第8章

Dinnerwasannounced。FunkelsteintookMissCameron，HughMrs。 Elton，andMr。ArnoldfollowedwithLadyEmily，whowouldneverprecedeherolderfriend。HughtriedtotalktoMrs。Elton，butwithmeagresuccess。Hewassuddenlyanobody，andfeltmorethanhehadfeltforalongtimewhat，inhispresentdeterioratedmoralstate，heconsideredthedegradationofhisposition。AgulfseemedtohavesuddenlyyawnedbetweenhimselfandEuphra，andtheloudestvoiceofhisdespairingagonycouldnotreachacrossthatgulf。Anawfulconvictionawokewithinhim，thatthewomanheworshippedwouldscarcelyreceivehisworshipattheworthofincensenow；andyetinspirithefelldowngrovellingbeforehisidol。Thewords“euphrasyandrue“keptringinginhisbrain，comingoverandoverwithanawfulminglingofchimeandtoll。Whenhethoughtaboutitafterwards，heseemedtohavebeenayearincrossingthehallwithMrs。Eltononhisarm。Butasifdivininghisthoughts——justastheypassedthroughthedining-roomdoor，Euphralookedroundathim，almostoverFunkelstein\'sshoulder，and，withoutputtingintoherfacetheleastexpressiondiscerniblebyeitheroftheothersfollowing，contrivedtobanishforthetimeallHugh\'sdespair，andtoconvincehimthathehadnothingtofearfromFunkelstein。HowitwasdoneHughhimselfcouldnottell。Hecouldnotevenrecallthelook。Heonlyknewthathehadbeenasmiserableasonewakinginhiscoffin，andthatnowhewasoutinthesunnyair。 Duringdinner，FunkelsteinpaidnoveryparticularattentiontoEuphrasia，butwasremarkablypolitetoLadyEmily。Sheseemedhardlytoknowhowtoreceivehisattentions，buttoregardhimasastrangeanimal，whichshedidnotknowhowtotreat，andofwhichshewasalittleafraid。Mrs。Elton，onthecontrary，appearedtobedelightedwithhisbehaviourandconversation；for，withoutshowingtheleastoriginality，heyethadseensomuch，andknewsowellhowtobringoutwhathehadseen，thathewasamostinterestingcompanion。Hughtooklittleshareintheconversationbeyondlisteningaswellashecould，topreventhimselffromgazingtoomuchatEuphra。 “HadMr。Sutherlandandyoubeenoldacquaintancesthen，HerrvonFunkelstein？”askedMr。Arnold，revertingtotheconversationwhichhadbeeninterruptedbytheannouncementofdinner。 “Notatall。Wemetquiteaccidentally，andintroducedourselves。 Ibelieveathunderstormandalectureonbiologywerethemediatingpartiesbetweenus。Wasitnotso，Mr。Sutherland？” “Ibegyourpardon，“stammeredHugh。ButMr。Arnoldinterposed： “Alectureonwhat，didyousay？” “Onbiology。“ Mr。Arnoldlookedposed。Hedidnotliketosayhedidnotknowwhatthewordmeant；for，likemanymoreignorantmen，hethoughtsuchaconfessionhumiliating。VonFunkelsteinhastenedtohisrelief。 “Itwouldberathersurprisingifyouwereacquaintedwiththesubject，Mr。Arnold。Ifeartoexplainittoyou，lestbothMr。 Sutherlandandmyselfshouldsinkirrecoverablyinyourestimation。 Butyoungmenwanttoknowallthatisgoingon。“ HerrFunkelsteinwasnotexactlywhatonewouldcallayoungman； but，ashechosetodosohimself，therewasnoonetodisputetheclassification。 “Oh！ofcourse，“repliedMr。Arnold；“quiteright。What，then，pray，isbiology？” “Ascience，falselysocalled，“saidHugh，who，wakingupalittle，wantedtojoinintheconversation。 “Whatdoesthewordmean？”saidMr。Arnold。 VonFunkelsteinansweredatonce： “Thescienceoflife。ButImustsay，thename，asnowapplied，isnoindicationofthethingsignified。“ “How，then，isagentlemantoknowwhatitis？”saidMr。Arnold，halfpettishly，andforgettingthathisknowledgehadnotextendedeventotheinterpretationofthename。 “Itisoneofthesciences，trueorfalse，connectedwithanimalmagnetism。“ “Bah！”exclaimedMr。Arnold，ratherrudely。 “Youwouldhavesaidso，ifyouhadheardthelecture，“saidFunkelstein。 Theconversationhadnottakenthisturntillquitelateinthediningceremony。Euphrarosetogo；andHughremarkedthatherfacewasdreadfullypale。Butshewalkedsteadilyoutoftheroom。 Thisinterruptedthecourseofthetalk，andthesubjectwasnotresumed。Immediatelyaftertea，whichwasservedverysoon，Funkelsteintookhisleaveoftheladies。 “Weshallbegladtoseeyouoftenwhileinthisneighbourhood，“ saidMr。Arnold，ashebadehimgoodnight。 “Ishall，withoutfail，domyselfthehonourofcallingagainsoon，“ repliedhe，andbowedhimselfout。 LadyEmily，evidentlyrelievedbyhisdeparture，rose，and，approachingEuphra，said，inasweetcoaxingtone，whichevenshecouldhardlyhaveresisted： “DearMissCameron，youpromisedtosing，formeinparticular，someevening。MayIclaimthefulfilmentofyourpromise？” Euphrahadrecoveredhercomplexion，andshetooseemedtoHughtoberelievedbythedepartureofFunkelstein。 “Certainly，“sheanswered，risingatonce。“WhatshallIsing？” Hughwasallearnow。 “Somethingsacred，ifyouplease。“ Euphrahesitated，butnotlong。 “ShallIsingMozart\'sAgnusDei，then？” LadyEmilyhesitatedinherturn。 “Ishouldprefersomethingelse。Idon\'tapproveofsingingpopishmusic，howeverbeautifulitmaybe。“ “Well，whatshallitbe？” “SomethingofHandelorMendelssohn，please。Doyousing，\'IknowthatmyRedeemerliveth？\'“ “IdaresayIcansingit，“repliedEuphra，withsomepetulance；andwenttothepiano。 ThiswasafavouriteairwithHugh；andheplacedhimselfsoastoseethesingerwithoutbeingseenhimself，andtolosenoslightestmodulationofhervoice。Butwhatwashisdisappointmenttofindthatoratorio-musicwasjustwhatEuphrawasincapableof！Nodoubtshesangitquitecorrectly；buttherewasnoreligioninit。Notasingletoneworshippedorrejoiced。Thequalityofsoundnecessarytoexpressthefeelingandthoughtofthecomposerwaslacking：thepalaceofsoundwasallrightconstructed，butofwrongmaterial。 Euphra，however，wasquiteunconsciousoffailure。Shedidnotcareforthemusic；butsheattributedherlackofinterestinittothemusicitself，neverdreamingthat，infact，shehadneverreallyheardit，havingnoinnerearforitsdeeperharmonies。Assoonasshehadfinished，LadyEmilythankedher，butdidnotpraisehermorethanbysaying： “IwishIhadavoicelikeyours，MissCameron。“ “Idaresayyouhaveabetterofyourown，“saidEuphra，falsely。 LadyEmilylaughed。 “Itisthepoorestlittlevoiceyoueverheard；yetIconfessIamglad，formyownsake，thatIhaveeventhat。WhatshouldIdoifI neverheardHandel！” Everysimplemindhasalittlewellofbeautysomewhereinitsprecincts，whichflowsandwarbles，evenwhentheownerisunheedful。ThereligionofLadyEmilyhadledherintoaregionfarbeyondthereachofherintellect，inwhichtheresprangaconstantfountainofsacredsong。Toitsheowedherhighestmoods。 “ThenHandelisyourmusician？”saidEuphra。“Youshouldnothaveputmetosuchatest。Itwasveryunfairofyou，LadyEmily。“ LadyEmilylaughed，asifquiteamusedattheideaofhavingdoneEuphraanywrong。Euphraadded： “Youmustsingnow，LadyEmily。Youcannotrefuse，aftertheadmissionyouhavejustmade。“ “Iconfessitisonlyfair；butIwarnyoutoexpectnothing。“ Shetookherplaceatthepiano，andsang——Heshallfeedhisflock。 HerhealthhadimprovedsomuchduringhersojournatArnstead，that，whenshebegantosing，thequantityofhervoicesurprisedherself；butafterall，itwasapoorvoice；andtheexecution，ifclearofanygreatfaults，madenootherpretencetomerit。Yetsheeffectedtheendofthemusic，theveryresultwhicheverymusicianwouldmostdesire，whereinEuphrahadfailedutterly。Thiswasworthyofnote，andHughwasnotevenyettooblindtoperceiveit。 LadyEmily，withveryordinaryintellect，andpaltryreligiousopinions，yetbecauseshewasgoodherself，andreligious——could，inthereproductionofthehighestkindofmusic，greatlysurpassthespirited，intellectualmusician，whosevoicewasassuperiortohersasanightingale\'stoasparrow\'s，andwhoseknowledgeofmusicandmusicalpowergenerally，surpassedhersbeyondallcomparison。 ItmustbeallowedforEuphra，thatsheseemedtohavegainedsomeperceptionofthefact。PerhapsshehadseensignsofemotioninHugh\'sface，whichhehadshadedwithhishandasLadyEmilysang； orperhapsthesingingproducedinherafeelingwhichshehadnothadwhensingingherself。AllIknowis，thatthesamenight——whileHughwaswalkingupanddownhisroom，meditatingonthisdefectofEuphra\'s，andyetfeelingthatifshecouldsingonlydevil\'smusic，hemustloveher——atapcametothedoorwhichmadehimstartwiththesuggestionoftheformermysteriousnoisesofasimilarkind； thathesprangtothedoor；andthat，insteadoflookingoutonavacantcorridor，asheallbutanticipated，hesawEuphrastandingthereinthedark——whosaidinawhisper： “Ah！youdonotlovemeanylonger，becauseLadyEmilycansingpsalmsbetterthanIcan！” Therewasbothpathosandspiteinthespeech。 “Comein，Euphra。“ “No。IamafraidIhavebeenverynaughtyincominghereatall。“ “Docomein。IwantyoutotellmesomethingaboutFunkelstein。“ “Whatdoyouwanttoknowabouthim？Isupposeyouarejealousofhim。Ah！youmencanbothbejealousandmakejealousatthesamemoment。“Alittlebrokensighfollowed。Hughanswered： “Ionlywanttoknowwhatheis。“ “Oh！sometwentiethcousinofmine。“ “Mr。Arnolddoesnotknowthat？” “Ohdear！no。ItissofaroffIcan\'tcountit，InfactIdoubtitaltogether。Itmustdatecenturiesback。“ “Hisintimacy，then，isnottobeaccountedforbyhisrelationship？” “Ah！ah！Ithoughtso。Jealousofthepoorcount！” “Count？” “Ohdear！whatdoesitmatter？Hedoesn\'tliketobecalledCount，becauseallforeignersarecountsorbarons，orsomethingequallydistinguished。Ioughtn\'ttohaveletitout。“ “Nevermind。Tellmesomethingabouthim。“ “HeisaBohemian。Imethimfirst，someyearsago，onthecontinent。“ “Thenthatwasnotyourfirstmeeting——atSirEdwardLaston\'s？” “No。“ “Howcandidsheis！”thoughtHugh。 “Hecallsmehiscousin；butifhebemine，heisyetmoreMr。 Arnold\'s。Buthedoesnotwantitmentionedyet。IamsureIdon\'tknowwhy。“ “Isheinlovewithyou？” “HowcanItell？”sheansweredarchly。“Byhisbeingveryjealous？ Isthatthewaytoknowwhetheramanisinlovewithone？Butifheisinlovewithme，itdoesnotfollowthatIaminlovewithhim——doesit？Confess。AmInotverygoodtoanswerallyourimpertinentdownrightquestions？Theyareaspointblankasthechurch-catechism；——mind，Idon\'tsayasrude——HowcanIbeinlovewithtwoat——a——？” Sheseemedtocheekherself。ButHughhadheardenough——asshehadintendedheshould。Sheturnedinstantly，andsped——surroundedbythe“lowmelodiousthunder“ofhersilkengarments——toherowndoor，whereshevanishednoiselessly。 “WhatcareIfororatorios？”saidHughtohimself，asheputthelightout，towardsmorning。 Wherewasallthistoend？WhatgoalhadHughsethimself？Couldhenotgoaway，andachieverenowninoneofmanyways，andreturnfit，intheeyesoftheworld，toclaimthehandofMissCameron？ Butwouldhemarryherifhecould？Hewouldnotanswerthequestion。Heclosedtheearsofhishearttoit，andtriedtogotosleep。Heslept，anddreamedofMargaretinthestorm。 Afewdayspassedwithoutanythingoccurringsufficientlymarkedforrelation。Euphraandheseemedsatisfiedwithoutmeetinginprivate。Perhapsbothwereafraidofcarryingittoofar；atleast，toofartokeepclearoftheriskofdiscovery，seeingthatdangerwasatpresentgreaterthanusual。Mr。Arnoldcontinuedtobethoroughlyattentivetohisguests，andbecamemoreandmoredevotedtoLadyEmily。Therewasnosayingwhereitmightend；forhewasnotanoldmanyet，andLadyEmilyappearedtohavenospecialadmirers。Arnsteadwassuchanabode，andsurroundedwithsuchanestate，asfewevenofthenobilitycouldcalltheirown。AndareminiscenceofhisfirstwifeseemedtohauntallMr。Arnold\'scontemplationsofLadyEmily，andallhisattentionstoher。Theseweredelicateintheextreme，evidentlybringingoutthebestlifethatyetremainedinaheartthatwasalmostafossil。HughmadesomefresheffortstodohisdutybyHarry，andsofarsucceeded，thatatleasttheboymadesomeprogress——evidentenoughtothemoderateexpectationsofhisfather。ButwhathelpedHarryasmuchasanything，wasthemotherlykindness，eventenderness，ofgoodMrs。Elton，whooftenhadhimtositwithherinherownroom。Toherhegenerallyfledforrefuge，whenhefeltdesertedandlonely。 CHAPTERXVII。 MATERIALISMaliasGHOST-HUNTING。 WiederMondsichleuchtenddr鋘getDurchdendunkelnWolkenflor，AlsotauchtausdunkelnZeitenMireinlichtesBildhervor。 HEINRICHHEINE AsthemoonherfaceadvancesThroughthedarkenedcloudyveil； So，fromdarkenedtimesarising，Dawnsonmeavisionpale。 InconsequenceofwhatEuphrahadcausedhimtobelievewithoutsayingit，Hughfeltmorefriendlytowardshisnewacquaintance；andhappening——onhissideatleastitdidhappen——tomeethimafewdaysafter，walkingintheneighbourhood，hejoinedhiminastroll。 Mr。Arnoldmetthemonhorseback，andinvitedVonFunkelsteintodinewiththemthatevening，towhichhewillinglyconsented。ItwasnoticeablethatnosoonerwasthecountwithinthedoorsofArnsteadHouse，thanhebehavedwithcordialitytoeveryoneofthecompanyexceptHugh。Withhimhemadenoapproachtofamiliarityofanykind，treatinghim，onthecontrary，withstudiouspoliteness。 Inthecourseofthedinner，Mr。Arnoldsaid： “Itiscurious，HerrvonFunkelstein，howoften，ifyoumeetwithsomethingnewtoyou，youfallinwithitagainalmostimmediately。 IfoundanarticleonBiologyinthenewspaper，theverydayafterourconversationonthesubject。Butabsurdasthewholethingis，itisquitesurpassedbyaletterinto-day\'sTimesaboutspirit-rappingandmediums，andwhatnot！” Thisobservationofthehostatonceopenedthewholequestionofthosephysico-psychologicalphenomenatowhichthenameofspiritualismhasbeensoabsurdlyapplied。Mr。Arnoldwasprofoundinhiscontemptofthewholesystem，ifnotveryprofoundinhisargumentsagainstit。Everyonehadsomethingtoremarkinoppositiontothenotionswhichweresorapidlygaininggroundinthecountry，exceptFunkelstein，whomaintainedarigidsilence。 Thissilencecouldnotcontinuelongwithoutattractingtheattentionoftherestoftheparty；uponwhichMr。Arnoldsaid： “Youhavenotgivenusyouropiniononthesubject，HerrvonFunkelstein。“ “Ihavenot，Mr。Arnold；——Ishouldnotliketoencountertheoppositionofsomanyfairadversaries，aswellasofmyhost。“ “WeareinEngland，sir；andeverymanisatlibertytosaywhathethinks。Formypart，Ithinkitallabsurd，ifnotimproper。“ “Iwouldnotwillinglydifferfromyou，Mr。Arnold。AndIconfessthatagreatdealthatfindsitswayintothepublicprints，doesseemveryridiculousindeed；butIambound，fortruth\'ssake，tosay，thatIhaveseenmorethanIcanaccountfor，inthatkindofthing。Therearestrangestoriesconnectedwithmyownfamily，which，perhaps，inclinemetobelieveinthesupernatural；and，indeed，withoutmakingthesmallestpretencetothedignityofwhattheycallamedium，Ihavemyselfhadsomecuriousexperiences。I fearIhavesomenaturalproclivitytowardswhatyoudespise。ButI begthatmystatementofmyownfeelingsonthesubject，maynotinterfereintheleastwiththeprosecutionofthepresentconversation；forIamquitecapableofdrawingpleasurefromlisteningtowhatIamunabletoagreewith。“ “Butletushearyourarguments，strengthenedbyyourfacts，inoppositiontoours；foritwillbeimpossibletotalkwithasilentjudgeamongstus，“Hughventuredtosay。 “Isetupfornojudge，Mr。Sutherland，Iassureyou；andperhapsI shalldomyopinionsmorejusticebyremainingsilent，seeingIamconsciousofutterinabilitytoanswertheaprioriargumentswhichyouinparticularhavebroughtagainstthem。AllIwouldventuretosayis，thatanaprioriargumentmayoweitsforcetoamistakenhypothesiswithregardtothematterinquestion；andthatthetrueBaconianmethod，whichisthegloryofyourEnglishphilosophy，wouldbetoinquirefirstwhatthethingis，byrecordingobservationsandexperimentsmadeinitssupposeddirection。“ “AtleastHerrvonFunkelsteinhasthebestoftheargumentnow，I amcompelledtoconfess，“saidHugh。 Funkelsteinbowedstiffly，andwassilent。 “Yourouseourcuriosity，“saidMr。Arnold；“butIfear，afterthefreeutterancewhichwehavealreadygiventoourownjudgments，inignorance，ofcourse，ofyourgreaterexperience，youwillnotbeinclinedtomakeuswiserbycommunicatinganyofthesaidexperience，howevermuchwemaydesiretohearit。“ HadhebeenspeakingtooneoflessevidentsocialstandingthanFunkelstein，Mr。Arnold，ifdyingwithcuriosity，wouldnothaveexpressedtheleastwishtobemadeacquaintedwithhisexperiences。 Hewouldhavesatinapparentindifference，butinrealanxietythatsomeoneelsewoulddrawhimout，andthusgratifyhiscuriositywithoutendangeringhisdignity。 “Idonotthink，“repliedFunkelstein，“thatitisofanyusetobringtestimonytobearonsuchamatter。Ihaveseen——tousethewordsofsomeoneelse，Iforgetwhom，onasimilarsubject——IhaveseenwithmyowneyeswhatIcertainlyshouldneverhavebelievedonthetestimonyofanother。Consequently，Ihavenorighttoexpectthatmytestimonyshouldbereceived。Besides，Idonotwishittobereceived，althoughIconfessIshrinkfrompresentingitwithacertaintyofitsbeingrejected。Ihavenowishtomakeconvertstomyopinions。“ “Really，HerrvonFunkelstein，attheriskofyourconsideringmeimportunate，Iwouldbeg——“ “Excuseme，Mr。Arnold。Therecitalofsomeofthematterstowhichyourefer，wouldnotonlybepainfultomyself，butwouldbeagitatingtotheladiespresent。“ “Inthatcase，Ihaveonlytobegyourpardonforpressingthematter——Ihopenofurtherthantothevergeofincivility。“ “Innodegreeapproachingit，Iassureyou，Mr。Arnold。InproofthatIdonotthinkso，Iamready，ifyouwishit——althoughI ratherdreadthepossibleeffectsonthenervesoftheladies，especiallyasthisisanoldhouse——torepeat，withtheaidofthosepresent，certainexperimentswhichIhavesometimesfoundperhapsonlytoosuccessful。“ “Oh！Idon\'t，“saidEuphra，faintly。 Anexpressionoftheoppositedesirefollowed，however，fromtheotherladies。Theircuriosityseemedtostrivewiththeirfears，andtoovercomethem。 “Ihopeweshallhavenothingtodowithitinanyotherwaythanmerelyasspectators？”saidMrs。Elton。 “Nothingmorethanyouplease。Itisdoubtfulifyoucanevenbespectators。Thatremainstobeseen。“ “Goodgracious！”exclaimedMrs。Elton。 LadyEmilylookedatherwithsurprise——almostreproof。 “Ibegyourpardon，mydear；butitsoundssodreadful。Whatcanitbe？” “Letmeentreatyou，ladies，nottoimaginethatIamurgingyoutoanything，“saidFunkelstein。 “Notintheleast，“repliedMrs。Elton。“Iwasveryfoolish。“Andtheoldladylookedashamed，andwassilent。 “Thenifyouwillallowme，Iwillmakeonesmallpreparation。Haveyouatool-chestanywhere，Mr。Arnold？” “Theremustbetoolsenoughabouttheplace，Iknow。IwillringforAtkins。“ “Iknowwherethetoolchestis，“saidHugh；“and，ifyouwillallowmeasuggestion，woulditnotbebettertheservantsshouldknownothingaboutthis？Therearesomefoolishstoriesafloatamongstthemalready。“ “Averypropersuggestion，Mr。Sutherland，“saidMr。Arnold，graciously。“Willyoufindallthatiswanted，then？” “Whattoolsdoyouwant？”askedHugh。 “Onlyasmalldrill。Couldyougetmeanearthenwareplate——notchina——too？” “Iwillmanagethat，“saidEuphra。 Hughsoonreturnedwiththedrill，andEuphrawiththeplate。TheBohemian，withsomedifficulty，andtheremarkthattheEnglishwarewasveryhard，drilledasmallholeintherimoftheplate——adinner-plate；thenbegginganHBdrawing-pencilfromMissCameron，cutoffasmallpiece，andfitteditintothehole，makingitjustlongenoughtotouchthetablewithitspointwhentheplatelayinitsordinaryposition。 “NowIamready，“saidhe。“But，“headded，raisinghishead，andlookingallroundtheroom，asifasuddenthoughthadstruckhim——“Idonotthinkthisroomwillbequitesatisfactory。“ Theywerenowinthedrawing-room。 “Choosetheroominthehousethatwillsuityou，“saidMr。Arnold。 “Thedining-room？” “Certainlynot，“answeredFunkelstein，ashetookfromhiswatch-chainasmallcompassandlaiditonthetable。“Notthedining-room，northebreakfast-room——Ithink。Letmesee——howisitsituated？”Hewenttothehall，asiftorefreshhismemory，andthenlookedagainatthecompass。“No，notthebreakfast-room。“ Hughcouldnothelpthinkingtherewasmoreorlessofthecharlatanabouttheman。 “Thelibrary？”suggestedLadyEmily。 Theyadjournedtothelibrarytosee。Thelibrarywoulddo。Aftersomefurtherdifficulty，theysucceededinprocuringalargesheetofpaperandfasteningitdowntothetablebydrawing-pins。Onlytwocandleswereinthegreatroom，anditwasscarcelylightedatallbythem；yetFunkelsteinrequestedthatoneoftheseshouldbeextinguished，andtheotherremovedtoatablenearthedoor。Hethensaid，solemnly： “Letmerequestsilence，absolutesilence，andquiescenceofthoughteven。“ Afterstillnesshadsettleddownwithoutspreadwingsofintensity，heresumed： “Willanyone，or，better，twoofyou，touchtheplateaslightlyaspossiblewithyourfingers？” Allhungbackforamoment。ThenMr。Arnoldcameforward。 “Iwill，“saidhe，andlaidhisfingersontheplate。 “Aslightlyaspossible，ifyouplease。Iftheplatemoves，followitwithyourfingers，butbesurenottopushitinanydirection。“ “Iunderstand，“saidMr。Arnold；andsilencefellagain。 TheBohemian，afterapause，spokeoncemore，butinaforeigntongue。Thewordssoundedfirstlikeentreaty，thenlikecommand，andatlast，almostlikeimprecation。Theladiesshuddered。 “Anymovementofthevehicle？”saidhetoMr。Arnold。 Ifbythevehicleyoumeantheplate，certainlynot，“saidMr。 Arnoldsolemnly。Buttheladieswereverygladofthepretextforattemptingalaugh，inordertogetridoftheoppressionwhichtheyhadfeltforsometime。 “Hush！”saidFunkelstein，solemnly——“Willnooneelsetouchtheplate，aswell？Itwillseldommovewithone。Itdoeswithme。 ButIfearImightbesuspectedoftreachery，ifIofferedtojoinMr。Arnold。“ “Donothintatsuchathing。Youarebeyondsuspicion。“ WhatgroundMr。Arnoldhadformakingsuchanassertion，wasnobetterknowntohimselfthantoanyoneelsepresent。VonFunkelstein，withoutanotherword，putthefingersofonehandlightlyontheplatebesideMr。Arnold\'s。Theplateinstantlybegantomoveuponthepaper。Themotionwasasuccessionofsmalljerksatfirst；butsoonittiltedupalittle，andmoveduponachangingpointofsupport。Nowitcareeredrapidlyinwavylines，sweepingbacktowardstheotherside，asoftenasitapproachedtheextremityofthesheet，themenkeepingtheirfingersincontactwithit，butnotappearingtoinfluenceitsmotion。Graduallythemotionceased。 VonFunkelsteinwithdrewhishand，andrequestedthattheothercandleshouldbelighted。Thepaperwastakenupandexamined。 Nothingcouldbediscovereduponit，butalabyrinthofwavyandsweepylines。Funkelsteinporedoveritforsomeminutes，andthenconfessedhisinabilitytomakeasingleletteroutofit，stilllesswordsandsentences，ashehadexpected。 “But，“saidhe，“weareatleastsofarsuccessful：itmoves。Letustryagain。Whowilltrynext？” “Iwill，“saidHugh，whohadrefrainedatfirst，partlyfromdisliketothewholeaffair，partlybecauseheshrankfromputtinghimselfforward。 Anewsheetofpaperwasfixed。Thecandlewasextinguished。Hughputhisfingersontheplate。Inasecondortwo，itbegantomove。 “Amedium！”murmuredFunkelstein。Hethenspokealoudsomewordsunintelligibletotherest。 Whetherfromthepeculiarityofhispositionandtheconsequentexcitementofhisimagination，orfromsomeothercause，Hughgrewquitecold，andbegantotremble。Theplate，whichhadbeencareeringviolentlyforafewmoments，nowwentmoreslowly，makingregularshortmotionsandreturns，atrightanglestoitschiefdirection，asifletterswerebeingformedbythepencil。Hughshuddered，thinkingherecognisedthelettersastheygrew。Thewritingceased。Thecandleswerebrought。Yes；thereitwas！——notplain，buteasilydecipherable——DavidElginbrod。Hughfeltsick。 Euphra，lookingonbesidehim，whispered： “Whatanoddname！Whocanitmean？” HemadenoreplyNeitheroftheotherladiessawit；forMrs。Eltonhaddiscovered，themomentthesecondcandlewaslighted，thatLadyEmilywaseitherasleeporinafaint。Shewassoonallbutsatisfiedthatshewasasleep。 Hugh\'sopinion，gatheredfromwhatfollowed，was，thattheBohemianhadnotbeensointentontheoperationswiththeplate，ashehadappearedtobe；andthathehadbeenemployingpartofhisenergyinmesmerisingLadyEmily。Mrs。Elton，rememberingthatshehadhadquitealongwalkthatmorning，wasnotmuchalarmed。Unwillingtomakeadisturbance，sherangthebellveryquietly，and，goingtothedoor，askedtheservantwhoansweredit，tosendhermaidwithsomeeau-de-cologne。Meantime，thegentlemenhadbeentoomuchabsorbedtotakeanynoticeofherproceedings，and，afterremovingtheoneandextinguishingtheothercandle，hadrevertedtotheplate——Hughwasstilltheoperator。 VonFunkelsteinspokeagaininanunknowntongue。Theplatebegantomoveasbefore。Afteronlyasecondortwoofpreparatorygyration，HughfeltthatitwaswritingTurriepuffit，andshookfromheadtofoot。 Suddenly，inthemiddleoftheword，theplateceaseditsmotion，andlayperfectlystill。Hughfeltakindofsurprisecomeuponhim，asifhewakedfromanunpleasantdream，andsawthesunshining。Themorbidexcitementofhisnervoussystemhadsuddenlyceased，andahealthfulsenseofstrengthandevery-daylifetookitsplace。 Simultaneouslywiththestoppingoftheplate，andthisnewfeelingwhichIhavetriedtodescribe，Hughinvoluntarilyraisedhiseyestowardsthedooroftheroom。Intheall-but-darknessbetweenhimandthedoor，hesawapalebeautifulface——afaceonly。ItwasthefaceofMargaretElginbrod；not，however，suchashehadusedtoseeit——butglorified。Thatwastheonlywordbywhichhecoulddescribeitsnewaspect。Amistofdarknessfelluponhisbrain，andtheroomswamroundwithhim。Buthewassavedfromfalling，orattractingattentiontoaweaknessforwhichhecouldhavemadenoexcuse，byasuddencryfromLadyEmily。 “See！see！”shecriedwildly，pointingtowardsoneofthewindows。 Theselookedacrosstoanotherpartofthehouse，oneoftheoldest，atsomedistance——Oneofitswindows，apparentlyonthefirstfloor，shonewithafaintbluishlight。 AllthecompanyhadhurriedtothewindowatLadyEmily\'sexclamation。 “Whocanbeinthatpartofthehouse？”saidMr。Arnold，angrily。 “ItisLadyEuphrasia\'swindow，“saidEuphra，inalowvoice，thetoneofwhichsuggested，somehow，thatthespeakerwasverycold。 “Whatdoyoumeanbyspeakinglikethat？”saidMr。Arnold，forgettinghisdignity。“Surelyyouareabovebeingsuperstitious。 Isitpossibletheservantscouldbeaboutanymischief？Iwilldischargeanyoneatonce，thatdaresgotherewithoutpermission。“ Thelightdisappeared，fadingslowlyout。 “Indeed，theservantsarealltoomuchalarmed，afterwhattookplacelastyear，togonearthatwing——muchlessthatroom，“saidEuphra。“Besides，Mrs。Hortonhasallthekeysinherowncharge。“ “Goyourselfandgetmethem，Euphra。Iwillseeatoncewhatthismeans。Don\'tsaywhyyouwantthem。“ “Certainlynot，uncle。“ Hughhadrecoveredalmostinstantaneously。Thoughfullofamazement，hehadyethisperceptivefacultiessufficientlyunimpairedtorecognisetherealsourceofthelightinthewindow。 Itseemedtohimmorelikemoonlightthananythingelse；andhethoughttheotherswouldhaveseenittobesuch，butfortheeffectofLadyEmily\'ssuddenexclamation。PerhapsshewasundertheinfluenceoftheBohemianatthemoment。Certainlytheywereallinatolerableconditionforseeingwhatevermightberequiredofthem。 True，therewasnomoontobeseen；andifitwasthemoon，whydidthelightgoout？Buthefoundafterwardsthathehadbeenright。 Thehousestooduponarisingground；and，everyrecurringcycle，themoonwouldshine，throughacertainvistaoftreesandbranches，uponLadyEuphrasia\'swindow；providedtherehadbeennogrowthoftwigstostopupthechannelofthelight，whichwassonarrowthatinafewmomentsthemoonhadcrossedit。Agapinahedgemadebyabullthatmorning，hadremovedthelastscreen——LadyEuphrasia\'swindowwassoneglectedanddusty，thatitcouldreflectnothingmorethanadimbluishshimmer。 “Willyouallaccompanyme，ladiesandgentlemen，thatyoumayseewithyourowneyesthatthereisnothingdangerousinthehouse？” saidMr。Arnold。 OfcourseFunkelsteinwasquiteready，andHughaswell，althoughhefeltatthismomentill-fittedforghost-hunting。Theladieshesitated；butatlast，moreafraidofbeingleftbehindalone，thanofgoingwiththegentlemen，theyconsented。Euphrabroughtthekeys，andtheycommencedtheirmarchofinvestigation。Upthegrandstaircasetheywent，Mr。Arnoldfirstwiththekeys，HughnextwithMrs。EltonandLadyEmily，andtheBohemian，considerablytoHugh\'sdissatisfaction，bringinguptherearwithEuphra——Thismisarrangementdidmorethananythingelsecouldhavedone，todeadenforthetimethedistractionoffeelingproducedinHugh\'smindbytheeventsofthelastfewminutes。Yetevennowheseemedtobewanderingthroughtheoldhouseinadream，insteadoffollowingMr。Arnold，whosepresencemightwellhavebeensufficienttodestroyanyillusion，exceptsuchasaChinesescreenmightsuperinduce；for，possessedoffarlessimaginationthanahorse，hewasincapableofanyterrors，butsuchashadtodowithrobbers，orfire，orchartists——whichlatterfearincludedboththeformer。Hestrodeonsecurely，carryingacandleinonehand，andthekeysintheother。Eachoftheothergentlemenlikewiseborealight。Theyhadtogothroughdoors，somelocked，someopen，followingadifferentroutefromthattakenbyEuphraonaformeroccasion。 ButMr。Arnoldfoundthekeystroublesome。Hecouldnoteasilydistinguishthosehewanted，andwascompelledtoapplytoEuphra。 SheleftFunkelsteininconsequence，andwalkedinfrontwithheruncle。HerformercompaniongotbesideLadyEmily，andastheycouldnotwellwalkfourabreast，shefellbehindwithhim。SoHughgotnexttoEuphra，behindher，andwascomforted。 Atlength，bytortuousways，acrossoldrooms，andupanddownabruptlittlestairs，theyreachedthedoorofLadyEuphrasia\'sroom。Thekeywasfound，andthedooropenedwithsomeperturbation——manifestonthepartoftheladies，andconcealedonthepartofthemen。Theplacewasquitedark。Theyentered；andHughwasgreatlystruckwithitsstrangeantiquity。LadyEuphrasia\'sghosthaddriventhelastoccupantoutofitnearlyahundredyearsago；butmostofthefurniturewasmucholderthanthat，havingprobablybelongedtoLadyEuphrasiaherself。Theroomremainedjustasthesaidlastoccupanthadleftit。Eventhebed-clothesremained，foldeddown，asifexpectingtheiroccupantforthelasthundredyears。Thefinelinenhadgrownyellow；andtherichcounterpanelaylikeachurchyardaftertheresurrection，fulloftheopengravesoftheliberatedmoths。Onthewallhungtheportraitofanuninconvent-attire。 “SomehavetakenthatforasecondportraitofLadyEuphrasia，“saidMr。Arnold，“butitcannotbe——Euphra，wewillgobackthroughthepicturegallery——IsuspectitoforiginatingthetraditionthatLadyEuphrasiabecameanunatlast。Idonotbelieveitmyself。 Thepictureiscertainlyoldenoughtostandforher，butitdoesnotseemtomeintheleastliketheother。“ Itwasagreatroom，withlargerecesses，andthereforeirregularinform。Oldchairs，withremnantsofenamelandgilding，andseatsoffadeddamask，stoodallabout。Butthebeautyofthechamberwasitstapestry。Thewallswereentirelycoveredwithit，andtherichcolourshadnotyetrecededintothedullgreyofthepast，thoughtheirgorgeousnesshadbecomesombrewithage。ThesubjectwasthestoryofSamson。 “Comeandseethisstrangepieceoffurniture，“saidEuphratoHugh，whohadkeptbyhersidesincetheyenteredthisroom。 Sheledhimintooneoftherecesses，almostconcealedbythebed-hangings。Initstoodacabinetofebony，reachingnearlytotheceiling，curiouslycarvedinhighrelief。 “IwishIcouldshowyoutheinsideofit，“shewenton，“butI cannotnow。“ Thiswassaidalmostinawhisper。Hughrepliedwithonlyalookofthanks。Hegazedatthecarving，onwhoseblacksurfacehiscandlemadelittlelight，andthrewnoshadows。 “Youhavelookedatthisbefore，Euphra，“saidhe。“Explainittome。“ “Ihaveoftentriedtofindoutwhatitis，“sheanswered；“butI nevercouldquitesatisfymyselfaboutit。“ Sheproceeded，however，totellhimwhatshefancieditmightmean，speakingstillinthelowtonewhichseemedsuitabletotheaweoftheplace。Shegotinterestedinshowinghimtherelationsofthedifferentfigures；andhemadeseveralsuggestionsastothepossibleintentionoftheartist。Morethanonewell-knownsubjectwasproposedandrejected。 Suddenlybecomingawareofthesensationofsilence，theylookedup，andsawthattheirswastheonlylightintheroom。Theywereleftaloneinthehauntedchamber——Theylookedateachotherforonemoment；thensaid，withhalf-stifledvoices： “Euphra！” “Hugh！” Euphraseemedhalfamusedandhalfperplexed。Hughlookedhalfperplexedandwhollypleased。 “Come，come，“saidEuphra，recoveringherself，andleadingthewaytothedoor。 Whentheyreachedit，theyfounditclosedandlocked。Euphraraisedherhandtobeatonit。Hughcaughtit。 “YouwilldriveLadyEmilyintofits。Didyounotseehowawfullypaleshewas？” Euphrainstantlyliftedherhandagain，asifshewouldjustliketotrythatresult。ButHugh，whowasinnohasteforanyresult，heldherback。 Shestruggledforamomentortwo，butnotverystrenuously，and，desistingallatonce，letherarmsdropbyhersides。 “Ifearitistoolate。Thisisadoubledoor，andMr。Arnoldwillhavelockedallthedoorsbetweenthisandthepicture-gallery。 Theyaretherenow。Whatshallwedo？” Shesaidthiswithanexpressionofcomicaldespair，whichwouldhavemadeHughburstintolaughter，hadhenotbeentoomuchpleasedtolaugh。 “Nevermind，“hesaid，“wewillgoonwithourstudyofthecabinet。 Theywillsoonfindoutthatweareleftbehind，andcomebacktolookforus。“ “Yes，butonlyfancybeingfoundhere！” Shelaughed；butthelaughdidnotsucceed。Itcouldnothidearealembarrassment。Shepondered，andseemedirresolute。Thenwiththewords——“Theywillsaywestayedbehindonpurpose，“shemovedherhandtothedoor，butagainwithdrewit，andstoodirresolute。 “Letusputoutthelight。“saidHughlaughing，“andmakenoanswer。“ “Canyoustarvewell？” “Withyou。“ Shemurmuredsomethingtoherself；thensaidaloudandhastily，asifshehadmadeuphermindbythecompulsionofcircumstances： “Butthiswon\'tdo。Theyarestilllookingattheportrait，I daresay。Come。“ Sosaying，shewentintoanotherrecess，and，liftingacurtainoftapestry，openedadoor。 “Comequick，“shesaid。 Hughfollowedherdownashortstairintoanarrowpassage，nowherelightedfromtheoutside。Thedoorwenttobehindthem，asifsomeonehadbangeditinangerattheirintrusion。Thepassagesmeltverymusty，andwasasquietasdeath。 “Notawordofthis，Hugh，asyouloveme。Itmaybeusefulyet。“ “Notaword。“ Theycamethroughaslidingpanelintoanemptyroom。Euphracloseditbehindthem。 “Nowshadeyourlight。“ Hedidso。Shetookhimbythehand。Afewmoreturnsbroughttheminsightofthelightsoftherestoftheparty。AsEuphrahadconjectured，theywerelookingatthepictureofLadyEuphrasia，Mr。 Arnoldprosingawaytothem，inproofthatthenuncouldnotbeshe。 Theyenteredthegallerywithoutbeingheard；andpartingalittleway，onepretendingtolookatonepicture，theotheratanother，creptgraduallyroundtilltheyjoinedthegroup。Itwasapieceofmostsuccessfulgeneralship。Euphrawas，doubtless，quitepreparedwithherstoryincaseitshouldfail。 “DearLadyEmily，“saidshe，“howtiredyoulook！Doletusgo，uncle。“ “Byallmeans。Takemyarm，LadyEmily。Euphra，willyoutakethekeysagain，andlockthedoors？” Mrs。EltonhadalreadytakenHugh\'sarm，andwasleadinghimawayafterMr。ArnoldandLadyEmily。 “Iwillnotleaveyoubehindwiththespectres，MissCameron，“saidFunkelstein。 “Thankyou；theywillnotdetainmelong。Theydon\'tmindbeinglockedup。“ Itwassomelittletime，however，beforetheypresentedthemselvesinthedrawing-room，towhich，andnottothelibrary，thepartyhadgone：theyhadhadenoughofhorrorsforthatnight。 Lestmyreadersshouldthinktheyhavehadtoomanywondersatleast，Iwillexplainoneofthem。ItwasreallyMargaretElginbrodwhomHughhadseen。Mrs。Eltonwastheladyinwhoseserviceshehadleftherhome。Itwasnothingstrangethattheyhadnotmet，forMargaretknewhewasinthesamehouse，andhadseveraltimesseenhim，buthadavoidedmeetinghim。Neitherwasitawonderfulcoincidencethattheyshouldbeinsuchcloseproximity；forthecollegefriendfromwhomHughhadfirstheardofMr。Arnold，wasthesonofthegentlemanwhomMrs。Eltonwasvisiting，whenshefirstsawMargaret。 Margarethadobeyedhermistress\'ssummonstothedrawing-room，andhadenteredwhileHughwasstoopingovertheplate。Astheroomwasnearlydark，andshewasdressedinblack，herpalefacealonecaughtthelightandhiseyeashelookedup，andthegiddinesswhichfollowedhadpreventedhimfromseeingmore。Shelefttheroomthenextmoment，whiletheywerealllookingoutofthewindow。 Norwasitanyexerciseofhisexcitedimaginationthathadpresentedherfaceasglorified。Shewasnowawoman；and，therebeingnodivinelawagainstsayingso，Isaythatshehadgrownaladyaswell；asindeedanyonemighthaveforeseenwhowascapableofforeseeingit。Herwholenaturehadblossomedintoastill，stately，lily-likebeauty；andthefacethatHughsawwasindeedtherealisedideaoftheformerfaceofMargaret。 Buthowdidtheplatemove？andwhencecamethewritingofoldDavid\'sname？Imust，forthepresent，leavethewholemattertothespeculativepowerofeachofmyreaders。 ButMargaretwasinmourning：wasDavidindeeddead？ Hewasdead——Yethisnamewillstandasthenameofmystoryforpagestocome；because，ifhehadnotbeeninit，thestorywouldneverhavebeenworthwriting；becausetheinfluenceofthatploughmanisthesaltofthewhole；becauseaman\'slifeintheearthisnottobemeasuredbythetimeheisvisibleuponit；andbecause，whenthestoryiswoundup，itwillbeinthepresenceofhisspirit。 DoIthenbelievethatDavidhimselfdidwritethatnameofhis？ Heavenforbidthatanyfriendofmineshouldbeabletobelieveit！ Longbeforeshesawhim，Margarethadknown，fromwhatsheheardamongtheservants，thatMasterHarry\'stutorcouldbenootherthanherowntutoroftheoldtime。ByandbyshelearnedagreatdealabouthimfromHarry\'stalkwithMrs。EltonandLadyEmily。Butshedidnotgivetheleasthintthatsheknewhim，orbetraytheleastdesiretoseehim。 Mrs。Eltonwasamusinglybewilderedbytheoccurrencesoftheevening。Hertheoriesweresomethingastounding；andfollowedoneanotherwithsuchalarmingrapidity，thathadtheybeeninthemselvessuchastoimplythesmallestexerciseofthethinkingfaculty，shemightwellhavebeenconsideredindangerofanattackofbrain-fever。Asitwas，nonesuchsupervened。LadyEmilysaidnothing，butseemedunhappy。AsforHugh，hesimplycouldnottellwhattomakeofthewriting。Buthedidnotforamomentdoubtthatthevisionhehadseenwasonlyavision——ahome-madeghost，sentoutfromhisowncreativebrain。StillhefeltthatMargaret\'sface，comewhenceitmight，wasalivingreprooftohim；forhewaslosinghislifeinpassion，sinkingdeeperinitdaybyday。Hispowersweredesertinghim。Poetry，usuallysupposedtobetheattendantoflove，haddesertedhim。Onlybyfitscouldheseeanythingbeautiful；andthenitwasbutinclosestassociationofthoughtwiththeoneimagewhichwasburningitselfdeeperanddeeperintohismentalsensorium。Comewhatmight，hecouldnottearitaway。Ithadbecomeapartofhimself——ofhisinnerlife——evenwhileitseemedtobeworkingthedeathoflife。Deeperanddeeperitwouldburn，tillitreachedtheinnermostchamberoflife。Letitburn。 Yethefeltthathecouldnottrusther。Vaguehopeshehad，that，bytrusting，shemightbemadetrustworthy；buthefearedtheywerevainaswellasvague。Andyethewouldnotcastthemaway，forhecouldnotcastheraway。 CHAPTERXVIII。 MOREMATERIALISMANDSOMESPIRITUALISM。 Godwishethnoneshouldwreckonastrangeshelf： ToHimman\'sdearerthantohimself。 BENJonson——TheForest：ToSirRobertWroth。 Atbreakfastthefollowingmorning，theinfluencesofthepastdayonthefamilywereevident。Therewasagooddealofexcitement，alternatedwithlistlessness。Themoralatmosphereseemedunhealthy；andHarry，althoughhehad，fortunatelyforhim，hadnothingtodowiththemanifestationsofthepreviousevening，wasaffectedbytheconditionofthosearoundhim。Hughwasstillcarefulenoughofhimtotrytodiverttheconversationentirelyfromwhatheknewwouldhaveaveryinjuriouseffectuponhim；andMr。Arnold，seeingtheanxiouswayinwhichheglancednowandthenathispupil，anddiviningthereason，bytheinstinctofhisaffection，withfarmorethanhisusualacuteness，triedlikewisetoturnitaside，asoftenasitinclinedthatway。Stillafewwordswereletfallbythevisitors，whichmadeHarrystare。Hughtookhimawayassoonasbreakfastwasover。 Intheafternoon，Funkelsteincalledtoinquireaftertheladies； andhopedhehadnoinjurytotheirhealthtolayonhisconscience。 Mr。Arnold，whohadafullallowanceofcuriosity，itsamountbeingfrequentlyinaninverseratiotothatofhigherintellectualgifts，beggedhimtospendtherestofthedaywiththem；butnottosayawordofwhathadpassedthedaybefore，tillafterHarryhadretiredforthenight。 Renewedconversationledtorenewedexperimentsinthelibrary。 Hugh，however，refusedtohaveanythingmoretodowiththeplate-writing；forhedreadeditsinfluenceonhisphysicalnature，attributing，asIhavesaid，thevisionofMargarettoacerebralaffection。Andtheplatedidnotseemtoworksatisfactorilywithanyoneelse，exceptFunkelstein，who，forhispart，hadnogreatwishtooperate。Recoursewashadtoamorevulgarmethod——thatofexpectantsolicitationofthosenoiseswherebytheprisonersinthea雛ialvaultsaresupposedcapableofcommunicatingwiththoseinthisearthlycell。Certainly，rapswereheardfromsomequarteroranother；andwhenthelightswereextinguished，andthecrescentmoononlyallowedtoshineintheroom，somecommotionwasdiscernibleamongstthefurniture。Severallightarticlesflewabout。Apen-wiperalightedonEuphra\'slap，andasofa-pillowgentlydisarrangedMrs。Elton\'scap。Mostoftheartillery，however，wasdirectedagainstLadyEmily；andsheitwaswhosaw，inafaintstreamofmoonlight，afemalearmupliftedtowardsher，fromunderatable，withathreateningmotion。Itwasbaretotheelbow，anddrapedabove。Itshowedfirstaclenchedfist，andnextanopenhand，palmoutwards，makingarepellentgesture。Thenthebackofthehandwasturned，anditmotionedheraway，asifshehadbeenanimportunatebeggar。Butatthismoment，oneofthedoorsopened，andadarkfigurepassedthroughtheroomtowardstheoppositedoor。 Everythingthatcouldbecalledghostly，ceasedinstantaneously。 Thearmvanished。Thecompanybreathedmorefreely。 LadyEmily，whohadbeenonthepointofgoingintohysterics，recoveredherself，andovercamethestilllingeringimpulse：shefeltasifshehadawakedfromamomentaryaberrationoftheintellect。Mr。Arnoldproceededtolightthecandles，saying，inarighteoustone： “Ithinkwehavehadenoughofthisnonsense。“ Whenthecandleswerelighted，therewasnoonetobeseenintheroombesidesthemselves。Several，Hughamongstthem，hadobservedthefigure；butallhadtakenitforpartoftheillusivephantasmagoria。Hughwouldhaveconcludeditavarietyofhisvisionoftheformernight；butothershadseenitaswellashe。 Therewasnorenewaloftheexperimentsthatnight。Butallwereinaveryunhealthystateofexcitement。Vaguefear，vaguewonder，andacertainindescribableoppression，haddimmedforthetimealltheclearervision，andbenumbedallthenoblerfacultiesofthesoul。 LadyEmilywasaffectedthemost。Hereyeslookedscared；therewasabrightspotononecheekamidstdeathlypaleness；andsheseemedveryunhappy。Mrs。Eltonbecamealarmed，andthisbroughtherbacktoamorerationalcondition。ShepersuadedLadyEmilytogotobed。 Butthecontagionspread；andindistinctterrorswerenolongerconfinedtotheupperportionsofthefamily。Thebruitrevived，whichhadbrokenoutayearbefore——thatthehousewashaunted。Itwaswhisperedthat，theverynightaftertheseoccurrences，theGhost\'sWalkhadbeeninuseasthenamesignified：afigureindeath-garmentshadbeenseenglidingalongthedesertedavenue，byoneofthemaid-servants；thetruthofwhosestorywascorroboratedbythefactthat，tosupportit，shedidnothesitatetoconfessthatshehadescapedfromthehouse，nearlyatmidnight，tomeetoneofthegroomsinapartofthewoodcontiguoustotheavenueinquestion。Mr。Arnoldinstantlydismissedher——notonthegroundoftheintrigue，hetookcaretoletherknow，althoughthatwasbadenough，butbecauseshewasafool，andspreadabsurdandannoyingreportsaboutthehouse。Mr。Arnold\'susualhatredofwhathecalledsuperstition，wasrenderedyetmorespitefulbythefact，thattheoccurrencesoftheweekhadhadsuchaneffectonhisownmind，thathewasmortallyafraidlestheshouldhimselfsinkintothesamelimboofvanity。Thegirl，however，was，orpretendedtobe，quitesatisfiedwithherdischarge，protestingshewouldnothavestaidfortheworld；andasthegroom，whosewageshappenedtohavebeenpaidthedaybefore，tookhimselfoffthesameevening，itmaybehopedhersatisfactionwasnotaltogethercounterfeit。 “Ifalltalesbetrue，“saidMrs。Elton，“LadyEuphrasiaiswhereshecan\'tgetout。“ “Butifsherepentedbeforeshedied？”saidEuphra，withamuffledscorninhertone。 “MydearMissCameron，doyoucallbecominganun——repentance？WeProtestantsknowverywellwhatthatmeans。Besides，youruncledoesnotbelieveit。“ “Haven\'tyoufoundoutyet，dearMrs。Elton，whatmyuncle\'sfavouritephraseis？” “No。Whatisit？” “Idon\'tbelieveit。“ “Younaughtygirl！” “I\'mnotnaughty，“answeredEuphra，affectingtoimitatethesimplicityofachiddenchild。“Myuncleissofondofcastingdoubtuponeverything！Ifsalvationgoesbyquantity，hisfaithwon\'tsavehim。“ EuphraknewwellenoughthatMrs。Eltonwasnotell-tale。Thegoodladyhadhopesofherfromthismoment，becausesheallbutquotedScripturetocondemnheruncle；theverdictcorrespondingwithherownjudgmentofMr。Arnold，foundedontheclearestassertionsofScripture；strengthenedsomewhat，itmustbeconfessed，bythefactthatthespirits，ontheprecedingeveningbutone，hadrappedoutthesentence：“Withoutfaithitisimpossibletopleasehim。“ LadyEmilywasstillinbed，butapparentlymoresickinmindthaninbody。Shesaidshehadtossedaboutallthepreviousnightwithoutoncefallingasleep；andhermaid，whohadsleptinthedressing-roomwithoutwakingonce，corroboratedtheassertion。Inthemorning，Mrs。Elton，wishingtorelievethemaid，sentMargarettoLadyEmily。Margaretarrangedthebedclothesandpillows，whichwereinaveryuncomfortablecondition，satdownbehindthecurtain； and，knowingthatitwouldpleaseLadyEmily，begantosing，inwhattheFrenchcalla，veiledvoice，TheLando\'theLeal。NowtheairofthislovelysongisthesameasthatofScotswhahae；butitisthepibrochofonsetchangedintothecoronachofrepose，singingofthelandbeyondthebattle，oftheenteringinofthosewhohavefoughtthegoodfight，andfalleninthefield。Itisthesilenceafterthethunder。Beforeshehadfinished，LadyEmilywasfastasleep。Asweetpeacefulhalfsmilelightedhertroubledfacegraciously，likethesunshinethatcreepsoutwhenitcan，amidsttherainofanautumnday，saying，“Iamwithyoustill，thoughwearealltroubled。“Findingherthusatrest，Margaretlefttheroomforaminute，tofetchsomework。Whenshereturned，shefoundhertossing，andmoaning，andapparentlyonthepointofwaking。Assoonasshesatdownbyher，hertroublediminishedbydegrees，tillshelayinthesamepeacefulsleepasbefore。Inthisstateshecontinuedfortwoorthreehours，andawokemuchrefreshed。SheheldoutherlittlehandtoMargaret，andsaid： “Thankyou。Thankyou。Whatasweetcreatureyouare！” AndLadyEmilylayandgazedinlovingadmirationatthefaceofthelady\'s-maid。 “ShallIsendSarahtoyounow，mylady？”saidMargaret；“orwouldyoulikemetostaywithyou？” “Oh！you，you，please——ifMrs。Eltoncanspareyou。“ “Shewillonlythinkofyourcomfort，Iknow，mylady。“ “Thatrecallsmetomyduty，andmakesmethinkofher。“ “Butyourcomfortwillbemoretoherthananythingelse。“ “Inthatcaseyoumuststay，Margaret。“ “Withpleasure，mylady。“ Mrs。Eltonentered，andquiteconfirmedwhatMargarethadsaid。 “But，“sheadded，“itistimeLadyEmilyhadsomethingtoeat。Gotothecook，Margaret，andseeifthebeef-teaMissCameronorderedisready。“ Margaretwent。 “Whatacomfortitis，“saidMrs。Elton，wishingtointerestLadyEmily，“thatnow-a-days，wheninfidelityissorampant，suchcorroborationsofSacredWritarespringinguponallsides！TherearethediscoveriesatNineveh；andnowtheseSpiritualManifestations，whichbearwitnesssoclearlytoanotherworld。“ ButLadyEmilymadenoreply。Shebegantotossaboutasbefore，andshowsignsofinexplicablediscomfort。Margarethadhardlybeengonetwominutes，whentheinvalidmoanedout： “WhatatimeMargaretisgone！——whenwillshebeback？” “Iamhere，mylove，“saidMrs。Elton。 “Yes，yes；thankyou。ButIwantMargaret。“ “Shewillbeherepresently。Havepatience，mydear。“ “Please，don\'tletMissCameroncomenearme。IamafraidIamverywicked，butIcan\'tbearhertocomenearme。“ “No，no，dear；wewillkeepyoutoourselves。“ “IsMr——，theforeigngentleman，Imean——below？” “No。Heisgone。“ “Areyousure？Icanhardlybelieveit。“ “Whatdoyoumean，dear？Iamsureheisgone。“ LadyEmilydidnotanswer。Margaretreturned。Shetookthebeef-tea，andgrewquietagain。 “Youmustnotleaveherladyship，Margaret，“whisperedhermistress。 “Shehastakenitintoherheadtolikenoonebutyou，andyoumustjuststaywithher。“ “Verywell，ma\'am。Ishallbemosthappy。“ Mrs。Eltonlefttheroom。LadyEmilysaid： “Readsomethingtome，Margaret。“ “WhatshallIread？” “Anythingyoulike。“ MargaretgotaBible，andreadtoheroneofherfather\'sfavouritechapters，thefortiethofIsaiah。 “IhavenorighttotrustinGod，Margaret。“ “Why，mylady？” “BecauseIdonotfeelanyfaithinhim；andyouknowwecannotbeacceptedwithoutfaith。“ “ThatistomakeGodaschangeableasweare，mylady。“ “ButtheBiblesaysso。“ “Idon\'tthinkitdoes；butifanangelfromheavensaidso，Iwouldnotbelieveit。“ “Margaret！” “Mylady，IloveGodwithallmyheart，andIcannotbearyoushouldthinksoofhim。Youmightaswellsaythatamotherwouldgoawayfromherlittlechild，lyingmoaninginthedark，becauseitcouldnotseeher，andwasafraidtoputitshandoutintothedarktofeelforher。“ “Thenyouthinkhedoescareforus，evenwhenweareverywicked。 Buthecannotbearwickedpeople。“ “Whodarestosaythat？”criedMargaret。“Hashenotbeenmakingtheworldgoonandon，withallthewickednessthatisinit；yes，makingnewbabiestobebornofthievesandmurderersandsadwomenandall，forhundredsofyears？Godhelpus，LadyEmily！Ifhecannotbearwickedpeople，thenthisworldishellitself，andtheBibleisallalie，andtheSaviourdidneverdieforsinners。ItisonlytheholyPhariseesthatcan\'tbearwickedpeople。“ “Oh！howhappyIshouldbe，ifthatweretrue！Ishouldnotbeafraidnow。“ “Youarenotwicked，dearLadyEmily；butifyouwere，Godwouldbendoveryou，tryingtogetyouback，likeafatheroverhissickchild。Willpeopleneverbelieveaboutthelostsheep？” “Oh！yes；Ibelievethat。Butthen——“ “Youcan\'ttrustitquite。TrustinGod，then，theveryfatherofyou——andnevermindthewords。YouhavebeentaughttoturntheverywordsofGodagainsthimself。“ LadyEmilywasweeping。 “LadyEmily，“Margaretwenton，“ifIfeltmyheartashardasastone；ifIdidnotloveGod，orman，orwoman，orlittlechild，I wouldyetsaytoGodinmyheart：\'OGod，seehowItrustthee，becausethouartperfect，andnotchangeablelikeme。Idonotlovethee。Ilovenobody。Iamnotevensorryforit。ThouseesthowmuchIneedtheetocomeclosetome，toputthyarmroundme，tosaytome，mychild；fortheworsemystate，thegreatermyneedofmyfatherwholovesme。Cometome，andmydaywilldawn。Mybeautyandmylovewillcomeback；andoh！howIshalllovethee，myGod！andknowthatmyloveisthylove，myblessednessthybeing。\'“ AsMargaretspoke，sheseemedtohaveforgottenLadyEmily\'spresence，andtobeactuallypraying。Thosewhocannotreceivesuchwordsfromthelipsofalady\'s-maid，mustberemindedwhatherfatherwas，andthatshehadlosthim。ShehadhadadvantagesatleastequaltothosewhichDavidtheShepherdhad——andhewrotethePsalms。 Sheendedwith： “Idonotevendesiretheetocome，yetcomethou。“ SheseemedtoprayentirelyasLadyEmily，notasMargaret。Whenshehadceased，LadyEmilysaid，sobbing： “Youwillnotleaveme，Margaret？Iwilltellyouwhyanothertime。“ “Iwillnotleaveyou，mydearlady。“ Margaretstoopedandkissedherforehead。LadyEmilythrewherarmsroundherneck，andofferedhermouthtobekissedbythemaid。Inanotherminuteshewasfastasleep，withMargaretseatedbyherside，everynowandthenglancingupatherfromherwork，withacalmface，overwhichbroodedthemistoftears。 Thatnight，asHughpacedupanddownthefloorofhisstudyaboutmidnight，hewasawfullystartledbythesuddenopeningofthedoorandtheapparitionofHarryinhisnightshirt，paleasdeath，andscarcelyabletoarticulatethewords： “Theghost！theghost！” Hetookthepoorboyinhisarms，heldhimfast，andcomfortedhim。 Whenhewasalittlesoothed，“Oh，Harry！”hesaid，lightly，“you\'vebeendreaming。Where\'stheghost？” “IntheGhost\'sWalk，“criedHarry，almostshriekinganewwithterror。 “Howdoyouknowitisthere？” “Isawitfrommywindow——Icouldn\'tsleep。Igotupandlookedout——Idon\'tknowwhy——andIsawit！Isawit！” Thewordswerefollowedbyalongcryofterror。 “Comeandshowittome，“saidHugh，wantingtomakelightofit。 “No，no，Mr。Sutherland——pleasenot。Icouldn\'tgobackintothatroom。“ “Verywell，dearHarry；youshan\'tgoback。Youshallsleepwithme，to-night。“ “Oh！thankyou，thankyou，dearMr。Sutherland。Youwilllovemeagain，won\'tyou？” ThistouchedHugh\'sheart。Hecouldhardlyrefrainfromtears。Hisoldlove，buriedbeforeitwasdead，revived。Heclaspedtheboytohisheart，andcarriedhimtohisownbed；then，tocomforthim，undressedandlaydownbesidehim，withoutevengoingtolookifhetoomightnotseetheghost。Shehadbroughtaboutonegoodthingatleastthatnight；though，Ifear，shehadnomeritinit。 LadyEmily\'sroomlikewiselookedoutupontheGhost\'sWalk。 MargaretheardthecryasshesatbythesleepingEmily；and，notknowingwhenceitcame，went，naturallyenough，inherperplexity，tothewindow。Fromitshecouldseedistinctly，foritwasclearmoonlight：awhitefigurewentglidingawayalongthedesertedavenue。Sheimmediatelyguessedwhatthecryhadmeant；butasshehadheardadoorbangdirectlyafter(asHarryshuthisbehindhimwithaterrifiedinstinct，tokeeptheawfulwindowin)，shewasnotveryuneasyabouthim。Shefeltbesidesthatshemustremainwhereshewas，accordingtoherpromisetoLadyEmily。Butsheresolvedtobepreparedforthepossiblerecurrenceofthesameevent，andaccordinglyrevolveditinhermind。ShewassurethatanyreportofitcomingtoLadyEmily\'sears，wouldgreatlyimpedeherrecovery；forsheinstinctivelyfeltthatherillnesshadsomethingtodowiththequestionableoccupationsinthelibrary。Shewatchedbyherbedsideallthenight，slumberingattimes，butrousedinamomentbyanyrestlessnessofthepatient；whenshefoundthat，simplybylayingherhandonhers，orkissingherforehead，shecouldrestoreheratoncetoquietsleep。