saidthearchdeacon。Thedistancewasverynearlytwentymiles，anditwasfeltbyboththemotherandtheson，thatthearchdeaconmustbeinagoodhumourwhenhemadesuchapropositionasthat。Itwasnotoftenthattherectorycarriage—horseswereallowedtomakelongjourneys。A
　　runintoBarchesterandback，whichwasaltogetherundertenmiles，wasgenerallytheextentoftheirwork。’ImeanttohavepostedfromBarchester，’saidthemajor。’Youmayaswelltakethehorsesthrough，’
　　saidthearchdeacon。’Yourmotherwillnotwantthem。AndIsupposeyoumightaswellbringyourfriendToogoodbacktodinner。We’llgivehimabed。’
　　’Hemustbeagoodsortofman，’saidMrsGrantly；’forIsupposehehasdonethisallforlove？’
　　’Yes；andspentalotofmoneyoutofhisownpockettoo！’saidthemajorenthusiastically。’Andthejokeofitis，thathehasbeendefendingCrawleyinCrawley’steeth。MrCrawleyhadrefusedtoemploycounsel；butToogoodhadmadeuphismindtohaveabarrister，onpurposethattheremightbeafussaboutitincourt。HethoughtthatitwouldtellwiththejuryinCrawley’sfavour。’
　　’Bringhimhere，andwe’llhearallaboutthatfromhimself，’saidthearchdeacon。Themajor，beforehestarted，toldhismotherthatheshouldcallatFramleyParsonageonhiswayback；buthesaidnothingonthissubjecttohisfather。
　　’I’llwritetoherinadayortwo，’saidMrsGrantly，’andwe’llhavethingssettledpleasantly。’
　　CHAPTERLXXIV
　　THECRAWLEYSAREINFORMED
　　MajorGrantlymadeanearlystart，knowingthathehadalongday’sworkbeforehim。Hehadwrittenover—nighttoMrToogood，namingthehouratwhichhewouldreach’TheDragon’，andwastherepunctualtothemoment。
　　Whentheattorneycameoutandgotintotheopencarriage，whilethegroomheldthestepsforhim，itwasplaintoseethattherespectinwhichhewasheldat’TheDragon’wasgreatlyincreased。ItwasalreadyknownthathewasgoingtoPlumsteadthatnight，anditwaspartlyunderstoodthathewasengagedwiththeGrantlyandArabinfactionindefendingMrCrawleytheclergymanagainsttheProudiefaction。DanStringer，whowasstillattheinn，ashesawhisenemygetintothePlumsteadcarriage，felthimselftobeoneofthepalaceparty，andfeltthatifMrsProudiehadonlylivedtillaftertheassizesallthisheavytroublewouldnothavebefallenhim。Thewaiterwiththedirtynapkinstoodatthedoorandbowed，thinkingperhapsthatastheProudiepartywasgoingdowninBarchester，itmightbeaswelltobeciviltoMrToogood。ThedaysoftheStringerswereprobablydrawingtoacloseatthe’TheDragonofWantly’，andtherewasnoknowingwhomightbethenewlandlord。
　　HenryGrantlyandthelawyerfoundverylittletosaytoeachotherontheirlongwayouttoHogglestock。Theywerethinking，probably，muchofthecominginterview，andhardlyknewhowtoexpresstheirthoughtstoeachother。’Iwillnottakethecarriageuptothehouse，’saidthemajor，astherewereenteringtheparishofHogglestock；’particularlyasthemanmustfeedthehorses。’Sotheygotoutofafarmhouseabouthalfamilefromthechurch，wheretheoffenceofthecarriageandthelivery—servantwouldbewelloutofMrCrawley’ssight，andfromthencewalkedtowardstheparsonage。Thechurch，andtheschoolclosetoit，layontheirway，andastheypassedbytheschooldoortheyheardvoiceswithin。’I’llbettwopencehe’sthere，’saidToogood。’Theytellmehe’salwayseitherinoneshoportheother。I’llslipinandbringhimout。’MrToogoodhadassumedacomfortableair，asthoughtheday’sworkwastobegoodpastime，andevenmadeoccasionalattemptsatdrollery。HehadhadhisjokesaboutDanStringer，andhadattemptedtodescribetheabsurditiesofMrCrawley’svisittoBedfordRow。Allthiswouldhaveangeredthemajor，hadhenotseenthatitwasassumedtocoversomethingbelowofwhichMrToogoodwasalittleashamed，butofwhich，asthemajorthought，MrToogoodhadnocausetobeashamed。
　　When，therefore，ToogoodproposedtogointotheschoolandbringMrCrawleyout，asthoughthetellingoftheirstorywouldbetheeasiestthingintheworld，themajordidnotstophim。Indeedhehadnoplanofhisownready。Hismindwastoointentonthetragedywhichhadoccurred，andwhichwasnowtobebroughttoaclose，toenablehimtoformanyplanastothebestwayofgettingupthelastscene。SoMrToogood，withquickandeasysteps，enteredtheschool，leavingthemajorstillstandingintheroad。MrCrawleywasintheschool——asalsowasJaneCrawley。’Sohereyouare，’saidToogood。’That’sfortunate。I
　　hopeIfindyouprettywell？’
　　’IfIamnotmistakenintheidentity，mywife’srelative，MrToogood？’
　　saidMrCrawley，steppingdownfromhishumbledesk。
　　’Justso，myfriend，’saidToogood，withhishandextended，’justso；
　　andthere’sanothergentlemanoutsidewhowantstohaveawordwithyou。
　　Perhapsyouwon’tmindsteppingout。ThesearetheyoungHogglestockians；arethey？’
　　TheyoungHogglestockiansstaredathim，andsodidJane。Jane，whohadbeforeheardofhim，didnotlikehimatfirstsight，seeingthatherfatherwasclearlydispleasedbythetoneofthevisitor’saddress。MrCrawleywasdispleased。TherewasafamiliarityaboutMrToogoodwhichmadehimsore，ashavingbeenexhibitedbeforehispupils。’Ifyouwillbepleasedtostepout，sir，Iwillfollowyou，’hesaid，wavinghishandtowardsthedoor。’Jane，mydear，ifyouwillremainwiththechildrenIwillreturntoyoupresently。BobbyStudgehasfailedinsayinghisBelief。Youhadbettersethimonagainfromthebeginning。
　　Now，MrToogood。’Andagainhewavedhishandtowardsthedoor。
　　’Sothat’smyyoungcousin，isit？’saidToogood，stretchingoverandjustmanagingtotouchJane’sfingers——ofwhichactoftouchingJanewasverychary。Thenhewentforth，andMrCrawleyfollowedhim。TherewasthemajorstandingintheroadandToogoodwasanxioustobethefirsttocommunicatethegoodnews。Itwastheonlyrewardhehadproposedtohimselfforthemoneyhehadexpendedandthetimehehadlostandthetroublehehadtaken。’It’sallright，oldfellow，’hesaid，clappinghishandonMrCrawley’sshoulder。’We’vegottherightsowbytheearatlast。Weknowallaboutit。’MrCrawleycouldhardlyrememberthetimewhenhehadbeencalledanoldfellowlast，andnowhedidnotlikeit；nor，intheconfusionofhismind，couldheunderstandtheallusiontotherightsow。HesupposedthatToogoodhadcometohimabouthistrial，butitdidnotoccurtohimthatthelawyermightbebringinghimnewswhichmightmakethetrialaltogetherunnecessary。’Ifmyeyesarenotmistaken，thereismyfriend，MajorGrantly，’saidMrCrawley。
　　’Thereheis，aslargeaslife，’saidToogood。’Butstopamomentbeforeyougotohim，andgivemeyourhand。Imusthavethefirstshakeofit。’HereuponCrawleyextendedhishand。’That’sright。Andnowletmetellyouweknowallaboutthecheque——Soames’scheque。Weknowwhereyougotit。Weknowwhostoleit。Weknowhowitcametothepersonwhogaveittoyou。It’sallverywelltalking，butwhenyou’reintroublealwaysgotoalawyer。’
　　BythistimeMrCrawleywaslookingfullintoMrToogood’sface，andseeingthathiscousin’seyeswerestreamingwithtearsbegantogetsomeinsightintotheman’scharacter，andalsosomeverydiminsightintothefactswhichthemanintendedtocommunicatetohimself。’Idonotasyetfullyunderstandyou，sir，’hesaid，’beingperhapsinsuchmatterssomewhatdullofintellect，butitseemethtomethatyouarethemessengerofgladtidings，whosefeetarebeautifuluponthemountains。’
　　’Beautiful！’saidToogood。’ByGeorge，Ishouldthinktheyarebeautiful！Don’tyouhearmetellyouthatwehavefoundoutallaboutthecheque，andthatyou’reasrightasatrivet？’Theywerestillonthelittlecausewayleadingfromtheschooluptheroad，andHenryGrantlywaswaitingforthematthesmallwicket—gate。’MrCrawley，’
　　saidthemajor，’Icongratulateyouwithallmyheart。Icouldnotbutaccompanymyfriend，MrToogood，whenhebroughtyouthisgoodnews。’
　　’Idonotevenyetaltogethercomprehendwhathasbeentoldtome，’saidCrawley，nowstandingoutontheroadbetweentheothertwomen。’Iamdoubtlessdull——verydull。MayIbegsomeclearerwordofexplanationbeforeIaskyoutogowithmetomywife？’
　　’ThechequewasgiventoyoubymyauntEleanor。’
　　’YourauntEleanor！’saidCrawley，nowaltogetherintheclouds。Whowasthemajor’sauntEleanor？Thoughhehad，nodoubt，atdifferenttimesheardallthecircumstancesoftheconnection，hehadneverrealisedthefactthathisdaughter’sloverwasthenephewofhisoldfriendArabin。
　　’Yes；bymyaunt，MrsArabin。’
　　’Sheputitintotheenvelopewiththenotes，’saidToogood——’slippeditinwithoutsayingawordtoanyone。Ineverheardofawomandoingsuchathinginmylifebefore。Ifshehaddied，orifwehadn’tcaughther，whereshouldweallhavebeen？NotbutwhatIthinkIshouldhaverunDanStringertogroundtoo，andworkeditoutofhim。’
　　’Then，afterall，itwasgiventomebythedean？’saidCrawley。
　　’Itwasintheenvelope，butthedeandidnotknowit，’saidthemajor。
　　’Gentlemen，’saidMrCrawley。’Iwassureofit。Iknewit。Weakasmymindmaybe——andattimesitisveryweak——IwascertainthatIcouldnothaveerredinsuchamatter。ThemoreIstruggledwithmymemorythemorefixedwithmebecamethefact——whichIhadforgottenbutforamoment——thatthedocumenthadformedapartofthatsmallpackethandedtomebythedean。Butlookyou，sirs——bearwithmeyetforamoment。I
　　saidthatitwasso，andthedeandeniedit。’
　　’Thedeandidnotknowit，man，’saidToogood，almostinapassion。
　　’Bearwithmeyetawhile。SofarhaveIbeenmisdoubtingthedean——whomIhavelongknowntobeinallthingsatrueandhonestgentleman——thatIpostponedtheelaboratedresultofmyownmemorytohisword。AndI
　　feltmyselfthemoreconstrainedtodothis，becauseinamomentofforgetfulness，Ihadallowedmyselftomakeafalsestatement——unwittinglyfalse，indeed，nonethelessveryfalse，unpardonablyfalse。Ihaddeclaredwithoutthinking，thatthemoneyhadcometomefromthehandsofMrSoames，therebyseemingtocastareflectionuponthatgentleman。WhenIhadbeenguiltyofsogreatablunder，ofsogrossaviolationofthatordinarycarewhichshouldgovernallwordsbetweenmanandman，especiallywhenanyquestionofmoneymaybeindoubt——howcouldIexpectthatanyoneshouldacceptmystatementwhencontravenedbythatmadebythedean？Gentlemen，Ididnotbelievemyownmemory。Thoughallthelittlecircumstancesofthatenvelope，withitsrichbutperilousfreightage，camebackuponmefromtimetotimewithanexactnessthathasappearedtometobealmostmarvellous，yetIhavetoldmyselfthatitwasnotso！Gentlemen，ifyouplease，wewillgointothehouse；mywifeisthere，andshouldnotlongerbeleftinsuspense。’Theypassedoninsilenceforafewsteps，tillCrawleyspokeagain。’Perhapsyouwillallowmetheprivilegetobealonewithherforoneminute——butforaminute。Herthanksshallnotbedelayed，wherethanksaresorichlydue。’
　　’Ofcourse，’saidToogood，wipinghiseyeswithalargeredbandanahandkerchief。’Byallmeans。We’lltakealittlewalk。Come，along，major。’Themajorhadturnedhisfaceaway，andhealsowasweeping。’ByGeorge！Ineverheardsuchathinginallmylife，’saidToogood。’I
　　wouldn’thavebelieveditifIhadn’tseenit。Iwouldn’tindeed。IfI
　　weretotellthatupinLondon，nobodywouldbelieveme。’
　　’Icallthatmanahero，’saidGrantly。
　　’Idon’tknowaboutbeingahero。Ineverquiteknewwhatmakesahero，ifitisn’thavingthreeorfourgirlsdyinginloveforyouatonce。
　　Buttofindamanwhowasgoingtoleteverythingintheworldgoagainsthim，becausehebelievedanotherfellowbetterthanhimself！
　　There’smanyachapthinksanothermaniswool—gathering；butthismanhasthoughthewaswool—gatheringhimself！It’snotnatural；andtheworldwouldn’tgooniftheremanylikethat。He’sbeckoningus，andwehadbettergoin。’
　　MrToogoodwentfirst，andthemajorfollowedhim。Whentheyenteredthefrontdoorattheendofthepassage，andonenteringtheroomtothelefttheyfoundMrCrawleyalone。’Shehasfled，asthoughfromanenemy，’hesaid，withalittleattemptatalaugh；’butIwillpursueher，andbringherback。’
　　’No，MrCrawley，no，’saidthelawyer。’She’salittleupset，andallthatkindofthing。Weknowwhatwomenare。Letheralone。’
　　’Nay，MrToogood；butthenshewouldbeangeredwithherselfafterwards，andwouldlackthecomfortofhavingspokenawordofgratitude。Pardonme，MajorGrantly；butIwouldnothaveyouleaveustillshehasseenyou。Itisashercousinsays。Sheissomewhatover—excited。Butstill，itwillbethebestthatsheshouldseeyou。Gentlemen，youwillexcuseme。’
　　Thenhewentouttofetchhiswife，andwhilehewasawaynotawordwasspoken。ThemajorlookedoutofonewindowandMrToogoodoutoftheother，andtheywaitedpatientlytilltheyheardthecomingstepsofthehusbandandwife。Whenthedoorwasopened，MrCrawleyappeared，leadinghiswifebythehand。’Mydear，’hesaid，’youknowMajorGrantly。Thisisyourcousin，MrToogood。Itiswellthatyouknowhimtoo，andrememberhisgreatkindnesstous。’ButMrsCrawleycouldnotspeak。Shecouldonlysinkonthesofa，andhideherface，whileshestroveinvaintorepresshersobs。Shehadbeenverystrongthroughallherhusband’stroubles——verystronginbearingforhimwhathecouldnotbearforhimself，andinfightingonhisbehalfbattlesinwhichhewasaltogetherunabletocouchalance；buttheenduranceofsomanytroublesandthegreatoverwhelmingsorrowatlasthadsonearlyoverpoweredher，thatshecouldnotsustaintheshockofthisturnintheirfortunes。’Shewasneverlikethis，sirs，whenillnewscametous，’saidMrCrawley，standingsomewhatapartfromher。
　　Themajorsathimselfbyherside，andputhishanduponhers，andwhisperedsomewordtoheraboutherdaughter。Uponthisshethrewherarmsaroundhim，andkissedhisface，andthenhishands，andthenlookedupintohisfacethroughhertears。Shemurmuredsomefewwords，orattemptedtodoso。Idoubtwhetherthemajorunderstoodtheirmeaning，butheknewverywellwhatwasinherheart。
　　’AndnowIthinkwemightaswellbemoving，’saidMrToogood。’I’llseeabouthavingtheindictmentquashed。I’llarrangeallthatwithWalker。
　　ItmaybenecessarythatyoushouldgointoBarchesterthefirstdaythejudgessit；andifso，I’llcomeandfetchyou。YoumaybesureIwon’tleavetheplacetillit’sallsquare。’
　　Astheyweregoing，Grantly——speakingnowaltogetherwithindifferencetoToogood’spresence——askedMrCrawley’sleavetobethebearerofthesetidingstohisdaughter。
　　’Shecanhearitinnotonesthatcanbemoregratefultoher，’saidMrCrawley。
　　’Ishallaskherfornothingformyselfnow，’saidGrantly。’Itwouldbeungenerous。Buthereafter——inafewdays——whensheshallbemoreatease，mayIthenuseyourpermission——？’
　　’MajorGrantly，’saidMrCrawleysolemnly。’Irespectyousohighly，andesteemyousothoroughly，thatIgivewillinglythatwhichyouask。
　　Ifmydaughtercanbringherselftoregardyou，asawomanshouldregardherhusband，withthelovethatcanworshipandclingandbeconstant，shewill，Ithink，haveafairpromiseofworldlyhappiness。Andforyou，sir，ingivingyoumygirl——ifsobeitthatsheisgiventoyou——I
　　shallbestowuponyouagreattreasure。’HadGracebeenaking’sdaughter，withaqueen’sdowry，thepermissiontoaddresshercouldnothavebeenimpartedtoherloverwithamorethoroughappreciationofthevalueofprivilegeconferred。
　　’He’sarumone，’saidMrToogood，astheygotintothecarriagetogether；’buttheysayhe’saverygood’untogo。’
　　AftertheirdepartureJanewassentfor，thatshemighthearthefamilynews；andwhensheexpressedsomefeelingnotaltogetherinfavourofMrToogood，MrCrawleythusstrovetocorrectherviews。’Heisaman，mydear，whoconcealsawarmheart，andanactivespirit，andhealthysympathies，underanaffectedjocularityofmanner，andalmostwithatouchofvulgarity。Butwhenthejewelitselfisgood，anyfaultinthecasketmaybeforgiven。’
　　’Then，papa，thenexttimeIseehimI’lllikehim——ifIcan，’saidJane。
　　ThevillageofFramleyliesslightlyofftheroadfromHogglestocktoBarchester——somuchsoastoaddperhapsamiletothejourneyifthetravellergoesbytheparsonagegate。OntheirroutetoHogglestockourtwotravellershadpassedFramleywithoutvisitingthevillage，butonthereturnjourneythemajoraskedMrToogood’spermissiontomakethedeviation。’I’mnotinahurry，’saidToogood。’Ineverwasmorecomfortableinmylife。I’lljustlightacigarwhileyougoinandseeyourfriends。’Toogoodlithiscigar，andthemajor，gettingdownfromthecarriage，enteredtheparsonage。ItwashisfortunetofindGracealone。RobartswasinBarchester，andMrsRobartswasacrosstheroad，atLuftonCourt。’MissCrawleyiscertainlyin，’theservanttoldhim，andhesoonfoundhimselfinMissCrawley’spresence。
　　’Ihaveonlycalledtotellyouthenewsaboutyourfather，’saidhe。
　　’Whatnews？’
　　’WehavejustcomefromHogglestock——yourcousinMrToogood，thatis，andmyself。Theyhavefoundoutallaboutthecheque。Myaunt，MrsArabin，thedean’swife，youknow——shegaveittoyourfather。’
　　’Oh，MajorGrantly！’
　　’Itseemssoeasilysettled，doesitnot？’
　　’Andisitsettled？’
　　’Yes；everything。Everythingaboutthat。’Nowhehadholdofherhandasifheweregoing。’Good—bye。ItoldyourfatherthatIwouldjustcallandtellyou。’
　　’ItseemsalmostmorethanIcanbelieve。’
　　’Youmaybelieveit；indeedyoumay。’Hestillheldherhand。’YouwillwritetoyourmotherIdaresaytonight。TellherIwashere。Good—byenow。’
　　’Good—bye，’shesaid。Herhandwasstillinhis，asshelookedupintohisface。
　　’Dear，dear，Grace！MydarlingGrace！’Thenhetookherintohisarmsandkissedher，andwenthiswaywithoutanotherword，feelingthathehadkepthiswordtoherfatherlikeagentleman。Grace，whenshewasleftalone，thoughtthatshewasthehappiestgirlinChristendom。Ifshecouldonlygettohermother，andtelleverything，andbetoldeverything！Shehadnoideaofanypromisethatherlovermayhavemadetoherfather，nordidshemakeinquiryofherownthoughtsastothereasonsforstayingwithhersoshortatime；butlookingbackatitallshethoughthisconducthadbeenperfect。
　　Inthemeantime，themajor，withMrToogood，wasdrivenhometodinneratBarchester。
　　CHAPTERLXXV
　　MADALINA’SHEARTISBLEEDING
　　JohnEames，assoonashehadleftMrsArabinatthehotelandhadtakenhistravelling—bagtohisownlodgings，startedoffforhisuncleToogood’shouse。TherehefoundMrsToogood，notinthemostserenestateofmindastoherhusband’sabsence。MrToogoodhadnowbeenatBarchesterforthebestpartofaweek——spendingagooddealofmoneyattheinn。MrsToogoodwasquitesurethathemustbedoingthat。
　　Indeed，howcouldhehelphimself？Johnnyremarkedthathedidnotseehowinsuchcircumstanceshisunclewastohelphimself。AndthenMrToogoodhadonlywrittenoneshortscrapofaletter——justthreewords，andtheywerewrittenintriumph。’Crawleyisallright，andIthinkI’vegottherealSimonPurebytheheels。’’It’sallverywell，John，’
　　MrsToogoodsaid；’andofcourseitwouldbeaterriblethingofthefamilyifanybodyconnectedwithitweremadeouttobeathief。’’Itwouldbequitedreadful，’saidJohnny。’NotthatIeverlookedupontheCrawleysasconnectionsofours。But，however，letthatpass。I’msureI’mverygladthatyouruncleshouldhavebeenabletobeofservicetothem。Butthere’sreasonintheroastingofeggs，andIcantellyouthatmoneyisnotsoplentyinthishousethatyourunclecanaffordtothrowitintheBarchestergutters。Thinkwhattwelvechildrenare，John。ItmightbeallverywellifToogoodwereabachelor，andifsomelordhadlefthimafortune。’JohnEamesdidnotstayverylonginTavistockSquare。HiscousinsPollyandLucyweregonetotheplaywithMrSummerkin，andhisauntwasnotinoneofherbesthumours。Hetookhisuncle’spartaswellashecould，andthenleftMrsToogood。ThelittleallusiontoLordDeGuest’sgenerosityhadnotbeenpleasanttohim。Itseemedtorobhimofallhisownmerit。HehadbeenratherproudofhisjourneytoItaly，havingcontrivedtospendnearlyfortypoundsintendays。Hehaddoneeverythinginthemostexpensiveway，feelingthateverynapoleonwastedhadbeenlaidoutonbehalfMrCrawley。But，asMrsToogoodhadjusttoldhim，allthiswasnothingtowhatToogoodwasdoing。ToogoodwithtwelvechildrenwaslivingathisownchargesatBarchesterandwasneglectinghisbusinessbesides。’There’sMrCrump，’
　　saidMrsToogood。’Ofcoursehedoesn’tlikeit，andwhatcanIsaywhenhecomestome？’ThiswasnotquitefaironthepartofMrsToogood，asMrCrumphadnottroubledherevenonceasyetsinceherhusband’sdeparture。
　　WhatwasJohnnytodo，whenheleftTavistockSquare？Hisclubwasopentohim。Shouldhegotohisclub，playagameofbilliards，andhavesomesupper？Whenheaskedhimselfthequestionheknewthathewouldnotgotohisclub，andyethepretendedtodoubtaboutit，ashemadehiswaytoacabstandinTottenhamCourtRoad。Itwouldbeslow，hetoldhimself，togotohisclub。HewouldhavegonetoLilyDale，onlythathisintimacywithMrsThornewasnotsufficienttojustifyhiscallingatherhousebetweennineandteno’clockatnight。But，ashemustgosomewhere——andashisintimacywithLadyDemolineswas，hethought，sufficienttojustifyalmostanything——hewouldgotoBayswater。I
　　regrettosaythathehadwrittenamysteriousnotfromParistoMadalinaDemolines，sayingthatheshouldbeinLondononthisverynight，andthatitwasjustonthecardsthathemightmakehiswayuptoPorchesterTerracebeforehewenttobed。Thenotewasmysterious，becauseithadneitherbeginningnorending。Itdidnotcontaineveninitials。Itwaswrittenlikeatelegraphmessage，andwasaboutaslong。ItwasthekindofthingMissDemolinesliked，Johnnythought；andtherecouldbenoreasonwhyheshouldnotgratifyher。Itwasherfavouritegame。Somepeoplelikewhist，somelikecroquet，andsomelikeintrigue。Madalinaprobablywouldhavecalleditromance——becauseshewasbynatureromantic。John，whowasmadeofsternerstuff，laughedatthis。Heknewthattherewasnoromanceinit。Heknewthathewasonlyamusinghimself，andgratifyingheratthesametime，byalittleinnocentpretence。Hetoldhimselfthatitwashisnaturetopreferthesocietyofwomentothatofmen。HewouldhavelikedthesocietyofLilyDale，nodoubt，muchbetterthanthatofMissDemolines；butasthesocietyofLilyDalewasnottobehadatthatmoment，thesocietyofMissDemolineswasthebestsubstitutewithinhisreach。SohegotintoacabandhadhimselfdriventoPorchesterTerrace。’IsLadyDemolinesathome？’hesaidtotheservant。HealwaysaskedforLadyDemolines。
　　Butthepagewhowasaccustomedtoopenthedoorforhimwaslessfalse，beingyoung，andwouldnowtellhim，withoutanyfurtherfiction，thatMissMadalinawasinthedrawing—room。Suchwastheanswerhegotfromthepageonthisevening。WhatMadalinadidwithhermotherontheseoccasionshehadneveryetdiscovered。ThereusedtobesomelittleexcusesgivenaboutLadyDemolines’stateofhealth，butlatterlyMadalinahaddiscontinuedherreferencestohermother’sheadaches。Shewasstandinginthecentreofthedrawing—roomwhenheenteredit，withbothherhandsraised，andanalmostterribleexpressionofmysteryinherface。Herhair，however，hadbeenverycarefullyarrangedsoastofallwithcopiouscarelessnessdownhershoulders，andaltogethershewaslookingherbest。’Oh，John，’shesaid。ShecalledhimJohnbyaccidentinthetumultofthemoment。’Haveyouheardwhathashappened？
　　Butofcourseyouhaveheardit。’
　　’Heardwhat？Ihaveheardnothing，’saidJohnny，arrestedalmostinthedoorwaybythenatureofthequestion——andpartlyalso，nodoubt，bythetumultofthemoment。Hehadnoideahowterribleatragedywasintruthinstoreforhim；butheperceivedthatthemomentwastobetumultuous，andthathemustcarryhimselfaccordingly。
　　’Comeinandclosethedoor，’shesaid。Hecameinandclosedthedoor。
　　’Doyoumeantosaythatyouhaven’theardwhathashappenedinHookCourt？’
　　’No；——whathashappenedinHookCourt？’MissDemolinesthrewherselfbackintoanarm—chair，closedhereyes，andclaspedbothherhandsuponherforehead。’WhathashappenedinHookCourt？’saidJohnny，walkinguptoher。
　　’IdonotthinkIcanbringmyselftotellyou。’
　　Thenhetookoneofherhandsdownfromherforeheadandhelditinhis——whichsheallowedpassively。Shewasthinking，nodoubt，ofsomethingfardifferentfromthat。
　　’Ineversawyoulookingbetterinyourlife，’saidJohnny。
　　’Don’t，’saidshe。’Howcanyoutalkinthatway，whenmyheartisbleeding——bleeding。’Thenshepulledawayherhand，andagainclaspeditwiththeotheruponherforehead。
　　’Butwhyisyourheartbleeding？WhathashappenedinHookCourt？’
　　Stillsheanswerednothing，butshesobbedviolentlyandtheheavingofherbosomshowedhowtumultuouswasthetumultwithinit。’Youdon’tmeantosaythatDobbsBroughtonhascometogrief——thathe’stobesoldout？’
　　’Man，’saidMadalina，jumpingupfromherchair，standingatherfullheight，andstretchingoutbothherarms，’hehasdestroyedhimself！’
　　Therevelationwasatlastmadewithsomuchtragicpropriety，insoexcellentatone，andwithsuchanabsenceofallthecustomaryredundanciesofcommonplacerelation，thatIthinkthatshemusthaverehearsedthescene——eitherwithhermotherorwiththepage。Thentherewasaminute’ssilence，duringwhichshedidnotmoveevenaneyelid。
　　Sheheldheroutstretchedhandswithoutdroppingafingerhalfaninch。
　　Herfacewasthrustforward，herchinprojecting，withtragichorror；
　　buttherewasnovacillationeveninherchin。Shedidnotwinkaneye，oraltertothebreadthofahairtheapertureofherlips。Surelyshewasagreatgeniusifshediditallwithoutpreviousrehearsal。Then，beforehehadthoughtofwordsinwhichtoanswerher，sheletherhandsfalltoherside，sheclosedhereyes，andshookherhead，andfellbackagainintoherchair。’It’stoohorribletobespokenof——ortobethoughtabout，’shesaid。’Icouldnothavebroughtmyselftotellthetaletoalivingbeing——excepttoyou。’
　　ThiswouldnaturallyhavebeenflatteringtoJohnnyhaditnotbeenthathewasintruthabsorbedbythestorywhichhehadheard。
　　’Doyoumeantotellme，’hesaid，’thatBroughtonhas——committedsuicide？’Shecouldnotspeakofitagain，butnoddedherheadathimthrice，whilehereyeswerestillclosed。’Andhowwasthemannerofit？’saidhe，askingthequestioninalowvoice。Hecouldnotevenasyetbringhimselftobelieveit。Madalinawassofondofalittleplayfulintrigue，thateventhisstorymighthavesomethinginthenatureoffiction。Hewasnotquitesureofthefacts，andyethewasshockedbywhathehadheard。
　　’Wouldyouhavemerepeattoyouallthebloodydetailsofthatterriblescene？’shesaid。’Itisimpossible。GotoyourfriendDalrymple。Hewilltellyou。Heknowsitall。HehasbeenwithMariaallthrough。I
　　wish——Iwishithadnotbeenso。’ButneverthelessshedidbringherselftonarrateallthedetailswithsomethingmoreofcircumstancethanEamesdesired。ShesoonsucceededinmakinghimunderstandthetragedyofHookCourtwasareality，andthatpoorDobbsBroughtonhadbroughthiscareertoanuntimelyend。Shehadheardeverything——havingindeedgonetoMusselborointheCity，andhavingpenetratedeventothesanctumofMrBangles——thereadermayrememberhim，BurtonandBangles，whokeptthestoresforHimalayawinesat22shillingsand6pencethedozen，inHookCourt——wasabachelor，andratherlikedthevisit，andtoldMissDemolinesveryfreelyallhehadseen。AndwhenshesuggestedthatitmightbeexpedientforthesakeofthefamilythatsheshouldcomebacktoMrBanglesforfurtherinformationatasubsequentperiod，heverypolitelyassuredherthatshewould’dohimproud’，whenevershemightpleasetocallatHookCourt。AndthenhesawherinLombardStreet，andputherintoanomnibus。ShewasthereforewellqualifiedtotellJohnnyalltheparticularsofthetragedy——andshedidsofarovercomeherhorrorastotellthemall。ShetoldhertalesomewhatafterthemannerofAeneas，notforgettingthe’quorumparsmagnafui。’
　　’Ifeelthatitalmostmakesanoldwomanofme，’shesaid，whenshehadfinished。
　　’No，’saidJohnny，remonstrating，’notthat。’
　　’Butitdoes。Tohavebeenconcernedinsoterribleatragedytakesmoreoflifeoutofonethantenyearsoftranquilexistence。’AsshehadtoldhimnothingofherintercoursewithBangles——withBangleswhohadliterallypickedthepoorwretchup——hedidnotseehowsheherselfhadbeenconcernedinthematter；buthesaidnothingaboutthat，knowingthecharacterofMadalina。’Ishallsee——that——body，floatingbeforemyeyeswhileIlive，’shesaid，’andthegorywound，and——and——’