\"HowlongIlaylisteningtothecreakingsandgroaningsofthericketyoldhouse,Icannotsay,norhowlongIremainedinthedozewhichfinallyseizedmeasIbecameaccustomedtothesoundsaroundandoverme。Enoughthatbeforethestormhadpasseditsheight,I
awokeasifatthetouchofahand,andleapingwithaboundoutofthebed,beheldtomyincredibleamazememt,thealert,nervousformofLuttrastandingbeforeme。Shehadmycoatinherhand,anditwashertouchthathadevidentlyawakenedme。
\"\'Iwantyoutoputthison,\'saidsheinalowthrillingtonetotallynewinmyexperience,\'andcomewithme。Thehouseisunsafeforyoutoremainin。Hearhowitcracksandtrembles。Anotherblastlikethatandweshallberoofless。\'
\"Shewasmovingtowardthedoor,whichtomyamazementstoodajar,butmyhesitationstoppedher。
\"\'Won\'tyoucome?\'shewhispered,turningherfacetowardsmewithalookofsuchpotentdetermination,Ifollowedinspiteofmyself\'I
darenotletyoustayhere,yourbloodwillbeuponmyhead。\'
\"\'Youexaggerate,\'Ireplied,shrinkingbackwithalonginglookatthecomfortablebedIhadjustleft。\'Theseoldhousesarealwaysstrong。Itwilltakemanysuchagustasthatyouhear,tooverturnit,Iassureyou。\'
\"\'Iexaggerate!\'shereturnedwithalookofscornimpossibletodescribe。\'Hark!\'shesaid,\'hearthat。\'
\"Ididhear,andImustacknowledgethatitseemedisifwewereabouttobesweptfromourfoundations。
\"\'Yes,\'saidI,\'butitisafearfulnighttobeoutin。\'
\"\'Ishallgowithyou,\'saidshe。
\"\'Inthatcase——\'Ibeganwithanill-advisedattemptatgallantrywhichshecutshortwithagesture。
\"\'Hereisyourhat,\'remarkedshe,\'andhereisyourbag。Thefishing-polemustremain,youcannotcarryit。\'
\"\'But,——\'Iexpostulated。
\"\'Hush!\'saidshewithherearturnedtowardsthedepthsofthestaircaseatthetopofwhichwestood。\'Myfatherandbrotherwillthinkasyoudothatitisfollytoleavetheshelterofarooffortheuncertaintiesoftheroadonsuchanightasthis,butyoumustnotheedthem。Itellyoushelterthisnightisdanger,andthattheonlysafetytobefoundisonthestormyhighway。\'
\"Andwithoutwaitingformyreply,shepassedrapidlydownstairs,pushedopenadooratthebottom,andsteppedatonceintotheroomwehadleftanhourorsobefore。
\"Whatwasthereinthatroomthatforthefirsttimestruckanominouschillasofdistinctperilthroughmyveins?Nothingatfirstsight,everythingatthesecond。Thefirewhichhadnotbeenallowedtodieout,stillburnedbrightlyontheruddyhearthstone,butitwasnotthatwhichawakenedmyapprehension。Norwasittheloudtickingclockonthemantlepiecewithitshandpointingsilentlytothehourofeleven。Noryettheheavyquietofthescantily-furnishedroomwithitsonelampburningonthedealtableagainstthesideofthewall。
Itwasthesightofthosetwopowerfulmendrawnupingrimsilence,theoneagainstthedoorleadingtothefronthall,theotheragainstthatopeningintothekitchen。
\"AglanceatLuttrastandingsilentandundismayedatmyside,however,instantlyreassuredme。Withthatwillexercisedinmyfavor,Icouldnotbutwinthroughwhateveritwasthatmenacedme。
Slingingmybagovermyshoulder,Imadeamovetowardsthedoorandthesilentfigureofmyhost。Butwithaquickoutreachingofherhand,shedrewmeback。
\"\'Standstill!\'saidshe。\'Karl,\'shewenton,turningherfacetowardsthemoresullenbutlessintentcountenanceofherbrother,\'openthedoorandletthisgentlemanpass。Hefindsthehouseunsafeinsuchagaleanddesirestoleaveit。Atonce!\'shecontinuedasherbrothersettledhimselfmoredeterminedlyagainstthelock:\'I
don\'toftenaskfavors。\'
\"\'Themanisafoolthatwantstogooutinanightlikethis,\'quoththefellowwithadoggedmove;\'andsoareyoutoencourageit。I
thinktoomuchofyourhealthtoallowit。\'
\"Shedidnotseemtohear。\'Willyouopenthedoor?\'shewenton,notadvancingastepfromthefire,beforewhichshehadplacedherselfandme。\'
\"\'No,Iwon\'t,\'wasthebrutalreply。\'Itsbeenlockedforthenightanditsnotmenoronelikeme,thatwillopenit。\'
\"Withasuddenwhiteningofheralreadypaleface,sheturnedtowardsherfather。Hewasnotevenlookingather。
\"\'Someonemustopenthehouse,\'saidshe,glancingbackatherbrother。\'Thisgentlemanpurposestoleaveandhiswhimmustbehumored。WillyouunlockthatdoororshallI?\'
\"Anangrysnarlinterruptedher。Herfatherhadboundedfromthedoorwherehestoodandwasstridinghastilytowardsher。InmyapprehensionIputupmyarmforashield,forhelookedreadytomurderher,butIletitdropagainaslcaughtherglancewhichwaslikewhiteflameundisturbedbytheleastbreezeofpersonalterror。
\"\'Youwillstopthere,\'saidshe,pointingtoaspotafewfeetfromwhereshestood。\'AnotherstepandIletthatforwhichIhaveheardyoudeclareyouwouldperilyourverysoul,fallintotheheartoftheflames。\'Anddrawingfromherbreastarollofbills,shestretchedthemoutabovethefirebeforewhichshewasstanding。
\"\'You——\'brokefromthegray-beardedlipsoftheoldman,buthestoppedwherehewas,eyeingthosebillsasiffascinated。
\"\'Iamnotagirlofmanywords,asyouknow,\'continuedsheinaloftytoneinexpressiblycommanding。\'Youmaystrangleme,youmaykillme,itmatterslittle;butthisgentlemanleavesthehousethisnight,orIdestroythemoneywithagesture。\'
\"\'You——\'againbrokefromthosequiveringlips,buttheoldmandidnotmove。
\"Notsotheyounger。Witharushhelefthispostandinanotherinstantwouldhavehadhispowerfularmsaboutherslenderform,onlythatImethimhalfwaywithablowthatlaidhimontheflooratherfeet。Shesaidnothing,butoneofthebillsimmediatelyleftherhandandflutteredintothefirewhereitinstantlyshrivelledintonothing。
\"Withtheyellofamadbeastwoundedinhismostvulnerablespot,theoldmanbeforeusstampedwithhisheeluponthefloor。
\"\'Stop!\'criedhe;andgoingrapidlytothefrontdoorheopenedit。
\'There!\'shriekedhe,\'ifyouwillbefools,go!andmaythelightningblastyou。Butfirstgivemethemoney。\'
\"\'Comefromthedoor,\'saidshe,reachingoutherlefthandforthelanternhangingatthesideofthefireplace,\'andletKarllightthisandkeephimselfoutoftheway。\'
\"Itwasalldone。InlesstimethanIcantellit,theoldmanhadsteppedfromthedoor,theyoungeronehadlitthelanternandwewereinreadinesstodepart。
\"\'Nowdoyouproceed,\'saidshetome,\'Iwillfollow。\'
\"\'No,\'saidI,\'wewillgotogether。\'
\"\'Butthemoney?\'growledtheheavyvoiceofmyhostovermyshoulder。
\"\'Iwillgiveittoyouonmyreturn,\'saidthegirl。
CHAPTERXII
AWOMAN\'SLOVE
\"ShallIeverforgettheblastofdrivingrainthatstruckourfacesandenvelopedusinacloudofwet,asthedoorswungonitshingesandletusforthintothenight;ortheelectricthrillthatshotthroughmeasthatslendergirlgraspedmyhandanddrewmeawaythroughtheblindingdarkness。ItwasnotthatIwassomuchaffectedbyherbeautyasinfluencedbyherpowerandenergy。Thefuryofthegaleseemedtobendtoherwill,thewindlendwingstoherfeet。Ibegantorealizewhatintellectwas。Arrivedattheroadside,shepausedandlookedback。Thetwoburlyformsofthemenwehadleftbehinduswerestandinginthedooroftheinn;inanothermomenttheyhadplungedforthandtowardsus。WithalowcrytheyounggirlleapedtowardsatreewheretomyunboundedastonishmentIbeheldmyhorsestandingreadysaddled。Draggingthemarefromherfastenings,shehungthelantern,burningasitwas,onthepommelofthesaddle,struckthepantingcreatureasmartblowupontheflank,anddrewbackwithaleaptomyside。
\"Thestartledhorsesnorted,gaveaplungeofdismayandstartedawayfromusdowntheroad。
\"\'Wewillwait,\'saidLuttra。
\"Thewordswerenosooneroutofhermouththanherfatherandbrotherrushedby。
\"\'Theywillfollowthelight,\'whisperedshe;andseizingmeagainbythehand,shehurriedmeawayinthedirectionoppositetothatwhichthehorsehadtaken。\'Ifyouwilltrustme,Iwillbringyoutoshelter,\'shemurmured,bendingherslightformtothegustywindbutrelaxingnotawhitofherspeed。
\"\'Youaretookind,\'Imurmuredinreturn。\'Whyshouldyouexposeyourselftosuchanextentforastranger?\'
\"Herhandtightenedonmine,butshedidnotreply,andwehastenedonasspeedilyasthewindandrainwouldallow。Afterashortbutdeterminedbreastingofthestorm,duringwhichmybreathhadnearlyfailedme,shesuddenlystopped。
\"\'Doyouknow,\'sheexclaimedinalowimpressivetone,\'thatweareonthevergeofasteepanddreadfulprecipice?Itrunsalonghereforaquarterofamileanditisnotanuncommonthingforahorseandridertobedashedoveritinanightlikethis。\'
\"TherewassomethinginhermannerthatawakenedachillinmyveinsalmostasifshehadpointedoutsomedreadfuldoomwhichIhadunwittinglyescaped。
\"\'Thisis,then,adangerousroad,\'Imurmured。
\"\'Very,\'washerhurriedandalmostincoherentreply。
\"HowfarwetravelledthroughthemudandtangledgrassesofthathorribleroadIdonotknow。Itseemedalongdistance;itwasprobablynotmorethanthreequartersofamile。Atlastshepausedwithashort\'Hereweare;\'andlookingup,Isawthatwewereinfrontofasmallunlightedcottage。
\"NorefugeeverappearedmorewelcometoapairofsinkingwanderersI
amsure。Wettotheskin,bedrabbledwithmud,exhaustedwithbreastingthegale,westoodforamomentundertheporchtoregainourbreath,thenwithhercharacteristicenergysheliftedtheknockerandstruckasmartblowonthedoor。
\"\'Wewillfindshelterhere,\'saidshe。
\"Shewasnotmistaken。Inafewmomentswewerestandingoncemorebeforeacomfortablefirehastilybuiltbytheworthycouplewhoseslumberswehadthusinterrupted。AsIbegantorealizethesweetnessofconscioussafety,allthatthisyoung,heroiccreaturehaddoneformesweptwarmlyacrossmymind。Lookingupfromthefirethatwasbeginingtoinfuseitsheatthroughmygratefulsystem,Isurveyedherassheslowlyundidherlongbraidsandshookthemdryovertheblaze,andalmoststartedtoseehowyoungshewas。NotmorethansixteenIshouldsay,andyetwhataninvinciblewillshonefromherdarkeyesanddignifiedherslenderform;awillgentleasitwasstrong,elevatedasitwasunbending。IbowedmyheadasIwatchedher,ingratefulthankfulnesswhichIpresentlyputintowords。
\"Atonceshedrewherselferect。\'Ididbutmyduty,\'saidshequietly。\'IamgladIwasprosperedinit。\'Thenslowly。\'Ifyouaregrateful,sir,willyoupromisetosaynothingof——ofwhattookplaceattheinn?\'
\"InstantlyIrememberedasuspicionwhichhadcrossedmymindwhilethere,andmyhandwentinvoluntarilytomyvestpocket。Therollofbillswasgone。
\"Shedidnotfalter。\'Iwouldberelievedifyouwould,\'continuedshe。
\"Idrewoutmyemptyhand,lookedatit,butsaidnothing。
\"\'Haveyoulostanything?\'askedshe。\'Searchinyourovercoatpockets。\'
\"Iplungedmyhandintotheonenearestheranddrewitoutwithsatisfaction;therollofbillswasthere。\'Igiveyoumypromise,\'
saidI。
\"\'Youwillfindabillmissing,\'shemurmured;\'forwhatamountIdonotknow;thesacrificeofsomethingwasinevitable。\'
\"\'Icanonlywonderovertheingenuityyoudisplayed,aswellasexpressmyappreciationforyourbravery,\'returnedIwithenthusiasm。\'Youareanoblegirl。\'
\"Sheputoutherhandasifcomplimentshurther。\'Itisthefirsttimetheyhaveeverattemptedanythinglikethat,\'criedsheinaquicklowtonefullofshameandsuffering。\'Theyhaveshownadispositionto——totakemoneysometimes,buttheyneverthreatenedlifebefore。Andtheydidthreatenyours。Theysawyoutakeoutyourmoney,throughaholepiercedinthewalloftheroomyouoccupied,andthesightmadethemmad。Theyweregoingtokillyouandthentumbleyouandyourhorseovertheprecipicebelowthere。ButI
overheardthemtalkingandwhentheywentouttosaddlethehorse,I
hurrieduptoyourroomtowakeyou。Ihadtotakepossessionofthebills;youwerenotsafewhileyouheldthem。ItookthemquietlybecauseIhopedtosaveyouwithoutbetrayingthem。ButIfailedinthat。Youmustremembertheyaremyfatherandmybrother。\'
\"\'Iwillnotbetraythem,\'saidI。
\"Shesmiled。Itwasawintrygleambutitineffablysoftenedherface。
Ibecameconsciousofamovementofpitytowardsher。
\"\'Youhaveahardlot,\'remarkedI。\'Yourlifemustbeasadone。\'
\"Sheflasheduponmeoneglanceofherdarkeye。\'Iwasbornforhardship,\'saidshe,\'but——\'andasuddenwildshudderseizedher,\'butnotforcrime。\'
\"Thewordfelllikeadropofbloodwrungfromherheart。
\"\'Goodheavens!\'criedI,\'andmustyou——\'
\"\'No,\'rangfromherlipsinaclarion-likepeal;\'somethingscuttheverybondsofnature。Iamnotcalledupontocleavetowhatwilldragmeintoinfamy。\'Thencalmly,asifspeakingofthemostordinarymatterintheworld,\'Ishallnevergobacktothathousewehaveleftbehindus,sir。\'
\"\'But,\'criedI,glancingatherscantygarments,\'wherewillyougo?
Whatwillyoudo?Youareyoung——\'
\"\'Andverystrong,\'sheinterrupted。\'Donotfearforme。\'Andhersmilewaslikeaburstofsuddensunshine。
\"Isaidnomorethatnight。
\"ButwheninthemorningIstumbleduponhersittinginthekitchenreadingabooknotonlyaboveherpositionbutbeyondheryears,asuddenimpulseseizedmeandIaskedherifshewouldliketobeeducated。Theinstantaneousilluminingofherwholefacewassufficientreplywithoutherlowemphaticwords,\"\'Iwouldbecontenttostudyonmykneestoknowwhatsomewomendo,whomIhaveseen。\'
\"ItisnotnecessaryformetorelatewithwhatpleasureIcaughtattheideathatherewasachancetorepayinsomeslightmeasuretheinestimablefavorshehaddoneme;norbywhatargumentsIfinallywonhertoacceptaneducationatmyhandsassomesortofrecompenseforthelifeshehadsaved。Theadvantagewhichitwouldgiveherinherstrugglewiththeworldsheseemeddulytoappreciate,butthatsogreatafavorcouldbeshownherwithoutcausingmemuchtroubleandanunwarrantableexpense,shecouldnotatoncebebroughttocomprehend,andtillshecould,sheheldoutwiththatgentlebutinflexiblewillofhers。Thebattle,however,waswonatlastandI
leftherinthatlittlecottage,withtheunderstandingthatassoonasthemattercouldbearranged,shewastoenteracertainboarding-schoolinTroywiththemistressofwhichIwasacquainted。
MeanwhileshewastogoouttoserviceatMelvilleandearnenoughmoneytoprovideherselfwithclothes。
\"IwasacarelessfellowinthosedaysbutIkeptmypromisetothatgirl。Inotonlyenteredherintothatschoolforacourseofthreeyears,butactingthroughitsmistresswhohadtakenagreatfancytoher,suppliedherwiththenecessitiesherpositionrequired。Itwassoeasy;merelythesigningofacheckfromtimetotime,anditwasdone。IsaythisbecauseIreallythinkifithadinvolvedanypersonalsacrificeonmypart,evenofanhourofmytime,orthelaborofathought,Ishouldnothavedoneit。Forwithmyreturntothecitymyinterestinmycousinrevived,absorbingmetosuchanextentthatanymatterdisconnectedwithhersoonlostallcharmforme。
\"Twoyearspassed;IwastheslaveofEvelynBlake,buttherewasnoengagementbetweenus。Myfather\'sdeterminedoppositionwasenoughtopreventthat。ButtherewasanunderstandingwhichIfondlyhopedwouldonedayopenformethewayofhappiness。ButIdidnotknowmyfather。Sickashewas——hewasatthattimelaboringunderthediseasewhichinacoupleofmonthslaterborehimtothetomb——hekeptaneyeuponmymovementsandseemedtoprobemyinmostheart。Atlasthecametoadefinitedecisionandspoke。
\"Hiswordsopenedaworldofdismaybeforeme。Iwashisonlychild,asheremarked,andithadbeenandwasthedesireofhishearttoleavemeasrichandindependentamanashimself。ButIseemeddisposedtocommitoneofthoseactsagainstwhichhehadthemostdeterminedprejudice;marriagebetweencousinsbeinginhiseyesanunsanctifiedanddangerousproceeding,liabletoconsequencesthemostunhappy。IfIpersisted,hemustwillhispropertyelsewhere。TheBlakeestateshouldneverdescendwiththesealofhisapprobationtoaraceofprobableimbeciles。
\"Norwasthisenough。HenotonlyrobbedmeofthewomanIloved,butwithaclearinsightintothefuture,Ipresume,insisteduponmymarryingsomeoneelseofrespectabilityandworthbeforehedied。
\'Anyonewhoseappearancewilldoyoucreditandwhosevirtueisbeyondreproach,\'saidhe。\'Idon\'taskhertoberichoreventheoffspringofoneofouroldfamilies。Letherbegoodandpureandofnoconnectiontous,andIwillblessherandyouwithmydyingbreath。\'
\"Theideahadseizeduponhimwithgreatforce,andIsoonsawhewasnottobeshakenoutofit。Toallmyobjectionshereturnedbuttheoneword,\"\'Idon\'trestrictyourchoiceandIgiveyouamonthinwhichtomakeit。Ifattheendofthattimeyoucannotbringyourbridetomybedside,Imustlookaroundforanheirwhowillnotthwartmydyingwishes。\'\"
\"Amonth!Isurveyedthefashionablebellesthatnightlythrongedtheparlorsofmyfriendsandfeltmyheartsinkwithinme。Takeoneofthemformywife,lovinganotherwoman?Impossible。Womenlikethesedemandedsomethinginreturnforthehonortheyconferreduponamanbymarryinghim。Wealth?theyhadit。Position?thatwastheirsalso。Consideration?ah,whatconsiderationhadItogive?Iturnedfromthemwithdistaste。
\"MycousinEvelyngavemenohelp。Shewasaproudwomanandlovedmymoneyandmyexpectationsasmuchasshedidme。
\"\'Ifyoumustmarryanotherwomantoretainyourwealth,marry,saidshe,\'butdonotmarryoneofmyassociates。Iwillhavenorivalinmyownempire;yourwifemustbeaplainerandalessaspiringwomanthanEvelynBlake。Yetdonotdiscredityourname,——whichismine,\'
shewouldalwaysadd。
\"Meanwhilethedaysflewby。Ifmyownconsciencehadallowedmetoforgetthefact,myfather\'seagerlyinquiring,butsternlyunrelentinggazeasIcameeacheveningtohisbedside,wouldhavekeptitsufficientlyinmymind。Ibegantofeellikeoneinthepowerofsomehugecrushingmachinewhoseslowlydescendingweightheinvainendeavorstoescape。
\"HoworwhenthethoughtofLuttrafirstcrossedmymindIcannotsay。
AtfirstIrecoiledatthesuggestionandputitawayfrommeindisdain;butiteverrecurredandwithitsomanyargumentsinherfavorthatbeforelongIfoundmyselfregardingitasarefuge。Tobesureshewasawaifandastray,butthatseemedtobethekindofwifedemandedofme。Shewasalliedtoroguesifnotvillains,I
knew;butthenhadshenotcutallconnectionwiththem,droppedawayfromthem,plantedherfeetonnewgroundwhichtheywouldneverinvade?Icommencedtocherishtheidea。Withthisfriendless,grateful,unassumingprotegeeofmineforawife,Iwouldbeaslittleboundasmightbe。Shewouldasknothing,andIneedgivenothing,beyondahomeandthecommonattentionsrequiredofagentlemanandafriend。Thenshewasnotdisagreeable,norwasherbeautyofatypetosuggestthecharmsofherIhadlost。Noneofthegracesofthehaughtypatricianladywhoselightestgesturewasacommand,wouldappearinthishumblegirl,tomockandconstrainme。
No,Ishouldhaveafairwifeandanobedientone,butnovulgarizedshadowofEvelyn,thankGod,orofanyofherfashionablydressedfriends。
\"Advancedthusfartowardstheend,IwenttoseeLuttraIhadnotbeheldhersincethemorningwepartedatthedoorofthatlittlecottageinVermont,andherpresencecausedmeashock。This,thehumblewaifwiththeappealinggratefuleyesIhadexpectedtoencounter?thistallandslendercreaturewithanaureolaofgoldenhairaboutafacethatitwasaneducationtobehold!IfeltahalfmovementofangerasIsurveyedher。Ihadbeencheated;Ihadplantedagrapeseedandapalmtreehadsprungupinitsplace。I
wassotakenaback,mysalutelostsomethingofthebenevolentcondescensionIhadintendedtoinfuseintoit。Sheseemedtofeelmyembarassmentandahalfsmileflutteredtoherlips。Thatsmiledecidedme。Itwassweetbutaboveallelseitwasappealing。
\"HowIwonthatwomantomarrymeintendaystimeIcarenottostate。Notbyholdingupmywealthandpositionbeforeher。
Somethingrestrainedmefromthat。Iwasresolved,andperhapsitwastheonlypointoflightinmyconductatthattime,nottobuythisyounggirl。Ineverspokeofmyexpectations,IneveralludedtomypresentadvantagesyetIwonher。
\"Weweremarried,there,inTroyinthequietestandmostunpretendingmanner。WhythefacthasnevertranspiredIcannotsay。Icertainlytooknoespecialpainstoconcealitatthetime,thoughI
acknowledgethatafterourseparationIdidresorttosuchmeasuresasIthoughtnecessary,tosuppresswhathadbecomegallandwormwoodtomypride。
\"MyfirstmoveaftertheceremonywastobringherimmediatelytoNewYorkandtothishouse。Withperhapsapardonablebitternessofspirit,Ihadrefrainedfromanynotificationofmyintentions,anditwasasstrangersmightenteranunprepareddwelling,thatwesteppedacrossthethresholdofthishouseandpassedimmediatelytomyfather\'sroom。
\"\'Icangiveyounoweddingandnohoneymoon,\'Ihadtoldher。\'Myfatherisdyinganddemandsmycare。Fromthealtartoadeath-bedmaybesadforyou,butitisaninevitableconditionofyourmarriagewithme。\'Andshehadacceptedherfatewithadeepunspeakablesmileithastakenmelongmonthsoflonelinessandsufferingtounderstand。
\"\'Father,Ibringyoumybride,\'weremyfirstwordstohimasthedoorclosedbehindusshuttingusinwiththedread,invisiblePresencethatforsolongatimehadbeenrelentlesslyadvancinguponourhome。
\"Ishallneverforgethowherousedhimselfinhisbed,norwithwhateagereyeshereadheryoungfaceandsurveyedherslightformswayingtowardshiminhersuddenemotionlikeaflameinabreeze。
NorwhileIliveshallIlosesightofthespasmofuncontrollablejoywithwhichheliftedhisagedarmstowardsher,northelookwithwhichshesprangfrommysideandnestled,yesnestled,onthebreastthatnevertomyremembrancehadopeneditselftomeevenintheyearsofmyearliestchildhood。Formyfatherwasasternmanwhobelievedinholdingloveatarm\'slengthandmeasuredaffectionbythedepthofaweitinspired。
\"\'Mydaughter!\'brokefromhislips,andheneverinquiredwhoshewasorwhat;no,notevenwhenafteramomentofsilencesheraisedherheadandwithasuddenlowcryofpassionatelonginglookedinhisfaceandmurmured,\"\'Ineverhadafather。\'
\"Sirs,itisimpossibleformetocontinuewithoutrevealingdepthsofprideandbitternessinmyownnature,fromwhichInowshrinkwithunspeakablepain。Sofarfrombeingtouchedbythisscene,Ifeltmyselfgrowhardunderit。Ifhehadbeendisappointedinmychoice,queriedatitorevenbeensimplypleasedatmyobedience,ImighthaveacceptedthewifeIhadwon,andbeentolerablygrateful。Buttoloveher,admireher,gloryinherwhenEvelynBlakehadneversucceededinwinningaglancefromhiseyesthatwasnotapublicdisapprobation!Icouldnotendureit;mywholebeingrebelled,andamovementlikehatetookpossessionofme。
\"Biddingmywifetoleavemewithmyfatheralone,Iscarcelywaitedforthedoortocloseuponthepooryoungthingbeforeallthathadbeenseethinginmybreastforamonth,burstfrommeintheonecry,\"\'Ihavebroughtyouadaughterasyoucommandedme。Nowgivemetheblessingyoupromisedandletmego;forIcannotlivewithawomanI
donotlove。\'
\"Instantly,andbeforehislipscouldmove,thedooropenedandthewomanIthusrepudiatedinthefirstdawninghourofheryoungbliss,stoodbeforeus。MyGod!whataface!WhenIthinkofitnowinthenightseason——whenfromdreamsthatgloomyastheyare,areoftenelysiantothethoughtswhichbesetmeinmywakinghours,Isuddenlyarousetoseestartinguponmefromthesurroundingshadowsthatyoungfairbrowwithitshaloofgoldentresses,blotted,ayblottedbytheagonythatturnedherthatinstantintostone,IwonderIdidnottakeoutthepistolthatlayinthetablenearwhichIstood,andshootherlifelessonthespotassomesortofacompensationforthemiseryIhadcausedher。IsayIwondernow:thenIonlythoughtofbravingitout。
\"Straightasadart,butwiththatlookonherface,shecametowardsus。\'DidIheararight?\'werethewordsthatcamefromherlips。
\'Haveyoumarriedme,awomanbeneathyourstationasInowperceive,becauseyouwerecommandedtodoso?Haveyounotlovedme?givenmethatwhichalonemakesmarriageasacramentorevenapossibility?
andmustyouleavethishousemadesacredbytherecumbentformofyourdyingfatherifIremainwithinit?\'
\"Isawmyfather\'sstiffandpallidlipsmovesilentlyasthoughhewouldanswerformeifhecould,andsummoningupwhatcourageI
possessed,ItoldherthatIdeeplyregrettedshehadoverheardmyinconsideratewords。ThatIhadnevermeanttowoundher,whateverbitternesslayinmyhearttowardsonewhohadthwartedmeinmydearestandmostcherishedhopes。ThatIhumblybeggedherpardonandwouldsofaracknowledgeherclaimuponmeastopromisethatIwouldnotleavemyhomeatthistime,ifitdistressedher;mydesirebeingnottoinjureher,onlytoprotectmyself。
\"Othescornthatmountedtoherbrowattheseweakwords。Notscornofme,thankGod,worthyasIwasofitthathour,butscornofmyslightopinionofher。
\"\'ThenIheardaright,\'shemurmured,andwaitedwithalookthatwouldnotbegainsaid。
\"Icouldonlybowmyhead,cursingthedayIwasborn。
\"\'Holman!Holman!\'cameinagonizedentreatyfromthebed,\'youwillnotrobmeofmydaughternow?\'
\"Startled,Ilookedup。Luttrawashalfwaytothedoor。
\"\'Whatareyougoingtodo?\'criedI,boundingtowardsher。
\"Shestoppedmewithalook。\'Thesonmustneverforsakethefather,\'
saidshe。\'Ifeitherofusmustleavethehousethisday,letitbeI。\'Theninasoftertone,\'Whenyouaskedmetobeyourwife,Iwhohadworshippedyoufromthemomentyouenteredmyfather\'shouseonthememorablenightIleftit,wassoovercomeatyourcondescensionthatIforgotyoudidnotprefaceitbytheusualpassionate,\'Iloveyou,\'whichmorethanthemarriageringbindstwoheartstogether。Intheglamourandglowofmyjoy,Ididnotseethatthesmilethatwasinmyheart,wasmissingfromyourface。Iwastobeyourwifeandthatwasenough,orsoIthoughtthen,forIlovedyou。Ah,andIdonow,myhusband,loveyousothatIleaveyou。WereitforyourhappinessIwoulddomorethanthat,Iwouldgiveyoubackyourfreedom,butfromwhatIhear,itseemsthatyouneedawifeinnameandIwillbebutfulfillingyourdesireinholdingthatplaceforyou。Iwillneverdisgracethepositionhighasitisabovemypoordeserts。Whenthedaycomes——ifthedaycomes——thatyouneedorfeelyouneedthesustainmentofmypresenceorthedevotionofmyheart,nopoweronearthsavethatofdeathitself,shallkeepmefromyourside。TillthatdayarrivesIremainwhatyouhavemademe,abridewholaysnoclaimtothenameyouthismorningbestoweduponher。\'Andwithagesturethatwaslikeabenediction,sheturned,andnoiselessly,breathlesslyasadreamthatvanishes,lefttheroom。
\"Sirs,IbelieveIutteredacryandstumbledtowardsher。Someoneinthatroomutteredacry,butitmaybethatitonlyroseinmyheartandthattheoneIheardcamefrommyfather\'slips。ForwhenatthedoorIturned,startledatthedeathlysilence,Isawhehadfaintedonhispillow。Icouldnotleavehimso。CallingtoMrs。Daniels,whowasneverfarfrommyfatherinthosedays,Ibadeherstopthelady——IbelieveIcalledhermywife——whowasgoingdownthestairs,andthenrushedtohisside。Ittookminutestorevivehim。Whenhecametohimselfitwastoaskforthecreaturewhohadflashedlikeabeaconoflightuponhisdarkeningpath。IroseasiftofetchherbutbeforeIcouldadvanceIheardavoicesay,\'Sheisnothere,\'
andlookingupIsawMrs。Danielsglideintotheroom。
\"\'Mrs。Blakehasgone,sir,Icouldnotkeepher。\'
CHAPTERXIII
AMAN\'SHEART
\"ThatwasthelasttimemyeyeseverIresteduponmywife。Whithershewentorwhatrefugeshegained,Ineverknew。Myfatherwhohadreceivedinthissceneagreatshock,begantofailsorapidly,hedemandedmyconstantcare;andthoughfromtimetotimeasI
ministeredtohimandnotedwithwhatayearningpersistencyhewouldeyethedoorandthenturnandmeetmygazewithalookIcouldnotunderstand,IcaughtmyselfaskingwhetherIhaddoneadeeddestinedtohangforeveraboutmelikeapall;itwasnottillafterhisdeaththatthedespairingimageofthebrightyoungcreaturetowhomIhadgivenmyname,returnedwithanystartlingdistinctnesstomymind,orthatIallowedmyselftoaskwhethertheheavygloomwhichInowfeltsettlinguponmewasowingtothesenseofshamethatoverpoweredmeattheremembranceofthepast,ortothepossiblelossIhadsustainedinthedepartureofmyyoungunlovedbride。
\"TheannouncementatthistimeoftheengagementbetweenEvelynBlakeandtheCountDeMiracmayhavehadsomethingtodowiththis。ThoughIhadneverinthemostpassionatehoursofmyloveforher,lostsightofthatsideofhernaturewhichdemandedasherrighttheluxuryofgreatwealth;andthoughinmytacitabandonmentofherandsecretmarriagewithanotherIhadcertainlylosttherighttocomplainofheractionswhatevertheymightbe,thismanifestsurrenderingofherselftothepowerofwealthandshowatthepriceofallthatwomenarebelievedtoholddear,wasanundoubtedblowtomyprideandtheconfidenceIhadtillnowunconsciouslyreposedinherinherentwomanlinessandaffection。Thatshehadbutmadeonamoreconspicuousscale,thesamesacrificeasmyselftothegodofWealthandPosition,wasinmyeyesatthattime,nopalliationofherconduct。Iwasamannonetoogoodorexaltedatthebest;she,awoman,shouldhavebeensuperiortothetemptationsthatoverpoweredme。Thatshewasnot,seemedtodragallwomanhoodalittlenearerthedust;fashionablewomanhoodIoughttosay,forsomehowevenatthatearlydayherconductdidnotseemtoaffectthevividimageofLuttrastandinguponmythreshold,shornofherjoybutburningwithadevotionIdidnotcomprehend,andsaying,\"\'Ilovedyou。Ah,andIdoyet,myhusband,loveyousothatIleaveyou。Whenthedaycomes——ifthedaycomes——youneedorfeelyouneedthesustainmentofmypresenceorthedevotionofmyheart,nopoweronearthsavethatofdeathitself,shallkeepmefromyourside。\'
\"Yes,withthefadingawayofotherfacesandotherforms,thatfaceandthatformnowbegantousurpthechiefplaceinmythoughts。Nottomyreliefandpleasure。Thatcouldscarcelybe,rememberingallthathadoccurred;rathertomyincreasingdistressandpassionateresentment。IlongedtoforgetIwasheldbyatie,thatknowntotheworldwouldcausemethebitterestshame。ForbythistimethetruecharacterofherfatherandbrotherhadbeenrevealedandI
foundmyselfboundtothedaughterofaconvictedcriminal。
\"ButIcouldnotforgether。Thelookwithwhichshehadleftmewasbrandedintomyconsciousness。Nightanddayitfloatedbeforeme,tilltoescapeitIresolvedtofastenituponcanvas,ifbythatmeansImightsucceedineliminatingitfrommydreams。
\"Thepaintingyouhaveseenthisnightistheresult。Bornwithanartist\'stouchandinsightthatunderothercircumstancesmight,perhaps,haveraisedmeintothecolddryatmosphereoffame,theexecutionofthispieceofwork,presentedbutfewdifficultiestomysomewhataccustomedhand。Daybydayherbeautygrewbeneathmybrush,startlingmeoftenwithitsspiritualforceandsignificancetillmymindgrewfeverishoveritswork,andIcouldscarcelyrefrainfromrisingatnighttogiveatouchhereortheretothefloatinggoldenhairorthepiercing,tendereyesturned,ah,everturnedupontheinmostcitadelofmyheartwiththatlookthatslewmyfatherbeforehistimeandmademe,yesme,oldinspiritevenintheardentyearsofmyfirstmanhood。