Whenwemetoncemoreattheendoftheexamination，Roberttoldmethattheprisonerneverspokeandneverchangedhisposition。
　　Hewaseitherfortifiedbythecruelcomposureofasavage，orhisfacultieshadnotyetthoroughlyrecoveredfromthediseasethathadsolatelyshakenthem。Themagistrateseemedtodoubtifhewasinhisrightmind；buttheevidenceofthemedicalmanrelievedthisuncertainty，andtheprisonerwascommittedfortrialonachargeofmanslaughter。
　　Whynotonachargeofmurder？RobertexplainedthelawtomewhenIaskedthatquestion。Iacceptedtheexplanation，butitdidnotsatisfyme。MaryMallinsonwaskilledbyablowfromthehandofNoahTruscott。ThatismurderinthesightofGod。Whynotmurderinthesightofthelawalso？
　　June18th。To—morrowisthedayappointedforthetrialattheOldBailey。
　　BeforesunsetthiseveningIwenttolookatMary’sgrave。TheturfhasgrownsogreensinceIsawitlast，andtheflowersarespringingupsoprettily。Abirdwaspercheddressinghisfeathersonthelowwhiteheadstonethatbearstheinscriptionofhernameandage。Ididnotgonearenoughtodisturbthelittlecreature。Helookedinnocentandprettyonthegrave，asMaryherselfwasinherlifetime。WhenheflewawayIwentandsatforalittlebytheheadstone，andreadthemournfullinesonit。Oh，mylove！mylove！whatharmorwronghadyoueverdoneinthisworld，thatyoushoulddieateighteenbyablowfromadrunkard’shand？
　　June19th。Thetrial。Myexperienceofwhathappenedatitislimited，likemyexperienceoftheexaminationatthepolice—office，tothetimeoccupiedingivingmyownevidence。
　　TheymademesaymuchmorethanIsaidbeforethemagistrate。
　　Betweenexaminationandcross—examination，IhadtogointoalmostalltheparticularsaboutpoorMaryandherfuneralthatI
　　havewritteninthisjournal；thejurylisteningtoeverywordI
　　spokewiththemostanxiousattention。Attheend，thejudgesaidafewwordstomeapprovingofmyconduct，andthentherewasaclappingofhandsamongthepeopleincourt。IwassoagitatedandexcitedthatItrembledalloverwhentheyletmegooutintotheairagain。
　　IlookedattheprisonerbothwhenIenteredthewitness—boxandwhenIleftit。Theloweringbrutalityofhisfacewasunchanged，buthisfacultiesseemedtobemorealiveandobservantthantheywereatthepolice—office。Afrightfulbluechangepassedoverhisface，andhedrewhisbreathsoheavilythatthegaspsweredistinctlyaudiblewhileImentionedMarybynameanddescribedthemarkortheblowonhertemple。WhentheyaskedmeifIknewanythingoftheprisoner，andIansweredthatIonlyknewwhatMaryherselfhadtoldmeabouthishavingbeenherfather’sruin，hegaveakindofgroan，andstruckbothhishandsheavilyonthedock。AndwhenIpassedbeneathhimonmywayoutofcourt，heleanedoversuddenly，whethertospeaktomeortostrikemeI
　　can’tsay，forhewasimmediatelymadetostanduprightagainbytheturnkeysoneithersideofhim。Whiletheevidenceproceeded（asRobertdescribedittome），thesignsthathewassufferingundersuperstitiousterrorbecamemoreandmoreapparent；until，atlast，justasthelawyerappointedtodefendhimwasrisingtospeak，hesuddenlycriedout，inavoicethatstartledeveryone，uptotheveryjudgeonthebench："Stop！"
　　Therewasapause，andalleyeslookedathim。Theperspirationwaspouringoverhisfacelikewater，andhemadestrange，uncouthsignswithhishandstothejudgeopposite。"Stopallthis！"hecriedagain；"I’vebeentheruinofthefatherandthedeathofthechild。HangmebeforeIdomoreharm！Hangme，forGod’ssake，outoftheway！"Assoonastheshockproducedbythisextraordinaryinterruptionhadsubsided，hewasremoved，andtherefollowedalongdiscussionaboutwhetherhewasofsoundmindornot。Thematterwaslefttothejurytodecidebytheirverdict。Theyfoundhimguiltyofthechargeofmanslaughter，withouttheexcuseofinsanity。Hewasbroughtupagain，andcondemnedtotransportationforlife。Allhedid，onhearingthedreadfulsentence，wastoreiteratehisdesperatewords："HangmebeforeIdomoreharm！Hangme，forGod’ssake，outoftheway！"
　　June20th。Imadeyesterday’sentryinsadnessofheart，andI
　　havenotbeenbetterinmyspiritsto—day。Itissomethingtohavebroughtthemurderertothepunishmentthathedeserves。Buttheknowledgethatthismostrighteousactofretributionisaccomplishedbringsnoconsolationwithit。ThelawdoesindeedpunishNoahTruscottforhiscrime，butcanitraiseupMaryMallinsonfromherlastresting—placeinthechurchyard？
　　Whilewritingofthelaw，IoughttorecordthattheheartlesswretchwhoallowedMarytobestruckdowninhispresencewithoutmakinganattempttodefendherisnotlikelytoescapewithperfectimpunity。Thepolicemanwholookedafterhimtoinsurehisattendanceatthetrialdiscoveredthathehadcommittedpastoffenses，forwhichthelawcanmakehimanswer。Asummonswasexecuteduponhim，andhewastakenbeforethemagistratethemomentheleftthecourtaftergivinghisevidence。
　　Ihadjustwrittenthesefewlines，andwasclosingmyjournal，whentherecameaknockatthedoor。Iansweredit，thinkingthatRoberthadcalledonhiswayhometosaygood—night，andfoundmyselffacetofacewithastrangegentleman，whoimmediatelyaskedforAnneRodway。OnhearingthatIwasthepersoninquiredfor，herequestedfiveminutes’conversationwithme。Ishowedhimintothelittleemptyroomatthebackofthehouse，andwaited，rathersurprisedandfluttered，tohearwhathehadtosay。
　　Hewasadarkman，withaseriousmanner，andashort，sternwayofspeakingIwascertainthathewasastranger，andyetthereseemedsomethinginhisfacenotunfamiliartome。Hebeganbytakinganewspaperfromhispocket，andaskingmeifIwasthepersonwhohadgivenevidenceatthetrialofNoahTruscottonachargeofmanslaughter。IansweredimmediatelythatIwas。
　　"IhavebeenfornearlytwoyearsinLondonseekingMaryMallinson，andalwaysseekingherinvain，"hesaid。"ThefirstandonlynewsIhavehadofherIfoundinthenewspaperreportofthetrialyesterday。"
　　Hestillspokecalmly，buttherewassomethinginthelookofhiseyeswhichshowedmethathewassufferinginspirit。Asuddennervousnessovercameme，andIwasobligedtositdown。
　　"YouknewMaryMallinson，sir？"Iasked，asquietlyasIcould。
　　"Iamherbrother。"
　　Iclaspedmyhandsandhidmyfaceindespair。Oh，thebitternessofheartwithwhichIheardhimsaythosesimplewords！
　　"Youwereverykindtoher，"saidthecalm，tearlessman。"Inhernameandforhersake，Ithankyou。"
　　"Oh，sir，"Isaid，"whydidyouneverwritetoherwhenyouwereinforeignparts？"
　　"Iwroteoften，"heanswered；"buteachofmyletterscontainedaremittanceofmoney。DidMarytellyoushehadastepmother？Ifshedid，youmayguesswhynoneofmyletterswereallowedtoreachher。Inowknowthatthiswomanrobbedmysister。HassheliedintellingmethatshewasneverinformedofMary’splaceofabode？"
　　IrememberedthatMaryhadnevercommunicatedwithherstepmotheraftertheseparation，andcouldthereforeassurehimthatthewomanhadspokenthetruth。
　　Hepausedforamomentafterthat，andsighed。Thenhetookoutapocket—book，andsaid：
　　"Ihavealreadyarrangedforthepaymentofanylegalexpensesthatmayhavebeenincurredbythetrial，butIhavestilltoreimburseyouforthefuneralchargeswhichyousogenerouslydefrayed。Excusemyspeakingbluntlyonthissubject；Iamaccustomedtolookonallmatterswheremoneyisconcernedpurelyasmattersofbusiness。"
　　Isawthathewastakingseveralbank—notesoutofthepocket—book，andstoppedhim。
　　"IwillgratefullyreceivebackthelittlemoneyIactuallypaid，sir，becauseIamnotwelloff，anditwouldbeanungraciousactofprideinmetorefuseitfromyou，"Isaid；"butIseeyouhandlingbank—notes，anyoneofwhichisfarbeyondtheamountyouhavetorepayme。Prayputthemback，sir。WhatIdidforyourpoorlostsisterIdidfrommyloveandfondnessforher。
　　Youhavethankedmeforthat，andyourthanksareallIcanreceive。"
　　Hehadhithertoconcealedhisfeelings，butIsawthemnowbegintogetthebetterofhim。Hiseyessoftened，andhetookmyhandandsqueezedithard。
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"hesaid；"Ibegyourpardon，withallmyheart。"
　　Therewassilencebetweenus，forIwascrying，andIbelieve，atheart，hewascryingtoo。Atlasthedroppedmyhand，andseemedtochangeback，byaneffort，tohisformercalmness。
　　"IstherenoonebelongingtoyoutowhomIcanbeofservice？"
　　heasked。"Iseeamongthewitnessesonthetrialthenameofayoungmanwhoappearstohaveassistedyouintheinquirieswhichledtotheprisoner’sconviction。Ishearelation？"
　　"No，sir——atleast，notnow——butIhope——"
　　"What？"
　　"Ihopethathemay，oneday，bethenearestanddearestrelationtomethatawomancanhave。"Isaidthosewordsboldly，becauseIwasafraidofhisotherwisetakingsomewrongviewoftheconnectionbetweenRobertandme"Oneday？"herepeated。"Onedaymaybealongtimehence。"
　　"Weareneitherofuswelloff，sir，"Isaid。"Onedaymeansthedaywhenwearealittlericherthanwearenow。"
　　"Istheyoungmaneducated？Canheproducetestimonialstohischaracter？Obligemebywritinghisnameandaddressdownonthebackofthatcard。"
　　WhenIhadobeyed，inahandwritingwhichIamafraiddidmenocredit，hetookoutanothercardandgaveittome。
　　"IshallleaveEnglandto—morrow，"hesaid。"Thereisnothingnowtokeepmeinmyowncountry。Ifyouareeverinanydifficultyordistress（whichIprayGodyoumayneverbe），applytomyLondonagent，whoseaddressyouhavethere。"
　　Hestopped，andlookedatmeattentively，thentookmyhandagain。
　　"Whereissheburied？"hesaid，suddenly，inaquickwhisper，turninghisheadaway。
　　Itoldhim，andaddedthatwehadmadethegraveasbeautifulaswecouldwithgrassandflowers。Isawhislipswhitenandtremble。
　　"Godblessandrewardyou！"hesaid，anddrewmetowardhimquicklyandkissedmyforehead。Iwasquiteovercome，andsankdownandhidmyfaceonthetable。WhenIlookedupagainhewasgone。
　　June25th，1841。Iwritetheselinesonmyweddingmorning，whenlittlemorethanayearhaspassedsinceRobertreturnedtoEngland。
　　Hissalarywasincreasedyesterdaytoonehundredandfiftypoundsayear。IfIonlyknewwhereMr。Mallinsonwas，Iwouldwriteandtellhimofourpresenthappiness。ButforthesituationwhichhiskindnessprocuredforRobert，wemightstillhavebeenwaitingvainlyforthedaythathasnowcome。
　　Iamtoworkathomeforthefuture，andSallyistohelpusinournewabode。IfMarycouldhavelivedtoseethisday！Iamnotungratefulformyblessings；butoh，howImissthatsweetfaceonthismorningofallothers！
　　Igotupto—dayearlyenoughtogoalonetothegrave，andtogatherthenosegaythatnowliesbeforemefromtheflowersthatgrowroundit。IshallputitinmybosomwhenRobertcomestofetchmetothechurch。Marywouldhavebeenmybridesmaidifshehadlived；andIcan’tforgetMary，evenonmywedding—day。
　　THENIGHT。
　　THElastwordsofthelaststoryfelllowandtremblingfromOwen’slips。HewaitedforamomentwhileJessiedriedthetearswhichAnneRodway’ssimplediaryhaddrawnfromherwarmyoungheart，thenclosedthemanuscript，andtakingherhandpatteditinhisgentle，fatherlyway。
　　"Youwillbegladtohear，mylove，"hesaid，"thatIcanspeakfrompersonalexperienceofAnneRodway’shappiness。Shecametoliveinmyparishsoonafterthetrialatwhichsheappearedaschiefwitness，andIwastheclergymanwhomarriedher。MonthsbeforethatIknewherstory，andhadreadthoseportionsofherdiarywhichyouhavejustheard。WhenImadehermylittlepresentonherweddingday，andwhenshegratefullyentreatedmetotellherwhatshecoulddoformeinreturn，IaskedforacopyofherdiarytokeepamongthepapersthatItreasuredmost。
　　’Thereadingofitnowandthen，’Isaid，’willencouragethatfaithinthebrighterandbetterpartofhumannaturewhichI
　　hope，byGod’shelp，topreservepuretomydyingday。’InthatwayIbecamepossessedofthemanuscript：itwasAnne’shusbandwhomadethecopyforme。Youhavenoticedafewwitheredleavesscatteredhereandtherebetweenthepages。Theywereputthere，yearssince，bythebride’sownhand：theyareallthatnowremainoftheflowersthatAnneRodwaygatheredonhermarriagemorningfromMaryMallinson’sgrave。"
　　Jessietriedtoanswer，butthewordsfailedonherlips。Betweentheeffectofthestory，andtheanticipationofthepartingnowsonearathand，thegood，impulsive，affectionatecreaturewasfairlyovercome。ShelaidherheadonOwen’sshoulder，andkepttightholdofhishand，andletherheartspeaksimplyforitself，withoutattemptingtohelpitbyasingleword。
　　Thesilencethatfollowedwasbrokenharshlybythetowerclock。
　　Theheavyhammerslowlyrangouttenstrokesthroughthegloomynight—timeandthedyingstorm。
　　Iwaitedtillthelasthummingechooftheclockfaintedintodeadstillness。Ilistenedoncemoreattentively，andagainlistenedinvain。ThenIrose，andproposedtomybrothersthatweshouldleaveourguesttocomposeherselfforthenight。
　　WhenOwenandMorganwerereadytoquittheroom，Itookherbythehand，anddrewheralittleaside。
　　"Youleaveusearly，mydear，"Isaid；"but，beforeyougoto—morrowmorning——"
　　Istoppedtolistenforthelasttime，beforethewordswerespokenwhichcommittedmetothedesperateexperimentofpleadingGeorge’scauseindefianceofhisownrequest。Nothingcaughtmyearbutthesweepofthewearyweakenedwindandthemelancholysurgingoftheshakentrees。
　　"But，beforeyougoto—morrowmorning，"Iresumed，"Iwanttospeaktoyouinprivate。Weshallbreakfastateighto’clock。Isitaskingtoomuchtobegyoutocomeandseemealoneinmystudyathalfpastseven？"
　　JustasherlipsopenedtoanswermeIsawachangepassoverherface。IhadkeptherhandinminewhileIwasspeaking，andI
　　musthavepresseditunconsciouslysohardasalmosttohurther。
　　Shemayevenhaveutteredafewwordsofremonstrance；buttheyneverreachedme：mywholehearingsensewasseized，absorbed，petrified。AttheveryinstantwhenIhadceasedspeaking，I，andIalone，heardafaintsound——asoundthatwasnewtome——flypasttheGlenToweronthewingsofthewind。
　　"Openthewindow，forGod’ssake！"Icried。
　　Myhandmechanicallyheldherstighterandtighter。Shestruggledtofreeit，lookinghardatmewithpalecheeksandfrightenedeyes。Owenhastenedupandreleasedher，andputhisarmsroundme。
　　"Griffith，Griffith！"hewhispered，"controlyourself，forGeorge’ssake。"
　　Morganhurriedtothewindowandthrewitwideopen。
　　Thewindandrainrushedinfiercely。Welcome，welcomewind！Theyallhearditnow。"Oh，Fatherinheaven，somercifultofathersonearth——myson，myson！"
　　Itcamein，louderandlouderwitheverygustofwind——thejoyous，rapidgatheringrollofwheels。Myeyesfastenedonherasiftheycouldseetoherheart，whileshestoodtherewithhersweetfaceturnedonmeallpaleandstartled。Itriedtospeaktoher；ItriedtobreakawayfromOwen’sarms，tothrowmyownarmsroundher，tokeepheronmybosom，till_he_cametotakeherfromme。Butallmystrengthhadgoneinthelongwaitingandthelongsuspense。MyheadsankonOwen’sbreast——butIstillheardthewheels。Morganloosenedmycravat，andsprinkledwaterovermyface——Istillheardthewheels。Thepoorterrifiedgirlranintoherroom，andcamebackwithhersmelling—salts——Iheardthecarriagestopatthehouse。Theroomwhirledroundandroundwithme；butIheardtheeagerhurryoffootstepsinthehall，andtheopeningofthedoor。Inanothermomentmyson’svoiceroseclearandcheerfulfrombelow，greetingtheoldservantswholovedhim。Thedear，familiartonesjustpouredintomyear，andthen，themomenttheyfilledit，hushedmesuddenlytorest。
　　WhenIcametomyselfagainmyeyesopeneduponGeorge。Iwaslyingonthesofa，stillinthesameroom；thelightswehadreadbyintheeveningwereburningonthetable；mysonwaskneelingatmypillow，andwetwowerealone。
　　THEMORNING。
　　THEwindisfainter，butthereisstillnocalm。Therainisceasing，butthereisstillnosunshine。Theviewfrommywindowshowsmethemistheavyontheearth，andadimgrayveildrawndarklyoverthesky。Lessthantwelvehourssince，suchaprospectwouldhavesaddenedmefortheday。Ilookoutatitthismorning，throughthebrightmediumofmyownhappiness，andnottheshadowofashadefallsacrossthesteadyinnersunshinethatisporingovermyheart。
　　Thepenlingersfondlyinmyhand，andyetitislittle，verylittle，thatIhavelefttosay。ThePurpleVolumeliesopenbymyside，withthestoriesrangedtogetherinitintheorderinwhichtheywereread。Mysonhaslearnedtoprizethemalreadyasthefaithfulfriendswhoservedhimathisutmostneed。Ihaveonlytowindoffthelittlethreadofnarrativeonwhichtheyareallstrungtogetherbeforethevolumeisclosedandouranxiousliteraryexperimentfairlyended。
　　MysonandIhadaquiethourtogetheronthathappynightbeforeweretiredtorest。Thelittlelove—plotinventedinGeorge’sinterestsnowrequiredonelaststrokeofdiplomacytocompleteitbeforeweallthrewoffourmasksandassumedourtruecharactersforthefuture。WhenmysonandIpartedforthenight，wehadplannedthenecessarystratagemfortakingourlovelyguestbysurpriseassoonasshewasoutofherbedinthemorning。
　　Shortlyafterseveno’clockIsentamessagetoJessiebyhermaid，informingherthatagoodnight’sresthaddonewondersforme，andthatIexpectedtoseeherinmystudyathalfpastseven，aswehadarrangedtheeveningbefore。Assoonasheranswer，promisingtobepunctualtotheappointment，hadreachedme，ItookGeorgeintomystudy——lefthiminmyplacetopleadhisowncause——andstoleaway，fiveminutesbeforethehalfhour，tojoinmybrothersinthebreakfast—room。
　　Althoughthesenseofmyownhappinessdisposedmetotakethebrightestviewofmyson’schances，Imustneverthelessacknowledgethatsomenervousanxietiesstillflutteredaboutmyheartwhiletheslowminutesofsuspensewerecountingthemselvesoutinthebreakfast—room。IhadaslittleattentiontospareforOwen’squietprognosticationsofsuccessasforMorgan’spitilesssarcasmsonlove，courtship，andmatrimony。Aquarterofanhourelapsed——thentwentyminutes。Thehandmovedon，andtheclockpointedtofiveminutestoeight，beforeIheardthestudydooropen，andbeforethesoundofrapidly—advancingfootstepswarnedmethatGeorgewascomingintotheroom。
　　Hisbeamingfacetoldthegoodnewsbeforeawordcouldbespokenoneitherside。Theexcessofhishappinessliterallyandtrulydeprivedhimofspeech。Hestoodeagerlylookingatusallthree，withoutstretchedhandsandglisteningeyes。
　　"HaveIfoldedupmysurpliceforever，"askedOwen，"oramItowearitonceagain，George，inyourservice？"
　　"Answerthisquestionfirst，"interposedMorgan，withalookofgrimanxiety。"Haveyouactuallytakenyouryoungwomanoffmyhands，orhaveyounot？"
　　Nodirectanswerfollowedeitherquestion。George’sfeelingshadbeentoodeeplystirredtoallowhimtoreturnjestforjestatamoment’snotice。
　　"Oh，father，howcanIthankyou！"hesaid。"Andyou！andyou！"
　　headded，lookingatOwenandMorgangratefully。
　　"YoumustthankChanceaswellasthankus，"Ireplied，speakingaslightlyasmyheartwouldletme，toencouragehim。"Theadvantageofnumbersinourlittlelove—plotwasallonourside。
　　Remember，George，wewerethreetoone。"
　　WhileIwasspeakingthebreakfast—roomdooropenednoiselessly，andshowedusJessiestandingonthethreshold，uncertainwhethertojoinusortorunbacktoherownroom。Herbrightcomplexionheightenedtoadeepglow；thetearsjustrisinginhereyes，andnotyetfallingfromthem；herdelicatelipstremblingalittle，asiftheywerestillshylyconsciousofotherlipsthathadpressedthembutafewminutessince；herattitudeirresolutelygraceful；herhairjustdisturbedenoughoverherforeheadandhercheekstoaddtothecharmofthem——shestoodbeforeus，theloveliestlivingpictureofyouth，andtenderness，andvirginlovethateyeseverlookedon。GeorgeandIbothadvancedtogethertomeetheratthedoor。Butthegood，gratefulgirlhadheardfrommysonthetruestoryofallthatIhaddone，andhoped，andsufferedforthelasttendays，andshowedcharminglyhowshefeltitbyturningatonceto_me_。
　　"MayIstopattheGlenToweralittlelonger？"sheasked，simply。
　　"Ifyouthinkyoucangetthroughyourevenings，mylove，"I
　　answered。"’ButsurelyyouforgetthatthePurpleVolumeisclosed，andthatthestorieshaveallcometoanend？"
　　Sheclaspedherarmsroundmyneck，andlaidhercheekfondlyagainstmine。
　　"Howyoumusthavesufferedyesterday！"shewhispered，softly。
　　"AndhowhappyIamto—day！"
　　ThetearsgatheredinhereyesanddroppedoverhercheeksassheraisedherheadtolookatmeaffectionatelywhenIsaidthosewords。IgentlyunclaspedherarmsandledhertoGeorge。
　　"Soyoureallydidlovehim，then，afterall，"Iwhispered，"thoughyouweretooslytoletmediscoverit？"
　　Asmilebrokeoutamongthetearsashereyeswanderedawayfrommineandstolealookatmyson。Theclockstruckthehour，andtheservantcameinwithbreakfast。Alittledomesticinterruptionofthiskindwasallthatwaswantedtoputusatourease。Wedrewroundthetablecheerfully，andsettheQueenofHeartsattheheadofit，inthecharacterofmistressofthehousealready。
　　End