Youenterthegirl'sroom；whatisthefirstthingyouobserve?Whythatitisnotonlyoneofthebestinthehouse，butthatitisconspicuousforitscomfortsifnotforitselegancies。Morethanthat，thattherearebooksofpoetryandhistorylyingaround，showingthatthewomanwhoinhabiteditwasaboveherstation；afactwhichthehousekeeperispresentlybroughttoacknowledge。Younoticealsothatthewildsurmiseofherabductionbymeansofthewindow，hassomegroundinappearance，thoughthefactthatshewentwithentireunwillingnessisnotmadesoapparent。Thehousekeeper，however，insistsinawaythatmusthavehadsomespecialknowledgeofthegirl'scharacterorcircumstancestobackit，thatsheneverwentwithoutcompulsion；astatementwhichthetorncurtainsandthetrackofbloodovertheroofoftheextension，wouldseemtoemphasize。Afewotherfactsaremadeknown。First，apen-knifeispickedupfromthegrassplotintheyardbeneath，showingwithwhatinstrumentthewoundwasinflicted，whosedrippingsmadethosemarksofbloodalludedto。Itwasapearl-handledknifebelongingtothewritingdeskfoundopenonhertable，anditsfrailanddaintycharacterprovedindisputably，thatitwasemployedbythegirlherself，andthatagainstmanifestenemies；
　　nomanbeinglikelytosnatchupanysuchpunyweaponforthepurposeeitherofoffenceordefence。Thattheseenemiesweretwoandwerebothmen，wasinsisteduponbyMrs。Danielswhooverheardtheirvoicesthenightbefore。
　　"Mr。Blake，suchfactsasthesearousecuriosity，especiallywhenthemasterofthehousebeingintroduceduponthescene，hefailstomanifestcommonhumaninterest，whilehishousekeeperbetraysineveryinvoluntarygestureandexpressionshemakesuseof，herhorrorifnotherfearofhispresence，andherreliefathisdeparture。
　　Yes，"heexclaimed，unheedingthesuddenlookherecasthimbyMr。
　　Blake，"andcuriositybegetsinquiry，andinquiryelucidatedfurtherfactssuchasthese，thatthemysteriousmasterofthehousewasinhisgardenatthehourofthegirl'sdeparture，wasevenlookingthroughthebarsofhisgatewhenshe，havingevidentlyescapedfromhercaptors，camebackwitheveryapparentdesiretoreenterherhome，butseeinghim，betrayedanunreasonableamountoffearandfledbackevenintotheveryarmsofthemenshehadendeavoredtoavoid。
　　Didyouspeaksir?"askedMr。Grycesuddenlystopping，withaslylookathisleftboottip。
　　Mr。Blakeshookhishead。"No，"saidheshortly，"goon。"ButthatlastremarkofMr。Grycehadevidentlymadeitsimpression。
　　"Inquiryrevealed，also，twoorthreeotherinterestingfacts。First，thatthisgentlemanqualifiedthoughhewastoshineinladies'
　　society，neverobtrudedhimselfthere，butemployedhisleisuretimeinstead，inwalkingthelowerstreetsofthecity，wherehewasseenmorethanonceconversingwithcertainpoorgirlsatstreetcornersandinblindalleys。Thelastonehetalkedwith，believedfromhercharacteristicstobethesameonethatwasabductedfromhishouse——"
　　"Holdthere，"saidMr。Blakewithsomeauthorityinhistone，"thereyouaremistaken；thatisimpossible。"
　　"Ah，andwhy?"
　　"Thegirlyoualludetohadbrightgoldenhair，somethingwhichthewomanwholivedinmyhousedidnotpossess。"
　　"Indeed。Ithoughtyouhadnevernoticedthewomanwhosewedforyou，sir，——didnotknowhowshelooked?"
　　"Ishouldhavenoticedherifshehadhadsuchhairasthegirlyouspeakof。"
　　Mr。Grycesmiledandopenedhispocketbook。
　　"Thereisasampleofherhair，sir，"saidhe，takingoutathinstrandofbrillianthairandshowingittothegentlemanbeforehim。
　　"Brightyousee，andgoldenasthatoftheunfortunatecreatureyoutalkedwiththeothernight。"
　　Mr。Blakestoopedforwardandlifteditwithahandthatvisiblytrembled。"Wheredidyougetthis?"askedheatlast，clenchingittohisbreastwithsuddenpassion。
　　"Fromoutofthecombwhichthegirlhadbeenusingthenightbefore。"
　　Theimperiousmanflungithastilyfromhim。
　　"Wewasteourtime，"saidhe，lookingMr。Gryceintentlyintheface。
　　"Allthatyouhavesaiddoesnotaccountforyourpresenceherenorthetoneyouhaveusedwhileaddressingme。Whatareyoukeepingback?Iamnotamantobetrifledwith。"
　　Mr。Grycerosetohisfeet。"Youareright，"saidhe，andhegaveashortglanceinmydirection。"AllthatIhavesaidwouldnotperhapsjustifymeinthisintrusion，if——"helookedagaintowardsme。"Doyouwishmetocontinue?"heasked。
　　Mr。Blake'sintentlookdeepened。"Iseenoreasonwhyyoushouldnotutterthewhole，"saidhe。"Agoodstorylosesnothingbybeingtoldtotheend。YouwishtosaysomethingaboutmyjourneytoSchoenmaker'shouse，Isuppose。"
　　Mr。Grycegravelyshookhishead。
　　"What，youcanletsuchamysteryasthatgowithoutaword?"
　　"Iamnotheretodiscussmysteriesthathavenoconnectionwiththesewing-girlinwhosecauseIaminterested。"
　　"Then，"saidMr。Blake，turningforthefirsttimeuponmysuperiorwithallthedignifiedcomposureforwhichhewaseminent，"itisnolongernecessaryforustoprolongthisinterview。Ihaveallowed，nayencouragedyoutostateintheplainesttermswhatitwasyouhadorimaginedyouhadagainstme，knowingthatmyactionsoflate，seenbythosewhodidnotpossessthekeytothem，musthaveseemedalittlepeculiar。Butwhenyousayyouhavenointerestinanymysterydisconnectedwiththegirlwhohaslivedthelastfewmonthsinmyhouse，Icanwithassurancesaythatitistimewequittedthisunprofitableconversation，asnothingwhichIhavelatelydone，saidorthoughthereorelsewherehasinanywayhadeventheremotestbearinguponthatindividual；shehavingbeenastrangertomewhileinmyhouse，andquiteforgottenbyme，afterherunaccountabledeparturehence。"
　　Mr。Gryce'shandwhichhadbeenstretchedouttowardsthehithertountoucheddecanterbeforehim，suddenlydropped。"Youdenythen，"
　　saidhe，"allconnectionbetweenyourselfandthewoman，ladyorsewing-girl，whooccupiedthatroomaboveourheadsforelevenmonthsprevioustotheSundaymorningIfirsthadthehonortomakeyouracquaintance。"
　　"Iamnotinthehabitofrepeatingmyassertions，"saidMr。Blakewithsomeseverity，"evenwhentheyrelatetoalessdisagreeablematterthantheoneunderdiscussion。"
　　Mr。Grycebowed，andslowlyreachedoutforhishat；Ihadneverseenhimsodisturbed。"Iamsorry，"hebeganandstopped，fingeringhishat-brimnervously。Suddenlyhelaidhishatback，anddrewuphisformintoasnearasemblanceofdignityasitsportlinesswouldallow。
　　"Mr。Blake，"saidhe，"IhavetoomuchrespectforthemanIbelievedyoutobewhenIenteredthishouseto-night，togowiththethingunsaidwhichislyingatpresentlikeadeadweightuponmylips。I
　　darenotleaveyoutotheconsequenceofmysilence；fordutywillcompelmetospeaksomedayandinsomepresencewhereyoumaynothavetheopportunitywhichyoucanhavehere，toexplainyourselfwithsatisfaction。Mr。BlakeIcannotbelieveyouwhenyousaythegirlwholivedinthishousewasastrangertoyou。"
　　Mr。Blakedrewhisproudformupinadisdainthatwasonlyheldincheckbytheveryevidenthonestyofthemanbeforehim。"Youarecourageousatleast，"saidhe。"Iregretyouarenotequallydiscriminating。"AndraisingMr。Gryce'shatheplaceditinhishand。
　　"Pardonme，"saidthatgentleman，"IwouldliketojustifymyselfbeforeIgo。Notwithwords，"heproceededastheotherfoldedhisarmswithasarcasticbow。"Iamdonewithwords；actionaccomplishestherest。Mr。BlakeIbelieveyouconsidermeanhonestofficerandareliableman。Willyouaccompanymetoyourprivateroomforamoment?ThereissomethingtherewhichmayconvinceyouIwasneitherplayingthefoolnorthebravadowhenIutteredthephraseIdidaninstantago。"
　　Iexpectedtohearthehaughtymasterofthehouserefusearequestsopeculiar。Butheonlybowed，thoughinasurprisedwaythatshowedhiscuriosityifnomorewasaroused。"Myroomandcompanyareatyourdisposal，"saidhe，"butyouwillfindnothingtheretojustifyyouinyourassertions。"
　　"Letmeatleastmaketheeffort，"entreatedmysuperior。
　　Mr。Blakesmilingbitterlyimmediatelyledthewaytothedoor。"Themanmaycome，"heremarkedcarelesslyasMr。Grycewavedhishandinmydirection。"Yourjustificationifnotminemayneedwitnesses。"
　　Rejoicedatthepermission，formycuriositywasbythistimeraisedtofeverpitch，Iatoncefollowed。Notwithoutanxiety。TheassuredpoiseofMr。Blake'sheadseemedtoarguethattheconfidencebetrayedbymysuperiormightreceiveashock；andIfeltitwouldbeaseriousblowtohispridetofailnow。Butoncewithintheroomabove，mydoubtsspeedilyfled。TherewasthatinMr。Gryce'sfacewhichanyoneacquaintedwithhimcouldnoteasilymistake。Whatevermightbethemysterioussomethingwhichtheroomcontained，itwasevidentlysufficientinhiseyestojustifyhiswholeconduct。
　　"Nowsir，"saidMr。Blake，turninguponmysuperiorwithhissternestexpression，"theroomanditscontentsarebeforeyou；whathaveyoutosayforyourself。"
　　Mr。Gryceequallystern，ifnotequallycomposed，castoneofhisinscrutableglancesroundtheapartmentandwithoutawordsteppedbeforethepicturethatwasasIhavesaid，theonlyornamentationoftheotherwisebareandunattractiveroom。
　　IthoughtMr。Blakelookedsurprised，buthisfacewasnotonethatlightlyexpressedemotion。
　　"AportraitofmycousintheCountessDeMirac，"saidhewithacertaindrynessoftonehardtointerpret。
　　Mr。Grycebowedandforamomentstoodlookingwithastrangelackofinterestattheproudlybrilliantfaceofthepaintingbeforehim，thentoourgreatamazementsteppedforwardandwithaquickgestureturnedthepicturerapidlytothewall，when——Graciousheavens!whatavisionstartedoutbeforeusfromthereversesideofthatpaintedcanvas!Noluxuriousbrunettecountenancenow，steepedinprideandlanguor，butaface——LetmeseeifIcandescribeit。Butno，itwasoneofthosefacesthatareindescribable。Youdrawyourbreathasyouviewit；youfeelasifyouhadhadanelectricshock；butasforknowingtenminuteslaterwhethertheeyesthatsoenthralledyouwereblueorblack，orthelocksthatclusteredhalo-likeaboutaforeheadalmostawfulinitsexpressionofweird，unfathomablepower，werebrownorred，youcouldnotnorwouldyoupretendtosay。Itwasthecharacterofthecountenanceitselfthatimpressedyou。Youdidnotevenknowifthiswomanwhomighthavebeenanythingwonderfulorgrandyoueverreadof，werebeautifulornot。Youdidnotcare；itwasasifyouhadbeengazingonatranquileveningskyandalightningflashhadsuddenlystartledyou。Isthelightningbeautiful?
　　Whoasks!ButIknowfromwhatpresentlytranspired，thatthefacewasivorypaleincomplexion，theeyesdeeplydark，andthehair，——
　　strangeanduncannycombination，——ofabrightandpeculiargoldenhue。
　　"Youdare!"cameforthinstrangebrokentonesfromMr。Blake'slips。
　　Iinstantlyturnedtowardshim。Hewasgazingwithalookthatwashalfindignant，halfmenacingatthesilentdetectivewhowitheyesdroopedandfingerdirectedtowardsthepicture，seemedtobewaitingforhimtofinish。
　　"Idonotunderstandanaudacitythatallowsyouto——to——"Wasthisthehaughtygentlemanwehadknown，thishesitatingtroubledmanwithbloodlesslipsandtremblinghands?
　　"Ideclaredmydesiretojustifymyself，"saidmyprincipalwitharespectfulbow。"Thisismyjustification。Doyounotethecolorofthewoman'shairwhoseportraithangswithitsfaceturnedtothewallinyourroom?Isitlikeorunlikethatofthestrandyouheldinyourhandafewmomentsago；astrandtakenasIswear，hairbyhairfromthecombofthepoorcreaturewhooccupiedtheroomabove。
　　Butthatisnotall，"hecontinuedasMr。Blakefellatrifleaback；
　　"justobservethedressinwhichthiswomanispainted；bluesilkyousee，darkandrich；awidecollarcunninglyexecuted，youcanalmosttracethepattern；abrooch；thentherosesinthehand，doyousee?
　　Nowcomewithmeupstairs。"
　　Toomuchstartledtospeak，Mr。Blake，haughtyaristocratashewas，turnedlikealittlechildandfollowedthedetectivewhowithanassuredstepandunembarassedmienledthewayintothedesertedroomabove。
　　"Youaccusemeofinsultingyou，whenIexpressdisbeliefofyourassertionthattherewasnoconnectionbetweenyouandthegirlEmily，"saidMr。Gryceashelitthegasandunlockedthatfamousbureaudrawer。"Willyoudosoanylongerinfaceofthese?"Anddrawingoffthetowelthatlayuppermost，herevealedtheneatlyfoldeddress，widecollar，broochandfadedrosesthatlaybeneath。
　　"Mrs。Danielsassuresusthesearticlesbelongedtothesewing-womanEmily；werebroughtherebyher。Dareyousaytheyarenottheonesreproducedintheportraitbelow?"
　　Mr。Blakeutteringacrysankonhiskneesbeforethedrawer。"MyGod!
　　MyGod!"washisonlyreply，"whatarethese?"Suddenlyherose，hiswholeformquivering，hiseyesburning。"WhereisMrs。Daniels?"hecried，hastilyadvancingandpullingthebell。"Imustseeheratonce。Sendthehouse-keeperhere，"heorderedasFannysmilingdemurelymadeherappearanceatthedoor。
　　"Mrs。Danielsisout，"returnedthegirl，"wentoutassoonaseveryougotupfromdinner，sir。"
　　"Goneoutatthishour?"
　　"Yessir；shegoesoutveryoftennowadays，sir。"
　　Hermasterfrowned。"Sendhertomeassoonasshereturns，"hecommanded，anddismissedthegirl。
　　"Idon'tknowwhattomakeofthis，"henowsaidinastrangetone，approachingagainthetouchingcontentsofthatopenbureaudrawerwithalookinwhichlonginganddoubtseemedinsomewaytobestrangelycommingled。"Icannotexplainthepresenceofthesearticlesinthisroom；butifyouwillcomebelowIwillseewhatIcandotomakeothermattersintelligibletoyou。Disagreeableasitisformetotakeanyoneintomyconfidence，affairshavegonetoofarformetohopeanylongertopreservesecrecyastomyprivateconcerns。"
　　CHAPTERXI
　　LUTTRA
　　"Gentlemen，"saidheasheusheredusoncemoreintohisstudio，"youhavepresumed，andnotwithoutreasonIshouldsay，toinferthattheoriginalofthisportraitandthewomanwhohassolongoccupiedthepositionofsewing-womaninmyhouse，areoneandthesame。YouwillnolongerretainthatopinionwhenIinformyouthatthispicture，strangeasitmayappeartoyou，isthelikenessofmywife。"
　　"Wife!"WebothwereastonishedasItakeit，butitwasmyvoicewhichspoke。"Wewereignorantyoueverhadawife。"
　　"Nodoubt，"continuedourhostsmilingbitterly，"thatatleasthasevadedtheknowledgeevenofthedetectives。"Thenwithareturntohisnaturallycourteousmanner，"Shewasneveracknowledgedbymeasmywife，norhaveweeverlivedtogether，butifpriestlybenedictioncanmakeamanandwomanone，thatwomanasyouseeherthereismylawfulwife。"
　　Rising，hesoftlyturnedthelovely，potentfacebacktothewall，leavingusoncemoreconfrontedbythedarkandglowingcountenanceofhiscousin。
　　"Iamnotcalledupon，"saidhe，"togoanyfurtherwithyouthanthis。Ihavetoldyouwhatnomantillthishourhaseverheardfrommylips，anditshouldservetoexoneratemefromanyunjustsuspicionsyoumayhaveentertained。Buttooneofmytemperament，secretscandalandthegossipitengendersisonlylesspainfulthanopennotoriety。IfIleavethesubjecthere，athousandconjectureswillatonceseizeuponyou，andmynameifnotherswillbecome，beforeIknowit，thefootballofgossipifnotofworseanddeepersuspicionthanhasyetassailedme。GentlemanItakeyoutobehonestmen；husbands，perhaps，andfathers；proud，too，inyourwayandjealousofyourownreputationandthatofthosewithwhomyouareconnected。IfIsucceedinconvincingyouthatmymovementsoflatehavebeentotallydisconnectedwiththegirlwhosecauseyouprofesssolelytobeinterestedin，mayIcountuponyoursilenceasregardsthoseactionsandtherealmotivethatledtothem?"
　　"Youmaycountuponmydiscretionasregardsallmattersthatdonotcomeunderthescopeofpoliceduty，"returnedMr。Gryce。"Ihaven'tmuchtimeforgossip。"
　　"Andyourmanhere?"
　　"O，he'ssafewhereitprofitshimtobe。"
　　"Verywell，then，Ishallcountuponyou。"
　　Andwiththeknittedbrowsandclinchedhandsofaproudlyreticentmanwho，perhapsforthefirsttimeinhislifefindshimselfforcedtorevealhisinnernaturetotheworld，hebeganhisstoryinthesewords:
　　"Difficultasitisformetointroduceintoarelationlikethisthenameofmyfather，Ishallbeobligedtodosoinordertomakemyconductatamomentouscrisisofmylifeintelligibletoyou。Myfather，then，wasamanofstrongwillandafewbutdeterminedprejudices。ResolvedthatIshouldsustainthereputationofthefamilyforwealthandrespectability，hegavemetounderstandfrommyearliestyears，thataslongasIpreservedmymanhoodfromreproach，Ihadonlytomakemywishesknown，tohavethemimmediatelygratified；whileifIcrossedhiswilleitherbyindulgingindissipationorengaginginpursuitsunworthyofmyname，Inolongerneedexpectthefavorofhiscountenanceortheassistanceofhispurse。
　　"When，therefore，atacertainperiodofmylife，IfoundthatthecharmsofmycousinEvelynweremakingrathertoostronganimpressionuponmyfancyforasecuredpeaceofmind，Ifirstinquiredhowsuchaunionwouldaffectmyfather，andlearningthatitwouldbeindirectoppositiontohisviews，castaboutinmymindwhatI
　　shoulddotoovercomemypassion。Travelsuggesteditself，andItookatriptoEurope。Butthesightofnewfacesonlyawakenedinmecomparisonsanythingbutdetrimentaltothebeautyofherwhowasatthattimemystandardoffeminineloveliness。Natureandthesportsconnectedwithawildlifeweremynextresort。IwentoverlandtoCalifornia，roamedtheorangegrovesofFlorida，andprobedthewildernessesofCanadaandourNorthernstates。Itwasduringtheselastexcursionsthataneventoccurredwhichhasexercisedthemostmaterialinfluenceuponmyfate，thoughatthetimeitseemedtomenomorethanthematterofaday。
　　"IhadjustreturnedfromCanadaandwasrestingintolerableenjoymentofaverybeautifulautumnatLakeGeorge，whenaletterreachedmefromafriendthenloiteringinthevicinity，urgingmetojoinhiminacertainsmalltowninVermontwheretroutstreamsaboundedandwhatisnotsooftenthecaseunderthecircumstances，fisherswerefew。
　　"BeinginasomewhatrecklessmoodIatoncewroteaconsent，andbeforeanotherdaywasover，startedfortheremotevillagewhencehisletterwaspostmarked。Ifounditbynomeanseasyofaccess。
　　Situatedinthemidstofhillssometwentymilesorsodistantfromanyrailroad，Idiscoveredthatinordertoreachit，alongrideinastage-coachwasnecessary，followedbyasomewhatshorterjourneyonhorseback。Notbeingacquaintedwiththeroute，Itimedmyconnectionswrong，sothatwheneveningcameIfoundmyselfridingoverastrangeroadinthedarkestnightIhadeverknown。Asifthiswasnotenough，myhorsesuddenlybegantolimpandpresentlybecamesolameIfounditimpossibletourgeherbeyondaslowwalk。ItwasthereforewithnoordinarysatisfactionthatIpresentlybeheldalightedbuildinginthedistance，whichasIapproachedresolveditselfintoaninn。Stoppinginfrontofthehouse，whichwasclosedagainstthechillnightair，Icalledoutlustilyforsomeonetotakemyhorse，whereuponthedooropenedandamanappearedonthethresholdwithalanterninhishand。Iatoncemademywishesknown，receivinginturnasomewhatgruff，"'Wellitisanastynightanditwillbenastierbeforeit'sover；'
　　anopinioninstantlyendorsedbyasuddenswoopofwindthatrushedbyatthatmoment，slammingthedoorbehindhimandawakeningovermyheadalugubriousgroaningasfromthetwistingboughsofsomeoldtree，thatwasalmostthreateninginitscharacter。
　　"'Youhadbettergoin，'saidhe，'therainwillcomenext。'
　　"Iatonceleapedfrommyhorseandpushingopenthedoorwithmainstrength，enteredthehouse。Anothermanmetmeonthethresholdwhomerelypointingoverhisshouldertoalightedroominhisrear，passedoutwithoutaword，tohelpthesomewhatyoungerman，whohadfirstappeared，inputtingupmyhorse。Iatonceacceptedhissilentinvitationandsteppedintotheroombeforeme。InstantlyI
　　foundmyselfconfrontedbytheratherstartlingvisionofayounggirlofauniqueandhauntingstyleofbeauty，whorisingatmyapproachnowstoodwithhereyesonmyfaceandherhandsrestingonthedealtablebeforewhichshehadbeensitting，inanattitudeexpressiveofmingledsurpriseandalarm。Toseeawomaninthatplacewasnotsostrange；butsuchawoman!EveninthefirstcasualglanceIgaveher，Iatonceacknowledgedtomyselfherextraordinarypower。Nottheslightnessofherform，thepalorofhercountenance，orthefairnessofthelocksofgoldenredhairthatfellintwolongbraidsoverherbosom，couldforamomentcounteracttheeffectofherdarkglanceorthevividalmostunearthlyforceofherexpression。Itwasasifyousawaflameupstartingbeforeyou，wavingtremulouslyhereandthere，butburningandresistlessinitswhiteheat。Itookoffmyhatwithdeference。
　　"Ashudderpassedoverher，butshemadenoefforttoreturnmyacknowledgement。Aswecastoureyesdilatingwithhorror，downsomehorriblepituponwhosevergewesuddenlyfindourselves，sheallowedhergazeforamomenttodwelluponmyface，thenwithasuddenliftingofherhand，pointedtowardsthedoorasiftobidmedepart——whenitswungopenwiththatshrillrushingofwindthatinvoluntarilyawakesashudderwithinyou，andthetwomenenteredandcamestampinguptomyside。Instantlyherhandsunk，notfeeblyaswithfear，butcalmlyasifatthebiddingofherwill，andwithoutwaitingforthemtospeak，sheturnedawayandquietlylefttheroom。
　　AsthedoorcloseduponherInoticedthatsheworeacalicofrockandthatherfacedidnotownoneperfectfeature。
　　"'GoafterLuttraandtellhertomakeupthebedinthenorthwestroom，'saidtheelderofthetwoindeepgutteraltonesunmistakablyGermanintheiraccent，totheotherwhostoodshakingthewetoffhiscoatintotheleapingflamesofasmallwoodfirethatburnedonthehearthbeforeus。
　　"'O，she'lldowithoutmybothering，'wasthesullenreturn。'I'mwetthrough。'
　　"Theelderman，alargepowerfullyframedfellowofsomefiftyyearsorso，frowned。Itwasanevilfrown，andtheyoungeroneseemedtofeelit。Heimmediatelytossedhiscoatontoachairandlefttheroom。
　　"'Boysaresoobstropolousnow-a-days，'remarkedhiscompaniontomewithwhatheevidentlyintendedforaconciliatorynod。'Inmytimetheywerebrokein，didwhattheyweretoldandaskednoquestions。'
　　"Ismiledtomyselfathiscallingthebroadshoulderedsix-footerwhohadjustleftusaboy，butmerelyremarking，'Heisyoursonishenot!'seatedmyselfbeforetheblazewhichshotupatongueofwhiteflameatmyapproach，thatirresistiblyrecalledtomyfancytheappearanceofthegirlwhohadgoneoutamomentbefore。
　　"'O，yes，heismyson，andthatgirlyousawherewasmydaughter；I
　　keepthisinnandtheyhelpme，butitisaslowwaytolive，Icantellyou。Travelontheseroadsisslim。'
　　"'Ishouldthinklikely，'Ireturned，rememberingthehalfdozenorsohillsupwhichIhadclamberedsinceItooktomyhorse。'HowfararewefromPentonville?'
　　"'O，twoorthreemiles，'hereplied，butinahurriedkindofaway。
　　'Notfarinthedaytimebutaregularjourneyinanightlikethis?'
　　"'Yes，'saidI，asthehouseshookunderafreshgust；'itisfortunateIhaveaplaceinwhichtoputup。'
　　"Heglanceddownatmybaggagewhichconsistedofasmallhandbag，anover-coatandafishingpole，withsomethinglikeagleamofdisappointment。
　　"'Goingfishing?'heasked。
　　"'Yes，'Ireturned。
　　"'Goodtroutupthosestreamsandplentyofthem，'hewenton。'Goingalone?'
　　"Ididnothalflikehisimportunity，butconsideringIhadnothingbettertodo，repliedasaffablyaspossible。'No，IexpecttomeetafriendinPentonvillewhowillaccompanyme。"
　　"Hishandwenttohisbeardinathoughtfulattitudeandhecastmewhat，withmyincreasedexperienceoftheworld，Ishouldnowconsiderasinisterglance。'Thenyouareexpected?'saidhe。
　　"Notconsideringthisworthreply，Istretchedoutmyfeettotheblazeandbegantowarmthem，forIfeltchilledthrough。
　　"'Beenontheroadlong?'henowasked，glancingattheblueflannelsuitIwore。
　　"'Allsummer，'Ireturned，"Iagainthoughthelookeddisappointed。
　　"'FromTroyorNewYork?'hewentonwithavagueendeavortoappeargoodnaturallyoffhand。
　　"'NewYork。'
　　"'Abigplacethat，'hecontinued。'Iwasthereonce，lotsofmoneystoredawayinthembigbuildingsdowninWallStreet，eh?'
　　"Iassented，andhedrewachairuptomyside，aproceedingthatwasinterrupted，however，bythereentranceofhisson，whowithoutanyapologycrowdedintotheothersideofthefire-placeinawaytosandwichmebetweenthem。NotfancyingthisarrangementwhichI，however，imputedtoignorance，Idrewbackandaskedifmyroomwasready。Itseemeditwasnot，andunpleasantlyasitpromised，Ifeltforcedtoreseatmyselfandjoinin，ifnotsupport，theconversationthatfollowed。
　　"Ahalfhourpassedaway，duringwhichthewindincreasedtillitalmostamountedtoagale。Spurtsofraindashedagainstthewindowswithasharpcracklingsoundthatsuggestedhail，whileeverandanonadistantrollasofrousingthunder，rumbledawayamongthehillsinalongandreverberatingpeal，thatmademefeelgladtobehousedevenundertheroofoftheserudeanduncongenialcreatures。
　　Suddenlytheconversationturneduponthetimeandtime-pieces，wheninaloweventoneIheardmurmuredbehindme，"'Thegentleman'sroomisready；'andturning，Isawstandinginthedoorwaytheslightfigureoftheyounggirlwhoseappearancehadpreviouslysoimpressedme。
　　"Iimmediatelyarose。'ThenIwillproceedtoitatonce，'saidI，takingupmytrapsandadvancingtowardsher。
　　"'Donotbealarmedifyouhearcreaksandcracklingsalloverthehouse，'observedthelandlordasIdeparted。'Thewindowsarelooseandthedoorsill-fitting。Insuchastormasthistheymakenoiseenoughtokeepanarmyawake。Thehouseissafeenoughthoughandifyoudon'tmindnoise——'
　　"'OIdon'tmindnoise，'rejoinedI，feelingatthatmomenttiredenoughtofallintoadozeonthestaircase。'Ishallsleep，neverfear，'andwithoutfurtheradofollowedthegirlupstairsintoalargeclumsilyfurnishedroomwhoseenormousbeddrapedwithheavycurtainsatonceattractedmyattention。
　　"'OIcannotsleepunderthosethings，'remarkedI，withagesturetowardsthedismaldraperieswhichtomewereanothernameforsuffocation。
　　"Withasinglearm-sweepshethrewthemback。'IsthereanythingmoreIcandoforyou?'askedshe，glancinghastilyabouttheroom。
　　"Ithankedherandsaid'no，'atwhichsheatoncedepartedwithalookofstilldeterminationuponhercountenancethatIfoundithardtoexplain。
　　Leftaloneinthatlarge，bareanddimlylightedroom，withthewindshriekinginthechimneyandthepowerfullimbsofsomehugetreebeatingagainstthewallswithout，withaheavythudinexpressiblymournful，Ifoundtomysurpriseandsomethinglikedismay，thatthesleepinesswhichhadhithertooppressedme，hadinsomeunaccountablewayentirelyfled。InvainIcontemplatedthebed，comfortableenoughnowinitsappearancethatthestiflingcurtainswerewithdrawn；notemptationtoinvadeitcametoarousemefromthechairintowhichI
　　hadthrownmyself。ItwasasifIfeltmyselfunderthespellofsomeinvisibleinfluencethatliketheeyeofabasilisk，heldmeenchained。IrememberturningmyheadtowardsacertainquarterofthewallasifIhalfexpectedtoencountertherethebewilderingglanceofaserpent。Yetfarfrombeingapprehensiveofanydanger，I
　　onlywonderedovertheweaknessofmindthatmadesuchfanciespossible。
　　"Anextraloudswirlofthefoliagewithout，accompaniedbyaquickvibrationofthehouse，arousedmeatlast。IfIwastolosethesenseofthisfuriousstormcareeringovermyhead，Imustcourtsleepatonce。Rising，Idrewoffmycoat，unloosenedmyvestandwasabouttothrowitoff，whenIbethoughtmeofacertainwalletitcontained。GoingtothedoorinsomeunconsciousimpulseofprecautionIsuppose，Ilockedmyselfin，andthendrawingoutmywallet，tookfromitarollofbillswhichIputintoasmallsidepocket，returningthewallettoitsoldplace。
　　"WhyIdidthisIcanscarcelysay。AsIhavebeforeintimated，Iwasundernospecialapprehension。Iwasatthattimeanythingbutasuspiciousman，andthemannerandappearanceofthemenbelowstruckmeasunpleasantlydisagreeablebutnothingmore。ButInotonlydidwhatIhaverelated，butallowedthelamptoremainlighted，lyingdownfinallyinmyclothes；analmostunprecedentedactonmypart，warrantedhoweverasIsaidtomyself，bythefuryofthegalewhichatthattimeseemedasifitwouldtumbletheroofoverourheads。