Afterwaitingforaminuteortwo，andhearingnosignalfromthefloorabove，Iadvancedintothebroaderandbrighterpartofthehall，tolookbydaylightatthepictureswhichIhadonlyimperfectlydiscoveredinthedarknessofthenight。Apaintedinscriptioninmanycolors，justunderthecorniceoftheceiling，informedmethattheworksonthewallsweretheproductionoftheall—accomplishedDexterhimself。Notsatisfiedwithbeingpoetandcomposer，hewaspainteraswell。Ononewallthesubjectsweredescribedas"IllustrationsofthePassions；"
　　ontheother，as"EpisodesintheLifeoftheWanderingJew。"
　　Chancespeculatorslikemyselfweregravelywarned，bymeansoftheinscription，toviewthepicturesaseffortsofpureimagination。"PersonswholookformereNatureinworksofArt"
　　（theinscriptionannounced）"arepersonstowhomMr。Dexterdoesnotaddresshimselfwiththebrush。Hereliesentirelyonhisimagination。Natureputshimout。"
　　TakingduecaretodismissallideasofNaturefrommymind，tobeginwith，IlookedatthepictureswhichrepresentedthePassionsfirst。
　　LittleasIknewcriticallyofArt，IcouldseethatMiserrimusDexterknewstilllessoftherulesofdrawing，color，andcomposition。Hispictureswere，inthestrictestmeaningofthatexpressiveword，Daubs。ThediseasedandriotousdelightofthepainterinrepresentingHorrorswas（withcertainexceptionstobehereaftermentioned）theoneremarkablequalitythatIcoulddiscoverintheseriesofhisworks。
　　ThefirstofthePassionpicturesillustratedRevenge。Acorpse，infancycostume，layonthebankofafoamingriver，undertheshadeofagianttree。Aninfuriatedman，alsoinfancycostume，stoodastrideoverthedeadbody，withhisswordliftedtotheloweringsky，andwatched，withahorridexpressionofdelight，thebloodofthemanwhomhehadjustkilleddrippingslowlyinaprocessionofbigreddropsdownthebroadbladeofhisweapon。
　　ThenextpictureillustratedCruelty，inmanycompartments。InoneIsawadisemboweledhorsesavagelyspurredonbyhisrideratabull—fight。Inanother，anagedphilosopherwasdissectingalivingcat，andgloatingoverhiswork。Inathird，twopaganspolitelycongratulatedeachotheronthetortureoftwosaints：
　　onesaintwasroastingonagrid—iron；theother，hunguptoatreebyhisheels，hadbeenjustskinned，andwasnotquitedeadyet。Feelingnogreatdesire，afterthesespecimens，tolookatanymoreoftheillustratedPassions，IturnedtotheoppositewalltobeinstructedinthecareeroftheWanderingJew。HereasecondinscriptioninformedmethatthepainterconsideredtheFlyingDutchmantobenootherthantheWanderingJew，pursuinghisinterminableJourneybysea。ThemarineadventuresofthismysteriouspersonageweretheadventureschosenforrepresentationbyDexter’sbrush。Thefirstpictureshowedmeaharboronarockycoast。Avesselwasatanchor，withthehelmsmansingingonthedeck。Theseaintheoffingwasblackandrolling；thunder—cloudslaylowonthehorizon，splitbybroadflashesoflightning。Intheglareofthelightning，heavingandpitching，appearedthemistyformofthePhantomShipapproachingtheshore。Inthiswork，badlyasitwaspainted，therewerereallysignsofapowerfulimagination，andevenofapoeticalfeelingforthesupernatural。ThenextpictureshowedthePhantomShip，moored（tothehorrorandastonishmentofthehelmsman）
　　behindtheearthlyvesselintheharbor。TheJewhadsteppedonshore。Hisboatwasonthebeach。Hiscrew——littlemenwithstony，whitefaces，dressedinfuneralblack——satinsilentrowsontheseatsoftheboat，withtheiroarsintheirlean，longhands。TheJew，alsoablack，stoodwithhiseyesandhandsraisedimploringlytothethunderousheaven。Thewildcreaturesoflandandsea——thetiger，therhinoceros，thecrocodile，thesea—serpent，theshark，andthedevil—fish——surroundedtheaccursedWandererinamysticcircle，dauntedandfascinatedatthesightofhim。Thelightningwasgone。Theskyandseahaddarkenedtoagreatblackblank。Afaintandluridlightlightedthescene，fallingdownwardfromatorch，brandishedbyanavengingSpiritthathoveredovertheJewonoutspreadvulturewings。Wildasthepicturemightbeinitsconception，therewasasuggestivepowerinitwhichIconfessstronglyimpressedme。
　　Themysterioussilenceinthehouse，andmystrangepositionatthemoment，nodoubthadtheireffectonmymind。WhileIwasstilllookingattheghastlycompositionbeforeme，theshrilltrillingsoundofthewhistleupstairsburstonthestillness。
　　ForthemomentmynervesweresocompletelyupsetthatIstartedwithacryofalarm。Ifeltamomentaryimpulsetoopenthedoorandrunout。Theideaoftrustingmyselfalonewiththemanwhohadpaintedthosefrightfulpicturesactuallyterrifiedme；Iwasobligedtositdownononeofthehallchairs。Someminutespassedbeforemymindrecovereditsbalance，andIbegantofeellikemyownordinaryselfagain。Thewhistlesoundedimpatientlyforthesecondtime。Iroseandascendedthebroadflightofstairswhichledtothefirststory。TodrawbackatthepointwhichIhadnowreachedwouldhaveutterlydegradedmeinmyownestimation。Still，myheartdidcertainlybeatfasterthanusualasIapproachedthedoorofthecircularanteroom；andIhonestlyacknowledgethatIsawmyownimprudence，justthen，inasingularlyvividlight。
　　Therewasaglassoverthemantel—pieceintheanteroom。I
　　lingeredforamoment（nervousasIwas）toseehowIlookedintheglass。
　　Thehangingtapestryovertheinnerdoorhadbeenleftpartiallydrawnaside。SoftlyasImoved，thedog’searsofMiserrimusDextercaughtthesoundofmydressonthefloor。Thefinetenorvoice，whichIhadlastheardsinging，calledtomesoftly。
　　"IsthatMrs。Valeria？Pleasedon’twaitthere。Comein！"
　　Ienteredtheinnerroom。
　　Thewheeledchairadvancedtomeetme，soslowlyandsosoftlythatIhardlyknewitagain。MiserrimusDexterlanguidlyheldouthishand。Hisheadinclinedpensivelytooneside；hislargeblueeyeslookedatmepiteously。Notavestigeseemedtobeleftoftheraging，shoutingcreatureofmyfirstvisit，whowasNapoleonatonemoment，andShakespeareatanother。Mr。Dexterofthemorningwasamild，thoughtful，melancholyman，whoonlyrecalledMr。Dexterofthenightbytheinveterateoddityofhisdress。
　　Hisjacket，onthisoccasion，wasofpinkquiltedsilk。Thecoverletwhichhidhisdeformitymatchedthejacketinpalesea—greensatin；and，tocompletethesestrangevagariesofcostume，hiswristswereactuallyadornedwithmassivebraceletsofgold，formedontheseverelysimplemodelswhichhavedescendedtousfromancienttimes。
　　"Howgoodofyoutocheerandcharmmebycominghere！"hesaid，inhismostmournfulandmostmusicaltones。"Ihavedressed，expresslytoreceiveyou，intheprettiestclothesIhave。Don’tbesurprised。Exceptinthisignobleandmaterialnineteenthcentury，menhavealwayswornpreciousstuffsandbeautifulcolorsaswellaswomen。Ahundredyearsagoagentlemaninpinksilkwasagentlemanproperlydressed。Fifteenhundredyearsagothepatriciansoftheclassictimesworebraceletsexactlylikemine。Idespisethebrutishcontemptforbeautyandthemeandreadofexpensewhichdegradeagentleman’scostumetoblackcloth，andlimitagentleman’sornamentstoafinger—ring，intheageIlivein。IliketobebrightandIbeautiful，especiallywhenbrightnessandbeautycometoseeme。Youdon’tknowhowpreciousyoursocietyistome。Thisisoneofmymelancholydays。Tearsriseunbiddentomyeyes。Isighandsorrowovermyself；Ilanguishforpity。JustthinkofwhatIam！Apoorsolitarycreature，cursedwithafrightfuldeformity。Howpitiable！howdreadful！Myaffectionateheart——wasted。Myextraordinarytalents——uselessormisapplied。Sad！sad！sad！
　　Pleasepityme。"
　　Hiseyeswerepositivelyfilledwithtears——tearsofcompassionforhimself！Helookedatmeandspoketomewiththewailing，querulousentreatyofasickchildwantingtobenursed。Iwasutterlyatalosswhattodo。Itwasperfectlyridiculous——butI
　　wasnevermoreembarrassedinmylife。
　　"Pleasepityme！"herepeated。"Don’tbecruel。Ionlyaskalittlething。PrettyMrs。Valeria，sayyoupityme！"
　　IsaidIpitiedhim——andIfeltthatIblushedasIdidit。
　　"Thankyou，"saidMiserrimusDexter，humbly。"Itdoesmegood。Goalittlefurther。Patmyhand。"
　　Itriedtorestrainmyself；butthesenseoftheabsurdityofthislastpetition（quitegravelyaddressedtome，remember！）wastoostrongtobecontrolled。Iburstoutlaughing。
　　MiserrimusDexterlookedatmewithablankastonishmentwhichonlyincreasedmymerriment。HadIoffendedhim？Apparentlynot。
　　Recoveringfromhisastonishment，helaidhisheadluxuriouslyonthebackofhischair，withtheexpressionofamanwhowaslisteningcriticallytoaperformanceofsomesort。WhenIhadquiteexhaustedmyself，heraisedhisheadandclappedhisshapelywhitehands，andhonoredmewithan"encore。"
　　"Doitagain，"hesaid，stillinthesamechildishway。"MerryMrs。Valeria，_you_haveamusicallaugh——_I_haveamusicalear。
　　Doitagain。"
　　Iwasseriousenoughbythistime。"Iamashamedofmyself，Mr。
　　Dexter，"Isaid。"Prayforgiveme。"
　　Hemadenoanswertothis；Idoubtifheheardme。Hisvariabletemperappearedtobeincourseofundergoingsomenewchange。Hesatlookingatmydress（asIsupposed）withasteadyandanxiousattention，gravelyforminghisownconclusions，steadfastlypursuinghisowntrainofthought。
　　"Mrs。Valeria，"heburstoutsuddenly，"youarenotcomfortableinthatchair。"
　　"Pardonme，"Ireplied；"Iamquitecomfortable。"
　　"Pardon_me，_"herejoined。"ThereisachairofIndianbasket—workatthatendoftheroomwhichismuchbettersuitedtoyou。WillyouacceptmyapologiesifIamrudeenoughtoallowyoutofetchitforyourself？Ihaveareason。"
　　Hehadareason！Whatnewpieceofeccentricitywasheabouttoexhibit？Iroseandfetchedthechair。Itwaslightenoughtobequiteeasilycarried。AsIreturnedtohim，Inoticedthathiseyeswerestrangelyemployedinwhatseemedtobetheclosestscrutinyofmydress。And，strangerstill，theresultofthisappearedtobepartlytointerestandpartlytodistresshim。
　　Iplacedthechairnearhim，andwasabouttotakemyseatinit，whenhesentmebackagain，onanothererrand，totheendoftheroom。
　　"Obligemeindescribably，"hesaid。"Thereisahand—screenhangingonthewall，whichmatchesthechair。Wearerathernearthefirehere。Youmayfindthescreenuseful。Oncemoreforgivemeforlettingyoufetchitforyourself。OncemoreletmeassureyouthatIhaveareason。"
　　Herewashis"reason，"reiterated，emphaticallyreiterated，forthesecondtime！CuriositymademeascompletelytheobedientservantofhiscapricesasArielherself。Ifetchedthehand—screen。Returningwithit，Imethiseyesstillfixedwiththesameincomprehensibleattentiononmyperfectlyplainandunpretendingdress，andstillexpressingthesamecuriousmixtureofinterestandregret。
　　"Thankyouathousandtimes，"hesaid。"Youhave（quiteinnocently）wrungmyheart。Butyouhavenotthelessdonemeaninestimablekindness。WillyoupromisenottobeoffendedwithmeifIconfessthetruth？"
　　HewasapproachinghisexplanationInevergaveapromisemorereadilyinmylife。
　　"Ihaverudelyallowedyoutofetchyourchairandyourscreenforyourself，"hewenton。"Mymotivewillseemaverystrangeone，Iamafraid。DidyouobservethatInoticedyouveryattentively——tooattentively，perhaps？"
　　"Yes，"Isaid。"Ithoughtyouwerenoticingmydress。"
　　Heshookhishead，andsighedbitterly。
　　"Notyourdress，"hesaid；"andnotyourface。Yourdressisdark。Yourfaceisstillstrangetome。DearMrs。Valeria，I
　　wantedtoseeyouwalk。"
　　Toseemewalk！Whatdidhemean？Wherewasthaterraticmindofhiswanderingtonow？
　　"YouhavearareaccomplishmentforanEnglishwoman，"heresumed——"youwalkwell。_She_walkedwell。Icouldn’tresistthetemptationofseeingheragain，inseeingyou。Itwas_her_
　　movement，_her_sweet，simple，unsoughtgrace（notyours），whenyouwalkedtotheendoftheroomandreturnedtome。Youraisedherfromthedeadwhenyoufetchedthechairandthescreen。
　　Pardonmeformakinguseofyou：theideawasinnocent，themotivewassacred。Youhavedistressed——anddelightedme。Myheartbleeds——andthanksyou。"
　　Hepausedforamoment；helethisheaddrooponhisbreast，thensuddenlyraiseditagain。
　　"Surelyweweretalkingaboutherlastnight？"hesaid。"WhatdidIsay？whatdidyousay？Mymemoryisconfused；Ihalfremember，halfforget。Pleaseremindme。You’renotoffendedwithme——areyou？"
　　Imighthavebeenoffendedwithanotherman。Notwithhim。Iwasfartooanxioustofindmywayintohisconfidence——nowthathehadtouchedofhisownaccordonthesubjectofEustace’sfirstwife——tobeoffendedwithMiserrimusDexter。
　　"Wewerespeaking，"Ianswered，"ofMrs。EustaceMacallan’sdeath，andweweresayingtooneanother——"
　　Heinterruptedme，leaningforwardeagerlyinhischair。
　　"Yes！yes！"heexclaimed。"AndIwaswonderingwhatinterest_you_couldhaveinpenetratingthemysteryofherdeath。Tellme！Confideinme！Iamdyingtoknow！"
　　"NotevenyouhaveastrongerinterestinthatsubjectthantheinterestthatIfeel，"Isaid。"Thehappinessofmywholelifetocomedependsonmyclearingupthemystery。"
　　"GoodGod——why？"hecried。"Stop！Iamexcitingmyself。Imustn’tdothat。Imusthaveallmywitsaboutme；Imustn’twander。Thethingistooserious。Waitaminute！"
　　Anelegantlittlebasketwashookedontooneofthearmsofhischair。Heopenedit，anddrewoutastripofembroiderypartiallyfinished，withthenecessarymaterialsforworking，acomplete。
　　Welookedateachotheracrosstheembroidery。Henoticedmysurprise。
　　"Women，"hesaid，"wiselycomposetheirminds，andhelpthemselvestothinkquietly，bydoingneedle—work。Whyaremensuchfoolsastodenythemselvesthesameadmirableresource——thesimpleandsoothingoccupationwhichkeepsthenervessteadyandleavesthemindcalmandfree？Asaman，Ifollowthewoman’swiseexample。Mrs。Valeria，permitmetocomposemyself。"
　　Gravelyarranginghisembroidery，thisextraordinarybeingbegantoworkwiththepatientandnimbledexterityofanaccomplishedneedle—woman。
　　"Now，"saidMiserrimusDexter，"ifyouareready，Iam。Youtalk——Iwork。Pleasebegin。"
　　Iobeyedhim，andbegan。
　　CHAPTERXXVIII。
　　INTHEDARK。
　　WITHsuchamanasMiserrimusDexter，andwithsuchapurposeasIhadinview，nohalf—confidenceswerepossible。ImusteitherriskthemostunreservedacknowledgmentoftheintereststhatI
　　reallyhadatstake，orImustmakethebestexcusethatoccurredtomeforabandoningmycontemplatedexperimentatthelastmoment。Inmypresentcriticalsituation，nosuchrefugeasamiddlecourselaybeforeme——evenifIhadbeeninclinedtotakeit。Asthingswere，Iranrisks，andplungedheadlongintomyownaffairsatstarting。
　　"Thusfar，youknowlittleornothingaboutme，Mr。Dexter，"I
　　said。"Youare，asIbelieve，quiteunawarethatmyhusbandandI
　　arenotlivingtogetheratthepresenttime。"
　　"Isitnecessarytomentionyourhusband？"heasked，coldly，withoutlookingupfromhisembroidery，andwithoutpausinginhiswork。
　　"Itisabsolutelynecessary，"Ianswered。"Icanexplainmyselftoyouinnootherway。"
　　Hebenthishead，andsighedresignedly。
　　"Youandyourhusbandarenotlivingtogetheratthepresenttime，"heresumed。"DoesthatmeanthatEustacehasleftyou？"
　　"Hehasleftme，andhasgoneabroad。"
　　"Withoutanynecessityforit？"
　　"Withouttheleastnecessity。"
　　"Hasheappointednotimeforhisreturntoyou？"
　　"Ifhepersevereinhispresentresolution，Mr。Dexter，Eustacewillneverreturntome。"
　　Forthefirsttimeheraisedhisheadfromhisembroidery——withasuddenappearanceofinterest。
　　"Isthequarrelsoseriousasthat？"heasked。"Areyoufreeofeachother，prettyMrs。Valeria，bycommonconsentofbothparties？"
　　Thetoneinwhichheputthequestionwasnotatalltomyliking。ThelookhefixedonmewasalookwhichunpleasantlysuggestedthatIhadtrustedmyselfalonewithhim，andthathemightendintakingadvantageofit。Iremindedhimquietly，bymymannermorethanbymywords，oftherespectwhichheowedtome。
　　"Youareentirelymistaken，"Isaid。"Thereisnoanger——thereisnotevenamisunderstandingbetweenus。Ourpartinghascostbittersorrow，Mr。Dexter，tohimandtome。"
　　Hesubmittedtobesetrightwithironicalresignation。"Iamallattention，"hesaid，threadinghisneedle。"Praygoon；Iwon’tinterruptyouagain。"Actingonthisinvitation，Itoldhimthetruthaboutmyhusbandandmyselfquiteunreservedly，takingcare，however，atthesametime，toputEustace’smotivesinthebestlightthattheywouldbear。MiserrimusDexterdroppedhisembroideryonhislap，andlaughedsoftlytohimself，withanimpishenjoymentofmypoorlittlenarrative，whichseteverynerveinmeonedgeasIlookedathim。
　　"Iseenothingtolaughat，"Isaid，sharply。
　　Hisbeautifulblueeyesrestedonmewithalookofinnocentsurprise。
　　"Nothingtolaughat，"herepeated，"insuchanexhibitionofhumanfollyasyouhavejustdescribed？"Hisexpressionsuddenlychangedhisfacedarkenedandhardenedverystrangely。"Stop！"hecried，beforeIcouldanswerhim。"Therecanbeonlyonereasonforyou’retakingitasseriouslyasyoudo。Mrs。Valeria！youarefondofyourhusband。"
　　"Fondofhimisn’tstrongenoughtoexpressit，"Iretorted。"I
　　lovehimwithmywholeheart。"
　　MiserrimusDexterstrokedhismagnificentbeard，andcontemplativelyrepeatedmywords。"Youlovehimwithyourwholeheart？Doyouknowwhy？"
　　"BecauseIcan’thelpit，"Ianswered，doggedly。
　　Hesmiledsatirically，andwentonwithhisembroidery。
　　"Curious！"hesaidtohimself；"Eustace’sfirstwifelovedhimtoo。Therearesomemenwhomthewomenalllike，andthereareothermenwhomthewomennevercarefor。Withouttheleastreasonforitineithercase。Theonemanisjustasgoodastheother；
　　justashandsome，asagreeable，ashonorable，andashighinrankastheother。AndyetforNumberOnetheywillgothroughfireandwater，andforNumberTwotheywon’tsomuchasturntheirheadstolookathim。Why？Theydon’tknowthemselves——asMrs。
　　Valeriahasjustsaid！Isthereaphysicalreasonforit？IstheresomepotentmagneticemanationfromNumberOnewhichNumberTwodoesn’tpossess？ImustinvestigatethiswhenIhavethetime，andwhenIfindmyselfinthehumor。"Havingsofarsettledthequestiontohisownentiresatisfaction，helookedupatmeagain。"Iamstillinthedarkaboutyouandyourmotives，"hesaid。"IamstillasfaraseverfromunderstandingwhatyourinterestisininvestigatingthathideoustragedyatGleninch。
　　CleverMrs。Valeria，pleasetakemebythehand，andleadmeintothelight。You’renotoffendedwithmeareyou？Makeitup；andI
　　willgiveyouthisprettypieceofembroiderywhenIhavedoneit。Iamonlyapoor，solitary，deformedwretch，withaquaintturnofmind；Imeannoharm。Forgiveme！indulgeme！enlightenme！"
　　Heresumedhischildishways；herecover，hisinnocentsmile，withtheoddlittlepuckersandwrinklesaccompanyingitatthecornersofhiseyes。IbegantodoubtwhetherImightnothavebeenunreasonablyhardonhim。Ipenitentlyresolvedtobemoreconsideratetowardhisinfirmitiesofmindandbodyduringtheremainderofmyvisit。
　　"Letmegobackforamoment，Mr。Dexter，topasttimesatGleninch，"Isaid。"YouagreewithmeinbelievingEustacetobeabsolutelyinnocentofthecrimeforwhichhewastried。YourevidenceattheTrialtellsmethat。"
　　Hepausedoverhiswork，andlookedatmewithagraveandsternattentionwhichpresentedhisfaceinquiteanewlight。
　　"Thatis_our_opinion，"Iresumed。"ButitwasnottheopinionoftheJury。Theirverdict，youremember，wasNotProven。InplainEnglish，theJurywhotriedmyhusbanddeclinedtoexpresstheiropinion，positivelyandpublicly，thathewasinnocent。AmIright？"
　　Insteadofanswering，hesuddenlyputhisembroiderybackinthebasket，andmovedthemachineryofhischair，soastobringitclosebymine。
　　"Whotoldyouthis？"heasked。
　　"Ifounditformyselfinabook。"
　　Thusfarhisfacehadexpressedsteadyattention——andnomore。
　　Now，forthefirsttime，IthoughtIsawsomethingdarklypassingoverhimwhichbetrayeditselftomymindasrisingdistrust。
　　"Ladiesarenotgenerallyinthehabitoftroublingtheirheadsaboutdryquestionsoflaw，"hesaid。"Mrs。EustaceMacallantheSecond，youmusthavesomeverypowerfulmotiveforturningyourstudiesthatway。"
　　"Ihaveaverypowerfulmotive，Mr。DexterMyhusbandisresignedtotheScotchVerdictHismotherisresignedtoit。Hisfriends（sofarasIknow）areresignedtoit——"
　　"Well？"
　　"Well！Idon’tagreewithmyhusband，orhismother，orhisfriends。IrefusetosubmittotheScotchVerdict。"
　　TheinstantIsaidthosewords，themadnessinhimwhichIhadhithertodenied，seemedtobreakout。Hesuddenlystretchedhimselfoverhischair：hepouncedonme，withahandoneachofmyshoulders；hiswildeyesquestionedmefiercely，frantically，withinafewinchesofmyface。
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"heshouted，attheutmostpitchofhisringingandresonantvoice。
　　Adeadlyfearofhimshookme。Ididmybesttohidetheoutwardbetrayalofit。Bylookandword，Ishowedhim，asfirmlyasI
　　could，thatIresentedthelibertyhehadtakenwithme。
　　"Removeyourhands，sir，"Isaid，"andretiretoyourproperplace。"
　　Heobeyedmemechanically。Heapologizedtomemechanically。HiswholemindwasevidentlystillfilledwiththewordsthatIhadspokentohim，andstillbentondiscoveringwhatthosewordsmeant。
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"hesaid；"Ihumblybegyourpardon。Thesubjectexcitesme，frightensme，maddensme。Youdon’tknowwhatadifficultyIhaveincontrollingmyself。Nevermind。Don’ttakemeseriously。Don’tbefrightenedatme。Iamsoashamedofmyself——Ifeelsosmallandsomiserableathavingoffendedyou。
　　Makemesufferforit。Takeastickandbeatme。Tiemedowninmychair。CallupAriel，whoisasstrongasahorse，andtellhertoholdme。DearMrs。Valeria！InjuredMrs。Valeria！I’llendureanythinginthewayofpunishment，ifyouwillonlytellmewhatyoumeanbynotsubmittingtotheScotchVerdict。"Hebackedhischairpenitentlyashemadethatentreaty。"AmIfarenoughawayyet？"heasked，witharuefullook。"DoIstillfrightenyou？I’lldropoutofsight，ifyoupreferit，inthebottomofthechair。"
　　Heliftedthesea—greencoverlet。InanothermomenthewouldhavedisappearedlikeapuppetinashowifIhadnotstoppedhim。
　　"Saynothingmore，anddonothingmore；Iacceptyourapologies，"Isaid。"WhenItellyouthatIrefusetosubmittotheopinionoftheScotchJury，Imeanexactlywhatmywordsexpress。Thatverdicthasleftastainonmyhusband’scharacter。Hefeelsthestainbitterly。HowbitterlynooneknowssowellasIdo。Hissenseofhisdegradationisthesensethathaspartedhimfromme。Itisnotenoughfor_him_
　　thatIampersuadedofhisinnocence。Nothingwillbringhimbacktome——nothingwillpersuadeEustacethatIthinkhimworthytobetheguideandcompanionofmylife——buttheproofofhisinnocence，setbeforetheJurywhichdoubtsit，andthepublicwhichdoubtsit，tothisday。Heandhisfriendsandhislawyersalldespairofeverfindingthatproofnow。ButIamhiswife；
　　andnoneofyoulovehimasIlovehim。Ialonerefusetodespair；Ialonerefusetolistentoreason。IfGodspareme，Mr。
　　Dexter，Idedicatemylifetothevindicationofmyhusband’sinnocence。Youarehisoldfriend——Iamheretoaskyoutohelpme。"
　　Itappearedtobenowmyturntofrighten_him。_Thecolorlefthisface。Hepassedhishandrestlesslyoverhisforehead，asifheweretryingtobrushsomedelusionoutofhisbrain。
　　"Isthisoneofmydreams？"heasked，faintly。"AreyouaVisionofthenight？"
　　"Iamonlyafriendlesswoman，"Isaid，"whohaslostallthatshelovedandprized，andwhoistryingtowinitbackagain。"
　　Hebegantomovehischairnearertomeoncemore。Iliftedmyhand。Hestoppedthechairdirectly。Therewasamomentofsilence。Wesatwatchingoneanother。Isawhishandstrembleashelaidthemonthecoverlet；Isawhisfacegrowpalerandpaler，andhisunderlipdrop。WhatdeadandburiedremembranceshadIbroughttolifeinhim，inalltheiroldenhorror？
　　Hewasthefirsttospeakagain。
　　"Sothisisyourinterest，"hesaid，"inclearingupthemysteryofMrs。EustaceMacallan’sdeath？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"AndyoubelievethatIcanhelpyou？"
　　"Ido。"