Theyembracedandparted。Astheclatterofhoofsinthecourt-
yarddiedaway，theLadySelinasankintothechairshehadjustquitted。
\"Theseventeenth，\"sherepeatedslowly，withthesamefatefulshudder。\"Ah！——whatifheshouldknowthatIhaveanotherhusbandliving？DareIrevealtohimthatIhavetwolegitimateandthreenaturalchildren？DareIrepeattohimthehistoryofmyyouth？
DareIconfessthatattheageofsevenIpoisonedmysister，byputtingverdigrisinhercream-tarts，——thatIthrewmycousinfromaswingattheageoftwelve？Thatthelady’s-maidwhoincurredthedispleasureofmygirlhoodnowliesatthebottomofthehorse-
pond？No！no！heistoopure，——toogood，——tooinnocent，tohearsuchimproperconversation！\"andherwholebodywrithedassherockedtoandfroinaparoxysmofgrief。
Butshewassooncalm。Risingtoherfeet，sheopenedasecretpanelinthewall，andrevealedaslow-matchreadyforlighting。
\"Thismatch，\"saidtheLadySelina，\"isconnectedwithaminebeneaththewesterntower，wheremythreechildrenareconfined;
anotherbranchofitliesundertheparishchurch，wheretherecordofmyfirstmarriageiskept。Ihaveonlytolightthismatchandthewholeofmypastlifeissweptaway！\"sheapproachedthematchwithalightedcandle。
Butahandwaslaiduponherarm，andwithashriektheLadySelinafellonherkneesbeforethespectreofSirGuy。
CHAPTERII。
\"Forbear，Selina，\"saidthephantominahollowvoice。
\"WhyshouldIforbear？\"respondedSelinahaughtily，assherecoveredhercourage。\"Youknowthesecretofourrace？\"
\"Ido。Understandme，——Idonotobjecttotheeccentricitiesofyouryouth。Iknowthefearfuldestinywhich，pursuingyou，ledyoutopoisonyoursisteranddrownyourlady’s-maid。IknowtheawfuldoomwhichIhavebroughtuponthishouse！Butifyoumakewaywiththesechildren——\"
\"Well，\"saidtheLadySelina，hastily。
\"Theywillhauntyou！\"
\"Well，Ifearthemnot，\"saidSelina，drawinghersuperbfiguretoitsfullheight。
\"Yes，but，mydearchild，whatplacearetheytohaunt？Theruinissacredtoyouruncle’sspirit。Yourauntmonopolizesthepark，and，Imustbeallowedtostate，notunfrequentlytrespassesuponthegroundsofothers。Thehorse-pondisfrequentedbythespiritofyourmaid，andyourmurderedsisterwalksthesecorridors。Tobeplain，thereisnoroomatSlopertonGrangeforanotherghost。
Icannothavetheminmyroom，——foryouknowIdon’tlikechildren。
Thinkofthis，rashgirl，andforbear！Wouldyou，Selina，\"saidthephantom，mournfully，——\"wouldyouforceyourgreat-grandfather’sspirittotakelodgingselsewhere？\"
LadySelina’shandtrembled;thelightedcandlefellfromhernervelessfingers。
\"No，\"shecriedpassionately;\"never！\"andfellfaintingtothefloor。
CHAPTERIII
EdgardogallopedrapidlytowardsSloperton。WhentheoutlineoftheGrangehadfadedawayinthedarkness，hereinedhismagnificentsteedbesidetheruinsofGuy’sKeep。
\"Itwantsbutafewminutesofthehour，\"hesaid，consultinghiswatchbythelightofthemoon。\"Hedarenotbreakhisword。Hewillcome。\"Hepaused，andpeeredanxiouslyintothedarkness。
\"Butcomewhatmay，sheismine，\"hecontinued，ashisthoughtsrevertedfondlytothefairladyhehadquitted。\"Yetifsheknewall。IfsheknewthatIwereadisgracedandruinedman，——afelonandanoutcast。IfsheknewthatattheageoffourteenImurderedmyLatintutorandforgedmyuncle’swill。IfsheknewthatIhadthreewivesalready，andthatthefourthvictimofmisplacedconfidenceandmyunfortunatepeculiarityisexpectedtobeatSlopertonbyto-night’strainwithherbaby。Butno;shemustnotknowit。Constancemustnotarrive。BurketheSloggermustattendtothat。
\"Ha！hereheis！Well？\"
Thesewordswereaddressedtoaruffianinaslouchedhat，whosuddenlyappearedfromGuy’sKeep。
\"Ibe’shere，measter，\"saidthevillain，withadisgracefullylowaccentandcompletedisregardofgrammaticalrules。
\"Itiswell。Listen：I’minpossessionoffactsthatwillsendyoutothegallows。IknowofthemurderofBillSmithers，therobberyofthetollgate-keeper，andthemakingawayoftheyoungestdaughterofSirReginalddeWalton。Awordfromme，andtheofficersofjusticeareonyourtrack。\"
BurketheSloggertrembled。
\"Harkye！servemypurpose，andImayyetsaveyou。The5。30trainfromClaphamwillbedueatSlopertonat9。25。ITMUSTNOT
ARRIVE！\"
Thevillain’seyessparkledashenoddedatEdgardo。
\"Enough，——youunderstand;leaveme！\"
CHAPTERIV。
AbouthalfamilefromSlopertonStationtheSouthClaphamandMedwaylinecrossedabridgeoverSloperton-on-Trent。Astheshadesofeveningwereclosing，amaninaslouchedhatmighthavebeenseencarryingasawandaxeunderhisarm，hangingaboutthebridge。Fromtimetotimehedisappearedintheshadowofitsabutments，butthesoundofasawandaxestillbetrayedhisvicinity。Atexactlynineo’clockhereappeared，and，crossingtotheSlopertonside，restedhisshoulderagainsttheabutmentandgaveashove。Thebridgeswayedamoment，andthenfellwithasplashintothewater，leavingaspaceofonehundredfeetbetweenthetwobanks。Thisdone，BurketheSlogger，——foritwashe，——withafiendishchuckleseatedhimselfonthedividedrailwaytrackandawaitedthecomingofthetrain。
Ashriekfromthewoodsannounceditsapproach。ForaninstantBurketheSloggersawtheglaringofaredlamp。Thegroundtrembled。Thetrainwasgoingwithfearfulrapidity。Anothersecondandithadreachedthebank。BurketheSloggerutteredafiendishlaugh。Butthenextmomentthetrainleapedacrossthechasm，strikingtherailsexactlyeven，and，dashingoutthelifeofBurketheSlogger，spedawaytoSloperton。
ThefirstobjectthatgreetedEdgardo，asherodeuptothestationonthearrivalofthetrain，wasthebodyofBurketheSloggerhangingonthecow-catcher;thesecondwasthefaceofhisdesertedwifelookingfromthewindowsofasecond-classcarriage。
CHAPTERV。
AnamelessterrorseemedtohavetakenpossessionofClarissa，LadySelina’smaid，assherushedintothepresenceofhermistress。
\"Omylady，suchnews！\"
\"Explainyourself，\"saidhermistress，rising。
\"Anaccidenthashappenedontherailway，andamanhasbeenkilled。\"
\"What——notEdgardo！\"almostscreamedSelina。
\"No，BurketheSlogger！\"yourladyship。
\"Myfirsthusband！\"saidLadySelina，sinkingonherknees。\"JustHeaven，Ithankthee！\"
CHAPTERVI。
ThemorningoftheseventeenthdawnedbrightlyoverSloperton。\"A
finedayforthewedding，\"saidthesextontoSwipes，thebutlerofSlopertonGrange。Theagedretainershookhisheadsadly。\"Alas！
there’snotrustinginsigns！\"hecontinued。\"Seventy-fiveyearsago，onadaylikethis，myyoungmistress——\"Buthewascutshortbytheappearanceofastranger。
\"IwouldseeSirEdgardo，\"saidthenew-comer，impatiently。
Thebridegroom，who，withtherestofthewedding-train，wasaboutsteppingintothecarriagetoproceedtotheparishchurch，drewthestrangeraside。
\"It’sdone！\"saidthestranger，inahoarsewhisper。
\"Ah！andyouburiedher？\"
\"Withtheothers！\"
\"Enough。Nomoreatpresent。Meetmeaftertheceremony，andyoushallhaveyourreward。\"
Thestrangershuffledaway，andEdgardoreturnedtohisbride。\"A
triflingmatterofbusinessIhadforgotten，mydearSelina;letusproceed。\"Andtheyoungmanpressedthetimidhandofhisblushingbrideashehandedherintothecarriage。Thecavalcaderodeoutofthecourt-yard。Atthesamemoment，thedeepbellonGuy’sKeeptolledominously。
CHAPTERVII。
Scarcelyhadthewedding-trainlefttheGrange，thanAliceSedilia，youngestdaughterofLadySelina，madeherescapefromthewesterntower，owingtoalackofwatchfulnessonthepartofClarissa。
Theinnocentchild，freedfromrestraint，rambledthroughthelonelycorridors，andfinally，openingadoor，foundherselfinhermother’sboudoir。Forsometimesheamusedherselfbyexaminingthevariousornamentsandeleganttrifleswithwhichitwasfilled。
Then，inpursuanceofachildishfreak，shedressedherselfinhermother’slacesandribbons。Inthisoccupationshechancedtotouchapegwhichprovedtobeaspringthatopenedasecretpanelinthewall。Aliceutteredacryofdelightasshenoticedwhat，toherchildishfancy，appearedtobetheslow-matchofafire-
work。Takingalucifermatchinherhandsheapproachedthefuse。
Shehesitatedamoment。Whatwouldhermotherandhernursesay？
SuddenlytheringingofthechimesofSlopertonparishchurchmetherear。Aliceknewthatthesoundsignifiedthatthemarriagepartyhadenteredthechurch，andthatshewassecurefrominterruption。Withachildishsmileuponherlips，AliceSediliatouchedofftheslow-match。
CHAPTERVIII。
Atexactlytwoo’clockontheseventeenth，RupertSedilia，whohadjustreturnedfromIndia，wasthoughtfullydescendingthehilltowardSlopertonmanor。\"IfIcanprovethatmyauntLadySelinawasmarriedbeforemyfatherdied，IcanestablishmyclaimtoSlopertonGrange，\"heuttered，halfaloud。Hepaused，forasuddentremblingoftheearthbeneathhisfeet，andaterrificexplosion，asofaparkofartillery，arrestedhisprogress。AtthesamemomenthebeheldadensecloudofsmokeenvelopthechurchyardofSloperton，andthewesterntoweroftheGrangeseemedtobeliftedbodilyfromitsfoundation。Theairseemedfilledwithfallingfragments，andtwodarkobjectsstrucktheearthcloseathisfeet。
Rupertpickedthemup。Oneseemedtobeaheavyvolumeboundinbrass。
Acryburstfromhislips。
\"TheParishRecords。\"Heopenedthevolumehastily。ItcontainedthemarriageofLadySelinato\"BurketheSlogger。\"
Thesecondobjectprovedtobeapieceofparchment。Hetoreitopenwithtremblingfingers。ItwasthemissingwillofSirJamesSedilia！
CHAPTERIX。
WhenthebellsagainrangonthenewparishchurchofSlopertonitwasforthemarriageofSirRupertSediliaandhiscousin，theonlyremainingmembersofthefamily。
FivemoreghostswereaddedtothesupernaturalpopulationofSlopertonGrange。PerhapsthiswasthereasonwhySirRupertsoldthepropertyshortlyafterward，andthatformanyyearsadarkshadowseemedtohangovertheruinsofSlopertonGrange。
THENINETY-NINEGUARDSMEN。
BYAL——X——D——RD——M——S
CHAPTERI。
SHOWINGTHEQUALITYOFTHECUSTOMERSOFTHEINNKEEPEROFPROVINS。
Twentyyearsafter，thegiganticinnkeeperofProvinsstoodlookingatacloudofdustonthehighway。
Thiscloudofdustbetokenedtheapproachofatraveller。
TravellershadbeenrarethatseasononthehighwaybetweenParisandProvins。
Theheartoftheinnkeeperrejoiced。TurningtoDamePerigord，hiswife，hesaid，strokinghiswhiteapron：——
\"St。Denis！makehasteandspreadthecloth。AddabottleofCharlevoixtothetable。Thistraveller，whoridessofast，byhispacemustbeaMonseigneur。\"
Trulythetraveller，cladintheuniformofamusketeer，ashedrewuptothedoorofthehostelry，didnotseemtohavesparedhishorse。Throwinghisreinstothelandlord，heleapedlightlytotheground。Hewasayoungmanoffour-and-twenty，andspokewithaslightGasconaccent。
\"Iamhungry，Morbleu！Iwishtodine！\"
Thegiganticinnkeeperbowedandledthewaytoaneatapartment，whereatablestoodcoveredwithtemptingviands。Themusketeeratoncesettowork。Fowls，fish，andpatesdisappearedbeforehim。
Perigordsighedashewitnessedthedevastations。Onlyoncethestrangerpaused。
\"Wine！\"Perigordbroughtwine。Thestrangerdrankadozenbottles。Finallyherosetodepart。Turningtotheexpectantlandlord，hesaid：——
\"Chargeit。\"
\"Towhom，yourhighness？\"saidPerigord，anxiously。
\"TohisEminence！\"
\"Mazarin！\"ejaculatedtheinnkeeper。
\"Thesame。Bringmemyhorse，\"andthemusketeer，remountinghisfavoriteanimal，rodeaway。
Theinnkeeperslowlyturnedbackintotheinn。Scarcelyhadhereachedthecourtyardbeforetheclatterofhoofsagaincalledhimtothedoorway。Ayoungmusketeerofalightandgracefulfigurerodeup。
\"Parbleu，mydearPerigord，Iamfamishing。Whathaveyougotfordinner？\"
\"Venison，capons，larks，andpigeons，yourexcellency，\"repliedtheobsequiouslandlord，bowingtotheground。
\"Enough！\"Theyoungmusketeerdismountedandenteredtheinn。
SeatinghimselfatthetablereplenishedbythecarefulPerigord，hespeedilysweptitascleanasthefirstcomer。
\"Somewine，mybravePerigord，\"saidthegracefulyoungmusketeer，assoonashecouldfindutterance。
PerigordbroughtthreedozenofCharlevoix。Theyoungmanemptiedthemalmostatadraught。
\"By-by，Perigord，\"hesaidlightly，wavinghishand，as，precedingtheastonishedlandlord，heslowlywithdrew。
\"But，yourhighness，——thebill，\"saidtheastoundedPerigord。
\"Ah，thebill。Chargeit！\"
\"Towhom？\"
\"TheQueen！\"
\"What，Madame？\"
\"Thesame。Adieu，mygoodPerigord。\"Andthegracefulstrangerrodeaway。Anintervalofquietsucceeded，inwhichtheinnkeepergazedwofullyathiswife。Suddenlyhewasstartledbyaclatterofhoofs，andanaristocraticfigurestoodinthedoorway。
\"Ah，\"saidthecourtiergood-naturedly。\"What，domyeyesdeceiveme？No，itisthefestiveandluxuriousPerigord。Perigord，listen。Ifamish。Ilanguish。Iwoulddine。\"
Theinnkeeperagaincoveredthetablewithviands。AgainitwassweptcleanasthefieldsofEgyptbeforethemiraculousswarmoflocusts。Thestrangerlookedup。
\"Bringmeanotherfowl，myPerigord。\"
\"Impossible，yourexcellency;thelarderisstrippedclean。\"
\"Anotherflitchofbacon，then。\"
\"Impossible，yourhighness;thereisnomore。\"
\"Well，then，wine！\"
Thelandlordbroughtonehundredandforty-fourbottles。Thecourtierdrankthemall。
\"Onemaydrinkifonecannoteat，\"saidthearistocraticstranger，good-humoredly。
Theinnkeepershuddered。
Theguestrosetodepart。Theinnkeepercameslowlyforwardwithhisbill，towhichhehadcovertlyaddedthelosseswhichhehadsufferedfromthepreviousstrangers。
\"Ah，thebill。Chargeit。\"
\"Chargeit！towhom？\"
\"TotheKing，\"saidtheguest。
\"What！hisMajesty？\"
\"Certainly。Farewell，Perigord。\"
Theinnkeepergroaned。Thenhewentoutandtookdownhissign。
Thenremarkedtohiswife：——
\"Iamaplainman，anddon’tunderstandpolitics。Itseems，however，thatthecountryisinatroubledstate。BetweenhisEminencetheCardinal，hisMajestytheKing，andherMajestytheQueen，Iamaruinedman。\"
\"Stay，\"saidDamePerigord，\"Ihaveanidea。\"
\"Andthatis——\"
\"Becomeyourselfamusketeer。\"
CHAPTERII。
THECOMBAT。
OnleavingProvinsthefirstmusketeerproceededtoNangis，wherehewasreinforcedbythirty-threefollowers。Thesecondmusketeer，arrivingatNangisatthesamemoment，placedhimselfattheheadofthirty-threemore。ThethirdguestofthelandlordofProvinsarrivedatNangisintimetoassembletogetherthirty-threeothermusketeers。
ThefirststrangerledthetroopsofhisEminence。
ThesecondledthetroopsoftheQueen。
ThethirdledthetroopsoftheKing。
Thefightcommenced。Itragedterriblyforsevenhours。ThefirstmusketeerkilledthirtyoftheQueen’stroops。ThesecondmusketeerkilledthirtyoftheKing’stroops。ThethirdmusketeerkilledthirtyofhisEminence’stroops。
Bythistimeitwillbeperceivedthenumberofmusketeershadbeennarroweddowntofouroneachside。
Naturallythethreeprincipalwarriorsapproachedeachother。
Theysimultaneouslyutteredacry。
\"Aramis！\"
\"Athos！\"
\"D’Artagnan！\"
Theyfellintoeachother’sarms。
\"Anditseemsthatwearefightingagainsteachother，mychildren，\"saidtheCountdelaFere，mournfully。
\"Howsingular！\"exclaimedAramisandD’Artagnan。
\"Letusstopthisfratricidalwarfare，\"saidAthos。
\"Wewill！\"theyexclaimedtogether。
\"Buthowtodisbandourfollowers？\"queriedD’Artagnan。
Aramiswinked。Theyunderstoodeachother。\"Letuscut’emdown！\"
Theycut’emdown。Aramiskilledthree。D’Artagnanthree。Athosthree。
Thefriendsagainembraced。\"Howlikeoldtimes，\"saidAramis。
\"Howtouching！\"exclaimedtheseriousandphilosophicCountdelaFere。
Thegallopingofhoofscausedthemtowithdrawfromeachother’sembraces。Agiganticfigurerapidlyapproached。
\"TheinnkeeperofProvins！\"theycried，drawingtheirswords。
\"Perigord，downwithhim！\"shoutedD’Artagnan。
\"Stay，\"saidAthos。
Thegiganticfigurewasbesidethem。Heutteredacry。
\"Athos，Aramis，D’Artagnan！\"
\"Porthos！\"exclaimedtheastonishedtrio。
\"Thesame。\"Theyallfellineachother’sarms。
TheCountdelaFereslowlyraisedhishandstoHeaven。\"Blessyou！Blessus，mychildren！Howeverdifferentouropinionmaybeinregardtopolitics，wehavebutoneopinioninregardtoourownmerits。WherecanyoufindabettermanthanAramus？\"
\"ThanPorthos？\"saidAramis。
\"ThanD’Artagnan？\"saidPorthos。
\"ThanAthos？\"saidD’Artagnan。
CHAPTERIII。
SHOWINGHOWTHEKINGOFFRANCEWENTUPALADDER。
TheKingdescendedintothegarden。Proceedingcautiouslyalongtheterracedwalk，hecametothewallimmediatelybelowthewindowsofMadame。Totheleftweretwowindows，concealedbyvines。TheyopenedintotheapartmentsofLaValliere。
TheKingsighed。
\"Itisaboutnineteenfeettothatwindow，\"saidtheKing。\"IfI
hadaladderaboutnineteenfeetlong，itwouldreachtothatwindow。Thisislogic。\"
SuddenlytheKingstumbledoversomething。\"St。Denis！\"heexclaimed，lookingdown。Itwasaladder，justnineteenfeetlong。
TheKingplaceditagainstthewall。Insodoing，hefixedthelowerendupontheabdomenofamanwholayconcealedbythewallThemandidnotutteracryorwince。TheKingsuspectednothing。
Heascendedtheladder。
Theladderwastooshort。LouistheGrandwasnotatallman。Hewasstilltwofeetbelowthewindow。
\"Dearme！\"saidtheKing。
Suddenlytheladderwasliftedtwofeetfrombelow。ThisenabledtheKingtoleapinthewindow。Atthefartherendoftheapartmentstoodayounggirl，withredhairandalameleg。Shewastremblingwithemotion。
\"Louise！\"
\"TheKing！\"
\"Ah，myGod，mademoiselle。\"
\"Ah，myGod，sire。\"
Butalowknockatthedoorinterruptedthelovers。TheKingutteredacryofrage;Louiseoneofdespair。
ThedooropenedandD’Artagnanentered。
\"Goodevening，sire，\"saidthemusketeer。
TheKingtouchedabell。Porthosappearedinthedoorway。
\"Goodevening，sire。\"
\"ArrestM。D’Artagnan。\"
PorthoslookedatD’Artagnan，anddidnotmove。
TheKingalmostturnedpurplewithrage。Heagaintouchedthebell。Athosentered。
\"Count，arrestPorthosandD’Artagnan。\"
TheCountdelaFereglancedatPorthosandD’Artagnan，andsmiledsweetly。
\"Sacre！WhereisAramis？\"saidtheKing，violently。
\"Here，sire，\"andAramisentered。
\"ArrestAthos，Porthos，andD’Artagnan。\"
Aramisbowedandfoldedhisarms。
\"Arrestyourself！\"
Aramisdidnotmove。
TheKingshudderedandturnedpale。\"AmInotKingofFrance？\"
\"Assuredly，sire，butwearealsoseverally，Porthos，Aramis，D’Artagnan，andAthos。\"
\"Ah！\"saidtheKing。
\"Yes，sire。\"
\"Whatdoesthismean？\"
\"Itmeans，yourMajesty，\"saidAramis，steppingforward，\"thatyourconductasamarriedmanishighlyimproper。IamanAbbe，andI
objecttotheseimproprieties。Myfriendshere，D’Artagnan，Athos，andPorthos，pure-mindedyoungmen，arealsoterriblyshocked。
Observe，sire，howtheyblush！\"
Athos，Porthos，andD’Artagnanblushed。\"Ah，\"saidtheKing，thoughtfully。\"Youteachmealesson。Youaredevotedandnobleyounggentlemen，butyouronlyweaknessisyourexcessivemodesty。
FromthismomentImakeyouallMarshalsandDukes，withtheexceptionofAramis。\"
\"Andme，sire？\"saidAramis。
\"YoushallbeanArchbishop！\"
Thefourfriendslookedupandthenrushedintoeachother’sarms。
TheKingembracedLouisedelaValliere，bywayofkeepingthemcompany。Apauseensued。AtlastAthosspoke：——
\"Swear，mychildren，that，nexttoyourselves，youwillrespect——
theKingofFrance;andrememberthat’Fortyyearsafter’wewillmeetagain。\"
THEDWELLEROFTHETHRESHOLD。
BYSIRED——DL——TT——NB——LW——R。
BOOKI。
THEPROMPTINGSOFTHEIDEAL。
Itwasnoon。SirEdwardhadsteppedfromhisbroughamandwasproceedingonfootdowntheStrand。Hewasdressedwithhisusualfaultlesstaste，butinalightingfromhisvehiclehisfoothadslipped，andasmallrounddiskofconglomeratedsoil，whichinstantlyappearedonhishigharchedinstep，marredtheharmoniousglitterofhisboots。SirEdwardwasfastidious。Castinghiseyesaround，atalittledistanceheperceivedthestandofayouthfulbootblack。Thitherhesauntered，andcarelesslyplacinghisfootonthelowstool，hewaitedtheapplicationofthepolisher’sart。
\"’Tistrue，\"saidSirEdwardtohimself，yethalfaloud，\"thecontactoftheFoulandtheDisgustingmarsthegeneraleffectoftheShinyandtheBeautiful——and，yet，whyamIhere？Irepeatit，calmlyanddeliberately——whyamIhere？Ha！Boy！\"
TheBoylookedup——hisdarkItalianeyesglancedintelligentlyatthePhilosopher，andaswithonehandhetossedbackhisglossycurls，fromhismarblebrow，andwiththeotherhespreadtheequallyglossyDay&MartinovertheBaronet’sboot，heansweredindeeprichtones：\"TheIdealissubjectivetotheReal。Theexerciseofapperceptiongivesadistinctivenesstoidiocracy，whichis，however，subjecttothelimitsofME。YouareanadmireroftheBeautiful，sir。Youwishyourbootsblacked。TheBeautifulisattainablebymeansoftheCoin。\"
\"Ah，\"saidSirEdwardthoughtfully，gazinguponthealmostsupernalbeautyoftheChildbeforehim;\"youspeakwell。YouhavereadKant。\"
TheBoyblusheddeeply。HedrewacopyofKantfromhisblouse，butinhisconfusionseveralothervolumesdroppedfromhisbosomontheground。TheBaronetpickedthemup。
\"Ah！\"saidthePhilosopher，\"what’sthis？Cicero’sDeSenectute，atyourage，too？Martial’sEpigrams，Caesar’sCommentaries。
What！aclassicalscholar？\"
\"EpluribusUnum。Nuxvomica。Nildesperandum。Nihilfit！\"saidtheBoy，enthusiastically。ThePhilosophergazedattheChild。A
strangepresenceseemedtotransfuseandpossesshim。OverthebrowoftheBoyglitteredthepalenimbusoftheStudent。
\"Ah，andSchiller’sRobbers，too？\"queriedthePhilosopher。
\"Dasistausgespielt，\"saidtheBoy，modestly。
\"ThenyouhavereadmytranslationofSchiller’sBallads？\"
continuedtheBaronet，withsomeshowofinterest。
\"Ihave，andinfinitelypreferthemtotheoriginal，\"saidtheBoy，withintellectualwarmth。\"YouhaveshownhowinActuallifewestriveforaGoalwecannotreach;howintheIdealtheGoalisattainable，andthereeffortisvictory。YouhavegivenustheAntithesiswhichisakeytotheRemainder，andconstantlybalancesbeforeustheconditionsoftheActualandtheprivilegesoftheIdeal。\"
Myverywords，\"saidtheBaronet;\"wonderful，wonderful！\"andhegazedfondlyattheItalianboy，whoagainresumedhismenialemployment。Alas！thewingsoftheIdealwerefolded。TheStudenthadbeenabsorbedintheBoy。
ButSirEdward’sbootswereblacked，andheturnedtodepart。
PlacinghishandupontheclusteringtendrilsthatsurroundedtheclassicnoboftheinfantItalian，hesaidsoftly，likeastrainofdistantmusic：——
\"Boy，youhavedonewell。LovetheGood。ProtecttheInnocent。
ProvideforTheIndigent。RespectthePhilosopher……Stay！
CanyoutellwewhatISTheTrue，TheBeautiful，TheInnocent，TheVirtuous？\"
\"Theyarethingsthatcommencewithacapitalletter，\"saidtheBoy，promptly。
\"Enough！Respecteverythingthatcommenceswithacapitalletter！
RespectME！\"anddroppingahalf-pennyinthehandoftheboy，hedeparted。
TheBoygazedfixedlyatthecoin。Afrightfulandinstantaneouschangeoverspreadhisfeatures。Hisnoblebrowwascorrugatedwithbaserlinesofcalculation。Hisblackeye，serpent-like，glitteredwithsuppressedpassion。Droppinguponhishandsandfeet，hecrawledtothecurbstoneandhissedaftertheretreatingformoftheBaronet，thesingleword：——
\"Bilk！\"
BOOKII。
INTHEWORLD。
\"Elevenyearsago，\"saidSirEdwardtohimself，ashisbroughamslowlyrolledhimtowardtheCommitteeRoom;\"justelevenyearsagomynaturalsondisappearedmysteriously。Ihavenodoubtintheworldbutthatthislittlebootblackishe。HismotherdiedinItaly。Heresembleshismotherverymuch。PerhapsIoughttoprovideforhim。ShallIdisclosemyself？No！no！BetterheshouldtastethesweetsofLabor。PenuryennoblesthemindandkindlestheLoveoftheBeautiful。Iwillacttohim，notlikeaFather，notlikeaGuardian，notlikeaFriend——butlikeaPhilosopher！\"
Withthesewords，SirEdwardenteredtheCommitteeRoom。HisSecretaryapproachedhim。\"SirEdward，therearefearsofadivisionintheHouse，andthePrimeMinisterhassentforyou。\"
\"Iwillbethere，\"saidSirEdward，asheplacedhishandonhischestandutteredahollowcough！
NoonewhoheardtheBaronetthatnight，inhissarcasticandwitheringspeechontheDrainageandSewerageBill，wouldhaverecognizedtheloveroftheIdealandthePhilosopheroftheBeautiful。NoonewholistenedtohiseloquencewouldhavedreamedoftheSpartanresolutionthisironmanhadtakeninregardtotheLostBoy——hisownbelovedLionel。None！
\"AfinespeechfromSirEdwardto-night，\"saidLordBillingsgate，as，arm-and-armwiththePremier，heenteredhiscarriage。
\"Yes！buthowdreadfullyhecoughs！\"
\"Exactly。Dr。Bolussayshislungsareentirelygone;hebreathesentirelybyaneffortofwill，andaltogetherindependentofpulmonaryassistance。\"
\"Howstrange！\"andthecarriagerolledaway。
BOOKIII。
THEDWELLEROFTHETHRESHOLD。
\"ADONAI，appear！appear！\"
AndastheSeerspoke，theawfulPresenceglidedoutofNothingness，andsat，sphinx-like，atthefeetoftheAlchemist。
\"Iamcome！\"saidtheThing。
\"Youshouldsay，’Ihavecome，’——it’sbettergrammar，\"saidtheBoy-Neophyte，thoughtfullyaccentingthesubstitutedexpression。
\"Hush，rashBoy，\"saidtheSeer，sternly。\"WouldyouopposeyourfeebleknowledgetotheinfiniteintelligenceoftheUnmistakable？
Aword，andyouarelostforever。\"
TheBoybreathedasilentprayer，and，handingasealedpackagetotheSeer，beggedhimtohandittohisfatherincaseofhisprematuredecease。
\"Youhavesentforme，\"hissedthePresence。\"Beholdme，Apokatharticon，——theUnpronounceable。Inmeallthingsexistthatarenotalreadycoexistent。IamtheUnattainable，theIntangible，theCause，andtheEffect。InmeobservetheBrahmaofMr。
Emerson;notonlyBrahmahimself，butalsothesacredmusicalcompositionrehearsedbythefaithfulHindoo。IamtherealGyges。
Noneothersaregenuine。\"
AndtheveiledSonoftheStarbeamlaidhimselflooselyabouttheroom，andpermeatedSpacegenerally。
\"UnfathomableMystery，\"saidtheRosicrucianinalow，sweetvoice。
\"BraveChildwiththeVitreousOptic！Thouwhopervadestallthingsandrubbestagainstuswithoutabrasionofthecuticle。I
commandthee，speak！\"
Andthemisty，intangible，indefinitePresencespoke。
BOOKIV。
MYSELF。
Aftertheeventsrelatedinthelastchapter，thereaderwillperceivethatnothingwaseasierthantoreconcileSirEdwardtohissonLionel，nortoresuscitatethebeautifulItaliangirl，who，itappears，wasnotdead，andtocauseSirEdwardtomarryhisfirstandboyishlove，whomhehaddeserted。TheyweremarriedinSt。George’s，HanoverSquare。Asthebridalpartystoodbeforethealtar，SirEdward，withasweetsadsmile，said，inquitehisoldmanner：——
\"TheSublimeandBeautifularetheReal;theonlyIdealistheRidiculousandHomely。Letusalwaysrememberthis。Letusthroughlifeendeavortopersonifythevirtues，andalwaysbegin’emwithacapitalletter。Letus，wheneverwecanfindanopportunity，deliveroursentimentsintheformofround-handcopies。RespecttheAged。EschewVulgarity。AdmireOurselves。
RegardtheNovelist。\"
THEHAUNTEDMAN。
ACHRISTMASSTORY。
BYCH——R——SD——CK——NS。
PARTI。
THEFIRSTPHANTOM。
Don’ttellmethatitwasn’taknocker。Ihadseenitoftenenough，andIoughttoknow。Sooughtthethree-o’clockbeer，indirtyhigh-lows，swinginghimselfovertherailing，orexecutingademoniacaljiguponthedoorstep;sooughtthebutcher，althoughbutchersasageneralthingarescornfulofsuchtrifles;sooughtthepostman，towhomknockersofthemostextravagantdescriptionweremerelyhumanweaknesses，thatweretobepitiedandused。Andsoought，forthematterofthat，etc。，etc。，etc。
ButthenitwasSUCHaknocker。Awild，extravagant，andutterlyincomprehensibleknocker。AknockersomysteriousandsuspiciousthatPolicemanX37，firstcominguponit，feltinclinedtotakeitinstantlyincustody，butcompromisedwithhisprofessionalinstinctsbysharplyandsternlynotingitwithaneyethatadmittedofnononsense，butconfidentlyexpectedtodetectitssecretyet。Anuglyknocker;aknockerwithahard，humanface，thatwasatypeoftheharderhumanfacewithin。Ahumanfacethatheldbetweenitsteethabrazenrod。Sohereafter，inthemysteriousfutureshouldbeheld，etc。，etc。
Butiftheknockerhadafiercehumanaspectintheglareofday，youshouldhaveseenitatnight，whenitpeeredoutofthegatheringshadowsandsuggestedanambushedfigure;whenthelightofthestreetlampsfelluponit，andwroughtaplayofsinisterexpressioninitshardoutlines;whenitseemedtowinkmeaninglyatashroudedfigurewho，asthenightfelldarkly，creptupthestepsandpassedintothemysterioushouse;whentheswingingdoordisclosedablackpassageintowhichthefigureseemedtoloseitselfandbecomeapartofthemysteriousgloom;whenthenightgrewboisterousandthefiercewindmadefuriouschargesattheknocker，asiftowrenchitoffandcarryitawayintriumph。Suchanightasthis。
Itwasawildandpitilesswind。Awindthathadcommencedlifeasagentlecountryzephyr，butwanderingthroughmanufacturingtownshadbecomedemoralized，andreachingthecityhadplungedintoextravagantdissipationandwildexcesses。AroisteringwindthatindulgedinBacchanalianshoutsonthestreetcorners，thatknockedoffthehatsfromtheheadsofhelplesspassengers，andthenfulfilleditsdutiesbyspeedingaway，likeallyoungprodigals，——
tosea。
Hesataloneinagloomylibrarylisteningtothewindthatroaredinthechimney。Aroundhimnovelsandstory-bookswerestrewnthickly;inhislapheheldonewithitspagesfreshlycut，andturnedtheleaveswearilyuntilhiseyesresteduponaportraitinitsfrontispiece。Andasthewindhowledthemorefiercely，andthedarknesswithoutfellblacker，astrangeandfatefullikenesstothatportraitappearedabovehischairandleaneduponhisshoulder。TheHauntedMangazedattheportraitandsighed。Thefiguregazedattheportraitandsighedtoo。
\"Hereagain？\"saidtheHauntedMan。
\"Hereagain，\"itrepeatedinalowvoice。
\"Anothernovel？\"
\"Anothernovel。\"
\"Theoldstory？\"
\"Theoldstory。\"
\"Iseeachild，\"saidtheHauntedMan，gazingfromthepagesofthebookintothefire，——\"amostunnaturalchild，amodelinfant。Itisprematurelyoldandphilosophic。Itdiesinpovertytoslowmusic。Itdiessurroundedbyluxurytoslowmusic。Itdieswithanaccompanimentofgoldenwaterandrattlingcartstoslowmusic。
Previoustoitsdeceaseitmakesawill;itrepeatstheLord’sPrayer，itkissesthe’booferlady。’Thatchild——\"
\"Ismine，\"saidthephantom。
\"Iseeagoodwoman，undersized。Iseeseveralcharmingwomen，buttheyareallundersized。Theyaremoreorlessimbecileandidiotic，butalwaysfascinatingandundersized。Theywearcoquettishcapsandaprons。Iobservethatfemininevirtueisinvariablybelowthemediumheight，andthatitisalwayssimpleandinfantine。Thesewomen——\"
\"Aremine。\"
\"Iseeahaughty，proud，andwickedlady。Sheistallandqueenly。
Iremarkthatallproudandwickedwomenaretallandqueenly。
Thatwoman——\"
\"Ismine，\"saidthephantom，wringinghishands。
\"Iseeseveralthingscontinuallyimpending。Iobservethatwheneveranaccident，amurder，ordeathisabouttohappen，thereissomethinginthefurniture，inthelocality，intheatmosphere，thatforeshadowsandsuggestsityearsinadvance。IcannotsaythatinreallifeIhavenoticedit，——theperceptionofthissurprisingfactbelongs——\"
\"Tome！\"saidthephantom。TheHauntedMancontinued，inadespairingtone：——
\"Iseetheinfluenceofthisinthemagazinesanddailypapers;I
seeweakimitatorsriseupandenfeebletheworldwithsenselessformula。Iamgettingtiredofit。Itwon’tdo，Charles！itwon’tdo！\"andtheHauntedManburiedhisheadinhishandsandgroaned。
Thefigurelookeddownuponhimsternly：theportraitinthefrontispiecefrownedashegazed。
\"Wretchedman，\"saidthephantom，\"andhowhavethesethingsaffectedyou？\"
\"OnceIlaughedandcried，butthenIwasyounger。Now，IwouldforgetthemifIcould。\"
\"Havethenyourwish。Andtakethiswithyou，manwhomIrenounce。
FromthisdayhenceforthyoushalllivewiththosewhomIdisplace。
Withoutforgettingme，’twillbeyourlottowalkthroughlifeasifwehadnotmet。Butfirstyoushallsurveythesescenesthathenceforthmustbeyours。Atoneto-night，preparetomeetthephantomIhaveraised。Farewell！\"
Thesoundofitsvoiceseemedtofadeawaywiththedyingwind，andtheHauntedManwasalone。Butthefirelightflickeredgayly，andthelightdancedonthewalls，makinggrotesquefiguresofthefurniture。
\"Ha，ha！\"saidtheHauntedMan，rubbinghishandsgleefully;\"nowforawhiskeypunchandacigar。\"
BOOKII。
THESECONDPHANTOM。
One！Thestrokeofthefar-offbellhadhardlydiedbeforethefrontdoorclosedwithareverberatingclang。Stepswereheardalongthepassage;thelibrarydoorswungopenofitself，andtheKnocker——yes，theKnocker——slowlystrodeintotheroom。TheHauntedManrubbedhiseyes，——no！therecouldbenomistakeaboutit，——itwastheKnocker’sface，mountedonamisty，almostimperceptiblebody。Thebrazenrodwastransferredfromitsmouthtoitsrighthand，whereitwasheldlikeaghostlytruncheon。
\"It’sacoldevening，\"saidtheHauntedMan。
\"Itis，\"saidtheGoblin，inahard，metallicvoice。
\"Itmustbeprettycoldoutthere，\"saidtheHauntedMan，withvaguepoliteness。\"Doyouever——willyou——takesomehotwaterandbrandy？\"
\"No，\"saidtheGoblin。
\"Perhapsyou’dlikeitcold，bywayofchange？\"continuedtheHauntedMan，correctinghimself，asherememberedthepeculiartemperaturewithwhichtheGoblinwasprobablyfamiliar。
\"Timeflies，\"saidtheGoblincoldly。\"Wehavenoleisureforidletalk。Come！\"Hemovedhisghostlytruncheontowardthewindow，andlaidhishandupontheother’sarm。AthistouchthebodyoftheHauntedManseemedtobecomeasthinandincorporealasthatoftheGoblinhimself，andtogethertheyglidedoutofthewindowintotheblackandblowynight。
IntherapidityoftheirflightthesensesoftheHauntedManseemedtoleavehim。Atlengththeystoppedsuddenly。
\"Whatdoyousee？\"askedtheGoblin。
\"Iseeabattlementedmediaevalcastle。Gallantmeninmailrideoverthedrawbridge，andkisstheirgauntletedfingerstofairladies，whowavetheirlilyhandsinreturn。Iseefightandfrayandtournament。Ihearroaringheraldsbawlingthecharmsofdelicatewomen，andshamelesslyproclaimingtheirlovers。Stay。I
seeaJewessabouttoleapfromabattlement。Iseeknightlydeeds，violence，rapine，andagooddealofblood。I’veseenprettymuchthesameatAstley’s。\"
\"Lookagain。\"
\"Iseepurplemoors，glens，masculinewomen，bare-leggedmen，priggishbook-worms，moreviolence，physicalexcellence，andblood。
Alwaysblood，——andthesuperiorityofphysicalattainments。\"
\"Andhowdoyoufeelnow？\"saidtheGoblin。
TheHauntedManshruggedhisshoulders。\"Nonethebetterforbeingcarriedbackandaskedtosympathizewithabarbarousage。\"
TheGoblinsmiledandclutchedhisarm;theyagainspedrapidlythroughtheblacknightandagainhalted。
\"Whatdoyousee？\"saidtheGoblin。
\"Iseeabarrackroom，withamesstable，andagroupofintoxicatedCelticofficerstellingfunnystories，andgivingchallengestoduel。IseeayoungIrishgentlemancapableofperformingprodigiesofvalor。Ilearnincidentallythattheacmeofallheroismisthecornetcyofadragoonregiment。IhearagooddealofFrench！No，thankyou，\"saidtheHauntedManhurriedly，ashestayedthewavinghandoftheGoblin;\"IwouldratherNOTgotothePeninsula，anddon’tcaretohaveaprivateinterviewwithNapoleon。\"
AgaintheGoblinflewawaywiththeunfortunateman，andfromastrangeroaringbelowthemhejudgedtheywereabovetheocean。A
shiphoveinsight，andtheGoblinstayeditsflight。\"Look，\"hesaid，squeezinghiscompanion’sarm。
TheHauntedManyawned。\"Don’tyouthink，Charles，you’reratherrunningthisthingintotheground？Ofcourseit’sverymoralandinstructive，andallthat。Butain’ttherealittletoomuchpantomimeaboutit？Comenow！\"
\"Look！\"repeatedtheGoblin，pinchinghisarmmalevolently。TheHauntedMangroaned。
\"O，ofcourse，IseeherMajesty’sshipArethusa。OfcourseIamfamiliarwithhersternFirstLieutenant，hereccentricCaptain，heronefascinatingandseveralmischievousmidshipmen。OfcourseIknowit’sasplendidthingtoseeallthis，andnottobeseasick。O，theretheyounggentlemenaregoingtoplayatrickonthepurser。ForGod’ssake，letusgo，\"andtheunhappymanabsolutelydraggedtheGoblinawaywithhim。
Whentheynexthalted，itwasattheedgeofabroadandboundlessprairie，inthemiddleofanoakopening。
\"Isee，\"saidtheHauntedMan，withoutwaitingforhiscue，butmechanically，andasifhewererepeatingalessonwhichtheGoblinhadtaughthim，——\"IseetheNobleSavage。Heisveryfinetolookat！ButIobserveunderhiswar-paint，feathers，andpicturesqueblanket，dirt，disease，andanunsymmetricalcontour。Iobservebeneathhisinflatedrhetoricdeceitandhypocrisy;beneathhisphysicalhardihood，cruelty，malice，andrevenge。TheNobleSavageisahumbug。IremarkedthesametoMr。Catlin。\"
\"Come，\"saidthephantom。
TheHauntedMansighed，andtookouthiswatch。\"Couldn’twedotherestofthisanothertime？\"
\"Myhourisalmostspent，irreverentbeing，butthereisyetachanceforyourreformation。Come！\"
Againtheyspedthroughthenight，andagainhalted。Thesoundofdeliciousbutmelancholymusicfellupontheirears。
\"Isee，\"saidtheHauntedMan，withsomethingofinterestinhismanner，——\"Iseeanoldmoss-coveredmansebesideasluggish，flowingriver。Iseeweirdshapes：witches，Puritans，clergymen，littlechildren，judges，mesmerizedmaidens，movingtothesoundofmelodythatthrillsmewithitssweetnessandpurity。But，althoughcarriedalongitscalmandevenlyflowingcurrent，theshapesarestrangeandfrightful：aneatinglichengnawsattheheartofeach。Notonlytheclergymen，butwitch，maiden，judge，andPuritan，allwearScarletLettersofsomekindburnedupontheirhearts。Iamfascinatedandthrilled，butIfeelamorbidsensitivenesscreepingoverme。I——Ibegyourpardon。\"TheGoblinwasyawningfrightfully。\"Well，perhapswehadbettergo。\"
\"Onemore，andthelast，\"saidtheGoblin。
Theyweremovinghome。Streaksofredwerebeginningtoappearintheeasternsky。Alongthebanksoftheblacklyflowingriverbymoorlandandstagnantfens，bylowhouses，clusteringclosetothewater’sedge，likestrangemollusks，crawleduponthebeachtodry;
bymistyblackbarges，themoremistyandindistinctseenthroughitsmysteriousveil，theriverfogwasslowlyrising。SorolledawayandrosefromtheheartoftheHauntedMan，etc。，etc。
Theystoppedbeforeaquaintmansionofredbrick。TheGoblinwavedhishandwithoutspeaking。
\"Isee，\"saidtheHauntedMan，\"agaydrawing-room。Iseemyoldfriendsoftheclub，ofthecollege，ofsociety，evenastheylivedandmoved。Iseethegallantandunselfishmen，whomIhaveloved，andthesnobswhomIhavehated。Iseestrangelyminglingwiththem，andnowandthenblendingwiththeirforms，ouroldfriendsDickSteele，Addison，andCongreve。Iobserve，though，thatthesegentlemenhaveahabitofgettingtoomuchintheway。TheroyalstandardofQueenAnne，notinitselfabeautifulornament，israthertooprominentinthepicture。Thelonggalleriesofblackoak，theformalfurniture，theoldportraits，arepicturesque，butdepressing。Thehouseisdamp。Ienjoymyselfbetterhereonthelawn，wheretheyaregettingupaVanityFair。See，thebellrings，thecurtainisrising，thepuppetsarebroughtoutforanewplay。Letmesee。\"
TheHauntedManwaspressingforwardinhiseagerness，butthehandoftheGoblinstayedhim，andpointingtohisfeethesaw，betweenhimandtherisingcurtain，anew-madegrave。Andbendingabovethegraveinpassionategrief，theHauntedManbeheldthephantomofthepreviousnight。
*****
TheHauntedManstarted，and——woke。Thebrightsunshinestreamedintotheroom。Theairwassparklingwithfrost。Heranjoyouslytothewindowandopenedit。Asmallboysalutedhimwith\"MerryChristmas。\"TheHauntedManinstantlygavehimaBankofEnglandnote。\"HowmuchlikeTinyTim，Tom，andBobbythatboylooked，——
blessmysoul，whatageniusthisDickenshas！\"
Aknockatthedoor，andBootsentered。
\"Consideryoursalarydoubledinstantly。HaveyoureadDavidCopperfield？\"
\"Yezzur。\"
\"Yoursalaryisquadrupled。WhatdoyouthinkoftheOldCuriosityShop？\"
Themaninstantlyburstintoatorrentoftears，andthenintoaroaroflaughter。
\"Enough！Herearefivethousandpounds。Openaporter-house，andcallit，’OurMutualFriend。’Huzza！Ifeelsohappy！\"AndthehauntedMandancedabouttheroom。
Andso，bathedinthelightofthatblessedsun，andyetglowingwiththewarmthofagoodaction，theHauntedMan，hauntednolonger，savebythoseshapeswhichmakethedreamsofchildrenbeautiful，reseatedhimselfinhischair，andfinishedOurMutualFriend。
MISSMIX。
BYCH——L——TTEBR——NTE。
CHAPTERI。
Myearliestimpressionsareofahuge，misshapenrock，againstwhichthehoarsewavesbeatunceasingly。Onthisrockthreepelicansarestandinginadefiantattitude。Adarkskylowersinthebackground，whiletwosea-gullsandagiganticcormoranteyewithextremedisfavorthefloatingcorpseofadrownedwomanintheforeground。Afewbracelets，coralnecklaces，andotherarticlesofjewelry，scatteredaroundloosely，completethisremarkablepicture。
Itisonewhich，insomevague，unconsciousway，symbolizes，tomyfancy，thecharacterofaman。Ihaveneverbeenabletoexplainexactlywhy。IthinkImusthaveseenthepictureinsomeillustratedvolume，whenababy，ormymothermayhavedreameditbeforeIwasborn。