the abbot's ghost

8/13/2019 The Abbot's Ghost

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THE ABBOT'S GHOSTOR, MAURICE TREHERNE'S

TEMPTATIONA Christmas StoryBy A.M. Barnard1!"

CONTENTS

Cha#t$r I. %RAMATIS PERSONAE

Cha#t$r II. B&PA&

Cha#t$r III. (HO (AS IT)

Cha#t$r I*. +EE%ING THEPEACOCS

Cha#t$r *. UN%ER THEMISTETOE

Cha#t$r *I. MIRACES

Cha#t$r *II. A GHOST& RE*E

Cha#t$r *III. -ASPER



Cha#t$r I. %RAMATIS PERSONAE

Ho/ 0o$s it, +ran) %o/n 2irst,as 3s3a4.

Th$ $ar4y 5ird 0$ts th$ /orm,Ma6or.

%$37$d 3n0a44ant s#$$7h,

7onsid$rin0 that th$ 4o8$4yO7ta8ia is th$ /orm, and /ith asi0ni2i7ant 4a30h th$ ma6orass3m$d an En04ishman's 2a8orit$attit3d$ 5$2or$ th$ 2ir$.

His 7om#anion shot a 93i704an7$ at him, and an $:#r$ssiono2 an:i$ty #ass$d o8$r his 2a7$ ash$ r$#4i$d, /ith a /$44;2$i0n$d airo2 indi22$r$n7$, &o3 ar$

a4to0$th$r too shar#, Ma6or. Im3st 5$ on my 03ard /hi4$ yo3ar$ in th$ ho3s$. Any n$/arri8a4s) I tho30ht I h$ard a



7arria0$ dri8$ 3# not 4on0 a0o.

It /as G$n$ra4 Sno/don and his

7harmin0 /i2$. Ma3ri7$ Tr$h$rn$7am$ /hi4$ /$ /$r$ o3t, and I'8$not s$$n him y$t, #oor 2$44o/<

Ay$, yo3 may /$44 say that= hisis a hard 7as$, i2 /hat I h$ard is

tr3$. I'm not 5oo$d 3# in th$matt$r, and I sho34d 5$, 4$st Ima$ som$ 543nd$r h$r$, so t$44m$ ho/ thin0s stand, Ma6or.($'8$ a 0ood ha42 ho3r 5$2or$

dinn$r. Sir -as#$r is n$8$r#3n7t3a4.

&$s, yo3'8$ a ri0ht to no/, i2yo3 ar$ 0oin0 to try yo3r 2ort3n$/ith O7ta8ia.

Th$ ma6or mar7h$d thro30h th$thr$$ dra/in0 rooms to s$$ thatno in93isiti8$ s$r8ant /as$a8$sdro##in0, and, 2indin0 a44



d$s$rt$d, h$ r$s3m$d his #4a7$,/hi4$ yo3n0 Annon 4o3n0$d on a

7o37h as h$ 4ist$n$d /ith int$ns$int$r$st to th$ ma6or's story.

&o3 no/ it /as s3##os$d thato4d Sir -as#$r, 5$in0 a 5a7h$4or,/o34d 4$a8$ his 2ort3n$ to his t/o

n$#h$/s. B3t h$ /as an oddity,and as th$ tit4$ m3st 0o to yo3n0 -as#$r 5y ri0ht, th$ o4d man saidMa3ri7$ sho34d ha8$ th$ mon$y.H$ /as #oor, yo3n0 -as#$r ri7h,and it s$$m$d 53t 63st, tho30h

Madam$ M>r$ /as 8$ry an0ry/h$n sh$ 4$arn$d ho/ th$ /i44/as mad$.

B3t Ma3ri7$ didn't 0$t th$2ort3n$. Ho/ /as that)

Th$r$ /as som$ myst$ry th$r$/hi7h I sha44 dis7o8$r in tim$. A44/$nt smooth4y ti44 that 3n437y



ya7htin0 tri#, /h$n th$ 7o3sins/$r$ /r$7$d. Ma3ri7$ sa8$d

-as#$r's 4i2$, and a4most 4ost hiso/n in so doin0. I 2an7y h$ /ish$sh$ had, rath$r than r$main th$#oor 7ri##4$ h$ is. E:#os3r$,$:$rtion, and n$04$7t a2t$r/ard5ro30ht on #ara4ysis o2 th$ 4o/$r

4im5s, and th$r$ h$ is?a 2in$,ta4$nt$d, s#irit$d 2$44o/ ti$d tothat 73rs$d 7hair 4i$ a d$7r$#ito4d man.

Ho/ do$s h$ 5$ar it) as$d

Annon, as th$ ma6or shoo his0ray h$ad, /ith a traitoro3sh3sin$ss in his 4ast /ords.

i$ a #hi4oso#h$r or a h$ro. H$is too #ro3d to sho/ his d$s#air

at s37h a s3dd$n $nd to a44 hisho#$s, too 0$n$ro3s to 7om#4ain,2or -as#$r is d$s#$rat$4y 73t 3#a5o3t it, and too 5ra8$ to 5$



da3nt$d 5y a mis2ort3n$ /hi7h/o34d dri8$ many a man mad.

Is it tr3$ that Sir -as#$r,no/in0 a44 this, mad$ a n$/ /i44and 4$2t $8$ry 7$nt to hisnam$sa$)

&$s, and th$r$ 4i$s th$ myst$ry.

Not on4y did h$ 4$a8$ it a/ay 2rom#oor Ma3ri7$, 53t so ti$d it 3#that -as#$r 7annot trans2$r it, andat his d$ath it 0o$s to O7ta8ia.

Th$ o4d man m3st ha8$ 5$$n

d$m$nt$d. (hat in h$a8$n'snam$ did h$ m$an 5y 4$a8in0Ma3ri7$ h$4#4$ss and #$nni4$ssa2t$r a44 his d$8otion to -as#$r)Had h$ don$ anythin0 to o22$nd

th$ o4d #arty)No on$ no/s= Ma3ri7$ hasn't

th$ 4$ast id$a o2 th$ 7a3s$ o2 thiss3dd$n /him, and th$ o4d man



/o34d 0i8$ no r$ason 2or it. H$di$d soon a2t$r, and th$ instant

-as#$r 7am$ to th$ tit4$ and$stat$ h$ 5ro30ht his 7o3sinhom$, and tr$ats him 4i$ a5roth$r. -as#$r is a no54$ 2$44o/,/ith a44 his 2a34ts, and this a7t o2

63sti7$ in7r$as$s my r$s#$7t 2or

him, said th$ ma6or h$arti4y.

(hat /i44 Ma3ri7$ do, no/ thath$ 7an't $nt$r th$ army as h$int$nd$d) as$d Annon, /ho no/sat $r$7t, so 2344 o2 int$r$st /as

h$.

Marry O7ta8ia, and 7om$ to hiso/n, I ho#$.

An $:7$44$nt 4itt4$ arran0$m$nt,

53t Miss Tr$h$rn$ may o56$7t,said Annon, risin0 /ith s3dd$nind4in0 o2 th$ $y$.

I thin not, i2 no on$ int$r2$r$s.



Pity, /ith /om$n, is ain to 4o8$,and sh$ #iti$s h$r 7o3sin in th$

t$nd$r$st 2ashion. No sist$r 7o34d5$ mor$ d$8ot$d, and as Ma3ri7$is a handsom$, ta4$nt$d 2$44o/,on$ 7an $asi4y 2or$s$$ th$ $nd, i2,as I said 5$2or$, no on$ int$r2$r$sto disa##oint th$ #oor 4ad a0ain.

&o3 $s#o3s$ his 7a3s$, I s$$,and t$44 m$ this that I may standasid$. Thans 2or th$ /arnin0,Ma6or= 53t as Ma3ri7$ Tr$h$rn$ isa man o2 3n3s3a4 #o/$r in many

/ays, I thin /$ ar$ $93a44ymat7h$d, in s#it$ o2 hismis2ort3n$. Nay, i2 anythin0, h$has th$ ad8anta0$ o2 m$, 2or MissTr$h$rn$ #iti$s him, and that is a

stron0 a44y 2or my ri8a4. I'44 5$ as0$n$ro3s as I 7an, 53t I'44 notstand asid$ and r$4in93ish th$/oman I 4o8$ /itho3t a tria4 2irst.



(ith an air o2 d$t$rminationAnnon 2a7$d th$ ma6or, /hos$

$$n $y$s had r$ad th$ tr3th/hi7h h$ had 53t n$/4y 7on2$ss$dto hims$42. Ma6or Royston smi4$das h$ 4ist$n$d, and said 5ri$24y, asst$#s a##roa7h$d, %o yo3r 5$st.Ma3ri7$ /i44 /in.

($ sha44 s$$, r$t3rn$d Annon5$t/$$n his t$$th.

H$r$ th$ir host $nt$r$d, and th$s356$7t o2 7o3rs$ /as dro##$d.

B3t th$ ma6or's /ords ran4$d inth$ yo3n0 man's mind, and /o34dha8$ 5$$n do354y 5itt$r had h$no/n that th$ir 7on2id$ntia47on8$rsation had 5$$n o8$rh$ard.On $ith$r sid$ o2 th$ 0r$at

2ir$#4a7$ /as a door 4$adin0 to as3it$ o2 rooms /hi7h had 5$$n o4dSir -as#$r's. Th$s$ a#artm$ntshad 5$$n 0i8$n to Ma3ri7$



Tr$h$rn$, and h$ had 63str$t3rn$d 2rom ondon, /hith$r h$

had 5$$n to 7ons34t a 7$rtain2amo3s #hysi7ian. Ent$rin093i$t4y, h$ had ta$n #oss$ssiono2 his rooms, and ha8in0 r$st$dand dr$ss$d 2or dinn$r, ro44$dhims$42 into th$ 4i5rary, to /hi7h

4$d th$ 73rtain$d door on th$ri0ht. Sittin0 id4y in his 4i0ht,/h$$4$d 7hair, r$ady to $nt$r/h$n his 7o3sin a##$ar$d, h$ hadh$ard th$ 7hat o2 Annon and th$

ma6or. As h$ 4ist$n$d, o8$r his3s3a44y im#assi8$ 2a7$ #ass$d8aryin0 $:#r$ssions o2 an0$r,#ain, 5itt$rn$ss, and d$2ian7$,and /h$n th$ yo3n0 man 3tt$r$dhis a4most 2i$r7$ ($ sha44 s$$,

Tr$h$rn$ smi4$d a s7orn234 smi4$and 74$n7h$d his #a4$ hand /ith a0$st3r$ /hi7h #ro8$d that a y$aro2 s322$rin0 had not 7on93$r$d



th$ man's s#irit, tho30h it had7ri##4$d his stron0 5ody.

A sin034ar 2a7$ /as Ma3ri7$Tr$h$rn$'s= /$44;73t andsom$/hat ha30hty 2$at3r$s= a2in$ 5ro/ 3nd$r th$ dar 4o7sthat 7ar$4$ss4y str$a$d it= and

r$mara54y #i$r7in0 $y$s. S4i0htin 2i03r$ and /ast$d 5y #ain, h$sti44 r$tain$d th$ 0ra7$ as nati8$to him as th$ st$rn 2ortit3d$/hi7h $na54$d him to hid$ th$d$$# d$s#air o2 an am5itio3s

nat3r$ 2rom $8$ry $y$, and 5$arhis a224i7tion /ith a 7h$$r234#hi4oso#hy mor$ #ath$ti7 thanth$ most $ntir$ a5andonm$nt to0ri$2. Car$2344y dr$ss$d, and /ith

no hint at in8a4idism 53t th$ 7hair,h$ 5or$ hims$42 as $asi4y and7a4m4y as i2 th$ doom o2 4i2$4on0h$4#4$ssn$ss did not han0 o8$r



him. A sin04$ motion o2 th$ hands$nt him ro44in0 nois$4$ss4y to th$

73rtain$d door, 53t as h$ did so, a8oi7$ $:74aim$d 5$hind him, (ait2or m$, 7o3sin. And as h$ t3rn$d,a yo3n0 0ir4 a##roa7h$d, smi4in0a 04ad /$47om$ as sh$ too hishand, addin0 in a ton$ o2 so2t

r$#roa7h, Hom$ a0ain, and not4$t m$ no/ it, ti44 I h$ard th$0ood n$/s 5y a77id$nt.

(as it 0ood n$/s, O7ta8ia) andMa3ri7$ 4oo$d 3# at th$ 2ran

2a7$ /ith a n$/ $:#r$ssion inthos$ #$n$tratin0 $y$s o2 his. His7o3sin's o#$n 04an7$ n$8$r7han0$d as sh$ stro$d th$ hairo22 his 2or$h$ad /ith th$ 7ar$ss

on$ o2t$n 0i8$s a 7hi4d, andans/$r$d $a0$r4y, Th$ 5$st tom$= th$ ho3s$ is d344 /h$n yo3ar$ a/ay, 2or -as#$r a4/ays



5$7om$s a5sor5$d in hors$s andho3nds, and 4$a8$s Mamma and

m$ to mo#$ 5y o3rs$48$s. B3t t$44m$, Ma3ri7$, /hat th$y said toyo3, sin7$ yo3 /o34d not /rit$.

A 4itt4$ ho#$, /ith tim$ and#ati$n7$. H$4# m$ to /ait, d$ar,

h$4# m$ to /ait.His ton$ /as in2init$4y sad, and

as h$ s#o$, h$ 4$an$d his 7h$$a0ainst th$ ind hand h$ h$4d, asi2 to 2ind s3##ort and 7om2ort

th$r$. Th$ 0ir4's 2a7$ 5ri0ht$n$d5$a3ti2344y, tho30h h$r $y$s2i44$d, 2or to h$r a4on$ did h$5$tray his #ain, and in h$r a4on$did h$ s$$ 7onso4ation.

I /i44, I /i44 /ith h$art and hand<Than h$a8$n 2or th$ ho#$, andtr3st m$ it sha44 5$ 2342i44$d. &o34oo 8$ry tir$d, Ma3ri7$. (hy 0o



in to dinn$r /ith a44 thos$ #$o#4$)$t m$ ma$ yo3 7o@y h$r$, sh$

add$d an:io3s4y.Thans, I'd rath$r 0o in, it do$s

m$ 0ood= and i2 I stay a/ay, -as#$r 2$$4s that h$ m3st stay/ith m$. I dr$ss$d in hast$, am I

ri0ht, 4itt4$ n3rs$)Sh$ 0a8$ him a 7om#r$h$nsi8$

04an7$, dainti4y s$tt4$d his 7ra8at,5r3sh$d 5a7 a tr3ant 4o7, and,/ith a mat$rna4 air that /as

7harmin0, said, My 5oy is a4/ays$4$0ant, and I'm #ro3d o2 him.No/ /$'44 0o in. B3t /ith h$rhand on th$ 73rtain sh$ #a3s$d,sayin0 93i74y, as a 8oi7$ r$a7h$dh$r, (ho is that)

+ran Annon. %idn't yo3 no/h$ /as 7omin0) Ma3ri7$ $y$dh$r $$n4y.



No, -as#$r n$8$r to4d m$. (hydid h$ as him)

To #4$as$ yo3.

M$< (h$n h$ no/s I d$t$st th$man. No matt$r, I'8$ 0ot on th$7o4or h$ hat$s, so h$ /on't annoym$, and Mrs. Sno/don 7an am3s$

h$rs$42 /ith him. Th$ 0$n$ra4 has7om$, yo3 no/)

Tr$h$rn$ smi4$d, /$44 #4$as$d,2or no si0n o2 maid$n sham$ or#4$as3r$ did th$ 0ir4's 2a7$ 5$tray,

and as h$ /at7h$d h$r /hi4$ sh$#$$#$d, h$ tho30ht /ithsatis2a7tion, Annon is ri0ht, I ha8$th$ ad8anta0$, and I'44 $$# it ata44 7osts.

H$r$ is Mamma. ($ m3st 0o in,said O7ta8ia, as a stat$4y o4d 4adymad$ h$r a##$aran7$ in th$dra/in0 room.



Th$ 7o3sins $nt$r$d to0$th$rand Annon /at7h$d th$m

7o8$rt4y, /hi4$ s$$min04y int$nton #ayin0 his r$s#$7ts to Madam$M>r$, as his host$ss /as 7a44$d 5yh$r 2ami4y.

Handsom$r than $8$r, h$

m3tt$r$d, as his $y$ r$st$d onth$ 54oomin0 0ir4, 4ooin0 mor$4i$ a ros$ than $8$r in th$ #$a7h;7o4or$d si4 /hi7h h$ had on7$7ond$mn$d 5$7a3s$ a ri8a4

admir$d it. Sh$ t3rn$d to r$#4y toth$ ma6or, and Annon 04an7$d atTr$h$rn$ /ith an irr$#r$ssi54$2ro/n, 2or si7n$ss had notmarr$d th$ 7harm o2 that #$734iar2a7$, so 7o4or4$ss and thin that it

s$$m$d 73t in mar54$= 53t th$$$n $y$s shon$ /ith a /ond$r2345ri44ian7y, and th$ /ho4$7o3nt$nan7$ /as a4i8$ /ith a



#o/$r o2 int$44$7t and /i44 /hi7hmad$ th$ o5s$r8$r in8o43ntari4y

$:74aim, That man m3st s322$r adai4y martyrdom, so 7ri##4$d and7on2in$d= i2 it 4ast 4on0 h$ /i44 0omad or di$.

G$n$ra4 and Mrs. Sno/d$n,

anno3n7$d th$ s$r8ant, and as3dd$n #a3s$ $ns3$d as $8$ryon$4oo$d 3# to 0r$$t th$n$/7om$rs.

A 2$$54$, /hit$;hair$d o4d man

$nt$r$d, 4$anin0 on th$ arm o2 anind$s7ri5a54y 5$a3ti234 /oman.Not thirty y$t, ta44 and no54ymo4d$d, /ith strai0ht 54a7 5ro/so8$r ma0ni2i7$nt $y$s= ri##4in0dar hair 0ath$r$d 3# in a 0r$at

not, and ornam$nt$d /ith asin04$ 5and o2 0o4d. A s/$$#in0dr$ss o2 /in$;7o4or$d 8$48$t, s$to22 /ith a da@@4in0 n$7 and arms



d$7orat$d 4i$ h$r stat$4y h$ad/ith ornam$nts o2 Roman 0o4d. At

th$ 2irst 04an7$ sh$ s$$m$d a7o4d, ha30hty 7r$at3r$, 5orn toda@@4$ 53t not to /in. A d$$#$rs7r3tiny d$t$7t$d 4in$s o2s322$rin0 in that 4o8$4y 2a7$, and5$hind th$ 8$i4 o2 r$s$r8$, /hi7h

#rid$ 2or7$d h$r to /$ar,a##$ar$d th$ an03ish o2 a stron0;/i44$d /oman 53rd$n$d 5y ah$a8y 7ross. No on$ /o34d dar$$:#r$ss #ity or o22$r sym#athy,

2or h$r /ho4$ air r$#$44$d it, andin h$r 04oomy $y$s sat s7orn o2h$rs$42 min04$d /ith d$2ian7$ o2th$ s7orn o2 oth$rs. A stran0$,a4most tra0i7a4;4ooin0 /oman, ins#it$ o2 5$a3ty, 0ra7$, and th$

7o4d s/$$tn$ss o2 h$r mann$r. A2aint smi4$ #art$d h$r 4i#s as sh$0r$$t$d thos$ a5o3t h$r, and ash$r h3s5and s$at$d hims$42



5$sid$ ady Tr$h$rn$, sh$ 4i2t$dh$r h$ad /ith a 4on0 5r$ath, and

a sin034ar $:#r$ssion o2 r$4i$2, asi2 a 53rd$n /as r$mo8$d, and 2orth$ tim$ 5$in0 sh$ /as 2r$$. Sir

-as#$r /as at h$r sid$, and as sh$4ist$n$d, h$r $y$ 04an7$d 2rom2a7$ to 2a7$.

(ho is /ith yo3 no/) sh$as$d, in a 4o/, m$44o/ 8oi7$ that/as 2344 o2 m3si7.

My sist$r and my 7o3sin ar$

yond$r. &o3 may r$m$m5$r Ta8iaas a 7hi4d, sh$ is 4itt4$ mor$ no/.Ma3ri7$ is an in8a4id, 53t th$2in$st 2$44o/ 5r$athin0.

I 3nd$rstand, and Mrs.

Sno/don's $y$s so2t$n$d /ith as3dd$n 04an7$ o2 #ity 2or on$7o3sin and admiration 2or th$oth$r, 2or sh$ n$/ th$ 2a7ts.



Ma6or Royston, my 2ath$r's2ri$nd, and +ran Annon, my o/n.

%o yo3 no/ him) as$d Sir -as#$r.

No.

Th$n a44o/ m$ to ma$ himha##y 5y #r$s$ntin0 him, may I)

Not no/. I'd rath$r s$$ yo3r7o3sin.

Thans, yo3 ar$ 8$ry ind. I'445rin0 him o8$r.

Stay, 4$t m$ 0o to him, 5$0anth$ 4ady, /ith mor$ 2$$4in0 in 2a7$and 8oi7$ than on$ /o34d 5$4i$8$h$r 7a#a54$ o2 sho/in0.

Pardon, it /i44 o22$nd him, h$

/i44 not 5$ #iti$d, or r$4in93ishany o2 th$ d3ti$s or #ri8i4$0$s o2a 0$nt4$man /hi7h h$ 7an#ossi54y #$r2orm. H$ is #ro3d, /$



7an 3nd$rstand th$ 2$$4in0, so 4$t3s h3mor th$ #oor 2$44o/.

Mrs. Sno/don 5o/$d si4$nt4y,and Sir -as#$r 7a44$d o3t in hish$arty, 543nt /ay, as i2 nothin0/as amiss /ith his 7o3sin,Ma3ri7$, I'8$ an honor 2or yo3.

Com$ and r$7$i8$ it.%i8inin0 /hat it /as, Tr$h$rn$

nois$4$ss4y 7ross$d th$ room, and/ith no si0n o2 s$42;7ons7io3sn$ssor $m5arrassm$nt, /as #r$s$nt$d

to th$ handsom$ /oman.Thinin0 his #r$s$n7$ mi0ht 5$ ar$straint, Sir -as#$r /$nt a/ay.Th$ instant his 5a7 /as t3rn$d, a7han0$ 7am$ o8$r 5oth ana4most 0rim $:#r$ssion r$#4a7$d

th$ s3a8ity o2 Tr$h$rn$'s 2a7$,and Mrs. Sno/don's smi4$ 2ad$ds3dd$n4y, /hi4$ a d$$# 243sh ros$to h$r 5ro/, as h$r $y$s



93$stion$d his 5$s$$7hin04y.

Ho/ dar$d yo3 7om$) h$ as$d

5$4o/ his 5r$ath.

Th$ 0$n$ra4 insist$d.

And yo3 7o34d not 7han0$ his#3r#os$= #oor /oman<

&o3 /i44 not 5$ #iti$d, n$ith$r/i44 I, and h$r $y$s 24ash$d= th$nth$ 2ir$ /as 93$n7h$d in t$ars,and h$r 8oi7$ 4ost a44 its #rid$ in a#4$adin0 ton$.

+or0i8$ m$, I 4on0$d to s$$ yo3sin7$ yo3r i44n$ss, and so I 'dar$d'to 7om$.

&o3 sha44 5$ 0rati2i$d= 4oo,93it$ h$4#4$ss, 7ri##4$d 2or 4i2$,

#$rha#s.

Th$ 7hair /as t3rn$d 2rom th$0ro3#s a5o3t th$ 2ir$, and as h$



m$mory, i2 sh$ /i44 4$t m$.

No n$$d o2 that= I n$8$r 2or0$t

ha##y 2a7$s and #r$tty #i7t3r$s.T/o y$ars a0o I sa/ yo3 at yo3r2irst 5a44, and 4on0$d to 5$ a 0ir4a0ain.

As sh$ s#o$, Mrs. Sno/don

#r$ss$d th$ hand shy4y o22$r$d,and smi4$d at th$ s#irit$d 2a7$5$2or$ h$r, tho30h th$ shado/ inh$r o/n $y$s d$$#$n$d as sh$m$t th$ 5ri0ht 04an7$ o2 th$ 0ir4.

Ho/ ind yo3 /$r$ that ni0ht< Ir$m$m5$r yo3 4$t m$ 7hatt$ra/ay a5o3t my 2ami4y, my 7o3sin,and my 2oo4ish 4itt4$ a22airs /ithth$ s/$$t$st #ati$n7$, and mad$

m$ 8$ry ha##y 5y yo3r int$r$st. I/as hom$si7, and A3nt 7o34dn$8$r 5$ar to h$ar o2 thos$thin0s. It /as 5$2or$ yo3r



marria0$, and a44 th$ ind$r, 2oryo3 /$r$ th$ 93$$n o2 th$ ni0ht,

y$t had a /ord 2or #oor 4itt4$ m$.Mrs. Sno/don /as #a4$ to th$

4i#s, and Ma3ri7$ im#ati$nt4yta##$d th$ arm o2 his 7hair, /hi4$th$ 0ir4 inno7$nt4y 7hatt$d on.

I am sorry th$ 0$n$ra4 is s37h anin8a4id= y$t I dar$ say yo3 2ind0r$at ha##in$ss in tain0 7ar$ o2him. It is so #4$asant to 5$ o2 3s$to thos$ /$ 4o8$. And as sh$

s#o$, O7ta8ia 4$an$d o8$r h$r7o3sin to hand him th$ 04o8$ h$had dro##$d.

Th$ a22$7tionat$ smi4$ thata77om#ani$d th$ a7t mad$ th$

7o4or d$$#$n a0ain in Mrs.Sno/don's 7h$$, and 4it a s#arin h$r so2t$n$d $y$s. H$r 4i#s73r4$d and h$r 8oi7$ /as s/$$t4y



sar7asti7 as sh$ ans/$r$d, &$s,it is 7harmin0 to d$8ot$ on$'s 4i2$

to th$s$ d$ar in8a4ids, and 2indon$'s r$/ard in th$ir 0ratit3d$. &o3th, 5$a3ty, h$a4th, andha##in$ss ar$ sma44 sa7ri2i7$s i2on$ /ins a 4itt4$ 7om2ort 2or th$#oor s322$r$rs.

Th$ 0ir4 2$4t th$ sar7asm 3nd$rth$ so2t /ords and dr$/ 5a7/ith a tro354$d 2a7$.

Ma3ri7$ smi4$d, and 04an7$d

2rom on$ to th$ oth$r, sayin0si0ni2i7ant4y, ($44 2or m$ that my4itt4$ n3rs$ 4o8$s h$r 4a5or, and2inds no sa7ri2i7$ in it. I am2ort3nat$ in my 7hoi7$.

I tr3st it may #ro8$ so? Mrs.Sno/don 0ot no 23rth$r, 2or atthat mom$nt dinn$r /asanno3n7$d, and Sir -as#$r too



h$r a/ay. Annon a##roa7h$d /ithhim and o22$r$d his arm to Miss

Tr$h$rn$, 53t /ith an air o2s3r#ris$, and a 4itt4$ 0$st3r$ o2r$23sa4, sh$ said 7o4d4y

My 7o3sin a4/ays ta$s m$ in todinn$r. B$ 0ood $no30h to $s7ort

th$ ma6or. And /ith h$r hand onth$ arm o2 th$ 7hair, sh$ /a4$da/ay /ith a mis7hi$8o3s 04itt$r inh$r $y$s.

Annon 2ro/n$d and 2$44 5a7,

sayin0 shar#4y, Com$, Ma6or,/hat ar$ yo3 doin0 th$r$)

Main0 dis7o8$ri$s.

Cha#t$r II. B&PA&

A ri0ht s#4$ndid o4d do/a0$r /asady Tr$h$rn$, in h$r 54a7 8$48$tand #oint 4a7$, as sh$ sat $r$7tand stat$4y on a 7o37h 5y th$



dra/in0;room 2ir$, a 7o37h /hi7hno on$ dar$ o773#y in h$r

a5s$n7$, or shar$ 3nin8it$d. Th$0$nt4$m$n /$r$ sti44 o8$r th$ir/in$, and th$ thr$$ 4adi$s /$r$a4on$. My 4ady n$8$r do@$d in#354i7, Mrs. Sno/don n$8$r0ossi#$d, and O7ta8ia n$8$r

tro354$d h$rs$42 to $nt$rtain any03$sts 53t thos$ o2 h$r o/n a0$,so 4on0 #a3s$s 2$44, and7on8$rsation 4an03ish$d, ti44 Mrs.Sno/don roam$d a/ay into th$

4i5rary. As sh$ disa##$ar$d, adyTr$h$rn$ 5$7on$d to h$rda30ht$r, /ho /as id4y main07hords at th$ 0rand #iano.S$atin0 h$rs$42 on th$ ottoman ath$r moth$r's 2$$t, th$ 0ir4 too

th$ sti44 handsom$ hand in h$ro/n and am3s$d h$rs$42 /ith$:aminin0 th$ o4d;2ashion$d

6$/$4s that 7o8$r$d it, a #r$t$:t



2or o773#yin0 h$r t$44ta4$ $y$s, assh$ s3s#$7t$d /hat /as 7omin0.

My d$ar, I'm not #4$as$d /ithyo3, and I t$44 yo3 so at on7$, thatyo3 may am$nd yo3r 2a34t,5$0an Madam$ M>r$ in a t$nd$rton$, 2or tho30h a ha30hty,

im#$rio3s /oman, sh$ ido4i@$dh$r 7hi4dr$n.

(hat ha8$ I don$, Mamma)as$d th$ 0ir4.

Say rath$r, /hat ha8$ yo3 4$2t

3ndon$. &o3 ha8$ 5$$n 8$ry r3d$to Mr. Annon. It m3st not o773ra0ain= not on4y 5$7a3s$ h$ is a03$st, 53t 5$7a3s$ h$ is yo3r?5roth$r's 2ri$nd.

My 4ady h$sitat$d o8$r th$ /ord4o8$r, and 7han0$d it, 2or to h$rO7ta8ia sti44 s$$m$d a 7hi4d, andtho30h an:io3s 2or th$ a44ian7$,



sh$ 2or5or$ to s#$a o#$n4y, 4$stth$ 0ir4 sho34d t3rn /i44234, as sh$

inh$rit$d h$r moth$r's hi0h s#irit.I'm sorry, Mamma. B3t ho/ 7an I

h$4# it, /h$n h$ t$as$s m$ sothat I d$t$st him) said O7ta8ia,#$t34ant4y.

Ho/ t$as$, my 4o8$)

(hy, h$ 2o44o/s m$ a5o3t 4i$ ado0, #3ts on a s$ntim$nta4 4oo/h$n I a##$ar= 543sh$s, and5$ams, and 5o/s at $8$rythin0 I

say, i2 I am #o4it$= 2ro/ns andsi0hs i2 I'm not= and 04o/$rstra0i7a44y at $8$ry man I s#$a to,$8$n #oor Ma3ri7$. Oh, Mamma,/hat 2oo4ish 7r$at3r$s m$n ar$<

And th$ 0ir4 4a30h$d 54ith$4y, assh$ 4oo$d 3# 2or th$ 2irst tim$into h$r moth$r's 2a7$.

My 4ady smi4$d, as sh$ stro$d



th$ 5ri0ht h$ad at h$r n$$, 53tas$d 93i74y, (hy say '$8$n

#oor Ma3ri7$,' as i2 it /$r$im#ossi54$ 2or anyon$ to 5$ 6$a4o3s o2 him)

B3t isn't it, Mamma) I tho30htstron0, /$44 m$n r$0ard$d him as

on$ s$t a#art and don$ /ith,sin7$ his sad mis2ort3n$.

Not $ntir$4y= /hi4$ /om$n #ityand #$t th$ #oor 2$44o/, his7omrad$s /i44 5$ 6$a4o3s, a5s3rd

as it is.No on$ #$ts him 53t m$, and I

ha8$ a ri0ht to do it, 2or h$ is my7o3sin, said th$ 0ir4, 2$$4in0 ato37h o2 6$a4o3sy h$rs$42.

Ros$ and B4an7h$ Ta45ot o3tdoyo3, my d$ar, and th$r$ is no7o3sinshi# to $:73s$ th$m.



Th$n 4$t +ran Annon 5$ 6$a4o3so2 th$m, and 4$a8$ m$ in #$a7$.

Th$y #romis$d to 7om$ today= I'ma2raid som$thin0 has ha##$n$d to#r$8$nt th$m. And O7ta8ia04ad4y s$i@$d 3#on th$ n$/s356$7t. B3t my 4ady /as not to5$ $43d$d.

Th$y said th$y 7o34d not 7om$ti44 a2t$r dinn$r. Th$y /i44 soonarri8$. B$2or$ th$y do so, I m3stsay a 2$/ /ords, Ta8ia, and I 5$0yo3 to 0i8$ h$$d to th$m. I d$sir$

yo3 to 5$ 7o3rt$o3s and amia54$to Mr. Annon, and 5$2or$stran0$rs to 5$ 4$ss att$nti8$ anda22$7tionat$ to Ma3ri7$. &o3 m$anit ind4y, 53t it 4oos i44, and

7a3s$s disa0r$$a54$ r$mars.(ho 54am$s m$ 2or 5$in0

d$8ot$d to my 7o3sin) Can I $8$rdo $no30h to r$#ay him 2or his



d$8otion) Mamma, yo3 2or0$t h$sa8$d yo3r son's 4i2$.

Indi0nant t$ars 2i44$d th$ 0ir4's$y$s, and sh$ s#o$ #assionat$4y,2or0$ttin0 that Mrs. Sno/don /as/ithin $arshot o2 h$r rais$d 8oi7$.(ith a 2ro/n my 4ady 4aid h$r

hand on h$r da30ht$r's 4i#s,sayin0 7o4d4y, I do not 2or0$t,and I r$4i0io3s4y dis7har0$ my$8$ry o54i0ation 5y $8$ry 7ar$and 7om2ort it is in my #o/$r to5$sto/. &o3 ar$ yo3n0, romanti7,

and t$nd$r;h$art$d. &o3 thin yo3m3st 0i8$ yo3r tim$ and h$a4th,m3st sa7ri2i7$ yo3r 23t3r$ha##in$ss to this d3ty. &o3 ar$/ron0, and 3n4$ss yo3 4$arn

/isdom in s$ason, yo3 /i44 2indthat yo3 ha8$ don$ harm, not0ood.

God 2or5id< Ho/ 7an I do that)



T$44 m$, and I /i44 5$ /is$ intim$.

T3rnin0 th$ $arn$st 2a7$ 3# toh$r o/n, ady Tr$h$rn$/his#$r$d an:io3s4y, HasMa3ri7$ $8$r 4oo$d or hint$danythin0 o2 4o8$ d3rin0 this y$ar

h$ has 5$$n /ith 3s, and yo3 his7onstant 7om#anion)

N$8$r, Mamma= h$ is toohonora54$ and too 3nha##y tos#$a or thin o2 that. I am his

4itt4$ n3rs$, sist$r, and 2ri$nd, nomor$, nor $8$r sha44 5$. %o nots3s#$7t 3s, or #3t s37h 2$ars intomy mind, $4s$ a44 o3r 7om2ort /i445$ s#oi4$d.

+43sh$d and $a0$r /as th$ 0ir4,53t h$r 74$ar $y$s 5$tray$d not$nd$r 7on23sion as sh$ s#o$,and a44 h$r tho30ht s$$m$d to 5$



to 74$ar h$r 7o3sin 2rom th$7har0$ o2 4o8in0 h$r too /$44.

ady Tr$h$rn$ 4oo$d r$4i$8$d,#a3s$d a mom$nt, th$n said,s$rio3s4y 53t 0$nt4y, This is /$44,53t, 7hi4d, I 7har0$ yo3 t$44 m$ aton7$, i2 $8$r h$ 2or0$ts hims$42,2or this thin0 7annot 5$. On7$ I

ho#$d it mi0ht, no/ it isim#ossi54$= r$m$m5$r that h$7ontin3$ a 2ri$nd and 7o3sin,nothin0 mor$. I /arn yo3 in tim$,53t i2 yo3 n$04$7t th$ /arnin0,

Ma3ri7$ m3st 0o. No mor$ o2 this=r$7o44$7t my /ish r$0ardin0 Mr.Annon, and 4$t yo3r 7o3sin am3s$hims$42 /itho3t yo3 in #354i7.

Mamma, do yo3 /ish m$ to 4i$

+ran Annon)Th$ a5r3#t 93$stion rath$r

dist3r5$d my 4ady, 53t no/in0h$r da30ht$r's 2ran, im#$t3o3s



nat3r$, sh$ 2$4t som$/hatr$4i$8$d 5y this 7andor, and

ans/$r$d d$7id$d4y, I do. H$ isyo3r $93a4 in a44 r$s#$7ts= h$4o8$s yo3, -as#$r d$sir$s it, Ia##ro8$, and yo3, 5$in0 h$art;/ho4$, 7an ha8$ no 63st o56$7tionto th$ a44ian7$.

Has h$ s#o$n to yo3)

No, to yo3r 5roth$r.

&o3 /ish this m37h, Mamma)

*$ry m37h, my 7hi4d.I /i44 try to #4$as$ yo3, th$n.

And sti24in0 a si0h, th$ 0ir4 iss$dh$r moth$r /ith 3n/ont$dm$$n$ss in ton$ and mann$r.

No/ I am /$44 #4$as$d. B$ha##y, my 4o8$. No on$ /i44 3r0$or distr$ss yo3. $t matt$rs ta$th$ir 7o3rs$, and i2 this ho#$ o2



o3rs 7an 5$ 2342i44$d, I sha44 5$r$4i$8$d o2 th$ 7hi$2 7ar$ o2 my

4i2$.A so3nd o2 0ir4ish 8oi7$s h$r$

5ro$ on th$ir $ars, and s#rin0in03#, O7ta8ia h3rri$d to m$$t h$r2ri$nds, $:74aimin0 6oy2344y, Th$y

ha8$ 7om$< th$y ha8$ 7om$<T/o smi4in0, 54oomin0 0ir4s m$t

h$r at th$ door, and, 5$in0 at an$nth3siasti7 a0$, th$y 03sh$d in0ir4ish 2ashion 2or s$8$ra4

min3t$s, main0 a #r$tty 0ro3#as th$y stood in $a7h oth$r'sarms, a44 ta4in0 at on7$, /ith2r$93$nt iss$s and 4itt4$ 53rstso2 4a30ht$r, as 8$nts 2or th$ir$motion. Madam$ M>r$ /$47om$d

th$m and th$n /$nt to 6oin Mrs.Sno/don, 4$a8in0 th$ trio to0ossi# 3nr$strain$d.



My d$ar$st 7r$at3r$, I tho30ht/$ n$8$r sho34d 0$t h$r$, 2or

Pa#a had a tir$som$ dinn$r #arty,and /$ /$r$ o54i0$d to stay, yo3no/, 7ri$d Ros$, th$ 4i8$4ysist$r, shain0 o3t th$ #r$ttydr$ss and 04an7in0 at h$rs$42 inth$ mirror as sh$ 243tt$r$d a5o3t

th$ room 4i$ a 53tt$r24y.

($ /$r$ dyin0 to 7om$, and so7harm$d /h$n yo3 as$d 3s, 2or/$ ha8$n't s$$n yo3 this a0$,dar4in0, add$d B4an7h$, th$

#$nsi8$ on$, smoothin0 h$r 54ond73r4s a2t$r a 2r$sh $m5ra7$.

I'm sorry th$ U4st$rs 7o34dn't7om$ to $$# Christmas /ith 3s,2or /$ ha8$ no 0$nt4$m$n 53t

-as#$r, +ran Annon, and th$ma6or. Sad, isn't it) said O7ta8ia,/ith a 4oo o2 d$s#air, /hi7h7a3s$d a 2r$sh #$a4 o2 4a30ht$r.



On$ a#i$7$, my d$ar, it mi0ht 5$/ors$. And Ros$ #ri8at$4y

d$7id$d to a##ro#riat$ Sir -as#$r.

(h$r$ is yo3r 7o3sin) as$dB4an7h$, /ith a si0h o2s$ntim$nta4 int$r$st.

H$ is h$r$, o2 7o3rs$. I 2or0$thim, 53t h$ is not on th$ 24irtin04ist, yo3 no/. ($ m3st am3s$him, and not $:#$7t him to am3s$3s, tho30h r$a44y, a44 th$ 7a#ita4s300$stions and #4ans 2or

m$rrymain0 a4/ays 7om$ 2romhim.

H$ is 5$tt$r, I ho#$) as$d 5othsist$rs /ith r$a4 sym#athy,main0 th$ir yo3n0 2a7$s

/oman4y and s/$$t.

&$s, and has ho#$s o2 $ntir$r$7o8$ry. At 4$ast, th$y t$44 him



so, tho30h %r. Ash4$y said th$r$/as no 7han7$ o2 it.

%$ar, d$ar, ho/ sad< Sha44 /$s$$ him, Ta8ia)

C$rtain4y= h$ is a54$ to 5$ /ith3s no/ in th$ $8$nin0, and $n6oysso7i$ty as m37h as $8$r. B3t

#4$as$ ta$ no noti7$ o2 hisin2irmity, and ma$ no in93iri$s5$yond th$ 3s3a4 'Ho/ do yo3 do.'H$ is s$nsiti8$, and hat$s to 5$7onsid$r$d an in8a4id mor$ than

$8$r.Ho/ 7harmin0 it m3st 5$ to ta$

7ar$ o2 him, h$ is so a77om#4ish$dand d$4i0ht234. I 93it$ $n8y yo3,said B4an7h$ #$nsi8$4y.

Sir -as#$r to4d 3s that th$G$n$ra4 and Mrs. Sno/don /$r$7omin0. I ho#$ th$y /i44, 2or I'8$ amost int$ns$ 73riosity to s$$ h$r



? 5$0an Ros$.

H3sh, sh$ is h$r$ /ith Mamma<

(hy 73rio3s) (hat is th$myst$ry) +or yo3 4oo as i2 th$r$/as on$, 93$stion$d O7ta8ia3nd$r h$r 5r$ath.

Th$ thr$$ 7harmin0 h$ads 5$nt

to/ard on$ anoth$r as Ros$r$#4i$d in a /his#$r, I2 I n$/, Isho34dn't 5$ in93isiti8$. Th$r$/as a r3mor that sh$ marri$d th$o4d 0$n$ra4 in a 2it o2 #i93$, and

no/ r$#$nts. I as$d Mammaon7$, 53t sh$ said s37h matt$rs/$r$ not 2or yo3n0 0ir4s to h$ar,and not a /ord mor$ /o34d sh$say. N'im#ort$, I ha8$ /its o2 myo/n, and I 7an satis2y mys$42. Th$

0$nt4$m$n ar$ 7omin0< Am I a44ri0ht, d$ar) And th$ thr$$04an7$d at on$ anoth$r /ith as/i2t s7r3tiny that nothin0 7o34d



$s7a#$, th$n 0ro3#$d th$ms$48$s#r$tti4y, and /ait$d, /ith a 4itt4$

243tt$r o2 $:#$7tation in $a7hyo3n0 h$art.

In 7am$ th$ 0$nt4$m$n, andinstant4y a n$/ atmos#h$r$s$$m$d to #$r8ad$ th$ dra/in0

room, 2or /ith th$ 2irst /ords3tt$r$d, s$8$ra4 roman7$s 5$0an.Sir -as#$r /as ta$n #oss$ssiono2 5y Ros$, B4an7h$ int$nd$d tod$8ot$ h$rs$42 to Ma3ri7$Tr$h$rn$, 53t Annon int$r7$#t$d

h$r, and O7ta8ia /as s#ar$d any$22ort at #o4it$n$ss 5y this3n$:#$7t$d mo8$ on th$ #art o2h$r 4o8$r.

H$ is an0ry, and /ish$s to #i93$

m$ 5y d$8otin0 hims$42 toB4an7h$. I /ish h$ /o34d, /ith a44my h$art, and 4$a8$ m$ in #$a7$.Poor Ma3ri7$, h$ $:#$7ts m$, and



I 4on0 to 0o to him, 53t m3st o5$yMamma. And O7ta8ia /$nt to

6oin th$ 0ro3# 2orm$d 5y my 4ady,Mrs. Sno/don, th$ 0$n$ra4, andth$ ma6or.

Th$ t/o yo3n0 7o3#4$s 24irt$d indi22$r$nt #arts o2 th$ room, and

Tr$h$rn$ sat a4on$, /at7hin0th$m a44 /ith $y$s that #i$r7$d5$4o/ th$ s3r2a7$, r$adin0 th$hidd$n /ish$s, ho#$s, and 2$arsthat r34$d th$m. A sin034ar$:#r$ssion sat on his 2a7$ as h$

t3rn$d 2rom O7ta8ia's 74$ar7o3nt$nan7$ to Mrs. Sno/don's04oomy on$. H$ 4$an$d his h$ad3#on his hand and 2$44 into d$$#tho30ht, 2or h$ /as #assin0

thro30h on$ o2 thos$ 2at$234mom$nts /hi7h 7om$ to 3s a44,and /hi7h may ma$ or mar a 4i2$.S37h mom$nts 7om$ /h$n 4$ast



4oo$d 2or an 3n$:#$7t$dm$$tin0, a #$734iar mood, som$

tri8ia4 7ir73mstan7$, or 7ar$4$ss/ord #rod37$s it, and o2t$n it is0on$ 5$2or$ /$ r$a4i@$ its#r$s$n7$, 4$a8in0 a2t$r$22$7ts tosho/ 3s /hat /$ ha8$ 0ain$d or4ost. Tr$h$rn$ /as 7ons7io3s that

th$ #r$s$nt ho3r, and th$ a7tsthat 2i44$d it, #oss$ss$d 3n3s3a4int$r$st, and /o34d $:$rt an3n3s3a4 in243$n7$ on his 4i2$.B$2or$ him /as th$ 0ood and $8i4

0$ni3s o2 his nat3r$ in th$ 03is$o2 thos$ t/o /om$n. EdithSno/don had a4r$ady tri$d h$r#o/$r, and a77id$nt on4y hadsa8$d him. O7ta8ia, a443n7ons7io3s as sh$ /as, n$8$r

2ai4$d to ro3s$ and stim34at$ th$no54$st attri53t$s o2 mind andh$art. A y$ar s#$nt in h$r so7i$tyhad don$ m37h 2or him, and h$



4o8$d h$r /ith a stran0$ min04in0o2 #assion, r$8$r$n7$, and

0ratit3d$. H$ n$/ /hy EdithSno/don 7am$, h$ 2$4t that th$o4d 2as7ination had not 4ost its7harm, and tho30h 2$ar /as3nno/n to him, h$ /as i44#4$as$d at th$ si0ht o2 th$

5$a3ti234, dan0$ro3s /oman. Onth$ oth$r hand, h$ sa/ that adyTr$h$rn$ d$sir$d h$r da30ht$r tosh3n him and smi4$ on Annon= h$a7no/4$d0$d that h$ had no

ri0ht to /in th$ yo3n0 7r$at3r$,7ri##4$d and #oor as h$ /as, anda #an0 o2 6$a4o3s #ain /r3n0 hish$art as h$ /at7h$d h$r.

Th$n a s$ns$ o2 #o/$r 7am$ to

him, 2or h$4#4$ss, #oor, ands$$min04y an o56$7t o2 #ity, h$y$t 2$4t that h$ h$4d th$ honor,#$a7$, and ha##in$ss o2 n$ar4y



$8$ry #$rson #r$s$nt in hishands. It /as a stron0 t$m#tation

to this man, so 2344 o2 r$#r$ss$d#assion and #o/$r, so s$t a#artand sh3t o3t 2rom th$ mor$stirrin0 d3ti$s and #4$as3r$s o24i2$. A 2$/ /ords 2rom his 4i#s,and th$ #ity a44 2$4t 2or him /o34d

5$ t3rn$d to 2$ar, r$s#$7t, andadmiration. (hy not 3tt$r th$m,and $n6oy a44 that /as #ossi54$)H$ o/$d th$ Tr$h$rn$s nothin0=/hy s322$r in63sti7$, d$#$nd$n7$,

and th$ 7om#assion that /o3ndsa #ro3d man d$$#$st) ($a4th,4o8$, #4$as3r$ mi0ht 5$ his /ith a5r$ath. (hy not s$73r$ th$mno/)

His #a4$ 2a7$ 243sh$d, his $y$ind4$d, and his thin hand 4ay74$n7h$d 4i$ a 8is$ as th$s$tho30hts #ass$d ra#id4y thro30h



his mind. A 4oo, a /ord at thatmom$nt /o34d s/ay him= h$ 2$4t

it, and 4$an$d 2or/ard, /aitin0 ins$7r$t s3s#$ns$ 2or th$ 04an7$,th$ s#$$7h /hi7h sho34d d$7id$him 2or 0ood or i44. (ho sha44 say/hat s35t4$ instin7t 7a3s$dO7ta8ia to t3rn and smi4$ at him

/ith a /ist234, 2ri$nd4y 4oo that/arm$d his h$art) H$ m$t it /ithan ans/$rin0 04an7$, /hi7hthri44$d h$r stran0$4y, 2or 4o8$,0ratit3d$, and som$ myst$rio3s

int$44i0$n7$ m$t and min04$d inth$ 5ri44iant y$t so2t $:#r$ssion/hi7h s/i2t4y shon$ and 2ad$d inh$r 2a7$. (hat it /as sh$ 7o34dnot t$44= sh$ on4y 2$4t that it 2i44$dh$r /ith an ind$s7ri5a54$ $motion

n$8$r $:#$ri$n7$d 5$2or$. In aninstant it a44 #ass$d, adyTr$h$rn$ s#o$ to h$r, andB4an7h$ Ta45ot addr$ss$d



Ma3ri7$, /ond$rin0, as sh$ didso, i2 th$ $n7hantin0 smi4$ h$

/or$ /as m$ant 2or h$r.Mr. Annon ha8in0 m$r7i2344y s$t

m$ 2r$$, I 7am$ to try to 7h$$ryo3r so4it3d$= 53t yo3 4oo as i2so4it3d$ mad$ yo3 ha##i$r than

so7i$ty do$s th$ r$st o2 3s, sh$said /itho3t h$r 3s3a4a22$7tation, 2or his mann$rim#r$ss$d h$r.

&o3 ar$ 8$ry ind and 8$ry

/$47om$. I do 2ind #4$as3r$s to5$03i4$ my 4on$4in$ss, /hi7h0ay$r #$o#4$ /o34d not $n6oy, andit is /$44 that I 7an, $4s$ I sho34dt3rn moros$ and tyranni7a4, anddoom som$ 3n2ort3nat$ to

$nt$rtain m$ a44 day 4on0. H$ans/$r$d /ith a 0$nt4$ 7o3rt$sy/hi7h /as his 7hi$2 attra7tion to/omanind.



Pray t$44 m$ som$ o2 yo3rd$8i7$s, I'm o2t$n a4on$ in s#irit,

i2 not so in th$ 24$sh, 2or Ros$,tho30h a d$ar 0ir4, is not7on0$nia4, and I 2ind no indr$dso34.

A h3moro3s 04imm$r 7am$ to

Tr$h$rn$'s $y$s, as th$s$ntim$nta4 dams$4 5$am$d aso2t si0h and droo#$d h$r 4on04ash$s $22$7ti8$4y. I0norin0 th$to#i7 o2 indr$d so34s, h$

ans/$r$d 7o4d4y, My 2a8orit$am3s$m$nt is st3dyin0 th$#$o#4$ aro3nd m$. It may 5$r3d$, 53t ti$d to my 7orn$r, I7annot h$4# /at7hin0 th$ 2i03r$saro3nd m$, and dis7o8$rin0 th$ir

4itt4$ #4ots and #4ans. I'm 0$ttin08$ry $:#$rt, and r$a44y s3r#ris$mys$42 som$tim$s 5y th$ d$#th o2my r$s$ar7h$s.



I 7an 5$4i$8$ it= yo3r $y$s 4ooas i2 th$y #oss$ss$d that 0i2t.

Pray don't st3dy m$. And th$ 0ir4shran a/ay /ith an air o20$n3in$ a4arm.

Tr$h$rn$ smi4$d in8o43ntari4y, 2orh$ had r$ad th$ s$7r$t o2 that

sha44o/ h$art 4on0 a0o, and /astoo 0$n$ro3s to 3s$ th$no/4$d0$, ho/$8$r 24att$rin0 itmi0ht 5$ to him. In a r$ass3rin0ton$ h$ said, t3rnin0 a/ay th$

$$n $y$s sh$ 2$ar$d, I 0i8$ yo3my /ord I n$8$r /i44, 7harmin0 asit mi0ht 5$ to st3dy th$ /hit$#a0$s o2 a maid$n4y h$art. I 2ind#4$nty o2 oth$rs to r$ad, so r$sttran93i4, Miss B4an7h$.

(ho int$r$sts yo3 most 63stno/) as$d th$ 0ir4, 7o4orin0/ith #4$as3r$ at his /ords. Mrs.



Sno/don 4oos 4i$ on$ /ho has aroman7$ to 5$ r$ad, i2 yo3 ha8$

th$ si44.I ha8$ r$ad it. My 4ady is my

st3dy 63st no/. I tho30ht I n$/h$r /$44, 53t o2 4at$ sh$ #3@@4$sm$. H3man minds ar$ mor$ 2344 o2

myst$ri$s than any /ritt$n 5ooand mor$ 7han0$a54$ than th$74o3d sha#$s in th$ air.

A 2in$ o4d 4ady, 53t I 2$ar h$r soint$ns$4y I sho34d n$8$r dar$ to

try to r$ad h$r, as yo3 say.B4an7h$ 4oo$d to/ard th$ o56$7to2 dis73ssion as sh$ s#o$, andadd$d, Poor Ta8ia, ho/ 2or4ornsh$ s$$ms. $t m$ as h$r to 6oin3s, may I)

(ith a44 my h$art /as th$ 93i7r$#4y.

B4an7h$ 04id$d a/ay 53t did not



r$t3rn, 2or my 4ady $#t h$r as/$44 as h$r da30ht$r.

That t$st satis2i$s m$= /$44, Is35mit 2or a tim$, 53t I thin I 7an7on93$r my a3nt y$t. And /ith a#ati$nt si0h Tr$h$rn$ t3rn$d too5s$r8$ Mrs. Sno/don.

Sh$ no/ stood 5y th$ 2ir$ ta4in0/ith Sir -as#$r, a handsom$,r$74$ss, 0$n$ro3s;h$art$d yo3n00$nt4$man, /ho 8$ry #4ain4ysho/$d his 0r$at admiration 2or

th$ 4ady. (h$n h$ 7am$, sh$s3dd$n4y /o$ 3# 2rom h$r4ist4$ss mood and 5$7am$ as5ri44iant4y 0ay as sh$ had 5$$n3nmistaa54y m$4an7ho4y 5$2or$.As sh$ 7hatt$d, sh$ a5s$nt4y

#3sh$d to and 2ro a sma44 anti93$3rn o2 5ron@$ on th$7himn$y#i$7$, and in doin0 so sh$mor$ than on7$ 0a8$ Tr$h$rn$ a



93i7, si0ni2i7ant 04an7$, /hi7hh$ ans/$r$d at 4ast 5y a

som$/hat ha30hty nod. Th$n, asi2 satis2i$d, sh$ 7$as$d toyin0/ith th$ ornam$nt and 5$7am$a5sor5$d in Sir -as#$r's 0a44ant5adina0$.

Th$ instant h$r son a##roa7h$dMrs. Sno/don, Madam$ M>r$0r$/ an:io3s, and 4$a8in0 O7ta8iato h$r 2ri$nds and 4o8$r, sh$/at7h$d -as#$r. B3t h$rs3r8$i44an7$ a8ai4$d 4itt4$, 2or sh$

7o34d n$ith$r s$$ nor h$aranythin0 amiss, y$t 7o34d not ridh$rs$42 o2 th$ 2$$4in0 that som$m3t3a4 3nd$rstandin0 $:ist$d5$t/$$n th$m. (h$n th$ #arty

5ro$ 3# 2or th$ ni0ht, sh$4in0$r$d ti44 a44 /$r$ 0on$ 53t h$rson and n$#h$/.

($44, Madam$ Ma M>r$, /hat



tro354$s yo3) as$d Sir -as#$r, assh$ 4oo$d an:io3s4y into his 2a7$

5$2or$ 5$sto/in0 h$r 0ood;ni0htiss.

I 7annot t$44, y$t I 2$$4 i44 at$as$. R$m$m5$r, my son, thatyo3 ar$ th$ #rid$ o2 my h$art, and

any sin or sham$ o2 yo3rs /o34di44 m$. Good ni0ht, Ma3ri7$. And/ith a stat$4y 5o/ sh$ s/$#ta/ay.

o3n0in0 /ith 5oth $45o/s on

th$ 4o/ 7himn$y#i$7$, Sir -as#$rsmi4$d at his moth$r's 2$ars, andsaid to his 7o3sin, th$ instantth$y /$r$ a4on$, Sh$ is /orri$da5o3t E.S. Odd, isn't it, /hatinstin7ti8$ anti#athi$s /om$n

ta$ to on$ anoth$r)

(hy did yo3 as E.S. h$r$)d$mand$d Tr$h$rn$.



My d$ar 2$44o/, ho/ 7o34d I h$4#it) My moth$r /ant$d th$

0$n$ra4, my 2ath$r's 2ri$nd, and o27o3rs$ his /i2$ m3st 5$ as$da4so. I 7o34dn't t$44 my moth$rthat th$ 4ady had 5$$n a mostarrant 7o93$tt$, to #3t it mi4d4y,and had marri$d th$ o4d man in a

#$t, 5$7a3s$ my 7o3sin and Id$74in$d to 5$ r3in$d 5y h$r.

&o3 7o34d ha8$ to4d h$r /hatmis7hi$2 sh$ ma$s /h$r$8$r sh$0o$s, and 2or O7ta8ia's sa$ ha8$

d$2$rr$d th$ 0$n$ra4's 8isit 2or atim$. I /arn yo3, -as#$r, harm /i447om$ o2 it.

To /hom, yo3 or m$)

To 5oth, #$rha#s, 7$rtain4y toyo3. Sh$ /as disa##oint$d on7$/h$n sh$ 4ost 3s 5oth 5y/a8$rin0 5$t/$$n yo3r tit4$ and



my s3##os$d 2ort3n$. Sh$ ismis$ra54$ /ith th$ o4d man, and

h$r on4y ho#$ is in his d$ath, 2orh$ is 8$ry 2$$54$. &o3 ar$ 2r$$,and do354y attra7ti8$ no/, so5$/ar$, or sh$ /i44 $ntan04$ yo35$2or$ yo3 no/ it.

Thans, M$ntor. I'8$ no 2$ar, andsha44 m$r$4y am3s$ mys$42 2or a/$$?th$y stay no 4on0$r. And/ith a 7ar$4$ss 4a30h, Sir -as#$rstro44$d a/ay.

M37h mis7hi$2 may 5$ don$ in a/$$, and this is th$ 5$0innin0 o2it, m3tt$r$d Tr$h$rn$, as h$rais$d hims$42 to 4oo 3nd$r th$5ron@$ 8as$ 2or th$ not$. It /as0on$<

Cha#t$r III. (HO (AS IT)

(ho had ta$n it) This 93$stiontorm$nt$d Tr$h$rn$ a44 that



s4$$#4$ss ni0ht. H$ s3s#$7t$dthr$$ #$rsons, 2or on4y th$s$ had

a##roa7h$d th$ 2ir$ a2t$r th$ not$/as hidd$n. H$ had $#t his $y$on it, h$ tho30ht, ti44 th$ stir o25r$ain0 3#. In that mom$nt itm3st ha8$ 5$$n r$mo8$d 5y th$ma6or, +ran Annon, or my 4ady=

Sir -as#$r /as o3t o2 th$93$stion, 2or h$ n$8$r to37h$d anornam$nt in th$ dra/in0 roomsin7$ h$ had a//ard4yd$mo4ish$d a /ho4$ ta0>r$ o2

7ost4y tri24$s, to his moth$r's andsist$r's 0r$at 0ri$2. Th$ ma6or$8id$nt4y s3s#$7t$d som$thin0,Annon /as 6$a4o3s, and my 4ady/o34d 5$ 04ad o2 a #r$t$:t tor$mo8$ h$r da30ht$r 2rom his

r$a7h. Tr3stin0 to his si44 inr$adin0 2a7$s, h$ /ait$dim#ati$nt4y 2or mornin0, r$so48in0to say nothin0 to anyon$ 53t Mrs.



Sno/don, and 2rom h$r m$r$4y toin93ir$ /hat th$ not$ 7ontain$d.

Tr$h$rn$ 3s3a44y /as in8isi54$ ti4443n7h, o2t$n ti44 dinn$r= th$r$2or$,2$arin0 to $:7it$ s3s#i7ion 5y3n/ont$d a7ti8ity, h$ did nota##$ar ti44 noon. Th$ mai45a0 had

63st 5$$n o#$n$d, and $8$ryon$/as 53sy o8$r th$ir 4$tt$rs, 53ta44 4oo$d 3# to $:7han0$ a /ord/ith th$ n$/7om$r, and O7ta8iaim#34si8$4y t3rn$d to m$$t him,th$n 7h$7$d h$rs$42 and hid h$r

s3dd$n4y 7rimson$d 2a7$ 5$hind an$/s#a#$r. Tr$h$rn$'s $y$ too in$8$rythin0, and sa/ at on7$ inth$ 3n3s3a44y 4at$ arri8a4 o2 th$mai4 a #r$t$:t 2or dis7o8$rin0 th$

#i42$r$r o2 th$ not$.A44 ha8$ 4$tt$rs 53t m$, y$t I

$:#$7t$d on$ 4ast ni0ht. Ma6or,ha8$ yo3 0ot it amon0 yo3rs)



And as h$ s#o$, Tr$h$rn$ 2i:$dhis #$n$tratin0 $y$s 2344 on th$

#$rson h$ addr$ss$d.(ith no si0n o2 7ons7io3sn$ss, no

tra7$ o2 7on23sion, th$ ma6or7ar$2344y t3rn$d o8$r his #i4$, andr$#4i$d in th$ most nat3ra4

mann$r, Not a tra7$ o2 it= I /ishth$r$ /as, 2or nothin0 annoys m$mor$ than any d$4ay or mista$a5o3t my 4$tt$rs.

H$ no/s nothin0 o2 it, tho30ht

Tr$h$rn$, and t3rn$d to Annon,/ho /as d$$# in a 4on0 $#ist4$2rom som$ intimat$ 2ri$nd, /ith ata4$nt 2or im#artin0 n$/s, to

63d0$ 2rom th$ r$ad$r's int$r$st.

Annon, I a##$a4 to yo3, 2or Im3st dis7o8$r /ho has ro55$d m$o2 my 4$tt$r.

I ha8$ 53t on$, r$ad it, i2 yo3



/i44, and satis2y yo3rs$42 /as th$5ri$2 r$#4y.

No, than yo3. I m$r$4y as$d in 6o$= it is do35t4$ss amon0 my4ady's. -as#$r's 4$tt$rs and min$o2t$n 0$t mi:$d, and my 4adyta$s 7ar$ o2 his 2or him. I thin

yo3 m3st ha8$ it, A3nt.ady Tr$h$rn$ 4oo$d 3#

im#ati$nt4y. My d$ar Ma3ri7$,/hat a 7oi4 a5o3t a 4$tt$r< ($non$ o2 3s ha8$ it, so do not

#3nish 3s 2or th$ sins o2 yo3r7orr$s#ond$nt or th$7ar$4$ssn$ss o2 th$ #ost.

Sh$ /as not th$ thi$2, 2or sh$ isa4/ays int$ns$4y #o4it$ /h$n sh$

int$nds to th/art m$, tho30htTr$h$rn$, and, a#o4o0i@in0 2or hisr3d$n$ss in dist3r5in0 th$m, h$ro44$d hims$42 to his noo in a



s3nny /indo/ and 5$7am$a##ar$nt4y a5sor5$d in a n$/

ma0a@in$.Mrs. Sno/don /as o#$nin0 th$

0$n$ra4's 4$tt$rs 2or him, and,ha8in0 2inish$d h$r 4itt4$ tas, sh$roam$d a/ay into th$ 4i5rary, as i2

in s$ar7h o2 a 5oo. Pr$s$nt4yr$t3rnin0 /ith on$, sh$a##roa7h$d Tr$h$rn$, and,#3ttin0 it into his hand, said, inh$r m3si7a44y distin7t 8oi7$, B$so ind as to 2ind 2or m$ th$

#assa0$ yo3 s#o$ o2 4ast ni0ht. Iam 73rio3s to s$$ it.

Instant4y 7om#r$h$ndin0 h$rstrata0$m, h$ o#$n$d it /itha##ar$nt 7ar$4$ssn$ss, s$73r$d

th$ tiny not$ 4aid amon0 th$4$a8$s, and, s$4$7tin0 a #assa0$at ha@ard, r$t3rn$d h$r 5oo andr$s3m$d his o/n. B$hind th$



7o8$r o2 it h$ 3n2o4d$d and r$adth$s$ /ords

I 3nd$rstand, 53t do not 5$an:io3s= th$ 4in$ I 4$2t /as m$r$4y this?I m3st s$$ yo3 a4on$, t$44m$ /h$n and /h$r$. No on$ 7an ma$ m37h o2 it, and I /i44dis7o8$r th$ thi$2 5$2or$ dinn$r.

%o nothin0, 53t /at7h to /hom Is#$a 2irst on $nt$rin0, /h$n /$m$$t in th$ $8$nin0, and 5$/ar$ o2

that #$rson. 3i$t4y trans2$rrin0 th$ not$ toth$ 2ir$ /ith th$ /ra##$r o2 th$ma0a@in$, h$ dismiss$d th$matt$r 2rom his mind and 4$2t

Mrs. Sno/don to #4ay d$t$7ti8$ assh$ #4$as$d, /hi4$ h$ 53si$dhims$42 a5o3t his o/n a22airs.

It /as a 74$ar, 5ri0ht %$7$m5$r



day, and /h$n th$ yo3n0 #$o#4$s$#arat$d to #r$#ar$ 2or a rid$,

/hi4$ th$ 0$n$ra4 and th$ ma6ors3nn$d th$ms$48$s on th$t$rra7$, ady Tr$h$rn$ said to h$rn$#h$/, I am 0oin0 2or an airin0in th$ #ony 7arria0$. (i44 yo3 5$my $s7ort, Ma3ri7$)

(ith #4$as3r$, r$#4i$d th$yo3n0 man, /$44 no/in0 /hat/as in stor$ 2or him.

My 4ady /as 3n3s3a44y ta7it3rn

and 0ra8$, y$t s$$m$d an:io3s tosay som$thin0 /hi7h sh$ 2o3nddi22i734t to 3tt$r. Tr$h$rn$ sa/this, and $nd$d an a//ard#a3s$ 5y dashin0 5o4d4y into th$s356$7t /hi7h o773#i$d 5oth.

I thin yo3 /ant to saysom$thin0 to m$ a5o3t Ta8i$,A3nt. Am I ri0ht)



&$s.

Th$n 4$t m$ s#ar$ yo3 th$ #ain

o2 5$0innin0, and #ro8$ mysin7$rity 5y o#$n4y statin0 th$tr3th, as 2ar as I am 7on7$rn$d. I4o8$ h$r 8$ry d$ar4y, 53t I am notmad $no30h to dr$am o2 t$44in0

h$r so. I no/ that it isim#ossi54$, and I r$4in93ish myho#$s. Tr3st m$. I /i44 $$# si4$ntand s$$ h$r marry Annon /itho3ta /ord o2 7om#4aint, i2 yo3 /i44 it.I s$$ 5y h$r a4t$r$d mann$r that

yo3 ha8$ s#o$n to h$r, and thatmy 4itt4$ 2ri$nd and n3rs$ is to 5$min$ no 4on0$r. P$rha#s yo3 ar$/is$, 53t i2 yo3 do this on mya77o3nt, it is in 8ain?th$ mis7hi$2

is don$, and /hi4$ I 4i8$ I sha444o8$ my 7o3sin. I2 yo3 do it tos#ar$ h$r, I am d3m5, and /i44 0oa/ay rath$r than 7a3s$ h$r a 7ar$



or #ain.

%o yo3 r$a44y m$an this,

Ma3ri7$) And ady Tr$h$rn$4oo$d at him /ith a 7han0$d andso2t$n$d 2a7$.

T3rnin0 3#on h$r, Tr$h$rn$sho/$d h$r a 7o3nt$nan7$ 2344 o2

s322$rin0 and sin7$rity, o2r$si0nation and r$so48$, as h$said $arn$st4y, I do m$an it=#ro8$ m$ in any /ay yo3 #4$as$. Iam not a 5ad 2$44o/, A3nt, and I

d$sir$ to 5$ 5$tt$r. Sin7$ mymis2ort3n$ I'8$ had tim$ to t$stmany thin0s, mys$42 amon0oth$rs, and in s#it$ o2 many2a34ts, I do 7h$rish th$ /ish to$$# my so34 hon$st and tr3$,

$8$n tho30h my 5ody 5$ a /r$7.It is $asy to say th$s$ thin0s, 53tin s#it$ o2 t$m#tation, I thin I7an stand 2irm, i2 yo3 tr3st m$.



My d$ar 5oy, I do tr3st yo3, andthan yo3 0rat$2344y 2or this

2rann$ss. I n$8$r 2or0$t that Io/$ -as#$r's 4i2$ to yo3, andn$8$r $:#$7t to r$#ay that d$5t.R$m$m5$r this /h$n I s$$m 7o4dor 3nind, and r$m$m5$r a4so

that I say no/, had yo3 5$$ns#ar$d this a224i7tion, I /o34d04ad4y ha8$ 0i8$n yo3 my 0ir4. B3t?

B3t, A3nt, h$ar on$ thin0,

5ro$ in Tr$h$rn$. Th$y t$44 m$that any s3dd$n and 8io4$nt sho7o2 s3r#ris$, 6oy, or sorro/ may do2or m$ /hat th$y ho#$ tim$ /i44a7hi$8$. I said nothin0 o2 this, 2orit is 53t a 7han7$= y$t, /hi4$ th$r$

is any ho#$, n$$d I 3tt$r4yr$no3n7$ O7ta8ia)

It is hard to r$23s$, and y$t I



7annot thin it /is$ to 53i4d 3#ona 7han7$ so s4i0ht. On7$ 4$t h$r

ha8$ yo3, and 5oth ar$ mad$3nha##y, i2 th$ ho#$ 2ai4. No,Ma3ri7$, it is 5$tt$r to 5$0$n$ro3s, and 4$a8$ h$r 2r$$ toma$ h$r o/n ha##in$ss$4s$/h$r$. Annon 4o8$s h$r, sh$ is

h$art;/ho4$, and /i44 soon 4$arnto 4o8$ him, i2 yo3 ar$ si4$nt. My#oor 5oy, it s$$ms 7r3$4, 53t Im3st say it.

Sha44 I 0o a/ay, A3nt) /as a44

his ans/$r, 8$ry 2irm4y 3tt$r$d,tho30h his 4i#s /$r$ /hit$.

Not y$t, on4y 4$a8$ th$m toth$ms$48$s, and hid$ yo3r tro354$i2 yo3 7an. &$t, i2 yo3 #r$2$r, yo3

sha44 0o to to/n, and B$nson sha44s$$ that yo3 ar$ 7om2orta54$.

&o3r h$a4th /i44 5$ a r$ason, and I/i44 7om$, or /rit$ o2t$n, i2 yo3



ar$ hom$si7. It sha44 d$#$nd onyo3, 2or I /ant to 5$ 63st and ind

in this hard 7as$. &o3 sha44d$7id$.

Th$n I /i44 stay. I 7an hid$ my4o8$= and to s$$ th$m to0$th$r/i44 soon 7$as$ to /o3nd m$, i2

O7ta8ia is ha##y.So 4$t it r$st th$n, 2or a tim$.

&o3 sha44 miss yo3r 7om#anion as4itt4$ as #ossi54$, 2or I /i44 try to2i44 h$r #4a7$. +or0i8$ m$,

Ma3ri7$, and #ity a moth$r'sso4i7it3d$, 2or th$s$ t/o ar$ th$4ast o2 many 7hi4dr$n, and I am a/ido/ no/.

ady Tr$h$rn$'s 8oi7$ 2a4t$r$d,

and i2 any s$42ish ho#$ or #4an4in0$r$d in h$r n$#h$/'s mind,that a##$a4 5anish$d it andto37h$d his 5$tt$r nat3r$.



Pr$ssin0 h$r hand h$ said 0$nt4y,%$ar A3nt, do not 4am$nt o8$r

m$. I am on$ s$t a#art 2ora224i7tions, y$t I /i44 not 5$7on93$r$d 5y th$m. $t 3s 2or0$tmy yo3th and 5$ 2ri$nd4y7o3ns$4ors to0$th$r 2or th$ 0oodo2 th$ t/o /hom /$ 5oth 4o8$. I

m3st say a /ord a5o3t -as#$r, andyo3 /i44 not #r$ss m$ to $:#4ainmor$ than I 7an /itho3t 5r$ain0my #romis$.

Than yo3, than yo3< It is

r$0ardin0 that /oman, I no/.T$44 m$ a44 yo3 7an= I /i44 not 5$im#ort3nat$, 53t I dis4i$d h$rth$ instant I sa/ h$r, 5$a3ti234and 7harmin0 as sh$ s$$ms.

(h$n my 7o3sin and I /$r$ inParis, 63st 5$2or$ my i44n$ss, /$m$t h$r. Sh$ /as /ith h$r 2ath$rth$n, a 0ay o4d man /ho 4$d a 4i2$



o2 #4$as3r$, and /as no 2it03ardian 2or a 4o8$4y da30ht$r.

Sh$ n$/ o3r story and, ha8in02as7inat$d 5oth, #a3s$d to d$7id$/hi7h sh$ /o34d a77$#t -as#$r,2or his tit4$, or m$, 2or my2ort3n$. This /as 5$2or$ my 3n74$7han0$d his /i44, and I 5$4i$8$d

mys$42 his h$ir= 53t, 5$2or$ sh$mad$ h$r 7hoi7$, som$thin0Ddon't as m$ /hat, i2 yo3 #4$as$o773rr$d to s$nd 3s 2rom Paris.On o3r r$t3rn 8oya0$ /$ /$r$

/r$7$d, and th$n 7am$ myi44n$ss, disinh$ritan7$, andh$4#4$ssn$ss. Edith %35arry h$ardth$ story, 53t r3mor r$#ort$d it2a4s$4y, and sh$ 5$4i$8$d 5oth o23s had 4ost th$ 2ort3n$. H$r

2ath$r di$d #$nni4$ss, and in amom$nt o2 d$s#air sh$ marri$dth$ 0$n$ra4, /hos$ /$a4ths3rro3nds h$r /ith th$ 43:3ry sh$



4o8$s, and /hos$ 2ai4in0 h$a4th/i44 soon r$stor$ h$r 4i5$rty?

And th$n, Ma3ri7$) int$rr3#t$dmy 4ady.

Sh$ ho#$s to /in -as#$r, Ithin.

N$8$r< ($ m3st #r$8$nt that ata44 7osts. I had rath$r s$$ himd$ad 5$2or$ m$, than th$h3s5and o2 s37h a /oman. (hy issh$ #$rmitt$d to 8isit hom$s 4i$min$) I sho34d ha8$ 5$$n to4d this

soon$r, $:74aim$d my 4adyan0ri4y.

I sho34d ha8$ to4d yo3 had Ino/n it, and I r$#ro8$d -as#$r2or his n$04$7t. %o not 5$

n$$d4$ss4y tro354$d, A3nt. Th$r$is no 54$mish on Mrs. Sno/don'snam$, and, as th$ /i2$ o2 a 5ra8$and honora54$ man, sh$ is



r$7$i8$d /itho3t 93$stion= 2or5$a3ty, 0ra7$, or ta7t 4i$ h$rs

7an ma$ th$ir /ay any/h$r$.Sh$ stays 53t a /$$, and I /i44d$8ot$ mys$42 to h$r= this /i44sa8$ -as#$r, and, i2 n$7$ssary,7on8in7$ Ta8i$ o2 my indi22$r$n7$? Th$n h$ #a3s$d to sti24$ a

si0h.

B3t yo3rs$42, ha8$ yo3 no 2$ars2or yo3r o/n #$a7$, Ma3ri7$) &o3m3st not sa7ri2i7$ ha##in$ss orhonor, 2or m$ or min$.

I am sa2$= I 4o8$ my 7o3sin, andthat is my shi$4d. (hat$8$rha##$ns r$m$m5$r that I tri$d tos$r8$ yo3, and sin7$r$4y$nd$a8or$d to 2or0$t mys$42.

God 54$ss yo3, my son< $t m$7a44 yo3 so, and 2$$4 that, tho30h Id$ny yo3 my da30ht$r, I 0i8$ yo3



h$arti4y a moth$r's 7ar$ anda22$7tion.

ady Tr$h$rn$ /as as 0$n$ro3sas sh$ /as #ro3d, and h$rn$#h$/ had 7on93$r$d h$r 5y7on2id$n7$ and s35mission. H$a7t$d no #art, y$t, $8$n in

r$4in93ishin0 a44, h$ 7h$rish$d aho#$ that h$ mi0ht y$t /in th$h$art h$ 7o8$t$d. Si4$nt4y th$y#art$d, 53t 2rom that ho3r a n$/and 74os$r 5ond $:ist$d 5$t/$$nth$ t/o, and $:$rt$d an

3ns3s#$7t$d in243$n7$ o8$r th$/ho4$ ho3s$ho4d.

Ma3ri7$ /ait$d /ith som$im#ati$n7$ 2or Mrs. Sno/don's$ntran7$, not on4y 5$7a3s$ o2 his

73riosity to s$$ i2 sh$ haddis7o8$r$d th$ thi$2, 53t 5$7a3s$o2 th$ #art h$ had ta$n 3#onhims$42 to #4ay. H$ /as $93a4 to



it, and 2$4t a 7$rtain #4$as3r$ in it2or a thr$$2o4d r$ason. It /o34d

s$r8$ his a3nt and 7o3sin, /o34ddi8$rt his mind 2rom its o/n7ar$s, and, #$rha#s 5y main0O7ta8ia 6$a4o3s, /a$n 4o8$= 2or,tho30h h$ had 7hos$n th$ ri0ht,h$ /as 53t a man, and mor$o8$r

a 4o8$r.

Mrs. Sno/don /as 4at$. Sh$a4/ays /as, 2or h$r toi4$t /as$4a5orat$, and sh$ 4i$d to $n6oyits $22$7ts 3#on oth$rs. Th$

mom$nt sh$ $nt$r$d Tr$h$rn$'s$y$ /as on h$r, and to his int$ns$s3r#ris$ and annoyan7$ sh$addr$ss$d O7ta8ia, sayin054and4y, My d$ar Miss Tr$h$rn$,

I'8$ 5$$n admirin0 yo3r #$a7o7s.Pray 4$t m$ s$$ yo3 2$$d th$mtomorro/. Miss Ta45ot says it is a7harmin0 si0ht.



I2 yo3 ar$ on th$ t$rra7$ 63sta2t$r 43n7h, yo3 /i44 2ind th$m

th$r$, and may 2$$d th$myo3rs$42, i2 yo3 4i$ /as th$ 7oo4,7i8i4 r$#4y.

Sh$ 4oos 4i$ a #$a7o7 h$rs$42in that s#4$ndid 0r$$n and 0o4d

dr$ss, do$sn't sh$) /his#$r$dRos$ to Sir -as#$r, /ith a /i7$d4a30h.

+aith, so sh$ do$s. I /ish Ta8i$'s5irds had 8oi7$s 4i$ Mrs.

Sno/don's= th$ir s93a44in0 annoysm$ int$ns$4y.

I rath$r 4i$ it, 2or it is hon$st,and no ma4i7$ or mis7hi$2 ishidd$n 5$hind it. I a4/ays distr3st

thos$ smooth, s/$$t 8oi7$s= th$yar$ insin7$r$. I 4i$ a 2344, 74$arton$= shar#, i2 yo3 #4$as$, 53td$7id$d and tr3$.



($44 said, O7ta8ia. I a0r$$ /ithyo3, and yo3r o/n is a #$r2$7t

sam#4$ o2 th$ ind yo3 d$s7ri5$.And Tr$h$rn$ smi4$d as h$ ro44$d5y to 6oin Mrs. Sno/don, /ho$8id$nt4y /ait$d 2or him, /hi4$O7ta8ia t3rn$d to h$r 5roth$r tod$2$nd h$r #$ts.

Ar$ yo3 s3r$) Ho/ did yo3dis7o8$r) said Ma3ri7$, a22$7tin0to admir$ th$ 4ady's 5o393$t, ash$ #a3s$d 5$sid$ h$r.

I s3s#$7t$d it th$ mom$nt I sa/h$r this mornin0. Sh$ is noa7tr$ss= and dis4i$, distr3st, and7ont$m#t /$r$ 8isi54$ in h$r 2a7$/h$n /$ m$t. Ti44 yo3 so 74$8$r4yto4d m$ my not$ /as 4ost, I

2an7i$d sh$ /as dist3r5$d a5o3th$r 5roth$r?or yo3.

A s3dd$n #a3s$ and a $$n



04an7$ 2o44o/$d th$ 4ast so2t4y3tt$r$d /ord, 53t Tr$h$rn$ m$t it

/ith an ins7r3ta54$ smi4$ and a93i$t ($44, /hat n$:t)

Th$ mom$nt I 4$arn$d that yo3did not 0$t th$ not$ I /as s3r$sh$ had it, and, no/in0 that sh$

m3st ha8$ s$$n m$ #3t it th$r$,in s#it$ o2 h$r a##ar$ntinno7$n7$, I 93i$t4y as$d h$r 2orit. This s3r#ris$d h$r, this ro55$dth$ a22air o2 any myst$ry, and I2inish$d h$r #$r#4$:ity 5y s$ndin0

it to th$ ma6or th$ mom$nt sh$r$t3rn$d it to m$, as i2 it had5$$n int$nd$d 2or him. Sh$5$00$d #ardon, said h$r 5roth$r/as tho30ht4$ss, and sh$

/at7h$d o8$r him 4$st h$ sho34d0$t into mis7hi$2= #ro2$ss$d tothin I m$ant th$ 4in$ 2or him, and5$ha8$d 4i$ a 7harmin0



sim#4$ton, as sh$ is.

3it$ a t3m34t a5o3t nothin0.

Poor 4itt4$ Ta8i$< &o3 do35t4$ss4y2ri0ht$n$d h$r so that /$ maysa2$4y 7orr$s#ond h$r$a2t$r.

&o3 may 0i8$ m$ an ans/$r, no/and h$r$.

*$ry /$44, m$$t m$ on th$t$rra7$ tomorro/ mornin0= th$#$a7o7s /i44 ma$ th$ m$$tin0nat3ra4 $no30h. I 3s3a44y 4oit$ra/ay an ho3r or t/o th$r$, in th$

s3nny #art o2 th$ day.

B3t th$ 0ir4)

I'44 s$nd h$r a/ay.

&o3 s#$a as i2 it /o34d 5$ an

$asy thin0 to do.

It /i44, 5oth $asy and #4$asant.

No/ yo3 ar$ myst$rio3s or



3n7om#4im$ntary. &o3 $ith$r 7ar$nothin0 2or a tFt$;;tFt$ /ith h$r,

or yo3 /i44 04ad4y s$nd h$r o3t o2my /ay. (hi7h is it)

&o3 sha44 d$7id$. Can I ha8$this)

Sh$ 4oo$d at him as h$ to37h$d

a ros$ /ith a /arnin0 04an7$, 2orth$ 24o/$r /as 5oth an $m54$m o24o8$ and o2 si4$n7$. %id h$ m$anto hint that h$ r$7a44$d th$ #ast,or to /arn h$r that som$on$ /as

n$ar) Sh$ 4$an$d 2rom th$shado/ o2 th$ 73rtain /h$r$ sh$sat, and 7a30ht a 04im#s$ o2 ashado/ 04idin0 a/ay.

(ho /as it) sh$ as$d, 5$4o/

h$r 5r$ath.A Ros$, h$ ans/$r$d, 4a30hin0.

Th$n, as i2 th$ dan0$r /as o8$r,h$ said, Ho/ /i44 yo3 a77o3nt to



th$ ma6or 2or th$ m$ssa0$ yo3s$nt him)

Easi4y, 5y 2a5ri7atin0 som$int$r$stin0 #$r#4$:ity in /hi7h I/ant sa0$ 7o3ns$4. H$ /i44 5$24att$r$d, and 5y s$$min0 to ta$him into my 7on2id$n7$, I 7an

hood/in th$ $:7$44$nt man to myh$art's 7ont$nt, 2or h$ annoys m$5y his odd /ay o2 mo3ntin0 03ardo8$r m$ at a44 tim$s. No/ ta$ m$in to dinn$r, and 5$ yo3r 2orm$rd$4i0ht234 s$42.

That is im#ossi54$, h$ said, y$t#ro8$d that it /as not.

Cha#t$r I*. +EE%ING THEPEACOCS

It /as ind$$d a 7harmin0 si0ht,th$ t/$48$ stat$4y 5irds #$r7h$don th$ 5road ston$ 5a43strad$, or



not 7om$ as 3s3a4 to 5id him0ood;mornin0 in th$ 4i5rary. H$

had ta$n no noti7$ o2 th$ 7han0$as y$t, 53t no/, r$m$m5$rin0 his#romis$ to his a3nt, h$ r$so48$dto 4$t th$ 0ir4 no/ that h$ 2344y3nd$rstood th$ r$4ation /hi7hh$n7$2orth /as to $:ist 5$t/$$n

th$m.

Good;mornin0, 7o3sin. Sha44 Idri8$ yo3 a/ay, i2 I ta$ a t3rn ort/o h$r$) h$ said, in a 7h$$r234ton$, 53t /ith a ha42;r$#roa7h234

04an7$.

Sh$ 4oo$d at him an instant,th$n /$nt to him /ith $:t$nd$dhand and 7h$$s rosi$r than5$2or$, /hi4$ h$r 2ran $y$s

2i44$d, and h$r 8oi7$ had atraitoro3s tr$mor in it, as sh$said, im#$t3o3s4y I /i44 5$mys$42 2or a mom$nt, in s#it$ o2



th$ h3n0ry 5ird that 0$nt4y#$7$d at th$ 5as$t sh$ h$4d. As

i2 to 7han0$ th$ 7on8$rsation, sh$said #4ay2344y, Poor Ar03s, yo3ha8$ 4ost yo3r 2in$ 2$ath$rs, andso a44 d$s$rt yo3, $:7$#t ind4itt4$ -3no, /ho n$8$r 2or0$ts h$r2ri$nds. Th$r$, ta$ it a44, and

shar$ 5$t/$$n yo3.

Tr$h$rn$ smi4$d, and said93i74y, I am a h3man Ar03s, andyo3 ha8$ 5$$n a ind 4itt4$ -3no tom$ sin7$ I 4ost my #43m$s.

Contin3$ to 5$ so, and yo3 /i442ind m$ a 8$ry 2aith234 2ri$nd.

I /i44. And as sh$ ans/$r$d, h$ro4d smi4$ 7am$ 5a7 and h$r $y$sm$t his a0ain.

Thans< No/ /$ sha44 0$t onha##i4y. I don't as or $:#$7t th$o4d 4i2$?that is im#ossi54$. I n$/



that /h$n 4o8$rs 7am$, th$ 2ri$nd/o34d 2a44 into th$ 5a70ro3nd=

and I am 7ont$nt to 5$ s$7ond,/h$r$ I ha8$ so 4on0 5$$n 2irst.%o not thin yo3 n$04$7t m$= 5$ha##y /ith yo3r 4o8$r, d$ar, and/h$n yo3 ha8$ no #4$asant$ram3s$m$nt, 7om$ and s$$ o4d

Ma3ri7$.

Sh$ t3rn$d h$r h$ad a/ay, thath$ mi0ht not s$$ th$ an0ry 7o4orin h$r 7h$$s, th$ tro354$ in h$r$y$s, and /h$n sh$ s#o$, it /as

to say #$t34ant4y, I /ish -as#$rand Mamma /o34d 4$a8$ m$ in#$a7$. I hat$ 4o8$rs and /antnon$. I2 +ran t$as$s, I'44 0o into a7on8$nt and so 5$ rid o2 him.

Ma3ri7$ 4a30h$d, and t3rn$d h$r2a7$ to/ard hims$42, sayin0, in his#$rs3asi8$ 8oi7$, Gi8$ him a tria42irst, to #4$as$ yo3r moth$r. It 7an



do no harm and may am3s$ yo3.+ran is a4r$ady 4ost, and, as yo3

ar$ h$art;/ho4$, /hy not s$$/hat yo3 7an do 2or him) I sha44ha8$ a n$/ st3dy, th$n, and notmiss yo3 so m37h.

&o3 ar$ 8$ry ind= I'44 do my

5$st. I /ish Mrs. Sno/don /o34d7om$, i2 sh$ is 7omin0= I'8$ an$n0a0$m$nt at t/o, and +ran/i44 4oo tra0i7a4 i2 I'm not r$ady.H$ is t$a7hin0 m$ 5i44iards, and Ir$a44y 4i$ th$ 0am$, tho30h I

n$8$r tho30ht I sho34d.

That 4oos /$44. I ho#$ yo3'444$arn a do354$ 4$sson, and Annon2ind a do7i4$ #3#i4 in 5oth.

&o3 ar$ 8$ry #a4$ this mornin0=ar$ yo3 in #ain, Ma3ri7$)s3dd$n4y as$d O7ta8ia, dro##in0th$ ton$ o2 ass3m$d $as$ and



0ai$ty 3nd$r /hi7h sh$ had tri$dto hid$ h$r tro354$.

&$s, 53t it /i44 soon #ass. Mrs.Sno/don is 7omin0. I sa/ h$r atth$ ha44 door a mom$nt a0o. I /i44sho/ h$r th$ #$a7o7s, i2 yo3/ant to 0o. Sh$ /on't mind th$

7han0$, I dar$ say, as yo3 don't4i$ h$r, and I do.

No, I am s3r$ o2 that. It /as anarran0$m$nt, #$rha#s) I3nd$rstand. I /i44 not #4ay

Mad$mois$44$ %$ Tro#.S3dd$n 2ir$ shon$ in th$ 0ir4's

$y$s, s3dd$n 7ont$m#t 73r4$d h$r4i#, and a 04an7$ 2344 o2 m$anin0/$nt 2rom h$r 7o3sin to th$ door,

/h$r$ Mrs. Sno/don a##$ar$d,/aitin0 2or h$r maid to 5rin0 h$rsom$ additiona4 /ra##in0s.

&o3 a443d$ to th$ not$ yo3 sto4$.



Ho/ 7am$ yo3 to #4ay that #ran,Ta8i$) as$d Tr$h$rn$ tran93i44y.

I sa/ h$r #3t it 3nd$r th$ 3rn. Itho30ht it /as 2or -as#$r, and Itoo it, sh$ said 5o4d4y.

(hy 2or -as#$r)

I r$m$m5$r$d his s#$ain0 o2m$$tin0 h$r 4on0 a0o, andd$s7ri5in0 h$r 5$a3ty$nth3siasti7a44y?and so did yo3.

&o3 ha8$ a 0ood m$mory.

I ha8$ 2or $8$rythin0 7on7$rnin0thos$ I 4o8$. I o5s$r8$d h$rmann$r o2 m$$tin0 my 5roth$r,his d$8otion to h$r, and, /h$nth$y stood 4a30hin0 to0$th$r

5$2or$ th$ 2ir$, I 2$4t s3r$ that sh$/ish$d to 7harm him a0ain.

A0ain) Th$n sh$ did 7harm himon7$) as$d Tr$h$rn$, an:io3s to



no/ ho/ m37h -as#$r had to4dhis sist$r.

H$ a4/ays d$ni$d it, andd$74ar$d that yo3 /$r$ th$2a8orit$.

Th$n /hy not thin th$ not$ 2orm$) h$ as$d.

I do no/ /as th$ shar# ans/$r.

B3t sh$ to4d yo3 it /as 2or th$ma6or, and s$nt it.

Sh$ d$7$i8$d m$= I am not

s3r#ris$d. I am 04ad -as#$r issa2$, and I /ish yo3 a #4$asanttFt$;;tFt$.

Bo/in0 /ith 3n/ont$d di0nity,O7ta8ia s$t do/n h$r 5as$t, and

/a4$d a/ay in on$ dir$7tion asMrs. Sno/don a##roa7h$d inanoth$r.



I ha8$ don$ it no/, si0h$dTr$h$rn$, t3rnin0 2rom th$ 0ir4ish

2i03r$ to /at7h th$ stat$4y7r$at3r$ /ho 7am$ s/$$#in0to/ard him /ith nois$4$ss 0ra7$.

Bri44ian7y and s#4$ndor 5$7am$Mrs. Sno/don= sh$ $n6oy$d

43:3ry, and h$r 5$a3ty mad$many thin0s 5$7omin0 /hi7h in a#4ain$r /oman /o34d ha8$ 5$$no3t o2 tast$, and a5s3rd. Sh$ had/ra##$d h$rs$42 in a 0$n3in$East$rn 53rno3s o2 s7ar4$t, 543$,

and 0o4d= th$ hood dra/n o8$rh$r h$ad 2ram$d h$r 2in$ 2a7$ inri7h h3$s, and th$ 0r$at 0i4ttass$4s shon$ a0ainst h$r ri##4in054a7 hair. Sh$ /or$ it /ith 0ra7$,

and th$ 5ar5ari7 s#4$ndor o2 th$0arm$nt 5$7am$ h$r /$44. Th$2r$sh air to37h$d h$r 7h$$s /itha d$4i7at$ 7o4or= h$r 3s3a44y



04oomy $y$s /$r$ 5ri44iant no/,and th$ smi4$ that #art$d h$r 4i#s

/as 2344 o2 ha##in$ss.($47om$, C4$o#atra< 7ri$d

Tr$h$rn$, /ith di22i734tyr$#r$ssin0 a 4a30h, as th$#$a7o7s s7r$am$d and 24$d

5$2or$ th$ r3st4in0 am#4it3d$ o2h$r dra#$ry.

I mi0ht r$#4y 5y 7a44in0 yo3Thadd$3s o2 (arsa/, 2or yo3 4oo8$ry romanti7 and Po4ish /ith

yo3r #a4$, #$nsi8$ 2a7$, and yo3rs#4$ndid 23rs, sh$ ans/$r$d, assh$ #a3s$d 5$sid$ him /ithadmiration 8$ry 8isi54y $:#r$ss$din h$r $y$s.

Tr$h$rn$ dis4i$d th$ 4oo, andrath$r a5r3#t4y said, as h$o22$r$d h$r th$ 5as$t o2 5r$ad, Iha8$ dis#os$d o2 my 7o3sin, and



o22$r$d to do th$ honors o2 th$#$a7o7s. H$r$ th$y ar$?/i44 yo3

2$$d th$m)No, than yo3?I 7ar$ nothin0

2or th$ 2o/4s, as yo3 no/= I 7am$to s#$a to yo3, sh$ saidim#ati$nt4y.

I am at yo3r s$r8i7$.

I /ish to as yo3 a 93$stion ort/o?is it #$rmitt$d)

(hat man $8$r r$23s$d Mrs.

Sno/don a r$93$st)Nay, no 7om#4im$nts= 2rom yo3

th$y ar$ on4y satiri7a4 $8asions. I/as d$7$i8$d /h$n a5road, andrash4y marri$d that o4d man. T$44

m$ tr34y ho/ thin0s stand.-as#$r has a44. I ha8$ nothin0.

I am 04ad o2 it.



Many thans 2or th$ h$artys#$$7h. &o3 at 4$ast s#$a

sin7$r$4y, h$ said 5itt$r4y.I do, Ma3ri7$?I do= 4$t m$ #ro8$

it.

Tr$h$rn$'s 7hair /as 74os$ 5$sid$th$ 5a43strad$. Mrs. Sno/don

4$an$d on th$ 7ar8$d rai4in0, /ithh$r 5a7 to th$ ho3s$ and h$r2a7$ s7r$$n$d 5y a ta44 3rn.ooin0 st$adi4y at him, sh$ saidra#id4y and 4o/, &o3 tho30ht I

/a8$r$d 5$t/$$n yo3 and -as#$r,/h$n /$ #art$d t/o y$ars a0o. Idid= 53t it /as not 5$t/$$n tit4$and 2ort3n$ that I h$sitat$d. It/as 5$t/$$n d3ty and 4o8$. My2ath$r, a 2ond, 2oo4ish o4d man,

had s$t his h$art on s$$in0 m$ a4ady. I /as his a44= my 5$a3ty /ashis d$4i0ht, and no 3ntit4$d man/as d$$m$d /orthy o2 m$. I 4o8$d



him t$nd$r4y. &o3 may do35t this,no/in0 ho/ s$42ish, r$74$ss,

and 8ain I am, 53t I ha8$ a h$art,and /ith 5$tt$r trainin0 had 5$$na 5$tt$r /oman. No matt$r, it istoo 4at$ no/. N$:t my 2ath$r, I4o8$d yo3. Nay, h$ar m$?I /i4474$ar mys$42 in yo3r $y$s. I m$an

no /ron0 to th$ 0$n$ra4. H$ isind, ind340$nt, 0$n$ro3s= Ir$s#$7t him?I am 0rat$234, and/hi4$ h$ 4i8$s, I sha44 5$ tr3$ tohim.

Th$n 5$ si4$nt no/. %o not r$7a44th$ #ast, Edith= 4$t it s4$$#, 2or5oth o3r sa$s, 5$0an Tr$h$rn$=53t sh$ 7h$7$d him im#$rio3s4y.

It sha44, /h$n I am don$. I 4o8$d

yo3, Ma3ri7$= 2or, o2 a44 th$ 0ay,id4$, #4$as3r$;s$$in0 m$n I sa/a5o3t m$, yo3 /$r$ th$ on4y on$/ho s$$m$d to ha8$ a tho30ht



5$yond th$ 2o44y o2 th$ ho3r.Und$r th$ s$$min0 2ri8o4ity o2

yo3r 4i2$ 4ay som$thin0 no54$,h$roi7, and tr3$. I 2$4t that yo3had a #3r#os$, that yo3r #r$s$ntmood /as 53t transitory?a yo3n0man's ho4iday, 5$2or$ th$ r$a4/or o2 his 4i2$ 5$0an. This

attra7t$d, this /on m$= 2or $8$nin th$ 5ri$2 r$0ard yo3 th$n 0a8$m$, th$r$ /as an $arn$stn$ss nooth$r man had sho/n. I /ant$dyo3r r$s#$7t= I 4on0$d to $arn

yo3r 4o8$, to shar$ yo3r 4i2$, and#ro8$ that $8$n in my n$04$7t$dnat3r$ s4$#t th$ #o/$r o27an7$4in0 a 2ri8o4o3s #ast 5y ano54$ 23t3r$. Oh, Ma3ri7$, hadyo3 4in0$r$d on$ /$$ mor$, I

n$8$r sho34d ha8$ 5$$n th$mis$ra54$ thin0 I am<

Th$r$ h$r 8oi7$ 2a4t$r$d and



2ai4$d, 2or a44 th$ 5itt$rn$ss o2 4ost4o8$, #$a7$, and ha##in$ss

so3nd$d in th$ #ath$ti7 #assiono2 that $:74amation. Sh$ did not/$$#, 2or t$ars s$4dom dimm$dthos$ tra0i7a4 $y$s o2 h$rs= 53tsh$ /r3n0 h$r hands in m3t$d$s#air, and 4oo$d do/n into th$

2rost;54i0ht$d 0ard$ns 5$4o/, as i2sh$ sa/ th$r$ a tr3$ sym5o4 o2h$r o/n r3in$d 4i2$. Tr$h$rn$3tt$r$d not a /ord, 53t s$t hist$$th /ith an a4most 2i$r7$ 04an7$

to/ard th$ distant 2i03r$ o2 Sir -as#$r, /ho /as ridin0 0ai4y a/ay,4i$ on$ 3n53rd$n$d 5y a m$moryor a 7ar$.

H3rri$d4y Mrs. Sno/don /$nt on,

My 2ath$r 5$00$d and7ommand$d m$ to 7hoos$ yo3r7o3sin. I 7o34d not 5r$a hish$art, and as$d 2or tim$, ho#in0



da30ht$r, I /o34d 04ad4y s$r8$him, and ma$ his d$74inin0 y$ars

as ha##y as I 7o34d. It /as a44o8$r, /h$n I h$ard that yo3 /$r$a4i8$, a224i7t$d, and #oor. I 4on0$dto 7om$ and 4i8$ 2or yo3. My n$/5onds 5$7am$ h$a8y 2$tt$rs th$n,my /$a4th o##r$ss$d m$, and I

/as do354y /r$t7h$d?2or I dar$dnot t$44 my tro354$, and it n$ar4ydro8$ m$ mad. I ha8$ s$$n yo3no/= I no/ that yo3 ar$ ha##y= Ir$ad yo3r 7o3sin's 4o8$ and s$$ a

#$a7$234 4i2$ in stor$ 2or yo3. Thism3st 7ont$nt m$, and I m3st4$arn to 5$ar it as I 7an.

Sh$ #a3s$d, 5r$ath4$ss and #a4$,and /a4$d ra#id4y a4on0 th$

t$rra7$, as i2 to hid$ or 7ontro4th$ a0itation that #oss$ss$d h$r.

Tr$h$rn$ sti44 sat si4$nt, 53t hish$art 4$a#$d /ithin him, as h$



tho30ht, Sh$ s$$s that O7ta8ia4o8$s m$< A /oman's $y$ is 93i7

to d$t$7t 4o8$ in anoth$r, and sh$ass$rts /hat I 5$0in to ho#$. My7o3sin's mann$r 63st no/, h$rdis4i$ o2 Annon, h$r n$/ shyn$ss/ith m$= it may 5$ tr3$, and i2 itis?H$a8$n h$4# m$?/hat am I

sayin0< I m3st not ho#$, nor /ish,nor dr$am= I m3st r$no3n7$ and2or0$t.

H$ 4$an$d his h$ad 3#on hishand, and sat so sti44 Mrs.

Sno/don r$6oin$d him, #a4$, 53t7a4m and s$42;#oss$ss$d. As sh$dr$/ n$ar, sh$ mar$d hisattit3d$, th$ 5itt$r sadn$ss o2 his2a7$, and ho#$ s#ran0 3# /ithin

h$r. P$rha#s sh$ /as mista$n=#$rha#s h$ did not 4o8$ his7o3sin= #$rha#s h$ sti44r$m$m5$r$d th$ #ast, and sti44



r$0r$tt$d th$ 4oss o2 th$ h$artsh$ had 63st 4aid 5ar$ 5$2or$ him.

H$r h3s5and /as 2ai4in0, andmi0ht di$ any day. And th$n, 2r$$,ri7h, 5$a3ti234, and yo3n0, /hatmi0ht sh$ not 5$7om$ toTr$h$rn$, h$4#4$ss, #oor, andam5itio3s) (ith a44 h$r 2a34ts, sh$

/as 0$n$ro3s, and this #i7t3r$7harm$d h$r 2an7y, /arm$d h$rh$art, and 7om2ort$d h$r #ain.

Ma3ri7$, sh$ said so2t4y,#a3sin0 a0ain 5$sid$ him, i2 I

mista$ yo3 and yo3r ho#$s, it is5$7a3s$ I dar$ as nothin0 2ormys$42= 53t i2 $8$r a tim$ sha447om$ /h$n I ha8$ 4i5$rty to 0i8$or h$4#, as o2 m$ anythin0, and

it is 04ad4y yo3rs.H$ 3nd$rstood h$r, #iti$d h$r,

and, s$$in0 that sh$ 2o3nd7onso4ation in a distant ho#$, h$



4$t h$r $n6oy it /hi4$ sh$ mi0ht.Gra8$4y, y$t 0rat$2344y, h$ s#o$,

and #r$ss$d th$ hand $:t$nd$d tohim /ith an im#34si8$ 0$st3r$.

G$n$ro3s as $8$r, Edith, andim#$t3o3s4y 2ran. Than yo3 2oryo3r sin7$rity, yo3r indn$ss, and

th$ a22$7tion yo3 on7$ 0a8$ m$. Isay 'on7$,' 2or no/ d3ty, tr3th,and honor 5ar 3s 2rom $a7h oth$r.My 4i2$ m3st 5$ so4itary, y$t Isha44 2ind /or to do, and 4$arn to5$ 7ont$nt. &o3 o/$ a44 d$8otion

to th$ 0ood o4d man /ho 4o8$syo3, and /i44 not 2ai4 him, I ams3r$. $a8$ th$ 23t3r$ and th$#ast, 53t 4$t 3s ma$ th$ #r$s$nt/hat it may 5$?a tim$ to 2or0i8$

and 2or0$t, to ta$ h$art and5$0in an$/. Christmas is a 2ittin0tim$ 2or s37h r$so48$s, and th$5irth o2 2ri$ndshi# s37h as o3rs



may 5$.

Som$thin0 in his ton$ and

mann$r str37 h$r, and, $y$in0him /ith so2t /ond$r, sh$$:74aim$d, Ho/ 7han0$d yo3ar$<

N$$d yo3 t$44 m$ that) And h$

04an7$d at his h$4#4$ss 4im5s /itha 5itt$r y$t #ath$ti7 4oo o2#ati$n7$.

No, no?not so< I m$an in mind,not 5ody. On7$ yo3 /$r$ 0ay and

7ar$4$ss, $a0$r and 2i$ry, 4i$ -as#$r= no/ yo3 ar$ 0ra8$ and93i$t, or 7h$$r234, and so 8$ryind. &$t, in s#it$ o2 i44n$ss and4oss, yo3 s$$m t/i7$ th$ man yo3

/$r$, and som$thin0 /insr$s#$7t, as /$44 as admiration?and 4o8$.

H$r dar $y$s 2i44$d as th$ 4ast



/ord 4$2t h$r 4i#s, and th$ 5$a3tyo2 a to37h$d h$art shon$ in h$r

2a7$. Ma3ri7$ 4oo$d 3# 93i74y,asin0 /ith s3dd$n $arn$stn$ss,%o yo3 s$$ it) Th$n it is tr3$.

&$s, I am 7han0$d, than God<And sh$ has don$ it.

(ho) d$mand$d his 7om#anion 6$a4o3s4y.

O7ta8ia. Un7ons7io3s4y, y$ts3r$4y, sh$ has don$ m37h 2or m$,and this y$ar o2 s$$min0 4oss and

mis$ry has 5$$n th$ ha##i$st,most #ro2ita54$ o2 my 4i2$. I ha8$o2t$n h$ard that a224i7tions /$r$th$ 5$st t$a7h$rs, and I 5$4i$8$ itno/.

Mrs. Sno/don shoo h$r h$adsad4y.

Not a4/ays= th$y ar$ torm$ntorsto som$. B3t don't #r$a7h,



Ma3ri7$. I am sti44 a sinn$r,tho30h yo3 in74in$ to sainthood,

and I ha8$ on$ 93$stion mor$ toas. (hat /as it that too yo3and -as#$r so s3dd$n4y a/ay 2romParis)

That I 7an n$8$r t$44 yo3.

I sha44 dis7o8$r it 2or mys$42,th$n.

It is im#ossi54$.

Nothin0 is im#ossi54$ to a

d$t$rmin$d /oman.&o3 7an n$ith$r /rin0, s3r#ris$,

nor 5ri5$ this s$7r$t 2rom th$ t/o#$rsons /ho ho4d it. I 5$0 o2 yo3to 4$t it r$st, said Tr$h$rn$

$arn$st4y.I ha8$ a 743$, and I sha44 2o44o/

it= 2or I am 7on8in7$d thatsom$thin0 is /ron0, and yo3 ar$



?

%$ar Mrs. Sno/don, ar$ yo3 so

7harm$d /ith th$ 5irds that yo32or0$t yo3r 2$44o/;5$in0s, or so7harm$d /ith on$ 2$44o/;5$in0that yo3 2or0$t th$ 5irds)

As th$ s3dd$n 93$stion start4$d

5oth, Ros$ Ta45ot 7am$ a4on0 th$t$rra7$, /ith hands 2344 o2 ho44yand a 2a7$ 2344 o2 m$rry mis7hi$2,addin0 as sh$ 8anish$d, I sha44t$44 Ta8i$ that 2$$din0 th$

#$a7o7s is s37h 7on0$nia4am3s$m$nt 2or 4o8$rs, sh$ andMr. Annon had 5$tt$r try it.

Sa37y 0y#sy< m3tt$r$dTr$h$rn$.

B3t Mrs. Sno/don said, /ith asmi4$ o2 do354$ m$anin0, Many atr3$ /ord is s#o$n in 6$st.



Cha#t$r *. UN%ER THEMISTETOE

Un3s3a44y 0ay and 7harmin0 th$thr$$ yo3n0 2ri$nds 4oo$d,dr$ss$d a4i$ in 24$$7y /hit$ /ithho44y /r$aths in th$ir hair, as th$ys4o/4y d$s7$nd$d th$ /id$ oa$n

stair/ay arm in arm. A 2ootman/as 4i0htin0 th$ ha44 4am#s, 2orth$ /int$r d3s 0ath$r$d $ar4y,and th$ 0ir4s /$r$ m$rri4y7hattin0 a5o3t th$ $8$nin0's2$sti8ity /h$n s3dd$n4y a 4o3d,

4on0 shri$ $7ho$d thro30h th$ha44. A h$a8y 04ass shad$ 2$44 2romth$ man's hand /ith a 7rash, andth$ yo3n0 4adi$s 743n0 to on$anoth$r a0hast, 2or morta4 t$rror

/as in th$ 7ry, and a d$ad si4$n7$2o44o/$d it.

(hat /as it, -ohn) d$mand$dO7ta8ia, 8$ry #a4$, 53t st$ady in a



mom$nt.

I'44 0o and s$$, miss. And th$

man h3rri$d a/ay.

(h$r$ did th$ dr$ad234 s7r$am7om$ 2rom) as$d Ros$,7o44$7tin0 h$r /its as ra#id4y as#ossi54$.

A5o8$ 3s som$/h$r$. Oh, 4$t 3s0o do/n amon0 #$o#4$= I am2ri0ht$n$d to d$ath, /his#$r$dB4an7h$, tr$m54in0 and 2aint.

H3rryin0 into th$ #ar4or, th$y2o3nd on4y Annon and th$ ma6or,5oth 4ooin0 start4$d, and 5othstarin0 o3t o2 th$ /indo/s.

%id yo3 h$ar it) (hat 7o34d it

5$) %on't 0o and 4$a8$ 3s< 7ri$dth$ 0ir4s in a 5r$ath, as th$yr3sh$d in.

Th$ 0$nt4$m$n had h$ard,



7o34dn't $:#4ain th$ 7ry, and /$r$93it$ r$ady to #rot$7t th$ #r$tty

7r$at3r$s /ho 743st$r$d a5o3tth$m 4i$ 2ri0ht$n$d 2a/ns. -ohns#$$di4y a##$ar$d, 4ooin0 rath$r/i4d, and as $a0$r to t$44 his ta4$as th$y to 4ist$n.

It's Patty, on$ o2 th$ maids,miss, in a 2it. Sh$ /$nt 3# to th$north 0a44$ry to s$$ that th$ 2ir$s/as ri0ht, 2or it ta$s a #o/$r o2/ood to /arm th$ 0a44$ry $8$n$no30h 2or dan7in0, as yo3 no/,

miss. ($44, it /as dar, 2or th$2ir$s /as 4o/ and h$r 7and4$ /$nto3t as sh$ /his$d o#$n th$ door,5$in0 243rri$d, as th$ maidsa4/ays is /h$n th$y 0o in th$r$.

Ha42/ay do/n th$ 0a44$ry sh$says sh$ h$ard a r3st4in0, andsto##$d. Sh$'s th$ #437i$st o2'$m a44, and sh$ 7a44$d o3t, 'I s$$



yo3<' thinin0 it /as som$ o2 3stryin0 to 2ri0ht h$r. Nothin0

ans/$r$d, and sh$ /$nt on a 5it,/h$n s3dd$n4y th$ 2ir$ 24ar$d 3#on$ 24ash, and th$r$ ri0ht 5$2or$h$r /as th$ 0host.

%on't 5$ 2oo4ish, -ohn. T$44 3s

/hat it /as, said O7ta8iashar#4y, tho30h h$r 2a7$ /hit$n$dand h$r h$art san as th$ 4ast/ord #ass$d th$ man's 4i#s.

It /as a ta44, 54a7 2i00$r, miss,

/ith a d$ad;/hit$ 2a7$ and a54a7 hood. Sh$ s$$ it #4ain, andt3rn$d to 0o a/ay, 53t sh$ hadn't0on$ a do@$n st$#s /h$n th$r$ it/as a0ain 5$2or$ h$r, th$ sam$ta44, dar thin0 /ith th$ d$ad;

/hit$ 2a7$ 4ooin0 o3t 2rom th$54a7 hood. It 4i2t$d its arm as i2to ho4d h$r, 53t sh$ 0a8$ a s#rin0and dr$ad234 s7r$$7h, and ran to



Mrs. B$nson's room, /h$r$ sh$dro##$d in a 2it.

Ho/ a5s3rd to 5$ 2ri0ht$n$d 5yth$ shado/s o2 th$ 2i03r$s inarmor that stand a4on0 th$0a44$ry< said Ros$, 5o4d4y$no30h, tho30h sh$ /o34d ha8$

d$74in$d $nt$rin0 th$ 0a44$ry/itho3t a 4i0ht.

Nay, I don't /ond$r, it's a0host4y #4a7$ at ni0ht. Ho/ is th$#oor thin0) as$d B4an7h$, sti44

han0in0 on th$ ma6or's arm in h$r5$st attit3d$.

I2 Mamma no/s nothin0 o2 it,t$44 Mrs. B$nson to $$# it 2romh$r, #4$as$. Sh$ is not /$44, and

s37h thin0s annoy h$r 8$rym37h, said O7ta8ia, addin0 asth$ man t3rn$d a/ay, %idanyon$ 4oo in th$ 0a44$ry a2t$r



Patty to4d h$r ta4$)

No, miss. I'44 0o and do it mys$42=

I'm not a2raid o2 man, 0host, ord$8i4, sa8in0 yo3r #r$s$n7$,4adi$s, r$#4i$d -ohn.

(h$r$ is Sir -as#$r) s3dd$n4yas$d th$ ma6or.

H$r$ I am. (hat a d$37$ o2 anois$ som$on$ has 5$$n main0.It dist3r5$d a 7a#ita4 dr$am. (hy,Ta8i$, /hat is it) And Sir -as#$r7am$ o3t o2 th$ 4i5rary /ith a

s4$$#y 2a7$ and t3m54$d hair.

Th$y to4d him th$ story, /h$r$ath$ 4a30h$d h$arti4y, and said th$maids /$r$ a 2oo4ish s$t to 5$s7ar$d 5y a shado/. (hi4$ h$ sti44

4a30h$d and 6o$d, Mrs. Sno/don$nt$r$d, 4ooin0 a4arm$d, andan:io3s to no/ th$ 7a3s$ o2 th$7on23sion.



Ho/ int$r$stin0< I n$8$r n$/yo3 $#t a 0host. T$44 m$ a44

a5o3t it, Sir -as#$r, and sooth$o3r n$r8$s 5y satis2yin0 o3r73riosity, sh$ said in h$r ha42;#$rs3asi8$, ha42;7ommandin0/ay, as sh$ s$at$d h$rs$42 on

ady Tr$h$rn$'s sa7r$d so2a.Th$r$'s not m37h to t$44, $:7$#t

that this #4a7$ 3s$d to 5$ ana55$y, in 2a7t as /$44 as in nam$.An an7$stor 2o3nd$d it, and 2or

y$ars th$ mons 4$d a 6o44y 4i2$h$r$, as on$ may s$$, 2or th$7$44ar is t/i7$ as 4ar0$ as th$7ha#$4, and m37h 5$tt$r#r$s$r8$d. B3t anoth$r an7$stor,a 0ay and 0a44ant 5aron, too a

2an7y to th$ sit$ 2or his 7ast4$,and, in s#it$ o2 #ray$rs,anath$mas, and$:7omm3ni7ation, h$ t3rn$d th$



#oor 2$44o/s o3t, #344$d do/n th$a55$y, and 53i4t this 2in$ o4d

#4a7$. A55ot Boni2a7$, as h$ 4$2this a55$y, 3tt$r$d a h$a8y 73rs$on a44 /ho sho34d 4i8$ h$r$, and8o/$d to ha3nt 3s ti44 th$ 4astTr$h$rn$ 8anish$d 2rom th$ 2a7$o2 th$ $arth. (ith this amia54$

thr$at th$ o4d #arty 4$2t BaronRo4and to his doom, and di$d assoon as h$ 7o34d in ord$r to 5$0inhis 7h$$r234 mission.

%id h$ ha3nt th$ #4a7$) as$d

B4an7h$ $a0$r4y.

&$s, most 2aith2344y 2rom thattim$ to this. Som$ say many o2th$ mons sti44 04id$ a5o3t th$o4d$r #arts o2 th$ a55$y, 2or

Ro4and s#ar$d th$ 7ha#$4 and th$north 0a44$ry /hi7h 6oin$d it toth$ mod$rn 53i4din0. Poor2$44o/s, th$y ar$ /$47om$, and



on7$ a y$ar th$y sha44 ha8$ a7han7$ to /arm th$ir 0host4y

s$48$s 5y th$ 0r$at 2ir$s a4/aysind4$d at Christmas in th$0a44$ry.

Mrs. B$nson on7$ to4d m$ that/h$n th$ 0host /a4$d, it /as a

s3r$ si0n o2 a 7omin0 d$ath in th$2ami4y. Is that tr3$) as$d Ros$,/hos$ 73riosity /as $:7it$d 5yth$ $:#r$ssion o2 O7ta8ia's 2a7$,and a 7$rtain 3n$asin$ss in Sir

-as#$r's mann$r in s#it$ o2 his

m$rry mood.

Th$r$ is a st3#id s3#$rstition o2that sort in th$ 2ami4y, 53t no on$$:7$#t th$ s$r8ants 5$4i$8$s it, o27o3rs$. In tim$s o2 i44n$ss som$

si44y maid or 7roain0 o4d /oman7an $asi4y 2an7y th$y s$$ a#hantom, and, i2 d$ath 7om$s,th$y ar$ s3r$ o2 th$ 0host4y



yo3 /$r$ not /ith 3s /h$n I saidthat. And O7ta8ia 4oo$d 3# /ith

an air o2 s3r#ris$.Smi4in0 si0ni2i7ant4y, Tr$h$rn$

ans/$r$d, I h$ar, s$$, and3nd$rstand many thin0s that$s7a#$ oth$rs. -as#$r, a44o/ m$ to

ad8is$ yo3 to smooth th$ hair/hi7h yo3r s4$$# has disarran0$d.Mrs. Sno/don, #$rmit m$. Thisri7h 8$48$t 7at7h$s th$ 4$asts#$7. And /ith his hand$r7hi$2h$ d$4i7at$4y 5r3sh$d a/ay

s$8$ra4 str$as o2 /hit$ d3st/hi7h 743n0 to th$ 4ady's sirt.

Sir -as#$r t3rn$d hasti4y on hish$$4 and /$nt to r$ma$ histoi4$t= Mrs. Sno/don 5it h$r 4i#,

53t than$d Tr$h$rn$ s/$$t4y and5$00$d him to 2ast$n h$r 04o8$.As h$ did so, sh$ said so2t4y, B$mor$ 7ar$234 n$:t tim$. O7ta8ia



has $$n $y$s, and th$ ma6or may#ro8$ in7on8$ni$nt.

I ha8$ no 2$ar that yo3 /i44, h$/his#$r$d 5a7, /ith a ma4i7io3s04an7$.

H$r$ th$ $ntran7$ o2 my 4ady #3tan $nd to th$ 0host4y $#isod$, 2or

it /as $8id$nt that sh$ n$/nothin0 o2 it. O7ta8ia s4i##$da/ay to 93$stion -ohn, and 4$arnthat no si0n o2 a #hantom /as to5$ s$$n. Tr$h$rn$ d$8ot$d

hims$42 to Mrs. Sno/don, and th$ma6or $nt$rtain$d my 4ady, /hi4$Sir -as#$r and th$ 0ir4s 7hatt$da#art.

It /as Christmas E8$, and a

dan7$ in th$ 0r$at 0a44$ry /as th$y$ar4y 2$sti8a4 at th$ a55$y. A44had 5$$n $a0$r 2or it, 53t th$maid's story s$$m$d to ha8$



4$ss$n$d th$ir $nth3siasm,tho30h no on$ /o34d o/n it. This

annoy$d Sir -as#$r, and h$$:$rt$d hims$42 to 74$ar th$atmos#h$r$ 5y a22$7tin0 0ai$tyh$ did not 2$$4. Th$ mom$nt th$0$nt4$m$n 7am$ in a2t$r dinn$rh$ /his#$r$d to his moth$r, /ho

ros$, as$d th$ 0$n$ra4 2or hisarm, and 4$d th$ /ay to th$ north0a44$ry, /h$n7$ th$ so3nd o2m3si7 no/ #ro7$$d$d. Th$ r$st2o44o/$d in a m$rry #ro7$ssion,

$8$n Tr$h$rn$, 2or t/o 2ootm$n7arri$d him 3# th$ 0r$at stair/ay,7hair and a44.

Nothin0 7o34d 4oo 4$ss 0host4yno/ than th$ ha3nt$d 0a44$ry.

+ir$s roar$d 3# a /id$ 7himn$y at$ith$r $nd, 4on0 ro/s o2 2i03r$s74ad in armor stood on $a7h sid$,on$ mai4$d hand 0ras#in0 a 4an7$,



th$ oth$r 5$arin0 a 4i0ht$d7and4$, a d$8i7$ o2 Sir -as#$r's.

Narro/ /indo/s #i$r7$d in th$thi7 /a44s 4$t in 04$ams o2 /intrymoon4i0ht= i8y, ho44y, and$8$r0r$$n 04ist$n$d in th$ r3ddy04o/ o2 min04$d 2ir$4i0ht and7and4$ shin$. +rom th$ ar7h$d

ston$ roo2 h3n0 tatt$r$d 5ann$rs,and in th$ midst d$#$nd$d a0r$at 53n7h o2 mist4$to$. R$d;73shion$d s$ats stood in r$7$ss$d/indo/ noos, and 2rom 5$hind a

hi0h;7o8$r$d s7r$$n o2 oaso3nd$d th$ 54ith$ air o2 SirRo0$r d$ Co8$r4$y.

(ith th$ 3tmost 0ra8ity andstat$4in$ss my 4ady and th$

0$n$ra4 4$d o22 th$ dan7$, 2or,a77ordin0 to th$ 0ood o4d 2ashion,th$ m$n and maids in th$ir 5$starray 6oin$d th$ 0$nt4$2o4 and



dan7$d /ith th$ir 5$tt$rs in ahi0h stat$ o2 #rid$ and

5ash234n$ss. Sir -as#$r t/ir4$d th$o4d ho3s$$$#$r ti44 h$r h$ads#3n aro3nd and aro3nd and h$rd$7oro3s sirts r3st4$d stormi4y=Mrs. Sno/don 7a#ti8at$d th$0ray;hair$d 53t4$r 5y h$r

7ond$s7$nsion= and -ohn /asmad$ a #ro3d man 5y th$ hand o2his yo3n0 mistr$ss. Th$ ma6or7am$ o3t stron0 amon0 th$ #r$ttymaids, and Ros$ dan7$d th$

2ootm$n o3t o2 5r$ath 4on0 5$2or$th$ m3si7 #a3s$d.

Th$ m$rrim$nt in7r$as$d 2romthat mom$nt, and /h$n th$0$n$ra4 s3r#ris$d my 4ady 5y

0a44ant4y sa43tin0 h$r as sh$3n7ons7io3s4y stood 3nd$r th$mist4$to$, th$ a##4a3s$ /asimm$ns$. E8$ryon$ 2o44o/$d th$



o4d 0$nt4$man's $:am#4$ as 2astas o##ort3niti$s o773rr$d, and

th$ yo3n0 4adi$s soon had as 2in$a 7o4or as th$ ho3s$maids. Mor$dan7in0, 0am$s, son0s, and a44mann$r o2 2$sti8a4 d$8i7$s 2i44$dth$ $8$nin0, y$t 3nd$r 7o8$r o2th$ 0ai$ty mor$ than on$ 4itt4$

s7$n$ /as $na7t$d that ni0ht,and in an ho3r o2 s$$min02ri8o4ity th$ 73rr$nt o2 s$8$ra44i8$s /as 7han0$d.

By a si44234 man$38$r Annon 4$d

O7ta8ia to an iso4at$d r$7$ss, as i2to r$st a2t$r a 5ris 0am$, and,tain0 ad8anta0$ o2 th$a3s#i7io3s ho3r, #4$ad$d his s3it.Sh$ h$ard him #ati$nt4y and,

/h$n h$ #a3s$d, said s4o/4y, y$td$7id$d4y, and /ith no si0n o2maid$n h$sitation, Thans 2orth$ honor yo3 do m$, 53t I 7annot



a77$#t it, 2or I do not 4o8$ yo3. Ithin I n$8$r 7an.

Ha8$ yo3 tri$d) h$ as$d$a0$r4y.

&$s, ind$$d I ha8$. I 4i$ yo3 asa 2ri$nd, 53t no mor$. I no/Mamma d$sir$s it, that -as#$r

ho#$s 2or it, and I try to #4$as$th$m, 53t 4o8$ /i44 not 5$ 2or7$d,so /hat 7an I do) And sh$ smi4$din s#it$ o2 h$rs$42 at h$r o/n543nt sim#4i7ity.

No, 53t it 7an 5$ 7h$rish$d,str$n0th$n$d, and in tim$ /on,/ith #ati$n7$ and d$8otion. $tm$ try, O7ta8ia= it is 53t 2air,3n4$ss yo3 ha8$ a4r$ady 4$arn$d

2rom anoth$r th$ 4$sson I ho#$ tot$a7h. Is it so)

No, I thin not. I do not3nd$rstand mys$42 as y$t, I am so



yo3n0, and this so s3dd$n. Gi8$m$ tim$, +ran.

Sh$ 543sh$d and 243tt$r$d no/,4oo$d ha42 an0ry, ha425$s$$7hin0, and a4to0$th$r4o8$4y.

Ho/ m37h tim$ sha44 I 0i8$) It

7annot ta$ 4on0 to r$ad a h$art4i$ yo3rs, d$ar. And 2an7yin0h$r $motion a #ro#itio3s om$n,h$ ass3m$d th$ 4o8$r in 0ood$arn$st.

Gi8$ m$ tim$ ti44 th$ N$/ &$ar. I/i44 ans/$r th$n, and, m$antim$,4$a8$ m$ 2r$$ to st3dy 5othmys$42 and yo3. ($ ha8$ no/n$a7h oth$r 4on0, I o/n, 53t, sti44,

this 7han0$s $8$rythin0, andma$s yo3 s$$m anoth$r #$rson.B$ #ati$nt, +ran, and I /i44 try toma$ my d3ty a #4$as3r$.



I /i44. God 54$ss yo3 2or th$ indho#$, O7ta8ia. It has 5$$n min$

2or y$ars, and i2 I 4os$ it, it /i44 0ohard4y /ith m$.

at$r in th$ $8$nin0 G$n$ra4Sno/don stood $:aminin0 th$anti93$ s7r$$n. In many #4a7$s

7ar8$d oa /as #i$r7$d 93it$thro30h, so that 8oi7$s /$r$a3di54$ 2rom 5$hind it. Th$m3si7ians had 0on$ do/n tos3##$r, th$ yo3n0 2o4 /$r$93i$t4y 53sy at th$ oth$r $nd o2

th$ ha44, and as th$ o4d 0$nt4$manadmir$d th$ 93aint 7ar8in0, th$so3nd o2 his o/n nam$ 7a30ht his$ar. Th$ ho3s$$$#$r and 53t4$rsti44 r$main$d, tho30h th$ oth$r

s$r8ants had 0on$, and sittin07osi4y 5$hind th$ s7r$$n 7hatt$din 4o/ ton$s 5$4i$8in0 th$ms$48$ss$73r$.



It /as Mrs. Sno/don, Adam, asI'm a 4i8in0 /oman, tho30h I

/o34dn't say it to anyon$ 53t yo3.Sh$ and Sir -as#$r /$r$ h$r$/ra##$d in 74oas, and 3# tomis7hi$2, I'44 5$ 5o3nd. Sh$ is a5$a3ty, 53t I don't $n8y h$r, andth$r$'44 5$ tro354$ in th$ ho3s$ i2

sh$ stays 4on0.

B3t ho/ do yo3 no/, Mrs.B$nson, sh$ /as h$r$) (h$r$'syo3r #roo2, m3m) as$d th$#om#o3s 53t4$r.

oo at this, and th$n 4oo atth$ o3t4andish trimmin0 o2 th$4ady's dr$ss. &o3 m$n ar$ so d344a5o3t s37h matt$rs yo3'd n$8$ro5s$r8$ th$s$ 4itt4$ #oints. ($44, I

/as h$r$ 2irst a2t$r Patty, and my4i0ht shon$ on this 6$t ornam$nt4yin0 n$ar /h$r$ sh$ sa/ th$s#irit. No on$ has any s37h tasty



tri24$s 53t Mrs. Sno/don, andth$s$ ar$ a44 o8$r h$r 0o/n. I2

that ain't #roo2, /hat is)($44, admittin0 it, I th$n say

/hat on $arth sho34d sh$ andMast$r 5$ 3# h$r$ 2or, at s37h atim$) as$d th$ s4o/;/itt$d

53t4$r.Adam, /$ ar$ o4d s$r8ants o2

th$ 2ami4y, and to yo3 I'44 say /hattort3r$s sho34dn't dra/ 2rom toanoth$r. Mast$r has 5$$n /i4d, as

yo3 no/, and it's my 5$4i$2 thath$ 4o8$d this 4ady a5road. Th$r$/as a ta4 o2 som$ myst$ry, ormisd$$d, or mis2ort3n$, mor$than a y$ar a0o, and sh$ /as init. I'm 4oath to say it, 53t I thin

Mast$r 4o8$s h$r sti44, and sh$him. Th$ 0$n$ra4 is an o4d man,sh$ is 53t yo3n0, and so s#irit$dand /insom$ sh$ 7an't in r$ason



7ar$ 2or him as 2or a 2in$, 0a44ant0$nt4$man 4i$ Sir -as#$r. Th$r$'s

tro354$ 5r$/in0, Adam, mar my/ords. Th$r$'s tro354$ 5r$/in02or th$ Tr$h$rn$s.

So 4o/ had th$ 8oi7$s 2a44$n thatth$ 4ist$n$r 7o34d not ha8$ 7a30ht

th$ /ords had not his $ar 5$$nstrain$d to th$ 3tmost. H$ didh$ar a44, and his /ast$d 2a7$24ash$d /ith th$ /rath o2 a yo3n0man, th$n 0r$/ #a4$ and st$rn ash$ t3rn$d to /at7h his /i2$. Sh$

stood a#art 2rom th$ oth$rsta4in0 to Sir -as#$r, /ho 4oo$d3n3s3a44y handsom$ and d$5onairas h$ 2ann$d h$r /ith a d$8ot$dair.

P$rha#s it is tr3$, tho30ht th$o4d man 5itt$r4y. Th$y ar$ /$44mat7h$d, /$r$ 4o8$rs on7$, nodo35t, and 4on0 to 5$ so a0ain.



Poor Edith, I /as 8$ry 54ind. And/ith his 0ray h$ad 5o/$d 3#on

his 5r$ast th$ 0$n$ra4 sto4$ a/ay,7arryin0 an arro/ in his 5ra8$ o4dh$art.

B4an7h$, 7om$ h$r$ and r$st,yo3 /i44 5$ i44 tomorro/= and I

#romis$d Mamma to ta$ 7ar$ o2yo3. (ith /hi7h $4d$r;sist$r4y7ommand Ros$ 4$d th$ 0ir4 to animm$ns$ o4d 7hair, /hi7h h$4dth$m 5oth. No/ 4ist$n to m$ and2o44o/ my ad8i7$, 2or I am /is$ in

my 0$n$ration, tho30h not y$t0ray. Th$y ar$ a44 53sy, so 4$a8$th$m a4on$ and 4$t m$ sho/ yo3/hat is to 5$ don$.

Ros$ s#o$ so2t4y, 53t /ith 0r$at

r$so43tion, and nodd$d h$r #r$ttyh$ad so $n$r0$ti7a44y that th$ho44y 5$rri$s 7am$ ro44in0 o8$r h$r/hit$ sho34d$rs.



($ ar$ not as ri7h as /$ mi0ht5$, and m3st $sta54ish o3rs$48$s

as soon and as /$44 as #ossi54$. Iint$nd to 5$ ady Tr$h$rn$. &o37an 5$ th$ Honora54$ Mrs. Annon,i2 yo3 0i8$ yo3r mind to it.

My d$ar 7hi4d, ar$ yo3 mad)

/his#$r$d B4an7h$.

+ar 2rom it, 53t yo3 /i44 5$ i2 yo3/ast$ yo3r tim$ on Ma3ri7$. H$ is#oor, and a 7ri##4$, tho30h 8$ry7harmin0, I admit. H$ 4o8$s Ta8i$,

and sh$ /i44 marry him, I am s3r$.Sh$ 7an't $nd3r$ +ran, 53t tri$sto 5$7a3s$ my 4ady 7ommands it.Nothin0 /i44 7om$ o2 it, so tryyo3r 2as7inations and 7om2ort th$

#oor man= sym#athy no/ /i442ost$r 4o8$ h$r$a2t$r.

%on't ta4 so h$r$, Ros$,som$on$ /i44 h$ar 3s, 5$0an h$r



sist$r, 53t th$ oth$r 5ro$ in5ris4y.

No 2$ar, a 7ro/d is th$ 5$st#4a7$ 2or s$7r$ts. No/ r$m$m5$r/hat I say, and ma$ yo3r 0am$/hi4$ th$ 5a44 is ro44in0. Oth$r#$o#4$ ar$ 7ar$234 not to #3t th$ir

#4ans into /ords, 53t I'm nohy#o7rit$, and say #4ain4y /hat Im$an. B$ar my sa0$ 7o3ns$4 inmind and a7t /is$4y. No/ 7om$and 5$0in.

Tr$h$rn$ /as sittin0 a4on$ 5yon$ o2 th$ 0r$at 2ir$s, r$0ardin0th$ 0ay s7$n$ /ith s$rio3s air. +orhim th$r$ /as n$ith$r dan7in0nor 0am$s= h$ 7o34d on4y roama5o3t 7at7hin0 04im#s$s o2

2or5idd$n #4$as3r$s, im#ossi54$d$4i0hts, and yo3th234 ho#$s2or$8$r 4ost to him. Sad 53t notmoros$ /as his 2a7$, and to



O7ta8ia it /as a m3t$ r$#roa7h/hi7h sh$ 7o34d not 4on0 r$sist.

Comin0 3# as i2 to /arm h$rs$42,sh$ s#o$ to him in h$r 3s3a44y2ran and 2ri$nd4y /ay, and 2$4th$r h$art 5$at 2ast /h$n sh$ sa/ho/ s/i2t a 7han0$ h$r 7ordia4mann$r /ro30ht in him.

Ho/ #r$tty yo3r ho44y is< %o yo3r$m$m5$r ho/ /$ 3s$d to 0o and0ath$r it 2or 2$sti8a4s 4i$ this,/h$n /$ /$r$ ha##y 7hi4dr$n)h$ as$d, 4ooin0 3# at h$r /ith

$y$s 2344 o2 t$nd$r admiration.

&$s, I r$m$m5$r. E8$ryon$/$ars it toni0ht as a 5ad0$, 53tyo3 ha8$ non$. $t m$ 0$t yo3 a5it, I 4i$ to ha8$ yo3 on$ o2 3s in

a44 thin0s.

Sh$ 4$an$d 2or/ard to 5r$a a0r$$n s#ri0 2rom th$ 5ran7h o8$r



th$ 7himn$y#i$7$= th$ stron0dra2t dr$/ in h$r 24$$7y sirt, and

in an instant sh$ /as $n8$4o#$din 24am$s.

Ma3ri7$, sa8$ m$, h$4# m$<7ri$d a 8oi7$ o2 2$ar and a0ony,and 5$2or$ anyon$ 7o34d r$a7h

h$r, 5$2or$ h$ hims$42 n$/ ho/th$ d$$d /as don$, Tr$h$rn$ hadthro/n hims$42 2rom his 7hair,/ra##$d th$ ti0$r sin ti0ht4ya5o3t h$r, and n$4t th$r$74as#in0 h$r in his arms h$$d4$ss

o2 2ir$, #ain, or th$ in7oh$r$nt$:#r$ssions o2 4o8$ that 5ro$2rom his 4i#s.

Cha#t$r *I. MIRACES

Gr$at /as th$ 7on23sion anda4arm /hi7h r$i0n$d 2or manymin3t$s, 53t /h$n th$ #ani7s35sid$d t/o mira74$s a##$ar$d.



O7ta8ia /as $ntir$4y 3nin63r$d,and Tr$h$rn$ /as standin0 on his

2$$t, a thin0 /hi7h 2or months h$had not don$ /itho3t 7r3t7h$s. Inth$ $:7it$m$nt o2 th$ mom$nt, noon$ o5s$r8$d th$ /ond$r= a44/$r$ 7ro/din0 a5o3t th$ 0ir4,/ho, #a4$ and 5r$ath4$ss 53t no/

s$42;#oss$ss$d, /as th$ 2irst to$:74aim, #ointin0 to h$r 7o3sin,/ho had dra/n hims$42 3#, /ithth$ h$4# o2 his 7hair, and 4$an$dth$r$ smi4in0, /ith a 2a7$ 2344 o2

int$ns$ d$4i0ht.oo at Ma3ri7$< Oh, -as#$r,

h$4# him or h$'44 2a44<

Sir -as#$r s#r3n0 to his sid$ and#3t a stron0 arm a5o3t him, /hi4$

a 7hor3s o2 /ond$r, sym#athy,and 7on0rat34ations ros$ a5o3tth$m.



(hy, 4ad, /hat do$s it m$an)Ha8$ yo3 5$$n d$7$i8in0 3s a44

this tim$) 7ri$d -as#$r, asTr$h$rn$ 4$an$d on him, 4ooin0$:ha3st$d 53t tr34y ha##y.

It m$ans that I am not to 5$ a7ri##4$ a44 my 4i2$= that th$y did

not d$7$i8$ m$ /h$n th$y said as3dd$n sho7 mi0ht $4$7tri2y m$/ith a mor$ #ot$nt ma0n$tismthan any th$y 7o34d a##4y. It has,and i2 I am 73r$d I o/$ it a44 toyo3, O7ta8ia.

H$ str$t7h$d his hands to h$r/ith a 0$st3r$ o2 s37h #assionat$0ratit3d$ that th$ 0ir4 7o8$r$dh$r 2a7$ to hid$ its traitoro3st$nd$rn$ss, and my 4ady /$nt to

him, sayin0 5ro$n4y, as sh$$m5ra7$d him /ith mat$rna4/armth, God 54$ss yo3 2or thisa7t, Ma3ri7$, and r$/ard yo3 /ith



a #$r2$7t 73r$. To yo3 I o/$ th$4i8$s o2 5oth my 7hi4dr$n= ho/ 7an

I than yo3 as I o30ht)I dar$ not t$44 yo3 y$t, h$

/his#$r$d $a0$r4y, th$n add$d, Iam 0ro/in0 2aint, A3nt. G$t m$a/ay 5$2or$ I ma$ a s7$n$.

This hint r$7a44$d my 4ady to h$r3s3a4 stat$ o2 di0ni2i$d s$42;#oss$ssion. Biddin0 -as#$r andth$ ma6or h$4# Tr$h$rn$ to hisroom /itho3t d$4ay, sh$ 5$00$d

Ros$ to 7om2ort h$r sist$r, /ho/as so55in0 hyst$ri7a44y, and asth$y a44 o5$y$d h$r, sh$ 4$d h$rda30ht$r a/ay to h$r o/na#artm$nt, 2or th$ 2$sti8iti$s o2th$ $8$nin0 /$r$ at an $nd.

At th$ sam$ tim$ Mrs. Sno/donand Annon 5ad$ my 4ady 0ood;ni0ht, as i2 th$y a4so /$r$ a5o3t



to r$tir$, 53t as th$y r$a7h$d th$door o2 th$ 0a44$ry Mrs. Sno/don

#a3s$d and 5$7on$d Annon5a7. Th$y /$r$ a4on$ no/, and,standin0 5$2or$ th$ 2ir$ /hi7hhad so n$ar4y mad$ thatChristmas E8$ a tra0i7a4 on$, sh$t3rn$d to him /ith a 2a7$ 2344 o2

int$r$st and sym#athy as sh$said, noddin0 to/ard th$54a7$n$d shr$ds o2 O7ta8ia'sdr$ss, and th$ s7or7h$d ti0$r sin/hi7h sti44 4ay at th$ir 2$$t, That

/as 5oth a 2ort3nat$ and an3n2ort3nat$ 4itt4$ a22air, 53t I 2$arMa3ri7$'s 0ain /i44 5$ yo3r 4oss.Pardon my 2rann$ss 2or O7ta8ia'ssa$= sh$ is a 2in$ 7r$at3r$, and I4on0 to s$$ h$r 0i8$n to on$

/orthy o2 h$r. I am a /oman tor$ad 2a7$s 93i74y= I no/ thatyo3r s3it do$s not #ros#$r as yo3/o34d ha8$ it, and I d$sir$ to h$4#



yo3. May I)

Ind$$d yo3 may, and 7ommand

any s$r8i7$ o2 m$ in r$t3rn. B3t to/hat do I o/$ this 3n$:#$7t$d2ri$nd4in$ss) 7ri$d Annon, 5oth0rat$234 and s3r#ris$d.

To my r$0ard 2or th$ yo3n0 4ady,

my /ish to sa8$ h$r 2rom an3n/orthy man.

%o yo3 m$an Tr$h$rn$) as$dAnnon, mor$ and mor$ ama@$d.

I do. O7ta8ia m3st not marry a0am54$r<

My d$ar 4ady, yo3 4a5or 3nd$rsom$ mista$= Tr$h$rn$ is 5y nom$ans a 0am54$r. I o/$ him no

0ood/i44, 53t I 7annot h$ar hims4and$r$d.

&o3 ar$ 0$n$ro3s, 53t I am notmista$n. Can yo3, on yo3r honor,



ass3r$ m$ that Ma3ri7$ n$8$r#4ay$d)

Mrs. Sno/don's $$n $y$s /$r$on him, and h$ 4oo$d$m5arrass$d 2or a mom$nt, 53tans/$r$d /ith som$ h$sitation,(hy, no, I 7annot say that, 53t I

7an ass3r$ yo3 that h$ is not anha5it3a4 0am54$r. A44 yo3n0 m$no2 his ran #4ay mor$ or 4$ss,$s#$7ia44y a5road. It is m$r$4y anam3s$m$nt /ith most, andamon0 m$n is not 7onsid$r$d

dishonora54$ or dan0$ro3s.adi$s thin di22$r$nt4y, I 5$4i$8$,at 4$ast in En04and.

At th$ /ord a5road, Mrs.Sno/don's 2a7$ 5ri0ht$n$d, and

sh$ s3dd$n4y dro##$d h$r $y$s,as i2 a2raid o2 5$trayin0 som$s$7r$t #3r#os$.



Ind$$d /$ do, and /$44 /$ may,many o2 3s ha8in0 s322$r$d 2rom

this #$rni7io3s ha5it. I ha8$ hads#$7ia4 7a3s$ to dr$ad and7ond$mn it, and th$ 2$ar thatO7ta8ia sho34d in tim$ s322$r/hat I ha8$ s322$r$d as a 0ir43r0$s m$ to int$r2$r$ /h$r$

oth$r/is$ I sho34d 5$ d3m5. Mr.Annon, th$r$ /as a r3mor thatMa3ri7$ /as 2or7$d to 93it Paris,o/in0 to som$ dishonora54$#ra7ti7$s at th$ 0amin0 ta54$. Is

this tr3$)Nay, don't as m$= 3#on my so34

I 7annot t$44 yo3. I on4y no/ thatsom$thin0 /as amiss, 53t /hat In$8$r 4$arn$d. *ario3s ta4$s /$r$

/his#$r$d at th$ 7435s, and Sir -as#$r indi0nant4y d$ni$d th$ma44. Th$ 5ra8$ry /ith /hi7hMa3ri7$ sa8$d his 7o3sin, and th$



sad a224i7tion /hi7h 2$44 3#on him,si4$n7$d th$ 0ossi#, and it /as

soon 2or0ott$n.Mrs. Sno/don r$main$d si4$nt 2or

a mom$nt, /ith 5ro/s nit ind$$# tho30ht, /hi4$ Annon3n$asi4y /at7h$d h$r. S3dd$n4y

sh$ 04an7$d o8$r h$r sho34d$r,dr$/ n$ar$r, and /his#$r$d7a3tio3s4y, %id th$ r3mors o2/hi7h yo3 s#$a 7har0$ him /ith? and th$ 4ast /ord /as5r$ath$d into Annon's $ar a4most

ina3di5i4y.

H$ start$d, as i2 som$ n$/ 4i0ht5ro$ on him, and star$d at th$s#$a$r /ith a tro354$d 2a7$ 2oran instant, sayin0 hasti4y, No,

53t no/ yo3 r$mind m$ that /h$nan a22air o2 that sort /asdis73ss$d th$ oth$r day Tr$h$rn$4oo$d 8$ry odd, and ro44$d



hims$42 a/ay, as i2 it didn'tint$r$st him. I 7an't 5$4i$8$ it,

and y$t it may 5$ som$thin0 o2th$ ind. That /o34d a77o3nt 2oro4d Sir -as#$r's /him, andTr$h$rn$'s st$ady d$nia4 o2 anyno/4$d0$ o2 th$ 7a3s$. Ho/ inh$a8$n's nam$ did yo3 4$arn

this)

My /oman's /it s300$st$d it,and my /oman's /i44 sha44 7on2irmor d$stroy th$ s3s#i7ion. My 4adyand O7ta8ia $8id$nt4y no/

nothin0, 53t th$y sha44 i2 th$r$ isany dan0$r o2 th$ 0ir4's 5$in0 /on5y him.

&o3 /o34d not t$44 h$r<$:74aim$d Annon.

I /i44, 3n4$ss yo3 do it /as th$2irm ans/$r.

N$8$r< To 5$tray a 2ri$nd, $8$n



to 0ain th$ /oman I 4o8$, is athin0 I 7annot do= my honor

2or5ids it.Mrs. Sno/don smi4$d s7orn2344y.

M$n's 7od$ o2 honor is a stron0on$, and /$ #oor /om$n s322$r2rom it. $a8$ this to m$= do yo3r

5$st, and i2 a44 oth$r m$ans 2ai4,yo3 may 5$ 04ad to try my d$8i7$to #r$8$nt Ma3ri7$ 2rom marryin0his 7o3sin. Gratit3d$ and #ity ar$stron0 a44i$s, and i2 h$ r$7o8$rs,

his stron0 /i44 /i44 mo8$ h$a8$nand $arth to 0ain h$r. Goodni0ht. And 4$a8in0 h$r 4ast /ordsto ran4$ in Annon's mind, Mrs.Sno/don d$#art$d to $nd3r$s4$$#4$ss ho3rs 2344 o2 torm$ntin0

m$mori$s, n$/5orn ho#$s, anda4t$rnations o2 d$t$rmination andd$s#air.



Tr$h$rn$'s #ros#$7t o2 r$7o8$ry2i44$d th$ /ho4$ ho3s$ /ith

d$4i0ht, 2or his #ati$nt 7o3ra0$and 3n2ai4in0 7h$$r234n$ss had$nd$ar$d him to a44. It /as notransi$nt am$ndm$nt, 2or day 5yday h$ st$adi4y 0ain$d str$n0thand #o/$r, #assin0 ra#id4y 2rom

7hair to 7r3t7h$s, 2rom 7r3t7h$sto a 7an$ and a 2ri$nd's arm,/hi7h /as a4/ays r$ady 2or him.Pain r$t3rn$d /ith r$t3rnin08ita4ity, 53t h$ 5or$ it /ith a

2ortit3d$ that to37h$d a44 /ho/itn$ss$d it. At tim$s motion /astort3r$, y$t motion /as n$7$ssary4$st th$ tor#idity sho34d r$t3rn,and Tr$h$rn$ too his dai4y$:$r7is$ /ith 3n2ai4in0

#$rs$8$ran7$, sayin0 /ith asmi4$, tho30h 0r$at dro#s stood3#on his 2or$h$ad, I ha8$som$thin0 d$ar$r $8$n than



h$a4th to /in. Ho4d m$ 3#, -as#$r,and 4$t m$ sta00$r on, in s#it$ o2

$8$rythin0, ti44 my t/$48$ t3rnsar$ mad$.

H$ r$m$m5$r$d ady Tr$h$rn$'s/ords, I2 yo3 /$r$ /$44, I'd04ad4y 0i8$ my 0ir4 to yo3. This

ins#ir$d him /ith str$n0th,$nd3ran7$, and a ha##in$ss/hi7h 7o34d not 5$ 7on7$a4$d. Ito8$r24o/$d in 4oos, /ords, anda7ts= it in2$7t$d $8$ryon$, andmad$ th$s$ ho4idays th$ 54ith$st

th$ o4d a55$y had s$$n 2or manya day.

Annon d$8ot$d hims$42 toO7ta8ia, and in s#it$ o2 h$r7ommand to 5$ 4$2t in #$a7$ ti44

th$ N$/ &$ar, sh$ /as 8$ry ind?so ind that ho#$ 24am$d 3# in hish$art, tho30h h$ sa/ thatsom$thin0 4i$ 7om#assion o2t$n



shon$ on him 2rom h$r 2ran $y$s,and h$r 7om#4ian7$ had no to37h

o2 th$ t$nd$r do7i4ity /hi7h 4o8$rs4on0 to s$$. Sh$ sti44 a8oid$dTr$h$rn$, 53t so si442344y that 2$/o5s$r8$d th$ 7han0$ 53t Annonand hims$42. In #354i7 Sir -as#$ra##$ar$d to /orshi# at th$

s#ri0ht4y Ros$'s shrin$, and sh$2an7i$d h$r 0am$ /as #ros#$rin0/$44.

B3t had any on$ #$$#$d 5$hindth$ s7$n$s it /o34d ha8$ 5$$n

dis7o8$r$d that d3rin0 th$ ha42ho3r 5$2or$ dinn$r, /h$n$8$ryon$ /as in th$ir dr$ssin0rooms and th$ 0$n$ra4 tain0 hisna#, a #air o2 0host4y 54a7

2i03r$s 24itt$d a5o3t th$ ha3nt$d0a44$ry, /h$r$ no s$r8ant8$nt3r$d /itho3t ord$rs. Th$ma6or 2an7i$d hims$42 th$ on4y



on$ /ho had mad$ this dis7o8$ry,2or Mrs. Sno/don a22$7t$d

Tr$h$rn$'s so7i$ty in #354i7, and/as assid3o3s in s$r8in0 andam3sin0 th$ d$ar 7on8a4$s7$nt,as sh$ 7a44$d him. B3t th$ 0$n$ra4did not s4$$#= h$ too /at7h$d and/ait$d, 4on0in0 y$t dr$adin0 to

s#$a, and ho#in0 that this /as53t a harm4$ss 2r$a o2 Edith's,2or h$r 7a#ri7$s /$r$ many, andti44 no/ h$ had ind340$d th$m2r$$4y. This h$sitation dis03st$d

th$ ma6or, /ho, 5$in0 a 5a7h$4or,n$/ 4itt4$ o2 /om$n's /ays, and4$ss o2 th$ir #o/$rs o2#$rs3asion. Th$ day 5$2or$ N$/

&$ar h$ too a s3dd$n r$so43tion,and d$mand$d a #ri8at$ int$r8i$/

/ith th$ 0$n$ra4.

I ha8$ 7om$ on an 3n#4$asant$rrand, sir, h$ a5r3#t4y 5$0an, as



th$ o4d man r$7$i8$d him /ith an$:#r$ssion /hi7h rath$r da3nt$d

th$ ma6or. My 2ri$ndshi# 2or adyTr$h$rn$, and my 03ardianshi# o2h$r 7hi4dr$n, ma$s m$ 6$a4o3s o2th$ honor o2 th$ 2ami4y. I 2$ar it isin dan0$r, sir= #ardon m$ 2orsayin0 it, 53t yo3r /i2$ is th$

7a3s$.

May I tro354$ yo3 to $:#4ain,Ma6or Royston /as a44 th$0$n$ra4's r$#4y, as his o4d 2a7$0r$/ st$rn and ha30hty.

I /i44, sir, 5ri$24y. I ha##$n tono/ 2rom -as#$r that th$r$ /$r$4o8$ #assa0$s 5$t/$$n Miss%35arry and hims$42 a y$ar ormor$ a0o in Paris. A /him #art$d

th$m, and sh$ marri$d. So 2ar nor$#roa7h r$sts 3#on $ith$r, 53tsin7$ sh$ 7am$ h$r$ it has 5$$n$8id$nt to oth$rs as /$44 as



mys$42 that -as#$r's a22$7tion hasr$8i8$d, and that Mrs. Sno/don

do$s not r$6$7t and r$#ro8$ it assh$ sho34d. Th$y o2t$n m$$t, and2rom -as#$r's mann$r I am7on8in7$d that mis7hi$2 is a24oat.H$ is ard$nt, h$adstron0, and3tt$r4y r$0ard4$ss o2 th$ /or4d's

o#inion in som$ 7as$s. I ha8$/at7h$d th$m, and /hat I t$44 yo3is tr3$.

Pro8$ it.

I /i44. Th$y m$$t in th$ north0a44$ry, /ra##$d in dar 74oas,and #4ay 0host i2 anyon$ 7om$s. I7on7$a4$d mys$42 5$hind th$s7r$$n 4ast $8$nin0 at d3s, andsatis2i$d mys$42 that my

s3s#i7ions /$r$ 7orr$7t. I h$ard4itt4$ o2 th$ir 7on8$rsation, 53tthat 4itt4$ /as $no30h.



R$#$at it, i2 yo3 #4$as$.

Sir -as#$r s$$m$d #4$adin0 2or

som$ #romis$ /hi7h sh$r$437tant4y 0a8$, sayin0, '(hi4$yo3 4i8$ I /i44 5$ tr3$ to my /ord/ith $8$ryon$ 53t him. H$ /i44s3s#$7t, and it /i44 5$ 3s$4$ss to

$$# it 2rom him.''H$ /i44 shoot m$ 2or this i2 h$

no/s I am th$ traitor,'$:#ost34at$d -as#$r.

'H$ sha44 not no/ that= I 7an

hood/in him $asi4y, and s$r8$my #3r#os$ a4so.'

'&o3 ar$ myst$rio3s, 53t I 4$a8$a44 to yo3 and /ait 2or my r$/ard.(h$n sha44 I ha8$ it, Edith)' Sh$

4a30h$d, and ans/$r$d so 4o/ I7o34d not h$ar, 2or th$y 4$2t th$0a44$ry as th$y s#o$. +or0i8$ m$,G$n$ra4, 2or th$ #ain I in24i7t. &o3



ar$ th$ on4y #$rson to /hom Iha8$ s#o$n, and yo3 ar$ th$ on4y

#$rson /ho 7an #ro#$r4y and#rom#t4y #r$8$nt this a22air 2rom5rin0in0 o#$n sham$ and s7anda4on an honora54$ ho3s$. To yo3 I4$a8$ it, and /i44 do my #art /iththis in2at3at$d yo3n0 man i2 yo3

/i44 /ithdra/ th$ t$m#tation/hi7h /i44 r3in him.

I /i44. Than yo3, Ma6or. Tr3st tom$, and 5y tomorro/ I /i44 #ro8$that I 7an a7t as 5$7om$s m$.

Th$ 0ri$2 and mis$ry in th$0$n$ra4's 2a7$ to37h$d th$ ma6or=h$ si4$nt4y /r3n0 his hand and/$nt a/ay, thanin0 h$a8$n mor$2$r8$nt4y than $8$r that no 73rs$d

7o93$tt$ o2 a /oman had it in h$r#o/$r to 5r$a his h$art.

(hi4$ this s7$n$ /as 0oin0 on



a5o8$, anoth$r /as tain0 #4a7$in th$ 4i5rary. Tr$h$rn$ sat th$r$

a4on$, thinin0 ha##y tho30hts$8id$nt4y, 2or his $y$s shon$ andhis 4i#s smi4$d as h$ m3s$d, /hi4$/at7hin0 th$ s#4$ndors o2 a/int$r s3ns$t. A so2t r3st4$ andth$ 2aint s7$nt o2 8io4$ts /arn$d

him o2 Mrs. Sno/don's a##roa7h,and a s3dd$n 2or$5odin0 to4d himthat dan0$r /as n$ar. Th$ instanth$ sa/ h$r 2a7$ his 2$ar /as7on2irm$d, 2or $:34tation, r$so48$,

and 4o8$ m$t and min04$d in th$$:#r$ssion it /or$. $anin0 in th$/indo/ r$7$ss, /h$r$ th$ r$d4i0ht shon$ 2344 on h$r 4o8$4y 2a7$and 93$$n4y 2i03r$, sh$ said,so2t4y y$t /ith a r3th4$ss a77$nt

5$4o/ th$ so2tn$ss, %r$amin0dr$ams, Ma3ri7$, /hi7h /i44 n$8$r7om$ to #ass, 3n4$ss I /i44 it. Ino/ yo3r s$7r$t, and I sha44 3s$



it to #r$8$nt th$ 2342i44m$nt o2 th$2oo4ish ho#$ yo3 7h$rish.

(ho to4d yo3) h$ d$mand$d,/ith an a4most 2i$r7$ 24ash o2 th$$y$ and an an0ry 243sh.

I dis7o8$r$d it, as I /arn$d yo3 Isho34d. My m$mory is 0ood, I

r$7a44 th$ 0ossi# o2 4on0 a0o, Io5s$r8$ th$ 2a7$s, /ords, anda7ts o2 thos$ /hom I s3s#$7t, and3n7ons7io3s hints 2rom th$m 0i8$m$ th$ tr3th.

I do35t it, and Tr$h$rn$ smi4$ds$73r$4y.

Sh$ stoo#$d and /his#$r$d on$short s$nt$n7$ into his $ar.(hat$8$r it /as it 7a3s$d him to

start 3# /ith a #a4$, #ani7;stri7$n 2a7$, and $y$ h$r as i2sh$ had #rono3n7$d his doom.



%o yo3 do35t it no/) sh$ as$d7o4d4y.

H$ to4d yo3< E8$n yo3r si44 and7ra2t 7o34d not dis7o8$r it a4on$,h$ m3tt$r$d.

Nay, I to4d yo3 nothin0 /asim#ossi54$ to a d$t$rmin$d

/oman. I n$$d$d no h$4#, 2or In$/ mor$ than yo3 thin.

H$ san do/n a0ain in ad$s#airin0 attit3d$ and hid his2a7$, sayin0 mo3rn2344y, I mi0ht

ha8$ no/n yo3 /o34d h3nt m$do/n and dash my ho#$s /h$nth$y /$r$ s3r$st. Ho/ /i44 yo33s$ this 3nha##y s$7r$t)

I /i44 t$44 O7ta8ia, and ma$ h$r

d3ty 4$ss hard. It /i44 5$ ind to5oth o2 yo3, 2or $8$n /ith h$r thism$mory /o34d mar yo3rha##in$ss= and it sa8$s h$r 2rom



th$ sham$ and 0ri$2 o2dis7o8$rin0, /h$n too 4at$, that

sh$ has 0i8$n h$rs$42 to a?Sto#< h$ 7ri$d, in a ton$ that

mad$ h$r start and #a4$, as h$ros$ o3t o2 his 7hair /hit$ /ith ast$rn indi0nation /hi7h a/$d h$r

2or a mom$nt. &o3 sha44 not 3tt$rthat /ord?yo3 no/ 53t ha42 th$tr3th, and i2 yo3 /ron0 m$ ortro354$ th$ 0ir4 I /i44 t3rn traitora4so, and t$44 th$ 0$n$ra4 th$0am$ yo3 ar$ #4ayin0 /ith my

7o3sin. &o3 2$i0n to 4o8$ m$ asyo3 2$i0n$d 5$2or$, 53t his tit4$ isth$ 5ait no/ as th$n, and yo32an7y that 5y thr$at$nin0 to marmy ho#$s yo3 /i44 s$73r$ my

si4$n7$, and 0ain yo3r $nd.(ron0, 93it$ /ron0. -as#$r is

nothin0 to m$= I 3s$ him as a too4,not yo3. I2 I thr$at$n, it is to $$#



yo3 2rom O7ta8ia, /ho 7annot2or0i8$ th$ #ast and 4o8$ yo3 2or

yo3rs$42, as I ha8$ don$ a44 th$s$mis$ra54$ months. &o3 say I no/53t ha42 th$ tr3th. T$44 m$ th$/ho4$ and I /i44 s#ar$ yo3.

I2 $8$r a man /as t$m#t$d to

5$tray a tr3st it /as Tr$h$rn$th$n. A /ord, and O7ta8ia mi0ht5$ his= si4$n7$, and sh$ mi0ht 5$4ost= 2or this /oman /as in$arn$st, and #oss$ss$d th$ #o/$rto r3in his 0ood nam$ 2or$8$r.

Th$ tr3th 4$a#$d to his 4i#s and/o34d ha8$ #ass$d th$m, had nothis $y$ 2a44$n on th$ #ortrait o2

-as#$r's 2ath$r. This man had4o8$d and sh$4t$r$d th$ or#han

a44 his 4i2$, had mad$ o2 him a son,and, dyin0, 3r0$d him to 03ardand s$r8$ and sa8$ th$ r$5$44io3syo3th h$ 4$2t, /h$n most n$$din0



a 2ath$r's 7ar$.

I #romis$d, and I /i44 $$# my

#romis$ at a44 7osts, si0h$dTr$h$rn$, and /ith a 0$st3r$ 2344o2 #ath$ti7 #ati$n7$ h$ /a8$d th$2air t$m#t$r 2rom him, sayin0st$adi4y, I /i44 n$8$r t$44 yo3,

tho30h yo3 ro5 m$ o2 that /hi7his d$ar$r than my 4i2$. Go and/or yo3r /i44, 53t r$m$m5$r that/h$n yo3 mi0ht ha8$ /on th$d$$#$st 0ratit3d$ o2 th$ man yo3#ro2$ss to 4o8$, yo3 7hos$ inst$ad

to $arn his hatr$d and 7ont$m#t.

(aitin0 2or no /ord o2 h$rs, h$too r$230$ in his room, and EdithSno/don san do/n 3#on th$7o37h, str3004in0 /ith 7ont$ndin0

$motions o2 4o8$ and 6$a4o3sy,r$mors$ and d$s#air. Ho/ 4on0sh$ sat th$r$ sh$ 7o34d not t$44=an a##roa7hin0 st$# r$7a44$d h$r



to h$rs$42, and 4ooin0 3# sh$ sa/O7ta8ia. As th$ 0ir4 a##roa7h$d

do/n th$ 4on0 8ista o2 th$dra/in0 rooms, h$r yo3th and5$a3ty, inno7$n7$ and 7andorto37h$d that 2air$r and mor$0i2t$d /oman /ith an $n8y sh$had n$8$r no/n 5$2or$.

Som$thin0 in th$ 0ir4's 2a7$ str37h$r instant4y a 4oo o2 #$a7$ and#3rity, a s/$$t s$r$nity mor$/innin0 than 4o8$4in$ss, mor$im#r$ssi8$ than di0nity or 0ra7$.

(ith a smi4$ on h$r 4i#s, y$t aha42;sad, ha42;t$nd$r 4i0ht in h$r$y$s, and a 743st$r o2 #a4$ /int$rros$s in h$r hand, sh$ 7am$ on ti44sh$ stood 5$2or$ h$r ri8a4 and,o22$rin0 th$ 24o/$rs, said, in

/ords as sim#4$ as sin7$r$, %$arMrs. Sno/don, I 7annot 4$t th$4ast s3n o2 th$ o4d y$ar s$t on anymisd$$ds o2 min$ 2or /hi7h I may



aton$. I ha8$ dis4i$d, distr3st$d,and mis63d0$d yo3, and no/ I

7om$ to yo3 in a44 h3mi4ity to say2or0i8$ m$.

(ith th$ 0ir4ish a5andon o2 h$rim#34si8$ nat3r$ O7ta8ia n$4tdo/n 5$2or$ th$ /oman /ho /as

#4ottin0 to d$stroy h$r ha##in$ss,4aid th$ ros$s 4i$ a 4itt4$ #$a7$o22$rin0 on h$r 4a#, and /ith$4o93$nt4y #4$adin0 $y$s /ait$d2or #ardon. +or a mom$nt Mrs.Sno/don /at7h$d h$r, 2an7yin0 it

a /$44;a7t$d r3s$ to disarm adan0$ro3s ri8a4= 53t in that s/$$t2a7$ th$r$ /as no art= on$ 04an7$sho/$d h$r that. Th$ /ordssmot$ h$r to th$ h$art and /on

h$r in s#it$ o2 #rid$ or #assion, assh$ s3dd$n4y too th$ 0ir4 intoh$r arms, /$$#in0 r$#$ntantt$ars. N$ith$r s#o$, 53t in th$



si4$n7$ $a7h 2$4t th$ 5arri$r /hi7hhad stood 5$t/$$n th$m

8anishin0, and $a7h 4$arn$d tono/ th$ oth$r 5$tt$r in thatmom$nt than in a y$ar o2 7ommon4i2$. O7ta8ia r$6oi7$d that th$instin7t /hi7h had #rom#t$d h$rto ma$ this a##$a4 had not

mis4$d h$r, 53t ass3r$d h$r that5$hind th$ 8$i4 o2 7o4dn$ss, #rid$,and 4$8ity /hi7h this /oman /or$th$r$ /as a h$art a7hin0 2orsym#athy and h$4# and 4o8$. Mrs.

Sno/don 2$4t h$r /ors$r s$42 s4i#2rom h$r, 4$a8in0 a44 that /as tr3$and no54$ to ma$ h$r /orthy o2th$ t$st a##4i$d. Art sh$ 7o34dm$$t /ith $93a4 art, 53t nat3r$7on93$r$d h$r. +or s#it$ o2 h$r

miss#$nt 4i2$ and 2a34ty 7hara7t$r,th$ 0$rm o2 8irt3$, /hi7h 4i8$s inth$ /orst, /as th$r$, on4y /aitin02or th$ 2ost$rin0 s3n and d$/ o2



4o8$ to str$n0th$n it, $8$n tho30hth$ har8$st 5$ a 4at$ on$.

+or0i8$ yo3< sh$ 7ri$d,5ro$n4y. It is I /ho sho34d as2or0i8$n$ss o2 yo3?I /ho sho34daton$, 7on2$ss, and r$#$nt.Pardon m$, #ity m$, 4o8$ m$, 2or I

am mor$ /r$t7h$d than yo3no/.

%$ar, I do /ith h$art and so34.B$4i$8$ it, and 4$t m$ 5$ yo3r2ri$nd /as th$ so2t ans/$r.

God no/s I n$$d on$< si0h$dth$ #oor /oman, sti44 ho4din0 2astth$ on4y 7r$at3r$ /ho had /ho44y/on h$r. Chi4d, I am not 0ood,53t not so 5ad that I dar$ not 4oo

in yo3r inno7$nt 2a7$ and 7a44 yo32ri$nd. I n$8$r had on$ o2 my o/ns$:. I n$8$r n$/ my moth$r= andno on$ $8$r sa/ in m$ th$



#ossi5i4ity o2 0oodn$ss, tr3th, and 63sti7$ 53t yo3. Tr3st and 4o8$

and h$4# m$, O7ta8ia, and I /i44r$/ard yo3 /ith a 5$tt$r 4i2$, i2 I7an do no mor$.

I /i44, and th$ n$/ y$ar sha44 5$ha##i$r than th$ o4d.

God 54$ss yo3 2or that #ro#h$7y=may I 5$ /orthy o2 it.

Th$n as a 5$44 /arn$d th$ma/ay, th$ ri8a4s iss$d $a7h oth$rt$nd$r4y, and #art$d 2ri$nds. As

Mrs. Sno/don $nt$r$d h$r room,sh$ sa/ h$r h3s5and sittin0 /ithhis 0ray h$ad in his hands, andh$ard him m3rm3r d$s#airin04y tohims$42, My 4i2$ ma$s h$r

mis$ra54$. B3t 2or th$ sin o2 it I'ddi$ to 2r$$ h$r.

No, 4i8$ 2or m$, and t$a7h m$ to5$ ha##y in yo3r 4o8$. Th$ 74$ar



8oi7$ start4$d him, 53t not som37h as th$ 5$a3ti234 7han0$d

2a7$ o2 th$ /i2$ /ho 4aid th$ 0rayh$ad on h$r 5osom, sayin0t$nd$r4y, My ind and #ati$nth3s5and, yo3 ha8$ 5$$nd$7$i8$d. +rom m$ yo3 sha44 no/a44 th$ tr3th, and /h$n yo3 ha8$

2or0i8$n my 2a34ty #ast, yo3 sha44s$$ ho/ ha##y I /i44 try to ma$yo3r 23t3r$.

Cha#t$r *II. A GHOST& RE*E

B4$ss m$, ho/ d344 /$ ar$toni0ht< $:74aim$d Ros$, as th$yo3n0$r #ortion o2 th$ #arty/and$r$d 4ist4$ss4y a5o3t th$dra/in0 rooms that $8$nin0,/hi4$ my 4ady and th$ ma6or

#4ay$d an a5sor5in0 0am$ o2#i93$t, and th$ 0$n$ra4 do@$d#$a7$2344y at 4ast.



It is 5$7a3s$ Ma3ri7$ is noth$r$= h$ a4/ays $$#s 3s 0oin0,

2or h$ is a 2$44o/ o2 in2init$r$so3r7$s, r$#4i$d Sir -as#$r,s3##r$ssin0 a ya/n.

Ha8$ him o3t th$n, said Annon.

H$ /on't 7om$. Th$ #oor 4ad is

543$ toni0ht, in s#it$ o2 hisim#ro8$m$nt. Som$thin0 isamiss, and th$r$ is no 0$ttin0 a/ord 2rom him.

Sad m$mori$s a224i7t him,

#$rha#s, si0h$d B4an7h$.

%on't 5$ a5s3rd, d$ar, sadm$mori$s ar$ a44 nons$ns$=m$4an7ho4y is a4/ays indi0$stion,and nothin0 is so s3r$ a 73r$ as

23n, said Ros$ 5ris4y. I'm 0oin0to s$nd in a #o4it$ in8itation5$00in0 him to 7om$ and am3s$3s. H$'44 a77$#t, I ha8$n't a



do35t.

Th$ m$ssa0$ /as s$nt, 53t to

Ros$'s 7ha0rin a #o4it$ r$23sa4/as r$t3rn$d.

H$ sha44 7om$. Sir -as#$r, do yo3and Mr. Annon 0o as a d$#3tation2rom 3s, and r$t3rn /itho3t him

at yo3r #$ri4 /as h$r 7ommand.

Th$y /$nt, and /hi4$ /aitin0th$ir r$a##$aran7$ th$ sist$rss#o$ o2 /hat a44 had o5s$r8$d.

Ho/ 4o8$4y Mrs. Sno/don 4oostoni0ht. I a4/ays tho30ht sh$o/$d ha42 h$r 7harms to h$r si44in dr$ss, 53t sh$ n$8$r 4oo$d so5$a3ti234 as in that #4ain 54a7si4, /ith thos$ ros$s in h$r hair,

said Ros$.

(hat has sh$ don$ to h$rs$42)r$#4i$d B4an7h$. I s$$ a 7han0$,



53t 7an't a77o3nt 2or it. Sh$ andTa8i$ ha8$ mad$ som$

5$a3ti2yin0 dis7o8$ry, 2or 5oth4oo a4to0$th$r 3#4i2t$d andan0$4i7 a44 o2 a s3dd$n.

H$r$ 7om$ th$ 0$nt4$m$n, and,as I'm a Ta45ot, th$y ha8$n't 0ot

him< 7ri$d Ros$ as th$d$#3tation a##$ar$d, 4ooin08$ry 7r$st2a44$n. %on't 7om$ n$arm$, sh$ add$d, ir$2344y, yo3 ar$dis4oya4 7o/ards, and I doom yo3to $:i4$ ti44 I /ant yo3. I am

in2init$ in r$so3r7$s as /$44 asthis r$7r$ant man, and 7om$ h$sha44. Mrs. Sno/don, /o34d yo3mind asin0 Mr. Tr$h$rn$ tos300$st som$thin0 to /i4$ a/ay

th$ r$st o2 this $8$nin0) ($ ar$in d$s#air, and 7an thin o2nothin0, and yo3 ar$ a44;#o/$r234/ith him.



I m3st d$74in$, sin7$ h$ r$23s$syo3 /as th$ d$7id$d ans/$r, as

Mrs. Sno/don mo8$d a/ay.Ta8i$, d$ar, do 0o= /$ m3st ha8$

him= h$ a4/ays o5$ys yo3, andyo3 /o34d 5$ s37h a #354i75$n$2a7tor, yo3 no/.

(itho3t a /ord O7ta8ia /rot$ a4in$ and s$nt it 5y a s$r8ant.S$8$ra4 min3t$s #ass$d, and th$0$nt4$m$n 5$0an to 4ay /a0$rson th$ s377$ss o2 h$r tria4. H$

/i44 not 7om$ 2or m$, yo3 may 5$s3r$, said O7ta8ia. As th$ /ords#ass$d h$r 4i#s h$ a##$ar$d.

A 0$n$ra4 4a30h 0r$$t$d him,53t, tain0 no noti7$ o2 th$ 6$sts

at his $:#$ns$, h$ t3rn$d toO7ta8ia, sayin0 93i$t4y, (hat 7anI do 2or yo3, Co3sin)

His 7o4or4$ss 2a7$ and /$ary $y$s



r$#roa7h$d h$r 2or dist3r5in0him, 53t it /as too 4at$ 2or r$0r$t,

and sh$ ans/$r$d hasti4y, ($ar$ in /ant o2 som$ n$/ andam3sin0 o773#ation to /i4$ a/ayth$ $8$nin0. Can yo3 s300$stsom$thin0 a##ro#riat$)

(hy not sit ro3nd th$ ha44 2ir$and t$44 stori$s, /hi4$ /$ /ait tos$$ th$ o4d y$ar o3t, as /$ 3s$dto do 4on0 a0o) h$ as$d, a2t$r amom$nt's tho30ht.

I to4d yo3 so< Th$r$ it is, 63st/hat /$ /ant. And Sir -as#$r4oo$d tri3m#hant.

It's 7a#ita4?4$t 3s 5$0in at on7$.It is a2t$r t$n no/, so /$ sha44 not

ha8$ 4on0 to /ait, 7ri$d Ros$,and, tain0 Sir -as#$r's arm, sh$4$d th$ /ay to th$ ha44.

A 0r$at 2ir$ a4/ays 53rn$d th$r$,



and in /int$rtim$ thi7 7ar#$tsand 73rtains 7o8$r$d th$ ston$

24oor and dra#$d th$ ta44 /indo/s.P4ants 54ossom$d in th$ /armatmos#h$r$, and 7hairs and4o3n0$s stood a5o3t in8itin04y.Th$ #arty /as soon s$at$d, andTr$h$rn$ /as d$sir$d to 5$0in.

($ m3st ha8$ 0host stori$s, andin ord$r to 5$ #ro#$r4y thri44in0and $22$7ti8$, th$ 4i0hts m3st 5$#3t o3t, said Ros$, /ho sat n$:thim, and s#o$ 2irst, as 3s3a4.

This /as soon don$, and on4y ar3ddy 7ir74$ o2 2ir$4i0ht /as 4$2t too##os$ th$ ra#t 04oom that 2i44$dth$ ha44, /h$r$ shado/s no/s$$m$d to 43r in $8$ry 7orn$r.

%on't 5$ 8$ry dr$ad234, or I sha442aint a/ay, #4$ad$d B4an7h$,dra/in0 n$ar$r to Annon, 2or sh$



had ta$n h$r sist$r's ad8i7$, and4aid 74os$ si$0$ to that

0$nt4$man's h$art.I thin yo3r n$r8$s /i44 5$ar my

4itt4$ ta4$, r$#4i$d Tr$h$rn$.(h$n I /as in India, 2o3r y$arsa0o, I had a 8$ry d$ar 2ri$nd in

my r$0im$nt?a S7ot7hman= I'mha42 S7ot7h mys$42, yo3 no/, and74annish, o2 7o3rs$. Gordon /ass$nt 3# th$ 7o3ntry on a s7o3tin0$:#$dition, and n$8$r r$t3rn$d.His m$n r$#ort$d that h$ 4$2t

th$m on$ $8$nin0 to ta$ as3r8$y, and his hors$ 7am$ hom$54oody and rid$r4$ss. ($s$ar7h$d, 53t 7o34d not 2ind atra7$ o2 him, and I /as d$s#$rat$

to dis7o8$r and a8$n0$ hism3rd$r. A5o3t a month a2t$r hisdisa##$aran7$, as I sat in my t$nton$ 2$ar2344y hot day, s3dd$n4y



th$ 7an8as door 24a# /as rais$dand th$r$ stood Gordon. I sa/

him as #4ain4y as I s$$ yo3, -as#$r,and sho34d ha8$ s#r3n0 to m$$thim, 53t som$thin0 h$4d m$ 5a7.H$ /as d$ath4y #a4$, dri##in0/ith /at$r, and in his 5onny 543$$y$s /as a /i4d, /o$234 4oo that

mad$ my 54ood r3n 7o4d. I star$dd3m54y, 2or it /as a/234 to s$$ my2ri$nd so 7han0$d and so3n$arth4y. Str$t7hin0 his arm tom$ h$ too my hand, sayin0

so4$mn4y, 'Com$<' Th$ to37h /as4i$ i7$= an omino3s thri44 ranthro30h m$= I start$d 3# to o5$y,and h$ /as 0on$.

A horrid dr$am, o2 7o3rs$. Is

that a44) as$d Ros$.(ith his $y$s on th$ 2ir$ and his

4$2t hand ha42 $:t$nd$d, Tr$h$rn$/$nt on as i2 h$ had not h$ard



h$r.

I tho30ht it /as a 2an7y, and

soon r$7o8$r$d mys$42, 2or no on$had s$$n or h$ard anythin0 o2Gordon, and my nati8$ s$r8ant 4ay

63st o3tsid$ my t$nt. A stran0$s$nsation r$main$d in th$ hand

th$ #hantom to37h$d. It /as 7o4d,dam#, and /hit$. I 2o3nd it 8ainto try to 2or0$t this a##arition= ittoo stron0 ho4d o2 m$= I to4d

&$rmid, my man, and h$ 5ad$ m$7onsid$r it a si0n that I /as to

s$$ my 2ri$nd. That ni0ht Idr$am$d I /as ridin0 3# th$7o3ntry in hot hast$= /hat 4$d m$I no/ not, 53t I #r$ss$d on andon, 4on0in0 to r$a7h th$ $nd. A

ha42;dri$d ri8$r 7ross$d my #ath,and, ridin0 do/n th$ st$$# 5anto 2ord it, I sa/ Gordon's 5ody4yin0 in th$ sha44o/ /at$r 4ooin0



$:a7t4y as th$ 8ision 4oo$d. I/o$ in a stran0$ mood, to4d th$

story to my 7ommandin0 o22i7$r,and, as nothin0 /as doin0 63stth$n, $asi4y 0ot 4$a8$ o2 a5s$n7$2or a /$$. Tain0 &$rmid, I s$to3t on my sad 93$st. I tho30ht it2o44y, 53t I 7o34d not r$sist th$

im#34s$ that dr$/ m$ on. +ors$8$n days I s$ar7h$d, and th$stran0$st #art o2 th$ story is thata44 that tim$ I /$nt on $:a7t4y asin th$ dr$am, s$$in0 /hat I sa/

th$n, and 4$d 5y th$ to37h o2 a7o4d hand on min$. On th$s$8$nth day I r$a7h$d th$ ri8$r,and 2o3nd my 2ri$nd's 5ody.

Ho/ horri54$< Is it r$a44y tr3$)

7ri$d Mrs. Sno/don.As tr3$ as I am a 4i8in0 man. Nor

is that a44 this 4$2t hand o2 min$n$8$r has 5$$n /arm sin7$ that



tim$. S$$ and 2$$4 2oryo3rs$48$s.

H$ o#$n$d 5oth hands, and a44satis2i$d th$ms$48$s that th$ 4$2t/as sma44$r, #a4$r, and 7o4d$rthan th$ ri0ht.

Pray som$on$ t$44 anoth$r story

to #3t this o3t o2 my mind= itma$s m$ n$r8o3s, said B4an7h$.

I'44 t$44 on$, and yo3 may 4a30hto 93i$t yo3r n$r8$s. I /ant toha8$ min$ don$ /ith, so that I

7an $n6oy th$ r$st /ith a 2r$$mind. (ith th$s$ /ords Ros$5$0an h$r ta4$ in th$ 0ood o4d2ashion.

On7$ 3#on a tim$, /h$n /$

/$r$ #ayin0 a 8isit to my 54$ss$d0randmamma, I sa/ a 0host inthis /is$ Th$ d$ar o4d 4ady /as i44/ith a 7o4d and $#t h$r room,



4$a8in0 3s to mo#$, 2or it /as8$ry d344 in th$ 0r$at 4on$4y

ho3s$. B4an7h$ and I /$r$ 5othhom$si7, 53t didn't 4i$ to 4$a8$ti44 sh$ /as 5$tt$r, so /$ransa7$d th$ 4i5rary and so4a7$do3rs$48$s /ith a44 mann$r o293$$r 5oos. On$ day I 2o3nd

Grandmamma 8$ry 4o/ andn$r8o3s, and $8id$nt4y /ithsom$thin0 on h$r mind. Sh$/o34d say nothin0, 53t th$ n$:tday /as /ors$, and I insist$d on

no/in0 th$ 7a3s$, 2or th$tro354$ /as $8id$nt4y m$nta4.Char0in0 m$ to $$# it 2romB4an7h$, /ho /as, and is, a sad7o/ard, sh$ to4d m$ that a s#irithad a##$ar$d to h$r t/o

s377$ssi8$ ni0hts. 'I2 it 7om$s athird tim$, I sha44 #r$#ar$ to di$,'said th$ 2oo4ish o4d 4ady.



'No, yo3 /on't, 2or I'44 7om$ andstay /ith yo3 and 4ay yo3r 0host,'

I said. (ith som$ di22i734ty I mad$h$r yi$4d, and a2t$r B4an7h$ /asas4$$# I s4i##$d a/ay toGrandmamma, /ith a 5oo and7and4$ 2or a 4on0 /at7h, as th$s#irit didn't a##$ar ti44 a2t$r

midni0ht. Sh$ 3s3a44y s4$#t /ithh$r door 3n4o7$d, in 7as$ o2 2ir$or 2ri0ht, and h$r maid /as 74os$5y. That ni0ht I 4o7$d th$ door,t$44in0 h$r that s#irits 7o34d 7om$

thro30h th$ oa i2 th$y 7hos$,and I #r$2$rr$d to ha8$ a 2airtria4. ($44, I r$ad and 7hatt$d anddo@$d ti44 da/n and nothin0a##$ar$d, so I 4a30h$d at th$/ho4$ a22air, and th$ o4d 4ady

#r$t$nd$d to 5$ 7on8in7$d that it/as a44 a 2an7y.

N$:t ni0ht I s4$#t in my o/n



room, and in th$ mornin0 /asto4d that not on4y Grandmamma

53t -an$t had s$$n th$ s#irit. A44in /hit$, /ith str$amin0 hair, a#a4$ 2a7$, and a r$d str$a at th$throat. It 7am$ and #art$d th$5$d;73rtains, 4ooin0 in amom$nt, and th$n 8anish$d. -an$t

had s4$#t /ith Grandmamma and$#t a 4am# 53rnin0 on th$7himn$y, so 5oth sa/ it.

I /as #3@@4$d, 53t not2ri0ht$n$d= I n$8$r am, and I

insist$d on tryin0 a0ain. Th$ door/as 4$2t 3n4o7$d, as on th$#r$8io3s ni0ht, and I 4ay /ithGrandmamma, a 4i0ht 53rnin0 as5$2or$. A5o3t t/o sh$ 743t7h$d

m$ as I /as dro##in0 o22. I 4oo$d,and th$r$, #$$#in0 in 5$t/$$nth$ dar 73rtains, /as a #a4$ 2a7$/ith 4on0 hair a44 a5o3t it, and a



r$d str$a at th$ throat. It /as8$ry dim, th$ 4i0ht 5$in0 4o/, 53t

I sa/ it, and a2t$r on$ 5r$ath4$ssmin3t$ s#ran0 3#, 7a30ht my2oot, 2$44 do/n /ith a 7rash, and5y th$ tim$ I /as aro3nd th$ 5$d,not a 8$sti0$ o2 th$ thin0a##$ar$d. I /as an0ry, and 8o/$d

I'd s377$$d at a44 ha@ards, tho30hI'44 7on2$ss I /as 63st a 5itda3nt$d.

N$:t tim$ -an$t and I sat 3# in$asy 7hairs, /ith 5ri0ht 4i0hts

53rnin0, and 5oth /id$ a/a$/ith th$ stron0$st 7o22$$ /$7o34d ma$. As th$ ho3r dr$/n$ar /$ 0ot n$r8o3s, and /h$nth$ /hit$ sha#$ 7am$ 04idin0 in

-an$t hid h$r 2a7$. I didn't, anda2t$r on$ 4oo /as on th$ #oint o24a30hin0, 2or th$ s#irit /asB4an7h$ /a4in0 in h$r s4$$#. Sh$



/or$ a 7ora4 n$74a7$ in thos$days, and n$8$r too it o22, and

h$r 4on0 hair ha42 hid h$r 2a7$,/hi7h had th$ 3nnat3ra4, 3n7anny4oo somnam534ists a4/ays /$ar.I had th$ s$ns$ to $$# sti44 andt$44 -an$t /hat to do, so th$ #oor7hi4d /$nt 5a7 3n/a$d, and

Grandmamma's s#irit n$8$r/a4$d a0ain 2or I too 7ar$ o2that.

(hy did yo3 ha3nt th$ o4d4ady) as$d Annon, as th$

4a30ht$r 7$as$d.

I don't no/, 3n4$ss it /as that I/ant$d to as 4$a8$ to 0o hom$,and /as a2raid to do it a/a$, sotri$d /h$n as4$$#. I sha44 not t$44

any story, as I /as th$ h$roin$ o2this, 53t /i44 0i8$ my t3rn to yo3,Mr. Annon, said B4an7h$, /ith aso2t 04an7$, /hi7h /as 93it$



tri7 o2 th$ 2$44o/s,' I tho30ht= 'I'44not 5$tray mys$42, 53t $$# 7oo4.'

Easy to say 53t hard to do, 2or its3dd$n4y 24ash$d into my mindthat I mi0ht 5$ in th$ /ron0room. I 04an7$d a5o3t, 53t th$r$/$r$ th$ 2ami4iar o56$7ts as3s3a4, as 2ar as th$ indistin7t 4i0ht

a44o/$d m$ to s$$, and I mad$s3r$ 5y 2$$4in0 on th$ /a44 at th$5$d's h$ad 2or my /at7h7as$. It/as th$r$, and min$ 5$yond ado35t, 5$in0 #$734iar in sha#$

and 2a5ri7. Had I 5$$n to a 7o44$0$/in$ #arty I 7o34d ha8$ a77o3nt$d2or th$ 8ision, 53t a 93i$t $8$nin0in a 0ra8$ #ro2$ssor's /$44;7ond37t$d 2ami4y 7o34d #rod37$no i44 $22$7ts. 'It's an o#ti7a4

i443sion, or a #ran o2 my mat$s=I'44 s4$$# and 2or0$t it,' I said, and2or a tim$ $nd$a8or$d to do so,53t 73riosity o8$r7am$ my



r$so48$, and soon I #$$#$d a0ain. -3d0$ o2 my horror /h$n I sa/ th$

shar# /hit$ o3t4in$ o2 a d$ad2a7$, /hi7h s$$m$d to 5$ #$$#in03# 2rom th$ 7o22in. It 0a8$ m$ at$rri54$ sho7 2or I /as 53t a 4adand had 5$$n i44. I hid my 2a7$and 93a$d 4i$ a n$r8o3s 0ir4,

sti44 thinin0 it som$ 6o$ and too#ro3d to 5$tray 2$ar 4$st I sho34d5$ 4a30h$d at. Ho/ 4on0 I 4ayth$r$ I don't no/, 53t /h$n I4oo$d a0ain th$ 2a7$ /as 2arth$r

o3t and th$ /ho4$ 2i03r$ s$$m$drisin0 s4o/4y. Th$ moon /asn$ar4y do/n, I had no 4am#, andto 5$ 4$2t in th$ dar /ith thata/$som$ thin0 /as mor$ than I7o34d 5$ar. -o$ or $arn$st, I m3st

$nd th$ #ani7, and 5o4tin0 o3t o2my room I ro3s$d my n$i0h5or. H$to4d m$ I /as mad or dr3n, 53t4it a 4am# and r$t3rn$d /ith m$,



to 2ind my horror on4y a h$a# o274oth$s thro/n on th$ ta54$ in

s37h a /ay that, as th$ moon's#a4$ 4i0ht shot it, it str37 3#onmy 54a7 st3d$nt's 0o/n, /ith a/hit$ 7ard 4yin0 on it, and#rod37$d th$ $22$7t o2 a 7o22inand #4at$. Th$ 2a7$ /as a

7r3m#4$d hand$r7hi$2, and /hats$$m$d hair a 5ro/n m3224$r. Asth$ moon san, th$s$ o3t4in$s7han0$d and, in7r$di54$ as it mays$$m, 0r$/ 4i$ a 2a7$. My 2ri$nd

not ha8in0 had th$ 2ri0ht $n6oy$dth$ 6o$, and 'Co22ins' /as myso5ri93$t 2or a 4on0 /hi4$.

&o3 0$t /ors$ and /ors$. Sir -as#$r, do 8ary th$ horrors 5y a

to37h o2 23n, or I sha44 r3n a/ay,said B4an7h$, 04an7in0 o8$r h$rsho34d$r n$r8o3s4y.

I'44 do my 5$st, and t$44 a story



my 3n74$ 3s$d to r$4at$ o2 hisyo3n0 days. I 2or0$t th$ nam$ o2

th$ #4a7$, 53t it /as som$ 4itt4$7o3ntry to/n 2amo3s amon0an04$rs. My 3n74$ o2t$n /$nt to2ish, and a4/ays r$0r$tt$d that ad$s$rt$d ho3s$ n$ar th$ tro3tstr$am /as not o773#i$d, 2or th$

inn /as in7on8$ni$nt4y distant.S#$ain0 o2 this on$ $8$nin0 ash$ 4o3n0$d in th$ 4and4ady's#ar4or, h$ as$d /hy no on$ tooit and 4$t th$ rooms to stran0$rs

in th$ 2ishin0 s$ason. '+or 2$ar o2th$ 0hostiss$ss, yo3r honor,'r$#4i$d th$ /oman, and#ro7$$d$d to t$44, him that thr$$distin7t s#irits ha3nt$d th$ho3s$. In th$ 0arr$t /as h$ard

th$ h3m o2 a /h$$4 and th$ ta# o2hi0h;h$$4$d sho$s, as th$ 0host4ys#inn$r /$nt to and 2ro. In a7ham5$r so3nd$d th$ shar#$nin0



o2 a ni2$, 2o44o/$d 5y 0roans andth$ dri# o2 54ood. Th$ 7$44ar /as

mad$ a/234 5y a s$4$ton sittin0on a ha42;53ri$d 5o: and7h374in0 2i$ndish4y. It s$$ms amis$r 4i8$d th$r$ on7$, and /as5$4i$8$d to ha8$ star8$d hisda30ht$r in th$ 0arr$t, $$#in0

h$r at /or ti44 sh$ di$d. Th$s$7ond s#irit /as that o2 th$ 0ir4'sr$6$7t$d 4o8$r, /ho 73t his throatin th$ 7ham5$r, and th$ third o2th$ mis$r /ho /as 2o3nd d$ad on

th$ mon$y 7h$st h$ /as too2$$54$ to 7on7$a4. My 3n74$4a30h$d at a44 this, and o22$r$d to4ay th$ 0hosts i2 anyon$ /o34dta$ th$ ho3s$.

This o22$r 0ot a5road, and a7r3sty o4d 2$44o/ a77$#t$d it,ho#in0 to t3rn a #$nny. H$ had a#r$tty 0ir4, /hos$ 4o8$ had 5$$n



7am$ o3t a4i8$, tho30h 4ist$n$rsat th$ door h$ard th$ /$ird

h3mmin0 and ta##in0 a44 ni0ht4on0. Th$ n$:t ni0ht a44 /$nt /$44,and 2rom that tim$ no mor$shar#$nin0, 0roanin0, or dri##in0/as h$ard. Th$ third tim$ sh$5ad$ h$r 2ri$nds 0ood;5y$ and,

/ra##$d in h$r r$d 74oa, /ith a4am# and #ray$r 5oo, /$nt do/ninto th$ 7$44ar. A4as 2or #r$ttyP$00y< (h$n day 7am$ sh$ /as0on$, and /ith h$r th$ mis$r's

$m#ty 5o:, tho30h his 5on$sr$main$d to #ro8$ ho/ /$44 sh$had don$ h$r /or.

Th$ to/n /as in an 3#roar, andth$ o4d man 23rio3s. Som$ said

th$ d$8i4 had 24o/n a/ay /ith h$r,oth$rs that th$ 5on$s /$r$ h$rs,and a44 a0r$$d that h$n7$2orthanoth$r 0host /o34d ha3nt th$



ho3s$. My 3n74$ and th$ artist didth$ir 5$st to 7om2ort th$ 2ath$r,

/ho sor$4y r$#roa7h$d hims$42 2orth/artin0 th$ 0ir4's 4o8$, andd$74ar$d that i2 -a7 /o34d 2indh$r h$ sho34d ha8$ h$r. B3t -a7had sai4$d, and th$ o4d man '/as4$2t 4am$ntin0.' Th$ ho3s$ /as

2r$$d 2rom its 3n$arth4y 8isitors,ho/$8$r, 2or no 0host a##$ar$d=and /h$n my 3n74$ 4$2t, o4dMartin 2o3nd mon$y and 4$tt$rin2ormin0 him that P$00y had

s#$nt h$r 2irst t/o ni0hts#r$#arin0 2or 24i0ht, and on th$third had 0on$ a/ay to marry andsai4 /ith -a7. Th$ nois$s had5$$n #rod37$d 5y th$ artist, /ho/as a 8$ntri4o93ist, th$ s$4$ton

had 5$$n sm3004$d 2rom th$s3r0$ons, and th$ /ho4$ thin0/as a 7ons#ira7y to h$4# P$00yand a77ommodat$ th$ 2ish$rm$n.



It is $8id$nt that ro03$ry ish$r$ditary, 4a30h$d Ros$ as th$

narrator #a3s$d.

I stron04y s3s#$7t that Sir -as#$rth$ s$7ond /as th$ tr3$ h$ro o2that story, add$d Mrs. Sno/don.

Thin /hat yo3 4i$, I'8$ don$my #art, and 4$a8$ th$ sta0$ 2oryo3, madam.

I /i44 7om$ 4ast. It is yo3r t3rn,d$ar. As Mrs. Sno/don so2t4y

3tt$r$d th$ 4ast /ord, andO7ta8ia 4$an$d 3#on h$r n$$/ith an a22$7tionat$ 04an7$,Tr$h$rn$ 4$an$d 2or/ard to 7at7ha 04im#s$ o2 th$ t/o 7han0$d2a7$s, and 4oo$d as i2 5$/i4d$r$d

/h$n 5oth smi4$d at him, as th$ysat hand in hand /hi4$ th$ 0ir4to4d h$r story.



on0 a0o a 2amo3s a7tr$sss3dd$n4y dro##$d d$ad at th$

74os$ o2 a s#4$ndid4y #4ay$dtra0$dy. Sh$ /as 7arri$d hom$,and #r$#arations /$r$ mad$ to53ry h$r. Th$ #4ay had 5$$n0ott$n 3# /ith 0r$at 7ar$ and$:#$ns$, and a 2in$ a7tor /as th$

h$ro. Th$ #354i7 d$mand$d ar$#$tition, and an in2$rior #$rson/as $n0a0$d to ta$ th$ d$ad4ady's #art. A day's d$4ay had5$$n n$7$ssary, 53t /h$n th$

ni0ht 7am$ th$ ho3s$ /as7ro/d$d. Th$y /ait$d 5oth 5$2or$and 5$hind th$ 73rtain 2or th$d$53t o2 th$ n$/ a7tr$ss, /ithm37h 73riosity. Sh$ stood /aitin02or h$r 73$, 53t as it /as 0i8$n, to

th$ ama@$m$nt o2 a44, th$ 0r$attra0$di$nn$ 04id$d 3#on th$sta0$. Pa4$ as mar54$, and /ith astran0$ 2ir$ in h$r $y$s, stran0$



#athos in h$r 8oi7$, stran0$#o/$r in h$r a7tin0, sh$ /$nt

thro30h h$r #art, and at th$ 74os$8anish$d as myst$rio3s4y as sh$7am$. Gr$at /as th$ $:7it$m$ntthat ni0ht, and int$ns$ th$astonishm$nt and horror n$:t day/h$n it /as /his#$r$d a5road

that th$ d$ad /oman n$8$r hadr$8i8$d, 53t had 4ain in h$r 7o22in5$2or$ th$ $y$s o2 /at7h$rs a44th$ $8$nin0, /h$n h3ndr$ds2an7i$d th$y /$r$ a##4a3din0 h$r

at th$ th$at$r. Th$ myst$ry n$8$r/as 74$ar$d 3#, and Paris /asdi8id$d 5y t/o o#inions on$ thatsom$ #$rson mar8$4o3s4y 4i$Madam$ . had #$rsonat$d h$r2or th$ sa$ o2 a s$nsation= th$

oth$r that th$ 0host o2 th$ d$ada7tr$ss, 3na54$ to 2r$$ its$42 2romth$ o4d d3ti$s so 2344 o22as7ination to an am5itio3s and



s377$ss234 /oman, had #4ay$d 2orth$ 4ast tim$ th$ #art /hi7h had

mad$ h$r 2amo3s.(h$r$ did yo3 2ind that, Ta8i$)

It's 8$ry +r$n7h, and not 5ad i2yo3 in8$nt$d it, said Sir -as#$r.

I r$ad it in an o4d 5oo, /h$r$ it

/as m37h 5$tt$r to4d. No/, Edith,th$r$ is 63st tim$ 2or yo3r ta4$.

As th$ /ord Edith #ass$d h$r4i#s, a0ain Tr$h$rn$ start$d and$y$d th$m 5oth, and a0ain th$y

smi4$d, as Mrs. Sno/don 7ar$ss$dth$ smooth 7h$$ 4$anin0 on h$rn$$, and 4ooin0 2344 at him5$0an th$ 4ast r$7ita4.

&o3 ha8$ 5$$n r$7o3ntin0 th$

#rans o2 ima0inary 0hosts= 4$tm$ sho/ yo3 th$ /orin0s o2som$ r$a4 s#irits, $8i4 and 0ood,that ha3nt $8$ry h$art and hom$,



main0 its mis$ry or 6oy. AtChristmastim$, in a 7o3ntry

ho3s$, a #arty o2 2ri$nds m$t to$$# th$ ho4idays, and 8$ryha##i4y th$y mi0ht ha8$ don$ sohad not on$ #$rson marr$d th$#$a7$ o2 s$8$ra4. o8$, 6$a4o3sy,d$7$it, and no54$n$ss /$r$ th$

s#irits that #4ay$d th$ir 2r$as/ith th$s$ #$o#4$. Th$ #$rson o2/hom I s#$a /as mor$ ha3nt$dthan th$ r$st, and m37htorm$nt$d, 5$in0 /i44234, #ro3d,

and 6$a4o3s. H$a8$n h$4# h$r, sh$had had no on$ to $:or7is$ th$s$0hosts 2or h$r, and th$y 0oad$dh$r to do m37h harm. Amon0th$s$ 2ri$nds th$r$ /$r$ mor$than on$ #air o2 4o8$rs, and m37h

tan04in0 o2 #4ots and #4ans, 2orh$arts ar$ /ay/ard andmyst$rio3s thin0s, and 7annot4o8$ as d3ty 5ids or #r3d$n7$



7o3ns$4s. This /oman h$4d th$$y to a44 th$ s$7r$ts o2 th$

ho3s$, and, ha8in0 a #3r#os$ to0ain, sh$ 3s$d h$r #o/$rs$42ish4y, 2or a tim$. To satis2y ado35t, sh$ 2$i0n$d a 2an7y 2or a0$nt4$man /ho on7$ did h$r th$honor o2 admirin0 h$r, and, to th$

0r$at s7anda4 o2 7$rtain sa0$#$rsons, #$rmitt$d him to sho/his r$0ard 2or h$r, no/in0 that it/as 53t a transi$nt am3s$m$nton his #art as /$44 as 3#on h$rs.

In th$ hands o2 this /oman 4ay as$7r$t /hi7h 7o34d ma$ or marth$ ha##in$ss o2 th$ 5$st andd$ar$st o2 th$ #arty. Th$ $8i4s#irits /hi7h ha3nt$d h$r 3r0$dh$r to mar th$ir #$a7$ and 0rati2y

a sin234 ho#$. On th$ oth$r sid$,honor, 63sti7$, and 0$n$rosity#rom#t$d h$r to ma$ th$mha##y, and /hi4$ sh$ /a8$r$d



th$r$ 7am$ to h$r a s/$$t$n7hantr$ss /ho, /ith a /ord,

5anish$d th$ torm$ntin0 0hosts2or$8$r, and 0a8$ th$ ha3nt$d/oman a ta4isman to $$# h$r2r$$ h$n7$2orth.

Th$r$ th$ $arn$st 8oi7$ 2a4t$r$d,

and /ith a s3dd$n im#34s$ Mrs.Sno/don 5$nt h$r h$ad andiss$d th$ 2air 2or$h$ad /hi7hhad 5$nt 4o/$r and 4o/$r as sh$/$nt on. Ea7h 4ist$n$r 3nd$rstoodth$ tr3th, 4i0ht4y 8$i4$d in that

hasty 2a54$, and $a7h 2o3nd in it adi22$r$nt m$anin0. Sir -as#$r2ro/n$d and 5it his 4i#s, Annon04an7$d an:io3s4y 2rom 2a7$ to2a7$, O7ta8ia hid h$rs, and

Tr$h$rn$'s 24ash$d /ith s3dd$nint$44i0$n7$, /hi4$ Ros$ 4a30h$d4o/ to h$rs$42, $n6oyin0 th$ s7$n$.B4an7h$, /ho /as 0$ttin0 s4$$#y,



said, /ith a sti24$d 0a#$, That isa 8$ry ni7$, mora4 4itt4$ story, 53t

I /ish th$r$ had 5$$n som$ r$a40hosts in it.

Th$r$ /as. (i44 yo3 7om$ ands$$ th$m)

As sh$ #3t th$ 93$stion, Mrs.

Sno/don ros$ a5r3#t4y, /ishin0to $nd th$ san7$, and 5$7onin0th$m to 2o44o/ 04id$d 3# th$ 0r$atstair/ay. A44 o5$y$d, /ond$rin0/hat /him #oss$ss$d h$r, and

93it$ r$ady 2or any 6$st in stor$2or th$m.

Cha#t$r *III. -ASPER

Sh$ 4$d th$m to th$ north 0a44$ryand, #a3sin0 at th$ door, said

m$rri4y, Th$ 0host?or 0hostsrath$r, 2or th$r$ /$r$ t/o?/hi7h2ri0ht$n$d Patty /$r$ Sir -as#$rand mys$42, m$$tin0 to dis73ss



7$rtain im#ortant matt$rs /hi7h7on7$rn$d Mr. Tr$h$rn$. I2 yo3

/ant to s$$ s#irits /$ /i44 #4ay#hantom 2or yo3, and 7on8in7$yo3 o2 o3r #o/$r.

Good, 4$t 3s 0o and ha8$ a0host4y dan7$, as a #ro#$r 2ina4$

o2 o3r r$8$4, ans/$r$d Ros$ asth$y 24o7$d into th$ 4on0 ha44.

At that mom$nt th$ 0r$at 74o7str37 t/$48$, and a44 #a3s$d to5id th$ o4d y$ar adi$3. Sir -as#$r

/as th$ 2irst to s#$a, 2or, an0ry/ith Mrs. Sno/don, y$t than234to h$r 2or main0 a 6$st to oth$rso2 /hat had 5$$n $arn$st to him,h$ d$sir$d to hid$ his 7ha0rin3nd$r a 0ay mann$r= and tain0

Ros$ aro3nd th$ /aist /as a5o3tto /a4t@ a/ay as sh$ #ro#os$d,sayin0 7h$$ri4y, 'Com$ on$ anda44, and dan7$ th$ n$/ y$ar in,'



/h$n a 7ry 2rom O7ta8ia arr$st$dhim, and t3rnin0 h$ sa/ h$r

stand, #a4$ and tr$m54in0,#ointin0 to th$ 2ar $nd o2 th$ ha44.

Ei0ht narro/ Gothi7 /indo/s#i$r7$d $ith$r /a44 o2 th$ north0a44$ry. A 2344 moon s$nt h$r

si48$ry 4i0ht stron04y in 3#on th$$ast$rn sid$, main0 5road 5arso2 5ri0htn$ss a7ross th$ 24oor. No2ir$s 53rn$d th$r$ no/, and/h$r$8$r th$ moon4i0ht did not2a44 d$$# shado/s 4ay. As O7ta8ia

7ri$d o3t, a44 4oo$d, and a44distin7t4y sa/ a ta44, dar 2i03r$mo8in0 nois$4$ss4y a7ross th$s$7ond 5ar o2 4i0ht 2ar do/n th$ha44.

Is it som$ 6$st o2 yo3rs) as$dSir -as#$r o2 Mrs. Sno/don, as th$2orm 8anish$d in th$ shado/.



No, 3#on my honor, I no/nothin0 o2 it< I on4y m$ant to

r$4i$8$ O7ta8ia's s3#$rstitio3s2$ars 5y sho/in0 h$r o3r #rans/as th$ /his#$r$d r$#4y as Mrs.Sno/don's 7h$$ #a4$d, and sh$dr$/ n$ar$r to -as#$r.

(ho is th$r$) 7a44$d Tr$h$rn$in a 7ommandin0 ton$.

No ans/$r, 53t a 2aint, 7o4d5r$ath o2 air s$$m$d to si0ha4on0 th$ ar7h$d roo2 and di$

a/ay as th$ dar 2i03r$ 7ross$dth$ third str$a o2 moon4i0ht. Astran0$ a/$ 2$44 3#on th$m a44,and no on$ s#o$, 53t stood/at7hin0 2or th$ a##$aran7$ o2th$ sha#$. N$ar$r and n$ar$r it

7am$, /ith so3nd4$ss st$#s, andas it r$a7h$d th$ si:th /indo/ itso3t4in$s /$r$ distin7t4y 8isi54$. Ata44, /ast$d 2i03r$, a44 in 54a7,



/ith a rosary han0in0 2rom th$0ird4$, and a dar 5$ard ha42

7on7$a4in0 th$ 2a7$.Th$ A55ot's 0host, and 8$ry /$44

0ot 3#, said Annon, tryin0 to4a30h 53t 2ai4in0 d$7id$d4y, 2ora0ain th$ 7o4d 5r$ath s/$#t o8$r

th$m, 7a3sin0 a 0$n$ra4 sh3dd$r.H3sh< /his#$r$d Tr$h$rn$,

dra/in0 O7ta8ia to his sid$ /ith a#rot$7tin0 0$st3r$.

On7$ mor$ th$ #hantom

a##$ar$d and disa##$ar$d, andas th$y /ait$d 2or it to 7ross th$4ast 5ar o2 4i0ht that 4ay 5$t/$$nit and th$m, Mrs. Sno/donst$##$d 2or/ard to th$ $d0$ o2

th$ shado/ in /hi7h th$y stood,as i2 to 7on2ront th$ a##aritiona4on$. O3t o2 th$ darn$ss it7am$, and in th$ 2344 radian7$ o2



th$ 4i0ht it #a3s$d. Mrs. Sno/don,5$in0 n$ar$st, sa/ th$ 2a7$ 2irst,

and 3tt$rin0 a 2aint 7ry dro##$ddo/n 3#on th$ ston$ 24oor,7o8$rin0 3# h$r $y$s. Nothin0h3man $8$r /or$ a 4oo 4i$ thato2 th$ 0hast4y, ho44o/;$y$d, #a4$;4i##$d 7o3nt$nan7$ 5$4o/ th$

hood. A44 sa/ it and h$4d th$ir5r$ath as it s4o/4y rais$d ashado/y arm and #oint$d ashri8$4$d 2in0$r at Sir -as#$r.

S#$a, /hat$8$r yo3 ar$, or I'44

93i74y #ro8$ /h$th$r yo3 ar$man or s#irit< 7ri$d -as#$r2i$r7$4y, st$##in0 2or/ard as i2 to0ras# th$ $:t$nd$d arm thats$$m$d to m$na7$ him a4on$.

An i7y 03st s/$#t thro30h th$ha44, and th$ #hantom s4o/4yr$7$d$d into th$ shado/. -as#$rs#ran0 a2t$r it, 53t nothin0



7ross$d th$ s$7ond str$am o24i0ht, and nothin0 r$main$d in th$

shad$. i$ on$ #oss$ss$d 5y as3dd$n 2an7y h$ r3sh$d do/n th$0a44$ry to 2ind a44 2ast and $m#ty,and to r$t3rn 4ooin0 8$rystran0$4y. B4an7h$ had 2aint$da/ay and Annon /as 5$arin0 h$r

o3t o2 th$ ha44. Ros$ /as 74in0in0to Mrs. Sno/don, and O7ta8ia4$an$d a0ainst h$r 7o3sin, sayin0in a 2$r8$nt /his#$r, Than Godit did not #oint at yo3<

Am I th$n d$ar$r than yo3r5roth$r) h$ /his#$r$d 5a7.

Th$r$ /as no a3di54$ r$#4y, 53ton$ 4itt4$ hand in8o43ntari4y#r$ss$d his, tho30h th$ oth$r /as

o3tstr$t7h$d to/ard -as#$r, /ho7am$ 3# /hit$ and start4$d 53t2irm and 93i$t. A22$7tin0 to ma$4i0ht o2 it, h$ said, 2or7in0 a smi4$



as h$ rais$d Mrs. Sno/don, It issom$ st3#id 6o$ o2 th$ s$r8ants.

$t 3s thin no mor$ o2 it. Com$,Edith, this is not 4i$ yo3r 3s3a4s$42.

It /as nothin0 h3man, -as#$r=yo3 no/ it as /$44 as I. Oh, /hy

did I 5rin0 yo3 h$r$ to m$$t th$/arnin0 #hantom that ha3ntsyo3r ho3s$<

Nay, i2 my tim$ is n$ar th$ s#irit/o34d ha8$ 2o3nd m$ o3t

/h$r$8$r I mi0ht 5$. I ha8$ no2aith in that a5s3rd s3#$rstition?I 4a30h at and d$2y it. Com$ do/nand drin my h$a4th in /in$ 2romth$ A55ot's o/n 7$44ar.

B3t no on$ had h$art 2or 23rth$r0ai$ty, and, 2indin0 ady Tr$h$rn$a4r$ady a4arm$d 5y Annon, th$y/$r$ 2or7$d to t$44 h$r a44, and



2ind th$ir o/n 5$/i4d$rm$ntd$$#$n$d 5y h$r 3na4t$ra54$

5$4i$2 in th$ $8i4 om$n.At h$r 7ommand th$ ho3s$ /as

s$ar7h$d, th$ s$r8ants 7ross;93$stion$d, and $8$ry $22ortmad$ to dis7o8$r th$ id$ntity o2

th$ a##arition. A44 in 8ain= th$ho3s$ /as as 3s3a4, and not aman or maid 53t t3rn$d #a4$ atth$ id$a o2 $nt$rin0 th$ 0a44$ry atmidni0ht. At my 4ady's r$93$st,a44 #romis$d to say no mor$ 3#on

th$ myst$ry, and s$#arat$d at4ast to s37h s4$$# as th$y 7o34d$n6oy.

*$ry 0ra8$ /$r$ th$ 2a7$s0ath$r$d a5o3t th$ 5r$a2ast

ta54$ n$:t mornin0, and 8$ryan:io3s th$ 04an7$s 7ast on Sir

-as#$r as h$ 7am$ in, 4at$ as3s3a4, 4ooin0 3n7ommon4y 54ith$



and /$44. Nothin0 s$rio3s $8$rmad$ a d$$# im#r$ssion on his

m$r73ria4 nat3r$. Tr$h$rn$ hadmor$ th$ air o2 a doom$d man,5$in0 8$ry #a4$ and /orn, in s#it$o2 an o77asiona4 04$am o2ha##in$ss as h$ 4oo$d atO7ta8ia. H$ ha3nt$d -as#$r 4i$ a

shado/ a44 th$ mornin0, m37h tothat yo3n0 0$nt4$man'sannoyan7$, 2or 5oth his moth$rand sist$r h3n0 a5o3t him /ith2a7$s o2 i44;diss$m54$d an:i$ty. By

a2t$rnoon his #ati$n7$ 0a8$ o3t,and h$ o#$n4y r$5$44$d a0ainstth$ t$nd$r 03ard $#t o8$r him.Rin0in0 2or his hors$ h$ saidd$7id$d4y, I'm 5or$d to d$ath/ith th$ so4$mnity /hi7h

#$r8ad$s th$ ho3s$ today, so I'mo22 2or a 5ris 0a44o#, 5$2or$ I 4os$my t$m#$r and s#iritsa4to0$th$r.



Com$ /ith m$ in th$ #ony7arria0$, -as#$r. I'8$ not had a

dri8$ /ith yo3 2or a 4on0 /hi4$,and sho34d $n6oy it so m37h, saidmy 4ady, d$tainin0 him.

Mrs. Sno/don 4oos as i2 sh$n$$d$d air to r$8i8$ h$r ros$s,

and th$ #ony 7arria0$ is 63st th$thin0 2or h$r, so I /i44 7h$$r2344yr$si0n my s$at to h$r, h$ans/$r$d 4a30hin0, as h$ 2or7$dhims$42 2rom his moth$r's hand.

Ta$ th$ 0ir4s in th$ 74ar$n7$.($ a44 /ant a 5r$ath o2 air, andyo3 ar$ th$ 5$st /hi# /$ no/.B$ 0a44ant and say y$s, d$ar.

No, than yo3, Ta8i$, that /on't

do. Ros$ and B4an7h$ ar$ 5othas4$$#, and yo3 ar$ dyin0 to 0oand do 4i$/is$, a2t$r yo3r 8i0i4s4ast ni0ht. As a man and a 5roth$r



I 5$0 yo3'44 do so, and 4$t m$ rid$as I 4i$.

S3##os$ yo3 as Annon to 6oinyo3? 5$0an Tr$h$rn$ /ith /$44;ass3m$d indi22$r$n7$= 53t Sir

-as#$r 2ro/n$d and t3rn$dshar#4y on him, sayin0, ha42;

#$t34ant4y, ha42;6o7os$4yU#on my 4i2$ I sho34d thin I /as

a 5oy or a 5a5y, 5y th$ mann$r in/hi7h yo3 mo3nt 03ard o8$r m$today. I2 yo3 thin I'm 0oin0 to

4i8$ in dai4y 2$ar o2 som$ misha#,yo3 ar$ a44 m37h mista$n. Ghostor no 0host, I sha44 ma$ m$rry/hi4$ I 7an= a short 4i2$ and a 6o44yon$ has a4/ays 5$$n my motto,yo3 no/, so 2ar$ yo3 /$44 ti44

dinn$rtim$.

Th$y /at7h$d him 0a44o# do/nth$ a8$n3$, and th$n /$nt th$ir



di22$r$nt /ays, sti44 53rd$n$d/ith a nam$4$ss 2or$5odin0.

O7ta8ia stro44$d into th$7ons$r8atory, thinin0 to r$2r$shh$rs$42 /ith th$ 5a4my si4$n7$/hi7h #$r8ad$d th$ #4a7$, 53tAnnon soon 6oin$d h$r, 2344 o2 a4o8$r's ho#$s and 2$ars.

Miss Tr$h$rn$, I ha8$ 8$nt3r$dto 7om$ 2or my ans/$r. Is my N$/

&$ar to 5$ a 54iss234 or a sadon$) h$ as$d $a0$r4y.

+or0i8$ m$ i2 I 0i8$ yo3 an3n/$47om$ r$#4y, 53t I m3st 5$tr3$, and so r$0r$t2344y r$23s$ th$honor yo3 do m$, sh$ saidsorro/2344y.

May I as /hy)B$7a3s$ I do not 4o8$ yo3.

And yo3 do 4o8$ yo3r 7o3sin, h$



7ri$d an0ri4y, #a3sin0 to /at7hh$r ha42;a8$rt$d 2a7$.

Sh$ t3rn$d it 2344y to/ard himand ans/$r$d, /ith h$r nati8$sin7$rity, &$s, I do, /ith a44 myh$art, and no/ my moth$r /i44not th/art m$, 2or Ma3ri7$ has

sa8$d my 4i2$, and I am 2r$$ tod$8ot$ it a44 to him.

Ha##y man, I /ish I had 5$$n a7ri##4$< si0h$d Annon. Th$n /itha man234 $22ort to 5$ 63st and

0$n$ro3s, h$ add$d h$arti4y, Sayno mor$, h$ d$s$r8$s yo3= I /antno sa7ri2i7$ to d3ty= I yi$4d, and0o a/ay, #rayin0 h$a8$n to 54$ssyo3 no/ and a4/ays.

H$ iss$d h$r hand and 4$2t h$rto s$$ my 4ady and ma$ hisadi$3s, 2or no #$rs3asion 7o34d$$# him. $a8in0 a not$ 2or Sir



-as#$r, h$ h3rri$d a/ay, to th$0r$at r$4i$2 o2 Tr$h$rn$ and th$

d$$# r$0r$t o2 B4an7h$, /ho,ho/$8$r, 4i8$d in ho#$s o2anoth$r tria4 4at$r in th$ s$ason.

H$r$ 7om$s -as#$r, Mamma, sa2$and /$44, 7ri$d O7ta8ia an ho3r

or t/o 4at$r, as sh$ 6oin$d h$rmoth$r on th$ t$rra7$, /h$r$ my4ady had 5$$n #a7in0 r$st4$ss4y toand 2ro n$ar4y $8$r sin7$ h$r sonrod$ a/ay.

(ith a smi4$ o2 int$ns$ r$4i$2 sh$/a8$d h$r hand$r7hi$2 as h$7am$ 74att$rin0 3# th$ dri8$, ands$$in0 h$r h$ ans/$r$d /ith hatand hand. H$ 3s3a44y dismo3nt$dat th$ 0r$at ha44 door, 53t a

s3dd$n /him mad$ him rid$ a4on0th$ /a44 that 4ay 5$4o/ th$t$rra7$, 2or h$ /as a 2in$hors$man, and Mrs. Sno/don /as



4ooin0 2rom h$r /indo/. As h$a##roa7h$d, th$ #$a7o7s 24$d

s7r$amin0, and on$ 24$/ 3# 63st5$2or$ th$ hors$'s $y$s as hismast$r /as in th$ a7t o2dismo3ntin0. Th$ s#irit$d7r$at3r$ /as start4$d, s#ran0#art/ay 3# th$ 4o/, 5road st$#s

o2 th$ t$rra7$, and, 5$in0 shar#4y7h$7$d, s4i##$d, 2$44, and manand hors$ ro44$d do/n to0$th$r.

N$8$r did thos$ /ho h$ard it2or0$t th$ 7ry that 4$2t ady

Tr$h$rn$'s 4i#s as sh$ sa/ th$ 2a44.It 5ro30ht o3t 5oth 03$sts ands$r8ants, to 2ind O7ta8iar$74$ss4y str3004in0 /ith th$2ri0ht$n$d hors$, and my 4ady

do/n 3#on th$ ston$s /ith h$rson's 54$$din0 h$ad in h$r arms.

Th$y 5or$ in th$ s$ns$4$ss,shatt$r$d 5ody, and 2or ho3rs



it and 0$t th$ mon$y, and /h$na44 /$nt /$44 I 2an7i$d I /as sa2$.

B3t my 3n74$ dis7o8$r$d its$7r$t4y, said nothin0, and,5$4i$8in0 Ma3ri7$ th$ 2or0$r,disinh$rit$d him. I n$8$r n$/this ti44 th$ o4d man di$d, andth$n it /as too 4at$. I 7on2$ss$d

to Ma3ri7$, and h$ 2or0a8$ m$.H$ said, 'I am h$4#4$ss no/, sh3to3t 2rom th$ /or4d, /ith nothin0to 4os$ or 0ain, and soon to 5$2or0ott$n 5y thos$ /ho on7$

n$/ m$, so 4$t th$ s3s#i7ion o2sham$, i2 any s37h th$r$ 5$, sti4474in0 to m$, and do yo3 0o yo3r/ay, ri7h, ha##y, honora54$, and3nto37h$d 5y any shado/ on yo3r2am$.' Moth$r, I 4$t him do it,

3n7ons7io3s as h$ /as that manyn$/ th$ s$7r$t sin and 2an7i$dhim th$ do$r o2 it.



H3sh, -as#$r, 4$t it #ass. I 7an5$ar it= I #romis$d yo3r d$ar

2ath$r to 5$ yo3r sta3n7h 2ri$ndthro30h 4i2$, and I ha8$ on4y $#tmy /ord.

God no/s yo3 ha8$, 53t no/my 4i2$ $nds, and I 7annot di$ ti44

yo3 ar$ 74$ar$d. Edith, I to4d yo3ha42 th$ tr3th, and yo3 /o34dha8$ 3s$d it a0ainst him had notsom$ an0$4 s$nt this 0ir4 to to37hyo3r h$art. &o3 ha8$ don$ yo3r#art to aton$ 2or th$ #ast, no/ 4$t

m$ do min$. Moth$r, Ta8i$ 4o8$shim, h$ has ris$d 4i2$ and honor2or m$. R$#ay him 0$n$ro3s4y and0i8$ him this.

(ith 2$$54$ to37h Sir -as#$r tri$d

to 4ay his sist$r's hand inTr$h$rn$'s as h$ s#o$= Mrs.Sno/don h$4#$d him, and as my4ady 5o/$d h$r h$ad in si4$nt



a793i$s7$n7$, a 6oy234 smi4$shon$ on th$ dyin0 man's 2a7$.

On$ mor$ 7on2$ssion, and th$n Iam r$ady, h$ said, 4ooin0 3#into th$ 2a7$ o2 th$ /oman /homh$ had 4o8$d /ith a44 th$ #o/$r o2a sha44o/ nat3r$. It /as a 6$st to

yo3, Edith, 53t it /as 5itt$r$arn$st to m$, 2or I 4o8$d yo3,sin234 as it /as. As yo3r h3s5andto 2or0i8$ m$, and t$44 him it /as5$tt$r I sho34d di$ than 4i8$ tomar a 0ood man's #$a7$. iss m$

on7$, and ma$ him ha##y 2or mysa$.

Sh$ to37h$d his 7o4d 4i#s /ithr$mors$234 t$nd$rn$ss, and in th$sam$ 5r$ath r$0ist$r$d a 8o/ to

o5$y that dyin0 #ray$r.

Ta8i$ d$ar, Ma3ri7$, my 5roth$r,God 54$ss yo3 5oth. Good;5y$,



Moth$r. H$ /i44 5$ a 5$tt$r sonthan I ha8$ 5$$n to yo3. Th$n,

th$ r$74$ss s#irit o2 th$ mans3r8i8in0 to th$ 4ast, Sir -as#$r4a30h$d 2aint4y, as h$ s$$m$d to5$7on som$ in8isi54$ sha#$, anddi$d sayin0 0ai4y, No/, +ath$rA55ot, 4$ad on, I'44 2o44o/ yo3.

A y$ar 4at$r thr$$ /$ddin0s /$r$7$4$5rat$d on th$ sam$ day andin th$ sam$ 7h3r7h. Ma3ri7$Tr$h$rn$, a /$44 man, 4$d 3# his7o3sin. +ran Annon r$/ard$d

B4an7h$'s #ati$nt si$0$ 5y an3n7onditiona4 s3rr$nd$r, and, toth$ in2init$ am3s$m$nt o2 Mrs.Gr3ndy, Ma6or Royston #354i74y7on2$ss$d hims$42 o3t0$n$ra4$d

5y m$rry Ros$. Th$ tri#4$/$ddin0 2$ast /as 7$4$5rat$d atTr$h$rn$ A55$y, and no 3n7anny8isitor marr$d its 2$sti8iti$s, 2or



n$8$r a0ain /as th$ north 0a44$ryha3nt$d 5y th$ 0host4y A55ot.

the abbot's ghost

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