"Thereareseveralobjectionstoit，butI’lltakeitifyou’llalterit，"Mr。Locket’srathercurtnotehadsaid；andtherewasnowasteofwordsinthepostscriptinwhichhehadadded："Ifyou’llcomeinandseeme，I’llshowyouwhatImean。"ThiscommunicationhadreachedJerseyVillasbythefirstpost，andPeterBaronhadscarcelyswallowedhisleatherymuffinbeforehegotintomotiontoobeytheeditorialbehest。Heknewthatsuchprecipitationlookedeager，andhehadnodesiretolookeager——itwasnotinhisinterest；buthowcouldhemaintainagodlikecalm，principledthoughhewasinfavourofit，thefirsttimeoneofthegreatmagazineshadaccepted，evenwithacruelreservation，aspecimenofhisardentyounggenius？
　　Itwasnottill，likeachildwithasea-shellathisear，hebegantobeawareofthegreatroarofthe"underground，"that，inhisthird-classcarriage，thecrueltyofthereservationpenetrated，withthetasteofacridsmoke，tohisinnersense。Itwasreallydegradingtobeeagerinthefaceofhavingto"alter。"PeterBarontriedtofiguretohimselfatthatmomentthathewasnotflyingtobetraytheextremityofhisneed，buthurryingtofightforsomeofthosepassagesofsuperiorboldnesswhichwereexactlywhattheconductorofthe"PromiscuousReview"wouldbesuretobedownupon。
　　Hemadebelieve——asiftothegreasyfellow-passengeropposite——thathefeltindignant；buthesawthattothesmallroundeyeofthisstillmoredowntroddenbrotherherepresentedselfishsuccess。Hewouldhavelikedtolingerintheconceptionthathehadbeen"approached"bythePromiscuous；butwhatevermightbethoughtintheofficeofthatperiodicalofsomeofhisflightsoffancy，therewasnowantofvividnessinhisoccasionalsuspicionthathepassedthereforafamiliarbore。TheonlythingthatwasclearlyflatteringwasthefactthatthePromiscuousrarelypublishedfiction。Heshouldthereforebeassociatedwithadeviationfromasolemnhabit，andthatwouldmorethanmakeuptohimforaphraseinoneofMr。
　　Locket’sinexorableearliernotes，aphrasewhichstillrankled，abouthisshowingnosymptomofthefacultyreallycreative。"Youdon’tseemabletokeepacharactertogether，"thispitilessmonitorhadsomewhereelseremarked。PeterBaron，ashesatinhiscornerwhilethetrainstopped，considered，inthebefoggedgaslight，thebookstallstandardofliteratureandaskedhimselfwhosecharacterhadfallentopiecesnow。Tormentingindeedhadalwaysseemedtohimsuchafateastohavethecreativeheadwithoutthecreativehand。
　　Itshouldbementioned，however，thatbeforehestartedonhismissiontoMr。LockethisattentionhadbeenbrieflyengagedbyanincidentoccurringatJerseyVillas。Onleavingthehouse（helivedatNo。3，thedoorofwhichstoodopentoasmallfrontgarden），heencounteredtheladywho，aweekbefore，hadtakenpossessionoftheroomsonthegroundfloor，the"parlours"ofMrs。Bundy’sterminology。Hehadheardher，andfromhiswindow，twoorthreetimes，hadevenseenherpassinandout，andthisobservationhadcreatedinhismindavagueprejudiceinherfavour。Suchaprejudice，itwastrue，hadbeensubjectedtoaviolenttest；ithadbeenfairlyapparentthatshehadalightstep，butitwasstilllesstobeoverlookedthatshehadacottagepiano。Shehadfurthermorealittleboyandaverysweetvoice，ofwhichPeterBaronhadcaughttheaccent，notfromhersinging（forsheonlyplayed），butfromhergayadmonitionstoherchild，whomsheoccasionallyallowedtoamusehimself——underrestrictionsverypubliclyenforced——inthetinyblackpatchwhich，asaforecourttoeachhouse，washeld，inthehumblerow，tobeafeature。JerseyVillasstoodinpairs，semi-detached，andMrs。Ryves——suchwasthenameunderwhichthenewlodgerpresentedherself——hadbeenadmittedtothehouseasconfessedlymusical。Mrs。Bundy，theearnestproprietressofNo。3，whoconsideredher"parlours"（theywereadozenfeetsquare），evenmoreattractive，ifpossible，thanthesecondfloorwithwhichBaronhadhadtocontenthimself——Mrs。Bundy，whoreservedthedrawing-roomforacasualdressmakingbusiness，hadthreshedoutthesubjectofthenewlodgerinadvancewithouryoungman，remindinghimthatheraffectionforhisownpersonwasaproofthat，otherthingsbeingequal，shepositivelypreferredtenantswhowereclever。
　　ThiswasthecasewithMrs。Ryves；shehadsatisfiedMrs。Bundythatshewasnotasimplestrummer。Mrs。BundyadmittedtoPeterBaronthat，forherself，shehadaweaknessforaprettytune，andPetercouldhonestlyreplythathisearwasequallysensitive。Everythingwoulddependonthe"touch"oftheirinmate。Mrs。Ryves’spianowouldblighthisexistenceifherhandshouldproveheavyorherselectionsvulgar；butifsheplayedagreeablethingsandplayedtheminanagreeablewayshewouldrenderhimratheraservicewhilehesmokedthepipeof"form。"Mrs。Bundy，whowantedtoletherrooms，guaranteedonthepartofthestrangerafirst-classtalent，andMrs。
　　Ryves，whoevidentlyknewthoroughlywhatshewasabout，hadnotfalsifiedthissomewhatrashprediction。Sheneverplayedinthemorning，whichwasBaron’sworking-time，andhefoundhimselflisteningwithpleasureatotherhourstoherdiscreetandmelancholystrains。Hereallyknewlittleaboutmusic，andtheonlycriticismhewouldhavemadeofMrs。Ryves’sconceptionofitwasthatsheseemeddevotedtothedismal。Itwasnot，however，thatthesestrainswerenotpleasanttohim；theyfloatedup，onthecontrary，asasortofconsciousresponsetosomeofhisbroodingsanddoubts。
　　Harmony，therefore，wouldhavereignedsupremehaditnotbeenforthesingularlybadtasteofNo。4。Mrs。Ryves’spianowasonthefreesideofthehouseandwasregardedbyMrs。Bundyasopentonoobjectionbutthatoftheirowngentleman，whowassoreasonable。Asmuch，however，couldnotbesaidofthegentlemanofNo。4，whohadnotevenMr。Baron’sexcuseofbeing"littery"（hekeptabull-terrierandhadfivehats——thestreetcouldcountthem），andwhom，ifyouhadlistenedtoMrs。Bundy，youwouldhavesupposedtobedividedfromtheobnoxiousinstrumentbywallsandcorridors，obstaclesandintervals，ofmassivestructureandfabulousextent。Thisgentlemanhadtakenupanattitudewhichhadnowpassedintothephaseofcorrespondenceandcompromise；butitwastheopinionoftheimmediateneighbourhoodthathehadnotalegtostandupon，andonwhateversubjectthesentimentofJerseyVillasmighthavebeenvague，itwasnotsoontherightsandthewrongsoflandladies。
　　Mrs。Ryves’slittleboywasinthegardenasPeterBaronissuedfromthehouse，andhismotherappearedtohavecomeoutforamoment，bareheaded，toseethathewasdoingnoharm。Shewasdiscussingwithhimtheresponsibilitythathemightincurbypassingapieceofstringroundoneoftheironpalingsandpretendinghewasincommandofa"geegee"；butithappenedthatatthesightoftheotherlodgerthechildwasseizedwithafinerperceptionofthedrivable。HerushedatBaronwithaflourishofthebridle，shouting，"Ougeegee！"
　　inamannerproductiveofsomerefinedembarrassmenttohismother。
　　Baronmethisadvancebymountinghimonashoulderandfeigningtopranceaninstant，sothatbythetimethisperformancewasover——ittookbutafewseconds——theyoungmanfeltintroducedtoMrs。Ryves。
　　Hersmilestruckhimascharming，andsuchanimpressionshortensmanysteps。Shesaid，"Oh，thankyou——youmustn’tlethimworryyou"；andthenas，havingputdownthechildandraisedhishat，hewasturningaway，sheadded："It’sverygoodofyounottocomplainofmypiano。"
　　"Iparticularlyenjoyit——youplaybeautifully，"saidPeterBaron。
　　"Ihavetoplay，yousee——it’sallIcando。Butthepeoplenextdoordon’tlikeit，thoughmyroom，youknow，isnotagainsttheirwall。ThereforeIthankyouforlettingmetellthemthatyou，inthehouse，don’tfindmeanuisance。"
　　Shelookedgentleandbrightasshespoke，andastheyoungman’seyesrestedonherthetoleranceforwhichsheexpressedherselfindebtedseemedtohimtheleastindulgenceshemightcountupon。
　　Butheonlylaughedandsaid"Oh，no，you’renotanuisance！"andfeltmoreandmoreintroduced。
　　Thelittleboy，whowashandsome，hereuponclamouredforanotherride，andshetookhimupherself，tomoderatehistransports。Shestoodamomentwiththechildinherarms，andheputhisfingersexuberantlyintoherhair，sothatwhileshesmiledatBaronsheslowly，permittinglyshookherheadtogetridofthem。
　　"IftheyreallymakeafussI’mafraidIshallhavetogo，"shewenton。
　　"Oh，don’tgo！"Baronbrokeout，withasuddenexpressivenesswhichmadehisvoice，asitfelluponhisear，strikehimasthevoiceofanother。Shegaveavagueexclamationand，noddingslightlybutnotunsociably，passedbackintothehouse。Shehadmadeanimpressionwhichremainedtilltheotherpartytotheconversationreachedtherailway-station，whenitwassupersededbythethoughtofhisprospectivediscussionwithMr。Locket。Thiswasaproofoftheintensityofthatinterest。
　　TheaftertasteofthelaterconferencewasalsointenseforPeterBaron，whoquittedhiseditorwithhismanuscriptunderhisarm。HehadhadthequestionoutwithMr。Locket，andhewasinaflutterwhichoughttohavebeenasenseoftriumphandwhichindeedatfirsthesucceededinregardinginthislight。Mr。Lockethadhadtoadmitthattherewasanideainhisstory，andthatwasatributewhichBaronwasinapositiontomakethemostof。Buttherewasalsoascenewhichscandalisedtheeditorialconscienceandwhichtheyoungmanhadpromisedtorewrite。TheideathatMr。Lockethadbeensogoodastodisengagedependedforclearnessmainlyonthisscene；soitwaseasytoseehisobjectionwasperverse。ThisinferencewasprobablyapartofthejoyinwhichPeterBaronwalkedashecarriedhomeacontributionitpleasedhimtoclassifyasaccepted。Hewalkedtoworkoffhisexcitementandtothinkinwhatmannerheshouldreconstruct。Hewentsomedistancewithoutsettlingthatpoint，andthen，asitbegantoworryhim，helookedvaguelyintoshop-windowsforsolutionsandhints。Mr。LocketlivedinthedepthsofChelsea，inalittlepanelled，amiablehouse，andBarontookhiswayhomewardalongtheKing’sRoad。Therewasanewamusementforhim，afresherbustle，inaLondonwalkinthemorning；thesewerehoursthathehabituallyspentathistable，intheawkwardattitudeengenderedbythepoorpieceoffurniture，oneofthericketyfeaturesofMrs。Bundy’ssecondfloor，whichhadtoserveashisaltarofliterarysacrifice。Ifbyexceptionhewentoutwhenthedaywasyounghenoticedthatlifeseemedyoungerwithit；therewerelivelierindustriestoprofitbyandshop-girls，oftenrosy，tolookat；adifferentairwasinthestreetsandachaffoftrafficfortheobserverofmannerstocatch。Aboveall，itwasthetimewhenpoorBaronmadehispurchases，whichwerewhollyofthewanderingmind；
　　hisextravagances，forsomemysteriousreason，wereallmatutinal，andhehadaforeknowledgethatifeverheshouldruinhimselfitwouldbewellbeforenoon。Hefeltlavishthismorning，onthestrengthofwhatthePromiscuouswoulddoforhim；hehadlostsightforthemomentofwhatheshouldhavetodoforthePromiscuous。
　　Beforetheoldbookshopsandprintshops，thecrowdedpanesofthecuriosity-mongersandthedesirableexhibitionsofmahogany"doneup，"heused，byaninnocentprocess，tocommitluxuriousfollies。
　　HerefurnishedMrs。Bundywithafreedomthatcosthernothing，andlosthimselfinpicturesofatransfiguredsecondfloor。
　　OnthisparticularoccasiontheKing’sRoadprovedalmostunprecedentedlyexpensive，andindeedthisoccasiondifferedfrommostothersincontainingthegermofrealdanger。Foronceinawayhehadabadconscience——hefelthimselftemptedtopickhisownpocket。Heneversawacommodiouswriting-table，withelbow-roomanddrawersandafairexpanseofleatherstampedneatlyattheedgewithgilt，withoutbeingfreshlyremindedofMrs。Bundy’sdilapidations。
　　TherewereseveralsuchtablesintheKing’sRoad——theyseemedindeedparticularlynumeroustoday。PeterBaronglancedatthemallthroughthefrontsoftheshops，buttherewasonethatdetainedhiminsupremecontemplation。Therewasafineassuranceaboutitwhichseemedaguaranteeofmasterpieces；butwhenatlasthewentinand，justtohelphimselfonhisway，askedtheimpossibleprice，thesummentionedbythevolublevendormockedathimevenmorethanhehadfeared。Itwasfartooexpensive，ashehinted，andhewasonthepointofcompletinghiscomedybyapensiveretreatwhentheshopmanbespokehisattentionforanotherarticleofthesamegeneralcharacter，whichhedescribedasremarkablycheapforwhatitwas。
　　Itwasanoldpiece，fromasaleinthecountry，andithadbeeninstocksometime；butithadgotpushedoutofsightinoneoftheupperrooms——theycontainedsuchawildernessoftreasures——andhappenedtohavebutjustcometolight。Petersufferedhimselftobeconductedintoaninterminableduskyrear，wherehepresentlyfoundhimselfbendingoveroneofthosesquaresubstantialdesksofoldmahogany，raised，withtheaidoffrontlegs，onasortofretreatingpedestalwhichisfittedwithsmalldrawers，contractedconveniencesknownimmemoriallytotheknowingasdavenports。Thisspecimenhadvisiblyseenservice，butithadanold-timesolidityandtoPeterBaronitunexpectedlyappealed。
　　Hewouldhavesaidinadvancethatsuchanarticlewasexactlywhathedidn’twant，butastheshopmanpushedupachairforhimandhesatdownwithhiselbowsonthegentleslopeofthelarge，firmlid，hefeltthatsuchabasisforliteraturewouldbehalfthebattle。
　　Heraisedthelidandlookedlovinglyintothedeepinterior；hesatominouslysilentwhilehiscompaniondroppedthestrikingwords：
　　"Nowthat’sanarticleIpersonallycovet！"Thenwhenthemanmentionedtheridiculousprice（theywereliterallygivingitaway），hereflectedontheeconomyofhavingaliteraryaltaronwhichonecouldreallykindleafire。Adavenportwasacompromise，butwhatwasalllifebutacompromise？Hecouldbeatdownthedealer，andatMrs。Bundy’shehadtowriteonaninsincerecard-table。Afterhehadsatforaminutewithhisnoseinthefriendlydeskhehadaqueerimpressionthatitmighttellhimasecretortwo——oneofthesecretsofform，oneofthesacrificialmysteries——thoughnodoubtitscareerhadbeenliteraryonlyinthesenseofitshelpingsomeoldladytowriteinvitationstodulldinners。Therewasastrange，faintodourinthereceptacle，asiffragrant，hallowedthingshadoncebeenputawaythere。Whenhetookhisheadoutofithesaidtotheshopman："Idon’tmindmeetingyouhalfway。"Hehadbeentoldbyknowingpeoplethatthatwastherightthing。Hefeltrathervulgar，butthedavenportarrivedthateveningatJerseyVillas。
　　CHAPTERII。
　　"Idaresayitwillbeallright；heseemsquietnow，"saidthepoorladyofthe"parlours"afewdayslater，inreferencetotheirlitigiousneighbourandtheprecariouspiano。Thetwolodgershadgrownregularlyacquainted，andthepianohadhadmuchtodowithit。
　　Justasthisinstrumentserved，withthegentlemanatNo。4，asathemefordiscussion，sobetweenPeterBaronandtheladyoftheparloursithadbecomeabasisofpeculiaragreement，atopic，atanyrate，ofconversationfrequentlyrenewed。Mrs。RyveswassoprepossessingthatPeterwassurethateveniftheyhadnothadthepianohewouldhavefoundsomethingelsetothreshoutwithher。
　　Fortunatelyhowevertheydidhaveit，andhe，atleast，madethemostofit，knowingmorenowabouthisnewfriend，whowhen，widowedandfatigued，sheheldherbeautifulchildinherarms，lookeddimlylikeamodernMadonna。Mrs。Bundy，asaletteroffurnishedlodgings，wascharacterisedingeneralbyafamiliardomesticseverityinrespecttopicturesqueyoungwomen，butshehadthehighestconfidenceinMrs。Ryves。Shewasluminousaboutherbeingalady，andaladywhocouldbringMrs。Bundybacktoagratifiedrecognitionofoneofthosemanifestationsofmindforwhichshehadanindependentesteem。
　　Shewasprofessional，butJerseyVillascouldbeproudofaprofessionthatdidn’thappentobethewrongone——theyhadseensomethingofthat。Mrs。Ryveshadahundredayear（BaronwonderedhowMrs。Bundyknewthis；hethoughtitunlikelyMrs。Ryveshadtoldher），andfortherestshedependedonherlovelymusic。Baronjudgedthathermusic，eventhoughlovely，wasafraildependence；itwouldhardlyhelptofillaconcert-room，andheaskedhimselfatfirstwhethersheplayedcountry-dancesatchildren’spartiesorgavelessonstoyoungladieswhostudiedabovetheirstation。
　　Verysoon，indeed，hewassufficientlyenlightened；itallwentfast，forthelittleboyhadbeenalmostasgreatahelpasthepiano。
　　SidneyhauntedthedoorstepofNo。3hewaseminentlysociable，andhadestablishedindependentrelationswithPeter，afrequentfeatureofwhichwasanadventurousvisit，upstairs，topicturebookscriticisedfornotbeingALLgeegeesandwalkingstickshappilymoreconformable。Theyoungman’swindow，too，lookedoutontheiracquaintance；throughastarchedmuslincurtainitkepthisneighbourbeforehim，madehimalmostmoreawareofhercomingsandgoingsthanhefelthehadarighttobe。Hewascapableofashynessofcuriosityaboutherandofdumblittledelicaciesofconsideration。
　　Shedidgiveafewlessons；theywereessentiallylocal，andheendedbyknowingmoreorlesswhatshewentoutforandwhatshecameinfrom。Shehadalmostnovisitors，onlyadecentoldladyortwo，and，everyday，poordingyMissTeagle，whowasalsoancientandwhocamehumblyenoughtogovernesstheinfantoftheparlours。PeterBaron’swindowhadalways，tohissense，lookedoutonagooddealoflife，andoneofthethingsithadmostshownhimwasthatthereisnobodysobereftofjoyasnottobeabletocommandfortwopencetheservicesofsomebodylessjoyous。Mrs。Ryveswasastruggler（Baronscarcelylikedtothinkofit），butsheoccupiedapinnacleforMissTeagle，whohadlivedon——andfromanoblenursery——intoaperiodofdiplomasandhumiliation。
　　Mrs。Ryvessometimeswentout，likeBaronhimself，withmanuscriptsunderherarm，and，stillmorelikeBaron，shealmostalwayscamebackwiththem。Hervainapproachesweretothemusic-sellers；shetriedtocompose——toproducesongsthatwouldmakeahit。A
　　successfulsongwasanincome，sheconfidedtoPeteroneofthefirsttimeshetookSidney，blaseanddrowsy，backtohismother。Itwasnotononeoftheseoccasions，butoncewhenhehadcomeinonnobetterpretextthanthatofsimplywantingto（shehadafterallvirtuallyinvitedhim），thatshementionedhowonlyonesonginathousandwassuccessfulandthattheterribledifficultywasingettingtherightwords。Thisrightnesswasjustavulgar"fluke"——
　　therewerelotsofwordsreallycleverthatwereofnouseatall。
　　Petersaid，laughing，thathesupposedanywordsheshouldtrytoproducewouldbesuretobetooclever；yetonlythreeweeksafterhisfirstencounterwithMrs。Ryveshesatathisdelightfuldavenport（wellawarethathehaddutiesmorepressing），tryingtostringtogetherrhymesidioticenoughtomakehisneighbour’sfortune。Hewassatisfiedofthefinenessofhermusicalgift——ithadthetouchingnote。Thetouchingnotewasinherpersonaswell。
　　Thedavenportwasdelightful，aftersixmonthsofitstotteringpredecessor，andsuchare-enforcementtotheyoungman’sstylewasnotimpairedbyhissenseofsomethinglawlessinthewayithadbeengained。HehadmadethepurchaseinanticipationofthemoneyheexpectedfromMr。Locket，butMr。Locket’sliberalitywastodependontheingenuityofhiscontributor，whonowfoundhimselfconfrontedwiththeconsequenceofafrivolousoptimism。Thefruitofhislabourpresented，ashestaredatitwithhiselbowsonhisdesk，anaspectuncompromisingandincorruptible。Itseemedtolookupathimreproachfullyandtosay，withitsessentialfinish："Howcouldyoupromiseanythingsobase；howcouldyoupassyourwordtomutilateanddishonourme？"ThealterationsdemandedbyMr。Locketwereimpossible；theconcessionstotheplatitudeofhisconceptionofthepublicmindweredegrading。Thepublicmind！——asifthepublicHADamind，oranyprincipleofperceptionmorediscoverablethanthestareofhuddledsheep！PeterBaronfeltthatitconcernedhimtodetermineifhewereonlynotcleverenoughorifheweresimplynotabjectenoughtorewritehisstory。Hemightintruthhavehadlessprideifhehadhadmoreskill，andmorediscretionifhehadhadmorepractice。Humility，intheprofessionofletters，washalfofpractice，andresignationwashalfofsuccess。PoorPeteractuallyflushedwithpainasherecognisedthatthiswasnotsuccess，theproductionofgelidprosewhichhiseditorcoulddonothingwithontheonesideandhehimselfcoulddonothingwithontheother。Thetruthabouthislucklesstalewasnowthemorebitterfromhishavingmanaged，forsomedays，totasteitassweet。
　　Ashesatthere，baffledandsombre，bitinghispenandwonderingwhatwasmeantbythe"rewards"ofliterature，hegenerallyendedbytossingawaythecompositiondefloweredbyMr。LocketandtryinghishandatthesortoftwaddlethatMrs。Ryvesmightbeabletosettomusic。Successintheseexperimentswouldn’tbearewardofliterature，butitmightverywellbecomealabouroflove。Theexperimentswouldbepleasantenoughforhimiftheywerepleasantforhisinscrutableneighbour。Thatwasthewayhethoughtofhernow，forhehadlearnedenoughabouther，littlebylittle，toguesshowmuchtherewasstilltolearn。Tospendhismorningsovercheaprhymesforherwascertainlytoshirktheimmediatequestion；buttherewerehourswhenhejudgedthisquestiontobealtogethertooarduous，reflectingthathemightquiteaswellperishbytheswordasbyfamine。Besides，hedidmeetitobliquelywhenheconsideredthatheshouldn’tbeanutterfailureifheweretoproducesomesongstowhichMrs。Ryves’saccompanimentswouldgiveacirculation。
　　Hehadnotventuredtoshowheranythingyet，butonemorning，atamomentwhenherlittleboywasinhisroom，itseemedtohimthat，byaninspiration，hehadarrivedatthehappymiddlecourse（itwasanartbyitself），betweensoundandsense。Ifthesensewasnotconfuseditwasbecausethesoundwassofamiliar。
　　Hehadsaidtothechild，towhomhehadsacrificedbarley-sugar（ithadnoattractionforhisownlips，yetinthesedaystherewasalwayssomeofitabout），hehadconfidedtothesmallSidneythatifhewouldwaitalittleheshouldbeintrustedwithsomethingnicetotakedowntohisparent。Sidneyhadabsorbingoccupationand，whilePetercopiedoffthesonginaprettyhand，roamed，gurglingandsticky，abouttheroom。Inthismannerhelurchedlikealittletoperintotherearofthedavenport，whichstoodafewstepsoutfromtherecessofthewindow，and，ashewasfondofbeatingtimetohisintensestjoys，begantobangonthesurfaceofitwithapaper-
　　knifewhichatthatspothadchancedtofalluponthefloor。AtthemomentSidneycommittedthisviolencehiskindfriendhadhappenedtoraisethelidofthedeskand，withhisheadbeneathit，wasrummagingamongamassofpapersforaproperenvelope。"Isay，I
　　say，myboy！"heexclaimed，solicitousfortheancientglazeofhismostcherishedpossession。Sidneypausedaninstant；then，whilePeterstillhuntedfortheenvelope，headministeredanother，andthistimeadistinctlydisobedient，rap。Peterhearditfromwithinandwasstruckwithitsoddityofsound——somuchsothat，leavingthechildforamomentunderademoralisingimpressionofimpunity，hewaitedwithquickcuriosityforarepetitionofthestroke。Itcameofcourseimmediately，andthentheyoungman，whohadatthesameinstantfoundhisenvelopeandejaculated"Hallo，thisthinghasafalseback！"jumpedupandsecuredhisvisitor，whomwithhisleftarmheheldinduranceonhiskneewhilewithhisfreehandheaddressedthemissivetoMrs。Ryves。
　　AsSidneywasfondoferrandshewaseasilygotridof，andafterhehadgoneBaronstoodamomentatthewindowchinkingpenniesandkeysinpocketsandwonderingifthecharmingcomposerwouldthinkhissongasgood，orinotherwordsasbad，ashethoughtit。Hiseyesasheturnedawayfellonthewoodenbackofthedavenport，where，tohisregret，thetracesofSidney’sassaultwerevisibleinthreeorfouruglyscratches。"Confoundthelittlebrute！"heexclaimed，feelingasifanaltarhadbeendesecrated。Hewasreminded，however，oftheobservationthisoutragehadledhimtomake，and，forfurtherassurance，heknockedonthewoodwithhisknuckle。Itsoundedfromthatpositioncommonplaceenough，buthissuspicionwasstronglyconfirmedwhen，againstandingbesidethedesk，heputhisheadbeneaththeliftedlidandgaveearwhilewithanextendedarmhetappedsharplyinthesameplace。Thebackwasdistinctlyhollow；
　　therewasaspacebetweentheinnerandtheouterpieces（hecouldmeasureit），sowidethathewasafoolnottohavenoticeditbefore。Thedepthofthereceptaclefromfronttorearwassogreatthatitcouldsacrificeacertainquantityofroomwithoutdetection。
　　Thesacrificecouldofcourseonlybeforapurpose，andthepurposecouldonlybethecreationofasecretcompartment。PeterBaronwasstillboyenoughtobethrilledbytheideaofsuchafeature，themoresoaseveryindicationofithadbeencleverlyconcealed。Thepeopleattheshophadnevernoticedit，elsetheywouldhavecalledhisattentiontoitasanenhancementofvalue。Hislegendaryloreinstructedhimthatwheretherewasahiding-placetherewasalwaysahiddenspring，andhepriedandpressedandfumbledinaneagersearchforthesensitivespot。Thearticlewasreallyawonderofneatconstruction；everythingfittedwithaclosenessthatcompletelysavedappearances。
　　IttookBaronsomeminutestopursuehisinquiry，duringwhichhereflectedthatthepeopleoftheshopwerenotsuchfoolsafterall。
　　Theyhadadmittedmoreoverthattheyhadaccidentallyneglectedthisrelicofgentility——ithadbeenoverlookedinthemultiplicityoftheirtreasures。Henowrecalledthatthemanhadwantedtopolishitupbeforesendingithome，andthat，satisfiedforhisownpartwithitshonourableappearanceandaverseingeneraltoshinyfurniture，hehadinhisimpatiencedeclinedtowaitforsuchanoperation，sothattheobjecthadlefttheplaceforJerseyVillas，carryingpresumablyitssecretwithit，twoorthreehoursafterhisvisit。Thissecretitseemedindeedcapableofkeeping；therewasanabsurdityinbeingbaffled，butPetercouldn’tfindthespring。Hethumpedandsounded，helistenedandmeasuredagain；heinspectedeveryjointandcrevice，withtheeffectofbecomingsurerstilloftheexistenceofachamberandofmakinguphismindthathisdavenportwasararity。Notonlywasthereacompartmentbetweenthetwobacks，buttherewasdistinctlysomethingINthecompartment！
　　Perhapsitwasalostmanuscript——anice，safe，old-fashionedstorythatMr。Locketwouldn’tobjectto。Peterreturnedtothecharge，forithadoccurredtohimthathehadperhapsnotsufficientlyvisitedthesmalldrawers，ofwhich，intwoverticalrows，thereweresixinnumber，ofdifferentsizes，insertedsidewaysintothatportionofthestructurewhichformedpartofthesupportofthedesk。Hetookthemoutagainandexaminedmoreminutelytheconditionoftheirsockets，withthehappyresultofdiscoveringatlast，intheplaceintowhichthethirdontheleft-handrowwasfitted，asmallslidingpanel。Behindthepanelwasaspring，likeaflatbutton，whichyieldedwithaclickwhenhepresseditandwhichinstantlyproducedalooseningofoneofthepiecesoftheshelfformingthehighestpartofthedavenport——piecesadjustedtoeachotherwiththemostdeceptivecloseness。
　　Thisparticularpieceprovedtobe，initsturn，aslidingpanel，which，whenpushed，revealedtheexistenceofasmallerreceptacle，anarrow，oblongbox，inthefalseback。Itscapacitywaslimited，butifitcouldn’tholdmanythingsitmightholdpreciousones。Baron，inpresenceoftheingenuitywithwhichithadbeendissimulated，immediatelyfeltthat，butfortheoddchanceoflittleSidneyRyves’shavinghammeredontheoutsideatthemomenthehimselfhappenedtohavehisheadinthedesk，hemighthaveremainedforyearswithoutsuspicionofit。Thisapparentlywouldhavebeenaloss，forhehadbeenrightinguessingthatthechamberwasnotempty。Itcontainedobjectswhich，whetherpreciousornot，hadatanyratebeenworthsomebody’shiding。Theseobjectswereacollectionofsmallfiatparcels，oftheshapeofpacketsofletters，wrappedinwhitepaperandneatlysealed。Theseals，mechanicallyfigured，boretheimpressneitherofarmsnorofinitials；thepaperlookedold——ithadturnedfaintlysallow；thepacketsmighthavebeenthereforages。Baroncountedthem——therewerenineinall，ofdifferentsizes；heturnedthemoverandover，feltthemcuriouslyandsnuffedintheirvague，mustysmell，whichaffectedhimwiththemelancholyofsomesmotheredhumanaccent。Thelittlebundleswereneithernamednornumbered——therewasnotawordofwritingonanyofthecovers；buttheyplainlycontainedoldletters，sortedandmatchedaccordingtodatesortoauthorship。Theytoldsomeold，deadstory——theyweretheashesoffiresburnedout。
　　AsPeterBaronheldhisdiscoveriessuccessivelyinhishandshebecameconsciousofaqueeremotionwhichwasnotaltogetherelationandyetwasstilllesspurepain。Hehadmadeafind，butitsomehowaddedtohisresponsibility；hewasinthepresenceofsomethinginteresting，but（inamannerhecouldn’thavedefined）thiscircumstancesuddenlyconstitutedadanger。Itwastheperceptionofthedanger，forinstance，whichcausedtoremaininabeyanceanyimpulsehemighthavefelttobreakoneoftheseals。Helookedatthemallnarrowly，buthewascarefulnottoloosenthem，andhewondereduncomfortablywhetherthecontentsofthesecretcompartmentwouldbeheldinequitytobethepropertyofthepeopleintheKing’sRoad。Hehadgivenmoneyforthedavenport，buthadhegivenmoneyfortheseburiedpapers？Hepaidbyagrowingconsciousnessthatanamelesschillhadstolenintotheairthepenalty，whichhehadmanyatimepaidbefore，ofbeingmadeofsensitivestuff。Itwasasifanoccasionhadinsidiouslyarisenforasacrifice——asacrificeforthesakeofafinesuperstition，somethinglikehonourorkindnessorjustice，somethingindeedperhapsevenfinerstill——adifficultdecipheringofduty，animpossibletantalisingwisdom。
　　Standingtherebeforehisambiguoustreasureandlosinghimselfforthemomentinthesenseofadawningcomplication，hewasstartledbyalight，quicktapatthedoorofhissitting-room。Instinctively，beforeanswering，helistenedaninstant——hewasintheattitudeofamisersurprisedwhilecountinghishoard。Thenheanswered"Onemoment，please！"andslippedthelittleheapofpacketsintothebiggestofthedrawersofthedavenport，whichhappenedtobeopen。
　　Theapertureofthefalsebackwasstillgaping，andhehadnottimetoworkbackthespring。Hehastilylaidabigbookovertheplaceandthenwentandopenedhisdoor。
　　Itofferedhimasightnonethelessagreeableforbeingunexpected——
　　thegracefulandagitatedfigureofMrs。Ryves。Heragitationwassovisiblethathethoughtatfirstthatsomethingdreadfulhadhappenedtoherchild——thatshehadrusheduptoaskforhelp，tobeghimtogoforthedoctor。Thenheperceivedthatitwasprobablyconnectedwiththedesperateverseshehadtransmittedtoheraquarterofanhourbefore；forshehadhisopenmanuscriptinonehandandwasnervouslypullingitaboutwiththeother。Shelookedfrightenedandpretty，andif，ininvadingtheprivacyofafellow-lodger，shehadbeenguiltyofadeparturefromrigidcustom，shewasatleastconsciousoftheenormityofthestepandincapableoftreatingitwithlevity。ThelevitywasforPeterBaron，whoendeavoured，however，toclothehisfamiliaritywithrespect，pushingforwardtheseatofhonourandrepeatingthatherejoicedinsuchavisit。Thevisitorcamein，leavingthedoorajar，andafteraminuteduringwhich，tohelpher，hechargedherwiththepurposeoftellinghimthatheoughttobeashamedtosendherdownsuchrubbish，sherecoveredherselfsufficientlytostammeroutthathissongwasexactlywhatshehadbeenlookingforandthatafterreadingitshehadbeenseizedwithanextraordinary，irresistibleimpulse——thatofthankinghimforitinpersonandwithoutdelay。
　　"Itwastheimpulseofakindnature，"hesaid，"andIcan’ttellyouwhatpleasureyougiveme。"
　　Shedeclinedtositdown，andevidentlywishedtoappeartohavecomebutforafewseconds。Shelookedconfusedlyattheplaceinwhichshefoundherself，andwhenhereyesmethisowntheystruckhimasanxiousandappealing。Shewasevidentlynotthinkingofhissong，thoughshesaidthreeorfourtimesoverthatitwasbeautiful。
　　"Well，Ionlywantedyoutoknow，andnowImustgo，"sheadded；butonhishearthrugshelingeredwithsuchanoddhelplessnessthathefeltalmostsorryforher。
　　"PerhapsIcanimproveitifyoufinditdoesn’tgo，"saidBaron。
　　"I’msodelightedtodoanythingforyouIcan。"
　　"Theremaybeawordortwothatmightbechanged，"sheanswered，ratherabsently。"Ishallhavetothinkitover，tolivewithitalittle。ButIlikeit，andthat’sallIwantedtosay。"
　　"Charmingofyou。I’mnotabitbusy，"saidBaron。
　　Againshelookedathimwithatroubledintensity，thensuddenlyshedemanded："Isthereanythingthematterwithyou？"
　　"Thematterwithme？"
　　"Imeanlikebeingillorworried。Iwonderediftheremightbe；I
　　hadasuddenfancy；andthat，Ithink，isreallywhyIcameup。"
　　"Thereisn’t，indeed；I’mallright。Butyoursuddenfanciesareinspirations。"
　　"It’sabsurd。Youmustexcuseme。Good-by！"saidMrs。Ryves。
　　"Whatarethewordsyouwantchanged？"Baronasked。
　　"Idon’twantany——ifyou’reallright。Good-by，"hisvisitorrepeated，fixinghereyesaninstantonanobjectonhisdeskthathadcaughtthem。Hisownglancedinthesamedirectionandhesawthatinhishurrytoshuffleawaythepacketsfoundinthedavenporthehadoverlookedoneofthem，whichlaywithitssealsexposed。Foraninstanthefeltfoundout，asifhehadbeenconcernedinsomethingtobeashamedof，anditwasonlyhisquicksecondthoughtthattoldhimhowlittletheincidentofwhichthepacketwasasequelwasanaffairofMrs。Ryves’s。Herconsciouseyescamebacktohisasiftheyweresoundingthem，andsuddenlythisinstinctofkeepinghisdiscoverytohimselfwassucceededbyareallystartledinferencethat，withtherarestalertness，shehadguessedsomethingandthatherguess（itseemedalmostsupernatural），hadbeenherrealmotive。Somesecretsympathyhadmadehervibrate——hadtouchedherwiththeknowledgethathehadbroughtsomethingtolight。Afteraninstanthesawthatshealsodivinedtheveryreflectionhewasthenmaking，andthisgavehimalivelydesire，agrateful，happydesire，toappeartohavenothingtoconceal。Forherself，itdeterminedherstillmoretoputanendtohermomentaryvisit。Butbeforeshehadpassedtothedoorheexclaimed："Allright？Howcanafellowbeanythingelsewhohasjusthadsuchafind？"
　　Shepausedatthis，stilllookingearnestandasking："Whathaveyoufound？"
　　"Someancientfamilypapers，inasecretcompartmentofmywriting-
　　table。"Andhetookupthepackethehadleftout，holdingitbeforehereyes。"Alotofotherthingslikethat。"
　　"Whatarethey？"murmuredMrs。Ryves。
　　"Ihaven’ttheleastidea。They’resealed。"
　　"Youhaven’tbrokentheseals？"Shehadcomefurtherback。
　　"Ihaven’thadtime；itonlyhappenedtenminutesago。"
　　"Iknewit，"saidMrs。Ryves，moregailynow。
　　"Whatdidyouknow？"
　　"Thatyouwereinsomepredicament。"
　　"You’reextraordinary。Ineverheardofanythingsomiraculous；downtwoflightsofstairs。"
　　"AREyouinaquandary？"thevisitorasked。
　　"Yes，aboutgivingthemback。"PeterBaronstoodsmilingatherandrappinghispacketonthepalmofhishand。"Whatdoyouadvise？"
　　Sheherselfsmilednow，withhereyesonthesealedparcel。"Backtowhom？"
　　"ThemanofwhomIboughtthetable。"
　　"Ahthen，they’renotfromYOURfamily？"
　　"Noindeed，thepieceoffurnitureinwhichtheywerehiddenisnotanancestralpossession。Iboughtitatsecondhand——youseeit’sold——theotherdayintheKing’sRoad。Obviouslythemanwhosoldittomesoldmemorethanhemeant；hehadnoidea（fromhisownpointofviewitwasstupidofhim），thattherewasahiddenchamberorthatmysteriousdocumentswereburiedthere。OughtItogoandtellhim？It’sratheranicequestion。"
　　"Arethepapersofvalue？"Mrs。Ryvesinquired。
　　"Ihaven’ttheleastidea。ButIcanascertainbybreakingaseal。"
　　"Don’t！"saidMrs。Ryves，withmuchexpression。Shelookedgraveagain。
　　"It’srathertantalising——it’sabitofaproblem，"Baronwenton，turninghispacketover。
　　Mrs。Ryveshesitated。"Willyoushowmewhatyouhaveinyourhand？"
　　Hegaveherthepacket，andshelookedatitandhelditforaninstanttohernose。"Ithasaqueer，charmingoldfragrance，"hesaid。
　　"Charming？It’shorrid。"Shehandedhimbackthepacket，sayingagainmoreemphatically"Don’t！"
　　"Don’tbreakaseal？"
　　"Don’tgivebackthepapers。"
　　"Isithonesttokeepthem？"
　　"Certainly。They’reyoursasmuchasthepeople’softheshop。Theywereinthehiddenchamberwhenthetablecametotheshop，andthepeoplehadeveryopportunitytofindthemout。Theydidn’t——
　　thereforeletthemtaketheconsequences。"
　　PeterBaronreflected，divertedbyherintensity。Shewaspale，witheyesalmostardent。"Thetablehadbeenintheplaceforyears。"
　　"Thatprovesthethingshaven’tbeenmissed。"
　　"Letmeshowyouhowtheywereconcealed，"herejoined；andheexhibitedtheingeniousrecessandtheworkingofthecuriousspring。
　　Shewasgreatlyinterested，shegrewexcitedandbecamefamiliar；sheappealedtohimagainnottodoanythingsofoolishastogiveupthepapers，therestofwhich，intheirlittleblank，impenetrablecovers，heplacedinarowbeforeher。"Theymightbetraced——theirhistory，theirownership，"heargued；towhichsherepliedthatthiswasexactlywhyheoughttobequiet。Hedeclaredthatwomenhadnotthesmallestsenseofhonour，andsheretortedthatatanyratetheyhaveotherperceptionsmoredelicatethanthoseofmen。Headmittedthatthepapersmightberubbish，andsheconcededthatnothingwasmoreprobable；yetwhenheofferedtosettlethepointoff-handshecaughthimbythewrist，acknowledgingthat，absurdasitwas，shewasnervous。Finallysheputthewholethingonthegroundofhisjustdoingherafavour。Sheaskedhimtoretainthepapers，tobesilentaboutthem，simplybecauseitwouldpleaseher。Thatwouldbereasonenough。Baron’sacquaintance，hisagreeablerelationswithher，advancedmanystepsinthetreatmentofthisquestion；anelementoffriendlycandourmadeitswayintotheirdiscussionofit。
　　"Ican’tmakeoutwhyitmatterstoyou，onewayortheother，norwhyyoushouldthinkitworthtalkingabout，"theyoungmanreasoned。
　　"NeithercanI。It’sjustawhim。"
　　"Certainly，ifitwillgiveyouanypleasure，I’llsaynothingattheshop。"
　　"That’scharmingofyou，andI’mverygrateful。Iseenowthatthiswaswhythespiritmovedmetocomeup——tosavethem，"Mrs。Ryveswenton。Sheadded，movingaway，thatnowshehadsavedthemshemustreallygo。
　　"Tosavethemforwhat，ifImayn’tbreaktheseals？"Baronasked。
　　"Idon’tknow——forageneroussacrifice。"
　　"Whyshoulditbegenerous？What’satstake？"Peterdemanded，leaningagainstthedoorpostasshestoodonthelanding。
　　"Idon’tknowwhat，butIfeelasifsomethingorotherwereinperil。Burnthemup！"sheexclaimedwithshiningeyes。
　　"Ah，youasktoomuch——I’msocuriousaboutthem！"