MissPolewasevidentlyanxioustoprovethatsuchterribleeventshadoccurredwithinherexperiencethatshewasjustifiedinhersuddenpanic；andMissMattydidnotliketobeoutdone，andcappedeverystorywithoneyetmorehorrible，tillitremindedmeoddlyenough，ofanoldstoryIhadreadsomewhere，ofanightingaleandamusician，whostroveoneagainsttheotherwhichcouldproducethemostadmirablemusic，tillpoorPhilomeldroppeddowndead。
　　OneofthestoriesthathauntedmeforalongtimeafterwardswasofagirlwhowasleftinchargeofagreathouseinCumberlandonsomeparticularfair—day，whentheotherservantsallwentofftothegaieties。ThefamilywereawayinLondon，andapedlarcameby，andaskedtoleavehislargeandheavypackinthekitchen，sayinghewouldcallforitagainatnight；andthegirl（agamekeeper’sdaughter），roamingaboutinsearchofamusement，chancedtohituponagunhangingupinthehall，andtookitdowntolookatthechasing；anditwentoffthroughtheopenkitchendoor，hitthepack，andaslowdarkthreadofbloodcameoozingout。（HowMissPoleenjoyedthispartofthestory，dwellingoneachwordasifshelovedit！）Sheratherhurriedoverthefurtheraccountofthegirl’sbravery，andIhavebutaconfusedideathat，somehow，shebaffledtherobberswithItalianirons，heatedred—
　　hot，andthenrestoredtoblacknessbybeingdippedingrease。
　　Wepartedforthenightwithanawe—strickenwonderastowhatweshouldhearofinthemorning—and，onmypart，withavehementdesireforthenighttobeoverandgone：Iwassoafraidlesttherobbersshouldhaveseen，fromsomedarklurking—place，thatMissPolehadcarriedoffherplate，andthushaveadoublemotiveforattackingourhouse。
　　ButuntilLadyGlenmirecametocallnextdayweheardofnothingunusual。Thekitchenfire—ironswereinexactlythesamepositionagainstthebackdooraswhenMarthaandIhadskilfullypiledthemup，likespillikins，readytofallwithanawfulclatterifonlyacathadtouchedtheoutsidepanels。Ihadwonderedwhatweshouldalldoifthusawakenedandalarmed，andhadproposedtoMissMattythatweshouldcoverupourfacesunderthebedclothessothatthereshouldbenodangeroftherobbersthinkingthatwecouldidentifythem；butMissMatty，whowastremblingverymuch，scoutedthisidea，andsaidweowedittosocietytoapprehendthem，andthatsheshouldcertainlydoherbesttolayholdofthemandlockthemupinthegarrettillmorning。
　　WhenLadyGlenmirecame，wealmostfeltjealousofher。MrsJamieson’shousehadreallybeenattacked；atleastthereweremen’sfootstepstobeseenontheflowerborders，underneaththekitchenwindows，"wherenaemenshouldbe；"andCarlohadbarkedallthroughthenightasifstrangerswereabroad。MrsJamiesonhadbeenawakenedbyLadyGlenmire，andtheyhadrungthebellwhichcommunicatedwithMrMulliner’sroominthethirdstorey，andwhenhisnight—cappedheadhadappearedoverthebannisters，inanswertothesummons，theyhadtoldhimoftheiralarm，andthereasonsforit；whereuponheretreatedintohisbedroom，andlockedthedoor（forfearofdraughts，asheinformedtheminthemorning），andopenedthewindow，andcalledoutvaliantlytosay，ifthesupposedrobberswouldcometohimhewouldfightthem；but，asLadyGlenmireobserved，thatwasbutpoorcomfort，sincetheywouldhavetopassbyMrsJamieson’sroomandherownbeforetheycouldreachhim，andmustbeofaverypugnaciousdispositionindeediftheyneglectedtheopportunitiesofrobberypresentedbytheunguardedlowerstoreys，togouptoagarret，andthereforceadoorinordertogetatthechampionofthehouse。LadyGlenmire，afterwaitingandlisteningforsometimeinthedrawing—
　　room，hadproposedtoMrsJamiesonthattheyshouldgotobed；butthatladysaidsheshouldnotfeelcomfortableunlessshesatupandwatched；and，accordingly，shepackedherselfwarmlyuponthesofa，whereshewasfoundbythehousemaid，whenshecameintotheroomatsixo’clock，fastasleep；butLadyGlenmirewenttobed，andkeptawakeallnight。
　　WhenMissPoleheardofthis，shenoddedherheadingreatsatisfaction。ShehadbeensureweshouldhearofsomethinghappeninginCranfordthatnight；andwehadheard。Itwasclearenoughtheyhadfirstproposedtoattackherhouse；butwhentheysawthatsheandBettywereontheirguard，andhadcarriedofftheplate，theyhadchangedtheirtacticsandgonetoMrsJamieson’s，andnooneknewwhatmighthavehappenedifCarlohadnotbarked，likeagooddogashewas！
　　PoorCarlo！hisbarkingdayswerenearlyover。Whetherthegangwhoinfestedtheneighbourhoodwereafraidofhim，orwhethertheywererevengefulenough，forthewayinwhichhehadbaffledthemonthenightinquestion，topoisonhim；orwhether，assomeamongthemoreuneducatedpeoplethought，hediedofapoplexy，broughtonbytoomuchfeedingandtoolittleexercise；atanyrate，itiscertainthat，twodaysafterthiseventfulnight，Carlowasfounddead，withhispoorlegsstretchedoutstiffintheattitudeofrunning，asifbysuchunusualexertionhecouldescapethesurepursuer，Death。
　　WewereallsorryforCarlo，theoldfamiliarfriendwhohadsnappedatusforsomanyyears；andthemysteriousmodeofhisdeathmadeusveryuncomfortable。CouldSignorBrunonibeatthebottomofthis？Hehadapparentlykilledacanarywithonlyawordofcommand；hiswillseemedofdeadlyforce；whoknewbutwhathemightyetbelingeringintheneighbourhoodwillingallsortsofawfulthings！
　　Wewhisperedthesefanciesamongourselvesintheevenings；butinthemorningsourcouragecamebackwiththedaylight，andinaweek’stimewehadgotovertheshockofCarlo’sdeath；allbutMrsJamieson。She，poorthing，feltitasshehadfeltnoeventsinceherhusband’sdeath；indeed，MissPolesaid，thatastheHonourableMrJamiesondrankagooddeal，andoccasionedhermuchuneasiness，itwaspossiblethatCarlo’sdeathmightbethegreateraffliction。
　　ButtherewasalwaysatingeofcynicisminMissPole’sremarks。
　　However，onethingwasclearandcertain—itwasnecessaryforMrsJamiesontohavesomechangeofscene；andMrMullinerwasveryimpressiveonthispoint，shakinghisheadwheneverweinquiredafterhismistress，andspeakingofherlossofappetiteandbadnightsveryominously；andwithjusticetoo，forifshehadtwocharacteristicsinhernaturalstateofhealththeywereafacilityofeatingandsleeping。Ifshecouldneithereatnorsleep，shemustbeindeedoutofspiritsandoutofhealth。
　　LadyGlenmire（whohadevidentlytakenverykindlytoCranford）didnotliketheideaofMrsJamieson’sgoingtoCheltenham，andmorethanonceinsinuatedprettyplainlythatitwasMrMulliner’sdoing，whohadbeenmuchalarmedontheoccasionofthehousebeingattacked，andsincehadsaid，morethanonce，thathefeltitaveryresponsiblechargetohavetodefendsomanywomen。Bethatasitmight，MrsJamiesonwenttoCheltenham，escortedbyMrMulliner；andLadyGlenmireremainedinpossessionofthehouse，herostensibleofficebeingtotakecarethatthemaid—servantsdidnotpickupfollowers。Shemadeaverypleasant—lookingdragon；
　　and，assoonasitwasarrangedforherstayinCranford，shefoundoutthatMrsJamieson’svisittoCheltenhamwasjustthebestthingintheworld。ShehadletherhouseinEdinburgh，andwasforthetimehouse—less，sothechargeofhersister—in—law’scomfortableabodewasveryconvenientandacceptable。
　　MissPolewasverymuchinclinedtoinstalherselfasaheroine，becauseofthedecidedstepsshehadtakeninflyingfromthetwomenandonewoman，whomsheentitled"thatmurderousgang。"Shedescribedtheirappearanceinglowingcolours，andInoticedthateverytimeshewentoverthestorysomefreshtraitofvillainywasaddedtotheirappearance。Onewastall—hegrewtobegiganticinheightbeforewehaddonewithhim；heofcoursehadblackhair—andby—and—byithunginelf—locksoverhisforeheadanddownhisback。Theotherwasshortandbroad—andahumpsproutedoutonhisshoulderbeforeweheardthelastofhim；hehadredhair—
　　whichdeepenedintocarroty；andshewasalmostsurehehadacastintheeye—adecidedsquint。Asforthewoman，hereyesglared，andshewasmasculine—looking—aperfectvirago；mostprobablyamandressedinwoman’sclothes；afterwards，weheardofabeardonherchin，andamanlyvoiceandastride。
　　IfMissPolewasdelightedtorecounttheeventsofthatafternoontoallinquirers，otherswerenotsoproudoftheiradventuresintherobberyline。MrHoggins，thesurgeon，hadbeenattackedathisowndoorbytworuffians，whowereconcealedintheshadowoftheporch，andsoeffectuallysilencedhimthathewasrobbedintheintervalbetweenringinghisbellandtheservant’sansweringit。MissPolewassureitwouldturnoutthatthisrobberyhadbeencommitedby"hermen，"andwenttheverydaysheheardthereporttohaveherteethexamined，andtoquestionMrHoggins。Shecametousafterwards；soweheardwhatshehadheard，straightanddirectfromthesource，whilewewereyetintheexcitementandflutteroftheagitationcausedbythefirstintelligence；fortheeventhadonlyoccurredthenightbefore。
　　"Well！"saidMissPole，sittingdownwiththedecisionofapersonwhohasmadeuphermindastothenatureoflifeandtheworld（andsuchpeoplenevertreadlightly，orseatthemselveswithoutabump），"well，MissMatty！menwillbemen。Everymother’ssonofthemwishestobeconsideredSamsonandSolomonrolledintoone—
　　toostrongevertobebeatenordiscomfited—toowiseevertobeoutwitted。Ifyouwillnotice，theyhavealwaysforeseenevents，thoughtheynevertelloneforone’swarningbeforetheeventshappen。Myfatherwasaman，andIknowthesexprettywell。"
　　Shehadtalkedherselfoutofbreath，andweshouldhavebeenverygladtofillupthenecessarypauseaschorus，butwedidnotexactlyknowwhattosay，orwhichmanhadsuggestedthisdiatribeagainstthesex；soweonlyjoinedingenerally，withagraveshakeofthehead，andasoftmurmurof"Theyareveryincomprehensible，certainly！"
　　"Now，onlythink，"saidshe。"There，Ihaveundergonetheriskofhavingoneofmyremainingteethdrawn（foroneisterriblyatthemercyofanysurgeon—dentist；andI，forone，alwaysspeakthemfairtillIhavegotmymouthoutoftheirclutches），and，afterall，MrHogginsistoomuchofamantoownthathewasrobbedlastnight。"
　　"Notrobbed！"exclaimedthechorus。
　　"Don’ttellme！"MissPoleexclaimed，angrythatwecouldbeforamomentimposedupon。"Ibelievehewasrobbed，justasBettytoldme，andheisashamedtoownit；and，tobesure，itwasverysillyofhimtoberobbedjustathisowndoor；Idaresayhefeelsthatsuchathingwon’traisehimintheeyesofCranfordsociety，andisanxioustoconcealit—butheneednothavetriedtoimposeuponme，bysayingImusthaveheardanexaggeratedaccountofsomepettytheftofaneckofmutton，which，itseems，wasstolenoutofthesafeinhisyardlastweek；hehadtheimpertinencetoadd，hebelievedthatthatwastakenbythecat。Ihavenodoubt，ifI
　　couldgetatthebottomofit，itwasthatIrishmandressedupinwoman’sclothes，whocamespyingaboutmyhouse，withthestoryaboutthestarvingchildren。"
　　AfterwehaddulycondemnedthewantofcandourwhichMrHogginshadevinced，andabusedmeningeneral，takinghimfortherepresentativeandtype，wegotroundtothesubjectaboutwhichwehadbeentalkingwhenMissPolecamein；namely，howfar，inthepresentdisturbedstateofthecountry，wecouldventuretoacceptaninvitationwhichMissMattyhadjustreceivedfromMrsForrester，tocomeasusualandkeeptheanniversaryofherwedding—daybydrinkingteawithheratfiveo’clock，andplayingaquietpoolafterwards。MrsForresterhadsaidthatsheaskeduswithsomediffidence，becausetheroadswere，shefeared，veryunsafe。Butshesuggestedthatperhapsoneofuswouldnotobjecttotakethesedan，andthattheothers，bywalkingbriskly，mightkeepupwiththelongtrotofthechairmen，andsowemightallarrivesafelyatOverPlace，asuburbofthetown。（No；thatistoolargeanexpression：asmallclusterofhousesseparatedfromCranfordbyabouttwohundredyardsofadarkandlonelylane。）
　　TherewasnodoubtbutthatasimilarnotewasawaitingMissPoleathome；sohercallwasaveryfortunateaffair，asitenabledustoconsulttogether。Wewouldallmuchratherhavedeclinedthisinvitation；butwefeltthatitwouldnotbequitekindtoMrsForrester，whowouldotherwisebelefttoasolitaryretrospectofhernotveryhappyorfortunatelife。MissMattyandMissPolehadbeenvisitorsonthisoccasionformanyyears，andnowtheygallantlydeterminedtonailtheircolourstothemast，andtogothroughDarknessLaneratherthanfailinloyaltytotheirfriend。
　　Butwhentheeveningcame，MissMatty（foritwasshewhowasvotedintothechair，asshehadacold），beforebeingshutdowninthesedan，likejack—in—a—box，imploredthechairmen，whatevermightbefall，nottorunawayandleaveherfastenedupthere，tobemurdered；andevenaftertheyhadpromised，Isawhertightenherfeaturesintothesterndeterminationofamartyr，andshegavemeamelancholyandominousshakeoftheheadthroughtheglass。
　　However，wegottheresafely，onlyratheroutofbreath，foritwaswhocouldtrothardestthroughDarknessLane，andIamafraidpoorMissMattywassadlyjolted。
　　MrsForresterhadmadeextrapreparations，inacknowledgmentofourexertionincomingtoseeherthroughsuchdangers。Theusualformsofgenteelignoranceastowhatherservantsmightsendupwereallgonethrough；andharmonyandPreferenceseemedlikelytobetheorderoftheevening，butforaninterestingconversationthatbeganIdon’tknowhow，butwhichhadrelation，ofcourse，totherobberswhoinfestedtheneighbourhoodofCranford。
　　HavingbravedthedangersofDarknessLane，andthushavingalittlestockofreputationforcouragetofallbackupon；andalso，Idaresay，desirousofprovingourselvessuperiortomen（VIDELICET
　　MrHoggins）inthearticleofcandour，webegantorelateourindividualfears，andtheprivateprecautionsweeachofustook。
　　Iownedthatmypetapprehensionwaseyes—eyeslookingatme，andwatchingme，glitteringoutfromsomedull，flat，woodensurface；
　　andthatifIdaredtogouptomylooking—glasswhenIwaspanic—
　　stricken，Ishouldcertainlyturnitround，withitsbacktowardsme，forfearofseeingeyesbehindmelookingoutofthedarkness。
　　IsawMissMattynervingherselfupforaconfession；andatlastoutitcame。Sheownedthat，eversinceshehadbeenagirl，shehaddreadedbeingcaughtbyherlastleg，justasshewasgettingintobed，bysomeoneconcealedunderit。Shesaid，whenshewasyoungerandmoreactive，sheusedtotakeaflyingleapfromadistance，andsobringbothherlegsupsafelyintobedatonce；
　　butthatthishadalwaysannoyedDeborah，whopiquedherselfupongettingintobedgracefully，andshehadgivenitupinconsequence。Butnowtheoldterrorwouldoftencomeoverher，especiallysinceMissPole’shousehadbeenattacked（wehadgotquitetobelieveinthefactoftheattackhavingtakenplace），andyetitwasveryunpleasanttothinkoflookingunderabed，andseeingamanconcealed，withagreat，fiercefacestaringoutatyou；soshehadbethoughtherselfofsomething—perhapsIhadnoticedthatshehadtoldMarthatobuyherapennyball，suchaschildrenplaywith—andnowsherolledthisballunderthebedeverynight：ifitcameoutontheotherside，wellandgood；ifnotshealwaystookcaretohaveherhandonthebell—rope，andmeanttocalloutJohnandHarry，justasifsheexpectedmen—
　　servantstoanswerherring。
　　Weallapplaudedthisingeniouscontrivance，andMissMattysankbackintosatisfiedsilence，withalookatMrsForresterasiftoaskforHERprivateweakness。
　　MrsForresterlookedaskanceatMissPole，andtriedtochangethesubjectalittlebytellingusthatshehadborrowedaboyfromoneoftheneighbouringcottagesandpromisedhisparentsahundredweightofcoalsatChristmas，andhissuppereveryevening，fortheloanofhimatnights。Shehadinstructedhiminhispossibledutieswhenhefirstcame；and，findinghimsensible，shehadgivenhimtheMajor’ssword（theMajorwasherlatehusband），anddesiredhimtoputitverycarefullybehindhispillowatnight，turningtheedgetowardstheheadofthepillow。Hewasasharplad，shewassure；for，spyingouttheMajor’scockedhat，hehadsaid，ifhemighthavethattowear，hewassurehecouldfrightentwoEnglishmen，orfourFrenchmenanyday。Butshehadimpresseduponhimanewthathewastolosenotimeinputtingonhatsoranythingelse；but，ifheheardanynoise，hewastorunatitwithhisdrawnsword。Onmysuggestingthatsomeaccidentmightoccurfromsuchslaughterousandindiscriminatedirections，andthathemightrushonJennygettinguptowash，andhavespittedherbeforehehaddiscoveredthatshewasnotaFrenchman，MrsForrestersaidshedidnotthinkthatthatwaslikely，forhewasaverysoundsleeper，andgenerallyhadtobewellshakenorcold—
　　piggedinamorningbeforetheycouldrousehim。Shesometimesthoughtsuchdeadsleepmustbeowingtotheheartysuppersthepoorladate，forhewashalf—starvedathome，andshetoldJennytoseethathegotagoodmealatnight。
　　StillthiswasnoconfessionofMrsForrester’speculiartimidity，andweurgedhertotelluswhatshethoughtwouldfrightenhermorethananything。Shepaused，andstirredthefire，andsnuffedthecandles，andthenshesaid，inasoundingwhisper—
　　"Ghosts！"
　　ShelookedatMissPole，asmuchastosay，shehaddeclaredit，andwouldstandbyit。Suchalookwasachallengeinitself。
　　MissPolecamedownuponherwithindigestion，spectralillusions，opticaldelusions，andagreatdealoutofDrFerrierandDrHibbertbesides。MissMattyhadratheraleaningtoghosts，asI
　　havementionedbefore，andwhatlittleshedidsaywasallonMrsForrester’sside，who，emboldenedbysympathy，protestedthatghostswereapartofherreligion；thatsurelyshe，thewidowofamajorinthearmy，knewwhattobefrightenedat，andwhatnot；inshort，IneversawMrsForrestersowarmeitherbeforeorsince，forshewasagentle，meek，enduringoldladyinmostthings。Notalltheelder—winethateverwasmulledcouldthisnightwashouttheremembranceofthisdifferencebetweenMissPoleandherhostess。Indeed，whentheelder—winewasbroughtin，itgaverisetoanewburstofdiscussion；forJenny，thelittlemaidenwhostaggeredunderthetray，hadtogiveevidenceofhavingseenaghostwithherowneyes，notsomanynightsago，inDarknessLane，theverylaneweweretogothroughonourwayhome。
　　Inspiteoftheuncomfortablefeelingwhichthislastconsiderationgaveme，IcouldnothelpbeingamusedatJenny’sposition，whichwasexceedinglylikethatofawitnessbeingexaminedandcross—
　　examinedbytwocounselwhoarenotatallscrupulousaboutaskingleadingquestions。TheconclusionIarrivedatwas，thatJennyhadcertainlyseensomethingbeyondwhatafitofindigestionwouldhavecaused。Aladyallinwhite，andwithoutherhead，waswhatshedeposedandadheredto，supportedbyaconsciousnessofthesecretsympathyofhermistressunderthewitheringscornwithwhichMissPoleregardedher。Andnotonlyshe，butmanyothers，hadseenthisheadlesslady，whosatbytheroadsidewringingherhandsasindeepgrief。MrsForresterlookedatusfromtimetotimewithanairofconscioustriumph；butthenshehadnottopassthroughDarknessLanebeforeshecouldburyherselfbeneathherownfamiliarbed—clothes。
　　Wepreservedadiscreetsilenceastotheheadlessladywhilewewereputtingonourthingstogohome，fortherewasnoknowinghowneartheghostlyheadandearsmightbe，orwhatspiritualconnectiontheymightbekeepingupwiththeunhappybodyinDarknessLane；and，therefore，evenMissPolefeltthatitwasaswellnottospeaklightlyonsuchsubjects，forfearofvexingorinsultingthatwoebegonetrunk。Atleast，soIconjecture；for，insteadofthebusyclatterusualintheoperation，wetiedonourcloaksassadlyasmutesatafuneral。MissMattydrewthecurtainsroundthewindowsofthechairtoshutoutdisagreeablesights，andthemen（eitherbecausetheywereinspiritsthattheirlaboursweresonearlyended，orbecausetheyweregoingdownhill），setoffatsucharoundandmerrypace，thatitwasallMissPoleandIcoulddotokeepupwiththem。Shehadbreathfornothingbeyondanimploring"Don’tleaveme！"utteredassheclutchedmyarmsotightlythatIcouldnothavequittedher，ghostornoghost。Whatareliefitwaswhenthemen，wearyoftheirburdenandtheirquicktrot，stoppedjustwhereHeadingleyCausewaybranchesofffromDarknessLane！MissPoleunloosedmeandcaughtatoneofthemen—
　　"Couldnotyou—couldnotyoutakeMissMattyroundbyHeadingleyCauseway？—thepavementinDarknessLanejoltsso，andsheisnotverystrong。"
　　Asmotheredvoicewasheardfromtheinsideofthechair—
　　"Oh！praygoon！Whatisthematter？Whatisthematter？Iwillgiveyousixpencemoretogoonveryfast；praydon’tstophere。"
　　"AndI’llgiveyouashilling，"saidMissPole，withtremulousdignity，"ifyou’llgobyHeadingleyCauseway。"
　　Thetwomengruntedacquiescenceandtookupthechair，andwentalongthecauseway，whichcertainlyansweredMissPole’skindpurposeofsavingMissMatty’sbones；foritwascoveredwithsoft，thickmud，andevenafalltherewouldhavebeeneasytillthegetting—upcame，whentheremighthavebeensomedifficultyinextrication。
　　CHAPTERXI—SAMUELBROWN
　　THEnextmorningImetLadyGlenmireandMissPolesettingoutonalongwalktofindsomeoldwomanwhowasfamousintheneighbourhoodforherskillinknittingwoollenstockings。MissPolesaidtome，withasmilehalf—kindlyandhalf—contemptuousuponhercountenance，"IhavebeenjusttellingLadyGlenmireofourpoorfriendMrsForrester，andherterrorofghosts。Itcomesfromlivingsomuchalone，andlisteningtothebug—a—boostoriesofthatJennyofhers。"ShewassocalmandsomuchabovesuperstitiousfearsherselfthatIwasalmostashamedtosayhowgladIhadbeenofherHeadingleyCausewaypropositionthenightbefore，andturnedofftheconversationtosomethingelse。
　　IntheafternoonMissPolecalledonMissMattytotellheroftheadventure—therealadventuretheyhadmetwithontheirmorning’swalk。Theyhadbeenperplexedabouttheexactpathwhichtheyweretotakeacrossthefieldsinordertofindtheknittingoldwoman，andhadstoppedtoinquireatalittlewaysidepublic—house，standingonthehighroadtoLondon，aboutthreemilesfromCranford。Thegoodwomanhadaskedthemtositdownandrestthemselveswhileshefetchedherhusband，whocoulddirectthembetterthanshecould；and，whiletheyweresittinginthesandedparlour，alittlegirlcamein。Theythoughtthatshebelongedtothelandlady，andbegansometriflingconversationwithher；but，onMrsRoberts’sreturn，shetoldthemthatthelittlethingwastheonlychildofacouplewhowerestayinginthehouse。Andthenshebeganalongstory，outofwhichLadyGlenmireandMissPolecouldonlygatheroneortwodecidedfacts，whichwerethat，aboutsixweeksago，alightspring—carthadbrokendownjustbeforetheirdoor，inwhichthereweretwomen，onewoman，andthischild。
　　Oneofthemenwasseriouslyhurt—nobonesbroken，only"shaken，"
　　thelandladycalledit；buthehadprobablysustainedsomesevereinternalinjury，forhehadlanguishedintheirhouseeversince，attendedbyhiswife，themotherofthislittlegirl。MissPolehadaskedwhathewas，whathelookedlike。AndMrsRobertshadmadeanswerthathewasnotlikeagentleman，noryetlikeacommonperson；ifithadnotbeenthatheandhiswifeweresuchdecent，quietpeople，shecouldalmosthavethoughthewasamountebank，orsomethingofthatkind，fortheyhadagreatboxinthecart，fullofshedidnotknowwhat。Shehadhelpedtounpackit，andtakeouttheirlinenandclothes，whentheotherman—histwin—brother，shebelievedhewas—hadgoneoffwiththehorseandcart。
　　MissPolehadbeguntohavehersuspicionsatthispoint，andexpressedherideathatitwasratherstrangethattheboxandcartandhorseandallshouldhavedisappeared；butgoodMrsRobertsseemedtohavebecomequiteindignantatMissPole’simpliedsuggestion；infact，MissPolesaidshewasasangryasifMissPolehadtoldherthatsheherselfwasaswindler。Asthebestwayofconvincingtheladies，shebethoughtherofbeggingthemtoseethewife；and，asMissPolesaid，therewasnodoubtingthehonest，worn，bronzedfaceofthewoman，whoatthefirsttenderwordfromLadyGlenmire，burstintotears，whichshewastooweaktocheckuntilsomewordfromthelandladymadeherswallowdownhersobs，inorderthatshemighttestifytotheChristiankindnessshownbyMrandMrsRoberts。MissPolecameroundwithaswingtoasvehementabeliefinthesorrowfultaleasshehadbeenscepticalbefore；and，asaproofofthis，herenergyinthepoorsufferer’sbehalfwasnothingdauntedwhenshefoundoutthathe，andnoother，wasourSignorBrunoni，towhomallCranfordhadbeenattributingallmannerofevilthissixweekspast！Yes！hiswifesaidhispropernamewasSamuelBrown—"Sam，"shecalledhim—buttothelastwepreferredcallinghim"theSignor"；itsoundedsomuchbetter。
　　TheendoftheirconversationwiththeSignoraBrunoniwasthatitwasagreedthatheshouldbeplacedundermedicaladvice，andforanyexpenseincurredinprocuringthisLadyGlenmirepromisedtoholdherselfresponsible，andhadaccordinglygonetoMrHogginstobeghimtorideovertothe"RisingSun"thatveryafternoon，andexamineintothesignor’srealstate；and，asMissPolesaid，ifitwasdesirabletoremovehimtoCranfordtobemoreimmediatelyunderMrHoggins’seye，shewouldundertaketoseeforlodgingsandarrangeabouttherent。MrsRobertshadbeenaskindascouldbeallthroughout，butitwasevidentthattheirlongresidencetherehadbeenaslightinconvenience。
　　BeforeMissPoleleftus，MissMattyandIwereasfullofthemorning’sadventureasshewas。Wetalkedaboutitalltheevening，turningitineverypossiblelight，andwewenttobedanxiousforthemorning，whenweshouldsurelyhearfromsomeonewhatMrHogginsthoughtandrecommended；for，asMissMattyobserved，thoughMrHogginsdidsay"Jack’sup，""afigforhisheels，"andcalledPreference"Pref。"shebelievedhewasaveryworthymanandaverycleversurgeon。Indeed，wewereratherproudofourdoctoratCranford，asadoctor。Weoftenwished，whenweheardofQueenAdelaideortheDukeofWellingtonbeingill，thattheywouldsendforMrHoggins；but，onconsideration，wewererathergladtheydidnot，for，ifwewereailing，whatshouldwedoifMrHogginshadbeenappointedphysician—in—ordinarytotheRoyalFamily？Asasurgeonwewereproudofhim；butasaman—orrather，Ishouldsay，asagentleman—wecouldonlyshakeourheadsoverhisnameandhimself，andwishedthathehadreadLordChesterfield’sLettersinthedayswhenhismannersweresusceptibleofimprovement。Nevertheless，weallregardedhisdictuminthesignor’scaseasinfallible，andwhenhesaidthatwithcareandattentionhemightrally，wehadnomorefearforhim。
　　But，althoughwehadnomorefear，everybodydidasmuchasiftherewasgreatcauseforanxiety—asindeedtherewasuntilMrHogginstookchargeofhim。MissPolelookedoutcleanandcomfortable，ifhomely，lodgings；MissMattysentthesedan—chairforhim，andMarthaandIaireditwellbeforeitleftCranfordbyholdingawarming—panfullofred—hotcoalsinit，andthenshuttingitupclose，smokeandall，untilthetimewhenheshouldgetintoitatthe"RisingSun。"LadyGlenmireundertookthemedicaldepartmentunderMrHoggins’sdirections，andrummagedupallMrsJamieson’smedicineglasses，andspoons，andbed—tables，inafree—and—easyway，thatmadeMissMattyfeelalittleanxiousastowhatthatladyandMrMullinermightsay，iftheyknew。MrsForrestermadesomeofthebread—jelly，forwhichshewassofamous，tohavereadyasarefreshmentinthelodgingswhenheshouldarrive。Apresentofthisbread—jellywasthehighestmarkoffavourdearMrsForrestercouldconfer。MissPolehadonceaskedherforthereceipt，butshehadmetwithaverydecidedrebuff；thatladytoldherthatshecouldnotpartwithittoanyoneduringherlife，andthatafterherdeathitwasbequeathed，asherexecutorswouldfind，toMissMatty。WhatMissMatty，or，asMrsForrestercalledher（rememberingtheclauseinherwillandthedignityoftheoccasion），MissMatildaJenkyns—mightchoosetodowiththereceiptwhenitcameintoherpossession—whethertomakeitpublic，ortohanditdownasanheirloom—shedidnotknow，norwouldshedictate。Andamouldofthisadmirable，digestible，uniquebread—jellywassentbyMrsForrestertoourpoorsickconjuror。Whosaysthatthearistocracyareproud？HerewasaladybybirthaTyrrell，anddescendedfromthegreatSirWalterthatshotKingRufus，andinwhoseveinsranthebloodofhimwhomurderedthelittleprincesintheTower，goingeverydaytoseewhatdaintydishesshecouldprepareforSamuelBrown，amountebank！But，indeed，itwaswonderfultoseewhatkindfeelingswerecalledoutbythispoorman’scomingamongstus。AndalsowonderfultoseehowthegreatCranfordpanic，whichhadbeenoccasionedbyhisfirstcominginhisTurkishdress，meltedawayintothinaironhissecondcoming—paleandfeeble，andwithhisheavy，filmyeyes，thatonlybrightenedaverylittlewhentheyfelluponthecountenanceofhisfaithfulwife，ortheirpaleandsorrowfullittlegirl。
　　Somehowweallforgottobeafraid。Idaresayitwasthatfindingoutthathe，whohadfirstexcitedourloveofthemarvellousbyhisunprecedentedarts，hadnotsufficientevery—daygiftstomanageashyinghorse，madeusfeelasifwewereourselvesagain。
　　MissPolecamewithherlittlebasketatallhoursoftheevening，asifherlonelyhouseandtheunfrequentedroadtoithadneverbeeninfestedbythat"murderousgang"；MrsForrestersaidshethoughtthatneitherJennynorsheneedmindtheheadlessladywhoweptandwailedinDarknessLane，forsurelythepowerwasnevergiventosuchbeingstoharmthosewhowentabouttotrytodowhatlittlegoodwasintheirpower，towhichJennytremblinglyassented；butthemistress’stheoryhadlittleeffectonthemaid’spracticeuntilshehadsewntwopiecesofredflannelintheshapeofacrossonherinnergarment。
　　IfoundMissMattycoveringherpennyball—theballthatsheusedtorollunderherbed—withgay—colouredworstedinrainbowstripes。
　　"Mydear，"saidshe，"myheartissadforthatlittlecarewornchild。Althoughherfatherisaconjuror，shelooksasifshehadneverhadagoodgameofplayinherlife。IusedtomakeveryprettyballsinthiswaywhenIwasagirl，andIthoughtIwouldtryifIcouldnotmakethisonesmartandtakeittoPhoebethisafternoon。Ithink’thegang’musthavelefttheneighbourhood，foronedoesnothearanymoreoftheirviolenceandrobberynow。"
　　Wewereallofusfartoofullofthesignor’sprecariousstatetotalkeitheraboutrobbersorghosts。Indeed，LadyGlenmiresaidsheneverhadheardofanyactualrobberies，exceptthattwolittleboyshadstolensomeapplesfromFarmerBenson’sorchard，andthatsomeeggshadbeenmissedonamarket—dayoffWidowHayward’sstall。Butthatwasexpectingtoomuchofus；wecouldnotacknowledgethatwehadonlyhadthissmallfoundationforallourpanic。MissPoledrewherselfupatthisremarkofLadyGlenmire’s，andsaid"thatshewishedshecouldagreewithherastotheverysmallreasonwehadhadforalarm，butwiththerecollectionofamandisguisedasawomanwhohadendeavouredtoforcehimselfintoherhousewhilehisconfederateswaitedoutside；
　　withtheknowledgegainedfromLadyGlenmireherself，ofthefootprintsseenonMrsJamieson’sflowerborders；withthefactbeforeheroftheaudaciousrobberycommittedonMrHogginsathisowndoor"—ButhereLadyGlenmirebrokeinwithaverystrongexpressionofdoubtastowhetherthislaststorywasnotanentirefabricationfoundeduponthetheftofacat；shegrewsoredwhileshewassayingallthisthatIwasnotsurprisedatMissPole’smannerofbridlingup，andIamcertain，ifLadyGlenmirehadnotbeen"herladyship，"weshouldhavehadamoreemphaticcontradictionthanthe"Well，tobesure！"andsimilarfragmentaryejaculations，whichwereallthatsheventureduponinmylady’spresence。ButwhenshewasgoneMissPolebeganalongcongratulationtoMissMattythatsofartheyhadescapedmarriage，whichshenoticedalwaysmadepeoplecreduloustothelastdegree；
　　indeed，shethoughtitarguedgreatnaturalcredulityinawomanifshecouldnotkeepherselffrombeingmarried；andinwhatLadyGlenmirehadsaidaboutMrHoggins’srobberywehadaspecimenofwhatpeoplecametoiftheygavewaytosuchaweakness；evidentlyLadyGlenmirewouldswallowanythingifshecouldbelievethepoorvamped—upstoryaboutaneckofmuttonandapussywithwhichhehadtriedtoimposeonMissPole，onlyshehadalwaysbeenonherguardagainstbelievingtoomuchofwhatmensaid。
　　Wewerethankful，asMissPoledesiredustobe，thatwehadneverbeenmarried；butIthink，ofthetwo，wewereevenmorethankfulthattherobbershadleftCranford；atleastIjudgesofromaspeechofMissMatty’sthatevening，aswesatoverthefire，inwhichsheevidentlylookeduponahusbandasagreatprotectoragainstthieves，burglars，andghosts；andsaidthatshedidnotthinkthatsheshoulddaretobealwayswarningyoungpeopleagainstmatrimony，asMissPoledidcontinually；tobesure，marriagewasarisk，asshesaw，nowshehadhadsomeexperience；
　　butsherememberedthetimewhenshehadlookedforwardtobeingmarriedasmuchasanyone。
　　"Nottoanyparticularperson，mydear，"saidshe，hastilycheckingherselfup，asifshewereafraidofhavingadmittedtoomuch；
　　"onlytheoldstory，youknow，ofladiesalwayssaying，’WHENI
　　marry，’andgentlemen，’IFImarry。’"Itwasajokespokeninratherasadtone，andIdoubtifeitherofussmiled；butIcouldnotseeMissMatty’sfacebytheflickeringfire—light。Inalittlewhileshecontinued—
　　"But，afterall，Ihavenottoldyouthetruth。Itissolongago，andnooneeverknewhowmuchIthoughtofitatthetime，unless，indeed，mydearmotherguessed；butImaysaythattherewasatimewhenIdidnotthinkIshouldhavebeenonlyMissMattyJenkynsallmylife；forevenifIdidmeetwithanyonewhowishedtomarrymenow（and，asMissPolesays，oneisnevertoosafe），Icouldnottakehim—Ihopehewouldnottakeittoomuchtoheart，butI
　　couldNOTtakehim—oranyonebutthepersonIoncethoughtI
　　shouldbemarriedto；andheisdeadandgone，andheneverknewhowitallcameaboutthatIsaid’No，’whenIhadthoughtmanyandmanyatime—Well，it’snomatterwhatIthought。Godordainsitall，andIamveryhappy，mydear。NoonehassuchkindfriendsasI，"continuedshe，takingmyhandandholdingitinhers。
　　IfIhadneverknownofMrHolbrook，Icouldhavesaidsomethinginthispause，butasIhad，Icouldnotthinkofanythingthatwouldcomeinnaturally，andsowebothkeptsilenceforalittletime。
　　"Myfatheroncemadeus，"shebegan，"keepadiary，intwocolumns；
　　ononesideweweretoputdowninthemorningwhatwethoughtwouldbethecourseandeventsofthecomingday，andatnightweweretoputdownontheothersidewhatreallyhadhappened。Itwouldbetosomepeopleratherasadwayoftellingtheirlives，"
　　（ateardroppeduponmyhandatthesewords）—"Idon’tmeanthatminehasbeensad，onlysoverydifferenttowhatIexpected。I
　　remember，onewinter’sevening，sittingoverourbedroomfirewithDeborah—Irememberitasifitwereyesterday—andwewereplanningourfuturelives，bothofuswereplanning，thoughonlyshetalkedaboutit。Shesaidsheshouldliketomarryanarchdeacon，andwritehischarges；andyouknow，mydear，sheneverwasmarried，and，foraughtIknow，sheneverspoketoanunmarriedarchdeaconinherlife。Ineverwasambitious，norcouldIhavewrittencharges，butIthoughtIcouldmanageahouse（mymotherusedtocallmeherrighthand），andIwasalwayssofondoflittlechildren—theshyestbabieswouldstretchouttheirlittlearmstocometome；whenIwasagirl，Iwashalfmyleisuretimenursingintheneighbouringcottages；butIdon’tknowhowitwas，whenI
　　grewsadandgrave—whichIdidayearortwoafterthistime—
　　thelittlethingsdrewbackfromme，andIamafraidIlosttheknack，thoughIamjustasfondofchildrenasever，andhaveastrangeyearningatmyheartwheneverIseeamotherwithherbabyinherarms。Nay，mydear"（andbyasuddenblazewhichsprangupfromafalloftheunstirredcoals，Isawthathereyeswerefulloftears—gazingintentlyonsomevisionofwhatmighthavebeen），"doyouknowIdreamsometimesthatIhavealittlechild—alwaysthesame—alittlegirlofabouttwoyearsold；shenevergrowsolder，thoughIhavedreamtaboutherformanyyears。Idon’tthinkIeverdreamofanywordsorsoundshemakes；sheisverynoiselessandstill，butshecomestomewhensheisverysorryorveryglad，andIhavewakenedwiththeclaspofherdearlittlearmsroundmyneck。Onlylastnight—perhapsbecauseIhadgonetosleepthinkingofthisballforPhoebe—mylittledarlingcameinmydream，andputuphermouthtobekissed，justasIhaveseenrealbabiesdotorealmothersbeforegoingtobed。Butallthisisnonsense，dear！onlydon’tbefrightenedbyMissPolefrombeingmarried。Icanfancyitmaybeaveryhappystate，andalittlecredulityhelpsoneonthroughlifeverysmoothly—betterthanalwaysdoubtinganddoubtingandseeingdifficultiesanddisagreeablesineverything。"
　　IfIhadbeeninclinedtobedauntedfrommatrimony，itwouldnothavebeenMissPoletodoit；itwouldhavebeenthelotofpoorSignorBrunoniandhiswife。Andyetagain，itwasanencouragementtoseehow，throughalltheircaresandsorrows，theythoughtofeachotherandnotofthemselves；andhowkeenweretheirjoys，iftheyonlypassedthrougheachother，orthroughthelittlePhoebe。
　　Thesignoratoldme，oneday，agooddealabouttheirlivesuptothisperiod。ItbeganbymyaskingherwhetherMissPole’sstoryofthetwin—brothersweretrue；itsoundedsowonderfulalikeness，thatIshouldhavehadmydoubts，ifMissPolehadnotbeenunmarried。Butthesignora，or（aswefoundoutshepreferredtobecalled）MrsBrown，saiditwasquitetrue；thatherbrother—in—
　　lawwasbymanytakenforherhusband，whichwasofgreatassistancetothemintheirprofession；"though，"shecontinued，"howpeoplecanmistakeThomasfortherealSignorBrunoni，Ican’tconceive；buthesaystheydo；soIsupposeImustbelievehim。
　　Notbutwhatheisaverygoodman；IamsureIdon’tknowhowweshouldhavepaidourbillatthe’RisingSun’butforthemoneyhesends；butpeoplemustknowverylittleaboutartiftheycantakehimformyhusband。Why，Miss，intheballtrick，wheremyhusbandspreadshisfingerswide，andthrowsouthislittlefingerwithquiteanairandagrace，Thomasjustclumpsuphishandlikeafist，andmighthaveeversomanyballshiddeninit。Besides，hehasneverbeeninIndia，andknowsnothingofthepropersitofaturban。"
　　"HaveyoubeeninIndia？"saidI，ratherastonished。
　　"Oh，yes！manyayear，ma’am。Samwasasergeantinthe31st；andwhentheregimentwasorderedtoIndia，Idrewalottogo，andI
　　wasmorethankfulthanIcantell；foritseemedasifitwouldonlybeaslowdeathtometopartfrommyhusband。But，indeed，ma’am，ifIhadknownall，Idon’tknowwhetherIwouldnotratherhavediedthereandthenthangonethroughwhatIhavedonesince。
　　Tobesure，I’vebeenabletocomfortSam，andtobewithhim；but，ma’am，I’velostsixchildren，"saidshe，lookingupatmewiththosestrangeeyesthatI’venevernoticedbutinmothersofdeadchildren—withakindofwildlookinthem，asifseekingforwhattheynevermoremightfind。"Yes！Sixchildrendiedoff，likelittlebudsnippeduntimely，inthatcruelIndia。Ithought，aseachdied，Inevercould—Ineverwould—loveachildagain；andwhenthenextcame，ithadnotonlyitsownlove，butthedeeperlovethatcamefromthethoughtsofitslittledeadbrothersandsisters。AndwhenPhoebewascoming，Isaidtomyhusband，’Sam，whenthechildisborn，andIamstrong，Ishallleaveyou；itwillcutmyheartcruel；butifthisbabydiestoo，Ishallgomad；themadnessisinmenow；butifyouletmegodowntoCalcutta，carryingmybabystepbystep，itwill，maybe，workitselfoff；andIwillsave，andIwillhoard，andIwillbeg—andIwilldie，togetapassagehometoEngland，whereourbabymaylive？’Godblesshim！hesaidImightgo；andhesaveduphispay，andIsavedeverypiceIcouldgetforwashingoranyway；andwhenPhoebecame，andIgrewstrongagain，Isetoff。Itwasverylonely；throughthethickforests，darkagainwiththeirheavytrees—alongbytheriver’sside（butIhadbeenbroughtupneartheAvoninWarwickshire，sothatflowingnoisesoundedlikehome）—fromstationtostation，fromIndianvillagetovillage，Iwentalong，carryingmychild。Ihadseenoneoftheofficer’sladieswithalittlepicture，ma’am—donebyaCatholicforeigner，ma’am—oftheVirginandthelittleSaviour，ma’am。Shehadhimonherarm，andherformwassoftlycurledroundhim，andtheircheekstouched。
　　Well，whenIwenttobidgood—byetothislady，forwhomIhadwashed，shecriedsadly；forshe，too，hadlostherchildren，butshehadnotanothertosave，likeme；andIwasboldenoughtoaskherwouldshegivemethatprint。Andshecriedthemore，andsaidherchildrenwerewiththatlittleblessedJesus；andgaveitme，andtoldmethatshehadheardithadbeenpaintedonthebottomofacask，whichmadeithavethatroundshape。Andwhenmybodywasveryweary，andmyheartwassick（forthereweretimeswhenI
　　misdoubtedifIcouldeverreachmyhome，andthereweretimeswhenIthoughtofmyhusband，andonetimewhenIthoughtmybabywasdying），Itookoutthatpictureandlookedatit，tillIcouldhavethoughtthemotherspoketome，andcomfortedme。Andthenativeswereverykind。Wecouldnotunderstandoneanother；buttheysawmybabyonmybreast，andtheycameouttome，andbroughtmericeandmilk，andsometimesflowers—Ihavegotsomeoftheflowersdried。Then，thenextmorning，Iwassotired；andtheywantedmetostaywiththem—Icouldtellthat—andtriedtofrightenmefromgoingintothedeepwoods，which，indeed，lookedverystrangeanddark；butitseemedtomeasifDeathwasfollowingmetotakemybabyawayfromme；andasifImustgoon，andon—andI
　　thoughthowGodhadcaredformotherseversincetheworldwasmade，andwouldcareforme；soIbadethemgood—bye，andsetoffafresh。Andoncewhenmybabywasill，andbothsheandIneededrest，HeledmetoaplacewhereIfoundakindEnglishmanlived，rightinthemidstofthenatives。"
　　"AndyoureachedCalcuttasafelyatlast？"
　　"Yes，safely！Oh！whenIknewIhadonlytwodays’journeymorebeforeme，Icouldnothelpit，ma’am—itmightbeidolatry，I
　　cannottell—butIwasnearoneofthenativetemples，andIwentintoitwithmybabytothankGodforHisgreatmercy；foritseemedtomethatwhereothershadprayedbeforetotheirGod，intheirjoyorintheiragony，wasofitselfasacredplace。AndI
　　gotasservanttoaninvalidlady，whogrewquitefondofmybabyaboard—ship；and，intwoyears’time，Samearnedhisdischarge，andcamehometome，andtoourchild。Thenhehadtofixonatrade；
　　butheknewofnone；andonce，onceuponatime，hehadlearntsometricksfromanIndianjuggler；sohesetupconjuring，anditansweredsowellthathetookThomastohelphim—ashisman，youknow，notasanotherconjuror，thoughThomashassetitupnowonhisownhook。Butithasbeenagreathelptousthatlikenessbetweenthetwins，andmadeagoodmanytricksgooffwellthattheymadeuptogether。AndThomasisagoodbrother，onlyhehasnotthefinecarriageofmyhusband，sothatIcan’tthinkhowhecanbetakenforSignorBrunonihimself，ashesaysheis。"
　　"PoorlittlePhoebe！"saidI，mythoughtsgoingbacktothebabyshecarriedallthosehundredmiles。
　　"Ah！youmaysayso！IneverthoughtIshouldhaverearedher，though，whenshefellillatChunderabaddad；butthatgood，kindAgaJenkynstookusin，whichIbelievewastheverysavingofher。"
　　"Jenkyns！"saidI。
　　"Yes，Jenkyns。Ishallthinkallpeopleofthatnamearekind；forhereisthatniceoldladywhocomeseverydaytotakePhoebeawalk！"
　　Butanideahadflashedthroughmyhead；couldtheAgaJenkynsbethelostPeter？Truehewasreportedbymanytobedead。But，equallytrue，somehadsaidthathehadarrivedatthedignityofGreatLamaofThibet。MissMattythoughthewasalive。Iwouldmakefurtherinquiry。
　　CHAPTERXII—ENGAGEDTOBEMARRIED
　　WASthe"poorPeter"ofCranfordtheAgaJenkynsofChunderabaddad，orwashenot？Assomebodysays，thatwasthequestion。
　　Inmyownhome，wheneverpeoplehadnothingelsetodo，theyblamedmeforwantofdiscretion。Indiscretionwasmybug—bearfault。
　　Everybodyhasabug—bearfault，asortofstandingcharacteristic—
　　aPIECEDERESISTANCEfortheirfriendstocutat；andingeneraltheycutandcomeagain。Iwastiredofbeingcalledindiscreetandincautious；andIdeterminedforoncetoprovemyselfamodelofprudenceandwisdom。IwouldnotevenhintmysuspicionsrespectingtheAga。Iwouldcollectevidenceandcarryithometolaybeforemyfather，asthefamilyfriendofthetwoMissJenkynses。
　　Inmysearchafterfacts，Iwasoftenremindedofadescriptionmyfatherhadoncegivenofaladies’committeethathehadhadtopresideover。HesaidhecouldnothelpthinkingofapassageinDickens，whichspokeofachorusinwhicheverymantookthetuneheknewbest，andsangittohisownsatisfaction。So，atthischaritablecommittee，everyladytookthesubjectuppermostinhermind，andtalkedaboutittoherowngreatcontentment，butnotmuchtotheadvancementofthesubjecttheyhadmettodiscuss。
　　ButeventhatcommitteecouldhavebeennothingtotheCranfordladieswhenIattemptedtogainsomeclearanddefiniteinformationastopoorPeter’sheight，appearance，andwhenandwherehewasseenandheardoflast。Forinstance，IrememberaskingMissPole（andIthoughtthequestionwasveryopportune，forIputitwhenI
　　metheratacallatMrsForrester’s，andboththeladieshadknownPeter，andIimaginedthattheymightrefresheachother’smemories）—IaskedMissPolewhatwastheverylastthingtheyhadeverheardabouthim；andthenshenamedtheabsurdreporttowhichIhavealluded，abouthishavingbeenelectedGreatLamaofThibet；
　　andthiswasasignalforeachladytogooffonherseparateidea。
　　MrsForrester’sstartwasmadeontheveiledprophetinLallaRookh—whetherIthoughthewasmeantfortheGreatLama，thoughPeterwasnotsougly，indeedratherhandsome，ifhehadnotbeenfreckled。IwasthankfultoseeherdoubleuponPeter；but，inamoment，thedelusiveladywasoffuponRowland’sKalydor，andthemeritsofcosmeticsandhairoilsingeneral，andholdingforthsofluentlythatIturnedtolistentoMissPole，who（throughthellamas，thebeastsofburden）hadgottoPeruvianbonds，andthesharemarket，andherpooropinionofjoint—stockbanksingeneral，andofthatoneinparticularinwhichMissMatty’smoneywasinvested。InvainIputin"Whenwasit—inwhatyearwasitthatyouheardthatMrPeterwastheGreatLama？"Theyonlyjoinedissuetodisputewhetherllamaswerecarnivorousanimalsornot；inwhichdisputetheywerenotquiteonfairgrounds，asMrsForrester（aftertheyhadgrownwarmandcoolagain）acknowledgedthatshealwaysconfusedcarnivorousandgraminivoroustogether，justasshedidhorizontalandperpendicular；butthensheapologisedforitveryprettily，bysayingthatinherdaytheonlyusepeoplemadeoffour—syllabledwordswastoteachhowtheyshouldbespelt。
　　TheonlyfactIgainedfromthisconversationwasthatcertainlyPeterhadlastbeenheardofinIndia，"orthatneighbourhood"；andthatthisscantyintelligenceofhiswhereaboutshadreachedCranfordintheyearwhenMissPolehadbroughtherIndianmuslingown，longsincewornout（wewasheditandmendedit，andtraceditsdeclineandfallintoawindow—blindbeforewecouldgoon）；
　　andinayearwhenWombwellcametoCranford，becauseMissMattyhadwantedtoseeanelephantinorderthatshemightthebetterimaginePeterridingonone；andhadseenaboa—constrictortoo，whichwasmorethanshewishedtoimagineinherfancy—picturesofPeter’slocality；andinayearwhenMissJenkynshadlearntsomepieceofpoetryoffbyheart，andusedtosay，atalltheCranfordparties，howPeterwas"surveyingmankindfromChinatoPeru，"
　　whicheverybodyhadthoughtverygrand，andratherappropriate，becauseIndiawasbetweenChinaandPeru，ifyoutookcaretoturntheglobetotheleftinsteadoftheright。
　　Isupposealltheseinquiriesofmine，andtheconsequentcuriosityexcitedinthemindsofmyfriends，madeusblindanddeaftowhatwasgoingonaroundus。Itseemedtomeasifthesunroseandshone，andasiftherainrainedonCranford，justasusual，andI
　　didnotnoticeanysignofthetimesthatcouldbeconsideredasaprognosticofanyuncommonevent；and，tothebestofmybelief，notonlyMissMattyandMrsForrester，butevenMissPoleherself，whomwelookeduponasakindofprophetess，fromtheknackshehadofforeseeingthingsbeforetheycametopass—althoughshedidnotliketodisturbherfriendsbytellingthemherforeknowledge—
　　evenMissPoleherselfwasbreathlesswithastonishmentwhenshecametotellusoftheastoundingpieceofnews。ButImustrecovermyself；thecontemplationofit，evenatthisdistanceoftime，hastakenawaymybreathandmygrammar，andunlessIsubduemyemotion，myspellingwillgotoo。
　　Weweresitting—MissMattyandI—muchasusual，sheinthebluechintzeasy—chair，withherbacktothelight，andherknittinginherhand，IreadingaloudtheSTJAMES’SCHRONICLE。Afewminutesmore，andweshouldhavegonetomakethelittlealterationsindressusualbeforecalling—time（twelveo’clock）inCranford。I
　　rememberthesceneandthedatewell。Wehadbeentalkingofthesignor’srapidrecoverysincethewarmerweatherhadsetin，andpraisingMrHoggins’sskill，andlamentinghiswantofrefinementandmanner（itseemsacuriouscoincidencethatthisshouldhavebeenoursubject，butsoitwas），whenaknockwasheard—acaller’sknock—threedistincttaps—andwewereflying（thatistosay，MissMattycouldnotwalkveryfast，havinghadatouchofrheumatism）toourrooms，tochangecapandcollars，whenMissPolearrestedusbycallingout，asshecameupthestairs，"Don’tgo—
　　Ican’twait—itisnottwelve，Iknow—butnevermindyourdress—Imustspeaktoyou。"Wedidourbesttolookasifitwasnotwewhohadmadethehurriedmovement，thesoundofwhichshehadheard；for，ofcourse，wedidnotliketohaveitsupposedthatwehadanyoldclothesthatitwasconvenienttowearoutinthe"sanctuaryofhome，"asMissJenkynsonceprettilycalledthebackparlour，whereshewastyinguppreserves。Sowethrewourgentilitywithdoubleforceintoourmanners，andverygenteelwewerefortwominuteswhileMissPolerecoveredbreath，andexcitedourcuriositystronglybyliftingupherhandsinamazement，andbringingthemdowninsilence，asifwhatshehadtosaywastoobigforwords，andcouldonlybeexpressedbypantomime。
　　"Whatdoyouthink，MissMatty？WhatDOyouthink？LadyGlenmireistomarry—istobemarried，Imean—LadyGlenmire—MrHoggins—MrHogginsisgoingtomarryLadyGlenmire！"
　　"Marry！"saidwe。"Marry！Madness！"
　　"Marry！"saidMissPole，withthedecisionthatbelongedtohercharacter。"Isaidmarry！asyoudo；andIalsosaid，’Whatafoolmyladyisgoingtomakeofherself！’Icouldhavesaid’Madness！’
　　butIcontrolledmyself，foritwasinapublicshopthatIheardofit。Wherefemininedelicacyisgoneto，Idon’tknow！YouandI，MissMatty，wouldhavebeenashamedtohaveknownthatourmarriagewasspokenofinagrocer’sshop，inthehearingofshopmen！"
　　"But，"saidMissMatty，sighingasonerecoveringfromablow，"perhapsitisnottrue。Perhapswearedoingherinjustice。"
　　"No，"saidMissPole。"Ihavetakencaretoascertainthat。I
　　wentstraighttoMrsFitz—Adam，toborrowacookery—bookwhichI
　　knewshehad；andIintroducedmycongratulationsAPROPOSofthedifficultygentlemenmusthaveinhouse—keeping；andMrsFitz—Adambridledup，andsaidthatshebelieveditwastrue，thoughhowandwhereIcouldhavehearditshedidnotknow。ShesaidherbrotherandLadyGlenmirehadcometoanunderstandingatlast。
　　’Understanding！’suchacoarseword！Butmyladywillhavetocomedowntomanyawantofrefinement。IhavereasontobelieveMrHogginssupsonbread—and—cheeseandbeereverynight。
　　"Marry！"saidMissMattyonceagain。"Well！Ineverthoughtofit。Twopeoplethatweknowgoingtobemarried。It’scomingverynear！"
　　"SonearthatmyheartstoppedbeatingwhenIheardofit，whileyoumighthavecountedtwelve，"saidMissPole。
　　"Onedoesnotknowwhoseturnmaycomenext。Here，inCranford，poorLadyGlenmiremighthavethoughtherselfsafe，"saidMissMatty，withagentlepityinhertones。
　　"Bah！"saidMissPole，withatossofherhead。"Don’tyourememberpoordearCaptainBrown’ssong’TibbieFowler，’andtheline—
　　’SetherontheTintocktap，Thewindwillblawamantillher。’"
　　"Thatwasbecause’TibbieFowler’wasrich，Ithink。"
　　"Well！therewasakindofattractionaboutLadyGlenmirethatI，forone，shouldbeashamedtohave。"
　　Iputinmywonder。"ButhowcanshehavefanciedMrHoggins？I
　　amnotsurprisedthatMrHogginshaslikedher。"
　　"Oh！Idon’tknow。MrHogginsisrich，andverypleasant—
　　looking，"saidMissMatty，"andverygood—temperedandkind—
　　hearted。"
　　"Shehasmarriedforanestablishment，that’sit。Isupposeshetakesthesurgerywithit，"saidMissPole，withalittledrylaughatherownjoke。But，likemanypeoplewhothinktheyhavemadeasevereandsarcasticspeech，whichyetiscleverofitskind，shebegantorelaxinhergrimnessfromthemomentwhenshemadethisallusiontothesurgery；andweturnedtospeculateonthewayinwhichMrsJamiesonwouldreceivethenews。Thepersonwhomshehadleftinchargeofherhousetokeepofffollowersfromhermaidstosetupafollowerofherown！AndthatfolloweramanwhomMrsJamiesonhadtabooedasvulgar，andinadmissibletoCranfordsociety，notmerelyonaccountofhisname，butbecauseofhisvoice，hiscomplexion，hisboots，smellingofthestable，andhimself，smellingofdrugs。HadheeverbeentoseeLadyGlenmireatMrsJamieson’s？Chlorideoflimewouldnotpurifythehouseinitsowner’sestimationifhehad。Orhadtheirinterviewsbeenconfinedtotheoccasionalmeetingsinthechamberofthepoorsickconjuror，towhom，withalloursenseoftheMESALLIANCE，wecouldnothelpallowingthattheyhadbothbeenexceedinglykind？AndnowitturnedoutthataservantofMrsJamieson’shadbeenill，andMrHogginshadbeenattendingherforsomeweeks。Sothewolfhadgotintothefold，andnowhewascarryingofftheshepherdess。
　　WhatwouldMrsJamiesonsay？Welookedintothedarknessoffuturityasachildgazesafterarocketupinthecloudysky，fullofwonderingexpectationoftherattle，thedischarge，andthebrilliantshowerofsparksandlight。Thenwebroughtourselvesdowntoearthandthepresenttimebyquestioningeachother（beingallequallyignorant，andallequallywithouttheslightestdatatobuildanyconclusionsupon）astowhenITwouldtakeplace？Where？
　　HowmuchayearMrHogginshad？Whethershewoulddrophertitle？
　　AndhowMarthaandtheothercorrectservantsinCranfordwouldeverbebroughttoannounceamarriedcoupleasLadyGlenmireandMrHoggins？Butwouldtheybevisited？WouldMrsJamiesonletus？
　　OrmustwechoosebetweentheHonourableMrsJamiesonandthedegradedLadyGlenmire？WealllikedLadyGlenmirethebest。Shewasbright，andkind，andsociable，andagreeable；andMrsJamiesonwasdull，andinert，andpompous，andtiresome。Butwehadacknowledgedtheswayofthelattersolong，thatitseemedlikeakindofdisloyaltynoweventomeditatedisobediencetotheprohibitionweanticipated。