第7章

Baggs，ifamanandwomanaccepteachotherashusbandandwife，beforeonewitness，itisalawfulmarriage；andthatkindofweddingis，asyouseeplainlyenough，theonlysaferefugeforabridegroominmysituation。IfyouconsenttocomewithustoScotland，andserveaswitnesstothemarriage，IshallbedelightedtoacknowledgemysenseofyourkindnessintheeloquentlanguageoftheBankofEngland，asexpressedtotheworldingeneralonthesurfaceofafive-poundnote。” IcautiouslysnatchedawaythebrandybottleasIspoke，andwasinthedrawing-roomwithitinaninstant。AsIsuppose，Mrs。 Baggstriedtofollowme，forIheardthedoorrattle，asifshehadgotoutofherchair，andsuddenlyslippedbackintoitagain。Ifeltcertainofherdecidingtohelpus，ifshewasonlysoberenoughtoreflectonwhatIhadsaidtoher。ThejourneytoScotlandwasatedious，andperhapsadangerous，undertaking。ButIhadnootheralternativetochoose。 Inthoseuncivilizeddays，theMarriageActhadnotbeenpassed，andtherewasnoconvenienthymenealregistrarinEnglandtochangeavagabondrunawaycoupleintoarespectablemanandwifeatamoment\'snotice。ThetroubleandexpenseoftakingMrs。 Baggswithus，Iencountered，ofcourse，solelyoutofregardforAlicia\'snaturalprejudices。Shehadledpreciselythatkindoflifewhichmakesanywomanbutabadonemorbidlysensitiveonthesubjectofsmallproprieties。Ifshehadbeenagirlwitharecognizedpositioninsociety，Ishouldhaveproposedtohertorunawaywithmealone。Asitwas，theverydefenselessnessofhersituationgaveher，inmyopinion，therighttoexpectfrommeeventheabsurdestsacrificestothenarrowestconventionalities。Mrs。Baggswasnotquitesosoberinherhabits，perhaps，asmatronsingeneralareexpectedtobe；but，formyparticularpurpose，thiswasonlyaslightblemish；ittakessolittle，afterall，torepresenttheabstractprincipleofproprietyintheshort-sightedeyeoftheworld。 AsIreachedthedrawing-roomdoor，Ilookedatmywatch。 Nineo\'clock!andnothingdoneyettofacilitateourescapingfromCrickgellytotheregionsofcivilizedlifethenextmorning。Iwaspleasedtohear，whenIknockedatthedoor，thatAlicia\'svoicesoundedfirmerasshetoldmetocomein。ShewasmoreconfusedthanastonishedorfrightenedwhenIsatdownbyheronthesofa，andrepeatedtheprincipaltopicsofmyconversionwithMrs。Baggs。 \"Now，myownlove，\"Isaid，inconclusion——suitingmygestures，itisunnecessarytosay，tothetendernessofmylanguage——\"thereisnottheleastdoubtthatMrs。Baggswillendbyagreeingtomyproposals。Nothingremains，therefore，butforyoutogivemetheanswernow，whichIhavebeenwaitingforeversincethatlastdaywhenwemetbytheriverside。Ididnotknowthenwhatthemotivewasforyoursilenceanddistress。Iknownow，andIloveyoubetterafterthatknowledgethanIdidbeforeit。” Herheaddroppedintoitsformerpositiononmybosom，andshemurmuredafewwords，buttoofaintlyformetohearthem。 \"Youknewmoreaboutyourfather，then，thanIdid？\"Iwhispered。 \"Lessthanyouhavetoldmesince，\"sheinterposedquickly，withoutraisingherface。 \"Enoughtoconvinceyouthathewasbreakingthelaws，\"I suggested；\"and，tomakeyou，ashisdaughter，shrinkfromsaying\'yes\'tomewhenwesattogetherontheriverbank？\" Shedidnotanswer。Oneofherarms，whichwashangingovermyshoulder，stoleroundmyneck，andclaspeditgently。 \"Sincethattime，\"Iwenton，\"yourfatherhascompromisedme。I aminsomedanger，notmuch，fromthelaw。Ihavenoprospectsthatarenotofthemostdoubtfulkind；andIhavenoexcuseforaskingyoutosharethem，exceptthatIhavefallenintomypresentmisfortunethroughtryingtodiscovertheobstaclethatkeptusapart。Ifthereisanyprotectionintheworldthatyoucanturnto，lessdoubtfulthanmine，IsupposeIoughttosaynomore，andleavethehouse。Butifthereshouldbenone，surelyI amnotsoveryselfishinaskingyoutotakeyourchancewithme？ IhonestlybelievethatIshallhavelittledifficulty，withordinarycaution，inescapingfrompursuit，andfindingasafehomesomewheretobeginlifeinagainwithnewinterests。Willyoushareitwithme，Alicia？Icantrynofreshpersuasions——I havenoright，perhaps，inmypresentsituationtohaveaddressedsomanytoyoualready。” Herotherarmstoleroundmyneck；shelaidhercheekagainstmine，andwhispered—— \"Bekindtome，Frank——Ihavenobodyintheworldwholovesmebutyou!\" Ifelthertearsonmyface；myowneyesmoistenedasItriedtoanswerher。Wesatforsomeminutesinperfectsilence——withoutmoving，withoutathoughtbeyondthemoment。Therisingofthewind，andthesplashingoftherainoutsidewerethefirstsoundsthatstirredmeintoactionagain。 Isummonedmyresolution，rosefromthesofa，andinafewhastywordstoldAliciawhatIproposedforthenextday，andmentionedthehouratwhichIwouldcomeinthemorning。AsIhadanticipated，sheseemedrelievedandreassuredattheprospectevenofsuchslightsanctionandencouragement，onthepartofanotherwoman，aswouldbeimpliedbythecompanionshipofMrs。 BaggsonthejourneytoScotland。 ThenextandlastdifficultyIhadtoencounterwasnecessarilyconnectedwithherfather。Hehadneverbeenveryaffectionate； andhewasnow，foraughtsheorIknewtothecontrary，partedfromherforever。Still，theinstinctiverecognitionofhispositionmadehershrink，atthelastmoment，whenshespokeofhim，andthoughtoftheseriousnatureofherengagementwithme。 Aftersomevainarguingandremonstrating，Icontrivedtoquietherscruples，bypromisingthatanaddressshouldbeleftatCrickgelly，towhichanysecondletterthatmightarrivefromthedoctorcouldbeforwarded。WhenIsawthatthisprospectofbeingabletocommunicatewithhim，ifhewroteorwishedtoseeher，hadsufficientlycomposedhermind，Ileftthedrawing-room。ItwasvitallyimportantthatIshouldgetbacktotheinnandmakethenecessaryarrangementsforourdeparturethenextmorning，beforetheprimitivepeopleoftheplacehadretiredtobed。 AsIpassedthebackparlordooronmywayout，IheardthevoiceofMrs。Baggsraisedindignantly。Thewords\"bottle!\"\"audacity!\" and\"nerves!\"reachedmyeardisjointedly。Icalledout\"Good-by! tillto-morrow；\"heardaresponsivegroanofdisgust；thenopenedthefrontdoor，andplungedoutintothedarkandrainynight。 ItmighthavebeenthedroppingofwaterfromthecottageroofswhileIpassedthroughthevillage，orthegroundlessalarmofmyownsuspiciousfancy，butIthoughtIwasbeingfollowedasI walkedbacktotheinn。TwoorthreetimesIturnedroundabruptly。Iftwentymenhadbeenatmyheels，itwastoodarktoseethem。Iwentontotheinn。 Thepeopletherewerenotgonetobed；andIsentforthelandlordtoconsultwithhimaboutaconveyance。Perhapsitwasmysuspiciousfancyagain；butIthoughthismannerwasaltered。 Heseemedhalfdistrustful，halfafraidofme，whenIaskedhimiftherehadbeenanysigns，duringmyabsence，ofthosetwogentlemen，forwhomIhadalreadyinquiredonarrivingathisdoorthatevening。Hegaveananswerinthenegative，lookingawayfrommewhilehespoke。 Thinkingitadvisable，onthewhole，nottolethimseethatI noticedachangeinhim，Iproceededatoncetothequestionoftheconveyance，andwastoldthatIcouldhirethelandlord\'slightcart，inwhichhewasaccustomedtodrivetothemarkettown。Iappointedanhourforstartingthenextday，andretiredatoncetomybedroom。Theremythoughtswereenough。IwasanxiousaboutScrewandtheBowStreetrunner。IwasuncertainaboutthestrangerwhohadcalledatNumberTwo，ZionPlace。I wasindoubtevenaboutthelandlordoftheinn。NeverdidIknowwhatrealsufferingfromsuspensewas，untilthatnight，Whatevermyapprehensionsmighthavebeen，theywerenoneofthemrealizedthenextmorning。 NobodyfollowedmeonmywaytoZionPlace，andnostrangerhadcalledtherebeforemeasecondtime，whenImadeinquiriesonenteringthehouse。IfoundAliciablushing，andMrs。Baggsimpenetrablywrappedupindignifiedsulkiness。AfterinformingmewithaloftylookthatsheintendedtogotoScotlandwithus，andtotakemyfive-poundnote——partlyunderprotest，andpartlyoutofexcessiveaffectionforAlicia——sheretiredtopackup。 Thetimeconsumedinperformingthisprocess，andthefurtherdelayoccasionedbypayingsmalloutstandingdebtstotradespeople，andsettlingwiththeownerofthehouse，detainedustillnearlynoonbeforewewerereadytogetintothelandlord\'scart。 Ilookedbehindmeanxiouslyatstarting，andoftenafterwardontheroad；butneversawanythingtoexcitemysuspicions。Insettlingmatterswiththelandlordovernight，Ihadarrangedthatweshouldbedriventothenearesttownatwhichapost-chaisecouldbeobtained。Myresourceswerejustaslikelytoholdoutagainsttheexpensesofposting，wherepublicconveyancescouldnotbeobtained，asagainsttheexpenseofwaitingprivatelyathotels，untiltherightcoachesmightstart。 Accordingtomycalculations，mymoneywouldlasttillwegottoScotland。Afterthat，Ihadmywatch，rings，shirtpin，andMr。 Batterbury，tohelpinreplenishingmypurse。Anxious，therefore，asIwasaboutotherthings，moneymatters，foronceinaway，didnotcausemethesmallestuneasiness。 CHAPTERXV。 WEpostedfive-and-thirtymiles，thenstoppedforacoupleofhourstorest，andwaitforanightcoachrunningnorthward。 Ongettingintothisvehiclewewerefortunateenoughtofindthefourthinsideplacenotoccupied。Mrs。Baggsshowedhersenseofthefreedomfromrestraintthusobtainedbytyingahugeredcomforterroundherheadlikeaturban，andimmediatelyfallingfastasleep。ThisgaveAliciaandmefulllibertytotalkaswepleased。Ourconversationwasforthemostpartofthatparticularkindwhichisnotofthesmallestimportancetoanythirdpersoninthewholeworld。Oneportionofit，however，wasanexceptiontothisgeneralrule。Ithadaverypositiveinfluenceonmyfortunes，anditis，therefore，Ihope，ofsufficientimportancetobearbeingcommunicatedtothereader。 Wehadchangedhorsesforthefourthtime，hadseatedourselvescomfortablyinourplaces，andhadheardMrs。Baggsresumethekindredoccupationsofsleepingandsnoring，whenAliciawhisperedtome: \"Imusthavenosecrets，now，fromyou——mustI，Frank？\" \"Youmusthaveanythingyoulike，doanythingyoulike，andsayanythingyoulike。Youmustneveraskleave——butonlygrantit!\" \"Shallyoualwaystellmethat，Frank？\" Ididnotanswerinwords，buttheconversationsufferedamomentaryinterruption。Ofwhatnature，susceptiblepeoplewilleasilyimagine。Asforthehard-heartedIdon\'twriteforthem。 \"Mysecretneednotalarmyou，\"Aliciawenton，intonesthatbegantosoundrathersadly；\"itisonlyaboutatinypasteboardboxthatIcancarryinthebosomofmydress。Butithasgotthreediamondsinit，Frank，andonebeautifulruby。Didyouevergivemecreditforhavingsomuchthatwasvaluableaboutme？——shallIgiveityoutokeepforme？\" IremembereddirectlyOldFile\'sstoryofMrs。Dulcifer\'selopement，andofthejewelsshehadtakenwithher。Itwaseasytoguess，afterwhatIhadheard，thatthepoorwomanhadsecretlypreservedsomeofherlittlepropertyforthebenefitofherchild。 \"Ihavenopresentneedofmoney，darling，\"Ianswered；\"keeptheboxinitspresentenviableposition。”Istoppedthere，sayingnothingofthethoughtthatwasreallyuppermostinmymind。Ifanyunforeseenaccidentplacedmewithinthegripofthelaw，I shouldnotnowhavethedoubletrialtoendureofleavingmywifeforaprison，andleavingherhelpless。 Morningdawnedandfoundusstillawake。Thesunrose，Mrs。Baggsleftoffsnoring，andwearrivedatthelaststagebeforethecoachstopped。 Igotouttoseeaboutsometeaformytravelingcompanions，andlookedupattheoutsidepassengers。Oneofthemseatedinthedickeylookeddownatme。Hewasacountrymaninasmock-frock，withagreenpatchoveroneofhiseyes。Somethingintheexpressionofhisuncoveredeyemademepause——reflect——turnawayuneasily——andthenlookagainathimfurtively。Asuddenshudderranthroughmefromtoptotoe；myheartsank；andmyheadbegantofeelgiddy。ThecountrymaninthedickeywasnootherthantheBowStreetrunnerindisguise。 Ikeptawayfromthecoachtillthefreshhorseswereonthepointofstarting，forIwasafraidtoletAliciaseemyface，aftermakingthatfataldiscovery。ShenoticedhowpaleIwaswhenIgotin。ImadethebestexcuseIcould；andgentlyinsistedonhertryingtosleepalittleafterbeingawakeallnight。Shelaybackinhercorner；andMrs。Baggs，comfortedwithamorningdraminhertea，fellasleepagain。Ihadthusanhour\'sleisurebeforemetothinkwhatIshoulddonext。 Screwwasnotincompanywiththerunnerthistime。Hemusthavemanagedtoidentifymesomewhere，andtheofficerdoubtlessknewmypersonalappearancewellenoughnowtofollowandmakesureofmewithouthelp。ThatIwasthemanwhomhewastrackingcouldnotbedoubted:hisdisguiseandhispositiononthetopofthecoachproveditonlytooplainly。 Butwhyhadhenotseizedmeatonce？Probablybecausehehadsomeulteriorpurposetoserve，whichwouldhavebeenthwartedbymyimmediateapprehension。WhatthatpurposewasIdidmybesttofathom，and，asIthought，succeededintheattempt。WhatIwastodowhenthecoachstoppedwasamoredifficultpointtosettle。Togivetherunnertheslip，withtwowomentotakecareof，wassimplyimpossible。Totreathim，asIhadtreatedScrewatthered-brickhouse，wasequallyoutofthequestion，forhewascertaintogivemenochanceofcatchinghimalone。Tokeephiminignoranceoftherealobjectofmyjourney，andtherebytodelayhisdiscoveringhimselfandattemptingtomakemeaprisoner，seemedtheonlyplanonthesafetyofwhichIcouldplacethesmallestreliance。IfIhadeverhadanyideaoffollowingtheexampleofotherrunawaylovers，andgoingtoGretnaGreen，Ishouldnowhaveabandonedit。AllroadsinthatdirectionwouldbetraywhatthepurposeofmyjourneywasifI tookthem。SomelargetowninScotlandwouldbethesafestdestinationthatIcouldpubliclyadvertisemyselfasboundfor。 WhynotboldlysaythatIwasgoingwiththetwoladiestoEdinburgh？ SuchwastheplanofactionwhichInowadopted。 TogiveanyideaofthedistractedconditionofmymindatthetimewhenIwasformingit，issimplyimpossible。AsfordoubtingwhetherIoughttomarryatallunderthesedangerouscircumstances，ImustfranklyownthatIwastooselfishlyandviolentlyinlovetolookthequestionfairlyinthefaceatfirst。WhenIsubsequentlyforcedmyselftoconsiderit，themostdistinctprojectIcouldframeforovercomingalldifficultywas，tomarrymyself(thephraseisstrictlydescriptiveoftheScotchceremony)atthefirstinnwecameto，overtheBorder；tohireachaise，ortakeplacesinapublicconveyancetoEdinburgh，asablind；toletAliciaandMrs。Baggsoccupythoseplaces；toremainbehindmyself；andtotrusttomyaudacityandcunning，whenleftalone，togivetherunnertheslip。Writingofitnow，incoolblood，thisseemsaswildandhopelessaplanaseverwasimagined。But，intheconfusedanddistractedstateofallmyfacultiesatthatperiod，itseemedquiteeasytoexecute，andnotintheleastdoubtfulastoanyoneofitsprobableresults。 Onreachingthetownatwhichthecoachstopped，wefoundourselvesobligedtohireanotherchaiseforashortdistance，inordertogettothestarting-pointofasecondcoach。Againwetookinsideplaces，andagain，atthefirststageswhenIgotdowntolookattheoutsidepassengers，therewasthecountrymanwiththegreenshadeoverhiseye。Whateverconveyancewetraveledbyonournorthwardroad，weneverescapedhim。Heneverattemptedtospeaktome，neverseemedtonoticeme，andneverlostsightofme。Onandonwewent，overroadsthatseemedinterminable，andstillthedreadfulswordofjusticehungalways，byitssinglehair，overmyhead。Myhaggardface，myfeverishhands，myconfusedmanner，myinexpressibleimpatience，allbeliedtheexcuseswithwhichIdesperatelycontinuedtowardoffAlicia\'sgrowingfears，andMrs。Baggs\'sindignantsuspicions。\"Oh!Frank，somethinghashappened!ForGod\'ssake，tellmewhat!\"——\"Mr。Softly，Icanseethroughadealboardasfarasmostpeople。Youarefollowingthedoctor\'swickedexample，andshowingawantofconfidenceinme。”TheseweretheremonstrancesofAliciaandthehousekeeper。 AtlastwegotoutofEngland，andIwasstillafreeman。Thechaise(wewerepostingagain)broughtusintoadirtytown，anddrewupatthedoorofashabbyinn。Ashock-headedgirlreceivedus。 \"AreweinScotland？\"Iasked。 \"Mon!whar\'elseshouldyebe？\"Theaccentrelievedmeofalldoubt。 \"Aprivateroom——somethingtoeat，readyinanhour\'stime——chaiseafterwardtothenearestplacefromwhichacoachrunstoEdinburgh。”Givingtheseordersrapidly，Ifollowedthegirlwithmytravelingcompanionsintoastuffylittleroom。Assoonasourattendanthadleftus，Ilockedthedoor，putthekeyinmypocket，andtookAliciabythehand。 \"Now，Mrs。Baggs，\"saidI，\"bearwitness——\" \"You\'renotgoingtomarryhernow!\"interposedMrs。Baggs，indignantly。\"Bearwitness，indeed!Iwon\'tbearwitnesstillI\'vetakenoffmybonnet，andputmyhairtidy!\" \"Theceremonywon\'ttakeaminute，\"Ianswered；\"andI\'llgiveyouyourfive-poundnoteandopenthedoorthemomentit\'sover。 Bearwitness，\"Iwenton，drowningMrs。Baggs\'sexpostulationswiththeall-importantmarriage-words，\"thatItakethiswoman，AliciaDulciferformylawfulweddedwife。” \"Insicknessandinhealth，inpovertyandwealth，\"brokeinMrs。 Baggs，determiningtorepresenttheclergymanaswellastobethewitness。 \"Alicia，dear，\"Isaid，interruptinginmyturn，\"repeatmywords。Say\'Itakethisman，FrancisSoftly，formylawfulweddedhusband。\'\" Sherepeatedthesentence，withherfaceverypale，withherdearhandcoldandtremblinginmine。 \"Forbetterforworse，\"continuedtheindomitableMrs。Baggs。 \"LittleenoughoftheBetter，I\'mafraid，andLordknowshowmuchoftheWorse。” Istoppedheragainwiththepromisedfive-poundnote，andopenedtheroomdoor。\"Now，ma\'am，\"Isaid，\"gotoyourroom；takeoffyourbonnet，andputyourhairastidyasyouplease。” Mrs。Baggsraisedhereyesandhandstoheaven，exclaimed\"Disgraceful!\"andflouncedoutoftheroominapassion。SuchwasmyScotchmarriage——aslawfulaceremony，remember，asthefinestfamilyweddingatthelargestparishchurchinallEngland。 Anhourpassed；andIhadnotyetsummonedthecruelcouragetocommunicatemyrealsituationtoAlicia。Theentryoftheshock-headedservant-girltolaythecloth，followedbyMrs。 Baggs，whowasneveroutofthewaywhereeatinganddrinkingappearedinprospect，helpedmetorousemyself。Iresolvedtogooutforafewminutestoreconnoiter，andmakemyselfacquaintedwithanyfacilitiesforflightorhidingwhichthesituationofthehousemightpresent。NodoubttheBowStreetrunnerwaslurkingsomewhere；buthemust，asamatterofcourse，haveheard，orinformedhimself，oftheordersIhadgivenrelatingtoourconveyanceontoEdinburgh；and，inthatcase，Iwasstillnomoreindangerofhisavowinghimselfandcapturingme，thanI hadbeenatanypreviousperiodofourjourney。 \"Iamgoingoutforamoment，love，toseeaboutthechaise，\"I saidtoAlicia。Shesuddenlylookedupatmewithananxioussearchingexpression。Wasmyfacebetrayinganythingofmyrealpurpose？Ihurriedtothedoorbeforeshecouldaskmeasinglequestion。 Thefrontoftheinnstoodnearlyinthemiddleoftheprincipalstreetofthetown。Nochanceofgivinganyonetheslipinthatdirection；andnosign，either，oftheBowStreetrunner。I saunteredround，withthemostunconcernedmannerIcouldassume，tothebackofthehouse，bytheinnyard。Adoorinonepartofitstoodhalf-open。Insidewasabitofkitchen-garden，boundedbyapaling；beyondthatsomebacksofdetachedhouses；beyondthem，again，aplotofweedyground，afewwretchedcottages，andtheopen，heatherymoor。Goodenoughforrunningaway，butterriblybadforhiding。 Ireturneddisconsolatelytotheinn。Walkingalongthepassagetowardthestaircase，Isuddenlyheardfootstepsbehindme——turnedround，andsawtheBowStreetrunner(clothedagaininhisordinarycostume，andaccompaniedbytwostrangemen) standingbetweenmeandthedoor。 \"SorrytostopyoufromgoingtoEdinburgh，Mr。Softly，\"hesaid。 \"Butyou\'rewantedbackatBarkingham。I\'vejustfoundoutwhatyouhavebeentravelingallthewaytoScotlandfor；andItakeyouprisoner，asoneofthecoininggang。Takeiteasy，sir。I\'vegothelp，yousee；andyoucan\'tthrottlethreemen，whateveryoumayhavedoneatBarkinghamwithone。” Hehandcuffedmeashespoke。Resistancewashopeless。Icouldonlymakeanappealtohismercy，onAlicia\'saccount。 \"Givemetenminutes，\"Isaid，\"tobreakwhathashappenedtomywife。Wewereonlymarriedanhourago。Ifsheknowsthissuddenly，itmaybethedeathofher。” \"You\'veledmeanicedanceonawrongscent，\"answeredtherunner，sulkily。\"ButIneverwasahardmanwherewomenareconcerned。Goupstairs，andleavethedooropen，sothatIcanseeinthroughitifIlike。Holdyourhatoveryourwrists，ifyoudon\'twanthertoseethehandcuffs。” Iascendedthefirstflightofstairs，andmyheartgaveasuddenboundasifitwouldburst。Istopped，speechlessandhelpless，atthesightofAlicia，standingaloneonthelanding。Myfirstlookatherfacetoldmeshehadheardallthathadpassedinthepassage。ShepassionatelystruckthehatwithwhichIhadbeentryingtohidethehandcuffsoutofmyfingers，andclaspedmeinherarmswithsuchsuddenanddesperateenergythatsheabsolutelyhurtme。 \"Iwasafraidofsomething，Frank，\"shewhispered。\"Ifollowedyoualittleway。Istoppedhere；Ihaveheardeverything。Don\'tletusbeparted!Iamstrongerthanyouthinkme。Iwon\'tbefrightened。Iwon\'tcry。Iwon\'ttroubleanybody，ifthatmanwillonlytakemewithyou!\" Itisbestformysake，ifnotforthereader\'s，tohurryoverthescenethatfollowed。 Itendedwithaslittleadditionalwretchednessascouldbeexpected。Therunnerwasresoluteaboutkeepingmehandcuffed，andtakingmeback，withoutamoment\'sunnecessarywasteoftimetoBarkingham；butherelentedonotherpoints。 Wherehewasobligedtoorderaprivateconveyance，therewasnoobjectiontoAliciaandMrs。Baggsfollowingit。Wherewegotintoacoach，therewasnoharmintheirhiringtwoinsideplaces。Igavemywatch，rings，andlastguineatoAlicia，enjoiningher，onnoaccount，toletherboxofjewelsseethelightuntilwecouldgetproperadviceonthebestmeansofturningthemtoaccount。Shelistenedtotheseandotherdirectionswithacalmnessthatastonishedme。 \"Youshan\'tsay，mydear，thatyourwifehashelpedtomakeyouuneasybysomuchasawordoralook，\"shewhisperedtomeaswelefttheinn。 Andshekeptthehardpromiseimpliedinthatoneshortsentencethroughoutthejourney。OnceonlydidIseeherloseherself-possession。Atstartingonourwaysouth，Mrs。Baggs——takingthesameincomprehensiblepersonaloffenseatmymisfortunewhichshehadpreviouslytakenatthedoctor\'s——upbraidedmewithmywantofconfidenceinher，anddeclaredthatitwasthemaincauseofallmypresenttrouble。Aliciaturnedonherasshewasutteringthewords，withalookandawarningthatsilencedherinaninstant: \"Ifyousayanothersyllablethatisn\'tkindtohim，youshallfindyourwaybackbyyourself!\" Thewordsmaynotseemofmuchimportancetoothers；butI thought，asIoverheardthem，thattheyjustifiedeverysacrificeIhadmadeformywife\'ssake。 CHAPTERXVI。 ONourwaybackIreceivedfromtherunnersomeexplanationofhisapparentlyunaccountableproceedingsinreferencetomyself。 Tobeginatthebeginning，itturnedoutthatthefirstactoftheofficers，ontheirreleasefromtheworkroominthered-brickhouse，wastoinstituteacarefulsearchforpapersinthedoctor\'sstudyandbedroom。Amongtheotherdocumentsthathehadnothadtimetodestroy，wasalettertohimfromAlicia，whichtheytookfromoneofthepocketsofhisdressing-gown。Finding，fromthereportofthemenwhohadfollowedthegig，thathehaddistancedallpursuit，andhavingthereforenodirectclewtohiswhereabout，theyhadbeenobligedtohuntafterhiminvariousdirections，onpurespeculation。Alicia\'slettertoherfathergavetheaddressofthehouseatCrickgelly；andtothistherunnerrepaired，onthechanceofinterceptingordiscoveringanycommunicationswhichthedoctormightmaketohisdaughter，Screwbeingtakenwiththeofficertoidentifytheyounglady。Afterleavingthelastcoach，theypostedtowithinamileofCrickgelly，andthenwalkedintothevillage，inordertoexcitenospecialattention，shouldthedoctorbelurkingintheneighborhood。TherunnerhadtriedineffectuallytogainadmissionasavisitoratZionPlace。Afterhavingthedoorshutonhim，heandScrewhadwatchedthehouseandvillage，andhadseenmeapproachNumberTwo。Theirsuspicionsweredirectlyexcited。 Thusfar，Screwhadnotrecognized，norevenobservedme；butheimmediatelyidentifiedmebymyvoice，whileIwasparleyingwiththestupidservantatthedoor。Therunner，hearingwhoIwas，reasonablyenoughconcludedthatImustbetherecognizedmediumofcommunicationbetweenthedoctorandhisdaughter，especiallywhenhefoundthatIwasadmitted，instantlyaftercalling，pasttheservant，tosomeoneinsidethehouse。 LeavingScrewonthewatch，hewenttotheinn，discoveredhimselfprivatelytothelandlord，andmadesure(inmorewaysthanone，asIconjectured)ofknowingwhen，andinwhatdirection，IshouldleaveCrickgelly。OnfindingthatIwastoleaveitthenextmorning，withAliciaandMrs。Baggs，heimmediatelysuspectedthatIwaschargedwiththedutyoftakingthedaughterto，ornear，theplacechosenforthefather\'sretreat；andhadthereforeabstainedfrominterferingprematurelywithmymovements。Knowingwhitherwewereboundinthecart，hehadriddenafterus，welloutofsight，withhiscountryman\'sdisguisereadyforuseinthesaddle-bags——Screw，incaseofanymistakesormystifications，beingleftbehindonthewatchatCrickgelly。 ThepossibilitythatImightberunningawaywithAliciahadsuggesteditselftohim；buthedismisseditasimprobable，firstwhenhesawthatMrs。Baggsaccompaniedus，andagain，when，onnearingScotland，hefoundthatwedidnottaketheroadtoGretnaGreen。Heacknowledged，inconclusion，thatheshouldhavefollowedustoEdinburgh，oreventotheContinentitself，onthechanceofourleadinghimtothedoctor\'sretreat，butfortheservantgirlattheinn，whohadlistenedoutsidethedoorwhileourbriefmarriageceremonywasproceeding，andfromwhom，withgreattroubleanddelay，hehadextractedalltheinformationherequired。Afurtherlossofhalfanhour\'stimehadoccurredwhilehewasgettingthenecessaryhelptoassisthim，intheeventofmyresisting，ortryingtogivehimtheslip，inmakingmeaprisoner。Thesesmallfactsaccountedforthehour\'srespitewehadenjoyedattheinn，andterminatedtherunner\'snarrativeofhisownproceedings。 OnarrivingatourdestinationIwas，ofcourse，immediatelytakentothejail。 Alicia，bymyadvice，engagedamodestlodginginasuburbofBarkingham。Inthedaysofthered-brickhouse，shehadseldombeenseeninthetown，andshewasnotatallknownbysightinthesuburb。Wearrangedthatshewastovisitmeasoftenastheauthoritieswouldlether。Shehadnocompanion，andwantednone。 Mrs。Baggs，whohadneverforgiventherebukeadministeredtoheratthestarting-pointofourjourney，leftusatthecloseofit。 Herleave-takingwasdignifiedandpathetic。ShekindlyinformedAliciathatshewishedherwell，thoughshecouldnotconscientiouslylookuponherasalawfulmarriedwoman；andshebeggedme(incaseIgotoff)，thenexttimeImetwitharespectablepersonwhowaskindtome，toprofitbyrememberingmypasterrors，andtotreatmynextbenefactresswithmoreconfidencethanIhadtreatedher。 MyfirstbusinessintheprisonwastowritetoMr。Batterbury。 Ihadamagnificenteasetopresenttohim，thistime。AlthoughI believedmyself，andhadsucceededinpersuadingAlicia，thatI wassureofbeingrecommendedtomercy，itwasnotthelessthefactthatIwaschargedwithanoffensestillpunishablebydeath，inthethenbarbarousstateofthelaw。IdelicatelystatedjustenoughofmycasetomakeonethingcleartothemindofMr。Batterbury。Myaffectionatesister\'sinterestinthecontingentreversionwasnow(unlessLadyMalkinshawperverselyandsuddenlyexpired)actuallythreatenedbytheGallows! Whilecalmlyawaitingtheanswer，IwasbynomeanswithoutsubjectstooccupymyattentionwhenAliciawasnotattheprison。Therewasmyfellow-workman——Mill——(thefirstmemberofoursocietybetrayedbyScrew)tocomparenoteswith；andtherewasacertainprisonerwhohadbeentransported，andwhohadsomeveryimportantandinterestingparticularstocommunicate，relativetolifeanditschancesinourfelon-settlementsattheAntipodes。Italkedagreatdealwiththisman；forIfeltthathisexperiencemightbeofthegreatestpossiblebenefittome。 Mr。Batterbury\'sanswerwasspeedy，short，andpunctual。Ihadshatteredhisnervoussystemforever，hewrote，buthadonlystimulatedhisdevotiontomyfamily，andhisChristianreadinesstolookpityinglyonmytransgressions。Hehadengagedtheleaderofthecircuittodefendme；andhewouldhavecometoseeme，butforMrs。Batterbury；whohadimploredhimnottoexposehimselftoagitation。OfLadyMalkinshawthelettersaidnothing； butIafterwarddiscoveredthatshewasthenatCheltenham，drinkingthewatersandplayingwhistintherudesthealthandspirits。 Itisaboldthingtosay，butnothingwilleverpersuademethatSocietyhasnotasneakingkindnessforaRogue。 Forexample，myfatherneverhadhalftheattentionshowntohiminhisownhouse，whichwasshowntomeinmyprison。IhaveseenHighSheriffsinthegreatworld，whommyfatherwenttosee，givehimtwofingers——theHighSheriffofBarkinghamshirecametoseeme，andshookhandscordially。Nobodyeverwantedmyfather\'sautograph——dozensofpeopleaskedformine。Nobodyeverputmyfather\'sportraitinthefrontispieceofamagazine，ordescribedhispersonalappearanceandmannerswithanxiouselaboration，inthelargetypeofagreatnewspaper——Ienjoyedboththosehonors。 Threeofficialindividualspolitelybeggedmetobesureandmakecomplaintsifmypositionwasnotperfectlycomfortable。Noofficialindividualevertroubledhisheadwhethermyfatherwascomfortableornot。Whenthedayofmytrialcame，thecourtwasthrongedbymylovelycountrywomen，whostooduppantinginthecrowdandcrushingtheirbeautifuldresses，ratherthanmissthepleasureofseeingthedearRogueinthedock。Whenmyfatheroncestoodonthelecturer\'srostrum，anddeliveredhisexcellentdiscourse，called\"MedicalHintstoMaidsandMothersonTightLacingandTeething，\"thebencheswereleftemptybytheungratefulwomenofEngland，whowerenotintheslightestdegreeanxioustofeasttheireyesonthesightofalearnedadviserandrespectableman。Ifthesefactsledtooneinevitableconclusion，itisnotmyfault。WeRoguesarethespoiledchildrenofSociety。WemaynotbeopenlyacknowledgedasPets，butweallknow，bypleasantexperience，thatwearetreatedlikethem。 Thetrialwasdeeplyaffecting。Mydefense——orrathermybarrister\'s——wasthesimpletruth。Itwasimpossibletooverthrowthefactsagainstus；sowehonestlyownedthatIgotintothescrapethroughloveforAlicia。Mycounselturnedthistothebestpossiblesentimentalaccount。Hecried；theladiescried； thejurycried；thejudgecried；andMr。Batterbury，whohaddesperatelycometoseethetrial，andknowtheworst，sobbedwithsuchprominentvehemence，thatIbelievehim，tothisday，tohavegreatlyinfluencedtheverdict。Iwasstronglyrecommendedtomercyandgotoffwithfourteenyears\' transportation。TheunfortunateMill，whowastriedafterme，withameredry-eyedbarristertodefendhim，washanged。 POSTSCRIPT。 WITHtherecordofmysentenceoftransportation，mylifeasaRogueends，andmyexistenceasarespectablemanbegins。Iamsorrytosayanythingwhichmaydisturbpopulardelusionsonthesubjectofpoeticaljustice，butthisisstrictlythetruth。 Myfirstanxietywasaboutmywife\'sfuture。 Mr。Batterburygavemenochanceofaskinghisadviceafterthetrial。Themomentsentencehadbeenpronounced，heallowedhimselftobehelpedoutofcourtinamelancholystateofprostration，andthenextmorningheleftforLondon。Isuspecthewasafraidtofaceme，andnervouslyimpatient，besides，totellAnnabellathathehadsavedthelegacyagainbyanotheralarmingsacrifice。Myfatherandmother，towhomIhadwrittenonthesubjectofAlicia，werenomoretobedependedonthanMr。 Batterbury。Myfather，inansweringmyletter，toldmethatheconscientiouslybelievedhehaddoneenoughinforgivingmeforthrowingawayanexcellenteducation，anddisgracingarespectablename。Headdedthathehadnotallowedmyletterformymothertoreachher，outofpityingregardforherbrokenhealthandspirits；andheendedbytellingme(whatwasperhapsverytrue)thatthewifeofsuchasonasIhadbeen，hadnoclaimuponherfather-in-law\'sprotectionandhelp。Therewasanend，then，ofanyhopeoffindingresourcesforAliciaamongthemembersofmyownfamily。 Thenextthingwastodiscoverameansofprovidingforherwithoutassistance。Ihadformedaprojectforthis，aftermeditatingovermyconversationswiththereturnedtransportinBarkinghamjail，andIhadtakenareliableopiniononthechancesofsuccessfullyexecutingmydesignfromthesolicitorwhohadpreparedmydefense。 Aliciaherselfwassoearnestlyinfavorofassistinginmyexperiment，thatshedeclaredshewouldpreferdeathtoitsabandonment。Accordingly，thenecessarypreliminarieswerearranged；and，whenweparted，itwassomemitigationofourgrieftoknowthattherewasatimeappointedformeetingagain。 Aliciawastolodgewithadistantrelativeofhermother\'sinasuburbofLondon；wastoconcertmeasureswiththisrelativeonthebestmethodofturningherjewelsintomoney；andwastofollowherconvicthusbandtotheAntipodes，underafeignedname，insixmonths\'time。 Ifmyfamilyhadnotabandonedme，Ineednothavethuslefthertohelpherself。Asitwas，Ihadnochoice。Oneconsolationsupportedmeatparting——shewasinnodangerofpersecutionfromherfather。AsecondletterfromhimhadarrivedatCrickgelly，andhadbeenforwardedtotheaddressIhadleftforit。ItwasdatedHamburg，andbrieflytoldhertoremainatCrickgelly，andexpectfreshinstructions，explanations，andasupplyofmoney，assoonashehadsettledtheimportantbusinessmatterswhichhadtakenhimabroad。Hisdaughteransweredtheletter，tellinghimofhermarriage，andgivinghimanaddressatapost-officetowriteto，ifhechosetoreplytohercommunication。Therethematterrested。 WhatwasItodoonmyside？Nothingbutestablishareputationformildbehavior。Ibegantomanufactureacharacterformyselfforthefirstdaysofourvoyageoutintheconvict-ship；andI landedatthepenalsettlementwiththereputationofbeingthemeekestandmostbiddableoffeloniousmankind。 Afterashortprobationaryexperienceofsuchlowconvictemploymentsaslime-burningandroad-mending，Iwasadvancedtooccupationsmoreinharmonywithmyeducation。WhateverIdid，I neverneglectedthefirstgreatobligationofmakingmyselfagreeableandamusingtoeverybody。Mysocialreputationasagoodfellowbegantostandashighatoneendoftheworldaseveritstoodattheother。ThemonthspassedmorequicklythanI haddaredtohope。Theexpirationofmyfirstyearoftransportationwasapproaching，andalreadypleasanthintsofmybeingsoonassignedtoprivateservicebegantoreachmyears。 ThiswasthefirstofthemanyendsIwasnowworkingfor；andthenextpleasantrealizationofmyhopesthatIhadtoexpect，wasthearrivalofAlicia。 Shecame，amonthlaterthanIhadanticipated；safeandblooming，withfivehundredpoundsastheproduceofherjewels，andwiththeoldCrickgellyalias(changedfromMisstoMrs。 Giles)，topreventanysuspicionsoftheconnectionbetweenus。 Herstory(concoctedbymebeforeIleftEngland)was，thatshewasawidowlady，whohadcometosettleinAustralia，andmakethemostofherlittlepropertyintheNewWorld。OneofthefirstthingsMrs。Gileswantedwasnecessarilyatrustworthyservant，andshehadtomakeherchoiceofoneamongtheconvictsofgoodcharacter，tobeassignedtoprivateservice。Beingoneofthathonorablebodymyselfatthetime，itisneedlesstosaythatI wasthefortunatemanonwhomMrs。Giles\'schoicefell。ThefirstsituationIgotinAustraliawasasservanttomyownwife。 Aliciamadeaveryindulgentmistress。 Ifshehadbeenmischievouslyinclined，shemight，byapplicationtoamagistrate，havehadmefloggedorsettoworkinchainsontheroads，wheneverIbecameidleorinsubordinate，whichhappenedoccasionally。Butinsteadofcomplaining，thekindcreaturekissedandmademuchofherfootmanbystealth，afterhisday\'swork。Sheallowedhimnofemalefollowers，andonlyemployedonewoman-servantoccasionally，whowasbotholdandugly。ThenameofthefootmanwasDearinprivate，andFrancisincompany；andwhenthewidowedmistress，upstairs，refusedeligibleoffersofmarriage(whichwasprettyoften)，thefavoreddomesticinthekitchenwasalwaysinformedofit，andasked，withthesweetesthumility，ifheapprovedoftheproceeding。 Nottodwellonthisanomalousperiodofmyexistence，letmesaybrieflythatmynewpositionwithmywifewasofthegreatestadvantageinenablingmetodirectinsecrettheprofitableusestowhichherlittlefortunewasput。 Webeganinthiswaywithanexcellentspeculationincattle——buyingthemforshillingsandsellingthemforpounds。 Withtheprofitsthusobtained，wenexttriedourhandsathouses——firstbuyinginasmallway，thenboldlybuilding，andlettingagainandsellingtogreatadvantage。Whilethesespeculationswereinprogress，mybehaviorinmywife\'sservicewassoexemplary，andshegavemesoexcellentacharacterwhentheusualofficialinquirieswereinstituted，thatIsoongotthenextprivilegeaccordedtopersonsinmysituation——aticket-of-leave。Bythetimethishadbeenagainexchangedforaconditionalpardon(whichallowedmetogoaboutwhereIpleasedinAustralia，andtotradeinmyownnamelikeanyunconvictedmerchant)ourhouse-propertyhadincreasedenormously，ourlandhadbeensoldforpublicbuildings，andwehadsharesinthefamousEmancipist\'sBank，whichproducedquitealittleincomeofthemselves。 Therewasnownoneedtokeepthemaskonanylonger。 IwentthroughthesuperfluousceremonyofasecondmarriagewithAlicia；tookstoresinthecity；builtavillainthecountry； andhereIamatthispresentmomentofwriting，aconvictaristocrat——aprosperous，wealthy，highlyrespectablemercantileman，withtwoyearsofmysentenceoftransportationstilltoexpire。Ihaveabaroucheandtwobayhorses，acoachmanandpageinneatliveries，threecharmingchildren，andaFrenchgoverness，aboudoirandlady\'s-maidformywife。Sheisashandsomeasever，butgettingalittlefat。SoamI，asaworthyfriendremarkedwhenIrecentlyappearedholdingtheplate，atourlastcharitysermon。 WhatwouldmysurvivingrelativesandassociatesinEnglandsay，iftheycouldseemenow？Ihaveheardofthematdifferenttimesandthroughvariouschannels。LadyMalkinshaw，afterlivingtothevergeofahundred，andsurvivingallsortsofaccidents，diedquietlyoneafternoon，inherchair，withanemptydishbeforeher，andwithoutgivingtheslightestnoticetoanybody。 Mr。Batterbury，havingsacrificedsomuchtohiswife\'sreversion，profitednothingbyitsfallinginatlast。Hisquarrelswithmyamiablesister——whichtooktheirrisefromhisinterestedcharitiestowardme——endedinproducingaseparation。 And，farfromsavinganythingbyAnnabella\'sinheritanceofherpin-money，hehadapositivelosstoputupwith，intheshapeofsomehundredsextractedyearlyfromhisincome，asalimonytohisuncongenialwife。Heissaidtomakeuseofshockinglanguagewhenevermynameismentioned，andtowishthathehadbeencarriedoffbytheyellowfeverbeforeheeverseteyesontheSoftlyfamily。 Myfatherhasretiredfrompractice。Heandmymotherhavegonetoliveinthecountry，nearthemansionoftheonlymarquiswithwhommyfatherwasactuallyandpersonallyacquaintedinhisprofessionaldays。Themarquisaskshimtodinneronceayear，andleavesacardformymotherbeforehereturnstotownfortheseason。AportraitofLadyMalkinshawhangsinthedining-room。 Inthisway，myparentsareendingtheirdayscontentedly。IcanhonestlysaythatIamgladtohearit。 DoctorDulcifer，whenIlastheardofhim，waseditinganewspaperinAmerica。OldFile，whosharedhisflight，stillshareshisfortunes，beingpublisherofhisnewspaper。YoungFileresumedcoiningoperationsinLondon；and，havingbravedhisfateasecondtime，threadedhisway，induecourse，uptothestepsofthescaffold。Screwcarriesontheprofitabletradeofinformer，inLondon。ThedismaldisappearanceofMillIhavealreadyrecorded。 Somuchonthesubjectofmyrelativesandassociates。Onthesubjectofmyself，Imightstillwriteonatconsiderablelength。 Butwhilethelibeloustitleof\"AROGUE\'SLIFE\"staresmeinthefaceatthetopofthepage，howcanI，asarichandreputableman，beexpectedtocommunicateanyfurtherautobiographicalparticulars，inthisplace，toadiscerningpublicofreaders？ No，no，myfriends!Iamnolongerinteresting——Iamonlyrespectablelikeyourselves。Itistimetosay\"Good-by。”