Inthemeantime，affairshadbeengoingquietlyatMercyFarm。
　　Lilla，ofcourse，feltlonelyintheabsenceofhercousin，buttheeventenoroflifewentonforherasforothers。Afterthefirstshockofpartingwasover，thingswentbacktotheiraccustomedroutine。Inonerespect，however，therewasamarkeddifference。
　　Solongashomeconditionshadremainedunchanged，Lillawascontenttoputambitionfarfromher，andtosettledowntothelifewhichhadbeenhersaslongasshecouldremember。ButMimi’smarriagesetherthinking;naturally，shecametotheconclusionthatshetoomighthaveamate。Therewasnotforhermuchchoice——therewaslittlemovementinthematrimonialdirectionatthefarmhouse。ShedidnotapproveofthepersonalityofEdgarCaswall，andhisstrugglewithMimihadfrightenedher;buthewasunmistakablyanexcellentPARTI，muchbetterthanshecouldhaveanyrighttoexpect。Thisweighsmuchwithawoman，andmoreparticularlyoneofherclass。So，onthewhole，shewascontenttoletthingstaketheircourse，andtoabidebytheissue。
　　Astimewenton，shehadreasontobelievethatthingsdidnotpointtohappiness。Shecouldnotshuthereyestocertaindisturbingfacts，amongstwhichweretheexistenceofLadyArabellaandhergrowingintimacywithEdgarCaswall;aswellashisowncoldandhaughtynature，solittleinaccordwiththeardourwhichisthefoundationofayoungmaid’sdreamsofhappiness。Howthingswould，ofnecessity，alterifsheweretomarry，shewasafraidtothink。
　　Alltold，theprospectwasnothappyforher，andshehadasecretlongingthatsomethingmightoccurtoupsettheorderofthingsasatpresentarranged。
　　WhenLillareceivedanotefromEdgarCaswallaskingifhemightcometoteaonthefollowingafternoon，herheartsankwithinher。
　　Ifitwasonlyforherfather’ssake，shemustnotrefusehimorshowanydisinclinationwhichhemightconstrueintoincivility。
　　ShemissedMimimorethanshecouldsayorevendaredtothink。
　　Hitherto，shehadalwayslookedtohercousinforsympathy，forunderstanding，forloyalsupport。Nowsheandallthesethings，andathousandothers——gentle，assuring，supporting——weregone。Andinsteadtherewasahorribleachingvoid。
　　Forthewholeafternoonandevening，andforthefollowingforenoon，poorLilla’slonelinessgrewtobeapositiveagony。Forthefirsttimeshebegantorealisethesenseofherloss，asthoughalltheprevioussufferinghadbeenmerelyapreparation。Everythingshelookedat，everythingsherememberedorthoughtof，becameladenwithpoignantmemory。Thenonthetopofallwasanewsenseofdread。Thereactionfromthesenseofsecurity，whichhadsurroundedherallherlife，toanever—quietedapprehension，wasattimesalmostmorethanshecouldbear。Itsofilledherwithfearthatshehadahauntingfeelingthatshewouldassoondieaslive。
　　However，whatevermightbeherownfeelings，dutyhadtobedone，andasshehadbeenbroughtuptoconsiderdutyfirst，shebracedherselftogothrough，totheverybestofherability，whatwasbeforeher。
　　Still，thesevereandprolongedstruggleforself—controltolduponLilla。Shelooked，asshefelt，illandweak。Shewasreallyinanervelessandprostratecondition，withblackcirclesroundhereyes，paleeventoherlips，andwithaninstinctivetremblingwhichshewasquiteunabletorepress。ItwasforherasadmischancethatMimiwasaway，forherlovewouldhaveseenthroughallobscuringcauses，andhavebroughttolightthegirl’sunhappyconditionofhealth。Lillawasutterlyunabletodoanythingtoescapefromtheordealbeforeher;buthercousin，withtheexperienceofherformerstruggleswithMr。Caswallandoftheconditioninwhichtheselefther，wouldhavetakensteps——evenperemptoryones，ifnecessary——topreventarepetition。
　　Edgararrivedpunctuallytothetimeappointedbyherself。WhenLilla，throughthegreatwindow，sawhimapproachingthehouse，herconditionofnervousupsetwaspitiable。Shebracedherselfup，however，andmanagedtogetthroughtheinterviewinitspreliminarystageswithoutanyperceptiblechangeinhernormalappearanceandbearing。IthadbeentoheranaddedterrorthattheblackshadowofOolanga，whomshedreaded，wouldfollowhardonhismaster。A
　　loadwasliftedfromhermindwhenhedidnotmakehisusualstealthyapproach。Shehadalsofeared，thoughinlesserdegree，lestLadyArabellashouldbepresenttomaketroubleforherasbefore。
　　Withawoman’snaturalforethoughtinadifficultposition，shehadprovidedthefurnishingofthetea—tableasasubtleindicationofthesocialdifferencebetweenherandherguest。Shehadchosentheimplementsofservice，aswellasalltheprovendersetforth，ofthehumblestkind。Insteadofarrangingthesilverteapotandchinacups，shehadsetoutanearthentea—pot，suchaswasincommonuseinthefarmkitchen。Thesameideawascarriedoutinthecupsandsaucersofthickhomelydelft，andinthecream—jugofsimilarkind。
　　Thebreadwasofsimplewhole—meal，home—baked。Thebutterwasgood，sinceshehadmadeitherself，whilethepreservesandhoneycamefromherowngarden。Herfacebeamedwithsatisfactionwhentheguesteyedtheappointmentswithasuperciliousglance。Itwasashocktothepoorgirlherself，forsheenjoyedofferingtoaguestthelittlehospitalitiespossibletoher;butthathadtobesacrificedwithotherpleasures。
　　Caswall’sfacewasmoresetandiron—cladthanever——hispiercingeyesseemedfromtheverybeginningtolookherthroughandthrough。
　　Herheartquailedwhenshethoughtofwhatwouldfollow——ofwhatwouldbetheend，whenthiswasonlythebeginning。Assomeprotection，thoughitcouldbeonlyofasentimentalkind，shebroughtfromherownroomthephotographsofMimi，ofhergrandfather，andofAdamSalton，whombynowshehadgrowntolookonwithreliance，asabrotherwhomshecouldtrust。Shekeptthepicturesnearherheart，towhichherhandnaturallystrayedwhenherfeelingsofconstraint，distrust，orfearbecamesopoignantastointerferewiththecalmwhichshefeltwasnecessarytohelpherthroughherordeal。
　　AtfirstEdgarCaswallwascourteousandpolite，eventhoughtful;
　　butafteralittlewhile，whenhefoundherresistancetohisdominationgrow，heabandonedallformsofself—controlandappearedinthesamedominanceashehadpreviouslyshown。Shewasprepared，however，forthis，bothbyherformerexperienceandthenaturalfightinginstinctwithinher。Bythismeans，astheminuteswenton，bothdevelopedthepowerandpreservedtheequalityinwhichtheyhadbegun。
　　Withoutwarning，thepsychicbattlebetweenthetwoindividualitiesbeganafresh。Thistimeboththepositiveandnegativecauseswereallinfavouroftheman。Thewomanwasaloneandinbadspirits，unsupported;nothingatallwasinherfavourexceptthememoryofthetwovictoriouscontests;whereastheman，thoughunaided，asbefore，byeitherLadyArabellaorOolanga，wasinfullstrength，wellrested，andinflourishingcircumstances。Itwasnot，therefore，tobewonderedatthathisnativedominanceofcharacterhadfullopportunityofassertingitself。Hebeganhispreliminarystarewithaconscioussenseofpower，and，asitappearedtohaveimmediateeffectonthegirl，hefeltanever—growingconvictionofultimatevictory。
　　AfteralittleLilla’sresolutionbegantoflag。Shefeltthatthecontestwasunequal——thatshewasunabletoputforthherbestefforts。Asshewasanunselfishperson，shecouldnotfightsowellinherownbattleasinthatofsomeonewhomshelovedandtowhomshewasdevoted。Edgarsawtherelaxingofthemusclesoffaceandbrow，andthealmostcollapseoftheheavyeyelidswhichseemedtumblingdownwardinsleep。Lillamadegallanteffortstobraceherdwindlingpowers，butforatimeunsuccessfully。Atlengththerecameaninterruption，whichseemedlikeapowerfulstimulant。
　　ThroughthewidewindowshesawLadyArabellaentertheplaingatewayofthefarm，andadvancetowardsthehalldoor。Shewascladasusualintight—fittingwhite，whichaccentuatedherthin，sinuousfigure。
　　ThesightdidforLillawhatnovoluntaryeffortcouldhavedone。
　　Hereyesflashed，andinaninstantshefeltasthoughanewlifehadsuddenlydevelopedwithinher。LadyArabella’sentry，inherusualunconcerned，haughty，superciliousway，heightenedtheeffect，sothatwhenthetwostoodclosetoeachotherbattlewasjoined。
　　Mr。Caswall，too，tooknewcouragefromhercoming，andallhismasterfulnessandpowercamebacktohim。Hislooks，intensified，hadmoreobviouseffectthanhadbeennoticeablethatday。Lillaseemedatlastovercomebyhisdominance。Herfacebecameredandpale——violentlyredandghastlypale——byrapidturns。Herstrengthseemedgone。Herkneescollapsed，andshewasactuallysinkingonthefloor，whentohersurpriseandjoyMimicameintotheroom，runninghurriedlyandbreathingheavily。
　　Lillarushedtoher，andthetwoclaspedhands。Withthat，anewsenseofpower，greaterthanLillahadeverseeninher，seemedtoquickenhercousin。HerhandswepttheairinfrontofEdgarCaswall，seemingtodrivehimbackwardmoreandmorebyeachmovement，tillatlastheseemedtobeactuallyhurledthroughthedoorwhichMimi’sentrancehadleftopen，andfellatfulllengthonthegravelpathwithout。
　　ThencamethefinalandcompletecollapseofLilla，who，withoutasound，sankdownonthefloor。
　　CHAPTERXXVI——FACETOFACE
　　Mimiwasgreatlydistressedwhenshesawhercousinlyingprone。
　　ShehadafewtimesinherlifeseenLillaonthevergeoffainting，butneversenseless;andnowshewasfrightened。ShethrewherselfonherkneesbesideLilla，andtried，byrubbingherhandsandothermeasurescommonlyknown，torestoreher。Butallhereffortswereunavailing。Lillastilllaywhiteandsenseless。Infact，eachmomentshelookedworse;herbreast，thathadbeenheavingwiththestress，becamestill，andthepallorofherfacegrewlikemarble。
　　AtthesesucceedingchangesMimi’sfrightgrew，tillitaltogethermasteredher。Shesucceededincontrollingherselfonlytotheextentthatshedidnotscream。
　　LadyArabellahadfollowedCaswall，whenhehadrecoveredsufficientlytogetupandwalk——thoughstumblingly——inthedirectionofCastraRegis。WhenMimiwasquitealonewithLillaandtheneedforefforthadceased，shefeltweakandtrembled。Inherownmind，sheattributedittoasuddenchangeintheweather——itwasmomentarilybecomingapparentthatastormwascomingon。
　　SheraisedLilla’sheadandlaiditonherwarmyoungbreast，butallinvain。Thecoldofthewhitefeaturesthrilledthroughher，andsheutterlycollapsedwhenitwasborneinonherthatLillahadpassedaway。
　　Theduskgraduallydeepenedandtheshadesofeveningclosedin，butMimididnotseemtonoticeortocare。Shesatonthefloorwithherarmsroundthebodyofthegirlwhomsheloved。Darkerandblackergrewtheskyasthecomingstormandtheclosingnightjoinedforces。Stillshesaton——alone——tearless——unabletothink。
　　Mimididnotknowhowlongshesatthere。Thoughitseemedtoherthatageshadpassed，itcouldnothavebeenmorethanhalf—an—hour。
　　Shesuddenlycametoherself，andwassurprisedtofindthathergrandfatherhadnotreturned。Forawhileshelayquiet，thinkingoftheimmediatepast。Lilla’shandwasstillinhers，andtohersurpriseitwasstillwarm。Somehowthishelpedherconsciousness，andwithoutanyspecialactofwillshestoodup。Shelitalampandlookedathercousin。TherewasnodoubtthatLillawasdead;
　　butwhenthelamp—lightfellonhereyes，theyseemedtolookatMimiwithintent——withmeaning。Inthisstateofdarkisolationanewresolutioncametoher，andgrewandgrewuntilitbecameafixeddefinitepurpose。ShewouldfaceCaswallandcallhimtoaccountforhismurderofLilla——thatwaswhatshecalledittoherself。Shewouldalsotakesteps——sheknewnotwhatorhow——toavengetheparttakenbyLadyArabella。
　　Inthisframeofmindshelitallthelampsintheroom，gotwaterandlinenfromherroom，andsetaboutthedecentorderingofLilla’sbody。Thistooksometime;butwhenitwasfinished，sheputonherhatandcloak，putoutthelights，andsetoutquietlyforCastraRegis。
　　AsMimidrewneartheCastle，shesawnolightsexceptthoseinandaroundthetowerroom。ThelightsshowedherthatMr。Caswallwasthere，sosheenteredbythehalldoor，whichasusualwasopen，andfeltherwayinthedarknessupthestaircasetothelobbyoftheroom。Thedoorwasajar，andthelightfromwithinshowedbrilliantlythroughtheopening。ShesawEdgarCaswallwalkingrestlesslytoandfrointheroom，withhishandsclaspedbehindhisback。Sheopenedthedoorwithoutknocking，andwalkedrightintotheroom。Assheentered，heceasedwalking，andstaredatherinsurprise。Shemadenoremark，nocomment，butcontinuedthefixedlookwhichhehadseenonherentrance。
　　Foratimesilencereigned，andthetwostoodlookingfixedlyateachother。Mimiwasthefirsttospeak。
　　"Youmurderer！Lillaisdead！"
　　"Dead！GoodGod！Whendidshedie？"
　　"Shediedthisafternoon，justafteryoulefther。"
　　"Areyousure？"
　　"Yes——andsoareyou——oryououghttobe。Youkilledher！"
　　"Ikilledher！Becarefulwhatyousay！"
　　"AsGodseesus，itistrue;andyouknowit。YoucametoMercyFarmonpurposetobreakher——ifyoucould。Andtheaccompliceofyourguilt，LadyArabellaMarch，cameforthesamepurpose。"
　　"Becareful，woman，"hesaidhotly。"Donotusesuchnamesinthatway，oryoushallsufferforit。"
　　"Iamsufferingforit——havesufferedforit——shallsufferforit。
　　NotforspeakingthetruthasIhavedone，butbecauseyoutwo，withdevilishmalignity，didmydarlingtodeath。Itisyouandyouraccomplicewhohavetodreadpunishment，notI。"
　　"Takecare！"hesaidagain。
　　"Oh，Iamnotafraidofyouoryouraccomplice，"sheansweredspiritedly。"IamcontenttostandbyeverywordIhavesaid，everyactIhavedone。Moreover，IbelieveinGod’sjustice。IfearnotthegrindingofHismills;ifnecessaryIshallsetthewheelsinmotionmyself。Butyoudon’tcareforGod，orbelieveinHim。Yourgodisyourgreatkite，whichcowsthebirdsofawholedistrict。
　　ButbesurethatHishand，whenitrises，alwaysfallsattheappointedtime。ItmaybethatyournameisbeingcalledevenatthisverymomentattheGreatAssize。Repentwhilethereisstilltime。Happyyou，ifyoumaybeallowedtoenterthosemightyhallsinthecompanyofthepure—souledangelwhosevoicehasonlytowhisperonewordofjustice，andyoudisappearforeverintoeverlastingtorment。"
　　ThesuddendeathofLillacausedconsternationamongMimi’sfriendsandwell—wishers。Suchatragedywastotallyunexpected，asAdamandSirNathanielhadbeenexpectingtheWhiteWorm’svengeancetofalluponthemselves。
　　Adam，leavinghiswifefreetofollowherowndesireswithregardtoLillaandhergrandfather，busiedhimselfwithfillingthewell—holewiththefinesandpreparedforthepurpose，takingcaretohaveloweredatstatedintervalsquantitiesofthestoreofdynamite，soastobereadyforthefinalexplosion。Hehadunderhisimmediatesupervisionacorpsofworkmen，andwasassistedbySirNathaniel，whohadcomeoverforthepurpose，andallwerenowstayingatLesserHill。
　　Mr。Salton，too，showedmuchinterestinthejob，andwasconstantlycominginandout，nothingescapinghisobservation。
　　SincehermarriagetoAdamandtheircomingtostayatDoomTower，MimihadbeenfetteredbyfearofthehorriblemonsteratDiana’sGrove。Butnowshedreadeditnolonger。SheacceptedthefactofitsassumingatwilltheformofLadyArabella。ShehadstilltotaxandupbraidherforherpartintheunhappinesswhichhadbeenwroughtonLilla，andforhershareincausingherdeath。
　　Oneevening，whenMimienteredherownroom，shewenttothewindowandthrewaneagerlookroundthewholecircleofsight。AsingleglancesatisfiedherthattheWhiteWorminPROPRIAPERSONAwasnotvisible。Soshesatdowninthewindow—seatandenjoyedthepleasureofafullview，fromwhichshehadbeensolongcutoff。
　　ThemaidwhowaitedonherhadtoldherthatMr。Saltonhadnotyetreturnedhome，soshefeltfreetoenjoytheluxuryofpeaceandquiet。
　　Asshelookedoutofthewindow，shesawsomethingthinandwhitemovealongtheavenue。ShethoughtsherecognisedthefigureofLadyArabella，andinstinctivelydrewbackbehindthecurtain。Whenshehadascertained，bypeepingoutseveraltimes，thattheladyhadnotseenher，shewatchedmorecarefully，allherinstinctivehatredfloodingbackatthesightofher。LadyArabellawasmovingswiftlyandstealthily，lookingbackandaroundheratintervals，asifshefearedtobefollowed。ThisgaveMimianideathatshewasuptonogood，soshedeterminedtoseizetheoccasionforwatchingherinmoredetail。
　　Hastilyputtingonadarkcloakandhat，sherandownstairsandoutintotheavenue。LadyArabellahadmoved，butthesheenofherwhitedresswasstilltobeseenamongtheyoungoaksaroundthegateway。Keepinginshadow，Mimifollowed，takingcarenottocomesocloseastoawaketheother’ssuspicion，andwatchedherquarrypassalongtheroadinthedirectionofCastraRegis。
　　Shefollowedonsteadilythroughthegloomofthetrees，dependingontheglintofthewhitedresstokeepherright。Thewoodbegantothicken，andpresently，whentheroadwidenedandthetreesgrewfartherback，shelostsightofanyindicationofherwhereabouts。
　　Underthepresentconditionsitwasimpossibleforhertodoanymore，so，afterwaitingforawhile，stillhiddenintheshadowtoseeifshecouldcatchanotherglimpseofthewhitefrock，shedeterminedtogoonslowlytowardsCastraRegis，andtrusttothechapterofaccidentstopickupthetrailagain。Shewentonslowly，takingadvantageofeveryobstacleandshadowtokeepherselfconcealed。
　　AtlastsheenteredonthegroundsoftheCastle，ataspotfromwhichthewindowsoftheturretweredimlyvisible，withouthavingseenagainanysignofLadyArabella。
　　Meanwhile，duringmostofthetimethatMimiSaltonhadbeenmovingwarilyalonginthegloom，shewasinrealitybeingfollowedbyLadyArabella，whohadcaughtsightofherleavingthehouseandhadneveragainlosttouchwithher。Itwasacaseofthehunterbeinghunted。ForatimeMimi’smanyturnings，withthenaturalobstaclesthatwereperpetuallyintervening，causedLadyArabellasometrouble;butwhenshewasclosetoCastraRegis，therewasnomorepossibilityofconcealment，andthestrangedoublefollowingwentswiftlyon。
　　WhenshesawMimiclosetothehalldoorofCastraRegisandascendingthesteps，shefollowed。WhenMimienteredthedarkhallandfeltherwayupthestaircase，still，asshebelieved，followingLadyArabella，thelatterkeptonherway。Whentheyreachedthelobbyoftheturret—rooms，Mimibelievedthattheobjectofhersearchwasaheadofher。
　　EdgarCaswallsatinthegloomofthegreatroom，occasionallystirredtocuriositywhenthedriftingcloudsallowedalittlelighttofallfromthestorm—sweptsky。Butnothingreallyinterestedhimnow。SincehehadheardofLilla’sdeath，thegloomofhisremorse，emphasisedbyMimi’supbraiding，hadmademorehopelesshiscruel，selfish，saturninenature。Heheardnosound，forhisnormalfacultiesseemedbenumbed。
　　Mimi，whenshecametothedoor，whichstoodajar，gavealighttap。
　　SolightwasitthatitdidnotreachCaswall’sears。Then，takinghercourageinbothhands，sheboldlypushedthedoorandentered。
　　Asshedidso，herheartsank，fornowshewasfacetofacewithadifficultywhichhadnot，inherstateofmentalperturbation，occurredtoher。
　　CHAPTERXXVII——ONTHETURRETROOF
　　Thestormwhichwascomingwasalreadymakingitselfmanifest，notonlyinthewidescopeofnature，butintheheartsandnaturesofhumanbeings。Electricaldisturbanceintheskyandtheairisreproducedinanimalsofallkinds，andparticularlyinthehighesttypeofthemall——themostreceptive——themostelectrical。SoitwaswithEdgarCaswall，despitehisselfishnatureandcoldnessofblood。SoitwaswithMimiSalton，despiteherunselfish，unchangingdevotionforthosesheloved。SoitwasevenwithLadyArabella，who，undertheinstinctsofaprimevalserpent，carriedtheever—varyingwishesandcustomsofwomanhood，whichisalwaysold——andalwaysnew。
　　Edgar，afterhehadturnedhiseyesonMimi，resumedhisapatheticpositionandsullensilence。Mimiquietlytookaseatalittlewayapart，whenceshecouldlookontheprogressofthecomingstormandstudyitsappearancethroughoutthewholevisiblecircleoftheneighbourhood。Shewasinbrighterandbetterspiritsthanshehadbeenformanydayspast。LadyArabellatriedtoeffaceherselfbehindthenowopendoor。
　　Without，thecloudsgrewthickerandblackerasthestorm—centrecamecloser。Asyettheforces，fromwhoselinkingthelightningsprings，wereheldapart，andthesilenceofnatureproclaimedthecalmbeforethestorm。Caswallfelttheeffectofthegatheringelectricforce。Asortofwildexultationgrewuponhim，suchashehadsometimesfeltjustbeforethebreakingofatropicalstorm。Ashebecameconsciousofthis，heraisedhisheadandcaughtsightofMimi。Hewasinthegripofanemotiongreaterthanhimself;inthemoodinwhichhewashefelttheneeduponhimofdoingsomedesperatedeed。Hewasnowabsolutelyreckless，andasMimiwasassociatedwithhiminthememorywhichdrovehimon，hewishedthatshetooshouldbeengagedinthisenterprise。HehadnoknowledgeoftheproximityofLadyArabella，andthoughtthathewasfarremovedfromallheknewandwhoseinterestsheshared——alonewiththewildelements，whichwerebeinglashedtofury，andwiththewomanwhohadstruggledwithhimandvanquishedhim，andonwhomhewouldshowerthefullmeasureofhishate。
　　ThefactwasthatEdgarCaswallwas，ifnotmad，closetotheborder—line。Madnessinitsfirststage——monomania——isalackofproportion。Solongasthisisgeneral，itisnotalwaysnoticeable，fortheuninspiredonlookeriswithoutthenecessarymeansofcomparison。Butinmonomaniatheerrantfacultyprotrudesitselfinawaythatmaynotbedenied。Itputsaside，obscures，ortakestheplaceofsomethingelse——justastheheadofapinplacedbeforethecentreoftheiriswillblockoutthewholescopeofvision。ThemostusualformofmonomaniahascommonlythesamebeginningasthatfromwhichEdgarCaswallsuffered——anover—largeideaofself—importance。Alienists，whostudythematterexactly，probablyknowmoreofhumanvanityanditseffectsthandoordinarymen。Caswall’smentaldisturbancewasnothardtoidentify。Everyasylumisfullofsuchcases——menandwomen，who，naturallyselfishandegotistical，soappraisetothemselvestheirownimportancethateveryothercircumstanceinlifebecomessubservienttoit。Thediseasesuppliesinitselfthematerialforself—magnification。
　　Whenthedecadenceattacksanaturenaturallyproudandselfishandvain，andlackingboththeaptitudeandhabitofself—restraint，thedevelopmentofthediseaseismoreswift，andrangestofartherlimits。ItissuchpersonswhobecomeinbuedwiththeideathattheyhavetheattributesoftheAlmighty——eventhattheythemselvesaretheAlmighty。
　　Mimihadasuspicion——orrather，perhaps，anintuition——ofthetruestateofthingswhensheheardhimspeak，andatthesametimenoticedtheabnormalflushonhisface，andhisrollingeyes。Therewasacertainwantoffixednessofpurposewhichshehadcertainlynotnoticedbefore——aquick，spasmodicutterancewhichbelongsrathertotheinsanethantothoseofintellectualequilibrium。Shewasalittlefrightened，notonlybyhisthoughts，butbyhisstaccatowayofexpressingthem。
　　Caswallmovedtothedoorleadingtotheturretstairbywhichtheroofwasreached，andspokeinaperemptoryway，whosetonealonemadeherfeeldefiant。
　　"Come！Iwantyou。"
　　Sheinstinctivelydrewback——shewasnotaccustomedtosuchwords，moreespeciallytosuchatone。Heranswerwasindicativeofanewcontest。
　　"WhyshouldIgo？Whatfor？"
　　Hedidnotatoncereply——anotherindicationofhisoverwhelmingegotism。Sherepeatedherquestions;habitreasserteditself，andhespokewithoutthinkingthewordswhichwereinhisheart。
　　"Iwantyou，ifyouwillbesogood，tocomewithmetotheturretroof。Iammuchinterestedincertainexperimentswiththekite，whichwouldbe，ifnotapleasure，atleastanovelexperiencetoyou。Youwouldseesomethingnoteasilyseenotherwise。"
　　"Iwillcome，"sheansweredsimply;Edgarmovedinthedirectionofthestair，shefollowingclosebehindhim。
　　Shedidnotliketobeleftaloneatsuchaheight，insuchaplace，inthedarkness，withastormabouttobreak。Ofhimselfshehadnofear;allthathadbeenseemedtohavepassedawaywithhertwovictoriesoverhiminthestruggleofwills。Moreover，themorerecentapprehension——thatofhismadness——hadalsoceased。Intheconversationofthelastfewminutesheseemedsorational，soclear，sounaggressive，thatshenolongersawreasonfordoubt。Sosatisfiedwasshethatevenwhenheputoutahandtoguidehertothesteep，narrowstairway，shetookitwithoutthoughtinthemostconventionalway。
　　LadyArabella，crouchinginthelobbybehindthedoor，heardeverywordthathadbeensaid，andformedherownopinionofit。Itseemedevidenttoherthattherehadbeensomerapprochementbetweenthetwowhohadsolatelybeenhostiletoeachother，andthatmadeherfuriouslyangry。Mimiwasinterferingwithherplans！ShehadmadecertainofhercaptureofEdgarCaswall，andshecouldnottolerateeventhelightestandmostcontemptuousfancyonhispartwhichmightdiverthimfromthemainissue。WhenshebecameawarethathewishedMimitocomewithhimtotheroofandthatshehadacquiesced，herragegotbeyondbounds。Shebecameoblivioustoanydangertheremightbeinavisittosuchanexposedplaceatsuchatime，andtoalllesserconsiderations，andmadeuphermindtoforestallthem。Shestealthilyandnoiselesslycreptthroughthewicket，and，ascendingthestair，steppedoutontheroof。Itwasbitterlycold，forthefiercegustsofthestormwhichsweptroundtheturretdroveinthrougheveryunimpededway，whistlingatthesharpcornersandsingingroundthetremblingflagstaff。Thekite—
　　stringandthewirewhichcontrolledtherunnersmadeaconcourseofweirdsoundswhichsomehow，perhapsfromtheviolencewhichsurroundedthem，actingontheirlength，resolvedthemselvesintosomekindofharmony——afittingaccompanimenttothetragedywhichseemedabouttobegin。
　　Mimi’sheartbeatheavily。Justbeforeleavingtheturret—chambershehadashockwhichshecouldnotshakeoff。Thelightsoftheroomhadmomentarilyrevealedtoher，astheypassedout，Edgar’sface，concentratedasitwaswheneverheintendedtousehismesmericpower。Nowtheblackeyebrowsmadeathicklineacrosshisface，underwhichhiseyesshoneandglitteredominously。Mimirecognisedthedanger，andassumedthedefiantattitudethathadtwicealreadyservedhersowell。Shehadafearthatthecircumstancesandtheplacewereagainsther，andshewantedtobeforearmed。
　　Theskywasnowsomewhatlighterthanithadbeen。Eithertherewaslightningafaroff，whosereflectionswerecarriedbytherollingclouds，orelsethegatheredforce，thoughnotyetbreakingintolightning，hadanincipientpoweroflight。Itseemedtoaffectboththemanandthewoman。Edgarseemedaltogetherunderitsinfluence。Hisspiritswereboisterous，hismindexalted。Hewasnowathisworst;madderthanhehadbeenearlierinthenight。
　　Mimi，tryingtokeepasfarfromhimaspossible，movedacrossthestoneflooroftheturretroof，andfoundanichewhichconcealedher。ItwasnotfarfromLadyArabella’splaceofhiding。
　　Edgar，leftthusaloneonthecentreoftheturretroof，foundhimselfaltogetherhisownmasterinawaywhichtendedtoincreasehismadness。HeknewthatMimiwascloseathand，thoughhehadlostsightofher。Hespokeloudly，andthesoundofhisownvoice，thoughitwascarriedfromhimonthesweepingwindasfastasthewordswerespoken，seemedtoexalthimstillmore。Eventheragingoftheelementsroundhimappearedtoaddtohisexaltation。Tohimitseemedthatthesemanifestationswereobedienttohisownwill。
　　Hehadreachedthesublimeofhismadness;hewasnowinhisownmindactuallytheAlmighty，andwhatevermighthappenwouldbethedirectcarryingoutofhisowncommands。AshecouldnotseeMimi，norfixwhereaboutshewas，heshoutedloudly：
　　"Cometome！Youshallseenowwhatyouaredespising，whatyouarewarringagainst。Allthatyouseeismine——thedarknessaswellasthelight。ItellyouthatIamgreaterthananyotherwhois，orwas，orshallbe。WhentheMasterofEviltookChristuponahighplaceandshowedHimallthekingdomsoftheearth，hewasdoingwhathethoughtnoothercoulddo。Hewaswrong——heforgotME。I
　　shallsendyoulight，uptotheveryrampartsofheaven。Alightsogreatthatitshalldissipatethoseblackcloudsthatarerushingupandpilingaroundus。Look！Look！Attheverytouchofmyhandthatlightspringsintobeingandmountsup——andup——andup！"
　　Hemadehiswaywhilsthewasspeakingtothecorneroftheturretwhenceflewthegiantkite，andfromwhichtherunnersascended。
　　Mimilookedon，appalledandafraidtospeaklestsheshouldprecipitatesomecalamity。WithinthenicheLadyArabellacoweredinaparoxysmoffear。
　　Edgartookupasmallwoodenbox，throughaholeinwhichthewireoftherunnerran。Thisevidentlysetsomemachineryinmotion，forasoundasofwhirringcame。Fromonesideoftheboxfloatedwhatlookedlikeapieceofstiffribbon，whichsnappedandcrackledasthewindtookit。ForafewsecondsMimisawitasitrushedalongthesagginglinetothekite。Whenclosetoit，therewasaloudcrack，andasuddenlightappearedtoissuefromeverychinkinthebox。Thenaquickflameflashedalongthesnappingribbon，whichglowedwithanintenselight——alightsogreatthatthewholeofthecountrysidearoundstoodoutagainstthebackgroundofblackdrivingclouds。Forafewsecondsthelightremained，thensuddenlydisappearedintheblacknessaround。Itwassimplyamagnesiumlight，whichhadbeenfiredbythemechanismwithintheboxandcarrieduptothekite。Edgarwasinastateoftumultuousexcitement，shoutingandyellingatthetopofhisvoiceanddancingaboutlikealunatic。
　　ThiswasmorethanLadyArabella’scuriousdualnaturecouldstand——
　　theghoulishelementinherrosetriumphant，andsheabandonedallideaofmarriagewithEdgarCaswall，gloatingfiendishlyoverthethoughtofrevenge。
　　ShemustlurehimtotheWhiteWorm’shole——buthow？Sheglancedaroundandquicklymadeuphermind。Theman’swholethoughtswereabsorbedbyhiswonderfulkite，whichhewasshowingoff，inordertofascinateherimaginaryrival，Mimi。
　　Ontheinstantsheglidedthroughthedarknesstothewheelwhereonthestringofthekitewaswound。Withdeftfingerssheunshippedthis，tookitwithher，reelingoutthewireasshewent，thuskeeping，inaway，intouchwiththekite。Thensheglidedswiftlytothewicket，throughwhichshepassed，lockingthegatebehindherasshewent。
　　Downtheturretstairsheranquickly，lettingthewirerunfromthewheelwhichshecarriedcarefully，and，passingoutofthehalldoor，hurrieddowntheavenuewithallherspeed。Shesoonreachedherowngate，randowntheavenue，andwithherkeyopenedtheirondoorleadingtothewell—hole。
　　Shefeltwellsatisfiedwithherself。Allherplanswerematuring，orhadalreadymatured。TheMasterofCastraRegiswaswithinhergrasp。Thewomanwhoseinterferenceshehadfeared，LillaWatford，wasdead。Truly，allwaswell，andshefeltthatshemightpauseawhileandrest。Shetoreoffherclothes，withfeverishfingers，andinfullenjoymentofhernaturalfreedom，stretchedherslimfigureinanimaldelight。Thenshelaydownonthesofa——toawaithervictim！EdgarCaswall’slifebloodwouldmorethansatisfyherforsometimetocome。
　　CHAPTERXXVIII——THEBREAKINGOFTHESTORM
　　WhenLadyArabellahadcreptawayinherusualnoiselessfashion，thetwoothersremainedforawhileintheirplacesontheturretroof：Caswallbecausehehadnothingtosay，Mimibecauseshehadmuchtosayandwishedtoputherthoughtsinorder。Forquiteawhile——whichseemedinterminable——silencereignedbetweenthem。AtlastMimimadeabeginning——shehadmadeuphermindhowtoact。
　　"Mr。Caswall，"shesaidloudly，soastomakesureofbeingheardthroughtheblusteringofthewindandtheperpetualcrackingoftheelectricity。
　　Caswallsaidsomethinginreply，buthiswordswerecarriedawayonthestorm。However，oneofherobjectswaseffected：sheknewnowexactlywhereaboutontheroofhewas。Soshemovedclosetothespotbeforeshespokeagain，raisinghervoicealmosttoashout。
　　"Thewicketisshut。Pleasetoopenit。Ican’tgetout。"
　　Asshespoke，shewasquietlyfingeringarevolverwhichAdamhadgiventoherincaseofemergencyandwhichnowlayinherbreast。
　　Shefeltthatshewascagedlikearatinatrap，butdidnotmeantobetakenatadisadvantage，whateverhappened。Caswallalsofelttrapped，andallthebruteinhimrosetotheemergency。Inavoicewhichwasraucousandbrutal——muchlikethatwhichisheardwhenawifeisbeingbeatenbyherhusbandinaslum——hehissedout，hissyllablescuttingthroughtheroaringofthestorm：
　　"Youcameofyourownaccord——withoutpermission，orevenaskingit。
　　Nowyoucanstayorgoasyouchoose。Butyoumustmanageitforyourself;I’llhavenothingtodowithit。"
　　Heranswerwasspokenwithdangeroussuavity"Iamgoing。Blameyourselfifyoudonotlikethetimeandmannerofit。IdaresayAdam——myhusband——willhaveawordtosaytoyouaboutit！"
　　"Lethimsay，andbedamnedtohim，andtoyoutoo！I’llshowyoualight。Youshan’tbeabletosaythatyoucouldnotseewhatyouweredoing。"
　　Ashespoke，hewaslightinganotherpieceofthemagnesiumribbon，whichmadeablindingglareinwhicheverythingwasplainlydiscernible，downtothesmallestdetail。ThisexactlysuitedMimi。
　　Shetookaccuratenoteofthewicketanditsfasteningbeforetheglarehaddiedaway。Shetookherrevolveroutandfiredintothelock，whichwasshiveredontheinstant，thepiecesflyingroundinalldirections，buthappilywithoutcausinghurttoanyone。Thenshepushedthewicketopenandrandownthenarrowstair，andsotothehalldoor。Openingthisalso，sherandowntheavenue，neverlesseningherspeedtillshestoodoutsidethedoorofLesserHill。
　　Thedoorwasopenedatonceonherringing。
　　"IsMr。AdamSaltonin？"sheasked。
　　"Hehasjustcomein，afewminutesago。Hehasgoneuptothestudy，"repliedaservant。
　　Sheranupstairsatonceandjoinedhim。Heseemedrelievedwhenhesawher，butscrutinisedherfacekeenly。Hesawthatshehadbeeninsomeconcern，soledherovertothesofainthewindowandsatdownbesideher。
　　"Now，dear，tellmeallaboutit！"hesaid。
　　Sherushedbreathlesslythroughallthedetailsofheradventureontheturretroof。Adamlistenedattentively，helpingherallhecould，andnotembarrassingherbyanyquestioning。Histhoughtfulsilencewasagreathelptoher，foritallowedhertocollectandorganiseherthoughts。
　　"ImustgoandseeCaswallto—morrow，tohearwhathehastosayonthesubject。"
　　"But，dear，formysake，don’thaveanyquarrelwithMr。Caswall。I
　　havehadtoomuchtrialandpainlatelytowishitincreasedbyanyanxietyregardingyou。"
　　"Youshallnot，dear——ifIcanhelpit——pleaseGod，"hesaidsolemnly，andhekissedher。
　　Then，inordertokeepherinterestedsothatshemightforgetthefearsandanxietiesthathaddisturbedher，hebegantotalkoverthedetailsofheradventure，makingshrewdcommentswhichattractedandheldherattention。Presently，INTERALIA，hesaid：
　　"That’sadangerousgameCaswallisupto。Itseemstomethatthatyoungman——thoughhedoesn’tappeartoknowit——isridingforafall！"
　　"How，dear？Idon’tunderstand。"
　　"KiteflyingonanightlikethisfromaplacelikethetowerofCastraRegisis，tosaytheleastofit，dangerous。Itisnotmerelycourtingdeathorotheraccidentfromlightning，butitisbringingthelightningintowherehelives。Everycloudthatisblowinguphere——andtheyallmakeforthehighestpoint——isboundtodevelopintoaflashoflightning。Thatkiteisupintheairandisboundtoattractthelightning。Itscordmakesaroadforitonwhichtotraveltoearth。Whenitdoescome，itwillstrikethetopofthetowerwithaweightahundredtimesgreaterthanawholeparkofartillery，andwillknockCastraRegisintopieces。Whereitwillgoafterthat，noonecantell。Ifthereshouldbeanymetalbywhichitcantravel，suchwillnotonlypointtheroad，butbetheroaditself。"
　　"Woulditbedangeroustobeoutintheopenairwhensuchathingistakingplace？"sheasked。
　　"No，littlewoman。Itwouldbethesafestpossibleplace——solongasonewasnotinthelineoftheelectriccurrent。"
　　"Then，doletusgooutside。Idon’twanttorunintoanyfoolishdanger——or，farmore，toaskyoutodoso。Butsurelyiftheopenissafest，thatistheplaceforus。"
　　Withoutanotherword，sheputonagainthecloakshehadthrownoff，andasmall，tight—fittingcap。Adamtooputonhiscap，and，afterseeingthathisrevolverwasallright，gaveherhishand，andtheyleftthehousetogether。
　　"Ithinkthebestthingwecandowillbetogoroundalltheplaceswhicharemixedupinthisaffair。"
　　"Allright，dear，Iamready。But，ifyoudon’tmind，wemightgofirsttoMercy。Iamanxiousaboutgrandfather，andwemightseethat——asyet，atallevents——nothinghashappenedthere。"
　　Sotheywentonthehigh—hungroadalongthetopoftheBrow。Thewindherewasofgreatforce，andmadeastrangeboomingnoiseasitswepthighoverhead;thoughnotthesoundofcrackingandtearingasitpassedthroughthewoodsofhighslendertreeswhichgrewoneithersideoftheroad。Mimicouldhardlykeepherfeet。Shewasnotafraid;buttheforcetowhichshewasopposedgaveheragoodexcusetoholdontoherhusbandextratight。
　　AtMercytherewasnooneup——atleast，allthelightswereout。
　　ButtoMimi，accustomedtothenightlyroutineofthehouse，thereweremanifestsignsthatallwaswell，exceptinthelittleroomonthefirstfloor，wheretheblindsweredown。Mimicouldnotbeartolookatthat，tothinkofit。Adamunderstoodherpain，forhehadbeenkeenlyinterestedinpoorLilla。Hebentoverandkissedher，andthentookherhandandheldithard。Thustheypassedontogether，returningtothehighroadtowardsCastraRegis。
　　AtthegateofCastraRegistheywereextracareful。Whendrawingnear，AdamstumbleduponthewirethatLadyArabellahadlefttrailingontheground。
　　Adamdrewhisbreathatthis，andspokeinalow，earnestwhisper：
　　"Idon’twanttofrightenyou，Mimidear，butwhereverthatwireisthereisdanger。"
　　"Danger！How？"
　　"Thatisthetrackwherethelightningwillgo;atanymoment，evennowwhilstwearespeakingandsearching，afearfulforcemaybelooseduponus。Runon，dear;youknowthewaytowheretheavenuejoinsthehighroad。Ifyouseeanysignofthewire，keepawayfromit，forGod’ssake。Ishalljoinyouatthegateway。"
　　"Areyougoingtofollowthatwirealone？"
　　"Yes，dear。Oneissufficientforthatwork。IshallnotloseamomenttillIamwithyou。"
　　"Adam，whenIcamewithyouintotheopen，mymainwishwasthatweshouldbetogetherifanythingserioushappened。Youwouldn’tdenymethatright，wouldyou，dear？"
　　"No，dear，notthatoranyright。ThankGodthatmywifehassuchawish。Come;wewillgotogether。WeareinthehandsofGod。IfHewishes，weshallbetogetherattheend，wheneverorwhereverthatmaybe。"
　　Theypickedupthetrailofthewireonthestepsandfolloweditdowntheavenue，takingcarenottotouchitwiththeirfeet。Itwaseasyenoughtofollow，forthewire，ifnotbright，wasself—
　　coloured，andshowedclearly。TheyfolloweditoutofthegatewayandintotheavenueofDiana’sGrove。
　　HereanewgravitycloudedAdam’sface，thoughMimisawnocauseforfreshconcern。Thiswaseasilyenoughexplained。Adamknewoftheexplosiveworksinprogressregardingthewell—hole，butthematterhadbeenkeptfromhiswife。Astheystoodnearthehouse，AdamaskedMimitoreturntotheroad，ostensiblytowatchthecourseofthewire，tellingherthattheremightbeabranchwireleadingsomewhereelse。Shewastosearchtheundergrowth，andifshefoundit，wastowarnhimbytheAustraliannative"Coo—ee！"
　　Whilsttheywerestandingtogether，therecameablindingflashoflightning，whichlitupforseveralsecondsthewholeareaofearthandsky。Itwasonlythefirstnoteofthecelestialprelude，foritwasfollowedinquicksuccessionbynumerousflashes，whilstthecrashandrollofthunderseemedcontinuous。
　　Adam，appalled，drewhiswifetohimandheldherclose。Asfarashecouldestimatebytheintervalbetweenlightningandthunder—
　　clap，theheartofthestormwasstillsomedistanceoff，sohefeltnopresentconcernfortheirsafety。Still，itwasapparentthatthecourseofthestormwasmovingswiftlyintheirdirection。Thelightningflashescamefasterandfasterandclosertogether;thethunder—rollwasalmostcontinuous，notstoppingforamoment——anewcrashbeginningbeforetheoldonehadceased。Adamkeptlookingupinthedirectionwherethekitestrainedandstruggledatitsdetainingcord，but，ofcourse，thedulleveninglightpreventedanydistinctscrutiny。
　　AtlengththerecameaflashsoappallinglybrightthatinitsglareNatureseemedtobestandingstill。Solongdiditlast，thattherewastimetodistinguishitsconfiguration。Itseemedlikeamightytreeinverted，pendentfromthesky。Thewholecountryaroundwithintheangleofvisionwaslituptillitseemedtoglow。ThenabroadribbonoffireseemedtodropontothetowerofCastraRegisjustasthethundercrashed。Bytheglare，Adamcouldseethetowershakeandtremble，andfinallyfalltopieceslikeahouseofcards。Thepassingofthelightninglefttheskyagaindark，butablueflamefelldownwardfromthetower，and，withinconceivablerapidity，runningalongthegroundinthedirectionofDiana’sGrove，reachedthedarksilenthouse，whichintheinstantburstintoflameatahundreddifferentpoints。
　　Atthesamemomentthererosefromthehousearending，crashingsoundofwoodwork，brokenorthrownabout，mixedwithaquickscreamsoappallingthatAdam，stoutofheartasheundoubtedlywas，felthisbloodturnintoice。Instinctively，despitethedangerandtheirconsciousnessofit，husbandandwifetookhandsandlistened，trembling。Somethingwasgoingonclosetothem，mysterious，terrible，deadly！Theshriekscontinued，thoughlesssharpinsound，asthoughmuffled。Inthemidstofthemwasaterrificexplosion，seeminglyfromdeepintheearth。
　　TheflamesfromCastraRegisandfromDiana’sGrovemadeallaroundalmostaslightasday，andnowthatthelightninghadceasedtoflash，theireyes，unblinded，wereabletojudgebothperspectiveanddetail。Theheatoftheburninghousecausedtheirondoorstowarpandcollapse。Seeminglyoftheirownaccord，theyfellopen，andexposedtheinterior。TheSaltonscouldnowlookthroughtotheroombeyond，wherethewell—holeyawned，adeepnarrowcircularchasm。Fromthistheagonisedshriekswererising，growingevermoreterriblewitheachsecondthatpassed。
　　Butitwasnotonlytheheart—rendingsoundthatalmostparalysedpoorMimiwithterror。Whatshesawwassufficienttofillherwithevildreamsfortheremainderofherlife。Thewholeplacelookedasifaseaofbloodhadbeenbeatingagainstit。Eachoftheexplosionsfrombelowhadthrownoutfromthewell—hole，asifithadbeenthemouthofacannon，amassoffinesandmixedwithblood，andahorriblerepulsiveslimeinwhichweregreatredmassesofrentandtornfleshandfat。Astheexplosionskepton，moreandmoreofthisrepulsivemasswasshotup，thegreatbulkofitfallingbackagain。Manyoftheawfulfragmentswereofsomethingwhichhadlatelybeenalive。Theyquiveredandtrembledandwrithedasthoughtheywerestillintorment，asuppositiontowhichtheunendingscreamgaveahorriblecredence。Atmomentssomemountainousmassoffleshsurgedupthroughthenarroworifice，asthoughforcedbyameasurelesspowerthroughanopeninginfinitelysmallerthanitself。Someofthesefragmentswerepartiallycoveredwithwhiteskinasofahumanbeing，andothers——thelargestandmostnumerous——withscaledskinasofagiganticlizardorserpent。
　　Once，inasortoflullorpause，theseethingcontentsoftheholerose，afterthemannerofabubblingspring，andAdamsawpartofthethinformofLadyArabella，forceduptothetopamidamassofbloodandslime，andwhatlookedasifithadbeentheentrailsofamonstertornintoshreds。Severaltimessomemassesofenormousbulkwereforcedupthroughthewell—holewithinconceivableviolence，and，suddenlyexpandingastheycameintolargerspace，disclosedsectionsoftheWhiteWormwhichAdamandSirNathanielhadseenlookingoverthetreeswithitsenormouseyesofemerald—
　　greenflickeringlikegreatlampsinagale。
　　Atlasttheexplosivepower，whichwasnotyetexhausted，evidentlyreachedthemainstoreofdynamitewhichhadbeenloweredintothewormhole。Theresultwasappalling。Thegroundforfararoundquiveredandopenedinlongdeepchasms，whoseedgesshookandfellin，throwingupcloudsofsandwhichfellbackandhissedamongsttherisingwater。Theheavilybuilthouseshooktoitsfoundations。
　　Greatstoneswerethrownupasfromavolcano，someofthem，greatmassesofhardstone，squaredandgroovedwithimplementswroughtbyhumanhands，breakingupandsplittinginmidairasthoughrivenbysomeinfernalpower。Treesnearthehouse——andthereforepresumablyinsomewayabovethehole，whichsentupcloudsofdustandsteamandfinesandmingled，andwhichcarriedanappallingstenchwhichsickenedthespectators——weretornupbytherootsandhurledintotheair。Bynow，flameswereburstingviolentlyfromallovertheruins，sodangerouslythatAdamcaughtuphiswifeinhisarms，andranwithherfromtheproximityoftheflames。
　　Thenalmostasquicklyasithadbegun，thewholecataclysmceased，thoughadeep—downrumblingcontinuedintermittentlyforsometime。
　　Thensilencebroodedoverall——silencesocompletethatitseemedinitselfasentientthing——silencewhichseemedlikeincarnatedarkness，andconveyedthesameideatoallwhocamewithinitsradius。Totheyoungpeoplewhohadsufferedthelonghorrorofthatawfulnight，itbroughtrelief——relieffromthepresenceorthefearofallthatwashorrible——reliefwhichseemedperfectedwhentheredraysofsunriseshotupoverthefareasternsea，bringingapromiseofaneworderofthingswiththecomingday。
　　HisbedsawlittleofAdamSaltonfortheremainderofthatnight。
　　HeandMimiwalkedhandinhandinthebrighteningdawnroundbytheBrowtoCastraRegisandontoLesserHill。Theydidsodeliberately，inanattempttothinkaslittleaspossibleoftheterribleexperiencesofthenight。Themorningwasbrightandcheerful，asamorningsometimesisafteradevastatingstorm。Theclouds，ofwhichtherewereplentyinevidence，broughtnolingeringideaofgloom。Allnaturewasbrightandjoyous，beinginstrikingcontrasttothescenesofwreckanddevastation，theeffectsofobliteratingfireandlastingruin。
　　TheonlyevidenceoftheoncestatelypileofCastraRegisanditsinhabitantswasashapelesshuddleofshatteredarchitecture，dimlyseenasthekeenbreezesweptasidethecloudofacridsmokewhichmarkedthesiteoftheoncelordlycastle。AsforDiana’sGrove，theylookedinvainforasignwhichhadasuggestionofpermanence。
　　TheoaktreesoftheGrovewerestilltobeseen——someofthem——
　　emergingfromahazeofsmoke，thegreattrunkssolidanderectasever，butthelargerbranchesbrokenandtwistedandrent，withbarkstrippedandchipped，andthesmallerbranchesbrokenanddishevelledlookingfromtheconstantstressandthreshingofthestorm。
　　Ofthehouseassuch，therewas，evenattheshortdistancefromwhichtheylooked，notrace。Adamresolutelyturnedhisbackonthedevastationandhurriedon。Mimiwasnotonlyupsetandshockedinmanyways，butshewasphysically"dogtired，"andfallingasleeponherfeet。Adamtookhertoherroomandmadeherundressandgetintobed，takingcarethattheroomwaswelllightedbothbysunshineandlamps。Theonlyobstructionwasfromasilkcurtain，drawnacrossthewindowtokeepouttheglare。Hesatbesideher，holdingherhand，wellknowingthatthecomfortofhispresencewasthebestrestorativeforher。Hestayedwithhertillsleephadovermasteredherweariedbody。Thenhewentsoftlyaway。HefoundhisuncleandSirNathanielinthestudy，havinganearlycupoftea，amplifiedtothedimensionsofapossiblebreakfast。Adamexplainedthathehadnottoldhiswifethathewasgoingoverthehorribleplacesagain，lestitshouldfrightenher，fortherestandsleepinignorancewouldhelpherandmakeagapofpeacefulnessbetweenthehorrors。
　　SirNathanielagreed。
　　"Weknow，myboy，"hesaid，"thattheunfortunateLadyArabellaisdead，andthatthefoulcarcaseoftheWormhasbeentorntopieces—
　　—prayGodthatitsevilsoulwillnevermoreescapefromthenethermosthell。"
　　TheyvisitedDiana’sGrovefirst，notonlybecauseitwasnearer，butalsobecauseitwastheplacewheremostdescriptionwasrequired，andAdamfeltthathecouldtellhisstorybestonthespot。Theabsolutedestructionoftheplaceandeverythinginitseeninthebroaddaylightwasalmostinconceivable。ToSirNathaniel，itwasasastoryofhorrorfullandcomplete。ButtoAdamitwas，asitwere，onlyonthefringes。Heknewwhatwasstilltobeseenwhenhisfriendshadgotovertheknowledgeofexternals。Asyet，theyhadonlyseentheoutsideofthehouse——orrather，wheretheoutsideofthehouseoncehadbeen。Thegreathorrorlaywithin。However，age——andtheexperienceofage——counts。
　　Astrange，almostelemental，changeintheaspecthadtakenplaceinthetimewhichhadelapsedsincethedawn。ItwouldalmostseemasifNatureherselfhadtriedtoobliteratetheevilsignsofwhathadoccurred。True，theutterruinofthehousewasmadeevenmoremanifestinthesearchingdaylight;butthemoreappallingdestructionwhichlaybeneathwasnotvisible。Therent，torn，anddislocatedstoneworklookedworsethanbefore;theupheavedfoundations，thepiled—upfragmentsofmasonry，thefissuresinthetornearth——allwereattheworst。TheWorm’sholewasstillevident，aroundfissureseeminglyleadingdownintotheverybowelsoftheearth。Butallthehorridmassofbloodandslime，oftorn，evil—smellingfleshandthesickeningremnantsofviolentdeath，weregone。Eithersomeofthelaterexplosionshadthrownupfromthedeepquantitiesofwaterwhich，thoughfoulandcorruptitself，hadstillsomecleansingpowerleft，orelsethewrithingmasswhichstirredfromfarbelowhadhelpedtodragdownandobliteratetheitemsofhorror。Agreydust，partlyoffinesand，partlyofthewasteofthefallingruin，coveredeverything，and，thoughghastlyitself，helpedtomasksomethingstillworse。
　　Afterafewminutesofwatching，itbecameapparenttothethreementhattheturmoilfarbelowhadnotyetceased。Atshortirregularintervalsthehell—brothintheholeseemedasifboilingup。Itroseandfellagainandturnedover，showinginfreshformmuchofthenauseousdetailwhichhadbeenvisibleearlier。TheworstpartswerethegreatmassesofthefleshofthemonstrousWorm，inallitsredandsickeningaspect。Suchfragmentshadbeenbadenoughbefore，butnowtheywereinfinitelyworse。Corruptioncomeswithstartlingrapiditytobeingswhosedestructionhasbeenduewhollyorinparttolightning——thewholemassseemedtohavebecomeallatoncecorrupt！Thewholesurfaceofthefragments，oncealive，wascoveredwithinsects，worms，andverminofallkinds。Thesightwashorribleenough，but，withtheawfulsmelladded，wassimplyunbearable。TheWorm’sholeappearedtobreatheforthdeathinitsmostrepulsiveforms。Thefriends，withoneimpulse，movedtothetopoftheBrow，whereafreshbreezefromtheseawasblowingup。
　　AtthetopoftheBrow，beneaththemastheylookeddown，theysawashiningmassofwhite，whichlookedstrangelyoutofplaceamongstsuchwreckageastheyhadbeenviewing。ItappearedsostrangethatAdamsuggestedtryingtofindawaydown，sothattheymightseeitmoreclosely。
　　"Weneednotgodown;Iknowwhatitis，"SirNathanielsaid。"Theexplosionsoflastnighthaveblownofftheoutsideofthecliffs——
　　thatwhichweseeisthevastbedofchinaclaythroughwhichtheWormoriginallyfounditswaydowntoitslair。Icancatchtheglintofthewaterofthedeepquagsfardownbelow。Well，herladyshipdidn’tdeservesuchafuneral——orsuchamonument。"
　　ThehorrorsofthelastfewhourshadplayedsuchhavocwithMimi’snerves，thatachangeofscenewasimperative——ifapermanentbreakdownwastobeavoided。
　　"Ithink，"saidoldMr。Salton，"itisquitetimeyouyoungpeopledepartedforthathoneymoonofyours！"Therewasatwinkleinhiseyeashespoke。
　　Mimi’ssoftshyglanceatherstalwarthusband，wassufficientanswer。