The Notch on the Ax and On Being Found Out_第11章

　　No，no。notthat，——thatwasbutafancytofreezemedead。
　　Buttostandhere，withthatcreaturebehindme，listening，waitingforthewarmhorrorofitsbreathtotouchmyneck！Ah！Icannot。
　　Iwilllook。Iwillseeitfacetoface。Betteranyagonythanthisone。
　　Slowly，withheldbreath，andeyesachingintheirstretchedfixity，Iturn。Thereitis！ClearinthemoonlightIseethemonstrousformwithinthebed，——thedarkcoverletrisesandfallswithitsheavingbreath……Ah！heavenhavemercy！Istherenonetohelp，nonetosavemefromthisawfulpresence？……
　　Andtheknife-hiltdrawsmyfingersroundit，whilemyfleshquivers，andmysoulgrowssickwithloathing。Thewindhowls，theshadowschasethroughtheroom，huntingwithfearfuldarknessmorefearfullight。andIstandlooking，……listening……
　　Imustnotstandhereforever。Imustbeupanddoing。Whatanoisethewindmakes，andtherattlingofthewindowsandthedoors。Ifhesleepsthroughthishewillsleepthroughall。
　　NoiselesslymybarefeettreadthecarpetasIapproachthebed。
　　noiselesslymyleftarmraisestheheavycurtain。Whatdoesithide？DoInotknow？Thebestialfeatures，half-hiddenincoarse，blackgrowth。themuddy，blotchedskin，oozingfoulnessateverypore。Oh，Iknowthemtoowell！Whatamonsteritis！Howtherankbreathgurglesthroughhisthroatinhisdrunkensleep。Theeyesareclosednow，butIknowthemtoo。theirodiousleer，andthevenomoushatredwithwhichtheycanglareatmefromtheirbloodshotsetting。Butthetimehascomeatlast。Neveragainshalltheirpassioninsultme，ortheirfurydegrademeinslavishterror。Therehelies。thereatmymercy，themanwhoforfifteenyearshasmadeGod’slightashametome，andHisdarknessaterror。Theendhascomeatlast，——theonlyendpossible，theonlyendleftme。Onhisheadbethebloodandthecrime！Godalmighty，Iamnotguilty！Theendhascome。Icanbearmyburdennofarther。
　　Bearethallthings，endurethallthings。
　　WherehaveIheardthosewords？TheyareintheBible。thepreceptofcharity。Whathasthattodowithme？Nothing。Iheardthewordsinmydreamssomewhere。Awhite-facedmansaidthem，awhite-facedmanwithpureeyes。Tome？——no，no，nottome。toagirlitwas——anignorant，innocentgirl，andsheacceptedthemasaneternal，unqualifiedlaw。LetherbearbuthalfthatIhaveborne，letherendurebutone-tenthofwhatIhaveendured，andthenifshedareletherspeakinjudgmentagainstme。
　　Softlynow。Imustdrawtheheavycoveringsaway，andbarehisbreasttothestroke，——thestrokethatshallfreeme。Iknowwellwheretoplantit。Ihavelearnedthatfromtheoldlady’sItalian。
　　DidheguesswhyIquestionedhimsocloselyofthesurest，straightestroadtoaman’sheart？Nomatter，hecannothindermenow。Gently！Ah！Ihavedisturbedhim。Hemoves，muttersinhissleep，throwsouthisarm。Down。down。crouchingbehindthecurtain。Heavens！ifhewakesandseesme，hewillkillme。No！
　　alas！ifonlyhewould。Iwouldkissthehandthathestruckmewith。butheistoocruelforthat。Hewillimaginesomenewandmorehellishtorturetopunishmewith。Buttheknife！Ihavegotthat。heshallnevertouchmelivingagain……Heisquieternow。Ihearhisbreath，hoarseandheavyasawildbeast’spanting。Hedrawsitmoreevenly，moredeeply。Thedangerispast。ThankGod！
　　God！WhathaveItodowithHim？AGodofJudgment。Ha，ha！
　　Hellcannotfrightenme。itwillnotbeworsethanearth。Onlyhewillbetheretoo。Notwithhim，notwithhim，——sendmetothelowestcircleoftorment，butnotwithhim。There，hisbreastisbarenow。Istheknifesharp？Yes。andthebladeisstrongenough。Nowletmestrike——myselfafterwardsifneedbe，buthimfirst。Isitthedevilthatpromptsme？Thenthedevilismyfriend，andthefriendoftheworld。No。GodisaGodoflove。
　　Hecannotwishsuchamantolive。Hemadehim，butthedevilspoilthim。andletthedevilhavehishandiworkbackagain。Ithasservedhimlongenoughhere。anditslastserviceshallbetomakemeamurderess。
　　Howthemoonlightgleamsfromthebladeasmyarmswingsupandback：withhowcloseagrasptheroughhiltdrawsmyfingersroundit。Now。
　　Amurderess？
　　Waitamoment。Amomentmaymakemefree。amomentmaymakeme——
　　that！
　　Wait。
　　Handanddaggerdroopagain。Hislifehasdraggeditsslimeovermysoul。shallhisdeathpoisonitwithafoulercorruptionstill？
　　Myownsoul’swarden。
　　Whatwasthat？Dreammemoriesagain。
　　Resist，strive，endure。
　　Easywords。Whatdotheymeanforme？Tocreepbacknowtobedbyhisside，andtobeginlivingagainto-morrowthelifewhichIhavelivedto-day？No，no。Icannotdoit。Heavencannotaskitofme。
　　Andthereisnootherway。Thatorthis。thisorthat。Whichshallitbe？Ah！Ihavestriven，Godknows。IhaveenduredsolongthatIhopedeventodosototheend。Butto-day！Oh！thetormentandtheoutrage：bodyandsoulstillbearthestainofit。
　　Ithoughtthatmyheartandmyprideweredeadtogether，buthehasstungthemagainintoaching，shamefullife。YesterdayImighthavesparedhim，tosavemyowncoldsoulfromsin。butnowitiscoldnolonger。Itburns，itburnsandthefiremustbeslaked。
　　Ay，Iwillkillhim，andhavedonewithit。WhyshouldIpauseanylonger？Theknifedragsmyhandbackforthestroke。Onlythedreamsurroundsme。thepureman’sfaceisthere，white，beseeching，andGod’svoiceringsinmyheart——
　　Tohimthatovercometh。
　　ButIcannotovercome。Evilhasgovernedmylife，andevilisstrongerthanIam。WhatshallIdo？whatshallIdo？God，ifThouartstrongerthanevil，fightforme。
　　ThevictoryoftheCrossisours。
　　Yes，Iknowit。Itistrue，itistrue。Buttheknife？IcannotloosetheknifeifIwould。Howtowrenchitfrommyownhold？
　　ThouGodofVictorybewithme！Christhelpme！
　　Iseizethebladewithmylefthand。thetwo-edgedsteelslidesthroughmygrasp。asharppaininfingersandpalm。andthen——
　　nothing……
　　VI
　　WhenIagainbecameconscious，Ifoundmyselfhalfkneeling，halflyingacrossthebed，myarmsstretchedoutinfrontofme，myfaceburiedintheclothes。Bodyandmindwerealikenumbed。A
　　smartingpaininmylefthand，adreadfulterrorinmyheart，wereatfirsttheonlysensationsofwhichIwasaware。Slowly，veryslowly，senseandmemoryreturnedtome，andwiththemamorevividintensityofmentalanguish，asdetailbydetailIrecalledtheweirdhorrorofthenight。Haditreallyhappened，——wasthethingstillthere，——orwasitallaghastlynightmare？ItwassomeminutesbeforeIdaredeithertomoveorlookup，andthenfearfullyIraisedmyhead。Beforemestretchedthesmoothwhitecoverlet，faintlybrightwithyellowsunshine。Weakandgiddy，I
　　struggledtomyfeet，and，steadyingmyselfagainstthefootofthebed，withclenchedteethandburstingheart，forcedmygazeroundtotheotherend。Thepillowlaythere，bareandunmarkedsaveforwhatmightwellhavebeenthepressureofmyownhead。Mybreathcamemorefreely，andIturnedtothewindow。Thesunhadjustrisen，thegoldentree-topsweretouchedwithlight，faintthreadsofmisthunghereandthereacrossthesky，andthetwitteringofbirdssoundedclearlythroughthecrispautumnair。
　　Itwasnothingbutabaddreamthen，afterall，thishorrorwhichstillhungroundme，leavingmeincapableofeffort，almostofthought。Irememberedthecabinet，andlookedswiftlyinthatdirection。Thereitstood，closedasusual，closedasithadbeentheeveningbefore，asithadbeenforthelastthreehundredyears，exceptinmydreams。
　　Yes，thatwasit。nothingbutadream，——agruesome，hauntingdream。
　　Withaninstinctofwipingoutthedreadfulmemory，Iraisedmyhandwearilytomyforehead。AsIdidso，Ibecameconsciousagainofhowithurtme。Ilookedatit。Itwascoveredwithhalf-driedblood，andtwostraightcleancutsappeared，oneacrossthepalmandoneacrosstheinsideofthefingersjustbelowtheknuckles。
　　Ilookedagaintowardsthebed，and，intheplacewheremyhandhadrestedduringmyfaint，asmallpatchofredbloodwastobeseen。
　　Thenitwastrue！Thenithadallhappened！WithalowshudderingsobIthrewmyselfdownuponthecouchatthefootofthebed，andlaythereforsomeminutes，mylimbstrembling，andmysoulshrinkingwithinme。Amistofevil，fearfulandloathsome，haddescendeduponmygirlhood’slife，sullyingitsignorantinnocence，saddeningitsbrightness，asIfelt，forever。Ilaytheretillmyteethbegantochatter，andIrealizedthatIwasbitterlycold。
　　Toreturntothataccursedbedwasimpossible，soIpulledarugwhichhungatoneendofthesofaoverme，and，utterlywornoutinmindandbody，felluneasilyasleep。
　　Iwasrousedbytheentranceofmymaid。IstoppedherexclamationsandquestionsbyshortlystatingthatIhadhadabadnight，hadbeenunabletorestinbed，andhadhadanaccidentwithmyhand，——withoutfurtherspecifyingofwhatdescription。
　　Ididn’tknowthatyouhadbeenfeelingunwellwhenyouwenttobedlastnight，miss，shesaid。
　　WhenIwenttobedlastnight？Unwell？Whatdoyoumean？
　　OnlyMr。Alanhasjustaskedmetolethimknowhowyoufindyourselfthismorning，sheanswered。
　　Thenheexpectedsomething，dreadedsomething。Ah！whyhadheyieldedandallowedmetosleephere，Iaskedmyselfbitterly，astheincidentsofthedaybeforeflashedthroughmymind。
　　Tellhim，Isaid，whatIhavetoldyou。andsaythatIwishtospeaktohimdirectlyafterbreakfast。Icouldnotconfidemystorytoanyoneelse，butspeakofitImusttosomeoneorgomad。
　　Everymomentpassedinthatplacewasanaddedmisery。Muchtomymaid’ssurpriseIsaidthatIwoulddressinherroom——thelittleonewhich，asIhavesaid，wasclosetomyown。Ifeltbetterthere。butmyutterfatigueandmywoundedhandcombinedtomakemytoiletslow，andIfoundthatmostofthepartyhadfinishedbreakfastwhenIreachedthedining-room。Iwasgladofthis，forevenasitwasIfounditdifficultenoughtogivecoherentanswerstothequestionswhichmywhitefaceandbandagedhandcalledforth。Alanhelpedmebygivingaresoluteturntotheconversation。Onceonlyoureyesmetacrossthetable。HelookedashaggardandwornasIdid：Ilearnedafterwardsthathehadpassedmostofthatfearfulnightpacingthepassageoutsidemydoor，thoughhelistenedinvainforanyindicationofwhatwasgoingonwithintheroom。
　　ThemomentIhadfinishedbreakfasthewasbymyside。Youwishtospeaktome？now？heaskedinalowtone。
　　Yes。now，Ianswered，breathlessly，andwithoutraisingmyeyesfromtheground。
　　Whereshallwego？Outside？Itisabrightday，andweshallbefreertherefrominterruption。
　　Iassented。andthenlookingupathimappealingly，Willyoufetchmythingsforme？ICANNOTgouptothatroomagain。
　　Heseemedtounderstandme，nodded，andwasgone。Afewminuteslaterweleftthehouse，andmadeourwayinsilencetowardsagrassyspotonthesideoftheravinewherewehadalreadyindulgedinmorethanonefriendlytalk。
　　Aswewent，theDeadStonecameforamomentintoview。IseizedAlan’sarminanalmostconvulsivegrip。Tellme，Iwhispered，——
　　yourefusedtotellmeyesterday，butyoumustnow，——whoisburiedbeneaththatrock？
　　Therewasnowneithertimiditynorembarrassmentinmytone。Thehorrorsofthathousehadbecomepartofmylifeforever，andtheirsecretswereminebyright。Alan，afteramoment’spause，aquestioningglanceatmyface，tacitlyacceptedtheposition。
　　Itoldyouthetruth，hereplied，whenIsaidthatIdidnotknow。butIcantellyouthepopulartraditiononthesubject，ifyoulike。TheysaythatMargaretMervyn，thewomanwhomurderedherhusband，isburiedthere，andthatDameAlicehadtherockplacedoverhergrave，——whethertosaveitfrominsultortomarkitoutforopprobrium，Ineverheard。Thepoorpeopleaboutheredonotcaretogoneartheplaceafterdark，andamongtheolderonestherearestillsome，Ibelieve，whospitatthesuicide’sgraveastheypass。
　　Poorwoman，poorwoman！Iexclaimed，inaburstofuncontrollablecompassion。
　　Whyshouldyoupityher？demandedhewithsuddensternness。sheWASasuicideandamurderesstoo。Itwouldbebetterforthepublicconscience，Ibelieve，ifsuchwerestillhunginchains，orburiedatthecross-roadswithastakethroughtheirbodies。
　　Hush，Alan，hush！Icriedhysterically，asIclungtohim。don’tspeakharshlyofher：youdonotknow，youcannottell，howterriblyshewastempted。Howcanyou？
　　Helookeddownatmeinbewilderedsurprise。HowcanI？herepeated。YouspeakasifYOUcould。Whatdoyoumean？
　　Don’taskme，Ianswered，turningtowardshimmyface，——white，quivering，tear-stained。Don’taskme。Notnow。Youmustanswermyquestionsfirst，andafterthatIwilltellyou。ButIcannottalkofitnow。Notyet。
　　WehadreachedtheplacewewereinsearchofasIspoke。There，wherethespreadingrootsofagreatbeech-treeformedanaturalrestingplaceuponthesteepsideoftheravine，Itookmyseat，andAlanstretchedhimselfuponthegrassbesideme。Thenlookingupatme——Idonotknowwhatquestionsyouwouldask，hesaid，quietly。butIwillanswerthem，whatevertheymaybe。
　　ButIdidnotaskthemyet。Isatinsteadwithmyhandsclaspingmyknee，lookingoppositeatthegloryofharmoniouscolor，ordowntheglenatthevistaoffar-off，dream-likeloveliness，onwhichitopenedout。Theyellowautumnsunshinemadeeverythinggolden，thefreshautumnbreezesfilledtheairwithlife。buttomealoathsomeshadowseemedtorestuponall，andtostretchitselfoutfarbeyondwheremyeyescouldreach，befoulingthebeautyofthewholewideworld。AtlastIspoke。Youhaveknownofitall，I
　　suppose。ofthiscursethatisintheworld，——sinandsuffering，andwhatsuchwordsmean。
　　Yes，hesaid，lookingatmewithwonderingpity，Iamafraidso。
　　Buthaveyouknownthemastheyareknowntosome，——agonized，hopelesssuffering，andsinthatisallbutinevitable？Sometimeinyourlifeprobablyyouhaverealizedthatsuchthingsare：ithascomehometoyou，andtoeveryoneelse，nodoubt，exceptafewignorantgirlssuchasIwasyesterday。Buttherearesome，——yes，thousandsandthousands，——whoevennow，atthismoment，arefeelingsorrowlikethat，aresinkingdeep，deeperintothebottomlesspitoftheirsoul’sdegradation。Andyetmenwhoknowthis，whohaveseenit，laugh，talk，arehappy，amusethemselves——howcanthey，howcanthey？Istoppedwithacatchinmyvoice，andthenstretchingoutmyarmsinfrontofme——Anditisnotonlymen。
　　Lookhowbeautifultheearthis，andGodhasmadeit，andletsthesuncrowniteverydaywithanewglory，whilethishorrorofevilbroodsoverandpoisonsitall。Oh，whyisitso？Icannotunderstandit。
　　MyarmsdroopedagainasIfinished，andmyeyessoughtAlan’s。
　　Hiswerefulloftears，buttherewasalmostasmilequiveringatthecornersofhislipsashereplied：Whenyouhavefoundananswertothatquestion，Evie，comeandtellmeandmankindatlarge：itwillbenewstousall。Thenhecontinued——But，afterall，theearthisbeautiful，andthesundoesshine：wehaveourownhappinesstorejoicein，ourownsorrowstobear，thesufferingthatisneartoustograpplewith。Fortherest，forthisblacknessofevilwhichsurroundsus，andwhichwecandonothingtolighten，itwillsoon，thankGod，becomevagueandfarofftoyouasitistoothers：yourfeelingofitwillbedulled，and，exceptatmoments，youtoowillforget。
　　Butthatishorrible，Iexclaimed，passionately。theevilwillbethereallthesame，whetherIfeelitornot。Menandwomenwillbestrugglingintheirmiseryandsin，onlyIshallbetooselfishtocare。
　　Wecannotgooutsidethelimitsofourownnature，hereplied。
　　ourknowledgeisshallowandourspiritualinsightdark，andGodinHismercyhasmadeourheartsshallowtoo，andourimaginationdull。If，knowingandtrustingonlyasmendo，weweretofeelasangelsfeel，earthwouldbehellindeed。
　　Itwascoldcomfort，butatthatmomentanythingwarmerorbrighterwouldhavebeenunrealandutterlyrepellenttome。Ihardlytookinthemeaningofhiswords，butitwasasifahandhadbeenstretchedouttome，strugglinginthedeepmire，byonewhohimselffeltsolidgroundbeneathhim。WherehestoodIalsomightsomedaystand，andthatthoughtseemedtomakepatiencepossible。
　　Itwashewhofirstbrokethesilencewhichfollowed。Youweresayingthatyouhadquestionstoaskme。Iamimpatienttoputmineinreturn，sopleasegoon。
　　Ithadbeenarelieftometoturneventogeneralizationsofdespairfromtheactualhorrorwhichhadinspiredthem，andtowhichmymindwasthusrecalled。WithaneffortIreplied，Yes，I
　　wanttoaskyouaboutthatroom——theroominwhichIslept，and——
　　andthemurderwhichwascommittedthere。InspiteofallthatI
　　coulddo，myvoicesankalmosttoawhisperasIconcluded，andI
　　wastremblingfromheadtofoot。
　　Whotoldyouthatamurderwascommittedthere？Somethinginmyfaceasheaskedthequestionmadehimaddquickly，Nevermind。
　　Youareright。ThatistheroominwhichHughMervynwasmurderedbyhiswife。Iwassurprisedatyourquestion，forIdidnotknowthatanyonebutmybrothersandmyselfwereawareofthefact。Thesubjectisnevermentioned：itiscloselyconnectedwithoneintenselypainfultoourfamily，andbesides，ifspokenof，therewouldbeinconveniencesarisingfromthesuperstitiousterrorsofservants，andthenaturaldislikeofgueststosleepinaroomwheresuchathinghadhappened。Indeeditwaslargelywiththeviewofwipingoutthelastmemoryofthecrime’slocality，thatmyfatherrenewedtheinterioroftheroomsometwentyyearsago。Theonlytraditionwhichhasbeenadheredtoinconnectionwithitistheonewhichhasnowbeenviolatedinyourperson——theonewhichprecludesanyunmarriedwomanfromsleepingthere。Exceptforthat，theroomhas，asyouknow，lostallsinisterreputation，anditstitleof’haunted’hasbecomepurelyconventional。
　　Nevertheless，asIsaid，youareright——thatisundoubtedlytheroominwhichthemurderwascommitted。
　　Hestoppedandlookedupatme，waitingformore。
　　Goon。tellmeaboutit，andwhatfollowed。Mylipsformedthewords。myheartbeattoofaintlyformybreathtoutterthem。
　　Aboutthemurderitselfthereisnotmuchtotell。Theman，I
　　believe，wasaninhumanscoundrel，andthewomanfirstkilledhimindesperation，andafterwardsherselfindespair。TheonlydetailconnectedwiththeactualcrimeofwhichIhaveeverheard，wasthegalethatwasblowingthatnight——thefiercestknowntothiscountrysideinthatgeneration。andithasalwaysbeensaidsincethatanymisfortunetotheMervyns——especiallyanymisfortuneconnectedwiththecurse——comeswithastormofwind。ThatwaswhyIsodislikedyourstoryoftheimaginarytempestswhichhavedisturbedyournightssinceyousleptthere。Astowhatfollowed，——hegaveasigh，——thatstoryislongenoughandfullofincident。Onthemorningafterthemurder，sorunsthetale，DameAlicecamedowntotheGrangefromthetowertowhichshehadretiredwhenherson’swickednesseshaddrivenherfromhishouse，andthereinthepresenceofthetwocorpsessheforetoldthecursewhichshouldrestupontheirdescendantsforgenerationstocome。
　　Aclergymanwhowaspresent，horrified，itissaidatherwords，adjuredherbythemercyofHeaventoplacesometermtothedoomwhichshehadpronounced。Sherepliedthatnomortalmightreckonthefruitofaplantwhichdrewitslifefromhell。thatatermthereshouldbe，butasitpassedthewisdomofmantofixit，soitshouldpassthewitofmantodiscoverit。Shethenplacedintheroomthiscabinet，constructedbyherselfandherItalianfollower，andsaidthatthecurseshouldnotdepartfromthefamilyuntilthedaywhenitsdoorswereunlockedanditslegendread。
　　Suchisthestory。Itellittoyouasitwastoldtome。Onethingonlyiscertain，thatthedoomthustraditionallyforetoldhasbeenonlytooamplyfulfilled。
　　Andwhatwasthedoom？
　　Alanhesitatedalittle，andwhenhespokehisvoicewasalmostawfulinitspassionlesssternness，initsdespairingfinality。itseemedtoechotheirrevocablejudgmentwhichhiswordspronounced：
　　ThatthecrimesagainstGodandeachotherwhichhaddestroyedtheparents’lifeshouldenterintothechildren’sblood，andthatneverthereaftershouldtherefailaMervyntobringshameordeathupononegenerationofhisfather’shouse。
　　Thereweretwosonsofthatill-fatedmarriage，hewentonafterapause，boysatthetimeoftheirparents’death。Whentheygrewuptheybothfellinlovewiththesamewoman，andonekilledtheotherinaduel。Thestoryofthenextgenerationwasapeculiarlysadone。Twobrotherstookoppositesidesduringtheciviltroubles。butsofearfulweretheyofthecursewhichlayuponthefamily，thattheychieflymadeuseoftheirmutualpositioninordertoprotectandguardeachother。Afterthewarswereover，theyoungerbrother，whiletravelinguponsomeparliamentarycommission，stoppedanightattheGrange。There，throughamistake，heexchangedthereportwhichhewasbringingtoLondonforapacketofpapersimplicatinghisbrotherandseveralbesidesinaroyalistplot。Heonlydiscoveredhiserrorashehandedthepaperstohissuperior，andwasbutjustabletowarnhisbrotherintimeforhimtosavehislifebyflight。Theothermeninvolvedweretakenandexecuted，andasitwasknownbywhatmeansinformationhadreachedtheGovernment，theelderMervynwasuniversallychargedwiththevilesttreachery。ItissaidthatwhenaftertheRestorationhisreturnhomewasrumoredtheneighboringgentryassembled，armedwithridingwhips，tofloghimoutofthecountryifheshoulddaretoshowhisfacethere。Hediedabroad，shame-strickenandbroken-hearted。Itwashisson，broughtupbyhisuncleinthesternesttenetsofPuritanism，who，cominghomeafteralengthenedjourney，foundthatduringhisabsencehissisterhadbeenshamefullyseduced。Heturnedheroutofdoors，thenandthere，inthemidstofabitterJanuarynight，andthenextmorningherdeadbodyandthatofhernew-borninfantwerefoundhalfburiedinthefresh-fallensnowonthetopofthewolds。The’whitelady’isstillsupposedbythevillagerstohauntthatsideoftheglen。Andsoitwenton。Abeautiful，heartlessMervyninQueenAnne’stimeenticedawaytheaffectionsofhersister’sbetrothed，andonthedayofherownweddingwithhim，herforsakensisterwasfounddrownedbyherownactinthepondatthebottomofthegarden。TwobrothersweresoldierstogetherinsomeContinentalwar，andonewasinvoluntarilythemeansofdiscoveringandexposingthetreasonoftheother。Agirlwasbetrayedintoafalsemarriage，andherliferuinedbyamanwhocameintothehouseasherbrother’sfriend，andwhoseinfamousdesignswereforwardedandfinallyaccomplishedbythatsamebrother’sactivethoughunsuspectingassistance。Generationaftergeneration，menorwomen，guiltyorinnocent，throughtheactionoftheirownwillorinspiteofit，thecursehasneveryetfailedofitsvictims。
　　Neveryet？Butsurelyinourowntime——yourfather？Ididnotdaretoputthequestionwhichwasburningmylips。
　　Haveyouneverheardofthetragicendofmypooryounguncles？
　　hereplied。Theywereseveralyearsolderthanmyfather。Whenboysoffourteenandfifteentheyweresentoutwiththekeeperfortheirfirstshootinglesson，andtheeldershothisbrotherthroughtheheart。Hehimselfwasdelicate，andtheysaythatheneverentirelyrecoveredfromtheshock。Hediedbeforehewastwenty，andmyfather，thenachildofsevenyearsold，becametheheir。
　　Itwaspartly，nodoubt，owingtothiscalamityhavingthusoccurredbeforehewasoldenoughtofeelit，thathiscomparativeskepticismonthewholesubjectwasdue。TothatIsuppose，andtothefactthathegrewupinanageofrailwaysandliberalculture。
　　Hedidn’tbelieve，then，inthecurse？
　　Well，rather，hethoughtnothingaboutit。Until，thatis，thetimecamewhenittookeffect，tobreakhisheartandendhislife。
　　Howdoyoumean？
　　Therewassilenceforalittle。Alanhadturnedawayhishead，sothatIcouldnotseehisface。Then——
　　IsupposeyouhaveneverbeentoldthetruestoryofwhyJackleftthecountry？
　　No。Washe——ishe——？
　　Heisonevictimofthecurseinthisgeneration，andI，Godhelpme，amtheother，andperhapsmorewretchedone。
　　Hisvoicetrembledandbroke，andforthefirsttimethatdayI
　　almostforgotthemysterioushorrorofthenightbefore，inmypityfortheactual，tangiblesufferingbeforeme。Istretchedoutmyhandtohis，andhisfingersclosedonminewithasudden，painfulgrip。Thenquietly——
　　Iwilltellyouthestory，hesaid，thoughsincethatmiserabletimeIhavespokenofittonoone。
　　Therewasapausebeforehebegan。Helaytherebymyside，hisgazeturnedacrossmeupthesunbright，autumn-tintedglen，buthiseyesshadowedbythememorieswhichhewasstrivingtorecallandarrangeindueorderinhismind。Andwhenhedidspeakitwasnotdirectlytobeginthepromisedrecital。
　　YouneverknewJack，hesaid，abruptly。
　　Hardly，Iacquiesced。Irememberthinkinghimveryhandsome。
　　Therecouldnotbetwoopinionsastothat，heanswered。Andamanwhocouldhavedoneanythinghelikedwithlife，hadthingsgonedifferently。Hisabilitieswerefine，buthisstrengthlayaboveallinhischaracter：hewasstrong，——stronginhislikesandinhisdislikes，resolute，fearless，incapableofhalfmeasures——aman，everyinchofhim。Hewasnotgenerallypopular——stiff，hard，unsympathetic，peoplecalledhim。Fromonepointofview，andoneonly，heperhapsdeservedtheepithets。Ifawomanlosthisrespectsheseemedtolosehispitytoo。Likeamediaevalmonk，helookeduponsuchratherasthecausethantheresultofmaledepravity，andhiscontemptforthemmingledwithanger，almost，asIsometimesthought，withhatred。Andthisattitudewas，Ihavenodoubt，resentedbythemenofhisownclassandset，whosharedneitherhisfaultsnorhisvirtues。Butinotherwayshewasnothard。Hecouldlove。I，atleast，havecausetoknowit。Ifyouwouldhearhisstoryrightlyfrommylips，Evie，youmusttryandseehimwithmyeyes。Thefriendwholovedme，andwhomIlovedwiththepassionwhich，ifnotthestrongest，iscertainly，I
　　believe，themostenduringofwhichmenarecapable，——thatperfectbrother’slove，whichsogrowsintoourbeingthatwhenitisatpeacewearescarcelyconsciousofitsexistence，andwhenitiswoundedourverylife-bloodseemstoflowatthestroke。Brothersdonotalwayslovelikethat：Icanonlywishthatwehadnotdoneso。
　　VII
　　Well，aboutfiveyearsago，beforeIhadtakenmydegree，IbecameacquaintedwithawomanwhomIwillcall’Delia，’——itisnearenoughtothenamebywhichshewent。Shewasafewyearsolderthanmyself，verybeautiful，andIbelievedhertobewhatshedescribedherself——theinnocentvictimofcircumstanceandfalseappearance，ahelplesspreytothevilecalumniesofworldlings。
　　Insoberfact，Iamafraidthat，whateverherlifemayhavebeenactuallyatthetimethatIknewher——asubjectwhichIhavenevercaredtoinvestigate——herpasthadbeennotonlybadenoughirretrievablytofixherpositioninsociety，butbadenoughtoleaveherwithoutanidealintheworld，thoughstillretainingwithinherheartthepossibilitiesofapassionwhich，fromthemomentthatitcametolife，wasstrongenoughtoturnherwholeexistenceintoonedesperaterecklessstrainingafteranobjecthopelesslybeyondherreach。Thatwasthewomanwithwhom，attheageoftwenty，Ifanciedmyselfinlove。Shewantedtogetahusband，andshethoughtme——rightly——assenoughtoacceptthepost。Iwasveryyoungthenevenformyyears，——astudent，anidealist，withanimaginationhighlydeveloped，andnoknowledgewhateveroftheworldasitactuallyis。Anyhow，beforeIhadknownheramonth，Ihaddeterminedtomakehermywife。Myparentswereabroadatthetime，GeorgeandLucyhere，sothatitwastoJackthatIimpartedthenewsofmyresolve。Asyoumayimagine，hedidallthathecouldtoshakeit。ButIwasimmovable。Idisbelievedhisfacts，anddespisedhiscontemptfromthestandpointofmyownsuperiormorality。Thisstateofthingscontinuedforseveralweeks，duringthegreaterpartofwhichtimeIwasatOxford。IonlyknewthatwhileIwasthere，JackhadmadeDelia’sacquaintance，andwasapparentlycultivatingitassiduously。
　　Oneday，duringtheEastervacation，Igotanotefromheraskingmetosupperatherhouse。Jackwasinvitedtoo：welodgedtogetherwhilemypeoplewereaway。
　　Thereisnoneedtodwelluponthatsupper。Thereweretwoorthreewomenthereofherownsort，orworse，andadozenmenfromamongthemostprofligateinLondon。Theconversationwas，I
　　shouldthink，badevenforthatclass。andshe，thegoddessofmyidolatry，outstrippedthemallbythefoul，coarseshamelessnessofherlanguageandbehavior。Beforetheentertainmentwashalfover，Iroseandtookmyleave，accompaniedbyJackandanotherman，——
　　Legardwashisname，——whoIpresumewasbored。Justaswehadpassedthroughintotheanteroom，whichlaybeyondtheoneinwhichwehadbeeneating，Deliafollowedus，andlayingherhandonJack’sarm，saidthatshemustspeakwithhim。LegardandIwentintotheouterhall，andwehadnotbeentheremorethanaminutewhenthedoorfromtheanteroomopened，andweheardDelia’svoice。
　　Irememberthewordswell，——thatwasnottheonlyoccasiononwhichIwastohearthem。’Iwillkeeptheringasarecordofmylove，’
　　shesaid，’andunderstand，thatthoughyoumayforget，Inevershall。’Jackcamethrough，thedoorclosed，andaswewentoutI
　　glancedtowardshislefthand，andsaw，asIexpectedtosee，theabsenceoftheringwhichheusuallyworethere。ItcontainedagemwhichmymotherhadpickedupintheEast，andIknewthathevalueditquitepeculiarly。WealwayscalleditJack’stalisman。
　　Amiserabletimefollowed，atimeformeofagonizingwonderanddoubt，duringwhichregretformydeadillusionwasentirelyswallowedupintheterribledreadofmybrother’sdegradation。
　　ThencametheannouncementofhisengagementtoLadySylviaGrey。
　　andaweeklater，theverydayafterIhadfinallyreturnedtoLondonfromOxford，IreceivedasummonsfromDeliatocomeandseeher。Curiosity，andthehauntingfearaboutJack，whichstillhungroundme，inducedmetoconsenttowhatotherwisewouldhavebeenintolerablyrepellenttome，andIwent。Ifoundherinamadpassionoffury。Jackhadrefusedtoseeherortoanswerherletters，andshehadsentforme，thatImightgivehimhermessage，——tellhimthathebelongedtoherandheronly，andthathenevershouldmarryanotherwoman。Angryatmyinterference，Jackdisdainedeventorepudiateherclaims，onlysendingbackathreatofappealingtothepoliceifsheventureduponanyfurtherannoyance。Iwroteasshetoldme，andsheemphasizedmysilenceonthesubjectbywritingbacktomeamoredefiniteandexplicitassertionofherrights。Beyondthatforsomeweeksshemadenosign。Ihavenodoubtthatshehadmeansofkeepingwatchuponbothhismovementsandmine。andduringthattime，assherelinquishedgraduallyallhopesofinducinghimtoabandonhispurpose，shewasbeingdriventoherlastdespairingresolve。
　　Later，whenallwasover，Jacktoldmethestoryofthatspringandsummer。Hetoldmehow，whenhefoundmeimmovableonthesubject，hehadresolvedtostopthemarriagesomehowthroughDeliaherself。Hehadmadeheracquaintance，andsoughthersocietyfrequently。Shehadtakenafancytohim，andheadmittedthathehadavailedhimselfofthisfacttoincreasehisintimacywithher，and，ashehopedultimately，hispoweroverher。Buthewasnotconsciousofeverhavingvariedinhismannertowardsherofcontemptuousindifference。Thiscontradictorybehavior，——hisbeingconstantlynearher，yetalwaysbeyondherreach，——wasprobablytheverythingwhichexcitedherfancyintopassion，theonestrongpassionofthepoorwoman’slife。Thencamehisdeliberatedemandthatsheshouldbyherownactunmaskherselfinmysight。Theunfortunatewomantriedtobargainforsomeproofofaffectioninreturn，andonthisoccasionhadfirstopenlydeclaredherfeelingstowardshim。Hedidnotbelieveher。herefusedherterms。butwhenasherpaymentsheaskedfortheringwhichwassoespeciallyassociatedwithhimself，heagreedtogiveittoher。Otherwisehoping，nodoubtagainsthope，dreadingaboveallthingsaquarrelandfinalseparation，shesubmittedunconditionally。Andfromthetimeofthatevening，whenLegardandIhadoverheardherpartingwords，Jackneversawheragainuntilthelastandfinalcatastrophe。
　　ItwasinJuly。MyparentshadreturnedtoEngland，buthadcomestraightonhere。JackandIwerediningtogetherwithLadySylviaatherfather’shouse——herbrother，youngGrey，makingthefourthatdinner。Ihadarrangedtogotoapartywithyourmother，andI
　　toldtheservantsthataladywouldcallformeearlyintheevening。ThehousestoodinParkLane，andafterdinnerweallwentoutontothebroadbalconywhichopenedfromthedrawing-
　　room。Therewasastrongwindblowingthatnight，andIrememberwellthevague，disquietedfeelingofunrealitythatpossessedme，——
　　sweepingthroughme，asitwere，witheachgustofwind。Then，suddenly，aservantstoodbehindme，sayingthattheladyhadcomeforme，andwasinthedrawing-room。Shockedthatmyauntshouldhavetroubledherselftocomesofar，Iturnedquickly，steppedbackintotheroom，andfoundmyselffacetofacewithDelia。Shewasfullydressedfortheevening，withalongsilkopera-cloakoverhershoulders，herfaceaswhiteashergown，hersplendideyesstrangelywideopenandshining。Idon’tknowwhatIsaidordid。Itriedtogetheraway，butitwastoolate。Theothershadheardus，andappearedattheopenwindow。Jackcameforwardatonce，speakingrapidly，fiercely。tellinghertoleavethehouseatonce。promisingdesperatelythathewouldseeherinhisownroomsonthemorrow。WellIrememberhowheranswerrangout，——
　　’Neitherto-morrownoranotherday：IwillneverleaveyouagainwhileIlive。’
　　Atthesameinstantshedrewsomethingswiftlyfromunderhercloak，therewasthesoundofapistolshotandshelaydeadatourfeet，herbloodsplashinguponJack’sshirtandhandsasshefell。
　　Alanpausedinhisrecital。Hewastremblingfromheadtofoot。
　　buthekepthiseyesturnedsteadilydownwards，andbothfaceandvoicewerecold——almostexpressionless。
　　Ofcoursetherewasaninquest，heresumed，which，asusual，exerciseditsveryill-definedpowersininquiringintoallpossiblemotivesforthesuicide。YoungGrey，whohadsteppedintotheroomjustbeforetheshothadbeenfired，sworetothelastwordsDeliahaduttered。Legardtothosehehadoverheardthenightofthatdreadfulsupper：therewerescoresofmentobearwitnesstotheintimaterelationswhichhadexistedbetweenherandJackduringthewholeofthepreviousspring。Ihadtogiveevidence。
　　Askillfullawyerhadbeenretainedbyoneofhersisters，andhadbeeninstructedbyheronpointswhichnodoubtshehadoriginallylearntfromDeliaherself。Inhishands，IhadnotonlytocorroborateGreyandLegard，andtogivefulldetailsofthatlastinterview，butalsotosweartothepeculiarvaluewhichJackattachedtothetalismanringwhichhehadgivenDelia。tothelanguageshehadheldwhenIsawheraftermyreturnfromOxford。
　　tohersubsequentletter，andJack’sfatalsilenceontheoccasion。
　　ThestorybywhichJackandIstrovetoaccountforthefactswaslaughedatasaclumsyinvention，andmyundisguisedreluctanceingivingevidenceaddedgreatlytoitsweightagainstmybrother’scharacter。
　　Thejuryreturnedaverdictofsuicidewhileofunsoundmind，theresultofdesertionbyherlover。YoumayimaginehowthatverdictwascommenteduponbyeveryRadicalnewspaperinthekingdom，andforoncesocietymorethancorroboratedtheopinionsofthepress。
　　Thelargerpublicregardedthestoryasanextremecaseoftheinnocentvictimandthecowardlysocietyvillain。ItwasonlyamongacomparativelysmallsetthatDelia’sreputationwasknown，andthere，inviewofJack’snotoriousandpeculiarintimacy，hisrepudiationofallrelationswithherwasreceivedwithcontemptuousincredulity。ThatheshouldhavefirstentereduponsuchrelationsattheverytimewhenhewasalreadycourtingLadySylviawasregardedeveninthosecirclesasa’strongorder，’andtheylookeduponhispresentattitudewithgreatindignation，asacowardlyattempttosavehisowncharacterbycastinguponthedeadwoman’smemoryalltheodiumofafalseaccusation。Withanentireabsenceoflogic，too，hewasmaderesponsibleforthesuicidehavingtakenplaceinLadySylvia’spresence。Shehadbrokenofftheengagementthedayafterthecatastrophe，andherfamily，aclanpowerfulintheLondonworld，furiousatthemudthroughwhichhernamehadbeendragged，didallthattheycouldtointensifythefeelingalreadyexistingagainstJack。
　　Notavoicewasraisedinhisdefense。Hewasadvisedtoleavethearmy。hewasrequestedtowithdrawfromsomeofhisclubs，turnedoutofothers，avoidedbyhisfastacquaintances，cutbyhisrespectableones。Itwasenoughtokillaweakerman。
　　Heshowednoresentmentatthemeasurethusdealtouttohim。
　　Indeed，atthefirst，exceptforSylvia’sdesertionofhim，heseemeddullyindifferenttoitall。Itwasasifhissoulhadbeenstunned，fromthemomentthatthatwretchedwoman’sbloodhadsplasheduponhisfingers，andherdeadeyeshadlookedupintohisown。
　　Butitwasnotlongbeforeherealizedthefullextentofthesocialdamnationwhichhadbeeninflicteduponhim，andhethenresolvedtoleavethecountryandgotoAmerica。Thenightbeforehestartedhecamedownheretotakeleave。Iwasherelookingaftermyparents——George，whosemindwasalmostunhingedbythefamilydisgrace，havinggoneabroadwithhiswife。Mymotheratthefirstnewsofwhathadhappenedhadtakentoherbed，nevertoleaveitagain。andthusitwasinmypresencealone，upthereinmyfather’slittlestudy，thatJackgavehimthatnightthewholestory。Hetolditquietlyenough。butwhenhehadfinished，withasuddenoutburstoffeelingheturneduponme。ItwasIwhohadbeenthecauseofitall。Myinsensatefollyhadinducedhimtomaketheunhappywoman’sacquaintance，toallowandevenencourageherfatallove，tocommitalltheblundersandsinswhichhadbroughtabouthermiserableendingandhisfinaloverthrow。Itwasbymeansofmethatshehadobtainedaccesstohimonthatdreadfulnight。myevidencewhichmostutterlydamnedhiminpublicopinion。
　　throughmehehadlosthisreputation，hisfriends，hiscareer，hiscountry，thewomanheloved，hishopesforthefuture。throughme，aboveall，thattheburdenofthathorribledeathwouldlieforeveronhissoul。Hewaslashinghimselftofurywithhisownwordsashespoke。andIstoodleaningagainstthewalloppositetohim，cold，dumb，unresisting，whensuddenlymyfatherinterrupted。
　　IthinkthatbothJackandIhadforgottenhispresence。butatthesoundofhisvoice，changedfromwhatwehadeverheardit，weturnedtohim，andIthenforthefirsttimesawinhisfacethedeath-lookwhichneverafterwardsquittedit。
　　’Stop，Jack，’hesaid。’Alanisnottoblame。andifithadnotbeeninthisway，itwouldhavebeeninsomeother。Ionlyamguilty，whobroughtyoubothintoexistencewithmyownhell-
　　stainedbloodinyourveins。Ifyouwishtocurseanyone，curseyourfamily，yourname，meifyouwill，andmayGodforgivemethatyouwereeverbornintotheworld！’
　　Alanstoppedwithashudder，andthencontinued，dully，ItwaswhenIheardthosewords，themostterriblethatafathercouldhaveuttered，thatIfirstunderstoodallthatthatoldsixteenth-
　　centurytalemightmeantomeandmine，——Ihaverealizeditvividlyenoughsince。Earlythenextmorning，whenthedawnwasjustbreaking，Jackcametothedoorofmyroomtobidmegood-by。Allhispassionwasgone。Hislooksandtonesseemedpartandparcelofthedimgraymorninglight。Hefreelywithdrewallthechargeshehadmadeagainstmethenightbefore。forgavemeallthesharethatIhadhadinhismisfortunes。andthenbeggedthatIwouldnevercomenearhim，orlethimhearfrommeagain。’Thecurseisheavyuponusboth，’hesaid，’anditistheonlyfavorwhichyoucandome。’Ihaveneverseenhimsince。
　　Butyouhaveheardofhim！Iexclaimed。whathasbecomeofhim？
　　Alanraisedhimselftoasittingposture。ThelastthatIheard，
　　hesaid，withacatchinhisvoice，wasthatinhismiseryandhopelessnesshewastakingtodrink。Georgewritestohim，anddoeswhathecan。butI——Idarenotsayaword，forfearitshouldturntopoisononmylips，——Idarenotliftahandtohelphim，forfearitshouldhavepowertostrikehimtotheground。Theworstmaybeyettocome。Iamstillliving，stillliving：therearedepthsofshametowhichhehasnotsunk。Andoh，Evie，Evie，heismyown，mybest-lovedbrother！
　　Allhiscomposurewasgonenow。Hisvoicerosetoakindofwailwiththelastwords，andfoldinghisarmsonhisraisedknee，helethisheadfalluponthem，whilehisfigurequiveredwithscarcelyrestrainedemotion。Therewasasilenceforsomemomentswhilehesatthus，Ilookingoninwretchedhelplessnessbesidehim。Thenheraisedhishead，and，withoutlookingroundatme，wentoninalowtone：Andwhatisinthefuture？Ipraythatdeathinsteadofshamemaybetheportionofthenextgeneration，andIlookatGeorge’sboysonlytowonderwhichofthemisthehappyonewhoshallsomedayliedeadathisbrother’sfeet。Areyousurprisedatmyresolutionnevertomarry？Thefatalprophecyisrichinitsfulfillment。noneofournameandbloodaresafe。
　　andthedaymightcomewhenItooshouldhavetocalluponmychildrentocursemefortheirbirth，——shouldhavetowatchwhiletheburdenwhichIcouldnolongerbearalonepressedthelifefromtheirmother’sheart。
　　ThroughthetragedyofthisspeechIwasconsciousofafaintsuggestionofcomfort，afar-offglimmer，asofunseenhome-lightsonamidnightsky。Iwasinnomoodthentounderstand，ortoseektounderstand，whatitwas。butIknownowthathiswordshadremovedtheweightofhelplessbanishmentfrommyspirit——thathisheart，speakingthroughthemtomyown，hadmademeforlifethesharerofhisgrief。
　　VIII
　　Presentlyhedrewhisshoulderstogetherwithaslightdeterminedjerk，threwhimselfbackuponthegrass，andturningtome，withthattremulous，haggardsmileuponhislipswhichIknewsowell，butwhichhadneverbeforestruckmewithsuchinfinitepathos，Luckily，hesaid，thereareotherthingstodoinlifebesidesbeinghappy。OnlyperhapsyouunderstandnowwhatImeantlastnightwhenIspokeofthingswhichfleshandbloodcannotbear，andyetwhichmustbeborne。
　　Suddenlyandsharplyhiswordsrousedagainintoactivitytheloathsomememorywhichmyinterestinhisstoryhadpartiallydeadened。Henoticedthequickinvoluntarycontractionofmymuscles，andreaditaright。Thatremindsme，hewenton。I
　　mustclaimyourpromise。Ihavetoldyoumystory。Now，tellmeyours。
　　Itoldhim。notasIhavesetitdownhere，thoughperhapseveningreaterdetail，butincoherently，bitbybit，whilehehelpedmeoutwithgentlequestions，quicklycomprehendinggestures，andpatientwaitingduringthepausesofexhaustionwhichperforceinterposedthemselves。Asmystoryapproacheditsclimax，hisagitationgrewalmostequaltomyown，andhelistenedtotheclose，histeethclenched，hisbrowsbent，asifpassingagainwithmethroughthatawfulconflict。WhenIhadfinished，itwassomemomentsbeforeeitherofuscouldspeak。andthenheburstforthintobitterself-reproachforhavingsofaryieldedtohisbrother’sangryobstinacyastoallowmetosleepthethirdnightinthatfatalroom。
　　Itwascowardice，hesaid，sheercowardice！Afterallthathashappened，Idarednothaveaquarrelwithoneofmyownblood。AndyetifIhadnothardenedmyheart，IhadreasontoknowwhatIwasrisking。
　　Howdoyoumean？Iasked。
　　Thoseothertwogirlswhosleptthere，hesaid，breathlessly。itwasineachcaseafterthethirdnighttherethattheywerefounddead——dead，Evie，sorunsthestory，withamarkupontheirneckssimilarinshapeandpositiontothedeath-woundwhichMargaretMervyninflicteduponherself。
　　Icouldnotspeak，butIclutchedhishandwithanalmostconvulsivegrip。
　　AndIknewthestory，——Iknewit！hecried。Asboyswewerenotallowedtohearmuchofourfamilytraditions，butthisoneIknew。
　　Whenmyfatherredidtheinterioroftheeastroom，heremovedatthesametimeaboardfromabovethedoorwayoutside，onwhichhadbeenwritten——itissaidbyDameAliceherself——awarninguponthisverysubject。Ihappenedtobepresentwhenouroldhousekeeper，whohadbeenhisnurse，remonstratedwithhimwarmlyuponthisact。
　　andIaskedherafterwardswhattheboardwas，andwhyshecaredaboutitsomuch。Inherexcitementshetoldmethestoryofthoseunhappygirls，repeatingagainandagainthat，ifthewarningweretakenaway，evilwouldcomeofit。
　　Andshewasright，Isaid，dully。Oh，ifonlyyourfatherhadleftitthere！
　　Isuppose，heanswered，speakingmorequietly，thathewasimpatientoftraditionswhich，asItoldyou，heatthattimemorethanhalfdespised。Indeedhealteredtheshapeofthedoorway，raisingit，andmakingitflatandsquare，sothattheoldinscriptioncouldnothavebeenreplaced，evenhaditbeenwished。
　　IrememberitwasfittedroundthelowTudorarchwhichwaspreviouslythere。
　　Mymind，toowornwithmanyemotionsfordeliberatethought，wanderedonlanguidly，andasitweremechanically，upontheselasttrivialwords。Thedoorwaypresenteditselftomyviewasithadoriginallystood，withthediscardedwarningaboveit。andthen，byaspontaneouscomparisonofmentalvision，IrecalledthepaintedboardwhichIhadnoticedthreedaysbeforeinDameAlice’stower。
　　IsuggestedtoAlanthatitmighthavebeentheidenticalone——itsshapewasashedescribed。Verylikely，heanswered，absently。
　　Doyourememberwhatthewordswere？
　　Yes，Ithinkso，Ireplied。Letmesee。AndIrepeatedthemslowly，draggingthemoutasitwereonebyonefrommymemory：
　　Wherethewomansinnedthemaidshallwin。
　　ButGodhelpthemaidthatsleepswithin。
　　Yousee，Isaid，turningtowardshimslowly，thelastlineisawarningsuchasyouspokeof。
　　ButtomysurpriseAlanhadsprungtohisfeet，andwaslookingdownatme，hiswholebodyquiveringwithexcitement。Yes，Evie，
　　hecried，andthefirstlineisaprophecy——wherethewomansinnedthemaidHASwon。HeseizedthehandwhichIinstinctivelyreachedouttohim。Wehavenotseentheendofthisyet，hewenton，speakingrapidly，andasifarticulationhadbecomedifficulttohim。Come，Evie，wemustgobacktothehouseandlookatthecabinet——now，atonce。
　　Ihadrisentomyfeetbythistime，butIshrankawayatthosewords。Tothatroom？Oh，Alan——no，Icannot。
　　Hehadholdofmyhandstill，andhetightenedhisgraspuponit。
　　Ishallbewithyou。youwillnotbeafraidwithme，hesaid。
　　Come。Hiseyeswereburning，hisfaceflushedandpaledinrapidalternation，andhishandheldminelikeaviceofiron。
　　Iturnedwithhim，andwewalkedbacktotheGrange，Alanquickeninghispaceashewent，tillIalmosthadtorunbyhisside。Asweapproachedthedreadedroommysenseofrepulsionbecamealmostunbearable。butIwasnowinfectedbyhisexcitement，thoughIbutdimlycomprehendeditscause。Wemetnooneonourway，andinamomenthehadhurriedmeintothehouse，upthestairs，andalongthenarrowpassage，andIwasoncemoreintheeastroom，andinthepresenceofallthememoriesofthataccursednight。ForaninstantIstoodstrengthless，helpless，onthethreshold，mygazefixedpanic-strickenonthespotwhereIhadtakensuchawfulpartinthatphantomtragedyofevil。thenAlanthrewhisarmroundme，anddrewmehastilyoninfrontofthecabinet。Withoutapause，givinghimselftimeneithertospeaknorthink，hestretchedouthislefthandandmovedthebuttonsoneafteranother。HoworinwhatdirectionhemovedthemIknownot。
　　butasthelastturnedwithaclick，thedoors，whichnomortalhandhadunclosedforthreehundredyears，flewback，andthecabinetstoodopen。Igavealittlegaspoffear。Alanpressedhislipscloselytogether，andturnedtomewitheagerquestioninginhiseyes。IpointedinanswertremblinglyatthedrawerwhichI
　　hadseenopenthenightbefore。Hedrewitout，andthereonitssatinbedlaythedaggerinitssilversheath。Stillwithoutawordhetookitup，andreachinghisrighthandroundme，forI
　　couldnotnowhavestoodhadhewithdrawnhissupport，withaswiftstrongjerkheunsheathedtheblade。ThereintheclearautumnsunshineIcouldseethesamedullstainsIhadmarkedintheflickeringcandle-light，andoverthem，stillruddyandmoist，werethedropsofmyownhalf-driedblood。Igraspedthelapelofhiscoatwithbothmyhands，andclungtohimlikeachildinterror，whiletheeyesofbothofusremainedfixedasiffascinatedupontheknife-blade。Then，withasuddenstartofmemory，Alanraisedhistothecorniceofthecabinet，andminefollowed。NochangethatIcoulddetecthadtakenplaceinthattwistedgoldwork。butthere，clearinthesightofusboth，stoodforththewordsofthemagicmotto：
　　Purebloodshedbytheblood-stainedknifeEndsMervynshame，healsMervynstrife。
　　InlowsteadytonesAlanreadoutthelines，andthentherewassilence——onmypartofstunnedbewilderment，thebewildermentofaspiritoverwhelmedbeyondthepowerofcomprehensionbyrushing，conflictingemotions。Alanpressedmeclosertohim，whilethesilenceseemedtothrobwiththebeatingofhisheartandthepantingofhisbreath。Butexceptforthatheremainedmotionless，gazingatthegoldenmessagebeforehim。AtlengthIfeltamovement，andlookingupsawhisfaceturneddowntowardsmine，thelipsquivering，thecheeksflushed，theeyessoftwithpassionatefeeling。Wearesaved，mydarling，hewhispered。saved，andthroughyou。Thenhebenthisheadlower，andthereinthatroomofhorror，Ireceivedthefirstlonglover’skissfrommyowndearhusband’slips……
　　Myhusband，yes。butnottillsometimeafterthat。Alan’sfirstact，whenhehadoncefullyrealizedthatthecursewasindeedremoved，was——throwinghisbuddingpracticetothewinds——tosetsailforAmerica。TherehesoughtoutJack，andlaboredhardtoimparttohimsomeofhisownnewfoundhope。Itwasslowwork，buthesucceededatlast。andonlylefthimwhen，twoyearslater，hehadhandedhimovertothechargeofabright-eyedWesterngirl，towhomthewholestoryhadbeentold，andwhoshowedherselfreadyandanxioustohelpinbuildingupagainthebrokenlifeofherEnglishlover。Tojudgefromthelettersthatwehavesincereceived，shehasshownherselfwellfittedforthetask。Amongotherthingsshehasmoney，andJack’sworldlyaffairshavesoprosperedthatGeorgedeclaresthathecanwellaffordnowtowastesomeofhissuperfluouscashuponfarmingafewofhiselderbrother’sacres。TheideaseemstosmileuponJack，andIhaveeveryhopethiswinterofbeingabletoinstituteanactualcomparisonbetweenoursmallboy，hisnamesake，andhisownthree-
　　year-oldAlan。Thecomparison，bytheway，willhavetobeconditional，forJacket——thenamebywhichmysonandheirisfamiliarlyknown——isbutalittlemorethantwo。
　　Iturnmyeyesforamoment，andtheyfalluponthenortherncorneroftheEastRoom，whichshowsroundtheedgeofthehouse。Thentheskeletonleapsfromthecupboardofmymemory。theicyhandwhichliesevernearmysoulgripsitsuddenlywithachillshudder。Notfornothingwasthatwretchedwoman’slifeinterwovenwithmyown，ifonlyforanhour。notfornothingdidmyspiritharboraconflictandanagony，which，thankGod，arefarfromitsownstory。ThoughMargaretMervyn’sdaggerfailedtopiercemyflesh，thewoundinmysoulmayneverwhollybehealed。Iknowthatthatisso。andyetasIturntostartthroughthesunshinetothecedarshadeanditslaughingoccupants，Iwhispertomyselfwithferventconviction，Itwasworthit。
　　End

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