestobeotherthantheirown，butdeclinedtodiscussthematterfurther.
　　SuperintendentWade，whileexpressinghisregretthathehadnomoretimetobestowuponourrepresentative，thoughtithighlyprobablethathewouldknowtheladyagainifhesawher.
　　Withoutprofessingtobeajudgeofsuchmatters，SuperintendentWadethinksshemightbedescribedasahighlyintelligentyoungwoman，andofexceptionallyprepossessingappearance.
　　***
　　FromMr.JuliusTupp，oftheSunnybrookSteamLaundry，Twickenham，uponwhomourrepresentativenextcalled，wehavebeenunabletoobtainmuchassistance，Mr.Tuppreplyingtoallquestionsputtohimbytheoneformula，"Nottalking."
　　Fortunately，ourrepresentative，onhiswayoutthroughthedryingground，wasabletoobtainabriefinterviewwithMrs.Tupp.
　　Mrs.TuppremembersadmittingayoungladytothehouseonthemorningofFriday，thetwenty—eighth，whensheopenedthedoortotakeinthemilk.Thelady，Mrs.Tuppremembers，spokeinahuskyvoice，theresult，astheyoungladyexplainedwithapleasantlaugh，ofhavingpassedthenightwanderingaboutHamCommon，shehavingbeenmisdirectedthepreviouseveningbyafoolofarailwayporter，andnotwishingtodisturbtheneighbourhoodbywakingpeopleupattwoo’clockinthemorning，which，inMrs.Tupp’sopinion，wassensibleofher.
　　Mrs.Tuppdescribestheyoungladyasofagreeablemanners，butlooking，naturally，abitwashedout.TheladyaskedforMr.Tupp，explainingthatafriendofhiswasintrouble，whichdidnotintheleastsurpriseMrs.Tupp，sheherselfnotholdingwithSocialistsandsuchlike.Mr.Tupp，onbeinginformed，dressedhastilyandwentdownstairs，andheandtheyoungladyleftthehousetogether.
　　Mr.Tupp，onbeingquestionedastothenameofhisfriend，hadcalledupthatitwasnooneMrs.Tuppwouldknow，aMr.Quince——itmayhavebeenQuincey.
　　Mrs.TuppisawarethatMr.ParableisalsoaSocialist，andisacquaintedwiththesayingaboutthieveshangingtogether.ButhasworkedforMr.Parableforyearsandhasalwaysfoundhimamostsatisfactoryclient;and，Mr.Tuppappearingatthispoint，ourrepresentativethankedMrs.Tuppforherinformationandtookhisdeparture.
　　***
　　Mr.HoratiusCondor，Junior，whoconsentedtopartakeofluncheonincompanywithourrepresentativeattheHolbornRestaurant，wasatfirstdisinclinedtobeofmuchassistance，buteventuallysuppliedourrepresentativewiththefollowinginformation：
　　MyrelationshiptoMr.ArchibaldQuincey，HarcourtBuildings，Temple，isperhapsalittledifficulttodefine.
　　HowhehimselfregardsmeIamneverquitesure.Therewillbedaystogetherwhenwewillbequitefriendlylike，andatothertimeshewillbethatoffhandedandperemptoryyoumightthinkIwashisbloomingofficeboy.
　　OnFridaymorning，thetwenty—eighth，Ididn’tgettoHarcourtBuildingsattheusualtime，knowingthatMr.Quinceywouldnotbetherehimself，hehavingarrangedtointerviewMr.ParablefortheDailyChronicleatteno’clock.Iallowedhimhalfanhour，tobequitesafe，andhecameinataquarterpasteleven.
　　Hetooknonoticeofme.Forabouttenminutes——itmayhavebeenless——hewalkedupanddowntheroom，cursingandswearingandkickingthefurnitureabout.Helandedanoccasionalwalnuttableinthemiddleofmyshins，uponwhichItooktheopportunityofwishinghim"Goodmorning，"andhesortofwokeup，asyoumightsay.
　　"Howdidtheinterviewgooff？"Isays."Gotanythinginteresting？"
　　"Yes，"hesays;"quiteinteresting.Oh，yes，decidedlyinteresting."
　　Hewasholdinghimselfin，ifyouunderstand，speakingwithhorribleslownessanddeliberation.
　　"D’youknowwherehewaslastnight？"heasksme.
　　"Yes，"Isays;"CaxtonHall，wasn’tit？——meetingtodemandthereleaseofMissClebb."
　　Heleansacrossthetabletillhisfacewaswithinafewinchesofmine.
　　"Guessagain，"hesays.
　　Iwasn’tdoinganyguessing.Hehadhurtmewiththewalnuttable，andIwasfeelingabitshort—tempered.
　　"Oh！don’tmakeagameofit，"Isays."It’stooearlyinthemorning."
　　"AttheEarl’sCourtExhibition，"hesays;"dancingthetangowithaladythathepickedupinSt.James’sPark."
　　"Well，"Isays，"whynot？Hedon’toftengetmuchfun."Ithoughtitbesttotreatitlightly.
　　Hetakesnonoticeofmyobservation.
　　"Arivalcomesuponthescene，"hecontinues——"afatheadedass，accordingtomyinformation——andtheyhaveastand—upfight.HegetsruninandspendsthenightinaVineStreetpolicecell."
　　IsupposeIwasgrinningwithoutknowingit.
　　"Funny，ain’tit？"hesays.
　　"Well，"Isays，"ithasitshumorousside，hasn’tit？What’llheget？"
　　"IamnotworryingaboutwhatHEisgoingtoget，"heanswersback.
　　"Iamworryingaboutwhat_I_amgoingtoget."
　　Ithoughthehadgonedotty.
　　"What’sitgottodowithyou？"Isays.
　　"IfoldWotherspoonisinagoodhumour，"hecontinues，"andtheconstable’sheadhasgonedownabitbetweennowandWednesday，I
　　maygetoffwithfortyshillingsandapublicreprimand.
　　"Ontheotherhand，"hegoeson——hewasworkinghimselfintoasortoffit——"iftheconstable’sheadgoesonswelling，andoldWotherspoon’slivergetsworse，I’vegottobepreparedforamonthwithouttheoption.Thatis，ifIamfoolenough——"
　　Hehadleftboththedoorsopen，whichinthedaytimewegenerallydo，ourchambersbeingatthetop.MissDorton——that’sMr.
　　Parable’ssecretary——bargesintotheroom.Shedidn’tseemtonoticeme.Shestaggerstoachairandburstsintotears.
　　"He’sgone，"shesays;"he’stakencookwithhimandgone."
　　"Gone！"saystheguv’nor."Where’shegone？"
　　"ToFingest，"shesaysthroughhersobs——"tothecottage.MissBulstrodecameinjustafteryouhadleft，"shesays."Hewantstogetawayfromeveryoneandhaveafewdays’quiet.Andthenheiscomingback，andheisgoingtodoithimself."
　　"Dowhat？"saystheguv’nor，irritablelike.
　　"Fourteendays，"shewails."It’llkillhim."
　　"Butthecasedoesn’tcomeontillWednesday，"saystheguv’nor.
　　"Howdoyouknowit’sgoingtobefourteendays？"
　　"MissBulstrode，"shesays，"she’sseenthemagistrate.Hesayshealwaysgivesfourteendaysincasesofunprovokedassault."
　　"Butitwasn’tunprovoked，"saystheguv’nor."Theothermanbeganitbyknockingoffhishat.Itwasself—defence."
　　"Sheputthattohim，"shesays，"andheagreedthatthatwouldalterhisviewofthecase.But，yousee，"shecontinues，"wecan’tfindtheotherman.Heisn’tlikelytocomeforwardofhisownaccord."
　　"Thegirlmustknow，"saystheguv’nor——"thisgirlhepicksupinSt.James’sPark，andgoesdancingwith.Themanmusthavebeensomefriendofhers."
　　"Butwecan’tfindhereither，"shesays."Hedoesn’tevenknowhername——hecan’trememberit."
　　"Youwilldoit，won’tyou？"shesays.
　　"Dowhat？"saystheguv’noragain.
　　"Thefourteendays，"shesays.
　　"ButIthoughtyousaidhewasgoingtodoithimself？"hesays.
　　"Buthemustn’t，"shesays."MissBulstrodeiscomingroundtoseeyou.Thinkofit！Thinkoftheheadlinesinthepapers，"shesays.
　　"ThinkoftheFabianSociety.ThinkoftheSuffragecause.Wemustn’tlethim."
　　"Whataboutme？"saystheguv’nor."Doesn’tanybodycareforme？"
　　"Youdon’tmatter，"shesays."Besides，"shesays，"withyourinfluenceyou’llbeabletokeepitoutofthepapers.IfitcomesoutthatitwasMr.Parable，nothingonearthwillbeableto."
　　Theguv’norwasalmostasmuchexcitedbythistimeasshewas.
　　"I’llseetheFabianSocietyandtheWomen’sVoteandtheHomeforLostCatsatBattersea，andalltherestoftheblessedbagoftricks——"
　　I’dbeenthinkingtomyself，andhadjustworkeditout.
　　"What’shewanttotakehiscookdownwithhimfor？"Isays.
　　"Tocookforhim，"saystheguv’nor."Whatd’yougenerallywantacookfor？"
　　"Rats！"Isays."Doesheusuallytakehiscookwithhim？"
　　"No，"answeredMissDorton."NowIcometothinkofit，hehasalwayshithertoputupwithMrs.Meadows."
　　"YouwillfindtheladydownatFingest，"Isays，"sittingoppositehimandenjoyingarecherchedinnerfortwo."
　　Theguv’norslapsmeontheback，andliftsMissDortonoutofherchair.
　　"Yougetonback，"hesays，"andtelephonetoMissBulstrode.I’llberoundathalf—pasttwelve."
　　MissDortonwentoutinadazedsortofcondition，andtheguv’norgivesmeasovereign，andtellsmeIcanhavetherestofthedaytomyself.
　　Mr.Condor，Junior，considersthatwhathappenedsubsequentlygoestoprovethathewasrightmorethanitprovesthathewaswrong.
　　Mr.Condor，Junior，alsopromisedtosendusaphotographofhimselfforreproduction，but，unfortunately，uptothetimeofgoingtopressithadnotarrived.
　　***
　　FromMrs.Meadows，widowofthelateCorporalJohnMeadows，V.C.，Turberville，Bucks，thefollowingfurtherparticularswereobtainedbyourlocalrepresentative：
　　IhavedoneforMr.Parablenowforsomeyearspast，mycottagebeingonlyamileoff，whichmakesiteasyformetolookafterhim.
　　Mr.Parablelikestheplacetobealwaysreadysothathecandropinwhenhechooses，hesometimesgivingmewarningandsometimesnot.Itwasabouttheendoflastmonth——onaFriday，ifIrememberrightly——thathesuddenlyturnedup.
　　Asarule，hewalksfromHenleystation，butonthisoccasionhearrivedinafly，hehavingayoungwomanwithhim，andshehavingabag——hiscook，asheexplainedtome.Asarule，IdoeverythingforMr.Parable，sleepinginthecottagewhenheisthere;buttotellthetruth，Iwasgladtoseeher.Ineverwasmuchofacookmyself，asmypoordeadhusbandhasremarkedonmorethanoneoccasion，andIdon’tpretendtobe.Mr.Parableadded，apologeticlike，thathehadbeensufferinglatelyfromindigestion.
　　"Iamonlytoopleasedtoseeher，"Isays."Therearethetwobedsinmyroom，andweshan’tquarrel."Shewasquiteasensibleyoungwoman，asIhadjudgedfromthefirstlookather，thoughsufferingatthetimefromacold.ShehiresabicyclefromEmmaTidd，whoonlyusesitonaSunday，and，takingamarketbasket，offshestartsforHenley，Mr.Parablesayinghewouldgowithhertoshowhertheway.
　　Theyweregoneagoodishtime，which，seeingit’seightmiles，didn’tsomuchsurpriseme;andwhentheygotbackweallthreehaddinnertogether，Mr.Parablearguingthatitmadeforwhathecalled"laboursaving."AfterwardsIclearedaway，leavingthemtalkingtogether;andlaterontheyhadawalkroundthegarden，itbeingamoonlightnight，butabittoocoldformyfancy.
　　InthemorningIhadachatwithherbeforehewasdown.Sheseemedabitworried.
　　"Ihopepeoplewon’tgettalking，"shesays."Hewouldinsistonmycoming."
　　"Well，"Isays，"surelyagentcanbringhiscookalongwithhimtocookforhim.Andasforpeopletalking，whatIalwayssayis，onemayjustaswellgivethemsomethingtotalkaboutandsavethemthetroubleofmakingitup."
　　"IfonlyIwasaplain，middle—agedwoman，"shesays，"itwouldbeallright."
　　"Perhapsyouwillbe，allingoodtime，"Isays，but，ofcourse，I
　　couldseewhatshewasdrivingat.Anice，clean，pleasant—facedyoungwomanshewas，andnotoftheordinaryclass."Meanwhile，"I
　　says，"ifyoudon’tmindtakingabitofmotherlyadvice，youmightrememberthatyourplaceisthekitchen，andhistheparlour.He’sadeargoodman，Iknow，buthumannatureishumannature，andit’snogoodpretendingitisn’t."
　　SheandIhadourbreakfasttogetherbeforehewasup，sothatwhenhecamedownhehadtohavehisalone，butafterwardsshecomesintothekitchenandclosesthedoor.
　　"HewantstoshowmethewaytoHighWycombe，"shesays."HewillhaveittherearebettershopsatWycombe.WhatoughtItodo？"
　　Myexperienceisthatadvisingfolkstodowhattheydon’twanttodoisn’tthewaytodoit.
　　"Whatd’youthinkyourself？"Iaskedher.
　　"Ifeellikegoingwithhim，"shesays，"andmakingthemostofeverymile."
　　Andthenshebegantocry.
　　"What’stheharm！"shesays."Ihaveheardhimfromadozenplatformsridiculingclassdistinctions.Besides，"shesays，"mypeoplehavebeenfarmersforgenerations.WhatwasMissBulstrode’sfatherbutagrocer？Heranahundredshopsinsteadofone.Whatdifferencedoesthatmake？"
　　"Whendiditallbegin？"Isays."Whendidhefirsttakenoticeofyoulike？"
　　"Thedaybeforeyesterday，"sheanswers."Hehadneverseenmebefore，"shesays."Iwasjust’Cook’——somethinginacapandapronthathepassedoccasionallyonthestairs.OnThursdayhesawmeinmybestclothes，andfellinlovewithme.Hedoesn’tknowithimself，poordear，notyet，butthat’swhathe’sdone."
　　Well，Icouldn’tcontradicther，notafterthewayIhadseenhimlookingatheracrossthetable.
　　"Whatareyourfeelingstowardshim，"Isays，"tobequitehonest？
　　He’sratheragoodcatchforayoungpersoninyourposition."
　　"That’smytrouble，"shesays."Ican’thelpthinkingofthat.Andthentobe’Mrs.JohnParable’！That’senoughtoturnawoman’shead."
　　"He’dbeabitdifficulttolivewith，"Isays.
　　"Geniusesalwaysare，"shesays;"it’seasyenoughifyoujustthinkofthemaschildren.He’dbeabitfractiousattimes，that’sall.
　　Underneath，he’sjustthekindest，dearest——"
　　"Oh，youtakeyourbasketandgotoHighWycombe，"Isays."Hemightdoworse."
　　Iwasn’texpectingthembacksoon，andtheydidn’tcomebacksoon.
　　Intheafternoonamotorstopsatthegate，andoutofitstepsMissBulstrode，MissDorton——that’stheyoungladythatwritesforhim——andMr.Quincey.ItoldthemIcouldn’tsaywhenhe’dbeback，andtheysaiditdidn’tmatter，theyjusthappeningtobepassing.
　　"Didanybodycallonhimyesterday？"asksMissBulstrode，carelesslike——"alady？"
　　"No，"Isays;"youarethefirstasyet."
　　"He’sbroughthiscookdownwithhim，hasn’the？"saysMr.Quincey.
　　"Yes，"Isays，"andaverygoodcooktoo，"whichwasthetruth.
　　"I’dlikejusttospeakafewwordswithher，"saysMissBulstrode.
　　"Sorry，m’am，"Isays，"butshe’soutatpresent;she’sgonetoWycombe."
　　"GonetoWycombe！"theyallsaystogether.
　　"Tomarket，"Isays."It’salittlefarther，but，ofcourse，itstandstoreasontheshopstherearebetter."
　　Theylookedatoneanother.
　　"Thatsettlesit，"saysMr.Quincey."DelicaciesworthytobesetbeforehernotavailablenearerthanWycombe，butmustbehad.
　　There’sgoingtobeapleasantlittledinnerhereto—night."
　　"Thehussy！"saysMissBulstrode，underherbreath.
　　Theywhisperedtogetherforamoment，thentheyturnstome.
　　"Goodafternoon，Mrs.Meadows，"saysMr.Quincey."Youneedn’tsaywecalled.Hewantedtobealone，anditmightvexhim."
　　IsaidIwouldn’t，andIdidn’t.Theyclimbedbackintothemotorandwentoff.
　　BeforedinnerIhadcalltogointothewoodshed.IheardascuttlingasIopenedthedoor.IfIamnotmistaken，MissDortonwashidinginthecornerwherewekeepthecoke.Ididn’tseeanygoodinmakingafuss，soIleftherthere.WhenIgotbacktothekitchen，cookaskedmeifwe’dgotanyparsley.
　　"You’llfindabitinthefront，"Isays，"totheleftofthegate，"
　　andshewentout.Shecamebacklookingscared.
　　"Anybodykeepgoatsroundhere？"sheaskedme.
　　"NotthatIknowof，nearerthanIbstoneCommon，"Isays.
　　"IcouldhaveswornIsawagoat’sfacelookingatmeoutofthegooseberrybusheswhileIwaspickingtheparsley，"shesays."Ithadabeard."
　　"It’sthehalflight，"Isays."Onecanimagineanything."
　　"IdohopeI’mnotgettingnervy，"shesays.
　　IthoughtI’dhaveanotherlookround，andmadetheexcusethatI
　　wantedapailofwater.Iwasstoopingoverthewell，whichisjustunderthemulberrytree，whensomethingfellclosetomeandlodgeduponthebricks.Itwasahairpin.Ifixedthecovercarefullyuponthewellincaseofaccident，andwhenIgotinIwentroundmyselfandwascarefultoseethatallthecurtainsweredrawn.
　　JustbeforewethreesatdowntodinneragainItookcookaside.
　　"Ishouldn’tgoforanystrollinthegardento—night，"Isays.
　　"Peoplefromthevillagemaybeabout，andwedon’twantthemgossiping."Andshethankedme.
　　Nextnighttheywerethereagain.IthoughtIwouldn’tspoilthedinner，butmentionitafterwards.Isawtoitagainthatthecurtainsweredrawn，andslippedthecatchofboththedoors.AndjustaswellthatIdid.
　　IhadalwaysheardthatMr.Parablewasanamusingspeaker，butonpreviousvisitshadnotmyselfnoticedit.ButthistimeheseemedtenyearsyoungerthanIhadeverknownhimbefore;andduringdinner，whileweweretalkingandlaughingquitemerrylike，Ihadthefeelingmorethanoncethatpeopleweremeanderingaboutoutside.Ihadjustfinishedclearingaway，andcookwasmakingthecoffee，whentherecameaknockatthedoor.
　　"Who’sthat？"saysMr.Parable."Iamnotathometoanyone."
　　"I’llsee，"Isays.AndonmywayIslippedintothekitchen.
　　"Coffeeforone，cook，"Isays，andsheunderstood.Hercapandapronwerehangingbehindthedoor.Iflungthemacrosstoher，andshecaughtthem;andthenIopenedthefrontdoor.
　　Theypushedpastmewithoutspeaking，andwentstraightintotheparlour.Andtheydidn’twastemanywordsonhimeither.
　　"Whereisshe？"askedMissBulstrode.
　　"Where’swho？"saysMr.Parable.
　　"Don’tlieaboutit，"saidMissBulstrode，makingnoefforttocontrolherself."Thehussyyou’vebeendiningwith？"
　　"DoyoumeanMrs.Meadows？"saysMr.Parable.
　　Ithoughtshewasgoingtoshakehim.
　　"Wherehaveyouhiddenher？"shesays.
　　Itwasatthatmomentcookenteredwiththecoffee.
　　Iftheyhadtakenthetroubletolookathertheymighthavehadanidea.Thetraywastremblinginherhands，andinherhasteandexcitementshehadputonhercapthewrongwayround.Butshekeptcontrolofhervoice，andaskedifsheshouldbringsomemorecoffee.
　　"Ah，yes！You’dalllikesomecoffee，wouldn’tyou？"saysMr.
　　Parable.MissBulstrodedidnotreply，butMr.Quinceysaidhewascoldandwouldlikeit.Itwasanastynight，withathinrain.
　　"Thankyou，sir，"sayscook，andwewentouttogether.
　　Cottagesareonlycottages，andifpeopleintheparlourpersistintalkingloudly，peopleinthekitchencan’tverywellhelpoverhearing.
　　Therewasagooddealoftalkabout"fourteendays，"whichMr.
　　Parablesaidhewasgoingtodohimself，andwhichMissDortonsaidhemustn’t，because，ifhedid，itwouldbeavictoryfortheenemiesofhumanity.Mr.Parablesaidsomethingabout"humanity，"
　　whichIdidn’trightlyhear，but，whateveritwas，itstartedMissDortoncrying;andMissBulstrodecalledMr.Parablea"blindSamson，"whohadhadhishaircutbyadesigningminxwhohadbeenhiredtodoit.
　　ItwasallFrenchtome，butcookwasdrinkingineveryword，andwhenshereturnedfromtakingthemintheircoffeeshemadenobonesaboutit，buttookupherplaceatthedoorwithhereartothekeyhole.
　　ItwasMr.Quinceywhogotthemallquiet，andthenhebegantoexplainthings.Itseemedthatiftheycouldonlyfindacertaingentlemanandpersuadehimtocomeforwardandacknowledgethathebeganarow，thatthenallwouldbewell.Mr.Quinceywouldbefinedfortyshillings，andMr.Parable’snamewouldneverappear.
　　Failingthat，Mr.Parable，accordingtoMr.Quincey，coulddohisfourteendayshimself.
　　"I’vetoldyouonce，"saysMr.Parable，"andItellyouagain，thatIdon’tknowtheman’sname，andcan’tgiveityou."
　　"Wearenotaskingyouto，"saysMr.Quincey."Yougiveusthenameofyourtangopartner，andwe’lldotherest."
　　Icouldseecook’sface;Ihadgotabitinterestedmyself，andwewerebothclosetothedoor.Shehardlyseemedtobebreathing.
　　"Iamsorry，"saysMr.Parable，speakingverydeliberate—like，"butIamnotgoingtohavehernamedraggedintothisbusiness."
　　"Itwouldn’tbe，"saysMr.Quincey."Allwewanttogetoutofheristhenameandaddressofthegentlemanwhowassoanxioustoseeherhome."
　　"Whowashe？"saysMissBulstrode."Herhusband？"
　　"No，"saysMr.Parable;"hewasn’t."
　　"Thenwhowashe？"saysMissBulstrode."Hemusthavebeensomethingtoher——fiance？"
　　"Iamgoingtodothefourteendaysmyself，"saysMr.Parable."I
　　shallcomeoutallthefresherafterafortnight’scompleterestandchange."
　　Cookleavesthedoorwithasmileonherfacethatmadeherlookquitebeautiful，and，takingsomepaperfromthedresserdrawer，begantowritealetter.
　　Theywentontalkingintheotherroomforanothertenminutes，andthenMr.Parableletsthemouthimself，andgoesalittlewaywiththem.Whenhecamebackwecouldhearhimwalkingupanddowntheotherroom.
　　Shehadwrittenandstampedtheenvelope;itwaslyingonthetable.
　　"’JosephOnions，Esq.，’"Isays，readingtheaddress."’AuctioneerandHouseAgent，Broadway，Hammersmith.’Isthattheyoungman？"
　　"Thatistheyoungman，"shesays，foldingherletterandputtingitintheenvelope.
　　"Andwasheyourfiance？"Iasked.
　　"No，"shesays."ButhewillbeifhedoeswhatI’mtellinghimtodo."
　　"AndwhataboutMr.Parable？"Isays.
　　"Alittlejokethatwillamusehimlateron，"shesays，slippingacloakonhershoulders."Howoncehenearlymarriedhiscook."
　　"Ishan’tbeaminute，"shesays.And，withtheletterinherhand，sheslipsout.
　　Mrs.Meadows，weunderstand，hasexpressedindignationatourpublicationofthisinterview，shebeingundertheimpressionthatshewassimplyhavingafriendlygossipwithaneighbour.Ourrepresentative，however，issureheexplainedtoMrs.Meadowsthathisvisitwasofficial;and，inanycase，ourdutytothepublicmustbeheldtoexonerateusfromallblameinthematter.
　　***
　　Mr.JosephOnions，oftheBroadway，Hammersmith，auctioneerandhouseagent，expressedhimselftoourrepresentativeasmostsurprisedattheturnthateventshadsubsequentlytaken.TheletterthatMr.OnionsreceivedfromMissComfortPricewasexplicitanddefinite.ItwastotheeffectthatifhewouldcalluponacertainMr.Quincey，ofHarcourtBuildings，Temple，andacknowledgethatitwashewhobegantherowattheEarl’sCourtExhibitionontheeveningofthetwenty—seventh，thatthentheengagementbetweenhimselfandMissPrice，hithertounacknowledgedbythelady，mightberegardedasafact.
　　Mr.Onions，whodescribeshimselfasessentiallyabusinessman，decidedbeforecomplyingwithMissPrice’srequesttotakeafewpreliminarysteps.Astheresultofjudiciouslyconductedinquiries，firstattheVineStreetPoliceStation，andsecondlyatTwickenham，Mr.OnionsarrivedlaterinthedayatMr.Quincey’schambers，with，tousehisownexpression，allthecardsinhishand.ItwasMr.Quinceywho，professinghimselfunabletocomplywithMr.Onion’ssuggestion，arrangedtheinterviewwithMissBulstrode.AnditwasMissBulstrodeherselfwho，onconditionthatMr.OnionsaddedtotheundertakingthefurtherconditionthathewouldmarryMissPricebeforetheendofthemonth，offeredtomakeittwohundred.Itwasintheirjointinterest——Mr.OnionsregardinghimselfandMissPriceasnowone——thatMr.Onionssuggestedhermakingitthree，usingsuchargumentsas，underthecircumstances，naturallyoccurredtohim——as，forexample，thedamagecausedtothelady’sreputationbythewholeproceedings，culminatinginanightspentbythelady，accordingtoherownaccount，onHamCommon.ThatthepricedemandedwasreasonableMr.
　　OnionsconsidersasprovedbyMissBulstrode’seventualacceptanceofhisterms.That，havinggotoutofhimallthathewanted，Mr.
　　Quinceyshouldhave"consideredithisduty"tocommunicatetheentiredetailsofthetransactiontoMissPrice，throughthemediumofMr.Andrews，thinkingit"aswellsheshouldknowthecharacterofthemansheproposedtomarry，"Mr.Onionsconsidersagrossbreachofetiquetteasbetweengentlemen;andhavingregardtoMissPrice’safterbehaviour，Mr.Onionscanonlysaythatsheisnotthegirlhetookherfor.
　　Mr.AaronAndrews，onwhomourrepresentativecalled，wasdesirousatfirstofnotbeingdrawnintothematter;butonourrepresentativeexplainingtohimthatouronlydesirewastocontradictfalserumourslikelytobeharmfultoMr.Parable’sreputation，Mr.Andrewssawthenecessityofputtingourrepresentativeinpossessionofthetruth.
　　ShecamebackonTuesdayafternoon，explainedMr.Andrews，andIhadatalkwithher.
　　"Itisallright，Mr.Andrews，"shetoldme;"they’vebeenincommunicationwithmyyoungman，andMissBulstrodehasseenthemagistrateprivately.Thecasewillbedismissedwithafineoffortyshillings，andMr.Quinceyhasarrangedtokeepitoutofthepapers."
　　"Well，all’swellthatendswell，"Ianswered;"butitmighthavebeenbetter，mygirl，ifyouhadmentionedthatyoungmanofyoursabitearlier."
　　"Ididnotknowitwasofanyimportance，"sheexplained."Mr.
　　Parabletoldmenothing.Ifithadn’tbeenforchance，Ishouldneverhaveknownwhatwashappening."
　　Ihadalwayslikedtheyoungwoman.Mr.QuinceyhadsuggestedmywaitingtillafterWednesday.Butthereseemedtomenoparticularobjectindelay.
　　"Areyoufondofhim？"Iaskedher.
　　"Yes，"sheanswered."Iamfonderthan——"Andthenshestoppedherselfsuddenlyandflaredscarlet."Whoareyoutalkingabout？"
　　shedemanded.
　　"Thisyoungmanofyours，"Isaid."Mr.——What’shisname——Onions？"
　　"Oh，that？"sheanswered."Oh，yes;he’sallright."
　　"Andifhewasn’t？"Isaid，andshelookedatmehard.
　　"Itoldhim，"shesaid，"thatifhewoulddowhatIaskedhimtodo，I’dmarryhim.Andheseemstohavedoneit."
　　"Therearewaysofdoingeverything，"Isaid;and，seeingitwasn’tgoingtobreakherheart，Itoldherjusttheplainfacts.Shelistenedwithoutaword，andwhenIhadfinishedsheputherarmsroundmyneckandkissedme.Iamoldenoughtobehergrandfather，buttwentyyearsagoitmighthaveupsetme.
　　"IthinkIshallbeabletosaveMissBulstrodethatthreehundredpounds，"shelaughed，andranupstairsandchangedherthings.WhenlaterIlookedintothekitchenshewashumming.
　　Mr.Johncameupbythecar，andIcouldseehewasinoneofhismoods.
　　"Packmesomethingsforawalkingtour，"hesaid."Don’tforgettheknapsack.IamgoingtoScotlandbytheeight—thirty."
　　"Willyoubeawaylong？"Iaskedhim.
　　"Itdependsuponhowlongittakesme，"heanswered."WhenIcomebackIamgoingtobemarried."
　　"Whoisthelady？"Iasked，though，ofcourse，Iknew.
　　"MissBulstrode，"hesaid.
　　"Well，"Isaid，"she——"
　　"Thatwilldo，"hesaid;"Ihavehadallthatfromthethreeofthemforthelasttwodays.SheisaSocialist，andaSuffragist，andalltherestofit，andmyidealhelpmate.Sheiswelloff，andthatwillenablemetodevoteallmytimetoputtingtheworldtorightswithoutbotheringaboutanythingelse.Ourhomewillbethenurseryofadvancedideas.Weshallsharetogetherthejoysanddelightsofthepublicplatform.Whatmorecananymanwant？"
　　"Youwillwantyourdinnerearly，"Isaid，"ifyouaregoingbytheeight—thirty.Ihadbettertellcook——"
　　Heinterruptedmeagain.
　　"Youcantellcooktogotothedevil，"hesaid.
　　Inaturallystaredathim.
　　"Sheisgoingtomarryabeastlylittlerotterofarentcollectorthatshedoesn’tcareadamnfor，"hewenton.
　　Icouldnotunderstandwhyheseemedsomadaboutit.
　　"Idon’tsee，inanycase，whatit’sgottodowithyou，"Isaid，"but，asamatteroffact，sheisn’t."
　　"Isn’twhat？"hesaid，stoppingshortandturningonme.
　　"Isn’tgoingtomarryhim，"Ianswered.
　　"Whynot？"hedemanded.