\"Thereareseveralobjectionstoit，butI’lltakeitifyou’llalterit，\"Mr。Locket’srathercurtnotehadsaid；andtherewasnowasteofwordsinthepostscriptinwhichhehadadded：\"Ifyou’llcomeinandseeme，I’llshowyouwhatImean。\"ThiscommunicationhadreachedJerseyVillasbythefirstpost，andPeterBaronhadscarcelyswallowedhisleatherymuffinbeforehegotintomotiontoobeytheeditorialbehest。Heknewthatsuchprecipitationlookedeager，andhehadnodesiretolookeager——itwasnotinhisinterest；buthowcouldhemaintainagodlikecalm，principledthoughhewasinfavourofit，thefirsttimeoneofthegreatmagazineshadaccepted，evenwithacruelreservation，aspecimenofhisardentyounggenius？
Itwasnottill，likeachildwithasea-shellathisear，hebegantobeawareofthegreatroarofthe\"underground，\"that，inhisthird-classcarriage，thecrueltyofthereservationpenetrated，withthetasteofacridsmoke，tohisinnersense。Itwasreallydegradingtobeeagerinthefaceofhavingto\"alter。\"PeterBarontriedtofiguretohimselfatthatmomentthathewasnotflyingtobetraytheextremityofhisneed，buthurryingtofightforsomeofthosepassagesofsuperiorboldnesswhichwereexactlywhattheconductorofthe\"PromiscuousReview\"wouldbesuretobedownupon。
Hemadebelieve——asiftothegreasyfellow-passengeropposite——thathefeltindignant；buthesawthattothesmallroundeyeofthisstillmoredowntroddenbrotherherepresentedselfishsuccess。Hewouldhavelikedtolingerintheconceptionthathehadbeen\"approached\"bythePromiscuous；butwhatevermightbethoughtintheofficeofthatperiodicalofsomeofhisflightsoffancy，therewasnowantofvividnessinhisoccasionalsuspicionthathepassedthereforafamiliarbore。TheonlythingthatwasclearlyflatteringwasthefactthatthePromiscuousrarelypublishedfiction。Heshouldthereforebeassociatedwithadeviationfromasolemnhabit，andthatwouldmorethanmakeuptohimforaphraseinoneofMr。
Locket’sinexorableearliernotes，aphrasewhichstillrankled，abouthisshowingnosymptomofthefacultyreallycreative。\"Youdon’tseemabletokeepacharactertogether，\"thispitilessmonitorhadsomewhereelseremarked。PeterBaron，ashesatinhiscornerwhilethetrainstopped，considered，inthebefoggedgaslight，thebookstallstandardofliteratureandaskedhimselfwhosecharacterhadfallentopiecesnow。Tormentingindeedhadalwaysseemedtohimsuchafateastohavethecreativeheadwithoutthecreativehand。
Itshouldbementioned，however，thatbeforehestartedonhismissiontoMr。LockethisattentionhadbeenbrieflyengagedbyanincidentoccurringatJerseyVillas。Onleavingthehouse（helivedatNo。3，thedoorofwhichstoodopentoasmallfrontgarden），heencounteredtheladywho，aweekbefore，hadtakenpossessionoftheroomsonthegroundfloor，the\"parlours\"ofMrs。Bundy’sterminology。Hehadheardher，andfromhiswindow，twoorthreetimes，hadevenseenherpassinandout，andthisobservationhadcreatedinhismindavagueprejudiceinherfavour。Suchaprejudice，itwastrue，hadbeensubjectedtoaviolenttest；ithadbeenfairlyapparentthatshehadalightstep，butitwasstilllesstobeoverlookedthatshehadacottagepiano。Shehadfurthermorealittleboyandaverysweetvoice，ofwhichPeterBaronhadcaughttheaccent，notfromhersinging（forsheonlyplayed），butfromhergayadmonitionstoherchild，whomsheoccasionallyallowedtoamusehimself——underrestrictionsverypubliclyenforced——inthetinyblackpatchwhich，asaforecourttoeachhouse，washeld，inthehumblerow，tobeafeature。JerseyVillasstoodinpairs，semi-detached，andMrs。Ryves——suchwasthenameunderwhichthenewlodgerpresentedherself——hadbeenadmittedtothehouseasconfessedlymusical。Mrs。Bundy，theearnestproprietressofNo。3，whoconsideredher\"parlours\"（theywereadozenfeetsquare），evenmoreattractive，ifpossible，thanthesecondfloorwithwhichBaronhadhadtocontenthimself——Mrs。Bundy，whoreservedthedrawing-roomforacasualdressmakingbusiness，hadthreshedoutthesubjectofthenewlodgerinadvancewithouryoungman，remindinghimthatheraffectionforhisownpersonwasaproofthat，otherthingsbeingequal，shepositivelypreferredtenantswhowereclever。
ThiswasthecasewithMrs。Ryves；shehadsatisfiedMrs。Bundythatshewasnotasimplestrummer。Mrs。BundyadmittedtoPeterBaronthat，forherself，shehadaweaknessforaprettytune，andPetercouldhonestlyreplythathisearwasequallysensitive。Everythingwoulddependonthe\"touch\"oftheirinmate。Mrs。Ryves’spianowouldblighthisexistenceifherhandshouldproveheavyorherselectionsvulgar；butifsheplayedagreeablethingsandplayedtheminanagreeablewayshewouldrenderhimratheraservicewhilehesmokedthepipeof\"form。\"Mrs。Bundy，whowantedtoletherrooms，guaranteedonthepartofthestrangerafirst-classtalent，andMrs。
Ryves，whoevidentlyknewthoroughlywhatshewasabout，hadnotfalsifiedthissomewhatrashprediction。Sheneverplayedinthemorning，whichwasBaron’sworking-time，andhefoundhimselflisteningwithpleasureatotherhourstoherdiscreetandmelancholystrains。Hereallyknewlittleaboutmusic，andtheonlycriticismhewouldhavemadeofMrs。Ryves’sconceptionofitwasthatsheseemeddevotedtothedismal。Itwasnot，however，thatthesestrainswerenotpleasanttohim；theyfloatedup，onthecontrary，asasortofconsciousresponsetosomeofhisbroodingsanddoubts。
Harmony，therefore，wouldhavereignedsupremehaditnotbeenforthesingularlybadtasteofNo。4。Mrs。Ryves’spianowasonthefreesideofthehouseandwasregardedbyMrs。Bundyasopentonoobjectionbutthatoftheirowngentleman，whowassoreasonable。Asmuch，however，couldnotbesaidofthegentlemanofNo。4，whohadnotevenMr。Baron’sexcuseofbeing\"littery\"（hekeptabull-terrierandhadfivehats——thestreetcouldcountthem），andwhom，ifyouhadlistenedtoMrs。Bundy，youwouldhavesupposedtobedividedfromtheobnoxiousinstrumentbywallsandcorridors，obstaclesandintervals，ofmassivestructureandfabulousextent。Thisgentlemanhadtakenupanattitudewhichhadnowpassedintothephaseofcorrespondenceandcompromise；butitwastheopinionoftheimmediateneighbourhoodthathehadnotalegtostandupon，andonwhateversubjectthesentimentofJerseyVillasmighthavebeenvague，itwasnotsoontherightsandthewrongsoflandladies。
Mrs。Ryves’slittleboywasinthegardenasPeterBaronissuedfromthehouse，andhismotherappearedtohavecomeoutforamoment，bareheaded，toseethathewasdoingnoharm。Shewasdiscussingwithhimtheresponsibilitythathemightincurbypassingapieceofstringroundoneoftheironpalingsandpretendinghewasincommandofa\"geegee\"；butithappenedthatatthesightoftheotherlodgerthechildwasseizedwithafinerperceptionofthedrivable。HerushedatBaronwithaflourishofthebridle，shouting，\"Ougeegee！\"
inamannerproductiveofsomerefinedembarrassmenttohismother。
Baronmethisadvancebymountinghimonashoulderandfeigningtopranceaninstant，sothatbythetimethisperformancewasover——ittookbutafewseconds——theyoungmanfeltintroducedtoMrs。Ryves。
Hersmilestruckhimascharming，andsuchanimpressionshortensmanysteps。Shesaid，\"Oh，thankyou——youmustn’tlethimworryyou\"；andthenas，havingputdownthechildandraisedhishat，hewasturningaway，sheadded：\"It’sverygoodofyounottocomplainofmypiano。\"
\"Iparticularlyenjoyit——youplaybeautifully，\"saidPeterBaron。
\"Ihavetoplay，yousee——it’sallIcando。Butthepeoplenextdoordon’tlikeit，thoughmyroom，youknow，isnotagainsttheirwall。ThereforeIthankyouforlettingmetellthemthatyou，inthehouse，don’tfindmeanuisance。\"
Shelookedgentleandbrightasshespoke，andastheyoungman’seyesrestedonherthetoleranceforwhichsheexpressedherselfindebtedseemedtohimtheleastindulgenceshemightcountupon。
Butheonlylaughedandsaid\"Oh，no，you’renotanuisance！\"andfeltmoreandmoreintroduced。
Thelittleboy，whowashandsome，hereuponclamouredforanotherride，andshetookhimupherself，tomoderatehistransports。Shestoodamomentwiththechildinherarms，andheputhisfingersexuberantlyintoherhair，sothatwhileshesmiledatBaronsheslowly，permittinglyshookherheadtogetridofthem。
\"IftheyreallymakeafussI’mafraidIshallhavetogo，\"shewenton。
\"Oh，don’tgo！\"Baronbrokeout，withasuddenexpressivenesswhichmadehisvoice，asitfelluponhisear，strikehimasthevoiceofanother。Shegaveavagueexclamationand，noddingslightlybutnotunsociably，passedbackintothehouse。Shehadmadeanimpressionwhichremainedtilltheotherpartytotheconversationreachedtherailway-station，whenitwassupersededbythethoughtofhisprospectivediscussionwithMr。Locket。Thiswasaproofoftheintensityofthatinterest。
TheaftertasteofthelaterconferencewasalsointenseforPeterBaron，whoquittedhiseditorwithhismanuscriptunderhisarm。HehadhadthequestionoutwithMr。Locket，andhewasinaflutterwhichoughttohavebeenasenseoftriumphandwhichindeedatfirsthesucceededinregardinginthislight。Mr。Lockethadhadtoadmitthattherewasanideainhisstory，andthatwasatributewhichBaronwasinapositiontomakethemostof。Buttherewasalsoascenewhichscandalisedtheeditorialconscienceandwhichtheyoungmanhadpromisedtorewrite。TheideathatMr。Lockethadbeensogoodastodisengagedependedforclearnessmainlyonthisscene；soitwaseasytoseehisobjectionwasperverse。ThisinferencewasprobablyapartofthejoyinwhichPeterBaronwalkedashecarriedhomeacontributionitpleasedhimtoclassifyasaccepted。Hewalkedtoworkoffhisexcitementandtothinkinwhatmannerheshouldreconstruct。Hewentsomedistancewithoutsettlingthatpoint，andthen，asitbegantoworryhim，helookedvaguelyintoshop-windowsforsolutionsandhints。Mr。LocketlivedinthedepthsofChelsea，inalittlepanelled，amiablehouse，andBarontookhiswayhomewardalongtheKing’sRoad。Therewasanewamusementforhim，afresherbustle，inaLondonwalkinthemorning；thesewerehoursthathehabituallyspentathistable，intheawkwardattitudeengenderedbythepoorpieceoffurniture，oneofthericketyfeaturesofMrs。Bundy’ssecondfloor，whichhadtoserveashisaltarofliterarysacrifice。Ifbyexceptionhewentoutwhenthedaywasyounghenoticedthatlifeseemedyoungerwithit；therewerelivelierindustriestoprofitbyandshop-girls，oftenrosy，tolookat；adifferentairwasinthestreetsandachaffoftrafficfortheobserverofmannerstocatch。Aboveall，itwasthetimewhenpoorBaronmadehispurchases，whichwerewhollyofthewanderingmind；
hisextravagances，forsomemysteriousreason，wereallmatutinal，andhehadaforeknowledgethatifeverheshouldruinhimselfitwouldbewellbeforenoon。Hefeltlavishthismorning，onthestrengthofwhatthePromiscuouswoulddoforhim；hehadlostsightforthemomentofwhatheshouldhavetodoforthePromiscuous。
Beforetheoldbookshopsandprintshops，thecrowdedpanesofthecuriosity-mongersandthedesirableexhibitionsofmahogany\"doneup，\"heused，byaninnocentprocess，tocommitluxuriousfollies。
HerefurnishedMrs。Bundywithafreedomthatcosthernothing，andlosthimselfinpicturesofatransfiguredsecondfloor。
OnthisparticularoccasiontheKing’sRoadprovedalmostunprecedentedlyexpensive，andindeedthisoccasiondifferedfrommostothersincontainingthegermofrealdanger。Foronceinawayhehadabadconscience——hefelthimselftemptedtopickhisownpocket。Heneversawacommodiouswriting-table，withelbow-roomanddrawersandafairexpanseofleatherstampedneatlyattheedgewithgilt，withoutbeingfreshlyremindedofMrs。Bundy’sdilapidations。
TherewereseveralsuchtablesintheKing’sRoad——theyseemedindeedparticularlynumeroustoday。PeterBaronglancedatthemallthroughthefrontsoftheshops，buttherewasonethatdetainedhiminsupremecontemplation。Therewasafineassuranceaboutitwhichseemedaguaranteeofmasterpieces；butwhenatlasthewentinand，justtohelphimselfonhisway，askedtheimpossibleprice，thesummentionedbythevolublevendormockedathimevenmorethanhehadfeared。Itwasfartooexpensive，ashehinted，andhewasonthepointofcompletinghiscomedybyapensiveretreatwhentheshopmanbespokehisattentionforanotherarticleofthesamegeneralcharacter，whichhedescribedasremarkablycheapforwhatitwas。
Itwasanoldpiece，fromasaleinthecountry，andithadbeeninstocksometime；butithadgotpushedoutofsightinoneoftheupperrooms——theycontainedsuchawildernessoftreasures——andhappenedtohavebutjustcometolight。Petersufferedhimselftobeconductedintoaninterminableduskyrear，wherehepresentlyfoundhimselfbendingoveroneofthosesquaresubstantialdesksofoldmahogany，raised，withtheaidoffrontlegs，onasortofretreatingpedestalwhichisfittedwithsmalldrawers，contractedconveniencesknownimmemoriallytotheknowingasdavenports。Thisspecimenhadvisiblyseenservice，butithadanold-timesolidityandtoPeterBaronitunexpectedlyappealed。
Hewouldhavesaidinadvancethatsuchanarticlewasexactlywhathedidn’twant，butastheshopmanpushedupachairforhimandhesatdownwithhiselbowsonthegentleslopeofthelarge，firmlid，hefeltthatsuchabasisforliteraturewouldbehalfthebattle。
Heraisedthelidandlookedlovinglyintothedeepinterior；hesatominouslysilentwhilehiscompaniondroppedthestrikingwords：
\"Nowthat’sanarticleIpersonallycovet！\"Thenwhenthemanmentionedtheridiculousprice（theywereliterallygivingitaway），hereflectedontheeconomyofhavingaliteraryaltaronwhichonecouldreallykindleafire。Adavenportwasacompromise，butwhatwasalllifebutacompromise？Hecouldbeatdownthedealer，andatMrs。Bundy’shehadtowriteonaninsincerecard-table。Afterhehadsatforaminutewithhisnoseinthefriendlydeskhehadaqueerimpressionthatitmighttellhimasecretortwo——oneofthesecretsofform，oneofthesacrificialmysteries——thoughnodoubtitscareerhadbeenliteraryonlyinthesenseofitshelpingsomeoldladytowriteinvitationstodulldinners。Therewasastrange，faintodourinthereceptacle，asiffragrant，hallowedthingshadoncebeenputawaythere。Whenhetookhisheadoutofithesaidtotheshopman：\"Idon’tmindmeetingyouhalfway。\"Hehadbeentoldbyknowingpeoplethatthatwastherightthing。Hefeltrathervulgar，butthedavenportarrivedthateveningatJerseyVillas。
CHAPTERII。
\"Idaresayitwillbeallright；heseemsquietnow，\"saidthepoorladyofthe\"parlours\"afewdayslater，inreferencetotheirlitigiousneighbourandtheprecariouspiano。Thetwolodgershadgrownregularlyacquainted，andthepianohadhadmuchtodowithit。
Justasthisinstrumentserved，withthegentlemanatNo。4，asathemefordiscussion，sobetweenPeterBaronandtheladyoftheparloursithadbecomeabasisofpeculiaragreement，atopic，atanyrate，ofconversationfrequentlyrenewed。Mrs。RyveswassoprepossessingthatPeterwassurethateveniftheyhadnothadthepianohewouldhavefoundsomethingelsetothreshoutwithher。
Fortunatelyhowevertheydidhaveit，andhe，atleast，madethemostofit，knowingmorenowabouthisnewfriend，whowhen，widowedandfatigued，sheheldherbeautifulchildinherarms，lookeddimlylikeamodernMadonna。Mrs。Bundy，asaletteroffurnishedlodgings，wascharacterisedingeneralbyafamiliardomesticseverityinrespecttopicturesqueyoungwomen，butshehadthehighestconfidenceinMrs。Ryves。Shewasluminousaboutherbeingalady，andaladywhocouldbringMrs。Bundybacktoagratifiedrecognitionofoneofthosemanifestationsofmindforwhichshehadanindependentesteem。
Shewasprofessional，butJerseyVillascouldbeproudofaprofessionthatdidn’thappentobethewrongone——theyhadseensomethingofthat。Mrs。Ryveshadahundredayear（BaronwonderedhowMrs。Bundyknewthis；hethoughtitunlikelyMrs。Ryveshadtoldher），andfortherestshedependedonherlovelymusic。Baronjudgedthathermusic，eventhoughlovely，wasafraildependence；itwouldhardlyhelptofillaconcert-room，andheaskedhimselfatfirstwhethersheplayedcountry-dancesatchildren’spartiesorgavelessonstoyoungladieswhostudiedabovetheirstation。
Verysoon，indeed，hewassufficientlyenlightened；itallwentfast，forthelittleboyhadbeenalmostasgreatahelpasthepiano。
SidneyhauntedthedoorstepofNo。3hewaseminentlysociable，andhadestablishedindependentrelationswithPeter，afrequentfeatureofwhichwasanadventurousvisit，upstairs，topicturebookscriticisedfornotbeingALLgeegeesandwalkingstickshappilymoreconformable。Theyoungman’swindow，too，lookedoutontheiracquaintance；throughastarchedmuslincurtainitkepthisneighbourbeforehim，madehimalmostmoreawareofhercomingsandgoingsthanhefelthehadarighttobe。Hewascapableofashynessofcuriosityaboutherandofdumblittledelicaciesofconsideration。
Shedidgiveafewlessons；theywereessentiallylocal，andheendedbyknowingmoreorlesswhatshewentoutforandwhatshecameinfrom。Shehadalmostnovisitors，onlyadecentoldladyortwo，and，everyday，poordingyMissTeagle，whowasalsoancientandwhocamehumblyenoughtogovernesstheinfantoftheparlours。PeterBaron’swindowhadalways，tohissense，lookedoutonagooddealoflife，andoneofthethingsithadmostshownhimwasthatthereisnobodysobereftofjoyasnottobeabletocommandfortwopencetheservicesofsomebodylessjoyous。Mrs。Ryveswasastruggler（Baronscarcelylikedtothinkofit），butsheoccupiedapinnacleforMissTeagle，whohadlivedon——andfromanoblenursery——intoaperiodofdiplomasandhumiliation。
Mrs。Ryvessometimeswentout，likeBaronhimself，withmanuscriptsunderherarm，and，stillmorelikeBaron，shealmostalwayscamebackwiththem。Hervainapproachesweretothemusic-sellers；shetriedtocompose——toproducesongsthatwouldmakeahit。A
successfulsongwasanincome，sheconfidedtoPeteroneofthefirsttimeshetookSidney，blaseanddrowsy，backtohismother。Itwasnotononeoftheseoccasions，butoncewhenhehadcomeinonnobetterpretextthanthatofsimplywantingto（shehadafterallvirtuallyinvitedhim），thatshementionedhowonlyonesonginathousandwassuccessfulandthattheterribledifficultywasingettingtherightwords。Thisrightnesswasjustavulgar\"fluke\"——
therewerelotsofwordsreallycleverthatwereofnouseatall。
Petersaid，laughing，thathesupposedanywordsheshouldtrytoproducewouldbesuretobetooclever；yetonlythreeweeksafterhisfirstencounterwithMrs。Ryveshesatathisdelightfuldavenport（wellawarethathehaddutiesmorepressing），tryingtostringtogetherrhymesidioticenoughtomakehisneighbour’sfortune。Hewassatisfiedofthefinenessofhermusicalgift——ithadthetouchingnote。Thetouchingnotewasinherpersonaswell。
Thedavenportwasdelightful，aftersixmonthsofitstotteringpredecessor，andsuchare-enforcementtotheyoungman’sstylewasnotimpairedbyhissenseofsomethinglawlessinthewayithadbeengained。HehadmadethepurchaseinanticipationofthemoneyheexpectedfromMr。Locket，butMr。Locket’sliberalitywastodependontheingenuityofhiscontributor，whonowfoundhimselfconfrontedwiththeconsequenceofafrivolousoptimism。Thefruitofhislabourpresented，ashestaredatitwithhiselbowsonhisdesk，anaspectuncompromisingandincorruptible。Itseemedtolookupathimreproachfullyandtosay，withitsessentialfinish：\"Howcouldyoupromiseanythingsobase；howcouldyoupassyourwordtomutilateanddishonourme？\"ThealterationsdemandedbyMr。Locketwereimpossible；theconcessionstotheplatitudeofhisconceptionofthepublicmindweredegrading。Thepublicmind！——asifthepublicHADamind，oranyprincipleofperceptionmorediscoverablethanthestareofhuddledsheep！PeterBaronfeltthatitconcernedhimtodetermineifhewereonlynotcleverenoughorifheweresimplynotabjectenoughtorewritehisstory。Hemightintruthhavehadlessprideifhehadhadmoreskill，andmorediscretionifhehadhadmorepractice。Humility，intheprofessionofletters，washalfofpractice，andresignationwashalfofsuccess。PoorPeteractuallyflushedwithpainasherecognisedthatthiswasnotsuccess，theproductionofgelidprosewhichhiseditorcoulddonothingwithontheonesideandhehimselfcoulddonothingwithontheother。Thetruthabouthislucklesstalewasnowthemorebitterfromhishavingmanaged，forsomedays，totasteitassweet。
Ashesatthere，baffledandsombre，bitinghispenandwonderingwhatwasmeantbythe\"rewards\"ofliterature，hegenerallyendedbytossingawaythecompositiondefloweredbyMr。LocketandtryinghishandatthesortoftwaddlethatMrs。Ryvesmightbeabletosettomusic。Successintheseexperimentswouldn’tbearewardofliterature，butitmightverywellbecomealabouroflove。Theexperimentswouldbepleasantenoughforhimiftheywerepleasantforhisinscrutableneighbour。Thatwasthewayhethoughtofhernow，forhehadlearnedenoughabouther，littlebylittle，toguesshowmuchtherewasstilltolearn。Tospendhismorningsovercheaprhymesforherwascertainlytoshirktheimmediatequestion；buttherewerehourswhenhejudgedthisquestiontobealtogethertooarduous，reflectingthathemightquiteaswellperishbytheswordasbyfamine。Besides，hedidmeetitobliquelywhenheconsideredthatheshouldn’tbeanutterfailureifheweretoproducesomesongstowhichMrs。Ryves’saccompanimentswouldgiveacirculation。
Hehadnotventuredtoshowheranythingyet，butonemorning，atamomentwhenherlittleboywasinhisroom，itseemedtohimthat，byaninspiration，hehadarrivedatthehappymiddlecourse（itwasanartbyitself），betweensoundandsense。Ifthesensewasnotconfuseditwasbecausethesoundwassofamiliar。
Hehadsaidtothechild，towhomhehadsacrificedbarley-sugar（ithadnoattractionforhisownlips，yetinthesedaystherewasalwayssomeofitabout），hehadconfidedtothesmallSidneythatifhewouldwaitalittleheshouldbeintrustedwithsomethingnicetotakedowntohisparent。Sidneyhadabsorbingoccupationand，whilePetercopiedoffthesonginaprettyhand，roamed，gurglingandsticky，abouttheroom。Inthismannerhelurchedlikealittletoperintotherearofthedavenport，whichstoodafewstepsoutfromtherecessofthewindow，and，ashewasfondofbeatingtimetohisintensestjoys，begantobangonthesurfaceofitwithapaper-
knifewhichatthatspothadchancedtofalluponthefloor。AtthemomentSidneycommittedthisviolencehiskindfriendhadhappenedtoraisethelidofthedeskand，withhisheadbeneathit，wasrummagingamongamassofpapersforaproperenvelope。\"Isay，I
say，myboy！\"heexclaimed，solicitousfortheancientglazeofhismostcherishedpossession。Sidneypausedaninstant；then，whilePeterstillhuntedfortheenvelope，headministeredanother，andthistimeadistinctlydisobedient，rap。Peterhearditfromwithinandwasstruckwithitsoddityofsound——somuchsothat，leavingthechildforamomentunderademoralisingimpressionofimpunity，hewaitedwithquickcuriosityforarepetitionofthestroke。Itcameofcourseimmediately，andthentheyoungman，whohadatthesameinstantfoundhisenvelopeandejaculated\"Hallo，thisthinghasafalseback！\"jumpedupandsecuredhisvisitor，whomwithhisleftarmheheldinduranceonhiskneewhilewithhisfreehandheaddressedthemissivetoMrs。Ryves。
AsSidneywasfondoferrandshewaseasilygotridof，andafterhehadgoneBaronstoodamomentatthewindowchinkingpenniesandkeysinpocketsandwonderingifthecharmingcomposerwouldthinkhissongasgood，orinotherwordsasbad，ashethoughtit。Hiseyesasheturnedawayfellonthewoodenbackofthedavenport，where，tohisregret，thetracesofSidney’sassaultwerevisibleinthreeorfouruglyscratches。\"Confoundthelittlebrute！\"heexclaimed，feelingasifanaltarhadbeendesecrated。Hewasreminded，however，oftheobservationthisoutragehadledhimtomake，and，forfurtherassurance，heknockedonthewoodwithhisknuckle。Itsoundedfromthatpositioncommonplaceenough，buthissuspicionwasstronglyconfirmedwhen，againstandingbesidethedesk，heputhisheadbeneaththeliftedlidandgaveearwhilewithanextendedarmhetappedsharplyinthesameplace。Thebackwasdistinctlyhollow；
therewasaspacebetweentheinnerandtheouterpieces（hecouldmeasureit），sowidethathewasafoolnottohavenoticeditbefore。Thedepthofthereceptaclefromfronttorearwassogreatthatitcouldsacrificeacertainquantityofroomwithoutdetection。
Thesacrificecouldofcourseonlybeforapurpose，andthepurposecouldonlybethecreationofasecretcompartment。PeterBaronwasstillboyenoughtobethrilledbytheideaofsuchafeature，themoresoaseveryindicationofithadbeencleverlyconcealed。Thepeopleattheshophadnevernoticedit，elsetheywouldhavecalledhisattentiontoitasanenhancementofvalue。Hislegendaryloreinstructedhimthatwheretherewasahiding-placetherewasalwaysahiddenspring，andhepriedandpressedandfumbledinaneagersearchforthesensitivespot。Thearticlewasreallyawonderofneatconstruction；everythingfittedwithaclosenessthatcompletelysavedappearances。
IttookBaronsomeminutestopursuehisinquiry，duringwhichhereflectedthatthepeopleoftheshopwerenotsuchfoolsafterall。
Theyhadadmittedmoreoverthattheyhadaccidentallyneglectedthisrelicofgentility——ithadbeenoverlookedinthemultiplicityoftheirtreasures。Henowrecalledthatthemanhadwantedtopolishitupbeforesendingithome，andthat，satisfiedforhisownpartwithitshonourableappearanceandaverseingeneraltoshinyfurniture，hehadinhisimpatiencedeclinedtowaitforsuchanoperation，sothattheobjecthadlefttheplaceforJerseyVillas，carryingpresumablyitssecretwithit，twoorthreehoursafterhisvisit。Thissecretitseemedindeedcapableofkeeping；therewasanabsurdityinbeingbaffled，butPetercouldn’tfindthespring。Hethumpedandsounded，helistenedandmeasuredagain；heinspectedeveryjointandcrevice，withtheeffectofbecomingsurerstilloftheexistenceofachamberandofmakinguphismindthathisdavenportwasararity。Notonlywasthereacompartmentbetweenthetwobacks，buttherewasdistinctlysomethingINthecompartment！
Perhapsitwasalostmanuscript——anice，safe，old-fashionedstorythatMr。Locketwouldn’tobjectto。Peterreturnedtothecharge，forithadoccurredtohimthathehadperhapsnotsufficientlyvisitedthesmalldrawers，ofwhich，intwoverticalrows，thereweresixinnumber，ofdifferentsizes，insertedsidewaysintothatportionofthestructurewhichformedpartofthesupportofthedesk。Hetookthemoutagainandexaminedmoreminutelytheconditionoftheirsockets，withthehappyresultofdiscoveringatlast，intheplaceintowhichthethirdontheleft-handrowwasfitted，asmallslidingpanel。Behindthepanelwasaspring，likeaflatbutton，whichyieldedwithaclickwhenhepresseditandwhichinstantlyproducedalooseningofoneofthepiecesoftheshelfformingthehighestpartofthedavenport——piecesadjustedtoeachotherwiththemostdeceptivecloseness。
Thisparticularpieceprovedtobe，initsturn，aslidingpanel，which，whenpushed，revealedtheexistenceofasmallerreceptacle，anarrow，oblongbox，inthefalseback。Itscapacitywaslimited，butifitcouldn’tholdmanythingsitmightholdpreciousones。Baron，inpresenceoftheingenuitywithwhichithadbeendissimulated，immediatelyfeltthat，butfortheoddchanceoflittleSidneyRyves’shavinghammeredontheoutsideatthemomenthehimselfhappenedtohavehisheadinthedesk，hemighthaveremainedforyearswithoutsuspicionofit。Thisapparentlywouldhavebeenaloss，forhehadbeenrightinguessingthatthechamberwasnotempty。Itcontainedobjectswhich，whetherpreciousornot，hadatanyratebeenworthsomebody’shiding。Theseobjectswereacollectionofsmallfiatparcels，oftheshapeofpacketsofletters，wrappedinwhitepaperandneatlysealed。Theseals，mechanicallyfigured，boretheimpressneitherofarmsnorofinitials；thepaperlookedold——ithadturnedfaintlysallow；thepacketsmighthavebeenthereforages。Baroncountedthem——therewerenineinall，ofdifferentsizes；heturnedthemoverandover，feltthemcuriouslyandsnuffedintheirvague，mustysmell，whichaffectedhimwiththemelancholyofsomesmotheredhumanaccent。Thelittlebundleswereneithernamednornumbered——therewasnotawordofwritingonanyofthecovers；buttheyplainlycontainedoldletters，sortedandmatchedaccordingtodatesortoauthorship。Theytoldsomeold，deadstory——theyweretheashesoffiresburnedout。
AsPeterBaronheldhisdiscoveriessuccessivelyinhishandshebecameconsciousofaqueeremotionwhichwasnotaltogetherelationandyetwasstilllesspurepain。Hehadmadeafind，butitsomehowaddedtohisresponsibility；hewasinthepresenceofsomethinginteresting，but（inamannerhecouldn’thavedefined）thiscircumstancesuddenlyconstitutedadanger。Itwastheperceptionofthedanger，forinstance，whichcausedtoremaininabeyanceanyimpulsehemighthavefelttobreakoneoftheseals。Helookedatthemallnarrowly，buthewascarefulnottoloosenthem，andhewondereduncomfortablywhetherthecontentsofthesecretcompartmentwouldbeheldinequitytobethepropertyofthepeopleintheKing’sRoad。Hehadgivenmoneyforthedavenport，buthadhegivenmoneyfortheseburiedpapers？Hepaidbyagrowingconsciousnessthatanamelesschillhadstolenintotheairthepenalty，whichhehadmanyatimepaidbefore，ofbeingmadeofsensitivestuff。Itwasasifanoccasionhadinsidiouslyarisenforasacrifice——asacrificeforthesakeofafinesuperstition，somethinglikehonourorkindnessorjustice，somethingindeedperhapsevenfinerstill——adifficultdecipheringofduty，animpossibletantalisingwisdom。
Standingtherebeforehisambiguoustreasureandlosinghimselfforthemomentinthesenseofadawningcomplication，hewasstartledbyalight，quicktapatthedoorofhissitting-room。Instinctively，beforeanswering，helistenedaninstant——hewasintheattitudeofamisersurprisedwhilecountinghishoard。Thenheanswered\"Onemoment，please！\"andslippedthelittleheapofpacketsintothebiggestofthedrawersofthedavenport，whichhappenedtobeopen。
Theapertureofthefalsebackwasstillgaping，andhehadnottimetoworkbackthespring。Hehastilylaidabigbookovertheplaceandthenwentandopenedhisdoor。
Itofferedhimasightnonethelessagreeableforbeingunexpected——
thegracefulandagitatedfigureofMrs。Ryves。Heragitationwassovisiblethathethoughtatfirstthatsomethingdreadfulhadhappenedtoherchild——thatshehadrusheduptoaskforhelp，tobeghimtogoforthedoctor。Thenheperceivedthatitwasprobablyconnectedwiththedesperateverseshehadtransmittedtoheraquarterofanhourbefore；forshehadhisopenmanuscriptinonehandandwasnervouslypullingitaboutwiththeother。Shelookedfrightenedandpretty，andif，ininvadingtheprivacyofafellow-lodger，shehadbeenguiltyofadeparturefromrigidcustom，shewasatleastconsciousoftheenormityofthestepandincapableoftreatingitwithlevity。ThelevitywasforPeterBaron，whoendeavoured，however，toclothehisfamiliaritywithrespect，pushingforwardtheseatofhonourandrepeatingthatherejoicedinsuchavisit。Thevisitorcamein，leavingthedoorajar，andafteraminuteduringwhich，tohelpher，hechargedherwiththepurposeoftellinghimthatheoughttobeashamedtosendherdownsuchrubbish，sherecoveredherselfsufficientlytostammeroutthathissongwasexactlywhatshehadbeenlookingforandthatafterreadingitshehadbeenseizedwithanextraordinary，irresistibleimpulse——thatofthankinghimforitinpersonandwithoutdelay。
\"Itwastheimpulseofakindnature，\"hesaid，\"andIcan’ttellyouwhatpleasureyougiveme。\"
Shedeclinedtositdown，andevidentlywishedtoappeartohavecomebutforafewseconds。Shelookedconfusedlyattheplaceinwhichshefoundherself，andwhenhereyesmethisowntheystruckhimasanxiousandappealing。Shewasevidentlynotthinkingofhissong，thoughshesaidthreeorfourtimesoverthatitwasbeautiful。
\"Well，Ionlywantedyoutoknow，andnowImustgo，\"sheadded；butonhishearthrugshelingeredwithsuchanoddhelplessnessthathefeltalmostsorryforher。
\"PerhapsIcanimproveitifyoufinditdoesn’tgo，\"saidBaron。
\"I’msodelightedtodoanythingforyouIcan。\"
\"Theremaybeawordortwothatmightbechanged，\"sheanswered，ratherabsently。\"Ishallhavetothinkitover，tolivewithitalittle。ButIlikeit，andthat’sallIwantedtosay。\"
\"Charmingofyou。I’mnotabitbusy，\"saidBaron。
Againshelookedathimwithatroubledintensity，thensuddenlyshedemanded：\"Isthereanythingthematterwithyou？\"
\"Thematterwithme？\"
\"Imeanlikebeingillorworried。Iwonderediftheremightbe；I
hadasuddenfancy；andthat，Ithink，isreallywhyIcameup。\"
\"Thereisn’t，indeed；I’mallright。Butyoursuddenfanciesareinspirations。\"
\"It’sabsurd。Youmustexcuseme。Good-by！\"saidMrs。Ryves。
\"Whatarethewordsyouwantchanged？\"Baronasked。
\"Idon’twantany——ifyou’reallright。Good-by，\"hisvisitorrepeated，fixinghereyesaninstantonanobjectonhisdeskthathadcaughtthem。Hisownglancedinthesamedirectionandhesawthatinhishurrytoshuffleawaythepacketsfoundinthedavenporthehadoverlookedoneofthem，whichlaywithitssealsexposed。Foraninstanthefeltfoundout，asifhehadbeenconcernedinsomethingtobeashamedof，anditwasonlyhisquicksecondthoughtthattoldhimhowlittletheincidentofwhichthepacketwasasequelwasanaffairofMrs。Ryves’s。Herconsciouseyescamebacktohisasiftheyweresoundingthem，andsuddenlythisinstinctofkeepinghisdiscoverytohimselfwassucceededbyareallystartledinferencethat，withtherarestalertness，shehadguessedsomethingandthatherguess（itseemedalmostsupernatural），hadbeenherrealmotive。Somesecretsympathyhadmadehervibrate——hadtouchedherwiththeknowledgethathehadbroughtsomethingtolight。Afteraninstanthesawthatshealsodivinedtheveryreflectionhewasthenmaking，andthisgavehimalivelydesire，agrateful，happydesire，toappeartohavenothingtoconceal。Forherself，itdeterminedherstillmoretoputanendtohermomentaryvisit。Butbeforeshehadpassedtothedoorheexclaimed：\"Allright？Howcanafellowbeanythingelsewhohasjusthadsuchafind？\"
Shepausedatthis，stilllookingearnestandasking：\"Whathaveyoufound？\"
\"Someancientfamilypapers，inasecretcompartmentofmywriting-
table。\"Andhetookupthepackethehadleftout，holdingitbeforehereyes。\"Alotofotherthingslikethat。\"
\"Whatarethey？\"murmuredMrs。Ryves。
\"Ihaven’ttheleastidea。They’resealed。\"
\"Youhaven’tbrokentheseals？\"Shehadcomefurtherback。
\"Ihaven’thadtime；itonlyhappenedtenminutesago。\"
\"Iknewit，\"saidMrs。Ryves，moregailynow。
\"Whatdidyouknow？\"
\"Thatyouwereinsomepredicament。\"
\"You’reextraordinary。Ineverheardofanythingsomiraculous；downtwoflightsofstairs。\"
\"AREyouinaquandary？\"thevisitorasked。
\"Yes，aboutgivingthemback。\"PeterBaronstoodsmilingatherandrappinghispacketonthepalmofhishand。\"Whatdoyouadvise？\"
Sheherselfsmilednow，withhereyesonthesealedparcel。\"Backtowhom？\"
\"ThemanofwhomIboughtthetable。\"
\"Ahthen，they’renotfromYOURfamily？\"
\"Noindeed，thepieceoffurnitureinwhichtheywerehiddenisnotanancestralpossession。Iboughtitatsecondhand——youseeit’sold——theotherdayintheKing’sRoad。Obviouslythemanwhosoldittomesoldmemorethanhemeant；hehadnoidea（fromhisownpointofviewitwasstupidofhim），thattherewasahiddenchamberorthatmysteriousdocumentswereburiedthere。OughtItogoandtellhim？It’sratheranicequestion。\"
\"Arethepapersofvalue？\"Mrs。Ryvesinquired。
\"Ihaven’ttheleastidea。ButIcanascertainbybreakingaseal。\"
\"Don’t！\"saidMrs。Ryves，withmuchexpression。Shelookedgraveagain。
\"It’srathertantalising——it’sabitofaproblem，\"Baronwenton，turninghispacketover。
Mrs。Ryveshesitated。\"Willyoushowmewhatyouhaveinyourhand？\"
Hegaveherthepacket，andshelookedatitandhelditforaninstanttohernose。\"Ithasaqueer，charmingoldfragrance，\"hesaid。
\"Charming？It’shorrid。\"Shehandedhimbackthepacket，sayingagainmoreemphatically\"Don’t！\"
\"Don’tbreakaseal？\"
\"Don’tgivebackthepapers。\"
\"Isithonesttokeepthem？\"
\"Certainly。They’reyoursasmuchasthepeople’softheshop。Theywereinthehiddenchamberwhenthetablecametotheshop，andthepeoplehadeveryopportunitytofindthemout。Theydidn’t——
thereforeletthemtaketheconsequences。\"
PeterBaronreflected，divertedbyherintensity。Shewaspale，witheyesalmostardent。\"Thetablehadbeenintheplaceforyears。\"
\"Thatprovesthethingshaven’tbeenmissed。\"
\"Letmeshowyouhowtheywereconcealed，\"herejoined；andheexhibitedtheingeniousrecessandtheworkingofthecuriousspring。
Shewasgreatlyinterested，shegrewexcitedandbecamefamiliar；sheappealedtohimagainnottodoanythingsofoolishastogiveupthepapers，therestofwhich，intheirlittleblank，impenetrablecovers，heplacedinarowbeforeher。\"Theymightbetraced——theirhistory，theirownership，\"heargued；towhichsherepliedthatthiswasexactlywhyheoughttobequiet。Hedeclaredthatwomenhadnotthesmallestsenseofhonour，andsheretortedthatatanyratetheyhaveotherperceptionsmoredelicatethanthoseofmen。Headmittedthatthepapersmightberubbish，andsheconcededthatnothingwasmoreprobable；yetwhenheofferedtosettlethepointoff-handshecaughthimbythewrist，acknowledgingthat，absurdasitwas，shewasnervous。Finallysheputthewholethingonthegroundofhisjustdoingherafavour。Sheaskedhimtoretainthepapers，tobesilentaboutthem，simplybecauseitwouldpleaseher。Thatwouldbereasonenough。Baron’sacquaintance，hisagreeablerelationswithher，advancedmanystepsinthetreatmentofthisquestion；anelementoffriendlycandourmadeitswayintotheirdiscussionofit。
\"Ican’tmakeoutwhyitmatterstoyou，onewayortheother，norwhyyoushouldthinkitworthtalkingabout，\"theyoungmanreasoned。
\"NeithercanI。It’sjustawhim。\"
\"Certainly，ifitwillgiveyouanypleasure，I’llsaynothingattheshop。\"
\"That’scharmingofyou，andI’mverygrateful。Iseenowthatthiswaswhythespiritmovedmetocomeup——tosavethem，\"Mrs。Ryveswenton。Sheadded，movingaway，thatnowshehadsavedthemshemustreallygo。
\"Tosavethemforwhat，ifImayn’tbreaktheseals？\"Baronasked。
\"Idon’tknow——forageneroussacrifice。\"
\"Whyshoulditbegenerous？What’satstake？\"Peterdemanded，leaningagainstthedoorpostasshestoodonthelanding。
\"Idon’tknowwhat，butIfeelasifsomethingorotherwereinperil。Burnthemup！\"sheexclaimedwithshiningeyes。
\"Ah，youasktoomuch——I’msocuriousaboutthem！\"