metwithherattherailwaystation。Shewasbehindthecounterinarefreshment—room，poorinnocent，rinsingwine—glasses，andsingingoverherwork。GoodHeavens，suchsinging！Heruppernoteselectrifiedme。Isaidtomyself；’Hereisabornprimadonna——Iwillbringherout！’SheisthethirdIhavebroughtoutinmytime。IshalltakehertoItalywhenhereducationissufficientlyadvanced，andperfectheratMilan。Inthatunsophisticatedgirl，mydearlady，youseeoneofthefutureQueensofSong。Listen！Sheisbeginningherscales。Whatavoice！Brava！Brava！Bravissima！"
　　ThehighsopranonotesofthefutureQueenofSongrangthroughthehouseashespoke。Oftheloudnessoftheyounglady’svoicetherecouldbenosortofdoubt。Thesweetnessandthepurityofitadmitted，inmyopinion，ofconsiderabledispute。
　　Havingsaidthepolitewordswhichtheoccasionrenderednecessary，IventuredtorecallMajorFitz—Davidtothesubjectindiscussionbetweenuswhenhisvisitorhadenteredtheroom。
　　TheMajorwasveryunwillingtoreturntotheperiloustopiconwhichwehadjusttouchedwhentheinterruptionoccurred。Hebeattimewithhisforefingertothesingingupstairs；heaskedmeabout_my_voice，andwhetherIsang；heremarkedthatlifewouldbeintolerabletohimwithoutLoveandArt。Amaninmyplacewouldhavelostallpatience，andwouldhavegivenupthestruggleindisgust。Beingawoman，andhavingmyendinview，myresolutionwasinvincible。IfairlyworeouttheMajor’sresistance，andcompelledhimtosurrenderatdiscretion。Itisonlyjusticetoaddthat，whenhedidmakeuphismindtospeaktomeagainofEustace，hespokefrankly，andspoketothepoint。
　　"Ihaveknownyourhusband，"hebegan，"sincethetimewhenhewasaboy。Atacertainperiodofhispastlifeaterriblemisfortunefelluponhim。Thesecretofthatmisfortuneisknowntohisfriends，andisreligiouslykeptbyhisfriends。ItisthesecretthatheiskeepingfromYou。Hewillnevertellittoyouaslongashelives。Andhehasbound_me_nottotellit，underapromisegivenonmywordofhonor。Youwished，dearMrs。
　　Woodville，tobemadeacquaintedwithmypositiontowardEustace。
　　Thereitis！"
　　"YoupersistincallingmeMrs。Woodville，"Isaid。
　　"Yourhusbandwishesmetopersist，"theMajoranswered。"HeassumedthenameofWoodville，fearingtogivehisownname，whenhefirstcalledatyouruncle’shouse。Hewillnowacknowledgenoother。Remonstranceisuseless。Youmustdowhatwedo——youmustgivewaytoanunreasonableman。Thebestfellowintheworldinotherrespects：inthisonematterasobstinateandself—willedashecanbe。Ifyouaskmemyopinion，ItellyouhonestlythatIthinkhewaswrongincourtingandmarryingyouunderhisfalsename。Hetrustedhishonorandhishappinesstoyourkeepinginmakingyouhis——wife。Whyshouldhenottrustthestoryofhistroublestoyouaswell？Hismotherquitesharesmyopinioninthismatter。Youmustnotblameherforrefusingtoadmityouintoherconfidenceafteryourmarriage：itwasthentoolate。
　　Beforeyourmarriageshedidallshecoulddo——withoutbetrayingsecretswhich，asagoodmother，shewasboundtorespect——toinducehersontoactjustlytowardyou。IcommitnoindiscretionwhenItellyouthatsherefusedtosanctionyourmarriagemainlyforthereasonthatEustacerefusedtofollowheradvice，andtotellyouwhathispositionreallywas。OnmypartIdidallI
　　couldtosupportMrs。Macallaninthecoursethatshetook。WhenEustacewrotetotellmethathehadengagedhimselftomarryanieceofmygoodfriendDoctorStarkweather，andthathehadmentionedmeashisreference，IwrotebacktowarnhimthatI
　　wouldhavenothingtodowiththeaffairunlessherevealedthewholetruthabouthimselftohisfuturewife。Herefusedtolistentome，ashehadrefusedtolistentohismother；andheheldmeatthesametimetomypromisetokeephissecret。WhenStarkweatherwrotetome，IhadnochoicebuttoinvolvemyselfinadeceptionofwhichIthoroughlydisapproved，ortoanswerinatonesoguardedandsobriefastostopthecorrespondenceattheoutset。Ichosethelastalternative；andIfearIhaveoffendedmygoodoldfriend。YounowseethepainfulpositioninwhichIamplaced。Toaddtothedifficultiesofthatsituation，Eustacecameherethisverydaytowarnmetobeonmyguard，incaseofyouraddressingtometheveryrequestwhichyouhavejustmade！Hetoldmethatyouhadmetwithhismother，byanunluckyaccident，andthatyouhaddiscoveredthefamilyname。HedeclaredthathehadtraveledtoLondonfortheexpresspurposeofspeakingtomepersonallyonthisserioussubject。’Iknowyourweakness，’hesaid，’wherewomenareconcerned。Valeriaisawarethatyouaremyoldfriend。Shewillcertainlywritetoyou；shemayevenbeboldenoughtomakeherwayintoyourhouse。
　　Renewyourpromisetokeepthegreatcalamityofmylifeasecret，onyourhonorandonyouroath。’Thosewerehiswords，asnearlyasIcanrememberthem。Itriedtotreatthethinglightly；Iridiculedtheabsurdlytheatricalnotionof’renewingmypromise，’andalltherestofit。Quiteuseless！Herefusedtoleaveme；heremindedmeofhisunmeritedsufferings，poorfellow，inthepasttime。Itendedinhisburstingintotears。
　　Youlovehim，andsodoI。CanyouwonderthatIlethimhavehisway？TheresultisthatIamdoublyboundtotellyounothing，bythemostsacredpromisethatamancangive。Mydearlady，I
　　cordiallysidewithyouinthismatter；Ilongtorelieveyouranxieties。ButwhatcanIdo？"
　　Hestopped，andwaited——gravelywaited——tohearmyreply。
　　Ihadlistenedfrombeginningtoendwithoutinterruptinghim。
　　Theextraordinarychangeinhismanner，andinhiswayofexpressinghimself，whilehewasspeakingofEustace，alarmedmeasnothinghadalarmedmeyet。Howterrible（Ithoughttomyself）
　　mustthisuntoldstorybe，ifthemereactofreferringtoitmakeslight—heartedMajorFitz—Davidspeakseriouslyandsadly，neversmiling，neverpayingmeacompliment，neverevennoticingthesingingupstairs！MyheartsankinmeasIdrewthatstartlingconclusion。ForthefirsttimesinceIhadenteredthehouseIwasattheendofmyresources；Iknewneitherwhattosaynorwhattodonext。
　　AndyetIkeptmyseat。Neverhadtheresolutiontodiscoverwhatmyhusbandwashidingfrommebeenmorefirmlyrootedinmymindthanitwasatthatmoment！Icannotaccountfortheextraordinaryinconsistencyinmycharacterwhichthisconfessionimplies。Icanonlydescribethefactsastheyreallywere。
　　Thesingingwentonupstairs。MajorFitz—DavidstillwaitedimpenetrablytohearwhatIhadtosay——toknowwhatIresolvedondoingnext。
　　BeforeIhaddecidedwhattosayorwhattodo，anotherdomesticincidenthappened。Inplainwords，anotherknockingannouncedanewvisitoratthehousedoor。Onthisoccasiontherewasnorustlingofawoman’sdressinthehall。Onthisoccasiononlytheoldservantenteredtheroom，carryingamagnificentnosegayinhishand。"WithLadyClarinda’skindregards。ToremindMajorFitz—Davidofhisappointment。"Anotherlady！Thistimealadywithatitle。Agreatladywhosentherflowersandhermessageswithoutcondescendingtoconcealment。TheMajor——firstapologizingtome——wroteafewlinesofacknowledgment，andsentthemouttothemessenger。Whenthedoorwasclosedagainhecarefullyselectedoneofthechoicestflowersinthenosegay。
　　"MayIask，"hesaid，presentingtheflowertomewithhisbestgrace，"whetheryounowunderstandthedelicatepositioninwhichIamplacedbetweenyourhusbandandyourself？"
　　Thelittleinterruptioncausedbytheappearanceofthenosegayhadgivenanewimpulsetomythoughts，andhadthushelped，insomedegree，torestoremetomyself。IwasableatlasttosatisfyMajorFitz—Davidthathisconsiderateandcourteousexplanationhadnotbeenthrownawayuponme。
　　"Ithankyou，mostsincerely，Major，"Isaid"YouhaveconvincedmethatImustnotaskyoutoforget，onmyaccount，thepromisewhichyouhavegiventomyhusband。Itisasacredpromise，whichItooamboundtorespect——Iquiteunderstandthat。"
　　TheMajordrewalongbreathofrelief，andpattedmeontheshoulderinhighapprovalofwhatIhadsaidtohim。
　　"Admirablyexpressed！"herejoined，recoveringhislight—heartedlooksandhislover—likewaysallinamoment。"Mydearlady，youhavethegiftofsympathy；youseeexactlyhowIamsituated。Doyouknow，youremindmeofmycharmingLadyClarinda。_She_hasthegiftofsympathy，andseesexactlyhowIamsituated。I
　　shouldsoenjoyintroducingyoutoeachother，"saidtheMajor，plunginghislongnoseecstaticallyintoLadyClarinda’sflowers。
　　Ihadmyendstilltogain；and，being（asyouwillhavediscoveredbythistime）themostobstinateoflivingwomen，I
　　stillkeptthatendinview。
　　"IshallbedelightedtomeetLadyClarinda，"Ireplied。"Inthemeantime——"
　　"Iwillgetupalittledinner，"proceededtheMajor，withaburstofenthusiasm。"YouandIandLadyClarinda。Ouryoungprimadonnashallcomeintheevening，andsingtous。Supposewedrawoutthe_menu？_Mysweetfriend，whatisyourfavoriteautumnsoup？"
　　"Inthemeantime，"Ipersisted，"toreturntowhatwewerespeakingofjustnow——"
　　TheMajor’ssmilevanished；theMajor’shanddroppedthependestinedtoimmortalizethenameofmyfavoriteautumnsoup。
　　"_Must_wereturntothat？"heasked，piteously。
　　"Onlyforamoment，"Isaid。
　　"Youremindme，"pursuedMajorFitz—David，shakinghisheadsadly，"ofanothercharmingfriendofmine——aFrenchfriend——MadameMirliflore。Youareapersonofprodigioustenacityofpurpose。MadameMirlifloreisapersonofprodigioustenacityofpurpose。ShehappenstobeinLondon。Shallwehaveheratourlittledinner？"TheMajorbrightenedattheidea，andtookupthepenagain。"Dotellme，"hesaid，"what_is_yourfavoriteautumnsoup？"
　　"Pardonme，"Ibegan，"wewerespeakingjustnow——"
　　"Oh，dearme！"criedMajorFitz—David。"Isthistheothersubject？"
　　"Yes——thisistheothersubject。"
　　TheMajorputdownhispenforthesecondtime，andregretfullydismissedfromhismindMadameMirlifloreandtheautumnsoup。
　　"Yes？"hesaid，withapatientbowandasubmissivesmile。"Youweregoingtosay——"
　　"Iwasgoingtosay，"Irejoined，"thatyourpromiseonlypledgesyounottotellthesecretwhichmyhusbandiskeepingfromme。
　　YouhavegivennopromisenottoanswermeifIventuretoaskyouoneortwoquestions。"
　　MajorFitz—Davidhelduphishandwarningly，andcastaslylookatmeoutofhisbrightlittlegrayeyes。
　　"Stop！"hesaid。"Mysweetfriend，stopthere！Iknowwhereyourquestionswillleadme，andwhattheresultwillbeifIoncebegintoanswerthem。Whenyourhusbandwashereto—dayhetookoccasiontoremindmethatIwasasweakaswaterinthehandsofaprettywoman。Heisquiteright。I_am_asweakaswater；Icanrefusenothingtoaprettywoman。Dearandadmirablelady，don’tabuseyourinfluence！don’tmakeanoldsoldierfalsetohiswordofhonor！"
　　Itriedtosaysomethinghereindefenseofmymotives。TheMajorclaspedhishandsentreatingly，andlookedatmewithapleadingsimplicitywonderfultosee。
　　"Whypressit？"heasked。"Ioffernoresistance。Iamalamb——whysacrificeme？Iacknowledgeyourpower；Ithrowmyselfonyourmercy。Allthemisfortunesofmyyouthandmymanhoodhavecometomethroughwomen。Iamnotabitbetterinmyage——I
　　amjustasfondofthewomenandjustasreadytobemisledbythemasever，withonefootinthegrave。Shocking，isn’tit？Buthowtrue！Lookatthismark！"Heliftedacurlofhisbeautifulbrownwig，andshowedmeaterriblescaratthesideofhishead。
　　"Thatwound（supposedtobemortalatthetime）wasmadebyapistolbullet，"heproceeded。"Notreceivedintheserviceofmycountry——ohdear，no！Receivedintheserviceofamuch—injuredlady，atthehandsofherscoundrelofahusband，inaduelabroad。Well，shewasworthit。"Hekissedhishandaffectionatelytothememoryofthedeadorabsentlady，andpointedtoawater—colordrawingofaprettycountry—househangingontheoppositewall。"Thatfineestate，"heproceeded，"oncebelongedtome。Itwassoldyearsandyearssince。Andwhohadthemoney？Thewomen——Godblessthemall！——thewomen。Idon’tregretit。IfIhadanotherestate，Ihavenodoubtitwouldgothesameway。Youradorablesexhasmadeitsprettyplaythingsofmylife，mytime，andmymoney——andwelcome！TheonethingIhavekepttomyselfismyhonor。Andnow_that_isindanger。Yes，ifyouputyourcleverlittlequestions，withthoselovelyeyesandwiththatgentlevoice，Iknowwhatwillhappen。Youwilldeprivemeofthelastandbestofallmypossessions。HaveIdeservedtobetreatedinthatway，andbyyou，mycharmingfriend？——byyou，ofallpeopleintheworld？Oh，fie！fie！"
　　Hepausedandlookedatmeasbefore——thepictureofartlessentreaty，withhisheadalittleononeside。Imadeanotherattempttospeakofthematterindisputebetweenus，frommyownpointofview。MajorFitz—Davidinstantlythrewhimselfprostrateonmymercymoreinnocentlythanever。
　　"Askofmeanythingelseinthewideworld，"hesaid；"butdon’taskmetobefalsetomyfriend。Spareme_that_——andthereisnothingIwillnotdotosatisfyyou。ImeanwhatIsay，mind！"
　　hewenton，bendingclosertome，andspeakingmoreseriouslythanhehadspokenyet"Ithinkyouareveryhardlyused。Itismonstroustoexpectthatawoman，placedinyoursituation，willconsenttobeleftfortherestofherlifeinthedark。No！no！
　　ifIsawyou，atthismoment，onthepointoffindingoutforyourselfwhatEustacepersistsinhidingfromyou，Ishouldrememberthatmypromise，likeallotherpromises，hasitslimitsandreserves。Ishouldconsidermyselfboundinhonornottohelpyou——butIwouldnotliftafingertopreventyoufromdiscoveringthetruthforyourself。"
　　Atlasthewasspeakingingoodearnest：helaidastrongemphasisonhisclosingwords。Ilaidastrongeremphasisonthemstillbysuddenlyleavingmychair。Theimpulsetospringtomyfeetwasirresistible。MajorFitz—Davidhadstartedanewideainmymind。
　　"Nowweunderstandeachother！"Isaid。"Iwillacceptyourownterms，Major。Iwillasknothingofyoubutwhatyouhavejustofferedtomeofyourownaccord。"
　　"WhathaveIoffered？"heinquired，lookingalittlealarmed。
　　"Nothingthatyouneedrepentof，"Ianswered；"nothingwhichisnoteasyforyoutogrant。MayIaskaboldquestion？Supposethishousewasmineinsteadofyours？"
　　"Considerityours，"criedthegallantoldgentleman。"Fromthegarrettothekitchen，considerityours！"
　　"Athousandthanks，Major；Iwillconsideritmineforthemoment。Youknow——everybodyknows——thatoneofawoman’smanyweaknessesiscuriosity。Supposemycuriosityledmetoexamineeverythinginmynewhouse？"
　　"Yes？"
　　"SupposeIwentfromroomtoroom，andsearchedeverything，andpeepedineverywhere？Doyouthinktherewouldbeanychance——"
　　Thequick—wittedMajoranticipatedthenatureofmyquestion。Hefollowedmyexample；hetoostartedtohisfeet，withanewideainhismind。
　　"Wouldtherebeanychance，"Iwenton，"ofmyfindingmyownwaytomyhusband’ssecretinthishouse？Onewordofreply，MajorFitz—David！Onlyoneword——YesorNo？"
　　"Don’texciteyourself！"criedtheMajor。
　　"YesorNo？"Irepeated，morevehementlythanever。
　　"Yes，"saidtheMajor，afteramoment’sconsideration。
　　ItwasthereplyIhadaskedfor；butitwasnotexplicitenough，nowIhadgotit，tosatisfyme。Ifeltthenecessityofleadinghim（ifpossible）intodetails。
　　"Does’Yes’meanthatthereissomesortofclewtothemystery？"
　　Iasked。"Something，forinstance，whichmyeyesmightseeandmyhandsmighttouchifIcouldonlyfindit？"
　　Heconsideredagain。IsawthatIhadsucceededininterestinghiminsomewayunknowntomyself；andIwaitedpatientlyuntilhewaspreparedtoanswerme。
　　"Thethingyoumention，"hesaid，"theclew（asyoucallit），mightbeseenandmightbetouched——supposingyoucouldfindit。"
　　"Inthishouse？"Iasked。
　　TheMajoradvancedastepnearertome，andanswered——
　　"Inthisroom。"
　　Myheadbegantoswim；myheartthrobbedviolently。Itriedtospeak；itwasinvain；theeffortalmostchokedme。InthesilenceIcouldhearthemusic—lessonstillgoingonintheroomabove。Thefutureprimadonnahaddonepracticingherscales，andwastryinghervoicenowinselectionsfromItalianoperas。AtthemomentwhenIfirstheardhershewassingingthebeautifulairfromthe_Somnambula，_"Comepermesereno。"Ineverhearthatdeliciousmelody，tothisday，withoutbeinginstantlytransportedinimaginationtothefatalback—roominVivianPlace。
　　TheMajor——stronglyaffectedhimselfbythistime——wasthefirsttobreakthesilence。
　　"Sitdownagain，"hesaid；"andpraytaketheeasy—chair。Youareverymuchagitated；youwantrest。"
　　Hewasright。Icouldstandnolonger；Idroppedintothechair。
　　MajorFitz—Davidrangthebell，andspokeafewwordstotheservantatthedoor。
　　"Ihavebeenherealongtime，"Isaid，faintly。"TellmeifIamintheway。"
　　"Intheway？"herepeated，withhisirresistiblesmile。"Youforgetthatyouareinyourownhouse！"
　　Theservantreturnedtous，bringingwithhimatinybottleofchampagneandaplatefulofdelicatelittlesugaredbiscuits。
　　"Ihavehadthiswinebottledexpresslyfortheladies，"saidtheMajor。"ThebiscuitscametomedirectfromParis。Asafavorto_me，_youmusttakesomerefreshment。Andthen——"Hestoppedandlookedatmeveryattentively。"Andthen，"heresumed，"shallI
　　gotomyyoungprimadonnaupstairsandleaveyouherealone？"
　　ItwasimpossibletohintmoredelicatelyattheonerequestwhichInowhaditinmymindtomaketohim。Itookhishandandpresseditgratefully。
　　"Thetranquillityofmywholelifetocomeisatstake，"Isaid。
　　"WhenIamleftherebymyself，doesyourgeneroussympathypermitmetoexamineeverythingintheroom？"
　　Hesignedtometodrinkthechampagneandeatabiscuitbeforehegavehisanswer。
　　"Thisisserious，"hesaid。"Iwishyoutobeinperfectpossessionofyourself。Restoreyourstrength——andthenIwillspeaktoyou。"
　　Ididashebademe。InaminutefromthetimewhenIdrankitthedelicioussparklingwinehadbeguntoreviveme。
　　"Isityourexpresswish，"heresumed，"thatIshouldleaveyouherebyyourselftosearchtheroom？"
　　"Itismyexpresswish，"Ianswered。
　　"Itakeaheavyresponsibilityonmyselfingrantingyourrequest。ButIgrantitforallthat，becauseIsincerelybelieve——asyoubelieve——thatthetranquillityofyourlifetocomedependsonyourdiscoveringthetruth。"Sayingthosewords，hetooktwokeysfromhispocket。"Youwillnaturallyfeelasuspicion，"hewenton，"ofanylockeddoorsthatyoumayfindhere。Theonlylockedplacesintheroomarethedoorsofthecupboardsunderthelongbook—case，andthedooroftheItaliancabinetinthatcorner。Thesmallkeyopensthebook—casecupboards；thelongkeyopensthecabinetdoor。"
　　Withthatexplanation，helaidthekeysbeforemeonthetable。
　　"Thusfar，"hesaid，"IhaverigidlyrespectedthepromisewhichImadetoyourhusband。Ishallcontinuetobefaithfultomypromise，whatevermaybetheresultofyourexaminationoftheroom。Iamboundinhonornottoassistyoubywordordeed。Iamnotevenatlibertytoofferyoutheslightesthint。Isthatunderstood？"
　　"Certainly！"
　　"Verygood。Ihavenowalastwordofwarningtogiveyou——andthenIhavedone。Ifyoudobyanychancesucceedinlayingyourhandontheclew，rememberthis——_thediscoverywhichfollowswillbeaterribleone。_Ifyouhaveanydoubtaboutyourcapacitytosustainashockwhichwillstrikeyoutothesoul，forGod’ssakegiveuptheideaoffindingoutyourhusband’ssecretatonceandforever！"
　　"Ithankyouforyourwarning，Major。Imustfacetheconsequencesofmakingthediscovery，whatevertheymaybe。"
　　"Youarepositivelyresolved？"
　　"Positively。"
　　"Verywell。Takeanytimeyouplease。Thehouse，andeverypersoninit，areatyourdisposal。Ringthebellonceifyouwanttheman—servant。Ringtwiceifyouwishthehousemaidtowaitonyou。
　　FromtimetotimeIshalljustlookinmyselftoseehowyouaregoingon。Iamresponsibleforyourcomfortandsecurity，youknow，whileyouhonormebyremainingundermyroof。"
　　Heliftedmyhandtohislips，andfixedalastattentivelookonme。
　　"IhopeIamnotrunningtoogreatarisk，"hesaid——moretohimselfthantome。"Thewomenhaveledmeintomanyarashactioninmytime。Have_you_ledme，Iwonder，intotherashestactionofall？"
　　Withthoseominouslastwordshebowedgravelyandleftmealoneintheroom。
　　CHAPTERX。
　　THESEARCH。
　　THEfireburninginthegratewasnotaverylargeone；andtheouterair（asIhadnoticedonmywaytothehouse）hadsomethingofawintrysharpnessinitthatday。
　　Still，myfirstfeeling，whenMajorFitz—Davidleftme，wasafeelingofheatandoppression，withitsnaturalresult，adifficultyinbreathingfreely。Thenervousagitationofthetimewas，Isuppose，answerableforthesesensations。Itookoffmybonnetandmantleandgloves，andopenedthewindowforalittlewhile。Nothingwastobeseenoutsidebutapavedcourtyard，withaskylightinthemiddle，closedatthefurtherendbythewalloftheMajor’sstables。Afewminutesatthewindowcooledandrefreshedme。Ishutitdownagain，andtookmyfirststeponthewayofdiscovery。Inotherwords，Ibeganmyfirstexaminationofthefourwallsaroundme，andofallthattheyinclosed。
　　Iwasamazedatmyowncalmness。MyinterviewwithMajorFitz—Davidhad，perhaps，exhaustedmycapacityforfeelinganystrongemotion，forthetimeatleast。Itwasarelieftometobealone；itwasarelieftometobeginthesearch。Thoseweremyonlysensationssofar。
　　Theshapeoftheroomwasoblong。Ofthetwoshorterwalls，onecontainedthedooringrooveswhichIhavealreadymentionedascommunicatingwiththefrontroom；theotherwasalmostentirelyoccupiedbythebroadwindowwhichlookedoutonthecourtyard。
　　Takingthedoorwaywallfirst，whatwasthere，intheshapeoffurniture，oneithersideofit？Therewasacard—tableoneitherside。Aboveeachcard—tablestoodamagnificentchinabowlplacedonagiltandcarvedbracketfixedtothewall。
　　Iopenedthecard—tables。Thedrawersbeneathcontainednothingbutcards，andtheusualcountersandmarkers。Withtheexceptionofonepack，thecardsinbothtableswerestillwrappedintheirpapercoversexactlyastheyhadcomefromtheshop。Iexaminedtheloosepack，cardbycard。Nowriting，nomarkofanykind，wasvisibleonanyoneofthem。Assistedbyalibraryladderwhichstoodagainstthebook—case，Ilookednextintothetwochinabowls。Bothwereperfectlyempty。Wasthereanythingmoretoexamineonthatsideoftheroom？Inthetwocornersthereweretwolittlechairsofinlaidwood，withredsilkcushions。I
　　turnedthemupandlookedunderthecushions，andstillImadenodiscoveries。WhenIhadputthechairsbackintheirplacesmysearchononesideoftheroomwascomplete。SofarIhadfoundnothing。
　　Icrossedtotheoppositewall，thewallwhichcontainedthewindow。
　　Thewindow（occupying，asIhavesaid，almosttheentirelengthandheightofthewall）wasdividedintothreecompartments，andwasadornedattheirextremitybyhandsomecurtainsofdarkredvelvet。Theampleheavyfoldsofthevelvetleftjustroomatthetwocornersofthewallfortwolittleuprightcabinetsinbuhl，containingrowsofdrawers，andsupportingtwofinebronzeproductions（reducedinsize）oftheVenusMiloandtheVenusCallipyge。IhadMajorFitz—David’spermissiontodojustwhatI
　　pleased。Iopenedthesixdrawersineachcabinet，andexaminedtheircontentswithouthesitation。
　　Beginningwiththecabinetintheright—handcorner，myinvestigationsweresooncompleted。Allthesixdrawerswerealikeoccupiedbyacollectionoffossils，which（judgingbythecuriouspaperinscriptionsfixedonsomeofthem）wereassociatedwithapastperiodoftheMajor’slifewhenhehadspeculated，notverysuccessfullyinmines。Aftersatisfyingmyselfthatthedrawerscontainednothingbutthefossilsandtheirinscriptions，Iturnedtothecabinetintheleft—handcornernext。
　　Hereavarietyofobjectswasrevealedtoview，andtheexaminationaccordinglyoccupiedamuchlongertime。
　　Thetopdrawercontainedacompletecollectionofcarpenter’stoolsinminiature，relicsprobablyofthefar—distanttimewhentheMajorwasaboy，andwhenparentsorfriendshadmadehimapresentofasetoftoytools。Theseconddrawerwasfilledwithtoysofanothersort——presentsmadetoMajorFitz—Davidbyhisfairfriends。Embroideredbraces，smartsmoking—caps，quaintpincushions，gorgeousslippers，glitteringpurses，allborewitnesstothepopularityofthefriendofthewomen。Thecontentsofthethirddrawerwereofalessinterestingsort：theentirespacewasfilledwitholdaccount—books，rangingoveraperiodofmanyyears。Afterlookingintoeachbook，andopeningandshakingituselessly，insearchofanyloosepaperswhichmightbehiddenbetweentheleaves，Icametothefourthdrawer，andfoundmorerelicsofpastpecuniarytransactionsintheshapeofreceiptedbills，neatlytiedtogether，andeachinscribedattheback。AmongthebillsIfoundnearlyadozenloosepapers，allequallyunimportant。Thefifthdrawerwasinsadconfusion。I
　　tookoutfirstaloosebundleofornamentalcards，eachcontainingthelistofdishesatpastbanquetsgivenorattendedbytheMajorinLondonorParis；next，aboxfullofdelicatelytintedquillpens（evidentlyalady’sgift）；next，aquantityofoldinvitationcards；next，somedog’s—earedFrenchplaysandbooksoftheopera；next，apocket—corkscrew，abundleofcigarettes，andabunchofrustykeys；lastly，apassport，asetofluggagelabels，abrokensilversnuff—box，twocigar—cases，andatornmapofRome。"Nothinganywheretointerestme，"I