THEFIRSTPART
　　CHAPTERI
　　Intheyear1860，thereputationofDoctorWybrowasaLondonphysicianreacheditshighestpoint。Itwasreportedongoodauthoritythathewasinreceiptofoneofthelargestincomesderivedfromthepracticeofmedicineinmoderntimes。
　　Oneafternoon，towardsthecloseoftheLondonseason，theDoctorhadjusttakenhisluncheonafteraspeciallyhardmorning’sworkinhisconsulting-room，andwithaformidablelistofvisitstopatientsattheirownhousestofilluptherestofhisday——
　　whentheservantannouncedthataladywishedtospeaktohim。
　　’Whoisshe？’theDoctorasked。’Astranger？’
　　’Yes，sir。’
　　’Iseenostrangersoutofconsulting-hours。Tellherwhatthehoursare，andsendheraway。’
　　’Ihavetoldher，sir。’
　　’Well？’
　　’Andshewon’tgo。’
　　’Won’tgo？’TheDoctorsmiledasherepeatedthewords。Hewasahumouristinhisway；andtherewasanabsurdsidetothesituationwhichratheramusedhim。’Hasthisobstinateladygivenyouhername？’
　　heinquired。
　　’No，sir。Sherefusedtogiveanyname——shesaidshewouldn’tkeepyoufiveminutes，andthematterwastooimportanttowaittillto-morrow。Theresheisintheconsulting-room；andhowtogetheroutagainismorethanIknow。’
　　DoctorWybrowconsideredforamoment。Hisknowledgeofwomen（professionallyspeaking）restedontheripeexperienceofmorethanthirtyyears；hehadmetwiththeminalltheirvarieties——
　　especiallythevarietywhichknowsnothingofthevalueoftime，andneverhesitatesatshelteringitselfbehindtheprivilegesofitssex。
　　Aglanceathiswatchinformedhimthathemustsoonbeginhisroundsamongthepatientswhowerewaitingforhimattheirownhouses。
　　Hedecidedforthwithontakingtheonlywisecoursethatwasopenunderthecircumstances。Inotherwords，hedecidedontakingtoflight。
　　’Isthecarriageatthedoor？’heasked。
　　’Yes，sir。’
　　’Verywell。Openthehouse-doorformewithoutmakinganynoise，andleavetheladyinundisturbedpossessionoftheconsulting-room。
　　Whenshegetstiredofwaiting，youknowwhattotellher。
　　IfsheaskswhenIamexpectedtoreturn，saythatIdineatmyclub，andspendtheeveningatthetheatre。Nowthen，softly，Thomas！
　　Ifyourshoescreak，Iamalostman。’
　　Henoiselesslyledthewayintothehall，followedbytheservantontip-toe。
　　Didtheladyintheconsulting-roomsuspecthim？ordidThomas’sshoescreak，andwashersenseofhearingunusuallykeen？
　　Whatevertheexplanationmaybe，theeventthatactuallyhappenedwasbeyondalldoubt。ExactlyasDoctorWybrowpassedhisconsulting-room，thedooropened——theladyappearedonthethreshold——
　　andlaidherhandonhisarm。
　　’Ientreatyou，sir，nottogoawaywithoutlettingmespeaktoyoufirst。’
　　Theaccentwasforeign；thetonewaslowandfirm。Herfingersclosedgently，andyetresolutely，ontheDoctor’sarm。
　　Neitherherlanguagenorheractionhadtheslightesteffectininclininghimtograntherrequest。Theinfluencethatinstantlystoppedhim，onthewaytohiscarriage，wasthesilentinfluenceofherface。
　　Thestartlingcontrastbetweenthecorpse-likepallorofhercomplexionandtheoverpoweringlifeandlight，theglitteringmetallicbrightnessinherlargeblackeyes，heldhimliterallyspell-bound。Shewasdressedindarkcolours，withperfecttaste；
　　shewasofmiddleheight，and（apparently）ofmiddleage——sayayearortwooverthirty。Herlowerfeatures——thenose，mouth，andchin——
　　possessedthefinenessanddelicacyofformwhichisoftenerseenamongwomenofforeignracesthanamongwomenofEnglishbirth。
　　Shewasunquestionablyahandsomeperson——withtheoneseriousdrawbackofherghastlycomplexion，andwiththelessnoticeabledefectofatotalwantoftendernessintheexpressionofhereyes。
　　Apartfromhisfirstemotionofsurprise，thefeelingsheproducedintheDoctormaybedescribedasanoverpoweringfeelingofprofessionalcuriosity。Thecasemightprovetobesomethingentirelynewinhisprofessionalexperience。’Itlookslikeit，’hethought；
　　’andit’sworthwaitingfor。’
　　Sheperceivedthatsheshehadproducedastrongimpressionofsomekinduponhim，anddroppedherholdonhisarm。
　　’Youhavecomfortedmanymiserablewomeninyourtime，’shesaid。
　　’Comfortonemore，to-day。’
　　Withoutwaitingtobeanswered，sheledthewaybackintotheroom。
　　TheDoctorfollowedher，andclosedthedoor。Heplacedherinthepatients’chair，oppositethewindows。EveninLondonthesun，onthatsummerafternoon，wasdazzlinglybright。
　　Theradiantlightflowedinonher。Hereyesmetitunflinchingly，withthesteelysteadinessoftheeyesofaneagle。Thesmoothpallorofherunwrinkledskinlookedmorefearfullywhitethanever。
　　Forthefirsttime，formanyalongyearpast，theDoctorfelthispulsequickenitsbeatinthepresenceofapatient。
　　Havingpossessedherselfofhisattention，sheappeared，strangelyenough，tohavenothingtosaytohim。Acuriousapathyseemedtohavetakenpossessionofthisresolutewoman。Forcedtospeakfirst，theDoctormerelyinquired，intheconventionalphrase，whathecoulddoforher。
　　Thesoundofhisvoiceseemedtorouseher。Stilllookingstraightatthelight，shesaidabruptly：’Ihaveapainfulquestiontoask。’
　　’Whatisit？’
　　HereyestravelledslowlyfromthewindowtotheDoctor’sface。
　　Withouttheslightestoutwardappearanceofagitation，sheputthe’painfulquestion’intheseextraordinarywords：
　　’Iwanttoknow，ifyouplease，whetherIamindangerofgoingmad？’
　　Somemenmighthavebeenamused，andsomemighthavebeenalarmed。
　　DoctorWybrowwasonlyconsciousofasenseofdisappointment。
　　Wasthistherarecasethathehadanticipated，judgingrashlybyappearances？Wasthenewpatientonlyahypochondriacalwoman，whosemaladywasadisorderedstomachandwhosemisfortunewasaweakbrain？’Whydoyoucometome？’heaskedsharply。’Whydon’tyouconsultadoctorwhosespecialemploymentisthetreatmentoftheinsane？’
　　Shehadheranswerreadyontheinstant。
　　’Idon’tgotoadoctorofthatsort，’shesaid，’fortheveryreasonthatheisaspecialist：hehasthefatalhabitofjudgingeverybodybylinesandrulesofhisownlayingdown。Icometoyou，becausemycaseisoutsideofalllinesandrules，andbecauseyouarefamousinyourprofessionforthediscoveryofmysteriesindisease。
　　Areyousatisfied？’
　　Hewasmorethansatisfied——hisfirstideahadbeentherightidea，afterall。Besides，shewascorrectlyinformedastohisprofessionalposition。Thecapacitywhichhadraisedhimtofameandfortunewashiscapacity（unrivalledamonghisbrethren）
　　forthediscoveryofremotedisease。
　　’Iamatyourdisposal，’heanswered。’LetmetryifIcanfindoutwhatisthematterwithyou。’
　　Heputhismedicalquestions。Theywerepromptlyandplainlyanswered；
　　andtheyledtonootherconclusionthanthatthestrangeladywas，mentallyandphysically，inexcellenthealth。Notsatisfiedwithquestions，hecarefullyexaminedthegreatorgansoflife。
　　Neitherhishandnorhisstethoscopecoulddiscoveranythingthatwasamiss。Withtheadmirablepatienceanddevotiontohisartwhichhaddistinguishedhimfromthetimewhenhewasastudent，hestillsubjectedhertoonetestafteranother。Theresultwasalwaysthesame。Notonlywastherenotendencytobraindisease——
　　therewasnotevenaperceptiblederangementofthenervoussystem。
　　’Icanfindnothingthematterwithyou，’hesaid。’Ican’tevenaccountfortheextraordinarypallorofyourcomplexion。Youcompletelypuzzleme。’
　　’Thepallorofmycomplexionisnothing，’sheansweredalittleimpatiently。’InmyearlylifeIhadanarrowescapefromdeathbypoisoning。Ihaveneverhadacomplexionsince——andmyskinissodelicate，Icannotpaintwithoutproducingahideousrash。
　　Butthatisofnoimportance。Iwantedyouropiniongivenpositively。
　　Ibelievedinyou，andyouhavedisappointedme。’Herheaddroppedonherbreast。’Andsoitends！’shesaidtoherselfbitterly。
　　TheDoctor’ssympathiesweretouched。Perhapsitmightbemorecorrecttosaythathisprofessionalpridewasalittlehurt。
　　’Itmayendintherightwayyet，’heremarked，’ifyouchoosetohelpme。’
　　Shelookedupagainwithflashingeyes，’Speakplainly，’shesaid。
　　’HowcanIhelpyou？’
　　’Plainly，madam，youcometomeasanenigma，andyouleavemetomaketherightguessbytheunaidedeffortsofmyart。Myartwilldomuch，butnotall。Forexample，somethingmusthaveoccurred——
　　somethingquiteunconnectedwiththestateofyourbodilyhealth——
　　tofrightenyouaboutyourself，oryouwouldneverhavecomeheretoconsultme。Isthattrue？’
　　Sheclaspedherhandsinherlap。’Thatistrue！’shesaideagerly。
　　’Ibegintobelieveinyouagain。’
　　’Verywell。Youcan’texpectmetofindoutthemoralcausewhichhasalarmedyou。Icanpositivelydiscoverthatthereisnophysicalcauseofalarm；and（unlessyouadmitmetoyourconfidence）
　　Icandonomore。’
　　Sherose，andtookaturnintheroom。’SupposeItellyou？’shesaid。
　　’But，mind，Ishallmentionnonames！’
　　’Thereisnoneedtomentionnames。ThefactsareallIwant。’
　　’Thefactsarenothing，’sherejoined。’Ihaveonlymyownimpressionstoconfess——andyouwillverylikelythinkmeafancifulfoolwhenyouhearwhattheyare。Nomatter。Iwilldomybesttocontentyou——
　　Iwillbeginwiththefactsthatyouwant。Takemywordforit，theywon’tdomuchtohelpyou。’
　　Shesatdownagain。Intheplainestpossiblewords，shebeganthestrangestandwildestconfessionthathadeverreachedtheDoctor’sears。
　　CHAPTERII
　　’Itisonefact，sir，thatIamawidow，’shesaid。’Itisanotherfact，thatIamgoingtobemarriedagain。’
　　Thereshepaused，andsmiledatsomethoughtthatoccurredtoher。
　　DoctorWybrowwasnotfavourablyimpressedbyhersmile——
　　therewassomethingatoncesadandcruelinit。Itcameslowly，anditwentawaysuddenly。Hebegantodoubtwhetherhehadbeenwiseinactingonhisfirstimpression。Hismindrevertedtothecommonplacepatientsandthediscoverablemaladiesthatwerewaitingforhim，withacertaintenderregret。
　　Theladywenton。
　　’Myapproachingmarriage，’shesaid，’hasoneembarrassingcircumstanceconnectedwithit。ThegentlemanwhosewifeIamtobe，wasengagedtoanotherladywhenhehappenedtomeetwithme，abroad：
　　thatlady，mind，beingofhisownbloodandfamily，relatedtohimashiscousin。Ihaveinnocentlyrobbedherofherlover，anddestroyedherprospectsinlife。Innocently，Isay——becausehetoldmenothingofhisengagementuntilafterIhadacceptedhim。
　　WhenwenextmetinEngland——andwhentherewasdanger，nodoubt，oftheaffaircomingtomyknowledge——hetoldmethetruth。
　　Iwasnaturallyindignant。Hehadhisexcuseready；heshowedmealetterfromtheladyherself，releasinghimfromhisengagement。
　　Amorenoble，amorehigh-mindedletter，Ineverreadinmylife。
　　Icriedoverit——Iwhohavenotearsinmeforsorrowsofmyown！
　　Iftheletterhadlefthimanyhopeofbeingforgiven，Iwouldhavepositivelyrefusedtomarryhim。Butthefirmnessofit——
　　withoutanger，withoutawordofreproach，withheartfeltwishesevenforhishappiness——thefirmnessofit，Isay，lefthimnohope。
　　Heappealedtomycompassion；heappealedtohisloveforme。
　　Youknowwhatwomenare。Itoowassoft-hearted——Isaid，Verywell：yes！Inaweekmore（ItrembleasIthinkofit）
　　wearetobemarried。’
　　Shedidreallytremble——shewasobligedtopauseandcomposeherself，beforeshecouldgoon。TheDoctor，waitingformorefacts，begantofearthathestoodcommittedtoalongstory。’ForgivemeforremindingyouthatIhavesufferingpersonswaitingtoseeme，’
　　hesaid。’Thesooneryoucancometothepoint，thebetterformypatientsandforme。’
　　Thestrangesmile——atoncesosadandsocruel——showeditselfagainonthelady’slips。’EverywordIhavesaidistothepoint，’
　　sheanswered。’Youwillseeityourselfinamomentmore。’
　　Sheresumedhernarrative。
　　’Yesterday——youneedfearnolongstory，sir；onlyyesterday——
　　IwasamongthevisitorsatoneofyourEnglishluncheonparties。
　　Alady，aperfectstrangertome，cameinlate——afterwehadleftthetable，andhadretiredtothedrawing-room。Shehappenedtotakeachairnearme；andwewerepresentedtoeachother。
　　Iknewherbyname，assheknewme。ItwasthewomanwhomIhadrobbedofherlover，thewomanwhohadwrittenthenobleletter。
　　Nowlisten！YouwereimpatientwithmefornotinterestingyouinwhatIsaidjustnow。IsaidittosatisfyyourmindthatIhadnoenmityoffeelingtowardsthelady，onmyside。
　　Iadmiredher，Ifeltforher——Ihadnocausetoreproachmyself。
　　Thisisveryimportant，asyouwillpresentlysee。Onherside，Ihavereasontobeassuredthatthecircumstanceshadbeentrulyexplainedtoher，andthatsheunderstoodIwasinnowaytoblame。
　　Now，knowingallthesenecessarythingsasyoudo，explaintome，ifyoucan，why，whenIroseandmetthatwoman’seyeslookingatme，Iturnedcoldfromheadtofoot，andshuddered，andshivered，andknewwhatadeadlypanicoffearwas，forthefirsttimeinmylife。’
　　TheDoctorbegantofeelinterestedatlast。
　　’Wasthereanythingremarkableinthelady’spersonalappearance？’
　　heasked。
　　’Nothingwhatever！’wasthevehementreply。’Hereisthetruedescriptionofher：——TheordinaryEnglishlady；theclearcoldblueeyes，thefinerosycomplexion，theinanimatelypolitemanner，thelargegood-humouredmouth，thetooplumpcheeksandchin：
　　these，andnothingmore。’
　　’Wasthereanythinginherexpression，whenyoufirstlookedather，thattookyoubysurprise？’
　　’Therewasnaturalcuriositytoseethewomanwhohadbeenpreferredtoher；andperhapssomeastonishmentalso，nottoseeamoreengagingandmorebeautifulperson；boththosefeelingsrestrainedwithinthelimitsofgoodbreeding，andbothnotlastingformorethanafewmoments——sofarasIcouldsee。Isay，"sofar，"
　　becausethehorribleagitationthatshecommunicatedtomedisturbedmyjudgment。IfIcouldhavegottothedoor，Iwouldhaverunoutoftheroom，shefrightenedmeso！Iwasnotevenabletostandup——
　　Isankbackinmychair；Istaredhorror-struckatthecalmblueeyesthatwereonlylookingatmewithagentlesurprise。
　　Tosaytheyaffectedmeliketheeyesofaserpentistosaynothing。
　　Ifelthersoulinthem，lookingintomine——looking，ifsuchathingcanbe，unconsciouslytoherownmortalself。Itellyoumyimpression，inallitshorrorandinallitsfolly！Thatwomanisdestined（withoutknowingitherself）tobetheevilgeniusofmylife。
　　HerinnocenteyessawhiddencapabilitiesofwickednessinmethatI
　　wasnotawareofmyself，untilIfeltthemstirringunderherlook。
　　IfIcommitfaultsinmylifetocome——ifIamevenguiltyofcrimes——
　　shewillbringtheretribution，without（asIfirmlybelieve）
　　anyconsciousexerciseofherownwill。InoneindescribablemomentIfeltallthis——andIsupposemyfaceshowedit。
　　Thegoodartlesscreaturewasinspiredbyasortofgentlealarmforme。"Iamafraidtheheatoftheroomistoomuchforyou；
　　willyoutrymysmellingbottle？"Iheardhersaythosekindwords；
　　andIremembernothingelse——Ifainted。WhenIrecoveredmysenses，thecompanyhadallgone；onlytheladyofthehousewaswithme。
　　ForthemomentIcouldsaynothingtoher；thedreadfulimpressionthatIhavetriedtodescribetoyoucamebacktomewiththecomingbackofmylife。AssoonIcouldspeak，IimploredhertotellmethewholetruthaboutthewomanwhomIhadsupplanted。Yousee，Ihadafainthopethathergoodcharactermightnotreallybedeserved，thathernobleletterwasaskilfulpieceofhypocrisy——inshort，thatshesecretlyhatedme，andwascunningenoughtohideit。
　　No！theladyhadbeenherfriendfromhergirlhood，wasasfamiliarwithherasiftheyhadbeensisters——knewherpositivelytobeasgood，asinnocent，asincapableofhatinganybody，asthegreatestsaintthateverlived。Myonelasthope，thatIhadonlyfeltanordinaryforewarningofdangerinthepresenceofanordinaryenemy，wasahopedestroyedforever。TherewasonemoreeffortIcouldmake，andImadeit。IwentnexttothemanwhomIamtomarry。
　　Iimploredhimtoreleasemefrommypromise。Herefused。
　　IdeclaredIwouldbreakmyengagement。Heshowedmelettersfromhissisters，lettersfromhisbrothers，andhisdearfriends——
　　allentreatinghimtothinkagainbeforehemademehiswife；
　　allrepeatingreportsofmeinParis，Vienna，andLondon，whicharesomanyvilelies。"Ifyourefusetomarryme，"hesaid，"youadmitthatthesereportsaretrue——youadmitthatyouareafraidtofacesocietyinthecharacterofmywife。"WhatcouldIanswer？
　　Therewasnocontradictinghim——hewasplainlyright：ifIpersistedinmyrefusal，theutterdestructionofmyreputationwouldbetheresult。
　　Iconsentedtolettheweddingtakeplaceaswehadarrangedit——
　　andlefthim。Thenighthaspassed。Iamhere，withmyfixedconviction——
　　thatinnocentwomanisordainedtohaveafatalinfluenceovermylife。
　　Iamherewithmyonequestiontoput，totheonemanwhocananswerit。
　　Forthelasttime，sir，whatamI——ademonwhohasseentheavengingangel？oronlyapoormadwoman，misledbythedelusionofaderangedmind？’
　　DoctorWybrowrosefromhischair，determinedtoclosetheinterview。
　　Hewasstronglyandpainfullyimpressedbywhathehadheard。
　　Thelongerhehadlistenedtoher，themoreirresistiblytheconvictionofthewoman’swickednesshadforceditselfonhim。
　　Hetriedvainlytothinkofherasapersontobepitied——apersonwithamorbidlysensitiveimagination，consciousofthecapacitiesforevilwhichliedormantinusall，andstrivingearnestlytoopenherhearttothecounter-influenceofherownbetternature；theeffortwasbeyondhim。Aperverseinstinctinhimsaid，asifinwords，Bewarehowyoubelieveinher！
　　’Ihavealreadygivenyoumyopinion，’hesaid。’Thereisnosignofyourintellectbeingderanged，orbeinglikelytobederanged，thatmedicalsciencecandiscover——asIunderstandit。
　　Asfortheimpressionsyouhaveconfidedtome，Icanonlysaythatyoursisacase（asIventuretothink）forspiritualratherthanformedicaladvice。Ofonethingbeassured：
　　whatyouhavesaidtomeinthisroomshallnotpassoutofit。
　　Yourconfessionissafeinmykeeping。’
　　Sheheardhim，withacertaindoggedresignation，totheend。
　　’Isthatall？’sheasked。
　　’Thatisall，’heanswered。
　　Sheputalittlepaperpacketofmoneyonthetable。
　　’Thankyou，sir。Thereisyourfee。’
　　Withthosewordssherose。Herwildblackeyeslookedupward，withanexpressionofdespairsodefiantandsohorribleinitssilentagonythattheDoctorturnedawayhishead，unabletoendurethesightofit。Thebareideaoftakinganythingfromher——notmoneyonly，butanythingeventhatshehadtouched——suddenlyrevoltedhim。
　　Stillwithoutlookingather，hesaid，’Takeitback；Idon’twantmyfee。’
　　Sheneitherheedednorheardhim。Stilllookingupward，shesaidslowlytoherself，’Lettheendcome。Ihavedonewiththestruggle：
　　Isubmit。’
　　Shedrewherveiloverherface，bowedtotheDoctor，andlefttheroom。
　　Herangthebell，andfollowedherintothehall。Astheservantclosedthedooronher，asuddenimpulseofcuriosity——
　　utterlyunworthyofhim，andatthesametimeutterlyirresistible——
　　sprangupintheDoctor’smind。Blushinglikeaboy，hesaidtotheservant，’Followherhome，andfindouthername。’
　　Foronemomentthemanlookedathismaster，doubtingifhisownearshadnotdeceivedhim。DoctorWybrowlookedbackathiminsilence。
　　Thesubmissiveservantknewwhatthatsilencemeant——hetookhishatandhurriedintothestreet。
　　TheDoctorwentbacktotheconsulting-room。Asuddenrevulsionoffeelingsweptoverhismind。Hadthewomanleftaninfectionofwickednessinthehouse，andhadhecaughtit？Whatdevilhadpossessedhimtodegradehimselfintheeyesofhisownservant？
　　Hehadbehavedinfamously——hehadaskedanhonestman，amanwhohadservedhimfaithfullyforyears，toturnspy！Stungbythebarethoughtofit，heranoutintothehallagain，andopenedthedoor。
　　Theservanthaddisappeared；itwastoolatetocallhimback。
　　Butonerefugefromhiscontemptforhimselfwasnowopentohim——
　　therefugeofwork。Hegotintohiscarriageandwenthisroundsamonghispatients。
　　Ifthefamousphysiciancouldhaveshakenhisownreputation，hewouldhavedoneitthatafternoon。Neverbeforehadhemadehimselfsolittlewelcomeatthebedside。Neverbeforehadheputoffuntilto-morrowtheprescriptionwhichoughttohavebeenwritten，theopinionwhichoughttohavebeengiven，to-day。Hewenthomeearlierthanusual——unutterablydissatisfiedwithhimself。
　　Theservanthadreturned。Dr。Wybrowwasashamedtoquestionhim。
　　Themanreportedtheresultofhiserrand，withoutwaitingtobeasked。
　　’Thelady’snameistheCountessNarona。Shelivesat——’
　　Withoutwaitingtohearwhereshelived，theDoctoracknowledgedtheall-importantdiscoveryofhernamebyasilentbendofthehead，andenteredhisconsulting-room。Thefeethathehadvainlyrefusedstilllayinitslittlewhitepapercoveringonthetable。
　　Hesealeditupinanenvelope；addressedittothe’Poor-box’
　　ofthenearestpolice-court；and，callingtheservantin，directedhimtotakeittothemagistratethenextmorning。
　　Faithfultohisduties，theservantwaitedtoaskthecustomaryquestion，’Doyoudineathometo-day，sir？’
　　Afteramoment’shesitationhesaid，’No：Ishalldineattheclub。’
　　Themosteasilydeterioratedofallthemoralqualitiesisthequalitycalled’conscience。’Inonestateofaman’smind，hisconscienceistheseverestjudgethatcanpasssentenceonhim。
　　Inanotherstate，heandhisconscienceareonthebestpossibletermswitheachotherinthecomfortablecapacityofaccomplices。
　　WhenDoctorWybrowlefthishouseforthesecondtime，hedidnotevenattempttoconcealfromhimselfthathissoleobject，indiningattheclub，wastohearwhattheworldsaidoftheCountessNarona。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　Therewasatimewhenamaninsearchofthepleasuresofgossipsoughtthesocietyofladies。Themanknowsbetternow。
　　Hegoestothesmoking-roomofhisclub。
　　DoctorWybrowlithiscigar，andlookedroundhimathisbrethreninsocialconclaveassembled。Theroomwaswellfilled；
　　buttheflowoftalkwasstilllanguid。TheDoctorinnocentlyappliedthestimulantthatwaswanted。WhenheinquiredifanybodyknewtheCountessNarona，hewasansweredbysomethinglikeashoutofastonishment。Never（theconclaveagreed）
　　hadsuchanabsurdquestionbeenaskedbefore！Everyhumancreature，withtheslightestclaimtoaplaceinsociety，knewtheCountessNarona。
　　AnadventuresswithaEuropeanreputationoftheblackestpossiblecolour——
　　suchwasthegeneraldescriptionofthewomanwiththedeathlikecomplexionandtheglitteringeyes。
　　Descendingtoparticulars，eachmemberoftheclubcontributedhisownlittlestockofscandaltothememoirsoftheCountess。
　　Itwasdoubtfulwhethershewasreally，whatshecalledherself，aDalmatianlady。ItwasdoubtfulwhethershehadeverbeenmarriedtotheCountwhosewidowsheassumedtobe。
　　Itwasdoubtfulwhetherthemanwhoaccompaniedherinhertravels（underthenameofBaronRivar，andinthecharacterofherbrother）
　　washerbrotheratall。ReportpointedtotheBaronasagambleratevery’table’ontheContinent。Reportwhisperedthathisso-calledsisterhadnarrowlyescapedbeingimplicatedinafamoustrialforpoisoningatVienna——thatshehadbeenknownatMilanasaspyintheinterestsofAustria——thather’apartment’inParishadbeendenouncedtothepoliceasnothinglessthanaprivategambling-house——
　　andthatherpresentappearanceinEnglandwasthenaturalresultofthediscovery。Onlyonememberoftheassemblyinthesmoking-roomtookthepartofthismuch-abusedwoman，anddeclaredthathercharacterhadbeenmostcruellyandmostunjustlyassailed。
　　Butasthemanwasalawyer，hisinterferencewentfornothing：
　　itwasnaturallyattributedtothespiritofcontradictioninherentinhisprofession。HewasaskedderisivelywhathethoughtofthecircumstancesunderwhichtheCountesshadbecomeengagedtobemarried；andhemadethecharacteristicanswer，thathethoughtthecircumstanceshighlycreditabletobothparties，andthathelookedonthelady’sfuturehusbandasamostenviableman。
　　Hearingthis，theDoctorraisedanothershoutofastonishmentbyinquiringthenameofthegentlemanwhomtheCountesswasabouttomarry。
　　Hisfriendsinthesmoking-roomdecidedunanimouslythatthecelebratedphysicianmustbeasecond’Rip-van-Winkle，’andthathehadjustawakenedfromasupernaturalsleepoftwentyyears。
　　Itwasallverywelltosaythathewasdevotedtohisprofession，andthathehadneithertimenorinclinationtopickupfragmentsofgossipatdinner-partiesandballs。AmanwhodidnotknowthattheCountessNaronahadborrowedmoneyatHomburgofnolessapersonthanLordMontbarry，andhadthendeludedhimintomakingheraproposalofmarriage，wasamanwhohadprobablyneverheardofLordMontbarryhimself。Theyoungermembersoftheclub，humouringthejoke，sentawaiterforthe’Peerage’；andreadaloudthememoirofthenoblemaninquestion，fortheDoctor’sbenefit——
　　withillustrativemorselsofinformationinterpolatedbythemselves。
　　’HerbertJohnWestwick。FirstBaronMontbarry，ofMontbarry，King’sCounty，Ireland。CreatedaPeerfordistinguishedmilitaryservicesinIndia。Born，1812。Forty-eightyearsold，Doctor，atthepresenttime。Notmarried。Willbemarriednextweek，Doctor，tothedelightfulcreaturewehavebeentalkingabout。
　　Heirpresumptive，hislordship’snextbrother，StephenRobert，marriedtoElla，youngestdaughteroftheReverendSilasMarden，RectorofRunnigate，andhasissue，threedaughters。Youngerbrothersofhislordship，FrancisandHenry，unmarried。Sistersofhislordship，LadyBarville，marriedtoSirTheodoreBarville，Bart。；andAnne，widowofthelatePeterNorbury，Esq。，ofNorburyCross。
　　Bearhislordship’srelationswellinmind，Doctor。ThreebrothersWestwick，Stephen，Francis，andHenry；andtwosisters，LadyBarvilleandMrs。Norbury。Notoneofthefivewillbepresentatthemarriage；
　　andnotoneofthefivewillleaveastoneunturnedtostopit，iftheCountesswillonlygivethemachance。Addtothesehostilemembersofthefamilyanotheroffendedrelativenotmentionedinthe’Peerage，’ayounglady——’
　　Asuddenoutburstofprotestinmorethanonepartoftheroomstoppedthecomingdisclosure，andreleasedtheDoctorfromfurtherpersecution。
　　’Don’tmentionthepoorgirl’sname；it’stoobadtomakeajokeofthatpartofthebusiness；shehasbehavednoblyundershamefulprovocation；
　　thereisbutoneexcuseforMontbarry——heiseitheramadmanorafool。’
　　Inthesetermstheprotestexpresseditselfonallsides。
　　Speakingconfidentiallytohisnextneighbour，theDoctordiscoveredthattheladyreferredtowasalreadyknowntohim（throughtheCountess’sconfession）astheladydesertedbyLordMontbarry。HernamewasAgnesLockwood。ShewasdescribedasbeingthesuperioroftheCountessinpersonalattraction，andasbeingalsobysomeyearstheyoungerwomanofthetwo。
　　Makingallallowanceforthefolliesthatmencommittedeverydayintheirrelationswithwomen，Montbarry’sdelusionwasstillthemostmonstrousdelusiononrecord。Inthisexpressionofopinioneverymanpresentagreed——thelawyerevenincluded。
　　Notoneofthemcouldcalltomindtheinnumerableinstancesinwhichthesexualinfluencehasprovedirresistibleinthepersonsofwomenwithouteventhepretensiontobeauty。TheverymembersoftheclubwhomtheCountess（inspiteofherpersonaldisadvantages）
　　couldhavemosteasilyfascinated，ifshehadthoughtitworthherwhile，werethememberswhowonderedmostloudlyatMontbarry’schoiceofawife。
　　WhilethetopicoftheCountess’smarriagewasstilltheonetopicofconversation，amemberoftheclubenteredthesmoking-roomwhoseappearanceinstantlyproducedadeadsilence。
　　DoctorWybrow’snextneighbourwhisperedtohim，’Montbarry’sbrother——
　　HenryWestwick！’
　　Thenew-comerlookedroundhimslowly，withabittersmile。
　　’Youarealltalkingofmybrother，’hesaid。’Don’tmindme。
　　NotoneofyoucandespisehimmoreheartilythanIdo。
　　Goon，gentlemen——goon！’
　　Butonemanpresenttookthespeakerathisword。ThatmanwasthelawyerwhohadalreadyundertakenthedefenceoftheCountess。
　　’Istandaloneinmyopinion，’hesaid，’andIamnotashamedofrepeatingitinanybody’shearing。IconsidertheCountessNaronatobeacruelly-treatedwoman。Whyshouldn’tshebeLordMontbarry’swife？
　　Whocansayshehasamercenarymotiveinmarryinghim？’
　　Montbarry’sbrotherturnedsharplyonthespeaker。’Isayit！’
　　heanswered。
　　Thereplymighthaveshakensomemen。Thelawyerstoodonhisgroundasfirmlyasever。
　　’IbelieveIamright，’herejoined，’instatingthathislordship’sincomeisnotmorethansufficienttosupporthisstationinlife；
　　alsothatitisanincomederivedalmostentirelyfromlandedpropertyinIreland，everyacreofwhichisentailed。’
　　Montbarry’sbrothermadeasign，admittingthathehadnoobjectiontooffersofar。
　　’Ifhislordshipdiesfirst，’thelawyerproceeded，’Ihavebeeninformedthattheonlyprovisionhecanmakeforhiswidowconsistsinarent-chargeonthepropertyofnomorethanfourhundredayear。
　　Hisretiringpensionandallowances，itiswellknown，diewithhim。
　　FourhundredayearisthereforeallthathecanleavetotheCountess，ifheleavesherawidow。’
　　’Fourhundredayearisnotall，’wasthereplytothis。
　　’Mybrotherhasinsuredhislifefortenthousandpounds；
　　andhehassettledthewholeofitontheCountess，intheeventofhisdeath。’
　　Thisannouncementproducedastrongsensation。Menlookedateachother，andrepeatedthethreestartlingwords，’Tenthousandpounds！’
　　Drivenfairlytothewall，thelawyermadealastefforttodefendhisposition。
　　’MayIaskwhomadethatsettlementaconditionofthemarriage？’
　　hesaid。’SurelyitwasnottheCountessherself？。’
　　HenryWestwickanswered，’itwastheCountess’sbrother’；andadded，’whichcomestothesamething。’
　　Afterthat，therewasnomoretobesaid——solong，atleast，asMontbarry’sbrotherwaspresent。Thetalkflowedintootherchannels；
　　andtheDoctorwenthome。
　　ButhismorbidcuriosityabouttheCountesswasnotsetatrestyet。
　　InhisleisuremomentshefoundhimselfwonderingwhetherLordMontbarry’sfamilywouldsucceedinstoppingthemarriageafterall。
　　Andmorethanthis，hewasconsciousofagrowingdesiretoseetheinfatuatedmanhimself。Everydayduringthebriefintervalbeforethewedding，helookedinattheclub，onthechanceofhearingsomenews。
　　Nothinghadhappened，sofarastheclubknew。TheCountess’spositionwassecure；Montbarry’sresolutiontobeherhusbandwasunshaken。
　　TheywerebothRomanCatholics，andtheyweretobemarriedatthechapelinSpanishPlace。SomuchtheDoctordiscoveredaboutthem——
　　andnomore。
　　Onthedayofthewedding，afterafeeblestrugglewithhimself，heactuallysacrificedhispatientsandtheirguineas，andslippedawaysecretlytoseethemarriage。Totheendofhislife，hewasangrywithanybodywhoremindedhimofwhathehaddoneonthatday！
　　Theweddingwasstrictlyprivate。Aclosecarriagestoodatthechurchdoor；afewpeople，mostlyofthelowerclass，andmostlyoldwomen，werescatteredabouttheinteriorofthebuilding。
　　HereandthereDoctorWybrowdetectedthefacesofsomeofhisbrethrenoftheclub，attractedbycuriosity，likehimself。
　　Fourpersonsonlystoodbeforethealtar——thebrideandbridegroomandtheirtwowitnesses。Oneoftheselastwasanelderlywoman，whomighthavebeentheCountess’scompanionormaid；theotherwasundoubtedlyherbrother，BaronRivar。Thebridalparty（thebrideherselfincluded）woretheirordinarymorningcostume。
　　LordMontbarry，personallyviewed，wasamiddle-agedmilitarymanoftheordinarytype：nothingintheleastremarkabledistinguishedhimeitherinfaceorfigure。BaronRivar，again，inhiswaywasanotherconventionalrepresentativeofanotherwell-knowntype。
　　Oneseeshisfinely-pointedmoustache，hisboldeyes，hiscrisply-curlinghair，andhisdashingcarriageofthehead，repeatedhundredsoftimesoverontheBoulevardsofParis。
　　Theonlynoteworthypointabouthimwasofthenegativesort——
　　hewasnotintheleastlikehissister。Eventheofficiatingpriestwasonlyaharmless，humble-lookingoldman，whowentthroughhisdutiesresignedly，andfeltvisiblerheumaticdifficultieseverytimehebenthisknees。Theoneremarkableperson，theCountessherself，onlyraisedherveilatthebeginningoftheceremony，andpresentednothinginherplaindressthatwasworthasecondlook。Never，onthefaceofit，wastherealessinterestingandlessromanticmarriagethanthis。FromtimetotimetheDoctorglancedroundatthedoororupatthegalleries，vaguelyanticipatingtheappearanceofsomeprotestingstranger，inpossessionofsometerriblesecret，commissionedtoforbidtheprogressoftheservice。Nothingintheshapeofaneventoccurred——
　　nothingextraordinary，nothingdramatic。Boundfasttogetherasmanandwife，thetwodisappeared，followedbytheirwitnesses，tosigntheregisters；andstillDoctorWybrowwaited，andstillhecherishedtheobstinatehopethatsomethingworthseeingmustcertainlyhappenyet。
　　Theintervalpassed，andthemarriedcouple，returningtothechurch，walkedtogetherdownthenavetothedoor。DoctorWybrowdrewbackastheyapproached。Tohisconfusionandsurprise，theCountessdiscoveredhim。Heheardhersaytoherhusband，’Onemoment；Iseeafriend。’LordMontbarrybowedandwaited。
　　ShesteppeduptotheDoctor，tookhishand，andwrungithard。
　　Hefeltheroverpoweringblackeyeslookingathimthroughherveil。’Onestepmore，yousee，onthewaytotheend！’
　　Shewhisperedthosestrangewords，andreturnedtoherhusband。
　　BeforetheDoctorcouldrecoverhimselfandfollowher，LordandLadyMontbarryhadsteppedintotheircarriage，andhaddrivenaway。
　　Outsidethechurchdoorstoodthethreeorfourmembersoftheclubwho，likeDoctorWybrow，hadwatchedtheceremonyoutofcuriosity。
　　Nearthemwasthebride’sbrother，waitingalone。Hewasevidentlybentonseeingthemanwhomhissisterhadspokento，inbroaddaylight。
　　HisboldeyesrestedontheDoctor’sface，withamomentaryflashofsuspicioninthem。Thecloudsuddenlyclearedaway；theBaronsmiledwithcharmingcourtesy，liftedhishattohissister’sfriend，andwalkedoff。
　　Themembersconstitutedthemselvesintoaclubconclaveonthechurchsteps。TheybeganwiththeBaron。’Damnedill-lookingrascal！’
　　TheywentonwithMontbarry。’IshegoingtotakethathorridwomanwithhimtoIreland？’’Nothe！hecan’tfacethetenantry；
　　theyknowaboutAgnesLockwood。’’Well，butwhereishegoing？’
　　’ToScotland。’’Doesshelikethat？’’It’sonlyforafortnight；
　　theycomebacktoLondon，andgoabroad。’’AndtheywillneverreturntoEngland，eh？’’Whocantell？DidyouseehowshelookedatMontbarry，whenshehadtoliftherveilatthebeginningoftheservice？
　　Inhisplace，Ishouldhavebolted。Didyouseeher，Doctor？’
　　Bythistime，DoctorWybrowhadrememberedhispatients，andhadheardenoughoftheclubgossip。HefollowedtheexampleofBaronRivar，andwalkedoff。
　　’Onestepmore，yousee，onthewaytotheend，’herepeatedtohimself，onhiswayhome。’Whatend？’