HeturnedtotheMajor，whosefoodplainlystuckinhisthroat。”Now，sir”pursuedtheclerk，”letmehavethepleasuretohearyourvoiceagain。Whereareyougoing，didyousay？””Sare，Iamgo-ingtoLon-don”saidtheMajor。
Icouldhaveflungmyplateathimtobesuchanass，andtohavesolittleagiftoflanguageswherethatwastheessential。”Whatthinkyeofthat？”saidtheclerk。”IsthatFrenchenough？””GoodGod！”criedI，leapinguplikeonewhoshouldsuddenlyperceiveanacquaintance，”isthisyou，Mr。Dubois？Why，whowouldhavedreamedofencounteringyousofarfromhome？”AsIspoke，I
shookhandswiththeMajorheartily；andturningtoourtormentor，”Oh，sir，youmaybeperfectlyreassured！Thisisaveryhonestfellow，alateneighbourofmineinthecityofCarlisle。”
Ithoughttheattorneylookedputout；Ilittleknewtheman！”ButheisFrench”saidhe，”forallthat？””Ay，tobesure！”saidI。”AFrenchmanoftheemigration！NoneofyourBuonapartelot。Iwillwarranthisviewsofpoliticstobeassoundasyourown。””Whatisalittlestrange”saidtheclerkquietly，”isthatMr。
Duboisshoulddenyit。”
Igotitfairintheface，andtookitsmiling；buttheshockwasrude，andinthecourseofthenextwordsIcontrivedtodowhatI
haverarelydone，andmakeaslipinmyEnglish。Ikeptmylibertyandlifebymyproficiencyallthesemonths，andforoncethatI
failed，itisnottobesupposedthatIwouldmakeapublicexhibitionofthedetails。Enough，thatitwasaverylittleerror，andonethatmighthavepassedninety-ninetimesinahundred。Butmylimbofthelawwasasswifttopickitupasthoughhehadbeenbytradeamasteroflanguages。”Aha！”crieshe；”andyouareFrench，too！Yourtonguebewraysyou。TwoFrenchmencomingintoanalehouse，severallyandaccidentally，notknowingeachother，attenoftheclockatnight，inthemiddleofBedfordshire？No，sir，thatshallnotpass！Youareallprisonersescaping，ifyouarenothingworse。Consideryourselvesunderarrest。Ihavetotroubleyouforyourpapers。””Whereisyourwarrant，ifyoucometothat？”saidI。”Mypapers！
AlikelythingthatIwouldshowmypapersontheIPSEDIXITofanunknownfellowinahedgealehouse！””Wouldyouresistthelaw？”sayshe。”Notthelaw，sir！”saidI。”IhopeIamtoogoodasubjectforthat。Butforanamelessfellowwithabaldheadandapairofginghamsmall-clothes，whycertainly！”TismybirthrightasanEnglishman。Where”sMAGNACHARTA，else？””Wewillseeaboutthat”sayshe；andthen，addressingtheassistants，”wheredoestheconstablelive？””Lordloveyou，sir！”criedthelandlord，”whatareyouthinkingof？Theconstableatpasttenatnight！Why，he”sabedandasleep，andgoodanddrunktwohoursagone！””Ahthata”be！”cameinchorusfromtheyokels。
Theattorney”sclerkwasputtoastand。Hecouldnotthinkofforce；therewaslittlesignofmartialardouraboutthelandlord，andthepeasantswereindifferent-theyonlylistened，andgaped，andnowscratchedahead，andnowwouldgetalighttotheirpipesfromtheembersonthehearth。Ontheotherhand，theMajorandI
putaboldfrontonthebusinessanddefiedhim，notwithoutsomegroundoflaw。InthisstateofmattersheproposedIshouldgoalongwithhimtooneSquireMerton，agreatmanoftheneighbourhood，whowasinthecommissionofthepeace，theendofhisavenuebutthreelanesaway。ItoldhimIwouldnotstirafootforhimifitweretosavehissoul。NextheproposedI
shouldstayallnightwhereIwas，andtheconstablecouldseetomyaffairinthemorning，whenhewassober。IrepliedIshouldgowhenandwhereIpleased；thatwewerelawfultravellersinthefearofGodandtheking，andIforonewouldsuffermyselftobestayedbynobody。Atthesametime，Iwasthinkingthematterhadlastedaltogethertoolong，andIdeterminedtobringittoanendatonce。”Seehere”saidI，gettingup，fortillnowIhadremainedcarelesslyseated，”there”sonlyonewaytodecideathinglikethis-onlyonewaythat”srightENGLISH-andthat”smantoman。
Takeoffyourcoat，sir，andthesegentlemenshallseefairplay。”
AtthistherecamealookinhiseyethatIcouldnotmistake。HiseducationhadbeenneglectedinoneessentialandeminentlyBritishparticular：hecouldnotbox。NomorecouldI，youmaysay；butthenIhadthemoreimpudence-andIhadmadetheproposal。”HesaysI”mnoEnglishman，buttheproofofthepuddingistheeatingofit”Icontinued。AndhereIstrippedmycoatandfellintotheproperattitude，whichwasjustaboutallIknewofthisbarbarianart。”Why，sir，youseemtometohangbackalittle”
saidI。”Come，I”llmeetyou；I”llgiveyouanappetiser-thoughhangmeifIcanunderstandthemanthatwantsanyenticementtoholduphishands。”Idrewabank-noteoutofmyfobandtossedittothelandlord。”Therearethestakes”saidI。”I”llfightyouforfirstblood，sinceyouseemtomakesomuchworkaboutit。Ifyoutapmyclaretfirst，therearefiveguineasforyou，andI”llgowithyoutoanysquireyouchoosetomention。IfItapyours，you”llperhapsletonthatI”mthebetterman，andallowmetogoaboutmylawfulbusinessatmyowntimeandconvenience，byGod；isthatfair，mylads？”saysI，appealingtothecompany。”Ay，ay”saidthechorusofchawbacons；”hecan”tsaynofairernorthat，hecan”t。Takeoffthycoatmaster！”
Thelimbofthelawwasnowonthewrongsideofpublicopinion，and，whatheartenedmetogoon，thepositionwasrapidlychanginginourfavour。AlreadytheMajorwaspayinghisshottotheveryindifferentlandlord，andIcouldseethewhitefaceofKingattheback-door，makingsignalsofhaste。”Oho！”quothmyenemy，”youareasfullofdoublesasafox，areyounot？ButIseethroughyou；Iseethroughandthroughyou。
Youwouldchangethevenue，wouldyou？””Imaybetransparent，sir”saysI，”butifyou”lldomethefavourtostandup，you”llfindIcanhitdamhard。””Whichisapoint，ifyouwillobserve，thatIhadnevercalledinquestion”saidhe。”Why，youignorantclowns”heproceeded，addressingthecompany，”can”tyouseethefellow”sgullingyoubeforeyoureyes？Can”tyouseethathehaschangedthepointuponme？Isayhe”saFrenchprisoner，andheanswersthathecanbox！
Whathasthattodowithit？Iwouldnotwonderbutwhathecandance，too-they”realldancingmastersoverthere。Isay，andI
sticktoit，thathe”saFrenchy。Hesaysheisn”t。Wellthen，lethimoutwithhispapers，ifhehasthem！Ifhehad，wouldhenotshowthem？Ifhehad，wouldhenotjumpattheideaofgoingtoSquireMerton，amanyouallknow？Now，youareallplain，straightforwardBedfordshiremen，andIwouldn”taskabetterlottoappealto。You”renotthekindtobetalkedoverwithanyFrenchgammon，andhe”splentyofthat。Butletmetellhim，hecantakehispigstoanothermarket；they”llneverdohere；they”llnevergodowninBedfordshire。Why！lookattheman！Lookathisfeet！Hasanybodygotafootintheroomlikethat？Seehowhestands！doanyofyoufellowsstandlikethat？Doesthelandlord，there？Why，hehasFrenchmanwrotealloverhim，asbigasasign-
post！”
Thiswasallverywell；andinadifferentsceneImightevenhavebeengratifiedbyhisremarks；butIsawclearly，ifIweretoallowhimtotalk，hemightturnthetablesonmealtogether。Hemightnotbemuchofahandatboxing；butIwasmuchmistaken，orhehadstudiedforensiceloquenceinagoodschool。InthispredicamentIcouldthinkofnothingmoreingeniousthantoburstoutofthehouse，underthepretextofanungovernablerage。Itwascertainlynotveryingenious-itwaselementary，butIhadnochoice。”Youwhite-livereddog！”Ibrokeout。”Doyoudaretotellmeyou”reanEnglishman，andwon”tfight？ButI”llstandnomoreofthis！Ileavethisplace，whereI”vebeeninsulted！Here！what”stopay？Payyourself！”Iwenton，offeringthelandlordahandfulofsilver，”andgivemebackmybank-note！”
Thelandlord，followinghisusualpolicyofobligingeverybody，offerednooppositiontomydesign。Thepositionofmyadversarywasnowthoroughlybad。Hehadlostmytwocompanions。Hewasonthepointoflosingmealso。Therewasplainlynohopeofarousingthecompanytohelp；andwatchinghimwithacornerofmyeye，I
sawhimhesitateforamoment。Thenext，hehadtakendownhishatandhiswig，whichwasofblackhorsehair；andIsawhimdrawfrombehindthesettleavasthoodedgreat-coatandasmallvalise。”Thedevil！”thoughtI：”istherascalgoingtofollowme？”
Iwasscarceclearoftheinnbeforethelimbofthelawwasatmyheels。Isawhisfaceplaininthemoonlight；andthemostresolutepurposeshowedinit，alongwithanunmovedcomposure。A
chillwentoverme。”Thisisnocommonadventure”thinksItomyself。”Youhavegotholdofamanofcharacter，St。Ives！A
bite-hard，abull-dog，aweaselisonyourtrail；andhowareyoutothrowhimoff？”Whowashe？BysomeofhisexpressionsI
judgedhewasahanger-onofcourts。Butinwhatcharacterhadhefollowedtheassizes？Asasimplespectator，asalawyer”sclerk，asacriminalhimself，or-lastandworstsupposition-asaBow-
street”runner”？
Thecartwouldwaitforme，perhaps，halfamiledownouronwardroad，whichIwasalreadyfollowing。AndItoldmyselfthatinafewminutes”walking，Bow-streetrunnerornot，Ishouldhavehimatmymercy。Andthenreflectioncametomeintime。Ofallthings，onewasoutofthequestion。Uponnoaccountmustthisobtrusivefellowseethecart。UntilIhadkilledorshookhimoff，Iwasquitedivorcedfrommycompanions-alone，inthemidstofEngland，onafrostyby-wayleadingwhitherIknewnot，withasleuth-houndatmyheels，andneverafriendbuttheholly-stick！
Wecameatthesametimetoacrossingoflanes。Thebranchtotheleftwasoverhungwithtrees，deeplysunkenanddark。Notarayofmoonlightpenetrateditsrecesses；andItookitataventure。Thewretchfollowedmyexampleinsilence；andforsometimewecrunchedtogetheroverfrozenpoolswithoutaword。Thenhefoundhisvoice，withachuckle。”ThisisnotthewaytoMr。Merton”s”saidhe。”No？”saidI。”Itismine，however。””Andthereforemine”saidhe。
Againwefellsilent；andwemaythushavecoveredhalfamilebeforethelane，takingasuddenturn，broughtusforthagainintothemoonshine。Withhishoodedgreat-coatonhisback，hisvaliseinhishand，hisblackwigadjusted，andfootingitontheicewithasortofsoberdoggednessofmanner，myenemywaschangedalmostbeyondrecognition：changedineverythingbutacertaindry，polemical，pedanticair，thatspokeofasedentaryoccupationandhighstools。Iobserved，too，thathisvalisewasheavy；and，puttingthisandthattogether，hituponaplan。”Aseasonablenight，sir”saidI。”Whatdoyousaytoabitofrunning？Thefrosthasmebythetoes。””Withallthepleasureinlife”sayshe。
Hisvoiceseemedwellassured，whichpleasedmelittle。However，therewasnothingelsetotry，exceptviolence，forwhichitwouldalwaysbetoosoon。Itooktomyheelsaccordingly，heafterme；
andforsometimetheslappingofourfeetonthehardroadmighthavebeenheardamileaway。Hehadstartedapacebehindme，andhefinishedinthesameposition。Forallhisextrayearsandtheweightofhisvalise，hehadnotlostahair”sbreadth。Thedevilmightracehimforme-Ihadenoughofit！
And，besides，torunsofastwascontrarytomyinterests。Wecouldnotrunlongwithoutarrivingsomewhere。Atanymomentwemightturnacornerandfindourselvesatthelodge-gateofsomeSquireMerton，inthemidstofavillagewhoseconstablewassober，orinthehandsofapatrol。Therewasnohelpforit-Imustfinishwithhimonthespot，aslongasitwaspossible。Ilookedaboutme，andtheplaceseemedsuitable；neveralight，neverahouse-nothingbutstubble-fields，fallows，andafewstuntedtrees。Istoppedandeyedhiminthemoonlightwithanangrystare。”Enoughofthisfoolery！”saidI。
Hehadtamed，andnowfacedmefull，verypale，butwithnosignofshrinking。”Iamquiteofyouropinion”saidhe。”Youhavetriedmeattherunning；youcantrymenextatthehighjump。Itwillbeallthesame。Itmustendtheoneway。”
Imademyhollywhistleaboutmyhead。”Ibelieveyouknowwhatway！”saidI。”Wearealone，itisnight，andIamwhollyresolved。Areyounotfrightened？””No”hesaid，”notinthesmallest。Idonotbox，sir；butIamnotacoward，asyoumayhavesupposed。PerhapsitwillsimplifyourrelationsifItellyouattheoutsetthatIwalkarmed。”
QuickaslightningImadeafeintathishead；asquicklyhegaveground，andatthesametimeIsawapistolglitterinhishand。”Nomoreofthat，Mr。French-Prisoner！”hesaid。”Itwilldomenogoodtohaveyourdeathatmydoor。””Faith，normeeither！”saidI；andIloweredmystickandconsideredtheman，notwithoutatwinkleofadmiration。”Yousee”Isaid，”thereisoneconsiderationthatyouappeartooverlook：thereareagreatmanychancesthatyourpistolmaymissfire。””Ihaveapair”hereturned。”Nevertravelwithoutabraceofbarkers。””Imakeyoumycompliment”saidI。”Youareabletotakecareofyourself，andthatisagoodtrait。But，mygoodman！letuslookatthismatterdispassionately。Youarenotacoward，andnomoreamI；wearebothmenofexcellentsense；Ihavegoodreason，whateveritmaybe，tokeepmyconcernstomyselfandtowalkalone。NowIputittoyoupointedly，amIlikelytostandit？AmIlikelytoputupwithyourcontinuedand-excuseme-highlyimpudentINGERENCEintomyprivateaffairs？””AnotherFrenchword”sayshecomposedly。”Oh！damnyourFrenchwords！”criedI。”YouseemtobeaFrenchmanyourself！””IhavehadmanyopportunitiesbywhichIhaveprofited”heexplained。”Fewmenarebetteracquaintedwiththesimilaritiesanddifferences，whetherofidiomoraccent，ofthetwolanguages。””Youareapompousfellow，too！”saidI。”Oh，Icanmakedistinctions，sir”sayshe。”IcantalkwithBedfordshirepeasants；andIcanexpressmyselfbecomingly，Ihope，inthecompanyofagentlemanofeducationlikeyourself。””Ifyousetuptobeagentleman-”Ibegan。”Pardonme”heinterrupted：”Imakenosuchclaim。Ionlyseethenobilityandgentryinthewayofbusiness。Iamquiteaplainperson。””FortheLord”ssake”Iexclaimed，”setmymindatrestupononepoint。Inthenameofmystery，whoandwhatareyou？””Ihavenocausetobeashamedofmyname，sir”saidhe，”noryetmytrade。IamThomasDudgeon，atyourservice，clerktoMr。
DanielRomaine，solicitorofLondon；HighHolbornisouraddress，sir。”
ItwasonlybytheecstasyofthereliefthatIknewhowhorriblyI
hadbeenfrightened。Iflungmystickontheroad。”Romaine？”Icried。”DanielRomaine？Anoldhunkswitharedfaceandabighead，andgotuplikeaQuaker？Mydearfriend，tomyarms！””Keepback，Isay！”saidDudgeonweakly。
Iwouldnotlistentohim。Withtheendofmyownalarm，IfeltasifImustinfalliblybeattheendofalldangerslikewise；asifthepistolthatheheldinonehandwerenomoretobefearedthanthevalisethathecarriedwiththeother，andnowputuplikeabarrieragainstmyadvance。”Keepback，orIdeclareIwillfire”hewascrying。”Haveacare，forGod”ssake！Mypistol-”
Hemightscreamasbepleased。Willynilly，Ifoldedhimtomybreast，Ipressedhimthere，Ikissedhisuglymugasithadneverbeenkissedbeforeandwouldneverbekissedagain；andinthedoingsoknockedhiswigawryandhishatoff。Hebleatedinmyembrace；sobleatsthesheepinthearmsofthebutcher。Thewholething，onlookingback，appearsincomparablyrecklessandabsurd；I
nobetterthanamadmanforofferingtoadvanceonDudgeon，andhenobetterthanafoolfornotshootingmewhileIwasaboutit。
Butall”swellthatendswell；or，asthepeopleinthesedayskeptsingingandwhistlingonthestreets：-”There”sasweetlittlecherubthatsitsupaloftAndlooksoutforthelifeofpoorJack。””There！”saidI，releasinghimalittle，butstillkeepingmyhandsonhisshoulders，”JEVOUSAIBELETBIENEMBRASSE-and，asyouwouldsay，thereisanotherFrenchword。”Withhiswigoveroneeye，helookedincrediblyruefulandputout。”Cheerup，Dudgeon；
theordealisover，youshallbeembracednomore。Butdo，firstofall，forGod”s-sake，putawayyourpistol；youhandleitasifyouwereacockatrice；sometimeorother，dependuponit，itwillcertainlygooff。Hereisyourhat。No，letmeputitonsquare，andthewigbeforeit。Neversufferanystressofcircumstancestocomebetweenyouandthedutyyouowetoyourself。Ifyouhavenobodyelsetodressfor，dressforGod！”PutyourwigstraightOnyourbaldpate，Keepyourchinscraped，Andyourfiguredraped。
Canyoumatchmethat？Thewholedutyofmaninaquatrain！Andremark，Idonotsetuptobeaprofessionalbard；thesearetheoutpouringsofaDILETTANTE。””But，mydearsir！”heexclaimed。”But，mydearsir！”Iechoed，”Iwillallownomantointerrupttheflowofmyideas。Givemeyouropiniononmyquatrain，orIvowweshallhaveaquarrelofit。””Certainlyyouarequiteanoriginal”hesaid。”Quite”saidI；”andIbelieveIhavemycounterpartbeforeme。””Well，forachoice”sayshe，smiling，”andwhetherforsenseorpoetry，giveme”“Worthmakestheman，andwantofitthefellow：
Therestisallbutleatherandprunello。”””Oh，butthat”snotfair-that”sPope！It”snotoriginal，Dudgeon。Understandme”saidI，wringinghisbreast-button，”thefirstdutyofallpoetryistobemine，sir-mine。Inspirationnowswellsinmybosom，because-totellyoutheplaintruth，anddescendalittleinstyle-Iamdevilishrelievedattheturnthingshavetaken。So，Idaresay，areyouyourself，Dudgeon，ifyouwouldonlyallowit。AndAPROPOS，letmeaskyouahomequestion。Betweenfriends，haveyoueverfiredthatpistol？””Why，yes，sir”hereplied。”Twice-athedgesparrows。””Andyouwouldhavefiredatme，youbloody-mindedman？”Icried。”Ifyougotothat，youseemedmightyrecklesswithyourstick”
saidDudgeon。”DidIindeed？Well，well，”tisallpasthistory；ancientasKingPharamond-whichisanotherFrenchword，ifyoucaredtoaccumulatemoreevidence”saysI。”Buthappilywearenowthebestoffriends，andhaveallourinterestsincommon。””Yougoalittletoofast，ifyou”llexcuseme，Mr-：Idonotknowyourname，thatIamaware”saidDudgeon。”No，tobesure！”saidI。”Neverheardofit！””Awordofexplanation-”hebegan。”No，Dudgeon！”Iinterrupted。”Bepractical；Iknowwhatyouwant，andthenameofitissupper。RIENNECREUSECOMMEL”EMOTION。I
amhungrymyself，andyetIammoreaccustomedtowarlikepalpitationsthanyou，whoarebutahunterofhedgesparrows。Letmelookatyourfacecritically：yourbilloffareisthreeslicesofcoldrareroastbeef，aWelshrabbit，apotofstout，andaglassortwoofsoundtawnyport，oldinbottle-therightmilkofEnglishmen。”Methoughtthereseemedabrighteninginhiseyeandameltingabouthismouthatthisenumeration。”Thenightisyoung”Icontinued；”notmuchpasteleven，forawager。Wherecanwefindagoodinn？AndremarkthatIsayGOOD，fortheportmustbeuptotheoccasion-notaheadacheinapipeofit。””Really，sir”hesaid，smilingalittle，”youhaveawayofcarryingthings-””Willnothingmakeyousticktothesubject？”Icried；”youhavethemostirrelevantmind！Howdoyouexpecttoriseinyourprofession？Theinn？””Well，Iwillsayyouareafacetiousgentleman！”saidhe。”Youmusthaveyourway，Isee。WearenotthreemilesfromBedfordbythisveryroad。””Done！”criedI。”Bedfordbeit！”
Ituckedhisarmundermine，possessedmyselfofthevalise，andwalkedhimoffunresisting。Presentlywecametoanopenpieceofcountrylyingathoughtdownhill。Theroadwassmoothandfreeofice，themoonshinethinandbrightoverthemeadowsandtheleaflesstrees。Iwasnowhonestlydonewiththepurgatoryofthecoveredcart；Iwasclosetomygreat-uncle”s；IhadnomorefearofMr。Dudgeon；whichwereallgroundsenoughforjollity。AndI
wasaware，besides，ofustwoasofapairoftinyandsolitarydollsunderthevastfrostycupolaofthemidnight；theroomsdecked，themoonburnished，theleastofthestarslighted，thefloorsweptandwaxed，andnothingwantingbutforthebandtostrikeupandthedancingtobegin。IntheexhilarationofmyheartItookthemusiconmyself-”MerrilydancedtheQuaker”swife，AndmerrilydancedtheQuaker。”
Ibrokeintothatanimatedandappropriateair，clappedmyarmaboutDudgeon”swaist，andawaydownthehillatadancingstep！
Hehungbackalittleatthestart，buttheimpulseofthetune，thenight，andmyexample，werenottoberesisted。Amanmadeofputtymusthavedanced，andevenDudgeonshowedhimselftobeahumanbeing。Higherandhigherwerethecapersthatwecut；themoonrepeatedinshadowouranticfootstepsandgestures；anditcameovermymindofasudden-reallylikebalm-whatappearanceofmanIwasdancingwith，whatalongbiliouscountenancehehadshownunderhisshavenpate，andwhataworldoftroubletherascalhadgivenmeintheimmediatepast。
PresentlywebegantoseethelightsofBedford。MyPuritaniccompanionstoppedanddisengagedhimself。”ThisisatrifleINFRADIG。，sir，isitnot？”saidhe。”Apartymightsupposewehadbeendrinking。””Andsoyoushallbe，Dudgeon”saidI。”Youshallnotonlybedrinking，youoldhypocrite，butyoushallbedrunk-deaddrunk，sir-andthebootsshallputyoutobed！We”llwarnhimwhenwegoin。Neverneglectaprecaution；neverputofftillto-morrowwhatyoucandoto-day！”
Buthehadnomorefrivolitytocomplainof。Wefinishedourstageandcametotheinn-doorwithdecorum，tofindthehousestillalightandinabustlewithmanylatearrivals；togiveourorderswithapromptseveritywhichensuredobedience，andtobeservedsoonafterataside-table，closetothefireandinablazeofcandle-light，withsuchamealasIhadbeendreamingoffordayspast。Fordays，youaretoremember，Ihadbeenskulkinginthecoveredcart，apreytocold，hunger，andanaccumulationofdiscomfortsthatmighthavedauntedthemostbrave；andthewhitetablenapery，thebrightcrystal，thereverberationofthefire，theredcurtains，theTurkeycarpet，theportraitsonthecoffee-
roomwall，theplacidfacesofthetwoorthreelateguestswhoweresilentlyprolongingthepleasuresofdigestion，andlast，butnotbyanymeansleastaglassofanexcellentlightdryport，putmeinahumouronlytobedescribedasheavenly。ThethoughtoftheColonel，ofhowhewouldhaveenjoyedthissnugroomandroaringfire，andofhiscoldgraveinthewoodbyMarketBosworth，lingeredonmypalate，AMARIALIQUID，likeanafter-taste，butwasnotable-Isayitwithshame-entirelytodispelmyself-
complacency。Afterall，inthisworldeverydoghangsbyitsowntail。Iwasafreeadventurer，whohadjustbroughttoasuccessfulend-or，atleast，withinviewofit-anadventureverydifficultandalarming；andIlookedacrossatMr。Dudgeon，astheportrosetohischeeks，andasmile，thatwassemi-
confidentialandatriflefoolish，begantoplayuponhisleatheryfeatures，notonlywithcomposure，butwithasuspicionofkindness。Therascalhadbeenbrave，aqualityforwhichIwouldvaluethedevil；andifhehadbeenpertinaciousinthebeginning，hehadmorethanmadeupforitbeforetheend。”Andnow，Dudgeon，toexplain”Ibegan。”Iknowyourmaster，heknowsme，andheknowsandapprovesofmyerrand。SomuchImaytellyou，thatIamonmywaytoAmershamPlace。””Oho！”quothDudgeon，”Ibegintosee。””Iamheartilygladofit”saidI，passingthebottle，”becausethatisaboutallIcantellyou。Youmusttakemywordfortheremainder。Eitherbelievemeordon”t。Ifyoudon”t，let”stakeachaise；youcancarrymeto-morrowtoHighHolborn，andconfrontmewithMr。Romaine；theresultofwhichwillbetosetyourmindatrest-andtomaketheholiestdisorderinyourmaster”splans。IfIjudgeyouarightforIfindyouashrewdfellow，thiswillnotbeatalltoyourmind。Youknowwhatasubordinategetsbyofficiousness；ifIcantrustmymemory，oldRomainehasnotatallthefacethatIshouldcaretoseeinanger；andIventuretopredictsurprisingresultsuponyourweeklysalary-ifyouarepaidbytheweek，thatis。Inshort，letmegofree，and”tisanendofthematter；takemetoLondon，and”tisonlyabeginning-
and，bymyopinion，abeginningoftroubles。Youcantakeyourchoice。””Andthatissoontaken”saidhe。”GotoAmershamtomorrow，orgotothedevilifyouprefer-Iwashmyhandsofyouandthewholetransaction。No，youdon”tfindmeputtingmyheadinbetweenRomaineandaclient！Agoodmanofbusiness，sir，buthardasmillstonegrit。Imightgetthesack，andIshouldn”twonder！
But，it”sapity，too”headded，andsighed，shookhishead，andtookhisglassoffsadly。”Thatremindsme”saidI。”Ihaveagreatcuriosity，andyoucansatisfyit。WhywereyousoforwardtomeddlewithpoorMr。
Dubois？Whydidyoutransferyourattentionstome？Andgenerally，whatinducedyoutomakeyourselfsuchanuisance？”
Heblusheddeeply。”Why，sir”sayshe，”thereissuchathingaspatriotism，Ihope。”
CHAPTERXVI-THEHOME-COMINGOFMR。ROWLEY”SVISCOUNT
BYeightthenextmorningDudgeonandIhadmadeourparting。Bythattimewehadgrowntobeextremelyfamiliar；andIwouldverywillinglyhavekepthimbyme，andevencarriedhimtoAmershamPlace。Butitappearedhewasdueatthepublic-housewherewehadmet，onsomeaffairsofmygreat-uncletheCount，whohadanoutlyingestateinthatpartoftheshire。IfDudgeonhadhadhiswaythenightbefore，Ishouldhavebeenarrestedonmyuncle”slandandbymyuncle”sagent，aculminationofill-luck。
AlittleafternoonIstarted，inahiredchaise，bywayofDunstable。ThemerementionofthenameAmershamPlacemadeeveryonesuppleandsmiling。Itwasplainlyagreathouse，andmyunclelivedthereinstyle。Thefameofitroseasweapproached，likeachainofmountains；atBedfordtheytouchedtheircaps，butinDunstabletheycrawledupontheirbellies。Ithoughtthelandladywouldhavekissedme；suchaflutterofcordiality，suchsmiles，suchaffectionateattentionswerecalledforth，andthegoodladybustledonmyserviceinsuchapotherofringletsandwithsuchajinglingofkeys。”You”reprobablyexpected，sir，atthePlace？I
dotrustyoumay”avebetteraccountsofhislordship”s”elth，sir。
Weunderstoodthathislordship，MoshadeCarwell，wasmainbad。
Ha，sir，weshallallfeelhisloss，poor，dear，noblegentleman；
andI”msurenobodymorepolite！Theydosay，sir，hiswealthisenormous，andbeforetheRevolution，quiteaprinceinhisowncountry！ButIbegyourpardon，sir；”owIdorunon，tobesure；
anddoubtlessallbeknowntoyoualready！Foryoudoresemblethefamily，sir。Ishouldhaveknownyouanywheresbythelikenesstothedearviscount。Ha，poorgentleman，hemust”avea”eavy”eartthesedays。”
InthesameplaceIsawoutoftheinn-windowsaman-servantpassingintheliveryofmyhouse，whichyouaretothinkIhadneverbeforeseenworn，ornotthatIcouldremember。Ihadoftenenough，indeed，picturedmyselfadvancedtobeaMarshal，aDukeoftheEmpire，aGrandCrossoftheLegionofHonour，andsomeotherkickshawsofthekind，withaperfectroutofflunkeyscorrectlydressedinmyowncolours。Butitisonethingtoimagine，andanothertosee；itwouldbeonethingtohavetheseliveriesinahouseofmyowninParis-itwasquiteanothertofindthemflauntingintheheartofhostileEngland；andIfearIshouldhavemadeafoolofmyself，ifthemanhadnotbeenontheothersideofthestreet，andIataone-panewindow。Therewassomethingillusoryinthistransplantationofthewealthandhonoursofafamily，athingbyitsnaturesodeeplyrootedinthesoil；
somethingghostlyinthissenseofhome-comingsofarfromhome。
FromDunstableIrolledawayintoacrescendoofsimilarimpressions。Therearecertainlyfewthingstobecomparedwiththesecastles，orrathercountryseats，oftheEnglishnobilityandgentry；noranythingatalltoequaltheservilityofthepopulationthatdwellsintheirneighbourhood。ThoughIwasbutdrivinginahiredchaise，wordofmydestinationseemedtohavegoneabroad，andthewomencurtseyedandthemenloutedtomebythewayside。AsIcamenear，Ibegantoappreciatetherootsofthiswidespreadrespect。Thelookofmyuncle”sparkwall，evenfromtheoutside，hadsomethingofaprincelycharacter；andwhenI
cameinviewofthehouseitself，asortofmadnessofvicariousvain-glorystruckmedumbandkeptmestaring。ItwasaboutthesizeoftheTuileries。Itfacedduenorth；andthelastraysofthesun，thatwassettinglikeared-hotshotamidstatumultuousgatheringofsnowclouds，werereflectedontheendlessrowsofwindows。AporticoofDoriccolumnsadornedthefront，andwouldhavedonehonourtoatemple。Theservantwhoreceivedmeatthedoorwasciviltoafault-Ihadalmostsaid，tooffence；andthehalltowhichheadmittedmethroughapairofglassdoorswaswarmedandalreadypartlylightedbyaliberalchimneyheapedwiththerootsofbeeches。”VicomteAnnedeSt。Yves”saidI，inanswertotheman”squestion；whereuponhebowedbeforemelowerstill，andsteppingupononesideintroducedmetothetrulyawfulpresenceofthemajor-domo。Ihaveseenmanydignitariesinmytime，butnonewhoquiteequalledthiseminentbeing；whowasgoodenoughtoanswertotheunassumingnameofDawson。FromhimIlearnedthatmyunclewasextremelylow，adoctorincloseattendance，Mr。Romaineexpectedatanymoment，andthatmycousin，theVicomtedeSt。
Yves，hadbeensentforthesamemorning。”Itwasasuddenseizure，then？”Iasked。
Well，hewouldscarcelygoasfarasthat。Itwasadecline，afadingaway，sir；buthewascertainlytookbadthedaybefore，hadsentforMr。Romaine，andthemajor-domohadtakenitonhimselfalittlelatertosendwordtotheViscount。”Itseemedtome，mylord”saidhe，”asifthiswasatimewhenallthefamblyshouldbecalledtogether。”
Iapprovedhimwithmylips，butnotinmyheart。Dawsonwasplainlyintheinterestsofmycousin。”AndwhencanIexpecttoseemygreat-uncle，theCount？”saidI。
Intheevening，Iwastold；inthemeantimehewouldshowmetomyroom，whichhadbeenlongpreparedforme，andIshouldbeexpectedtodineinaboutanhourwiththedoctor，ifmylordshiphadnoobjections。
Mylordshiphadnotthefaintest。”Atthesametime”Isaid，”Ihavehadanaccident：Ihaveunhappilylostmybaggage，andamhereinwhatIstandin。Idon”tknowifthedoctorbeaformalist，butitisquiteimpossibleI
shouldappearattableasIought。”
Hebeggedmetobeundernoanxiety。”Wehavebeenlongexpectingyou”saidhe。”Allisready。”
SuchIfoundtobethetruth。Agreatroomhadbeenpreparedforme；throughthemullionedwindowsthelastflickerofthewintersunsetinterchangedwiththereverberationofaroyalfire；thebedwasopen，asuitofeveningclotheswasairingbeforetheblaze，andfromthefarcorneraboycameforwardwithdeprecatorysmiles。
ThedreaminwhichIhadbeenmovingseemedtohavereacheditspitch。Imighthavequittedthishouseandroomonlythenightbefore；itwasmyownplacethatIhadcometo；andforthefirsttimeinmylifeIunderstoodtheforceofthewordshomeandwelcome。”Thiswillbeallasyouwouldwant，sir？”saidMr。Dawson。”This”ereboy，Rowley，weplaceentirelyatyourdisposition。”E”snotexactlyatrainedvallet，butMosshoPowl，theViscount”sgentleman，”avegivehimthebenefickofafewlessons，anditis”opedthathemaygivesitisfection。Hanythinkthatyoumayrequire，ifyouwillbesogoodastomentionthesametoRowley，I
willmakeitmybusinessmyself，sir，toseeyousitisfied。”
Sosaying，theeminentandalreadydetestedMr。Dawsontookhisdeparture，andIwasleftalonewithRowley。AmanwhomaybesaidtohavewakenedtoconsciousnessintheprisonoftheAbbaye，amongthoseevergracefulandevertragicfiguresofthebraveandfair，awaitingthehouroftheguillotineanddenudedofeverycomfort，I
hadneverknowntheluxuriesortheamenitiesofmyrankinlife。
TobeattendedonbyservantsIhadonlybeenaccustomedtoininns。Mytoilethadlongbeenmilitary，toamoment，atthenoteofabugle，toooftenataditch-side。AnditneednotbewonderedatifIlookedonmynewvaletwithacertaindiffidence。ButI
rememberedthatifhewasmyfirstexperienceofavalet，Iwashisfirsttrialasamaster。Cheeredbywhichconsideration，I
demandedmybathinastyleofgoodassurance。Therewasabathroomcontiguous；inanincrediblyshortspaceoftimethehotwaterwasready；andsoonafter，arrayedinashawldressing-gown，andinaluxuryofcontentmentandcomfort，Iwasreclinedinaneasy-chairbeforethemirror，whileRowley，withamixtureofprideandanxietywhichIcouldwellunderstand，laidouthisrazors。”Hey，Rowley？”Iasked，notquiteresignedtogounderfirewithsuchaninexperiencedcommander。”It”sallright，isit？Youfeelprettysureofyourweapons？””Yes，mylord”hereplied。”It”sallright，Iassureyourlordship。””Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Rowley，”butforthesakeofshortness，wouldyoumindnotbelordingmeinprivate？”saidI。”ItwilldoverywellifyoucallmeMr。Anne。Itisthewayofmycountry，asIdaresayyouknow。”
Mr。Rowleylookedblank。”Butyou”rejustasmuchaViscountasMr。Powl”s，areyounot？”hesaid。”AsMr。Powl”sViscount？”saidI，laughing。”Oh，keepyourmindeasy，Mr。Rowley”siseverybitasgood。Only，yousee，asIamoftheyoungerline，IbearmyChristiannamealongwiththetitle。
AlainistheVISCOUNT；IamtheVISCOUNTANNE。AndingivingmethenameofMr。Anne，Iassureyouyouwillbequiteregular。””Yes，Mr。Anne”saidthedocileyouth。”Butabouttheshaving，sir，youneedbeundernoalarm。Mr。PowlsaysI”aveexcellentdispositions。””Mr。Powl？”saidI。”Thatdoesn”tseemtomeverylikeaFrenchname。””No，sir，indeed，mylord”saidhe，withaburstofconfidence。”No，indeed，Mr。Anne，anditdonotsurely。Ishouldsaynow，itwasmorelikeMr。Pole。””AndMr。PowlistheViscount”sman？””Yes，Mr。Anne”saidhe。”He”aveahardbillet，hedo。TheViscountisaveryparticulargentleman。Idon”tthinkasyou”llbe，Mr。Anne？”headded，withaconfidentialsmileinthemirror。
Hewasaboutsixteen，wellsetup，withapleasant，merry，freckledface，andapairofdancingeyes。TherewasanairatoncedeprecatoryandinsinuatingabouttherascalthatIthoughtI
recognised。Therecametomefrommyownboyhoodmemoriesofcertainpassionateadmirationslongpassedaway，andtheobjectsofthemlongagodiscreditedordead。IrememberedhowanxiousIhadbeentoservethosefleetingheroes，howreadilyItoldmyselfI
wouldhavediedforTHEM，howmuchgreaterandhandsomerthanlifetheyhadappeared。Andlookinginthemirror，itseemedtomethatIreadthefaceofRowley，likeanechooraghost，bythelightofmyownyouth。IhavealwayscontendedsomewhatagainsttheopinionofmyfriendsthatIamfirstofallaneconomist；andthelastthingthatIwouldcaretothrowawayisthatveryvaluablepieceofproperty-aboy”shero-worship。”Why”saidI，”youshavelikeanangel，Mr。Rowley！””Thankyou，mylord”sayshe。”Mr。Powlhadnofearofme。Youmaybesure，sir，Ishouldnever”avehadthisberthifI”adn”t”avebeenuptoDick。Webeenexpectingofyouthismonthback。
Myeye！Ineverseesuchpreparations。Everydaythefireshasbeenkep”up，thebedmade，andall！Assoonasitwasknownyouwerecoming，sir，Igottheappointment；andI”vebeenupanddownsincethenlikeaJack-in-the-box。Awheelcouldn”tsoundintheavenuebutwhatIwasatthewindow！I”vehadamanydisappointments；butto-night，assoonasyousteppedoutoftheshay，Iknewitwasmy-itwasyou。Oh，youhadbeenexpected！
Why，whenIgodowntosupper，I”llbethe”erooftheservants””all：the”oleofthestaffisthatcurious！””Well”saidI，”Ihopeyoumaybeabletogiveafairaccountofme-sober，steady，industrious，good-tempered，andwithafirst-
ratecharacterfrommylastplace？”
Helaughedanembarrassedlaugh。”Yourhaircurlsbeautiful”hesaid，bywayofchangingthesubject。”TheViscount”stheboyforcurls，though；andtherichnessofitis，Mr。Powltellsmehisdon”tcurlnomorethanthatmuchtwine-bynature。Gettin”old，theViscountis。He”AVEgonethepace，”aven”t”e，sir？””Thefactis”saidI，”thatIknowverylittleabouthim。Ourfamilyhasbeenmuchdivided，andIhavebeenasoldierfromachild。””Asoldier，Mr。Anne，sir？”criedRowley，withasuddenfeverishanimation。”Wasyoueverwounded？”
Itiscontrarytomyprinciplestodiscourageadmirationformyself；and，slippingbacktheshoulderofthedressing-gown，I
silentlyexhibitedthescarwhichIhadreceivedinEdinburghCastle。Helookedatitwithawe。”Ah，well！”hecontinued，”there”swherethedifferencecomesin！
It”sinthetraining。TheotherViscounthavebeenhorse-racing，anddicing，andcarryingonallhislife。Allrightenough，nodoubt；butwhatIdosayis，thatitdon”tleadtonothink。
Whereas-””WhereasMr。Rowley”s？”Iputin。”MyViscount？”saidhe。”Well，sir，IDIDsayit；andnowthatI”veseenyou，Isayitagain！”
Icouldnotrefrainfromsmilingatthisoutburst，andtherascalcaughtmeinthemirrorandsmiledtomeagain。”I”dsayitagain，Mr。Hanne”hesaid。”Iknowwhichsidemybread”sbuttered。Iknowwhenagen”leman”sagen”leman。Mr。PowlcangotoPutneywithhisone！Begyourpardon，Mr。Anne，forbeingsofamiliar”saidhe，blushingsuddenlyscarlet。”IwasespeciallywarnedagainstitbyMr。Powl。””Disciplinebeforeall”saidI。”Followyourfront-rankman。
Withthat，webegantoturnourattentiontotheclothes。Iwasamazedtofindthemfitsowell：notALADIABLE，inthehaphazardmannerofasoldier”suniformoraready-madesuit；butwithnicety，asatrainedartistmightrejoicetomakethemforafavouritesubject。””Tisextraordinary”criedI：”thesethingsfitmeperfectly。””Indeed，Mr。Anne，youtwobeverymuchofashape”saidRowley。”Who？Whattwo？”saidI。”TheViscount”hesaid。”Damnation！HaveItheman”sclothesonme，too？”criedI。
ButRowleyhastenedtoreassureme。Onthefirstwordofmycoming，theCounthadputthematterofmywardrobeinthehandsofhisownandmycousin”stailors；andontherumourofourresemblance，myclotheshadbeenmadetoAlain”smeasure。”Buttheywereallmadeforyouexpress，Mr。Anne。YoumaybecertaintheCountwouldneverdonothingby”alf：fireskep”
burning；thefinestofclothesordered，I”msure，andabody-
servantbeingtraineda-purpose。””Well”saidI，”it”sagoodfire，andagoodset-outofclothes；
andwhatavalet，Mr。Rowley！Andthere”sonethingtobesaidformycousin-ImeanforMr。Powl”sViscount-hehasaveryfairfigure。””Oh，don”tyoubetookin，Mr。Anne”quoththefaithlessRowley：”hehastobehykedintoapairofstaystogetthemthingson！””Come，come，Mr。Rowley”saidI，”thisistellingtalesoutofschool！Donotyoubedeceived。Thegreatestmenofantiquity，includingCaesarandHannibalandPopeJoan，mayhavebeenveryglad，atmytimeoflifeorAlain”s，tofollowhisexample。”Tisamisfortunecommontoall；andreally”saidI，bowingtomyselfbeforethemirrorlikeonewhoshoulddancetheminuet，”whentheresultissosuccessfulasthis，whowoulddoanythingbutapplaud？”
Mytoiletconcluded，Imarchedontofreshsurprises。Mychamber，mynewvaletandmynewclotheshadbeenbeyondhope：thedinner，thesoup，thewholebilloffarewasarevelationofthepowersthereareinman。Ihadnotsupposeditlayinthegeniusofanycooktocreate，outofcommonbeefandmutton，thingssodifferentanddainty。Thewinewasofapiece，thedoctoramostagreeablecompanion；norcouldIhelpreflectingontheprospectthatallthiswealth，comfortandhandsomeprofusionmightstillverypossiblybecomemine。Herewereachangeindeed，fromthecommonsoldierandthecampkettle，theprisonerandhisprisonrations，thefugitiveandthehorrorsofthecoveredcart！
CHAPTERXVII-THEDESPATCH-BOX
THEdoctorhadscarcefinishedhismealbeforehehastenedwithanapologytoattenduponhispatient；andalmostimmediatelyafterI
wasmyselfsummonedandusheredupthegreatstaircaseandalonginterminablecorridorstothebedsideofmygreat-uncletheCount。
YouaretothinkthatuptothepresentmomentIhadnotseteyesonthisformidablepersonage，onlyontheevidencesofhiswealthandkindness。YouaretothinkbesidesthatIhadheardhimmiscalledandabusedfrommyearliestchildhoodup。ThefirstoftheEMIGREScouldneverexpectagoodwordinthesocietyinwhichmyfathermoved。EvenyetthereportsIreceivedwereofadoubtfulnature；evenRomainehaddrawnofhimnoveryamiableportrait；andasIwasusheredintotheroom，itwasacriticaleyethatIcastonmygreat-uncle。Helayproppedonpillowsinalittlecotnogreaterthanacamp-bed，notvisiblybreathing。Hewasabouteightyyearsofage，andlookedit；notthathisfacewasmuchlined，butallthebloodandcolourseemedtohavefadedfromhisbody，andevenhiseyes，whichlasthekeptusuallyclosedasthoughthelightdistressedhim。Therewasanunspeakabledegreeofslynessinhisexpression，whichkeptmeillatease；heseemedtolietherewithhisarmsfolded，likeaspiderwaitingforprey。
Hisspeechwasverydeliberateandcourteous，butscarcelouderthanasigh。”Ibidyouwelcome，MONSIEURLEVICOMTEANNE”saidhe，lookingatmehardwithhispaleeyes，butnotmovingonhispillows。”Ihavesentforyou，andIthankyoufortheobligingexpeditionyouhaveshown。ItismymisfortunethatIcannotrisetoreceiveyou。I
trustyouhavebeenreasonablywellentertained？””MONSIEURMONONCLE”Isaid，bowingverylow，”Iamcomeatthesummonsoftheheadofmyfamily。””Itiswell”hesaid。”Beseated。Ishouldbegladtohearsomenews-ifthatcanbecallednewsthatisalreadytwentyyearsold-ofhowIhavethepleasuretoseeyouhere。”
Bythecoldnessofhisaddress，notmorethanbythenatureofthetimesthathebademerecall，Iwasplungedinmelancholy。Ifeltmyselfsurroundedaswithdesertsoffriendlessness，andthedelightofmywelcomewasturnedtoashesinmymouth。”Thatissoontold，MONSEIGNEUR”saidI。”IunderstandthatI
needtellyounothingoftheendofmyunhappyparents？Itisonlythestoryofthelostdog。””Youareright。Iamsufficientlyinformedofthatdeplorableaffair；itispainfultome。Mynephew，yourfather，wasamanwhowouldnotbeadvised”saidhe。”Tellme，ifyouplease，simplyofyourself。””IamafraidImustruntheriskofharrowingyoursensibilityinthebeginning”saidI，withabittersmile，”becausemystorybeginsatthefootoftheguillotine。Whenthelistcameoutthatnight，andhernamewasthere，Iwasalreadyoldenough，notinyearsbutinsadexperience，tounderstandtheextentofmymisfortune。She-”Ipaused。”Enoughthatshearrangedwithafriend，MadamedeChasserades，thatsheshouldtakechargeofme，andbythefavourofourjailersIwassufferedtoremainintheshelteroftheABBAYE。Thatwasmyonlyrefuge；therewasnocornerofFrancethatIcouldrestthesoleofmyfootuponexcepttheprison。MonsieurleComte，youareaswellawareasIcanbewhatkindofalifethatwas，andhowswiftlydeathsmoteinthatsociety。IdidnotwaitlongbeforethenameofMadamedeChasseradessucceededtothatofmymotheronthelist。ShepassedmeontoMadamedeNoytot；she，inherturn，toMademoiselledeBraye；andtherewereothers。Iwastheonethingpermanent；theywerealltransientasclouds；adayortwooftheircare，andthencamethelastfarewelland-somewherefaroffinthatroaringParisthatsurroundedus-thebloodyscene。Iwasthecherishedone，thelastcomfort，ofthesedyingwomen。Ihavebeeninpitchedfights，mylord，andIneverknewsuchcourage。Itwasalldonesmiling，inthetoneofgoodsociety；BELLEMAMANwasthenameIwastaughttogivetoeach；andforadayortwothenew“prettymamma“wouldmakemuchofme，showmeoff，teachmetheminuet，andtosaymyprayers；andthen，withatenderembrace，wouldgothewayofherpredecessors，smiling。Thereweresomethatwepttoo。
Therewasachildhood！AllthetimeMonsieurdeCulembergkepthiseyeonme，andwouldhavehadmeoutoftheABBAYEandinhisownprotection，butmy“prettymammas“oneafteranotherresistedtheidea。WherecouldIbesafer？theyargued；andwhatwastobecomeofthemwithoutthedarlingoftheprison？Well，itwassoonshownhowsafeIwas！Thedreadfuldayofthemassacrecame；theprisonwasoverrun；nonepaidattentiontome，noteventhelastofmy“prettymammas，“forshehadmetanotherfate。Iwaswanderingdistracted，whenIwasfoundbysomeoneintheinterestsofMonsieurdeCulemberg。Iunderstandhewassentonpurpose；I
believe，inordertoreachtheinterioroftheprison，hehadsethishandtonamelessbarbarities：suchwasthepricepaidformyworthless，whimperinglittlelife！Hegavemehishand；itwaswet，andminewasreddened；heledmeunresisting。Irememberbuttheonecircumstanceofmyflight-itwasmylastviewofmylastprettymamma。ShallIdescribeittoyou？”IaskedtheCount，withasuddenfierceness。”Avoidunpleasantdetails”observedmygreat-unclegently。
Atthesewordsasuddenpeacefelluponme。Ihadbeenangrywiththemanbefore；Ihadnotsoughttosparehim；andnow，inamoment，Isawthattherewasnothingtospare。Whetherfromnaturalheartlessnessorextremeoldage，thesoulwasnotathome；
andmybenefactor，whohadkeptthefirelitinmyroomforamonthpast-myonlyrelativeexceptAlain，whomIknewalreadytobeahiredspy-hadtroddenoutthelastsparksofhopeandinterest。”Certainly”saidI；”and，indeed，thedayforthemisnearlyover。
IwastakentoMonsieurdeCulemberg”s，-Ipresume，sir，thatyouknowtheAbbedeCulemberg？”
Heindicatedassentwithoutopeninghiseyes。”Hewasaverybraveandaverylearnedman-””Andaveryholyone”saidmyunclecivilly。”Andaveryholyone，asyouobserve”Icontinued。”Hedidaninfinityofgood，andthroughalltheTerrorkepthimselffromtheguillotine。Hebroughtmeup，andgavemesucheducationasI
have。ItwasinhishouseinthecountryatDammarie，nearMelun，thatImadetheacquaintanceofyouragent，Mr。Vicary，wholaythereinhiding，onlytofallavictimatthelasttoagangofCHAUFFEURS。””ThatpoorMr。Vicary！”observedmyuncle。”HehadbeenmanytimesinmyintereststoFrance，andthiswashisfirstfailure。QUEL
CHARMANTHOMME，N”EST-CEPAS？””Infinitelyso”saidI。”ButIwouldnotwillinglydetainyouanyfurtherwithastory，thedetailsofwhichitmustnaturallybemoreorlessunpleasantforyoutohear。Sufficeitthat，byM。deCulemberg”sownadvice，Isaidfarewellateighteentothatkindpreceptorandhisbooks，andenteredtheserviceofFrance；andhavesincethencarriedarmsinsuchamannerasnottodisgracemyfamily。””Younarratewell；VOUSAVESLAVOIXCHAUDE”saidmyuncle，turningonhispillowsasiftostudyme。”IhaveaverygoodaccountofyoubyMonsieurdeMauseant，whomyouhelpedinSpain。
AndyouhadsomeeducationfromtheAbbedeCulemberg，amanofagoodhouse？Yes，youwilldoverywell。Youhaveagoodmannerandahandsomeperson，whichhurtsnothing。Weareallhandsomeinthefamily；evenImyself，Ihavehadmysuccesses，thememoriesofwhichstillcharmme。Itismyintention，mynephew，tomakeofyoumyheir。Iamnotverywellcontentwithmyothernephew，MonsieurleVicomte：hehasnotbeenrespectful，whichistheflatteryduetoage。Andthereareothermatters。”
Iwashalftemptedtothrowbackinhisfacethatinheritancesocoldlyoffered。AtthesametimeIhadtoconsiderthathewasanoldman，and，afterall，myrelation；andthatIwasapoorone，inconsiderablestraits，withahopeatheartwhichthatinheritancemightyetenablemetorealise。NorcouldIforgetthat，howevericyhismanners，hehadbehavedtomefromthefirstwiththeextremeofliberalityand-Iwasabouttowrite，kindness，buttheword，inthatconnection，wouldnotcome。Ireallyowedthemansomemeasureofgratitude，whichitwouldbeanillmannertorepayifIweretoinsulthimonhisdeathbed。”Yourwill，monsieur，musteverbemyrule”saidI，bowing。”Youhavewit，MONSIEURMONNEVEU”saidhe，”thebestwit-thewitofsilence。Manymighthavedeafenedmewiththeirgratitude。
Gratitude！”herepeated，withapeculiarintonation，andlayandsmiledtohimself。”Buttoapproachwhatismoreimportant。Asaprisonerofwar，willitbepossibleforyoutobeservedheirtoEnglishestates？Ihavenoidea：longasIhavedweltinEngland，Ihaveneverstudiedwhattheycalltheirlaws。Ontheotherhand，howifRomaineshouldcometoolate？Ihavetwopiecesofbusinesstobetransacted-todie，andtomakemywill；and，howeverdesirousImaybetoserveyou，Icannotpostponethefirstinfavourofthesecondbeyondaveryfewhours。””Well，sir，ImustthencontrivetobedoingasIdidbefore”saidI。”Notso”saidtheCount。”Ihaveanalternative。Ihavejustdrawnmybalanceatmybanker”s，aconsiderablesum，andIamnowtoplaceitinyourhands。Itwillbesomuchforyouandsomuchless-”hepaused，andsmiledwithanairofmalignitythatsurprisedme。”Butitisnecessaryitshouldbedonebeforewitnesses。MONSIEURLEVICOMTEisofaparticulardisposition，andanunwitnesseddonationmayveryeasilybetwistedintoatheft。”
Hetouchedabell，whichwasansweredbyamanhavingtheappearanceofaconfidentialvalet。Tohimhegaveakey。”Bringmethedespatch-boxthatcameyesterday，LaFerriere”saidhe。”YouwillatthesametimepresentmycomplimentstoDr。
HunterandM。l”Abbe，andrequestthemtostepforafewmomentstomyroom。”
Thedespatch-boxprovedtoberatherabulkypieceofbaggage，coveredwithRussialeather。Beforethedoctorandanexcellentoldsmilingpriestitwaspassedoverintomyhandswithaveryclearstatementofthedisposer”swishes；immediatelyafterwhich，thoughthewitnessesremainedbehindtodrawupandsignajointnoteofthetransaction，MonsieurdeKeroualdismissedmetomyownroom，LaFerrierefollowingwiththeinvaluablebox。
AtmychamberdoorItookitfromhimwiththanks，andenteredalone。Everythinghadbeenalreadydisposedforthenight，thecurtainsdrawnandthefiretrimmed；andRowleywasstillbusywithmybedclothes。HeturnedroundasIenteredwithalookofwelcomethatdidmyheartgood。Indeed，Ihadneveramuchgreaterneedofhumansympathy，howevertrivial，thanatthatmomentwhenIheldafortuneinmyarms。Inmyuncle”sroomIhadbreathedtheveryatmosphereofdisenchantment。Hehadgorgedmypockets；hehadstarvedeverydignifiedoraffectionatesentimentofaman。IhadreceivedsochillinganimpressionofageandexperiencethatthemerelookofyouthdrewmetoconfideinRowley：hewasonlyaboy，hisheartmustbeatyet，hemuststillretainsomeinnocenceandnaturalfeelings，hecouldblurtoutfollieswithhismouth，hewasnotamachinetoutterperfectspeech！Atthesametime，Iwasbeginningtooutgrowthepainfulimpressionsofmyinterview；myspiritswerebeginningtorevive；andatthejolly，emptylooksofMr。Rowley，asheranforwardtorelievemeofthebox，St。Ivesbecamehimselfagain。”Now，Rowley，don”tbeinahurry”saidI。”Thisisamomentousjuncture。Manandboy，youhavebeeninmyserviceaboutthreehours。YoumustalreadyhaveobservedthatIamagentlemanofasomewhatmorosedisposition，andthereisnothingthatImoredislikethanthesmallestappearanceoffamiliarity。Mr。PoleorMr。Powl，probablyinthespiritofprophecy，warnedyouagainstthisdanger。””Yes，Mr。Anne”saidRowleyblankly。”Nowtherehasjustarisenoneofthoserarecases，inwhichIamwillingtodepartfrommyprinciples。Myunclehasgivenmeabox-whatyouwouldcallaChristmasbox。Idon”tknowwhat”sinit，andnomoredoyou：perhapsIamanAprilfool，orperhapsIamalreadyenormouslywealthy；theremightbefivehundredpoundsinthisapparentlyharmlessreceptacle！””Lord，Mr。Anne！”criedRowley。”Now，Rowley，holdupyourrighthandandrepeatthewordsoftheoathafterme”saidI，layingthedespatch-boxonthetable。”StrikemeblueifIeverdisclosetoMr。Powl，orMr。Powl”sViscount，oranythingthatisMr。Powl”s，nottomentionMr。Dawsonandthedoctor，thetreasuresofthefollowingdespatch-box；andstrikemesky-bluescarletifIdonotcontinuallymaintain，uphold，love，honourandobey，serve，andfollowtothefourcornersoftheearthandthewatersthatareundertheearth，thehereinafterbefore-mentionedonlythatIfindIhaveneglectedtomentionhimViscountAnnedeKeroualdeSt-Yves，commonlyknownasMr。Rowley”sViscount。Sobeit。Amen。”
HetooktheoathwiththesameexaggeratedseriousnessasIgaveittohim。”Now”saidI。”Hereisthekeyforyou；Iwillholdthelidwithbothhandsinthemeanwhile。”Heturnedthekey。”Bringupallthecandlesintheroom，andrangethemalong-side。Whatisittobe？Alivegorgon，aJack-in-the-box，oraspringthatfiresapistol？Onyourknees，sir，beforetheprodigy！”
Sosaying，Iturnedthedespatch-boxupsidedownuponthetable。
Atsightoftheheapofbankpaperandgoldthatlayinfrontofus，betweenthecandles，orrolledupontheflooralongside，I
stoodastonished。”OLord！”criedMr。Rowley；”ohLordy，Lordy，Lord！”andhescrambledafterthefallenguineas。”Omy，Mr。Anne！whatasighto”money！Why，it”slikeablessedstory-book。It”sliketheFortyThieves。””NowRowley，let”sbecool，let”sbebusinesslike”saidI。”Richesaredeceitful，particularlywhenyouhaven”tcountedthem；
andthefirstthingwehavetodoistoarriveattheamountofmy-letmesay，modestcompetency。IfI”mnotmistaken，Ihaveenoughheretokeepyouingoldbuttonsalltherestofyourlife。
Youcollectthegold，andI”lltakethepaper。”
Accordingly，downwesattogetheronthehearthrug，andforsometimetherewasnosoundbutthecreasingofbillsandthejinglingofguineas，brokenoccasionallybytheexultingexclamationsofRowley。Thearithmeticaloperationonwhichwewereembarkedtooklong，anditmighthavebeentedioustoothers；nottomenortomyhelper。”Tenthousandpounds！”Iannouncedatlast。”Tenthousand！”echoedMr。Rowley。
Andwegazeduponeachother。
Thegreatnessofthisfortunetookmybreathaway。Withthatsuminmyhands，Ineedfearnoenemies。Peoplearearrested，inninecasesoutoften，notbecausethepoliceareastute，butbecausetheythemselvesrunshortofmoney；andIhadherebeforemeinthedespatch-boxasuccessionofdevicesanddisguisesthatinsuredmyliberty。Notonlyso；but，asIfeltwithasuddenandoverpoweringthrill，withtenthousandpoundsinmyhandsIwasbecomeaneligiblesuitor。WhatadvancesIhadmadeinthepast，asaprivatesoldierinamilitaryprison，orafugitivebythewayside，couldonlybequalifiedor，indeed，excusedasactsofdesperation。Andnow，Imightcomeinbythefrontdoor；Imightapproachthedragonwithalawyeratmyelbow，andrichsettlementstooffer。ThepoorFrenchprisoner，Champdivers，mightbeinaperpetualdangerofarrest；buttherichtravellingEnglishman，St-Ives，inhispost-chaise，withhisdespatch-boxbyhisside，couldsmileatfateandlaughatlocksmiths。Irepeatedtheproverb，exulting，LOVELAUGHSATLOCKSMITHS！Inamoment，bythemerecomingofthismoney，mylovehadbecomepossible-ithadcomenear，itwasundermyhand-anditmaybebyoneofthecuriositiesofhumannature，butitburnedthatinstantbrighter。”Rowley”saidI，”yourViscountisamademan。””Why，webothare，sir”saidRowley。”Yes，both”saidI；”andyoushalldanceatthewedding；”andI
flungathisheadabundleofbanknotes，andhadjustfolloweditupwithahandfulofguineas，whenthedooropened，andMr。Romaineappeareduponthethreshold。
CHAPTERXVIII-MR。ROMAINECALLSMENAMES
FEELINGverymuchofafooltobethustakenbysurprise，I
scrambledtomyfeetandhastenedtomakemyvisitorwelcome。Hedidnotrefusemehishand；buthegaveitwithacoldnessanddistanceforwhichIwasquiteunprepared，andhiscountenance，ashelookedonme，wasmarkedinastrongdegreewithconcernandseverity。”So，sir，Ifindyouhere？”saidhe，intonesoflittleencouragement。”Isthatyou，George？Youcanrunaway；Ihavebusinesswithyourmaster。”
HeshowedRowleyout，andlockedthedoorbehindhim。Thenhesatdowninanarmchairononesideofthefire，andlookedatmewithuncompromisingsternness。”Iamhesitatinghowtobegin”saidhe。”Inthissingularlabyrinthofblundersanddifficultiesthatyouhavepreparedforus，Iampositivelyhesitatingwheretobegin。Itwillperhapsbebestthatyoushouldread，firstofall，thisparagraph。”Andhehandedovertomeanewspaper。
Theparagraphinquestionwasbrief。ItannouncedtherecaptureofoneoftheprisonersrecentlyescapedfromEdinburghCastle；gavehisname，Clausel，andaddedthathehadenteredintotheparticularsoftherecentrevoltingmurderintheCastle，anddenouncedthemurderer：-”ItisacommonsoldiercalledChampdivers，whohadhimselfescaped，andisinallprobabilityinvolvedinthecommonfateofhiscomrades。InspiteoftheactivityalongalltheForthandtheEastCoast，nothinghasyetbeenseenofthesloopwhichthesedesperadoesseizedatGrangemouth，anditisnowalmostcertainthattheyhavefoundawaterygrave。”
Atthereadingofthisparagraph，myheartturnedover。InamomentIsawmycastleintheairruined；myselfchangedfromameremilitaryfugitiveintoahuntedmurderer，fleeingfromthegallows；mylove，whichhadamomentsinceappearedsoneartome，blottedfromthefieldofpossibility。Despair，whichwasmyfirstsentiment，didnot，however，endureformorethanamoment。Isawthatmycompanionshadindeedsucceededintheirunlikelydesign；
andthatIwassupposedtohaveaccompaniedandperishedalongwiththembyshipwreck-amostprobableendingtotheirenterprise。IftheythoughtmeatthebottomoftheNorthSea，IneednotfearmuchvigilanceonthestreetsofEdinburgh。Champdiverswaswanted：whatwastoconnecthimwithSt。Ives？MajorChevenixwouldrecognisemeifhemetme；thatwasbeyondbargaining：hehadseenmesooften，hisinteresthadbeenkindledtosohighapoint，thatIcouldhopetodeceivehimbynostratagemofdisguise。