AllthatMr。Caryllrealizedatfirstwasthathehadbeenstruckablowbetweentheshoulderblades；andthen，erehecouldturntoinquireintothecause，hewasamazedtoseesomethreeinchesofsteelcomethroughhisshirtinfront。
　　Thenextinstantanexquisite，burning，searingpainwentthroughandthroughhimasthebladewasbeingwithdrawn。Hecoughedandswayed，thenhurtledsidewaysintothearmsofMajorGascoigne。Hissensesswam。Theturfheavedandrolledasifanearthquakemovedit；thehousesfrontingthesquareandthetreesimmediatelybeforehimleapedanddancedasifsuddenlylaunchedintogrotesqueanimation，whileabouthimswirledawild，incoherentnoiseofvoices，risingandfalling，nowloud，nowsilent，andreachinghimthroughamurmuringhumthatsurgedabouthisearsuntilitshutoutallelseandconsciousnessdesertedhim。
　　Aroundhim，meanwhile，awildscenewastoward。
　　HisGraceofWhartonhadwrenchedawaytheswordfromRotherby，andmasteredbyanefforthisownimpulsetouseituponthemurderer。CaptainMainwaring-Rotherby'sownsecond，amanofquick，fiercepassions-utterlyunabletocontrolhimself，felluponhislordshipandbeathimtothegroundwithhishands，cursinghimandheapingabuseuponhimwitheveryblow；whilstdelicateMr。Falgate，inthebackground，sicktothepointoffaintness，stooddabbinghislipswithhishandkerchiefandswearingthathewouldrotbeforeheallowedhimselfagaintobedraggedintoanaffairofhonor。
　　"Yedamnedcutthroat！"sworethemilitiacaptain，standingoverthemanhehadfelled。"D'yeknowwhat'llbethefruitsofthis？Ye'llswingatTyburnlikethedirtythiefy'are。
　　Godhelpme！I'dgiveahundredguineassoonerthanbemixedinthisfilthybusiness。"
　　"'Tisnomatterforthatnow，"saidtheduke，touchinghimontheshoulderanddrawinghimawayfromhislordship。"Getup，Rotherby。"
　　Heavily，mechanically，Rotherbygottohisfeet。Nowthatthefitofragewasover，hewashimselfallstrickenatthethinghehaddone。Helookedatthelimpfigureontheturf，huddledagainstthekneeofMajorGascoigne；lookedatthewhiteface，theclosedeyesandthestainofbloodoozingfartherandfartheracrosstheHollandshirt，and，aswhitehimselfasthestrickenman，heshudderedandhismouthwasdrawnwidewithhorror。
　　Butpitifulthoughhelooked，heinspirednopityintheDukeofWharton，whoconsideredhimwithaneyeofunspeakableseverity。"IfMr。Carylldies，"saidhecoldly，"Ishallseetoitthatyouhang，mylord。I'llnotrestuntilIbringyoutothegallows。"
　　Andthen，beforemorecouldbesaid，therecameasoundofrunningstepsandlaboredbreathing，andhisgracesworesoftlytohimselfashebeheldnootherthanLordOstermoreadvancingrapidly，alloutofbreathandapoplecticofface，acoupleoffootmenpressingcloseuponhisheels，and，behindthese，ascoreofsightseerswhohadfollowedthem。
　　"What'shere？"criedtheearl，withoutglancingathisson。
　　"Ishedead？Ishedead？"
　　Gascoigne，whowasbusilyendeavoringtostanchthebleeding，answeredwithoutlookingup："ItisinGod'shands。Ithinkheisveryliketodie。"
　　OstermoreswungrounduponRotherby。Hehadpaledsuddenly，andhismouthtrembled。Heraisedhisclenchedhand，anditseemedthathewasabouttostrikehisson；thenheletitfallagain。"Youvillain！"hepanted，breathlessfromrunningandfromrage。"Isawit！Isawitall。Itwasmurder，and，asGod'smylife，ifMr。Carylldies，Ishallseetoitthatyouhang-I，yourownfather。"
　　Thusassailedoneveryside，someofthecowering，shrinkingmannerlefttheviscount。Hisantagonismtohisfatherspurredhimtoaproudercarriage。Heshruggedindifferently。
　　"Sobeit，"hesaid。"Ihavebeentoldthatalready。Idon'tgreatlycare。"
　　Mainwaring，whohadbeenstoopingoverMr。Caryll，andwhohadperhapsmoreknowledgeofwoundsthananypresent，shookhisheadominously。
　　"'Twouldbedangeroustomovehimfar，"saidhe。"'Twillincreasethehemorrhage。"
　　"MymenshallcarryhimacrosstoStrettonHouse，"saidLordOstermore。"Lendahandhere，yougapingoafs。"
　　Thefootmenadvanced。Thecrowd，whichwasgrowingrapidlyandwaswatchingalmostinsilence，awed，pressedascloseasitdareduponthesegentlemen。Mainwaringprocuredacoupleofcloaksandimprovisedastretcherwiththem。Ofthishetookonecornerhimself，Gascoigneanother，andthefootmentheremainingtwo。Thus，asgentlyasmightbe，theyborethewoundedmanfromtheenclosure，throughthecrowdthathadbynowassembledinthestreet，andoverthethresholdofStrettonHouse。
　　Agroomhadbeendispatchedforadoctor，andhisGraceofWhartonhadcompelledRotherbytoaccompanythemintohisfather'shouse，sternlythreateningtohandhimovertoaconstableatonceifherefused。
　　WithinthecoolhallofStrettonHousetheyweremetbyherladyshipandMistressWinthrop，bothpale，buttheeyesofeachwearingavastlydifferentexpression。
　　"What'sthis？"demandedherladyship，astheytroopedin。
　　"Whydoyoubringhimhere？"
　　"Because，madam，"answeredOstermoreinavoiceashardasiron，"itimportstosavehislife；forifhedies，yoursondiesassurely-andonthescaffold。"
　　Herladyshipstaggeredandflungahandtoherbreast。Butherrecoverywasalmostimmediate。"'Twasaduel-"shebeganstoutly。
　　"'Twasmurder，"hislordshipcorrected，interrupting-
　　"murder，asanyofthesegentlemencanandwillbearwitness。
　　RotherbyranMr。CaryllthroughthebackafterMr。Caryllhadsparedhislife。"
　　"'Tisalie！"screamedherladyship，herlipsashen。SheturnedtoRotherby，whostoodthereinshirtandbreechesandshoeless，ashehadfought。"Whydon'tyousaythatitisalie？"shedemanded。
　　Rotherbyendeavoredtomasterhimself。"Madam，"hesaid，"hereisnoplaceforyou。"
　　"Butisittrue？Isittruewhatisbeingsaid？"
　　Hehalf-turnedfromher，withadespairingmovement，andcaughtthesharphissofherindrawnbreath。Thenshesweptpasthimtothesideofthewoundedman，whohadbeenlaidonasettle。"Whatishishurt？"sheinquiredwildly，lookingabouther。Butnoonespoke。Tragedy-morefarthanthetragedyofthatman'spossibledeath-wasintheair，andstruckthemallsilent。"Willnooneanswerme？"sheinsisted。"Isitmortal？Isit？"
　　HisGraceofWhartonturnedtoherwithanunusualgravityinhisblueeyes。"Wehopenot，ma'am，"hesaid。"ButitisasGodwills。"
　　Herlimbsseemedtofailher，andshesankdownonherkneesbesidethesettle。"Wemustsavehim，"shemutteredfearfully。"Wemustsavehislife。Whereisthedoctor？Hewon'tdie！Oh，hemustnotdie！"
　　Theystoodgroupedabout，lookingoninsilence，Rotherbyinthebackground。Behindhimagain，onthetopmostofthethreestepsthatledupintotheinnerhall，stoodMistressWinthrop，whiteofface，awildhorrorintheeyessheriveteduponthewoundedandunconsciousman。Sherealizedthathewasliketodie。Therewasaninfinitepityinhersoul-
　　and，maybe，somethingmore。Herimpulsewastogotohim；hereveryinstincturgedher。Butherreasonheldherback。
　　Then，asshelooked，shesawwithafeelingalmostofterrorthathiseyesweresuddenlywideopen。
　　"Wha-what？"cameinfeebleaccentsfromhislips。
　　Therewasastirabouthim。
　　"Nevermove，Justin，"saidGascoigne，whostoodbyhishead。
　　"Youarehurt。Liestill。Thedoctorhasbeensummoned。"
　　"Ah！"Itwasasigh。Thewoundedmanclosedhiseyesamoment，thenre-openedthem。"Iremember。Iremember，"hesaidfeebly。"Itis-itisgrave？"heinquired。"Itwentrightthroughme。Iremember！"Hesurveyedhimself。
　　"There'sbeenadealofbloodlost。Iamliketodie，Itakeit。"
　　"Nay，sir，wehopenot-wehopenot！"Itwasthecountesswhospoke。
　　Awrysmiletwistedhislips。"Yourladyshipisverygood，"
　　saidhe。"Ihadnotthoughtyouquitesomuchmywell-wisher。
　　I-Ihavedoneyouawrong，madam。"Hepausedforbreath，anditwasnotplainwhetherhespokeinsincerityorinsarcasm。Thenwithastartlingsuddennesshebrokeintoasoftlaughandtothoserisen，whocouldnotthinkwhathadoccasionedit，itsoundedmoredreadfulthananyplainthecouldhaveuttered。
　　HehadbethoughthimthattherewasnolongertheneedforhimtocometoadecisioninthematterthathadbroughthimtoEngland，andhislaughwasalmostofrelief。Theriddlehecouldneverhavesolvedforhimselfinamannerthathadnotshatteredhisfuturepeaceofmind，wassolvedandwellsolvedifthisweredeath。
　　"Where-whereisRotherby？"heinquiredpresently。
　　Therewasastir，andmendrewback，leavinganopenlanetotheplacewhereRotherbystood。Mr。Caryllsawhim，andsmiled，andhissmileheldnotingeofmockery。"YouarethebestfriendIeverhad，Rotherby，"hestartledallbysaying。
　　"Lethimapproach，"hebegged。
　　Rotherbycameforwardlikeonewhowalksinhissleep。"Iamsorry，"hesaidthickly，"cursedsorry。"
　　"There'sscarcetheneed，"saidMr。Caryll。"Liftmeup，Tom，"hebeggedGascoigne。"There'sscarcetheneed。Youhaveclearedupsomethingthatwasplaguingme，mylord。Iamyourdebtorfor-forthat。ItdisposesofsomethingIcouldneverhavedisposedofhadIlived。"HeturnedtotheDukeofWharton。"Itwasanaccident，"hesaidsignificantly。"Youallsawthatitwasanaccident。"
　　Adenialrangout。"Itwasnoaccident！"criedLordOstermore，andsworeanoath。"Weallsawwhatitwas。"
　　"I'faith，then，youreyesdeceivedyou。Itwasanaccident，I
　　say-andwhoshouldknowbetterthanI？"Hewassmilinginthatwhimsicalenigmaticwayofhis。SmilingstillhesankbackintoGascoigne'sarms。
　　"Youaretalkingtoomuch，"saidtheMajor。
　　"Whatodds？Iamnotliketotalkmuchlonger。"
　　Thedooropenedtoadmitagentlemaninblack，wearingagrizzlewigandcarryingagold-headedcane。MenmovedasidetoallowhimtoapproachMr。Caryll。Thelatter，notnoticinghim，hadmetatlastthegazeofHortensia'seyes。Hecontinuedtosmile，buthissmilewasnowchangedtowistfulnessunderthatpitifulregardofhers。
　　"Itisbetterso，"hewassaying。"Betterso！"
　　Hisglancewasuponher，andsheunderstoodwhatnoneothertheresuspected-thatthosewordswereforheralone。
　　Heclosedhiseyesandswoonedagain，asthedoctorstoopedtoremovethetemporarybandagesfromhiswound。
　　Hortensia，asobbeatinginherthroat，turnedandfledtoherownroom。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　SUNSHINEANDSHADOW
　　Mr。Caryllwasalmosthappy。
　　Hereclinedonalongchair，supportedbypillowscunninglysetforhimbythedefthandsofLeduc，andtookhiseaseandindulgedhisday-dreamsinLordOstermore'sgarden。Hesatwithinthecool，fragrantshadeofaprivetarbor，interlacedwithfloweringlilacandlaburnum，andhelookedoutuponthelongsweepofemeraldlawnandthelittlepatchofornamentalwaterwherethewater-liliesgapedtheirivorychalicestothemorningsun。
　　Helookedthinner，palerandmorefrailthanwashishabit，whichisnotwonderful，consideringthathehadbeenfourweeksabedwhilehiswoundwasmending。Hewasdressed，againbythehandsoftheincomparableLeduc，inadeshabilleofsomeartistry。Adark-bluedressing-gownoffloweredsatinfellopenatthewaist；disclosingsky-bluebreechesandpearl-coloredstockings，elegantshoesofSpanishleatherwithredheelsanddiamondbuckles。Hischestnuthairhadbeendressedwithasgreatcareasthoughhewereattendingalevee，andLeduchadinsisteduponplacingasmallroundpatchunderhislefteye，thatitmight-saidLeduc-impartvivacitytoacountenancethatlookedover-wanfromhislongconfinement。
　　Hereclinedthere，and，asIhavesaid，wasalmosthappy。
　　Thecreatureofsunshinethatwashimselfatheart，hadbrokenthroughtheheavycloudsthathadbeenobscuringhim。Anoppressiveburdenwasliftedfromhismindandconscience。
　　Thatsword-thrustthroughthebackamonthagohadbeenguided，heopined，bythehandofabefriendingProvidence；
　　foralthoughhehad，asyousee，survivedit，ithadnonethelesssolvedforhimthathatefulproblemhecouldneverhavesolvedforhimself，thatproblemwhosesolution，-nomatterwhichalternativehehadadopted-musthavebroughthimuntoldmiseryafterwards。
　　Asitwas，duringtheweeksthathehadlainhelpless，hislifeattachedtohimbybutthemerestthread，thechanceofbetrayingLordOstermorewasgone，nor-thecircumstancesbeingsuchastheywere-couldSirRichardEverardblamehimthathehadletitpass。
　　Thusheknewpeace；knewitasonlythoseknowitwhohavesustainedunrestandcanappreciaterelieffromit。
　　Naturehadmadehimavoluptuary，andrecliningthereinaneasewhichthelanguorbornofhislongillnessrenderedthemoredelicious，inhalingthetepidsummerairthatcametohimladenwithamostsweetattarfromthefloweringrose-garden，herealizedthatwithallitscareslifemaybesweettoliveinyouthandinthemonthofJune。
　　Hesighed，andsmiledpensivelyatthewater-lilies；norwashishappinessentirelyandsolelytheessenceofhismaterialease。Thiswashisthirdmorningoutofdoors，andoneachofthetwomorningsthatweregoneHortensiahadbornehimcompany，comingwiththecharitableintentoflighteninghistediumbyreadingtohim，butremainingtotalkinstead。
　　Themostperfectfriendlinesshadprevailedbetweenthem；acamaraderiewhichMr。Caryllhadbeencarefulnottodispelbyanyreturntosuchspeechesasthosewhichhadoriginallyoffendedbutwhichseemednowmercifullyforgotten。
　　Hewasawaitingher，andhisexpectancyheightenedforhimthegloryofthemorning，increasedthemeedofhappinessthatwashis。Buttherewasmorebesides。Leduc，whostoodslightlybehindhim，fussily，busyaboutalittletableonwhichwerebooksandcordials，flowersandcomfits，apipeandatobacco-jar，hadjustinformedhimforthefirsttimethatduringthemoredangerousperiodofhisillnessMistressWinthrophadwatchedbyhisbedsideformanyhourstogetheruponmanyoccasions，andonce-onthedayafterhehadbeenwounded，andwhilehisfeverwasatitsheight-Leduc，enteringsuddenlyandquietly，hadsurprisedherintears。
　　AllthiswasmostsweetnewstoMr。Caryll。Hefoundthatbetweenhimselfandhishalf-brothertherelayanevendeeperdebtthathehadatfirstsupposed，andalreadyacknowledged。
　　InthedeliciouscontemplationofHortensiaintearsbesidehimstrickenallbuttothepointofdeath，heforgotentirelyhiserstwhilescruplesthatbeingnamelesshehadnonametoofferher。Inimaginationheconjuredupthescene。Itmade，hefound，averyprettypicture。Hewouldsmokeuponit。
　　"Leduc，ifyouweretofillmeapipeofSpanish-"
　　"Monsieurhassmokedonepipealready，"Leducremindedhim。
　　"Youareinconsequent，Leduc。Itisasignofadvancingage。
　　Repressit。Thepipe！"Andheflickedimpatientfingers。
　　"Monsieurisforgettingthatthedoctor-"
　　"Thedeviltakethedoctor，"saidMr。Caryllwithfinality。
　　""Parfaitement！"answeredthesmoothLeduc。"Overthebridgewelaughatthesaint。Nowthatwearecured，thedeviltakethedoctorbyallmeans。"
　　ArippleoflaughtercametoapplaudLeduc'sexcursionintoirony。Thearborhadanother，narrowerentrance，ontheleft。
　　Hortensiahadapproachedthis，allunheardonthesoftturf，andstoodtherenow，aheavenlyapparitioninwhiteflimsygarments，headslightlya-tilt，eyesmocking，lipslaughing，aheavycurlofherdarkhairfallingcaressinglyintothehollowwherewhitenecksprangfromwhitershoulder。
　　"Youmaketoorapidarecovery，sir，"saidshe。
　　"ItcomesoflearninghowwellIhavebeennursed，"heanswered，makingshifttorise，andhelaughedinwardlytoseetheredflushofconfusionspreadoverthemilk-whiteskin，thereproachfulshafthereyesletlooseuponLeduc。
　　Shecameforwardswiftlytocheckhisrising；buffhewasalreadyonhisfeet，proudofhisreturntostrength，vaintodisplayit。"Nay，"shereprovedhim。"Ifyouaresoheadstrong，Ishallleaveyou。"
　　"Ifyoudo，ma'am。Ivowhere，asIam，Ihope，agentleman，thatIshallgohometo-day，andonfoot。"
　　"Youwouldkillyourself，"shetoldhim。
　　"Imightkillmyselfforless，andyetbejustified。"
　　Shelookedherdespairofhim。"WhatmustIdotomakeyoureasonable？"
　　"Setmetheexamplebybeingreasonableyourself，andlettherebenomoreofthiswildtalkofleavingmetheverymomentyouarecome。Leduc，achairforMistressWinthrop！"
　　hecommanded，asthoughchairsaboundedinagardennook。ButLeduc，thediplomat，hadeffacedhimself。
　　Shelaughedathisgrandair，and，herself，drewforwardthestoolthathadbeenLeduc's，andsatdown。Satisfied，Mr。
　　Caryllmadeherabow，andseatedhimselfsidewaysonhislongchair，sothathefacedher。Shebeggedthathewoulddisposehimselfmorecomfortably；buthescornedtheverynotion。
　　"UnaidedIwalkedherefromthehouse，"heinformedherwithaboastfulair。"Ihadneedtobegintofeelmyfeetagain。
　　Youarepamperingmehere，andtopamperaninvalidisbad；itkeepshimaninvalid。NowIamaninvalidnolonger。"
　　"Butthedoctor-"shebegan。
　　"Thedoctor，ma'am，isdisposedofalready，"heassuredher。
　　"Verydefinitelydisposedof。AskLeduc。Hewilltellyou。"
　　"Notadoubtofthat，"sheanswered。"Leductalkstoomuch。"
　　"YouhaveaspiteagainsthimfortheinformationhegavemeonthescoreofhowandbywhomIwasnursed。SohaveI。
　　Becausehedidnottellmebefore，andbecausewhenhetoldmehewouldnottellmeenough。Hehasnoeyes，thisLeduc。Heisadolt，whoonlyseesthehalfofwhathappens，andonlyremembersthehalfofwhathehasseen。"
　　"Iamsureofit，"saidshe。
　　Helookedsurprisedaninstant。Thenhelaughed。"Iamgladthatweagree。"
　　"Butyouhaveyettolearnthecause。HadthisLeducusedhiseyesorhisearstobetterpurpose，hehadbeenabletotellyousomethingoftheextenttowhichIaminyourdebt。"
　　"Ah？"saidhe，mystified。Then："Thenewswillbenonethelesswelcomefromyourlips，ma'am，"saidhe。"Isitthatyouareinterestedintheravingsofdelirium，andwelcomedtheopportunityofobservingthematfirsthand？IhopeIravedengagingly，ifsobethatIdidrave。Wouldit，perchance，beofaladythatItalkedinmyfeveredwanderings？-ofaladypaleasalentenrose，withsoftbrowneyes，andlipsthat-"
　　"Yourguessesareallwild，"shecheckedhim。"Mydebtisofamorerealkind。Itconcernsmy-myreputation。"
　　"Fanme，yewinds！"heejaculated。
　　"Thosefineladiesandgentlemenofthetownhadmademynameaby-word，"sheexplainedinalow，tensevoice，hereyelidslowered。"MyfoolishnessinrunningoffwithmyLordRotherby-thatImightatallcostescapethetyrannyofmyLadyOstermore"Mr。Caryll'seyelidsflickeredsuddenlyatthatexplanation-"hadmademeabuttandajestandanobjectforslander。Youremember，yourself，sir，thesneersandoglings，thestaringsandsimperingsintheparkthatdaywhenyoumadeyourfirstattempttochampionmycause，inducingtheLadyMaryDellertocomeandspeaktome。"
　　"Nay，nay-thinkofthesethingsnomore。Gnatswillsting；
　　'tisintheirnature。Iadmit'tisveryvexingatthetime；
　　butitsoonwearsoffifthefleshtheyhavestungbehealthy。
　　Sothinknomoreon't。"
　　"Butyoudonotknowwhatfollows。HerladyshipinsistedthatIshoulddrivewithheraweekafteryourhurt，whenthedoctorfirstproclaimedyououtofdanger，andwhilethetownwasstillallagogwiththeaffair。Nodoubtherladyshipthoughttoputafreshandgreaterhumiliationuponme；youwouldnotbepresenttoblunttheedgeoftheinsultofthosecreatures'glances。ShecarriedmetoVauxhall，whereafullerscopemightbegiventothepursuitofmyshameandmortification。Instead，whatthinkyouhappened？"
　　"Herladyship，Itrust，wasdisappointed。"
　　"Thewordistoopoortodescribehercondition。Shebrokeafan，beatherblackboyanddismissedafootman，thatshemightventsomeofthespleenitmovedinher。Neverwassuchrespect，neversuchhomageshowntoanywomanaswasshowntomethatevening。Wewereallbutmobbedbytheverypeoplewhohadearlierslightedme。
　　"'TwasallsomysteriousthatImustseektheexplanationofit。AndIhadit，atlength，fromhisGraceofWharton，whowasatmysideformostofthetimewewalkedinthegardens。
　　Iaskedhimfranklytowhatwasthischangeowing。Andhetoldme，sir。"
　　Shelookedathimasthoughnomoreneedbesaid。Buthisbrowswereknit。"Hetoldyou，ma'am？"hequestioned。"Hetoldyouwhat？"
　　"WhatyouhaddoneatWhite's。HowtoallpresentandtomyLordRotherby'sownfaceyouhadrelatedthetruestoryofwhatbefellatMaidstone-howIhadgonethither，aninnocent，foolishmaid，tobemarriedtoavillain，whom，likethesillychildIwas，IthoughtIloved；howthatvillain，takingadvantageofmyinnocenceandignorance，intendedtohoodwinkmewithamock-marriage。
　　"Thatwasthestorythatwasoneverylip；ithadgoneroundthetownlikefire；anditsaysmuchforthetownthatwhatbetweenthatandthefoulbusinessoftheduel，myLordRotherbywasreceivingoneveryhandthecondemnationhedeserves，whileformetherewasoncemore-andwithheavyinterestforthelapsefromit-therespectwhichmyindiscretionhadforfeited，andwhichwouldhavecontinuedtobedeniedmebutforyournoblechampioningofmycause。
　　"That，sir，istheextenttowhich。Iaminyourdebt。Doyouthinkitsmall？ItissogreatthatIhavenowordsinwhichtoattempttoexpressmythanks。"
　　Mr。Carylllookedatheramomentwitheyesthatwereverybright。Thenhebrokeintoasoftlaughthathadanoteofslyness。
　　"Inmytime，"saidhe，"Ihaveseenmanyattemptstochangeaninconvenienttopic。Somehavebeenartful；othersartless；
　　othersutterlyclumsy。Butthis，Ithink，istheclumsiestofthemall。MistressWinthrop，'tisnotworthyinyou。"
　　Shelookedpuzzled，intriguedbyhismood。
　　"MistressWinthrop，"heresumed，withanentirechangeofvoice。"Tospeakofthistrifleisbutasubterfugeofyourstopreventmefromexpressingmydeepgratitudeforyourcareofme。"
　　"Indeed，no-"shebegan。
　　"Indeed，yes，"saidhe。"Howcanthiscomparewithwhatyouhavedoneforme？ForIhavelearnthowgreatlyitistoyou，yourself，thatIowemyrecovery-thesavingofmylife。"
　　"Ah，butthatisnottrue。It-"
　　"Letmethinkso，whetheritbetrueornot，"heimploredher，eyesbetweentendernessandwhimsicalityintentuponherface。
　　"Letmebelieveit，forthebeliefhasbroughtmehappiness-
　　thegreatesthappiness，Ithink，thatIhaveeverknown。I
　　canknowbutonegreater，andthat-"
　　Hebrokeoffsuddenly，andsheobservedthatthehandhehadstretchedouttrembledamomentereitwasabruptlyloweredagain。Itwasasamanwhohadreachedforthtograspsomethingthathecraves，andcheckedhisdesireuponasuddenthought。
　　Shefeltoddlystirred，despiteherself，andoddlyconstrained。Itmayhavebeentodisguisethisthatshehalfturnedtothetable，saying："YouwereabouttosmokewhenI
　　came。"Andshetookuphispipeandtobacco-jartoofferthem。
　　"Ah，butsinceyou'vecome，Iwouldnotdream，"hesaid。
　　Shelookedathim。Thecompletechangeoftopicpermittedit。
　　"IfIdesiredyousotodo？"sheinquired，andadded："Ilovethefragranceofit。"
　　Heraisedhisbrows。"Fragrance？"quothhe。"MyLadyOstermorehasanotherwordforit。"Hetookthepipeandjarfromher。"'Tisnohumoring，this，ofamanyouimaginesick-nosillychivalryofyours？"hequestioneddoubtfully。"DidIthinkthat，I'dneversmokeanotherpipeagain。"
　　Sheshookherhead，andlaughedathissolemnity。"Ilovethefragrance，"sherepeated。
　　"Ah！Why，then，I'llpleasureyou，"saidhe，withtheairofoneconferringfavors，andfilledhispipe。Presentlyhespokeagaininamusingtone。"Inaweekorso，Ishallbewellenoughtotravel。"
　　"'Tisyourintenttotravel？"sheinquired。
　　Hesetdownthejar，andreachedforthetinderbox。"ItistimeIwasreturninghome，"heexplained。
　　"Ah，yes。YourhomeisinFrance。"
　　"AtMaligny；thesweetestnookinNormandy。'Twasmymother'sbirthplace，and'twasthereshedied。"
　　"Youhavefeltthelossofher，Imakenodoubt。"
　　"ThatmighthavebeenthecaseifIhadknownher，"answeredhe。"Butasitis，Ineverdid。Iwasbuttwoyearsold-
　　she，herself，buttwenty-whenshedied。"
　　Hepulledathispipeinsilenceamomentortwo，hisfaceovercastandthoughtful。Ashallowerwomanwouldhavebrokeninwithexpressionsofregret；Hortensiaofferedhimthenoblersympathyofsilence。Moreover，shehadfeltfromhistonethattherewasmoretocome；thatwhathehadsaidwasbuttheprefacetosomestorythathedesiredhertobeacquaintedwith。Andpresently，assheexpected，hecontinued"Shedied，MistressWinthrop，ofabrokenheart。Myfatherhadabandonedhertwoyearsandmorebeforeshedied。Inthoseyearsofrepining-ay，andworse，ofactualwant-herhealthwasbrokensothat，poorsoul，shedied。"
　　"Opitiful！"criedHortensia，paininherface。
　　"Pitiful，indeed-themorepitifulthatherdeathwasasourceofsomeslighthappinesstothosewholovedher；theonlyhappinesstheycouldhaveinherwastoknowthatshewasatrest。"
　　"And-andyourfather？"
　　"Iamcomingtohim。Mymotherhadafriend-averynoble，lofty-mindedgentlemanwhohadlovedherwithagreatandhonestlovebeforetheprofligatewhowasmyfathercameforwardasasuitor。Recognizinginthelatter-ashethoughtinhishonestheart-amaninbettercasetomakeherhappy，thisgentlemanIspeakofwenthisways。Hecameuponherafterwards，brokenandabandoned，andhegatheredupthepoorshardsofhershatteredlife，andsoughtwithtenderbutunavailinghandstopiecethemtogetheragain。AndwhenshediedhevowedtostandmyfriendandtomakeuptomeforthewantIhadofparents。'Tisbyhisbountythatto-dayIamlordofMalignythatwasforgenerationsthepropertyofmymother'speople。'TisbyhisbountyandlovingcarethatIamwhatIam，andnotwhatsoeasilyImighthavebecomehadtheseedsownbymyfatherbeenallowedtoputoutshoots。"
　　Hepaused，asifbethinkinghimself，andlookedatherwithawistful，inquiringsmile。"Butwhyplagueyou，"hecried，"withthispoortaleofyesterdaythatwillbeforgotto-morrow？"
　　"Nay-ah，nay，"shebegged，andputoutahandinimpulsivesympathytotouchhisown，sotransparentnowinitsemaciation。"Tellme；tellme！"
　　Hissmilesoftened。Hesighedgentlyandcontinued。"Thisgentlemanwhoadoptedmelivedforonesinglepurpose，withonesingleaiminview-toavengemymother，whomhehadloved，uponthemanwhomshehadlovedandwhohadsoillrepaidher。Herearedmeforthatpurpose，asmuch，Ithink，asoutofanyotherfeeling。Thirtyyearshavesped，andstillthehandoftheavengerhasnotfallenuponmyfather。
　　Itshouldhavefallenamonthago；butIwasweak；I
　　hesitated；andthenthissword-thrustputmeoutofallcaseofdoingwhatIhadcrossedfromFrancetodo。"
　　Shelookedathimwithsomethingofhorrorinherface。"Wereyou-wereyoutohavebeentheinstrument？"sheinquired。
　　"Wereyoutohaveavengedthisthinguponyourownfather？"
　　Henoddedslowly。"'TwastothatendthatIwasreared，"heanswered，andputasidehispipe，whichhadgoneout。"ThespiritofrevengewaseducatedintomeuntilIcametolookuponrevengeasthebestandholiestofemotions；untilI
　　believedthatifIfailedtowreakitImustbeacravenandadastard。Allthisseemedsountilthemomentcametosetmyhandtothetask。Andthen-"Heshrugged。
　　"Andthen？"shequestioned。
　　"Icouldn't。Thefullhorrorofitburstuponme。Isawthethinginitstrueandhideousproportions，anditrevoltedme。"
　　"Itmusthavebeenso，"sheapprovedhim。
　　"Itoldmyfoster-father；butImetwithneithersympathynorunderstanding。Herenewedhisold-timearguments，andagainheseemedtoprovetomethatdidIfailIshouldbefalsetomydutyandtomymother'smemory-aweakling，athingofshame。"
　　"Themonster！Oh，themonster！Heisanevilmanforallthatyouhavesaidofhim。"
　　"Notso。Thereisnonoblergentlemaninalltheworld。I
　　whoknowhim，knowthat。Itisthroughtheverynobilityofitthatthiswarphascomeintohisnature。Saneinallthingselse，heis-Iseeitnow，Iunderstanditatlast-
　　insaneonthisonesubject。Muchbroodinghasmadehimmaduponthismatter-afanaticwhosegospelisVengeance，and，likeallfanatics，heisharshandintolerantwhenresistedonthepointofhisfanaticism。ThisissomethingIhavecometorealizeinthesepastdays，whenIlaywithnaughtelsetodobutponder。
　　"Inallthingselseheseesasdeepandclearasanyman；inthishisvisionisdistorted。Hehaslookedatnothingelseforthirtyyears；canyouwonderthathissightisblurred？"
　　"Heistobepitiedthen，"shesaid，"deeplytobepitied。"
　　"True。AndbecauseIpitiedhim，becauseIvaluedhisregard-howevermistakenhemightbe-aboveallelse，Iwashesitatingagain-thistimebetweenmydutytomyselfandmydutytohim。Iwassohesitating-thoughIscarcecandoubtwhichhadprevailedintheend-whencamethissword-thrustsoveryopportunelytoputmeoutofcaseofdoingonethingortheother。"
　　"Butnowthatyouarewellagain？"sheasked。
　　"NowthatIamwellagain-IthankHeaventhatitwillbetoolate。Theopportunitythatwasoursislost。His-myfathershouldnowbebeyondourpower。"
　　Thereensuedaspellofsilence。Hesatwitheyesavertedfromherface-thoseeyeswhichshehadneverknownotherthanwhimsicalandmocking，nowfullofgloomandpain-
　　rivetedupontheglareofsunshineonthepondoutyonder。A
　　greatsympathywelledupfromherheartforthismanwhomshewasstillfarfromunderstanding，andwho，nevertheless-
　　becauseofit，perhaps，forthereismuchfascinationinthatwhichpuzzles-wasalreadygrowingverydeartoher。Thestoryhehadtoldherdrewherinfinitelyclosertohim，softeningherheartforhimevenmoreperhapsthanithadalreadybeensoftenedwhenshehadseenhim-asshehadthought-uponthepointofdying。Awonderflittedthroughhermindastowhyhehadtoldher；thenanotherquestionsurged。Shegaveittongue。
　　"Youhavetoldmesomuch，Mr。Caryll，"shesaid，"thatIamemboldenedtoasksomethingmore。"Hiseyesinvitedhertoputherquestion。"Your-yourfather？WasherelatedtoLordOstermore？"
　　Notamuscleofhisfacemoved。"Whythat？"heasked。
　　"BecauseyournameisCaryll，"saidshe。
　　"Myname？"helaughedsoftlyandbitterly。"Myname？"Hereachedforanebonycanethatstoodbesidehischair。"Ihadthoughtyouunderstood。"Heheavedhimselftohisfeet，andsheforgottocautionhimagainstexertion。"Ihavenorighttoanyname，"hetoldher。"Myfatherwasamantoofullofworldlyaffairstothinkoftrifles。Andsoitbefellthatbeforehewenthiswaysheforgottomarrythepoorladywhowasmymother。ImighttakewhatnameIchose。IchoseCaryll。Butyouwillunderstand，MistressWinthrop，"andhelookedherfullyintheface，attemptinginvaintodissembletheagonyinhiseyes-hewhoalittlewhileagohadbeenalmosthappy-"thatifeveritshouldhappenthatIshouldcometoloveawomanwhoisworthyofbeingloved，Iwhoamnamelesshavenonametoofferher。"
　　Revelationilluminedhermindasinaflash。Shelookedathim。
　　"Was-wasthatwhatyoumeant，thatdaywethoughtyoudying，whenyousaidtome-foritwastomeyouspoke，tomealone-thatitwasbetterso？"
　　Heinclinedhishead。"ThatiswhatImeant，"heanswered。
　　Herlidsdrooped；hercheekswereverywhite，andheremarkedtheswift，agitatedsurgeofherbosom，thefingersthatwerepluckingatoneanotherinherlap。Withoutlookingup，shespokeagain。"Ifyouhadthelovetooffer，whatwouldtherestmatter？Whatisanamethatitshouldweighsomuch？"
　　"Heyday！"Hesighed，andsmiledverywistfully。"Youareyoung，child。IntimeyouwillunderstandwhatplacetheworldassignstosuchmenasI。ItisaplaceIcouldasknowomantoshare。SuchasIam，couldIspeakoflovetoanywoman？"
　　"Yetyouspokeofloveoncetome，"sheremindedhim，scarcelyaboveherbreath，andstabbedhimwiththerecollection。
　　"Inanhourofmoonshine，anhourofmadness，whenIwasarecklessfoolthatmustgivetonguetoeveryimpulse。Youreprovedmetheninjustthetermsmycasedeserved。
　　Hortensia，"hebenttowardsher，leaningonhiscane，"'tisverysweetandmercifulinyoutorecallitwithoutreproach。
　　Recallitnomore，savetothinkwithscornofthefleeringcoxcombwhowassolosttotherespectthatisduetososweetalady。Ihavetoldyousomuchofmyselfto-daythatyoumay"
　　"Decidedly，"cameashrill，ironicalvoicefromthearbor'sentrance，"Imaycongratulateyou，sir，upontheprodigiousstridesofyourrecovery。"
　　Mr。Caryllstraightenedhimselffromhisstoopingposture，turnedandmadeLadyOstermoreabow，hiswholemannerchangedagaintothatwhichwashabitualtohim。"Andnolessdecidedly，mylady，"saidhewithatight-lippedsmile，"mayI
　　congratulateyourladyship'ssonuponthathappycircumstance，whichis-asIhavelearned-sogreatlyduetothestepsyourladyshiptook-forwhichIshallbeevergrateful-toensurethatIshouldbemadewholeagain。"
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　THEFORLORNHOPE
　　Herladyshipstoodamoment，leaninguponhercane，herheadthrownback，herthinlipcurling，andhereyesplayingoverMr。Caryllwithalookofdislikethatshemadenoattempttodissemble。
　　Mr。Caryllfoundthesituationredolentwithcomedy。Hehadaquickeyeforsuchmatters；soquickaneyethathedeploredonthepresentoccasionherladyship'sentirelackofasenseofhumor。Butforthatlamentableshortcoming，shemighthaveenjoyedwithhimthegrotesquenessofherhaving-she，whodislikedhimsoexceedingly-toiledandanguished，robbedherselfofsleep，andhopedandprayedwithmorefervor，perhaps，thanshehadeveryethopedandprayedforanything，thathislifemightbespared。
　　HerglanceshiftedpresentlyfromhimtoHortensia，whohadrisenandwhostoodindeepconfusionathavingbeensofoundbyherladyship，andindeepagitationstillarisingfromthethingshehadsaidandfromthosewhichhehadbeenhinderedfromaddingbythecomingofthecountess。
　　Theexplanationsthathadbeeninterruptedmightneverberenewed；shefelttheyneverwouldbe；hewouldaccountthathehadsaidenough；sincehewasdeterminedtoaskfornothing。Andunlessthematterwerebroachedagain，whatchancehadsheofcombattinghisfoolishscruples；forfoolishsheaccountedthem；theywereofnoweightwithher，unless，indeed，toheightenthewarmfeelingthatalreadyshehadconceivedforhim。
　　Herladyshipmovedforwardasteportwo，herfangoinggentlytoandfro，stirringthebarbsofthewhiteplumethatformedpartofhertallhead-dress。
　　"Whatwereyoudoinghere，child？"sheinquired，verycoldly。
　　MistressWinthroplookedup-asudden，almostscaredglanceitwas。
　　"I，madam？Why-Iwaswalkinginthegarden，andseeingMr。
　　Caryllhere，Icametoaskhimhowhedid；tooffertoreadtohimifhewouldhaveme。"
　　"AndtheMaidstonematternotyetcoldinitsgrave！"
　　commentedherladyshipsourly。"AsI'mawoman，itismonstrousIshouldbeinflictedwiththecareofyouthathavenocareforyourself。"
　　Hortensiabitherlip，controllingherselfbravely，aspotofredineithercheek。Mr。Caryllcamepromptlytoherrescue。
　　"YourladyshipmustconfessthatMistressWinthrophasassistednoblyinthecareofme，andso，hasplacedyourladyshipinherdebt。"
　　"Inmydebt？"shrilledthecountess，eyebrowsaloft，head-dressnodding。"Andwhatofyours？"
　　"Inmyclumsyway，ma'am，Ihavealreadyattemptedtoconveymythankstoher。Itmightbegracefulinyourladyshiptofollowmyexample。"
　　MentallyMr。CaryllobservedthatitisunwisetorougesoheavilyasdidLadyOstermorewhenpronetoangerandtopalingunderit。Thefalsecolorlookssoveryfalseonsuchoccasions。
　　Herladyshipstruckthegroundwithhercane。"ForwhathaveItothankher，sir？Willyoutellmethat，youwhoseemsoverywellinformed。"
　　"Why，forherpartinsavingyourson'slife，ma'am，ifyoumusthaveit。Heavenknows，"hecontinuedinhischaracteristic，half-banteringmanner，underwhichitwassodifficulttocatchaglimpseofhisrealfeelings，"Iamnotonetothrowservicesdoneinthefaceoffolk，butherehaveMistressWinthropandIbeendoingourbestforyoursoninthismatter；shebysodiligentlynursingme；Ibyrespondingtohernursing-andyourladyship's-andso，recoveringfrommywound。Idonotthinkthatyourladyshipshowsusabecominggratitude。Itisbutnaturalthatwefellow-workersinyourladyship'sandLordRotherby'sinterests，shouldhaveawordtosaytoeachotheronthescoreofthoselaborswhichhavemadeuscolleagues。"
　　Herladyshipmeasuredhimwithamalignanteye。"Areyouquitemad，sir？"sheaskedhim。
　　Heshruggedandsmiled。"Ithasbeenallegedagainstmeonoccasion。ButIthinkitwaspurespite。"Thenhewavedhishandtowardsthelongseatthatstoodatthebackofthearbor。"Willyourladyshipnotsit？YouwillforgivethatI
　　urgeitinmyowninterest。Theytellmethatitisnotgoodformetostandtoolongjustyet。"
　　Itwashishopethatshewoulddepart。Notso。"Icryyoumercy！"saidsheacidly，andrustledtothebench。"Beseated，pray。"Shecontinuedtowatchthemwithherbalefulglance。"Wehaveheardfinethingsfromyou，sir，ofwhatyouhavebothdoneformyLordRotherby，"shegibed，mockinghim。
　　withthespiritofhishalf-jest。"ShallItellyoumorepreciselywhat'tisheowesyou？"
　　"Cantherebemore？"quothMr。Caryll，smilingsoamiablythathemusthavedisarmedaGorgon。
　　Herladyshipignoredhim。"Heowesittoyouboththatyouhaveestrangedhimfromhisfather，setupabreachbetweenthemthatisneverliketobehealed。'Tiswhatheowesyou。"
　　"Doeshenotoweit，rather，tohisabandonedways？"askedHortensia，inacalm，clearvoice，bravelygivingbackherladyshiplookforlook。
　　"Abandonedways？"screamedthecountess。"Is'tyouthatspeakofabandonedways，yeshamelessbaggage？Faith，yemaybesomejudgeofthem。Yefooledhimintorunningoffwithyou。
　　'Twasthatbeganallthis。Justaswithyourairsandsimpers，andprettily-playedinnocencesyoufooledthisother，here，intobeingyourchampion。"
　　"Madam，youinsultme！"Hortensiawasonherfeet，eyesflashing，cheeksaflame。
　　"Iamwitnesstothat，"saidLordOstermore，cominginthroughtheside-entrance。
　　Mr。Caryllwastheonlyonewhohadseenhimapproach。Theearl'sfacethathadwonttobesoflorid，wasnowpaleandcareworn，andheseemedtohavelostfleshduringthepastmonth。Heturnedtoherladyship。
　　"Outonyou！"hesaidtestily，"tochidethepoorchildso！"
　　"Poorchild！"sneeredherladyship，eyesraisedtoheaventoinvokeitstestimonytothisabsurdity。"Poorchild。"
　　"Lettherebeanendtoit，madam，"hesaidwithattemptedsternness。"Itisunjustandunreasonableinyou。"
　　"Ifitwerethat-whichitisnot-itwouldbebutfollowingtheexamplethatyousetme。Whatareyoubutunreasonableandunjust-totreatyoursonasyouaretreatinghim？"
　　Hislordshipcrimsoned。Onthesubjectofhissonhecouldbeangryinearnest，evenwithherladyship，asalreadywehaveseen。
　　"Ihavenoson，"hedeclared，"thereisalewd，drunken，bullyingprofligatewhobearsmyname，andwhowillbeLordOstermoresomeday。Ican'tstriphimofthat。ButI'llstriphimofallelsethat'smine，Godhelpingme。Ibeg，mylady，thatyou'llletmehearnomoreofthis，Ibegit。LordRotherbyleavesmyhouseto-day-nowthatMr。Caryllisrestoredtohealth。Indeed，hehasstayedlongerthanwasnecessary。Heleavesto-day。Hehasmyorders，andmyservantshaveorderstoseethatheobeysthem。Idonotwishtoseehimagain-never。Lethimgo，andlethimbethankful-andbeyourladyshipthankful，too，sinceitseemsyoumusthaveakindnessforhiminspiteofallhehasdonetodisgraceanddiscreditus-thathegoesnotbywayofHolbornHillandTyburn。"
　　Shelookedathim，verywhitefromsuppressedfury。"Idobelieveyouhadbeengladhaditbeenso。"
　　"Nay，"heanswered，"IhadbeensorryforMr。Caryll'ssake。"
　　"Andforhisown？"
　　"Pshaw！"
　　"Areyouafather？"shewonderedcontemptuously。
　　"Tomyeternalshame，ma'am！"heflungbackather。Heseemed，indeed，achangedmaninmorethanbodysinceMr。
　　Caryll'sduelwithLordRotherby。"Nomore，ma'am-nomore！"
　　hecried，seemingsuddenlytorememberthepresenceofMr。
　　Caryll，whosatlanguidlydrawingfiguresonthegroundwiththeferruleofhiscane。Heturnedtoasktheconvalescenthowhedid。Herladyshiprosetowithdraw，andatthatmomentLeducmadehisappearancewithasalver，onwhichwasabowlofsoup，aflaskofHock，andaletter。Settingthisdowninsuchamannerthattheletterwasimmediatelyunderhismaster'seyes，hefurtherproceededtodrawMr。Caryll'sattentiontoit。ItwasaddressedinSirRichardEverard'shand。Mr。Carylltookit，andslippeditintohispocket。
　　Herladyship'seyebrowswentup。
　　"Willyounotreadyourletter，Mr。Caryll？"sheinvitedhim，withanamazinglysuddenchangetoamiability。
　　"Itwillkeep，ma'am，towhileawayanhourthatislesspleasantlyengaged。"AndhetookthenapkinLeducwasproffering。
　　"Youpayyourcorrespondentapoorcompliment，"saidshe。
　　"Mycorrespondentisnotonetolookforthemorneedthem，"
　　heansweredlightly，anddippedhisspooninthebroth。
　　"Isshenot？"quothherladyship。
　　Mr。Carylllaughed。"Sofeminine！"saidhe。"Ha，ha！Soveryfeminine-toassumethesexsoreadily。"
　　"'Tisaneasyassumptionwhenthesuperscriptioniswritinawoman'shand。"
　　Mr。Caryll，thepictureofamiability，smiledbetweenspoonfuls。"Yourladyship'seyespreservenotonlytheirbeautybutakeennessbeyondbelief。"
　　"Howcouldyouhaveseenitfromthatdistance，Sylvia？"
　　inquiredhispracticallordship。
　　"Thenagain，"saidherladyship，ignoringbothremarks，"thereistheassiduityofthisfairwritersinceMr。Caryllhasbeenincasetoreceiveletters。Fivebilletsinsixdays！Denyitifyoucan，Mr。Caryll。"
　　Herplayfulness，soill-assumed，satmoreawkwardlyuponherthanherusualandmoreovertmalicetowardshim。
　　"TowhatendshouldIdenyit？"hereplied，andaddedinhismostingratiatingmanneranotherofhistwo-edgedcompliments。
　　"Yourladyshipisthemodelchatelaine。Nohappeninginyourhouseholdcanescapeyourknowledge。Hislordshipisgreatlytobeenvied。"
　　"Yet，yousee，"shecried，appealingtoherhusband，andeventoHortensia，whosatapart，scarceheedingthistrivialmatterofwhichsomuchwasbeingmade，"youseethatheevadesthepoint，avoidsadirectanswertothequestionthatisraised。"
　　"Sinceyourladyshipperceivesit，itweremoremercifultosparemyinventionthelaboroffashioningfurthersubterfuges。Iamasickmanstill，andmywitsarefarfrombrisk。"HetookuptheglassofwineLeduchadpouredforhim。
　　Thecountesslookedathimagainthroughnarrowingeyelids，theplayfulnessallvanished。"Youdoyourselfinjustice，sir，asIamawoman。Yourwitswantnothingmoreinbriskness。"Sherose，andlookeddownuponhimengrossedinhisbroth。"Foradissembler，sir，"shepronounceduponhimacidly，"Ithinkitwouldbedifficulttomeetyourmatch。"
　　Hedroppedhisspoonintothebowlwithaclatter。Helookedup，theverypictureofamazementandconsternation。
　　"Adissembler，I？"quothheinearnestprotest；thenlaughedandquoted，adapting"'TisnotmytalenttoconcealmythoughtsOrcarrysmilesandsunshineinmyfaceShoulddiscontentsitheavyatmyheart"
　　Shelookedhimover，pursingherlips。"I'veoftenthoughtyoumighthavebeenaplayer，"saidshecontemptuously。
　　"I'faith，"helaughed，"I'dsoonerplaythantoil。"
　　"Ay；butyoumakeatoilofplay，sir。"
　　"Compassionateme，ma'am，"heimploredinthebestofhumors。
　　"Iambutasickman。Yourladyship'stookeenforme。"
　　Shemovedacrosstotheexitwithoutansweringhim。"Come，child，"shesaidtoHortensia。"WearetiringMr。Caryll，I
　　fear。Letusleavehimtohisletter，ereitsetshispocketafire。"
　　Hortensiarose。Loaththoughshemightbetodepart，therewasnoreasonshecouldurgeforlingering。
　　"Isnotyourlordshipcoming？"saidshe。
　　"Ofcourseheis，"herladyshipcommanded。"IneedtospeakwithyouyetconcerningRotherby，"sheinformedhim。
　　"Hem！"Hislordshipcoughed。Plainlyhewasnotathisease。
　　"Iwillfollowsoon。Donotstayforme。IhaveawordtosaytoMr。Caryll。"
　　"Willitnotkeep？Whatcanyouhavetosaytohimthatissopressing？"
　　"Butaword-nomore。"
　　"Why，then，we'llstayforyou，"saidherladyship，andthrewhimintoconfusion，hopelessdissemblerthathewas。
　　"Nay，nay！Ibegthatyouwillnot。"
　　Herladyship'sbrowswentup；hereyesnarrowedagain，andafrowncamebetweenthem。"Youaremightymysterious，"saidshe，lookingfromonetotheotherofthemen，andbethinkingherthatitwasnotthefirsttimeshehadfoundthemso；
　　bethinkingher，too-jumping，woman-like，torashconclusions-thatinthismysterythatlinkedthemmightliethetruesecretofherhusband'saversiontohissonandofhisoathamonthagotoseethatsamesonhangifMr。Caryllsuccumbedtothewoundhehadtaken。Withsomewomen，tosuspectathingistobelievethatthing。Herladyshipwasofthese。Shesettoohighvalueuponheracumen，uponthekeennessofherinstincts。
　　Andifaughtwereneededtocementherpresentsuspicions，Mr。
　　Caryllhimselfaffordedthatcement，byseemingtobetraythesameeagernesstobealonewithhislordshipthathislordshipwasbetrayingtobealonewithhim；though，intruth，henomorethandesiredtolendassistancetotheearloutofcuriositytolearnwhatitwashislordshipmighthavetosay。
　　"Indeed，"saidhe，"ifyoucouldgivehislordshipleave，ma'am，forafewmoments，Ishouldmyselfbegladon't。"
　　"Come，Hortensia，"saidherladyshipshortly，andsweptout，MistressWinthropfollowing。
　　Insilencetheycrossedthelawntogether。Onceonlyeretheyreachedthehouse，herladyshiplookedback。"IwouldIknewwhattheyareplotting，"shesaidthroughherteeth。
　　"Plotting？"echoedHortensia。
　　"Ay-plotting，simpleton。Isaidplotting。Imindme'tisnotthefirsttimeIhaveseenthemsomysterioustogether。
　　ItbeganonthedaythatfirstMr。CaryllsetfootatStrettonHouse。There'sadealofmysteryaboutthatman-toomuchforhonesty。Andthentheseletterstouchingwhichheissoclose-oneaday-andhisFrenchlackeyalwaysathandtopounceuponthemthemomenttheyarrive。Iwonderwhat'satbottomon't！Iwonder！AndI'dgivetheseearstoknow，"shesnappedinconclusionastheywentindoors。
　　Inthearbor，meanwhile，hislordshiphadtakentherusticseatherladyshiphadvacated。Hesatdownheavily，likeamanwhoiswearyinbodyandinmind，likeamanwhoisbearingaloadtooheavyforhisshoulders。Mr。Caryll，watchinghim，observedallthis。
　　"AglassofHock？"hesuggested，wavinghishandtowardstheflask。"Letmeplayhosttoyououtofthecontentsofyourowncellar。"
　　Hislordship'seyebrightenedatthesuggestion，whichconfirmedtheimpressionMr。Caryllhadformedthatallwasfarfromwellwithhislordship。Leducbrimmedaglass，andhandedittomylord，whoemptieditatadraught。Mr。Caryllwavedanimpatienthand。"Awaywithyou，Leduc。Gowatchthegoldfishinthepond。I'llcallyouifIneedyou。"
　　AfterLeduchaddepartedasilencefellbetweenthem，andenduredsomemoments。Hislordshipwasleaningforward，elbowsonknees，hisfaceinshadow。Atlengthhesatback，andlookedathiscompanionacrossthelittleinterveningspace。
　　"Ihavehesitatedtospeaktoyoubefore，Mr。Caryll，uponthematterthatyouknowof，lestyourrecoveryshouldnotbesofaradvancedthatyoumightbearthestrainandfatigueofconversinguponserioustopics。ItrustthatthatcauseisnowsofarremovedthatImayputasidemyscruples。"
　　"Assuredly-Iamgladtosay-thankstothegreatcareyouhavehadofmehereatStrettonHouse。"
　　"Thereisnodebtbetweenusonthatscore，"answeredhislordshipshortly，brusquelyalmost。"Well，then-"Hechecked，andlookedabouthim。"Wemightbeapproachedwithouthearinganyone，"hesaid。
　　Mr。Caryllsmiled，andshookhishead。"Iamnotwonttoneglectsuchdetails，"heobserved。"TheeyesofArguswerenotsovigilantasmyLeduc's；andheunderstandsthatweareprivate。Hewillgiveuswarningshouldanyattempttoapproach。Beassuredofthat，andbelieve，therefore，thatwearemoresnugherethanweshouldbeeveninyourlordship'scloset。"
　　"Thatbeingso，sir-hem！Youarereceivinglettersdaily。
　　DotheyconcernthebusinessofKingJames？"
　　"Inameasure；or，rather，theyarefromoneconcernedinit。"
　　Ostermore'seyeswereonthegroundagain。Therefellapause，Mr。Caryllfrowningslightlyandfullofcuriosityastowhatmightbecoming。
　　"Howsoon，thinkyou，"askedhislordshippresently，"youwillbeincasetotravel？"
　　"Inaweek，Ihope，"wasthereply。
　　"Good。"Theearlnoddedthoughtfully。"Thatmaybeintime。
　　Iprayitmaybe。'Tisnowthebestthatwecando。You'llbearaletterformetotheking？"
　　Mr。Caryllpassedahandacrosshischin，hisfaceverygrave。
　　"YouranswertotheletterthatIbroughtyou？"
　　"Myanswer。Myacceptanceofhismajesty'sproposals。"
　　"Ha！"Mr。Caryllseemedtobebreathinghard。
　　"Yourletters，sir-thelettersthatyouhavebeenreceivingwillhavetoldyou，perhaps，somethingofhowhismajesty'saffairsarespeedinghere？"
　　"Verylittle；andfromthatlittleIfearthattheyspeednonetoowell。Iwouldcounselyourlordship，"hecontinuedslowly-hewasthinkingashewent-"towaitawhilebeforeyouburnyourboats。FromwhatIgather，mattersareintheairjustnow。"
　　Theearlmadeagesture，brusqueandimpatient。"Yourinformationisveryscant，then，"saidhe。
　　Mr。Carylllookedaskanceathim。
　　"Pho，sir！Whileyouhavebeenabed，Ihavebeenupanddoing；upanddoing。Mattersarebeingpushedforwardrapidly。IhaveseenAtterbury。Heknowsmymind。Therelatelycameanagentfromtheking，itseems，toenjointhebishoptoabandonthisconspiracy，tellinghimthatthetimewasnotyetripe。Atterburyscornstoactuponthatorder。
　　Hewillworkintheking'sinterestsagainsttheking'sowncommandseven。"
　　"Then，'tispossiblehemayworktohisownundoing，"saidMr。
　　Caryll，towhomthiswas，afterall，nonews。
　　"Nay，nay；youhavebeensick；youdonotknowhowthingshavespedinthispastmonth。Atterburyholds，andheisright，I
　　dareswear-heholdsthatneverwilltherebesuchanotheropportunity。Thefinancesofthecountryarestillinchaos，inspiteofallWalpole'seffortsandfinepromises。TheSouthSeabubblehassappedtheconfidenceinthegovernmentofallmenofweight。TheveryWhigsthemselvesareshaken。
　　'TistoKingJames，Englandbeginstolookforsalvationfromthistopsy-turveydom。Thetiderunsstronglyinourfavor。
　　Strongly，sir！Ifwestayfortheebb，wemaystayforgood；
　　fortheremayneverbeanotherflowwithinourlifetime。"
　　"Yourlordshipisgrownstrangelyhotuponthisquestion，"
　　saidCaryll，veryfullofwonder。
　　AsheunderstoodOstermore，theearlwasscarcelythesentimentalisttogivewaytosuchapassionofloyaltyforaweakerside。Yethislordshiphadspoken，notwiththecoldcalmofthepracticalmanwhoseeksadvantage，butwithallthefervoroftheenthusiast。
　　"Suchismyinterest，"answeredhislordship。"EvenasthefortunesofthecountryarebeggaredbytheSouthSeaCompany，soaremyown；evenasthecountrymustlooktoKingJamesforitssalvation，somustI。Atbest'tisbutaforlornhope，I
　　confess；yet'tistheonlyhopeIsee。"
　　Mr。Carylllookedathim，smiledtohimself，andnodded。So！
　　Allthisfireandenthusiasmwasaboutthemendingofhispersonalfortunes-thegrubbingofrichesforhimself。Well，well！Itwasgoodmatterwastedonapaltrycause。ButitsortedexcellentlywithwhatMr。Caryllknewofthenatureofthisfatherofhis。Itnevercouldtranscendthepractical；
　　therewasnoimaginationtocarryitbeyondthosenarrowsordidconfines，andMr。Caryllhadbeenafooltohavesupposedthatanyotherspringswerepushinghere。Egotism，egotism，egotism！Itsname，hethought，wassurelyOstermore。
　　Andagain，asoncebefore，underthelikecircumstances，hefoundmorepitythanscornawakinginhisheart。Thewholewasted，sterilelifethatlaybehindthisman；theunhappy，lovelesshomethatstoodabouthimnowinhisdecliningyearswerethefruitshehadgarneredfromthatconsumingloveofselfwithwhichthegodshadcursedhim。
　　TheonlyraytoilluminetheblackdesertofOstermore'sexistencewastheaffectionofhisward，HortensiaWinthrop，becauseinthatoneinstancehehadsunkhisegotismalittle，sparingacrumbofpity-foronceinhislife-forthechild'sorphanhood。HadOstermorebeenotherthanthemanhewas，hisexistencemusthaveprovedaburdenbeyondhisstrength。Itwassobarrenofgooddeeds，sosterileofaffection。Yetencrustedashewasinthategotismofhis-
　　likethelimpetinitsshell-mylordperceivednothingofthis，sufferednothingofit，understandingnothing。Hewasall-sufficienttohimself。Givingnothing，helookedfornothing，andsoughthishappiness-withoutknowingthequestvain-inwhathehad。Thefearoflosingthishadnowinhisdecliningyearscast，atlength，ashadowuponhisexistence。
　　Mr。Carylllookedathimalmostsorrowfully。Thenheputbyhisthoughts，andbrokethesilence。"AllthisIhadunderstoodwhenfirstIsoughtyouout，"saidhe。"Yetyourlordshipdidnotseemtorealizeitquitesokeenly。IsitthatAtterburyandhisfriends-？"
　　"No，no，"Ostermorebrokein。"Look'ee！Iwillbefrank-
　　quitefrankandopenwithyou，Mr。Caryll。Thingswerebadwhenfirstyoucametome。YetnotsobadthatIwasdriventoachoiceofevils。Ihadlostheavily。Butenoughremainedtobearmethroughmytime，thoughRotherbymighthavefoundlittleenoughleftafterIhadgone。Whilethatwasso，Ihesitatedtotakearisk。Iamanoldman。IthadbeendifferenthadIbeenyoungwithambitionsthatcravedsatisfying。Iamanoldman；andIdesiredpeaceandmycomforts。Deemingtheseassured，IpausedereIriskedtheirlossagainstthestakewhichinKingJames'snameyousetupontheboard。Butithappensto-daythattheseareassurednolonger，"heended，hisvoicebreakingalmost，hiseyeshaggard。"Theyareassurednolonger。"
　　"Youmean？"inquiredCaryll。
　　"ImeanthatIamconfrontedbythedangerofbeggary，ruin，shame，andthesponging-house，atbest。"
　　Mr。Caryllwasstirredoutofhiscalm。"Mylord！"hecried。
　　"Howisthispossible？Whatcanhavecometopass？"