'Idon'ttauntyou.Ispeakthetruth,purelyinafriendlyway,asIshouldtoanyoneIwishedwell.ThoughforthatmatterImighthavesomeexcuseevenfortauntingyou.Suchaterriblehurryasyou'vebeenin.Ihateawomanwhoisinsuchahurry.'
　　'Howdoyoumeanthat?'
　　'Why——tobesomebody'swifeorother——anything'swiferatherthannobody's.Youcouldn'twaitforme,O,no.Well,thankGod,I'mcuredofallthat!'
　　'Howmercilessyouare!'shesaidbitterly.'Waitforyou?Whatdoesthatmean,Charley?Younevershowed——anythingtowaitfor——
　　anythingspecialtowardsme.'
　　'Ocome,Baptistadear;come!'
　　'WhatImeanis,nothingdefinite,'sheexpostulated.'Isupposeyoulikedmealittle;butitseemedtometobeonlyapastimeonyourpart,andthatyounevermeanttomakeanhonourableengagementofit.'
　　'There,that'sjustit!Yougirlsexpectamantomeanbusinessatthefirstlook.Nomanwhenhefirstbecomesinterestedinawomanhasanydefiniteschemeofengagementtomarryherinhismind,unlessheismeaningavulgarmercenarymarriage.However,IDIDatlastmeananhonourableengagement,asyoucallit,cometothat.'
　　'Butyouneversaidso,andanindefinitecourtshipsooninjuresawoman'spositionandcredit,soonerthanyouthink.'
　　'Baptista,IsolemnlydeclarethatinsixmonthsIshouldhaveaskedyoutomarryme.'
　　Shewalkedalonginsilence,lookingontheground,andappearingveryuncomfortable.Presentlyhesaid,'Wouldyouhavewaitedformeifyouhadknown?'Tothisshewhisperedinasorrowfulwhisper,'Yes!'
　　Theywentstillfartherinsilence——passingalongoneofthebeautifulwalksontheoutskirtsofthetown,yetnotobservantofsceneorsituation.Hershoulderandhiswereclosetogether,andheclaspedhisfingersroundthesmallofherarm——quitelightly,andwithoutanyattemptatimpetus;yettheactseemedtosay,'NowI
　　holdyou,andmywillmustbeyours.'
　　Recurringtoapreviousquestionofhershesaid,'IhavemerelyrundownhereforadayortwofromschoolnearTrufal,beforegoingofftothenorthfortherestofmyholiday.IhaveseenmyrelationsatRedrutinquitelately,soIamnotgoingtherethistime.HowlittleIthoughtofmeetingyou!Howverydifferentthecircumstanceswouldhavebeenif,insteadofpartingagainaswemustinhalf-an-hourorso,possiblyforever,youhadbeennowjustgoingoffwithme,asmywife,onourhoneymoontrip.Ha——ha——well——sohumorousislife!'
　　Shestoppedsuddenly.'Imustgobacknow——thisisaltogethertoopainful,Charley!Itisnotatallakindmoodyouareinto-day.'
　　'Idon'twanttopainyou——youknowIdonot,'hesaidmoregently.
　　'Onlyitjustexasperatesme——thisyouaregoingtodo.Iwishyouwouldnot.'
　　'What?'
　　'Marryhim.There,nowIhaveshowedyoumytruesentiments.'
　　'Imustdoitnow,'saidshe.
　　'Why?'heasked,droppingtheoff-handmasterfultonehehadhithertospokenin,andbecomingearnest;stillholdingherarm,however,asifshewerehischatteltobetakenuporputdownatwill.'Itisnevertoolatetobreakoffamarriagethat'sdistastefultoyou.
　　NowI'llsayonething;anditistruth:Iwishyouwouldmarrymeinsteadofhim,evennow,atthelastmoment,thoughyouhaveservedmesobadly.'
　　'O,itisnotpossibletothinkofthat!'sheansweredhastily,shakingherhead.'WhenIgethomeallwillbeprepared——itisreadyevennow——thethingsfortheparty,thefurniture,Mr.Heddegan'snewsuit,andeverything.IshouldrequirethecourageofatropicalliontogohomethereandsayIwouldn'tcarryoutmypromise!'
　　'Thengo,inHeaven'sname!Buttherewouldbenonecessityforyoutogohomeandfacetheminthatway.Ifweweretomarry,itwouldhavetobeatonce,instantly;ornotatall.IshouldthinkyouraffectionnotworththehavingunlessyouagreedtocomebackwithmetoTrufalthisevening,wherewecouldbemarriedbylicenceonMondaymorning.AndthennoMr.DavidHeddeganoranybodyelsecouldgetyouawayfromme.'
　　'ImustgohomebytheTuesdayboat,'shefaltered.'WhatwouldtheythinkifIdidnotcome?'
　　'Youcouldgohomebythatboatjustthesame.AllthedifferencewouldbethatIshouldgowithyou.Youcouldleavemeonthequay,whereI'dhaveasmoke,whileyouwentandsawyourfatherandmotherprivately;youcouldthentellthemwhatyouhaddone,andthatIwaswaitingnotfaroff;thatIwasaschool-masterinafairlygoodposition,andayoungmanyouhadknownwhenyouwereattheTrainingCollege.ThenIwouldcomeboldlyforward;andtheywouldseethatitcouldnotbealtered,andsoyouwouldn'tsufferalifelongmiserybybeingthewifeofawretchedoldgafferyoudon'tlikeatall.
　　Now,honestly;youdolikemebest,don'tyou,Baptista?'
　　'Yes.'
　　'ThenwewilldoasIsay.'
　　Shedidnotpronounceaclearaffirmative.Butthatsheconsentedtothenovelpropositionatsomemomentorotherofthatwalkwasapparentbywhatoccurredalittlelater.
　　CHAPTERIII
　　Anenterpriseofsuchpithrequired,indeed,lesstalkingthanconsideration.Thefirstthingtheydidincarryingitoutwastoreturntotherailwaystation,whereBaptistatookfromherluggageasmalltrunkofimmediatenecessarieswhichshewouldinanycasehaverequiredaftermissingtheboat.ThatsameafternoontheytravelledupthelinetoTrufal.
　　CharlesStowashisnamewas,despitehisdisdainfulindifferencetothings,wasverycarefulofappearances,andmadethejourneyindependentlyofherthoughinthesametrain.Hetoldherwhereshecouldgetboardandlodgingsinthecity;andwithmerelyadistantnodtoherofaprovisionalkind,wentofftohisownquarters,andtoseeaboutthelicence.
　　OnSundayshesawhiminthemorningacrossthenaveofthepro-
　　cathedral.Intheafternoontheywalkedtogetherinthefields,wherehetoldherthatthelicencewouldbereadynextday,andwouldbeavailablethedayafter,whentheceremonycouldbeperformedasearlyaftereighto'clockastheyshouldchoose.
　　Hiscourtship,thusrenewedafteranintervaloftwoyears,wasasimpetuous,violenteven,asitwasshort.Thenextdaycameandpassed,andthefinalarrangementsweremade.Theiragreementwastogettheceremonyoverassoonastheypossiblycouldthenextmorning,soastogoontoPen-zephyratonce,andreachthatplaceintimefortheboat'sdeparturethesameday.ItwasinobediencetoBaptista'searnestrequestthatStowconsentedthustomakethewholejourneytoLyonessebylandandwateratoneheat,andnotbreakitatPen-zephyr;sheseemedtobeoppressedwithadreadoflingeringanywhere,thisgreatfirstactofdisobediencetoherparentsonceaccomplished,withtheweightonhermindthatherhomehadtobeconvulsedbythedisclosureofit.Tofaceherdifficultiesoverthewaterimmediatelyshehadcreatedthemwas,however,acoursemoredesiredbyBaptistathanbyherlover;thoughforoncehegaveway.
　　Thenextmorningwasbrightandwarmasthosewhichhadprecededit.
　　Bysixo'clockitseemednearlynoon,asisoftenthecaseinthatpartofEnglandinthesummerseason.Byninetheywerehusbandandwife.Theypackedupanddepartedbytheearliesttrainaftertheservice;andonthewaydiscussedatlengthwhatsheshouldsayonmeetingherparents,Charleydictatingtheturnofeachphrase.InheranxietytheyhadtravelledsoearlythatwhentheyreachedPen-
　　zephyrtheyfoundtherewerenearlytwohoursontheirhandsbeforethesteamer'stimeofsailing.
　　Baptistawasextremelyreluctanttobeseenpromenadingthestreetsofthewatering-placewithherhusbandtill,asabovestated,thehouseholdatGiant'sTownshouldknowtheunexpectedcourseofeventsfromherownlips;anditwasjustpossible,ifnotlikely,thatsomeLyonessianmightbeprowlingaboutthere,orevenhavecomeacrosstheseatolookforher.Tomeetanyonetowhomshewasknown,andtohavetoreplytoawkwardquestionsaboutthestrangeyoungmanathersidebeforeherwell-framedannouncementhadbeendeliveredatpropertimeandplace,wasathingshecouldnotcontemplatewithequanimity.So,insteadoflookingattheshopsandharbour,theywentalongthecoastalittleway.
　　Theheatofthemorningwasbythistimeintense.Theyclambereduponsomecliffs,andwhilesittingthere,lookingaroundatSt.
　　Michael'sMountandotherobjects,Charlessaidtoherthathethoughthewouldrundowntothebeachattheirfeet,andtakejustoneplungeintothesea.
　　Baptistadidnotmuchliketheideaofbeingleftalone;itwasgloomy,shesaid.Butheassuredherhewouldnotbegonemorethanaquarterofanhourattheoutside,andshepassivelyassented.
　　Downhewent,disappeared,appearedagain,andlookedback.Thenheagainproceeded,andvanished,till,asasmallwaxenobject,shesawhimemergefromthenookthathadscreenedhim,crossthewhitefringeoffoam,andwalkintotheundulatingmassofblue.Onceinthewaterheseemedlessinclinedtohurrythanbefore;heremainedalongtime;and,unableeithertoappreciatehisskillorcriticizehiswantofitatthatdistance,shewithdrewhereyesfromthespot,andgazedatthestilloutlineofSt.Michael's——nowbeautifullytonedingrey.
　　Heranxietyforthehourofdeparture,andtocopeatoncewiththeapproachingincidentsthatshewouldhavetomanipulateasbestshecould,sentherintoareverie.ItwasnowTuesday;shewouldreachhomeintheevening——averylatetimetheywouldsay;but,asthedelaywasapureaccident,theywoulddeemhermarriagetoMr.
　　Heddeganto-morrowstillpracticable.ThenCharleswouldhavetobeproducedfromthebackground.Itwasaterribleundertakingtothinkof,andshealmostregrettedhertemerityinweddingsohastilythatmorning.Therageofherfatherwouldbesocrushing;thereproachesofhermothersobitter;andperhapsCharleswouldanswerhotly,andperhapscauseestrangementtilldeath.TherehadobviouslybeennoalarmaboutheratSt.Maria's,orsomebodywouldhavesailedacrosstoinquireforher.Shehad,inaletterwrittenatthebeginningoftheweek,spokenofthehouratwhichsheintendedtoleavehercountryschoolhouse;andfromthisherfriendshadprobablyperceivedthatbysuchtimingshewouldrunariskoflosingtheSaturdayboat.
　　Shehadmissedit,andasaconsequencesathereontheshoreasMrs.
　　CharlesStow.
　　Thisbroughthertothepresent,andsheturnedfromtheoutlineofSt.Michael'sMounttolookaboutforherhusband'sform.Hewas,asfarasshecoulddiscover,nolongerinthesea.Thenhewasdressing.Bymovingafewstepsshecouldseewherehisclotheslay.
　　ButCharleswasnotbesidethem.
　　Baptistalookedbackagainatthewaterinbewilderment,asifhersenseswerethevictimofsomesleightofhand.Notaspeckorspotresemblingaman'sheadorfaceshowedanywhere.Bythistimeshewasalarmed,andheralarmintensifiedwhensheperceivedalittlebeyondthesceneofherhusband'sbathingasmallareaofwater,thequalityofwhosesurfacedifferedfromthatofthesurroundingexpanseasthecoarsevegetationofsomefoulpatchinameaddiffersfromthefinegreenoftheremainder.Elsewhereitlookedflexuous,hereitlookedvermiculatedandlumpy,andhermarineexperiencessuggestedtoherinamomentthattwocurrentsmetandcausedaturmoilatthisplace.
　　Shedescendedashastilyashertremblinglimbswouldallow.Thewaydownwasterriblylong,andbeforereachingtheheapofclothesitoccurredtoherthat,afterall,itwouldbebesttorunfirstforhelp.Hasteningalonginalateraldirectionsheproceededinlandtillshemetaman,andsoonafterwardstwoothers.Tothemsheexclaimed,'Ithinkagentlemanwhowasbathingisinsomedanger.I
　　cannotseehimasIcould.Willyoupleaserunandhelphim,atonce,ifyouwillbesokind?'
　　Shedidnotthinkofturningtoshowthemtheexactspot,indicatingitvaguelybythedirectionofherhand,andstillgoingonherwaywiththeideaofgainingmoreassistance.Whenshedeemed,inherfaintness,thatshehadcarriedthealarmfarenough,shefacedaboutanddraggedherselfbackagain.Beforereachingthenowdreadedspotshemetoneofthemen.
　　'Wecanseenothingatall,Miss,'hedeclared.
　　Havinggainedthebeach,shefoundthetidein,andnosignofCharley'sclothes.Theothermenwhomshehadbesoughttocomehaddisappeared,itmusthavebeeninsomeotherdirection,forshehadnotmetthemgoingaway.They,findingnothing,hadprobablythoughtheralarmamereconjecture,andgivenupthequest.
　　Baptistasankdownuponthestonesnearathand.WhereCharleyhadundressedwasnowsea.Therecouldnotbetheleastdoubtthathewasdrowned,andhisbodysuckedunderbythecurrent;whilehisclothes,lyingwithinhigh-watermark,hadprobablybeencarriedawaybytherisingtide.
　　Sheremainedinastuporforsomeminutes,tillastrangesensationsucceededtheaforesaidperceptions,mystifyingherintelligence,andleavingherphysicallyalmostinert.Withhispersonaldisappearance,thelastthreedaysofherlifewithhimseemedtobeswallowedup,alsohisimage,inhermind'seye,wanedcuriously,recededfaraway,grewstrangerandstranger,lessandlessreal.
　　Theirmeetingandmarriagehadbeensosudden,unpremeditated,adventurous,thatshecouldhardlybelievethatshehadplayedherpartinsucharecklessdrama.OfallthefewhoursofherlifewithCharles,theportionthatmostinsistedincomingbacktomemorywastheirfortuitousencounteronthepreviousSaturday,andthosebitterreprimandswithwhichhehadbeguntheattack,asitmightbecalled,whichhadpiquedhertoanunexpectedconsummation.
　　Asortofcruelty,animperiousness,eveninhiswarmth,hadcharacterizedCharlesStow.Asaloverhehadeverbeenabitofatyrant;anditmightprettytrulyhavebeensaidthathehadstungherintomarriagewithhimatlast.Stillmorealienfromherlifedidthesereflectionsoperatetomakehim;andthentheywouldbechasedawaybyanintervalofpassionateweepingandmadregret.
　　Finally,therereturnedupontheconfusedmindoftheyoungwifetherecollectionthatshewasonherwayhomeward,andthatthepacketwouldsailinthree-quartersofanhour.
　　Excepttheparasolinherhand,allshepossessedwasatthestationawaitingheronwardjourney.
　　Shelookedinthatdirection;and,enteringoneofthoseundemonstrativephasessocommonwithher,walkedquietlyon.
　　Atfirstshemadestraightfortherailway;butsuddenlyturningshewenttoashopandwroteananonymouslineannouncinghisdeathbydrowningtotheonlypersonshehadeverheardCharlesmentionasarelative.Postingthisstealthily,andwithafearfullookaroundher,sheseemedtoacquireaterrorofthelateevents,pursuingherwaytothestationasiffollowedbyaspectre.
　　WhenshegottotheofficesheaskedfortheluggagethatshehadleftthereontheSaturdayaswellasthetrunkleftonthemorningjustlapsed.Allwereputintheboat,andsheherselffollowed.
　　Quicklyasthesethingshadbeendone,thewholeproceeding,nevertheless,hadbeenalmostautomaticonBaptista'spart,ereshehadcometoanydefiniteconclusiononhercourse.
　　Justbeforethebellrangsheheardaconversationonthepier,whichremovedthelastshadeofdoubtfromhermind,ifanyhadexisted,thatshewasCharlesStow'swidow.Thesentenceswerebutfragmentary,butshecouldeasilypiecethemout.
　　'Amandrowned——swamouttoofar——wasastrangertotheplace——peopleinboat——sawhimgodown——couldn'tgetthereintime.'
　　Thenewswaslittlemoredefinitethanthisasyet;thoughitmayaswellbestatedonceforallthatthestatementwastrue.Charley,withtheover-confidenceofhisnature,hadventuredouttoofarforhisstrength,andsuccumbedintheabsenceofassistance,hislifelessbodybeingatthatmomentsuspendedinthetransparentmid-
　　depthsofthebay.Hisclothes,however,hadmerelybeengentlyliftedbytherisingtide,andfloatedintoanookhardby,wheretheylayoutofsightofthepassers-bytilladayortwoafter.
　　CHAPTERIV
　　Intenminutestheyweresteamingoutoftheharbourfortheirvoyageoffourorfivehours,atwhoseendingshewouldhavetotellherstrangestory.
　　AsPen-zephyrandallitsenvironingscenesdisappearedbehindMouseholeandSt.Clement'sIsle,Baptista'sephemeral,meteor-likehusbandimpressedheryetmoreasafantasy.Shewasstillinsuchatrance-likestatethatshehadbeenanhouronthelittlepacket-boatbeforeshebecameawareoftheagitatingfactthatMr.Heddeganwasonboardwithher.Involuntarilysheslippedfromherlefthandthesymbolofherwifehood.
　　'Hee-hee!Well,thetruthis,Iwouldn'tinterrupt'ee."Ireckonshedon'tseeme,orwon'tseeme,"Isaid,"andwhat'sthehurry?
　　She'llseeenougho'mesoon!"Ihopeyebewell,meedeer?'
　　Hewasahale,well-conditionedmanofaboutfiveandfifty,ofthecomplexioncommontothosewhoselivesarepassedonthebluffsandbeachesofanoceanisle.Heextendedthefourquartersofhisfaceinagenialsmile,andhishandforagraspofthesamemagnitude.
　　Shegaveherowninsurpriseddocility,andhecontinued:'I
　　couldn'thelpcomingacrosstomeet'ee.WhatanunfortunatethingyoumissingtheboatandnotcomingSaturday!Theymeanttohavewarned'eethatthetimewaschanged,butforgotitatthelastmoment.ThetruthisthatIshouldhaveinformed'eemyself;butI
　　wasthatbusyfinishingupajoblastweek,soastohavethisweekfree,thatItrustedtoyourfatherforattendingtotheselittlethings.However,soplainandquietasitisalltobe,itreallydonotmattersomuchasitmightotherwisehavedone,andIhopeyehaven'tbeengreatlyputout.Now,ifyou'dsoonerthatIshouldnotbeseentalkingto'ee——if'eefeelshyatallbeforestrangers——justsay.I'llleave'eetoyourselftillwegethome.'
　　'Thankyoumuch.Iamindeedalittletired,Mr.Heddegan.'
　　Henoddedurbaneacquiescence,strolledawayimmediately,andminutelyinspectedthesurfaceofthefunnel,tillsomefemalepassengersofGiant'sTowntitteredatwhattheymusthavethoughtarebuff——fortheapproachingweddingwasknowntomanyonSt.Maria'sIsland,thoughtonobodyelsewhere.Baptistacolouredattheirsatire,andcalledhimback,andforcedherselftocommunewithhiminatleastamechanicallyfriendlymanner.
　　Theopeningeventhadbeenthusdifferentfromherexpectation,andshehadadumbratednoacttomeetit.Takenabackshepassivelyallowedcircumstancestopilotheralong;andsothevoyagewasmade.
　　ItwasnearduskwhentheytouchedthepierofGiant'sTown,whereseveralfriendsandneighboursstoodawaitingthem.Herfatherhadalanterninhishand.Hermother,too,wasthere,reproachfullygladthatthedelayhadatlastendedsosimply.Mrs.TrewthenandherdaughterwenttogetheralongtheGiant'sWalk,orpromenade,tothehouse,ratherinadvanceofherhusbandandMr.Heddegan,whotalkedinloudtoneswhichreachedthewomenovertheirshoulders.
　　SomewouldhavecalledMrs.Trewthenagoodmother;butthoughwellmeaningshewasmaladroit,andherintentionsmissedtheirmark.
　　Thismighthavebeenpartlyattributabletotheslightdeafnessfromwhichshesuffered.Now,asusual,thechiefutterancescamefromherlips.
　　'Ah,yes,I'msoglad,mychild,thatyou'vegotoversafe.Itisallready,andeverythingsowellarranged,thatnothingbutmisfortunecouldhinderyousettlingas,withGod'sgrace,becomes'ee.Closetoyourmother'sdoora'most,'twillbeagreatblessing,I'msure;andIwasverygladtofindfromyourlettersthatyou'dheldyourwordsacred.That'sright——makeyourwordyourbondalways.Mrs.Waceseemstobeasensiblewoman.IhopetheLordwilldoforherashe'sdoingforyounolongtimehence.Andhowdid'eegetovertheterriblejourneyfromTor-upon-SeatoPen-
　　zephyr?Onceyou'ddonewiththerailway,ofcourse,youseemedquiteathome.Well,Baptista,conductyourselfseemly,andallwillbewell.'
　　Thusadmonished,Baptistaenteredthehouse,herfatherandMr.
　　Heddeganimmediatelyatherback.Hermotherhadbeensodidacticthatshehadfeltherselfabsolutelyunabletobroachthesubjectsinthecentreofhermind.
　　Thefamiliarroom,withthedarkceiling,thewell-spreadtable,theoldchairs,hadneverbeforespokensoeloquentlyofthetimesereshekneworhadheardofCharleyStow.Shewentupstairstotakeoffherthings,hermotherremainingbelowtocompletethedispositionofthesupper,andattendtothepreparationofto-morrow'smeal,altogethercomposingsuchanarrayofpies,frompiesoffishtopiesofturnips,aswasneverheardofoutsidetheWesternDuchy.
　　Baptista,oncealone,satdownanddidnothing;andwascalledbeforeshehadtakenoffherbonnet.
　　'I'mcoming,'shecried,jumpingup,andspeedilydisapparellingherself,brushedherhairwithafewtouchesandwentdown.
　　TwoorthreeofMr.Heddegan'sandherfather'sfriendshaddroppedin,andexpressedtheirsympathyforthedelayshehadbeensubjectedto.ThemealwasamostmerryoneexcepttoBaptista.Shehaddesiredprivacy,andtherewasnone;andtobreakthenewswasalreadyagreaterdifficultythanithadbeenatfirst.Everythingaroundher,animateandinanimate,greatandsmall,insistedthatshehadcomehometobemarried;andshecouldnotgetachancetosaynay.
　　Oneortwopeoplesangsongs,asoverturestothemelodyofthemorrow,tillatlengthbedtimecame,andtheyallwithdrew,hermotherhavingretiredalittleearlier.WhenBaptistafoundherselfagainaloneinherbedroomthecasestoodasbefore:shehadcomehomewithmuchtosay,andshehadsaidnothing.
　　ItwasnowgrowingcleareventoherselfthatCharlesbeingdead,shehadnotdeterminationsufficientwithinhertobreaktidingswhich,hadhebeenalive,wouldhaveimperativelyannouncedthemselves.Andthuswiththestrokeofmidnightcametheturningofthescale;herstoryshouldremainuntold.Itwasnotthatuponthewholeshethoughtitbestnottoattempttotellit;butthatshecouldnotundertakesoexplosiveamatter.TostoptheweddingnowwouldcauseaconvulsioninGiant'sTownlittleshortofvolcanic.Weakened,tired,andterrifiedasshehadbeenbytheday'sadventures,shecouldnotmakeherselftheauthorofsuchacatastrophe.ButhowrefuseHeddeganwithouttelling?ItreallyseemedtoherasifhermarriagewithMr.Heddeganwereabouttotakeplaceasifnothinghadintervened.
　　Morningcame.Theeventsofthepreviousdayswerecutofffromherpresentexistencebysceneandsentimentmorecompletelythanever.
　　CharlesStowhadgrowntobeaspecialbeingofwhom,owingtohischaracter,sheentertainedratherfearfulthanlovingmemory.
　　Baptistacouldhearwhensheawokethatherparentswerealreadymovingaboutdownstairs.Butshedidnotrisetillhermother'sratherroughvoiceresoundedupthestaircaseasithaddoneontheprecedingevening.
　　'Baptista!Come,timetobestirring!Themanwillbehere,byheaven'sblessing,inthree-quartersofanhour.Hehaslookedinalreadyforaminuteortwo——andsayshe'sgoingtothechurchtoseeifthingsbewellforward.'
　　Baptistaarose,lookedoutofthewindow,andtooktheeasycourse.
　　Whensheemergedfromtheregionsaboveshewasarrayedinhernewsilkfrockandbeststockings,wearingalinenjacketovertheformerforbreakfasting,andhercommonslippersoverthelatter,nottospoilthenewonesontheroughprecinctsofthedwelling.
　　Itisunnecessarytodwellatanygreatlengthonthispartofthemorning'sproceedings.Sherevealednothing;andmarriedHeddegan,asshehadgivenherwordtodo,onthatappointedAugustday.
　　CHAPTERV
　　Mr.Heddeganforgavethecoldnessofhisbride'smannerduringandaftertheweddingceremony,fullwellawarethattherehadbeenconsiderablereluctanceonherparttoacquiesceinthisneighbourlyarrangement,and,asaphilosopheroflongstanding,holdingthatwhateverBaptista'sattitudenow,theconditionswouldprobablybemuchthesamesixmonthshenceasthosewhichruledamongothermarriedcouples.
　　AnabsolutelyunexpectedshockwasgiventoBaptista'slistlessmindaboutanhouraftertheweddingservice.Theyhadnearlyfinishedthemid-daydinnerwhenthenowhusbandsaidtoherfather,'Wethinkofstartingabouttwo.AndthebreezebeingsofairweshallbringupinsidePen-zephyrnewpieraboutsixatleast.'
　　'What——arewegoingtoPen-zephyr?'saidBaptista.'Idon'tknowanythingofit.'
　　'Didn'tyoutellher?'askedherfatherofHeddegan.
　　Ittranspiredthat,owingtothedelayinherarrival,thisproposaltoo,amongotherthings,hadinthehurrynotbeenmentionedtoher,exceptsometimeagoasageneralsuggestionthattheywouldgosomewhere.Heddeganhadimaginedthatanytripwouldbepleasant,andonetothemainlandthepleasantestofall.
　　Shelookedsodistressedattheannouncementthatherhusbandwillinglyofferedtogiveitup,thoughhehadnothadaholidayofftheislandforawholeyear.ThensheponderedontheinconvenienceofstayingatGiant'sTown,wherealltheinhabitantswerebonded,bythecircumstancesoftheirsituation,intoasortoffamilyparty,whichpermittedandencouragedonsuchoccasionsastheseoralcriticismthatwasapttodisturbtheequanimityofnewlymarriedgirls,andwouldespeciallyworryBaptistainherstrangesituation.
　　Hence,unexpectedly,sheagreednottodisorganizeherhusband'splansfortheweddingjaunt,anditwassettledthat,asoriginallyintended,theyshouldproceedinaneighbour'ssailingboattothemetropolisofthedistrict.
　　InthiswaytheyarrivedatPen-zephyrwithoutdifficultyormishap.
　　BiddingadieutoJenkinandhisman,whohadsailedthemover,theystrolledarminarmoffthepier,Baptistasilent,cold,andobedient.HeddeganhadarrangedtotakeherasfarasPlymouthbeforetheirreturn,buttogonofurtherthanwheretheyhadlandedthatday.Theirfirstbusinesswastofindaninn;andinthistheyhadunexpecteddifficulty,sinceforsomereasonorother——possiblythefineweather——manyofthenearestathandwerefulloftouristsandcommercialtravellers.Heledherontillhereachedatavernwhich,thoughcomparativelyunpretending,stoodinasattractiveaspotasanyinthetown;andthis,somewhattotheirsurpriseaftertheirpreviousexperience,theyfoundapparentlyempty.Theconsiderateoldman,thinkingthatBaptistawaseducatedtoartisticnotions,thoughhehimselfwasdeficientinthem,haddecidedthatitwasmostdesirabletohave,onsuchanoccasionasthepresent,anapartmentwith'agoodview'theexpressionbeingonehehadoftenheardinuseamongtourists;andhethereforeaskedforafavouriteroomonthefirstfloor,fromwhichabow-windowprotruded,fortheexpresspurposeofaffordingsuchanoutlook.
　　Thelandlady,aftersomehesitation,saidshewassorrythatparticularapartmentwasengaged;thenextone,however,oranyotherinthehouse,wasunoccupied.
　　'Thegentlemanwhohasthebestonewillgiveitupto-morrow,andthenyoucanchangeintoit,'sheadded,asMr.Heddeganhesitatedabouttakingtheadjoiningandlesscommandingone.
　　'Weshallbegoneto-morrow,andshan'twantit,'hesaid.
　　Wishingnottolosecustomers,thelandladyearnestlycontinuedthatsincehewasbentonhavingthebestroom,perhapstheothergentlemanwouldnotobjecttomoveatonceintotheonetheydespised,since,thoughnothingcouldbeseenfromthewindow,theroomwasequallylarge.
　　'Well,ifhedoesn'tcareforaview,'saidMr.Heddegan,withtheairofahighlyartisticmanwhodid.
　　'Ono——Iamsurehedoesn't,'shesaid.'Icanpromisethatyoushallhavetheroomyouwant.Ifyouwouldnotobjecttogoforawalkforhalfanhour,Icouldhaveitready,andyourthingsinit,andanicetealaidinthebow-windowbythetimeyoucomeback?'
　　Thisproposalwasdeemedsatisfactorybythefussyoldtradesman,andtheywentout.Baptistanervouslyconductedhiminanoppositedirectiontoherwalkoftheformerdayinothercompany,showingonherwanface,hadheobservedit,howmuchshewasbeginningtoregrethersacrificialstepformendingmattersthatmorning.
　　Shetookadvantageofamomentwhenherhusband'sbackwasturnedtoinquirecasuallyinashopifanythinghadbeenheardofthegentlemanwhowassuckeddownintheeddywhilebathing.
　　Theshopmansaid,'Yes,hisbodyhasbeenwashedashore,'andhadjusthandedBaptistaanewspaperonwhichshediscernedtheheading,'ASchoolmasterdrownedwhilebathing,'whenherhusbandturnedtojoinher.Shemighthavepursuedthesubjectwithoutraisingsuspicion;butitwasmorethanfleshandbloodcoulddo,andcompletingasmallpurchasealmostranoutoftheshop.
　　'Whatisyourterriblehurry,meedeer?'saidHeddegan,hasteningafter.
　　'Idon'tknow——Idon'twanttostayinshops,'shegasped.
　　'Andwewon't,'hesaid.'Theyaresuffocatingthisweather.Let'sgobackandhavesometay!'
　　Theyfoundthemuchdesiredapartmentawaitingtheirentry.Itwasasortofcombinationbedandsitting-room,andthetablewasprettilyspreadwithhighteainthebow-window,abunchofflowersinthemidst,andabest-parlourchaironeachside.Heretheysharedthemealbytheruddylightofthevanishingsun.Butthoughtheviewhadbeenengaged,regardlessofexpense,exclusivelyforBaptista'spleasure,shedidnotdirectanykeenattentionoutofthewindow.
　　Hergazeasoftenfellonthefloorandwallsoftheroomaselsewhere,andonthetableasmuchasoneither,beholdingnothingatall.
　　Buttherewasachange.Oppositeherseatwasthedoor,uponwhichhereyespresentlybecamerivetedlikethoseofalittlebirduponasnake.For,onapegatthebackofthedoor,therehungahat;suchahat——surely,fromitspeculiarmake,theactualhat——thathadbeenwornbyCharles.Convictiongrewtocertaintywhenshesawarailwayticketstickingupfromtheband.Charleshadputtheticketthere——
　　shehadnoticedtheact.
　　Herteethalmostchattered;shemurmuredsomethingincoherent.Herhusbandjumpedupandsaid,'Youarenotwell!Whatisit?WhatshallIget'ee?'
　　'Smellingsalts!'shesaid,quicklyanddesperately;'atthatchemist'sshopyouwereinjustnow.'
　　Hejumpedupliketheanxiousoldmanthathewas,caughtuphisownhatfromabacktable,andwithoutobservingtheotherhastenedoutanddownstairs.
　　Leftaloneshegazedandgazedatthebackofthedoor,thenspasmodicallyrangthebell.Anhonest-lookingcountrymaid-servantappearedinresponse.
　　'Ahat!'murmuredBaptista,pointingwithherfinger.'Itdoesnotbelongtous.'
　　'Oyes,I'lltakeitaway,'saidtheyoungwomanwithsomehurry.
　　'Itbelongstotheothergentleman.'
　　Shespokewithacertainawkwardness,andtookthehatoutoftheroom.Baptistahadrecoveredheroutwardcomposure.'Theothergentleman?'shesaid.'Whereistheothergentleman?'
　　'He'sinthenextroom,ma'am.Heremovedoutofthistooblige'ee.'
　　'Howcanyousayso?Ishouldhearhimifhewerethere,'saidBaptista,sufficientlyrecoveredtoarguedownanapparentuntruth.
　　'He'sthere,'saidthegirl,hardily.
　　'Thenitisstrangethathemakesnonoise,'saidMrs.Heddegan,convictingthegirloffalsitybyalook.
　　'Hemakesnonoise;butitisnotstrange,'saidtheservant.
　　Allatonceadreadtookpossessionofthebride'sheart,likeacoldhandlaidthereon;foritflasheduponherthattherewasapossibilityofreconcilingthegirl'sstatementwithherownknowledgeoffacts.
　　'Whydoeshemakenonoise?'sheweaklysaid.
　　Thewaiting-maidwassilent,andlookedatherquestioner.'IfI
　　tellyou,ma'am,youwon'ttellmissis?'shewhispered.
　　Baptistapromised.
　　'Becausehe'sa-lyingdead!'saidthegirl.'He'stheschoolmasterthatwasdrowndedyesterday.'
　　'O!'saidthebride,coveringhereyes.'Thenhewasinthisroomtilljustnow?'
　　'Yes,'saidthemaid,thinkingtheyounglady'sagitationnaturalenough.'AndItoldmissisthatIthoughtsheoughtn'ttohavedoneit,becauseIdon'tholditrighttokeepvisitorssomuchinthedarkwheredeath'sconcerned;butshesaidthegentlemandidn'tdieofanythinginfectious;shewasapoor,honest,innkeeper'swife,shesays,whohadtogetherlivingbymakinghaywhilethesunsheened.
　　Andowingtothedrowndedgentlemanbeingbroughthere,shesaid,itkeptsomanypeopleawaythatwewereempty,thoughalltheotherhouseswerefull.Sowhenyourgoodmansethismindupontheroom,andshewouldhavelostgoodpayingfolkifhe'dnothadit,itwasn'ttobesupposed,shesaid,thatshe'dletanythingstandintheway.Yewon'tsaythatI'vetoldye,please,m'm?Allthelinenhasbeenchanged,andastheinquestwon'tbetillto-morrow,afteryouaregone,shethoughtyouwouldn'tknowawordofit,beingstrangershere.'
　　Thereturningfootstepsofherhusbandbrokeofffurthernarration.
　　Baptistawavedherhand,forshecouldnotspeak.Thewaiting-maidquicklywithdrew,andMr.Heddeganenteredwiththesmellingsaltsandothernostrums.
　　'Anybetter?'hequestioned.
　　'Idon'tlikethehotel,'sheexclaimed,almostsimultaneously.'I
　　can'tbearit——itdoesn'tsuitme!'
　　'Isthatallthat'sthematter?'hereturnedpettishlythisbeingthefirsttimeofhisshowingsuchamood.'Uponmyheartandlifesuchtriflingistryingtoanyman'stemper,Baptista!Sendingmeaboutfromheretoyond,andthenwhenIcomebacksaying'eedon'tliketheplacethatIhavesunksomuchmoneyandwordstogetfor'ee.'Oddangitall,'tisenoughto——ButIwon'tsayanymoreatpresent,meedeer,thoughitisjusttoomuchtoexpecttoturnoutofthehousenow.Weshan'tgetanotherquietplaceatthistimeoftheevening——everyotherinninthetownisbustlingwithracketyfolkofonesortandt'other,whilehere'tisasquietasthegrave——
　　thecountry,Iwouldsay.Sobidestill,d'yehear,andto-morrowweshallbeoutofthetownaltogether——asearlyasyoulike.'
　　Theobstinacyofagehad,inshort,overmastereditscomplaisance,andtheyoungwomansaidnomore.Thesimplecourseoftellinghimthatintheadjoiningroomlayacorpsewhichhadlatelyoccupiedtheirownmight,itwouldhaveseemed,havebeenaneffectualonewithoutfurtherdisclosure,buttoalludetothatsubject,howeveritwasdisguised,wasmorethanHeddegan'syoungwifehadstrengthfor.
　　Horrorbrokeherdown.Inthecontingencyonethingonlypresenteditselftoherparalyzedregard——thathereshewasdoomedtoabide,inahideouscontiguitytothedeadhusbandandtheliving,andherconjecturedid,infact,bearitselfout.Thatnightshelaybetweenthetwomenshehadmarried——Heddeganontheonehand,andontheotherthroughthepartitionagainstwhichthebedstood,CharlesStow.
　　CHAPTERVI
　　KindlytimehadwithdrawntheforegoingeventthreedaysfromthepresentofBaptistaHeddegan.Itwasteno'clockinthemorning;shehadbeenill,notinanordinaryordefinitesense,butinastateofcoldstupefaction,fromwhichitwasdifficulttoarousehersomuchastosayafewsentences.Whenquestionedshehadrepliedthatshewasprettywell.
　　Theirtrip,assuch,hadbeensomethingofafailure.TheyhadgoneonasfarasFalmouth,butherehehadgivenwaytoherentreatiestoreturnhome.ThistheycouldnotverywelldowithoutrepassingthroughPen-zephyr,atwhichplacetheyhadnowagainarrived.
　　Inthetrainshehadseenaweeklylocalpaper,andreadthereaparagraphdetailingtheinquestonCharles.ItwasaddedthatthefuneralwastotakeplaceathisnativetownofRedrutinonFriday.
　　Afterreadingthisshehadshownnoreluctancetoenterthefatalneighbourhoodofthetragedy,onlystipulatingthattheyshouldtaketheirrestatadifferentlodgingfromthefirst;andnowcomparativelybracedupandcalm——indeedacoolercreaturealtogetherthanwhenlastinthetown,shesaidtoDavidthatshewantedtowalkoutforawhile,astheyhadplentyoftimeontheirhands.
　　'Toashopasusual,Isuppose,meedeer?'
　　'Partlyforshopping,'shesaid.'Anditwillbebestforyou,dear,tostayinaftertrottingaboutsomuch,andhaveagoodrestwhileI
　　amgone.'
　　Heassented;andBaptistasalliedforth.Asshehadstated,herfirstvisitwasmadetoashop,adraper's.Withouttheexerciseofmuchchoiceshepurchasedablackbonnetandveil,alsoablackstuffgown;ablackmantleshealreadywore.Thesearticlesweremadeupintoaparcelwhich,inspiteofthesaleswoman'soffers,hercustomersaidshewouldtakewithher.Bearingitonherarmsheturnedtotherailway,andatthestationgotaticketforRedrutin.
　　Thusitappearedthat,onherrecoveryfromtheparalyzedmoodoftheformerday,whileshehadresolvednottoblastutterlythehappinessofherpresenthusbandbyrevealingthehistoryofthedepartedone,shehadalsodeterminedtoindulgeacertainodd,inconsequent,femininesentimentofdecency,tothesmallextenttowhichitcoulddonoharmtoanyperson.AtRedrutinsheemergedfromtherailwaycarriageintheblackattirepurchasedattheshop,havingduringthetransitmadethechangeintheemptycompartmentshehadchosen.Theotherclotheswerenowinthebandboxandparcel.Leavingtheseatthecloak-roomsheproceededonward,andafterawarysurveyreachedthesideofahillwhenceaviewoftheburialgroundcouldbeobtained.
　　Itwasnowalittlebeforetwoo'clock.WhileBaptistawaitedafuneralprocessionascendedtheroad.Baptistahastenedacross,andbythetimetheprocessionenteredthecemeterygatesshehadunobtrusivelyjoinedit.
　　Inadditiontotheschoolmaster'sownrelativesnotafew,theparagraphinthenewspapersofhisdeathbydrowninghaddrawntogethermanyneighbours,acquaintances,andonlookers.Amongthemshepassedunnoticed,andwithaquietsteppursuedthewindingpathtothechapel,andafterwardsthencetothegrave.Whenallwasover,andtherelativesandidlershadwithdrawn,shesteppedtotheedgeofthechasm.Frombeneathhermantleshedrewalittlebunchofforget-me-nots,anddroppedtheminuponthecoffin.Inafewminutesshealsoturnedandwentawayfromthecemetery.Byfiveo'clockshewasagaininPen-zephyr.
　　'Youhavebeenamortallongtime!'saidherhusband,crossly.'I
　　allowedyouanhouratmost,meedeer.'
　　'Itoccupiedmelonger,'saidshe.
　　'Well——Ireckonitiswastingwordstocomplain.Hangit,yelooksotiredandwishtthatIcan'tfindhearttosaywhatIwould!'
　　'Iam——wearyandwisht,David;Iam.Wecangethometo-morrowforcertain,Ihope?'
　　'Wecan.AndpleaseGodwewill!'saidMr.Heddeganheartily,asifhetoowerewearyofhisbriefhoneymoon.'ImustbeintobusinessagainonMondaymorningatlatest.'
　　Theyleftbythenextmorningsteamer,andintheafternoontookuptheirresidenceintheirownhouseatGiant'sTown.
　　ThehourthatshereachedtheislanditwasasifamaterialweighthadbeenremovedfromBaptista'sshoulders.Herhusbandattributedthechangetotheinfluenceofthelocalbreezesafterthehot-houseatmosphereofthemainland.Howeverthatmightbe,settledhere,afewdoorsfromhermother'sdwelling,sherecoveredinnoverylongtimemuchofhercustomarybearing,whichwasneververydemonstrative.Sheacceptedherpositioncalmly,andfaintlysmiledwhenherneighbourslearnedtocallherMrs.Heddegan,andsaidsheseemedlikelytobecometheleaderoffashioninGiant'sTown.
　　Herhusbandwasamanwhohadmadeconsiderablymoremoneybytradethanherfatherhaddone:andperhapsthegreaterprofusionofsurroundingsathercommandthanshehadheretoforebeenmistressof,wasnotwithoutaneffectuponher.Oneweek,twoweeks,threeweekspassed;and,beingpre-eminentlyayoungwomanwhoallowedthingstodrift,shedidnothingwhatevereithertodiscloseorconcealtracesofherfirstmarriage;ortolearnifthereexistedpossibilities——
　　whichthereundoubtedlydid——bywhichthathastycontractmightbecomerevealedtothoseaboutheratanyunexpectedmoment.
　　Whileyetwithinthefirstmonthofhermarriage,andonaneveningjustbeforesunset,Baptistawasstandingwithinhergardenadjoiningthehouse,whenshesawpassingalongtheroadapersonagecladinagreasyblackcoatandbatteredtallhat,which,commonenoughintheslumsofacity,hadanoddappearanceinSt.Maria's.Thetramp,asheseemedtobe,markedheratonce——bonnetlessandunwrappedasshewasherfeatureswereplainlyrecognizable——andwithanairoffriendlysurprisecameandleantoverthewall.
　　'What!don'tyouknowme?'saidhe.
　　Shehadsomedimrecollectionofhisface,butsaidthatshewasnotacquaintedwithhim.
　　'Why,yourwitnesstobesure,ma'am.Don'tyoumindthemanthatwasmendingthechurch-windowwhenyouandyourintendedhusbandwalkeduptobemadeone;andtheclerkcalledmedownfromtheladder,andIcameanddidmypartbywritingmynameandoccupation?'
　　Baptistaglancedquicklyaround;herhusbandwasoutofearshot.
　　ThatwouldhavebeenoflessimportancebutforthefactthattheweddingwitnessedbythispersonagehadnotbeentheweddingwithMr.
　　Heddegan,buttheoneonthedayprevious.
　　'I'vehadamisfortunesincethen,that'spulledmeunder,'continuedherfriend.'Butdon'tletmedampyerweddedjoybynamingtheparticulars.Yes,I'veseenchangessince;though'tisbutashorttimeago——letmesee,onlyamonthnextweek,Ithink;for'twerethefirstorseconddayinAugust.'
　　'Yes——that'swhenitwas,'saidanotherman,asailor,whohadcomeupwithapipeinhismouth,andfeltitnecessarytojoininBaptistahavingrecededtoescapefurtherspeech.'ForthatwasthefirsttimeIsetfootinGiant'sTown;andherhusbandtookhertohimthesameday.'
　　Adialoguethenproceededbetweenthetwomenoutsidethewall,whichBaptistacouldnothelphearing.
　　'Ay,Isignedthebookthatmadeheroneflesh,'repeatedthedecayedglazier.'Where'shergoodman?'
　　'Aboutthepremisessomewhere;butyoudon'tsee'emtogethermuch,'
　　repliedthesailorinanundertone.'Yousee,he'solderthanshe.'
　　'Older?Ishouldneverhavethoughtitfrommyownobservation,'
　　saidtheglazier.'Hewasaremarkablyhandsomeman.'
　　'Handsome?Well,thereheis——wecanseeforourselves.'
　　DavidHeddeganhad,indeed,justshownhimselfattheupperendofthegarden;andtheglazier,lookinginbewildermentfromthehusbandtothewife,sawthelatterturnpale.
　　Nowthatdecayedglazierwasafar-seeingandcunningman——toofar-
　　seeingandcunningtoallowhimselftothrivebysimpleandstraightforwardmeans——andheheldhispeace,tillhecouldreadmoreplainlythemeaningofthisriddle,merelyaddingcarelessly,'Well——
　　marriagedoalteraman,'tistrue.Ishouldneverha'knowedhim!'
　　HethenstaredoddlyatthedisconcertedBaptista,andmovingontowherehecouldagainaddressher,askedhertodohimagoodturn,sinceheoncehaddonethesameforher.Understandingthathemeantmoney,shehandedhimsome,atwhichhethankedher,andinstantlywentaway.
　　CHAPTERVII
　　Shehadescapedexposureonthisoccasion;buttheincidenthadbeenanawkwardone,andshouldhavesuggestedtoBaptistathatsoonerorlaterthesecretmustleakout.Asitwas,shesuspectedthatatanyrateshehadnotheardthelastoftheglazier.
　　Inadayortwo,whenherhusbandhadgonetotheoldtownontheothersideoftheisland,therecameagentletapatthedoor,andtheworthywitnessofherfirstmarriagemadehisappearanceasecondtime.
　　'Ittookmehourstogettothebottomofthemystery——hours!'hesaidwithagazeofdeepconfederacywhichoffendedherprideverydeeply.'ButthankstoagoodintellectI'vedoneit.Now,ma'am,I'mnotamantotelltales,evenwhenatalewouldbesogoodasthis.ButI'mgoingbacktothemainlandagain,andalittleassistancewouldbeasrainonthirstyground.'
　　'Ihelpedyoutwodaysago,'beganBaptista.
　　'Yes——butwhatwasthat,mygoodlady?NotenoughtopaymypassagetoPen-zephyr.Icameoveronyouraccount,forIthoughttherewasamysterysomewhere.NowImustgobackonmyown.Mindthis——
　　'twouldbeveryawkwardforyouifyouroldmanweretoknow.He'saqueertemper,thoughhemaybefond.'
　　Sheknewaswellashervisitorhowawkwarditwouldbe;andthehush-moneyshepaidwasheavythatday.Shehad,however,thesatisfactionofwatchingthemantothesteamer,andseeinghimdiminishoutofsight.ButBaptistaperceivedthatthesystemintowhichshehadbeenledofpurchasingsilencethuswasonefataltoherpeaceofmind,particularlyifithadtobecontinued.
　　Hearingnomorefromtheglaziershehopedthedifficultywaspast.
　　Butanotherweekonlyhadgoneby,when,asshewaspacingtheGiant'sWalkthenamegiventothepromenade,shemetthesamepersonageinthecompanyofafatwomancarryingabundle.
　　'Thisisthelady,mydear,'hesaidtohiscompanion.'This,ma'am,ismywife.We'vecometosettleinthetownforatime,ifsobewecanfindroom.'
　　'Thatyouwon'tdo,'saidshe.'Nobodycanliveherewhoisnotprivileged.'
　　'Iamprivileged,'saidtheglazier,'bymytrade.'
　　Baptistawenton,butintheafternoonshereceivedavisitfromtheman'swife.Thishonestwomanbegantodepict,inforciblecolours,thenecessityforkeepinguptheconcealment.
　　'Iwillintercedewithmyhusband,ma'am,'shesaid.'He'satruemanifrightlymanaged;andI'llbeghimtoconsideryourposition.
　　'Tisaverynicehouseyou'vegothere,'sheadded,glancinground,'andwellworthalittlesacrificetokeepit.'
　　TheunluckyBaptistastavedoffthedangeronthisthirdoccasionasshehaddoneontheprevioustwo.Butsheformedaresolvethat,iftheattackwereoncemoretoberepeatedshewouldfacearevelation——
　　worsethoughthatmustnowbethanbeforeshehadattemptedtopurchasesilencebybribes.Hertormentors,neverbelievinghercapableofactinguponsuchanintention,cameagain;butsheshutthedoorintheirfaces.Theyretreated,mutteringsomething;butshewenttothebackofthehouse,whereDavidHeddeganwas.
　　Shelookedathim,unconsciousofall.Thecasewasserious;sheknewthatwell;andallthemoreseriousinthatshelikedhimbetternowthanshehaddoneatfirst.Yet,assheherselfbegantosee,thesecretwasonethatwassuretodiscloseitself.HernameandCharles'sstoodindeliblywrittenintheregisters;andthoughamonthonlyhadpassedasyetitwasawonderthathisclandestineunionwithherhadnotalreadybeendiscoveredbyhisfriends.Thusspurringherselftotheinevitable,shespoketoHeddegan.
　　'David,comeindoors.Ihavesomethingtotellyou.'
　　Hehardlyregardedheratfirst.Shehaddiscernedthatduringthelastweekortwohehadseemedpreoccupied,asifsomeprivatebusinessharassedhim.Sherepeatedherrequest.Herepliedwithasigh,'Yes,certainly,meedeer.'
　　Whentheyhadreachedthesitting-roomandshutthedoorsherepeated,faintly,'David,Ihavesomethingtotellyou——asortoftragedyIhaveconcealed.Youwillhatemeforhavingsofardeceivedyou;butperhapsmytellingyouvoluntarilywillmakeyouthinkalittlebetterofmethanyouwoulddootherwise.'
　　'Tragedy?'hesaid,awakeningtointerest.'Muchyoucanknowabouttragedies,meedeer,thathavebeenintheworldsoshortatime!'
　　Shesawthathesuspectednothing,anditmadehertasktheharder.
　　Butonshewentsteadily.'Itisaboutsomethingthathappenedbeforeweweremarried,'shesaid.
　　'Indeed!'
　　'Notaverylongtimebefore——ashorttime.Anditisaboutalover,'shefaltered.
　　'Idon'tmuchmindthat,'hesaidmildly.'Intruth,Iwasinhopes'twasmore.'
　　'Inhopes!'
　　'Well,yes.'
　　Thisscrewedheruptothenecessaryeffort.'Imetmyoldsweetheart.Hescornedme,chidme,daredme,andIwentandmarriedhim.Wewerecomingstraightheretotellyouallwhatwehaddone;
　　buthewasdrowned;andIthoughtIwouldsaynothingabouthim:andImarriedyou,David,forthesakeofpeaceandquietness.I'vetriedtokeepitfromyou,buthavefoundIcannot.There——that'sthesubstanceofit,andyoucannever,neverforgiveme,Iamsure!'
　　Shespokedesperately.Buttheoldman,insteadofturningblackorblue,orslayingherinhisindignation,jumpedupfromhischair,andbegantocaperaroundtheroominquiteanecstaticemotion.
　　'O,happything!Howwellitfallsout!'heexclaimed,snappinghis,fingersoverhishead.'Ha-ha——theknotiscut——Iseeawayoutofmytrouble——ha-ha!'Shelookedathimwithoututteringasound,till,ashestillcontinuedsmilingjoyfully,shesaid,'O——whatdoyoumean!Isitdonetotormentme?'
　　'No——no!O,meedeer,yourstoryhelpsmeoutofthemostheart-
　　achingquandaryapoormaneverfoundhimselfin!Yousee,itisthis——I'VEgotatragedy,too;andunlessyouhadhadonetotell,I
　　couldneverhaveseenmywaytotellmine!'
　　'Whatisyours——whatisit?'sheasked,withaltogetheranewviewofthings.
　　'Well——itisabouncer;mineisabouncer!'saidhe,lookingonthegroundandwipinghiseyes.
　　'Notworsethanmine?'
　　'Well——thatdependsuponhowyoulookatit.Yourshadtodowiththepastalone;andIdon'tmindit.Yousee,we'vebeenmarriedamonth,anditdon'tjaruponmeasitwouldifwe'donlybeenmarriedadayortwo.Nowminereferstopast,present,andfuture;sothat——
　　'
　　'Past,present,andfuture!'shemurmured.'ItneveroccurredtomethatYOUhadatragedy,too.'
　　'ButIhave!'hesaid,shakinghishead.'Infact,four.'
　　'Thentell'em!'criedtheyoungwoman.
　　'Iwill——Iwill.Butbeconsiderate,Ibeg'ee,meedeer.Well——I
　　wasn'tabachelorwhenImarried'ee,anymorethanyouwereaspinster.Justasyouwasawidow-woman,Iwasawidow-man.
　　'Ah!'saidshe,withsomesurprise.'Butisthatall?——thenwearenicelybalanced,'sheadded,relieved.
　　'No——itisnotall.There'sthepoint.Iamnotonlyawidower.'
　　'O,David!'
　　'Iamawidowerwithfourtragedies——thatistosay,fourstrappinggirls——theeldesttallerthanyou.Don't'eelooksostruck——dumb-
　　like!Itfelloutinthisway.Iknewthepoorwoman,theirmother,inPen-zephyrforsomeyears;and——tocutalongstoryshort——I
　　privatelymarriedheratlast,justbeforeshedied.Ikeptthemattersecret,butitisgettingknownamongthepeopleherebydegrees.I'velongfeltforthechildren——thatitismydutytohavethemhere,anddosomethingforthem.Ihavenothadcouragetobreakitto'ee,butI'veseenlatelythatitwouldsooncometoyourears,andthathevworriedme.'
　　'Aretheyeducated?'saidtheex-schoolmistress.
　　'No.Iamsorrytosaytheyhavebeenmuchneglected;intruth,theycanhardlyread.AndsoIthoughtthatbymarryingayoungschoolmistressIshouldgetsomeoneinthehousewhocouldteach'em,andbring'emintogenteelcondition,allfornothing.Yousee,theyaregroweduptootalltobesenttoschool.'
　　'O,mercy!'shealmostmoaned.'Fourgreatgirlstoteachtherudimentsto,andhavealwaysinthehousewithmespellingovertheirbooks;andIhateteaching,itkillsme.Iambitterlypunished——Iam,Iam!'
　　'You'llgetusedto'em,meedeer,andthebalanceofsecrets——mineagainstyours——willcomfortyourheartwithasenseofjustice.I
　　couldsendfor'emthisweekverywell——andIwill!Infaith,I
　　couldsendthisveryday.Baptista,youhaverelievedmeofallmydifficulty!'
　　Thustheinterviewended,sofarasthismatterwasconcerned.
　　Baptistawastoostupefiedtosaymore,andwhenshewentawaytoherroomsheweptfromverymortificationatMr.Heddegan'sduplicity.
　　Education,theonethingsheabhorred;theshameofittodeludeayoungwifeso!
　　Thenextmealcameround.Astheysat,Baptistawouldnotsufferhereyestoturntowardshim.Hedidnotattempttointrudeuponherreserve,buteverynowandthenlookedunderthetableandchuckledwithsatisfactionattheaspectofaffairs.'Howverywellmatchedwebe!'hesaid,comfortably.
　　Nextday,whenthesteamercamein,Baptistasawherhusbandrushdowntomeetit;andsoonafterthereappearedatherdoorfourtall,hipless,shoulderlessgirls,dwindlinginheightandsizefromtheeldesttotheyoungest,likearowofPanpipes;attheheadofthemstandingHeddegan.Hesmiledpleasantlythroughthegreyfringeofhiswhiskersandbeard,andturningtothegirlssaid,'Nowcomeforrard,andshakehandsproperlywithyourstepmother.'
　　Thusshemadetheiracquaintance,andhewentout,leavingthemtogether.Onexaminationthepoorgirlsturnedouttobenotonlyplain-looking,whichshecouldhaveforgiven,buttohavesuchalamentablymeagreintellectualequipmentastobehopelesslyinadequateascompanions.Eventheeldest,almostherownage,couldonlyreadwithdifficultywordsoftwosyllables;andtasteindresswasbeyondtheircomprehension.Inthelongvistaoffutureyearsshesawnothingbutdrearydrudgeryatherdetestedoldtradewithoutprospectofreward.
　　Shewentaboutquitedespairingduringthenextfewdays——anunpromising,unfortunatemoodforawomanwhohadnotbeenmarriedsixweeks.Fromherparentssheconcealedeverything.TheyhadbeenamongstthefewacquaintancesofHeddeganwhoknewnothingofhissecret,andwereindignantenoughwhentheysawsuchaready-madehouseholdfoistedupontheironlychild.Butshewouldnotsupportthemintheirremonstrances.
　　'No,youdon'tyetknowall,'shesaid.
　　ThusBaptistahadsenseenoughtoseetheretributivefairnessofthisissue.Forsometime,wheneverconversationarosebetweenherandHeddegan,whichwasnotoften,shealwayssaid,'Iammiserable,andyouknowit.YetIdon'twishthingstobeotherwise.'
　　Butonedaywhenheasked,'Howdoyoulike'emnow?'heranswerwasunexpected.'MuchbetterthanIdid,'shesaid,quietly.'Imaylikethemverymuchsomeday.'
　　ThiswasthebeginningofaserenerseasonforthechastenedspiritofBaptistaHeddegan.Shehad,intruth,discovered,underneaththecrustofuncouthnessandmeagrearticulationwhichwasduetotheirTroglodyteanexistence,thatherunwelcomeddaughtershadnaturesthatwereunselfishalmosttosublimity.Theharshdisciplineaccordedtotheiryounglivesbeforetheirmother'swronghadbeenrighted,hadoperatedlesstocrushthemthantoliftthemaboveallpersonalambition.Theyconsideredtheworldanditscontentsinapurelyobjectiveway,andtheirownlotseemedonlytoaffectthemasthatofcertainhumanbeingsamongtherest,whosetroublestheyknewratherthansuffered.
　　ThiswassuchanentirelynewwayofregardinglifetoawomanofBaptista'snature,thatherattention,frombeingfirstarrestedbyit,becamedeeplyinterested.Byimperceptiblepulsesherheartexpandedinsympathywiththeirs.Thesentencesofhertragi-comedy,herlife,confusedtillnow,becameclearerdaily.Thatinhumanity,asexemplifiedbythesegirls,therewasnothingtodislike,butinfinitelymuchtopity,shelearntwiththelapseofeachweekintheircompany.Shegrewtolikethegirlsofunpromisingexterior,andfromlikingshegottolovethem;tilltheyformedanunexpectedpointofjunctionbetweenherownandherhusband'sinterests,generatingasterlingfriendshipatleast,betweenapairinwhoseexistencetherehadthreatenedtobeneitherfriendshipnorlove.
　　October,1885.