"Well，Iwon’taskmorethanIought，andI’mmuchobligedtoyouforyourpromisetobequiet。Itrusttoyourdiscretion。Good-by。"
　　"YououghttoREWARDmydiscretion，"saidBaron，comingouttothelanding。
　　Shehadpartlydescendedthestaircaseandshestopped，leaningagainstthebalusterandsmilingupathim。"Surelyyou’vehadyourrewardinthehonourofmyvisit。"
　　"That’sdelightfulasfarasitgoes。ButwhatwillyoudoformeifIburnthepapers？"
　　Mrs。Ryvesconsideredamoment。"Burnthemfirstandyou’llsee！"
　　Onthisshewentrapidlydownstairs，andBaron，towhomtheanswerappearedinadequateandthepropositionindeedinthatformgrosslyunfair，returnedtohisroom。Thevivacityofherinterestinaquestioninwhichshehaddiscoverablynothingatstakemystified，amusedand，inaddition，irresistiblycharmedhim。Shewasdelicate，imaginative，inflammable，quicktofeel，quicktoact。Hedidn’tcomplainofit，itwasthewayhelikedwomentobe；，buthewasnotimpelledforthehourtocommitthesealedpacketstotheflames。Hedroppedthemagainintotheirsecretwell，andafterthathewentout。Hefeltrestlessandexcited；anotherdaywaslostforwork——
　　thedreadfuljobtobeperformedforMr。Locketwasstillfurtheroff。
　　CHAPTERIII。
　　TendaysafterMrs。Ryves’svisithepaidbyappointmentanothercallontheeditorofthePromiscuous。HefoundhiminthelittlewainscotedChelseahouse，whichhadtoPeter’ssensethesmokybrownnessofanoldpipebowl，surroundedwithalltheemblemsofhisoffice——alitterofpapers，ahedgeofencyclopaedias，aphotographicgalleryofpopularcontributors——andhepromisedatfirsttoconsumeveryfewofthemomentsforwhichsomanyclaimscompeted。ItwasMr。Lockethimselfhoweverwhopresentlymadetheinterviewspacious，gaveitairafterdiscoveringthatpoorBaronhadcometotellhimsomethingmoreinterestingthanthathecouldn’tafterallpatchuphistale。Peterhadbegunwiththis，hadintimatedrespectfullythatitwasacaseinwhichbothpracticeandprinciplerebelled，andthen，perceivinghowlittleMr。Locketwasaffectedbyhisaudacity，hadfeltweakandslightlysilly，leftwithhisheroismonhishands。
　　Hehadarmedhimselfforastruggle，butthePromiscuousdidn’tevenprotest，andtherewouldhavebeennothingforhimbuttogoawaywiththeprospectofnevercomingagainhadhenotchancedtosayabruptly，irrelevantly，ashegotupfromhischair：
　　"DoyouhappentobeatallinterestedinSirDominickFerrand？"
　　Mr。Locket，whohadalsogotup，lookedoverhisglasses。"ThelateSirDominick？"
　　"Theonlyone；youknowthefamily’sextinct。"
　　Mr。Locketshothisyoungfriendanothersharpglance，asilentretorttotheglibnessofthisinformation。"Veryextinctindeed。
　　I’mafraidthesubjecttodaywouldscarcelyberegardedasattractive。"
　　"Areyouverysure？"Baronasked。
　　Mr。Locketleanedforwardalittle，withhisfingertipsonhistable，intheattitudeofgivingpermissiontoretire。"Imightconsiderthequestioninaspecialconnection。"Hewassilentaminute，inawaythatrelegatedpoorPetertothegeneral；butmeetingtheyoungman’seyesagainheasked："Areyou——a——thinkingofproposinganarticleuponhim？"
　　"Notexactlyproposingit——becauseIdon’tyetquiteseemyway；buttheidearatherappealstome。"
　　Mr。Locketemittedthesafeassertionthatthiseminentstatesmanhadbeenastrikingfigureinhisday；thenheadded："Haveyoubeenstudyinghim？"
　　"I’vebeendippingintohim。"
　　"I’mafraidhe’sscarcelyaquestionofthehour，"saidMr。Locket，shufflingpaperstogether。
　　"IthinkIcouldmakehimone，"PeterBarondeclared。
　　Mr。Locketstaredagain；hewasunabletorepressanunattenuated"You？"
　　"Ihavesomenewmaterial，"saidtheyoungman，colouringalittle。
　　"Thatoftenfreshensupanoldstory。"
　　"Itburiesitsometimes。It’softenonlyanothertombstone。"
　　"Thatdependsuponwhatitis。However，"Peteradded，"thedocumentsIspeakofwouldbeacrushingmonument。"
　　Mr。Locket，hesitating，shotanotherglanceunderhisglasses。"Doyoualludeto——a——revelations？"
　　"Verycuriousones。"
　　Mr。Locket，stillonhisfeet，hadkepthisbodyatthebowingangle；
　　itwasthereforeeasyforhimafteraninstanttobendalittlefurtherandtosinkintohischairwithamovementofhishandtowardtheseatBaronhadoccupied。Baronresumedpossessionofthisconvenience，andtheconversationtookafreshstartonabasiswhichsuchanextensionofprivilegecouldrenderbutlittlelesshumiliatingtoouryoungman。HehadmaturednoplanofconfidinghissecrettoMr。Locket，andhehadreallycomeouttomakehimconscientiouslythatotherannouncementastowhichitappearedthatsomuchartisticagitationhadbeenwasted。Hehadindeedduringthepastdays——daysofpainfulindecision——appealedinimaginationtotheeditorofthePromiscuous，ashehadappealedtoothersourcesofcomfort；buthisscruplesturnedtheirfaceuponhimfromquartershighaswellaslow，andifontheonehandhehadbynomeansmadeuphismindnottomentionhisstrangeknowledge，hehadstillmorelefttothedeterminationofthemomentthequestionofhowheshouldintroducethesubject。Hewasinfacttoonervoustodecide；heonlyfeltthatheneededforhispeaceofmindtocommunicatehisdiscovery。Hewantedanopinion，theimpressionofsomebodyelse，andeveninthisintenselyprofessionalpresence，fiveminutesafterhehadbeguntotellhisqueerstory，hefeltrelievedofhalfhisburden。Hisstorywasveryqueer；hecouldtakethemeasureofthathimselfashespoke；butwouldn’tthisverycircumstancequalifyitforthePromiscuous？
　　"Ofcoursethelettersmaybeforgeries，"saidMr。Locketatlast。
　　"I’venodoubtthat’swhatmanypeoplewillsay。"
　　"Havetheybeenseenbyanyexpert？"
　　"Noindeed；they’vebeenseenbynobody。"
　　"Haveyougotanyofthemwithyou？"
　　"No；Ifeltnervousaboutbringingthemout。"
　　"That’sapity。Ishouldhavelikedthetestimonyofmyeyes。"
　　"Youmayhaveitifyou’llcometomyrooms。Ifyoudon’tcaretodothatwithoutafurtherguaranteeI’llcopyyououtsomepassages。"
　　"Selectafewoftheworst！"Mr。Locketlaughed。OverBaron’sdistressinginformationhehadbecomequitehumanandgenial。Butheaddedinamomentmoredryly："Youknowtheyoughttobeseenbyanexpert。"
　　"That’sexactlywhatIdread，"saidPeter。
　　"They’llbeworthnothingtomeifthey’renot。"
　　Petercommunedwithhisinnermostspirit。"HowmuchwilltheybeworthtoMEiftheyARE？"
　　Mr。Locketturnedinhisstudy-chair。"Ishouldrequiretolookatthembeforeansweringthatquestion。"
　　"I’vebeentotheBritishmuseum——therearemanyofhislettersthere。I’veobtainedpermissiontoseethem，andI’vecomparedeverythingcarefully。Irepudiatethepossibilityofforgery。Nosignofgenuinenessiswanting；therearedetails，downtotheverypostmarks，thatnoforgercouldhaveinvented。Besides，whoseinterestcoulditconceivablyhavebeen？Alaborofunspeakabledifficulty，andallforwhatadvantage？Therearesomanyletters，too——twenty-seveninall。"
　　"Lord，whatanass！"Mr。Locketexclaimed。
　　"Itwillbeoneofthestrangestpost-mortemrevelationsofwhichhistorypreservestherecord。"
　　Mr。Locket，gravenow，worriedwithapaper-knifethecreviceofadrawer。"It’sveryodd。Buttobeworthanythingsuchdocumentsshouldbesubjectedtoasearchingcriticism——Imeanofthehistoricalkind。"
　　"Certainly；thatwouldbethetaskofthewriterintroducingthemtothepublic。"
　　AgainMr。Locketconsidered；thenwithasmilehelookedup。"Youhadbettergiveuporiginalcompositionandtaketobuyingoldfurniture。"
　　"Doyoumeanbecauseitwillpaybetter？"
　　"Foryou，Ishouldthink，originalcompositioncouldn’tpayworse。
　　Thecreativefaculty’ssorare。"
　　"Idofeeltemptedtoturnmyattentiontorealheroes，"Peterreplied。
　　"I’mboundtodeclarethatSirDominickFerrandwasneveroneofmine。Flashy，crafty，second-rate——that’showI’vealwaysreadhim。
　　Itwasneverasecret，moreover，thathisprivatelifehaditsweakspots。Hewasamereflashinthepan。"
　　"Hespeakstothepeopleofthiscountry，"saidBaron。
　　"Hedid；buthisvoice——thevoice，Imean，ofhisprestige——isscarcelyaudiblenow。"
　　"They’restillproudofsomeofthethingshedidattheForeignOffice——thefamous’exchange’withSpain，intheMediterranean，whichtookEuropesobysurpriseandbywhichshefeltinjured，especiallywhenitbecameapparenthowmuchwehadthebestofthebargain。
　　Thenthesudden，unexpectedshowofforcebywhichheimposedontheUnitedStatesourinterpretationofthattiresometreaty——Icouldnevermakeoutwhatitwasabout。Thesewerebothmattersthatnoonereallycaredastrawabout，buthemadeeveryonefeelasiftheycared；thenationrosetothewayheplayedhistrumps——itwasuncommon。Hewasoneofthefewmenwe’vehad，inourperiod，whotookEurope，ortookAmerica，bysurprise，madethemjumpabit；andthecountrylikedhisdoingit——itwasapleasantchange。Therestoftheworldconsideredthattheyknewinanycaseexactlywhatwewoulddo，whichwasusuallynothingatall。Saywhatyoulike，he’sstillahighname；partlyalso，nodoubt，onaccountofotherthingshisearlysuccessandearlydeath，hispolitical’cheek’andwit；hisveryappearance——hecertainlywashandsome——andthepossibilities（offuturepersonalsupremacy）whichitwasthefashionatthetime，whichit’sthefashionstill，tosayhadpassedawaywithhim。HehadbeentwiceattheForeignOffice；thatalonewasremarkableforamandyingatforty-four。Whatthereforewillthecountrythinkwhenitlearnshewasvenal？"
　　PeterBaronhimselfwasnotangrywithSirDominickFerrand，whohadsimplybecometohim（hehadbeen"readingup"feverishlyforaweek）
　　averycurioussubjectofpsychologicalstudy；buthecouldeasilyputhimselfintheplaceofthatportionofthepublicwhosememorywaslongenoughfortheirpatriotismtoreceiveashock。Itwassometimefortunatelysincetheconductofpublicaffairshadwantedformenofdisinterestedability，buttheextraordinarydocumentsconcealed（ofallplacesintheworld——itwasasfantasticasanightmare）ina"bargain"pickedupatsecond-handbyanobscurescribbler，wouldbeacalculableblowtotheretrospectivemind。
　　Baronsawvividlythatiftheserelicsshouldbemadepublicthescandal，thehorror，thechatterwouldbeimmense。Immensewouldbealsothecontributiontotruth，therectificationofhistory。Hehadfeltforseveraldays（anditwasexactlywhathadmadehimsonervous）asifheheldinhishandthekeytopublicattention。
　　"Therearetoomanythingstoexplain，"Mr。Locketwenton，"andthesingularprovenanceofyourpaperswouldcountalmostoverwhelminglyagainstthemeveniftheotherobjectionsweremet。Therewouldbeaperfectandprobablyaverycomplicatedpedigreetotrace。Howdidtheygetintoyourdavenport，asyoucallit，andhowlonghadtheybeenthere？Whathandssecretedthem？whathandshad，soincredibly，clungtothemandpreservedthem？Whoarethepersonsmentionedinthem？whoarethecorrespondents，thepartiestothenefarioustransactions？Yousaythetransactionsappeartobeoftwodistinctkinds——someofthemconnectedwithpublicbusinessandothersinvolvingobscurepersonalrelations。"
　　"Theyallhavethisincommon，"saidPeterBaron，"thattheyconstituteevidenceofuneasiness，insomeinstancesofpainfulalarm，onthewriter’spart，inrelationtoexposure——theexposureintheonecase，asIgather，ofthefactthathehadavailedhimselfofofficialopportunitiestopromoteenterprises（publicworksandthatsortofthing）inwhichhehadapecuniarystake。Thedreadofthelightintheotherconnectionisevidentlydifferent，andtheselettersaretheearliestindate。Theyareaddressedtoawoman，fromwhomhehadevidentlyreceivedmoney。"
　　Mr。Locketwipedhisglasses。"Whatwoman？"
　　"Ihaven’ttheleastidea。TherearelotsofquestionsIcan’tanswer，ofcourse；lotsofidentitiesIcan’testablish；lotsofgapsIcan’tfill。ButastotwopointsI’mclear，andtheyaretheessentialones。Inthefirstplacethepapersinmypossessionaregenuine；inthesecondplacethey’recompromising。"
　　WiththisPeterBaronroseagain，rathervexedwithhimselfforhavingbeenledontoadvertisehistreasure（itwashisinterlocutor’sperfectlynaturalscepticismthatproducedthiseffect），forhefeltthathewasputtinghimselfinafalseposition。
　　HedetectedinMr。Locket’sstudieddetachmentthefermentationofimpulsesfromwhich，unsuccessfulashewas，hehimselfprayedtobedelivered。
　　Mr。Locketremainedseated；hewatchedBarongoacrosstheroomforhishatandumbrella。"Ofcourse，thequestionwouldcomeupofwhosepropertytodaysuchdocumentswouldlegallyhe。Thereareheirs，descendants，executorstoconsider。"
　　"Insomedegreeperhaps；hutI’vegoneintothatalittle。SirDominickFerrandhadnochildren，andheleftnobrothersandnosisters。Hiswifesurvivedhim，butshediedtenyearsago。Hecanhavehadnoheirsandnoexecutorstospeakof，forheleftnoproperty。"
　　’’That’stohishonourandagainstyourtheory，’’saidMr。Locket。
　　"IHAVEnotheory。Heleftalargeishmassofdebt，"PeterBaronadded。AtthisMr。Locketgotup，whilehisvisitorpursued："SofarasIcanascertain，thoughofcoursemyinquirieshavehadtobeveryrapidandsuperficial，thereisnoonenowliving，directlyorindirectlyrelatedtothepersonageinquestion，whowouldbelikelytosufferfromanystepsinthedirectionofpublicity。Ithappenstobearareinstanceofalifethathad，asitwere，nolooseends。
　　Atleasttherearenoneperceptibleatpresent。"
　　"Isee，Isee，"saidMr。Locket。"ButIdon’tthinkIshouldcaremuchforyourarticle。"
　　"Whatarticle？"
　　"Theoneyouseemtowishtowrite，embodyingthisnewmatter。"
　　"Oh，Idon’twishtowriteit！"Peterexclaimed。Andthenhebadehishostgood-by。
　　"Good-by，"saidMr。Locket。"Mindyou，Idon’tsaythatIthinkthere’snothinginit。"
　　"Youwouldthinktherewassomethinginitifyouweretoseemydocuments。"
　　"Ishouldliketoseethesecretcompartment，"
　　thecausticeditorrejoined。"Copymeoutsomeextracts。"
　　"Towhatend，ifthere’snoquestionoftheirbeingofusetoyou？"
　　"Idon’tsaythat——Imightlikethelettersthemselves。"
　　"Themselves？"
　　"Notasthebasisofapaper，butjusttopublish——forasensation。"
　　"They’dsellyournumber！"Baronlaughed。
　　"IdaresayIshouldliketolookatthem，"Mr。Locketconcededafteramoment。"WhenshouldIfindyouathome？"
　　"Don’tcome，"saidtheyoungman。"Imakeyounooffer。"
　　"ImightmakeYOUone，"theeditorhinted。"Don’ttroubleyourself；
　　Ishallprobablydestroythem。"WiththisPeterBarontookhisdeparture，waitinghoweverjustafterwards，inthestreetnearthehouse，asifhehadbeenlookingoutforastrayhansom，towhichhewouldnothavesignalledhaditappeared。HethoughtMr。Locketmighthurryafterhim，butMr。Locketseemedtohaveotherthingstodo，andPeterBaronreturnedonfoottoJerseyVillas。
　　CHAPTERIV。
　　OntheeveningthatsucceededthisapparentlypointlessencounterhehadaninterviewmoreconclusivewithMrs。Bundy，forwhoseshrewdandphilosophicviewoflifehehadseveraltimesexpressed，eventothegoodwomanherself，aconsiderablerelish。ThesituationatJerseyVillas（Mrs。RyveshadsuddenlyflownofftoDover）wassuchastocreateinhimadesireformoralsupport，andtherewasakindofdomesticdeterminationinMrs。Bundywhichseemed，ingeneral，toadvertiseit。Hehadaskedforheroncomingin，buthadbeentoldshewasabsentforthehour；uponwhichhehadaddressedhimselfmechanicallytothetaskofdoinguphisdishonouredmanuscript——theingeniousfictionaboutwhichMr。Lockethadbeensostupid——forfurtheradventuresandnotimprobabledefeats。Hepassedarestless，ineffectiveafternoon，askinghimselfifhisgeniuswereahorriddelusion，lookingoutofhiswindowforsomethingthatdidn’thappen，somethingthatseemednowtobetheadventofapersuasiveMr。Locketandnowthereturn，fromanabsencemoredisappointingeventhanMrs。
　　Bundy’s，ofhisinterestingneighbouroftheparlours。Hewassonervousandsodepressedthathewasunableeventofixhismindonthecompositionofthenotewithwhich，onitsnextperegrination，itwasnecessarythathismanuscriptshouldbeaccompanied。Hewastoonervoustoeat，andheforgoteventodine；heforgottolighthiscandles，helethisfiregoout，anditwasinthemelancholychillofthelateduskthatMrs。Bundy，arrivingatlastwithhislamp，foundhimextendedmoodilyuponhissofa。Shehadbeeninformedthathewishedtospeaktoher，andassheplacedonthemalodorousluminaryanoilyshadeofgreenpasteboardsheexpressedthefriendlyhopethattherewasnothingwrongwithhis’ealth。
　　Theyoungmanrosefromhiscouch，pullinghimselftogethersufficientlytoreplythathishealthwaswellenoughbutthathisspiritsweredowninhishoots。Hehadastrongdispositionto"draw"hislandladyonthesubjectofMrs。Ryves，aswellasavividconvictionthatsheconstitutedathemeastowhichMrs。Bundywouldrequirelittlepressuretotellhimevenmorethansheknew。Atthesametimehehatedtoappeartopryintothesecretsofhisabsentfriend；todiscussherwiththeirbustlinghostessresembledtoomuchforhistasteagossipwithatattlingservantaboutanunconsciousemployer。HeleftoutofaccounthoweverMrs。Bundy’sknowledgeofthehumanheart，foritwasthisfineprinciplethatbrokedownthebarriersafterhehadreflectedreassuringlythatitwasnotmeddlingwithMrs。Ryves’saffairstotryandfindoutifshestrucksuchanobserverashappy。Crudely，abruptly，evenalittleblushingly，heputthedirectquestiontoMrs。Bundy，andthisledtolerablystraighttoanotherquestion，which，onhisspirit，satequallyheavy（theywereindeedbutdifferentphasesofthesame），andwhichthegoodwomanansweredwithexpressionwhensheejaculated："Thinkitalibertyforyoutorundownforafewhours？Ifshedo，mydearsir，justsendhertometotalkto！"AsregardshappinessindeedshewarnedBaronagainstimposingtoohighastandardonayoungthingwhohadbeenthroughsomuch，andbeforeheknewithefoundhimself，withouttheresponsibilityofchoice，insubmissivereceiptofMrs。
　　Bundy’sversionofthisexperience。Itwasaninterestingpicture，thoughithaditsinfirmities，oneofthemcongenitalandconsistingofthefactthatithadsprungessentiallyfromthevirginalbrainofMissTeagle。Amplified，edited，embellishedbytherichergeniusofMrs。Bundy，whohadincorporatedwithitandnowliberallyintroducedcopiousinterleavingsofMissTeagle’sownromance，itgavePeterBaronmuchfoodformeditation，atthesametimethatitonlyhalfrelievedhiscuriosityaboutthecausesofthecharmingwoman’sunderlyingstrangeness。HesoundedthisnoteexperimentallyinMrs。
　　Bundy’sear，butitwaseasytoseethatitdidn’treverberateinherfancy。ShehadnoideaofthepictureitwouldhavebeennaturalforhimtodesirethatMrs。Ryvesshouldpresenttohim，andshewasthereforeunabletoestimatethepointsinrespecttowhichhisactualimpressionwasirritating。Shehadindeednoadequateconceptionoftheintellectualrequirementsofayoungmaninlove。
　　Shecouldn’ttellhimwhytheirfaultlessfriendwassoisolated，sounrelated，sonervously，shrinkinglyproud。Ontheotherhandshecouldtellhim（heknewitalready）thatshehadpassedmanyyearsofherlifeintheacquisitionofaccomplishmentsataseatoflearningnolessremotethanBoulogne，andthatMissTeaglehadbeenintimatelyacquaintedwiththelateMr。EverardRyves，whowasa"mostrising"youngmaninthecity，notmakinganyyearlessthanhiscleartwelvehundred。"Nowthatheisn’ttheretomakethem，hismourningwidowcan’tliveasshehadthen，canshe？"Mrs。Bundyasked。
　　Baronwasnotpreparedtosaythatshecould，buthethoughtofanotherwayshemightliveashesat，thenextday，inthetrainwhichrattledhimdowntoDover。Theplace，asheapproachedit，seemedbrightandbreezytohim；hisroamingshadbeenneitherfarenoughnorfrequentenoughtomakethecockneyfiedcoastinsipid。
　　Mrs。Bundyhadofcoursegivenhimtheaddressheneeded，andonemergingfromthestationhewasonthepointofaskingwhatdirectionheshouldtake。Hisattentionhoweveratthismomentwasdrawnawaybythebustleofthedepartingboat。HehadbeenlongenoughshutupinLondontobeconsciousofrefreshmentinthemereactofturninghisfacetoParis。Hewanderedofftothepierincompanywithhappiertouristsand，leaningonarail，watchedenviouslythepreparation，theagitationofforeigntravel。Itwasforsomeminutesaforetasteofadventure；but，ah，whenwashetohavetheverydraught？Heturnedawayashedroppedthisinterrogativesigh，andindoingsoperceivedthatinanotherpartofthepiertwoladiesandalittleboyweregatheredwithsomethingofthesamewistfulness。Thelittleboyindeedhappenedtolookroundforamoment，uponwhich，withthekeennessofthepredatoryage，herecognisedinouryoungmanasourceofpleasuresfromwhichhelatelyhadbeenweaned。Heboundedforwardwithirrepressiblecriesof"Geegee！"andPeterliftedhimaloftforanembrace。OnputtinghimdownthepilgrimfromJerseyVillasstoodconfrontedwithasensiblysevereMissTeagle，whohadfollowedherlittlecharge。
　　"What’sthematterwiththeoldwoman？"heaskedhimselfasheofferedherahandwhichshetreatedasthemerestdetail。Whateveritwas，itwas（andveryproperly，onthepartofaloyalsuivante）
　　thesamecomplaintasthatofheremployer，towhom，fromadistance，forMrs。Ryveshadnotadvancedaninch，heflourishedhishatasshestoodlookingathimwithafacethatheimaginedratherwhite。Mrs。
　　Ryves’sresponsetothissalutationwastoshiftherpositioninsuchamannerastoappearagainabsorbedintheCalaisboat。PeterBaron，however，keptholdofthechild，whomMissTeagleartfullyendeavouredtowrestfromhim——apolicyinwhichhewasaidedbySidney’sownroughbutinstinctiveloyalty；andhewasthankfulforthehappyeffectofbeingdraggedbyhisjubilantfriendintheverydirectioninwhichhehadtendedforsomanyhours。Mrs。Ryvesturnedoncemoreashecamenear，andthen，fromthesweet，strainedsmilewithwhichsheaskedhimifhewereonhiswaytoFrance，hesawthatifshehadbeenangryathishavingfollowedhershehadquicklygotoverit。
　　"No，I’mnotcrossing；butitcameovermethatyoumightbe，andthat’swhyIhurrieddown——tocatchyoubeforeyouwereoff。"
　　"Oh，wecan’tgo——more’sthepity；butwhy，ifwecould，"Mrs。Ryvesinquired，"shouldyouwishtopreventit？"
　　"BecauseI’vesomethingtoaskyoufirst，somethingthatmaytakesometime。"Hesawnowthatherembarrassmenthadreallynotbeenresentful；ithadbeennervous，tremulous，astheemotionofanunexpectedpleasuremighthavebeen。"That’sreallywhyIdeterminedlastnight，withoutaskingyourleavefirsttopayyouthislittlevisit——thatandtheintensedesireforanotherboutofhorse-playwithSidney。Oh，I’vecometoseeyou，"PeterBaronwenton，"andI
　　won’tmakeanysecretofthefactthatIexpectyoutoresignyourselfgracefullytothetrialandgivemeallyourtime。Theday’slovely，andI’mreadytodeclarethattheplaceisasgoodastheday。Letmedrinkdeepofthesethings，drainthecuplikeamanwhohasn’tbeenoutofLondonformonthsandmonths。Letmewalkwithyouandtalkwithyouandlunchwithyou——Igobackthisafternoon。Givemeallyourhoursinshort，sothattheymayliveinmymemoryasoneofthesweetestoccasionsoflife。"
　　TheemissionofsteamfromtheFrenchpacketmadesuchanuproarthatBaroncouldbreathehispassionintotheyoungwoman’searwithoutscandalisingthespectators；andthecharmwhichlittlebylittleitscatteredoverhisfleetingvisitprovedindeedtobethecollectiveinfluenceoftheconditionshehadputintowords。"Whatisityouwishtoaskme？"Mrs。Ryvesdemanded，astheystoodtheretogether；
　　towhichherepliedthathewouldtellherallaboutitifshewouldsendMissTeagleoffwithSidney。MissTeagle，whowasalwaysanticipatinghercue，hadalreadybegunostentatiouslytogazeatthedistantshoresofFranceandwaseasilyenoughinducedtotakeanearlierstarthomeandrisetotheresponsibilityofstoppingonherwaytocontendwiththebutcher。ShehadhowevertoretirewithoutSidney，whoclungtohisrecoveredprey，sothattherestoftheepisodewasseasoned，toBaron’ssense，bytheimportunatetwitchofthechild’slittle，plump，coolhand。ThefriendswanderedtogetherwithaconjugalairandSidneynotbetweenthem，hangingwistfully，first，overthelengthenedpictureoftheCalaisboat，tilltheycouldlookafterit，asitmovedrumblingaway，inaspellofsilencewhichseemedtoconfess——especiallywhen，amomentlater，theireyesmet——thatitproducedthesamefondfancyineach。Thepresenceoftheboymoreoverwasnohindrancetotheirtalkinginamannerthattheymadebelievewasveryfrank。PeterBaronpresentlytoldhiscompanionwhatitwashehadtakenajourneytoask，andhehadtimeafterwardstogetoverhisdiscomfitureatherappearanceofhavingfancieditmightbesomethinggreater。Sheseemeddisappointed（butshewasforgiving）onlearningfromhimthathehadonlywishedtoknowifshejudgedferociouslyhisnothavingcompliedwithherrequesttorespectcertainseals。
　　"Howferociouslydoyoususpectmeofhavingjudgedit？"sheinquired。
　　"Why，totheextentofleavingthehousethenextmoment。"
　　Theywerestilllingeringonthegreatgranitepierwhenhetouchedonthismatter，andshesatdownattheendwhilethebreeze，warmedbythesunshine，ruffledthepurplesea。Shecolouredalittleandlookedtroubled，andafteraninstantsherepeatedinterrogatively：
　　"Thenextmoment？"
　　"AssoonasItoldyouwhatIhaddone。Iwasscrupulousaboutthis，youwillremember；Iwentstraightdownstairstoconfesstoyou。Youturnedawayfromme，sayingnothing；Icouldn’timagine——asIvowI
　　can’timaginenow——whysuchamattershouldappearsocloselytotouchyou。IwentoutonsomebusinessandwhenIreturnedyouhadquittedthehouse。Ithadallthelookofmyhavingoffendedyou，ofyourwishingtogetawayfromme。Youdidn’tevengivemetimetotellyouhowitwasthat，inspiteofyouradvice，Ideterminedtoseeformyselfwhatmydiscoveryrepresented。Youmustdomejusticeandhearwhatdeterminedme。"
　　Mrs。Ryvesgotupfromherscatandaskedhim，asaparticularfavour，nottoalludeagaintohisdiscovery。Itwasnoconcernofhersatall，andshehadnowarrantforpryingintohissecrets。Shewasverysorrytohavebeenforamomentsoabsurdastoappeartodoso，andshehumblybeggedhispardonforhermeddling。Sayingthisshewalkedonwithacharmingcolourinhercheek，whilehelaughedout，thoughhewasreallybewildered，attheendlesscapriciousnessofwomen。Fortunatelytheincidentdidn’tspoilthehour，inwhichtherewereothersourcesofsatisfaction，andtheytooktheircoursetoherlodgingswithsuchpleasantlittlepausesandexcursionsbythewayaspermittedhertoshowhimtheobjectsofinterestatDover。Shelethimstopatawine-merchant’sandbuyabottleforluncheon，ofwhich，initsorder，theypartook，togetherwithapuddinginventedbyMissTeagle，which，astheyhypocriticallyswallowedit，madethemlookateachotherinanintimacyofindulgence。Theycameoutagainand，whileSidneygrubbedinthegraveloftheshore，satselfishlyontheParade，tothedisappointmentofMissTeagle，whohadfixedherhopesonaflyandaladylikevisittothecastle。Baronhadhiseyeonhiswatch——hehadtothinkofhistrainandthedismalreturnandmanyothermelancholythings；buttheseaintheafternoonlightwasamoreappealingpicture；thewindhadgonedown，theChannelwascrowded，thesailsoftheshipswerewhiteinthepurpledistance。Theyoungmanhadaskedhiscompanion（hehadaskedherbefore）whenshewastocomebacktoJerseyVillas，andshehadsaidthatsheshouldprobablystayatDoveranotherweek。Itwasdreadfullyexpensive，butitwasdoingthechildallthegoodintheworld，andifMissTeaglecouldgoupforsomethingssheshouldprobablybeabletomanageanextension。
　　Earlierinthedayshehadsaidthatsheperhapswouldn’treturntoJerseyVillasatall，oronlyreturntowindupherconnectionwithMrs。Bundy。Atanothermomentshehadspokenofanearlydate，animmediatereoccupationofthewonderfulparlours。Baronsawthatshehadnoplan，norealreasons，thatshewasvagueand，insecret，worriedandnervous，waitingforsomethingthatdidn’tdependonherself。Asilenceofseveralminuteshadfallenuponthemwhiletheywatchedtheshiningsails；towhichMrs。Ryvesputanendbyexclaimingabruptly，butwithoutcompletinghersentence："Oh，ifyouhadcometotellmeyouhaddestroyedthem——"
　　"Thoseterriblepapers？Ilikethewayyoutalkabout’destroying！’
　　Youdon’tevenknowwhattheyare。"
　　"Idon’twanttoknow；theyputmeintoastate。"
　　"Whatsortofastate？"
　　"Idon’tknow；theyhauntme。"
　　"Theyhauntedme；thatwaswhy，earlyonemorning，suddenly，I
　　couldn’tkeepmyhandsoffthem。IhadtoldyouIwouldn’ttouchthem。Ihaddeferredtoyourwhim，yoursuperstition（whatisit？）
　　butatlasttheygotthebetterofme。Ihadlainawakeallnightthreshingabout，itchingwithcuriosity。Itmademeill；myownnerves（asImaysay）wereirritated，mycapacitytoworkwasgone。
　　Ithadcomeovermeinthesmallhoursintheshapeofanobsession，afixedidea，thattherewasnothingintheridiculousrelicsandthatmyexaggeratedscruplesweremakingafoolofme。Itwastentoonetheywererubbish，theywerevain，theywereempty；thattheyhadbeenevenapracticaljokeonthepartofsomeweak-mindedgentlemanofleisure，theformerpossessoroftheconfoundeddavenport。ThelongerIhoveredaboutthemwithsuchprecautionsthelongerIwastakenin，andthesoonerIexposedtheirinsignificancethesoonerI
　　shouldgetbacktomyusualoccupations。ThisconvictionmademyhandsouncontrollablethatthatmorningbeforebreakfastIbrokeoneoftheseals。Ittookmebutafewminutestoperceivethatthecontentswerenotrubbish；thelittlebundlecontainedoldletters——
　　verycuriousoldletters。"
　　"Iknow——Iknow；’privateandconfidential。’Soyoubroketheotherseals？"Mrs。Ryveslookedathimwiththestrangeapprehensionhehadseeninhereyeswhensheappearedathisdoorthemomentafterhisdiscovery。
　　"Youknow，ofcourse，becauseItoldyouanhourlater，thoughyouwouldletmetellyouverylittle。"
　　Baron，ashemetthisqueergaze，smiledhardathertopreventherguessingthathesmartedwiththefinereproachconveyedinthetoneofherlastwords；butsheappearedabletoguesseverything，forsheremindedhimthatshehadnothadtowaitthatmorningtillhecamedownstairstoknowwhathadhappenedabove，buthadshownhimatthemomenthowshehadbeenconsciousofitanhourbefore，hadpassedonhersidethesametormentednightashe，andhadhadtoexertextraordinaryself-commandnottorushuptohisroomswhilethestudyoftheopenpacketswasgoingon。"You’resosensitivelyorganisedandyou’vesuchmysteriouspowersthatyoureuncanny，"
　　Barondeclared。
　　"Ifeelwhattakesplaceatadistance；that’sall。"
　　"Onewouldthinksomebodyyoulikedwasindanger。"
　　"ItoldyouthatthatwaswhatwaspresenttomethedayIcameuptoseeyou。"
　　"Oh，butyoudon’tlikemesomuchasthat，"Baronargued，laughing。
　　Shehesitated。"No，Idon’tknowthatIdo。"
　　"Itmustbeforsomeoneelse——theotherpersonconcerned。Theotherday，however，youwouldn’tletmetellyouthatperson’sname。"
　　Mrs。Ryves，atthis，rosequickly。"Idon’twanttoknowit；it’snoneofmybusiness。"
　　"No，fortunately，Idon’tthinkitis，"Baronrejoined，walkingwithheralongtheParade。ShehadSidneybythehandnow，andtheyoungmanwasontheothersideofher。Theymovedtowardthestation——shehadofferedtogopartoftheway。"Butwithyourmiraculousgiftit’sawonderyouhaven’tdivined。"
　　"IonlydivinewhatIwant，"saidMrs。Ryves。
　　"That’sveryconvenient！"exclaimedPeter，towhomSidneyhadpresentlycomeroundagain。"Only，beingthusinthedark，it’sdifficulttoseeyourmotiveforwishingthepapersdestroyed。"
　　Mrs。Ryvesmeditated，lookingfixedlyattheground。"Ithoughtyoumightdoittoobligeme。"
　　"Doesitstrikeyouthatsuchanexpectation，formedinsuchconditions，isreasonable？"
　　Mrs。Ryvesstoppedshort，andthistimesheturnedonhimthecloudedclearnessofhereyes。"Whatdoyoumeantodowiththem？"
　　ItwasPeterBaron’sturntomeditate，whichhedid，ontheemptyasphaltoftheParade（the"season，"atDover，wasnotyet），wheretheirshadowswerelongintheafternoonlight。Hewasundersuchacharmashehadneverknown，andhewantedimmenselytobeabletoreply："I’lldoanythingyoulikeifyou’llloveme。"Thesewords，however，wouldhaverepresentedaresponsibilityandhaveconstitutedwhatwasvulgarlytermedanoffer。Anofferofwhat？hequicklyaskedhimselfhere，ashehadalreadyaskedhimselfaftermakinginspiritotherawkwarddashesinthesamedirection——ofwhatbuthispoverty，hisobscurity，hisattemptsthathadcometonothing，hisabilitiesforwhichtherewasnothingtoshow？Mrs。Ryveswasnotexactlyasuccess，butshewasagreatersuccessthanPeterBaron。
　　Poorashewashehatedthesordid（heknewshedidn’tloveit），andhefeltsmallfortalkingofmarriage。Thereforehedidn’tputthequestioninthewordsitwouldhavepleasedhimmosttohearhimselfutter，buthecompromised，withanangryyoungpang，andsaidtoher：
　　"WhatwillyoudoformeifIputanendtothem？"
　　Sheshookherheadsadly——itwasalwaysherprettiestmovement。"I
　　canpromisenothing——oh，no，Ican’tpromise！Wemustpartnow，"sheadded。"You’llmissyourtrain。"
　　Helookedathiswatch，takingthehandsheheldouttohim。Shedrewitawayquickly，andnothingthenwaslefthim，beforehurryingtothestation，buttocatchupSidneyandsqueezehimtillheutteredalittleshriek。Onthewaybacktotownthesituationstruckhimasgrotesque。
　　CHAPTERV。
　　Ittormentedhimsothenextmorningthatafterthreshingitoutalittlefurtherhefelthehadsomethingofagrievance。Mrs。Ryves’sinterventionhadmadehimacutelyuncomfortable，forshehadtakentheattitudeofexertingpressurewithout，itappeared，recognisingonhispartanequalright。Shehadimposedherselfasaninfluence，yetsheheldherselfaloofasaparticipant；therewerethingsshelookedtohimtodoforher，yetshecouldtellhimofnogoodthatwouldcometohimfromthedoing。Sheshouldeitherhavehadlesstosayorhavebeenwillingtosaymore，andheaskedhimselfwhyheshouldbethesportofhermoodsandhermysteries。Heperceivedherknackofpunctualinterferencetobestriking，butitwasjustthisapparentinfallibilitythatheresented。Whydidn’tshesetupatonceasaprofessionalclairvoyantandekeoutherlittleincomemoresuccessfully？Inpurelyprivatelifesuchagiftwasdisconcerting；
　　herdivinations，herevasionsdisturbedatanyratehisowntranquillity。
　　WhatdisturbeditstillfurtherwasthathereceivedearlyinthedayavisitfromMr。Locket，who，leavinghimundernoillusionastothegroundsofsuchanhonour，remarkedassoonashehadgotintotheroomorratherwhilehestillpantedonthesecondflightandthesmudgedlittleslaveyheldopenBaron’sdoor，thathehadtakenuphisyoungfriend’sinvitationtolookatSirDominickFerrand’slettersforhimself。PeterdrewthemforthwithapromptitudeintendedtoshowthatherecognisedthecommercialcharacterofthecallandwithoutattenuatingtheinconsequenceofthisdeparturefromthelastdeterminationhehadexpressedtoMr。Locket。Heshowedhisvisitorthedavenportandthehiddenrecess，andhesmokedacigarette，hummingsoftly，withasenseofunwontedadvantageandtriumph，whilethecautiouseditorsatsilentandhandledthepapers。
　　ForallhiscautionMr。LocketwasunabletokeepawarmerlightoutofhisjudicialeyeashesaidtoBaronatlastwithsociablebrevity——atonethattookmanythingsforgranted："I’lltakethemhomewithme——theyrequiremuchattention。"
　　Theyoungmanlookedathimamoment。"Doyouthinkthey’regenuine？"Hedidn’tmeantobemocking，hemeantnottobe；butthewordssoundedsotohisownear，andhecouldseethattheyproducedthateffectonMr。Locket。
　　"Ican’tintheleastdetermine。Ishallhavetogointothematmyleisure，andthat’swhyIaskyoutolendthemtome。"
　　Hehadshuffledthepaperstogetherwithamovementcharged，whilehespoke，withtheairofbeingpreliminarytothatofthrustingthemintoalittleblackbagwhichhehadbroughtwithhimandwhich，restingontheshelfofthedavenport，struckPeter，whovieweditaskance，asanobjectdarklyeditorial。Itmadeouryoungman，somehow，suddenlyapprehensive；theadvantageofwhichhehadjustbeenconsciouswasabouttobetransferredbyaquietprocessoflegerdemaintoapersonwhoalreadyhadadvantagesenough。Baron，inshort，feltadeeppangofanxiety；hecouldn’thavesaidwhy。Mr。