Lockettookdecidedlytoomanythingsforgranted，andtheexplorerofSirDominickFerrand’sirregularitiesrememberedafreshhowclearhehadbeenafterallabouthisindispositiontotrafficinthem。Heaskedhisvisitortowhatendhewishedtoremovetheletters，sinceontheonehandtherewasnoquestionnowofthearticleinthePromiscuouswhichwastorevealtheirexistence，andontheotherhehimself，astheirowner，hadathousandinsurmountablescruplesaboutputtingthemintocirculation。
Mr。Locketlookedoverhisspectaclesasoverthebattlementsofafortress。"I’mnotthinkingoftheend——I’mthinkingofthebeginning。Afewglanceshaveassuredmethatsuchdocumentsoughttobesubmittedtosomecompetenteye。"
"Oh，youmustn’tshowthemtoanyone！"Baronexclaimed。
"Youmaythinkmepresumptuous，buttheeyethatIventuretoalludetointhoseterms——"
"IstheeyenowfixedsoterriblyonME？"Peterlaughinglyinterrupted。"Oh，itwouldbeinteresting，Iconfess，toknowhowtheystrikeamanofyouracuteness！"Ithadoccurredtohimthatbysuchaconcessionhemightendearhimselftoaliteraryumpirehithertoimplacable。TherewouldbenoquestionofhispublishingSirDominickFerrand，buthemight，indueacknowledgmentofservicesrendered，formthehabitofpublishingPeterBaron。"Howlongwoulditbeyourideatoretainthem？"heinquired，inamannerwhich，heimmediatelybecameaware，waswhatincitedMr。Lockettobeginstuffingthepapersintohisbag。Withthisperceptionhecamequicklycloserand，layinghishandonthegapingreceptacle，lightlydrewitstwolipstogether。Inthiswaythetwomenstoodforafewseconds，touching，almostintheattitudeofcombat，lookinghardintoeachother’seyes。
ThetensionwasquicklyrelievedhoweverbythesurprisedflushwhichmantledonMr。Locket’sbrow。Hefellbackafewstepswithaninjureddignitythatmighthavebeenaprotestagainstphysicalviolence。"Really，mydearyoungsir，yourattitudeistantamounttoanaccusationofintendedbadfaith。DoyouthinkIwanttostealtheconfoundedthings？"InreplytosuchachallengePetercouldonlyhastilydeclarethathewasguiltyofnodiscourteoussuspicion——
heonlywantedalimitnamed，apledgeofeveryprecautionagainstaccident。Mr。Locketadmittedthejusticeofthedemand，assuredhimhewouldrestorethepropertywithinthreedays，andcompleted，withPeter’sassistance，hislittlearrangementsforremovingitdiscreetly。Whenhewasready，histreacherousreticuledistendedwithitstreasures，hegavealingeringlookattheinscrutabledavenport。"It’showtheyevergotintothatthingthatpuzzlesone’sbrain！"
"Therewassomeconcatenationofcircumstancesthatwoulddoubtlessseemnaturalenoughifitwereexplained，butthatonewouldhavetoremountthestreamoftimetoascertain。ToonecourseIhavedefinitelymadeupmymind：nottomakeanystatementoranyinquiryattheshop。Isimplyacceptthemystery，"saidPeter，rathergrandly。
"Thatwouldbethoughtacheapescapeifyouweretoputitintoastory，"Mr。Locketsmiled。
"Yes，Ishouldn’tofferthestorytoYOU。IshallbeimpatienttillIseemypapersagain，"theyoungmancalledout，ashisvisitorhurrieddownstairs。
Thatevening，bythelastdelivery，hereceived，undertheDoverpostmark，aletterthatwasnotfromMissTeagle。Itwasaslightlyconfusedbutaltogetherfriendlynote，writtenthatmorningafterbreakfast，theostensiblepurposeofwhichwastothankhimfortheamiabilityofhisvisit，toexpressregretatanyappearancethewritermighthavehadofmeddlingwithwhatdidn’tconcernher，andtolethimknowthattheeveningbefore，afterhehadlefther，shehadinamomentofinspirationgotholdofthetailofareallymusicalidea——aperfectaccompanimentforthesonghehadsokindlygivenher。Shehadscrawled，asaspecimen，afewbarsattheendofhernote，mystic，mockingmusicalsignswhichhadnosenseforhercorrespondent。Thewholelettertestifiedtoarestlessbutratherpointlessdesiretoremainincommunicationwithhim。Inansweringher，however，whichhedidthatnightbeforegoingtobed，itwasonthisbrightpossibilityoftheircollaboration，itsadvantagesforthefutureofeachofthem，thatBaronprincipallyexpatiated。Hespokeofthisfuturewithaneloquenceofwhichhewouldhavedefendedthesincerity，anddrewofitapictureextravagantlyrich。
Thenextmorning，ashewasabouttosettlehimselftotasksforsometimeterriblyneglected，withasensethatafterallitwasratherareliefnottobesittingsoclosetoSirDominickFerrand，whohadbecomedreadfullydistracting；attheverymomentatwhichhehabituallyaddressedhispreliminaryinvocationtothemuse，hewasagitatedbythearrivalofatelegramwhichprovedtobeanurgentrequestfromMr。Locketthathewouldimmediatelycomedownandseehim。Thisrepresented，forpoorBaron，whosefundswereverylow，anothermorningsacrificed，butsomehowitdidn’tevenoccurtohimthathemightimposehisowntimeupontheeditorofthePromiscuous，thekeeperofthekeysofrenown。Hehadsomeoftheplasticityoftherawcontributor。Hegavethemuseanotherholiday，feelingshewasreallyashamedtotakeit，andincourseoftimefoundhimselfinMr。Locket’sownchairatMr。Locket’sowntable——somuchnobleranexpansethantheslipperyslopeofthedavenport——consideringwithquickintensity，inthewhiteflashofcertainwordsjustbroughtoutbyhishost，thequantityofhappiness，ofemancipationthatmightresideinahundredpounds。
Yes，thatwaswhatitmeant：Mr。Locket，inthetwenty-fourhours，haddiscoveredsomuchinSirDominick’sliteraryremainsthathisvisitorfoundhimprimedwithanoffer。Ahundredpoundswouldbepaidhimthatday，thatminute，andnoquestionswouldbeeitheraskedoranswered。"Itakealltherisks，Itakealltherisks，"theeditorofthePromiscuousrepeated。Theletterswereoutonthetable，Mr。Locketwasonthehearthrug，likeanoratoronaplatform，andPeter，undertheinfluenceofhissuddenultimatum，haddropped，ratherweakly，intotheseatwhichhappenedtobenearestandwhich，ashebecameconsciousitmovedonapivot，hewhirledroundsoastoenablehimselftolookathistempterwithaneyeintendedtobecold。WhatsurprisedhimmostwastofindMr。LockettakingexactlythelineabouttheexpediencyofpublicationwhichhewouldhaveexpectedMr。Locketnottotake。"Hushitallup；abarrenscandal，anoffencethatcan’tberemedied，isthethingintheworldthatleastjustifiesanairing——"somesuchlineasthatwasthelinehewouldhavethoughtnaturaltoamanwhoselifewasspentinweighingquestionsofproprietyandwhohadonlytheotherdayobjected，inthelightofthisvirtue，toaworkofthemostdisinterestedart。
Buttheauthorofthatincorruptiblemasterpiecehadputhisfingerontheplaceinsayingtohisinterlocutorontheoccasionofhislastvisitthat，ifgiventotheworldinthepagesofthePromiscuous，SirDominick’saberrationswouldselltheedition。ItwasnotnecessaryforMr。Lockettoreiteratetohisyoungfriendhisphraseabouttheirmakingasensation。Ifhewishedtopurchasethe"rights，"astheatricalpeoplesaid，itwasnottoprotectacelebratednameortolockthemupinacupboard。ThatformulaofBaron’scoveredalltheground，andoneeditionwasalowestimateoftheprobableperformanceofthemagazine。
Peterleftthelettersbehindhimand，onwithdrawingfromtheeditorialpresence，tookalongwalkontheEmbankment。Hisimpressionswereatwarwitheachother——hewasflurriedbypossibilitiesofwhichheyetdeniedtheexistence。HehadconsentedtotrustMr。Locketwiththepapersadayortwolonger，tillheshouldhavethoughtoutthetermsonwhichhemight——intheeventofcertainoccurrences——beinducedtodisposeofthem。Ahundredpoundswerenotthisgentleman’slastword，norperhapswasmereunreasoningintractabilityPeter’sown。Hesighedashetooknonoteofthepicturesmadebybarges——sighedbecauseitallmightmeanmoney。Heneededmoneybitterly；heoweditindisquietingquarters。Mr。
Lockethadputitbeforehimthathehadahighresponsibility——thathemightvindicatethedisfiguredtruth，contributeachaptertothehistoryofEngland。"Youhaven’tarighttosuppresssuchmomentousfacts，"thehungrylittleeditorhaddeclared，thinkinghowtheseries（hewouldspreaditintothreenumbers）wouldbethetalkofthetown。IfPeterhadmoneyhemighttreathimselftoardour，tobliss。Mr。Lockethadsaid，nodoubtjustlyenough，thattherewereeversomanyquestionsonewouldhavetomeetshouldoneventuretoplaysodaringagame。Thesequestions，embarrassments，dangers——thedanger，forinstance，ofthecropping-upofsomelurkinglitigiousrelative——hewouldtakeoverunreservedlyandbearthebruntofdealingwith。Itwastoberememberedthatthepaperswerediscredited，vitiatedbytheirchildishpedigree；suchapreposterousorigin，suggesting，ashehadhintedbefore，thefeebleingenuityofathird-ratenovelist，wasathingheshouldhavetoplacehimselfatthepositivedisadvantageofbeingsilentabout。Hewouldrathergivenoaccountofthematteratallthanexposehimselftotheridiculethatsuchastorywouldinfalliblyexcite。Couldn’toneseetheminadvance，theclever，tauntingthingsthedailyandweeklypaperswouldsay？PeterBaronhadhisguilelessside，buthefelt，asheworriedwithastickthatbetrayedhimthegraniteparapetsoftheThames，thathewasnotsuchafoolasnottoknowhowMr。Locketwould"work"themysteryofhismarvellousfind。Nothingcouldhelpitonbetterwiththepublicthantheimpenetrabilityofthesecretattachedtoit。IfMr。Locketshouldonlybeabletokickupdustenoughoverthecircumstancesthathadguidedhishandhisfortunewouldliterallybemade。Peterthoughtahundredpoundsalowbid，yethewonderedhowthePromiscuouscouldbringitselftooffersuchasum——solargeitloomedinthelightofliteraryremunerationashithertorevealedtoouryoungman。Theexplanationofthisanomalywasofcoursethattheeditorshrewdlysawadozenwaysofgettinghismoneyback。Therewouldbeinthe"sensation，"atalaterstage，themakingofabookinlargetype——thebookofthehour；andtheprofitsofthisscandalousvolumeor，ifonepreferredthename，thisreconstruction，beforeanimpartialposterity，ofagreathistoricalhumbug，thesum"down，"inotherwords，thatanylivelypublisherwouldgiveforit，figuredvividlyinMr。Locket’scalculations。ItwasthereforealtogetheranopportunityofdealingatfirsthandwiththelivelypublisherthatPeterwasinvitedtoforego。Petergaveamasterfullaugh，rejoicinginhisheartthat，onthespot，intherepairehehadlatelyquitted，hehadnotbeentemptedbyafigurethatwouldhaveapproximatelyrepresentedthevalueofhisproperty。
Itwasagoodjob，hementallyaddedasheturnedhisfacehomeward，thattherewassolittlelikelihoodofhishavingtostrugglewiththatparticularpressure。
CHAPTERVI。
When，halfanhourlater，heapproachedJerseyVillas，henoticedthatthehouse-doorwasopen；then，ashereachedthegate，sawitmakeaframeforanunexpectedpresence。Mrs。Ryves，inherbonnetandjacket，lookedoutfromitasifshewereexpectingsomething——asifshehadbeenpassingtoandfrotowatch。Yetwhenhehadexpressedtoherthatitwasadelightfulwelcomesherepliedthatshehadonlythoughttheremightpossiblybeacabinsight。Heofferedtogoandlookforone，uponwhichitappearedthatafterallshewasnot，asyetatleast，inneed。Hewentbackwithherintohersitting-room，whereshelethimknowthatwithinacoupleofdaysshehadseenclearerwhatwasbest；shehaddeterminedtoquitJerseyVillasandhadcomeuptotakeawayherthings，whichshehadjustbeenpackingandgettingtogether。
"Iwroteyoulastnightacharmingletterinanswertoyours，"Baronsaid。"Youdidn’tmentioninyoursthatyouwerecomingup。"
"Itwasn’tyouranswerthatbroughtme。Ithadn’tarrivedwhenI
cameaway。"
"You’llseewhenyougetbackthatmyletterischarming。"
"Idaresay。"Baronhadobservedthattheroomwasnot，asshehadintimated，inconfusion——Mrs。Ryves’spreparationsfordeparturewerenotstriking。Shesawhimlookroundand，standinginfrontofthefirelessgratewithherhandsbehindher，shesuddenlyasked："Wherehaveyoucomefromnow？"
"Fromaninterviewwithaliteraryfriend。"
"Whatareyouconcoctingbetweenyou？"
"Nothingatall。We’vefallenout——wedon’tagree。"
"Isheapublisher？"
"He’saneditor。"
"Well，I’mgladyoudon’tagree。Idon’tknowwhathewants，but，whateveritis，don’tdoit。"
"Hemustdowhat_I_want！"saidBaron。
"Andwhat’sthat？"
"Oh，I’lltellyouwhenhehasdoneit！"Baronbeggedhertolethimhearthe"musicalidea"shehadmentionedinherletter；onwhichshetookoffherhatandjacketand，seatingherselfatherpiano，gavehim，withasentimentofwhichtheveryfirstnotesthrilledhim，theaccompanimentofhissong。Shephrasedthewordswithhersketchysweetness，andhesatthereasifhehadbeenheldinavelvetvise，throbbingwiththeemotion，irrecoverableeverafterinitsfreshness，oftheyoungartistinthepresenceforthefirsttimeof"production"——theproofsofhisbook，thehangingofhispicture，therehearsalofhisplay。Whenshehadfinishedheaskedagainforthesamedelight，andthenformoremusicandformore；itdidhimsuchaworldofgood，kepthimquietandsafe，smoothedoutthecreasesofhisspirit。Shedroppedherownexperimentsandgavehimimmortalthings，andheloungedthere，pacifiedandcharmed，feelingthemeanlittleroomgrowlargeandvagueandhappypossibilitiescomeback。
Abruptly，atthepiano，shecalledouttohim："Thosepapersofyours——thelettersyoufound——arenotinthehouse？"
"No，they’renotinthehouse。"
"Iwassureofit！Nomatter——it’sallright！"sheadded。Sheherselfwaspacified——troublewasafalsenote。Laterhewasonthepointofaskingherhowsheknewtheobjectsshehadmentionedwerenotinthehouse；butheletitpass。Thesubjectwasaprofitlessriddle——apuzzlethatgrewgrotesquelybigger，likesomemonstrosityseeninthedarkness，asoneopenedone’seyestoit。Heclosedhiseyes——hewantedanothervision。Besides，shehadshownhimthatshehadextraordinarysenses——herexplanationwouldhavebeenstrangerthanthefact。Moreovertheyhadotherthingstotalkabout，inparticularthequestionofherputtingoffherreturntoDovertillthemorrowanddispensingmeanwhilewiththevaluableprotectionofSidney。Thiswasindeedbutanotherfaceofthequestionofherdiningwithhimsomewherethatevening（whereelseshouldshedine？）——
accompanyinghim，forinstance，justforanhourofBohemia，intheirdeadlyrespectablelives，toajollylittleplaceinSoho。
Mrs。Ryvesdeclinedtohaveherlifeabused，butinfact，atthepropermoment，atthejollylittleplace，towhichshedidaccompanyhim——itdealtinmacaroniandChianti——thepairputtheirelbowsonthecrumpledclothand，facetoface，withtheirlittleemptiedcoffee-cupspushedawayandtheyoungman’scigarettelightedbyhercommand，becameincreasinglyconfidential。Theywentafterwardstothetheatre，incheapplaces，andcamehomein"busses"andunderumbrellas。
OnthewaybackPeterBaronturnedsomethingoverinhismindashehadneverturnedanythingbefore；itwasthequestionofwhether，attheend，shewouldlethimcomeintohersitting-roomforfiveminutes。Hefeltonthispointapassionofsuspenseandimpatience，andyetforwhatwoulditbebuttotellherhowpoorhewas？Thiswasliterallythemomenttosayit，sosupremelydepletedhadthehourofBohemialefthim。EvenBohemiawastooexpensive，andyetinthecourseofthedayhiswholetemperonthesubjectofcertainfitnesseshadchanged。AtJerseyVillas（itwasnearmidnight，andMrs。Ryves，scratchingalightforherglimmeringtaper，hadsaid：
"Oh，yes，comeinforaminuteifyoulike！"），inherprecariousparlour，whichwasindeed，afterthebrilliancesoftheevening，areturntouglinessandtruth，shelethimstandwhileheexplainedthathehadcertainlyeverythinginthewayoffameandfortunestilltogain，butthatyouthandloveandfaithandenergy——tosaynothingofhersupremedearness——wereallonhisside。Why，ifone’sbeginningswererough，shouldoneaddtothehardnessoftheconditionsbygivingupthedreamwhich，ifshewouldonlyhearhimout，wouldmakejusttheblesseddifference？WhetherMrs。Ryvesheardhimoutornotisacircumstanceastowhichthischroniclehappenstobesilent；butafterhehadgotpossessionofbothherhandsandbreathedintoherfaceforamomentalltheintensityofhistenderness——inthereliefandjoyofutterancehefeltitcarryhimlikearisingflood——shecheckedhimwithbetterreasons，withacold，sweetafterthoughtinwhichhefelttherewassomethingdeep。
Herprocrastinatinghead-shakewasprettierthanever，yetithadnevermeantsomanyfearsandpains——impossibilitiesandmemories，independencesandpieties，andasortofuncomplainingachefortheruinofafriendshipthathadbeenhappy。Shehadlikedhim——ifshehadn’tshewouldn’thavelethimthinkso！——butsheprotestedthatshehadnot，intheodiousvulgarsense，"encouraged"him。Moreovershecouldn’ttalkofsuchthingsinthatplace，atthathour，andshebeggedhimnottomakeherregrethergood-natureinstayingover。
Therewerepeculiaritiesinherposition，considerationsinsurmountable。Shegotridofhimwithkindandconfusedwords，andafterwards，inthedull，humiliatednight，hefeltthathehadbeenputinhisplace。Womeninhersituation，womenwhoafterhavingreallylovedandlost，usuallylivedonintothenewdawnsinwhicholdghostsstealaway。Buttherewassomethinginhiswhimsicalneighbourthatstruckhimasterriblyinvulnerable。
CHAPTERVII。
"I’vehadtimetolookalittlefurtherintowhatwe’repreparedtodo，andIfindthecaseisoneinwhichIshouldconsidertheadvisabilityofgoingtoanextremelength，"saidMr。Locket。JerseyVillasthenextmorninghadhadtheprivilegeofagainreceivingtheeditorofthePromiscuous，andhesatoncemoreatthedavenport，wheretheboneofcontention，intheshapeofalarge，looseheapofpapersthatshowedhowmuchtheyhadbeenhandled，wasplacedwellinview。"Weshallseeourwaytoofferingyouthreehundred，butweshouldn’t，Imustpositivelyassureyou，seeitasinglestepfurther。"
PeterBaron，inhisdressing-gownandslippers，withhishandsinhispockets，creptsoftlyabouttheroom，repeating，belowhisbreathandwithinflectionsthatforhisownsakeheendeavouredtomakehumorous："Threehundred——threehundred。"Hisstateofmindwasfarfromhilarious，forhefeltpoorandsoreanddisappointed；buthewantedtoprovetohimselfthathewasgallant——wasmade，ingeneralandinparticular，ofundiscourageablestuff。Thefirstthinghehadbeenawareofonsteppingintohisfrontroomwasthatafour-wheeledcab，withMrs。Ryves’sluggageuponit，stoodatthedoorofNo。3。
Permittinghimself，behindhiscurtain，apardonablepeep，hesawthemistressofhisthoughtscomeoutofthehouse，attendedbyMrs。
Bundy，andtakeherplaceinthemodestvehicle。Afterthishiseyesrestedforalongtimeonthespriggedcottonbackofthelandlady，whokeptbobbingatthewindowofthecabanendlesslymoralisingoldhead。Mrs。Ryveshadreallytakenflight——hehadmadeJerseyVillasimpossibleforher——butMrs。Bundy，withamagnanimityunprecedentedintheprofession，seemedtoexpressabeliefinthepurityofhermotives。Baronfeltthathisownseparationhadbeen，forthepresentatleast，effected；everyinstinctofdelicacypromptedhimtostandback。
Mr。Lockettalkedalongtime，andPeterBaronlistenedandwaited。
Hereflectedthathiswillingnesstolistenwouldprobablyexcitehopesinhisvisitor——hopeswhichhehimselfwasreadytocontemplatewithoutascruple。HefeltnopityforMr。Locketandhadnoconsiderationforhissuspenseorforhispossibleillusions；heonlyfeltsickandforsakenandinwantofcomfortandofmoney。Yetitwasakindofoutragetohisdignitytohavetheknifeheldtohisthroat，andhewasirritatedaboveallbythegroundonwhichMr。
Locketputthequestion——thegroundofaservicerenderedtohistoricaltruth。Itmightbe——hewasn’tclear；itmightbe——thequestionwasdeep，toodeep，probably，forhiswisdom；atanyratehehadtocontrolhimselfnottointerruptangrilysuchdry，interestedpalaver，thefalsevoiceofcommerceandofcant。Hestaredtragicallyoutofthewindowandsawthestupidrainbegintofall；
thedaywasdullereventhanhisownsoul，andJerseyVillaslookedsosordidlyhideousthatitwasnowonderMrs。Ryvescouldn’tendurethem。HideousastheywereheshouldhavetotellMrs。Bundyinthecourseofthedaythathewasobligedtoseekhumblerquarters。
SuddenlyheinterruptedMr。Locket；heobservedtohim："ItakeitthatifIshouldmakeyouthisconcessionthehospitalityofthePromiscuouswouldbebythatveryfactunrestrictedlysecuredtome。"
Mr。Locketstared。"Hospitality——secured？"Hethumbedthepropositionasifitwereahardpeach。
"Imeanthatofcourseyouwouldn’t——incourtsey，ingratitude——keepondecliningmythings。"
"Ishouldgivethemmybestattention——asI’vealwaysdoneinthepast。"
PeterBaronhesitated。Itwasacaseinwhichtherewouldhaveseemedtobesomechancefortheideallyshrewdaspirantinsuchanadvantageashepossessed；butafteramomentthebloodrushedintohisfacewiththeshameoftheideaofpleadingforhisproductionsinthenameofanythingbuttheirmerit。Itwasasifhehadstupidlyutteredevilofthem。Neverthelessbeaddedtheinterrogation：
"Wouldyouforinstancepublishmylittlestory？"
"TheoneIread（andobjectedtosomefeaturesof）theotherday？Doyoumean——a——withthealteration？"Mr。Locketcontinued。
"Oh，no，Imeanutterlywithoutit。Thepagesyouwantalteredcontain，asIexplainedtoyouverylucidly，Ithink，theveryraisond’etreofthework，anditwouldtherefore，itseemstome，beanimbecilityofthefirstmagnitudetocancelthem。"Peterhadreallyrenouncedallhopethathiscriticwouldunderstandwhathemeant，but，underfavourofcircumstances，hecouldn’tforbeartotastetheluxury，whichprobablyneveragainwouldcomewithinhisreach，ofbeingreallyplain，foronewildmoment，withaneditor。
Mr。Locketgaveaconstrainedsmile。"Thinkofthescandal，Mr。
Baron。"
"Butisn’tthisotherscandaljustwhatyou’regoinginfor？"
"Itwillbeagreatpublicservice。"
"Youmeanitwillbeabigscandal，whereasmypoorstorywouldbeaverysmallone，andthatit’sonlyoutofabigonethatmoney’stobemade。"
Mr。Locketgotup——hetoohadhisdignitytovindicate。"SuchasumasIofferyououghtreallytobeanoffsetagainstallclaims。"
"Verygood——Idon’tmeantomakeany，sinceyoudon’treallycareforwhatIwrite。Itakenoteofyouroffer，"Peterpursued，"andI
engagetogiveyouto-night（inafewwordsleftbymyownhandatyourhouse）myabsolutelydefiniteandfinalreply。"
Mr。Locket’smovements，ashehoveredneartherelicsoftheeminentstatesman，werethoseofsomefeatheredparentflutteringoverathreatenednest。Ifhehadbroughthishuddledbroodbackwithhimthismorningitwasbecausehehadfeltsureenoughofclosingthebargaintobeabletobegraceful。HekeptaglitteringeyeonthepapersandremarkedthathewasafraidthatbeforeleavingthemhemustelicitsomeassurancethatinthemeanwhilePeterwouldnotplacetheminanyotherhands。Peter，atthis，gavealaughofharshercadencethanheintended，asking，justlyenough，onwhatprivilegehisvisitorrestedsuchademandandwhyhehimselfwasdisqualifiedfromofferinghiswarestothehighestbidder。"Surelyyouwouldn’thawksuchthingsabout？"criedMr。Locket；butbeforeBaronhadtimetoretortcynicallyheadded："I’llpublishyourlittlestory。"
"Oh，thankyou！"
"I’llpublishanythingyou’llsendme，"Mr。Locketcontinued，ashewentout。PeterhadbeforethisvirtuallygivenhiswordthatforthelettershewouldtreatonlywiththePromiscuous。
Theyoungmanpassed，duringaportionoftherestoftheday，thestrangesthoursofhislife。Yethethoughtofthemafterwardsnotasaphaseoftemptation，thoughtheyhadbeenfulloftheemotionthataccompaniesanintensevisionofalternatives。Thestrugglewasalreadyover；itseemedtohimthat，poorashewas，hewasnotpoorenoughtotakeMr。Locket’smoney。Helookedattheopposedcourseswiththeself-possessionofamanwhohaschosen，butthisself-
possessionwasinitselfthemostexquisiteofexcitements。Itwasreallyahighrevulsionandasortofnoblepity。Heseemedindeedtohavehisfingeruponthepulseofhistoryandtobeinthesecretofthegods。Hehadthemallinhishand，thetabletsandthescalesandthetorch。Hecouldn’tkeepacharactertogether，buthemighteasilypullonetopieces。Thatwouldbe"creativework"ofakind——
hecouldreconstructthecharacterlesspleasingly，couldshowanunknownsideofit。Mr。Lockethadhadagooddealtosayaboutresponsibility；andresponsibilityintruthsattherewithhimallthemorning，whileherevolvedinhisnarrowcageand，watchingthecrudespringrainonthewindows，thoughtofthedismalnesstowhich，atDover，Mrs。Ryveswasgoingback。Thisinfluencetookinfacttheform，putonthephysiognomyofpoorSirDominickFerrand；hewasatpresentasperceptibleinit，ascoldlyandstrangelypersonal，asifhehadbeenahauntingghostandhadrisenbesidehisownoldhearthstone。Ourfriendwasaccustomedtohiscompanyandindeedhadspentsomanyhoursinitoflate，followinghimupatthemuseumandcomparinghisdifferentportraits，engravingsandlithographs，inwhichthereseemedtobeconscious，pleadingeyesforthebetrayer，thattheirqueerintimacyhadgrownascloseasanembrace。SirDominickwasverydumb，buthewasterribleinhisdependence，andPeterwouldnothaveencouragedhimbysomuchcuriositynorreassuredhimbysomuchdeferencehaditnotbeenfortheyoungman’scompleteacceptanceoftheimpossibilityofgettingoutofatightplacebyexposinganindividual。Itdidn’tmatterthattheindividualwasdead；itdidn’tmatterthathewasdishonest。Peterfelthimsufficientlyalivetosuffer；heperceivedtherectificationofhistorysoconscientiouslydesiredbyMr。Lockettobesomehowforhimselfnotanimperativetask。Ithadcomeoverhimtoodefinitelythatinacasewhereone’ssuccesswastohingeuponanactofextraditionitwouldministermosttoaneasyconsciencetoletthesuccessgo。No，no——evenshouldhebestarvinghecouldn’tmakemoneyoutofSirDominick’sdisgrace。Hewasalmostsurprisedattheviolenceofthehorrorwithwhich，asheshuffledmournfullyabout，theideaofanysuchprofitinspiredhim。WhatwasSirDominicktohimafterall？Hewishedhehadnevercomeacrosshim。
Inoneofhisbroodingpausesatthewindow——thewindowoutofwhichneveragainapparentlyshouldheseeMrs。Ryvesglideacrossthelittlegardenwiththestepforwhichhehadlikedherfromthefirst——hebecameawarethattherainwasabouttointermitandthesuntomakesomegrudgingamends。Thiswasasignthathemightgoout；hehadavagueperceptionthattherewerethingstobedone。Hehadworktolookfor，andacheaperlodging，andanewidea（everyideahehadevercherishedhadlefthim），inadditiontowhichthepromisedlittlewordwastobedroppedatMr。Locket’sdoor。Helookedathiswatchandwassurprisedatthehour，forhehadnothingbutaheartachetoshowforsomuchtime。Hewouldhavetodressquickly，butashepassedtohisbedroomhiseyewascaughtbythelittlepyramidofletterswhichMr。Lockethadconstructedonhisdavenport。Theystartledhimand，staringatthem，hestoppedforaninstant，half-amused，half-annoyedattheirbeingstillinexistence。
Hehadsocompletelydestroyedtheminspiritthathehadtakentheactforgranted，andhewasnowremindedoftheorderlystagesofwhichanintentionmustconsisttobesincere。Baronwentatthepaperswithallhissincerity，andathisemptygrate（wheretherelatelyhadbeennofireandhehadonlytoremoveahorribleornamentoftissue-paperdeartoMrs。Bundy）heburnedthecollectionwithinfinitemethod。Itmadehimfeelhappiertowatchtheworstpagesturntoillegibleashes——ifhappinessbetherightwordtoapplytohissense，intheprocess，ofsomethingsocrispandcracklingthatitsuggestedthedeath-rustleofbank-notes。
Whentenminuteslaterhecamebackintohissitting-room，heseemedtohimselfoddly，unexpectedlyinthepresenceofabiggerview。Itwasasifsomeinterferingmasshadbeensodisplacedthathecouldseemoreskyandmorecountry。Yettheoppositehouseswerenaturallystillthere，andifthegrimylittleplacelookedlighteritwasdoubtlessonlybecausetherainhadindeedstoppedandthesunwaspouringin。Peterwenttothewindowtoopenittothealteredair，andindoingsobeheldatthegardengatethehumble"growler"
inwhichafewhoursbeforehehadseenMrs。Ryvestakeherdeparture。Itwasunmistakable——herememberedtheknock-kneedwhitehorse；butthismadethefactthathisfriend’sluggagenolongersurmounteditonlythemoremystifying。Perhapsthecabmanhadalreadyremovedtheluggage——hewasnowonhisboxsmokingtheshortpipethatderivedrelishfrominactionpaidfor。AsPeterturnedintotheroomagainhisearscaughtaknockathisowndoor，aknockexplained，assoonashehadresponded，bythehardbreathingofMrs。
Bundy。
"Please，sir，it’stosayshe’vecomeback。"
"Whathasshecomebackfor？"Baron’squestionsoundedungracious，buthisheartachehadgivenanotherthrob，andhefeltadreadofanotherwound。Itwaslikeapracticaljoke。
"Ithinkit’sforyou，sir，"saidMrs。Bundy。"She’llseeyouforamoment，ifyou’llbesogood，intheoldplace。"
Peterfollowedhishostessdownstairs，andMrs。Bundyusheredhim，withhercompanyflourish，intotheapartmentshehadfondlydesignated。
"Iwentawaythismorning，andI’veonlyreturnedforaninstant，"
saidMrs。Ryves，assoonasMrs。Bundyhadclosedthedoor。Hesawthatshewasdifferentnow；somethinghadhappenedthathadmadeherindulgent。
"HaveyoubeenallthewaytoDoverandback？"
"No，butI’vebeentoVictoria。I’veleftmyluggagethere——I’vebeendrivingabout。"
"Ihopeyou’veenjoyedit。"
"Verymuch。I’vebeentoseeMr。Morrish。"
"Mr。Morrish？"
"Themusicalpublisher。Ishowedhimoursong。Iplayeditforhim，andhe’sdelightedwithit。Hedeclaresit’sjustthething。Hehasgivenmefiftypounds。Ithinkhebelievesinus，"Mrs。Ryveswenton，whileBaronstaredatthewonder——toosweettobesafe，itseemedtohimasyet——ofherstandingthereagainbeforehimandspeakingofwhattheyhadincommon。"Fiftypounds！fiftypounds！"sheexclaimed，flutteringathimherhappycheque。Shehadcomeback，thefirstthing，totellhim，andofcoursehisshareofthemoneywouldbethehalf。Shewasrosy，jubilant，natural，shechatteredlikeahappywoman。Shesaidtheymustdomore，eversomuchmore。
Mr。Morrishhadpracticallypromisedhewouldtakeanythingthatwasasgoodasthat。ShehadkepthercabbecauseshewasgoingtoDover；shecouldn’tleavetheothersalone。Itwasavehicleinfirmandinert，butBaron，afteralittle，appreciateditspace，forshehadconsentedtohisgettinginwithheranddriving，thistimeinearnest，toVictoria。Shehadonlycometotellhimthegoodnews——
sherepeatedthisassurancemorethanonce。Theytalkedofitsoprofoundlythatitdroveeverythingelseforthetimeoutofhishead——hisdutytoMr。Locket，theremarkablesacrificehehadjustachieved，andeventheoddcoincidence，matchingwiththeoddityofalltheothers，ofherhavingrevertedtothehouseagain，asifwithoneofherfamousdivinations，attheverymomentthetrumperypapers，theoriginreallyoftheirintimacy，hadceasedtoexist。
Butshe，onherside，alsohadevidentlyforgottenthetrumperypapers：shenevermentionedthemagain，andPeterBaronneverboastedofwhathehaddonewiththem。Hewassilentforawhile，fromcuriositytoseeifherfinenerveshadreallygivenherahint；
andthenlater，whenitcametobeaquestionofhispermanentattitude，hewassilent，prodigiously，religiously，tremulouslysilent，inconsequenceofanextraordinaryconversationthathehadwithher。
ThisconversationtookplaceatDover，whenhewentdowntogiveherthemoneyforwhich，atMr。Morrish’sbank，hehadexchangedthechequeshehadleftwithhim。Thatcheque，orrathercertainthingsitrepresented，hadmadesomehowallthedifferenceintheirrelations。Thedifferencewashuge，andBaroncouldthinkofnothingbutthisconfirmedvisionoftheirbeingabletoworkfruitfullytogetherthatwouldaccountforsorapidachange。Shedidn’ttalkofimpossibilitiesnow——shedidn’tseemtowanttostophimoff；onlywhen，thedayfollowinghisarrivalatDoverwiththefiftypounds（hehadafteralltoagreetosharethemwithher——hecouldn’texpecthertotakeapresentofmoneyfromhim），hereturnedtothequestionoverwhichtheyhadhadtheirlittlescenethenighttheydinedtogether——onthisoccasion（hehadbroughtaportmanteauandhewasstaying）shementionedthattherewassomethingveryparticularshehaditonherconsciencetotellhimbeforelettinghimcommithimself。Theredawnedinherfaceassheapproachedthesubjectalightofwarningthatfrightenedhim；itwaschargedwithsomethingsostrangethatforaninstantheheldhisbreath。Thisflashofuglypossibilitiespassedhowever，anditwaswiththegestureoftakingstilltendererpossessionofher，checkedindeedbythegrave，importantwaysheheldupafinger，thatheanswered："Tellmeeverything——tellme！"
"YoumustknowwhatIam——whoIam；youmustknowespeciallywhatI’mnot！There’sanameforit，ahideous，cruelname。It’snotmyfault！Othershaveknown，I’vehadtospeakofit——ithasmadeagreatdifferenceinmylife。Surelyyoumusthaveguessed！"shewenton，withthethinnestquaverofirony，lettinghimnowtakeherhand，whichfeltascoldasherhardduty。"Don’tyouseeI’venobelongings，norelations，nofriends，nothingatall，inalltheworld，ofmyown？Iwasonlyapoorgirl。"
"Apoorgirl？"Baronwasmystified，touched，distressed，piecingdimlytogetherwhatshemeant，butfeeling，inagreatsurgeofpity，thatitwasonlysomethingmoretoloveherfor。
"Mymother——mypoormother，"saidMrs。Ryves。
Shepausedwiththis，andthroughgatheringtearshereyesmethisasiftopleadwithhimtounderstand。Heunderstood，anddrewhercloser，butshekeptherselffreestill，tocontinue："Shewasapoorgirl——shewasonlyagoverness；shewasalone，shethoughthelovedher。Hedid——Ithinkitwastheonlyhappinesssheeverknew。
Butshediedofit。"
"Oh，I’msogladyoutellme——it’ssograndofyou！"Baronmurmured。
"Then——yourfather？"Hehesitated，asifwithhishandsonoldwounds。
"Hehadhisowntroubles，buthewaskindtoher。Itwasallmiseryandfolly——hewasmarried。Hewasn’thappy——thereweregoodreasons，Ibelieve，forthat。Iknowitfromletters，Iknowitfromapersonwho’sdead。Everyoneisdeadnow——it’stoofaroff。That’stheonlygoodthing。Hewasverykindtome；Irememberhim，thoughIdidn’tknowthen，asalittlegirl，whohewas。Heputmewithsomeverygoodpeople——hedidwhathecouldforme。Ithink，later，hiswifeknew——aladywhocametoseemeonceafterhisdeath。Iwasaverylittlegirl，butIremembermanythings。Whathecouldhedid——
somethingthathelpedmeafterwards，somethingthathelpsmenow。I
thinkofhimwithastrangepity——ISEEhim！"saidMrs。Ryves，withthefaintpastinhereyes。"Youmustn’tsayanythingagainsthim，"
sheadded，gentlyandgravely。
"Never——never；forhehasonlymadeitmoreofarapturetocareforyou。"
"Youmustwait，youmustthink；wemustwaittogether，"shewenton。
"Youcan’ttell，andyoumustgivemetime。Nowthatyouknow，it’sallright；butyouhadtoknow。Doesn’titmakeusbetterfriends？"
askedMrs。Ryves，withatiredsmilewhichhadtheeffectofputtingthewholestoryfurtherandfurtheraway。Thenextmoment，however，sheaddedquickly，asifwiththesensethatitcouldn’tbefarenough："Youdon’tknow，youcan’tjudge，youmustletitsettle。
Thinkofit，thinkofit；ohyouwill，andleaveitso。Imusthavetimemyself，ohImust！Yes，youmustbelieveme。"
Sheturnedawayfromhim，andheremainedlookingatheramoment。
"Ah，howIshallworkforyou！"heexclaimed。
"Youmustworkforyourself；I’llhelpyou。"Hereyeshadmethiseyesagain，andsheadded，hesitating，thinking："Youhadbetterknow，perhaps，whohewas。"
Baronshookhishead，smilingconfidently。"Idon’tcareastraw。"
"Ido——alittle。Hewasagreatman。"
"Theremustindeedhavebeensomegoodinhim。"
"Hewasahighcelebrity。You’veoftenheardofhim。"
Baronwonderedaninstant。"I’venodoubtyou’reaprincess！"hesaidwithalaugh。Shemadehimnervous。
"I’mnotashamedofhim。HewasSirDominickFerrand。"
Baronsawinherface，inafewseconds，thatshehadseensomethinginhis。Heknewthathestared，thenturnedpale；ithadtheeffectofapowerfulshock。Hewascoldforaninstant，ashehadjustfoundher，withthesenseofdanger，theconfusedhorrorofhavingdealtablow。Butthebloodrushedbacktoitscourseswithhisstillquickerconsciousnessofsafety，andhecouldmakeout，asherecoveredhisbalance，thathisemotionstruckhersimplyasaviolentsurprise。Hegaveamuffledmurmur："Ah，it’syou，mybeloved！"whichlostitselfashedrewhercloseandheldherlong，intheintensityofhisembraceandthewonderofhisescape。Ittookmorethanaminuteforhimtosayovertohimselfoftenenough，withhishiddenface："Ah，shemustnever，neverknow！"
Sheneverknew；sheonlylearned，whensheaskedhimcasually，thathehadinfactdestroyedtheolddocumentsshehadhadsuchacomiccapriceabout。Thesensibility，thecuriositytheyhadhadthequeerprivilegeofexcitinginherhadlapsedwiththeeventasirresponsiblyastheyhadarisen，andsheappearedtohaveforgotten，orrathertoattributenowtoothercauses，theagitationandseveraloftheoddincidentsthataccompaniedthem。TheynaturallygavePeterBaronrathermoretothinkabout，muchfood，indeed，forclandestinemeditation，someofwhich，inspiteofthepainshetooknottobecaught，wasnotedbyhisfriendandinterpreted，tohisknowledge，asdepressionproducedbythelongprobationshesucceededinimposingonhim。Hewasmorepatientthanshecouldguess，withallherguessing，forifhewasputtotheproofsheherselfwasnotleftundissected。ItcamebacktohimagainandagainthatifthedocumentshehadburnedprovedanythingtheyprovedthatSirDominickFerrand’shumanerrorswerenotallofoneorder。Thewomanhelovedwasthedaughterofherfather，hecouldn’tgetoverthat。Whatwasmoretothepointwasthatashecametoknowherbetterandbetter——
fortheydidworktogetherunderMr。Morrish’sprotection——hisaffectionwasaquantitystilllesstobeneglected。Hesometimeswondered，inthelightofhergeneralstraightness（theirmarriagehadbroughtoutevenmorethanhebelievedtherewasofit）whethertherelicsinthedavenportweregenuine。ThatpieceoffurnitureisstillalmostasusefultohimasMr。Morrish’spatronage。Thereisatremendousrun，asthisgentlemencallsit，onseveraloftheirsongs。Baronneverthelessstilltrieshishandalsoatprose，andhisofferingsarenownotalwaysdeclinedbythemagazines。ButhehasneverapproachedthePromiscuousagain。ThisperiodicalpublishedinduecourseahighlyeulogisticstudyoftheremarkablecareerofSirDominickFerrand。