第7章

THESTORYCONTINUEDBYMARIANHALCOMBEBLACKWATERPARK，HAMPSHIRE。 June11th，1850——Sixmonthstolookbackon——sixlong，lonelymonthssinceLauraandIlastsaweachother！ HowmanydayshaveIstilltowait？Onlyone！Tomorrow，thetwelfth，thetravellersreturntoEngland。Icanhardlyrealisemyownhappiness——Icanhardlybelievethatthenextfour-and-twentyhourswillcompletethelastdayofseparationbetweenLauraandme。 SheandherhusbandhavebeeninItalyallthewinter，andafterwardsintheTyrol。Theycomehack，accompaniedbyCountFoscoandhiswife，whoproposetosettlesomewhereintheneighbourhoodofLondon，andwhohaveengagedtostayatBlackwaterParkforthesummermonthsbeforedecidingonaplaceofresidence。SolongasLaurareturns，nomatterwhoreturnswithher。SirPercivalmayfillthehousefromfloortoceiling，ifhelikes，onconditionthathiswifeandIinhabitittogether。 Meanwhile，hereIam，establishedatBlackwaterPark，`theancientandinterestingseat’(asthecountyhistoryobliginglyinformsme)`ofSirPercivalGlyde，Bart。，’andthefutureabiding-place(asImaynowventuretoaddonmyaccount)ofplainMarianHalcombe，spinster，nowsettledinasnuglittlesitting-room，withacupofteabyherside，andallherearthlypossessionsrangedroundherinthreeboxesandabag。 IleftLimmeridgeyesterday，havingreceivedLaura’sdelightfulletterfromParisthedaybefore。IhadbeenpreviouslyuncertainwhetherIwastomeettheminLondonorinHampshire，butthislastletterinformedmethatSirPercivalproposedtolandatSouthampton，andtonavelstraightontohiscountry-house。HehasspentsomuchmoneyabroadthathehasnonelefttodefraytheexpensesoflivinginLondonfortheremainderoftheseason，andheiseconomicallyresolvedtopassthesummerandautumnquietlyatBlackwater。Laurahashadmorethanenoughofexcitementandchangeofscene，andispleasedattheprospectofcountrytranquillityandretirementwhichherhusband’sprudenceprovidesforher。Asforme，Iamreadytobehappyanywhereinhersociety。Weareall，therefore，wellcontentedinourvariousways，tobeginwith。 nightIsleptinLondon，andwasdelayedtheresolongtodaybyvariouscallsandcommissions，thatIdidnotreachBlackwaterthiseveningtillafterdusk。 Judgingbymyvagueimpressionsoftheplacethusfar，itistheexactoppositeofLimmeridge。 Thehouseissituatedonadeadflat，andseemstobeshutin——almostsuffocated，tomynorth-countrynotions，bytrees。Ihaveseennobodybuttheman-servantwhoopenedthedoortome，andthehousekeeper，averycivilperson，whoshowedmethewaytomyownroom，andgotmemytea。Ihaveanicelittleboudoirandbedroom，attheendofalongpassageonthefirstfloor。Theservantsandsomeofthespareroomsareonthesecondfloor，andallthelivingroomsareonthegroundfloor。Ihavenotseenoneofthemyet，andIknownothingaboutthehouse，exceptthatonewingofitissaidtobefivehundredyearsold，thatithadamoatrounditonce，andthatitgetsitsnameofBlackwaterfromalakeinthepark。 Eleveno’clockhasjuststruck，inaghostlyandsolemnmanner，fromaturretoverthecentreofthehouse，whichIsawwhenIcamein。Alargedoghasbeenwoke，apparentlybythesoundofthebell，andishowlingandyawningdrearily，somewhereroundacorner。Ihearechoingfootstepsinthepassagesbelow，andtheironthumpingofboltsandbarsatthehousedoor。Theservantsareevidentlygoingtobed。ShallIfollowtheirexample？ No，Iamnothalfsleepyenough。Sleepy，didIsay？IfeelasifIshouldneverclosemyeyesagain。Thebareanticipationofseeingthatdearface，andhearingthatwell-knownvoicetomorrow，keepsmeinaperpetualfeverofexcitement。IfIonlyhadtheprivilegesofaman，IwouldorderoutSirPercival’sbesthorseinstantly，andtearawayonanight-gallop，eastward，tomeettherisingsun——along，hard，heavy，ceaselessgallopofhoursandhours，likethefamoushighwayman’sridetoYork。Being，however，nothingbutawoman，condemnedtopatience，propriety，andpetticoatsforlife，Imustrespectthehousekeeper’sopinions，andtrytocomposemyselfinsomefeebleandfeminineway。 Readingisoutofthequestion——Ican’tfixmyattentiononbooks。LetmetryifIcanwritemyselfintosleepinessandfatigue。Myjournalhasbeenverymuchneglectedoflate。WhatcanIrecall——standing，asInowdo，onthethresholdofanewlife——ofpersonsandevents，ofchancesandchanges，duringthepastsixmonths——thelong，weary，emptyintervalsinceLaura’swedding-day？ WalterHartrightisuppermostinmymemory，andhepassesfirstintheshadowyprocessionofmyabsentfriends。Ireceivedafewlinesfromhim，afterthelandingoftheexpeditioninHonduras，writtenmorecheerfullyandhopefullythanhehaswrittenyet。AmonthorsixweekslaterIsawanextractfromanAmericannewspaper，describingthedepartureoftheadventurersontheirinlandjourney。Theywerelastseenenteringawildprimevalforest，eachmanwithhisrifleonhisshoulderandhisbaggageathisback。Sincethattime，civilisationhaslostalltraceofthem。NotalinemorehaveIreceivedfromWalter，notafragmentofnewsfromtheexpeditionhasappearedinanyofthepublicjournals。 Thesamedense，dishearteningobscurityhangsoverthefateandfortunesofAnneCatherick，andhercompanion，MrsClements。Nothingwhateverhasbeenheardofeitherofthem。Whethertheyareinthecountryoroutofit，whethertheyarelivingordead，nooneknows。EvenSirPercival’ssolicitorhaslostallhope，andhasorderedtheuselesssearchafterthefugitivestobefinallygivenup。 OurgoodfriendMrGilmorehasmetwithasadcheckinhisactiveprofessionalcareer。Earlyinthespringwewerealarmedbyhearingthathehadbeenfoundinsensibleathisdesk，andthattheseizurewaspronouncedtobeanapoplecticfit。Hehadbeenlongcomplainingoffulnessandoppressioninthehead，andhisdoctorhadwarnedhimoftheconsequencesthatwouldfollowhispersistencyincontinuingtowork，earlyandlate，asifhewerestillayoungman。Theresultnowisthathehasbeenpositivelyorderedtokeepoutofhisofficeforayeartocome，atleast，andtoseekreposeofbodyandreliefofmindbyaltogetherchanginghisusualmodeoflife。Thebusinessisleft，accordingly，tobecarriedonbyhispartner，andheishimself，atthismoment，awayinGermany，visitingsomerelationswhoaresettledthereinmercantilepursuits。Thusanothertruefriendandtrustworthyadviserislosttous——lost，Iearnestlyhopeandtrust，foratimeonly。 PoorMrsVeseytravelledwithmeasfarasLondon。ItwasimpossibletoabandonhertosolitudeatLimmeridgeafterLauraandIhadbothleftthehouse，andwehavearrangedthatsheistolivewithanunmarriedyoungersisterofhers，whokeepsaschoolatClapham。Sheistocomeherethisautumntovisitherpupil——Imightalmostsayheradoptedchild。Isawthegoodoldladysafetoherdestination，andleftherinthecareofherrelative，quietlyhappyattheprospectofseeingLauraagaininafewmonths’time。 AsforMrFairlie，IbelieveIamguiltyofnoinjusticeifIdescribehimasbeingunutterablyrelievedbyhavingthehouseclearofuswomen。Theideaofhismissinghisnieceissimplypreposterous——heusedtoletmonthspassintheoldtimeswithoutattemptingtoseeher——andinmycaseandMrsVesey’s，Itakeleavetoconsiderhistellingusboththathewashalfheartbrokenatourdeparture，tobeequivalenttoaconfessionthathewassecretlyrejoicedtogetridofus。Hislastcapricehasledhimtokeeptwophotographersincessantlyemployedinproducingsun-picturesofallthetreasuresandcuriositiesinhispossession。OnecompletecopyofthecollectionofthephotographsistobepresentedtotheMechanics’InstitutionofCarlisle，mountedonthefinestcardboard，withostentatiousred-letterinscriptionsunderneath，`MadonnaandChildbyRaphael。InthepossessionofFrederickFairlie，Esquire。’`CoppercoinoftheperiodofTiglathPileser。InthepossessionofFrederickFairlie，Esquire。’`UniqueRembrandtetching。KnownalloverEuropeasTheSmudge，fromaprinter’sblotinthecornerwhichexistsinnoothercopy。Valuedatthreehundredguineas。InthepossessionofFrederickFairlie，Esq。’Dozensofphotographsofthissort，andallinscribedinthismanner，werecompletedbeforeIleftCumberland，andhundredsmoreremaintobedone。Withthisnewinteresttooccupyhim，MrFairliewillbeahappymanformonthsandmonthstocome，andthetwounfortunatephotographerswillsharethesocialmartyrdomwhichhehashithertoinflictedonhisvaletalone。 Somuchforthepersonsandeventswhichholdtheforemostplaceinmymemory。Whatnextoftheonepersonwhoholdstheforemostplaceinmyheart？LaurahasbeenpresenttomythoughtsallthewhileIhavebeenwritingtheselines。WhatcanIrecallofherduringthepastsixmonths，beforeIclosemyjournalforthenight？ Ihaveonlyherletterstoguideme，andonthemostimportantofallthequestionswhichourcorrespondencecandiscuss，everyoneofthoselettersleavesmeinthedark。 Doeshetreatherkindly？IsshehappiernowthanshewaswhenIpartedwithheronthewedding-day？Allmylettershavecontainedthesetwoinquiries，putmoreorlessdirectly，nowinoneform，andnowinanother，andall，onthatpointonly，haveremainedwithoutreply，orhavebeenansweredasifmyquestionsmerelyrelatedtothestateofherhealth。Sheinformsme，overandoveragain，thatsheisperfectlywell——thattravellingagreeswithher——thatsheisgettingthroughthewinter，forthefirsttimeinherlife，withoutcatchingcold——butnotawordcanIfindanywherewhichtellsmeplainlythatsheisreconciledtohermarriage，andthatshecannowlookbacktothetwenty-secondofDecemberwithoutanybitterfeelingsofrepentanceandregret。Thenameofherhusbandisonlymentionedinherletters，asshemightmentionthenameofafriendwhowastravellingwiththem，andwhohadundertakentomakeallthearrangementsforthejourney。`SirPercival’hassettledthatweleaveonsuchaday——`SirPercival’hasdecidedthatwetravelbysucharoad。Sometimesshewrites`Percival’only，butveryseldom——inninecasesoutoftenshegiveshimhistitle。 Icannotfindthathishabitsandopinionshavechangedandcolouredhersinanysingleparticular。Theusualmoraltransformationwhichisinsensiblywroughtinayoung，fresh，sensitivewomanbyhermarriage，seemsnevertohavetakenplaceinLaura。Shewritesofherownthoughtsandimpressions，amidallthewondersshehasseen，exactlyasshemighthavewrittentosomeoneelse，ifIhadbeentravellingwithherinsteadofherhusband。Iseenobetrayalanywhereofsympathyofanykindexistingbetweenthem。Evenwhenshewandersfromthesubjectofhertravels，andoccupiesherselfwiththeprospectsthatawaitherinEngland，herspeculationsarebusiedwithherfutureasmysister，andpersistentlyneglecttonoticeherfutureasSirPercival’swife。Inallthisthereisnoundertoneofcomplainttowarnmethatsheisabsolutelyunhappyinhermarriedlife。TheimpressionIhavederivedfromourcorrespondencedoesnot，thankGod，leadmetoanysuchdistressingconclusionasthat。Ionlyseeasadtorpor，anunchangeableindifference，whenIturnmymindfromherintheoldcharacterofasister，andlookather，throughthemediumofherletters，inthenewcharacterofawife。Inotherwords，itisalwaysLauraFairliewhohasbeenwritingtomeforthelastsixmonths，andneverLadyGlyde。 Thestrangesilencewhichshemaintainsonthesubjectofherhusband’scharacterandconduct，shepreserveswithalmostequalresolutioninthefewreferenceswhichherlaterletterscontaintothename-ofherhusband’sbosomfriend，CountFosco。 ForsomeunexplainedreasontheCountandhiswifeappeartohavechangedtheirplansabruptly，attheendoflastautumn，andtohavegonetoViennainsteadofgoingtoRome，atwhichlatterPlaceSirPercivalhadexpectedtofindthemwhenheleftEngland。TheyonlyquittedViennainthespring，andtravelledasfarastheTyroltomeetthebrideandbridegroomontheirhomewardjourney。LaurawritesreadilyenoughaboutthemeetingwithMadameFosco，andassuresmethatshehasfoundherauntsomuchchangedforthebetter——somuchquieter，andsomuchmoresensibleasawifethanshewasasasinglewoman——thatIshallhardlyknowheragainwhenIseeherhere。ButonthesubjectofCountFosco(whointerestsmeinfinitelymorethanhiswife)，Lauraisprovokinglycircumspectandsilent。Sheonlysaysthathepuzzlesher，andthatshewillnottellmewhatherimpressionofhimisuntilIhaveseenhim，andformedmyownopinionfirst。 This，tomymind，looksillfortheCount。Laurahaspreserved，farmoreperfectlythanmostpeopledoinlaterlife，thechild’ssubtlefacultyofknowingafriendbyinstinct，andifIamrightinassumingthatherfirstimpressionofCountFoscohasnotbeenfavourable，IforoneaminsomedangerofdoubtinganddistrustingthatillustriousforeignerbeforeIhavesomuchasseteyesonhim。But，patience，patience——thisuncertainty，andmanyuncertaintiesmore，cannotlastmuchlonger。Tomorrowwillseeallmydoubtsinafairwayofbeingclearedup，soonerorlater。 Twelveo’clockhasstruck，andIhavejustcomebacktoclosethesepages，afterlockingoutatmyopenwindow。 Itisastill，sultry，moonlessnight。Thestarsaredullandfew。Thetreesthatshutouttheviewonallsideslookdimlyblackandsolidinthedistance，likeagreatwallofrock。Ihearthecroakingoffrogs，faintandfaroff，andtheechoesofthegreatclockhumintheairlesscalmlongafterthestrokeshaveceased。IwonderhowBlackwaterParkwilllookinthedaytime？Idon’taltogetherlikeitbynight。 12th——Adayofinvestigationsanddiscoveries——amoreinterestingday，formanyreasons，thanIhadventuredtoanticipate。 Ibeganmysight-seeing，ofcourse，withthehouse。 Themainbodyofthebuildingisofthetimeofthathighly-overratedwoman，QueenElizabeth。Onthegroundfloortherearetwohugelylonggalleries，withlowceilingslyingparallelwitheachother，andrenderedadditionallydarkanddismalbyhideousfamilyportraits——everyoneofwhichIshouldliketoburn。Theroomsonthefloorabovethetwogalleriesarekeptintolerablerepair，butareveryseldomused。Thecivilhousekeeper，whoactedasmyguide，offeredtoshowmeoverthem，butconsideratelyaddedthatshefearedIshouldfindthemratheroutoforder。MyrespectfortheintegrityofmyownpetticoatsandstockingsinfinitelyexceedsmyrespectforalltheElizabethanbedroomsinthekingdom，soIpositivelydeclinedexploringtheupperregionsofdustanddirtattheriskofsoilingmynicecleanclothes。Thehousekeepersaid。`Iamquiteofyouropinion，miss，’andappearedtothinkmethemostsensiblewomanshehadmetwithforalongtimepast。 Somuch，then，forthemainbuilding。Twowingsareaddedateitherendofit。Thehalf-ruinedwingontheleft(asyouapproachthehouse)wasonceaPlaceofresidencestandingbyitself，andwasbuiltinthefourteenthcentury。OneofSirPercival’smaternalancestors——Idon’tremember，anddon’tcarewhich——tackedonthemainbuilding，atrightanglestoit，intheaforesaidQueenElizabeth’stime。Thehousekeepertoldmethatthearchitectureof`theoldwing。’bothoutsideandinside。wasconsideredremarkablyfinebygoodjudges。OnfurtherinvestigationIdiscoveredthatgoodjudgescouldonlyexercisetheirabilitiesonSirPercival’spieceofantiquitybypreviouslydismissingfromtheirmindsallfearofdamp，darkness，andrats。Underthesecircumstances，Iunhesitatinglyacknowledgedmyselftobenojudgeatall，andsuggestedthatweshouldtreat`theoldwing’preciselyaswehadpreviouslytreatedtheElizabethanbedrooms。Oncemorethehousekeepersaid，`Iamquiteofyouropinion，miss，’andoncemoreshelookedatmewithundisguisedadmirationofmyextraordinarycommon-sense。 Wewentnexttothewingontheright，whichwasbuilt，bywayofcompletingthewonderfularchitecturaljumbleatBlackwaterPark，inthetimeofGeorgetheSecond。 Thisisthehabitablepartofthehouse，whichhasbeenrepairedandredecoratedinsideonLaura’saccount。Mytworooms，andallthegoodbedroomsbesides，areonthefirstfloor，andthebasementcontainsadrawing-room，adining-room，amorning-room，alibrary，andaprettylittleboudoirforLaura，allverynicelyornamentedinthebrightmodernway，andallveryelegantlyfurnishedwiththedelightfulmodernluxuries。NoneoftheroomsareanythinglikesolargeandairyasourroomsatLimmeridge，buttheyalllookpleasanttolivein。Iwasterriblyafraid，fromwhatIhadheardofBlackwaterPark，offatiguingantiquechairs，anddismalstainedglass，andmusty，frowzyhangings，andallthebarbarouslumberwhichpeoplebornwithoutasenseofcomfortaccumulateaboutthem，indefianceoftheconsiderationduetotheconvenienceoftheirfriends。Itisaninexpressiblerelieftofindthatthenineteenthcenturyhasinvadedthisstrangefuturehomeofmine，andhassweptthedirty`goodoldtimes’outofthewayofourdailylife。 Idawdledawaythemorning——partofthetimeintheroomsdownstairs，andpartoutofdoorsinthegreatsquarewhichisformedbythethreesidesofthehouse，andbytheloftyironrailingsandgateswhichprotectitinfront。Alargecircularfishpondwithstonesides，andanallegoricalleadenmonsterinthemiddle，occupiesthecentreofthesquare。Theponditselfisfullofgoldandsilverfish，andisencircledbyabroadbeltofthesoftestturfIeverwalkedon。Iloiteredhereontheshadysidepleasantlyenoughtillluncheon-time，andafterthattookmybroadstrawhatandwanderedoutaloneinthewarmlovelysunlighttoexplorethegrounds。 DaylightconfirmedtheimpressionwhichIhadfeltthenightbefore，oftherebeingtoomanytreesatBlackwater。Thehouseisstifledbythem。Theyare，forthemostpart，young，andplantedfartoothickly。IsuspecttheremusthavebeenaruinouscuttingdownoftimberallovertheestatebeforeSirPercival’stime，andanangryanxietyonthepartofthenextpossessortofillupallthegapsasthicklyandrapidlyaspossible。Afterlookingaboutmeinfrontofthehouse，Iobservedaflower-gardenonmylefthand，andwalkedtowardsittoseewhatIcoulddiscoverinthatdirection。 Onanearerviewthegardenprovedtobesmallandpoorandillkept。Ileftitbehindme，openedalittlegateinaringfence，andfoundmyselfinaplantationoffir-trees。 Aprettywindingpath，artificiallymade，ledmeonamongthetrees，andmynorth-countryexperiencesooninformedmethatIwasapproachingsandy，heathyground-Afterawalkofmorethanhalfamile，Ishouldthink，amongthefirs，thepathtookasharpturn——thetreesabruptlyceasedtoappearoneithersideofme，andIfoundmyselfstandingsuddenlyonthemarginofavastopenspace，andlookingdownattheBlackwaterlakefromwhichthehousetakesitsname。 Theground，shelvingawaybelowme，wasallsand，withafewlittleheathyhillockstobreakthemonotonyofitincertainplaces。ThelakeitselfhadevidentlyonceflowedtothespotonwhichIstood，andhadbeengraduallywastedanddrieduptolessthanathirdofitsformersize。Isawitsstill，stagnantwaters，aquarterofamileawayfrommeinthehollow，separatedintopoolsandpondsbytwiningreedsandrushes，andlittleknollsofearth。Onthefartherbankfrommethetreesrosethicklyagain，andshutouttheview，andcasttheirblackshadowsonthesluggish，shallowwater。AsIwalkeddowntothelake，Isawthatthegroundonitsfarthersidewasdampandmarshy，overgrownwithrankgrassanddismalwillows。Thewater，whichwasclearenoughontheopensandyside，wherethesunshone，lookedblackandpoisonousoppositetome，whereitlaydeeperundertheshadeofthespongybanks，andtherankoverhangingthicketsandtangledtrees。Thefrogswerecroaking，andtheratswereslippinginandoutoftheshadowywater，likeliveshadowsthemselves，asIgotnearertothemarshysideofthelake。Isawhere，lyinghalfinandhalfoutofthewater，therottenwreckofanoldoverturnedboat。withasicklyspotofsunlightglimmeringthroughagapinthetreesonitsdrysurface，andasnakebaskinginthemidstofthespot，fantasticallycoiledandtreacherouslystill。Farandneartheviewsuggestedthesamedrearyimpressionsofsolitudeanddecay，andthegloriousbrightnessofthesummerskyoverheadseemedonlytodeepenandhardenthegloomandbarrennessofthewildernessonwhichitshone。Iturnedandretracedmystepstothehighheathyground，directingthemalittleasidefrommyformerpathtowardsashabbyoldwoodenshed，whichstoodontheouterskirtofthefirplantation，andwhichhadhithertobeentoounimportanttosharemynoticewiththewide，wildprospectofthelake。 OnapproachingtheshedIfoundthatithadoncebeenaboathouse，andthatanattempthadapparentlybeenmadetoconvertitafterwardsintoasortofrudearbour，byplacinginsideitafirwoodseat，afewstools，andatable。Ienteredtheplace，andsatdownforalittlewhiletorestandgetmybreathagain。 Ihadnotbeenintheboat-housemorethanaminutewhenitstruckmethatthesoundofmyownquickbreathingwasverystrangelyechoedbysomethingbeneathme。Ilistenedintentlyforamoment，andheardalow，thick，sobbingbreaththatseemedtocomefromthegroundundertheseatwhichIwasoccupying。Mynervesarenoteasilyshakenbytrifles，butonthisoccasionIstartedtomyfeetinafright——calledout——receivednoanswer——summonedmyrecreantcourage，andlookedundertheseat。 There，crouchedupinthefarthestcorner，laytheforlorncauseofmyterror，intheshapeofapoorlittledog——ablackandwhitespaniel。ThecreaturemoanedfeeblywhenIlookedatitandcalledtoit，butneverstirred。Imovedawaytheseatandlookedcloser。Thepoorlittledog’seyeswereglazingfast，andtherewerespotsofbloodonitsglossywhiteside。Themiseryofaweak，helpless，dumbcreatureissurelyoneofthesaddestofallthemournfulsightswhichthisworldcanshow。IliftedthepoordoginmyarmsasgentlyasIcould，andcontrivedasortofmake-shifthammockforhimtoliein，bygatheringupthefrontofmydressallroundhim。InthiswayItookthecreature，asPainlesslyaspossible，andasfastaspossible，backtothehouse。 FindingnooneinthehallIwentupatoncetomyownsitting-room，madeabedforthedogwithoneofmyoldshawls，andrangthebell。Thelargestandfattestofallpossiblehousemaidsansweredit，inastateofcheerfulstupiditywhichwouldhaveprovokedthepatienceofasaint。Thegirl’sfat，shapelessfaceactuallystretchedintoabroadgrinatthesightofthewoundedcreatureonthefloor。 `Whatdoyouseetheretolaughat？’Iasked，asangrilyasifshehadbeenaservantofmyown。`Doyouknowwhosedogitis？’ `No，miss，thatIcertainlydon’t。’Shestooped，andlookeddownatthespaniel’sinjuredside——brightenedsuddenlywiththeirradiationofanewidea——andpointingtothewoundwithachuckleofsatisfaction，said，`That’sBaxter’sdoings，thatis。’ IwassoexasperatedthatIcouldhaveboxedherears。`Baxter？’Isaid。`WhoisthebruteyoucallBaxter？’ Thegirlgrinnedagainmorecheerfullythanever。`Blessyou，miss！Baxter’sthekeeper，andwhenhefindsstrangedogshuntingabout，hetakesandshoots’em。It’skeeper’sdooty，miss。Ithinkthatdogwilldie。Here’swherehe’sbeenshot，ain’tit？That’sBaxter’sdoings，thatis。Baxter’sdoings，miss，andBaxter’sdooty。’ IwasalmostwickedenoughtowishthatBaxterhadshotthehousemaidinsteadofthedog。Seeingthatitwasquiteuselesstoexpectthisdenselyimpenetrablepersonagetogivemeanyhelpinrelievingthesufferingcreatureatourfeet，Itoldhertorequestthehousekeeper’sattendancewithmycompliments。Shewentoutexactlyasshehadcomein，grinningfromeartoear。Asthedoorclosedonhershesaidtoherselfsoftly，`It’sBaxter’sdoingsandBaxter’sdooty——that’swhatitis。’ Thehousekeeper，apersonofsomeeducationandintelligence，thoughtfullybroughtupstairswithhersomemilkandsomewarmwater。Theinstantshesawthedogonthefloorshestartedandchangedcolour。 `Why，Lordblessme，’criedthehousekeeper，`thatmustbeMisCatherick’sdog！’ `Whose？’Iasked，intheutmostastonishment。 `MisCatherick’s。YouseemtoknowMrsCatherick，MissHalcombe？’ `Notpersonally，butIhaveheardofher。Doesshelivehere？Hasshehadanynewsofherdaughter？’ `No，MissHalcombe，shecameheretoaskfornews。’ `When？’ `Onlyyesterday。Shesaidsomeonehadreportedthatastrangeransweringtothedescriptionofherdaughterhadbeenseeninourneighbourhood。Nosuchreporthasreachedushere，andnosuchreportwasknowninthevillage，whenIsenttomakeinquiriesthereonMrsCatherick’saccount。Shecertainlybroughtthispoorlittledogwithherwhenshecame，andIsawittrotoutafterherwhenshewentaway。Isupposethecreaturestrayedintotheplantations，andgotshot。Wheredidyoufindit，MissHalcombe？’ `Intheoldshedthatlooksoutonthelake。’ `Ah，yes，thatistheplantationside，andthepoorthingdraggeditself，Isuppose，tothenearestshelter，asdogswill，todie。Ifyoucanmoistenitslipswiththemilk，MissHalcombe，Iwillwashtheclottedhairfromthewound。Iamverymuchafraiditistoolatetodoanygood。However，wecanbuttry。’ MrsCatherick！Thenamestillranginmyears，asifthehousekeeperhadonlythatmomentsurprisedmebyutteringit。Whilewewereattendingtothedog，thewordsofWalterHartright’scautiontomereturnedtomymemory:`IfeverAnneCatherickcrossesyourpath，makebetteruseoftheopportunity，MissHalcombe，thanImadeofit。’ThefindingofthewoundedspanielhadledmealreadytothediscoveryofMrsCatherick’svisittoBlackwaterPark，andthateventmightlead，initsturn，tosomethingmore。Ideterminedtomakethemostof thechancewhichwasnowofferedtome，andtogainasmuch informationasIcould。 `DidyousaythatMrsCathericklivedanywhereinthisneighbourhood？’Iasked。 `Ohdear，no，’saidthehousekeeper。`ShelivesatWelmingham，quiteattheotherendofthecounty——five-and-twentymilesoff，atleast。’ `IsupposeyouhaveknownMrsCatherickforsomeyears？’ `Onthecontrary，MissHalcombe，Ineversawherbeforeshecamehereyesterday。Ihadheardofher，ofcourse，becauseIhadheardofSirPercival’skindnessinputtingherdaughterundermedicalcare。MrsCatherickisratherastrangepersoninhermanners，butextremelyrespectable-looking。Sheseemedsorelyputoutwhenshefoundthattherewasnofoundation——none，atleast，thatanyofuscoulddiscover——forthereportofherdaughterhavingbeenseeninthisneighbourhood。’ `IamratherinterestedaboutMrsCatherick，’Iwenton，continuingtheconversationaslongaspossible。`IwishIhadarrivedheresoonenoughtoseeheryesterday。Didshestayforanylengthoftime？’ `Yes，’saidthehousekeeper，`shestayedforsometime；andIthinkshewouldhaveremainedlonger，ifIhadnotbeencalledawaytospeaktoastrangegentleman——agentlemanwhocametoaskwhenSirPercivalwasexpectedback。MrsCatherickgotupandleftatonce，whensheheardthemaidtellmewhatthevisitor’serrandwas。Shesaidtome，atparting，thattherewasnoneedtotellSirPercivalofhercominghere。Ithoughtthatratheranoddremarktomake，especiallytoapersoninmyresponsiblesituation。’ Ithoughtitanoddremarktoo。SirPercivalhadcertainlyledmetobelieve，atLimmeridge，thatthemostperfectconfidenceexistedbetweenhimselfandMrsCatherick。Ifthatwasthecase，whyshouldshebeanxioustohavehervisitatBlackwaterParkkeptasecretfromhim？ `Probably，’Isaid，seeingthatthehousekeeperexpectedmetogivemyopiniononMrsCatherick’spartingwords，`probablyshethoughttheannouncementofhervisitmightvexSirPercivaltonopurpose，byremindinghimthatherlostdaughterwasnotfoundyet。Didshetalkmuchonthatsubject？’ `Verylittle，’repliedthehousekeeper。’ShetalkedprincipallyofSirPercival，andaskedagreatmanyquestionsaboutwherehehadbeentravelling，andwhatsortofladyhisnewwifewas。Sheseemedtobemoresouredandputoutthandistressed，byfailingtofindanytracesofherdaughterintheseparts。``Igiveherup，’’werethelastwordsshesaidthatIcanremember；``Igiveherup，ma’am，forlost。’’AndfromthatshepassedatoncetoherquestionsaboutLadyGlyde，wantingtoknowifshewasahandsome，amiablelady，comelyandhealthyandyoung——Ah，dear！Ithoughthowitwouldend。Look，MissHalcombe，thepoorthingisoutofitsmiseryatlast！’ Thedogwasdead。Ithadgivenafaint，sobbingcry，ithadsufferedaninstant’sconvulsionofthelimbs，justasthoselastwords，`comelyandhealthyandyoung，’droppedfromthehousekeeper’slips。thechangehadhappenedwithstartlingsuddenness——inonemomentthecreaturelaylifelessunderourhands。 Eighto’clock。Ihavejustreturnedfromdiningdownstairs，insolitarystate。ThesunsetisburningredlyonthewildernessoftreesthatIseefrommywindow，andIamporingovermyjournalagain，tocalmmyimpatienceforthereturnofthetravellers。Theyoughttohavearrived，bymycalculations，beforethis。Howstillandlonelythehouseisinthedrowsyeveningquiet！Ohme！howmanyminutesmorebeforeIhearthecarriagewheelsandrundownstairstofindmyselfinLaura’sarms？ Thepoorlittledog！IwishmyfirstdayatBlackwaterParkhadnotbeenassociatedwithdeath，thoughitisonlythedeathofastrayanimal。 Welmingham——Isee，onlookingbackthroughtheseprivatepagesofmine，thatWelminghamisthenameoftheplacewhereMrsCathericklives。Hernoteisstillinmypossession，thenoteinanswertothatletteraboutherunhappydaughterwhichSirPercivalobligedmetowrite。Oneofthesedays，whenIcanfindasafeopportunity，Iwilltakethenotewithmebywayofintroduction，andtrywhatIcanmakeofMrsCatherickatapersonalinterview。Idon’tunderstandherwishingtoconcealhervisittothisplacefromSirPercival’sknowledge，andIdon’tfeelhalfsosure，asthehousekeeperseemstodo，thatherdaughterAnneisnotintheneighbourhoodafterall。WhatwouldWalterHartrighthavesaidinthisemergency？Poor，dearHartright！Iambeginningtofeelthewantofhishonestadviceandhiswillinghelpalready。 SurelyIheardsomething。Wasitabustleoffootstepsbelowstairs？Yes！Ihearthehorses’feet——Iheartherollingwheels。Awaywithmyjournalandmypenandink！Thetravellershavereturned——mydarlingLauraishomeagainatlast！ June15th——Theconfusionoftheirarrivalhashadtimetosubside。Twodayshaveelapsedsincethereturnofthetravellers，andthatintervalhassufficedtoputthenewmachineryofourlivesatBlackwaterParkinfairworkingorder。Imaynowreturntomyjournal，withsomelittlechanceofbeingabletocontinuetheentriesinitascollectedlyasusual。 IthinkImustbeginbyputtingdownanoddremarkwhichhassuggesteditselftomesinceLauracameback。 Whentwomembersofafamilyortwointimatefriendsareseparated，andonegoesabroadandoneremainsathome，thereturnoftherelativeorfriendwhohasbeentravellingalwaysseemstoplacetherelativeorfriendwhohasbeenstayingathomeatapainfuldisadvantagewhenthetwofirstmeet。thesuddenencounterofthenewthoughtsandnewhabitseagerlygainedintheonecase，withtheoldthoughtsandoldhabitspassivelypreservedintheother，seemsatfirsttopartthesympathiesofthemostlovingrelativesandthefondestfriends，andtosetasuddenstrangeness，unexpectedbybothanduncontrollablebyboth，betweenthemoneitherside。AfterthefirsthappinessofmymeetingwithLaurawasover，afterwehadsatdowntogetherhandinhandtorecoverbreathenoughandcalmnessenoughtotalk，Ifeltthisstrangenessinstantly，andIcouldseethatshefeltittoo。Ithaspartiallywornaway，nowthatwehavefallenbackintomostofouroldhabits，anditwillprobablydisappearbeforelong。ButithascertainlyhadaninfluenceoverthefirstimpressionsthatIhaveformedofher，nowthatwearelivingtogetheragain——forwhichreasononlyIhavethoughtfittomentionithere。 Shehasfoundmeunaltered，butIhavefoundherchanged。 Changedinperson，andinonerespectchangedincharacter。Icannotabsolutelysaythatsheislessbeautifulthansheusedtobe——Icanonlysaythatsheislessbeautifultome。 Others，whodonotlookatherwithmyeyesandmyrecollections，wouldprobablythinkherimproved。Thereismorecolourthereusedtobe，andherfigureseemsmorefirmlysetandmoresureandeasyinallitsmovementsthanitwasinhermaidendays。ButImisssomethingwhenIlookather——somethingthatoncebelongedtothehappy，innocentlifeofLauraFairlie，andthatIcannotfindinLadyGlyde。Therewasintheoldtimesafreshness，asoftness，anever-varyingandyetever-remainingtendernessofbeautyinherface，thecharmofwhichitisnotpossibletoexpressinwords，or，aspoorHartrightusedoftentosay，inpaintingeither。ThisisGone。IthoughtIsawthefaintreflectionofitforamomentwhensheturnedpaleundertheagitationofoursuddenmeetingontheeveningofherreturn，butithasneverreappearedsince。Noneofherlettershadpreparedmeforapersonalchangeinher。Onthecontrary。theyhadledmetoexpectthathermarriagehadlefther，inappearanceatleast，quiteunaltered。PerhapsIreadherletterswronglyinthepast，andamnowreadingherfacewronglyinthepresent？Nomatter！Whetherherbeautyhasgainedorwhetherithaslostinthelastsixmonths，theseparationeitherwayhasmadeherowndearselfmoreprecioustomethanever，andthatisonegoodresultofhermarriage，atanyrate！ Thesecondchange，thechangethatIhaveobservedinhercharacter，hasnotsurprisedme，becauseIwaspreparedforitinthiscasebythetoneofherletters。Nowthatsheisathomeagain，IfindherjustasunwillingtoenterintoanydetailsonthesubjectofhermarriedlifeasIhadpreviouslyfoundherallthroughthetimeofourseparation，whenwecouldonlycommunicatewitheachotherbywriting。AtthefirstapproachImadetotheforbiddentopicsheputherhandonmylipswithalookandgesturewhichtouchingly，almostpainfully，recalledtomymemorythedaysofhergirlhoodandthehappybygonetimewhentherewerenosecretsbetweenus。 `WheneveryouandIaretogether，Marian，’shesaid，`weshallbothbehappierandeasierwithoneanother，ifweacceptmymarriedlifeforwhatitis，andsayandthinkaslittleaboutitaspossible。Iwouldtellyoueverything，darling，aboutmyself，’shewenton，nervouslybucklingandunbucklingtheribbonroundmywaist，`ifmyconfidencescouldonlyendthere。Buttheycouldnot——theywouldleadmeintoconfidencesaboutmyhusbandtoo；andnowIammarried，IthinkIhadbetteravoidthem，forhissake，andforyoursake，andformine。Idon’tsaythattheywoulddistressyou，ordistressme——Iwouldn’thaveyouthinkthatfortheworld。But——Iwanttobesohappy，nowIhavegotyoubackagain，andIwantyoutobesohappytoo——’Shebrokeoffabruptly，andlookedroundtheroom，myownsitting-room，inwhichweweretalking。`Ah！’shecried，clappingherhandswithabrightsmileofrecognition，`anotheroldfriendfoundalready！Yourbookcase，Marian——yourdear-little-shabby-old-satin-woodbookcase——howgladIamyoubroughtitwithyoufromLimmeridge！Andthehorridheavyman’sumbrella，thatyoualwayswouldwalkoutwithwhenitrained！Andfirstandforemostofall，yourowndear，dark。clever，gipsy-face，lookingatmejustasusual！Itissolikehomeagaintobehere。Howcanwemakeitmorelikehomestill？Iwillputmyfather’sportraitinyourroominsteadofmine——andIwillkeepallmylittletreasuresfromLimmeridgehere——andwewillpasshoursandhourseverydaywiththesefourfriendlywallsroundus。Oh，Marian！’shesaid，suddenlyseatingherselfonafootstoolatmyknees，andlookingupearnestlyinmyface，`promiseyouwillnevermarry，andleaveme。Itisselfishtosayso，butyouaresomuchbetteroffasasinglewoman——unless——unlessyouarcveryfondofyourhusband——butyouwon’tbeveryfondofanybodybutme，willyou？’Shestoppedagain，crossedmyhandsonmylap，andlaidherfaceonthem。`Haveyoubeenwritingmanyletters，andreceivingmanyletterslately？’sheasked，inlow，suddenly-alteredtones。Iunderstoodwhatthequestionmeant，butIthoughtitmydutynottoencourageherbymeetingherhalfway。`Haveyouheardfromhim？’shewenton，coaxingmetoforgivethemoredirectappealonwhichshenowventured，bykissingmyhands，uponwhichherfacestillrested。`Ishewellandhappy，andgettingoninhisprofession？Hasherecoveredhimself——andforgottenme？’ Sheshouldnothaveaskedthosequestions。Sheshouldhaverememberedherownresolution，onthemorningwhenSirPercivalheldhertohermarriageengagement，andwhensheresignedthebookofHartright’sdrawingsintomyhandsforever。But，ahme！whereisthefaultlesshumancreaturewhocanpersevereinagoodresolution，withoutsometimesfailingandfallingback？Whereisthewomanwhohaseverreallytornfromherhearttheimagethathasbeenoncefixedinitbyatruelove？Bookstellusthatsuchunearthlycreatureshaveexisted——butwhatdoesourownexperiencesayinanswertobooks？ Imadenoattempttoremonstratewithher:perhaps，becauseIsincerelyappreciatedthefearlesscandourwhichletmesee，whatotherwomeninherpositionmighthavehadreasonsforconcealingevenfromtheirdearestfriends——perhaps，becauseIfelt，inmyownheartandconscience，thatinherplaceIshouldhaveaskedthesamequestionsandhadthesamethoughts。AllIcouldhonestlydowastoreplythatIhadnotwrittentohimorheardfromhimlately，andthentoturntheconversationtolessdangeroustopics。 Therehasbeenmuchtosaddenmeinourinterview——myfirstconfidentialinterviewwithhersinceherreturn。Thechangewhichhermarriagehasproducedinourrelationstowardseachother，byplacingaforbiddensubjectbetweenus，forthefirsttimeinourlives；themelancholyconvictionofthedearthofallwarmthoffeeling，ofallclosesympathy，betweenherhusbandandherself，whichherownunwillingwordsnowforceonmymind；thedistressingdiscoverythattheinfluenceofthatill-fatedattachmentstillremains(riomatterhowinnocently，howharmlessly)rootedasdeeplyaseverinherheart——allthesearedisclosurestosaddenanywomanwholovesherasdearly，andfeelsforherasacutely，asIdo Thereisonlyoneconsolationtosetagainstthem——aconsolationthatoughttocomfortme，andthatdoescomfortme。Allthegracesandgentlenessofhercharacter——allthefrankaffectionofhernature——allthesweet，simple，womanlycharmswhichusedtomakeherthedarlinganddelightofeveryonewhoapproachedher，havecomebacktomewithherself。OfmyotherimpressionsIamsometimesalittleinclinedtodoubt。Ofthislast，best，happiestofallimpressions，Igrowmoreandmorecertaineveryhourintheday。 Letmeturn，now，fromhertohertravellingcompanions。Herhusbandmustengagemyattentionfirst。WhathaveIobservedinSirPercival，sincehisreturn，toimprovemyopinionofhim？ Icanhardlysay。Smallvexatiousandannoyancesseemtohavebesethimsincehecameback，andnoman，underthosecircumstances，iseverpresentedathisbest。Helooks，asIthink，thinnerthanhewaswhenheleftEngland。Hiswearisomecoughandhiscomfortlessrestlessnesshavecertainlyincreased。Hismanner——atleasthismannertowardsme——ismuchmoreabruptthanitusedtobe。Hegreetedme，ontheeveningofhisreturn，withlittleornothingoftheceremonyandcivilityofformertimes——nopolitespeechesofwelcome——noappearanceofextraordinarygratificationatseeingme——nothingbutashortshakeofthehand，andasharp`How-d’ye-do，MissHalcombe——gladtoseeyouagain。’HeseemedtoacceptmeasoneofthenecessaryfixturesofBlackwaterPark，tobesatisfiedatfindingmeestablishedinmyproperplace，andthentopassmeoveraltogether。 Mostmenshowsomethingoftheirdispositionintheirownhouses，whichtheyhaveconcealedelsewhere，andSirPercivalhasalreadydisplayedamaniafororderandregularity，whichisquiteanewrevelationofhim，sofarasmypreviousknowledgeofhischaracterisconcerned。IfItakeabookfromthelibraryandleaveitonthetable，hefollowsmeandputsitbackagain。IfIrisefromachair，andletitremainwhereIhavebeensitting，hecarefullyrestoresittoitsproperplaceagainstthewall。Hepicksupstrayflower-blossomsfromthecarpet，andmutterstohimselfasdiscontentedlyasiftheywerehotcindersburningholesinit，andhestormsattheservantsifthereisacreaseinthetablecloth，oraknifemissingfromitsplaceatthedinner-table，asfiercelyasiftheyhadpersonallyinsultedhim。 Ihavealreadyreferredtothesmallannoyanceswhichappeartohavetroubledhimsincehisreturn。MuchofthealterationfortheworsewhichIhavenoticedinhimmaybeduetothese。Itrytopersuademyselfthatitisso，becauseIamanxiousnottobedisheartenedalreadyaboutthefuture。Itiscertainlytryingtoanyman’stempertobemetbyavexationthemomenthesetsfootinhisownhouseagain，afteralongabsence，andthisannoyingcircumstancedidreallyhappentoSirPercivalinmypresence。 Ontheeveningoftheirarrivalthehousekeeperfollowedmeintothehalltoreceivehermasterandmistressandtheirguests。Theinstanthesawher，SirPercivalaskedifanyonehadcalledlately。Thehousekeepermentionedtohim，inreply，whatshehadpreviouslymentionedtome，thevisitofthestrangegentlemantomakeinquiriesaboutthetimeofhermaster’sreturn。Heaskedimmediatelyforthegentleman’sname。Nonamehadbeenleft。Thegentleman’sbusiness？Nobusinesshadbeenmentioned。Whatwasthegentlemanlike？Thehousekeepertriedtodescribehim，butfailedtodistinguishthenamelessvisitorbyanypersonalpeculiaritywhichhermastercouldrecognise。SirPercivalfrowned，stampedangrilyonthefloor，andwalkedonintothehouse，takingnonoticeofanybody。WhyheshouldhavebeensodiscomposedbyatrifleIcannotsay——buthewasseriouslydiscomposed，beyondalldoubt。 Uponthewhole，itwillbebest，perhaps，ifIabstainfromformingadecisiveopinionofhismanners，language，andconductinhisownhouse，untiltimehasenabledhimtoshakeofftheanxieties。whatevertheymaybe，whichnowevidentlytroubledhismindinsecret。Iwillturnovertoanewpage，andmypenshallletLaura’shusbandaloneforthepresent。 Thetwoguests——theCountandCountessFosco——comenextinmycatalogue。IwilldisposeoftheCountessfirst，soastohavedonewiththewomanassoonaspossible。 Laurawascertainlynotchargeablewithanyexaggeration，inwritingmewordthatIshouldhardlyrecogniseherauntagainwhenwemet。NeverbeforehaveIbeheldsuchachangeproducedinawomanbyhermarriageashasbeenproducedinMadameFosco。 AsEleanorFairlie(agedseven-and-thirty)。shewasalwaystalkingpretentiousnonsense，andalwaysworryingtheunfortunatemenwitheverysmallexactionwhichavainandfoolishwomancanimposeonlong-sufferingmalehumanity。AsMadameFosco(agedthree-and-forty)，shesitsforhourstogetherwithoutsayingaword，frozenupinthestrangestmannerinherself。Thehideouslyridiculouslove-lockswhichusedtohangoneithersideofherfacearenowreplacedbystifflittlerowsofveryshortcurls，ofthesortoneseesinold-fashionedwigs。Aplain，matronlycapcoversherhead，andmakesherlook，forthefirsttimeinherlifesinceIrememberher，likeadecentwoman。Nobody(puttingherhusbandoutofthequestion，ofcourse)nowseesinher，whateverybodyoncesaw——Imeanthestructureofthefemaleskeleton，intheupperregionsofthecollar-bonesandtheshoulder-blades。Cladinquietblackorgreygowns，madehighroundthethroat——dressesthatshewouldhavelaughedat，orscreamedat，asthewhimofthemomentinclinedher，inhermaidendays——shesitsspeechlessincorners；herdrywhitehands(sodrythattheporesofherskinlookchalky)incessantlyengaged，eitherinmonotonousembroideryworkorinrollingupendlesscigarettesfortheCount’sownparticularsmoking。Onthefewoccasionswhenhercoldblueeyesareoffherwork，theyaregenerallyturnedonherhusband，withthelookofmutesubmissiveinquirywhichweareallfamiliarwithintheeyesofafaithfuldog。TheonlyapproachtoaninwardthawwhichIhaveyetdetectedunderheroutercoveringoficyconstraint，hasbetrayeditself，onceortwice，intheformofasuppressedtigerishjealousyofanywomaninthehouse(themaidsincluded)towhomtheCountspeaks，oronwhomhelookswithanythingapproachingtospecialinterestorattention。Exceptinthisoneparticular，sheisalways，morning，noon，andnight，indoorsandout，fairweatherorfoul，ascoldasastatue，andasimpenetrableasthestoneoutofwhichitiscut。Forthecommonpurposesofsocietytheextraordinarychangethusproducedinheris，beyondalldoubt，achangeforthebetter，seeingthatithastransformedherintoacivil，silent，unobtrusivewoman，whoisneverintheway。Howfarsheisreallyreformedordeterioratedinhersecretself，isanotherquestion。Ihaveonceortwiceseensuddenchangesofexpressiononherpinchedlips，andheardsuddeninflexionsoftoneinhercalmvoice，whichhaveledmetosuspectthatherpresentstateofsuppressionmayhavesealedupsomethingdangerousinhernature，whichusedtoevaporateharmlesslyinthefreedomofherformerlife。ItisquitepossiblethatImaybealtogetherwronginthisidea。Myownimpression，however，is，thatIamright。Timewillshow。 Andthemagicianwhohaswroughtthiswonderfultransformation——theforeignhusbandwhohastamedthisoncewaywardEnglishwomantillherownrelationshardlyknowheragain——theCounthimself？WhatoftheCount？ Thisintwowords:Helookslikeamanwhocouldtameanything。Ifhehadmarriedatigress，insteadofawoman，hewouldhavetamedthetigress。Ifhehadmarriedme，Ishouldhavemadehiscigarettes，ashiswifedoes——Ishouldhaveheldmytonguewhenhelookedatme，assheholdshers。 Iamalmostafraidtoconfessit。eventothesesecretpages。Themanhasinterestedme，hasattractedme，hasforcedmetolikehimIntwoshortdayshehasmadehiswaystraightintomyfavourableestimation，andhowhehasworkedthemiracleismorethanIcantell。 Itabsolutelystartlesme，nowheisinmymind，tofindhowplainlyIseehim！——howmuchmoreplainlythanIseeSirPercival，orMrFairlie，orWalterHartright，oranyotherabsentpersonofwhomIthink，withtheoneexceptionofLauraherself！Icanhearhisvoice，asifhewasspeakingatthismoment。Iknowwhathisconversationwasyesterday，aswellasifIwashearingitnow。HowamItodescribehim？Therearepeculiaritiesinhispersonalappearance，hishabits。andhisamusements，whichIshouldblameintheboldestterms，orridiculeinthemostmercilessmanner，ifIhadseentheminanotherman。Whatisitthatmakesmeunabletoblamethem，ortoridiculetheminhim？ Forexample，heisimmenselyfat。BeforethistimeIhavealwaysespeciallydislikedcorpulenthumanity。Ihavealwaysmaintainedthatthepopularnotionofconnectingexcessivegrossnessofsizeandexcessivegood-humourasinseparableallieswasequivalenttodeclaring，eitherthatnopeoplebutamiablepeopleevergetfat，orthattheaccidentaladditionofsomanypoundsoffleshhasadirectlyfavourableinfluenceoverthedispositionofthepersononwhosebodytheyaccumulate。Ihaveinvariablycombatedboththeseabsurdassertionsbyquotingexamplesoffatpeoplewhowereasmean，vicious，andcruelastheleanestandtheworstoftheirneighbours。IhaveaskedwhetherHenrytheEighthwasanamiablycharacter？WhetherPopeAlexandertheSixthwasagoodman？WhetherMrMurdererandMrsMurderessManningwerenotbothunusuallystoutpeople？Whetherhirednurses，proverbiallyascruelasetofwomenasaretohefoundinallEngland，werenot，forthemostpart，alsoasfatasetofwomenasaretobefoundinallEngland？——andsoon，throughdozensofotherexamples，modernandancient，nativeandforeign，highandlow。HoldingthesestrongopinionsonthesubjectwithmightandmainasIdoatthismoment，here，nevertheless，isCountFosco，asfatasHenrytheEighthhimself，establishedinmyfavour，atoneday’snotice，withoutletorhindrancefromhisownodiouscorpulence。Marvellousindeed！ Isithisfacethathasrecommendedhim？ Itmaybehisface。Heisamostremarkablelikeness，onalargescale，ofthegreatNapoleon。HisfeatureshaveNapoleon’smagnificentregularity——hisexpressionrecallsthegrandlycalm，immovablepoweroftheGreatSoldier’sface。Thisstrikingresemblancecertainlyimpressedme，tobeginwith；butthereissomethinginhimbesidestheresemblance，whichhasimpressedmemore。IthinktheinfluenceIamnowtryingtofindisinhiseyes。TheyarethemostunfathomablegreyeyesIeversaw，andtheyhaveattimesacold，clear，beautiful，irresistibleglitterinthemwhichforcesmetolookathim，andyetcausesmesensations，whenIdolook，whichIwouldrathernotfeel。Otherpartsofhisfaceandheadhavetheirstrangepeculiarities。Hiscomplexion，forinstance，hasasingularsallow-fairness，somuchatvariancewiththedark-browncolourofhishair，thatIsuspectthehairofbeingawig，andhisface，closelyshavenallover，issmootherandfreerfromallmarksandwrinklesthanmine，though(accordingtoSirPercival’saccountofhim)heiscloseonsixtyyearsofage。Butthesearenottheprominentpersonalcharacteristicswhichdistinguishhim，tomymind，fromalltheothermenIhaveeverseen。Themarkedpeculiaritywhichsingleshimoutfromtherankandfileofhumanityliesentirely，sofarasIcantellatpresent，intheextraordinaryexpressionandextraordinarypowerofhiseyes。 Hismannerandhiscommandofourlanguagemayalsohaveassistedhim，insomedegree，toestablishhimselfinmygoodopinion。Hehasthatquietdeference，thatlookofpleased，attentiveinterestinlisteningtoawoman，andthatsecretgentlenessinhisvoiceinspeakingtoawoman，which，saywhatwemay，wecannoneofusresist。Here，too，hisunusualcommandoftheEnglishlanguagenecessarilyhelpshim。IhadoftenheardoftheextraordinaryaptitudewhichmanyItaliansshowinmasteringourstrong，hard，Northernspeech；but，untilIsawCountFosco，IhadneversupposeditpossiblethatanyforeignercouldhavespokenEnglishashesneaksit。Therearetimeswhenitisalmostimpossibletodetect，byhisaccent，thatheisnotacountrymanofourown，andasforfluency，thereareveryfewbornEnglishmenwhocantalkwithasfewstoppagesandrepetitionsastheCount。Hemayconstructhissentencesmoreorlessintheforeignway，butIhaveneveryetheardhimuseawrongexpression，orhesitateforamomentinhischoiceofaword。 Allthesmallestcharacteristicsofthisstrangemanhavesomethingstrikinglyoriginalandperplexinglycontradictoryinthem。Fatasheisandoldasheis，hismovementsareastonishinglylightandeasy。Heisasnoiselessinaroomasanyofuswomen，andmorethanthat，withallhislookofunmistakablementalfirmnessandpower，heisasnervouslysensitiveastheweakestofus。HestartsatchancenoisesasinveteratelyasLauraherself。Hewincedandshudderedyesterday，whenSirPercivalbeatoneofthespaniels，sothatIfeltashamedofmyownwantoftendernessandsensibilitybycomparisonwiththeCount。 Therelationofthislastincidentremindsmeofoneofhismostcuriouspeculiarities，whichIhavenotyetmentioned——hisextraordinaryfondnessforpetanimals。 SomeofthesehehasleftontheContinent，buthehasbroughtwithhimtothishouseacockatoo，twocanary-birds，andawholefamilyofwhitemice。Heattendstoallthenecessitiesofthesestrangefavouriteshimself，andhehastaughtthecreaturestobesurprisinglyfondofhimandfamiliarwithhim。Thecockatoo，amostviciousandtreacherousbirdtowardseveryoneelse，absolutelyseemstolovehim。Whenheletsitoutofitscage，ithopsontohisknee，andclawsitswayuphisgreatbigbody，andrubsitstop-knotagainsthissallowdoublechininthemostcaressingmannerimaginable。Hehasonlytosetthedoorsofthecanaries’cagesopen，andtocallthem，andtheprettylittlecleverlytrainedcreaturesperchfearlesslyonhishand，mounthisfatoutstretchedfingersonebyone，whenhetellsthemto`goupstairs，’andsingtogetherasiftheywouldbursttheirthroatswithdelightwhentheygettothetopfinger。Hiswhitemiceliveinalittlepagodaofgaily-paintedwirework，designedandmadebyhimself。Theyarealmostastameasthecanaries，andtheyareperpetuallyletoutlikethecanaries。Theycrawlalloverhim，poppinginandoutofhiswaistcoat，andsittingincouples，whiteassnow，onhiscapaciousshoulders。Heseemstobeevenfonderofhismicethanofhisotherpets，smilesatthem，andkissesthem，andcallsthembyallsortsofendearingnames。IfitbepossibletosupposeanEnglishmanwithanytasteforsuchchildishinterestsandamusementsasthese，thatEnglishmanwouldcertainlyfeelratherashamedofthem，andwouldbeanxioustoapologiseforthem，inthecompanyofgrown-uppeople。ButtheCount，apparently，seesnothingridiculousintheamazingcontrastbetweenhiscolossalselfandhisfraillittlepets。Hewouldblandlykisshiswhitemiceandtwittertohiscanary-birdsamidanassemblyofEnglishfox-hunters，andwouldonlypitythemasbarbarianswhentheywerealllaughingtheirloudestathim。 ItseemshardlycrediblewhileIamwritingitdown，butitiscertainlytrue，thatthissameman，whohasallthefondnessofanoldmaidforhiscockatoo，andallthesmalldexteritiesofanorgan-boyinmanaginghiswhitemice，cantalk，whenanythinghappenstorousehim，withadaringindependenceofthought，aknowledgeofbooksineverylanguage，andanexperienceofsocietyinhalfthecapitalsofEurope，whichwouldmakehimtheprominentpersonageofanyassemblyinthecivilisedworld。Thistrainerofcanary-birds，thisarchitectofapagodaforwhitemice，is(asSirPercivalhimselfhastoldme)oneofthefirstexperimentalchemistsliving，andhasdiscovered，amongotherwonderfulinventions，ameansofpetrifyingthebodyafterdeath，soastopreserveit，ashardasmarble，totheendoftime。Thisfat，indolent，elderlyman，whosenervesaresofinelystrungthathestartsatchancenoises，andwinceswhenheseesahouse-spanielgetawhipping，wentintothestable-yardonthemorningafterhisarrival，andputhishandontheheadofachainedbloodhound——abeastsosavagethattheverygroomwhofeedshimkeepsoutofhisreach。HiswifeandIwerepresent，andIshallnotforgetthescenethatfollowed，shortasitwas。 `Mindthatdog，sir，’saidthegroom；`hefliesateverybody！’`Hedoesthat，myfriend，’repliedtheCountquietly，`becauseeverybodyisafraidofhim。Letusseeifhefliesatme。’Andhelaidhisplump，yellow-whitefingers，onwhichthecanary-birdshadbeenperchingtenminutesbefore，upontheformidablebrute’shead，andlookedhimstraightintheeyes。`Youbigdogsareallcowards，’hesaid，addressingtheanimalcontemptuously，withhisfaceandthedog’swithinaninchofeachother。`Youwouldkillapoorcat，youinfernalcoward。Youwouldflyatastarvingbeggar，youinfernalcoward。Anythingthatyoucansurpriseunawares——anythingthatisafraidofyourbigbody，andyourwickedwhiteteeth，andyourslobbering，bloodthirstymouth，isthethingyouliketoflyat。Youcouldthrottlemeatthismoment，youmean，miserablebully，andyoudaren’tsomuchaslookmeintheface，becauseI’mnotafraidofyou。Willyouthinkbetterofit，andtryyourteethinmyfatneck？Bah！notyou！’Heturnedaway，laughingattheastonishmentofthemenintheyard，andthedogcreptbackmeeklytohiskennel。`Ah！mynicewaistcoat！’hesaidpathetically。`IamsorryIcamehere。Someofthatbrute’sslobberhasgotonmyprettycleanwaistcoat。’Thosewordsexpressanotherofhisincomprehensibleoddities。Heisasfondoffineclothesastheveriestfoolinexistence，andhasappearedinfourmagnificentwaistcoatsalready——alloflightgarishcolours，andallimmenselylargeevenforhim——inthetwodaysofhisresidenceatBlackwaterPark。 Histactandclevernessinsmallthingsarequiteasnoticeableasthesingularinconsistenciesinhischaracter，andthechildishtrivialityofhisordinarytastesandpursuits。 Icanseealreadythathemeanstoliveonexcellenttermswithallofusduringtheperiodofhissojourninthisplace。HehasevidentlydiscoveredthatLaurasecretlydislikeshim(sheconfessedasmuchtomewhenIpressedheronthesubject)——buthehasalsofoundoutthatsheisextravagantlyfondofflowers。Whenevershewantsanosegayhehasgotonetogiveher，gatheredandarrangedbyhimself，andgreatlytomyamusement，heisalwayscunninglyprovidedwithaduplicate，composedofexactlythesameflowers，groupedinexactlythesameway，toappeasehisicilyjealouswifebeforeshecansomuchasthinkherselfaggrieved。HismanagementoftheCountess(inpublic)isasighttosee。Hebowstoher，hehabituallyaddressesheras`myangel，’hecarrieshiscanariestopayherlittlevisitsonhisfingersandtosingtoher，hekissesherhandwhenshegiveshimhiscigarettes；hepresentsherwithsugar-plumsinreturn，whichheputsintohermouthplayfully，fromaboxinhispocket。Therodofironwithwhichherulesherneverappearsincompany——itisaprivaterod，andisalwayskeptupstairs。 Hismethodofrecommendinghimselftomeisentirelydifferent。HeflattersmyvanitybytalkingtomeasseriouslyandsensiblyasifIwasaman。Yes！IcanfindhimoutwhenIamawayfromhim——Iknowheflattersmyvanity，whenIthinkofhimuphereinmyownroom——andyet，whenIgodownstairs，andgetintohiscompanyagain，hewillblindmeagain，andIshallbeflatteredagain，justasifIhadneverfoundhimoutatall！HecanmanagemeashemanageshiswifeandLaura，ashemanagedthebloodhoundinthestable-yard，ashemanagesSirPercivalhimself，everyhourintheday。`MygoodPercival！howIlikeyourroughEnglishhumour！’——`MygoodPercival！howIenjoyyoursolidEnglishsense！’HeputstherudestremarksSirPercivalcanmakeonhiseffeminatetastesandamusementsquietlyawayfromhiminthatmanner——alwayscallingthebaronetbyhisChristianname，smilingathimwiththecalmestsuperiority，pattinghimontheshoulder，andbearingwithhimbenignantly，asagood-humouredfatherbearswithawaywardson。 TheinterestwhichIreallycannothelpfeelinginthisstrangelyoriginalmanhasledmetoquestionSirPercivalabouthispastlife。 SirPercivaleitherknowslittle，orwilltellmelittle，aboutit。HeandtheCountfirstmetmanyyearsago，atRome，underthedangerouscircumstancestowhichIhavealludedelsewhere。SincethattimetheyhavebeenperpetuallytogetherinLondon，inParis，andinVienna——butneverinItalyagain；theCounthaving，oddlyenough，notcrossedthefrontiersofhisnativecountryforyearspast。Perhapshehasbeenmadethevictimofsomepoliticalpersecution？Atallevents，heseemstobepatrioticallyanxiousnottolosesightofanyofhisowncountrymenwhomayhappentobeinEngland。Ontheeveningofhisarrivalheaskedhowfarwewerefromthenearesttown，andwhetherweknewofanyItaliangentlemenwhomighthappentobesettledthere。HeiscertainlyincorrespondencewithpeopleontheContinent，forhislettershaveallsortsofoddstampsonthem，andIsawoneforhimthismorning，waitinginhisplaceatthebreakfast-table，withahuge，official-lookingsealonit。Perhapsheisincorrespondencewithhisgovernment？Andyet，thatishardlytobereconciledeitherwithmyotherideathathemaybeapoliticalexile。 HowmuchIseemtohavewrittenaboutCountFosco！Andwhatdoesitallamountto？——aspoor，dearMrGilmorewouldask，inhisimpenetrablebusiness-likeway。IcanonlyrepeatthatIdoassuredlyfeel，evenonthisshortacquaintance，astrange，half-willing，half-unwillinglikingfortheCount。HeseemstohaveestablishedovermethesamesortofascendencywhichhehasevidentlygainedoverSirPercival。Free，andevenrude，ashemayoccasionallybeinhismannertowardshisfatfriend，SirPercivalisneverthelessafraid，asIcanplainlysee，ofgivinganyseriousoffencetotheCount。IwonderwhetherIamafraidtoo？Icertainlyneversawaman，inallmyexperience，whomlshouldbesosorrytohaveforanenemy。IsthisbecauseIlikehim，orbecauseIamafraidofhim？Chisa？——asCountFoscomightsayinhisownlanguage。Whoknows？ June16th——Somethingtochronicletodaybesidesmyownideasandimpressions。Avisitorhasarrived——quiteunknowntoLauraandtome，andapparentlyquiteunexpectedbySirPercival。 Wewereallatlunch，intheroomwiththenewFrenchwindowsthatopenintotheverandah，andtheCount(whodevourspastryasIhaveneveryetseenitdevouredbyanyhumanbeingsbutgirlsatboarding-schools)hadjustamusedusbyaskinggravelyforhisfourthtart——whentheservantenteredtoannouncethevisitor。 `MrMerrimanhasjustcome，SirPercival，andwishestoseeyouimmediately。’ SirPercivalstarted，andlookedatthemanwithanexpressionofangryalarm。 `MrMerriman！’herepeated，asifhethoughthisownearsmusthavedeceivedhim。 `Yes，SirPercival——MrMerriman，fromLondon。’ `Whereishe？’ `Inthelibrary，SirPercival。’ Heleftthetabletheinstantthelastanswerwasgiven，andhurriedoutoftheroomwithoutsayingawordtoanyofus。 `WhoisMrMerriman？’askedLaura，appealingtome。 `Ihavenottheleastidea，’wasallIcouldsayinreply。 TheCounthadfinishedhisfourthtart，andhadgonetoaside-tabletolookafterhisviciouscockatoo。Heturnedroundtouswiththebirdperchedonhisshoulder。 `MrMerrimanisSirPercival’ssolicitor，’hesaidquietly。 SirPercival’ssolicitor。ItwasaperfectlystraightforwardanswertoLaura’squestion，andvet，underthecircumstances，itwasnotsatisfactory。IfMrMerrimanhadbeenspeciallysentfurbyhisclient，therewouldhavebeennothingverywonderfulinhisleavingtowntoobeythesummons。ButwhenalawyertravelsfromLondontoHampshirewithoutbeingsentfor，andwhenhisarrivalatagentleman’shouseseriouslystartlesthegentlemanhimself，itmaybesafelytakenforgrantedthatthelegalvisitoristhebearerofsomeveryimportantandveryunexpectednews——newswhichmaybeeitherverygoodorverybad，butwhichcannot，ineithercase，beofthecommoneverydaykind。 LauraandIsatsilentatthetableforaquarterofanhourormore，wonderinguneasilywhathadhappened，andwaitingforthechanceofSirPercival’sspeedyreturn。Therewerenosignsofhisreturn，andwerosetoleavetheroom。 TheCount，attentiveasusual，advancedfromthecornerinwhichhehadbeenfeedinghiscockatoo，withthebirdstillperchedonhisshoulder，andopenedthedoorforus。LauraandMadameFoscowentoutfirst。JustasIwasonthepointoffollowingthemhemadeasignwithhishand，andspoketome，beforeIpassedhim，intheoddestmanner。 `Yes，’hesaid，quietlyansweringtheunexpressedideaatthatmomentinmymind，asifIhadplainlyconfidedittohiminsomanywords——`yes，MissHalcombe，somethinghashappened。’ Iwasonthepointofanswering，`Ineversaidso，’buttheviciouscockatooruffledhisclippedwingsandgaveascreechthatsetallmynervesonedgeinaninstant，andmademeonlytoogladtogetoutoftheroom。 IjoinedLauraatthefootofthestairs。Thethoughtinhermindwasthesameasthethoughtinmine，whichCountFoscohadsurprised，andwhenshespokeherwordswerealmosttheechoofhis。She，too，saidtomesecretlythatshewasafraidsomethinghadhappened。 June16th——Ihaveafewlinesmoretoaddtothisday’sentrybeforeIgotobedtonight。 AbouttwohoursafterSirPercivalrosefromtheluncheon-tabletoreceivehissolicitor，MrMerriman，inthelibrary，Ileftmyroomalonetotakeawalkintheplantations。JustasIwasattheendofthelandingthelibrarydooropenedandthetwogentlemencameout。Thinkingitbestnottodisturbthembyappearingonthestairs，Iresolvedtodefergoingdowntilltheyladcrossedthehall。Althoughtheyspoketoeachotheringuardedtones，theirwordswerepronouncedwithsufficientdistinctnessofutterancetoreachmyears。 `Makeyourmindeasy，SirPercival，’Iheardthelawyersay；`itallrestswithLadyGlyde。’ Ihadturnedtogobacktomyownroomforaminuteortwo，butthesoundofLaura’snameonthelipsofastrangerstoppedmeinstantly。Idaresayitwasverywrongandverydiscreditabletolisten，butwhereisthewoman，inthewholerangeofoursex，whocanregulateheractionsbytheabstractprinciplesofhonour，whenthoseprinciplespointoneway，andwhenheraffections，andtheinterestswhichgrowoutofthem，pointtheother？ Ilistened——andundersimilarcircumstancesIwouldlistenagain——yes！withmyearatthekeyhole，ifIcouldnotpossiblymanageitinanyotherway。 `Youquiteunderstand，SirPercival，’thelawyerwenton。`LadyGlydeistosignhernameinthepresenceofawitness——oroftwowitnesses，ifyouwishtobeparticularlycareful——andisthentoputherfingeronthesealandsay，``Ideliverthisasmyactanddeed。’’Ifthatisdoneinaweek’stimethearrangementwillbeperfectlysuccessful，andtheanxietywillbeallover。Ifnot——’ `Whatdoyoumeanby``ifnot’’？’askedSirPercivalangrily。`Ifthethingmustbedoneitshallbedone。Ipromiseyouthat，Merriman-’ `Justso，SirPercival——justso；buttherearetwoalternativesinalltransactions，andwelawyersliketolookbothoftheminthefaceboldly。Ifthroughanyextraordinarycircumstancethearrangementshouldnotbemade，IthinkImaybeabletogetthepartiestoacceptbillsatthreemonths。Buthowthemoneyistoberaisedwhenthebillsfalldue——’ `Damnthebills！Themoneyisonlytobegotinoneway，andinthatway，Itellyouagain，itshallbegot。Takeaglassofwine，Merriman，beforeyougo。’ `Muchobliged，SirPercival，Ihavenotamomenttoloseiflamtocatchtheup-train。Youwillletmeknowassoonasthearrangementiscomplete？andyouwillnotforgetthecautionIrecommended——’ `OfcourseIwon’t。There’sthedog-cartatthedoorforyou。Mygroomwillgetyoutothestationinnotime。Benjamin，drivelikemad！Jumpin。IfMrMerrimanmissesthetrainyouloseyourplace。Holdfast，Merriman，andifyouareupsettrusttothedeviltosavehisown。’Withthatpartingbenedictionthebaronetturnedaboutandwalkedbacktothelibrary。 Ihadnotheardmuch，butthelittlethathadreachedmyearswasenoughtomakemefeeluneasy。The`something’that`hadhappened’wasbuttooPlainlyaseriousmoneyembarrassment，andSirPercival’srelieffromitdependeduponLaura。Theprospectofseeingherinvolvedinherhusband’ssecretdifficultiesfilledmewithdismay，exaggerated，nodoubt，bymyignoranceofbusinessandmysettleddistrustofSirPercival。Insteadofgoingout，asIproposed，IwentbackimmediatelytoLaura’sroomtotellherwhatIhadheard。 Shereceivedmybadnewssocomposedlyastosurpriseme。Sheevidentlyknowsmoreofherhusband’scharacterandherhusband’sembarrassmentsthanIhavesuspecteduptothistime。 `Ifearedasmuch，’shesaid，`whenIheardofthatstrangegentlemanwhocalled，anddeclinedtoleavehisname。’ `Whodoyouthinkthegentlemanwas，then？’Iasked。 `SomepersonwhohasheavyclaimsonSirPercival，’sheanswered，`andwhohasbeenthecauseofMrMerriman’svisitheretoday。’ `Doyouknowanythingaboutthoseclaims？’ `No，Iknownoparticulars。’ `Youwillsignnothing，Laura，withoutfirstlookingatit？’ `Certainlynot，Marian。WhateverIcanharmlesslyandhonestlydotohelphimIwilldo——forthesakeofmakingyourlifeandmine，love，aseasyandashappyaspossible。ButIwilldonothingignorantly，whichwemight，oneday，havereasontofeelashamedof。Letussaynomoreaboutitnow。Youhavegotyourhaton——supposewegoanddreamawaytheafternooninthegrounds？’ Onleavingthehousewedirectedourstepstothenearestshade。 Aswepassedanopenspaceamongthetreesinfrontofthehouse，therewasCountFosco，slowlywalkingbackwardsandforwardsonthegrass，sunninghimselfinthefullblazeofthehotJuneafternoon。Hehadabroadstrawhaton，withaviolet-colouredribbonroundit。Ablueblouse，withprofusewhitefancy-workoverthebosom，coveredhisprodigiousbody，andwasgirtabouttheplacewherehiswaistmightoncehavebeenwithabroadscarletleatherbelt。Nankeentrousers，displayingmorewhitefancy-workovertheankles，andpurplemoroccoslippers，adornedhislowerextremities。HewassingingFigaro’sfamoussongintheBarberofSeville。withthatcrisplyfluentvocalisationwhichisneverheardfromanyotherthananItalianthroat，accompanyinghimselfontheconcertina，whichheplayedwithecstaticthrowings-upofhisarms，andgracefultwistingsandturningsofhishead，likeafatStCeciliamasqueradinginmaleattire。`Figaroqua！Figarola！Figarosu！Figarogiu！’sangtheCount，jauntilytossinguptheconcertinaatarm’slength，andbowingtous，ononesideoftheinstrument，withtheairygraceandeleganceofFigarohimselfattwentyvicarsofage。 `Takemywordforit，Laura，thatmanknowssomethingofSirPercival’sembarrassments，’Isaid，aswereturnedtheCount’ssalutationfromasafedistance。 `Whatmakesyouthinkthat？’sheasked。 `Howshouldhehaveknown，otherwise，thatMrMerrimanwasSirPercival’ssolicitor？’Irejoined。`Besides，whenIfollowedyououtoftheluncheon-room，hetoldme。withoutasinglewordofinquiryonmypart，thatsomethinghadhappened。Dependuponit，heknowsmorethanwedo。’ `Don’taskhimanyquestionsifhedoes。Don’ttakehimintoourconfidence。 `Youseemtodislikehim，Laura，inaverydeterminedmanner。Whathashesaidordonetojustifyyou？’ `Nothing，Marian。Onthecontrary，hewasallkindnessandattentiononourjourneyhome，andheseveraltimescheckedSirPercival’soutbreaksoftemper，inthemostconsideratemannertowardsme。PerhapsIdislikehimbecausehehassomuchmorepowerovermyhusbandthanIhave。Perhapsithurtsmypridetobeunderanyobligationstohisinterference。AllIknowis，thatIdodislikehim。’ Therestofthedayandeveningpassedquietlyenough。ThecountandIplayedatchess。Forthefirsttwogameshepolitelyallowedmetoconquerhim，andthen，whenhesawthatIhadfoundhimout，beggedmypardon，andatthethirdgamecheckmatedmeintenminutes。SirPercivalneveroncereferred，allthroughtheevening，tothelawyer’svisit。Buteitherthatevent，orsomethingelse，hadproducedasingularalterationforthebetterinhim。Hewasaspoliteandagreeabletoallofus，asheusedtobeinthedaysofhisprobationatLimmeridge，andhewassoamazinglyattentiveandkindtohiswife，thatevenicyMadameFoscowasrousedintolookingathimwithagravesurprise。Whatdoesthismean？IthinkIcanguess——IamafraidLauracanguess——andIamsureCountFoscoknows。IcaughtSirPercivallookingathimforapprovalmorethanonceinthecourseoftheevening。 June17th——Adayofevents。ImostferventlyhopeImaynothavetoadd，adayofdisastersaswell。 SirPercivalwasassilentatbreakfastashehadbeentheeveningbefore，onthesubjectofthemysterious`arrangement’(asthelawyercalledit)whichishangingoverourheads。Anhourafterwards，however，hesuddenlyenteredthemorning-room，wherehiswifeandIwerewaiting，withourhatson，forMadameFoscotojoinus，andinquiredfortheCount。 `Weexpecttoseehimheredirectly，’Isaid。 `Thefactis，’SirPercivalwenton，walkingnervouslyabouttheroom，`IwantFoscoandhiswifeinthelibrary，foramerebusinessformality，andIwantyouthere，Laura，foraminutetoo。’Hestopped，andappearedtonotice，forthefirsttime，thatwewereinourwalkingcostume。`Haveyoujustcomein？’heasked，`orwereyoujustgoingout？’ `Wewereallthinkingofgoingtothelakethismorning，’saidLaura。`Butifyouhaveanyotherarrangementtopropose——’ `No，no，’heansweredhastily。`Myarrangementcanwait。Afterlunchwilldoaswellforitasafterbreakfast。Allgoingtothelake，eh？Agoodidea。Let’shaveanidlemorning——I’llbeoneoftheparty。’ Therewasnomistakinghismanner，evenifithadbeenpossibletomistaketheuncharacteristicreadinesswhichhiswordsexpressed，tosubmithisownplansandprojectstotheconvenienceofothers。Hewasevidentlyrelievedatfindinganyexcusefordelayingthebusinessformalityinthelibrary，towhichhisownwordshadreferred。MyheartsankwithinmeasIdrewtheinevitableinference。 TheCountandhiswifejoinedusatthatmoment。Theladyhadherhusband’sembroideredtobacco-pouch，andherstoreofpaperinherhand，forthemanufactureoftheeternalcigarettes。Thegentleman，dressed，asusual，inhisblouseandstrawhat，carriedthegaylittlepagoda-cage，withhisdarlingwhitemiceinit，andsmiledonthem，andonus，withablandamiabilitywhichitwasimpossibletoresist。 `Withyourkindpermission，’saidtheCount，`Iwilltakemysmallfamilyhere——mypoor-little-harmless-pretty-Mouseys，outforanairingalongwithus。Therearedogsaboutthehouse，andshallIleavemyforlornwhitechildrenatthemerciesofthedogs？Ah，never！’ Hechirrupedpaternallyathissmallwhitechildrenthroughthebarsofthepagoda，andweallleftthehouseforthelake。 IntheplantationSirPercivalstrayedawayfromus。Itseemstobepartofhisrestlessdispositionalwaystoseparatehimselffromhiscompanionsontheseoccasions，andalwaystooccupyhimselfwhenheisaloneincuttingnewwalking-sticksforhisownuse。Themereactofcuttingandloppingathazardappearstopleasehim。Hehasfilledthehousewithwalking-sticksofhisownmaking，notoneofwhichheevertakesupforasecondtime。Whentheyhavebeenonceusedhisinterestinthemisallexhausted，andhethinksofnothingbutgoingonandmakingmore。 Attheoldboathousehejoinedusagain。Iwillputdowntheconversationthatensuredwhenwewereallsettledinourplacesexactlyasitpassed。Itisanimportantconversation，sofarasIamconcerned，forithasseriouslydisposedmetodistrusttheinfluencewhichCountFoscohasexercisedovermythoughtsandfeelings，andtoresistitforthefutureasresolutelyasIcan。 Theboat-housewaslargeenoughtoholdusall，butSirPercivalremainedoutsidetrimmingthelastnewstickwithhispocket-axe。Wethreewomenfoundplentyofroomonthelargeseat。Lauratookherwork，andMadameFoscobeganhercigarettes。I，asusual。hadnothingtodo。Myhandsalwayswere，andalwayswillbe，asawkwardasaman’s。TheCountgood-humouredlytookastoolmanysizestoosmallforhim，andbalancedhimselfonitwithhisbackagainstthesideoftheshed，whichcreakedandgroanedunderhisweight。HeputthePagoda-cageonhislap，andletoutthemicetocrawloverhimasusual。Theyarepretty，innocent-lookinglittlecreatures，butthesightofthemcreepingaboutaman’sbodyisforsomereasonnotpleasanttome。Itexcitesastrangeresponsivecreepinginmyownnerves，andsuggestshideousideasofmendyinginprisonwiththecrawlingcreaturesofthedungeonpreyingonthemundisturbed。 Themorningwaswindyandcloudy，andtherapidalternationsofshadowandsunlightoverthewasteofthelakemadetheviewlookdoublywild，weird，andgloomy。 `Somepeoplecallthatpicturesque，’saidSirPercival，pointingoverthewideprospectwithhishalf-finishedwalking-stick。`Icallitablotonagentleman’sproperty。Inmygreat-grandfather’stimethelakeflowedtothisplace。Lookatitnow。Itisnotfourfeetdeepanywhere，anditisallpuddlesandpools。IwishIcouldaffordtodrainit，andplantitallover。Mybailiff(asuperstitiousidiot)saysheisquitesurethelakehasacurseonit，liketheDeadSea。Whatdoyouthink，Fosco？Itlooksjusttheplaceforamurder，doesn’tit？’ `MygoodPercival，’remonstratedtheCount。`WhatisyoursolidEnglishsensethinkingof？Thewateristooshallowtohidethebody，andthereissandeverywheretoprintoffthemurderer’sfootsteps。Itis，uponthewhole，theveryworstplaceforamurderthatIeversetmyeyeson。’ `Humbug！’saidSirPercival，cuttingawayfiercelyathisstick。`YouknowwhatImean。Thedrearyscenery，thelonelysituation。Ifyouchoosetounderstandme，youcan——ifyoudon’tchoose，Iamnotgoingtotroublemyselftoexplainmymeaning。’ `Andwhynot，’askedtheCount，`whenyourmeaningcanbeexplainedbyanybodyintwowords？Ifafoolwasgoingtocommitamurder，yourlakeisthefirstplacehewouldchooseforit。Ifawisemanwasgoingtocommitamurder，yourlakeisthelastplacehewouldchooseforit。Isthatyourmeaning？Ifitis，thereisyourexplanationforyoureadymade。Takeit，Percival。withyourgoodFosco’sblessing。’ LauralookedattheCountwithherdislikeforhimappearingalittletooplainlyinherface。Hewassobusywithhismicethathedidnotnoticeher。 `Iamsorrytohearthelake-viewconnectedwithanythingsohorribleastheideaofmurder，’shesaid。`AndifCountFoscomustdividemurderersintoclasses，Ithinkhehasbeenveryunfortunateinhischoiceofexpressions。Todescribethemasfoolsonlyseemsliketreatingthemwithanindulgencetowhichtheyhavenoclaim。Andtodescribethemaswisemensoundstomelikeadownrightcontradictioninterms。Ihavealwaysheardthattrulywisemenaretrulygoodmen，andhaveahorrorofcrime。’ `Mydearlady，’saidtheCount，`thoseareadmirablesentiments，andIhaveseenthemstatedatthetopsofcopy-books。’Heliftedoneofthewhitemiceinthepalmofhishand，andspoketoitinhiswhimsicalway。`Myprettylittlesmoothwhiterascal，’hesaid，`hereisamorallessonforyou。Atrulywisemouseisatrulygoodmouse。Mentionthat，ifyouplease，toyourcompanions，andnevergnawatthebarsofyourcageagainaslongasyoulive。’ `Itiseasytoturneverythingintoridicule，’saidLauraresolutely；`butyouwillnotfinditquitesoeasy，CountFosco，togivemeaninstanceofawisemanwhohasbeenagreatcriminal。’ TheCountshruggedhishugeshoulders，andsmiledonLaurainthefriendliestmanner。 `Mosttrue！’hesaid。`Thefool’scrimeisthecrimethatisfoundout，andthewiseman’scrimeisthecrimethatisnotfoundout。IfIcouldgiveyouaninstance，itwouldnotbetheinstanceofawiseman。DearLadyGlyde，yoursoundEnglishcommonsensehasbeentoomuchforme。Itischeckmateformethistime，MissHalcombe——ha？’ `Standtoyourguns，Laura，’sneeredSirPercival，whohadbeenlisteninginhisplaceatthedoor。`Tellhimnext，thatcrimescausetheirowndetection。There’sanotherbitofcopybookmoralityforyou，Fosco。Crimescausetheirowndetection。Whatinfernalhumbug！’ `Ibelieveittobetrue，’saidLauraquietly。 SirPercivalburstoutlaughing，soviolently，sooutrageously，thathequitestartledusall——theCountmorethananyofus。 `Ibelieveittoo，’Isaid，comingtoLaura’srescue。 SirPercival，whohadbeenunaccountablyamusedathiswife’sremark，wasjustasunaccountablyirritatedbymine。Hestruckthenewsticksavagelyonthesand，andwalkedawayfromus。 `PoordearPercival！’criedCountFosco，lookingafterhimgaily，`heisthevictimofEnglishspleen。But，mydearMissHalcombe，mydearLadyGlyde，doyoureallybelievethatcrimescausetheirowndetection？Andyou，myangel，’hecontinued，turningtohiswife，whohadnotutteredawordyet，`doyouthinksotoo？’ `Iwaittobeinstructed，’repliedtheCountess，intonesoffreezingreproof，intendedforLauraandme，`beforeIventureongivingmyopinioninthepresenceofwell-informedmen。’ `Doyou，indeed？’Isaid。`lrememberthetime，Countess，whenyouadvocatedtheRightsofWomen，andfreedomoffemaleopinionwasoneofthem。’ `Whatisyourviewofthesubject，Count？’askedMadameFosco，calmlyproceedingwithhercigarettes，andnottakingtheleastnoticeofme。 TheCountstrokedoneofhiswhitemicereflectivelywithhischubbylittlefingerbeforeheanswered。 `Itistrulywonderful，’hesaid，`howeasilySocietycanconsoleitselffortheworstofitsshortcomingswithalittlebitofclap-trap。Themachineryithassetupforthedetectionofcrimeismiserablyineffective——andyetonlyinventamoralepigram，savingthatitworkswell，andyoublindeverybodytoitsblundersfromthatmoment。Crimescausetheirowndetection。dothey？Andmurderwillout(anothermoralepigram)，willit？AskCoronerswhositatinquestsinlargetownsifthatistrue，LadyGlyde。Asksecretariesoflife-assurancecompaniesifthatistrue，MissHalcombe。Readyourownpublicjournals。Inthefewcasesthatgetintothenewspapers，aretherenotinstancesofslainbodiesfound，andnomurdererseverdiscovered？Multiplythecasesthatarereportedbythecasesthatarenotreported，andthebodiesthatarefoundbythebodiesthatarenotfound，andwhatconclusiondoyoucometo？This。Thattherearefoolishcriminalswhoarediscovered，andwisecriminalswhoescape。Thehidingofacrime，orthedetectionofacrime，whatisit？Atrialofskillbetweenthepoliceononeside，andtheindividualontheother。Whenthecriminalisabrutal，ignorantfool，thepoliceinninecasesoutoftenwin。Whenthecriminalisaresolute，educated，highly-intelligentman，thepoliceinninecasesoutoftenlose。Ifthepolicewin，yougenerallyhearallaboutit。Ifthepolicelose，yougenerallyhearnothing。AndonthistotteringfoundationyoubuildupyourcomfortablemoralmaximthatCrimecausesitsowndetection！Yes——allthecrimeyouknowof。Andwhatoftherest？’ `Devilishtrue，andverywellput，’criedavoiceattheentranceoftheboat-house。SirPercivalhadrecoveredhisequanimity，andhadcomebackwhilewewerelisteningtotheCount。 `Someofitmaybetrue，’Isaid，`andallofitmaybeverywellput。ButIdon’tseewhyCountFoscoshouldcelebratethevictoryofthecriminaloverSocietywithsomuchexultation，orwhyyou，SirPercival，shouldapplaudhimsoloudlyfordoingit。’ `Doyouhearthat，Fosco？’askedSirPercival。`Takemyadvice，andmakeyourpeacewithyouraudience。Tellthemvirtue’safinething——theylikethat，Icanpromiseyou。’ TheCountlaughedinwardlyandsilently，andtwoofthewhitemiceinhiswaistcoat，alarmedbytheinternalconvulsiongoingonbeneaththem。dartedoutinaviolenthurry，andscrambledintotheircageagain。 `Theladies，mygoodPercival，shalltellmeaboutvirtue，’hesaid。`TheyarebetterauthoritiesthanIam，fortheyknowwhatvirtueis，andIdon’t。’ `Youhearhim？’saidSirPercival。`Isn’titawful？’ `Itistrue，’saidtheCountquietly。`Iamacitizenoftheworld，andIhavemet，inmytime，withsomanydifferentsortsofvirtue，thatIampuzzled，inmyoldage，tosaywhichistherightsortandwhichisthewrong。Here，inEngland，thereisonevirtue。Andthere，inChina，thereisanothervirtue。AndJohnEnglishmansaysmyvirtueisthegenuinevirtue。AndJohnChinamansaysmyvirtueisthegenuinevirtue。AndIsayYestoone，orNototheother，andamjustasmuchbewilderedaboutitinthecaseofJohnwiththetop-bootsasIaminthecaseofJohnwiththepigtail。Ah，nicelittleMousey！come，kissme。WhatisyourownPrivatenotionofavirtuousman，mypret-pret-pretty？Amanwhokeepsyouwarm，andgivesyouplentytoeat。Andagoodnotion，too，foritisintelligible，attheleast。’ `Stayaminute，Count，’Iinterposed。`Acceptingyourillustration，surelywehaveoneunquestionablevirtueinEnglandwhichiswantinginChina。TheChineseauthoritieskillthousandsofinnocentpeopleonthemostfrivolouspretexts。WeinEnglandarefreefromallguiltofthatkind——wecommitnosuchdreadfulcrime——weabhorrecklessbloodshedwithallourhearts。’ `Quiteright，Marian，’saidLaura。`Wellthoughtof，andwellexpressed。’ `PrayallowtheCounttoProceed，’saidMadameFosco，withsterncivility。`YouWillfind，youngladies，thatheneverspeakswithouthavingexcellentreasonsforallthathesays。’ `Thankyou，myangel，’repliedtheCount。`Haveabonbon？’Hetookoutofhispocketaprettylittleinlaidbox，andplaceditopenonthetable。`ChocolateàlaVanille，’criedtheimpenetrableman，cheerfullyrattlingthesweetmeatsinthebox，andbowlingallround。`OfferedbyFoscoasanactofhomagetothecharmingSociety。’ `Begoodenoughtogoon，Count，’saidhiswife，withaspitefulreferencetomyself。`ObligemebyansweringMissHalcombe。’ `MissHalcombeisunanswerable，’repliedthepoliteItalian；`thatistosay，sofarasshedoes。Yes！Iagreewithher。JohnBulldoesabhorthecrimesofJohnChinaman。Heisthequickestoldgentlemanatfindingoutfaultsthatarehisneighbours’，andtheslowestoldgentlemanatfindingoutthefaultsthatarehisown，whoexistsonthefaceofcreation。Ishesoverymuchbetterinhiswaythanthepeoplewhomhecondemnsintheirway？EnglishSociety，MissHalcombe，isasoftentheaccompliceasitistheenemyofcrime。Yes！yes！Crimeisinthiscountrywhatcrimeisinothercountries——agoodfriendtoamanandtothoseabouthimasoftenasitisanenemy。Agreatrascalprovidesforhiswifeandfamily。Theworseheisthemorehemakesthemtheobjectsforyoursympathy。Heoftenprovidesalsoforhimself。Aprofligatespendthriftwhoisalwaysborrowingmoneywillgetmorefromhisfriendthantherigidlyhonestmanwhoonlyborrowsofthemonce，underpressureofthedirectwant。Intheonecasethefriendswillnotbeatallsurprised，andtheywillFive。Intheothercasetheywillbeverymuchsurprised，andtheywillhesitate。IstheprisonthatMrScoundrellivesinattheendofhiscareeramoreuncomfortableplacethantheworkhousethatMrHonestylivesinattheendofhiscareer？WhenJohn-Howard-Philanthropistwantstorelievemiseryhegoestofinditinprisons，wherecrimeiswretched——notinhutsandhovels。wherevirtueiswretchedtoo。WhoistheEnglishpoetwhohaswonthemostuniversalsympathy——whomakestheeasiestofallsubjectsforpatheticwritingandpatheticpainting？Thatniceyoungpersonwhobeganlifewithaforgery，andendeditbysuicide——yourdear，romantic，interestingChatterton。Whichgetsonbest，doyouthink，oftwopoorstarvingdressmakers——thewomanwhoresiststemptationandishonest，orthewomanwhofallsundertemptationandsteals？Youallknowthatthestealingisthemakingofthatsecondwoman’sfortune——itadvertisesherfromlengthtobreadthofgood-humoured，charitableEngland——andsheisrelieved，asthebreakerofacommandment，whenshewouldhavebeenlefttostarve，asthekeeperofit。Comehere，myjollylittleMouse！Hey！presto！pass！Itransformyou，forthetimebeing，intoarespectablelady。Stopthere，inthepalmofmygreatbighand，mydear，andlisten。Youmarrythepoormanwhomyoulove，Mouse，andonehalfyourfriendspity，andtheotherhalfblameyou。Andnow，onthecontrary，yousellyourselfforgoldtoamanyoudon’tcarefor，andallyourfriendsrejoiceoveryou，andaministerofpublicworshipsanctionsthebasehorrorofthevilestofallhumanbargainsandsmilesandsmirksafterwardsatyourtable，ifyouarepoliteenoughtoaskhimtobreakfast。Hey！presto！pass！Beamouseagain，andsqueak。Ifyoucontinuetobealadymuchlonger，IshallhaveyoutellingmethatSocietyabhorscrime——andthen，Mouse，Ishalldoubtifyourowneyesandearsarereallyofanyusetoyou。Ah！Iamabadman，LadyGlyde，amInot？Isaywhatotherpeopleonlythink，andwhenalltherestoftheworldisinaconspiracytoacceptthemaskforthetrueface，mineistherashhandthattearsofftheplumppasteboard，andshowstheharebonesbeneath。Iwillgetuponmybigelephant’slegs，beforeIdomyselfanymoreharminyouramiableestimations——Iwillgetupandtakealittleairywalkofmyown。Dearladies，asyourexcellentSheridansaid，Igo——andleavemycharacterbehindme。’ Hegotup，putthecageonthetable，andpausedforamomenttocountthemiceinit。`One，two，three，four——Ha！’hecried，withalookofhorror，`where，inthenameofHeaven，isthefifth——theyoungest，thewhitest，themostamiableofall——myBenjaminofmice！’ NeitherLauranorIwereinanyfavourabledispositiontobeamused。TheCount’sglibcynicismhadrevealedanewaspectofhisnaturefromwhichwebothrecoiled。Butitwasimpossibletoresistthecomicaldistressofsoverylargeamanatthelossofsoverysmallamouse。Welaughedinspiteofourselves；andwhenMadameFoscorosetosettheexampleofleavingtheboathouseempty，sothatherhusbandmightsearchittoitsremotestcorners，welosealsotofollowherout。 Beforewehadtakenthreesteps，theCount’squickeyediscoveredthelostmouseundertheseatthatwehadbeenoccupying。Hepulledasidethebench，tookthelittleanimalupinhishand，andthensuddenlystopped，onhisknees，lookingintentlyataparticularplaceonthegroundjustbeneathhim。 Whenherosetohisfeetagain，hishandshooksothathecouldhardlyputthemousebackinthecage，andhisfacewasofafaintlividyellowhueallover。 `Percival！’hesaid，inawhisper。`percival！comehere。’ SirPercivalhadpaidnoattentiontoanyofusforthelasttenminutes。Hehadbeenentirelyabsorbedinwritingfiguresonthesand。andthenrubbingthemoutagainwiththepointofhisstick。 `What’sthematternow？’heasked，loungingcarelesslyintotheboat-house。 `Doyouseenothingthere？’saidtheCount，catchinghimnervouslybythecollarwithonehand，andpointingwiththeothertotheplacenearwhichhehadfoundthemouse。 `Iseeplentyofdrysand，’answeredSirPercival，`andaspotofdirtinthemiddleofit。’ `Notdirt，’whisperedtheCount，fasteningtheotherhandsuddenlyonSirPercival’scollar，andshakingitinhisagitation。`Blood。’ Laurawasnearenoughtohearthelastword，softlyashewhisperedit。Sheturnedtomewithalookofterror。 `Nonsense，mydear，’Isaid。`Thereisnoneedtobealarmed。Itisonlythebloodofapoorlittlestraydog。’ Everybodywasastonished，andeverybody’seyeswerefixedonmeinquiringly。 `Howdoyouknowthat？’askedSirPercival，speakingfirst。 `Ifoundthedoghere，dying，onthedaywhenyouallreturnedfromabroad，’Ireplied。`Thepoorcreaturehadstrayedintotheplantation，andhadbeenshotbyyourkeeper。’ `Whosedogwasit？’inquiredSirPercival。`Notoneofmine？’ `Didyoutrytosavethepoorthing？’askedLauraearnestly。`Surelyyoutriedtosaveit，Marian？’ `Yes，’Isaid，`thehousekeeperandIbothdidourbest——butthedogwasmortallywounded，andhediedunderourhands。’ `Whosedogwasit？’persistedSirPercival，repeatinghisquestionalittleirritably。`Oneofmine？’ `No，notoneofyours。’ `Whosethen？Didthehousekeeperknow？’ Thehousekeeper’sreportofMrsCatherick’sdesiretoconcealhervisittoBlackwaterParkfromSirPercival’sknowledgerecurredtomymemorythemomentheputthatlastquestion，andIhalfdoubtedthediscretionofansweringit；butinmyanxietytoquietthegeneralalarm，Ihadthoughtlesslyadvancedtoofartodrawhack，exceptattheriskofexcitingsuspicion，whichmightonlymakemattersworse。Therewasnothingforitbuttoansweratonce，withoutreferencetoresults。 `Yes，’Isaid。`Thehousekeeperknew。ShetoldmeitwasMrsCatherick’sdog。’ SirPercivalhadhithertoremainedattheinnerendoftheboat-housewithCountFosco，whileIspoketohimfromthedoor。ButtheinstantMrsCatherick’snamepassedmylipshepushedbytheCountroughly，andplacedhimselffacetofacewithmeundertheopendaylight。 `HowcamethehousekeepertoknowitwasMrsCatherick’sdog？’heasked，fixinghiseyesonminewithafrowninginterestandattention，whichhalfangered，halfstartledme。 `Sheknewit，’Isaidquietly，`becauseMrsCatherickbroughtthedogwithher。’ `Broughtitwithher？Wheredidshebringitwithher？’ `Tothishouse。’ `WhatthedevildidMrsCatherickwantatthishouse？’ Themannerinwhichheputthequestionwasevenmoreoffensivethanthelanguageinwhichheexpressedit。Imarkedmysenseofhiswantofcommonpolitenessbysilentlyturningawayfromhim。 JustasImovedtheCount’spersuasivehandwaslaidonhisshoulder，andtheCount’smellifluousvoiceinterposedtoquiethim。 `MydearPercival！——gently——gently！’ SirPercivallookedroundinhisangriestmanner。TheCountonlysmiledandrepeatedthesoothingapplication。 `Gently，mygoodfriend——gently！’ SirPercivalhesitated，followedmeafewsteps，and，tomygreatsurprise，offeredmeanapology。 `Ibegyourpardon，MissHalcombe，’hesaid。`Ihavebeenoutoforderlately，andIamafraidIamalittleirritable。ButIshouldliketoknowwhatMrsCatherickcouldpossiblywanthere。Whendidshecome？Wasthehousekeepertheonlypersonwhosawher？’ `Theonlyperson，’Ianswered，`sofarasIknow。’ TheCountinterposedagain。 `Inthatcasewhynotquestionthehousekeeper？’hesaid。`Whynotgo，Percival，tothefountain-headofinformationatonce？’ `Quiteright！’saidSirPercival。`Ofcoursethehousekeeperisthefirstpersontoquestion。Excessivelystupidofmenottoseeitmyself。’Withthosewordsheinstantlyleftustoreturntothehouse。 ThemotiveoftheCount’sinterference，whichhadpuzzledmeatfirst，betrayeditselfwhenSirPercival’sbackwasturned。HehadahostofquestionstoputtomeaboutMrsCatherick，andthecauseofhervisittoBlackwaterPark，whichhecouldscarcelyhaveaskedinhisfriend’spresence。ImademyanswersasshortasIcivillycould，forIhadalreadydeterminedtochecktheleastapproachtoanyexchangingofconfidencesbetweenCountFoscoandmyself。Laura，however，unconsciouslyhelpedhimtoextractallmyinformation，bymakinginquiriesherself，whichleftmenoalternativebuttoreplytoher，ortoappearintheveryunenviableandveryfalsecharacterofadepositaryofSirPercival’ssecrets。Theendofitwas，that，inabouttenminutes’time，theCountknewasmuchasIknowofMrsCatherick，andoftheeventswhichhavesostrangelyconnecteduswithherdaughter，Anne，fromthetimewhenHartrightmetwithhertothisday。 Theeffectofmyinformationonhimwas，inonerespect，curiousenough。 IntimatelyasheknowsSirPercival，andcloselyasheappearstobeassociatedwithSirPercival’sprivateaffairsingeneral，heiscertainlyasfarasIamfromknowinganythingofthetruestoryofAnneCatherick。Theunsolvedmysteryinconnectionwiththisunhappywomanisnowrendereddoublysuspicious，inmyeyes，bytheabsoluteconvictionwhichIfeel，thatthecluetoithasbeenhiddenbySirPercivalfromthemostintimatefriendhehasintheworld。ItwasimpossibletomistaketheeagercuriosityoftheCount’slookandmannerwhilehedrankingreedilyeverywordthatfellfrommylips。Therearemanykindsofcuriosity，Iknow——butthereisnomisinterpretingthecuriosityofblanksurprise:ifIeversawitinmylifeIsawitintheCount’sface。 Whilethequestionsandanswersweregoingon，wehadallbeenstrollingquietlybackthroughtheplantation。AssoonaswereachedthehousethefirstobjectthatwesawinfrontofitwasSirPercival’sdog-cart，withthehorseputtoandthegroomwaitingbyitinhisstable-jacket。Iftheseunexpectedappearancesweretobetrusted，theexaminationofthehousekeeperhadproducedimportantresultsalready。 `Afinehorse，myfriend，’saidtheCount，addressingthegroomwiththemostengagingfamiliarityofmanner。`Youaregoingtodriveout？’ `Iamnotgoing，sir，’repliedtheman，lookingathisstable-jacket，andevidentlywonderingwhethertheforeigngentlemantookitforhislivery。`Mymasterdriveshimself。’ `Aha！’saidtheCount，`doesheindeed？Iwonderhegiveshimselfthetroublewhenhehasgotyoutodriveforhim。Ishegoingtofatiguethatnice，shining，prettyhorsebytakinghimveryfartoday？’ `Idon’tknow，sir，’answeredtheman。`Thehorseisamare，ifyouplease，sir。She’sthehighest-couragedthingwe’vegotinthestables。Hername’sBrownMolly，sir，andshe’llgotillshedrops。SirPercivalusuallytakesIsaacofYorkfortheshortdistances。’ `AndyourshiningcourageousBrownMollyforthelong？’ `Yes，sir。’ `Logicalinference，MissHalcombe，’continuedtheCount，wheelingroundbriskly，andaddressingme。`SirPercivalisgoingalongdistancetoday。’ Imadenoreply。Ihadmyowninferencestodraw，fromwhatIknewthroughthehousekeeperandfromwhatIsawbeforeme，andIdidnotchoosetosharethemwithCountFosco。 WhenSirPercivalwasinCumberland(Ithoughttomyself)，hewalkedawayalongdistance，onAnne’saccount，toquestionthefamilyatTodd’sCorner。NowheisinHampshire，ishegoingtodriveawayalongdistance，onAnne’saccountagain，toquestionMrsCatherickatWelmingham？ Weallenteredthehouse。AswecrossedthehallSirPercivalcameoutfromthelibrarytomeetus。Helookedhurriedandpaleandanxious——butforallthat，hewasinhismostpolitemoodwhenhespoketous。 `IamsorrytosayIamobligedtoleaveyou，’hebegan——`alongdrive——amatterthatIcan’tverywellputoff。Ishallbebackingoodtimetomorrow——butbeforeIgoIshouldlikethatlittlebusiness-formality，whichIspokeofthismorning，tobesettled。Laura，willyoucomeintothelibrary？Itwon’ttakeaminute——amereformality。Countess，mayItroubleyoualso？IwantyouandtheCountess，Fosco，tobewitnessestoasignature——nothingmore。Comeinatonceandgetitover。’ Heheldthelibrarydooropenuntiltheyhadpassedin，followedthem，andshutitsoftly。 Iremained，foramomentafterwards，standingaloneinthehall，withmyheartbeatingfastandmymindmisgivingmesadly。ThenIwentontothestaircase，andascendedslowlytomyownroom。