Therewasanofficerattheirhead，encouraginghismen，——acourageous，handsome，gallantofficeroffive—and—thirty，whomDoubledicksawhurriedly，almostmomentarily，butsawwell。Heparticularlynoticedthisofficerwavinghissword，andrallyinghismenwithaneagerandexcitedcry，whentheyfiredinobediencetohisgesture，andMajorTauntondropped。
Itwasoverintenminutesmore，andDoubledickreturnedtothespotwherehehadlaidthebestfriendmaneverhadonacoatspreaduponthewetclay。MajorTaunton’suniformwasopenedatthebreast，andonhisshirtwerethreelittlespotsofblood。
"DearDoubledick，"saidhe，"Iamdying。"
"FortheloveofHeaven，no！"exclaimedtheother，kneelingdownbesidehim，andpassinghisarmroundhisnecktoraisehishead。
"Taunton！Mypreserver，myguardianangel，mywitness！Dearest，truest，kindestofhumanbeings！Taunton！ForGod’ssake！"
Thebright，darkeyes——sovery，verydarknow，inthepaleface——
smileduponhim；andthehandhehadkissedthirteenyearsagolaiditselffondlyonhisbreast。
"Writetomymother。YouwillseeHomeagain。Tellherhowwebecamefriends。Itwillcomforther，asitcomfortsme。"
Hespokenomore，butfaintlysignedforamomenttowardshishairasitflutteredinthewind。TheEnsignunderstoodhim。Hesmiledagainwhenhesawthat，and，gentlyturninghisfaceoveronthesupportingarmasifforrest，died，withhishanduponthebreastinwhichhehadrevivedasoul。
NodryeyelookedonEnsignRichardDoubledickthatmelancholyday。
Heburiedhisfriendonthefield，andbecamealone，bereavedman。
Beyondhisdutyheappearedtohavebuttworemainingcaresinlife，——one，topreservethelittlepacketofhairhewastogivetoTaunton’smother；theother，toencounterthatFrenchofficerwhohadralliedthemenunderwhosefireTauntonfell。Anewlegendnowbegantocirculateamongourtroops；anditwas，thatwhenheandtheFrenchofficercamefacetofaceoncemore，therewouldbeweepinginFrance。
Thewarwenton——andthroughitwenttheexactpictureoftheFrenchofficerontheoneside，andthebodilyrealityupontheother——
untiltheBattleofToulousewasfought。Inthereturnssenthomeappearedthesewords:"Severelywounded，butnotdangerously，LieutenantRichardDoubledick。"
AtMidsummer—time，intheyeareighteenhundredandfourteen，LieutenantRichardDoubledick，nowabrownedsoldier，seven—and—
thirtyyearsofage，camehometoEnglandinvalided。Hebroughtthehairwithhim，nearhisheart。ManyaFrenchofficerhadheseensincethatday；manyadreadfulnight，insearchingwithmenandlanternsforhiswounded，hadherelievedFrenchofficerslyingdisabled；butthementalpictureandtherealityhadnevercometogether。
Thoughhewasweakandsufferedpain，helostnotanhouringettingdowntoFromeinSomersetshire，whereTaunton’smotherlived。Inthesweet，compassionatewordsthatnaturallypresentthemselvestothemindto—night，"hewastheonlysonofhismother，andshewasawidow。"
ItwasaSundayevening，andtheladysatatherquietgarden—
window，readingtheBible；readingtoherself，inatremblingvoice，thatverypassageinit，asIhaveheardhimtell。Heheardthewords:"Youngman，Isayuntothee，arise！"
Hehadtopassthewindow；andthebright，darkeyesofhisdebasedtimeseemedtolookathim。Herhearttoldherwhohewas；shecametothedoorquickly，andfelluponhisneck。
"Hesavedmefromruin，mademeahumancreature，wonmefrominfamyandshame。O，Godforeverblesshim！AsHewill，HeWill！"
"Hewill！"theladyanswered。"Iknowheisinheaven！"Thenshepiteouslycried，"ButO，mydarlingboy，mydarlingboy！"
NeverfromthehourwhenPrivateRichardDoubledickenlistedatChathamhadthePrivate，Corporal，Sergeant，Sergeant—Major，Ensign，orLieutenantbreathedhisrightname，orthenameofMaryMarshall，orawordofthestoryofhislife，intoanyearexcepthisreclaimer’s。Thatprevioussceneinhisexistencewasclosed。Hehadfirmlyresolvedthathisexpiationshouldbetoliveunknown；todisturbnomorethepeacethathadlonggrownoverhisoldoffences；
toletitberevealed，whenhewasdead，thathehadstrivenandsuffered，andhadneverforgotten；andthen，iftheycouldforgivehimandbelievehim——well，itwouldbetimeenough——timeenough！
Butthatnight，rememberingthewordshehadcherishedfortwoyears，"Tellherhowwebecamefriends。Itwillcomforther，asitcomfortsme，"herelatedeverything。Itgraduallyseemedtohimasifinhismaturityhehadrecoveredamother；itgraduallyseemedtoherasifinherbereavementshehadfoundason。DuringhisstayinEngland，thequietgardenintowhichhehadslowlyandpainfullycrept，astranger，becametheboundaryofhishome；whenhewasabletorejoinhisregimentinthespring，heleftthegarden，thinkingwasthisindeedthefirsttimehehadeverturnedhisfacetowardstheoldcolourswithawoman’sblessing！
Hefollowedthem——soragged，soscarredandpiercednow，thattheywouldscarcelyholdtogether——toQuatreBrasandLigny。Hestoodbesidethem，inanawfulstillnessofmanymen，shadowythroughthemistanddrizzleofawetJuneforenoon，onthefieldofWaterloo。
AnddowntothathourthepictureinhismindoftheFrenchofficerhadneverbeencomparedwiththereality。
Thefamousregimentwasinactionearlyinthebattle，andreceiveditsfirstcheckinmanyaneventfulyear，whenhewasseentofall。
Butitsweptontoavengehim，andleftbehinditnosuchcreatureintheworldofconsciousnessasLieutenantRichardDoubledick。
Throughpitsofmire，andpoolsofrain；alongdeepditches，onceroads，thatwerepoundedandploughedtopiecesbyartillery，heavywaggons，trampofmenandhorses，andthestruggleofeverywheeledthingthatcouldcarrywoundedsoldiers；joltedamongthedyingandthedead，sodisfiguredbybloodandmudastobehardlyrecognisableforhumanity；undisturbedbythemoaningofmenandtheshriekingofhorses，which，newlytakenfromthepeacefulpursuitsoflife，couldnotendurethesightofthestragglerslyingbythewayside，nevertoresumetheirtoilsomejourney；dead，astoanysentientlifethatwasinit，andyetalive，——theformthathadbeenLieutenantRichardDoubledick，withwhosepraisesEnglandrang，wasconveyedtoBrussels。Thereitwastenderlylaiddowninhospital；
andthereitlay，weekafterweek，throughthelongbrightsummerdays，untiltheharvest，sparedbywar，hadripenedandwasgatheredin。
Overandoveragainthesunroseandsetuponthecrowdedcity；overandoveragainthemoonlightnightswerequietontheplainsofWaterloo:andallthattimewasablanktowhathadbeenLieutenantRichardDoubledick。RejoicingtroopsmarchedintoBrussels，andmarchedout；brothersandfathers，sisters，mothers，andwives，camethrongingthither，drewtheirlotsofjoyoragony，anddeparted；somanytimesadaythebellsrang；somanytimestheshadowsofthegreatbuildingschanged；somanylightssprangupatdusk；somanyfeetpassedhereandthereuponthepavements；somanyhoursofsleepandcoolerairofnightsucceeded:indifferenttoall，amarblefacelayonabed，likethefaceofarecumbentstatueonthetombofLieutenantRichardDoubledick。
Slowlylabouring，atlast，throughalongheavydreamofconfusedtimeandplace，presentingfaintglimpsesofarmysurgeonswhomheknew，andoffacesthathadbeenfamiliartohisyouth，——dearestandkindestamongthem，MaryMarshall’s，withasolicitudeuponitmorelikerealitythananythinghecoulddiscern，——LieutenantRichardDoubledickcamebacktolife。Tothebeautifullifeofacalmautumneveningsunset，tothepeacefullifeofafreshquietroomwithalargewindowstandingopen；abalconybeyond，inwhichweremovingleavesandsweet—smellingflowers；beyond，again，theclearsky，withthesunfullinhissight，pouringitsgoldenradianceonhisbed。
Itwassotranquilandsolovelythathethoughthehadpassedintoanotherworld。Andhesaidinafaintvoice，"Taunton，areyounearme？"
Afacebentoverhim。Nothis，hismother’s。
"Icametonurseyou。Wehavenursedyoumanyweeks。Youweremovedherelongago。Doyouremembernothing？"
"Nothing。"
Theladykissedhischeek，andheldhishand，soothinghim。
"Whereistheregiment？Whathashappened？Letmecallyoumother。
Whathashappened，mother？"
"Agreatvictory，dear。Thewarisover，andtheregimentwasthebravestinthefield。"
Hiseyeskindled，hislipstrembled，hesobbed，andthetearsrandownhisface。Hewasveryweak，tooweaktomovehishand。
"Wasitdarkjustnow？"heaskedpresently。
"No。"
"Itwasonlydarktome？Somethingpassedaway，likeablackshadow。Butasitwent，andthesun——Otheblessedsun，howbeautifulitis！——touchedmyface，IthoughtIsawalightwhitecloudpassoutatthedoor。Wastherenothingthatwentout？"
Sheshookherhead，andinalittlewhilehefellasleep，shestillholdinghishand，andsoothinghim。
Fromthattime，herecovered。Slowly，forhehadbeendesperatelywoundedinthehead，andhadbeenshotinthebody，butmakingsomelittleadvanceeveryday。Whenhehadgainedsufficientstrengthtoconverseashelayinbed，hesoonbegantoremarkthatMrs。Tauntonalwaysbroughthimbacktohisownhistory。Thenherecalledhispreserver’sdyingwords，andthought，"Itcomfortsher。"
Onedayheawokeoutofasleep，refreshed，andaskedhertoreadtohim。Butthecurtainofthebed，softeningthelight，whichshealwaysdrewbackwhenheawoke，thatshemightseehimfromhertableatthebedsidewhereshesatatwork，washeldundrawn；andawoman’svoicespoke，whichwasnothers。
"Canyoubeartoseeastranger？"itsaidsoftly。"Willyouliketoseeastranger？"
"Stranger！"herepeated。Thevoiceawokeoldmemories，beforethedaysofPrivateRichardDoubledick。
"Astrangernow，butnotastrangeronce，"itsaidintonesthatthrilledhim。"Richard，dearRichard，lostthroughsomanyyears，myname——"
Hecriedouthername，"Mary，"andsheheldhiminherarms，andhisheadlayonherbosom。
"Iamnotbreakingarashvow，Richard。ThesearenotMaryMarshall’slipsthatspeak。Ihaveanothername。"
Shewasmarried。
"Ihaveanothername，Richard。Didyoueverhearit？"
"Never！"
Helookedintoherface，sopensivelybeautiful，andwonderedatthesmileuponitthroughhertears。
"Thinkagain，Richard。Areyousureyouneverheardmyalteredname？"
"Never！"
"Don’tmoveyourheadtolookatme，dearRichard。Letitliehere，whileItellmystory。Ilovedagenerous，nobleman；lovedhimwithmywholeheart；lovedhimforyearsandyears；lovedhimfaithfully，devotedly；lovedhimwithouthopeofreturn；lovedhim，knowingnothingofhishighestqualities——notevenknowingthathewasalive。Hewasabravesoldier。Hewashonouredandbelovedbythousandsofthousands，whenthemotherofhisdearfriendfoundme，andshowedmethatinallhistriumphshehadneverforgottenme。
Hewaswoundedinagreatbattle。Hewasbrought，dying，here，intoBrussels。Icametowatchandtendhim，asIwouldhavejoyfullygone，withsuchapurpose，tothedreariestendsoftheearth。Whenheknewnooneelse，heknewme。Whenhesufferedmost，heborehissufferingsbarelymurmuring，contenttoresthisheadwhereyourrestsnow。Whenhelayatthepointofdeath，hemarriedme，thathemightcallmeWifebeforehedied。Andthename，mydearlove，thatItookonthatforgottennight——"
"Iknowitnow！"hesobbed。"Theshadowyremembrancestrengthens。
Itiscomeback。IthankHeaventhatmymindisquiterestored！MyMary，kissme；lullthiswearyheadtorest，orIshalldieofgratitude。Hispartingwordswerefulfilled。IseeHomeagain！"
Well！Theywerehappy。Itwasalongrecovery，buttheywerehappythroughitall。Thesnowhadmeltedontheground，andthebirdsweresingingintheleaflessthicketsoftheearlyspring，whenthosethreewerefirstabletorideouttogether，andwhenpeopleflockedabouttheopencarriagetocheerandcongratulateCaptainRichardDoubledick。
ButeventhenitbecamenecessaryfortheCaptain，insteadofreturningtoEngland，tocompletehisrecoveryintheclimateofSouthernFrance。TheyfoundaspotupontheRhone，withinarideoftheoldtownofAvignon，andwithinviewofitsbrokenbridge，whichwasalltheycoulddesire；theylivedthere，together，sixmonths；
thenreturnedtoEngland。Mrs。Taunton，growingoldafterthreeyears——thoughnotsooldasthatherbright，darkeyesweredimmed——
andrememberingthatherstrengthhadbeenbenefitedbythechangeresolvedtogobackforayeartothoseparts。Soshewentwithafaithfulservant，whohadoftencarriedhersoninhisarms；andshewastoberejoinedandescortedhome，attheyear’send，byCaptainRichardDoubledick。
Shewroteregularlytoherchildren（asshecalledthemnow），andtheytoher。ShewenttotheneighbourhoodofAix；andthere，intheirownchateaunearthefarmer’shousesherented，shegrewintointimacywithafamilybelongingtothatpartofFrance。Theintimacybeganinheroftenmeetingamongthevineyardsaprettychild，agirlwithamostcompassionateheart，whowasnevertiredoflisteningtothesolitaryEnglishlady’sstoriesofherpoorsonandthecruelwars。Thefamilywereasgentleasthechild，andatlengthshecametoknowthemsowellthatsheacceptedtheirinvitationtopassthelastmonthofherresidenceabroadundertheirroof。Allthisintelligenceshewrotehome，piecemealasitcameabout，fromtimetotime；andatlastenclosedapolitenote，fromtheheadofthechateau，soliciting，ontheoccasionofhisapproachingmissiontothatneighbourhood，thehonourofthecompanyofcethommesijustementcelebre，MonsieurleCapitaineRichardDoubledick。
CaptainDoubledick，nowahardy，handsomemaninthefullvigouroflife，broaderacrossthechestandshouldersthanhehadeverbeenbefore，dispatchedacourteousreply，andfolloweditinperson。
TravellingthroughallthatextentofcountryafterthreeyearsofPeace，heblessedthebetterdaysonwhichtheworldhadfallen。
Thecornwasgolden，notdrenchedinunnaturalred；wasboundinsheavesforfood，nottroddenunderfootbymeninmortalfight。Thesmokeroseupfrompeacefulhearths，notblazingruins。Thecartswereladenwiththefairfruitsoftheearth，notwithwoundsanddeath。Tohimwhohadsooftenseentheterriblereverse，thesethingswerebeautifulindeed；andtheybroughthiminasoftenedspirittotheoldchateaunearAixuponadeepblueevening。
Itwasalargechateauofthegenuineoldghostlykind，withroundtowers，andextinguishers，andahighleadenroof，andmorewindowsthanAladdin’sPalace。Thelatticeblindswereallthrownopenaftertheheatoftheday，andtherewereglimpsesoframblingwallsandcorridorswithin。Thentherewereimmenseout—buildingsfallenintopartialdecay，massesofdarktrees，terrace—gardens，balustrades；tanksofwater，tooweaktoplayandtoodirtytowork；
statues，weeds，andthicketsofironrailingthatseemedtohaveovergrownthemselvesliketheshrubberies，andtohavebranchedoutinallmannerofwildshapes。Theentrancedoorsstoodopen，asdoorsoftendointhatcountrywhentheheatofthedayispast；andtheCaptainsawnobellorknocker，andwalkedin。
Hewalkedintoaloftystonehall，refreshinglycoolandgloomyaftertheglareofaSouthernday’stravel。Extendingalongthefoursidesofthishallwasagallery，leadingtosuitesofrooms；
anditwaslightedfromthetop。Stillnobellwastobeseen。
"Faith，"saidtheCaptainhalting，ashamedoftheclankingofhisboots，"thisisaghostlybeginning！"
Hestartedback，andfelthisfaceturnwhite。Inthegallery，lookingdownathim，stoodtheFrenchofficer——theofficerwhosepicturehehadcarriedinhismindsolongandsofar。Comparedwiththeoriginal，atlast——ineverylineamenthowlikeitwas！
Hemoved，anddisappeared，andCaptainRichardDoubledickheardhisstepscomingquicklydownownintothehall。Heenteredthroughanarchway。Therewasabright，suddenlookuponhisface，muchsuchalookasithadworninthatfatalmoment。
MonsieurleCapitaineRichardDoubledick？Enchantedtoreceivehim！
Athousandapologies！Theservantswerealloutintheair。Therewasalittlefeteamongtheminthegarden。Ineffect，itwasthefetedayofmydaughter，thelittlecherishedandprotectedofMadameTaunton。
HewassograciousandsofrankthatMonsieurleCapitaineRichardDoubledickcouldnotwithholdhishand。"ItisthehandofabraveEnglishman，"saidtheFrenchofficer，retainingitwhilehespoke。
"IcouldrespectabraveEnglishman，evenasmyfoe，howmuchmoreasmyfriend！Ialsoamasoldier。"
"Hehasnotrememberedme，asIhaverememberedhim；hedidnottakesuchnoteofmyface，thatday，asItookofhis，"thoughtCaptainRichardDoubledick。"HowshallItellhim？"
TheFrenchofficerconductedhisguestintoagardenandpresentedhimtohiswife，anengagingandbeautifulwoman，sittingwithMrs。
Tauntoninawhimsicalold—fashionedpavilion。Hisdaughter，herfairyoungfacebeamingwithjoy，camerunningtoembracehim；andtherewasaboy—babytotumbledownamongtheorangetreesonthebroadsteps，inmakingforhisfather’slegs。Amultitudeofchildrenvisitorsweredancingtosprightlymusic；andalltheservantsandpeasantsaboutthechateauweredancingtoo。ItwasasceneofinnocenthappinessthatmighthavebeeninventedfortheclimaxofthescenesofpeacewhichhadsoothedtheCaptain’sjourney。
Helookedon，greatlytroubledinhismind，untilaresoundingbellrang，andtheFrenchofficerbeggedtoshowhimhisrooms。Theywentupstairsintothegalleryfromwhichtheofficerhadlookeddown；andMonsieurleCapitaineRichardDoubledickwascordiallywelcomedtoagrandouterchamber，andasmalleronewithin，allclocksanddraperies，andhearths，andbrazendogs，andtiles，andcooldevices，andelegance，andvastness。
"YouwereatWaterloo，"saidtheFrenchofficer。
"Iwas，"saidCaptainRichardDoubledick。"AndatBadajos。"
Leftalonewiththesoundofhisownsternvoiceinhisears，hesatdowntoconsider，WhatshallIdo，andhowshallItellhim？Atthattime，unhappily，manydeplorableduelshadbeenfoughtbetweenEnglishandFrenchofficers，arisingoutoftherecentwar；andtheseduels，andhowtoavoidthisofficer’shospitality，weretheuppermostthoughtinCaptainRichardDoubledick’smind。
Hewasthinking，andlettingthetimerunoutinwhichheshouldhavedressedfordinner，whenMrs。Tauntonspoketohimoutsidethedoor，askingifhecouldgivehertheletterhehadbroughtfromMary。"Hismother，aboveall，"theCaptainthought。"HowshallI
tellher？"
"Youwillformafriendshipwithyourhost，Ihope，"saidMrs。
Taunton，whomhehurriedlyadmitted，"thatwilllastforlife。Heissotrue—heartedandsogenerous，Richard，thatyoucanhardlyfailtoesteemoneanother。IfHehadbeenspared，"shekissed（notwithouttears）thelocketinwhichsheworehishair，"hewouldhaveappreciatedhimwithhisownmagnanimity，andwouldhavebeentrulyhappythattheevildayswerepastwhichmadesuchamanhisenemy。"
Shelefttheroom；andtheCaptainwalked，firsttoonewindow，whencehecouldseethedancinginthegarden，thentoanotherwindow，whencehecouldseethesmilingprospectandthepeacefulvineyards。
"Spiritofmydepartedfriend，"saidhe，"isitthroughtheethesebetterthoughtsarerisinginmymind？Isitthouwhohastshownme，allthewayIhavebeendrawntomeetthisman，theblessingsofthealteredtime？Isitthouwhohastsentthystrickenmothertome，tostaymyangryhand？Isitfromtheethewhispercomes，thatthismandidhisdutyasthoudidst，——andasIdid，throughthyguidance，whichhaswhollysavedmehereonearth，——andthathedidnomore？"
Hesatdown，withhisheadburiedinhishands，and，whenheroseup，madethesecondstrongresolutionofhislife，——thatneithertotheFrenchofficer，nortothemotherofhisdepartedfriend，nortoanysoul，whileeitherofthetwowasliving，wouldhebreathewhatonlyheknew。AndwhenhetouchedthatFrenchofficer’sglasswithhisown，thatdayatdinner，hesecretlyforgavehiminthenameoftheDivineForgiverofinjuries。
HereIendedmystoryasthefirstPoorTraveller。But，ifIhadtolditnow，IcouldhaveaddedthatthetimehassincecomewhenthesonofMajorRichardDoubledick，andthesonofthatFrenchofficer，friendsastheirfatherswerebeforethem，foughtsidebysideinonecause，withtheirrespectivenations，likelong—dividedbrotherswhomthebettertimeshavebroughttogether，fastunited。
CHAPTERIII——THEROAD
Mystorybeingfinished，andtheWassailtoo，webrokeupastheCathedralbellstruckTwelve。Ididnottakeleaveofmytravellersthatnight；forithadcomeintomyheadtoreappear，inconjunctionwithsomehotcoffee，atseveninthemorning。
AsIpassedalongtheHighStreet，IheardtheWaitsatadistance，andstruckofftofindthem。TheywereplayingnearoneoftheoldgatesoftheCity，atthecornerofawonderfullyquaintrowofred—
bricktenements，whichtheclarionetobliginglyinformedmewereinhabitedbytheMinor—Canons。Theyhadoddlittleporchesoverthedoors，likesounding—boardsoveroldpulpits；andIthoughtIshouldliketoseeoneoftheMinor—Canonscomeoutuponhistopstop，andfavouruswithalittleChristmasdiscourseaboutthepoorscholarsofRochester；takingforhistextthewordsofhisMasterrelativetothedevouringofWidows’houses。
Theclarionetwassocommunicative，andmyinclinationswere（astheygenerallyare）ofsovagabondatendency，thatIaccompaniedtheWaitsacrossanopengreencalledtheVines，andassisted——intheFrenchsense——attheperformanceoftwowaltzes，twopolkas，andthreeIrishmelodies，beforeIthoughtofmyinnanymore。However，Ireturnedtoitthen，andfoundafiddleinthekitchen，andBen，thewall—eyedyoungman，andtwochambermaids，circlingroundthegreatdealtablewiththeutmostanimation。
Ihadaverybadnight。Itcannothavebeenowingtotheturkeyorthebeef，——andtheWassailisoutofthequestion——butineveryendeavourthatImadetogettosleepIfailedmostdismally。Iwasneverasleep；andinwhatsoeverunreasonabledirectionmymindrambled，theeffigyofMasterRichardWattsperpetuallyembarrassedit。
Inaword，IonlygotoutoftheWorshipfulMasterRichardWatts’swaybygettingoutofbedinthedarkatsixo’clock，andtumbling，asmycustomis，intoallthecoldwaterthatcouldbeaccumulatedforthepurpose。Theouterairwasdullandcoldenoughinthestreet，whenIcamedownthere；andtheonecandleinoursupper—
roomatWatts’sCharitylookedaspaleintheburningasifithadhadabadnighttoo。ButmyTravellershadallsleptsoundly，andtheytooktothehotcoffee，andthepilesofbread—and—butter，whichBenhadarrangedlikedealsinatimber—yard，askindlyasI
coulddesire。
Whileitwasyetscarcelydaylight，weallcameoutintothestreettogether，andthereshookhands。ThewidowtookthelittlesailortowardsChatham，wherehewastofindasteamboatforSheerness；thelawyer，withanextremelyknowinglook，wenthisownway，withoutcommittinghimselfbyannouncinghisintentions；twomorestruckoffbythecathedralandoldcastleforMaidstone；andthebook—pedleraccompaniedmeoverthebridge。Asforme，IwasgoingtowalkbyCobhamWoods，asfaruponmywaytoLondonasIfancied。
WhenIcametothestileandfootpathbywhichIwastodivergefromthemainroad，IbadefarewelltomylastremainingPoorTraveller，andpursuedmywayalone。Andnowthemistsbegantoriseinthemostbeautifulmanner，andthesuntoshine；andasIwentonthroughthebracingair，seeingthehoarfrostsparkleeverywhere，I
feltasifallNaturesharedinthejoyofthegreatBirthday。
Goingthroughthewoods，thesoftnessofmytreaduponthemossygroundandamongthebrownleavesenhancedtheChristmassacrednessbywhichIfeltsurrounded。Asthewhitenedstemsenvironedme，I
thoughthowtheFounderofthetimehadneverraisedhisbenignanthand，savetoblessandheal，exceptinthecaseofoneunconscioustree。ByCobhamHall，Icametothevillage，andthechurchyardwherethedeadhadbeenquietlyburied，"inthesureandcertainhope"whichChristmastimeinspired。WhatchildrencouldIseeatplay，andnotbelovingof，recallingwhohadlovedthem！NogardenthatIpassedwasoutofunisonwiththeday，forIrememberedthatthetombwasinagarden，andthat"she，supposinghimtobethegardener，"hadsaid，"Sir，ifthouhavebornehimhence，tellmewherethouhastlaidhim，andIwilltakehimaway。"Intime，thedistantriverwiththeshipscamefullinview，andwithitpicturesofthepoorfishermen，mendingtheirnets，whoaroseandfollowedhim，——oftheteachingofthepeoplefromashippushedoffalittlewayfromshore，byreasonofthemultitude，——ofamajesticfigurewalkingonthewater，inthelonelinessofnight。MyveryshadowonthegroundwaseloquentofChristmas；fordidnotthepeoplelaytheirsickwherethemoreshadowsofthemenwhohadheardandseenhimmightfallastheypassedalong？
ThusChristmasbegirtme，farandnear，untilIhadcometoBlackheath，andhadwalkeddownthelongvistaofgnarledoldtreesinGreenwichPark，andwasbeingsteam—rattledthroughthemistsnowclosinginoncemore，towardsthelightsofLondon。Brightlytheyshone，butnotsobrightlyasmyownfire，andthebrighterfacesaroundit，whenwecametogethertocelebratetheday。AndthereI
toldofworthyMasterRichardWatts，andofmysupperwiththeSixPoorTravellerswhowereneitherRoguesnorProctors，andfromthathourtothisIhaveneverseenoneofthemagain。