\"Well，Iwon’taskmorethanIought，andI’mmuchobligedtoyouforyourpromisetobequiet。Itrusttoyourdiscretion。Good-by。\"
\"YououghttoREWARDmydiscretion，\"saidBaron，comingouttothelanding。
Shehadpartlydescendedthestaircaseandshestopped，leaningagainstthebalusterandsmilingupathim。\"Surelyyou’vehadyourrewardinthehonourofmyvisit。\"
\"That’sdelightfulasfarasitgoes。ButwhatwillyoudoformeifIburnthepapers？\"
Mrs。Ryvesconsideredamoment。\"Burnthemfirstandyou’llsee！\"
Onthisshewentrapidlydownstairs，andBaron，towhomtheanswerappearedinadequateandthepropositionindeedinthatformgrosslyunfair，returnedtohisroom。Thevivacityofherinterestinaquestioninwhichshehaddiscoverablynothingatstakemystified，amusedand，inaddition，irresistiblycharmedhim。Shewasdelicate，imaginative，inflammable，quicktofeel，quicktoact。Hedidn’tcomplainofit，itwasthewayhelikedwomentobe；，buthewasnotimpelledforthehourtocommitthesealedpacketstotheflames。Hedroppedthemagainintotheirsecretwell，andafterthathewentout。Hefeltrestlessandexcited；anotherdaywaslostforwork——
thedreadfuljobtobeperformedforMr。Locketwasstillfurtheroff。
CHAPTERIII。
TendaysafterMrs。Ryves’svisithepaidbyappointmentanothercallontheeditorofthePromiscuous。HefoundhiminthelittlewainscotedChelseahouse，whichhadtoPeter’ssensethesmokybrownnessofanoldpipebowl，surroundedwithalltheemblemsofhisoffice——alitterofpapers，ahedgeofencyclopaedias，aphotographicgalleryofpopularcontributors——andhepromisedatfirsttoconsumeveryfewofthemomentsforwhichsomanyclaimscompeted。ItwasMr。Lockethimselfhoweverwhopresentlymadetheinterviewspacious，gaveitairafterdiscoveringthatpoorBaronhadcometotellhimsomethingmoreinterestingthanthathecouldn’tafterallpatchuphistale。Peterhadbegunwiththis，hadintimatedrespectfullythatitwasacaseinwhichbothpracticeandprinciplerebelled，andthen，perceivinghowlittleMr。Locketwasaffectedbyhisaudacity，hadfeltweakandslightlysilly，leftwithhisheroismonhishands。
Hehadarmedhimselfforastruggle，butthePromiscuousdidn’tevenprotest，andtherewouldhavebeennothingforhimbuttogoawaywiththeprospectofnevercomingagainhadhenotchancedtosayabruptly，irrelevantly，ashegotupfromhischair：
\"DoyouhappentobeatallinterestedinSirDominickFerrand？\"
Mr。Locket，whohadalsogotup，lookedoverhisglasses。\"ThelateSirDominick？\"
\"Theonlyone；youknowthefamily’sextinct。\"
Mr。Locketshothisyoungfriendanothersharpglance，asilentretorttotheglibnessofthisinformation。\"Veryextinctindeed。
I’mafraidthesubjecttodaywouldscarcelyberegardedasattractive。\"
\"Areyouverysure？\"Baronasked。
Mr。Locketleanedforwardalittle，withhisfingertipsonhistable，intheattitudeofgivingpermissiontoretire。\"Imightconsiderthequestioninaspecialconnection。\"Hewassilentaminute，inawaythatrelegatedpoorPetertothegeneral；butmeetingtheyoungman’seyesagainheasked：\"Areyou——a——thinkingofproposinganarticleuponhim？\"
\"Notexactlyproposingit——becauseIdon’tyetquiteseemyway；buttheidearatherappealstome。\"
Mr。Locketemittedthesafeassertionthatthiseminentstatesmanhadbeenastrikingfigureinhisday；thenheadded：\"Haveyoubeenstudyinghim？\"
\"I’vebeendippingintohim。\"
\"I’mafraidhe’sscarcelyaquestionofthehour，\"saidMr。Locket，shufflingpaperstogether。
\"IthinkIcouldmakehimone，\"PeterBarondeclared。
Mr。Locketstaredagain；hewasunabletorepressanunattenuated\"You？\"
\"Ihavesomenewmaterial，\"saidtheyoungman，colouringalittle。
\"Thatoftenfreshensupanoldstory。\"
\"Itburiesitsometimes。It’softenonlyanothertombstone。\"
\"Thatdependsuponwhatitis。However，\"Peteradded，\"thedocumentsIspeakofwouldbeacrushingmonument。\"
Mr。Locket，hesitating，shotanotherglanceunderhisglasses。\"Doyoualludeto——a——revelations？\"
\"Verycuriousones。\"
Mr。Locket，stillonhisfeet，hadkepthisbodyatthebowingangle；
itwasthereforeeasyforhimafteraninstanttobendalittlefurtherandtosinkintohischairwithamovementofhishandtowardtheseatBaronhadoccupied。Baronresumedpossessionofthisconvenience，andtheconversationtookafreshstartonabasiswhichsuchanextensionofprivilegecouldrenderbutlittlelesshumiliatingtoouryoungman。HehadmaturednoplanofconfidinghissecrettoMr。Locket，andhehadreallycomeouttomakehimconscientiouslythatotherannouncementastowhichitappearedthatsomuchartisticagitationhadbeenwasted。Hehadindeedduringthepastdays——daysofpainfulindecision——appealedinimaginationtotheeditorofthePromiscuous，ashehadappealedtoothersourcesofcomfort；buthisscruplesturnedtheirfaceuponhimfromquartershighaswellaslow，andifontheonehandhehadbynomeansmadeuphismindnottomentionhisstrangeknowledge，hehadstillmorelefttothedeterminationofthemomentthequestionofhowheshouldintroducethesubject。Hewasinfacttoonervoustodecide；heonlyfeltthatheneededforhispeaceofmindtocommunicatehisdiscovery。Hewantedanopinion，theimpressionofsomebodyelse，andeveninthisintenselyprofessionalpresence，fiveminutesafterhehadbeguntotellhisqueerstory，hefeltrelievedofhalfhisburden。Hisstorywasveryqueer；hecouldtakethemeasureofthathimselfashespoke；butwouldn’tthisverycircumstancequalifyitforthePromiscuous？
\"Ofcoursethelettersmaybeforgeries，\"saidMr。Locketatlast。
\"I’venodoubtthat’swhatmanypeoplewillsay。\"
\"Havetheybeenseenbyanyexpert？\"
\"Noindeed；they’vebeenseenbynobody。\"
\"Haveyougotanyofthemwithyou？\"
\"No；Ifeltnervousaboutbringingthemout。\"
\"That’sapity。Ishouldhavelikedthetestimonyofmyeyes。\"
\"Youmayhaveitifyou’llcometomyrooms。Ifyoudon’tcaretodothatwithoutafurtherguaranteeI’llcopyyououtsomepassages。\"
\"Selectafewoftheworst！\"Mr。Locketlaughed。OverBaron’sdistressinginformationhehadbecomequitehumanandgenial。Butheaddedinamomentmoredryly：\"Youknowtheyoughttobeseenbyanexpert。\"
\"That’sexactlywhatIdread，\"saidPeter。
\"They’llbeworthnothingtomeifthey’renot。\"
Petercommunedwithhisinnermostspirit。\"HowmuchwilltheybeworthtoMEiftheyARE？\"
Mr。Locketturnedinhisstudy-chair。\"Ishouldrequiretolookatthembeforeansweringthatquestion。\"
\"I’vebeentotheBritishmuseum——therearemanyofhislettersthere。I’veobtainedpermissiontoseethem，andI’vecomparedeverythingcarefully。Irepudiatethepossibilityofforgery。Nosignofgenuinenessiswanting；therearedetails，downtotheverypostmarks，thatnoforgercouldhaveinvented。Besides，whoseinterestcoulditconceivablyhavebeen？Alaborofunspeakabledifficulty，andallforwhatadvantage？Therearesomanyletters，too——twenty-seveninall。\"
\"Lord，whatanass！\"Mr。Locketexclaimed。
\"Itwillbeoneofthestrangestpost-mortemrevelationsofwhichhistorypreservestherecord。\"
Mr。Locket，gravenow，worriedwithapaper-knifethecreviceofadrawer。\"It’sveryodd。Buttobeworthanythingsuchdocumentsshouldbesubjectedtoasearchingcriticism——Imeanofthehistoricalkind。\"
\"Certainly；thatwouldbethetaskofthewriterintroducingthemtothepublic。\"
AgainMr。Locketconsidered；thenwithasmilehelookedup。\"Youhadbettergiveuporiginalcompositionandtaketobuyingoldfurniture。\"
\"Doyoumeanbecauseitwillpaybetter？\"
\"Foryou，Ishouldthink，originalcompositioncouldn’tpayworse。
Thecreativefaculty’ssorare。\"
\"Idofeeltemptedtoturnmyattentiontorealheroes，\"Peterreplied。
\"I’mboundtodeclarethatSirDominickFerrandwasneveroneofmine。Flashy，crafty，second-rate——that’showI’vealwaysreadhim。
Itwasneverasecret，moreover，thathisprivatelifehaditsweakspots。Hewasamereflashinthepan。\"
\"Hespeakstothepeopleofthiscountry，\"saidBaron。
\"Hedid；buthisvoice——thevoice，Imean，ofhisprestige——isscarcelyaudiblenow。\"
\"They’restillproudofsomeofthethingshedidattheForeignOffice——thefamous’exchange’withSpain，intheMediterranean，whichtookEuropesobysurpriseandbywhichshefeltinjured，especiallywhenitbecameapparenthowmuchwehadthebestofthebargain。
Thenthesudden，unexpectedshowofforcebywhichheimposedontheUnitedStatesourinterpretationofthattiresometreaty——Icouldnevermakeoutwhatitwasabout。Thesewerebothmattersthatnoonereallycaredastrawabout，buthemadeeveryonefeelasiftheycared；thenationrosetothewayheplayedhistrumps——itwasuncommon。Hewasoneofthefewmenwe’vehad，inourperiod，whotookEurope，ortookAmerica，bysurprise，madethemjumpabit；andthecountrylikedhisdoingit——itwasapleasantchange。Therestoftheworldconsideredthattheyknewinanycaseexactlywhatwewoulddo，whichwasusuallynothingatall。Saywhatyoulike，he’sstillahighname；partlyalso，nodoubt，onaccountofotherthingshisearlysuccessandearlydeath，hispolitical’cheek’andwit；hisveryappearance——hecertainlywashandsome——andthepossibilities（offuturepersonalsupremacy）whichitwasthefashionatthetime，whichit’sthefashionstill，tosayhadpassedawaywithhim。HehadbeentwiceattheForeignOffice；thatalonewasremarkableforamandyingatforty-four。Whatthereforewillthecountrythinkwhenitlearnshewasvenal？\"
PeterBaronhimselfwasnotangrywithSirDominickFerrand，whohadsimplybecometohim（hehadbeen\"readingup\"feverishlyforaweek）
averycurioussubjectofpsychologicalstudy；buthecouldeasilyputhimselfintheplaceofthatportionofthepublicwhosememorywaslongenoughfortheirpatriotismtoreceiveashock。Itwassometimefortunatelysincetheconductofpublicaffairshadwantedformenofdisinterestedability，buttheextraordinarydocumentsconcealed（ofallplacesintheworld——itwasasfantasticasanightmare）ina\"bargain\"pickedupatsecond-handbyanobscurescribbler，wouldbeacalculableblowtotheretrospectivemind。
Baronsawvividlythatiftheserelicsshouldbemadepublicthescandal，thehorror，thechatterwouldbeimmense。Immensewouldbealsothecontributiontotruth，therectificationofhistory。Hehadfeltforseveraldays（anditwasexactlywhathadmadehimsonervous）asifheheldinhishandthekeytopublicattention。
\"Therearetoomanythingstoexplain，\"Mr。Locketwenton，\"andthesingularprovenanceofyourpaperswouldcountalmostoverwhelminglyagainstthemeveniftheotherobjectionsweremet。Therewouldbeaperfectandprobablyaverycomplicatedpedigreetotrace。Howdidtheygetintoyourdavenport，asyoucallit，andhowlonghadtheybeenthere？Whathandssecretedthem？whathandshad，soincredibly，clungtothemandpreservedthem？Whoarethepersonsmentionedinthem？whoarethecorrespondents，thepartiestothenefarioustransactions？Yousaythetransactionsappeartobeoftwodistinctkinds——someofthemconnectedwithpublicbusinessandothersinvolvingobscurepersonalrelations。\"
\"Theyallhavethisincommon，\"saidPeterBaron，\"thattheyconstituteevidenceofuneasiness，insomeinstancesofpainfulalarm，onthewriter’spart，inrelationtoexposure——theexposureintheonecase，asIgather，ofthefactthathehadavailedhimselfofofficialopportunitiestopromoteenterprises（publicworksandthatsortofthing）inwhichhehadapecuniarystake。Thedreadofthelightintheotherconnectionisevidentlydifferent，andtheselettersaretheearliestindate。Theyareaddressedtoawoman，fromwhomhehadevidentlyreceivedmoney。\"
Mr。Locketwipedhisglasses。\"Whatwoman？\"
\"Ihaven’ttheleastidea。TherearelotsofquestionsIcan’tanswer，ofcourse；lotsofidentitiesIcan’testablish；lotsofgapsIcan’tfill。ButastotwopointsI’mclear，andtheyaretheessentialones。Inthefirstplacethepapersinmypossessionaregenuine；inthesecondplacethey’recompromising。\"
WiththisPeterBaronroseagain，rathervexedwithhimselfforhavingbeenledontoadvertisehistreasure（itwashisinterlocutor’sperfectlynaturalscepticismthatproducedthiseffect），forhefeltthathewasputtinghimselfinafalseposition。
HedetectedinMr。Locket’sstudieddetachmentthefermentationofimpulsesfromwhich，unsuccessfulashewas，hehimselfprayedtobedelivered。
Mr。Locketremainedseated；hewatchedBarongoacrosstheroomforhishatandumbrella。\"Ofcourse，thequestionwouldcomeupofwhosepropertytodaysuchdocumentswouldlegallyhe。Thereareheirs，descendants，executorstoconsider。\"
\"Insomedegreeperhaps；hutI’vegoneintothatalittle。SirDominickFerrandhadnochildren，andheleftnobrothersandnosisters。Hiswifesurvivedhim，butshediedtenyearsago。Hecanhavehadnoheirsandnoexecutorstospeakof，forheleftnoproperty。\"
’’That’stohishonourandagainstyourtheory，’’saidMr。Locket。
\"IHAVEnotheory。Heleftalargeishmassofdebt，\"PeterBaronadded。AtthisMr。Locketgotup，whilehisvisitorpursued：\"SofarasIcanascertain，thoughofcoursemyinquirieshavehadtobeveryrapidandsuperficial，thereisnoonenowliving，directlyorindirectlyrelatedtothepersonageinquestion，whowouldbelikelytosufferfromanystepsinthedirectionofpublicity。Ithappenstobearareinstanceofalifethathad，asitwere，nolooseends。
Atleasttherearenoneperceptibleatpresent。\"
\"Isee，Isee，\"saidMr。Locket。\"ButIdon’tthinkIshouldcaremuchforyourarticle。\"
\"Whatarticle？\"
\"Theoneyouseemtowishtowrite，embodyingthisnewmatter。\"
\"Oh，Idon’twishtowriteit！\"Peterexclaimed。Andthenhebadehishostgood-by。
\"Good-by，\"saidMr。Locket。\"Mindyou，Idon’tsaythatIthinkthere’snothinginit。\"
\"Youwouldthinktherewassomethinginitifyouweretoseemydocuments。\"
\"Ishouldliketoseethesecretcompartment，\"
thecausticeditorrejoined。\"Copymeoutsomeextracts。\"
\"Towhatend，ifthere’snoquestionoftheirbeingofusetoyou？\"
\"Idon’tsaythat——Imightlikethelettersthemselves。\"
\"Themselves？\"
\"Notasthebasisofapaper，butjusttopublish——forasensation。\"
\"They’dsellyournumber！\"Baronlaughed。
\"IdaresayIshouldliketolookatthem，\"Mr。Locketconcededafteramoment。\"WhenshouldIfindyouathome？\"
\"Don’tcome，\"saidtheyoungman。\"Imakeyounooffer。\"
\"ImightmakeYOUone，\"theeditorhinted。\"Don’ttroubleyourself；
Ishallprobablydestroythem。\"WiththisPeterBarontookhisdeparture，waitinghoweverjustafterwards，inthestreetnearthehouse，asifhehadbeenlookingoutforastrayhansom，towhichhewouldnothavesignalledhaditappeared。HethoughtMr。Locketmighthurryafterhim，butMr。Locketseemedtohaveotherthingstodo，andPeterBaronreturnedonfoottoJerseyVillas。
CHAPTERIV。
OntheeveningthatsucceededthisapparentlypointlessencounterhehadaninterviewmoreconclusivewithMrs。Bundy，forwhoseshrewdandphilosophicviewoflifehehadseveraltimesexpressed，eventothegoodwomanherself，aconsiderablerelish。ThesituationatJerseyVillas（Mrs。RyveshadsuddenlyflownofftoDover）wassuchastocreateinhimadesireformoralsupport，andtherewasakindofdomesticdeterminationinMrs。Bundywhichseemed，ingeneral，toadvertiseit。Hehadaskedforheroncomingin，buthadbeentoldshewasabsentforthehour；uponwhichhehadaddressedhimselfmechanicallytothetaskofdoinguphisdishonouredmanuscript——theingeniousfictionaboutwhichMr。Lockethadbeensostupid——forfurtheradventuresandnotimprobabledefeats。Hepassedarestless，ineffectiveafternoon，askinghimselfifhisgeniuswereahorriddelusion，lookingoutofhiswindowforsomethingthatdidn’thappen，somethingthatseemednowtobetheadventofapersuasiveMr。Locketandnowthereturn，fromanabsencemoredisappointingeventhanMrs。
Bundy’s，ofhisinterestingneighbouroftheparlours。Hewassonervousandsodepressedthathewasunableeventofixhismindonthecompositionofthenotewithwhich，onitsnextperegrination，itwasnecessarythathismanuscriptshouldbeaccompanied。Hewastoonervoustoeat，andheforgoteventodine；heforgottolighthiscandles，helethisfiregoout，anditwasinthemelancholychillofthelateduskthatMrs。Bundy，arrivingatlastwithhislamp，foundhimextendedmoodilyuponhissofa。Shehadbeeninformedthathewishedtospeaktoher，andassheplacedonthemalodorousluminaryanoilyshadeofgreenpasteboardsheexpressedthefriendlyhopethattherewasnothingwrongwithhis’ealth。
Theyoungmanrosefromhiscouch，pullinghimselftogethersufficientlytoreplythathishealthwaswellenoughbutthathisspiritsweredowninhishoots。Hehadastrongdispositionto\"draw\"hislandladyonthesubjectofMrs。Ryves，aswellasavividconvictionthatsheconstitutedathemeastowhichMrs。Bundywouldrequirelittlepressuretotellhimevenmorethansheknew。Atthesametimehehatedtoappeartopryintothesecretsofhisabsentfriend；todiscussherwiththeirbustlinghostessresembledtoomuchforhistasteagossipwithatattlingservantaboutanunconsciousemployer。HeleftoutofaccounthoweverMrs。Bundy’sknowledgeofthehumanheart，foritwasthisfineprinciplethatbrokedownthebarriersafterhehadreflectedreassuringlythatitwasnotmeddlingwithMrs。Ryves’saffairstotryandfindoutifshestrucksuchanobserverashappy。Crudely，abruptly，evenalittleblushingly，heputthedirectquestiontoMrs。Bundy，andthisledtolerablystraighttoanotherquestion，which，onhisspirit，satequallyheavy（theywereindeedbutdifferentphasesofthesame），andwhichthegoodwomanansweredwithexpressionwhensheejaculated：\"Thinkitalibertyforyoutorundownforafewhours？Ifshedo，mydearsir，justsendhertometotalkto！\"AsregardshappinessindeedshewarnedBaronagainstimposingtoohighastandardonayoungthingwhohadbeenthroughsomuch，andbeforeheknewithefoundhimself，withouttheresponsibilityofchoice，insubmissivereceiptofMrs。
Bundy’sversionofthisexperience。Itwasaninterestingpicture，thoughithaditsinfirmities，oneofthemcongenitalandconsistingofthefactthatithadsprungessentiallyfromthevirginalbrainofMissTeagle。Amplified，edited，embellishedbytherichergeniusofMrs。Bundy，whohadincorporatedwithitandnowliberallyintroducedcopiousinterleavingsofMissTeagle’sownromance，itgavePeterBaronmuchfoodformeditation，atthesametimethatitonlyhalfrelievedhiscuriosityaboutthecausesofthecharmingwoman’sunderlyingstrangeness。HesoundedthisnoteexperimentallyinMrs。
Bundy’sear，butitwaseasytoseethatitdidn’treverberateinherfancy。ShehadnoideaofthepictureitwouldhavebeennaturalforhimtodesirethatMrs。Ryvesshouldpresenttohim，andshewasthereforeunabletoestimatethepointsinrespecttowhichhisactualimpressionwasirritating。Shehadindeednoadequateconceptionoftheintellectualrequirementsofayoungmaninlove。
Shecouldn’ttellhimwhytheirfaultlessfriendwassoisolated，sounrelated，sonervously，shrinkinglyproud。Ontheotherhandshecouldtellhim（heknewitalready）thatshehadpassedmanyyearsofherlifeintheacquisitionofaccomplishmentsataseatoflearningnolessremotethanBoulogne，andthatMissTeaglehadbeenintimatelyacquaintedwiththelateMr。EverardRyves，whowasa\"mostrising\"youngmaninthecity，notmakinganyyearlessthanhiscleartwelvehundred。\"Nowthatheisn’ttheretomakethem，hismourningwidowcan’tliveasshehadthen，canshe？\"Mrs。Bundyasked。
Baronwasnotpreparedtosaythatshecould，buthethoughtofanotherwayshemightliveashesat，thenextday，inthetrainwhichrattledhimdowntoDover。Theplace，asheapproachedit，seemedbrightandbreezytohim；hisroamingshadbeenneitherfarenoughnorfrequentenoughtomakethecockneyfiedcoastinsipid。
Mrs。Bundyhadofcoursegivenhimtheaddressheneeded，andonemergingfromthestationhewasonthepointofaskingwhatdirectionheshouldtake。Hisattentionhoweveratthismomentwasdrawnawaybythebustleofthedepartingboat。HehadbeenlongenoughshutupinLondontobeconsciousofrefreshmentinthemereactofturninghisfacetoParis。Hewanderedofftothepierincompanywithhappiertouristsand，leaningonarail，watchedenviouslythepreparation，theagitationofforeigntravel。Itwasforsomeminutesaforetasteofadventure；but，ah，whenwashetohavetheverydraught？Heturnedawayashedroppedthisinterrogativesigh，andindoingsoperceivedthatinanotherpartofthepiertwoladiesandalittleboyweregatheredwithsomethingofthesamewistfulness。Thelittleboyindeedhappenedtolookroundforamoment，uponwhich，withthekeennessofthepredatoryage，herecognisedinouryoungmanasourceofpleasuresfromwhichhelatelyhadbeenweaned。Heboundedforwardwithirrepressiblecriesof\"Geegee！\"andPeterliftedhimaloftforanembrace。OnputtinghimdownthepilgrimfromJerseyVillasstoodconfrontedwithasensiblysevereMissTeagle，whohadfollowedherlittlecharge。
\"What’sthematterwiththeoldwoman？\"heaskedhimselfasheofferedherahandwhichshetreatedasthemerestdetail。Whateveritwas，itwas（andveryproperly，onthepartofaloyalsuivante）
thesamecomplaintasthatofheremployer，towhom，fromadistance，forMrs。Ryveshadnotadvancedaninch，heflourishedhishatasshestoodlookingathimwithafacethatheimaginedratherwhite。Mrs。
Ryves’sresponsetothissalutationwastoshiftherpositioninsuchamannerastoappearagainabsorbedintheCalaisboat。PeterBaron，however，keptholdofthechild，whomMissTeagleartfullyendeavouredtowrestfromhim——apolicyinwhichhewasaidedbySidney’sownroughbutinstinctiveloyalty；andhewasthankfulforthehappyeffectofbeingdraggedbyhisjubilantfriendintheverydirectioninwhichhehadtendedforsomanyhours。Mrs。Ryvesturnedoncemoreashecamenear，andthen，fromthesweet，strainedsmilewithwhichsheaskedhimifhewereonhiswaytoFrance，hesawthatifshehadbeenangryathishavingfollowedhershehadquicklygotoverit。
\"No，I’mnotcrossing；butitcameovermethatyoumightbe，andthat’swhyIhurrieddown——tocatchyoubeforeyouwereoff。\"
\"Oh，wecan’tgo——more’sthepity；butwhy，ifwecould，\"Mrs。Ryvesinquired，\"shouldyouwishtopreventit？\"
\"BecauseI’vesomethingtoaskyoufirst，somethingthatmaytakesometime。\"Hesawnowthatherembarrassmenthadreallynotbeenresentful；ithadbeennervous，tremulous，astheemotionofanunexpectedpleasuremighthavebeen。\"That’sreallywhyIdeterminedlastnight，withoutaskingyourleavefirsttopayyouthislittlevisit——thatandtheintensedesireforanotherboutofhorse-playwithSidney。Oh，I’vecometoseeyou，\"PeterBaronwenton，\"andI
won’tmakeanysecretofthefactthatIexpectyoutoresignyourselfgracefullytothetrialandgivemeallyourtime。Theday’slovely，andI’mreadytodeclarethattheplaceisasgoodastheday。Letmedrinkdeepofthesethings，drainthecuplikeamanwhohasn’tbeenoutofLondonformonthsandmonths。Letmewalkwithyouandtalkwithyouandlunchwithyou——Igobackthisafternoon。Givemeallyourhoursinshort，sothattheymayliveinmymemoryasoneofthesweetestoccasionsoflife。\"
TheemissionofsteamfromtheFrenchpacketmadesuchanuproarthatBaroncouldbreathehispassionintotheyoungwoman’searwithoutscandalisingthespectators；andthecharmwhichlittlebylittleitscatteredoverhisfleetingvisitprovedindeedtobethecollectiveinfluenceoftheconditionshehadputintowords。\"Whatisityouwishtoaskme？\"Mrs。Ryvesdemanded，astheystoodtheretogether；
towhichherepliedthathewouldtellherallaboutitifshewouldsendMissTeagleoffwithSidney。MissTeagle，whowasalwaysanticipatinghercue，hadalreadybegunostentatiouslytogazeatthedistantshoresofFranceandwaseasilyenoughinducedtotakeanearlierstarthomeandrisetotheresponsibilityofstoppingonherwaytocontendwiththebutcher。ShehadhowevertoretirewithoutSidney，whoclungtohisrecoveredprey，sothattherestoftheepisodewasseasoned，toBaron’ssense，bytheimportunatetwitchofthechild’slittle，plump，coolhand。ThefriendswanderedtogetherwithaconjugalairandSidneynotbetweenthem，hangingwistfully，first，overthelengthenedpictureoftheCalaisboat，tilltheycouldlookafterit，asitmovedrumblingaway，inaspellofsilencewhichseemedtoconfess——especiallywhen，amomentlater，theireyesmet——thatitproducedthesamefondfancyineach。Thepresenceoftheboymoreoverwasnohindrancetotheirtalkinginamannerthattheymadebelievewasveryfrank。PeterBaronpresentlytoldhiscompanionwhatitwashehadtakenajourneytoask，andhehadtimeafterwardstogetoverhisdiscomfitureatherappearanceofhavingfancieditmightbesomethinggreater。Sheseemeddisappointed（butshewasforgiving）onlearningfromhimthathehadonlywishedtoknowifshejudgedferociouslyhisnothavingcompliedwithherrequesttorespectcertainseals。
\"Howferociouslydoyoususpectmeofhavingjudgedit？\"sheinquired。
\"Why，totheextentofleavingthehousethenextmoment。\"
Theywerestilllingeringonthegreatgranitepierwhenhetouchedonthismatter，andshesatdownattheendwhilethebreeze，warmedbythesunshine，ruffledthepurplesea。Shecolouredalittleandlookedtroubled，andafteraninstantsherepeatedinterrogatively：
\"Thenextmoment？\"
\"AssoonasItoldyouwhatIhaddone。Iwasscrupulousaboutthis，youwillremember；Iwentstraightdownstairstoconfesstoyou。Youturnedawayfromme，sayingnothing；Icouldn’timagine——asIvowI
can’timaginenow——whysuchamattershouldappearsocloselytotouchyou。IwentoutonsomebusinessandwhenIreturnedyouhadquittedthehouse。Ithadallthelookofmyhavingoffendedyou，ofyourwishingtogetawayfromme。Youdidn’tevengivemetimetotellyouhowitwasthat，inspiteofyouradvice，Ideterminedtoseeformyselfwhatmydiscoveryrepresented。Youmustdomejusticeandhearwhatdeterminedme。\"
Mrs。Ryvesgotupfromherscatandaskedhim，asaparticularfavour，nottoalludeagaintohisdiscovery。Itwasnoconcernofhersatall，andshehadnowarrantforpryingintohissecrets。Shewasverysorrytohavebeenforamomentsoabsurdastoappeartodoso，andshehumblybeggedhispardonforhermeddling。Sayingthisshewalkedonwithacharmingcolourinhercheek，whilehelaughedout，thoughhewasreallybewildered，attheendlesscapriciousnessofwomen。Fortunatelytheincidentdidn’tspoilthehour，inwhichtherewereothersourcesofsatisfaction，andtheytooktheircoursetoherlodgingswithsuchpleasantlittlepausesandexcursionsbythewayaspermittedhertoshowhimtheobjectsofinterestatDover。Shelethimstopatawine-merchant’sandbuyabottleforluncheon，ofwhich，initsorder，theypartook，togetherwithapuddinginventedbyMissTeagle，which，astheyhypocriticallyswallowedit，madethemlookateachotherinanintimacyofindulgence。Theycameoutagainand，whileSidneygrubbedinthegraveloftheshore，satselfishlyontheParade，tothedisappointmentofMissTeagle，whohadfixedherhopesonaflyandaladylikevisittothecastle。Baronhadhiseyeonhiswatch——hehadtothinkofhistrainandthedismalreturnandmanyothermelancholythings；buttheseaintheafternoonlightwasamoreappealingpicture；thewindhadgonedown，theChannelwascrowded，thesailsoftheshipswerewhiteinthepurpledistance。Theyoungmanhadaskedhiscompanion（hehadaskedherbefore）whenshewastocomebacktoJerseyVillas，andshehadsaidthatsheshouldprobablystayatDoveranotherweek。Itwasdreadfullyexpensive，butitwasdoingthechildallthegoodintheworld，andifMissTeaglecouldgoupforsomethingssheshouldprobablybeabletomanageanextension。
Earlierinthedayshehadsaidthatsheperhapswouldn’treturntoJerseyVillasatall，oronlyreturntowindupherconnectionwithMrs。Bundy。Atanothermomentshehadspokenofanearlydate，animmediatereoccupationofthewonderfulparlours。Baronsawthatshehadnoplan，norealreasons，thatshewasvagueand，insecret，worriedandnervous，waitingforsomethingthatdidn’tdependonherself。Asilenceofseveralminuteshadfallenuponthemwhiletheywatchedtheshiningsails；towhichMrs。Ryvesputanendbyexclaimingabruptly，butwithoutcompletinghersentence：\"Oh，ifyouhadcometotellmeyouhaddestroyedthem——\"
\"Thoseterriblepapers？Ilikethewayyoutalkabout’destroying！’
Youdon’tevenknowwhattheyare。\"
\"Idon’twanttoknow；theyputmeintoastate。\"
\"Whatsortofastate？\"
\"Idon’tknow；theyhauntme。\"
\"Theyhauntedme；thatwaswhy，earlyonemorning，suddenly，I
couldn’tkeepmyhandsoffthem。IhadtoldyouIwouldn’ttouchthem。Ihaddeferredtoyourwhim，yoursuperstition（whatisit？）
butatlasttheygotthebetterofme。Ihadlainawakeallnightthreshingabout，itchingwithcuriosity。Itmademeill；myownnerves（asImaysay）wereirritated，mycapacitytoworkwasgone。
Ithadcomeovermeinthesmallhoursintheshapeofanobsession，afixedidea，thattherewasnothingintheridiculousrelicsandthatmyexaggeratedscruplesweremakingafoolofme。Itwastentoonetheywererubbish，theywerevain，theywereempty；thattheyhadbeenevenapracticaljokeonthepartofsomeweak-mindedgentlemanofleisure，theformerpossessoroftheconfoundeddavenport。ThelongerIhoveredaboutthemwithsuchprecautionsthelongerIwastakenin，andthesoonerIexposedtheirinsignificancethesoonerI
shouldgetbacktomyusualoccupations。ThisconvictionmademyhandsouncontrollablethatthatmorningbeforebreakfastIbrokeoneoftheseals。Ittookmebutafewminutestoperceivethatthecontentswerenotrubbish；thelittlebundlecontainedoldletters——
verycuriousoldletters。\"
\"Iknow——Iknow；’privateandconfidential。’Soyoubroketheotherseals？\"Mrs。Ryveslookedathimwiththestrangeapprehensionhehadseeninhereyeswhensheappearedathisdoorthemomentafterhisdiscovery。
\"Youknow，ofcourse，becauseItoldyouanhourlater，thoughyouwouldletmetellyouverylittle。\"
Baron，ashemetthisqueergaze，smiledhardathertopreventherguessingthathesmartedwiththefinereproachconveyedinthetoneofherlastwords；butsheappearedabletoguesseverything，forsheremindedhimthatshehadnothadtowaitthatmorningtillhecamedownstairstoknowwhathadhappenedabove，buthadshownhimatthemomenthowshehadbeenconsciousofitanhourbefore，hadpassedonhersidethesametormentednightashe，andhadhadtoexertextraordinaryself-commandnottorushuptohisroomswhilethestudyoftheopenpacketswasgoingon。\"You’resosensitivelyorganisedandyou’vesuchmysteriouspowersthatyoureuncanny，\"
Barondeclared。
\"Ifeelwhattakesplaceatadistance；that’sall。\"
\"Onewouldthinksomebodyyoulikedwasindanger。\"
\"ItoldyouthatthatwaswhatwaspresenttomethedayIcameuptoseeyou。\"
\"Oh，butyoudon’tlikemesomuchasthat，\"Baronargued，laughing。
Shehesitated。\"No，Idon’tknowthatIdo。\"
\"Itmustbeforsomeoneelse——theotherpersonconcerned。Theotherday，however，youwouldn’tletmetellyouthatperson’sname。\"
Mrs。Ryves，atthis，rosequickly。\"Idon’twanttoknowit；it’snoneofmybusiness。\"
\"No，fortunately，Idon’tthinkitis，\"Baronrejoined，walkingwithheralongtheParade。ShehadSidneybythehandnow，andtheyoungmanwasontheothersideofher。Theymovedtowardthestation——shehadofferedtogopartoftheway。\"Butwithyourmiraculousgiftit’sawonderyouhaven’tdivined。\"
\"IonlydivinewhatIwant，\"saidMrs。Ryves。
\"That’sveryconvenient！\"exclaimedPeter，towhomSidneyhadpresentlycomeroundagain。\"Only，beingthusinthedark，it’sdifficulttoseeyourmotiveforwishingthepapersdestroyed。\"
Mrs。Ryvesmeditated，lookingfixedlyattheground。\"Ithoughtyoumightdoittoobligeme。\"
\"Doesitstrikeyouthatsuchanexpectation，formedinsuchconditions，isreasonable？\"
Mrs。Ryvesstoppedshort，andthistimesheturnedonhimthecloudedclearnessofhereyes。\"Whatdoyoumeantodowiththem？\"
ItwasPeterBaron’sturntomeditate，whichhedid，ontheemptyasphaltoftheParade（the\"season，\"atDover，wasnotyet），wheretheirshadowswerelongintheafternoonlight。Hewasundersuchacharmashehadneverknown，andhewantedimmenselytobeabletoreply：\"I’lldoanythingyoulikeifyou’llloveme。\"Thesewords，however，wouldhaverepresentedaresponsibilityandhaveconstitutedwhatwasvulgarlytermedanoffer。Anofferofwhat？hequicklyaskedhimselfhere，ashehadalreadyaskedhimselfaftermakinginspiritotherawkwarddashesinthesamedirection——ofwhatbuthispoverty，hisobscurity，hisattemptsthathadcometonothing，hisabilitiesforwhichtherewasnothingtoshow？Mrs。Ryveswasnotexactlyasuccess，butshewasagreatersuccessthanPeterBaron。
Poorashewashehatedthesordid（heknewshedidn’tloveit），andhefeltsmallfortalkingofmarriage。Thereforehedidn’tputthequestioninthewordsitwouldhavepleasedhimmosttohearhimselfutter，buthecompromised，withanangryyoungpang，andsaidtoher：
\"WhatwillyoudoformeifIputanendtothem？\"
Sheshookherheadsadly——itwasalwaysherprettiestmovement。\"I
canpromisenothing——oh，no，Ican’tpromise！Wemustpartnow，\"sheadded。\"You’llmissyourtrain。\"
Helookedathiswatch，takingthehandsheheldouttohim。Shedrewitawayquickly，andnothingthenwaslefthim，beforehurryingtothestation，buttocatchupSidneyandsqueezehimtillheutteredalittleshriek。Onthewaybacktotownthesituationstruckhimasgrotesque。
CHAPTERV。
Ittormentedhimsothenextmorningthatafterthreshingitoutalittlefurtherhefelthehadsomethingofagrievance。Mrs。Ryves’sinterventionhadmadehimacutelyuncomfortable，forshehadtakentheattitudeofexertingpressurewithout，itappeared，recognisingonhispartanequalright。Shehadimposedherselfasaninfluence，yetsheheldherselfaloofasaparticipant；therewerethingsshelookedtohimtodoforher，yetshecouldtellhimofnogoodthatwouldcometohimfromthedoing。Sheshouldeitherhavehadlesstosayorhavebeenwillingtosaymore，andheaskedhimselfwhyheshouldbethesportofhermoodsandhermysteries。Heperceivedherknackofpunctualinterferencetobestriking，butitwasjustthisapparentinfallibilitythatheresented。Whydidn’tshesetupatonceasaprofessionalclairvoyantandekeoutherlittleincomemoresuccessfully？Inpurelyprivatelifesuchagiftwasdisconcerting；
herdivinations，herevasionsdisturbedatanyratehisowntranquillity。
WhatdisturbeditstillfurtherwasthathereceivedearlyinthedayavisitfromMr。Locket，who，leavinghimundernoillusionastothegroundsofsuchanhonour，remarkedassoonashehadgotintotheroomorratherwhilehestillpantedonthesecondflightandthesmudgedlittleslaveyheldopenBaron’sdoor，thathehadtakenuphisyoungfriend’sinvitationtolookatSirDominickFerrand’slettersforhimself。PeterdrewthemforthwithapromptitudeintendedtoshowthatherecognisedthecommercialcharacterofthecallandwithoutattenuatingtheinconsequenceofthisdeparturefromthelastdeterminationhehadexpressedtoMr。Locket。Heshowedhisvisitorthedavenportandthehiddenrecess，andhesmokedacigarette，hummingsoftly，withasenseofunwontedadvantageandtriumph，whilethecautiouseditorsatsilentandhandledthepapers。
ForallhiscautionMr。LocketwasunabletokeepawarmerlightoutofhisjudicialeyeashesaidtoBaronatlastwithsociablebrevity——atonethattookmanythingsforgranted：\"I’lltakethemhomewithme——theyrequiremuchattention。\"
Theyoungmanlookedathimamoment。\"Doyouthinkthey’regenuine？\"Hedidn’tmeantobemocking，hemeantnottobe；butthewordssoundedsotohisownear，andhecouldseethattheyproducedthateffectonMr。Locket。
\"Ican’tintheleastdetermine。Ishallhavetogointothematmyleisure，andthat’swhyIaskyoutolendthemtome。\"
Hehadshuffledthepaperstogetherwithamovementcharged，whilehespoke，withtheairofbeingpreliminarytothatofthrustingthemintoalittleblackbagwhichhehadbroughtwithhimandwhich，restingontheshelfofthedavenport，struckPeter，whovieweditaskance，asanobjectdarklyeditorial。Itmadeouryoungman，somehow，suddenlyapprehensive；theadvantageofwhichhehadjustbeenconsciouswasabouttobetransferredbyaquietprocessoflegerdemaintoapersonwhoalreadyhadadvantagesenough。Baron，inshort，feltadeeppangofanxiety；hecouldn’thavesaidwhy。Mr。