CHAPTERIV
　　OnthedayofthemarriageAgnesLockwoodsataloneinthelittledrawing-roomofherLondonlodgings，burningtheletterswhichhadbeenwrittentoherbyMontbarryinthebygonetime。
　　TheCountess’smaliciouslysmartdescriptionofher，addressedtoDoctorWybrow，hadnotevenhintedatthecharmthatmostdistinguishedAgnes——theartlessexpressionofgoodnessandpuritywhichinstantlyattractedeveryonewhoapproachedher。
　　Shelookedbymanyyearsyoungerthanshereallywas。Withherfaircomplexionandhershymanner，itseemedonlynaturaltospeakofheras’agirl，’althoughshewasnowreallyadvancingtowardsthirtyyearsofage。Shelivedalonewithanoldnursedevotedtoher，onamodestlittleincomewhichwasjustenoughtosupportthetwo。
　　Therewerenoneoftheordinarysignsofgriefinherface，assheslowlytorethelettersofherfalseloverintwo，andthrewthepiecesintothesmallfirewhichhadbeenlittoconsumethem。
　　Unhappilyforherself，shewasoneofthosewomenwhofeeltoodeeplytofindreliefintears。Paleandquiet，withcoldtremblingfingers，shedestroyedthelettersonebyonewithoutdaringtoreadthemagain。
　　Shehadtornthelastoftheseries，andwasstillshrinkingfromthrowingitaftertherestintotheswiftlydestroyingflame，whentheoldnursecamein，andaskedifshewouldsee’MasterHenry，’——
　　meaningthatyoungestmemberoftheWestwickfamily，whohadpubliclydeclaredhiscontemptforhisbrotherinthesmoking-roomoftheclub。
　　Agneshesitated。Afainttingeofcolourstoleoverherface。
　　TherehadbeenalongpasttimewhenHenryWestwickhadownedthathelovedher。Shehadmadeherconfessiontohim，acknowledgingthatherheartwasgiventohiseldestbrother。
　　Hehadsubmittedtohisdisappointment；andtheyhadmetthenceforthascousinsandfriends。Neverbeforehadsheassociatedtheideaofhimwithembarrassingrecollections。
　　Butnow，ontheverydaywhenhisbrother’smarriagetoanotherwomanhadconsummatedhisbrother’streasontowardsher，therewassomethingvaguelyrepellentintheprospectofseeinghim。
　　Theoldnurse（whorememberedthembothintheircradles）
　　observedherhesitation；andsympathisingofcoursewiththeman，putinatimelywordforHenry。’Hesays，he’sgoingaway，mydear；
　　andheonlywantstoshakehands，andsaygood-bye。’Thisplainstatementofthecasehaditseffect。Agnesdecidedonreceivinghercousin。
　　HeenteredtheroomsorapidlythathesurprisedherintheactofthrowingthefragmentsofMontbarry’slastletterintothefire。
　　Shehurriedlyspokefirst。
　　’YouareleavingLondonverysuddenly，Henry。Isitbusiness？
　　orpleasure？’
　　Insteadofansweringher，hepointedtotheflamingletter，andtosomeblackashesofburntpaperlyinglightlyinthelowerpartofthefireplace。
　　’Areyouburningletters？’
　　’Yes。’
　　’Hisletters？’
　　’Yes。’
　　Hetookherhandgently。’IhadnoideaIwasintrudingonyou，atatimewhenyoumustwishtobealone。Forgiveme，Agnes——IshallseeyouwhenIreturn。’
　　Shesignedtohim，withafaintsmile，totakeachair。
　　’Wehaveknownoneanothersincewewerechildren，’shesaid。
　　’WhyshouldIfeelafoolishprideaboutmyselfinyourpresence？whyshouldIhaveanysecretsfromyou？Isentbackallyourbrother’sgiftstomesometimeago。Ihavebeenadvisedtodomore，tokeepnothingthatcanremindmeofhim——inshort，toburnhisletters。
　　Ihavetakentheadvice；butIownIshrankalittlefromdestroyingthelastoftheletters。No——notbecauseitwasthelast，butbecauseithadthisinit。’Sheopenedherhand，andshowedhimalockofMontbarry’shair，tiedwithamorselofgoldencord。
　　’Well！well！letitgowiththerest。’
　　Shedroppeditintotheflame。Forawhile，shestoodwithherbacktoHenry，leaningonthemantel-piece，andlookingintothefire。
　　Hetookthechairtowhichshehadpointed，withastrangecontradictionofexpressioninhisface：thetearswereinhiseyes，whilethebrowsabovewereknitcloseinanangryfrown。
　　Hemutteredtohimself，’Damnhim！’
　　Sheralliedhercourage，andlookedathimagainwhenshespoke。
　　’Well，Henry，andwhyareyougoingaway？’
　　’Iamoutofspirits，Agnes，andIwantachange。’
　　Shepausedbeforeshespokeagain。Hisfacetoldherplainlythathewasthinkingofherwhenhemadethatreply。Shewasgratefultohim，buthermindwasnotwithhim：hermindwasstillwiththemanwhohaddesertedher。Sheturnedroundagaintothefire。
　　’Isittrue，’sheasked，afteralongsilence，’thattheyhavebeenmarriedto-day？’
　　Heansweredungraciouslyintheonenecessaryword：——’Yes。’
　　’Didyougotothechurch？’
　　Heresentedthequestionwithanexpressionofindignantsurprise。
　　’Gotothechurch？’herepeated。’Iwouldassoongoto——’
　　Hecheckedhimselfthere。’Howcanyouask？’headdedinlowertones。
　　’IhaveneverspokentoMontbarry，Ihavenotevenseenhim，sincehetreatedyoulikethescoundrelandthefoolthatheis。’
　　Shelookedathimsuddenly，withoutsayingaword。
　　Heunderstoodher，andbeggedherpardon。Buthewasstillangry。
　　’Thereckoningcomestosomemen，’hesaid，’eveninthisworld。
　　Hewilllivetoruethedaywhenhemarriedthatwoman！’
　　Agnestookachairbyhisside，andlookedathimwithagentlesurprise。
　　’Isitquitereasonabletobesoangrywithher，becauseyourbrotherpreferredhertome？’sheasked。
　　Henryturnedonhersharply。’DoyoudefendtheCountess，ofallthepeopleintheworld？’
　　’Whynot？’Agnesanswered。’Iknownothingagainsther。
　　Ontheonlyoccasionwhenwemet，sheappearedtobeasingularlytimid，nervousperson，lookingdreadfullyill；andbeingindeedsoillthatshefaintedundertheheatofmyroom。Whyshouldwenotdoherjustice？
　　Weknowthatshewasinnocentofanyintentiontowrongme；weknowthatshewasnotawareofmyengagement——’
　　Henryliftedhishandimpatiently，andstoppedher。
　　’Thereissuchathingasbeingtoojustandtooforgiving！’
　　heinterposed。’Ican’tbeartohearyoutalkinthatpatientway，afterthescandalouslycruelmannerinwhichyouhavebeentreated。
　　Trytoforgetthemboth，Agnes。IwishtoGodIcouldhelpyoutodoit！’
　　Agneslaidherhandonhisarm。’Youareverygoodtome，Henry；
　　butyoudon’tquiteunderstandme。Iwasthinkingofmyselfandmytroubleinquiteadifferentway，whenyoucamein。
　　Iwaswonderingwhetheranythingwhichhassoentirelyfilledmyheart，andsoabsorbedallthatisbestandtruestinme，asmyfeelingforyourbrother，canreallypassawayasifithadneverexisted。
　　Ihavedestroyedthelastvisiblethingsthatremindmeofhim。
　　InthisworldIshallseehimnomore。Butisthetiethatonceboundus，completelybroken？AmIasentirelypartedfromthegoodandevilfortuneofhislifeasifwehadnevermetandneverloved？Whatdoyouthink，Henry？Icanhardlybelieveit。’
　　’Ifyoucouldbringtheretributiononhimthathehasdeserved，’
　　HenryWestwickansweredsternly，’Imightbeinclinedtoagreewithyou。’
　　Asthatreplypassedhislips，theoldnurseappearedagainatthedoor，announcinganothervisitor。
　　’I’msorrytodisturbyou，mydear。ButhereislittleMrs。Ferrariwantingtoknowwhenshemaysayafewwordstoyou。’
　　AgnesturnedtoHenry，beforeshereplied。’YourememberEmilyBidwell，myfavouritepupilyearsagoatthevillageschool，andafterwardsmymaid？Sheleftme，tomarryanItaliancourier，namedFerrari——andIamafraidithasnotturnedoutverywell。
　　Doyoumindmyhavingherinhereforaminuteortwo？’
　　Henryrosetotakehisleave。’IshouldbegladtoseeEmilyagainatanyothertime，’hesaid。’ButitisbestthatIshouldgonow。
　　Mymindisdisturbed，Agnes；Imightsaythingstoyou，ifI
　　stayedhereanylonger，which——whicharebetternotsaidnow。
　　IshallcrosstheChannelbythemailto-night，andseehowafewweeks’changewillhelpme。’Hetookherhand。
　　’IsthereanythingintheworldthatIcandoforyou？’heaskedveryearnestly。Shethankedhim，andtriedtoreleaseherhand。
　　Hehelditwithatremulouslingeringgrasp。’Godblessyou，Agnes！’
　　hesaidinfalteringtones，withhiseyesontheground。
　　Herfaceflushedagain，andthenextinstantturnedpalerthanever；sheknewhisheartaswellasheknewithimself——
　　shewastoodistressedtospeak。Heliftedherhandtohislips，kisseditfervently，and，withoutlookingatheragain，lefttheroom。
　　Thenursehobbledafterhimtotheheadofthestairs：shehadnotforgottenthetimewhentheyoungerbrotherhadbeentheunsuccessfulrivaloftheelderforthehandofAgnes。’Don’tbedown-hearted，MasterHenry，’whisperedtheoldwoman，withtheunscrupulouscommonsenseofpersonsinthelowerrankoflife。’Tryheragain，whenyoucomeback！’
　　Leftaloneforafewmoments，Agnestookaturnintheroom，tryingtocomposeherself。Shepausedbeforealittlewater-colourdrawingonthewall，whichhadbelongedtohermother：itwasherownportraitwhenshewasachild。’Howmuchhappierweshouldbe，’
　　shethoughttoherselfsadly，’ifwenevergrewup！’
　　Thecourier’swifewasshownin——alittlemeekmelancholywoman，withwhiteeyelashes，andwateryeyes，whocurtseyeddeferentiallyandwastroubledwithasmallchroniccough。Agnesshookhandswithherkindly。’Well，Emily，whatcanIdoforyou？’
　　Thecourier’swifemaderatherastrangeanswer：’I’mafraidtotellyou，Miss。’
　　’Isitsuchaverydifficultfavourtogrant？Sitdown，andletmehearhowyouaregoingon。Perhapsthepetitionwillslipoutwhilewearetalking。Howdoesyourhusbandbehavetoyou？’
　　Emily’slightgreyeyeslookedmorewaterythanever。
　　Sheshookherheadandsighedresignedly。’Ihavenopositivecomplainttomakeagainsthim，Miss。ButI’mafraidhedoesn’tcareaboutme；andheseemstotakenointerestinhishome——
　　Imayalmostsayhe’stiredofhishome。Itmightbebetterforbothofus，Miss，ifhewenttravellingforawhile——
　　nottomentionthemoney，whichisbeginningtobewantedsadly。’
　　Sheputherhandkerchieftohereyes，andsighedagainmoreresignedlythanever。
　　’Idon’tquiteunderstand，’saidAgnes。’IthoughtyourhusbandhadanengagementtotakesomeladiestoSwitzerlandandItaly？’
　　’Thatwashisill-luck，Miss。Oneoftheladiesfellill——
　　andtheotherswouldn’tgowithouther。Theypaidhimamonth’ssalaryascompensation。Buttheyhadengagedhimfortheautumnandwinter——
　　andthelossisserious。’
　　’Iamsorrytohearit，Emily。Letushopehewillsoonhaveanotherchance。’
　　’It’snothisturn，Miss，toberecommendedwhenthenextapplicationscometothecouriers’office。Yousee，therearesomanyofthemoutofemploymentjustnow。Ifhecouldbeprivatelyrecommended——’
　　Shestopped，andlefttheunfinishedsentencetospeakforitself。
　　Agnesunderstoodherdirectly。’Youwantmyrecommendation，’
　　sherejoined。’Whycouldn’tyousaysoatonce？’
　　Emilyblushed。’Itwouldbesuchachanceformyhusband，’
　　sheansweredconfusedly。’Aletter，inquiringforagoodcourier（asixmonths’engagement，Miss！）cametotheofficethismorning。
　　It’sanotherman’sturntobechosen——andthesecretarywillrecommendhim。Ifmyhusbandcouldonlysendhistestimonialsbythesamepost——withjustawordinyourname，Miss——itmightturnthescale，astheysay。Aprivaterecommendationbetweengentlefolksgoessofar。’
　　Shestoppedagain，andsighedagain，andlookeddownatthecarpet，asifshehadsomeprivatereasonforfeelingalittleashamedofherself。
　　Agnesbegantoberatherwearyofthepersistenttoneofmysteryinwhichhervisitorspoke。’Ifyouwantmyinterestwithanyfriendofmine，’shesaid，’whycan’tyoutellmethename？’
　　Thecourier’swifebegantocry。’I’mashamedtotellyou，Miss。’
　　Forthefirsttime，Agnesspokesharply。’Nonsense，Emily！
　　Tellmethenamedirectly——ordropthesubject——whicheveryoulikebest。’
　　Emilymadealastdesperateeffort。Shewrungherhandkerchiefhardinherlap，andletoffthenameasifshehadbeenlettingoffaloadedgun：——’LordMontbarry！’
　　Agnesroseandlookedather。
　　’Youhavedisappointedme，’shesaidveryquietly，butwithalookwhichthecourier’swifehadneverseeninherfacebefore。
　　’Knowingwhatyouknow，yououghttobeawarethatitisimpossibleformetocommunicatewithLordMontbarry。Ialwayssupposedyouhadsomedelicacyoffeeling。IamsorrytofindthatIhavebeenmistaken。’
　　Weakasshewas，Emilyhadspiritenoughtofeelthereproof。
　　Shewalkedinhermeeknoiselesswaytothedoor。’Ibegyourpardon，Miss。Iamnotquitesobadasyouthinkme。ButIbegyourpardon，allthesame。’
　　Sheopenedthedoor。Agnescalledherback。Therewassomethinginthewoman’sapologythatappealedirresistiblytoherjustandgenerousnature。’Come，’shesaid；’wemustnotpartinthisway。
　　Letmenotmisunderstandyou。Whatisitthatyouexpectedmetodo？’
　　Emilywaswiseenoughtoanswerthistimewithoutanyreserve。
　　’Myhusbandwillsendhistestimonials，Miss，toLordMontbarryinScotland。Ionlywantedyoutolethimsayinhisletterthathiswifehasbeenknowntoyousinceshewasachild，andthatyoufeelsomelittleinterestinhiswelfareonthataccount。
　　Idon’taskitnow，Miss。YouhavemademeunderstandthatI
　　waswrong。’
　　Hadshereallybeenwrong？Pastremembrances，aswellaspresenttroubles，pleadedpowerfullywithAgnesforthecourier’swife。
　　’Itseemsonlyasmallfavourtoask，’shesaid，speakingundertheimpulseofkindnesswhichwasthestrongestimpulseinhernature。
　　’ButIamnotsurethatIoughttoallowmynametobementionedinyourhusband’sletter。Letmehearagainexactlywhathewishestosay。’
　　Emilyrepeatedthewords——andthenofferedoneofthosesuggestions，whichhaveaspecialvalueoftheirowntopersonsunaccustomedtotheuseoftheirpens。’Supposeyoutry，Miss，howitlooksinwriting？’
　　Childishastheideawas，Agnestriedtheexperiment。’IfIletyoumentionme，’shesaid，’wemustatleastdecidewhatyouaretosay。’
　　Shewrotethewordsinthebriefestandplainestform：——’IventuretostatethatmywifehasbeenknownfromherchildhoodtoMissAgnesLockwood，whofeelssomelittleinterestinmywelfareonthataccount。’
　　Reducedtothisonesentence，therewassurelynothinginthereferencetohernamewhichimpliedthatAgneshadpermittedit，orthatshewasevenawareofit。Afteralaststrugglewithherself，shehandedthewrittenpapertoEmily。’Yourhusbandmustcopyitexactly，withoutalteringanything，’shestipulated。’Onthatcondition，Igrantyourrequest。’Emilywasnotonlythankful——shewasreallytouched。Agneshurriedthelittlewomanoutoftheroom。
　　’Don’tgivemetimetorepentandtakeitbackagain，’shesaid。
　　Emilyvanished。
　　’Isthetiethatoncebounduscompletelybroken？AmIasentirelypartedfromthegoodandevilfortuneofhislifeasifwehadnevermetandneverloved？’Agneslookedattheclockonthemantel-piece。
　　Nottenminutessince，thoseseriousquestionshadbeenonherlips。
　　Italmostshockedhertothinkofthecommon-placemannerinwhichtheyhadalreadymetwiththeirreply。ThemailofthatnightwouldappealoncemoretoMontbarry’sremembranceofher——
　　inthechoiceofaservant。
　　Twodayslater，thepostbroughtafewgratefullinesfromEmily。
　　Herhusbandhadgottheplace。Ferrariwasengaged，forsixmonthscertain，asLordMontbarry’scourier。
　　THESECONDPART
　　CHAPTERV
　　AfteronlyoneweekoftravellinginScotland，mylordandmyladyreturnedunexpectedlytoLondon。IntroducedtothemountainsandlakesoftheHighlands，herladyshippositivelydeclinedtoimproveheracquaintancewiththem。Whenshewasaskedforherreason，sheansweredwithaRomanbrevity，’IhaveseenSwitzerland。’
　　Foraweekmore，thenewly-marriedcoupleremainedinLondon，inthestrictestretirement。OnonedayinthatweekthenursereturnedinastateofmostuncustomaryexcitementfromanerrandonwhichAgneshadsenther。Passingthedoorofafashionabledentist，shehadmetLordMontbarryhimselfjustleavingthehouse。
　　Thegoodwoman’sreportdescribedhim，withmaliciouspleasure，aslookingwretchedlyill。’Hischeeksaregettinghollow，mydear，andhisbeardisturninggrey。Ihopethedentisthurthim！’
　　Knowinghowheartilyherfaithfuloldservanthatedthemanwhohaddesertedher，Agnesmadedueallowanceforalargeinfusionofexaggerationinthepicturepresentedtoher。Themainimpressionproducedonhermindwasanimpressionofnervousuneasiness。
　　IfshetrustedherselfinthestreetsbydaylightwhileLordMontbarryremainedinLondon，howcouldshebesurethathisnextchance-meetingmightnotbeameetingwithherself？Shewaitedathome，privatelyashamedofherownundignifiedconduct，forthenexttwodays。
　　OnthethirddaythefashionableintelligenceofthenewspapersannouncedthedepartureofLordandLadyMontbarryforParis，ontheirwaytoItaly。
　　Mrs。Ferrari，callingthesameevening，informedAgnesthatherhusbandhadleftherwithallreasonableexpressionofconjugalkindness；
　　histemperbeingimprovedbytheprospectofgoingabroad。
　　Butoneotherservantaccompaniedthetravellers——LadyMontbarry’smaid，ratherasilent，unsociablewoman，sofarasEmilyhadheard。
　　Herladyship’sbrother，BaronRivar，wasalreadyontheContinent。
　　IthadbeenarrangedthathewastomeethissisterandherhusbandatRome。
　　OnebyonethedullweekssucceededeachotherinthelifeofAgnes。
　　Shefacedherpositionwithadmirablecourage，seeingherfriends，keepingherselfoccupiedinherleisurehourswithreadinganddrawing，leavingnomeansuntriedofdivertinghermindfromthemelancholyremembranceofthepast。Butshehadlovedtoofaithfully，shehadbeenwoundedtoodeeply，tofeelinanyadequatedegreetheinfluenceofthemoralremedieswhichsheemployed。
　　Personswhometwithherintheordinaryrelationsoflife，deceivedbyheroutwardserenityofmanner，agreedthat’MissLockwoodseemedtobegettingoverherdisappointment。’
　　ButanoldfriendandschoolcompanionwhohappenedtoseeherduringabriefvisittoLondon，wasinexpressiblydistressedbythechangethatshedetectedinAgnes。ThisladywasMrs。Westwick，thewifeofthatbrotherofLordMontbarrywhocamenexttohiminage，andwhowasdescribedinthe’Peerage’aspresumptiveheirtothetitle。
　　Hewasthenaway，lookingafterhisinterestsinsomeminingpropertywhichhepossessedinAmerica。Mrs。WestwickinsistedontakingAgnesbackwithhertoherhomeinIreland。’Comeandkeepmecompanywhilemyhusbandisaway。Mythreelittlegirlswillmakeyoutheirplayfellow，andtheonlystrangeryouwillmeetisthegoverness，whomIanswerforyourlikingbeforehand。Packupyourthings，andIwillcallforyouto-morrowonmywaytothetrain。’
　　Inthoseheartytermstheinvitationwasgiven。Agnesthankfullyacceptedit。Forthreehappymonthsshelivedundertheroofofherfriend。Thegirlshungroundherintearsatherdeparture；
　　theyoungestofthemwantedtogobackwithAgnestoLondon。
　　Halfinjest，halfinearnest，shesaidtoheroldfriendatparting，’Ifyourgovernessleavesyou，keeptheplaceopenforme。’
　　Mrs。Westwicklaughed。Thewiserchildrentookitseriously，andpromisedtoletAgnesknow。
　　OntheverydaywhenMissLockwoodreturnedtoLondon，shewasrecalledtothoseassociationswiththepastwhichshewasmostanxioustoforget。
　　Afterthefirstkissingsandgreetingswereover，theoldnurse（whohadbeenleftinchargeatthelodgings）hadsomestartlinginformationtocommunicate，derivedfromthecourier’swife。
　　’HerehasbeenlittleMrs。Ferrari，mydear，inadreadfulstateofmind，inquiringwhenyouwouldbeback。HerhusbandhasleftLordMontbarry，withoutawordofwarning——andnobodyknowswhathasbecomeofhim。’
　　Agneslookedatherinastonishment。’Areyousureofwhatyouaresaying？’sheasked。
　　Thenursewasquitesure。’Why，Lordblessyou！thenewscomesfromthecouriers’officeinGoldenSquare——fromthesecretary，MissAgnes，thesecretaryhimself！’Hearingthis，Agnesbegantofeelalarmedaswellassurprised。Itwasstillearlyintheevening。
　　SheatoncesentamessagetoMrs。Ferrari，tosaythatshehadreturned。
　　Inanhourmorethecourier’swifeappeared，inastateofagitationwhichitwasnoteasytocontrol。Hernarrative，whenshewasatlastabletospeakconnectedly，entirelyconfirmedthenurse’sreportofit。
　　AfterhearingfromherhusbandwithtolerableregularityfromParis，Rome，andVenice，Emilyhadtwicewrittentohimafterwards——
　　andhadreceivednoreply。Feelinguneasy，shehadgonetotheofficeinGoldenSquare，toinquireifhehadbeenheardofthere。
　　ThepostofthemorninghadbroughtalettertothesecretaryfromacourierthenatVenice。ItcontainedstartlingnewsofFerrari。
　　Hiswifehadbeenallowedtotakeacopyofit，whichshenowhandedtoAgnestoread。
　　ThewriterstatedthathehadrecentlyarrivedinVenice。
　　HehadpreviouslyheardthatFerrariwaswithLordandLadyMontbarry，atoneoftheoldVenetianpalaceswhichtheyhadhiredforaterm。
　　BeingafriendofFerrari，hehadgonetopayhimavisit。
　　Ringingatthedoorthatopenedonthecanal，andfailingtomakeanyonehearhim，hehadgoneroundtoasideentranceopeningononeofthenarrowlanesofVenice。Here，standingatthedoor（asifshewaswaitingforhimtotrythatwaynext），hefoundapalewomanwithmagnificentdarkeyes，whoprovedtobenootherthanLadyMontbarryherself。
　　Sheasked，inItalian，whathewanted。HeansweredthathewantedtoseethecourierFerrari，ifitwasquiteconvenient。
　　SheatonceinformedhimthatFerrarihadleftthepalace，withoutassigninganyreason，andwithoutevenleavinganaddressatwhichhismonthlysalary（thenduetohim）couldbepaid。Amazedatthisreply，thecourierinquiredifanypersonhadoffendedFerrari，orquarrelledwithhim。Theladyanswered，’Tomyknowledge，certainlynot。IamLadyMontbarry；andIcanpositivelyassureyouthatFerrariwastreatedwiththegreatestkindnessinthishouse。
　　Weareasmuchastonishedasyouareathisextraordinarydisappearance。
　　Ifyoushouldhearofhim，prayletusknow，sothatwemayatleastpayhimthemoneywhichisdue。’
　　Afteroneortwomorequestions（quitereadilyanswered）relatingtothedateandthetimeofdayatwhichFerrarihadleftthepalace，thecouriertookhisleave。
　　Heatonceenteredonthenecessaryinvestigations——withouttheslightestresultsofarasFerrariwasconcerned。Nobodyhadseenhim。
　　Nobodyappearedtohavebeentakenintohisconfidence。
　　Nobodyknewanything（thatistosay，anythingoftheslightestimportance）
　　evenaboutpersonssodistinguishedasLordandLadyMontbarry。
　　Itwasreportedthatherladyship’sEnglishmaidhadlefther，beforethedisappearanceofFerrari，toreturntoherrelativesinherowncountry，andthatLadyMontbarryhadtakennostepstosupplyherplace。Hislordshipwasdescribedasbeingindelicatehealth。
　　Helivedinthestrictestretirement——nobodywasadmittedtohim，notevenhisowncountrymen。Astupidoldwomanwasdiscoveredwhodidthehouseworkatthepalace，arrivinginthemorningandgoingawayagainatnight。Shehadneverseenthelostcourier——
　　shehadneverevenseenLordMontbarry，whowasthenconfinedtohisroom。Herladyship，’amostgraciousandadorablemistress，’
　　wasinconstantattendanceonhernoblehusband。Therewasnootherservanttheninthehouse（sofarastheoldwomanknew）
　　butherself。Themealsweresentinfromarestaurant。Mylord，itwassaid，dislikedstrangers。Mylord’sbrother-in-law，theBaron，wasgenerallyshutupinaremotepartofthepalace，occupied（thegraciousmistresssaid）withexperimentsinchemistry。
　　Theexperimentssometimesmadeanastysmell。Adoctorhadlatterlybeencalledintohislordship——anItaliandoctor，longresidentinVenice。
　　Inquiriesbeingaddressedtothisgentleman（aphysicianofundoubtedcapacityandrespectability），itturnedoutthathealsohadneverseenFerrari，havingbeensummonedtothepalace（ashismemorandumbookshowed）atadatesubsequenttothecourier’sdisappearance。
　　ThedoctordescribedLordMontbarry’smaladyasbronchitis。
　　Sofar，therewasnoreasontofeelanyanxiety，thoughtheattackwasasharpone。Ifalarmingsymptomsshouldappear，hehadarrangedwithherladyshiptocallinanotherphysician。
　　Fortherest，itwasimpossibletospeaktoohighlyofmylady；
　　nightandday，shewasatherlord’sbedside。
　　WiththeseparticularsbeganandendedthediscoveriesmadebyFerrari’scourier-friend。Thepolicewereonthelook-outforthelostman——
　　andthatwastheonlyhopewhichcouldbeheldforthforthepresent，toFerrari’swife。
　　’Whatdoyouthinkofit，Miss？’thepoorwomanaskedeagerly。
　　’Whatwouldyouadvisemetodo？’
　　Agneswasatalosshowtoanswerher；itwasanefforteventolistentowhatEmilywassaying。Thereferencesinthecourier’slettertoMontbarry——thereportofhisillness，themelancholypictureofhissecludedlife——hadreopenedtheoldwound。
　　ShewasnoteventhinkingofthelostFerrari；hermindwasatVenice，bythesickman’sbedside。
　　’Ihardlyknowwhattosay，’sheanswered。’Ihavehadnoexperienceinseriousmattersofthiskind。’
　　’Doyouthinkitwouldhelpyou，Miss，ifyoureadmyhusband’sletterstome？Thereareonlythreeofthem——theywon’ttakelongtoread。’
　　Agnescompassionatelyreadtheletters。
　　Theywerenotwritteninaverytendertone。’DearEmily，’
　　and’Yoursaffectionately’——theseconventionalphrases，weretheonlyphrasesofendearmentwhichtheycontained。
　　Inthefirstletter，LordMontbarrywasnotveryfavourablyspokenof：——’WeleaveParisto-morrow。Idon’tmuchlikemylord。
　　Heisproudandcold，and，betweenourselves，stingyinmoneymatters。
　　Ihavehadtodisputesuchtriflesasafewcentimesinthehotelbill；
　　andtwicealready，somesharpremarkshavepassedbetweenthenewly-marriedcouple，inconsequenceofherladyship’sfreedominpurchasingprettytemptingthingsattheshopsinParis。
　　"Ican’taffordit；youmustkeeptoyourallowance。"Shehashadtohearthosewordsalready。Formypart，Ilikeher。Shehasthenice，easyforeignmanners——shetalkstomeasifIwasahumanbeinglikeherself。’
　　ThesecondletterwasdatedfromRome。
　　’Mylord’scaprices’（Ferrariwrote）’havekeptusperpetuallyonthemove。Heisbecomingincurablyrestless。Isuspectheisuneasyinhismind。Painfulrecollections，Ishouldsay——Ifindhimconstantlyreadingoldletters，whenherladyshipisnotpresent。
　　WeweretohavestoppedatGenoa，buthehurrieduson。ThesamethingatFlorence。Here，atRome，myladyinsistsonresting。
　　Herbrotherhasmetusatthisplace。Therehasbeenaquarrelalready（thelady’smaidtellsme）betweenmylordandtheBaron。Thelatterwantedtoborrowmoneyoftheformer。HislordshiprefusedinlanguagewhichoffendedBaronRivar。Myladypacifiedthem，andmadethemshakehands。’
　　Thethird，andlastletter，wasfromVenice。
　　’Moreofmylord’seconomy！Insteadofstayingatthehotel，wehavehiredadamp，mouldy，ramblingoldpalace。Myladyinsistsonhavingthebestsuitesofroomswhereverwego——andthepalacecomescheaperforatwomonths’term。Mylordtriedtogetitforlonger；hesaysthequietofVeniceisgoodforhisnerves。
　　Butaforeignspeculatorhassecuredthepalace，andisgoingtoturnitintoanhotel。TheBaronisstillwithus，andtherehavebeenmoredisagreementsaboutmoneymatters。Idon’tliketheBaron——
　　andIdon’tfindtheattractionsofmyladygrowonme。ShewasmuchnicerbeforetheBaronjoinedus。Mylordisapunctualpaymaster；
　　it’samatterofhonourwithhim；hehatespartingwithhismoney，buthedoesitbecausehehasgivenhisword。Ireceivemysalaryregularlyattheendofeachmonth——notafrancextra，thoughI
　　havedonemanythingswhicharenotpartofacourier’sproperwork。
　　FancytheBarontryingtoborrowmoneyofme！heisaninveterategambler。
　　Ididn’tbelieveitwhenmylady’smaidfirsttoldmeso——
　　butIhaveseenenoughsincetosatisfymethatshewasright。
　　Ihaveseenotherthingsbesides，which——well！whichdon’tincreasemyrespectformyladyandtheBaron。Themaidsaysshemeanstogivewarningtoleave。SheisarespectableBritishfemale，anddoesn’ttakethingsquitesoeasilyasIdo。Itisadulllifehere。
　　Nogoingintocompany——nocompanyathome——notacreatureseesmylord——
　　noteventheconsul，orthebanker。Whenhegoesout，hegoesalone，andgenerallytowardsnightfall。Indoors，heshutshimselfupinhisownroomwithhisbooks，andseesaslittleofhiswifeandtheBaronaspossible。Ifancythingsarecomingtoacrisishere。
　　Ifmylord’ssuspicionsareonceawakened，theconsequenceswillbeterrible。Undercertainprovocations，thenobleMontbarryisamanwhowouldstickatnothing。However，thepayisgood——
　　andIcan’taffordtotalkofleavingtheplace，likemylady’smaid。’
　　Agneshandedbacktheletters——sosuggestiveofthepenaltypaidalreadyforhisowninfatuationbythemanwhohaddesertedher！——
　　withfeelingsofshameanddistress，whichmadehernofitcounsellorforthehelplesswomanwhodependedonheradvice。
　　’TheonethingIcansuggest，’shesaid，afterfirstspeakingsomekindwordsofcomfortandhope，’isthatweshouldconsultapersonofgreaterexperiencethanours。SupposeIwriteandaskmylawyer（whoisalsomyfriendandtrustee）tocomeandadviseusto-morrowafterhisbusinesshours？’
　　Emilyeagerlyandgratefullyacceptedthesuggestion。Anhourwasarrangedforthemeetingonthenextday；thecorrespondencewasleftunderthecareofAgnes；andthecourier’swifetookherleave。
　　Wearyandheartsick，Agneslaydownonthesofa，torestandcomposeherself。Thecarefulnursebroughtinarevivingcupoftea。
　　HerquaintgossipaboutherselfandheroccupationswhileAgneshadbeenaway，actedasarelieftohermistress’soverburdenedmind。
　　Theywerestilltalkingquietly，whentheywerestartledbyaloudknockatthehousedoor。Hurriedfootstepsascendedthestairs。
　　Thedoorofthesitting-roomwasthrownopenviolently；
　　thecourier’swiferushedinlikeamadwoman。’He’sdead！
　　They’vemurderedhim！’Thosewildwordswereallshecouldsay。
　　Shedroppedonherkneesatthefootofthesofa——heldoutherhandwithsomethingclaspedinit——andfellbackinaswoon。
　　Thenurse，signingtoAgnestoopenthewindow，tookthenecessarymeasurestorestorethefaintingwoman。’What’sthis？’sheexclaimed。
　　’Here’saletterinherhand。Seewhatitis，Miss。’
　　Theopenenvelopewasaddressed（evidentlyinafeignedhand-writing）
　　to’Mrs。Ferrari。’Thepost-markwas’Venice。’Thecontentsoftheenvelopewereasheetofforeignnote-paper，andafoldedenclosure。
　　Onthenote-paper，onelineonlywaswritten。Itwasagaininafeignedhandwriting，anditcontainedthesewords：
　　’Toconsoleyouforthelossofyourhusband’
　　Agnesopenedtheenclosurenext。
　　ItwasaBankofEnglandnoteforathousandpounds。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　Thenextday，thefriendandlegaladviserofAgnesLockwood，Mr。Troy，calledonherbyappointmentintheevening。
　　Mrs。Ferrari——stillpersistingintheconvictionofherhusband’sdeath——
　　hadsufficientlyrecoveredtobepresentattheconsultation。
　　AssistedbyAgnes，shetoldthelawyerthelittlethatwasknownrelatingtoFerrari’sdisappearance，andthenproducedthecorrespondenceconnectedwiththatevent。Mr。Troyread（first）thethreelettersaddressedbyFerraritohiswife；
　　（secondly）theletterwrittenbyFerrari’scourier-friend，describinghisvisittothepalaceandhisinterviewwithLadyMontbarry；and（thirdly）theonelineofanonymouswritingwhichhadaccompaniedtheextraordinarygiftofathousandpoundstoFerrari’swife。
　　Wellknown，atalaterperiod，asthelawyerwhoactedforLadyLydiard，inthecaseoftheft，generallydescribedasthecaseof’MyLady’sMoney，’
　　Mr。Troywasnotonlyamanoflearningandexperienceinhisprofession——
　　hewasalsoamanwhohadseensomethingofsocietyathomeandabroad。
　　Hepossessedakeeneyeforcharacter，aquainthumour，andakindlynaturewhichhadnotbeendeterioratedevenbyalawyer’sprofessionalexperienceofmankind。Withallthesepersonaladvantages，itisaquestion，nevertheless，whetherhewasthefittestadviserwhomAgnescouldhavechosenunderthecircumstances。LittleMrs。Ferrari，withmanydomesticmerits，wasanessentiallycommonplacewoman。
　　Mr。Troywasthelastpersonlivingwhowaslikelytoattracthersympathies——hewastheexactoppositeofacommonplaceman。
　　’Shelooksveryill，poorthing！’Inthesewordsthelawyeropenedthebusinessoftheevening，referringtoMrs。Ferrariasunceremoniouslyasifshehadbeenoutoftheroom。
　　’Shehassufferedaterribleshock，’Agnesanswered。
　　Mr。TroyturnedtoMrs。Ferrari，andlookedatheragain，withtheinterestduetothevictimofashock。Hedrummedabsentlywithhisfingersonthetable。Atlasthespoketoher。
　　’Mygoodlady，youdon’treallybelievethatyourhusbandisdead？’
　　Mrs。Ferrariputherhandkerchieftohereyes。Theword’dead’wasineffectualtoexpressherfeelings。’Murdered！’shesaidsternly，behindherhandkerchief。
　　’Why？Andbywhom？’Mr。Troyasked。
　　Mrs。Ferrariseemedtohavesomedifficultyinanswering。
　　’Youhavereadmyhusband’sletters，sir，’shebegan。’Ibelievehediscovered——’Shegotasfarasthat，andthereshestopped。
　　’Whatdidhediscover？’
　　Therearelimitstohumanpatience——eventhepatienceofabereavedwife。
　　ThiscoolquestionirritatedMrs。Ferrariintoexpressingherselfplainlyatlast。
　　’HediscoveredLadyMontbarryandtheBaron！’sheanswered，withaburstofhystericalvehemence。’TheBaronisnomorethatvilewoman’sbrotherthanIam。Thewickednessofthosetwowretchescametomypoordearhusband’sknowledge。Thelady’smaidleftherplaceonaccountofit。IfFerrarihadgoneawaytoo，hewouldhavebeenaliveatthismoment。Theyhavekilledhim。
　　Isaytheyhavekilledhim，topreventitfromgettingtoLordMontbarry’sears。’So，inshortsharpsentences，andinlouderandlouderaccents，Mrs。Ferraristatedheropinionofthecase。
　　Stillkeepinghisownviewinreserve，Mr。Troylistenedwithanexpressionofsatiricalapproval。
　　’Verystronglystated，Mrs。Ferrari，’hesaid。’Youbuildupyoursentenceswell；youclinchyourconclusionsinaworkmanlikemanner。
　　Ifyouhadbeenaman，youwouldhavemadeagoodlawyer——
　　youwouldhavetakenjuriesbythescruffoftheirnecks。
　　Completethecase，mygoodlady——completethecase。
　　Tellusnextwhosentyouthisletter，enclosingthebank-note。
　　The"twowretches"whomurderedMr。Ferrariwouldhardlyputtheirhandsintheirpocketsandsendyouathousandpounds。
　　Whoisit——eh？Iseethepost-markontheletteris"Venice。"
　　Haveyouanyfriendinthatinterestingcity，withalargeheart，andapursetocorrespond，whohasbeenletintothesecretandwhowishestoconsoleyouanonymously？’
　　Itwasnoteasytoreplytothis。Mrs。FerraribegantofeelthefirstinwardapproachesofsomethinglikehatredtowardsMr。Troy。
　　’Idon’tunderstandyou，sir，’sheanswered。’Idon’tthinkthisisajokingmatter。’
　　Agnesinterfered，forthefirsttime。Shedrewherchairalittlenearertoherlegalcounsellorandfriend。
　　’Whatisthemostprobableexplanation，inyouropinion？’
　　sheasked。
　　’IshalloffendMrs。FerrariifItellyou，’Mr。Troyanswered。
　　’No，sir，youwon’t！’criedMrs。Ferrari，hatingMr。Troyundisguisedlybythistime。
　　Thelawyerleanedbackinhischair。’Verywell，’hesaid，inhismostgood-humouredmanner。’Let’shaveitout。Observe，madam，Idon’tdisputeyourviewofthepositionofaffairsatthepalaceinVenice。Youhaveyourhusband’sletterstojustifyyou；
　　andyouhavealsothesignificantfactthatLadyMontbarry’smaiddidreallyleavethehouse。Wewillsay，then，thatLordMontbarryhaspresumablybeenmadethevictimofafoulwrong——
　　thatMr。Ferrariwasthefirsttofinditout——andthattheguiltypersonshadreasontofear，notonlythathewouldacquaintLordMontbarrywithhisdiscovery，butthathewouldbeaprincipalwitnessagainstthemifthescandalwasmadepublicinacourtoflaw。
　　Nowmark！Admittingallthis，Idrawatotallydifferentconclusionfromtheconclusionatwhichyouhavearrived。
　　Hereisyourhusbandleftinthismiserablehouseholdofthree，underveryawkwardcircumstancesforhim。Whatdoeshedo？
　　Butforthebank-noteandthewrittenmessagesenttoyouwithit，Ishouldsaythathehadwiselywithdrawnhimselffromassociationwithadisgracefuldiscoveryandexposure，bytakingsecretlytoflight。