Theinquestwashurriedforcertainlocalreasonswhichweighedwiththecoronerandthetownauthorities。Itwasheldontheafternoonofthenextday。Iwasnecessarilyoneamongthewitnessessummonedtoassisttheobjectsoftheinvestigation。
Myfirstproceedinginthemorningwastogotothepost-office，andinquirefortheletterwhichIexpectedfromMarian。Nochangeofcircumstances，howeverextraordinary，couldaffecttheonegreatanxietywhichweighedonmymindwhileIwasawayfromLondon。Themorning’sletter，whichwastheonlyassuranceIcouldreceivethatnomisfortunehadhappenedinmyabsence，wasstilltheabsorbinginterestwithwhichmydaybegan。
Tomyrelief，theletterfromMarianwasattheofficewaitingforme。
Nothinghadhappened——theywerebothassafeandaswellaswhenIhadleftthem。Laurasentherlove，andbeggedthatIwouldletherknowofmyreturnadaybeforehand。Hersisteradded，inexplanationofthismessage，thatshehadsaved`nearlyasovereign’outofherownprivatepurse，andthatshehadclaimedtheprivilegeoforderingthedinnerandgivingthedinnerwhichwastocelebratethedayofmyreturn。Ireadtheselittledomesticconfidencesinthebrightmorningwiththeterriblerecollectionofwhathadhappenedtheeveningbeforevividinmymemory。ThenecessityofsparingLauraanysuddenknowledgeofthetruthwasthefirstconsiderationwhichthelettersuggestedtome。IwroteatoncetoMariantotellherwhatIhavetoldinthesepages——presentingthetidingsasgraduallyandgentlyasIcould，andwarninghernottoletanysuchthingasanewspaperfallinLaura’swaywhileIwasabsent。Inthecaseofanyotherwoman，lesscourageousandlessreliable，ImighthavehesitatedbeforeIventuredonunreservedlydisclosingthewholetruth。ButIowedittoMariantobefaithfultomypastexperienceofher，andtotrustherasItrustedmyself。
Myletterwasnecessarilyalongone。Itoccupiedmeuntilthetimecameforproceedingtotheinquest。
Theobjectsofthelegalinquirywerenecessarilybesetbypeculiarcomplicationsanddifficulties。Residestheinvestigationintothemannerinwhichthedeceasedhadmethisdeath，therewereseriousquestionstobesettledrelatingtothecauseofthefire，totheabstractionofthekeys，andtothepresenceofastrangerinthevestryatthetimewhentheflamesbrokeout。Eventheidentificationofthedeadmanhadnotyetbeenaccomplished。Thehelplessconditionoftheservanthadmadethepolicedistrustfulofhisassertedrecognitionofhismaster。TheyhadsenttoKnowlesburyover-nighttosecuretheattendanceofwitnesseswhowerewellacquaintedwiththepersonalappearanceofSirPercivalGlyde，andtheyhadcommunicated，thefirstthinginthemorning，withBlackwaterPark。Theseprecautionsenabledthecoronerandjurytosettlethequestionofidentity，andtoconfirmthecorrectnessoftheservant’sassertion；theevidenceofferedbycompetentwitnesses，andbythediscoveryofcertainfacts，beingsubsequentlystrengthenedbyanexaminationofthedeadman’swatch。ThecrestandthenameofSirPercivalGlydewereengravedinsideit。
Thenextinquiriesrelatedtothefire。
TheservantandI，andtheboywhohadheardthelightstruckinthevestry，werethefirstwitnessescalled。Theboygavehisevidenceclearlyenough，buttheservant’smindhadnotyetrecoveredtheshockinflictedonit——hewasplainlyincapableofassistingtheobjectsoftheinquiry，andhewasdesiredtostanddown。
Tomyownrelief，myexaminationwasnotalongone。Ihadnotknownthedeceased——Ihadneverseenhim——IwasnotawareofhispresenceatOldWelmingham——andIhadnotbeeninthevestryatthefindingofthebody。AllIcouldprovewasthatIhadstoppedattheclerk’scottagetoaskmyway——thatIhadheardfromhimofthelossofthekeys——thatIhadaccompaniedhimtothechurchtorenderwhathelpIcould——thatIhadseenthefire——thatIhadheardsomepersonunknown，insidethevestry，tryingvainlytounlockthedoor——andthatIhaddonewhatIcould，frommotivesofhumanity，tosavetheman。Otherwitnesses，whohadbeenacquaintedwiththedeceased，wereaskediftheycouldexplainthemysteryofhispresumedabstractionofthekeys，andhispresenceintheburningroom。Butthecoronerseemedtotakeitforgranted，naturallyenough，thatI，asatotalstrangerintheneighbourhood，andatotalstrangertoSirPercivalGlyde，couldnotbeinapositiontoofferanyevidenceonthesetwopoints。
ThecoursethatIwasmyselfboundtotake，whenmyformalexaminationhadclosed，seemedcleartome。Ididnotfeelcalledontovolunteeranystatementofmyownprivateconvictions，inthefirstplace，becausemydoingsocouldservenopracticalpurpose，nowthatallproofinsupportofanysurmisesofminewasburntwiththeburntregister；inthesecondplace，becauseIcouldnothaveintelligiblystatedmyopinion——myunsupportedopinion——withoutdisclosingthewholestoryoftheconspiracy，andproducingbeyondadoubtthesameunsatisfactoryeffectonthemindofthecoronerandthejury，whichIhadalreadyproducedonthemindofMrKyrle。
Inthesepages，however，andafterthetimethathasnowelapsed，nosuchcautionsandrestraintsasareheredescribedneedfetterthefreeexpressionofmyopinion。Iwillstatebriefly，beforemypenoccupiesitselfwithotherevents，howmyownconvictionsleadmetoaccountfortheabstractionofthekeys，fortheoutbreakofthefire，andforthedeathoftheman。
ThenewsofmybeingfreeonbaildroveSirPercival，asIbelieve。tohislastresources。Theattemptedattackontheroadwasoneofthoseresources，andthesuppressionofallpracticalproofofhiscrime，bydestroyingthepageoftheregisteronwhichtheforgeryhadbeencommitted，wastheother，andthesurestofthetwo。IfIcouldproducenoextractfromtheoriginalbooktocomparewiththecertifiedcopyatKnowlesbury，Icouldproducenopositiveevidence，andcouldthreatenhimwithnofatalexposure。Allthatwasnecessarytotheattainmentofhisendwas，thatheshouldgetintothevestryunperceived，thatheshouldtearoutthepageintheregister，andthatheshouldleavethevestryagainasprivatelyashehadenteredit。
Onthissupposition，itiseasytounderstandwhyhewaiteduntilnightfallbeforehemadetheattempt，andwhyhetookadvantageoftheclerk’sabsencetopossesshimselfofthekeys。Necessitywouldobligehimtostrikealighttofindhiswaytotherightregister，andcommoncautionwouldsuggesthislockingthedoorontheinsideincaseofintrusiononthepartofanyinquisitivestranger，oronmypart，ifIhappenedtobeintheneighbourhoodatthetime。
Icannotbelievethatitwasanypartofhisintentiontomakethedestructionoftheregisterappeartobetheresultofaccident，bypurposelysettingthevestryonfire。Thebarechancethatpromptassistancemightarrive，andthatthebooksmight，bytheremotestpossibility，besaved，wouldhavebeenenough，onamoment’sconsideration，todismissanyideaofthissortfromhismind。Rememberingthequantityofcombustibleobjectsinthevestry——thestraw，thepapers，thepacking-cases，thedrywood，theoldworm-eatenpresses——alltheprobabilities，inmyestimation，pointtothefireastheresultofanaccidentwithhismatchesorhislight。
Hisfirstimpulse，underthesecircumstances，wasdoubtlesstotrytoextinguishtheflames，andfailinginthat，hissecondimpulse(ignorantashewasofthestateofthelock)hadbeentoattempttoescapebythedoorwhichhadgivenhimentrance。WhenIhadcalledtohim，theflamesmusthavereachedacrossthedoorleadingintothechurch，oneithersideofwhichthepressesextended，andclosetowhichtheothercombustibleobjectswereplaced。Inallprobability，thesmokeandflame(confinedastheyweretotheroom)hadbeentoomuchforhimwhenhetriedtoescapebytheinnerdoor。Hemusthavedroppedinhisdeath-swoon，hemusthavesunkintheplacewherehewasfound，justasIgotontherooftobreaktheskylightwindow。Evenifwehadbeenable，afterwards，togetintothechurch，andtoburstopenthedoorfromthatside，thedelaymusthavebeenfatal。Hewouldhavebeenpastsaving，longpastsaving，bythattime。Weshouldonlyhavegiventheflamesfreeingressintothechurch——thechurch，whichwasnowpreserved，butwhich，inthatevent，wouldhavesharedthefateofthevestry。Thereisnodoubtinmymind，therecanbenodoubtinthemindofanyone，thathewasadeadmanbeforeeverwegottotheemptycottage，andworkedwithmightandmaintoteardownthebeam。
Thisisthenearestapproachthatanytheoryofminecanmaketowardsaccountingforaresultwhichwasvisiblematteroffact。AsIhavedescribedthem，soeventspassedtousoutside。AsIhaverelatedit，sohisbodywasfound。
Theinquestwasadjournedoveroneday——noexplanationthattheeyeofthelawcouldrecognisehavingbeendiscoveredthusfartoaccountforthemysteriouscircumstancesofthecase。
Itwasarrangedthatmorewitnessesshouldbesummoned，andthattheLondonsolicitorofthedeceasedshouldbeinvitedtoattend。Amedicalmanwasalsochargedwiththedutyofreportingonthementalconditionoftheservant，whichappearedatpresenttodebarhimfromgivinganyevidenceoftheleastimportance。Hecouldonlydeclare，inadazedway，thathehadbeenordered，onthenightofthefire，towaitinthelane，andthatheknewnothingelse，exceptthatthedeceasedwascertainlyhismaster。
Myownimpressionwas，thathehadbeenfirstused(withoutanyguiltyknowledgeonhisownpart)toascertainthefactoftheclerk’sabsencefromhomeonthepreviousday，andthathehadbeenafterwardsorderedtowaitnearthechurch(butoutofsightofthevestry)toassisthismaster，intheeventofmyescapingtheattackontheroad，andofacollisionoccurringbetweenSirPercivalandmyself。Itisnecessarytoadd，thattheman’sowntestimonywasneverobtainedtoconfirmthisview。Themedicalreportofhimdeclaredthatwhatlittlementalfacultyhepossessedwasseriouslyshaken；nothingsatisfactorywasextractedfromhimattheadjournedinquest，andforaughtIknowtothecontrary，hemayneverhaverecoveredtothisday。
IreturnedtothehotelatWelminghamsojadedinbodyandmind，soweakenedanddepressedbyallthatIhadgonethrough，astobequiteunfittoendurethelocalgossipabouttheinquest，andtoanswerthetrivialquestionsthatthetalkersaddressedtomeinthecoffee-room。Iwithdrewfrommyscantydinnertomycheapgarret-chambertosecuremyselfalittlequiet，andtothinkundisturbedofLauraandMarian。
IfIhadbeenarichermanIwouldhavegonebacktoLondon，andwouldhavecomfortedmyselfwithasightofthetwodearfacesagainthatnight。ButIwasboundtoappear，ifcalledon，attheadjournedinquest，anddoublyboundtoanswermybailbeforethemagistrateatKnowlesbury。Ourslenderresourceshadsufferedalready，andthedoubtfulfuture——moredoubtfulthanevernow——mademedreaddecreasingourmeansunnecessarilybyallowingmyselfanindulgenceevenatthesmallcostofadoublerailwayjourneyinthecarriagesofthesecondclass。
Thenextday——thedayimmediatelyfollowingtheinquest——wasleftatmyowndisposal。Ibeganthemorningbyagainapplyingatthepost-officeformyregularreportfromMarian。Itwaswaitingformeasbefore，anditwaswrittenthroughoutingoodspirits。Ireadtheletterthankfully，andthensetforthwithmymindateaseforthedaytogotoOldWelmingham，andtoviewthesceneofthefirebythemorninglight。
WhatchangesmetmewhenIgotthere！
Throughallthewaysofourunintelligibleworldthetrivialandterriblewalkhandinhandtogether。Theironyofcircumstancesholdsnomortalcatastropheinrespect。WhenIreachedthechurch，thetrampledconditionoftheburial-groundwastheonlyserioustracelefttotellofthefireandthedeath。Aroughhoardingofboardshadbeenknockedupbeforethevestrydoorway。Rudecaricatureswerescrawledonitalready，andthevillagechildrenwerefightingandshoutingforthepossessionofthebestpeep-holetoseethrough。OnthespotwhereIhadheardthecryforhelpfromtheburningroom，onthespotwherethepanic-strickenservanthaddroppedonhisknees，afussyflockofpoultrywasnowscramblingforthefirstchoiceofwormsaftertherain；andonthegroundatmyfeet，wherethedooranditsdreadfulburdenhadbeenlaid，aworkman’sdinnerwaswaitingforhim，tiedupinayellowbasin，andhisfaithfulcurinchargewasyelpingatmeforcomingnearthefood。Theoldclerk，lookingidlyattheslowcommencementoftherepairs，hadonlyoneinterestthathecouldtalkaboutnow——theinterestofescapingallblameforhisownpartonaccountoftheaccidentthathadhappened。Oneofthevillagewomen，whosewhitewildfaceIrememberedthepictureofterrorwhenwepulleddownthebeam，wasgigglingwithanotherwoman，thepictureofinanity，overanoldwashing-tub。ThereisnothingseriousinmortalityISolomoninallhisglorywasSolomonwiththeelementsofthecontemptiblelurkingineveryfoldofhisrobesandineverycornerofhispalace。
AsIlefttheplace，mythoughtsturned，notforthefirsttime，tothecompleteoverthrowthatallpresenthopeofestablishingLaura’sidentityhadnowsufferedthroughSirPercival’sdeath。Hewasgone——andwithhimthechancewasgonewhichhadbeentheoneobjectofallmylaboursandallmyhopes。
CouldIlookatmyfailurefromnotruerpointofviewthanthis？
Supposehehadlived，wouldthatchangeofcircumstanceshavealteredtheresult？CouldIhavemademydiscoveryamarketablecommodity，evenforLaura’ssake，afterIhadfoundoutthatrobberyoftherightsofotherswastheessenceofSirPercival’scrime？CouldIhaveofferedthepriceofmysilenceforhisconfessionoftheconspiracy，whentheeffectofthatsilencemusthavebeentokeeptherightheirfromtheestates，andtherightownerfromthename？Impossible！IfSirPercivalhadlived，thediscovery，fromwhich(inrayignoranceofthetruenatureoftheSecret)Ihadhopedsomuch，couldnothavebeenminetosuppressortomakepublic，asIthoughtbest，forthevindicationofLaura’srights。IncommonhonestyandcommonhonourImusthavegoneatoncetothestrangerwhosebirthrighthadbeenusurped——Imusthaverenouncedthevictoryatthemomentwhenitwasminebyplacingmydiscoveryunreservedlyinthatstranger’shands——andImusthavefacedafreshallthedifficultieswhichstoodbetweenmeandtheoneobjectofmylife，exactlyasIwasresolvedinmyheartofheartstofacethemnow！
IreturnedtoWelminghamwithmymindcomposed，feelingmoresureofmyselfandmyresolutionthanIhadfeltyet。
OnmywaytothehotelIpassedtheendofthesquareinwhichMrsCathericklived。ShouldIgobacktothehouse，andmakeanotherattempttoseeher。No。ThatnewsofSirPercival’sdeath，whichwasthelastnewssheeverexpectedtohear，musthavereachedherhourssince。Alltheproceedingsattheinquesthadbeenreportedinthelocalpaperthatmorning——therewasnothingIcouldtellherwhichshedidnotknowalready。Myinterestinmakingherspeakhadslackened。Irememberedthefurtivehatredinherfacewhenshesaid，`ThereisnonewsofSirpercivalthatIdon’texpect——exceptthenewsofhisdeath。’Irememberedthestealthyinterestinhereyeswhentheysettledonmeatparting，aftershehadspokenthosewords。Someinstinct，deepinmyheart，whichIfelttobeatrueone，madetheprospectofagainenteringherpresencerepulsivetome——Iturnedawayfromthesquare，andwentstraightbacktothehotel。
Somehourslater，whileIwasrestinginthecoffee-room，aletterwasplacedinmyhandsbythewaiter。Itwasaddressedtomebyname，andIfoundoninquirythatithadbeenleftatthebarbyawomanjustasitwasneardusk，andjustbeforethegaswaslighted。Shehadsaidnothing，andshehadgoneawayagainbeforetherewastimetospeaktoher，oreventonoticewhomshewas。
Iopenedtheletter。Itwasneitherdatednorsigned，andthehandwritingwaspalpablydisguised。BeforeIhadreadthefirstsentence，however，Iknewwhomycorrespondentwas——MrsCatherick。
Theletterranasfollows——Icopyitexactly，wordforword:
THESTORYCONTINUEDBYMRSCATHERICK
SIR，——Youhavenotcomeback，asyousaidyouwould。Nomatter——Iknowthenews，andIwritetotellyouso。Didyouseeanythingparticularinmyfacewhenyouleftme？Iwaswondering，inmyownmind，whetherthedayofhisdownfallhadcomeatlast，andwhetheryouwerethechoseninstrumentforworkingit。Youwere，andyouhaveworkedit。
Youwereweakenough，asIhaveheard，totryandsavehislife。Ifyouhadsucceeded，Ishouldhavelookeduponyouasmyenemy。Nowyouhavefailed，Iholdyouasmyfriend。Yourinquiriesfrightenedhimintothevestrybynight——yourinquiries，withoutyourprivityandagainstyourwill，haveservedthehatredandwreakedthevengeanceofthree-and-twentyyears。Thankyou，sir，inspiteofyourself。
Iowesomethingtothemanwhohasdonethis。HowcanIpaymydebt？IfIwasayoungwomanstillImightsay，`Come，putyourarmroundmywaist，andkissme，ifyoulike。’Ishouldhavebeenfondenoughofyoueventogothatlength，andyouwouldhaveacceptedmyinvitation——youwould，sir，twentyyearsago！ButIamanoldwomannow。Well！Icansatisfyyourcuriosity，andpaymydebtinthatway。Youhadagreatcuriositytoknowcertainprivateaffairsofminewhenyoucametoseeme——privateaffairswhichallyoursharpnesscouldnotlookintowithoutmyhelp——privateaffairswhichyouhavenotdiscovered’evennow。Youshalldiscoverthem——yourcuriosityshallbesatisfied。Iwilltakeanytroubletopleaseyou，myestimableyoungfriend！
Youwerealittleboy，Isuppose，intheyeartwenty-seven？Iwasahandsomeyoungwomanatthattime，livingatOldWelmingham。Ihadacontemptiblefoolforahusband。Ihadalsothehonourofbeingacquainted(nevermindhow)withacertaingentleman(nevermindwhom)。Ishallnotcallhimbyhisname。WhyshouldI？Itwasnothisown。Heneverhadaname:youknowthat，bythistime，aswellasIdo。
Itwillbemoretothepurposetotellyouhowheworkedhimselfintomygoodgraces。Iwasbornwiththetastesofalady，andhegratifiedthem——inotherwords，headmiredme，andhemademepresents。Nowomancanresistadmirationandpresents——especiallypresents，providedtheyhappentobejustthethingshewants。Hewassharpenoughtoknowthat——mostmenare。Naturallyhewantedsomethinginreturn——allmendo。Andwhatdoyouthinkwasthesomething？Themeresttrifle。Nothingbutthekeyofthevestry，andthekeyofthepressinsideit，whenmyhusband’sbackwasturned。OfcourseheliedwhenIaskedhimwhyhewishedmetogethimthekeysinthatprivateway。Hemighthavesavedhimselfthetrouble——Ididn’tbelievehim。ButIlikedmypresents，andIwantedmore。SoIgothimthekeys，withoutmyhusband’sknowledge，andIwatchedhim，withouthisownknowledge。Once，twice，fourtimesIwatchedhim，andthefourthtimeIfoundhimout。
Iwasneverover-scrupulouswhereotherpeople’saffairswereconcerned，andIwasnotover-scrupulousabouthisaddingonetothemarriagesintheregisteronhisownaccount。
OfcourseIknewitwaswrong，butitdidnoharmtome，whichwasonegoodreasonfornotmakingafussaboutit。AndIhadnotgotagoldwatchandchain，whichwasanother，stillbetter——andhehadpromisedmeonefromLondononlythedaybefore，whichwasathird，bestofall。IfIhadknownwhatthelawconsideredthecrimetobe，andhowthelawpunishedit，Ishouldhavetakenpropercareofmyself，andhaveexposedhimthenandthere。ButIknewnothing，andIlongedforthegoldwatch。AlltheconditionsIinsistedonwerethatheshouldtakemeintohisconfidenceandtellmeeverything。Iwasascuriousabouthisaffairsthenasyouareaboutminenow。Hegrantedmyconditions——why，youwillseepresently。
This，putinshort，iswhatIheardfromhim。HedidnotwillinglytellmeallthatItellyouhere。Idrewsomeofitfromhimbypersuasionandsomeofitbyquestions。Iwasdeterminedtohaveallthetruth，andIbelieveIgotit。
Heknewnomorethananyoneelseofwhatthestateofthingsreallywasbetweenhisfatherandmothertillafterhismother’sdeath。Thenhisfatherconfessedit，andpromisedtodowhathecouldforhisson。Hediedhavingdonenothing——nothavingevenmadeawill。Theson(whocanblamehim？)wiselyprovidedforhimself。HecametoEnglandatonce，andtookpossessionoftheproperty。Therewasnoonetosuspecthim，andnoonetosayhimnay。Hisfatherandmotherhadalwayslivedasmanandwife——noneofthefewpeoplewhowereacquaintedwiththemeversupposedthemtobeanythingelse。Therightpersontoclaimtheproperty(ifthetruthhadbeenknown)wasadistantrelation，whohadnoideaofevergettingit，andwhowasawayatseawhenhisfatherdied。Hehadnodifficultysofar——hetookpossession，asamatterofcourse。Buthecouldnotborrowmoneyonthepropertyasamatterofcourse。Thereweretwothingswantedofhimbeforehecoulddothis。Onewasacertificateofhisbirth，andtheotherwasacertificateofhisparents’marriage。Thecertificateofhisbirthwaseasilygot——hewasbornabroad，andthecertificatewasthereindueform。Theothermatterwasadifficulty，andthatdifficultybroughthimtoOldWelmingham。
ButforoneconsiderationhemighthavegonetoKnowlesburyinstead。
Hismotherhadbeenlivingtherejustbeforeshemetwithhisfather——livingunderhermaidenname，thetruthbeingthatshewasreallyamarriedwoman，marriedinIreland，whereherhusbandhadill-usedher，andhadafterwardsgoneoffwithsomeotherperson。Igiveyouthisfactongoodauthority——SirFelixmentionedittohissonasthereasonwhyhehadnotmarried。Youmaywonderwhytheson，knowingthathisparentshadmeteachotheratKnowlesbury，didnotplayhisfirsttrickswiththeregisterofthatchurch，whereitmighthavebeenfairlypresumedhisfatherandmotherweremarried。ThereasonwasthattheclergymanwhodiddutyatKnowlesburychurch，intheyeareighteenhundredandthree(when，accordingtohisbirthcertificate，hisfatherandmotheroughttohavebeenmarried)，wasalivestillwhenhetookpossessionofthepropertyintheNewYearofeighteenhundredandtwenty-seven。Thisawkwardcircumstanceforcedhimtoextendhisinquiriestoourneighbourhood。Therenosuchdangerexisted，theformerclergymanatourchurchhavingbeendeadforsomeyears。
OldWelminghamsuitedhispurposeaswellasKnowlesbury。HisfatherhadremovedhismotherfromKnowlesbury，andhadlivedwithheratacottageontheriver，alittledistancefromourvillage。Peoplewhohadknownhissolitarywayswhenhewassingledidnotwonderathissolitarywayswhenhewassupposedtobemarried。Ifhehadnotbeenahideouscreaturetolookit，hisretiredlifewiththeladymighthaveraisedsuspicions；but，asthingswere，hishidinghisuglinessandhisdeformityinthestrictestprivacysurprisednobody。HelivedinourneighbourhoodtillhecameinpossessionofthePark。Afterthreeorfourandtwentyyearshadpassed，whowastosay(theclergymanbeingdead)thathismarriagehadnotbeenasprivateastherestofhislife，andthatithadnottakenplaceatOldWelmimghamchurch？
So，asItoldyou，thesonfoundourneighbourhoodthesurestplacehecouldchoosetosetthingsrightsecretlyinhisowninterests。Itmaysurpriseyoutohearthatwhathereallydidtothemarriageregisterwasdoneonthespurofthemoment——doneonsecondthoughts。
Hisfirstnotionwasonlytoteartheleafout(intherightyearandmonth)，todestroyitprivately，togobacktoLondon，andtotellthelawyerstogethimthenecessarycertificateofhisfather’smarriage，innocentlyreferringthemofcoursetothedateontheleafthatwasgone。Nobodycouldsayhisfatherandmotherhadnotbeenmarriedafterthat，andwhether，underthecircumstances，theywouldstretchapointornotaboutlendinghimthemoney(hethoughttheywould)，hehadhisanswerreadyatallevents，ifaquestionwaseverraisedabouthisrighttothenameandtheestate。
Butwhenhecametolookprivatelyattheregisterforhimself，hefoundatthebottomofoneofthepagesfortheyeareighteenhundredandthreeablankspaceleft，seeminglythroughtherebeingnoroomtomakealongentrythere，whichwasmadeinsteadatthetopofthenextpage。Thesightofthischancealteredallhisplans。Itwasanopportunityhehadneverhopedfor，orthoughtof——andhetookit——youknowhow。Theblankspace，tohaveexactlytalliedwithhisbirthcertificate，oughttohaveoccurredintheJulypartoftheregister。ItoccurredintheSeptemberpartinstead。However，inthiscase，ifsuspiciousquestionswereasked，theanswerwasnothardtofind。Hehadonlytodescribehimselfasasevenmonths’child。
Iwasfoolenough，whenhetoldmehisstory，tofeelsomeinterestandsomepityforhim——whichwasjustwhathecalculatedon，asyouwillsee。Ithoughthimhardlyused。Itwasnothisfaultthathisfatherandmotherwerenotmarried，anditwasnothisfather’sandmother’sfaulteither。AmorescrupulouswomanthanIwas——awomanwhohadnotsetherheartonagoldwatchandchain——wouldhavefoundsomeexcusesforhim。Atallevents，Iheldmytongue，andhelpedtoscreenwhathewasabout。
Hewassometimegettingtheinktherightcolour(mixingitoverandoveragaininpotsandbottlesofmine)，andsometimeafterwardsinpractisingthehandwriting。Buthesucceededintheend，andmadeanhonestwomanofhismotheraftershewasdeadinhergrave！Sofar，Idon’tdenythathebehavedhonourablyenoughtomyself。Hegavememywatchandchain，andsparednoexpenseinbuyingthem；bothwereofsuperiorworkmanship，andveryexpensive。Ihavegotthemstill——thewatchgoesbeautifully。
YousaidtheotherdaythatMrsClementshadtoldyoueverythingsheknew。hithatcasethereisnoneedformetowriteaboutthetrumperyscandalbywhichIwasthesufferer——theinnocentsufferer，Ipositivelyassert。YoumustknowaswellasIdowhatthenotionwaswhichmyhusbandtookintohisheadwhenhefoundmeandmyfine-gentlemanacquaintancemeetingeachotherprivatelyandtalkingsecretstogether。Butwhatyoudon’tknowishowitendedbetweenthatsamegentlemanandmyself。Youshallreadandseehowhebehavedtome。
ThefirstwordsIsaidtohim，whenIsawtheturnthingshadtaken，were，`Domejustice——clearmycharacterofastainonitwhichyouknowIdon’tdeserve。Idon’twantyoutomakeacleanbreastofittomyhusband——onlytellhim，onyourwordofhonourasagentleman，thatheiswrong，andthatIamnottoblameinthewayhethinksIam。Domethatjustice，atleast，afterallIhavedoneforyou。’Heflatlyrefusedinsomanywords。Hetoldmeplainlythatitwashisinteresttoletmyhusbandandallmyneighboursbelievethefalsehood——because，aslongastheydidsotheywerequitecertainnevertosuspectthetruth。Ihadaspiritofmyown，andItoldhimtheyshouldknowthetruthfrommylips。Hisreplywasshort，andtothepoint。IfIspoke，Iwasalostwoman，ascertainlyashewasalostman。
Yes！ithadcometothat。HehaddeceivedmeabouttheriskIraninhelpinghim。Hehadpractisedonmyignorance，hehadtemptedmewithhisgifts，hehadinterestedmewithhisstory——andtheresultofitwasthathemademehisaccomplice。Heownedthiscoolly，andheendedbytellingme，forthefirsttime，whatthefrightfulpunishmentreallywasforhisoffence，andforanyonewhohelpedhimtocommitit。Inthosedaysthelawwasnotsotender-heartedasIhearitisnow。Murdererswerenottheonlypeopleliabletobehanged，andwomenconvictswerenottreatedlikeladiesinundeserveddistress。Iconfesshefrightenedme——themeanimposter！thecowardlyblackguard！DoyouunderstandnowhowIhatedhim？DoyouunderstandwhyIamtakingallthistrouble——thankfullytakingit——togratifythecuriosityofthemeritoriousyounggentlemanwhohuntedhimdown？
Well，togoon。Hewashardlyfoolenoughtodrivemetodownrightdesperation。Iwasnotthesortofwomanwhomitwasquitesafetohuntintoacorner——heknewthat，andwiselyquietedmewithproposalsforthefuture。
Ideservedsomereward(hewaskindenoughtosay)fortheserviceIhaddonehim，andsomecompensation(hewassoobligingastoadd)forwhatIhadsuffered。Hewasquitewilling——generousscoundrel！——tomakemeahandsomeyearlyallowance，payablequarterly，ontwoconditions。First，Iwastoholdmytongue——inmyowninterestsaswellasinhis。Secondly，IwasnottostirawayfromWelminghamwithoutfirstlettinghimknow，andwaitingtillIhadobtainedhispermission。Inmyownneighbourhood，novirtuousfemalefriendswouldtemptmeintodangerousgossipingatthetea-table。Inmyownneighbourhood，hewouldalwaysknowwheretofindme。Ahardcondition，thatsecondone——butIacceptedit。
WhatelsewasItodo？Iwaslefthelpless，withtheprospectofacomingincumbranceintheshapeofachild。WhatelsewasItodo？Castmyselfonthemercyofmyrunawayidiotofahusbandwhohadraisedthescandalagainstme？Iwouldhavediedfirst。Besides，theallowancewasahandsomeone。Ihadabetterincome，abetterhouseovermyhead，bettercarpetsonmyfloors，thanhalfthewomenwhoturnedupthewhitesoftheireyesatthesightofme。ThedressofVirtue，inourparts，wascottonprint。Ihadsilk。
SoIacceptedtheconditionsheofferedme，andmadethebestofthem，andfoughtmybattlewithmyrespectableneighboursontheirownground，andwonitincourseoftime——asyousawyourself。HowIkepthisSecret(andmine)throughalltheyearsthathavepassedfromthattimetothis，andwhethermylatedaughter，Anne，everreallycreptintomyconfidence，andgotthekeepingoftheSecrettoo——arequestions，Idaresay，towhichyouarecurioustofindananswer。Well！mygratituderefusesyounothing。Iwillturntoafreshpageandgiveyoutheanswerimmediately。
Butyoumustexcuseonething——youmustexcusemybeginning，MrHartright，withanexpressionofsurpriseattheinterestwhichyouappeartohavefeltinmylatedaughter。Itisquiteunaccountabletome。Ifthatinterestmakesyouanxiousforanyparticularsofherearlylife，ImustreferyoutoMrsClements，whoknowsmoreofthesubjectthanIdo。PrayunderstandthatIdonotprofesstohavebeenatallover-fondofmylatedaughter。Shewasaworrytomefromfirsttolast，withtheadditionaldisadvantageofbeingalwaysweakinthehead。Youlikecandour，andIhopethissatisfiesyou。
ThereisnoneedtotroubleyouwithmanypersonalparticularsrelatingtothosePasttimes。ItwillbeenoughtosaythatIobservedthetermsofthebargainonmyside，andthatIenjoyedmycomfortableincomeinreturn，paidquarterly。
NowandthenIgotawayandchangedthesceneforashorttime，alwaysaskingleaveofmylordandmasterfirst，andgenerallygettingit。Hewasnot，asIhavealreadytoldyou，foolenoughtodrivemetoohard，andhecouldreasonablyrelyonmyholdingmytongueformyownsake，ifnotforhis。OneofmylongesttripsawayfromhomewasthetripItooktoLimmeridgetonurseahalf-sisterthere，whowasdying。Shewasreportedtohavesavedmoney，andIthoughtitaswell(incaseanyaccidenthappenedtostopmyallowance)tolookaftermyowninterestsinthatdirection。Asthingsturnedout，however，mypainswereallthrownaway，andIgotnothing，becausenothingwastobehad。
IhadtakenAnnetothenorthwithme，havingmywhimsandfancies，occasionally，aboutmychild，andgetting，atsuchtimes，jealousofMrsClements’influenceoverher。IneverlikedMrsClements。Shewasapoor，empty-headed，spiritlesswoman——whatyoucallaborndrudge——andIwasnowandthennotaversetoplaguingherbytakingAnneaway。NotknowingwhatelsetodowithmygirlwhileIwasnursinginCumberland，IputhertoschoolatLimmeridge。Theladyofthemanor，MrsFairlie(aremarkablyplain-lookingwoman，whohadentrappedoneofthehandsomestmeninEnglandintomarryingher)，amusedmewonderfullybytakingaviolentfancytomygirl。Theconsequencewas，shelearntnothingatschool，andwaspettedandspoiltatLimmeridgeHouse。Amongotherwhimsandfancieswhichtheytaughtherthere，theyputsomenonsenseintoherheadaboutalwayswearingwhite。Hatingwhiteandlikingcoloursmyself，Ideterminedtotakethenonsenseoutofherheadassoonaswegothomeagain。
Strangetosay，mydaughterresolutelyresistedme。Whenshehadgotanotiononcefixedinhermindshewas，likeotherhalfwittedpeople，asobstinateasamuleinkeepingit。Wequarrelledfinely，andMrsClements，notlikingtoseeit，Isuppose，offeredtotakeAnneawaytoliveinLondonwithher。IshouldhavesaidYes，ifMrsClementshadnotsidedwithmydaughteraboutherdressingherselfinwhite。Butbeingdeterminedsheshouldnotdressherselfinwhite，anddislikingMrsClementsmorethaneverfortakingpartagainstme，IsaidNo，andmeantNo，andstucktoNo。Theconsequencewas，mydaughterremainedwithme，andtheconsequenceofthat，initsturn，wasthefirstseriousquarrelthathappenedabouttheSecret。
ThecircumstancetookplacelongafterthetimeIhavejustbeenwritingof。Ihadbeensettledforyearsinthenewtown，andwassteadilylivingdownmybadcharacterandslowlygaininggroundamongtherespectableinhabitants。Ithelpedmeforwardgreatlytowardsthisobjecttohavemydaughterwithme。Herharmlessnessandherfancyfordressinginwhiteexcitedacertainamountofsympathy。Ileftoffopposingherfavouritewhimonthataccount，becausesomeofthesympathywassure，incourseoftime，tofalltomyshare。Someofitdidfall。Idatemygettingachoiceofthetwobestsittingstoletinthechurchfromthattime，andIdatetheclergyman’sfirstbowfrommygettingthesittings。
Well，beingsettledinthisway，Ireceivedaletteronemorningfromthathighlyborngentleman(nowdeceased)inanswertooneofmine，warninghim，accordingtoagreement，ofmywishingtoleavethetownforalittlechangeofairandscene。
Theruffianlysideofhimmusthavebeenuppermost，Isuppose，whenhegotmyletter，forhewroteback，refusingmeinsuchabominablyinsolentlanguage，thatIlostallcommandovermyself，andabusedhim，inmydaughter’spresence，as`alowimposterwhomIcouldruinforlifeifIchosetoopenmylipsandletouthisSecret。’Isaidnomoreabouthimthanthat，beingbroughttomysensesassoonasthosewordshadescapedmebythesightofmydaughter’sfacelookingeagerlyandcuriouslyatmine。IinstantlyorderedheroutoftheroomuntilIhadcomposedmyselfagain。
Mysensationswerenotpleasant，Icantellyou，whenIcametoreflectonmyownfolly。Annehadbeenmorethanusuallycrazyandqueerthatyear，andwhenIthoughtofthechancetheremightbeofherrepeatingmywordsinthetown，andmentioninghisnameinconnectionwiththem，ifinquisitivepeoplegotholdofher，Iwasfinelyterrifiedatthepossibleconsequences。Myworstfearsformyself，myworstdreadofwhathemightdo，ledmenofartherthanthis。Iwasquiteunpreparedforwhatreallydidhappenonlythenextday。
Onthatnextday，withoutanywarningtometoexpecthim，hecametothehouse。
Hisfirstwords，andthetoneinwhichhespokethem，surlyasitwas，showedmeplainlyenoughthathehadrepentedalreadyofhisinsolentanswertomyapplication，andthathehadcomeinamightyhadtempertotryandsetmattersrightagainbeforeitwastoolate。Seeingmydaughterintheroomwithme(Ihadbeenafraidtoletheroutofmysightafterwhathadhappenedthedaybefore)heorderedheraway。Theyneitherofthemlikedeachother，andheventedtheill-temperonherwhichhewasafraidtoshowtome。
`Leaveus，’hesaid，lookingatheroverhisshoulder。Shelookedbackoverhershoulderandwaitedasifshedidn’tcaretogo。`Doyouhear？’heroaredout，`leavetheroom。’`Speaktomecivilly，’saysshe，gettingredintheface。`Turntheidiotout，’sayshe，lookingmyway。Shehadalwayshadcrazynotionsofherownaboutherdignity，andthatword`idiot’upsetherinamoment。BeforeIcouldinterfereshesteppeduptohiminafinepassion。`Begmypardon，directly，’saysshe，`orI’llmakeittheworseforyou。I’llletoutyourSecret。IcanruinyouforlifeifIchoosetoopenmylips。’Myownwords！——repeatedexactlyfromwhatIhadsaidthedaybefore——repeated，inhispresence，asiftheyhadcomefromherself。Hesatspeechless，aswhiteasthepaperIamwritingon，whileIpushedheroutoftheroom。Whenherecoveredhimself——
No！Iamtoorespectableawomantomentionwhathesaidwhenherecoveredhimself。Mypenisthepenofamemberoftherector’scongregation，andasubscribertothe`WednesdayLecturesonjustificationbyFaith’——howcanyouexpectmetoemployitinwritingbadlanguage？Suppose，foryourself，theraging，swearingfrenzyofthelowestruffianinEngland，andletusgetontogether，asfastasmaybe，tothewayinwhichitallended。
Itended，asyouprobablyguessbythistime，inhisinsistingonsecuringhisownsafetybyshuttingherup。
Itriedtosetthingsright。Itoldhimthatshehadmerelyrepeated，likeaparrot，thewordsshehadheardmesayandthatsheknewnoparticularswhatever，becauseIhadmentionednone。Iexplainedthatshehadaffected，outofcrazyspiteagainsthim，toknowwhatshereallydidnotknow——thatsheonlywantedtothreatenhimandaggravatehimforspeakingtoherashehadjustspoken——adthatmyunluckywordsgaveherjustthechanceofdoingmischiefofwhichshewasinsearch。Ireferredhimtootherqueerwaysofhers，andtohisownexperienceofthevagariesofhalf-wittedpeople——itwasalltonopurpose——hewouldnotbelievemeonmyoath——hewasabsolutelycertainIhadbetrayedthewholeSecret。Inshort，hewouldhearofnothingbutshuttingherup。
Underthesecircumstances，Ididmydutyasamother。`NopauperAsylum，’Isaid，`Iwon’thaveherputinapauperAsylum。APrivateEstablishment，ifyouplease。Ihavemyfeelingsasamother，andmycharactertopreserveinthetown，andIwillsubmittonothingbutaPrivateEstablishment，ofthesortwhichmygenteelneighbourswouldchooseforafflictedrelativesoftheirown。’Thoseweremywords。ItisgratifyingtometoreflectthatIdidmyduty。Thoughneveroverfondofmylatedaughter，Ihadaproperprideabouther。Nopauperstain——thankstomyfirmnessandresolution——everrestedonMychild。
Havingcarriedmypoint(whichIdidthemoreeasily，inconsequenceofthefacilitiesofferedbyprivateAsylums)，Icouldnotrefusetoadmitthattherewerecertainadvantagesgainedbyshuttingherup。Inthefirstplace，shewastakenexcellentcareof——beingtreated(asItookcaretomentioninthetown)onthefootingofalady。Inthesecondplace，shewaskeptawayfromWelmingham，whereshemighthavesetpeoplesuspectingandinquiring，byrepeatingmyownincautiouswords。
Theonlydrawbackofputtingherunderrestraintwasaveryslightone。WemerelyturnedheremptyboastaboutknowingtheSecretintoafixeddelusion。Havingfirstspokeninsheercrazyspitefulnessagainstthemanwhohadoffendedher，shewascunningenoughtoseethatshehadseriouslyfrightenedhim，andsharpenoughafterwardstodiscoverthathewasconcernedinshuttingherup。Theconsequencewassheflamedoutintoaperfectfrenzyofpassionagainsthim，goingtotheAsylum，andthefistwordsshesaidtothenurses，aftertheyhadquietedher，were，thatshewasputinconfinementforknowinghisSecret，andthatshemeanttoopenherlipsandruinhim，whentherighttimecame。
Shemayhavesaidthesamethingtoyou，whenyouthoughtlesslyassistedherescape。Shecertainlysaidit(asIheardlastsummer)totheunfortunatewomanwhomarriedoursweet-tempered，namelessgentlemanlatelydeceased。Ifeitheryou，orthatunluckylady，hadquestionedmydaughterclosely，andhadinsistedonherexplainingwhatshereallymeant，youwouldhavefoundherloseallherself-importancesuddenly，andgetvacant，andrestless，andconfused——youwouldhavediscoveredthatIamwritingnothingherebuttheplaintruth。SheknewthattherewasaSecret——sheknewwhowasconnectedwithit——sheknewwhowouldsufferbyitsbeingknown——andbeyondthat，whateverairsofimportanceshemayhavegivenherself，whatevercrazyboastingshemayhaveindulgedinwithstrangers，shenevertoherdyingdayknewmore。
HaveIsatisfiedyourcuriosity？Ihavetakenpainsenoughtosatisfyitatanyrate。ThereisreallynothingelseIhavetotellyouaboutmyselformydaughter。Myworstresponsibilities，sofarasshewasconcerned，werealloverwhenshewassecuredintheAsylum。Ihadaformofletterrelatingtothecircumstancesunderwhichshewasshutup，givenmetowrite，inanswertooneMissHalcombe，whowascuriousinthematter，andwhomusthaveheardplentyofliesaboutmefromacertaintonguewellaccustomedtothetellingofthesame。AndIdidwhatIcouldafterwardstotracemyrunawaydaughter，andpreventherfromdoingmischiefbymakinginquiriesmyselfintheneighbourhoodwhereshewasfalselyreportedtohavebeenseen。Butthese，andothertrifleslikethem，areoflittleornointeresttoyouafterwhatyouhaveheardalready。
Sofar，Ihavewritteninthefriendliestpossiblespirit。ButIcannotclosethisletter，withoutaddingawordhereofseriousremonstranceandreproof，addressedtoyourself。
Inthecourseofyourpersonalinterviewwithme，youaudaciouslyreferredtomylatedaughter’sparentageonthefather’sside，asifthatparentagewasamatterofdoubt。Thiswashighlyimproperandveryungentlemanlikeonyourpart！Ifweseeeachotheragain，remember，ifyouplease，thatIwillallownolibertiestobetakenwithmyreputation，andthatthemoralatmosphereofWelmingham(touseafavouriteexpressionofmyfriendtherector’s)mustnotbetaintedbylooseconversationofanykind。IfyouallowyourselftodoubtthatmyhusbandwasAnne’sfather，youpersonallyinsultmeinthegrossestmanner。Ifyouhavefelt，andifyoustillcontinuetofeel，anunhallowedcuriosityonthissubject，Irecommendyou，inyourowninterests，tocheckitatonceandforever。Onthissideofthegrave，MrHartright，whatevermayhappenontheother，thatcuriositywillneverbegratified。
Perhaps，afterwhatIhavejustsaid，youwillseethenecessityofwritingmeanapology。Doso，andIwillwillinglyreceiveit。Iwill，afterwards，ifyourwishespointtoasecondinterviewwithme，goastepfarther，andreceiveyou。Mycircumstancesonlyenablemetoinviteyoutotea——notthattheyareatallalteredfortheworsebywhathashappened。Ihavealwayslived，asIthinkItoldyou，wellwithinmyincome，andIhavesavedenough，inthelasttwentyyears，tomakemequitecomfortablefortherestofmylife。ItisnotmyintentiontoleaveWelmingham。ThereareoneortwolittleadvantageswhichIhavestilltogaininthetown。Theclergymanbowstome——asyousaw。Heismarried，andhiswifeisnotquitesocivil。IproposetojointheDorcasSociety，andImeantomaketheclergyman’swifebowtomenext。
Ifyoufavourmewithyourcompany，prayunderstandthattheconversationmustbeentirelyongeneralsubjects。Anyattemptedreferencetothisletterwillbequiteuseless——Iamdeterminednottoacknowledgehavingwrittenit。Theevidencehasbeendestroyedinthefire，Iknow，butIthinkitdesirabletoerronthesideofcaution，nevertheless。
Onthisaccountnonamesarementionedhere，norisanysignatureattachedtotheselines:thehandwritingisdisguisedthroughout，andImeantodeliverthelettermyself，undercircumstanceswhichwillpreventallfearsofitsbeingtracedtomyhouse。Youcanhavenopossiblecausetocomplainoftheseprecautions，seeingthattheydonotaffecttheinformationIherecommunicate，inconsiderationofthespecialindulgencewhichyouhavedeservedatmyhands。Myhourforteaishalf-pastfive，andmybutteredtoastwaitsfornobody。
THESTORYCONTINUEDBYWALTERHARTRIGHT
Myfirstimpulse，afterreadingMrsCatherick’sextraordinarynarrative，wastodestroyit。Thehardenedshamelessdepravityofthewholecomposition，frombeginningtoend——theatrociousperversityofmindwhichpersistentlyassociatedmewithacalamityforwhichIwasinnosenseanswerable，andwithadeathwhichIhadriskedmylifeintryingtoavert——sodisgustedme，thatIwasonthepointoftearingtheletter，whenaconsiderationsuggesteditselfwhichwarnedmetowaitalittlebeforeIdestroyedit。
ThisconsiderationwasentirelyunconnectedwithSirPercival。Theinformationcommunicatedtome，sofarasitconcernedhim，didlittlemorethanconfirmtheconclusionsatwhichIhadalreadyarrived。
Hehadcommittedhisoffence，asIhadsupposedhimtohavecommittedit，andtheabsenceofallreference，onMrsCatherick’spart，totheduplicateregisteratKnowlesbury，strengthenedmypreviousconvictionthattheexistenceofthebook，andtheriskofdetectionwhichitimplied，musthavebeennecessarilyunknowntoSirPercival。Myinterestinthequestionoftheforgerywasnowatanend，andmyonlyobjectinkeepingtheletterwastomakeitofsomefutureserviceinclearingupthelastmysterythatstillremainedtobaffleme——theparentageofAnneCatherickonthefather’sside。Therewereoneortwosentencesdroppedinhermother’snarrative，whichitmightbeusefultorefertoagain，whenmattersofmoreimmediateimportanceallowedmeleisuretosearchforthemissingevidence。Ididnotdespairofstillfindingthatevidence，andIhadlostnoneofmyanxietytodiscoverit，forIhadlostnoneofmyinterestintracingthefatherofthepoorcreaturewhonowlayatrestinMrsFairlie’sgrave。
Accordingly，Isealeduptheletterandputitawaycarefullyinmypocket-book，tobereferredtoagainwhenthetimecame。
ThenextdaywasmylastinHampshire。WhenIhadappearedagainbeforethemagistrateatKnowlesbury，andwhenIhadattendedattheadjournedinquest，IshouldbefreetoreturntoLondonbytheafternoonortheeveningtrain。
Myfirsterrandinthemorningwas，asusual，tothepost-office，TheletterfromMarianwasthere，butIthoughtwhenitwashandedtomethatitfeltunusuallylight。Ianxiouslyopenedtheenvelope。Therewasnothinginsidebutasmallstripofpaperfoldedintwo。Thefewblottedhurriedly-writtenlineswhichweretracedonitcontainedthesewords:
`Comebackassoonasyoucan。Ihavebeenobligedtomove。CometoGower’sWalk，Fulham(numberfive)。Iwillbeonthelook-outforyou。Don’tbealarmedaboutus，wearebothsafeandwell。Butcomeback——Marian。’
Thenewswhichthoselinescontained——newswhichIinstantlyassociatedwithsomeattemptedtreacheryonthepartofCountFosco——fairlyoverwhelmedme。Istoodbreathlesswiththepapercrumpledupinmyhand。Whathadhappened？WhatsubtlewickednesshadtheCountplannedandexecutedinmyabsence？AnighthadpassedsinceMarian’snotewaswritten——hoursmustelapsestillbeforeIcouldgetbacktothem——somenewdisastermighthavehappenedalreadyofwhichIwasignorant。Andhere，milesandmilesawayfromthem，hereImustremain——held，doublyheld，atthedisposalofthelaw！
Ihardlyknowtowhatforgetfulnessofmyobligationsanxietyandalarmmightnothavetemptedme，butforthequietinginfluenceofmyfaithinMarian。Myabsoluterelianceonherwastheoneearthlyconsiderationwhichhelpedmetorestrainmyself，andgavemecouragetowait。Theinquestwasthefirstoftheimpedimentsinthewayofmyfreedomofaction。Iattendeditattheappointedtime，thelegalformalitiesrequiringmypresenceintheroom，butasitturnedout，notcallingonmetorepeatmyevidence。Thisuselessdelaywasahardtrial，althoughIdidmybesttoquietmyimpatiencebyfollowingthecourseoftheproceedingsascloselyasIcould。
TheLondonsolicitorofthedeceased(MrMerriman)wasamongthepersonspresent。Buthewasquiteunabletoassisttheobjectsoftheinquiry。Hecouldonlysaythathewasinexpressiblyshockedandastonished，andthathecouldthrownolightwhateveronthemysteriouscircumstancesofthecase。Atintervalsduringtheadjournedinvestigation，hesuggestedquestionswhichtheCoronerput，butwhichledtonoresults。Afterapatientinquiry，whichlastednearlythreehours，andwhichexhaustedeveryavailablesourceofinformation，thejurypronouncedthecustomaryverdictincasesofsuddendeathbyaccident。Theyaddedtotheformaldecisionastatement，thattherehadbeennoevidencetoshowhowthekeyshadbeenabstracted，howthefirehadbeencaused，orwhatthepurposewasforwhichthedeceasedhadenteredthevestry。Thisactclosedtheproceedings。Thelegalrepresentativeofthedeadmanwaslefttoprovideforthenecessitiesoftheinterment，andthewitnesseswerefreetoretire。
ResolvednottoloseaminuteingettingtoKnowlesbury，Ipaidmybillatthehotel，andhiredaflytotakemetothetown。Agentlemanwhoheardmegivetheorder，andwhosawthatIwasgoingalone，informedmethathelivedintheneighbourhoodofKnowlesbury，andaskedifIwouldhaveanyobjectiontohisgettinghomebysharingtheflywithme。Iacceptedhisproposalasamatterofcourse。
Ourconversationduringthedrivewasnaturallyoccupiedbytheoneabsorbingsubjectoflocalinterest。
MynewacquaintancehadsomeknowledgeofthelateSirPercival’ssolicitor，andheandMrMerrimanhadbeendiscussingthestateofthedeceasedgentleman’saffairsandthesuccessiontotheproperty。SirPercival’sembarrassmentsweresowellknownalloverthecountythathissolicitorcouldonlymakeavirtueofnecessityandplainlyacknowledgethem。Hehaddiedwithoutleavingawill，andhehadnopersonalpropertytobequeath，evenifhehadmadeone，thewholefortunewhichhehadderivedfromhiswifehavingbeenswallowedupbyhiscreditors。Theheirtotheestate(SirPercivalhavingleftnoissue)wasasonofSirFelixGlyde’sfirstcousin，anofficerincommandofanEastIndiaman。Hewouldfindhisunexpectedinheritancesadlyencumbered，butthepropertywouldrecoverwithtime，and，if`thecaptain’wascareful，hemightbearichmanyetbeforehedied。
AbsorbedasIwasintheoneideaofgettingtoLondon，thisinformation(whicheventsprovedtobeperfectlycorrect)hadaninterestofitsowntoattractmyattention。IthoughtitjustifiedmeinkeepingsecretmydiscoveryofSirPercival’sfraud。Theheir，whoserightshehadusurped，wastheheirwhowouldnowhavetheestate。Theincomefromit，forthelastthree-and-twentyyears，whichshouldproperlyhavebeenhis，andwhichthedeadmanhadsquanderedtothelastfarthing，wasgonebeyondrecall。IfIspoke，myspeakingwouldconferadvantageontonoone。IfIkeptthesecret，mysilenceconcealedthecharacterofthemanwhohadcheatedLauraintomarryinghim。Forhersake，Iwishedtoconcealit——forhersake，still，Itellthisstoryunderfeignednames。
IpartedwithmychancecompanionatKnowlesbury，andwentatoncetothetown-hall。AsIhadanticipated，noonewaspresenttoprosecutethecaseagainstme——thenecessaryformalitieswereobserved，andIwasdischarged。OnleavingthecourtaletterfromMrDawsonwasputintomyhand。Itinformedmethathewasabsentonprofessionalduty，anditreiteratedtheofferIhadalreadyreceivedfromhimofanyassistancewhichImightrequireathishands。Iwroteback，warmlyacknowledgingmyobligationstohiskindness，andapologisingfornotexpressingmythankspersonally，inconsequenceofmyimmediaterecallonpressingbusinesstotown。
HalfanhourlaterIwasspeedingbacktoLondonbytheexpresstrain。
Itwasbetweennineandteno’clockbeforeIreachedFulham，andfoundmywaytoGower’sWalk。
BothLauraandMariancametothedoortoletmein。Ithinkwehadhardlyknownhowclosethetiewaswhichboundusthreetogether，untiltheeveningcamewhichunitedusagain。Wemetasifwehadbeenpartedformonthsinsteadofforafewdaysonly。Marian’sfacewassadlywornandanxious。IsawwhohadknownallthedangerandborneallthetroubleinmyabsencethemomentIlookedather。Laura’sbrighterlooksandbetterspiritstoldmehowcarefullyshehadbeensparedallknowledgeofthedreadfuldeathatWelmingham，andofthetruereasonofourchangeofabode。
Thestiroftheremovalseemedtohavecheeredandinterestedher。SheonlyspokeofitasahappythoughtofMarian’stosurprisemeonmyreturnwiththechangefromtheclose，noisystreettothepleasantneighbourhoodoftreesandfieldsandtheriver。Shewasfullofprojectsforthefuture——ofthedrawingsshewastofinish——ofthepurchasersIhadfoundinthecountrywhoweretobuythem——oftheshillingsandsixpencesshehadsaved，tillherpursewassoheavythatsheproudlyaskedmetoweighitinmyownhand。ThechangeforthebetterwhichhadbeenwroughtinherduringthefewdaysofmyabsencewasasurprisetomeforwhichIwasquiteunprepared——andforalltheunspeakablehappinessofseeingit，IwasindebtedtoMarian’scourageandtoMarian’slove。
WhenLaurahadleftus，andwhenwecouldspeaktooneanotherwithoutrestraint，Itriedtogivesomeexpressiontothegratitudeandtheadmirationwhichfilledmyheart。Butthegenerouscreaturewouldnotwaittohearme。Thatsublimeself-forgetfulnessofwomen，whichyieldssomuchandaskssolittle，turnedallherthoughtsfromherselftome。
`Ihadonlyamomentleftbeforepost-time，’shesaid，`orIshouldhavewrittenlessabruptly。Youlookwornandweary，Walter。Iamafraidmylettermusthaveseriouslyalarmedyou？’
`Onlyatfirst，’Ireplied。`Mymindwasquieted，Marian，bymytrustinyou。WasIrightinattributingthissuddenchangeofplacetosomethreatenedannoyanceonthepartofCountFosco？’
`Perfectlyright，’shesaid。`Isawhimyesterday，andworsethanthat，Walter——Ispoketohim。’
`Spoketohim？Didheknowwherewelived？Didhecometothehouse？’
`Hedid。Tothehouse——butnotupstairs。Lauraneversawhim——Laurasuspectsnothing。Iwilltellyouhowithappened:thedanger，Ibelieveandhope，isovernow。Yesterday，Iwasinthesitting-room，atouroldlodgings。Laurawasdrawingatthetable，andIwaswalkingaboutandsettingthingstorights。Ipassedthewindow，andasIpassedit，lookedoutintothestreet。There，ontheoppositesideoftheway，IsawtheCount，withamantalkingtohim——’
`Didhenoticeyouatthewindow？’
`No——atleast，Ithoughtnot。Iwastooviolentlystartledtobequitesure。’
`Whowastheotherman？Astranger？’
`Notastranger，Walter。AssoonasIcoulddrawmybreathagain，Irecognisedhim。HewastheowneroftheLunaticAsylum。’
`WastheCountpointingoutthehousetohim？’
`No，theyweretalkingtogetherasiftheyhadaccidentallymetinthestreet。Iremainedatthewindowlookingatthemfrombehindthecurtain。IfIhadturnedround，andifLaurahadseenmyfaceatthatmoment——ThankGod，shewasabsorbedoverherdrawing！Theysoonparted。ThemanfromtheAsylumwentoneway，andtheCounttheother。Ibegantohopetheywereinthestreetbychance，tillIsawtheCountcomeback，stopoppositetousagain，takeouthiscard-caseandpencil，writesomething，andthencrosstheroadtotheshopbelowus。IranpastLaurabeforeshecouldseeme，andsaidIhadforgottensomethingupstairs。AssoonasIwasoutoftheroomIwentdowntothefirstlandingandwaited——Iwasdeterminedtostophimifhetriedtocomeupstairs。Hemadenosuchattempt。Thegirlfromtheshopcamethroughthedoorintothepassage，withhiscardinherhand——alargegiltcardwithhisname，andacoronetaboveit，andtheselinesunderneathinpencil:``Dearlady’’(yes！thevillaincouldaddressmeinthatwaystill)——``dearlady，oneword，Iimploreyou，onamatterserioustousboth。’’Ifonecanthinkatall，inseriousdifficulties，onethinksquickly。Ifeltdirectlythatitmightbeafatalmistaketoleavemyselfandtoleaveyouinthedark，wheresuchamanastheCountwasconcerned。Ifeltthatthedoubtofwhathemightdo，inyourabsence，wouldbetentimesmoretryingtomeifIdeclinedtoseehimthanifIconsented。``Askthegentlemantowaitintheshop，’’Isaid。``Iwillbewithhiminamoment。’’Iranupstairsformybonnet，beingdeterminednottolethimspeaktomeindoors。Iknewhisdeepringingvoice，andIwasafraidLauramighthearit，evenintheshop。InlessthanaminuteIwasdownagaininthepassage，andhadopenedthedoorintothestreet。Hecameroundtomeetmefromtheshop。Therehewasindeepmourning，withhissmoothbowandhisdeadlysmile，andsomeidleboysandwomennearhim，staringathisgreatsize，hisfineblackclothes，andhislargecanewiththegoldknobtoit。AllthehorribletimeatBlackwatercamebacktomethemomentIseteyesonhim。Alltheoldloathingcreptandcrawledthroughme，whenhetookoffhishatwithaflourishandspoketome，asifwehadpartedonthefriendliesttermshardlyadaysince。’
`Yourememberwhathesaid？’
`Ican’trepeatit，Walter。Youshallknowdirectlywhathesaidaboutyou——butIcan’trepeatwhathesaidtome。Itwasworsethanthepoliteinsolenceofhisletter。Myhandstingledtostrikehim，asifIhadbeenaman！Ionlykeptthemquietbytearinghiscardtopiecesundermyshawl。Withoutsayingawordonmyside，Iwalkedawayfromthehouse(forfearofLauraseeingus)，andhefollowed，protestingsoftlyalltheway。InthefirstbystreetIturned，andaskedhimwhathewantedwithme。Hewantedtwothings。First，ifIhadnoobjection，toexpresshissentiments。Ideclinedtohearthem。Secondly，torepeatthewarninginhisletter。Iasked，whatoccasiontherewasforrepeatingit。Hebowedandsmiled，andsaidhewouldexplain。TheexplanationexactlyconfirmedthefearsIexpressedbeforeyouleftus。Itoldyou，ifyouremember，thatSirPercivalwouldbetooheadstrongtotakehisfriend’sadvicewhereyouwereconcerned，andthattherewasnodangertobedreadedfromtheCounttillhisowninterestswerethreatened，andhewasrousedintoactingforhimself？’
`Irecollect，Marian。’
`Well，soithasreallyturnedout。TheCountofferedhisadvice，butitwasrefused。SirPercivalwouldonlytakecounselofhisownviolence，hisownobstinacy，andhisownhatredofyou。TheCountlethimhavehisway，firstprivatelyascertaining，incaseofhisowninterestsbeingthreatenednext，wherewelived。Youwerefollowed，Walter，onreturninghere，afteryourfirstjourneytoHampshire，bythelawyer’smenforsomedistancefromtherailway，andbytheCounthimselftothedoorofthehouse。Howhecontrivedtoescapebeingseenbyyouhedidnottellme，buthefoundusoutonthatoccasion，andinthatway。Havingmadethediscovery，hetooknoadvantageofittillthenewsreachedhimofSirPercival’sdeath，andthen，asItoldyou，heactedforhimself，becausehebelievedyouwouldnextproceedagainstthedeadman’spartnerintheconspiracy。HeatoncemadehisarrangementstomeettheowneroftheAsyluminLondon，andtotakehimtotheplacewherehisrunawaypatientwashidden，believingthattheresults，whicheverwaytheyended，wouldbetoinvolveyouininterminablelegaldisputesanddifficulties，andtotieyourhandsforallpurposesofoffence，sofarashewasconcerned。Thatwashispurpose，onhisownconfessiontome。Theonlyconsiderationwhichmadehimhesitate，atthelastmoment——’
`Yes？’
`Itishardtoacknowledgeit，Walter，andyetImust。Iwastheonlyconsideration。NowordscansayhowdegradedIfeelinmyownestimationwhenIthinkofit，buttheoneweakpointinthatman’sironcharacteristhehorribleadmirationhefeelsforme。Ihavetried，forthesakeofmyownself-respect，todisbelieveitaslongasIcould；buthislooks，hisactions，forceonmetheshamefulconvictionofthetruth。Theeyesofthatmonsterofwickednessmoistenedwhilehewasspeakingtome——theydid，Walter！Hedeclaredthatatthemomentofpointingoutthehousetothedoctor，hethoughtofmymiseryifIwasseparatedfromLaura，ofmyresponsibilityifIwascalledontoanswerforeffectingherescape，andheriskedtheworsethatyoucoulddotohim，thesecondtime，formysake。AllheaskedwasthatIwouldrememberthesacrifice，andrestrainyourrashness，inmyowninterests——interestswhichhemightneverbeabletoconsultagain。Imadenosuchbargainwithhim——Iwouldhavediedfirst。Butbelievehimornot，whetheritistrueorfalsethathesentthedoctorawaywithanexcuse，onethingiscertain，Isawthemanleavehimwithoutsomuchasaglanceatourwindow，orevenatoursideoftheway。’
`Ibelieveit，Marian。Thebestmenarenotconsistentingood——whyshouldtheworstmenbeconsistentinevil？Atthesametime，Isuspecthimofmerelyattemptingtofrightenyou，bythreateningwhathecannotreallydo。Idoubthispowerofannoyingus，bymeansoftheowneroftheAsylum，nowthatSirPercivalisdead，andMrsCatherickisfreefromallcontrol。Butletmehearmore。WhatdidtheCountsayofme？’
`Hespokelastofyou。Hiseyesbrightenedandhardened，andhismannerchangedtowhatIrememberitinpasttimes——tothatmixtureofpitilessresolutionandmountebankmockerywhichmakesitsoimpossibletofathomhim。``WarnMrHartright！’’hesaidinhisloftiestmanner。``Hehasamanofbrainstodealwith，amanwhosnapshisbigfingersatthelawsandconventionsofsociety，whenhemeasureshimselfwithME。Ifmylamentedfriendhadtakenmyadvice，thebusinessoftheinquestwouldhavebeenwiththebodyofMrHartright。Butmylamentedfriendwasobstinate。See！Imournhisloss——inwardlyinmysoul，outwardlyonmyhat。ThistrivialcrapeexpressessensibilitieswhichIsummonMrHartrighttorespect。Theymaybetransformedtoimmeasurableenmitiesifheventurestodisturbthem。Lethimbecontentwithwhathehasgot——withwhatIleaveunmolested，foryoursake，tohimandtoyou。Saytohim(withmycompliments)，ifhestirsme，hehasFoscotodealwith。IntheEnglishofthePopularTongue，Iinformhim——Foscosticksatnothing。DearLady，goodmorning。’’Hiscoldgreyeyessettledonmyface——hetookoffhishatsolemnly——bowed，bare-headed——andleftme。’
`Withoutreturning？withoutsayingmorelastwords？’
`Heturnedatthecornerofthestreet，andwavedhishand，andthenstruckittheatricallyonhisbreast。Ilostsightofhimafterthat。Hedisappearedintheoppositedirectiontoourhouse，andIranbacktoLaura。BeforeIwasindoorsagain，Ihadmadeupmymindthatwemustgo。Thehouse(especiallyinyourabsence)wasaplaceofdangerinsteadofaplaceofsafety，nowthattheCounthaddiscoveredit。IfIcouldhavefeltcertainofyourreturn，Ishouldhaveriskedwaitingtillyoucameback。Butlwascertainofnothing，andIactedatonceonmyownimpulse。Youhadspoken，beforeleavingus，ofmovingintoaquieterneighbourhoodandpurerair，forthesakeofLaura’shealth。Ihadonlytoremindherofthat，andtosuggestsurprisingyouandsavingyoutroublebymanagingthemoveinyourabsence，tomakeherquiteasanxiousforthechangeasIwas。Shehelpedmetopackupyourthings，andshehasarrangedthemallforyouinyournewworking-roomhere。’
`Whatmadeyouthinkofcomingtothisplace？’
`MyignoranceofotherlocalitiesintheneighbourhoodofLondon。Ifeltthenecessityofgettingasfarawayaspossiblefromouroldlodgings，andIknewsomethingofFulham，becauseIhadoncebeenatschoolthere。Idespatchedamessengerwithanote，onthechancethattheschoolmightstillbeinexistence。Itwasinexistence——thedaughtersofmyoldmistresswerecarryingitonforher，andtheyengagedthisplacefromtheinstructionsIhadsent。Itwasjustpost-timewhenthemessengerreturnedtomewiththeaddressofthehouse。Wemovedafterdark——wecameherequiteunobserved。HaveIdoneright，Walter？HaveIjustifiedyourtrustinme？’
Iansweredherwarmlyandgratefully，asIreallyfelt。ButtheanxiouslookremainedonherfacewhileIwasspeaking，andthefirstquestionsheasked，whenIhaddone，relatedtoCountFosco。
Isawthatshewasthinkingofhimnowwithachangedmind。Nofreshoutbreakofangeragainsthim，nonewappealtometohastenthedayofreckoningescapedher。Herconvictionthattheman’shatefuladmirationofherselfwasreallysincere，seemedtohaveincreasedahundredfoldherdistrustofhisunfathomablecunning，herinborndreadofthewickedenergyandvigilanceofallhisfaculties。Hervoicefelllow，hermannerwashesitating，hereyessearchedintominewithaneagerfearwhensheaskedmewhatIthoughtofhismessage，andwhatImeanttodonextafterhearingit。
`Notmanyweekshavepassed，Marian，’Ianswered，`sincemyinterviewwithMrKyrle。WhenheandIparted，thelastwordsIsaidtohimaboutLaurawerethese:``Heruncle’shouseshallopentoreceiveher，inthepresenceofeverysoulwhofollowedthefalsefuneraltothegrave；theliethatrecordsherdeathshallbepubliclyerasedfromthetombstonebytheauthorityoftheheadofthefamily，andthetwomenwhohavewrongedhershallanswerfortheircrimetoME，thoughthejusticethatsitsintribunalsispowerlesstopursuethem。’’Oneofthosemenisbeyondmortalreach。Theotherremains，andmyresolutionremains。’
Hereyeslitup——hercolourrose。Shesaidnothing，butIsawallhersympathiesgatheringtomineinherface。
`Idon’tdisguisefrommyself，orfromyou，’Iwenton，`thattheprospectbeforeusismorethandoubtful。Theriskswehaverunalreadyare，itmaybe，triflescomparedwiththerisksthatthreatenusinthefuture，buttheventureshallbetried，Marian，forallthat。IamnotrashenoughtomeasuremyselfagainstsuchamanastheCountbeforeIamwellpreparedforhim。Ihavelearntpatience——Icanwaitmytime。Lethimbelievethathismessagehasproduceditseffect——lethimknownothingofus，andhearnothingofus——letusgivehimfulltimetofeelsecure——hisownboastfulnature，unlessIseriouslymistakehim，willhastenthatresult。Thisisonereasonforwaiting，butthereisanothermoreimportantstill。Myposition，Marian，towardsyouandtowardsLauraoughttobeastrongeronethanitisnowbeforeItryourlastchance。’
Sheleanedneartome，withalookofsurprise。
`Howcanitbestronger？’sheasked。
`Iwilltellyou，’Ireplied，`whenthetimecomes。Ithasnotcomeyet——itmaynevercomeatall。ImaybesilentaboutittoLauraforever——Imustbesilentnow，eventoyou，tillIseeformyselfthatIcanharmlesslyandhonourablyspeak。Letusleavethatsubject。Thereisanotherwhichhasmorepressingclaimsonourattention。YouhavekeptLaura，mercifullykepther，inignoranceofherhusband’sdeath——’
`Oh，Walter，surelyitmustbelongyetbeforewetellherofit？’
`No，Marian。Betterthatyoushouldrevealittohernow，thanthataccident，whichnoonecanguardagainst，shouldrevealittoheratsomefuturetime。Spareherallthedetails——breakittoherverytenderly，buttellherthatheisdead。’
`Youhaveareason，Walter，forwishinghertoknowofherhusband’sdeathbesidesthereasonyouhavejustmentioned？’
`Ihave。’
`Areasonconnectedwiththatsubjectwhichmustnotbementionedbetweenusyet？——whichmayneverbementionedtoLauraatall？’
Shedweltonthelastwordsmeaningly。WhenIansweredherintheaffirmative，Idweltonthemtoo。
Herfacegrewpale。Forawhileshelookedatmewithasad，hesitatinginterest。Anunaccustomedtendernesstrembledinherdarkeyesandsoftenedherfirmlips，assheglancedasideattheemptychairinwhichthedearcompanionofallourjoysandsorrowshadbeensitting。
`IthinkIunderstand，’shesaid。`IthinkIoweittoherandtoyou，Walter，totellherofherhusband’sdeath。’
Shesighed，andheldmyhandfastforamoment——thendroppeditabruptly，andlefttheroom。OnthenextdayLauraknewthathisdeathhadreleasedher，andthattheerrorandthecalamityofherlifelayburiedinhistomb。
Hisnamewasmentionedamongusnomore。Thenceforward，weshrankfromtheslightestapproachtothesubjectofhisdeath，andinthesamescrupulousmanner，MarianandIavoidedallfurtherreferencetothatothersubject，which，byherconsentandmine，wasnottobementionedbetweenusyet。Itwasnotthelesspresentinourminds——itwasratherkeptaliveinthembytherestraintwhichwehadimposedonourselves。WebothwatchedLauramoreanxiouslythanever，sometimeswaitingandhoping，sometimeswaitingandfearing，tillthetimecame。
Bydegreeswereturnedtoouraccustomedwayoflife。Iresumedthedailywork，whichhadbeensuspendedduringmyabsenceinHampshire。Ournewlodgingscostusmorethanthesmallerandlessconvenientroomswhichwehadleft，andtheclaimthusimpliedonmyincreasedexertionswasstrengthenedbythedoubtfulnessofourfutureprospects。Emergenciesmightyethappenwhichwouldexhaustourlittlefundatthebanker’s，andtheworkofmyhandsmightbe，ultimately，allwehadtolooktoforsupport。Morepermanentandmorelucrativeemploymentthanhadyetbeenofferedtomewasanecessityofourposition——anecessityforwhichInowdiligentlysetmyselftoprovide。
ItmustnotbesupposedthattheintervalofrestandseclusionofwhichIamnowwriting，entirelysuspended，onmypart，allpursuitoftheoneabsorbingpurposewithwhichmythoughtsandactionsarcassociatedinthesepages。Thatpurposewas，formonthsandmonthsyet，nevertorelaxitsclaimsonme。Theslowripeningofitstillleftmeameasureofprecautiontotake，anobligationofgratitudetoperform，andadoubtfulquestiontosolve。
Themeasureofprecautionrelated，necessarily，totheCount。Itwasofthelastimportancetoascertain，ifpossible，whetherhisplanscommittedhimtoremaininginEngland——or，inotherwords，toremainingwithinmyreach。Icontrivedtosetthisdoubtatrestbyverysimplemeans。HisaddressinStJohn’sWoodbeingknowntome，Iinquiredintheneighbourhood，andhavingfoundouttheagentwhohadthedisposalofthefurnishedhouseinwhichhelived，Iaskedifnumberfive，ForestRoad，waslikelytobeletwithinareasonabletime。Thereplywasinthenegative。Iwasinformedthattheforeigngentlemanthenresidinginthehousehadrenewedhistermofoccupationforanothersixmonths，andwouldremaininpossessionuntiltheendofJuneinthefollowingyear。WewerethenatthebeginningofDecemberonly。IlefttheagentwithmymindrelievedfromallpresentfearoftheCount’sescapingme。
TheobligationIhadtoperformtookmeoncemoreintothepresenceofMrsClements。Ihadpromisedtoreturn，andtoconfidetoherthoseparticularsrelatingtothedeathandburialofAnneCatherickwhichIhadbeenobligedtowithholdatourfirstinterview。Changedascircumstancesnowwere，therewasnohindrancetomytrustingthegoodwomanwithasmuchofthestoryoftheconspiracyasitwasnecessarytotell。Ihadeveryreasonthatsympathyandfriendlyfeelingcouldsuggesttourgeonmethespeedyperformanceofmypromise，andIdidconscientiouslyandcarefullyperformit。Thereisnoneedtoburdenthesepageswithanystatementofwhatpassedattheinterview。Itwillbemoretothepurposetosay，thattheinterviewitselfnecessarilybroughttomymindtheonedoubtfulquestionstillremainingtobesolved——thequestionofAnneCatherick’sparentageonthefather’sside。
Amultitudeofsmallconsiderationsinconnectionwiththissubject——triflingenoughinthemselves，butstrikinglyimportantwhenmassedtogether——hadlatterlyledmymindtoaconclusionwhichIresolvedtoverify。IobtainedMarian’spermissiontowritetoMajorDonthorne，ofVarneckHall(whereMrsCatherickhadlivedinserviceforsomeyearsprevioustohermarriage)，toaskhimcertainquestions。ImadetheinquiriesinMarian’sname，anddescribedthemasrelatingtomattersofpersonalhistoryinherfamily，whichmightexplainandexcusemyapplication。WhenIwrotetheletterIhadnocertainknowledgethatMajorDonthornewasstillalive——Idespatcheditonthechancethathemightbeliving，andableandwillingtoreply。
Afteralapseoftwodaysproofcame，intheshapeofaletter，thattheMajorwasliving，andthathewasreadytohelpus。
TheideainmymindwhenIwrotetohim，andthenatureofmyinquiries，willbeeasilyinferredfromhisreply。Hisletteransweredmyquestionsbycommunicatingtheseimportantfacts——
Inthefirstplace，`thelateSirPercivalGlyde，ofBlackwaterPark，’hadneversetfootinVarneckHall。ThedeceasedgentlemanwasatotalstrangertoMajorDonthorne，andtoallhisfamily。
Inthesecondplace，`thelateMrPhilipFairlie，ofLimmeridgeHouse，’hadbeen，inhisyoungerdays，theintimatefriendandconstantguestofMajorDonthorne。Havingrefreshedhismemorybylookingbacktooldlettersandotherpapers，theMajorwasinapositiontosaypositivelythatMrPhilipFairliewasstayingatVarneckHallinthemonthofAugust，eighteenhundredandtwenty-six，andthatheremainedtherefortheshootingduringthemonthofSeptemberandpartofOctoberfollowing。Hethenleft，tothebestoftheMajor’sbelief，forScotland，anddidnotreturntoVarneckHalltillafteralapseoftime，whenhereappearedinthecharacterofanewly-marriedman。
Takenbyitself，thisstatementwas，perhaps，oflittlepositivevalue，buttakeninconnectionwithcertainfacts，everyoneofwhicheitherMarianorIknewtobetrue，itsuggestedoneplainconclusionthatwas，toourminds，irresistible。
Knowing，now，thatMrPhilipFairliehadbeenatVarneckHallintheautumnofeighteenhundredandtwenty-six，andthatMrsCatherickhadbeenlivingthereinserviceatthesametime，weknewalso——first，thatAnnehadbeenborninJune，eighteenhundredandtwenty-seven；secondly，thatshehadalwayspresentedanextraordinarypersonalresemblancetoLaura；and，thirdly，thatLauraherselfwasstrikinglylikeherfather-MrPhilipFairliehadbeenoneofthenotoriouslyhandsomemenofhistime。IndispositionentirelyunlikehisbrotherFrederick，hewasthespoiltdarlingofsociety，especiallyofthewomen——aneasy，light-hearted，impulsive，affectionateman——generoustoafault——constitutionallylaxinhisprinciples，andnotoriouslythoughtlessofmoralobligationswherewomenwereconcerned。Suchwerethefactsweknew——suchwasthecharacteroftheman。Surelytheplaininferencethatfollowsneedsnopointingout？
Readbythenewlightwhichhadnowbrokenuponme，evenMrsCatherick’sletter，indespiteofherself，rendereditsmiteofassistancetowardsstrengtheningtheconclusionatwhichIhadarrived。ShehaddescribedMrsFairlie(inwritingtome)as`plain-looking，’andashaving`entrappedthehandsomestmaninEnglandintomarryingher。’Bothassertionsweregratuitouslymade，andbothwerefalse。Jealousdislike(which，insuchawomanasMrsCatherick，wouldexpressitselfinpettymaliceratherthannotexpressitselfatall)appearedtometobetheonlyassignablecauseforthepeculiarinsolenceofherreferencetoMrsFairlie，undercircumstanceswhichdidnotnecessitateanyreferenceatall。
ThementionhereofMrsFairlie’snamenaturallysuggestsoneotherquestion。DidsheeversuspectwhosechildthelittlegirlbroughttoheratLimmeridgemightbe？
Marian’stestimonywaspositiveonthispoint。MrsFairlie’slettertoherhusband，whichhadbeenreadtomeinformerdays——theletterdescribingAnne’sresemblancetoLaura，andacknowledgingheraffectionateinterestinthelittlestranger——hadbeenwritten，beyondallquestion，inperfectinnocenceofheart。Itevenseemeddoubtful，onconsideration，whetherMrPhilipFairliehimselfhadbeennearerthanhiswifetoanysuspicionofthetruth。ThedisgracefullydeceitfulcircumstancesunderwhichMrsCatherickhadmarried，thepurposeofconcealmentwhichthemarriagewasintendedtoanswer，mightwellkeephersilentforcaution’ssake，perhapsforherownpride’ssakealso，evenassumingthatshehadthemeans，inhisabsence，ofcommunicatingwiththefatherofherunbornchild。
Asthissurmisefloatedthroughmymind，thereroseonmymemorytheremembranceoftheScripturedenunciationwhichwehaveallthoughtofinourtimewithwonderandwithawe:`Thesinsofthefathersshallbevisitedonthechildren。’Butforthefatalresemblancebetweenthetwodaughtersofonefather，theconspiracyofwhichAnnehadbeentheinnocentinstrumentandLauratheinnocentvictimcouldneverhavebeenplanned。Withwhatunerringandterribledirectnessthelongchainofcircumstancesleddownfromthethoughtlesswrongcommittedbythefathertotheheartlessinjuryinflictedonthechild！
Thesethoughtscametome，andotherswiththem，whichdrewmymindawaytothelittleCumberlandchurchyardwhereAnneCathericknowlayburied。IthoughtofthebygonedayswhenIhadmetherbyMrsFairlie’sgrave，andmetherforthelasttime。Ithoughtofherpoorhelplesshandsbeatingonthetombstone，andherweary，yearningwords，murmuredtothedeadremainsofherprotectressandherfriend:`Oh，ifIcoulddie，andbehiddenandatrestwithyou！’Littlemorethanayearhadpassedsinceshebreathedthatwish；andhowinscrutably，howawfully，ithadbeenfulledIThewordsshehadspokentoLaurabytheshoresofthelake，theverywordshadnowcomerue。`Oh，ifIcouldonlybeburiedwithyourmotherIIfIcouldonlywakeathersidewhentheangel’strumpetsoundsandthegravesgiveuptheirdeadattheresurrection！’Throughwhatmortalcrimeandhorror，throughwhatdarkestwindingsofthewaydowntodeath——thelostcreaturehadwanderedinGod’sleadingtothelasthomethat，living，sheneverhopedtoreach！InthatsacredrestIleaveher——inthatdreadcompanionshipletherremainundisturbed。
Sotheghostlyfigurewhichhashauntedthesepages，asithauntedmylife，goesdownintotheimpenetrablegloom。Likeashadowshefirstcametomeinthelonelinessofthenight。Likeashadowshepassesawayinthelonelinessofthedead。
