Suchwasthetrueaccountofmymaster’sinfamousconductinScotlandasitwasrelatedtome。Onconcluding，Mr。Darkhintedthathehadsomethingstilllefttotellme，butdeclaredthathewastoosleepytotalkanymorethatnight。Assoonaswewereawakethenextmorninghereturnedtothesubject。
　　"Ididn’tfinishallIhadtosaylastnight，didI？"hebegan。
　　Youunfortunatelytoldmeenough，andmorethanenough，toprovethetruthofthestatementintheanonymousletter，"Ianswered。
　　"Yes，"saysMr。Dark，"butdidItellyouwhowrotetheanonymousletter？"
　　"Youdon’tmeantosaythatyouhavefoundthatout！"saysI。
　　"IthinkIhave，"wasthecoolanswer。"WhenIheardaboutyourpreciousmasterpayingofftheregularcrewoftheyachtIputthecircumstancebyinmymind，tobebroughtoutagainandsiftedalittleassoonastheopportunityoffered。Itofferedinabouthalfanhour。SaysItothegauger，whowastheprincipaltalkerintheroom：’HowaboutthosementhatMr。Smithpaidoff？
　　Didtheyallgoassoonastheygottheirmoney，ordidtheystopheretilltheyhadspenteveryfarthingofitinthepublic—houses？’Thegaugerlaughs。’Nosuchluck，’sayshe，inthebroadestpossibleScotch（whichItranslateintoEnglish，William，foryourbenefit）；’nosuchluck；theyallwentsouth，tospendtheirmoneyamongfinerpeoplethanus——all，thatistosay，withoneexception。Itwasthoughtthestewardoftheyachthadgonealongwiththerest，when，theverydayMr。SmithsailedfortheMediterranean，whoshouldturnupunexpectedlybutthestewardhimself！Wherehehadbeenhiding，andwhyhehadbeenhiding，nobodycouldtell。’’Perhapshehadbeenimitatinghismaster，andlookingoutforawife，’saysI。’Likelyenough，’
　　saysthegauger；’hegaveaveryconfusedaccountofhimself，andhecutallquestionsshortbygoingawaysouthinaviolenthurry。’Thatwasenoughforme：Iletthesubjectdrop。Clearasdaylight，isn’tit，William？Thestewardsuspectedsomethingwrong——thestewardwaitedandwatched——thestewardwrotethatanonymouslettertoyourmistress。Wecanfindhim，ifwewanthim，byinquiringatCowes；
　　andwecansendtothechurchforlegalevidenceofthemarriageassoonasweareinstructedtodoso。Allthatwehavegottodonowistogobacktoyourmistress，andseewhatcourseshemeanstotakeunderthecircumstances。It’saprettycase，William，sofar——anuncommonlyprettycase，asitstandsatpresent。"
　　WereturnedtoDarrockHallasfastascoachesandpost—horsescouldcarryus。
　　Havingfromthefirstbelievedthatthestatementintheanonymousletterwastrue，mymistressreceivedthebadnewswebroughtcalmlyandresignedly——sofar，atleast，asoutwardappearanceswent。SheastonishedanddisappointedMr。Darkbydecliningtoactinanywayontheinformationthathehadcollectedforher，andbyinsistingthatthewholeaffairshouldstillbeburiedintheprofoundestsecrecy。ForthefirsttimesinceIhadknownmytravelingcompanion，hebecamedepressedinspiritsonhearingthatnothingmorewastobedone，and，althoughhelefttheHallwithahandsomepresent，heleftitdiscontentedly。
　　"Suchaprettycase，William，"sayshe，quitesorrowfully，asweshookhands——"suchanuncommonlyprettycase——it’sathousandpitiestostopit，inthisway，beforeit’shalfover！"
　　"Youdon’tknowwhataproudladyandwhatadelicateladymymistressis，"Ianswered。"Shewoulddieratherthanexposeherforlornsituationinapubliccourtforthesakeofpunishingherhusband。"
　　"Blessyoursimpleheart！"saysMr。Dark，"doyoureallythink，now，thatsuchacaseasthiscanbehushedup？"
　　"Whynot，"Iasked，"ifweallkeepthesecret？"
　　"Thatforthesecret！"criesMr。Dark，snappinghisfingers。
　　"Yourmasterwillletthecatoutofthebag，ifnobodyelsedoes。"
　　"Mymaster！"Irepeated，inamazement。
　　"Yes，yourmaster！"saysMr。Dark。"Ihavehadsomeexperienceinmytime，andIsayyouhavenotseenthelastofhimyet。Markmywords，William，Mr。JamesSmithwillcomeback。"
　　Withthatprophecy，Mr。Darkfretfullytreatedhimselftoalastpinchofsnuff，anddepartedindudgeononhisjourneybacktohismasterinLondon。Hislastwordshungheavilyonmymindfordaysafterhehadgone。ItwassomeweeksbeforeIgotoverahabitofstartingwheneverthebellwasrungatthefrontdoor。
　　CHAPTERIV。
　　OURlifeattheHallsoonreturnedtoitsold，drearycourse。ThelawyerinLondonwrotetomymistresstoaskhertocomeandstayforalittlewhilewithhiswife；butshedeclinedtheinvitation，beingaversetofacingcompanyafterwhathadhappenedtoher。Thoughshetriedhardtokeeptherealstateofhermindconcealedfromallabouther，I，forone，couldseeplainlyenoughthatshewaspiningunderthebitterinjurythathadbeeninflictedonher。WhateffectcontinuedsolitudemighthavehadonherspiritsItrembletothink。
　　Fortunatelyforherself，itoccurredtoher，beforelong，tosendandinviteMr。MeeketoresumehismusicalpracticingwithherattheHall。Shetoldhim——and，asitseemedtome，withperfecttruth——thatanyimpliedengagementwhichhehadmadewithMr。
　　JamesSmithwasnowcanceled，sincethepersonsonamedhadmorallyforfeitedallhisclaimsasahusband，first，byhisdesertionofher，and，secondly，byhiscriminalmarriagewithanotherwoman。Afterstatingthisviewofthematter，sheleftittoMr。Meeketodecidewhethertheperfectlyinnocentconnectionbetweenthemshouldberesumedornot。Thelittleparson，afterhesitatingandponderinginhishelplessway，endedbyagreeingwithmymistress，andbycomingbackoncemoretotheHallwithhisfiddleunderhisarm。Thisrenewaloftheiroldhabitsmighthavebeenimprudentenough，astendingtoweakenmymistress’scaseintheeyesoftheworld，but，forallthat，itwasthemostsensiblecourseshecouldtakeforherownsake。TheharmlesscompanyofMr。Meeke，andthereliefofplayingtheoldtunesagainintheoldway，savedher，Iverilybelieve，fromsinkingaltogetherundertheoppressionoftheshockingsituationinwhichshewasnowplaced。
　　So，withtheassistanceofMr。Meekeandhisfiddle，mymistressgotthoughthewearytime。Thewinterpassed，thespringcame，andnofreshtidingsreachedusofMr。JamesSmith。Ithadbeenalong，hardwinterthatyear，andthespringwasbackwardandrainy。ThefirstreallyfinedaywehadwasthedaythatfellonthefourteenthofMarch。
　　Iamparticularinmentioningthisdatemerelybecauseitisfixedforeverinmymemory。AslongasthereislifeinmeI
　　shallrememberthatfourteenthofMarch，andthesmallestcircumstancesconnectedwithit。
　　Thedaybeganill，withwhatsuperstitiouspeoplewouldthinkabadomen。Mymistressremainedlateinherroominthemorning，amusingherselfbylookingoverherclothes，andbysettingtorightssomedrawersinhercabinetwhichshehadnotopenedforsometimepast。Justbeforeluncheonwewerestartledbyhearingthedrawing—roombellrungviolently。Iranuptoseewhatwasthematter，andthequadroon，Josephine，whohadheardthebellinanotherpartofthehouse，hastenedtoansweritalso。Shegotintothedrawing—roomfirst，andIfollowedcloseonherheels。
　　Mymistresswasstandingaloneonthehearth—rug，withanappearanceofgreatdiscomposureinherfaceandmanner。
　　"Ihavebeenrobbed！"shesaid，vehemently，"Idon’tknowwhenorhow；butImissapairofbracelets，threerings，andaquantityofold—fashionedlacepocket—handkerchiefs。"
　　"Ifyouhaveanysuspicions，ma’am，"saidJosephine，inasharp，suddenway，"saywhotheypointat。Myboxes，forone，arequiteatyourdisposal。"
　　"Whoaskedaboutyourboxes？"saidmymistress，angrily。"Bealittlelessreadywithyouranswer，ifyouplease，thenexttimeIspeak。"
　　Shethenturnedtome，andbeganexplainingthecircumstancesunderwhichshehaddiscoveredherloss。Isuggestedthatthemissingthingsshouldbewellsearchedforfirst，andthen，ifnothingcameofthat，thatIshouldgofortheconstable，andplacethematterunderhisdirection。
　　Mymistressagreedtothisplan，andthesearchwasundertakenimmediately。Itlastedtilldinner—time，andledtonoresults。I
　　thenproposedgoingfortheconstable。Butmymistresssaiditwastoolatetodoanythingthatday，andtoldmetowaitattableasusual，andtogoonmyerrandthefirstthingthenextmorning。Mr。Meekewascomingwithsomenewmusicintheevening，andIsuspectshewasnotwillingtobedisturbedatherfavoriteoccupationbythearrivaloftheconstable。
　　Whendinnerwasovertheparsoncame，andtheconcertwentonasusualthroughtheevening。Atteno’clockItookupthetray，withthewine，andsoda—water，andbiscuits。JustasIwasopeningoneofthebottlesofsoda—water，therewasasoundofwheelsonthedriveoutside，andaringatthebell。
　　Ihadunfastenedthewiresofthecork，andcouldnotputthebottledowntorunatoncetothedoor。Oneofthefemaleservantsansweredit。Iheardasortofhalfscream——thenthesoundofafootstepthatwasfamiliartome。
　　Mymistressturnedroundfromthepiano，andlookedmehardintheface。
　　"William，"shesaid，"doyouknowthatstep？"BeforeIcouldanswerthedoorwaspushedopen，andMr。JamesSmithwalkedintotheroom。
　　Hehadhishaton。Hislonghairfloweddownunderitoverthecollarofhiscoat；hisbrightblackeyes，afterrestinganinstantonmymistress，turnedtoMr。Meeke。Hisheavyeyebrowsmettogether，andoneofhishandswentuptooneofhisbushyblackwhiskers，andpulledatitangrily。
　　"Youhereagain！"hesaid，advancingafewstepstowardthelittleparson，whosattremblingallover，withhisfiddlehuggedupinhisarmsasifithadbeenachild。
　　Seeinghervillainoushusbandadvance，mymistressmoved，too，soastofacehim。Heturnedroundonheratthefirststepshetook，asquickaslightning。
　　"Youshamelesswoman！"hesaid。"Canyoulookmeinthefaceinthepresenceofthatman？"Hepointed，ashespoke，toMr。Meeke。
　　Mymistressnevershrankwhenheturneduponher。Notasignoffearwasinherfacewhentheyconfrontedeachother。Notthefaintestflushofangercameintohercheekswhenhespoke。Thesenseoftheinsultandinjurythathehadinflictedonher，andtheconsciousnessofknowinghisguiltysecret，gaveherallherself—possessionatthattryingmoment。
　　"Iaskyouagain，"herepeated，findingthatshedidnotanswerhim，"howdareyoulookmeinthefaceinthepresenceofthatman？"
　　Sheraisedhersteadyeyestohishat，whichhestillkeptonhishead。
　　"Whohastaughtyoutocomeintoaroomandspeaktoaladywithyourhaton？"sheasked，inquiet，contemptuoustones。"Isthatahabitwhichissanctionedby_yournewwife？_"
　　Myeyeswereonhimasshesaidthoselastwords。Hiscomplexion，naturallydarkandswarthy，changedinstantlytoalividyellowwhite；hishandcaughtatthechairnearesttohim，andhedroppedintoitheavily。
　　"Idon’tunderstandyou，"hesaid，afteramomentofsilence，lookingabouttheroomunsteadilywhilehespoke。
　　"Youdo，"saidmymistress。"Yourtonguelies，butyourfacespeaksthetruth。"
　　Hecalledbackhiscourageandaudacitybyadesperateeffort，andstartedupfromthechairagainwithanoath。
　　TheinstantbeforethishappenedIthoughtIheardthesoundofarustlingdressinthepassageoutside，asifoneofthewomenservantswasstealinguptolistenoutsidethedoor。Ishouldhavegoneatoncetoseewhetherthiswasthecaseornot，butmymasterstoppedmejustafterhehadrisenfromthechair。
　　"GetthebedmadeintheRedRoom，andlightafiretheredirectly，"hesaid，withhisfiercestlookandinhisroughesttones。"WhenIringthebell，bringmeakettleofboilingwaterandabottleofbrandy。Asforyou，"hecontinued，turningtowardMr。Meeke，whostillsatpaleandspeechlesswithhisfiddlehuggedupinhisarms，"leavethehouse，oryouwon’tfindyourclothanyprotectiontoyou。"
　　Atthisinsultthebloodflewintomymistress’sface。Beforeshecouldsayanything，Mr。JamesSmithraisedhisvoiceloudenoughtodrownhers。
　　"Iwon’thearanotherwordfromyou，"hecriedout，brutally。
　　"Youhavebeentalkinglikeamadwoman，andyoulooklikeamadwoman。Youareoutofyoursenses。Assureasyoulive，I’llhaveyouexaminedbythedoctorsto—morrow。Whythedevildoyoustandthere，youscoundrel？"heroared，wheelingroundonhisheeltome。"Whydon’tyouobeymyorders？"
　　Ilookedatmymistress。IfshehaddirectedmetoknockMr。
　　JamesSmithdown，bigashewas，IthinkatthatmomentIcouldhavedoneit。
　　"Doashetellsyou，William，"shesaid，squeezingoneofherhandsfirmlyoverherbosom，asifshewastryingtokeepdowntherisingindignationinthatway。"ThisisthelastorderofhisgivingthatIshallaskyoutoobey。"
　　"Doyouthreatenme，youmad——"
　　HefinishedthequestionbyawordIshallnotrepeat。
　　"Itellyou，"sheanswered，inclear，ringing，resolutetones，"thatyouhaveoutragedmepastallforgivenessandallendurance，andthatyoushallneverinsultmeagainasyouhaveinsultedmeto—night。"
　　Aftersayingthosewordsshefixedonesteadylookonhim，thenturnedawayandwalkedslowlytothedoor。
　　AminutepreviouslyMr。Meekehadsummonedcourageenoughtogetupandleavetheroomquietly。Inoticedhimwalkingdemurelyaway，closetothewall，withhisfiddleheldunderonetailofhislongfrock—coat，asifhewasafraidthatthesavagepassionsofMr。JamesSmithmightbewreakedonthatunoffendinginstrument。Hegottothedoorbeforemymistress。Ashesoftlypulleditopen，Isawhimstart，andtherustlingofthegowncaughtmyearagainfromtheoutside。
　　Mymistressfollowedhimintothepassage，turning，however，intheoppositedirectiontothattakenbythelittleparson，inordertoreachthestaircasethatledtoherownroom。Iwentoutnext，leavingMr。JamesSmithalone。
　　IovertookMr。Meekeinthehall，andopenedthedoorforhim。
　　"Ibegyourpardon，sir，"Isaid，"butdidyoucomeuponanybodylisteningoutsidethemusic—roomwhenyouleftitjustnow？"
　　"Yes，William，"saidMr。Meeke，inafaintvoice，"IthinkitwasJosephine；butIwassodreadfullyagitatedthatIcan’tbequitecertainaboutit。"
　　Hadshesurprisedoursecret？ThatwasthequestionIaskedmyselfasIwentawaytolightthefireintheRedRoom。CallingtomindtheexacttimeatwhichIhadfirstdetectedtherustlingoutsidethedoor，Icametotheconclusionthatshehadonlyheardthelastpartofthequarrelbetweenmymistressandherrascalofahusband。Thoseboldwordsaboutthe"newwife"hadbeenassuredlyspokenbeforeIheardJosephinestealinguptothedoor。
　　Assoonasthefirewasalightandthebedmade，Iwentbacktothemusic—roomtoannouncethatmyordershadbeenobeyed。Mr。
　　JamesSmithwaswalkingupanddowninaperturbedway，stillkeepinghishaton。HefollowedmetotheRedRoomwithoutsayingaword。
　　Tenminuteslaterherangforthekettleandthebottleofbrandy。WhenItooktheminIfoundhimunpackingasmallcarpet—bag，whichwastheonlyluggagehehadbroughtwithhim。
　　Hestillkeptsilence，anddidnotappeartotakeanynoticeofme。Ilefthimimmediatelywithoutourhavingsomuchasexchangedasingleword。
　　SofarasIcouldtell，thenightpassedquietly。ThenextmorningIheardthatmymistresswassufferingsoseverelyfromanervousattackthatshewasunabletorisefromherbed。Itwasnosurprisetometobetoldthat，knowingasIdidwhatshehadgonethroughthenightbefore。
　　Aboutnineo’clockIwentwiththehotwatertotheRedRoom。
　　AfterknockingtwiceItriedthedoor，and，findingitnotlocked，wentinwiththejuginmyhand。
　　Ilookedatthebed——Ilookedallroundtheroom。NotasignofMr。JamesSmithwastobeseenanywhere。
　　Judgingbyappearances，thebedhadcertainlybeenoccupied。
　　Thrownacrossthecounterpanelaythenightgownhehadworn。I
　　tookitupandsawsomespotsonit。Ilookedatthemalittlecloser。Theywerespotsofblood。
　　CHAPTERV。
　　THEfirstamazementandalarmproducedbythisdiscoverydeprivedmeofmypresenceofmind。WithoutstoppingtothinkwhatIoughttodofirst，Iranbacktotheservants’hall，callingoutthatsomethinghadhappenedtomymaster。
　　AllthehouseholdhurrieddirectlyintotheRedRoom，Josephineamongtherest。Iwasfirstbroughttomysenses，asitwere，byobservingthestrangeexpressionofhercountenancewhenshesawthebed—gownandtheemptyroom。Alltheotherservantswerebewilderedandfrightened。Shealone，aftergivingalittlestart，recoveredherselfdirectly。Alookofdevilishsatisfactionbrokeoutonherface，andshelefttheroomquicklyandquietly，withoutexchangingawordwithanyofus。Isawthis，anditarousedmysuspicions。Thereisnoneedtomentionwhattheywere，for，aseventssoonshowed，theywereentirelywideofthemark。
　　Havingcometomyselfalittle，Isentthemalloutoftheroomexceptthecoachman。Wetwothenexaminedtheplace。
　　TheRedRoomwasusuallyoccupiedbyvisitors。Itwasonthegroundfloor，andlookedoutintothegarden。Wefoundthewindow—shutters，whichIhadbarredovernight，open，butthewindowitselfwasdown。Thefirehadbeenoutlongenoughforthegratetobequitecold。Halfthebottleofbrandyhadbeendrunk。
　　Thecarpet—bagwasgone。Therewerenomarksofviolenceorstrugglinganywhereaboutthebedortheroom。Weexaminedeverycornercarefully，butmadenootherdiscoveriesthanthese。
　　WhenIreturnedtotheservants’hall，badnewsofmymistresswasawaitingmethere。Theunusualnoiseandconfusioninthehousehadreachedherears，andshehadbeentoldwhathadhappenedwithoutsufficientcautionbeingexercisedinpreparinghertohearit。Inherweak，nervousstate，theshockoftheintelligencehadquiteprostratedher。Shehadfallenintoaswoon，andhadbeenbroughtbacktohersenseswiththegreatestdifficulty。Astogivingmeoranybodyelsedirectionswhattodoundertheembarrassingcircumstanceswhichhadnowoccurred，shewastotallyincapableoftheeffort。
　　Iwaitedtillthemiddleoftheday，inthehopethatshemightgetstrongenoughtogiveherorders；butnomessagecamefromher。AtlastIresolvedtosendandaskherwhatshethoughtitbesttodo。Josephinewastheproperpersontogoonthiserrand；
　　butwhenIaskedforJosephine，shewasnowheretobefound。Thehousemaid，whohadsearchedforherineffectually，broughtwordthatherbonnetandshawlwerenothangingintheirusualplaces。
　　Theparlor—maid，whohadbeeninattendanceinmymistress’sroom，camedownwhilewewereallaghastatthisnewdisappearance。ShecouldonlytellusthatJosephinehadbeggedhertodolady’s—maid’sdutythatmorning，asshewasnotwell。
　　Notwell！Andthefirstresultofherillnessappearedtobethatshehadleftthehouse！
　　Icautionedtheservantsonnoaccounttomentionthiscircumstancetomymistress，andthenwentupstairsmyselftoknockatherdoor。MyobjectwastoaskifImightcountonherapprovalifIwroteinhernametothelawyerinLondon，andifI
　　afterwardwentandgaveinformationofwhathadoccurredtothenearestjusticeofthepeace。Imighthavesenttomakethisinquirythroughoneofthefemaleservants；butbythistime，thoughnotnaturallysuspicious，Ihadgottodistrusteverybodyinthehouse，whethertheydeserveditornot。
　　SoIaskedthequestionmyself，standingoutsidethedoor。Mymistressthankedmeinafaintvoice，andbeggedmetodowhatI
　　hadproposedimmediately。
　　Iwentintomyownbedroomandwrotetothelawyer，merelytellinghimthatMr。JamesSmithhadappearedunexpectedlyattheHall，andthateventshadoccurredinconsequencewhichrequiredhisimmediatepresence。Imadetheletteruplikeaparcel，andsentthecoachmanwithittocatchthemailonitswaythroughtoLondon。
　　Thenextthingwastogotothejusticeofthepeace。Thenearestlivedaboutfivemilesoff，andwaswellacquaintedwithmymistress。Hewasanoldbachelor，andhekepthousewithhisbrother，whowasawidower。Thetwoweremuchrespectedandbelovedinthecounty，beingkind，unaffectedgentlemen，whodidagreatdealofgoodamongthepoor。ThejusticewasMr。RobertNicholson，andhisbrother，thewidower，wasMr。Philip。
　　Ihadgotmyhaton，andwasaskingthegroomwhichhorseIhadbettertake，whenanopencarriagedroveuptothehouse。ItcontainedMr。PhilipNicholsonandtwopersonsinplainclothes，notexactlyservantsandnotexactlygentlemen，asfarasIcouldjudge。Mr。Philiplookedatme，whenItouchedmyhattohim，inaverygrave，downcastway，andaskedformymistress。Itoldhimshewasillinbed。Heshookhisheadathearingthat，andsaidhewishedtospeaktomeinprivate。Ishowedhimintothelibrary。Oneofthemeninplainclothesfollowedus，andsatinthehall。Theotherwaitedwiththecarriage。
　　"Iwasjustgoingout，sir，"Isaid，asIsetachairforhim，"tospeaktoMr。RobertNicholsonaboutaveryextraordinarycircumstance——"
　　"Iknowwhatyoureferto，"saidMr。Philip，cuttingmeshortratherabruptly；"andImustbeg，forreasonswhichwillpresentlyappear，thatyouwillmakenostatementofanysorttomeuntilyouhavefirstheardwhatIhavetosay。Iamhereonaveryseriousandaveryshockingerrand，whichdeeplyconcernsyourmistressandyou。"
　　Hisfacesuggestedsomethingworsethanhiswordsexpressed。Myheartbegantobeatfast，andIfeltthatIwasturningpale。
　　"Yourmaster，Mr。JamesSmith，"hewenton，"camehereunexpectedlyyesterdayevening，andsleptinthishouselastnight。Beforeheretiredtorestheandyourmistresshadhighwordstogether，whichended，Iamsorrytohear，inathreatofaseriousnatureaddressedbyMrs。JamesSmithtoherhusband。Theysleptinseparaterooms。Thismorningyouwentintoyourmaster’sroomandsawnosignofhimthere。Youonlyfoundhisnightgownonthebed，spottedwithblood。"
　　"Yes，sir，"Isaid，inassteadyavoiceasIcouldcommand。
　　"Quitetrue。"
　　"Iamnotexaminingyou，"saidMr。Philip。"Iamonlymakingacertainstatement，thetruthofwhichyoucanadmitordenybeforemybrother。"
　　"Beforeyourbrother，sir！"Irepeated。"AmIsuspectedofanythingwrong？"
　　"ThereisasuspicionthatMr。JamesSmithhasbeenmurdered，"
　　wastheanswerIreceivedtothatquestion。
　　Myfleshbegantocreepalloverfromheadtofoot。
　　"Iamshocked——Iamhorrifiedtosay，"Mr。Philipwenton，"thatthesuspicionaffectsyourmistressinthefirstplace，andyouinthesecond。"
　　IshallnotattempttodescribewhatIfeltwhenhesaidthat。Nowordsofmine，nowordsofanybody’s，couldgiveanideaofit。
　　WhatothermenwouldhavedoneinmysituationIdon’tknow。I
　　stoodbeforeMr。Philip，staringstraightathim，withoutspeaking，withoutmoving，almostwithoutbreathing。Ifheoranyothermanhadstruckmeatthatmoment，IdonotbelieveIshouldhavefelttheblow。
　　"Bothmybrotherandmyself，"saidMr。Philip，"havesuchunfeignedrespectforyourmistress，suchsympathyforherunderthesefrightfulcircumstances，andsuchanimplicitbeliefinhercapabilityofprovingherinnocence，thatwearedesirousofsparingherinthisdreadfulemergencyasmuchaspossible。Forthosereasons，Ihaveundertakentocomeherewiththepersonsappointedtoexecutemybrother’swarrant——"
　　"Warrant，sir！"Isaid，gettingcommandofmyvoiceashepronouncedthatword——"awarrantagainstmymistress！"
　　"Againstherandagainstyou，"saidMr。Philip。"Thesuspiciouscircumstanceshavebeensworntobyacompetentwitness，whohasdeclaredonoaththatyourmistressisguilty，andthatyouareanaccomplice。"
　　"Whatwitness，sir？"
　　"Yourmistress’squadroonmaid，whocametomybrotherthismorning，andwhohasmadeherdepositionindueform。"
　　"Andwhoisasfalseashell，"Icriedoutpassionately，"ineverywordshesaysagainstmymistressandagainstme。"
　　"Ihope——no，Iwillgofurther，andsayIbelievesheisfalse，"
　　saidMr。Philip。"Butherperjurymustheproved，andthenecessaryexaminationmusttakeplace。Mycarriageisgoingbacktomybrother’s，andyouwillgoinit，inchargeofoneofmymen，whohasthewarranttotakeyouincustody。Ishallremainherewiththemanwhoiswaitinginthehall；andbeforeanystepsaretakentoexecutetheotherwarrant，Ishallsendforthedoctortoascertainwhenyourmistresscanberemoved。"
　　"Oh，mypoormistress！"Isaid，"thiswillbethedeathofher，sir。"
　　"Iwilltakecarethattheshockshallstrikeherastenderlyaspossible，"saidMr。Philip。"Iamhereforthatexpresspurpose。
　　Shehasmydeepestsympathyandrespect，andshallhaveeveryhelpandalleviationthatIcanaffordher。"
　　Thehearinghimsaythat，andtheseeinghowsincerelyhemeantwhathesaid，wasthefirstgleamofcomfortinthedreadfulafflictionthathadbefallenus。Ifeltthis；Ifeltaburningangeragainstthewretchwhohaddoneherbesttoruinmymistress’sfairnameandmine，butineveryotherrespectIwaslikeamanwhohadbeenstunned，andwhosefacultieshadnotperfectlyrecoveredfromtheshock。Mr。Philipwasobligedtoremindmethattimewasofimportance，andthatIhadbettergivemyselfupimmediately，onthemercifultermswhichhiskindnessofferedtome。Iacknowledgedthat，andwishedhimgoodmorning。
　　ButamistseemedtocomeovermyeyesasIturnedroundtogoaway——amistthatpreventedmefromfindingmywaytothedoor。
　　Mr。Philipopeneditforme，andsaidafriendlywordortwowhichIcouldhardlyhear。Themanwaitingoutsidetookmetohiscompanioninthecarriageatthedoor，andIwasdrivenaway，aprisonerforthefirsttimeinmylife。
　　Onourwaytothejustice’s，whatlittlethinkingfacultyIhadleftinmewasalloccupiedintheattempttotraceamotivefortheinconceivabletreacheryandfalsehoodofwhichJosephinehadbeenguilty。
　　Herwords，herlooks，andhermanner，onthatunfortunatedaywhenmymistresssofarforgetherselfastostrike，her，camebackdimlytomymemory，andledtotheinferencethatpartofthemotive，atleast，ofwhichIwasinsearch，mightbereferredtowhathadhappenedonthatoccasion。Butwasthistheonlyreasonforherdevilishvengeanceagainstmymistress？And，evenifitwereso，whatfanciedinjurieshadIdoneher？WhyshouldI