Theyembracedandparted。Astheclatterofhoofsinthecourt-
　　yarddiedaway，theLadySelinasankintothechairshehadjustquitted。
　　"Theseventeenth，"sherepeatedslowly，withthesamefatefulshudder。"Ah！——whatifheshouldknowthatIhaveanotherhusbandliving？DareIrevealtohimthatIhavetwolegitimateandthreenaturalchildren？DareIrepeattohimthehistoryofmyyouth？
　　DareIconfessthatattheageofsevenIpoisonedmysister，byputtingverdigrisinhercream-tarts，——thatIthrewmycousinfromaswingattheageoftwelve？Thatthelady’s-maidwhoincurredthedispleasureofmygirlhoodnowliesatthebottomofthehorse-
　　pond？No！no！heistoopure，——toogood，——tooinnocent，tohearsuchimproperconversation！"andherwholebodywrithedassherockedtoandfroinaparoxysmofgrief。
　　Butshewassooncalm。Risingtoherfeet，sheopenedasecretpanelinthewall，andrevealedaslow-matchreadyforlighting。
　　"Thismatch，"saidtheLadySelina，"isconnectedwithaminebeneaththewesterntower，wheremythreechildrenareconfined;
　　anotherbranchofitliesundertheparishchurch，wheretherecordofmyfirstmarriageiskept。Ihaveonlytolightthismatchandthewholeofmypastlifeissweptaway！"sheapproachedthematchwithalightedcandle。
　　Butahandwaslaiduponherarm，andwithashriektheLadySelinafellonherkneesbeforethespectreofSirGuy。
　　CHAPTERII。
　　"Forbear，Selina，"saidthephantominahollowvoice。
　　"WhyshouldIforbear？"respondedSelinahaughtily，assherecoveredhercourage。"Youknowthesecretofourrace？"
　　"Ido。Understandme，——Idonotobjecttotheeccentricitiesofyouryouth。Iknowthefearfuldestinywhich，pursuingyou，ledyoutopoisonyoursisteranddrownyourlady’s-maid。IknowtheawfuldoomwhichIhavebroughtuponthishouse！Butifyoumakewaywiththesechildren——"
　　"Well，"saidtheLadySelina，hastily。
　　"Theywillhauntyou！"
　　"Well，Ifearthemnot，"saidSelina，drawinghersuperbfiguretoitsfullheight。
　　"Yes，but，mydearchild，whatplacearetheytohaunt？Theruinissacredtoyouruncle’sspirit。Yourauntmonopolizesthepark，and，Imustbeallowedtostate，notunfrequentlytrespassesuponthegroundsofothers。Thehorse-pondisfrequentedbythespiritofyourmaid，andyourmurderedsisterwalksthesecorridors。Tobeplain，thereisnoroomatSlopertonGrangeforanotherghost。
　　Icannothavetheminmyroom，——foryouknowIdon’tlikechildren。
　　Thinkofthis，rashgirl，andforbear！Wouldyou，Selina，"saidthephantom，mournfully，——"wouldyouforceyourgreat-grandfather’sspirittotakelodgingselsewhere？"
　　LadySelina’shandtrembled;thelightedcandlefellfromhernervelessfingers。
　　"No，"shecriedpassionately;"never！"andfellfaintingtothefloor。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　EdgardogallopedrapidlytowardsSloperton。WhentheoutlineoftheGrangehadfadedawayinthedarkness，hereinedhismagnificentsteedbesidetheruinsofGuy’sKeep。
　　"Itwantsbutafewminutesofthehour，"hesaid，consultinghiswatchbythelightofthemoon。"Hedarenotbreakhisword。Hewillcome。"Hepaused，andpeeredanxiouslyintothedarkness。
　　"Butcomewhatmay，sheismine，"hecontinued，ashisthoughtsrevertedfondlytothefairladyhehadquitted。"Yetifsheknewall。IfsheknewthatIwereadisgracedandruinedman，——afelonandanoutcast。IfsheknewthatattheageoffourteenImurderedmyLatintutorandforgedmyuncle’swill。IfsheknewthatIhadthreewivesalready，andthatthefourthvictimofmisplacedconfidenceandmyunfortunatepeculiarityisexpectedtobeatSlopertonbyto-night’strainwithherbaby。Butno;shemustnotknowit。Constancemustnotarrive。BurketheSloggermustattendtothat。
　　"Ha！hereheis！Well？"
　　Thesewordswereaddressedtoaruffianinaslouchedhat，whosuddenlyappearedfromGuy’sKeep。
　　"Ibe’shere，measter，"saidthevillain，withadisgracefullylowaccentandcompletedisregardofgrammaticalrules。
　　"Itiswell。Listen：I’minpossessionoffactsthatwillsendyoutothegallows。IknowofthemurderofBillSmithers，therobberyofthetollgate-keeper，andthemakingawayoftheyoungestdaughterofSirReginalddeWalton。Awordfromme，andtheofficersofjusticeareonyourtrack。"
　　BurketheSloggertrembled。
　　"Harkye！servemypurpose，andImayyetsaveyou。The5。30trainfromClaphamwillbedueatSlopertonat9。25。ITMUSTNOT
　　ARRIVE！"
　　Thevillain’seyessparkledashenoddedatEdgardo。
　　"Enough，——youunderstand;leaveme！"
　　CHAPTERIV。
　　AbouthalfamilefromSlopertonStationtheSouthClaphamandMedwaylinecrossedabridgeoverSloperton-on-Trent。Astheshadesofeveningwereclosing，amaninaslouchedhatmighthavebeenseencarryingasawandaxeunderhisarm，hangingaboutthebridge。Fromtimetotimehedisappearedintheshadowofitsabutments，butthesoundofasawandaxestillbetrayedhisvicinity。Atexactlynineo’clockhereappeared，and，crossingtotheSlopertonside，restedhisshoulderagainsttheabutmentandgaveashove。Thebridgeswayedamoment，andthenfellwithasplashintothewater，leavingaspaceofonehundredfeetbetweenthetwobanks。Thisdone，BurketheSlogger，——foritwashe，——withafiendishchuckleseatedhimselfonthedividedrailwaytrackandawaitedthecomingofthetrain。
　　Ashriekfromthewoodsannounceditsapproach。ForaninstantBurketheSloggersawtheglaringofaredlamp。Thegroundtrembled。Thetrainwasgoingwithfearfulrapidity。Anothersecondandithadreachedthebank。BurketheSloggerutteredafiendishlaugh。Butthenextmomentthetrainleapedacrossthechasm，strikingtherailsexactlyeven，and，dashingoutthelifeofBurketheSlogger，spedawaytoSloperton。
　　ThefirstobjectthatgreetedEdgardo，asherodeuptothestationonthearrivalofthetrain，wasthebodyofBurketheSloggerhangingonthecow-catcher;thesecondwasthefaceofhisdesertedwifelookingfromthewindowsofasecond-classcarriage。
　　CHAPTERV。
　　AnamelessterrorseemedtohavetakenpossessionofClarissa，LadySelina’smaid，assherushedintothepresenceofhermistress。
　　"Omylady，suchnews！"
　　"Explainyourself，"saidhermistress，rising。
　　"Anaccidenthashappenedontherailway，andamanhasbeenkilled。"
　　"What——notEdgardo！"almostscreamedSelina。
　　"No，BurketheSlogger！"yourladyship。
　　"Myfirsthusband！"saidLadySelina，sinkingonherknees。"JustHeaven，Ithankthee！"
　　CHAPTERVI。
　　ThemorningoftheseventeenthdawnedbrightlyoverSloperton。"A
　　finedayforthewedding，"saidthesextontoSwipes，thebutlerofSlopertonGrange。Theagedretainershookhisheadsadly。"Alas！
　　there’snotrustinginsigns！"hecontinued。"Seventy-fiveyearsago，onadaylikethis，myyoungmistress——"Buthewascutshortbytheappearanceofastranger。
　　"IwouldseeSirEdgardo，"saidthenew-comer，impatiently。
　　Thebridegroom，who，withtherestofthewedding-train，wasaboutsteppingintothecarriagetoproceedtotheparishchurch，drewthestrangeraside。
　　"It’sdone！"saidthestranger，inahoarsewhisper。
　　"Ah！andyouburiedher？"
　　"Withtheothers！"
　　"Enough。Nomoreatpresent。Meetmeaftertheceremony，andyoushallhaveyourreward。"
　　Thestrangershuffledaway，andEdgardoreturnedtohisbride。"A
　　triflingmatterofbusinessIhadforgotten，mydearSelina;letusproceed。"Andtheyoungmanpressedthetimidhandofhisblushingbrideashehandedherintothecarriage。Thecavalcaderodeoutofthecourt-yard。Atthesamemoment，thedeepbellonGuy’sKeeptolledominously。
　　CHAPTERVII。
　　Scarcelyhadthewedding-trainlefttheGrange，thanAliceSedilia，youngestdaughterofLadySelina，madeherescapefromthewesterntower，owingtoalackofwatchfulnessonthepartofClarissa。
　　Theinnocentchild，freedfromrestraint，rambledthroughthelonelycorridors，andfinally，openingadoor，foundherselfinhermother’sboudoir。Forsometimesheamusedherselfbyexaminingthevariousornamentsandeleganttrifleswithwhichitwasfilled。
　　Then，inpursuanceofachildishfreak，shedressedherselfinhermother’slacesandribbons。Inthisoccupationshechancedtotouchapegwhichprovedtobeaspringthatopenedasecretpanelinthewall。Aliceutteredacryofdelightasshenoticedwhat，toherchildishfancy，appearedtobetheslow-matchofafire-
　　work。Takingalucifermatchinherhandsheapproachedthefuse。
　　Shehesitatedamoment。Whatwouldhermotherandhernursesay？
　　SuddenlytheringingofthechimesofSlopertonparishchurchmetherear。Aliceknewthatthesoundsignifiedthatthemarriagepartyhadenteredthechurch，andthatshewassecurefrominterruption。Withachildishsmileuponherlips，AliceSediliatouchedofftheslow-match。
　　CHAPTERVIII。
　　Atexactlytwoo’clockontheseventeenth，RupertSedilia，whohadjustreturnedfromIndia，wasthoughtfullydescendingthehilltowardSlopertonmanor。"IfIcanprovethatmyauntLadySelinawasmarriedbeforemyfatherdied，IcanestablishmyclaimtoSlopertonGrange，"heuttered，halfaloud。Hepaused，forasuddentremblingoftheearthbeneathhisfeet，andaterrificexplosion，asofaparkofartillery，arrestedhisprogress。AtthesamemomenthebeheldadensecloudofsmokeenvelopthechurchyardofSloperton，andthewesterntoweroftheGrangeseemedtobeliftedbodilyfromitsfoundation。Theairseemedfilledwithfallingfragments，andtwodarkobjectsstrucktheearthcloseathisfeet。
　　Rupertpickedthemup。Oneseemedtobeaheavyvolumeboundinbrass。
　　Acryburstfromhislips。
　　"TheParishRecords。"Heopenedthevolumehastily。ItcontainedthemarriageofLadySelinato"BurketheSlogger。"
　　Thesecondobjectprovedtobeapieceofparchment。Hetoreitopenwithtremblingfingers。ItwasthemissingwillofSirJamesSedilia！
　　CHAPTERIX。
　　WhenthebellsagainrangonthenewparishchurchofSlopertonitwasforthemarriageofSirRupertSediliaandhiscousin，theonlyremainingmembersofthefamily。
　　FivemoreghostswereaddedtothesupernaturalpopulationofSlopertonGrange。PerhapsthiswasthereasonwhySirRupertsoldthepropertyshortlyafterward，andthatformanyyearsadarkshadowseemedtohangovertheruinsofSlopertonGrange。
　　THENINETY-NINEGUARDSMEN。
　　BYAL——X——D——RD——M——S
　　CHAPTERI。
　　SHOWINGTHEQUALITYOFTHECUSTOMERSOFTHEINNKEEPEROFPROVINS。
　　Twentyyearsafter，thegiganticinnkeeperofProvinsstoodlookingatacloudofdustonthehighway。
　　Thiscloudofdustbetokenedtheapproachofatraveller。
　　TravellershadbeenrarethatseasononthehighwaybetweenParisandProvins。
　　Theheartoftheinnkeeperrejoiced。TurningtoDamePerigord，hiswife，hesaid，strokinghiswhiteapron：——
　　"St。Denis！makehasteandspreadthecloth。AddabottleofCharlevoixtothetable。Thistraveller，whoridessofast，byhispacemustbeaMonseigneur。"
　　Trulythetraveller，cladintheuniformofamusketeer，ashedrewuptothedoorofthehostelry，didnotseemtohavesparedhishorse。Throwinghisreinstothelandlord，heleapedlightlytotheground。Hewasayoungmanoffour-and-twenty，andspokewithaslightGasconaccent。
　　"Iamhungry，Morbleu！Iwishtodine！"
　　Thegiganticinnkeeperbowedandledthewaytoaneatapartment，whereatablestoodcoveredwithtemptingviands。Themusketeeratoncesettowork。Fowls，fish，andpatesdisappearedbeforehim。
　　Perigordsighedashewitnessedthedevastations。Onlyoncethestrangerpaused。
　　"Wine！"Perigordbroughtwine。Thestrangerdrankadozenbottles。Finallyherosetodepart。Turningtotheexpectantlandlord，hesaid：——
　　"Chargeit。"
　　"Towhom，yourhighness？"saidPerigord，anxiously。
　　"TohisEminence！"
　　"Mazarin！"ejaculatedtheinnkeeper。
　　"Thesame。Bringmemyhorse，"andthemusketeer，remountinghisfavoriteanimal，rodeaway。
　　Theinnkeeperslowlyturnedbackintotheinn。Scarcelyhadhereachedthecourtyardbeforetheclatterofhoofsagaincalledhimtothedoorway。Ayoungmusketeerofalightandgracefulfigurerodeup。
　　"Parbleu，mydearPerigord，Iamfamishing。Whathaveyougotfordinner？"
　　"Venison，capons，larks，andpigeons，yourexcellency，"repliedtheobsequiouslandlord，bowingtotheground。
　　"Enough！"Theyoungmusketeerdismountedandenteredtheinn。
　　SeatinghimselfatthetablereplenishedbythecarefulPerigord，hespeedilysweptitascleanasthefirstcomer。
　　"Somewine，mybravePerigord，"saidthegracefulyoungmusketeer，assoonashecouldfindutterance。
　　PerigordbroughtthreedozenofCharlevoix。Theyoungmanemptiedthemalmostatadraught。
　　"By-by，Perigord，"hesaidlightly，wavinghishand，as，precedingtheastonishedlandlord，heslowlywithdrew。
　　"But，yourhighness，——thebill，"saidtheastoundedPerigord。
　　"Ah，thebill。Chargeit！"
　　"Towhom？"
　　"TheQueen！"
　　"What，Madame？"
　　"Thesame。Adieu，mygoodPerigord。"Andthegracefulstrangerrodeaway。Anintervalofquietsucceeded，inwhichtheinnkeepergazedwofullyathiswife。Suddenlyhewasstartledbyaclatterofhoofs，andanaristocraticfigurestoodinthedoorway。
　　"Ah，"saidthecourtiergood-naturedly。"What，domyeyesdeceiveme？No，itisthefestiveandluxuriousPerigord。Perigord，listen。Ifamish。Ilanguish。Iwoulddine。"
　　Theinnkeeperagaincoveredthetablewithviands。AgainitwassweptcleanasthefieldsofEgyptbeforethemiraculousswarmoflocusts。Thestrangerlookedup。
　　"Bringmeanotherfowl，myPerigord。"
　　"Impossible，yourexcellency;thelarderisstrippedclean。"
　　"Anotherflitchofbacon，then。"
　　"Impossible，yourhighness;thereisnomore。"
　　"Well，then，wine！"
　　Thelandlordbroughtonehundredandforty-fourbottles。Thecourtierdrankthemall。
　　"Onemaydrinkifonecannoteat，"saidthearistocraticstranger，good-humoredly。
　　Theinnkeepershuddered。
　　Theguestrosetodepart。Theinnkeepercameslowlyforwardwithhisbill，towhichhehadcovertlyaddedthelosseswhichhehadsufferedfromthepreviousstrangers。
　　"Ah，thebill。Chargeit。"
　　"Chargeit！towhom？"
　　"TotheKing，"saidtheguest。
　　"What！hisMajesty？"
　　"Certainly。Farewell，Perigord。"
　　Theinnkeepergroaned。Thenhewentoutandtookdownhissign。
　　Thenremarkedtohiswife：——
　　"Iamaplainman，anddon’tunderstandpolitics。Itseems，however，thatthecountryisinatroubledstate。BetweenhisEminencetheCardinal，hisMajestytheKing，andherMajestytheQueen，Iamaruinedman。"
　　"Stay，"saidDamePerigord，"Ihaveanidea。"
　　"Andthatis——"
　　"Becomeyourselfamusketeer。"
　　CHAPTERII。
　　THECOMBAT。
　　OnleavingProvinsthefirstmusketeerproceededtoNangis，wherehewasreinforcedbythirty-threefollowers。Thesecondmusketeer，arrivingatNangisatthesamemoment，placedhimselfattheheadofthirty-threemore。ThethirdguestofthelandlordofProvinsarrivedatNangisintimetoassembletogetherthirty-threeothermusketeers。
　　ThefirststrangerledthetroopsofhisEminence。
　　ThesecondledthetroopsoftheQueen。
　　ThethirdledthetroopsoftheKing。
　　Thefightcommenced。Itragedterriblyforsevenhours。ThefirstmusketeerkilledthirtyoftheQueen’stroops。ThesecondmusketeerkilledthirtyoftheKing’stroops。ThethirdmusketeerkilledthirtyofhisEminence’stroops。
　　Bythistimeitwillbeperceivedthenumberofmusketeershadbeennarroweddowntofouroneachside。
　　Naturallythethreeprincipalwarriorsapproachedeachother。
　　Theysimultaneouslyutteredacry。
　　"Aramis！"
　　"Athos！"
　　"D’Artagnan！"
　　Theyfellintoeachother’sarms。
　　"Anditseemsthatwearefightingagainsteachother，mychildren，"saidtheCountdelaFere，mournfully。
　　"Howsingular！"exclaimedAramisandD’Artagnan。
　　"Letusstopthisfratricidalwarfare，"saidAthos。
　　"Wewill！"theyexclaimedtogether。
　　"Buthowtodisbandourfollowers？"queriedD’Artagnan。
　　Aramiswinked。Theyunderstoodeachother。"Letuscut’emdown！"
　　Theycut’emdown。Aramiskilledthree。D’Artagnanthree。Athosthree。
　　Thefriendsagainembraced。"Howlikeoldtimes，"saidAramis。
　　"Howtouching！"exclaimedtheseriousandphilosophicCountdelaFere。
　　Thegallopingofhoofscausedthemtowithdrawfromeachother’sembraces。Agiganticfigurerapidlyapproached。
　　"TheinnkeeperofProvins！"theycried，drawingtheirswords。
　　"Perigord，downwithhim！"shoutedD’Artagnan。
　　"Stay，"saidAthos。
　　Thegiganticfigurewasbesidethem。Heutteredacry。
　　"Athos，Aramis，D’Artagnan！"
　　"Porthos！"exclaimedtheastonishedtrio。
　　"Thesame。"Theyallfellineachother’sarms。
　　TheCountdelaFereslowlyraisedhishandstoHeaven。"Blessyou！Blessus，mychildren！Howeverdifferentouropinionmaybeinregardtopolitics，wehavebutoneopinioninregardtoourownmerits。WherecanyoufindabettermanthanAramus？"
　　"ThanPorthos？"saidAramis。
　　"ThanD’Artagnan？"saidPorthos。
　　"ThanAthos？"saidD’Artagnan。
　　CHAPTERIII。
　　SHOWINGHOWTHEKINGOFFRANCEWENTUPALADDER。
　　TheKingdescendedintothegarden。Proceedingcautiouslyalongtheterracedwalk，hecametothewallimmediatelybelowthewindowsofMadame。Totheleftweretwowindows，concealedbyvines。TheyopenedintotheapartmentsofLaValliere。
　　TheKingsighed。
　　"Itisaboutnineteenfeettothatwindow，"saidtheKing。"IfI
　　hadaladderaboutnineteenfeetlong，itwouldreachtothatwindow。Thisislogic。"
　　SuddenlytheKingstumbledoversomething。"St。Denis！"heexclaimed，lookingdown。Itwasaladder，justnineteenfeetlong。
　　TheKingplaceditagainstthewall。Insodoing，hefixedthelowerendupontheabdomenofamanwholayconcealedbythewallThemandidnotutteracryorwince。TheKingsuspectednothing。
　　Heascendedtheladder。
　　Theladderwastooshort。LouistheGrandwasnotatallman。Hewasstilltwofeetbelowthewindow。
　　"Dearme！"saidtheKing。
　　Suddenlytheladderwasliftedtwofeetfrombelow。ThisenabledtheKingtoleapinthewindow。Atthefartherendoftheapartmentstoodayounggirl，withredhairandalameleg。Shewastremblingwithemotion。
　　"Louise！"
　　"TheKing！"
　　"Ah，myGod，mademoiselle。"
　　"Ah，myGod，sire。"
　　Butalowknockatthedoorinterruptedthelovers。TheKingutteredacryofrage;Louiseoneofdespair。
　　ThedooropenedandD’Artagnanentered。
　　"Goodevening，sire，"saidthemusketeer。
　　TheKingtouchedabell。Porthosappearedinthedoorway。
　　"Goodevening，sire。"
　　"ArrestM。D’Artagnan。"
　　PorthoslookedatD’Artagnan，anddidnotmove。
　　TheKingalmostturnedpurplewithrage。Heagaintouchedthebell。Athosentered。
　　"Count，arrestPorthosandD’Artagnan。"
　　TheCountdelaFereglancedatPorthosandD’Artagnan，andsmiledsweetly。
　　"Sacre！WhereisAramis？"saidtheKing，violently。
　　"Here，sire，"andAramisentered。
　　"ArrestAthos，Porthos，andD’Artagnan。"
　　Aramisbowedandfoldedhisarms。
　　"Arrestyourself！"
　　Aramisdidnotmove。
　　TheKingshudderedandturnedpale。"AmInotKingofFrance？"
　　"Assuredly，sire，butwearealsoseverally，Porthos，Aramis，D’Artagnan，andAthos。"
　　"Ah！"saidtheKing。
　　"Yes，sire。"
　　"Whatdoesthismean？"
　　"Itmeans，yourMajesty，"saidAramis，steppingforward，"thatyourconductasamarriedmanishighlyimproper。IamanAbbe，andI
　　objecttotheseimproprieties。Myfriendshere，D’Artagnan，Athos，andPorthos，pure-mindedyoungmen，arealsoterriblyshocked。
　　Observe，sire，howtheyblush！"
　　Athos，Porthos，andD’Artagnanblushed。"Ah，"saidtheKing，thoughtfully。"Youteachmealesson。Youaredevotedandnobleyounggentlemen，butyouronlyweaknessisyourexcessivemodesty。
　　FromthismomentImakeyouallMarshalsandDukes，withtheexceptionofAramis。"
　　"Andme，sire？"saidAramis。
　　"YoushallbeanArchbishop！"
　　Thefourfriendslookedupandthenrushedintoeachother’sarms。
　　TheKingembracedLouisedelaValliere，bywayofkeepingthemcompany。Apauseensued。AtlastAthosspoke：——
　　"Swear，mychildren，that，nexttoyourselves，youwillrespect——
　　theKingofFrance;andrememberthat’Fortyyearsafter’wewillmeetagain。"
　　THEDWELLEROFTHETHRESHOLD。
　　BYSIRED——DL——TT——NB——LW——R。
　　BOOKI。
　　THEPROMPTINGSOFTHEIDEAL。
　　Itwasnoon。SirEdwardhadsteppedfromhisbroughamandwasproceedingonfootdowntheStrand。Hewasdressedwithhisusualfaultlesstaste，butinalightingfromhisvehiclehisfoothadslipped，andasmallrounddiskofconglomeratedsoil，whichinstantlyappearedonhishigharchedinstep，marredtheharmoniousglitterofhisboots。SirEdwardwasfastidious。Castinghiseyesaround，atalittledistanceheperceivedthestandofayouthfulbootblack。Thitherhesauntered，andcarelesslyplacinghisfootonthelowstool，hewaitedtheapplicationofthepolisher’sart。
　　"’Tistrue，"saidSirEdwardtohimself，yethalfaloud，"thecontactoftheFoulandtheDisgustingmarsthegeneraleffectoftheShinyandtheBeautiful——and，yet，whyamIhere？Irepeatit，calmlyanddeliberately——whyamIhere？Ha！Boy！"
　　TheBoylookedup——hisdarkItalianeyesglancedintelligentlyatthePhilosopher，andaswithonehandhetossedbackhisglossycurls，fromhismarblebrow，andwiththeotherhespreadtheequallyglossyDay&MartinovertheBaronet’sboot，heansweredindeeprichtones："TheIdealissubjectivetotheReal。Theexerciseofapperceptiongivesadistinctivenesstoidiocracy，whichis，however，subjecttothelimitsofME。YouareanadmireroftheBeautiful，sir。Youwishyourbootsblacked。TheBeautifulisattainablebymeansoftheCoin。"
　　"Ah，"saidSirEdwardthoughtfully，gazinguponthealmostsupernalbeautyoftheChildbeforehim;"youspeakwell。YouhavereadKant。"
　　TheBoyblusheddeeply。HedrewacopyofKantfromhisblouse，butinhisconfusionseveralothervolumesdroppedfromhisbosomontheground。TheBaronetpickedthemup。
　　"Ah！"saidthePhilosopher，"what’sthis？Cicero’sDeSenectute，atyourage，too？Martial’sEpigrams，Caesar’sCommentaries。
　　What！aclassicalscholar？"
　　"EpluribusUnum。Nuxvomica。Nildesperandum。Nihilfit！"saidtheBoy，enthusiastically。ThePhilosophergazedattheChild。A
　　strangepresenceseemedtotransfuseandpossesshim。OverthebrowoftheBoyglitteredthepalenimbusoftheStudent。
　　"Ah，andSchiller’sRobbers，too？"queriedthePhilosopher。
　　"Dasistausgespielt，"saidtheBoy，modestly。
　　"ThenyouhavereadmytranslationofSchiller’sBallads？"
　　continuedtheBaronet，withsomeshowofinterest。
　　"Ihave，andinfinitelypreferthemtotheoriginal，"saidtheBoy，withintellectualwarmth。"YouhaveshownhowinActuallifewestriveforaGoalwecannotreach;howintheIdealtheGoalisattainable，andthereeffortisvictory。YouhavegivenustheAntithesiswhichisakeytotheRemainder，andconstantlybalancesbeforeustheconditionsoftheActualandtheprivilegesoftheIdeal。"
　　Myverywords，"saidtheBaronet;"wonderful，wonderful！"andhegazedfondlyattheItalianboy，whoagainresumedhismenialemployment。Alas！thewingsoftheIdealwerefolded。TheStudenthadbeenabsorbedintheBoy。
　　ButSirEdward’sbootswereblacked，andheturnedtodepart。
　　PlacinghishandupontheclusteringtendrilsthatsurroundedtheclassicnoboftheinfantItalian，hesaidsoftly，likeastrainofdistantmusic：——
　　"Boy，youhavedonewell。LovetheGood。ProtecttheInnocent。
　　ProvideforTheIndigent。RespectthePhilosopher……Stay！
　　CanyoutellwewhatISTheTrue，TheBeautiful，TheInnocent，TheVirtuous？"
　　"Theyarethingsthatcommencewithacapitalletter，"saidtheBoy，promptly。
　　"Enough！Respecteverythingthatcommenceswithacapitalletter！
　　RespectME！"anddroppingahalf-pennyinthehandoftheboy，hedeparted。
　　TheBoygazedfixedlyatthecoin。Afrightfulandinstantaneouschangeoverspreadhisfeatures。Hisnoblebrowwascorrugatedwithbaserlinesofcalculation。Hisblackeye，serpent-like，glitteredwithsuppressedpassion。Droppinguponhishandsandfeet，hecrawledtothecurbstoneandhissedaftertheretreatingformoftheBaronet，thesingleword：——
　　"Bilk！"
　　BOOKII。
　　INTHEWORLD。
　　"Elevenyearsago，"saidSirEdwardtohimself，ashisbroughamslowlyrolledhimtowardtheCommitteeRoom;"justelevenyearsagomynaturalsondisappearedmysteriously。Ihavenodoubtintheworldbutthatthislittlebootblackishe。HismotherdiedinItaly。Heresembleshismotherverymuch。PerhapsIoughttoprovideforhim。ShallIdisclosemyself？No！no！BetterheshouldtastethesweetsofLabor。PenuryennoblesthemindandkindlestheLoveoftheBeautiful。Iwillacttohim，notlikeaFather，notlikeaGuardian，notlikeaFriend——butlikeaPhilosopher！"
　　Withthesewords，SirEdwardenteredtheCommitteeRoom。HisSecretaryapproachedhim。"SirEdward，therearefearsofadivisionintheHouse，andthePrimeMinisterhassentforyou。"
　　"Iwillbethere，"saidSirEdward，asheplacedhishandonhischestandutteredahollowcough！
　　NoonewhoheardtheBaronetthatnight，inhissarcasticandwitheringspeechontheDrainageandSewerageBill，wouldhaverecognizedtheloveroftheIdealandthePhilosopheroftheBeautiful。NoonewholistenedtohiseloquencewouldhavedreamedoftheSpartanresolutionthisironmanhadtakeninregardtotheLostBoy——hisownbelovedLionel。None！
　　"AfinespeechfromSirEdwardto-night，"saidLordBillingsgate，as，arm-and-armwiththePremier，heenteredhiscarriage。
　　"Yes！buthowdreadfullyhecoughs！"
　　"Exactly。Dr。Bolussayshislungsareentirelygone;hebreathesentirelybyaneffortofwill，andaltogetherindependentofpulmonaryassistance。"
　　"Howstrange！"andthecarriagerolledaway。
　　BOOKIII。
　　THEDWELLEROFTHETHRESHOLD。
　　"ADONAI，appear！appear！"
　　AndastheSeerspoke，theawfulPresenceglidedoutofNothingness，andsat，sphinx-like，atthefeetoftheAlchemist。
　　"Iamcome！"saidtheThing。
　　"Youshouldsay，’Ihavecome，’——it’sbettergrammar，"saidtheBoy-Neophyte，thoughtfullyaccentingthesubstitutedexpression。
　　"Hush，rashBoy，"saidtheSeer，sternly。"WouldyouopposeyourfeebleknowledgetotheinfiniteintelligenceoftheUnmistakable？
　　Aword，andyouarelostforever。"
　　TheBoybreathedasilentprayer，and，handingasealedpackagetotheSeer，beggedhimtohandittohisfatherincaseofhisprematuredecease。
　　"Youhavesentforme，"hissedthePresence。"Beholdme，Apokatharticon，——theUnpronounceable。Inmeallthingsexistthatarenotalreadycoexistent。IamtheUnattainable，theIntangible，theCause，andtheEffect。InmeobservetheBrahmaofMr。
　　Emerson;notonlyBrahmahimself，butalsothesacredmusicalcompositionrehearsedbythefaithfulHindoo。IamtherealGyges。
　　Noneothersaregenuine。"
　　AndtheveiledSonoftheStarbeamlaidhimselflooselyabouttheroom，andpermeatedSpacegenerally。
　　"UnfathomableMystery，"saidtheRosicrucianinalow，sweetvoice。
　　"BraveChildwiththeVitreousOptic！Thouwhopervadestallthingsandrubbestagainstuswithoutabrasionofthecuticle。I
　　commandthee，speak！"
　　Andthemisty，intangible，indefinitePresencespoke。
　　BOOKIV。
　　MYSELF。
　　Aftertheeventsrelatedinthelastchapter，thereaderwillperceivethatnothingwaseasierthantoreconcileSirEdwardtohissonLionel，nortoresuscitatethebeautifulItaliangirl，who，itappears，wasnotdead，andtocauseSirEdwardtomarryhisfirstandboyishlove，whomhehaddeserted。TheyweremarriedinSt。George’s，HanoverSquare。Asthebridalpartystoodbeforethealtar，SirEdward，withasweetsadsmile，said，inquitehisoldmanner：——
　　"TheSublimeandBeautifularetheReal;theonlyIdealistheRidiculousandHomely。Letusalwaysrememberthis。Letusthroughlifeendeavortopersonifythevirtues，andalwaysbegin’emwithacapitalletter。Letus，wheneverwecanfindanopportunity，deliveroursentimentsintheformofround-handcopies。RespecttheAged。EschewVulgarity。AdmireOurselves。
　　RegardtheNovelist。"
　　THEHAUNTEDMAN。
　　ACHRISTMASSTORY。
　　BYCH——R——SD——CK——NS。
　　PARTI。
　　THEFIRSTPHANTOM。
　　Don’ttellmethatitwasn’taknocker。Ihadseenitoftenenough，andIoughttoknow。Sooughtthethree-o’clockbeer，indirtyhigh-lows，swinginghimselfovertherailing，orexecutingademoniacaljiguponthedoorstep;sooughtthebutcher，althoughbutchersasageneralthingarescornfulofsuchtrifles;sooughtthepostman，towhomknockersofthemostextravagantdescriptionweremerelyhumanweaknesses，thatweretobepitiedandused。Andsoought，forthematterofthat，etc。，etc。，etc。
　　ButthenitwasSUCHaknocker。Awild，extravagant，andutterlyincomprehensibleknocker。AknockersomysteriousandsuspiciousthatPolicemanX37，firstcominguponit，feltinclinedtotakeitinstantlyincustody，butcompromisedwithhisprofessionalinstinctsbysharplyandsternlynotingitwithaneyethatadmittedofnononsense，butconfidentlyexpectedtodetectitssecretyet。Anuglyknocker;aknockerwithahard，humanface，thatwasatypeoftheharderhumanfacewithin。Ahumanfacethatheldbetweenitsteethabrazenrod。Sohereafter，inthemysteriousfutureshouldbeheld，etc。，etc。
　　Butiftheknockerhadafiercehumanaspectintheglareofday，youshouldhaveseenitatnight，whenitpeeredoutofthegatheringshadowsandsuggestedanambushedfigure;whenthelightofthestreetlampsfelluponit，andwroughtaplayofsinisterexpressioninitshardoutlines;whenitseemedtowinkmeaninglyatashroudedfigurewho，asthenightfelldarkly，creptupthestepsandpassedintothemysterioushouse;whentheswingingdoordisclosedablackpassageintowhichthefigureseemedtoloseitselfandbecomeapartofthemysteriousgloom;whenthenightgrewboisterousandthefiercewindmadefuriouschargesattheknocker，asiftowrenchitoffandcarryitawayintriumph。Suchanightasthis。
　　Itwasawildandpitilesswind。Awindthathadcommencedlifeasagentlecountryzephyr，butwanderingthroughmanufacturingtownshadbecomedemoralized，andreachingthecityhadplungedintoextravagantdissipationandwildexcesses。AroisteringwindthatindulgedinBacchanalianshoutsonthestreetcorners，thatknockedoffthehatsfromtheheadsofhelplesspassengers，andthenfulfilleditsdutiesbyspeedingaway，likeallyoungprodigals，——
　　tosea。
　　Hesataloneinagloomylibrarylisteningtothewindthatroaredinthechimney。Aroundhimnovelsandstory-bookswerestrewnthickly;inhislapheheldonewithitspagesfreshlycut，andturnedtheleaveswearilyuntilhiseyesresteduponaportraitinitsfrontispiece。Andasthewindhowledthemorefiercely，andthedarknesswithoutfellblacker，astrangeandfatefullikenesstothatportraitappearedabovehischairandleaneduponhisshoulder。TheHauntedMangazedattheportraitandsighed。Thefiguregazedattheportraitandsighedtoo。
　　"Hereagain？"saidtheHauntedMan。
　　"Hereagain，"itrepeatedinalowvoice。
　　"Anothernovel？"
　　"Anothernovel。"
　　"Theoldstory？"
　　"Theoldstory。"
　　"Iseeachild，"saidtheHauntedMan，gazingfromthepagesofthebookintothefire，——"amostunnaturalchild，amodelinfant。Itisprematurelyoldandphilosophic。Itdiesinpovertytoslowmusic。Itdiessurroundedbyluxurytoslowmusic。Itdieswithanaccompanimentofgoldenwaterandrattlingcartstoslowmusic。
　　Previoustoitsdeceaseitmakesawill;itrepeatstheLord’sPrayer，itkissesthe’booferlady。’Thatchild——"
　　"Ismine，"saidthephantom。
　　"Iseeagoodwoman，undersized。Iseeseveralcharmingwomen，buttheyareallundersized。Theyaremoreorlessimbecileandidiotic，butalwaysfascinatingandundersized。Theywearcoquettishcapsandaprons。Iobservethatfemininevirtueisinvariablybelowthemediumheight，andthatitisalwayssimpleandinfantine。Thesewomen——"
　　"Aremine。"
　　"Iseeahaughty，proud，andwickedlady。Sheistallandqueenly。
　　Iremarkthatallproudandwickedwomenaretallandqueenly。
　　Thatwoman——"
　　"Ismine，"saidthephantom，wringinghishands。
　　"Iseeseveralthingscontinuallyimpending。Iobservethatwheneveranaccident，amurder，ordeathisabouttohappen，thereissomethinginthefurniture，inthelocality，intheatmosphere，thatforeshadowsandsuggestsityearsinadvance。IcannotsaythatinreallifeIhavenoticedit，——theperceptionofthissurprisingfactbelongs——"
　　"Tome！"saidthephantom。TheHauntedMancontinued，inadespairingtone：——
　　"Iseetheinfluenceofthisinthemagazinesanddailypapers;I
　　seeweakimitatorsriseupandenfeebletheworldwithsenselessformula。Iamgettingtiredofit。Itwon’tdo，Charles！itwon’tdo！"andtheHauntedManburiedhisheadinhishandsandgroaned。
　　Thefigurelookeddownuponhimsternly：theportraitinthefrontispiecefrownedashegazed。
　　"Wretchedman，"saidthephantom，"andhowhavethesethingsaffectedyou？"
　　"OnceIlaughedandcried，butthenIwasyounger。Now，IwouldforgetthemifIcould。"
　　"Havethenyourwish。Andtakethiswithyou，manwhomIrenounce。
　　FromthisdayhenceforthyoushalllivewiththosewhomIdisplace。
　　Withoutforgettingme，’twillbeyourlottowalkthroughlifeasifwehadnotmet。Butfirstyoushallsurveythesescenesthathenceforthmustbeyours。Atoneto-night，preparetomeetthephantomIhaveraised。Farewell！"
　　Thesoundofitsvoiceseemedtofadeawaywiththedyingwind，andtheHauntedManwasalone。Butthefirelightflickeredgayly，andthelightdancedonthewalls，makinggrotesquefiguresofthefurniture。
　　"Ha，ha！"saidtheHauntedMan，rubbinghishandsgleefully;"nowforawhiskeypunchandacigar。"
　　BOOKII。
　　THESECONDPHANTOM。
　　One！Thestrokeofthefar-offbellhadhardlydiedbeforethefrontdoorclosedwithareverberatingclang。Stepswereheardalongthepassage;thelibrarydoorswungopenofitself，andtheKnocker——yes，theKnocker——slowlystrodeintotheroom。TheHauntedManrubbedhiseyes，——no！therecouldbenomistakeaboutit，——itwastheKnocker’sface，mountedonamisty，almostimperceptiblebody。Thebrazenrodwastransferredfromitsmouthtoitsrighthand，whereitwasheldlikeaghostlytruncheon。
　　"It’sacoldevening，"saidtheHauntedMan。
　　"Itis，"saidtheGoblin，inahard，metallicvoice。
　　"Itmustbeprettycoldoutthere，"saidtheHauntedMan，withvaguepoliteness。"Doyouever——willyou——takesomehotwaterandbrandy？"
　　"No，"saidtheGoblin。
　　"Perhapsyou’dlikeitcold，bywayofchange？"continuedtheHauntedMan，correctinghimself，asherememberedthepeculiartemperaturewithwhichtheGoblinwasprobablyfamiliar。
　　"Timeflies，"saidtheGoblincoldly。"Wehavenoleisureforidletalk。Come！"Hemovedhisghostlytruncheontowardthewindow，andlaidhishandupontheother’sarm。AthistouchthebodyoftheHauntedManseemedtobecomeasthinandincorporealasthatoftheGoblinhimself，andtogethertheyglidedoutofthewindowintotheblackandblowynight。
　　IntherapidityoftheirflightthesensesoftheHauntedManseemedtoleavehim。Atlengththeystoppedsuddenly。
　　"Whatdoyousee？"askedtheGoblin。
　　"Iseeabattlementedmediaevalcastle。Gallantmeninmailrideoverthedrawbridge，andkisstheirgauntletedfingerstofairladies，whowavetheirlilyhandsinreturn。Iseefightandfrayandtournament。Ihearroaringheraldsbawlingthecharmsofdelicatewomen，andshamelesslyproclaimingtheirlovers。Stay。I
　　seeaJewessabouttoleapfromabattlement。Iseeknightlydeeds，violence，rapine，andagooddealofblood。I’veseenprettymuchthesameatAstley’s。"
　　"Lookagain。"
　　"Iseepurplemoors，glens，masculinewomen，bare-leggedmen，priggishbook-worms，moreviolence，physicalexcellence，andblood。
　　Alwaysblood，——andthesuperiorityofphysicalattainments。"
　　"Andhowdoyoufeelnow？"saidtheGoblin。
　　TheHauntedManshruggedhisshoulders。"Nonethebetterforbeingcarriedbackandaskedtosympathizewithabarbarousage。"
　　TheGoblinsmiledandclutchedhisarm;theyagainspedrapidlythroughtheblacknightandagainhalted。
　　"Whatdoyousee？"saidtheGoblin。
　　"Iseeabarrackroom，withamesstable，andagroupofintoxicatedCelticofficerstellingfunnystories，andgivingchallengestoduel。IseeayoungIrishgentlemancapableofperformingprodigiesofvalor。Ilearnincidentallythattheacmeofallheroismisthecornetcyofadragoonregiment。IhearagooddealofFrench！No，thankyou，"saidtheHauntedManhurriedly，ashestayedthewavinghandoftheGoblin;"IwouldratherNOTgotothePeninsula，anddon’tcaretohaveaprivateinterviewwithNapoleon。"
　　AgaintheGoblinflewawaywiththeunfortunateman，andfromastrangeroaringbelowthemhejudgedtheywereabovetheocean。A
　　shiphoveinsight，andtheGoblinstayeditsflight。"Look，"hesaid，squeezinghiscompanion’sarm。
　　TheHauntedManyawned。"Don’tyouthink，Charles，you’reratherrunningthisthingintotheground？Ofcourseit’sverymoralandinstructive，andallthat。Butain’ttherealittletoomuchpantomimeaboutit？Comenow！"
　　"Look！"repeatedtheGoblin，pinchinghisarmmalevolently。TheHauntedMangroaned。
　　"O，ofcourse，IseeherMajesty’sshipArethusa。OfcourseIamfamiliarwithhersternFirstLieutenant，hereccentricCaptain，heronefascinatingandseveralmischievousmidshipmen。OfcourseIknowit’sasplendidthingtoseeallthis，andnottobeseasick。O，theretheyounggentlemenaregoingtoplayatrickonthepurser。ForGod’ssake，letusgo，"andtheunhappymanabsolutelydraggedtheGoblinawaywithhim。
　　Whentheynexthalted，itwasattheedgeofabroadandboundlessprairie，inthemiddleofanoakopening。
　　"Isee，"saidtheHauntedMan，withoutwaitingforhiscue，butmechanically，andasifhewererepeatingalessonwhichtheGoblinhadtaughthim，——"IseetheNobleSavage。Heisveryfinetolookat！ButIobserveunderhiswar-paint，feathers，andpicturesqueblanket，dirt，disease，andanunsymmetricalcontour。Iobservebeneathhisinflatedrhetoricdeceitandhypocrisy;beneathhisphysicalhardihood，cruelty，malice，andrevenge。TheNobleSavageisahumbug。IremarkedthesametoMr。Catlin。"
　　"Come，"saidthephantom。
　　TheHauntedMansighed，andtookouthiswatch。"Couldn’twedotherestofthisanothertime？"
　　"Myhourisalmostspent，irreverentbeing，butthereisyetachanceforyourreformation。Come！"
　　Againtheyspedthroughthenight，andagainhalted。Thesoundofdeliciousbutmelancholymusicfellupontheirears。
　　"Isee，"saidtheHauntedMan，withsomethingofinterestinhismanner，——"Iseeanoldmoss-coveredmansebesideasluggish，flowingriver。Iseeweirdshapes：witches，Puritans，clergymen，littlechildren，judges，mesmerizedmaidens，movingtothesoundofmelodythatthrillsmewithitssweetnessandpurity。But，althoughcarriedalongitscalmandevenlyflowingcurrent，theshapesarestrangeandfrightful：aneatinglichengnawsattheheartofeach。Notonlytheclergymen，butwitch，maiden，judge，andPuritan，allwearScarletLettersofsomekindburnedupontheirhearts。Iamfascinatedandthrilled，butIfeelamorbidsensitivenesscreepingoverme。I——Ibegyourpardon。"TheGoblinwasyawningfrightfully。"Well，perhapswehadbettergo。"
　　"Onemore，andthelast，"saidtheGoblin。
　　Theyweremovinghome。Streaksofredwerebeginningtoappearintheeasternsky。Alongthebanksoftheblacklyflowingriverbymoorlandandstagnantfens，bylowhouses，clusteringclosetothewater’sedge，likestrangemollusks，crawleduponthebeachtodry;
　　bymistyblackbarges，themoremistyandindistinctseenthroughitsmysteriousveil，theriverfogwasslowlyrising。SorolledawayandrosefromtheheartoftheHauntedMan，etc。，etc。
　　Theystoppedbeforeaquaintmansionofredbrick。TheGoblinwavedhishandwithoutspeaking。
　　"Isee，"saidtheHauntedMan，"agaydrawing-room。Iseemyoldfriendsoftheclub，ofthecollege，ofsociety，evenastheylivedandmoved。Iseethegallantandunselfishmen，whomIhaveloved，andthesnobswhomIhavehated。Iseestrangelyminglingwiththem，andnowandthenblendingwiththeirforms，ouroldfriendsDickSteele，Addison，andCongreve。Iobserve，though，thatthesegentlemenhaveahabitofgettingtoomuchintheway。TheroyalstandardofQueenAnne，notinitselfabeautifulornament，israthertooprominentinthepicture。Thelonggalleriesofblackoak，theformalfurniture，theoldportraits，arepicturesque，butdepressing。Thehouseisdamp。Ienjoymyselfbetterhereonthelawn，wheretheyaregettingupaVanityFair。See，thebellrings，thecurtainisrising，thepuppetsarebroughtoutforanewplay。Letmesee。"
　　TheHauntedManwaspressingforwardinhiseagerness，butthehandoftheGoblinstayedhim，andpointingtohisfeethesaw，betweenhimandtherisingcurtain，anew-madegrave。Andbendingabovethegraveinpassionategrief，theHauntedManbeheldthephantomofthepreviousnight。
　　*****
　　TheHauntedManstarted，and——woke。Thebrightsunshinestreamedintotheroom。Theairwassparklingwithfrost。Heranjoyouslytothewindowandopenedit。Asmallboysalutedhimwith"MerryChristmas。"TheHauntedManinstantlygavehimaBankofEnglandnote。"HowmuchlikeTinyTim，Tom，andBobbythatboylooked，——
　　blessmysoul，whatageniusthisDickenshas！"
　　Aknockatthedoor，andBootsentered。
　　"Consideryoursalarydoubledinstantly。HaveyoureadDavidCopperfield？"
　　"Yezzur。"
　　"Yoursalaryisquadrupled。WhatdoyouthinkoftheOldCuriosityShop？"
　　Themaninstantlyburstintoatorrentoftears，andthenintoaroaroflaughter。
　　"Enough！Herearefivethousandpounds。Openaporter-house，andcallit，’OurMutualFriend。’Huzza！Ifeelsohappy！"AndthehauntedMandancedabouttheroom。
　　Andso，bathedinthelightofthatblessedsun，andyetglowingwiththewarmthofagoodaction，theHauntedMan，hauntednolonger，savebythoseshapeswhichmakethedreamsofchildrenbeautiful，reseatedhimselfinhischair，andfinishedOurMutualFriend。
　　MISSMIX。
　　BYCH——L——TTEBR——NTE。
　　CHAPTERI。
　　Myearliestimpressionsareofahuge，misshapenrock，againstwhichthehoarsewavesbeatunceasingly。Onthisrockthreepelicansarestandinginadefiantattitude。Adarkskylowersinthebackground，whiletwosea-gullsandagiganticcormoranteyewithextremedisfavorthefloatingcorpseofadrownedwomanintheforeground。Afewbracelets，coralnecklaces，andotherarticlesofjewelry，scatteredaroundloosely，completethisremarkablepicture。
　　Itisonewhich，insomevague，unconsciousway，symbolizes，tomyfancy，thecharacterofaman。Ihaveneverbeenabletoexplainexactlywhy。IthinkImusthaveseenthepictureinsomeillustratedvolume，whenababy，ormymothermayhavedreameditbeforeIwasborn。