Itwasthemostunlikelythingonearththatawomanwhohadforsakenherhusbandshouldcountenancehisschemetopersonifyher——
　　whethershewereinAmerica，inLondon，orintheneighbourhoodofKnapwater。
　　Thencametheoldandharassingquestion，whatwasManston'srealmotiveinriskinghisnameonthedeceptionhewaspractisingasregardedAnne。Itcouldnotbe，ashehadalwayspretended，merepassion。HerthoughtshadrevertedtoMr。Raunham'sletter，askingforproofsofheridentitywiththeoriginalMrs。Manston。Shecouldseenoloopholeofescapeforthemanwhosupportedher。
　　True，inherownestimation，hisworstalternativewasnotsoverybadafterall——thegettingthenameoflibertine，apossibleappearanceinthedivorceorsomeothercourtoflaw，andaquestionofdamages。Suchanexposuremighthinderhisworldlyprogressforsometime。Yettohimthisalternativewas，apparently，terribleasdeathitself。
　　Sherestoredtheletterstotheirhiding-place，scannedanewtheotherlettersandmemoranda，fromwhichshecouldgainnofreshinformation，fastenedupthecabinet，andlefteverythinginitsformercondition。
　　Hermindwasillatease。MorethanevershewishedthatshehadneverseenManston。Wherethepersonsuspectedofmysteriousmoralobliquityisthepossessorofgreatphysicalandintellectualattractions，themeresenseofincongruityaddsanextrashuddertodread。Theman'sstrangebearingterrifiedAnneasithadterrifiedCytherea；forwithallthewomanAnne'sfaults，shehadnotdescendedtosuchdepthsofdepravityastowillinglyparticipateincrime。ShehadnotevenknownthatalivingwifewasbeingdisplacedtillherarrivalatKnapwaterputretreatoutofthequestion，andhadlookeduponpersonationsimplyasamodeofsubsistenceadegreebetterthantoilinginpovertyandalone，afterabustlingandsomewhatpamperedlifeashousekeeperinagaymansion。
　　'NonillacolocalathisveMinervaeFoemineasassuetamanus。'
　　2。AFTERNOON
　　Mr。RaunhamandEdwardSpringrovehadbythistimesetinmotionamachinerywhichtheyhopedtofindworkingoutimportantresults。
　　Therectorwasrestlessandfullofmeditationallthefollowingmorning。Itwasplain，eventotheservantsabouthim，thatSpringrove'scommunicationworeadeepercomplexionthananythathadbeenmadetotheoldmagistrateformanymonthsoryearspast。
　　Thefactwasthat，havingarrivedatthestageofexistenceinwhichthedifficultintellectualfeatofsuspendingone'sjudgmentbecomespossible，hewasnowputtingitinpractice，thoughnotwithoutthepenaltyofwatchfuleffort。
　　Itwasnottilltheafternoonthathedeterminedtocallonhisrelative，MissAldclyffe，andcautiouslyprobeherknowledgeofthesubjectoccupyinghimsothoroughly。Cytherea，heknew，wasstillbelovedbythissolitarywoman。MissAldclyffehadmadeseveralprivateinquiriesconcerningherformercompanion，andtherewaseverasadnessinhertonewhentheyounglady'snamewasmentioned，whichshowedthatfromwhatevercausetheelderCytherea'srenunciationofherfavouriteandnamesakeproceeded，itwasnotfromindifferencetoherfate。
　　'Haveyoueverhadanyreasonforsupposingyourstewardanythingbutanuprightman？'hesaidtothelady。
　　'Nevertheslightest。Haveyou？'saidshereservedly。
　　'Well——Ihave。'
　　'Whatisit？'
　　'Icansaynothingplainly，becausenothingisproved。Butmysuspicionsareverystrong。'
　　'Doyoumeanthathewasrathercooltowardshiswifewhentheywerefirstmarried，andthatitwasunfairinhimtoleaveher？Iknowhewas；butIthinkhisrecentconducttowardsherhasamplyatonedfortheneglect。'
　　HelookedMissAldclyffefullintheface。Itwasplainthatshespokehonestly。ShehadnottheslightestnotionthatthewomanwholivedwiththestewardmightbeotherthanMrs。Manston——muchlessthatagreatermattermightbebehind。
　　'That'snotit——Iwishitwasnomore。Mysuspicionis，first，thatthewomanlivingattheOldHouseisnotMr。Manston'swife。'
　　'Not——Mr。Manston'swife？'
　　'Thatisit。'
　　MissAldclyffelookedblanklyattherector。'NotMr。Manston'swife——whoelsecanshebe？'shesaidsimply。
　　'AnimproperwomanofthenameofAnneSeaway。'
　　Mr。Raunhamhad，incommonwithotherpeople，noticedtheextraordinaryinterestofMissAldclyffeinthewell-beingofhersteward，andhadendeavouredtoaccountforitinvariousways。Theextenttowhichshewasshakenbyhisinformation，whilstitprovedthattheunderstandingbetweenherselfandManstondidnotmakeherasharerofhissecrets，alsoshowedthatthetiewhichboundhertohimwasstillunbroken。Mr。Raunhamhadlatelybeguntodoubtthelatterfact，andnow，onfindinghimselfmistaken，regrettedthathehadnotkepthisowncounselinthematter。Thisitwastoolatetodo，andhepushedonwithhisproofs。HegaveMissAldclyffeindetailthegroundsofhisbelief。
　　Beforehehaddone，sherecoveredthecloakofreservethatshehadadoptedonhisopeningthesubject。
　　'Imightpossiblybeconvincedthatyouwereintheright，aftersuchanelaborateargument，'shereplied，'wereitnotforonefact，whichbearsinthecontrarydirectionsopointedly，thatnothingbutabsoluteproofcanturnit。Itisthatthereisnoconceivablemotivewhichcouldinduceanysaneman——leavingaloneamanofMr。
　　Manston'sclear-headednessandintegrity——toventureuponsuchanextraordinarycourseofconduct——nomotiveonearth。'
　　'Thatwasmyownopiniontillafterthevisitofafriendlastnight——afriendofmineandpoorlittleCytherea's。'
　　'Ah——andCytherea，'saidMissAldclyffe，catchingattheidearaisedbythename。'ThathelovedCytherea——yesandloveshernow，wildlyanddevotedly，IamaspositiveasthatIbreathe。CythereaisyearsyoungerthanMrs。Manston——asIshallcallher——twiceassweetindisposition，threetimesasbeautiful。Wouldhehavegivenherupquietlyandsuddenlyforacommon——Mr。Raunham，yourstoryismonstrous，andIdon'tbelieveit！'Sheglowedinherearnestness。
　　Therectormightnowhaveadvancedhissecondproposition——thepossiblemotive——butforreasonsofhisownhedidnot。
　　'Verywell，madam。Ionlyhopethatfactswillsustainyouinyourbelief。Askhimthequestiontohisface，whetherthewomanishiswifeorno，andseehowhereceivesit。'
　　'Iwillto-morrow，mostcertainly，'shesaid。'Ialwaysletthesethingsdieofwholesomeventilation，aseveryfungusdoes。'
　　Butnosoonerhadtherectorleftherpresence，thanthegrainofmustard-seedhehadsowngrewtoatree。Herimpatiencetosethermindatrestcouldnotbrookanight'sdelay。Itwaswiththeutmostdifficultythatshecouldwaittilleveningarrivedtoscreenhermovements。Immediatelythesunhaddroppedbehindthehorizon，andbeforeitwasquitedark，shewrappedhercloakaroundher，softlyleftthehouse，andwalkederectthroughthegloomyparkinthedirectionoftheoldmanor-house。
　　Thesameminutesawtwopersonssitdownintherectory-housetosharetherector'susuallysolitarydinner。Onewasamanofofficialappearance，commonplaceinallexcepthiseyes。TheotherwasEdwardSpringrove。
　　Thediscoveryofthecarefully-concealedlettersrankledinthemindofAnneSeaway。Herwoman'snatureinsistedthatManstonhadnorighttokeepallmattersconnectedwithhislostwifeasecretfromherself。Perplexityhadbredvexation；vexation，resentment；
　　curiosityhadbeencontinuous。Thewholemorningthisresentmentandcuriosityincreased。
　　Thestewardsaidverylittletohiscompanionduringtheirluncheonatmid-day。Heseemedrecklessofappearances——almostindifferenttowhateverfateawaitedhim。Allhisactionsbetrayedthatsomethingportentouswasimpending，andstillheexplainednothing。
　　Bycarefullyobservingeverytriflingaction，asonlyawomancanobservethem，thethoughtatlengthdawneduponherthathewasgoingtorunawaysecretly。Shefearedforherself；herknowledgeoflawandjusticewasvague，andshefanciedshemightinsomewaybemaderesponsibleforhim。
　　Intheafternoonhewentoutofthehouseagain，andshewatchedhimdriveawayinthedirectionofthecounty-town。Shefeltadesiretogothereherself，and，afteranintervalofhalf-an-hour，followedhimonfootnotwithstandingthedistance——ostensiblytodosomeshopping。
　　Oneamongherseveraltrivialerrandswastomakeasmallpurchaseatthedruggist's。Nearthedruggist'sstoodtheCountyBank。
　　Lookingoutoftheshopwindow，betweenthecolouredbottles，shesawManstoncomedownthestepsofthebank，intheactofwithdrawinghishandfromhispocket，andpullinghiscoatcloseoveritsmouth。
　　Itisanalmostuniversalhabitwithpeople，whenleavingabank，tobecarefullyadjustingtheirpocketsiftheyhavebeenreceivingmoney；iftheyhavebeenpayingitin，theirhandsswinglaxly。Thestewardhadinalllikelihoodbeentakingmoney——possiblyonMissAldclyffe'saccount——thatwascontinualwithhim。Andhemighthavebeenremovinghisown，asamanwoulddowhowasintendingtoleavethecountry。
　　3。FROMFIVETOEIGHTO'CLOCKP。M。
　　Annereachedhomeagainintimetopresideoverpreparationsfordinner。Manstoncameinhalf-an-hourlater。Thelampwaslighted，theshutterswereclosed，andtheysatdowntogether。Hewaspaleandworn——almosthaggard。
　　Themealpassedoffinalmostunbrokensilence。Whenpreoccupationwithstandstheinfluenceofasocialmealwithonepleasantcompanion，thementalscenemustbesurpassinglyvivid。Justasshewasrisingatapcametothedoor。
　　Beforeamaidcouldattendtotheknock，Manstoncrossedtheroomandansweredithimself。ThevisitorwasMissAldclyffe。
　　ManstoninstantlycamebackandspoketoAnneinanundertone。'I
　　shouldbegladifyoucouldretiretoyourroomforashorttime。'
　　'Itisadry，starlightevening，'shereplied。'IwillgoforalittlewalkifyourobjectismerelyaprivateconversationwithMissAldclyffe。'
　　'Verywell，do；there'snoaccountingfortastes，'hesaid。AfewcommonplacesthenpassedbetweenherandMissAldclyffe，andAnnewentupstairstobonnetandcloakherself。Shecamedown，openedthefrontdoor，andwentout。
　　Shelookedaroundtorealizethenight。Itwasdark，mournful，andquiet。Thenshestoodstill。FromthemomentthatManstonhadrequestedherabsence，astrongandburningdesirehadprevailedinhertoknowthesubjectofMissAldclyffe'sconversationwithhim。
　　Simplecuriositywasnotentirelywhatinspiredher。Hersuspicionshadbeenthoroughlyarousedbythediscoveryofthemorning。A
　　convictionthatherfuturedependedonherpowertocombatamanwho，indesperatecircumstances，wouldbefarfromafriendtoher，promptedastrategicmovementtoacquiretheimportantsecretthatwasinhandlingnow。Thewomanthoughtandthought，andregardedthedulldarktrees，anxiouslydebatinghowthethingcouldbedone。
　　Stealthilyre-openingthefrontdoorsheenteredthehall，andadvancingandpausingalternately，cameclosetothedooroftheroominwhichMissAldclyffeandManstonconversed。Nothingcouldbeheardthroughthekeyholeorpanels。Atagreatriskshesoftlyturnedtheknobandopenedthedoortoawidthofabouthalf-an-
　　inch，performingtheactsodelicatelythatthreeminutes，atleast，wereoccupiedincompletingit。AtthatinstantMissAldclyffesaid——
　　'There'sadraughtsomewhere。Thedoorisajar，Ithink。'
　　Anneglidedbackunderthestaircase。Manstoncameforwardandclosedthedoor。Thischancewasnowcutoff，andsheconsideredagain。Theparlour，orsitting-room，inwhichtheconferencetookplace，hadthewindow-shuttersfixedontheoutsideofthewindow，asisusualinthebackportionsofoldcountry-houses。Theshutterswerehingedoneoneachsideoftheopening，andmetinthemiddle，wheretheywerefastenedbyaboltpassingcontinuouslythroughthemandthewoodmullionwithin，theboltbeingsecuredontheinsidebyapin，whichwasseldominsertedtillManstonandherselfwereabouttoretireforthenight；sometimesnotatall。
　　Ifshereturnedtothedooroftheroomshemightbediscoveredatanymoment，butcouldshelistenatthewindow，whichoverlookedapartofthegardennevervisitedafternightfall，shewouldbesafefromdisturbance。Theideawasworthatrial。
　　Sheglidedroundtothewindow，tooktheheadoftheboltbetweenherfingerandthumb，andsoftlyscreweditrounduntilitwasentirelywithdrawnfromitsposition。Theshuttersremainedasbefore，whilst，wherethebolthadcomeout，wasnowashiningholethree-quartersofaninchindiameter，throughwhichonemightseeintothemiddleoftheroom。Sheappliedhereyetotheorifice。
　　MissAldclyffeandManstonwerebothstanding；Manstonwithhisbacktothewindow，hiscompanionfacingit。Thelady'sdemeanourwassevere，condemnatory，andhaughty。Nomorewastobeseen；Annethenturnedsideways，leantwithhershoulderagainsttheshuttersandplacedherearuponthehole。
　　'Youknowwhere，'saidMissAldclyffe。'Andhowcouldyou，aman，actadoubledeceitlikethis？'
　　'Mendostrangethingssometimes。'
　　'Whatwasyourreason——come？'
　　'Amerewhim。'
　　'Imightevenbelievethat，ifthewomanwerehandsomerthanCytherea，orifyouhadbeenmarriedsometimetoCythereaandhadgrowntiredofher。'
　　'Andcan'tyoubelieveit，too，undertheseconditions；thatI
　　marriedCytherea，gaveherupbecauseIheardthatmywifewasalive，foundthatmywifewouldnotcometolivewithme，andthen，nottoletanywomanIlovesowellasCytherearunanyriskofbeingdisplacedandruinedinreputation，shouldmywifeeverthinkfittoreturn，inducedthiswomantocometome，asbeingbetterthannocompanionatall？'
　　'Icannotbelieveit。YourloveforCythereawasnotofsuchakindasthatexcusewouldimply。ItwasCythereaornobodywithyou。Asanobjectofpassion，youdidnotdesirethecompanyofthisAnneSeawayatall，andcertainlynotsomuchastomadlyriskyourreputationbybringingherhereinthewayyouhavedone。Iamsureyoudidn't，AEneas。'
　　'SoamI，'hesaidbluntly。
　　MissAldclyffeutteredanexclamationofastonishment；theconfessionwaslikeablowinitssuddenness。Shebegantoreproachhimbitterly，andwithtears。
　　'Howcouldyouoverthrowmyplans，disgracetheonlygirlIeverhadanyrespectfor，bysuchinexplicabledoings！……Thatwomanmustleavethisplace——thecountryperhaps。Heavens！thetruthwillleakoutinadayortwo！'
　　'Shemustdonosuchthing，andthetruthmustbestifledsomehow——
　　nobodyknowshow。IfIstayhere，oronanyspotofthecivilizedglobe，asAEneasManston，thiswomanmustlivewithmeasmywife，orIamdamnedpastredemption！'
　　'Iwillnotcountenanceyourkeepingher，whateveryourmotivemaybe。'
　　'Youmustdosomething，'hemurmured。'Youmust。Yes，youmust。'
　　'Ineverwill，'shesaid。'Itisacriminalact。'
　　Helookedatherearnestly。'Willyounotsupportmethroughthisdeceptionifmyverylifedependsuponit？Willyounot？'
　　'Nonsense！Life！Itwillbeascandaltoyou，butshemustleavethisplace。Itwilloutsoonerorlater，andtheexposurehadbettercomenow。'
　　Manstonrepeatedgloomilythesamewords。'Mylifedependsuponyoursupportingme——myverylife。'
　　Hethencameclosetoher，andspokeintoherear。Whilsthespokeheheldherheadtohismouthwithbothhishands。Strangeexpressionscameoverherface；theworkingsofhermouthwerepainfultoobserve。Stillheheldherandwhisperedon。
　　TheonlywordsthatcouldbecaughtbyAnneSeaway，confusedasherhearingfrequentlywasbythemoanofthewindandthewaterfallinherouterear，weretheseofMissAldclyffe，intoneswhichabsolutelyquivered：'Theyhavenomoney。Whatcantheyprove？'
　　Thelistenertaskedherselftotheutmosttocatchhisanswer，butitwasinvain。OftheremainderofthecolloquyonefactalonewasplaintoAnne，andthatonlyinductively——thatMissAldclyffe，fromwhathehadrevealedtoher，wasgoingtoschemebodyandsoulonManston'sbehalf。
　　MissAldclyffeseemednowtohavenofurtherreasonforremaining，yetshelingeredawhileasiflothtoleavehim。When，finally，thecrestfallenandagitatedladymadepreparationsfordeparture，Annequicklyinsertedthebolt，ranroundtotheentrancearchway，anddownthestepsintothepark。Hereshestoodclosetothetrunkofahugelime-tree，whichabsorbedherdarkoutlineintoitsown。
　　InafewminutesshesawManston，withMissAldclyffeleaningonhisarm，crossthegladebeforeherandproceedinthedirectionofthehouse。Shewatchedthemascendtheriseandadvance，astwoblackspots，towardsthemansion。Theappearanceofanoblongspaceoflightinthedarkmassofwallsdenotedthatthedoorwasopened。
　　MissAldclyffe'soutlinebecamevisibleuponit；thedoorshutherin，andallwasdarknessagain。TheformofManstonreturningalonearosefromthegloom，andpassedbyAnneinherhiding-place。
　　Waitingoutsideaquarterofanhourlonger，thatnosuspicionofanykindmightbeexcited，Annereturnedtotheoldmanor-house。
　　4。FROMEIGHTTOELEVENO'CLOCKP。M。
　　Manstonwasveryfriendlythatevening。Itwasevidenttoher，nowthatshewasbehindthescenes，thathewasmakingdesperateeffortstodisguisetherealstateofhismind。
　　Herterrorofhimdidnotdecrease。Theysatdowntosupper，Manstonstilltalkingcheerfully。Butwhatiskeenerthantheeyeofamistrustfulwoman？Aman'scunningistoitaswasthearmourofSiseratothethintent-nail。Shefound，inspiteofhisadroitness，thathewasattemptingsomethingmorethanadisguiseofhisfeeling。Hewastryingtodistractherattention，thathemightbeunobservedinsomespecialmovementofhishands。
　　Whatamomentitwasforherthen！Thewholesurfaceofherbodybecameattentive。Sheallowedhimnochancewhatever。Weknowtheduplicatedconditionatsuchtimes——whentheexistencedividesitselfintotwo，andtheostensiblyinnocentchattererstandsinfront，likeanotherperson，tohidethetimorousspy。
　　Manstonplayedthesamegame，butmorepalpably。Themealwasnearlyoverwhenheseemedpossessedofanewideaofhowhisobjectmightbeaccomplished。Hetiltedbackhischairwithareflectiveair，andlookedsteadilyattheclockstandingagainstthewalloppositetohim。Hesaidsententiously，'Fewfacesarecapableofexpressingmorebydumbshowthanthefaceofaclock。Youmayseeiniteveryvarietyofincentive——fromthesoftestseductionstonegligencetothestrongesthintsforaction。'
　　'Well，inwhatway？'sheinquired。Hisdriftwas，asyet，quiteunintelligibletoher。
　　'Why，forinstance：lookatthecold，methodical，unromantic，business-likeairofalltheright-angledpositionsofthehands。
　　Theymakeamansetaboutworkinspiteofhimself。Thenlookatthepiquantshynessofitsfacewhenthetwohandsareovereachother。Severalattitudesimply“Makeready。“The“makeready“oftenminutestoonediffersfromthe“makeready“oftenminutestotwelve，asyouthdiffersfromage。“Upwardandonward“saystwenty-
　　fiveminutestoeleven。Mid-dayormidnightexpressesdistinctly“Itisdone。“Yousurelyhavenoticedthat？'
　　'Yes，Ihave。'
　　Hecontinuedwithaffectedquaintness：——
　　'Theeasydashoftenminutespastseven，therakishrecklessnessofaquarterpast，thedroopingwearinessoftwenty-fiveminutespast，musthavebeenobservedbyeverybody。'
　　'Whateveramountoftruththeremaybe，thereisagooddealofimaginationinyourfancy，'shesaid。
　　Hestillcontemplatedtheclock。
　　'Then，again，thegeneralfinishofthefacehasagreateffectupontheeye。Thisold-fashionedbrass-facedonewehavehere，withitsarchedtop，half-moonslitforthedayofthemonth，andshiprockingattheupperpart，impressesmewiththenotionofitsbeinganoldcynic，elevatinghisbrows，whosethoughtscanbeseenwaveringbetweengoodandevil。'
　　Athoughtnowenlightenedher：theclockwasbehindher，andhewantedtogetherbackturned。Shedreadedturning，yet，nottoexcitehissuspicion，shewasonherguard；shequicklylookedbehindherattheclockashespoke，recoveringheroldpositionagaininstantly。Thetimehadnotbeenlongenoughforanyactionwhateveronhispart。
　　'Ah，'hecasuallyremarked，andatthesameminutebegantopourheroutaglassofwine。'Speakingoftheclockhasremindedmethatitmustnearlywantwindingup。Rememberthatitiswoundto-night。
　　Supposeyoudoitatonce，mydear。'
　　Therewasnopossiblewayofevadingtheact。Sheresolutelyturnedtoperformtheoperation：anythingwasbetterthanthatheshouldsuspecther。Itwasanold-fashionedeight-dayclock，ofworkmanshipsuitedtotherestoftheantiquefurniturethatManstonhadcollectedthere，andgroundheavilyduringwinding。
　　Annehadgivenupallideaofbeingabletowatchhimduringtheinterval，andthenoiseofthewheelspreventedherlearninganythingbyherears。But，asshewound，shecaughtsightofhisshadowonthewallatherrighthand。
　　Whatwashedoing？Hewasintheveryactofpouringsomethingintoherglassofwine。
　　Hehadcompletedthemanoeuvrebeforeshehaddonewinding。Shemethodicallyclosedtheclock-caseandturnedroundagain。Whenshefacedhimhewassittinginhischairasbeforeshehadrisen。
　　Inafamiliarscenewhichhashithertobeenpleasantitisdifficulttorealizethatanaddedcondition，whichdoesnotalteritsaspect，canhavemadeitterrible。Thewomanthoughtthathisactionmusthavebeenpromptedbynootherintentthanthatofpoisoningher，andyetshecouldnotinstantlyputonafearofherposition。
　　Andbeforeshehadgraspedtheseconsequences，anothersuppositionservedtomakeherregardthefirstasunlikely，ifnotabsurd。Itwastheactofamadmantotakeherlifeinamannersoeasyofdiscovery，unlesstherewerefarmorereasonforthecrimethananythatManstoncouldpossiblyhave。
　　Wasitnotmerelyhisintention，intamperingwithherwine，tomakehersleepsoundlythatnight？Thiswasinharmonywithheroriginalsuspicion，thatheintendedsecretlytoabscond。Atanyrate，hewasgoingtosetaboutsomestealthyproceeding，astowhichshewastobekeptinutterdarkness。Thedifficultynowwastoavoiddrinkingthewine。
　　Bymeansofonepretextandanothersheputofftakingherglassfornearlyfiveminutes，butheeyedhertoofrequentlytoallowhertothrowthepotionunderthegrate。Itbecamenecessarytotakeonesip。Thisshedid，andfoundanopportunityofabsorbingitinherhandkerchief。
　　Plainlyhehadnoideaofhercountermoves。Theschemeseemedtohiminpropertrain，andheturnedtopokeoutthefire。Sheinstantlyseizedtheglass，andpoureditscontentsdownherbosom。
　　Whenhefacedroundagainshewasholdingtheglasstoherlips，empty。
　　Induecoursehelockedthedoorsandsawthattheshutterswerefastened。Sheattendedtoafewclosingdetailsofhousewifery，andafewminuteslatertheyretiredforthenight。
　　5。FROMELEVENO'CLOCKTOMIDNIGHT
　　WhenManstonwaspersuaded，bythefeignedheavinessofherbreathing，thatAnneSeawaywasasleep，hesoftlyarose，anddressedhimselfinthegloom。Withearsstrainedtotheirutmostsheheardhimcompletethisoperation；thenhetooksomethingfromhispocket，putitinthedrawerofthedressing-table，wenttothedoor，anddownthestairs。Sheglidedoutofbedandlookedinthedrawer。
　　Hehadonlyrestoredtoitsplaceasmallphialshehadseentherebefore。Itwaslabelled'Battley'sSolutionofOpium。'Shefeltrelievedthatherlifehadnotbeenattempted。Thatwastohavebeenhersleeping-draught。Notimewastobelostifshemeanttobeamatchforhim。Shefollowedhiminhernightdress。Whenshereachedthefootofthestaircasehewasintheofficeandhadclosedthedoor，underwhichafaintgleamshowedthathehadobtainedalight。Shecrepttothedoor，butcouldnotventuretoopenit，howeverslightly。Placinghereartothepanel，shecouldhearhimtearinguppapersofsomesort，andabrighterandquiveringrayoflightcomingfromthethresholdaninstantlater，impliedthathewasburningthem。Bytheslightnoiseofhisfootstepsontheuncarpetedfloor，sheatlengthimaginedthathewasapproachingthedoor。Sheflittedupstairsagainandcreptintobed。
　　Manstonreturnedtothebedroomcloseuponherheels，andenteredit——againwithoutalight。Standingmotionlessforaninstanttoassurehimselfthatshestillslept，hewenttothedrawerinwhichtheirready-moneywaskept，andremovedthecasketthatcontainedit。Anne'seardistinctlycaughttherustleofnotes，andthechinkofthegoldashehandledit。Someheplacedinhispocket，somehereturnedtoitsplace。Hestoodthinking，asitwereweighingapossibility。Whilelingeringthus，henoticedthereflectedimageofhisownfaceintheglass——paleandspectre-likeinitsindistinctness。Thesightseemedtobethefeatherwhichturnedthebalanceofindecision：hedrewaheavybreath，retiredfromtheroom，andpasseddownstairs。Sheheardhimunbartheback-door，andgooutintotheyard。
　　Feelingsafeinaconclusionthathedidnotintendtoreturntothebedroomagain，shearose，andhastilydressedherself。Ongoingtothedooroftheapartmentshefoundthathehadlockeditbehindhim。'Aprecaution——itcanbenomore，'shemuttered。Yetshewasallthemoreperplexedandexcitedonthisaccount。Hadhebeengoingtoleavehomeimmediately，hewouldscarcelyhavetakenthetroubletolockherin，holdingthebeliefthatshewasinadruggedsleep。Thelockshotintoamortice，sothattherewasnopossibilityofherpushingbackthebolt。Howshouldshefollowhim？Easily。Aninnerclosetopenedfromthebedroom：itwaslarge，andhadsometimeheretoforebeenusedasadressingorbathroom，buthadbeenfoundinconvenientfromhavingnootheroutlettothelanding。Thewindowofthislittleroomlookedoutupontheroofoftheporch，whichwasflatandcoveredwithlead。Annetookapillowfromthebed，gentlyopenedthecasementoftheinnerroomandsteppedforthontheflat。There，leaningovertheedgeofthesmallparapetthatornamentedtheporch，shedroppedthepillowuponthegravelpath，andletherselfdownovertheparapetbyherhandstillhertoesswungabouttwofeetfromtheground。Fromthispositionsheadroitlyalighteduponthepillow，andstoodinthepath。
　　Sinceshehadcomeindoorsfromherwalkintheearlypartoftheeveningthemoonhadrisen。Butthethickcloudsoverspreadingthewholelandscaperenderedthedimlightpervasiveandgrey：itappearedasanattributeoftheair。Annecreptroundtothebackofthehouse，listeningintently。Thestewardhadhadatleasttenminutes'startofher。Shehadwaitedherewhilstonemightcountfifty，whensheheardamovementintheouthouse——afragmentonceattachedtothemainbuilding。Thisouthousewaspartitionedintoanouterandaninnerroom，whichhadbeenakitchenandascullerybeforetheconnectingerectionswerepulleddown，buttheywerenowusedrespectivelyasabrewhouseandworkshop，theonlymeansofaccesstothelatterbeingthroughthebrewhouse。Theouterdoorofthisfirstapartmentwasusuallyfastenedbyapadlockontheexterior。Itwasnowclosed，butnotfastened。Manstonwasevidentlyintheouthouse。
　　Sheslightlymovedthedoor。Theinteriorofthebrewhousewaswrappedingloom，butastreakoflightfelltowardsherinalineacrossthefloorfromtheinnerorworkshopdoor，whichwasnotquiteclosed。Thislightwasunexpected，nonehavingbeenvisiblethroughholeorcrevice。Glancingin，thewomanfoundthathehadplacedclothsandmatsatthevariousapertures，andhungasackatthewindowtopreventtheegressofasingleray。Shecouldalsoperceivefromwhereshestoodthatthebaroflightfellacrossthebrewing-copperjustoutsidetheinnerdoor，andthatuponitlaythekeyofherbedroom。Theilluminatedinterioroftheworkshopwasalsopartlyvisiblefromherpositionthroughthetwohalf-opendoors。Manstonwasengagedinemptyingalargecupboardofthetools，gallipots，andoldironitcontained。Whenitwasquiteclearedhetookachisel，andwithitbegantowithdrawthehooksandshoulder-nailsholdingthecupboardtothewall。Allthesebeingloosened，heextendedhisarms，liftedthecupboardbodilyfromthebracketsunderit，anddepositeditonthefloorbesidehim。
　　Thatportionofthewallwhichhadbeenscreenedbythecupboardwasnowlaidbare。This，itappeared，hadbeenplasteredmorerecentlythanthebulkoftheouthouse。Manstonloosenedtheplasterwithsomekindoftool，flingingthepiecesintoabasketastheyfell。
　　Havingnowstrippedclearabouttwofeetareaofwall，heinsertedacrowbarbetweenthejointsofthebricksbeneath，softlywrigglingituntilseveralwereloosened。Therewasnowdisclosedthemouthofanoldoven，whichwasapparentlycontrivedinthethicknessofthewall，andhavingfallenintodisuse，hadbeenclosedupwithbricksinthismanner。Itwasformedafterthesimpleold-fashionedplanofoven-building——amereoblatecavitywithoutaflue。
　　Manstonnowstretchedhisarmintotheoven，draggedforthaheavyweightofgreatbulk，andletitslidetotheground。Thewomanwhowatchedhimcouldseetheobjectplainly。Itwasacommoncorn-
　　sack，nearlyfull，andwastiedatthemouthintheusualway。
　　Thestewardhadonceortwicestartedup，asifhehadheardsounds，andhismotionsnowbecamemorecat-likestill。Onasuddenheputoutthelight。Annehadmadenonoise，yetaforeignnoiseofsomekindhadcertainlybeenmadeintheinterveningportionofthehouse。Sheheardit。'Oneoftherats，'shethought。
　　Heseemedsoontorecoverfromhisalarm，butchangedhistacticscompletely。Hedidnotlighthiscandle——goingonwithhisworkinthedark。Shehadonlysoundstogobynow，and，judgingaswellasshecouldfromthese，hewaspilingupthebrickswhichclosedtheoven'smouthastheyhadbeenbeforehedisturbedthem。Thequerythathadnotleftherbrainalltheintervalofherinspection——howshouldshegetbackintoherbedroomagain？——nowreceivedasolution。Whilsthewasreplacingthecupboard，shewouldglideacrossthebrewhouse，takethekeyfromthetopofthecopper，runupstairs，unlockthedoor，andbringbackthekeyagain：ifhereturnedtobed，whichwasunlikely，hewouldthinkthelockhadfailedtocatchinthestaple。Thisthoughtandintention，occupyingsuchlengthofwords，flasheduponherinaninstant，andhardlydisturbedherstrongcuriositytostayandlearnthemeaningofhisactionsintheworkshop。
　　Slippingsidewaysthroughthefirstdoorandclosingitbehindher，sheadvancedintothedarknesstowardsthesecond，makingeveryindividualfootfallwiththegreatestcare，lestthefragmentsofrubbishonthefloorshouldcracklebeneathhertread。Shesoonstoodclosebythecopper，andnotmorethanafootfromthedooroftheroomoccupiedbyManstonhimself，fromwhichpositionshecoulddistinctlyhearhimbreathebetweeneachexertion，althoughitwasfartoodarktodiscernanythingofhim。
　　Tosecurethekeyofherchamberwasherfirstanxiety，andaccordinglyshecautiouslyreachedoutwithherhandtowhereitlay。Insteadoftouchingit，herfingerscameincontactwiththebootofahumanbeing。
　　Shedroopedfaintinacoldsweat。Itwasthefooteitherofamanorwoman，standingonthebrewing-copperwherethekeyhadlain。A
　　warmfoot，coveredwithapolishedboot。
　　Thestartlingdiscoverysoterrifiedherthatshecouldhardlyrepressasound。Shewithdrewherhandwithamotionliketheflightofanarrow。Hertouchwassolightthattheleatherseemedtohavebeenthickenoughtokeeptheownerofthefootinentireignoranceofit，andthenoiseofManston'sscrapingmighthavebeenquitesufficienttodrowntheslightrustleofherdress。
　　Thepersonwasobviouslynotthesteward：hewasstillbusy。Itwassomebodywho，sincethelighthadbeenextinguished，hadtakenadvantageofthegloom，tocomefromsomedarkrecessinthebrewhouseandstanduponthebrickworkofthecopper。Thefearwhichhadatfirstparalyzedherlessenedwiththebirthofasensethatfearnowwasutterfailure：shewasinadesperatepositionandmustabidebytheconsequences。Themotionlesspersononthecopperwas，equallywithManston，quiteunconsciousofherproximity，andsheventuredtoadvanceherhandagain，feelingbehindthefeet，tillshefoundthekey。Onitsreturntoherside，herfinger-tipskimmedthelowervergeofatrousers-leg。
　　Itwasaman，then，whostoodthere。Togotothedoorjustatthistimewasimpolitic，andsheshrankbackintoaninnercornertowait。Thecomparativesecurityfromdiscoverythathernewpositionensuredresuscitatedreasonalittle，andempoweredhertoformsomelogicalinferences：——
　　1。Themanwhostoodonthecopperhadtakenadvantageofthedarknesstogetthere，asshehadtoenter。
　　2。Themanmusthavebeenhiddenintheouthousebeforeshehadreachedthedoor。
　　3。HemustbewatchingManstonwithmuchcalculationandsystem，andforpurposesofhisown。
　　ShecouldnowtellbythenoisesthatManstonhadcompletedhisre-
　　erectionofthecupboard。Sheheardhimreplacingthearticlesithadcontained——bottlebybottle，toolbytool——afterwhichhecameintothebrewhouse，wenttothewindow，andpulleddowntheclothscoveringit；butthewindowbeingrathersmall，thisunveilingscarcelyrelievedthedarknessoftheinterior。Hereturnedtotheworkshop，hoistedsomethingtohisbackbyajerk，andfeltabouttheroomforsomeotherarticle。Havingfoundit，heemergedfromtheinnerdoor，crossedthebrewhouse，andwentintotheyard。
　　Directlyhesteppedoutshecouldseehisoutlinebythelightofthecloudedandweaklymoon。Thesackwasslungathisback，andinhishandhecarriedaspade。
　　Annenowwaitedinhercornerinbreathlesssuspensefortheproceedingsoftheotherman。Inabouthalf-a-minutesheheardhimdescendfromthecopper，andthenthesquareopeningofthedoorwayshowedtheoutlineofthisotherwatcherpassingthroughitlikewise。Theformwasthatofabroad-shoulderedmanenvelopedinalongcoat。Hevanishedafterthesteward。
　　Thewomanventedasighofrelief，andmovedforwardtofollow。
　　Simultaneously，shediscoveredthatthewatcherwhosefootshehadtouchedwas，inhisturn，watchedandfollowedalso。
　　Itwasbyoneofherownsex。AnneSeawayshrankbackwardagain。
　　Theunknownwomancameforwardfromthefurthersideoftheyard，andponderedawhileinhesitation。Tall，dark，andcloselywrapped，shestoodupfromtheearthlikeacypress。Shemoved，crossedtheyardwithoutproducingtheslightestdisturbancebyherfootsteps，andwentinthedirectiontheothershadtaken。
　　Annewaitedyetanotherminute——theninherturnnoiselesslyfollowedthelastwoman。
　　Butsoimpressedwasshewiththesensationofpeopleinhiding，thatincomingoutoftheyardsheturnedherheadtoseeifanypersonwerefollowingher，inthesameway。Nobodywasvisible，butshediscerned，standingbehindtheangleofthestable，Manston'shorseandgig，readyharnessed。
　　Hedidintendtoflyafterall，then，shethought。Hemusthaveplacedthehorseinreadiness，intheintervalbetweenhisleavingthehouseandherexitbythewindow。However，therewasnottimetoweighthisbranchofthenight'sevents。Sheturnedaboutagain，andcontinuedonthetrailoftheotherthree。
　　6。FROMMIDNIGHTTOHALF-PASTONEA。M。
　　Intentnesspervadedeverything；Nightherselfseemedtohavebecomeawatcher。
　　Thefourpersonsproceededacrosstheglade，andintotheparkplantation，atequi-distancesofaboutseventyyards。Heretheground，completelyoverhungbythefoliage，wascoatedwithathickmosswhichwasassoftasvelvetbeneaththeirfeet。Thefirstwatcher，thatis，themanwalkingimmediatelybehindManston，nowfellback，whenManston'shousekeeper，knowingthegroundprettywell，divedcircuitouslyamongthetreesandgotdirectlybehindthesteward，who，encumberedwithhisload，hadproceededbutslowly。
　　TheotherwomanseemednowtobeaboutoppositetoAnne，oralittleinadvance，butonManston'sotherhand。
　　Hereachedapit，midwaybetweenthewaterfallandtheengine-house。
　　Therehestopped，wipedhisface，andlistened。
　　Intothispithaddrifteduncountedgenerationsofwitheredleaves，halffillingit。Oak，beech，andchestnut，rottenandbrownalike，mingledthemselvesinonefibrousmass。Manstondescendedintothemidstofthem，placedhissackontheground，andrakingtheleavesasideintoalargeheap，begandigging。Annesoftlydrewnearer，creptintoabush，andturningherheadtosurveytherest，missedthemanwhohaddroppedbehind，andwhomwehavecalledthefirstwatcher。Concludingthathe，too，hadhiddenhimself，sheturnedherattentiontothesecondwatcher，theotherwoman，whohadmeanwhileadvancedneartowhereAnnelayinhiding，andnowseatedherselfbehindatree，stillclosertothestewardthanwasAnneSeaway。
　　HereandthusAnneremainedconcealed。Thecrunchofthesteward'sspade，asitcutintothesoftvegetablemould，wasplainlyperceptibletoherearswhentheperiodiccessationsbetweenthecreaksoftheengineconcurredwithalullinthebreeze，whichotherwisebroughtthesubduedroarofthecascadefromthefurthersideofthebankthatscreenedit。Alargehole——somefourorfivefeetdeep——hadbeenexcavatedbyManstoninabouttwentyminutes。
　　Intothisheimmediatelyplacedthesack，andthenbeganfillingintheearth，andtreadingitdown。Lastlyhecarefullyrakedthewholemassofdeadanddryleavesintothemiddleofthepit，buryingthegroundwiththemastheyhadburieditbefore。
　　Forahiding-placethespotwasunequalled。Thethickaccumulationofleaves，whichhadnotbeendisturbedforcenturies，mightnotbedisturbedagainforcenturiestocome，whilsttheirlowerlayersstilldecayedandaddedtothemouldbeneath。
　　Bythetimethisworkwasendedtheskyhadgrownclearer，andAnnecouldnowseedistinctlythefaceoftheotherwoman，stretchingfrombehindthetree，seeminglyforgetfulofherpositioninherintensecontemplationoftheactionsofthesteward。Hercountenancewaswhiteandmotionless。
　　ItwasimpossiblethatManstonshouldnotsoonnoticeher。Atthecompletionofhislabourheturned，anddidso。
　　'Ho——youhere！'heexclaimed。
　　'Don'tthinkIamaspyuponyou，'shesaid，inanimploringwhisper。AnnerecognizedthevoiceasMissAldclyffe's。
　　Thetremblingladyaddedhastilyanotherremark，whichwasdrownedintherecurringcreakoftheenginecloseathandThefirstwatcher，ifhehadcomenonearerthanhisoriginalposition，wastoofarofftohearanypartofthisdialogue，onaccountoftheroarofthefallingwater，whichcouldreachhimunimpededbythebank。
　　TheremarkofMissAldclyffetoManstonhadplainlybeenconcerningthefirstwatcher，forManston，withhisspadeinhishand，instantlyrushedtowherethemanwasconcealed，and，beforethelattercoulddisengagehimselffromtheboughs，thestewardstruckhimontheheadwiththebladeoftheinstrument。Themanfelltotheground。
　　'Fly！'saidMissAldclyffetoManston。Manstonvanishedamidstthetrees。MissAldclyffewentoffinacontrarydirection。
　　AnneSeawaywasabouttorunawaylikewise，whensheturnedandlookedatthefallenman。Helayonhisface，motionless。
　　Manyofthesewomenwhoowntonomoralcodeshowconsiderablemagnanimitywhentheyseepeopleintrouble。Toactrightsimplybecauseitisone'sdutyisproper；butagoodactionwhichistheresultofnolawofreflectionshinesmorethanany。Shewentuptohimandgentlyturnedhimover，uponwhichhebegantoshowsignsoflife。Byherassistancehewassoonabletostandupright。
　　Helookedabouthimwithabewilderedair，endeavouringtocollecthisideas。'Whoareyou？'hesaidtothewoman，mechanically。
　　Itwasbadpolicynowtoattemptdisguise。'IamthesupposedMrs。
　　Manston，'shesaid。'Whoareyou？'
　　'IamtheofficeremployedbyMr。Raunhamtosiftthismystery——
　　whichmaybecriminal。'Hestretchedhislimbs，pressedhishead，andseemedgraduallytoawaketoasenseofhavingbeenincautiousinhisutterance。'NeveryoumindwhoIam，'hecontinued。'Well，itdoesn'tmatternow，either——itwillnolongerbeasecret。'
　　Hestoopedforhishatandraninthedirectionthestewardhadtaken——comingbackagainafterthelapseofaminute。
　　'It'sonlyanaggravatedassault，afterall，'hesaidhastily，'untilwehavefoundoutforcertainwhat'sburiedhere。Itmaybeonlyabagofbuildingrubbish；butitmaybemore。Comeandhelpmedig。'Heseizedthespadewiththeawkwardnessofatownman，andwentintothepit，continuingamuttereddiscourse。'It'snousemyrunningafterhimsingle-handed，'hesaid。'He'seversofaroffbythistime。Thebeststepistoseewhatishere。'
　　Itwasfareasierforthedetectivetore-opentheholethanithadbeenforManstontoformit。Theleaveswererakedaway，theloamthrownout，andthesackdraggedforth。
　　'Holdthis，'hesaidtoAnne，whosecuriositystillkeptherstandingnear。Heturnedonthelightofadarklanternhehadbrought，andgaveitintoherhand。
　　Thestringwhichboundthemouthofthesackwasnowcut。Theofficerlaidthebagonitsside，seizeditbythebottom，andjerkedforththecontents。Alargepackagewasdisclosed，carefullywrappedupinimpervioustarpaulin，alsowelltied。Hewasonthepointofpullingopenthefoldsatoneend，whenalightcolouredthreadofsomething，hangingontheoutside，arrestedhiseye。Heputhishanduponit；itfeltstringy，andadheredtohisfingers。
　　'Holdthelightclose，'hesaid。
　　Shehelditclose。Heraisedhishandtotheglass，andtheybothpeeredatanalmostintangiblefilamentheheldbetweenhisfingerandthumb。Itwasalonghair；thehairofawoman。
　　'God！Icouldn'tbelieveit——no，Icouldn'tbelieveit！'thedetectivewhispered，horror-struck。'AndIhavelostthemanforthepresentthroughmyunbelief。Let'sgetintoashelteredplace……NowwaitaminutewhilstIproveit。'
　　Hethrusthishandintohiswaistcoatpocket，andwithdrewthenceaminutepacketofbrownpaper。Spreadingitouthedisclosed，coiledinthemiddle，anotherlonghair。Itwasthehairtheclerk'swifehadfoundonManston'spillowninedaysbeforetheCarrifordfire。
　　Heheldthetwohairstothelight：theywerebothofapale-brownhue。Helaidthemparallelandstretchedouthisarms：theywereofthesamelengthtoanicety。ThedetectiveturnedtoAnne。
　　'Itisthebodyofhisfirstwife，'hesaidquietly。'Hemurderedher，asMr。Springroveandtherectorsuspected——buthowandwhen，Godonlyknows。'
　　'AndI！'exclaimedAnneSeaway，aprobableandnaturalsequenceofeventsandmotivesexplanatoryofthewholecrime——eventsandmotivesshadowedforthbytheletter，Manston'spossessionofit，hisrenunciationofCytherea，andinstalmentofherself——flashinguponhermindwiththerapidityoflightning。
　　'Ah——Isee，'saidthedetective，standingunusuallyclosetoher：
　　andahandcuffwasonherwrist。'Youmustcomewithme，madam。
　　KnowingasmuchaboutasecretmurderasGodknowsisaverysuspiciousthing：itdoesn'tmakeyouagoddess——farfromit。'Hedirectedthebull's-eyeintoherface。
　　'Pooh——leadon，'shesaidscornfully，'anddon'tloseyourprincipalactorforthesakeoftorturingapoorsubordinatelikeme。'
　　Heloosenedherhand，gaveherhisarm，anddraggedheroutofthegrove——makingherrunbesidehimtilltheyhadreachedtherectory。
　　Alightwasburninghere，andanauxiliaryofthedetective'sawaitinghim：ahorsereadyharnessedtoaspring-cartwasstandingoutside。
　　'Youhavecome——IwishIhadknownthat，'thedetectivesaidtohisassistant，hurriedlyandangrily。'Well，we'veblundered——he'sgone——youshouldhavebeenhere，asIsaid！Iwassoldbythatwoman，MissAldclyffe——shewatchedme。'Hehastilygavedirectionsinanundertonetothisman。Theconcludingwordswere，'Gointotherector——he'sup。DetainMissAldclyffe。I，inthemeantime，amdrivingtoCasterbridgewiththisone，andforhelp。Weshallbesuretohavehimwhenitgetslight。'
　　HeassistedAnneintothevehicle，anddroveoffwithher。Astheywent，theclear，dryroadshowedbeforethem，betweenthegrassyquartersateachside，likeawhiteriband，andmadetheirprogresseasy。Theycametoaspotwherethehighwaywasoverhungbydensefirsforsomedistanceonbothsides。Itwastotallydarkhere。
　　Therewasasmash；andarudeshock。Intheverymidstofitslength，atthepointwheretheroadbegantodropdownahill，thedetectivedroveagainstsomethingwithajerkwhichnearlyflungthembothtotheground。
　　Themanrecoveredhimself，placedAnneontheseat，andreachedouthishand。Hefoundthattheoff-wheelofhisgigwaslockedinthatofanotherconveyanceofsomekind。
　　'Hoy！'saidtheofficer。
　　Nobodyanswered。
　　'Hoy，youmanasleepthere！'hesaidagain。
　　Noreply。
　　'Well，that'sodd——thiscomesofthefollyoftravellingwithoutgig-lampsbecauseyouexpectthedawn。'Hejumpedtothegroundandturnedonhislantern。
　　Therewasthegigwhichhadobstructedhim，standinginthemiddleoftheroad；ajadedhorseharnessedtoit，butnohumanbeinginornearthevehicle。
　　'Doyouknowwhosegigthisis？'hesaidtothewoman。
　　'No，'shesaidsullenly。Butshedidrecognizeitasthesteward's。
　　'I'llswearit'sManston's！Come，Icanhearitbyyourtone。
　　However，youneedn'tsayanythingwhichmaycriminateyou。Whatforethoughtthemanmusthavehad——howcarefullyhemusthaveconsideredpossiblecontingencies！Why，hemusthavegotthehorseandgigreadybeforehebeganshiftingthebody。'
　　Helistenedforasoundamongthetrees。Nonewastobeheardbuttheoccasionalscamperofarabbitoverthewitheredleaves。Hethrewthelightofhislanternthroughagapinthehedge，butcouldseenothingbeyondanimpenetrablethicket。ItwasclearthatManstonwasnotmanyyardsoff，butthequestionwashowtofindhim。Nothingcouldbedonebythedetectivejustthen，encumberedashewasbythehorseandAnne。Ifhehadenteredthethicketonasearchunaided，Manstonmighthavesteppedunobservedfrombehindabushandmurderedhimwiththegreatestease。Indeed，thereweresuchstrongreasonsfortheexploitinManston'scircumstancesatthatmomentthatwithoutshowingcowardice，hispursuerfeltithazardoustoremainanylongerwherehestood。
　　HehastilytiedtheheadofManston'shorsetothebackofhisownvehicle，thatthestewardmightbedeprivedoftheuseofanymeansofescapeotherthanhisownlegs，anddroveonthuswithhisprisonertothecounty-town。Arrivedthere，helodgedherinthepolice-station，andthentookimmediatestepsforthecaptureofManston。
　　XX。THEEVENTSOFTHREEHOURS
　　1。MARCHTHETWENTY-THIRD。MIDDAY
　　Thirty-sixhourshadelapsedsinceManston'sescape。
　　Itwasmarket-dayatthecounty-town。Thefarmersoutsideandinsidethecorn-exchangelookedattheirsamplesofwheat，andpouredthemcriticallyasusualfromonepalmtoanother，buttheythoughtandspokeofManston。Grocersservingbehindtheircounters，insteadofusingtheirconstantphrase，'Thenextarticle，please？'substituted，'Haveyouheardifhe'scaught？'Dairymenanddroversstandingbesidethesheepandcattlepens，spreadtheirlegsfirmly，readjustedtheirhats，thrusttheirhandsintothelowestdepthsoftheirpockets，regardedtheanimalswiththeutmostkeennessofwhichtheeyewascapable，andsaid，'Ay，ay，so's：
　　they'llhavehimavorenight。'
　　LaterinthedayEdwardSpringrovepassedalongthestreethurriedlyandanxiously。'Well，haveyouheardanymore？'hesaidtoanacquaintancewhoaccostedhim。
　　'Theytrackedhiminthisway，'saidtheotheryoungman。'A
　　vagrantfirsttoldthemthatManstonhadpassedarickatdaybreak，underwhichthismanwaslying。Theyfollowedthetrackhepointedoutandultimatelycametoastile。Ontheothersidewasaheapofhalf-hardenedmud，scrapedfromtheroad。Onthesurfaceoftheheap，whereithadbeensmoothedbytheshovel，wasdistinctlyimprintedtheformofaman'shand，thebuttonsofhiswaistcoat，andhiswatch-chain，showingthathehadstumbledinhurryingoverthestile，andfallenthere。ThepatternofthechainprovedthemantohavebeenManston。Theyfollowedontilltheyreachedafordcrossedbystepping-stones——onthefurtherbankwerethesamefootmarksthathadshownthemselvesbesidethestile。ThewholeofthiscoursehadbeeninthedirectionofBudmouth。Ontheywent，andthenextcluewasfurnishedthembyashepherd。Hesaidthatwhereveraclearspacethreeorfouryardswideraninalinethroughaflockofsheeplyingaboutaewe-lease，itwasaproofthatsomebodyhadpassedtherenotmorethanhalf-an-hourearlier。
　　Attwelveo'clockthatdayhehadnoticedsuchafeatureinhisflock。Nothingmorecouldbeheardofhim，andtheygotintoBudmouth。Thesteam-packettotheChannelIslandswastostartatelevenlastnight，andtheyatonceconcludedthathishopewastogettoFrancebywayofJerseyandSt。Malo——hisonlychance，alltherailway-stationsbeingwatched。
　　'Well，theywenttotheboat：hewasnotonboardthen。Theywentagainathalf-pastten：hehadnotcome。Twomennowplacedthemselvesunderthelampimmediatelybesidethegangway。Anotherstayedbytheofficedoor，andoneortwomoreupMaryStreet——thestraightcuttothequay。Ataquartertoeleventhemail-bagswereputonboard。Whilsttheattentionoftheidlerswasdirectedtothemails，downMaryStreetcameamanasboldlyaspossible。ThegaitwasManston's，butnottheclothes。Hepassedovertotheshadedpartofthestreet：headswereturned。Isupposethiswarnedhim，forheneveremergedfromtheshadow。Theywatchedandwaited，butthestewarddidnotreappear。Thealarmwasraised——
　　theysearchedthetownhighandlow——noManston。Allthismorningtheyhavebeensearching，butthere'snotasignofhimanywhere。
　　However，hehaslosthislastchanceofgettingacrosstheChannel。
　　Itisreportedthathehassincechangedclotheswithalabourer。'
　　Duringthisnarration，Edward，lostinthought，hadlethiseyesfollowashabbymaninasmock-frock，butwearinglightboots——whowasstalkingdownthestreetunderabundleofstrawwhichoverhungandconcealedhishead。Itwasaveryordinarycircumstanceforamanwithabundleofstrawonhisshouldersandoverhanginghishead，togodowntheHighStreet。Edwardsawhimcrossthebridgewhichdividedthetownfromthecountry，placehisshaggyencumbrancebythesideoftheroad，andleaveitthere。
　　Springrovenowpartedfromhisacquaintance，andwentalsointhedirectionofthebridge，andsomewaybeyondit。Asfarashecouldseestretchedtheturnpikeroad，and，whilehewaslooking，henoticedamantoleapfromthehedgeatapointtwohundred，ortwohundredandfiftyyardsahead，crosstheroad，andgothroughawicketontheotherside。Thisfigureseemedlikethatofthemanwhohadbeencarryingthebundleofstraw。Helookedatthestraw：
　　itstillstoodalone。
　　Thesubjoinedfactssprang，asitwere，intojuxtapositioninhisbrain：——
　　Manstonhadbeenseenwearingtheclothesofalabouringman——abrownsmock-frock。Sohadthisman，whoseemedotherthanalabourer，onsecondthoughts：andhehadconcealedhisfacebyhisbundleofstrawwiththegreatesteaseandnaturalness。
　　Thepaththemanhadtakenled，amongotherplaces，toTolchurch，whereCythereawasliving。
　　IfMrs。Manstonwasmurdered，assomesaid，onthenightofthefire，Cythereawasthesteward'slawfulwife。Manstonatbay，andrecklessofresults，mightrushtohiswifeandharmher。
　　ItwasahorriblesuppositionforamanwholovedCythereatoentertain；butSpringrovecouldnotresistitsinfluence。HestartedoffforTolchurch。
　　2。ONETOTWOO'CLOCKP。M。
　　Onthatself-samemid-day，whilstEdwardwasproceedingtoTolchurchbythefootpathacrossthefields，OwenGrayehadleftthevillageandwasridingalongtheturnpikeroadtothecounty-town，thathemightascertaintheexacttruthofthestrangerumourwhichhadreachedhimconcerningManston。Nottodisquiethissister，hehadsaidnothingtoherofthematter。
　　Shesatbythewindowreading。Fromherpositionshecouldseeupthelaneforadistanceofatleastahundredyards。Passers-byweresorareinthisretirednook，thattheeyesofthosewhodweltbythewaysidewereinvariablyliftedtoeveryoneontheroad，greatandsmall，astoanovelty。
　　Amaninabrownsmock-frockturnedthecornerandcametowardsthehouse。Itbeingmarket-dayatCasterbridge，thevillagewasnearlydeserted，andmorethanthis，theoldfarm-houseinwhichOwenandhissisterwerestaying，stood，ashasbeenstated，apartfromthebodyofcottages。Themandidnotlookrespectable；Cythereaaroseandboltedthedoor。
　　Unfortunatelyhewasnearenoughtoseehercrosstheroom。Headvancedtothedoor，knocked，and，receivingnoanswer，cametothewindow；henextpressedhisfaceagainsttheglass，peeringin。
　　Cytherea'sexperienceatthatmomentwasprobablyastryingaoneaseverfelltothelotofagentlewomantoendure。Sherecognizedinthepeeringfacethatofthemanshehadmarried。
　　Butnotamovementwasmadebyher，notasoundescapedher。Herfearwasgreat；buthadsheknownthetruth——thatthemanoutside，feelinghehadnothingonearthtolosebyanyact，wasinthelaststageofrecklessness，terrifiednaturemusthavegivenway。
　　'Cytherea，'hesaid，'letmecomein：Iamyourhusband。'
　　'No，'shereplied，stillnotrealizingthemagnitudeofherperil。
　　'Ifyouwanttospeaktous，waittillmybrothercomes。'
　　'O，he'snotathome？Cytherea，Ican'tlivewithoutyou！AllmysinhasbeenbecauseIloveyouso！Willyouflywithme？Ihavemoneyenoughforusboth——onlycomewithme。'
　　'Notnow——notnow。'
　　'Iamyourhusband，Itellyou，andImustcomein。'
　　'Youcannot，'shesaidfaintly。Hiswordsbegantoterrifyher。
　　'Iwill，Isay！'heexclaimed。'Willyouletmein，Iaskoncemore？'
　　'No——Iwillnot，'saidCytherea。
　　'ThenIwillletmyselfin！'heansweredresolutely。'Iwill，ifI
　　dieforit！'
　　Thewindowswereglazedinlatticepanesofleadwork，hungincasements。Hebrokeoneofthepaneswithastone，thrusthishandthroughthehole，unfastenedthelatchwhichheldthecasementclose，andbeganopeningthewindow。
　　Instantlytheshuttersflewtogetherwithaslam，andwerebarredwithdesperatequicknessbyCythereaontheinside。
　　'Damnyou！'heexclaimed。
　　Heranroundtothebackofthehouse。Hisimpatiencewasgreaternow：hethrusthisfistthroughthepantrywindowatoneblow，andopeneditinthesamewayastheformeronehadbeenopened，beforetheterror-strickengirlwasawarethathehadgoneround。Inaninstanthestoodinthepantry，advancedtothefrontroomwhereshewas，flungbacktheshutters，andheldouthisarmstoembraceher。
　　Inextremelytryingmomentsofbodilyormentalpain，Cythereaeitherflushedhotorfadedpale，accordingtothestateofherconstitutionatthemoment。Nowsheburnedlikefirefromheadtofoot，andthispreservedherconsciousness。
　　Neverbeforehadthepoorchild'snaturalagilityservedherinsuchgoodsteadasnow。Aheavyoblongtablestoodinthemiddleoftheroom。Roundthistablesheflew，keepingitbetweenherselfandManston，herlargeeyeswideopenwithterror，theirdilatedpupilsconstantlyfixeduponManston's，toreadbyhisexpressionwhetherhisnextintentionwastodarttotherightortheleft。
　　Evenhe，atthatheatedmoment，couldnotenduretheexpressionofunutterableagonywhichshonefromthatextraordinarygazeofhers。
　　IthadsurelybeengivenherbyGodasameansofdefence。Manstoncontinuedhispursuitwithaloweredeye。
　　Thepantingandmaddeneddesperado——blindtoeverythingbutthecaptureofhiswife——wentwitharushunderthetable：shewentoveritlikeabird。Hewentheavilyoverit：sheflewunderit，andwasoutattheotherside。
　　'Oneonheryouthandpliantlimbsrelies，Oneonhissinewsandhisgiantsize。'
　　Buthissuperiorstrengthwassuretotireherdowninthelong-run。
　　Shefeltherweaknessincreasingwiththequicknessofherbreath；
　　sheutteredawildscream，whichinitsheartrendingintensityseemedtoechoformiles。
　　Atthesamejunctureherhairbecameunfastened，androlleddownabouthershoulders。Theleastaccidentatsuchcriticalperiodsissufficienttoconfusetheoverwroughtintelligence。Shelostsightofhisintendeddirectionforoneinstant，andheimmediatelyoutmanoeuvredher。
　　'Atlast！myCytherea！'hecried，overturningthetable，springingoverit，seizingoneofthelongbrowntresses，pullinghertowardshim，andclaspingherround。Shewritheddownwardsbetweenhisarmsandbreast，andfellfaintingonthefloor。Forthefirsttimehisactionwasleisurely。Heliftedheruponthesofa，exclaiming，'Restthereforawhile，myfrightenedlittlebird！'
　　Andthentherewasanendofhistriumph。Hefelthimselfclutchedbythecollar，andwhizzedbackwardswiththeforceofabattering-
　　ramagainstthefireplace。Springrove，wild，red，andbreathless，hadsprunginattheopenwindow，andstoodoncemorebetweenmanandwife。
　　Manstonwasonhislegsagaininaninstant。Afieryglanceontheoneside，aglanceofpitilessjusticeontheother，passedbetweenthem。ItwasagainthemeetinginthevineyardofNaboththeJezreelite：'Hastthoufoundme，Omineenemy？Andheanswered，I
　　havefoundthee：becausethouhastsoldthyselftoworkevilinthesightoftheLord。'
　　Adesperatewrestlenowbeganbetweenthetwomen。Manstonwasthetaller，buttherewasinEdwardmuchhardtoughmusclewhichthedelicatefleshofthestewardlacked。Theyflewtogetherlikethejawsofagin。Inaminutetheywerebothonthefloor，rollingoverandover，lockedineachother'sgraspastightlyasiftheyhadbeenoneorganicbeingatwarwithitself——EdwardtryingtosecureManston'sarmswithasmallthonghehaddrawnfromhispocket，Manstontryingtoreachhisknife。
　　Twocharacteristicnoisespervadedtheapartmentthroughthismomentousspaceoftime。Onewasthesharppantingofthetwocombatants，sosimilarineachastobeundistinguishable；theotherwasthestrokeoftheirheelsandtoes，astheysmotethefloorateverycontortionofbodyorlimbs。
　　Cythereahadnotlostconsciousnessformorethanhalf-a-minute。
　　ShehadthenleaptupwithoutrecognizingthatEdwardwasherdeliverer，unfastenedthedoor，andrushedout，screamingwildly，'Come！Help！O，help！'
　　Threemenstoodnottwentyyardsoff，lookingperplexed。Theydashedforwardatherwords。'Haveyouseenashabbymanwithasmock-frockonlately？'theyinquired。Shepointedtothedoor，andranonthesameasbefore。
　　Manston，whohadjustloosenedhimselffromEdward'sgrasp，seemedatthismomenttorenouncehisintentionofpushingtheconflicttoadesperateend。'Igiveitallupforlife——dearlife！'hecried，withahoarselaugh。'Arecklessmanhasadozenlives——seehowI'llbaffleyouallyet！'
　　Herushedoutofthehouse，butnofurther。Theboastwashislast。
　　Inonehalf-minutemorehewashelplessinthehandsofhispursuers。
　　Edwardstaggeredtohisfeet，andpausedtorecoverbreath。HisthoughtshadneverforsakenCytherea，andhisfirstactnowwastohastenupthelaneafterher。Shehadnotgonefar。Hefoundherleaninguponabankbytheroadside，whereshehadflungherselfdowninsheerexhaustion。Heranupandliftedherinhisarms，andthusaidedshewasenabledtostandupright——clingingtohim。WhatwouldSpringrovehavegiventoimprintakissuponherlipsthen！
　　Theywalkedslowlytowardsthehouse。Thedistressingsensationofwhosewifeshewascouldnotentirelyquenchtheresuscitatedpleasurehefeltathergratefulrecognitionofhim，andherconfidingseizureofhisarmforsupport。Heconveyedhercarefullyintothehouse。
　　Aquarterofanhourlater，whilstshewassittinginapartiallyrecovered，half-dozingstateinanarm-chair，EdwardbesideherwaitinganxiouslytillGrayeshouldarrive，theysawaspring-cartpassthedoor。Oldanddrymud-splashesfromlong-forgottenrainsdisfigureditswheelsandsides；thevarnishandpainthadbeenscratchedanddimmed；ornamenthadlongbeenforgotteninarestlesscontemplationofuse。Threemensatontheseat，themiddleonebeingManston。Hishandswereboundinfrontofhim，hiseyesweresetdirectlyforward，hiscountenancepallid，hard，andfixed。
　　SpringrovehadtoldCythereaofManston'scrimeinafewshortwords。Henowsaidsolemnly，'Heistodie。'
　　'AndIcannotmournforhim，'sherepliedwithashudder，leaningbackandcoveringherfacewithherhands。
　　Inthesilencethatfollowedthetwoshortremarks，Springrovewatchedthecartroundthecorner，andheardtherattleofitswheelsgraduallydyingawayasitrolledinthedirectionofthecounty-town。