Therewasnothinglefttosuggest。Youngandinexperiencedasshewas，how（Iasked）hadshecontrivedtothinkofallthis？Sheanswered，simply"I’msureIdon’tknow；mythoughtscametomewhileIwaslookingatPhilip。"
　　SoonafterwardIfoundanopportunityofinquiringifHelenahadleftthehouse。Shehadjustrungherbell；andMariahadfoundher，quietlyreading，inherroom。Hoursafterward，whenIwasonthewatchatnight，IheardPhilip’sdoorsoftlytriedfromtheoutside。Herdreadfulpurposehadnotbeengivenup，evenyet。
　　Thedoctorcameintheevening，ashehadpromised，andfoundanimprovementinPhilip’shealth。Imentionedwhatprecautionswehadtaken，andthattheyhadbeendevisedbyEuneece。"Areyougoingtowithdrawfromthecase？"Iasked。"Iamcomingbacktothecase，"heanswered，"to—morrowmorning。"
　　IthadbeenadisappointmenttometoreceivenoanswertothetelegramwhichIhadsenttoMr。Dunboynetheelder。Thenextday’spostbroughttheexplanationinalettertoPhilipfromhisfather，directedtohimatthehotelhere。Thisshowedthatmytelegram，givingmyaddressatthishouse，hadnotbeenreceived。
　　Mr。DunboyneannouncedthathehadreturnedtoIreland，findingtheairofLondonunendurable，afterthesea—breezesathome。IfPhiliphadalreadymarried，hisfatherwouldleavehimtoalifeofgenteelpovertywithHelenaGracedieu。Ifhehadthoughtbetterofit，hiswelcomewaswaitingforhim。
　　LittledidMr。Dunboyneknowwhatchangeshadtakenplacesinceheandhissonhadlastmet，andwhathopemightyetpresentitselfofbrighterdaysforpoorEuneece！Ithoughtofwritingtohim。Buthowwouldthatcrabbedoldmanreceiveaconfidentialletterfromaladywhowasastranger？
　　MydoubtsweresetatrestbyPhiliphimself。Heaskedmetowriteafewlinesofreplytohisfather；declaringthathismarriagewithHelenawasbrokenoff——thathehadnotgivenupallhopeofbeingpermittedtoofferthesincereexpressionofhispenitencetoEuneece——andthathewouldgladlyclaimhiswelcome，assoonashewaswellenoughtoundertakethejourneytoIreland。Whenhehadsignedtheletter，IwassopleasedthatI
　　madeasmartremark。Isaid："Thisisatreatyofpeacebetweenfatherandson。"
　　Whenthedoctorarrivedinthemorning，andfoundthechangeforthebetterinhispatientconfirmed，hedidjusticetousatlast。Hespokekindly，andevengratefully，toEuneece。Nomoreallusionstothehospitalasaplaceofsafetyescapedhim。HeaskedmecautiouslyfornewsofHelena。Icouldonlytellhimthatshehadgoneoutathercustomarytime，andhadreturnedathercustomarytime。Hedidnotattempttoconcealthatmyreplyhadmadehimuneasy。
　　"AreyoustillafraidthatshemaysucceedinpoisoningPhilip？"
　　Iasked。
　　"Iamafraidofhercunning，"hesaid。"IfsheischargedwithattemptingtopoisonyoungDunboyne，shehassomesystemofdefense，youmayrelyonit，forwhichwearenotprepared。
　　There，inmyopinion，isthetruereasonforherextraordinaryinsensibilitytoherowndanger。"
　　Twomoredayspassed，andwewerestillsafeundertheprotectionoflockandkey。
　　Ontheeveningofthesecondday（whichwasaMonday）Mariacametomeingreattribulation。Oninquiringwhatwasthematter，I
　　receivedadisquietingreply："MissHelenaistemptingme。SheissomiserableatbeingpreventedfromseeingMr。Philip，andhelpingtonursehim，thatitisquitedistressingtoseeher。Atthesametime，miss，it’shardonapoorservant。Sheasksmetotakethekeysecretlyoutofthedoor，andlendittoheratnightforafewminutesonly。I’mreallyafraidIshallbeledintodoingit，ifshegoesonpersuadingmemuchlonger。"
　　IcommendedMariaforfeelingscrupleswhichprovedhertobethebestofgoodgirls，andpromisedtorelieveherfromallfearoffuturetemptation。Thiswaseasilydone。EuneecekeptthekeyofPhilip’sdoorinherpocket；andIkeptthekeyofthedining—roomdoorinmine。
　　CHAPTERLXI。
　　ATROCITY。
　　ONthenextday，aTuesdayintheweek，aneventtookplacewhichEuneeceandIviewedwithdistrust。Earlyintheafternoon，ayoungmancalledwithanoteforHelena。Itwastobegiventoherimmediately，andnoanswerwasrequired。
　　Mariahadjustclosedthehousedoor，andwasonherwayupstairswiththeletter，whenshewascalledbackbyanotherringatthebell。Ourvisitorwasthedoctor。HespoketoMariainthehall：
　　"IthinkIseeanoteinyourhand。Wasitgiventoyoubytheyoungmanwhohasjustleftthehouse？"
　　"Yes，sir。
　　"Ifhe’syoursweetheart，mydear，Ihavenothingmoretosay。"
　　"Goodgracious，doctor，howyoudotalk！Ineversawtheyoungmanbeforeinmylife。"
　　"Inthatcase，Maria，Iwillaskyoutoletmelookattheaddress。Aha！Mischief！"
　　ThemomentIheardthatIthrewopenthedining—roomdoor。
　　Curiosityisnoteasilysatisfied。Whenithears，itwantstosee；whenitsees，itwantstoknow。Everyladywillagreewithmeinthisobservation。
　　"Praycomein，"Isaid。
　　"Oneminute，MissJillgall。Mygirl，whenyougiveMissHelenathatnote，trytogetaslylookatherwhensheopensit，andcomeandtellmewhatyouhaveseen。"Hejoinedmeinthedining—room，andclosedthedoor。"Theotherday，"hewenton，"whenItoldyouwhatIhaddiscoveredinthechemist’sshop，I
　　thinkImentionedayoungmanwhowascalledtospeaktoaquestionofidentity——anassistantwhoknewMissHelenaGracedieubysight。"
　　"Yes，yes！"
　　"ThatyoungmanleftthenotewhichMariahasjusttakenupstairs。"
　　"Whowroteit，doctor，andwhatdoesitsay？"
　　"Questionsnaturallyasked，MissJillgall——andnoteasilyanswered。WhereisEunice？Herquickwitmighthelpus。"
　　ShehadgoneouttobuysomefruitandflowersforPhilip。
　　Thedoctoracceptedhisdisappointmentresignedly。"Letustrywhatwecandowithouther，"hesaid。"Thatyoungman’smasterhasbeeninconsultation（youmayrememberwhy）withhislawyer，andHelenamaybethreatenedbyaninvestigationbeforethemagistrates。Ifthiswildguessofmineturnsouttohavehitthemark，thepoisonerupstairshasgotawarning。"
　　Iaskedifthechemisthadwrittenthenote。FoolishenoughofmewhenIcametothinkofit。ThechemistwouldscarcelyactafriendlyparttowardHelena，whenshewasanswerablefortheawkwardpositioninwhichhehadplacedhimself。Perhapstheyoungmanwhohadleftthewarningwasalsothewriterofthewarning。ThedoctorremindedmethathewasallbutastrangertoHelena。"Wearenotusuallyinterested，"heremarked，"inapersonwhomweonlyknowbysight。"
　　"Rememberthatheisayoungman，"Iventuredtosay。Thiswasastronghint，butthedoctorfailedtoseeit。Hehadevidentlyforgottenhisownyouth。Imadeanotherattempt。
　　"AndvileasHelenais，"Icontinued，"wecannotdenythatthisdisgracetohersexisahandsomeyounglady。"
　　Hesawitatlast。"Woman’swit！"hecried。"Youhavehitit，MissJillgall。Theyoungfoolissmittenwithher，andhasgivenherachanceofmakingherescape。"
　　"Doyouthinkshewilltakethechance？"
　　"Foralloursakes，IprayGodshemay！ButIdon’tfeelsureaboutit。"
　　"Why？"
　　"RecollectwhatyouandEunicehavedone。Youhaveshownyoursuspicionofherwithoutanattempttoconcealit。Ifyouhadputherinprisonyoucouldnothavemorecompletelydefeatedherinfernaldesign。Doyouthinksheisalikelypersontosubmittothat，withoutanefforttobeevenwithyou？"
　　Justashesaidthoseterrifyingwords，Mariacamebacktous。Heaskedatoncewhathadkepthersolongupstairs。
　　Thegirlhadevidentlysomethingtosay，whichhadinflatedher（ifImayusesuchanexpression）withasenseofherownimportance。
　　"Pleasetoletmetellit，sir，"sheanswered，"inmyownway。
　　MissHelenaturnedaspaleasasheswhensheopenedtheletter，andthenshetookaturnintheroom，andthenshelookedatmewithasmile——well，miss，IcanonlysaythatIfeltthatsmileinthesmallofmyback。Itriedtogettothedoor。Shestoppedme。Shesays：’Where’sMissEunice？’Isays：’Goneout。’Shesays：’Isthereanybodyinthedrawing—room？’Isays：’No，miss。’
　　Shesays：’TellMissJillgallIwanttospeaktoher，andsayI
　　amwaitinginthedrawing—room。’It’severywordofittrue！And，ifapoorservantmaygiveanopinion，Idon’tlikethelookofit。"
　　ThedoctordismissedMaria。"Whateveritis，"hesaidtome，"youmustgoandhearit。"
　　Iamnotacourageouswoman；Iexpressedmyselfasbeingwillingtogotoher，ifthedoctorwentwithme。Hesaidthatwasimpossible；shewouldprobablyrefusetospeakbeforeanywitness；andcertainlybeforehim。ButhepromisedtolookafterPhilipinmyabsence，andtowaitbelowifitreallysohappenedthatIwantedhim。Ineedonlyringthebell，andhewouldcometomethemomentheheardit。Suchkindnessasthisrousedmycourage，Isuppose。Atanyrate，Iwentupstairs。
　　Shewasstandingbythefire—place，withherelbowonthechimney—piece，andherhead，restingonherhand。Istoppedjustinsidethedoor，waitingtohearwhatshehadtosay。Inthispositionherside—faceonlywaspresentedtome。Itwasaghastlyface。TheeyethatIcouldseeturnedwickedlyonmewhenIcamein——thenturnedawayagain。Otherwise，shenevermoved。IconfessItrembled，butIdidmybesttodisguiseit。
　　Shebrokeoutsuddenlywithwhatshehadtosay："Iwon’tallowthisstateofthingstogoonanylonger。Myhorrorofanexposurewhichwilldisgracethefamilyhaskeptmesilent，wronglysilent，sofar。Philip’slifeisindanger。Iamforgettingmydutytomyaffiancedhusband，ifIallowmyselftobekeptawayfromhimanylonger。Openthoselockeddoors，andrelievemefromthesightofyou。Openthedoors，Isay，oryouwillbothofyou——youtheaccomplice，shethewretchwhodirectsyou——repentittotheendofyourlives。"
　　Inmyownmind，Iaskedmyselfifshehadgonemad。ButIonlyanswered："Idon’tunderstandyou。"
　　Shesaidagain："YouareEunice’saccomplice。"
　　"Accompliceinwhat？"Iasked。
　　Sheturnedherheadslowlyandfacedme。Ishrankfromlookingather。
　　"Allthecircumstancesproveit，"shewenton。"IhavesupplantedEuniceinPhilip’saffection。Shewasonceengagedtomarryhim；
　　Iamengagedtomarryhimnow。Sheisresolvedthatheshallnevermakemehiswife。HewilldieifIdelayanylonger。HewilldieifIdon’tcrushher，likethereptilesheis。Shecomeshere——andwhatdoesshedo？Keepshimprisonerunderherownsuperintendence。Whogetshismedicine？Shegetsit。Whocookshisfood？Shecooksit。Thedoorsarelocked。Imightbeawitnessofwhatgoeson；andIamkeptout。Theservantswhooughttowaitonhimarekeptout。Shecandowhatshelikeswithhismedicine；shecandowhatshelikeswithhisfood：sheisinfuriatedwithhimfordesertingher，andpromisingtomarryme。
　　Givehimbacktomycare；or，dreadfulasitistodenouncemyownsister，Ishallclaimprotectionfromthemagistrates。"
　　Ilostallfearofher：Isteppedcloseuptotheplaceatwhichshewasstanding；Icriedout："Ofwhat，inGod’sname，doyouaccuseyoursister？"
　　Sheanswered："IaccuseherofpoisoningPhilipDunboyne。"
　　Iranoutoftheroom；Irushedheadlongdownthestairs。Thedoctorheardme，andcamerunningintothehall。Icaughtholdofhimlikeamadwoman。"Euneece！"Mybreathwasgone；Icouldonlysay："Euneece！"
　　Hedraggedmeintothedining—room。Therewaswineontheside—board，whichhehadorderedmedicallyforPhilip。Heforcedmetodrinksomeofit。Itranthroughmelikefire；ithelpedmetospeak。"Nowtellme，"hesaid，"whathasshedonetoEunice？"
　　"Shebringsahorribleaccusationagainsther，"Ianswered。
　　"Whatistheaccusation？"Itoldhim。
　　Helookedmethroughandthrough。"Takecare！"hesaid。"Nohysterics，noexaggeration。Youmayleadtodreadfulconsequencesifyouarenotsureofyourself。Ifit’sreallytrue，sayitagain。"Isaiditagain——quietlythistime。
　　Hisfacestartledme；itwaswhitewithrage。Hesnatchedhishatoffthehalltable。
　　"Whatareyougoingtodo？"Iasked。
　　"Myduty。"HewasoutofthehousebeforeIcouldspeaktohimagain。
　　ThirdPeriod_（concluded）。_
　　_TROUBLESANDTRIUMPHSOFTHEFAMILY，RELATEDBYTHEGOVERNOR。_
　　CHAPTERLXII。
　　THESENTENCEPRONOUNCED。
　　MARTYRStogoutknow，bysadexperience，thattheysufferunderoneofthemostcapriciousofmaladies。Anattackofthisdiseasewillshift，inthemostunaccountablemanner，fromonepartofthebodytoanother；or，itwillreleasethevictimwhenthereiseveryreasontofearthatitisabouttostrengthenitsholdonhim；or，havingshownthefairestpromiseofsubmittingtomedicaltreatment，itwillcruellylaythepatientprostrateagaininastateofrelapse。Adversefortune，inmycase，subjectedmetothislastandworsttrialofendurance。Twomonthspassed——monthsofpainaggravatedbyanxiety——beforeIwasabletohelpEuniceandMissJillgallpersonallywithmysympathyandadvice。
　　Duringthisinterval，IheardregularlyfromthefriendlyandfaithfulSelina。
　　Terrorandsuspense，courageouslyendureddayafterday，seemtohavebrokendownherresistance，poorsoul，whenEunice’sgoodnameandEunice’stranquillitywerethreatenedbythemostinfamousoffalseaccusations。Fromthattime，MissJillgall’smethodofexpressingherselfbetrayedagradualdeterioration。I
　　shallavoidpresentingatadisadvantageacorrespondentwhohasclaimsonmygratitude，ifIgivethesubstanceonlyofwhatshewrote——assistedbythenewspaperwhichshesenttome，whilethelegalproceedingswereinprogress。
　　Honestindignationdoessometimescounseluswisely。WhenthedoctorleftMissJillgall，inangerandinhaste，hehaddeterminedontakingthecoursefromwhich，asahumanemanandafaithfulfriend，hehadhithertorecoiled。Itwasnotime，now，toshrinkfromtheprospectofanexposure。TheonehopeofsuccessfullyencounteringthevindictivewickednessofHelenalayintheresolutiontobebeforehandwithher，intheappealtothemagistrateswithwhichshehadthreatenedEuniceandMissJillgall。Thedoctor’ssworninformationstatedthewholeterriblecaseofthepoisoning，rangingfromhisfirstsuspicionsandtheirconfirmation，toHelena’satrociousattempttoaccuseherinnocentsisterofherownguilt。Sofirmlywerethemagistratesconvincedoftheseriousnatureofthecasethusstated，thattheydidnothesitatetoissuetheirwarrant。Amongthewitnesseswhoseattendancewasimmediatelysecured，bythelegaladvisertowhomthedoctorapplied，werethefarmerandhiswife。
　　Helenawasarrestedwhileshewasdressingtogoout。Hercomposurewasnotforamomentdisturbed。"Iwasonmyway，"shesaidcoolly，"tomakeastatementbeforethejustices。ThesoonertheyhearwhatIhavetosaythebetter。"
　　Theattemptofthisshamelesswretchto"turnthetables"onpoorEunice——suggested，asIafterwarddiscovered，bytherecordoffamilyhistorywhichshehadquotedinherjournal——wasdefeatedwithease。ThefarmerandhiswifeprovedthedateatwhichEunicehadleftherplaceofresidenceundertheirroof。Thedoctor’sevidencefollowed。Heproved，bytheproductionofhisprofessionaldiary，thatthediscoveryoftheattempttopoisonhispatienthadtakenplacebeforethedayofEunice’sdeparturefromthefarm，andthatthefirstimprovementinMr。PhilipDunboyne’sstateofhealthhadshownitselfafterthatyounglady’sarrivaltoperformthedutiesofanurse。Tothewiseprecautionswhichshehadtaken——pervertedbyHelenatothepurposeofafalseaccusation——thedoctorattributedthepreservationoftheyoungman’slife。
　　Havingproducedtheworstpossibleimpressiononthemindsofthemagistrates，Helenawasremanded。Herlegaladviserhadpredictedthisresult；butthevindictiveobstinacyofhisclienthadsetbothexperienceandremonstranceatdefiance。
　　Attherenewedexamination，thelineofdefenseadoptedbytheprisoner’slawyerprovedtobe——mistakenidentity。
　　Itwasassertedthatshehadneverenteredthechemist’sshop；
　　also，thattheassistanthadwronglyidentifiedsomeotherladyasMissHelenaGracedieu；also，thattherewasnotanatomofevidencetoconnectherwiththestealingofthedoctor’sprescription—paperandtheforgeryofhiswriting。Otherassertionstothesamepurposefollowed，onwhichitisneedlesstodwell。
　　Thecasefortheprosecutionwas，happily，incompetenthands。
　　Withtheexceptionofonewitness，cross—examinationaffordednomaterialhelptotheevidenceforthedefense。
　　ThechemistsworepositivelytothepersonalappearanceofHelena，asbeingthepersonalappearanceoftheladywhohadpresentedtheprescription。Hisassistant，pressedonthequestionofidentity，brokedownundercross—examination——purposely，asitwaswhispered，servingtheinterestsoftheprisoner。Butthevictory，sofargainedbythedefense，wassuccessfullycontestedbythestatementofthenextwitness，arespectabletradesmaninthetown。Hehadseenthenewspaperreportofthefirstexamination，andhadvolunteeredtopresenthimselfasawitness。AmemberofMr。Gracedieu’scongregation，hispewinthechapelwassosituatedastogivehimaviewoftheminister’sdaughtersoccupyingtheirpew。HehadseentheprisoneroneverySunday，foryearspast；andhesworethathewaspassingthedoorofthechemist’sshop，atthemomentwhenshesteppedoutintothestreet，havingabottlecoveredwiththecustomarywhitepaperinherhand。Thedoctorandhisservantwerethenextwitnessescalled。Theywereseverelycross—examined。Someoftheirstatements——questionedtechnicallywithsuccess——receivedunexpectedandpowerfulsupport，duetothediscoveryandproductionoftheprisoner’sdiary。Theentries，guardedlyassomeofthemwerewritten，revealedhermotiveforattemptingtopoisonPhilipDunboyne；
　　provedthatshehadpurposelycalledonthedoctorwhensheknewthathewouldbeout，thatshehadenteredtheconsulting—room，andexaminedthemedicalbooks，hadfound（touseherownwrittenwords）"avolumethatinterestedher，"andhadusedtheprescription—papersforthepurposeofmakingnotes。Thenotesthemselveswerenottobefound；theyhaddoubtlessbeendestroyed。Enough，andmorethanenough，remainedtomakethecasefortheprosecutioncomplete。ThemagistratescommittedHelenaGracedieufortrialatthenextassizes。
　　Iarrivedinthetown，aswellasIcanremember，aboutaweekafterthetrialhadtakenplace。
　　Foundguilty，theprisonerhadbeenrecommendedtomercybythejury——partlyinconsiderationofheryouth；partlyasanexpressionofsympathyandrespectforherunhappyfather。Thejudge（afatherhimself）passedalenientsentence。Shewascondemnedtoimprisonmentfortwoyears。Thecarefulmatronofthejailhadprovidedherselfwithabottleofsmelling—salts，inthefearthattheremightbeneedforitwhenHelenaheardhersentencepronounced。Nottheslightestsignofagitationappearedinherfaceorher。manner。Sheliedtothelast；assertingherinnocenceinafirmvoice，andreturningfromthedocktotheprisonwithoutrequiringassistancefromanybody。
　　Relatingtheseparticularstome，inastateofungovernableexcitement，goodMissJillgallendedwithalittleconfessionofherown，whichoperatedasarelieftomyoverburdenedmindafterwhatIhadjustheard。
　　"Iwouldn’townit，"shesaid，"toanybodybutadearfriend。Onething，inthedreadfuldisgracethathasfallenonus，Iamquiteatalosstoaccountfor。ThinkofMr。Gracedieu’sdaughterbeingoneofthosecriminalcreaturesonwhomitwasonceyourterribledutytoturnthekey！Whydidn’tshecommitsuicide？"
　　"Mydearlady，nothoroughlywickedcreatureeveryetcommittedsuicide。Self—destruction，whenitisnotanactofmadness，impliessomeacutenessoffeeling——sensibilitytoremorseortoshame，orperhapsadistortedideaofmakingatonement。Thereisnosuchthingasremorseorshame，orhopeofmakingatonement，inHelena’snature。"
　　"Butwhenshecomesoutofprison，whatwillshedo？"
　　"Don’talarmyourself，mygoodfriend。Shewilldoverywell。"
　　"Oh，hush！hush！Poeticaljustice，Mr。Governor！"
　　"Poeticalfiddlesticks，MissJillgall。"
　　CHAPTERLXIII。
　　THEOBSTACLEREMOVED。
　　WHENthesubjectofthetrialwashappilydismissed，myfirstinquiryrelatedtoEunice。Thereplywasmadewithanominousaccompanimentofsighsandsadlooks。Eunicehadgonebacktoherdutiesasgovernessatthefarm。Hearingthis，IaskednaturallywhathadbecomeofPhilip。
　　Melancholynews，again，wasthenewsthatInowheard。
　　Mr。Dunboynetheelderhaddiedsuddenly，athishouseinIreland，whilePhilipwasonhiswayhome。Whenthefuneralceremonyhadcometoanend，thewillwasread。Ithadbeenmadeonlyafewdaysbeforethetestator’sdeath；andtheclausewhichleftallhispropertytohissonwasprecededbyexpressionsofpaternalaffection，atatimewhenPhilipwasinsoreneedofconsolation。Afteralludingtoaletter，receivedfromhisson，theoldmanadded："Ialwayslovedhim，withoutcaringtoconfessit；Idetestscenesofsentiment，kissings，embracings，tears，andthatsortofthing。ButPhiliphasyieldedtomywishes，andhasbrokenoffamarriagewhichwouldhavemadehim，aswellasme，wretchedforlife。Afterthis，Imayspeakmymindfrommygrave，andmaytellmyboythatIlovedhim。Ifthewishislikelytobeofanyuse，Iwilladd（onthechance）——Godblesshim。"
　　"DoesPhilipsubmittoseparationfromEunice？"Iasked。"DoeshestayinIreland？"
　　"Nothe，poorfellow！Hewillbehereto—morrowornextday。WhenIlastwrote，"MissJillgallcontinued，"ItoldhimIhopedtoseeyouagainsoon。Ifyoucan’thelpus（ImeanwithEunice）
　　thatunluckyyoungmanwilldosomedesperatething。HewilljointhosemadmenatlargewhodisturbpoorsavagesinAfrica，orgonowheretofindnothingintheArcticregions。
　　"WhateverIcando，MissJillgall，shallbegladlydone。IsitreallypossiblethatEunicerefusestomarryhim，afterhavingsavedhislife？"
　　"Alittlepatience，please，Mr。Governor；letPhiliptellhisownstory。IfItrytodoit，Ishallonlycry——andwehavehadtearsenoughlately，inthishouse。"
　　Furtherconsultationbeingthusdeferred，IwentupstairstotheMinister’sroom。
　　Hewassittingbythewindow，inhisfavoritearmchair，absorbedinknitting！Thepersonwhoattendedonhim，agood—natured，patientfellow，hadbeenasailorinhisyoungerdays，andhadtaughtMr。Gracedieuhowtousetheneedles。"Youseeitamuseshim，"themansaid，kindly。"Don’tnoticehismistakes，hethinksthereisn’tsuchanotherintheworldforknittingashimself。
　　Youcansee，sir，howhestickstoit。"HewassoabsorbedoverhisemploymentthatIhadtospeaktohimtwice，beforeIcouldinducehimtolookatme。Theutterruinofhisintellectdidnotappeartohaveexercisedanydisastrousinfluenceoverhisbodilyhealth。Onthecontrary，hehadgrownfattersinceIhadlastseenhim；hiscomplexionhadlostthepallorthatI
　　remembered——therewascolorinhischeeks。
　　"Don’tyourememberyouroldfriend？"Isaid。Hesmiled，andnodded，andrepeatedthewords：
　　"Yes，yes，myoldfriend。"Itwasonlytooplainthathehadnottheleastrecollectionofme。"Hismemoryisgone，"themansaid。
　　"Whenheputsawayhisknitting，atnight，Ihavetofinditforhiminthemorning。But，there！he’shappy——enjoyshisvictuals，likessittingoutinthegardenandwatchingthebirds。There’sbeenadealoftroubleinthefamily，sir；andithasallpassedoverhimlikeawetspongeoveraslate。"Theoldsailorwasright。Ifthatwreckofamanhadbeencapableoffeelingandthinking，hisdaughter’sdisgracewouldhavebrokenhisheart。Inaworldofsinandsorrow，ispeaceableimbecilityalwaystobepitied？Ihaveknownmenwhowouldhaveanswered，withouthesitation："Itistobeenvied。"Andwhere（somepersonsmightsay）wasthepoorMinister’srewardfortheactofmercywhichhadsavedEuniceinherinfancy？Whereitoughttobe！Amanwhoworthilyperformsagoodactionfindshisrewardintheactionitself。
　　Atbreakfast，onthenextday，thetalktouchedonthosepassagesinHelena’sdiary，whichhadbeenproducedincourtasevidenceagainsther。
　　Iexpressedawishtoseewhatrevelationofadepravednaturetheentriesinthediarymightpresent；andmycuriositywasgratified。Atafittertime，Imayfindanopportunityofalludingtotheimpressionproducedonmebythediary。Inthemeanwhile，theeventofPhilip’sreturnclaimsnoticeinthefirstplace。
　　Thepoorfellowwassogladtoseemethatheshookhandsasheartilyasifwehadknowneachotherfromthetimewhenhewasaboy。
　　"DoyourememberhowkindlyyouspoketomewhenIcalledonyouinLondon？"heasked。"IfIhaverepeatedthosewordsonce——butperhapsyoudon’trememberthem？Yousaid：’IfIwasasyoungasyouare，Ishouldnotdespair。’Well！Ihavesaidthattomyselfoverandoveragain，forahundredtimesatleast。Eunicewilllistentoyou，sir，whenshewilllistentonobodyelse。ThisisthefirsthappymomentIhavehadforweekspast。"
　　IsupposeImusthavelookedgladtohearthat。Anyway，Philipshookhandswithmeagain。
　　MissJillgallwaspresent。Thegentle—heartedoldmaidwassotouchedbyourmeetingthatsheabandonedherselftothegenialimpulseofthemoment，andgavePhilipakiss。Theoutragedclaimsofproprietyinstantlyseizedonher。Sheblushedasifthelong—lostdaysofhergirlhoodhadbeenfoundagain，andranoutoftheroom。