MrTappertitstoppedtotakebreathafterthis，andthenstartedfreshagain。
’Now，sir，Iamacomingtothepoint。Youwillinquireofme，“howisthistoheprevented？”I’lltellyouhow。Ifanhonest，civil，smilinggentlemanlikeyou——’
’MrTappertit——really——’
’No，no，I’mserious，’rejoinedthe’prentice，’Iam，uponmysoul。
Ifanhonest，civil，smilinggentlemanlikeyou，wastotalkbuttenminutestoouroldwoman——that’sMrsVarden——andflatterherupabit，you’dgainheroverforever。Thenthere’sthispointgot——
thatherdaughterDolly，’——hereaflushcameoverMrTappertit’sface——’wouldn’tbeallowedtobeago-betweenfromthattimeforward;andtillthatpoint’sgot，there’snothingeverwillpreventher。Mindthat。’
’MrTappertit，yourknowledgeofhumannature——’
’Waitaminute，’saidSim，foldinghisarmswithadreadfulcalmness。’NowIcometoTHEpoint。Sir，thereisavillainatthatMaypole，amonsterinhumanshape，avagabondofthedeepestdye，thatunlessyougetridofandhavekidnappedandcarriedoffattheveryleast——nothinglesswilldo——willmarryyoursontothatyoungwoman，ascertainlyandassurelyasifhewastheArchbishopofCanterburyhimself。Hewill，sir，forthehatredandmalicethathebearstoyou;letalonethepleasureofdoingabadaction，whichtohimisitsownreward。Ifyouknewhowthischap，thisJosephWillet——that’shisname——comesbackwardsandforwardstoourhouse，libelling，anddenouncing，andthreateningyou，andhowIshudderwhenIhearhim，you’dhatehimworsethanIdo，——
worsethanIdo，sir，’saidMrTappertitwildly，puttinghishairupstraighter，andmakingacrunchingnoisewithhisteeth;’ifsichathingispossible。’
’Alittleprivatevengeanceinthis，MrTappertit？’
’Privatevengeance，sir，orpublicsentiment，orbothcombined——
destroyhim，’saidMrTappertit。’Miggssayssotoo。Miggsandmebothsayso。Wecan’tbeartheplottingandunderminingthattakesplace。Oursoulsrecoilfromit。BarnabyRudgeandMrsRudgeareinitlikewise;butthevillain，JosephWillet，istheringleader。
TheirplottingsandschemesareknowntomeandMiggs。Ifyouwantinformationof’em，applytous。PutJosephWilletdown，sir。
Destroyhim。Crushhim。Andbehappy。’
Withthesewords，MrTappertit，whoseemedtoexpectnoreply，andtoholditasanecessaryconsequenceofhiseloquencethathishearershouldbeutterlystunned，dumbfoundered，andoverwhelmed，foldedhisarmssothatthepalmofeachhandrestedontheoppositeshoulder，anddisappearedafterthemannerofthosemysteriouswarnersofwhomhehadreadincheapstory-books。
’Thatfellow，’saidMrChester，relaxinghisfacewhenhewasfairlygone，’isgoodpractice。IHAVEsomecommandofmyfeatures，beyondalldoubt。HefullyconfirmswhatIsuspected，though;andblunttoolsaresometimesfoundofuse，wheresharperinstrumentswouldfail。IfearImaybeobligedtomakegreathavocamongtheseworthypeople。Atroublesomenecessity！I
quitefeelforthem。’
Withthathefellintoaquietslumber:——subsidedintosuchagentle，pleasantsleep，thatitwasquiteinfantine。
Chapter25
Leavingthefavoured，andwell-received，andflatteredoftheworld;himoftheworldmostworldly，whonevercompromisedhimselfbyanungentlemanlyaction，andneverwasguiltyofamanlyone;toliesmilinglyasleep——forevensleep，workingbutlittlechangeinhisdissemblingface，becamewithhimapieceofcold，conventionalhypocrisy——wefollowinthestepsoftwoslowtravellersonfoot，makingtowardsChigwell。
Barnabyandhismother。Gripintheircompany，ofcourse。
Thewidow，towhomeachpainfulmileseemedlongerthanthelast，toiledwearilyalong;whileBarnaby，yieldingtoeveryinconstantimpulse，flutteredhereandthere，nowleavingherfarbehind，nowlingeringfarbehindhimself，nowdartingintosomeby-laneorpathandleavinghertopursueherwayalone，untilhestealthilyemergedagainandcameuponherwithawildshoutofmerriment，ashiswaywardandcapriciousnatureprompted。Nowhewouldcalltoherfromthetopmostbranchofsomehightreebytheroadside;nowusinghistallstaffasaleaping-pole，comeflyingoverditchorhedgeorfive-barredgate;nowrunwithsurprisingswiftnessforamileormoreonthestraightroad，andhalting，sportuponapatchofgrasswithGriptillshecameup。Thesewerehisdelights;andwhenhispatientmotherheardhismerryvoice，orlookedintohisflushedandhealthyface，shewouldnothaveabatedthembyonesadwordormurmur，thougheachhadbeentoherasourceofsufferinginthesamedegreeasitwastohimofpleasure。
Itissomethingtolookuponenjoyment，sothatitbefreeandwildandinthefaceofnature，thoughitisbuttheenjoymentofanidiot。ItissomethingtoknowthatHeavenhasleftthecapacityofgladnessinsuchacreature’sbreast;itissomethingtobeassuredthat，howeverlightlymenmaycrushthatfacultyintheirfellows，theGreatCreatorofmankindimpartsiteventohisdespisedandslightedwork。Whowouldnotratherseeapooridiothappyinthesunlight，thanawisemanpininginadarkenedjail！
Yemenofgloomandausterity，whopaintthefaceofInfiniteBenevolencewithaneternalfrown;readintheEverlastingBook，wideopentoyourview，thelessonitwouldteach。Itspicturesarenotinblackandsombrehues，butbrightandglowingtints;itsmusic——savewhenyedrownit——isnotinsighsandgroans，butsongsandcheerfulsounds。Listentothemillionvoicesinthesummerair，andfindonedismalasyourown。Remember，ifyecan，thesenseofhopeandpleasurewhicheverygladreturnofdayawakensinthebreastofallyourkindwhohavenotchangedtheirnature;
andlearnsomewisdomevenfromthewitless，whentheirheartsarelifteduptheyknownotwhy，byallthemirthandhappinessitbrings。
Thewidow’sbreastwasfullofcare，wasladenheavilywithsecretdreadandsorrow;butherboy’sgaietyofheartgladdenedher，andbeguiledthelongjourney。Sometimeshewouldbidherleanuponhisarm，andwouldkeepbesidehersteadilyforashortdistance;
butitwasmorehisnaturetoberamblingtoandfro，andshebetterlikedtoseehimfreeandhappy，eventhantohavehimnearher，becauseshelovedhimbetterthanherself。
Shehadquittedtheplacetowhichtheyweretravelling，directlyaftertheeventwhichhadchangedherwholeexistence;andfortwo-
and-twentyyearshadneverhadcouragetorevisitit。Itwashernativevillage。Howmanyrecollectionscrowdedonhermindwhenitappearedinsight！
Two-and-twentyyears。Herboy’swholelifeandhistory。Thelasttimeshelookedbackuponthoseroofsamongthetrees，shecarriedhiminherarms，aninfant。Howoftensincethattimehadshesatbesidehimnightandday，watchingforthedawnofmindthatnevercame;howhadshefeared，anddoubted，andyethoped，longafterconvictionforceditselfuponher！Thelittlestratagemsshehaddevisedtotryhim，thelittletokenshehadgiveninhischildishway——notofdulnessbutofsomethinginfinitelyworse，soghastlyandunchildlikeinitscunning——camebackasvividlyasifbutyesterdayhadintervened。Theroominwhichtheyusedtobe;thespotinwhichhiscradlestood;he，oldandelfin-likeinface，buteverdeartoher，gazingatherwithawildandvacanteye，andcrooningsomeuncouthsongasshesatbyandrockedhim;everycircumstanceofhisinfancycamethrongingback，andthemosttrivial，perhaps，themostdistinctly。
Hisolderchildhood，too;thestrangeimaginingshehad;histerrorofcertainsenselessthings——familiarobjectsheendowedwithlife;
theslowandgradualbreakingoutofthatonehorror，inwhich，beforehisbirth，hisdarkenedintellectbegan;how，inthemidstofall，shehadfoundsomehopeandcomfortinhisbeingunlikeanotherchild，andhadgoneonalmostbelievingintheslowdevelopmentofhisminduntilhegrewaman，andthenhischildhoodwascompleteandlasting;oneafteranother，alltheseoldthoughtssprungupwithinher，strongaftertheirlongslumberandbittererthanever。
Shetookhisarmandtheyhurriedthroughthevillagestreet。Itwasthesameasitwaswonttobeinoldtimes，yetdifferenttoo，andworeanotherair。Thechangewasinherself，notit;butsheneverthoughtofthat，andwonderedatitsalteration，andwhereitlay，andwhatitwas。
ThepeopleallknewBarnaby，andthechildrenoftheplacecameflockingroundhim——assherememberedtohavedonewiththeirfathersandmothersroundsomesillybeggarman，whenachildherself。Noneofthemknewher;theypassedeachwell-rememberedhouse，andyard，andhomestead;andstrikingintothefields，weresoonaloneagain。
TheWarrenwastheendoftheirjourney。MrHaredalewaswalkinginthegarden，andseeingthemastheypassedtheirongate，unlockedit，andbadethementerthatway。
’Atlengthyouhavemusteredhearttovisittheoldplace，’hesaidtothewidow。’Iamgladyouhave。’
’Forthefirsttime，andthelast，sir，’shereplied。
’Thefirstformanyyears，butnotthelast？’
’Theverylast。’
’Youmean，’saidMrHaredale，regardingherwithsomesurprise，’thathavingmadethiseffort，youareresolvednottopersevereandaredeterminedtorelapse？Thisisunworthyofyou。Ihaveoftentoldyou，youshouldreturnhere。Youwouldbehappierherethanelsewhere，Iknow。AstoBarnaby，it’squitehishome。’
’AndGrip’s，’saidBarnaby，holdingthebasketopen。Theravenhoppedgravelyout，andperchingonhisshoulderandaddressinghimselftoMrHaredale，cried——asahint，perhaps，thatsometemperaterefreshmentwouldbeacceptable——’Pollyputtheket-tleon，we’llallhavetea！’
’Hearme，Mary，’saidMrHaredalekindly，ashemotionedhertowalkwithhimtowardsthehouse。’Yourlifehasbeenanexampleofpatienceandfortitude，exceptinthisoneparticularwhichhasoftengivenmegreatpain。Itisenoughtoknowthatyouwerecruellyinvolvedinthecalamitywhichdeprivedmeofanonlybrother，andEmmaofherfather，withoutbeingobligedtosupposeasIsometimesamthatyouassociateuswiththeauthorofourjointmisfortunes。’
’Associateyouwithhim，sir！’shecried。
’Indeed，’saidMrHaredale，’Ithinkyoudo。Ialmostbelievethatbecauseyourhusbandwasboundbysomanytiestoourrelation，anddiedinhisserviceanddefence，youhavecomeinsomesorttoconnectuswithhismurder。’
’Alas！’sheanswered。’Youlittleknowmyheart，sir。Youlittleknowthetruth！’
’Itisnaturalyoushoulddoso;itisveryprobableyoumay，withoutbeingconsciousofit，’saidMrHaredale，speakingmoretohimselfthanher。’Weareafallenhouse。Money，dispensedwiththemostlavishhand，wouldbeapoorrecompenseforsufferingslikeyours;andthinlyscatteredbyhandssopinchedandtiedasours，itbecomesamiserablemockery。Ifeelitso，Godknows，’headded，hastily。’WhyshouldIwonderifshedoes！’
’Youdomewrong，dearsir，indeed，’sherejoinedwithgreatearnestness;’andyetwhenyoucometohearwhatIdesireyourleavetosay——’
’Ishallfindmydoubtsconfirmed？’hesaid，observingthatshefalteredandbecameconfused。’Well！’
Hequickenedhispaceforafewsteps，butfellbackagaintoherside，andsaid:
’Andhaveyoucomeallthiswayatlast，solelytospeaktome？’
Sheanswered，’Yes。’
’Acurse，’hemuttered，’uponthewretchedstateofusproudbeggars，fromwhomthepoorandrichareequallyatadistance;theonebeingforcedtotreatuswithashowofcoldrespect;theothercondescendingtousintheireverydeedandword，andkeepingmorealoof，thenearertheyapproachus——Why，ifitwerepaintoyouasitmusthavebeentobreakforthisslightpurposethechainofhabitforgedthroughtwo-and-twentyyears，couldyounotletmeknowyourwish，andbegmetocometoyou？’
’Therewasnottime，sir，’sherejoined。’Itookmyresolutionbutlastnight，andtakingit，feltthatImustnotloseaday——aday！anhour——inhavingspeechwithyou。’
Theyhadbythistimereachedthehouse。MrHaredalepausedforamoment，andlookedatherasifsurprisedbytheenergyofhermanner。Observing，however，thatshetooknoheedofhim，butglancedup，shuddering，attheoldwallswithwhichsuchhorrorswereconnectedinhermind，heledherbyaprivatestairintohislibrary，whereEmmawasseatedinawindow，reading。
Theyounglady，seeingwhoapproached，hastilyroseandlaidasideherbook，andwithmanykindwords，andnotwithouttears，gaveherawarmandearnestwelcome。Butthewidowshrunkfromherembraceasthoughshefearedher，andsunkdowntremblingonachair。
’Itisthereturntothisplaceaftersolonganabsence，’saidEmmagently。’Prayring，dearuncle——orstay——Barnabywillrunhimselfandaskforwine——’
’Notfortheworld，’shecried。’Itwouldhaveanothertaste——I
couldnottouchit。Iwantbutaminute’srest。Nothingbutthat。’
MissHaredalestoodbesideherchair，regardingherwithsilentpity。Sheremainedforalittletimequitestill;thenroseandturnedtoMrHaredale，whohadsatdowninhiseasychair，andwascontemplatingherwithfixedattention。
Thetaleconnectedwiththemansionborneinmind，itseemed，ashasbeenalreadysaid，thechosentheatreforsuchadeedasithadknown。Theroominwhichthisgroupwerenowassembled——hardbytheverychamberwheretheactwasdone——dull，dark，andsombre;
heavywithworm-eatenbooks;deadenedandshutinbyfadedhangings，mufflingeverysound;shadowedmournfullybytreeswhoserustlingboughsgaveeverandanonaspectralknockingattheglass;wore，beyondallothersinthehouse，aghostly，gloomyair。
Norwerethegroupassembledthere，unfittingtenantsofthespot。
Thewidow，withhermarkedandstartlingfaceanddowncasteyes;MrHaredalesternanddespondentever;hisniecebesidehim，like，yetmostunlike，thepictureofherfather，whichgazedreproachfullydownuponthemfromtheblackenedwall;Barnaby，withhisvacantlookandrestlesseye;wereallinkeepingwiththeplace，andactorsinthelegend。Nay，theveryraven，whohadhoppeduponthetableandwiththeairofsomeoldnecromancerappearedtobeprofoundlystudyingagreatfoliovolumethatlayopenonadesk，wasstrictlyinunisonwiththerest，andlookedliketheembodiedspiritofevilbidinghistimeofmischief。
’Iscarcelyknow，’saidthewidow，breakingsilence，’howtobegin。
Youwillthinkmyminddisordered。’
’Thewholetenorofyourquietandreproachlesslifesinceyouwerelasthere，’returnedMrHaredale，mildly，’shallbearwitnessforyou。Whydoyoufeartoawakensuchasuspicion？Youdonotspeaktostrangers。Youhavenottoclaimourinterestorconsiderationforthefirsttime。Bemoreyourself。Takeheart。AnyadviceorassistancethatIcangiveyou，youknowisyoursofright，andfreelyyours。’
’WhatifIcame，sir，’sherejoined，’Iwhohavebutoneotherfriendonearth，torejectyouraidfromthismoment，andtosaythathenceforthIlaunchmyselfupontheworld，aloneandunassisted，tosinkorswimasHeavenmaydecree！’
’Youwouldhave，ifyoucametomeforsuchapurpose，’saidMrHaredalecalmly，’somereasontoassignforconductsoextraordinary，which——ifonemayentertainthepossibilityofanythingsowildandstrange——wouldhaveitsweight，ofcourse。’
’That，sir，’sheanswered，’isthemiseryofmydistress。Icangivenoreasonwhatever。MyownbarewordisallthatIcanoffer。
Itismyduty，myimperativeandboundenduty。IfIdidnotdischargeit，Ishouldbeabaseandguiltywretch。Havingsaidthat，mylipsaresealed，andIcansaynomore。’
Asthoughshefeltrelievedathavingsaidsomuch，andhadnervedherselftotheremainderofhertask，shespokefromthistimewithafirmervoiceandheightenedcourage。
’Heavenismywitness，asmyownheartis——andyours，dearyounglady，willspeakforme，Iknow——thatIhavelived，sincethattimeweallhavebitterreasontoremember，inunchangingdevotion，andgratitudetothisfamily。HeavenismywitnessthatgowhereI
may，Ishallpreservethosefeelingsunimpaired。Anditismywitness，too，thattheyaloneimpelmetothecourseImusttake，andfromwhichnothingnowshallturnme，asIhopeformercy。’
’Thesearestrangeriddles，’saidMrHaredale。
’Inthisworld，sir，’shereplied，’theymay，perhaps，neverbeexplained。Inanother，theTruthwillbediscoveredinitsowngoodtime。Andmaythattime，’sheaddedinalowvoice，’befardistant！’
’Letmebesure，’saidMrHaredale，’thatIunderstandyou，forI
amdoubtfulofmyownsenses。Doyoumeanthatyouareresolvedvoluntarilytodepriveyourselfofthosemeansofsupportyouhavereceivedfromussolong——thatyouaredeterminedtoresigntheannuitywesettledonyoutwentyyearsago——toleavehouse，andhome，andgoods，andbeginlifeanew——andthis，forsomesecretreasonormonstrousfancywhichisincapableofexplanation，whichonlynowexists，andhasbeendormantallthistime？InthenameofGod，underwhatdelusionareyoulabouring？’
’AsIamdeeplythankful，’shemadeanswer，’forthekindnessofthose，aliveanddead，whohaveownedthishouse;andasIwouldnothaveitsrooffalldownandcrushme，oritsverywallsdripblood，mynamebeingspokenintheirhearing;Ineverwillagainsubsistupontheirbounty，orletithelpmetosubsistence。Youdonotknow，’sheadded，suddenly，’towhatusesitmaybeapplied;
intowhathandsitmaypass。Ido，andIrenounceit。’
’Surely，’saidMrHaredale，’itsusesrestwithyou。’
’Theydid。Theyrestwithmenolonger。Itmaybe——itIS——devotedtopurposesthatmockthedeadintheirgraves。Itnevercanprosperwithme。Itwillbringsomeotherheavyjudgementontheheadofmydearson，whoseinnocencewillsufferforhismother’sguilt。’
’Whatwordsarethese！’criedMrHaredale，regardingherwithwonder。’Amongwhatassociateshaveyoufallen？Intowhatguilthaveyoueverbeenbetrayed？’
’Iamguilty，andyetinnocent;wrong，yetright;goodinintention，thoughconstrainedtoshieldandaidthebad。Askmenomorequestions，sir;butbelievethatIamrathertobepitiedthancondemned。Imustleavemyhouseto-morrow，forwhileIstaythere，itishaunted。Myfuturedwelling，ifIamtoliveinpeace，mustbeasecret。Ifmypoorboyshouldeverstraythisway，donottempthimtodiscloseitorhavehimwatchedwhenhereturns;forifwearehunted，wemustflyagain。Andnowthisloadisoffmymind，Ibeseechyou——andyou，dearMissHaredale，too——totrustmeifyoucan，andthinkofmekindlyasyouhavebeenusedtodo。IfIdieandcannottellmysecreteventhenforthatmaycometopass，itwillsitthelighteronmybreastinthathourforthisday’swork;andonthatday，andeverydayuntilitcomes，Iwillprayforandthankyouboth，andtroubleyounomore。
Withthat，shewouldhaveleftthem，buttheydetainedher，andwithmanysoothingwordsandkindentreaties，besoughthertoconsiderwhatshedid，andabovealltoreposemorefreelyuponthem，andsaywhatweighedsosorelyonhermind。Findingherdeaftotheirpersuasions，MrHaredalesuggested，asalastresource，thatsheshouldconfideinEmma，ofwhom，asayoungpersonandoneofherownsex，shemightstandinlessdreadthanofhimself。
Fromthisproposal，however，sherecoiledwiththesameindescribablerepugnanceshehadmanifestedwhentheymet。Theutmostthatcouldbewrungfromherwas，apromisethatshewouldreceiveMrHaredaleatherownhousenextevening，andinthemeantimereconsiderherdeterminationandtheirdissuasions——thoughanychangeonherpart，asshetoldthem，wasquitehopeless。Thisconditionmadeatlast，theyreluctantlysufferedhertodepart，sinceshewouldneithereatnordrinkwithinthehouse;andshe，andBarnaby，andGrip，accordinglywentoutastheyhadcome，bytheprivatestairandgarden-gate;seeingandbeingseenofnoonebytheway。
Itwasremarkableintheraventhatduringthewholeinterviewhehadkepthiseyeonhisbookwithexactlytheairofaveryslyhumanrascal，who，underthemaskofpretendingtoreadhard，waslisteningtoeverything。Hestillappearedtohavetheconversationverystronglyinhismind，foralthough，whentheywerealoneagain，heissuedordersfortheinstantpreparationofinnumerablekettlesforpurposesoftea，hewasthoughtful，andratherseemedtodosofromanabstractsenseofduty，thanwithanyregardtomakinghimselfagreeable，orbeingwhatiscommonlycalledgoodcompany。
Theyweretoreturnbythecoach。Astherewasanintervaloffulltwohoursbeforeitstarted，andtheyneededrestandsomerefreshment，BarnabybeggedhardforavisittotheMaypole。Buthismother，whohadnowishtoberecognisedbyanyofthosewhohadknownherlongago，andwhofearedbesidesthatMrHaredalemight，onsecondthoughts，despatchsomemessengertothatplaceofentertainmentinquestofher，proposedtowaitinthechurchyardinstead。AsitwaseasyforBarnabytobuyandcarrythithersuchhumbleviandsastheyrequired，hecheerfullyassented，andinthechurchyardtheysatdowntotaketheirfrugaldinner。
Hereagain，theravenwasinahighlyreflectivestate;walkingupanddownwhenhehaddined，withanairofelderlycomplacencywhichwasstronglysuggestiveofhishavinghishandsunderhiscoat-tails;andappearingtoreadthetombstoneswithaverycriticaltaste。Sometimes，afteralonginspectionofanepitaph，hewouldstrophisbeakuponthegravetowhichitreferred，andcryinhishoarsetones，’I’madevil，I’madevil，I’madevil！’
butwhetherheaddressedhisobservationstoanysupposedpersonbelow，ormerelythrewthemoffasageneralremark，ismatterofuncertainty。
Itwasaquietprettyspot，butasadoneforBarnaby’smother;forMrReubenHaredalelaythere，andnearthevaultinwhichhisashesrested，wasastonetothememoryofherownhusband，withabriefinscriptionrecordinghowandwhenhehadlosthislife。Shesathere，thoughtfulandapart，untiltheirtimewasout，andthedistanthorntoldthatthecoachwascoming。
Barnaby，whohadbeensleepingonthegrass，sprungupquicklyatthesound;andGrip，whoappearedtounderstanditequallywell，walkedintohisbasketstraightway，entreatingsocietyingeneralasthoughheintendedakindofsatireupontheminconnectionwithchurchyardsnevertosaydieonanyterms。Theyweresoononthecoach-topandrollingalongtheroad。
ItwentroundbytheMaypole，andstoppedatthedoor。Joewasfromhome，andHughcamesluggishlyouttohanduptheparcelthatitcalledfor。TherewasnofearofoldJohncomingout。Theycouldseehimfromthecoach-rooffastasleepinhiscosybar。ItwasapartofJohn’scharacter。Hemadeapointofgoingtosleepatthecoach’stime。Hedespisedgaddingabout;helookeduponcoachesasthingsthatoughttobeindicted;asdisturbersofthepeaceofmankind;asrestless，bustling，busy，horn-blowingcontrivances，quitebeneaththedignityofmen，andonlysuitedtogiddygirlsthatdidnothingbutchatterandgoa-shopping。’Weknownothingaboutcoacheshere，sir，’Johnwouldsay，ifanyunluckystrangermadeinquirytouchingtheoffensivevehicles;’wedon’tbookfor’em;we’drathernot;they’remoretroublethanthey’reworth，withtheirnoiseandrattle。Ifyouliketowaitfor’emyoucan;butwedon’tknowanythingabout’em;theymaycallandtheymaynot——there’sacarrier——hewaslookeduponasquitegoodenoughforus，whenIwasaboy。’
ShedroppedherveilasHughclimbedup，andwhilehehungbehind，andtalkedtoBarnabyinwhispers。Butneitherhenoranyotherpersonspoketoher，ornoticedher，orhadanycuriosityabouther;andso，analien，shevisitedandleftthevillagewhereshehadbeenborn，andhadlivedamerrychild，acomelygirl，ahappywife——whereshehadknownallherenjoymentoflife，andhadenteredonitshardestsorrows。
Chapter26
’Andyou’renotsurprisedtohearthis，Varden？’saidMrHaredale。
’Well！Youandshehavealwaysbeenthebestfriends，andyoushouldunderstandherifanybodydoes。’
’Iaskyourpardon，sir，’rejoinedthelocksmith。’Ididn’tsayI
understoodher。Iwouldn’thavethepresumptiontosaythatofanywoman。It’snotsoeasilydone。ButIamnotsomuchsurprised，sir，asyouexpectedmetobe，certainly。’
’MayIaskwhynot，mygoodfriend？’
’Ihaveseen，sir，’returnedthelocksmithwithevidentreluctance，’Ihaveseeninconnectionwithher，somethingthathasfilledmewithdistrustanduneasiness。Shehasmadebadfriends，how，orwhen，Idon’tknow;butthatherhouseisarefugeforonerobberandcut-throatatleast，Iamcertain。There，sir！Nowit’sout。’
’Varden！’
’Myowneyes，sir，aremywitnesses，andforhersakeIwouldbewillinglyhalf-blind，ifIcouldbuthavethepleasureofmistrusting’em。Ihavekeptthesecrettillnow，anditwillgonofurtherthanyourself，Iknow;butItellyouthatwithmyowneyes——broadawake——Isaw，inthepassageofherhouseoneeveningafterdark，thehighwaymanwhorobbedandwoundedMrEdwardChester，andonthesamenightthreatenedme。’
’Andyoumadenoefforttodetainhim？’saidMrHaredalequickly。
’Sir，’returnedthelocksmith，’sheherselfpreventedme——heldme，withallherstrength，andhungaboutmeuntilhehadgotclearoff。’Andhavinggonesofar，herelatedcircumstantiallyallthathadpasseduponthenightinquestion。
Thisdialoguewasheldinalowtoneinthelocksmith’slittleparlour，intowhichhonestGabrielhadshownhisvisitoronhisarrival。MrHaredalehadcalleduponhimtoentreathiscompanytothewidow’s，thathemighthavetheassistanceofhispersuasionandinfluence;andoutofthiscircumstancetheconversationhadarisen。
’Iforbore，’saidGabriel，’fromrepeatingonewordofthistoanybody，asitcoulddohernogoodandmightdohergreatharm。I
thoughtandhoped，tosaythetruth，thatshewouldcometome，andtalktomeaboutit，andtellmehowitwas;butthoughIhavepurposelyputmyselfinherwaymorethanonceortwice，shehasnevertoucheduponthesubject——exceptbyalook。Andindeed，’
saidthegood-naturedlocksmith，’therewasagooddealinthelook，morethancouldhavebeenputintoagreatmanywords。Itsaidamongothermatters“Don’taskmeanything“soimploringly，thatIdidn’taskheranything。You’llthinkmeanoldfool，I
know，sir。Ifit’sanyrelieftocallmeone，praydo。’
’Iamgreatlydisturbedbywhatyoutellme，’saidMrHaredale，afterasilence。’Whatmeaningdoyouattachtoit？’
Thelocksmithshookhishead，andlookeddoubtfullyoutofwindowatthefailinglight。
’Shecannothavemarriedagain，’saidMrHaredale。
’Notwithoutourknowledgesurely，sir。’
’Shemayhavedoneso，inthefearthatitwouldlead，ifknown，tosomeobjectionorestrangement。Supposeshemarriedincautiously——
itisnotimprobable，forherexistencehasbeenalonelyandmonotonousoneformanyyears——andthemanturnedoutaruffian，shewouldbeanxioustoscreenhim，andyetwouldrevoltfromhiscrimes。Thismightbe。Itbearsstronglyonthewholedriftofherdiscourseyesterday，andwouldquiteexplainherconduct。DoyousupposeBarnabyisprivytothesecircumstances？’
’Quiteimpossibletosay，sir，’returnedthelocksmith，shakinghisheadagain:’andnexttoimpossibletofindoutfromhim。Ifwhatyousupposeisreallythecase，Itrembleforthelad——anotableperson，sir，toputtobaduses——’
’Itisnotpossible，Varden，’saidMrHaredale，inastilllowertoneofvoicethanhehadspokenyet，’thatwehavebeenblindedanddeceivedbythiswomanfromthebeginning？Itisnotpossiblethatthisconnectionwasformedinherhusband’slifetime，andledtohisandmybrother’s——’
’GoodGod，sir，’criedGabriel，interruptinghim，’don’tentertainsuchdarkthoughtsforamoment。Five-and-twentyyearsago，wherewasthereagirllikeher？Agay，handsome，laughing，bright-eyeddamsel！Thinkwhatshewas，sir。Itmakesmyheartachenow，evennow，thoughI’manoldman，withawomanforadaughter，tothinkwhatshewasandwhatsheis。Weallchange，butthat’swithTime;
Timedoeshisworkhonestly，andIdon’tmindhim。AfigforTime，sir。Usehimwell，andhe’saheartyfellow，andscornstohaveyouatadisadvantage。Butcareandsufferingandthosehavechangedheraredevils，sir——secret，stealthy，underminingdevils——
whotreaddownthebrightestflowersinEden，anddomorehavocinamonththanTimedoesinayear。PicturetoyourselfforoneminutewhatMarywasbeforetheywenttoworkwithherfreshheartandface——doherthatjustice——andsaywhethersuchathingispossible。’
’You’reagoodfellow，Varden，’saidMrHaredale，’andarequiteright。Ihavebroodedonthatsubjectsolong，thateverybreathofsuspicioncarriesmebacktoit。Youarequiteright。’
’Itisn’t，sir，’criedthelocksmithwithbrightenedeyes，andsturdy，honestvoice;’itisn’tbecauseIcourtedherbeforeRudge，andfailed，thatIsayshewastoogoodforhim。Shewouldhavebeenasmuchtoogoodforme。ButsheWAStoogoodforhim;hewasn’tfreeandfrankenoughforher。Idon’treproachhismemorywithit，poorfellow;Ionlywanttoputherbeforeyouasshereallywas。Formyself，I’llkeepheroldpictureinmymind;andthinkingofthat，andwhathasalteredher，I’llstandherfriend，andtrytowinherbacktopeace。Anddamme，sir，’criedGabriel，’withyourpardonfortheword，I’ddothesameifshehadmarriedfiftyhighwaymeninatwelvemonth;andthinkitintheProtestantManualtoo，thoughMarthasaiditwasn’t，toothandnail，tilldoomsday！’
Ifthedarklittleparlourhadbeenfilledwithadensefog，which，clearingawayinaninstant，leftitallradianceandbrightness，itcouldnothavebeenmoresuddenlycheeredthanbythisoutbreakonthepartoftheheartylocksmith。Inavoicenearlyasfullandroundashisown，MrHaredalecried’Wellsaid！’andbadehimcomeawaywithoutmoreparley。Thelocksmithcompliedrightwillingly;
andbothgettingintoahackneycoachwhichwaswaitingatthedoor，droveoffstraightway。
Theyalightedatthestreetcorner，anddismissingtheirconveyance，walkedtothehouse。Totheirfirstknockatthedoortherewasnoresponse。Asecondmetwiththelikeresult。Butinanswertothethird，whichwasofamorevigorouskind，theparlourwindow-sashwasgentlyraised，andamusicalvoicecried:
’Haredale，mydearfellow，Iamextremelygladtoseeyou。Howverymuchyouhaveimprovedinyourappearancesinceourlastmeeting！Ineversawyoulookingbetter。HOWdoyoudo？’
MrHaredaleturnedhiseyestowardsthecasementwhencethevoiceproceeded，thoughtherewasnoneedtodoso，torecognisethespeaker，andMrChesterwavedhishand，andsmiledacourteouswelcome。
’Thedoorwillbeopenedimmediately，’hesaid。’Thereisnobodybutaverydilapidatedfemaletoperformsuchoffices。Youwillexcuseherinfirmities？Ifshewereinamoreelevatedstationofsociety，shewouldbegouty。Beingbutahewerofwoodanddrawerofwater，sheisrheumatic。MydearHaredale，thesearenaturalclassdistinctions，dependuponit。’
MrHaredale，whosefaceresumeditsloweringanddistrustfullookthemomentheheardthevoice，inclinedhisheadstiffly，andturnedhisbackuponthespeaker。
’Notopenedyet，’saidMrChester。’Dearme！Ihopetheagedsoulhasnotcaughtherfootinsomeunluckycobwebbytheway。Sheisthereatlast！Comein，Ibeg！’
MrHaredaleentered，followedbythelocksmith。Turningwithalookofgreatastonishmenttotheoldwomanwhohadopenedthedoor，heinquiredforMrsRudge——forBarnaby。Theywerebothgone，shereplied，waggingherancienthead，forgood。Therewasagentlemanintheparlour，whoperhapscouldtellthemmore。ThatwasallSHEknew。
’Pray，sir，’saidMrHaredale，presentinghimselfbeforethisnewtenant，’whereisthepersonwhomIcameheretosee？’
’Mydearfriend，’hereturned，’Ihavenottheleastidea。’
’Yourtriflingisill-timed，’retortedtheotherinasuppressedtoneandvoice，’anditssubjectill-chosen。Reserveitforthosewhoareyourfriends，anddonotexpenditonme。Ilaynoclaimtothedistinction，andhavetheself-denialtorejectit。’
’Mydear，goodsir，’saidMrChester，’youareheatedwithwalking。
Sitdown，Ibeg。Ourfriendis——’
’Isbutaplainhonestman，’returnedMrHaredale，’andquiteunworthyofyournotice。’
’GabrielVardenbyname，sir，’saidthelocksmithbluntly。
’AworthyEnglishyeoman！’saidMrChester。’Amostworthyyeoman，ofwhomIhavefrequentlyheardmysonNed——darlingfellow——
speak，andhaveoftenwishedtosee。Varden，mygoodfriend，Iamgladtoknowyou。Youwondernow，’hesaid，turninglanguidlytoMrHaredale，’toseemehere。Now，Iamsureyoudo。’
MrHaredaleglancedathim——notfondlyoradmiringly——smiled，andheldhispeace。
’Themysteryissolvedinamoment，’saidMrChester;’inamoment。
Willyoustepasidewithmeoneinstant。YourememberourlittlecompactinreferencetoNed，andyourdearniece，Haredale？Yourememberthelistofassistantsintheirinnocentintrigue？Yourememberthesetwopeoplebeingamongthem？Mydearfellow，congratulateyourself，andme。Ihaveboughtthemoff。’
’Youhavedonewhat？’saidMrHaredale。
’Boughtthemoff，’returnedhissmilingfriend。’Ihavefounditnecessarytotakesomeactivestepstowardssettingthisboyandgirlattachmentquiteatrest，andhavebegunbyremovingthesetwoagents。Youaresurprised？WhoCANwithstandtheinfluenceofalittlemoney！Theywantedit，andhavebeenboughtoff。Wehavenothingmoretofearfromthem。Theyaregone。’
’Gone！’echoedMrHaredale。’Where？’
’Mydearfellow——andyoumustpermitmetosayagain，thatyouneverlookedsoyoung;sopositivelyboyishasyoudoto-night——theLordknowswhere;IbelieveColumbushimselfwouldn’tfindthem。
Betweenyouandmetheyhavetheirhiddenreasons，butuponthatpointIhavepledgedmyselftosecrecy。Sheappointedtoseeyouhereto-night，Iknow，butfounditinconvenient，andcouldn’twait。Hereisthekeyofthedoor。Iamafraidyou’llfinditinconvenientlylarge;butasthetenementisyours，yourgood-
naturewillexcusethat，Haredale，Iamcertain！’
Chapter27
MrHaredalestoodinthewidow’sparlourwiththedoor-keyinhishand，gazingbyturnsatMrChesterandatGabrielVarden，andoccasionallyglancingdownwardatthekeyasinthehopethatofitsownaccorditwouldunlockthemystery;untilMrChester，puttingonhishatandgloves，andsweetlyinquiringwhethertheywerewalkinginthesamedirection，recalledhimtohimself。
’No，’hesaid。’Ourroadsdiverge——widely，asyouknow。Forthepresent，Ishallremainhere。’
’Youwillbehipped，Haredale;youwillbemiserable，melancholy，utterlywretched，’returnedtheother。’It’saplaceoftheverylastdescriptionforamanofyourtemper。Iknowitwillmakeyouverymiserable。’
’Letit，’saidMrHaredale，sittingdown;’andthriveuponthethought。Goodnight！’
Feigningtobewhollyunconsciousoftheabruptwaveofthehandwhichrenderedthisfarewelltantamounttoadismissal，MrChesterretortedwithablandandheartfeltbenediction，andinquiredofGabrielinwhatdirectionHEwasgoing。
’Yours，sir，wouldbetoomuchhonourforthelikeofme，’repliedthelocksmith，hesitating。
’Iwishyoutoremainherealittlewhile，Varden，’saidMrHaredale，withoutlookingtowardsthem。’Ihaveawordortwotosaytoyou。’
’Iwillnotintrudeuponyourconferenceanothermoment，’saidMrChesterwithinconceivablepoliteness。’Mayitbesatisfactorytoyouboth！Godblessyou！’Sosaying，andbestowinguponthelocksmithamostrefulgentsmile，heleftthem。
’Adeplorablyconstitutedcreature，thatruggedperson，’hesaid，ashewalkedalongthestreet;’heisanatrocitythatcarriesitsownpunishmentalongwithit——abearthatgnawshimself。Andhereisoneoftheinestimableadvantagesofhavingaperfectcommandoverone’sinclinations。Ihavebeentemptedinthesetwoshortinterviews，todrawuponthatfellow，fiftytimes。Fivemeninsixwouldhaveyieldedtotheimpulse。Bysuppressingmine，IwoundhimdeeperandmorekeenlythanifIwerethebestswordsmaninallEurope，andhetheworst。Youarethewiseman’sverylastresource，’hesaid，tappingthehiltofhisweapon;’wecanbutappealtoyouwhenallelseissaidanddone。Tocometoyoubefore，andtherebyspareouradversariessomuch，isabarbarianmodeofwarfare，quiteunworthyofanymanwiththeremotestpretensionstodelicacyoffeeling，orrefinement。’
Hesmiledsoverypleasantlyashecommunedwithhimselfafterthismanner，thatabeggarwasemboldenedtofollowforalms，andtodoghisfootstepsforsomedistance。Hewasgratifiedbythecircumstance，feelingitcomplimentarytohispoweroffeature，andasarewardsufferedthemantofollowhimuntilhecalledachair，whenhegraciouslydismissedhimwithaferventblessing。
’Whichisaseasyascursing，’hewiselyadded，ashetookhisseat，’andmorebecomingtotheface——ToClerkenwell，mygoodcreatures，ifyouplease！’Thechairmenwererenderedquitevivaciousbyhavingsuchacourteousburden，andtoClerkenwelltheywentatafairroundtrot。
Alightingatacertainpointhehadindicatedtothemupontheroad，andpayingthemsomethinglessthantheyexpectedfromafareofsuchgentlespeech，heturnedintothestreetinwhichthelocksmithdwelt，andpresentlystoodbeneaththeshadowoftheGoldenKey。MrTappertit，whowashardatworkbylamplight，inacorneroftheworkshop，remainedunconsciousofhispresenceuntilahanduponhisshouldermadehimstartandturnhishead。
’Industry，’saidMrChester，’isthesoulofbusiness，andthekeystoneofprosperity。MrTappertit，IshallexpectyoutoinvitemetodinnerwhenyouareLordMayorofLondon。’
’Sir，’returnedthe’prentice，layingdownhishammer，andrubbinghisnoseonthebackofaverysootyhand，’IscorntheLordMayorandeverythingthatbelongstohim。Wemusthaveanotherstateofsociety，sir，beforeyoucatchmebeingLordMayor。Howdedo，sir？’
’Thebetter，MrTappertit，forlookingintoyouringenuousfaceoncemore。Ihopeyouarewell。’
’Iamaswell，sir，’saidSim，standinguptogetnearertohisear，andwhisperinghoarsely，’asanymancanbeundertheaggrawationstowhichIamexposed。Mylife’saburdentome。Ifitwasn’tforwengeance，I’dplayatpitchandtosswithitonthelosinghazard。’
’IsMrsVardenathome？’saidMrChester。
’Sir，’returnedSim，eyeinghimoverwithalookofconcentratedexpression，——’sheis。Didyouwishtoseeher？’
MrChesternodded。
’Thencomethisway，sir，’saidSim，wipinghisfaceuponhisapron。’Followme，sir——Wouldyoupermitmetowhisperinyourear，onehalfasecond？’
’Byallmeans。’
MrTappertitraisedhimselfontiptoe，appliedhislipstoMrChester’sear，drewbackhisheadwithoutsayinganything，lookedhardathim，appliedthemtohisearagain，againdrewback，andfinallywhispered——’ThenameisJosephWillet。Hush！Isaynomore。’
Havingsaidthatmuch，hebeckonedthevisitorwithamysteriousaspecttofollowhimtotheparlour-door，whereheannouncedhiminthevoiceofagentleman-usher。’MrChester。’
’AndnotMrEd’dard，mind，’saidSim，lookingintothedooragain，andaddingthisbywayofpostscriptinhisownperson;’it’shisfather。’
’Butdonotlethisfather，’saidMrChester，advancinghatinhand，asheobservedtheeffectofthislastexplanatoryannouncement，’donotlethisfatherbeanycheckorrestraintonyourdomesticoccupations，MissVarden。’
’Oh！Now！There！An’tIalwaysa-sayingit！’exclaimedMiggs，clappingherhands。’Ifhean’tbeenandtookMissisforherowndaughter。Well，sheDOlooklikeit，thatshedo。Onlythinkofthat，mim！’
’Isitpossible，’saidMrChesterinhissoftesttones，’thatthisisMrsVarden！Iamamazed。Thatisnotyourdaughter，MrsVarden？No，no。Yoursister。’
’Mydaughter，indeed，sir，’returnedMrsV。，blushingwithgreatjuvenility。
’Ah，MrsVarden！’criedthevisitor。’Ah，ma’am——humanityisindeedahappylot，whenwecanrepeatourselvesinothers，andstillbeyoungasthey。Youmustallowmetosaluteyou——thecustomofthecountry，mydearmadam——yourdaughtertoo。’
Dollyshowedsomereluctancetoperformthisceremony，butwassharplyreprovedbyMrsVarden，whoinsistedonherundergoingitthatminute。Forpride，shesaidwithgreatseverity，wasoneofthesevendeadlysins，andhumilityandlowlinessofheartwerevirtues。WhereforeshedesiredthatDollywouldbekissedimmediately，onpainofherjustdispleasure;atthesametimegivinghertounderstandthatwhatevershesawhermotherdo，shemightsafelydoherself，withoutbeingatthetroubleofanyreasoningorreflectiononthesubject——which，indeed，wasoffensiveandundutiful，andindirectcontraventionofthechurchcatechism。
Thusadmonished，Dollycomplied，thoughbynomeanswillingly;fortherewasabroad，boldlookofadmirationinMrChester’sface，refinedandpolishedthoughitsoughttobe，whichdistressedherverymuch。Asshestoodwithdowncasteyes，notlikingtolookupandmeethis，hegazeduponherwithanapprovingair，andthenturnedtohermother。
’MyfriendGabrielwhoseacquaintanceIonlymadethisveryeveningshouldbeahappyman，MrsVarden。’
’Ah！’sighedMrsV。，shakingherhead。
’Ah！’echoedMiggs。
’Isthatthecase？’saidMrChester，compassionately。’Dearme！’
’Masterhasnointentions，sir，’murmuredMiggsasshesidleduptohim，’buttobeasgratefulashisnaturwilllethim，foreverythinkheownswhichitisinhispowerstoappreciate。Butwenever，sir’——saidMiggs，lookingsidewaysatMrsVarden，andinterlardingherdiscoursewithasigh——’weneverknowthefullvalueofSOMEwinesandfig-treestillwelose’em。Somuchtheworse，sir，forthemashastheslightingof’emontheirconscienceswhenthey’regonetobeinfullblowelsewhere。’AndMissMiggscastuphereyestosignifywherethatmightbe。
AsMrsVardendistinctlyheard，andwasintendedtohear，allthatMiggssaid，andasthesewordsappearedtoconveyinmetaphoricaltermsapresageorforebodingthatshewouldatsomeearlyperioddroopbeneathhertrialsandtakeaneasyflighttowardsthestars，sheimmediatelybegantolanguish，andtakingavolumeoftheManualfromaneighbouringtable，leantherarmuponitasthoughshewereHopeandthatherAnchor。MrChesterperceivingthis，andseeinghowthevolumewasletteredontheback，tookitgentlyfromherhand，andturnedtheflutteringleaves。
’Myfavouritebook，dearmadam。Howoften，howveryofteninhisearlylife——beforehecanremember’——thisclausewasstrictlytrue’haveIdeducedlittleeasymorallessonsfromitspages，formydearsonNed！YouknowNed？’
MrsVardenhadthathonour，andafineaffableyounggentlemanhewas。
’You’reamother，MrsVarden，’saidMrChester，takingapinchofsnuff，’andyouknowwhatI，asafather，feel，whenheispraised。
Hegivesmesomeuneasiness——muchuneasiness——he’sofarovingnature，ma’am——fromflowertoflower——fromsweettosweet——buthisisthebutterflytimeoflife，andwemustnotbeharduponsuchtrifling。’
HeglancedatDolly。Shewasattendingevidentlytowhathesaid。
Justwhathedesired！
’TheonlythingIobjecttointhislittletraitofNed’s，is，’
saidMrChester，’——andthementionofhisnameremindsme，bytheway，thatIamabouttobegthefavourofaminute’stalkwithyoualone——theonlythingIobjecttoinit，is，thatitDOESpartakeofinsincerity。Now，howeverImayattempttodisguisethefactfrommyselfinmyaffectionforNed，stillIalwaysreverttothis——
thatifwearenotsincere，wearenothing。Nothinguponearth。
Letusbesincere，mydearmadam——’
’——andProtestant，’murmuredMrsVarden。
’——andProtestantaboveallthings。LetusbesincereandProtestant，strictlymoral，strictlyjustthoughalwayswithaleaningtowardsmercy，strictlyhonest，andstrictlytrue，andwegain——itisaslightpoint，certainly，butstillitissomethingtangible;wethrowupagroundworkandfoundation，sotospeak，ofgoodness，onwhichwemayafterwardserectsomeworthysuperstructure。’
Now，tobesure，MrsVardenthought，hereisaperfectcharacter。
Hereisameek，righteous，thoroughgoingChristian，who，havingmasteredallthesequalities，sodifficultofattainment;who，havingdroppedapinchofsaltonthetailsofallthecardinalvirtues，andcaughtthemeveryone;makeslightoftheirpossession，andpantsformoremorality。Forthegoodwomanneverdoubtedasmanygoodmenandwomenneverdo，thatthisslightingkindofprofession，thissettingsolittlestorebygreatmatters，thisseemingtosay，’Iamnotproud，Iamwhatyouhear，butI
considermyselfnobetterthanotherpeople;letuschangethesubject，pray’——wasperfectlygenuineandtrue。Hesocontrivedit，andsaiditinthatwaythatitappearedtohavebeenforcedfromhim，anditseffectwasmarvellous。
Awareoftheimpressionhehadmade——fewmenwerequickerthanheatsuchdiscoveries——MrChesterfolloweduptheblowbypropoundingcertainvirtuousmaxims，somewhatvagueandgeneralintheirnature，doubtless，andoccasionallypartakingofthecharacteroftruisms，wornalittleoutatelbow，butdeliveredinsocharmingavoiceandwithsuchuncommonserenityandpeaceofmind，thattheyansweredaswellasthebest。Noristhistobewonderedat;forashollowvesselsproduceafarmoremusicalsoundinfallingthanthosewhicharesubstantial，soitwilloftentimesbefoundthatsentimentswhichhavenothinginthemmaketheloudestringingintheworld，andarethemostrelished。
MrChester，withthevolumegentlyextendedinonehand，andwiththeotherplantedlightlyonhisbreast，talkedtotheminthemostdeliciousmannerpossible;andquiteenchantedallhishearers，notwithstandingtheirconflictinginterestsandthoughts。EvenDolly，who，betweenhiskeenregardsandhereyeingoverbyMrTappertit，wasputquiteoutofcountenance，couldnothelpowningwithinherselfthathewasthesweetest-spokengentlemanshehadeverseen。EvenMissMiggs，whowasdividedbetweenadmirationofMrChesterandamortaljealousyofheryoungmistress，hadsufficientleisuretobepropitiated。EvenMrTappertit，thoughoccupiedaswehaveseeningazingathisheart’sdelight，couldnotwhollydiverthisthoughtsfromthevoiceoftheothercharmer。
MrsVarden，toherownprivatethinking，hadneverbeensoimprovedinallherlife;andwhenMrChester，risingandcravingpermissiontospeakwithherapart，tookherbythehandandledheratarm’slengthupstairstothebestsitting-room，shealmostdeemedhimsomethingmorethanhuman。
’Dearmadam，’hesaid，pressingherhanddelicatelytohislips;
’beseated。’
MrsVardencalledupquiteacourtlyair，andbecameseated。
’Youguessmyobject？’saidMrChester，drawingachairtowardsher。’Youdivinemypurpose？Iamanaffectionateparent，mydearMrsVarden。’
’ThatIamsureyouare，sir，’saidMrsV。
’Thankyou，’returnedMrChester，tappinghissnuff-boxlid。
’Heavymoralresponsibilitiesrestwithparents，MrsVarden。’
MrsVardenslightlyraisedherhands，shookherhead，andlookedatthegroundasthoughshesawstraightthroughtheglobe，outattheotherend，andintotheimmensityofspacebeyond。
’Imayconfideinyou，’saidMrChester，’withoutreserve。Ilovemyson，ma’am，dearly;andlovinghimasIdo，Iwouldsavehimfromworkingcertainmisery。YouknowofhisattachmenttoMissHaredale。Youhaveabettedhiminit，andverykindofyouitwastodoso。Iamdeeplyobligedtoyou——mostdeeplyobligedtoyou——
foryourinterestinhisbehalf;butmydearma’am，itisamistakenone，Idoassureyou。’
MrsVardenstammeredthatshewassorry——’
’Sorry，mydearma’am，’heinterposed。’Neverbesorryforwhatissoveryamiable，soverygoodinintention，soperfectlylikeyourself。Buttherearegraveandweightyreasons，pressingfamilyconsiderations，andapartevenfromthese，pointsofreligiousdifference，whichinterposethemselves，andrendertheirunionimpossible;utterlyim-possible。Ishouldhavementionedthesecircumstancestoyourhusband;buthehas——youwillexcusemysayingthissofreely——hehasNOTyourquicknessofapprehensionordepthofmoralsense。Whatanextremelyairyhousethisis，andhowbeautifullykept！Foronelikemyself——awidowersolong——
thesetokensoffemalecareandsuperintendencehaveinexpressiblecharms。’
MrsVardenbegantothinkshescarcelyknewwhythattheyoungMrChestermustbeinthewrongandtheoldMrChestermustheintheright。
’MysonNed，’resumedhertempterwithhismostwinningair，’hashad，Iamtold，yourlovelydaughter’said，andyouropen-heartedhusband’s。’
’——Muchmorethanmine，sir，’saidMrsVarden;’agreatdealmore。
Ihaveoftenhadmydoubts。It’sa——’
’Abadexample，’suggestedMrChester。’Itis。Nodoubtitis。
Yourdaughterisatthatagewhentosetbeforeheranencouragementforyoungpersonstorebelagainsttheirparentsonthismostimportantpoint，isparticularlyinjudicious。Youarequiteright。Ioughttohavethoughtofthatmyself，butitescapedme，Iconfess——sofarsuperiorareyoursextoours，dearmadam，inpointofpenetrationandsagacity。’
MrsVardenlookedaswiseasifshehadreallysaidsomethingtodeservethiscompliment——firmlybelievedshehad，inshort——andherfaithinherownshrewdnessincreasedconsiderably。
’Mydearma’am，’saidMrChester，’youemboldenmetobeplainwithyou。MysonandIareatvarianceonthispoint。Theyoungladyandhernaturalguardiandifferuponit，also。Andtheclosingpointis，thatmysonisboundbyhisdutytome，byhishonour，byeverysolemntieandobligation，tomarrysomeoneelse。’
’Engagedtomarryanotherlady！’quothMrsVarden，holdingupherhands。
’Mydearmadam，broughtup，educated，andtrained，expresslyforthatpurpose。Expresslyforthatpurpose——MissHaredale，Iamtold，isaverycharmingcreature。’
’Iamherfoster-mother，andshouldknow——thebestyoungladyintheworld，’saidMrsVarden。
’Ihavenotthesmallestdoubtofit。Iamsuresheis。Andyou，whohavestoodinthattenderrelationtowardsher，areboundtoconsultherhappiness。Now，canI——asIhavesaidtoHaredale，whoquiteagrees——canIpossiblystandby，andsufferhertothrowherselfawayalthoughsheISofaCatholicfamily，uponayoungfellowwho，asyet，hasnoheartatall？Itisnoimputationuponhimtosayhehasnot，becauseyoungmenwhohaveplungeddeeplyintothefrivolitiesandconventionalitiesofsociety，veryseldomhave。Theirheartsnevergrow，mydearma’am，tillafterthirty。
Idon’tbelieve，no，IdoNOTbelieve，thatIhadanyheartmyselfwhenIwasNed’sage。’
’Ohsir，’saidMrsVarden，’Ithinkyoumusthavehad。It’simpossiblethatyou，whohavesomuchnow，caneverhavebeenwithoutany。’
’Ihope，’heanswered，shrugginghisshouldersmeekly，’Ihavealittle;Ihope，averylittle——Heavenknows！ButtoreturntoNed;
Ihavenodoubtyouthought，andthereforeinterferedbenevolentlyinhisbehalf，thatIobjectedtoMissHaredale。Howverynatural！Mydearmadam，Iobjecttohim——tohim——emphaticallytoNedhimself。’
MrsVardenwasperfectlyaghastatthedisclosure。
’Hehas，ifhehonourablyfulfilsthissolemnobligationofwhichI
havetoldyou——andhemustbehonourable，dearMrsVarden，orheisnosonofmine——afortunewithinhisreach。Heisofmostexpensive，ruinouslyexpensivehabits;andif，inamomentofcapriceandwilfulness，heweretomarrythisyounglady，andsodeprivehimselfofthemeansofgratifyingthetastestowhichhehasbeensolongaccustomed，hewould——mydearmadam，hewouldbreakthegentlecreature’sheart。MrsVarden，mygoodlady，mydearsoul，Iputittoyou——issuchasacrificetobeendured？Isthefemaleheartathingtobetrifledwithinthisway？Askyourown，mydearmadam。Askyourown，Ibeseechyou。’
’Truly，’thoughtMrsVarden，’thisgentlemanisasaint。But，’sheaddedaloud，andnotunnaturally，’ifyoutakeMissEmma’sloveraway，sir，whatbecomesofthepoorthing’sheartthen？’
’Theverypoint，’saidMrChester，notatallabashed，’towhichI
wishedtoleadyou。Amarriagewithmyson，whomIshouldbecompelledtodisown，wouldbefollowedbyyearsofmisery;theywouldbeseparated，mydearmadam，inatwelvemonth。Tobreakoffthisattachment，whichismorefanciedthanreal，asyouandIknowverywell，willcostthedeargirlbutafewtears，andsheishappyagain。Takethecaseofyourowndaughter，theyoungladydownstairs，whoisyourbreathingimage’——MrsVardencoughedandsimpered——’thereisayoungmanIamsorrytosay，adissolutefellow，ofveryindifferentcharacterofwhomIhaveheardNedspeak——Bulletwasit——Pullet——Mullet——’
’ThereisayoungmanofthenameofJosephWillet，sir，’saidMrsVarden，foldingherhandsloftily。
’That’she，’criedMrChester。’SupposethisJosephWilletnow，weretoaspiretotheaffectionsofyourcharmingdaughter，andweretoengagethem。’
’Itwouldbelikehisimpudence，’interposedMrsVarden，bridling，’todaretothinkofsuchathing！’
’Mydearmadam，that’sthewholecase。Iknowitwouldbelikehisimpudence。ItislikeNed’simpudencetodoashehasdone;butyouwouldnotonthataccount，orbecauseofafewtearsfromyourbeautifuldaughter，refrainfromcheckingtheirinclinationsintheirbirth。ImeanttohavereasonedthuswithyourhusbandwhenIsawhimatMrsRudge’sthisevening——’
’Myhusband，’saidMrsVarden，interposingwithemotion，’wouldbeagreatdealbetterathomethangoingtoMrsRudge’ssooften。I
don’tknowwhathedoesthere。Idon’tseewhatoccasionhehastobusyhimselfinheraffairsatall，sir。’
’IfIdon’tappeartoexpressmyconcurrenceinthoselastsentimentsofyours，’returnedMrChester，’quitesostronglyasyoumightdesire，itisbecausehisbeingthere，mydearmadam，andnotprovingconversational，ledmehither，andprocuredmethehappinessofthisinterviewwithone，inwhomthewholemanagement，conduct，andprosperityofherfamilyarecentred，Iperceive。’
WiththathetookMrsVarden’shandagain，andhavingpressedittohislipswiththehighflowngallantryoftheday——alittleburlesquedtorenderitthemorestrikinginthegoodlady’sunaccustomedeyes——proceededinthesamestrainofmingledsophistry，cajolery，andflattery，toentreatthatherutmostinfluencemightbeexertedtorestrainherhusbandanddaughterfromanyfurtherpromotionofEdward’ssuittoMissHaredale，andfromaidingorabettingeitherpartyinanyway。MrsVardenwasbutawoman，andhadhershareofvanity，obstinacy，andloveofpower。Sheenteredintoasecrettreatyofalliance，offensiveanddefensive，withherinsinuatingvisitor;andreallydidbelieve，asmanyotherswouldhavedonewhosawandheardhim，thatinsodoingshefurtheredtheendsoftruth，justice，andmorality，inaveryuncommondegree。
Overjoyedbythesuccessofhisnegotiation，andmightilyamusedwithinhimself，MrChesterconductedherdownstairsinthesamestateasbefore;andhavingrepeatedthepreviousceremonyofsalutation，whichalsoasbeforecomprehendedDolly，tookhisleave;firstcompletingtheconquestofMissMiggs’sheart，byinquiringif’thisyounglady’wouldlighthimtothedoor。
’Oh，mim，’saidMiggs，returningwiththecandle。’Ohgraciousme，mim，there’sagentleman！Wasthereeversuchanangeltotalkasheis——andsuchasweet-lookingman！Souprightandnoble，thatheseemstodespisetheverygroundhewalkson;andyetsomildandcondescending，thatheseemstosay“butIwilltakenoticeonittoo。”AndtothinkofhistakingyouforMissDolly，andMissDollyforyoursister——Oh，mygoodnessme，ifIwasmasterwouldn’tIbejealousofhim！’
MrsVardenreprovedherhandmaidforthisvain-speaking;butverygentlyandmildly——quitesmilinglyindeed——remarkingthatshewasafoolish，giddy，light-headedgirl，whosespiritscarriedherbeyondallbounds，andwhodidn’tmeanhalfshesaid，orshewouldbequiteangrywithher。
’Formypart，’saidDolly，inathoughtfulmanner，’IhalfbelieveMrChesterissomethinglikeMiggsinthatrespect。Forallhispolitenessandpleasantspeaking，Iamprettysurehewasmakinggameofus，morethanonce。’
’Ifyouventuretosaysuchathingagain，andtospeakillofpeoplebehindtheirbacksinmypresence，miss，’saidMrsVarden，’Ishallinsistuponyourtakingacandleandgoingtobeddirectly。Howdareyou，Dolly？I’mastonishedatyou。Therudenessofyourwholebehaviourthiseveninghasbeendisgraceful。
Didanybodyeverhear，’criedtheenragedmatron，burstingintotears，’ofadaughtertellingherownmothershehasbeenmadegameof！’
WhataveryuncertaintemperMrsVarden’swas！
Chapter28
Repairingtoanotedcoffee-houseinCoventGardenwhenheleftthelocksmith’s，MrChestersatlongoveralatedinner，entertaininghimselfexceedinglywiththewhimsicalrecollectionofhisrecentproceedings，andcongratulatinghimselfverymuchonhisgreatcleverness。Influencedbythesethoughts，hisfaceworeanexpressionsobenignandtranquil，thatthewaiterinimmediateattendanceuponhimfelthecouldalmosthavediedinhisdefence，andsettledinhisownminduntilthereceiptofthebill，andaverysmallfeeforverygreattroubledisabuseditoftheidea
thatsuchanapostoliccustomerwasworthhalf-a-dozenoftheordinaryrunofvisitors，atleast。
Avisittothegaming-table——notasaheated，anxiousventurer，butonewhomitwasquiteatreattoseestakinghistwoorthreepiecesindeferencetothefolliesofsociety，andsmilingwithequalbenevolenceonwinnersandlosers——madeitlatebeforehereachedhome。Itwashiscustomtobidhisservantgotobedathisowntimeunlesshehadorderstothecontrary，andtoleaveacandleonthecommonstair。Therewasalamponthelandingbywhichhecouldalwayslightitwhenhecamehomelate，andhavingakeyofthedoorabouthimhecouldenterandgotobedathispleasure。