thoughtofwhatyousaid，afterIhadshownyoumyJournal；andyourwordstookmymemorybacktothedayswhenIwashappywithPhilip。Thetrialandtheterrorpassedaway。
　　"Consolationhascometomefromthebestofgoodwomen。Mrs。
　　Staveleywritesaslovinglyasmymothermighthavewritten，ifdeathhadsparedher。IhaverepliedwithallthegratitudethatIreallyfeel，butwithouttakingadvantageoftheserviceswhichsheoffers。Mrs。Staveleyhasitinhermind，asyouhaditinyourmind，tobringPhilipbacktome。Doessheforget，doyouforget，thatHelenaclaimshim？Butyoubothmeankindly，andI
　　loveyoubothfortheinterestthatyoufeelinme。
　　"Thefarmer’swife——deargoodsoul！——hardlyunderstandsmesowellasherhusbanddoes。SheconfessestopityingPhilip。’Heissowretched，’shesays。’And，dearheart，howhandsome，andwhatnice，winningmanners！Idon’tthinkIshouldhavehadyourcourage，inyourplace。Totellthetruth，IshouldhavejumpedforjoywhenIsawhimatthedoor；andIshouldhaverundowntolethimin——andperhapsbeensorryforitafterward。Ifyoureallywishtoforgethim，mydear，IwilldoallIcantohelpyou。’
　　"Thesearetriflingthingstomention，butIamafraidyoumaythinkIamunhappy——andIwanttopreventthat。
　　"Ihavesomuchtobethankfulfor，andthechildrenaresofondofme。WhetherIteachthemaswellasImighthavedone，ifI
　　hadbeenamorelearnedgirl，mayperhapsbedoubtful。Theydomorefortheirgoverness，Iamafraid，thantheirgovernessdoesforthem。Whentheycomeintomyroominthemorning，androusemewiththeirkisses，thehourofwaking，whichusedtobesohardtoendureafterPhilipleftme，isnowthehappiesthourofmyday。"
　　Withthatreassuringviewofherlifeasagoverness，thepoorchild’slettercomestoanend。
　　CHAPTERLI。
　　THETRIUMPHOFMRS。TENBRUGGEN。
　　MISSJILLGALLappearsagain，afteraninterval，onthefieldofmyextracts。Mypleasantfrienddeservesthistimeaseriousreception。SheinformsmethatMrs。TenbruggenhasbeguntheinquirieswhichIhavethebestreasontodread——forIaloneknowtheendwhichtheyaredesignedtoreach。
　　Thearrivalofthisnewsaffectedmeintwodifferentways。
　　ItwasdiscouragingtofindthatcircumstanceshadnotjustifiedmyrelianceonHelena’senmityasacounter—influencetoMrs。
　　Tenbruggen。Ontheotherhand，itwasarelieftobeassuredthatmyreturntoLondonwouldserve，ratherthancompromise，theinterestswhichitwasmychiefanxietytodefend。IhadforeseenthatMrs。Tenbruggenwouldwaittosetherenterpriseonfoot，untilIwasoutofherway；andIhadcalculatedonmyabsenceasaneventwhichwouldatleastputanendtosuspensebyencouraginghertobegin。
　　ThefirstsentencesinMissJillgall’sletterexplainthenatureofherinterestintheproceedingsofherfriend，andare，onthataccount，worthreading。
　　"Thingsaresadlychangedfortheworse"（Selinawrites）；"butI
　　don’tforgetthatPhilipwasonceengagedtoEuneece，andthatMr。Gracedieu’sextraordinaryconducttowardhimpuzzledusall。
　　ThemodeofdiscoverywhichdearElizabethsuggestedbyletter，atthattime，appearstobethemodewhichsheisfollowingnow。
　　WhenIaskedwhy，shesaid：’PhilipmayreturntoEuneece；theMinistermayrecover——andwillbeallthemorelikelytodosoifhetriesMassage。Inthatcase，hewillprobablyrepeattheconductwhichsurprisedyou；andyournaturalcuriositywillaskmeagaintofindoutwhatitmeans。AmIyourfriend，Selina，oramInot？’Thiswassodelightfullykind，andsoirresistiblyconclusive，thatIkissedherinatransportofgratitude。WithwhatbreathlessinterestIhavewatchedherprogresstowardpenetratingthemysteryofthegirls’ages，itisquiteneedlesstotellyou。"
　　Mrs。Tenbruggen’smethodofkeepingMissJillgallinignoranceofwhatshewasreallyabout，andMissJillgall’sadmirableconfidenceintheintegrityofMrs。Tenbruggen，beingnowsetforthonthebestauthority，anexactpresentationofthestateofaffairswillbecompletedifIaddawordmore，relatingtothepositionsactuallyoccupiedtowardMrs。Tenbruggen’senterprise，bymycorrespondentandmyself。
　　Onherside，MissJillgallwasentirelyignorantthatoneofthetwogirlswasnotMr。Gracedieu’sdaughter，buthisadoptedchild。Onmyside，IwasentirelyignorantofMrs。Tenbruggen’spurposeinendeavoringtoidentifythedaughterofthemurderess。
　　Speakingofmyself，individually，letmeaddthatIonlywaitedtheeventtoprotectthehelplessones——mypoordementedfriend，andtheorphanwhomhismercyreceivedintohisheartandhishome。
　　MissJillgallgoesonwithhercuriousstory，asfollows：
　　"Alwaysdesirousofmakingmyselfuseful，IthoughtIwouldgivemydearElizabethahintwhichmightsavetimeandtrouble。’Whynotbegin，’Isuggested，’byaskingtheGovernortohelpyou？’
　　Thatwonderfulwomanneverforgetsanything。Shehadalreadyappliedtoyou，withoutsuccess。
　　"Inmynextattempttobeuseful，Ididviolencetomymostcherishedconvictions，bypresentingthewretchHelenatotheadmirableElizabeth。Thattheformerwouldbecoldasice，inherreceptionofanyfriendofmine，wasnothingwonderful。Mrs。
　　Tenbruggenpasseditoverwiththegracefulcomposureofawomanoftheworld。InthecourseofconversationwithHelena，sheslippedinaquestion：’MightIaskifyouareolderthanyoursister？’Theanswerwas，ofcourse：’Idon’tknow。’Andhere，foronce，themostdeceitfulgirlinexistencespokethetruth。
　　"Whenwewerealoneagain，Elizabethmadearemark：’Ifpersonalappearancecoulddecidethequestion，’shesaid，’thedisagreeableyoungwomanistheoldestofthetwo。Thenextthingtobedoneistodiscoveriflooksaretobetrustedinthiscase。’
　　"Myfriend’slawyerreceivedconfidentialinstructions（notshowntome，whichseemsratherhard）totracethetwoMissGracedieus’
　　registersofbirth。Elizabethdescribedthisproceeding（notveryintelligiblytomymind）asameansoffindingoutwhichofthegirlscouldbeidentifiedbynameastheelderofthetwo。
　　"Thereportarrivedthismorning。Iwasonlyinformedthattheresult，inonecase，hadentirelydefeatedtheinquiries。Intheothercase，ElizabethhadhelpedheragentbyreferringhimtoaBirth，advertisedinthecustomarycolumnsofthe_Times_
　　newspaper。Evenhere，therewasafatalobstacle。ThenameoftheplaceinwhichMr。Gracedieu’sdaughterhadbeenbornwasnotadded，asusual。
　　"Istilltriedtobeuseful。HadmyfriendknowntheMinister’swife？MyfriendhadneverevenseentheMinister’swife。And，asifbyafatality，herportraitwasnolongerinexistence。I
　　couldonlymentionthatHelenawaslikehermother。ButElizabethseemedtoattachverylittleimportancetomyevidence，ifImaycallitbysograndaname。’Peoplehavesuchstrangeideasaboutlikenesses，’shesaid，’andarriveatsuchcontradictoryconclusions。Onecanonlytrustone’sowneyesinamatterofthatkind。’
　　"Myfriendnextaskedmeaboutourdomesticestablishment。Wehadonlyacookandahousemaid。Iftheywereoldservantswhohadknownthegirlsaschildren，theymightbemadeofsomeuse。Ourluckwasassteadilyagainstusasever。TheyhadbothbeenengagedwhenMr。Gracedieuassumedhisnewpastoralduties，afterhavingresidedwithhiswifeathernativeplace。
　　"IaskedElizabethwhatsheproposedtodonext。
　　"Shedeferredheranswer，untilIhadfirsttoldherwhetherthevisitofthedoctormightbeexpectedonthatday。Icouldreplytothisinthenegative。Elizabeth，thereupon，madeastartlingrequest；shebeggedmetointroducehertoMr。Gracedieu。
　　"Isaid：’Surely，youhaveforgottenthesadstateofhismind？’
　　No；sheknewperfectlywellthathewasimbecile。’Iwanttotry，’sheexplained，’ifIcanrousehimforafewminutes。’
　　"’ByMassage？’Iinquired。
　　"Sheburstoutlaughing。’Massage，mydear，doesn’tactinthatway。Itisanelaborateprocess，pursuedpatientlyforweekstogether。Butmyhandshavemorethanoneaccomplishmentattheirfinger—ends。Oh，makeyourmindeasy！Ishalldonoharm，ifIdonogood。Takeme。Selina，totheMinister。’
　　"Wewenttohisroom。Don’tblamemeforgivingway；IamtoofondofElizabethtobeabletodisappointher。
　　"Itwasasadsightwhenwewentin。Hewasquitehappy，playinglikeachild，atcup—and—ball。Theattendantretiredatmyrequest。IintroducedMrs。Tenbruggen。Hesmiledandshookhandswithher。Hesaid：’AreyouaChristianoraPagan？Youareverypretty。Howmanytimescanyoucatchtheballinthecup？’Theefforttotalktoherendedthere。Hewentonwithhisgame，andseemedtoforgetthattherewasanybodyintheroom。Itmademyheartachetorememberwhathewas——andtoseehimnow。
　　"Elizabethwhispered：’Leavemealonewithhim。’
　　"Idon’tknowwhyIdidsucharudething——Ihesitated。
　　"ElizabethaskedmeifIhadnoconfidenceinher。Iwasashamedofmyself；Ileftthemtogether。
　　"Alonghalf—hourpassed。Feelingalittleuneasy，Iwentupstairsagainandlookedintotheroom。Hewasleaningbackinhischair；hisplaythingwasonthefloor，andhewaslookingvacantlyatthelightthatcameinthroughthewindow。IfoundMrs。Tenbruggenattheotherendoftheroom，intheactofringingthebell。Nothingintheleastoutoftheordinarywayseemedtohavehappened。Whentheattendanthadansweredthebell，welefttheroomtogether。Mr。Gracedieutooknonoticeofus。
　　"’Well，’Isaid，’howhasitended？’
　　"QuitecalmlymynobleElizabethanswered：’Intotalfailure。’
　　"’Whatdidyousaytohimafteryousentmeaway？’
　　"’Itried，ineverypossibleway，togethimtotellmewhichofhistwodaughterswastheoldest。’
　　"’Didherefusetoanswer？’
　　"’Hewasonlytooreadytoanswer。First，hesaidHelenawastheoldest——thenhecorrectedhimself，anddeclaredthatEunicewastheoldest——thenhesaidtheyweretwins——thenhewentbacktoHelenaandEunice。Nowonewastheoldest，andnowtheother。Herangthechangesonthosetwonames，Ican’ttellyouhowoften，andseemedtothinkitabettergamethancup—and—ball。’
　　"’Whatistobedone？’
　　"’Nothingistobedone，Selina。’
　　"’What！’Icried，’yougiveitup？’
　　"Myheroicfriendanswered：’IknowwhenIambeaten，mydear——I
　　giveitup。’Shelookedatherwatch；itwastimetooperateonthemusclesofoneofherpatients。Awayshewent，onhergloriousmissionofMassage，withoutamurmurofregret。Whatstrengthofmind！But，oh，dear，whatadisappointmentforpoorlittleme！OnonethingIamdetermined。IfIfindmyselfgettingpuzzledorfrightened，Ishallinstantlywritetoyou。"
　　Withthatexpressionofconfidenceinme，Selina’snarrativecametoanend。IwishIcouldhavebelieved，asshedid，thattheobjectofheradmirationhadbeentellingherthetruth。
　　Afewdayslater，Mrs。TenbruggenhonoredmewithavisitatmyhouseintheneighborhoodofLondon。Thankstothiscircumstance，IamabletoaddapostscriptwhichwillcompletetherevelationsinMissJillgall’sletter。
　　TheillustriousMasseuse，havingmuchtoconcealfromherfaithfulSelina，waswellawarethatshehadonlyonethingtokeephiddenfromme；namely，theadvantagewhichshewouldhavegainedifherinquirieshadmetwithsuccess。
　　"IthoughtImighthavegotatwhatIwanted，"shetoldme，"bymesmerizingourreverendfriend。Heisasweakasawoman；I
　　threwhimintohysterics，andhadtogiveitup，andquiethim，orhewouldhavealarmedthehouse。Youlookasifyoudon’tbelieveinmesmerism。"
　　"Mylooks，Mrs。Tenbruggen，exactlyexpressmyopinion。Mesmerismisahumbug！"
　　"YouamusingoldTory！ShallIthrowyouintoastateoftrance？
　　No！I’llgiveyouashockofanotherkind——ashockofsurprise。I
　　knowasmuchasyoudoaboutMr。Gracedieu’sdaughters。Whatdoyouthinkofthat？"
　　"IthinkIshouldliketohearyoutellme，whichistheadoptedchild。"
　　"Helena，tobesure！"
　　Hermannerwasdefiant，hertonewaspositive；Idoubtedboth。
　　Underthesurfaceofherassumedconfidence，Isawsomethingwhichtoldmethatshewastryingtoreadmythoughtsinmyface。
　　Manyotherwomenhadtriedtodothat。TheysucceededwhenIwasyoung。WhenIhadreachedthewrongsideoffifty，myfacehadlearneddiscretion，andtheyfailed。
　　"Howdidyouarriveatyourdiscovery？"Iasked。"Iknowofnobodywhocouldhavehelpedyou。"
　　"Ihelpedmyself，sir！Ireasoneditout。Awonderfulthingforawomantodo，isn’tit？Iwonderwhetheryoucouldfollowtheprocess？"
　　Myreplytothiswasmadebyabow。Iwassureofmycommandovermyface；butperfectcontrolofthevoiceisararepower。Hereandthere，agreatactororagreatcriminalpossessesit。
　　Mrs。Tenbruggen’svanitytookmeintoherconfidence。"Inthefirstplace，"shesaid，"Helenaisplainlythewickedoneofthetwo。IwasnotprejudicedbywhatSelinahadtoldmeofher：I
　　sawit，andfeltit，beforeIhadbeenfiveminutesinhercompany。Iflyingtongueseverprovokeheraslyingtonguesprovokedhermother，shewillfollowhermother’sexample。Verywell。Now——inthesecondplace——thoughitisveryslight，thereisacertainsomethinginherhairandhercomplexionwhichremindsmeofthemurderess：thereisnootherresemblance，I
　　admit。Inthethirdplace，thegirls’namespointtothesameconclusion。Mr。GracedieuisaProtestantandaDissenter。WouldhecallachildofhisownbythenameofaRomanCatholicsaint？
　　No！hewouldpreferanameintheBible；Euniceis_his_child。
　　AndHelenawasoncethebabywhomIcarriedintotheprison。Doyoudenythat？"
　　"Idon’tdenyit。"
　　Onlyfourwords！Buttheyweredeceitfullyspoken，andthedeceit——practicedinEunice’sinterest，itisneedlesstosay——succeeded。Mrs。Tenbruggen’sobjectinvisitingmewasattained；IhadconfirmedherbeliefinthedelusionthatHelenawastheadoptedchild。
　　Shegotuptotakeherleave。IaskedifsheproposedremaininginLondon。No；shewasreturningtohercountrypatientsthatnight。
　　AsIattendedhertothehouse—door，sheturnedtomewithhermischievoussmile。"IhavetakensometroubleinfindingtheclewtotheMinister’smystery，"shesaid。"Don’tyouwonderwhy？"
　　"IfIdidwonder，"Ianswered，"wouldyoutellmewhy？"
　　Shelaughedatthebareideaofit。"Anotherlesson，"shesaid，"toassistahelplessmaninstudyingtheweakersex。Ihavealreadyshownyouthatawomancanreason。Learnnextthatawomancankeepasecret。Good—by。Godblessyou！"
　　OftheeventswhichfollowedMrs。Tenbruggen’svisititisnotpossibleforme，Iamthankfultosay，tospeakfrompersonalexperience。OughtItoconcludewithanexpressionofrepentancefortheactofdeceptiontowhichIhavealreadypleadedguilty？
　　Idon’tknow。Yes！theforceofcircumstancesdoesreallycompelmetosayit，andsayitseriously——Ideclare，onmywordofhonor，Idon’tknow。
　　Thirdperiod：1876。
　　_HELENA’SDIARYRESUMED。_
　　CHAPTERLII。
　　HELENA’SDIARYRESUMED。
　　WHILEmyfatherremainsinhispresenthelplesscondition，somebodymustassumeapositionofcommandinthishouse。Therecannotbeamoment’sdoubtthatIamthepersontodoit。
　　Inmyagitatedstateofmind，sometimesdoubtfulofPhilip，sometimeshopefulofhim，IfindMrs。Tenbruggensimplyunendurable。Afemaledoctoris，underanycircumstances，acreaturewhomIdetest。Sheis，atherverybest，abadimitationofaman。TheMedicalRubberisworsethanthis；sheisabadimitationofamountebank。Hergrinninggood—humor，adoptednodoubttopleasethefoolswhoareherpatients，andherimpudentenjoymentofhearingherselftalk，makemeregretforthefirsttimeinmylifethatIamayounglady。IfIbelongedtothelowestorderofthepopulation，ImighttakethefirststickI
　　couldfind，andenjoytheluxuryofgivingMrs。Tenbruggenagoodbeating。
　　Sheliterallyhauntsthehouse，encouraged，ofcourse，byherwretchedlittledupe，MissJillgall。Onlythismorning，Itriedwhatabroadhintwoulddotowardsuggestingthathervisitshadbettercometoanend。
　　"Really，Mrs。Tenbruggen，"Isaid，"ImustrequestMissJillgalltomoderateherselfishenjoymentofyourcompany，foryourownsake。Yourtimeistoovaluable，inaprofessionalsense，tobewastedonanidlewomanwhohasnosympathywithyourpatients，waitingforreliefperhaps，andwaitinginvain。
　　Shelistenedtothis，allsmilesandgood—humor："Mydear，doyouknowhowImightansweryou，ifIwasanill—naturedwoman？"
　　"Ihavenocuriositytohearit，Mrs。Tenbruggen。"
　　"Imightaskyou，"shepersisted，"toallowmetomindmyownbusiness。ButIamincapableofmakinganungratefulreturnfortheinterestwhichyoutakeinmymedicalwelfare。Letmeventuretoaskifyouunderstandthevalueoftime。"
　　"Areyougoingtosaymuchmore，Mrs。Tenbruggen？"
　　"Iamgoingtomakeasensibleremark，mychild。Ifyoufeeltired，permitme——hereisachair。FatherTime，dearMissGracedieu，hasalwaysbeenagoodfriendofmine，becauseIknowhowtomakethebestuseofhim。Theauthorofthefamoussaying_Tempusfugit_（youunderstandLatin，ofcourse）was，Itakeleavetothink，anidleman。ThemoreIhavetodo，thereadierTimeistowaitforme。Letmeimpressthisonyourmindbysomeinterestingexamples。Thegreatestconquerorofthecentury——Napoleon——hadtimeenoughforeverything。Thegreatestnovelistofthecentury——SirWalterScott——hadtimeenoughforeverything。Atmyhumbledistance，Iimitatethoseillustriousmen，andmypatientsnevercomplainofme。"
　　"Haveyoudone？"Iasked。
　　"Yes，dear——forthepresent。"
　　"Youareacleverwoman，Mrs。Tenbruggenandyouknowit。Youhaveaneloquenttongue，andyouknowit。Butyouaresomethingelse，whichyoudon’tseemtobeawareof。YouareaBore。"
　　Sheburstoutlaughing，withtheairofawomanwhothoroughlyenjoyedagoodjoke。IlookedbackwhenIlefttheroom，andsawthefriendofFatherTimeintheeasychairopeningournewspaper。
　　Thisisaspecimenofthecustomaryencounterofourwits。I
　　placeitonrecordinmyJournal，toexcusemyself_to_myself。
　　Whensheleftusatlast，laterintheday，Isentaletterafterhertothehotel。Nothavingkeptacopyofit，letmepresentthesubstance，likeasermon，underthreeheads：Ibeggedtobeexcusedforspeakingplainly；Ideclaredthattherewasatotalwantofsympathybetweenus，onmyside；andIproposedthatsheshoulddeprivemeoffutureopportunitiesofreceivingherinthishouse。Thereplyarrivedimmediatelyintheseterms："Yourletterreceived，deargirl。Iamnotintheleastangry；partlybecauseIamveryfondofyou，partlybecauseIknowthatyouwillaskmetocomebackagain。P。S——Philipsendshislove。"
　　Thislastpieceofinsolencewasunquestionablyalie。Philipdetestsher。Theyarebothstayingatthesamehotel。ButI
　　happentoknowthathewon’tevenlookather，iftheymeetbyaccidentonthestairs。
　　Peoplewhocanenjoythemelancholyspectacleofhumannatureinastateofdegradationwouldbeatalosswhichexhibitiontoprefer——anuglyoldmaidinarage，oranuglyoldmaidintears。
　　MissJillgallpresentedherselfinbothcharacterswhensheheardwhathadhappened。Tomymind，Mrs。Tenbruggen’sbosom—friendisacreaturenotfittobeseenorheardwhensheloseshertemper。
　　Ionlytoldhertoleavetheroom。Tomygreatamusement，sheshookherbonyfistatme，andexpressedafranticwish："Oh，ifIwasrichenoughtoleavethiswickedhouse！"Iwonderwhetherthereisinsanity（aswellaspoverty）inMissJillgall’sfamily？
　　Lastnightmymindwasinaharassedstate。Philipwas，asusual，thecauseofit。
　　PerhapsIactedindiscreetlywhenIinsistedonhisleavingLondon，andreturningtothisplace。ButwhatelsecouldIhavedone？Itwasnotmerelymyinterest，itwasanactofdownrightnecessity，towithdrawhimfromtheinfluenceofhishatefulfather——whomInowregardastheoneseriousobstacletomymarriage。ThereisnoprospectofbeingridofMr。DunboynetheelderbyhisreturningtoIreland。
　　Heistryinganewremedyforhiscrippledhand——electricity。I
　　wishitwaslightning，tokillhim！IfIhadgiventhatwickedoldmanthechance，Iamfirmlyconvincedhewouldnothaveletadaypasswithoutdoinghisbesttodepreciatemeinhisson’sestimation。Besides，therewastherisk，ifIhadallowedPhiliptoremainlongawayfromme，oflosing——no，whileIkeepmybeautyIcannotbeinsuchdangerasthat——letmesay，ofpermittingtimeandabsencetoweakenmyholdonhim。Howeversullenandsilenthemaybe，whenwemeet——andIfindhiminthatconditionfartoooften——Ican，soonerorlater，recallhimtohisbrighterself。Myeyespreservetheircharm，mytalkcanstillamusehim，and，bettereventhanthat，Ifeeltheansweringthrillinhim，whichtellsmehowpreciousmykissesare——nottoolavishlybestowed！ButthetimewhenIamobligedtoleavehimtohimselfisthetimethatIdread。HowdoIknowthathisthoughtsarenotwanderingawaytoEunice？Hedeniesit；hedeclaresthatheonlywenttothefarmhousetoexpresshisregretforhisownthoughtlessconduct，andtoofferherthebrotherlyregardduetothesisterofhispromisedwife。CanIbelieveit？Oh，whatwouldInotgivetobeabletobelieveit！HowcanIfeelsurethatherrefusaltoseehimwasnotacunningdevicetomakehimlongforanotherinterview，andplanperhapsinprivatetogobackandtryagain。Marriage！Nothingwillquietthesefrightfuldoubtsofmine，nothingwillrewardmeforallthatIhavesuffered，nothingwillwarmmyheartwiththedelightfulsenseoftriumphoverEunice，butmymarriagetoPhilip。Andwhatdoeshesay，whenIurgeitonhim？——yes，Ihavefallenaslowasthat，inthedespairwhichsometimespossessesme。Hehashisanswer，alwaysthesame，andalwaysready："Howarewetolive？whereisthemoney？"ThemaddeningpartofitisthatIcannotaccusehimofraisingobjectionsthatdon’texist。Wearepoorerthaneverhere，sincemyfather’sillness——andPhilip’sallowanceisbarelyenoughtosufficehimasasingleman。Oh，howIhatetherich！
　　Itwasuselesstothinkofgoingtobed。HowcouldIhopetosleep，withmyheadthrobbing，andmythoughtsinthisdisturbedstate？Iputonmycomfortabledressing—gown，andsatdowntotrywhatreadingwoulddotoquietmymind。
　　IhadborrowedthebookfromtheLibrary，towhichIhavebeenasubscriberinsecretforsometimepast。Itwasanoldvolume，fullofwhatweshouldnowcallGossip；relatingstrangeadventures，andscandalousincidentsinfamilyhistorywhichhadbeenconcealedfrompublicnotice。
　　Oneoftheselastromancesinreallifecaughtastrongholdonmyinterest。
　　Itwasastrangecaseofintendedpoisoning，whichhadneverbeencarriedout。Ayoungmarriedladyofrank，whosenamewasconcealedunderaninitialletter，hadsufferedsomeunendurablewrong（whichwasnotmentioned）atthehandsofherhusband’smother。Thewifewasdescribedasawomanofstrongpassions，whohaddeterminedonaterriblerevengebytakingthelifeofhermother—in—law。Thereweredifficultiesinthewayofhercommittingthecrimewithoutanaccomplicetohelpher；andshedecidedontakinghermaid，anelderlywoman，intoherconfidence。Thepoisonwassecretlyobtainedbythisperson；andthesafestmannerofadministeringitwasunderdiscussionbetweenthemistressandthemaid，whenthedooroftheroomwassuddenlyopened。Thehusband，accompaniedbyhisbrother，rushedin，andchargedhiswifewithplottingthemurderofhismother。
　　Theyounglady（shewasonlytwenty—three）musthavebeenapersonofextraordinarycourageandresolution。Shesawatoncethathermaidhadbetrayedher，and，withastonishingpresenceofmind，sheturnedonthetraitress，andsaidtoherhusband：
　　"Thereisthewretchwhohasbeentryingtopersuademetopoisonyourmother！"Asithappened，theoldlady’stemperwasviolentandoverbearing；andthemaidhadcomplainedofbeingill—treatedbyher，inthehearingoftheotherservants。Thecircumstancesmadeitimpossibletodecidewhichofthetwowasreallytheguiltywoman。Theservantwassentaway，andthehusbandandwifeseparatedsoonafterward，undertheexcuseofincompatibilityoftemper。Yearspassed；andthetruthwasonlydiscoveredbythedeath—bedconfessionofthewife。Aremarkablestory，whichhasmadesuchanimpressiononmethatIhavewrittenitinmyJournal。Iamnotrichenoughtobuythebook。
　　Forthelasttwodays，Ihavebeenconfinedtomyroomwithabadfeverishcold——caught，asIsuppose，bysittingatanopenwindowreadingmybooktillnearlythreeo’clockinthemorning。IsentanotetoPhilip，tellinghimofmyillness。Onthefirstday，hecalledtoinquireafterme。Onthesecondday，novisit，andnoletter。Hereisthethirdday——andnonewsofhimasyet。Iambetter，butnotfittogoout。Letmewaitanotherhour，and，ifthatexertionofpatiencemeetswithnoreward，Ishallsendanotetothehotel。
　　NonewsofPhilip。Ihavesenttothehotel。Theservanthasjustreturned，bringingmebackmynote。ThewaiterinformedherthatMr。DunboynehadgoneawaytoLondonbythemorningtrain。Noapologyorexplanationleftforme。
　　_Can_hehavedesertedme？IaminsuchafrenzyofdoubtandragethatIcanhardlywritethathorriblequestion。Isitpossible——oh，Ifeelit_is_possiblethathehasgoneawaywithEunice。DoIknowwheretofindthem？ifIdidknow，whatcouldI
　　do？IfeelasifIcouldkillthemboth！