She，however，availedherselfofthatprivilegetheeveningafterherarrival。\"Who’dhavethoughtofmeetingYOUhere？\"shesaid，sweepingherskirtsawaytomakeroomforhimonasofa。\"It’sacoon’sagesinceIsawyou——notsinceyougaveusthatlettertothosegenealogicalgentlemeninLondon。\"
Theconsulhopedthatithadprovedsuccessful。
\"Yes，butmawguessedwedidn’tcaretogobacktoHengistandHorsa，andwhentheyletloosealotof’Debboroughs’and’Daybrooks’uponus，mawkicked！We’vegotadrawingtenyardslong，thatlookslikeasourappletree，withlotsofDesboroughshanginguponthebrancheslikelastyear’spippins，andIguessaboutasworm-eaten。Wetookthatwellenough，butwhenitcametogivingusamapofstraightlinesanddasheswithnameswrittenunderthemlikeanoldMorsetelegraphslip，struckbylightning，thenmawandIguessedthatitmadeustired。
\"Youknow，\"shewenton，openinghercleargrayeyesontheconsul，withacharacteristicflashofshrewdgoodsensethroughherquainthumor，\"weneverreckonedwherethisthingwouldlandus，andwefoundwewerepayingahundredpounds，notonlyfortheDesboroughs，butallthepeoplethey’dMARRIED，andtheirCHILDREN，andchildren’schildren，andtherewerealotofoutsiderswe’dneverheardof，norwantedtohearof。Mawoncethoughtshe’dgotonthetrailofaPlantagenet，andfolloweditkeen，untilshefoundshehadbeenreadingthedreadfulthingupsidedown。Thenweconcludedwewouldn’ttakeanymorestockinthefamilyuntilithadrisen。\"
Duringthisspeechtheconsulcouldnothelpnoticingthat，althoughherattitudewasplayfullyconfidentialtohim，hervoicereallywaspitchedhighenoughtoreachtheearsofsmallergroupsaroundher，whowerenotonlyfollowingherwiththeintensestadmiration，buthadshamelesslyabandonedtheirownconversation，andhadevenfacedtowardsher。Wasshereallyposinginhernaivete？Therewasacertainmischievous，evenaggressive，consciousnessinherprettyeyelids。Thenshesuddenlydroppedbotheyesandvoice，andsaidtotheconsulinagenuineaside，\"I
likethissortofthingmuchbetter。\"
Theconsullookedpuzzled。\"Whatsortofthing？\"
\"Why，alltheseswellpeople，don’tyousee？thosepicturesonthewalls！thiselegantroom！everythingthathascomedownfromthepast，allreadyandsettledforyou，youknow——agesago！Somethingyouhaven’ttopickupforyourselfandworryover。\"
Butheretheconsulpointedoutthattheplaceitselfwasnot\"ancestral\"asregardedthepresentearl，andthateventheoriginaltitleofhispredecessorshadpassedawayfromit。\"Infact，itcameintothefamilybyoneofthose’outsiders’youdeprecate。ButIdaresayyou’dfindtheplacequiteascomfortablewithLordBeverdaleforahostasyouwouldifyouhadfoundouthewereacousin，\"headded。
\"Better，\"saidtheyoungladyfrankly。
\"Isupposeyourmotherparticipatesinthesepreferences？\"saidtheconsul，withasmile。
\"No，\"saidMissDesborough，withthesamefrankness，\"Ithinkmaw’srathercutupatnotfindingaDesborough。Shewasinviteddownhere，butSHE’Sratherindependent，youknow，sosheallowedI
couldtakecareofmyself，whileshewentofftostaywiththeoldDowagerLadyMistowe，whothinksmawaveryproperwomanlyperson。
Imademawmadbytellingherthat’sjustwhatoldLadyMistowewouldsayofhercook——forIcan’tstandthesepeople’spatronage。
However，Ishouldn’twonderifIwasinvitedhereasa’mostoriginalperson。’\"
ButhereLordAlgernoncameuptoimplorehertosingthemoneof\"thoseplantationsongs；\"andMissDesborough，withscarcelyachangeofvoiceormanner，allowedherselftobeledtothepiano。
Theconsulhadlittlechancetospeakwithheragain，buthesawenoughthateveningtoconvincehimnotonlythatLordAlgernonwasverymuchinlovewithher，butthatthefacthadbeenequallyandcomplacentlyacceptedbythefamilyandguests。Thatherpresentvisitwasonlyanopportunityforaformalengagementwascleartoeverywomaninthehouse——notexcepting，Ifear，eventhefairsubjectofgossipherself。Yetsheseemedsounconcernedandself-
containedthattheconsulwonderedifshereallycaredforLordAlgernon。Andhavingthuswondered，hecametotheconclusionthatitdidn’tmuchmatter，forthehappinessofsopracticallyorganizedayounglady，ifshelovedhimornot。
ItishighlyprobablethatMissSadieDesboroughhadnotevengonesofarastoaskherselfthatquestion。Sheawokethenextmorningwithasenseofeasyvictoryandcalmsatisfactionthathad，however，noneofthetransportsofaffection。Hertastewassatisfiedbytheloveofahandsomeyoungfellow，——atypicalEnglishman，——who，ifnotexactlyoriginalorideal，was，shefelt，ofanuniversallyaccepted，\"hall-marked\"standard，thelegitimateoutcomeofahighlyordered，carefullyguardedcivilization，whosereposewastheabsenceofstruggleorambition；amanwhoseregularfeatureswerenotyetdifferentiatedfromtherestofhisclassbyanyofthosedisturbinglineswhichpeoplecallcharacter。
Everythingwasmadereadyforher，withoutcareorpreparation；shehadnotevenanidealtorealizeortomodify。Shecouldslipwithoutanyjarordislocationintothislifewhichwasjustsavedfromself-indulgenceandsybariticluxurybycertainconventionalrulesofactivityandtheoccupationofamusementwhich，asobligationsofherposition，evenappearedtosuggestthenovelaspectofaDUTY！Shecouldacceptallthiswithoutthesenseofbeinganintruderinanunbrokenlineage——thankstotheconsul’saccountoftheBeverdales’inheritance。Shealreadypicturedherselfasthemistressofthisfairdomain，thecustodianofitstreasuresandtraditions，andthedispenserofitshospitalities，but——assheconscientiouslybelieved——withoutprideorvanity，inherposition；onlyanintenseandthoughtfulappreciationofit。
Nordidshedreamofeverdisplayingitostentatiouslybeforeherlessfortunatefellowcountrywomen；onthecontrary，shelookedforwardtotheirpossiblecriticismofhercastingoffalltransatlantictieswithanuneasyconsciousnessthatwasperhapshernearestapproachtopatriotism。Yet，again，shereasonedthat，asherfatherwasanEnglishman，shewasonlyreturningtoheroldhome。Astohermother，shehadalreadycomfortedherselfbynoticingcertaindiscrepanciesinthatlady’stemperament，whichledhertobelievethatsheherselfaloneinheritedherfather’snature——forhermotherwas，ofcourse，distinctlyAmerican！Solittleconsciouswassheofanypossiblesnobbishnessinthisbelief，thatinhersuperbnaiveteshewouldhavearguedthepointwiththeconsul，andemployedawitanddialectthatwerepurelyAmerican。
ShehadslippedoutofthePrioryearlythatmorningthatshemightenjoyalone，unattendedandunciceroned，theaspectofthatvastestatewhichmightbehersforthemereaccepting。PerhapstherewassomeinstinctofdelicacyinheravoidingLordAlgernonthatmorning；notwishing，assheherselfmighthavefranklyputit，\"totakestock\"ofhisinheritanceinhispresence。Asshepassedintothegardenthroughthelowposterndoor，sheturnedtolookalongthestretchingfacadeofthemainbuilding，withthehighstainedwindowsofitsbanqueting-hallandthestatechamberwhereakinghadslept。EveninthatcrispOctoberair，andwiththegreenofitsiviedbattlementsagainstthegoldofthedistantwood，itseemedtolieinthelanguidreposeofaneternalsummer。ShehurriedondowntheotherterraceintotheItaliangarden，aquaintsurvivalofpastgrandeur，passedthegreatorangeryandnumerousconservatories，makingacrystalhamletinthemselves——seeingeverywherethesameluxury。Butitwasaluxurythatshefanciedwasredeemedfromthevulgarityofostentationbythelongcustomofyearsandgenerations，sounlikethemillionairepalacesofherownland；and，inherenthusiasm，sheevenfancieditwasfurthersanctifiedbythegrimmonasticfounderswhohadoncebeencontentwithbreadandpulseinthecrumblinganddismantledrefectory。Intheplenitudeofherfeelingsshefeltaslightrecognitionofsomebeneficentbeingwhohadrolledthisgoldenappleatherfeet，andfeltasifshereallyshouldliketo\"dogood\"inhersphere。
Itsochancedthat，passingthroughasmallgateinthepark，shesawwalking，alittleaheadofher，ayounggirlwhomsheatoncerecognizedasaMissAmelyn，oneoftheguestsoftheeveningbefore。MissDesboroughrememberedthatsheplayedtheaccompanimentofoneortwosongsuponthepiano，andhadevenexecutedalongsoloduringthegeneralconversation，withoutattentionfromtheothers，andapparentlywithlittleirritationtoherself，subsidingafterwardsintoanarmchair，quiteonthefringeofotherpeople’sconversation。Shehadbeencalled\"mydear\"byoneortwodowagers，andbyherChristiannamebytheearl，andhadawayofimpalpablymeltingoutofsightattimes。ThesetriflesledMissDesboroughtoconcludethatshewassomekindofdependentorpoorrelation。Herewasanopportunitytobeginherworkof\"doinggood。\"ShequickenedherpaceandovertookMissAmelyn。
\"Letmewalkwithyou，\"shesaidgraciously。
TheyoungEnglishgirlsmiledassent，butlookedhersurpriseatseeingthecynosureoflastnight’seyesunattended。
\"Oh，\"saidSadie，answeringthemutequery，\"Ididn’twanttobe’shownround’byanybody，andI’mnotgoingtoboreYOUwithaskingtoseesightseither。We’lljustwalktogether；whereverYOU’RE
goingisgoodenoughforme。\"
\"I’mgoingasfarasthevillage，\"saidMissAmelyn，lookingdowndoubtfullyatSadie’ssmartFrenchshoes——\"ifyoucaretowalksofar。\"
Sadienoticedthathercompanionwasmoresolidlybooted，andthatherstraight，shortskirts，althoughlessstylishthanherown，hadacertaincharacter，betterfittedtothefreeroutdoorlifeofthecountry。Butsheonlysaid，however，\"Thevillagewilldo，\"andgaylytookhercompanion’sarm。
\"ButI’mafraidyou’llfinditveryuninteresting，forIamgoingtovisitsomepoorcottages，\"persistedMissAmelyn，withacertaintimidingenuousnessofmannerwhich，however，wasasdistinctasMissDesborough’sbolderfrankness。\"Ipromisedtherector’sdaughtertotakeherplaceto-day。\"
\"AndIfeelasifIwasreadytopouroilandwinetoanyextent，\"
saidMissDesborough，\"socomealong！\"
MissAmelynlaughed，andyetglancedaroundhertimidly，asifshethoughtthatMissDesboroughoughttohavealargerandmoreimportantaudience。Thenshecontinuedmoreconfidentiallyandboldly，\"Butitisn’tatalllike’slumming，’youknow。Thesepoorpeopleherearenotverybad，andarenotatallextraordinary。\"
\"Nevermind，\"saidSadie，hurryingheralong。Afterapauseshewenton，\"YouknowthePrioryverywell，Iguess？\"
\"IlivedtherewhenIwasalittlegirl，withmyaunt，theDowagerLadyBeverdale，\"saidMissAmelyn。\"WhenmycousinFred，whowastheyoungheir，died，andthepresentLordBeverdalesucceeded，——HE
neverexpectedit，youknow，forthereweretwolives，histwoelderbrothers，besidespoorFred’s，between，buttheybothdied，——
wewenttoliveintheDowerHouse。\"
\"TheDowerHouse？\"repeatedSadie。
\"Yes，LadyBeverdale’sseparateproperty。\"
\"ButIthoughtallthisproperty——thePriory——cameintothefamilythroughHER。\"
\"Itdid——thiswastheAmelyns’place；buttheoldestsonornearestmaleheiralwayssucceedstothepropertyandtitle。\"
\"DoyoumeantosaythatthepresentLordBeverdaleturnedthatoldladyout？\"
MissAmelynlookedshocked。\"Imeantosay，\"shesaidgravely，\"LadyBeverdalewouldhavehadtogowhenherownsonbecameofage，hadhelived。\"Shepaused，andthensaidtimidly，\"Isn’titthatwayinAmerica？\"
\"Dearno！\"MissDesboroughhadafaintrecollectionthattherewassomethingintheConstitutionortheDeclarationofIndependenceagainstprimogeniture。\"No！themenhaven’titALLtheirownwayTHERE——notmuch！\"
MissAmelynlookedasifshedidnotcaretodiscussthisproblem。
AfterafewmomentsSadiecontinued，\"YouandLordAlgernonareprettyoldfriends，Iguess？\"
\"No，\"repliedMissAmelyn。\"HecameonceortwicetothePrioryfortheholidays，whenhewasquiteaboyatMarlborough——forthefamilyweren’tverywelloff，andhisfatherwasinIndia。Hewasaveryshyboy，andofcoursenooneeverthoughtofhimsucceeding。\"
MissDesboroughfelthalfinclinedtobepleasedwiththis，andyethalfinclinedtoresentthispossiblesnubbingofherfuturehusband。Buttheywerenearingthevillage，andMissAmelynturnedtheconversationtotheobjectofhervisit。Itwasanewvillage——
anunhandsomevillage，forallthatitstoodnearoneofthegatesofthepark。Ithadbeengivenovertosomeminesthatwerestillworkedinitsvicinity，andtotherailway，whichtheuncleofthepresentearlhadresisted；buttherailwayhadtriumphed，andthestationforScroobyPriorywasthere。Therewasagrimchurch，ofablackenedorweather-beatenstone，onthehill，withafewgrimAmelynsreposingcross-leggedinthechancel，butthecharacterofthevillagewasasdifferentfromthePrioryasifitwereinanothercounty。Theystoppedattherectory，whereMissAmelynprovidedherselfwithcertaindolesandgifts，whichtheAmericangirlwouldhaveaugmentedwithafive-poundnotebutforMissAmelyn’shorrifiedconcern。\"Asmanyshillingswoulddo，andtheywouldbeasgrateful，\"shesaid。\"Moretheywouldn’tunderstand。\"
\"Thenkeepit，anddoleitoutasyoulike，\"saidSadiequickly。
\"ButIdon’tthinkthat——thatLordBeverdalewouldquiteapprove，\"
hesitatedMissAmelyn。
Theprettybrowofhercompanionknit，andhergrayeyesflashedvivaciously。\"WhathasHEtodowithit？\"shesaidpertly；
\"besides，yousaythesearenotHISpoor。Takethatfive-poundnote——or——I’llDOUBLEit，getitchangedintosovereignsatthestation，andhand’emroundtoeveryman，woman，andchild。\"
MissAmelynhesitated。TheAmericangirllookedcapableofdoingwhatshesaid；perhapsitwasanationalwayofalmsgiving！Shetookthenote，withthementalreservationofmakingafullconfessiontotherectorandLordBeverdale。
ShewasrightinsayingthatthepoorofScroobyvillagewerenotinteresting。Therewasverylittlesqualorordegradation；theirpovertyseemednotadescent，butaconditiontowhichtheyhadbeenborn；thefaceswhichSadiesawweredulledandapatheticratherthansullenorrebellious；theystoodupwhenMissAmelynentered，payingHERthedeference，buttakinglittlenoteoftheprettybutterflywhowaswithher，orrathersubmittingtoherfrankcuriositywiththatdullconsentofthepoor，asiftheyhadlosteventhesenseofprivacy，orarighttorespect。ItseemedtotheAmericangirlthattheirpovertywasmoreindicatedbywhattheywereSATISFIEDwiththanwhatshethoughttheyMISSED。ItistobefearedthatthisdidnotaddtoSadie’ssympathy；allthebeggarsshehadseeninAmericawantedalltheycouldget，andshefeltasifshewereconfrontedwithaninferioranimal。
\"There’sawonderfuloldmanliveshere，\"saidMissAmelyn，astheyhaltedbeforeastoneandthatchcottagequiteontheoutskirtsofthevillage。\"Wecan’tcallhimoneofourpoor，forhestillworks，althoughovereighty，andit’shispridetokeepoutofthepoorhouse，and，ashecallsit，’off’thehandsofhisgranddaughters。ButwemanagetodosomethingforTHEM，andwehopeheprofitsbyit。OneofthemisatthePriory；they’retryingtomakeamaidofher，butherqueeraccent——they’refromthenorth——isagainstherwiththeservants。Iamafraidwewon’tseeoldDebs，forhe’satworkagainto-day，thoughthedoctorhaswarnedhim。\"
\"Debs！Whatafunnyname！\"
\"Yes，butasmanyofthesepeoplecannotreadorwrite，thenameiscarriedbytheear，andnotalwayscorrectly。Someoftherailwaynavvies，whocomefromthenorthashedoes，callhim’Debbers。’\"
Theywereobligedtodescendintothecottage，whichwassolowthatitseemedtohavesunkintotheearthuntilitsdroopingeavesofthatchmingledwiththestrawheapbesideit。Debswasnotathome。Buthisgranddaughterwasthere，who，afterapreliminary\"bob，\"continuedthestirringofthepotbeforethefireintentativesilence。
\"Iamsorrytofindthatyourgrandfatherhasgonetoworkagaininspiteofthedoctor’sorders，\"saidMissAmelyn。
Thegirlcontinuedtostirthepot，andthensaidwithoutlookingup，butasifalsocontinuingatrainofaggressivethoughtswithheroccupation：\"Eay，but’e’ssosetoopin’issen’eedoan’ttakeordersfromnobbut——leastwaysdoctor。Moinds’emnowmoornorafloy。Says’eeknawstherenowtwrongwi’’is’eart。Moutberoight——how’siver，sartensewer，’is’EAD’Sa’inamuddle！Toims’eegoesoffstamrin’andstarin’atnowt，asif’eea’ntan’aportho’sense。How’siverIbedoingmydutyby’em——and’ere’s’isporritchwhena’cooms——’gina’besickormaad。\"
WhattheAmericanunderstoodofthegirl’sspeechandmannerstruckherashavingverylittlesympathywitheitherheragedrelativeorherpresentvisitor。AndtherewasacertaindoggedselfishindependenceaboutherthatMissDesboroughhalflikedandhalfresented。However，MissAmelyndidnotseemtonoticeit，and，afterleavingabottleofportforthegrandfather，shetookherleaveandledSadieaway。Astheypassedintothevillageacarriage，returningtothePriory，filledwiththeirfellowguests，dashedby，butwasinstantlypulledupatawordfromLordAlgernon，wholeapedfromthevehicle，hatinhand，andimploredthefairtruantandhercompaniontojointhem。
\"We’rejustmakingatouraroundWindoverHill，andbacktoluncheon，\"hesaid，witharisingcolor。\"Wemissedyouawfully！
Ifwehadknownyouweresokeenon’goodworks，’andsoearlyatit，byJove！we’dhavegotupa’slummin’party，’andalljoined！\"
\"Andyouhaven’tseenhalf，\"saidLordBeverdalefromthebox。
\"MissAmelyn’stoopartialtothevillage。There’sanolddrunkenretiredpoachersomewhereinahutinCrawleyWoods，whomit’sdeathtoapproach，exceptwithalargeparty。There’smalignantdiphtheriaoverattheSouthFarm，eightdownwithmeaslesatthekeeper’s，andanoldwomanwhohasbeenbedriddenforyears。\"
ButMissDesboroughwasadamant，thoughsparkling。Shethankedhim，butsaidshehadjustseenanoldwoman\"whohadbeenlyinginbedfortwentyyears，andhadn’tspokenthetruthonce！\"Sheproposed\"goingoutsideofLordBeverdale’sownpreservesofgrain-
fedpoor，\"andstartingupherowngame。Shewouldreturnintimeforluncheon——ifshecould；ifnot，she\"shouldannexthegruelofthefirstkindincapableshemet。\"
Yet，actually，shewasfarfromdispleasedatbeingaccidentallydiscoveredbythesepeoplewhilefollowingouthercapriciouswhimofthemorning。Oneortwoelderladies，whohadfoughtshyofherfrocksandherfranknesstheeveningbefore，werequitetouchednowbythisbutterflywhowaswillingtoforegothesunlightofsociety，andsoilherprettywingsonthehauntsoftheimpoverished，withonlyasinglecompanion，——ofherownsex！——andsmiledapprovingly。
Andinherpresentstateofmind，rememberinghercompanion’stimidattitudetowardsLordBeverdale’sopinions，shewasnotaboveadministeringthisslightsnubtohiminherpresence。
Whentheyhaddrivenaway，withmanyregrets，MissAmelynwasdeeplyconcerned。\"Iamafraid，\"shesaid，withtimidconscientiousness，\"Ihavekeptyoufromgoingwiththem。Andyoumustbeboredwithwhatyouhaveseen，Iknow。Idon’tbelieveyoureallycareonebitforit——andyouareonlydoingittopleaseme。\"
\"Trotouttherestofyourshow，\"saidSadiepromptly，\"andwe’llwindupbylunchingwiththerector。\"
\"He’dbetoodelighted，\"saidMissAmelyn，withdisasterwrittenalloverhergirlish，truthfulface，\"but——but——youknow——itreallywouldn’tbequiterighttoLordBeverdale。You’rehisprincipalguest——youknow，and——they’dthinkIhadtakenyouoff。\"
\"Well，\"saidMissDesboroughimpetuously，\"what’sthematterwiththatinn——theRedLion？Wecangetasandwichthere，Iguess。I’mnotVERYhungry。\"
MissAmelynlookedhorrifiedforamoment，andthenlaughed；butimmediatelybecameconcernedagain。\"No！listentome，REALLYnow！
Letmefinishmyroundalone！You’llhaveampletimeifyougoNOW
toreachthePrioryforluncheon。Do，please！Itwouldbeeversomuchbetterforeverybody。Ifeelquiteguiltyasitis，andI
supposeIamalreadyinLordBeverdale’sblackbooks。\"
Thetroubleintheyounggirl’sfacewasunmistakable，andasitsuitedMissDesborough’spurposejustaswelltoshowherindependencebyreturning，asshehadsetout，alone，sheconsentedtogo。MissAmelynshowedherashortcutacrossthepark，andtheyseparated——tomeetatdinner。Inthisbrieffellowship，theAmericangirlhadkeptacertainsupremacyandhalf-fascinationovertheEnglishgirl，evenwhileshewasconsciousofaninvinciblecharacterinMissAmelynentirelydifferentfromandsuperiortoherown。Certainlytherewasadifferenceinthetwopeoples。WhyelsethisinheritedconscientiousreverenceforLordBeverdale’sposition，shownbyMissAmelyn，whichshe，anAmericanalivetoitspracticalbenefits，couldnotunderstand？WouldMissAmelynandLordAlgernonhavemadeabettermatch？Thethoughtirritatedher，evenwhilesheknewthatsheherselfpossessedtheyoungman’saffections，thepowertomarryhim，and，asshebelieved，keptherownindependenceinthematter。
Assheenteredtheirongatesatthelowerendofthepark，andglancedattheinterwovencipherandcrestoftheAmelynsstillabove，shewasconsciousthatthewindwasblowingmorechill，andthatafewcloudshadgathered。Asshewalkedondownthelongwindingavenue，theskybecameovercast，and，inoneofthosestrangecontrastsoftheEnglishclimate，thegloryofthewholedaywentoutwiththesunshine。Thewoodssuddenlybecamewrinkledandgray，thedistanthillssombre，theveryEnglishturfbeneathherfeetgrewbrown；amileandahalfaway，throughtheopeningofthetrees，thewestpartofthePriorylookedacrumbling，ivy-
eatenruin。Afewdropsofrainfell。Shehurriedon。Suddenlysherememberedthattheavenuemadealongcircuitbeforeapproachingthehouse，andthatitslowerend，whereshewaswalking，wasbutafringeofthepark。ConsequentlytheremustbeashortcutacrosssomefieldsandfarmbuildingstothebackoftheparkandthePriory。Sheatoncedivergedtotheright，presentlyfoundalowfence，whichsheclamberedover，andagainfoundafootpathwhichledtoastile。Crossingthat，shecouldseethefootpathnowleddirectlytothePriory，——nowagrimandausterelookingpileinthesuddenlydejectedlandscape，——andthatitwasprobablyusedonlybytheservantsandfarmers。Agustofwindbroughtsomeswiftneedlesofraintohercheek；shecouldseethesadhillsbeyondthePrioryalreadyveilingtheirfaces；shegatheredherskirtsandran。Thenextfieldwasalongone，butbesidethefurtherstilewasasmallclumpoftrees，theonlyonesbetweenherandthepark。Hurryingontothatshelter，shesawthatthestilewasalreadyoccupiedbyatallbutbentfigure，holdingalongstickinhishand，whichgavehimtheappearance，againstthehorizon，ofthefigureofTimeleaningonhisscythe。
Asshecamenearershesawitwas，indeed，anoldman，halfrestingonhisrake。Hewasveryruggedandweather-beaten，andalthoughneartheshelterofthetrees，apparentlyunmindfuloftherainthatwasfallingonhisbaldhead，andthelimpcaphewasholdinguselesslyinonehand。Hewasstaringather，yetapparentlyunconsciousofherpresence。Asuddeninstinctcameuponher——itwas\"Debs\"！
Shewentdirectlyuptohim，andwiththatfrankcommonsensewhichordinarilydistinguishedher，tookhiscapfromhishandandputitonhishead，graspedhisarmfirmly，andledhimtotheshelterofthetree。Thenshewipedtheraindropsfromhisfacewithherhandkerchief，shookoutherowndressandherwetparasol，and，proppinghercompanionagainstthetree，said：——
\"There，Mr。Debs！I’veheardofpeoplewhodidn’tknowenoughtocomeinwhenitrained，butInevermetonebefore。\"
Theoldmanstarted，liftedhishairy，sinewyarm，baredtotheelbow，andwipedhisbarethroatwiththedrysideofit。Thenalookofintelligence——albeithalfaggressive——cameintohisface。
\"Wheerbeestthagoing？\"heasked。
SomethinginhisvoicestruckSadielikeavagueecho。Perhapsitwasonlythequeerdialect——orsomeresemblancetohisgranddaughter’svoice。Shelookedathimalittlemorecloselyasshesaid：——
\"TothePriory。\"
\"Whaat？\"
Shepointedwithherparasoltothegraypileinthedistance。Itwaspossiblethatthisdementedpeasantdidn’tevenUNDERSTAND
English。
\"Thehall。Oh，ay！\"Suddenlyhisbrowsknitominouslyashefacedher。\"An’wassistthadoin’drestoopinthisfoinery？Wheergettisttheethatgoawn？Thissen，orthymaester？Nowtevenanapron，fitforthywarkasmaaidatserviss；an’parsonagettin’
thaplaaceatHall！Sothou’ltbehighandmoitywilltha！thou’ltnotwalkwi’maaids，buttraipsebythissenlikeaslutinthetoon——dangtha！\"
AlthoughitwasplaintoSadiethattheoldman，inhiswanderingperception，hadmistakenherforhisgranddaughterinserviceatthePriory，therewasstillenoughrudenessinhisspeechforhertohaveresentedit。But，strangetosay，therewasakindofauthorityinitthattouchedherwithanuneasinessandrepulsionthatwasstrongerthananyotherfeeling。\"Ithinkyouhavemistakenmeforsomeoneelse，\"shesaidhurriedly，yetwonderingwhyshehadadmittedit，andevenirritatedattheadmission。\"I
amastrangerhere，avisitoratthePriory。IcalledwithMissAmelynatyourcottage，andsawyourothergranddaughter；that’showIknewyourname。\"
Theoldman’sfacechanged。Asad，senilesmileofhopelessbewildermentcreptintohishardmouth；hepluckedhislimpcapfromhisheadandletithangsubmissivelyinhisfingers，asifitwerehissoleapology。Thenhetriedtostraightenhimself，andsaid，\"Nawoffins，miss，nawoffins！Ifthaknawsmeatha’llknawI’mgrandfeythertotwogallsasmoightbethaowernage；tha’lltell’eethatoldDebsathaatyyears’aswarkedandniverlostadayasmanorboy；hasnivercoomeoopen’emforn’aporth。An’
’e’llkeepouto’warkustillhedoy。An’’ee’sputbyenowtobywi’hisownfeythersinLanksheer，an’notliggenaloaneinparson’schoorchyard。\"
Itwaspartofheruneasinessthat，scarcelyunderstandingor，indeed，feelinganyinterestinthesemaunderingdetails，shestillseemedtohaveanoddcomprehensionofhischaracterandsomereminiscentknowledgeofhim，asifsheweregoingthroughtherepetitionofsomeunpleasantdream。Evenhiswrinkledfacewasbecomingfamiliartoher。Someweirdattractionwasholdingher；
shewantedtogetawayfromitasmuchasshewantedtoanalyzeit。
Sheglancedostentatiouslyatthesky，preparedtoopenherparasol，andbegantoedgecautiouslyaway。
\"Thenthabeantfromthesepearts？\"hesaidsuddenly。
\"No，no，\"shesaidquicklyandemphatically，——\"no，I’manAmerican。\"
Theoldmanstartedandmovedtowardsher，eagerly，hiskeeneyesbreakingthroughthefilmthatattimesobscuredthem。\"’Merrikan！
thabaist’Merrikan？ThenthaknawsmasonJohn，’eewarnowtbutabairnwhenbretherDicktookunto’Merriky！Naw！Now！thatworfiftyyearssen！——niverwroatetohisoldfeyther——nivercoomedback，’Eewortall-loike，an’theasaid’efeavoredmea。\"Hestopped，threwuphishead，andwithhisskinnyfingersdrewbackhislong，stragglinglocksfromhissunkencheeks，andstaredinherface。Thequicktransitionoffascination，repulsion，shock，andindefinableapprehensionmadeherlaughhysterically。Toherterrorhejoinedinit，andeagerlyclaspedherwrists。\"Eh，lass！
thaknawsJohn——thacoomesfromuntoolegrandfeyther。Who-rr-u！
Eay！butthatho’ttofoolmea，didtha，lass？Whoy，Iknoawedthavoice，fora’thafoinepeacockfeathers。SothabeJohn’sgellcoomfromAmeriky。Dear！adear！Coomneaur，lass！let’sseewhattha’sloike。Eh，butthou’ltkissthagrandfather，sewerly？\"
Awildterrorandundefinedconsternationhadcompletelyoverpoweredher！Butshemadeadesperateefforttofreeherwrists，andburstoutmadly：——
\"Letmego！Howdareyou！Idon’tknowyouoryours！I’mnothingtoyouoryourkin！MynameisDesborough——doyouunderstand——doyouhearme，Mr。Debs？——DESBOROUGH！\"
Atthewordtheoldman’sfingersstiffenedlikesteelaroundherwrists，asheturneduponherahard，invincibleface。
\"Sothou’ltcallthissenDes-borough，wilttha？Letmetelltha，then，that’Debs，’’Debban，’’Debbrook，’and’Des-borough’areallaseame！Ay！thyfeytherandthyfeyther’sfeyther！Thou’ltbeaDes-borough，willtha？Dangtha！andlookdoononthakin，anddressthisseninsilkso’shame！Tell’eethou’rtanass，gell！
Don’tthahear？Anass！forallthabeanJohn’sbairn！Anass！
that’swhatthabeast！\"
Withflashingeyesandburningcheeksshemadeonemoresupremeeffort，liftingherarms，freeingherwrists，andthrowingtheoldmanstaggeringfromher。Thensheleapedthestile，turned，andfledthroughtherain。Butbeforeshereachedtheendofthefieldshestopped！Shehadfreedherself——shewasstrongerthanhe——whathadshetofear？Hewascrazy！Yes，heMUSTbecrazy，andhehadinsultedher，buthewasanoldman——andGodknowswhat！Herheartwasbeatingrapidly，herbreathwashurried，butsheranbacktothestile。
Hewasnotthere。Thefieldslopedawayoneithersideofit。Butshecoulddistinguishnothinginthepouringrainabovethewind-
sweptmeadow。Hemusthavegonehome。RelievedforamomentsheturnedandhurriedontowardsthePriory。
Butateverystepshewasfollowed，notbytheoldman’spresence，butbywhathehadsaidtoher，whichshecouldnotshakeoffasshehadshakenoffhisdetainingfingers。Wasittheravingsofinsanity，orhadshestumbledunwittinglyuponsomesecret——wasitafterallaSECRET？Perhapsitwassomethingtheyallknew，orwouldknowlater。Andshehadcomedownhereforthis。Forbackofherindignation，backevenofherdisbeliefinhisinsanity，therewasanawfulsenseoftruth！Thenameshehadflungout，of\"Debs，\"\"Debban，\"and\"Debbrook\"nowflasheduponherassomethingshehadseenbefore，buthadnotunderstood。Untilshesatisfiedherselfofthis，shefeltshecouldnotliveorbreathe！SheloathedthePriory，withitsaustereexclusiveness，asitrosebeforeher；shewishedshehadneverenteredit；butitcontainedthatwhichshemustknow，andknowatonce！Sheenteredthenearestdoorandranupthegrandstaircase。Herflushedfaceanddisorderedappearancewereeasilyaccountedforbyherexposuretothesuddenstorm。Shewenttoherbedroom，senthermaidtoanotherroomtoprepareachangeofdress，andsinkingdownbeforehertraveling-desk，gropedforadocument。Ah！thereitwas——theexpensivetoythatshehadplayedwith！Shehastilyranoveritsleavestothepageshealreadyremembered。Andthere，amongthedashesandperpendicularlinesshehadjestedoverlastnight，onwhichshehadthoughtwasacollateralbranchoftheline，stoodherfather’snameandthatofRichard，hisuncle，withthebracketednoteinredink，\"seeDebbrook，Daybrook，Debbers，andDebs。\"Yes！thisgaunt，half-crazy，overworkedpeasant，contenttorakethedeadleavesbeforetherollingchariotsoftheBeverdales，washergrandfather；thatpoorlycladgirlinthecottage，andeventhemenialinthesculleryofthisveryhousethatmightbeHERS，wereherCOUSINS！Sheburstintoalaugh，andthenrefoldedthedocumentandputitaway。
Atluncheonshewasradiantandsparkling。Herdrenchedclotheswereanexcuseforanewandravishingtoilette。Shehadneverlookedsobeautifulbefore，andsignificantglanceswereexchangedbetweensomeoftheguests，whobelievedthattheexpectedproposalhadalreadycome。Butthosewhowereofthecarriagepartyknewotherwise，andofLordAlgernon’sdisappointment。LordBeverdalecontentedhimselfwithrallyinghisfairguestonthebecomingnessof\"goodworks。\"Buthecontinued，\"You’reofferingadreadfulexampletotheseladies，MissDesborough，andIknowIshallneverhereafterbeabletocontentthemwithanyfrivolousmorningamusementatthePriory。Formyself，whenIamgrowngoutyandhideous，IknowIshallbloomagainasadistrictvisitor。\"
YetunderthissurfacesparkleandnervousexaltationSadieneverlostconsciousnessofthegravityofthesituation。Ifhersenseofhumorenabledhertoseeonesideofitsgrimirony；ifsheexperiencedawickedsatisfactioninacceptingtheadmirationandeasyconfidenceofthehigh-bornguests，knowingthathercousinhadassistedinpreparingthemealtheywereeating，shehadneverlostsightofthepracticaleffectofthediscoveryshehadmade。
Andshehadcometoafinalresolution。SheshouldleavethePrioryatonce，andabandonallideaofamatrimonialalliancewithitsheir！Inconsistentasthismightseemtoherselfish，worldlynature，itwasneverthelessinkeepingwithacertainprideandindependencethatwasinherblood。ShedidnotloveLordAlgernon，neitherdidshelovehergrandfather；shewasequallywillingtosacrificeeitherorboth；sheknewthatneitherLordAlgernonnorhisfatherwouldmakeherconnectionsanobjection，howevertheymightwishtokeepthefactasecret，orotherwisedisposeofthembypensionsoremigration，butshecouldnotbeartoKNOWITHERSELF！ShenevercouldbehappyasthemistressofScroobyPriorywiththatknowledge；shedidnotidealizeitasaprinciple！Carefullyweighingitbyherownpracticalcommonsense，shesaidtoherselfthat\"itwouldn’tpay。\"Thehighestindependenceisoftenakintothelowestselfishness；shedidnotdreamthatthesamepridewhichkepthergrandfatherfromtheworkhouseandsupportbyhisdaughters，andhadevenkepthimfromcommunicatingwithhisownson，nowkeptherfromacknowledgingthem，evenforthegiftofatitleanddomain。Therewasonlyonequestionbeforeher：shouldshestaylongenoughtoreceivetheproposalofLordAlgernon，andthendeclineit？Whyshouldshenotsnatchthatsinglefemininejoyoutoftheashesofherburnt-upillusion？Sheknewthatanopportunitywouldbeofferedthatafternoon。ThepartyweretotaketeaatBroxbyHall，andLordAlgernonwastodriveherthereinhisdogcart。MissDesboroughhadgoneuptoherbedroomtoputonawarmercloak，andhadrungtwiceorthriceimpatientlyforhermaid。
Whenthegirlmadeherappearance，apologetic，voluble，andexcited，MissDesboroughscarcelylistenedtoherexcuses，untilasinglewordsuddenlyarrestedherattention。Itwas\"oldDebs。\"
\"WhatAREyoutalkingabout？\"saidSadie，pausingintheadjustmentofherhatonherbrownhair。
\"OldDebs，miss，——that’swhattheycallhim；anoldpark-keeper，justfounddeadinapoolofwaterinthefields；thegrandfatherofoneoftheservantshere；andthere’ssuchanexcitementintheservants’hall。Thegentlemenallknewit，too，forIheardLordAlgernonsaythathewaslookingveryqueerlately，andmighthavehadafit；andLordBeverdalehassentwordtothecoroner。Andonlythink，thepeopleherearesuchfoolsthattheydaren’ttouchormovethepoorman，andhimlyin’thereintherainallthetime，untilthecoronercomes！\"
MissDesboroughhadbeensteadilyregardingherselfintheglasstoseeifshehadturnedpale。Shehad。Shesetherteethtogetheruntilthecolorpartlyreturned。Butshekeptherfaceawayfromthemaid。\"That’lldo，\"shesaidquietly。\"Youcantellmealllater。Ihavesomeimportantnewsmyself，andImaynotgooutafterall。Iwantyoutotakeanoteforme。\"Shewenttohertable，wrotealineinpencil，foldedit，scribbledanaddressuponit，handedittothegirl，andgentlypushedherfromtheroom……
Theconsulwaslingeringontheterracebesideoneofthecarriages；atalittledistanceagroomwasholdingthenervousthoroughbredofLordAlgernon’sdog-cart。Suddenlyhefeltatouchonhisshoulder，andMissDesborough’smaidputanoteinhishand。
Itcontainedonlyaline：——
Pleasecomeandseemeinthelibrary，butwithoutmakinganyfussaboutit——atonce。S。D。
Theconsulglancedaroundhim；noonehadapparentlynoticedtheincident。Heslippedbackintothehouseandmadehiswaytothelibrary。Itwasalonggallery；atthefurtherendMissDesboroughstoodcloaked，veiled，andcoquettishlyhatted。Shewaslookingverybeautifulandanimated。\"Iwantyoutopleasedomeagreatfavor，\"shesaid，withanadorablesmile，\"asyourowncountrywoman，youknow——forthesakeofFourthofJulyandPumpkinPieandtheOldFlag！Idon’twanttogotothiscircusto-day。Iamgoingtoleavehereto-night！Iam！HonestInjin！IwantYOUtomanageit。
Iwantyoutosaythatasconsulyou’vereceivedimportantnewsforme：thedeathofsomerelative，ifyoulike；orbetter，somethingAFFECTINGMYPROPERTY，youknow，\"withalittlesatiricallaugh。
\"Iguessthatwouldfetch’em！Sogoatonce。\"
\"Butreally，MissDesborough，doletustalkthisoverbeforeyoudecide！\"imploredthebewilderedconsul。\"Thinkwhatadisappointmenttoyourhostandtheseladies。LordAlgernonexpectstodriveyouthere；heisalreadywaiting！Thepartywasgotupforyou！\"MissDesboroughmadeaslightgrimace。\"Imeanyououghttosacrificesomething——butItrustthereisreallynothingserious——tothem！\"
\"IfYOUdonotspeaktothem，Iwill！\"saidMissDesboroughfirmly。
\"IfyousaywhatItellyou，itwillcomethemoreplausiblyfromyou。Come！Mymindismadeup。Oneofusmustbreakthenews！
ShallitbeyouorI？\"Shedrewhercloakoverhershouldersandmadeastepforwards。
Theconsulsawshewasdetermined。\"ThenwaitheretillIreturn，butkeepyourselfoutofsight，\"hesaid，andhurriedaway。
Betweenthelibraryandtheterraceheconceivedaplan。Hisperplexitylenthimaseriousnesswhichbefittedthegravityofthenewshehadtodisclose。\"Iamsorrytohavetotellyou，\"hesaid，takingLordBeverdaleaside，\"thatIwastheunluckybearerofsomesadnewstoMissDesboroughthismorning，throughmyconsularletters——somematterconcerningthedeathofarelationofhers，andsomewearisomequestionofproperty。Ithoughtthatitwasoflittleimportance，andthatshewouldnottakeitseriously，butIfindIwasmistaken。ItmayevenobligehertocatchtheLondontrainto-night。Ipromisedtomakeherexcusestoyouforthepresent，andI’mafraidImustaddmyowntothem，asshewishesmetostayandadviseherinthismatter，whichrequiressomepromptaction。\"
MissDesboroughwasright：themagicword\"property\"changedtheslightannoyanceontheearl’sfacetoasympatheticconcern。
\"Dearme！Itrustitisnothingreallyserious，\"hesaid。\"Ofcourse，youwilladviseher，and，bytheway，ifmysolicitor，Withers，who’llbehereto-morrow，candoanything，youknow，callhimin。Ihopeshe’llbeabletoseemelater。ItcouldnotbeaNEARrelationwhodied，Ifancy；shehasnobrothersorsisters，I
understand。\"
\"Acousin，Ithink；anoldfriend，\"saidtheconsulhastily。HeheardLordBeverdalesayafewwordstohiscompanions，sawwithatingeofremorseacloudsettleuponLordAlgernon’sfreshface，asheappealedinawhispertooldLadyMesthyn，wholeanedforwardfromthecarriage，andsaid，\"IfthedearchildthoughtIcouldbeofanyservice，Ishouldonlybetoogladtostaywithher。\"
\"IknewshewouldappreciateLadyMesthyn’ssympathy，\"saidtheingeniousconsulquickly，\"butIreallythinkthequestionismoreabusinessone——and\"——
\"Ah，yes，\"saidtheoldlady，shakingherhead，\"it’sdreadful，ofcourse，butwemustallthinkofTHAT！\"
Asthecarriagedroveaway，theconsulhurriedbackalittleviciouslytohisfaircountrywoman。\"There！\"hesaid，\"Ihavedoneit！IfIhavemanagedtoconveyeithertheideathatyouareapennilessorphan，orthatIhaveofficialinformationthatyouaresuspectedofadynamiteconspiracy，don’tblameme！Andnow，\"hesaid，\"asIhaveexcusedmyselfonthegroundthatImustdevotemyselftothisdreadfulbusinessofyours，perhapsyou’lltellmeWHATitreallyis。\"
\"Notawordmore，\"saidMissDesborough；\"except，\"sheadded，——
checkinghersmilewithawearygesture，——\"exceptthatIwanttoleavethisdreadfulplaceatonce！There！don’taskmeanymore！\"
Therecouldbenodoubtofthegirl’ssincerity。Norwasittheextravagantcapriceofapettedidol。Whathadhappened？Hemighthavebelievedinalovers’quarrel，butheknewthatsheandLordAlgernoncouldhavehadnoprivateinterviewthatevening。Hemustperforceaccepthersilence，yethecouldnothelpsaying：——
\"Youseemedtoliketheplacesomuchlastnight。Isay，youhaven’tseenthePrioryghost，haveyou？\"
\"ThePrioryghost，\"shesaidquickly。\"What’sthat？\"
\"Theoldmonkwhopassesthroughthecloisterswiththesacredoil，thebell，andthesmellofincensewheneveranyoneistodiehere。
ByJove！itwouldhavebeenagoodstorytotellinsteadofthiscock-and-bulloneaboutyourproperty。AndthereWASadeathhereto-day。You’dhaveaddedthesibyl’sgiftstoyourothercharms。\"
\"Tellmeaboutthatoldman，\"shesaid，lookingpasthimoutofthewindow。\"Iwasathiscottagethismorning。But，no！firstletusgoout。Youcantakemeforawalk，ifyoulike。YouseeIamallready，andI’mjuststiflinghere。\"
Theydescendedtotheterracetogether。\"Wherewouldyouliketogo？\"heasked。
\"Tothevillage。Imaywanttotelegraph，youknow。\"
Theyturnedintotheavenue，butMissDesboroughstopped。
\"Istherenotashortercutacrossthefields，\"sheasked，\"overthere？\"
\"Thereis，\"saidtheconsul。
Theybothturnedintothefootpathwhichledtothefarmandstile。
Afterapauseshesaid，\"Didyouevertalkwiththatpooroldman？\"
\"No。\"
\"Thenyoudon’tknowifhereallywascrazy，astheythink。\"
\"No。Buttheymayhavethoughtanoldman’sforgetfulnessofpresentthingsandhishabitofcommuningwiththepastwasinsanity。Forallthathewasaplucky，independentoldfellow，withagrimpurposethatwascertainlyrational。\"
\"Isupposeinhisindependencehewouldnothavetakenfavorsfromthesepeople，oranybody？\"
\"Ishouldthinknot。\"
\"Don’tyouthinkitwasjusthorrid——theirleavinghimaloneintherain，whenhemighthavebeenonlyinafit？\"
\"Thedoctorsayshediedsuddenlyofheartdisease，\"saidtheconsul。\"Itmighthavehappenedatanymomentandwithoutwarning。\"
\"Ah，thatwasthecoroner’sverdict，then，\"saidMissDesboroughquickly。
\"ThecoronerdidnotthinkitnecessarytohaveanyinquestafterLordBeverdale’sstatement。Itwouldn’thavebeenveryjoyousforthePrioryparty。AndIdaresayhethoughtitmightnotbeverycheerfulforYOU。\"
\"Howverykind！\"saidtheyounggirl，withaquicklaugh。\"Butdoyouknowthatit’sabouttheonlythinghuman，original，andstrikingthathashappenedinthisplacesinceI’vebeenhere！Andsounexpected，consideringhowcomfortablyeverythingisorderedherebeforehand。\"
\"Yetyouseemedtolikethatkindofthingverywell，lastevening，\"
saidtheconsulmischievously。
\"Thatwaslastnight，\"retortedMissDesborough；\"andyouknowtheline，’Colorsseenbycandlelightdonotlookthesamebyday。’
ButI’mgoingtobeveryconsistentto-day，forIintendtogoovertothatpoorman’scottageagain，andseeifIcanbeofanyservice。Willyougowithme？\"
\"Certainly，\"saidtheconsul，mystifiedbyhiscompanion’sextraordinaryconduct，yetapparentcoolnessofpurpose，andhopingforsomefurtherexplanation。Wassheonlyaninexperiencedflirtwhohadfoundherselfonthepointofaseriousentanglementshehadnotcontemplated？Yeteventhenheknewshewascleverenoughtoextricateherselfinsomeotherwaythanthisabruptandbrutaltearingthroughthemeshes。Orwasitpossiblethatshereallyhadanyintelligenceaffectingherproperty？HereflectedthatheknewverylittleoftheDesboroughs，butontheotherhandheknewthatBeverdaleknewthemmuchbetter，andwasaprudentman。Hehadnorighttodemandherconfidenceasarewardforhissecrecy；hemustwaitherpleasure。Perhapsshewouldstillexplain；womenseldomcouldresistthetriumphoftellingthesecretthatpuzzledothers。
WhentheyreachedthevillageshehaltedbeforethelowroofofDebs’scottage。\"Ihadbettergoinfirst，\"shesaid；\"youcancomeinlater，andinthemeantimeyoumightgotothestationformeandfindouttheexacttimethattheexpresstrainleavesforthenorth。\"
\"But，\"saidtheastonishedconsul，\"IthoughtyouweregoingtoLondon？\"
\"No，\"saidMissDesboroughquietly，\"IamgoingtojoinsomefriendsatHarrogate。\"
\"Butthattraingoesmuchearlierthanthetrainsouth，and——andI’mafraidLordBeverdalewillnothavereturnedsosoon。\"
\"Howsad！\"saidMissDesborough，withafaintsmile，\"butwemustbearupunderit，and——I’llwritehim。Iwillbehereuntilyoureturn。\"
Sheturnedawayandenteredthecottage。Thegranddaughtershehadalreadyseenandhersister，theservantatthePriory，werebothchattingcomfortably，butceasedassheentered，andbothrosewithawkwardrespect。Therewaslittletosuggestthatthebodyoftheirgrandfather，alreadyinaroughoakshell，waslyingupontrestlesbesidethem。
\"Youhavecarriedoutmyorders，Isee，\"saidMissDesborough，layingdownherparasol。
\"Ay，miss；butitwasmainhaardgettin’etdooansosoon，andetcooast\"——
\"Nevermindthecost。I’vegivenyoumoneyenough，Ithink，andifIhaven’t，IguessIcangiveyoumore。\"
\"Ay，miss！Abbutthepa’son’eadgi’unafuneralfornowt。\"
\"ButIunderstoodyoutosay，\"saidMissDesborough，withanimpatientflashofeye，\"thatyourgrandfatherwishedtobeburiedwithhiskindredinthenorth？\"
\"Ay，miss，\"saidthegirlapologetically，\"annaw’eessavitth’
munny。Abbute’dbeantickled’ad’eeknowedit！Dear！dear！’eeniverthowtet’udbegi’enbystrangeran’not’esowntfammaly。\"
\"Forallthat，youneedn’ttellanybodyitwasgivenbyME，\"saidMissDesborough。\"Andyou’llbesuretobereadytotakethetrainthisafternoon——withoutdelay。\"TherewasacertainperemptorinessinhervoiceveryunlikeMissAmelyn’s，yetapparentlymuchmoreeffectivewiththegranddaughter。
\"Ay，miss。Then，iftha’llexcoosemea，I’llgostreightto’ooryoopsexten。\"
Shebustledaway。\"Now，\"saidMissDesborough，turningtotheothergirl，\"Ishalltakethesametrain，andwillprobablyseeyouontheplatformatYorktogivemyfinaldirections。That’sall。
Goandseeifthegentlemanwhocamewithmehasreturnedfromthestation。\"
Thegirlobeyed。Leftentirelyalone，MissDesboroughglancedaroundtheroom，andthenwentquietlyuptotheunliddedcoffin。