“Now，then，“hesaid，“tellClydewhatyoucan；buttheletterkilleth。“
　　Hesankdown，hishandshangingonthearmofthesettleliketheclawsofadeadbird，hiseyesfixedonWyant'snotebookwiththeobviousintentionofdetectinganyattemptatasurreptitioussketch。
　　Wyant，nettledatthissurveillance，anddisturbedbythespeculationswhichDoctorLombard'sstrangehouseholdexcited，satmotionlessforafewminutes，staringfirstatthepictureandthenattheblankpagesofthenote-book。ThethoughtthatDoctorLombardwasenjoyinghisdiscomfitureatlengthrousedhim，andhebegantowrite。
　　Hewasinterruptedbyaknockontheirondoor。DoctorLombardrosetounlockit，andhisdaughterentered。
　　ShebowedhurriedlytoWyant，withoutlookingathim。
　　“Father，hadyouforgottenthatthemanfromMonteAmiatowastocomebackthismorningwithanansweraboutthebas-relief？Heisherenow；hesayshecan'twait。“
　　“Thedevil！”criedherfatherimpatiently。“Didn'tyoutellhim——“
　　“Yes；buthesayshecan'tcomeback。Ifyouwanttoseehimyoumustcomenow。“
　　“Thenyouthinkthere'sachance？——“
　　Shenodded。
　　HeturnedandlookedatWyant，whowaswritingassiduously。
　　“Youwillstayhere，Sybilla；Ishallbebackinamoment。“
　　Hehurriedout，lockingthedoorbehindhim。
　　Wyanthadlookedup，wonderingifMissLombardwouldshowanysurpriseatbeinglockedinwithhim；butitwashisturntobesurprised，forhardlyhadtheyheardthekeywithdrawnwhenshemovedclosetohim，hersmallfacepaleandtumultuous。
　　“Iarrangedit——Imustspeaktoyou，“shegasped。“He'llbebackinfiveminutes。“
　　Hercourageseemedtofail，andshelookedathimhelplessly。
　　Wyanthadasenseofsteppingamongexplosives。Heglancedabouthimattheduskyvaultedroom，atthehauntingsmileofthestrangepictureoverhead，andatthepink-and-whitegirlwhisperingofconspiraciesinavoicemeanttoexchangeplatitudeswithacurate。
　　“HowcanIhelpyou？”hesaidwitharushofcompassion。
　　“Oh，ifyouwould！Ineverhaveachancetospeaktoanyone；
　　it'ssodifficult——hewatchesme——he'llbebackimmediately。“
　　“TrytotellmewhatIcando。“
　　“Idon'tdare；Ifeelasifhewerebehindme。“Sheturnedaway，fixinghereyesonthepicture。Asoundstartledher。“Therehecomes，andIhaven'tspoken！Itwasmyonlychance；butitbewildersmesotobehurried。“
　　“Idon'thearanyone，“saidWyant，listening。“Trytotellme。“
　　“HowcanImakeyouunderstand？Itwouldtakesolongtoexplain。“Shedrewadeepbreath，andthenwithaplunge——“Willyoucomehereagainthisafternoon——ataboutfive？”shewhispered。
　　“Comehereagain？”
　　“Yes——youcanasktoseethepicture，——makesomeexcuse。Hewillcomewithyou，ofcourse；Iwillopenthedoorforyou——and——andlockyoubothin“——shegasped。
　　“Lockusin？”
　　“Yousee？Youunderstand？It'stheonlywayformetoleavethehouse——ifIamevertodoit“——Shedrewanotherdifficultbreath。“Thekeywillbereturned——byasafeperson——inhalfanhour，——perhapssooner——“
　　Shetrembledsomuchthatshewasobligedtoleanagainstthesettleforsupport。
　　“Wyantlookedathersteadily；hewasverysorryforher。
　　“Ican't，MissLombard，“hesaidatlength。
　　“Youcan't？”
　　“I'msorry；Imustseemcruel；butconsider——“
　　Hewasstoppedbythefutilityoftheword：aswellaskahuntedrabbittopauseinitsdashforahole！
　　Wyanttookherhand；itwascoldandnerveless。
　　“IwillserveyouinanywayIcan；butyoumustseethatthiswayisimpossible。Can'tItalktoyouagain？Perhaps——“
　　“Oh，“shecried，startingup，“therehecomes！”
　　DoctorLombard'sstepsoundedinthepassage。
　　Wyantheldherfast。“Tellmeonething：hewon'tletyousellthepicture？”
　　“No——hush！”
　　“Makenopledgesforthefuture，then；promisemethat。“
　　“Thefuture？”
　　“Incaseheshoulddie：yourfatherisanoldman。Youhaven'tpromised？”
　　Sheshookherhead。
　　“Don't，then；rememberthat。“
　　Shemadenoanswer，andthekeyturnedinthelock。
　　Ashepassedoutofthehouse，itsscowlingcorniceandfacadeofravagedbricklookeddownonhimwiththestartlingnessofastrangeface，seenmomentarilyinacrowd，andimpressingitselfonthebrainaspartofaninevitablefuture。Abovethedoorway，themarblehandreachedoutlikethecryofanimprisonedanguish。
　　Wyantturnedawayimpatiently。
　　“Rubbish！”hesaidtohimself。“SHEisn'twalledin；shecangetoutifshewantsto。“
　　IV
　　WyanthadanynumberofplansforcomingtoMissLombard'said：
　　hewaselaboratingthetwentiethwhen，onthesameafternoon，hesteppedintotheexpresstrainforFlorence。BythetimethetrainreachedCertaldohewasconvincedthat，inthushasteninghisdeparture，hehadfollowedtheonlyreasonablecourse；atEmpoli，hebegantoreflectthatthepriestandtheLevitehadprobablyjustifiedthemselvesinmuchthesamemanner。
　　Amonthlater，afterhisreturntoEngland，hewasunexpectedlyrelievedfromthesealternativesofextenuationandapproval。A
　　paragraphinthemorningpaperannouncedthesuddendeathofDoctorLombard，thedistinguishedEnglishdilettantewhohadlongresidedinSiena。Wyant'sjustificationwascomplete。Ourblindestimpulsesbecomeevidenceofperspicacitywhentheyfallinwiththecourseofevents。
　　Wyantcouldnowcomfortablyspeculateontheparticularcomplicationsfromwhichhisforesighthadprobablysavedhim。
　　Theclimaxwasunexpectedlydramatic。MissLombard，onthebrinkofastepwhich，whateveritsissue，wouldhaveburdenedherwithretrospectivecompunction，hadbeensetfreebeforehersuitor'sardorcouldhavehadtimetocool，andwasnowdoubtlessplanningalifeofdomesticfelicityontheproceedsoftheLeonardo。Onething，however，struckWyantasodd——hesawnomentionofthesaleofthepicture。Hehadscannedthepapersforanimmediateannouncementofitstransfertooneofthegreatmuseums；butpresentlyconcludingthatMissLombard，outoffilialpiety，hadwishedtoavoidanappearanceofunseemlyhasteinthedisposalofhertreasure，hedismissedthematterfromhismind。Otheraffairshappenedtoengagehim；themonthsslippedby，andgraduallytheladyandthepicturedweltlessvividlyinhismind。
　　Itwasnottillfiveorsixyearslater，whenchancetookhimagaintoSiena，thattherecollectionstartedfromsomeinnerfoldofmemory。Hefoundhimself，asithappened，attheheadofDoctorLombard'sstreet，andglancingdownthatgrimthoroughfare，caughtanobliqueglimpseofthedoctor'shousefront，withtheDeadHandprojectingaboveitsthreshold。
　　Thesightrevivedhisinterest，andthatevening，overanadmirablefrittata，hequestionedhislandladyaboutMissLombard'smarriage。
　　“ThedaughteroftheEnglishdoctor？Butshehasnevermarried，signore。“
　　“Nevermarried？What，then，becameofCountOttaviano？”
　　“Foralongtimehewaited；butlastyearhemarriedanobleladyoftheMaremma。“
　　“Butwhathappened——whywasthemarriagebroken？”
　　Thelandladyenactedapantomimeofbaffledinterrogation。
　　“AndMissLombardstilllivesinherfather'shouse？”
　　“Yes，signore；sheisstillthere。“
　　“AndtheLeonardo——“
　　“TheLeonardo，also，isstillthere。“
　　Thenextday，asWyantenteredtheHouseoftheDeadHand，herememberedCountOttaviano'sinjunctiontoringtwice，andsmiledmournfullytothinkthatsomuchsubtletyhadbeenvain。Butwhatcouldhavepreventedthemarriage？IfDoctorLombard'sdeathhadbeenlongdelayed，timemighthaveactedasadissolvent，ortheyounglady'sresolvehavefailed；butitseemedimpossiblethatthewhiteheatofardorinwhichWyanthadlefttheloversshouldhavecooledinafewshortweeks。
　　Asheascendedthevaultedstairwaytheatmosphereoftheplaceseemedareplytohisconjectures。Thesamenumbingairfellonhim，likeanemanationfromsomepersistentwill-power，asomethingfierceandimminentwhichmightreducetoimpotenceeveryimpulsewithinitsrange。Wyantcouldalmostfancyahandonhisshoulder，guidinghimupwardwiththeironicalintentofconfrontinghimwiththeevidenceofitswork。
　　Astrangeservantopenedthedoor，andhewaspresentlyintroducedtothetapestriedroom，where，fromtheirusualseatsinthewindow，Mrs。Lombardandherdaughteradvancedtowelcomehimwithfaintejaculationsofsurprise。
　　Bothhadgrownoddlyold，butinadry，smoothway，asfruitsmightshrivelonashelfinsteadofripeningonthetree。Mrs。
　　Lombardwasstillknitting，andpausingnowandthentowarmherswollenhandsabovethebrazier；andMissLombard，inrising，hadlaidasideastripofneedle-workwhichmighthavebeenthesameonwhichWyanthadfirstseenherengaged。
　　Theirvisitorinquireddiscreetlyhowtheyhadfaredintheinterval，andlearnedthattheyhadthoughtofreturningtoEngland，buthadsomehowneverdoneso。
　　“Iamsorrynottoseemyauntsagain，“Mrs。Lombardsaidresignedly；“butSybillathinksitbestthatweshouldnotgothisyear。“
　　“Nextyear，perhaps，“murmuredMissLombard，inavoicewhichseemedtosuggestthattheyhadagreatwasteoftimetofill。
　　Shehadreturnedtoherseat，andsatbendingoverherwork。Herhairenvelopedherheadinthesamethickbraids，buttherosecolorofhercheekshadturnedtoblotchesofdullred，likesomepigmentwhichhasdarkenedindrying。
　　“AndProfessorClyde——ishewell？”Mrs。Lombardaskedaffably；
　　continuing，asherdaughterraisedastartledeye：“Surely，Sybilla，Mr。WyantwasthegentlemanwhowassentbyProfessorClydetoseetheLeonardo？”
　　MissLombardwassilent，butWyanthastenedtoassuretheelderladyofhisfriend'swell-being。
　　“Ah——perhaps，then，hewillcomebacksomedaytoSiena，“shesaid，sighing。Wyantdeclaredthatitwasmorethanlikely；andthereensuedapause，whichhepresentlybrokebysayingtoMissLombard：“Andyoustillhavethepicture？”
　　Sheraisedhereyesandlookedathim。“Shouldyouliketoseeit？”sheasked。
　　Onhisassenting，sherose，andextractingthesamekeyfromthesamesecretdrawer，unlockedthedoorbeneaththetapestry。Theywalkeddownthepassageinsilence，andshestoodasidewithagravegesture，makingWyantpassbeforeherintotheroom。Thenshecrossedoveranddrewthecurtainbackfromthepicture。
　　Thelightoftheearlyafternoonpouredfullonit：itssurfaceappearedtorippleandheavewithafluidsplendor。Thecolorshadlostnoneoftheirwarmth，theoutlinesnoneoftheirpureprecision；itseemedtoWyantlikesomemagicalflowerwhichhadburstsuddenlyfromthemouldofdarknessandoblivion。
　　HeturnedtoMissLombardwithamovementofcomprehension。
　　“Ah，Iunderstand——youcouldn'tpartwithit，afterall！”hecried。
　　“No——Icouldn'tpartwithit，“sheanswered。
　　“It'stoobeautiful，——toobeautiful，“——heassented。
　　“Toobeautiful？”Sheturnedonhimwithacuriousstare。“I
　　haveneverthoughtitbeautiful，youknow。“
　　Hegavebackthestare。“Youhavenever——“
　　Sheshookherhead。“It'snotthat。Ihateit；I'vealwayshatedit。Buthewouldn'tletme——hewillneverletmenow。“
　　Wyantwasstartledbyheruseofthepresenttense。Herlooksurprisedhim，too：therewasastrangefixityofresentmentinherinnocuouseye。Wasitpossiblethatshewaslaboringundersomedelusion？Ordidthepronounnotrefertoherfather？
　　“YoumeanthatDoctorLombarddidnotwishyoutopartwiththepicture？”
　　“No——hepreventedme；hewillalwayspreventme。“
　　Therewasanotherpause。“Youpromisedhim，then，beforehisdeath——“
　　“No；Ipromisednothing。Hediedtoosuddenlytomakeme。“Hervoicesanktoawhisper。“Iwasfree——perfectlyfree——orI
　　thoughtIwastillItried。“
　　“Tillyoutried？”
　　“Todisobeyhim——tosellthepicture。ThenIfounditwasimpossible。Itriedagainandagain；buthewasalwaysintheroomwithme。“
　　Sheglancedoverhershoulderasthoughshehadheardastep；andtoWyant，too，foramoment，theroomseemedfullofathirdpresence。
　　“Andyoucan't“——hefaltered，unconsciouslydroppinghisvoicetothepitchofhers。
　　Sheshookherhead，gazingathimmystically。“Ican'tlockhimout；Icanneverlockhimoutnow。ItoldyouIshouldneverhaveanotherchance。“
　　Wyantfeltthechillofherwordslikeacoldbreathinhishair。
　　“Oh“——hegroaned；butshecuthimoffwithagravegesture。
　　“Itistoolate，“shesaid；“butyououghttohavehelpedmethatday。“
　　I
　　“Oh，thereISone，ofcourse，butyou'llneverknowit。“
　　Theassertion，laughinglyflungoutsixmonthsearlierinabrightJunegarden，camebacktoMaryBoynewithasharpperceptionofitslatentsignificanceasshestood，intheDecemberdusk，waitingforthelampstobebroughtintothelibrary。
　　ThewordshadbeenspokenbytheirfriendAlidaStair，astheysatatteaonherlawnatPangbourne，inreferencetotheveryhouseofwhichthelibraryinquestionwasthecentral，thepivotal“feature。“MaryBoyneandherhusband，inquestofacountryplaceinoneofthesouthernorsouthwesterncounties，had，ontheirarrivalinEngland，carriedtheirproblemstraighttoAlidaStair，whohadsuccessfullysolveditinherowncase；
　　butitwasnotuntiltheyhadrejected，almostcapriciously，severalpracticalandjudicioussuggestionsthatshethrewitout：“Well，there'sLyng，inDorsetshire。ItbelongstoHugo'scousins，andyoucangetitforasong。“
　　Thereasonsshegaveforitsbeingobtainableontheseterms——itsremotenessfromastation，itslackofelectriclight，hot-waterpipes，andothervulgarnecessities——wereexactlythosepleadinginitsfavorwithtworomanticAmericansperverselyinsearchoftheeconomicdrawbackswhichwereassociated，intheirtradition，withunusualarchitecturalfelicities。
　　“IshouldneverbelieveIwaslivinginanoldhouseunlessIwasthoroughlyuncomfortable，“NedBoyne，themoreextravagantofthetwo，hadjocoselyinsisted；“theleasthintof'convenience'
　　wouldmakemethinkithadbeenboughtoutofanexhibition，withthepiecesnumbered，andsetupagain。“Andtheyhadproceededtoenumerate，withhumorousprecision，theirvarioussuspicionsandexactions，refusingtobelievethatthehousetheircousinrecommendedwasREALLYTudortilltheylearnedithadnoheatingsystem，orthatthevillagechurchwasliterallyinthegroundstillsheassuredthemofthedeplorableuncertaintyofthewater-
　　supply。
　　“It'stoouncomfortabletobetrue！”EdwardBoynehadcontinuedtoexultastheavowalofeachdisadvantagewassuccessivelywrungfromher；buthehadcutshorthisrhapsodytoask，withasuddenrelapsetodistrust：“Andtheghost？You'vebeenconcealingfromusthefactthatthereisnoghost！”
　　Mary，atthemoment，hadlaughedwithhim，yetalmostwithherlaugh，beingpossessedofseveralsetsofindependentperceptions，hadnotedasuddenflatnessoftoneinAlida'sansweringhilarity。
　　“Oh，Dorsetshire'sfullofghosts，youknow。“
　　“Yes，yes；butthatwon'tdo。Idon'twanttohavetodrivetenmilestoseesomebodyelse'sghost。Iwantoneofmyownonthepremises。ISthereaghostatLyng？”
　　HisrejoinderhadmadeAlidalaughagain，anditwasthenthatshehadflungbacktantalizingly：“Oh，thereISone，ofcourse，butyou'llneverknowit。“
　　“Neverknowit？”Boynepulledherup。“Butwhatintheworldconstitutesaghostexceptthefactofitsbeingknownforone？”
　　“Ican'tsay。Butthat'sthestory。“
　　“Thatthere'saghost，butthatnobodyknowsit'saghost？”
　　“Well——nottillafterward，atanyrate。“
　　“Tillafterward？”
　　“Nottilllong，longafterward。“
　　“Butifit'soncebeenidentifiedasanunearthlyvisitant，whyhasn'titssignalementbeenhandeddowninthefamily？Howhasitmanagedtopreserveitsincognito？”
　　Alidacouldonlyshakeherhead。“Don'taskme。Butithas。“
　　“Andthensuddenly——“Maryspokeupasiffromsomecavernousdepthofdivination——“suddenly，longafterward，onesaystoone'sself，'THATWASit？'“
　　Shewasoddlystartledatthesepulchralsoundwithwhichherquestionfellonthebanteroftheothertwo，andshesawtheshadowofthesamesurpriseflitacrossAlida'sclearpupils。
　　“Isupposeso。Onejusthastowait。“
　　“Oh，hangwaiting！”Nedbrokein。“Life'stooshortforaghostwhocanonlybeenjoyedinretrospect。Can'twedobetterthanthat，Mary？”
　　Butitturnedoutthatintheeventtheywerenotdestinedto，forwithinthreemonthsoftheirconversationwithMrs。StairtheywereestablishedatLyng，andthelifetheyhadyearnedfortothepointofplanningitoutinallitsdailydetailshadactuallybegunforthem。
　　Itwastosit，inthethickDecemberdusk，byjustsuchawide-
　　hoodedfireplace，underjustsuchblackoakrafters，withthesensethatbeyondthemullionedpanesthedownsweredarkeningtoadeepersolitude：itwasfortheultimateindulgenceinsuchsensationsthatMaryBoynehadenduredfornearlyfourteenyearsthesoul-deadeninguglinessoftheMiddleWest，andthatBoynehadgroundondoggedlyathisengineeringtill，withasuddennessthatstillmadeherblink，theprodigiouswindfalloftheBlueStarMinehadputthematastrokeinpossessionoflifeandtheleisuretotasteit。Theyhadneverforamomentmeanttheirnewstatetobeoneofidleness；buttheymeanttogivethemselvesonlytoharmoniousactivities。Shehadhervisionofpaintingandgardeningagainstabackgroundofgraywalls，hedreamedoftheproductionofhislong-plannedbookonthe“EconomicBasisofCulture“；andwithsuchabsorbingworkaheadnoexistencecouldbetoosequestered；theycouldnotgetfarenoughfromtheworld，orplungedeepenoughintothepast。
　　Dorsetshirehadattractedthemfromthefirstbyasemblanceofremotenessoutofallproportiontoitsgeographicalposition。
　　ButtotheBoynesitwasoneoftheever-recurringwondersofthewholeincrediblycompressedisland——anestofcounties，astheyputit——thatfortheproductionofitseffectssolittleofagivenqualitywentsofar：thatsofewmilesmadeadistance，andsoshortadistanceadifference。
　　“It'sthat，“Nedhadonceenthusiasticallyexplained，“thatgivessuchdepthtotheireffects，suchrelieftotheirleastcontrasts。They'vebeenabletolaythebuttersothickoneveryexquisitemouthful。“
　　ThebutterhadcertainlybeenlaidonthickatLyng：theoldgrayhouse，hiddenunderashoulderofthedowns，hadalmostallthefinermarksofcommercewithaprotractedpast。Themerefactthatitwasneitherlargenorexceptionalmadeit，totheBoynes，aboundthemorerichlyinitsspecialsense——thesenseofhavingbeenforcenturiesadeep，dimreservoiroflife。Thelifehadprobablynotbeenofthemostvividorder：forlongperiods，nodoubt，ithadfallenasnoiselesslyintothepastasthequietdrizzleofautumnfell，hourafterhour，intothegreenfish-pondbetweentheyews；buttheseback-watersofexistencesometimesbreed，intheirsluggishdepths，strangeacuitiesofemotion，andMaryBoynehadfeltfromthefirsttheoccasionalbrushofanintensermemory。
　　ThefeelinghadneverbeenstrongerthanontheDecemberafternoonwhen，waitinginthelibraryforthebelatedlamps，sherosefromherseatandstoodamongtheshadowsofthehearth。
　　Herhusbandhadgoneoff，afterluncheon，foroneofhislongtrampsonthedowns。Shehadnoticedoflatethathepreferredtobeunaccompaniedontheseoccasions；and，inthetriedsecurityoftheirpersonalrelations，hadbeendriventoconcludethathisbookwasbotheringhim，andthatheneededtheafternoonstoturnoverinsolitudetheproblemsleftfromthemorning'swork。Certainlythebookwasnotgoingassmoothlyasshehadimagineditwould，andthelinesofperplexitybetweenhiseyeshadneverbeenthereinhisengineeringdays。Thenhehadoftenlookedfaggedtothevergeofillness，butthenativedemonof“worry“hadneverbrandedhisbrow。Yetthefewpageshehadsofarreadtoher——theintroduction，andasynopsisoftheopeningchapter——gaveevidencesofafirmpossessionofhissubject，andadeepeningconfidenceinhispowers。
　　Thefactthrewherintodeeperperplexity，since，nowthathehaddonewith“business“anditsdisturbingcontingencies，theoneotherpossibleelementofanxietywaseliminated。Unlessitwerehishealth，then？ButphysicallyhehadgainedsincetheyhadcometoDorsetshire，grownrobuster，ruddier，andfresher-eyed。
　　Itwasonlywithinaweekthatshehadfeltinhimtheundefinablechangethatmadeherrestlessinhisabsence，andastongue-tiedinhispresenceasthoughitwereSHEwhohadasecrettokeepfromhim！
　　ThethoughtthatthereWASasecretsomewherebetweenthemstruckherwithasuddensmartrapofwonder，andshelookedaboutherdownthedim，longroom。
　　“Canitbethehouse？”shemused。
　　Theroomitselfmighthavebeenfullofsecrets。Theyseemedtobepilingthemselvesup，aseveningfell，likethelayersandlayersofvelvetshadowdroppingfromthelowceiling，theduskywallsofbooks，thesmoke-blurredsculptureofthehoodedhearth。
　　“Why，ofcourse——thehouseishaunted！”shereflected。
　　Theghost——Alida'simperceptibleghost——afterfiguringlargelyinthebanteroftheirfirstmonthortwoatLyng，hadbeengraduallydiscardedastooineffectualforimaginativeuse。Maryhad，indeed，asbecamethetenantofahauntedhouse，madethecustomaryinquiriesamongherfewruralneighbors，but，beyondavague，“Theydusayso，Ma'am，“thevillagershadnothingtoimpart。Theelusivespecterhadapparentlyneverhadsufficientidentityforalegendtocrystallizeaboutit，andafteratimetheBoyneshadlaughinglysetthematterdowntotheirprofit-
　　and-lossaccount，agreeingthatLyngwasoneofthefewhousesgoodenoughinitselftodispensewithsupernaturalenhancements。
　　“AndIsuppose，poor，ineffectualdemon，that'swhyitbeatsitsbeautifulwingsinvaininthevoid，“Maryhadlaughinglyconcluded。
　　“Or，rather，“Nedanswered，inthesamestrain，“why，amidsomuchthat'sghostly，itcanneveraffirmitsseparateexistenceasTHEghost。“Andthereupontheirinvisiblehousematehadfinallydroppedoutoftheirreferences，whichwerenumerousenoughtomakethempromptlyunawareoftheloss。
　　Now，asshestoodonthehearth，thesubjectoftheirearliercuriosityrevivedinherwithanewsenseofitsmeaning——asensegraduallyacquiredthroughclosedailycontactwiththesceneofthelurkingmystery。Itwasthehouseitself，ofcourse，thatpossessedtheghost-seeingfaculty，thatcommunedvisuallybutsecretlywithitsownpast；andifonecouldonlygetintocloseenoughcommunionwiththehouse，onemightsurpriseitssecret，andacquiretheghost-sightonone'sownaccount。Perhaps，inhislongsolitaryhoursinthisveryroom，whereshenevertrespassedtilltheafternoon，herhusbandHADacquireditalready，andwassilentlycarryingthedreadweightofwhateverithadrevealedtohim。Marywastoowell-versedinthecodeofthespectralworldnottoknowthatonecouldnottalkabouttheghostsonesaw：todosowasalmostasgreatabreachofgood-
　　breedingastonamealadyinaclub。Butthisexplanationdidnotreallysatisfyher。“What，afterall，exceptforthefunofthefrisson，“shereflected，“wouldhereallycareforanyoftheiroldghosts？”Andthenceshewasthrownbackoncemoreonthefundamentaldilemma：thefactthatone'sgreaterorlesssusceptibilitytospectralinfluenceshadnoparticularbearingonthecase，since，whenoneDIDseeaghostatLyng，onedidnotknowit。
　　“Nottilllongafterward，“AlidaStairhadsaid。Well，supposingNedHADseenonewhentheyfirstcame，andhadknownonlywithinthelastweekwhathadhappenedtohim？Moreandmoreunderthespellofthehour，shethrewbackhersearchingthoughtstotheearlydaysoftheirtenancy，butatfirstonlytorecallagayconfusionofunpacking，settling，arrangingofbooks，andcallingtoeachotherfromremotecornersofthehouseastreasureaftertreasureoftheirhabitationrevealeditselftothem。ItwasinthisparticularconnectionthatshepresentlyrecalledacertainsoftafternoonofthepreviousOctober，when，passingfromthefirstrapturousflurryofexplorationtoadetailedinspectionoftheoldhouse，shehadpressedlikeanovelheroineapanelthatopenedathertouch，onanarrowflightofstairsleadingtoanunsuspectedflatledgeoftheroof——theroofwhich，frombelow，seemedtoslopeawayonallsidestooabruptlyforanybutpractisedfeettoscale。
　　Theviewfromthishiddencoignwasenchanting，andshehadflowndowntosnatchNedfromhispapersandgivehimthefreedomofherdiscovery。Sherememberedstillhow，standingonthenarrowledge，hehadpassedhisarmaboutherwhiletheirgazeflewtothelong，tossedhorizon-lineofthedowns，andthendroppedcontentedlybacktotracethearabesqueofyewhedgesaboutthefish-pond，andtheshadowofthecedaronthelawn。
　　“Andnowtheotherway，“hehadsaid，gentlyturningheraboutwithinhisarm；andcloselypressedtohim，shehadabsorbed，likesomelong，satisfyingdraft，thepictureofthegray-walledcourt，thesquatlionsonthegates，andthelime-avenuereachinguptothehighroadunderthedowns。
　　Itwasjustthen，whiletheygazedandheldeachother，thatshehadfelthisarmrelax，andheardasharp“Hullo！”thatmadeherturntoglanceathim。
　　Distinctly，yes，shenowrecalledshehadseen，assheglanced，ashadowofanxiety，ofperplexity，rather，fallacrosshisface；
　　and，followinghiseyes，hadbeheldthefigureofaman——amaninloose，grayishclothes，asitappearedtoher——whowassaunteringdownthelime-avenuetothecourtwiththetentativegaitofastrangerseekinghisway。Hershort-sightedeyeshadgivenherbutablurredimpressionofslightnessandgrayness，withsomethingforeign，oratleastunlocal，inthecutofthefigureoritsgarb；butherhusbandhadapparentlyseenmore——seenenoughtomakehimpushpastherwithasharp“Wait！”anddashdownthetwistingstairswithoutpausingtogiveherahandforthedescent。
　　Aslighttendencytodizzinessobligedher，afteraprovisionalclutchatthechimneyagainstwhichtheyhadbeenleaning，tofollowhimdownmorecautiously；andwhenshehadreachedtheatticlandingshepausedagainforalessdefinitereason，leaningovertheoakbanistertostrainhereyesthroughthesilenceofthebrown，sun-fleckeddepthsbelow。Shelingeredtheretill，somewhereinthosedepths，sheheardtheclosingofadoor；then，mechanicallyimpelled，shewentdowntheshallowflightsofstepstillshereachedthelowerhall。
　　Thefrontdoorstoodopenonthemildsunlightofthecourt，andhallandcourtwereempty。Thelibrarydoorwasopen，too，andafterlisteninginvainforanysoundofvoiceswithin，shequicklycrossedthethreshold，andfoundherhusbandalone，vaguelyfingeringthepapersonhisdesk。
　　Helookedup，asifsurprisedatherprecipitateentrance，buttheshadowofanxietyhadpassedfromhisface，leavingiteven，asshefancied，alittlebrighterandclearerthanusual。
　　“Whatwasit？Whowasit？”sheasked。
　　“Who？”herepeated，withthesurprisestillallonhisside。
　　“Themanwesawcomingtowardthehouse。“
　　Heseemedhonestlytoreflect。“Theman？Why，IthoughtIsawPeters；Idashedafterhimtosayawordaboutthestable-drains，buthehaddisappearedbeforeIcouldgetdown。“
　　“Disappeared？Why，heseemedtobewalkingsoslowlywhenwesawhim。“
　　Boyneshruggedhisshoulders。“SoIthought；buthemusthavegotupsteamintheinterval。WhatdoyousaytoourtryingascrambleupMeldonSteepbeforesunset？”
　　Thatwasall。Atthetimetheoccurrencehadbeenlessthannothing，had，indeed，beenimmediatelyobliteratedbythemagicoftheirfirstvisionfromMeldonSteep，aheightwhichtheyhaddreamedofclimbingeversincetheyhadfirstseenitsbarespineheavingitselfabovethelowroofofLyng。Doubtlessitwasthemerefactoftheotherincident'shavingoccurredontheverydayoftheirascenttoMeldonthathadkeptitstoredawayintheunconsciousfoldofassociationfromwhichitnowemerged；forinitselfithadnomarkoftheportentous。AtthemomenttherecouldhavebeennothingmorenaturalthanthatNedshoulddashhimselffromtheroofinthepursuitofdilatorytradesmen。Itwastheperiodwhentheywerealwaysonthewatchforoneortheotherofthespecialistsemployedabouttheplace；alwayslyinginwaitforthem，anddashingoutatthemwithquestions，reproaches，orreminders。AndcertainlyinthedistancethegrayfigurehadlookedlikePeters。
　　Yetnow，asshereviewedtherapidscene，shefeltherhusband'sexplanationofittohavebeeninvalidatedbythelookofanxietyonhisface。WhyhadthefamiliarappearanceofPetersmadehimanxious？Why，aboveall，ifitwasofsuchprimenecessitytoconferwiththatauthorityonthesubjectofthestable-drains，hadthefailuretofindhimproducedsuchalookofrelief？Marycouldnotsaythatanyoneoftheseconsiderationshadoccurredtoheratthetime，yet，fromthepromptnesswithwhichtheynowmarshaledthemselvesathersummons，shehadasuddensensethattheymustallalonghavebeenthere，waitingtheirhour。
　　II
　　Wearywithherthoughts，shemovedtowardthewindow。Thelibrarywasnowcompletelydark，andshewassurprisedtoseehowmuchfaintlighttheouterworldstillheld。
　　Asshepeeredoutintoitacrossthecourt，afigureshapeditselfinthetaperingperspectiveofbarelines：itlookedamereblotofdeepergrayinthegrayness，andforaninstant，asitmovedtowardher，herheartthumpedtothethought，“It'stheghost！”
　　Shehadtime，inthatlonginstant，tofeelsuddenlythatthemanofwhom，twomonthsearlier，shehadabriefdistantvisionfromtheroofwasnow，athispredestinedhour，abouttorevealhimselfasNOThavingbeenPeters；andherspiritsankundertheimpendingfearofthedisclosure。Butalmostwiththenexttickoftheclocktheambiguousfigure，gainingsubstanceandcharacter，showeditselfeventoherweaksightasherhusband's；
　　andsheturnedawaytomeethim，asheentered，withtheconfessionofherfolly。
　　“It'sreallytooabsurd，“shelaughedoutfromthethreshold，“butIneverCANremember！”
　　“Rememberwhat？”Boynequestionedastheydrewtogether。
　　“ThatwhenoneseestheLyngghostoneneverknowsit。“
　　Herhandwasonhissleeve，andhekeptitthere，butwithnoresponseinhisgestureorinthelinesofhisfagged，preoccupiedface。
　　“Didyouthinkyou'dseenit？”heasked，afteranappreciableinterval。
　　“Why，IactuallytookYOUforit，mydear，inmymaddeterminationtospotit！”
　　“Me——justnow？”Hisarmdroppedaway，andheturnedfromherwithafaintechoofherlaugh。“Really，dearest，you'dbettergiveitup，ifthat'sthebestyoucando。“
　　“Yes，Igiveitup——Igiveitup。HaveYOU？”sheasked，turningroundonhimabruptly。
　　Theparlor-maidhadenteredwithlettersandalamp，andthelightstruckupintoBoyne'sfaceashebentabovethetrayshepresented。
　　“HaveYOU？”Maryperverselyinsisted，whentheservanthaddisappearedonhererrandofillumination。
　　“HaveIwhat？”herejoinedabsently，thelightbringingoutthesharpstampofworrybetweenhisbrowsasheturnedovertheletters。
　　“Givenuptryingtoseetheghost。“Herheartbeatalittleattheexperimentshewasmaking。
　　Herhusband，layinghislettersaside，movedawayintotheshadowofthehearth。
　　“Inevertried，“hesaid，tearingopenthewrapperofanewspaper。
　　“Well，ofcourse，“Marypersisted，“theexasperatingthingisthatthere'snousetrying，sinceonecan'tbesuretillsolongafterward。“
　　Hewasunfoldingthepaperasifhehadhardlyheardher；butafterapause，duringwhichthesheetsrustledspasmodicallybetweenhishands，heliftedhisheadtosayabruptly，“HaveyouanyideaHOWLONG？”
　　Maryhadsunkintoalowchairbesidethefireplace。Fromherseatshelookedup，startled，atherhusband'sprofile，whichwasdarklyprojectedagainstthecircleoflamplight。
　　“No；none。HaveYOU？”sheretorted，repeatingherformerphrasewithanaddedkeennessofintention。
　　Boynecrumpledthepaperintoabunch，andtheninconsequentlyturnedbackwithittowardthelamp。
　　“Lord，no！Ionlymeant，“heexplained，withafainttingeofimpatience，“isthereanylegend，anytradition，astothat？”
　　“NotthatIknowof，“sheanswered；buttheimpulsetoadd，“Whatmakesyouask？”wascheckedbythereappearanceoftheparlor-
　　maidwithteaandasecondlamp。
　　Withthedispersalofshadows，andtherepetitionofthedailydomesticoffice，MaryBoynefeltherselflessoppressedbythatsenseofsomethingmutelyimminentwhichhaddarkenedhersolitaryafternoon。Forafewmomentsshegaveherselfsilentlytothedetailsofhertask，andwhenshelookedupfromitshewasstrucktothepointofbewildermentbythechangeinherhusband'sface。Hehadseatedhimselfnearthefartherlamp，andwasabsorbedintheperusalofhisletters；butwasitsomethinghehadfoundinthem，ormerelytheshiftingofherownpointofview，thathadrestoredhisfeaturestotheirnormalaspect？Thelongershelooked，themoredefinitelythechangeaffirmeditself。Thelinesofpainfultensionhadvanished，andsuchtracesoffatigueaslingeredwereofthekindeasilyattributabletosteadymentaleffort。Heglancedup，asifdrawnbyhergaze，andmethereyeswithasmile。
　　“I'mdyingformytea，youknow；andhere'saletterforyou，“hesaid。
　　Shetooktheletterheheldoutinexchangeforthecupsheprofferedhim，and，returningtoherseat，brokethesealwiththelanguidgestureofthereaderwhoseinterestsareallinclosedinthecircleofonecherishedpresence。
　　Hernextconsciousmotionwasthatofstartingtoherfeet，theletterfallingtothemassherose，whilesheheldouttoherhusbandalongnewspaperclipping。
　　“Ned！What'sthis？Whatdoesitmean？”
　　Hehadrisenatthesameinstant，almostasifhearinghercrybeforesheutteredit；andforaperceptiblespaceoftimeheandshestudiedeachother，likeadversarieswatchingforanadvantage，acrossthespacebetweenherchairandhisdesk。
　　“What'swhat？Youfairlymademejump！”Boynesaidatlength，movingtowardherwithasudden，half-exasperatedlaugh。Theshadowofapprehensionwasonhisfaceagain，notnowalookoffixedforeboding，butashiftingvigilanceoflipsandeyesthatgaveherthesenseofhisfeelinghimselfinvisiblysurrounded。
　　Herhandshooksothatshecouldhardlygivehimtheclipping。
　　“Thisarticle——fromthe'WaukeshaSentinel'——thatamannamedElwellhasbroughtsuitagainstyou——thattherewassomethingwrongabouttheBlueStarMine。Ican'tunderstandmorethanhalf。“
　　Theycontinuedtofaceeachotherasshespoke，andtoherastonishment，shesawthatherwordshadthealmostimmediateeffectofdissipatingthestrainedwatchfulnessofhislook。
　　“Oh，THAT！”Heglanceddowntheprintedslip，andthenfoldeditwiththegestureofonewhohandlessomethingharmlessandfamiliar。“What'sthematterwithyouthisafternoon，Mary？I
　　thoughtyou'dgotbadnews。“
　　Shestoodbeforehimwithherundefinableterrorsubsidingslowlyunderthereassuringtouchofhiscomposure。
　　“Youknewaboutthis，then——it'sallright？”
　　“CertainlyIknewaboutit；andit'sallright。“
　　“ButwhatISit？Idon'tunderstand。Whatdoesthismanaccuseyouof？”
　　“Oh，prettynearlyeverycrimeinthecalendar。“Boynehadtossedtheclippingdown，andthrownhimselfcomfortablyintoanarm-chairnearthefire。“Doyouwanttohearthestory？It'snotparticularlyinteresting——justasquabbleoverinterestsintheBlueStar。“
　　“ButwhoisthisElwell？Idon'tknowthename。“
　　“Oh，he'safellowIputintoit——gavehimahandup。Itoldyouallabouthimatthetime。“
　　“Idaresay。Imusthaveforgotten。“Vainlyshestrainedbackamonghermemories。“Butifyouhelpedhim，whydoeshemakethisreturn？”
　　“Oh，probablysomeshysterlawyergotholdofhimandtalkedhimover。It'sallrathertechnicalandcomplicated。Ithoughtthatkindofthingboredyou。“
　　Hiswifefeltastingofcompunction。Theoretically，shedeprecatedtheAmericanwife'sdetachmentfromherhusband'sprofessionalinterests，butinpracticeshehadalwaysfounditdifficulttofixherattentiononBoyne'sreportofthetransactionsinwhichhisvariedinterestsinvolvedhim。
　　Besides，shehadfeltfromthefirstthat，inacommunitywheretheamenitiesoflivingcouldbeobtainedonlyatthecostofeffortsasarduousasherhusband'sprofessionallabors，suchbriefleisureastheycouldcommandshouldbeusedasanescapefromimmediatepreoccupations，aflighttothelifetheyalwaysdreamedofliving。Onceortwice，nowthatthisnewlifehadactuallydrawnitsmagiccircleaboutthem，shehadaskedherselfifshehaddoneright；buthithertosuchconjectureshadbeennomorethantheretrospectiveexcursionsofanactivefancy。Now，forthefirsttime，itstartledheralittletofindhowlittlesheknewofthematerialfoundationonwhichherhappinesswasbuilt。
　　Sheglancedagainatherhusband，andwasreassuredbythecomposureofhisface；yetshefelttheneedofmoredefinitegroundsforherreassurance。
　　“Butdoesn'tthissuitworryyou？Whyhaveyouneverspokentomeaboutit？”
　　Heansweredbothquestionsatonce：“Ididn'tspeakofitatfirstbecauseitDIDworryme——annoyedme，rather。Butit'sallancienthistorynow。Yourcorrespondentmusthavegotholdofabacknumberofthe'Sentinel。'“
　　Shefeltaquickthrillofrelief。“Youmeanit'sover？He'slosthiscase？”
　　TherewasajustperceptibledelayinBoyne'sreply。“Thesuit'sbeenwithdrawn——that'sall。“
　　Butshepersisted，asiftoexonerateherselffromtheinwardchargeofbeingtooeasilyputoff。“Withdrawnbecausehesawhehadnochance？”
　　“Oh，hehadnochance，“Boyneanswered。
　　Shewasstillstrugglingwithadimlyfeltperplexityatthebackofherthoughts。
　　“Howlongagowasitwithdrawn？”
　　Hepaused，asifwithaslightreturnofhisformeruncertainty。
　　“I'vejusthadthenewsnow；butI'vebeenexpectingit。“
　　“Justnow——inoneofyourletters？”
　　“Yes；inoneofmyletters。“
　　Shemadenoanswer，andwasawareonly，afterashortintervalofwaiting，thathehadrisen，andstrollingacrosstheroom，hadplacedhimselfonthesofaatherside。Shefelthim，ashedidso，passanarmabouther，shefelthishandseekhersandclaspit，andturningslowly，drawnbythewarmthofhischeek，shemetthesmilingclearnessofhiseyes。
　　“It'sallright——it'sallright？”shequestioned，throughthefloodofherdissolvingdoubts；and“Igiveyoumyworditneverwasrighter！”helaughedbackather，holdingherclose。
　　III
　　Oneofthestrangestthingsshewasafterwardtorecalloutofallthenextday'sincrediblestrangenesswasthesuddenandcompleterecoveryofhersenseofsecurity。
　　Itwasintheairwhenshewokeinherlow-ceilinged，duskyroom；
　　itaccompaniedherdown-stairstothebreakfast-table，flashedoutatherfromthefire，andre-duplicateditselfbrightlyfromtheflanksoftheurnandthesturdyflutingsoftheGeorgianteapot。Itwasasif，insomeroundaboutway，allherdiffusedapprehensionsofthepreviousday，withtheirmomentofsharpconcentrationaboutthenewspaperarticle，——asifthisdimquestioningofthefuture，andstartledreturnuponthepast，——
　　hadbetweenthemliquidatedthearrearsofsomehauntingmoralobligation。Ifshehadindeedbeencarelessofherhusband'saffairs，itwas，hernewstateseemedtoprove，becauseherfaithinhiminstinctivelyjustifiedsuchcarelessness；andhisrighttoherfaithhadoverwhelminglyaffirmeditselfintheveryfaceofmenaceandsuspicion。Shehadneverseenhimmoreuntroubled，morenaturallyandunconsciouslyinpossessionofhimself，thanafterthecross-examinationtowhichshehadsubjectedhim：itwasalmostasifhehadbeenawareofherlurkingdoubts，andhadwantedtheairclearedasmuchasshedid。
　　Itwasasclear，thankHeaven！asthebrightouterlightthatsurprisedheralmostwithatouchofsummerwhensheissuedfromthehouseforherdailyroundofthegardens。ShehadleftBoyneathisdesk，indulgingherself，asshepassedthelibrarydoor，byalastpeepathisquietface，wherehebent，pipeinhismouth，abovehispapers，andnowshehadherownmorning'stasktoperform。Thetaskinvolvedonsuchcharmedwinterdaysalmostasmuchdelightedloiteringaboutthedifferentquartersofherdemesneasifspringwerealreadyatworkonshrubsandborders。
　　Thereweresuchinexhaustiblepossibilitiesstillbeforeher，suchopportunitiestobringoutthelatentgracesoftheoldplace，withoutasingleirreverenttouchofalteration，thatthewintermonthswerealltooshorttoplanwhatspringandautumnexecuted。Andherrecoveredsenseofsafetygave，onthisparticularmorning，apeculiarzesttoherprogressthroughthesweet，stillplace。Shewentfirsttothekitchen-garden，wheretheespalieredpear-treesdrewcomplicatedpatternsonthewalls，andpigeonswereflutteringandpreeningaboutthesilvery-slatedroofoftheircot。Therewassomethingwrongaboutthepipingofthehothouse，andshewasexpectinganauthorityfromDorchester，whowastodriveoutbetweentrainsandmakeadiagnosisoftheboiler。Butwhenshedippedintothedampheatofthegreenhouses，amongthespicedscentsandwaxypinksandredsofold-fashionedexotics，——eventhefloraofLyngwasinthenote！——
　　shelearnedthatthegreatmanhadnotarrived，andthedaybeingtooraretowasteinanartificialatmosphere，shecameoutagainandpacedslowlyalongthespringyturfofthebowling-greentothegardensbehindthehouse。Attheirfartherendroseagrassterrace，commanding，overthefish-pondandtheyewhedges，aviewofthelonghouse-front，withitstwistedchimney-stacksandtheblueshadowsofitsroofangles，alldrenchedinthepalegoldmoistureoftheair。
　　Seenthus，acrosstheleveltraceryoftheyews，underthesuffused，mildlight，itsenther，fromitsopenwindowsandhospitablysmokingchimneys，thelookofsomewarmhumanpresence，ofamindslowlyripenedonasunnywallofexperience。
　　Shehadneverbeforehadsodeepasenseofherintimacywithit，suchaconvictionthatitssecretswereallbeneficent，kept，astheysaidtochildren，“forone'sgood，“socompleteatrustinitspowertogatherupherlifeandNed'sintotheharmoniouspatternofthelong，longstoryitsatthereweavinginthesun。
　　Sheheardstepsbehindher，andturned，expectingtoseethegardener，accompaniedbytheengineerfromDorchester。Butonlyonefigurewasinsight，thatofayoungish，slightlybuiltman，who，forreasonsshecouldnotonthespothavespecified，didnotremotelyresembleherpreconceivednotionofanauthorityonhot-houseboilers。Thenew-comer，onseeingher，liftedhishat，andpausedwiththeairofagentleman——perhapsatraveler——
　　desirousofhavingitimmediatelyknownthathisintrusionisinvoluntary。ThelocalfameofLyngoccasionallyattractedthemoreintelligentsight-seer，andMaryhalf-expectedtoseethestrangerdissembleacamera，orjustifyhispresencebyproducingit。Buthemadenogestureofanysort，andafteramomentsheasked，inatonerespondingtothecourteousdeprecationofhisattitude：“Isthereanyoneyouwishtosee？”
　　“IcametoseeMr。Boyne，“hereplied。Hisintonation，ratherthanhisaccent，wasfaintlyAmerican，andMary，atthefamiliarnote，lookedathimmoreclosely。Thebrimofhissoftfelthatcastashadeonhisface，which，thusobscured，woretohershort-sightedgazealookofseriousness，asofapersonarriving“onbusiness，“andcivillybutfirmlyawareofhisrights。
　　PastexperiencehadmadeMaryequallysensibletosuchclaims；
　　butshewasjealousofherhusband'smorninghours，anddoubtfulofhishavinggivenanyonetherighttointrudeonthem。
　　“HaveyouanappointmentwithMr。Boyne？”sheasked。
　　Hehesitated，asifunpreparedforthequestion。
　　“Notexactlyanappointment，“hereplied。
　　“ThenI'mafraid，thisbeinghisworking-time，thathecan'treceiveyounow。Willyougivemeamessage，orcomebacklater？”
　　Thevisitor，againliftinghishat，brieflyrepliedthathewouldcomebacklater，andwalkedaway，asiftoregainthefrontofthehouse。Ashisfigurerecededdownthewalkbetweentheyewhedges，Marysawhimpauseandlookupaninstantatthepeacefulhouse-frontbathedinfaintwintersunshine；anditstruckher，withatardytouchofcompunction，thatitwouldhavebeenmorehumanetoaskifhehadcomefromadistance，andtooffer，inthatcase，toinquireifherhusbandcouldreceivehim。Butasthethoughtoccurredtoherhepassedoutofsightbehindapyramidalyew，andatthesamemomentherattentionwasdistractedbytheapproachofthegardener，attendedbythebeardedpepper-and-saltfigureoftheboiler-makerfromDorchester。
　　Theencounterwiththisauthorityledtosuchfar-reachingissuesthattheyresultedinhisfindingitexpedienttoignorehistrain，andbeguiledMaryintospendingtheremainderofthemorninginabsorbedconfabulationamongthegreenhouses。Shewasstartledtofind，whenthecolloquyended，thatitwasnearlyluncheon-time，andshehalfexpected，asshehurriedbacktothehouse，toseeherhusbandcomingouttomeether。Butshefoundnooneinthecourtbutanunder-gardenerrakingthegravel，andthehall，whensheenteredit，wassosilentthatsheguessedBoynetobestillatworkbehindthecloseddoorofthelibrary。
　　Notwishingtodisturbhim，sheturnedintothedrawing-room，andthere，atherwriting-table，lostherselfinrenewedcalculationsoftheoutlaytowhichthemorning'sconferencehadcommittedher。Theknowledgethatshecouldpermitherselfsuchfollieshadnotyetlostitsnovelty；andsomehow，incontrasttothevagueapprehensionsofthepreviousdays，itnowseemedanelementofherrecoveredsecurity，ofthesensethat，asNedhadsaid，thingsingeneralhadneverbeen“righter。“
　　Shewasstillluxuriatinginalavishplayoffigureswhentheparlor-maid，fromthethreshold，rousedherwithadubiouslywordedinquiryastotheexpediencyofservingluncheon。ItwasoneoftheirjokesthatTrimmleannouncedluncheonasifsheweredivulgingastatesecret，andMary，intentuponherpapers，merelymurmuredanabsent-mindedassent。
　　ShefeltTrimmlewaveringexpressivelyonthethresholdasifinrebukeofsuchoffhandacquiescence；thenherretreatingstepssoundeddownthepassage，andMary，pushingawayherpapers，crossedthehall，andwenttothelibrarydoor。Itwasstillclosed，andshewaveredinherturn，dislikingtodisturbherhusband，yetanxiousthatheshouldnotexceedhisnormalmeasureofwork。Asshestoodthere，balancingherimpulses，theesotericTrimmlereturnedwiththeannouncementofluncheon，andMary，thusimpelled，openedthedoorandwentintothelibrary。
　　Boynewasnotathisdesk，andshepeeredabouther，expectingtodiscoverhimatthebook-shelves，somewheredownthelengthoftheroom；buthercallbroughtnoresponse，andgraduallyitbecamecleartoherthathewasnotinthelibrary。
　　Sheturnedbacktotheparlor-maid。
　　“Mr。Boynemustbeup-stairs。Pleasetellhimthatluncheonisready。“
　　Theparlor-maidappearedtohesitatebetweentheobviousdutyofobeyingordersandanequallyobviousconvictionofthefoolishnessoftheinjunctionlaiduponher。Thestruggleresultedinhersayingdoubtfully，“Ifyouplease，Madam，Mr。
　　Boyne'snotup-stairs。“
　　“Notinhisroom？Areyousure？”
　　“I'msure，Madam。“
　　Maryconsultedtheclock。“Whereishe，then？”
　　“He'sgoneout，“Trimmleannounced，withthesuperiorairofonewhohasrespectfullywaitedforthequestionthatawell-orderedmindwouldhavefirstpropounded。
　　Mary'spreviousconjecturehadbeenright，then。Boynemusthavegonetothegardenstomeether，andsinceshehadmissedhim，itwasclearthathehadtakentheshorterwaybythesouthdoor，insteadofgoingroundtothecourt。Shecrossedthehalltotheglassportalopeningdirectlyontheyewgarden，buttheparlor-
　　maid，afteranothermomentofinnerconflict，decidedtobringoutrecklessly，“Please，Madam，Mr。Boynedidn'tgothatway。“
　　Maryturnedback。“WhereDIDhego？Andwhen？”
　　“Hewentoutofthefrontdoor，upthedrive，Madam。“ItwasamatterofprinciplewithTrimmlenevertoanswermorethanonequestionatatime。
　　“Upthedrive？Atthishour？”Marywenttothedoorherself，andglancedacrossthecourtthroughthelongtunnelofbarelimes。Butitsperspectivewasasemptyaswhenshehadscanneditonenteringthehouse。
　　“DidMr。Boyneleavenomessage？”sheasked。
　　Trimmleseemedtosurrenderherselftoalaststrugglewiththeforcesofchaos。
　　“No，Madam。Hejustwentoutwiththegentleman。“
　　“Thegentleman？Whatgentleman？”Marywheeledabout，asiftofrontthisnewfactor。
　　“Thegentlemanwhocalled，Madam，“saidTrimmle，resignedly。
　　“Whendidagentlemancall？Doexplainyourself，Trimmle！”
　　OnlythefactthatMarywasveryhungry，andthatshewantedtoconsultherhusbandaboutthegreenhouses，wouldhavecausedhertolaysounusualaninjunctiononherattendant；andevennowshewasdetachedenoughtonoteinTrimmle'seyethedawningdefianceoftherespectfulsubordinatewhohasbeenpressedtoohard。
　　“Icouldn'texactlysaythehour，Madam，becauseIdidn'tletthegentlemanin，“shereplied，withtheairofmagnanimouslyignoringtheirregularityofhermistress'scourse。
　　“Youdidn'tlethimin？”
　　“No，Madam。WhenthebellrangIwasdressing，andAgnes——“
　　“GoandaskAgnes，then，“Maryinterjected。Trimmlestillworeherlookofpatientmagnanimity。“Agneswouldnotknow，Madam，forshehadunfortunatelyburntherhandintryingthewickofthenewlampfromtown——“Trimmle，asMarywasaware，hadalwaysbeenopposedtothenewlamp——“andsoMrs。Dockettsentthekitchen-maidinstead。“
　　Marylookedagainattheclock。“It'saftertwo！Goandaskthekitchen-maidifMr。Boyneleftanyword。“
　　Shewentintoluncheonwithoutwaiting，andTrimmlepresentlybroughthertherethekitchen-maid'sstatementthatthegentlemanhadcalledaboutoneo'clock，thatMr。Boynehadgoneoutwithhimwithoutleavinganymessage。Thekitchen-maiddidnotevenknowthecaller'sname，forhehadwrittenitonaslipofpaper，whichhehadfoldedandhandedtoher，withtheinjunctiontodeliveritatoncetoMr。Boyne。
　　Maryfinishedherluncheon，stillwondering，andwhenitwasover，andTrimmlehadbroughtthecoffeetothedrawing-room，herwonderhaddeepenedtoafirstfainttingeofdisquietude。ItwasunlikeBoynetoabsenthimselfwithoutexplanationatsounwontedanhour，andthedifficultyofidentifyingthevisitorwhosesummonshehadapparentlyobeyedmadehisdisappearancethemoreunaccountable。MaryBoyne'sexperienceasthewifeofabusyengineer，subjecttosuddencallsandcompelledtokeepirregularhours，hadtrainedhertothephilosophicacceptanceofsurprises；butsinceBoyne'swithdrawalfrombusinesshehadadoptedaBenedictineregularityoflife。Asiftomakeupforthedispersedandagitatedyears，withtheir“stand-up“lunchesanddinnersrattleddowntothejoltingsofthedining-car，hecultivatedthelastrefinementsofpunctualityandmonotony，discouraginghiswife'sfancyfortheunexpected；anddeclaringthattoadelicatetastetherewereinfinitegradationsofpleasureinthefixedrecurrencesofhabit。
　　Still，sincenolifecancompletelydefenditselffromtheunforeseen，itwasevidentthatallBoyne'sprecautionswouldsoonerorlaterproveunavailable，andMaryconcludedthathehadcutshortatiresomevisitbywalkingwithhiscallertothestation，oratleastaccompanyinghimforpartoftheway。
　　Thisconclusionrelievedherfromfartherpreoccupation，andshewentoutherselftotakeupherconferencewiththegardener。
　　Thenceshewalkedtothevillagepost-office，amileorsoaway；
　　andwhensheturnedtowardhome，theearlytwilightwassettingin。
　　Shehadtakenafoot-pathacrossthedowns，andasBoyne，meanwhile，hadprobablyreturnedfromthestationbythehighroad，therewaslittlelikelihoodoftheirmeetingontheway。Shefeltsure，however，ofhishavingreachedthehousebeforeher；sosurethat，whensheentereditherself，withoutevenpausingtoinquireofTrimmle，shemadedirectlyforthelibrary。Butthelibrarywasstillempty，andwithanunwontedprecisionofvisualmemorysheimmediatelyobservedthatthepapersonherhusband'sdesklaypreciselyastheyhadlainwhenshehadgoneintocallhimtoluncheon。
　　Thenofasuddenshewasseizedbyavaguedreadoftheunknown。
　　Shehadclosedthedoorbehindheronentering，andasshestoodaloneinthelong，silent，shadowyroom，herdreadseemedtotakeshapeandsound，tobethereaudiblybreathingandlurkingamongtheshadows。Hershort-sightedeyesstrainedthroughthem，half-
　　discerninganactualpresence，somethingaloof，thatwatchedandknew；andintherecoilfromthatintangiblepropinquityshethrewherselfsuddenlyonthebell-ropeandgaveitadesperatepull。
　　Thelong，quaveringsummonsbroughtTrimmleinprecipitatelywithalamp，andMarybreathedagainatthissoberingreappearanceoftheusual。
　　“YoumaybringteaifMr。Boyneisin，“shesaid，tojustifyherring。
　　“Verywell，Madam。ButMr。Boyneisnotin，“saidTrimmle，puttingdownthelamp。
　　“Notin？Youmeanhe'scomebackandgoneoutagain？”
　　“No，Madam。He'sneverbeenback。“
　　Thedreadstirredagain，andMaryknewthatnowithadherfast。
　　“Notsincehewentoutwith——thegentleman？”
　　“Notsincehewentoutwiththegentleman。“
　　“ButwhoWASthegentleman？”Marygaspedout，withthesharpnoteofsomeonetryingtobeheardthroughaconfusionofmeaninglessnoises。
　　“ThatIcouldn'tsay，Madam。“Trimmle，standingtherebythelamp，seemedsuddenlytogrowlessroundandrosy，asthougheclipsedbythesamecreepingshadeofapprehension。
　　“Butthekitchen-maidknows——wasn'titthekitchen-maidwholethimin？”
　　“Shedoesn'tknoweither，Madam，forhewrotehisnameonafoldedpaper。“
　　Mary，throughheragitation，wasawarethattheywerebothdesignatingtheunknownvisitorbyavaguepronoun，insteadoftheconventionalformulawhich，tillthen，hadkepttheirallusionswithintheboundsofcustom。Andatthesamemomenthermindcaughtatthesuggestionofthefoldedpaper。
　　“Buthemusthaveaname！Whereisthepaper？”
　　Shemovedtothedesk，andbegantoturnoverthescattereddocumentsthatlitteredit。Thefirstthatcaughthereyewasanunfinishedletterinherhusband'shand，withhispenlyingacrossit，asthoughdroppedthereatasuddensummons。
　　“MydearParvis，“——whowasParvis？——“IhavejustreceivedyourletterannouncingElwell'sdeath，andwhileIsupposethereisnownofartherriskoftrouble，itmightbesafer——“
　　Shetossedthesheetaside，andcontinuedhersearch；butnofoldedpaperwasdiscoverableamongthelettersandpagesofmanuscriptwhichhadbeenswepttogetherinapromiscuousheap，asifbyahurriedorastartledgesture。
　　“Butthekitchen-maidSAWhim。Sendherhere，“shecommanded，wonderingatherdullnessinnotthinkingsoonerofsosimpleasolution。
　　Trimmle，atthebehest，vanishedinaflash，asifthankfultobeoutoftheroom，andwhenshereappeared，conductingtheagitatedunderling，Maryhadregainedherself-possession，andhadherquestionspat。
　　Thegentlemanwasastranger，yes——thatsheunderstood。Butwhathadhesaid？And，aboveall，whathadhelookedlike？Thefirstquestionwaseasilyenoughanswered，forthedisconcertingreasonthathehadsaidsolittle——hadmerelyaskedforMr。Boyne，and，scribblingsomethingonabitofpaper，hadrequestedthatitshouldatoncebecarriedintohim。