ItchancedthatFlorahadmetMr。Robbieinthecourseoftheafternoon。”Now，MissFlora”hehadsaid，”comeearly，forIhaveaPhoenixtoshowyou-oneMr。Ducie，anewclientofminethat，I
　　vow，Ihavefalleninlovewith”；andhewassogoodastoaddawordortwoonmyappearance，fromwhichFloraconceivedasuspicionofthetruth。Shehadcometotheparty，inconsequence，ontheknife-edgeofanticipationandalarm；hadchosenaplacebythedoor，whereIfoundher，onmyarrival，surroundedbyaposseofvapidyouths；and，whenIdrewnear，spranguptomeetmeinthemostnaturalmannerintheworld，and，obviously，withapreparedformofwords。”Howdoyoudo，Mr。Ducie？”shesaid。”ItisquiteanagesinceI
　　haveseenyou！””Ihavemuchtotellyou，MissGilchrist”Ireplied。”MayIsitdown？”
　　Fortheartfulgirl，bysittingnearthedoor，andthejudicioususeofhershawl，hadcontrivedtokeepachairemptybyherside。
　　Shemaderoomforme，asamatterofcourse，andtheyouthshadthediscretiontomeltbeforeus。AssoonasIwasonceseatedherfanflewout，andshewhisperedbehindit：”Areyoumad？””Madlyinlove”Ireplied；”butinnoothersense。””Ihavenopatience！YoucannotunderstandwhatIamsuffering！”
　　shesaid。”WhatareyoutosaytoRonald，toMajorChevenix，tomyaunt？”
　　Youraunt？”Icried，withastart。”PECCAVI！isshehere？””Sheisinthecard-roomatwhist”saidFlora。”Whereshewillprobablystayalltheevening？”Isuggested。”Shemay”sheadmitted；”shegenerallydoes！””Well，then，Imustavoidthecard-room”saidI，”whichisverymuchwhatIhadcountedupondoing。Ididnotcomeheretoplaycards，buttocontemplateacertainyoungladytomyheart”scontent-ifitcaneverbecontented！-andtotellhersomegoodnews。””ButtherearestillRonaldandtheMajor！”shepersisted。”Theyarenotcard-roomfixtures！Ronaldwillbecomingandgoing。AndasforMr。Chevenix，he-””AlwayssitswithMissFlora？”Iinterrupted。”AndtheytalkofpoorSt。Ives？Ihadgatheredasmuch，mydear；andMr。Duciehascometopreventit！Butpraydismissthesefears！Imindnoonebutyouraunt。””Whymyaunt？””Becauseyourauntisalady，mydear，andaverycleverlady，and，likeallcleverladies，averyrashlady”saidI。”Youcannevercountuponthem，unlessyouaresureofgettingtheminacorner，asIhavegotyou，andtalkingthemoverrationally，asIamjustengagedonwithyourself！Itwouldbequitethesametoyouraunttomaketheworstkindofascandal，withanequalindifferencetomydangerandtothefeelingsofourgoodhost！””Well”shesaid，”andwhatofRonald，then？DoyouthinkHEisabovemakingascandal？Youmustknowhimverylittle！””Ontheotherhand，itismypretensionthatIknowhimverywell！”
　　Ireplied。”ImustspeaktoRonaldfirst-notRonaldtome-thatisall！””Then，please，goandspeaktohimatonce！”shepleaded。Heisthere-doyousee？-attheupperendoftheroom，talkingtothatgirlinpink。””AndsolosethisseatbeforeIhavetoldyoumygoodnews？”I
　　exclaimed。”Catchme！And，besides，mydearone，thinkalittleofmeandmygoodnews！Ithoughtthebearerofgoodnewswasalwayswelcome！Ihopedhemightbealittlewelcomeforhimself！
　　Consider！Ihavebutonefriend；andletmestaybyher！AndthereisonlyonethingIcaretohear；andletmehearit！””Oh，Anne”shesighed，”ifIdidnotloveyou，whyshouldIbesouneasy？Iamturnedintoacoward，dear！Think，ifitweretheotherwayround-ifyouwerequitesafeandIwasin，oh，suchdanger！”
　　ShehadnosoonersaiditthanIwasconvictedofbeingadullard。”Godforgiveme，dear！”Imadehastetoreply。”Ineversawbeforethatthereweretwosidestothis！”AndItoldhermytaleasbrieflyasIcould，androsetoseekRonald。”Yousee，mydear，youareobeyed”Isaid。
　　Shegavemealookthatwasarewardinitself；andasIturnedawayfromher，withastrongsenseofturningawayfromthesun，I
　　carriedthatlookinmybosomlikeacaress。Thegirlinpinkwasanarch，oglingperson，withagooddealofeyesandteeth，andagreatplayofshouldersandrattleofconversation。Therecouldbenodoubt，fromMr。Ronald”sattitude，thatheworshippedtheverychairshesaton。ButIwasquiteruthless。Ilaidmyhandonhisshoulder，ashewasstoopingoverherlikeahenoverachicken。”Excusemeforonemoment，Mr。Gilchrist！”saidI。
　　Hestartedandspanaboutinanswertomytouch，andexhibitedafaceofinarticulatewonder。”Yes！”Icontinued，”itisevenmyself！PardonmeforinterruptingsoagreeableaTETE-A-TETE，butyouknow，mygoodfellow，weoweafirstdutytoMr。Robbie。Itwouldneverdotoriskmakingasceneintheman”sdrawing-room；sothefirstthingI
　　hadtoattendtowastohaveyouwarned。ThenameIgobyisDucie，too，incaseofaccidents。””I-Isay，youknow！”criedRonald。”Deucetakeit，whatareyoudoinghere？””Hush，hush！”saidI。”Nottheplace，mydearfellow-nottheplace。Cometomyrooms，ifyoulike，to-nightaftertheparty，orto-morrowinthemorning，andwecantalkitoutoverasegar。Buthere，youknow，itreallywon”tdoatall。”
　　Beforehecouldcollecthismindforananswer，IhadgivenhimmyaddressinSt。JamesSquare，andhadagainmingledwiththecrowd。
　　Alas！IwasnotfatedtogetbacktoFlorasoeasily！Mr。Robbiewasinthepath：hewasinsatiablyloquacious；andashecontinuedtopalaverIwatchedtheinsipidyouthsgatheragainaboutmyidol，andcursedmyfateandmyhost。HerememberedsuddenlythatIwastoattendtheAssemblyBallonThursday，andhadonlyattendedto-
　　nightbywayofapreparative。Thisputitintohisheadtopresentmetoanotheryounglady；butImanagedthisinterviewwithsomuchartthat，whileIwasscrupulouslypoliteandevencordialtothefairone，IcontrivedtokeepRobbiebesidemeallthetimeandtoleavealongwithhimwhentheordealwasover。Wewerejustwalkingawayarminarm，whenIspiedmyfriendtheMajorapproaching，stiffasaramrodand，asusual，obtrusivelyclean。”Oh！there”samanIwanttoknow”saidI，takingthebullbythehorns。”Won”tyouintroducemetoMajorChevenix？””Ataword，mydearfellow”saidRobbie；and”Major！”hecried，”comehereandletmepresenttoyoumyfriendMr。Ducie，whodesiresthehonourofyouracquaintance。”
　　TheMajorflushedvisibly，butotherwisepreservedhiscomposure。
　　Hebowedverylow。”I”mnotverysure”hesaid：”Ihaveanideawehavemetbefore？””Informally”Isaid，returninghisbow；”andIhavelonglookedforwardtothepleasureofregularisingouracquaintance。””Youareverygood，Mr。Ducie”hereturned。”Perhapsyoucouldaidmymemoryalittle？WherewasitthatIhadthepleasure？””Oh，thatwouldbetellingtalesoutofschool”saidI，withalaugh，”andbeforemylawyer，too！””I”llwager”brokeinMr。Robbie，”that，whenyouknewmyclient，Chevenix-thepastofourfriendMr。Ducieisanobscurechapterfullofhorridsecrets-I”llwager，now，youknewhimasSt。
　　Ivey”sayshe，nudgingmeviolently。”Ithinknot，sir”saidtheMajor，withpinchedlips。”Well，Iwishhemayproveallright！”continuedthelawyer，withcertainlytheworst-inspiredjocularityintheworld。”Iknownothingbyhim！Hemaybeaswellmobsmanformewithhisaliases。
　　Youmustputyourmemoryontherack，Major，andwhenye”verememberedwhenandwhereyemethim，besureyetellme。””Iwillnotfail，sir”saidChevenix。”Seektohim！”criedRobbie，wavinghishandashedeparted。
　　TheMajor，assoonaswewerealone，turneduponmehisimpassivecountenance。”Well”hesaid，”youhavecourage。””Itisundoubtedasyourhonour，sir”Ireturned，bowing。”Didyouexpecttomeetme，mayIask？”saidhe。”Yousaw，atleast，thatIcourtedthepresentation”saidI。”Andyouwerenotafraid？”saidChevenix。”Iwasperfectlyatease。IknewIwasdealingwithagentleman。
　　Bethatyourepitaph。””Well，therearesomeotherpeoplelookingforyou”hesaid，”whowillmakenobonesaboutthepointofhonour。Thepolice，mydearsir，aresimplyagogaboutyou。””AndIthinkthatthatwascoarse”saidI。”YouhaveseenMissGilchrist？”heinquired，changingthesubject。”Withwhom，Iamledtounderstand，weareonafootingofrivalry？”Iasked。”Yes，Ihaveseenher。””AndIwasjustseekingher”hereplied。
　　Iwasconsciousofacertainthrilloftemper；so，Isuppose，washe。Welookedeachotherupanddown。”Thesituationisoriginal”heresumed。”Quite”saidI。”Butletmetellyoufranklyyouareblowingacoldcoal。IoweyousomuchforyourkindnesstotheprisonerChampdivers。””Meaningthatthelady”saffectionsaremoreadvantageouslydisposedof？”heasked，withasneer。”Thankyou，Iamsure。And，sinceyouhavegivenmealead，justhearawordofgoodadviceinyourturn。Isitfair，isitdelicate，isitlikeagentleman，tocompromisetheyoungladybyattentionswhichasyouknowverywellcancometonothing？”
　　Iwasutterlyunabletofindwordsinanswer。”ExcusemeifIcutthisinterviewshort”hewenton。”Itseemstomedoomedtocometonothing，andthereismoreattractivemetal。””Yes”Ireplied，”asyousay，itcannotamounttomuch。Youareimpotent，boundhandandfootinhonour。Youknowmetobeamanfalselyaccused，andevenifyoudidnotknowit，fromyourpositionasmyrivalyouhaveonlythechoicetostandquitestillortobeinfamous。””Iwouldnotsaythat”hereturned，withanotherchangeofcolour。”Imayhearitoncetoooften。”
　　WithwhichhemovedoffstraightforwhereFlorawassittingamidsthercourtofvapidyouths，andIhadnochoicebuttofollowhim，abadsecond，andreadingmyself，asIwent，asharplessononthecommandoftemper。
　　Itisastrangethinghowyoungmenintheirteensgodownatthemerewindofthecomingofmenoftwenty-fiveandupwards！ThevapidonesfledwithoutthoughtofresistancebeforetheMajorandme；afewdalliedawhileintheneighbourhood-sotospeak，withtheirfingersintheirmouths-butpresentlythesealsofollowedtherout，andweremainedfacetofacebeforeFlora。Therewasadraughtinthatcornerbythedoor；shehadthrownherpelisseoverherbarearmsandneck，andthedarkfurofthetrimmingsetthemoff。Sheshonebycontrast；thelightplayedonhersmoothskintoadmiration，andthecolourchangedinherexcitedface。Fortheleastfractionofasecondshelookedfromonetotheotherofherpairofrivalswains，andseemedtohesitate。ThensheaddressedChevenix：-”YouarecomingtotheAssembly，ofcourse，MajorChevenix？”saidshe。”Ifearnot；IfearIshallbeotherwiseengaged”hereplied。”Eventhepleasureofdancingwithyou，MissFlora，mustgivewaytoduty。”
　　Forawhilethetalkranharmlesslyontheweather，andthenbranchedofftowardsthewar。Itseemedtobebynoone”sfault；
　　itwasintheair，andhadtocome。”Goodnewsfromthesceneofoperations”saidtheMajor。”Goodnewswhileitlasts”Isaid。”ButwillMissGilchristtellusherprivatethoughtuponthewar？Inheradmirationforthevictors，doesnotthereminglesomepityforthevanquished？””Indeed，sir”shesaid，withanimation，”onlytoomuchofit！WarisasubjectthatIdonotthinkshouldbetalkedoftoagirl。I
　　am，Ihavetobe-whatdoyoucallit？-anon-combatant？Andtoremindmeofwhatothershavetodoandsuffer：no，itisnotfair！””MissGilchristhasthetenderfemaleheart”saidChevenix。”Donotbetoosureofthat！”shecried。”Iwouldlovetobeallowedtofightmyself！””Onwhichside？”Iasked。”Canyouask？”sheexclaimed。”IamaScottishgirl！””SheisaScottishgirl！”repeatedtheMajor，lookingatme。”Andnoonegrudgesyouherpity！””AndIgloryineverygrainofitshehastospare”saidI。”Pityisakintolove。””Well，andletusputthatquestiontoMissGilchrist。Itisforhertodecide，andforustobowtothedecision。Ispity，MissFlora，orisadmiration，nearestlove？””Ohcome”saidI，”letusbemoreconcrete。Laybeforetheladyacompletecase：describeyourman，thenI”lldescribeMINE，andMissFlorashalldecide。””IthinkIseeyourmeaning”saidhe，”andI”lltry。Youthinkthatpity-andthekindredsentiments-havethegreatestpowerupontheheart。Ithinkmorenoblyofwomen。Tomyview，themantheylovewillfirstofallcommandtheirrespect；hewillbesteadfast-proud，ifyouplease；dry，possibly-butofallthingssteadfast。Theywilllookathimindoubt；atlasttheywillseethatsternfacewhichhepresentstoalltherestoftheworldsoftentothemalone。First，trust，Isay。Itissothatawomanloveswhoisworthyofheroes。””Yourmanisveryambitious，sir”saidI，”andverymuchofahero！Mineisahumbler，and，Iwouldfainthink，amorehumandog。Heisonewithnoparticulartrustinhimself，withnosuperiorsteadfastnesstobeadmiredfor，whoseesalady”sface，whohearshervoice，and，withoutanyphraseaboutthematter，fallsinlove。Whatdoesheaskfor，then，butpity？-pityforhisweakness，pityforhislove，whichishislife。Youwouldmakewomenalwaystheinferiors，gapingupatyourimaginarylover；he，likeamarblestatue，withhisnoseintheair！ButGodhasbeenwiserthanyou；andthemoststeadfastofyourheroesmayprovehuman，afterall。Weappealtothequeenforjudgment”Iadded，turningandbowingbeforeFlora。”Andhowshallthequeenjudge？”sheasked。”Imustgiveyouananswerthatisnoansweratall。“Thewindblowethwhereitlisteth“：shegoeswhereherheartgoes。”
　　Herfaceflushedasshesaidit；minealso，forIreadinitadeclaration，andmyheartswelledforjoy。ButChevenixgrewpale。”Youmakeoflifeaverydreadfulkindoflottery，ma”am”saidhe。”ButIwillnotdespair。Honestandunornamentalisstillmychoice。”
　　AndImustsayhelookedextremelyhandsomeandveryamusinglylikethemarblestatuewithitsnoseintheairtowhichIhadcomparedhim。”Icannotimaginehowwegotuponthissubject”saidFlora。”Madame，itwasthroughthewar”repliedChevenix。”AllroadsleadtoRome”Icommented。”WhatelsewouldyouexpectMr。Chevenixandmyselftotalkof？”
　　AboutthistimeIwasconsciousofacertainbustleandmovementintheroombehindme，butdidnotpaytoitthatdegreeofattentionwhichperhapswouldhavebeenwise。TherecameacertainchangeinFlora”sface；shesignalledrepeatedlywithherfan；hereyesappealedtomeobsequiously；therecouldbenodoubtthatshewantedsomething-aswellasIcouldmakeout，thatIshouldgoawayandleavethefieldclearformyrival，whichIhadnottheleastideaofdoing。Atlastsherosefromherchairwithimpatience。”Ithinkittimeyouweresayinggood-night，MrDucie！”shesaid。
　　Icouldnotintheleastseewhy，andsaidso。
　　Whereuponshegavemethisappallinganswer，”Myauntiscomingoutofthecard-room。”
　　Inlesstimethanittakestotell，Ihadmademybowandmyescape。Lookingbackfromthedoorway，Iwasprivilegedtosee，foramoment，theaugustprofileandgoldeyeglassesofMissGilchristissuingfromthecard-room；andthesightlentmewings。
　　Istoodnotontheorderofmygoing；andamomentafter，IwasonthepavementofCastleStreet，andthelightedwindowsshonedownonme，andwerecrossedbyironicalshadowsofthosewhohadremainedbehind。
　　CHAPTERXXIX-EVENTSOFTUESDAY：THETOILSCLOSING
　　THISdaybeganwithasurprise。Ifoundaletteronmybreakfast-
　　tableaddressedtoEdwardDucie，Esquire；andatfirstIwasstartledbeyondmeasure。”Consciencedothmakecowardsofusall！”
　　WhenIhadopenedit，itprovedtobeonlyanotefromthelawyer，enclosingacardfortheAssemblyBallonThursdayevening。
　　Shortlyafter，asIwascomposingmymindwithasegaratoneofthewindowsofthesitting-room，andRowley，havingfinishedthelightshareofworkthatfelltohim，satnotfarofftootlingwithgreatspiritandamarkedpreferencefortheupperoctave，Ronaldwassuddenlyshownin。Igothimasegar，drewinachairtothesideofthefire，andinstalledhimthere-Iwasgoingtosay，athisease，butnoexpressioncouldbefartherfromthetruth。Hewasplainlyonpinsandneedles，didnotknowwhethertotakeortorefusethesegar，and，afterhehadtakenit，didnotknowwhethertolightortoreturnit。Isawhehadsomethingtosay；Ididnotthinkitwashisownsomething；andIwasreadytoofferalargebetitwasreallysomethingofMajorChevenix”s。”Well，andsohereyouare！”Iobserved，withpointlesscordiality，forIwasboundIshoulddonothingtohelphimout。Ifhewere，indeed，hererunningerrandsformyrival，hemighthaveafairfield，butcertainlynofavour。”Thefactis”hebegan，”Iwouldratherseeyoualone。””Why，certainly”Ireplied。”Rowley，youcanstepintothebedroom。Mydearfellow”Icontinued，”thissoundsserious。
　　Nothingwrong，Itrust。””Well，I”llbequitehonest”saidhe。”IAMagooddealbothered。””AndIbetIknowwhy！”Iexclaimed。”AndIbetIcanputyoutorights，too！””Whatdoyoumean！”heasked。”Youmustbehardup”saidI，”andallIcansayis，you”vecometotherightplace。Ifyouhavetheleastuseforahundredpounds，oranysuchtriflingsumasthat，pleasementionit。It”shere，quiteatyourservice。””Iamsureitismostkindofyou”saidRonald，”andthetruthis，thoughIcan”tthinkhowyouguessedit，thatIreallyAMalittlebehindboard。ButIhaven”tcometotalkaboutthat。””No，Idaresay！”criedI。”Notworthtalkingabout！Butremember，Ronald，youandIareondifferentsidesofthebusiness。
　　Rememberthatyoudidmeoneofthoseservicesthatmakemenfriendsforever。AndsinceIhavehadthefortunetocomeintoafairshareofmoney，justobligeme，andconsidersomuchofitasyourown。””No”hesaid，”Icouldn”ttakeit；Icouldn”t，really。Besides，thefactis，I”vecomeonaverydifferentmatter。It”saboutmysister，St。Ives”andheshookhisheadmenacinglyatme。”You”requitesure？”Ipersisted。”It”shere，atyourservice-uptofivehundredpounds，ifyoulike。Well，allright；onlyrememberwhereitis，whenyoudowantit。””Oh，pleaseletmealone！”criedRonald：”I”vecometosaysomethingunpleasant；andhowonearthcanIdoit，ifyoudon”tgiveafellowachance？It”saboutmysister，asIsaid。Youcanseeforyourselfthatitcan”tbeallowedtogoon。It”scompromising；itdon”tleadtoanything；andyou”renotthekindofmanyoumustfeelityourselfthatIcanallowmyfemalerelativestohaveanythingtodowith。Ihatesayingthis，St。
　　Ives；itlookslikehittingamanwhenhe”sdown，youknow；andI
　　toldtheMajorIverymuchdislikeditfromthefirst。However，ithadtobesaid；andnowithasbeen，and，betweengentlemen，itshouldn”tbenecessarytorefertoitagain。””It”scompromising；itdoesn”tleadtoanything；notthekindofman”Irepeatedthoughtfully。”Yes，IbelieveIunderstand，andshallmakehastetoputmyselfENREGLE。”Istoodup，andlaidmysegardown。”Mr。Gilchrist”saidI，withabow，”inanswertoyourverynaturalobservations，Ibegtooffermyselfasasuitorforyoursister”shand。Iamamanoftitle，ofwhichwethinklightlyinFrance，butofancientlineage，whichiseverywhereprized。Icandisplaythirty-twoquarteringswithoutablot。Myexpectationsarecertainlyabovetheaverage：Ibelievemyuncle”sincomeaveragesaboutthirtythousandpounds，thoughIadmitIwasnotcarefultoinformmyself。Putitanywherebetweenfifteenandfiftythousand；itiscertainlynotless。””Allthisisveryeasytosay”saidRonald，withapityingsmile。”Unfortunately，thesethingsareintheair。””Pardonme，-inBuckinghamshire”saidI，smiling。”Well，whatImeanis，mydearSt。Ives，thatyouCAN”TPROVE
　　them”hecontinued。”Theymightjustaswellnotbe：doyoufollowme？Youcan”tbringusanythirdpartytobackyou。””Oh，come！”criedI，springingupandhurryingtothetable。”Youmustexcuseme！”IwroteRomaine”saddress。”Thereismyreference，Mr。Gilchrist。Untilyouhavewrittentohim，andreceivedhisnegativeanswer，Ihavearighttobetreated，andI
　　shallseethatyoutreatme，asagentleman。”Hewasbroughtupwitharoundturnatthat。”Ibegyourpardon，St。Ives”saidhe。”Believeme，Ihadnowishtobeoffensive。Butthere”sthedifficultyofthisaffair；I
　　can”tmakeanyofmypointswithoutoffence！Youmustexcuseme，it”snotmyfault。But，atanyrate，youmustseeforyourselfthisproposalofmarriageis-ismerelyimpossible，mydearfellow。It”snonsense！Ourcountriesareatwar；youareaprisoner。””MyancestorofthetimeoftheLigue”Ireplied，”marriedaHuguenotladyoutoftheSaintonge，ridingtwohundredmilesthroughanenemy”scountrytobringoffhisbride；anditwasahappymarriage。””Well！”hebegan；andthenlookeddownintothefire，andbecamesilent。”Well？”Iasked。”Well，there”sthisbusinessof-Goguelat”saidhe，stilllookingatthecoalsinthegrate。”What！”Iexclaimed，startinginmychair。”What”sthatyousay？””ThisbusinessaboutGoguelat”herepeated。”Ronald”saidI，”thisisnotyourdoing。Thesearenotyourownwords。Iknowwheretheycamefrom：acowardputtheminyourmouth。””St。Ives！”hecried，”whydoyoumakeitsohardforme？andwhere”stheuseofinsultingotherpeople？TheplainEnglishis，thatIcan”thearofanyproposalofmarriagefromamanunderachargelikethat。Youmustseeitforyourself，man！It”sthemostabsurdthingIeverheardof！Andyougoonforcingmetoarguewithyou，too！””BecauseIhavehadanaffairofhonourwhichterminatedunhappily，you-ayoungsoldier，ornext-doortoit-refusemyoffer？DoI
　　understandyouaright？”saidI。”Mydearfellow！”hewailed，”ofcourseyoucantwistmywords，ifyoulike。YouSAYitwasanaffairofhonour。Well，Ican”t，ofcourse，tellyouthat-Ican”t-Imean，youmustseethatthat”sjustthepoint！Wasit？Idon”tknow。””Ihavethehonourtoinformyou”saidI。”Well，otherpeoplesaythereverse，yousee！””Theylie，Ronald，andIwillproveitintime。””Theshortandthelongofitis，thatanymanwhoissounfortunateastohavesuchthingssaidabouthimisnotthemantobemybrother-in-law！”hecried。”Doyouknowwhowillbemyfirstwitnessatthecourt？ArthurChevenix！”saidI。”Idon”tcare！”hecried，risingfromhischairandbeginningtopaceoutrageouslyabouttheroom。”Whatdoyoumean，St。Ives？
　　Whatisthisabout？It”slikeadream，Ideclare！Youmadeanoffer，andIhaverefusedit。Idon”tlikeit，Idon”twantit；
　　andwhateverIdid，ordidn”t，wouldn”tmatter-myauntwouldn”tbearofitanyway！Can”tyoutakeyouranswer，man？””Youmustremember，Ronald，thatweareplayingwithedgedtools”
　　saidI。”Anofferofmarriageisadelicatesubjecttohandle。
　　Youhaverefused，andyouhavejustifiedyourrefusalbyseveralstatements：first，thatIwasanimpostor；second，thatourcountrieswereatwar；andthird-No，Iwillspeak”saidI；”youcananswerwhenIhavedone，-andthird，thatIhaddishonourablykilled-orwassaidtohavedoneso-themanGoguelat。Now，mydearfellow，theseareveryawkwardgroundstobetaking。Fromanyoneelse”slipsIneedscarcetellyouhowIshouldresentthem；
　　butmyhandsaretied。Ihavesomuchgratitudetoyou，withouttalkingoftheloveIbearyoursister，thatyouinsultme，whenyoudoso，underthecoverofacompleteimpunity。Imustfeelthepain-andIdofeelitacutely-Icandonothingtoprotectmyself。”Hehadbeenanxiousenoughtointerruptmeinthebeginning；butnow，andafterIhadceased，hestoodalongwhilesilent。”St。Ives”hesaidatlast，”IthinkIhadbettergoaway。Thishasbeenveryirritating。Ineveratallmeanttosayanythingofthekind，andIapologisetoyou。Ihavealltheesteemforyouthatonegentlemanshouldhaveforanother。Ionlymeanttotellyou-toshowyouwhathadinfluencedmymind；andthat，inshort，thethingwasimpossible。Onethingyoumaybequitesureof：I
　　shalldonothingagainstyou。WillyoushakehandsbeforeIgoaway？”heblurtedout。”Yes”saidI，”Iagreewithyou-theinterviewhasbeenirritating。Letbygonesbebygones。Good-bye，Ronald。””Good-bye，St。Ives！”hereturned。”I”mheartilysorry。”
　　Andwiththathewasgone。
　　Thewindowsofmyownsitting-roomlookedtowardsthenorth；buttheentrancepassagedrewitslightfromthedirectionofthesquare。HenceIwasabletoobserveRonald”sdeparture，hisverydisheartenedgait，andthefactthathewasjoined，abouthalf-way，bynolessamanthanMajorChevenix。Atthis，Icouldscarcekeepfromsmiling；sounpalatableaninterviewmustbebeforethepairofthem，andIcouldheartheirvoices，clashinglikecrossedswords，inthateternalantiphonyof”Itoldyou”and”Itoldyounot。”Withoutdoubt，theyhadgainedverylittlebytheirvisit；
　　butthenIhadgainedlessthannothing，andhadbeenbitterlydispiritedintothebargain。Ronaldhadstucktohisgunsandrefusedmetothelast。Itwasnonews；but，ontheotherhand，itcouldnotbecontortedintogoodnews。IwasnowcertainthatduringmytemporaryabsenceinFrance，allironswouldbeputintothefire，andtheworldturnedupsidedown，tomakeFloradisowntheobtrusiveFrenchmanandacceptChevenix。Withoutdoubtshewouldresisttheseinstances：butthethoughtofthemdidnotpleaseme，andIfeltsheshouldbewarnedandpreparedforthebattle。
　　Itwasnousetotryandseehernow，butIpromisedmyselfearlythateveningtoreturntoSwanston。InthemeantimeIhadtomakeallmypreparations，andlookthecomingjourneyintheface。HereinEdinburghIwaswithinfourmilesofthesea，yetthebusinessofapproachingrandomfishermenwithmyhatintheonehandandaknifeintheother，appearedsodesperate，thatIsawnothingforitbuttoretracemystepsoverthenortherncounties，andknockasecondtimeatthedoorsofBirchellFenn。Todothis，moneywouldbenecessary；andafterleavingmypaperinthehandsofFloraI
　　hadstillabalanceofaboutfifteenhundredpounds。OrratherI
　　maysayIhadthemandIhadthemnot；foraftermyluncheonwithMr。RobbieIhadplacedtheamount，allbutthirtypoundsofchange，inabankinGeorgeStreet，onadepositreceiptinthenameofMr。Rowley。ThisIhaddesignedtobemygifttohim，incaseImustsuddenlydepart。Butnow，thinkingbetterofthearrangement，Idespatchedmylittleman，cockadeandall，toliftthefifteenhundred。
　　Hewasnotlonggone，andreturnedwithaflushedface，andthedepositreceiptstillinhishand。”Nogo，Mr。Anne”sayshe。”How”sthat？”Iinquired，”Well，sir，Ifoundtheplaceallright，andnomistake”saidhe。”ButItellyouwhatgavemeabluefright！Therewasacustomerstandingbythedoor，andIreckonisedhim！Whodoyouthinkitwas，Mr。Anne？W”y，thatsameRed-Breast-himIhadbreakfastwithnearAylesbury。””Youaresureyouarenotmistaken？”Iasked。”Certainsure”hereplied。”NotMr。Lavender，Idon”tmean，sir；
　　Imeantheotherparty。“Wot”shedoinghere？”saysI。Itdon”tlookright。”””Notbyanymeans”Iagreed。
　　Iwalkedtoandfrointheapartmentreflecting。ThisparticularBowStreetrunnermightbeherebyaccident；butitwastoimagineasingularplayofcoincidencethathe，whohadmetRowleyandspokenwithhiminthe”GreenDragon”hardbyAylesbury，shouldbenowinScotland，wherehecouldhavenolegitimatebusiness，andbythedoorsofthebankwhereRowleykepthisaccount。”Rowley”saidI，”hedidn”tseeyou，didhe？””Neverafear”quothRowley。”W”yMr。Anne，sir，ifhe”ad，youwouldn”thaveseenMEanymore！Iain”tahass，sir！””Well，myboy，youcanputthatreceiptinyourpocket。You”llhavenomoreuseforittillyou”requiteclearofme。Don”tloseit，though；it”syourshareoftheChristmas-box：fifteenhundredpoundsallforyourself。””Beggingyourpardon，Mr。Anne，sir，butwotfor！”saidRowley。”Tosetupapublic-houseupon”saidI。”Ifyou”llexcuseme，sir，Iain”tgotanycalltosetupapublic-
　　house，sir”herepliedstoutly。”AndItellyouwot，sir，itseemstomeI”mreetheryoungforthebillet。I”myourbodyservant，Mr。Anne，orelseI”mnothink。””Well，Rowley”Isaid，”I”lltellyouwhatit”sfor。It”sforthegoodserviceyouhavedoneme，ofwhichIdon”tcare-anddon”tdare-tospeak。It”sforyourloyaltyandcheerfulness，mydearboy。Ihadmeantitforyou；buttotellyouthetruth，it”spastmendingnow-ithastobeyours。Sincethatmaniswaitingbythebank，themoneycan”tbetoucheduntilI”mgone。””Untilyou”regone，sir？”re-echoedRowley。”Youdon”tgoanywhereswithoutme，Icantellyouthat，Mr。Anne，sir！””Yes，myboy”saidI，”wearegoingtopartverysoonnow；
　　probablyto-morrow。Andit”sformysake，Rowley！Dependuponit，iftherewasanyreasonatallforthatBowStreetmanbeingatthebank，hewasnottheretolookoutforyou。HowtheycouldhavefoundoutabouttheaccountsoearlyismorethanIcanfathom；
　　somestrangecoincidencemusthaveplayedmefalse！Buttherethefactis；andRowley，I”llnotonlyhavetosayfarewelltoyoupresently，I”llhavetoaskyoutostayindoorsuntilIcansayit。
　　Remember，myboy，it”sonlysothatyoucanservemenow。””W”y，sir，yousaytheword，andofcourseI”lldoit！”hecried。”“Nothinkby”alves，“ismymotto！I”myourman，throughthickandthin，liveordie，Iam！”
　　Inthemeantimetherewasnothingtobedonetilltowardssunset。
　　MyonlychancenowwastocomeagainasquicklyaspossibletospeechofFlora，whowasmyonlypracticablebanker；andnotbeforeeveningwasitworthwhiletothinkofthat。ImightcomposemyselfaswellasIwasableovertheCALEDONIANMERCURY，withitsillnewsofthecampaignofFranceandbelateddocumentsabouttheretreatfromRussia；and，asIsattherebythefire，IwassometimesallawakewithangerandmortificationatwhatIwasreading，andsometimesagainIwouldbethreepartsasleepasI
　　dozedoverthebarrenitemsofhomeintelligence。”Latelyarrived”-
　　thisiswhatIsuddenlystumbledon-”atDumbreck”sHotel，theViscountofSaint-Yves。””Rowley”saidI。”Ifyouplease，Mr。Anne，sir”answeredtheobsequious，loweringhispipe。”Comeandlookatthis，myboy”saidI，holdingoutthepaper。”Mycrikey！”saidhe。”That”s”im，sir，sureenough！””Sureenough，Rowley”saidI。”He”sonthetrail。Hehasfairlycaughtupwithus。HeandthisBowStreetmanhavecometogether，Iwouldswear。Andnowhereisthewholefield，quarry，houndsandhunters，alltogetherinthiscityofEdinburgh。””Andwotareyougoin”todonow，sir？Tellyouwot，letmetakeitin”and，please！Gimmeaminute，andI”lldisguisemyself，andgoouttothisDum-tothishotel，leastways，sir-andseewothe”supto。Youputyourtrustinme，Mr。Anne：I”mfly，don”tyoumakenomistakeaboutit。I”malla-growinganda-blowing，Iam。””Notonefootofyou”saidI。”Youareaprisoner，Rowley，andmakeupyourmindtothat。SoamI，ornextdoortoit。Ishowedityouforacaution；ifyougoonthestreets，itspellsdeathtome，Rowley。””Ifyouplease，sir”saysRowley。”Cometothinkofit”Icontinued，”youmusttakeacold，orsomething。NogoodofawakeningMrs。McRankine”ssuspicions。””Acold？”hecried，recoveringimmediatelyfromhisdepression。”I
　　candoit，Mr。Anne。”
　　Andheproceededtosneezeandcoughandblowhisnose，tillI
　　couldnotrestrainmyselffromsmiling。”Oh，Itellyou，Iknowalotofthemdodges”heobservedproudly。”Well，theycomeinveryhandy”saidI。”I”dbettergoatonceandshowittotheoldgal，”adn”tI？”heasked。
　　Itoldhim，byallmeans；andhewasgoneupontheinstant，gleefulasthoughtoagameoffootball。
　　Itookupthepaperandreadcarelesslyon，mythoughtsengagedwithmyimmediatedanger，tillIstruckonthenextparagraph：-”InconnectionwiththerecenthorridmurderintheCastle，wearedesiredtomakepublicthefollowingintelligence。Thesoldier，Champdivers，issupposedtobeintheneighbourhoodofthiscity。
　　Heisaboutthemiddleheightorratherunder，ofapleasingappearanceandhighlygenteeladdress。Whenlastheardofheworeafashionablesuitofpearl-grey，andbootswithfawn-colouredtops。Heisaccompaniedbyaservantaboutsixteenyearsofage，speaksEnglishwithoutanyaccent，andpassedundertheALIASofRamornie。Arewardisofferedforhisapprehension。”
　　InamomentIwasinthenextroom，strippingfrommethepearl-
　　colouredsuit！
　　IconfessIwasnowagooddealagitated。Itisdifficulttowatchthetoilsclosingslowlyandsurelyaboutyou，andtoretainyourcomposure；andIwasgladthatRowleywasnotpresenttospyonmyconfusion。Iwasflushed，mybreathcamethick；IcannotrememberatimewhenIwasmoreputout。
　　AndyetImustwaitanddonothing，andpartakeofmymeals，andentertaintheever-garrulousRowley，asthoughIwereentirelymyownman。AndifIdidnotrequiretoentertainMrs。McRankinealso，thatwasbutanotherdropofbitternessinmycup！Forwhatailedmylandlady，thatsheshouldholdherselfsoseverelyaloof，thatsheshouldrefuseconversation，thathereyesshouldbereddened，thatIshouldsocontinuallyhearthevoiceofherprivatesupplicationssoundingthroughthehouse？Iwasmuchdeceived，orshehadreadtheinsidiousparagraphandrecognisedthecomminatedpearl-greysuit。Iremembernowacertainairwithwhichshehadlaidthepaperonmytable，andacertainsniff，betweensympathyanddefiance，withwhichshehadannouncedit：”There”syourMERCURYforye！”
　　Inthisdirection，atleast，Isawnopressingdanger；hertragiccountenancebetokenedagitation；itwasplainshewaswrestlingwithherconscience，andthebattlestillhungdubious。Thequestionofwhattodotroubledmeextremely。Icouldnotventuretotouchsuchanintricateandmysteriouspieceofmachineryasmylandlady”sspiritualnature：itmightgooffataword，andinanydirection，likeabadly-madefirework。AndwhileIpraisedmyselfextremelyformywisdominthepast，thatIhadmadesomuchafriendofher，Iwasallabroadastomyconductinthepresent。
　　Thereseemedanequaldangerinpressingandinneglectingtheaccustomedmarksoffamiliarity。Theoneextremelookedlikeimpudence，andmightannoy，theotherwasapracticalconfessionofguilt。Altogether，itwasagoodhourformewhentheduskbegantofallinearnestonthestreetsofEdinburgh，andthevoiceofanearlywatchmanbademesetforth。
　　Ireachedtheneighbourhoodofthecottagebeforeseven；andasI
　　breastedthesteepascentwhichleadstothegardenwall，Iwasstruckwithsurprisetohearadog。DogsIhadheardbefore，butonlyfromthehamletonthehillsideabove。Now，thisdogwasinthegardenitself，whereitroaredaloudinparoxysmsoffury，andIcouldhearitleapingandstrainingonthechain。Iwaitedsomewhile，untilthebrute”sfitofpassionhadroareditselfout。
　　Then，withtheutmostprecaution，Idrewnearagain；andfinallyapproachedthegardenwall。SosoonasIhadclappedmyheadabovethelevel，however，thebarkingbrokeforthagainwithredoubledenergy。Almostatthesametime，thedoorofthecottageopened，andRonaldandtheMajorappeareduponthethresholdwithalantern。Astheysostood，theywerealmostimmediatelybelowme，stronglyilluminated，andwithineasyearshot。TheMajorpacifiedthedog，whotookinsteadtolow，uneasygrowlingintermingledwithoccasionalyelps。”GoodthingIbroughtTowzer！”saidChevenix。”Damnhim，Iwonderwhereheis！”saidRonald；andhemovedthelanternupanddown，andturnedthenightintoashiftingpuzzle-
　　workofgleamandshadow。”IthinkI”llmakeasally。””Idon”tthinkyouwill”repliedChevenix。”WhenIagreedtocomeouthereanddosentry-go，itwasononecondition，MasterRonald：
　　don”tyouforgetthat！Militarydiscipline，myboy！Ourbeatisthispathcloseaboutthehouse。Down，Towzer！goodboy，goodboy-gently，then！”hewenton，caressinghisconfoundedmonster。”Tothink！Thebeggarmaybehearingusthisminute！”criedRonald。”Nothingmoreprobable”saidtheMajor。”Youthere，St。Ives？”headded，inadistinctbutguardedvoice。”Ionlywanttotellyou，youhadbettergohome。Mr。GilchristandItakewatchandwatch。”
　　Thegamewasup。”BEAUCOUPDEPLAISIR！”Ireplied，inthesametones。”ILFAITUNPEUFROIDPOURVEILLER；GARDEZ-VOUSDES
　　ENGELURES！”
　　Isupposeitwasdoneinamomentofungovernablerage；butinspiteoftheexcellentadvicehehadgiventoRonaldthemomentbefore，Chevenixslippedthechain，andthedogsprang，straightasanarrow，upthebank。Isteppedback，pickedupastoneofabouttwelvepoundsweight，andstoodready。Withaboundthebeastlandedonthecope-stoneofthewall；and，almostinthesameinstant，mymissilecaughthimfairintheface。Hegaveastifledcry，wenttumblingbackwherehehadcomefrom，andIcouldhearthetwelve-pounderaccompanyhiminhisfall。Chevenix，atthesamemoment，brokeoutinaroaringvoice：”Thehell-hound！Ifhe”skilledmydog！”andIjudged，uponallgrounds，itwasaswelltobeoff。
　　CHAPTERXXX-EVENTSOFWEDNESDAY；THEUNIVERSITYOFCRAMOND
　　IAWOKEtomuchdiffidence，eventoafeelingthatmightbecalledthebeginningsofpanic，andlayforhoursinmybedconsideringthesituation。SeekwhereIpleased，therewasnothingtoencouragemeandplentytoappal。Theykeptaclosewatchaboutthecottage；theyhadabeastofawatch-dog-atleast，unlessI
　　hadsettledit；andifIhad，Iknewitsbereavedmasterwouldonlywatchthemoreindefatigablyfortheloss。InthepardonableostentationofloveIhadgivenallthemoneyIcouldsparetoFlora；Ihadthoughtitgloriousthatthehuntedexileshouldcomedown，likeJupiter，inashowerofgold，andpourthousandsinthelapofthebeloved。ThenIhadinanhourofarrantfollyburiedwhatremainedtomeinabankinGeorgeStreet。AndnowImustgetbacktheoneortheother；andwhich？andhow？
　　AsItossedinmybed，Icouldseethreepossiblecourses，allextremelyperilous。First，Rowleymighthavebeenmistaken；thebankmightnotbewatched；itmightstillbepossibleforhimtodrawthemoneyonthedepositreceipt。Second，ImightapplyagaintoRobbie。Or，third，Imightdareeverything，gototheAssemblyBall，andspeakwithFloraundertheeyesofallEdinburgh。Thislastalternative，involvingasitdidthemosthorridrisks，andthedelayofforty-eighthours，Ididbutglanceatwithanavertedhead，andturnedagaintotheconsiderationoftheothers。ItwasthelikeliestthingintheworldthatRobbiehadbeenwarnedtohavenomoretodowithme。ThewholepolicyoftheGilchristswasinthehandsofChevenix；andIthoughtthiswasaprecautionsoelementarythathewascertaintohavetakenit。Ifhehadnot，ofcourseIwasallright：RobbiewouldmanagetocommunicatewithFlora；andbyfouro”clockImightbeonthesouthroadand，Iwasgoingtosay，afreeman。Lastly，ImustassuremyselfwithmyowneyeswhetherthebankinGeorgeStreetwerebeleaguered。
　　IcalledtoRowleyandquestionedhimtightlyastotheappearanceoftheBowStreetofficer。”Whatsortoflookingmanishe，Rowley？”Iasked，asIbegantodress。”Wotsortofalookingmanheis？”repeatedRowley。”Well，Idon”tverywellknowwotyouwouldsay，Mr。Anne。Heain”tabeauty，any”ow。””Ishetall？””Tall？Well，no，Ishouldn”tsayTALLMr。Anne。””Well，then，isheshort？””Short？No，Idon”tthinkIwouldsayhewaswhatyouwouldcallSHORT。No，notpiticularshort，sir。””Then，Isuppose，hemustbeaboutthemiddleheight？””Well，youmightsayit，sir；butnotremarkableso。”
　　Ismotheredanoath。”Isheclean-shaved？”Itriedhimagain。”Clean-shaved？”herepeated，withthesameairofanxiouscandour。”Goodheaven，man，don”trepeatmywordslikeaparrot！”Icried。”Tellmewhatthemanwaslike：itisofthefirstimportancethatIshouldbeabletorecognisehim。””I”mtryingto，Mr。Anne。ButCLEAN-SHAVED？Idon”tseemtorightlygetholdofthatp”int。Sometimesitmightappeartomelikeasifhewas；andsometimeslikeasifhewasn”t。No，itwouldn”tsurprisemenowifyouwastotellmehe”adabito”
　　whisker。””Wasthemanred-faced？”Iroared，dwellingoneachsyllable。”Idon”tthinkyouneedgofortogetcrossaboutit，Mr。Anne！”
　　saidhe。”I”mtellin”youeveryblessedthingIsee！Red-faced？
　　Well，no，notasyouwouldremarkupon。”
　　Adreadfulcalmfelluponme。”Washeanywisepale？”Iasked。”Well，itdon”tseemtomeasthoughhewere。ButItellyoutruly，Ididn”ttakemuchheedtothat。””Didhelooklikeadrinkingman？””Well，no。Ifyouplease，sir，helookedmorelikeaneatingone。””Oh，hewasstout，washe？””No，sir。Icouldn”tgosofarasthat。No，hewasn”tnottosaySTOUT。Ifanything，leanrather。”
　　Ineednotgoonwiththeinfuriatinginterview。Itendedasitbegan，exceptthatRowleywasintears，andthatIhadacquiredonefact。Themanwasdrawnformeasbeingofanyheightyouliketomention，andofanydegreeofcorpulenceorleanness；clean-shavedornot，asthecasemightbe；thecolourofhishairRowley”couldnottakeituponhimselftoputanameon”；thatofhiseyeshethoughttohavebeenblue-nay，itwastheonepointonwhichheattainedtoakindoftearfulcertainty。”I”lltakemydavyonit”heasseverated。Theyprovedtohavebeenasblackassloes，verylittleandveryneartogether。Somuchfortheevidenceoftheartless！Andthefact，orratherthefacts，acquired？Well，theyhadtodonotwiththepersonbutwithhisclothing。Themanworeknee-breechesandwhitestockings；hiscoatwas”somekindofalightishcolour-orbetwixtthatanddark”；andheworea”mole-
　　skinweskit。”Asifthiswerenotenough，hepresentlyhaledmefrommybreakfastinaprodigiousflutter，andshowedmeanhonestandrathervenerablecitizenpassingintheSquare。”That”sHIM，sir”hecried，”theverymoralofhim！Well，thisoneisbetterdressed，andp”r”apsatriflertaller；andinthefacehedon”tfavourhimnowaysatall，sir。No，notwhenIcometolookagain，”edon”tseemtofavourhimnoways。””Jackass！”saidI，andIthinkthegreateststicklerformannerswilladmittheepithettohavebeenjustified。
　　MeanwhiletheappearanceofmylandladyaddedagreatloadofanxietytowhatIalreadysuffered。Itwasplainthatshehadnotslept；equallyplainthatshehadweptcopiously。Shesighed，shegroaned，shedrewinherbreath，sheshookherhead，asshewaitedontable。Inshort，sheseemedinsoprecariousastate，likeapetardthreetimeschargedwithhysteria，thatIdidnotdaretoaddressher；andstoleoutofthehouseontiptoe，andactuallyrandownstairs，inthefearthatshemightcallmeback。Itwasplainthatthisdegreeoftensioncouldnotlastlong。
　　ItwasmyfirstcaretogotoGeorgeStreet，whichIreachedbygoodluckasaboywastakingdownthebankshutters。Amanwasconversingwithhim；hehadwhitestockingsandamoleskinwaistcoat，andwasasill-lookingarogueasyouwouldwanttoseeinaday”sjourney。ThisseemedtoagreefairlywellwithRowley”sSIGNALEMENT：hehaddeclaredemphaticallyifyouremember，andhadstucktoitbesides，thatthecompanionofthegreatLavenderwasnobeauty。
　　ThenceImademywaytoMr。Robbie”s，whereIrangthebell。A
　　servantansweredthesummons，andtoldmethelawyerwasengaged，asIhadhalfexpected。”WhashallIsaywascallin”？”shepursued；andwhenIhadtoldher”Mr。Ducie””Ithinkthis”llbeforyou，then？”sheadded，andhandedmealetterfromthehalltable。Itran：”DEARMR。DUCIE，”MysingleadvicetoyouistoleaveQUAMPRIMUMfortheSouth。
　　Yours，T。ROBBIE。”
　　Thatwasshortandsweet。Itemphaticallyextinguishedhopeinonedirection。NomorewastobegottenofRobbie；andIwondered，frommyheart，howmuchhadbeentoldhim。Nottoomuch，Ihoped，forIlikedthelawyerwhohadthusdesertedme，andIplacedacertainrelianceinthediscretionofChevenix。Hewouldnotbemerciful；ontheotherhand，Ididnotthinkhewouldbecruelwithoutcause。
　　ItwasmynextaffairtogobackalongGeorgeStreet，andassuremyselfwhetherthemaninthemoleskinvestwasstillonguard。
　　Therewasnosignofhimonthepavement。Spyingthedoorofacommonstairnearlyoppositethebank，Itookitinmyheadthatthiswouldbeagoodpointofobservation，crossedthestreet，enteredwithabusinesslikeairandfellimmediatelyagainstthemaninthemoleskinvest。Istoppedandapologisedtohim；herepliedinanunmistakableEnglishaccent，thusputtingthematteralmostbeyonddoubt。AfterthisencounterImust，ofcourse，ascendtothetopstory，ringthebellofasuiteofapartments，inquireforMr。Vavasour，learnwithnogreatsurprisethathedidnotlivethere，comedownagainand，againpolitelysalutingthemanfromBowStreet，makemyescapeatlastintothestreet。
　　IwasnowdrivenbackupontheAssemblyBall。Robbiehadfailedme。Thebankwaswatched；itwouldneverdotoriskRowleyinthatneighbourhood。AllIcoulddowastowaituntilthemorrowevening，andpresentmyselfattheAssembly，letitendasitmight。ButImustsayIcametothisdecisionwithagooddealofgenuinefright；andhereIcameforthefirsttimetooneofthoseplaceswheremycouragestuck。Idonotmeanthatmycourageboggledandmadeabitofabotheroverit，asitdidovertheescapefromtheCastle；Imean，stuck，likeastoppedwatchoradeadman。CertainlyIwouldgototheball；certainlyImustseethismorningaboutmyclothes。Thatwasalldecided。Butthemostoftheshopswereontheothersideofthevalley，intheOldTown；
　　anditwasnowmystrangediscoverythatIwasphysicallyunabletocrosstheNorthBridge！Itwasasthoughaprecipicehadstoodbetweenus，orthedeepseahadintervened。NearertotheCastlemylegsrefusedtobearme。
　　Itoldmyselfthiswasmeresuperstition；Imadewagerswithmyself-andgainedthem；IwentdownontheesplanadeofPrincesStreet，walkedandstoodthere，aloneandconspicuous，lookingacrossthegardenattheoldgreybastionsofthefortress，whereallthesetroubleshadbegun。Icockedmyhat，setmyhandonmyhip，andswaggeredonthepavement，confrontingdetection。AndIfoundI
　　coulddoallthiswithasenseofexhilarationthatwasnotunpleasing，andwithacertainCRANERIEofmannerthatraisedmeinmyownesteem。AndyettherewasonethingIcouldnotbringmymindtofaceupto，ormylimbstoexecute；andthatwastocrossthevalleyintotheOldTown。ItseemedtomeImustbearrestedimmediatelyifIhaddoneso；Imustgostraightintothetwilightofaprisoncell，andpassstraightthencetothegrossandfinalembracesofthenightcapandthehalter。AndyetitwasfromnoreasonedfearoftheconsequencesthatIcouldnotgo。Iwasunable。Myhorsebaulked，andtherewasanend！
　　Mynervewasgone：herewasadiscoveryforamaninsuchimminentperil，setdowntosodesperateagame，whichIcouldonlyhopetowinbycontinualluckandunflaggingeffrontery！Thestrainhadbeentoolongcontinued，andmynervewasgone。Ifellintowhattheycallpanicfear，asIhaveseensoldiersdoonthealarmofanightattack，andturnedoutofPrincesStreetatrandomasthoughthedevilwereatmyheels。InSt。AndrewSquare，Iremembervaguelyhearingsomeonecallout。Ipaidnoheed，butpressedonblindly。Amomentafter，ahandfellheavilyonmyshoulder，andI
　　thoughtIhadfainted。Certainlytheworldwentblackaboutmeforsomeseconds；andwhenthatspasmpassedIfoundmyselfstandingfacetofacewiththe”cheerfulextravagant”inwhatsortofdisarrayIreallydarenotimagine，deadwhiteatleast，shakinglikeanaspen，andmowingatthemanwithspeechlesslips。AndthiswasthesoldierofNapoleon，andthegentlemanwhointendedgoingnextnighttoanAssemblyBall！Iamthemoreparticularintellingofmybreakdown，becauseitwasmyonlyexperienceofthesort；anditisagoodtaleforofficers。Iwillallownomantocallmecoward；Ihavemademyproofs；fewmenmore。AndyetI
　　comeofthebestbloodinFranceandinuredtodangerfromachilddid，forsometenortwentyminutes，makethishideousexhibitionofmyselfonthestreetsoftheNewTownofEdinburgh。
　　WithmyfirstavailablebreathIbeggedhispardon。Iwasofanextremelynervousdisposition，recentlyincreasedbylatehours；I
　　couldnotbeartheslighteststart。
　　Heseemedmuchconcerned。”Youmustbeinadevilofastate！”
　　saidhe；”thoughofcourseitwasmyfault-damnablysilly，vulgarsortofthingtodo！Athousandapologies！Butyoureallymustberundown；youshouldconsultamedico。Mydearsir，ahairofthedogthatbityouisclearlyindicated。AtouchofBlueRuin，now？
　　Or，come：it”searly，butismantheslaveofhours？whatdoyousaytoachopandabottleinDumbreck”sHotel？”
　　Irefusedallfalsecomfort；butwhenhewentontoremindmethatthiswasthedaywhentheUniversityofCramondmet；andtoproposeafive-milewalkintothecountryandadinnerinthecompanyofyoungasseslikehimself，Ibegantothinkotherwise。Ihadtowaituntilto-morrowevening，atanyrate；thismightserveaswellasanythingelsetobridgethedrearyhours。Thecountrywastheveryplaceforme：andwalkingisanexcellentsedativeforthenerves。RememberingpoorRowley，feigningacoldinourlodgingsandimmediatelyunderthegunsoftheformidableandnowdoubtfulBethiah，IaskedifImightbringmyservant。”Poordevil！itisdullforhim”Iexplained。”Themercifulmanismercifultohisass”observedmysententiousfriend。”Bringhimbyallmeans！
　　“Theharp，hissoleremainingjoy，Wascarriedbyanorphanboy；“
　　andIhavenodoubttheorphanboycangetsomecoldvictualsinthekitchen，whiletheSenatusdines。”
　　Accordingly，beingnowquiterecoveredfrommyunmanlycondition，exceptthatnothingcouldyetinducemetocrosstheNorthBridge，IarrangedformyballdressatashopinLeithStreet，whereIwasnotservedill，cutoutRowleyfromhisseclusion，andwasreadyalongwithhimatthetrysting-place，thecornerofDukeStreetandYorkPlace，byalittleaftertwo。TheUniversitywasrepresentedinforce：elevenpersons，includingourselves，Byfieldtheaeronaut，andthetalllad，Forbes，whomIhadmetontheSundaymorning，bedewedwithtallow，atthe”Hunters”Rest。”Iwasintroduced；andwesetoffbywayofNewhavenandtheseabeach；atfirstthroughpleasantcountryroads，andafterwardsalongasuccessionofbaysofafairylikeprettiness，toourdestination-
　　CramondontheAlmond-alittlehamletonalittleriver，emboweredinwoods，andlookingforthoveragreatflatofquicksandtowherealittleisletstoodplantedinthesea。Itwasminiaturescenery，butcharmingofitskind。TheairofthisgoodFebruaryafternoonwasbracing，butnotcold。Allthewaymycompanionswereskylarking，jestingandmakingpuns，andIfeltasifaloadhadbeentakenoffmylungsandspirits，andskylarkedwiththebestofthem。
　　ByfieldIobserved，becauseIhadheardofhimbefore，andseenhisadvertisements，notatallbecauseIwasdisposedtofeelinterestintheman。Hewasdarkandbiliousandverysilent；frigidinhismanners，butburninginternallywithagreatfireofexcitement；
　　andhewassogoodastobestowagooddealofhiscompanyandconversationsuchasitwasuponmyself，whowasnotintheleastgrateful。IfIhadknownhowIwastobeconnectedwithhimintheimmediatefuture，Imighthavetakenmorepains。
　　InthehamletofCramondthereisahostelryofnoverypromisingappearance，andherearoomhadbeenpreparedforus，andwesatdowntotable。”Hereyouwillfindnoguttlingorgormandising，noturtleornightingales”tongues”saidtheextravagant，whosename，bytheway，wasDalmahoy。”Thedevice，sir，oftheUniversityofCramondisPlainLivingandHighDrinking。”
　　GracewassaidbytheProfessorofDivinity，inamacaronicLatin，whichIcouldbynomeansfollow，onlyIcouldhearitrhymed，andIguessedittobemorewittythanreverent。AfterwhichtheSENATUSACADEMICUSsatdowntoroughplentyintheshapeofrizzar”dhaddocksandmustard，asheep”shead，ahaggis，andotherdelicaciesofScotland。Thedinnerwaswasheddownwithbrownstoutinbottle，andassoonastheclothwasremoved，glasses，boilingwater，sugar，andwhiskyweresetoutforthemanufactureoftoddy。Iplayedagoodknifeandfork，didnotshunthebowl，andtookpart，sofarasIwasable，inthecontinualfireofpleasantrywithwhichthemealwasseasoned。Greatlydaring，I
　　ventured，beforealltheseScotsmen，totellSim”sTaleofTweedie”sdog；andIwasheldtohavedonesuchextraordinaryjusticetothedialect，”foraSouthron”thatIwasimmediatelyvotedintotheChairofScots，andbecame，fromthatmoment，afullmemberoftheUniversityofCramond。Alittleafter，Ifoundmyselfentertainingthemwithasong；andalittleafter-perhapsalittleinconsequence-itoccurredtomethatIhadhadenough，andwouldbeverywellinspiredtotakeFrenchleave。Itwasnotdifficulttomanage，foritwasnobody”sbusinesstoobservemymovements，andconvivialityhadbanishedsuspicion。
　　Igoteasilyforthofthechamber，whichreverberatedwiththevoicesofthesemerryandlearnedgentlemen，andbreathedalongbreath。Ihadpassedanagreeableafternoonandevening，andIhadapparentlyescapedscotfree。Alas！whenIlookedintothekitchen，therewasmymonkey，drunkasalord，topplingontheedgeofthedresser，andperformingontheflageolettoanaudienceofthehouselassesandsomeneighbouringploughmen。
　　Iroutedhimpromptlyfromhisperch，stuckhishaton，puthisinstrumentinhispocket，andsetoffwithhimforEdinburgh。
　　Hislimbswereofpaper，hismindquiteinabeyance；Imustupholdandguidehim，preventhisfranticdives，andsethimcontinuallyonhislegsagain。Atfirsthesangwildly，withoccasionaloutburstsofcauselesslaughter。Graduallyaninarticulatemelancholysucceeded；heweptgentlyattimes；wouldstopinthemiddleoftheroad，sayfirmly”No，no，no”andthenfallonhisback：orelseaddressmesolemnlyas”M”lord”andfallonhisfacebywayofvariety。IamafraidIwasnotalwayssogentlewiththelittlepigasImighthavebeen，butreallythepositionwasunbearable。Wemadenoheadwayatall，andIsupposewewerescarcegottenamileawayfromCramond，whenthewholeSENATUS
　　ACADEMICUSwasheardhailing，anddoublingthepacetoovertakeits。
　　Someofthemwerefairlypresentable；andtheywereallChristianmartyrscomparedtoRowley；buttheywereinafrolicsomeandrollickinghumourthatpromiseddangerasweapproachedthetown。
　　Theysangsongs，theyranraces，theyfencedwiththeirwalking-
　　sticksandumbrellas；and，inspiteofthisviolentexercise，thefungrewonlythemoreextravagantwiththemilestheytraversed。
　　Theirdrunkennesswasdeep-seatedandpermanent，likefireinapeat；orrather-tobequitejusttothem-itwasnotsomuchtobecalleddrunkennessatall，astheeffectofyouthandhighspirits-afinenight，andthenightyoung，agoodroadunderfoot，andtheworldbeforeyou！
　　Ihadleftthemoncesomewhatunceremoniously；Icouldnotattemptitasecondtime；and，burthenedasIwaswithMr。Rowley，Iwasreallygladofassistance。ButIsawthelampsofEdinburghdrawnearontheirhill-topwithagooddealofuneasiness，whichincreased，afterwehadenteredthelightedstreets，topositivealarm。Allthepassers-bywereaddressed，someofthembyname。A
　　worthymanwasstoppedbyForbes。”Sir”saidhe，”inthenameoftheSenatusoftheUniversityofCramond，IconferuponyouthedegreeofLL。D。”andwiththewordshebonnetedhim。ConceivethepredicamentofSt。Ives，committedtothesocietyoftheseoutrageousyouths，inatownwherethepoliceandhiscousinwerebothlookingforhim！Sofar，wehadpursuedourwayunmolested，althoughraisingaclamourfittowakethedead；butatlast，inAbercrombyPlace，Ibelieve-atleastitwasacrescentofhighlyrespectablehousesfrontingonagarden-ByfieldandI，havingfallensomewhatintherearwithRowley，cametoasimultaneoushalt。Ourruffianswerebeginningtowrenchoffbellsanddoor-
　　plates！”Oh，Isay！”saysByfield，”thisistoomuchofagoodthing！
　　Confoundit，I”marespectableman-apubliccharacter，byGeorge！
　　Ican”taffordtogettakenupbythepolice。””Myowncaseexactly”saidI。”Here，let”sbilkthem”saidhe。
　　Andweturnedbackandtookourwaydownhillagain。
　　Itwasnonetoosoon：voicesandalarmbellssounded；watchmenhereandtherebegantospringtheirrattles；itwasplaintheUniversityofCramondwouldsoonbeatblowswiththepoliceofEdinburgh！ByfieldandI，runningthesemi-inanimateRowleybeforeus，madegooddespatch，anddidnotstoptillwewereseveralstreetsaway，andthehubbubwasalreadysoftenedbydistance。”Well，sir”saidhe，”wearewelloutofthat！Dideveranyoneseesuchapackofyoungbarbarians？””Weareproperlypunished，Mr。Byfield；wehadnobusinessthere”
　　Ireplied。”No，indeed，sir，youmaywellsaythat！Outrageous！AndmyascensionannouncedforFriday，youknow！”criedtheaeronaut。”A
　　prettyscandal！Byfieldtheaeronautatthepolice-court！Tut-
　　tut！Willyoubeabletogetyourrascalhome，sir？Allowmetoofferyoumycard。IamstayingatWalkerandPoole”sHotel，sir，whereIshouldbepleasedtoseeyou。””Thepleasurewouldbemutual，sir”saidI，butImustsaymyheartwasnotinmywords，andasIwatchedMr。ByfielddepartingI
　　desirednothinglessthantopursuetheacquaintanceOnemoreordealremainedformetopass。Icarriedmysenselessloadupstairstoourlodging，andwasadmittedbythelandladyinatallwhitenightcapandwithanexpressionsingularlygrim。Shelightedusintothesitting-room；where，whenIhadseatedRowleyinachair，shedroppedmeacast-ironcourtesy。Ismeltgunpowderonthewoman。Hervoice，totteredwithemotion。”Igiveyenottice，Mr。Ducie”saidshe。”Dacentfolks”houses……”
　　Andatthatapparentlytempercutoffherutterance，andshetookherselfoffwithoutmorewords。
　　Ilookedaboutmeattheroom，thegogglingRowley，theextinguishedfire；mymindreviewedthelaughableincidentsofthedayandnight；andIlaughedoutloudtomyself-lonelyandcheerlesslaughter！……
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