Chapter79
OldJohndidnotwalkneartheGoldenKey，forbetweentheGoldenKeyandtheBlackLiontherelayawildernessofstreets——aseverybodyknowswhoisacquaintedwiththerelativebearingsofClerkenwellandWhitechapel——andhewasbynomeansfamousforpedestrianexercises。ButtheGoldenKeyliesinourway，thoughitwasoutofhis;sototheGoldenKeythischaptergoes。
TheGoldenKeyitself，fairemblemofthelocksmith’strade，hadbeenpulleddownbytherioters，androughlytrampledunderfoot。
But，now，itwashoistedupagaininallthegloryofanewcoatofpaint，andshewedmorebravelyeventhanindaysofyore。Indeedthewholehouse-frontwasspruceandtrim，andsofreshenedupthroughout，thatifthereyetremainedatlargeanyoftherioterswhohadbeenconcernedintheattackuponit，thesightoftheold，goodly，prosperousdwelling，sorevived，musthavebeentothemasgallandwormwood。
Theshuttersoftheshopwereclosed，however，andthewindow-
blindsabovewereallpulleddown，andinplaceofitsusualcheerfulappearance，thehousehadalookofsadnessandanairofmourning;whichtheneighbours，whoinolddayshadoftenseenpoorBarnabygoinandout，wereatnolosstounderstand。Thedoorstoodpartlyopen;butthelocksmith’shammerwasunheard;thecatsatmopingontheashyforge;allwasdeserted，dark，andsilent。
Onthethresholdofthisdoor，MrHaredaleandEdwardChestermet。
Theyoungermangaveplace;andbothpassinginwithafamiliarair，whichseemedtodenotethattheyweretarryingthere，orwerewell-accustomedtogotoandfrounquestioned，shutitbehindthem。
Enteringtheoldback-parlour，andascendingtheflightofstairs，abruptandsteep，andquaintlyfashionedasofold，theyturnedintothebestroom;theprideofMrsVarden’sheart，anderstthesceneofMiggs’shouseholdlabours。
’Vardenbroughtthemotherherelastevening，hetoldme？’saidMrHaredale。
’Sheisabove-stairsnow——intheroomoverhere，’Edwardrejoined。
’Hergrief，theysay，ispastalltelling。Ineedn’tadd——forthatyouknowbeforehand，sir——thatthecare，humanity，andsympathyofthesegoodpeoplehavenobounds。’
’Iamsureofthat。Heavenrepaythemforit，andformuchmore！
Vardenisout？’
’Hereturnedwithyourmessenger，whoarrivedalmostatthemomentofhiscominghomehimself。Hewasoutthewholenight——butthatofcourseyouknow。Hewaswithyouthegreaterpartofit？’
’Hewas。Withouthim，Ishouldhavelackedmyrighthand。HeisanoldermanthanI;butnothingcanconquerhim。’
’Thecheeriest，stoutest-heartedfellowintheworld。’
’Hehasarighttobe。Hehasarighttohe。Abettercreatureneverlived。Hereapswhathehassown——nomore。’
’Itisnotallmen，’saidEdward，afteramoment’shesitation，’whohavethehappinesstodothat。’
’Morethanyouimagine，’returnedMrHaredale。’Wenotetheharvestmorethantheseed-time。Youdosoinme。’
Intruthhispaleandhaggardface，andgloomybearing，hadsofarinfluencedtheremark，thatEdwardwas，forthemoment，atalosstoanswerhim。
’Tut，tut，’saidMrHaredale，’’twasnotverydifficulttoreadathoughtsonatural。Butyouaremistakennevertheless。Ihavehadmyshareofsorrows——morethanthecommonlot，perhaps，butI
havebornethemill。IhavebrokenwhereIshouldhavebent;andhavemusedandbrooded，whenmyspiritshouldhavemixedwithallGod’sgreatcreation。Themenwholearnendurance，aretheywhocallthewholeworld，brother。IhaveturnedFROMtheworld，andI
paythepenalty。’
Edwardwouldhaveinterposed，buthewentonwithoutgivinghimtime。
’Itistoolatetoevadeitnow。Isometimesthink，thatifIhadtolivemylifeoncemore，Imightamendthisfault——notsomuch，I
discoverwhenIsearchmymind，fortheloveofwhatisright，asformyownsake。ButevenwhenImakethesebetterresolutions，I
instinctivelyrecoilfromtheideaofsufferingagainwhatIhaveundergone;andinthiscircumstanceIfindtheunwelcomeassurancethatIshouldstillbethesameman，thoughIcouldcancelthepast，andbeginanew，withitsexperiencetoguideme。’
’Nay，youmaketoosureofthat，’saidEdward。
’Youthinkso，’MrHaredaleanswered，’andIamgladyoudo。I
knowmyselfbetter，andthereforedistrustmyselfmore。Letusleavethissubjectforanother——notsofarremovedfromitasitmight，atfirstsight，seemtobe。Sir，youstilllovemyniece，andsheisstillattachedtoyou。’
’Ihavethatassurancefromherownlips，’saidEdward，’andyouknow——Iamsureyouknow——thatIwouldnotexchangeitforanyblessinglifecouldyieldme。’
’Youarefrank，honourable，anddisinterested，’saidMrHaredale;
’youhaveforcedtheconvictionthatyouareso，evenonmyonce-
jaundicedmind，andIbelieveyou。WaitheretillIcomeback。’
Helefttheroomashespoke;butsoonreturnedwithhisniece。
’Onthatfirstandonlytime，’hesaid，lookingfromtheonetotheother，’whenwethreestoodtogetherunderherfather’sroof，I
toldyoutoquitit，andchargedyounevertoreturn。’
’Itistheonlycircumstancearisingoutofourlove，’observedEdward，’thatIhaveforgotten。’
’Youownaname，’saidMrHaredale，’Ihaddeepreasontoremember。
Iwasmovedandgoadedbyrecollectionsofpersonalwrongandinjury，Iknow，but，evennowIcannotchargemyselfwithhaving，then，orever，lostsightofaheartfeltdesireforhertruehappiness;orwithhavingacted——howevermuchIwasmistaken——withanyotherimpulsethantheonepure，single，earnestwishtobetoher，asfarasinmyinferiornaturelay，thefathershehadlost。’
’Dearuncle，’criedEmma，’Ihaveknownnoparentbutyou。Ihavelovedthememoryofothers，butIhavelovedyouallmylife。
Neverwasfatherkindertohischildthanyouhavebeentome，withouttheintervalofoneharshhour，sinceIcanfirstremember。’
’Youspeaktoofondly，’heanswered，’andyetIcannotwishyouwerelesspartial;forIhaveapleasureinhearingthosewords，andshallhaveincallingthemtomindwhenwearefarasunder，whichnothingelsecouldgiveme。Bearwithmeforamomentlonger，Edward，forsheandIhavebeentogethermanyyears;andalthoughIbelievethatinresigninghertoyouIputthesealuponherfuturehappiness，Ifinditneedsaneffort。’
Hepressedhertenderlytohisbosom，andafteraminute’spause，resumed:
’Ihavedoneyouwrong，sir，andIaskyourforgiveness——innocommonphrase，orshowofsorrow;butwithearnestnessandsincerity。Inthesamespirit，IacknowledgetoyouboththatthetimehasbeenwhenIconnivedattreacheryandfalsehood——whichifIdidnotperpetratemyself，Istillpermitted——torendyoutwoasunder。’
’Youjudgeyourselftooharshly，’saidEdward。’Letthesethingsrest。’
’TheyriseinjudgmentagainstmewhenIlookback，andnotnowforthefirsttime，’heanswered。’Icannotpartfromyouwithoutyourfullforgiveness;forbusylifeandIhavelittleleftincommonnow，andIhaveregretsenoughtocarryintosolitude，withoutadditiontothestock。’
’Youbearablessingfromusboth，’saidEmma。’Neverminglethoughtsofme——ofmewhooweyousomuchloveandduty——withanythingbutundyingaffectionandgratitudeforthepast，andbrighthopesforthefuture。’
’Thefuture，’returnedheruncle，withamelancholysmile，’isabrightwordforyou，anditsimageshouldbewreathedwithcheerfulhopes。Mineisofanotherkind，butitwillbeoneofpeace，andfree，Itrust，fromcareorpassion。WhenyouquitEnglandIshallleaveittoo。Therearecloistersabroad;andnowthatthetwogreatobjectsofmylifearesetatrest，Iknownobetterhome。Youdroopatthat，forgettingthatIamgrowingold，andthatmycourseisnearlyrun。Well，wewillspeakofitagain——
notonceortwice，butmanytimes;andyoushallgivemecheerfulcounsel，Emma。’
’Andyouwilltakeit？’askedhisniece。
’I’lllistentoit，’heanswered，withakiss，’anditwillhaveitsweight，becertain。WhathaveIlefttosay？Youhave，oflate，beenmuchtogether。Itisbetterandmorefittingthatthecircumstancesattendantonthepast，whichwroughtyourseparation，andsowedbetweenyoususpicionanddistrust，shouldnotbeenteredonbyme。’
’Much，muchbetter，’whisperedEmma。
’Iavowmyshareinthem，’saidMrHaredale，’thoughIheldit，atthetime，indetestation。Letnomanturnaside，eversoslightly，fromthebroadpathofhonour，ontheplausiblepretencethatheisjustifiedbythegoodnessofhisend。Allgoodendscanheworkedoutbygoodmeans。Thosethatcannot，arebad;andmaybecountedsoatonce，andleftalone。’
HelookedfromhertoEdward，andsaidinagentlertone:
’Ingoodsandfortuneyouarenownearlyequal。Ihavebeenherfaithfulsteward，andtothatremnantofaricherpropertywhichmybrotherlefther，Idesiretoadd，intokenofmylove，apoorpittance，scarcelyworththemention，forwhichIhavenolongeranyneed。Iamgladyougoabroad。Letourill-fatedhouseremaintheruinitis。Whenyoureturn，afterafewthrivingyears，youwillcommandabetter，andamorefortunateone。Wearefriends？’
Edwardtookhisextendedhand，andgraspeditheartily。
’Youareneitherslownorcoldinyourresponse，’saidMrHaredale，doingthelikebyhim，’andwhenIlookuponyounow，andknowyou，IfeelthatIwouldchooseyouforherhusband。Herfatherhadagenerousnature，andyouwouldhavepleasedhimwell。Igivehertoyouinhisname，andwithhisblessing。IftheworldandIpartinthisact，wepartonhappiertermsthanwehavelivedformanyaday。’
Heplacedherinhisarms，andwouldhavelefttheroom，butthathewasstoppedinhispassagetothedoorbyagreatnoiseatadistance，whichmadethemstartandpause。
Itwasaloudshouting，mingledwithboisterousacclamations，thatrenttheveryair。Itdrewnearerandnearereverymoment，andapproachedsorapidly，that，evenwhiletheylistened，itburstintoadeafeningconfusionofsoundsatthestreetcorner。
’Thismustbestopped——quieted，’saidMrHaredale，hastily。’Weshouldhaveforeseenthis，andprovidedagainstit。Iwillgoouttothematonce。’
But，beforehecouldreachthedoor，andbeforeEdwardcouldcatchuphishatandfollowhim，theywereagainarrestedbyaloudshriekfromabove-stairs:andthelocksmith’swife，burstingin，andfairlyrunningintoMrHaredale’sarms，criedout:
’Sheknowsitall，dearsir！——sheknowsitall！Webrokeitouttoherbydegrees，andsheisquiteprepared。’Havingmadethiscommunication，andfurthermorethankedHeavenwithgreatfervourandheartiness，thegoodlady，accordingtothecustomofmatrons，onalloccasionsofexcitement，faintedawaydirectly。
Theyrantothewindow，drewupthesash，andlookedintothecrowdedstreet。Amongadensemobofpersons，ofwhomnotonewasforaninstantstill，thelocksmith’sruddyfaceandburlyformcouldbedescried，beatingaboutasthoughhewasstrugglingwitharoughsea。Now，hewascarriedbackascoreofyards，nowonwardnearlytothedoor，nowbackagain，nowforcedagainsttheoppositehouses，nowagainstthoseadjoininghisown:nowcarriedupaflightofsteps，andgreetedbytheoutstretchedhandsofhalfahundredmen，whilethewholetumultuousconcoursestretchedtheirthroats，andcheeredwithalltheirmight。Thoughhewasreallyinafairwaytobetorntopiecesinthegeneralenthusiasm，thelocksmith，nothingdiscomposed，echoedtheirshoutstillhewasashoarseasthey，andinaglowofjoyandrightgood-humour，wavedhishatuntilthedaylightshonebetweenitsbrimandcrown。
Butinallthebandyingsfromhandtohand，andstrivingstoandfro，andsweepingshereandthere，which——savingthathelookedmorejollyandmoreradiantaftereverystruggle——troubledhispeaceofmindnomorethanifhehadbeenastrawuponthewater’ssurface，heneveroncereleasedhisfirmgraspofanarm，drawntightthroughhis。Hesometimesturnedtoclapthisfriendupontheback，orwhisperinhisearawordofstaunchencouragement，orcheerhimwithasmile;buthisgreatcarewastoshieldhimfromthepressure，andforceapassageforhimtotheGoldenKey。
Passiveandtimid，scared，pale，andwondering，andgazingatthethrongasifhewerenewlyrisenfromthedead，andfelthimselfaghostamongtheliving，Barnaby——notBarnabyinthespirit，butinfleshandblood，withpulses，sinews，nerves，andbeatingheart，andstrongaffections——clungtohisstoutoldfriend，andfollowedwhereheled。
Andthus，incourseoftime，theyreachedthedoor，heldreadyfortheirentrancebynounwillinghands。Thenslippingin，andshuttingoutthecrowdbymainforce，GabrielstoodbetweenMrHaredaleandEdwardChester，andBarnaby，rushingupthestairs，felluponhiskneesbesidehismother’sbed。
’Suchistheblessedend，sir，’criedthepantinglocksmith，toMrHaredale，’ofthebestday’sworkweeverdid。Therogues！it’sbeenhardfightingtogetawayfrom’em。Ialmostthought，onceortwice，they’dhavebeentoomuchforuswiththeirkindness！’
Theyhadstriven，allthepreviousday，torescueBarnabyfromhisimpendingfate。Failingintheirattempts，inthefirstquartertowhichtheyaddressedthemselves，theyrenewedtheminanother。
Failingthere，likewise，theybeganafreshatmidnight;andmadetheirway，notonlytothejudgeandjurywhohadtriedhim，buttomenofinfluenceatcourt，totheyoungPrinceofWales，andeventotheante-chamberoftheKinghimself。Successful，atlast，inawakeninganinterestinhisfavour，andaninclinationtoinquiremoredispassionatelyintohiscase，theyhadhadaninterviewwiththeminister，inhisbed，solateaseighto’clockthatmorning。
Theresultofasearchinginquiryinwhichthey，whohadknownthepoorfellowfromhischildhood，didothergoodservice，besidesbringingitaboutwas，thatbetweenelevenandtwelveo’clock，afreepardontoBarnabyRudgewasmadeoutandsigned，andentrustedtoahorse-soldierforinstantconveyancetotheplaceofexecution。Thiscourierreachedthespotjustasthecartappearedinsight;andBarnabybeingcarriedbacktojail，MrHaredale，assuredthatallwassafe，hadgonestraightfromBloomsburySquaretotheGoldenKey，leavingtoGabrielthegratefultaskofbringinghimhomeintriumph。
’Ineedn’tsay，’observedthelocksmith，whenhehadshakenhandswithallthemalesinthehouse，andhuggedallthefemales，five-
and-fortytimes，atleast，’that，exceptamongourselves，Ididn’twanttomakeatriumphofit。But，directlywegotintothestreetwewereknown，andthishubbubbegan。Ofthetwo，’headded，ashewipedhiscrimsonface，’andafterexperienceofboth，IthinkI’dratherbetakenoutofmyhousebyacrowdofenemies，thanescortedhomebyamoboffriends！’
Itwasplainenough，however，thatthiswasmeretalkonGabriel’spart，andthatthewholeproceedingaffordedhimthekeenestdelight;forthepeoplecontinuingtomakeagreatnoisewithout，andtocheerasiftheirvoiceswereinthefreshestorder，andgoodforafortnight，hesentupstairsforGripwhohadcomehomeathismaster’sback，andhadacknowledgedthefavoursofthemultitudebydrawingbloodfromeveryfingerthatcamewithinhisreach，andwiththebirduponhisarmpresentedhimselfatthefirst-floorwindow，andwavedhishatagainuntilitdangledbyashred，betweenhisfingerandthumb。Thisdemonstrationhavingbeenreceivedwithappropriateshouts，andsilencebeinginsomedegreerestored，hethankedthemfortheirsympathy;andtakingthelibertytoinformthemthattherewasasickpersoninthehouse，proposedthattheyshouldgivethreecheersforKingGeorge，threemoreforOldEngland，andthreemorefornothingparticular，asaclosingceremony。Thecrowdassenting，substitutedGabrielVardenforthenothingparticular;andgivinghimoneover，forgoodmeasure，dispersedinhighgood-humour。
WhatcongratulationswereexchangedamongtheinmatesattheGoldenKey，whentheywereleftalone;whatanoverflowingofjoyandhappinesstherewasamongthem;howincapableitwasofexpressioninBarnaby’sownperson;andhowhewentwildlyfromonetoanother，untilhebecamesofartranquillised，astostretchhimselfonthegroundbesidehismother’scouchandfallintoadeepsleep;aremattersthatneednotbetold。Anditiswelltheyhappenedtobeofthisclass，fortheywouldbeveryhardtotell，weretheirnarrationeversoindispensable。
Beforeleavingthisbrightpicture，itmaybewelltoglanceatadarkandverydifferentonewhichwaspresentedtoonlyafeweyes，thatsamenight。
Thescenewasachurchyard;thetime，midnight;thepersons，EdwardChester，aclergyman，agrave-digger，andthefourbearersofahomelycoffin。Theystoodaboutagravewhichhadbeennewlydug，andoneofthebearersheldupadimlantern，——theonlylightthere——whichsheditsfeeblerayuponthebookofprayer。Heplaceditforamomentonthecoffin，whenheandhiscompanionswereabouttoloweritdown。Therewasnoinscriptiononthelid。
Themouldfellsolemnlyuponthelasthouseofthisnamelessman;
andtherattlingdustleftadismalechoevenintheaccustomedearsofthosewhohadborneittoitsresting-place。Thegravewasfilledintothetop，andtroddendown。Theyallleftthespottogether。
’Youneversawhim，living？’askedtheclergyman，ofEdward。
’Often，yearsago;notknowinghimformybrother。’
’Neversince？’
’Never。Yesterday，hesteadilyrefusedtoseeme。Itwasurgeduponhim，manytimes，atmydesire。’
’Stillherefused？Thatwashardenedandunnatural。’
’Doyouthinkso？’
’Iinferthatyoudonot？’
’Youareright。Weheartheworldwonder，everyday，atmonstersofingratitude。Diditneveroccurtoyouthatitoftenlooksformonstersofaffection，asthoughtheywerethingsofcourse？’
Theyhadreachedthegatebythistime，andbiddingeachothergoodnight，departedontheirseparateways。
Chapter80
Thatafternoon，whenhehadsleptoffhisfatigue;hadshaved，andwashed，anddressed，andfreshenedhimselffromtoptotoe;whenhehaddined，comfortedhimselfwithapipe，anextraToby，anapinthegreatarm-chair，andaquietchatwithMrsVardenoneverythingthathadhappened，washappening，orabouttohappen，withinthesphereoftheirdomesticconcern;thelocksmithsathimselfdownatthetea-tableinthelittleback-parlour:therosiest，cosiest，merriest，heartiest，best-contentedoldbuck，inGreatBritainoroutofit。
Therehesat，withhisbeamingeyeonMrsV。，andhisshiningfacesuffusedwithgladness，andhiscapaciouswaistcoatsmilingineverywrinkle，andhisjovialhumourpeepingfromunderthetableintheveryplumpnessofhislegs;asighttoturnthevinegarofmisanthropyintopurestmilkofhumankindness。Therehesat，watchinghiswifeasshedecoratedtheroomwithflowersforthegreaterhonourofDollyandJosephWillet，whohadgoneoutwalking，andforwhomthetea-kettlehadbeensinginggailyonthehobfulltwentyminutes，chirpingasneverkettlechirpedbefore;
forwhomthebestserviceofrealundoubtedchina，patternedwithdiversround-facedmandarinsholdingupbroadumbrellas，wasnowdisplayedinallitsglory;totemptwhoseappetitesaclear，transparent，juicyham，garnishedwithcoolgreenlettuce-leavesandfragrantcucumber，reposeduponashadytable，coveredwithasnow-whitecloth;forwhosedelight，preservesandjams，crispcakesandotherpastry，shorttoeat，withcunningtwists，andcottageloaves，androllsofbreadbothwhiteandbrown，wereallsetforthinrichprofusion;inwhoseyouthMrsV。herselfhadgrownquiteyoung，andstoodthereinagownofredandwhite:
symmetricalinfigure，buxominbodice，ruddyincheekandlip，faultlessinankle，laughinginfaceandmood，inallrespectsdelicioustobehold——theresatthelocksmithamongallandeverythesedelights，thesunthatshoneuponthemall:thecentreofthesystem:thesourceoflight，heat，life，andfrankenjoymentinthebrighthouseholdworld。
AndwhenhadDollyeverbeentheDollyofthatafternoon？Toseehowshecamein，arm-in-armwithJoe;andhowshemadeaneffortnottoblushorseematallconfused;andhowshemadebelieveshedidn’tcaretositonhissideofthetable;andhowshecoaxedthelocksmithinawhispernottojoke;andhowhercolourcameandwentinalittlerestlessflutterofhappiness，whichmadeherdoeverythingwrong，andyetsocharminglywrongthatitwasbetterthanright！——why，thelocksmithcouldhavelookedonatthisashementionedtoMrsVardenwhentheyretiredforthenightforfour-
and-twentyhoursatastretch，andn[m.kanbaapp.com]everwisheditdone。
Therecollections，too，withwhichtheymademerryoverthatlongprotractedtea！ThegleewithwhichthelocksmithaskedJoeifherememberedthatstormynightattheMaypolewhenhefirstaskedafterDolly——thelaughtheyallhad，aboutthatnightwhenshewasgoingouttothepartyinthesedan-chair——theunmercifulmannerinwhichtheyralliedMrsVardenaboutputtingthoseflowersoutsidethatverywindow——thedifficultyMrsVardenfoundinjoiningthelaughagainstherself，atfirst，andtheextraordinaryperceptionshehadofthejokewhensheovercameit——theconfidentialstatementsofJoeconcerningtheprecisedayandhourwhenhewasfirstconsciousofbeingfondofDolly，andDolly’sblushingadmissions，halfvolunteeredandhalfextorted，astothetimefromwhichshedatedthediscoverythatshe’didn’tmind’Joe——herewasanexhaustlessfundofmirthandconversation。
Then，therewasagreatdealtobesaidregardingMrsVarden’sdoubts，andmotherlyalarms，andshrewdsuspicions;anditappearedthatfromMrsVarden’spenetrationandextremesagacitynothinghadeverbeenhidden。Shehadknownitallalong。Shehadseenitfromthefirst。Shehadalwayspredictedit。Shehadbeenawareofitbeforetheprincipals。Shehadsaidwithinherselfforsherememberedtheexactwords’thatyoungWilletiscertainlylookingafterourDolly，andImustlookafterHIM。’Accordingly，shehadlookedafterhim，andhadobservedmanylittlecircumstancesallofwhichshenamedsoexceedinglyminutethatnobodyelsecouldmakeanythingoutofthemevennow;andhad，itseemedfromfirsttolast，displayedthemostunboundedtactandmostconsummategeneralship。
OfcoursethenightwhenJoeWOULDridehomewardbythesideofthechaise，andwhenMrsVardenWOULDinsistuponhisgoingbackagain，wasnotforgotten——northenightwhenDollyfaintedonhisnamebeingmentioned——northetimesupontimeswhenMrsVarden，everwatchfulandprudent，hadfoundherpininginherownchamber。Inshort，nothingwasforgotten;andeverythingbysomemeansorotherbroughtthembacktotheconclusion，thatthatwasthehappiesthourinalltheirlives;consequently，thateverythingmusthaveoccurredforthebest，andnothingcouldbesuggestedwhichwouldhavemadeitbetter。
Whiletheywereinthefullglowofsuchdiscourseasthis，therecameastartlingknockatthedoor，openingfromthestreetintotheworkshop，whichhadbeenkeptclosedalldaythatthehousemightbemorequiet。Joe，asindutybound，wouldhearofnobodybuthimselfgoingtoopenit;andaccordinglylefttheroomforthatpurpose。
Itwouldhavebeenoddenough，certainly，ifJoehadforgottenthewaytothisdoor;andevenifhehad，asitwasaprettylargeoneandstoodstraightbeforehim，hecouldnoteasilyhavemissedit。
ButDolly，perhapsbecauseshewasintheflutterofspiritsbeforementioned，orperhapsbecauseshethoughthewouldnotbeabletoopenitwithhisonearm——shecouldhavehadnootherreason——
hurriedoutafterhim;andtheystoppedsolonginthepassage——nodoubtowingtoJoe’sentreatiesthatshewouldnotexposeherselftothedraughtofJulyairwhichmustinfalliblycomerushinginonthissamedoorbeingopened——thattheknockwasrepeated，inayetmorestartlingmannerthanbefore。
’Isanybodygoingtoopenthatdoor？’criedthelocksmith。’OrshallIcome？’
Uponthat，Dollywentrunningbackintotheparlour，alldimplesandblushes;andJoeopeneditwithamightynoise，andothersuperfluousdemonstrationsofbeinginaviolenthurry。
’Well，’saidthelocksmith，whenhereappeared:’whatisit？ehJoe？whatareyoulaughingat？’
’Nothing，sir。It’scomingin。’
’Who’scomingin？what’scomingin？’MrsVarden，asmuchatalossasherhusband，couldonlyshakeherheadinanswertohisinquiringlook:so，thelocksmithwheeledhischairroundtocommandabetterviewoftheroom-door，andstaredatitwithhiseyeswideopen，andamingledexpressionofcuriosityandwondershininginhisjollyface。
Insteadofsomepersonorpersonsstraightwayappearing，diversremarkablesoundswereheard，firstintheworkshopandafterwardsinthelittledarkpassagebetweenitandtheparlour，asthoughsomeunwieldychestorheavypieceoffurniturewerebeingbroughtin，byanamountofhumanstrengthinadequatetothetask。Atlengthaftermuchstrugglingandhumping，andbruisingofthewallonbothsides，thedoorwasforcedopenasbyabattering-ram;andthelocksmith，steadilyregardingwhatappearedbeyond，smotehisthigh，elevatedhiseyebrows，openedhismouth，andcriedinaloudvoiceexpressiveoftheutmostconsternation:
’Damme，ifitan’tMiggscomeback！’
Theyoungdamselwhomhenamednosoonerheardthesewords，thandesertingasmallboyandaverylargeboxbywhichshewasaccompanied，andadvancingwithsuchprecipitationthatherbonnetflewoffherhead，burstintotheroom，claspedherhandsinwhichsheheldapairofpattens，oneineach，raisedhereyesdevotedlytotheceiling，andshedafloodoftears。
’Theoldstory！’criedthelocksmith，lookingatherininexpressibledesperation。’Shewasborntobeadamper，thisyoungwoman！nothingcanpreventit！’
’Homaster，homim！’criedMiggs，’canIconstrainmyfeelingsinthesehereonceaginunitedmoments！HoMrWarsen，here’sblessednessamongrelations，sir！Here’sforgivenessesofinjuries，here’samicablenesses！’
ThelocksmithlookedfromhiswifetoDolly，andfromDollytoJoe，andfromJoetoMiggs，withhiseyebrowsstillelevatedandhismouthstillopen。WhenhiseyesgotbacktoMiggs，theyrestedonher;fascinated。
’Tothink，’criedMiggswithhystericaljoy，’thatMrJoe，anddearMissDolly，hasralycometogetherafterallashasbeensaidanddonecontrairy！Toseethemtwoa-settin’alongwithhimandher，sopleasantandinallrespectssoaffableandmild;andmenotknowingofit，andnotbeinginthewaystomakenopreparationsfortheirteas。Howhatacuttingthingitis，andyetwhatsweetsensationsisawokewithinme！’
Eitherinclaspingherhandsagain，orinanecstasyofpiousjoy，MissMiggsclinkedherpattensafterthemannerofapairofcymbals，atthisjuncture;andthenresumed，inthesoftestaccents:
’Anddidmymissisthink——hogoodness，didshethink——asherownMiggs，whichsupportedherundersomanytrials，andunderstoodhernatur’whenthemasintendedwellbutactedrough，wentsodeepintoherfeelings——didshethinkasherownMiggswouldeverleaveher？DidshethinkasMiggs，thoughshewasbutaservant，andknowedthatservitudeswasnoinheritances，wouldforgitthatshewasthehumbleinstrumentsasalwaysmadeitcomfortablebetweenthemtwowhentheyfellout，andalwaystoldmasterofthemeeknessandforgivenessofherblesseddispositions！DidshethinkasMiggshadnoattachments！Didshethinkthatwageswasheronlyobject！’
Tononeoftheseinterrogatories，whereofeveryonewasmorepatheticallydeliveredthanthelast，didMrsVardenansweroneword:butMiggs，notatallabashedbythiscircumstance，turnedtothesmallboyinattendance——hereldestnephew——sonofherownmarriedsister——borninGoldenLionCourt，numbertwenty-sivin，andbredintheveryshadowofthesecondbell-handleontheright-
handdoor-post——andwithaplentifuluseofherpocket-
handkerchief，addressedherselftohim:requestingthatonhisreturnhomehewouldconsolehisparentsforthelossofher，hisaunt，bydeliveringtothemafaithfulstatementofhishavingleftherinthebosomofthatfamily，withwhich，ashisaforesaidparentswellknew，herbestaffectionswereincorporated;thathewouldremindthemthatnothinglessthanherimperioussenseofduty，anddevotedattachmenttoheroldmasterandmissis，likewiseMissDollyandyoungMrJoe，shouldeverhaveinducedhertodeclinethatpressinginvitationwhichthey，hisparents，had，ashecouldtestify，givenher，tolodgeandboardwiththem，freeofallcostandcharge，forevermore;lastly，thathewouldhelpherwithherboxupstairs，andthenrepairstraighthome，bearingherblessingandherstronginjunctionstomingleinhisprayersasupplicationthathemightincourseoftimegrowupalocksmith，oraMrJoe，andhaveMrsVardensandMissDollysforhisrelationsandfriends。
Havingbroughtthisadmonitiontoanend——uponwhich，tosaythetruth，theyounggentlemanforwhosebenefititwasdesigned，bestowedlittleornoheed，havingtoallappearancehisfacultiesabsorbedinthecontemplationofthesweetmeats，——MissMiggssignifiedtothecompanyingeneralthattheywerenottobeuneasy，forshewouldsoonreturn;and，withhernephew’said，preparedtobearherwardrobeupthestaircase。
’Mydear，’saidthelocksmithtohiswife。’Doyoudesirethis？’
’Idesireit！’sheanswered。’Iamastonished——Iamamazed——atheraudacity。Letherleavethehousethismoment。’
Miggs，hearingthis，letherendoftheboxfallheavilytothefloor，gaveaveryloudsniff，crossedherarms，screweddownthecornersofhermouth，andcried，inanascendingscale，’Ho，goodgracious！’threedistincttimes。
’Youhearwhatyourmistresssays，mylove，’remarkedthelocksmith。’Youhadbettergo，Ithink。Stay;takethiswithyou，forthesakeofoldservice。’
MissMiggsclutchedthebank-notehetookfromhispocket-bookandheldouttoher;depositeditinasmall，redleatherpurse;putthepurseinherpocketdisplaying，asshedidso，aconsiderableportionofsomeunder-garment，madeofflannel，andmoreblackcottonstockingthaniscommonlyseeninpublic;and，tossingherhead，asshelookedatMrsVarden，repeated——
’Ho，goodgracious！’
’Ithinkyousaidthatoncebefore，mydear，’observedthelocksmith。
’Timesischanged，isthey，mim！’criedMiggs，bridling;’youcansparemenow，canyou？Youcankeep’emdownwithoutme？You’renotinwantsofanyonetoscold，orthrowtheblameupon，nolonger，an’tyou，mim？I’mgladtofindyou’vegrownsoindependent。Iwishyoujoy，I’msure！’
Withthatshedroppedacurtsey，andkeepingherheaderect，hereartowardsMrsVarden，andhereyeontherestofthecompany，asshealludedtotheminherremarks，proceeded:
’I’mquitedelighted，I’msure，tofindsichindependency，feelingsorrythough，atthesametime，mim，thatyoushouldhavebeenforcedintosubmissionswhenyoucouldn’thelpyourself——hehehe！
Itmustbegreatvexations，’speciallyconsideringhowillyoualwaysspokeofMrJoe——tohavehimforason-in-lawatlast;andIwonderMissDollycanputupwithhim，either，afterbeingoffandonforsomanyyearswithacoachmaker。ButIHAVEheerdsay，thatthecoachmakerthoughttwiceaboutit——hehehe！——andthathetoldayoungmanaswasafrindofhis，thathehopedheknowedbetterthantobedrawedintothat;thoughsheandallthefamilyDIDpulluncommonstrong！’
Hereshepausedforareply，andreceivingnone，wentonasbefore。
’IHAVEheerdsay，mim，thattheillnessesofsomeladieswasallpretensions，andthattheycouldfaintaway，stonedead，whenevertheyhadtheinclinationssotodo。OfcourseIneverseesichcaseswithmyowneyes——hono！Hehehe！Normasterneither——hono！Hehehe！IHAVEheerdtheneighboursmakeremarkassomeoneastheywasacquaintedwith，wasapoorgood-natur’dmean-spiritedcreetur，aswentoutfishingforawifeoneday，andcaughtaTartar。OfcourseInevertomyknowledgeseethepoorpersonhimself。Nordidyouneither，mim——hono。Iwonderwhoitcanbe——don’tyou，mim？Nodoubtyoudo，mim。Hoyes。Hehehe！’
AgainMiggspausedforareply;andnonebeingoffered，wassooppressedwithteemingspiteandspleen，thatsheseemedliketoburst。
’I’mgladMissDollycanlaugh，’criedMiggswithafeebletitter。
’Iliketoseefolksa-laughing——sodoyou，mim，don’tyou？Youwasalwaysgladtoseepeopleinspirits，wasn’tyou，mim？Andyoualwaysdidyourbesttokeep’emcheerful，didn’tyou，mim？
Thoughtherean’tsuchagreatdealtolaughatnoweither;isthere，mim？Itan’tsomuchofacatch，afterlookingoutsosharpeversinceshewasalittlechit，andcostingsuchadealindressandshow，togetapoor，commonsoldier，withonearm，isit，mim？
Hehe！Iwouldn’thaveahusbandwithonearm，anyways。Iwouldhavetwoarms。Iwouldhavetwoarms，ifitwasme，thoughinsteadofhandsthey’donlygothooksattheend，likeourdustman！’
MissMiggswasabouttoadd，andhad，indeed，beguntoadd，that，takingthemintheabstract，dustmenwerefarmoreeligiblematchesthansoldiers，though，tobesure，whenpeoplewerepastchoosingtheymusttakethebesttheycouldget，andthinkthemselveswellofftoo;buthervexationandchagrinbeingofthatinternallybittersortwhichfindsnoreliefinwords，andisaggravatedtomadnessbywantofcontradiction，shecouldholdoutnolonger，andburstintoastormofsobsandtears。
Inthisextremityshefellontheunluckynephew，toothandnail，andpluckingahandfulofhairfromhishead，demandedtoknowhowlongshewastostandtheretobeinsulted，andwhetherornohemeanttohelphertocarryouttheboxagain，andifhetookapleasureinhearinghisfamilyreviled:withotherinquiriesofthatnature;atwhichdisgraceandprovocation，thesmallboy，whohadbeenallthistimegraduallylashedintorebellionbythesightofunattainablepastry，walkedoffindignant，leavinghisauntandtheboxtofollowattheirleisure。Somehoworother，bydintofpushingandpulling，theydidattainthestreetatlast;whereMissMiggs，allblowzedwiththeexertionofgettingthere，andwithhersobsandtears，satdownuponherpropertytorestandgrieve，untilshecouldensnaresomeotheryouthtohelpherhome。
’It’sathingtolaughat，Martha，nottocarefor，’whisperedthelocksmith，ashefollowedhiswifetothewindow，andgood-
humouredlydriedhereyes。’Whatdoesitmatter？Youhadseenyourfaultbefore。Come！BringupTobyagain，mydear;Dollyshallsingusasong;andwe’llbeallthemerrierforthisinterruption！’
Chapter81
Anothermonthhadpassed，andtheendofAugusthadnearlycome，whenMrHaredalestoodaloneinthemail-coachofficeatBristol。
AlthoughbutafewweekshadintervenedsincehisconversationwithEdwardChesterandhisniece，inthelocksmith’shouse，andhehadmadenochange，inthemeantime，inhisaccustomedstyleofdress，hisappearancewasgreatlyaltered。Helookedmucholder，andmorecare-worn。Agitationandanxietyofmindscatterwrinklesandgreyhairswithnounsparinghand;butdeepertracesfollowonthesilentuprootingofoldhabits，andseveringofdear，familiarties。Theaffectionsmaynotbesoeasilywoundedasthepassions，buttheirhurtsaredeeper，andmorelasting。Hewasnowasolitaryman，andtheheartwithinhimwasdrearyandlonesome。
Hewasnotthelessaloneforhavingspentsomanyyearsinseclusionandretirement。Thiswasnobetterpreparationthanaroundofsocialcheerfulness:perhapsitevenincreasedthekeennessofhissensibility。Hehadbeensodependentuponherforcompanionshipandlove;shehadcometobesomuchapartandparcelofhisexistence;theyhadhadsomanycaresandthoughtsincommon，whichnooneelsehadshared;thatlosingherwasbeginninglifeanew，andbeingrequiredtosummonupthehopeandelasticityofyouth，amidthedoubts，distrusts，andweakenedenergiesofage。
Theefforthehadmadetopartfromherwithseemingcheerfulnessandhope——andtheyhadpartedonlyyesterday——lefthimthemoredepressed。Withthesefeelings，hewasabouttorevisitLondonforthelasttime，andlookoncemoreuponthewallsoftheiroldhome，beforeturninghisbackuponit，forever。
Thejourneywasaverydifferentone，inthosedays，fromwhatthepresentgenerationfindit;butitcametoanend，asthelongestjourneywill，andhestoodagaininthestreetsofthemetropolis。
Helayattheinnwherethecoachstopped，andresolved，beforehewenttobed，thathewouldmakehisarrivalknowntonoone;wouldspendbutanothernightinLondon;andwouldsparehimselfthepangofparting，evenwiththehonestlocksmith。
Suchconditionsofthemindasthattowhichhewasapreywhenhelaydowntorest，arefavourabletothegrowthofdisorderedfancies，anduneasyvisions。Heknewthis，eveninthehorrorwithwhichhestartedfromhisfirstsleep，andthrewupthewindowtodispelitbythepresenceofsomeobject，beyondtheroom，whichhadnotbeen，asitwere，thewitnessofhisdream。Butitwasnotanewterrorofthenight;ithadbeenpresenttohimbefore，inmanyshapes;ithadhauntedhiminbygonetimes，andvisitedhispillowagainandagain。Ifithadbeenbutanuglyobject，achildishspectre，hauntinghissleep，itsreturn，initsoldform，mighthaveawakenedamomentarysensationoffear，which，almostintheactofwaking，wouldhavepassedaway。Thisdisquiet，however，lingeredabouthim，andwouldyieldtonothing。Whenheclosedhiseyesagain，hefeltithoveringnear;asheslowlysunkintoaslumber，hewasconsciousofitsgatheringstrengthandpurpose，andgraduallyassumingitsrecentshape;whenhesprangupfromhisbed，thesamephantomvanishedfromhisheatedbrain，andlefthimfilledwithadreadagainstwhichreasonandwakingthoughtwerepowerless。
Thesunwasup，beforehecouldshakeitoff。Heroselate，butnotrefreshed，andremainedwithindoorsallthatday。Hehadafancyforpayinghislastvisittotheoldspotintheevening，forhehadbeenaccustomedtowalkthereatthatseason，anddesiredtoseeitundertheaspectthatwasmostfamiliartohim。Atsuchanhouraswouldaffordhimtimetoreachitalittlebeforesunset，helefttheinn，andturnedintothebusystreet。
Hehadnotgonefar，andwasthoughtfullymakinghiswayamongthenoisycrowd，whenhefeltahanduponhisshoulder，and，turning，recognisedoneofthewaitersfromtheinn，whobeggedhispardon，buthehadlefthisswordbehindhim。
’Whyhaveyoubroughtittome？’heasked，stretchingouthishand，andyetnottakingitfromtheman，butlookingathiminadisturbedandagitatedmanner。
Themanwassorrytohavedisobligedhim，andwouldcarryitbackagain。Thegentlemanhadsaidthathewasgoingalittlewayintothecountry，andthathemightnotreturnuntillate。Theroadswerenotverysafeforsingletravellersafterdark;and，sincetheriots，gentlemenhadbeenmorecarefulthanever，nottotrustthemselvesunarmedinlonelyplaces。’Wethoughtyouwereastranger，sir，’headded，’andthatyoumightbelieveourroadstobebetterthantheyare;butperhapsyouknowthemwell，andcarryfire-arms——’
Hetookthesword，andputtingitupathisside，thankedtheman，andresumedhiswalk。
Itwaslongrememberedthathedidthisinamannersostrange，andwithsuchatremblinghand，thatthemessengerstoodlookingafterhisretreatingfigure，doubtfulwhetherheoughtnottofollow，andwatchhim。Itwaslongrememberedthathehadbeenheardpacinghisbedroominthedeadofthenight;thattheattendantshadmentionedtoeachotherinthemorning，howfeveredandhowpalehelooked;andthatwhenthismanwentbacktotheinn，hetoldafellow-servantthatwhathehadobservedinthisshortinterviewlayveryheavyonhismind，andthathefearedthegentlemanintendedtodestroyhimself，andwouldnevercomebackalive。
Withahalf-consciousnessthathismannerhadattractedtheman’sattentionrememberingtheexpressionofhisfacewhentheyparted，MrHaredalequickenedhissteps;andarrivingatastandofcoaches，bargainedwiththedriverofthebesttocarryhimsofaronhisroadasthepointwherethefootwaystruckacrossthefields，andtoawaithisreturnatahouseofentertainmentwhichwaswithinastone’s-throwofthatplace。Arrivingthereinduecourse，healightedandpursuedhiswayonfoot。
HepassedsoneartheMaypole，thathecouldseeitssmokerisingfromamongthetrees，whileaflockofpigeons——someofitsoldinhabitants，doubtless——sailedgailyhometoroost，betweenhimandtheuncloudedsky。’Theoldhousewillbrightenupnow，’hesaid，ashelookedtowardsit，’andtherewillbeamerryfiresidebeneathitsiviedroof。Itissomecomforttoknowthateverythingwillnotbeblightedhereabouts。Ishallbegladtohaveonepictureoflifeandcheerfulnesstoturnto，inmymind！’
Heresumedhiswalk，andbenthisstepstowardstheWarren。Itwasaclear，calm，silentevening，withhardlyabreathofwindtostirtheleaves，oranysoundtobreakthestillnessofthetime，butdrowsysheep-bellstinklinginthedistance，and，atintervals，thefar-offlowingofcattle，orbarkofvillagedogs。Theskywasradiantwiththesoftenedgloryofsunset;andontheearth，andintheair，adeepreposeprevailed。Atsuchanhour，hearrivedatthedesertedmansionwhichhadbeenhishomesolong，andlookedforthelasttimeuponitsblackenedwalls。
Theashesofthecommonestfirearemelancholythings，forinthemthereisanimageofdeathandruin，——ofsomethingthathasbeenbright，andisbutdull，cold，drearydust，——withwhichournatureforcesustosympathise。Howmuchmoresadthecrumbledembersofahome:thecastingdownofthatgreataltar，wheretheworstamongussometimesperformtheworshipoftheheart;andwherethebesthaveofferedupsuchsacrifices，anddonesuchdeedsofheroism，as，chronicled，wouldputtheproudesttemplesofoldTime，withalltheirvauntingannals，totheblush！
Herousedhimselffromalongtrainofmeditation，andwalkedslowlyroundthehouse。Itwasbythistimealmostdark。
Hehadnearlymadethecircuitofthebuilding，whenheutteredahalf-suppressedexclamation，started，andstoodstill。Reclining，inaneasyattitude，withhisbackagainstatree，andcontemplatingtheruinwithanexpressionofpleasure，——apleasuresokeenthatitovercamehishabitualindolenceandcommandoffeature，anddisplayeditselfutterlyfreefromallrestraintorreserve，——beforehim，onhisownground，andtriumphingthen，ashehadtriumphedineverymisfortuneanddisappointmentofhislife，stoodthemanwhosepresence，ofallmankind，inanyplace，andleastofallinthat，hecouldtheleastendure。
Althoughhisbloodsoroseagainstthisman，andhiswrathsostirredwithinhim，thathecouldhavestruckhimdead，heputsuchfierceconstraintuponhimselfthathepassedhimwithoutawordorlook。Yes，andhewouldhavegoneon，andnotturned，thoughtoresisttheDevilwhopouredsuchhottemptationinhisbrain，requiredaneffortscarcelytobeachieved，ifthismanhadnothimselfsummonedhimtostop:andthat，withanassumedcompassioninhisvoicewhichdrovehimwell-nighmad，andinaninstantroutedalltheself-commandithadbeenanguish——acute，poignantanguish——tosustain。
Allconsideration，reflection，mercy，forbearance;everythingbywhichagoadedmancancurbhisrageandpassion;fledfromhimasheturnedback。Andyethesaid，slowlyandquitecalmly——farmorecalmlythanhehadeverspokentohimbefore:
’Whyhaveyoucalledtome？’
’Toremark，’saidSirJohnChesterwithhiswontedcomposure，’whatanoddchanceitis，thatweshouldmeethere！’
’ItISastrangechance。’
’Strange？Themostremarkableandsingularthingintheworld。I
neverrideintheevening;Ihavenotdonesoforyears。Thewhimseizedme，quiteunaccountably，inthemiddleoflastnight——Howverypicturesquethisis！’——Hepointed，ashespoke，tothedismantledhouse，andraisedhisglasstohiseye。
’Youpraiseyourownworkveryfreely。’
SirJohnletfallhisglass;inclinedhisfacetowardshimwithanairofthemostcourteousinquiry;andslightlyshookhisheadasthoughhewereremarkingtohimself，’Ifearthisanimalisgoingmad！’
’Isayyoupraiseyourownworkveryfreely，’repeatedMrHaredale。
’Work！’echoedSirJohn，lookingsmilinglyround。’Mine！——Ibegyourpardon，Ireallybegyourpardon——’
’Why，yousee，’saidMrHaredale，’thosewalls。Youseethosetotteringgables。Youseeoneverysidewherefireandsmokehaveraged。Youseethedestructionthathasbeenwantonhere。Doyounot？’
’Mygoodfriend，’returnedtheknight，gentlycheckinghisimpatiencewithhishand，’ofcourseIdo。Iseeeverythingyouspeakof，whenyoustandaside，anddonotinterposeyourselfbetweentheviewandme。Iamverysorryforyou。IfIhadnothadthepleasuretomeetyouhere，IthinkIshouldhavewrittentotellyouso。Butyoudon’tbearitaswellasIhadexpected——
excuseme——no，youdon’tindeed。’
Hepulledouthissnuff-box，andaddressinghimwiththesuperiorairofamanwho，byreasonofhishighernature，hasarighttoreadamorallessontoanother，continued:
’Foryouareaphilosopher，youknow——oneofthatsternandrigidschoolwhoarefarabovetheweaknessesofmankindingeneral。Youareremoved，alongway，fromthefrailtiesofthecrowd。Youcontemplatethemfromaheight，andrailatthemwithamostimpressivebitterness。Ihaveheardyou。’——
’Andshallagain，’saidMrHaredale。
’Thankyou，’returnedtheother。’Shallwewalkaswetalk？Thedampfallsratherheavily。Well，——asyouplease。ButIgrievetosaythatIcanspareyouonlyaveryfewmoments。’
’Iwould，’saidMrHaredale，’youhadsparedmenone。Iwould，withallmysoul，youhadbeeninParadiseifsuchamonstrousliecouldbeenacted，ratherthanhereto-night。’
’Nay，’returnedtheother——’really——youdoyourselfinjustice。Youarearoughcompanion，butIwouldnotgosofartoavoidyou。’
’Listentome，’saidMrHaredale。’Listentome。’
’Whileyourail？’inquiredSirJohn。
’WhileIdeliveryourinfamy。Youurgedandstimulatedtodoyourworkafitagent，butonewhoinhisnature——intheveryessenceofhisbeing——isatraitor，andwhohasbeenfalsetoyoudespitethesympathyyoutwoshouldhavetogetherashehasbeentoallothers。Withhints，andlooks，andcraftywords，whichtoldagainarenothing，yousetonGashfordtothiswork——thisworkbeforeusnow。Withthesesamehints，andlooks，andcraftywords，whichtoldagainarenothing，youurgedhimontogratifythedeadlyhateheowesme——Ihaveearnedit，IthankHeaven——bytheabductionanddishonourofmyniece。Youdid。Iseedenialinyourlooks，’
hecried，abruptlypointinginhisface，andsteppingback，’anddenialisalie！’
Hehadhishanduponhissword;buttheknight，withacontemptuoussmile，repliedtohimascoldlyasbefore。
’Youwilltakenotice，sir——ifyoucandiscriminatesufficiently——
thatIhavetakenthetroubletodenynothing。Yourdiscernmentishardlyfineenoughfortheperusaloffaces，notofakindascoarseasyourspeech;norhasiteverbeen，thatIremember;or，inonefacethatIcouldname，youwouldhavereadindifference，nottosaydisgust，somewhatsoonerthanyoudid。Ispeakofalongtimeago，——butyouunderstandme。’
’Disguiseitasyouwill，youmeandenial。Denialexplicitorreserved，expressedorlefttobeinferred，isstillalie。Yousayyoudon’tdeny。Doyouadmit？’
’Youyourself，’returnedSirJohn，sufferingthecurrentofhisspeechtoflowassmoothlyasifithadbeenstemmedbynoonewordofinterruption，’publiclyproclaimedthecharacterofthegentlemaninquestionIthinkitwasinWestminsterHallintermswhichrelievemefromthenecessityofmakinganyfurtherallusiontohim。Youmayhavebeenwarranted;youmaynothavebeen;I
can’tsay。Assumingthegentlemantobewhatyoudescribed，andtohavemadetoyouoranyotherpersonanystatementsthatmayhavehappenedtosuggestthemselvestohim，forthesakeofhisownsecurity，orforthesakeofmoney，orforhisownamusement，orforanyotherconsideration，——Ihavenothingtosayofhim，exceptthathisextremelydegradingsituationappearstometobesharedwithhisemployers。Youaresoveryplainyourself，thatyouwillexcusealittlefreedominme，Iamsure。’
’Attendtomeagain，SirJohnbutonce，’criedMrHaredale;’inyoureverylook，andword，andgesture，youtellmethiswasnotyouract。Itellyouthatitwas，andthatyoutamperedwiththemanIspeakof，andwithyourwretchedsonwhomGodforgive！todothisdeed。Youtalkofdegradationandcharacter。Youtoldmeoncethatyouhadpurchasedtheabsenceofthepooridiotandhismother，whenasIhavediscoveredsince，andthensuspectedyouhadgonetotemptthem，andhadfoundthemflown。ToyouItracedtheinsinuationthatIalonereapedanyharvestfrommybrother’sdeath;andallthefoulattacksandwhisperedcalumniesthatfollowedinitstrain。Ineveryactionofmylife，fromthatfirsthopewhichyouconvertedintogriefanddesolation，youhavestood，likeanadversefate，betweenmeandpeace。Inall，youhaveeverbeenthesamecold-blooded，hollow，false，unworthyvillain。Forthesecondtime，andforthelast，Icastthesechargesinyourteeth，andspurnyoufrommeasIwouldafaithlessdog！’
Withthatheraisedhisarm，andstruckhimonthebreastsothathestaggered。SirJohn，theinstantherecovered，drewhissword，threwawaythescabbardandhishat，andrunningonhisadversarymadeadesperatelungeathisheart，which，butthathisguardwasquickandtrue，wouldhavestretchedhimdeaduponthegrass。
Intheactofstrikinghim，thetorrentofhisopponent’sragehadreachedastop。Heparriedhisrapidthrusts，withoutreturningthem，andcalledtohim，withafrantickindofterrorinhisface，tokeepback。
’Notto-night！notto-night！’hecried。’InGod’sname，nottonight！’
Seeingthatheloweredhisweapon，andthathewouldnotthrustinturn，SirJohnloweredhis。
’Notto-night！’hisadversarycried。’Bewarnedintime！’
’Youtoldme——itmusthavebeeninasortofinspiration——’saidSirJohn，quitedeliberately，thoughnowhedroppedhismask，andshowedhishatredinhisface，’thatthiswasthelasttime。Beassureditis！Didyoubelieveourlastmeetingwasforgotten？
Didyoubelievethatyoureverywordandlookwasnottobeaccountedfor，andwasnotwellremembered？DoyoubelievethatI
havewaitedyourtime，oryoumine？Whatkindofmanishewhoentered，withallhissickeningcantofhonestyandtruth，intoabondwithmetopreventamarriageheaffectedtodislike，andwhenIhadredeemedmyparttothespiritandtheletter，skulkedfromhis，andbroughtthematchaboutinhisowntime，toridhimselfofaburdenhehadgrowntiredof，andcastaspuriouslustreonhishouse？’
’Ihaveacted，’criedMrHaredale，’withhonourandingoodfaith。
Idosonow。Donotforcemetorenewthisduelto-night！’
’Yousaidmy“wretched“son，Ithink？’saidSirJohn，withasmile。
’Poorfool！Thedupeofsuchashallowknave——trappedintomarriagebysuchanuncleandbysuchaniece——hewelldeservesyourpity。Butheisnolongerasonofmine:youarewelcometotheprizeyourcrafthasmade，sir。’
’Oncemore，’criedhisopponent，wildlystampingontheground，’althoughyoutearmefrommybetterangel，Iimploreyounottocomewithinthereachofmyswordto-night。Oh！whywereyouhereatall！Whyhavewemet！To-morrowwouldhavecastusfarapartforever！’
’Thatbeingthecase，’returnedSirJohn，withouttheleastemotion，’itisveryfortunatewehavemetto-night。Haredale，I
havealwaysdespisedyou，asyouknow，butIhavegivenyoucreditforaspeciesofbrutecourage。Forthehonourofmyjudgment，whichIhadthoughtagoodone，Iamsorrytofindyouacoward。’
Notanotherwordwasspokenoneitherside。Theycrossedswords，thoughitwasnowquitedusk，andattackedeachotherfiercely。
Theywerewellmatched，andeachwasthoroughlyskilledinthemanagementofhisweapon。
Afterafewsecondstheygrewhotterandmorefurious，andpressingoneachotherinflictedandreceivedseveralslightwounds。Itwasdirectlyafterreceivingoneoftheseinhisarm，thatMrHaredale，makingakeenerthrustashefeltthewarmbloodspirtingout，plungedhisswordthroughhisopponent’sbodytothehilt。
Theireyesmet，andwereoneachotherashedrewitout。Heputhisarmaboutthedyingman，whorepulsedhim，feebly，anddroppedupontheturf。Raisinghimselfuponhishands，hegazedathimforaninstant，withscornandhatredinhislook;but，seemingtoremember，eventhen，thatthisexpressionwoulddistorthisfeaturesafterdeath，hetriedtosmile，and，faintlymovinghisrighthand，asiftohidehisbloodylineninhisvest，fellbackdead——thephantomoflastnight。
ChaptertheLastApartingglanceatsuchoftheactorsinthislittlehistoryasithasnot，inthecourseofitsevents，dismissed，willbringittoanend。
MrHaredalefledthatnight。Beforepursuitcouldbebegun，indeedbeforeSirJohnwastracedormissed，hehadleftthekingdom。
Repairingstraighttoareligiousestablishment，knownthroughoutEuropefortherigourandseverityofitsdiscipline，andforthemercilesspenitenceitexactedfromthosewhosoughtitsshelterasarefugefromtheworld，hetookthevowswhichthenceforthshuthimoutfromnatureandhiskind，andafterafewremorsefulyearswasburiedinitsgloomycloisters。
TwodayselapsedbeforethebodyofSirJohnwasfound。Assoonasitwasrecognisedandcarriedhome，thefaithfulvalet，truetohismaster’screed，elopedwithallthecashandmovableshecouldlayhishandson，andstartedasafinishedgentlemanuponhisownaccount。Inthiscareerhemetwithgreatsuccess，andwouldcertainlyhavemarriedanheiressintheend，butforanunluckycheckwhichledtohisprematuredecease。Hesankunderacontagiousdisorder，veryprevalentatthattime，andvulgarlytermedthejailfever。
LordGeorgeGordon，remaininginhisprisonintheToweruntilMondaythefifthofFebruaryinthefollowingyear，wasonthatdaysolemnlytriedatWestminsterforHighTreason。Ofthiscrimehewas，afterapatientinvestigation，declaredNotGuilty;uponthegroundthattherewasnoproofofhishavingcalledthemultitudetogetherwithanytraitorousorunlawfulintentions。Yetsomanypeoplewerethere，still，towhomthoseriotstaughtnolessonofreprooformoderation，thatapublicsubscriptionwassetonfootinScotlandtodefraythecostofhisdefence。
Forsevenyearsafterwardsheremained，atthestrongintercessionofhisfriends，comparativelyquiet;savingthathe，everynowandthen，tookoccasiontodisplayhiszealfortheProtestantfaithinsomeextravagantproceedingwhichwasthedelightofitsenemies;
andsaving，besides，thathewasformallyexcommunicatedbytheArchbishopofCanterbury，forrefusingtoappearasawitnessintheEcclesiasticalCourtwhencitedforthatpurpose。Intheyear1788hewasstimulatedbysomenewinsanitytowriteandpublishaninjuriouspamphlet，reflectingontheQueenofFrance，inveryviolentterms。Beingindictedforthelibel，andaftervariousstrangedemonstrationsincourtfoundguilty，hefledintoHollandinplaceofappearingtoreceivesentence:fromwhence，asthequietburgomastersofAmsterdamhadnorelishforhiscompany，hewassenthomeagainwithallspeed。ArrivinginthemonthofJulyatHarwich，andgoingthencetoBirmingham，hemadeinthelatterplace，inAugust，apublicprofessionoftheJewishreligion;andfiguredthereasaJewuntilhewasarrested，andbroughtbacktoLondontoreceivethesentencehehadevaded。Byvirtueofthissentencehewas，inthemonthofDecember，castintoNewgateforfiveyearsandtenmonths，andrequiredbesidestopayalargefine，andtofurnishheavysecuritiesforhisfuturegoodbehaviour。
Afteraddressing，inthemidsummerofthefollowingyear，anappealtothecommiserationoftheNationalAssemblyofFrance，whichtheEnglishministerrefusedtosanction，hecomposedhimselftoundergohisfulltermofpunishment;andsufferinghisbeardtogrownearlytohiswaist，andconforminginallrespectstotheceremoniesofhisnewreligion，heappliedhimselftothestudyofhistory，andoccasionallytotheartofpainting，inwhich，inhisyoungerdays，hehadshownsomeskill。Desertedbyhisformerfriends，andtreatedinallrespectsliketheworstcriminalinthejail，helingeredon，quitecheerfulandresigned，untilthe1stofNovember1793，whenhediedinhiscell，beingthenonlythree-
and-fortyyearsofage。
Manymenwithfewersympathiesforthedistressedandneedy，withlessabilitiesandharderhearts，havemadeashiningfigureandleftabrilliantfame。Hehadhismourners。Theprisonersbemoanedhisloss，andmissedhim;forthoughhismeanswerenotlarge，hischaritywasgreat，andinbestowingalmsamongthemheconsideredthenecessitiesofallalike，andknewnodistinctionofsectorcreed。Therearewisemeninthehighwaysoftheworldwhomaylearnsomething，evenfromthispoorcrazylordwhodiedinNewgate。
Tothelast，hewastrulyservedbybluffJohnGrueby。Johnwasathissidebeforehehadbeenfour-and-twentyhoursintheTower，andneverlefthimuntilhedied。Hehadoneotherconstantattendant，inthepersonofabeautifulJewishgirl;whoattachedherselftohimfromfeelingshalfreligious，halfromantic，butwhosevirtuousanddisinterestedcharacterappearstohavebeenbeyondthecensureevenofthemostcensorious。
Gashforddesertedhim，ofcourse。Hesubsistedforatimeuponhistrafficinhismaster’ssecrets;and，thistradefailingwhenthestockwasquiteexhausted，procuredanappointmentinthehonourablecorpsofspiesandeavesdroppersemployedbythegovernment。Asoneofthesewretchedunderlings，hedidhisdrudgery，sometimesabroad，sometimesathome，andlongenduredthevariousmiseriesofsuchastation。Tenoradozenyearsago——notmore——ameagre，wanoldman，diseasedandmiserablypoor，wasfounddeadinhisbedatanobscureinnintheBorough，wherehewasquiteunknown。Hehadtakenpoison。Therewasnocluetohisname;butitwasdiscoveredfromcertainentriesinapocket-bookhecarried，thathehadbeensecretarytoLordGeorgeGordoninthetimeofthefamousriots。
Manymonthsafterthere-establishmentofpeaceandorder，andevenwhenithadceasedtobethetown-talk，thateverymilitaryofficer，keptatfreequartersbytheCityduringthelatealarms，hadcostforhisboardandlodgingfourpoundsfourperday，andeveryprivatesoldiertwoandtwopencehalfpenny;manymonthsaftereventhisengrossingtopicwasforgotten，andtheUnitedBulldogsweretoamanallkilled，imprisoned，ortransported，MrSimonTappertit，beingremovedfromahospitaltoprison，andthencetohisplaceoftrial，wasdischargedbyproclamation，ontwowoodenlegs。Shornofhisgracefullimbs，andbroughtdownfromhishighestatetocircumstancesofutterdestitution，andthedeepestmisery，hemadeshifttostumpbacktohisoldmaster，andbegforsomerelief。Bythelocksmith’sadviceandaid，hewasestablishedinbusinessasashoeblack，andopenedshopunderanarchwayneartheHorseGuards。Thisbeingacentralquarter，hequicklymadeaverylargeconnection;andonleveedays，wassometimesknowntohaveasmanyastwentyhalf-payofficerswaitingtheirturnforpolishing。Indeedhistradeincreasedtothatextent，thatincourseoftimeheentertainednolessthantwoapprentices，besidestakingforhiswifethewidowofaneminentboneandragcollector，formerlyofMilIbank。Withthisladywhoassistedinthebusinesshelivedingreatdomestichappiness，onlychequeredbythoselittlestormswhichservetocleartheatmosphereofwedlock，andbrightenitshorizon。Insomeofthesegustsofbadweather，MrTappertitwould，intheassertionofhisprerogative，sofarforgethimself，astocorrecthisladywithabrush，orboot，orshoe;whileshebutonlyinextremecaseswouldretaliatebytakingoffhislegs，andleavinghimexposedtothederisionofthoseurchinswhodelightinmischief。
MissMiggs，baffledinallherschemes，matrimonialandotherwise，andcastuponathankless，undeservingworld，turnedverysharpandsour;anddidatlengthbecomesoacid，anddidsopinchandslapandtweakthehairandnosesoftheyouthofGoldenLionCourt，thatshewasbyoneconsentexpelledthatsanctuary，anddesiredtoblesssomeotherspotofearth，inpreference。Itchancedatthatmoment，thatthejusticesofthepeaceforMiddlesexproclaimedbypublicplacardthattheystoodinneedofafemaleturnkeyfortheCountyBridewell，andappointedadayandhourfortheinspectionofcandidates。MissMiggsattendingatthetimeappointed，wasinstantlychosenandselectedfromonehundredandtwenty-fourcompetitors，andatoncepromotedtotheoffice;whichshehelduntilherdecease，morethanthirtyyearsafterwards，remainingsingleallthattime。Itwasobservedofthisladythatwhileshewasinflexibleandgrimtoallherfemaleflock，shewasparticularlysotothosewhocouldestablishanyclaimtobeauty:
anditwasoftenremarkedasaproofofherindomitablevirtueandseverechastity，thattosuchashadbeenfrailsheshowednomercy;alwaysfallinguponthemontheslightestoccasion，oronnooccasionatall，withthefullestmeasureofherwrath。Amongotherusefulinventionswhichshepractiseduponthisclassofoffendersandbequeathedtoposterity，wastheartofinflictinganexquisitelyviciouspokeordigwiththewardsofakeyinthesmalloftheback，nearthespine。Shelikewiseoriginatedamodeoftreadingbyaccidentinpattensonsuchashadsmallfeet;
alsoveryremarkableforitsingenuity，andpreviouslyquiteunknown。
Itwasnotverylong，youmaybesure，beforeJoeWilletandDollyVardenweremadehusbandandwife，andwithahandsomesuminbankforthelocksmithcouldaffordtogivehisdaughteragooddowry，reopenedtheMaypole。Itwasnotverylong，youmaybesure，beforeared-facedlittleboywasseenstaggeringabouttheMaypolepassage，andkickinguphisheelsonthegreenbeforethedoor。Itwasnotverylong，countingbyyears，beforetherewasared-facedlittlegirl，anotherred-facedlittleboy，andawholetroopofgirlsandboys:sothat，gotoChigwellwhenyouwould，therewouldsurelybeseen，eitherinthevillagestreet，oronthegreen，orfrolickinginthefarm-yard——foritwasafarmnow，aswellasatavern——moresmallJoesandsmallDollysthancouldbeeasilycounted。Itwasnotaverylongtimebeforetheseappearancesensued;butitWASaVERYlongtimebeforeJoelookedfiveyearsolder，orDollyeither，orthelocksmitheither，orhiswifeeither:forcheerfulnessandcontentaregreatbeautifiers，andarefamouspreserversofyouthfullooks，dependuponit。
Itwasalongtime，too，beforetherewassuchacountryinnastheMaypole，inallEngland:indeeditisagreatquestionwhethertherehaseverbeensuchanothertothishour，oreverwillbe。Itwasalongtimetoo——forNever，astheproverbsays，isalongday——
beforetheyforgottohaveaninterestinwoundedsoldiersattheMaypole，orbeforeJoeomittedtorefreshthem，forthesakeofhisoldcampaign;orbeforetheserjeantleftofflookinginthere，nowandthen;orbeforetheyfatiguedthemselves，oreachother，bytalkingontheseoccasionsofbattlesandsieges，andhardweatherandhardservice，andathousandthingsbelongingtoasoldier’slife。Astothegreatsilversnuff-boxwhichtheKingsentJoewithhisownhand，becauseofhisconductintheRiots，whatguesteverwenttotheMaypolewithoutputtingfingerandthumbintothatbox，andtakingagreatpinch，thoughhehadnevertakenapinchofsnuffbefore，andalmostsneezedhimselfintoconvulsionseventhen？Astothepurple-facedvintner，whereisthemanwholivedinthosetimesandneversawHIMattheMaypole:toallappearanceasmuchathomeinthebestroom，asifhelivedthere？Andastothefeastingsandchristenings，andrevellingsatChristmas，andcelebrationsofbirthdays，wedding-days，andallmannerofdays，bothattheMaypoleandtheGoldenKey，——iftheyarenotnotorious，whatfactsare？
MrWillettheelder，havingbeenbysomeextraordinarymeanspossessedwiththeideathatJoewantedtobemarried，andthatitwouldbewellforhim，hisfather，toretireintoprivatelife，andenablehimtoliveincomfort，tookuphisabodeinasmallcottageatChigwell;wheretheywidenedandenlargedthefireplaceforhim，hunguptheboiler，andfurthermoreplantedinthelittlegardenoutsidethefront-door，afictitiousMaypole;sothathewasquiteathomedirectly。Tothis，hisnewhabitation，TomCobb，PhilParkes，andSolomonDaisywentregularlyeverynight:andinthechimney-corner，theyallfourquaffed，andsmoked，andprosed，anddozed，astheyhaddoneofold。ItbeingaccidentallydiscoveredafterashorttimethatMrWilletstillappearedtoconsiderhimselfalandlordbyprofession，Joeprovidedhimwithaslate，uponwhichtheoldmanregularlyscoredupvastaccountsformeat，drink，andtobacco。Ashegrewolderthispassionincreaseduponhim;anditbecamehisdelighttochalkagainstthenameofeachofhiscroniesasumofenormousmagnitude，andimpossibletobepaid:
andsuchwashissecretjoyintheseentries，thathewouldbeperpetuallyseengoingbehindthedoortolookatthem，andcomingforthagain，suffusedwiththeliveliestsatisfaction。
HeneverrecoveredthesurprisetheRiotershadgivenhim，andremainedinthesamementalconditiondowntothelastmomentofhislife。Itwasliketohavebeenbroughttoaspeedyterminationbythefirstsightofhisfirstgrandchild，whichappearedtofillhimwiththebeliefthatsomealarmingmiraclehadhappenedtoJoe。Beingpromptlyblooded，however，byaskilfulsurgeon，herallied;andalthoughthedoctorsallagreed，onhisbeingattackedwithsymptomsofapoplexysixmonthsafterwards，thatheoughttodie，andtookitveryillthathedidnot，heremainedalive——possiblyonaccountofhisconstitutionalslowness——
fornearlysevenyearsmore，whenhewasonemorningfoundspeechlessinhisbed。Helayinthisstate，freefromalltokensofuneasiness，forawholeweek，whenhewassuddenlyrestoredtoconsciousnessbyhearingthenursewhisperinhisson’searthathewasgoing。’I’ma-going，Joseph，’saidMrWillet，turningroundupontheinstant，’totheSalwanners’——andimmediatelygaveuptheghost。
Heleftalargesumofmoneybehindhim;evenmorethanhewassupposedtohavebeenworth，althoughtheneighbours，accordingtothecustomofmankindincalculatingthewealththatotherpeopleoughttohavesaved，hadestimatedhispropertyingoodroundnumbers。Joeinheritedthewhole;sothathebecameamanofgreatconsequenceinthoseparts，andwasperfectlyindependent。
SometimeelapsedbeforeBarnabygotthebetteroftheshockhehadsustained，orregainedhisoldhealthandgaiety。Butherecoveredbydegrees:andalthoughhecouldneverseparatehiscondemnationandescapefromtheideaofaterrificdream，hebecame，inotherrespects，morerational。Datingfromthetimeofhisrecovery，hehadabettermemoryandgreatersteadinessofpurpose;butadarkcloudoverhunghiswholepreviousexistence，andneverclearedaway。
Hewasnotthelesshappyforthis，forhisloveoffreedomandinterestinallthatmovedorgrew，orhaditsbeingintheelements，remainedtohimunimpaired。HelivedwithhismotherontheMaypolefarm，tendingthepoultryandthecattle，workinginagardenofhisown，andhelpingeverywhere。Hewasknowntoeverybirdandbeastabouttheplace，andhadanameforeveryone。
Neverwastherealighter-heartedhusbandman，acreaturemorepopularwithyoungandold，ablitherormorehappysoulthanBarnaby;andthoughhewasfreetoramblewherehewould，heneverquittedHer，butwasforevermoreherstayandcomfort。
Itwasremarkablethatalthoughhehadthatdimsenseofthepast，hesoughtoutHugh’sdog，andtookhimunderhiscare;andthathenevercouldbetemptedintoLondon。WhentheRiotsweremanyyearsold，andEdwardandhiswifecamebacktoEnglandwithafamilyalmostasnumerousasDolly’s，andonedayappearedattheMaypoleporch，heknewtheminstantly，andweptandleapedforjoy。Butneithertovisitthem，noronanyotherpretence，nomatterhowfullofpromiseandenjoyment，couldhebepersuadedtosetfootinthestreets:nordidheeverconquerthisrepugnanceorlookuponthetownagain。
Gripsoonrecoveredhislooks，andbecameasglossyandsleekasever。Buthewasprofoundlysilent。WhetherhehadforgottentheartofPoliteConversationinNewgate，orhadmadeavowinthosetroubledtimestoforego，foraperiod，thedisplayofhisaccomplishments，ismatterofuncertainty;butcertainitisthatforawholeyearheneverindulgedinanyothersoundthanagrave，decorouscroak。Attheexpirationofthatterm，themorningbeingverybrightandsunny，hewasheardtoaddresshimselftothehorsesinthestable，uponthesubjectoftheKettle，sooftenmentionedinthesepages;andbeforethewitnesswhooverheardhimcouldrunintothehousewiththeintelligence，andaddtoituponhissolemnaffirmationthestatementthathehadheardhimlaugh，thebirdhimselfadvancedwithfantasticstepstotheverydoorofthebar，andtherecried，’I’madevil，I’madevil，I’madevil！’
withextraordinaryrapture。
FromthatperiodalthoughhewassupposedtobemuchaffectedbythedeathofMrWilletsenior，heconstantlypractisedandimprovedhimselfinthevulgartongue;and，ashewasamereinfantforaravenwhenBarnabywasgrey，hehasveryprobablygoneontalkingtothepresenttime。
End