"IsitrashtogotoMajorFitz—David？"Iasked。
　　"Yes——ifyougobyyourself。Youdon’tknowwhatsortofmanheis；youdon’tknowhowhemayreceiveyou。Letmetryfirst，andpavetheway，asthesayingis。Trustmyexperience，mydear。Inmattersofthissortthereisnothinglikepavingtheway。"
　　Iconsideredamoment。ItwasduetomygoodfriendtoconsiderbeforeIsaidNo。
　　Reflectiondecidedmeontakingtheresponsibility，whateveritmightbe，uponmyownshoulders。Goodorbad，compassionateorcruel，theMajorwasaman。Awoman’sinfluencewasthesafestinfluencetotrustwithhim，wheretheendtobegainedwassuchanendasIhadinview。ItwasnoteasytosaythistoBenjaminwithoutthedangerofmortifyinghim。Imadeanappointmentwiththeoldmantocallonmethenextmorningatthehotel，andtalkthematteroveragain。IsitverydisgracefultometoaddthatI
　　privatelydetermined（ifthethingcouldbeaccomplished）toseeMajorFitz—Davidintheinterval？
　　"Donothingrash，mydear。Inyourowninterests，donothingrash！"
　　ThosewereBenjamin’slastwordswhenwepartedfortheday。
　　IfoundEustacewaitingformeinoursitting—roomatthehotel。
　　HisspiritsseemedtohaverevivedsinceIhadseenhimlast。Headvancedtomeetmecheerfully，withanopensheetofpaperinhishand。
　　"Mybusinessissettled，Valeria，soonerthanIhadexpected，"hebegan，gayly。"Areyourpurchasesallcompleted，fairlady？Are_you_freetoo？"
　　Ihadlearnedalready（Godhelpme！）todistrusthisfitsofgayety。Iasked，cautiously，"Doyoumeanfreeforto—day？"
　　"Freeforto—day，andto—morrow，andnextweek，andnextmonth——andnextyeartoo，forallIknowtothecontrary，"heanswered，puttinghisarmboisterouslyroundmywaist。"Lookhere！"
　　HeliftedtheopensheetofpaperwhichIhadnoticedinhishand，andhelditformetoread。Itwasatelegramtothesailing—masteroftheyacht，informinghimthatwehadarrangedtoreturntoRamsgatethatevening，andthatweshouldbereadytosailfortheMediterraneanwiththenexttide。
　　"Ionlywaitedforyourreturn，"saidEustace，"tosendthetelegramtotheoffice。"
　　Hecrossedtheroomashespoketoringthebell。Istoppedhim。
　　"IamafraidIcan’tgotoRamsgateto—day，"Isaid。
　　"Whynot？"heasked，suddenlychanginghistone，andspeakingsharply。
　　Idaresayitwillseemridiculoustosomepeople，butitisreallytruethatheshookmyresolutiontogotoMajorFitz—Davidwhenheputhisarmroundme。Evenamerepassingcaressfrom_him_stoleawaymyheart，andsoftlytemptedmetoyield。Buttheominousalterationinhistonemadeanotherwomanofme。I
　　feltoncemore，andfeltmorestronglythanever，thatinmycriticalpositionitwasuselesstostandstill，andworsethanuselesstodrawback。
　　"Iamsorrytodisappointyou，"Ianswered。Itisimpossibleforme（asItoldyouatRamsgate）tobereadytosailatamoment’snotice。Iwanttime。"
　　"Whatfor？"
　　Notonlyhistone，buthislook，whenheputthatsecondquestion，jarredoneverynerveinme。Herousedinmymind——I
　　can’ttellhoworwhy——anangrysenseoftheindignitythathehadputuponhiswifeinmarryingherunderafalsename。FearingthatIshouldanswerrashly，thatIshouldsaysomethingwhichmybettersensemightregret，ifIspokeatthatmoment，Isaidnothing。Womenalonecanestimatewhatitcostmetobesilent。
　　Andmenalonecanunderstandhowirritatingmysilencemusthavebeentomyhusband。
　　"Youwanttime？"herepeated。"Iaskyouagain——whatfor？"
　　Myself—control，pushedtoitsextremestlimits，failedme。Therashreplyflewoutofmylips，likeabirdsetfreefromacage。
　　"Iwanttime，"Isaid，"toaccustommyselftomyrightname。"
　　Hesuddenlysteppeduptomewithadarklook。
　　"Whatdoyoumeanbyyour’rightname？’"
　　"Surelyyouknow，"Ianswered。"IoncethoughtIwasMrs。
　　Woodville。IhavenowdiscoveredthatIamMrs。Macallan。"
　　HestartedbackatthesoundofhisownnameasifIhadstruckhim——hestartedback，andturnedsodeadlypalethatIfearedhewasgoingtodropatmyfeetinaswoon。Oh，mytongue！mytongue！WhyhadInotcontrolledmymiserable，mischievouswoman’stongue！
　　"Ididn’tmeantoalarmyou，Eustace，"Isaid。"Ispokeatrandom。Prayforgiveme。"
　　Hewavedhishandimpatiently，asifmypenitentwordsweretangiblethings——ruffling，worryingthings，likefliesinsummer——whichhewasputtingawayfromhim。
　　"Whatelsehaveyoudiscovered？"heasked，inlow，sterntones。
　　"Nothing，Eustace。"
　　"Nothing？"Hepausedasherepeatedtheword，andpassedhishandoverhisforeheadinawearyway。"Nothing，ofcourse，"heresumed，speakingtohimself，"orshewouldnotbehere。"Hepausedoncemore，andlookedatmesearchingly。"Don’tsayagainwhatyousaidjustnow，"hewenton。"Foryourownsake，Valeria，aswellasformine。"Hedroppedintothenearestchair，andsaidnomore。
　　Icertainlyheardthewarning；buttheonlywordswhichreallyproducedanimpressiononmymindwerethewordsprecedingit，whichhehadspokentohimself。Hehadsaid："Nothing，ofcourse，_orshecouldnotbehere。"_IfIhadfoundoutsomeothertruthbesidesthetruthaboutthename，wouldithavepreventedmefromeverreturningtomyhusband？Wasthatwhathemeant？Didthesortofdiscoverythathecontemplatedmeansomethingsodreadfulthatitwouldhavepartedusatonceandforever？Istoodbyhischairinsilence，andtriedtofindtheanswertothoseterriblequestionsinhisface。Itusedtospeaktomesoeloquentlywhenitspokeofhislove。Ittoldmenothingnow。
　　Hesatforsometimewithoutlookingatme，lostinhisownthoughts。Thenheroseonasuddenandtookhishat。
　　"Thefriendwholentmetheyachtisintown，"hesaid。"I
　　supposeIhadbetterseehim，andsayourplansarechanged。"Hetoreupthetelegramwithanairofsullenresignationashespoke。"Youareevidentlydeterminednottogotoseawithme，"
　　heresumed。"Wehadbettergiveitup。Idon’tseewhatelseistobedone。Doyou？"
　　Histonewasalmostatoneofcontempt。Iwastoodepressedaboutmyself，tooalarmedabout_him，_toresentit。
　　"Decideasyouthinkbest，Eustace，"Isaid，sadly。"Everyway，theprospectseemsahopelessone。AslongasIamshutoutfromyourconfidence，itmatterslittlewhetherweliveonlandoratsea——wecannotlivehappily。"
　　"Ifyoucouldcontrolyourcuriosity。"heanswered，sternly，"wemightlivehappilyenough。IthoughtIhadmarriedawomanwhowassuperiortothevulgarfailingsofhersex。Agoodwifeshouldknowbetterthantopryintoaffairsofherhusband’swithwhichshehadnoconcern。"
　　Surelyitwashardtobearthis？However，Iboreit。
　　"Isitnoconcernofmine？"Iasked，gently，"whenIfindthatmyhusbandhasnotmarriedmeunderhisfamilyname？IsitnoconcernofminewhenIhearyourmothersay，insomanywords，thatshepitiesyourwife？Itishard，Eustace，toaccusemeofcuriositybecauseIcannotaccepttheunendurablepositioninwhichyouhaveplacedme。Yourcruelsilenceisablightonmyhappinessandathreattomyfuture。Yourcruelsilenceisestrangingusfromeachotheratthebeginningofourmarriedlife。Andyoublamemeforfeelingthis？YoutellmeIampryingintoaffairswhichareyoursonly？Theyare_not_yoursonly：I
　　havemyinterestinthemtoo。Oh，mydarling，whydoyoutriflewithourloveandourconfidenceineachother？Whydoyoukeepmeinthedark？"
　　Heansweredwithasternandpitilessbrevity，"Foryourowngood。"
　　Iturnedawayfromhiminsilence。Hewastreatingmelikeachild。
　　Hefollowedme。Puttingonehandheavilyonmyshoulder，heforcedmetofacehimoncemore。
　　"Listentothis，"hesaid。"WhatIamnowgoingtosaytoyouI
　　sayforthefirstandlasttime。Valeria！ifyoueverdiscoverwhatIamnowkeepingfromyourknowledge——fromthatmomentyoulivealifeoftorture；yourtranquillityisgone。Yourdayswillbedaysofterror；yournightswillbefullofhorriddreams——throughnofaultofmine，mind！throughnofaultofmine！
　　Everydayofyourlifeyouwillfeelsomenewdistrust，somegrowingfearofme，andyouwillbedoingmethevilestinjusticeallthetime。OnmyfaithasaChristian，onmyhonorasaman，ifyoustirastepfurtherinthismatter，thereisanendtoyourhappinessfortherestofyourlife！ThinkseriouslyofwhatIhavesaidtoyou；youwillhavetimetoreflect。IamgoingtotellmyfriendthatourplansfortheMediterraneanaregivenup。
　　Ishallnotbebackbeforetheevening。"Hesighed，andlookedatmewithunutterablesadness。"Iloveyou，Valeria，"hesaid。"Inspiteofallthathaspassed，asGodismywitness，Iloveyoumoredearlythanever。"
　　Sohespoke。Soheleftme。
　　Imustwritethetruthaboutmyself，howeverstrangeitmayappear。Idon’tpretendtobeabletoanalyzemyownmotives；I
　　don’tpretendeventoguesshowotherwomenmighthaveactedinmyplace。Itistrueofme，thatmyhusband’sterriblewarning——allthemoreterribleinitsmysteryanditsvagueness——producednodeterrenteffectonmymind：itonlystimulatedmyresolutiontodiscoverwhathewashidingfromme。
　　HehadnotbeengonetwominutesbeforeIrangthebellandorderedthecarriage，totakemetoMajorFitz—David’shouseinVivianPlace。
　　WalkingtoandfrowhileIwaswaiting——Iwasinsuchafeverofexcitementthatitwasimpossibleformetositstill——I
　　accidentallycaughtsightofmyselfintheglass。
　　Myownfacestartledme，itlookedsohaggardandsowild。CouldIpresentmyselftoastranger，couldIhopetoproducethenecessaryimpressioninmyfavor，lookingasIlookedatthatmoment？ForallIknewtothecontrary，mywholefuturemightdependupontheeffectwhichIproducedonMajorFitz—Davidatfirstsight。Irangthebellagain，andsentamessagetooneofthechambermaidstofollowmetomyroom。
　　Ihadnomaidofmyownwithme：thestewardessoftheyachtwouldhaveactedasmyattendantifwehadheldtoourfirstarrangement。Itmatteredlittle，solongasIhadawomantohelpme。Thechambermaidappeared。IcangivenobetterideaofthedisorderedanddesperateconditionofmymindatthattimethanbyowningthatI
　　actuallyconsultedthisperfectstrangeronthequestionofmypersonalappearance。Shewasamiddle—agedwoman，withalargeexperienceoftheworldanditswickednesswrittenlegiblyonhermannerandonherface。Iputmoneyintothewoman’shand，enoughofittosurpriseher。Shethankedmewithacynicalsmile，evidentlyplacingherownevilinterpretationonmymotiveforbribingher。
　　"WhatcanIdoforyou，ma’am？"sheasked，inaconfidentialwhisper。"Don’tspeakloud！thereissomebodyinthenextroom。"
　　"Iwanttolookmybest，"Isaid，"andIhavesentforyoutohelpme。"
　　"Iunderstand，ma’am。"
　　"Whatdoyouunderstand？"
　　Shenoddedherheadsignificantly，andwhisperedtomeagain。
　　"Lordblessyou，I’musedtothis！"shesaid。"Thereisagentlemaninthecase。Don’tmindme，ma’am。It’sawayIhave。I
　　meannoharm。"Shestopped，andlookedatmecritically。"I
　　wouldn’tchangemydressifIwereyou，"shewenton。"Thecolorbecomesyou。"
　　Itwastoolatetoresentthewoman’simpertinence。Therewasnohelpforitbuttomakeuseofher。Besides，shewasrightaboutthedress。Itwasofadelicatemaize—color，prettilytrimmedwithlace。Icouldwearnothingwhichsuitedmebetter。Myhair，however，stoodinneedofsomeskilledattention。Thechambermaidrearrangeditwithareadyhandwhichshowedthatshewasnobeginnerintheartofdressinghair。Shelaiddownthecombsandbrushes，andlookedatme；thenlookedatthetoilet—table，searchingforsomethingwhichsheapparentlyfailedtofind。
　　"Wheredoyoukeepit？"sheasked。
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Lookatyourcomplexion，ma’am。Youwillfrightenhimifheseesyoulikethat。Atouchofcoloryou_must_have。Wheredoyoukeepit？What！youhaven’tgotit？youneveruseit？Dear，dear，dearme！"
　　Foramomentsurprisefairlydeprivedherofherself—possession。
　　Recoveringherself，shebeggedpermissiontoleavemeforaminute。Ilethergo，knowingwhathererrandwas。Shecamebackwithaboxofpaintandpowders；andIsaidnothingtocheckher。
　　Isaw，intheglass，myskintakeafalsefairness，mycheeksafalsecolor，myeyesafalsebrightness——andInevershrankfromit。No！Ilettheodiousconceitgoon；Ievenadmiredtheextraordinarydelicacyanddexteritywithwhichitwasalldone。
　　"Anything"（Ithoughttomyself，inthemadnessofthatmiserabletime）"solongasithelpsmetowintheMajor’sconfidence！
　　Anything，solongasIdiscoverwhatthoselastwordsofmyhusband’sreallymean！"
　　Thetransformationofmyfacewasaccomplished。Thechambermaidpointedwithherwickedforefingerinthedirectionoftheglass。
　　"Bearinmind，ma’am，whatyoulookedlikewhenyousentforme，"
　　shesaid。"Andjustseeforyourselfhowyoulooknow。You’retheprettiestwoman（ofyourstyle）inLondon。Ahwhatathingpearl—powderis，whenoneknowshowtouseit！"
　　CHAPTERVIII。
　　THEFRIENDOFTHEWOMEN。
　　IFINDitimpossibletodescribemysensationswhilethecarriagewastakingmetoMajorFitz—David’shouse。Idoubt，indeed，ifIreallyfeltorthoughtatall，inthetruesenseofthosewords。
　　FromthemomentwhenIhadresignedmyselfintothehandsofthechambermaidIseemedinsomestrangewaytohavelostmyordinaryidentity——tohavesteppedoutofmyowncharacter。Atothertimesmytemperamentwasofthenervousandanxioussort，andmytendencywastoexaggerateanydifficultiesthatmightplacethemselvesinmyway。Atothertimes，havingbeforemetheprospectofacriticalinterviewwithastranger，Ishouldhaveconsideredwithmyselfwhatitmightbewisetopassover，andwhatitmightbewisetosay。NowInevergavemycominginterviewwiththeMajorathought；Ifeltanunreasoningconfidenceinmyself，andablindfaithin_him_。Nowneitherthepastnorthefuturetroubledme；Ilivedunreflectinglyinthepresent。Ilookedattheshopsaswedrovebythem，andattheothercarriagesastheypassedmine。Inoticed——yes，andenjoyed——theglancesofadmirationwhichchancefoot—passengersonthepavementcastonme。Isaidtomyself，"ThislookswellformyprospectofmakingafriendoftheMajor！"WhenwedrewupatthedoorinVivianPlace，itisnoexaggerationtosaythatI
　　hadbutoneanxiety——anxietytofindtheMajorathome。
　　Thedoorwasopenedbyaservantoutoflivery，anoldmanwholookedasifhemighthavebeenasoldierinhisearlierdays。Heeyedmewithagraveattention，whichrelaxedlittlebylittleintoslyapproval。IaskedforMajorFitz—David。Theanswerwasnotaltogetherencouraging：themanwasnotsurewhetherhismasterwereathomeornot。
　　Igavehimmycard。Mycards，beingpartofmyweddingoutfit，necessarilyhadthefalsenameprintedonthem——_Mrs。EustaceWoodville_。Theservantshowedmeintoafrontroomontheground—floor，anddisappearedwithmycardinhishand。
　　Lookingaboutme，Inoticedadoorinthewalloppositethewindow，communicatingwithsomeinnerroom。Thedoorwasnotoftheordinarykind。Itfittedintothethicknessofthepartitionwall，andworkedingrooves。Lookingalittlenearer，Isawthatithadnotbeenpulledoutsoascompletelytoclosethedoorway。
　　Onlythemerestchinkwasleft；butitwasenoughtoconveytomyearsallthatpassedinthenextroom。
　　"Whatdidyousay，Oliver，whensheaskedforme？"inquiredaman’svoice，pitchedcautiouslyinalowkey。
　　"IsaidIwasnotsureyouwereathome，sir，"answeredthevoiceoftheservantwhohadletmein。
　　Therewasapause。ThefirstspeakerwasevidentlyMajorFitz—Davidhimself。Iwaitedtohearmore。
　　"IthinkIhadbetternotseeher，Oliver，"theMajor’svoiceresumed。
　　"Verygood，sir。"
　　"SayIhavegoneout，andyoudon’tknowwhenIshallbebackagain。Begtheladytowrite，ifshehasanybusinesswithme。"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　"Stop，Oliver！"
　　Oliverstopped。Therewasanotherandlongerpause。Thenthemasterresumedtheexaminationoftheman。
　　"Issheyoung，Oliver？"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　"And——pretty？"
　　"Betterthanpretty，sir，tomythinking。"
　　"Aye？aye？Whatyoucallafinewoman——eh，Oliver？"
　　"Certainly，sir。"
　　"Tall？"
　　"NearlyastallasIam，Major。"
　　"Aye？aye？aye？Agoodfigure？"
　　"Asslimasasapling，sir，andasuprightasadart。"
　　"Onsecondthoughts，Iamathome，Oliver。Showherin！showherin！"
　　Sofar，onethingatleastseemedtobeclear。Ihaddonewellinsendingforthechambermaid。WhatwouldOliver’sreportofmehavebeenifIhadpresentedmyselftohimwithmycolorlesscheeksandmyill—dressedhair？
　　Theservantreappeared，andconductedmetotheinnerroom。MajorFitz—Davidadvancedtowelcomeme。WhatwastheMajorlike？
　　Well，hewaslikeawell—preservedoldgentlemanof，say，sixtyyearsold，littleandlean，andchieflyremarkablebytheextraordinarylengthofhisnose。Afterthisfeature，Inoticednexthisbeautifulbrownwig；hissparklinglittlegrayeyes；hisrosycomplexion；hisshortmilitarywhisker，dyedtomatchhiswig；hiswhiteteethandhiswinningsmile；hissmartbluefrock—coat，withacamelliainthebutton—hole；andhissplendidring，aruby，flashingonhislittlefingerashecourteouslysignedtometotakeachair。
　　"DearMrs。Woodville，howverykindofyouthisis！Ihavebeenlongingtohavethehappinessofknowingyou。Eustaceisanoldfriendofmine。IcongratulatedhimwhenIheardofhismarriage。
　　MayImakeaconfession？——IenvyhimnowIhaveseenhiswife。"
　　Thefutureofmylifewasperhapsinthisman’shands。Istudiedhimattentively：Itriedtoreadhischaracterinhisface。
　　TheMajor’ssparklinglittlegrayeyessoftenedastheylookedatme；theMajor’sstrongandsturdyvoicedroppedtoitslowestandtenderesttoneswhenhespoketome；theMajor’smannerexpressed，fromthemomentwhenIenteredtheroom，ahappymixtureofadmirationandrespect。Hedrewhischairclosetomine，asifitwereaprivilegetobenearme。Hetookmyhandandliftedmyglovetohislips，asifthatglovewerethemostdeliciousluxurytheworldcouldproduce。"DearMrs。Woodville，"
　　hesaid，ashesoftlylaidmyhandbackonmylap，"bearwithanoldfellowwhoworshipsyourenchantingsex。Youreallybrightenthisdullhouse。Itis_such_apleasuretoseeyou！"
　　Therewasnoneedfortheoldgentlemantomakehislittleconfession。Women，children，anddogsproverbiallyknowbyinstinctwhothepeoplearewhoreallylikethem。Thewomenhadawarmfriend——perhapsatonetimeadangerouslywarmfriend——inMajorFitz—David。IknewasmuchofhimasthatbeforeIhadsettledmyselfinmychairandopenedmylipstoanswerhim。
　　"Thankyou，Major，foryourkindreceptionandyourprettycompliment，"Isaid，matchingmyhost’seasytoneascloselyasthenecessaryrestraintsonmysidewouldpermit。"Youhavemadeyourconfession。MayImakemine？"
　　MajorFitz—Davidliftedmyhandagainfrommylapanddrewhischairascloseaspossibletomine。Ilookedathimgravelyandtriedtoreleasemyhand。MajorFitz—Daviddeclinedtoletgoofit，andproceededtotellmewhy。
　　"Ihavejustheardyouspeakforthefirsttime，"hesaid。"Iamunderthecharmofyourvoice。DearMrs。Woodville，bearwithanoldfellowwhoisunderthecharm！Don’tgrudgememyinnocentlittlepleasures。Lendme——IwishIcouldsay_give_me——thisprettyhand。Iamsuchanadmirerofprettyhands！Icanlistensomuchbetterwithaprettyhandinmine。Theladiesindulgemyweakness。Pleaseindulgemetoo。Yes？Andwhatwereyougoingtosay？"
　　"Iwasgoingtosay，Major，thatIfeltparticularlysensibleofyourkindwelcomebecause，asithappens，Ihaveafavortoaskofyou。"
　　Iwasconscious，whileIspoke，thatIwasapproachingtheobjectofmyvisitalittletooabruptly。ButMajorFitz—David’sadmirationrosefromoneclimaxtoanotherwithsuchalarmingrapiditythatIfelttheimportanceofadministeringapracticalchecktoit。Itrustedtothoseominouswords，"afavortoaskofyou，"toadministerthecheck，andIdidnottrustinvain。Myagedadmirergentlydroppedmyhand，and，withallpossiblepoliteness，changedthesubject。
　　"Thefavorisgranted，ofcourse！"hesaid。"Andnow，tellme，howisourdearEustace？"
　　"Anxiousandoutofspirits。"Ianswered。
　　"Anxiousandoutofspirits！"repeatedtheMajor。"TheenviablemanwhoismarriedtoYouanxiousandoutofspirits？Monstrous！
　　Eustacefairlydisgustsme。Ishalltakehimoffthelistofmyfriends。"
　　"Inthatcase，takemeoffthelistwithhim，Major。Iaminwretchedspiritstoo。Youaremyhusband’soldfriend。Imayacknowledgeto_you_thatourmarriedlifeisjustnownotquiteahappyone。"
　　MajorFitz—Davidliftedhiseyebrows（dyedtomatchhiswhiskers）
　　inpolitesurprise。
　　"Already！"heexclaimed。"WhatcanEustacebemadeof？Hashenoappreciationofbeautyandgrace？Ishethemostinsensibleoflivingbeings？"
　　"Heisthebestanddearestofmen，"Ianswered。"Butthereissomedreadfulmysteryinhispastlife——"
　　Icouldgetnofurther；MajorFitz—Daviddeliberatelystoppedme。
　　Hediditwiththesmoothestpoliteness，onthesurface。ButI
　　sawalookinhisbrightlittleeyeswhichsaid，plainly，"Ifyou_will_ventureondelicateground，madam，don’taskmetoaccompanyyou。"
　　"Mycharmingfriend！"heexclaimed。"MayIcallyoumycharmingfriend？Youhave——amongathousandotherdelightfulqualitieswhichIcanseealready——avividimagination。Don’tletitgettheupperhand。Takeanoldfellow’sadvice；don’tletitgettheupperhand！WhatcanIofferyou，dearMrs。Woodville？Acupoftea？"
　　"Callmebymyrightname，sir，"Ianswered，boldly。"Ihavemadeadiscovery。IknowaswellasyoudothatmynameisMacallan。"
　　TheMajorstarted，andlookedatmeveryattentively。Hismannerbecamegrave，histonechangedcompletely，whenhespokenext。
　　"MayIask，"hesaid，"ifyouhavecommunicatedtoyourhusbandthediscoverywhichyouhavejustmentionedtome？"
　　"Certainly！"Ianswered。"Iconsiderthatmyhusbandowesmeanexplanation。Ihaveaskedhimtotellmewhathisextraordinaryconductmeans——andhehasrefused，inlanguagethatfrightensme。
　　Ihaveappealedtohismother——and_she_hasrefusedtoexplain，inlanguagethathumiliatesme。DearMajorFitz—David，Ihavenofriendstotakemypart：Ihavenobodytocometobutyou！Domethegreatestofallfavors——tellmewhyyourfriendEustacehasmarriedmeunderafalsename！"
　　"Do_me_thegreatestofallfavors；"answeredtheMajor。"Don’taskmetosayawordaboutit。"
　　Helooked，inspiteofhisunsatisfactoryreply，asifhereallyfeltforme。Ideterminedtotrymyutmostpowersofpersuasion；
　　Iresolvednottobebeatenatthefirstrepulse。
　　"I_must_askyou，"Isaid。"Thinkofmyposition。HowcanI
　　live，knowingwhatIknow——andknowingnomore？Iwouldratherhearthemosthorriblethingyoucantellmethanbecondemned（asIamnow）toperpetualmisgivingandperpetualsuspense。I
　　lovemyhusbandwithallmyheart；butIcannotlivewithhimontheseterms：themiseryofitwoulddrivememad。Iamonlyawoman，Major。Icanonlythrowmyselfonyourkindness。
　　Don’t——pray，praydon’tkeepmeinthedark！"
　　Icouldsaynomore。IntherecklessimpulseofthemomentI
　　snatcheduphishandandraisedittomylips。ThegallantoldgentlemanstartedasifIhadgivenhimanelectricshock。
　　"Mydear，dearlady！"heexclaimed，"Ican’ttellyouhowIfeelforyou！Youcharmme，youoverwhelmme，youtouchmetotheheart。WhatcanIsay？WhatcanIdo？Icanonlyimitateyouradmirablefrankness，yourfearlesscandor。Youhavetoldmewhatyourpositionis。Letmetellyou，inmyturn，howIamplaced。
　　Composeyourself——praycomposeyourself！Ihaveasmelling—bottlehereattheserviceoftheladies。Permitmetoofferit。"
　　Hebroughtmethesmelling—bottle；heputalittlestoolundermyfeet；heentreatedmetotaketimeenoughtocomposemyself。
　　"Infernalfool！"Iheardhimsaytohimself，asheconsideratelyturnedawayfrommeforafewmoments。"If_I_hadbeenherhusband，comewhatmightofit，Iwouldhavetoldherthetruth！"
　　WashereferringtoEustace？Andwashegoingtodowhathewouldhavedoneinmyhusband’splace？——washereallygoingtotellmethetruth？
　　TheideahadbarelycrossedmymindwhenIwasstartledbyaloudandperemptoryknockingatthestreetdoor。TheMajorstoppedandlistenedattentively。Inafewmomentsthedoorwasopened，andtherustlingofawoman’sdresswasplainlyaudibleinthehall。
　　TheMajorhurriedtothedooroftheroomwiththeactivityofayoungman。Hewastoolate。Thedoorwasviolentlyopenedfromtheouterside，justashegottoit。Theladyoftherustlingdressburstintotheroom。
　　CHAPTERIX。
　　THEDEFEATOFTHEMAJOR。
　　MAJORFITZ—DAVID’Svisitorprovedtobeaplump，round—eyedoverdressedgirl，withafloridcomplexionandstrawcoloredhair。Afterfirstfixingonmeabroadstareofastonishment，shepointedlyaddressedherapologiesforintrudingonustotheMajoralone。Thecreatureevidentlybelievedmetobethelastnewobjectoftheoldgentleman’sidolatry；andshetooknopainstodisguiseherjealousresentmentondiscoveringustogether。
　　MajorFitz—Davidsetmattersrightinhisownirresistibleway。
　　Hekissedthehandoftheoverdressedgirlasdevotedlyashehadkissedmine；hetoldhershewaslookingcharmingly。Thenheledher，withhishappymixtureofadmirationandrespect，backtothedoorbywhichshehadentered——aseconddoorcommunicatingdirectlywiththehall。
　　"Noapologyisnecessary，mydear，"hesaid。"Thisladyiswithmeonamatterofbusiness。Youwillfindyoursinging—masterwaitingforyouupstairs。Beginyourlesson；andIwilljoinyouinafewminutes。_Aurevoir_，mycharmingpupil——_aurevoir。_"
　　Theyoungladyansweredthispolitelittlespeechinawhisper——withherroundeyesfixeddistrustfullyonmewhileshespoke。Thedoorclosedonher。MajorFitz—Davidwasatlibertytosetmattersrightwithme，inmyturn。
　　"Icallthatyoungpersononeofmyhappydiscoveries；"saidtheoldgentleman，complacently。"Shepossesses，Idon’thesitatetosay，thefinestsopranovoiceinEurope。Wouldyoubelieveit，I