Mr。MilestookCharitybythearm，andsidebysidetheywalkedbehindthemattress。Atlengththeoldwomanwiththelanternstopped，andCharitysawthelightfallonthestoopingshouldersofthebearersandonaridgeofupheavedearthoverwhichtheywerebending。Mr。Milesreleasedherarmandapproachedthehollowontheothersideoftheridge;andwhilethemenstoopeddown，loweringthemattressintothegrave，hebegantospeakagain。
　　"Manthatisbornofwomanhathbutashorttimetoliveandisfullofmisery……Hecomethupandiscutdown……hefleethasitwereashadow……Yet，OLordGodmostholy，OLordmostmighty，OholyandmercifulSaviour，deliverusnotintothebitterpainsofeternaldeath……"
　　"Easythere……isshedown？"pipedtheclaimanttothestove;andtheyoungmancalledoverhisshoulder：
　　"Liftthelightthere，can’tyou？"
　　Therewasapause，duringwhichthelightfloateduncertainlyovertheopengrave。SomeonebentoverandpulledoutMr。Miles’scoat————（"No，no——
　　leavethehandkerchief，"heinterposed）——andthenLiffHyatt，comingforwardwithaspade，begantoshovelintheearth。
　　"ForasmuchasithathpleasedAlmightyGodofHisgreatmercytotakeuntoHimselfthesoulofourdearsisterheredeparted，wethereforecommitherbodytotheground;earthtoearth，ashestoashes，dusttodust……"Liff’sgauntshouldersroseandbentinthelanternlightashedashedtheclodsofearthintothegrave。"God——it’sfrozea’ready，"hemuttered，spittingintohispalmandpassinghisraggedshirt—
　　sleeveacrosshisperspiringface。
　　"ThroughourLordJesusChrist，whoshallchangeourvilebodythatitmaybelikeuntoHisgloriousbody，accordingtothemightyworking，wherebyHeisabletosubdueallthingsuntoHimself……"ThelastspadefulofearthfellonthevilebodyofMaryHyatt，andLiffrestedonhisspade，hisshoulderbladesstillheavingwiththeeffort。
　　"Lord，havemercyuponus，Christhavemercyuponus，Lordhavemercyuponus……"
　　Mr。Milestookthelanternfromtheoldwoman’shandandsweptitslightacrossthecircleofblearedfaces。"Nowkneeldown，allofyou，"hecommanded，inavoiceofauthoritythatCharityhadneverheard。Shekneltdownattheedgeofthegrave，andtheothers，stifflyandhesitatingly，gottotheirkneesbesideher。Mr。Milesknelt，too。"Andnowpraywithme——youknowthisprayer，"hesaid，andhebegan：
　　"OurFatherwhichartinHeaven……"Oneortwoofthewomenfalteringlytookthewordsup，andwhenheended，thelank—hairedmanflunghimselfontheneckofthetallyouth。"Itwasthisway，"hesaid。"Itoleherthenightbefore，Isaystoher……"Thereminiscenceendedinasob。
　　Mr。Mileshadbeengettingintohiscoatagain。HecameuptoCharity，whohadremainedpassivelykneelingbytheroughmoundofearth。
　　"Mychild，youmustcome。It’sverylate。"
　　Sheliftedhereyestohisface：heseemedtospeakoutofanotherworld。
　　"Iain’tcoming：I’mgoingtostayhere。"
　　"Here？Where？Whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Thesearemyfolks。I’mgoingtostaywiththem。"
　　Mr。Milesloweredhisvoice。"Butit’snotpossible——youdon’tknowwhatyouaredoing。Youcan’tstayamongthesepeople：youmustcomewithme。"
　　Sheshookherheadandrosefromherknees。Thegroupaboutthegravehadscatteredinthedarkness，buttheoldwomanwiththelanternstoodwaiting。Hermournfulwitheredfacewasnotunkind，andCharitywentuptoher。
　　"HaveyougotaplacewhereIcanliedownforthenight？"sheasked。Liffcameup，leadingthebuggyoutofthenight。Helookedfromonetotheotherwithhisfeeblesmile。"She’smymother。She’lltakeyouhome，"hesaid;andheadded，raisinghisvoicetospeaktotheoldwoman："It’sthegirlfromlawyerRoyall’s——Mary’sgirl……youremember……"
　　ThewomannoddedandraisedhersadoldeyestoCharity’s。WhenMr。MilesandLiffclamberedintothebuggyshewentaheadwiththelanterntoshowthemthetracktheyweretofollow;thensheturnedback，andinsilencesheandCharitywalkedawaytogetherthroughthenight。
　　XVII
　　CHARITYlayontheflooronamattress，asherdeadmother’sbodyhadlain。Theroominwhichshelaywascoldanddarkandlow—ceilinged，andevenpoorerandbarerthanthesceneofMaryHyatt’searthlypilgrimage。OntheothersideofthefirelessstoveLiffHyatt’smothersleptonablanket，withtwochildren——hergrandchildren，shesaid——rolledupagainstherlikesleepingpuppies。Theyhadtheirthinclothesspreadoverthem，havinggiventheonlyotherblankettotheirguest。
　　ThroughthesmallsquareofglassintheoppositewallCharitysawadeepfunnelofsky，soblack，soremote，sopalpitatingwithfrostystarsthatherverysoulseemedtobesuckedintoit。Uptheresomewhere，shesupposed，theGodwhomMr。MileshadinvokedwaswaitingforMaryHyatttoappear。Whatalongflightitwas！AndwhatwouldshehavetosaywhenshereachedHim？
　　Charity’sbewilderedbrainlabouredwiththeattempttopicturehermother’spast，andtorelateitinanywaytothedesignsofajustbutmercifulGod;butitwasimpossibletoimagineanylinkbetweenthem。Sheherselffeltasremotefromthepoorcreatureshehadseenloweredintoherhastilyduggraveasiftheheightoftheheavensdividedthem。Shehadseenpovertyandmisfortuneinherlife;butinacommunitywherepoorthriftyMrs。HawesandtheindustriousAllyrepresentedthenearestapproachtodestitutiontherewasnothingtosuggestthesavagemiseryoftheMountainfarmers。
　　Asshelaythere，half—stunnedbyhertragicinitiation，Charityvainlytriedtothinkherselfintothelifeabouther。Butshecouldnotevenmakeoutwhatrelationshipthesepeopleboretoeachother，ortoherdeadmother;theyseemedtobeherdedtogetherinasortofpassivepromiscuityinwhichtheircommonmiserywasthestrongestlink。ShetriedtopicturetoherselfwhatherlifewouldhavebeenifshehadgrownupontheMountain，runningwildinrags，sleepingonthefloorcurledupagainsthermother，likethepale—
　　facedchildrenhuddledagainstoldMrs。Hyatt，andturningintoafiercebewilderedcreaturelikethegirlwhohadapostrophizedherinsuchstrangewords。Shewasfrightenedbythesecretaffinityshehadfeltwiththisgirl，andbythelightitthrewonherownbeginnings。ThensherememberedwhatMr。RoyallhadsaidintellingherstorytoLuciusHarney："Yes，therewasamother;butshewasgladtohavethechildgo。
　　She’dhavegivenhertoanybody……"
　　Well！afterall，washermothersomuchtoblame？
　　Charity，sincethatday，hadalwaysthoughtofherasdestituteofallhumanfeeling;nowsheseemedmerelypitiful。Whatmotherwouldnotwanttosaveherchildfromsuchalife？Charitythoughtofthefutureofherownchild，andtearswelledintoherachingeyes，andrandownoverherface。Ifshehadbeenlessexhausted，lessburdenedwithhisweight，shewouldhavesprungupthenandthereandfledaway……
　　Thegrimhoursofthenightdraggedthemselvesslowlyby，andatlasttheskypaledanddawnthrewacoldbluebeamintotheroom。Shelayinhercornerstaringatthedirtyfloor，theclothes—linehungwithdecayingrags，theoldwomanhuddledagainstthecoldstove，andthelightgraduallyspreadingacrossthewintryworld，andbringingwithitanewdayinwhichshewouldhavetolive，tochoose，toact，tomakeherselfaplaceamongthesepeople——ortogobacktothelifeshehadleft。Amortallassitudeweighedonher。Thereweremomentswhenshefeltthatallsheaskedwastogoonlyingthereunnoticed;thenhermindrevoltedatthethoughtofbecomingoneofthemiserableherdfromwhichshesprang，anditseemedasthough，tosaveherchildfromsuchafate，shewouldfindstrengthtotravelanydistance，andbearanyburdenlifemightputonher。
　　VaguethoughtsofNettletonflittedthroughhermind。
　　Shesaidtoherselfthatshewouldfindsomequietplacewhereshecouldbearherchild，andgiveittodecentpeopletokeep;andthenshewouldgooutlikeJuliaHawesandearnitslivingandhers。Sheknewthatgirlsofthatkindsometimesmadeenoughtohavetheirchildrennicelycaredfor;andeveryotherconsiderationdisappearedinthevisionofherbaby，cleanedandcombedandrosy，andhiddenawaysomewherewhereshecouldruninandkissit，andbringitprettythingstowear。Anything，anythingwasbetterthantoaddanotherlifetothenestofmiseryontheMountain……
　　TheoldwomanandthechildrenwerestillsleepingwhenCharityrosefromhermattress。Herbodywasstiffwithcoldandfatigue，andshemovedslowlylestherheavystepsshouldrousethem。Shewasfaintwithhunger，andhadnothingleftinhersatchel;butonthetableshesawthehalfofastaleloaf。NodoubtitwastoserveasthebreakfastofoldMrs。Hyattandthechildren;butCharitydidnotcare;shehadherownbabytothinkof。Shebrokeoffapieceofthebreadandateitgreedily;thenherglancefellonthethinfacesofthesleepingchildren，andfilledwithcompunctionsherummagedinhersatchelforsomethingwithwhichtopayforwhatshehadtaken。ShefoundoneoftheprettychemisesthatAllyhadmadeforher，withablueribbonrunthroughitsedging。Itwasoneofthedaintythingsonwhichshehadsquanderedhersavings，andasshelookedatitthebloodrushedtoherforehead。Shelaidthechemiseonthetable，andstealingacrossthefloorliftedthelatchandwentout……
　　ThemorningwasicycoldandapalesunwasjustrisingabovetheeasternshoulderoftheMountain。Thehousesscatteredonthehillsidelaycoldandsmokelessunderthesun—fleckedclouds，andnotahumanbeingwasinsight。Charitypausedonthethresholdandtriedtodiscovertheroadbywhichshehadcomethenightbefore。AcrossthefieldsurroundingMrs。Hyatt’sshantyshesawthetumble—downhouseinwhichshesupposedthefuneralservicehadtakenplace。Thetrailranacrossthegroundbetweenthetwohousesanddisappearedinthepine—woodontheflankoftheMountain;andalittlewaytotheright，underawind—
　　beatenthorn，amoundoffreshearthmadeadarkspotonthefawn—colouredstubble。Charitywalkedacrossthefieldtotheground。Assheapproacheditsheheardabird’snoteinthestillair，andlookingupshesawabrownsong—sparrowperchedinanupperbranchofthethornabovethegrave。Shestoodaminutelisteningtohissmallsolitarysong;thensherejoinedthetrailandbegantomountthehilltothepine—wood。
　　Thusfarshehadbeenimpelledbytheblindinstinctofflight;buteachstepseemedtobringhernearertotherealitiesofwhichherfeverishvigilhadgivenonlyashadowyimage。Nowthatshewalkedagaininadaylightworld，onthewaybacktofamiliarthings，herimaginationmovedmoresoberly。Ononepointshewasstilldecided：shecouldnotremainatNorthDormer，andthesoonershegotawayfromitthebetter。
　　Buteverythingbeyondwasdarkness。
　　Asshecontinuedtoclimbtheairgrewkeener，andwhenshepassedfromtheshelterofthepinestotheopengrassyroofoftheMountainthecoldwindofthenightbeforesprangoutonher。Shebenthershouldersandstruggledonagainstitforawhile;butpresentlyherbreathfailed，andshesatdownunderaledgeofrockoverhungbyshiveringbirches。FromwhereshesatshesawthetrailwanderingacrossthebleachedgrassinthedirectionofHamblin，andthegranitewalloftheMountainfallingawaytoinfinitedistances。Onthatsideoftheridgethevalleysstilllayinwintryshadow;butintheplainbeyondthesunwastouchingvillageroofsandsteeples，andgildingthehazeofsmokeoverfar—offinvisibletowns。
　　Charityfeltherselfamerespeckinthelonelycircleofthesky。Theeventsofthelasttwodaysseemedtohavedividedherforeverfromhershortdreamofbliss。
　　EvenHarney’simagehadbeenblurredbythatcrushingexperience：shethoughtofhimassoremotefromherthatheseemedhardlymorethanamemory。Inherfaggedandfloatingmindonlyonesensationhadtheweightofreality;itwasthebodilyburdenofherchild。Butforitshewouldhavefeltasrootlessasthewhiffsofthistledownthewindblewpasther。Herchildwaslikealoadthatheldherdown，andyetlikeahandthatpulledhertoherfeet。Shesaidtoherselfthatshemustgetupandstruggleon……
　　HereyesturnedbacktothetrailacrossthetopoftheMountain，andinthedistanceshesawabuggyagainstthesky。Sheknewitsantiqueoutline，andthegauntbuildoftheoldhorsepressingforwardwithloweredhead;andafteramomentsherecognizedtheheavybulkofthemanwhoheldthereins。Thebuggywasfollowingthetrailandmakingstraightforthepine—woodthroughwhichshehadclimbed;andsheknewatoncethatthedriverwasinsearchofher。Herfirstimpulsewastocrouchdownundertheledgetillhehadpassed;buttheinstinctofconcealmentwasoverruledbythereliefoffeelingthatsomeonewasnearherintheawfulemptiness。Shestoodupandwalkedtowardthebuggy。
　　Mr。Royallsawher，andtouchedthehorsewiththewhip。AminuteortwolaterhewasabreastofCharity;
　　theireyesmet，andwithoutspeakingheleanedoverandhelpedherupintothebuggy。
　　Shetriedtospeak，tostammeroutsomeexplanation，butnowordscametoher;andashedrewthecoveroverherkneeshesimplysaid："Theministertoldmehe’dleftyouuphere，soIcomeupforyou。"
　　Heturnedthehorse’shead，andtheybegantojogbacktowardHamblin。Charitysatspeechless，staringstraightaheadofher，andMr。Royalloccasionallyutteredawordofencouragementtothehorse："Getalongthere，Dan……IgavehimarestatHamblin;butI
　　broughthimalongprettyquick，andit’sastiffpulluphereagainstthewind。"
　　AshespokeitoccurredtoherforthefirsttimethattoreachthetopoftheMountainsoearlyhemusthaveleftNorthDormeratthecoldesthourofthenight，andhavetravelledsteadilybutforthehaltatHamblin;
　　andshefeltasoftnessatherheartwhichnoactofhishadeverproducedsincehehadbroughthertheCrimsonRamblerbecauseshehadgivenupboarding—
　　schooltostaywithhim。
　　Afteranintervalhebeganagain："Itwasadayjustlikethis，onlyspittingsnow，whenIcomeuphereforyouthefirsttime。"Then，asiffearingthatshemighttakehisremarkasareminderofpastbenefits，headdedquickly："Idunno’syouthinkitwassuchagoodjob，either。"
　　"Yes，Ido，"shemurmured，lookingstraightaheadofher。
　　"Well，"hesaid，"Itried————"
　　Hedidnotfinishthesentence，andshecouldthinkofnothingmoretosay。
　　"Ho，there，Dan，stepout，"hemuttered，jerkingthebridle。"Weain’thomeyet。——Youcold？"heaskedabruptly。
　　Sheshookherhead，buthedrewthecoverhigherup，andstoopedtotuckitinabouttheankles。Shecontinuedtolookstraightahead。Tearsofwearinessandweaknessweredimminghereyesandbeginningtorunover，butshedarednotwipethemawaylestheshouldobservethegesture。
　　Theydroveinsilence，followingthelongloopsofthedescentuponHamblin，andMr。Royalldidnotspeakagaintilltheyreachedtheoutskirtsofthevillage。
　　Thenheletthereinsdrooponthedashboardanddrewouthiswatch。
　　"Charity，"hesaid，"youlookfairdoneup，andNorthDormer’sagoodishwayoff。I’vefiguredoutthatwe’ddobettertostopherelongenoughforyoutogetamouthfulofbreakfastandthendrivedowntoCrestonandtakethetrain。"
　　Sherousedherselffromherapatheticmusing。"Thetrain——whattrain？"
　　Mr。Royall，withoutanswering，letthehorsejogontilltheyreachedthedoorofthefirsthouseinthevillage。"ThisisoldMrs。Hobart’splace，"hesaid。
　　"She’llgiveussomethinghottodrink。"
　　Charity，halfunconsciously，foundherselfgettingoutofthebuggyandfollowinghiminattheopendoor。
　　Theyenteredadecentkitchenwithafirecracklinginthestove。Anoldwomanwithakindlyfacewassettingoutcupsandsaucersonthetable。Shelookedupandnoddedastheycamein，andMr。Royalladvancedtothestove，clappinghisnumbhandstogether。
　　"Well，Mrs。Hobart，yougotanybreakfastforthisyounglady？Youcanseeshe’scoldandhungry。"
　　Mrs。HobartsmiledonCharityandtookatincoffee—potfromthefire。"My，youdolookprettymean，"shesaidcompassionately。
　　Charityreddened，andsatdownatthetable。Afeelingofcompletepassivenesshadoncemorecomeoverher，andshewasconsciousonlyofthepleasantanimalsensationsofwarmthandrest。
　　Mrs。Hobartputbreadandmilkonthetable，andthenwentoutofthehouse：Charitysawherleadingthehorseawaytothebarnacrosstheyard。Shedidnotcomeback，andMr。RoyallandCharitysataloneatthetablewiththesmokingcoffeebetweenthem。Hepouredoutacupforher，andputapieceofbreadinthesaucer，andshebegantoeat。
　　Asthewarmthofthecoffeeflowedthroughherveinsherthoughtsclearedandshebegantofeellikealivingbeingagain;butthereturntolifewassopainfulthatthefoodchokedinherthroatandshesatstaringdownatthetableinsilentanguish。
　　AfterawhileMr。Royallpushedbackhischair。"Now，then，"hesaid，"ifyou’reamindtogoalong————"Shedidnotmove，andhecontinued："WecanpickupthenoontrainforNettletonifyousayso。"
　　Thewordssentthebloodrushingtoherface，andsheraisedherstartledeyestohis。Hewasstandingontheothersideofthetablelookingatherkindlyandgravely;andsuddenlysheunderstoodwhathewasgoingtosay。Shecontinuedtositmotionless，aleadenweightuponherlips。
　　"Youandmehavespokesomehardthingstoeachotherinourtime，Charity;andthere’snogoodthatIcanseeinanymoretalkingnow。ButI’llneverfeelanywaybutoneaboutyou;andifyousaysowe’lldrivedownintimetocatchthattrain，andgostraighttotheminister’shouse;andwhenyoucomebackhomeyou’llcomeasMrs。Royall。"
　　HisvoicehadthegravepersuasiveaccentthathadmovedhishearersattheHomeWeekfestival;shehadasenseofdepthsofmournfultoleranceunderthateasytone。Herwholebodybegantotremblewiththedreadofherownweakness。
　　"Oh，Ican’t————"sheburstoutdesperately。
　　"Can’twhat？"
　　Sheherselfdidnotknow：shewasnotsureifshewasrejectingwhatheoffered，oralreadystrugglingagainstthetemptationoftakingwhatshenolongerhadarightto。Shestoodup，shakingandbewildered，andbegantospeak：
　　"IknowIain’tbeenfairtoyoualways;butIwanttobenow……Iwantyoutoknow……Iwant……"Hervoicefailedherandshestopped。
　　Mr。Royallleanedagainstthewall。Hewaspalerthanusual，buthisfacewascomposedandkindlyandheragitationdidnotappeartoperturbhim。
　　"What’sallthisaboutwanting？"hesaidasshepaused。
　　"Doyouknowwhatyoureallywant？I’lltellyou。Youwanttobetookhomeandtookcareof。AndIguessthat’sallthereistosay。"
　　"No……it’snotall……"
　　"Ain’tit？"Helookedathiswatch。"Well，I’lltellyouanotherthing。AllIwantistoknowifyou’llmarryme。Iftherewasanythingelse，I’dtellyouso;
　　butthereain’t。Cometomyage，amanknowsthethingsthatmatterandthethingsthatdon’t;that’sabouttheonlygoodturnlifedoesus。"
　　Histonewassostrongandresolutethatitwaslikeasupportingarmabouther。Shefeltherresistancemelting，herstrengthslippingawayfromherashespoke。
　　"Don’tcry，Charity，"heexclaimedinashakenvoice。
　　Shelookedup，startledathisemotion，andtheireyesmet。
　　"Seehere，"hesaidgently，"oldDan’scomealongdistance，andwe’vegottolethimtakeiteasytherestoftheway……"
　　Hepickedupthecloakthathadslippedtoherchairandlaiditabouthershoulders。Shefollowedhimoutofthehouse，andthenwalkedacrosstheyardtotheshed，wherethehorsewastied。Mr。
　　Royallunblanketedhimandledhimoutintotheroad。
　　Charitygotintothebuggyandhedrewthecoveraboutherandshookoutthereinswithacluck。Whentheyreachedtheendofthevillageheturnedthehorse’sheadtowardCreston。
　　XVIII
　　TheybegantojogdownthewindingroadtothevalleyatoldDan’slanguidpace。Charityfeltherselfsinkingintodeeperdepthsofweariness，andastheydescendedthroughthebarewoodsthereweremomentswhenshelosttheexactsenseofthings，andseemedtobesittingbesideherloverwiththeleafyarchofsummerbendingoverthem。Butthisillusionwasfaintandtransitory。Forthemostpartshehadonlyaconfusedsensationofslippingdownasmoothirresistiblecurrent;andsheabandonedherselftothefeelingasarefugefromthetormentofthought。
　　Mr。Royallseldomspoke，buthissilentpresencegaveher，forthefirsttime，asenseofpeaceandsecurity。
　　Sheknewthatwherehewastherewouldbewarmth，rest，silence;andforthemomenttheywereallshewanted。
　　Sheshuthereyes，andeventhesethingsgrewdimtoher……
　　Inthetrain，duringtheshortrunfromCrestontoNettleton，thewarmtharousedher，andtheconsciousnessofbeingunderstrangeeyesgaveheramomentaryenergy。Shesatupright，facingMr。
　　Royall，andstaredoutofthewindowatthedenudedcountry。Forty—eighthoursearlier，whenshehadlasttraversedit，manyofthetreesstillheldtheirleaves;butthehighwindofthelasttwonightshadstrippedthem，andthelinesofthelandscape’wereasfinelypencilledasinDecember。AfewdaysofautumncoldhadwipedoutalltraceoftherichfieldsandlanguidgrovesthroughwhichshehadpassedontheFourthofJuly;andwiththefadingofthelandscapethosefervidhourshadfaded，too。Shecouldnolongerbelievethatshewasthebeingwhohadlivedthem;shewassomeonetowhomsomethingirreparableandoverwhelminghadhappened，butthetracesofthestepsleadinguptoithadalmostvanished。
　　WhenthetrainreachedNettletonandshewalkedoutintothesquareatMr。Royall’ssidethesenseofunrealitygrewmoreoverpowering。ThephysicalstrainofthenightanddayhadleftnoroominhermindfornewsensationsandshefollowedMr。Royallaspassivelyasatiredchild。Asinaconfuseddreamshepresentlyfoundherselfsittingwithhiminapleasantroom，atatablewitharedandwhitetable—clothonwhichhotfoodandteawereplaced。HefilledhercupandplateandwheneversheliftedhereyesfromthemshefoundhisrestingonherwiththesamesteadytranquilgazethathadreassuredandstrengthenedherwhentheyhadfacedeachotherinoldMrs。Hobart’skitchen。Aseverythingelseinherconsciousnessgrewmoreandmoreconfusedandimmaterial，becamemoreandmoreliketheuniversalshimmerthatdissolvestheworldtofailingeyes，Mr。Royall’spresencebegantodetachitselfwithrockyfirmnessfromthiselusivebackground。Shehadalwaysthoughtofhim——whenshethoughtofhimatall——
　　asofsomeonehatefulandobstructive，butwhomshecouldoutwitanddominatewhenshechosetomaketheeffort。Onlyonce，onthedayoftheOldHomeWeekcelebration，whilethestrayfragmentsofhisaddressdriftedacrosshertroubledmind，hadshecaughtaglimpseofanotherbeing，abeingsodifferentfromthedull—wittedenemywithwhomshehadsupposedherselftobelivingthateventhroughtheburningmistofherowndreamshehadstoodoutwithstartlingdistinctness。
　　Foramoment，then，whathesaid——andsomethinginhiswayofsayingit——hadmadeherseewhyhehadalwaysstruckherassuchalonelyman。Butthemistofherdreamshadhiddenhimagain，andshehadforgottenthatfugitiveimpression。
　　Itcamebacktohernow，astheysatatthetable，andgaveher，throughherownimmeasurabledesolation，asuddensenseoftheirnearnesstoeachother。Butallthesefeelingswereonlybriefstreaksoflightinthegreyblurofherphysicalweakness。ThroughitshewasawarethatMr。Royallpresentlylefthersittingbythetableinthewarmroom，andcamebackafteranintervalwithacarriagefromthestation——aclosed"hack"withsun—burntbluesilkblinds——inwhichtheydrovetogethertoahousecoveredwithcreepersandstandingnexttoachurchwithacarpetofturfbeforeit。Theygotoutatthishouse，andthecarriagewaitedwhiletheywalkedupthepathandenteredawainscotedhallandthenaroomfullofbooks。InthisroomaclergymanwhomCharityhadneverseenreceivedthempleasantly，andaskedthemtobeseatedforafewminuteswhilewitnesseswerebeingsummoned。
　　Charitysatdownobediently，andMr。Royall，hishandsbehindhisback，pacedslowlyupanddowntheroom。AsheturnedandfacedCharity，shenoticedthathislipsweretwitchingalittle;butthelookinhiseyeswasgraveandcalm。Oncehepausedbeforeherandsaidtimidly："Yourhair’sgotkinderloosewiththewind，"
　　andsheliftedherhandsandtriedtosmoothbackthelocksthathadescapedfromherbraid。Therewasalooking—glassinacarvedframeonthewall，butshewasashamedtolookatherselfinit，andshesatwithherhandsfoldedonherkneetilltheclergymanreturned。Thentheywentoutagain，alongasortofarcadedpassage，andintoalowvaultedroomwithacrossonanaltar，androwsofbenches。Theclergyman，whohadleftthematthedoor，presentlyreappearedbeforethealtarinasurplice，andaladywhowasprobablyhiswife，andamaninablueshirtwhohadbeenrakingdeadleavesonthelawn，cameinandsatononeofthebenches。
　　TheclergymanopenedabookandsignedtoCharityandMr。Royalltoapproach。Mr。Royalladvancedafewsteps，andCharityfollowedhimasshehadfollowedhimtothebuggywhentheywentoutofMrs。Hobart’skitchen;shehadthefeelingthatifsheceasedtokeepclosetohim，anddowhathetoldhertodo，theworldwouldslipawayfrombeneathherfeet。
　　Theclergymanbegantoread，andonherdazedmindthererosethememoryofMr。Miles，standingthenightbeforeinthedesolatehouseoftheMountain，andreadingoutofthesamebookwordsthathadthesamedreadsoundoffinality：
　　"Irequireandchargeyouboth，asyewillansweratthedreadfuldayofjudgmentwhenthesecretsofallheartsshallbedisclosed，thatifeitherofyouknowanyimpedimentwherebyyemaynotbelawfullyjoinedtogether……"
　　CharityraisedhereyesandmetMr。Royall’s。Theywerestilllookingatherkindlyandsteadily。"I
　　will！"sheheardhimsayamomentlater，afteranotherintervalofwordsthatshehadfailedtocatch。Shewassobusytryingtounderstandthegesturesthattheclergymanwassignallingtohertomakethatshenolongerheardwhatwasbeingsaid。Afteranotherintervaltheladyonthebenchstoodup，andtakingherhandputitinMr。Royall’s。Itlayenclosedinhisstrongpalmandshefeltaringthatwastoobigforherbeingslippedonherthinfinger。Sheunderstoodthenthatshewasmarried……
　　LatethatafternoonCharitysataloneinabedroomofthefashionablehotelwheresheandHarneyhadvainlysoughtatableontheFourthofJuly。Shehadneverbeforebeeninsohandsomelyfurnishedaroom。
　　Themirrorabovethedressing—tablereflectedthehighhead—boardandflutedpillow—slipsofthedoublebed，andabedspreadsospotlesslywhitethatshehadhesitatedtolayherhatandjacketonit。Thehummingradiatordiffusedanatmosphereofdrowsywarmth，andthroughahalf—opendoorshesawtheglitterofthenickeltapsabovetwinmarblebasins。
　　Forawhilethelongturmoilofthenightanddayhadslippedawayfromherandshesatwithclosedeyes，surrenderingherselftothespellofwarmthandsilence。Butpresentlythismercifulapathywassucceededbythesuddenacutenessofvisionwithwhichsickpeoplesometimeswakeoutofaheavysleep。Assheopenedhereyestheyrestedonthepicturethathungabovethebed。Itwasalargeengravingwithadazzlingwhitemarginenclosedinawideframeofbird’s—eyemaplewithaninnerscrollofgold。Theengravingrepresentedayoungmaninaboatonalakeover—hungwithtrees。Hewasleaningovertogatherwater—liliesforthegirlinalightdresswholayamongthecushionsinthestern。Thescenewasfullofadrowsymidsummerradiance，andCharityavertedhereyesfromitand，risingfromherchair，begantowanderrestlesslyabouttheroom。
　　Itwasonthefifthfloor，anditsbroadwindowofplateglasslookedovertheroofsofthetown。Beyondthemstretchedawoodedlandscapeinwhichthelastfiresofsunsetwerepickingoutasteelygleam。
　　Charitygazedatthegleamwithstartledeyes。Eventhroughthegatheringtwilightsherecognizedthecontourofthesofthillsencirclingit，andthewaythemeadowsslopedtoitsedge。ItwasNettletonLakethatshewaslookingat。
　　Shestoodalongtimeinthewindowstaringoutatthefadingwater。Thesightofithadrousedherforthefirsttimetoarealizationofwhatshehaddone。Eventhefeelingoftheringonherhandhadnotbroughtherthissharpsenseoftheirretrievable。Foraninstanttheoldimpulseofflightsweptthroughher;butitwasonlytheliftofabrokenwing。Sheheardthedooropenbehindher，andMr。Royallcamein。
　　Hehadgonetothebarber’stobeshaved，andhisshaggygreyhairhadbeentrimmedandsmoothed。Hemovedstronglyandquickly，squaringhisshouldersandcarryinghisheadhigh，asifhedidnotwanttopassunnoticed。
　　"Whatareyoudoinginthedark？"hecalledoutinacheerfulvoice。Charitymadenoanswer。Hewentuptothewindowtodrawtheblind，andputtinghisfingeronthewallfloodedtheroomwithablazeoflightfromthecentralchandelier。Inthisunfamiliarilluminationhusbandandwifefacedeachotherawkwardlyforamoment;thenMr。Royallsaid："We’llstepdownandhavesomesupper，ifyousayso。"
　　Thethoughtoffoodfilledherwithrepugnance;butnotdaringtoconfessitshesmoothedherhairandfollowedhimtothelift。
　　Anhourlater，comingoutoftheglareofthedining—
　　room，shewaitedinthemarble—panelledhallwhileMr。
　　Royall，beforethebrasslatticeofoneofthecornercounters，selectedacigarandboughtaneveningpaper。
　　Menwerelounginginrockingchairsundertheblazingchandeliers，travellerscomingandgoing，bellsringing，portersshufflingbywithluggage。OverMr。
　　Royall’sshoulder，asheleanedagainstthecounter，agirlwithherhairpuffedhighsmirkedandnoddedatadapperdrummerwhowasgettinghiskeyatthedeskacrossthehall。
　　Charitystoodamongthesecross—currentsoflifeasmotionlessandinertasifshehadbeenoneofthetablesscrewedtothemarblefloor。Allhersoulwasgatheredupintoonesicksenseofcomingdoom，andshewatchedMr。Royallinfascinatedterrorwhilehepinchedthecigarsinsuccessiveboxesandunfoldedhiseveningpaperwithasteadyhand。
　　Presentlyheturnedandjoinedher。"Yougorightalonguptobed——I’mgoingtositdownhereandhavemysmoke，"hesaid。Hespokeaseasilyandnaturallyasiftheyhadbeenanoldcouple，longusedtoeachother’sways，andhercontractedheartgaveaflutterofrelief。Shefollowedhimtothelift，andheputherinandenjoinedthebuttonedandbraidedboytoshowhertoherroom。
　　Shegropedherwayinthroughthedarkness，forgettingwheretheelectricbuttonwas，andnotknowinghowtomanipulateit。Butawhiteautumnmoonhadrisen，andtheilluminatedskyputapalelightintheroom。Byitsheundressed，andafterfoldinguptheruffledpillow—slipscrepttimidlyunderthespotlesscounterpane。Shehadneverfeltsuchsmoothsheetsorsuchlightwarmblankets;butthesoftnessofthebeddidnotsootheher。Shelaytheretremblingwithafearthatranthroughherveinslikeice。"WhathaveI
　　done？Oh，whathaveIdone？"shewhispered，shudderingtoherpillow;andpressingherfaceagainstittoshutoutthepalelandscapebeyondthewindowshelayinthedarknessstrainingherears，andshakingateveryfootstepthatapproached……
　　Suddenlyshesatupandpressedherhandsagainstherfrightenedheart。Afaintsoundhadtoldherthatsomeonewasintheroom;butshemusthavesleptintheinterval，forshehadheardnooneenter。Themoonwassettingbeyondtheoppositeroofs，andinthedarknessoutlinedagainstthegreysquareofthewindow，shesawafigureseatedintherocking—chair。Thefiguredidnotmove：itwassunkdeepinthechair，withbowedheadandfoldedarms，andshesawthatitwasMr。
　　Royallwhosatthere。Hehadnotundressed，buthadtakentheblanketfromthefootofthebedandlaiditacrosshisknees。Tremblingandholdingherbreathshewatchedhim，fearingthathehadbeenrousedbyhermovement;buthedidnotstir，andsheconcludedthathewishedhertothinkhewasasleep。
　　Asshecontinuedtowatchhimineffablereliefstoleslowlyoverher，relaxingherstrainednervesandexhaustedbody。Heknew，then……heknew……itwasbecauseheknewthathehadmarriedher，andthathesatthereinthedarknesstoshowhershewassafewithhim。Astirofsomethingdeeperthanshehadeverfeltinthinkingofhimflittedthroughhertiredbrain，andcautiously，noiselessly，sheletherheadsinkonthepillow……
　　Whenshewoketheroomwasfullofmorninglight，andherfirstglanceshowedherthatshewasaloneinit。
　　Shegotupanddressed，andasshewasfasteningherdressthedooropened，andMr。Royallcamein。Helookedoldandtiredinthebrightdaylight，buthisfaceworethesameexpressionofgravefriendlinessthathadreassuredherontheMountain。Itwasasifallthedarkspiritshadgoneoutofhim。
　　Theywentdownstairstothedining—roomforbreakfast，andafterbreakfasthetoldherhehadsomeinsurancebusinesstoattendto。"IguesswhileI’mdoingityou’dbetterstepoutandbuyyourselfwhateveryouneed。"Hesmiled，andaddedwithanembarrassedlaugh："YouknowIalwayswantedyoutobeatalltheothergirls。"Hedrewsomethingfromhispocket，andpusheditacrossthetabletoher;andshesawthathehadgivenhertwotwenty—dollarbills。"Ifitain’tenoughthere’smorewherethatcomefrom——Iwantyoutobeat’emallhollow，"herepeated。
　　Sheflushedandtriedtostammeroutherthanks，buthehadpushedbackhischairandwasleadingthewayoutofthedining—room。Inthehallhepausedaminutetosaythatifitsuitedhertheywouldtakethethreeo’clocktrainbacktoNorthDormer;thenhetookhishatandcoatfromtherackandwentout。
　　AfewminuteslaterCharitywentout，too。Shehadwatchedtoseeinwhatdirectionhewasgoing，andshetooktheoppositewayandwalkedquicklydownthemainstreettothebrickbuildingonthecornerofLakeAvenue。Thereshepausedtolookcautiouslyupanddownthethoroughfare，andthenclimbedthebrass—boundstairstoDr。Merkle’sdoor。Thesamebushy—headedmulattogirladmittedher，andafterthesameintervalofwaitingintheredplushparlorshewasoncemoresummonedtoDr。Merkle’soffice。Thedoctorreceivedherwithoutsurprise，andledherintotheinnerplushsanctuary。
　　"Ithoughtyou’dbeback，butyou’vecomeamitetoosoon：Itoldyoutobepatientandnotfret，"sheobserved，afterapauseofpenetratingscrutiny。
　　Charitydrewthemoneyfromherbreast。"I’vecometogetmybluebrooch，"shesaid，flushing。
　　"Yourbrooch？"Dr。Merkleappearednottoremember。
　　"My，yes——Igetsomanythingsofthatkind。Well，mydear，you’llhavetowaitwhileIgetitoutofthesafe。Idon’tleavevaluableslikethatlayingroundlikethenoospaper。"
　　Shedisappearedforamoment，andreturnedwithabitoftwisted—uptissuepaperfromwhichsheunwrappedthebrooch。
　　Charity，asshelookedatit，feltastirofwarmthatherheart。Sheheldoutaneagerhand。
　　"Haveyougotthechange？"sheaskedalittlebreathlessly，layingoneofthetwenty—dollarbillsonthetable。
　　"Change？What’dIwanttohavechangefor？Ionlyseetwotwentiesthere，"Dr。Merkleansweredbrightly。
　　Charitypaused，disconcerted。"Ithought……yousaiditwasfivedollarsavisit……"
　　"ForYOU，asafavour——Idid。Buthowabouttheresponsibilityandtheinsurance？Idon’ts’poseyoueverthoughtofthat？Thispin’sworthahundreddollarseasy。Ifithadgotlostorstole，where’dI
　　beenwhenyoucometoclaimit？"
　　Charityremainedsilent，puzzledandhalf—convincedbytheargument，andDr。Merklepromptlyfollowedupheradvantage。"Ididn’taskyouforyourbrooch，mydear。
　　I’dagooddealrutherfolkspaidmemyregularchargethanhave’emputmetoallthistrouble。"
　　Shepaused，andCharity，seizedwithadesperatelongingtoescape，rosetoherfeetandheldoutoneofthebills。
　　"Willyoutakethat？"sheasked。
　　"No，Iwon’ttakethat，mydear;butI’lltakeitwithitsmate，andhandyouoverasignedreceiptifyoudon’ttrustme。"
　　"Oh，butIcan’t——it’sallI’vegot，"Charityexclaimed。
　　Dr。Merklelookedupatherpleasantlyfromtheplushsofa。"Itseemsyougotmarriedyesterday，uptothe’Piscopalchurch;Iheardallabouttheweddingfromtheminister’schore—man。Itwouldbeapity，wouldn’tit，toletMr。Royallknowyouhadanaccountrunninghere？Ijustputittoyouasyourownmothermight。"
　　AngerflamedupinCharity，andforaninstantshethoughtofabandoningthebroochandlettingDr。Merkledoherworst。Buthowcouldsheleaveheronlytreasurewiththatevilwoman？Shewanteditforherbaby：shemeantit，insomemysteriousway，tobealinkbetweenHarney’schildanditsunknownfather。
　　Tremblingandhatingherselfwhileshedidit，shelaidMr。Royall’smoneyonthetable，andcatchingupthebroochfledoutoftheroomandthehouse……
　　Inthestreetshestoodstill，dazedbythislastadventure。Butthebroochlayinherbosomlikeatalisman，andshefeltasecretlightnessofheart。Itgaveherstrength，afteramoment，towalkonslowlyinthedirectionofthepostoffice，andgointhroughtheswingingdoors。Atoneofthewindowssheboughtasheetofletter—paper，anenvelopeandastamp;thenshesatdownatatableanddippedtherustypostofficepeninink。ShehadcometherepossessedwithafearwhichhadhauntedhereversinceshehadfeltMr。
　　Royall’sringonherfinger：thefearthatHarneymight，afterall，freehimselfandcomebacktoher。Itwasapossibilitywhichhadneveroccurredtoherduringthedreadfulhoursaftershehadreceivedhisletter;onlywhenthedecisivestepshehadtakenmadelongingturntoapprehensiondidsuchacontingencyseemconceivable。Sheaddressedtheenvelope，andonthesheetofpapershewrote：
　　I’mmarriedtoMr。Royall。I’llalwaysrememberyou。
　　CHARITY。
　　Thelastwordswerenotintheleastwhatshehadmeanttowrite;theyhadflowedfromherpenirresistibly。
　　Shehadnothadthestrengthtocompletehersacrifice;
　　but，afterall，whatdiditmatter？NowthattherewasnochanceofeverseeingHarneyagain，whyshouldshenottellhimthetruth？
　　Whenshehadputtheletterintheboxshewentoutintothebusysunlitstreetandbegantowalktothehotel。Behindtheplateglasswindowsofthedepartmentstoresshenoticedthetemptingdisplayofdressesanddress—materialsthathadfiredherimaginationonthedaywhensheandHarneyhadlookedinatthemtogether。
　　TheyremindedherofMr。Royall’sinjunctiontogooutandbuyallsheneeded。Shelookeddownathershabbydress，andwonderedwhatsheshouldsaywhenhesawhercomingbackempty—handed。Asshedrewnearthehotelshesawhimwaitingonthedoorstep，andherheartbegantobeatwithapprehension。
　　Henoddedandwavedhishandatherapproach，andtheywalkedthroughthehallandwentupstairstocollecttheirpossessions，sothatMr。Royallmightgiveupthekeyoftheroomwhentheywentdownagainfortheirmiddaydinner。Inthebedroom，whileshewasthrustingbackintothesatchelthefewthingsshehadbroughtawaywithher，shesuddenlyfeltthathiseyeswereonherandthathewasgoingtospeak。Shestoodstill，herhalf—foldednight—gowninherhand，whilethebloodrusheduptoherdrawncheeks。
　　"Well，didyourigyourselfouthandsomely？Ihaven’tseenanybundlesround，"hesaidjocosely。
　　"Oh，I’dratherletAllyHawesmakethefewthingsI
　　want，"sheanswered。
　　"Thatso？"Helookedatherthoughtfullyforamomentandhiseye—browsprojectedinascowl。Thenhisfacegrewfriendlyagain。"Well，Iwantedyoutogobacklookingstylisherthananyofthem;butIguessyou’reright。You’reagoodgirl，Charity。"
　　Theireyesmet，andsomethingroseinhisthatshehadneverseenthere：alookthatmadeherfeelashamedandyetsecure。
　　"Iguessyou’regood，too，"shesaid，shylyandquickly。Hesmiledwithoutanswering，andtheywentoutoftheroomtogetheranddroppeddowntothehallintheglitteringlift。
　　Latethatevening，inthecoldautumnmoonlight，theydroveuptothedooroftheredhouse。