Therewasanofficerattheirhead，encouraginghismen，——acourageous，handsome，gallantofficeroffive—and—thirty，whomDoubledicksawhurriedly，almostmomentarily，butsawwell。Heparticularlynoticedthisofficerwavinghissword，andrallyinghismenwithaneagerandexcitedcry，whentheyfiredinobediencetohisgesture，andMajorTauntondropped。
Itwasoverintenminutesmore，andDoubledickreturnedtothespotwherehehadlaidthebestfriendmaneverhadonacoatspreaduponthewetclay。MajorTaunton’suniformwasopenedatthebreast，andonhisshirtwerethreelittlespotsofblood。
\"DearDoubledick，\"saidhe，\"Iamdying。\"
\"FortheloveofHeaven，no！\"exclaimedtheother，kneelingdownbesidehim，andpassinghisarmroundhisnecktoraisehishead。
\"Taunton！Mypreserver，myguardianangel，mywitness！Dearest，truest，kindestofhumanbeings！Taunton！ForGod’ssake！\"
Thebright，darkeyes——sovery，verydarknow，inthepaleface——
smileduponhim；andthehandhehadkissedthirteenyearsagolaiditselffondlyonhisbreast。
\"Writetomymother。YouwillseeHomeagain。Tellherhowwebecamefriends。Itwillcomforther，asitcomfortsme。\"
Hespokenomore，butfaintlysignedforamomenttowardshishairasitflutteredinthewind。TheEnsignunderstoodhim。Hesmiledagainwhenhesawthat，and，gentlyturninghisfaceoveronthesupportingarmasifforrest，died，withhishanduponthebreastinwhichhehadrevivedasoul。
NodryeyelookedonEnsignRichardDoubledickthatmelancholyday。
Heburiedhisfriendonthefield，andbecamealone，bereavedman。
Beyondhisdutyheappearedtohavebuttworemainingcaresinlife，——one，topreservethelittlepacketofhairhewastogivetoTaunton’smother；theother，toencounterthatFrenchofficerwhohadralliedthemenunderwhosefireTauntonfell。Anewlegendnowbegantocirculateamongourtroops；anditwas，thatwhenheandtheFrenchofficercamefacetofaceoncemore，therewouldbeweepinginFrance。
Thewarwenton——andthroughitwenttheexactpictureoftheFrenchofficerontheoneside，andthebodilyrealityupontheother——
untiltheBattleofToulousewasfought。Inthereturnssenthomeappearedthesewords:\"Severelywounded，butnotdangerously，LieutenantRichardDoubledick。\"
AtMidsummer—time，intheyeareighteenhundredandfourteen，LieutenantRichardDoubledick，nowabrownedsoldier，seven—and—
thirtyyearsofage，camehometoEnglandinvalided。Hebroughtthehairwithhim，nearhisheart。ManyaFrenchofficerhadheseensincethatday；manyadreadfulnight，insearchingwithmenandlanternsforhiswounded，hadherelievedFrenchofficerslyingdisabled；butthementalpictureandtherealityhadnevercometogether。
Thoughhewasweakandsufferedpain，helostnotanhouringettingdowntoFromeinSomersetshire，whereTaunton’smotherlived。Inthesweet，compassionatewordsthatnaturallypresentthemselvestothemindto—night，\"hewastheonlysonofhismother，andshewasawidow。\"
ItwasaSundayevening，andtheladysatatherquietgarden—
window，readingtheBible；readingtoherself，inatremblingvoice，thatverypassageinit，asIhaveheardhimtell。Heheardthewords:\"Youngman，Isayuntothee，arise！\"
Hehadtopassthewindow；andthebright，darkeyesofhisdebasedtimeseemedtolookathim。Herhearttoldherwhohewas；shecametothedoorquickly，andfelluponhisneck。
\"Hesavedmefromruin，mademeahumancreature，wonmefrominfamyandshame。O，Godforeverblesshim！AsHewill，HeWill！\"
\"Hewill！\"theladyanswered。\"Iknowheisinheaven！\"Thenshepiteouslycried，\"ButO，mydarlingboy，mydarlingboy！\"
NeverfromthehourwhenPrivateRichardDoubledickenlistedatChathamhadthePrivate，Corporal，Sergeant，Sergeant—Major，Ensign，orLieutenantbreathedhisrightname，orthenameofMaryMarshall，orawordofthestoryofhislife，intoanyearexcepthisreclaimer’s。Thatprevioussceneinhisexistencewasclosed。Hehadfirmlyresolvedthathisexpiationshouldbetoliveunknown；todisturbnomorethepeacethathadlonggrownoverhisoldoffences；
toletitberevealed，whenhewasdead，thathehadstrivenandsuffered，andhadneverforgotten；andthen，iftheycouldforgivehimandbelievehim——well，itwouldbetimeenough——timeenough！
Butthatnight，rememberingthewordshehadcherishedfortwoyears，\"Tellherhowwebecamefriends。Itwillcomforther，asitcomfortsme，\"herelatedeverything。Itgraduallyseemedtohimasifinhismaturityhehadrecoveredamother；itgraduallyseemedtoherasifinherbereavementshehadfoundason。DuringhisstayinEngland，thequietgardenintowhichhehadslowlyandpainfullycrept，astranger，becametheboundaryofhishome；whenhewasabletorejoinhisregimentinthespring，heleftthegarden，thinkingwasthisindeedthefirsttimehehadeverturnedhisfacetowardstheoldcolourswithawoman’sblessing！
Hefollowedthem——soragged，soscarredandpiercednow，thattheywouldscarcelyholdtogether——toQuatreBrasandLigny。Hestoodbesidethem，inanawfulstillnessofmanymen，shadowythroughthemistanddrizzleofawetJuneforenoon，onthefieldofWaterloo。
AnddowntothathourthepictureinhismindoftheFrenchofficerhadneverbeencomparedwiththereality。
Thefamousregimentwasinactionearlyinthebattle，andreceiveditsfirstcheckinmanyaneventfulyear，whenhewasseentofall。
Butitsweptontoavengehim，andleftbehinditnosuchcreatureintheworldofconsciousnessasLieutenantRichardDoubledick。
Throughpitsofmire，andpoolsofrain；alongdeepditches，onceroads，thatwerepoundedandploughedtopiecesbyartillery，heavywaggons，trampofmenandhorses，andthestruggleofeverywheeledthingthatcouldcarrywoundedsoldiers；joltedamongthedyingandthedead，sodisfiguredbybloodandmudastobehardlyrecognisableforhumanity；undisturbedbythemoaningofmenandtheshriekingofhorses，which，newlytakenfromthepeacefulpursuitsoflife，couldnotendurethesightofthestragglerslyingbythewayside，nevertoresumetheirtoilsomejourney；dead，astoanysentientlifethatwasinit，andyetalive，——theformthathadbeenLieutenantRichardDoubledick，withwhosepraisesEnglandrang，wasconveyedtoBrussels。Thereitwastenderlylaiddowninhospital；
andthereitlay，weekafterweek，throughthelongbrightsummerdays，untiltheharvest，sparedbywar，hadripenedandwasgatheredin。
Overandoveragainthesunroseandsetuponthecrowdedcity；overandoveragainthemoonlightnightswerequietontheplainsofWaterloo:andallthattimewasablanktowhathadbeenLieutenantRichardDoubledick。RejoicingtroopsmarchedintoBrussels，andmarchedout；brothersandfathers，sisters，mothers，andwives，camethrongingthither，drewtheirlotsofjoyoragony，anddeparted；somanytimesadaythebellsrang；somanytimestheshadowsofthegreatbuildingschanged；somanylightssprangupatdusk；somanyfeetpassedhereandthereuponthepavements；somanyhoursofsleepandcoolerairofnightsucceeded:indifferenttoall，amarblefacelayonabed，likethefaceofarecumbentstatueonthetombofLieutenantRichardDoubledick。
Slowlylabouring，atlast，throughalongheavydreamofconfusedtimeandplace，presentingfaintglimpsesofarmysurgeonswhomheknew，andoffacesthathadbeenfamiliartohisyouth，——dearestandkindestamongthem，MaryMarshall’s，withasolicitudeuponitmorelikerealitythananythinghecoulddiscern，——LieutenantRichardDoubledickcamebacktolife。Tothebeautifullifeofacalmautumneveningsunset，tothepeacefullifeofafreshquietroomwithalargewindowstandingopen；abalconybeyond，inwhichweremovingleavesandsweet—smellingflowers；beyond，again，theclearsky，withthesunfullinhissight，pouringitsgoldenradianceonhisbed。
Itwassotranquilandsolovelythathethoughthehadpassedintoanotherworld。Andhesaidinafaintvoice，\"Taunton，areyounearme？\"
Afacebentoverhim。Nothis，hismother’s。
\"Icametonurseyou。Wehavenursedyoumanyweeks。Youweremovedherelongago。Doyouremembernothing？\"
\"Nothing。\"
Theladykissedhischeek，andheldhishand，soothinghim。
\"Whereistheregiment？Whathashappened？Letmecallyoumother。
Whathashappened，mother？\"
\"Agreatvictory，dear。Thewarisover，andtheregimentwasthebravestinthefield。\"
Hiseyeskindled，hislipstrembled，hesobbed，andthetearsrandownhisface。Hewasveryweak，tooweaktomovehishand。
\"Wasitdarkjustnow？\"heaskedpresently。
\"No。\"
\"Itwasonlydarktome？Somethingpassedaway，likeablackshadow。Butasitwent，andthesun——Otheblessedsun，howbeautifulitis！——touchedmyface，IthoughtIsawalightwhitecloudpassoutatthedoor。Wastherenothingthatwentout？\"
Sheshookherhead，andinalittlewhilehefellasleep，shestillholdinghishand，andsoothinghim。
Fromthattime，herecovered。Slowly，forhehadbeendesperatelywoundedinthehead，andhadbeenshotinthebody，butmakingsomelittleadvanceeveryday。Whenhehadgainedsufficientstrengthtoconverseashelayinbed，hesoonbegantoremarkthatMrs。Tauntonalwaysbroughthimbacktohisownhistory。Thenherecalledhispreserver’sdyingwords，andthought，\"Itcomfortsher。\"
Onedayheawokeoutofasleep，refreshed，andaskedhertoreadtohim。Butthecurtainofthebed，softeningthelight，whichshealwaysdrewbackwhenheawoke，thatshemightseehimfromhertableatthebedsidewhereshesatatwork，washeldundrawn；andawoman’svoicespoke，whichwasnothers。
\"Canyoubeartoseeastranger？\"itsaidsoftly。\"Willyouliketoseeastranger？\"
\"Stranger！\"herepeated。Thevoiceawokeoldmemories，beforethedaysofPrivateRichardDoubledick。
\"Astrangernow，butnotastrangeronce，\"itsaidintonesthatthrilledhim。\"Richard，dearRichard，lostthroughsomanyyears，myname——\"
Hecriedouthername，\"Mary，\"andsheheldhiminherarms，andhisheadlayonherbosom。
\"Iamnotbreakingarashvow，Richard。ThesearenotMaryMarshall’slipsthatspeak。Ihaveanothername。\"
Shewasmarried。
\"Ihaveanothername，Richard。Didyoueverhearit？\"
\"Never！\"
Helookedintoherface，sopensivelybeautiful，andwonderedatthesmileuponitthroughhertears。
\"Thinkagain，Richard。Areyousureyouneverheardmyalteredname？\"
\"Never！\"
\"Don’tmoveyourheadtolookatme，dearRichard。Letitliehere，whileItellmystory。Ilovedagenerous，nobleman；lovedhimwithmywholeheart；lovedhimforyearsandyears；lovedhimfaithfully，devotedly；lovedhimwithouthopeofreturn；lovedhim，knowingnothingofhishighestqualities——notevenknowingthathewasalive。Hewasabravesoldier。Hewashonouredandbelovedbythousandsofthousands，whenthemotherofhisdearfriendfoundme，andshowedmethatinallhistriumphshehadneverforgottenme。
Hewaswoundedinagreatbattle。Hewasbrought，dying，here，intoBrussels。Icametowatchandtendhim，asIwouldhavejoyfullygone，withsuchapurpose，tothedreariestendsoftheearth。Whenheknewnooneelse，heknewme。Whenhesufferedmost，heborehissufferingsbarelymurmuring，contenttoresthisheadwhereyourrestsnow。Whenhelayatthepointofdeath，hemarriedme，thathemightcallmeWifebeforehedied。Andthename，mydearlove，thatItookonthatforgottennight——\"
\"Iknowitnow！\"hesobbed。\"Theshadowyremembrancestrengthens。
Itiscomeback。IthankHeaventhatmymindisquiterestored！MyMary，kissme；lullthiswearyheadtorest，orIshalldieofgratitude。Hispartingwordswerefulfilled。IseeHomeagain！\"
Well！Theywerehappy。Itwasalongrecovery，buttheywerehappythroughitall。Thesnowhadmeltedontheground，andthebirdsweresingingintheleaflessthicketsoftheearlyspring，whenthosethreewerefirstabletorideouttogether，andwhenpeopleflockedabouttheopencarriagetocheerandcongratulateCaptainRichardDoubledick。
ButeventhenitbecamenecessaryfortheCaptain，insteadofreturningtoEngland，tocompletehisrecoveryintheclimateofSouthernFrance。TheyfoundaspotupontheRhone，withinarideoftheoldtownofAvignon，andwithinviewofitsbrokenbridge，whichwasalltheycoulddesire；theylivedthere，together，sixmonths；
thenreturnedtoEngland。Mrs。Taunton，growingoldafterthreeyears——thoughnotsooldasthatherbright，darkeyesweredimmed——
andrememberingthatherstrengthhadbeenbenefitedbythechangeresolvedtogobackforayeartothoseparts。Soshewentwithafaithfulservant，whohadoftencarriedhersoninhisarms；andshewastoberejoinedandescortedhome，attheyear’send，byCaptainRichardDoubledick。
Shewroteregularlytoherchildren（asshecalledthemnow），andtheytoher。ShewenttotheneighbourhoodofAix；andthere，intheirownchateaunearthefarmer’shousesherented，shegrewintointimacywithafamilybelongingtothatpartofFrance。Theintimacybeganinheroftenmeetingamongthevineyardsaprettychild，agirlwithamostcompassionateheart，whowasnevertiredoflisteningtothesolitaryEnglishlady’sstoriesofherpoorsonandthecruelwars。Thefamilywereasgentleasthechild，andatlengthshecametoknowthemsowellthatsheacceptedtheirinvitationtopassthelastmonthofherresidenceabroadundertheirroof。Allthisintelligenceshewrotehome，piecemealasitcameabout，fromtimetotime；andatlastenclosedapolitenote，fromtheheadofthechateau，soliciting，ontheoccasionofhisapproachingmissiontothatneighbourhood，thehonourofthecompanyofcethommesijustementcelebre，MonsieurleCapitaineRichardDoubledick。
CaptainDoubledick，nowahardy，handsomemaninthefullvigouroflife，broaderacrossthechestandshouldersthanhehadeverbeenbefore，dispatchedacourteousreply，andfolloweditinperson。
TravellingthroughallthatextentofcountryafterthreeyearsofPeace，heblessedthebetterdaysonwhichtheworldhadfallen。
Thecornwasgolden，notdrenchedinunnaturalred；wasboundinsheavesforfood，nottroddenunderfootbymeninmortalfight。Thesmokeroseupfrompeacefulhearths，notblazingruins。Thecartswereladenwiththefairfruitsoftheearth，notwithwoundsanddeath。Tohimwhohadsooftenseentheterriblereverse，thesethingswerebeautifulindeed；andtheybroughthiminasoftenedspirittotheoldchateaunearAixuponadeepblueevening。
Itwasalargechateauofthegenuineoldghostlykind，withroundtowers，andextinguishers，andahighleadenroof，andmorewindowsthanAladdin’sPalace。Thelatticeblindswereallthrownopenaftertheheatoftheday，andtherewereglimpsesoframblingwallsandcorridorswithin。Thentherewereimmenseout—buildingsfallenintopartialdecay，massesofdarktrees，terrace—gardens，balustrades；tanksofwater，tooweaktoplayandtoodirtytowork；
statues，weeds，andthicketsofironrailingthatseemedtohaveovergrownthemselvesliketheshrubberies，andtohavebranchedoutinallmannerofwildshapes。Theentrancedoorsstoodopen，asdoorsoftendointhatcountrywhentheheatofthedayispast；andtheCaptainsawnobellorknocker，andwalkedin。
Hewalkedintoaloftystonehall，refreshinglycoolandgloomyaftertheglareofaSouthernday’stravel。Extendingalongthefoursidesofthishallwasagallery，leadingtosuitesofrooms；
anditwaslightedfromthetop。Stillnobellwastobeseen。
\"Faith，\"saidtheCaptainhalting，ashamedoftheclankingofhisboots，\"thisisaghostlybeginning！\"
Hestartedback，andfelthisfaceturnwhite。Inthegallery，lookingdownathim，stoodtheFrenchofficer——theofficerwhosepicturehehadcarriedinhismindsolongandsofar。Comparedwiththeoriginal，atlast——ineverylineamenthowlikeitwas！
Hemoved，anddisappeared，andCaptainRichardDoubledickheardhisstepscomingquicklydownownintothehall。Heenteredthroughanarchway。Therewasabright，suddenlookuponhisface，muchsuchalookasithadworninthatfatalmoment。
MonsieurleCapitaineRichardDoubledick？Enchantedtoreceivehim！
Athousandapologies！Theservantswerealloutintheair。Therewasalittlefeteamongtheminthegarden。Ineffect，itwasthefetedayofmydaughter，thelittlecherishedandprotectedofMadameTaunton。
HewassograciousandsofrankthatMonsieurleCapitaineRichardDoubledickcouldnotwithholdhishand。\"ItisthehandofabraveEnglishman，\"saidtheFrenchofficer，retainingitwhilehespoke。
\"IcouldrespectabraveEnglishman，evenasmyfoe，howmuchmoreasmyfriend！Ialsoamasoldier。\"
\"Hehasnotrememberedme，asIhaverememberedhim；hedidnottakesuchnoteofmyface，thatday，asItookofhis，\"thoughtCaptainRichardDoubledick。\"HowshallItellhim？\"
TheFrenchofficerconductedhisguestintoagardenandpresentedhimtohiswife，anengagingandbeautifulwoman，sittingwithMrs。
Tauntoninawhimsicalold—fashionedpavilion。Hisdaughter，herfairyoungfacebeamingwithjoy，camerunningtoembracehim；andtherewasaboy—babytotumbledownamongtheorangetreesonthebroadsteps，inmakingforhisfather’slegs。Amultitudeofchildrenvisitorsweredancingtosprightlymusic；andalltheservantsandpeasantsaboutthechateauweredancingtoo。ItwasasceneofinnocenthappinessthatmighthavebeeninventedfortheclimaxofthescenesofpeacewhichhadsoothedtheCaptain’sjourney。
Helookedon，greatlytroubledinhismind，untilaresoundingbellrang，andtheFrenchofficerbeggedtoshowhimhisrooms。Theywentupstairsintothegalleryfromwhichtheofficerhadlookeddown；andMonsieurleCapitaineRichardDoubledickwascordiallywelcomedtoagrandouterchamber，andasmalleronewithin，allclocksanddraperies，andhearths，andbrazendogs，andtiles，andcooldevices，andelegance，andvastness。
\"YouwereatWaterloo，\"saidtheFrenchofficer。
\"Iwas，\"saidCaptainRichardDoubledick。\"AndatBadajos。\"
Leftalonewiththesoundofhisownsternvoiceinhisears，hesatdowntoconsider，WhatshallIdo，andhowshallItellhim？Atthattime，unhappily，manydeplorableduelshadbeenfoughtbetweenEnglishandFrenchofficers，arisingoutoftherecentwar；andtheseduels，andhowtoavoidthisofficer’shospitality，weretheuppermostthoughtinCaptainRichardDoubledick’smind。
Hewasthinking，andlettingthetimerunoutinwhichheshouldhavedressedfordinner，whenMrs。Tauntonspoketohimoutsidethedoor，askingifhecouldgivehertheletterhehadbroughtfromMary。\"Hismother，aboveall，\"theCaptainthought。\"HowshallI
tellher？\"
\"Youwillformafriendshipwithyourhost，Ihope，\"saidMrs。
Taunton，whomhehurriedlyadmitted，\"thatwilllastforlife。Heissotrue—heartedandsogenerous，Richard，thatyoucanhardlyfailtoesteemoneanother。IfHehadbeenspared，\"shekissed（notwithouttears）thelocketinwhichsheworehishair，\"hewouldhaveappreciatedhimwithhisownmagnanimity，andwouldhavebeentrulyhappythattheevildayswerepastwhichmadesuchamanhisenemy。\"
Shelefttheroom；andtheCaptainwalked，firsttoonewindow，whencehecouldseethedancinginthegarden，thentoanotherwindow，whencehecouldseethesmilingprospectandthepeacefulvineyards。
\"Spiritofmydepartedfriend，\"saidhe，\"isitthroughtheethesebetterthoughtsarerisinginmymind？Isitthouwhohastshownme，allthewayIhavebeendrawntomeetthisman，theblessingsofthealteredtime？Isitthouwhohastsentthystrickenmothertome，tostaymyangryhand？Isitfromtheethewhispercomes，thatthismandidhisdutyasthoudidst，——andasIdid，throughthyguidance，whichhaswhollysavedmehereonearth，——andthathedidnomore？\"
Hesatdown，withhisheadburiedinhishands，and，whenheroseup，madethesecondstrongresolutionofhislife，——thatneithertotheFrenchofficer，nortothemotherofhisdepartedfriend，nortoanysoul，whileeitherofthetwowasliving，wouldhebreathewhatonlyheknew。AndwhenhetouchedthatFrenchofficer’sglasswithhisown，thatdayatdinner，hesecretlyforgavehiminthenameoftheDivineForgiverofinjuries。
HereIendedmystoryasthefirstPoorTraveller。But，ifIhadtolditnow，IcouldhaveaddedthatthetimehassincecomewhenthesonofMajorRichardDoubledick，andthesonofthatFrenchofficer，friendsastheirfatherswerebeforethem，foughtsidebysideinonecause，withtheirrespectivenations，likelong—dividedbrotherswhomthebettertimeshavebroughttogether，fastunited。
CHAPTERIII——THEROAD
Mystorybeingfinished，andtheWassailtoo，webrokeupastheCathedralbellstruckTwelve。Ididnottakeleaveofmytravellersthatnight；forithadcomeintomyheadtoreappear，inconjunctionwithsomehotcoffee，atseveninthemorning。
AsIpassedalongtheHighStreet，IheardtheWaitsatadistance，andstruckofftofindthem。TheywereplayingnearoneoftheoldgatesoftheCity，atthecornerofawonderfullyquaintrowofred—
bricktenements，whichtheclarionetobliginglyinformedmewereinhabitedbytheMinor—Canons。Theyhadoddlittleporchesoverthedoors，likesounding—boardsoveroldpulpits；andIthoughtIshouldliketoseeoneoftheMinor—Canonscomeoutuponhistopstop，andfavouruswithalittleChristmasdiscourseaboutthepoorscholarsofRochester；takingforhistextthewordsofhisMasterrelativetothedevouringofWidows’houses。
Theclarionetwassocommunicative，andmyinclinationswere（astheygenerallyare）ofsovagabondatendency，thatIaccompaniedtheWaitsacrossanopengreencalledtheVines，andassisted——intheFrenchsense——attheperformanceoftwowaltzes，twopolkas，andthreeIrishmelodies，beforeIthoughtofmyinnanymore。However，Ireturnedtoitthen，andfoundafiddleinthekitchen，andBen，thewall—eyedyoungman，andtwochambermaids，circlingroundthegreatdealtablewiththeutmostanimation。
Ihadaverybadnight。Itcannothavebeenowingtotheturkeyorthebeef，——andtheWassailisoutofthequestion——butineveryendeavourthatImadetogettosleepIfailedmostdismally。Iwasneverasleep；andinwhatsoeverunreasonabledirectionmymindrambled，theeffigyofMasterRichardWattsperpetuallyembarrassedit。
Inaword，IonlygotoutoftheWorshipfulMasterRichardWatts’swaybygettingoutofbedinthedarkatsixo’clock，andtumbling，asmycustomis，intoallthecoldwaterthatcouldbeaccumulatedforthepurpose。Theouterairwasdullandcoldenoughinthestreet，whenIcamedownthere；andtheonecandleinoursupper—
roomatWatts’sCharitylookedaspaleintheburningasifithadhadabadnighttoo。ButmyTravellershadallsleptsoundly，andtheytooktothehotcoffee，andthepilesofbread—and—butter，whichBenhadarrangedlikedealsinatimber—yard，askindlyasI
coulddesire。
Whileitwasyetscarcelydaylight，weallcameoutintothestreettogether，andthereshookhands。ThewidowtookthelittlesailortowardsChatham，wherehewastofindasteamboatforSheerness；thelawyer，withanextremelyknowinglook，wenthisownway，withoutcommittinghimselfbyannouncinghisintentions；twomorestruckoffbythecathedralandoldcastleforMaidstone；andthebook—pedleraccompaniedmeoverthebridge。Asforme，IwasgoingtowalkbyCobhamWoods，asfaruponmywaytoLondonasIfancied。
WhenIcametothestileandfootpathbywhichIwastodivergefromthemainroad，IbadefarewelltomylastremainingPoorTraveller，andpursuedmywayalone。Andnowthemistsbegantoriseinthemostbeautifulmanner，andthesuntoshine；andasIwentonthroughthebracingair，seeingthehoarfrostsparkleeverywhere，I
feltasifallNaturesharedinthejoyofthegreatBirthday。
Goingthroughthewoods，thesoftnessofmytreaduponthemossygroundandamongthebrownleavesenhancedtheChristmassacrednessbywhichIfeltsurrounded。Asthewhitenedstemsenvironedme，I
thoughthowtheFounderofthetimehadneverraisedhisbenignanthand，savetoblessandheal，exceptinthecaseofoneunconscioustree。ByCobhamHall，Icametothevillage，andthechurchyardwherethedeadhadbeenquietlyburied，\"inthesureandcertainhope\"whichChristmastimeinspired。WhatchildrencouldIseeatplay，andnotbelovingof，recallingwhohadlovedthem！NogardenthatIpassedwasoutofunisonwiththeday，forIrememberedthatthetombwasinagarden，andthat\"she，supposinghimtobethegardener，\"hadsaid，\"Sir，ifthouhavebornehimhence，tellmewherethouhastlaidhim，andIwilltakehimaway。\"Intime，thedistantriverwiththeshipscamefullinview，andwithitpicturesofthepoorfishermen，mendingtheirnets，whoaroseandfollowedhim，——oftheteachingofthepeoplefromashippushedoffalittlewayfromshore，byreasonofthemultitude，——ofamajesticfigurewalkingonthewater，inthelonelinessofnight。MyveryshadowonthegroundwaseloquentofChristmas；fordidnotthepeoplelaytheirsickwherethemoreshadowsofthemenwhohadheardandseenhimmightfallastheypassedalong？
ThusChristmasbegirtme，farandnear，untilIhadcometoBlackheath，andhadwalkeddownthelongvistaofgnarledoldtreesinGreenwichPark，andwasbeingsteam—rattledthroughthemistsnowclosinginoncemore，towardsthelightsofLondon。Brightlytheyshone，butnotsobrightlyasmyownfire，andthebrighterfacesaroundit，whenwecametogethertocelebratetheday。AndthereI
toldofworthyMasterRichardWatts，andofmysupperwiththeSixPoorTravellerswhowereneitherRoguesnorProctors，andfromthathourtothisIhaveneverseenoneofthemagain。