Iwastruetohim——IcanhonestlysayIwastruetomybeliefinmygenerousfriend——whenthatfearfulnewsreachedme。Myfellow—merchantshadgotalltheparticularsofthearrest。TheytoldmethattwoofMr。Fauntleroy’sfellow—trusteeshadcomeuptoLondontomakearrangementsaboutsellingoutsomestock。OninquiringforMr。Fauntleroyatthebanking—house，theyhadbeeninformedthathewasnotthere；and，afterleavingamessageforhim，theyhadgoneintotheCitytomakeanappointmentwiththeirstockbrokerforafutureday，whentheirfellow—trusteemightbeabletoattend。Thestock—brokervolunteeredtomakecertainbusinessinquiriesonthespot，withaviewtosavingasmuchtimeaspossible，andleftthemathisofficetoawaithisreturn。Hecameback，lookingverymuchamazed，withtheinformationthatthestockhadbeensoldoutdowntothelastfivehundredpounds。Theaffairwasinstantlyinvestigated；thedocumentauthorizingthesellingoutwasproduced；andthetwotrusteessawonit，sidebysidewithMr。Fauntleroy’ssignature，theforgedsignaturesoftheirownnames。ThishappenedontheFriday，andthetrustees，withoutlosingamoment，senttheofficersofjusticeinpursuitofMr。Fauntleroy。Hewasarrested，broughtupbeforethemagistrate，andremandedontheSaturday。OntheMondayIheardfrommyfriendstheparticularswhichIhavejustnarrated。
　　Buttheeventsofthatonemorningwerenotdestinedtoendevenyet。IhaddiscoveredthefailureofthebankandthearrestofMr。Fauntleroy。Iwasnexttobeenlightened，inthestrangestandthesaddestmanner，onthedifficultquestionofhisinnocenceorhisguilt。
　　Beforemyfriendshadleftmyoffice——beforeIhadexhaustedtheargumentswhichmygratituderatherthanmyreasonsuggestedtomeinfavoroftheunhappyprisoner——anote，markedimmediate，wasplacedinmyhands，whichsilencedmetheinstantIlookedatit。ItwaswrittenfromtheprisonbyMr。Fauntleroy，anditcontainedtwolinesonly，entreatingmetoapplyforthenecessaryorder，andtogoandseehimimmediately。
　　Ishallnotattempttodescribetheflutterofexpectation，thestrangemixtureofdreadandhopethatagitatedmewhenI
　　recognizedhishandwriting，anddiscoveredwhatitwasthathedesiredmetodo。Iobtainedtheorderandwenttotheprison。
　　Theauthorities，knowingthedreadfulsituationinwhichhestood，wereafraidofhisattemptingtodestroyhimself，andhadsettwomentowatchhim。Onecameoutastheyopenedhiscelldoor。Theother，whowasboundnottoleavehim，verydelicatelyandconsideratelyaffectedtobelookingoutofwindowthemomentIwasshownin。
　　Hewassittingonthesideofhisbed，withhisheaddroopingandhishandshanginglistlesslyoverhiskneeswhenIfirstcaughtsightofhim。Atthesoundofmyapproachhestartedtohisfeet，and，withoutspeakingaword，flungbothhisarmsroundmyneckMyheartswelledup。
　　"Tellmeit’snottrue，sir！ForGod’ssake，tellmeit’snottrue！"wasallIcouldsaytohim。
　　Heneveranswered——ohme！heneveranswered，andheturnedawayhisface。
　　Therewasonedreadfulmomentofsilence。Hestillheldhisarmsroundmyneck，andonasuddenheputhislipsclosetomyear。
　　"Didyougetyourmoneyout？"hewhispered。"WereyouintimeonSaturdayafternoon？"
　　Ibrokefreefromhimintheastonishmentofhearingthosewords。
　　"What！"Icriedoutloud，forgettingthethirdpersonatthewindow。"Thatmanwhobroughtthemessage——"
　　"Hush！"hesaid，puttinghishandonmylips。"Therewasnobettermantobefound，aftertheofficershadtakenme——Iknownomoreabouthimthanyoudo——Ipaidhimwellasachancemessenger，andriskedhischeatingmeofhiserrand。"
　　"_You_senthim，then！"
　　"Isenthim。"
　　Mystoryisover，gentlemen。ThereisnoneedformetotellyouthatMr。Fauntleroywasfoundguilty，andthathediedbythehangman’shand。Itwasinmypowertosoothehislastmomentsinthisworldbytakingonmyselfthearrangementofsomeofhisprivateaffairs，which，whiletheyremainedunsettled，weighedheavilyonhismind。Theyhadnoconnectionwiththecrimeshehadcommitted，soIcoulddohimthelastlittleservicehewasevertoacceptatmyhandswithaclearconscience。
　　Isaynothingindefenseofhischaracter——nothinginpalliationoftheoffenseforwhichhesuffered。ButIcannotforgetthatinthetimeofhismostfearfulextremity，whenthestrongarmofthelawhadalreadyseizedhim，hethoughtoftheyoungmanwhosehumblefortuneshehadhelpedtobuild；whoseheartfeltgratitudehehadfairlywon；whosesimplefaithhewasresolvednevertobetray。Ileaveittogreaterintellectsthanminetoreconciletheanomalyofhisrecklessfalsehoodtowardothersandhissteadfasttruthtowardme。ItisascertainasthatwesitherethatoneofFauntleroy’slasteffortsinthisworldwastheefforthemadetopreservemefrombeingaloserbythetrustthatIhadplacedinhim。Thereisthesecretofmystrangetendernessforthememoryofafelon；thatiswhythewordvillaindoessomehowstillgrateonmyheartwhenIhearitassociatedwiththename——thedisgracedname，Igrantyou——oftheforgerFauntleroy。Passthebottles，younggentlemen，andpardonamanoftheoldschoolforhavingsolonginterruptedyourconversationwithastoryoftheoldtime。
　　THETENTHDAY。
　　THEstormhasburstonusinitsfullfury。Lastnightthestoutoldtowerrockedonitsfoundations。
　　Ihardlyventuredtohopethatthemessengerwhobringsusourlettersfromthevillage——thepostman，aswecallhim——wouldmakehisappearancethismorning；buthecamebravelythroughrain，hailandwind。Theoldponywhichheusuallyrideshadrefusedtofacethestorm，and，soonerthandisappointus，ourfaithfulpostmanhadboldlystartedforTheGlenToweronfoot。Allhisearlylifehadbeenpassedonboardship，and，atsixtyyearsofage，hehadbattledhiswaythatmorningthroughthestormonshoreassteadilyandasresolutelyaseverhehadbattleditinhisyouththroughthestormatsea。
　　Iopenedthepost—bageagerly。ThereweretwolettersforJessiefromyoungladyfriends；aletterforOwenfromacharitablesociety；alettertomeuponbusiness；and——onthislastday，ofallothers——nonewspaper！
　　Isentdirectlytothekitchen（wherethedrenchedandwearypostmanwasreceivingthehospitableattentionsoftheservants）
　　tomakeinquiries。Thedishearteninganswerreturnedwasthatthenewspapercouldnothavearrivedasusualbythemorning’spost，oritmusthavebeenputintothebagalongwiththeletters。Nosuchaccidentasthishadoccurred，exceptononeformeroccasion，sincethebeginningoftheyear。Andnow，ontheverydaywhenImighthavelookedconfidentlyfornewsofGeorge’sship，whenthestateoftheweathermadethefindingofthatnewsofthelastimportancetomypeaceofmind，thepaper，bysomeinconceivablefatality，hadfailedtoreachme！Iftherehadbeentheslightestchanceofborrowingacopyinthevillage，Ishouldhavegonetheremyselfthroughthetempesttogetit。Iftherehadbeenthefaintestpossibilityofcommunicating，inthatfrightfulweather，withthedistantcountytown，Ishouldhavesentthereorgonetheremyself。Ievenwentthelengthofspeakingtothegroom，anoldservantwhomIknewIcouldtrust。
　　Themanstaredatmeinastonishment，andthenpointedthroughthewindowtotheblindinghailandthewrithingtrees。
　　"Nohorsethateverwasfoaled，sir，"hesaid，"wouldface_that_
　　forlong。It’sa’mostamiraclethatthepostmangotherealive。
　　Hesayshimselfthathedursn’tgobackagain。I’lltryit，sir，ifyouorderme；butifanaccidenthappens，pleasetoremember，whateverbecomesof_me，_thatIwarnedyoubeforehand。"
　　Itwasonlytooplainthattheservantwasright，andIdismissedhim。WhatIsufferedfromthatoneaccidentofthemissingnewspaperIamashamedtotell。Noeducatedmancanconceivehowlittlehisacquiredmentaladvantageswillavailhimagainsthisnaturalhumaninheritanceofsuperstition，undercertaincircumstancesoffearandsuspense，untilhehaspassedtheordealinhisownproperperson。Wemostofussoonarriveataknowledgeoftheextentofourstrength，butwemaypassalifetimeandbestillignorantoftheextentofourweakness。
　　UptothistimeIhadpreservedself—controlenoughtohidetherealstateofmyfeelingsfromourguest；butthearrivalofthetenthday，andtheunexpectedtrialithadbroughtwithit，foundmeattheendofmyresources。Jessie’sacuteobservationsoonshowedherthatsomethinghadgonewrong，andshequestionedmeonthesubjectdirectly。Mymindwasinsuchastateofconfusionthatnoexcuseoccurredtome。Ileftherprecipitately，andentreatedOwenandMorgantokeepherintheircompany，andoutofmine，fortherestoftheday。Mystrengthtopreservemyson’ssecrethadfailedme，andmyonlychanceofresistingthebetrayalofitlayinthechildishresourceofkeepingoutoftheway。IshutmyselfintomyroomtillIcouldbearitnolonger。I
　　watchedmyopportunity，andpaidstolenvisitsoverandoveragaintothebarometerinthehall。ImountedtoMorgan’sroomsatthetopofthetower，andlookedouthopelesslythroughrain—mistandscudforsignsofacarriageonthefloodedvalley—roadbelowus。Istoledownagaintotheservants’hall，andquestionedtheoldpostman（half—tipsybythistimewithrestorativemulledale）abouthispastexperienceofstormsatsea；drewhimintotellinglong，rambling，wearisomestories，notone—tenthpartofwhichIheard；andlefthimwithmynervousirritabilityincreasedtenfoldbyhisuselessattemptstointerestandinformme。Hourbyhour，allthroughthatmiserableday，Iopeneddoorsandwindowstofeelformyselfthecapriciouschangesofthestormfromworsetobetter，andfrombettertoworseagain。NowIsentoncemoreforthegroom，whenitlookedlighter；andnowIfollowedhimhurriedlytothestables，tocountermandmyownrashorders。Mythoughtsseemedtodriveovermymindastheraindroveovertheearth；theconfusionwithinmewastheimageinlittleofthemightierturmoilthatragedoutside。
　　Beforeweassembledatthedinner—table，Owenwhisperedtomethathehadmademyexcusestoourguest，andthatIneeddreadnothingmorethanafewfriendlyinquiriesaboutmyhealthwhenI
　　sawheragain。Themealwasdispatchedhastilyandquietly。
　　Towardduskthestormbegantolessen，andforamomenttheideaofsendingtothetownoccurredtomeoncemore。But，nowthattheobstacleofweatherhadbeenremoved，theobstacleofdarknesswassetupinitsplace。Ifeltthis；IfeltthatafewmorehourswoulddecidethedoubtaboutGeorge，sofarasthislastdaywasconcerned，andIdeterminedtowaitalittlelonger，havingalreadywaitedsolong。Myresolutionwasthemorespeedilytakeninthismatter，asIhadnowmadeupmymind，insheerdespair，totellmyson’ssecrettoJessieifhefailedtoreturnbeforesheleftus。MyreasonwarnedmethatIshouldputmyselfandmyguestinafalsepositionbytakingthisstep，butsomethingstrongerthanmyreasonforbademetolethergobacktothegayworldanditstemptationswithoutfirstspeakingtoherofGeorgeinthelamentableeventofGeorgenotbeingpresenttospeakforhimself。
　　Wewereasadandsilentlittlecompanywhentheclockstruckeightthatnight，andwhenwemetforthelasttimetohearthelaststory。Theshadowoftheapproachingfarewell——itselftheshadeofthelongfarewell——restedheavilyonourguest’sspirits。Thegaydresseswhichshehadhithertoputontohonorourlittleceremonywereallpackedup，andtheplaingownsheworekeptthejourneyofthemorrowcruellybeforehereyesandours。Aquietmelancholysheditstendernessoverherbrightyoungfaceasshedrewthelastnumber，forform’ssake，outofthebowl，andhandedittoOwenwithafaintsmile。Evenourpositionsatthetablewerealterednow。Underthepretensethatthelighthurtmyeyes，Imovedbackintoadimcorner，tokeepmyanxiousfaceoutofview。Morgan，lookingatmehard，andmutteringunderhisbreath，"ThankHeaven，Inevermarried！"
　　stolehischairbydegrees，withrough，silentkindness，nearerandnearertomine。Jessie，afteramoment’shesitation，vacatedherplacenext，and，sayingthatshewantedtositclosetooneofusonthefarewellnight，tookachairatOwen’sside。Sad！
　　sad！wehadinstinctivelybrokenupalready，sofarasourplacesatthetablewereconcerned，beforethereadingofthelaststoryhadsomuchasbegun。
　　ItwasareliefwhenOwen’squietvoicestoleoverthewearysilence，andpleadedforourattentiontotheoccupationofthenight。
　　"NumberSix，"hesaid，"isthenumberthatchancehaslefttoremaintillthelast。Themanuscripttowhichitrefersisnot，asyoumaysee，inmyhandwriting。ItconsistsentirelyofpassagesfromtheDiaryofapoorhard—workinggirl——passageswhichtellanartlessstoryofloveandfriendshipinhumblelife。Whenthatstoryhascometoanend，ImayinformyouhowI
　　becamepossessedofit。IfIdidsonow，Ishouldonlyforestalloneimportantpartoftheinterestofthenarrative。Ihavemadenoattempttofindastrikingtitleforit。Itiscalled，simplyandplainly，afterthenameofthewriteroftheDiary——theStoryofAnneRodway。"
　　IntheshortpausethatOwenmadebeforehebegantoread，I
　　listenedanxiouslyforthesoundofatraveler’sapproachoutside。Atshortintervals，allthroughthestory，Ilistenedandlistenedagain。Still，nothingcaughtmyearbutthetrickleoftherainandtherushofthesweepingwindthroughthevalley，sinkinggraduallylowerandlowerasthenightadvanced。
　　BROTHEROWEN’SSTORY
　　ofANNERODWAY。
　　[TAKENFROMHERDIARY。]
　　***MARCH3d，1840。AlonglettertodayfromRobert，whichsurprisedandvexedmesothatIhavebeensadlybehindhandwithmyworkeversince。Hewritesinworsespiritsthanlasttime，andabsolutelydeclaresthatheispoorereventhanwhenhewenttoAmerica，andthathehasmadeuphismindtocomehometoLondon。
　　HowhappyIshouldbeatthisnews，ifheonlyreturnedtomeaprosperousman！Asitis，thoughIlovehimdearly，Icannotlookforwardtothemeetinghimagain，disappointedandbrokendown，andpoorerthanever，withoutafeelingalmostofdreadforbothofus。Iwastwenty—sixlastbirthdayandhewasthirty—three，andthereseemslesschancenowthaneverofourbeingmarried。
　　ItisallIcandotokeepmyselfbymyneedle；andhisprospects，sincehefailedinthesmallstationerybusinessthreeyearsago，areworse，ifpossible，thanmine。
　　NotthatImindsomuchformyself；women，inallwaysoflife，andespeciallyinmydressmakingway，learn，Ithink，tobemorepatientthanmen。WhatIdreadisRobert’sdespondency，andthehardstrugglehewillhaveinthiscruelcitytogethisbread，letalonemakingmoneyenoughtomarryme。Solittleaspoorpeoplewanttosetupinhousekeepingandbehappytogether，itseemshardthattheycan’tgetitwhentheyarehonestandhearty，andwillingtowork。TheclergymansaidinhissermonlastSundayeveningthatallthingswereorderedforthebest，andweareallputintothestationsinlifethatareproperestforus。Isupposehewasright，beingaveryclevergentlemanwhofillsthechurchtocrowding；butIthinkIshouldhaveunderstoodhimbetterifIhadnotbeenveryhungryatthetime，inconsequenceofmyownstationinlifebeingnothingbutplainneedlewoman。
　　March4th。MaryMallinsoncamedowntomyroomtotakeacupofteawithme。IreadherbitsofRobert’sletter，toshowherthat，ifshehashertroubles，Ihaveminetoo；butIcouldnotsucceedincheeringher。Shesayssheisborntomisfortune，andthat，aslongbackasshecanremember，shehasneverhadtheleastmorseloflucktobethankfulfor。Itoldhertogoandlookinmyglass，andtosayifshehadnothingtobethankfulforthen；forMaryisaveryprettygirl，andwouldlookstillprettierifshecouldbemorecheerfulanddressneater。However，mycomplimentdidnogood。Sherattledherspoonimpatientlyinhertea—cup，andsaid，"IfIwasonlyasgoodahandatneedle—workasyouare，Anne，IwouldchangefaceswiththeugliestgirlinLondon。""Notyou！"saysI，laughing。Shelookedatmeforamoment，andshookherhead，andwasoutoftheroombeforeIcouldgetupandstopher。Shealwaysrunsoffinthatwaywhensheisgoingtocry，havingakindofprideaboutlettingotherpeopleseeherintears。
　　March5th。AfrightaboutMary。Ihadnotseenherallday，asshedoesnotworkatthesameplacewhereIdo；andintheeveningshenevercamedowntohaveteawithme，orsentmewordtogotoher；so，justbeforeIwenttobed，Iranupstairstosaygood—night。
　　ShedidnotanswerwhenIknocked；andwhenIsteppedsoftlyintheroomIsawherinbed，asleep，withherworknothalfdone，lyingabouttheroomintheuntidiestway。Therewasnothingremarkableinthat，andIwasjustgoingawayontiptoe，whenatinybottleandwine—glassonthechairbyherbedsidecaughtmyeye。Ithoughtshewasillandhadbeentakingphysic，andlookedatthebottle。Itwasmarkedinlargeletters，"Laudanum——Poison。"
　　Myheartgaveajumpasifitwasgoingtoflyoutofme。Ilaidholdofherwithbothhands，andshookherwithallmymight。Shewassleepingheavily，andwokeslowly，asitseemedtome——butstillshedidwake。Itriedtopullheroutofbed，havingheardthatpeopleoughttobealwayswalkedupanddownwhentheyhavetakenlaudanumbutsheresisted，andpushedmeawayviolently。
　　"Anne！"saysshe，inafright。"Forgracioussake，what’scometoyou！Areyououtofyoursenses？"
　　"Oh，Mary！Mary！"saysI，holdingupthebottlebeforeher，"ifI
　　hadn’tcomeinwhenIdid——"AndIlaidholdofhertoshakeheragain。
　　Shelookedpuzzledatmeforamoment——thensmiled（thefirsttimeIhadseenherdosoformanyalongday）——thenputherarmsroundmyneck。
　　"Don’tbefrightenedaboutme，Anne，"shesays；"Iamnotworthit，andthereisnoneed。"
　　"Noneed！"saysI，outofbreath——"noneed，whenthebottlehasgotPoisonmarkedonit！"
　　"Poison，dear，ifyoutakeitall，"saysMary，lookingatmeverytenderly，"andanight’srestifyouonlytakealittle。"
　　Iwatchedherforamoment，doubtfulwhetherIoughttobelievewhatshesaidortoalarmthehouse。Buttherewasnosleepinessnowinhereyes，andnothingdrowsyinhervoice；andshesatupinbedquiteeasily，withoutanythingtosupporther。
　　"Youhavegivenmeadreadfulfright，Mary，"saysI，sittingdownbyherinthechair，andbeginningbythistimetofeelratherfaintafterbeingstartledso。
　　Shejumpedoutofbedtogetmeadropofwater，andkissedme，andsaidhowsorryshewas，andhowundeservingofsomuchinterestbeingtakeninher。Atthesametime，shetriedtopossessherselfofthelaudanumbottlewhichIstillkeptcuddleduptightinmyownhands。
　　"No，"saysI。"Youhavegotintoalow—spirited，despairingway。
　　Iwon’ttrustyouwithit。"
　　"IamafraidIcan’tdowithoutit，"saysMary，inherusualquiet，hopelessvoice。"WhatwithworkthatIcan’tgetthroughasIought，andtroublesthatIcan’thelpthinkingof，sleepwon’tcometomeunlessItakeafewdropsoutofthatbottle。
　　Don’tkeepitawayfromme，Anne；it’stheonlythingintheworldthatmakesmeforgetmyself。"
　　"Forgetyourself！"saysI。"Youhavenorighttotalkinthatway，atyourage。There’ssomethinghorribleinthenotionofagirlofeighteensleepingwithabottleoflaudanumbyherbedsideeverynight。Weallofushaveourtroubles。Haven’tI
　　gotmine？"
　　"YoucandotwicetheworkIcan，twiceaswellasme，"saysMary。"Youareneverscoldedandratedatforawkwardnesswithyourneedle，andIalwaysam。Youcanpayforyourroomeveryweek，andIamthreeweeksindebtformine。"
　　"Alittlemorepractice，"saysI，"andalittlemorecourage，andyouwillsoondobetter。Youhavegotallyourlifebeforeyou——"
　　"IwishIwasattheendofit，"saysshe，breakingin。"Iamaloneintheworld，andmylife’snogoodtome。"
　　"Yououghttobeashamedofyourselfforsayingso，"saysI。
　　"Haven’tyougotmeforafriend？Didn’tItakeafancytoyouwhenfirstyouleftyourstep—motherandcametolodgeinthishouse？Andhaven’tIbeensisterswithyoueversince？Supposeyouarealoneintheworld，amImuchbetteroff？I’manorphanlikeyou。I’vealmostasmanythingsinpawnasyou；and，ifyourpocketsareempty，minehaveonlygotninepenceinthem，tolastmeforalltherestoftheweek。"
　　"Yourfatherandmotherwerehonestpeople，"saysMary，obstinately。"Mymotherranawayfromhome，anddiedinahospital。Myfatherwasalwaysdrunk，andalwaysbeatingme。Mystep—motherisasgoodasdead，forallshecaresaboutme。Myonlybrotheristhousandsofmilesawayinforeignparts，andneverwritestome，andneverhelpsmewithafarthing。Mysweetheart——"
　　Shestopped，andtheredflewintoherface。Iknew，ifshewentonthatway，shewouldonlygettothesaddestpartofhersadstory，andgivebothherselfandmeunnecessarypain。
　　"_My_sweetheartistoopoortomarryme，Mary，"Isaid，"soI’mnotsomuchtobeenviedeventhere。Butlet’sgiveoverdisputingwhichisworstoff。Liedowninbed，andletmetuckyouup。I’llputastitchortwointothatworkofyourswhileyougotosleep。"
　　InsteadofdoingwhatItoldher，sheburstoutcrying（beingverylikeachildinsomeofherways），andhuggedmesotightroundtheneckthatshequitehurtme。Ilethergoontillshehadwornherselfout，andwasobligedtoliedown。Eventhen，herlastfewwordsbeforeshedroppedofftosleepweresuchasIwashalfsorry，halffrightenedtohear。
　　"Iwon’tplagueyoulong，Anne，"shesaid。"Ihaven’tcouragetogooutoftheworldasyouseemtofearIshall；butIbeganmylifewretchedly，andwretchedlyIamsentencedtoendit。"
　　Itwasofnouselecturingheragain，forsheclosedhereyes。
　　ItuckedherupasneatlyasIcould，andputherpetticoatoverher，forthebedclotheswerescanty，andherhandsfeltcold。Shelookedsoprettyanddelicateasshefellasleepthatitquitemademyheartachetoseeher，aftersuchtalkaswehadheldtogether。Ijustwaitedlongenoughtobequitesurethatshewasinthelandofdreams，thenemptiedthehorriblelaudanumbottleintothegrate，tookupherhalf—donework，and，goingoutsoftly，leftherforthatnight。
　　March6th。SentoffalonglettertoRobert，beggingandentreatinghimnottobesodown—hearted，andnottoleaveAmericawithoutmakinganothereffort。ItoldhimIcouldbearanytrialexceptthewretchednessofseeinghimcomebackahelpless，broken—downman，tryinguselesslytobeginlifeagainwhentoooldforachange。
　　ItwasnottillafterIhadpostedmyownletter，andreadoverpartofRobert’sagain，thatthesuspicionsuddenlyfloatedacrossme，forthefirsttime，thathemighthavesailedforEnglandimmediatelyafterwritingtome。Therewereexpressionsintheletterwhichseemedtoindicatethathehadsomesuchheadlongprojectinhismind。Andyet，surely，ifitwereso，I
　　oughttohavenoticedthematthefirstreading。IcanonlyhopeIamwronginmypresentinterpretationofmuchofwhathehaswrittentome——hopeitearnestlyforbothoursakes。
　　Thishasbeenadolefuldayforme。IhavebeenuneasyaboutRobertanduneasyaboutMary。Mymindishauntedbythoselastwordsofhers："Ibeganmylifewretchedly，andwretchedlyIamsentencedtoendit。"HerusualmelancholywayoftalkingneverproducedthesameimpressiononmethatIfeelnow。Perhapsthediscoveryofthelaudanum—bottleisthecauseofthis。Iwouldgivemanyahardday’sworktoknowwhattodoforMary’sgood。
　　Myheartwarmedtoherwhenwefirstmetinthesamelodging—housetwoyearsago，and，althoughIamnotoneoftheover—affectionatesortmyself，IfeelasifIcouldgototheworld’sendtoservethatgirl。Yet，strangetosay，ifIwasaskedwhyIwassofondofher，Idon’tthinkIshouldknowhowtoanswerthequestion。
　　March7th。Iamalmostashamedtowriteitdown，eveninthisjournal，whichnoeyesbutmineeverlookon；yetImusthonestlyconfesstomyselfthathereIam，atnearlyoneinthemorning，sittingupinastateofseriousuneasinessbecauseMaryhasnotyetcomehome。
　　Iwalkedwithherthismorningtotheplacewheresheworks，andtriedtoleadherintotalkingoftherelationsshehasgotwhoarestillalive。Mymotiveindoingthiswastoseeifshedroppedanythinginthecourseofconversationwhichmightsuggestawayofhelpingherinterestswiththosewhoareboundtogiveherallreasonableassistance。ButthelittleIcouldgethertosaytomeledtonothing。Insteadofansweringmyquestionsaboutherstep—motherandherbrother，shepersistedatfirst，inthestrangestway，intalkingofherfather，whowasdeadandgone，andofoneNoahTruscott，whohadbeentheworstofallthebadfriendshehad，andhadtaughthimtodrinkandgame。WhenIdidgethertospeakofherbrother，sheonlyknewthathehadgoneouttoaplacecalledAssam，wheretheygrewtea。Howhewasdoing，orwhetherhewastherestill，shedidnotseemtoknow，neverhavingheardawordfromhimforyearsandyearspast。