VII
“Ishallhavetobegin，“saidhe，whentheywereallseatedandreadytolisten，“bygivingyousomeidea，notsomuchofthefamilytradition，asoftheeffectofthistraditionuponallwhoborethenameofVanBroecklyn。Thisisnottheonlyhouse，eveninAmerica，whichcontainsaroomshutawayfromintrusion。
InEnglandtherearemany。Butthereisthisdifferencebetweenmostofthemandours。Nobarsorlocksforciblyheldshutthedoorwewereforbiddentoopen。Thecommandwasenough；thatandthesuperstitiousfearwhichsuchacommand，attendedbyalongandunquestioningobedience，waslikelytoengender。
“Iknownomorethanyoudowhysomeearlyancestorlaidhisbanuponthisroom。ButfrommyearliestyearsIwasgiventounderstandthattherewasonelatchinthehousewhichwasnevertobelifted；thatanyfaultwouldbeforgivensoonerthanthat；
thatthehonourofthewholefamilystoodinthewayofdisobedience，andthatIwastopreservethathonourtomydyingday。Youwillsaythatallthisisfantastic，andwonderthatsanepeopleinthesemoderntimesshouldsubjectthemselvestosucharidiculousrestriction，especiallywhennogoodreasonwasalleged，andtheverysourceofthetraditionfromwhichitsprungforgotten。Youareright；butifyoulooklongintohumannature，youwillseethatthebondswhichholdthefirmestarenotmaterialones——thatanideawillmakeamanandmouldacharacter——thatitliesatthesourceofallheroismsandistobecourtedorfearedasthecasemaybe。
“Formeitpossessedapowerproportionatetomyloneliness。I
don”tthinktherewaseveramorelonelychild。Myfatherandmotherweresounhappyineachother”scompanionshipthatoneorotherofthemwasalmostalwaysaway。ButIsawlittleofeitherevenwhentheywereathome。Theconstraintintheirattitudetowardseachotheraffectedtheirconducttowardsme。Ihaveaskedmyselfmorethanonceifeitherofthemhadanyrealaffectionforme。TomyfatherIspokeofher；toherofhim；andneverpleasurably。ThisIamforcedtosay，oryoucannotunderstandmystory。WouldtoGodIcouldtellanothertale！
WouldtoGodIhadsuchmemoriesasothermenhaveofafather”sclasp，amother”skiss——butno！mygrief，alreadyprofound，mighthavebecomeabysmal。Perhapsitisbestasitis；only，Imighthavebeenadifferentchild，andmadeformyselfadifferentfate——
whoknows。
“Asitwas，Iwasthrownalmostentirelyuponmyownresourcesforanyamusement。ThisledmetoadiscoveryImadeoneday。Inafarpartofthecellarbehindsomeheavycasks，Ifoundalittledoor。Itwassolow——soexactlyfittedtomysmallbody，thatIhadthegreatestdesiretoenterit。ButIcouldnotgetaroundthecasks。Atlastanexpedientoccurredtome。Wehadanoldservantwhocamenearerlovingmethananyoneelse。OnedaywhenIchancedtobealoneinthecellar，Itookoutmyballandbeganthrowingitabout。Finallyitlandedbehindthecasks，andIranwithabeseechingcrytoMichael，tomovethem。
“Itwasataskrequiringnolittlestrengthandaddress，buthemanaged，afterafewherculeanefforts，toshiftthemasideandI
sawwithdelight，mywayopenedtothatmysteriouslittledoor。
ButIdidnotapproachitthen；someinstinctdeterredme。Butwhentheopportunitycameformetoventuretherealone，Ididso，inthemostadventurousspirit，andbeganmyoperationsbyslidingbehindthecasksandtestingthehandleofthelittledoor。Itturned，andafterapullortwothedooryielded。Withmyheartinmymouth，Istoopedandpeeredin。Icouldseenothing——ablackholeandnothingmore。Thiscausedmeamoment”shesitation。Iwasafraidofthedark——hadalwaysbeen。Butcuriosityandthespiritofadventuretriumphed。SayingtomyselfthatIwasRobinsonCrusoeexploringthecave，Icrawledin，onlytofindthatIhadgainednothing。Itwasasdarkinsideasithadlookedtobefromwithout。
“Therewasnofuninthis，soIcrawledback，andwhenItriedtheexperimentagain，itwaswithabitofcandleinmyhand，andasurreptitiousmatchortwo。WhatIsaw，whenwithaverytremblinglittlehandIhadlightedoneofthematches，wouldhavebeendisappointingtomostboys，butnottome。ThelitterandoldboardsIsawinoddcornersaboutmewerefullofpossibilities，whileinthedimnessbeyondIseemedtoperceiveasortofstaircasewhichmightlead——IdonotthinkImadeanyattempttoanswerthatquestioneveninmyownmind，butwhen，aftersomehesitationandasenseofgreatdaring，Ifinallycreptupthosesteps，Irememberverywellmysensationatfindingmyselfinfrontofanarrowcloseddoor。ItsuggestedtoovividlytheoneinGrandfather”slittleroom——thedoorinthewainscotwhichwewerenevertoopen。Ihadmyfirstrealtremblingfithere，andatoncefascinatedandrepelledbythisobstructionIstumbledandlostmycandle，which，goingoutinthefall，leftmeintotaldarknessandaveryfrightenedstateofmind。Formyimaginationwhichhadbeengreatlystirredbymyownvaguethoughtsoftheforbiddenroom，immediatelybegantopeoplethespaceaboutmewithghoulishfigures。HowshouldI
escapethem，howeverreachmyownlittleroomagainundetectedandinsafety？
Buttheseterrors，deepastheywere，werenothingtotherealfrightwhichseizedmewhen，thedarknessfinallybraved，andthewayfoundbackintothebright，wide-openhallsofthehouse，I
becameconsciousofhavingdroppedsomethingbesidesthecandle。
Mymatch-boxwasgone——notmymatch-box，butmygrandfather”swhichIhadfoundlyingonhistableandcarriedoffonthisadventure，inalltheconfidenceofirresponsibleyouth。Tomakeuseofitforalittlewhile，trustingtohisnotmissingitintheconfusionIhadnoticedaboutthehousethatmorning，wasonething；toloseitwasanother。Itwasnocommonbox。Madeofgoldandcherishedforsomespecialreasonwellknowntohimself，I
hadoftenhearhimsaythatsomedayIwouldappreciateitsvalue，andbegladtoownit。AndIhadleftitinthatholeandatanyminutehemightmissit——possiblyaskforit！Thedaywasoneoftorment。Mymotherwasawayorshutupinherroom。Myfather——Idon”tknowjustwhatthoughtsIhadabouthim。Hewasnottobeseeneither，andtheservantscaststrangelooksatmewhenIspokehisname。ButIlittlerealizedtheblowwhichhadjustfallenuponthehouseinhisdefinitedeparture，andonlythoughtofmyowntrouble，andofhowIshouldmeetmygrandfather”seyewhenthehourcameforhimtodrawmetohiskneeforhisusualgood-night。
“ThatIwassparedthisordealforthefirsttimethisverynightfirstcomfortedme，thenaddedtomydistress。Hehaddiscoveredhislossandwasangry。OnthemorrowhewouldaskmefortheboxandIwouldhavetolie，fornevercouldIfindthecouragetotellhimwhereIhadbeen。Suchanactofpresumptionhewouldneverforgive，orsoIthoughtasIlayandshiveredinmylittlebed。Thathiscoldness，hisneglect，sprangfromthediscoveryjustmadethatmymotheraswellasmyfatherhadjustfledthehouseforeverwasaslittleknowntomeasthemorningcalamity。
Ihadbeengivenmyusualtendanceandwastuckedsafelyintobed；butthegloom，thesilencewhichpresentlysettleduponthehousehadaverydifferentexplanationinmymindfromtherealone。Mysin(forsuchitloomedlargeinmymindbythistime)
colouredthewholesituationandaccountedforeveryevent。
“AtwhathourIslippedfrommybedontothecoldfloor，Ishallneverknow。Tomeitseemedtobeinthedeadofnight；butI
doubtifitweremorethanten。Soslowlycreepawaythemomentstoawakefulchild。Ihadmadeagreatresolve。Awfulastheprospectseemedtome，——frightenedasIwasbytheverythought，——
Ihaddeterminedinmysmallmindtogodownintothecellar，andintothatmidnightholeagain，insearchofthelostbox。Iwouldtakeacandleandmatches，thistimefrommyownmantel-shelf，andifeveryonewasasleep，asappearedfromthedeathlyquietofthehouse，Iwouldbeabletogoandcomewithoutanybodyeverbeingthewiser。
“Dressinginthedark，Ifoundmymatchesanmycandleand，puttingtheminoneofmypockets，softlyopenedmydoorandlookedout。Nobodywasstirring；everylightwasoutexceptasolitaryoneinthelowerhall。Thatthisstillburnedconveyednomeaningtomymind。HowcouldIknowthatthehousewassostillandtheroomsdarkbecauseeveryonewasoutsearchingforsomecluetomymother”sflight？IfIhadlookedattheclock0-
butIdidnot；Iwastoointentuponmyerrand，toofilledwiththefeverofmydesperateundertaking，tobeaffectedbyanythingnotbearingdirectlyuponit。
“OftheterrorcausedbymyownshadowonthewallasImadetheturninthehallbelow，Ihaveaskeenarecollectiontodayasthoughithappenedyesterday。Butthatdidnotdeterme；nothingdeterredme，tillsafeinthecellarIcroucheddownbehindthecaskstogetmybreathagainbeforeenteringtheholebeyond。
“Ihadmadesomenoiseinfeelingmywayaroundthesecasks，andItrembledlestthesesoundshadbeenheardupstairs！Butthisfearsoongaveplacetoonefargreater。Othersoundsweremakingthemselvesheard。Adinofsmallskurryingfeetabove，below，oneverysideofme！Rats！ratsinthewall！ratsonthecellarbottom！HowIeverstirredfromthespotIdonotknow，butwhenIdidstir，itwastogoforward，andentertheuncannyhole。
“IhadintendedtolightmycandlewhenIgotinside；butforsomereasonIwentstumblingalonginthedark，followingthewalltillIgottothestepswhereIhaddroppedthebox。Herealightwasnecessary，butmyhanddidnotgotomypocket。I
thoughtitbettertoclimbthestepsfirst，andsoftlyonefootfoundthetreadandthenanother。Ihadonlythreemoretoclimbandthenmyrighthand，nowfeelingitswayalongthewall，wouldbefreetostrikeamatch。Iclimbedthethreestepsandwassteadyingmyselfagainstthedoorforafinalplunge，whensomethinghappened——somethingsostrange，sounexpected，andsoincrediblethatIwonderIdidnotshriekaloudinmyterror。Thedoorwasmovingundermyhand。Itwasslowlyopeninginward。I
couldfeelthechillmadebythewideningcrack。Momentbymomentthischillincreased；thegapwasgrowing——apresencewasthere-apresencebeforewhichIsankinasmallheapuponthelanding。
Woulditadvance？Haditfeet——hands？Wasitapresencewhichcouldbefelt？
“Whateveritwas，itmadenoattempttopass，andpresentlyI
liftedmyheadonlytoquakeanewatthesoundofavoice——ahumanvoice——mymother”svoice——sonearmethatbyputtingoutmyarmsImighthavetouchedher。
“Shewasspeakingtomyfather。Iknewfromthetone。Shewassayingwordswhich，littleunderstoodastheywere，madesuchahavocinmyyouthfulmindthatIhaveneverforgottenthe“”Ihavecome！”shesaid。”TheythinkIhavefledthehouseandarelookingfarandwideforme。Weshallnotbedisturbed。Whowouldthinklookingofhereforeitheryouorme。”
“Here！Thewordsanklikeaplummetinmybreast。IhadknownforsomefewminutesthatIwasonthethresholdoftheforbiddenroom；buttheywereinit。Icanscarcelymakeyouunderstandthetumultwhichthisawokeinmybrain。Somehow，Ihadneverthoughtthatanysuchbravingofthehouse”slawwouldbepossible。
“Iheardmyfather”sanswer，butitconveyednomeaningtome。I
alsorealizedthathespokefromadistance，——thathewasatoneendoftheroomwhilewewereattheother。Iwaspresentlytohavethisideaconfirmed，forwhileIwasstrivingwithallmymightandmaintosubduemyveryheart-throbssothatshewouldnothearmeorsuspectmypresence，thedarkness——Ishouldrathersaytheblacknessoftheplaceyieldedtoaflashoflightning——
heatlightning，allglareandnosound——andIcaughtaninstantaneousvisionofmyfather”sfigurestandingwithgleamingthingsabouthim，whichaffectedmeatthemomentassupernatural，butwhich，inlateryears，Idecidedtohavebeenweaponshangingonawall。
“Shesawhimtoo，forshegaveaquicklaughandsaidtheywouldnotneedanycandles；andthen，therewasanotherflashandIsawsomethinginhishandandsomethinginhers，andthoughIdidnotyetunderstand，Ifeltmyselfturningdeathlysickandgaveachokinggaspwhichwaslostintherushshemadeintothecentreoftheroom，andthekeennessofherswiftlowcry。
“”Garde-toi！foronlyoneofuswilleverleavethisroomalive！”
“Aduel！adueltothedeathbetweenthishusbandandwife——thisfatherandmother——inthisholeofdeadtragediesandwithinthesightandhearingoftheirchild！HasSataneverdevisedaschememorehideousforruiningthelifeofaneleven-year-oldboy！
“NotthatItookitallinatonce。Iwastooinnocentandmuchtoodazedtocomprehendsuchhatred，muchlessthepassionswhichengenderit。Ionlyknewthatsomethinghorrible——somethingbeyondtheconceptionofmychildishmind——wasgoingtotakeplaceinthedarknessbeforeme；andtheterrorofitmademespeechless；wouldtoGodithadmademedeafandblindanddead！
“Shehaddashedfromhercornerandhehadslidawayfromhis，asthenextfantasticglarewhichlituptheroomshowedme。Italsoshowedtheweaponsintheirhands，andforamomentIfeltreassuredwhenIsawthatthesewereswords，forIhadseenthembeforewithfoilsintheirhandspractisingforexercise，astheysaid，inthegreatgarret。Buttheswordshadbuttonsonthem，andthistimethetipsweresharpandshoneinthekeenlight。
“AnexclamationfromherandagrowlofragefromhimwerefollowedbymovementsIcouldscarcelyhear，butwhichwereterrifyingfromtheirveryquiet。Thenthesoundofaclash。Theswordshadcrossed。
“Hadthelightningflashedforththen，theendofoneofthemmighthaveoccurred。Butthedarknessremainedundisturbed，andwhentheglarerelitthegreatroomagain，theywerealreadyfarapart。Thiscalledoutawordfromhim；theonesentencehespoke——
Icanneverforgetit：
“”Rhoda，thereisbloodonyoursleeve；Ihavewoundedyou。Shallwecallitoffandfly，asthepoorcreaturesintherethinkwehave，totheoppositeendsoftheearth？”
“Ialmostspoke；Ialmostaddedmychildishpleatohisforthemtostop——toremembermeandstop。Butnotamuscleinmythroatrespondedtomyagonizedeffort。Hercold，clear”No！”fellbeforemytonguewasloosedormyheartfreedfromtheponderousweightcrushingit。
“”IhavevowedandIkeepmypromises”shewentoninatonequitestrangetome。”Whatwouldeither”slifebeworthwiththeotheraliveandhappyinthisworld。”
“Hemadenoanswer；andthosesubtlemovements——shadowsofmovementsImightalmostcallthem——recommenced。Thentherecameasuddencry，shrillandpoignant——hadGrandfatherbeeninhisroomhewouldsurelyhaveheardit——andtheflashcomingalmostsimultaneouslywithitsutterance，Isawwhathashauntedmysleepfromthatdaytothis，myfatherpinnedagainstthewall，swordstillinhand，andbeforehimmymother，fiercelytriumphant，herstaringeyesfixedonhisand——
Naturecouldbearnomore；thebandloosenedfrommythroat；theoppressionliftedfrommybreastlongenoughformetogiveonewildwailandsheturned，saw(heavensentitsflashesquicklyatthismoment)andrecognizingmychildishform，allthehorrorofherdeed(orsoIhavefondlyhoped)rosewithinher，andshegaveastartandfellfulluponthepointupturnedtoreceiveher。
“Agroan；thenagaspingsighfromhim，andsilencesettledupontheroomanduponmyheart，andsofarasIknewuponthewholecreatedworld。
“Thatismystory，friends。DoyouwonderthatIhaveneverbeenorlivedlikeothermen？“
Afterafewmomentsofsympatheticsilence，Mr。VanBroecklynwenton，tosay：
“Idon”tthinkIeverhadamoment”sdoubtthatmyparentsbothlaydeadonthefloorofthatgreatroom。WhenIcametomyself——
whichmayhavebeensoon，andmaynothavebeenforalongwhile——
thelightninghadceasedtoflash，leavingthedarknessstretchinglikeablankpallbetweenmeandthatspotinwhichwereconcentratedalltheterrorsofwhichmyimaginationwascapable。Idarednotenterit。Idarednottakeonestepthatway。Myinstinctwastoflyandhidemytremblingbodyagaininmyownbed；andassociatedwiththis，infactdominatingitandmakingmeoldbeforemytime，wasanother——nevertotell；nevertoletanyone，leastofallmygrandfather——knowwhatthatforbiddenroomnowcontained。Ifeltinanirresistiblesortofwaythatmyfather”sandmother”shonourwasatstake。Besides，terrorheldmeback；IfeltthatIshoulddieifIspoke。
Childhoodhassuchterrorsandsuchheroisms。Silenceoftencoversinsuch，abyssesofthoughtandfeelingwhichastonishusinlateryears。Thereisnosufferinglikeachild”s，terrifiedbyasecretwhichitdarenotforsomereasondisclose。
“Eventsaidedme。When，indesperationtoseeoncemorethelightandallthethingswhichlinkedmetolife——mylittlebed，thetoysonthewindow-sill，mysquirrelinitscage——Iforcedmyselftoretraversetheemptyhouse，expectingateveryturntohearmyfather”svoiceorcomeupontheimageofmymother——yes，suchwastheconfusionofmymind，thoughIknewwellenougheventhenthattheyweredeadandthatIshouldneverheartheoneorseetheother。Iwassobenumbedwiththecoldinmyhalf-dressedcondition，thatIwokeinafevernextmorningafteraterribledreamwhichforcedfrommylipsthecryof”Mother！Mother！”——
onlythat。
“Iwascautiousevenindelirium。Thisdeliriumandmyflushedcheeksandshiningeyesledthemtobeverycarefulofme。Iwastoldthatmymotherwasawayfromhome；andwhenaftertwodaysofsearchtheywerequitesurethatallefforttofindeitherherormyfatherwerelikelytoprovefruitless，thatshehadgonetoEuropewherewewouldfollowherassoonasIwaswell。Thispromise，offeringasitdid，aprospectofimmediatereleasefromtheterrorswhichwereconsumingme，hadanextraordinaryeffectuponme。IgotupoutofmybedsayingthatIwaswellnowandreadytostartontheinstant。Thedoctor，findingmypulseequable，andmywholeconditionwonderfullyimproved，andattributingit，aswasnatural，tomyhopeofsoonjoiningmymother，advisedmywhimtobehumouredandthishopekeptactivetilltravelandintercoursewithchildrenshouldgivemestrengthandpreparemeforthebittertruthultimatelyawaitingme。Theylistenedtohimandintwenty-fourhoursourpreparationsweremade。Wesawthehouseclosed——withwhatemotionssurginginonesmallbreast，Ileaveyoutoimagine——andthenstartedonourlongtour。ForfiveyearswewanderedoverthecontinentofEurope，mygrandfatherfindingdistraction，aswellasmyself，inforeignscenesandassociations。
“Butreturnwasinevitable。WhatIsufferedonreenteringthishouse，Godandmysleeplesspillowaloneknow。Hadanydiscoverybeenmadeinourabsence；orwoulditbemadenowthatrenovationandrepairsofallkindswerenecessary？Timefinallyansweredme。Mysecretwassafeandlikelytocontinueso，andthisfactoncesettled，lifebecameendurable，ifnotcheerful。SincethenIhavespentonlytwonightsoutofthishouse，andtheywereunavoidable。WhenmygrandfatherdiedIhadthewainscotdoorcementedin。Itwasdonefromthissideandthecementpaintedtomatchthewood。NooneopenedthedoornorhaveIevercrosseditsthreshold。SometimesIthinkIhavebeenfoolish；andsometimesIknowthatIhavebeenverywise。Myreasonhasstoodfirm；howdoIknowthatitwouldhavedonesoifIhadsubjectedmyselftothepossiblediscoverythatoneofbothofthemmighthavebeensavedifIhaddisclosedinsteadofconcealedmyadventure。”
Apauseduringwhichwhitehorrorhadshoneoneveryface；thenwithafinalglanceatViolet，hesaid：
“Whatsequeldoyouseetothisstory，MissStrange？Icantellthepast，Ileaveyoutopicturethefuture。”
Rising，shelethereyetravelfromfacetofacetillitrestedontheoneawaitingit，whensheanswereddreamily：
“IfsomemorninginthenewscolumnthereshouldappearanaccountoftheancientandhistorichomeoftheVanBroecklynshavingburnedtothegroundinthenight，thewholecountrywouldmourn，andthecityfeeldefraudedofoneofitstreasures。Buttherearefivepersonswhowouldseeinitthesequelwhichyouaskfor。”
Whenthishappened，asitdidhappen，somefewweekslater，theastonishingdiscoverywasmadethatnoinsurancehadbeenputuponthishouse。WhywasitthataftersuchalossMr。VanBroecklynseemedtorenewhisyouth？Itwasaconstantsourceofcommentamonghisfriends。
ENDOFPROBLEMVIII
PROBLEMIXVIOLET”SOWN
“Ithasbeentoomuchforyou？“
“Iamafraidso。”
ItwasRogerUpjohnwhohadaskedthequestion；itwasVioletwhoanswered。Theyhadwithdrawnfromacrowdofdancerstoabalcony，half-shaded，halfopentothemoon，——abalconymade，itwouldseem，forjustsuchstoleninterviewsbetweenwaltzes。
Now，asithappened，Roger”sfacewasintheshadow，butViolet”sinthefulllight。Verysweetitlooked，veryethereal，butalsoalittlewan。Henoticedthisandimpetuouslycried：
“Youarepale；andyourhand！see，howittrembles！“
Slowlywithdrawingitfromtherailwhereithadrested，shesentonequickglancehiswayand，inalowvoice，said：
“Ihavenotsleptsincethatnight。”
“Fourdays！“hemurmured。Then，afteramomentofsilence，“Youboreyourselfsobravelyatthetime，Ithought，orrather，I
hoped，thatsuccesshadmadeyouforgetthehorror。Icouldnothavesleptmyself，ifIhadknown”
“ItispartofthepriceIpay，“shebrokeingently。“Allgoodthingshavetobepaidfor。ButIsee——IrealizethatyoudonotconsiderwhatIamdoinggood。Thoughithelpsotherpeople——hashelpedyou——youwonderwhy，withalltheadvantagesIpossess，I
shouldmeddlewithmatterssorepugnanttoawoman”snaturalinstincts。”
Yes，hewondered。Thatwasevidentfromhissilence。Seeingherasshestoodthere，soquaintlypretty，sofeminineinlookandmanner——inshort，suchaflower——itwasbutnaturalthatheshouldmarvelattheincongruityshehadmentioned。
“Ithasastrange，oddlook，“sheadmitted，afteramomentoftroubledhesitation。“Themostconsideratepersoncannotbutregarditasadisplayofegotismorofamostmercenaryspirit。
ThechequeyousentmeforwhatIwasenabledtodoforyouinMassachusetts(theonlyoneIhaveeverreceivedwhichIhavebeentemptedtorefuse)showstowhatextentyouratedmyhelpandmy——myexpectations。HadIbeenapoorgirlstrugglingforsubsistence，thisgenerositywouldhavewarmedmyheartasatokenofyourdesiretocutthatstruggleshort。Buttakenwithyourknowledgeofmyhomeanditsluxuries，ithasoftenmademewonderwhatyouthought。”
“ShallItellyou？“
Hehadsteppedforwardatthisquestionandhiscountenance，hithertoconcealed，becamevisibleinthemoonlight。Shenolongerrecognizedit。Transformedbyfeeling，itshonedownuponher，instinctwithallthatisfinestandbestinmasculinenature。Wasshereadyforthisrevelationofwhatshehadneverthelessdreamedofformanymorenightsthanfour？Shedidnotknow，andinstinctivelydrewherselfbacktillitwasshewhonowstoodinthesemi-obscuritymadebythedroopingvines。Fromthisretreat，shefalteredforthaverytremulousNo，whichinanothermomentwasdisavowedbyaYessofaintitwaslittlemorethanamurmur，followedbyastillfainter，Tellme。
Buthedidnotseeminanyhastetoobey，sweetlyasherlow-
tonedinjunctionmusthavesoundedinhisears。Onthecontrary，hehesitatedtospeak，growingpalereveryminuteashesoughttocatchaglimpseofherdowncastfacesotantalizinglyhiddenfromhim。Didsherecognizethenatureofthefeelingswhichheldhimback，orwasshesimplygatheringupsufficientcouragetopleadherowncause？Whateverherreason，itwasshe，nothe，whopresentlyspokesayingasifnotimehadelapsed：
“Butfirst，IfeelobligedtoadmitthatitwasmoneyIwanted，thatIhadtohave。Notformyself。IlacknothingandcouldhavemoreifIwished。Fatherhasneverlimitedhisgenerosityinanymatteraffectingmyself，but”Shedrewadeepbreathand，comingoutoftheshadow，liftedafacetohimsochangedfromitsusualexpressionastomakehimstart。“Ihaveacauseatheart——onewhichshouldappealtomyfatheranddoesnot；andforthatpurposeIhavesacrificedmyself，inmanyways，though——
thoughIhavenotdislikedmyworkuptothislastattempt。Notreally。Iwanttobehonestandsomustadmitthatmuch。Ihaveevengloried(quietlyandallbymyself，ofcourse)overthesolutionofamysterywhichnooneelseseemedabletopenetrate。
Iammadethatway。Ihaveknowniteversince——butthatisastoryallbyitself。SomedayImaytellittoyou，butnotnow。”
“No，notnow。”Theemphasissentthecolourintohercheekbutdidnotrelievehispallor。“MissStrange，Ihavealwaysfelt，eveninmyworstdays，thatthemanwhoforselfishendsbroughtawomanundertheshadowofhisownunhappyreputationwasamantobedespised。AndIthinksostill，andyet——andyet——nothingintheworldbutyourownwordorlookcanholdmebacknowfromtellingyouthatIloveyou——loveyounotwithstandingmyunworthypast，myscarringmemories，myallbutblastedhopes。Idonotexpectanyresponse；youareyoung；youarebeautiful；youaregiftedwitheverygrace；buttospeak，——tosayoverandoveragain，”Iloveyou，Iloveyou！”easesmyheartandmakesmyfuturemoreendurable。Oh，donotlookatmelikethatunless——
unless”
Butthebrightheaddidnotfall，northetendergazefalter；anddrivenoutofhimself，RogerUpjohnwasabouttosteppassionatelyforward，when，seizedbyfreshcompunction，hehoarselycried：
“Itisnotright。Thebalancedipstoomuchmyway。Youbringmeeverything。Icangiveyounothingbutwhatyoualreadypossessabundance——love，andmoney。Besides，yourfather”
Sheinterruptedhimwithaglanceatoncearchandearnest。
“Ihadatalkwithfatherthismorning。Hecametomyroom，and——
anditwasverynearbeingserious。SomeonehadtoldhimIwasdoingthingsontheslywhichhehadbetterlookinto；andofcourseheaskedquestionsand——andIansweredthem。Hewasn”tpleased——infacthewasverydispleased，——Idon”tthinkwecanblamehimforthat——butwehadnoopenbreakforIlovehimdearly，forallmyopposingways，andhesawthat，andithelped，thoughhedidsayafterIhadgivenmypromisetostopwhereI
wasandnevertotakeupsuchworkagain，that”hereshestoleashylookatthefacebentsoeagerlytowardsher”thatIhadlostmysocialstatusandneedneverhopenowfortheattentionsof——of——well，ofsuchmenasheadmiresandputsfaithin。Soyousee，“herdimplesallshowing，“thatIamnotsuchaverygoodmatchforanUpjohnofMassachusetts，evenifhehasareputationtorecoverandanhonourablenametoachieve。Thescalehangsmoreevenlythanyouthink。”
“Violet！“
Amutuallook，amomentofperfectsilence，thenalowwhisper，airyasthebreathofflowersrisingfromthegardenbelow：“I
haveneverknownwhathappinesswastillthismoment。Ifyouwilltakemewithmystoryuntold”
“Takeyou！takeyou！“Theman”swholeyearningheart，thelossandbitternessofyears，thehopeandpromiseofthefuture，allspokeinthatlow，half-smotheredexclamation。Violet”sblushesfadedunderitsfervency，andonlyherspiritspoke，asleaningtowardshim，shelaidhertwohandsinhis，andsaidwithallawoman”searnestness：
“IdonotforgetlittleRoger，orthefatherwhoIhopemayhavemanymoredaysbeforehiminwhichtobidgood-nighttothesea。
Suchunionasoursmustbehallowed，becausewehavesomanypersonstomakehappybesidesourselves。”
Theeveningbeforetheirmarriage，Violetputadozenfoldedsheetsofcloselywrittenpaperinhishand。Theycontainedherstory；letusreaditwithhim。
DEARROGER，——
Icouldnothavebeenmorethansevenyearsold，whenonenightI
wokeupshivering，atthesoundofangryvoices。Aconversationwhichnochildshouldeverhaveheard，wasgoingonintheroomwhereIlay。Myfatherwastalkingtomysister——perhaps，youdonotknowthatIhaveasister；fewofmypersonalfriendsdo，——
andtheterrorsheevincedIcouldwellunderstandbutnothiswordsnortherealcauseofhisdispleasure。
Therearetimesevenyetwhenthepicture，forceduponmyinfantileconsciousnessatthatmomentoffirstawakening，comesbacktomewithallitsoriginalvividness。Therewasnolightintheroomsavesuchasthemoonmade；butthatwasenoughtorevealthepassionburninglyaliveineitherface，as，bendingtowardseachother，sheinsupplicationandheinatempestofwrathwhichknewnobounds，heutteredandshelistenedtowhatI
nowknowtohavebeenaterriblearraignment。
Imayhaveaninterestingcountenance；youhavetoldmesosometimes；butshe——shewasbeautiful。Myelderbytenyears，shehadstoodinmymother”ssteadtomeforalmostaslongasI
couldremember，andasIsawherlovelyfeaturescontortedwithpainandherhandsextendedinadesperatepleatoonewhohadnevershownmeanythingbutlove，mythroatclosedsharplyandI
couldnotcryoutthoughIwantedto，normoveheadorfootthoughIlongedwithallmyhearttoburymyselfinthepillows。
ForthewordsIheardwereterrifying，littleasIcomprehendedtheirfullpurport。Hehadsurprisedhertalkingfromherwindowtosomeonedownbelow，andaftersayingcruelthingsaboutthat，heshoutedout：“Youhavedisgracedme，youhavedisgracedyourself，youhavedisgracedyourbrotherandyourlittlesister。
WasitnotenoughthatyoushouldrefusetomarrythegoodmanI
hadpickedoutforyou，thatyoushouldstooptothislow-downscoundrel——this”Ididnothearwhatelsehecalledhim，Iwaswonderingsotowhomshehadbeenstooping；Ihadneverseenherstoopexcepttotiemylittleshoes。
Butwhenshecriedoutasshedidafteraninterval，“Ilovehim！
Ilovehim！“thenIlistenedagain，forshespokeasthoughshewereindreadfulpain，andIdidnotknowthatlovingmadeoneillandunhappy。“AndIamgoingtomarryhim，“Iheardheradd，standingup，asshesaidit，verystraightandtall。
Marry！Iknewwhatthatmeant。Alongaisleinachurch；womeninwhiteandbigmusicintheairbehind。Ihadbeenflower-girlataweddingonceandhadnotforgotten。Wehadhadicecreamandcakeand——
Butmychildishthoughtsstoppedshortattheanswershereceivedandallthewordswhichfollowed——wordswhichburnedtheirwayintomyinfantilebrainandleftscorchedplacesinmymemorywhichwillneverbeeradicated。Hespokethem——spokethemall；
sheneveransweredagainafterthatonce，andwhenhewasgonedidnotmoveforalongtimeandwhenshediditwastoliedown，stiffandstraight，justasshehadstood，onherbedalongsidemine。
Iwasfrightened；sofrightened，mylittlebrassbedrattledunderme。Iwondershedidnothearit。Butsheheardnothing；
andafterawhileshewassostillIfellasleep。ButIwokeagain。Somethinghothadfallenonmycheek。IputupmyhandtobrushitawayanddidnotknowevenwhenIfeltmyfingerswetthatitwasatearfrommysister-mother”seye。
Forshewaskneelingthen；kneelingclosebesidemeandherarmwasovermysmallbody；andthebedwasshakingagainbutnotthistimewithmytremorsonly。AndIwassorryandcriedtoountilIdroppedofftosleepagainwithherarmstillpassionatelyembracingme。
Inthemorning，shewasgone。
ItmusthavebeenthatveryafternoonthatFathercameinwhereArthurandIweretryingtoplay，——trying，butnotquitesucceeding，forIhadbeentellingArthur，forwhomIhadagreatrespectinthosedays，whathadhappenedthenightbefore，andwehadbeenwonderinginourchildishwayiftherewouldbeaweddingafterall，andachurchfullofpeople，andflowers，andkissing，andlotsofgoodthingstoeat，andArthurhadsaidNo，itwastooexpensive；thatthatwaswhyFatherwassoangry；andcomfortedbytheassertion，Iwastakingupmydollagain，whenthedooropenedandFathersteppedin。
Itwasagreatevent——anyvisitfromhimtothenursery——andwebothdroppedourtoysandstoodstaring，notknowingwhetherhewasgoingtobeniceandkindashesometimeswas，orscoldusasIhadheardhimscoldourbeautifulsister。
Arthurshowedatoncewhathethought，forwithouttheleasthesitationhetooktheonestepwhichplacedhiminfrontofme，wherehestoodwaitingwithhistwolittlefistshangingstraightathissidesbutmanfullyclenchedinfullreadinessforattack。
Thatthisdisplayofpigmychivalrywasnotquitewithoutitswarrantisevidenttomenow，forFatherdidnotlooklikehimselforactlikehimselfanymorethanhehadthenightbefore。
However，wehadnocauseforfear。HavingnosuspicionofmyhavingbeenawakeduringhisterribleinterviewwithTheresa，hesawonlytwolonelyandforsakenchildren，interruptedintheirplay。
CanIrememberwhathesaidtous？Notexactly，thoughArthurandIoftenwentoveritchokedwhispersinsomesecretnookofthedrearyoldhouse；buthismeaning——thatwetookinwellenough。
Theresahadleftus。Shewouldnevercomeback。Wewerenottolookoutofthewindowforher，orruntothedoorwhenthebellrang。Ourmotherhadleftustoo，alongtimeago，andshelayinthecemeterywherewesometimescarriedflowers。Theresawasnotinthecemetery，butwemustthinkofherasthere；thoughnotasifshehadanyneedofflowers。Havingsaidthis，helookedatusquietlyforaminute。Arthurwastryingveryhardnottocry，butIwassobbinglikethelostchildIwas，withmycheekagainstthefloorwhereIhadthrownmyselfwhenhesaidthatawfulthingaboutthecemetery。Shethere！mysister-motherthere！Ithinkhefeltalittlesorryforme；forhehalfstoopedasiftoliftmeup。Buthestraightenedagainandsaidverysternly：
“Now，children，listentome。WhenGodtakespeopletoheavenandleavesusonlytheircold，deadbodieswecarryflowerstotheirgravesandtalkaboutthemsomeifnotverymuch。Butwhenpeoplediebecausetheylovedarkwaysbetterthanlight，thenwedonotrememberthemwithgiftsandwedonottalkaboutthem。Yoursister”snamehasbeenspokenforthelasttimeinthishouse。
You，Arthur，areoldenoughtoknowwhatImeanwhenIsaythatI
willneverlistentoanotherwordaboutherfromeitheryouorVioletaslongasyouandIlive。Sheisgoneandnothingthatismineshallsheevertouchagain。
Youhearme，Arthur；youhearme，Violet。Heedme，oryougotoo。”
Hisaspectwasterrible，sowashispurpose；muchmoreterriblethanwerealizedatthetimewithourlimitedunderstandingandexperience。Later，wecametoknowthefullmeaningofthisblackdropwhichhadbeeninfusedintoourlives。Whenwesaweverypictureofherdestroyedwhichhadbeeninthehouse；hernamecutoutfromtheleavesofbooks；thelittletokensshehadgivenussurreptitiouslytakenaway，tillnotavestigeofheroncebelovedpresenceremained，webegantorealizethatwehadindeedlosther。
Butchildrenasyoungaswewerethendonotlongretainthepoignancyoftheirfirstgriefs。GraduallymymemoriesofthatawfulnightceasedtodisturbmydreamsandIwassixteenbeforetheywereagainrecalledtomewithanyvividness，andthenitwasbyaccident。Ihadbeenstrollingthroughapicturegalleryandhadstoppedshorttostudymoreparticularlyonewhichhadespeciallytakenmyfancy。Thereweretwoladiessittingonabenchbehindmeandoneofthemwasevidentlyverydeaf，fortheirtalkwasloud，thoughIamsuretheydidnotmeanformetohear，fortheywerediscussingmyfamily。Thatis，oneofthemhadsaid：
“That”sVioletStrange。Shewillneverbethebeautyhersisterwas；butperhapsthat”snottobedeplored。Theresamadeagreatmessofit。”
“That”strue。IhearthatsheandtheSignorhavebeenseenlatelyhereintown。Inpoverty，ofcourse。Hehadn”tevenasmuchgoinhimastheordinarysinging-master。”
IsupposeIshouldhavehurriedaway，andleftthisbarbedarrowtoranklewhereitfell。ButIcouldnot。IhadneverlearnedawordofTheresa”sfateandthatwordpoverty，provingthatshewasaliveandsuffering，heldmetomy，placetohearwhatmoretheymightsayofherwhoforyearshadbeenformeanindistinctfigurebathedincruelmoonlight。
“IhaveneverapprovedofPeterStrange”sconductatthattime，“
oneofthevoicesnowwenton。“Hedidn”thandleherright。Shehadalovelydispositionandwouldhavelistenedtohimhadhebeenmoregentlewithher。Butitisn”tinhim。Ihopethisone——
“
Ididn”theartheendofthat。Ihadnointerestinanythingtheymightsayaboutmyself。ItwasofherIwantedtohear，ofher。
Weren”ttheygoingtosayanythingmoreaboutmypoorsister？
Yes；itwasatopicwhichinterestedbothandpresentlyIheard：
“He”llneverdoanythingforher，nomatterwhathappens；I”veheardhimsayso。AndLaurahasvowedthesame。”(Lauraisouraunt。)“Besides，Theresahasaprideofherownquiteequaltoherfather”s。Shewouldn”ttakeanythingfromhimnow。She”dratherstruggleon。I”mtold——Idon”tknowhowtrueitis——thatshe”sworkinginadepartmentstore；oneoftheSixthAvenueones。Oh，there”sMrs。Vandegraff！Don”tyouwanttospeaktoher？“
Theymovedoff，leavingmestillgazingwithunseeingeyesatthepicturebeforewhichIstoodplanted，andsayingoverandoverinmonotonousiteration，“OneofthedepartmentstoresinSixthAvenue！OneofthedepartmentstoresinSixthAvenue！“
Whichdepartmentstore？
Imeanttofindout。
IdonotknowwhetheruptillthenIhadhadtheleastconsciousnessofpossessingwhatiscalledthedetectiveinstinct。But，attheprospectofthisquest，somuchlikethatoftheproverbialneedleinahaystack，asIdidnotevenknowmysister”smarriednameandsomethingwithinmeforbademyaskingit，Iexperiencedanoddsenseofelationfollowedbyacertaintyofsuccesswhichinfiveminuteschangedmefromanirresponsiblegirltoawomanwithadeliberatepurposeinlife。
Iamnotgoingtowritedownhereallthedetailsofthatsearch。
SomedayImayrelatethemtoyou，butnotnow。Ilookedfirstforabeautifulwoman，forthestraight，slim，andexquisitecreatureIremembered。Ididnotfindher。ThenItriedanothercourse。Herfiguremighthavechangedinthetenyearswhichhadelapsed；somightherexpression。Iwouldlookforawomanwithbeautifuldarkeyes；timecouldnothavealteredthem。Ihadforgottentheeffectofconstantweeping。AndIsawmanyeyes，butnothers；nottheonesIhadseensmilinguponmeasIlayinmycribbeforethedaysIwasliftedtothedignityofthelittlebrassbed。SoIgavethatuptooandlistenedtotheinnervoicewhichsaid，“Youmustwaitforhertorecognizeyou。Youcanneverhopetorecognizeher。”AnditwasbyfollowingthisplanthatIfoundher。IhadarrangedtohavemynamespokenaloudateverycounterwhereIbargained；andoh，thebargainsIsought，andthegarmentsIhadtriedon！ButImadelittleprogressuntiloneday，aftermynamehadbeenutteredalittlelouderthanusualIsawawomanturnfromrearranginggownsonahanger，andgivemeonelook。
Iutteredalowcryandsprangimpetuously，forward。Instantlysheturnedherbackandwentonhanging，ortryingtohangup，gownsontherackbeforeher。HadIbeenmistaken？Shewasnotthesisterofmydreams，buttherewassomethingfineinheroutline；somethingdistinguishedinthewayshecarriedherheadwhich——
Nextminutemylastdoubtfled！Shehadfallenherlengthonthefloorandlaywithherfaceburiedinherhandsinadeadfaint。
Oh，Roger，Roger，Roger！Ihadthatdearheadonmybreastinamoment。Italkedtoher，Iwhisperedprayersinherunconsciousear。IdideverythingIshouldnothavedonetilltheyallthoughtmedemented。Whenshecameto，asshedidunderotherministrationsthanmine，Iwasforcarryingheroffinmylimousine。Butsheshookherheadwithagestureofsuchdisapproval，thatIrealizedIcouldnotdothat。Thelimousinewasmyfather”s，andnothingofhiswasevertobeusedforheragain。Iwouldcallacab；butshetoldmethatshehadnotthemoneytopayforitandshewouldnottakemine。Carfareshehad；
fivecentswouldtakeherhome。Ineednotworry。
ShesmiledasshesaidthisandforaninstantIsawmydream-
sisteragaininthiswearyhalf-disheartenedwoman。Butthesmilewasafleetingone，forthiswastobeherlastdayinthestore；
shehadnotalentasasaleswomanandwasmerelyworkingoutherweek。
Ifeltmyheartsinkheavilyatthis，fortheevidencesofpovertywereplainlytobeseeninherclothesandthethinnessofherfaceandfigure。HowcouldIhelp？WhatcouldIdo？Itookhertoarestaurantforfoodandtalk，andbeforeshewouldorder，shelookedintoherpurse，withtheresultthatwehadonlyalittletoastandtea。ItwasallshecouldaffordandI，withahundreddollarsinbillsatthatmomentinmybag，couldnotofferheranythingmorethoughshewasneedingnourishmentanddishespiledwithsavourymeatsweregoingbyuseverymoment。
Ithink，ifshehadletme，Iwouldhavedaredmyfather”sdispleasureandbeendisobedienttohiswishesbygivingheronewholesomemeal。Butshewasasresoluteofmindashe，and，asshesaidafterwards，hadchosenhercourseinlifeandmustabidebyit。Myloveshewouldaccept。Ittooknothingfromfatherandgaveherwhatherheartwaspiningfor——hadpinedforforyears。
Butnothingmore——notanotherthingmore。Shewouldnotevenletmegohomewithher；andIknewwhywhenhereyesfellatthesearchinglookIgaveher。Somethingwouldturnup，andwhenherhusband”shealthwasbetterandshehadfoundanotherpositionshewouldsendmeheraddressandthenIcouldcomeandseeher。
AswewalkedoutoftherestaurantweranagainstagentlemanI
knew。Hestoppedmeforapassingwordandinthatminuteshedisappeared。Ididnottrytofollowher。Icouldgetherstreetandnumberfromthestorewhereshehadworked。
ButwhenIhaddonethisandembracedthefirstopportunitywhichofferedtovisither，Ifoundthatshehadmovedawayintheinterim，leavingeverythingbehindinpaymentofherrent，exceptsuchsmallthingsassheandherhusbandcouldcarry。Thiswasdiscouragingasitleftmewithoutanycluebywhichtofollowthem。ButIwasdeterminednottoyieldtoherdesireforconcealmentinthedifficultanddishearteningtaskInowsawbeforeme。
Seekingadvicefromthemanwhohassincebecomemyemployer，I
entereduponthissecondsearchwithaquietresolutionwhichadmittedofnodefeat。Ittookmesixmonths，butIfinallyfoundher，andsatisfiedwithknowingwhereshewas，desistedfromrushinginuponher，tillIhadcaughtoneglimpseofherhusbandwhom，inthelastsixmonths，Ihadhearddescribedbuthadneverseen。Tounderstandher，itwasperhapsnecessarytounderstandhim，andifIcouldnothopetodothisoffhand，Icouldnotfailtogetsomeideaofthemanfromeventhemostcasuallook。
Hewas，asIsoonlearned，thefetcherandcarrierofthesmallmenage；andthedaycamewhenImethimfacetofaceinthestreetwheretheylived。Didhedisappointme；ordidIseesomethinginhisappearancetojustifyherdesertionofherfather”shomeandherpresentlifeofpoverty？IfIsayYestothefirstquestion，Imustalsosayittothelast。Ifhandsomeonce，hewasnothandsomenow；butwithapersonalitysuchashis，thisdidnotmatter。Hehadthatbetterthing——thatgreatestgiftofthegods——charm。Itwasinhisbearing，hismovement，theregardofhiswearyeye；morethanthatitwasinhisverynatureoritwouldhavevanishedlongagounderdisappointmentandprivation。
Butthatwasalltherewastotheman，——agoldennetinwhichmysister”syouthfulfancyhadbeencaughtandnodoubtheldmeshedtothisveryday。Ifeltlesslikeblamingherforherfolly，afterthatinstant”sviewofhimaswepassedeachotherinthestreet。But，asItooktimetothink，Ifoundmyselfgrowingsorrierandsorrierforherandyet，inaway，gladderandgladder，forthemanwasaphysicalwreckandwouldsoonpassoutofherlifeleavinghertomyloveandpossiblytoourfather”sforgiveness。
ButIdidnotknowTheresa。Afterherhusband”sdeath，whichoccurredverysoon，sheletmecometoherandwehadalongtalk——
ShallIeverforgetitorthesightofherbeautyinthatsordidroom？For，accountforitasyouwill，thelovelinesswhichhadfledunderhersenseofcompleteisolationhadslowlyregaineditsownwiththerecognitionthatshestillhadaplaceintheheartofherlittlesister。Noteventhesorrowshefeltforthelossofhersufferinghusband——andshedidmournhim；thisIamgladtosay——couldmorethantemporarilystaythis。Sixmonthsofeaseandwholesomefoodwouldmakeher——Ihardlydaredtothinkwhat。ForIknew，withoutaskingher，orshetellingme，thatshewouldacceptneither；thatshewasasdeterminednow，aseverthatnothingwhichcamedirectlyorindirectlyfromFathershouldgototherebuildingofherlife。ThatsheintendedtostartanewandworkherwayuptoaplacewhereIshouldbegladtoseehershedidsay。Butnothingmore。Shewasstillthesister-mother，loving，butsufficienttoherself，thoughshehadbuttendollarsleftintheworld，assheshowedmewithasmilethatmadeherbeautifulasanangel。
Icanseethatshabbylittlepurseyetwithitsonepoorgreasybill；——asumtoherbuttomethepriceofaluncheonoragiftofflowers。HowIlonged，asIlookedatittoteareveryjewelfrommypoor，bedeckedbodyandflingthemoneandallintoherlap。Ihadworntheminprofusion，thoughcarefullyhiddenundermycoat，inthehopethatshewouldacceptoneofthematleast，Butsherefusedall，evensuchashadbeengiftsoffriendsandschoolmates，onlyhumouringmethisfar，thatsheletmehangthemforafewminutesaboutherneckandinherhairandthenpullthemalloffagain。Butthisonevisionofherinthesplendourshewasborntocomfortedme。HenceforthinwearingthemitwouldbeofherandnotofmyselfIshouldthink。
Well，IhadtoleaveherandgohometomyFrenchandItalianlessons，mymusic-mastersandalltheluxuriesofourfather”shouse。ShouldIeverseeheragain？Ididnotknow；shehadnotpromised。Icouldnotgooftenintothequarterwhereshelived，withoutrousingsuspicion；andshehadbiddenmenottocomeagainforamonth。SoIwaited，halffearingshewouldflitagainbeforethemonthwasup。Butshedidnot。Shewasstilltherewhen——
ButIamgoingtoofast。ThemeetingIwasabouttomentionwasaverymemorableonetome，andImustdescribeitfromthebeginning。IhadriddeninmyowncarasnearasIdaredtothestreetwhereshelived；therestofthewayIwentonfootwithoneoftheservants——anewone——followingclosebehindme。Iwasnotexactlyafraid，buttheactionsofsomeofthepeopleIhadencounteredatmyformervisitwarnedmetobealittlecarefulformyfather”ssakeifnotformyown。Herroom——shehadbutone——
washighupinatriangularcourtitwasnopleasuretoenter。
Butloveandloyaltyheednothingbuttheobjectsought，andI
washuntingaboutforthedarkdoorwaywhichopeneduponthestaircaseleadingtoherroomwhen——andthiswasthegreatmomentofmylife——asuddenstreamofmelodyfloateddownintothatnoisomecourt，whichfromitsclearness，itsaccuracy，itsrichness，anditsfeelingstartledmeasIhadneverbeforebeenstartledevenbythefirstnotesoftheworld”sgreatestsingers。
Whatavoiceforaplacelikethis！Whatavoiceforanyplace！
Whosecoulditbe？Withastart，Istoppedshort，inthemiddleofthatcourt，heedlessofthecrowdofpushing，shoutingchildrenwhoatoncegatheredaboutme。Ihadbeenstruckbyanoldrecollection。Mysisterusedtosing。Irememberedwhereherpianohadstoodinthegreatdrawing-room。Ithadbeencartedawayduringthosedreadfulweeksandhermusicallburned；butthevisionofhergracefulfigurebendingoverthekeyboardwasonenottobeforgottenevenbyathoughtlesschild。Coulditbe——
oh，heaven！ifthisvoicewerehers！Herfuturewascertain；shehadbuttosing。
InatransportofhopeIrushedforthedimentrancethechildrenhadpointedoutandflewuptoherroom。AsIreachedit，IheardatrillasperfectasTetrazzini”s。ThesingerwasTheresa；therecouldbenomoredoubt。Theresa！exercisingagrandvoiceasonlyagreatartistwouldorcould。
Thejoyofitmademealmostfaint。Ileanedagainstherdoorandsobbed。ThenwhenIthoughtIcouldspeakquitecalmly，Iwentin。
Roger，youmustunderstandmenow，——mydesireformoneyandthemeansIhavetakentoobtainit。Mysisterhadthemakingsofaprima-donna。Herhusband，ofwhoseabilityIhadformedsolowanestimate，hadtrainedherwithconsummateskillandjudgment。Allsheneededwasayearwithsomegreatmaestrointheforeignatmosphereofart。Butthismeantmoney——nothundredsbutthousands，andtheonesuresourcetowhichwemightrightfullylookforanysuchamountwaseffectuallyclosedtous。Itistruewehadrelatives——anauntonourmother”sside，andImentionedhertoTheresa。Butshewouldnotlistentothesuggestion。Shewouldtakenothingfromanyonewhomshewouldfindithardtofaceincaseoffailure。Lovemustgowithanadvanceinvolvingsomuchrisk；lovedeepenoughandstrongenoughtofeelnolosssavethatofadefeatedhope。Inshort，tobeacceptable，themoneymustcomefromme，andasthiswasmanifestlyimpossible，sheconsideredthematterclosedandbegantotalkofapositionshehadbeenofferedinsomechoir。Ilethertalk，listeningandnotlistening；fortheideahadcometomethatifinsomewayI
couldearnmoney，shemightbeinducedtotakeit。Finally，I
askedher。Shelaughed，lettingherkissesanswerme。ButIdidnotlaugh。Ifshehadcapabilitiesinoneway，Ihadtheminanother。
Iwenthometothink。
Twoweekslater，Ibegan，inaveryquietwaytodocertainworkforthemanwhohadhelpedmeinmysecondsearchforTheresa。
ThemoneyIhaveearnedhasbeenimmense；sinceitwastroublesoftherichIwasgiventosettle，andIwasalmostalwayssuccessful。Everycenthasgonetoher。ShehasbeeninEuropeforayearandlastweekshemadeherdebut。Youreadaboutitinthepapers，butneitheryounoranyoneelseinthiscountrybutmyselfknewthatunderthenameshechosentoassume，TheresaStrange，thelongforgottenbeauty，hasrecoveredthatplaceintheworld，towhichherloveandgeniusentitleher。
Thisismystoryandhers。Fromnowon，youarethethirdinthesecret。Someday，myfatherwillbethefourth。Ithinkthen，anewdawnoflovewillariseforusall，whichwillstaythewhiteningofhisdearhead——forIbelieveinhimafterall。
Yesterdaywhenhepassedthewallwhereherpictureoncehung——
nootherhaseverhungthere——Isawhimstopandlookup，and，Roger，whenhepassedmeaminutelater，therewasatearinhishardeye。
End
