Herloveforherfatherseemedtoreturnwithpainfulforce，mixedupasitwaswithhorrorathiscrime。Thatdearfatherwhowasoncesokind，sowarm-hearted，soreadytohelpeithermanorbeastindistress，tomurder!
　　Butinthedesertofmiserywithwhichthesethoughtssurroundedher，theariddepthsofwhosegloomshedarednotventuretocon-template，alittlespringofcomfortwasgushingupatherfeet，unnoticedatfirst，butsoontogiveherstrengthandhope。Andthatwasthenecessityforexertiononherpartwhichthisdiscoveryenforced。Oh!Idothinkthatthenecessityforexertion，forsomekindofactionbodilyormentallyintimeofdistress，isamostinfiniteblessing，althoughthefirsteffortsatsuchseasonsarepainful。Somethingtobedoneimpliesthatthereisyethopeofsomegoodthingtobeaccomplished，orsomeadditionalevilthatmaybeavoided；andbydegreesthehopeabsorbsmuchofthesorrow。Itisthewoesthatcannotinanyearthlywaybeescapedthatadmitleastearthlycomforting。Ofalltrite，worn-out，hollowmockeriesofcomfortthatwe’reeverutteredbypeoplewhowillnottakethetroubleofsympathizingwithothers，theoneIdislikethemostistheexhortationnottogrieveoveranevent，“foritcannotbehelped。“DoyouthinkifIcouldhelpit，Iwouldsitstillwithfoldedhands，content’tomourn？DoyounotbelievethataslongashoperemainedIwouldbeupanddoing？Imournbecausewhathasoccurredcannotbehelped。Thereasonyougivemefornotgrieving，istheveryandsolereasonofmygrief。GivemenoblerandhigherreasonsforenduringmeeklywhatmyFatherseesfittosend，andIwilltryearnestlyandfaithfullytobepatient；butmockmenot，oranyothermourner，withthespeech，“Donotgrieve，foritcannotbehelped。
　　Itispastremedy。“ButsomeremedytoMary’ssorrowcamewiththinking。Ifherfatherwasguilty，Jemwasinnocent。Ifinnocent，therewasapossibilityofsavinghim。Hemustbesaved。Andshemustdoit；for，wasnotshethesoledepositaryoftheterriblesecret？Herfatherwasnotsuspected；andnevershouldbe，ifbyanyforesightoranyexertionsofherownshecouldpreventit。ShedidnotknowhowJemwastobesaved，whileherfatherwasalsotobeconsideredinnocent，itwouldrequiremuchthought，andmuchprudence。
　　Butwiththecalluponherexertions，andhervariousqualitiesofjudgementanddiscretion，cametheansweringconsciousnessofinnatepowertomeettheemergency。Everystepnow，nay，theemploymentofeveryminute，wasofconsequence；foryoumustremembershehadlearntatMissSimmonds’
　　theprobabilitythatthemurdererwouldbebroughttotrialthenextweek。
　　Andyoumustremember，too，thatneverwassoyoungagirlsofriendless，orsopenniless，asMarywasatthistime。ButthelionaccompaniedUnathroughthewildernessandthedanger；andsowillahigh，resolvedpurposeofright-doingeverguardandaccompanythehelpless。Itstrucktwo；deep，mirknight。Itwasofnousebewilderingherselfwithplansthisweary，endlessnight。
　　Nothingcouldbedonebeforemorningand，atfirstinherimpatience，shebegantolongforday；butthenshefeltinhowunfitastateherbodywasforanyplanofexertion，andsheresolutelymadeuphermindtohusbandherphysicalstrength。Firstofallshemustburnthetell-talepaper。Thepowder，bullets，andgun-case，shetiedintoabundle，andhidinthesackingofthebedforthepresent，althoughtherewasnolikelihoodoftheiraffordingevidenceagainstanyone。Thenshecarriedthepaperdown-stairs，andburneditonthehearth，powderingtheveryasheswithherfingers，anddispersingthefragmentsofflutteringblackfilmsamongthecindersofthegrate。
　　Thenshebreathedagain。Herheadachedwithdizzyingviolence；shemustgetquitofthepainoritwouldincapacitateherforthinkingandplanning。Shelookedforfood，buttherewasnothingbutalittlerawoatmealinthehouse：still，althoughitalmostchokedher，sheatesomeofthis，knowingfromexperience，howoftenheadacheswerecausedbylongfasting。Thenshesoughtforsomewatertobatheherthrobbingtemples，andquenchherfeverishthirst。Therewasnoneinthehouse，soshetookthejugandwentouttothepumpattheotherendofthecourt，whoseechoesresoundedherlightfootstepsinthequietstillnessofthenight。Thehard，squareoutlinesofthehousescutsharplyagainstthecoldbrightsky，fromwhichmyriadsofstarswereshiningdownineternalrepose。Therewaslittlesympathyintheoutwardscene，withtheinternaltrouble。Allwassostill，somotionless，sohard!VerydifferenttothislovelynightinthecountryinwhichIamnowwriting，wherethedistanthorizonissoftandundulatinginthemoonlight，andthenearertreesswaygentlytoandfrointhenightwindwithsomethingofalmosthumanmotion；andtherustlingairmakesmusicamongtheirbranches，asifspeakingsoothinglytothewearyones，wholieawakeinheavinessofheart。Thesightsandsoundsofsuchanightlullpainandgrieftorest。ButMaryre-enteredherhomeaftershehadfilledherpitcher，withastillstrongersenseofanxiety，andastillclearerconvictionofhowmuchresteduponherunassistedandfriendlessself；alonewithherterribleknowledge，inthehard，cold，populousworld。Shebathedherforehead，andquenchedherthirst，andthen，withwisedeliberationofpurpose，wentup-stairs，andundressedherself，asifforalongnight’sslumber，althoughsofewhoursintervenedbeforeday-dawn。Shebelievedshenevercouldsleep，butshelaydown，andshuthereyes；andbeforemanyminutesshewasinasdeepandsoundaslumberasiftherewasnosinorsorrowintheworld。Shewokeup，asitwasnatural，muchrefreshedinbody；hutwithaconsciousnessofsomegreatimpendingcalamity。Shesatupinbedtorecollect，andwhenshedidremember，shesankdownagainwithallthehelplessnessofdespair。
　　Butitwasonlytheweaknessofaninstant；forwerenottheveryminutesprecious，fordeliberationifnotforaction？Beforeshehadfinishedthenecessarymorningbusinessofdressing，andsettingherhouseinsomekindoforder，shehaddisentangledherravelledideas，andarrangedsomekindofaplanforaction。IfJemwasinnocentandnow，ofhisguilt，evenhisslightestparticipationin，orknowledgeof；themurder，sheacquittedhimwithallherheartandsoul，hemusthavebeensomewhereelsewhenthecrimewascommitted；probablywithsomeothers，whomightbearwitnesstothefact，ifsheonlyknewwheretofindthem。Everythingrestedonher。Shehadheardofanalibi，andbelieveditmightmeanthedeliveranceshewishedtoaccomplish；butshewasnotquitesure，anddeterminedtoapplytoJob，asoneofthefewamongheracquaintancegiftedwiththeknowledgeofhardwords，fortoher，alltermsoflaw，ornaturalhistory，werealikemany-syllabledmysteries。Notimewastobelost。ShewentstraighttoJobLegh’shouse，andfoundtheoldmanandhisgrand-daughtersittingatbreakfast；assheopenedthedoorsheheardtheirvoicesspeakinginagrave，hushed，subduedtone，asifsomethinggrievedtheirheartsTheystoppedtalkingonherentrance，andthensheknewtheyhadbeenconversingaboutthemurder；aboutJem’sprobableguilt；anditflasheduponherforthefirsttimeonthenewlighttheywouldhaveobtainedregardingherself：foruntilnowtheyhadneverheardofhergiddyflirtingwithMrCarson；notinallherconfidentialtalkwithMargarethadsheeverspokenofhim。Andnow，Margaretwouldhearherconducttalkedofbyall，asthatofabold，badgirl；andevenifshedidnotbelieveeverythingthatwasIsaid，shecouldhardlyhelpfeelingwounded，anddisappointedinMary。SoitwasinatimidvoicethatMarywishedherusualgood-morrow，andherheartsunkwithinheralittle，whenJob，withaformofcivility，badeherwelcomeinthatdwelling，where，untilnow，shehadbeentoowellassuredtorequiretobeaskedtositdown。Shetookachair。Margaretcontinuedsilent。“I’mcometospeaktoyouaboutthis——aboutJemWilson。““It’sabadbusiness，I’mafeard，“repliedJob，sadly。“Aye，it’sbadenoughanyhow。ButJem’sinnocent。Indeedheis；I’massureassurecanbe。““Howcanyouknow，wench？Factsbearstrongagainhim，poorfellow，thoughhe’dadealtoputhimup，andaggravatehim，theysay。Aye，poorlad，he’sdoneforhimself；I’mafeard。““Job，“saidMary，risingfromherchairinhereagerness，“youmustnotsayhedidit。Hedidn’t；I’msureandcertainhedidn’t。Oh!whydoyoushakeyourhead？Whoistobelieveme，——whoistothinkhiminnocent，ifyou，whoknow’dhimsowell，sticktoithe’sguilty？““I’mloathenoughtodoit，lass，“repliedJob；“butIthinkhe’sbeenill-used，and——jiltedthat’splaintruth，Mary，bareasitmayseem，andhisbloodhasbeenup——manyamanhasdonethelikeafore，fromlikecauses。“Oh，God!Thenyouwon’thelpme，Job，toprovehiminnocent？OhJob，Job；
　　believeme，Jemneverdidharmtonoone。““Notafore；——andmind，wench!Idon’tover-blamehimforthis。“Jobrelapsedintosilence。Marythoughtamoment。“Well，Job，you’llnotrefusemethis，Iknow。Iwon’tmindwhatyouthink，ifyou’llhelpmeasifhewasinnocent。NowsupposeIknow——Iknew，hewasinnocent，——it’sonlysupposing，Job，——whatmustIdotoproveit？Tellme，Job!Isnotitcalledanalibi，thegettingfolktosweartowherehereallywasatthetime？““Bestway，ifyouknow’dhiminnocent，wouldbetofindouttherealmurderer。
　　Someonedidit，that’sclearenough。Ifitwasn’tJem，whowasit？““HowcanItell？“answeredMary，inagonyofterror，lestJob’squestionwaspromptedbyanysuspicionofthetruth。Buthewasfarenoughfromanysuchthought。Indeed，hehadnodoubtinhisownmindthatJemhad，insomepassionatemoment，urgedonbyslightedloveandjealousy，beenthemurderer。Andhewasstronglyinclinedtobelieve，thatMarywasawareofthis，onlythat，toolaterepentantofherlightconductwhichhadledtosuchfatalconsequences，shewasnowmostanxioustosaveheroldplayfellow，herearlyfriend，fromthedoomawaitingtheshedderofblood。“IfJem’snotdoneit，Idon’tseeasanyonuscantellwhodidit。Wemightfindoutsomethingifwe’dtime；buttheysayhe’stobetriedonTuesday。It’snousehidingit，Mary；thingslooksstrongagainsthim。““Iknowtheydo!Iknowtheydo!Butoh!Job!isn’tanalibiaprovingwherehereallywasatth’timeofthemurder；andhowmustIsetaboutanalibi？““Analibiisthat，sureenough。“Hethoughtalittle。“Youmunaskhismotherhis，doings，andhiswhereaboutsthatnight；theknowledgeofthatwillguideabit。“ForhewasanxiousthatonanothershouldfallthetaskofenlighteningMaryonthehopelessnessofthecase，andhefeltthatherownsensewouldbemoreconvincedbyinquiryandexaminationthananymereassertionofhis。Margarethadsatsilentandgraveallthistime。Totellthetruth，shewassurprisedanddisappointedbythedisclosureofMary’sconduct，withregardtoMrHenryCarson。Gentle，reserved，andprudentherself；neverexposedtothetrialofbeingadmiredforherpersonalappearance，andunsusceptibleenoughtobeindoubtevenyet，whetherthefluttering，tender，infinitely-joyousfeeling，shewasforthefirsttimeexperiencing，atsightorsound，orthoughtofWillWilson，wasloveornot，——Margarethadnosympathywiththetemptationstowhichloveliness，vanity，ambition，orthedesireofbeingadmired，exposessomany；nosympathywithflirtinggirls，inshort。Then，shehadnoideaofthestrengthoftheconflictbetweenwillandprincipleinsomewhoweredifferentlyconstitutedfromherself。Withher，tobeconvincedthatanactionwaswrong，wastantamounttoadeterminationnottodosoagain；andshehadlittleornodifficultyincarryingoutherdetermination。SoshecouldnotunderstandhowitwasthatMaryhadactedwrongly，andhadfelttoomuchashamed，inspiteofsophistry，tospeakofheractions。Margaretconsideredherselfdeceived；
　　feltaggrieved；and，atthetimeofwhichIamnowtellingyou，wasstronglyinclinedtogiveMaryupaltogether，asagirldevoidofthemodestproprietiesofhersex，andcapableofgrossduplicity，inspeakingofoneloverasshehaddoneofJem，whileshewasencouraginganotherinattentions，atbestofaverydoubtfulcharacter。ButnowMargaretwasdrawnintotheconversation。SuddenlyitflashedacrossMary’smind，thatthenightofthemurderwastheverynight，orratherthesameearlymorning，thatMargarethadbeenwithAlice。Sheturnedsharpround，with——“Oh!Margaret，youcantellme；youweretherewhenhecamebackthatnight；
　　wereyounot？No!youwerenot；butyouweretherenotmanyhoursafter。
　　Didnotyouhearwherehe’dbeen？Hewasawaythenightbefore，too，whenAlicewasfirsttaken；whenyouwerethereforyourtea。Oh!wherewashe，Margaret？““Idon’tknow，“sheanswered。“Stay!IdoremembersomethingabouthiskeepingWillcompany，inhiswalktoLiverpool。Ican’tjustlysaywhatitwas，somuchhappenedthatnight。““I’llgotohismother’s，“saidMaryresolutely。Theyneitherofthemspoke，eithertoadviseordissuade。Maryfeltshehadnosympathyfromthem，andbraceduphersoultoactwithoutsuchlovingaidoffriendship。Sheknewthattheiradvicewouldbewillinglygivenatherdemand，andthatwasallshereallyrequiredforJem’ssake。StillhercouragefailedalittleasshewalkedtoJaneWilson’s，aloneintheworldwithhersecret。JaneWilson’seyeswereswelledwithcrying；anditwassadtoseetheravageswhichintenseanxietyandsorrowhadmadeonherappearanceinfour-and-twentyhours。AllnightlongsheandMrsDavenporthadcroonedovertheirsorrows，alwaysrecurring，liketheburdenofanoldsong，tothedreadestsorrowofall，whichwasnowimpendingoverMrsWilson。Shehadgrown——Ihardlyknowwhatwordtouse——but，somethinglikeproudofhermartyrdomshehadgrowntohughergrief；tofeelanexcitementinheragonyofanxietyaboutherboy。“So，Mary，you’rehere!Oh!Mary，lass!He’stobetriedonTuesday。“Shefelltosobbing，intheconvulsivebreath-catchingmannerwhichtellssoofmuchpreviousweeping。“Oh!MrsWilson，don’ttakeonso!We’llgethimoff，you’llsee。Don’tfret；theycan’tprovehimguilty!““ButItelltheetheywill，“interruptedMrsWilson，half-irritatedatthelightway，assheconsideredit，inwhichMaryspoke；andalittledispleasedthatanothercouldhopewhenshehadalmostbroughtherselftofindpleasureindespair。“Itmaysuittheewell，“continuedshe，“tomakelighto’themiserythouhastcaused；butIshalllayhisdeathatthydoor，aslongasIlive，anddieIknowhewill；andallforwhatheneverdid——no，heneverdid；