2。EIGHTO'CLOCKA。M。
Seatedinhisprivateofficehewettedtheflapofthestolenletter，andwaitedpatientlytilltheadhesivegumcouldbeloosened。HetookoutEdward'snote，theaccounts，therosebud，andthephotographs，regardingthemwiththekeenestinterestandanxiety。
Thenote，theaccounts，therosebud，andhisownphotograph，herestoredtotheirplacesagain。Theotherphotographhetookbetweenhisfingerandthumb，andheldittowardsthebarsofthegrate。Therehehelditforhalf-a-minuteormore，meditating。
'Itisagreatrisktorun，evenforsuchanend，'hemuttered。
Suddenly，impregnatedwithabrightidea，hejumpedupandlefttheofficeforthefrontparlour。Takingupanalbumofportraits，whichlayonthetable，hesearchedforthreeorfourlikenessesoftheladywhohadsolatelydisplacedCytherea，whichwereinterspersedamongtherestofthecollection，andcarefullyregardedthem。Theyweretakenindifferentattitudesandstyles，andhecomparedeachsinglywiththatheheldinhishand。Oneofthem，theonemostresemblingthatabstractedfromtheletteringeneraltone，size，andattitude，heselectedfromtherest，andreturnedwithittohisoffice。
Pouringsomewaterintoaplate，hesetthetwoportraitsafloatuponit，andsittingdowntriedtoread。
Attheendofaquarterofanhour，afterseveralineffectualattempts，hefoundthateachphotographwouldpeelfromthecardonwhichitwasmounted。Thisdone，hethrewintothefiretheoriginallikenessandtherecentcard，stuckupontheoriginalcardtherecentlikenessfromthealbum，drieditbeforethefire，andplaceditintheenvelopewiththeotherscraps。
Theresulthehadobtained，then，wasthis：intheenvelopewerenowtwophotographs，bothhavingthesamephotographer'snameonthebackandconsecutivenumbersattached。Atthebottomoftheonewhichshowedhisownlikeness，hisownnamewaswrittendown；ontheotherhiswife'snamewaswritten；whilstthecentralfeature，andwholemattertowhichthislattercardandwritingreferred，thelikenessofaladymounteduponit，hadbeenchanged。
Mrs。Manstonenteredtheroom，andbeggedhimtocometobreakfast。
Hefollowedherandtheysatdown。Duringthemealhetoldherwhathehaddone，withscrupulousregardtoeverydetail，andshowedhertheresult。
'Itisindeedagreatrisktorun，'shesaid，sippinghertea。
'Butitwouldbeagreaternottodoit。'
'Yes。'
Theenvelopewasagainfastenedupasbefore，andManstonputitinhispocketandwentout。Shortlyafterwardshewasseen，onhorseback，ridinginadirectiontowardsTolchurch。Keepingtothefields，aswellashecould，forthegreaterpartoftheway，hedroppedintotheroadbythevicarageletter-box，andlookingcarefullyabout，toascertainthatnopersonwasnear，herestoredthelettertoitsnook，placedthekeyinitshiding-place，ashehadpromisedthepostman，andagainrodehomewardsbyaroundaboutway，3。AFTERNOON
TheletterwasbroughttoOwenGraye，thesameafternoon，byoneofthevicar'sservantswhohadbeentotheboxwithaduplicatekey，asusual，toleavelettersfortheeveningpost。Themanfoundthattheindexhadtoldfalselythatmorningforthefirsttimewithinhisrecollection；butnoparticularattentionwaspaidtothemistake，asitwasconsidered。ThecontentsoftheenvelopewerescrutinizedbyOwenandflungasideasuseless。
ThenextmorningbroughtSpringrove'ssecondletter，theexistenceofwhichwasunknowntoManston。ThesightofEdward'shandwritingagainraisedtheexpectationsofbrotherandsister，tillOwenhadopenedtheenvelopeandpulledoutthetwigandverse。
'Nothingthat'softheslightestuse，afterall，'hesaidtoher；
'weareasfaraseverfromthemerestshadowoflegalproofthatwouldconvicthimofwhatIammorallycertainhedid，marryyou，suspecting，ifnotknowing，hertobealiveallthetime。'
'WhathasEdwardsent？'saidCytherea。
'AnoldamatoryverseinManston'swriting。Fancy，'hesaidbitterly，'thisisthestrainheaddressedherinwhentheywerecourting——ashedidyou，Isuppose。'
Hehandedhertheverseandsheread——
'EUNICE。
'WhosoforhoursorlengthydaysShallcatchheraspect'schangefulrays，Thenturnaway，cannonerecallBeyondagalaxyofallInhazyportraiture；
LitbythelightofazureeyesLikesummerdaysbysummerskies：
HersweettransitionsseemtobeAkindofpicturedmelody，Andnotasetcontour。
'AE。M。'
AstrangeexpressionhadoverspreadCytherea'scountenance。Itrapidlyincreasedtothemostdeath-likeanguish。Sheflungdownthepaper，seizedOwen'shandtremblingly，andcoveredherface。
'Cytherea！Whatisit，forHeaven'ssake？'
'Owen——suppose——O，youdon'tknowwhatIthink。'
'What？'
'“THELIGHTOFAZUREEYES，“'sherepeatedwithashylips。
'Well，“thelightofazureeyes“？'hesaid，astoundedathermanner。
'Mrs。MorrissaidinherlettertomethathereyesareBLACK！'
'H'm。Mrs。Morrismusthavemadeamistake——nothinglikelier。'
'Shedidn't。'
'Theymightbeeitherinthisphotograph，'saidOwen，lookingatthecardbearingMrs。Manston'sname。
'Blueeyeswouldscarcelyphotographsodeepintoneasthat，'saidCytherea。'No，theyseemblackhere，certainly。'
'Well，then，Manstonmusthaveblunderedinwritinghisverses。'
'Butcouldhe？Sayamaninlovemayforgethisownname，butnotthatheforgetsthecolourofhismistress'seyes。Besidesshewouldhaveseenthemistakewhenshereadthem，andhavehaditcorrected。'
'That'strue，shewould，'musedOwen。'Then，Cytherea，itcomestothis——youmusthavebeenmisinformedbyMrs。Morris，sincethereisnootheralternative。'
'IsupposeImust。'
Herlooksbeliedherwords。
'Whatmakesyousostrange——ill？'saidOwenagain。
'Ican'tbelieveMrs。Morriswrong。'
'Butlookatthis，Cytherea。Ifitiscleartousthatthewomanhadblueeyestwoyearsago，sheMUSThaveblueeyesnow，whateverMrs。Morrisoranybodyelsemayfancy。AnyonewouldthinkthatManstoncouldchangethecolourofawoman'seyestohearyou。'
'Yes，'shesaid，andpaused。
'Yousayyes，asifhecould，'saidOwenimpatiently。
'Bychangingthewomanherself，'sheexclaimed。'Owen，don'tyouseethehorrid——whatIdread？——thatthewomanheliveswithisnotMrs。Manston——thatshewasburntafterall——andthatIamHISWIFE！'
Shetriedtosupportastoicismundertheweightofthisnewtrouble，butno！Theunexpectedrevulsionofideaswassooverwhelmingthatshecrepttohimandleantagainsthisbreast。
BeforereflectinganyfurtheruponthesubjectGrayeledherupstairsandgothertoliedown。Thenhewenttothewindowandstaredoutofitupthelane，vainlyendeavouringtocometosomeconclusionuponthefantasticenigmathatconfrontedhim。
Cytherea'snewviewseemedincredible，yetithadsuchaholduponherthatitwouldbenecessarytoclearitawaybypositiveproofbeforecontemplationofherfearshouldhavepreyedtoodeeplyuponher。
'Cytherea，'hesaid，'thiswillnotdo。YoumuststayherealonealltheafternoonwhilstIgotoCarriford。IshallknowallwhenI
return。'
'No，no，don'tgo！'sheimplored。
'Soon，then，notdirectly。'Hesawhersubtlereasoning——thatitwasfollytobewise。
Reflectionstillconvincedhimthatgoodwouldcomeofperseveringinhisintentionanddispellinghissister'sidlefears。Anythingwasbetterthanthisabsurddoubtinhermind。ButheresolvedtowaittillSunday，thefirstdayonwhichhemightreckonuponseeingMrs。Manstonwithoutsuspicion。InthemeantimehewrotetoEdwardSpringrove，requestinghimtogoagaintoMrs。Manston'sformerlodgings。
XVIII。THEEVENTSOFTHREEDAYS
1。MARCHTHEEIGHTEENTH
Sundaymorninghadcome，andOwenwastrudgingoverthesixmilesofhillanddalethatlaybetweenTolchurchandCarriford。
EdwardSpringrove'sanswertothelastletter，afterexpressinghisamazementatthestrangecontradictionbetweentheversesandMrs。
Morris'sletter，hadbeentotheeffectthathehadagainvisitedtheneighbourofthedeadMr。Brown，andhadreceivedasnearadescriptionofMrs。Manstonasitwaspossibletogetatsecond-
hand，andbyhearsay。Shewasatallwoman，wideattheshoulders，andfull-chested，andshehadastraightandratherlargenose。Thecolourofhereyestheinformantdidnotknow，forshehadonlyseentheladyinthestreetasshewentinorout。Thisconfusingremarkwasadded。ThewomanhadalmostrecognizedMrs。Manstonwhenshehadcalledwithherhusbandlately，butshehadkeptherveildown。
Herresidence，beforeshecametoHoxton，wasquiteunknowntothisnext-doorneighbour，andEdwardcouldgetnomannerofcluetoitfromanyothersource。
Owenreachedthechurch-doorafewminutesbeforethebellsbeganchiming。Nobodywasyetinthechurch，andhewalkedroundtheaisles。FromCytherea'sfrequentdescriptionofhowandwhereherselfandothersusedtosit，heknewwheretolookforManston'sseat；andaftertwoorthreeerrorsofexaminationhetookupaprayer-bookinwhichwaswritten'EuniceManston。'Thebookwasnearlynew，andthedateofthewritingaboutamonthearlier。Onepointwasatanyrateestablished：thatthewomanlivingwithManstonwaspresentedtotheworldasnootherthanhislawfulwife。
ThequietvillagersofCarrifordrequirednopew-openerintheirplaceofworship：nativesandin-dwellershadtheirownseats，andstrangerssatwheretheycould。Grayetookaseatinthenave，onthenorthside，closebehindapillardividingitfromthenorthaisle，whichwascompletelyallottedtoMissAldclyffe，herfarmers，andherretainers，Manston'spewbeinginthemidstofthem。Owen'spositionontheothersideofthepassagewasalittleinadvanceofManston'sseat，andsosituatedthatbyleaningforwardhecouldlookdirectlyintothefaceofanypersonsittingthere，though，ifhesatupright，hewaswhollyhiddenfromsuchaonebytheinterveningpillar。
AimingtokeephispresenceunknowntoManstonifpossible，Owensat，withoutonceturninghishead，duringtheentranceofthecongregation。ArustlingofsilkroundbythenorthpassageandintoManston'sseat，toldhimthatsomewomanhadenteredthere，andasitseemedfromtheaccompanimentofheavierfootsteps，Manstonwaswithher。
Immediatelyuponrisingup，helookedintentlyinthatdirection，andsawaladystandingattheendoftheseatnearesthimself。
PortionsofManston'sfigureappearedontheothersideofher。IntwoglancesGrayereadthusmanyofhercharacteristics，andinthefollowingorder：——
Shewasatallwoman。
Shewasbroadattheshoulders。
Shewasfull-bosomed。
Shewaseasilyrecognizablefromthephotographbutnothingcouldbediscernedofthecolourofhereyes。
Withapreoccupiedmindhewithdrewintohisnook，andheardtheservicecontinued——onlyconsciousofthefactthatinoppositiontothesuspicionwhichoneoddcircumstancehadbredinhissisterconcerningthiswoman，allostensibleandordinaryproofsandprobabilitiestendedtotheoppositeconclusion。Theresatthegenuineoriginaloftheportrait——couldhewishformore？Cythereawishedformore。EuniceManston'seyeswereblue，anditwasnecessarythatthiswoman'seyesshouldbebluealso。
Unskilledlabourwastesinbeatingagainstthebarstentimestheenergyexertedbythepractisedhandintheeffectivedirection。
OwenfeltthistobethecaseinhisownandEdward'sattemptstofollowuptheclueaffordedthem。Thinkashemight，hecouldnotthinkofacrucialtestinthematterabsorbinghim，whichshouldpossesstheindispensableattribute——acapabilityofbeingappliedprivately；thatintheeventofitsprovingtheladytobetherightfulownerofthenamesheused，hemightrecedewithoutobloquyfromanuntenableposition。
ButtoseeMrs。Manston'seyesfromwherehesatwasimpossible，andhecoulddonothingintheshapeofadirectexaminationatpresent。
MissAldclyffehadpossiblyrecognizedhim，butManstonhadnot，andfeelingthatitwasindispensabletokeepthepurportofhisvisitasecretfromthesteward，hethoughtitwouldbeaswell，too，tokeephispresenceinthevillageasecretfromhim；atanyrate，tillthedaywasover。
Atthefirstopeningofthedoors，Grayeleftthechurchandwanderedawayintothefieldstoponderonanotherscheme。HecouldnotcallonFarmerSpringrove，ashehadintended，untilthismatterwassetatrest。Twohoursintervenedbetweenthemorningandafternoonservices。
ThistimehadnearlyexpiredbeforeOwenhadstruckoutanymethodofproceeding，orcoulddecidetoruntheriskofcallingattheOldHouseandaskingtoseeMrs。Manstonpoint-blank。Buthehaddrawnneartheplace，andwasstandingstillinthepublicpath，fromwhichapartialviewofthefrontofthebuildingcouldbeobtained，whenthebellsbeganchimingforafternoonservice。WhilstGrayepaused，twopersonscamefromthefrontdoorofthehalf-hiddendwellingwhomhepresentlysawtobeManstonandhiswife。Manstonwaswearinghisoldgarden-hat，andcarriedoneofthemonthlymagazinesunderhisarm。Immediatelytheyhadpassedthegatewayhebranchedoffandwentoverthehillinadirectionawayfromthechurch，evidentlyintendingtoramblealong，andreadasthehumourmovedhim。Theladymeanwhileturnedintheotherdirection，andwentintothechurchpath。
Owenresolvedtomakesomethingofthisopportunity。Hehurriedalongtowardsthechurch，doubledroundasharpangle，andcamebackupontheotherpath，bywhichMrs。Manstonmustarrive。
Inaboutthreeminutessheappearedinsightwithoutaveil。Hediscovered，asshedrewnearer，adifficultywhichhadnotstruckhimatfirst——thatitisnotaneasymattertoparticularizethecolourofastranger'seyesinamerelycasualencounteronapathoutofdoors。ThatMrs。Manstonmustbebroughtclosetohim，andnotonlyso，buttolookcloselyathim，ifhispurposeweretobeaccomplished。
Heshapedaplan。Itmightbychancebeeffectual；ifotherwise，itwouldnotrevealhisintentiontoher。WhenMrs。Manstonwaswithinspeakingdistance，hewentuptoherandsaid——
'WillyoukindlytellmewhichturningwilltakemetoCasterbridge？'
'Thesecondontheright，'saidMrs。Manston。
Owenputonablanklook：heheldhishandtohisear——conveyingtotheladytheideathathewasdeaf。
Shecamecloserandsaidmoredistinctly——
'Thesecondturningontheright。'
Owenflushedalittle。Hefanciedhehadbeheldtherevelationhewasinsearchof。Buthadhiseyesdeceivedhim？
Oncemoreheusedtheruse，stilldrawingnearerandintimatingbyaglancethatthetroublehegaveherwasverydistressingtohim。
'Howverydeaf！'shemurmured。Sheexclaimedloudly——
'THESECONDTURNINGTOTHERIGHT。'
Shehadadvancedherfacetowithinafootofhisown，andinspeakingmouthedveryemphatically，fixinghereyesintentlyuponhis。Andnowhisfirstsuspicionwasindubitablyconfirmed。Hereyeswereasblackasmidnight。
AllthisfeigningwasmostdistastefultoGraye。Theriddlehavingbeensolved，heunconsciouslyassumedhisnaturallookbeforeshehadwithdrawnherface。Shefoundhimtobepeeringatherasifhewouldreadherverysoul——expressingwithhiseyesthenotificationofwhich，apartfromemotion，theeyesaremorecapablethananyother——inquiry。
Herfacechangeditsexpression——thenitscolour。Thenaturaltintofthelighterportionssanktoanashygray；thepinkofhercheeksgrewpurpler。Itwasthepreciseresultwhichwouldremainafterbloodhadleftthefaceofonewhoseskinwasdark，andartificiallycoatedwithpearl-powderandcarmine。
Sheturnedherheadandmovedaway，murmuringahastyreplytoOwen'sfarewellremarkof'Good-day，'andwithakindofnervoustwitchliftingherhandandsmoothingherhair，whichwasofalight-browncolour。
'Shewearsfalsehair，'hethought，'orhaschangeditscolourartificially。Hertruehairmatchedhereyes。'
Andnow，inspiteofwhatMr。Brown'sneighbourshadsaidaboutnearlyrecognizingMrs。Manstononherrecentvisit——whichmighthavemeantanythingornothing；inspiteofthephotograph，andinspiteofhispreviousincredulity；inconsequenceoftheverse，ofhersilenceandbackwardnessatthevisittoHoxtonwithManston，andofherappearanceanddistressatthepresentmoment，Grayehadaconvictionthatthewomanwasanimpostor。
WhatcouldbeManston'sreasonforsuchanastoundingtrickhecouldbynostretchofimaginationdivine。
Hechangedhisdirectionassoonasthewomanwasoutofsight，andploddedalongthelaneshomewardtoTolchurch。
OnenewideawassuggestedtohimbyhisdesiretoallayCytherea'sdreadofbeingclaimed，andbythedifficultyofbelievingthatthefirstMrs。Manstonlostherlifeassupposed，notwithstandingtheinquestandverdict。WasitpossiblethattherealMrs。Manston，whowasknowntobeaPhiladelphianbybirth，hadreturnedbythetraintoLondon，astheporterhadsaid，andthenleftthecountryunderanassumedname，toescapethatworstkindofwidowhood——themiseryofbeingweddedtoafickle，faithless，andtruanthusband？
Inhercomplicateddistressatthenewsbroughtbyherbrother，Cytherea'sthoughtsatlengthrevertedtoherfriend，theRectorofCarriford。ShetoldOwenofMr。Raunham'swarm-heartedbehaviourtowardsherself，andofhisstronglyexpressedwishtoaidher。
'Heisnotonlyagood，butasensibleman。Weseemtowantanoldheadonourside。'
'Andheisamagistrate，'saidOweninatoneofconcurrence。Hethought，too，thatnoharmcouldcomeofconfidingintherector，buttherewasadifficultyinbringingabouttheconfidence。HewishedthathissisterandhimselfmightbothbepresentataninterviewwithMr。Raunham，yetitwouldbeunwiseforthemtocallonhimtogether，inthesightofalltheservantsandparishofCarriford。
Therecouldbenoobjectiontotheirwritinghimaletter。
Nosoonerwasthethoughtbornthanitwascarriedout。Theywrotetohimatonce，askinghimtohavethegoodnesstogivethemsomeadvicetheysadlyneeded，andbeggingthathewouldaccepttheirassurancethattherewasarealjustificationfortheadditionalrequesttheymade——thatinsteadoftheircallinguponhim，hewouldanyeveningoftheweekcometotheircottageatTolchurch。
2。MARCHTHETWENTIETH。SIXTONINEO'CLOCKP。M。
Twoeveningslater，tothetotaldisarrangementofhisdinner-hour，Mr。RaunhamappearedatOwen'sdoor。Hisarrivalwashailedwithgenuinegratitude。Thehorsewastiedtothepalings，andtherectorusheredindoorsandputintotheeasy-chair。
ThenGrayetoldhimthewholestory，remindinghimthattheirfirstsuspicionshadbeenofatotallydifferentnature，andthatinendeavouringtoobtainproofoftheirtruththeyhadstumbleduponmarkswhichhadsurprisedthemintothesenewuncertainties，thriceasmarvellousasthefirst，yetmoreprominent。
Cytherea'sheartwassofullofanxietythatitsuperinducedamannerofconfidencewhichwasadeath-blowtoallformality。Mr。
Raunhamtookherhandpityingly。
'Itisaseriouscharge，'hesaid，asasortoforiginaltwigonwhichhisthoughtsmightprecipitatethemselves。
'Assumingforamomentthatsuchasubstitutionwasrenderedaneasymatterbyfortuitousevents，'hecontinued，'thereisthisconsiderationtobeplacedbesideit——whatearthlymotivecanMr。
Manstonhavehadwhichwouldbesufficientlypowerfultoleadhimtorunsuchaverygreatrisk？Themostabandonedrouecouldnot，atthatparticularcrisis，havetakensucharecklessstepforthemerepleasureofanewcompanion。'
Owenhadseenthatdifficultyaboutthemotive；Cythereahadnot。
'Unfortunatelyforus，'therectorresumed，'nomoreevidenceistobeobtainedfromtheporter，Chinney。Isupposeyouknowwhatbecameofhim？HegottoLiverpoolandembarked，intendingtoworkhiswaytoAmerica，butonthepassagehefelloverboardandwasdrowned。Butthereisnodoubtofthetruthofhisconfession——infact，hisconducttendstoproveittrue——andnomoraldoubtofthefactthattherealMrs。Manstonleftheretogobackbythatmorning'strain。Thisbeingthecase，then，why，ifthiswomanisnotshe，didshetakenonoticeoftheadvertisement——Imeannotnecessarilyafriendlynotice，butfromtheinformationitaffordedherhaverendereditimpossiblethatsheshouldbepersonifiedwithoutherownconnivance？'
'Ithinkthatargumentisoverthrown，'Grayesaid，'bymyearliestassumptionofherhatredofhim，wearinessofthechainwhichboundhertohim，andaresolvetobegintheworldanew。Let'ssupposeshehasmarriedanotherman——somewhereabroad，say；shewouldbesilentforherownsake。'
'You'vehittheonlygenuinepossibility，'saidMr。Raunham，tappinghisfingeruponhisknee。'Thatwoulddecidedlydisposeoftheseconddifficulty。Buthismotivewouldbeasmysteriousasever。'
Cytherea'spictureddreadswouldnotallowhermindtofollowtheirconversation。'She'sburnt，'shesaid。'Oyes；Ifear——Ifearsheis！'
'Idon'tthinkwecanseriouslybelievethatnow，afterwhathashappened，'saidtherector。
Stillstrainingherthoughttowardstheworst，'Then，perhaps，thefirstMrs。Manstonwasnothiswife，'shereturned；'andthenI
shouldbehiswifejustthesame，shouldn'tI？'
'Theyweremarriedsafelyenough，'saidOwen。'Thereisabundanceofcircumstantialevidencetoprovethat。'
'Uponthewhole，'saidMr。Raunham，'Ishouldadviseyouraskinginastraightforwardwayforlegalprooffromthestewardthatthepresentwomanisreallyhisoriginalwife——athingwhich，tomymind，youshouldhavedoneattheoutset。'HeturnedtoCythereakindly，andaskedherwhatmadehergiveupherhusbandsounceremoniously。
ShecouldnottelltherectorofheraversiontoManston，andofherunquenchedloveforEdward。
'Yourterrifiedstatenodoubt，'hesaid，answeringforher，inthemannerofthoseaccustomedtothepulpit。'Butintosuchasolemncompactasmarriage，all-importantconsiderations，bothlegallyandmorally，enter；itwasyourdutytohaveseeneverythingclearlyproved。DoubtlessMr。Manstonispreparedwithproofs，butasitconcernsnobodybutyourselfthatheridentityshouldbepubliclyestablishedandbyyourabsenteeismyouactasifyouweresatisfiedhehasnottroubledtoexhibitthem。Nobodyelsehastakenthetroubletoprovewhatdoesnotaffectthemintheleast——
that'sthewayoftheworldalways。You，whoshouldhaverequiredallthingstobemadeclear，ranaway。'
'Thatwaspartlymydoing，'saidOwen。
Thesameexplanation——herwantofloveforManston——appliedheretoo，butsheshunnedtherevelation。
'Butnevermind，'addedtherector，'itwasallthegreatercredittoyourwomanhood，perhaps。Isay，then，getyourbrothertowritealinetoMr。Manston，sayingyouwishtobesatisfiedthatallislegallyclearincaseyoushouldwanttomarryagain，forinstance，andIhavenodoubtthatyouwillbe。Or，ifyouwouldrather，I'llwritemyself？'
'Ono，sir，no，'pleadedCytherea，beginningtoblanch，andbreathingquickly。'Pleasedon'tsayanything。LetmeliveherewithOwen。IamsoafraiditwillturnoutthatIshallhavetogotoKnapwaterandbehiswife，andIdon'twanttogo。Doconcealwhatwehavetoldyou。Lethimcontinuehisdeception——itismuchthebestforme。'
Mr。RaunhamatlengthdivinedthatherloveforManston，ifithadeverexisted，hadtransmuteditselfintoaverydifferentfeelingnow。
'Atanyrate，'hesaid，ashetookhisleaveandmountedhismare，'Iwillseeaboutit。Restcontent，MissGraye，anddependuponitthatIwillnotleadyouintodifficulty。'
'Concealit，'shestillpleaded。
'We'llsee——butofcourseImustdomyduty。'
'No——don'tdoyourduty！'Shelookedupathimthroughthegloom，illuminatingherownfaceandeyeswiththecandlesheheld。
'Iwillconsider，then，'saidMr。Raunham，sensiblymoved。Heturnedhishorse'shead，badethemawarmadieu，andleftthedoor。
TherectorofCarrifordtrottedhomewardsunderthecoldandclearMarchsky，itscountlessstarsflutteringlikebrightbirds。Hewasunconsciousofthescene。RecoveringfromtheeffectofCytherea'svoiceandglanceofentreaty，helaidthesubjectoftheinterviewclearlybeforehimself。
ThesuspicionsofCythereaandOwenwerehonest，andhadfoundation——
thathemustown。Washe——aclergyman，magistrate，andconscientiousman——justifiedinyieldingtoCytherea'simportunitiestokeepsilence，becauseshedreadedthepossibilityofareturntoManston？Wasshewiseinherrequest？Holdingherpresentbelief，andwithnodefiniteevidenceeitherway，shecould，foronething，neverconscientiouslymarryanyoneelse。SupposethatCythereawereManston'swife——i。e。，thatthefirstwifewasreallyburnt？
TheadulteryofManstonwouldbeproved，and，Mr。Raunhamthought，crueltysufficienttobringthecasewithinthemeaningofthestatute。Supposethenewwomanwas，asstated，Mr。Manston'srestoredwife？Cythereawasperfectlysafeasasinglewomanwhosemarriagehadbeenvoid。Andifitturnedoutthat，thoughthiswomanwasnotManston'swife，hiswifewasstillliving，asOwenhadsuggested，inAmericaorelsewhere，Cythereawassafe。
Thefirstsuppositionopeneduptheworstcontingency。WasshereallysafeasManston'swife？Doubtful。But，howeverthatmightbe，thegentle，defencelessgirl，whomitseemednobody'sbusinesstohelpordefend，shouldbeputinatracktoproceedagainstthisman。Shehadbutonelife，andthesuperciliousnesswithwhichalltheworldnowregardedhershouldbecompensatedinsomemeasurebythemanwhosecarelessness——tosethiminthebestlight——hadcausedit。
Mr。Raunhamfeltmoreandmorepositivelythathisdutymustbedone。Aninquirymustbemadeintothematter。Immediatelyonreachinghome，hesatdownandwroteaplainandfriendlylettertoMr。Manston，anddespatcheditatoncetohimbyhand。Thenheflunghimselfbackinhischair，andwentonwithhismeditation。
Wasthereanythinginthesuspicion？Therecouldbenothing，surely。Nothingisdonebyaclevermanwithoutamotive，andwhatconceivablemotivecouldManstonhaveforsuchabnormalconduct？
Corinthianthathemightbe，whohadpreyedonvirginitylikeSt。
George'sdragon，hewouldneverhavebeenabsurdenoughtoventureonsuchacourseforthepossessionaloneofthewoman——therewasnoreasonforit——shewasinferiortoCythereaineveryrespect，physicalandmental。
Ontheotherhand，itseemedratherodd，whenheanalyzedtheaction，thatawomanwhodeliberatelyhidherselffromherhusbandformorethanatwelvemonthshouldbebroughtbackbyamereadvertisement。Infact，thewholebusinesshadworkedalmosttoosmoothlyandeffectuallyforunpremeditatedsequence。Itwastoomuchliketheindiscriminaterightingofeverythingattheendofanoldplay。Andtherewasthatcuriousbusinessofthekeysandwatch。Herwayofaccountingfortheirbeingleftbehindbyforgetfulnesshadalwaysseemedtohimratherforced。Theonlyunforcedexplanationwasthatsuggestedbythenewspaperwriters——
thatsheleftthembehindonpurposetoblindpeopleastoherescape，amotivewhichwouldhaveclashedwiththepossibilityofherbeingfishedbackbyanadvertisement，asthepresentwomanhadbeen。Again，therewerethetwocharredbones。Heshuffledthebooksandpapersinhisstudy，andwalkedabouttheroom，restlesslymusingonthesamesubject。Theparlour-maidentered。
'CanyoungMr。SpringrovefromLondonseeyouto-night，sir？'
'YoungMr。Springrove？'saidtherector，surprised。
'Yes，sir。'
'Yes，ofcoursehecanseeme。Tellhimtocomein。'
Edwardcamesoimpatientlyintotheroom，astoshowthatthefewshortmomentshisannouncementhadoccupiedhadbeenirksometohim。
Hestoodinthedoorwaywiththesameblackbaginhishand，andthesameoldgraycloakonhisshoulders，thathehadwornfifteenmonthsearlierwhenreturningonthenightofthefire。Thisappearanceofhisconveyedatrueimpression；hehadbecomeastagnantman。Buthewasexcitednow。
'IhavethismomentcomefromLondon，'hesaid，asthedoorwasclosedbehindhim。
Thepropheticinsight，whichsostrangelyaccompaniescriticalexperiences，promptedMr。Raunham'sreply。
'AbouttheGrayesandManston？'
'Yes。ThatwomanisnotMrs。Manston。'
'Proveit。'
'Icanprovethatsheissomebodyelse——thathernameisAnneSeaway。'
'Andaretheirsuspicionstrueindeed！'
'AndIcandowhat'smoretothepurposeatpresent。'
'SuggestManston'smotive？'
'Onlysuggestit，remember。Butmyassumptionfitssoperfectlywiththefactsthathavebeensecretlyunearthedandconveyedtome，thatIcanhardlyconceiveofanother。'
TherewasinEdward'sbearingthatentireunconsciousnessofhimselfwhich，naturaltowildanimals，onlyprevailsinasensitivemanatmomentsofextremeintentness。Therectorsawthathehadnotrivialstorytocommunicate，whateverthestorywas。
'Sitdown，'saidMr。Raunham。'Mymindhasbeenonthestretchalltheeveningtoformtheslightestguessatsuchanobject，andalltonopurpose——entirelytonopurpose。HaveyousaidanythingtoOwenGraye？'
'Nothing——nortoanybody。Icouldnottrusttotheeffectalettermighthaveuponyourself，either；theintricacyofthecasebringsmetothisinterview。'
WhilstSpringrovehadbeenspeakingthetwohadsatdowntogether。
Theconversation，hithertodistincttoeverycorneroftheroom，wascarriedonnowintonessolowastobescarcelyaudibletotheinterlocutors，andinphraseswhichhesitatedtocompletethemselves。Three-quartersofanhourpassed。ThenEdwardarose，cameoutoftherector'sstudyandagainflunghiscloakaroundhim。
Insteadofgoingthencehomeward，hewentfirsttotheCarrifordRoadStationwithatelegram，havingdespatchedwhichheproceededtohisfather'shouseforthefirsttimesincehisarrivalinthevillage。
3。FROMNINETOTENO'CLOCKP。M。
ThenextpresentationistheinterioroftheOldHouseontheeveningoftheprecedingsection。Thestewardwassittingbyhisparlourfire，andhadbeenreadingtheletterarrivedfromtherectory。OppositetohimsatthewomanknowntothevillageandneighbourhoodasMrs。Manston。
'Thingsarelookingdesperatewithus，'hesaidgloomily。Hisgloomwasnotthatofthehypochondriac，butthelegitimategloomwhichhasitsorigininasyllogism。Asheutteredthewordshehandedthelettertoher。
'Ialmostexpectedsomesuchnewsasthis，'shereplied，inatoneofmuchgreaterindifference。'Iknewsuspicionlurkedintheeyesofthatyoungmanwhostaredatmesointhechurchpath：Icouldhaveswornit。'
Manstondidnotanswerforsometime。Hisfacewaswornandhaggard；latterlyhisheadhadnotbeencarriedsouprightlyasofold。'Iftheyproveyoutobe——whoyouare……Yes，iftheydo，'hemurmured。
'Theymustnotfindthatout，'shesaid，inapositivevoice，andlookingathim。'Butsupposingtheydo，thetrickdoesnotseemtometobesoseriousastojustifythatwretched，miserable，horriblelookofyours。Itmakesmyfleshcreep；itisperfectlydeathlike。'
Hedidnotreply，andshecontinued，'IftheysayandprovethatEuniceisindeedliving——anddear，youknowsheis——sheissuretocomeback。'
Thisremarkseemedtoawakenandirritatehimtospeech。Again，ashehaddoneahundredtimesduringtheirresidencetogether，hecategorizedtheeventsconnectedwiththefireattheThreeTranters。Hedweltoneveryincidentofthatnight'shistory，andendeavoured，withananxietywhichwasextraordinaryintheapparentcircumstances，toprovethathiswifemust，bytheverynatureofthings，haveperishedintheflames。Shearosefromherseat，crossedthehearthrug，andsetherselftosoothehim；thenshewhisperedthatshewasstillasunbelievingasever。'Come，supposingsheescaped——justsupposingsheescaped——whereisshe？'
coaxedthelady。
'Whyareyousocuriouscontinually？'saidManston。
'BecauseIamawomanandwanttoknow。Nowwhereisshe？'
'IntheFlyingIsleofSanBorandan。'
'Wittycrueltyisthecruellestofany。Ah，well——ifsheisinEngland，shewillcomeback。'
'SheisnotinEngland。'
'Butshewillcomeback？'
'No，shewon't……Come，madam，'hesaid，arousinghimself，'I
shallnotansweranymorequestions。'
'Ah——ah——ah——sheisnotdead，'thewomanmurmuredagainpoutingly。
'Sheis，Itellyou。'
'Idon'tthinkso，love。'
'Shewasburnt，Itellyou！'heexclaimed。
'Nowtopleaseme，admitthebarepossibilityofherbeingalive——
justthepossibility。'
'Oyes——topleaseyouIwilladmitthat，'hesaidquickly。'Yes，I
admitthepossibilityofherbeingalive，topleaseyou。'
Shelookedathiminutterperplexity。Thewordscouldonlyhavebeensaidinjest，andyettheyseemedtosavourofatonethefurthestremovefromjesting。Therewashisfaceplaintohereyes，butnoinformationofanykindwastobereadthere。
'ItisonlynaturalthatIshouldbecurious，'shemurmuredpettishly，'ifIresembleherasmuchasyousayIdo。'
'Youarehandsomer，'hesaid，'thoughyouareaboutherownheightandsize。Butdon'tworryyourself。Youmustknowthatyouarebodyandsoulunitedwithme，thoughyouarebutmyhousekeeper。'
Shebridledalittleattheremark。'Wife，'shesaid，'mostcertainlywife，sinceyoucannotdismissmewithoutlosingyourcharacterandposition，andincurringheavypenalties。'
'Iownit——itwaswellsaid，thoughmistakenly——verymistakenly。'
'Don'triddletomeaboutmistakenlyandsuchdarkthings。Nowwhatwasyourmotive，dearest，inrunningtheriskofhavingmehere？'
'Yourbeauty，'hesaid。
'Shethanksyoumuchforthecompliment，butwillnottakeit。
Come，whatwasyourmotive？'
'Yourwit。'
'No，no；notmywit。WitwouldhavemadeawifeofmebythistimeinsteadofwhatIam。'
'Yourvirtue。'
'Orvirtueeither。'
'Itellyouitwasyourbeauty——really。'
'ButIcannothelpseeingandhearing，andifwhatpeoplesayistrue，Iamnotnearlysogood-lookingasCytherea，andseveralyearsolder。'
TheaspectofManston'sfaceatthesewordsfromherwassoconfirmatoryofherhint，thathisforcedreplyof'Ono，'tendedtodevelopherchagrin。
'Merelikingorloveforme，'sheresumed，'wouldnothavesprungupallofasudden，asyourpretendedpassiondid。YouhadbeentoLondonseveraltimesbetweenthetimeofthefireandyourmarriagewithCytherea——youhadnevervisitedmeorthoughtofmyexistenceorcaredthatIwasoutofasituationandpoor。Buttheweekafteryoumarriedherandwereseparatedfromher，offyourushtomakelovetome——notfirsttomeeither，foryouwenttoseveralplaces——
'
'No，notseveralplaces。'
'Yes，youtoldmesoyourself——thatyouwentfirsttotheonlylodginginwhichyourwifehadbeenknownasMrs。Manston，andwhenyoufoundthatthelodging-house-keeperhadgoneawayanddied，andthatnobodyelseinthestreethadanydefiniteideasastoyourwife'spersonalappearance，andcameandproposedthearrangementwecarriedout——thatIshouldpersonateher。Yourtakingallthistroubleshowsthatsomethingmoreseriousthanlovehadtodowiththematter。'
'Humbug——whattroubleafteralldidItake？WhenIfoundCythereawouldnotstaywithmeaftertheweddingIwasmuchputoutatbeingleftaloneagain。Wasthatunnatural？'
'No。'
'Andthosefavouringaccidentsyoumention——thatnobodyknewmyfirstwife——seemedanarrangementofProvidenceforourmutualbenefit，andmerelyperfectedahalf-formedimpulse——thatIshouldcallyoumyfirstwifetoescapethescandalthatwouldhavearisenifyouhadcomehereasanythingelse。'
'Mylove，thatstorywon'tdo。IfMrs。Manstonwasburnt，Cytherea，whomyoulovebetterthanme，couldhavebeencompelledtolivewithyouasyourlawfulwife。Ifshewasnotburnt，whyshouldyouruntheriskofherturningupagainatanymomentandexposingyoursubstitutionofme，andruiningyournameandprospects？'
'Why——becauseImighthavelovedyouwellenoughtoruntheriskassuminghernottobeburnt，whichIdeny。'
'No——youwouldhaveruntherisktheotherway。YouwouldratherhaveriskedherfindingyouwithCythereaasasecondwife，thanwithmeasapersonatorofherself——thefirstone。'
'Youcameeasiesttohand——rememberthat。'
'Notsoveryeasyeither，consideringthelabouryoutooktoteachmeyourfirstwife'shistory。AllabouthowshewasanativeofPhiladelphia。Thenmakingmereaduptheguide-booktoPhiladelphia，anddetailsofAmericanlifeandmanners，incasethebirthplaceandhistoryofyourwife，Eunice，shouldeverbecomeknowninthisneighbourhood——unlikelyasitwas。Ah！andthenaboutthehandwritingofhersthatIhadtoimitate，andthedyingmyhair，androuging，tomakethetransformationcomplete？YoumeantosaythatthatwastakinglesstroublethantherewouldhavebeeninarrangingeventstomakeCythereabelieveherselfyourwife，andlivewithyou？'
'Youwereaneedyadventuress，whowoulddareanythingforanewpleasureandaneasylife——andIwasfoolenoughtogiveintoyou——
'
'Goodheavensabove！——didIaskyoutoinsertthoseadvertisementsforyouroldwife，andtomakemeansweritasifIwasshe？DidI
askyoutosendmetheletterformetocopyandsendbacktoyouwhenthethirdadvertisementappeared——purportingtocomefromthelong-lostwife，andgivingadetailedhistoryofherescapeandsubsequentlife——allwhichyouhadinventedyourself？Youdeludedmeintolovingyou，andthenenticedmehere！Ah，andthisisanotherthing。Howdidyouknowtherealwifewouldn'tanswerit，andupsetallyourplans？'
'BecauseIknewshewasburnt。'
'Whydidn'tyouforceCythereatocomeback，then？Now，mylove，I
havecaughtyou，andyoumayjustaswelltellfirstaslast，WHAT
WASYOURMOTIVEINHAVINGMEHEREASYOURFIRSTWIFE？'
'Silence！'heexclaimed。
Shewassilentforthespaceoftwominutes，andthenpersistedingoingontomutter，'AndwhywasitthatMissAldclyffeallowedherfavouriteyounglady，Cythie，tobeoverthrownandsupplantedwithoutanexpostulationoranyshowofsympathy？DoyouknowI
oftenthinkyouexerciseasecretpoweroverMissAldclyffe。AndshealwaysshunsmeasifIsharedthepower。Apoor，ill-usedcreaturelikemesharingpower，indeed！'
'ShethinksyouareMrs。Manston。'
'Thatwouldn'tmakeheravoidme。'
'Yesitwould，'heexclaimedimpatiently。'IwishIwasdead——
dead！'Hehadjumpedupfromhisseatinutteringthewords，andnowwalkedwearilytotheendoftheroom。Comingbackmoredecisively，helookedinherface。
'WemustleavethisplaceifRaunhamsuspectswhatIthinkhedoes，'
hesaid。'TherequestofCythereaandherbrothermaysimplybeforasatisfactoryproof，tomakeherfeellegallyfree——butitmaymeanmore。'
'Whatmayitmean？'
'HowshouldIknow？'
'Well，well，nevermind，oldboy，'shesaid，approachinghimtomakeupthequarrel。'Don'tbesoalarmed——anybodywouldthinkthatyouwerethewomanandItheman。SupposetheydofindoutwhatIam——
wecangoawayfromhereandkeephouseasusual。Peoplewillsayofyou，“Hisfirstwifewasburnttodeath“or“ranawaytotheColonies，“asthecasemaybe；“Hemarriedasecond，anddesertedherforAnneSeaway。“Averyeverydaycase——nothingsohorrible，afterall。'
Hemadeanimpatientmovement。'Whicheverwaywedoit，NOBODYMUST
KNOWTHATYOUARENOTMYWIFEEUNICE。AndnowImustthinkaboutarrangingmatters。'
Manstonthenretiredtohisoffice，andshuthimselfupfortheremainderoftheevening。
XIX。THEEVENTSOFADAYANDNIGHT
1。MARCHTHETWENTY-FIRST。MORNING
Nextmorningthestewardwentoutasusual。Heshortlytoldhiscompanion，Anne，thathehadalmostmaturedtheirscheme，andthattheywouldenteruponthedetailsofitwhenhecamehomeatnight。
Thefortunatefactthattherector'sletterdidnotrequireanimmediateanswerwouldgivehimtimetoconsider。
AnneSeawaythenbeganherdutiesinthehouse。Besidesdailysuperintendingthecookandhousemaidoneofthesedutieswas，atrareintervals，todustManston'sofficewithherownhands，aservantbeingsupposedtodisturbthebooksandpapersunnecessarily。Shesoftlywanderedfromtabletoshelfwiththedusterinherhand，afterwardsstandinginthemiddleoftheroom，andglancingaroundtodiscoverifanynoteworthycollectionofdusthadstillescapedher。
Hereyefelluponafaintlayerwhichrestedupontheledgeofanold-fashionedchestnutcabinetofFrenchRenaissanceworkmanship，placedinarecessbythefireplace。Ataheightofaboutfourfeetfromthefloortheupperportionofthefrontreceded，formingtheledgealludedto，onwhichopenedateachendtwosmalldoors，thecentrespacebetweenthembeingfilledoutbyapanelofsimilarsize，makingthethirdofthreesquares。Thedustontheledgewasnearlyonalevelwiththewoman'seye，and，thoughinsignificantinquantity，showeditselfdistinctlyonaccountofthisobliquityofvision。Nowoppositethecentralpanel，concentricquarter-circlesweretracedinthedepositedfilm，expressingtoherthatthispanel，too，wasadoorliketheothers；thatithadlatelybeenopened，andhadskimmedthedustwithitsloweredge。
Atlast，then，hercuriositywasslightlyrewarded。FortherightofthematterwasthatAnnehadbeenincitedtothisexplorationofManston'sofficeratherbyawishtoknowthereasonofhislongseclusionhere，afterthearrivaloftherector'sletter，andtheirsubsequentdiscourse，thanbyanyimmediatedesireforcleanliness。
Still，therewouldhavebeennothingremarkabletoAnneinthissightbutforonerecollection。Manstonhadoncecasuallytoldherthateachofthetwoside-lockersincludedhalfthemiddlespace，thepanelofwhichdidnotopen，andwasonlyputinforsymmetry。
Itwaspossiblethathehadopenedthiscompartmentbycandlelighttheprecedingnight，orhewouldhaveseenthemarksinthedust，andeffacedthem，thathemightnotbeprovedguiltyoftellingheranuntruth。Shebalancedherselfononefootandstoodpondering。
Sheconsideredthatitwasveryvexingandunfairinhimtorefuseherallknowledgeofhisremainingsecrets，underthepeculiarcircumstancesofherconnectionwithhim。Shewentclosetothecabinet。Astherewasnokeyhole，thedoormustbecapableofbeingopenedbytheunassistedhand。Thecirclesinthedusttoldheratwhichedgetoapplyherforce。Hereshepulledwiththetipsofherfingers，butthepanelwouldnotcomeforward。Shefetchedachairandlookedoverthetopofthecabinet，butnobolt，knob，orspringwastobeseen。
'O，nevermind，'shesaid，withindifference；'I'llaskhimaboutit，andhewilltellme。'Downshecameandturnedaway。Thenlookingbackagainshethoughtitwasabsurdsuchatrifleshouldpuzzleher。Sheretracedhersteps，andopenedadrawerbeneaththeledgeofthecabinet，pushinginherhandandfeelingaboutontheundersideoftheboard。
Hereshefoundasmallroundsinking，andpressedherfingerintoit。Nothingcameofthepressure。Shewithdrewherhandandlookedatthetipofherfinger：itwasmarkedwiththeimpressofthecircle，and，inaddition，alineranacrossitdiametrically。
'Howstupidofme；itistheheadofascrew。'Whatevermysteriouscontrivancehadoriginallyexistedforopeningthepunycupboardofthecabinet，ithadatsometimebeenbroken，andthisroughsubstituteprovided。Stimulatedcuriositywouldnotallowhertorecedenow。Shefetchedascrewdriver，withdrewthescrew，pulledthedooropenwithapenknife，andfoundinsideacavityaboutteninchessquare。Thecavitycontained——
Lettersfromdifferentwomen，withunknownsignatures，ChristiannamesonlysurnamesbeingdespisedinPaphos。LettersfromhiswifeEunice。LettersfromAnneherself，includingthatshewroteinanswertohisadvertisement。Asmallpocket-book。Sundryscrapsofpaper。
Thelettersfromthestrangewomenwithpetnamessheglancedcarelesslythrough，andthenputthemaside。Theyweretoosimilartoherownregretteddelusion，andcuriosityrequirescontrasttoexciteit。
Thelettersfromhiswifewerenextexamined。TheyweredatedbackasfarasEunice'sfirstmeetingwithManston，andtheearlyonesbeforetheirmarriagecontainedtheusualprettyeffusionsofwomenatsuchaperiodoftheirexistence。Somelittletimeafterhehadmadeherhiswife，andwhenhehadcometoKnapwater，theseriesbeganagain，andnowtheircontentsarrestedherattentionmoreforcibly。Sheclosedthecabinet，carriedthelettersintotheparlour，reclinedherselfonthesofa，andcarefullyperusedthemintheorderoftheirdates。
'JOHNSTREET，October17，1864。
'MYDEARESTHUSBAND，——Ireceivedyourhurriedlineofyesterday，andwasofcoursecontentwithit。Butwhydon'tyoutellmeyourexactaddressinsteadofthat“Post-Office，Budmouth？”Thismatterisallamysterytome，andIoughttobetoldeverydetail。Icannotfancyitisthesamekindofoccupationyouhavebeenusedtohitherto。YourcommandthatIamtostayhereawhileuntilyoucan“seehowthingslook“andcanarrangetosendforme，Imustnecessarilyabideby。Butif，asyousay，amarriedmanwouldhavebeenrejectedbythepersonwhoengagedyou，andthathencemyexistencemustbekeptasecretuntilyouhavesecuredyourposition，whydidyouthinkofgoingatall？
'Thetruthis，thiskeepingourmarriageasecretistroublesome，vexing，andwearisometome。Iseethepoorestwomaninthestreetbearingherhusband'snameopenly——livingwithhiminthemostmatter-of-factease，andwhyshouldn'tI？IwishIwasbackagaininLiverpool。
'To-dayIboughtagreywaterproofcloak。Ithinkitisalittletoolongforme，butitwascheapforoneofsuchaquality。Theweatherisgustyanddreary，andtillthismorningIhadhardlysetfootoutsidethedoorsinceyouleft。PleasedotellmewhenIamtocome——Veryaffectionatelyyours，EUNICE。'
'JOHNSTREET，October25，1864。
'MYDEARHUSBAND，——Whydon'tyouwrite？Doyouhateme？Ihavenothadthehearttodoanythingthislastweek。ThatI，yourwife，shouldbeinthisstrait，andmyhusbandwelltodo！Ihavebeenobligedtoleavemyfirstlodgingfordebt——amongotherthings，theychargedmeforalotofbrandywhichIamquitesureIdidnottaste。ThenIwenttoCamberwellandwasfoundoutbythem。Iwentawayprivatelyfromthence，andchangedmynamethesecondtime。I
amnowMrs。Rondley。ButthenewlodgingwasthewretchedestanddearestIeversetfootin，andIleftitafterbeingthereonlyaday。IamnowatNo。2Ointhesamestreetthatyouleftmeinoriginally。AlllastnightthesashofmywindowrattledsodreadfullythatIcouldnotsleep，butIhadnotenergyenoughtogetoutofbedtostopit。ThismorningIhavebeenwalking——I
don'tknowhowfar——butfarenoughtomakemyfeetache。Ihavebeenlookingattheoutsideoftwoorthreeofthetheatres，buttheyseemforbiddingifIregardthemwiththeeyeofanactressinsearchofanengagement。ThoughyousaidIwastothinknomoreofthestage，Ibelieveyouwouldnotcareifyoufoundmethere。ButIamnotanactressbynature，andartwillnevermakemeone。Iamtootimidandretiring；Iwasintendedforacottager'swife。I
certainlyshallnottrytogoontheboardsagainwhilstIaminthisstrangeplace。TheideaofbeingbroughtonasfarasLondonandthenleftherealone！Whydidn'tyouleavemeinLiverpool？
PerhapsyouthoughtImighthavetoldsomebodythatmyrealnamewasMrs。Manston。AsifIhadalivingfriendtowhomIcouldimpartit——nosuchgoodfortune！Infact，mynearestfriendisnonearerthanwhatmostpeoplewouldcallastranger。ButperhapsIoughttotellyouthataweekbeforeIwrotemylastlettertoyou，afterwishingthatmyuncleandauntinPhiladelphiatheonlynearrelativesIhadwerestillalive，IsuddenlyresolvedtosendalinetomycousinJames，who，Ibelieve，isstilllivinginthatneighbourhood。Hehasneverseenmesincewewerebabiestogether。
Ididnottellhimofmymarriage，becauseIthoughtyoumightnotlikeit，andIgavemyrealmaidenname，andanaddressatthepost-
officehere。ButGodknowsiftheletterwilleverreachhim。
'Dowritemeananswer，andsendsomething——Youraffectionatewife，EUNICE。'
'FRIDAY，October28。
'MYDEARHUSBAND，——Theorderfortenpoundshasjustcome，andIamtrulygladtogetit。Butwhywillyouwritesobitterly？Ah——
well，ifIhadonlyhadthemoneyIshouldhavebeenonmywaytoAmericabythistime，sodon'tthinkIwanttoboreyouofmyownfree-will。Whocanyouhavemetwithatthatnewplace？RememberI
saythisinnomalignanttone，butcertainlythefactsgotoprovethatyouhavedesertedme！Youareinconstant——Iknowit。O，whyareyouso？NowIhavelostyou，Iloveyouinspiteofyourneglect。Iamweaklyfond——that'smynature。Ifearthatuponthewholemylifehasbeenwasted。Iknowthereisanotherwomansupplantingmeinyourheart——yes，Iknowit。Cometome——docome。
EUNICE。'
'41CHARLESSQUARE，HOXTON，November19。
'DEARAENEAS，——HereIambackagainaftermyvisit。Whyshouldyouhavebeensoenragedatmyfindingyourexactaddress？Anywomanwouldhavetriedtodoit——youknowshewouldhave。AndnowomanwouldhavelivedunderassumednamessolongasIdid。IrepeatthatIdidnotcallmyselfMrs。ManstonuntilIcametothislodgingatthebeginningofthismonth——whatcouldyouexpect？
'AhelplesscreatureI，hadnotfortunefavouredmeunexpectedly。
BanishedasIwasfromyourhouseatdawn，Ididnotsupposetheindignitywasabouttoleadtoimportantresults。ButincrossingtheparkIoverheardtheconversationofayoungmanandwomanwhohadalsorisenearly。Ibelievehertobethegirlwhohaswonyouawayfromme。Well，theirconversationconcernedyouandMissAldclyffe，VERYPECULIARLY。Theremarkablethingisthatyouyourself，withoutknowingit，toldmeofwhat，addedtotheirconversation，completelyrevealsasecrettomethatneitherofyouunderstand。Twonegativesnevermadesuchatellingpositivebefore。Onecluemore，andyouwouldseeit。Asingleconsiderationpreventsmyrevealingit——justonedoubtastowhetheryourignorancewasreal，andwasnotfeignedtodeceiveme。
Civilitynow，please。
EUNICE。'
'41CHARLESSQUARE，Tuesday，November22。
'MYDARLINGHUSBAND，——Mondaywillsuitmeexcellentlyforcoming。I
haveactedexactlyuptoyourinstructions，andhavesoldmyrubbishatthebroker'sinthenextstreet。AllthismovementandbustleisdelightfultomeaftertheweeksofmonotonyIhaveendured。Itisarelieftowishtheplacegood-bye——LondonalwayshasseemedsomuchmoreforeigntomethanLiverpoolThemid-daytrainonMondaywilldonicelyforme。IshallbeanxiouslylookingoutforyouonSundaynight。
'IhopesomuchthatyouarenotangrywithmeforwritingtoMissAldclyffe。Youarenot，dear，areyou？Forgiveme——Yourlovingwife，EUNICE。'
Thiswasthelastofthelettersfromthewifetothehusband。Oneother，inMrs。Manston'shandwriting，andinthesamepacket，wasdifferentlyaddressed。
'THREETRANTERSINN，CARRIFORD，November28，1864。
'DEARCOUSINJAMES，——Thankyouindeedforansweringmylettersopromptly。WhenIcalledatthepost-officeyesterdayIdidnotintheleastthinktherewouldbeone。ButImustleavethissubject。
Iwriteagainatonceunderthestrangestandsaddestconditionsitispossibletoconceive。
'IdidnottellyouinmylastthatIwasamarriedwoman。Don'tblameme——itwasmyhusband'sinfluence。Ihardlyknowwheretobeginmystory。Ihadbeenlivingapartfromhimforatime——thenhesentformethiswaslastweekandIwasgladtogotohim。
Thenthisiswhathedid。Hepromisedtofetchme，anddidnot——
leavingmetodothejourneyalone。Hepromisedtomeetmeatthestationhere——hedidnot。Iwentonthroughthedarknesstohishouse，andfoundhisdoorlockedandhimselfawayfromhome。Ihavebeenobligedtocomehere，andIwritetoyouinastrangeroominastrangevillageinn！Ichoosethepresentmomenttowritetodriveawaymymisery。Sorrowseemsasortofpleasurewhenyoudetailitonpaper——poorpleasurethough。
'ButthisiswhatIwanttoknow——andIamashamedtotellit。I
wouldgladlydoasyousay，andcometoyouasahousekeeper，butI
havenotthemoneyevenforasteeragepassage。James，doyouwantmebadlyenough——doyoupitymeenoughtosendit？IcouldmanagetosubsistinLondonupontheproceedsofmysaleforanothermonthorsixweeks。Willyousendittothesameaddressatthepost-
office？ButhowdoIknowthatyou……'
Thustheletterended。Fromcreasesinthepaperitwasplainthatthewriter，havinggotsofar，hadbecomedissatisfiedwithherproduction，andhadcrumpleditinherhand。Wasittowriteanother，ornottowriteatall？
ThenextthingAnneSeawayperceivedwasthatthefragmentarystoryshehadcoaxedoutofManston，totheeffectthathiswifehadleftEnglandforAmerica，mightbetruthful，accordingtotwooftheseletters，corroboratedbytheevidenceoftherailway-porter。Andyet，atfirst，hehadsworninapassionthathiswifewasmostcertainlyconsumedinthefire。
Ifshehadbeenburnt，thisletter，writteninherbedroom，andprobablythrustintoherpocketwhensherelinquishedit，wouldhavebeenburntwithher。Nothingwassurerthanthat。Why，then，didhesayshewasburnt，andnevershowAnneherselfthisletter？
Thequestionsuddenlyraisedanewandmuchstrangerone——kindlingaburstofamazementinher。HowdidManstonbecomepossessedofthisletter？
Thatfactofpossessionwascertainlythemostremarkablerevelationofallinconnectionwiththisepistle，andperhapshadsomethingtodowithhisreasonfornevershowingittoher。
Sheknewbyseveralproofs，thatbeforehismarriagewithCytherea，anduptothetimeoftheporter'sconfession，Manstonbelieved——
honestlybelieved——thatCythereawouldbehislawfulwife，andhence，ofcourse，thathiswifeEunicewasdead。Sothatnocommunicationcouldpossiblyhavepassedbetweenhiswifeandhimselffromthefirstmomentthathebelievedherdeadonthenightofthefire，tothedayofhiswedding。Andyethehadthatletter。
Howsoonafterwardscouldtheyhavecommunicatedwitheachother？
Theexistenceoftheletter——asmuchas，ormorethanitscontents——
implyingthatMrsManstonwasnotburnt，hisbeliefinthatcalamitymusthaveterminatedatthemomentheobtainedpossessionoftheletter，ifnoearlier。Was，then，theonlysolutiontotheriddlethatAnnecoulddiscern，thetrueone？——thathehadcommunicatedwithhiswifesomewhereaboutthecommencementofAnne'sresidencewithhim，oratanytimesince？