Notasoulintheparentalmansionguessed，whenLadyCarolinecamecoollyintothehallonedayafteravisittoheraunt，that，duringthatvisit，herloverandherselfhadfoundanopportunityofunitingthemselvestilldeathshouldpartthem。Yetsuchwasthefact；theyoungwomanwhorodefinehorses，anddroveinpony-
chaises，andwassaluteddeferentiallybyeveryone，andtheyoungmanwhotrudgedabout，anddirectedthetree-felling，andthelayingoutoffish-pondsinthepark，werehusbandandwife。
Astheyhadplanned，sotheyactedtotheletterforthespaceofamonthandmore，clandestinelymeetingwhenandwheretheybestcoulddoso；bothbeingsupremelyhappyandcontent。Tobesure，towardsthelatterpartofthatmonth，whenthefirstwildwarmthofherlovehadgoneoff，theLadyCarolinesometimeswonderedwithinherselfhowshe，whomighthavechosenapeeroftherealm，baronet，knight；or，ifserious-minded，abishoporjudgeofthemoregallantsortwhopreferyoungwives，couldhavebroughtherselftodoathingsorashastomakethismarriage；particularlywhen，intheirprivatemeetings，sheperceivedthatthoughheryounghusbandwasfullofideas，andfairlywellread，theyhadnotasinglesocialexperienceincommon。Itwashiscustomtovisitherafternightfall，inherownhouse，whenhecouldfindnoopportunityforaninterviewelsewhere；andtofurtherthiscourseshewouldcontrivetoleaveunfastenedawindowontheground-flooroverlookingthelawn，byenteringwhichabackstair-casewasaccessible；sothathecouldclimbuptoherapartments，andgainaudienceofhisladywhenthehousewasstill。
Onedarkmidnight，whenhehadnotbeenabletoseeherduringtheday，hemadeuseofthissecretmethod，ashehaddonemanytimesbefore；andwhentheyhadremainedincompanyaboutanhourhedeclaredthatitwastimeforhimtodescend。
Hewouldhavestayedlonger，butthattheinterviewhadbeenasomewhatpainfulone。Whatshehadsaidtohimthatnighthadmuchexcitedandangeredhim，forithadrevealedachangeinher；coldreasonhadcometohisloftywife；shewasbeginningtohavemoreanxietyaboutherownpositionandprospectsthanardourforhim。
Whetherfromtheagitationofthisperceptionornot，hewasseizedwithaspasm；hegasped，rose，andinmovingtowardsthewindowforairheutteredinashortthickwhisper，\'Oh，myheart!\'
Withhishanduponhischesthesankdowntothefloorbeforehehadgoneanotherstep。Bythetimethatshehadrelightedthecandle，whichhadbeenextinguishedincaseanyeyeintheoppositegroundsshouldwitnesshisegress，shefoundthathispoorhearthadceasedtobeat；andthererusheduponhermindwhathiscottage-friendshadoncetoldher，thathewasliabletoattacksofheart-disease，oneofwhich，thedoctorhadinformedthem，mightsomedaycarryhimoff。
Accustomedasshewastodoctoringtheotherparishioners，nothingthatshecouldeffectuponhiminthatkindmadeanydifferencewhatever；andhisstillness，andtheincreasingcoldnessofhisfeetandhands，disclosedtoosurelytotheaffrightedyoungwomanthatherhusbandwasdeadindeed。Formorethananhour，however，shedidnotabandonhereffortstorestorehim；whenshefullyrealizedthefactthathewasacorpseshebentoverhisbody，distractedandbewilderedastowhatstepshenextshouldtake。
Herfirstfeelingshadundoubtedlybeenthoseofpassionategriefatthelossofhim；hersecondthoughtswereconcernatherownpositionasthedaughterofanearl。\'Oh，why，why，myunfortunatehusband，didyoudieinmychamberatthishour!\'shesaidpiteouslytothecorpse。\'Whynothavediedinyourowncottageifyouwoulddie!Thennobodywouldeverhaveknownofourimprudentunion，andnosyllablewouldhavebeenbreathedofhowImismatedmyselfforloveofyou!\'
TheclockinthecourtyardstrikingthehourofonearousedLadyCarolinefromthestuporintowhichshehadfallen，andshestoodup，andwenttowardsthedoor。Toawakenandtellhermotherseemedheronlywayoutofthisterriblesituation；yetwhensheputherhandonthekeytounlockitshewithdrewherselfagain。Itwouldbeimpossibletocallevenhermother\'sassistancewithoutriskingarevelationtoalltheworldthroughtheservants；whileifshecouldremovethebodyunassistedtoadistanceshemightavertsuspicionoftheirunionevennow。Thisthoughtofimmunityfromthesocialconsequencesofherrashact，ofrenewedfreedom，wasindubitablyarelieftoher，for，ashasbeensaid，theconstraintandriskinessofherpositionhadbeguntotellupontheLadyCaroline\'snerves。
Shebracedherselffortheeffort，andhastilydressedherself；andthendressedhim。Tyinghisdeadhandstogetherwithahandkerchief；shelaidhisarmsroundhershoulders，andborehimtothelandinganddownthenarrowstairs。Reachingthebottombythewindow，shelethisbodyslideslowlyoverthesilltillitlayonthegroundwithout。Shethenclimbedoverthewindow-sillherself，and，leavingthesashopen，draggedhimontothelawnwitharustlenotlouderthantherustleofabroom。Thereshetookasecurerhold，andplungedwithhimunderthetrees。
Awayfromtheprecinctsofthehouseshecouldapplyherselfmorevigorouslytohertask，whichwasaheavyoneenoughforher，robustasshewas；andtheexertionandfrightshehadalreadyundergonebegantotelluponherbythetimeshereachedthecornerofabeech-plantationwhichintervenedbetweenthemanor-houseandthevillage。Hereshewassonearlyexhaustedthatshefearedshemighthavetoleavehimonthespot。Butsheploddedonafterawhile，andkeepinguponthegrassateveryopportunityshestoodatlastoppositethepooryoungman\'sgarden-gate，wherehelivedwithhisfather，theparish-clerk。HowsheaccomplishedtheendofhertaskLadyCarolineneverquiteknew；but，toavoidleavingtracesintheroad，shecarriedhimbodilyacrossthegravel，andlaidhimdownatthedoor。Perfectlyawareofhiswaysofcomingandgoing，shesearchedbehindtheshutterforthecottagedoor-key，whichsheplacedinhiscoldhand。Thenshekissedhisfaceforthelasttime，andwithsilentlittlesobsbadehimfarewell。
LadyCarolineretracedhersteps，andreachedthemansionwithouthindrance；andtohergreatrelieffoundthewindowopenjustasshehadleftit。Whenshehadclimbedinshelistenedattentively，fastenedthewindowbehindher，andascendingthestairsnoiselesslytoherroom，seteverythinginorder，andreturnedtobed。
Thenextmorningitwasspeedilyechoedaroundthattheamiableandgentleyoungvillagerhadbeenfounddeadoutsidehisfather\'sdoor，whichhehadapparentlybeenintheactofunlockingwhenhefell。
Thecircumstancesweresufficientlyexceptionaltojustifyaninquest，atwhichsyncopefromheart-diseasewasascertainedtobebeyonddoubttheexplanationofhisdeath，andnomorewassaidaboutthematterthen。But，afterthefuneral，itwasrumouredthatsomemanwhohadbeenreturninglatefromadistanthorse-fairhadseeninthegloomofnightaperson，apparentlyawoman，draggingaheavybodyofsomesorttowardsthecottage-gate，which，bythelightofafterevents，wouldseemtohavebeenthecorpseoftheyoungfellow。Hisclotheswerethereuponexaminedmoreparticularlythanatfirst，withtheresultthatmarksoffrictionwerevisibleuponthemhereandthere，preciselyresemblingsuchaswouldbeleftbydraggingontheground。
OurbeautifulandingeniousLadyCarolinewasnowingreatconsternation；andbegantothinkthat，afterall，itmighthavebeenbettertohonestlyconfessthetruth。Buthavingreachedthisstagewithoutdiscoveryorsuspicion，shedeterminedtomakeanotherefforttowardsconcealment；andabrightideastruckherasameansofsecuringit。IthinkImentionedthat，beforeshecasteyesontheunfortunatesteward\'sclerk，hehadbeenthebelovedofacertainvillagedamsel，thewoodman\'sdaughter，hisneighbour，towhomhehadpaidsomeattentions；andpossiblyhewasbelovedofherstill。Atanyrate，theLadyCaroline\'sinfluenceontheestatesofherfatherbeingconsiderable，sheresolvedtoseekaninterviewwiththeyounggirlinfurtheranceofherplantosaveherreputation，aboutwhichshewasnowexceedinglyanxious；forbythistime，thefitbeingover，shebegantobeashamedofhermadpassionforherlatehusband，andalmostwishedshehadneverseenhim。
Inthecourseofherparish-visitingshelightedontheyounggirlwithoutmuchdifficulty，andfoundherlookingpaleandsad，andwearingasimpleblackgown，whichshehadputonoutofrespectfortheyoungman\'smemory，whomshehadtenderlyloved，thoughhehadnotlovedher。
\'Ah，youhavelostyourlover，Milly，\'saidLadyCaroline。
Theyoungwomancouldnotrepresshertears。\'Mylady，hewasnotquitemylover，\'shesaid。\'ButIwashis——andnowheisdeadI
don\'tcaretoliveanymore!\'
\'Canyoukeepasecretabouthim?\'asksthelady；\'oneinwhichhishonourisinvolved——whichisknowntomealone，butshouldbeknowntoyou?\'
Thegirlreadilypromised，and，indeed，couldbesafelytrustedonsuchasubject，sodeepwasheraffectionfortheyouthshemourned。
\'Thenmeetmeathisgraveto-night，half-an-houraftersunset，andIwilltellittoyou，\'saystheother。
Intheduskofthatspringeveningthetwoshadowyfiguresoftheyoungwomenconvergedupontheassistant-steward\'snewly-turfedmound；andatthatsolemnplaceandhour，theoneofbirthandbeautyunfoldedhertale:howshehadlovedhimandmarriedhimsecretly；howhehaddiedinherchamber；andhow，tokeephersecret，shehaddraggedhimtohisowndoor。
\'Marriedhim，mylady!\'saidtherusticmaiden，startingback。
\'Ihavesaidso，\'repliedLadyCaroline。\'Butitwasamadthing，andamistakencourse。Heoughttohavemarriedyou。You，Milly，werepeculiarlyhis。Butyoulosthim。\'
\'Yes，\'saidthepoorgirl；\'andforthattheylaughedatme。\"Ha——
ha，youmidlovehim，Milly，\"theysaid；\"buthewillnotloveyou!\"\'
\'Victoryoversuchunkindjeererswouldbesweet，\'saidLadyCaroline。\'Youlosthiminlife；butyoumayhavehimindeathAS
IFyouhadhadhiminlife；andsoturnthetablesuponthem。\'
\'How?\'saidthebreathlessgirl。
Theyoungladythenunfoldedherplan，whichwasthatMillyshouldgoforwardanddeclarethattheyoungmanhadcontractedasecretmarriage(ashetrulyhaddone)；thatitwaswithher，Milly，hissweetheart；thathehadbeenvisitingherinhercottageontheeveningofhisdeath；when，onfindinghewasacorpse，shehadcarriedhimtohishousetopreventdiscoverybyherparents，andthatshehadmeanttokeepthewholematterasecrettilltherumoursafloathadforceditfromher。
\'AndhowshallIprovethis?\'saidthewoodman\'sdaughter，amazedattheboldnessoftheproposal。
\'Quitesufficiently。Youcansay，ifnecessary，thatyouweremarriedtohimatthechurchofSt。Michael，inBathCity，inmyname，asthefirstthatoccurredtoyou，toescapedetection。Thatwaswherehemarriedme。Iwillsupportyouinthis。\'
\'Oh——Idon\'tquitelike——\'
\'Ifyouwilldoso，\'saidtheladyperemptorily，\'Iwillalwaysbeyourfather\'sfriendandyours；ifnot，itwillbeotherwise。AndI
willgiveyoumywedding-ring，whichyoushallwearasyours。\'
\'Haveyouwornit，mylady?\'
\'Onlyatnight。\'
Therewasnotmuchchoiceinthematter，andMillyconsented。Thenthisnobleladytookfromherbosomtheringshehadneverbeenableopenlytoexhibit，and，graspingtheyounggirl\'shand，slippedituponherfingerasshestooduponherlover\'sgrave。
Millyshivered，andbowedherhead，saying，\'IfeelasifIhadbecomeacorpse\'sbride!\'
Butfromthatmomentthemaidenwasheartandsoulinthesubstitution。Ablissfulreposecameoverherspirit。Itseemedtoherthatshehadsecuredindeathhimwhominlifeshehadvainlyidolized；andshewasalmostcontent。Afterthattheladyhandedovertotheyoungman\'snewwifeallthelittlemementoesandtrinketshehadgivenherself；eventoalocketcontaininghishair。
Thenextdaythegirlmadeherso-calledconfession，whichthesimplemourningshehadalreadyworn，withoutstatingforwhom，seemedtobearout；andsoonthestoryofthelittleromancespreadthroughthevillageandcountry-side，almostasfarasMelchester。
Itwasacuriouspsychologicalfactthat，havingoncemadetheavowal，Millyseemedpossessedwithaspiritofecstasyatherposition。WiththeliberalsumofmoneysuppliedtoherbyLadyCarolineshenowpurchasedthegarbofawidow，anddulyappearedatchurchinherweeds，hersimplefacelookingsosweetagainstitsmarginofcrapethatshewasalmostenviedherstatebytheothervillage-girlsofherage。Andwhenawoman\'ssorrowforherbelovedcanmaimheryounglifesoobviouslyasithaddoneMilly\'stherewas，intruth，littlesubterfugeinthecase。Herexplanationtalliedsowellwiththedetailsofherlover\'slattermovements——
thosestrangeabsencesandsuddenreturnings，whichhadoccasionallypuzzledhisfriends——thatnobodysupposedforamomentthatthesecondactorinthesesecretnuptialswasotherthanshe。Theactualandwholetruthwouldindeedhaveseemedapreposterousassertionbesidethisplausibleone，byreasonoftheloftydemeanouroftheLadyCarolineandtheunassuminghabitsofthelatevillager。Therebeingnoinheritanceinquestion，notasoultookthetroubletogotothecitychurch，fortymilesoff，andsearchtheregistersformarriagesignaturesbearingoutsohumblearomance。
InashorttimeMillycausedadecenttombstonetobeerectedoverhernominalhusband\'sgrave，whereonappearedthestatementthatitwasplacedtherebyhisheartbrokenwidow，which，consideringthatthepaymentforitcamefromLadyCarolineandthegrieffromMilly，wasastruthfulassuchinscriptionsusuallyare，andonlyrequiredpluralizingtorenderityetmorenearlyso。
TheimpressionableandcomplaisantMilly，inhercharacterofwidow，tookdelightingoingtohisgraveeveryday，andindulginginsorrowwhichwasapositiveluxurytoher。Sheplacedfreshflowersonhisgrave，andsokeenwasheremotionalimaginativenessthatshealmostbelievedherselftohavebeenhiswifeindeedasshewalkedtoandfroinhergarbofwoe。Oneafternoon，Millybeingbusilyengagedinthislabourofloveatthegrave，LadyCarolinepassedoutsidethechurchyardwallwithsomeofhervisitingfriends，who，seeingMillythere，watchedheractionswithinterest，remarkeduponthepathosofthescene，andupontheintenseaffectiontheyoungmanmusthavefeltforsuchatendercreatureasMilly。Astrangelight，asofpain，shotfromtheLadyCaroline\'seye，asifforthefirsttimeshebegrudgedtotheyounggirlthepositionshehadbeenatsuchpainstotransfertoher；itshowedthataslumberingaffectionforherhusbandstillhadlifeinLadyCaroline，obscuredandstifledasitwasbysocialconsiderations。
AnendwasputtothissmootharrangementbythesuddenappearanceinthechurchyardonedayoftheLadyCaroline，whenMillyhadcomethereonherusualerrandoflayingflowers。LadyCarolinehadbeenanxiouslyawaitingherbehindthechancel，andhercountenancewaspaleandagitated。
\'Milly!\'shesaid，\'comehere!Idon\'tknowhowtosaytoyouwhatIamgoingtosay。Iamhalfdead!\'
\'Iamsorryforyourladyship，\'saysMilly，wondering。
\'Givemethatring!\'saysthelady，snatchingatthegirl\'slefthand。
Millydrewitquicklyaway。
\'Itellyougiveittome!\'repeatedCaroline，almostfiercely。
\'Oh——butyoudon\'tknowwhy?IaminagriefandatroubleIdidnotexpect!\'AndLadyCarolinewhisperedafewwordstothegirl。
\'Omylady!\'saidthethunderstruckMilly。\'WhatWILLyoudo?\'
\'Youmustsaythatyourstatementwasawickedlie，aninvention，ascandal，adeadlysin——thatItoldyoutomakeittoscreenme!
ThatitwasIwhomhemarriedatBath。Inshort，wemusttellthetruth，orIamruined——body，mind，andreputation——forever!\'
Butthereisalimittotheflexibilityofgentle-souledwomen。
Millybythistimehadsogrowntotheideaofbeingonefleshwiththisyoungman，ofhavingtherighttobearhisnameassheboreit；
hadsothoroughlycometoregardhimasherhusband，todreamofhimasherhusband，tospeakofhimasherhusband，thatshecouldnotrelinquishhimatamoment\'speremptorynotice。
\'No，no，\'shesaiddesperately，\'Icannot，Iwillnotgivehimup!
Yourladyshiptookhimawayfrommealive，andgavehimbacktomeonlywhenhewasdead。NowIwillkeephim!Iamtrulyhiswidow。
Moretrulythanyou，mylady!forIlovehimandmournforhim，andcallmyselfbyhisdearname，andyourladyshipdoesneither!\'
\'IDOlovehim!\'criesLadyCarolinewithflashingeyes，\'andI
clingtohim，andwon\'tlethimgotosuchasyou!HowcanI，whenheisthefatherofthispoorbabethat\'scomingtome?Imusthavehimbackagain!Milly，Milly，can\'tyoupityandunderstandme，perversegirlthatyouare，andthemiserableplightthatIamin?
Oh，thisprecipitancy——itistheruinofwomen!WhydidInotconsider，andwait!Come，givemebackallthatIhavegivenyou，andassuremeyouwillsupportmeinconfessingthetruth!\'
\'Never，never!\'persistedMilly，withwoe-begonepassionateness。
\'Lookatthisheadstone!Lookatmygownandbonnetofcrape——thisring:listentothenametheycallmeby!Mycharacterisworthasmuchtomeasyoursistoyou!AfterdeclaringmyLovemine，myselfhis，takinghisname，makinghisdeathmyownparticularsorrow，howcanIsayitwasnotso?Nosuchdishonourforme!Iwilloutswearyou，mylady；andIshallbebelieved。Mystoryissomuchthemorelikelythatyourswillbethoughtfalse。But，Oplease，mylady，donotdrivemetothis!Inpityletmekeephim!\'
Thepoornominalwidowexhibitedsuchanguishataproposalwhichwouldhavebeentrulyabitterhumiliationtoher，thatLadyCarolinewaswarmedtopityinspiteofherowncondition。
\'Yes，Iseeyourposition，\'sheanswered。\'Butthinkofmine!WhatcanIdo?Withoutyoursupportitwouldseemaninventiontosavemefromdisgrace；evenifIproducedtheregister，theloveofscandalintheworldissuchthatthemultitudewouldsluroverthefact，sayitwasafabrication，andbelieveyourstory。Idonotknowwhowerethewitnesses，oranything!\'
Inafewminutesthesetwopooryoungwomenfelt，assomanyinastraithavefeltbefore，thatunionwastheirgreateststrength，evennow；andtheyconsultedcalmlytogether。TheresultoftheirdeliberationswasthatMillywenthomeasusual，andLadyCarolinealso，thelatterconfessingthatverynighttotheCountesshermotherofthemarriage，andtonobodyelseintheworld。And，sometimeafter，LadyCarolineandhermotherwentawaytoLondon，wherealittlewhilelaterstilltheywerejoinedbyMilly，whowassupposedtohaveleftthevillagetoproceedtoawatering-placeintheNorthforthebenefitofherhealth，attheexpenseoftheladiesoftheManor，whohadbeenmuchinterestedinherstateoflonelyanddefencelesswidowhood。
EarlythenextyearthewidowMillycamehomewithaninfantinherarms，thefamilyattheManorHousehavingmeanwhilegoneabroad。
Theydidnotreturnfromtheirtourtilltheautumnensuing，bywhichtimeMillyandthechildhadagaindepartedfromthecottageofherfatherthewoodman，Millyhavingattainedtothedignityofdwellinginacottageofherown，manymilestotheeastwardofhernativevillage；acomfortablelittleallowancehadmoreoverbeensettledonherandthechildforlife，throughtheinstrumentalityofLadyCarolineandhermother。
Twoorthreeyearspassedaway，andtheLadyCarolinemarriedanobleman——theMarquisofStonehenge——considerablyhersenior，whohadwooedherlongandphlegmatically。Hewasnotrich，butsheledaplacidlifewithhimformanyyears，thoughtherewasnochildofthemarriage。MeanwhileMilly\'sboy，astheyoungsterwascalled，andasMillyherselfconsideredhim，grewup，andthrovewonderfully，andlovedherasshedeservedtobelovedforherdevotiontohim，inwhomsheeverydaytracedmoredistinctlythelineamentsofthemanwhohadwonhergirlishheart，andkeptiteveninthetomb。
Sheeducatedhimaswellasshecouldwiththelimitedmeansatherdisposal，fortheallowancehadneverbeenincreased，LadyCaroline，ortheMarchionessofStonehengeasshenowwas，seemingbydegreestocarelittlewhathadbecomeofthem。Millybecameextremelyambitiousontheboy\'saccount；shepinchedherselfalmostofnecessariestosendhimtotheGrammarSchoolinthetowntowhichtheyretired，andattwentyheenlistedinacavalryregiment，joiningitwithadeliberateintentofmakingtheArmyhisprofession，andnotinafreakofidleness。Hisexceptionalattainments，hismanlybearing，hissteadyconduct，speedilywonhimpromotion，whichwasfurtheredbytheseriouswarinwhichthiscountrywasatthattimeengaged。OnhisreturntoEnglandafterthepeacehehadrisentotherankofriding-master，andwassoonafteradvancedanotherstage，andmadequartermaster，thoughstillayoungman。
Hismother——hiscorporealmother，thatis，theMarchionessofStonehenge——heardtidingsofthisunaidedprogress；itreawakenedhermaternalinstincts，andfilledherwithpride。Shebecamekeenlyinterestedinhersuccessfulsoldier-son；andasshegrewoldermuchwishedtoseehimagain，particularlywhen，theMarquisdying，shewasleftasolitaryandchildlesswidow。WhetherornotshewouldhavegonetohimofherownimpulseIcannotsay；butoneday，whenshewasdrivinginanopencarriageintheoutskirtsofaneighbouringtown，thetroopslyingatthebarrackshardbypassedherinmarchingorder。Sheeyedthemnarrowly，andinthefinestofthehorsemenrecognizedhersonfromhislikenesstoherfirsthusband。
Thissightofhimdoublyintensifiedthemotherlyemotionswhichhadlaindormantinherforsomanyyears，andshewildlyaskedherselfhowshecouldsohaveneglectedhim?Hadshepossessedthetruecourageofaffectionshewouldhaveownedtoherfirstmarriage，andhaverearedhimasherson!Whatwouldithavematteredifshehadneverobtainedthispreciouscoronetofpearlsandgoldleaves，bycomparisonwiththegainofhavingtheloveandprotectionofsuchanobleandworthyson?Theseandothersadreflectionscutthegloomyandsolitaryladytotheheart；andsherepentedofherprideindisclaimingherfirsthusbandmorebitterlythanshehadeverrepentedofherinfatuationinmarryinghim。
Heryearningwassostrong，thatatlengthitseemedtoherthatshecouldnotlivewithoutannouncingherselftohimashismother。
Comewhatmight，shewoulddoit:lateasitwas，shewouldhavehimawayfromthatwomanwhomshebegantohatewiththefiercenessofadesertedheart，forhavingtakenherplaceasthemotherofheronlychild。Shefeltconfidentlyenoughthathersonwouldonlytoogladlyexchangeacottage-motherforonewhowasapeeressoftherealm。Beingnow，inherwidowhood，freetocomeandgoasshechose，withoutquestionfromanybody，LadyStonehengestartednextdayforthelittletownwhereMillyyetlived，stillinherrobesofsableforthelostloverofheryouth。
\'HeisMYson，\'saidtheMarchioness，assoonasshewasaloneinthecottagewithMilly。\'Youmustgivehimbacktome，nowthatI
aminapositioninwhichIcandefytheworld\'sopinion。Isupposehecomestoseeyoucontinually?\'
\'Everymonthsincehereturnedfromthewar，mylady。Andsometimeshestaystwoorthreedays，andtakesmeaboutseeingsightseverywhere!\'Shespokewithquiettriumph。
\'Well，youwillhavetogivehimup，\'saidtheMarchionesscalmly。
\'Itshallnotbetheworseforyou——youmayseehimwhenyouchoose。
Iamgoingtoavowmyfirstmarriage，andhavehimwithme。\'
\'Youforgetthattherearetwotobereckonedwith，mylady。Notonlyme，buthimself。\'
\'Thatcanbearranged。Youdon\'tsupposethathewouldn\'t——\'ButnotwishingtoinsultMillybycomparingtheirpositions，shesaid，\'Heismyownfleshandblood，notyours。\'
\'Fleshandblood\'snothing!\'saidMilly，flashingwithasmuchscornasacottagercouldshowtoapeeress，which，inthiscase，wasnotsolittleasmaybesupposed。\'ButIwillagreetoputittohim，andlethimsettleitforhimself。\'
\'That\'sallIrequire，\'saidLadyStonehenge。\'Youmustaskhimtocome，andIwillmeethimhere。\'
Thesoldierwaswrittento，andthemeetingtookplace。HewasnotsomuchastonishedatthedisclosureofhisparentageasLadyStonehengehadbeenledtoexpect，havingknownforyearsthattherewasalittlemysteryabouthisbirth。HismannertowardstheMarchioness，thoughrespectful，waslesswarmthanshecouldhavehoped。Thealternativesastohischoiceofamotherwereputbeforehim。Hisansweramazedandstupefiedher。
\'No，mylady，\'hesaid。\'Thankyoumuch，butIprefertoletthingsbeastheyhavebeen。Myfather\'snameismineinanycase。Yousee，mylady，youcaredlittleformewhenIwasweakandhelpless；
whyshouldIcometoyounowIamstrong?She，deardevotedsoul[pointingtoMilly]，tendedmefrommybirth，watchedoverme，nursedmewhenIwasill，anddeprivedherselfofmanyalittlecomforttopushmeon。IcannotloveanothermotherasIloveher。
SheISmymother，andIwillalwaysbeherson!\'AshespokeheputhismanlyarmroundMilly\'sneck，andkissedherwiththetenderestaffection。
TheagonyofthepoorMarchionesswaspitiable。\'Youkillme!\'shesaid，betweenhershakingsobs。\'Cannotyou——love——me——too?\'
\'No，mylady。IfImustsayit，youwereashamedofmypoorfather，whowasasincereandhonestman；therefore，Iamashamedofyou。\'
Nothingwouldmovehim；andthesufferingwomanatlastgasped，\'Cannot——oh，cannotyougiveonekisstome——asyoudidtoher?Itisnotmuch——itisallIask——all!\'
\'Certainly，\'hereplied。
Hekissedhercoldly，andthepainfulscenecametoanend。ThatdaywasthebeginningofdeathtotheunfortunateMarchionessofStonehenge。Itwasintheperversenessofherhumanheartthathisdenialofhershouldaddfueltothefireofhercravingforhislove。HowlongafterwardsshelivedIdonotknowwithanyexactness，butitwasnogreatlengthoftime。Thatanguishthatissharperthanaserpent\'stoothworeheroutsoon。Utterlyrecklessoftheworld，itsways，anditsopinions，sheallowedherstorytobecomeknown；andwhenthewelcomeendsupervened(which，Igrievetosay，sherefusedtolightenbytheconsolationsofreligion)，abrokenheartwasthetruestphraseinwhichtosumupitscause。
Theruraldeanhavingconcluded，someobservationsuponhistaleweremadeinduecourse。ThesentimentalmembersaidthatLadyCaroline\'shistoryaffordedasadinstanceofhowanhonesthumanaffectionwillbecomeshamefacedandmeanunderthefrostofclass-
divisionandsocialprejudices。Sheprobablydeservedsomepity；
thoughheroffspring，beforehegrewuptoman\'sestate，haddeservedmore。Therewasnopathoslikethepathosofchildhood，whenachildfounditselfinaworldwhereitwasnotwanted，andcouldnotunderstandthereasonwhy。Atalebythespeaker，furtherillustratingthesamesubject，thoughwithdifferentresultsfromthelast，naturallyfollowed。
DAMETHEFOURTH:LADYMOTTISFONT
BytheSentimentalMemberOfalltheromantictownsinWessex，Wintoncesterisprobablythemostconvenientformeditativepeopletolivein；sincethereyouhaveacathedralwithanavesolongthatitaffordsspaceinwhichtowalkandsummonyourremotermoodswithoutcontinuallyturningonyourheel，orseemingtodomorethantakeanafternoonstrollundercoverfromtherainorsun。Inanuninterruptedcourseofnearlythreehundredstepseastward，andagainnearlythreehundredstepswestwardamidthosemagnificenttombs，youcan，forinstance，compareinthemostleisurelywaythedrydustinesswhichultimatelypervadesthepersonsofkingsandbishopswiththedamperdustinessthatisusuallythefinalshapeofcommoners，curates，andotherswhotaketheirlastrestoutofdoors。Then，ifyouareinlove，youcan，bysaunteringinthechapelsandbehindtheepiscopalchantrieswiththebright-eyedone，sosteepandmellowyourecstasyinthesolemnitiesaround，thatitwillassumeararerandfinertincture，evenmoregratefultotheunderstanding，ifnottothesenses，thanthatformoftheemotionwhicharisesfromsuchcompanionshipinspotswhereallislife，andgrowth，andfecundity。
Itwasinthissolemnplace，whithertheyhadwithdrawnfromthesightofrelativesononecolddayinMarch，thatSirAshleyMottisfontaskedinmarriage，ashissecondwife，Philippa，thegentledaughterofplainSquireOkehall。Herlifehadbeenanobscureonethusfar；whileSirAshley，thoughnotarichman，hadacertaindistinctionabouthim；sothateverybodythoughtwhataconvenient，elevating，and，inaword，blessedmatchitwouldbeforsuchasupernumeraryasshe。Nobodythoughtsomorethantheamiablegirlherself。Shehadbeensmittenwithsuchaffectionforhimthat，whenshewalkedthecathedralaislesathissideonthebefore-mentionedday，shedidnotknowthatherfeettouchedhardpavement；itseemedtoherratherthatshewasfloatinginspace。
Philippawasanecstatic，heart-thumpingmaiden，andcouldnotunderstandhowshehaddeservedtohavesenttohersuchanillustriouslover，suchatravelledpersonage，suchahandsomeman。
Whenheputthequestion，itwasinnoclumsylanguage，suchastheordinarybucoliccountylandlordswerewonttouseonlikequiveringoccasions，butaselegantlyasifhehadbeentaughtitinEnfield\'sSpeaker。Yethehesitatedalittle——forhehadsomethingtoadd。
\'MyprettyPhilippa，\'hesaid(shewasnotveryprettybytheway)，\'Ihave，youmustknow，alittlegirldependentuponme:alittlewaifIfoundonedayinapatchofwildoats[suchwasthisworthybaronet\'shumour]whenIwasridinghome:alittlenamelesscreature，whomIwishtotakecareoftillsheisoldenoughtotakecareofherself；andtoeducateinaplainway。Sheisonlyfifteenmonthsold，andisatpresentinthehandsofakindvillager\'swifeinmyparish。Willyouobjecttogivesomeattentiontothelittlethinginherhelplessness?\'
Itneedhardlybesaidthatourinnocentyounglady，lovinghimsodeeplyandjoyfullyasshedid，repliedthatshewoulddoallshecouldforthenamelesschild；and，shortlyafterwards，thepairweremarriedinthesamecathedralthathadechoedthewhispersofhisdeclaration，theofficiatingministerbeingtheBishophimself；avenerableandexperiencedman，sowellaccomplishedinunitingpeoplewhohadamindforthatsortofexperiment，thatthecouple，withsomesenseofsurprise，foundthemselvesonewhiletheywerestillvaguelygazingateachotherastwoindependentbeings。
AfterthisoperationtheywenthometoDeansleighPark，andmadeabeginningoflivinghappilyeverafter。LadyMottisfont，truetoherpromise，wasalwaysrunningdowntothevillageduringthefollowingweekstoseethebabywhomherhusbandhadsomysteriouslylightedonduringhisridehome——concerningwhichinterestingdiscoveryshehadherownopinion；butbeingsoextremelyamiableandaffectionatethatshecouldhavelovedstocksandstonesiftherehadbeennolivingcreaturestolove，sheutterednoneofherthoughts。Thelittlething，whohadbeenchristenedDorothy，tooktoLadyMottisfontasifthebaronet\'syoungwifehadbeenhermother；andatlengthPhilippagrewsofondofthechildthatsheventuredtoaskherhusbandifshemighthaveDorothyinherownhome，andbringherupcarefully，justasifshewereherown。Tothisheansweredthat，thoughremarksmightbemadethereon，hehadnoobjection；afactwhichwasobvious，SirAshleyseemingratherpleasedthanotherwisewiththeproposal。
AfterthistheylivedquietlyanduneventfullyfortwoorthreeyearsatSirAshleyMottisfont\'sresidenceinthatpartofEngland，withasnearanapproachtoblissastheclimateofthiscountryallows。ThechildhadbeenagodsendtoPhilippa，forthereseemednogreatprobabilityofherhavingoneofherown:andshewiselyregardedthepossessionofDorothyasaspecialkindnessofProvidence，anddidnotworryhermindatallastoDorothy\'spossibleorigin。Beingatenderandimpulsivecreature，shelovedherhusbandwithoutcriticism，exhaustivelyandreligiously，andthechildnotmuchotherwise。Shewatchedthelittlefoundlingasifshehadbeenherownbynature，andDorothybecameagreatsolacetoherwhenherhusbandwasabsentonpleasureorbusiness；andwhenhecamehomehelookedpleasedtoseehowthetwohadwoneachother\'shearts。SirAshleywouldkisshiswife，andhiswifewouldkisslittleDorothy，andlittleDorothywouldkissSirAshley，andafterthistriangularburstofaffectionLadyMottisfontwouldsay，\'Dearme——Iforgetsheisnotmine!\'
\'Whatdoesitmatter?\'herhusbandwouldreply。\'Providenceisfore-knowing。Hehassentusthisonebecauseheisnotintendingtosendusonebyanyotherchannel。\'
Theirlifewasofthesimplest。Sincehistravelsthebaronethadtakentosportingandfarming；whilePhilippawasapatternofdomesticity。Theirpleasureswerealllocal。Theyretiredearlytorest，androsewiththecart-horsesandwhistlingwaggoners。Theyknewthenamesofeverybirdandtreenotexceptionallyuncommon，andcouldforetelltheweatheralmostaswellasanxiousfarmersandoldpeoplewithcorns。
OnedaySirAshleyMottisfontreceivedaletter，whichheread，andmusinglylaiddownonthetablewithoutremark。
\'Whatisit，dearest?\'askedhiswife，glancingatthesheet。
\'Oh，itisfromanoldlawyeratBathwhomIusedtoknow。HeremindsmeofsomethingIsaidtohimfourorfiveyearsago——somelittletimebeforeweweremarried——aboutDorothy。\'
\'Whatabouther?\'
\'ItwasacasualremarkImadetohim，whenIthoughtyoumightnottakekindlytoher，thatifheknewaladywhowasanxioustoadoptachild，andcouldinsureagoodhometoDorothy，hewastoletmeknow。\'
\'Butthatwaswhenyouhadnobodytotakecareofher，\'shesaidquickly。\'Howabsurdofhimtowritenow!Doesheknowyouaremarried?Hemust，surely。\'
\'Ohyes!\'
Hehandedhertheletter。Thesolicitorstatedthatawidow-ladyofposition，whodidnotatpresentwishhernametobedisclosed，hadlatelybecomeaclientofhiswhiletakingthewaters，andhadmentionedtohimthatshewouldlikealittlegirltobringupasherown，ifshecouldbecertainoffindingoneofgoodandpleasingdisposition；and，thebettertoinsurethis，shewouldnotwishthechildtobetooyoungforjudgingherqualities。HehadrememberedSirAshley\'sobservationtohimalongwhileago，andthereforebroughtthematterbeforehim。Itwouldbeanexcellenthomeforthelittlegirl——ofthathewaspositive——ifshehadnotalreadyfoundsuchahome。
\'Butitisabsurdofthemantowritesolongafter!\'saidLadyMottisfont，withalumpinessaboutthebackofherthroatasshethoughthowmuchDorothyhadbecometoher。\'Isupposeitwaswhenyoufirst——foundher——thatyoutoldhimthis?\'
\'Exactly——itwasthen。\'
Hefellintothought，andneitherSirAshleynorLadyMottisfonttookthetroubletoanswerthelawyer\'sletter；andsothematterendedforthetime。
Onedayatdinner，ontheirreturnfromashortabsenceintown，whithertheyhadgonetoseewhattheworldwasdoing，hearwhatitwassaying，andtomakethemselvesgenerallyfashionableafterrusticatingforsolong——onthisoccasion，Isay，theylearntfromsomefriendwhohadjoinedthematdinnerthatFernellHall——themanorialhouseoftheestatenexttheirown，whichhadbeenofferedonleasebyreasonoftheimpecuniosityofitsowner——hadbeentakenforatermbyawidowlady，anItalianContessa，whosenameIwillnotmentionforcertainreasonswhichmaybyandbyappear。LadyMottisfontexpressedhersurpriseandinterestattheprobabilityofhavingsuchaneighbour。\'Though，ifIhadbeenborninItaly，I
thinkIshouldhavelikedtoremainthere，\'shesaid。
\'SheisnotItalian，thoughherhusbandwas，\'saidSirAshley。
\'Oh，youhaveheardaboutherbeforenow?\'
\'Yes；theyweretalkingofheratGrey\'stheotherevening。SheisEnglish。\'Andthen，asherhusbandsaidnomoreaboutthelady，thefriendwhowasdiningwiththemtoldLadyMottisfontthattheCountess\'sfatherhadspeculatedlargelyinEast-IndiaStock，inwhichimmensefortuneswerebeingmadeatthattime；throughthishisdaughterhadfoundherselfenormouslywealthyathisdeath，whichhadoccurredonlyafewweeksafterthedeathofherhusband。
ItwassupposedthatthemarriageofanenterprisingEnglishspeculator\'sdaughtertoapoorforeignnoblemanhadbeenmatterofarrangementmerely。AssoonastheCountess\'swidowhoodwasalittlefurtheradvancedshewould，nodoubt，bethemarkofalltheschemerswhocamenearher，forshewasstillquiteyoung。Butatpresentsheseemedtodesirequiet，andavoidedsocietyandtown。
SomeweeksafterthistimeSirAshleyMottisfontsatlookingfixedlyathisladyformanymoments。Hesaid:
\'ItmighthavebeenbetterforDorothyiftheCountesshadtakenher。Sheissowealthyincomparisonwithourselves，andcouldhaveusheredthegirlintothegreatworldmoreeffectuallythanweevershallbeabletodo。\'
\'TheContessatakeDorothy?\'saidLadyMottisfontwithastart。
\'What——wasshetheladywhowishedtoadopther?\'
\'Yes；shewasstayingatBathwhenLawyerGaytonwrotetome。\'
\'Buthowdoyouknowallthis，Ashley?\'
Heshowedalittlehesitation。\'Oh，I\'veseenher，\'hesays。\'Youknow，shedrivestothemeetsometimes，thoughshedoesnotride；
andshehasinformedmethatshewastheladywhoinquiredofGayton。\'
\'Youhavetalkedtoheraswellasseenher，then?\'
\'Ohyes，severaltimes；everybodyhas。\'
\'Whydidn\'tyoutellme?\'sayshislady。\'Ihadquiteforgottentocalluponher。I\'llgoto-morrow，orsoon……ButIcan\'tthink，Ashley，howyoucansaythatitmighthavebeenbetterforDorothytohavegonetoher；sheissomuchourownnowthatIcannotadmitanysuchconjecturesasthose，eveninjest。\'HereyesreproachedhimsoeloquentlythatSirAshleyMottisfontdidnotanswer。
LadyMottisfontdidnothuntanymorethantheAnglo-ItalianCountessdid；indeed，shehadbecomesoabsorbedinhouseholdmattersandinDorothy\'swellbeingthatshehadnomindtowasteaminuteonmereenjoyments。Asshehadsaid，totalkcoollyofwhatmighthavebeenthebestdestinationindayspastforachildtowhomtheyhadbecomesoattachedseemedquitebarbarous，andshecouldnotunderstandhowherhusbandshouldconsiderthepointsoabstractedly；for，aswillprobablyhavebeenguessed，LadyMottisfontlongbeforethistime，ifshehadnotdonesoattheverybeginning，divinedSirAshley\'struerelationtoDorothy。Butthebaronet\'swifewassodiscreetlymeekandmildthatshenevertoldhimofhersurmise，andtookwhatHeavenhadsentherwithoutcavil，hergenerosityinthisrespecthavingbeenbountifullyrewardedbythenewlifeshefoundinherloveforthelittlegirl。
Herhusbandrecurredtothesameuncomfortablesubjectwhen，afewdayslater，theywerespeakingoftravellingabroad。Hesaidthatitwasalmostapity，iftheythoughtofgoing，thattheyhadnotfalleninwiththeCountess\'swish。ThatladyhadtoldhimthatshehadmetDorothywalkingwithhernurse，andthatshehadneverseenachildshelikedsowell。
\'What——shecovetsherstill?Howimpertinentofthewoman!\'saidLadyMottisfont。
\'Sheseemstodoso……Yousee，dearestPhilippa，theadvantagetoDorothywouldhavebeenthattheCountesswouldhaveadoptedherlegally，andhavemadeherasherowndaughter；whilewehavenotdonethat——weareonlybringingupandeducatingapoorchildincharity。\'
\'ButI\'lladoptherfully——makeherminelegally!\'criedhiswifeinananxiousvoice。\'Howisittobedone?\'
\'H\'m。\'Hedidnotinformher，butfellintothought；and，forreasonsofherown，hisladywasrestlessanduneasy。
TheverynextdayLadyMottisfontdrovetoFernellHalltopaytheneglectedcalluponherneighbour。TheCountesswasathome，andreceivedhergraciously。ButpoorLadyMottisfont\'sheartdiedwithinherassoonassheseteyesonhernewacquaintance。Suchwonderfulbeauty，ofthefully-developedkind，hadneverconfrontedherbeforeinsidethelinesofahumanface。Sheseemedtoshinewitheverylightandgracethatwomancanpossess。HerfinishedContinentalmanners，herexpandedmind，herreadywit，composedastudythatmadetheotherpoorladysick；forshe，andlatterlySirAshleyhimself，wereratherruralinmanners，andshefeltabashedbynewsoundsandideasfromwithout。Shehardlyknewthreewordsinanylanguagebutherown，whilethisdivinecreature，thoughtrulyEnglish，had，apparently，whatevershewantedintheItalianandFrenchtonguestosuiteveryimpression；whichwasconsideredagreatimprovementtospeechinthosedays，and，indeed，isbymanyconsideredassuchinthese。
\'Howverystrangeitwasaboutthelittlegirl!\'theContessasaidtoLadyMottisfont，inhergaytones。\'Imean，thatthechildthelawyerrecommendedshould，justbeforethen，havebeenadoptedbyyou，whoarenowmyneighbour。Howisshegettingon?Imustcomeandseeher。\'
\'Doyoustillwanther?\'asksLadyMottisfontsuspiciously。
\'Oh，Ishouldliketohaveher!\'
\'Butyoucan\'t!She\'smine!\'saidtheothergreedily。
AdroopingmarinerappearedintheCountessfromthatmoment。
LadyMottisfont，too，wasinawretchedmoodallthewayhomethatday。TheCountesswassocharmingineverywaythatshehadcharmedhergentleladyship；howshoulditbepossiblethatshehadfailedtocharmSirAshley?Moreover，shehadawakenedastrangethoughtinPhilippa\'smind。Assoonasshereachedhomesherushedtothenursery，andthere，seizingDorothy，franticallykissedher；then，holdingheratarm\'slength，shegazedwithapiercinginquisitivenessintothegirl\'slineaments。Shesigheddeeply，abandonedthewonderingDorothy，andhastenedaway。
Shehadseentherenotonlyherhusband\'straits，whichshehadoftenbeheldbefore，butothers，oftheshade，shape，andexpressionwhichcharacterizedthoseofhernewneighbour。
Thenthispoorladyperceivedthewholeperturbingsequenceofthings，andaskedherselfhowshecouldhavebeensuchawalkingpieceofsimplicityasnottohavethoughtofthisbefore。Butshedidnotstaylongupbraidingherselfforhershortsightedness，sooverwhelmedwasshewithmiseryatthespectacleofherselfasanintruderbetweenthese。Tobesureshecouldnothaveforeseensuchaconjuncture；butthatdidnotlessenhergrief。Thewomanwhohadbeenbothherhusband\'sblissandhisbackslidinghadreappearedfreewhenhewasnolongerso，andsheevidentlywasdyingtoclaimherowninthepersonofDorothy，whohadmeanwhilegrowntobe，toLadyMottisfont，almosttheonlysourceofeachday\'shappiness，supplyingherwithsomethingtowatchover，inspiringherwiththesenseofmaternity，andsolargelyreflectingherhusband\'snatureasalmosttodeceiveherintothepleasantbeliefthatshereflectedherownalso。
Iftherewasasingledirectioninwhichthisdevotedandvirtuousladyerred，itwasinthedirectionofover-submissiveness。Whenallissaidanddone，andthetruthtold，menseldomshowmuchself-
sacrificeintheirconductaslordsandmasterstohelplesswomenboundtothemforlife，andperhaps(thoughIsayitwithalluncertainty)ifshehadblazedupinhisfacelikeafurze-faggot，directlyhecamehome，shemighthavehelpedherselfalittle。ButGodknowswhetherthisisatruesupposition；atanyrateshedidnosuchthing；andwaitedandprayedthatshemightneverdodespitetohimwho，shewasboundtoadmit，hadalwaysbeentenderandcourteoustowardsher；andhopedthatlittleDorothymightneverbetakenaway。
Bydegreesthetwohouseholdsbecamefriendly，andveryseldomdidaweekpasswithouttheirseeingsomethingofeachother。Tryasshemight，anddangerousassheassumedtheacquaintanceshiptobe，LadyMottisfontcoulddetectnofaultorflawinhernewfriend。ItwasobviousthatDorothyhadbeenthemagnetwhichhaddrawntheContessahither，andnotSirAshley。
Suchbeauty，unitedwithsuchunderstandingandbrightness，Philippahadneverbeforeknowninoneofherownsex，andshetriedtothink(whethershesucceededIdonotknow)thatshedidnotmindthepropinquity；sinceawomansorich，sofair，andwithsuchacommandofsuitors，couldnotdesiretowreckthehappinessofsoinoffensiveapersonasherself。
TheseasondrewonwhenitwasthecustomforfamiliesofdistinctiontogoofftoTheBath，andSirAshleyMottisfontpersuadedhiswifetoaccompanyhimthitherwithDorothy。Everybodyofanynotewastherethisyear。FromtheirownpartofEnglandcamemanythattheyknew；amongtherest，LordandLadyPurbeck，theEarlandCountessofWessex，SirJohnGrebe，theDrenkhards，LadyStourvale，theoldDukeofHamptonshire，theBishopofMelchester，theDeanofExonbury，andotherlesserlightsofCourt，pulpit，andfield。ThitheralsocamethefairContessa，whom，assoonasPhilippasawhowmuchshewassoughtafterbyyoungermen，shecouldnotconscientiouslysuspectofreneweddesignsuponSirAshley。
ButtheCountesshadfineropportunitiesthaneverwithDorothy；forLadyMottisfontwasoftenindisposed，andevenatothertimescouldnothonestlyhinderanintercoursewhichgavebrightideastothechild。Dorothywelcomedhernewacquaintancewithastrangeandinstinctivereadinessthatintimatedthewonderfulsubtletyofthethreadswhichbindfleshandfleshtogether。
Atlastthecrisiscame:itwasprecipitatedbyanaccident。
Dorothyandhernursehadgoneoutonedayforanairing，leavingLadyMottisfontaloneindoors。WhileshesatgloomilythinkingthatinalllikelihoodtheCountesswouldcontrivetomeetthechildsomewhere，andexchangeafewtenderwordswithher，SirAshleyMottisfontrushedinandinformedherthatDorothyhadjusthadthenarrowestpossibleescapefromdeath。Someworkmenwereunderminingahousetopullitdownforrebuilding，when，withoutwarning，thefrontwallinclinedslowlyoutwardsforitsfall，thenurseandchildpassingbeneathitatthesamemoment。Thefallwastemporarilyarrestedbythescaffolding，whileinthemeantimetheCountesshadwitnessedtheirimminentdangerfromtheothersideofthestreet。Springingacross，shesnatchedDorothyfromunderthewall，andpulledthenurseafterher，themiddleofthewaybeingbarelyreachedbeforetheywereenvelopedinthedensedustofthedescendingmass，thoughnotastonetouchedthem。
\'WhereisDorothy?\'saystheexcitedLadyMottisfont。
\'Shehasher——shewon\'tlethergoforatime——\'
\'Hasher?Butshe\'sMINE——she\'smine!\'criesLadyMottisfont。
ThenherquickandtendereyesperceivedthatherhusbandhadalmostforgottenherintrusiveexistenceincontemplatingtheonenessofDorothy\'s，theCountess\'s，andhisown:hewasinadreamofexaltationwhichrecognizednothingnecessarytohiswell-beingoutsidethatweldedcircleofthreelives。
Dorothywasatlengthbroughthome；shewasmuchfascinatedbytheCountess，andsawnothingtragic，butratherallthatwastrulydelightful，inwhathadhappened。Intheevening，whentheexcitementwasover，andDorothywasputtobed，SirAshleysaid，\'ShehassavedDorothy；andIhavebeenaskingmyselfwhatIcandoforherasaslightacknowledgmentofherheroism。SurelyweoughttoletherhaveDorothytobringup，sinceshestilldesirestodoit?ItwouldbesomuchtoDorothy\'sadvantage。Weoughttolookatitinthatlight，andnotselfishly。\'
Philippaseizedhishand。\'Ashley，Ashley!Youdon\'tmeanit——thatImustlosemyprettydarling——theonlyoneIhave?\'Shemethisgazewithherpiteousmouthandweteyessopainfullystrained，thatheturnedawayhisface。
Thenextmorning，beforeDorothywasawake，LadyMottisfontstoletothegirl\'sbedside，andsatregardingher。WhenDorothyopenedhereyes，shefixedthemforalongtimeuponPhilippa\'sfeatures。
\'Mamma——youarenotsoprettyastheContessa，areyou?\'shesaidatlength。
\'Iamnot，Dorothy。\'
\'Whyareyounot，mamma?\'
