Mr。MilestookCharitybythearm，andsidebysidetheywalkedbehindthemattress。Atlengththeoldwomanwiththelanternstopped，andCharitysawthelightfallonthestoopingshouldersofthebearersandonaridgeofupheavedearthoverwhichtheywerebending。Mr。Milesreleasedherarmandapproachedthehollowontheothersideoftheridge;andwhilethemenstoopeddown，loweringthemattressintothegrave，hebegantospeakagain。
\"Manthatisbornofwomanhathbutashorttimetoliveandisfullofmisery……Hecomethupandiscutdown……hefleethasitwereashadow……Yet，OLordGodmostholy，OLordmostmighty，OholyandmercifulSaviour，deliverusnotintothebitterpainsofeternaldeath……\"
\"Easythere……isshedown？\"pipedtheclaimanttothestove;andtheyoungmancalledoverhisshoulder：
\"Liftthelightthere，can’tyou？\"
Therewasapause，duringwhichthelightfloateduncertainlyovertheopengrave。SomeonebentoverandpulledoutMr。Miles’scoat————（\"No，no——
leavethehandkerchief，\"heinterposed）——andthenLiffHyatt，comingforwardwithaspade，begantoshovelintheearth。
\"ForasmuchasithathpleasedAlmightyGodofHisgreatmercytotakeuntoHimselfthesoulofourdearsisterheredeparted，wethereforecommitherbodytotheground;earthtoearth，ashestoashes，dusttodust……\"Liff’sgauntshouldersroseandbentinthelanternlightashedashedtheclodsofearthintothegrave。\"God——it’sfrozea’ready，\"hemuttered，spittingintohispalmandpassinghisraggedshirt—
sleeveacrosshisperspiringface。
\"ThroughourLordJesusChrist，whoshallchangeourvilebodythatitmaybelikeuntoHisgloriousbody，accordingtothemightyworking，wherebyHeisabletosubdueallthingsuntoHimself……\"ThelastspadefulofearthfellonthevilebodyofMaryHyatt，andLiffrestedonhisspade，hisshoulderbladesstillheavingwiththeeffort。
\"Lord，havemercyuponus，Christhavemercyuponus，Lordhavemercyuponus……\"
Mr。Milestookthelanternfromtheoldwoman’shandandsweptitslightacrossthecircleofblearedfaces。\"Nowkneeldown，allofyou，\"hecommanded，inavoiceofauthoritythatCharityhadneverheard。Shekneltdownattheedgeofthegrave，andtheothers，stifflyandhesitatingly，gottotheirkneesbesideher。Mr。Milesknelt，too。\"Andnowpraywithme——youknowthisprayer，\"hesaid，andhebegan：
\"OurFatherwhichartinHeaven……\"Oneortwoofthewomenfalteringlytookthewordsup，andwhenheended，thelank—hairedmanflunghimselfontheneckofthetallyouth。\"Itwasthisway，\"hesaid。\"Itoleherthenightbefore，Isaystoher……\"Thereminiscenceendedinasob。
Mr。Mileshadbeengettingintohiscoatagain。HecameuptoCharity，whohadremainedpassivelykneelingbytheroughmoundofearth。
\"Mychild，youmustcome。It’sverylate。\"
Sheliftedhereyestohisface：heseemedtospeakoutofanotherworld。
\"Iain’tcoming：I’mgoingtostayhere。\"
\"Here？Where？Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Thesearemyfolks。I’mgoingtostaywiththem。\"
Mr。Milesloweredhisvoice。\"Butit’snotpossible——youdon’tknowwhatyouaredoing。Youcan’tstayamongthesepeople：youmustcomewithme。\"
Sheshookherheadandrosefromherknees。Thegroupaboutthegravehadscatteredinthedarkness，buttheoldwomanwiththelanternstoodwaiting。Hermournfulwitheredfacewasnotunkind，andCharitywentuptoher。
\"HaveyougotaplacewhereIcanliedownforthenight？\"sheasked。Liffcameup，leadingthebuggyoutofthenight。Helookedfromonetotheotherwithhisfeeblesmile。\"She’smymother。She’lltakeyouhome，\"hesaid;andheadded，raisinghisvoicetospeaktotheoldwoman：\"It’sthegirlfromlawyerRoyall’s——Mary’sgirl……youremember……\"
ThewomannoddedandraisedhersadoldeyestoCharity’s。WhenMr。MilesandLiffclamberedintothebuggyshewentaheadwiththelanterntoshowthemthetracktheyweretofollow;thensheturnedback，andinsilencesheandCharitywalkedawaytogetherthroughthenight。
XVII
CHARITYlayontheflooronamattress，asherdeadmother’sbodyhadlain。Theroominwhichshelaywascoldanddarkandlow—ceilinged，andevenpoorerandbarerthanthesceneofMaryHyatt’searthlypilgrimage。OntheothersideofthefirelessstoveLiffHyatt’smothersleptonablanket，withtwochildren——hergrandchildren，shesaid——rolledupagainstherlikesleepingpuppies。Theyhadtheirthinclothesspreadoverthem，havinggiventheonlyotherblankettotheirguest。
ThroughthesmallsquareofglassintheoppositewallCharitysawadeepfunnelofsky，soblack，soremote，sopalpitatingwithfrostystarsthatherverysoulseemedtobesuckedintoit。Uptheresomewhere，shesupposed，theGodwhomMr。MileshadinvokedwaswaitingforMaryHyatttoappear。Whatalongflightitwas！AndwhatwouldshehavetosaywhenshereachedHim？
Charity’sbewilderedbrainlabouredwiththeattempttopicturehermother’spast，andtorelateitinanywaytothedesignsofajustbutmercifulGod;butitwasimpossibletoimagineanylinkbetweenthem。Sheherselffeltasremotefromthepoorcreatureshehadseenloweredintoherhastilyduggraveasiftheheightoftheheavensdividedthem。Shehadseenpovertyandmisfortuneinherlife;butinacommunitywherepoorthriftyMrs。HawesandtheindustriousAllyrepresentedthenearestapproachtodestitutiontherewasnothingtosuggestthesavagemiseryoftheMountainfarmers。
Asshelaythere，half—stunnedbyhertragicinitiation，Charityvainlytriedtothinkherselfintothelifeabouther。Butshecouldnotevenmakeoutwhatrelationshipthesepeopleboretoeachother，ortoherdeadmother;theyseemedtobeherdedtogetherinasortofpassivepromiscuityinwhichtheircommonmiserywasthestrongestlink。ShetriedtopicturetoherselfwhatherlifewouldhavebeenifshehadgrownupontheMountain，runningwildinrags，sleepingonthefloorcurledupagainsthermother，likethepale—
facedchildrenhuddledagainstoldMrs。Hyatt，andturningintoafiercebewilderedcreaturelikethegirlwhohadapostrophizedherinsuchstrangewords。Shewasfrightenedbythesecretaffinityshehadfeltwiththisgirl，andbythelightitthrewonherownbeginnings。ThensherememberedwhatMr。RoyallhadsaidintellingherstorytoLuciusHarney：\"Yes，therewasamother;butshewasgladtohavethechildgo。
She’dhavegivenhertoanybody……\"
Well！afterall，washermothersomuchtoblame？
Charity，sincethatday，hadalwaysthoughtofherasdestituteofallhumanfeeling;nowsheseemedmerelypitiful。Whatmotherwouldnotwanttosaveherchildfromsuchalife？Charitythoughtofthefutureofherownchild，andtearswelledintoherachingeyes，andrandownoverherface。Ifshehadbeenlessexhausted，lessburdenedwithhisweight，shewouldhavesprungupthenandthereandfledaway……
Thegrimhoursofthenightdraggedthemselvesslowlyby，andatlasttheskypaledanddawnthrewacoldbluebeamintotheroom。Shelayinhercornerstaringatthedirtyfloor，theclothes—linehungwithdecayingrags，theoldwomanhuddledagainstthecoldstove，andthelightgraduallyspreadingacrossthewintryworld，andbringingwithitanewdayinwhichshewouldhavetolive，tochoose，toact，tomakeherselfaplaceamongthesepeople——ortogobacktothelifeshehadleft。Amortallassitudeweighedonher。Thereweremomentswhenshefeltthatallsheaskedwastogoonlyingthereunnoticed;thenhermindrevoltedatthethoughtofbecomingoneofthemiserableherdfromwhichshesprang，anditseemedasthough，tosaveherchildfromsuchafate，shewouldfindstrengthtotravelanydistance，andbearanyburdenlifemightputonher。
VaguethoughtsofNettletonflittedthroughhermind。
Shesaidtoherselfthatshewouldfindsomequietplacewhereshecouldbearherchild，andgiveittodecentpeopletokeep;andthenshewouldgooutlikeJuliaHawesandearnitslivingandhers。Sheknewthatgirlsofthatkindsometimesmadeenoughtohavetheirchildrennicelycaredfor;andeveryotherconsiderationdisappearedinthevisionofherbaby，cleanedandcombedandrosy，andhiddenawaysomewherewhereshecouldruninandkissit，andbringitprettythingstowear。Anything，anythingwasbetterthantoaddanotherlifetothenestofmiseryontheMountain……
TheoldwomanandthechildrenwerestillsleepingwhenCharityrosefromhermattress。Herbodywasstiffwithcoldandfatigue，andshemovedslowlylestherheavystepsshouldrousethem。Shewasfaintwithhunger，andhadnothingleftinhersatchel;butonthetableshesawthehalfofastaleloaf。NodoubtitwastoserveasthebreakfastofoldMrs。Hyattandthechildren;butCharitydidnotcare;shehadherownbabytothinkof。Shebrokeoffapieceofthebreadandateitgreedily;thenherglancefellonthethinfacesofthesleepingchildren，andfilledwithcompunctionsherummagedinhersatchelforsomethingwithwhichtopayforwhatshehadtaken。ShefoundoneoftheprettychemisesthatAllyhadmadeforher，withablueribbonrunthroughitsedging。Itwasoneofthedaintythingsonwhichshehadsquanderedhersavings，andasshelookedatitthebloodrushedtoherforehead。Shelaidthechemiseonthetable，andstealingacrossthefloorliftedthelatchandwentout……
ThemorningwasicycoldandapalesunwasjustrisingabovetheeasternshoulderoftheMountain。Thehousesscatteredonthehillsidelaycoldandsmokelessunderthesun—fleckedclouds，andnotahumanbeingwasinsight。Charitypausedonthethresholdandtriedtodiscovertheroadbywhichshehadcomethenightbefore。AcrossthefieldsurroundingMrs。Hyatt’sshantyshesawthetumble—downhouseinwhichshesupposedthefuneralservicehadtakenplace。Thetrailranacrossthegroundbetweenthetwohousesanddisappearedinthepine—woodontheflankoftheMountain;andalittlewaytotheright，underawind—
beatenthorn，amoundoffreshearthmadeadarkspotonthefawn—colouredstubble。Charitywalkedacrossthefieldtotheground。Assheapproacheditsheheardabird’snoteinthestillair，andlookingupshesawabrownsong—sparrowperchedinanupperbranchofthethornabovethegrave。Shestoodaminutelisteningtohissmallsolitarysong;thensherejoinedthetrailandbegantomountthehilltothepine—wood。
Thusfarshehadbeenimpelledbytheblindinstinctofflight;buteachstepseemedtobringhernearertotherealitiesofwhichherfeverishvigilhadgivenonlyashadowyimage。Nowthatshewalkedagaininadaylightworld，onthewaybacktofamiliarthings，herimaginationmovedmoresoberly。Ononepointshewasstilldecided：shecouldnotremainatNorthDormer，andthesoonershegotawayfromitthebetter。
Buteverythingbeyondwasdarkness。
Asshecontinuedtoclimbtheairgrewkeener，andwhenshepassedfromtheshelterofthepinestotheopengrassyroofoftheMountainthecoldwindofthenightbeforesprangoutonher。Shebenthershouldersandstruggledonagainstitforawhile;butpresentlyherbreathfailed，andshesatdownunderaledgeofrockoverhungbyshiveringbirches。FromwhereshesatshesawthetrailwanderingacrossthebleachedgrassinthedirectionofHamblin，andthegranitewalloftheMountainfallingawaytoinfinitedistances。Onthatsideoftheridgethevalleysstilllayinwintryshadow;butintheplainbeyondthesunwastouchingvillageroofsandsteeples，andgildingthehazeofsmokeoverfar—offinvisibletowns。
Charityfeltherselfamerespeckinthelonelycircleofthesky。Theeventsofthelasttwodaysseemedtohavedividedherforeverfromhershortdreamofbliss。
EvenHarney’simagehadbeenblurredbythatcrushingexperience：shethoughtofhimassoremotefromherthatheseemedhardlymorethanamemory。Inherfaggedandfloatingmindonlyonesensationhadtheweightofreality;itwasthebodilyburdenofherchild。Butforitshewouldhavefeltasrootlessasthewhiffsofthistledownthewindblewpasther。Herchildwaslikealoadthatheldherdown，andyetlikeahandthatpulledhertoherfeet。Shesaidtoherselfthatshemustgetupandstruggleon……
HereyesturnedbacktothetrailacrossthetopoftheMountain，andinthedistanceshesawabuggyagainstthesky。Sheknewitsantiqueoutline，andthegauntbuildoftheoldhorsepressingforwardwithloweredhead;andafteramomentsherecognizedtheheavybulkofthemanwhoheldthereins。Thebuggywasfollowingthetrailandmakingstraightforthepine—woodthroughwhichshehadclimbed;andsheknewatoncethatthedriverwasinsearchofher。Herfirstimpulsewastocrouchdownundertheledgetillhehadpassed;buttheinstinctofconcealmentwasoverruledbythereliefoffeelingthatsomeonewasnearherintheawfulemptiness。Shestoodupandwalkedtowardthebuggy。
Mr。Royallsawher，andtouchedthehorsewiththewhip。AminuteortwolaterhewasabreastofCharity;
theireyesmet，andwithoutspeakingheleanedoverandhelpedherupintothebuggy。
Shetriedtospeak，tostammeroutsomeexplanation，butnowordscametoher;andashedrewthecoveroverherkneeshesimplysaid：\"Theministertoldmehe’dleftyouuphere，soIcomeupforyou。\"
Heturnedthehorse’shead，andtheybegantojogbacktowardHamblin。Charitysatspeechless，staringstraightaheadofher，andMr。Royalloccasionallyutteredawordofencouragementtothehorse：\"Getalongthere，Dan……IgavehimarestatHamblin;butI
broughthimalongprettyquick，andit’sastiffpulluphereagainstthewind。\"
AshespokeitoccurredtoherforthefirsttimethattoreachthetopoftheMountainsoearlyhemusthaveleftNorthDormeratthecoldesthourofthenight，andhavetravelledsteadilybutforthehaltatHamblin;
andshefeltasoftnessatherheartwhichnoactofhishadeverproducedsincehehadbroughthertheCrimsonRamblerbecauseshehadgivenupboarding—
schooltostaywithhim。
Afteranintervalhebeganagain：\"Itwasadayjustlikethis，onlyspittingsnow，whenIcomeuphereforyouthefirsttime。\"Then，asiffearingthatshemighttakehisremarkasareminderofpastbenefits，headdedquickly：\"Idunno’syouthinkitwassuchagoodjob，either。\"
\"Yes，Ido，\"shemurmured，lookingstraightaheadofher。
\"Well，\"hesaid，\"Itried————\"
Hedidnotfinishthesentence，andshecouldthinkofnothingmoretosay。
\"Ho，there，Dan，stepout，\"hemuttered，jerkingthebridle。\"Weain’thomeyet。——Youcold？\"heaskedabruptly。
Sheshookherhead，buthedrewthecoverhigherup，andstoopedtotuckitinabouttheankles。Shecontinuedtolookstraightahead。Tearsofwearinessandweaknessweredimminghereyesandbeginningtorunover，butshedarednotwipethemawaylestheshouldobservethegesture。
Theydroveinsilence，followingthelongloopsofthedescentuponHamblin，andMr。Royalldidnotspeakagaintilltheyreachedtheoutskirtsofthevillage。
Thenheletthereinsdrooponthedashboardanddrewouthiswatch。
\"Charity，\"hesaid，\"youlookfairdoneup，andNorthDormer’sagoodishwayoff。I’vefiguredoutthatwe’ddobettertostopherelongenoughforyoutogetamouthfulofbreakfastandthendrivedowntoCrestonandtakethetrain。\"
Sherousedherselffromherapatheticmusing。\"Thetrain——whattrain？\"
Mr。Royall，withoutanswering，letthehorsejogontilltheyreachedthedoorofthefirsthouseinthevillage。\"ThisisoldMrs。Hobart’splace，\"hesaid。
\"She’llgiveussomethinghottodrink。\"
Charity，halfunconsciously，foundherselfgettingoutofthebuggyandfollowinghiminattheopendoor。
Theyenteredadecentkitchenwithafirecracklinginthestove。Anoldwomanwithakindlyfacewassettingoutcupsandsaucersonthetable。Shelookedupandnoddedastheycamein，andMr。Royalladvancedtothestove，clappinghisnumbhandstogether。
\"Well，Mrs。Hobart，yougotanybreakfastforthisyounglady？Youcanseeshe’scoldandhungry。\"
Mrs。HobartsmiledonCharityandtookatincoffee—potfromthefire。\"My，youdolookprettymean，\"shesaidcompassionately。
Charityreddened，andsatdownatthetable。Afeelingofcompletepassivenesshadoncemorecomeoverher，andshewasconsciousonlyofthepleasantanimalsensationsofwarmthandrest。
Mrs。Hobartputbreadandmilkonthetable，andthenwentoutofthehouse：Charitysawherleadingthehorseawaytothebarnacrosstheyard。Shedidnotcomeback，andMr。RoyallandCharitysataloneatthetablewiththesmokingcoffeebetweenthem。Hepouredoutacupforher，andputapieceofbreadinthesaucer，andshebegantoeat。
Asthewarmthofthecoffeeflowedthroughherveinsherthoughtsclearedandshebegantofeellikealivingbeingagain;butthereturntolifewassopainfulthatthefoodchokedinherthroatandshesatstaringdownatthetableinsilentanguish。
AfterawhileMr。Royallpushedbackhischair。\"Now，then，\"hesaid，\"ifyou’reamindtogoalong————\"Shedidnotmove，andhecontinued：\"WecanpickupthenoontrainforNettletonifyousayso。\"
Thewordssentthebloodrushingtoherface，andsheraisedherstartledeyestohis。Hewasstandingontheothersideofthetablelookingatherkindlyandgravely;andsuddenlysheunderstoodwhathewasgoingtosay。Shecontinuedtositmotionless，aleadenweightuponherlips。
\"Youandmehavespokesomehardthingstoeachotherinourtime，Charity;andthere’snogoodthatIcanseeinanymoretalkingnow。ButI’llneverfeelanywaybutoneaboutyou;andifyousaysowe’lldrivedownintimetocatchthattrain，andgostraighttotheminister’shouse;andwhenyoucomebackhomeyou’llcomeasMrs。Royall。\"
HisvoicehadthegravepersuasiveaccentthathadmovedhishearersattheHomeWeekfestival;shehadasenseofdepthsofmournfultoleranceunderthateasytone。Herwholebodybegantotremblewiththedreadofherownweakness。
\"Oh，Ican’t————\"sheburstoutdesperately。
\"Can’twhat？\"
Sheherselfdidnotknow：shewasnotsureifshewasrejectingwhatheoffered，oralreadystrugglingagainstthetemptationoftakingwhatshenolongerhadarightto。Shestoodup，shakingandbewildered，andbegantospeak：
\"IknowIain’tbeenfairtoyoualways;butIwanttobenow……Iwantyoutoknow……Iwant……\"Hervoicefailedherandshestopped。
Mr。Royallleanedagainstthewall。Hewaspalerthanusual，buthisfacewascomposedandkindlyandheragitationdidnotappeartoperturbhim。
\"What’sallthisaboutwanting？\"hesaidasshepaused。
\"Doyouknowwhatyoureallywant？I’lltellyou。Youwanttobetookhomeandtookcareof。AndIguessthat’sallthereistosay。\"
\"No……it’snotall……\"
\"Ain’tit？\"Helookedathiswatch。\"Well，I’lltellyouanotherthing。AllIwantistoknowifyou’llmarryme。Iftherewasanythingelse，I’dtellyouso;
butthereain’t。Cometomyage，amanknowsthethingsthatmatterandthethingsthatdon’t;that’sabouttheonlygoodturnlifedoesus。\"
Histonewassostrongandresolutethatitwaslikeasupportingarmabouther。Shefeltherresistancemelting，herstrengthslippingawayfromherashespoke。
\"Don’tcry，Charity，\"heexclaimedinashakenvoice。
Shelookedup，startledathisemotion，andtheireyesmet。
\"Seehere，\"hesaidgently，\"oldDan’scomealongdistance，andwe’vegottolethimtakeiteasytherestoftheway……\"
Hepickedupthecloakthathadslippedtoherchairandlaiditabouthershoulders。Shefollowedhimoutofthehouse，andthenwalkedacrosstheyardtotheshed，wherethehorsewastied。Mr。
Royallunblanketedhimandledhimoutintotheroad。
Charitygotintothebuggyandhedrewthecoveraboutherandshookoutthereinswithacluck。Whentheyreachedtheendofthevillageheturnedthehorse’sheadtowardCreston。
XVIII
TheybegantojogdownthewindingroadtothevalleyatoldDan’slanguidpace。Charityfeltherselfsinkingintodeeperdepthsofweariness，andastheydescendedthroughthebarewoodsthereweremomentswhenshelosttheexactsenseofthings，andseemedtobesittingbesideherloverwiththeleafyarchofsummerbendingoverthem。Butthisillusionwasfaintandtransitory。Forthemostpartshehadonlyaconfusedsensationofslippingdownasmoothirresistiblecurrent;andsheabandonedherselftothefeelingasarefugefromthetormentofthought。
Mr。Royallseldomspoke，buthissilentpresencegaveher，forthefirsttime，asenseofpeaceandsecurity。
Sheknewthatwherehewastherewouldbewarmth，rest，silence;andforthemomenttheywereallshewanted。
Sheshuthereyes，andeventhesethingsgrewdimtoher……
Inthetrain，duringtheshortrunfromCrestontoNettleton，thewarmtharousedher，andtheconsciousnessofbeingunderstrangeeyesgaveheramomentaryenergy。Shesatupright，facingMr。
Royall，andstaredoutofthewindowatthedenudedcountry。Forty—eighthoursearlier，whenshehadlasttraversedit，manyofthetreesstillheldtheirleaves;butthehighwindofthelasttwonightshadstrippedthem，andthelinesofthelandscape’wereasfinelypencilledasinDecember。AfewdaysofautumncoldhadwipedoutalltraceoftherichfieldsandlanguidgrovesthroughwhichshehadpassedontheFourthofJuly;andwiththefadingofthelandscapethosefervidhourshadfaded，too。Shecouldnolongerbelievethatshewasthebeingwhohadlivedthem;shewassomeonetowhomsomethingirreparableandoverwhelminghadhappened，butthetracesofthestepsleadinguptoithadalmostvanished。
WhenthetrainreachedNettletonandshewalkedoutintothesquareatMr。Royall’ssidethesenseofunrealitygrewmoreoverpowering。ThephysicalstrainofthenightanddayhadleftnoroominhermindfornewsensationsandshefollowedMr。Royallaspassivelyasatiredchild。Asinaconfuseddreamshepresentlyfoundherselfsittingwithhiminapleasantroom，atatablewitharedandwhitetable—clothonwhichhotfoodandteawereplaced。HefilledhercupandplateandwheneversheliftedhereyesfromthemshefoundhisrestingonherwiththesamesteadytranquilgazethathadreassuredandstrengthenedherwhentheyhadfacedeachotherinoldMrs。Hobart’skitchen。Aseverythingelseinherconsciousnessgrewmoreandmoreconfusedandimmaterial，becamemoreandmoreliketheuniversalshimmerthatdissolvestheworldtofailingeyes，Mr。Royall’spresencebegantodetachitselfwithrockyfirmnessfromthiselusivebackground。Shehadalwaysthoughtofhim——whenshethoughtofhimatall——
asofsomeonehatefulandobstructive，butwhomshecouldoutwitanddominatewhenshechosetomaketheeffort。Onlyonce，onthedayoftheOldHomeWeekcelebration，whilethestrayfragmentsofhisaddressdriftedacrosshertroubledmind，hadshecaughtaglimpseofanotherbeing，abeingsodifferentfromthedull—wittedenemywithwhomshehadsupposedherselftobelivingthateventhroughtheburningmistofherowndreamshehadstoodoutwithstartlingdistinctness。
Foramoment，then，whathesaid——andsomethinginhiswayofsayingit——hadmadeherseewhyhehadalwaysstruckherassuchalonelyman。Butthemistofherdreamshadhiddenhimagain，andshehadforgottenthatfugitiveimpression。
Itcamebacktohernow，astheysatatthetable，andgaveher，throughherownimmeasurabledesolation，asuddensenseoftheirnearnesstoeachother。Butallthesefeelingswereonlybriefstreaksoflightinthegreyblurofherphysicalweakness。ThroughitshewasawarethatMr。Royallpresentlylefthersittingbythetableinthewarmroom，andcamebackafteranintervalwithacarriagefromthestation——aclosed\"hack\"withsun—burntbluesilkblinds——inwhichtheydrovetogethertoahousecoveredwithcreepersandstandingnexttoachurchwithacarpetofturfbeforeit。Theygotoutatthishouse，andthecarriagewaitedwhiletheywalkedupthepathandenteredawainscotedhallandthenaroomfullofbooks。InthisroomaclergymanwhomCharityhadneverseenreceivedthempleasantly，andaskedthemtobeseatedforafewminuteswhilewitnesseswerebeingsummoned。
Charitysatdownobediently，andMr。Royall，hishandsbehindhisback，pacedslowlyupanddowntheroom。AsheturnedandfacedCharity，shenoticedthathislipsweretwitchingalittle;butthelookinhiseyeswasgraveandcalm。Oncehepausedbeforeherandsaidtimidly：\"Yourhair’sgotkinderloosewiththewind，\"
andsheliftedherhandsandtriedtosmoothbackthelocksthathadescapedfromherbraid。Therewasalooking—glassinacarvedframeonthewall，butshewasashamedtolookatherselfinit，andshesatwithherhandsfoldedonherkneetilltheclergymanreturned。Thentheywentoutagain，alongasortofarcadedpassage，andintoalowvaultedroomwithacrossonanaltar，androwsofbenches。Theclergyman，whohadleftthematthedoor，presentlyreappearedbeforethealtarinasurplice，andaladywhowasprobablyhiswife，andamaninablueshirtwhohadbeenrakingdeadleavesonthelawn，cameinandsatononeofthebenches。
TheclergymanopenedabookandsignedtoCharityandMr。Royalltoapproach。Mr。Royalladvancedafewsteps，andCharityfollowedhimasshehadfollowedhimtothebuggywhentheywentoutofMrs。Hobart’skitchen;shehadthefeelingthatifsheceasedtokeepclosetohim，anddowhathetoldhertodo，theworldwouldslipawayfrombeneathherfeet。
Theclergymanbegantoread，andonherdazedmindthererosethememoryofMr。Miles，standingthenightbeforeinthedesolatehouseoftheMountain，andreadingoutofthesamebookwordsthathadthesamedreadsoundoffinality：
\"Irequireandchargeyouboth，asyewillansweratthedreadfuldayofjudgmentwhenthesecretsofallheartsshallbedisclosed，thatifeitherofyouknowanyimpedimentwherebyyemaynotbelawfullyjoinedtogether……\"
CharityraisedhereyesandmetMr。Royall’s。Theywerestilllookingatherkindlyandsteadily。\"I
will！\"sheheardhimsayamomentlater，afteranotherintervalofwordsthatshehadfailedtocatch。Shewassobusytryingtounderstandthegesturesthattheclergymanwassignallingtohertomakethatshenolongerheardwhatwasbeingsaid。Afteranotherintervaltheladyonthebenchstoodup，andtakingherhandputitinMr。Royall’s。Itlayenclosedinhisstrongpalmandshefeltaringthatwastoobigforherbeingslippedonherthinfinger。Sheunderstoodthenthatshewasmarried……
LatethatafternoonCharitysataloneinabedroomofthefashionablehotelwheresheandHarneyhadvainlysoughtatableontheFourthofJuly。Shehadneverbeforebeeninsohandsomelyfurnishedaroom。
Themirrorabovethedressing—tablereflectedthehighhead—boardandflutedpillow—slipsofthedoublebed，andabedspreadsospotlesslywhitethatshehadhesitatedtolayherhatandjacketonit。Thehummingradiatordiffusedanatmosphereofdrowsywarmth，andthroughahalf—opendoorshesawtheglitterofthenickeltapsabovetwinmarblebasins。
Forawhilethelongturmoilofthenightanddayhadslippedawayfromherandshesatwithclosedeyes，surrenderingherselftothespellofwarmthandsilence。Butpresentlythismercifulapathywassucceededbythesuddenacutenessofvisionwithwhichsickpeoplesometimeswakeoutofaheavysleep。Assheopenedhereyestheyrestedonthepicturethathungabovethebed。Itwasalargeengravingwithadazzlingwhitemarginenclosedinawideframeofbird’s—eyemaplewithaninnerscrollofgold。Theengravingrepresentedayoungmaninaboatonalakeover—hungwithtrees。Hewasleaningovertogatherwater—liliesforthegirlinalightdresswholayamongthecushionsinthestern。Thescenewasfullofadrowsymidsummerradiance，andCharityavertedhereyesfromitand，risingfromherchair，begantowanderrestlesslyabouttheroom。
Itwasonthefifthfloor，anditsbroadwindowofplateglasslookedovertheroofsofthetown。Beyondthemstretchedawoodedlandscapeinwhichthelastfiresofsunsetwerepickingoutasteelygleam。
Charitygazedatthegleamwithstartledeyes。Eventhroughthegatheringtwilightsherecognizedthecontourofthesofthillsencirclingit，andthewaythemeadowsslopedtoitsedge。ItwasNettletonLakethatshewaslookingat。
Shestoodalongtimeinthewindowstaringoutatthefadingwater。Thesightofithadrousedherforthefirsttimetoarealizationofwhatshehaddone。Eventhefeelingoftheringonherhandhadnotbroughtherthissharpsenseoftheirretrievable。Foraninstanttheoldimpulseofflightsweptthroughher;butitwasonlytheliftofabrokenwing。Sheheardthedooropenbehindher，andMr。Royallcamein。
Hehadgonetothebarber’stobeshaved，andhisshaggygreyhairhadbeentrimmedandsmoothed。Hemovedstronglyandquickly，squaringhisshouldersandcarryinghisheadhigh，asifhedidnotwanttopassunnoticed。
\"Whatareyoudoinginthedark？\"hecalledoutinacheerfulvoice。Charitymadenoanswer。Hewentuptothewindowtodrawtheblind，andputtinghisfingeronthewallfloodedtheroomwithablazeoflightfromthecentralchandelier。Inthisunfamiliarilluminationhusbandandwifefacedeachotherawkwardlyforamoment;thenMr。Royallsaid：\"We’llstepdownandhavesomesupper，ifyousayso。\"
Thethoughtoffoodfilledherwithrepugnance;butnotdaringtoconfessitshesmoothedherhairandfollowedhimtothelift。
Anhourlater，comingoutoftheglareofthedining—
room，shewaitedinthemarble—panelledhallwhileMr。
Royall，beforethebrasslatticeofoneofthecornercounters，selectedacigarandboughtaneveningpaper。
Menwerelounginginrockingchairsundertheblazingchandeliers，travellerscomingandgoing，bellsringing，portersshufflingbywithluggage。OverMr。
Royall’sshoulder，asheleanedagainstthecounter，agirlwithherhairpuffedhighsmirkedandnoddedatadapperdrummerwhowasgettinghiskeyatthedeskacrossthehall。
Charitystoodamongthesecross—currentsoflifeasmotionlessandinertasifshehadbeenoneofthetablesscrewedtothemarblefloor。Allhersoulwasgatheredupintoonesicksenseofcomingdoom，andshewatchedMr。Royallinfascinatedterrorwhilehepinchedthecigarsinsuccessiveboxesandunfoldedhiseveningpaperwithasteadyhand。
Presentlyheturnedandjoinedher。\"Yougorightalonguptobed——I’mgoingtositdownhereandhavemysmoke，\"hesaid。Hespokeaseasilyandnaturallyasiftheyhadbeenanoldcouple，longusedtoeachother’sways，andhercontractedheartgaveaflutterofrelief。Shefollowedhimtothelift，andheputherinandenjoinedthebuttonedandbraidedboytoshowhertoherroom。
Shegropedherwayinthroughthedarkness，forgettingwheretheelectricbuttonwas，andnotknowinghowtomanipulateit。Butawhiteautumnmoonhadrisen，andtheilluminatedskyputapalelightintheroom。Byitsheundressed，andafterfoldinguptheruffledpillow—slipscrepttimidlyunderthespotlesscounterpane。Shehadneverfeltsuchsmoothsheetsorsuchlightwarmblankets;butthesoftnessofthebeddidnotsootheher。Shelaytheretremblingwithafearthatranthroughherveinslikeice。\"WhathaveI
done？Oh，whathaveIdone？\"shewhispered，shudderingtoherpillow;andpressingherfaceagainstittoshutoutthepalelandscapebeyondthewindowshelayinthedarknessstrainingherears，andshakingateveryfootstepthatapproached……
Suddenlyshesatupandpressedherhandsagainstherfrightenedheart。Afaintsoundhadtoldherthatsomeonewasintheroom;butshemusthavesleptintheinterval，forshehadheardnooneenter。Themoonwassettingbeyondtheoppositeroofs，andinthedarknessoutlinedagainstthegreysquareofthewindow，shesawafigureseatedintherocking—chair。Thefiguredidnotmove：itwassunkdeepinthechair，withbowedheadandfoldedarms，andshesawthatitwasMr。
Royallwhosatthere。Hehadnotundressed，buthadtakentheblanketfromthefootofthebedandlaiditacrosshisknees。Tremblingandholdingherbreathshewatchedhim，fearingthathehadbeenrousedbyhermovement;buthedidnotstir，andsheconcludedthathewishedhertothinkhewasasleep。
Asshecontinuedtowatchhimineffablereliefstoleslowlyoverher，relaxingherstrainednervesandexhaustedbody。Heknew，then……heknew……itwasbecauseheknewthathehadmarriedher，andthathesatthereinthedarknesstoshowhershewassafewithhim。Astirofsomethingdeeperthanshehadeverfeltinthinkingofhimflittedthroughhertiredbrain，andcautiously，noiselessly，sheletherheadsinkonthepillow……
Whenshewoketheroomwasfullofmorninglight，andherfirstglanceshowedherthatshewasaloneinit。
Shegotupanddressed，andasshewasfasteningherdressthedooropened，andMr。Royallcamein。Helookedoldandtiredinthebrightdaylight，buthisfaceworethesameexpressionofgravefriendlinessthathadreassuredherontheMountain。Itwasasifallthedarkspiritshadgoneoutofhim。
Theywentdownstairstothedining—roomforbreakfast，andafterbreakfasthetoldherhehadsomeinsurancebusinesstoattendto。\"IguesswhileI’mdoingityou’dbetterstepoutandbuyyourselfwhateveryouneed。\"Hesmiled，andaddedwithanembarrassedlaugh：\"YouknowIalwayswantedyoutobeatalltheothergirls。\"Hedrewsomethingfromhispocket，andpusheditacrossthetabletoher;andshesawthathehadgivenhertwotwenty—dollarbills。\"Ifitain’tenoughthere’smorewherethatcomefrom——Iwantyoutobeat’emallhollow，\"herepeated。
Sheflushedandtriedtostammeroutherthanks，buthehadpushedbackhischairandwasleadingthewayoutofthedining—room。Inthehallhepausedaminutetosaythatifitsuitedhertheywouldtakethethreeo’clocktrainbacktoNorthDormer;thenhetookhishatandcoatfromtherackandwentout。
AfewminuteslaterCharitywentout，too。Shehadwatchedtoseeinwhatdirectionhewasgoing，andshetooktheoppositewayandwalkedquicklydownthemainstreettothebrickbuildingonthecornerofLakeAvenue。Thereshepausedtolookcautiouslyupanddownthethoroughfare，andthenclimbedthebrass—boundstairstoDr。Merkle’sdoor。Thesamebushy—headedmulattogirladmittedher，andafterthesameintervalofwaitingintheredplushparlorshewasoncemoresummonedtoDr。Merkle’soffice。Thedoctorreceivedherwithoutsurprise，andledherintotheinnerplushsanctuary。
\"Ithoughtyou’dbeback，butyou’vecomeamitetoosoon：Itoldyoutobepatientandnotfret，\"sheobserved，afterapauseofpenetratingscrutiny。
Charitydrewthemoneyfromherbreast。\"I’vecometogetmybluebrooch，\"shesaid，flushing。
\"Yourbrooch？\"Dr。Merkleappearednottoremember。
\"My，yes——Igetsomanythingsofthatkind。Well，mydear，you’llhavetowaitwhileIgetitoutofthesafe。Idon’tleavevaluableslikethatlayingroundlikethenoospaper。\"
Shedisappearedforamoment，andreturnedwithabitoftwisted—uptissuepaperfromwhichsheunwrappedthebrooch。
Charity，asshelookedatit，feltastirofwarmthatherheart。Sheheldoutaneagerhand。
\"Haveyougotthechange？\"sheaskedalittlebreathlessly，layingoneofthetwenty—dollarbillsonthetable。
\"Change？What’dIwanttohavechangefor？Ionlyseetwotwentiesthere，\"Dr。Merkleansweredbrightly。
Charitypaused，disconcerted。\"Ithought……yousaiditwasfivedollarsavisit……\"
\"ForYOU，asafavour——Idid。Buthowabouttheresponsibilityandtheinsurance？Idon’ts’poseyoueverthoughtofthat？Thispin’sworthahundreddollarseasy。Ifithadgotlostorstole，where’dI
beenwhenyoucometoclaimit？\"
Charityremainedsilent，puzzledandhalf—convincedbytheargument，andDr。Merklepromptlyfollowedupheradvantage。\"Ididn’taskyouforyourbrooch，mydear。
I’dagooddealrutherfolkspaidmemyregularchargethanhave’emputmetoallthistrouble。\"
Shepaused，andCharity，seizedwithadesperatelongingtoescape，rosetoherfeetandheldoutoneofthebills。
\"Willyoutakethat？\"sheasked。
\"No，Iwon’ttakethat，mydear;butI’lltakeitwithitsmate，andhandyouoverasignedreceiptifyoudon’ttrustme。\"
\"Oh，butIcan’t——it’sallI’vegot，\"Charityexclaimed。
Dr。Merklelookedupatherpleasantlyfromtheplushsofa。\"Itseemsyougotmarriedyesterday，uptothe’Piscopalchurch;Iheardallabouttheweddingfromtheminister’schore—man。Itwouldbeapity，wouldn’tit，toletMr。Royallknowyouhadanaccountrunninghere？Ijustputittoyouasyourownmothermight。\"
AngerflamedupinCharity，andforaninstantshethoughtofabandoningthebroochandlettingDr。Merkledoherworst。Buthowcouldsheleaveheronlytreasurewiththatevilwoman？Shewanteditforherbaby：shemeantit，insomemysteriousway，tobealinkbetweenHarney’schildanditsunknownfather。
Tremblingandhatingherselfwhileshedidit，shelaidMr。Royall’smoneyonthetable，andcatchingupthebroochfledoutoftheroomandthehouse……
Inthestreetshestoodstill，dazedbythislastadventure。Butthebroochlayinherbosomlikeatalisman，andshefeltasecretlightnessofheart。Itgaveherstrength，afteramoment，towalkonslowlyinthedirectionofthepostoffice，andgointhroughtheswingingdoors。Atoneofthewindowssheboughtasheetofletter—paper，anenvelopeandastamp;thenshesatdownatatableanddippedtherustypostofficepeninink。ShehadcometherepossessedwithafearwhichhadhauntedhereversinceshehadfeltMr。
Royall’sringonherfinger：thefearthatHarneymight，afterall，freehimselfandcomebacktoher。Itwasapossibilitywhichhadneveroccurredtoherduringthedreadfulhoursaftershehadreceivedhisletter;onlywhenthedecisivestepshehadtakenmadelongingturntoapprehensiondidsuchacontingencyseemconceivable。Sheaddressedtheenvelope，andonthesheetofpapershewrote：
I’mmarriedtoMr。Royall。I’llalwaysrememberyou。
CHARITY。
Thelastwordswerenotintheleastwhatshehadmeanttowrite;theyhadflowedfromherpenirresistibly。
Shehadnothadthestrengthtocompletehersacrifice;
but，afterall，whatdiditmatter？NowthattherewasnochanceofeverseeingHarneyagain，whyshouldshenottellhimthetruth？
Whenshehadputtheletterintheboxshewentoutintothebusysunlitstreetandbegantowalktothehotel。Behindtheplateglasswindowsofthedepartmentstoresshenoticedthetemptingdisplayofdressesanddress—materialsthathadfiredherimaginationonthedaywhensheandHarneyhadlookedinatthemtogether。
TheyremindedherofMr。Royall’sinjunctiontogooutandbuyallsheneeded。Shelookeddownathershabbydress，andwonderedwhatsheshouldsaywhenhesawhercomingbackempty—handed。Asshedrewnearthehotelshesawhimwaitingonthedoorstep，andherheartbegantobeatwithapprehension。
Henoddedandwavedhishandatherapproach，andtheywalkedthroughthehallandwentupstairstocollecttheirpossessions，sothatMr。Royallmightgiveupthekeyoftheroomwhentheywentdownagainfortheirmiddaydinner。Inthebedroom，whileshewasthrustingbackintothesatchelthefewthingsshehadbroughtawaywithher，shesuddenlyfeltthathiseyeswereonherandthathewasgoingtospeak。Shestoodstill，herhalf—foldednight—gowninherhand，whilethebloodrusheduptoherdrawncheeks。
\"Well，didyourigyourselfouthandsomely？Ihaven’tseenanybundlesround，\"hesaidjocosely。
\"Oh，I’dratherletAllyHawesmakethefewthingsI
want，\"sheanswered。
\"Thatso？\"Helookedatherthoughtfullyforamomentandhiseye—browsprojectedinascowl。Thenhisfacegrewfriendlyagain。\"Well，Iwantedyoutogobacklookingstylisherthananyofthem;butIguessyou’reright。You’reagoodgirl，Charity。\"
Theireyesmet，andsomethingroseinhisthatshehadneverseenthere：alookthatmadeherfeelashamedandyetsecure。
\"Iguessyou’regood，too，\"shesaid，shylyandquickly。Hesmiledwithoutanswering，andtheywentoutoftheroomtogetheranddroppeddowntothehallintheglitteringlift。
Latethatevening，inthecoldautumnmoonlight，theydroveuptothedooroftheredhouse。