Ithaslatelybeenobjectedtome，instudiouslycourteoustermsofcourse，thatIborrowfromotherbooks，andamaplagiarist。TothisIreplythatIborrowfactsfromeveryaccessiblesource，andamnotaplagiarist。Theplagiaristisonewhoborrowsfromahomogeneouswork:forsuchamanborrowsnotideasonly，buttheirtreatment。Hewhoborrowsonlyfromheterogeneousworksisnotaplagiarist。Allfiction，worthabutton，isfoundedonfacts；anditdoesnotmatteronestrawwhetherthefactsaretakenfrompersonalexperience，hearsay，orprintedbooks；onlythosebooksmustnotbeworksoffiction。
　　Askyourcommonsensewhyamanwritesbetterfictionatfortythanhecanattwenty。Itissimplybecausehehasgatheredmorefactsfromeachofthesethreesources，——experience，hearsay，print。
　　Tothosewhohavescienceenoughtoappreciatetheabovedistinction，IamverywillingtoadmitthatinallmytalesIuseavastdealofheterogeneousmaterial，whichinalifeofstudyI
　　havegatheredfrommen，journals，blue-books，histories，biographies，lawreports，etc。AndifIcould，IwouldgladlyspecifyallthevariousprintedsourcestowhichIamindebted。
　　Butmymemoryisnotequaltosuchafeat。IcanonlysaythatI
　　rarelywriteanovelwithoutmilkingabouttwohundredheterogeneouscowsintomypail，andthat"ASimpleton"isnoexceptiontomygeneralmethod；thatmethodisthetruemethod，andthebest，andifonthatmethodIdonotwriteprimenovels，itisthefaultoftheman，andnotofthemethod。
　　Igivethefollowingparticularsasanillustrationofmymethod:
　　In"ASimpleton，"thewholebusinessofthegirlspittingblood，thesurgeonascribingittotheliver，theconsultation，thefinalsolutionofthemystery，isamatterofpersonalexperienceaccuratelyrecorded。Buttherestofthemedicaltruths，bothfactandargument，areallfrommedicalbooksfartoonumeroustospecify。Thisincludesthestrangefluctuationsofmemoryinamanrecoveringhisreasonbydegrees。Thebehaviorofthedoctor'sfirsttwopatientsIhadfromasurgeon'sdaughterinPimlico。Theservant-girlandherbox；thepurple-faced，pig-facedBeakandhisjustice，arepersonalexperience。Thebusinessofhouse-renting，andtheauction-room，isalsopersonalexperience。
　　InthenauticalbusinessIhadtheassistanceoftwopracticalseamen:mybrother，WilliamBarringtonReade，andCommanderCharlesEdwardReade，R。N。
　　IntheSouthAfricanbusinessIgleanedfromMr。Day'srecenthandbooks；theoldhandbooks；Galton's"VacationTourist；""PhilipMavor；or，LifeamongtheCaffres；""Fossor；""NotesontheCapeofGoodHope，"1821；"ScenesandOccurrencesinAlbanyandCaffre-
　　land，"1827；Bowler's"SouthAfricanSketches；""ACampaigninSouthAfrica，"Lucas；"FiveYearsinCaffre-land，"Mrs。Ward；etc。，etc。，etc。ButmyprincipalobligationonthisheadistoMr。
　　Boyle，theauthorofsomeadmirableletterstotheDailytelegraph，whichheafterwardsreprintedinadelightfulvolume。Mr。Boylehasapainter'seye，andawriter'spen，andiftheAfricanscenesin"ASimpleton"pleasemyreaders，Ihopetheywillgotothefountain-head，wheretheywillfindmanymore。
　　Astotheplotandcharacters，theyareinvented。
　　Thetitle，"ASimpleton，"isnotquitenew。ThereisaFrenchplaycalledLaNiaise。ButLaNiaiseisinrealityawomanofrareintelligence，whoistakenforasimpletonbyalotofconceitedfools，andtheplayrunsontheirblunders，andherunpretendingwisdom。Thatisaveryfineplot，whichIrecommendtoourfemalenovelists。Myaiminthesepageshasbeenmuchhumbler，andis，I
　　hope，toocleartoneedexplanation。
　　CHARLESREADE。
　　ASIMPLETON。
　　CHAPTERI。
　　Ayoungladysatprickingaframedcanvasinthedrawing-roomofKentVilla，amilefromGravesend；shewasmaking，atacostoftimeandtintedwool，achaircover，admirablyunfittobesatupon——exceptbysomesevereartist，bentonobliteratingdiscordantcolors。Todoherjustice，hermindwasnotinherwork；forsherustledsoftlywithrestlessnessasshesat，andsherosethreetimesintwentyminutes，andwenttothewindow。Thenceshelookeddown，overatrimflowerylawn，andlong，slopingmeadows，ontothesilverThames，alivewithsteamboatsploughing，whitesailsbellying，andgreatshipscarryingtoandfrothetreasuresoftheglobe。Fromthisfairlandscapeandepitomeofcommercesheretiredeachtimewithlistlessdisdain；shewaswaitingforsomebody。
　　Yetshewasoneofthosewhomfewmencaretokeepwaiting。RosaLusignanwasadarkbutdazzlingbeauty，withcoal-blackhair，andgloriousdarkeyes，thatseemedtobeamwithsoulalldaylong；hereyebrows，black，straightish，andratherthick，wouldhavebeenmajesticandtoosevere，hadtheotherfeaturesfollowedsuit；butherblackbrowsweresucceededbylongsilkylashes，asweetovalface，twopoutinglipsstuddedwithivory，andanexquisitechin，asfeebleasanymancoulddesireinthepartnerofhisbosom。
　　Person——straight，elastic，andrathertall。Mind——nineteen。
　　Accomplishments——numerous；apoorFrenchscholar，aworseGerman，aworseEnglish，anadmirabledancer，aninaccuratemusician，agoodrider，abaddraughtswoman，abadhairdresser，atthemercyofhermaid；ahottheologian，knowingnothing，asorryaccountant，nohousekeeper，noseamstress，afairembroideress，acapitalgeographer，andnocook。
　　Collectively，viz。，mindandbody，thegirlwekneelto。
　　Thisornamentalmemberofsocietynowglancedattheclockoncemore，andthenglidedtothewindowforthefourthtime。Shepeepedatthesideagoodwhile，withsuperfluousslynessorshyness，andpresentlyshedrewback，blushingcrimson；thenshepeepedagain，stillmorefurtively；thenretiredsoftlytoherframe，and，forthefirsttime，settoworkinearnest。Asshepliedherharpoon，smilingnow，thelargeandvividblush，thathadsuffusedherfaceandthroat，turnedfromcarnationtorose，andmeltedawayslowly，butperceptibly，andeversosweetly；andsomebodyknockedatthestreetdoor。
　　Theblowseemedtodriveherdeeperintoherwork。Sheleanedoverit，gracefulasawillow，andsoabsorbed，shecouldnotevenseethedooroftheroomopenandDr。Stainescomein。
　　Allthebetter:hernotperceivingthatslightadditiontoherfurnituregivesmeamomenttodescribehim。
　　Ayoungman，fivefeetelevenincheshigh，verysquareshoulderedanddeepchested，butsosymmetrical，andlightinhismovements，thathissizehardlystruckoneatfirst。Hewassmoothshaved，allbutashort，thick，auburnwhisker；hishairwasbrown。Hisfeaturesnomorethencomely:thebrowfull，theeyeswideapartanddeep-seated，thelipsratherthin，butexpressive，thechinsolidandsquare。Itwasafaceofpower，andcapableofharshness；butrelievedbyaneyeofunusualcolor，betweenhazelandgray，andwonderfullytender。IncomplexionhecouldnotcomparewithRosa；hischeekwasclear，butpale；forfewyoungmenhadstudiednightanddaysoconstantly。Thoughbuttwenty-eightyearsofage，hewasliterallyalearnedphysician；deepinhospitalpractice；deepinbooks；especiallydeepinGermanscience，toooftenneglectedorskimmedbyEnglishphysicians。Hehaddeliveredacourseoflecturesatalearneduniversitywithgeneralapplause。
　　Asmyreaderhasdivined，Rosawaspreparingthecomedyofacoolreception；butlookingup，shesawhispalecheektintedwithalover'sbeautifuljoyatthebaresightofher，andhissofteyesodivinewithlove，thatshehadnotthehearttochillhim。Shegavehimherhandkindly，andsmiledbrightlyonhiminsteadofremonstrating。Shelostnothingbyit，fortheveryfirstthinghedidwastoexcusehimselfeagerly。"Iambehindtime:thefactis，justasIwasmountingmyhorse，apoormancametothegatetoconsultme。HehadaterribledisorderIhavesometimessucceededinarresting——Iattackthecauseinsteadofthesymptoms，whichistheoldpractice——andsothatdetainedme。Youforgiveme?"
　　"Ofcourse。Poorman!——onlyyousaidyouwantedtoseepapa，andhealwaysgoesoutattwo。"
　　Whenshehadbeenbetrayedintosayingthis，shedrewinsuddenly，andblushedwithaprettyconsciousness。
　　"Thendon'tletmeloseanotherminute，"saidthelover。"Haveyoupreparedhimfor——for——whatIamgoingtohavetheaudacitytosay?"
　　Rosaanswered，withsomehesitation，"IMUSThave——alittle。WhenIrefusedColonelBright——youneednotdevourmyhandquite——heisforty。"
　　Hersentenceended，andawaywenttheoriginaltopic，andgrammaticalsequencealongwithit。ChristopherStainesrecapturedthemboth。"Yes，dear，whenyourefusedColonelBright"——
　　"Well，papawasastonished；foreverybodysaysthecolonelisamosteligiblematch。Don'tyouhatethatexpression?Ido。
　　Eligible!"
　　Christophermadeduehaste，andrecapturedher。"Yes，love，yourpapasaid"——
　　"Idon'tthinkIwilltellyou。Heaskedmewasthereanybodyelse；andofcourseIsaid'No。'"
　　"Oh!"
　　"Oh，thatisnothing；Ihadnottimetomakeupmymindtotellthetruth。Iwastakenbysurprise；andyouknowone'sfirstimpulseistofib——aboutTHAT。"
　　"Butdidyoureallydeceivehim?"
　　"No，Iblushed；andhecaughtme；sohesaid，'Come，now，therewas。'"
　　"Andyousaid，'Yes，thereis，'likeabravegirlasyouare。"
　　"What，plumplikethat?No，Iwasfrightenedoutofmywits，likeabravegirlasIamnot，andsaidIshouldnevermarryanyonehecoulddisapprove；andthen——oh，thenIbelieveIbegantocry。
　　Christopher，I'lltellyousomething；Ifindpeopleleaveoffteasingyouwhenyoucry——gentlemen，Imean。Ladiesgoonallthemore。Sothendearpapakissedme，andtoldmeImustnotbeimprudent，andthrowmyselfaway，thatwasall；andIpromisedhimIneverwould。Isaidhewouldbesuretoapprovemychoice；andhesaidhehopedso。Andsohewill。"
　　Dr。Staineslookedthoughtful，andsaidhehopedsotoo。"Butnowitcomestothepointofaskinghimforsuchatreasure，Ifeelmydeficiencies。"
　　"Why，whatdeficiencies?Youareyoung，andhandsome，andgood，andeversomuchclevererthanotherpeople。Youhaveonlytoaskforme，andinsistonhavingme。Come，dear，goandgetitover。"
　　Sheadded，mightycoolly，"ThereisnothingsoDREADFULassuspense。"
　　"I'llgothisminute，"saidhe，andtookasteptowardsthedoor；
　　butheturned，andinamomentwasatherknees。Hetookbothherhandsinhis，andpressedthemtohisbeatingbosom，whilehisbeautifuleyespouredloveintoherspoint-blank。"MayItellhimyouloveme?Oh，IknowyoucannotlovemeasIloveyou；butI
　　maysayyoulovemealittle，mayInot?——thatwillgofartherwithhimthananythingelse。MayI，Rosa，mayI?——alittle?"
　　Hispassionmasteredher。Shedroppedherheadsweetlyonhisshoulder，andmurmured，"Youknowyoumay，myown。Whowouldnotloveyou?"
　　Hepartedlingeringlyfromher，thenmarchedaway，boldwithloveandhope，todemandherhandinmarriage。
　　Rosaleanedbackinherchair，andquiveredalittlewithnewemotions。Christopherwasright；shewasnotcapableoflovinglikehim；butstilltheactualcontactofsostrongapassionmadeherwoman'snaturevibrate。Adewytearhungonthefringesofherlonglashes，andsheleanedbackinherchairandflutteredawhile。
　　Thatemotion，almostnewtoher，soonyielded，inhergirlishmind，toacomplacentlanguor；andthat，initsturn，toasoftreverie。
　　Soshewasgoingtobemarried!Tobemistressofahouse；settleinLondonTHATshehadquitedeterminedlongago；beabletogooutintothestreetsallalone，toshop，orvisit；haveagentlemanallherown，whomshecouldputherfingeronanymomentandmakehimtakeherabout，eventotheoperaandthetheatre；togivedinner-partiesherownself，andevenalittleballonceinaway；
　　tobuywhateverdressesshethoughtproper，insteadofbeingcrippledbyanallowance；havethelegalrightofspeakingfirstinsociety，eventogentlemenrichinideasbutbadstarters，insteadofsittingmumchanceandmock-modest；tobeMistress，insteadofMiss——contemptibletitle；tobeawoman，insteadofagirl；andallthisrationalliberty，domesticpower，andsocialdignityweretobeobtainedbymerelyweddingadearfellow，wholovedher，andwassonice；andthebrightcareertobeusheredinwithseveraldelights，eachofthemdeartoagirl'sverysoul:presentsfromallherfriends；asmanybeautifulnewdressesasifshewaschangingherbodyorherhemisphere，insteadofhername；eclat；
　　goingtochurch，whichisagoodEnglishgirl'stheatreofdisplayandtempleofvanity，andtheretastingdelightfulpublicityandwhisperedadmiration，inaheavenlylongveil，whichshecouldnotwearevenonceifsheremainedsingle。
　　Thisbrightvariegatedpictureofholywedlock，anditsessentialfeatures，asrevealedtoyoungladiesbyfemininetradition，thoughnotenumeratedintheBookofCommonPrayerwritbygrimmales，soentrancedher，thattimeflewbyunheeded，andChristopherStainescamebackfromherfather。Hisstepwasheavy；helookedpale，anddeeplydistressed；thenstoodlikeastatue，anddidnotcomeclosetoher，butcastapiteouslook，andgaspedoutoneword，thatseemedalmosttochokehim，——"REFUSED!"
　　MissLusignanrosefromherchair，andlookedalmostwildlyathimwithhergreateyes。"Refused?"saidshe，faintly。
　　"Yes，"saidhe，sadly。"Yourfatherisamanofbusiness；andhetookamerebusinessviewofourlove:heaskedmedirectlywhatprovisionIcouldmakeforhisdaughterandherchildren。Well，I
　　toldhimIhadthreethousandpoundsintheFunds，andagoodprofession；andthenIsaidIhadyouth，health，andlove，boundlesslove，thelovethatcando，orsuffer，thelovethatcanconquertheworld。"
　　"DearChristopher!AndwhatCOULDhesaytoallthat?"
　　"Heignoreditentirely。There!I'llgiveyouhisverywords。Hesaid，'Inthatcase，Dr。Staines，thesimplequestionis，whatdoesyourprofessionbringyouinperannum?'"
　　"Oh!There!Ialwayshatedarithmetic，andnowIabominateit。"
　　"ThenIwasobligedtoconfessIhadscarcelyreceivedahundredpoundsinfeesthisyear；butItoldhimthereason；thisissuchasmalldistrict，andallthegroundoccupied。London，Isaid，wasmysphere。"
　　"Andsoitis，"saidRosa，eagerly；forthisjumpedwithherownlittledesigns。"Geniusiswastedinthecountry。Besides，wheneveranybodyworthcuringisilldownhere，theyalwayssendtoLondonforadoctor。"
　　"Itoldhimso，dearest，"saidthelover。"Butheansweredmedirectly，thenImustsetupinLondon，andassoonasmybooksshowedanincometokeepawife，andservants，andchildren，andinsuremylifeforfivethousandpounds"——
　　"Oh，thatissolikepapa。Heisdirectorofaninsurancecompany，soalltheworldmustinsuretheirlives。"
　　"No，dear，hewasquiterightthere:professionalincomesaremostprecarious。Deathsparesneitheryoungnorold，neitherwarmheartsnorcold。IshouldbenotruephysicianifIcouldnotseemyownmortality。"Hehunghisheadandponderedamoment，thenwenton，sadly，"Itallcomestothis——untilIhaveaprofessionalincomeofeighthundredayearatleast，hewillnothearofourmarrying；andthecruelthingis，hewillnotevenconsenttoanengagement。But，"saidtherejected，withalookofsadanxiety，"youwillwaitformewithoutthat，dearRosa?"
　　Shecouldgivehimthatcomfort，andshegaveithimwithlovingearnestness。"OfcourseIwill；anditshallnotbeverylong。
　　Whilstyouaremakingyourfortune，topleasepapa，Iwillkeepfretting，andpouting，andcrying，tillhesendsforyou。"
　　"Blessyou，dearest!Stop!——nottomakeyourselfill!notforalltheworld。"Theloverandthephysicianspokeinturn。
　　Hecame，allgratitude，toherside，andtheysat，handinhand，comfortingeachother:indeed，partingwassuchsweetsorrowthattheysat，handed，andveryclosetooneanother，tillMr。Lusignan，whothoughtfiveminutesquiteenoughforrationalbeingstotakeleavein，walkedintotheroomandsurprisedthem。Atsightofhisgrayheadandiron-grayeyebrows，ChristopherStainesstartedupandlookedconfused；hethoughtsomeapologynecessary，sohefalteredout，"Forgiveme，sir；itisabitterpartingtome，youmaybesure。"
　　Rosa'sbosomheavedatthesesimplewords。Sheflewtoherfather，andcried，"Oh，papa!papa!youwerenevercruelbefore；"andhidherburningfaceonhisshoulder；andthenburstoutcrying，partlyforChristopher，partlybecauseshewasnowashamedofherselfforhavingtakenayoungman'spartsoopenly。
　　Mr。Lusignanlookedsadlydiscomposedatthisoutburst:shehadtakenhimbyhisweakpoint；hetoldherso。"Now，Rosa，"saidhe，ratherpeevishly，"youknowIhate——noise。"
　　Rosahadactuallyforgottenthattraitforasinglemoment；but，beingremindedofit，shereducedhersobsintheprettiestway，nottooffendatenderparentwhocouldnotbearnoise。Underthishomelyterm，youmustknow，heincludedallscenes，disturbances，rumpuses，passions；andexpectedallmen，women，andthingsinKentVillatogosmoothly——orgoelsewhere。
　　"Come，youngpeople，"saidhe，"don'tmakeadisturbance。Where'sthegrievance?HaveIsaidheshallnevermarryyou?HaveI
　　forbiddenhimtocorrespond?oreventocall，saytwiceayear。
　　AllIsayis，nomarriage，norcontractofmarriage，untilthereisanincome。"ThenheturnedtoChristopher。"Nowifyoucan'tmakeanincomewithouther，howcouldyoumakeonewithher，weigheddownbytheloadofexpensesawifeentails?Iknowherbetterthanyoudo；sheisagoodgirl，butratherluxuriousandself-
　　indulgent。Sheisnotcutoutforapoorman'swife。Andpraydon'tgoandfancythatnobodylovesmychildbutyou。Mineisnotsohotasyours，ofcourse；butbelieveme，sir，itislessselfish。Youwouldexposehertopovertyandmisery；butIsayno；
　　itismydutytoprotectherfromallchanceofthem；and，indoingit，Iamasmuchyourfriendashers，ifyoucouldbutseeit。
　　Come，Dr。Staines，beaman，andseetheworldasitis。Ihavetoldyouhowtoearnmydaughter'shandandmyesteem:youmustgainboth，orneither。"
　　Dr。Staineswasneverquitedeaftoreason:henowputhishandtohisbrowandsaid，withasortofwonderandpitifuldismay，"MyloveforRosaselfish!Sir，yourwordsarebitterandhard。"
　　Then，afterastruggle，andwithrareandtouchingcandor，"Ay，butsoarebarkandsteel；yettheyaregoodmedicines。"Thenwithagreatglowinhisheartandtearsinhiseyes，"Mydarlingshallnotbeapoorman'swife，shewhowouldadornacoronet，ay，oracrown。Good-by，Rosa，forthepresent。"Hedartedtoher，andkissedherhandwithallhissoul。"Oh，thesacrificeofleavingyou，"hefaltered；"theveryworldisdarktomewithoutyou。Ah，well，Imustearntherighttocomeagain。"Hesummonedallhismanhood，andmarchedtothedoor。Thereheseemedtoturncalmerallofasudden，andsaidfirmly，yethumbly，"I'lltryandshowyou，sir，whatlovecando。"
　　"AndI'llshowyouwhatlovecansuffer，"saidRosa，foldingherbeautifularmssuperbly。
　　Itwasnotinhertohaveshotsuchabolt，exceptinimitation；
　　yethowpromptlythemimicthundercame，andhowgrandthebeautylooked，withherdarkbrows，andflashingeyes，andfoldedarms!
　　muchgranderandmoreinspiredthanpoorStaines，whohadonlyfurnishedtheidea。
　　Butbetweenthesetwofiguresswellingwithemotion，therepresentativeofcommonsense，Lusignanpere，stoodcoolandimpassive；heshruggedhisshoulders，andlookedonbothloversasacoupleofrantingnoviceshewassavingfromeachotherandalmshouses。
　　Forallthat，whentheloverhadtornhimselfaway，papa'scomposurewassuddenlydisturbedbyamisgiving。Hesteppedhastilytothestairhead，andgaveitvent。"Dr。Staines，"saidhe，inaloudwhisperStaineswashalfwaydownthestairs:hestopped。"Itrusttoyouasagentleman，nottomentionthis；itwillnevertranspirehere。Whateverwedo——nonoise!"
　　CHAPTERII。
　　RosaLusignansetherselfpiningasshehadpromised；andshediditdiscreetlyforsoyoungaperson。Shewasneverpeevish，butalwayssadandlistless。Bythismeansshedidnotangerherparent，butonlymadehimfeelshewasunhappy，andthehouseshehadhithertobrightenedexceedingdismal。
　　Bydegreesthisnoiselessmelancholyunderminedtheoldgentleman，andhewell-nightottered。
　　Butoneday，callingsuddenlyonaneighborwithsixdaughters，heheardpealsoflaughter，andfoundRosatakingherfullshareofthesenselessmirth。Shepulledupshortatsightofhim，andcoloredhigh；butitwastoolate，forhelaunchedaknowinglookatheronthespot，andmutteredsomethingaboutsevenfoolishvirgins。
　　Hetookthefirstopportunity，whentheywerealone，andtoldherhewasgladtofindshewasonlydismalathome。
　　ButRosahadpreparedforhim。"Onecanbeloudwithoutbeinggayatheart，"saidshe，withalofty，languidair。"IhavenotforgottenyourlastwordstoHIM。Weweretohideourbrokenheartsfromtheworld。Itrytoobeyyou，dearpapa；but，ifIhadmyway，Iwouldnevergointotheworldatall。Ihavebutonedesirenow——toendmydaysinaconvent。"
　　"Pleasebeginthemfirst。Aconvent!Why，you'dturnitoutofwindow。Youarenomorefittobeanunthan——apauper。"
　　Nothavingforeseenthisfacer，Rosahadnothingready；soshereceiveditwithasad，submissive，helplesssigh，aswhowouldsay，"Hitme，papa:Ihavenofriendnow。"Sothenhewassorryhehadbeensoclever；and，indeed，thereisoneprovokingthingabout"awoman'sweakness"——itisinvincible。
　　Thenextminute，whatshouldcomebutalongletterfromDr。
　　Staines，detailinghisendeavorstopurchaseapracticeinLondon，andhisill-success。Theletterspokethelanguageofloveandhope；butthefactswerediscouraging；and，indeed，atouchingsadnesspiercedthroughtheveilofthebravewords。
　　Rosareaditagainandagain，andcriedoveritbeforeherfather，toencouragehiminhisheartlessbehavior。
　　Abouttendaysafterthis，somethingoccurredthatalteredhermood。
　　Shebecamegraveandthoughtful，butnolongerlugubrious。Sheseemeddesiroustoatonetoherfatherforhavingdisturbedhischeerfulness。Shesmiledaffectionatelyonhim，andoftensatonastoolathisknee，andglidedherhandintohis。
　　Hewasnotalittlepleased，andsaidtohimself，"Sheiscomingroundtocommon-sense。"
　　Now，onthecontrary，shewasfartherfromitthanever。
　　Atlasthegottheclew。OneafternoonhemetMr。Wymancomingoutofthevilla。Mr。Wymanwastheconsultingsurgeonofthatpart。
　　"What!anybodyill?"saidMr。Lusignan。"Oneoftheservants?"
　　"No；itisMissLusignan。"
　　"Why，whatisthematterwithher?"
　　Wymanhesitated。"Oh，nothingveryalarming。Wouldyoumindaskingher?"
　　"Why?"
　　"Thefactis，sherequestedmenottotellyou:mademepromise。"
　　"AndIinsistuponyourtellingme。"
　　"AndIthinkyouarequiteright，sir，asherfather。Well，sheistroubledwithalittlespittingofblood。"
　　Mr。Lusignanturnedpale。"Mychild!spittingofblood!Godforbid!"
　　"Oh，donotalarmyourself。Itisnothingserious。"
　　"Don'ttellme!"saidthefather。"Itisalwaysserious。Andshekeptthisfromme!"
　　Maskinghisagitationforthetime，heinquiredhowoftenithadoccurred，thisgravesymptom。
　　"Threeorfourtimesthislastmonth。ButImayaswelltellyouatonce:Ihaveexaminedhercarefully，andIdonotthinkitisfromthelungs。"
　　"Fromthethroat，then?"
　　"No；fromtheliver。Everythingpointstothatorganastheseatofderangement:notthatthereisanylesion；onlyatendencytocongestion。Iamtreatingheraccordingly，andhavenodoubtoftheresult。"
　　"Whoistheablestphysicianhereabouts?"askedLusignan，abruptly。
　　"Dr。Snell，Ithink。"
　　"Givemehisaddress。"
　　"I'llwritetohim，ifyoulike，andappointaconsultation。"Headded，withvastbutrathersuddenalacrity，"Itwillbeagreatsatisfactiontomyownmind。"
　　"Thensendtohim，ifyouplease，andlethimbehereto-morrowmorning；ifnot，IshalltakehertoLondonforadviceatonce。"
　　Onthisunderstandingtheyparted，andLusignanwentatoncetohisdaughter。"Omychild!"saidhe，deeplydistressed，"howcouldyouhidethisfromme?"
　　"Hidewhat，papa?"saidthegirl，lookingthepictureofunconsciousness。
　　"Thatyouhavebeenspittingblood。"
　　"Whotoldyouthat?"saidshe，sharply。
　　"Wyman。Heisattendingyou。"
　　Rosacoloredwithanger。"Chatterbox!Hepromisedmefaithfullynotto。"
　　"Butwhy，inHeaven'sname?What!wouldyoutrustthisterriblethingtoastranger，andhideitfromyourpoorfather?"