\"Ifyouwillexcuseme，\"hesaid，\"Iwilltelltheboythathecango.\"
Weheardhim，amomentlater，turnthekeyintheouterdoor;andwhenhecamebackandhadmadeupthefire，hetoldusthebeginningofthestory.
ThenameofthemanburiedinHighgateCemeterywasHepworth，afterall.NotMichael，butAlex，theelderbrother.
Fromboyhoodhehadbeenviolent，brutal，unscrupulous.JudgingfromEllenby’sstory，itwasdifficulttoaccepthimasaproductofmoderncivilisation.Ratherhewouldseemtohavebeenathrowbacktosomesavage，buccaneeringancestor.Toexpecthimtowork，whilehecouldliveinviciousidlenessatsomebodyelse’sexpense，wasfoundtobehopeless.Hisdebtswerepaidforaboutthethirdorfourthtime，andhewasshippedofftotheColonies.Unfortunately，therewerenomeansofkeepinghimthere.Sosoonasthemoneyprovidedhimhadbeensquandered，hereturned，demandingmorebymenacesandthreats.Meetingwithunexpectedfirmness，heseemstohaveregardedtheftandforgeryastheonlyalternativelefttohim.
Tosavehimfrompunishmentandthefamilynamefromdisgrace，hisparents’savingsweresacrificed.Itwasgriefandshamethat，accordingtoEllenby，killedthembothwithinafewmonthsofoneanother.
Deprivedbythisblowofwhathenodoubthadcometoconsiderhisnaturalmeansofsupport，andhissister，fortunatelyforherself，beingwelloutofhisreach，henextfixeduponhisbrotherMichaelashisstay—by.Michael，weak，timid，andnotperhapswithoutsomeremainsofboyishaffectionforastrong，handsome，elderbrother，foolishlyyielded.Thedemands，ofcourse，increased，until，intheend，itcamealmostasareliefwhentheman’sviciouslifeledtohisgettingmixedupwithacrimeofaparticularlyodiousnature.
Hewasanxiousnowforhisownsaketogetaway，andMichael，withlittleenoughtospareforhimself，providedhimwiththemeans，onthesolemnunderstandingthathewouldneverreturn.
ButtheworryandmiseryofitallhadleftyoungMichaelabrokenman.Unabletoconcentratehismindanylongeruponhisprofession，hiscravingwastogetawayfromallhisoldassociations——tomakeafreshstartinlife.ItwasEllenbywhosuggestedLondonandtheshipfurnishingbusiness，whereMichael’ssmallremainingcapitalwouldbeofservice.ThenameofHepworthwouldbevaluableinshippingcircles，andEllenby，arguingthisconsideration，butchieflywiththehopeofgivingyoungMichaelmoreinterestinthebusiness，hadinsistedthatthefirmshouldbeHepworthandCo.
Theyhadnotbeenstartedayearbeforethemanreturned，asusualdemandingmoremoney.Michael，actingunderEllenby’sguidance，refusedintermsthatconvincedhisbrotherthatthegameofbullyingwasup.Hewaitedawhile，andthenwrotepatheticallythathewasillandstarving.Ifonlyforthesakeofhisyoungwife，wouldnotMichaelcomeandseethem？
Thiswasthefirsttheyhadheardofhismarriage.Therewasjustafainthopethatitmighthaveeffectedachange，andMichael，againstEllenby’sadvice，decidedtogo.Inamiserablelodging—houseintheEastEndhefoundtheyoungwife，butnothisbrother，whodidnotreturntillhewasonthepointofleaving.IntheintervalthegirlseemstohaveconfidedherstorytoMichael.
Shehadbeenasinger，engagedatamusic—hallinRotterdam.ThereAlexHepworth，callinghimselfCharlieMartin，hadmetherandmadelovetoher.Whenhechose，hecouldbeagreeableenough，andnodoubtheryouthandbeautyhadgiventohisprotestations，forthetimebeing，agenuineringofadmirationanddesire.Itwastoescapefromhersurroundings，morethananythingelse，thatshehadconsented.Shewaslittlemorethanachild，andanythingseemedpreferabletothenightlyhorrortowhichherlifeexposedher.
Hehadnevermarriedher.Atleast，thatwasherbeliefatthetime.Duringhisfirstdrunkenbouthehadflungitinherfacethattheformtheyhadgonethroughwasmerebunkum.Unfortunatelyforher，thiswasalie.Hehadalwaysbeencoollycalculating.Itwasprobablywiththeideaofasafeinvestmentthathehadseentoitthattheceremonyhadbeenstrictlylegal.
Herlifewithhim，sosoonasthefirstnoveltyofherhadwornoff，hadbeenunspeakable.Thebandthatsheworeroundherneckwastohidewhere，inafitofsavagery，becauseshehadrefusedtoearnmoneyforhimonthestreets，hehadtriedtocutherthroat.NowthatshehadgotbacktoEnglandsheintendedtoleavehim.Ifhefollowedandkilledhershedidnotcare.
ItwasforhersakethatyoungHepwortheventuallyofferedtohelphisbrotheragain，ontheconditionthathewouldgoawaybyhimself.Tothistheotheragreed.Heseemstohavegivenashortdisplayofremorse.Theremusthavebeenagrinonhisfaceasheturnedaway.Hiscunningeyeshadforeseenwhatwaslikelytohappen.Theideaofblackmailwasnodoubtinhismindfromthebeginning.Withthechargeofbigamyasaweaponinhishand，hemightrelyfortherestofhislifeuponasteadyandincreasingincome.
Michaelsawhisbrotheroffasasecond—classpassengeronashipboundfortheCape.Ofcourse，therewaslittlechanceofhiskeepinghisword，buttherewasalwaysthechanceofhisgettinghimselfknockedontheheadinsomebrawl.Anyhow，hewouldbeoutofthewayforaseason，andthegirl，Lola，wouldbeleft.Amonthlaterhemarriedher，andfourmonthsafterthatreceivedaletterfromhisbrothercontainingmessagestoMrs.Martin，\"fromherlovinghusband，Charlie，\"whohopedbeforelongtohavethepleasureofseeingheragain.
InquiriesthroughtheEnglishConsulinRotterdamprovedthatthethreatwasnomerebluff.Themarriagehadbeenlegalandbinding.
Whathappenedonthenightofthemurder，wasverymuchasmyfriendhadreconstructedit.Ellenby，reachingtheofficeathisusualtimethenextmorning，hadfoundHepworthwaitingforhim.Therehehadremainedinhidinguntilonemorning，withdyedhairandaslightmoustache，hehadventuredforth.
Hadtheman’sdeathbeenbroughtaboutbyanyothermeans，Ellenbywouldhavecounselledhiscomingforwardandfacinghistrial，ashehimselfwasanxioustodo;but，viewedinconjunctionwiththerelieftheman’sdeathmusthavebeentobothofthem，thatloadedrevolverwastoosuggestiveofpremeditation.Theisolationofthehouse，thatconvenientlynearpond，wouldlookasifthoughtofbeforehand.Evenifpleadingextremeprovocation，Michaelescapedtherope，alongtermofpenalservitudewouldbeinevitable.
Norwasitcertainthateventhenthewomanwouldgofree.Themurderedmanwouldstill，byastrangefreak，beherhusband;themurderer——intheeyeofthelaw——herlover.
Herpassionatewillhadprevailed.YoungHepworthhadsailedforAmerica.Therehehadnodifficultyinobtainingemployment——ofcourse，underanothername——inanarchitectsoffice;andlaterhadsetupforhimself.Sincethenightofthemurdertheyhadnotseeneachothertillsomethreeweeksago.
***
Ineversawthewomanagain.Myfriend，Ibelieve，calledonher.
HepworthhadalreadyreturnedtoAmerica，andmyfriendhadsucceededinobtainingforhersomesortofapolicepermitthatpracticallyleftherfree.
SometimesofaneveningIfindmyselfpassingthroughthestreet.
AndalwaysIhavethefeelingofhavingblunderedintoanemptytheatre——wheretheplayisended.
HISEVENINGOUT.
Theevidenceofthepark—keeper，DavidBristow，ofGilderStreet，CamdenTown，isasfollows：
IwasondutyinSt.James’sParkonThursdayevening，mysphereextendingfromtheMalltothenorthernshoreoftheornamentalwatereastofthesuspensionbridge.Atfive—and—twentytosevenI
tookupapositionbetweenthepeninsulaandthebridgetoawaitmycolleague.Heoughttohaverelievedmeathalf—pastsix，butdidnotarriveuntilafewminutesbeforeseven，owing，soheexplained，tothebreakingdownofhismotor—’bus——whichmayhavebeentrueormaynot，asthesayingis.
Ihadjustcometoahalt，whenmyattentionwasarrestedbyalady.
IamunabletoexplainwhythepresenceofaladyinSt.James’sParkshouldhaveseemedinanywayworthyofnoticeexceptthat，forcertainreasons，sheremindedmeofmyfirstwife.Iobservedthatshehesitatedbetweenoneofthepublicseatsandtwovacantchairsstandingbythemselvesalittlefarthertotheeast.Eventuallysheselectedoneofthechairs，and，havingcleaneditwithaneveningpaper——thebirdsinthisportionoftheParkbeingextremelyprolific——satdownuponit.Therewasplentyofroomuponthepublicseatclosetoit，exceptforsomechildrenwhowereplayingtouch;andinconsequenceofthisIjudgedhertobeapersonofmeans.
IwalkedtoapointfromwhereIcouldcommandthesouthernapproachestothebridge，mycolleaguearrivingsometimesbywayofBirdcageWalkandsometimesbywayoftheHorseGuardsParade.Notseeinganysignsofhiminthedirectionofthebridge，Iturnedback.AlittlewaypastthechairwheretheladywassittingImetMr.Parable.IknowMr.Parablequitewellbysight.Hewaswearingtheusualgreysuitandsoftfelthatwithwhichthepicturesinthenewspapershavemadeusallfamiliar.IjudgedthatMr.ParablehadcomefromtheHousesofParliament，andthenextmorningmysuspicionswereconfirmedbyreadingthathehadbeenpresentatatea—partygivenontheterracebyMr.WillCrooks.Mr.
Parableconveyedtomethesuggestionofamanabsorbedinthought，andnotquiteawareofwhathewasdoing;butinthis，ofcourse，I
mayhavebeenmistaken.Hepausedforamomenttolookovertherailingsatthepelican.Mr.ParablesaidsomethingtothepelicanwhichIwasnotnearenoughtooverhear;andthen，stillapparentlyinastateofabstraction，crossedthepathandseatedhimselfonthechairnexttothatoccupiedbytheyounglady.
FromthetreeagainstwhichIwasstandingIwasabletowatchthesubsequentproceedingsunobserved.TheladylookedatMr.Parableandthenturnedawayandsmiledtoherself.Itwasapeculiarsmile，and，againinsomewayIamunabletoexplain，remindedmeofmyfirstwife.ItwasnottillthepelicanputdownhisotherlegandwalkedawaythatMr.Parable，turninghisgazewestward，becameawareofthelady’spresence.
Frominformationthathassubsequentlycometomyknowledge，IampreparedtobelievethatMr.Parable，fromthebeginning，reallythoughttheladywasafriendofhis.Whattheladythoughtisamatterforconjecture;Icanonlyspeaktothefacts.Mr.Parablelookedattheladyonceortwice.Indeed，onemightsaywithtruththathekeptondoingit.Thelady，itmustbeadmitted，behavedforawhilewithextremepropriety;butafteratime，asIfeltmusthappen，theireyesmet，andthenitwasIheardhersay：
\"Goodevening，Mr.Parable.\"
SheaccompaniedthewordswiththesamepeculiarsmiletowhichI
havealreadyalluded.TheexactwordsofMr.Parable’sreplyI
cannotremember.Butitwastotheeffectthathehadthoughtfromthefirstthathehadknownherbuthadnotbeenquitesure.Itwasatthispointthat，thinkingIsawmycolleagueapproaching，Iwenttomeethim.IfoundIwasmistaken，andslowlyretracedmysteps.
IpassedMr.Parableandthelady.TheyweretalkingtogetherwithwhatIshoulddescribeasanimation.Iwentasfarasthesouthernextremityofthesuspensionbridge，andmusthavewaitedtherequitetenminutesbeforereturningeastward.ItwaswhileIwaspassingbehindthemonthegrass，partiallyscreenedbytherhododendrons，thatIheardMr.Parablesaytothelady：
\"Whyshouldn’twehaveittogether？\"
Towhichtheladyreplied：
\"ButwhataboutMissClebb？\"
Icouldnotoverhearwhatfollowed，owingtotheirsinkingtheirvoices.Itseemedtobeanargument.Itendedwiththeyoungladylaughingandthenrising.Mr.Parablealsorose，andtheywalkedofftogether.AstheypassedmeIheardtheladysay：
\"Iwonderifthere’sanyplaceinLondonwhereyou’renotlikelytoberecognised.\"
Mr.Parable，whogavemetheideaofbeinginastateofgrowingexcitement，repliedquiteloudly：
\"Oh，let’em！\"
Iwasfollowingbehindthemwhentheladysuddenlystopped.
\"Iknow！\"shesaid.\"ThePopularCafe.\"
Thepark—keepersaidhewasconvincedhewouldknowtheladyagain，havingtakenparticularnoticeofher.Shehadbrowneyesandwaswearingablackhatsupplementedwithpoppies.
***
ArthurHorton，waiteratthePopularCafe，statesasfollows：
IknowMr.JohnParablebysight.Haveoftenheardhimspeakatpublicmeetings.AmabitofaSocialistmyself.RememberhisdiningatthePopularCafeontheeveningofThursday.Didn’trecognisehimimmediatelyonhisentrancefortworeasons.Onewashishat，andtheotherwashisgirl.Itookitfromhimandhungitup.Imean，ofcourse，thehat.Itwasabrand—newbowler，atrifleikeyaboutthebrim.Havealwaysassociatedhimwithasoftgreyfelt.Butneverwithgirls.Females，yes，toanyextent.Butthiswastherealarticle.YouknowwhatImean——thesortofgirlthatyouturnroundtolookafter.Itwasshewhoselectedthetableinthecornerbehindthedoor.Beentherebefore，Ishouldsay.
Ishould，intheordinarycourseofbusiness，haveaddressedMr.
Parablebyname，suchbeingourinstructionsinthecaseofcustomersknowntous.But，puttingthehatandthegirltogether，Idecidednotto.Mr.Parablewasallforourthree—and—six—pennytabled’hote;heevidentlynotwantingtothink.Buttheladywouldn’thearofit.
\"RememberMissClebb，\"sheremindedhim.
Ofcourse，atthetimeIdidnotknowwhatwasmeant.Sheorderedthinsoup，agrilledsole，andcutletsaugratin.Itcertainlycouldn’thavebeenthedinner.Withregardtothechampagne，hewouldhavehisownway.Ipickedhimoutadry’94，thatyoumighthaveweanedababyon.Isupposeitwasthewholethingcombined.
ItwasafterthesolethatIheardMr.Parablelaugh.Icouldhardlycreditmyears，buthalf—waythroughthecutletshediditagain.
Therearetwokindsofwomen.Thereisthewomanwho，themoresheeatsanddrinks，thestodgiershegets，andthewomanwholightsupafterit.IsuggestedapecheMelbabetweenthem，andwhenI
returnedwithit，Mr.ParablewassittingwithhiselbowsonthetablegazingacrossatherwithanexpressionthatIcanonlydescribeasquitehuman.ItwaswhenIbroughtthecoffeethatheturnedtomeandasked：
\"What’sdoing？Nothingstuffy，\"headded.\"IsthereanExhibitionanywhere——somethingintheopenair？\"
\"YouareforgettingMissClebb，\"theladyremindedhim.
\"Fortwopins，\"saidMr.Parable，\"IwouldgetupatthemeetingandtellMissClebbwhatIreallythinkabouther.\"
IsuggestedtheEarl’sCourtExhibition，littlethinkingatthetimewhatitwasgoingtoleadto;buttheladyatfirstwouldn’thearofit，andthepartyatthenexttablecallingfortheirbill（theyhadaskedforitonceortwicebefore，whenIcametothinkofit），I
hadtogoacrosstothem.
WhenIgotbacktheargumenthadjustconcluded，andtheladywasholdingupherfinger.
\"Onconditionthatweleaveathalf—pastnine，andthatyougostraighttoCaxtonHall，\"shesaid.
\"We’llseeaboutit，\"saidMr.Parable，andofferedmehalfacrown.
Tipsbeingagainsttherules，Icouldn’ttakeit.Besides，oneofthejumpershadhiseyeonme.Iexplainedtohim，jocosely，thatI
wasdoingitforabet.HewassurprisedwhenIhandedhimhishat，but，theladywhisperingtohim，herememberedhimselfintime.
AstheywentouttogetherIheardMr.Parablesaytothelady：
\"It’sfunnywhatashockingmemoryIhavefornames.\"
Towhichtheladyreplied：
\"You’llthinkitfunnierstillto—morrow.\"Andthenshelaughed.
Mr.Hortonthoughthewouldknowtheladyagain.Heputsdownherageatabouttwenty—six，describingher——tousehisownpiquantexpression——as\"abitofallright.\"Shehadbrowneyesandatakingwaywithher.
***
MissIdaJenks，inchargeoftheEasternCigaretteKioskattheEarl’sCourtExhibition，givesthefollowingparticulars：
FromwhereIgenerallystandIcaneasilycommandaviewoftheinterioroftheVictoriaHall;thatis，ofcourse，tosaywhenthedoorsareopen，asonawarmnightisusuallythecase.
OntheeveningofThursday，thetwenty—seventh，itwasfairlywelloccupied，butnottoanygreatextent.Onecoupleattractedmyattentionbyreasonofthegentleman’serraticsteering.HadhebeenmypartnerIshouldhavesuggestedapolka，thetangonotbeingthesortofdancethatcanbepickedupinanevening.WhatImeantosayis，thathestruckmeasbeingmorewillingthanexperienced.
Someofthebumpsshegotwouldhavemademecross;butweallhaveourfancies，and，sofarasIcouldjudge，theybothappearedtobeenjoyingthemselves.Itwasafterthe\"HitchyKoo\"thattheycameoutside.
Theseattotheleftofthedoorispopularbyreasonofitsbeingpartlyscreenedbybushes，butbyleaningforwardalittleitisquitepossibleformetoseewhatgoesonthere.Theywerethefirstcoupleout，havinghadabadcollisionnearthebandstand，soeasilysecuredit.Thegentlemanwaslaughing.
TherewassomethingabouthimfromthefirstthatmademethinkI
knewhim，andwhenhetookoffhishattowipehisheaditcametomeallofasudden，hebeingtheexactimageofhiseffigyatMadameTussaud’s，which，byacuriouscoincidence，Ihappenedtohavevisitedwithafriendthatveryafternoon.Theladywaswhatsomepeoplewouldcallgood—looking，andothersmightn’t.
Iwaswatchingthem，naturallyalittleinterested.Mr.Parable，inhelpingtheladytoadjusthercloak，drewher——itmayhavebeenbyaccident——towardshim;andthenitwasthatafloridgentlemanwithashortpipeinhismouthsteppedforwardandaddressedthelady.
Heraisedhishatand，remarking\"Goodevening，\"addedthathehopedshewas\"havingapleasanttime.\"Histone，Ishouldexplain，wassarcastic.
Theyoungwoman，whateverelsemaybesaidofher，struckmeasbehavingquitecorrectly.Replyingtohissalutationwithacoldanddistantbow，sherose，and，turningtoMr.Parable，observedthatshethoughtitwasperhapstimeforthemtobegoing.
Thegentleman，whohadtakenhispipefromhismouth，said——againinasarcastictone——thathethoughtsotoo，andofferedtheladyhisarm.
\"Idon’tthinkweneedtroubleyou，\"saidMr.Parable，andsteppedbetweenthem.
TodescribewhatfollowedI，beingalady，amhamperedforwords.I
rememberseeingMr.Parable’shatgoupintotheair，andthenthenextmomentthefloridgentleman’sheadwaslyingonmycountersmotheredincigarettes.Inaturallyscreamedforthepolice，butthecrowdwasdeadagainstme;anditwasonlyafterwhatIbelieveintechnicallanguagewouldbetermed\"thefourthround\"thattheyappeareduponthescene.
ThelastIsawofMr.Parablehewasshakingayoungconstablewhohadlosthishelmet，whilethreeotherpolicemenhadholdofhimfrombehind.Thefloridgentleman’shatIfoundonthefloorofmykioskandreturnedtohim;butafterauselessattempttogetitonhishead，hedisappearedwithitinhishand.Theladywasnowheretobeseen.
MissJenksthinksshewouldknowheragain.Shewaswearingahattrimmedwithblackchiffonandasprayofpoppies，andwasslightlyfreckled.
***
SuperintendentS.Wade，inanswertoquestionsputtohimbyourrepresentative，vouchsafedthefollowingreplies：
Yes.IwasinchargeattheVineStreetPoliceStationonthenightofThursday，thetwenty—seventh.
No.IhavenorecollectionofachargeofanydescriptionbeingpreferredagainstanygentlemanofthenameofParable.
Yes.Agentlemanwasbroughtinaboutteno’clockchargedwithbrawlingattheEarl’sCourtExhibitionandassaultingaconstableinthedischargeofhisduty.
ThegentlemangavethenameofMr.ArchibaldQuincey，HarcourtBuildings，Temple.
No.Thegentlemanmadenoapplicationrespectingbail，electingtopassthenightinthecells.Acertainamountofdiscretionispermittedtous，andwemadehimascomfortableaspossible.
Yes.Alady.
No.AboutagentlemanwhohadgothimselfintotroubleattheEarl’sCourtExhibition.Shementionednoname.
Ishowedherthechargesheet.Shethankedmeandwentaway.
ThatIcannotsay.Icanonlytellyouthatatnine—fifteenonFridaymorningbailwastendered，and，afterinquiries，acceptedinthepersonofJuliusAddisonTupp，oftheSunnybrookSteamLaundry，Twickenham.
Thatisnobusinessofours.
Theaccusedwho，Ihadseentoit，hadhadacupofteaandalittletoastatseven—thirty，leftincompanywithMr.Tuppsoonafterten.
SuperintendentWadeadmittedhehadknowncaseswhereaccusedparties，toavoidunpleasantness，hadstatedtheirnamestobeotherthantheirown，butdeclinedtodiscussthematterfurther.
SuperintendentWade，whileexpressinghisregretthathehadnomoretimetobestowuponourrepresentative，thoughtithighlyprobablethathewouldknowtheladyagainifhesawher.
Withoutprofessingtobeajudgeofsuchmatters，SuperintendentWadethinksshemightbedescribedasahighlyintelligentyoungwoman，andofexceptionallyprepossessingappearance.
***
FromMr.JuliusTupp，oftheSunnybrookSteamLaundry，Twickenham，uponwhomourrepresentativenextcalled，wehavebeenunabletoobtainmuchassistance，Mr.Tuppreplyingtoallquestionsputtohimbytheoneformula，\"Nottalking.\"
Fortunately，ourrepresentative，onhiswayoutthroughthedryingground，wasabletoobtainabriefinterviewwithMrs.Tupp.
Mrs.TuppremembersadmittingayoungladytothehouseonthemorningofFriday，thetwenty—eighth，whensheopenedthedoortotakeinthemilk.Thelady，Mrs.Tuppremembers，spokeinahuskyvoice，theresult，astheyoungladyexplainedwithapleasantlaugh，ofhavingpassedthenightwanderingaboutHamCommon，shehavingbeenmisdirectedthepreviouseveningbyafoolofarailwayporter，andnotwishingtodisturbtheneighbourhoodbywakingpeopleupattwoo’clockinthemorning，which，inMrs.Tupp’sopinion，wassensibleofher.
Mrs.Tuppdescribestheyoungladyasofagreeablemanners，butlooking，naturally，abitwashedout.TheladyaskedforMr.Tupp，explainingthatafriendofhiswasintrouble，whichdidnotintheleastsurpriseMrs.Tupp，sheherselfnotholdingwithSocialistsandsuchlike.Mr.Tupp，onbeinginformed，dressedhastilyandwentdownstairs，andheandtheyoungladyleftthehousetogether.
Mr.Tupp，onbeingquestionedastothenameofhisfriend，hadcalledupthatitwasnooneMrs.Tuppwouldknow，aMr.Quince——itmayhavebeenQuincey.
Mrs.TuppisawarethatMr.ParableisalsoaSocialist，andisacquaintedwiththesayingaboutthieveshangingtogether.ButhasworkedforMr.Parableforyearsandhasalwaysfoundhimamostsatisfactoryclient;and，Mr.Tuppappearingatthispoint，ourrepresentativethankedMrs.Tuppforherinformationandtookhisdeparture.
***
Mr.HoratiusCondor，Junior，whoconsentedtopartakeofluncheonincompanywithourrepresentativeattheHolbornRestaurant，wasatfirstdisinclinedtobeofmuchassistance，buteventuallysuppliedourrepresentativewiththefollowinginformation：
MyrelationshiptoMr.ArchibaldQuincey，HarcourtBuildings，Temple，isperhapsalittledifficulttodefine.
HowhehimselfregardsmeIamneverquitesure.Therewillbedaystogetherwhenwewillbequitefriendlylike，andatothertimeshewillbethatoffhandedandperemptoryyoumightthinkIwashisbloomingofficeboy.
OnFridaymorning，thetwenty—eighth，Ididn’tgettoHarcourtBuildingsattheusualtime，knowingthatMr.Quinceywouldnotbetherehimself，hehavingarrangedtointerviewMr.ParablefortheDailyChronicleatteno’clock.Iallowedhimhalfanhour，tobequitesafe，andhecameinataquarterpasteleven.
Hetooknonoticeofme.Forabouttenminutes——itmayhavebeenless——hewalkedupanddowntheroom，cursingandswearingandkickingthefurnitureabout.Helandedanoccasionalwalnuttableinthemiddleofmyshins，uponwhichItooktheopportunityofwishinghim\"Goodmorning，\"andhesortofwokeup，asyoumightsay.
\"Howdidtheinterviewgooff？\"Isays.\"Gotanythinginteresting？\"
\"Yes，\"hesays;\"quiteinteresting.Oh，yes，decidedlyinteresting.\"
Hewasholdinghimselfin，ifyouunderstand，speakingwithhorribleslownessanddeliberation.
\"D’youknowwherehewaslastnight？\"heasksme.
\"Yes，\"Isays;\"CaxtonHall，wasn’tit？——meetingtodemandthereleaseofMissClebb.\"
Heleansacrossthetabletillhisfacewaswithinafewinchesofmine.
\"Guessagain，\"hesays.
Iwasn’tdoinganyguessing.Hehadhurtmewiththewalnuttable，andIwasfeelingabitshort—tempered.
\"Oh！don’tmakeagameofit，\"Isays.\"It’stooearlyinthemorning.\"
\"AttheEarl’sCourtExhibition，\"hesays;\"dancingthetangowithaladythathepickedupinSt.James’sPark.\"
\"Well，\"Isays，\"whynot？Hedon’toftengetmuchfun.\"Ithoughtitbesttotreatitlightly.
Hetakesnonoticeofmyobservation.
\"Arivalcomesuponthescene，\"hecontinues——\"afatheadedass，accordingtomyinformation——andtheyhaveastand—upfight.HegetsruninandspendsthenightinaVineStreetpolicecell.\"
IsupposeIwasgrinningwithoutknowingit.
\"Funny，ain’tit？\"hesays.
\"Well，\"Isays，\"ithasitshumorousside，hasn’tit？What’llheget？\"
\"IamnotworryingaboutwhatHEisgoingtoget，\"heanswersback.
\"Iamworryingaboutwhat_I_amgoingtoget.\"
Ithoughthehadgonedotty.
\"What’sitgottodowithyou？\"Isays.
\"IfoldWotherspoonisinagoodhumour，\"hecontinues，\"andtheconstable’sheadhasgonedownabitbetweennowandWednesday，I
maygetoffwithfortyshillingsandapublicreprimand.
\"Ontheotherhand，\"hegoeson——hewasworkinghimselfintoasortoffit——\"iftheconstable’sheadgoesonswelling，andoldWotherspoon’slivergetsworse，I’vegottobepreparedforamonthwithouttheoption.Thatis，ifIamfoolenough——\"
Hehadleftboththedoorsopen，whichinthedaytimewegenerallydo，ourchambersbeingatthetop.MissDorton——that’sMr.
Parable’ssecretary——bargesintotheroom.Shedidn’tseemtonoticeme.Shestaggerstoachairandburstsintotears.
\"He’sgone，\"shesays;\"he’stakencookwithhimandgone.\"
\"Gone！\"saystheguv’nor.\"Where’shegone？\"
\"ToFingest，\"shesaysthroughhersobs——\"tothecottage.MissBulstrodecameinjustafteryouhadleft，\"shesays.\"Hewantstogetawayfromeveryoneandhaveafewdays’quiet.Andthenheiscomingback，andheisgoingtodoithimself.\"
\"Dowhat？\"saystheguv’nor，irritablelike.
\"Fourteendays，\"shewails.\"It’llkillhim.\"
\"Butthecasedoesn’tcomeontillWednesday，\"saystheguv’nor.
\"Howdoyouknowit’sgoingtobefourteendays？\"
\"MissBulstrode，\"shesays，\"she’sseenthemagistrate.Hesayshealwaysgivesfourteendaysincasesofunprovokedassault.\"
\"Butitwasn’tunprovoked，\"saystheguv’nor.\"Theothermanbeganitbyknockingoffhishat.Itwasself—defence.\"
\"Sheputthattohim，\"shesays，\"andheagreedthatthatwouldalterhisviewofthecase.But，yousee，\"shecontinues，\"wecan’tfindtheotherman.Heisn’tlikelytocomeforwardofhisownaccord.\"
\"Thegirlmustknow，\"saystheguv’nor——\"thisgirlhepicksupinSt.James’sPark，andgoesdancingwith.Themanmusthavebeensomefriendofhers.\"
\"Butwecan’tfindhereither，\"shesays.\"Hedoesn’tevenknowhername——hecan’trememberit.\"
\"Youwilldoit，won’tyou？\"shesays.
\"Dowhat？\"saystheguv’noragain.
\"Thefourteendays，\"shesays.
\"ButIthoughtyousaidhewasgoingtodoithimself？\"hesays.
\"Buthemustn’t，\"shesays.\"MissBulstrodeiscomingroundtoseeyou.Thinkofit！Thinkoftheheadlinesinthepapers，\"shesays.
\"ThinkoftheFabianSociety.ThinkoftheSuffragecause.Wemustn’tlethim.\"
\"Whataboutme？\"saystheguv’nor.\"Doesn’tanybodycareforme？\"
\"Youdon’tmatter，\"shesays.\"Besides，\"shesays，\"withyourinfluenceyou’llbeabletokeepitoutofthepapers.IfitcomesoutthatitwasMr.Parable，nothingonearthwillbeableto.\"
Theguv’norwasalmostasmuchexcitedbythistimeasshewas.
\"I’llseetheFabianSocietyandtheWomen’sVoteandtheHomeforLostCatsatBattersea，andalltherestoftheblessedbagoftricks——\"
I’dbeenthinkingtomyself，andhadjustworkeditout.
\"What’shewanttotakehiscookdownwithhimfor？\"Isays.
\"Tocookforhim，\"saystheguv’nor.\"Whatd’yougenerallywantacookfor？\"
\"Rats！\"Isays.\"Doesheusuallytakehiscookwithhim？\"
\"No，\"answeredMissDorton.\"NowIcometothinkofit，hehasalwayshithertoputupwithMrs.Meadows.\"
\"YouwillfindtheladydownatFingest，\"Isays，\"sittingoppositehimandenjoyingarecherchedinnerfortwo.\"
Theguv’norslapsmeontheback，andliftsMissDortonoutofherchair.
\"Yougetonback，\"hesays，\"andtelephonetoMissBulstrode.I’llberoundathalf—pasttwelve.\"
MissDortonwentoutinadazedsortofcondition，andtheguv’norgivesmeasovereign，andtellsmeIcanhavetherestofthedaytomyself.
Mr.Condor，Junior，considersthatwhathappenedsubsequentlygoestoprovethathewasrightmorethanitprovesthathewaswrong.
Mr.Condor，Junior，alsopromisedtosendusaphotographofhimselfforreproduction，but，unfortunately，uptothetimeofgoingtopressithadnotarrived.
***
FromMrs.Meadows，widowofthelateCorporalJohnMeadows，V.C.，Turberville，Bucks，thefollowingfurtherparticularswereobtainedbyourlocalrepresentative：
IhavedoneforMr.Parablenowforsomeyearspast，mycottagebeingonlyamileoff，whichmakesiteasyformetolookafterhim.
Mr.Parablelikestheplacetobealwaysreadysothathecandropinwhenhechooses，hesometimesgivingmewarningandsometimesnot.Itwasabouttheendoflastmonth——onaFriday，ifIrememberrightly——thathesuddenlyturnedup.
Asarule，hewalksfromHenleystation，butonthisoccasionhearrivedinafly，hehavingayoungwomanwithhim，andshehavingabag——hiscook，asheexplainedtome.Asarule，IdoeverythingforMr.Parable，sleepinginthecottagewhenheisthere;buttotellthetruth，Iwasgladtoseeher.Ineverwasmuchofacookmyself，asmypoordeadhusbandhasremarkedonmorethanoneoccasion，andIdon’tpretendtobe.Mr.Parableadded，apologeticlike，thathehadbeensufferinglatelyfromindigestion.
\"Iamonlytoopleasedtoseeher，\"Isays.\"Therearethetwobedsinmyroom，andweshan’tquarrel.\"Shewasquiteasensibleyoungwoman，asIhadjudgedfromthefirstlookather，thoughsufferingatthetimefromacold.ShehiresabicyclefromEmmaTidd，whoonlyusesitonaSunday，and，takingamarketbasket，offshestartsforHenley，Mr.Parablesayinghewouldgowithhertoshowhertheway.
Theyweregoneagoodishtime，which，seeingit’seightmiles，didn’tsomuchsurpriseme;andwhentheygotbackweallthreehaddinnertogether，Mr.Parablearguingthatitmadeforwhathecalled\"laboursaving.\"AfterwardsIclearedaway，leavingthemtalkingtogether;andlaterontheyhadawalkroundthegarden，itbeingamoonlightnight，butabittoocoldformyfancy.
InthemorningIhadachatwithherbeforehewasdown.Sheseemedabitworried.
\"Ihopepeoplewon’tgettalking，\"shesays.\"Hewouldinsistonmycoming.\"
\"Well，\"Isays，\"surelyagentcanbringhiscookalongwithhimtocookforhim.Andasforpeopletalking，whatIalwayssayis，onemayjustaswellgivethemsomethingtotalkaboutandsavethemthetroubleofmakingitup.\"
\"IfonlyIwasaplain，middle—agedwoman，\"shesays，\"itwouldbeallright.\"
\"Perhapsyouwillbe，allingoodtime，\"Isays，but，ofcourse，I
couldseewhatshewasdrivingat.Anice，clean，pleasant—facedyoungwomanshewas，andnotoftheordinaryclass.\"Meanwhile，\"I
says，\"ifyoudon’tmindtakingabitofmotherlyadvice，youmightrememberthatyourplaceisthekitchen，andhistheparlour.He’sadeargoodman，Iknow，buthumannatureishumannature，andit’snogoodpretendingitisn’t.\"
SheandIhadourbreakfasttogetherbeforehewasup，sothatwhenhecamedownhehadtohavehisalone，butafterwardsshecomesintothekitchenandclosesthedoor.
\"HewantstoshowmethewaytoHighWycombe，\"shesays.\"HewillhaveittherearebettershopsatWycombe.WhatoughtItodo？\"
Myexperienceisthatadvisingfolkstodowhattheydon’twanttodoisn’tthewaytodoit.
\"Whatd’youthinkyourself？\"Iaskedher.
\"Ifeellikegoingwithhim，\"shesays，\"andmakingthemostofeverymile.\"
Andthenshebegantocry.
\"What’stheharm！\"shesays.\"Ihaveheardhimfromadozenplatformsridiculingclassdistinctions.Besides，\"shesays，\"mypeoplehavebeenfarmersforgenerations.WhatwasMissBulstrode’sfatherbutagrocer？Heranahundredshopsinsteadofone.Whatdifferencedoesthatmake？\"
\"Whendiditallbegin？\"Isays.\"Whendidhefirsttakenoticeofyoulike？\"
\"Thedaybeforeyesterday，\"sheanswers.\"Hehadneverseenmebefore，\"shesays.\"Iwasjust’Cook’——somethinginacapandapronthathepassedoccasionallyonthestairs.OnThursdayhesawmeinmybestclothes，andfellinlovewithme.Hedoesn’tknowithimself，poordear，notyet，butthat’swhathe’sdone.\"
Well，Icouldn’tcontradicther，notafterthewayIhadseenhimlookingatheracrossthetable.
\"Whatareyourfeelingstowardshim，\"Isays，\"tobequitehonest？
He’sratheragoodcatchforayoungpersoninyourposition.\"
\"That’smytrouble，\"shesays.\"Ican’thelpthinkingofthat.Andthentobe’Mrs.JohnParable’！That’senoughtoturnawoman’shead.\"
\"He’dbeabitdifficulttolivewith，\"Isays.
\"Geniusesalwaysare，\"shesays;\"it’seasyenoughifyoujustthinkofthemaschildren.He’dbeabitfractiousattimes，that’sall.
Underneath，he’sjustthekindest，dearest——\"
\"Oh，youtakeyourbasketandgotoHighWycombe，\"Isays.\"Hemightdoworse.\"
Iwasn’texpectingthembacksoon，andtheydidn’tcomebacksoon.
Intheafternoonamotorstopsatthegate，andoutofitstepsMissBulstrode，MissDorton——that’stheyoungladythatwritesforhim——andMr.Quincey.ItoldthemIcouldn’tsaywhenhe’dbeback，andtheysaiditdidn’tmatter，theyjusthappeningtobepassing.
\"Didanybodycallonhimyesterday？\"asksMissBulstrode，carelesslike——\"alady？\"
\"No，\"Isays;\"youarethefirstasyet.\"
\"He’sbroughthiscookdownwithhim，hasn’the？\"saysMr.Quincey.
\"Yes，\"Isays，\"andaverygoodcooktoo，\"whichwasthetruth.
\"I’dlikejusttospeakafewwordswithher，\"saysMissBulstrode.
\"Sorry，m’am，\"Isays，\"butshe’soutatpresent;she’sgonetoWycombe.\"
\"GonetoWycombe！\"theyallsaystogether.
\"Tomarket，\"Isays.\"It’salittlefarther，but，ofcourse，itstandstoreasontheshopstherearebetter.\"
Theylookedatoneanother.
\"Thatsettlesit，\"saysMr.Quincey.\"DelicaciesworthytobesetbeforehernotavailablenearerthanWycombe，butmustbehad.
There’sgoingtobeapleasantlittledinnerhereto—night.\"
\"Thehussy！\"saysMissBulstrode，underherbreath.
Theywhisperedtogetherforamoment，thentheyturnstome.
\"Goodafternoon，Mrs.Meadows，\"saysMr.Quincey.\"Youneedn’tsaywecalled.Hewantedtobealone，anditmightvexhim.\"
IsaidIwouldn’t，andIdidn’t.Theyclimbedbackintothemotorandwentoff.
BeforedinnerIhadcalltogointothewoodshed.IheardascuttlingasIopenedthedoor.IfIamnotmistaken，MissDortonwashidinginthecornerwherewekeepthecoke.Ididn’tseeanygoodinmakingafuss，soIleftherthere.WhenIgotbacktothekitchen，cookaskedmeifwe’dgotanyparsley.
\"You’llfindabitinthefront，\"Isays，\"totheleftofthegate，\"
andshewentout.Shecamebacklookingscared.
\"Anybodykeepgoatsroundhere？\"sheaskedme.
\"NotthatIknowof，nearerthanIbstoneCommon，\"Isays.
\"IcouldhaveswornIsawagoat’sfacelookingatmeoutofthegooseberrybusheswhileIwaspickingtheparsley，\"shesays.\"Ithadabeard.\"
\"It’sthehalflight，\"Isays.\"Onecanimagineanything.\"
\"IdohopeI’mnotgettingnervy，\"shesays.
IthoughtI’dhaveanotherlookround，andmadetheexcusethatI
wantedapailofwater.Iwasstoopingoverthewell，whichisjustunderthemulberrytree，whensomethingfellclosetomeandlodgeduponthebricks.Itwasahairpin.Ifixedthecovercarefullyuponthewellincaseofaccident，andwhenIgotinIwentroundmyselfandwascarefultoseethatallthecurtainsweredrawn.
JustbeforewethreesatdowntodinneragainItookcookaside.
\"Ishouldn’tgoforanystrollinthegardento—night，\"Isays.
\"Peoplefromthevillagemaybeabout，andwedon’twantthemgossiping.\"Andshethankedme.
Nextnighttheywerethereagain.IthoughtIwouldn’tspoilthedinner，butmentionitafterwards.Isawtoitagainthatthecurtainsweredrawn，andslippedthecatchofboththedoors.AndjustaswellthatIdid.
IhadalwaysheardthatMr.Parablewasanamusingspeaker，butonpreviousvisitshadnotmyselfnoticedit.ButthistimeheseemedtenyearsyoungerthanIhadeverknownhimbefore;andduringdinner，whileweweretalkingandlaughingquitemerrylike，Ihadthefeelingmorethanoncethatpeopleweremeanderingaboutoutside.Ihadjustfinishedclearingaway，andcookwasmakingthecoffee，whentherecameaknockatthedoor.
\"Who’sthat？\"saysMr.Parable.\"Iamnotathometoanyone.\"
\"I’llsee，\"Isays.AndonmywayIslippedintothekitchen.
\"Coffeeforone，cook，\"Isays，andsheunderstood.Hercapandapronwerehangingbehindthedoor.Iflungthemacrosstoher，andshecaughtthem;andthenIopenedthefrontdoor.
Theypushedpastmewithoutspeaking，andwentstraightintotheparlour.Andtheydidn’twastemanywordsonhimeither.
\"Whereisshe？\"askedMissBulstrode.
\"Where’swho？\"saysMr.Parable.
\"Don’tlieaboutit，\"saidMissBulstrode，makingnoefforttocontrolherself.\"Thehussyyou’vebeendiningwith？\"
\"DoyoumeanMrs.Meadows？\"saysMr.Parable.
Ithoughtshewasgoingtoshakehim.
\"Wherehaveyouhiddenher？\"shesays.
Itwasatthatmomentcookenteredwiththecoffee.
Iftheyhadtakenthetroubletolookathertheymighthavehadanidea.Thetraywastremblinginherhands，andinherhasteandexcitementshehadputonhercapthewrongwayround.Butshekeptcontrolofhervoice，andaskedifsheshouldbringsomemorecoffee.
\"Ah，yes！You’dalllikesomecoffee，wouldn’tyou？\"saysMr.
Parable.MissBulstrodedidnotreply，butMr.Quinceysaidhewascoldandwouldlikeit.Itwasanastynight，withathinrain.
\"Thankyou，sir，\"sayscook，andwewentouttogether.
Cottagesareonlycottages，andifpeopleintheparlourpersistintalkingloudly，peopleinthekitchencan’tverywellhelpoverhearing.
Therewasagooddealoftalkabout\"fourteendays，\"whichMr.
Parablesaidhewasgoingtodohimself，andwhichMissDortonsaidhemustn’t，because，ifhedid，itwouldbeavictoryfortheenemiesofhumanity.Mr.Parablesaidsomethingabout\"humanity，\"
whichIdidn’trightlyhear，but，whateveritwas，itstartedMissDortoncrying;andMissBulstrodecalledMr.Parablea\"blindSamson，\"whohadhadhishaircutbyadesigningminxwhohadbeenhiredtodoit.
ItwasallFrenchtome，butcookwasdrinkingineveryword，andwhenshereturnedfromtakingthemintheircoffeeshemadenobonesaboutit，buttookupherplaceatthedoorwithhereartothekeyhole.
ItwasMr.Quinceywhogotthemallquiet，andthenhebegantoexplainthings.Itseemedthatiftheycouldonlyfindacertaingentlemanandpersuadehimtocomeforwardandacknowledgethathebeganarow，thatthenallwouldbewell.Mr.Quinceywouldbefinedfortyshillings，andMr.Parable’snamewouldneverappear.
Failingthat，Mr.Parable，accordingtoMr.Quincey，coulddohisfourteendayshimself.
\"I’vetoldyouonce，\"saysMr.Parable，\"andItellyouagain，thatIdon’tknowtheman’sname，andcan’tgiveityou.\"
\"Wearenotaskingyouto，\"saysMr.Quincey.\"Yougiveusthenameofyourtangopartner，andwe’lldotherest.\"
Icouldseecook’sface;Ihadgotabitinterestedmyself，andwewerebothclosetothedoor.Shehardlyseemedtobebreathing.
\"Iamsorry，\"saysMr.Parable，speakingverydeliberate—like，\"butIamnotgoingtohavehernamedraggedintothisbusiness.\"
\"Itwouldn’tbe，\"saysMr.Quincey.\"Allwewanttogetoutofheristhenameandaddressofthegentlemanwhowassoanxioustoseeherhome.\"
\"Whowashe？\"saysMissBulstrode.\"Herhusband？\"
\"No，\"saysMr.Parable;\"hewasn’t.\"
\"Thenwhowashe？\"saysMissBulstrode.\"Hemusthavebeensomethingtoher——fiance？\"
\"Iamgoingtodothefourteendaysmyself，\"saysMr.Parable.\"I
shallcomeoutallthefresherafterafortnight’scompleterestandchange.\"
Cookleavesthedoorwithasmileonherfacethatmadeherlookquitebeautiful，and，takingsomepaperfromthedresserdrawer，begantowritealetter.
Theywentontalkingintheotherroomforanothertenminutes，andthenMr.Parableletsthemouthimself，andgoesalittlewaywiththem.Whenhecamebackwecouldhearhimwalkingupanddowntheotherroom.
Shehadwrittenandstampedtheenvelope;itwaslyingonthetable.
\"’JosephOnions，Esq.，’\"Isays，readingtheaddress.\"’AuctioneerandHouseAgent，Broadway，Hammersmith.’Isthattheyoungman？\"
\"Thatistheyoungman，\"shesays，foldingherletterandputtingitintheenvelope.
\"Andwasheyourfiance？\"Iasked.
\"No，\"shesays.\"ButhewillbeifhedoeswhatI’mtellinghimtodo.\"
\"AndwhataboutMr.Parable？\"Isays.
\"Alittlejokethatwillamusehimlateron，\"shesays，slippingacloakonhershoulders.\"Howoncehenearlymarriedhiscook.\"
\"Ishan’tbeaminute，\"shesays.And，withtheletterinherhand，sheslipsout.
Mrs.Meadows，weunderstand，hasexpressedindignationatourpublicationofthisinterview，shebeingundertheimpressionthatshewassimplyhavingafriendlygossipwithaneighbour.Ourrepresentative，however，issureheexplainedtoMrs.Meadowsthathisvisitwasofficial;and，inanycase，ourdutytothepublicmustbeheldtoexonerateusfromallblameinthematter.
***
Mr.JosephOnions，oftheBroadway，Hammersmith，auctioneerandhouseagent，expressedhimselftoourrepresentativeasmostsurprisedattheturnthateventshadsubsequentlytaken.TheletterthatMr.OnionsreceivedfromMissComfortPricewasexplicitanddefinite.ItwastotheeffectthatifhewouldcalluponacertainMr.Quincey，ofHarcourtBuildings，Temple，andacknowledgethatitwashewhobegantherowattheEarl’sCourtExhibitionontheeveningofthetwenty—seventh，thatthentheengagementbetweenhimselfandMissPrice，hithertounacknowledgedbythelady，mightberegardedasafact.
Mr.Onions，whodescribeshimselfasessentiallyabusinessman，decidedbeforecomplyingwithMissPrice’srequesttotakeafewpreliminarysteps.Astheresultofjudiciouslyconductedinquiries，firstattheVineStreetPoliceStation，andsecondlyatTwickenham，Mr.OnionsarrivedlaterinthedayatMr.Quincey’schambers，with，tousehisownexpression，allthecardsinhishand.ItwasMr.Quinceywho，professinghimselfunabletocomplywithMr.Onion’ssuggestion，arrangedtheinterviewwithMissBulstrode.AnditwasMissBulstrodeherselfwho，onconditionthatMr.OnionsaddedtotheundertakingthefurtherconditionthathewouldmarryMissPricebeforetheendofthemonth，offeredtomakeittwohundred.Itwasintheirjointinterest——Mr.OnionsregardinghimselfandMissPriceasnowone——thatMr.Onionssuggestedhermakingitthree，usingsuchargumentsas，underthecircumstances，naturallyoccurredtohim——as，forexample，thedamagecausedtothelady’sreputationbythewholeproceedings，culminatinginanightspentbythelady，accordingtoherownaccount，onHamCommon.ThatthepricedemandedwasreasonableMr.
OnionsconsidersasprovedbyMissBulstrode’seventualacceptanceofhisterms.That，havinggotoutofhimallthathewanted，Mr.
Quinceyshouldhave\"consideredithisduty\"tocommunicatetheentiredetailsofthetransactiontoMissPrice，throughthemediumofMr.Andrews，thinkingit\"aswellsheshouldknowthecharacterofthemansheproposedtomarry，\"Mr.Onionsconsidersagrossbreachofetiquetteasbetweengentlemen;andhavingregardtoMissPrice’safterbehaviour，Mr.Onionscanonlysaythatsheisnotthegirlhetookherfor.
Mr.AaronAndrews，onwhomourrepresentativecalled，wasdesirousatfirstofnotbeingdrawnintothematter;butonourrepresentativeexplainingtohimthatouronlydesirewastocontradictfalserumourslikelytobeharmfultoMr.Parable’sreputation，Mr.Andrewssawthenecessityofputtingourrepresentativeinpossessionofthetruth.
ShecamebackonTuesdayafternoon，explainedMr.Andrews，andIhadatalkwithher.
\"Itisallright，Mr.Andrews，\"shetoldme;\"they’vebeenincommunicationwithmyyoungman，andMissBulstrodehasseenthemagistrateprivately.Thecasewillbedismissedwithafineoffortyshillings，andMr.Quinceyhasarrangedtokeepitoutofthepapers.\"
\"Well，all’swellthatendswell，\"Ianswered;\"butitmighthavebeenbetter，mygirl，ifyouhadmentionedthatyoungmanofyoursabitearlier.\"
\"Ididnotknowitwasofanyimportance，\"sheexplained.\"Mr.
Parabletoldmenothing.Ifithadn’tbeenforchance，Ishouldneverhaveknownwhatwashappening.\"
Ihadalwayslikedtheyoungwoman.Mr.QuinceyhadsuggestedmywaitingtillafterWednesday.Butthereseemedtomenoparticularobjectindelay.
\"Areyoufondofhim？\"Iaskedher.
\"Yes，\"sheanswered.\"Iamfonderthan——\"Andthenshestoppedherselfsuddenlyandflaredscarlet.\"Whoareyoutalkingabout？\"
shedemanded.
\"Thisyoungmanofyours，\"Isaid.\"Mr.——What’shisname——Onions？\"
\"Oh，that？\"sheanswered.\"Oh，yes;he’sallright.\"
\"Andifhewasn’t？\"Isaid，andshelookedatmehard.
\"Itoldhim，\"shesaid，\"thatifhewoulddowhatIaskedhimtodo，I’dmarryhim.Andheseemstohavedoneit.\"
\"Therearewaysofdoingeverything，\"Isaid;and，seeingitwasn’tgoingtobreakherheart，Itoldherjusttheplainfacts.Shelistenedwithoutaword，andwhenIhadfinishedsheputherarmsroundmyneckandkissedme.Iamoldenoughtobehergrandfather，buttwentyyearsagoitmighthaveupsetme.
\"IthinkIshallbeabletosaveMissBulstrodethatthreehundredpounds，\"shelaughed，andranupstairsandchangedherthings.WhenlaterIlookedintothekitchenshewashumming.
Mr.Johncameupbythecar，andIcouldseehewasinoneofhismoods.
\"Packmesomethingsforawalkingtour，\"hesaid.\"Don’tforgettheknapsack.IamgoingtoScotlandbytheeight—thirty.\"
\"Willyoubeawaylong？\"Iaskedhim.
\"Itdependsuponhowlongittakesme，\"heanswered.\"WhenIcomebackIamgoingtobemarried.\"
\"Whoisthelady？\"Iasked，though，ofcourse，Iknew.
\"MissBulstrode，\"hesaid.
\"Well，\"Isaid，\"she——\"
\"Thatwilldo，\"hesaid;\"Ihavehadallthatfromthethreeofthemforthelasttwodays.SheisaSocialist，andaSuffragist，andalltherestofit，andmyidealhelpmate.Sheiswelloff，andthatwillenablemetodevoteallmytimetoputtingtheworldtorightswithoutbotheringaboutanythingelse.Ourhomewillbethenurseryofadvancedideas.Weshallsharetogetherthejoysanddelightsofthepublicplatform.Whatmorecananymanwant？\"
\"Youwillwantyourdinnerearly，\"Isaid，\"ifyouaregoingbytheeight—thirty.Ihadbettertellcook——\"
Heinterruptedmeagain.
\"Youcantellcooktogotothedevil，\"hesaid.
Inaturallystaredathim.
\"Sheisgoingtomarryabeastlylittlerotterofarentcollectorthatshedoesn’tcareadamnfor，\"hewenton.
Icouldnotunderstandwhyheseemedsomadaboutit.
\"Idon’tsee，inanycase，whatit’sgottodowithyou，\"Isaid，\"but，asamatteroffact，sheisn’t.\"
\"Isn’twhat？\"hesaid，stoppingshortandturningonme.
\"Isn’tgoingtomarryhim，\"Ianswered.
\"Whynot？\"hedemanded.