PARTTHESECOND
THESTORYCONTINUEDBYWALTERHARTRIGHT
IOPENanewpage。Iadvancemynarrativebyoneweek。
ThehistoryoftheintervalwhichIthuspassovermustremainunrecorded。Myheartturnsfaint，mymindsinksindarknessandconfusionwhenIthinkofit。Thismustnotbe，ifIwhowriteamtoguide，asIought，youwhoread。Thismustnotbe，ifthecluethatleadsthroughthewindingsofthestoryistoremainfromendtoenduntangledinmyhands。
Alifesuddenlychanged——itswholepurposecreatedafresh，itshopesandfears，itsstruggles，itsinterests，anditssacrificesallturnedatonceandforeverintoanewdirection——thisistheprospectwhichnowopensbeforeme，liketheburstofviewfromamountain’stop。IleftmynarrativeinthequietshadowofLimmeridgechurch——Iresumeit，oneweeklater，inthestirandturmoilofaLondonstreet。
Thestreetisinapopulousandapoorneighbourhood。Thegroundfloorofoneofthehousesinitisoccupiedbyasmallnews-vendor’sshop，andthefirstfloorandthesecondareletasfurnishedlodgingsofthehumblestkind。
Ihavetakenthosetwofloorsinanassumedname。OntheupperfloorIlive，witharoomtoworkin，aroomtosleepin。Onthelowerfloor，underthesameassumedname，twowomenlive，whoaredescribedasmysisters。Igetmybreadbydrawingandengravingonwoodforthecheapperiodicals。Mysistersaresupposedtohelpmebytakinginalittleneedlework。Ourpoorplaceofabode，ourhumblecalling，ourassumedrelationship，andourassumedname，areallusedalikeasameansofhidingusinthehouse-forestofLondon。Wearenumberednolongerwiththepeoplewhoselivesareopenandknown。Iamanobscure，unnoticedman，withoutpatronorfriendtohelpme。MarianHalcombeisnothingnowbutmyeldestsister，whoprovidesforourhouseholdwantsbythetoilofherownhands。Wetwo，intheestimationofothers，areatoncethedupesandtheagentsofadaringimposture。WearesupposedtobetheaccomplicesofmadAnneCatherick，whoclaimsthename，thePlace，andthelivingpersonalityofdeadLadyGlyde。
Thatisoursituation。Thatisthechangedaspectinwhichwethreemustappear，henceforth，inthisnarrative，formanyandmanyapagetocome。
Intheeyeofreasonandoflaw，intheestimationofrelativesandfriends，accordingtoeveryreceivedformalityofcivilisedsociety，`Laura，LadyGlyde，’layburiedwithhermotherinLimmeridgechurchyard。Torninherownlifetimefromthelistoftheliving，thedaughterofPhilipFairlieandthewifeofPercivalGlydemightstillexistforhersister，mightstillexistforme，buttoalltheworldbesidesshewasdead。Deadtoheruncle，whohadrenouncedher；deadtotheservantsofthehouse，whohadfailedtorecogniseher；deadtothepersonsinauthority，whohadtransmittedherfortunetoherhusbandandheraunt；deadtomymotherandmysister，whobelievedmetobethedupeofanadventuressandthevictimofafraud；socially，morally，legally——dead。
Andyetalive！Aliveinpovertyandinhiding。Alive，withthepoordrawing-mastertofightherbattle，andtowinthewaybackforhertoherplaceintheworldoflivingbeings。
Didnosuspicion，excitedbymyownknowledgeofAnneCatherick’sresemblancetoher，crossmymind，whenherfacewasfirstrevealedtome？Nottheshadowofasuspicion，fromthemomentwhensheliftedherveilbythesideoftheinscriptionwhichrecordedherdeath。
Beforethesunofthatdayhadset，beforethelastglimpseofthehomewhichwasclosedagainstherhadpassedfromourview，thefarewellwordsIspoke，whenwepartedatLimmeridgeHouse，hadbeenrecalledbybothofus——repeatedbyme，recognisedbyher。`Ifeverthetimecomes，whenthedevotionofmywholeheartandsoulandstrengthwillgiveyouamoment’shappiness，orspareyouamoment’ssorrow，willyoutrytorememberthepoordrawing-masterwhohastaughtyou？’She，whonowrememberedsolittleofthetroubleandterrorofalatertime，rememberedthosewords，andlaidherpoorheadinnocentlyandtrustinglyonthebosomofthemanwhohadspokenthem。Inthatmoment，whenshecalledmebymyname，whenshesaid，`Theyhavetriedtomakemeforgeteverything，Walter，butIrememberMarian，andIrememberyou’——inthatmoment，I，whohadlongsincegivenhermylove，gavehermylife，andthankedGodthatitwasminetobestowonher。Yes！thetimehadcome，fromthousandsonthousandsofmilesaway——throughforestandwilderness，wherecompanionsstrongerthanIhadfallenbymyside，throughperilofdeaththricerenewed，andthriceescaped，theHandthatleadsmenonthedarkroadtothefuturehadledmetomeetthattime。Forlornanddisowned，sorelytriedandsadlychanged——herBeautyfaded，hermindclouded——robbedofherstationintheworld，ofherplaceamonglivingcreatures——thedevotionIhadpromised，thedevotionofmywholeheartandsoulandstrength，mightbelaidblamelesslynowatthosedearfeet。Intherightofhercalamity，intherightofherfriendlessness，shewasmineatlast！Minetosupport，toprotect，tocherish，torestore。Minetoloveandhonourasfatherandbrotherboth。Minetovindicatethroughallrisksandallsacrifices——throughthehopelessstruggleagainstRankandPower，throughthelongfightwitharmeddeceitandfortifiedSuccess，throughthewasteofmyreputation，throughthelossofmyfriends，throughthehazardofmylife。
II
Mypositionisdefined——mymotivesareacknowledged。ThestoryofMarianandthestoryofLauramustcomenext。
Ishallrelatebothnarratives，notinthewords(ofteninterrupted，ofteninevitablyconfused)ofthespeakersthemselves，butinthewordsofthebrief，plain，studiouslysimpleabstractwhichIcommittedtowritingformyownguidance，andfortheguidanceofmylegaladviser。Sothetangledwebwillbemostspeedilyandmostintelligiblyunrolled。
ThestoryofMarianbeginswherethenarrativeofthehousekeeperatBlackwaterParkleftoff。
OnLadyGlyde’sdeparturefromherhusband’shouse，thefactofthatdeparture，andthenecessarystatementofthecircumstancesunderwhichithadtakenplace，werecommunicatedtoMissHalcombebythehousekeeper。Itwasnottillsomedaysafterwards(howmanydaysexactly，MrsMichelson，intheabsenceofanywrittenmemorandumonthesubject，couldnotundertaketosay)thataletterarrivedfromMadameFoscoannouncingLadyGlyde’ssuddendeathinCountFosco’shouse。Theletteravoidedmentioningdates，andleftittoMrsMichelson’sdiscretiontobreakthenewsatoncetoMissHalcombe，ortodeferdoingsountilthatlady’shealthshouldbemorefirmlyestablished。
HavingconsultedMrDawson(whohadbeenhimselfdelayed，byillhealth，inresuminghisattendanceatBlackwaterPark)，MrsMichelson，bythedoctor’sadvice，andinthedoctor’spresence，communicatedthenews，eitheronthedaywhentheletterwasreceived，oronthedayafter。ItisnotnecessarytodwellhereupontheeffectwhichtheintelligenceofLadyGlyde’ssuddendeathproducedonhersister。Itisonlyusefultothepresentpurposetosaythatshewasnotabletotravelformorethanthreeweeksafterwards。AttheendofthattimesheproceededtoLondonaccompaniedbythehousekeeper。Theypartedthere——MrsMichelsonpreviouslyinformingMissHalcombeofheraddress，incasetheymightwishtocommunicateatafutureperiod。
OnpartingwiththehousekeeperMissHalcombewentatoncetotheofficeofMessrsGilmore&KyrletoconsultwiththelattergentlemaninMrGilmore’sabsence。ShementionedtoMrKyrlewhatshehadthoughtitdesirabletoconcealfromeveryoneelse(MrsMichelsonincluded)——hersuspicionofthecircumstancesunderwhichLadyGlydewassaidtohavemetherdeath。MrKyrle，whohadpreviouslygivenfriendlyproofofhisanxietytoserveMissHalcombe，atonceundertooktomakesuchinquiriesasthedelicateanddangerousnatureoftheinvestigationproposedtohimwouldpermit。
Toexhaustthispartofthesubjectbeforegoingfarther，itmaybementionedthatCountFoscoofferedeveryfacilitytoMrKyrle，onthatgentleman’sstatingthathewassentbyMissHalcombetocollectsuchparticularsashadnotyetreachedherofLadyGlyde’sdecease。MrKyrlewasplacedincommunicationwiththemedicalman，MrGoodricke，andwiththetwoservants。IntheabsenceofanymeansofascertainingtheexactdateofLadyGlyde’sdeparturefromBlackwaterPark，theresultofthedoctor’sandtheservants’evidence，andofthevolunteeredstatementsofCountFoscoandhiswife，wasconclusivetothemindofMrKyrle。HecouldonlyassumethattheintensityofMissHalcombe’ssuffering，underthelossofhersister，hadmisledherjudgmentinamostdeplorablemanner，andhewroteherwordthattheshockingsuspiciontowhichshehadalludedinhispresencewas，inhisopinion，destituteofthesmallestfragmentoffoundationintruth。ThustheinvestigationbyMrGilmore’spartnerbeganandended。
Meanwhile，MissHalcombehadreturnedtoLimmeridgeHouse，andhadtherecollectedalltheadditionalinformationwhichshewasabletoobtain。
MrFairliehadreceivedhisfirstintimationofhisniece’sdeathfromhissister，MadameFosco，thisletteralsonotcontaininganyexactreferencetodates。Hehadsanctionedhissister’sproposalthatthedeceasedladyshouldbelaidinhermother’sgraveinLimmeridgechurchyard。CountFoscohadaccompaniedtheremainstoCumberland，andhadattendedthefuneralatLimmeridge，whichtookplaceonthe30thofJuly。Itwasfollowed，asamarkofrespect，byalltheinhabitantsofthevillageandtheneighbourhood。Onthenextdaytheinscription(originallydrawnout，itwassaid，bytheauntofthedeceasedlady，andsubmittedforapprovaltoherbrother，MrFairlie)wasengravedononesideofthemonumentoverthetomb。
Onthedayofthefuneral，andforonedayafterit，CountFoscohadbeenreceivedasaguestatLimmeridgeHouse，butnointerviewhadtakenplacebetweenMrFairlieandhimself，bytheformergentleman’sdesire。Theyhadcommunicatedbywriting，andthroughthismediumCountFoscohadmadeMrFairlieacquaintedwiththedetailsofhisniece’slastillnessanddeath。Theletterpresentingthisinformationaddednonewfactstothefactsalreadyknown，butoneveryremarkableparagraphwascontainedinthepostscript。ItreferredtoAnneCatherick。
Thesubstanceoftheparagraphinquestionwasasfollows——
ItfirstinformedMrFairliethatAnneCatherick(ofwhomhemighthearfullparticularsfromMissHalcombewhenshereachedLimmeridge)hadbeentracedandrecoveredintheneighbourhoodofBlackwaterPark，andhadbeenforthesecondtimeplacedunderthechargeofthemedicalmanfromwhosecustodyshehadonceescaped。
Thiswasthefirstpartofthepostscript。ThesecondpartwarnedMrFairliethatAnneCatherick’smentalmaladyhadbeenaggravatedbyherlongfreedomfromcontrol，andthattheinsanehatredanddistrustofSirPercivalGlyde，whichhadbeenoneofhermostmarkeddelusionsinformertimes，stillexistedunderanewly-acquiredform。Theunfortunatewoman’slastideainconnectionwithSirPercivalwastheideaofannoyinganddistressinghim，andofelevatingherself，asshesupposed，intheestimationofthepatientsandnurses，byassumingthecharacterofhisdeceasedwife，theschemeofthispersonationhavingevidentlyoccurredtoherafterastoleninterviewwhichshehadsucceededinobtainingwithLadyGlyde，andatwhichshehadobservedtheextraordinaryaccidentallikenessbetweenthedeceasedladyandherself。ItwastothelastdegreeimprobablethatshewouldsucceedasecondtimeinescapingfromtheAsylum，butitwasjustpossibleshemightfindsomemeansofannoyingthelateLadyGlyde’srelativeswithletters，andinthatcaseMrFairliewaswarnedbeforehandhowtoreceivethem。
Thepostscript，expressedintheseterms，wasshowntoMissHalcombewhenshearrivedatLimmeridge。TherewerealsoplacedinherpossessiontheclothesLadyGlydehadworn，andtheothereffectsshehadbroughtwithhertoheraunt’shouse。TheyhadbeencarefullycollectedandsenttoCumberlandbyMadameFosco。
SuchwasthepostureofaffairswhenMissHalcombereachedLimmeridgeintheearlypartofSeptember。
Shortlyafterwardsshewasconfinedtoherroombyarelapse，herweakenedphysicalenergiesgivingwayundertheseverementalafflictionfromwhichshewasnowsuffering。Ongettingstrongeragain，inamonth’stime，hersuspicionofthecircumstancesdescribedasattendinghersister’sdeathstillremainedunshaken。ShehadheardnothingintheinterimofSirPercivalGlyde，butlettershadreachedherfromMadameFosco，makingthemostaffectionateinquiriesonthepartofherhusbandandherself。Insteadofansweringtheseletters，MissHalcombecausedthehouseinStJohn’sWood，andtheproceedingsofitsinmates，tobeprivatelywatched。
Nothingdoubtfulwasdiscovered。Thesameresultattendedthenextinvestigations，whichweresecretlyinstitutedonthesubjectofMrsRubelle。ShehadarrivedinLondonaboutsixmonthsbeforewithherhusband。TheyhadcomefromLyons，andtheyhadtakenahouseintheneighbourhoodofLeicesterSquare，tobefittedupasaboarding-houseforforeigners，whowereexpectedtovisitEnglandinlargenumberstoseetheExhibitionof1851。Nothingwasknownagainsthusbandorwifeintheneighbourhood。Theywerequietpeople，andtheyhadpaidtheirwayhonestlyuptothepresenttime。ThefinalinquiriesrelatedtoSirPercivalGlyde。HewassettledinParis，andlivingtherequietlyinasmallcircleofEnglishandFrenchfriends。
Foiledatallpoints，butstillnotabletorest，MissHalcombenextdeterminedtovisittheAsyluminwhichshethensupposedAnneCathericktobeforthesecondtimeconfined。Shehadfeltastrongcuriosityaboutthewomaninformerdays，andshewasnowdoublyinterested——first，inascertainingwhetherthereportofAnneCatherick’sattemptedpersonationofLadyGlydewastrue，andsecondly(ifitprovedtobetrue)，indiscoveringforherselfwhatthepoorcreature’srealmotiveswereforattemptingthedeceit。
AlthoughCountFosco’slettertoMrFairliedidnotmentiontheaddressoftheAsylum，thatimportantomissioncastnodifficultiesinMissHalcombe’sway。WhenMrHartrighthadmetAnneCatherickatLimmeridge，shehadinformedhimofthelocalityinwhichthehousewassituated，andMissHalcombehadnoteddownthedirectioninherdiary，withalltheotherparticularsoftheinterviewexactlyassheheardthemfromMrHartright’sownlips。Accordinglyshelookedbackattheentryandextractedtheaddress——furnishedherselfwiththeCount’slettertoMrFairlieasaspeciesofcredentialwhichmightbeusefultoher，andstartedbyherselffortheAsylumontheeleventhofOctober。
ShepassedthenightoftheeleventhinLondon。IthadbeenherintentiontosleepatthehouseinhabitedbyLadyGlyde’soldgoverness，butMrsVesey’sagitationatthesightofherlostpupil’snearestanddearestfriendwassodistressingthatMissHalcombeconsideratelyrefrainedfromremaininginherpresence，andremovedtoarespectableboarding-houseintheneighbourhood，recommendedbyMrsVesey’smarriedsister。ThenextdaysheproceededtotheAsylum，whichwassituatednotfarfromLondononthenorthernsideofthemetropolis。
Shewasimmediatelyadmittedtoseetheproprietor。
Atfirstheappearedtobedecidedlyunwillingtolethercommunicatewithhispatient。ButonhershowinghimthepostscripttoCountFosco’sletter——onherremindinghimthatshewasthe`MissHalcombe’therereferredto——thatshewasanearrelativeofthedeceasedLadyGlyde——andthatshewasthereforenaturallyinterested，forfamilyreasons，inobservingforherselftheextentofAnneCatherick’sdelusioninrelationtoherlatesister——thetoneandmanneroftheowneroftheAsylumaltered，andhewithdrewhisobjections。Heprobablyfeltthatacontinuedrefusal，underthesecircumstances，wouldnotonlybeanactofdiscourtesyinitself，butwouldalsoimplythattheproceedingsinhisestablishmentwerenotofanaturetobearinvestigationbyrespectablestrangers。
MissHalcombe’sownimpressionwasthattheowneroftheAsylumhadnotbeenreceivedintotheconfidenceofSirPercivalandtheCount。Hisconsentingatalltolethervisithispatientseemedtoaffordoneproofofthis，andhisreadinessinmakingadmissionswhichcouldscarcelyhaveescapedthelipsofanaccomplice。certainlyappearedsofurnishanother。
Forexample，inthecourseoftheintroductoryconversationwhichtookplace，heinformedMissHalcombethatAnneCatherickhadbeenbroughtbacktohimwiththenecessaryorderandcertificatesbyCountFoscoonthetwenty-seventhofJuly——theCountalsoproducingaletterofexplanationsandinstructionssignedbySirPercivalGlyde。Onreceivinghisinmateagain，theproprietoroftheAsylumacknowledgedthathehadobservedsomecuriouspersonalchangesinher。Suchchangesnodoubtwerenotwithoutprecedentinhisexperienceofpersonsmentallyafflicted。Insanepeoplewereoftenatonetime，outwardlyaswellasinwardly，unlikewhattheywereatanother——thechangefrombettertoworse，orfromworsetobetter，inthemadnesshavinganecessarytendencytoproducealterationsofappearanceexternally。Heallowedforthese，andheallowedalsoforthemodificationintheformofAnneCatherick’sdelusion，whichwasreflectednodoubtinhermannerandexpression。Buthewasstillperplexedattimesbycertaindifferencesbetweenhispatientbeforeshehadescapedandhispatientsinceshehadbeenbroughtback。Thosedifferencesweretoominutetobedescribed。HecouldnotSayofcoursethatshewasabsolutelyalteredinheightorshapeorcomplexion，orinthecolourofherhairandeyes，orinthegeneralformofherface——thechangewassomethingthathefeltmorethansomethingthathesaw。Inshort，thecasehadbeenapuzzlefromthefirst，andonemoreperplexitywasaddedtoitnow。
ItcannotbesaidthatthisconversationledtotheresultofevenpartiallypreparingMissHalcombe’smindforwhatwastocome。Butitproduced，nevertheless，averyseriouseffectuponher。Shewassocompletelyunnervedbyit，thatsomelittletimeelapsedbeforeshecouldsummoncomposureenoughtofollowtheproprietoroftheAsylumtothatpartofthehouseinwhichtheinmateswereconfined。
Oninquiry，itturnedoutthatthesupposedAnneCatherickwasthentakingexerciseinthegroundsattachedtotheestablishment。OneofthenursesvolunteeredtoconductMissHalcombetotheplace，theproprietoroftheAsylumremaininginthehouseforafewminutestoattendtoacasewhichrequiredhisservices，andthenengagingtojoinhisvisitorinthegrounds。
ThenurseledMissHalcombetoadistantpartoftheproperty，whichwasprettilylaidout，andafterlookingaboutheralittle，turnedintoaturfwalk，shadedbyashrubberyoneitherside。Abouthalf-waydownthiswalktwowomenwereslowlyapproaching。Thenursepointedtothemandsaid，`ThereisAnneCatherick，ma’am，withtheattendantwhowaitsonher。Theattendantwillansweranyquestionsyouwishtoput。’Withthosewordsthenurselefthertoreturntothedutiesofthehouse。
MissHalcombeadvancedonherside，andthewomenadvancedontheirs。Whentheywerewithinadozenpacesofeachother，oneofthewomenstoppedforaninstant，lookedeagerlyatthestrangelady，shookoffthenurse’sgrasponher，andthenextmomentrushedintoMissHalcombe’sarms。InthatmomentMissHalcomberecognisedhersister——recognisedthedead-alive。
Fortunatelyforthesuccessofthemeasurestakensubsequently，noonewaspresentatthatmomentbutthenurse。Shewasayoungwoman，andshewassostartledthatshewasatfirstquiteincapableofinterfering。WhenshewasabletodosoherwholeserviceswererequiredbyMissHalcombe，whohadforthemomentsunkaltogetherintheefforttokeepherownsensesundertheshockofthediscovery。Afterwaitingafewminutesinthefreshairandthecoolshade，hernaturalenergyandcouragehelpedheralittle，andshebecamesufficientlymistressofherselftofeelthenecessityofrecallingherpresenceofmindforherunfortunatesister’ssake。
Sheobtainedpermissiontospeakalonewiththepatient，onconditionthattheybothremainedwellwithinthenurse’sview。Therewasnotimeforquestions——therewasonlytimeforMissHalcombetoimpressontheunhappyladythenecessityofcontrollingherself，andtoassureherofimmediatehelpandrescueifshedidso。TheprospectofescapingfromtheAsylumbyobediencetohersister’sdirectionswassufficienttoquietLadyGlyde，andtomakeherunderstandwhatwasrequiredofher。MissHalcombenextreturnedtothenurse，placedallthegoldshethenhadinherpocket(threesovereigns)inthenurse’shands，andaskedwhenandwhereshecouldspeaktoheralone。
Thewomanwasatfirstsurprisedanddistrustful。ButonMissHalcombe’sdeclaringthatsheonlywantedtoputsomequestionswhichshewastoomuchagitatedtoaskatthatmoment，andthatshehadnointentionofmisleadingthenurseintoanyderelictionofduty，thewomantookthemoney，andproposedthreeo’clockonthenextdayasthetimefortheinterview。Shemightthenslipoutforhalfanhour，afterthepatientshaddined，andshewouldmeettheladyinaretiredplace，outsidethehighnorthwallwhichscreenedthegroundsofthehouse。MissHalcombehadonlytimetoassent，andtowhispertohersisterthatsheshouldhearfromheronthenextday，whentheproprietoroftheAsylumjoinedthem。Henoticedhisvisitor’sagitation，whichMissHalcombeaccountedforbysayingthatherinterviewwithAnneCatherickhadalittlestartledheratfirst。Shetookherleaveassoonafteraspossible——thatistosay，assoonasshecouldsummoncouragetoforceherselffromthepresenceofherunfortunatesister。
Averylittlereflection，whenthecapacitytoreflectreturned，convincedherthatanyattempttoidentifyLadyGlydeandtorescueherbylegalmeans，would，evenifsuccessful，involveadelaythatmightbefataltohersister’sintellects，whichwereshakenalreadybythehorrorofthesituationtowhichshehadbeenconsigned。BythetimeMissHalcombehadgotbacktoLondon，shehaddeterminedtoeffectLadyGlyde’sescapeprivately，bymeansofthenurse。
Shewentatoncetoherstockbroker，andsoldoutofthefundsallthelittlepropertyshepossessed，amountingtoratherlessthansevenhundredpounds。Determined，ifnecessary，topaythepriceofhersister’slibertywitheveryfarthingshehadintheworld，sherepairedthenextday，havingthewholesumaboutherinbank-notes，toherappointmentoutsidetheAsylumwall。
Thenursewasthere。MissHalcombeapproachedthesubjectcautiouslybymanypreliminaryquestions。Shediscovered，amongotherparticulars，thatthenursewhohadinformertimesattendedonthetrueAnneCatherickhadbeenheldresponsible(althoughshewasnottoblameforit)forthepatient’sescape，andhadlostherplaceinconsequence。Thesamepenalty，itwasadded，wouldattachtothepersonthenspeakingtoher，ifthesupposedAnneCatherickwasmissingasecondtime；and，moreover，thenurseinthiscasehadanespecialinterestinkeepingherplace。Shewasengagedtobemarried，andsheandherfuturehusbandwerewaitingtilltheycouldsave，together，betweentwoandthreehundredpoundstostartinbusiness。Thenurse’swagesweregood，andshemightsucceed，bystricteconomy，incontributinghersmallsharetowardsthesumrequiredintwoyears’time。
OnthishintMissHalcombespoke。ShedeclaredthatthesupposedAnneCatherickwasnearlyrelatedtoher，thatshehadbeenplacedintheAsylumunderafatalmistake，andthatthenursewouldbedoingagoodandaChristianactioninbeingthemeansofrestoringthemtooneanother。Beforetherewastimetostartasingleobjection，MissHalcombetookfourbanknotesofahundredpoundseachfromherpocket-book，andofferedthemtothewoman。asacompensationfortheriskshewastorun，andforthelossofherplace。
Thenursehesitated，throughsheerincredulityandsurprise。MissHalcombepressedthepointonherfirmly。
`Youwillbedoingagoodaction，`sherepeated；`youwillbehelpingthemostinjuredandunhappywomanalive。Thereisyourmarriageportionforareward。Bringhersafelytomehere，andIwillputthesefourbank-notesintoyourhandbeforeIclaimher。’
`Willyougivemealettersayingthosewords，whichIcanshowtomysweetheartwhenheaskshowIgotthemoney？’inquiredthewoman。
`Iwillbringtheletterwithme，readywrittenandsigned，’answeredMissHalcombe。
`ThenI’llriskit，’saidthenurse。
`When？’
`Tomorrow。’
ItwashastilyagreedbetweenthemthatMissHalcombeshouldreturnearlythenextmorningandwaitoutofsightamongthetrees——always，however，keepingnearthequietspotofgroundunderthenorthwall。Thenursecouldfixnotimeforherappearance，cautionrequiringthatsheshouldwaitandbeguidedbycircumstances。Onthatunderstandingtheyseparated。
MissHalcombewasatherplace，withthepromisedletterandthepromisedbank-notes，beforetenthenextmorning。Shewaitedmorethananhourandahalf。AttheendofthattimethenursecamequicklyroundthecornerofthewallholdingLadyGlydebythearm。ThemomenttheymetMissHalcombeputthebank-notesandtheletterintoherhand，andthesisterswereunitedagain。
ThenursehaddressedLadyGlyde，withexcellentforethought，inabonnet，veil，andshawlofherown。MissHalcombeonlydetainedhertosuggestameansofturningthepursuitinafalsedirection，whentheescapewasdiscoveredattheAsylum。Shewastogobacktothehouse，tomentioninthehearingoftheothernursesthatAnneCatherickhadbeeninquiringlatterlyaboutthedistancefromLondontoHampshire。towaittillthelastmoment，beforediscoverywasinevitable，andthentogivethealarmthatAnnewasmissing。ThesupposedinquiriesaboutHampshire，whencommunicatedtotheowneroftheAsylum，wouldleadhimtoimaginethathispatienthadreturnedtoBlackwaterPark，undertheinfluenceofthedelusionwhichmadeherpersistinassertingherselftobeLadyGlyde，andthefirstpursuitwould，inallprobability，beturnedinthatdirection。
Thenurseconsentedtofollowthesesuggestions，themorereadilyastheyofferedherthemeansofsecuringherselfagainstanyworseconsequencesthanthelossofherplace，byremainingintheAsylum，andsomaintainingtheappearanceofinnocence，atleast。Sheatoncereturnedtothehouse，andMissHalcombelostnotimeintakinghersisterbackwithhertoLondon。TheycaughttheafternoontraintoCarlislethesameafternoon，andarrivedatLimmeridge，withoutaccidentordifficultyofanykind，thatnight。
Duringthelatterpartoftheirjourneytheywerealoneinthecarriage，andMissHalcombewasabletocollectsuchremembrancesofthepastashersister’sconfusedandweakenedmemorywasabletorecall。Theterriblestoryoftheconspiracysoobtainedwaspresentedinfragments，sadlyincoherentinthemselves，andwidelydetachedfromeachother。Imperfectastherevelationwas，itmustneverthelessberecordedherebeforethisexplanatorynarrativecloseswiththeeventsofthenextdayatLimmeridgeHouse。
LadyGlyde’srecollectionoftheeventswhichfollowedherdeparturefromBlackwaterParkbeganwithherarrivalattheLondonterminusoftheSouthWesternRailway。Shehadomittedtomakeamemorandumbeforehandofthedayonwhichshetookthejourney。Allhopeoffixingthatimportantdatebyanyevidenceofhers，orofMrsMichelson’s，mustbegivenupforlost。
OnthearrivalofthetrainattheplatformLadyGlydefoundCountFoscowaitingforher。Hewasatthecarriagedoorassoonastheportercouldopenit。Thetrainwasunusuallycrowded，andtherewasgreatconfusioningettingtheluggage。SomepersonwhomCountFoscobroughtwithhimprocuredtheluggagewhichbelongedtoLadyGlyde。Itwasmarkedwithhername。ShedroveawayalonewiththeCountinavehiclewhichshedidnotparticularlynoticeatthetime。
Herfirstquestion，onleavingtheterminus，referredtoMissHalcombe。TheCountinformedherthatMissHalcombehadnotyetgonetoCumberland，after-considerationhavingcausedhimtodoubttheprudenceofhertakingsolongajourneywithoutsomedays’previousrest。
LadyGlydenextinquiredwhetherhersisterwasthenstayingintheCount’shouse。Herrecollectionoftheanswerwasconfused，heronlydistinctimpressioninrelationtoitbeingthattheCountdeclaredhewasthentakinghertoseeMissHalcombe。LadyGlyde’sexperienceofLondonwassolimitedthatshecouldnottell，atthetime，throughwhatstreetstheyweredriving。Buttheyneverleftthestreets，andtheyneverpassedanygardensortrees。Whenthecarriagestopped，itstoppedinasmallstreetbehindasquare——asquareinwhichtherewereshops，andpublicbuildings，andmanypeople。Fromtheserecollections(ofwhichLadyGlydewascertain)itseemsquiteclearthatCountFoscodidnottakehertohisownresidenceinthesuburbofStJohn’sWood。
Theyenteredthehouse，andwentupstairstoabackroom，eitheronthefirstorsecondfloor。Theluggagewascarefullybroughtin。Afemaleservantopenedthedoor，andamanwithadarkbeard，apparentlyaforeigner，mettheminthehall，andwithgreatpolitenessshowedthemthewayupstairs。InanswertoLadyGlyde’sinquiries，theCountassuredherthatMissHalcombewasinthehouse，andthatsheshouldbeimmediatelyinformedofhersister’sarrival。Heandtheforeignerthenwentawayandleftherbyherselfintheroom。Itwaspoorlyfurnishedasasitting-room，anditlookedoutonthebacksofhouses。
Theplacewasremarkablyquiet——nofootstepswentupordownthestairs——sheonlyheardintheroombeneathheradull，rumblingsoundofmen’svoicestalking。BeforeshehadbeenlongleftalonetheCountreturned，toexplainthatMissHalcombewasthentakingrest，andcouldnotbedisturbedforalittlewhile。Hewasaccompaniedintotheroombyagentleman(anEnglishman)，whomheleggedtopresentasafriendofhis。
Afterthissingularintroduction——inthecourseofwhichnonames，tothebestofLadyGlyde’srecollection，hadbeenmentioned——shewasleftalonewiththestranger。Hewasperfectlycivil，buthestartledandconfusedherbysomeoddquestionsaboutherself，andbylookingather，whileheaskedthem，inastrangemanner。Afterremainingashorttimehewentout，andaminuteortwoafterwardsasecondstranger——alsoanEnglishman——camein。ThispersonintroducedhimselfasanotherfriendofCountFosco’s，andhe，inhisturn，lookedatherveryoddly，andaskedsomecuriousquestions——never，aswellasshecouldremember，addressingherbyname，andgoingoutagain，afteralittlewhile，likethefirstman。Bythistimeshewassofrightenedaboutherself，andsouneasyabouthersister，thatshehadthoughtsofventuringdownstairsagain，andclaimingtheprotectionandassistanceoftheonlywomanshehadseeninthehouse——theservantwhoansweredthedoor。
Justasshehadrisenfromherchair，theCountcamebackintotheroom。
Themomentheappearedsheaskedanxiouslyhowlongthemeetingbetweenhersisterandherselfwastobestilldelayed。Atfirsthereturnedanevasiveanswer，butonbeingpressed，heacknowledged，withgreatapparentreluctance，thatMissHalcombewasbynomeanssowellashehadhithertorepresentedhertobe。Histoneandmanner，inmakingthisreply，soalarmedLadyGlyde，orrathersopainfullyincreasedtheuneasinesswhichshehadfeltinthecompanyofthetwostrangers，thatasuddenfaintnessovercameher，andshewasobligedtoaskforaglassofwater。TheCountcalledfromthedoorforwater，andforabottleofsmelling-salts。Bothwerebroughtinbytheforeign-lookingmanwiththebeard。Thewater，whenLadyGlydeattemptedtodrinkit，hadsostrangeatastethatitincreasedherfaintness，andshehastilytookthebottleofsaltsfromCountFosco，andsmeltatit。Herheadbecamegiddyontheinstant。TheCountcaughtthebottleasitdroppedoutofherhand，andthelastimpressionofwhichshewasconsciouswasthatheheldittohernostrilsagain。
Fromthispointherrecollectionswerefoundtobeconfused，fragmentary，anddifficulttoreconcilewithanyreasonableprobability。
Herownimpressionwasthatsherecoveredhersenseslaterintheevening，thatshethenleftthehouse，thatshewent(asshehadpreviouslyarrangedtogo，atBlackwaterPark)toMrsVesey’s——thatshedrankteathere，andthatshepassedthenightunderMrsVesey’sroof。Shewastotallyunabletosayhow，orwhen，orinwhatcompanysheleftthehousetowhichCountFoscohadbroughther。ButshepersistedinassertingthatshehadbeentoMrsVesey’s，andstillmoreextraordinary，thatshehadbeenhelpedtoundressandgettobedbyMrsRubelle！ShecouldnotrememberwhattheconversationwasatMrsVesey’s，orwhomshesawtherebesidesthatlady，orwhyMrsRubelleshouldhavebeenpresentinthehousetohelpher。
Herrecollectionofwhathappenedtoherthenextmorningwasstillmorevagueandunreliable。
Shehadsomedimideaofdrivingout(atwhathourshecouldnotsay)withCountFosco，andwithMrsRubelleagainforafemaleattendant。Butwhen，andwhy，sheleftMrsVeseyshecouldnottell；neitherdidsheknowwhatdirectionthecarriagedrovein，orwhereitsetherdown，orwhethertheCountandMrsRubelledidordidnotremainwithherallthetimeshewasout。Atthispointinhersadstorytherewasatotalblank。Shehadnoimpressionsofthefaintestkindtocommunicate——noideawhetheroneday，ormorethanoneday，hadpassed——untilshecametoherselfsuddenlyinastrangeplace，surroundedbywomenwhowereallunknowntoher。
ThiswastheAsylum。HereshefirstheardherselfcalledbyAnneCatherick’sname，andhere，asalastremarkablecircumstanceinthestoryoftheconspiracy，herowneyesinformedherthatshehadAnneCatherick’sclotheson。Thenurse，onthefirstnightintheAsylum，hadshownherthemarksoneacharticleofherunderclothingasitwastakenoff，andhadsaid，notatallirritablyorunkindly，`tookatyourownnameonyourownclothes，anddon’tworryusallanymoreaboutbeingLadyGlyde。She’sdeadandburied，andyou’realiveandhearty。Dolookatyourclothesnow！Thereitis，ingoodmarkingink，andthereyouwillfinditonallyouroldthings，whichwehavekeptinthehouse——AnneCatherick，asplainasprint！’Andthereitwas，whenMissHalcombeexaminedthelinenhersisterwore，onthenightoftheirarrivalatLimmeridgeHouse。
Theseweretheonlyrecollections——allofthemuncertain，andsomeofthemcontradictory——whichcouldbeextractedfromLadyGlydebycarefulquestioningonthejourneytoCumberland。MissHalcombeabstainedfrompressingherwithanyinquiriesrelatingtoeventsintheAsylum——hermindbeingbuttooevidentlyunfittobearthetrialofrevertingtothem。Itwasknown，bythevoluntaryadmissionoftheownerofthemadhouse，thatshewasreceivedthereonthetwenty-seventhofJuly。FromthatdateuntilthefifteenthofOctober(thedayofherrescue)shehadbeenunderrestraint，heridentitywithAnneCathericksystematicallyasserted，andhersanity，fromfirsttolast，practicallydenied。Facultieslessdelicatelybalanced，constitutionlesstenderlyorganised，musthavesufferedundersuchanordealasthis。Nomancouldhavegonethroughitandcomeoutofitunchanged。
ArrivingatLimmeridgelateontheeveningofthefifteenth，MissHalcombewiselyresolvednottoattempttheassertionofLadyGlyde’sidentityuntilthenextday。
ThefirstthinginthemorningshewenttoMrFairlie’sroom，andusingallpossiblecautionsandpreparationsbeforehand，atlasttoldhiminsomanywordswhathadhappened。Assoonashisfirstastonishmentandalarmhadsubsided，heangrilydeclaredthatMissHalcombehadallowedherselftobedupedbyAnneCatherick。HereferredhertoCountFosco’sletter，andtowhatshehadherselftoldhimofthepersonalresemblancebetweenAnneandhisdeceasedniece，andhepositivelydeclinedtoadmittohispresence，evenforoneminuteonly，amadwoman，whomitwasaninsultandanoutragetohavebroughtintohishouseatall。
MissHalcombelefttheroom——waitedtillthefirstheatofherindignationhadpassedaway——decidedonreflectionthatMrFairlieshouldseehisnieceintheinterestsofcommonhumanitybeforeheclosedhisdoorsonherasastranger——andthereupon，withoutawordofpreviouswarning，tookLadyGlydewithhertohisroom。Theservantwaspostedatthedoortopreventtheirentrance，butMissHalcombeinsistedonpassinghim，andmadeherwayintoMrFairlie’spresence，leadinghersisterbythehand。
Thescenethatfollowed，thoughitonlylastedforafewminutes，wastoopainfultobedescribed——MissHalcombeherselfshrankfromreferringtoit。LetitbeenoughtosaythatMrFairliedeclared，inthemostpositiveterms，thathedidnotrecognisethewomanwhohadbeenbroughtintohisroom——thathesawnothinginherfaceandmannertomakehimdoubtforamomentthathisniecelayburiedinLimmeridgechurchyard，andthathewouldcallonthelawtoprotecthimifbeforethedaywasovershewasnotremovedfromthehouse。
TakingtheveryworstviewofMrFairlie’sselfishness，indolence，andhabitualwantoffeeling，itwasmanifestlyimpossibletosupposethathewascapableofsuchinfamyassecretlyrecognisingandopenlydisowninghisbrother’schild。MissHalcombehumanelyandsensiblyallowedalldueforcetotheinfluenceofprejudiceandalarminpreventinghimfromfairlyexercisinghisperceptions，andaccountedforwhathadhappenedinthatway。Butwhenshenextputtheservantstothetest，andfoundthattheytoowere，ineverycase，uncertain，tosaytheleastofit，whethertheladypresentedtothemwastheiryoungmistressorAnneCatherick，ofwhoseresemblancetohertheyhadallheard，thesadconclusionwasinevitablethatthechangeproducedinLadyGlyde’sfaceandmannerbyherimprisonmentintheAsylumwasfarmoreseriousthanMissHalcombehadatfirstsupposed。Theviledeceptionwhichhadassertedherdeathdefiedexposureeveninthehousewhereshewasborn，andamongthepeoplewithwhomshehadlived。
Inalesscriticalsituationtheeffortneednothavebeengivenupashopelessevenyet。
Forexample，themaid，Fanny，whohappenedtobethenabsentfromLimmeridge，wasexpectedbackintwodays，andtherewouldbeachanceofgainingherrecognitiontostartwith，seeingthatshehadbeeninmuchmoreconstantcommunicationwithhermistress，andhadbeenmuchmoreheartilyattachedtoherthantheotherservants。Again，LadyGlydemighthavebeenprivatelykeptinthehouseorinthevillagetowaituntilherhealthwasalittlerecoveredandhermindwasalittlesteadiedagain。Whenhermemorycouldbeoncemoretrustedtoserveher，shewouldnaturallyrefertopersonsandeventsinthepastwithacertaintyandafamiliaritywhichnoimpostercouldsimulate，andsothefactofheridentity，whichherownappearancehadfailedtoestablish，mightsubsequentlybeproved，withtimetohelpher，bythesurertestofherownwords。
Butthecircumstancesunderwhichshehadregainedherfreedomrenderedallrecoursetosuchmeansasthesesimplyimpracticable。ThepursuitfromtheAsylum，divertedtoHampshireforthetimeonly，wouldinfalliblynexttakethedirectionofCumberland。ThepersonsappointedtoseekthefugitivemightarriveatLimmeridgeHouseatafewhours’notice，andinMrFairlie’spresenttemperofmindtheymightcountontheimmediateexertionofhislocalinfluenceandauthoritytoassistthem。ThecommonestconsiderationforLadyGlyde’ssafetyforcedonMissHalcombethenecessityofresigningthestruggletodoherjustice，andofremovingheratoncefromtheplaceofallothersthatwasnowmostdangeroustoher——theneighbourhoodofherownhome。
AnimmediatereturntoLondonwasthefirstandwisestmeasureofsecuritywhichsuggesteditself。Inthegreatcityalltracesofthemmightbemostspeedilyandmostsurelyeffaced。Therewerenopreparationstomake——nofarewellwordsofkindnesstoexchangewithanyone。OntheafternoonofthatmemorabledayofthesixteenthMissHalcomberousedhersistertoalastexertionofcourage，andwithoutalivingsoultowishthemwellatparting，thetwotooktheirwayintotheworldalone，andturnedtheirbacksforeveronLimmeridgeHouse。
Theyhadpassedthehillabovethechurchyard，whenLadyGlydeinsistedonturningbacktolookherlastathermother’sgrave。MissHalcombetriedtoshakeherresolution，but，inthisoneinstance，triedinvain。Shewasimmovable。Herdimeyeslitwithasuddenfire，andflashedthroughtheveilthathungoverthem——herwastedfingersstrengthenedmomentbymomentroundthefriendlyarmbywhichtheyhadheldsolistlesslytillthistime。IbelieveinmysoulthatthehandofGodwaspointingtheirwaybacktothem，andthatthemostinnocentandthemostafflictedofHiscreatureswaschoseninthatdreadmomenttoseeit。
Theyretracedtheirstepstotheburial-ground，andbythatactsealedthefutureofourthreelives。
Thiswasthestoryofthepast——thestorysofarasweknewitthen。
Twoobviousconclusionspresentedthemselvestomymindafterhearingit。Inthefirstplace，Isawdarklywhatthenatureoftheconspiracyhadbeen，howchanceshadbeenwatched，andhowcircumstanceshadbeenhandledtoensureimpunitytoadaringandanintricatecrime。Whilealldetailswerestillamysterytome，thevilemannerinwhichthepersonalresemblancebetweenthewomaninwhiteandLadyGlydehadbeenturnedtoaccountwasclearbeyonddoubt。ItwasplainthatAnneCatherickhadbeenintroducedintoCountFosco’shouseasLadyGlyde——itwasplainthatLadyGlydehadtakenthedeadwoman’splaceintheAsylum——thesubstitutionhavingbeensomanagedastomakeinnocentpeople(thedoctorandthetwoservantscertainly，andtheownerofthemad-houseinallprobability)accomplicesinthecrime。
Thesecondconclusioncameasthenecessaryconsequenceofthefirst。WethreehadnomercytoexpectfromCountFoscoandSirPercivalGlyde。Thesuccessoftheconspiracyhadbroughtwithitacleargaintothosetwomenofthirtythousandpounds——twentythousandtoone，tenthousandtotheotherthroughhiswife。Theyhadthatinterest，aswellasotherinterests，inensuringtheirimpunityfromexposure，andtheywouldleavenostoneunturned，nosacrificeunattempted，notreacheryuntried，todiscovertheplaceinwhichtheirvictimwasconcealed，andtopartherfromtheonlyfriendsshehadintheworld——MarianHalcombeandmyself。
Thesenseofthisseriousperil——aperilwhicheverydayandeveryhourmightbringnearerandnearertous——wastheoneinfluencethatguidedmeinfixingtheplaceofourretreat。IchoseitinthefareastofLondon，wheretherewerefewestidlepeopletoloungeandlookabouttheminthestreets。Ichoseitinapoorandapopulousneighbourhood——becausetheharderthestruggleforexistenceamongthemenandwomenaboutus，thelesstheriskoftheirhavingthetimeortakingthepainstonoticechancestrangerswhocameamongthem。ThesewerethegreatadvantagesIlookedto，butourlocalitywasagaintousalsoinanotherandahardlylessimportantrespect。Wecouldlivecheaplybythedailyworkofmyhands，andcouldsaveeveryfarthingwepossessedtoforwardthepurpose，therighteouspurpose，ofredressinganinfamouswrong——which，fromfirsttolast，Inowkeptsteadilyinview。
Inaweek’stimeMarianHalcombeandIhadsettledhowthecourseofournewlivesshouldbedirected。
Therewerenootherlodgersinthehouse，andwehadthemeansofgoinginandoutwithoutpassingthroughtheshop。Iarranged，forthepresentatleast，thatneitherMariannorLaurashouldstiroutsidethedoorwithoutmybeingwiththem，andthatinmyabsencefromhometheyshouldletnooneintotheirroomsonanypretencewhatever。Thisruleestablished，IwenttoafriendwhomIhadknowninformerdays——awoodengraverinlargepractice——toseekforemployment，tellinghim，atthesametime，thatIhadreasonsforwishingtoremainunknown。
HeatonceconcludedthatIwasindebt，expressedhisregretintheusualforms，andthenpromisedtodowhathecouldtoassistme。Ilefthisfalseimpressionundisturbed，andacceptedtheworkhehadtogive。Heknewthathecouldtrustmyexperienceandmyindustry。Ihadwhathewanted，steadinessandfacility，andthoughmyearningswerebutsmall，theysufficedforournecessities。Assoonaswecouldfeelcertainofthis，MarianHalcombeandIputtogetherwhatwepossessed。Shehadbetweentwoandthreehundredpoundsleftofherownproperty，andIhadnearlyasmuchremainingfromthepurchase-moneyobtainedbythesaleofmydrawing-master’spracticebeforeIleftEngland。Togetherwemadeupbetweenusmorethanfourhundredpounds。ldepositedthislittlefortuneinabank，tobekeptfortheexpenseofthosesecretinquiriesandinvestigationswhichIwasdeterminedtosetonfoot，andtocarryonbymyselfifIcouldfindnoonetohelpme。Wecalculatedourweeklyexpendituretothelastfarthing，andwenevertouchedourlittlefundexceptinLaura’sinterestsandforLaura’ssake。
Thehouse-work，which，ifwehaddaredtrustastrangernearus，wouldhavebeendonebyaservant，wastakenonthefirstday，takenasherownright，byMarianHalcombe。`Whatawoman’shandsarefitfor，’shesaid，`earlyandlate，thesehandsofmineshalldo。’Theytrembledassheheldthemout。ThewastedarmstoldtheirsadstoryofthePast，assheturnedupthesleevesofthepoorplaindressthatsheworeforsafety’ssake；buttheunquenchablespiritofthewomanburntbrightinherevenyet。Isawthebigtearsrisethickinhereyes，andfallslowlyoverhercheeksasshelookedatme。Shedashedthemawaywithatouchofheroldenergy，andsmiledwithafaintreflectionofheroldgoodspirits。`Don’tdoubtmycourage，Walter，’shepleaded，`it’smyweaknessthatcries，notme。Thehouse-workshallconqueritifIcan’t。’Andshekeptherword——thevictorywaswonwhenwemetintheevening，andshesatdowntorest。Herlargesteadyblackeyeslookedatmewithaflashoftheirbrightfirmnessofbygonedays。`Iamnotquitebrokendownyet，’shesaid。`Iamworthtrustingwithmyshareofthework。’BeforeIcouldanswer，sheaddedinawhisper，`Andworthtrustingwithmyshareintheriskandthedangertoo。Rememberthat，ifthetimecomes！’
Ididrememberitwhenthetimecame。
AsearlyastheendofOctoberthedailycourseofourliveshadassumeditssettleddirection，andwethreewereascompletelyisolatedinourplaceofconcealmentasifthehousewelivedinhadbeenadesertisland，andthegreatnetworkofstreetsandthethousandsofourfellow-creaturesallroundusthewatersofanillimitablesea。Icouldnowreckononsomeleisuretimeforconsideringwhatmyfutureplanofactionshouldbe，andhowImightarmmyselfmostsecurelyattheoutsetforthecomingstrugglewithSirPercivalandtheCount。
IgaveupallhopeofappealingtomyrecognitionofLaura，ortoMarian’srecognitionofher，inproofofheridentity。Ifwehadlovedherlessdearly，iftheinstinctimplantedinusbythatlovehadnotbeenfarmorecertainthananyexerciseofreasoning，farkeenerthananyprocessofobservation，evenwemighthavehesitatedonfirstseeingher。
Theoutwardchangeswroughtbythesufferingandtheterrorofthepasthadfearfully，almosthopelessly，strengthenedthefatalresemblancebetweenAnneCatherickandherself。InmynarrativeofeventsatthetimeofmyresidenceinLimmeridgeHouse，Ihaverecorded，frommyownobservationofthetwo，howthelikeness，strikingasitwaswhenviewedgenerally，failedinmanyimportantpointsofsimilaritywhentestedindetail。Inthoseformerdays，iftheyhadbothbeenseentogethersidebyside，nopersoncouldforamomenthavemistakenthemonefortheother——ashashappenedoftenintheinstancesoftwins。Icouldnotsaythisnow。ThesorrowandsufferingwhichIhadonceblamedmyselfforassociatingevenbyapassingthoughtwiththefutureofLauraFairlie，hadsettheirprofaningmarksontheyouthandbeautyofherface；andthefatalresemblancewhichIhadonceseenandshudderedatseeing，inideaonly，wasnowarealandlivingresemblancewhichasserteditselfbeforemyowneyes。Strangers，acquaintances，friendsevenwhocouldnotlookatheraswelooked，ifshehadbeenshowntotheminthefirstdaysofherrescuefromtheAsylum，mighthavedoubtedifsheweretheLauraFairlietheyhadonceseen，anddoubtedwithoutblame。
Theoneremainingchance，whichIhadatfirstthoughtmightbetrustedtoserveus——thechanceofappealingtoherrecollectionofpersonsandeventswithwhichnoimpostercouldbefamiliar，wasproved，bythesadtestofourlaterexperience，tobehopeless。EverylittlecautionthatMarianandIpractisedtowardsher——everylittleremedywetried，tostrengthenandsteadyslowlytheweakened，shakenfaculties，wasafreshprotestinitselfagainsttheriskofturninghermindbackonthetroubledandtheterriblepast。
TheonlyeventsofformerdayswhichweventuredonencouraginghertorecallwerethelittletrivialdomesticeventsofthathappytimeatLimmeridge，whenIfirstwentthereandtaughthertodraw。ThedaywhenIrousedthoseremembrancesbyshowingherthesketchofthesummer-housewhichshehadgivenmeonthemorningofourfarewell，andwhichhadneverbeenseparatedfrommesince，wasthebirthdayofourfirsthope。Tenderlyandgradually，thememoryoftheoldwalksanddrivesdawneduponher，andthepoorwearypiningeyeslookedatMarianandatmewithanewinterest，withafalteringthoughtfulnessinthem，whichfromthatmomentwecherishedandkeptalive。Iboughtheralittleboxofcolours，andasketch-bookliketheoldsketch-bookwhichIhadseeninherhandsonthemorningthatwefirstmet。Onceagain——ohme，onceagain！——atsparehourssavedfrommywork，inthedullLondonlight，inthepoorLondonroom，Isatbyhersidetoguidethefalteringtouch，tohelpthefeeblehand。DaybydayIraisedandraisedthenewinteresttillitsplaceintheblankofherexistencewasatlastassured——tillshecouldthinkofherdrawingandtalkofit，andpatientlypractiseitbyherself，withsomefaintreflectionoftheinnocentpleasureinmyencouragement，thegrowingenjoymentinherownprogress，whichbelongedtothelostlifeandthelosthappinessofpastdays。
Wehelpedhermindslowlybythissimplemeans，wetookheroutbetweenustowalkonfinedays，inaquietoldCitysquarenearathand，wheretherewasnothingtoconfuseoralarmher——wesparedafewpoundsfromthefundatthebanker’stogetherwine，andthedelicatestrengtheningfoodthatsherequired——weamusedherintheeveningswithchildren’sgamesatcards，withscrapbooksfullofprintswhichIborrowedfromtheengraverwhoemployedme——bythese，andothertriflingattentionslikethem，wecomposedherandsteadiedher，andhopedallthings，ascheerfullyaswecouldfromtimeandcare，andlovethatneverneglectedandneverdespairedofher。Buttotakehermercilesslyfromseclusionandrepose——toconfrontherwithstrangers，orwithacquaintanceswhowerelittlebetterthanstrangers——torousethepainfulimpressionsofherpastlifewhichwehadsocarefullyhushedtorest——this，eveninherowninterests，wedarednotdo。Whateversacrificesitcost，whateverlong，weary，heart-breakingdelaysitinvolved，thewrongthathadbeeninflictedonher，ifmortalmeanscouldgrappleit，mustberedressedwithoutherknowledgeandwithoutherhelp。
Thisresolutionsettled，itwasnextnecessarytodecidehowthefirstriskshouldbeventured，andwhatthefirstproceedingsshouldbe。
AfterconsultingwithMarian，Iresolvedtobeginbygatheringtogetherasmanyfactsascouldbecollected——thentoasktheadviceofMrKyrle(whomweknewwecouldtrust)，andtoascertainfromhim，inthefirstinstance，ifthelegalremedylayfairlywithinourreach。IowedittoLaura’sinterestsnottostakeherwholefutureonmyownunaidedexertions，solongastherewasthefaintestprospectofstrengtheningourpositionbyobtainingreliableassistanceofanykind。
ThefirstsourceofinformationtowhichIappliedwasthejournalkeptatBlackwaterParkbyMarianHalcombe。TherewerepassagesinthisdiaryrelatingtomyselfwhichshethoughtitbestthatIshouldnotsee。Accordingly，shereadtomefromthemanuscript，andItookthenotesIwantedasshewenton。Wecouldonlyfindtimetopursuethisoccupationbysittinguplateatnight。Threenightsweredevotedtothepurpose，andwereenoughtoputmeinpossessionofallthatMariancouldtell。
MynextproceedingwastogainasmuchadditionalevidenceasIcouldprocurefromotherpeoplewithoutexcitingsuspicion。IwentmyselftoMrsVeseytoascertainifLaura’simpressionofhavingslepttherewascorrectornot。Inthiscase，fromconsiderationforMrsVesey’sageandinfinity，andinallsubsequentcasesofthesamekindfromconsiderationsofcaution，Ikeptourrealpositionasecret，andwasalwayscarefultospeakofLauraas`thelateLadyGlyde’。
MrsVesey’sanswertomyinquiriesonlyconfirmedtheapprehensionswhichIhadpreviouslyfelt。Laurahadcertainlywrittentosayshewouldpassthenightundertheroofofheroldfriend——butshehadneverbeennearthehouse。
Hermindinthisinstance，and，asIfeared，inotherinstancesbesides，confusedlypresentedtohersomethingwhichshehadonlyintendedtodointhefalselightofsomethingwhichshehadreallydone。Theunconsciouscontradictionofherselfwaseasytoaccountforinthisway——butitwaslikelytoleadtoseriousresults。Itwasastumbleonthethresholdatstarting——itwasaflawintheevidencewhichtoldfatallyagainstus。
WhenInextaskedfortheletterwhichLaurahadwrittentoMrsVeseyfromBlackwaterPark，itwasgiventomewithouttheenvelope，whichhadbeenthrownintothewastepaperbasket，andlongsincedestroyed。Intheletteritselfnodatewasmentioned——noteventhedayoftheweek。Itonlycontainedtheselines:——`DearestMrsVesey，Iaminsaddistressandanxiety，andImaycometoyourhousetomorrownight，andaskforabed。Ican’ttellyouwhatisthematterinthisletter——IwriteitinsuchfearofbeingfoundoutthatIcanfixmymindonnothing。Praybeathometoseeme。Iwillgiveyouathousandkisses，andtellyoueverything。YouraffectionateLaura。’Whathelpwasthereinthoselines？None。
OnreturningfromMrsVesey’s，IinstructedMariantowrite(observingthesamecautionwhichIpractisedmyself)toMrsMichelson。Shewastoexpress，ifshepleased，somegeneralsuspicionofCountFosco’sconduct，andshewastoaskthehousekeepertosupplyuswithaplainstatementofevents，intheinterestsoftruth。Whilewewerewaitingfortheanswer，whichreachedusinaweek’stime，IwenttothedoctorinStJohn’sWood，introducingmyselfassentbyMissHalcombetocollect，ifpossible，moreparticularsofhersister’slastillnessthanMrKyrlehadfoundthetimetoprocure。ByMrGoodricke’sassistance，Iobtainedacopyofthecertificateofdeath，andaninterviewwiththewoman(JaneGould)whohadbeenemployedtopreparethebodyforthegrave。ThroughthispersonIalsodiscoveredameansofcommunicatingwiththeservant，HesterPinhorn。Shehadrecentlyleftherplaceinconsequenceofadisagreementwithhermistress，andshewaslodgingwithsomepeopleintheneighbourhoodwhomMrsGouldknew。InthemannerhereindicatedIobtainedtheNarrativesofthehousekeeper，ofthedoctor，ofJaneGould，andofHesterPinhorn，exactlyastheyarepresentedinthesepages。
Furnishedwithsuchadditionalevidenceasthesedocumentsafforded，IconsideredmyselftobesufficientlypreparedforaconsultationwithMrKyrle，andMarianwroteaccordinglytomentionmynametohim，andtospecifythedayandhouratwhichIrequestedtoseehimonprivatebusiness。
TherewastimeenoughinthemorningformetotakeLauraoutforherwalkasusual，andtoseeherquietlysettledatherdrawingafterwards。ShelookedupatmewithanewanxietyinherfaceasIrosetoleavetheroom，andherfingersbegantotoydoubtfully，intheoldway，withthebrushesandpencilsonthetable。
`Youarenottiredofmeyet？’shesaid。`Youarenotgoingawaybecauseyouaretiredofme？Iwilltrytodobetter——Iwilltrytogetwell。Areyouasfondofme，Walter，asyouusedtobe，nowIamsopaleandthin，andsoslowinlearningtodraw？’
Shespokeasachildmighthavespoken，sheshowedmeherthoughtsasachildmighthaveshownthem。Iwaitedafewminuteslonger——waitedtotellherthatshewasdearertomenowthanshehadeverbeeninthepasttimes。`Trytogetwellagain，’Isaid，encouragingthenewhopeinthefuturewhichIsawdawninginhermind，`trytogetwellagain，forMarian’ssakeandformine。’
`Yes，’shesaidtoherself，returningtoherdrawing。`Imusttry，becausetheyarebothsofondofme。’Shesuddenlylookedupagain。`Don’tbegonelong！Ican’tgetonwithmydrawing，Walter，whenyouarenotheretohelpme。’
`Ishallsoonbeback，mydarling——soonbebacktoseehowyouaregettingon。’
Myvoicefalteredalittleinspiteofme。Iforcedmyselffromtheroom。Itwasnotime，then，forpartingwiththeself-controlwhichmightyetservemeinmyneedbeforethedaywasout。
AsIopenedthedoor，IbeckonedtoMariantofollowmetothestairs。ItwasnecessarytoprepareherforaresultwhichIfeltmightsoonerorlaterfollowmyshowingmyselfopenlyinthestreets。
`Ishall，inallprobability，bebackinafewhours，’Isaid，`andyouwilltakecare，asusual，toletnooneinsidethedoorsinmyabsence。Butifanythinghappens——’
`Whatcanhappen？’sheinterposedquickly。`Tellmeplainly，Walter，ifthereisanydanger，andIshallknowhowtomeetit。’
`Theonlydanger，’Ireplied，`isthatSirPercivalGlydemayhavebeenrecalledtoLondonbythenewsofLaura’sescape。YouareawarethathehadmewatchedbeforeIleftEngland，andthatheprobablyknowsmebysight，althoughIdon’tknowhim？’
Shelaidherhandonmyshoulderandlookedatmeinanxioussilence。Isawsheunderstoodtheseriousriskthatthreatenedus。
`Itisnotlikely，’Isaid，`thatIshallbeseeninLondonagainsosoon，eitherbySirPercivalhimselforbythepersonsinhisemploy。Butitisbarelypossiblethatanaccidentmayhappen。Inthatcase，youwillnotbealarmedifIfailtoreturntonight，andyouwillsatisfyanyinquiryofLaura’swiththebestexcusethatyoucanmakeforme？IfIfindtheleastreasontosuspectthatIamwatched，Iwilltakegoodcarethatnospyfollowsmebacktothishouse。Don’tdoubtmyreturn，Marian，howeveritmaybedelayed——andfearnothing。’
`Nothing！’sheansweredfirmly。`Youshallnotregret，Walter，thatyouhaveonlyawomantohelpyou。’Shepaused，anddetainedmeforamomentlonger。`Takecare！’shesaid，pressingmyhandanxiously——`takecare！’
Ilefther，andsetforthtopavethewayfordiscovery——thedarkanddoubtfulway，whichbeganatthelawyer’sdoor。
NocircumstancesoftheslightestimportancehappenedonmywaytotheofficesofMessrsGilmore&Kyrle，inChanceryLane。
WhilemycardwasbeingtakenintoMrKyrle，aconsiderationoccurredtomewhichIdeeplyregrettednothavingthoughtofbefore。TheinformationderivedfromMarian’sdiarymadeitamatterofcertaintythatCountFoscohadopenedherfirstletterfromBlackwaterParktoMrKyrle，andhad，bymeansofhiswife，interceptedthesecond。Hewasthereforewellawareoftheaddressoftheoffice，andhewouldnaturallyinferthatifMarianwantedadviceandassistance，afterLaura’sescapefromtheAsylum，shewouldapplyoncemoretotheexperienceofMrKyrle。InthiscasetheofficeinChanceryLanewastheveryfirstplacewhichheandSirPercivalwouldcausetobewatched，andifthesamepersonswerechosenforthepurposewhohadbeenemployedtofollowme，beforemydeparturefromEngland，thefactofmyreturnwouldinallprobabilitybeascertainedonthatveryday。Ihadthought，generally，ofthechancesofmybeingrecognisedinthestreets，butthespecialriskconnectedwiththeofficehadneveroccurredtomeuntilthepresentmoment。Itwastoolatenowtorepairthisunfortunateerrorinjudgment——toolatetowishthatIhadmadearrangementsformeetingthelawyerinsomeplaceprivatelyappointedbeforehand。IcouldonlyresolvetobecautiousonleavingChanceryLane，andnottogostraighthomeagainunderanycircumstanceswhatever。
AfterwaitingafewminutesIwasshownintoMrKyrle’sprivateroom。Hewasapale，thin，quiet，self-possessedman，withaveryattentiveeye，averylowvoice，andaveryundemonstrativemanner——not(asIjudged)readywithhissympathywherestrangerswereconcerned，andnotatalleasytodisturbinhisprofessionalcomposure。Abettermanformypurposecouldhardlyhavebeenfound。Ifhecommittedhimselftoadecisionatall，andifthedecisionwasfavourable，thestrengthofourcasewasasgoodasprovedfromthatmoment。
`BeforeIenteronthebusinesswhichbringsmehere，’Isaid，`Ioughttowarnyou，MrKyrle，thattheshorteststatementIcanmakeofitmayoccupysomelittletime。’
`MytimeisatMissHalcombe’sdisposal，’hereplied。`Whereanyinterestsofhersareconcerned，Irepresentmypartnerpersonally，aswellasprofessionally。ItwashisrequestthatIshoulddoso，whenheceasedtotakeanactivepartinbusiness。’
`MayIinquirewhetherMrGilmoreisinEngland？’
`Heisnot，heislivingwithhisrelativesinGermany。Hishealthhasimproved，buttheperiodofhisreturnisstilluncertain。’
Whilewewereexchangingthesefewpreliminarywords，hehadbeensearchingamongthepapersbeforehim，andhenowproducedfromthemasealedletter。Ithoughthewasabouttohandthelettertome，but，apparentlychanginghismind，heplaceditbyitselfonthetable，settledhimselfinhischair，andsilentlywaitedtohearwhatIhadtosay。
Withoutwastingamomentinprefatorywordsofanysort，Ienteredonmynarrative，andputhiminfullpossessionoftheeventswhichhavealreadybeenrelatedinthesepages。
Lawyerashewastotheverymarrowofhisbones，Istartledhimoutofhisprofessionalcomposure。Expressionsofincredulityandsurprise，whichhecouldnotrepress，interruptedmeseveraltimesbeforeIhaddone。Ipersevered，however，totheend，andassoonasIreachedit，boldlyaskedtheoneimportantquestion——
`Whatisyouropinion，MrKyrle？’
Hewastoocautioustocommithimselftoananswerwithouttakingtimetorecoverhisself-possessionfist。
`BeforeIgivemyopinion，’hesaid，`Imustbegpermissiontoclearthegroundbyafewquestions。’
Heputthequestions——sharp，suspicious，unbelievingquestions，whichclearlyshowedme，astheyproceeded，thathethoughtIwasthevictimofadelusion，andthathemightevenhavedoubted，butformyintroductiontohimbyMissHalcombe，whetherIwasnotattemptingtheperpetrationofacunningly-designedfraud。
`DoyoubelievethatIhavespokenthetruth，MrKyrle？’Iasked，whenhehaddoneexaminingme。
`Sofarasyourownconvictionsareconcerned，Iamcertainyouhavespokenthetruth，’hereplied。`IhavethehighestesteemforMissHalcombe，andIhavethereforeeveryreasontorespectagentlemanwhosemediationshetrustsinamatterofthiskind。Iwillevengofarther，ifyoulike，andadmit，forcourtesy’ssakeandforargumentssake，thattheidentityofLadyGlydeasalivingpersonisaprovedfacttoMissHalcombeandyourself。Butcametomeforalegalopinion。Asalawyer，andasalawyeronly，itismydutytotellyou，MrHartright，thatyouhavenottheshadowofacase。’
`Youputitstrongly，MrKyrle。’
`Iwilltrytoputitplainlyaswell。TheevidenceofLadyGlyde’sdeathis，onthefaceofit，clearandsatisfactory。Thereisheraunt’stestimonytoprovethatshecametoCountFosco’shouse，thatshefellill，andthatshedied。Thereisthetestimonyofthemedicalcertificatetoprovethedeath，andtoshowthatittookplaceundernaturalcircumstances。ThereisthefactofthefuneralatLimmeridge，andthereistheassertionoftheinscriptiononthetomb。Thatisthecaseyouwanttooverthrow。WhatevidencehaveyoutosupportthedeclarationonyoursidethatthepersonwhodiedandwasburiedwasnotLadyGlyde？Letusrunthroughthemainpointsofyourstatementandseewhattheyareworth。MissHalcombegoestoacertainprivateAsylum，andthereseesacertainfemalepatient。ItisknownthatawomannamedAnneCatherick，andbearinganextraordinarypersonalresemblancetoLadyGlyde，escapedfromtheAsylum；itisknownthatthepersonreceivedtherelastJulywasreceivedasAnneCatherickbroughtback；itisknownthatthegentlemanwhobroughtherbackwarnedMrFairliethatitwaspartofherinsanitytobebentonpersonatinghisdeadniece；anditisknownthatshedidrepeatedlydeclareherselfintheAsylum(wherenoonebelievedher)tobeLadyGlyde。Theseareallfacts。Whathaveyoutosetagainstthem？MissHalcombe’srecognitionofthewoman，whichrecognitionafter-eventsinvalidateorcontradict。DoesMissHalcombeasserthersupposedsister’sidentitytotheowneroftheAsylum，andtakelegalmeansforrescuingher？No，shesecretlybribesanursetoletherescape。Whenthepatienthasbeenreleasedinthisdoubtfulmanner，andistakentoMrFairlie，doesherecogniseher？Ishestaggeredforoneinstantinhisbeliefofhisniece’sdeath？No。Dotheservantsrecogniseher？No。Isshekeptintheneighbourhoodtoassertherownidentityandtostandthetestoffurtherproceedings？No，sheisprivatelytakentoLondon。Inthemeantimeyouhaverecognisedheralso，butyouarenotarelative——youarenotevenanoldfriendofthefamily。Theservantscontradictyou，andMrFairliecontradictsMissHalcombe，andthesupposedLadyGlydecontradictsherself。ShedeclaresshepassedthenightinLondonatacertainhouse。Yourownevidenceshowsthatshehasneverbeennearthathouse，andyourownadmissionisthatherconditionofmindpreventsyoufromproducingheranywheretosubmittoinvestigation，andtospeakforherself。Ipassoverminorpointsofevidenceonbothsidestosavetime，andIaskyou，ifthiscaseweretogonowintoacourtoflaw——togobeforeajury，boundtotakefactsastheyreasonablyappear——whereareyourproofs？’
IwasobligedtowaitandcollectmyselfbeforeIcouldanswerhim。ItwasthefirsttimethestoryofLauraandthestoryofMarianhadbeenpresentedtomefromastranger’spointofview——thefirsttimetheterribleobstaclesthatlayacrossourpathhadbeenmadetoshowthemselvesintheirtruecharacter。
`Therecanbenodoubt，’Isaid，`thatthefacts，asyouhavestatedthem，appeartotellagainstus，but——’
`Butyouthinkthosefactscanbeexplainedaway，’interposedMrKyrle。`Letmetellyoutheresultofmyexperienceonthatpoint。WhenanEnglishjuryhastochoosebetweenaplainfactonthesurfaceandalongexplanationunderthesurface，italwaystakesthefactinpreferencetotheexplanation。Forexample，LadyGlyde(Icalltheladyyourepresentbythatnameforargument’ssake)declaresshehassleptatacertainhouse，anditisprovedthatshehasnotsleptatthathouse。Youexplainthiscircumstancebyenteringintothestateofhermind，anddeducingfromitametaphysicalconclusion。Idon’tsaytheconclusioniswrong——Ionlysaythatthejurywilltakethefactofhercontradictingherselfinpreferencetoanyreasonforthecontradictionthatyoucanoffer。’
`Butisitnotpossible，’Iurged，`bydintofpatienceandexertion，todiscoveradditionalevidence？MissHalcombeandIhaveafewhundredpounds——’
Helookedatmewithahalf-suppressedpity，andshookhishead。
`Considerthesubject，MrHartright，fromyourownpointofview，’hesaid。`IfyouarerightaboutSirPercivalGlydeandCountFosco(whichIdon’tadmit，mind)，everyimaginabledifficultywouldbethrowninthewayofyourgettingfreshevidence。Everyobstacleoflitigationwouldberaised——everypointinthecasewouldbesystematicallycontested——andbythetimewehadspentourthousandsinsteadofourhundreds，thefinalresultwould，inallprobability，beagainstus。Questionsofidentity，whereinstancesofpersonalresemblanceareconcerned，are，inthemselves，thehardestofallquestionstosettle——thehardest，evenwhentheyarefreefromthecomplicationswhichbesetthecasewearenowdiscussing。Ireallyseenoprospectofthrowinganylightwhateveronthisextraordinaryaffair。EvenifthepersonburiedinLimmeridgechurchyardbenotLadyGlyde，shewas，inlife，onyourshowing，solikeher，thatweshouldgainnothing，ifweappliedforthenecessaryauthoritytohavethebodyexhumed。Inshort，thereisnocase，MrHartright——thereisreallynocase。’
Iwasdeterminedtobelievethattherewasacase，andinthatdeterminationshiftedmyground，andappealedtohimoncemore。
Aretherenototherproofsthatwemightproducebesidestheproofofidentity？’Iasked。
`Notasyouaresituated，’hereplied。`Thesimplestandsurestofallproofs，theproofbycomparisonofdates，is，asIunderstand，altogetheroutofyourreach。Ifyoucouldshowadiscrepancybetweenthedateofthedoctor’scertificateandthedateofLadyGlyde’sjourneytoLondon，thematterwouldwearatotallydifferentaspect，andIshouldbethefirsttosay，Letusgoon。’
`Thatdatemayyetberecovered，MrKyrle。’
`Onthedaywhenitisrecovered，MrHartright，youwillhaveacase。Ifyouhaveanyprospect，atthismoment，ofgettingatit——tellme，andweshallseeifIcanadviseyou。’
Iconsidered。Thehousekeepercouldnothelpus——Lauracouldnothelpus——Mariancouldnothelpus。Inallprobability，theonlypersonsinexistencewhoMewthedatewereSirPercivalandtheCount。
`Icanthinkofnomeansofascertainingthedateatpresent，’Isaid，`becauseIcanthinkofnopersonswhoaresuretoknowit，butCountFoscoandSirPercivalGlyde。’
MrKyrle’scalmlyattentivefacerelaxed，forthefirsttime，intoasmile。
`Withyouropinionoftheconductofthosetwogentlemen，’hesaid，`youdon’texpecthelpinthatquarter，Ipresume？Iftheyhavecombinedtogainlargesumsofmoneybyaconspiracy，theyarenotlikelytoconfessit，atanyrate。’
`Theymaybeforcedtoconfessit，MrKyrle。’
`Bywhom？’
`Byme。’
Webothrose。Helookedmeattentivelyinthefacewithmoreappearanceofinterestthanhehadshownyet。IcouldseethatIhadperplexedhimalittle。
`Youareverydetermined，’hesaid。`Youhave，nodoubt，apersonalmotiveforproceeding，intowhichitisnotmybusinesstoinquire。Ifacasecanbeproducedinthefuture，Icanonlysay，mybestassistanceisatyourservice。AtthesametimeImustwarnyou，asthemoneyquestionalwaysentersintothelawquestion，thatIseelittlehope，evenifyouultimatelyestablishthefactofLadyGlyde’sbeingalive，ofrecoveringherfortune。Theforeignerwouldprobablyleavethecountrybeforeproceedingswerecommenced，andSirPercival’sembarrassmentsarenumerousenoughandpressingenoughtotransferalmostanysumofmoneyhemaypossessfromhimselftohiscreditors。Youareofcourseaware——’
Istoppedhimatthatpoint。
`LetmebegthatwemaynotdiscussLadyGlyde’saffairs，’Isaid。`Ihaveneverknownanythingabouttheminformertimes，andIknownothingofthemnow——exceptthatherfortuneislost。YouarerightinassumingthatIhavepersonalmotivesforstirringinthismatter。Iwishthosemotivestobealwaysasdisinterestedastheyareatthepresentmoment——’
Hetriedtointerposeandexplain。Iwasalittleheated，Isuppose，byfeelingthathehaddoubtedme，andIwentonbluntly，withoutwaitingtohearhim。
`Thereshallbenomoneymotive，’Isaid，`noideaofpersonaladvantageintheserviceImeantorendertoLadyGlyde。Shehasbeencastoutasastrangerfromthehouseinwhichshewasborn——aliewhichrecordsherdeathhasbeenwrittenonhermother’stomb——andtherearetwomen，aliveandunpunished，whoareresponsibleforit。Thathouseshallopenagaintoreceiveherinthepresenceofeverysoulwhofollowedthefalsefuneraltothegrave——thatlieshallbepubliclyerasedfromthetombstonebytheauthorityoftheheadofthefamily，andthosetwomenshallanswerfortheircrimetoME，thoughthejusticethatsitsintribunalsispowerlesstopursuethem。Ihavegivenmylifetothatpurpose，and，aloneasIstand，ifGodsparesme，Iwillaccomplishit。’
Hedrewbacktowardshistable，andsaidnothing。Hisfaceshowedplainlythathethoughtmydelusionhadgotthebetterofmyreason，andthatheconsideredittotallyuselesstogivemeanymoreadvice。
`Weeachkeepouropinion，MrKyrle，’Isaid，`andwemustwaittilltheeventsofthefuturedecidebetweenus。Inthemeantime，Iammuchobligedtoyoufortheattentionyouhavegiventomystatement。Youhaveshownmethatthelegalremedylies，ineverysenseoftheword，beyondourmeans。Wecannotproducethelawproof，andwearenotrichenoughtopaythelawexpenses。Itissomethinggainedtoknowthat。’
Ibowedandwalkedtothedoor。HecalledmebackandgavemetheletterwhichIhadseenhimplaceonthetablebyitselfatthebeginningofourinterview。
`Thiscamebypostafewdaysago，’hesaid。`Perhapsyouwillnotminddeliveringit？PraytellMissHalcombe，atthesametime，thatIsincerelyregretbeing，thusfar，unabletohelpher，exceptbyadvice，whichwillnotbemorewelcome，Iamafraid，toherthantoyou。’
Ilookedattheletterwhilehewasspeaking。Itwasaddressedto`MissHalcombe。CareofMessrsGilmore&Kyrle，ChanceryLane。’Thehandwritingwasquiteunknowntome。
OnleavingtheroomIaskedonelastquestion。
`Doyouhappentoknow，’Isaid，`ifSirPercivalGlydeisstillinParis？’
`HehasreturnedtoLondon，’repliedMrKyrle。`AtleastIheardsofromhissolicitor，whomImetyesterday。’
AfterthatanswerIwentout。
Onleavingtheofficethefirstprecautiontobeobservedwastoabstainfromattractingattentionbystoppingtolookaboutme。IwalkedtowardsoneofthequietestofthelargesquaresonthenorthofHolborn，thensuddenlystoppedandturnedroundataplacewherealongstretchofpavementwasleftbehindme。
Thereweretwomenatthecornerofthesquarewhohadstoppedalso，andwhowerestandingtalkingtogether。Afteramoment’sreflectionIturnedbacksoastopassthem。OnemovedasIcamenear，andturnedthecornerleadingfromthesquareintothestreet。Theotherremainedstationary。IlookedathimasIpassedandinstantlyrecognisedoneofthemenwhohadwatchedmebeforeIleftEngland。
IfIhadbeenfreetofollowmyowninstincts，Ishouldprobablyhavebegunbyspeakingtotheman，andhaveendedbyknockinghimdown。ButIwasboundtoconsiderconsequences。IfIonceplacedmyselfpubliclyinthewrong，IputtheweaponsatonceintoSirPercival’shands。Therewasnochoicebuttoopposecunningbycunning。Iturnedintothestreetdownwhichthesecondmanhaddisappeared，andpassedhim，waitinginadoorway。Hewasastrangertome，andIwasgladtomakesureofhispersonalappearanceincaseoffutureannoyance。Havingdonethis，IagainwalkednorthwardtillIreachedtheNewRoad。ThereIturnedasidetothewest(havingthemenbehindmeallthetime)，andwaitedatapointwhereIknewmyselftobeatsomedistancefromacab-stand，untilafasttwo-wheelcab，empty，shouldhappentopassme。Onepassedinafewminutes。IjumpedinandtoldthemantodriverapidlytowardsHydePark。Therewasnosecondfastcabforthespiesbehindme。Isawthemdartacrosstotheothersideoftheroad，tofollowmebyrunning，untilacaboracab-standcameintheirway。ButIhadthestartofthem，andwhenIstoppedthedriverandgotout，theywerenowhereinsight。IcrossedHydeParkandmadesure，ontheopenground，thatIwasfree。WhenIatlastturnedmystepshomewards，itwasnottillmanyhourslater——nottillafterdark。
IfoundMarianwaitingformealoneinthelittlesitting-room。ShehadpersuadedLauratogotorest，afterfirstpromisingtoshowmeherdrawing，themomentIcamein。Thepoorlittledimfaintsketch——sotriflinginitself，sotouchinginitsassociations——wasproppedupcarefullyonthetablewithtwobooks，andwasplacedwherethefaintlightoftheonecandleweallowedourselvesmightfallonittothebestadvantage。Isatdowntolookatthedrawing，andtotellMarian，inwhispers，whathadhappened。ThepartitionwhichdividedusfromthenextroomwassothinthatwecouldalmosthearLaura’sbreathing，andwemighthavedisturbedherifwehadspokenaloud。
MarianpreservedhercomposurewhileIdescribedmyinterviewwithMrKyrle。ButherfacebecametroubledwhenIspokenextofthemenwhohadfollowedmefromthelawyer’soffice，andwhenItoldherofthediscoveryofSirPercival’sreturn。
`Badnews，Walter，’shesaid，`theworstnewsyoucouldbring。Haveyounothingmoretotellme？’
`Ihavesomethingtogiveyou，’Ireplied，handingherthenotewhichMrKyrlehadconfidedtomycare。
Shelookedattheaddressandrecognisedthehandwritinginstantly。
`Youknowyourcorrespondent？’Isaid。
`Toowell，’sheanswered。`MycorrespondentisCountFosco。’
Withthatreplysheopenedthenote。Herfaceflusheddeeplywhileshereadit——hereyesbrightenedwithangerasshehandedittometoreadinmyturn。
Thenotecontainedtheselines——
`Impelledbyhonourableadmiration——honourabletomyself，honourabletoyou——Iwrite，magnificentMarian，intheinterestsofyourtranquillity，tosaytwoconsolingwords——
`Fearnothing！
`Exerciseyourfinenaturalsenseandremaininretirement。Dearandadmirablewoman，invitenodangerouspublicity。Resignationissublime——adoptit。Themodestreposeofhomeiseternallyfresh——enjoyit。ThestormsoflifepassharmlessoverthevalleyofSeclusion——dwell，dearlady，inthevalley。
`DothisandIauthoriseyoutofearnothing。Nonewcalamityshalllacerateyoursensibilities——sensibilitiesprecioustomeasmyown。Youshallnotbemolested，thefaircompanionofyourretreatshallnotbepursued。Shehasfoundanewasyluminyourheart。Pricelessasylum！——Ienvyherandleaveherthere。
`Onelastwordofaffectionatewarning，ofpaternalcaution，and
Itearmyselffromthecharmofaddressingyou——Iclosetheseferventlines。
`Advancenofartherthanyouhavegonealready，compromisenoseriousinterests，threatennobody。Donot，Iimploreyou，forcemeintoaction——ME，theManofAction——whenitisthecherishedobjectofmyambitiontobepassive，torestrictthevastreachofmyenergiesandmycombinationsforyoursake。Ifyouhaverashfriends，moderatetheirdeplorableardour。IfMrHartrightreturnstoEngland，holdnocommunicationwithhim。Iwalkonapathofmyown，andPercivalfollowsatmyheels。OnthedaywhenMrHartrightcrossesthatpath，heisalostman。’
TheonlysignaturetotheselineswastheinitialletterF，surroundedbyacircleofintricateflourishes。IthrewtheletteronthetablewithallthecontemptIfeltforit。
`Heistryingtofrightenyou——asuresignthatheisfrightenedhimself，’Isaid。
ShewastoogenuineawomantotreattheletterasItreatedit。Theinsolentfamiliarityofthelanguagewastoomuchforherself-control。Asshelookedatmeacrossthetable，herhandsclenchedthemselvesinherlap，andtheoldquickfierytemperflamedoutagainbrightlyinhercheeksandhereyes。
`Walter！’shesaid，`ifeverthosetwomenareatyourmercyandifyouareobligedtospareoneofthem，don’tletitbetheCount。’
`Iwillkeepthisletter，Marian，tohelpmymemorywhenthetimecomes。’
ShelookedatmeattentivelyasIputtheletterawayinmypocket-book。
`Whenthetimecomes？’sherepeated。`Canyouspeakofthefutureasifyouwerecertainofit？——certainafterwhatyouhaveheardinMrKyrle’soffice，afterwhathashappenedtoyoutoday？’
`Idon’tcountthetimefromtoday，Marian。AllIhavedonetodayistoaskanothermantoactforme。Icountfromtomorrow——’
`Whyfromtomorrow？’
`BecausetomorrowImeantoactformyself。’
`How？’
`IshallgotoBlackwaterbythefirsttrain，andreturn，Ihope，atnight。’
`ToBlackwater！’
`Yes。IhavehadtimetothinksinceIleftMrKyrle。HisopinionononePointconfirmsmyown。WemustpersisttothelastinhuntingdownthedateofLaura’sjourney。Theoneweakpointintheconspiracy，andprobablytheonechanceofprovingthatsheisalivingwoman，centreinthediscoveryofthatdate。’
`Youmean，’saidMarian，`thediscoverythatLauradidnotleaveBlackwaterParktillafterthedateofherdeathonthedoctor’scertificate？’
`Certainly。’
`Whatmakesyouthinkitmighthavebeenafter？LauracantellusnothingofthetimeshewasinLondon。’
`ButtheowneroftheAsylumtoldyouthatshewasreceivedthereonthetwenty-seventhofJuly。IdoubtCountFosco’sabilitytokeepherinLondon，andtokeepherinsensibletoallthatwaspassingaroundher，morethanonenight。Inthatcase，shemusthavestartedonthetwenty-sixth，andmusthavecometoLondononedayafterthedateofherowndeathonthedoctor’scertificate。Ifwecanprovethatdate，weproveourcaseagainstSirPercivalandtheCount。’
`Yes，yes——Isee！Buthowistheprooftobeobtained？’
`MrsMichelson’snarrativehassuggestedtometwowaysoftryingtoobtainit。Oneofthemistoquestionthedoctor，MrDawson，whomustknowwhenheresumedhisattendanceatBlackwaterParkafterLauraleftthehouse。TheotheristomakeinquiriesattheinntowhichSirPercivaldroveawaybyhimselfatnight。WeknowthathisdeparturefollowedLaura’safterthelapseofafewhours，andwemaygetatthedateinthatway。Theattemptisatleastworthmaking，andtomorrowIamdetermineditshallbemade。’
`Andsupposeitfails——Ilookattheworstnow，Walter；butIwilllookatthebestifdisappointmentscometotryus——supposenoonecanhelpyouatBlackwater？’
`Therearetwomenwhocanhelpme，andshallhelpme，inLondon——SirPercivalandtheCount。Innocentpeoplemaywellforgetthedate——buttheyareguilty，andtheyknowit。IfIfaileverywhereelse，Imeantoforceaconfessionoutofoneorbothofthemonmyownterms。’
AllthewomanflushedupinMarian’sfaceasIspoke。
`BeginwiththeCount，’shewhisperedeagerly。`FormysakebeginwiththeCount。’
`Wemustbegin，forLaura’ssake，wherethereisthebestchanceofsuccess，’Ireplied。
Thecolourfadedfromherfaceagain，andsheshookherheadsadly。
`Yes，’shesaid，`youareright——itwasmeanandmiserableofmetosaythat。Itrytobepatient，Walter，andsucceedbetternowthanIdidinhappiertimes。ButIhavealittleofmyoldtemperstillleft，anditwillgetthebetterofmewhenIthinkoftheCount！’
`Histurnwillcome，’Isaid。`Butremember，thereisnoweakplaceinhislifethatweknowofyet。’Iwaitedalittletoletherrecoverherself-possession，andthenspokethedecisivewords——
`Marian！ThereisaweakplacewebothknowofinSirPercival’slife。’
`YoumeantheSecret！’
`Yes:theSecret。Itisouronlysureholdonhim。Icanforcehimfromhispositionofsecurity，Icandraghimandhisvillainyintothefaceofday，bynoothermeans。WhatevertheCountmayhavedone，SirPercivalhasconsentedtotheconspiracyagainstLaurafromanothermotivebesidesthemotiveofgain。YouheardhimtelltheCountthathebelievedhiswifeknewenoughtoruinhim？YouheardhimsaythathewasalostmanifthesecretofAnneCatherickwasknown？’
`Yes！yes！Idid。’
`Well，Marian，whenourotherresourceshavefailedus，ImeantoknowtheSecret。Myoldsuperstitionclingstome，evenyet。Isayagainthewomaninwhiteisalivinginfluenceinourthreelives。TheEndisappointed——theEndisdrawinguson——andAnneCatherick，deadinhergrave，pointsthewaytoitstill！’
