第10章

Hughwenttohisroom，andwashedhisfaceandhands。Beforedoingso，hepulledoffhisfingeraringofconsiderablevalue，whichhadbelongedtohisfather。Ashewasleavingtheroomtoreturntothecompany，herememberedthathehadlefttheringonthewashhand-stand。Hegenerallyleftitthereatnight；butnowhebethoughthimselfthat，ashewasnotgoingtosleepintheroom，itmightbeaswelltoplaceitintheescritoire。Heopenedthesecretplace，andlaidthediamondbesidehispoemsandthecrystalringbelongingtoMr。Arnold。Thisdone，hetookuphisbookagain，and，returningtothedrawing-room，foundthewholepartypreparedtoaccompanyhim。Mr。Arnoldhadthekeys。VonFunkelsteinandhewentfirst，andHughfollowedwithEuphra。 “Wewillnotcontributetoyourdiscomfiturebylockingthedoorsontheway，Mr。Sutherland，“saidMr。Arnold。 “Thatis，youwillnotcompelmetowinthewagerinspiteofmyfears，“saidHugh。 “Butyouwilllettheghostlooseonthehousehold，“saidtheBohemian，laughing。 “Iwillberesponsibleforthat，“repliedMr。Arnold。 EuphradroppedalittlebehindwithHugh。 “Rememberthesecretpassage，“saidshe。“Youcangetoutwhenyouwill，whethertheylockthedoor，ornot。Don\'tcarryittoofar，Hugh。“ “Theghostyoumean，Euphra——Idon\'tthinkIshall，“saidHugh，laughing。Butashelaughed，aninvoluntaryshudderpassedthroughhim。 “HaveIsteppedovermyowngrave？”thoughthe。 Theyreachedtheroom，andentered。Hughwouldhavebeggedthemtolockhimin，hadhenotfeltthathisknowledgeofthesecretdoor，would，althoughheintendednouseofit，rendersuchaproposaldishonourable。Theygavehimthekeyofthedoor，tolockitontheinside，andbadehimgoodnight。Theywerejustleavinghim，whenHughonwhomanewlighthadbrokenatlast，inthegradualrestorationofhisfaculties，saidtotheBohemian： “Onewordwithyou，HerrvonFunkelstein，ifyouplease。“ Funkelsteinfollowedhimintotheroom；whenHughhalf-closingthedoor，said： “Itrusttoyoursympathy，asgentleman，nottomisunderstandme。I wageredahundredguineaswithyouintheheatofafter-dinnertalk。 Iamnotatpresentworthahundredshillings。“ “Oh！”beganFunkelstein，withasneer，“ifyouwishtogetoffonthatground——“ “HerrvonFunkelstein，“interruptedHugh，inaverydecidedtone，“I pointedtoyoursympathyasagentleman，asthegroundonwhichI hadhopedtomeetyounow。Ifyouhavedifficultyinfindingthatground，anothermaybefoundto-morrowwithoutmuchseeking。“ Hughpausedforamomentaftermakingthisgrandspeech；butFunkelsteindidnotseemtounderstandhim：hestoodinawaitingattitude。Hughthereforewenton： “Meantime，whatIwantedtosayisthis：——Ihavejustleftaringinmyroom，which，thoughinvalueconsiderablybelowthesummentionedbetweenus，mayyetbeapledgeofmygoodfaith，inasfarasitisofinfinitelymorevaluetomethancanbereckonedinmoney。Itwasthepropertyofonewhobybirth，andperhapsbysocialpositionaswell，wasHerrvonFunkelstein\'sequal。Theringisadiamond，andbelongedtomyfather。“ VonFunkelsteinmerelyreplied： “Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Sutherland，formisunderstandingyou。Theringisquiteanequivalent。“Andmakinghimarespectfulbow，heturnedandlefthim。 CHAPTERXXIV。 THELADYEUPHRASIA。 Theblackjadesofswartnighttrotfoggyrings\'Boutheaven\'sbrow。\'Tisnowstarkdeadnight。 JOHNMARSTON——SecondPartofAntonioandMellida。 AssoonasHughwasalone，hisfirstactionwastolockthedoorbywhichhehadentered；hisnexttotakethekeyfromthelock，andputitinhispocket。Hethenlookediftherewereanyotherfastenings，andfindinganoldtarnishedbrassboltaswell，succeededinmakingitdoitsdutyforthefirsttimethatcentury，whichrequiredsomepersuasion，asmaybesupposed。Hethenturnedtowardstheotherdoor。Ashecrossedtheroom，hefoundfourcandles，adecanterofport，andsomebiscuits，onatable——placedthere，nodoubt，bythekindhandsofEuphra。Hevowedtohimselfthathewouldnottouchthewine。“Ihavehadenoughofthatforonenight，“saidhe。Buthelightedthecandles；andthensawthatthecouchwasprovidedwithplentyofwrapsforthenight。Oneofthem——herecognisedtohisdelight——wasaCamerontartan，oftenwornbyEuphra。Heburiedhisfaceinitforamoment，anddrewfromitfreshcourage。Hethenwentintothefurthestrecess，liftedthetapestry，andproceededtofastentheconcealeddoor。But，tohisdiscomfiture，hecouldfindnofasteninguponit。“Nodoubt，“ thoughthe，“itdoesfasten，insomesecretwayorother。“Buthecoulddiscovernone。Therewasnomarkofboltorsockettoshowwhenceonehadbeenremoved，norsignoffrictiontoindicatethatthedoorhadeverbeenmadesecureinsuchfashion。Itclosedwithaspring。 “Then，“saidHugh，apostrophisingthedoor，“Imustwatchyou。“ As，however，itwasnotyetnearthetimewhenghostsaretobeexpected，andashefeltverytired，hedrankoneglassofthewine，andthrowinghimselfonthecouch，drewEuphra\'sshawloverhim，openedhisbook，andbegantoread。Butthewordssoonvanishedinabewilderingdance，andheslept。 HestartedawakeinthatagonyoffearinwhichIsupposemostpeoplehaveawakedinthenight，onceortwiceintheirlives。Hefeltthathewasnotalone。Butthefeelingseemed，whenherecalledit，tohavebeenaltogetherdifferentfromthatwithwhichwerecognisethepresenceofthemostunwelcomebodilyvisitor。Thewholeofhisnervousskeletonseemedtoshudderandcontract。Everysensewasintensifiedtotheacmeofitsacuteness；whilethepowersofvolitionwereinoperative。Hecouldnotmoveafinger。 ThemomentinwhichhefirstsawtheobjectIamabouttodescribe，hecouldnotrecall。Theimpressionmadeseemedtohavebeentoostrongfortheobjectreceivingit，destroyingthusitsowntraces，asanoverheatedbrand-ironwouldindrytimber。Oritmaybethat，aftersuchapre-sensation，thecauseofitcouldnotsurprisehim。 Hesaw，afewpacesoff，bendingasiflookingdownuponhim，afacewhich，ifdescribedashedescribedit，wouldbepronouncedasfarpastthemostliberalboundary-lineofart，asitselfhadpassedbeyondthatdegreeofchangeatwhichahumancountenanceisfitfortheupperworldnolonger，andmustbehiddenawayoutofsight。 Thelipsweredark，anddrawnbackfromtheclosedteeth，whichwerewhiteasthoseofaskull。Therewerespots——infact，thefacecorrespondedexactlytothedescriptiongivenbyFunkelsteinofthereportedghostofLadyEuphrasia。Thedresswaspointforpointcorrespondenttothatinthepicture。HadtheportraitofLadyEuphrasiabeenhangingonthewallabove，insteadoftheportraitoftheunknownnun，Hughwouldhavethought，asfarasdresswasconcerned，thatithadcomealive，andsteppedfromitsframe——exceptforonething：therewasnoringonthethumb。 Itwaswonderfultohimselfafterwards，thatheshouldhaveobservedalltheseparticulars；butthefactwas，thattheyratherburntthemselvesinuponhisbrain，thanweretakennoticeofbyhim。 Theyreturneduponhimafterwardsbydegrees，asonebecomessensibleofthepainofawound。 Buttherewasonesignoflife。Thoughtheeyeswereclosed，tearsflowedfromthem；andseemedtohavewornchannelsfortheirconstantflowdownthisfaceofdeath，whichoughttohavebeenlyingstillinthegrave，returningtoitsdust，andwasweepingabovegroundinstead。Thefigurestoodforamoment，asonewhowouldgaze，couldshebutopenherheavy，death-rustedeyelids。 Then，asifinhopelessdefeat，sheturnedaway。Andthen，tocrownthehorrorliterallyaswellasfiguratively，Hughsawthatherhairsparkledandgleamedgoldenly，asthehairofasaintmight，iftheaureolewerecombeddownintoit。Shemovedtowardsthedoorwithafetteredpace，suchasonemightattributetothedeadiftheywalked；——tothedeadbody，Isay，nottothelivingghost；tothatwhichhaslainintheprison-hold，tillthejointsaredecayedwiththegrave-damps，andthemusclesarestiffwithmorethandeathlycold。Shedraggedonelimbaftertheotherslowlyand，toappearance，painfully，asshemovedtowardsthedoorwhichHughhadlocked。 Whenshehadgonehalf-waytothedoor，Hugh，lyingashewasonacouch，couldseeherfeet，forherdressdidnotreachtheground。 Theywerebare，asthefeetofthedeadoughttobe，whichareabouttotreadsoftlyintherealmofHades，Buthowstainedandmouldyandiron-spotted，asiftherainhadbeensoakingthroughthespongycoffin，didthedressshowbesidethepurewhitenessofthoseexquisitefeet！Notasignofthetombwasuponthem。Small，living，delicatelyformed，Hugh，couldhehaveforgotthefacetheyboreabove，mighthaveenviedthefloorwhichintheirnakednesstheyseemedtocaress，solingeringlydidtheymovefromitintheirnoiselessprogress。 Shereachedthedoor，putoutherhand，andtouchedit。Hughsawitopenoutwardsandletherthrough。Nordidthisstrikehimasinthesmallestdegreemarvellous。Itclosedagainbehindher，noiselessasherfootfalls。 Themomentshevanished，thepowerofmotionreturnedtohim，andHughsprangtohisfeet。Heleapedtothedoor。Withtremblinghandheinsertedthekey，andthelockcreakedasheturnedit。 Inproofofhisbeingintolerablepossessionofhisfacultiesatthemoment，andthatwhathewasrelatingtomeactuallyoccurred，hetoldmethatherememberedatoncethathehadheardthatpeculiarcreak，afewmomentsbeforeEuphraandhediscoveredthattheywereleftaloneinthisverychamber。Hehadneverthoughtofitbefore。 Stillthedoorwouldnotopen：itwasboltedaswell，andtheboltwasverystifftowithdraw。Butatlengthhesucceeded。 Whenhereachedthepassageoutside，hethoughthesawtheglimmerofalight，perhapsinthepicture-gallerybeyond。Towardsthishegropedhisway——Hecouldneveraccountforthefact，thatheleftthecandlesburningintheroombehindhimandwentforwardintothedarkness，exceptbysupposingthathiswitshadgoneastray，inconsequenceoftheshocktheapparitionhadoccasionedthem——Whenhereachedthegallery，therewasnolightthere；butsomewhereinthedistancehesaw，orfancied，afaintshimmer。 Theimpulsetogotowardsitwastoostrongtobedisputedwith。Headvancedwithoutstretchedarms，groping。Afterafewsteps，hehadlostallideaofwherehewas，orhowheoughttoproceedinordertoreachanyknownquarter。Thelighthadvanished。Hestood——Wasthatastealthystepheheardbesidehiminthedark？Hehadnotimetospeculate，forthenextmomenthefellsenseless。 CHAPTERXXV。 NEXTMORNING。 Darknessisfled：look，infantmornhathdrawnBrightsilvercurtains\'boutthecouchofnight； AndnowAurora\'shorsetrotsazurerings，Breathingfairlightaboutthefirmament。 Stand；what\'sthat？ JOHNMARSTON——SecondPartofAntonioandMellida。 Whenhecametohimself，itwaswithaslowflowingofthetideofconsciousness。Hisheadached。Hadhefallendownstairs？——orhadhestruckhisheadagainstsomeprojection，andsostunnedhimself？ Thelastherememberedwas——standingquitestillinthedark，andhearingsomething。Hadhebeenknockeddown？Hecouldnottell——Wherewashe？Couldtheghosthavebeenalladream？andthisheadachebenature\'srevengeuponlastnight\'swine？——Forhelayonthecouchinthehauntedchamber，andonhisbosomlaythebookoverwhichhehaddroppedasleep。 Mingledwithallthisdoubt，therewasanother。Forherememberedthat，whenconsciousnessfirstreturned，hefeltasifhehadseenEuphra\'sfacebendingdowncloseoverhis——Coulditbepossible？ HadEuphraherselfcometoseehowhehadfared？——Theroomlayinthegreylightofthedawn，butEuphrawasnowherevisible。Couldshehavevanishedashamedthroughthesecretdoor？Orhadshebeenonlyaphantasy，aprojectionoutwardsoftheformthatdweltinhisbrain；aphenomenonoftenoccurringwhenthelastofsleepingandthefirstofwakingareindistinguishablyblendedinavagueconsciousness？ Butifitwasso，thentheghost？——whatofit？Hadnothisbrain，bytheeventsoftheprecedingevening，beensimilarlypreparedwithregardtoit？Wasitnotmorelikely，afterall，thatshetoowastheoffspringofhisownimagination——thepowerthatmakesimages——especiallywhenconsidered，thatsheexactlycorrespondedtothedescriptiongivenbytheBohemian？——ButhadhenotobservedmanypointsatwhichtheCounthadnotevenhinted？——Still，itwasasnaturaltoexpectthatanexcitedimaginationshouldsupplythedetailsofawhollyimaginaryspectacle，asthat，giventheideaofEuphra\'spresence，itshouldpresentthedetailofhercountenance； forthecreationofthatwhichisnot，belongsasmuchtotherealmoftheimagination，asthereproductionofthatwhichis。 ItseemedverystrangetoHughhimself，thatheshouldbeablethustotheorize，beforeevenhehadraisedhimselffromthecouchonwhich，perhaps，afterall，hehadlainwithoutmoving，throughoutthatterriblenight，swarmingwiththehorrorsofthedeadthatwouldnotsleep。Butthelongunconsciousness，inwhichhehadhimselfvisitedtheregionsofdeath，seemedtohaverestoredhim，inspiteofhisachinghead，toperfectmentalequilibrium。Or，atleast，hisbrainwasquietenoughtolethismindwork。Still，hefeltveryghastlywithin。Heraisedhimselfonhiselbow，andlookedintotheroom。Everythingwasthesameasithadbeenthenightbefore，onlywithanalteredaspectinthedawn-light。Thedawnhasapeculiarterrorofitsown，sometimesperhapsevenmorerealincharacter，butverydifferentfromtheterrorsofthenightandofcandle-light。Theroomlookedasifnoghostcouldhavepassedthroughitsstilloldmustyatmosphere，soperfectlyreposefuldiditappear；andyetitseemedasifsomeumbra，sometemporaryandnowcast-offbodyoftheghost，mustbelyingorlingeringsomewhereaboutit。Herose，andpeepedintotherecesswherethecabinetstood。Nothingwastherebutthewellrememberedcarvingandblackness。Havingonceyieldedtotheimpulse，hecouldnotkeepfrompeeringeverymoment，nowintoone，andnowintoanotherofthemanyhiddencorners。Thenextsuggestingitselfforexamination，wasalwaysonehecouldnotseefromwherehestood：——afterall，eveninthedaylight，theremightbesomedeadthingthere——whocouldtell？Butheremainedmanfullyathisposttillthesunrose；tillbellafterbellrangfromtheturret；till，inshort，Funkelsteincametofetchhim。 “Goodmorning，Mr。Sutherland，“saidhe。“Howhaveyouslept？” “Likea——somnambulist，“answeredHugh，choosingthewordforitsintensity。“IsleptsosoundthatIwokequiteearly。“ “Iamgladtohearit。Butitisnearlytimeforbreakfast，forwhichceremonyIammyselfhardlyintrimyet。“ Sosaying，Funkelsteinturned，andwalkedawaywithsomeprecipitation。WhatoccasionedHughalittlesurprise；was，thathedidnotaskhimonequestionmoreastohowhehadpassedthenight。 Hehad，ofcourse，sleptinthehouse，seeinghepresentedhimselfindeshabille。 Hughhastenedtohisownroom，where，undertheanti-ghostialinfluencesofthebath，hemadeuphismindnottosayawordabouttheapparitiontoanyone。 “Well，Mr。Sutherland，howhaveyouspentthenight？”saidMr。 Arnold，greetinghim。 “Isleptwithprofoundstupidity，“answeredHugh；“astupidity，infact，quiteworthyofthefollyoftheprecedingwager。“ Thiswastrue，asrelatingtothetimeduringwhichhehadslept，butwas，ofcourse，falseintheimpressionitgave。 “Bravo！”exclaimedMr。Arnold，withanunwontedimpulsiveness。“Thebestmood，Iconsider，inwhichtomeetsuchcreationsofotherpeople\'sbrains！Andyoupositivelypassedapleasantnightintheawfulchamber？ThatissomethingtotellEuphra。Butsheisnotdownyet。Youhaverestoredthecharacterofmyhouse，Mr。 Sutherland；andnexttohisowncharacter，amanoughttocareforthatofhishouse。Iamgreatlyinyourdebt，sir。“ Atthismoment，Euphra\'smaidbroughtthemessage，thathermistresswassorryshewasunabletoappearatbreakfast。 Mrs。Eltontookherplace。 “Thedayissowarmandstill，Mr。Arnold，thatIthinkLadyEmilymighthaveadriveto-day。PerhapsMissCameronmaybeabletojoinusbythattime。“ “IcannotthinkwhatisthematterwithEuphra，“saidMr。Arnold。 “Sheneverusedtobeaffectedinthisway。“ “Shouldyounotseeksomemedicalopinion？”saidMrs。Elton。“Theseconstantheadachesmustindicatesomethingwrong。“ Theconstantheadachehadoccurredjustoncebefore，sinceMrs。 Eltonhadformedoneofthefamily。Afterapause，Mr。Arnoldrevertedtotheformersubject。 “Youaremostwelcometothecarriage，Mrs。Elton。IamsorryI cannotaccompanyyoumyself；butImustgototownto-day。YoucantakeMr。Sutherlandwithyou，ifyoulike。Hewilltakecareofyou。“ “Ishallbemosthappy，“saidHugh。 “Soshallweall，“respondedMrs。Eltonkindly。“Thankyou，Mr。 Arnold；thoughIamsorryyoucan\'tgowithus。“ “WhathourshallIorderthecarriage？” “Aboutone，Ithink。WillHerrvonFunkelsteinfavouruswithhiscompany？” “Iamsorry，“repliedFunkelstein；“butItoomustleaveforLondonto-day。ShallIhavethepleasureofaccompanyingyou，Mr。Arnold？” “Withallmyheart，ifyoucanleavesoearly。Imustgoatoncetocatchtheexpresstrain。“ “Ishallbereadyintenminutes。“ “Verywell。“ “Pray，Mrs。Elton，makemyadieustoMissCameron。Iamconcernedtohearofherindisposition。“ “Withpleasure。Iamgoingtohernow。Good-bye。“ AssoonasMrs。Eltonleftthebreakfast-room，Mr。Arnoldrose，saying： “Iwillwalkroundtothestable，andorderthecarriagemyself。I shallthenbeable，throughyourmeans，Mr。Sutherland，toputastoptotheseabsurdrumoursinperson。NotthatImeantosayanythingdirect，asifIplacedanyimportanceuponit；but，thecoachmanbeinganoldservant，Ishallbeablethroughhim，tosendthereportofyourcourageanditsresult，alloverthehouse。“ Thiswasaverygraciousexplanationofhismeasures。Asheconcludedit，helefttheroom，withoutallowingtimeforareply。 Hughhadnotexpectedsuchanimmediateconsequenceofhispolicy，andfeltratheruncomfortable；buthesoonconsoledhimselfbythinking，“Atleastitwilldonoharm。“ WhileMr。Arnoldwasspeaking，Funkelsteinhadbeenwritingataside-table。HenowhandedHughachequeonaLondonbanking-houseforahundredguineas。Hugh，inhisinnocence，couldnothelpfeelingashamedofgainingsuchasumbysuchmeans；forbetting，liketobacco-smoking，needsaspecialtrainingbeforeitcanbecarriedoutquitecomfortably，especiallybythewinner，ifhebeatallofagenerousnature。Buthefeltthattoshowtheleastreluctancewouldplacehimatgreatdisadvantagewithamanoftheworldlikethecount。Hethereforethankedhimslightly，andthrustthechequeintohistrowsers-pocket，asifagreatersumofmoneythanhehadeverhandledbeforewerenothingmoreforhimtowin，thanthecountwouldchooseittobeconsideredforhimtolose。Hethoughtwithhimself：“Ah！well，Ineednotmakeuseofit；“andrepairedtotheschool-room。 HerehefoundHarrywaitingforhim，lookingtolerablywell，andtolerablyhappy。ThiswasagreatrelieftoHugh，forhehadnotseenhimatthebreakfast-table——Harryhavingrisenearlyandbreakfastedbefore；andhehadfeltveryuneasylesttheboyshouldhavemissedhiminthenight(fortheywerestillbed-fellows)，andshouldinconsequencehavehadoneofhisdreadfulattacksoffear——Itwasevidentthatthishadnottakenplace。 CHAPTERXXVI。 ANACCIDENT。 There\'saspecialprovidenceinthefallofasparrow。 Hamlet。 WhenMrs。Eltonleftthebreakfasttable，shewentstraighttoMissCameron\'sroomtoinquireafterher，expectingtofindhermaidwithher。Butwhensheknockedatthedoor，therewasnoreply。 Shewentthereforetoherownroom，andsenthermaidtofindEuphra\'smaid。 Shecame。 “Isyourmistressgoingtogetupto-day，Jane？”askedMrs。Elton。 “Idon\'tknow，ma\'am。Shehasnotrungyet。“ “Haveyounotbeentoseehowsheis？” “No，ma\'am。“ “Howwasityoubroughtthatmessageatbreakfast，then？” Janelookedconfused，anddidnotreply。 “Jane！”saidMrs。Elton，inatoneofobjurgation。 “Well，ma\'am，shetoldmetosayso，“answeredJane。 “Howdidshetellyou？” Janepausedagain。 “Throughthedoor，ma\'am，“sheansweredatlength；andthenmuttered，thattheywouldmakehertellliesbyaskingherquestionsshecouldn\'tanswer；andshewishedshewasoutofthehouse，thatshedid。 Mrs。Eltonheardthis，and，ofcourse，feltconsiderablypuzzled。 “Willyougonow，please，andinquireafteryourmistress，withmycompliments？” “Idaren\'t，ma\'am。“ “Daren\'t！Whatdoyoumean？” “Well，ma\'am，thereissomethingaboutmymistress——“Hereshestoppedabruptly；butasMrs。Eltonstoodexpectant，shetriedtogoon。Allshecouldadd，however，was——“No，ma\'am；Idaren\'t。“ “Butthereisnoharmingoingtoherroom。“ “Oh，no，ma\'am。Igotoherroom，summerandwinter，atseveno\'clockeverymorning，“answeredJane，apparentlygladtobeabletosaysomething。 “Whywon\'tyougonow，then？” “Why——why——becauseshetoldme——“Herethegirlstammeredandturnedpale。Atlengthsheforcedoutthewords——“Shewon\'tletmetellyouwhy，“andburstintotears。 “Won\'tletyoutellme？”repeatedMrs。Elton，beginningtothinkthegirlmustbeoutofhermind。Janelookedhurriedlyoverhershoulder，asifsheexpectedtoseehermistressstandingbehindher，andthensaid，almostdefiantly： “No，shewon\'t；andIcan\'t。“ Withthesewords，shehurriedoutoftheroom，whileMrs。EltonturnedwithbaffledbewildermenttoseekcounselfromthefaceofMargaret。Astowhatallthismeant，Iamindoubt。IhaverecordeditasMargarettoldittoHughafterwards——becauseitseemstoindicatesomething。Itshowsevidentlyenough，thatifEuphrahadmorethanausualinfluenceoverservantsingeneral，shehadagreatdealmoreoverthismaidinparticular。WasthisinvirtueofapowersimilartothatofCountHalkaroverherself？Andwasthis，orsomethingverydifferent，orbothcombined，theartwhichhehadaccusedheroffirstexercisinguponhim？Mightthefactthatherdefeathadresultedinsuchabsolutesubjection，beconnectedwithherpossessionofapowersimilartohis，whichshehadmatchedwithhisinvain？OfcourseIonlysuggestthesequestions。Icannotanswerthem。 Atoneo\'clock，thecarriagecameroundtothedoor；andHugh，inthehopeofseeingEuphraalone，wasthefirstinthehall。Mrs。 EltonandLadyEmilypresentlycame，andproceededtotaketheirplaces，withoutseemingtoexpectMissCameron。Hughhelpedthemintothecarriage；but，insteadofgettingin，lingered，hopingthatEuphrawasyetgoingtomakeherappearance。 “IfearMissCameronisunabletojoinus，“saidMrs。Elton，divininghisdelay。 “ShallIrunup-stairs，andknockatherdoor？”saidHugh。 “Do，“saidMrs。Elton，who，aftertheunsatisfactoryconversationshehadheldwithhermaid，hadfeltbothuneasyandcurious，allthemorning。 Hughboundedup-stairs；but，justashewasgoingtoknock，thedooropened，andEuphra，appeared。 “DearEuphra！howillyoulook！”exclaimedHugh。 Shewaspaleasdeath，anddarkundertheeyes；andhadevidentlybeenweeping。 “Hush！hush！”sheanswered。“Nevermind。Itisonlyabadheadache。 Don\'ttakeanynoticeofit。“ “Thecarriageisatthedoor。Willyounotcomewithus？” “Withwhom？” “LadyEmilyandMrs。Elton。“ “Iamsickofthem。“ “Iamgoing，Euphra。“ “Staywithme。“ “Imustgo。Ipromisedtotakecareofthem。“ “Oh，nonsense！Whatshouldhappentothem？Staywithme。“ “No。Iamverysorry。IwishIcould。“ “ThenImustgowithyou，Isuppose。“Yethertoneexpressedannoyance。 “Oh！thankyou，“criedHughindelight。“Makehaste。Iwillrundown，andtellthemtowait。“ Heboundedaway，andtoldtheladiesthatEuphrawouldjointheminafewminutes。 ButEuphrawascoolenoughtoinflictonthemquitetwentyminutesofwaiting；bywhichtimeshewasabletobehavewithtolerablepropriety。Whenshedidappearatlast，shewascloselyveiled，andsteppedintothecarriagewithoutonceshowingherface。Butshemadeaveryprettyapologyforthedelayshehadoccasioned；whichwascertainlydue，seeingithadbeenperfectlyintentional。ShemaderoomforHugh；hetookhisplacebesideher；andawaytheydrove。 Euphrascarcelyspoke；butbeggedindulgence，onthegroundofherheadache。LadyEmilyenjoyedthedriveverymuch，andsaidagreatmanypleasantlittlenothings。 “Wouldyoulikeaglassofmilk？”saidMrs。Eltontoher，astheypassedafarm-houseontheestate。 “Ishould——verymuch，“answeredLadyEmily。 Thecarriagewasstopped，andtheservantsenttobegaglassofmilk。Euphra，who，fromridingbackwardwithaheadache，hadbeenfeelingveryuncomfortableforsometime，wishedtogetoutwhilethecarriagewaswaiting。Hughjumpedout，andassistedher。Shewalkedalittleway，leaningonhisarm，uptothehouse，whereshehadaglassofwater；afterwhichshesaidshefeltbetter，andreturnedwithhimtothecarriage。Ingettinginagain，eitherfromthecarelessnessortheweaknessoccasionedbysuffering，herfootslippedfromthestep，andshefellwithacryofalarm。Hughcaughtherasshefell；andshewouldnothavebeenmuchinjured，hadnotthehorsesstartedandsprungforwardatthemoment，sothatthehindwheelofthecarriagepassedoverherankle。Hugh，raisingherinhisarms，foundshewasinsensible。 Helaidherdownuponthegrassbytheroadside。Waterwasprocured，butsheshowednosignofrecovering——Whatwastobedone？Mrs。Eltonthoughtshehadbetterbecarriedtothefarm-house。Hughjudgeditbettertotakeherhomeatonce。Tothis，afteralittleargument，Mrs。Eltonagreed。 Theyliftedherintothecarriage，andmadewhatarrangementstheybestcouldtoallowhertorecline。Bloodwasflowingfromherfoot；anditwassomuchswollenthatitwasimpossibletoguessattheamountoftheinjury。Thefootwasalreadytwicethesizeoftheother，inwhichHughforthefirsttimerecognisedsuchadelicacyofform，as，tohisfastidiouseyeandalreadyensnaredheart，wouldhavebeenperfectlyenchanting，butfortheagonyhesufferedfromtheinjurytotheother。Yethecouldnothelpthethoughtcrossinghismind，thatherhabitofneverliftingherdresswasaverystrangeone，andthatitmusthavehadsomethingtodowiththepresentaccident。Icannotaccountforthishabit，butononeoftwosuppositions；thatofanaffecteddelicacy，orthatofthedesirethatthebeautyofherfeetshouldhaveitsfullpower，frombeingrarelyseen。Butitwasdreadfultothinkhowfartheeffectsofthisaccidentmightpermanentlyinjurethebeautyofoneofthem。 Hughwouldhavewalkedhomethatshemighthavemoreroom，butheknewhecouldbeusefulwhentheyarrived。Heseatedhimselfsoastosupporttheinjuredfoot，andprevent，insomemeasure，thetorturingeffectsofthemotionofthecarriage。Whentheyhadgoneabouthalf-way，sheopenedhereyesfeebly，glancedathim，andclosedthemagainwithamoanofpain。 Hecarriedherinhisarmsuptoherownroom，andlaidheronacouch。Shethankedhimbyapitifulattemptatasmile。Hemountedhishorse，andgallopedforasurgeon。 Theinjurywasaseriousone；butuntiltheswellingcouldbealittlereduced，itwasimpossibletotellhowserious。Thesurgeon，however，fearedthatsomeofthebonesoftheanklemightbecrushed。Theankleseemedtobedislocated，andthesufferingwasfrightful。Sheendureditwell，however——sofarasabsolutesilenceconstitutesendurance。 Hugh\'smiserywasextreme。Thesurgeonhadrequiredhisassistance； butasuitablenursesoonarrived，andtherewasnopretextforhisfurtherpresenceinthesickchamber。Hewanderedaboutthegrounds。Harryhauntedhisstepslikeaspaniel。Thepoorboyfeltitmuch；andthesufferingabstractionofHughsealeduphischiefwellofcomfort。AtlengthhewenttoMrs。Elton，whodidherbesttoconsolehim。 Bythesurgeon\'sexpressorders，everyonebutthenursewasexcludedfromEuphra\'sroom。 CHAPTERXXVII。 MORETROUBLES。 ComeonanddoyourbestTofrightmewithyoursprites：you\'repowerfulatit。 YousmellthisbusinesswithasenseascoldAsisadeadman\'snose。 AWinter\'sTale。 WhenMr。Arnoldcamehometodinner，andheardoftheaccident，hisfirstfeeling，asisthecasewithweakmen，wasoneofmingledannoyanceandanger。Hughwasthechiefobjectofit；forhadhenotcommittedtheladiestohiscare？Andtheeconomyofhishousebeingpartiallydisarrangedbyit，hadhenotagoodrighttobeangry？Hissecondfeelingwasoneofconcernforhisniece，whichwasgreatlyincreasedwhenhefoundthatshewasnotinastatetoseehim。Still，nothingmustinterferewiththeorderofthings； andwhenHughwentintothedrawing-roomattheusualhour，hefoundMr。Arnoldstandingthereintailcoatandwhiteneck-cloth，lookingasifhehadjustarrivedatafriend\'shouse，tomakeoneofastupidparty。Andthepartywhichsatdowntodinnerwascertainlydrearyenough，consistingonly，besidesthehosthimself，ofMrs。 Elton，Hugh，andHarry。LadyEmilyhadhadexertionenoughfortheday，andhadbesidessharedintheshockofEuphra\'smisfortune。 Mr。Arnoldwasconsiderablyoutofhumour，andreadytopounceuponanyobjectofcomplaint。HewouldhaveattackedHughwithapompousspeechonthesubjectofhiscarelessness，buthewasratherafraidofhistutornow；——socertainlywillthestrongergettheupperhandintime。Hedidnotevenrefertothesubjectoftheaccident。 Therefore，althoughitfilledthemindsofallattable，itwasscarcelymorethanalludedto。Buthavingnothingathandtofindfaultwithmoresuitable，helaidholdofthefirstwiseremarkvolunteeredbygoodMrs。Elton；whereuponanamusingpasdedeuximmediatelyfollowed；foritcouldnotbecalledaduel，inasmuchaseachantagonistkeptskippingharmlesslyabouttheother，explodingtheologicalcrackers，firmlybelievedbythedischargertobenolessthanbomb-shells。AtlengthMrs。Eltonwithdrew。 “Bytheway，Mr。Sutherland，“saidMr。Arnold，“haveyousucceededindecipheringthatcuriousinscriptionyet？Idon\'tliketheringtoremainlongoutofmyownkeeping。Itisquiteanheirloom，I assureyou。“ Hughwasforcedtoconfessthathehadneverthoughtofitagain。 “ShallIfetchitatonce？”addedhe。 “Oh！no，“repliedMr。Arnold。“Ishouldreallyliketounderstandtheinscription。To-morrowwilldoperfectlywell。“ Theywenttothedrawing-room。Everythingwaswretched。Howevermanyghostsmightbeinthehouse，itseemedtoHughthattherewasnosoulinitexceptinoneroom。Thewindsighedfitfully，andtherainfellinslow，soundlessshowers。Mr。ArnoldfeltthevacantoppressionaswellasHugh。MrsEltonhavinggonetoLadyEmily\'sroom，heproposedbackgammon；andonthatsurpassinggame，thegentlemenexpendedthebestpartoftwodrearyhours。WhenHughreachedhisroomhewastootiredandspiritlessforanyintellectualeffort；and，insteadoftryingtodecipherthering，wenttobed，andsleptasiftherewereneveraghostorawomanintheuniverse。 Hisfirstproceeding，afterbreakfastnextday，wastogettogetherhisGermanbooks；andhisnexttotakeoutthering，whichwastobesubjectedtotheiranalyticalinfluences。Hewenttohisdesk，andopenedthesecretplace。Therehestoodfixed——Theringwasgone。 Hispacketofpaperswasthere，rathercrumpled：theringwasnowhere。Whathadbecomeofit？Itwasnotlongbeforeaconclusionsuggesteditself。Itflasheduponhimallatonce。 “Theghosthasgotit，“hesaid，halfaloud。“Itisshiningnowonherdeadfinger。ItwasLadyEuphrasia。Shewasgoingforitthen。 Itwasn\'tonherthumbwhenshewent。Shecamebackwithit，shiningthroughthedark——steppedoverme，perhaps，asIlayonthefloorinherway。“ Heshivered，likeoneinanague-fit。 Againandagain，withthatfrenzied，mechanicalmotion，which，liketheeyesofaghost，has“nospeculation“init，hesearchedthereceptacle，althoughitfreelyconfesseditsemptinesstoanyaskingeye。Thenhestoodgazing，andhisheartseemedtostandstilllikewise。 Butanewthoughtstunghim，turninghimalmostsickwithasenseofloss。Suddenlyandfranticallyhedivedhishandintotheplaceyetagain，uselessasheknewthesearchtobe。Hetookuphispapers，andscatteredthemloose。Itwasallunavailing：hisfather\'sringwasgoneaswell。 Hesankonachairforamoment；but，instantlyrecovering，foundhimself，beforehewasquiteawareofhisownresolution，halfwaydownstairs，onhiswaytoMr。Arnold\'sroom。Itwasempty。Herangforhisservant。Mr。Arnoldhadgoneawayonhorseback，andwouldnotbehometilldinner-time。CounselfromMrs。Eltonwashopeless。HelpfromEuphrahecouldnotask。Hereturnedtohisownroom。TherehefoundHarrywaitingforhim。Hisneglectedpupilwasnowhisonlycomforter。Sucharetherevengesofdivinegoodness。 “Harry！”hesaid，“Ihavebeenrobbed。“ “Robbed！”criedHarry，startingup。“Nevermind，Mr。Sutherland；mypapa\'sajusticeofthepeace。He\'llcatchthethiefforyou。“ “Butit\'syourpapa\'sringthatthey\'vestolen。Helentittome，andwhatifheshouldnotbelieveme？” “Notbelieveyou，Mr。Sutherland？Buthemustbelieveyou。Iwilltellhimallaboutit；andheknowsInevertoldhimalieinmylife。“ “Butyoudon\'tknowanythingaboutit，Harry。“ “Butyouwilltellme，won\'tyou？” Hughcouldnothelpsmilingwithpleasureattheconfidencehispupilplacedinhim。Hehadnotmuchfearaboutbeingbelieved，but，atthebest，itwasanunpleasantoccurrence。 Thelossofhisownringnotonlyaddedtohisvexation，buttohisperplexityaswell。Whatcouldshewantwithhisring？Couldshehavecarriedwithhersuchapassionforjewels，astocomefromthegravetoappropriatethoseofothersaswellastoreclaimherown？ WasthishercomfortinHades，\'poorghost\'？ WoulditbebettertotellMr。Arnoldofthelossofbothrings，orshouldhementionthecrystalonly？Hecametotheconclusionthatitwouldonlyexasperatehimthemore，andperhapsturnsuspicionuponhimself，ifhecommunicatedthefactthathetoowasaloser，andtosuchanextent；forHugh\'sringwasworthtwentyoftheother，andwascertainlyassacredasMr。Arnold\'s，ifnotsoancient。Hewouldbearitinsilence。Iftheonecouldnotbefound，therecouldcertainlybenohopeoftheother。 Punctualastheclock，Mr。Arnoldreturned。Itdidnotprejudicehiminfavourofthereporterofbadtidings，thathebeggedawordwithhimbeforedinner，whenthatwasonthepointofbeingserved。 Itwas，indeed，exceedingimpolitic；butHughwouldhavefeltlikeanimpostor，hadhesatdowntothetablebeforemakinghisconfession。 “Mr。Arnold，IamsorrytosayIhavebeenrobbed，andinyourhouse，too。“ “Inmyhouse？Ofwhat，pray，Mr。Sutherland？” Mr。Arnoldhadtakentheinformationassomeweakmentakeanykindofinformationreferringtothemselvesortheirbelongings——namely，asaninsult。Hedrewhimselfup，andloweredportentously。 “Ofyourring，Mr。Arnold。“ “Of——my——ring？” Andhelookedathisring-finger，asifhecouldnotunderstandtheimportofHugh\'swords。 “Oftheringyoulentmetodecipher，“explainedHugh。 “DoyousupposeIdonotunderstandyou，Mr。Sutherland？Aringwhichhasbeeninthefamilyfortwohundredyearsatleast！Robbedofit？Inmyhouse？Youmusthavebeendisgracefullycareless，Mr。 Sutherland。Youhavelostit。“ “Mr。Arnold，“saidHugh，withdignity，“Iamaboveusingsuchasubterfuge，evenifitwerenotcertaintothrowsuspicionwhereitwasundeserved。“ Mr。Arnoldwasagentleman，asfarashisself-importanceallowed。 Hedidnotapologizeforwhathehadsaid，buthechangedhismanneratonce。 “Iamquitebewildered，Mr。Sutherland。Itisaveryannoyingpieceofnews——formanyreasons。“ “IcanshowyouwhereIlaidit——inthesafestcornerinmyroom，I assureyou。“ “Ofcourse，ofcourse。Itisenoughyousayso。Wemustnotkeepthedinnerwaitingnow。ButafterdinnerIshallhavealltheservantsup，andinvestigatethematterthoroughly。“ “So，“thoughtHughwithhimself，“someonewillbemadeafelonof，becausethecurseddeadgostalkingaboutthisinfernalhouseatmidnight，gatheringtheirownoldbaubles。No，thatwillnotdo。I mustatleasttellMr。ArnoldwhatIknowofthedoingsofthenight。“ SoMr。Arnoldmuststillwaitforhisdinner；orrather，whichwasreallyofmoreconsequenceintheeyesofMr。Arnold，thedinnermustbekeptwaitingforhim。FororderandcustomweretwoofMr。 Arnold\'sdivinities；andtheeconomyofhiswholenaturewasapttobedisturbedbyanyinterruptionoftheirlaws，suchasthepostponementofdinnerfortenminutes。Hewaswalkingtowardsthedoor，andturnedwithsomeadditionalannoyancewhenHughaddressedhimagain： “Onemoment，Mr。Arnold，ifyouplease。“ Mr。Arnoldmerelyturnedandwaited。 “IfearIshallinsomedegreeforfeityourgoodopinionbywhatI amabouttosay，butImustruntherisk。“ Mr。Arnoldstillwaited。 “ThereismoreaboutthedisappearanceoftheringthanIcanunderstand。“ “OrIeither，Mr。Sutherland。“ “ButImusttellyouwhathappenedtomyself，thenightthatIkeptwatchinLadyEuphrasia\'sroom。“ “Yousaidyousleptsoundly。“ “SoIdid，partofthetime。“ “Thenyoukeptbackpartofthetruth？” “Idid。“ “Wasthatworthyofyou？” “Ithoughtitbest：Idoubtedmyself。“ “Whathascausedyoutochangeyourmindnow？” “Thiseventaboutthering。“ “Whathasthattodowithit？Howdoyouevenknowthatitwastakenonthatnight？” “Idonotknow；fortillthismorningIhadnotopenedtheplacewhereitlay：Ionlysuspect。“ “Iamamagistrate，Mr。Sutherland：Iwouldrathernotbeprejudicedbysuspicions。“ “Thepersontowhommysuspicionsrefer，isbeyondyourjurisdiction，Mr。Arnold。“ “Idonotunderstandyou。“ “Iwillexplainmyself。“ HughgaveMr。Arnoldahurriedyetcircumstantialsketchoftheapparitionhebelievedhehadseen。 “WhatamItojudgefromallthis？”askedhe，coldly，almostcontemptuously。 “Ihavetoldyouthefacts；ofcourseImustleavetheconclusionstoyourself，Mr。Arnold；butIconfess，formypart，thatanydisbeliefIhadinapparitionsisalmostentirelyremovedsince——“ “Sinceyoudreamedyousawone？” “Sincethedisappearanceofthering，“saidHugh。 “Bah！”exclaimedMr。Arnold，withindignation。“Canaghostfetchandcarrylikeaspaniel？Mr。Sutherland，Iamashamedtohavesuchareasonerfortutortomyson。Cometodinner，anddonotletmehearanotherwordofthisfolly。Ibegyouwillnotmentionittoanyone。“ “Ihavebeensilenthitherto，Mr。Arnold；butcircumstances，suchasthecommitmentofanyoneonthechargeofstealingthering，mightcompelmetomentionthematter。Itwouldbeforthejurytodeterminewhetheritwasrelevantornot。“ ItwasevidentthatMr。Arnoldwasmoreannoyedattheimputationagainstthenocturnalhabitsofhishouse，thanatthelossofthering，orevenitspossibletheftbyoneofhisservants。HelookedatHughforamomentasifhewouldbreakintoafuriousrage；thenhislookgraduallychangedintooneofsuspicion，and，turningwithoutanotherword，heledthewaytothedining-room，followedbyHugh。Tohaveaghostheldinhisfaceinthisfashion，onebredinhisownhouse，too，whenhehadpositivelydeclaredhisabsolutecontemptforeverylegendofthesort，wasmorethanmancouldbear。 Hesatdowntodinneringloomysilence，breakingitonlyasoftenashewascompelledtodothedutiesofahost，whichheperformedwithagreaterloftinessofceremonythanusual。 Therewasnosummoningoftheservantsafterdinner，however。 Hugh\'swarninghadbeeneffectual。NorwasthesubjectoncemorealludedtoinHugh\'shearing。NodoubtMr。Arnoldfeltthatsomethingoughttobedone；butIpresumehecouldnevermakeuphismindwhatthatsomethingoughttobe。Whetheranyreasonsfornotprosecutingtheinquiryhadoccurredtohimuponfurtherreflection，Iamunabletotell。Onethingiscertain；thatfromthistimeheceasedtobehavetoHughwiththatgrowingcordialitywhichhehadshownhimforweekspast。ItwasnogreatlosstoHugh；buthefeltit；andallthemore，becausehecouldnothelpassociatingitwiththatlookofsuspicion，theremainsofwhichwerestilldiscernibleonMr。Arnold\'sface。AlthoughhecouldnotdeterminetheexactdirectionofMr。Arnold\'ssuspicions，hefeltthattheyboreuponsomethingassociatedwiththecrystalring，andthestoryofthephantomlady。Consequently，therewaslittlemoreofcomfortforhimatArnstead。 Mr。Arnold，however，didnotrevealhischangeoffeelingsomuchbyneglectasbyceremony，which，soonerthananythingelse，buildsawallofseparationbetweenthosewhomeeteveryday。Fortheoftenertheymeet，thethickerandthefasterarethebricksandmortarofcoldpoliteness，evidentlyavoidedinsults，andsubjectedmanifestationsofdislike，laidtogether。 CHAPTERXXVIII。 ABIRD\'S-EYEVIEW。 O，cocksarecrowingamerrymidnight，Iwotthewild-fowlsarebodingday； Givememyfaithandtrothagain，Andletmefaremeonmyway。 Saepainfullysheclamthewa\'，Sheclamthewa\'upafterhim； Hosennorshoonuponherfeet，Shehadnatimetoputthemon。 ScotchBallad——ClerkSaunders。 Drearydayspassed。ThereportsofEuphrawereasfavourableasthenatureoftheinjuryhadleftroomtoexpect。Stilltheywerebutreports：Hughcouldnotseeher，andthedayspasseddrearily。Heheardthattheswellingwasreduced，andthattheanklewasfoundnottobedislocated，butthattheboneswereconsiderablyinjured，andthatthefinaleffectupontheuseofthepartswasdoubtful。 TheprettyfootlayachinginHugh\'sheart。WhenHarrywenttobed，heusedtowalkoutandloiteraboutthegrounds，fullofanxiousfearsandnolessanxioushopes。Ifthenightwasatallobscure，hewouldpass，asoftenashedared，underEuphra\'swindow； forallhecouldhaveofhernowwasafewraysfromthesamelightthatlightedherchamber。Thenhewouldstealawaydownthemainavenue，andthencewatchthesamelight，whosebeams，inthatstrangeplaywhichtheintellectwillkeepupinspiteof——yetinassociationwith——theheart，madeaphoto-materialistofhim。Forhewouldnownolongerbelieveinthepulsationsofanetherealmedium；but——thattheverymaterialrayswhichenlightenedEuphra\'sface，whethershewakedorslept，stoleandfilteredthroughtheblindandthegatheredshadows，andenteredinbodilyessenceintothemysteriousconvolutionsofhisbrain，wherehissoulandheartsoughtandfoundthem。 Whenaweekhadpassed，shewassofarrecoveredastobeabletoseeMr。Arnold；fromwhomHughheard，inasomewhatreproachfultone，thatshewasbutthewreckofherformerself。ItwasallthatHughcoulddotorestrainthenaturaloutbreakofhisfeelings。 Afortnightpassed，andshesawMrs。EltonandLadyEmilyforafewmoments。Theywouldhaveleftbefore，buthadyieldedtoMr。 Arnold\'sentreaty，andwerestayingtillEuphrashouldbeatleastabletobecarriedfromherroom。 Oneday，whenthevisitorswereoutwithMr。Arnold，JanebroughtamessagetoHugh，requestinghimtowalkintoMissCameron\'sroom，forshewantedtoseehim。Hughfelthisheartflutterasifdoubtingwhethertostopatonce，ortodashthroughitsconfiningbars。Heroseandfollowedthemaid。HestoodoverEuphrapaleandspeechless。Shelaybeforehimwastedandwan；hereyestwicetheirformersize，butwithhalftheirformerlight；herfingerslongandtransparent；andhervoicelowandfeeble。Shehadjustraisedherselfwithdifficultytoasittingposture，andtheefforthadlefthermoreweary。 “Hugh！”shesaid，kindly。 “DearEuphra！”heanswered，kissingthelittlehandheheldinhis。 Shelookedathimforalittlewhile，andthetearsroseinhereyes。 “Hugh，Iamacrippleforlife。“ “Godforbid，Euphra！”wasallhecouldreply。 Sheshookherheadmournfully。Thenastrange，wildlookcameinhereyes，andgrewtillitseemedfromthemtooverflowandcoverherwholefacewithatroubledexpression，whichincreasedtoalookofdullagony。 “Whatisthematter，dearEuphra？”saidHugh，inalarm。“Isyourfootverypainful？” Shemadenoanswer。Shewaslookingfixedlyathishand。 “ShallIcallJane？” Sheshookherhead。 “CanIdonothingforyou？” “No，“sheanswered，almostangrily。 “ShallIgo，Euphra？” “Yes——yes。Go。“ Helefttheroominstantly。Butasharpthoughstifledcryofdespairdrewhimbackatabound。Euphrahadfainted。 HerangthebellforJane；andlingeredtillhesawsignsofreturningconsciousness。 Whatcouldthismean？Hewasmoreperplexedwithherthaneverhehadbeen。Cunninglove，however，soonfoundawayofexplainingit——Away？——Twentyways——notoneofthemtheway。 Nextday，LadyEmilybroughthimamessagefromEuphra——nottodistresshimselfabouther；itwasnothisfault。 Thismessagethebearerofitunderstoodtorefertotheoriginalaccident，asthesenderofitintendedsheshould：thereceiverinterpreteditoftheoccurrenceofthedaybefore，asthesenderlikewiseintended。Itcomfortedhim。 IthadbecomealmostahabitwithHugh，toascendtheoaktreeintheevening，andsitalone，sometimesforhours，inthenesthehadbuiltforHarry。Onetimehetookabookwithhim；anotherhewentwithout；andnowandthenHarryaccompaniedhim。ButIhavealreadysaid，thatoftenaftertea，whenthehousebecameoppressivetohimfromthelongingtoseeEuphra，hewouldwanderoutalone；when，evenintheshadowsofthecomingnight，hewouldsometimesclimbthenest，andtheresit，hearingallthattheleaveswhisperedaboutthesleepingbirds，withoutlisteningtoawordofit，ortryingtointerpretitbythekindredsoundsofhisowninnerworld，andthetree-talkthatwentonthereinsecret。Forthedivinityofthatinnerworldhadabandoneditforthepresent，inpursuitofanearthlymaiden。Soitsbirdsweresilent，anditstreestremblednot。 Anagingmoonwasfeelingherpathsomewherethroughtheheavens； butathinveilofcloudwasspreadlikeatentunderthehyalinedomewhereshewalked；sothat，insteadofawhitemoon，therewasagreatwhitecloudtoenlightentheearth，——acloudsoakedfullofherpalerays。Hughsatintheoak-nest。Heknewnothowlonghehadbeenthere。Lightafterlightwasextinguishedinthehouse，andstillhesattherebrooding，dreaming，inthatstateofmindinwhichtothegood，goodthingscomeofthemselves，andtotheevil，evilthings。ThenearnessoftheGhost\'sWalkdidnottroublehim，forhewastoomuchconcernedaboutEuphratofearghostordemon。 Hismindheededthemnot，andsowasbeyondtheirinfluence。 Butwhilehesat，hebecameawareofhumanvoices。Helookedoutfromhisleafyscreen，andsawoncemore，attheendoftheGhost\'sWalk，aformclothedinwhite。Buttherewerevoicesoftwo。Hesenthissoulintohisearstolisten。Ahorrible，incredible，impossibleideaforceditselfuponhim——thatthetoneswerethoseofEuphraandFunkelstein。Theonevoicewasweakandcomplaining；theotherfirmandstrong。 “Itmustbesomehorribleghostthatimitatesher，“hesaidtohimself；forhewasnearlycrazyattheverysuggestion。 Hewouldseenearer，ifonlytogetridofthatfrightfulinsinuationofthetempter。Hedescendedthetreenoiselessly。Helostsightofthefigureashedidso。Hedrewneartheplacewherehehadseenit。Buttherewasnosoundofvoicesnowtoguidehim。 Ashecamewithinsightofthespot，hesawthewhitefigureinthearmsofanother，aman。Herheadwaslyingonhisshoulder。A momentafter，shewasliftedinthosearmsandbornetowardsthehouse，——downtheGhost\'sAvenue。 AburningagonytobesatisfiedofhisdoubtsseizedonHugh。Hefledlikeadeertothehousebyanotherpath；tried，inhissuspicion，thelibrarywindow；founditopen，andwasatEuphra\'sdoorinamoment。Herehehesitated。Shemustbeinside。Howdareheknockorenter？ Ifshewasthere，shewouldbeasleep。Hewouldnotwakeher。 Therewasnotimetolose。Hewouldriskanything，toberidofthishorribledoubt。 Hegentlyopenedthedoor。Thenight-lightwasburning。Hethought，atfirst，thatEuphrawasinthebed。Hefeltlikeathief，buthestolenearer。Shewasnotthere。Shewasnotonthecouch。Shewasnotintheroom。Janewasfastasleepinthedressing-room。Itwasenough。 Hewithdrew。Hewouldwatchathisdoortoseeherreturn，forshemustpasshisdoortoreachherown。Hewaitedatimethatseemedhours。Atlength——horrible，farmorehorribletohimthanthevisionoftheghost——Euphracreptpasthim，appearinginthedarknesstocrawlalongthewallagainstwhichshesupportedherself，andscarcelysuppressinghergroansofpain。Shereachedherownroom，andentering，closedthedoor。 Hughwasnearlymad。Herusheddownthestairtothelibrary，andoutintothewood。Whyorwhitherheknewnot。 Suddenlyhereceivedablowonthehead。Itdidnotstunhim，buthestaggeredunderit。Hadherunagainstatree？No。Therewasthedimbulkofamandisappearingthroughtheboles。Hedartedafterhim。Themanheardhisfootsteps，stopped，andwaitedinsilence。AsHughcameuptohim，hemadeathrustathimwithsomeweapon。Hemissedhisaim。Theweaponpassedthroughhiscoatandunderhisarm。Thenextmoment，Hughhadwrenchedthesword-stickfromhim，thrownitaway，andgrappledwith——Funkelstein。ButstrongasHughwas，theBohemianwasasstrong，andthecontestwasdoubtful。Strangeasitmayseem——inthemidstofit，whileeachheldtheotherunabletomove，theconvictionflasheduponHugh\'smind，that，whoevermighthavetakenLadyEuphrasia\'sring，hewasgrapplingwiththethiefofhisfather\'s。 “Givememyring，“gaspedhe。 Animprecationofasufficientlyemphaticcharacterwastheonlyreply。TheBohemiangotonehandloose，andHughheardasoundlikethebreakingofglass。Beforehecouldgainanyadvantage——forhisantagonistseemedforthemomenttohaveconcentratedallhisforceintheotherhand——awethandkerchiefwasheldfirmlytohisface。 Hisfiercenessdiedaway；hewaslaptinthevapourofdreams；andhissensesdeparted。