Resentmentinmybreast，neversurvivedlove。Ibadethepoorwoman，inakindtone，wipehereyes，andrequestherhusbandtocomeup，andspeaktomehimself。
"Mymannerawedhim。Herespectedalady，thoughnotawoman;
andbegantomutteroutanapology。
"’Mr。Venableswasarichgentleman;hewishedtoobligeme，buthehadsufferedenoughbythelawalready，totrembleatthethought;besides，forcertain，weshouldcometogetheragain，andthenevenIshouldnotthankhimforbeingaccessarytokeepingusasunder。——Ahusbandandwifewere，Godknows，justasone，——andallwouldcomeroundatlast。’Heutteredadrawling’Hem！’andthenwithanarchlook，added——’Mastermighthavehadhislittlefrolics——but——Lordblessyourheart！——menwouldbemenwhiletheworldstands。’
"Toarguewiththisprivilegedfirst—bornofreason，Iperceived，wouldbevain。Ithereforeonlyrequestedhimtoletmeremainanotherdayathishouse，whileIsoughtforalodging;andnottoinformMr。VenablesthatIhadeverbeenshelteredthere。
"Heconsented，becausehehadnotthecouragetorefuseapersonforwhomhehadanhabitualrespect;butIheardthepent—upcholerburstforthincurses，whenhemethiswife，whowaswaitingimpatientlyatthefootofthestairs，toknowwhateffectmyexpostulationswouldhaveonhim。
"Withoutwastinganytimeinthefruitlessindulgenceofvexation，IoncemoresetoutinsearchofanabodeinwhichI
couldhidemyselfforafewweeks。
"Agreeingtopayanexorbitantprice，Ihiredanapartment，withoutanyreferencebeingrequiredrelativetomycharacter：
indeed，aglanceatmyshapeseemedtosay，thatmymotiveforconcealmentwassufficientlyobvious。ThuswasIobligedtoshroudmyheadininfamy。
"Toavoidalldangerofdetection——Iusetheappropriateword，mychild，forIwashuntedoutlikeafelon——Ideterminedtotakepossessionofmynewlodgingsthatveryevening。
"IdidnotinformmylandladywhereIwasgoing。Iknewthatshehadasincereaffectionforme，andwouldwillinglyhaverunanyrisktoshowhergratitude;yetIwasfullyconvinced，thatafewkindwordsfromJohnnywouldhavefoundthewomaninher，andherdearbenefactress，asshetermedmeinanagonyoftears，wouldhavebeensacrificed，torecompensehertyrantforcondescendingtotreatherlikeanequal。Hecouldbekind—hearted，assheexpressedit，whenhepleased。Andthisthawedsternness，contrastedwithhishabitualbrutality，wasthemoreacceptable，andcouldnotbepurchasedattoodeararate。
"Thesightoftheadvertisementmademedesirousoftakingrefugewithmyuncle，letwhatwouldbetheconsequence;andI
repairedinahackneycoach（afraidofmeetingsomepersonwhomightchancetoknowme，hadIwalked）tothechambersofmyuncle’sfriend。
"Hereceivedmewithgreatpoliteness（myunclehadalreadyprepossessedhiminmyfavour），andlistened，withinterest，tomyexplanationofthemotiveswhichhadinducedmetoflyfromhome，andskulkinobscurity，withallthetimidityoffearthatoughtonlytobethecompanionofguilt。Helamented，withrathermoregallantrythan，inmysituation，Ithoughtdelicate，thatsuchawomanshouldbethrownawayonamaninsensibletothecharmsofbeautyorgrace。Heseemedatalosswhattoadvisemetodo，toevademyhusband’ssearch，withouthasteningtomyuncle，whom，hehesitatingsaid，Imightnotfindalive。Heutteredthisintelligencewithvisibleregret;requestedme，atleast，towaitforthearrivalofthenextpacket;offeredmewhatmoneyIwanted，andpromisedtovisitme。
"Hekepthisword;stillnoletterarrivedtoputanendtomypainfulstateofsuspense。Iprocuredsomebooksandmusic，tobeguilethetedioussolitarydays。
’Come，eversmilingLiberty，’Andwiththeebringthyjocundtrain：’
Isung——andsungtill，saddenedbythestrainofjoy，Ibitterlylamentedthefatethatdeprivedmeofallsocialpleasure。ComparativelibertyindeedIhadpossessedmyselfof;butthejocundtrainlaggedfarbehind！
CHAPTER13
"BYWATCHINGmyonlyvisitor，myuncle’sfriend，orbysomeothermeans，Mr。Venablesdiscoveredmyresidence，andcametoenquireforme。Themaid—servantassuredhimtherewasnosuchpersoninthehouse。Abustleensued——Icaughtthealarm——listened——distinguishedhisvoice，andimmediatelylockedthedoor。Theysuddenlygrewstill;andIwaitednearaquarterofanhour，beforeIheardhimopentheparlourdoor，andmountthestairswiththemistressofthehouse，whoobsequiouslydeclaredthatsheknewnothingofme。
"Findingmydoorlocked，sherequestedmetoopenit，andpreparetogohomewithmyhusband，poorgentleman！towhomIhadalreadyoccasionedsufficientvexation。’Imadenoreply。
Mr。Venablesthen，inanassumedtoneofsoftness，intreatedme，’toconsiderwhathesuffered，andmyownreputation，andgetthebetterofchildishresentment。’Heranoninthesamestrain，pretendingtoaddressme，butevidentlyadaptinghisdiscoursetothecapacityofthelandlady;who，ateverypause，utteredanexclamationofpity;or’Yes，tobesure——Verytrue，sir。’
"Sickofthefarce，andperceivingthatIcouldnotavoidthehatedinterview，Iopenedthedoor，andheentered。Advancingwitheasyassurancetotakemyhand，Ishrunkfromhistouch，withaninvoluntarystart，asIshouldhavedonefromanoisomereptile，withmoredisgustthanterror。Hisconductresswasretiring，togiveus，asshesaid，anopportunitytoaccommodatematters。ButIbadehercomein，orIwouldgoout;andcuriosityimpelledhertoobeyme。
"Mr。Venablesbegantoexpostulate;andthiswoman，proudofhisconfidence，tosecondhim。ButIcalmlysilencedher，inthemidstofavulgarharangue，andturningtohim，asked，’Whyhevainlytormentedme？declaringthatnopoweronearthshouldforcemebacktohishouse。’
"Afteralongaltercation，theparticularsofwhich，itwouldbetonopurposetorepeat，helefttheroom。Sometimewasspentinloudconversationintheparlourbelow，andIdiscoveredthathehadbroughthisfriend，anattorney，withhim。*
*Intheoriginaleditiontheparagraphfollowingisprecededbythreelinesofasterisks[Publisher’snote]。
Thetumultonthelandingplace，broughtoutagentleman，whohadrecentlytakenapartmentsinthehouse;heenquiredwhyIwasthusassailed？*Thevolubleattorneyinstantlyrepeatedthetritetale。Thestrangerturnedtome，observing，withthemostsoothingpolitenessandmanlyinterest，that’mycountenancetoldaverydifferentstory。’Headded，’thatIshouldnotbeinsulted，orforcedoutofthehouse，byanybody。’
*TheintroductionofDarnfordasthedelivererofMaria，inanearlystageofthehistory，isalreadystated（Chap。
III。）tohavebeenanafter—thoughtoftheauthor。
Thishasprobablycausedtheimperfectnessofthemanuscriptintheabovepassage;though，atthesametime，itmustbeacknowledgedtobesomewhatuncertain，whetherDarnfordisthestrangerintendedinthisplace。ItappearsfromChap。XVII，thataninterferenceofamoredecisivenaturewasdesignedtobeattributedtohim。EDITOR。[Godwin’snote]
"’Notbyherhusband？’askedtheattorney。
"’No，sir，notbyherhusband。’Mr。Venablesadvancedtowardshim——
Buttherewasadecisioninhisattitude，thatsowellsecondedthatofhisvoice，*Theyleftthehouse：atthesametimeprotesting，thatanyonethatshoulddaretoprotectme，shouldbeprosecutedwiththeutmostrigour。
*Twoandahalflinesofasterisksappearhereintheoriginal[Publisher’snote]。
"Theywerescarcelyoutofthehouse，whenmylandladycameuptomeagain，andbeggedmypardon，inaverydifferenttone。
For，thoughMr。Venableshadbidher，atherperil，harbourme，hehadnotattended，Ifound，toherbroadhints，todischargethelodging。Iinstantlypromisedtopayher，andmakeherapresenttocompensateformyabruptdeparture，ifshewouldprocuremeanotherlodging，atasufficientdistance;andshe，inreturn，repeatingMr。Venables’plausibletale，Iraisedherindignation，andexcitedhersympathy，bytellingherbrieflythetruth。
"Sheexpressedhercommiserationwithsuchhonestwarmth，thatIfeltsoothed;forIhavenoneofthatfastidioussensitiveness，whichavulgaraccentorgesturecanalarmtothedisregardofrealkindness。IwasevergladtoperceiveinothersthehumanefeelingsIdelightedtoexercise;andtherecollectionofsomeridiculouscharacteristiccircumstances，whichhaveoccurredinamomentofemotion，hasconvulsedmewithlaughter，thoughattheinstantI
shouldhavethoughtitsacrilegioustohavesmiled。Yourimprovement，mydearestgirl，beingeverpresenttomewhileIwrite，Inotethesefeelings，becausewomen，moreaccustomedtoobservemannersthanactions，aretoomuchalivetoridicule。Somuchso，thattheirboastedsensibilityisoftenstifledbyfalsedelicacy。Truesensibility，thesensibilitywhichistheauxiliaryofvirtue，andthesoulofgenius，isinsocietysooccupiedwiththefeelingsofothers，asscarcelytoregarditsownsensations。WithwhatreverencehaveIlookedupatmyuncle，thedearparentofmymind！whenI
haveseenthesenseofhisownsufferings，ofmindandbody，absorbedinadesiretocomfortthose，whosemisfortuneswerecomparativelytrivial。Hewouldhavebeenashamedofbeingasindulgenttohimself，ashewastoothers。’Genuinefortitude，’hewouldassert，’consistedingoverningourownemotions，andmakingallowancefortheweaknessesinourfriends，thatwewouldnottolerateinourselves。’Butwhereismyfondregretleadingme！
"’Womenmustbesubmissive，’saidmylandlady。’Indeedwhatcouldmostwomendo？Whohadtheytomaintainthem，buttheirhusbands？Everywoman，andespeciallyalady，couldnotgothroughroughandsmooth，asshehaddone，toearnalittlebread。’
"Shewasinatalkingmood，andproceededtoinformmehowshehadbeenusedintheworld。’Sheknewwhatitwastohaveabadhusband，orshedidnotknowwhoshould。’Iperceivedthatshewouldbeverymuchmortified，wereInottoattendtohertale，andIdidnotattempttointerrupther，thoughIwishedher，assoonaspossible，togooutinsearchofanewabodeforme，whereIcouldoncemorehidemyhead。
"Shebeganbytellingme，’Thatshehadsavedalittlemoneyinservice;andwasover—persuaded（wemustallbeinloveonceinourlives）tomarryalikelyman，afootmaninthefamily，notworthagroat。Myplan，’shecontinued，’wastotakeahouse，andletoutlodgings;andallwentonwell，tillmyhusbandgotacquaintedwithanimpudentslut，whochosetoliveonotherpeople’smeans——andthenallwenttorackandruin。Heranindebttobuyherfineclothes，suchclothesasIneverthoughtofwearingmyself，and——wouldyoubelieveit？——hesignedanexecutiononmyverygoods，boughtwiththemoneyIworkedsohardtoget;andtheycameandtookmybedfromunderme，beforeIheardawordofthematter。Aye，madam，thesearemisfortunesthatyougentlefolksknownothingof，——butsorrowissorrow，letitcomewhichwayitwill。
"’Isoughtforaserviceagain——veryhard，afterhavingahouseofmyown！——butheusedtofollowme，andkickupsuchariotwhenhewasdrunk，thatIcouldnotkeepaplace;nay，heevenstolemyclothes，andpawnedthem;andwhenIwenttothepawnbroker’s，andofferedtotakemyoaththattheywerenotboughtwithafarthingofhismoney，theysaid，’Itwasallasone，myhusbandhadarighttowhateverIhad。’
"’Atlasthelistedforasoldier，andItookahouse，makinganagreementtopayforthefurniturebydegrees;andIalmoststarvedmyself，tillIoncemoregotbefore—handintheworld。
"’Afteranabsenceofsixyears（Godforgiveme！Ithoughthewasdead）myhusbandreturned;foundmeout，andcamewithsuchapenitentface，Iforgavehim，andclothedhimfromheadtofoot。
Buthehadnotbeenaweekinthehouse，beforesomeofhiscreditorsarrestedhim;and，hesellingmygoods，Ifoundmyselfoncemorereducedtobeggary;forIwasnotaswellabletowork，gotobedlate，andriseearly，aswhenIquittedservice;andthenIthoughtithardenough。Hewassoontiredofme，whentherewasnothingmoretobehad，andleftmeagain。
"IwillnottellyouhowIwasbuffetedabout，till，hearingforcertainthathehaddiedinanhospitalabroad，Ioncemorereturnedtomyoldoccupation;buthavenotyetbeenabletogetmyheadabovewater：so，madam，youmustnotbeangryifIamafraidtorunanyrisk，whenIknowsowell，thatwomenhavealwaystheworstofit，whenlawistodecide。’
"Afterutteringafewmorecomplaints，Iprevailedonmylandladytogooutinquestofalodging;and，tobemoresecure，Icondescendedtothemeanshiftofchangingmyname。
"ButwhyshouldIdwellonsimilarincidents！——Iwashunted，likeaninfectedbeast，fromthreedifferentapartments，andshouldnothavebeenallowedtorestinany，hadnotMr。Venables，informedofmyuncle’sdangerousstateofhealth，beeninspiredwiththefearofhurryingmeoutoftheworldasIadvancedinmypregnancy，bythustormentingandobligingmetotakesuddenjourneystoavoidhim;andthenhisspeculationsonmyuncle’sfortunemustproveabortive。
"Oneday，whenhehadpursuedmetoaninn，Ifainted，hurryingfromhim;and，fallingdown，thesightofmybloodalarmedhim，andobtainedarespiteforme。Itisstrangethatheshouldhaveretainedanyhope，afterobservingmyunwaveringdetermination;
but，fromthemildnessofmybehaviour，whenIfoundallmyendeavourstochangehisdispositionunavailing，heformedanerroneousopinionofmycharacter，imaginingthat，wereweoncemoretogether，Ishouldpartwiththemoneyhecouldnotlegallyforcefromme，withthesamefacilityasformerly。Myforbearanceandoccasionalsympathyhehadmistakenforweaknessofcharacter;and，becauseheperceivedthatIdislikedresistance，hethoughtmyindulgenceandcompassionmereselfishness，andneverdiscoveredthatthefearofbeingunjust，orofunnecessarilywoundingthefeelingsofanother，wasmuchmorepainfultome，thananythingIcouldhavetoenduremyself。Perhapsitwaspridewhichmademeimagine，thatIcouldbearwhatIdreadedtoinflict;andthatitwasofteneasiertosuffer，thantoseethesufferingsofothers。
"Iforgottomentionthat，duringthispersecution，Ireceivedaletterfrommyuncle，informingme，’thatheonlyfoundrelieffromcontinualchangeofair;andthatheintendedtoreturnwhenthespringwasalittlemoreadvanced（itwasnowthemiddleofFebruary），andthenwewouldplanajourneytoItaly，leavingthefogsandcaresofEnglandfarbehind。’Heapprovedofmyconduct，promisedtoadoptmychild，andseemedtohavenodoubtofobligingMr。Venablestohearreason。Hewrotetohisfriend，bythesamepost，desiringhimtocallonMr。Venablesinhisname;and，inconsequenceoftheremonstranceshedictated，Iwaspermittedtolie—intranquilly。
"Thetwoorthreeweeksprevious，Ihadbeenallowedtorestinpeace;but，soaccustomedwasItopursuitandalarm，thatI
seldomclosedmyeyeswithoutbeinghauntedbyMr。Venables’image，whoseemedtoassumeterrificorhatefulformstotormentme，whereverIturned。——Sometimesawildcat，aroaringbull，orhideousassassin，whomIvainlyattemptedtofly;atothershewasademon，hurryingmetothebrinkofaprecipice，plungingmeintodarkwaves，orhorridgulfs;andIwoke，inviolentfitsoftremblinganxiety，toassuremyselfthatitwasalladream，andtoendeavourtoluremywakingthoughtstowandertothedelightfulItalianvales，Ihopedsoontovisit;ortopicturesomeaugustruins，whereIreclinedinfancyonamoulderingcolumn，andescaped，inthecontemplationoftheheart—enlargingvirtuesofantiquity，fromtheturmoilofcaresthathaddepressedallthedaringpurposesofmysoul。ButIwasnotlongallowedtocalmmymindbytheexerciseofmyimagination;forthethirddayafteryourbirth，mychild，Iwassurprisedbyavisitfrommyelderbrother;whocameinthemostabruptmanner，toinformmeofthedeathofmyuncle。Hehadleftthegreaterpartofhisfortunetomychild，appointingmeitsguardian;inshort，everystepwastakentoenablemetobemistressofhisfortune，withoutputtinganypartofitinMr。
Venables’power。Mybrothercametoventhisrageonme，forhaving，asheexpressedhimself，’deprivedhim，myuncle’seldestnephew，ofhisinheritance;’thoughmyuncle’sproperty，thefruitofhisownexertion，beingallinthefunds，oronlandedsecurities，therewasnotashadowofjusticeinthecharge。
"AsIsincerelylovedmyuncle，thisintelligencebroughtonafever，whichIstruggledtoconquerwithalltheenergyofmymind;for，inmydesolatestate，Ihaditverymuchathearttosuckleyou，mypoorbabe。Youseemedmyonlytietolife，acherub，towhomIwishedtobeafather，aswellasamother;andthedoubledutyappearedtometoproduceaproportionateincreaseofaffection。
ButthepleasureIfelt，whilesustainingyou，snatchedfromthewreckofhope，wascruellydampedbymelancholyreflectionsonmywidowedstate——widowedbythedeathofmyuncle。OfMr。VenablesIthoughtnot，evenwhenIthoughtofthefelicityoflovingyourfather，andhowamother’spleasuremightbeexalted，andhercaresoftenedbyahusband’stenderness。——’Oughttobe！’Iexclaimed;
andIendeavouredtodriveawaythetendernessthatsuffocatedme;
butmyspiritswereweak，andtheunbiddentearswouldflow。’WhywasI，’Iwouldaskthee，butthoudidstnotheedme，——’cutofffromtheparticipationofthesweetestpleasureoflife？’Iimaginedwithwhatextacy，afterthepainsofchild—bed，Ishouldhavepresentedmylittlestranger，whomIhadsolongwishedtoview，toarespectablefather，andwithwhatmaternalfondnessIshouldhavepressedthembothtomyheart！——NowIkissedherwithlessdelight，thoughwiththemostendearingcompassion，poorhelplessone！whenIperceivedaslightresemblanceofhim，towhomsheowedherexistence;or，ifanygestureremindedmeofhim，eveninhisbestdays，myheartheaved，andIpressedtheinnocenttomybosom，asiftopurifyit——yes，Iblushedtothinkthatitspurityhadbeensullied，byallowingsuchamantobeitsfather。
"Aftermyrecovery，Ibegantothinkoftakingahouseinthecountry，orofmakinganexcursiononthecontinent，toavoidMr。
Venables;andtoopenmyhearttonewpleasuresandaffection。
Thespringwasmeltingintosummer，andyou，mylittlecompanion，begantosmile——thatsmilemadehopebudoutafresh，assuringmetheworldwasnotadesert。Yourgestureswereeverpresenttomyfancy;andIdweltonthejoyIshouldfeelwhenyouwouldbegintowalkandlisp。Watchingyourwakeningmind，andshieldingfromeveryrudeblastmytenderblossom，Irecoveredmyspirits——I
dreamednotofthefrost——’thekillingfrost，’towhichyouweredestinedtobeexposed。——ButIloseallpatience——andexecratetheinjusticeoftheworld——folly！ignorance！——Ishouldrathercallit;but，shutupfromafreecirculationofthought，andalwaysponderingonthesamegriefs，Iwritheunderthetorturingapprehensions，whichoughttoexciteonlyhonestindignation，oractivecompassion;andwould，couldIviewthemasthenaturalconsequenceofthings。But，bornawoman——andborntosuffer，inendeavouringtorepressmyownemotions，Ifeelmoreacutelythevariousillsmysexarefatedtobear——Ifeelthattheevilstheyaresubjecttoendure，degradethemsofarbelowtheiroppressors，asalmosttojustifytheirtyranny;leadingatthesametimesuperficialreasonerstotermthatweaknessthecause，whichisonlytheconsequenceofshort—sighteddespotism。
CHAPTER14
"ASMYMINDgrewcalmer，thevisionsofItalyagainreturnedwiththeirformerglowofcolouring;andIresolvedonquittingthekingdomforatime，insearchofthecheerfulness，thatnaturallyresultsfromachangeofscene，unlesswecarrythebarbedarrowwithus，andonlyseewhatwefeel。
"Duringtheperiodnecessarytoprepareforalongabsence，Isentasupplytopaymyfather’sdebts，andsettledmybrothersineligiblesituations;butmyattentionwasnotwhollyengrossedbymyfamily，thoughIdonotthinkitnecessarytoenumeratethecommonexertionsofhumanity。Themannerinwhichmyuncle’spropertywassettled，preventedmefrommakingtheadditiontothefortuneofmysurvivingsister，thatIcouldhavewished;butI
hadprevailedonhimtobequeathhertwothousandpounds，andshedeterminedtomarryalover，towhomshehadbeensometimeattached。
Haditnotbeenforthisengagement，Ishouldhaveinvitedhertoaccompanymeinmytour;andImighthaveescapedthepit，soartfullyduginmypath，whenIwastheleastawareofdanger。
"IhadthoughtofremaininginEngland，tillIweanedmychild;
butthisstateoffreedomwastoopeacefultolast，andIhadsoonreasontowishtohastenmydeparture。AfriendofMr。Venables，thesameattorneywhohadaccompaniedhiminseveralexcursionstohuntmefrommyhidingplaces，waitedonmetoproposeareconciliation。Onmyrefusal，heindirectlyadvisedmetomakeovertomyhusband——forhusbandhewouldtermhim——thegreaterpartofthepropertyIhadatcommand，menacingmewithcontinualpersecutionunlessIcomplied，andthat，asalastresort，hewouldclaimthechild。Ididnot，thoughintimidatedbythelastinsinuation，scrupletodeclare，thatIwouldnotallowhimtosquanderthemoneylefttomeforfardifferentpurposes，butofferedhimfivehundredpounds，ifhewouldsignabondnottotormentmeanymore。Mymaternalanxietymademethusappeartowaverfrommyfirstdetermination，andprobablysuggestedtohim，orhisdiabolicalagent，theinfernalplot，whichhassucceededbuttoowell。
"Thebondwasexecuted;stillIwasimpatienttoleaveEngland。
Mischiefhungintheairwhenwebreathedthesame;Iwantedseastodivideus，andwaterstorollbetween，tillhehadforgottenthatIhadthemeansofhelpinghimthroughanewscheme。Disturbedbythelateoccurrences，Iinstantlypreparedformydeparture。
Myonlydelaywaswaitingforamaid—servant，whospokeFrenchfluently，andhadbeenwarmlyrecommendedtome。AvaletIwasadvisedtohire，whenIfixedonmyplaceofresidenceforanytime。
"MyGod，withwhatalightheartdidIsetoutforDover！——
Itwasnotmycountry，butmycares，thatIwasleavingbehind。
Myheartseemedtoboundwiththewheels，orratherappearedthecentreonwhichtheytwirled。Iclaspedyoutomybosom，exclaiming’Andyouwillbesafe——quitesafe——when——weareonceonboardthepacket。——Wouldwewerethere！’Ismiledatmyidlefears，asthenaturaleffectofcontinualalarm;andIscarcelyownedtomyselfthatIdreadedMr。Venables’scunning，orwasconsciousofthehorriddelighthewouldfeel，atformingstratagemafterstratagemtocircumventme。Iwasalreadyinthesnare——Ineverreachedthepacket——Ineversawtheemore。——Igrowbreathless。Ihavescarcelypatiencetowritedownthedetails。Themaid——theplausiblewomanIhadhired——put，doubtless，somestupefyingpotioninwhatIateordrank，themorningIlefttown。AllIknowis，thatshemusthavequittedthechaise，shamelesswretch！andtaken（frommybreast）mybabewithher。Howcouldacreatureinafemaleformseemecaressthee，andstealtheefrommyarms！Imuststop，stoptorepressamother’sanguish;lest，inbitternessofsoul，Iimprecatethewrathofheavenonthistiger，whotoremyonlycomfortfromme。
"HowlongIsleptIknownot;certainlymanyhours，forIwokeatthecloseofday，inastrangeconfusionofthought。Iwasprobablyrousedtorecollectionbysomeonethunderingatahuge，unwieldygate。AttemptingtoaskwhereIwas，myvoicediedaway，andItriedtoraiseitinvain，asIhavedoneinadream。
Ilookedformybabewithaffright;fearedthatithadfallenoutofmylap，whileIhadsostrangelyforgottenher;and，suchwasthevagueintoxication，Icangiveitnoothername，inwhichIwasplunged，IcouldnotrecollectwhenorwhereIlastsawyou;butIsighed，asifmyheartwantedroomtoclearmyhead。
"Thegatesopenedheavily，andthesullensoundofmanylocksandboltsdrawnback，gratedonmyverysoul，beforeIwasappalledbythecreekingofthedismalhinges，astheyclosedafterme。
Thegloomypilewasbeforeme，halfinruins;someoftheagedtreesoftheavenuewerecutdown，andlefttorotwheretheyfell;
andasweapproachedsomemoulderingsteps，amonstrousdogdartedforwardstothelengthofhischain，andbarkedandgrowledinfernally。
"Thedoorwasopenedslowly，andamurderousvisagepeepedout，withalantern。’Hush！’heuttered，inathreatningtone，andtheaffrightedanimalstolebacktohiskennel。Thedoorofthechaiseflewback，thestrangerputdownthelantern，andclaspedhisdreadfularmsaroundme。Itwascertainlytheeffectofthesoporificdraught，for，insteadofexertingmystrength，Isunkwithoutmotion，thoughnotwithoutsense，onhisshoulder，mylimbsrefusingtoobeymywill。Iwascarriedupthestepsintoaclose—shuthall。Acandleflaringinthesocket，scarcelydispersedthedarkness，thoughitdisplayedtometheferociouscountenanceofthewretchwhoheldme。
"Hemountedawidestaircase。Largefigurespaintedonthewallsseemedtostartonme，andglaringeyestomeetmeateveryturn。Enteringalonggallery，adismalshriekmademespringoutofmyconductor’sarms，withIknownotwhatmysteriousemotionofterror;butIfellonthefloor，unabletosustainmyself。
"Astrange—lookingfemalestartedoutofoneoftherecesses，andobservedmewithmorecuriositythaninterest;till，sternlybidretire，sheflittedbacklikeashadow。Otherfaces，stronglymarked，ordistorted，peepedthroughthehalf—openeddoors，andI
heardsomeincoherentsounds。IhadnodistinctideawhereIcouldbe——Ilookedonallsides，andalmostdoubtedwhetherIwasaliveordead。
"Thrownonabed，Iimmediatelysunkintoinsensibilityagain;
andnextday，graduallyrecoveringtheuseofreason，Ibegan，startingaffrightedfromtheconviction，todiscoverwhereIwasconfined——Iinsistedonseeingthemasterofthemansion——Isawhim——andperceivedthatIwasburiedalive。——
"Such，mychild，aretheeventsofthymother’slifetothisdreadfulmoment——Shouldsheeverescapefromthefangsofherenemies，shewilladdthesecretsofherprison—house——and——"
Somelineswereherecrossedout，andthememoirsbrokeoffabruptlywiththenamesofJemimaandDarnford。
APPENDIX
ADVERTISEMENT*
THEperformance，withafragmentofwhichthereaderhasnowbeenpresented，wasdesignedtoconsistofthreeparts。Theprecedingsheetswereconsideredasconstitutingoneofthoseparts。Thosepersonswhointheperusalofthechapters，alreadywrittenandinsomedegreefinishedbytheauthor，havefelttheirheartsawakened，andtheircuriosityexcitedastothesequelofthestory，will，ofcourse，gladlyacceptevenofthebrokenparagraphsandhalf—finishedsentences，whichhavebeenfoundcommittedtopaper，asmaterialsfortheremainder。Thefastidiousandcold—heartedcriticmayperhapsfeelhimselfrepelledbytheincoherentforminwhichtheyarepresented。Butaninquisitivetemperwillinglyacceptsthemostimperfectandmutilatedinformation，wherebetterisnottobehad：andreaders，whoinanydegreeresembletheauthorinherquickapprehensionofsentiment，andofthepleasuresandpainsofimagination，will，Ibelieve，findgratification，incontemplatingsketches，whichweredesignedinashorttimetohavereceivedthefinishingtouchesofhergenius;butwhichmustnowforeverremainamarktorecordthetriumphsofmortality，overschemesofusefulness，andprojectsofpublicinterest。
*PresumedtohavebeenwrittenbyGodwin[Publisher’snote]。
CHAPTER15
DARNFORDreturnedthememoirstoMaria，withamostaffectionateletter，inwhichhereasonedon"theabsurdityofthelawsrespectingmatrimony，which，tilldivorcescouldbemoreeasilyobtained，was，"hedeclared，"themostinsufferablebondage。Tiesofthisnaturecouldnotbindmindsgovernedbysuperiorprinciples;andsuchbeingswereprivilegedtoactabovethedictatesoflawstheyhadnovoiceinframing，iftheyhadsufficientstrengthofmindtoendurethenaturalconsequence。Inhercase，totalkofduty，wasafarce，exceptingwhatwasduetoherself。Delicacy，aswellasreason，forbadeherevertothinkofreturningtoherhusband：
wasshethentorestrainhercharmingsensibilitythroughmereprejudice？Theseargumentswerenotabsolutelyimpartial，forhedisdainedtoconceal，that，whenheappealedtoherreason，hefeltthathehadsomeinterestinherheart。——Theconvictionwasnotmoretransporting，thansacred——athousandtimesaday，heaskedhimselfhowhehadmeritedsuchhappiness？——andasoftenhedeterminedtopurifytheheartshedeignedtoinhabit——Heintreatedtobeagainadmittedtoherpresence。
Hewas;andthetearwhichglistenedinhiseye，whenherespectfullypressedhertohisbosom，renderedhimpeculiarlydeartotheunfortunatemother。Griefhadstilledthetransportsoflove，onlytorendertheirmutualtendernessmoretouching。Informerinterviews，Darnfordhadcontrived，byahundredlittlepretexts，tositnearher，totakeherhand，ortomeethereyes——
nowitwasallsoothingaffection，andesteemseemedtohaverivalledlove。Headvertedtohernarrative，andspokewithwarmthoftheoppressionshehadendured。——Hiseyes，glowingwithalambentflame，toldherhowmuchhewishedtorestorehertolibertyandlove;
buthekissedherhand，asifithadbeenthatofasaint;andspokeofthelossofherchild，asifithadbeenhisown。——
WhatcouldhavebeenmoreflatteringtoMaria？——Everyinstanceofself—denialwasregisteredinherheart，andshelovedhim，forlovinghertoowelltogivewaytothetransportsofpassion。
Theymetagainandagain;andDarnforddeclared，whilepassionsuffusedhischeeks，thatheneverbeforeknewwhatitwastolove。——
OnemorningJemimainformedMaria，thathermasterintendedtowaitonher，andspeaktoherwithoutwitnesses。Hecame，andbroughtaletterwithhim，pretendingthathewasignorantofitscontents，thoughheinsistedonhavingitreturnedtohim。Itwasfromtheattorneyalreadymentioned，whoinformedherofthedeathofherchild，andhinted，"thatshecouldnotnowhavealegitimateheir，andthat，wouldshemakeoverthehalfofherfortuneduringlife，sheshouldbeconveyedtoDover，andpermittedtopursueherplanoftravelling。"
Mariaansweredwithwarmth，"Thatshehadnotermstomakewiththemurdererofherbabe，norwouldshepurchaselibertyatthepriceofherownrespect。"
Shebegantoexpostulatewithherjailor;buthesternlybadeher"Besilent——hehadnotgonesofar，nottogofurther。"
Darnfordcameintheevening。Jemimawasobligedtobeabsent，andshe，asusual，lockedthedooronthem，topreventinterruptionordiscovery。——Theloverswere，atfirst，embarrassed;butfellinsensiblyintoconfidentialdiscourse。Darnfordrepresented，"thattheymightsoonbeparted，"andwishedher"toputitoutofthepoweroffatetoseparatethem。"
Asherhusbandshenowreceivedhim，andhesolemnlypledgedhimselfasherprotector——andeternalfriend。——
TherewasonepeculiarityinMaria’smind：shewasmoreanxiousnottodeceive，thantoguardagainstdeception;andhadrathertrustwithoutsufficientreason，thanbeforeverthepreyofdoubt。
Besides，whatarewe，whenthemindhas，fromreflection，acertainkindofelevation，whichexaltsthecontemplationabovethelittleconcernsofprudence！Weseewhatwewish，andmakeaworldofourown——and，thoughrealitymaysometimesopenadoortomisery，yetthemomentsofhappinessprocuredbytheimagination，may，withoutaparadox，bereckonedamongthesolidcomfortsoflife。Marianow，imaginingthatshehadfoundabeingofcelestialmould——washappy，——norwasshedeceived。——Hewasthenplasticinherimpassionedhand——andreflectedallthesentimentswhichanimatedandwarmedher。*
*Twoandahalflinesofdashesfollowhereintheoriginal[Publisher’snote]。
CHAPTER16
ONEmorningconfusionseemedtoreigninthehouse，andJemimacameinterror，toinformMaria，"thathermasterhadleftit，withadetermination，shewasassured（andtoomanycircumstancescorroboratedtheopinion，toleaveadoubtofitstruth）ofneverreturning。Iampreparedthen，"saidJemima，"toaccompanyyouinyourflight。"
Mariastartedup，hereyesdartingtowardsthedoor，asifafraidthatsomeoneshouldfastenitonherforever。
Jemimacontinued，"Ihaveperhapsnorightnowtoexpecttheperformanceofyourpromise;butonyouitdependstoreconcilemewiththehumanrace。"
"ButDarnford！"——exclaimedMaria，mournfully——sittingdownagain，andcrossingherarms——"Ihavenochildtogoto，andlibertyhaslostitssweets。"
"Iammuchmistaken，ifDarnfordisnotthecauseofmymaster’sflight——hiskeepersassureme，thattheyhavepromisedtoconfinehimtwodayslonger，andthenhewillbefree——youcannotseehim;
buttheywillgivealettertohimthemomentheisfree。——InthatinformhimwherehemayfindyouinLondon;fixonsomehotel。
Givemeyourclothes;Iwillsendthemoutofthehousewithmine，andwewillslipoutatthegarden—gate。WriteyourletterwhileImakethesearrangements，butlosenotime！"
Inanagitationofspirit，nottobecalmed，MariabegantowritetoDarnford。Shecalledhimbythesacrednameof"husband，"
andbadehim"hastentoher，toshareherfortune，orshewouldreturntohim。"——AnhotelintheAdelphiwastheplaceofrendezvous。
Theletterwassealedandgivenincharge;andwithlightfootsteps，yetterrifiedatthesoundofthem，shedescended，scarcelybreathing，andwithanindistinctfearthatsheshouldnevergetoutatthegardengate。Jemimawentfirst。
Abeing，withavisagethatwouldhavesuitedonepossessedbyadevil，crossedthepath，andseizedMariabythearm。Mariahadnofearbutofbeingdetained——"Whoareyou？whatareyou？"
fortheformwasscarcelyhuman。"Ifyouaremadeoffleshandblood，"hisghastlyeyesglaredonher，"donotstopme！"
"Woman，"interruptedasepulchralvoice，"whathaveItodowiththee？"——Stillhegraspedherhand，mutteringacurse。
"No，no;youhavenothingtodowithme，"sheexclaimed，"thisisamomentoflifeanddeath！"——
Withsupernaturalforceshebrokefromhim，and，throwingherarmsroundJemima，cried，"Saveme！"Thebeing，fromwhosegraspshehadloosedherself，tookupastoneastheyopenedthedoor，andwithakindofhellishsportthrewitafterthem。Theywereoutofhisreach。
WhenMariaarrivedintown，shedrovetothehotelalreadyfixedon。Butshecouldnotsitstill——herchildwaseverbeforeher;andallthathadpassedduringherconfinement，appearedtobeadream。Shewenttothehouseinthesuburbs，where，asshenowdiscovered，herbabehadbeensent。Themomentsheentered，herheartgrewsick;butshewonderednotthatithadproveditsgrave。Shemadethenecessaryenquiries，andthechurch—yardwaspointedout，inwhichitrestedunderaturf。Alittlefrockwhichthenurse’schildwore（Mariahadmadeitherself）caughthereye。
Thenursewasgladtosellitforhalf—a—guinea，andMariahastenedawaywiththerelic，and，reenteringthehackney—coachwhichwaitedforher，gazedonit，tillshereachedherhotel。
Shethenwaitedontheattorneywhohadmadeheruncle’swill，andexplainedtohimhersituation。Hereadilyadvancedhersomeofthemoneywhichstillremainedinhishands，andpromisedtotakethewholeofthecaseintoconsideration。Mariaonlywishedtobepermittedtoremaininquiet——Shefoundthatseveralbills，apparentlywithhersignature，hadbeenpresentedtoheragent，norwassheforamomentatalosstoguessbywhomtheyhadbeenforged;yet，equallyaversetothreatenorintreat，sherequestedherfriend[thesolicitor]tocallonMr。Venables。Hewasnottobefoundathome;butatlengthhisagent，theattorney，offeredaconditionalpromisetoMaria，toleaveherinpeace，aslongasshebehavedwithpropriety，ifshewouldgiveupthenotes。Mariainconsideratelyconsented——Darnfordwasarrived，andshewishedtobeonlyalivetolove;shewishedtoforgettheanguishshefeltwhenevershethoughtofherchild。
Theytookareadyfurnishedlodgingtogether，forshewasabovedisguise;Jemimainsistingonbeingconsideredasherhouse—keeper，andtoreceivethecustomarystipend。Onnoothertermswouldsheremainwithherfriend。
Darnfordwasindefatigableintracingthemysteriouscircumstancesofhisconfinement。Thecausewassimply，thatarelation，averydistantone，towhomhewasheir，haddiedintestate，leavingaconsiderablefortune。OnthenewsofDarnford’sarrival[inEngland，aperson，intrustedwiththemanagementoftheproperty，andwhohadthewritingsinhispossession，determining，byoneboldstroke，tostripDarnfordofthesuccession，]hadplannedhisconfinement;and[assoonashehadtakenthemeasureshejudgedmostconducivetohisobject，thisruffian，togetherwithhisinstrument，]thekeeperoftheprivatemad—house，leftthekingdom。
Darnford，whostillpursuedhisenquiries，atlastdiscoveredthattheyhadfixedtheirplaceofrefugeatParis。
Mariaandhedeterminedtherefore，withthefaithfulJemima，tovisitthatmetropolis，andaccordinglywerepreparingforthejourney，whentheywereinformedthatMr。VenableshadcommencedanactionagainstDarnfordforseductionandadultery。TheindignationMariafeltcannotbeexplained;sherepentedoftheforbearanceshehadexercisedingivingupthenotes。Darnfordcouldnotputoffhisjourney，withoutriskingthelossofhisproperty：Mariathereforefurnishedhimwithmoneyforhisexpedition;
anddeterminedtoremaininLondontilltheterminationofthisaffair。
Shevisitedsomeladieswithwhomshehadformerlybeenintimate，butwasrefusedadmittance;andattheopera，orRanelagh，theycouldnotrecollecther。Amongtheseladiesthereweresome，nothermostintimateacquaintance，whoweregenerallysupposedtoavailthemselvesoftheclokeofmarriage，toconcealamodeofconduct，thatwouldforeverhavedamnedtheirfame，hadtheybeeninnocent，seducedgirls。Theseparticularlystoodaloof。——Hadsheremainedwithherhusband，practicinginsincerity，andneglectingherchildtomanageanintrigue，shewouldstillhavebeenvisitedandrespected。If，insteadofopenlylivingwithherlover，shecouldhavecondescendedtocallintoplayathousandarts，which，degradingherownmind，mighthaveallowedthepeoplewhowerenotdeceived，topretendtobeso，shewouldhavebeencaressedandtreatedlikeanhonourablewoman。"AndBrutus*isanhonourableman！"saidMark—Antonywithequalsincerity。
*ThenameinthemanuscriptisbymistakewrittenCaesar。
EDITOR。[Godwin’snote]
WithDarnfordshedidnottasteuninterruptedfelicity;therewasavolatilityinhismannerwhichoftendistressedher;butlovegladdenedthescene;besides，hewasthemosttender，sympathizingcreatureintheworld。Afondnessforthesexoftengivesanappearanceofhumanitytothebehaviourofmen，whohavesmallpretensionstothereality;andtheyseemtoloveothers，whentheyareonlypursuingtheirowngratification。Darnfordappearedeverwillingtoavailhimselfofhertasteandacquirements，whilesheendeavouredtoprofitbyhisdecisionofcharacter，andtoeradicatesomeoftheromanticnotions，whichhadtakenrootinhermind，whileinadversityshehadbroodedovervisionsofunattainablebliss。
Therealaffectionsoflife，whentheyareallowedtoburstforth，arebudspregnantwithjoyandallthesweetemotionsofthesoul;yettheybranchoutwithwildease，unliketheartificialformsoffelicity，sketchedbyanimaginationpainfulalive。Thesubstantialhappiness，whichenlargesandcivilizesthemind，maybecomparedtothepleasureexperiencedinrovingthroughnatureatlarge，inhalingthesweetgalenaturaltotheclime;whilethereveriesofafeverishimaginationcontinuallysportthemselvesingardensfullofaromaticshrubs，whichcloywhiletheydelight，andweakenthesenseofpleasuretheygratify。
Theheavenoffancy，beloworbeyondthestars，inthislife，orinthoseever—smilingregionssurroundedbytheunmarkedoceanoffuturity，haveaninsipiduniformitywhichpalls。Poetshaveimaginedscenesofbliss;but，sencingoutsorrow，alltheextaticemotionsoftheSoul，andevenitsgrandeur，seemtobeequallyexcluded。Wedoseovertheunruffledlake，andlongtoscaletherockswhichfencethehappyvalleyofcontentment，thoughserpentshissinthepathlessdesert，anddangerlurksintheunexploredwiles。Mariafoundherselfmoreindulgentasshewashappier，anddiscoveredvirtues，incharactersshehadbeforedisregarded，whilechasingthephantomsofeleganceandexcellence，whichsportedinthemeteorsthatexhaleinthemarshesofmisfortune。Theheartisoftenshutbyromanceagainstsocialpleasure;and，fosteringasicklysensibility，growscalloustothesofttouchesofhumanity。
TopartwithDarnfordwasindeedcruel。——Itwastofeelmostpainfullyalone;butsherejoicedtothink，thatsheshouldsparehimthecareandperplexityofthesuit，andmeethimagain，allhisown。Marriage，asatpresentconstituted，sheconsideredasleadingtoimmorality——yet，astheodiumofsocietyimpedesusefulness，shewishedtoavowheraffectiontoDarnford，bybecominghiswifeaccordingtoestablishedrules;nottobeconfoundedwithwomenwhoactfromverydifferentmotives，thoughherconductwouldbejustthesamewithouttheceremonyaswithit，andherexpectationsfromhimnotlessfirm。Thebeingsummonedtodefendherselffromachargewhichshewasdeterminedtopleadguiltyto，wasstillgalling，asitrousedbitterreflectionsonthesituationofwomeninsociety。
CHAPTER17
SUCHwasherstateofmindwhenthedogsoflawwereletlooseonher。MariatookthetaskofconductingDarnford’sdefenceuponherself。Sheinstructedhiscounseltopleadguiltytothechargeofadultery;buttodenythatofseduction。
Thecounselfortheplaintiffopenedthecause，byobserving，"thathisclienthadeverbeenanindulgenthusband，andhadbornewithseveraldefectsoftemper，whilehehadnothingcriminaltolaytothechargeofhiswife。Butthatshelefthishousewithoutassigninganycause。Hecouldnotassertthatshewasthenacquaintedwiththedefendant;yet，whenhewasonceendeavouringtobringherbacktoherhome，thismanputthepeace—officerstoflight，andtookherheknewnotwhither。Afterthebirthofherchild，herconductwassostrange，andamelancholymaladyhavingafflictedoneofthefamily，whichdelicacyforbadethedwellingon，itwasnecessarytoconfineher。Bysomemeansthedefendantenabledhertomakeherescape，andtheyhadlivedtogether，indespiteofallsenseoforderanddecorum。Theadulterywasallowed，itwasnotnecessarytobringanywitnessestoproveit;buttheseduction，thoughhighlyprobablefromthecircumstanceswhichhehadthehonourtostate，couldnotbesoclearlyproved。——Itwasofthemostatrociouskind，asdecencywassetatdefiance，andrespectforreputation，whichshowsinternalcompunction，utterlydisregarded。"
Astrongsenseofinjusticehadsilencedeverymotion，whichamixtureoftrueandfalsedelicacymightotherwisehaveexcitedinMaria’sbosom。Sheonlyfeltinearnesttoinsistontheprivilegeofhernature。Thesarcasmsofsociety，andthecondemnationsofamistakenworld，werenothingtoher，comparedwithactingcontrarytothosefeelingswhichwerethefoundationofherprinciples。[Shethereforeeagerlyputherselfforward，insteadofdesiringtobeabsent，onthismemorableoccasion。]
Convincedthatthesubterfugesofthelawweredisgraceful，shewroteapaper，whichsheexpresslydesiredmightbereadincourt：
"Marriedwhenscarcelyabletodistinguishthenatureoftheengagement，Iyetsubmittedtotherigidlawswhichenslavewomen，andobeyedthemanwhomIcouldnolongerlove。Whetherthedutiesofthestatearereciprocal，Imeannottodiscuss;butIcanproverepeatedinfidelitieswhichIoverlookedorpardoned。Witnessesarenotwantingtoestablishthesefacts。Iatpresentmaintainthechildofamaidservant，sworntohim，andbornafterourmarriage。Iamreadytoallow，thateducationandcircumstancesleadmentothinkandactwithlessdelicacy，thanthepreservationoforderinsocietydemandsfromwomen;butsurelyImaywithoutassumptiondeclare，that，thoughIcouldexcusethebirth，Icouldnotthedesertionofthisunfortunatebabe：——and，whileIdespisedtheman，itwasnoteasytoveneratethehusband。Withproperrestrictionshowever，Ireveretheinstitutionwhichfraternizestheworld。Iexclaimagainstthelawswhichthrowthewholeweightoftheyokeontheweakershoulders，andforcewomen，whentheyclaimprotectorshipasmothers，tosignacontract，whichrendersthemdependentonthecapriceofthetyrant，whomchoiceornecessityhasappointedtoreignoverthem。Variousarethecases，inwhichawomanoughttoseparateherselffromherhusband;andmine，Imaybeallowedemphaticallytoinsist，comesunderthedescriptionofthemostaggravated。
"Iwillnotenlargeonthoseprovocationswhichonlytheindividualcanestimate;butwillbringforwardsuchchargesonly，thetruthofwhichisaninsultuponhumanity。Inordertopromotecertaindestructivespeculations，Mr。Venablesprevailedonmetoborrowcertainsumsofawealthyrelation;and，whenIrefusedfurthercompliance，hethoughtofbarteringmyperson;andnotonlyallowedopportunitiesto，buturged，afriendfromwhomheborrowedmoney，toseduceme。Onthediscoveryofthisactofatrocity，Ideterminedtoleavehim，andinthemostdecidedmanner，forever。
Iconsiderallobligationsasmadevoidbyhisconduct;andhold，thatschismswhichproceedfromwantofprinciples，canneverbehealed。
"Hereceivedafortunewithmetotheamountoffivethousandpounds。Onthedeathofmyuncle，convincedthatIcouldprovideformychild，Idestroyedthesettlementofthatfortune。Irequirednoneofmypropertytobereturnedtome，norshallenumeratethesumsextortedfrommeduringsixyearsthatwelivedtogether。
"Afterleaving，whatthelawconsidersasmyhome，Iwashuntedlikeacriminalfromplacetoplace，thoughIcontractednodebts，anddemandednomaintenance——yet，asthelawssanctionsuchproceeding，andmakewomenthepropertyoftheirhusbands，Iforbeartoanimadvert。Afterthebirthofmydaughter，andthedeathofmyuncle，wholeftaveryconsiderablepropertytomyselfandchild，Iwasexposedtonewpersecution;and，becauseIhad，beforearrivingatwhatistermedyearsofdiscretion，pledgedmyfaith，Iwastreatedbytheworld，asboundforevertoamanwhoseviceswerenotorious。Yetwhatarethevicesgenerallyknown，tothevariousmiseriesthatawomanmaybesubjectto，which，thoughdeeplyfelt，eatingintothesoul，eludedescription，andmaybeglossedover！
Afalsemoralityisevenestablished，whichmakesallthevirtueofwomenconsistinchastity，submission，andtheforgivenessofinjuries。
"Ipardonmyoppressor——bitterlyasIlamentthelossofmychild，tornfrommeinthemostviolentmanner。Butnaturerevolts，andmysoulsickensatthebaresupposition，thatitcouldeverbeadutytopretendaffection，whenaseparationisnecessarytopreventmyfeelinghourlyaversion。
"Toforcemetogivemyfortune，Iwasimprisoned——yes;inaprivatemad—house。——There，intheheartofmisery，Imetthemanchargedwithseducingme。Webecameattached——Ideemed，andevershalldeem，myselffree。Thedeathofmybabedissolvedtheonlytiewhichsubsistedbetweenmeandmy，whatistermed，lawfulhusband。
"Tothisperson，thusencountered，Ivoluntarilygavemyself，neverconsideringmyselfasanymoreboundtotransgressthelawsofmoralpurity，becausethewillofmyhusbandmightbepleadedinmyexcuse，thantotransgressthoselawstowhich[thepolicyofartificialsocietyhas]annexed[positive]punishments。——Whilenocommandofahusbandcanpreventawomanfromsufferingforcertaincrimes，shemustbeallowedtoconsultherconscience，andregulateherconduct，insomedegree，byherownsenseofright。
TherespectIowetomyself，demandedmystrictadherencetomydeterminationofneverviewingMr。Venablesinthelightofahusband，norcoulditforbidmefromencouraginganother。IfIamunfortunatelyunitedtoanunprincipledman，amIforevertobeshutoutfromfulfillingthedutiesofawifeandmother？——Iwishmycountrytoapproveofmyconduct;but，iflawsexist，madebythestrongtooppresstheweak，Iappealtomyownsenseofjustice，anddeclarethatIwillnotlivewiththeindividual，whohasviolatedeverymoralobligationwhichbindsmantoman。
"Iprotestequallyagainstanychargebeingbroughttocriminatetheman，whomIconsiderasmyhusband。Iwassix—and—twentywhenIleftMr。Venables’roof;ifeverIamtobesupposedtoarriveatanagetodirectmyownactions，Imustbythattimehavearrivedatit。——Iactedwithdeliberation。——Mr。Darnfordfoundmeaforlornandoppressedwoman，andpromisedtheprotectionwomeninthepresentstateofsocietywant。——Butthemanwhonowclaimsme——washedeprivedofmysocietybythisconduct？Thequestionisaninsulttocommonsense，consideringwhereMr。Darnfordmetme。——Mr。
Venables’doorwasindeedopentome——nay，threatsandintreatieswereusedtoinducemetoreturn;butwhy？Wasaffectionorhonourthemotive？——Icannot，itistrue，diveintotherecessesofthehumanheart——yetIpresumetoassert，[borneoutasIambyavarietyofcircumstances，]thathewasmerelyinfluencedbythemostrapaciousavarice。
"Iclaimthenadivorce，andthelibertyofenjoying，freefrommolestation，thefortunelefttomebyarelation，whowaswellawareofthecharacterofthemanwithwhomIhadtocontend。——I
appealtothejusticeandhumanityofthejury——abodyofmen，whoseprivatejudgmentmustbeallowedtomodifylaws，thatmustbeunjust，becausedefiniterulescanneverapplytoindefinitecircumstances——andIdeprecatepunishmentuponthemanofmychoice，freeinghim，asIsolemnlydo，fromthechargeofseduction。]
"Ididnotputmyselfintoasituationtojustifyachargeofadultery，tillIhad，fromconviction，shakenoffthefetterswhichboundmetoMr。Venables。——WhileIlivedwithhim，Idefythevoiceofcalumnytosullywhatistermedthefairfameofwoman。——
Neglectedbymyhusband，Ineverencouragedalover;andpreservedwithscrupulouscare，whatistermedmyhonour，attheexpenceofmypeace，tillhe，whoshouldhavebeenitsguardian，laidtrapstoensnareme。FromthatmomentIbelievedmyself，inthesightofheaven，free——andnopoweronearthshallforcemetorenouncemyresolution。"
Thejudge，insumminguptheevidence，alludedto"thefallacyoflettingwomenpleadtheirfeelings，asanexcusefortheviolationofthemarriage—vow。Forhispart，hehadalwaysdeterminedtoopposeallinnovation，andthenewfanglednotionswhichincroachedonthegoodoldrulesofconduct。WedidnotwantFrenchprinciplesinpublicorprivatelife——and，ifwomenwereallowedtopleadtheirfeelings，asanexcuseorpalliationofinfidelity，itwasopeningaflood—gateforimmorality。Whatvirtuouswomanthoughtofherfeelings？——Itwasherdutytoloveandobeythemanchosenbyherparentsandrelations，whowerequalifiedbytheirexperiencetojudgebetterforher，thanshecouldforherself。Astothechargesbroughtagainstthehusband，theywerevague，supportedbynowitnesses，exceptingthatofimprisonmentinaprivatemadhouse。
Theproofsofaninsanityinthefamily，mightrenderthathoweveraprudentmeasure;andindeedtheconductoftheladydidnotappearthatofapersonofsanemind。Stillsuchamodeofproceedingcouldnotbejustified，andmightperhapsentitlethelady[inanothercourt]toasentenceofseparationfrombedandboard，duringthejointlivesoftheparties;buthehopedthatnoEnglishmanwouldlegalizeadultery，byenablingtheadulteresstoenrichherseducer。Toomanyrestrictionscouldnotbethrowninthewayofdivorces，ifwewishedtomaintainthesanctityofmarriage;and，thoughtheymightbearalittlehardonafew，veryfewindividuals，itwasevidentlyforthegoodofthewhole。"
CONCLUSION
BYTHEEDITOR*
*i。e。，Godwin[Publisher’snote]。
VERYFEWhintsexistrespectingtheplanoftheremainderofthework。Ifindonlytwodetachedsentences，andsomescatteredheadsforthecontinuationofthestory。Itranscribethewhole。
I。
"Darnford’sletterswereaffectionate;butcircumstancesoccasioneddelays，andthemiscarriageofsomelettersrenderedthereceptionofwished—foranswersdoubtful：hisreturnwasnecessarytocalmMaria’smind。"
II。
"AsDarnfordhadinformedherthathisbusinesswassettled，hisdelayingtoreturnseemedextraordinary;butlovetoexcess，excludesfearorsuspicion。"
Thescatteredheadsforthecontinuationofthestory，areasfollow。*
*Tounderstandtheseminutes，itisnecessarythereadershouldconsidereachofthemassettingoutfromthesamepointinthestory，viz。thepointtowhichitisbroughtdownintheprecedingchapter。[Godwin’snote]
I。
"Trialforadultery——Mariadefendsherself——Aseparationfrombedandboardistheconsequence——Herfortuneisthrownintochancery——Darnfordobtainsapartofhisproperty——Mariagoesintothecountry。"
II。
"Aprosecutionforadulterycommenced——Trial——DarnfordsetsoutforFrance——Letters——Oncemorepregnant——Hereturns——Mysteriousbehaviour——Visit——Expectation——Discovery——Interview——Consequence。
III。
"Suedbyherhusband——Damagesawardedtohim——Separationfrombedandboard——Darnfordgoesabroad——Mariaintothecountry——Providesforherfather——Isshunned——ReturnstoLondon——Expectstoseeherlover——Therackofexpectation——Findsherselfagainwithchild——
Delighted——Adiscovery——Avisit——Amiscarriage——Conclusion。"
IV。
"Divorcedbyherhusband——Herloverunfaithful——Pregnancy——
Miscarriage——Suicide。"
[Thefollowingpassageappearsinsomerespectstodeviatefromtheprecedinghints。Itissuperscribed]
"THEEND。
"Sheswallowedthelaudanum;hersoulwascalm——thetempesthadsubsided——andnothingremainedbutaneagerlongingtoforgetherself——toflyfromtheanguishsheenduredtoescapefromthought——fromthishellofdisappointment。
"Stillhereyesclosednot——oneremembrancewithfrightfulvelocityfollowedanother——Alltheincidentsofherlifewereinarms，embodiedtoassailher，andpreventhersinkingintothesleepofdeath。——Hermurderedchildagainappearedtoher，mourningforthebabeofwhichshewasthetomb。——’Andcouldithaveanobler？——Surelyitisbettertodiewithme，thantoenteronlifewithoutamother’scare！——Icannotlive！——butcouldIhavedesertedmychildthemomentitwasborn？——thrownitonthetroubledwaveoflife，withoutahandtosupportit？’——Shelookedup：’WhathaveInotsuffered！——mayIfindafatherwhereIamgoing！——Herheadturned;astuporensued;afaintness——’Havealittlepatience，’
saidMaria，holdingherswimminghead（shethoughtofhermother），’thiscannotlastlong;andwhatisalittlebodilypaintothepangsIhaveendured？’
"Anewvisionswambeforeher。Jemimaseemedtoenter——
leadingalittlecreature，that，withtotteringfootsteps，approachedthebed。ThevoiceofJemimasoundingasatadistance，calledher——shetriedtolisten，tospeak，tolook！
"’Beholdyourchild！’exclaimedJemima。Mariastartedoffthebed，andfainted。——Violentvomitingfollowed。
"Whenshewasrestoredtolife，Jemimaaddressedherwithgreatsolemnity：’—————ledmetosuspect，thatyourhusbandandbrotherhaddeceivedyou，andsecretedthechild。Iwouldnottormentyouwithdoubtfulhopes，andIleftyou（atafatalmoment）
tosearchforthechild！——Isnatchedherfrommisery——and（nowsheisaliveagain）wouldyouleaveheraloneintheworld，toendurewhatIhaveendured？’
"Mariagazedwildlyather，herwholeframewasconvulsedwithemotion;whenthechild，whomJemimahadbeentutoringallthejourney，utteredtheword’Mamma！’Shecaughthertoherbosom，andburstintoapassionoftears——then，restingthechildgentlyonthebed，asifafraidofkillingit，——sheputherhandtohereyes，toconcealasitweretheagonizingstruggleofhersoul。
Sheremainedsilentforfiveminutes，crossingherarmsoverherbosom，andrecliningherhead，——thenexclaimed：’Theconflictisover！——Iwillliveformychild！’"
Afewreadersperhaps，inlookingoverthesehints，willwonderhowitcouldhavebeenpracticable，withouttediousness，orremittinginanydegreetheinterestofthestory，tohavefilled，fromtheseslightsketches，anumberofpages，moreconsiderablethanthosewhichhavebeenalreadypresented。But，inreality，thesehints，simpleastheyare，arepregnantwithpassionanddistress。Itistherefugeofbarrenauthorsonly，tocrowdtheirfictionswithsogreatanumberofevents，astosuffernooneofthemtosinkintothereader’smind。Itistheprovinceoftruegeniustodevelopevents，todiscovertheircapabilities，toascertainthedifferentpassionsandsentimentswithwhichtheyarefraught，andtodiversifythemwithincidents，thatgiverealitytothepicture，andtakeaholduponthemindofareaderoftaste，fromwhichtheycanneverbeloosened。Itwasparticularlythedesignoftheauthor，inthepresentinstance，tomakeherstorysubordinatetoagreatmoralpurpose，that"ofexhibitingthemiseryandoppression，peculiartowomen，thatariseoutofthepartiallawsandcustomsofsociety。——Thisviewrestrainedherfancy。"*Itwasnecessaryforher，toplaceinastrikingpointofview，evilsthataretoofrequentlyoverlooked，andtodragintolightthosedetailsofoppression，ofwhichthegrosserandmoreinsensiblepartofmankindmakelittleaccount。
*Seeauthor’spreface。[Godwin’snote]