Iremainedleaningonthewindow-sillfornearlyaquarterofanhour，lookingoutabsentlyintotheblackdarkness，andhearingnothing，exceptnowandthenthevoicesoftheservants，orthedistantsoundofaclosingdoor，inthelowerpartofthehouse。
JustasIwasturningawaywearilyfromthewindowtogobacktothebedroomandmakeasecondattempttocompletetheunfinishedentryinmyjournal，Ismelttheodouroftobacco-smokestealingtowardsmeontheheavynightair。ThenextmomentIsawatinyredsparkadvancingfromthefartherendofthehouseinthepitchdarkness。Iheardnofootsteps，andIcouldseenothingbutthespark。Ittravelledalonginthenight，passedthewindowatwhichIwasstanding，andstoppedoppositemybedroomwindow，insidewhichIhadleftthelightburningonthedressing-table。
Thesparkremainedstationaryforamoment，thenmovedbackagaininthedirectionfromwhichithadadvanced。AsIfolloweditsprogressIsawasecondredspark，largerthanthefirst，approachingfromthedistance。Thetwomettogetherinthedarkness。Rememberingwhosmokedcigarettesandwhosmokedcigars，IinferredimmediatelythattheCounthadcomeoutfirsttolookandlistenundermywindow，andthatSirPercivalhadafterwardsjoinedhim。Theymustbothhavebeenwalkingonthelawn——orIshouldcertainlyhaveheardSirPercival’sheavyfootfall，thoughtheCount’ssoftstepmighthaveescapedme，evenonthegravelwalk。
Iwaitedquietlyatthewindow，certainthattheycouldneitherofthemseemeinthedarknessoftheroom。
`What’sthematter？’IheardSirPercivalsayinalowvoice。`Whydon’tyoucomeinandsitdown？’
`Iwanttoseethelightoutofthatwindow，’repliedtheCountsoftly。
`Whatharmdoesthelightdo？’
`Itshowssheisnotinbedyet。Sheissharpenoughtosuspectsomething，andboldenoughtocomedownstairsandlisten，ifshecangetthechance。Patience，Percival——patience。’
`Humbug！You’realwaystalkingofpatience。’
`Ishalltalkofsomethingelsepresently。Mygoodfriend，youareontheedgeofyourdomesticprecipice，andifIletyougivethewomenoneotherchance，onmysacredwordofhonourtheywillpushyouoverit！’
`Whatthedevildoyoumean？’
`Wewillcometoourexplanations，Percival，whenthelightisoutofthatwindow，andwhenIhavehadonelittlelookattheroomsoneachsideofthelibrary，andapeepatthestaircaseaswell。’
Theyslowlymovedaway，andtherestoftheconversationbetweenthem(whichhadbeenconductedthroughoutinthesamelowtones)ceasedtobeaudible。Itwasnomatter。IhadheardenoughtodeterminemeonjustifyingtheCount’sopinionofmysharpnessandmycourage。BeforetheredsparkswereoutofsightinthedarknessIhadmadeupmymindthatthereshouldbealistenerwhenthosetwomensatdowntotheirtalk——andthatthelistener，inspiteofalltheCount’sprecautionstothecontrary，shouldbemyself。Iwantedbutonemotivetosanctiontheacttomyownconscience，andtogivemecourageenoughforperformingit——andthatmotiveIhad。Laura’shonour，Laura’shappiness——Laura’slifeitself——mightdependonmyquickearsandmyfaithfulmemorytonight。
IhadheardtheCountsaythathemeanttoexaminetheroomsoneachsideofthelibrary，andthestaircaseaswell，beforeheenteredonanyexplanationwithSirPercival。Thisexpressionofhisintentionswasnecessarilysufficienttoinformmethatthelibrarywastheroominwhichheproposedthattheconversationshouldtakeplace。TheonemomentoftimewhichwaslongenoughtobringmetothatconclusionwasalsothemomentwhichshowedmeameansofbafflinghisPrecautions——or，inotherwords，ofhearingwhatheandSirPercivalsaidtoeachother，withouttheriskofdescendingatallintothelowerregionsofthehouse。
InspeakingoftheroomsonthegroundfloorIhavementionedincidentallytheverandahoutsidethem，onwhichtheyallopenedbymeansofFrenchwindows，extendingfromthecornicetothefloor。Thetopofthisverandahwasflat，therain-waterbeingcarriedofffromitbypipesintotankswhichhelpedtosupplythehouse。Onthenarrowleadenroof，whichranalongpastthebedrooms，andwhichwasratherless，Ishouldthink，thanthreefeetbelowthesillsofthewindow，arowofflowerpotswasranged，withwideintervalsbetweeneachpot——thewholebeingprotectedfromfallinginhighwindsbyanornamentalironrailingalongtheedgeoftheroof。
Theplanwhichhadnowoccurredtomewastogetoutatmysitting-roomwindowontothisroof，tocreepalongnoiselesslytillIreachedthatpartofitwhichwasimmediatelyoverthelibrarywindow，andtocrouchdownbetweentheflower-pots，withmyearagainsttheouterrailing。IfSirPercivalandtheCountsatandsmokedtonight，asIhadseenthemsittingandsmokingmanynightsbefore，withtheirchairscloseattheopenwindow，andtheirfeetstretchedonthezincgardenseatswhichwereplacedundertheverandah，everywordtheysaidtoeachotheraboveawhisper(andnolongconversation，asweallknowbyexperience，canbecarriedoninawhisper)mustinevitablyreachmyears。If，ontheotherhand，theychosetonighttositfarbackinsidetheroom，thenthechanceswerethatIshouldhearlittleornothing——andinthatcase，Imustrunthefarmoreseriousriskoftryingtooutwitthemdownstairs。
StronglyasIwasfortifiedinmyresolutionbythedesperatenatureofoursituation，IhopedmostferventlythatImightescapethislastemergency。Mycouragewasonlyawoman’scourageafterall，anditwasveryneartofailingmewhenIthoughtoftrustingmyselfonthegroundfloor，atthedeadofnight，withinreachofSirPercivalandtheCount。
Iwentsoftlybacktomybedroomtotrythesaferexperimentoftheverandahrooffirst。
Acompletechangeinmydresswasimperativelynecessaryformanyreasons。Itookoffmysilkgowntobeginwith，becausetheslightestnoisefromitonthatstillnightmighthavebetrayedme。Inextremovedthewhiteandcumbersomepartsofmyunderclothing，andreplacedthembyapetticoatofdarkflannel。OverthisIputmyblacktravellingcloak，andpulledthehoodontomyhead。InmyordinaryeveningcostumeItookuptheroomofthreemenatleast。Inmypresentdress，whenitwasheldcloseaboutme，nomancouldhavepassedthroughthenarrowestspacesmoreeasilythanI。Thelittlebreadthleftontheroofoftheverandah，betweentheflower-potsononesideandthewallandthewindowsofthehouseontheother，madethisaseriousconsideration。IfIknockedanythingdown，ifImadetheleastnoise，whocouldsaywhattheconsequencesmightbe？
IonlywaitedtoputthematchesnearthecandlebeforeIextinguishedit，andgropedmywaybackintothesitting-room。Ilockedthedoor，asIhadlockedmybedroomdoor——thenquietlygotoutofthewindow，andcautiouslysetmyfeetontheleadenroofoftheverandah。
Mytworoomswereattheinnerextremityofthenewwingofthehouseinwhichwealllived，andIhadfivewindowstopassbeforeIcouldreachthepositionitwasnecessarytotakeupimmediatelyoverthelibrary。Thefirstwindowbelongedtoaspareroomwhichwasempty。ThesecondandthirdwindowsbelongedtoLaura’sroom。ThefourthwindowbelongedtoSirPercival’sroom。ThefifthbelongedtotheCountess’sroom。Theothers，bywhichitwasnotnecessaryformetopass，werethewindowsoftheCount’sdressing-room，ofthebathroom，andofthesecondemptyspareroom。
Nosoundreachedmyears——theblackblindingdarknessofthenightwasallroundmewhenIfirststoodontheverandah，exceptatthatpartofitwhichMadameFosco’swindowoverlooked。There，attheveryplaceabovethelibrarytowhichmycoursewasdirected——thereIsawagleamoflightITheCountesswasnotyetinbed。
Itwastoolatetodrawback——itwasnotimetowait。Ideterminedtogoonatallhazards，andtrustforsecuritytomyowncautionandtothedarknessofthenight。`ForLaura’ssake！’Ithoughttomyself，asItookthefirststepforwardontheroof，withonehandholdingmycloakcloseroundme，andtheothergropingagainstthewallofthehouse。Itwasbettertobrushclosebythewallthantoriskstrikingmyfeetagainsttheflowerpotswithinafewinchesofme，ontheotherside。
Ipassedthedarkwindowofthespareroom，tryingtheleadenroofateachstepwithmyfootbeforeIriskedrestingmyweightonit。IpassedthedarkwindowsofLaura’sroom(`Godblessherandkeephertonight！’)。IpassedthedarkwindowofSirPercival’sroom。ThenIwaitedamoment，kneltdownwithmyhandstosupportme，andsocrepttomyposition，undertheprotectionofthelowwallbetweenthebottomofthelightedwindowandtheverandahroof。
WhenIventuredtolookupatthewindowitselfIfoundthatthetopofitonlywasopen，andthattheblindinsidewasdrawndown。WhileIwaslookingIsawtheshadowofMadameFoscopassacrossthewhitefieldoftheblind——thenpassslowlybackagain。Thusfarshecouldnothaveheardme，ortheshadowwouldsurelyhavestoppedattheblind，evenifshehadwantedcourageenoughtoopentheWindowandlookout？
Iplacedmyselfsidewaysagainsttherailingoftheverandah——firstascertaining，bytouchingthem，thepositionoftheflowerpotsoneithersideofme。Therewasroomenoughformetositbetweenthemandnomore。Thesweet-scentedleavesofthefloweronmylefthandjustbrushedmycheekasIlightlyrestedmyheadagainsttherailing。
Thefirstsoundsthatreachedmefrombelowwerecausedbytheopeningorclosing(mostprobablythelatter)ofthreedoorsinsuccession——thedoors，nodoubt，leadingintothehallandintotheroomsoneachsideofthelibrary，whichtheCounthadpledgedhimselftoexamine。ThefirstobjectthatIsawwastheredsparkagaintravellingoutintothenightfromundertheverandah，movingawaytowardsmywindow，waitingamoment，andthenreturningtotheplacefromwhichithadsetout。
`Thedeviltakeyourrestlessness！Whendoyoumeantositdown？’growledSirPercival’svoicebeneathme。
`Ouf！howhotitis！’saidtheCount，sighingandpuffingwearily。
Hisexclamationwasfollowedbythescrapingofthegardenchairsonthetiledpavementundertheverandah——thewelcomesoundwhichtoldmetheyweregoingtositcloseatthewindowasusual。Sofarthechancewasmine。Theclockintheturretstruckthequartertotwelveastheysettledthemselvesintheirchairs。IheardMadameFoscothroughtheopenwindowyawning，andsawhershadowpassoncemoreacrossthewhitefieldoftheblind。
Meanwhile，SirPercivalandtheCountbegantalkingtogetherbelow，nowandthendroppingtheirvoicesalittlelowerthanusual，butneversinkingthemtoawhisper。Thestrangenessandperilofmysituation，thedread，whichIcouldnotmaster，ofMadameFosco’slightedwindow，madeitdifficult，almostimpossible，forme，atfirst，tokeepmypresenceofmind，andtofixmyattentionsolelyontheconversationbeneath。ForsomeminutesIcouldonlysucceedingatheringthegeneralsubstanceofit。IunderstoodtheCounttosaythattheonewindowalightwashiswife’s，thatthegroundfloorofthehousewasquiteclear，andthattheymightnowspeaktoeachotherwithoutfearofaccidents。Sirpercivalmerelyansweredbyupbraidinghisfriendwithhavingunjustifiably-slightedhiswishesandneglectedhisinterestsallthroughtheday。TheCountthereupondefendedhimselfbydeclaringthathehadbeenbesetbycertaintroublesandanxietieswhichhadabsorbedallhisattention，andthattheonlysafetimetocometoanexplanationwasatimewhentheycouldfeelcertainofbeingneitherinterruptednoroverheard。`Weareataseriouscrisisinouraffairs，Percival，’hesaid，`andifwearetodecideonthefutureatall，wemustdecidesecretlytonight’
ThatsentenceoftheCount’swasthefirstwhichmyattentionwasreadyenoughtomasterexactlyasitwasspoken。Fromthispoint，withcertainbreaksandinterruptions，mywholeinterestfixedbreathlesslyontheconversation，andIfolloweditwordforword。
`Crisis？’repeatedSirPercival。`It’saworsecrisisthanyouthinkfor，Icantellyou。’
`SoIshouldsuppose，fromyourbehaviourforthelastdayortwo，’returnedtheothercoolly。`Butwaitalittle。BeforeweadvancetowhatIdonotknow，letusbequitecertainofwhatIdoknow。LetusfirstseeifIamrightaboutthetimethatispast，beforeImakeanyproposaltoyouforthetimethatistocome。’
`StoptillIgetthebrandyandwater。Havesomeyourself。’
`Thankyou，Percival。Thecoldwaterwithpleasure，aspoon，andthebasinofsugar。Eausucrée，myfriend——nothingmore。’
`Sugar-and-waterforamanofyourage！——There！mixyoursicklymess。Youforeignersareallalike。’
`Nowlisten，Percival。Iwillputourpositionplainlybeforeyou，asIunderstandit，andyoushallsayifIamrightorwrong。YouandIbothcamebacktothishousefromtheContinentwithouraffairsveryseriouslyembarrassed——’
`Cutitshort！Iwantedsomethousandsandyousomehundreds，andwithoutthemoneywewerebothinafairwaytogotothedogstogether。There’sthesituation。Makewhatyoucanofit。Goon。’
`Well，Percival，inyourownsolidEnglishwords，youwantedsomethousandsandIwantedsomehundreds，andtheonlywayofgettingthemwasforyoutoraisethemoneyforyourownnecessity(withasmallmarginbeyondformypoorlittlehundreds)bythehelpofyourwife。WhatdidItellyouaboutyourwifeonourwaytoEngland？——andwhatdidItellyouagainwhenwehadcomehere，andwhenIhadseenformyselfthesortofwomanMissHalcombewas？’
`HowshouldIknow？Youtalkednineteentothedozen，Isuppose，justasusual。’
`Isaidthis:Humaningenuity，myfriend，hashithertoonlydiscoveredtwowaysinwhichamancanmanageawoman。Onewayistoknockherdown——amethodlargelyadoptedbythebrutallowerordersofthepeople，bututterlyabhorrenttotherefinedandeducatedclassesabovethem。Theotherway(muchlonger，muchmoredifficult，butintheendnotlesscertain)isnevertoacceptaprovocationatawoman’shands。Itholdswith
animals，itholdswithchildren，anditholdswithwomen，who
arenothingbutchildrengrownup。Quietresolutionistheone
qualitytheanimals，thechildren，andthewomenallfailin。Iftheycanonceshakethissuperiorqualityintheirmaster，theygetthebetterofhim。Iftheycanneversucceedindisturbingit，hegetsthebetterofthem。Isaidtoyou，Rememberthatplaintruthwhenyouwantyourwifetohelpyoutothemoney。Isaid，Rememberitdoublyandtreblyinthepresenceofyourwife’ssister，MissHalcombe。Haveyourememberedit？Notonceinallthecomplicationsthathavetwistedthemselvesaboutusinthishouse。Everyprovocationthatyourwifeandhersistercouldoffertoyou，youinstantlyacceptedfromthem。Yourmadtemperlostthesignaturetothedeed，lostthereadymoney，setMissHalcombewritingtothelawyerforthefirsttime——’
`Firsttime！Hasshewrittenagain？’
`Yes，shehaswrittenagaintoday。’
Achairfellonthepavementoftheverandah——fellwithacrash，asifithadbeenkickeddown。
ItwaswellformethattheCount’srevelationrousedSirPercival’sangerasitdid。OnhearingthatIhadbeenoncemorediscoveredIstartedsothattherailingagainstwhichIleanedcrackedagain。Hadhefollowedmetotheinn？DidheinferthatImusthavegivenmyletterstoFannywhenItoldhimIhadnoneforthepost-bag。Evenifitwasso，howcouldhehaveexaminedtheletterswhentheyhadgonestraightfrommyhandtothebosomofthegirl’sdress？
`Thankyourluckystar，’IheardtheCountsaynext，`thatyouhavemeinthehousetoundotheharmasfastasyoudoit。ThankyourluckystarthatIsaidNowhenyouweremadenoughtotalkofturningthekeytodayonMissHalcombe，asyouturneditinyourmischievousfollyonyourwife。Whereareyoureyes？CanyoulookatMissHalcombeandnotseethatshehastheforesightandtheresolutionofaman？WiththatwomanformyfriendIwouldsnapthesefingersofmineattheworld。Withthatwomanformyenemy，I，withallmybrainsandexperience——I，Fosco，cunningasthedevilhimself，asyouhavetoldmeahundredtimes——Iwalk，inyourEnglishphrase，uponegg-shells！Andthisgrandcreature——Idrinkherhealthinmysugar-and-water——thisgrandcreature，whostandsinthestrengthofherloveandhercourage，firmasarock，betweenustwoandthatpoor，flimsy，prettyblondewifeofyours——thismagnificentwoman，whomIadmirewithallmysoul，thoughIopposeherinyourinterestsandinmine，youdrivetoextremitiesasifshewasnosharperandnobolderthantherestofhersex。Percival！Percival！youdeservetofail，andyouhavefailed。’
Therewasapause。Iwritethevillain’swordsaboutmyselfbecauseIMeantorememberthem——becauseIhopeyetforthedaywhenImayspeakoutonceforallinhispresence，andcastthembackonebyoneinhisteeth。
SirPercivalwasthefirsttobreakthesilenceagain。
`Yes，yes，bullyandblusterasmuchasyoulike，’hesaidsulkily；`thedifficultyaboutthemoneyisnottheonlydifficulty。Youwouldbefortakingstrongmeasureswiththewomenyourself——ifyouknewasmuchasIdo。’
`Wewillcometothatseconddifficultyallingoodtime，’rejoinedtheCount。`Youmayconfuseyourself，Percival，asmuchasyouplease，butyoushallnotconfuseme。Letthequestionofthemoneybesettledfirst。HaveIconvincedyourobstinacy？haveIshownyouthatyourtemperwillnotletyouhelpyourself？——OrmustIgoback，and(asyouputitinyourdearstraightforwardEnglish)bullyandblusteralittlemore？’
`Pooh！It’seasyEnoughtogrumbleatme。Saywhatistobedone——that’salittleharder。’
`Isit？Bah！Thisiswhatistobedone:Yougiveupalldirectioninthebusinessfromtonight——youleaveitforthefutureinmyhandsonly。IamtalkingtoaPracticalBritishman——ha？Well，Practical，willthatdoforyou？’
`WhatdoyouproposeifIleaveitalltoyou？’
`Answermefirst。Isittoainmyhandsornot？’
`Sayitisinyourhands——whatthen？’
`Afewquestions，Percival，tobeginwith。Imustwaitalittleyet，toletcircumstancesguideme，andImustknow，ineverypossibleway，whatthosecircumstancesarelikelytobe。Thereisnotimetolose。IhavetoldyoualreadythatMissHalcombehaswrittentothelawyertodayforthesecondtime。’
`Howdidyoufinditout？Whatdidshesay？’
`IfItoldyou，Percival，weshouldonlycomebackattheendtowherewearenow。EnoughthatIhavefounditout——andthefindinghascausedthattroubleandanxietywhichmademesoinaccessibletoyouallthroughtoday。Now，torefreshmymemoryaboutyouraffairs——itissometimesinceItalkedthemoverwithyou。Themoneyhasbeenraised，intheabsenceofyourwife’ssignature，bymeansofbillsatthreemonths——raisedatacostthatmakesmypoverty-strickenforeignhairstandonendtothinkofit！Whenthebillsaredue，istherereallyandtrulynoearthlywayofpayingthembutbythehelpofyourwife？’
`None。’
`What！Youhavenomoneyatthebankers？’
`Afewhundreds，whenIwantasmanythousands。’
`Haveyounoothersecuritytoborrowupon？’
`Notashred。’
`Whathaveyouactuallygotwithyourwifeatthepresentmoment？’
`Nothingbuttheinterestofhertwentythousandpounds——barelyenoughtopayourdailyexpenses。’
`Whatdoyouexpectfromyourwife？’
`Threethousandayearwhenheruncledies。’
`Afinefortune，Percival。Whatsortofamanisthisuncle？Old？’
`No——neitheroldnoryoung。’
`Agood-tempered，freely-livingman？Married？No——Ithinkmywifetoldme，notmarried。’
`Ofcoursenot。Ifhewasmarried，andhadason，LadyGlydewouldnotbenextheirtotheproperty。I’lltellyouwhatheis。He’samaudlin，twaddling，selfishfool，andboreseverybodywhocomesnearhimaboutthestateofhishealth。’
`Menofthatsort，Percival，livelong，andmarrymalevolentlywhenyouleastexpectit。Idon’tgiveyoumuch，myfriend，foryourchanceofthethreethousandayear。Istherenothingmorethatcomestoyoufromyourwife？’
`Nothing。’
`Absolutelynothing？’
`Absolutelynothing——exceptincaseofherdeath。’
`Aha！inthecaseofherdeath。’
Therewasanotherpause。TheCountmovedfromtheverandahtothegravelwalkoutside。Iknewthathehadmovedbyhisvoice。`Therainhascomeatlast，’Iheardhimsay。Ithadcome。Thestateofmycloakshowedthatithadbeenfallingthicklyforsomelittletime。
TheCountwentbackundertheverandah——Iheardthechaircreakbeneathhisweightashesatdowninitagain，
`Well，Percival，’hesaid，`andinthecaseofLadyGlyde’sdeath，whatdoyougetthen？’
`Ifsheleavesnochildren——’
`Whichsheislikelytodo？’
`Whichsheisnotintheleastlikelytodo——’
`Yes？’
`Why，thenIgethertwentythousandpounds。’
`Paiddown？’
`Paiddown。’
Theyweresilentoncemore。AstheirvoicesceasedMadameFosco’sshadowdarkenedtheblindagain。Insteadofpassingthistime，itremained，foramoment，quitestill。Isawherfingersstealroundthecorneroftheblind，anddrawitononeside。Thedimwhiteoutlineofherface，lookingoutstraightoverme，appearedbehindthewindow。Ikeptstill，shroudedfromheadtofootinmyblackcloak。Therain，whichwasfastwettingme，drippedovertheglass，blurredit，andpreventedherfromseeinganything。`Morerain！’Iheardhersaytoherself。Shedroppedtheblind，andIbreathedagainfreely。
Thetalkwentonbelowme，theCountresumingitthistime。
`Percival！doyoucareaboutyourwife？’
`Fosco！that’sratheradownrightquestion。’
`IamadownrightmanandIrepeatit。’
`Whythedevildoyoulookatmeinthatway？’
`Youwon’tanswerme？Well，then，letussayyourwifediesbeforethesummerisout——’
`Dropit，Fosco！’
`Letussayyourwifedies——’
`Dropit，Itellyou！’
`Inthatcase，youwouldgaintwentythousandpounds，andyouwouldlose——’
`Ishouldlosethechanceofthreethousandayear。’
`Theremotechance，Percival——theremotechanceonly。Andyouwantmoney，atonce。Inyourpositionthegainiscertain——thelossdoubtful。’
`Speakforyourselfaswellasforme。SomeofthemoneyIwanthasbeenborrowedforyou。Andifyoucometogain，mywife’sdeathwouldbetenthousandpoundsinyourwife’spocket。Sharpasyouare，youseemtohaveconvenientlyforgottenMadameFosco’slegacy。Don’tlookatmeinthatway！Iwon’thaveit！Whatwithyourlooksandyourquestions，uponmysoul，youmakemyfleshcreep！’
`Yourflesh？DoesfleshmeanconscienceinEnglish？Ispeakofyourwife’sdeathasIspeakofapossibility。Whynot？Therespectablelawyerswhoscribble-scrabbleyourdeedsandyourwillslookthedeathsoflivingpeopleintheface。Dolawyersmakeyourfleshcreep？Whyshouldl？Itismybusinesstonighttoclearupyourpositionbeyondthepossibilityofamistake，andIhavenowdoneit。Hereisyourposition。Ifyourwifelives，youpaythosebillswithhersignaturetotheparchment。Ifyourwifedies，youpaythemwithherdeath。’
AshespokethelightinMadameFosco’sroomwasextinguished，andthewholesecondfloorofthehousewasnowsunkindarkness。
`Talk！talk！’grumbledSirPercival。`Onewouldthink，tohearyou，thatmywife’ssignaturetothedeedwasgotalready。’
`Youhaveleftthematterinmyhands，’retortedtheCount，`andIhavemorethantwomonthsbeforemetoturnroundin。Saynomoreaboutit，ifyouplease，forthepresent。Whenthebillsaredue，youwillseeforyourselfifmy``talk！talk！’’isworthsomething，orifitisnot。Andnow，Percival，havingdonewiththemoneymattersfortonight，Icanplacemyattentionatyourdisposal，ifyouwishtoconsultmeonthatseconddifficultywhichhasmixeditselfupwithourlittleembarrassments，andwhichhassoalteredyoufortheworse，thatIhardlyknowyouagain。Speak，myfriend——andpardonmeifIshockyourfierynationaltastesbymixingmyselfasecondglassofsugar-and-water。’
`It’sverywelltosayspeak，’repliedSirPercival，inafarmorequietandmorepolitetonethanhehadyetadopted，`butit’snotsoeasytoknowhowtobegin。’
`ShallIhelpyou？’suggestedtheCount。`ShallIgivethisprivatedifficultyofyoursaname？WhatifIcallit——AnneCatherick？’
`Lookhere，Fosco，youandIhaveknowneachotherforalongtime，andifyouhavehelpedmeoutofoneortwoscrapesbeforethis，IhavedonethebestIcouldtohelpyouinreturn，asfarasmoneywouldgo。Wehavemadeasmanyfriendlysacrifices，onbothsides，asmencould，butwehavehadoursecretsfromeachother，ofcourse——haven’twe？’
`Youhavehadasecretfromme，Percival。ThereisaskeletoninyourcupboardhereatBlackwaterParkthathaspeepedoutintheselastfewdaysatotherpeoplebesidesyourself。’
`Well，supposeithas。Ifitdoesn’tconcernyou，youneedn’tbecuriousaboutit，needyou？’
`DoIlookcuriousaboutit？’
Yes，youdo。’
`So！so！myfacespeaksthetruth，then？Whatanimmensefoundationofgoodtheremustbeinthenatureofamanwhoarrivesatmyage，andwhosefacehasnotyetlostthehabitofspeakingthetruth！——Come，Glyde！letusbecandidonewiththeother。Thissecretofyourshassoughtme:Ihavenotsoughtit。LetussayIamcurious——doyouaskme，asyouroldfriend，torespectyoursecret，andtoleaveit，onceforall，inyourownkeeping？’
`Yes——that’sjustwhatIdoask。’
`Thenmycuriosityisatanend。Itdiesinmefromthismoment。’
`Doyoureallymeanthat？’
`Whatmakesyoudoubtme？’
`Ihavehadsomeexperience，Fosco，ofyourroundaboutways，andIamnotsosurethatyouwon’twormitoutofmeafterall。’
Thechairbelowsuddenlycreakedagain——Ifeltthetrellisworkpillarundermeshakefromtoptobottom。TheCounthadstartedtohisfeet，andhadstruckitwithhishandinindignation。
`Percival！Percival！’hecriedpassionately，`doyouknowmenobetterthanthat？Hasallyourexperienceshownyounothingofmycharacteryet？Iamamanoftheantiquetype！Iamcapableofthemostexaltedactsofvirtue——whenIhavethechanceofperformingthem。IthasbeenthemisfortuneofmylifethatIhavehadfewchances。MyconceptionoffriendshipissublimeIIsitmyfaultthatyourskeletonhaspeepedoutatme？WhydoIconfessmycuriosity？YoupoorsuperficialEnglishman，itistomagnifymyownself-control。Icoulddrawyoursecretoutofyou，ifIliked，asIdrawthisfingeroutofthepalmofmyhand——youknowIcould！Butyouhaveappealedtomyfriendship，andthedutiesoffriendshiparesacredtome。See！Itramplemybasecuriosityundermyfeet。Myexaltedsentimentsliftmeaboveit。Recognisethem，Percival！imitatethem，Percival！Shakehands——Iforgiveyou。’
Hisvoicefalteredoverthelastwords——faltered，asifhewereactuallysheddingtears！
SirPercivalconfusedlyattemptedtoexcusehimself，buttheCountwastoomagnanimoustolistentohim。
`No！’hesaid。`Whenmyfriendhaswoundedme，Icanpardonhimwithoutapologies。Tellme，inplainwords，doyouwantmyhelp？’
`Yes，badlyenough。’
`Andyoucanaskforitwithoutcompromisingyourself？’
`Icantry，atanyrate。’
`Try，then。’
`Well，thisishowitstands:——ItoldyoutodaythatIhaddonemybesttofindAnneCatherick，andfailed。’
`Yes，youdid。’
`Fosco！I’malostmanifIdon’tfindher。’
`Ha！Isitsoseriousasthat？’
Alittlestreamoflighttravelledoutundertheverandah，andfelloverthegravel-walk。TheCounthadtakenthelampfromtheinnerpartoftheroomtoseehisfriendclearlybythelightofit。
`Yes！’hesaid。`Yourfacespeaksthetruththistime。Serious，indeed——asseriousasthemoneymattersthemselves。’
`Moreserious。AstrueasIsithere，moreserious！’
Thelightdisappearedagainandthetalkwenton。
`IshowedyouthelettertomywifethatAnneCatherickhidinthesand，’SirPercivalcontinued。`There’snoboastinginthatletter，Fosco——shedoesknowtheSecret。’
`Sayaslittleaspossible，Percival，inmypresence，oftheSecret。Doessheknowitfromyou？’
`No，fromhermother。’
`Twowomeninpossessionofyourprivatemind——bad，bad，bad，myfriendIOnequestionhere，beforewegoanyfarther。Themotiveofyourshuttingupthedaughterintheasylumisnowplainenoughtome，butthemannerofherescapeisnotquitesoclear。Doyoususpectthepeopleinchargeofherofclosingtheireyespurposely，attheinstanceofsomeenemywhocouldaffordtomakeitworththeirwhile？’
`No，shewasthebest-behavedpatienttheyhad——and，likefools，theytrustedher。She’sjustmadenoughtobeshutup，andjustsaneenoughtoruinmewhenshe’satlarge——ifyouunderstandthat？’
`Idounderstandit。Now，Percival，comeatoncetothepoint，andthenIshallknowwhattodo。Whereisthedangerofyourpositionatthepresentmoment？’
`AnneCatherickisinthisneighbourhood，andincommunicationwithLadyGlyde——there’sthedanger，plainenough。Whocanreadthelettershehidinthesand，andnotseethatmywifeisinpossessionoftheSecret，denyitasshemay？’
`Onemoment，Percival。IfLadyGlydedoesknowtheSecret，shemustknowalsothatitisacompromisingsecretforyou。Asyourwife，surelyitisinherinteresttokeepit？’
`Isit？I’mcomingtothat。Itmightbeherinterestifshecaredtwostrawsaboutme。ButIhappentobeanencumbranceinthewayofanotherman。Shewasinlovewithhimbeforeshemarriedme——she’sinlovewithhimnow——aninfernalvagabondofadrawing-master，namedHartright。’
`Mydearfriend！whatisthereextraordinaryinthat？Theyareallinlovewithsomeotherman。Whogetsthefirstofawoman’sheart？InallmyexperienceIhaveneveryetmetwiththemanwhowasNumberOne。NumberTwo，sometimes。NumberThree，Four，Five，often。NumberOne，never！Heexists，ofcourse——butIhavenotmetwithhun。’
`Wait！Ihaven’tdoneyet。WhodoyouthinkhelpedAnneCathericktogetthestart，whenthepeoplefromthemad-housewereafterher？Hartright。WhodoyouthinksawheragaininCumberland？HartrightBothtimeshespoketoheralone。Stop！don’tinterruptme。Thescoundrel’sassweetonmywifeassheisonhim。HeknowstheSecret，andsheknowstheSecret。Onceletthembothgettogetheragain，andit’sherinterestandhisinteresttoturntheirinformationagainstme。’
`Gently，Percival——gentlyIAreyouinsensibletothevirtueofLadyGlyde？’
`ThatforthevirtueofLadyGlyde！Ibelieveinnothingaboutherbuthermoney。Don’tyouseehowthecasestands？Shemightbeharmlessenoughbyherself；butifshehadthatvagabondHartright——’
`Yes，yes，Isee。WhereisMrHartright？’
`Outofthecountry。Ifhemeanstokeepawholeskinonhisbones，Irecommendhimnottocomebackinahurry。’
`Areyousureheisoutofthecountry？’
`Certain。IhadhimwatchedfromthetimeheleftCumberlandtothetimehesailed。Oh，I’vebeencareful，Icantellyou！AnneCathericklivedwithsomepeopleatafarm-housenearLimmeridge。Iwenttheremyself，aftershehadgivenmetheslip，andmadesurethattheyknewnothing。IgavehermotheraformoflettertowritetoMissHalcombe，exoneratingmefromanybadmotiveinputtingherunderrestraint。I’vespent，I’mafraidtosayhowmuch，intryingtotraceher，andinspiteofitall，sheturnsuphereandescapesmeonmyownproperty！HowdoIknowwhoelsemayseeher，whoelsemayspeaktoher？Thatpryingscoundrel，Hartright，maycomebackwithoutmyknowingit，andmaymakeuseofhertomorrow——’
`Nothe，Percival！WhileIamonthespot，andwhilethatwomanisintheneighbourhood，IwillanswerforourlayinghandsonherbeforeMrHartright——evenifhedoescomeback。Isee！yes，yes，Isee！ThefindingofAnneCatherickisthefirstnecessity——makeyourmindeasyabouttherest。Yourwifeishere，underyourthumb——MissHalcombeisinseparablefromher，andis，therefore，underyourthumbalso——andMrHartrightisoutofthecountry。ThisinvisibleAnneofyoursisallwehavetothinkofforthepresent。Youhavemadeyourinquiries？’
`Yes。Ihavebeentohermother，Ihaveransackedthevillage——andalltonopurpose。’
`Ishermothertobedependedon？’
`Yes，’
`Shehastoldyoursecretonce。’
`Shewon’ttellitagain。’
`Whynot？Areherowninterestsconcernedinkeepingit，aswellasyours？’
`Yes——deeplyconcerned。’
`Iamgladtohearit，Percival，foryoursake。Don’tbediscouraged，myfriend。Ourmoneymatters，asItoldyou，leavemeplentyoftimetoturnroundin，andImaysearchforAnneCathericktomorrowtobetterpurposethanyou。Onelastquestionbeforewegotobed。’
`Whatisit？’
`Itisthis。WhenIwenttotheboat-housetotellLadyGlydethatthelittledifficultyofhersignaturewasputoff，accidenttookmethereintimetoseeastrangewomanpartinginaverysuspiciousmannerfromyourwife。Butaccidentdidnotbringmenearenoughtoseethissamewoman’sfaceplainly。ImustknowhowtorecogniseourinvisibleAnne。Whatisshelike？’
`Like？Come！I’lltellyouintwowords。She’sasicklylikenessofmywife。’
Thechaircreaked，andthepillarshookoncemore。TheCountwasonhisfeetagain——thistimeinastonishment。
`What！！！’heexclaimedeagerly。
`Fancymywife，afterabadillness，withatouchofsomethingwronginherhead——andthereisAnneCatherickforyou，’answeredSirPercival。
`Aretheyrelatedtoeachother？’
`Notabitofit。’
`Andyetsolike？’
`Yes，solike。Whatareyoulaughingabout？’
Therewasnoanswerandnosoundofanykind。TheCountwaslaughinginhissmoothsilentinternalway。
`Whatareyoulaughingabout？’reiteratedSirPercival。
`Perhapsatmyownfancies，mygoodfriend。AllowmemyItalianhumour——doInotcomeoftheillustriousnationwhichinventedtheexhibitionofPunch？Well，well，well，IshallknowAnneCatherickwhenIseeher——andsoenoughfortonight。Makeyourmindeasy，Percival。Sleep，myson，thesleepofthejust，andseewhatIwilldoforyouwhendaylightcomestohelpusboth。Ihavemyprojectsandmyplanshereinmybighead。YoushallpaythosebillsandfindAnneCatherick——mysacredwordofhonouronit，butyoushall！AmIafriendtobetreasuredinthebestcornerofyourheart，oramInot？AmIworththoseloansofmoneywhichyousodelicatelyremindedmeofalittlewhilesince？Whateveryoudo，neverwoundmeinmysentimentsanymore。Recognisethem，Percival！imitatethem，Percival！Iforgiveyouagain——Ishakehandsagain。Goodnight！’
Notanotherwordwasspoken。IheardtheCountclosethelibrarydoor。IheardSirPercivalbarringupthewindow-shutters。Ithadbeenraining，rainingallthetime。Iwascrampedbymypositionandchilledtothebones。WhenIfirsttriedtomove，theeffortwassopainfultomethatIwasobligedtodesist。Itriedasecondtime，andsucceededinrisingtomykneesonthewetroof。
AsIcrepttothewall，andraisedmyselfagainstit，Ilookedback，andsawthewindowoftheCount’sdressing-roomgleamintolight。Mysinkingcourageflickeredupinmeagain，andkeptmyeyesfixedonhiswindow，asIstolemywayback，stepbystep，pastthewallofthehouse。
Theclockstruckthequarterafterone，whenIlaidmyhandsonthewindow-sillofmyownroom。Ihadseennothingandheardnothingwhichcouldleadmetosupposethatmyretreathadbeendiscovered。
June20th——Eighto’clock。Thesunisshininginaclearsky。Ihavenotbeennearmybed——Ihavenotonceclosedmywearywakefuleyes。FromthesamewindowatwhichIlookedoutintothedarknessoflastnight，Ilookoutnowatthebrightstillnessofthemorning。
IcountthehoursthathavepassedsinceIescapedtotheshelterofthisroombymyownsensations——andthosehoursseemlikeweeks。
Howshortatime，andyethowlongtome——sinceIsankdowninthedarkness，here，onthefloor——drenchedtotheskin，crampedineverylimb，coldtothebones，auseless，helpless，panic-strickencreature。
IhardlyknowwhenIrousedmyself。IhardlyknowwhenIgropedmywaybacktothebedroom，andlightedthecandle，andsearched(withastrangeignorance，atfirst，ofwheretolookforthem)fordryclothestowarmme。Thedoingofthesethingsisinmymind，butnotthetimewhentheyweredone。
CanIevenrememberwhenthechilled，crampedfeelingleftme，andthethrobbingheatcameinitsplace？
Surelyitwasbeforethesunrose？Yes，Iheardtheclockstrikethree。Irememberthetimebythesuddenbrightnessandclearness，thefeverishstrainandexcitementofallmyfacultieswhichcamewithit。Iremembermyresolutiontocontrolmyself，towaitpatientlyhourafterhour，tillthechanceofferedofremovingLaurafromthishorribleplace，withoutthedangerofimmediatediscoveryandpursuit。Irememberthepersuasionsettlingitselfinmymindthatthewordsthosetwomenhadsaidtoeachotherwouldfurnishus，notonlywithourjustificationforleavingthehouse，butwithourweaponsofdefenceagainstthemaswell。Irecalltheimpulsethatawakenedinmetopreservethosewordsinwriting，exactlyastheywerespoken，whilethetimewasmyown，andwhilemymemoryvividlyretainedthem。AllthisIrememberplainly:thereisnoconfusioninmyheadyet。Thecominginherefromthebedroom，withmypenandinkandpaper，beforesunrise——thesittingdownatthewidely-openedwindowtogetalltheairIcouldtocoolme——theceaselesswriting，fasterandfaster，hotterandhotter，drivingonmoreandmorewakefully，allthroughthedreadfulintervalbeforethehousewasastiragain——howclearlyIrecallit，fromthebeginningbycandle-light，totheendonthepagebeforethis，inthesunshineofthenewday！
WhydoIsitherestill？WhydoIwearymyhoteyesandmyburningheadbywritingmore？Whynotliedownandrestmyself，andtrytoquenchthefeverthatconsumesme，insleep？
Idarenotattemptit。Afearbeyondallotherfearshasgotpossessionofme。Iamafraidofthisheatthatparchesmyskin。IamafraidofthecreepingandthrobbingthatIfeelinmyhead。IfIliedownnow，howdoIknowthatImayhavethesenseandthestrengthtoriseagain？
Oh，therain，therain——thecruelrainthatchilledmelastnight！
Nineo’clock。Wasitninestruck，oreight？Nine，surely？Iamshiveringagain——shivering，fromheadtofoot，inthesummerair。HaveIbeensittinghereasleep？Idon’tknowwhatIhavebeendoing。
Oh，myGod！amIgoingtobeill？
Ill，atsuchatimeasthis！
Myhead——Iamsadlyafraidofmyhead。Icanwrite，butthelinesallruntogether。Iseethewords。Laura——IcanwriteLaura，andseeIwriteit。Eightornine——whichwasit？
Socold，socold——oh，thatrainlastnight！——andthestrokesoftheclock，thestrokesIcan’tcount，keepstrikinginmyhead——
NOTE
AtthisplacetheentryintheDiaryceasestobelegible。Thetwoorthreelineswhichfollowcontainfragmentsofwordsonly，mingledwithblotsandscratchesofthepen。Thelastmarksonthepaperbearsomeresemblancetothefirsttwoletters(LandA)ofthenameofLadyGlyde。
OnthenextpageoftheDiary，anotherentryappears。Itisinaman’shandwriting，large，bold，andfirmlyregular，andthedateis`Junethe21st。’Itcontainstheselines]
POSTSCRIPTBYASINCEREFRIEND
TheillnessofourexcellentMissHalcombehasaffordedmetheopportunityofenjoyinganunexpectedintellectualpleasure。
Irefertotheperusal(whichIhavejustcompleted)ofthisinterestingDiary。
Therearemanyhundredpageshere。Icanlaymyhandonmyheart，anddeclarethateverypagehascharmed，refreshed，delightedme。
Toamanofmysentimentsitisunspeakablygratifyingtobeabletosaythis。
Admirablewoman！
IalludetoMissHalcombe。
Stupendouseffort！
IrefertotheDiary。
Yes！thesepagesareamazing。ThetactwhichIfindhere，thediscretion，therarecourage，thewonderfulpowerofmemory，theaccurateobservationofcharacter，theeasygraceofstyle，thecharmingoutburstsofwomanlyfeeling，haveallinexpressiblyincreasedmyadmirationofthissublimecreature，ofthismagnificentMarian。Thepresentationofmyowncharacterismasterlyintheextreme。Icertify，withmywholeheart，tothefidelityoftheportrait。IfeelhowvividanimpressionImusthaveproducedtohavebeenpaintedinsuchstrong，suchrich，suchmassivecoloursasthese。Ilamentafreshthecruelnecessitywhichsetsourinterestsatvariance，andopposesustoeachother。UnderhappiercircumstanceshowworthyIshouldhavebeenofMissHalcombe——howworthyMissHalcombewouldhavebeenofME。
ThesentimentswhichanimatemyheartassuremethatthelinesIhavejustwrittenexpressaProfoundTruth。
Thosesentimentsexaltmeaboveallmerelypersonalconsiderations。Ibearwitness，inthemostdisinterestedmanner，totheexcellenceofthestratagembywhichthisunparalleledwomansurprisedtheprivateinterviewbetweenPercivalandmyself——alsotothemarvellousaccuracyofherreportofthewholeconversationfromitsbeginningtoitsend。
Thosesentimentshaveinducedmetooffertotheunimpressionabledoctorwhoattendsonhermyvastknowledgeofchemistry，andmyluminousexperienceofthemoresubtleresourceswhichmedicalandmagneticsciencehaveplacedatthedisposalofmankind。Hehashithertodeclinedtoavailhimselfofmyassistance。Miserableman！
Finally，thosesentimentsdictatethelines——grateful，sympathetic，paternallines——whichappearinthisplace。Iclosethehook。Mystrictsenseofproprietyrestoresit(bythehandsofmywife)toitsplaceonthewriter’stable。Eventsarehurryingmeaway。Circumstancesareguidingmetoseriousissues。Vastperspectivesofsuccessunrollthemselvesbeforemyeyes。Iaccomplishmydestinywithacalmnesswhichisterribletomyself。Nothingbutthehomageofmyadmirationismyown。IdeposititwithrespectfultendernessatthefeetofMissHalcombe。
Ibreathemywishesforherrecovery。
Icondolewithherontheinevitablefailureofeveryplanthatshehasformedforhersister’sbenefit。Atthesametime，IentreathertobelievethattheinformationwhichIhavederivedfromherDiarywillinnorespecthelpmetocontributetothatfailure。ItsimplyconfirmstheplanofconductwhichIhadpreviouslyarranged。Ihavetothankthesepagesforawakeningthefinestsensibilitiesinmynature——nothingmore。
Toapersonofsimilarsensibilitythissimpleassertionwillexplainandexcuseeverything。
MissHalcombeisapersonofsimilarsensibility。
InthatpersuasionIsignmyself，FOSCO。
THESTORYCONTINUEDBYFREDERICKFAIRLIE，ESQ。，OFLIMMERIDGEHOUSE*
*(note)1。ThemannerinwhichMrFairlie’sNarrative，andotherNarrativesthatareshortlytofollowit，wereoriginallyobtained，formsthesubjectofanexplanationwhichwillappearatalaterperiod。
ITisthegrandmisfortuneofmylifethatnobodywillletmealone。
Why——Iaskeverybody——whyworryme？Nobodyanswersthatquestion，andnobodyletsmealone。Relatives，friends，andstrangersallcombinetoannoyme。WhathaveIdone？Iaskmyself，Iaskmyservant，Louis，fiftytimesaday——whathaveIdone？Neitherofuscantell。Mostextraordinary！
ThelastannoyancethathasassailedmeistheannoyanceofbeingcalledupontowritethisNarrative。Isamaninmystateofnervouswretchednesscapableofwritingnarratives？WhenIputthisextremelyreasonableobjection，Iamtoldthatcertainveryseriouseventsrelatingtomyniecehavehappenedwithinmyexperience，andthatIamthefitpersontodescribethemonthataccount。IamthreatenedifIfailtoexertmyselfinthemannerrequired，withconsequenceswhichIcannotsomuchasthinkofwithoutperfectprostration。Thereisreallynoneedtothreatenme。Shatteredbymymiserablehealthandmyfamilytroubles，Iamincapableofresistance。Ifyouinsist，youtakeyourunjustadvantageofme，andIgivewayimmediately。IwillendeavourtorememberwhatIcan(underprotest)，andtowritewhatIcan(alsounderprotest)，andwhatIcan’trememberandcan’twrite，Louismustrememberandwriteforme。Heisanass，andIamaninvalid，andwearelikelytomakeallsortsofmistakesbetweenus。Howhumiliating！
Iamtoldtorememberdates。Goodheavens！Ineverdidsuchathinginmylife——howamItobeginnow？
IhaveaskedLouis。HeisnotquitesuchanassasIhavehithertosupposed。Heremembersthedateoftheevent。withinaweekortwo——andIrememberthenameoftheperson。ThedatewastowardstheendofJune，orthebeginningofJuly，andthename(inmyopinionaremarkablyvulgarone)wasFanny。
AttheendofJune，orthebeginningofJuly，then，Iwasreclininginmycustomarystate，surroundedbythevariousobjectsofArtwhichIhavecollectedaboutmetoimprovethetasteofthebarbarouspeopleinmyneighbourhood。Thatistosay，Ihadthephotographsofmypictures，andprints，andcoins，andsoforth，allaboutme，whichIintend，oneofthesedays，topresent(thephotographs，Imean，iftheclumsyEnglishlanguagewillletmemeananything)——topresenttotheinstitutionatCarlisle(horridplace！)，withaviewtoimprovingthetastesofthemembers(GothsandVandalstoaman)。Itmightbesupposedthatagentlemanwhowasincourseofconferringagreatnationalbenefitonhiscountrymenwasthelastgentlemanintheworldtobeunfeelinglyworriedaboutprivatedifficultiesandfamilyaffairs。Quiteamistake，Iassureyou，inmycase。
However，thereIwas，reclining，withmyart-treasuresaboutme，andwantingaquietmorning。BecauseIwantedaquietmorning，ofcourseLouiscamein。ItwasperfectlynaturalthatIshouldinquirewhatthedeucehemeantbymakinghisappearancewhenIhadnotrungmybell。Iseldomswear——itissuchanungentlemanlikehabit——butwhenLouisansweredbyagrin，IthinkitwasalsoperfectlynaturalthatIshoulddamnhimforgrinning。Atanyrate，Idid。
Thisrigorousmodeoftreatment，Ihaveobserved，invariablybringspersonsinthelowerclassoflifetotheirsenses。ItbroughtLouistohissenses。Hewassoobligingastoleaveoffgrinning，andinformmethataYoungPersonwasoutsidewantingtoseeme。Headded(withtheodioustalkativenessofservants)，thathernamewasFanny。
`WhoisFanny？’
`LadyGlyde’smaid，sir？’
`WhatdoesLadyGlyde’smaidwantwithme？’
`Aletter，sir-’
`Takeit。’
`Sherefusestogiveittoanybodybutyou，sir。’
`Whosendstheletter？’
`MissHalcombe，sir。’
ThemomentIheardMissHalcombe’snameIgaveup。ItisahabitofminealwaystogiveuptoMissHalcombe。Ifind，byexperience，thatitsavesnoise。Igaveuponthisoccasion。DearMarian！
`LetLadyGlyde’smaidcomein。Louis。Stop！Dohershoescreak？’
Iwasobligedtoaskthequestion。Creakingshoesinvariablyupsetmefortheday。IwasresignedtoseetheYoungPerson，butIwasnotresignedtolettheYoungPerson’sshoesupsetme。Thereisalimiteventomyendurance。
Louisaffirmeddistinctlythathershoesweretobedependedupon。Iwavedmyhand。Heintroducedher。Isitnecessarytosaythatsheexpressedhersenseofembarrassmentbyshuttinguphermouthandbreathingthroughhernose？Tothestudentoffemalehumannatureinthelowerorders，surelynot。
Letmedothegirljustice。Hershoesdidnotcreak。ButwhydoYoungPersonsinserviceallperspireatthehands？Whyhavetheyallgotfatnosesandhardcheeks？Andwhyaretheirfacessosadlyunfinished，especiallyaboutthecornersoftheeyelids？Iamnotstrongenoughtothinkdeeplymyselfonanysubject，butIappealtoprofessionalmen，whoare。WhyhavewenovarietyinourbreedofYoungPersons？
`Youhavealetterforme，fromMissHalcombe？Putitdownonthetable，please，anddon’tupsetanything。HowisMissHalcombe？’
`Verywell，thankyou，sir。’
`AndLadyGlyde？’
Ireceivednoanswer。TheYoungPerson’sfacebecamemoreunfinishedthanever，andIthinkshebegantocry。Icertainlysawsomethingmoistabouthereyes。Tearsorperspiration？Louis(whomIhavejustconsulted)isinclinedtothink，tears。Heisinherclassoflife，andheoughttoknowbest。Letussay，tears。
ExceptwhentherefiningprocessofArtjudiciouslyremovesfromthemallresemblancetoNature，Idistinctlyobjecttotears。TearsarescientificallydescribedasaSecretion。Icanunderstandthatasecretionmaybehealthyorunhealthy，butIcannotseetheinterestofasecretionfromasentimentalpointofview。Perhapsmyownsecretionsbeingallwrongtogether，Iamalittleprejudicedonthesubject。Nomatter。Ibehaved，onthisoccasion，withallpossibleproprietyandfeeling。IclosedmyeyesandsaidtoLouis——
`Endeavourtoascertainwhatshemeans。’
Louisendeavoured，andtheYoungPersonendeavoured。TheysucceededinconfusingeachothertosuchanextentthatIamboundincommongratitudetosaytheyreallyamusedme。IthinkIshallsendforthemagainwhenIaminlowspirits。IhavejustmentionedthisideatoLouis。Strangetosay，itseemstomakehimuncomfortable。Poordevil！
SurelyIamnotexpectedtorepeatmyniece’smaid’sexplanationofhertears，interpretedintheEnglishofmySwissvalet？Thethingismanifestlyimpossible。Icangivemyownimpressionsandfeelingsperhaps。Willthatdoaswell？Pleasesay，Yes。
Myideaisthatshebeganbytellingme(throughLouis)thathermasterhaddismissedherfromhermistress’sservice。(Observe，throughout，thestrangeirrelevancyoftheYoungPerson。Wasitmyfaultthatshehadlostherplace？)Onherdismissal，shehadgonetotheinntosleep。(Idon’tkeeptheinn——whymentionittome？)Betweensiro’clockandsevenMissHalcombehadcometosaygood-bye，andhadgivenhertwoletters，oneforme，andoneforagentlemaninLondon。(IamnotagentlemaninLondon——hangthegentlemaninLondon！)Shehadcarefullyputthetwolettersintoherbosom(whathaveItodowithherbosom？)；shehadbeenveryunhappy，whenMissHalcombehadgoneawayagain；shehadnothadthehearttoputbitordropbetweenherlipstillitwasnearbedtime，andthen，whenitwascloseonnineo’clock，shehadthoughtsheshouldlikeacupoftea。(AmIresponsibleforanyofthesevulgarfluctuations，whichbeginwithunhappinessandendwithtea？)rustasshewaswarmingthepot(IgivethewordsontheauthorityofLouis，whosaysheknowswhattheymean，andwishestoexplain，butIsnubhimonprinciple)——justasshewaswarmingthepotthedooropened，andshewasstruckofaheap(herownwordsagain，andperfectlyunintelligiblethistimetoLouis，aswellastomyself)bytheappearanceintheinnparlourofherladyshiptheCountess。Igivemyniece’smaid’sdescriptionofmysister’stitlewithasenseofthehighestrelish。Mypoordearsisterisatiresomewomanwhomarriedaforeigner。Toresume:thedooropened，herladyshiptheCountessappearedintheparlour，andtheYoungPersonwasstruckofaheap。Mostremarkable！
ImustreallyrestalittlebeforeIcangetonanyfarther。WhenIhavereclinedforafewminutes，withmyeyesclosed，andwhenLouishasrefreshedmypoorachingtempleswithalittleeau-de-Cologne，Imaybeabletoproceed。
HerladyshiptheCountess——
No。Iamabletoproceed，butnottositup。Iwillreclineanddictate。Louishasahorridaccent，butheknowsthelanguage，andcanwrite。Howveryconvenient！
Herladyship，theCountess，explainedherunexpectedappearanceattheinnbytellingFannythatshehadcometobringoneortwolittlemessageswhichMissHalcombeinherhurryhadforgotten。TheYoungPersonthereuponwaitedanxiouslytohearwhatthemessageswere，buttheCountessseemeddisinclinedtomentionthem(solikemysister’stiresomeway！)untilFannyhadhadhertea。Herladyshipwassurprisinglykindandthoughtfulaboutit(extremelyunlikemysister)，andsaid，`Iamsure，mypoorgirl，youmustwantyourtea。Wecanletthemessageswaittillafterwards。Come，come，ifnothingelsewillputyouatyourease，I’llmaketheteaandhaveacupwithyou。’Ithinkthosewerethewords，asreportedexcitably，inmypresence，bytheYoungPerson。Atanyrate，theCountessinsistedonmakingthetea，andcarriedherridiculousostentationofhumilitysofarastotakeonecupherself，andtoinsistonthegirl’stakingtheother。Thegirldrankthetea，andaccordingtoherownaccount，solemnisedtheextraordinaryoccasionfiveminutesafterwardsbyfaintingdeadawayforthefirsttimeinherlife。HereagainIuseherownwords。Louisthinkstheywereaccompaniedbyanincreasedsecretionoftears。Ican’tsaymyself。TheeffortoflisteningbeingquiteasmuchasIcouldmanage，myeyeswereclosed。
WheredidIleaveoff？Ah，yes——shefaintedafterdrinkingacupofteawiththeCountess——aproceedingwhichmighthaveinterestedmeifIhadbeenhermedicalman，butbeingnothingofthesortIfeltboredbyhearingofit，nothingmore。Whenshecametoherselfinhalfanhourstimeshewasonthesofa，andnobodywaswithherbutthelandlady。TheCountess，findingittoolatetoremainanylongerattheinn，hadgoneawayassoonasthegirlshowedsignsofrecovering，andthelandladyhadbeengoodenoughtohelpherupstairstobed。
Leftbyherself，shehadfeltinherbosom(Iregretthenecessityofreferringtothispartofthesubjectasecondtime)，andhadfoundthetwoletterstherequitesafe，butstrangelycrumpled。Shehadbeengiddyinthenight，buthadgotupwellenoughtotravelinthemorning。Shehadputtheletteraddressedtothatobtrusivestranger，thegentlemaninLondon，intothepost，andhadnowdeliveredtheotherletterintomyhandsasshewastold。Thiswastheplaintruth，andthoughshecouldnotblameherselfforanyintentionalneglect，shewassadlytroubledinhermind，andsadlyinwantofawordofadvice。AtthispointLouisthinksthesecretionsappearedagain。Perhapstheydid，butitisofinfinitelygreaterimportancetomentionthatatthispointalsoIlostmypatience，openedmyeyes，andinterfered。
`Whatisthepurportofallthis？’Iinquired。
Myniece’sirrelevantmaidstared，andstoodspeechless。
`Endeavourtoexplain，’Isaidtomyservant。`Translateme，Louis。’
Louisendeavouredandtranslated。Inotherwords，hedescendedimmediatelyintoabottomlesspitofconfusion，andtheYoungPersonfollowedhimdown。Ireallydon’tknowwhenIhavebeensoamused。Ileftthematthebottomofthepitaslongastheydivertedme。Whentheyceasedtodivertme，Iexertedmyintelligence，andpulledthemupagain。
Itisunnecessarytosaythatmyinterferenceenabledme，induecourseoftime，toascertainthepurportoftheYoungPerson’sremarks。
Idiscoveredthatshewasuneasyinhermind，becausethetrainofeventsthatshehadjustdescribedtomehadpreventedherfromreceivingthosesupplementarymessageswhichMissHalcombehadintrustedtotheCountesstodeliver。Shewasafraidthemessagesmighthavebeenofgreatimportancetohermistress’sinterests。HerdreadofSirPercivalhaddeterredherfromgoingtoBlackwaterParklateatnighttoinquireaboutthem，andMissHalcombe’sowndirectionstoher，onnoaccounttomissthetraininthemorning，hadpreventedherfromwaitingattheinnthenextday。Shewasmostanxiousthatthemisfortuneofherfainting-fitshouldnotleadtothesecondmisfortuneofmakinghermistressthinkherneglectful，andshewouldhumblybegtoaskmewhetherIwouldadvisehertowriteherexplanationsandexcusestoMissHalcombe，requestingtoreceivethemessagesbyletter，ifitwasnottoolate。Imakenoapologiesforthisextremelyprosyparagraph。Ihavebeenorderedtowriteit。Therearepeople，unaccountableasitmayappear，whoactuallytakemoreinterestinwhatmyniece’smaidsaidtomeonthisoccasionthaninwhatIsaidtomyniece’smaid。Amusingperversity！
`Ishouldfeelverymuchobligedtoyou，sir，ifyouwouldkindlytellmewhatIhadbetterdo，remarkedtheYoungPerson。
`Letthingsstopastheyare，’Isaid，adaptingmylanguagetomylistener。`Iinvariablyletthingsstopastheyare。Yes。Isthatall？’
`Ifyouthinkitwouldbealibertyinme，sir，towrite，ofcourseIwouldn’tventuretodoso。ButIamsoveryanxioustodoallIcantoservemymistressfaithfully——’
Peopleinthelowerclassoflifeneverknowwhenorhowtogooutofaroom。Theyinvariablyrequiretobehelpedoutbytheirbetters。IthoughtithightimetohelptheYoungPersonout。Ididitwithtwojudiciouswords——
`Goodmorning。’
Somethingoutsideorinsidethissingulargirlsuddenlycreaked。Louis，whowaslookingather(whichIwasnot)，saysshecreakedwhenshecurtseyed。Curious。Wasithershoes，herstays，orherbones？Louisthinksitwasherstays。Mostextraordinary！
AssoonasIwasleftbymyselfIhadalittlenap——Ireallywantedit。WhenIawokeagainInoticeddearMarian’sletter。IfIhadhadthelastideaofwhatitcontainedIshouldcertainlynothaveattemptedtoopenit。Being，unfortunatelyformyself，quiteinnocentofallsuspicion，Ireadtheletter。Itimmediatelyupsetmefortheday。
Iam，bynature，oneofthemosteasy-temperedcreaturesthateverlived——Imakeallowancesforeverybody，andItakeoffenceatnothing。ButasIhavebeforeremarked，therearelimitstomyendurance。IlaiddownMarian’sletter，andfeltmyself——justlyfeltmyself——aninjuredman。
Iamabouttomakearemark。Itis，ofcourse，applicabletotheveryseriousmatternowundernotice，orIshouldnotallowittoappearinthisplace。
Nothing，inmyopinion，setstheodiousselfishnessofmankindinsucharepulsivelyvividlightasthetreatment，inallclassesofsociety，whichtheSinglepeoplereceiveatthehandsoftheMarriedpeople。Whenyouhaveonceshownyourselftooconsiderateandself-denyingtoaddafamilyofyourowntoanalreadyovercrowdedpopulation，youarevindictivelymarkedoutbyyourmarriedfriends，whohavenosimilarconsiderationandnosimilarself-denial，astherecipientofhalftheirconjugaltroubles，andthebornfriendofalltheirchildren。Husbandsandwivestalkofthecaresofmatrimony，andbachelorsandspinstersbearthem。Takemyowncase。Iconsideratelyremainsingle，andmypoordearbrotherPhilipinconsideratelymarries。Whatdoeshedowhenhedies？Heleaveshisdaughtertome。Sheisasweetgirl——sheisalsoadreadfulresponsibility。Whylayheronmyshoulders？BecauseIambound，intheharmlesscharacterofasingleman，torelievemymarriedconnectionsofalltheirowntroubles。Idomybestwithmybrother’sresponsibility——Imarrymyniece，withinfinitefussanddifficulty，tothemanherfatherwantedhertomarry-Sheandherhusbanddisagree，andunpleasantconsequencesfollow。Whatdoesshedowiththoseconsequences？Shetransfersthemtome。Whytransferthemtome？BecauseIambound，intheharmlesscharacterofasingleman，torelievemymarriedconnectionsofalltheirowntroubles。Poorsinglepeople！Poorhumannature！
ItisquiteunnecessarytosaythatMarian’sletterthreatenedme。Everybodythreatensme。AllsortsofhorrorsweretofallonmydevotedheadifIhesitatedtoturnLimmeridgeHouseintoan
asylumformynieceandhermisfortunes。Ididhesitate，nevertheless。
Ihavementionedthatmyusualcourse，hitherto，hadbeentosubmittodearMarian，andsavenoise。Butonthisoccasion，theconsequencesinvolvedinherextremelyinconsiderateproposalwereofanaturetomakemepause。IfIopenedLimmeridgeHouseasanasylumtoLadyGlyde，whatsecurityhadIagainstSirPercivalGlyde’sfollowingherhereinastateofviolentresentmentagainstmeforharbouringhiswife？IsawsuchaperfectlabyrinthoftroublesinvolvedinthisproceedingthatIdeterminedtofeelmyground，asitwere。Iwrote，therefore，todearMariantobeg(asshehadnohusbandtolayclaimtoher)thatshewouldcomeherebyherself，first，andtalkthematteroverwithme。Ifshecouldanswermyobjectionstomyownperfectsatisfaction，thenIassuredherthatIwouldreceiveoursweetLaurawiththegreatestpleasure，butnototherwise。
Ifelt，ofcourse，atthetime，thatthistemporisingonmypartwouldprobablyendinbringingMarianhereinastateofvirtuousindignation，bangingdoors。Butthen，theothercourseofproceedingmightendinbringingSirPercivalhereinastateofvirtuousindignation，bangingdoorsalso，andofthetwoindignationsandbangingsIpreferredMarian’s，becauseIwasusedtoher。AccordinglyIdespatchedtheletterbyreturnofpost。Itgainedmetime，atallevents——and，ohdearme！whatapointthatwastobeginwith。
WhenIamtotallyprostrated(didImentionthatIwastotallyprostratedbyMarian’sletter？)italwaystakesmethreedaystogetupagain。Iwasveryunreasonable——Iexpectedthreedaysofquiet。OfcourseIdidn’tgetthem。
Thethirdday’spostbroughtmeamostimpertinentletterfromapersonwithwhomIwastotallyunacquainted。Hedescribedhimselfastheactingpartnerofourmanofbusiness——our
dear，pig-headedoldGilmore——andheinformedmethathehadlatelyreceived，bythepost，aletteraddressedtohiminMissHalcombe’shandwriting。Onopeningtheenvelope，hehaddiscovered，tohisastonishment，thatitcontainednothingbutablanksheetofnotepaper。Thiscircumstanceappearedtohimsosuspicious(assuggestingtohisrestlesslegalmindthattheletterhadbeentamperedwith)thathehadatoncewrittentoMissHalcombe，andhadreceivednoanswerbyreturnofpost。Inthis
difficulty，insteadofactinglikeasensiblemanandlettingthingstaketheirpropercourse，hisnextabsurdproceeding，onhisownshowing，wastopestermebywritingtoinquireifIknewanythingaboutit。WhatthedeuceshouldIknowaboutit？Whyalarmmraswellashimself？Iwrotebacktothateffect。Itwasoneofmykeenestletters。IhaveproducednothingwithasharperepistolaryedgetoitsinceItenderedhisdismissalinwritingtothatextremelytroublesomeperson，MrWalterHartright。
Myletterproduceditseffect。Iheardnothingmorefromthelawyer。
Thisperhapswasnotaltogethersurprising。ButitwascertainlyaremarkablecircumstancethatnosecondletterreachedmefromMarian，andthatnowarningsignsappearedofherarrival。Herunexpectedabsencedidmeamazinggood。Itwassoverysoothingandpleasanttoinfer(asIdidofcourse)thatmymarriedconnectionshadmadeitupagain。Fivedaysofundisturbedtranquillity，ofdelicioussingleblessedness，quiterestoredme。OnthesixthdayIfeltstrongenoughtosendformyphotographer，andtosethimatworkagainonthepresentationcopiesofmyart-treasures，withaview，asIhavealreadymentioned，totheimprovementoftasteinthisbarbarousneighbourhood。Ihadjustdismissedhimtohisworkshop，andhadjustbeguncoquettingwithmycoins，whenLouissuddenlymadehisappearancewithacardinhishand。
`AnotherYoungPerson？’Isaid。`Iwon’tseeher。InmystateofhealthYoungpersonsdisagreewithme。Notathome。’
`Itisagentlemanthistime，sir。’
Agentlemanofcoursemadeadifference。Ilookedatthecard。
GraciousHeaven！mytiresomesister’sforeignhusband，CountFosco。
